French regulators fined Vivendi Universal SA and its former boss Jean-Marie Messier nearly \$1.4 million each on Tuesday for deceiving investors with a litany of inaccurate financial communications issued over a two-year period.

Vivendi, Messier Are Fined \$1.35M Each


Replacement winger Ross Lavery scored the decisive try just two minutes from time as Oxford finally justified the favourites tag they had carried into each of the last three matches.

Oxford 18 Cambridge 11


Version 1.0 of the Mozilla Thunderbird email client is finally available for download, according to an announcement from the Mozilla Foundation.

Thunderbird email client goes gold


They were, in theory, the NFC #39;s second-best team. Now they #39;re not and no one else is, either. The NFC has the Philadelphia Eagles at the top, the San Francisco 49ers at the bottom and everyone else in the middle.

Sherman remains confident after Packers #39; flop in Philly


Winemakers who want to ship directly to consumers across state lines got a sympathetic hearing at the Supreme Court today, as the justices heard oral arguments in a case that could have a dramatic effect on Internet commerce and states' power to regulate the alcohol trade.

Supreme Court Hears Wine Sales Case


Don't miss the opportunity! Obtain a FREE SSL Trial ID today.

Partner: Free Verisign SSL Certificate


The CAIB report urged NASA to develop a way for astronauts during flight to inspect the orbiter and make emergency repairs to its insulation tiles and reinforced carbon-carbon panels.

Shuttle to launch without repair kit?


The US is sending up to 600 marines and relief supplies to flood-ravaged areas of the Philippines.

US sends marines to Philippines


BBC boss Mark Thompson says the corporation must keep up with change, after announcing nearly 3,000 job cuts.

BBC 'must keep up'


OK, fantasy basketball owners who selected Jason Kidd with the 11th pick on draft day, it #39;s time for you to get a little satisfaction.

ESPN Fantasy Games


Toothpaste maker Colgate-Palmolive said today it is cutting 4,400 jobs and closing a third of its 78 factories around the world. The group, which makes products such as Colgate

Colgate-Palmolive Announces Job Cuts


MUNICH - German insurance concern Allianz said on Tuesday it would fight a US jury decision in New York which doubled the amount of insurance which the leaseholder of the destroyed World Trade Center towers could collect from nine insurance firms.

Allianz to fight US court ruling on WTC attacks


Ruud van Nistelrooy will miss Manchester United #39;s last Champions League Group D game away to Fenerbahce on Wednesday because of a calf injury, the Premier League club said.

Van Nistelrooy misses United #39;s last group game in Turkey


AP - The Supreme Court considered Tuesday whether state alcoholic beverage regulations put in place 70 years ago, after Prohibition was lifted, should remain the law of the land in the Internet age.

Court Hears Interstate Wine Sales Case (AP)


Pixar Animation Studios will delay the release of its next film,  quot;Cars, quot; until June 2006 as it switches from a holiday release schedule to releasing films during the summer when more children are at home.

Pixar Delays Its Next Film  #39;Cars #39; to 2006


Crude oil fell to the lowest in more than four months on speculation that warm weather and increased refinery production bolstered US heating-oil stockpiles last week.

Oil Falls to 4-Month Low on Signs of Heating-Oil Supply Rise


NO SPECTATORS will be watching in the ground, but the eyes of Europe will be trained on Romes Olympic Stadium tonight as Real Madrid seek the win they probably need to avoid a humiliating, early exit from the Champions League.

Real eager to silence doubting supporters


AP - LeBron James scored 27 points and assisted on Lucious Harris' clinching 3-pointer with 6 seconds left as the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers won their eighth straight at home, 103-97 over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.

Cavaliers Defeat Nets 103-97 (AP)


CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Ron Zook took over Illinois #39; struggling football program Tuesday, returning to his roots and promising to turn around a team that has sunk to the bottom of the Big Ten since winning a league title in 2001.

Zooks gets a five-year deal


Coca-Cola has decided not to sell its C2 brand in the UK, one of the company #39;s biggest markets, raising doubts about the future of the mid- calorie soft drink just six months after its launch in North America and Japan.

Coca-Cola will not sell low-carb C2 in UK


SAN FRANCISCO -- Four mainstream IT companies are pooling resources to launch a standardized enterprise grid infrastructure based on their products.

IT Heavies Launch  quot;MegaGrid quot; Project


As the shuffling of players intensifies this off-season, some of the Boston Red Sox' pictures will come down. The champions will have to change.

Red Sox Formula Is a Model for Success


Kylan Loney had five 3s among her 23 points, and Arizona State used 24 turnovers by 11th-ranked Georgia to win 67-57 Tuesday night.

Arizona State 67, No. 11 Georgia 57


AP - Lawmakers fought over and failed to pass legal reforms aimed at ensuring a fair rematch of Ukraine's fraudulent presidential runoff, accusing each other Tuesday of acting in bad faith as several thousand orange-clad protesters besieged parliament and chanted,

Ukraine Officials Fail to Vote on Reforms (AP)


Kieran Richardson has banished any thought of leaving Manchester United - either permanently or on loan. The 20-year-old Londoner is expected to make his 20th senior appearance tonight as Sir Alex Ferguson

Richardson Keeps Faith in Himself


A bipartisan commission that includes energy industry executives, environmentalists and academics will issue a report Wednesday that calls on the nation to adopt mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming, set stricter fuel economy standards and promote nuclear power, renewable energy and oil exploration.

Bipartisan Panel Seeks Greenhouse Gas Limits


Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 of his 34 points in the second half as the Dallas Mavericks snapped the Minnesota Timberwolves #39; five-game winning streak 97-87.

Nowitzki, Mavericks Snap Timberwolves #39; Streak


Stephen Graham scores 16 points, including two late three-point plays, and No. 5 Oklahoma State beat No. 4 Syracuse, 74-60.

Cowboys Own Orange


New figures show Japan's economy is barely staying out of recession with annual growth of just 0.2 in the third quarter.

Japan narrowly escapes recession


Pakistan test-fires a short-range nuclear capable missile, the second in just over a week, officials say.

Pakistan tests 'nuclear' missile


TOKYO - China's Lenovo Group Ltd. signed a definitive agreement on Wednesday to acquire IBM Corp.'s personal computing division. Lenovo will pay US\$1.25 billion in cash for the business, which is expected to transform it into the world's number three PC maker, the companies announced.

China's Lenovo to buy IBM's PC business


China's biggest computer maker, Lenovo Group, said today it has acquired a majority stake in International Business Machines Corp.'s personal computer business for \$1.25 billion, one of the biggest Chinese overseas acquisitions ever.

IBM sells PC stake to China's Lenovo


FRESNO, Calif. -- Automobile manufacturers sued on Tuesday to block the world #39;s toughest vehicle emissions standards, adopted by California regulators in September to cut greenhouse gases.

Automakers sue California over emissions


Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, while watching tape of Oklahoma State in preparation for their encounter at the Jimmy V Classic, said to himself,  quot;we might not even be able to play with this team.

Oklahoma State #39;s seniors rope victory


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must  diversify  its global oil supplies, expand a world network of strategic  petroleum reserves and raise fuel efficiency standards to  ensure its energy security, a panel of experts will recommend  on Wednesday.

Panel: U.S. Must Diversify Oil Supplies


There #39;s a new feud taking place in Lakerland this week, only this time the verbal war of words is between Newport Beach neighbors Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant and the exchanges are

Kobe talks, Malone walks


Reuters - Pakistan test-fired on Wednesday a\nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable\of hitting targets deep inside arch-rival India.

Pakistan Tests Medium-Range Nuclear-Capable Missile (Reuters)


Around 40 of the UK will still be without internet access at home by 2025, warns a study by telecoms giant BT.

Millions to miss out on the net


AP - After Illinois fired football coach Ron Turner, some of the players he left behind started doing some research. They decided very quickly that Ron Zook would be a good fit for their team.

Players Say Zook Is the Coach They Wanted (AP)


A MAN suspected of helping former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein commit war crimes and genocide by supplying him with materials for chemical weapons, has been arrested by the Netherlands authorities.

Dutchman suspected of aiding Saddam in war crimes is arrested


BELFAST -- The Irish Republican Army has reopened negotiations with Northern Ireland's disarmament chief, the outlawed group said yesterday, signaling its readiness to put more weapons out of commission for the first time in over a year. The move came ahead of the planned unveiling by the leaders of Britain and Ireland of a joint peace package that has taken ...

IRA says it reopened disarmament talks


IBM Corp. is selling its personal computer business to China #39;s largest PC maker in a \$1.25 billion deal that marks the end of an era for the company that made  quot;PC quot; a household word.

IBM announces Lenovo deal


SAMARRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Three Iraqis were killed on  Wednesday when a suicide car bomber attacked a U.S. convoy in  the northern city of Samarra, a local police official said.

Three Iraqis Killed in Bomb Attack on U.S. Troops


Washington #39;s top nuclear negotiator arrived in Seoul yesterday from China to brainstorm ways to jump-start the stalled six-nation disarmament talks on the North Korean nuclear standoff.

Allies discuss early revival of 6-way talks


A customer asked vintner Leon Santoro this week if he could ship a case of wine to the customer #39;s home in New York. Not legally, replied Santoro, general manager of Orfila Vineyards  amp; Winery in Escondido.

Wineries look to high court for change in shipping rules


AP - Pale Male the city hawk was evicted from his nest, and the flap has already begun.

Hawks Evicted From New York City Perch (AP)


KABUL, Dec 8 (AFP) - NATO-led troops in Afghanistan will not scale back their presence before parliamentary elections in the war-torn country next spring, French junior foreign minister Renaud Muselier said Wednesday.

France rules out troop reduction in Afghanistan


Sony entertainment has chosen NVIDIA as the supplier for the powerful graphics chips required for Sonys upcoming Playstation 3 video game console.

Sony Taps NVIDIA for Playstation 3 Graphics


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages  rose last week, as mortgage rates fell, an industry group said  on Wednesday.

Mortgage Applications Rose Last Week


Australia withstood a late flurry of exciting strokeplay from pace bowler Kyle Mills to beat New Zealand by 17 runs in Wednesday #39;s second limited-overs international to square their best-of-three series at 1-1.

UPDATE 1-Australia survive NZ flurry to square series


Intel #39;s products for the digital home and digital office in 2005 will give consumers and IT managers more capabilities than just raw performance, and the company plans to highlight those products as it did with its Centrino mobile technology, Intel

Intel Sheds Light on 2005 Desktop Strategy


NEW YORK - If ever there was a company that could challenge Apple Computer for the dominant position in the still-young digital music space, it should be Sony.

Imagining An iPod Challenger


Hoping to prove that grid computing can work in the business world, Dell, EMC, Intel and Oracle have announced a joint effort designed to show business users how to use the distributed computing technology.

Project Megagrid shows off business side of grid


SIR Richard Branson did not disappoint with his stunts yesterday, flying into Sydney to promote his international airline Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin dips its toe into the Pacific


India and Pakistan failed to agree Wednesday on starting a bus service between the divided parts of Kashmir. Two days of talks between officials of the two countries on the

India, Pakistan fail to agree on Kashmir bus service


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices sank to a four-month low  below \$41 for U.S. crude on Wednesday after leading OPEC  producer Saudi Arabia questioned the need for the cartel to  curb supplies.

Oil Prices Sink to a Four-Month Low


The Pentagon inspector general found the root cause of sexual assault at the Air Force Academy was its commanders' failure to acknowledge the problem's severity.

Inquiry Faults Commanders in Assaults on Cadets


While the list has dwindled in the search to replace David Cutcliffe as the Ole Miss football coach, one name has risen to the top.

USC #39;s Orgeron shows interest in Ole Miss job


The Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his doubt that the Iraqi elections will be held at their due time. Putin said during his meeting with the Interim Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi that he

Putin doubts date of the elections, Allawi confirms it will be <b>...</b>


USATODAY.com - States that block direct shipments of wine to consumers from out-of-state wineries faced skeptical comments from Supreme Court justices on Tuesday.

Justices hear cases on shipping wine (USATODAY.com)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Too many house-rich Americans are  borrowing money against their homes to play the stock market,  brokerages regulator NASD warned on Wednesday.

NASD Warns of Risky Home-Equity Investing


AFP - Strife-torn Sudan will become the largest focus of aid work for the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2005, while money earmarked for Iraq will fall by almost one third, the agency said.

Sudan to attract most ICRC funds in 2005, 30-percent drop in cash for Iraq (AFP)


AP - A government panel Wednesday approved plans to send a weather satellite into Earth's orbit by February 2005, in the first scheduled launch for Japan's troubled space program since late last year, an official said.

Japan to Resume Space Rocket Launches (AP)


Canadian mining firm Farallon Resources Ltd. on Wednesday said it agreed to privately sell about \$20 million Canadian (\$16.3 million) worth of stock to accredited investors and company insiders.

Farallon to Sell \$16.3 Million in Stock


Once a seemingly indestructible hiding hole for the frightened investor, some on Wall Street are beginning to question the super-safe status of US Treasury debt.

Deficits soil safe-haven image of US Treasury debt


Oracle, Dell, EMC and Intel have joined with other tech companies to create an industry standard for enterprise grid systems.  quot;Project MegaGrid quot; will help maximize the use of computing resources, according to the group.

IT Giants Form Grid Computing Alliance


Reuters - Internet companies and\law-enforcement agencies said on Wednesday they will work\together to track down online scam artists who pose as banks\and other legitimate businesses, a practice known as\

Tech Firms, FBI to Fight 'Phishing' Scams Together (Reuters)


Toyota, General Motors and seven other automakers filed suit to block California's new greenhouse gas regulation, which was approved by the state in September.

Schwarzenegger Vows to Defend Emissions Law


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Newspaper publisher Gannett Co Inc.  <A HREF=

Gannett Needs Ad Pickup to Hit Target-CFO


A red jungle fowl is seen in this undated handout photo. Researchers have assembled the genome sequence of the Red Jungle Fowl, the ancestor of all domestic chickens.

Chicken Genome Should Boost DNA Research


AP - Police and National Guard troops fired tear gas and plastic bullets at crowds of angry street vendors in Venezuela's capital Wednesday as officers tried to remove merchants from zones where they are barred from selling their wares.

Police, Peddlers Clash in Venezuelan City (AP)


AP - Steve Gleason of the New Orleans Saints was fined  #36;5,000 by the NFL on Wednesday after being thrown out of last week's game with Carolina for punching the Panthers' Kemp Rasmussen at the end of a kickoff return.

NFL Fines Saints' Gleason  #36;5,000 for Punch (AP)


AP - Utah defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham was hired as the school's football coach to replace Urban Meyer.

Utah Hires Whittingham to Replace Meyer (AP)


RUSSIAN oil billionaire Roman Abramovich suffered two rare defeats yesterday as reigning champions FC Porto downed his Chelsea side 2-1 ensuring it avoided the ignominy of becoming the first titleholders to exit in the first round.

Champion snaps Chelsea #39;s streak Porto power


Sir Richard said yesterday Melbourne was on his wish list, with flights to London possibly through Hong Kong or Bangkok. The British billionaire landed in Sydney yesterday aboard Virgin Atlantic #39;s inaugural Australian flight.

Virgin wishing for Melbourne


DreamWorks announced today that it has decided to move its release of Shrek 3 from November 2006 to May, 2007.  quot;We believe there are more than a half a dozen strong release windows available annually for our

DreamWorks Moves Shrek 3 to 2007


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio declined as much as 22 percent Wednesday following two analyst downgrades.

Courses to help teach you


The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned reported military actions by Rwanda in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and demanded the country immediately withdraw any troops it may have in the DRC.

UN demands Rwanda pull out military forces in DRC


p2pnet.net News:- Expert witness Melbourne professor Leon Sterling, produced by Big Music in the Kazaa civil trial currently unfolding in Australia, apparently once offered to speak for Kazaa owner Sharman Networks.

Kazaa trial  #39;expert #39; changed sides


Canadian Press - TOKYO (AP) - Japan's economy barely grew during the quarter ending Sept. 30 and in the April-June period it actually shrank instead of squeezing out slight growth, according to revised government data released Wednesday.

Data revision shows Japan's economy grew slightly in July-September (Canadian Press)


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

Alamosa to Buy AirGate for \$392 Million


 By Axel Bugge

 BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Burning of the Amazon andother forests accounts for three quarters of Brazil'sgreenhouse gas emissions and has made the country one of theworld's leading polluters, a long-delayed government reportshowed on Wednesday.

Amazon Burning Makes Brazil a Leading Polluter


Four players whose teams are bound for the Orange Bowl dominate the Heisman Trophy finalist list, which was announced Wednesday evening on SportsCenter.

Leinart, Bush, White and Peterson lead final 5


THE stock market opened higher today as industrials stocks mitigated the effects of a weaker resources sector.  quot;Commodity prices are generally weaker on renewed speculation of weaker demand in China, quot; Wilson HTM senior client adviser Angus Bligh said.

Industrials lift stocks


AP - Treasury Secretary John Snow, an aggressive champion of the administration's economic policies, accepted President Bush's offer Wednesday to remain in the Cabinet.

Snow to Stay on With Bush, Principi Exits (AP)


CRM software giant Siebel Systems said yesterday that it is launching a new program that will cater to small and midsize businesses in a bid to help it boost flat revenues.

Siebel looks to midmarket to bolster revenues


Nortel Networks said today that after months of trying to untangle faulty financial results, it won't file its 2003 and first-half 2004 results until early next year.

Nortel to file restated results next year


Nortel Networks said today that it will begin releasing restated and delayed financial results dating back to 2001 next week after a nine-month delay.

Nortel to Release Delayed Financial Results


AP - Six-time All-Star catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. agreed Wednesday to a  #36;550,000, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers to be a part-time player next season.

Sandy Alomar Agrees to Sign With Rangers (AP)


Entering the final week for Heisman Trophy voters to make their decision, the race has turned out tighter than it was believed to be last week.

Heisman Horses Come Down to the Wire


ALARM has spread through the Russian investment community as authorities slapped a tax bill of almost \$US160 million (\$210 million) on the number two mobile operator, in what is widely seen as a government-linked campaign against the firm.

Yukos echo in Russian telco #39;s tax bill


The US Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could have a major impact on California #39;s wine industry. At issue is whether states can bar people from buying wine directly from out-of-state suppliers.

Wine Shipping Case Heard by Supreme Court


A group of former British diplomats, peers, scientists and church leaders will today urge Tony Blair to launch an inquiry into the death toll of the Iraq war.

Blair urged to launch Iraq death toll probe


\\Today was a strange day for the Palm OS community:\\

Palm OS for Linux?


When it comes to touting his company's software, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison is never one to mince words. But when it's the principle of free speech versus the almighty dollar, the bad boy of Silicon Valley is a veritable shrinking violet. Missing Links

Ellison: Censorship ain't my problem


The US Supreme Court limited the scope of federal trademark protection, saying rival companies in some cases can use proprietary terms even when customers might be confused.

Company Trademark Rights Limited by US High Court (Update1)


Electronic Data Systems has admitted that an error by one of its computer operators during a Microsoft Windows upgrade caused 40,000 PCs at the United Kingdom #39;s Department of Work and Pensions to crash last month.

Human error at EDS to blame for UK outage


com December 8, 2004, 2:48 PM PT. Several flaws in common Linux code used to process graphics in the GNOME desktop environment could allow an attacker to compromise a computer that

Linux groups patch image flaw


AP - Outer space could become the final frontier of tourism under legislation passed Wednesday by the Senate to regulate commercial human spaceflight.

Congress Passes Bill Allowing Space Tours (AP)


The dollar rebounded for a second session on Thursday as traders and investors took profits on bets against the US currency before the year draws to a close.

Dollar Extends Recovery Against Euro, Yen


PONTIAC, Mich. The man accused of starting the brawl at a Detroit Pistons game last month is no stranger to the man who #39;s filing the charges against him.

Prosecutor brings charges against former neighbor in NBA brawl


AP - Florida linebacker Taurean Charles was charged with aggravated battery and culpable negligence-infliction of injury Wednesday from a fight at an off-campus party in June.

Florida Linebacker Charles Charged (AP)


This time last week, first lady Laura Bush was having what she might call her Christmas Tree Day. First, she showed off the decorated executive mansion to reporters and then joined her husband

Get Real?


Rafael Benitez praised the captain #39;s performance of Steven Gerrard after his dramatic late goal earned Liverpool a place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Benitez praises Gerrard #39;s role


Eddy Curry scores 20 points and rookie Ben Gordon adds 21 to lead Chicago to a rare 113-85 lopsided win over Cleveland on Wednesday.

Bulls Stomp Cavaliers


AP - Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters is not expected to play in the first Grand Slam of next year while she continues to recover from an injury to her left wrist.

Australian Open Exec Says Clijsters Out (AP)


Al Leiter is returning to the Marlins, but Carl Pavano appears to be a goner. Leiter, a left-hander who threw the franchise #39;s first no-hitter in 1996 and helped the team win its first World Series in 1997, signed a one-year \$8 million contract Wednesday.

Leiter returns as Pavano prepares to go


SAN FRANCISCO -- Oracle CEO Larry Ellison is convinced that had the intelligence community used a unified database from Oracle, the terrorist attacks on 9/11 would never have happened.

Ellison: Data Hubs Could #39;ve Prevented 9/11


AP - Minnesota next week will begin issuing a first-of-its-kind driver's license designed to thwart counterfeiters  #151; an issue that has taken on greater urgency since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Minn. Test Drives New License Technology (AP)


AFP - Hollywood movie powerhouse Walt Disney has taken sides with Japan's Sony Corp. in a bitter battle between studios to define a technical standard for next generation DVDs, it said.

Disney takes sides in battle for next generation DVD (AFP)


WALTHAM -- He is an 87-year-old man with a cane and a cigar, and the clout of a king.

Wisdom was main course


A third of people on the planet will be learning English in the next decade, \says a report.

English 'world language' forecast


US troops injured in Iraq have required limb amputations at twice the rate of past wars, and as many as 20 percent have suffered head and neck injuries that may require a lifetime of care, according to new data giving the clearest picture yet of the severity of battlefield wounds.

Amputation rate for US troops twice that of past wars


Leverkusen - Bayer Leverkusen maintained their 100 home record in this season #39;s Champions League defeating Dynamo Kiev 3-0 here on Wednesday to book their place in the last sixteen of the competition.

Leverksuen see off Kiev


Target stores have a simple message for eager shoppers this holiday season:  quot;Get giving #39; roughly translated, buy stuff. The national retail chain also has a simple

Salvation Army bell ringers booted from Target stores


Jailed Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti is expected to withdraw from the race for leadership of the Palestinian Authority in the coming days, say senior Fatah sources, if his political demands are met by his election rival, former prime minister Mahmoud

Barghouti won #39;t stand if Abbas meets terms


More than one billion children around the world face a brutal existence because of poverty, war and Aids, the UN children #39;s agency reports.

One billion  #39;denied a childhood #39;


It #39;s a clash between the film industry and a consumer electronics company over a home theater jukebox. The legal battle is over something called the Kaleidescape System.

Top Cyber News 12/9


The Irish Republican Army abandoned its longtime opposition to disarmament on Thursday, pledging to get rid of its weapons by the end of the month.

IRA Willing to Disarm by Month #39;s End


The wreckage of a Royal Navy helicopter, which disappeared with four crew members on board, has been found off the coast of Cornwall, the Ministry of Defence says.

Wreckage of Navy helicopter found


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing  initial claims for jobless pay grew unexpectedly last week to  357,000, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, but an  official said an increase in the week after a public holiday  was typical.

Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly


AP - Scientists studying the broader effects of wolf reintroduction said a growing body of evidence suggests that killing off predators such as wolves and grizzly bears in the last century started a cascade of effects that threw ecosystems out of balance.

Study: Return of Wolves Changes Ecosystem (AP)


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Toll Brothers reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that nearly doubled over year-earlier results as demand continued to outstrip supply in the homebuilder #39;s affluent markets.

Shares surge to all-time high as results exceed forecasts


MOSUL, Iraq, Dec 9 (AFP) - Six Iraqi national guardsmen and 10 civilians were wounded in two bomb attacks in the northern city of Mosul on Thursday, police said.

Six Iraqi national guards, 10 civilians wounded in Mosul attacks


THAT night, it seemed as if three or four parties were going on at once in Cosmo Manille. Wrong, palanggas. Actually, there were five in Makati alone, and one of them had a stream of traffic

Without Batting An Eyelash : A very French welcome for a new <b>...</b>


AP - The Florida Keys, already dealing with invasive exotics from melaleuca to iguanas, have added another to the list of unwanted newcomers: the African Gambian pouch rat.

Large Gambian Rats Worry Fla. Officials (AP)


BERLIN (Reuters) - By creating a new, all-powerful director  of national intelligence, the United States departs radically  from the practice in most of its Western allies where  spymasters shun the public gaze and work by committee.

U.S. Alone Among Allies in Centralizing Spy Powers


Baxter International Inc. on Thursday said it halted a late-stage European trial of a flu vaccine because of higher-than-expected rates of fever and other symptoms.

Baxter Ends Flu Vaccine Trial; Cites Side Effects


US appeals to European nations to boost NATO missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have been a success, with the alliance announcing a small expansion of its fledgling military training facility in Baghdad.

Europe to send more troops to Iraq


Lycos made headlines during the past several days by distributing a screensaver designed to swamp the sites of those deemed responsible for spam with traffic, in effect giving spammers, at least the companies that bankroll them, a taste of their own

Fake Lycos Screensaver Hides a Keylogger


AFP - Mobile phones are expected to generate more money this year than traditional fixed-line services for the first time due to surging demand in developing countries such as China, India and Russia, an annual industry report said.

Mobile phone sales to beat fixed lines in 2004: report (AFP)


Reuters - A young Nigerian mother\sentenced to death by stoning for having sex outside marriage\was acquitted and discharged by an Islamic appeals court on\Thursday.

Court Overturns Nigerian Woman's Stoning Sentence (Reuters)


\

 By Lisa Baertlein

 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A former White House Web security\chief predicted on Wednesday that technology companies and law\enforcers could soon stamp out most Internet

Ex-U.S. Cyber Security Chief Sees Curb on Phishing


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rose on Thursday as  traders, short of dollars after relentlessly selling them for  weeks, looked to the growing yield advantage of U.S. assets as  a reason to buy back the currency before the end of the year.

Dollar Rises on the Interest Rate Plays


Google Founders Interviewed by Barbara Walters\\Google's founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, were interviewed last night by Barbara Walters on ABC's 20/20 10 Most Fascinating People. Andy Beal who doesn't seem to be too fond of Barbara Wawa pointed this out on his SearchEngineLowdown blog. I was too busy eating ...


REAL, Philippines (AFP) - Philippine rescuers were frantically digging for more survivors after four people, including a toddler, were pulled alive from a building crushed by a landslide 11 days ago.

#39;Miracle in mud #39; as four pulled alive from Philippine disaster


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices extended early  losses on Thursday after private and foreign investors showed  little interest in a sale of reopened debt.

Treasuries Drop, Foreigners Shun 10-Year


General Motors Europe (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will chop 12,000 jobs over two years -- around a fifth of its workforce -- to lop

General Motors Europe Axes 12,000 Jobs


AP - Letting children play video games on a Game Boy in the operating room before undergoing surgery can help relax them better than tranquilizers or holding Mommy's hand, researchers say.

Video Games Used to Relax Kids in Hospital (AP)


America West Holdings Corp., parent of America West Airlines Inc., on Thursday said it does not plan to submit a bid to acquire bankrupt ATA Holdings Corp.

America West Pulls From Race for ATA


Nextel and Sprint are in talks that could lead to a merger between the two mobile phone operators, sources close to the discussions said on Thursday.

Nextel and Sprint in talks on possible merger


AP - While manager Joe Torre repeatedly dodged questions Thursday on whether he thinks Jason Giambi will return to the New York Yankees, Hall of Famer Yogi Berra readily voiced his opinion.

Berra Says He Wouldn't Take Giambi Back (AP)


PalmSource today promised a Linux version of its operating system, together with a cut-down offering for use in budget mobiles, after buying mobile phone developer China Mobilesoft.

PalmSource Promises Linux OS


The EU Telecommunications Council today today launched Safer Internet Plus, a scheme to help parents and teachers control what children view online.

EC presses for safer internet


CHICAGO (Reuters) - America West Holdings Corp. <A HREF=

America West: Will Not Bid for ATA


Analysts said Amazon #39;s launch of the DVD rental service in the UK might be to test its approach and streamline the logistically difficult process of handling DVDs through the mail.

Amazon #39;s UK DVD Rentals Might Presage War with Netflix


Two researchers say they #39;ve discovered a pattern of tremors deep beneath the San Andreas Fault that someday may yield clues into unlocking the mysteries of California earthquakes.

Scientists study clues to forecasting California quakes


KEY talks between the government of Sudan and rebels in the troubled Darfur region tomorrow could fail because of a new surge of violence, the UN #39;s envoy to the country said.

Envoy fears Darfur talks failure


NewsFactor - Mobile software provider PalmSource is leaping into a market with a\potentially huge upside with the acquisition of China MobileSoft (CMS),\and at the same time is giving a big boost to the open source developer\commmunity.

PalmSource Embraces Linux with China MobileSoft Acquisition (NewsFactor)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - T-Mobile USA, the U.S. wireless unit  of Deutsche Telekom AG <A HREF=

T-Mobile USA Sees High-Speed Network 2 Years Off


While the recent flurry of record oil prices may be temporary, government analysts said Thursday that \$30-a-barrel oil should be expected for decades to come.

Federal Report Sees Crude Oil Staying High


America West Airlines backed away Thursday from a potential bidding war for bankrupt ATA Airlines, paving the way for AirTran to take over ATA operations.

America West Backs Away From ATA Bid


Reuters - A car bomb that exploded near the\headquarters of Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's party in\western Baghdad on Monday targeted a police checkpoint at the\entrance to the road leading to the building, witnesses said.

Blast Targets Baghdad Checkpoint Near Allawi HQ (Reuters)


AP - NEW APPROACH: A study says that removing just one to three key lymph nodes can spare women lifelong arm problems and reliably indicate whether breast cancer has spread.

Summary Box: Breast Cancer Surgery Refined (AP)


AP - Wild South American monkeys routinely use fist-sized rocks to crack open seeds and to dig in dry Brazilian soil for grubs and edible tubers, researchers report in the journal Science.

Study: Wild Monkeys Resort to Use of Tools (AP)


Opel gets by without layoffs. Readers taking in these and similar headlines earlier this week were well advised to read the fine print.

Opel to cut payroll by 9,500


Danish security research firm Secunia has reported a vulnerability that occurs in most browsers that can be exploited by hackers looking to spoof the content of Web sites.

Injection Flaw Found in Browsers


Washington: India is among the five countries in the world where political parties are seen by the general public as the most corrupt, according to a survey released by the Transparency International (TI).

Indian parties among most corrupt in world


AP - Colin Montgomerie was thrilled to get an invitation from Tiger Woods to play in his year-end tournament with 15 of the best players in golf. Even better was matching Woods' score.

Montgomerie, Woods, Furyk Tied at Target (AP)


AFP - Prime Minister John Howard warned that Australia's strong dollar, high world oil prices and the lingering effects of prolonged drought would dampen the country's long-buoyant economy in 2005.

Prime minister says Australia faces tough economic year in 2005 (AFP)


AP - Kansas City Chiefs star running back Priest Holmes will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Knee Injury Sidelines Chiefs' Holmes (AP)


Security researchers warned this week of a vulnerability in most Web browsers which could potentially allow scammers to launch phishing attacks from pop-up windows on trusted Web sites.

Scammers Could Hijack Pop-Ups


Nextel Communications Inc. and Sprint Corp. are negotiating a possible merger, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Nextel, Sprint Talk Merger


AP - The Washington Wizards suspended Kwame Brown for one game Thursday for his actions during the previous night's game against Denver.

Wizards' Kwame Brown Suspended One Game (AP)


Bird #39;s custard and Angel Delight are back in British hands after a 70m deal announced yesterday. The famous brands have been bought by Premier Foods, owner of Ambrosia custard and Rowntrees jelly, from the US food group Kraft.

Premier swallows Bird #39;s custard


AP - A coal mine explosion in northern China killed 33 people in the latest disaster to strike the country's accident-prone mining industry, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.

Coal Mine Blast in China Kills 33 (AP)


Baylor received its notice of allegations Thursday from the NCAA about infractions in its men's basketball program discovered after the death of player Patrick Dennehy.

NCAA Notifies Baylor


President Bush's inaugural committee, seeking to raise more than \$40 million, a record, sent out hundreds of solicitations.

It's Inauguration Time Again, and Access Still Has Its Price


Undercut by vastly cheaper labor in neighboring Poland and by increasing global competition, the union at Adam Opel AG acceded to a plan by General Motors Corp. to cut 12,000 jobs throughout Europe.

Germany's New Reality


In another report, import prices excluding petroleum posted the largest increase in 10 months, a possible early warning on inflation from the weaker dollar.

New Jobless Claims Increase; Import Prices Jump Higher


REAL: Philippine rescuers were yesterday frantically digging for more survivors after four people, including a toddler, were pulled alive from a building crushed by a landslide 11 days ago.

Miracle in mud!


AFP - Pakistan was still struggling at lunch on the second day of their four-day tour match against Western Australia here despite claiming two wickets in the morning session.

Pakistan on back foot in four dayer (AFP)


Massachusetts made sure its first home game against a defending national champion was one to remember. The Minutemen stunned seventh-ranked Connecticut 61-59 on Rashaun Freeman #39;s layup with 4.3 seconds to play Thursday night.

Massachusetts 61, No. 7 Connecticut 59


A group of high profile South Africans, including former president Nelson Mandela, has condemned attempts to force United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan to resign.

Mandela, Tutu and others support Annan


Huge cost overruns. Tunnel leaks. Multimillion-dollar lawsuits. Big trouble for the companies managing Boston's Big Dig? Not really.

Big Dig no roadblock


Animation in America once meant Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh. These days, it's just as likely to mean Japanese fighting cyborgs, doe-eyed schoolgirls, and sinister monsters -- thanks in large part to people like John Ledford.

Japan's comics retool the art


Shares of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. jumped yesterday following reports the two telephone companies were discussing a merger.

Report boosts Nextel, Sprint


NVIDIA HAS MADE A big noise about Playstation 3 deal but unfortunately you won #39;t see this console any time soon. Nvidia stock holders definitely know about Sony and its Playstation 3 killer business and therefore Nvidia is recovering on the stock market.

Playstation 3 to arrive spring 2006 In Japan


The Issue: Space telescope was condemned to a lingering death. Our View: New report gives support to a manned rescue mission. The Hubble telescope may well be the most successful observatory ever built, producing

Save the Hubble


Olympic ice dancing hopefuls Loren Galler-Rabinowitz and David Mitchell of the Skating Club of Boston will be sidelined for the remainder of the season because of a shoulder injury to Mitchell that will require surgery.

Dance pair out with injury


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon  on Friday invited the opposition Labour Party to begin talks to  form a unity government, a move that would avoid early  elections and pave the way for a withdrawal from Gaza.

Sharon, with Party Backing, Invites Labour Into Govt


Judges in the corruption trial of Silvio Berlusconi withdrew yesterday to decide their verdict and the prime minister said he was confident he would not be convicted.

Berlusconi confident of acquittal


The man in the mask on Monday night may be Cleveland's LeBron James, who was fitted with a mask to protect his broken left cheek and might play in Charlotte.

James May Play


A lone whale with a voice unlike any other has been wandering the Pacific for the past 12 years. Marine biologist Mary Ann Daher of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, US, and her colleagues

Lonely whale #39;s song remains a mystery


This so-called rivalry might be worth saving after all. UMass finally got one Thursday night. And the Minutemen did it in exciting fashion, one that totally disgusted Jim Calhoun.

Huskies fail 1st road test


At his last North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers meeting, US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell asked his European counterparts for support on the Iraq issue.

Powell Calls for Support to Iraq in Last NATO Meeting


MOSCOW Space officials in Russia are joining American officials in talking about the potential consequences of the food shortage aboard the international space station.

Russian space agency: Space station crew could be forced to return <b>...</b>


A new study states that 60 of the genes in chicken have close relations to human DNA. This may not comfort those who frequently eat the creature, but may ponder this the next time they order a batch of chicken wings.

Chicken Genome Sheds New Light on Human DNA


This weekend Manchester City entertain Spurs, and with last seasons seven-goal FA Cup epic between the two teams still fresh in the memory, entertain could be the operative word.

Fan v Fan: Manchester City-Tottenham Hotspur


Spanish Football Federation president Angel Maria Villar will appear before the National Anti-Violence Commission tomorrow to explain why he has defended Spain coach Luis Aragones.

Officials to be quizzed in Aragones row


Thomson announced Friday it that it will enter the HD DVD market with a line of players and that it will also manufacture HD DVD and Blu-ray discs.

Thomson to enter HD DVD market


Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, and Microsoft all plan to follow Google to the desktop.

Desktop Search Avalanche Set to Hit


DECEMBER 10, 2004 -- Southwest Airlines this morning said it will submit a bid to the federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis today for certain assets of bankrupt ATA Airlines.

Southwest In, AWA Out Of Midway Bidding


After almost 60 years of pacifism, Japan today overhauled its defence policy; easing an arms exports ban and singling out North Korea and China as security threats.

Pacifist Japan boosts  #39;self-defence #39; measures


Reuters - Ford Motor Co  said on Friday it\was recalling about 474,000 Escape and Mazda Tribute sport\utility vehicles globally because the accelerator cable may\prevent the engine from returning to the idle position, which\could increase stopping distance and result in a crash.

Ford to Recall 474,000 SUVs Worldwide (Reuters)


Darfur #39;s rebel leaders held preliminary talks with African Union mediators in Abuja on Friday ahead of the latest round of peace negotiations on the crisis in the western Sudanese region.

Sudanese rebels, AU meet


What would you do if you were tasked with designing a new search engine? You have all the resources the world can offer and the certain knowledge that your project is so important to your employer that mountains

MSN Search Engine - Searching for ways to make Redmond rise again


Airbus has been given the go-ahead to develop a new jet designed to compete with The Boeing Co. #39;s new 7E7, according to reports by The Associated Press Friday.

Airbus will move forward on 7E7 competitor


Southwest Airlines has offered more than \$100 million for part of ATA #39;s operations at Chicago #39;s Midway Airport. If successful, it could torpedo AirTran Airway #39;s efforts to create a hub there.

Southwest makes strong bid for Midway gates


Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Tom Clements has emerged on a short list of candidates whom Notre Dame has targeted for its head coaching vacancy.

Irish eyes turn to Clements ; Notre Dame interested in Bills <b>...</b>


General Electric Co., the biggest company by market value, said it will buy back as much as \$15 billion in stock over three years and raised its quarterly dividend 10 percent, more than some analysts had estimated.

GE to Buy Back \$15 Bln in Stock, Raises Dividend (Update1)


ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sports Network) - The Anaheim Angels have  reportedly agreed to a contract with veteran free-agent  outfielder Steve Finley.

Finley to Remain in Southern Calif., with Angels


Cardinal Health's deal with Lilly suggests the new fee-for-service model is gaining traction.

Cardinal Picks a Lilly


Reuters - Diversified manufacturer General\Electric Co.  said on Friday it boosted its quarterly\dividend by 10 percent and earmarked up to  #36;15 billion for\share repurchases over the next three years.

GE OKs  #36;15 Billion Buyback, Ups Dividend (Reuters)


QUITO, Ecuador -- Ecuadorean police barred Supreme Court judges from returning to their offices yesterday after the judges tried to defy a decision by Congress to fire them for bias against President Lucio Gutierrez.

Fired Ecuador justices are barred from offices


With food supplies becoming critically low onboard the International Space Station, the astronauts have been told to cut back on their food consumption.

Space Station crew become  quot;Weightless-Watchers quot; with low food <b>...</b>


STOCKHOLM, Sweden --(Business Wire)-- Dec. 10, 2004 -- Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERICY) has been selected by MTN South Africa to supply 3G/WCDMA network.

Ericsson Selected by MTN South Africa to Supply 3G/WCDMA Network


UEFA on Friday ordered Italian side Lazio to play its next European match behind closed doors as punishment for unruly fan behavior during a game last month against Partizan Belgrade, including racial taunts directed at Partizan #39;s

UEFA bans Lazio stadium for fan misbehavior


OPEC oil ministers agreed today to cut oil production by one million barrels a day to stem a 24 percent price slide in the past six weeks, and they called for an emergency meeting

OPEC Agrees to Cut Oil Output in Bid to Firm Up Prices


DreamWorks and Pixar both make cutting-edge digital animated films. But behind the scenes, the two studios are about as different as Shrek and Mr.

DreamWorks, Pixar rule digital animation


FORT WORTH, Texas -- The high cost of jet fuel is prompting American Airlines to raise its domestic ticket prices. It is going to charge an extra \$5 for one-way flights, and \$10 per roundtrip.

American Airlines Raises Ticket Prices


General Electric Co., a maker of jet engines, plastics and appliances as well as owner of the NBC television network, said Friday that its board raised the company #39;s quarterly dividend by 10 percent to 22 cents per share, and authorized the repurchase of

General Electric Raises Dividend


LAST MONTH the United States and its allies signaled a change in Sudan policy. Rather than pressuring Sudan #39;s government to halt its genocidal attacks against civilians in the western province of Darfur, they

Inaction #39;s Consequence


Investors sold off shares of auto parts makers Friday after Delphi Corp. issued a profit warning and said it would cut nearly 5 percent of its work force next year.

Auto Parts Sector Falls on Delphi News


Search engine giant Yahoo has tapped Pasadena-based X1 Technologies to add the ability to search desktop files and folders on Microsoft Windows platforms.

Yahoo Taps X1 For Desktop Search


Shares of video game makers rose sharply Friday after analysts reported industry sales increased 11 percent last month due mainly to the strength of two blockbuster titles that have proven to be the holiday season #39;s biggest sellers.

Shares of Video Game Makers Rise Sharply


The US Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider whether Internet file-trading networks should be held responsible when their users copy music, movies and other protected works without permission.

US Supreme Court to Decide Grokster Case


Calcutta: Anil Kumble began the year looking to quickly reach 435. He got there (and went one better) in Dhaka on Friday afternoon, the opening day of the second last Test of 2004.

Mind more free now


A Wall Street Journal report Friday afternoon citing sources on both sides indicated No. 3 Sprint Corp. and No. 5 Nextel Communications Inc.

Report: Sprint/Nextel reach tentative \$36B deal


UK browser business Deepnet Explorer today trumped global competitors Microsofts Internet Explorer, Netscape and Firefox, with the claims that its new Phishing Alarm and enhanced pop-up killer made Deepnet Explorer the first known browser to pass

UK browser claims Phishing victory


December 10, 2004 - Remember Napster? Oh, the heady days of swapping MP3s with blatant disregard to Hilary Rosen and the RIAA. Well, Napster is back -- as a legit music service and now the provider of ringtones through the new application Napster Mobile.

Napster Mobile


AP - Tracy McGrady needed only 35 seconds to turn a sure loss into an improbable win and a listless 20-point night into one of the league's most memorable clutch performances.

Rockets' McGrady Puts on Memorable Finish (AP)


HOUSTON Yao Ming #39;s 21 points and nine rebounds led the Houston Rockets to an 89-to-81 victory over the hapless New Orleans Hornets.

Rockets 89 Hornets 81


Online auction house eBay #39;s payment system PayPal can now be used for purchases by US customers of Apple #39;s iTunes music store.

PayPal and Apple iTunes link-up


Southwest Airlines said on Friday it will bid at least USD\$100 million for assets of bankrupt ATA Airlines, including taking over six of ATA #39;s 14 gates at Chicago #39;s Midway Airport and selling tickets on some of each other #39;s flights.

Southwest To Bid For ATA Chicago Assets


Greed and sexual desire drove Martin Frankel to mastermind one of the largest insurance frauds in US history, a federal judge heard on Friday as she sentenced him to nearly 17 years in prison.

Financier Frankel Gets Nearly 17 Years for Fraud


world to plant trees at Easter as a symbol of renewal and to protect the planet. planted, quot; Maathai told Reuters Television in Oslo, where she received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.

Plant a tree at Easter urges Nobel laureate


With an eye to North Korea and China, Prime Minister Koizumi #39;s Cabinet is set to pass new guidelines Friday. By Bennett Richardson  Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor.

Japan beefs up its defense stance


Washington area biotech companies will face pivotal moments this year, finding out whether key products work before money dries up, fending off competition from bigger companies,  and, perhaps filing to go public.

Crunch Time for Biotech Companies


which owns fund manager Henderson, - yesterday escaped a ball and chain that has dragged at it ever since it came to the stock market a year ago.

The relief of shedding a big ball and chain: HHG sale of its <b>...</b>


Seismologists are studying mysterious tremors deep under the San Andreas Fault that may signal future earthquakes. The continuous tremors are  quot;a kind of chatter quot; emanating from a depth far below the surface

Scientists Study Deep Tremors Under San Andreas Fault


AP - President Vicente Fox presented a plan Friday to improve Mexico's checkered human rights record, pledging to eradicate torture and to hold corrupt and abusive authorities accountable for wrongful arrests and shoddy police work.

Mexico's Fox Presents Human Rights Plan (AP)


The Steelers have all the ingredients to make a run for their fifth Super Bowl title while the NFC trots out its weakest set of challengers in memory.

Steelers Look Super


International Space Station crewmembers this week continued research and maintenance activities and prepared for arrival of the next Progress cargo craft.

NASA Space Station Status Report 10 December 2004


Intelligence-gathering by the front-line forces that need to know the most is proving difficult in a region increasingly gripped by fear.

Fear Hamstrings Quest for Intelligence in N. Iraq


The United States Anti-Doping Agency received an important validation yesterday in its attempt to punish athletes who were suspected of doping in the Balco steroids scandal but who had not failed a drug test.

Anti-Doping Agency Is Boosted By Ban of Sprinter in Balco Case


After Gary Bettman was introduced as the commissioner of the National Hockey League 12 years ago, he was handed a fax from Bob Goodenow, the executive director of the players association.

NHL Must Determine if It Is Certain About Cost Certainty


Michelle Collins, who won the world athletics indoor 200 metres for the United States last year, was yesterday suspended for eight years despite the fact that she has never tested positive or admitted doping violations.

Athletics: Eight-year ban given to Collins for  #39;pattern of doping #39;


Bernard B. Kerik said in a statement that he had come to learn that a former housekeeper may not have been in the U.S. legally.

Kerik Pulls Out as Bush Nominee for Homeland Security Job


SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China voiced deep concern on Saturday  over Japan's sweeping overhaul of defense policy that eased a  decades-old ban on arms exports and suggested a shift from a  defensive posture in place since its World War II defeat.

China 'Deeply Concerned' at Japan's Defense Move


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - Personal computer stocks were relatively quiet Friday as the sector focused more attention on China where Hewlett-Packard introduced a new, low-priced PC.

HP targets China with low-cost PC


Tests of high-speed wireless Internet service on one of the region #39;s busiest ferry runs have been canceled, but the service, referred to as Wi-Fi, might still become available on that run, between Seattle and Bremerton, the ferry service said.

Internet access is free on ferries during tests


Sprint Corp. is in advanced talks to buy Nextel Communications Inc. for more than \$36 billion in a mostly stock deal, sources familiar with the situation said today.

Sources: Sprint, Nextel closing in on \$36B deal


This should give pause to anyone who thought the Red Sox might be interested in toning down their image as idiots: They've made a serious contract offer to David Wells.

Not exactly an idiotic idea


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Steve Finley will remain on the West Coast, but he #39;s decided to return to the American League after 14 seasons.

Finley finds a home with Angels


The Angels rounded out their starting outfield yesterday, signing center fielder Steve Finley to a \$14 million, two-year contract as baseball's winter meetings in Anaheim, Calif., began to percolate.

Finley is new Angel in outfield


Former Cyclone Adam Haluska does in his former team as he scores 20 points to lead the Hawkeyes past Iowa State, 70-63, on Friday.

Iowa Bests Iowa St.


A closer look at the new offer from the NHL Players #39; Association: Rollback: The whopping 24 pay cut on all existing player contracts is a monstrous concession.

Dissecting the NHLPA #39;s proposal for a new CBA


NASA should use the space shuttle and spacewalking astronauts to mount one last repair flight to the Hubble Space Telescope, and extend the life of one of the greatest scientific instruments ever made.

Go save Hubble


LONDON, England -- Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has reportedly put former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan at the top of a list of possible targets for the English Premier League club #39;s vacant managerial position.

Strachan targeted by Portsmouth


Werner Franz claimed his maiden World Cup downhill victory with a time of one minute 57.51 seconds at Val d #39;Isere. The Austrian #39;s victory means he becomes the first man to beat American Bode Miller, who finished fourth, in the discipline this season.

Franz takes first in Val d #39;Isere


Boeing's huge Delta 4-Heavy rocket, set for lift-off on Saturday, may play a role in life after the space shuttle.

Launcher eyes shuttle succession


Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.  said on\Saturday it still expects a 1 percent to 3 percent increase in\December sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year.

Wal-Mart Dec. Sales Seen Up 1-3 Pct (Reuters)


AP - Premier Silvio Berlusconi, an important ally for President Bush in Iraq, was acquitted of corruption charges that have dogged his government from the start. The verdict was a boost to the conservative leader ahead of 2006 elections. Berlusconi, 68, has long insisted he was the victim of left-wing prosecutors.

Acquittal Boosts Berlusconi Ahead of Vote (AP)


As Arsenal are preparing to play Chelsea in the big game of the weekend, Gunners #39; manager Frenchman Arsene Wenger is still deciding in the build-up to Sunday #39;s Premier League showdown.

Wenger to decide in build-up to Sunday #39;s Premiership showdown


Paolo Guerrero scored the equalizer and set up another goal to allow Bayern Munich to spend the winter break in first place in the Bundesliga with a 2-2 draw against Stuttgart on Saturday.

Bayern rallies to draw with Stuttgart, keep Bundesliga lead


Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - Everton moved up to second place in the Premiership Saturday with a 1-0 win over arch-rival Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Everton goes second with derby win


AFP - Germany's federal court of justice ruled against giving Barbie a monopoly in the themed doll market, saying that a German rival called Steffi Love had every right to compete with her.

German court rules out Barbie monopoly (AFP)


The union #39;s proposal to end the lockout, made Thursday at the league #39;s Canadian headquarters, calls for a tax that would penalize -- and perhaps deter -- high-end payrolls.

Cuts offered, issue remains tax or cap


A small-markets swap takes place on Saturday as the Indians send outfielder Matt Lawton to the Pirates for left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes, sources say.

Indians Trade Lawton


Barcelona has moved 12 points clear at the top of Spain #39;s Primera Liga thanks to a 2-1 win at Albacete. Andres Iniesta put Barca ahead after just two minutes, but when Mark Gonzalez made it 1-1 with 17 minutes

Barca wins again


The health records of Yasser Arafat, who died at Percy Military hospital near Paris last month, have been submitted to Palestinian authorities.

Arafat #39;s Health Record Submitted to Palestinian Authority


AP - John Smoltz might rejoin the Braves' rotation if Atlanta finds another closer.

Braves' Smoltz May Rejoin Team's Rotation (AP)


ANAHEIM, Calif. There #39;s a chance John Smoltz could return to the Atlanta Braves #39; rotation if the team finds another closer.

Smoltz could return to rotation


Israel #39;s opposition Labour party began talks with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s Likud party yesterday about joining its coalition - a partnership aimed at promoting a military withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli Labour party could clinch coalition deal with Sharon  #39;in <b>...</b>


IT WAS first unveiled to the world as the American dream for spreading democracy right across the Middle East. But by the time US secretary of state Colin Powell came to launch the administrations  quot;big

Powell for Arab democracy but Middle East no ready convert


Canadian Press - CAIRNS, Australia (AP) - A 38-year-old Australian man bled to death Saturday after he was rescued from the jaws of a shark while spearfishing on the Great Barrier Reef, authorities said.

Australian man killed by shark on Great Barrier Reef (Canadian Press)


Mumbai: Singapore Technologies Telemedia and TM International have announced that their consortium has signed definitive agreements for the acquisition of 47.7 per cent stake in Idea Cellular.

ST Tele-TM Intl to buy 47.7 in Idea


Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed claims today #39;s clash with Chelsea will decide the title race. He said:  quot;The season is not finished but you can say Chelsea are already better than they were last year.

Arsenal boss: Flamini, Cesc will do job on Chelsea


England #39;s Neil Cheetham leads by one shot going into the final round of the Dunhill Classic at Leopard Creek after a solid 69 on Saturday.

Golf: Englishman Neil Cheetham leads by one in Mpumalanga


Coalition peace talks have begun between Israel #39;s opposition Labour party and the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. Labour leader Shimon Peres said that his party want a guarantee that the government fulfils its

Israeli Labour  amp; Sharon in coalition talks


Computer-game enthusiasts flocked to software retailers across the country to buy  quot;PlayStation Portable quot; (PSP) that hit store shelves Sunday.

Gamers hit stores for release of  quot;PlayStation Portable quot;


Two Qassam rockets landed in the western Negev on Saturday morning, causing damage to a home. No casualties were reported. The rocket fire originated from the northern Gaza Strip.

Qassam rockets hit western Negev community


SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea will not dismantle its  nuclear programs or improve ties with South Korea until  questions about the South's nuclear experiments are clearly  answered, Pyongyang said on Sunday.

No Peace Until S.Korea Explains Atomic Tests-North


NAIROBI, Kenya -- Somalia's parliament passed a motion of no-confidence against the new prime minister and his Cabinet yesterday, an official said, effectively sacking a government that had been expected to restore order to the country after 13 years of anarchy and war. The deputy speaker of the 275-member transitional parliament, Dalhar Omar, said 153 members voted against Prime Minister ...

Parliament passes no-confidence bid


HANOI : Yesterday Vietnam, today Asia, tomorrow the United States: Vietnam Airlines has expanded to the point where it is even eyeing the huge American market, a move which would have been unthinkable not long ago.

Rapidly expanding Vietnam Airlines ready to take on America


Mike Lang had a career-high 25 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 1:16 remaining, to lift Dartmouth to a 69-67 nonconference victory over New Hampshire last night in Hanover, N.H. Lang's basket broke a 66-66 tie. Dartmouth (3-3) then fouled the Wildcats' Jermaine Anderson, who hit one of two free throws to make it 68-67 with 54 seconds left. A ...

Big Green slip by Wildcats


LAS VEGAS -- If Vitali Klitschko made one thing clear last night about the heavyweight division, it's how finished Mike Tyson really is.

Klitschko wins in 8th


Vitali Klitschko proved too strong for Danny Williams as he retained his world championship crown in Las Vegas last night. Williams vowed to continue boxing despite being outclassed by Klitschko.

Klitschko too good for Williams


Bode Miller won his fifth victory of the World Cup season in a giant slalom on Sunday after the three men ahead of him all faltered.

Miller Wins Giant Slalom After Maier Falters


While the Yankees were quietly celebrating their free agency victory over the Red Sox, snaring New Englander Carl Pavano with a four-year deal in excess of \$38 million, no one gloated too long.

Red Sox aim for jugular


Two prominent pro-democracy leaders were among hundreds of prisoners released from a Myanmar prison on Sunday as part of a broad amnesty granted by the country #39;s ruling junta, the prisoners and family members said.

Myanmar Releases Hundreds of Prisoners


Mark Delaney wants Aston Villa to  quot;stamp their authority on midlands football quot; by finally overcoming Birmingham in Sunday #39;s derby.

Delaney keen to  quot;put things right quot;


Singapore government-owned STT and TM International, the international investment arm of Telekom Malaysia, said in a statement on Saturday they had signed  quot;definitive agreements quot; to buy the entire stake of Cingular Wireless in Idea.

Technology ; STT, Telekom Malaysia buy 48 pct of Idea


Lee Carsley scored the winner in the 68th minute, giving Everton a 1-0 victory Saturday over Liverpool in the 200th Merseyside Derby.

Everton beats Liverpool 1-0 in Merseyside Derby


Feyenoord cut PSV Eindhoven #39;s lead atop the Dutch Premiership to three points on Sunday as Bart Goor equalized two minutes into injury time for a 3-3 draw with the leaders.

Feyenoord cuts PSV #39;s lead to three


Finland #39;s Tanja Poutiainen snatched back the women #39;s World Cup lead with her third victory of the Alpine ski season on Sunday but played down her chances of winning the overall title.

Poutiainen Wins But Plays Down Cup Hopes


Irving, TX (Sports Network) - Dallas Cowboys running back Eddie George was inactive for Sunday #39;s game against New Orleans as a healthy scratch and missed a game for the first time in his NFL career.

George sits for first time in career


AFP - Sony launched a frontal assault on Nintendo's domination of the portable game console market by kicking off Japan sales of its new PlayStation Portable (PSP), drawing huge lines in Tokyo.

Sony takes on Nintendo in portable game console market with PSP (AFP)


BUCHAREST: Romanians voted for a new president on Sunday with fighting corruption and joining the EU the main themes in a run-off round pitting Prime Minister Adrian Nastase against Bucharest Mayor Traian Basescu.

Romanians vote for a new President


HOUSTON (Sports Network) - Indianapolis Colts quarterback  Peyton Manning threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter  of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium  to set an NFL record for most consecutive games with multiple  TD throws.

Magnificent Manning Sets Another Record


RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AFP) - Four Israeli soldiers were killed when Palestinian militants blew up a tunnel under an army post in Gaza, as jailed intifada leader Marwan Barghuti pulled out of the Palestinian elections.

Four Israeli soldiers killed, Barghuti pulls out of presidential <b>...</b>


Fifteen years ago, American journalist Todd Smith was brutally beaten and executed after he ventured into Peru's jungle to investigate links between Shining Path guerrillas and the cocaine trade.

New Report Links Reputed Kingpin to Murder


AP - Erin Lawless scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds and No. 21 Purdue beat Western Michigan 74-42 on Sunday.

No. 21 Purdue Beats W. Michigan, 74-42 (AP)


YASSER Arafat is dead. A so-called moderate is now chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Elections to choose a Palestinian Authority president are scheduled in the West Bank and Gaza for early January.

Palestinians do not need another tyrant


Free agent first baseman Richie Sexson appears to be at the top of the Orioles' wish list after a meeting at the team's suite on Saturday.

Orioles Target Sexson


Hollywood movie powerhouse Walt Disney has taken sides with Japans Sony Corp in a bitter battle between studios to define a technical standard for next generation DVDs, it said.

Disney takes sides in battle for next generation DVD


A top Iranian official said Sunday that Iran would withdraw from the negotiations with the European Union (EU) if the upcoming talks in Brussels turned into a dead-end, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran to cease negotiations with EU in case of dead end


SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Babcock  amp; Brown Ltd. (BNB.AU) said Monday it plans to raise as much as A\$1 billion for an externally managed investment company to target long-term investments.

Australia Babcock  amp; Brown To Pursue Listed Investment Co


Reuters - Hopes -- and worries -- that U.S.\regulators will soon end the ban on using wireless phones\during U.S. commercial flights are likely at least a year or\two early, government officials and analysts say.

Airborne Cell-Phone Ban Likely to Remain for Now (Reuters)


AP - NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe will resign this week, a government official said Sunday, and a spokesman for Louisiana State University said O'Keefe is a leading candidate to become a chancellor there.

NASA Chief Applies for Job at LSU (AP)


Rival Sony began its worldwide assault yesterday by launching a new handheld console, PlayStation Portable, in game-crazy Japan. Sony aims to seek and destroy GameBoy and its maker Nintendo #39;s \$5billion hold

Sony #39;s game war advances to next level


The US-led militarycoalition in Afghanistan has beguna big offensive against militants loyal to the ousted Taliban regime in an attempt to quash any attempt to disrupt parliamentary elections next spring.

US mounts fresh attack on Taliban


Next week, the FCC will likely change the rules on unbundled networks largely in ways favorable to the Regional bells.

Important Rules for Phone Market Face F.C.C. Vote


Inside I.B.M., the issue of whether to stay in the personal computer business has been debated for a decade. The issue was put to rest last week.

I.B.M. Sought a China Partnership, Not Just a Sale


AP - Royce Clayton and the Arizona Diamondbacks reached a preliminary agreement Sunday on a  #36;1.3 million, one-year contract.

Diamondbacks, Clayton Reach Agreement (AP)


Shelden Williams collects 18 points and 15 rebounds to give Duke an 82-54 triumph over Toledo and Coach Mike Krzyzewski his 700th career win on Sunday.

Krzyzewski Wins No. 700


LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Thierry Henry #39;s speed of thought after the striker stroked home a quick free-kick that helped champions Arsenal to a 2-2 draw against Premiership leaders Chelsea at Highbury last night.

Arsenal only manage draw


The possibility of a further slide in the dollar and a decline in demand for US assets has become one of the potential risks to financial stability, the Bank of England said in its semi-annual Financial Stability Review.

Bank of England Says Dollar Decline Increases Risk to Banks


Robert Evans, the fabled Hollywood producer and man about town, will be enjoying his latest gig, as a satellite radio talk-show host, from the comfort of his home.

The Kid Stays in His Home, Dressed in PJ's, With a Live Mike


Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday criticized retail grinches who are stealing Christmas by blacklisting customers who return too many gifts.

SCHUMER  #39;RETURNS #39; FIRE AT RETAILERS


A report released on Monday by the Washington-based Brookings Institution says that half of the residential, commercial and industrial buildings that will be up in 2030 in the largest metropolitan areas don #39;t yet exist.

Report: Construction boom ahead


The Seahawks deny a Falcons' two-point try for the tie with no time remaining to wrap up the NFC West, 28-26, on Sunday.

Seahawks Take NFC West


(2nd UPDATE) MOVIE actor Fernando Poe Jr. #39;s condition has deteriorated, according to a bulletin his doctors issued on Monday. He is still in a coma and has multiple organ system involvement.

Poes condition worsens--doctors


The figure for homeless families in England has topped 100,000 for the first time.

Homeless families total 100,000


FOXBOROUGH -- Tyrone Poole said he probably could count the number of plays he got in on with one hand, but after missing seven games because of knee surgery, the Patriots' starting cornerback was just pleased to get back on the field.

After layoff, Poole eases back into action


With big fish like Richie Sexson still looking for work and prizes like Tim Hudson being dangled in the market, the Orioles remain hopeful that they can bag a big catch.

O's Still Fishing


The London Stock Exchange PLC has received and rejected a bid proposal from Germany #39;s main stock exchange, Deutsche Boerse AG , the exchanges said Monday.

Update 1: London Exchange Rejects German Proposal


The former presidential candidate and movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. #39;s condition has deteriorated after he suffered a stroke, doctors said Monday.

Former Philippine presidential candidate in deteriorating <b>...</b>


COLOMBO: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has apologised to Sri Lanka #39;s protesting Buddhist monks for the timing of his mega concert here, which coincides with the death anniversary of a popular priest, but said the show will go on.

Shah Rukh Khan apologises to Buddhist monks


TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is under  pressure to find ways to work with an opposition-dominated  parliament after his party suffered a surprise setback in  weekend legislative elections.

Chen Under Pressure to Work with Taiwan Opposition


President Bush #39;s White House conference on the economy is sure to attract some of the nation #39;s political and economic superstars to Washington this week.

Econ Edge: The Economic Week


JAKARTA (Antara): President Susilo Yudhoyono asked Indonesian diplomats on Monday to help the government improve Indonesia #39;s bad image.

Indonesian diplomats asked to help improve RI #39;s bad image


China's media responds cautiously to the election setback suffered by Taiwan's pro-independence DPP.

China wary at Taiwan poll result


MILAN (AFP) - Sharp differences between the Fiat Group and General Motors over an option by Fiat to sell its loss-making auto operations to GM will be the focus of a meeting between the two companies in Zurich on Tuesday.

Fiat and General Motors to square up in Switzerland


Oracle Corp. announced today it has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire PeopleSoft Inc. for approximately \$10.3 billion. <FONT face=

Oracle to Acquire PeopleSoft


Referee Graham Poll has insisted that he acted within the laws of the game when he allowed Thierry Henry to take a quick free-kick yesterday.

Poll: I was right to let Henry score


LONDON (CBS.MW) - Failed efforts to merge stock exchanges have littered the trading landscape in recent years, but the German stock exchange isn #39;t giving up on creating a pan-European and British market for trading stocks and derivatives.

LSE says no to German exchange for a second time


AP - The St. Louis Rams won a finale that, in the end, they needed much more than the New York Jets. Marc Bulger threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns and Jeff Wilkins hit a 31-yard field goal with 3:03 left in overtime Sunday to give the Rams a 32-29 win over the New York Jets, clinching their fourth playoff berth in five seasons under coach Mike Martz.

Rams Beat Jets in OT, Clinch Playoff Berth (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade each  scored 20 points and added nine rebounds as the Miami Heat  notched their fourth consecutive win dumping the struggling  Toronto Raptors 106-98 Sunday.

NBA Wrap: O'Neal and Wade Help Heat Beat Raptors


MONTREAL (CP) - Paul Tellier has disembarked as president and chief executive officer of Bombardier Inc. The bombshell announcement Monday morning came as the Montreal-headquartered multinational transportation

Paul Tellier leaving immediately as chief executive of Bombardier


KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Two employees of a British charity  were killed in Sudan's troubled Darfur region on Sunday when  their convoy came under fire, the aid agency said on Monday.

Two Aid Workers Killed in Attack on Darfur Aid Convoy


Bangladesh's coach says they still deserve Test status after their 30th defeat, to India.

Bangladesh boss slams detractors


Boeing's new heavy-lift Delta 4 rocket must wait a further week before making its maiden flight.

Week's delay for Delta launcher


General Motors and DaimlerChrysler say they #39;re teaming up to develop hybrid technology for use in their vehicles. The two giant automakers say they have signed a memorandum of understanding.

DaimlerChrysler, GM to team up on hybrid engines


Oracle Corp. reported second-quarter 2005 earnings that beat analyst expectations on Monday, thanks to new software revenue and continued gains from license updates and product support.

Software revenue pushes up Oracle #39;s Q2 earnings


After 18 months of conflict, a friendly merger deal has been struck between Oracle Corp. and PeopleSoft Inc. after the former raised its  quot;final quot; offer by 10 per cent.

Oracle strikes friendly deal for PeopleSoft at US\$26.50 a share


Puzzling is the best word to describe Notre Dames attempt to find a new head football coach after dumping Tyrone Willingham unceremoniously two weeks ago.

Notre Dame situation has columnist shaking his head


Eight of 11 detainees briefly refuse food over prisoner rights including family visits, access to media. BAGHDAD - The US army said eight of toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein #39;s jailed lieutenants had briefly

Saddam #39;s jailed top aides hold food protest


AP - Spain's prime minister, heckled Monday by opposition lawmakers, angrily denied his Socialist party instigated anti-government rallies on the eve of a general election to reap political benefit from the Madrid train bombings.

Spanish Leader Denies Gain From Bombings (AP)


Hewlett-Packard has dropped plans to beef up its HP-UX operating system with new high availability and clustering technology it obtained in its 2002 acquisition of Compaq. The company will instead shift its development focus to new areas, as it attempts to convince customers that there is still life in its venerable Unix operating system.

HP shifts focus for HP-UX


Named to head NASA by President Bush in December 2001, Sean O #39;Keefe acknowledged he had no experience in astronautics. His management style aimed at practical economy.

NASA Chief Is Taking Off


AP - Israel will renovate the crumbling entrance to a disputed holy site in Jerusalem's Old City that is revered by Jews and Muslims, officials said Monday.

Israel to Renovate Crumbling Entrance to Disputed Holy Site in Jerusalem's Old City (AP)


Bombardier, the troubled Canadian maker of aircraft and trains, saw its shares fall by around 20 per cent in Toronto, after it announced that Paul Tellier was stepping down early as president and chief executive officer.

Bombardier shares slump as CEO leaves


WASHINGTON : US retail sales rose 0.1 percent in November, a better than expected start to the crucial holiday shopping season, seasonally adjusted government figures showed.

US retail sales climb 0.1 percent in November


Workers at Ford Motor Co. #39;s luxury British car unit, Jaguar, voted against a strike over plans to cut jobs and scale back production, unions said on Monday.

UK #39;s Jaguar Workers Vote Against Strike


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan Are there secret CIA bases in Pakistan to hunt for Osama bin Laden? Pakistan says no. It is denying a New York Times report, which says the spy agency has concluded bin Laden is being sheltered

Pakistan denies report of CIA bases in Pakistan for Osama hunt


Army reinforcements sent to bolster the Democratic Republic of Congo #39;s fragile border region with Rwanda have clashed with former rebel units within the army, a local military commander said on Sunday.

Congo Army Factions Clash in East - Army Officer


Referee Graham Poll came under renewed fire today as goalkeeper Petr Cech blamed him for costing Chelsea victory at Highbury by allegedly reneging on a promise to blow his whistle before Thierry Henrys free-kick.

Poll cost us victory - Cech


Mazu Networks, the Cambridge, Massachusetts, network intrusion prevention system (IPS) technology company, has secured another round of venture capital funding, including a stake from security software giant Symantec.

Mazu scores VC lifeblood from Symantec, others


ANKARA, Dec 13 (AFP) - Turkey was cautiously optimistic Monday that it would obtain a favorable result from this week #39;s crunch summit of European Union leaders who will decide on Ankara #39;s membership bid, but warned the 25-nation bloc not to cross Ankara #39;s

Turkey cautiously optimistic of EU bid ahead of crunch summit


One month after Yasser Arafat #39;s death, realignments on both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli divide are raising fragile hopes for a mutual retreat from four years of fighting.

Moves toward moderation in Mideast


The federal government hopes to introduce legislation today to establish a do-not-call registry for consumers who want to stop endless telemarketing pitches.

Do-not-call bill could be introduced today


Oil prices have fallen in recent weeks from record highs, relieving the anxieties of consumers and economists alike. However, OPEC recently signaled that it #39;s not ready for the price of black

GM, Daimler Go Green


SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW) today unveiled its next generation Sun Ray(TM) Server Software 3.0 an interoperable, platform that enables instant

Sun Unveils Next Generation Client Technology


Ref Graham Poll insists he didn #39;t get it wrong when allowing Arsenal #39;s Thierry Henry to take his free-kick early against Chelsea yesterday.

Poll: I was right to let Henry #39;s Arsenal goal stand


This week's TravelWatch column profiles Anangu Tours, an Aborigine-owned tour company in Australia's Red Center.

Travel Column: Australia Through Aboriginal Eyes


Team-up will help the companies compete and fill gaps in both firms' portfolios.

GM, Daimler Go Green


Officials in Iraq say at least 10 Iraqis have been killed and several others wounded in separate insurgent attacks across the country.

At Least 10 Iraqis Killed in Insurgent Attack


UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co., a branch of UnitedHealth Group, will pay \$3.5 million to settle charges that it defrauded the Medicare program, the US Department of Justice announced Monday.

UnitedHealthcare pays \$3.5M to settle Medicare fraud claim


SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN: General Motors Corp and DaimlerChrysler AG will jointly develop a petroleum-electric power system to catch up with Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co in so-called hybrid vehicles that save fuel and cut tailpipe emissions.

GM, DaimlerChrysler plan hybrid cars


SEOUL North Korea is seriously reconsidering its role in talks on its nuclear programs because of what it sees as a concerted campaign to topple the government in Pyongyang, the North Korean Foreign Ministry said Monday.

North Korea to review its role in nuclear talks


Reuters - Lockheed Martin Corp. on Monday\announced that it will launch its Atlas V rocket on Dec. 17 as\planned, while Boeing Co. waited to reschedule a launch of its\Delta IV heavy-lift rocket that it was forced to abandon on\Sunday.

Lockheed to Launch Rocket; Boeing Gets New Date (Reuters)


CINCINNATI (Sports Network) - Cincinnati Bengals  quarterback Carson Palmer is questionable for Sunday's game  against Buffalo after an MRI exam Monday revealed no serious  damage to his left knee.

Bengals' Palmer Questionable for Sunday


The software maker adds a network management application. It also updates its Quicken personal-finance software.

Intuit gets deeper into IT, revamps Quicken


Defense Dept. to buy second supercomputer for Naval Oceanographic Office.

Navy awash in new IBM supercomputers


Chipmaker announces new chipset and reference design for consumer devices and PCs.

Atheros reaches into electronics devices


BOSTON - New software from Skybox Security will help companies monitor their networks and comply with U.S. federal and state data security regulations, and even help them prepare networks for dangerous new Internet worms, according to the company.

Skybox updates risk management wares


WASHINGTON: Sean O #39;Keefe, is resigning after three tumultuous years heading the US space program, the White House said Monday.

NASA administrator to resign


AP - Microsoft Corp. on Monday joined the battle for supremacy in so-called desktop search, introducing software for quickly locating files on personal computers that challenges Google's two-month-old rival product.

Microsoft Unveils Software to Find Files (AP)


AP - Sen. John McCain is

McCain Optimistic About Steroid Test Deal (AP)


Augusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator, was ordered under house arrest yesterday, charged with kidnapping and murder dating back to his 17-year rule.

Pinochet is ordered to stand trial for murder


The N.H.L. appears poised to reject a proposal made by the players union, which included a 24 percent reduction in pay and other concessions but not a hard salary cap.

Report Says N.H.L. Will Reject Proposal


One of the three women suing the University of Colorado for what they said was the school #39;s failure to protect them against sexual assault by football players has dropped her federal lawsuit.

Woman drops sexual assault suit vs. Colorado


A car bomb exploded in a line of vehicles waiting to enter the Green Zone early Monday, killing at least 11 Iraqis at an

Car Bomb Kills 11 Near Green Zone


Pedro Martinez picked the New York Mets over the Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago White Sox dealt Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for Scott Podsednik and a reliever on Monday as baseball #39;s annual winter meetings finished with many top stars still searching for

Pedro picks Mets, Lee dealt to Brewers


The US and the European Union responded cautiously yesterday to China #39;s surprise undertaking to impose duties on some textile exports, a step it said was designed to ensure a  quot;smooth

China move on textile exports gets cautious response


Pedro Martinez closed in on a four-year deal with the New York Mets, and the Boston Red Sox resigned themselves Monday to losing the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Red Sox say goodbye to Pedro Martinez


AP - An Afghan Cabinet minister resigned Monday after President Hamid Karzai rejected his drive to shut down relief groups he accused of wasting money on expensive cars and houses.

Afghanistan Official Bashardost Resigns (AP)


With the selection of Michael O. Leavitt, a former governor of Utah, the shape of the cabinet in President Bush's second term has become clear.

Bush Selects E.P.A. Head to Be Secretary of Health


Canada #39;s Bombardier family has taken back management control of the troubled transport equipment maker that bears its name following the sudden departure of Paul Tellier, chief executive.

Family takes helm at Bombardier


Fulham manager Chris Coleman was delighted with his side #39;s second-half performance, which brought them a hard-earned point in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

Coleman Enjoys Fulhams Battling Display


Justin Gray has had an ample amount of time to get his shooting stroke ready. Gray and No. 6 Wake Forest are back in action after an eight-day break when they visit Temple on Monday.

Gray, Demon Deacons Swing Back In Action, Seek To Shoot Down <b>...</b>


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Cleveland Cavaliers activated Dajuan Wagner off the injured list Monday for a second time this season. Wagner missed five games with an inflamed right arch after earlier sitting out seven games because of a sprained right ankle.

Cavaliers activate Wagner again


Symantec, which produces the Norton line of computer products, is in talks to acquire Veritas Software, a maker of data backup programs.

Symantec Said to Be in Talks for Veritas


Users in the United States continue to think of a cellphone as a device for talking, not text messaging. Marketers, however, hope to change that as soon as possible.

In U.S. Market, Cellphone Users Are Often All Talk


ISLAMABAD: As the second round of expert-level talks on nuclear confidence building measures (CBMs) between Pakistan and India starts today, the government says that the recent statements coming from New Delhi are  quot;disturbing quot; and sound  quot;paranoid quot;.

Pakistan questions Indian arms shopping spree


In a move that has implications for ad targeting and reporting, Yahoo! has hired Usama Fayyad, a co-founder of the company now known as Revenue Science, to the newly-created position of Chief Data Officer.

Yahoo! Hires Chief Data Officer


PeopleSoft Inc. capitulated to Oracle Corp., accepting a sweetened \$10.3 billion takeover offer to end an 18-month battle that pitted PeopleSoft against its investors and led to the ouster of its chief executive.

PeopleSoft gives in to Oracle, takes bid


The US army says more people than previously acknowledged have died in its custody in Afghanistan.

US admits more Afghan jail deaths


US web browser developer Mozillas open-source browser Firefox has recorded over 10m downloads since it was launched in November.

Firefox crosses 10m mark


Firefox, the Mozilla-based open-source browser has grown by more than a third over the past month, according to WebSideStory, an independent Web metrics firm.

Firefox Turns Up The Browser War Heat


Insecurity is a great motivator. Facing increasing criticism about his shot selection and the prospect of losing his starting job because of the return of two-time All-Star Allan Houston, young

He picked right time to start making shots


Reuters - A suicide car bomber struck an entrance\to Baghdad's Green Zone government compound Tuesday, 24 hours\after an almost identical attack at the same checkpoint on the\first anniversary of Saddam Hussein's arrest.

Suicide Car Bomber Hits Baghdad Checkpoint Again (Reuters)


What do women want? Luciano Manganella, the owner of the trendy Boston women's boutique JasmineSola, has a pretty good idea. And now after 34 years in business, he's plotting a major expansion.

Fashionably late


Paul Tellier stepped down as president and chief executive of Bombardier Inc. yesterday, surprising investors and sending the train and plane maker's shares down as much as 26 percent to a 10-year low.

CEO quits at world's top maker of trains


Washington: NASA Administrator Sean O #39;Keefe has resigned, spending three turbulent years at the helm of the US space agency which saw the crash of Columbia space shuttle, a painful probe into the disaster and severe austerity measures.

NASA chief Sean O #39;Keefe quits


Qwest Communications may not be immediately affected by a Sprint-Nextel merger, but its options could become more limited. At one time, Qwest and Sprint were viewed as possible merger partners.

Big merger could box Qwest in


NEW YORK Dec 13, 2004 - The Internet #39;s key oversight agency gave a preliminary nod Monday to new domain names targeting mobile services and the jobs market.

ICANN Gives Preliminary OK to 2 Domains


The friction that sometimes strains the patient-doctor relationship when lawyers seek medical care is at an all-time high.

Take Two Torts and Call Me in the Morning


WASHINGTON -- The US Supreme Court will take up one of the key arguments about the use of file-sharing services. The justices will consider whether peer-to-peer Internet file-sharing services can be held responsible

US Supreme Court To Hear File-Sharing Case


Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday they had agreed to share patents on basic technology to speed up product development and avoid adding to a growing number of cross-border patent disputes.

Sony and Samsung to Cross-License Patents


The Chicago White Sox traded outfield slugger Carlos Lee to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Scott Podsednik , reliever Luis Vizcaino , and a player to be named in a deal announced yesterday at baseball's winter meetings in Anaheim, Calif.

White Sox trade Lee to Brewers


Shares in Vodafone Group Plc, the world #39;s largest mobile-phone operator, dropped after The Wall Street Journal said the company is considering bidding with US partner Verizon Communications Inc.

Vodafone Drops on Report It Supports Bid for Sprint (Update2)


Javed Miandad has come out strongly against Bob Woolmer #39;s coaching methods and is extremely sceptical about Pakistan #39;s chances in the Test series against Australia.

Former coach hits out at Bob Woolmer


eeding the pleas of the entertainment industry, the US Supreme Court has agreed to consider calling a halt to Internet file-sharing that allows millions of computer users to obtain free copies of movies and music.

Music file-sharing case heads to high court


The DUP was last night reconsidering its boycott of talks with the Irish government after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern apologised to party leader Ian Paisley.

Boycott Rethink After Ahern Apology


AP - Villagers on the remote Japanese isle of Sado have warmly welcomed U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins since he arrived with his Japanese wife and their two North Korea-born daughters a week ago, his wife said Tuesday.

U.S. Army Deserter Welcomed in Japan (AP)


A bridge officially designated the tallest in the world was inaugurated by President Jacques Chirac in southern France Tuesday.

World's Tallest Bridge Soars Above French Valley


Perth - Australia #39;s premier paceman Glenn McGrath - renowned for his pre-Test plans to target specific batsmen - said on Tuesday that captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and one-day run machine Yousuf Youhana were the keys to Pakistan #39;s batting lineup.

McGrath identifies his targets


Hanover 96 striker Clint Mathis is to return to the United States after only a year in the Bundesliga, the German club said Tuesday.

Hanover Striker Mathis to Return to US


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Trent Green hit Eddie Kennison with a  nine-yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds left to give the  Kansas City Chiefs a wild 49-38 win over the Tennessee Titans  in Nashville Monday.

Green Tosses 3 Touchdown Passes, Chiefs Down Titans


Those planning to look for a job in the Kalamazoo area during the first quarter of 2005 might find the going slow. The pace of hiring among area employers is expected to be slow during the first quarter of

Manpower survey forecasts slow hiring in early 2005


Trust me, you don #39;t want to see desperate parents shopping over the holidays. I was at Circuit City (NYSE: CC) last week and saw a mother pleading with a sales clerk for a Nintendo DS portable video game system.

Toys Will Be Toys


Iraq may begin war crimes trials for senior members of Saddam Hussein #39;s former regime as soon as next week, Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said.

Iraq Trials of Hussein #39;s Aides May Start Next Week, Allawi Says


The US trade deficit widened nearly 9 percent in October to a record \$55.5 billion as sky-high oil prices helped propel imports into uncharted territory, the government said on Tuesday.

Trade Gap Swells More Than Expected


AP - Travel-reservations Web site Orbitz Inc. Tuesday said it named its former chief marketing officer, Michael Sands, as president.

Orbitz's Michael Sands Is Named President (AP)


But is it two Prescotts in one package or a single-die part?

Intel confirms dual-core desktop 'Smithfield'


GoldenEye: Rogue Action fails to deliver on the promise of its name and struggles to generate the original's massive sense of fun.

Bond game fails to shake or stir


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The number of personal computers  worldwide is expected to double to about 1.3 billion by 2010,  driven by explosive growth in emerging markets such as China,  Russia and India, according to a report released on Tuesday by  Forrester Research Inc.

Worldwide PC Market Seen Doubling by 2010


Electronic Arts announced an exclusive licensing relationships with the National Football League and PLAYERS INC to develop, publish and distribute interactive football games.

EA Signs Five-Year Exclusive NFL Deal


AFP - In a partnership hailed as a major boost to often chilly ties, Egypt and Israel signed a first joint trade accord with the United States since their historic peace treaty 25 years ago.

Egypt and Israel sign US trade accord 25 years after peace treaty (AFP)


Merck  amp; Co. plans to cut its workforce by 5,100 jobs by the end of the year--about 700 more than originally planned. Whitehouse Station, NJ-based Merck said in materials filed with the Securities and Exchange

Merck plans 5,100 job cuts by year-end


Sprint Corp. #39;s enterprise operation, including its nationwide fiber-optic network, suddenly is looking like a swan and not a lame duck, as Verizon Wireless assesses the possibility of making a bid for Sprint in the boiling cell-phone merger scene.

Sprint Center Of Attention For Nextel And Verizon Wireless


Reuters - The Federal Reserve raised U.S.\interest rates on Tuesday by a quarter-percentage point for the\fifth time this year and said it will keep gradually lifting\them from rock-bottom levels to forestall inflation.

Fed Raises Interest Rate to 2.25 Percent (Reuters)


GENEVA (Reuters) - A prominent Swiss-based Islamic scholar  on Tuesday gave up plans to teach at a leading U.S. university  after waiting in vain for a visa and accused the Bush  administration of trying to silence him.

Islamic Scholar, Visa Withheld, Gives Up U.S. Post


Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. said Tuesday that the two companies have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement, which excludes certain key technologies.

Sony, Samsung Swap Patents


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar's gains were clipped  on  Tuesday as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the  fifth time this year, as expected, but quashed hopes for more  aggressive rate tightening.

Dollar's Gains Cut as Fed Raises Rates


Plus, Intel's still straining, revenge of the nerds, and a \$13 billion Christmas present?

Five Times for the Fed


Toshiba is close to commercializing a new data storage technology that could significantly increase the capacity of hard-disk drives, it said Tuesday.

Toshiba to use perpendicular recording in new HDDs


Trials of some of Saddam Hussein #39;s aides will begin next week, Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said. Speaking to Iraq #39;s National Council, he did not name the lieutenants that would go on trial or say when Saddam himself would appear in court.

Saddam #39;s aides set to go on trial


By Andrew Balls in Washington and Jennifer Hughes in New York. The US Federal Reserve on Tuesday raised interest rates by a quarter point to 2.25 per cent and signalled there had been no change in its assessment of economic conditions.

Fed lifts rates a further quarter point