LOS ANGELES -- Hollywood movie studios on Tuesday sued scores of operators of US- and European-based computer servers that help relay digitized movie files across online file-sharing networks.

Hollywood to sue server operators in bid to stymie online piracy


The global airline industry is forecast to have made net losses of \$4.8bn this year, as the rise in the oil price has overwhelmed efforts by carriers to cut costs.

Oil price rise adds to airlines woes as losses continue


AP - Hollywood movie studios on Tuesday sued scores of operators of U.S.- and European-based computer servers that help relay digitized movie files across online file-sharing networks.

Hollywood Sues Computer Server Operators (AP)


A judge has ruled that Gen. Augusto Pinochet stand trial for his alleged involvement in state-sponsored torture.

In Chile, pace of justice quickens


Memphis forward Sean Banks was suspended indefinitely Tuesday for violating team rules. Coach John Calipari did not provide further information about the violation.

Memphis indefinitely suspends Sean Banks


The prospect of Pedro Martnez going to Queens is potentially the best news in years for the Mets. They have now won a public relations battle with the Yankees.

A Deal That's Creating Plenty of Buzz About the Mets


Egypt, Israel and the United States have reached an agreement that allows Egyptian industry to sell products using Israeli parts duty free in America.

Briefly: Israel, Egypt and US trade pact


Rangers manager Alex McLeish has criticised the punishment handed out to Nacho Novo by the Scottish Football Association. Novo and Celtic striker Henri Camara were both given one-match bans

McLeish upset by Novo punishment


Samsung MMCmicro It seems that mobile phones will soon be getting yet another new memory storage format, joining a growing field of ever-smaller memory cards.

Samsung MMCmicro Cards


TORONTO -- National Hockey League labor talks came to a halt Tuesday after each side rejected the other #39;s proposal. The talks lasted more than three hours, with the league making a one-hour presentation on

Hockey Labor Talks Broken Off


NASA and university astronomers are eagerly awaiting the launch of a space probe bound to collide with a comet and give researchers a glimpse inside the solar systems icy wanderers.

Astronomers ready for comet-smashing mission


The decline of the US dollar is a signal that policy makers need to do more to ensure the currency #39;s depreciation won #39;t hurt global growth, International Monetary Fund chief economist Raghuram Rajan said.

Dollar #39;s Fall Is a Wake Up Call #39; for Nations, IMF #39;s Rajan Says


Kieren Fallon can now look forward to a Christmas of giggling children, mince pies and roaring log fires following the announcement that the Jockey Club have abandoned their inquiry into

Racing: Jockey Club abandons inquiry into Fallon


The Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates on Tuesday for the fifth time this year and suggested that more rate increases are in order in the months ahead.

Fed Panel Lifts Rates and Says More Increases Are Probable


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Atlanta Falcons running back TJ Duckett is expected to undergo minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday, so will miss this Saturday #39;s contest versus Carolina.

Knee surgery for Falcons #39; Duckett


AP - An amateur video released Tuesday shows that Mexico City police were present late last month before a street mob beat three plainclothes federal agents and set two of them on fire, killing both men.

Mexico Police Present Before Mob Killing (AP)


LOUISVILLE, Ky., (Sports Network) - Larry O'Bannon netted  25 points to lead No. 13 Louisville over North Carolina A T,  85-51, at Freedom Hall.

No. 13 Louisville Beats NC A T, 85-51


Allen Iverson couldn #39;t resist when he saw the burgundy and yellow shirt Willie Green put on after the game.  quot;That #39;s an ugly shirt, Willie, quot; Iverson shouted over a crowd of reporters.

76ers rally from 18 down to stun Nuggets


KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec 14 -- Afghan forces have captured two top figures of the deposed Taliban government, including the personal security chief of leader Mohammad Omar, provincial officials said Tuesday.

Afghan Forces Arrest 2 Taliban Leaders


Reuters - Croatia's liberal President Stjepan\Mesic looked set to win a second term in elections on Sunday,\exit polls released by state television showed.

Mesic Set to Recapture Croat Presidency (Reuters)


MacCentral - Mindawn is a new online music download service that differs from Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store and other services in a few ways: It's not only compatible with Macs and PCs but with Linux computers too, its music is available in a lossless format, and there are no Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions. Mindawn launched in September and is picking up steam, according to its founder.

Mindawn offers DRM-free music downloads (MacCentral)


TORONTO (Reuters) - Hopes of saving the National Hockey  League season all but vanished Tuesday when players and team  owners rejected proposals to end the labor dispute.

NHL Players, Owners Reject Plans to End Lockout


Google #39;s plan to digitally scan books so that users can access them from its Internet search engine is being greeted with delight at the tiny library in my hometown of Half Moon Bay, Calif.

Google partners with libraries


quot;There is a very good argument to say that the Italian car plants could benefit from the relocation of other GM businesses in Europe, quot; Marchionne was quoted as saying.

Business ; Fiat Talks Tough Ahead of Key GM Meeting


A bridge officially designated the tallest in the world was inaugurated by President Jacques Chirac in southern France on Tuesday - a stunning feat of engineering that will carry motorists at 270m above the valley of the river Tarn.

World #39;s tallest bridge opens in France


More than 18,000 US troops and innumerable Afghan forces are in the process of searching every inch of Afhganistan and Afghan-Pak border.

Mullah Omar and Bin Laden on the run as Afghan and American forces <b>...</b>


Poland #39;s defense minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski has announced plans to cut his country #39;s forces in Iraq by almost one third next year.

Poland to Cut One-Third of Its Troops in Iraq


Spike TV's Video Game Awards Show attracts big-name celebrities and bands but gives the fans the votes.

King Pong Draws Fans


A Montgomery County judge has ruled that Maryland's anti-spam law is unconstitutional because it seeks to regulate business transactions beyond the state's borders.

Judge Rejects Md. Anti-Spam Statute


Having Jason Kidd available for roughly 20 minutes a night is costing the New Jersey Nets. The New York Knicks took advantage of Kidd #39;s rationed minutes to get back in the game early and then capitalized on

Kidd #39;s lack of playing time hurting Nets


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

Kidnapped Turk Killed in Afghanistan -- Witness


AFP - China can claim some success in the battle to cool its roaring economy in 2004 with a series of macro policies helping prevent another boom-bust cycle, but much remains to be done if Beijing is to avoid increasing wrangles with trade partners.

China succeeds in cooling economy, but 2005 likely to prove just as tough (AFP)


Fiat and General Motors are to hold more talks to solve their differences over  the future of the Italian firm's loss-making auto group, Fiat says.

Fiat seeks pact in row with GM


In a test case over British troops #39; alleged abuse of Iraqi civilians, a London court on Tuesday backed demands for an independent inquiry into claims a Basra hotel worker was beaten to death by UK soldiers.

Dead Iraqi #39;s Family Wins Demand for UK Abuse Probe


Google #39;s project to archive millions of books from top libraries, experts said, is the first major step toward the company #39;s goal of indexing massive amounts of printed material, music and video.

Call it one for the pages


especially since he was so anxious to simply return to the sidelines. Remember, Majerus didn #39;t exactly leave Utah on his terms in 2004.

USC right move for Majerus


Hollywood studios launched legal attacks Tuesday on the computer server operators they claim are the technological middlemen making online film theft possible.

MPAA widens piracy net


The kidnapped Turkish engineer was found dead in Kunar province in east Afghanistan on Wednesday, one day after he was abducted by unknown gunmen, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

Abducted Turkish engineer killed in Afghanistan


Embattled Russian oil giant Yukos has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court in an attempt to prevent the forced sale of its main production arm.

Yukos seeks US bankruptcy refuge


HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Air China Ltd. #39;s (0753.HK) stock gained 8 on its debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange Wednesday, and analysts said there is scope for slight further

UPDATE: Air China Shares Up 8 On Hong Kong Debut


The creators of Globus open source grid software have set up a software and services company, Univa, to capitalise on their work on grid computing.

Globus inventors go commercial


Time slips away in a hurry as Tim Thomas runs around looking to make something happen in short order. The slumping forward #39;s on a short leash at the moment and wound up watching most of last

Thomas still struggling


MINNEAPOLIS - Top-ranked teams aren #39;t solo shows, and star Seimone Augustus sure has plenty of help around her with the LSU Lady Tigers.

No. 1 LSU overcomes stubborn host Minnesota


MINNEAPOLIS -- One is a 6-foot-1 National Player of the Year candidate, looking to lead her top-ranked team back to the Final Four.

Lady Tigers run past Gophers


North Korea has warned Japan that it will treat economic sanctions as a  quot;declaration of war quot; and threatens to try to exclude Tokyo from six-party talks on Pyongyang #39;s nuclear arms programs.

NKorea warns Japan against economic sanctions


MANCHESTER, Dec 15 (SW) - Manchester City chairman John Wardle has not ruled out a winter break move of French in-form striker Nicolas Anelka.

City to ponder Anelka future


If you think you are having trouble with your holiday party, check out the 49ers. The 49ers planned to have theirs Friday at a hotel near where the team stays the night before games, but coaches and their

49ERS NOTEBOOK Fumbling holiday-party plans


AP - The U.S. military defended its human-rights record in Afghanistan on Wednesday, claiming that a May inspection by an American general found no evidence of abuse at the 22 detainee facilities in the country, while admitting that his still-unreleased report will not include any earlier incidents.

U.S. Defends Afghan Human Rights Record (AP)


NEW YORK -- Faced with growing competition in the home video market, Blockbuster addressed its No. 1 consumer complaint Tuesday, saying it will end late fees on rented videos and games in January.

Blockbuster revamps its policy for late returns


Time Warner is to announce today that it will pay between \$500 and \$600 million to settle federal investigations into irregularities at America Online, according to reports in the American press.

Time warner in \$600m setttlement


Usage of Microsoft Internet Explorer continues to fall in the United States, dropping 1.09 percentage points to 91.80 percent of the browser market last month, more than triple the rate

Foxfire Browser Adoption Accelerating as IE Wains


LOS ANGELES - Concentrations of one of the most dangerous air pollutants have declined in most of the country in the last five years, especially in Southern California and the Southeast, according to a report released by the US Environmental Protection

Report: Amount of fine-particle pollution drops significantly


Hijackers who took as many as 26 people hostage on a commuter bus on the outskirts of Athens released five of the captives. Police are in negotiations to free the remaining hostages, a spokeswoman said.

Armed Athens Bus Hijackers Release Five Hostages (Update2)


Oracle Corp can close the gap with SAP, the world #39;s biggest software company, after buying US rival PeopleSoft, Oracle #39;s Chairman Jeff Henley said in an interview published on Wednesday.

Oracle chairman says can close gap with SAP - report


New Delhi: To help customers identify original Nokia batteries from the counterfeit ones, Nokia has introduced hologram labels with authentication codes in all its new batteries.

Hologram labels in Nokia batteries


Toshiba has developed what it claims are the world #39;s first hard disk drives based on perpendicular recording, a technology that can boost data density on a single 1.8in hard-disk platter to 40GB.

Toshiba claims hard drive storage record


Rangers manager Alex McLeish claims Nacho Novo would have been vindicated had his case been dealt with as a civil hearing. The striker was banned for one game and had 12 penalty points added to his record

Eck: A court would have cleared Novo


Well, that didn #39;t go very well, did it? Everybody knew the NHL planned on turning down the NHLPA #39;s latest offer yesterday, but the hockey world still held its breath when the two adversaries met face to face

Nothing doing


ANKARA, Dec 15 (AFP) - The Turkish ambassador in Afghanistan has confirmed the death of a Turkish engineer kidnapped Tuesday in Afghanistan #39;s eastern Kunar province, the Anatolia news agency reported Wednesday.

Turkey confirms death of engineer in Afghanistan


I appreciated Michael Vaughan #39;s honesty when he said England were complacent after their seven-wicket defeat to South Africa A last week.

England may have lost initiative


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

Nokia stamps out bad batteries


MADRID (Reuters) - Victims of the Madrid train bombings  issued a stinging rebuke to politicians for seeking to gain  from the tragedy that killed 191 people, injecting humility  into a previously raucous parliamentary investigation.

Madrid Bomb Victims Criticize 'Schoolyard Politics'


Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. on Wednesday announced plans to merge, creating a more formidable rival to the two largest US mobile operators, and a large wireline communications company supporting

Sprint, Nextel to Combine


Apple has updated software on its iPod Photo digital music player to prevent users from playing music bought from RealNetworks #39; online music store.

Apple Blocks Use of RealNetworks #39; Music on iPod Photo


Valencia say they do not plan to appeal against the seven-match ban given to midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo by UEFA for his behaviour during last week #39;s Champions League match against Werder Bremen.

Valencia accept Angulo ban


Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness has made an offer to Rangers for French international centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong but the Scottish club have rejected his initial offer.

Newcastle #39;s Boumsong bid rejected by Rangers


WASHINGTON (CBS) America Online has agreed to pay a \$210 million fine to settle a Justice Department investigation of securities fraud, a department official tells CBS News.

\$210M Fine In AOL Probe


Russian oil giant Yukos Wednesday filed for US bankruptcy protection in attempt to stop the forthcoming auction of its major asset Yuganskeneftegaz, accordingto the Interfax news agency.

Yukos files for US bankruptcy protection


The Motion Picture Association of America is retargeting its legal battle against file swappers by launching attacks against the server operators behind the BitTorrent and eDonkey services.

Studios Attack BitTorrent


Bukavu/Nairobi - United Nations peacekeepers have fired on troops trying to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Rwanda, the UN-funded radio station Radio Okapi reported on Wednesday.

Peacekeepers fire on troops at river-border


AP - Indonesia is proceeding with plans to prosecute U.S.-based Newmont Mining for allegedly polluting a bay in central Indonesia, accusing the company Wednesday of giving investigators incomplete information about its waste disposal method.

Indonesia May Prosecute Newmont Mining (AP)


The Java Studio Enterprise 7 platform, available now, offers a collaboration feature called Code-Aware that allows distributed teams of developers in different buildings and different continents work together on projects, according to Sun.

Sun Brews Java Tools Updates


While rivals scramble to catch up on the desktop, Google plans to digitize famous libraries. Its official. Google is the most dangerous media company on the planet.

Google takes the competition to school


SAN FRANCISCO: Pictures of Earth-like clouds were captured by Nasa #39;s Mars rover on Wednesday. Reports also indicate that there #39;s a rock that doesn #39;t look like anything scientists have ever seen.

Mars is more Earth-like


PCI Express allows Nvidia to tap into system memory to save expensive on-board graphics memory and achieve high performance at the same time.

Last minute name change for Nvidia #39;s new GeForce 6200 with <b>...</b>


President Bush meets with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004, in Washington.

Bush Pledges Strong-Dollar Policy


Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis files suit against the doctors who performed weight-loss surgery on him in 2002 that almost killed him.

Weis Sues Doctors


ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday  handed online search engine Google Inc. <A HREF=

Google Wins Trademark Victory Over GEICO


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

2004 Signals More Global Warming, Extreme Weather: UN (Reuters)


Scientists have performed a delicate surgical operation on a single living cell, using a needle that is just a few billionths of a metre wide.

'Nano-needle' operates on cell


MicroStrategy Inc. said yesterday that president and chief financial officer Eric F. Brown had resigned and that founder Michael J. Saylor would again hold the company's top three jobs, prompting some analysts to raise concerns about the company's stock.

MicroStrategy Turnover Draws Analyst Scrutiny


AFP - An Italian national working for a British non-governmental organisation has been taken hostage in Iraq, the Italian news agency ANSA reported, quoting Italian intelligence sources.

Italian taken hostage in Iraq: report (AFP)


MONTREAL - Montie Brewer has been appointed president and CEO of Air Canada, the airline announced Wednesday. Robert Milton remains CEO of Air Canada #39;s parent company, ACE Aviation Holdings.

Montie Brewer appointed CEO of Air Canada


Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday ended their 10-year partnership to co-develop the Itanium chip

HP Shifting Last of Itanium Engineers


Gateway Inc. on Wednesday raised fourth-quarter earnings expectations as the personal computer maker freed up cash by selling preferred stock and outsourcing its warranty service plans.

Gateway Updates 4Q, Year Guidance


NHL veterans Chris Pronger and Jim McKenzie think this lockout is far worse than the one that wiped out half a season 10 years ago.

Veterans Pronger and McKenzie don #39;t think hockey will return until <b>...</b>


Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday activated point guard Jason Williams from the injured list, while placing guard Antonio Burks on the IL.

Memphis activates guard Williams


HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Shares of Air China Ltd. (0753.HK), the country #39;s largest airline, opened 6 higher at their debut Wednesday on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange #39;s main board.

Air China Main Board Debut Up 6 At HK\$3.15 -2-


The finest journalist ever to get fired for telling the truth is dead at age 49. The official cause of death on the death certificate will be suicide. But, as we shall see, he had much help getting to that point. The story of the life and death of Gary Webb says much about the state of American politics and what passes as

R.I.P. Gary Webb -- Unembedded Reporter


KAWASAKI, JAPAN - Engineers at NEChave developed a prototype optical disc drive that supports the new HD-DVD format and is also compatible with CD and DVD formats, they said Wednesday.

NEC develops CD, DVD, HD-DVD drive prototype


AP - Pittsburgh athletic director Jeff Long plans to interview at least three candidates to replace football coach Walt Harris.

Pitt to Interview at Least Three Coaches (AP)


Hologram labels will help customers identify original Nokia batteries, thus ensuring the safe use of handsets, says Nokia. All new batteries will come with a holographic image and an authentication code hidden under it.

Nokia To Use Holograms To Thwart Battery Counterfeiters


Fannie Mae, the biggest source of money for U.S. home mortgages, broke accounting rules for financial contracts designed to protect against swings in interests rates.

Fannie Mae Didn't Comply With Accounting Rules, S.E.C. Says


The European Central Bank has given hedge funds a generally clean bill of health, saying the possible dangers to financial markets are  quot;much less worrisome quot; than even a few years ago.

Eurozone central bank gives clean bill of health to hedge funds


AP - LeBron James scored 12 of his 25 points in less than three minutes of the third quarter and Ira Newble added a season-high 18 as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their ninth straight at home, 112-88 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Cavaliers Trip Trail Blazers 112-88 (AP)


ATLANTA (Sports Network) - Isma #39;il Muhammad scored a team-high 14 points, Jarrett Jack added 13 and third-ranked Georgia Tech rolled over James Madison, 72-47, in a non-league tilt at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

No. 3 Georgia Tech Rolls Over James Madison, 72-47


Bud Selig, the Major League Baseball commissioner, didn't realize he was gambling when he awarded the Expos to Washington.

Baseball's Homeless Franchise


THE Spanish football federation yesterday opened a disciplinary file against national coach Luis Aragones - but anti-racism campaigners expect him to be let off with a warning.

Spain coach faces racism inquiry


AP - Sudan is prepared to halt military operations in the Darfur region if rebels withdraw from some positions they captured earlier this year, government negotiators said Wednesday.

Sudan to Stop Fighting if Rebels Withdraw (AP)


AP - Oxygen, water, seeping oils  #151; they're all out to get your food, turning sweet nuts sour and tasty confections rancid. Food scientist John Krochta is fighting back with an unlikely weapon, edible food coatings derived from whey, the dairy byproduct favored by protein-conscious athletes and Miss Muffet.

Scientist Uses Whey to Protect Food (AP)


A Fort Worth brokerage that sold high-fee mutual funds to military families agreed yesterday to pay \$12 million to settle allegations that it used misleading marketing literature and scripts.

Brokerage Settles Charges Over Mutual Fund Fees


Elements of Web Hosting\\When you first start out trying to get a site on the Internet everything seems so confusing. Obtuse acronyms flow freely through the 'Beginner Friendly' information sites and definitions can be hard to come across. The main reason for this is that the Internet and the process ...

Elements of Web Hosting


As the holidays approach, Christmas spirit is a bargain-hunting essential.

A Distraction as a Deadline Approaches


MOSCOW - Embattled Russian oil giant Yukos filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court in a last-ditch bid to avert auction of its core production unit.

Russian oil giant tries US court


Pakistan pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami tore through Australia #39;s top order as the home side struggled to 72 for four at lunch on the opening day of the first test in Perth on Thursday.

Quickies put Pakistan on top in Perth


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomb hit a bus carrying  Iraqi National Guards on Sunday, killing 22 people in the  deadliest attack of its kind in nearly four months on Iraqis  cooperating with U.S. forces to secure a Jan. 30 election.

Suicide Bomber Kills 21 Iraqi Troops


NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. said Wednesday  it would buy mobile telephone company Nextel Communications  Inc. for about \$36 billion, creating a U.S. wireless carrier  with nearly 40 million subscribers.

Sprint to Buy Nextel in \$36 Billion Deal


WASHINGTON - The president of Major League Baseball called Washington DC #39;s legislation for a new stadium  quot;wholly unacceptable quot; on Wednesday night and halted all business and promotional activities for the Washington Nationals until further notice.

Outlook gloomy for DC baseball


AFP - A Japanese government-backed organization will ask financial institutions to provide troubled retailer Daiei with 600 billion yen (5.7 billion dollars) in financial assistance.

Japan govt body to call for 5.7 billion dollar aid to Daiei (AFP)


The Washington Wizards are finished with the Miami Heat for the season. That #39;s the good news. Dwyane Wade had 29 points and nine assists Wednesday to lead the Heat to a 98-93 win for their

Wade drives Heat over Wizards


Time Warner Inc. on Wednesday settled criminal securities fraud charges the government leveled on its America Online unit, agreeing to pay \$210 million to end the Justice Department #39;s probe.

Time Warner settles with DOJ, SEC for \$510 mil


UK fire equipment manufacturer Kidde agrees a 1.4bn takeover by US manufacturer United Technologies.

UTC buys Kidde for 1.4bn


The state insurance commissioner yesterday held auto insurance premiums fairly steady for next year while approving measures that could sharply increase the rates paid by inexperienced teenage drivers.

Mass. auto rates to stay fairly steady next year


President Bush pledged yesterday to work with Congress to reduce the government #39;s huge budget deficit as a key step in assuring the world that his administration supports a strong dollar.

Bush vows to cut deficit


Time Warner will pay \$210 million to defer a Justice Department investigation into accounting irregularities at its Dulles-based America Online unit.

Time Warner settles AOL investigations for \$510 million


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Intel will take over a team of 300 Hewlett-Packard chip designers working on Intel #39;s Itanium server processors.

Intel to take over HP #39;s Itanium chip team


Three games into the 2004-05 season, the first-year coach with the Harvard degree and NHL pedigree was staring at a 0-2-1 record, an offense that was averaging a goal a game, and a locker room full of long faces.

Donato has Harvard on the move, in groove


Ofcom is cutting the price BT can charge its rivals for putting their broadband equipment in its exchanges by up to 60.

BT cuts prices for telecom rivals


Apple Computer Inc. #39;s iPod digital music players are in short supply at US retailers including Amazon.com Inc. and Best Buy Co.

Apple #39;s iPod in short supply


PASADENA, Calif. -- The first football meeting between Michigan and Texas in yesterday's Rose Bowl brought together two coaching legends -- Bo Schembechler and Darrell Royal .

Living legends left their marks


TOKYO (Reuters) - Economic sanctions against North Korea  are

N. Korea Economic Sanctions 'One Option'--Japan


Lawyers for Michael Jackson say the singer's child molestation case should be dropped.

Fresh bid to dismiss Jackson case


Britain #39;s highest court ruled Thursday that the government cannot detain terror suspects indefinitely without trial. Nine Law Lords ruled in favor of a group of men jailed without charge for

UK #39;s highest court rules against holding terror suspects without <b>...</b>


Analysis Horizontal drinkers rejoice

Clarke takes charge of Blunkett's Fear Agenda


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission is sticking  with its plan to lift sanctions on \$4 billion worth of U.S.  goods on Jan. 1 following Washington's repeal of export tax  subsidies in October, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.

EU to Lift U.S. Sanctions Jan. 1


ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Google Inc. won a major legal victory yesterday when a federal judge ruled that its advertising policy does not violate federal trademark laws.

National Business Briefs


Reuters - Wall Street looked set for a mixed start\on Thursday as oil prices remained near two-week highs and\investors braced for a clutch of economic data and earnings\from high-profile firms like Goldman Sachs  and Nike\.

Wall Street Looks Set for a Mixed Start (Reuters)


Retail sales have risen sharply in the run-up to the key Christmas season, adding to data which suggests the economy is gathering pace and interest rates may rise next year.

Shopping surges ahead of Christmas


As part of an effort to expand local content, Internet portal company Yahoo! Wednesday night began offering Web surfers information about current traffic conditions for the largest US metro areas.

Yahoo! To Provide Traffic Updates


The Daily Mail today dismissed David Blunkett #39;s claim that the media played a role in his downfall, saying he only had himself to blame.

Daily Mail hits back at Blunkett


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Security software maker Symantec Corp.  has agreed to buy Veritas Software Corp. for \$13.5 billion,  expanding into the backup and recovery software market, the  companies said on Thursday.

Symantec to Buy Veritas for \$13.5 Billion


Crabs' urine and changes in snails' sex hormones are helping UK scientists to monitor the environment.

Environment check from crab urine


The cost of broadband internet access is likely to fall after Ofcom ordered British Telecom to cut the amount it charges internet providers.

Broadband charges set to tumble


Fugitive chess master Bobby Fischer has been offered a new home in Iceland, where he won a classic victory in 1972, but it is unclear whether he will be able to make the move from his detention in Japan.

Iceland Offers Shelter to Fugitive Chess Player


SPACE.com - SAN FRANCISCO -- A pocket of near-Earth space tucked between radiation belts gets flooded with charged particles during massive solar storms, shattering the illusion it was a safe place for satellites.

No Safe Place for Satellites (SPACE.com)


MEISE, Belgium, Dec 16 (AFP) - The EU must be sure it has the  quot;capacity to absorb quot; Turkey before it gives a green light to the vast Muslim country #39;s hopes of joining the bloc, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel warned Thursday.

Austrian warning on Turkey #39;s EU hopes


BEIJING: Chinas improving relations with India will not come at the expense of Pakistan, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in his meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Wednesday.

Relations with India not at Pakistans expense: China


Two goals from Miroslav Klose helped Jrgen Klinsmann #39;s experimental Germany side breeze to a 3-0 win over Japan in Yokohama this afternoon.

Efficient Germany Sweep Past Japan


AFP - Traditional fish-and-chips along with cherished pub grub remain the dishes of choice for Britons outstripping Chinese or Indian take-aways.

Britons still prefer fish n'chips (AFP)


(OfficialWire) -- 12/16/04 -- Britain #39;s highest court ruled Thursday against holding terror suspects without trial, saying the government cannot detain terror suspects indefinitely without trial.

UK cannot hold suspects indefinitely


Here is good news for music lovers! Now you can download the entire track on your mobile phone. This is made possible as two giants US-based Melodeo and Warner Music Group has signed an agreement whereby consumers

Music lovers can download entire track on their Mobile Phone


Justin Langer #39;s coruscating unbeaten 181 shone through on an enthralling day of Test cricket when Australia demonstrated, once again, why they are by far the best side in the world.

Langer leads the Australian charge


Rite Aid (RAD:NYSE - news - research) swung into the red for its third quarter and lowered expectations for fiscal 2005. The drugstore chain said Thursday it posted a loss of \$7.7 million, or 1 cent a share

Rite Aid Swings to Loss


Sean O #39;Keefe resigned as NASA administrator on Monday, saying he is leaving the position he has held for three years to pursue better economic opportunity for his family.

NASA Leader Cites Finances and Submits His Resignation


Germany sends three planes to Sudan's troubled Darfur region to help deploy more African Union troops.

More African troops go to Darfur


AP - The Federal Election Commission on Thursday elected a new chairman and vice chairman, choosing as its leaders two members who pushed unsuccessfully for tougher limits on partisan political groups.

FEC Elects Chairman, Vice Chairman (AP)


quot;Do you have it in your heart? How much guts do you have? How much do you hate to lose? quot;. These are the questions Jimmy Connors will be asking of Britain #39;s brightest tennis hopes in the months, and possibly years, to come.

Connors rallying cry for British tennis


SAP has launched SAP Security Optimization, a service that evaluates a customer #39;s SAP system to identify and eliminate potential vulnerabilities and minimize the risk of intrusions.

SAP Launches Security Service


Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves announced Thursday that the team has come to terms with longtime pitcher John Smoltz to a new two-year contract with a club option for the 2007 season.

Braves, Smoltz agree to new deal


Carmakers BMW and Honda have dropped plans to challenge Formula One #39;s governing body over engine rules for 2006 after deciding that legal action would be bad for motor racing.

UPDATE 1-BMW, Honda drop challenge to F1 rules


Two regulatory agencies have concluded that Fannie Mae cut corners when it came to its accounting, and that has severely damaged its image.

Fannie Mae Pays the Price of Cutting Corners to Look Safe


Jason Kidd had the pass of the night, an off-the-backboard, alley-oop feed that Vince Carter dunked, and the New Jersey Nets defeated the New York Knicks and their self-proclaimed

Point-counterpoint: Nets stifle Knicks


MANILA, Philippines At least three people have been killed and several injured in a powerful explosion at a crowded public market in the southern Philippines.

Blast kills at least three in crowded market in southern <b>...</b>


It #39;s the discovery by two Mars rovers that the Red Planet once had water and possibly could have supported life. That recognition comes today from the journal Science.

Water and robots on Mars chosen as tops in 2004 Science


Although there may have been technical limitations at the time the cell phone ban was established, according to IDC #39;s Shiv Bakhshi, it is unclear why the ban has remained in place, given that

FCC Mulls Airborne Mobile Phone Use


Reuters - Video game hit

New Grand Theft Auto Video Game Heads to Xbox (Reuters)


FT.com - Samsung Electronics, the world's second-largest mobile phone maker, expects its handset sales to rise 16 per cent next year to more than 100m units.

Samsung looks to top 100m unit sales next year (FT.com)


A bill is currently in Uganda's parliament that would strengthen women's rights.

Africa fights AIDS with girl power


Indianapolis, Dec. 16 - An announcement Thursday morning ends weeks of speculation and means that if Guidant shareholders sign off, Indiana will lose one of its few Fortune 500 companies.

Guidant merges with Johnson and Johnson


Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) is getting out of the chip-making business. The Palo Alto, California, company on Thursday announced that it reached an agreement with Intel Corp.

HP drops Itanium development


Forget GPS, forget road signs. Researchers in England say foraging Pharaoh's ants employ a simpler means to find their way home: geometry.

Ants Follow Forks in Their Roads to Find Home


The discovery that Mars could have supported life billions of years ago has been ranked by the editors of international journal Science as the most important scientific achievement of 2004.

Mars mission hailed as top 2004 breakthrough


Reuters - The Atlanta Braves have acquired\standout righthander Tim Hudson from the Oakland Athletics in\exchange for outfielder Charles Thomas, right-handed pitcher\Juan Cruz and left-handed pitcher Dan Meyer.

Hudson Traded to Braves (Reuters)


Johnson  amp; Johnson, the pharmaceutical and health care giant, has announced an agreement to buy Guidant, one of the largest US makers of devices to treat heart and circulatory illnesses, for \$25.4 billion.

J amp;J acquiring device maker


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that his government would implement his proposal to dismantle all the Israeli settlements in Gaza and four small ones in the West Bank on schedule.

Sharon Predicts 'Breakthrough' in Ties With Palestinians


The US on Thursday finalised a new accounting standard that will force companies to subtract the cost of share options from their earnings, a move bitterly opposed by Silicon

US rules on share options finalised


Hewlett-Packard is getting out of the chip-making business. The Palo Alto, California, company on Thursday announced that it reached an agreement with Intel that would see HP #39;s Itanium processor design team move to Intel in January.

HP Leaves the Chip-Making Business


Gene therapy can cure children born with a condition that knocks out their natural defences against infection, mounting evidence shows.

Boys 'cured' with gene therapy


The South Africa captain Graeme Smith has stirred things up before today #39;s first Test against England by claiming that Steve Harmison, the world #39;s leading bowler, is mentally vulnerable and can be disarmed for the rest of the five-Test series if the

Smith says Harmison is the weakest link


Crude oil futures are headed for their biggest weekly gain in 21 months on speculation cold weather may boost demand in the US Northeast, where 80 percent of the country #39;s heating oil is used.

Crude Oil Rises on Speculation Cold Weather May Increase Demand


Parmalat, the bankrupt Italian dairy and food company, sued 45 banks on Thursday seeking to recover money it paid to them in the year before the company #39;s collapse.

Parmalat Sues 45 Banks to Recover \$4 Billion


European Union leaders offered to start membership talks with Turkey next Oct. 3, as long as the Turkish government ends its diplomatic standoff with historic rival Cyprus.

EU Sets Date for Turkey Talks, Demands Concession on Cyprus


AP - Republicans prepared a lawsuit Thursday to try to prevent King County from including 573 newly discovered ballots in a hand recount that could erase their gubernatorial candidate's razor-thin margin of victory.

GOP to Sue Over 573 Found Wash. Ballots (AP)


The White House, seeking a strong economic team to craft and sell key features of its second-term agenda, is considering tapping Federal Reserve Board member Ben S. Bernanke to serve as chairman

White House May Pick Bernanke


Israel withdraws from Khan Younis refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, after a four-day operation that left 11 dead.

Israel withdraws from Gaza camp


Scientists from India working in the Himalayas have discovered a new species of monkey, a stocky, short-tailed, brown-haired creature they have named the Macaca munzala, or Arunachal macaque.

Stocky Monkey in Himalayas Is a Shy Rarity: A New Species


A group of experts convened by NASA said yesterday that the space shuttle would likely be ready to fly by the currently planned launch date in May or June, but it cautioned that efforts to

Experts Optimistic About Shuttle Flight


Reuters - A U.S. bankruptcy court on Thursday\stepped into the battle between YUKOS and the Russian\government, issuing an order to block Sunday's auction of the\company's main oil-producing arm for 10 days.

Judge Orders Halt to YUKOS Unit Auction (Reuters)


BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Three Irish fugitives  convicted of teaching leftist Colombian guerrillas how to make  bombs have escaped the Andean country and are at large outside  its borders, Colombia's attorney general said late on Thursday.

Colombia Says Irish Fugitives Have Fled Country


Thursday, he took himself out of consideration during a conversation with Pittsburgh Steelers trainer John Norwig.  quot;When I #39;m running full speed and make a little move, I still feel it a little bit, quot; Burress said of his hamstring.

Steelers #39; Burress won #39;t return against Giants


Cassini #39;s latest sweep past Saturn #39;s moon Titan revealed more intriguing pictures of the surface but left many mysteries intact.

Cassini photos leaves some mysteries


Saddam Hussein met with a defense lawyer Thursday for the first time since his capture a year ago, days before several of his top aides are due to appear in court for hearings on alleged war crimes.

Saddam meets lawyer, aides due in Court


Reuters - Yahoo Inc.  said on\Thursday that JibJab Media will create two animated short films\as the Internet company looks for ways to expand advertising by\adding new content.

Yahoo Unveils Animated Shorts, Sees New Ad Space (Reuters)


Ziff Davis - Security sources announce four mostly unrelated enterprise vulnerabilities in Cisco Unity, Cisco Guard, Veritas' Backup Exec, and Samba, the Windows file-sharing utility for Linux.

Holes Found in Cisco, Veritas, Samba Products (Ziff Davis)


Company is expanding production to deliver more flat-panel TVs.

Panasonic Races to Meet Plasma Demand


After lengthy talks and stiff negotiations over price, the decision by Guidant executives to sell the company for \$25.4 billion came down to the attractiveness of Johnson  amp; Johnson #39;s deep resources.

For Guidant, J amp;J #39;s resources sealed the deal


Speculation swirled Thursday over the futures of Fannie Mae #39;s top executives after regulators #39; cited the mortgage giant for accounting violations going back to 2001.

Update 14: Future of Fannie Mae Executives Unclear


Parma rallied from an early deficit to beat Besiktas 3-2 yesterday and maintain Italy #39;s hopes of winning a UEFA Cup championship it used to dominate.

Parma keeps Italian hopes alive


Report: Official announcement due next week during British PM Blair #39;s Israel visit. Conference to be confined to PA reforms, will not deal with borders, refugees, settlers and future of Jerusalem.

Sharon decides Israel to attend London Mideast peace conference


If Gov. Rod Blagojevich #39;s proposal to crack down on violent video game sales sounds familiar, look no further than the man he beat to become Illinois #39; chief executive.

Governor #39;s proposal: New game, same strategy


Opener Justin Langer was last out after a glorious innings of 191 as Australia totaled 381 on the second morning of the first test against Pakistan in Perth on Friday.

Pakistan collapses at the WACA


KABUL (Reuters) - Three Afghan prison guards and two  prisoners were killed in a jail break attempt by al Qaeda  inmates Friday and a shoot-out was going on between police and  another two, the chief of Kabul's Pul-i-Charki prison told  Reuters.

Five Killed in Al Qaeda Jailbreak in Kabul


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose to its  highest close in four weeks on Friday as hopes grew for a  seasonal year-end rally, spurring buying in a wide-range of  issues.

Nikkei Rises to Highest Close in 4 Weeks


AP - Pedro Martinez formalized a  #36;53 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets on Thursday and embraced the idea of helping rebuild a team that has fallen on hard times.

Mets Introduce New Prize Pitcher Pedro (AP)


The Boston Red Sox could offer Pedro Martinez the still-dizzying celebration of a city that he helped to a historic World Series championship.

Pedro, GM welcome challenge that awaits


Israel will not attend a Middle East conference in London early next year but backs its stated aim of fostering Palestinian reform in pursuit of peace after Yasser Arafat #39;s death, a senior official says.

Israel won #39;t attend London Mideast conference


BAGHDAD (AFP) - The United States failed win a promise from the United Nations to increase its staff in Iraq ahead of elections as Washington stepped up its charges that Damascus was sheltering insurgent leaders.

UN shrugs off US demands to boost Iraq presence


LONDON (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy court is likely to  revoke its temporary ban on the sale of Russian oil group  YUKOS's main production unit, lawyers said on Friday.

Court Seen Lifting YUKOS Block -- Lawyers


The Cuban President this week, according to wire reports, stood unassisted for several minutes at a time while greeting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who paid a visit to the island earlier this week.

Fidel Castro Back On His Feet


Consumer prices rose by a mild 0.2 percent in November as costs for gasoline and food products calmed down after posting sharp increases the month before.

Consumer Prices Rise 0.2 in November


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union and Turkey inched  toward a historic agreement on starting membership talks on  Friday as EU leaders softened their demands on the crucial  sticking point of Cyprus.

EU Move on Cyprus Eases Way for Turkey Deal


The discovery that salty, acidic water once flowed across the surface of Mars has topped a list of the 10 key scientific advances of 2004.

Mars water tops science honours


Australia #39;s plan to establish a maritime surveillance zone that would cover much of Indonesia has provoked a furious response from Jakarta, which says the policy contravenes both national sovereignty and international law.

Indonesia Furious Over Australia #39;s New Maritime Surveillance Zone


IBM on Friday announced it has signed up 115 companies since early September to develop for its eServer BladeCenter open specification it co-authored with Intel.

IBM BladeCenter specification picks up speed


The Boeing Co. is planning to add live television to its Connexion by Boeing service during 2005, a company executive said in a recent interview.

Boeing casts eyes on live TV over Connexion service


DRUGS group AstraZeneca today suffered a massive setback after tests showed its blockbuster Iressa cancer treatment did not allow patients to live longer.

Cancer drug blow for AstraZeneca


Reuters - Rebel soldiers confronting\army loyalists near this deserted Congolese farming town\declared victory on Friday after clashes that stirred fears of\fresh violence in turbulent central Africa.

Rebels in Battered Congo Town Declare Victory (Reuters)


India's health minister tells parliament that nearly 70 of injections at government hospitals are unsafe.

India hospital injections fears


Yahoo Maps To Add Traffic Updates and Reports\\Yahoo is not only becoming the goto place for multimedia search and online entertainment, it's also now offering a new service for monitoring traffic conditions online. Yahoo's offering of traffic updates lets users plan their daily travel routes around slowdowns like constructon or ...


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow Jones industrial average fell  on Friday after Pfizer Inc. <A HREF=

Pfizer News Sends Blue Chips Down


LONDON (Reuters) - Investors in pharmaceuticals were dealt  a triple whammy on Friday as Pfizer Inc, AstraZeneca Plc and  Eli Lilly and Co all shocked the market with bad news about key  products.

Bad Day for Drug Companies - and Patients


Gold miner Goldcorp Inc. on Friday said its board is willing to review and evaluate a takeover offer from Glamis Gold Ltd. that would break up its friendly merger agreement with Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.

Goldcorp Says It Will Review Glamis Bid


The mother of Santos striker Robinho was released unharmed on Friday, 40 days after she was kidnapped at a family gathering. Marina da Silva de Souza, 44, appeared healthy but thinner than when she was abducted

Robinho #39;s mother releaased by kidnappers


Coulthard, whose McLaren contract expires at the end of this year, tested with the Austrian-owned team in Spain recently, easily outpacing Red Bull hopefuls Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Coulthard secures Red Bull seat


AFP - Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic resigned, a day after the international community imposed fresh sanctions against Serb police and officials for allegedly protecting war crimes fugitives.

Bosnian Serb PM resigns after war crimes criticism (AFP)


US consumer prices rose modestly in November as a surge in energy costs a month earlier moderated, the Labor Department said on Friday.

November Consumer Prices Rise Moderately


United Airlines pilots would drop their opposition to the carrier's much-decried plan to eliminate traditional pensions under a tentative contract agreement approved by union leaders.

United Pilots Cut Deal on Pensions


Circuit City Stores Inc. (CC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday posted a narrower quarterly loss from continuing operations but said its outlook was cautious for the

Circuit City Cautious on Outlook


US stocks fell as setbacks for drugmakers, including a study showing Pfizer Inc. #39;s Celebrex painkiller increased the risk of heart attacks, sent health-care shares tumbling.

US Stocks Drop, Led By Drug Shares; Pfizer, Eli Lilly Tumble


General Motors Corp. said Friday it would host a series of economic development forums around the globe in an effort to share the expertise it has acquired through various local projects.

GM announces global economic development forums


Reuters - CarMax Inc.  on Friday posted\lower quarterly profit, but the used-car retailer said its\sales have been steadily improving, sending its shares up as\much as 14 percent.

CarMax Earnings Fall, Stock Up on Outlook (Reuters)


SPACE.com - Although winter officially begins on Dec. 21 at 7:40 a.m. EST, \  one of the landmarks of the autumn sky is still readily visible, high toward \  the south around 7 p.m. local time.

Exploring Andromeda (SPACE.com)


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's opposition Labour party has  clinched a deal with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud party  to join his coalition, a move that could push forward his Gaza  pullout plan, Israeli media reported on Friday.

Israel's Labour to Join Sharon Coalition-Israeli Media


Without reserve. EBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) on Friday said it is buying Rent.com. The latter, which is privately held, provides online listings of apartment and house rentals.

Whitman: EBay To Buy Rent.com; Compliments Craigslist Stake


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (Sports Network) - Veteran defensive  tackle Luther Elliss of the Denver Broncos will miss the  remainder of the season because of a herniated disk in his  lower back.

Broncos DT Elliss Out for the Season


Miami of Ohio's Terry Hoeppner is hired as Indiana's football coach and vows to take the Hoosiers to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1968.

Indiana Hires Hoeppner


MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia forged ahead with the weekend auction of the core asset of crippled oil giant Yukos despite a disputed US court order barring the sale, with state-controlled gas giant Gazprom entering the bidding.

Russia shrugs off US court freeze on oil giant Yukos auction


NASA #39;s departing chief, Sean O #39;Keefe, on Friday defended his decision to pursue a robotic repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, days after a panel of scientists said a shuttle mission would be better.

NASA #39;s Departing Chief Defends Hubble Decision


On Thursday, the company announced it will invest \$12 million over the next five years in a new research and development center in Tokyo.

Cisco invests \$12 million in Japan R amp;D center


This week saw three merger deals worth about \$60 billion--including one that ranks as the largest software merger in history.

This week in merger news


AP - If Simon Rosenberg decides to run for Democratic Party chairman, he won't be able to count on much support from Iowa and New Hampshire.

Democrat Seeks to End Iowa, N.H. Power (AP)


Reuters - Apple Computer Inc.  is\suing anonymous people who leaked details about new products by\posting information on the Internet, court documents showed on\Friday.

Apple Sues Over Web Leak of Advance Products (Reuters)


ABUJA (Reuters) - The African Union issued a 24-hour  deadline to the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels on Friday  to end fighting after a massive military build-up in the region  over the last two weeks.

AU Issues Deadline to Khartoum and Darfur Rebels


Olympic silver medalist Hans Knauss tests positive for the steroid nandrolone after a World Cup race last month.

Skier Tests Positive


ARSNE WENGER was raised in Alsace, near the German border, with an affinity for the Bayern Munich football machines of the Seventies.

Wenger vows no repeat of frailties against Bayern


A software company that Microsoft acquired this week to help beef up computer security may come with a bug of its own--a company claiming ownership of the programs.

Microsoft buy comes with strings attached


The U.S. Army has struck a deal with IBM and other companies to create an automated record-keeping system that ends the need for electronic forms to be printed out, signed and delivered up the military service's chain of command.

U.S. Army aims to halt paperwork with IBM system


Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, last night talked about how  quot;emotional quot; it will be returning to Barcelona in the last 16, knockout stage of the Champions League.

Barcelona return for Mourinho


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Indianapolis will take on Atlanta in the 2005 American Bowl in Japan, the league announced Friday.

2005 American Bowl teams announced


The Nets reported deal for Vince Carter very much surprises me given New Jersey #39;s cost-slashing moves in the offseason that saw the exits of Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles.

Carter could prove real plus for Nets


CAIRO, Dec 17 (AFP) -- One of the two main rebel groups in Sudan #39;s war-torn Darfur region said that the government had launched an offensive on rebel-held towns in southern Darfur, denouncing it as a truce violation.

Sudan govt unleashes offensive in South Darfur: SLA rebels


The head of plane maker Airbus yesterday won a bitter battle to oust his boss from the helm of parent aerospace group Eads after winning the support of a key shareholder.

Airbus chief wins fight to take controls at Eads


This was not an easy day on which to play cricket. The sun shone brilliantly enough but for all of the opening day of the series a buffeting westerly crosswind flapped the trouser legs of the players, put

England labour but find their second wind


Standard  amp; Poor #39;s Equity Research said the purchase of Rent.com by eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) could be a bit of a miscalculation.

EBay #39;s Buy Of Rent.com May Lack Strategic Sense


InfoWorld - The great debate over the impact of Oracle's hostile takeover of PeopleSoft has all the big industry analyst organizations weighing in. However, in most of the analysis one group's opinion seems to have been overlooked: that of PeopleSoft users.

Analysis: PeopleSoft users speak out about Oracle takeover (InfoWorld)


Right-hander Matt Clement and the Boston Red Sox agreed Friday to a three-year deal in the \$25 million range, according to a report on MLB.

Right-hander must pass physical


Jamaal Tinsley scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Indiana Pacers to an 89-86 victory over the Toronto Raptors, who traded All Star Vince Carter to New Jersey earlier Friday.

Pacers 89, Raptors 86


The \$500 billion drug industry is stumbling badly in its core business of finding new medicines, while aggressively marketing existing drugs.

Pricey Drug Trials Turn Up Few New Blockbusters


Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Shaquille O #39;Neal had 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks and Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 25 points, as the Miami Heat downed the Denver Nuggets, 107-100.

NBA Game Summary - Denver at Miami


AP - Australian scientists who helped discover a species of tiny humans nicknamed Hobbits have been hailed for making the second most important scientific achievement of 2004.

Hobbit-finding Boffins in science top 10


Internet search providers are reacting to users #39; rising interest in finding video content on the Web, while acknowledging that there are steep challenges that need to be overcome.

Search providers seek video, find challenges


NEW YORK - The TV lights were on, the cameras rolled and the symphony of cameras flashing in his face blinded Pedro Martinez - but not for long.

The Newest Hope ; Marriage of Necessity Just Might Work Out


DAVIE - The Dolphins want Nick Saban, and the LSU coach could be on his way. Although LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman said Friday that  quot;an offer is very imminent, quot; the Dolphins are committed to adhering

Saban hiring on hold


Canadian Press - BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - The prime minister of the Serbian half of Bosnia resigned Friday, a day after the U.S. government and Bosnia's top international administrator sanctioned Bosnian Serbs for failing to arrest and hand over war crimes suspects to the UN tribunal.

Bosnian-Serb prime minister resigns in protest against U.S. sanctions (Canadian Press)


The European Union's decision to hold entry talks with Turkey receives a widespread welcome.

Historic Turkey-EU deal welcomed


Paceman Mashrafe Mortaza claimed two prize scalps, including Sachin Tendulkar with the day #39;s first ball, to lead a Bangladesh fightback in the second and final test against India on Saturday.

Mortaza strikes to lead superb Bangladesh rally


WASHINGTON -- Outgoing Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said yesterday he doesn't regret being the public face for the Bush administration's international call to war in Iraq. He also believes diplomacy is making headway in containing nuclear threats in Iran and North Korea, he said in an interview.

Powell pushes diplomacy for N. Korea


Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned with the most harmful known dioxin, which is contained in Agent Orange, a scientist who analyzed his blood said Friday.

Around the world


With the supply of attractive pitching options dwindling daily -- they lost Pedro Martinez to the Mets, missed on Tim Hudson, and are resigned to Randy Johnson becoming a Yankee -- the Red Sox struck again last night, coming to terms with free agent Matt Clement on a three-year deal that will pay the righthander in the neighborhood of \$25 ...

Void is filled with Clement


Like Roger Clemens did almost exactly eight years earlier, Pedro Martinez has left the Red Sox apparently bitter about the way he was treated by management.

Martinez leaves bitter


SINGAPORE : Doctors in the United States have warned that painkillers Bextra and Celebrex may be linked to major cardiovascular problems and should not be prescribed.

5 of arthritis patients in Singapore take Bextra or Celebrex <b>...</b>


EBay plans to buy the apartment and home rental service Rent.com for \$415 million, adding to its already exhaustive breadth of offerings.

EBay gets into rentals