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Parking Fees May Help

A plan to raise \$100 million by charging for parking near a new stadium is one of the top proposals in the city's bid to find private money to finance the ballpark.

Suns Tops in West

Using what he learned from Italy's pro league, Mike D'Antoni has installed a run-and-gun offense that has Phoenix trampling opponents.

Changes Made to RPI

The NCAA Division I men's basketball committee is changing the way it calculates the Ratings Percentage Index, giving more weight to playing and winning games on the road.

'Unit' Deal Unresolved

The Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers are still working to complete a deal that would put Randy Johnson in pinstripes, send Shawn Green to Arizona and land Javy Vazquez in Los Angeles.

McNair's Season Over

Titans quarterback Steve McNair will undergo surgery to strengthen his bruised sternum and will miss the final three games of the year.

Consumer Prices Calm Down in November (AP)

AP - Consumer prices calmed down in November, helped by smaller increases in energy and food. That means the Federal Reserve probably will continue raising interest rates only gradually to keep inflation under control.

Pricey Trials Turn Up Few New Blockbusters

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

UPDATE 1-US concerned about UAL/pilots deal on pension plan

The US agency that insures corporate pensions is troubled by provisions in a \$180 million concession deal between pilots and United Airlines (UALAQ.

U.S. Wireless Use Behind Rest of World (AP)

AP - On a trip on the Tokyo subway last year, almost everyone ignored the young man talking on one wireless phone, messaging with another and juggling a third.

New IE Exploit Spoofs Web Sites (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Security researchers have uncovered a spoofing flaw in Internet Explorer that could allow a scammer to display a fake Web site with all the attributes of a genuine, secure site.

Cardinals reach deal with King

The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with left-handed reliever Ray King on Friday. The deal also has a club option in 2007, but no financial terms were disclosed.

Timberwolves Crush the Clippers 113-86 (AP)

AP - Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 29 points, including 11 in the third quarter, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-86 on Friday night.

Thailand: Origami Politics Wont Do

In southern Thailand where unemployment is high, thousands of people have been spending the past couple of weeks collecting paper cranes fired at their villages and towns from the air.

NASA Retires Historic B-52 'Mothership' (AP)

AP - NASA on Friday retired the B-52B jet that served as the "mothership" for a half-century of flight research projects ranging from the X-15 rocket planes of the 1960s to the X-43A hypersonic jet that flew at nearly 10 times the speed of sound last month.

EU-Turkey Deal Hailed as a Bridge Builder

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU's historic deal with Turkey to open entry talks with the vast Muslim country was hailed by supporters as a bridge builder between Europe and the Islamic world.

Taiwan Says China Setting Out Legal Basis to Attack

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan condemned China's proposed anti-secession law on Saturday, calling it a move to establish a legal basis to attack the island.

In Congo War, Even Peacekeepers Add to Horror

Local women in Congo have accused U.N. soldiers of sexually assaulting them, using money and treats as lures.

A Brush With China's Twilight Zone

The government struggles to adapt its old methods of social control to the challenge of maintaining authority over a society seeking greater freedoms.

Home Turf Shaky For Ukraine Premier

As Yanukovych campaigned in his own stronghold of eastern Ukraine Friday, the presence of opposition supporters and the color of the "Orange Revolution" were evidence of the changed political landscape.

Russia Plans to Proceed With Yukos Oil Auction

MOSCOW, Dec. 17 -- Russia pledged Friday to ignore a U.S. court ban on the looming auction of oil giant Yukos' key production unit, while a consortium of Western banks reportedly put on hold billions of dollars in credit for the state-run Russian gas company that was expected to buy the unit.

U.N. Forces Ex-Soldiers From Aristide Home

U.N. peacekeepers detonated an explosive device to force their way into the former residence of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and persuaded a group of ex-soldiers to leave unarmed, ending a two-day standoff.

The Glitch That Stole Holiday Buys

Online shoppers intent on skipping long lines and clogged parking lots at the mall are discovering a different kind of traffic problem this holiday season: overcrowded Web sites that are cracking under the pressure. <FONT face="verdana,MS Sans Serif,arial,helvetica" size="-2" color="#666666"><B>-The Washington Post</b></font>

A.C.L.U.'s Search for Data on Donors Stirs Privacy Fears

The A.C.L.U. is collecting information in a fund-raising effort that has ignited a debate over its commitment to privacy rights.

Europe Bloc Says Turks Can Apply

European Union leaders said Turkey could join its ranks as soon as 10 years from now, but warned that it must overcome opposition to a Muslim country's entering the European fold.

New IE hole could perfect phishing scams

A newly reported security problem in Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser allows attackers to create a fake Web site that looks exactly like a genuine site.

Analysis: PeopleSoft users speak out about Oracle takeover

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.

Duncan Leads Spurs Past Hornets 83-69 (AP)

AP - Tim Duncan had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their third straight victory, 83-69 over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.

Yanks Still Working On Deal for Johnson

The New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers spent yesterday trying to put the finishing touches on the megadeal that would move all-stars Randy Johnson, Shawn Green and Javier Vazquez.

Celtics hold off charging Jazz

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Gary Payton #39;s hot start helped the Boston Celtics rebound from a tough loss. Payton scored 18 of his season-high 27 points in the first half to lead the Celtics to a 114-106 victory over the struggling Utah Jazz.

Ex-soldiers occupying Aristide #39;s abandoned estate refuse to disarm

Ex-soldiers from Haiti #39;s disbanded army occupied the plundered estate of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide for a third day yesterday, refusing to leave the compound unarmed and raising fears of a confrontation with UN

iPod User #146;s Guide

Introducing his iPod User #146;s Guide, the Wall Street Journal #146;s Walt Mossberg writes, #147;By all accounts, millions of people will buy or receive Apple Computer #146;s iPod digital-music players this holiday season. The gadgets are beautifully designed and simple to operate, which is one reason they #146;re so popular, even after three years on the market and despite a rising number of competitors. #148; Dec 15

A Tenuous Hold on Middle Class

Even as African Americans and other minorities have made economic progress in the last 40 years, many of those reaching the middle-income rung are finding it a hollow promise.

Bush's Economic Vision

The president's plan to partially privatize Social Security probably won't adversely impact financial markets, even if the program entails hundreds of billions of dollars in debt, Treasury Secretary John W. Snow said Friday.

Pension Agency Wary of UAL Deal

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. and leaders of its pilots union have agreed on a deal under which the pilots will not oppose termination of their pension plan but will receive a \$550 million note convertible into company stock when the airline emerges from bankruptcy protection.

Celebrex Trial Halted

A clinical trial of the blockbuster arthritis drug Celebrex was shut down Friday after researchers found an increase in the risk of serious heart disease and strokes in those taking the drug.

Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Resigns (AP)

AP - The prime minister of the Bosnian Serb-run half of the country 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 U.N. tribunal.

Wade Leads Heat Past the Nuggets 107-100 (AP)

AP - Dwyane Wade scored 25 points and Shaquille O'Neal 20 to help the Miami Heat win their seventh straight game, 107-100 Friday night over the Denver Nuggets #151; who lost forward Carmelo Anthony to a sprained left ankle.

Minn. Woman, Husband Acquitted in Mexico (AP)

AP - An American woman and her Mexican husband who said they were tortured by police and forced to confess to killing a Mexican girl were acquitted Friday of the murder charges.

Annan Seeks EU Support for U.N. Reforms (AP)

AP - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan sought European support Friday for his plan to give regional heavyweights such as Brazil and Japan more clout at the United Nations.

If Nats Move, Problems Await

If MLB and the DC Council fail to reach an agreement to keep the Nationals in Washington, baseball would be faced with the difficult question of what to do with the league-owned franchise next season.

Knicks 113 76ers 107, overtime

PHILADELPHIA Allan Houston and Kurt Thomas provided the big baskets in New York #39;s 113-to-107 overtime triumph at Philadelphia.

England restrict South Africa to 273/7

Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff claimed three wickets each as England restricted South Africa to 273 for seven on day one of the First Test in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Timberwolves Crush the Clippers 113-86

Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman, right, drives against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Mark Madsen in the second quarter, Friday, Dec. 17, 2004, in Minneapolis.

Marlins Make Move

Free-agent reliever Antonio Alfonseca signed a one-year contract Friday to rejoin his former team, the Florida Marlins.

Security, Storage To Merge

When solution providers look back on Symantec #39;s acquisition of Veritas Software, they will likely remember it as the moment security and storage officially became joined at the hip.

Japan #39;s central bank downgrades its assessment of the economy? <b>...</b>

Japan #39;s central bank downgraded its assessment of the economy for the first time in more than a year Friday, citing weakening industrial production and slowing export growth.

Pension Agency Wary of UAL Deal

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. and leaders of its pilots union have agreed on a deal under which the pilots will not oppose termination of their pension plan but will receive a \$550 million note convertible

Mourinho welcomes return to Barcelona stamping ground

Jose Mourinho welcomed Chelsea #39;s high-profile Champions League tie against Barcelona on Friday, saying the match would be spectacular and close but Chelsea could shade it.

Renteria introduced

Although he hasn #39;t spoken to any of his new Red Sox stats, schedule teammates yet, Edgar Renteria said he #39;d like to get fellow snowbird Manny Ramirez stats, news to teach him to hit #39; #39; when they speak this week in Miami.

Ancira I-10 Chrysler Jeep Kia

(Sports Network) - The suddenly struggling Los Angeles Clippers attempt to put an end to a three-game skid tonight, when they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

UK anti-terror law ruled illegal

Detaining foreign terrorist suspects without trial breaks human rights laws, the UKs highest court ruled on Thursday. In a blow to the governments anti-terror measures, the House of Lords ruled by an

Langer batting, Shoaib bowling

AUSTRALIAN openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have made a good start on day three of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at the WACA Ground.

Young Chinese spend 1,000 times as much as their parents on weddings (AFP)

AFP - Modern Chinese couples spend 1,000 times more than their parents' generation on lavish weddings and other expenses linked to starting a family, state media reported.

Yushchenko Poisoned With Pure TCDD (AP)

AP - Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned with TCDD, the most harmful known dioxin and one contained in Agent Orange, a scientist who analyzed his blood said Friday.

ADB grants 200 million dollars for Philippines health sector (AFP)

AFP - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved two loans totalling 213 million dollars to improve the health sector in the Philippines.

Feds forecast better 2005

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration released a new economic forecast for 2005 on Friday in which it boosted growth forecasts slightly from a year ago but cut back sharply on its estimates of new jobs.

Cisco To Open R amp;D Center in Japan To Hone Broadband

Products produced to meet Japan #39;s demand for broadband services will be quot;robust enough to handle any other market in the world, quot; said Mike Volpi of Cisco #39;s routing technology group.

Questions for NASA

THE TWO ASTRONAUTS aboard the international space station have been asked to cut calories because, with the space shuttle out of commission, food supplies are running low.

Microsoft Adds Desktop to MSN Toolbar

(Article Central) Software giant Microsoft Corp. introduced a beta version of its new MSN Toolbar Suite, with new desktop search functionality that allows users to find almost any type of document, media file

Cingular releases Sony Ericsson Z500a

Cingular Wireless is now offering the Sony Ericsson Z500a handset. The Z500a is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE clamshell phone, offering high-speed data transfers for MMS, web browsing, and either POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail access.

Apple Releases Updated OS X to Fix FireWire, Game Issues

Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., this week released an updater for its Mac OS X operating system, bringing it to Version 10.3.7.

Langer, Ponting make Pakistan toil

Australia led Pakistan by 312 runs with nine second-innings wickets in hand when lunch was taken on the third day of the first test at the WACA in Perth on Saturday.

Yanks move closer to landing Unit

The Big Unit is still on track to land at Yankee Stadium - eventually. Although there were stumbling blocks yesterday in the complicated multi-team trade

CZAR: Giants could have had Big Ben

A not so-funny thing will happen Saturday. Giant fans will see Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback that got away when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Meadowlands.

NCAA Game Summary - James Madison vs. Montana

Chattanooga, TN (Sports Network) - Justin Rascati and Maurice Fenner each ran for two touchdowns to lead the James Madison Dukes over the Montana Grizzlies, 31-21, in the Division I-AA championship game at Finley Stadium.

Europe Bloc Says Turks Can Apply; Long Road Seen

The European Union said Friday that Turkey could join its ranks as soon as 10 years from now, but warned that it must overcome widespread public opposition to a Muslim country #39;s entering the European fold.

Israel kills six Palestinians in Gaza raid

GAZA CITY: Prime Minister Ariel Sharons optimism for peace in 2005 was immediately dealt a blow by Israelis with the killing of six Palestinians on Friday by Israeli troops during an incursion in Gaza.

Pilots' Union at United Makes Pension Deal

The union that represents pilots at United Airlines said Friday that it had struck a deal that would allow the airline to terminate the pilots' ailing pension plan.

quot;US economy growth to slow down next year quot;

Washington, Dec. 18. (PTI):The growth rate of United States will slow down a little bit next year though the general economic conditions quot;look very sound, quot; Bush #39;s economic advisers have warned.

Microsoft moves against spyware with Giant acquisition

Microsoft has purchased Giant Company Software, a small anti-spyware software company it hopes will shore up its security defenses.

Aussies Pile on Runs

Australia picked up from where they left off in their first innings by racking up the runs in their second innings to take a 312-run lead into lunch on day three of the first Test in Perth.

Manning ready to face Ravens #39; aggressive defense

INDIANAPOLIS Peyton Manning has a shot at breaking Dan Marino #39;s record for the most touchdown passes in a season when the Indianapolis Colts face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Gambhir, Dravid hit tons as India score 334 for two (Night Lead):

Sports India, Cricket: Chittagong, Dec 17 : Centuries by Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir guided India to a total of 334 for two wickets at the end of the first day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh here Friday.

Croatians vote in presidential elections; Mesic expected to win second term (AFP)

AFP - Croatians go to the polls with incumbent President Stipe Mesic expected to win his second five-year term with the prospect of leading the former Yugoslav republic into the European Union.

NBA Wrap: Heat Tame Bobcats to Extend Winning Streak

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dwyane Wade poured in 26 points and dished out nine assists as the Miami Heat scorched the expansion Charlotte Bobcats 113-90 in NBA action on Saturday, to extend their franchise record win streak to 14 games.

Historic Turkey-EU deal welcomed

The European Union #39;s decision to begin entry talks with Turkey has received a widespread welcome. But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face tough questions at home about what he has signed up to.

US again vows to hunt bin Laden

The United States has again vowed to hunt down Osama bin Laden after intelligence analysts all but confirmed the voice on a new audio recording was that of the al-Qaeda terror chief.

Arafat #39;s death opens door for peace

Yasser Arafat #39;s death opens a window of opportunity. The Palestinian leader who loomed so large for so many years - and who had recently been rejected as a partner by Israel

Former soldiers occupuing ex-president #39;s home evicted

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (AFP) - Armed UN peacekeepers and Haitian police evicted former soldiers who were occupying ousted president Jean Bertrand Aristide #39;s luxurious mansion here.

MIND GAMES: Abduction issue

Negotiating with North Korea is rarely anything but bumpy. But in recent months, Japan once got close to getting Pyongyang #39;s commitment to rejoin the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-but Tokyo blew it.

Pilots #39; Union at United Makes Pension Deal

The union that represents pilots at United Airlines said yesterday that it had struck a deal that would allow the airline to terminate the pilots #39; ailing pension plan and partly compensate them for the loss.

India pile on runs

Gautam Gambhir #39;s maiden Test century and a typical Rahul Dravid ton helped India defy a three-prong Bangladesh attack on the opening day of the second and the final Test here on Friday.

US painted as fascist torturers in Havana propaganda battle

A war of words flared yesterday when Cuban authorities displayed a giant swastika and pictures of abused Iraqi prisoners in front of the US mission in Havana.

Grizzlies 89, Nets 84

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Jason Williams had a season-high 27 points and six assists to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to an 89-to-84 win over the New Jersey Nets.

Free-agent signings bump some Mariners into role revisions

The signings of Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson will have a domino effect on the rest of the Mariners #39; plans, not to mention the rest of the Mariners.

Hundreds to rally for regiments

Campaign group Save The Scottish Regiments organises a march in Edinburgh against Army cuts.

Biggest Utility in New Jersey Seen as Target of Acquisition

The Exelon Corporation, the owner of utilities in northern Illinois and eastern Pennsylvania, is in talks to acquire P.S.E. G.

Lazard I.P.O. Seeks to Raise \$850 Million

Lazard, the financial advisory boutique, filed for an initial public offering that is expected to command a valuation of around \$3 billion.

Banks Drop Support of Bid for Russian Oil Giant's Unit

A consortium of international banks has withdrawn their support for a bid by the state gas monopoly Gazprom to buy one of Yukos's prized assets.

White House Predicts Slower Growth in 2005

The Bush administration predicted on Friday that economic growth would slow to 3.5 percent from about 4 percent next year but still be strong enough to reduce unemployment slightly.

High dosage of Celebrex carries heart attack, stroke risk, Pfizer <b>...</b>

Pfizer Inc. said Friday that it found an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes for patients taking high dosages of its top-selling arthritis painkiller Celebrex, the same

Exelon in talks to buy PSEG for \$12bn

Exelon, the US energy group, is in advanced talks to buy the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) for about \$12bn in stock, according to people familiar with the talks.

Be careful, that e-card may be a virus

IF you were planning to save on postage this year by sending electronic greeting cards, think again. And be careful when opening any you get.

Cingular offering the Sony Ericsson Z500a

The Sony Ericsson Z500a is packed with features such as 3D gaming, music ringtones, integrated VGA digital camera with zoom with video capabilities for short taking short clips.

Stove burns hot in Seattle

The Mariners, who as a collective organization said to anyone who would listen that they wouldn #39;t stand for another 99-loss season or anything resembling it, have put their money where their mouth is.

Different routes, same result as teams gird for title game

It no longer matters that Montana #39;s drive to the NCAA Division I-AA football championship game has featured six straight homefield victories - all

Locked-out NHLers defeat Swedish champs

Ray Whitney scored for the second straight game and added an assist, helping the World Stars rebound from a lopsided loss and beat Swedish champion HV71 5-1 on Friday.

White House welcomes EU-Turkey breakthrough

The White House on Friday warmly welcomed a hard-fought deal between the European Union and Turkey that sets the stage for Ankara to start EU entry talks next year.

Iraqi gunmen kill foreigners in car and cut head off one of their <b>...</b>

GUNMEN attacked a car in the Iraq city of Mosul yesterday, killing three foreigners and their Iraqi driver before cutting off the head of one of the victims.

Fenner, Banks give JMU ground control on way to I-AA title

In this mountainous area, James Madison #39;s Dukes seemed to play offense downhill last night. With a veteran offensive line and two physical runners, JMU overpowered Montana