Reuters - A merger between Alcatel and Lucent could make operational sense, but analysts see key obstacles over whether the U.S. telecoms equipment maker would agree to be led by its larger French rival.

AP - Dave Checketts is buying the St. Louis Blues, ending a 10-month search for a buyer that led the NHL club to sell off many of its top players.

Reuters - Warner Music Group Corp. said on Friday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ryko Corp., an independent, integrated music and entertainment company, from an investment group led by JPMorgan Partners for $67.5 million.

Reuters - Warner Music Group Corp. said on Friday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire independent record label Ryko Corporation from an investment group led by JPMorgan Partners for $67.5 million.

AP - Bob Huggins led Cincinnati to 14 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, sometimes with the help of Mick Cronin and sometimes with Andy Kennedy. All three got new jobs within hours of each other Thursday.

AP - Yao Ming and Rafer Alston each scored 22 points, and the duo led the Houston Rockets down the stretch of a 93-92 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday night that snapped a six-game losing streak.

Union leaders are to meet the French prime minister to discuss a labour law which has led to violent protests.

Reuters - If Zacarias Moussaoui had told authorities in August 2001 a hijacking plot was brewing in the United States, the FBI could have found records leading them to 11 of the September 11 attackers, a former FBI official said on Thursday.

AP - Tre' Kelley's nine-point outburst early in the second half and go-ahead basket in the final minute led South Carolina to a 65-62 victory Thursday night over a Cincinnati team that had two starters declared ineligible just hours before its NIT quarterfinal game.

A retired FBI agent testified Thursday that had Zacarias Moussaoui leveled with investigators about his al Qaeda ties, the bureau could have uncovered the plot to carry out the September 11, 2001, attacks.

AP - The top U.S. military commander called Thursday for a formal Pentagon review of the policies that led to defense officials paying the Iraqi media to place favorable stories in their newspapers.

AP - A wily coyote led sharpshooters armed with tranquilizer guns on a merry chase through Central Park for two days before it was finally captured Wednesday morning.

Denise Royal - AHN Staff Writer Atlanta, GA (AHN) - According to survey results, the number of Americans eating risky foods like undercooked ground beef, raw fish, oysters and runny eggs dropped by a third over a four-year period. The survey led researchers to conclude that media reporting...

ITV shares surge after the broadcaster confirms an approach from a consortium led by private equity group Apax.

The United States is protesting to the Afghan government over the case of an Afghan man being prosecuted for converting from Islam to Christianity. Abdul Rahman was arrested last week and is now awaiting trial. The case led U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos to write a letter to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. "In a country where soldiers from all faiths, including Christianity, are dying in defense of your government, I find it outrageous that Mr. Rahman is being prosecuted and facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity," Lantos wrote.

The United States is protesting to the Afghan government over case of an Afghan man being prosecuted for converting from Islam to Christianity. Abdul Rahman was arrested last week and is now awaiting trial. The case led U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos to write a letter to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. "In a country where soldiers from all faiths, including Christianity, are dying in defense of your government, I find it outrageous that Mr. Rahman is being prosecuted and facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity," Lantos wrote.

AP - Japan's victory 10-6 over Cuba in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic drew a 1.8 rating, bumping up ESPN's average rating for the 12 games it aired to 1.1.

AP - France's prime minister, his popularity plummeting amid weeks of protest over a contentious labor law, indicated Tuesday he could consider some changes to what he called a "well-crafted" measure. The country's largest student union scorned his effort as "ridiculous."

AP - Pete Rozelle made one mistake the last time the NFL was looking for a commissioner. It led to a seven-month stalemate, something Paul Tagliabue won't let happen again.