BUSINESS

• GM U.S. Sales Fell 10.3% in Dec.
  General Motors Corp. (GM) on Wednesday said its U.S. sales fell 10.3 percent to 392,041 vehicles in December. Ford and DaimlerChrysler also posted declining sales.
• Visa: '05 Holiday Spending Up 17.5%
  Visa USA on Wednesday said shoppers spent $257 billion on its cards in the 2005 holiday season, 17.5 percent more than a year earlier.
• Monsanto Posts Record Sales, Profit Beats Expectation
  Monsanto Co. (MON) on Wednesday said it posted record sales in the first quarter, with higher profits fueled by a 40 percent jump in sales of its seeds and genetic modifications for crops.
• Lay, Skilling Seek to Move Enron Trial
  Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay and former CEO Jeffrey Skilling asked to move the trial outside of Houston
• Dec. Retail Sales Driven by Discounts; Profits in Question
  Deep December discounts lured holiday shoppers and pushed sales slightly ahead of modest expectations, top U.S. retailers reported Thursday, but a disappointing profit forecast from Wal-Mart raised concerns about the vital fourth quarter.
• Wal-Mart: Q4 Profit to Be at Low End of Forecast
  Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) on Thursday said fourth-quarter profit would likely reach only the low end of its forecast after a disappointing December.
• Economists: U.S. Housing Market Slower but Strong
  The U.S. housing market will remain strong but begin to slow in 2006 after five record-breaking years, banking and housing economists said
• Sirius Sees 6 Million Subscribers by End '06
  Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI) said it expects the pace of subscriber additions to increase in 2006, as the company looks to capitalize on exclusive deals with automakers and programming such as the Howard Stern show.
• IBM to Change Pension Plan to 401(k) in '08
  IBM says it will shift its pension plans to a 401(k) structure to benefit from more predictable retirement plan costs, saving up to $3 billion over five years.
• Stocks to Watch, Jan. 6: IBM, Take-Two, Starbucks
  Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Friday's session are International Business Machines Corp., Take-Two Interactive Software Inc and Starbucks Corp.
• Starbucks Dec. Same-Store Sales Up 7%
  Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) Thursday reported a 7 percent rise in December sales at coffee shops open at least 13 months, helped by sales of holiday drinks such as gingerbread and eggnog flavored lattes.
• Howard Stern to Get $220M in Sirius Stock
  Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. will give Howard Stern 34 million shares of stock — worth about $220 million at today's prices — because the company has met agreed-upon targets for gaining new subscribers under its 2004 deal with the shock jock.
• S&P Lowers Ford, Ford Credit Ratings
  Standard & Poor's lowered Ford Motor Co.'s (F) corporate credit rating further into junk territory
• Boeing Orders Surge But Hit by Brokerage Downgrade
  Boeing Co.'s (BA) commercial plane orders more than tripled to a record 1,002 for 2005 on demand from Asia and the Middle East but the planemaker's shares fell on Thursday as a broker downgraded the stock
• Jobless Claims Hit Five-Year Low
  The number of newly laid-off workers filing for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in more than five years last week, showing strong signs that the labor market is shaking off the effects of devastating hurricanes.

FOXLIFE

• Grrr! The Ball's Dropped for Dick Clark
  The Oblivion Resolution column.
• Hilton Faces Slander, Harassment Lawsuits
  Paris Hilton is accused of spewing "vicious lies" about an altercation with a romantic rival at a London nightclub, and harassing a business promoter in two lawsuits set for court this month.
• 'Brokeback Mountain' Leads SAG Nods
  "Brokeback Mountain," a tale of cowboys in a forbidden romance, led contenders Thursday for the Screen Actors Guild Awards with four nominations, including honors for lead actor Heath Ledger.
• Singer Babyface's Wife Files for Divorce
  The wife of Grammy-winning singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds files for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
• Four Females Don't Always Equal Fans
  If imitation is the best form of flattery, then HBO's smash-hit series "Sex and the City" should consider itself flattered — very, very flattered.
• 'West Wing' Continues Without John Spencer
  Writers for NBC's 'The West Wing' will have to reappraise the outcome of the TV drama's on-going presidential campaign after the death of actor John Spencer, who played a vice presidential candidate.
• Simpson to Play at People's Choice Awards
  Singer Jessica Simpson will kick off the 32nd annual People's Choice Awards with a special performance.
• Sienna Miller Says She Is Not a Victim
  Actress Sienna Miller says she resents the image that she is a wronged 'little girl' in her relationship with on-again-off-agian boyfriend actor Jude Law.
• FOX411: TV Psychic Misses Mark on Miners
  Psychic Sylvia Browne predicted that all 12 W. VA. miners would be found alive but didn't foresee reports of their deaths; Julianne Moore and others in the Village; Former Monkee goes to Sundance; 'Brokeback' slows at box office.
• Report: Jon Stewart to Host Oscars
  Jon Stewart has been picked to host the Oscars, according to the Los Angeles Times.
• Odds Placed on Next 'Dancing' Winner
  Pro-wrestling babe Stacy Keibler is the odds-on favorite to win the latest edition of "Dancing with the Stars," which starts its new season Thursday night at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
• Stern's Daughter Cuts Smut
  Howard Stern's daughter drops out of nude play.
• WTC Restaurant Workers Open Own Restaurant
  More than four years after September 11th, the surviving staff at Windows on the World finally have their own restaurant.
• You Can Pull Your Pants Down in Maryland!
  Judge rules that, while not tasteful, mooning in Maryland is not illegal; artist chains feet in desert, loses key; predators threaten governor's wimpy dog.
• Digital Music Sales a Bright Spot in Down Year
  Digital music sales were up in an otherwise down year for the music industry.
• Judge Nixes Jacko Lawsuit
  A judge tossed out Michael Jackson's $10 million lawsuit against a New Jersey man over memorabilia the pop star claimed had been stolen.
• British Cop Wants Moss to Answer Cocaine Questions
  One of Britain's most senior police officers has urged supermodel Kate Moss to return home to answer questions over her alleged cocaine use.

HEALTH

• CDC Lists Top 6 Types of Birth Defects
  Cleft palate and Downs Syndrome lead CDC list of six most common birth defects.
• CDC Updates Kids' Vaccine Schedule to Include New Shots
  CDC updates children's vaccine schedule to include new shots.
• Brain Protein May Be Linked to Depression
  Scientists have discovered a protein that seems to play a crucial role in developing depression, a finding that may lead to new treatments for the often debilitating illness
• Sharon, Clark Put Spotlight on Stroke
  The differences between the strokes suffered by Dick Clark and Ariel Sharon and what those differences mean for recovery.

POLITICS

• Lynn Swann Announces Pa. Gubernatorial Bid
  Pittsburgh Steelers hall-of-famer begins three-day tour announcing plan to run as Republican for governor.
• Court Gives Janklow Law License Back
  The state Supreme Court rules to restore the law license of former Rep. Bill Janklow who was convicted for a 2003 crash that killed a motorcyclist.
• Rice Praises Sharon as 'Man of Enormous Courage'
  Secretary of state calls incapacitated Israeli leader a man who protected security while sustaining the future for peace.
• Democrats Hope to Capitalize in Congress in 2006
  Democrats hope the stars are aligned for a big victory in the 2006 mid-term elections, pointing to recent Capitol Hill scandals and wavering popularity of President Bush as boons to their chance for a congressional takeover.
• Dems Seek to Delay Committee Vote on Alito
  Aides say Democrats will invoke right to hold vote on controversial Supreme Court nominee for one week.
• Florida High Court: School Vouchers Unconstitutional
  The Florida Supreme Court finds school vouchers unconstitutional.
• Pace: Murtha's Comments About Iraq Hurt Troop Morale
  Gen. Peter Pace says comments by Rep. John Murtha about Iraq hurt troop morale and recruiting efforts.
• Earle Issues More Subpoenas Seeking DeLay, Abramoff Ties
  Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle issues more subpoenas to find links between Rep. Tom DeLay and lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
• Bush Administration Gives $250 Million for Hurricane Relief
  The Bush administration gave more than $250 million on Thursday to four Gulf Coast states in hurricane relief payments to schools and colleges.
• Bush Congratulates Longhorns Coach
  President calls Mack Brown to congratulate University of Texas coach on Rose Bowl victory.
• Gingrich Pushes for GOP Action After Abramoff
  Former House speaker cautions Republicans they risk losing control of congressional majorities if they try to put all the blame on lobbyists.
• Las Vegas Mayor May Run for Senate
  Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman may run for the Senate seat held by Republican John Ensign.
• TSA Says Kid Bound for Grandma's House on No-Fly List
  A four-year-old going to visit his grandma is the latest among many unlikely terrorists found on the government's no-fly list.
• Rice: Russia Uses Energy Wealth as Political Weapon
  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Russia uses it energy wealth as a political weapon.
• Clinton Fundraising Group Gets $35,000 Fine for Hollywood Gala
  A campaign fundraising group for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton agrees to pay $35,000 fine for underreporting money spent on 2000 Hollywood fundraiser.
• Lawmakers, Groups Criticize Bush's Recess Appointments
  Lawmakers and advocacy groups protest President Bush's decision to bypass Senate confirmation to fill some posts.
• Bush Discusses Iraq with Former Secretaries of Defense, State
  President Bush meets with bipartisan group of former Secretaries of Defense and State at the White House for a discussion on Iraq.
• Bush 'Praying' for Sharon's Recovery
• Cheney Defends Electronic Surveillance of Suspected Al Qaeda
  Congressional intelligence committees may have known that the National Security Agency was expanding its surveillance activities, according to a letter released by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
• Rice Signals Time Running Out for Iran's Nuclear Negotiation
  Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice signals that time is running out for Iran to negotiate for its nuclear program.
• D.C. Bar Association Objects to Proposed Sex with Clients Rule
  The leadership of local Bar Association in Washington, D.C. insist on objecting to a new rule proposed but that doesn't mean it approves of lawyers who get too close to their clients.
• ABA Rating Doesn't Shift Positions on Alito
  Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito got a good grade Wednesday from a respected professional association, but the thumbs-up did little to appease Alito's critics.

SCIENCE

• Ben Franklin Turns 300, Twice
  Organizers in Philadelphia are gearing up for the Jan. 17 celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday, but there's just as much reason to party this Friday, Jan. 6.
• Five Deep-Sea Fish on Brink of Extinction
  Five species of fish showed northwest Atlantic population declines of between 87 to 98 percent since 1970s.
• New Mexico's Biggest Crocodile Identified
  Bones sitting around for years in museum finally classified as belonging to deinosuchus, largest crocodilian that ever lived.
• Study Reveals How Virus Harpoons Your Cells
  Researchers have deciphered the structure of a harpoon-like protein some viruses use to enter cells and begin infection.

TECHNOLOGY

• Motorola Unveils 'iRadio' Cell-Phone Music Service
  Cell-phone giant goes head-to-head with erstwhile partner Apple in creating music service for handhelds.
• Lots of Business Products at Consumer Electronics Show
  Some familiar business-style products will part a sea of gadgets and doodads at the International Consumer Electronics Show in early January.
• Ads Reach Google's Front Page
  Advertisements now appear on the home page of a Google Inc. Internet search engine, thus ending the company's nearly decade-long tradition of an ad-free front page.
• Digital-Imaging Pioneers Share Prize
  Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith, who created first CCD imaging chip, split $500,000 prize.
• China Puts Up Web Site to Let Citizens Report Corruption
  Site lets ordinary citizens post complaints directly, without going through dubious local authorities.
• BBC Putting Historical Video Clips Online
  Footage of pivotal events from past 50 years now available on BBC site -- but only to people within U.K.
• Gadget Show Is Geek's Candy Store
  Multimedia, portable media players all the rage at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.
• Motorola Gets ROKNG -- Without Apple
  Motorola said hello to Linux and goodbye to Apple with its new ROKR E2 phone Tuesday, an update to the first iTunes phone that fixes many of the ROKR's problems -- but lacks iTunes.

U.S. & WORLD

• Houston Crime Lab Under Fire Again
  The Houston police crime lab underwent an independent review and has been found to have severe problems with DNA and blood evidence analysis.
• Turkey Confirms Second Bird Flu Death
  A Turkish teenager whose brother died of bird flu also succumbed to the disease Thursday, a Turkish doctor said, as authorities tried to determine if the siblings had contracted the worrisome H5N1 strain of the virus.
• Abbas Warns of Election Delay
  Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that he would delay parliamentary elections if Israel bars Jerusalem Arabs from the vote.
• Mine Survivor Transferred to Pittsburgh
  The lone survivor of a coal mine explosion that killed 12 others has been moved to a Pittsburgh hospital to undergo oxygen treatment, West Virginia University hospital officials said Thursday.
• Mine Tragedy Could Hurt Recruiting Efforts
  For a resurgent industry struggling to find enough workers, the underground death of 12 miners in West Virginia couldn't have come at a worse time.
• Iraq Attacks Kill At Least 130, Including 5 GIs
  Homicide bombers targeted Shiite pilgrims in the south and police recruits in central Iraq, and a roadside bomb killed five U.S. soldiers, bringing Thursday's death toll to at least 130 people in a series of attacks.
• Fake Fireman Rape Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
  Peter Braunstein pleads not guilty to charges that he posed as a fireman and sexually molested a woman for 13 hours on Halloween.
• Arson Arrest Made in Okla. Wildfires
  Oklahoma officials say while crews were grappling with deadly grass fires, the son of a former fire official was setting the blazes.
• Florida Deputy Zaps Prowling Bear With Taser
  A sheriff's deputy shocks a black bear prowling around home with electric Taser.
• Mecca Hotel Collapse Kills 20, Injures 59
  At least 20 pilgrims died Thursday and 59 injured when a building near the Grand Mosque collapsed around them just after they returned from midday prayers, the Interior Ministry said.
• Sharon Could Remain Sedated for Three Days
  Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could be sedated for up to three days as doctors fight to keep him alive after emergency brain surgery for his massive stroke, a hospital official said Thursday.
• Military Vehicle Accident Kills Two in California
  Two military vehicles carrying Marines to a base in California tumbles off San Diego freeway killing two and injuring 20.
• Elevator Crushes Two in Tenn. Accident
  One elevator technician was killed and another injured when an elevator car fell on top of them while they worked below it at a Nashville office building.
• Baby Boomers Start Hitting 60
• California Couple Ditch Kids, Fly to Vegas
  Bay Area couple left sons, 9 and 5, home alone for long weekend and took off to celebrate New Year's in Las Vegas.
• Palestinian Militant Freed After Rampage
  Palestinian authorities released a militant held in connection with the kidnapping of a British family in Gaza, a day after his followers went on a rampage along the Egypt border.
• Man Found Shot Dead at Md. Mall
  Baltimore County police have a description of the car that left the scene of this morning's fatal shooting outside a mall in Maryland where a man was found dead.
• Sharon Unlikely to Return to Power
  After brain surgery following massive stroke, Israeli PM transferred to intensive care with stable life signs. Deputy PM Ehud Olmert named acting PM.
• Residents Seek Healing After Mine Tragedy
  Residents of Tallmansville begin the healing process after mine tragedy.
• Iran Ditches Meeting With Nuclear Watchdog
  Iran was a no-show at a meeting with a nuclear watchdog agency to discuss its controversial nuclear program.
• Pakistan Says Nuclear Network Dismantled
  Pakistan said Thursday it had taken all "appropriate action" to break up the underground nuclear network run by its former chief nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan.
• Zeta Regains Tropical Storm Strength
  Zeta's winds gained speed once again, returning it to tropical storm status.
• Va. Train Derailment Injures Four
  A commuter train derailed during Thursday morning's rush hour, injuring at least four people, who were taken to area hospitals, and tying up rail travel.
• U.K. Court Says Aswat Can Be Extradited to U.S.
  A British court ruled Thursday that a suspected Al Qaeda member can be extradited to the United States to stand trial for allegedly plotting to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon.
• Arab Media Play It Straight
  Arabic-language TV straightforward in coverage of Sharon stroke, with Al-Jazeera airing long interview with aide Raanan Gissin; lone exultant voice belongs to marginal Palestinian group in Damascus.
• Israeli PM Ariel Sharon Suffers Massive Stroke
  Israeli prime minister suffers massive stroke, on a respirator as doctors finish operation to drain excess blood from his brain.
• Sharon's Stroke Causes Mideast Turmoil
  Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke throws Mideast peacemaking efforts into turmoil.
• Profile: Ehud Olmert
  After Ariel Sharon's brain surgery following a massive stroke, the acting Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert is ready to succeed him.
• Ohio Imam Arrested for Terrorist Ties
  A Cleveland imam convicted of hiding terrorist ties has agreed to leave the United States, ending his deportation case, his attorney and government officials said Thursday.
• 19 Arrested for Neglect at Nursing Homes
  Hidden cameras recorded nursing-home patients being left in their own waste while staffers watched movies, and 19 workers at two facilities have been arrested, prosecutors said.
• Rock Slide on Mt. Kilimanjaro Kills Three Americans
  The climbers were asleep in their tents, hoping to get a few hours rest before a pre-dawn ascent of Africa's highest peak, when the boulders rained down. Three Americans were killed and two others seriously injured.
• Prison Shootout in Honduras Kills 13
  A shootout between inmates at Honduras' biggest prison left at least 13 inmates dead and another 30 wounded Thursday, officials said.
• Pat Robertson: Sharon's Stroke Is Wrath of God
  Pat Robertson suggests that Sharon's stroke can be blamed on God's wrath.
• Iran President: I Hope Sharon Dies
  Iranian president says that he hopes Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dies.
• Man Charged With Killing Mormon Missionary
  A Mormon missionary was killed Monday night and a fellow missionary wounded after an assailant fired shots at them and fled, police said.
• Homicide Bomber Kills 10, Wounds 50 in Afghanistan
  A homicide bomber set off explosives strapped to his body in a central Afghan town Thursday during a visit by the U.S. ambassador, killing 10 Afghans and injuring 50, Afghan officials said.
• Indonesians Intensify Search for Landslide Victims
  Indonesians continue looking for survivors in villages wiped out by landslides that left mroe than 200 people dead or missing.
• Families of Coal Miners Search For Answers
  Families of the 13 miners that went missing in West Virginia tell their story of how they were misinformed

VIEWS

• Energy, A Potent Political Weapon
  Environmentalists have turned energy production into a potent political weapon.

SHOWS

• DaySide: Topics and Guests: Jan. 4
• FOX & Friends: Guests and Topics for Jan. 5
• Hannity & Colmes: Guests and Topics: Jan. 4
  January 4
• On the Record w/ Greta: Texas Tinderbox
  Laura Ingle shares her experience of the wildfires that swept the Lone Star state
• On the Record w/ Greta: Topics and Guests: January 4
• Special Report w/ Brit Hume: Topics and Guests: Jan. 4
• Special Report w/ Brit Hume: Read the Grapevine
  Read the Grapevine
• Studio B w/ Shepard Smith: Topics & Guests for January 4
• Studio B w/ Shepard Smith: Out-of-the-Ordinary News
  For the Week of January 2
• The Big Story w/ John Gibson: Coming Clean
• The Big Story w/ John Gibson: Topics and Guests for December 28
  Topics and Guests for December 28
• The O'Reilly Factor: January 4
  January 4
• The O'Reilly Factor: The Culture War Erupts on David Letterman's Show
• Your World w/ Neil Cavuto: Tuesday, January 4
  Knock out in Iraq? Legendary boxing promoter Don King explains why he wants to bring the square circle to the Middle East
• Your World w/ Neil Cavuto: Workplace Safety
  Transcript: How do you know if your employer is keeping you safe?
• Your World w/ Neil Cavuto: Read Common Sense
  The rich actress whose sad story unfolded at a particularly sad time
• Your World w/ Neil Cavuto: The Sago Mine Fund

FOX FAN

• Are Unions Killing Corporate America?
• Up or Down
• Common Sense
  Service to Self or Country?