U.S. population nears 298 million WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The population of the United States will be just less than 298 million as the country heads into the new year. The U.S. Census Bureau, in a release Friday, projected the U.S. population will be 297,821,175 on New Year's Day, an increase of 2,713,518 -- ab

Historian claims Stalin was poisoned MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack TopNews , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

Bowler rolls 300, then drops dead KALAMAZOO, Mich., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Staff in private childcare lack training LONDON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Cruise lines returning to New Orleans NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

San Antonio not getting the Saints yet SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Justice Dept. probing surveillance leaks WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

China reports third bird flu death BEIJING, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Bad weather threatens Pacific coast WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Environmentalists oppose Alito nomination WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Environmental groups have joined liberal interest groups opposing Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s bid to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Milwaukee nightspot accused of racial bias MILWAUKEE, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks follow energy prices down ... IEA rips Baltic Sea pipeline project ... Arcelor pays $1.2B for stake in Erdemir ... Malaysians to control big Indian telecom ... News from United Press International.

Rome approves new head of Bank of Italy ROME, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Palestinian police storm Gaza crossing RAFAH, Gaza, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Laura fares better than George in poll NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Far more Americans think highly of first lady Laura Bush than they do of her husband, a new poll indicates.

British Airways jet engine catches fire NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

U.S. broadband airliner satellite launched PARIS, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Intel to kick off new logo, slogan SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Oil, component costs may dampen PC market FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Britain leads Europe in broadband LONDON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

AsiaInfo to buy Changjiang's telecom unit BEIJING, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

India's BSNL extends free broadband trial NEW DELHI, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Fla. teen goes to Iraq to see democracy FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

U.S. to expand Iraq police advisers BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Malaysians to control big Indian telecom NEW DELHI, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Malaysia's biggest telecommunications company and an Indian conglomerate are paying $1.08 billion to buy a Tamil Nadu-based cell phone operator.

Attacks close Iraq's largest refinery BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack TopNews , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

Annan welcomes Iraq vote probe NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he welcomes a follow-up investigation to the Iraqi parliamentary election results.

IEA rips Baltic Sea pipeline project MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Arcelor pays $1.2B for stake in Erdemir NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Covert CIA program weathers new storm WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Disaster evacuation plans get new look WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Defense succession realignment set WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Christmas killer linked to drive by shoot FAIRFAX, Va., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Independence Air near closure WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Red Cross drawing scrutiny of Congress WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Red Cross officials said they welcome the chance to address concerns of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, whose committee is looking into the charity's actions.

At least 24 die in Pakistan avalanche KOHISTAN, Pakistan, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Monitors offer to review Iraqi elections BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

COLL BKB: UCLA 71, Stanford 54 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

COL BKB: Nevada 56, Norfolk St. 46 RENO, Nev., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

NBA: Seattle 112, Denver 105 DENVER, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

NHL: Phoenix 6, Los Angeles 5 (OT) GLENDALE, Ariz., Dec. 30 (UPI) --

NHL: Calgary 4, Minnesota 2 CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

COL FB: Oklahoma 17, Oregon 14 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 30 (UPI) --

Watercooler Stories By United Press International , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Text messaging takes hold in U.S. ... Schools use novel ways to boost attendance ... Children eat up women's time to themselves ... Student sues Philadelphia for false arrest ... Watercooler stories from UPI.

Jockstrip: The world as we know it By United Press International , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Man uses walker to drag trophy buck ... Telemarketer saves man's life ... Woman has to get declared undead ... TV stardom has blown Miami cop's cover ... The world as we know it from UPI.

Overpouring can be health hazard ITHACA, N.Y., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Researchers at Cornell University report overpouring of alcoholic beverages is a common occerrence -- even by experienced bartenders.

Your Daily Horoscope By D. DONOVAN KINSOLVING UPI Features Writer , Dec. 30 (UPI) -- UPI horoscopes for Friday, Dec. 30, 2005.

The Almanac By United Press International , Dec. 30 (UPI) --