Rape victim left tied to satellite dish NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New York City police say an alleged rapist sexually attacked a 16-year-old girl, robbed her and then tied her to a rooftop satellite dish.

COL BKB: Boston Coll. 78, Rhode Island 56 KINGSTON, R.I., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Sean Marshall registered 21 points and four assists Saturday to help 13th-ranked Boston College cruise past Rhode Island, 78-56.

Surgeon general advises parents on teens WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- As "The Year of the Healthy Child" draws to a close, the U.S. surgeon general gave some final advice to parents on keeping teens healthy.

Australian support for Iraq War drops CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A poll in Australia finds that even supporters of Prime Minister John Howard believe the country should not have become involved in Iraq.

UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- British fans like 'Imagine' the best ... Rapper Obie Trice shot in Detroit ... Murder charges against rap star dropped ... Lopez's 'Carmen' appears dead ... News from United Press International.

UPI NewsTrack TopNews , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

Murder charges against rap star dropped DECATUR, Ga., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Murder charges were dropped against rapper Gucci Mane because of a lack of evidence, DeKalb County (Ga.) prosecutors have announced.

Bill Bennett reportedly going to CNN ATLANTA, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Conservative talk show host Bill Bennett plans to join CNN as a political analyst, it was reported Saturday.

Bono's activism caused U2 tension LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U2 frontman Bono says his anti-poverty activism caused some tensions within the Irish rock band early on.

Two men come to rescue of beaten officer NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Two men came to the rescue of a New York City police officer being beaten by a man on a subway platform.

Storm strands hundreds in Britain LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Snow and rain have fouled roads and closed airports in much of England and Scotland.

NYC mom accused of killing infant son NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A New York City mother has been accused of squeezing the chest of her 1-year-old son until his ribs broke and then throwing him in his crib, police said.

Police to question finance minister OTTAWA, Alberta, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Canadian investigators will question the finance minister regarding a leak of a tax-cutting plan to the public to determine whether insider trading occurred.

COL BKB: Duke 102, UNC-Greensboro 69 GREENSBORO, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- J.J. Redick, who made six three-pointers, scored 35 points Saturday to lead top-ranked Duke to a 102-69 rout of UNC-Greensboro.

Rapper Obie Trice shot in Detroit DETROIT, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Eminem protégé Obie Trice was shot on a Detroit freeway early Saturday.

FDA recalls poison dog food WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration has recalled toxic pet food that killed at least 23 dogs in the United States and was exported to 29 other countries.

COL BKB: Maryland 99, VMI 68 COLLEGE PARK, Md., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- D.J. Strawberry scored a team-high 16 points Saturday as 16th-ranked Maryland rolled over VMI, 99-68.

Lopez's 'Carmen' appears dead CAPRI, Italy, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Jennifer Lopez's plan to star in a "tough, hard" big screen version of the opera "Carmen" has apparently been quashed by Hollywood.

Adam Brody gets busy LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- "The O.C." star Adam Brody is about to get busy behind the camera as well.

More in Britain giving to charity LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- In what appears to have been a sudden burst of anti-materialism among British Christmas shoppers, more gave gifts of charity this year.

British fans like 'Imagine' the best LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Listeners of Britain's Virgin Radio have chosen John Lennon's "Imagine" as their favorite song of all time.

More parents moving in with British adults LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- More British parents are moving in with their children because of poor pensions and to help provide child care, a survey found.

Goldfish survives fire LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 10-inch goldfish plucked from an ornamental pond by a heron surprised a British man when it appeared in his fireplace -- while a fire was blazing.

More Britons staying home for New Year's LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Drunkenness, rowdiness and anti-social behavior may be why seven out of 10 people in Britain say they planned to greet the new year at home.

Russia offers gas hike delay to Ukraine MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Britons ignorant about classical music LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Haiti elections postponed amid kidnapping PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Two election workers of the Organization of American States have been kidnapped in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, along with one of their wives, the BBC reports.

N.Y.'s minimum wage to rise to $6.75 ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Tropical storm Zeta moving west MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The 27th tropical storm of the year, Zeta, was in the eastern Atlantic Ocean Saturday, moving west near 5 mph with 60 mph winds. The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported at 11 a.m. the eye of the storm was 1,060 miles southwest of the Azores.

8 dead in Indonesia religious violence PALU, Indonesia, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack TopNews , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

Non-profit had lobbyist, political trade WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Deadline for Medicare drug coverage looms WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Seniors have until midnight Saturday to sign up for a Medicare drug plan in order for coverage to start Sunday, but confusion remains a hindrance.

Parties, security mark new year SYDNEY, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack Business , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Home builders try extras to lure customers... Citigroup top bidder for Chinese bank... Surfboard shortage drives costs up... News from United Press International.

Amtrak trains stopped for 29 hours SAVANNAH, Ga., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

ETA bomber sentenced to 100 years MADRID, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Bush confident in facing 2006 challenges CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush on Saturday recapped 2005 and stated his confidence the United States could meet any challenges that 2006 brings.

Surfboard shortage drives costs up LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Surfboard makers struggle with high demand and low supply more than three weeks after a market leader called it quits.

Source of China bird flu death unknown SANMING CITY, China, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Man, 81, pushed into traffic by kids WHITE ROCK, British Columbia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police in a British Columbia city are looking for three teenagers accused of pushing an 81-year-old man into oncoming traffic.

Haiti: Elections delayed again PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Home builders try extras to lure customers WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Citigroup top bidder for Chinese bank SANYA, China, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

UPI NewsTrack TopNews , Dec. 31 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

2005 murder, other crimes drop in NYC NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

Lobbyist Abramoff may get plea deal MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

More dead in Iraq violence BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) --

NHL: San Jose 5, Colorado 2 SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) --

NHL: Edmonton 4, Nashville 2 EDMONTON, Alberta, Dec. 31 (UPI) --