UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks down Monday, up for 2007 ... Crude oil ends 2007 down ... Basics may be $1,400 more in Italy in '08 ... Subsidy helps keep small airports on radar ... News from United Press International.

UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Rare pearl found in restaurant clam … Man proud of personal garbage collection … Bill to license strippers unappealing … FBI has 'reignited' Cooper hijacking case ... UPI Quirks in the News.

Release date of Bhutto's book bumped up NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Publishing giant HarperCollins said it planned to release a book by Benazir Bhutto, completed about a week before she was assassinated, as soon as possible.

UPI NewsTrack Sports WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Billick fired as Ravens coach … Safina takes first-round hard-court win … Parcells fires Dolphins general manager … Upsets mark Day One in Adelaide tournament … Scottie Pippen looks to lead the Bulls ... Sports news from United Press International.

Shorter, warm showers ease dry winter skin DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The weather outside is frightful and a long, hot shower or bath may sound delightful but a U.S. dermatologist advises against the hot shower.

NHL: Boston 5, Atlanta 2 BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A goal by Mark Stuart midway through the second period allowed the Boston Bruins to take the lead and defeat the Atlanta Thrashers 5-2 Monday.

Tumor size may not dictate radiation LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Early stage breast cancer that hasn't invaded surrounding tissues may contain highly mobile cells, increasing metastasis risk, a U.S. study said.

Skier rescued after night in blizzard SEATTLE, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A man who was stranded by a blizzard while skiing at Olympic National Park in Washington survived the night by building a cave out of snow.

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

U.S. stocks down Monday, up for 2007 NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes closed down Monday but finished the year on the positive side despite credit market woes.

Robert Frost's historic home damaged RIPTON, Vt., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police in Ripton, Vt., said the historic home of poet Robert Frost was badly damaged by vandals who destroyed numerous antiques.

Microsoft readies for post-Gates era REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Microsoft no longer will have Bill Gates at the day-to-day helm in 2008 -- seen by some as one of several challenges faced by the U.S. computer giant.

Crude oil ends 2007 down NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices finished Monday down 2 cents, closing at $95.98 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Adriano involved in four-car pileup RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Brazilian soccer superstar Adriano Leite Ribeiro was unhurt Monday after crashing his car in Rio De Janeiro.

Rare pearl found in restaurant clam ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Royal Palm Beach, Fla., couple discovered a rare purple pearl in a clam purchased at a restaurant.

Parade ends 2007 with a laugh MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The 26th King Mango Strut Parade in Miami was headlined by acts and floats poking fun at current events and politics.

Bush signs Sudan divest measure CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush on Monday signed a bill allowing state and local governments to end investments in Sudan.

Mills furious over McCartney's tardiness LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- British rock icon Paul McCartney and his estranged wife Heather Mills reportedly had a post-Christmas spat after McCartney took their daughter home late.

Scottie Pippen looks to lead the Bulls CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen says he wants to be the team's new coach.

Croatian police minister resigns ZAGREB, Croatia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Croatia's police minister has resigned after taking part in a boar hunt with a war crimes suspect who was awaiting trial before a U.N. tribunal.

Buffalo Bills GM to step down BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Buffalo Bills General Manager Marv Levy was expected to step down from his post after a meeting with other team executives in January.

Brahmos buys plant for missile-making MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Russian-Indian joint venture bought a manufacturing facility in India so it can double production of its supersonic cruise missiles, the company said.

Rep. Wicker named to Miss. Senate seat JACKSON, Miss., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has been selected to replace the retiring Trent Lott in the U.S. Senate.

Exonerated man weds ATLANTA, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A man who was recently exonerated after 14 years of wrongful imprisonment has married his longtime girlfriend in Atlanta.

Iraq bomb targets pro-government tribe BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Suicide bombers killed five people at an Iraqi checkpoint manned by members of a Sunni tribe that had turned against the anti-U.S. insurgency.

Florida drought not expected to let up ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Meteorologists say the drought in Florida is approaching the worst in state history following two of the driest seasons in more than 100 years.

Sharif says Musharraf should resign now ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted as Pakistan premier in 1999 by Pervez Musharraf, said Monday the president should resign immediately.

Winds may stir up Rose Bowl Parade PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Southern California's Rose Parade and Rose Bowl may be interrupted by heavy winds and rain Tuesday.

Basics may be $1,400 more in Italy in '08 ROME, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A consumer rights group says the typical Italian household may spend at least $1,400 more in 2008 to cover essentials such as food, utilities and fuel.

U.S. economy's future could be lean DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A sluggish economy may weigh down corporate profits, making for potentially leaner times in 2008, some analysts say.

Stars line up for 'Brothers & Sisters' LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Hollywood actors Ken Olin, Danny Glover and Steven Weber will be guest stars in an upcoming episode of the U.S. TV drama "Brothers & Sisters."

Israeli probe says forces failed JERUSALEM, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Israeli army played into the hands of Hezbollah militants during the 2006 Lebanon war, a Knesset report concluded Monday.

President urges search for flood victims KARANGANYAR, Indonesia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Indonesia's president won't let rescue workers give up the hunt for three people missing in last week's flooding and landslides on Java.

UAE tries for record-setting fireworks DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Organizers of New Year's festivities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said the aim of their New Year's fireworks display was to set a world record.

LA studying car-living program SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Santa Barbara, Calif., program that allows people to live in their cars in selected parking lots is being considered as a model for Los Angeles.

Lithium batteries restricted on airlines DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Airline passengers in the United States may no longer carry loose lithium batteries in checked luggage starting Tuesday over concerns of battery fires.

Madonna, Ritchie want to adopt again LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Madonna and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie are reportedly looking into adopting a little girl from Cambodia.

New Hampshire welcomes civil unions Jan. 1 CONCORD, N.H., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New Hampshire on Tuesday becomes the latest state in the union to offer civil unions to same-sex couples.

Storm sends Coloradoans to shelters DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A winter storm's high winds and blowing snow closed Colorado highways and sent nearly 2,900 people to high-country shelters.

Ljubicic opens tournament defense with win DOHA, Qatar, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Defending champion Ivan Ljubicic collected a straight-set win Monday in the opening round of the Qatar Open.

Brown: Belt-tightening in Britain likely LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Britain must be prepared to tighten its belt in the wake of a global credit crunch, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

France snubs Syria over Lebanon PARIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- France is breaking off diplomatic contacts with Syria amid tensions over Lebanon's presidential election.

Report: India halts arms sales to Myanmar NEW DELHI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- India reportedly has quietly stopped arms sales to Myanmar, which may bring more global pressure on the military junta to ease up its crackdown on democracy.

Courts-martial ordered in Haditha killings CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine sergeant was ordered court-martialed for his alleged role in the killings of Iraqi civilians in Haditha two years ago.

Billick fired as Ravens coach BALTIMORE, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Brian Billick, who took the Baltimore Ravens to the Super Bowl XXXV title and coached the team for nine seasons, has been fired.

Jimmy Fallon and Nancy Juvonen marry NECKER ISLAND , British Virgin Islands, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Hollywood film star and "Saturday Night Live" alum Jimmy Fallon has married his producer girlfriend Nancy Juvonen on a Caribbean island, People.com reported.

Polish meat exporters receive Russian OK WARSAW, Poland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Poland's chief veterinary officer said 29 meat producers would soon begin exporting to Russia, following Moscow sanitary experts' approval.

Upsets mark Day One in Adelaide tournament ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Three seeded players, including No. 4 Gilles Simon, were ousted Monday in first-round play at the Next Generation Adelaide tennis tournament in Australia.

China's wealth fund funds China's bank BEIJING, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- China's wealth fund, with high-profile stakes in Blackstone Group and Morgan Stanley in the United States, has pumped $20 billion into China Development Bank.

Mom, 4 children die in Ohio head-on crash TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A mother and four of her children were killed in a head-on collision with a pickup truck that was driving the wrong way in Toledo, Ohio, authorities said.