News In Brief

DON'T SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT

At least in terms of military efficiency, it seemed a logical order: French troops were to improve their English, the operational language of NATO. Not everyone, however, saw the order from France's defense minister in a positive light. For instance, the Carpet Academy, a group of die-hard defenders of French. They were so upset at Alain Richard's instructions that they singled him out as the senior official most guilty of subverting their beloved native tongue. It didn't help that he'd also organized an international symposium at the French War School whose invitations were printed only in - right - English.

THAT WAS A CLOSE CALL

In the coastal German town of Heide, 60 residents had to be evacuated last week. No, not due to flooding or a toxic chemical spill. Rather, it was because a storm off the North Sea was blowing the blades of the local windmill out of control- at four times their normal speed. Fortunately, the wind died down before any damage could be inflicted.

Top 10 retailers identified by online shoppers for holidays

It's not even Thanksgiving, but are you already thinking about what to buy for everyone on your holiday list? Would you consider ordering from online retailers, given the widely publicized processing and delivery problems experienced by sellers and buyers last Christmas season? Many shoppers will - if results of a new survey of Internet users by Port Washington, N.Y.-based marketing researcher NPD Group is any indication. It projects $12.5 billion in holiday 2000 sales, almost double those of 1999. The survey of 4,315 participants also identifies the top Web sites from which online shoppers say they plan to buy:

1. Amazon.com

2. BarnesandNoble.com

3. eBay.com

4. ToysRUs.com

5. JCPenney.com

6. CDNow.com

7. eToys.com

8. LandsEnd.com

9. Buy.com

10. Yahoo.com

- Business Wire

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