IN THE NEWS: MICROSOFT TRYING TO PLUG SECURITY HOLE IN WORD"

(Washington-AP) -- It's a word processor that's believed to be used in one out of every three offices. And now, there's word there's a security flaw in Microsoft's "Word" program. The company says the flaw could allow the theft of computer files -- by process known in computer circles as "bugging. " That's when someone slips in a hidden code that is activated when a document is passed from one computer to another. Such files are often shared when a request is made to revise a document -- and return it to the sender. The security hole could affect everything from e-mail, legal documents or payroll records -- all part of Microsoft's suite of office products. Microsoft is trying to figure out how to fix the problem -- and is also trying to decide whether any computer "patches" will be made available for Word 97. That's an older version of the software, but it's one that is still being used in many offices these days. Sound: 4:32 aed On the Net: Microsoft: http://www. microsoft. com

IN THE NEWS: GOOGLE RETURNS TO CHINA

(Shanghai, China-AP) -- Looks like Google is good-to-go in China again. Chinese authorities are no longer blocking the Internet search engine. Users in Beijing and Shanghai reported they could once again view the site, which is used by more than 30 (m) million Internet users. It's among the favorites for Internet users in China -- because it has a powerful feature for finding Chinese-language material online. It's the same reason the site isn't exactly a fave of the Chinese government -- since it tries to keep a pretty tight lid on any form of political dissent.

IN THE NEWS: JUDGE RULES INMATES CAN GET INTERNET MATERIAL IN MAIL

(Oakland, California-AP) -- A federal judge in Oakland says the state Corrections Department must end a ban on inmates getting mail that contains material from the Internet. The judge says the ban violates a prisoner's First Amendment rights. The ruling is in a case brought by an inmate who is serving a life term for murder. He challenged a policy that bans inmates from getting Internet material tucked into letters sent by mail. Corrections officials say letting Internet material in the letters would create too much mail for prison officials to monitor. They also worry that inmates might be getting coded messages from the Internet material sent to them.

ON THE WEB: MORE INTERNET BASEBALL

(Cyberspace-AP) -- Major league baseball is trying to take you out to the ballgame again -- by way of the Internet. The official site of the game has set up a new schedule of live, streaming video webcasts of selected games through the end of the season. The next is Monday -- the game in Los Angeles between the Dodgers and Giants. On the Net: Major League Baseball site: http://www. mlb. com

ON LINE: CELEBRITY QUOTE -- KELLY OF AMERICAN IDOL

(Cyberspace-AP) -- "I'm buying my best friend that signed me up for this competition and paying for my first demo. I'm buying her a '69 Corvette. " Kelly of "American Idol" fame on what her first big purchase with her contest money will be.

ON LINE: CELEBRITY QUOTE -- KELLY OF AMERICAN IDOL

(From M-S-N)

IN STORES: TOP-SELLING GAMES FOR MACINTOSH

(Reston, Virginia-AP) -- The Sims continues to have a virtual hold on gamers -- with titles from the franchise holding down two of the three top spots -- and four out of ten -- on the current list of best-selling software for Macintosh. N-P-D Techworld says "The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack" was the top seller for July, while the basic edition of the title was number three -- with "Medal Of Honor: Allied Assault" sandwiched in between. Number four is "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone," followed by "Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds. " Another Sims title -- "The Sims: Living Large Expansion Pack" -- is number six on the best-sellers list for Macs in July. After that, it's "Return To Castle Wolfenstein," "Real Myst," "The Sims: House Party" and "Microsoft Age of Empires 2 Gold. "

IN STORES: TOP-SELLING GAMES FOR MACINTOSH

(Next time: Best-selling business titles -- July, 2002)

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II (Associated Press.)

Updated at 5:43 pm (11-20-2000)