Donald Green, who heads the Institution for Social and Policy Studies that housed YIISA, released a statement explaining that YIISA, like all other programs, was evaluated by two set criteria: Its success in publishing articles in top-tier academic journals and its success in attracting a large number of students to its courses.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Yale, Jews, and Double Standards

Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis (nyse: NVS - news - people ) issued a statement this morning confirming that it has done detailed feasibility studies on a white knight bid for Aventis (nyse: AVE - news - people ), which is the target of a hostile takeover by Sanofi-Synthelabo (nyse: SNY - news - people ).

FORBES: Aventis-Novartis Tie-Up Looks Unlikely

Merck spokesman Tony Plohoros says that Merck's statement at the analyst meeting referred to its plan to gather and combine heart-safety data from three other studies, whose primary aim was to show Vioxx could prevent or treat cancer.

FORBES: Merck's Missing Vioxx Study

Venables: Your press statement on Dec. 19 appears to suggest there is already a link between video games and aggression, when academic studies have not demonstrated any causal connection with solid, scientific data.

FORBES: Senator Rockefeller Quotes Experience, Believes That Evidence Proves Violent Movies and Games Cause Aggressive Behavior in Kids

In a statement to the BBC, Exxon Mobil said that before drilling offshore "it is standard industry practice to conduct extensive studies at and below the seabed" to check for hazards, using tools including remote sonar and a magnetometer.

BBC: Russia explores old nuclear waste dumps in Arctic