Wayne Rooney scored twice to keep alive Manchester United #39;s fading hopes of winning the Premiership. Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert went close for Newcastle before Rooney volleyed home Darren Fletcher #39;s cross.

Rooney double helps Man Utd stay alive


Jacques Chirac, the French president, is to miss an EU summit meeting today with the interim Iraqi prime minister, Ayad Allawi. Aides to Mr Chirac, an opponent of the US-led war, denied the move was a snub

Chirac to skip EU meeting with Allawi


If 2003 was the year for investors to live dangerously, 2004 is fast becoming the year to duck and cover.

Don't Run From That Portfolio. Tweak It.


AP - Brett Favre started his 200th straight regular season game Monday night, but it was Green Bay's defense that gave the Packers a 7-0 first-quarter lead over the St. Louis Rams.

Packers Lead Rams 7-0 After One Quarter (AP)


GamesAreFun has screenshots and info on the upcoming PStwo that will be released in the US on November 1. In other Playstation news, Yahoo!

Pulse News - September 21, 2004


ABIDJAN (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki was to meet his Ivory Coast counterpart Laurent Gbagbo, hoping to ease tensions after a weekend of violence that has evoked fears of a return to the conflict that has split the west African state for two

Mbeki in African Union bid to halt new Ivory Coast clashes


A new class of material, which brings computer chips made from a single molecule a step closer, has been discovered by scientists.

Radical fabric is one atom thick


The 14-inning playoff game between and Yankees and the Red Sox Monday was baseball #39;s version of The Longest Day, and it illustrated some of the best and worst in televised baseball.

TOMPKINS: Best, worst in TV baseball manifest as Sox, Yanks duel


With a huge three-game series against the Yankees set to begin Friday in the Bronx, the Red Sox could hardly be blamed for viewing this week #39;s three-game set

Sox suffer setback: Tampa rookie Kazmir shuts down Boston


Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  unveiled on\Wednesday a new set of Web-based services allowing users of its\MSN service to publish and track each other's blogs, or online\journals.

Microsoft Unveils New Communication, Blog Tools (Reuters)


Iraq #39;s oil minister on Saturday blamed insurgents for the country #39;s worsening fuel shortages, saying saboteurs have targeted the oil industry to increase pressure ahead of the Jan.

Iraqi official blames rebel attacks for worsening fuel shortages


The president of the 2006 Winter Games in Turin is to offer his resignation because he no longer has the support of the Italian government.

Turin chief frozen out


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Exporters such as Honda Motor Co. led  gains in Japanese shares Monday as a rebound in the U.S. dollar  eased concerns over corporate profits, but stocks elsewhere in  Asia slipped on rising oil prices.

GLOBAL MARKETS-Exporters Gain


As Palestinians trudge across a barbed-wire passage leading to Jerusalem from the West Bank city of Ramallah, hawkers and taxi drivers greet them with a din of multilingual chants.

Checkpoint Hebrew Finds Way Into Palestinian Lexicon


Australia #39;s S amp;P/ASX 200 Index advanced for a third day and was heading for a record close. Foodland Associated Ltd. rose after full-year earnings climbed 19 percent, helped by one-time gains.

Australia #39;s S amp;P/ASX 200 Index Heads for Record; Foodland Rises


The embattled Russian oil company Yukos has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States to prevent the auction of its main asset Yuganskeneftegaz, the Interfax reported on Wednesday.

Yukos files for bankruptcy protection


A 22 year-old from London, England has made life a little difficult for computer company Apple. In an effort to secure the rights to the .

Apple In Battle For ITunes Address


PAKISTAN captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and sent Australia in to bat in the first cricket Test at the WACA Ground today. Australia will start its innings in fine conditions against Pakistan pacemen Shoaib

Pakistan sends Aussies in


Users will receive free warnings of worms and viruses targeting their chat client.

Group Formed to Track, Thwart IM Threats


WORKERS at Sydney airport have emerged as the prime suspects for the planting of a suspicious package in the cargo bay of a Virgin Blue 737 aircraft on Monday.

Workers suspect in bomb scare


Toshiba Corporation announced the first hard disk drives (HDD) based on perpendicular recording, boosting the capacity of a single 1.8-inch hard-disk platter to 40 gigabytes.

Toshiba launches HDD with new recording technology and sets record


ST. LOUIS -- Even a cookie-cutter stadium -- which is the pejorative term that came to describe the multipurpose bowls that seemed to spring up simultaneously in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Queens, Philadelphia, and St. Louis in the late 1960s and early '70s -- can have their quirks.

Busch's ambience set it apart from others


Scientists said on Monday they have come up with a cell phone cover that will grow into a sunflower when thrown away. Materials company Pvaxx Research  amp; Development, at

From cell phone to sunflower


The Transportation Security Administration today took the wraps off the Secure Flight passenger prescreening program, which it seeks to build as a replacement for the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening Program that airlines use to keep suspect

TSA unveils new passenger prescreening program


Japan's proposal to resume commercial hunting of minke whales is rejected by\the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Commercial whaling ban upheld


The LDS Church has bought a large part of a western Nebraska ranch, becoming one of the state #39;s largest landowners. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently paid \$17.

LDS Church now a major player among Nebraska landowners


The chairman of Telstra has nominated the upcoming full sale of the company as the major reason for the departure of chief executive Ziggy Switkowski.

Telstra CEO out ahead of full sale


Disney reached a deal on Wednesday to sell its struggling nationwide chain of retail stores to the Children #39;s Place, the children #39;s clothing merchant.

Disney to  #39;give away #39; its stores


Britain's old ships are being dismantled in

MPs warn over rusty ship disposal


AP - After opening week, the sharpest criticism Seattle coach Mike Holmgren had for tackle Walter Jones was that he sometimes let the pocket get too close to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Seattle Tackle Jones Misses Training Camp (AP)


Researchers claim to have solved the mystery of the people who simply do not count. It could be because they are lost for words. The Piraha of the Amazon have almost legendary status in language research.

One, two, ... er, too many


A former Fannie Mae (FNM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) employee who gave US regulators information about alleged accounting irregularities will not testify as planned before a congressional hearing next week, the committee

UPDATE 1-Fannie Mae whistle-blower won #39;t testify


Software developer Information Appliance Associates announced Thursday the release of an application synchronizing Research In Motion #39;s BlackBerry devices with Apple #39;s Mac OS X.

BlackBerrys sync with Mac OS X


Oil prices were forced higher today by an outbreak of violence in Saudi Arabia and concerns that Opec may cut output. The cost of a barrel of light, sweet crude oil climbed

Saudi Violence Pushes Oil Prices Higher


NAJAF, Iraq - Militants loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr kept their hold on a revered shrine, and clashes flared in Najaf on Saturday, raising fears that a resolution to the crisis in the holy city could collapse amid bickering between Shiite leaders.    An unofficial mediator pleaded with al-Sadr to disarm his militants, pull them out of the shrine and disband his militia immediately...

Shiites Hold Najaf Shrine; Clashes Flare


Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - Senate reform will not be taken seriously by Ottawa unless Premier Ralph Klein gets more strongly behind the issue, say candidates in Alberta's Senate selection race.

Alberta Senate election candidates question Klein's resolve on Senate reform (Canadian Press)


Utah Coach Urban Meyer met with Notre Dame officials about the school's head coaching vacancy Thursday, and he is expected to meet with Florida's AD on Friday.

Meyer a Wanted Man


AP - Typhoon Aere churned toward crowded northern Taiwan on Tuesday with 99 mph wind gusts, closing schools and financial markets and dumping heavy rains that threatened to trigger flash floods and landslides. Rough seas killed five fishermen in Taiwan and two children in Japan, officials said.

Typhoon Aere Sweeps Toward Taiwan (AP)


Crude oil prices rose to a record high in London trading and hit near-record levels in New York on Monday. London #39;s benchmark Brent crude oil hit a record of \$46.

World Oil Prices Hover Near Record Highs In Monday Trading


USATODAY.com - Former MediaOne Group executives are exploring a class-action lawsuit over Cingular's insistence that AT amp;T Wireless stock options, issued by the millions to employees and former employees of MediaOne, AT amp;T and AT amp;T Wireless, be exercised as soon as the merger closes, people involved in the effort say.

Stock lawsuit possible in telecom merger plan (USATODAY.com)


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- US technology spending is projected to rise 7 percent next year and continue at about the same rate through 2008, according to results of a survey released Monday that also showed improved optimism on outlays in the sector.

CIO poll shows optimism over increased tech spending


The competition between two leading Internet search engines is heating up anew as Yahoo Inc. plans to announce today that it soon will offer a free, high-speed way to search for information

Yahoo to Release Desktop Search Tool


NEWS Corporation shareholders were told yesterday to expect an even brighter future if the global media conglomerate moved its primary listing to the New York stock exchange.

Capital benefits for News


Canadian officials are opening a criminal investigation into accounting at Nortel Networks Corp. Shares in the telecom equipment maker edged lower yesterday.

Nortel accounting faces probe


Reuters - Clorox Co. agreed on Wednesday to\buy back a 29 percent stake in itself from Germany's Henkel\KGaA for  #36;2.84 billion of cash and assets, helping Persil-maker\Henkel finance its acquisition of Dial Corp.

Clorox Buys Back Henkel's Stake in Deal (Reuters)


The Japanese government says it is undeterred in its fight against terrorism, following the killing of a Japanese hostage in Iraq.

Japanese troops to stay in Iraq


Let's say Boston is the sun of the baseball universe, where hope and criticism burn bright, where a city revolves around the game.

Welcome change for Cabrera


Cold, dusty discs of debris have been clearly detected around stars in other planet-harbouring solar systems for the first time by NASA #39;s Spitzer Space Telescope.

Dusty discs girdle distant solar systems


(Sports Network) - Dwyane Wade followed up his career-high 37-point effort on Monday night with 22 points and nine assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 103-93 victory over the Washington Wizards in the back end of a home-and-home set on Tuesday at

Miami Heat Team Report - November 10


A federal court today struck down a Pennsylvania state law requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to Web sites that contain child pornography.

Court Bounces Pa. Online Child Porn Law


These new iBooks pack a lot of power in to a durable, polycarbonate plastic enclosure. Starting at \$999, the new iBooks come standard with Airport Extreme built in.

Apple introduces new iBooks


Seattle SuperSonics: The Sonics signed Turkish shooting guard Ibrahim Kutluay, who lit up the United States Olympic team in a pair of exhibition games this summer.

Kutluay lit up US Olympic team


AOL (Quote, Chart) developers have rolled out a new version of its venerable Netscape browser, version 7.2.

Netscape #39;s Official New Browser is Out


Discount retailer Kmart Holding Corp. (KMRT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) will buy department store operator Sears, Roebuck  amp; Co.

UPDATE 4-Kmart to buy Sears in \$11.5 billion deal


AP - Leading senators expressed concern Sunday about a report that the CIA has secretly moved as many as a dozen unidentified prisoners out of Iraq in the past six months, a possible violation of international treaties.

Senators Concerned on Treatment of Iraqis (AP)


The UK music industry is set to launch legal action against people who download music from the net.

UK music to 'sue online pirates'


Martha Stewart, the imprisoned celebrity homemaker, is asking her company to help pick up about \$3.7 million in legal expenses stemming from her criminal trial.

Martha Stewart Wants Aid with Legal Bills


Some 800 Palestinian detainees in Israel #39;s Ashkelon prison have suspended their 13-day-old hunger strike until Monday after some of their demands were met.

Palestinian prisoners suspend hunger strike


A terminally-ill Indian chess champion who has been the focus of a euthanasia debate, dies in hospital.

Euthanasia seeker dies in India


Rwanda #39;s president has assured the African Union that Rwandan military action in DR Congo will target Hutu rebels and not Congolese forces.

Rwanda assurance over Congo force


For men seeking true romance there is now a new mating game with an unusual twist -- it is virtual and mobile. A fantasy world in which lovesick men can wine and dine a virtual girlfriend

CNN.com Romancing the phone


GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli helicopters attacked a Hamas training camp early Tuesday, killing at least 14 militants and wounding 30 others in one of the deadliest airstrikes since fighting broke out four years ago.    The attack came a week after Hamas suicide bombers blew up two buses in the Israeli city of Beersheba, killing 16 people...

14 Palestinian Militants Killed in Gaza


Google Desktop Search versus Microsoft Windows Search\\Google Desktop Search Software can't find your lost keys or tell you where you left the Tivo remote control, or that your glasses are on top of your head, where you left them. But the beta software from Google Labs is nothing short of ...


com October 21, 2004, 5:09 AM PT. ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in October kept upgrading hardware at number two on the businesses radar throughout the year.

NEC updates vector supercomputer


The Midwest Consumer Price Index was 183.6 in September, up from 179.5 in September 2003, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday.

Consumer prices rose in September


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund won #39;t be heading home to Sweden to play hockey after all, according to a report.

Naslund not going to Europe


SEOUL (Reuters) - A global oversupply of large-sized liquid  crystal displays (LCDs) is forecast to peak in the third  quarter of this year, but it will balance out by the fourth  quarter, a U.S.-based research firm said on Friday.

Global LCD Oversupply to Peak


AP - The New York Jets enjoyed the preseason right through the final seconds.

Jets Rally to Defeat Eagles 28-27 (AP)


AP - Kris Benson and Al Leiter are likely to be back with the New York Mets next season.

Mets Close in on Deals With Benson, Leiter (AP)


The former head of a Chicago non-profit that delivered holiday meals to senior citizens and the disabled has been charged with embezzlement.

Fund chief busted for embezzlement


Billionaire financier Carl Icahn offered to buy Mylan Laboratories Inc., the largest US maker of generic medicines, for about \$5.38 billion to block Mylan #39;s proposed purchase of King Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Icahn Offers to Buy Mylan Laboratories for \$5.38 Bln (Update5)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged nearly 6 percent on  Wednesday as the U.S. government reported a fall in heating oil  stocks in the midst of an arctic cold blast in the Northeast,  the world's largest heating oil market.

Oil Tops \$44, Heating Oil Supplies Worry


If Michael Owen had any regrets after scoring his first Real Madrid goal it was just that the timing might have been better. After all, he said,  quot;it could have come sooner quot;.

Lift-off for Owen


eastern town of Goma before the 11,000-strong UN force in Congo sent up a helicopter to have a look.  quot;We flew over the area and the situation was calm.

Congo army factions clash


AFP - Acer Inc., Taiwan's top personal computer maker, said its net profit for the first three quarters to September fell 34.8 percent to 3.83 billion Taiwan dollars (114 million US).

Taiwan's Acer reports lower-than-expected net profit (AFP)


US mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae (FNM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday the Securities and Exchange Commission had changed the status of its investigation of the company #39;s accounting to formal from informal.

UPDATE 1-Fannie Mae says SEC starts formal accounting probe


Reuters - Gurkhas, who have served with British\army for nearly 200 years, won a landmark battle on Thursday to\be able to settle in the UK and gain British citizenship.

Gurkha Soldiers Win Right to British Citizenship (Reuters)


Chemical giant DuPont Co. withheld information from federal officials that indicates a dozen residents near its Parkersburg, W.Va.

DuPont Faces New Complaint


Friday product launch to put music player at forefront of effort to make once-stodgy printer manufacturer

HP to lead consumer launch with branded iPod


Microsoft wants to get its next operating system in shipping shape by taking away one of the legs of the three-legged stool upon which the system would be built.

Microsoft, Intel Moves are Good News for IT


It would be difficult to justify the extra cost of racing in a non-championship British grand prix, Williams #39; Sam Michael said on Sunday.

Teams halt unofficial Brit GP


Former major league general manager Bob Watson on Wednesday turns down the chance to be general manager of the Expos.

Watson Declines Post


washingtonpost.com - The Federal Communications Commission said yesterday that the federal government, not states, has the authority to regulate phone service provided over the Internet.

FCC Asserts Role as Internet Phone Regulator (washingtonpost.com)


TORONTO (CP) - Gabriel Resources Ltd. has signed a deal with Newmont Mining to raise \$24.75 million in a private placement of units to help fund development of its Romanian gold project.

Gabriel Resources to raise \$24.75 million in private placement


HAVANA (Reuters) - The European Union is considering a  shift in policy toward Cuba that would get it back on speaking  terms with President Fidel Castro's government, diplomats said.

EU Seeks End to Diplomatic Freeze in Cuba


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Knight Trading Group Inc. <A HREF=

Before the Bell: Knight Falls, Too Rises


Can Stephen A. Schwarzman rise above his status as just another rich deal maker and achieve renown in the worlds of art and Washington politics?

The Making of a Wise Man


Boston's Curt Schilling declines to speculate as to whether he would be available to start a potential Game 6 at Fenway Park with his

Sox Ace 'Very Sore'


AP - Motorola Inc. announced the U.S. release Tuesday of its Razr V3, the ultra-thin cell phone that it has promoted heavily as the star of its portfolio of 20 new handsets.

Motorola Releases Razr Phone Via Cingular (AP)


The death toll in Russias worst-ever terrorist attack climbs to at least 338, leaving Russia reeling. ULYANOVSK, Russia--On 1 September, around 1,200 children, parents, and grandparents thronged to school

A Vision of Hell


AP - Microsoft Corp. unveiled the latest version of its entertainment-focused operating system Tuesday, seeking a broader audience on a wider array of computers and stoked by partnerships offering music, movies and even recorded books.

Microsoft Increases Entertainment Focus (AP)


PESHAWAR, Sept 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced lifting of economic blockade on various tribes of South Waziristan Agency so that they could continue their economic activities freely.

PM asks tribesmen to crush terrorists Curbs on South Waziristan <b>...</b>


AFP - Grumbling about trains is part of the way of life, but one commuter has decided to do something about it -- by starting his own railway.

Commuter tackles bad train service by starting own railway (AFP)


ONG KONG, Aug. 17  An already heated election campaign for the legislature here took an unexpected turn today with an announcement by the Democratic Party that one of its candidates had been arrested in mainland China on charges of ...

Candidate for Democratic Party Arrested in China


Network computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc. on Thursday posted a narrower quarterly loss as revenue rose year over year for the second\consecutive quarter after three years of declines, sending shares slightly higher.

Sun Micro Posts Narrower Quarterly Loss


AP - The House voted Monday to protect aid to farmers who convert to environmentally sound practices. The measure, now on its way to President Bush, would block the Agriculture Department from tapping some of the funding for administrative expenses. The USDA's use of program money for overhead costs farmers about  #36;150 million a year that could help them learn farming methods that protect air, water and wildlife, said Environmental Defense spokesman Scott Faber.

Congress Seeks Environmental-Farming Money (AP)


AP - Warning: If a co-worker or stranger suddenly jumps up and starts singing a patriotic song in Spanish on Wednesday, don't be alarmed.

Mexicans Plan Global Anthem Sing-Along (AP)


Wall Street analysts debate whether year-end Sarbanes-Oxley deadline will sap demand for corporate software systems.

Accounting deadline could kill software spending


Tensions ease at the University of Texas at Dallas when administrators reverse restrictions on Wi-Fi use.

College backs off Wi-Fi ban


He was a young lieutenant, she was the daughter of a general. But the difference in status didn #39;t stop Indonesia #39;s first couple from marrying.

They fall in love despite social gap, distance


The double-layer DVD drive is designed to record up to four hours of MPEG-2 video or up to 8.5GB of music and images.

Sony to offer DVD burner for Mac


United Airlines has begun reaching out to potential lenders for financing to leave bankruptcy, the company said on Friday. The UAL Corp.

UAL Corp. Begins to Seek Bankruptcy Exit Financing


AP - Craig Stadler moved into position for his second straight victory Saturday, shooting a 9-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead over Jay Haas after the second round of the inaugural First Tee Open.

Stadler Leads First Tee Open (AP)


Chancellor Gordon Brown has defended his stewardship of the economy, telling MPs there is no 10 billion black hole in the public finances.

Brown defends economic record


SYDNEY Australia  amp; New Zealand Banking Group said Tuesday that second-half profit rose 17 percent to a record after it bought New Zealand #39;s biggest bank and raised lending to businesses as they increased investment.

Australian bank group reports record profit


InfoWorld - Microsoft is bolstering BI and reporting features in both the existing SQL Server 2000 database and the planned SQL Server 2005 release.

Microsoft boosts BI (InfoWorld)


Vodafone today announced a Windows Mobile-based device dubbed the Vodafone Personal Assistant III, or VPA III, with superior connectivity via W-LAN hotspots or GPRS data.

Vodafone launches Wi-Fi Windows Mobile VPA III


MANNY PACQUIAO was piqued when told about the statements made by Marco Antonio Barrera and his promoter, Oscar dela Hoya, moments after Barreras thrilling win over Erik Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao irked by Barrera statement


Experts say the recent surge of quakes means a steam explosion or eruption is possible. By Lukas Velush. The size and frequency of more than 2,000 tiny earthquakes that have hit Mount St.

St. Helens #39; activity grows


DC United had lost 3-1 to the Chicago Fire. The real conflagration was yet to come, though. United #39;s players and coaches, even the team #39;s president, gathered in the locker room and had it out.

DC United stands atop MLS again


IBM on Friday unveiled its lowest-priced-ever BladeCenter chassis and a series of ready-to-go solutions, dubbed  quot;business-in-a-box quot; to push blades deeper into small- and mid-sized businesses (SMB).

IBM Slashes Blade Prices For SMBs


Declaring,  quot;Boston, the ball is in your court, quot; the NCAA yesterday tipped off an 18-month drive to pay for the 2006 Women's Final Four at the FleetCenter, which is expected to cost \$2.3 million, with a ceremony at the State House.

Hoopla for 2006 event begins


NASSAU, Bahamas, Sun. Sept. 5: At least two people are dead in the Bahamas and several others injured, victims of Hurricane Frances.

Hurricane Frances Kills Two In Bahamas


Left-hander Richard Green has sunk a four-foot putt on the opening playoff hole to capture his first gold jacket and the \$225,000 first prize in a dramatic 2004 Mastercard Masters at Huntingdale.

Richard Green grabs first gold jacket


AP - Hometown hero Yao Ming scored 14 points to lead the Houston Rockets to an 88-86 win over the Sacramento Kings Thursday night in the first ever NBA game played in China.

Rockets Nip Kings As NBA Travels to China (AP)


The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is celebrating world food day.

UN agency marks World Food Day


Nobody respects coach Joe Gibbs more than me, but this week I see the Cowboys and coach Bill Parcells having the upper hand. I #39;m sure Gibbs is going to get the Redskins back to an elite level, but this is just his first season.

Focal point: Bill Parcells vs. Joe Gibbs


Oracle is one step closer to taking over rival PeopleSoft now that a federal judge has ruled against the federal government #39;s effort to thwart the \$7.

Oracle #39;s Wish Comes True


As had been predicted, Ford has announced that car production is to cease at Jaguar #39;s Browns Lane plant in Coventry , England .

Jaguar Lowers Axe on Browns Lane


Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge will tonight be handed the chance to stake his claim as the long-term solution to Englands left-sided midfield conundrum.

BRIDGE HANDED ENGLAND CHANCE


ZURICH, Oct. 23. - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova set up an all-Russian semi-final clash with third seed Elena Dementieva after defeating Venus Williams 6-3, 6-4 at the 1.3 million-dollar WTA event in Zurich.

Marias from heaven, Venus #39; form marred!


Ludlow Music dropped its demands that JibJab, a small web animation site, stop using Woody Guthrie #39;s  quot;This Land is Your Land quot; in a satirical Flash cartoon.

JibJab Is Free For You and Me


REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp., stepping up its efforts to compete with rival Google Inc., will offer consumers a preview of its technology for searching the Internet, beginning Thursday.

Microsoft to Preview New Search Engine


Reuters - Raids by Sudanese forces and Arab\militiamen have worsened a desperate situation in Darfur,\rights groups say, but the United Nations said Khartoum was\making serious efforts to keep pledges to curb the violence.

Sudan Trying to Keep Darfur Promises-U.N. (Reuters)


By The Associated Press. Shaquille O #39;Neal, who was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat in the off-season, leads the Eastern Conference in early voting for the All-Star Game, and Yao Ming is No.

NBA ROUNDUP Yao Leads Early All-Star Voting


The offenses of the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox will no doubt keep scoreboard operators busy at Fenway Park for the first two games of the World Series.

A slugger #39;s paradise


KUALA LUMPUR: Computer Associates International Inc (www.ca.com) has announced a new technology model that aligns security management with business needs.

Marriage between security, business needs


Notre Dame, Ind (UHND) - It didnt take Charlie Weis to let people know his expectations at Notre Dame. Half way through his Monday morning press conference where he was introduced as the 28th head coach

UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch


London: Oil prices hovered below recent record highs today after intervention by the Norwegian government to end industrial strife in the worlds third-biggest oil exporter took some heat out of feverish markets.

Oil prices take a breather


Iraq has set a date of 30 January 2005 for its first nationwide election since the toppling of Saddam Hussein. The announcement came from the independent Iraqi electoral commission in Baghdad.

Iraqis push ahead with elections


EAST LANSING, Mich. - Wisconsin #39;s dream of an unbeaten season might have ended just before halftime Saturday at Michigan State.

Spartans get the last laugh


In some corners, popular belief holds that science and religion are incompatible, but scientists may be just as likely to believe in God as other people, according to surveys.

Evolution and Religion Can Coexist, Scientists Say


AFP - French retail giant Carrefour warned that 2004 results would not meet its targets, as it reported weaker-than-expected sales for the third quarter.

Carrefour sees 2004 results short of target as third quarter disappoints (AFP)


East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Dwyane Wade paced a balanced attack with 21 points and Shaquille O #39;Neal added 16 in his Heat debut, leading Miami to an easy 100-77 win over the New Jersey Nets at the Meadowlands.

NBA Game Summary - Miami at New Jersey


The speed battle trainer Tim Ritvo hoped would develop to enhance stretch-running R Obsession #39;s chances in Saturday #39;s \$100,000 Frances Genter Stakes at Calder never materialized.

R Obsession comes flying in Frances Genter


World Cup leader Bode Miller won a slalom Monday to join Marc Girardelli as the only men to win races in all four disciplines in a season.

Miller Wins Slalom


AP - Barry Bonds hit his 697th homer and drove in three runs, and Edgardo Alfonzo had five hits in the San Francisco Giants' 18-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Bonds Hits Homer 697, Giants Beat D'backs (AP)


St. Joseph #39;s picked a bad place and a terrible time to start life without guards Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. With the two stars who led the Hawks to an unbeaten 2003-04 regular season now in the NBA, St.

Kansas trounces outmanned St. Joseph #39;s


Amelie Mauresmo of France overcame a slow start to win her first match at No. 1 in the rankings, beating Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 7-5, 6-4 at the Porsche Grand Prix on Thursday.

Mauresmo wins first match at No. 1


As more software development companies find ways to simplify the application development process, Borland Software (Quote, Chart) is unveiling a new software delivery optimization (SDO) model built around that concept.

Borland #39;s Pitch:  #39;Software Delivery Optimization #39;


If Tiger Woods has endured a more challenging year as a professional golfer, he cannot recall when that was.

Ryder Cup Just One More Disappointment for Woods


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A full-fledged Windows XP  computer that's a fraction of the size of a laptop seems like  the answer to the digerati's prayers, but the praise greeting  the OQO Model 01 has been decidedly muted.

PluggedIn: the OQO Is Not Just Another Handheld Device


Economic worries notwithstanding, the server market continued to grow at a healthy clip in the second quarter, according to research firm Gartner.

Second-Quarter Server Sales Grow 8


As more and more retailers try to cash in on the online music scene, things are becoming increasingly befuddling for consumers -- especially for consumers who stray from the Apple iPod fold.

Player can't hit the high notes


Iraq News, DUBAI - Iraqi-British hostage Margaret Hassan has again urged Britain to withdraw its troops from Iraq and also to free Iraqi women prisoners, Al Jazeera television reports.

Iraq ; Margaret Hassan calla upon Britain to quit Iraq


So Burt Rutan #39;s SpaceShipOne has grabbed the \$10 million Ansari X Prize. What #39;s next for Peter Diamandis and the organization he started in the mid- #39;90s to promote development of private spaceships?

Spawn of X Prize on Horizon


The Philippine government is sending a team to Afghanistan, to monitor United Nations efforts for the release of a Filipino and two other foreign nationals abducted in the capital, Kabul.

Philippine Govt to monitor UN hostage negotations in Afghanistan


EMC said it has purchased backup software vendor Dantz Development Corp. for less than \$50 million in a deal that it hopes will put it in a better position to sell data backup technology in the small-to-medium-size-business market.

EMC buys backup software vendor


Home Minister Shivraj Patil who is on a three-day visit to J amp;K will visit Jammu and Rajouri today. Patil will also visit Poonch where an Army jawan and two militants were killed this morning in an encounter.

Home Minister to visit Jammu, Rajouri


AFP - UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said he wants South Korea to come clean about past unauthorized nuclear experiments and not to repeat its mistake.

UN nuclear watchdog chief wants SKorea to come clean (AFP)


PARIS Stock option accounting has become an international battleground, but those wars may be nearing an end as major industrial countries move toward rules that force companies to deduct the value of options from their earnings.

Taxing stock options globally


There has been no shortage of media interest in Colin Montgomerie #39;s new Spanish girlfriend ( quot;Monty Bags Birdie! quot; etc), and the news that she plays off a handicap of 30 has prompted speculation

Monty #39;s hopes of winning are distinctly paella in the sky


LONDON : Britain #39;s third-biggest grocer, J Sainsbury, is the target of a five-billion-pound (7.2-billion-euro, 9.1-billion-dollar) takeover bid.

Takeover bid for British grocer J Sainsbury


By wire services. On Thursday, the clothing retailer recalled the shirt, which had the slogan  quot;L is for Loser quot; next to a picture of a gymnast on the still rings.

#39;Loser #39; T-shirt pulled from stores


Reuters - Monica is 12, likes ice cream, thinks\boys are rough and dirty, and wants to grow up to be a flight\attendant

Abandoned Africa HIV Orphans Struggle with Stigma (Reuters)


JEDDAH, 16 October 2004 - Sheikh Saleh Al-Taleb, one of the imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday called upon Muslims to outdo each other in righteous deeds to win rewards during Ramadan.

Muslims Asked to Concentrate on Righteous Deeds


Microsoft #39;s new search engine includes a  quot;near me quot; button that helps users find sites for a given location and a feature that answers questions such as  quot;What is the capital of Turkey?

Microsoft overhauls its engine


HUNTERS may soon be able to sit at their computers and blast away at animals on a Texas ranch via the Internet. It #39;s a prospect that has state wildlife officials up in arms.

Shoot wildlife in Texas ranch from home


FRANKFURT The dollar firmed on Wednesday, but stock markets were hesitant in Asia and Europe as uncertainty surfaced about the outcome of the US presidential election, despite initial indications that George W. Bush was leading John Kerry in the race for

Hesitant world markets hang on for a US election result


Swiss voters overwhelmingly approve government proposals to permit research using stem cells of human embryos.

Swiss endorse stem cell research


AP - Gary Sheffield and Tony Clark each drove in two runs during a seven-run second inning, and the New York Yankees completed a doubleheader sweep of the sinking Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a 10-5 victory Thursday night.

Yankees Sweep Devil Rays in Doubleheader (AP)


LONDON (AFP) - Doctors caring for a critically-ill premature baby, Charlotte Wyatt, were given permission by a British judge to allow her to die if her condition seriously deteriorates and her breathing stops.

Judge in London gives okay to let premature baby die


A closely watched measure of future economic activity fell in August for a third consecutive month, reflecting an uncertain climate for both businesses and consumers.

Leading Indicators Decline in August


Novell filed an antitrust lawsuit last week against Microsoft over alleged misdeeds that happened over 10 years ago. Novell said it planned to move forward with the lawsuit when it announced a settlement with Microsoft on other antitrust claims.

Ungrateful Bastards: Novel Sues Microsoft After Big Payoff


The UK music industry launches its first official download chart on BBC Radio 1 on Wednesday evening.

Countdown to download chart debut


Thoroughbred race horses are riding high as purse money grows along with television audiences for the sport made even more popular by Hollywood movies such as  quot;Seabiscuit.

Thoroughbreds Ride High


A New York Stock Exchange membership was sold at the lowest price in nine years and a one-year lease on a seat dropped to a 13-year low, reflecting the decline in income on the floor.

NYSE seat not what it used to be


To beat Serena Williams, it takes an incredible amount of confidence, patience and skill. Tuesday night before an announced crowd of 19,932 at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Capriati gets break, victory


Looks like the Greatest Show on Turf is in high gear -- on offense and defense. Torry Holt caught two long touchdown passes and Adam Archuletta returned a fumble 93 yards last night, keying the Rams' 28-21 victory over Tampa Bay.

Rams go long on Buccaneers


AP - Jerry McMorris was ousted from the Colorado Rockies' board of directors and management, ending a 12-year relationship between the team and the man who controlled the franchise during its first decade.

Rockies Oust McMorris From Management (AP)


news analysis Delaware trial turns into a mating ritual of sorts, as the companies quibble over money.

Courtroom courtship for Oracle and PeopleSoft?


AP - Ailing St. Louis reliever Steve Kline was unavailable for Game 3 of the NL championship series on Saturday, but Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa hopes the left-hander will pitch later this postseason.

Cards' Kline Could Return in Postseason (AP)


Ralph Nader can be listed on Florida ballots in the US presidential election, the state's electoral chief says.

Florida 'to list Nader on ballot'


Meyers, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, broadcasts WNBA and women #39;s NCAA games for ABC and ESPN. She has also been a regular Blog Squad contributor to WNBA.

Analyzing the Conference Finals Matchups


Carl Lewis, who won the Olympic 100 meters in 1988 after Ben Johnson was thrown out for using steroids, said Justin Gatlin and Yuliya Nesterenko #39;s sprint victories weren #39;t dimmed by doping scandals that dwindled the fields.

Carl Lewis Says Olympic Sprints Weren #39;t Dimmed By Drug Scandals


OTTAWA (Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp. <A HREF=

Nortel Warns of Weaker Sales


A car bomb explodes in  western Baghdad, causing at least two deaths and much damage, reports say.

Car blast rocks western Baghdad


Household products maker Clorox Co. on Thursday revised its second-quarter and year guidance higher to reflect the benefits of the stock exchange with Henkel KGaA and related financing.

Clorox Boosts 2Q, Year Guidance on Gain


AP - Two years after denying Endangered Species Act protection to killer whales that live much of the year near Washington's San Juan Islands, the federal fisheries agency said Thursday it plans to list the struggling population as a threatened species.

Wash. Orcas Get Feds' 'Threatened' Status (AP)


SunTrust Banks Inc. has fired its chief credit officer and two other employees because of errors that will delay third-quarter earnings and force the company to restate some financial results.

Update 1: SunTrust Fires 3 on Errors Causing Delay


A Walt Disney Co. director testified Tuesday that he believed Disney chief executive Michael Eisner had the authority to fire Michael Ovitz as the entertainment giant #39;s president.

Update 1: Witness: Eisner Had Authority to Fire Ovitz


EBay (EBAY), the world #39;s largest online marketplace, Wednesday posted a quarterly profit that rose 77 from a year ago, fueled by growth in its international and PayPal businesses.

EBay meets estimates as profits jump


Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday due to concerns about rising oil prices, while the dollar rose against the Japanese yen. The Nikkei Stock Average was down 53.

Update 4: Tokyo Stocks Open Lower on Oil Surge


JERUSALEM - In a stunning declaration, the Palestinian leader virtually certain to succeed Yasser Arafat said yesterday that the 4-year-old armed uprising against Israel was a mistake and must end.

ABBAS PEACE BID


AP - The number of endangered Steller sea lions counted between the Gulf of Alaska and the tip of the Aleutian Chain has increased again, according to new data released by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Number of Endangered Steller Sea Lions Up (AP)


If LeBron James was sending a post-Olympics message to Larry Brown, he wouldn #39;t admit it. Perhaps trying to prove Brown was wrong to bench him in Greece, James scored a career-high 43 points to lead the Cleveland

James pounds Pistons


It shouldn #39;t happen to a scientist: investigators have found that the \$250m (139m) Genesis space probe, which crash-landed in the Utah desert last month, failed because the switches designed to trigger its parachute were installed backwards.

Back to front switches blamed for space probe crash


Jeff Bagwell singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh Wednesday night, giving Houston its franchise-record 15th straight home win, 6-4 over St.

MLB: Houston 6, St. Louis 4


An unlikely feud is seeing the film empire that built its name on cartoons for children -- the giant Disney corporation -- at odds with Britain #39;s most famous hospital for sick children.

Children #39;s hospital may sue Disney


A Paris court gave 10 suspected Islamic terrorists jail terms of up to 10 years for a plot to bomb Strasbourg #39;s cathedral and the city #39;s Christmas market in December 2000, a clerk of the court said.

French Court Jails 10 for Al-Qaeda-Linked Plot in Strasbourg


ASHBURN, Va. (Sports Network) - San Francisco 49ers head  coach Dennis Erickson will remain with the team after  discussing the head coaching vacancy at Ole Miss with school  officials on Tuesday.

Erickson Staying in SF After Talks with Ole Miss


The Israeli parliament (Knesset) on Tuesday night upheld Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s  quot;disengagement quot; plan by a massive majority of 67-45.

Israeli parliament OKs  #39; #39;disengagement #39; #39; plan


CARIN KOCH of Sweden and South Korea #39;s Grace Park both shot a first round 6-under-par 66 today to share the lead of the CJ Nine Bridges Classic in Jeju.

Leaders fire six under par


President Karzai's rival gains ground by appealing to Afghanistan's former anti-Soviet resistance fighters.

Warlord politics heats Afghan vote


Eric Green had a chance to be a member of the Miami Hurricanes. Now, he wants to beat them. Green and Virginia Tech will come into the Orange Bowl today with a chance to claim the Atlantic Coast Conference championship all to themselves.

Green, Hokies want ACC crown


AP - Their first debate less than a week away, President Bush and Democrat John Kerry kept their public schedules clear on Saturday and began to focus on their prime-time showdown.

Bush and Kerry Begin Debate Preparation (AP)


Acquisitions such as the one for the development studio are more about people and technology than anything else.

Midway Purchase Was Inevitable


NOVEMBER 16, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Sony Corp. and blue-laser diode maker Nichia Corp. have developed a component that they say is vital to realizing support for Blu-ray Disc and DVD discs in portable devices, they announced on Tuesday.

Sony makes progress towards smaller Blu-ray/DVD players


Former President Bill Clinton's heart bypass, expected Monday, likely will be an ordinary replumbing of his ailing heart, not some new whiz-bang robotic or

Clinton Likely to Have Surgery Monday


After falling a game short of the Super Bowl the past three years, the Eagles seem to have the swagger and talent they #39;ve been missing.

Eagles 30, Lions 13


RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- A Saudi-American held in US solitary confinement for nearly three years without being charged returned to his family in Saudi Arabia yesterday after agreeing to trade in his US citizenship for his freedom.

US releases Saudi held since 2001


The European Union and its allies got the go-ahead on Tuesday to slap potentially heavy sanctions on US goods in a row that could stir trade tensions ahead of the US elections.

WTO Approves Sanctions Against US in  #39;Byrd #39; Row


SAN JOSE, CaliforniaOctober 26, 2004Apple today launched a European Union version of its revolutionary iTunes Music Store, giving music fans in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain the same

Apple Launches EU iTunes Music Store


Regulators could still launch an investigation into the two titans' acquisition of ContentGuard this month.

Microsoft, Time Warner DRM buy on EU review shelf


BAGHDAD: Al Zarqavi group has appealed hostage takers for release of Margaret Hassan, the chief of Iraqi relief organization Care International who was taken hostage by a group of Iraqi militants, a newspaper report said on Saturday.

Zarqavi appeals for release of Margaret Hassan (09:20 PST)


A recording-industry trade group says it has filed a new round of lawsuits against 762 people it suspects of distributing its songs for free over Internet  quot;peer to peer quot; networks like Kazaa and eDonkey.

762 song swappers sued


Jordan's military prosecutor indicted Abu Musab Zarqawi, one of the most wanted insurgents in Iraq, and 12 other alleged Muslim militants Sunday for an alleged al Qaeda-linked plot to attack the U.S. Embassy in Amman and Jordanian government targets with chemical and conventional weapons, government officials said.

Zarqawi Among 13 Indicted by Jordan in Plot


The WTO gave European nations and other countries the go-ahead to impose punitive duties on US exports ranging from lobsters to trucks because of Washington #39;s failure to repeal a law the WTO says unlawfully protects the US steel industry.

US promises to comply with WTO export rules


Rangers manager Alex McLeish paid tribute to his battle-weary players after they defeated Hearts and reached the Bank of Scotland Premier League summit for the first time in more than a year.

Rangers 3, Hearts 2


BUENOS AIRES -- Bombs exploded at three banks in the Argentine capital yesterday, including two branches of US giant Citibank, killing one security guard and injuring a bomb squad officer, officials said. No group claimed responsibility for the bombs, none of which was big enough to cause major damage to the buildings. ''The government is asking people not to touch ...

One killed in bombings at three bank branches


Two articles appeared side by side on September 21 in newspapers across America. The first contained an update on Irans efforts to produce enriched uranium for nuclear powered plants to meet its growing energy needs.

Redrawing the Middle East


Tiger Woods shot a bogey-free five-under-par 66 to overtake a fading Colin Montgomerie and win the \$5,25-million Target World Golf Challenge in California.

Tiger wins - and charity scores \$1m


I could go on and on. This isn #39;t so much a patch or update as it is a completely new version. Rather than calling it Windows XP Service Pack 2 they could just drop the  quot;Service Pack quot; part and call it Windows

Windows XP SP2 (Service Pack 2 )


Radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been charged by a British court with 16 offences including 10 of incitement to murder.

Radical UK cleric faces 16 charges


Pakistan's parliament elected former finance minister Shaukat Aziz, a close ally of President Pervez Musharraf, as prime minister yesterday after the opposition boycotted the vote, saying it was undemocratic. Aziz, 55, worked 30 years as a Citibank executive before becoming finance minister when Musharraf took power in a bloodless military coup in 1999. Suave, articulate, and media-savvy, Aziz is credited ...

Musharraf ally wins prime minister vote


For CC Sabathia, his 5-0 win Monday night over the Mariners proved to be uncharted terrain. No, it had nothing to do with it being a shutout.

CC hits cruise control


PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Grace Park followed her sensational first round with a steady, 5-under 67 Friday and opened a four-shot lead midway through the Samsung World Championship.

Park has 4-stroke margin


Delta Air Lines (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday its auditors have expressed doubt about the airline #39;s financial viability.

Delta Auditor Concerned About Airline


AMSTERDAM -- The Dutch supermarket retailer Ahold, seeking to streamline global operations and reduce debt, said yesterday that it will sell its holdings in Spain to Permira Funds, for roughly \$849 million.

Ahold to sell off its Spanish holdings


There #39;s quite a bit of clucking going on at Michigan State University: they have just sequenced the genome of a chicken. That #39;s a first for birds and agricultural animals

Scientists Complete Chicken Genome


JERUSALEM - Iran threatened this week to attack Israel's nuclear facilities. Israel ominously warned that it

Tensions Escalate Between Israel, Iran


MOSCOW, October 29 (Itar-Tass) -- The mass media must be invariably aware of their responsibility while covering terrorist attacks, FSB federal security service director Nikolai Patrushev told the State Duma on Friday.

FSB asks media to be responsible in covering terrorist attacks


Reuters - A collection of genes involved in\early development may help explain why black babies are more at\risk of sudden infant death syndrome than other U.S. groups,\researchers said on Thursday.

New Genetic Link Found to Crib Deaths (Reuters)


Profit at The Washington Post Co. was \$82.5 million in the fiscal third quarter (\$8.57 per share) compared with \$19.9 million (\$2.

Post Co. Profit Jumps to \$82.5 Million


AP - Three foreign election workers were kidnapped Thursday in the Afghan capital, police and Western officials said.

Election Workers Kidnapped in Afghanistan (AP)


LONDON - Two of slain British hostage Kenneth Bigley #39;s captors accepted a large sum of money to help him escape, The Sunday Times reported yesterday.

2 captors received  #39;big bribe #39; to help Bigley flee


A MAN #39;S beheaded body lay in the street in a seaside slum today near the smouldering remains of another beheaded corpse that was wrapped in tyres and set ablaze - victims accused of spying on loyalists of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Man beheaded in Haitian capital


The Ontario government approved 10 electricity-generating projects that will power about 100,000 homes and generate C\$700 million (\$593 million) in new investment in the province.

Ontario Approves 10 Power Projects Worth C\$700 Mln (Update1)


Shares in Alitalia gained over 5.0 percent Monday after the state-controlled airline clinched a final union agreement over job and wage cuts, clearing a key obstacle to its turnaround plan.

Alitalia shares up as deal struck


U.S. authorities working in an international investigation have shut down 20 independent news Web sites run by the Independent Media Center by seizing two U.K.-based Web servers, the group said.

Authorities shut down U.K.-based news Web sites


Trying to save the famed Hubble Space Telescope with a robot would cost \$2 billion with just a 50-50 chance of success, an aerospace research group is advising NASA in the coming days.

Robot lets down fans of telescope


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has arrested a Yemeni  national who is an important figure in al Qaeda's new  leadership and another foreign national who is one of the  network's communications specialists, officials said on  Wednesday.

Pakistan Says Holding Yemeni 'Qaeda Leader'


FoTW 'What unadulterated bollocks'

<cite>Reg</cite> writer receives right royal rogering


NEW ORLEANS -- The kickoff for Friday night #39;s preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints was moved ahead 30 minutes, to give the Dolphins extra time to return home as Hurricane Frances moved toward the Florida coast.

Earlier start will aid Dolphins #39; return


CASHIERS, N.C. - The violent remains of Hurricane Ivan pounded a large swath of eastern United States on Friday as the storm's rampage moved north, drenching an area from Ohio to Georgia, washing out dozens of homes, sweeping cars down roadways and trapping more than 100 students at an elementary school...

Ivan Slams Appalachian Region, Kills 12


JOSE MOURINHO stormed out of a Stamford Bridge press conference yesterday after he was quizzed about drug-cheat striker Adrian Mutu.

JOSE IN A MUTU WALK-OUT


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. home builder optimism grew in  October to its strongest level in 2004 on low mortgage rates  and heavy traffic of potential buyers, rebounding from a  decline in September, an industry report said on Monday.

Home Builder Optimism Reported Rising


Boeing Co. and International Business Machines Corp. plan to develop advanced information technologies for the Defense Department and intelligence systems under a 10-year partnership the companies announced Monday.

Boeing, IBM Announce 10-Year Partnership


Bank of America's four units still headquartered in Boston actually are scattered throughout the country, executives said, one more sign that the jobs and influence the city expected from the bank's \$48 billion merger with FleetBoston Financial Corp. have not yet materialized.

Bank units here; jobs scattered


Apple is recalling 28,000 faulty batteries for its 15-inch Powerbook G4 laptops.

Apple warns about bad batteries


A man is charged with the murder of a father of two who was stabbed in his own home.

Man charged with teacher's murder


which now searches for books, news, images and products as well as Web sites -- its subtle little AdSense text ads are ubiquitous on the Net.

MIKE WENDLAND: It #39;s an uphill battle to topple Google


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc.  <A HREF=

Payless Posts Profit on Cost Control


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Gilead Sciences Inc. <A HREF=

Gilead Sciences Profit Rises 55 Pct


Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday its quarterly profit doubled on strong demand, but warned of lower wholesale

UPDATE 3-Sanderson profit jumps, but shrs fall on costs


Now that rocketmen in the desert have soared into space and captured the St. Louis-based Ansari X Prize, commercial space travel seems as close as ever.

Commercial space industry blasts off


Reuters - Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling\underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured flexor tendon in\his right ankle.

Schilling Has Successful Ankle Surgery (Reuters)


SALVO, North Carolina (Reuters) - A newly formed group of  athletes' representatives are meeting in Miami this week to  seek a larger voice in the development of athletics.

Agents Seek Bigger Voice in Sport's Future


Cisco Systems Inc. channel partners will be able to offer real-time monitoring of enterprises #39; networks after the company agreed to acquire NetSolve Inc.

Cisco to acquire network monitoring provider NetSolve


An increase in the worldwide supply of crude oil contributed to a dip in US prices at the gas pump over the last two weeks, an industry analyst said Sunday.

Gas Prices Drop As Crude Oil Supply Rises


Shares of Alcoa Inc. fell sharply Friday after the metals giant warned that labour problems in Quebec and plant closings will weaken third-quarter profits.

Alcoa shares drop on profit warning amid labour problems, closures


Retreating from an upbeat forecast it made just last month, Nortel Networks Corp. (NT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday warned that third-quarter sales will fall

Nortel Warns of Weaker Sales


Apple is holding another of its special events - for which read high-profile product announcement - next week, where CEO Steve Jobs will be joined by U2 #39; Bono and The Edge to unveil U2-themed iPods, pre-loaded with the band #39;s new album.

Apple and U2 to unveil black iPod


Boston Red Sox #39;s David Ortiz is congratulated after scoring against the New York Yankees in the frist inning during game 5 of the ALCS Monday, Oct. 18 2004 in Boston.

BoSox Lead Yankees 2-1 After Three Innings


Dutch experts who have been examining blood samples from Viktor Yushchenko, the Ukrainian opposition leader, disclosed yesterday that the politician has staggeringly high levels of dioxin in his blood, the second highest ever recorded.

New finding in Ukraine poisoning


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - None of Chiron Corp.'s flu vaccine  made at a British plant is safe for distribution in the United  States, acting U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner  Lester Crawford said on Friday.

None of Chiron Flu Vaccine Safe, FDA Says


A LEADING international think-tank yesterday upgraded its forecast of UK growth this year from 3.1 to 3.4, while cutting its prediction for the US but raising its expectations for the euro area and Japan.

UK growth prediction upgraded by think-tank


THE HAGUE -- A letter left on the body of a Dutch filmmaker killed in Amsterdam contained death threats against a politician and was signed by a suspected terrorist group, the justice minister said yesterday, as police pressed an investigation into radical Islamic groups.

Note on slain filmmaker's body makes threat on Dutch politician


News Corp. shareholders approved Rupert Murdoch #39;s plan to move his media company to the US from Australia, making it easier to raise money for expansion and allowing the stock to be

News Corp. Shareholders Approve US Move; Stock to Join S amp;P500


Robert Mondavi Corp. (MOND.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday agreed to be acquired by Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the

UPDATE 2-Mondavi agrees to be bought by Constellation


That question now faces Roy Jones Jr. after being knocked out in the ninth round on Saturday night by Glen Johnson in a fight for Johnson #39;s IBF light-heavyweight title.

Don #39;t count out Roy, but Bowe must go


College football fans welcomed back the first full weekend of the season with plenty of excitement and storylines over a holiday weekend packed with action.

Highlights of the college football weekend


With reports of more than a quarter increase in the price to provide broadband services, the smaller ISPs reportedly claim that the Ofcom moves will create a noncompetitive market, benefiting

UK Broadband Pricing Adjustment: Competition or Crisis?


Tom Lehman takes a one-stroke lead in to Sunday #39;s final round at the \$4 million Michelin Championship. Lehman, Dicky Pride, Andre Stolz and Greg Chalmers - each of whom

Lehman leads at Michelin Championship


JP Morgan Chase  amp; Co. (JPM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , said on Wednesday it was scrapping a \$5 billion outsourcing deal with IBM Corp.

JP Morgan KOs \$5 Bln IBM Outsourcing Deal


ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish commandos killed 11 Kurds in three days of battles in the mountains bordering Iraq, one of the biggest offensives against the autonomy-seeking rebels in five years, authorities said yesterday. The government didn't rule out bolstering its forces in northern Iraq.

11 Kurds killed in Turkey clashes


AP - The interim Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has asked Palestinian militants to halt violence during the campaign for Jan. 9 presidential elections, a participant in truce talks said Tuesday.

Palestinian Leader Seeks Halt in Violence (AP)


Ryan Newmans record run snatched the pole while Jeff Gordon picked the worst time for a lackluster qualifying effort Friday at Martinsville Speedway.

Lackluster effort leaves Gordon behind Newmans record run


After two years of fits and starts, Microsoft will finally deliver its Virtual Server 2005 product, which company officials contend will be an important contributor to its Dynamic Systems Initiative (DSI), the company's plan for managing distributed systems.

Virtual Server becomes reality


AP - The Bush administration said Wednesday that extra money it is paying Medicare managed care plans is leading to lower costs and better services for patients.

White House: Patients Save With Medicare (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - Snubbed by its pilots, US Airways Group is scrambling to find cost savings among other union workers to avoid tumbling back into bankruptcy, an event industry analysts warn could come as early as this weekend.

Bankruptcy looms over US Air talks


Reuters - Intel Corp. , the world's\largest maker of computer chips, said on Wednesday it would\double its quarterly dividend to 8 cents a share, the second\time this year it has doubled its cash payout.

Intel Doubles Dividend, Expands Buyback (Reuters)


The diary of the dark days a Jewish teenager spent in a Nazi detention camp awaiting deportation has come to light in the Netherlands.

Dutch uncover diary of Nazi camp


NewsFactor - Cingular Wireless has begun soliciting AT T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) bondholders to consent to certain amendments in connection with Cingular's acquisition of AT T.

Cingular Seeks Amendments in AT T Wireless Merger (NewsFactor)


A CENTRAL Asian economic group today formally approved Russia #39;s membership bid, giving Moscow a chance to restore its influence in this strategic, energy-rich region.

Asian group welcomes Russia


IN BRIEF  Telstra Chairman Donald McGauchie has today announced the resignation of Telstra #39;s current CEO, Ziggy Switkowski. Ziggy will officially step down from the role on 1 July 2005 but may give up his

Ziggy to resign


This is why the Seattle SuperSonics have become the team to beat in the NBA. One night after Ray Allen helped Seattle become the first team to win in San Antonio this season, Rashard Lewis did

Sonics soar past Mavs, improve to 17-3


KABUL, Afghanistan In Kabul, a US agent wearing an Afghan burqa fled police who tried to search her on Sunday, sparking fears of a suicide attack in the capital city.

Undercover American agent sparks false alarm about Afghan suicide <b>...</b>


World News: London, Dec 16 : British Prime Minister Tony Blair moved quickly to fill the political vacuum created by David Blunkett #39;s resignation as home secretary, appointing Education Secretary Charles Clarke in his place.

Blunkett resigns, Charles Clarke new home secretary:


Like cicadas, debates about corporate governance pop up periodically with a great deal of whir and buzz. In 1992, for example, the business community protested Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Richard C. Breeden #39;s push for ...

Giving Investors a Say


10 years ago Craig Newmark started Craigslist for a few friends. Now the site is one of the Web's top portals.

He's Always Being Hit On


In the first foray by a U.S. wireless carrier into the online music market, AT T Wireless is launching a service that lets subscribers buy songs using their cell phones and later download them to a computer.

AT T Wireless Launching Music Service


The World Trade Organization (WTO) launched negotiations on trade facilitation at a meeting on Monday. WTO members agreed on a work plan and a schedule of meetings on negotiations

WTO starts negotiations on trade facilitation


AP - A proposal to let more lawmakers see income tax returns is going to stay alive into December, thanks to Democratic complaints over how the one-sentence provision was stuffed into a gargantuan spending bill.

Congress Won't Block Tax-Return Provision (AP)


A spate of bombings that has killed six people and injured scores in the past two days is aimed at triggering panic in the revolt-hit Indian state of Assam, an official says.

Assam bombings designed to  #39;trigger panic #39;


MELBOURNE, Fla. - The outer bands of Hurricane Frances whipped Florida's Atlantic coast with 90 mph wind Saturday as the storm crawled toward the state, bringing a potential for more than a foot of rain, tornadoes and heavy flooding as tens of thousands fled the area...

Frances Hits Fla. Coast With 90 Mph Winds


A hurricane disaster relief package approved last week includes money for fixing communications equipment at NASA #39;s Kennedy Space Center.

Hurricane aid covers NASA repair funds


SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Public Employees #39; Retirement System, the nation #39;s largest public pension fund, plans to double to \$2 billion its hedge fund investment, widely seen as a risky neighborhood of the investment world.

Calif. pension fund to hike hedge fund buys


In his first interview since Ukraine held a disputed election, Leonid D. Kuchma blamed the candidates and external pressure.

Ukrainian President Criticizes Court Order for New Vote


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kevin Garnett just missed out on a  triple-double with 21 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists to  lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a gritty 83-82 road win over  the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

NBA Wrap: Garnett Leads Timberwolves' Rally


The next version of Microsoft Corp. #39;s enterprise instant messaging and presence server will be available on Dec. 1, the company said late on Monday.

Microsoft Sets December Release for Next-Gen Enterprise IM Server


AP - Johan Santana is ready to start against the New York Yankees on short rest.

Johan Santana to Start Game 4 for Twins (AP)


HAT a liberating feeling it is to cut the cord and go wireless, taking a suddenly untethered laptop, for example, and heading for the couch or porch swing to work on the Internet.

Semiconductors Offer a New Way to Cut the Cord


Dogpile Search Engine Changes Name to Avoid Stink\\Dogpile has changed its name to WebFetch in the UK and Europe to differentiate itself from the image of doggie doo, which the name Dogpile conjures up in the heads of more British and Europeans than it does in the US. PC Pro ...


Russia #39;s republic of Chechnya elected Alu Alkhanov president in a poll held to replace Akhamad Kadyrov, who was assassinated in May.

Alkhanov Wins Presidential Election in Chechnya (Update1)


LONDON - After 216 years of broadsheet life, The Times today followed in the footsteps of The Independent, moving to a compact only format after almost a year of dual publication.

End of an era as Times ditches broadsheet for compact


Neither pundits nor the general population in 2003 would ever have predicted just how strong of a year 2004 would be for Apple Computer.

The iPod Year in Review


The wife of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to The Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald.

Deanna Favre expected to make full recovery


It all came down to a small, Utah-made device sitting inside an Idaho pottery kiln. This recent experiment at a national research laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho, may pave the way for an efficient means of extracting hydrogen from water.

Goodbye to fossil fuels? Not quite yet


Microsoft is trailing badly in the search-engine wars.  But Google, Yahoo and other search powers shouldn't rest too easy. Remember what happened to Netscape? <FONT face=

Is Google the Next Netscape?


ATLANTA Oct. 7, 2004 - Rafael Furcal hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning that sent the Atlanta Braves over the Houston Astros 4-2 Thursday and tied their NL playoff series at one game each.

Braves Beat Astros 4-2 to Even Series


AFP - Embattled Minnesota Timberwolves player Eddie Griffin was suspended for the first three games of the 2004-05 season, the National Basketball Association announced.

Timberwolves Griffin suspended by NBA for three games (AFP)


AFP - Japanese Internet firm Softbank Corp. asked a court to block a government plan for distributing high-speed bandwidth to mobile phone operators, saying it would bar new entrants until 2012.

Softbank sues Japan government over 3G bandwidth plan (AFP)


Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic #39;s two court-assigned defense lawyers have asked to be withdrawn from his case, The Hague war crimes tribunal said Wednesday.

Milosevic Defense Team Asks to Withdraw from Case


Brand-name PC makers debut a host of new PCs that feature Microsoft's Media Center 2005 software.

Media Centers on parade


An ad running in the UK that implied running a Linux operating system is ten times more expensive than running a Windows operating system has been oficially condemned as misleading by the UK #39;s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), after public complaints

UK standards authority tells MS to drop  #39;misleading #39; Linux ads


A NASA spacecraft has begun the first-ever daily tracking of how air pollution moves across the globe, a scientist at NASA #39;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said on Wednesday.

NASA spacecraft tracks global air pollution


Australian markets are relaxed despite the bitter political campaign ahead of a general election. Duncan Hughes reports from Melbourne.

Biffo and the Battler slug it out Down Under


Dogpile Adding Topix.net News Headlines\\Topix.net announced a deal with InfoSpace to add Topix.net's news headlines to InfoSpace's Dogpile metasearch service, and also to help Dogpile's new IntelliFind technology determine when news content is likely to be relevant to users' Web search queries.\\Through this agreement, Topix.net alerts Dogpile to breaking news ...

Dogpile Adding Topix.net News Headlines


AP - 1916  #151; The Boston Red Sox won the World Series in five games with a 4-1 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ernie Shore pitched a three-hitter for Boston.

This Date in Baseball for Oct. 12 (AP)


The much-touted fuel cell technology has got a reprieve from being written off. Japanese companies, network operator NTT DoCoMo and manufacturer Fujitsu are reported to have co-developed a fuel cell recharger for DoCoMo #39;s Foma family of 3g handsets.

Fuel Cell Ups Power Tenfold


The space program Sean O #39;Keefe is leaving behind - probably before the second anniversary of the shuttle accident that will define his tenure - is far different from the agency he stepped into three years ago.

NASA head will leave successor with much to resolve


PHILADELPHIA -- Rudi Johnson ran for three touchdowns and Jon Kitna threw a scoring pass for Cincinnati, helping the Bengals take advantage of the Philadelphia Eagles' backups, 38-10, to win their second straight game and finish 8-8 for the second year in a row.

Bengals feast on backups


The following are excerpts from the first presidential debate between President Bush and Sen. John F. Kerry:

From the Debate


The more than 5,000 US Airways flight attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants overwhelmingly voted in favor of possible strikes against the carrier.

US Airways flight attendants OK possible strike


Fraudsters have developed phishing emails capable of automatically stealing bank log-in details without requiring users to click on a website link, email filtering firm MessageLabs warns.

Phishers develop sophisticated lure


THE history of Apple Computer can be told through its advertisements as well as its products. There was, of course, the commercial that introduced the Macintosh.

Gates vs. Jobs: The Rematch


Long before Hurricane Ivan began bearing down on the Gulf Coast last week, a special breed of money managers was carefully tracking its development.

Storm Chasing (the Wall Street Version)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Athletic shoe and apparel maker Reebok  International Ltd. <A HREF=

Reebok Third-Quarter Earnings, Sales Up


Automakers #39; rich incentives last month might have helped retail sales rebound from a disappointing August. A Commerce Department report out this morning is expected to show that sales at US retailers rose

Morning Briefing


MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Expos have circled on the road out of town so often, you can understand why players and team officials are taking word of their imminent move with a grain of salt.

Montreal Expos await final word on move from MLB before making <b>...</b>


JERUSALEM -- Representatives of the Anglican Church who toured Israel and the West Bank this week are recommending that the church withdraw investments from Israel to pressure the country to ease the ''draconian conditions quot; imposed on the Palestinians, a church official said yesterday.

Anglicans recommend divestment to pressure Israel


The founders of the Pilgrim Baxter  amp; Associates money-management firm agreed yesterday to personally fork over \$160 million to settle charges they allowed a friend to

PILGRIM FUND #39;S FOUNDERS FINED \$160M


Caminiti died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and opiates, a spokeswoman for the New York City Medical Examiners Office told ESPN.

Cocaine and opiates found in Caminiti #39;s body


SPACE.com - A pair of miniscule meteorite grains has helped astronomers settle a long-running debate on the origins of space dust belched out by dying stars.

Tiny Space Rocks Help Settle Astronomical Debate (SPACE.com)


Computer problems have left police forces in England and Wales unable to run national fingerprint checks for more than a week.

News: UK police fingerprint system collapses


A new add-on for Office Project Server 2003 includes tools for connecting to HR software from SAP.

Microsoft connects with SAP


AP - Recruiters working for U.S. contractors are hiring former Colombian soldiers  #151; and luring away active-duty ones  #151; for security jobs in Iraq, according to a former army officer who met with the recruiters.

AP: Colombia Troops Being Sought for Iraq (AP)


They #39;re coming to mobile phones - those nasty viruses, worms and Trojan horses that have, on more than one occasion, crippled PCs.

Mobile phones: An ear full of worms


ATI today said that it will develop a new approach to use system memory rather than more dedicated memory on its graphics card. HyperMemory will use PCI Express

ATI takes another look at shared memory


US stocks look to open flat on Monday as investors pause after a busy week on Wall Street, with oil prices ticking higher and the dollar still hovering near record lows.

Stocks Seen Flat at Open; Oil Edging Up


In a deal that could give a boost to local search marketing, search engine giant Google said yesterday it acquired Keyhole Corp., which sells online satellite maps.

Google Acquires Satellite Map Company


FALLUJAH, Iraq, Oct 8 (MASNET  amp; News Agencies) - Militants executed British hostage Kenneth Bigley, it was announced, bringing a tragic end to a three-week ordeal, while US planes bombed a suspected hideout of another militant blamed for beheading several

Captors Execute British Hostage


OCTOBER 25, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Intel Corp. pulled back the curtain Friday on some of its future research projects to continue making transistors smaller, faster and less power-hungry out as far as 2020.

Intel prepares for next 20 years of chip making


REAL, Philippines (Reuters) - The Philippines put the toll  at more than 1,000 dead or missing in four storms in two weeks  but, even with a break in the weather on Saturday, relief  supplies were running short and fears of disease were  spreading.

Manila Appeals for Storm Relief; Weather Improves


Oprah Winfrey surprised each of her 276-person studio audience this week with their own new Pontiac G6 car. The cars, which retail for \$US28,000 (\$NZ43,189) were donated by Pontiac.

Oprah giveaway


October one was awaited by the market with some apprehension. This is the day that the controversial securities turnover tax was to kick in, as was the lower capital gain tax regime and there have been fears of the markets tanking.

Turnover tax kicks in


In an ongoing invasion of the southern Gaza Strip refugee camp of Khan Yunis, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) tanks and warplanes have killed 9 Palestinians, wounded 22 others, demolished at least 38 Palestinian houses and forced hundreds of families

Israeli Military Escalation Undermines Palestinian Elections IOF <b>...</b>


Yahoo on Monday implemented its own sender authentication scheme, dubbed DomainKeys, for its free Web-based mail service. DomainKeys is one of several authentication technologies that hope to put a stop to

Yahoo Rolls Out E-Mail Authentication, Added Storage


TORONTO (CP) - The steel market has been hotter than a blast furnace lately. So, too, are critics of Stelco Inc., who question whether the company should have been declared insolvent ahead of such strong market conditions.

Stelco #39;s bankruptcy restructuring looks more like an auction 10 <b>...</b>


JAKARTA - Police yesterday issued sketches of the 10 most-wanted suspects linked to last week #39;s Australian Embassy bombing. The sketches, issued by Inspector-General Paiman, included those of Malaysian bomb

Police issue sketches of top 10 suspects in Jakarta blast


Oracle on Tuesday announced a 16 percent increase in its first-quarter net income, attributing the gain to demand for its database software, Oracle Database 10g.

Oracle Income Grows on Database Software Sales


AP - The NBA has come to booming, basketball-crazy China  #151; but it doesn't expect to make any money soon. The league flew more than 100 people halfway around the world for its first games in China, featuring the Houston Rockets  #151; with Chinese-born star Yao Ming  #151; and the Sacramento Kings.

NBA Brings Its Game to Beijing (AP)


Former world champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo of China won won the short program at Skate Canada with 66.48 points Thursday night.

Chinese lead pairs; Bulgarians lead ice dance


A Taliban splinter faction that has threatened to kill three foreign UN workers abducted in Afghanistan nearly three weeks ago appeared to narrow its demands for their release Tuesday.

Afghan Militants Drop Guantanamo Prisoner Demand


Political parties in India's West Bengal state call for fresh strikes in defiance of a court order declaring them illegal.

Indian parties to defy strike ban


BC should be FedExing thank you notes to Michael Phelps, Carly Patterson, Natalie Coughlin, Paul Hamm and other American Olympians who have lifted it to the type of strong prime-time ratings

Ratings Win Gold for NBC


Canada #39;s Competition Bureau said today it has no objection to the proposal to merge brewers Molson Inc. of Montreal and Adolph Coors Co.

Canadian agency OKs Coors-Molson merger


AP - A packed calendar awaits President Bush after his vacation in Texas: filling a gaping hole in his Cabinet, preparing his inaugural and State of the Union speeches, finalizing a new budget, keeping close watch on the upcoming elections in Iraq and promoting his second-term agenda.

Bush Faces Busy January Calendar (AP)


Reuters. Mazda intends to launch a hybrid SUV using technology from Ford, which owns 33.4 of the Japanese automaker. Through our partnership with Ford, we are now proceeding with the development of a hybrid

Mazda Plans Hybrid Version of Tribute SUV Using Ford Technology


With Hurricane Ivan threatening New Orleans, the Saints will practice in San Antonio. They are scheduled to play the San Francisco 49ers at home Sunday.

Saints Avoid Ivan


_ Newsday is cutting as many as 100 jobs through voluntary and non-voluntary buyouts, the Long Island newspaper #39;s publisher said Thursday.

Newsday trimming work force by 100


The 10-year-old son of King Abdullah II now stands as the legitimate heir to the Jordanian throne, after the monarch stripped his half-brother of the title of crown prince.

Jordan #39;s crown prince loses title: King Abdullahs son now seen <b>...</b>


AP - In an Oval Office ceremony, Porter Goss was sworn in Friday to head the CIA and lead an intelligence community which has faced intense criticism for failures and faulty information prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Iraq war.

Fla. Rep. Goss Sworn in As New CIA Chief (AP)


AP - A French-American journalist has disappeared along with his Iraqi translator in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, the provincial deputy governor said Monday.

Journalist, Translator Missing in Iraq (AP)


BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said elections would be held as planned in January even as a grisly video surfaced yesterday purporting to show militants sawing off the heads of three Iraqi members of a Kurdish party for co-operating with

Allawi vows Iraq #39;s elections on target


ATHENS, Greece - The controversy over American Olympian Paul Hamm #39;s gold medal in the all-round men #39;s gymnastics has headed back into headlines as the International Gymnastics Federation (IGF) has asked Hamm to  quot;voluntarily quot; give back the medal.

IGF ask US #39;s Hamm to Give up the Gold


13.11.04 - By Rev. Marc Axelrod: The Real Deal needs to pack it in. Larry beat Evander all over the ring tonight. Evander looked every one of his 42 years, as he was outfought and outsped all night long.

Larry Donald Pounds out a Decision Win over Holyfield


Shares of Bob Evans Farms Inc. fell Monday after the family restaurant chain reported Tuesday that second-quarter earnings fell 41 percent because of soft same-store sales and higher food and labor costs.

Bob Evans 2Q Earnings Tumble 41 Percent


AP - As part of its reincarnation, America Online Inc. is creating its own software for browsing the Web and playing movies and songs. It's a question of staying relevant in an increasingly broadband world.

AOL Creates Its Own Browsing Software (AP)


AP - A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St. Helens on Saturday, the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October.

Largest Quake in Weeks Hits Mt. St. Helens (AP)


The US Environmental Protection Agency launched new drinking water quality inspections on airliners Tuesday after it found coliform bacteria in the drinking water of one of every eight passenger planes it tested.

EPA Announces More Airliner Water Tests


AP - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday rejected calls from Jewish settlers to hold a nationwide referendum on his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, escalating an increasingly bitter dispute with former allies who now accuse him of leading Israel toward civil war.

Sharon Rejects Settler Gaza Vote Demands (AP)


Late and under priced. The Apple iTunes Music Store has now opened for our Canadian Commonwealth friends. However it seems that the news isnt great if you live in America.

Apple iTunes store hits storm over pricing in UK and Canada


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq may modify plans for its first  free election to give people more time to vote next month,  officials said Wednesday as suicide bombers and gunmen again  struck Sunni Muslim towns north and west of the capital.

Iraqis May Extend Election Amid Violence


Want a wireless, hand-held game player that plays movies, music, and more? Meet the Sony PlayStation Portable known as PSP. What about a

Wish you were here


AP - Barry Larkin will not be offered another contract by the Cincinnati Reds, ending his 19-year career with his hometown team, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Larkin Won't Be Coming Back to Reds (AP)


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Shares in tech bellwethers Intel  Corp. and Yahoo Inc. rose in after-hours trade on upbeat  earnings reports, driving Asian shares higher Wednesday as oil  prices retreated from record highs.

Intel Fuels Asian Stocks; Oil Down


NEW YORK - Both Germany and France in their speeches before the 59th General Assembly session on Thursday supported Japan #39;s ongoing effort to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Germany, France back permanent seat for Japan on Security Council


Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Timberwolves guard Sam Cassell did not show up Tuesday for the first day of training camp.

Cassell a no-show; Wolves sign Griffin


AFP - Online holiday shopping rose 25 percent in 2004 to 23.2 billion dollars, a survey showed.

Online holiday shopping rose 25 percent in 2004: survey (AFP)


Archer Daniels Midland Co., the agribusiness giant, reported a 77 percent increase Friday in its first-quarter earnings, citing significant gains in oilseed and bioproducts processing and feed and ingredient sales and a major improvement in inventory

Update 1: ADM #39;s Earnings Skyrocket; Stocks Soars


READING, England A teacher says Britain #39;s Prince Harry admitted cheating on an art exam, and she #39;s got a tape recording that proves it.

Board: Recording insufficient to reopen probe into prince #39;s <b>...</b>


The UK's first stand-alone Islamic High Street bank,  aimed at the UK's 1.8 million Muslims opens in London on Wednesday.

First UK Islamic Bank opens doors


Stephon Marbury had 22 points and nine assists to help the New York Knicks end a three-game losing streak with an 86-79 victory over New Orleans last night, dropping the Hornets to 0-9 at home.

Knicks snap out of it


ATHENS, GREECE - The tattoo on Maurice Greene #39;s biceps reads GOAT That stands for Greatest Of All Time. It was 22-year-old Justin Gatlin who blazed to victory in the heavyweight event of the Olympic Games, winning

Keep track of hometown heroes:


The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) has disbanded its anti-spam working group, MARID (MTA Authorization Records In DNS) working group, in part because of an intellectual-property row surrounding Microsoft Corp.'s Sender ID proposal.

Anti-spam standard body dismantled


TOKYO (Reuters) - Electronics conglomerate Sony Corp. unveiled eight new flat-screen televisions on Thursday in a product push it hopes will help it secure a leading 35 percent of the domestic market in the key month of December.

Sony Unveils New Flat TVs, Aims to Boost Share


Judges in Pakistan have ruled that a top scientist arrested last year for allegedly being involved in leaking nuclear technology should have his detention extended for a further three months.

Nuclear scientist remains in custody


Google has released a free search tool which sits on the PC desktop and can search its host computer for virtually anything. Launched on Thursday, it blends a search of hard-drive files, emails, recently visited

Free Google search for PC desktops


LaVar Arrington #39;s right knee wasn #39;t aggravated enough to affect his status for Sunday #39;s game, but apparently it will be enough to keep him out of practice.

Arrington #39;s status still uncertain


Alitalia SpA #39;s board is likely to approve today Chief Executive Officer Giancarlo Cimoli #39;s rescue plan for Italy #39;s largest airline, after he won concessions from the carrier #39;s nine major unions on job cuts.

Alitalia #39;s Board Likely to Approve Rescue Plan, EU400 Mln Loan


CLEVELAND -- Returning kicks is dangerous work. It is a job for adrenaline junkies and those overloaded with fast-twitch muscle fiber, because things are not always what they seem.

A nice opening act


Gateway released the specifications this week for a retail desktop PC based on a new motherboard design that should help cool high-end processors and graphics cards.

Gateway Debuts Cool New PC


AP - Vodafone Group PLC launched high-speed Internet services for mobile phones across much of Europe on Wednesday, ending a wait of several years since the world's biggest cell phone company spent billions for new wireless licenses at the height of the technology bubble.

Vodafone Unveils High-Speed Net Services (AP)


Scientists struggle to contain an anthrax epidemic which has killed nearly 200 hippos in a Ugandan national park.

Anthrax hits Ugandan park hippos


New versions of the Bagle worm rolled onto the Internet Friday, prompting antivirus companies to warn customers about the threat and to push out software updates to spot the new worms.

Antivirus companies warn of new Bagle variants


Seven Asian telecommunications firms are coming together to invest between \$30m and \$40m (16.3m and 22m) in new mobile phone services and technology.

Asian telecom firms come together


BRUSSELS Promising consumers more choice of soft drinks, Mario Monti, the European competition commissioner, said Tuesday he had struck a deal with Coca-Cola after a five-year antitrust investigation of the company.

Coke loosens its grip on EU soft drinks market


Insurgents in Iraq mounted a third straight day of serious attacks yesterday, killing 17 people when they opened fire on buses delivering workers to an ordnance disposal site.

70 die as Iraq violence escalates


KATHMANDU: Thousands of opposition party supporters rallied in the Nepalese capital yesterday demanding the king return sovereignty to the people.

Nepalese rally for democracy


For half of the first quarter, the Nets looked like the team that had dominated the Knicks for the past three seasons. But with Jason Kidd still limited to 20

The Knicks Make It Seem Like Old Times


Shares of Air New Zealand Ltd., the country #39;s largest airline, were halted pending a High Court ruling on plans for an alliance with Australia #39;s Qantas Airways Ltd.

Air New Zealand Stock Halted Pending Qantas Ruling (Update1)


Three overseas firms win contracts to improve speeds on China's intercity rail routes to ease freight bottlenecks.

China to modernise rail routes


IT investments in Web sites, combined with greater acceptance of online shopping on the part of consumers, will drive the growth.

Analyst firm predicts e-commerce upswing


BOSTON - The Yankees kept circling the bases, battering Boston's beleaguered pitching staff. By the time the long, long night ended with a devastating 19-8 rout over the Red Sox, the dreaded New Yorkers were just one game away from a shocking sweep...

Yankees Stun BoSox 19-8 for 3-0 ALCS Lead


Mike Imoh Runs for 236 Yards and Two TDs As No. 18 Virginia Tech Downs North Carolina 27-24. Virginia Tech #39;s Mike Imoh (29) drags North Carolina #39;s Tommy Richardson (8) into the end zone as Jeff King (90) celebrates

No. 18 Virginia Tech Squeaks Past UNC


Reuters - Darfur peace talks kicked off\four days late in Nigeria Monday amid mounting international\concerns of a resurgence of fighting in the remote Sudan\region.

Darfur Peace Talks Start Amid New Fighting (Reuters)


Senior Palestinian figures gathered at Yasser Arafat #39;s battered West Bank compound on Saturday to show that the Palestinian leadership was still functioning.

Palestinians meet, show solidarity


MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Barry Bonds tries to go where just two players have gone before when the San Francisco Giants visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

San Francisco at Milwaukee, 1:05 PM


AP - New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks tweaked his strained right thigh and hobbled off the field in the second quarter of the Saints' game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.

New Orleans Quarterback Aaron Brooks Tweaks Strained Right Thigh in Game Against Green Bay (AP)


TOKYO - Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, who is currently being detained in Japan over a passport dispute, wants to live in Iceland, his lawyer told a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.

Fischer wants to go to Iceland


Britain #39;s government on Tuesday proposed banning smoking in most public places, setting off debate over what one smoker decried as the brainchild of a busybody  quot;nanny state.

Britain Proposes Tough Smoking Ban


When Northeastern University women's hockey goalie Marisa Hourihan skated off with a 3-0 victory over Quinnipiac University on Oct. 30, the Hanover native felt she was back where she belonged.

Hourihan finally getting her shot in goal


Amid an unprecedented shortage of flu vaccine, pharmacists at several Massachusetts hospitals say that suppliers have offered to sell them shots in recent days for as much as \$90 a dose, more than 10 times the normal price.

Profiteering seen with flu vaccine


TEHRAN -- Iran said yesterday its missiles now have a range of more than 1,200 miles, a substantial extension of their previously declared range. The old version of Iran's Shahab-3 missile had a range of 810 miles, capable of reaching Israel and various US military bases in the Middle East. In August, Iran tested a new version of the Shahab-3, ...

Range of new missiles said to top 1,200 miles


Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sports Network) - Marcelo Bielsa resigned as Argentina #39;s coach on Tuesday, despite leading his country to the final of Copa America and to an Olympic triumph this summer.

Bielsa steps down despite strong summer


Attorneys for the Colorado woman who accused Kobe Bryant of rape are considering suing the basketball star in his home state of California because of a strict cap on damages in Colorado, they said on Wednesday.

Kobe Bryant Rape Case Could Be Headed to California


International donors urged Rwanda on Friday to exercise restraint in its relations with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo amid reports Rwandan soldiers had crossed the border to attack rebels.

Donors urge Rwanda to exercise restraint on Congo


ARLINGTON, Va. US Airways chief executive Bruce Lakefield says the airline will ask a bankruptcy judge to impose large temporary pay cuts on its union workers.

US Airways asks court to impose 23 percent pay cut


Steve Coll, The Washington Post's managing editor for six years, said today he is stepping down at the end of the year to pursue book projects.

Washington Post Editor Stepping Down


The Tri-nations championship involving Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will be expanded from six to nine matches from 2006, according to the governing body SANZAR.

Tri-nations will expand to nine test matches


Reuters - A suicide truck bomb attack on an Iraqi\security checkpoint near an entrance to the fortified Green\Zone complex on Tuesday killed at least six people and wounded\at least 40, police said.

Baghdad Suicide Car Bomb Kills at Least 6 -- Police (Reuters)


The portrait of Ken Bigley, who was murdered in Iraq October 7, stands in front of the congregation during a service at Liverpool #39;s Roman Catholic Cathedral on October 10.

British hostage tried fleeing before death: report


Courtney Love pleads not guilty to assault with a deadly weapon after being accused of an attack with a bottle.

Singer Love denies bottle attack


Winning behind Quincy Carter - who completed 11 of 20 passes for 116 yards - might have assuaged the Jets' concerns about him as the backup quarterback.

Ugly Victory Redeems Carter in a Game of Second Chances


The UK #39;s global trade deficit in goods widened to a nine-month high in October as imports rose to a record and exports to countries outside of the European Union declined.

UK October Trade Deficit in Goods Widens to 5.3 Bln Pounds


People who illegally share copyrighted music and movies over the Internet could be jailed for up to five years under a bill approved by a powerful\congressional panel today.\

News: House Panel Moves to Criminalize Spyware, Net Piracy


VENICE - One of Europe's biggest fixed-network operators is following the lead of its wireless counterparts in demanding a greater say in the design and service features of cordless phones and other wireless devices used in the home.

Telecom Italia CEO sees innovation in design and features of wireless devices


Sci/Tech News, America Online, the largest Internet service provider, said it would stop using Microsoft #39;s (Nasdaq: MSFT) Sender ID technology to filter unwanted e-mail being sent to its millions of members, and instead embrace an open-source friendly

Sci/Tech ; AOL Dumps Microsoft #39;s Spam Filter Standard


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A PeopleSoft Inc. <A HREF=

PeopleSoft Open to Oracle Bid -Director


AP - As people spend more time online  #151; and logged into instant messaging services  #151; it's inevitable that there are times they just can't respond. That's why the

An Online Art Form: the Away Message (AP)


LA CROSSE, Wis. - In 2000, political pundits summed up the race in three words: Florida, Florida, Florida...

Upper Midwest Tempts Bush, Worries Kerry


AJACCIO, France : Ford got their Rally of Corsica campaign off to a flying start when Francois Duval and Markko Martin threw down the challenge to world championship leader Sebastien Loeb by leading the way after the day #39;s four specials.

Racing: Duval in charge as Ford set a flying pace in Corsica


AFP - Pakistan pacers Abdul Razzaq and debutant Riaz Afridi took two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka struggled to 150-6 at tea on the first day of the second and final Test at National Stadium here.

Sri Lanka in trouble against Pakistan in Karachi Test (AFP)


Vodafone is to hand out 6bn to shareholders this year thanks to a doubling of its dividend and an increase in its share buy-back programme.

Vodafone pays out 6bn but fears grow on margins


NASA -- As scientists begin to unpack more than 3,000 containers of samples of the sun brought to Earth by NASA's Genesis mission, the Mishap Investigation Board (MIB) has identified a likely direct cause of the failure of Genesis' parachute system to open.     The parachute system failed to deploy when Genesis returned to Earth September 8, 2004...

Scientists Find Cause of Genesis Crash


Fred Couples returns as defending champion and the most successful player in Skins Game history. Tiger Woods comes in as the most popular player in golf, and Adam Scott is the third man in the field because he won The Players Championship in March.

GOLF ROUNDUP: Sorenstam, Woods, Couples go for skins


AP - The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3.3 percent in the spring, the government reported Wednesday. That was significantly better than a previous estimate but still the weakest showing in more than a year.

Economy Grows at 3.3 Percent Rate in 2Q (AP)


AP - Intelligence agencies came under sharp attack Sunday from lawmakers, as did Congress, where a bill to put in place recommendations from the Sept. 11 commission has stalled heading into this week's postelection session.

Intel Agencies Blamed As 9/11 Bill Stalls (AP)


Support from allies becomes crucial in solving crises

Analysis: Bush's Daunting Task in the Mideast and North Korea


Investment banking giant Goldman Sachs Group Inc. agreed Wednesday to pay Ford Motor Co. \$13.7 million to settle a shareholder lawsuit that was filed last year after a controversial

Sachs pays Ford \$13.7M to settle


The yo-yo water ball -- a liquid-filled ball attached to a stretchy elastic cord -- looks like it could provide a lot of entertainment for children.

Safety advocates warn of potentially fatal toys


What if the New York Yankees decided they only wanted to play against teams in big-market cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston?

PGA Tour needs to bring stars to smaller venues


The Delf-HA Trojan horse infects PCs and then contacts a Russian Web site to download instructions for running a spam campaign. The Trojan sends spam SMS by using the  quot;Send a text message quot; facility

New Trojan Spams SMS