Colgate-Palmolive, the consumer products company, said yesterday that it would close about a third of its factories and cut more than 4,400 jobs over the next four years as part

Colgate-Palmolive cuts back


San Francisco #39;s mayor Thursday said he wants to see his city provide free Wi-Fi service to everyone. In his state of the city address, Mayor Gavin Newsom promised to put Wi-Fi within reach of the masses.

San Francisco Wants Free Wi-Fi For All


The high-speed impact will wallop the pickle-shaped comet Tempel 1 with energy equivalent to 4.8 tons of TNT, said Michael A #39;Hearn, another university astronomer and principal investigator on the \$311 million mission.

NASA To Slam  #39;Hammer #39; into Comet Tempel 1


Worldwide semiconductor sales will reach US\$226 billion in 2004, a 27.4 percent increase from 2003, according to the latest prediction from Gartner.

Semiconductor Sales Booming in 2004


Reuters - A conservative U.S. lawyer's\attempt to enlist the Vatican in his drive to declare Senator\John Kerry a heretic over his abortion views backfired\Wednesday when the Holy See said it had been hoodwinked.

Vatican Says Anti-Kerry Lawyer Hoodwinked Them (Reuters)


AILING supermarket chain Sainsbury #39;s is the target of a 5bn takeover bid being prepared by an ex-treasurer of the Conservative Party, it was reported yesterday.

#39;Takeover bid #39; for Sainsbury #39;s


AP - A senior Congolese official said Tuesday his nation had been invaded by neighboring Rwanda, and U.N. officials said they were investigating claims of Rwandan forces clashing with militias in the east.

Congo Official: Rwanda Troops Attacking (AP)


The recent run of hurricanes hitting the Atlantic Ocean has been helped by warmer waters, which some scientists attribute to global warming. That means get ready for more storms. By Stephen Leahy.

Ivan May Just Be a Messenger


CARLOS Moya fired Spain into a 1-0 lead over the United States in the Davis Cup final yesterday. In front of a record tennis crowd of 27,200, the former world No 1 bamboozled Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 at Seville #39;s Olympic Stadium.

Moya helps Spain draw first blood


In his olive nylon bomber jacket, olive fatigue pants and black combat boots, Al-Aqsa Martyr #39;s Brigades member Abu Said sees himself as a soldier, fighting Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

Peace may now stand a chance


European stock markets got off to a flying start this morning as investors cheered a plunge in crude oil prices and fresh post-election gains on Wall Street.

11am Market Update


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - First-day sales of Microsoft  Corp.'s <A HREF=

Microsoft Sees \$100 Million First Day for 'Halo 2'


Now comes former coach Phil Jackson #39;s  quot;The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, quot; a diary of the Lakers #39; 2003-04 season (which ended in the NBA Finals loss to the Pistons).

Jackson book rips Kobe


MELBOURNE: Coles Myer Ltd, Australia #39;s biggest retailer, said yesterday it would hand over its payroll and human resources administration to EDS Australia late next year, affecting 120 jobs.

Australia #39;s Coles Myer to cut payroll jobs in 2005


Beijing has been debating a policy proposal that will force the city to spend at least half of its IT budget on offerings from local companies.

Beijing Official Seeks To Calm Microsoft Controversy


TOKYO Schaumburg(Illinois)-based Motorola and Japan #39;s top mobile-phone carrier plan to develop a more sophisticated mobile phone that subscribers in Japan can use while traveling to other parts of Asia and to Europe.

Japan #39;s NTT DoCoMo, Motorola strike deal to develop mobile phone


BERLIN (AFP) - Russia is blocking a Paris Club agreement to wipe out 80 percent of Iraqi debt, a source said on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting of finance chiefs.

Russia blocking Paris Club debt relief for Iraq: G20 source


Reuters - The dollar struggled to keep above a\record low against the euro and its lowest in nearly five years\against the yen on Friday in a holiday-thinned market.

Dollar Struggles, Hits Record Low Vs Euro (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (AFP) - The queue of newly jobless Americans shrank last week, providing a dose of good news to the labor market. The number of new claims for unemployment benefits tumbled 25,000 to a seasonally

US jobless claims tumble 25,000 in a week


Kroger (KR), the largest US grocer, Tuesday reported a 25 drop in quarterly profit. Even though sales rebounded in Southern California, where Kroger was hit by a strike, Chief Executive

Kroger profit falls, warns on sales


Reuters - Using elephant dung and skin\samples, researchers said they were able to make a map of\elephant DNA that could help track down ivory poachers.

Elephant Dung Helps Track Smuggled Ivory - Study (Reuters)


AMD #39;s new dual-core Opteron chip is designed mainly for corporate computing applications, including databases, Web services, and financial transactions.

AMD Debuts Dual-Core Opteron Processor


About 166 miners remain trapped deep in a mine in central China, with all communications lost.

No word on trapped China miners


Microsoft (Quote, Chart) is ready to ship Host Integration Server 2004, offering a Windows interface to mainframes and legacy applications.

Microsoft Integration Server on Deck


AP - A woman in Milwaukee and her ex-boyfriend are under orders to pay thousands to the recording industry. A man in California refinanced his home to pay an  #36;11,000 settlement. A year after it began, the industry's legal campaign against Internet music piracy is inching through the federal courts, producing some unexpected twists.

Music Piracy Lawsuits Wend Through Court (AP)


An explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand has killed at least 14 people and injured several others. It completely destroyed the factory in the city of Ayutthaya, about 70km (44 miles) north of Bangkok, and damaged nearby houses.

Blast hits Thai fireworks factory


Massachusetts leads the nation in the use of generic drugs, with 51 percent of its prescriptions written for the cheaper, non-brand medications, according to a survey.

Survey: State leads in use of generics


FALLUJAH, Iraq -- He first tried to get to Iraq in April 2003, when U.S. troops established control over the country and jihad became a place on a map.

Seeking Salvation in the City of Insurgents


Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the  rampant drugs trade poses a bigger threat than the Soviet invasion.

Karzai warning over drugs trade


BAGHDAD, Dec 9 (AFP) - Iraq #39;s majority Shiite Muslims on Thursday unveiled a broad alliance ahead of next month #39;s key elections that is backed by their highest religious leader but which excludes radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Iraqi Shiites unveil broadly based electoral alliance


US STOCKS rose yesterday as a higher price target for the shares of Apple Computer generated enthusiasm for technology stocks and investors waved off worry about a decline in the dollar.

Apple price target boost gives struggling Dow a late fillip


AP - Twenty years later, the boys are back on the medal stand. The American men's gymnastics program, long overlooked and often unappreciated, won Olympic silver Monday, capping a four-year rebuilding project to take home a medal for the first time since the boycotted 1984 Games.

Overlooked U.S. Men's Gymnasts Take Silver (AP)


Telecom Italia is to borrow another 12bn (\$16bn) to fund a cash and shares deal worth more than 20bn for the 44 per cent of its mobile arm that it does not own.

Telecom Italia to buy mobile arm


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half. India #39;s software exports are on track to grow by 30 percent in the 2004-2005 fiscal year

India #39;s software exports booming


The Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, received another 6 months of funding from NASA. The two rovers were originally designed to complete a primary mission of three months, but have continued to operate for 5 additional months.

Mars rovers get new lease on life


Verizon Wireless lets you choose

Photo: Dialing for a song


In a bid to revive its flagging fortunes, Siebel Systems plans to create customized software packages designed to reach the 75 of the CRM market now unavailable to it.

Siebel looks to custom-built apps to boost bottom line


Armed with miniaturized medical devices, surgeons bring advanced care to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan just moments after they're hurt. By Randy Dotinga.

Smaller Is Better on Battlefield


Two weeks before he died, discount retailer Herbert H. Haft quietly married his longtime companion in a hospital ceremony that provided yet another twist in a bitter and very public family feud.

Haft Married Companion 2 Weeks Before He Died


GENEVA Oct 21, 2004 - Humanity #39;s reliance on fossil fuels, the spread of cities, the destruction of natural habitats for farmland and over-exploitation of the oceans are destroying Earth #39;s ability to sustain life, the environmental group WWF warned in a

Group Warns on Consumption of Resources


The war in Iraq has pushed aging U.S. Army payroll systems past their breaking point, leading to widespread payroll problems for reservists, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report.

GAO: Legacy systems hamper Army reservists' pay


AP - European negotiators resume talks with Iran on Wednesday on a last-chance offer of incentives aimed at getting the Tehran regime to stop enriching uranium and avoid the threat of possible U.N. sanctions.

Europeans to Resume Talks With Iran (AP)


Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal are better placed than ever before to achieve Champions League success - and insisted they would not be muscled out of their stride at home or abroad.

Vieira:  #39;We won #39;t be intimidated #39;


Another United Airlines union is seeking to oust senior management at the troubled airline, saying its strategies are reckless and incompetent.

Attendants want  #39;reckless #39; UAL managers out


NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Consumer confidence is at a standstill one week before the presidential election, unchanged from last week and hovering near its all-time average, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Confidence holds before election


The offseason didn #39;t just start, even if you #39;re beginning to detect the first signs of life from Toronto. The Blue Jays have been lying low until this point, waiting

Winter Meetings checklist


Seagate announced today the availability of a 400 gigabyte (GB) Barracuda 7200.8 model for high-end PC #39;s and entry-level servers.

Seagate Hatches 400GB Barracuda


AFP - With less than two months until the November 2 election, President George W. Bush is working to shore up support among his staunchest supporters even as he courts undecided voters.

Bush preaches to choir while trying to win converts on campaign trail (AFP)


Reuters - Intel and Nokia will jointly\develop smart phones that run on the Symbian operating system,\the two tech giants said on Tuesday, unveiling their first\major cooperative effort in cell phones.

Nokia, Intel Join Forces on Symbian Phones (Reuters)


Guano Craze

Africa's Penguins Still Reeling From


\\More and more bloggers are waking to the news:\\Lessig : \\...\\

More Election Response


Though it seems most sex toys are designed for women, it's the male-oriented ones that nudge the technology to new levels. Commentary by Regina Lynn.

Pushing the Male Envelope


The British Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday that the US has sent a request to the British government for redeployment of the British forces stationed in Iraq because the US troops stationed in Iraq are preparing for new military actions in Fallujah

British redeployment in Iraq meets with opposition


NASA scientists said they have recovered some critical pieces of the Genesis space capsule intact and are optimistic the wreckage will yield valuable

Scientists Recover Critical Genesis Parts


Vote counting started yesterday in Afghanistan #39;s landmark election, widely expected to install Hamid Karzai, the US-backed interim leader, as the country #39;s first popularly chosen president.

Vote counting starts in Afghan election


South American leaders are set to create an economic and political bloc modelled on the European Union.

S America to create single market


The NFL has suspended Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis for two games for using a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal. Lewis pleaded guilty Thursday and will be sentenced to four months

NFL suspends Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis for two games


AP - Andy Roddick served 20 aces Friday in a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Sweden's Thomas Johansson to reach the Thailand Open semifinals.

Andy Roddick Serves 20 Aces at Thailand (AP)


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The planned \$3.1 billion takeover  of satellite operator Intelsat Ltd. could be in jeopardy after  an electrical problem ruined one of the company's satellites on  Sunday.

Loss of Intelsat Satellite Threatens \$3.1 Bln Deal


The New England Patriots offensive coordinator could be interviewed by the Irish as early as Friday, The Boston Globe reported on its Web site Thursday night.

Weis attended ND but never played


NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - An experimental Sanofi-Aventis diet  drug helped people lose much more weight than a placebo in an  eagerly anticipated two-year trial, researchers said on  Tuesday.

Sanofi Weight Loss Drug Effective in 2-Year Study


A European court struck down fines totaling 100.8 million euros (\$125 million) on HVB Group, Dresdner Bank AG and three German competitors for fixing European currency- conversion rates.

EU Court Annuls EU100.8 Mln in Fines on German Banks (Update1)


BAGHDAD/PARIS (Reuters) - Two French hostages held in Iraq  are being well treated but there are hurdles to overcome to  secure their release, officials said.

Hope Turns to Caution in French Hostage Crisis


Reuters - Google Inc. , the No. 1\Web search company that recently went public and said it will\not issue financial forecasts, expects to add 372,050\advertiser accounts by 2008, the San Francisco Chronicle\reported on Wednesday.

Google Targets 370,000 More Advertisers -- Newspaper (Reuters)


Sir Alex Ferguson today has no regrets about fielding a second-string side against Fenerbahce. Sanli Tuncay #39;s second-half hat-trick consigned the Red Devils to a 3-0 defeat in Istanbul and, more importantly

Sir Alex:Our kids will come on a ton


Online consumers in the United States spent \$8.8 billion, excluding travel purchases, in November, a 19 percent jump over the \$7.4 billion spent online a year earlier, a report released on Monday said.

US Web Shoppers #39; Holiday Spending Up


Reuters - Clothing maker and retailer Liz\Claiborne Inc. on Thursday posted a 14 percent increase in\third-quarter earnings, helped by its acquisition of ENYCE and\solid sales of brands such as Juicy Couture.

Liz Claiborne Earns Up, Raises Forecast (Reuters)


At least 12 people were killed and 100 wounded in a bomb attack yesterday on an opposition rally in Bangladesh #39;s capital Dhaka.

Bomb attack kills 12 at Bangladesh rally


Forbes.com - China is embarking on its first full-fledged United Nations peacekeeping mission. A group of 125 Chinese police officers will soon arrive in Haiti. The Carib-bean-bound officers of the People's Armed Police were rigorously chosen. During their three-month training, they were given lessons in French (but not Creole, the language most commonly used in Haiti). More importantly, they were brought up to speed on international norms of peacekeeping, with instructions on how to maintain order, diplomatic protocols and human rights.

Other Comments (Forbes.com)


The United Nations is warning of impending chaos in Sudan #39;s western Darfur region, with increasing violence and a breakdown of order.

UN: Chaos Looms in Darfur


TEHRAN: UN atomic inspectors have returned to Iran and will be free to visit a disputed military site in their investigation of US allegations that Iran is seeking nuclear warheads, state television reported.

UN atomic experts back in Iran to test bomb claims


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington, D.C., plans to sell \$410  million in tax-exempt and taxable bonds by the end of 2005 to  finance a stadium for professional baseball, city officials  said on Thursday.

Washington, DC Plans \$410 Million Bonds for Stadium


AP - Sergio Garcia shot a 4-under 66 Thursday and shared the lead with Carlos Rodiles in the rain-delayed first round of the Mallorca Classic.

Garcia Shares Lead in Mallorca Classic (AP)


CAIRO: Swarms of locusts are causing a panic among farmers and children who wonder when the next biblical plague would strike. The pests have worked their way north into Israel since crossing the Egyptian

A plague of locusts


AP - Quarterback A.J. Feeley will remain in the Miami Dolphins' lineup  #151; at least for now. Feeley played well enough coming off the bench in the Dolphins' season-opening loss to earn a start this week at Cincinnati, coach Dave Wannstedt said Sunday.

Feeley Will Start Next Game for Dolphins (AP)


Centene Corp. has agreed to buy FirstGuard Inc. from Swope Community Enterprises for about \$93 million in cash and enter the Missouri and Kansas markets.

Centene will buy FirstGuard for \$93M


AFP - Stephen Harmison took a hat-trick as India were bowled out for a meagre 170 in the first one-day international of a three-game series at Trent Bridge here.

India rocked by Harmison and Wharf (AFP)


Iran said yesterday it was still committed to suspending its sensitive uranium enrichment activities as of today and that alarm over its nuclear activities was merely  quot;propaganda quot;.

Iran to go ahead with nuke act suspension


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed higher on  Wednesday, as the dollar strengthened and shares of Merck   Co.  <A HREF=

Stocks End Higher Helped by Merck, Dollar


PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Bill Nylander survived Hurricane Charley, but the storm still managed to hurt him days after it cut a swath of destruction through his hometown...

Medical Experts Fear Charley's Aftermath


Tim Duncan had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and began a key third-quarter burst that helped the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 99-81 last night.

Duncan, Spurs defeat Knicks


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The judge considering Microsoft  Corp.'s appeal against European Union sanctions has called a  closed meeting for Thursday to decide what action to take after  two more major opponents of the U.S. software giant withdrew  from the case.

Hearing Set After Microsoft Rivals Quit


ATHENS, Greece - As Bruce Springsteen #39;s  quot;Born in the USA quot; blared over the Olympic Stadium loudspeaker Monday night, three athletes in red, white and blue began a slow victory lap.

Men #39;s 400 a sweep for the US


THE BRAINS behind EA Games early efforts at online gaming are to have a crack at building an online Star Trek universe. Perpetual Entertainments Joe Keene and Chris McKibben have negotiated with Viacom

Star Trek universe to go on-line


ROME (Reuters) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in his  first public comments since bombs killed at least 32 people at  Red Sea resorts, said on Monday the world needed a  U.N.-sponsored conference to deal with international terrorism.

Mubarak Calls for U.N. Conference on Terror


ATHENS (Reuters) - Russia are to lodge a forceful protest  with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over what they  say was biased judging throughout the Athens gymnastics  competition, the team spokesman said Tuesday.

Gymnastics: Russia Plans Top-Level Protest


USATODAY.com - If Nintendo's new DS - short for

Nintendo DS: Doubly good (USATODAY.com)


\\SUN has announced that Java3D will be released in a different manner than any\other SUN project in existence.\\

Java3D - Half Right


AP - The Miami Dolphins' opening game against the Tennessee Titans will be played Saturday instead of Sunday because of approaching Hurricane Ivan.

Titans-Dolphins Game Moved to Saturday (AP)


Company settled legal disputes Monday with two of its largest remaining antagonists in a move that will ensure its antitrust deal will not be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.<FONT face=

Microsoft Ends Disputes


GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in a  presidential campaign speech Monday he would never take up arms  against militant groups whose dismantlement is part of a  U.S.-sponsored peace

Abbas Says He Won't Confront Palestinian Militants


Everything #39;s going the Astros #39; way these days. They #39;re scoring a ton of runs, their schedule looks favorable, their bullpen is starting to kick in -- even their starting pitching, which consists of Roger Clemens

Once left for dead, Astros streak back into wild-card contention


KaZaa is still finding themselves in court, explaining what #39;s going on, and Hollywood is already finding a new target: BitTorrent.

After KaZaa, BitTorrent gets it.


It is feared that Islamists may one day turn Turkey into a fundamentalist state. Unlikely as it may be in view of Turkeys deeply rooted secularism, such a risk cannot be totally excluded.

VIEW: Will the EU keep faith with Turkey? Martti Ahtisaari and <b>...</b>


AP - Iran reiterated Sunday that it won't accept any proposal depriving it of the right to enrich uranium, saying it can't be bullied into giving up its nuclear energy program, state media reported.

Iran: Bullying Won't Stop Nuke Program (AP)


InfoWorld - IBM shored up commitment to its mainframe computing platform Thursday with a series of new technologies, investments in emerging markets, new industry-focused solutions, and new partnerships.

IBM renews vows to mainframe (InfoWorld)


Pressured by global competition, Colgate-Palmolive announced today that it would cut jobs and close plants to increase profit margins.

Colgate Plans to Cut Work Force by 4,400 and Close Plants


Tony Blair #39;s keynote speech to the Labour party conference in Brighton was twice interrupted today. The first interruption came from a lone protester against the war in Iraq, while the second was from pro-hunt demonstrators.

Protesters interrupt Blair speech


AP - President Bush and Sen. John Kerry on the issues at Wednesday's debate:

Topics During the Presidential Debate (AP)


Pakistan conducted another test of a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Wednesday as part of its efforts to boost defenses, an official statement said.

Pakistan Tests Medium-Range Nuclear-Capable Missile


AUSTRALIANS are continuing to pack their bags and head to Indonesia for Christmas despite warnings terrorists are planning a bomb attack in the country.

Australians head to Indonesia


Reuters - Rival technologies that baffle consumers\will run more companies out of business in the nascent music\download market than will head-to-head competition, one of the\lead creators of MP3 playback technology warned on Wednesday.

MP3 Creator Warns Tech Impasse Dooming Downloads (Reuters)


America Online is teaming up with RSA Security in an effort to keep its users safe from online fraud and identity theft. RSA and AOL are announcing a new program called  quot;AOL PassCode quot; that will encourage AOL

AOL Offers Added Security


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Southern California remained a strong No. 1 in the latest Associated Press college football poll after a 42-10 rout of BYU on Saturday, but the team that shared the national

USC remains No. 1; LSU tumbles out of top-10


The researchers who spawned the idea of grid computing will launch a company on Monday to commercialise what so far has been a very academic software project for sharing computing resources.

Grid researchers go commerical


Gaming giant Electronic Arts will boost production of video games for mobile phones over the next nine months, bringing top-selling franchises  quot;Fifa Football quot; and  quot;The Sims quot; to handsets, the company said Thursday.

EA to boost efforts in cell-phone gaming


The Supreme Court on Monday put restrictions on companies that want to voluntarily clean up their polluted land and sue former owners to share the costs.

Supreme Court Limits Pollution Cleanup Lawsuits


Drug-loaded contact lenses have been developed that could treat eye conditions such as glaucoma far more effectively than drops. Usually sufferers of glaucoma and many other eye conditions are prescribed eye drops.

Drug-dispensing Contact Lens Developed


Canadian Press - CHAGMALAI, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani special forces attacked kidnappers holding two Chinese engineers near the Afghan border, killing all five of the al-Qaida-linked militants led by a former prisoner of the U.S. compound in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. One of the hostages survived while the other was killed in Thursday's raid.

Chinese hostage rescued, another killed, as Pakistani troops raid kidnappers (Canadian Press)


Tkachuk, who didn #39;t show up on time for Team USA #39;s morning meeting at the Xcel Energy Center, was wide awake by game time and scored four goals in a 5-3 victory over Russia in a World Cup of Hockey quarter-final elimination game Tuesday.

Tkachuk scores four as US defeats Russia 5-3 in World Cup quarter <b>...</b>


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

Sun Micro Agrees to Buy Closely Held SevenSpace


TODAY'S GAMES Division 1 NONLEAGUE -- BC High at Bridgewater-Raynham, 4; Malden at Melrose, 6:30; Taunton at Attleboro, 7; Brockton at Barnstable, 7; Lynn Classical at Cambridge, 7; Winchester at Catholic Memorial, 7; Durfee at Falmouth, 7; Peabody at Salem, 7; Medford vs. Woburn at Burlington, 7; Malden Catholic at Revere, 7; Somerville at North Quincy, 7; Xaverian at Waltham, ...

This week's schedule


AFP - Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar called on NATO and the European Union to do more to help stabilize his war-ravaged country ahead of elections which he hopes can be held as planned in January.

Iraq seeks EU, NATO help to keep elections on track (AFP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Toys R Us Inc., which is considering  getting out of the toy business, on Monday posted a  second-quarter operating loss on poor sales of video games and  markdowns on older merchandise.

Toys R Us Posts Operating Loss


The International Monetary Fund said Friday China remains reluctant to float its currency. In its discussions with Chinese authorities about the country #39;s economy, the IMF said

IMF: China hesitant to float yuan


EVERY occupation entails answering certain frequently asked questions at parties. If you #39;re a jeweler, it may be,  quot;Do you ever give discounts to friends?

All This, and They Take Pictures, Too


A UN conference gave tiny Swaziland the green light on Tuesday to export some of its white rhinos and bring in trophy hunters occasionally to shoot the massive animals.

CITES allows Swaziland to export, hunt rhinos


US tanks rumbled to within 800 metres of a holy shrine in the Iraqi city of Najaf today as fierce clashes with Shiite rebels in a nearby town killed at least 40 Iraqis, officials said.

Iraq clashes kill 40, handover talks stall


LONDON (AFP) - England captain Michael Vaughan maintained his latest one-day batting failure was not preying on his mind and insisted he was just an innings away from finding his form.

Cricket-Vaughan upbeat about one-day form


After United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made allegations of  #39;thuggery #39; against Thierry Henry on Friday, Arsenal vice- chairman David Dein held fresh talks with United chief executive David Gill yesterday.

Dein peace vow undermined


What will \$300 buy in a digital camera this year? A comparison of a dozen models to see how much quality (and how many megapixels) you can get.

All This, and They Take Pictures, Too


The plan to finance a new stadium for the relocated Montreal Expos has exposed a schism within the District of Columbia's City Council and among its citizens.

Approval for New Stadium in Washington Hits a Snag


Cambodia's King Sihanouk ignores appeals for him not to abdicate, as attention focuses on the succession.

Cambodia abdication confirmed


THE HAGUE -- Slobodan Milosevic spent a fourth birthday in UN custody yesterday, his war crimes trial at a standstill because of his fragile health and his judges facing a dilemma on how to get it ...

As Milosevic turns 63, UN judges seek to get trial back on track


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Office Depot Inc. <A HREF=

Office Depot Warns, Blames Hurricanes


AFP - Prosecutors here are expected to file charges Wednesday against five National Basketball Association players and five spectators who fought in a November 19 brawl, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Report says five Pacers among 10 to be charged from NBA brawl (AFP)


Reuters - A chimp-sized human ancestor walked\upright 6 million years ago, far earlier than anyone had been\able to show before, researchers reported on Thursday.

Pre-Human Walked Upright 6 Million Years Ago -Study (Reuters)


Japanese scientists have built an electronic eye they say could help blind people get around safely.

An 'electronic eye' for the blind


Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Sports Network) - The PGA of America announced on Monday that the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will remain at Poipu Bay Golf Course in 2005.

PGA Grand Slam to return to Poipu Bay in  #39;05


FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Movie Gallery video rental chain said Friday it #39;s offered to acquire video rental rival Hollywood Entertainment.

Takers Line Up To Buy Hollywood Video Stores


Microsoft #39;s MSN Web portal has extended its contract with Overture, a division of Yahoo that provides sponsored search results.

MSN, Yahoo Deal Extended


Conflict seems to have become a way of life for Sudan that has struggled to find peace and stability since its independence in 1956.

Sudan #39;s quest for peace


Civil Servants have been reduced to writing out benefit claims by hand after what experts are calling the biggest crash in computer history.

Pensions computer failure the  #39;worst ever #39;


Microsoft CEO says he believes the situation has improved greatly and can only get better.

Ballmer calls security a never-ending battle


Microsoft has developed a cut-down version of Windows XP with a Hindi interface for the Indian market. The Indian version, which will be available early next year, will also feature help and training in Hindi.

Cut-down Windows XP released in India


More than 6,000 species of butterflies and other insects, as well as mites, fungi and assorted unloved but important species, will also be wiped out when listed endangered species go extinct, scientists said on Thursday.

Extinct Species Take Others Along, Study Finds


The team has informed the 40-year-old shortstop it will not offer him another contract, effectively ending a 19-year relationship with the player.

Reds won #39;t bring back Larkin


CHICAGO - Sammy Sosa #39;s agent said Thursday he likely will file a grievance after the Chicago Cubs star was fined \$87,400 - one day #39;s salary - for arriving late and leaving early at the season finale.

Sosa fined \$87,400 for last-game bolt


AP - Congress is giving itself a month to come up with legislation restructuring the nation's intelligence apparatus, but Republican leaders acknowledge the goal may fall victim to turf disputes and lawmakers' focus on getting themselves re-elected Nov. 2.

Intelligence Changes Stymied by Turf Wars (AP)


The first indication that the value of RFID (radio frequency identification) will extend beyond the supply warehouse was shown last week by WhereNet, a provider of wireless location and communications technology.

Wherenet adds biz rules to RFID


Ernie Els claimed a record sixth World Match Play title by beating Lee Westwood two and one in a gripping final at Wentworth. The South African world number two celebrated

Els claims record sixth Match Play


AP - During his five months at the United Nations, U.S. Ambassador John Danforth has focused on one goal: bringing peace to Sudan, which has been engulfed in war for 21 years.

Sudan War Marked Danforth's U.N. Tenure (AP)


Trend Micro will become the latest major anti-virus software company to provide protection against mobile phone viruses with the release today of Trend Micro Mobile Security 1.0.

More mobile anti-virus appears


A new statue is unveiled of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the man who founded the much-feared security services.

Russia KGB founder honoured


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Friday,  weighed down by profit warnings from companies such as Alcoa  Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Open Lower, Alcoa Weighs


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Sales of sport utility vehicles jumped 151 percent in Tennessee between 1997 and 2002 - faster than any other state and three times the national rate, a new government report says.

SUV sales in Tennessee jump fastest in the country


Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O is planning to release a new version of its Office program for small businesses that handles accounting and customer management tasks, the world #39;s largest software maker said on Friday.

Microsoft to Launch New Small Business Software


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were slightly higher on  Monday as gains in insurance company American International  Group Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Rise Slightly; AIG, Wal-Mart Up


Brace yourself. There may be a less-than-miraculous explanation for that image of the Virgin Mary a Florida woman says appeared in her grilled cheese sandwich.

Expert explains grilled cheese miracle #39; #39;


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jeff Wilkens booted a clutch 31-yard  field goal to earn the St. Louis Rams a playoff berth with a  32-29 overtime victory over the New York Jets on Sunday as the  NFL postseason picture gained sharper focus.

NFL Wrap: Rams Join Jets in Playoffs with OT Victory


Wall Street was set to open higher on Monday, with advertising group Grey Global (GREY.O: Quote, Profile, Research) in the spotlight after a UK rival agreed to a \$1.

Stocks Set to Open Up; Grey in Spotlight


Reuters - Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment,\promised to European Union states last year, will be

Iran's Uranium Enrichment Halt to Be Temporary (Reuters)


Burma #39;s opposition party says its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has had her house arrest extended for another 12 months until September next year.

Suu Kyi #39;s house arrest extended


AP - Federal regulators approved new rules Thursday aimed at making high-speed Internet available to more Americans  #151; but critics complained the move will hinder competition in broadband services and keep prices high.

FCC Approves Fiber-Optic Broadband Rules (AP)


MOSCOW The Russian oil company Yukos will have to pay a heavy price for not paying its taxes on time. The Moscow Arbitration Court ruled today it must pay some one-point-four (b) billion dollars in fines and

Court orders Yukos to pay part of 2001 tax claim


JOHN Kerry supporters have a welcome omen for their US presidential candidate: The Green Bay Packers defeated the Washington Redskins yesterday.

Football loss signals Kerry win


Costa Rica overcame an early goal down to beat Canada 3-1 in Vancouver on Wednesday, ending the hometeam #39;s hopes of advancing to the next round of World Cup qualification.

Costa Rica beat Canada 3-1 in WC qualifier


AP - Americans Hank Kuehne, Chad Campbell, Zach Johnson and Chris Riley beat a foursome of international players on the first playoff hole Tuesday in the inaugural Tommy Bahama Challenge.

U.S. Team Wins Tommy Bahama Challenge (AP)


Rookie cornerback Randall Gay has had increased playing time the last two weeks in sub packages against the pass, and Ty Law has taken notice.

Time has been on Gay's side


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures rose steadily  throughout the morning, pointing to a higher market open on  Friday, as sliding oil prices were a welcome sign for investors  on the opening day of the fourth quarter.

Stocks Seen Up as Oil Dips; PeopleSoft Up


MELBOURNE, Australia -- The centenary Australian Open will feature the first night men #39;s final in a Grand Slam event, organizers confirmed at the launch of the 2005 tournament.

Australian Open looks to the night


By MARILYNN MARCHIONE     (AP) -- Hospitals around the country are seeing an epidemic of

Clinton Spurs Men to Get Hearts Checked


John McEnroe has previously worked with young British players, but the Lawn Tennis Association has now hooked up with another American left-hander with a fiery reputation.

Connors hopes to continue helping Brits


Researchers who believe psychedelic drugs like ecstasy and mushrooms can help people with mental disorders are slowly getting federal agencies on board. By Kristen Philipkoski.

Long Trip for Psychedelic Drugs


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average surged to its  highest close in four weeks on Friday as hopes for a seasonal  year-end rally and the imminent inclusion of oil and gas  developer INPEX Corp. into the TOPIX index spurred buying in a  wide range of stocks.

Nikkei Surges to Highest Close in 4 Weeks


WASHINGTON - Federal law enforcement authorities notified six school districts in five states last month that a CD found by the U.S. military in Iraq contained crisis-planning information about their schools, two U.S...

CD in Iraq Said to Have U.S. Schools Info


The team has turned down offers, including from the US government, to do scientific experiments on flights. Rutan says SpaceShipOne #39;s task will be to focus on test flights for the commercial passenger craft

#39;No experiments #39; for SpaceShipOne


L-3 Communications Holdings Inc., the world #39;s second-biggest maker of bomb detectors, agreed to buy the marine controls unit of CAE Inc.

L-3 Communications to Buy CAE #39;s Marine Unit for C\$328 Million


Gunmen killed the deputy governor of Baghdad on his way to work on Monday, Iraqi officials said. Hatim Kamil was assassinated in a drive-by shooting this morning, said Baghdad Governor Ali al-Haidari.

Gunmen kill deputy governor of Baghdad


NOVEMBER 30, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - America Online Inc. today released a preview version of a new Netscape Web browser that #39;s based on the open-source Firefox Web browser, but also supports Microsoft Corp.

New Netscape browser supports Internet Explorer


The European Union and seven other countries #39; sanctions request on United States exports have been postponed to be considered by the World Trade Organization at a meeting.

EU sanctions request on US exports


STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Andre Agassi marched into the  Stockholm Open semifinals Friday, beating Spanish eighth seed  Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 6-2 in his hardest match of the  tournament.

Agassi Overcomes Verdasco Power


America is

Which Is Worse: A Broken Hip or the Bill?


Throughout the day, dark clouds hovered above downtown Seattle, a fitting site for a Nets team off to one of its dreariest starts to a season.

Nets #39; slide reaches eight


Overnight guards and scientists at the American Museum of Natural History often feel glassy eyes on them.

After Dark, the Stuffed Animals Turn Creepy


ATHENS (Reuters) - The Olympics turned ugly when  unforgiving Greeks, incensed that fallen hero Costas Kenteris  was missing from the 200 meters, delayed the final by booing  and chanting for five minutes.

Olympics: Unforgiving Greeks Boo as Games Turn Ugly


Nawabshah, the hometown of the incarcerated spouse of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari has now become an international focal point following Sundays incident in which

comment: Fallouts from Farooqis killing


Not so long ago, D.C. United was throwing inexperienced players into the starting lineup and calling up minor leaguers to fill the roster.

Midfield Now Strength


AP - Office products retailer Office Depot Inc. on Wednesday reported a decline in third-quarter profit due to softening in its European business, disruptions associated with the hurricanes in the southeastern United States, and lower-than-expected back-to-school sales.

Office Depot 3Q Profit Declines (AP)


It was always just a matter of time before Scott Kazmir pitched in New York. Of course, it was assumed that he would be pitching for the New York Mets in Shea Stadium, not in the Bronx against the New York Yankees.

Kazmir looking forward to pitching in New York


Australia's largest steelmaker BlueScope is to build three manufacturing plants in India, as part of an ongoing expansion across Asia.

India wins \$77m steel investment


If more evidence was needed that global climate change is occurring - and having serious consequences - it arrived in force this week.

Warm Warnings


The  quot;bigger is better quot; mind-set dominating the steel industry reached new heights yesterday when billionaire baron Lakshmi Mittal said he #39;ll create the world #39;s largest

Huge deal swallows International Steel Group


Adrian Beltre went 5 for 5 with his major league-leading 42d home run, and the Los Angeles Dodgers got a pair of big pinch hits yesterday in a 4-2 victory over the Mets in New York.

Beltre, Dodgers belt Mets


Auburn: Every team worth its shoulder pads strives for offensive balance, and the Tigers have the potential to be one heck of a balanced team.

What we learned


Cuba releases a journalist jailed in last year's dissident crackdown, the sixth prisoner to be freed this week.

Cuba frees sixth jailed dissident


Major League Baseball on Wednesday rejected as  quot;wholly unacceptable quot; a stadium financing plan approved the day before by the Washington City Council, throwing into grave

Baseball Rejects Terms for Washington Stadium


International Management Group, a sports and celebrity management and marketing firm that has represented Tiger Woods, Joe Montana and Derek Jeter, is being sold to a New York buyout specialist firm in a cash deal valued at more than \$700 million.

Update 2: NY Firm Buying Sports and Talent Agency


LONDON (AFP) - Oil prices rose over worries about a possible supply shortage of US heating oil stocks during the northern hemisphere winter.

Oil prices climb in London, New York shut


Verden - German prosecutors on Wednesday indicted an 18-year-old student on suspicion of creating the Sasser computer worm that paralysed millions of computers around the world last year.

Teenager indicted over Sasser computer worm


Police today told of their shock at the  quot;utter devastation quot; of the Berkshire rail crash. The car driver, who was among the dead, had parked across the track at the crossing in an apparent suicide.

Suicide theory over crash


Swiss drug maker Novartis Pharma AG said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration approved another use for the company #39;s Zelnorm irritable bowel drug, clearing Novartis to market the medicine as a treatment for chronic constipation in male and female

Novartis: FDA OKs Expanded Zelnorm Use


Sports India, Cricket: Kolkata, Nov 11 : The Pakistan cricket team will visit Indian captain Sourav Ganguly #39;s restaurant and watch a colour-version of the classic Indian film Mughal-e-Azam here Thursday.

Pakistan team to visit Ganguly #39;s restaurant, watch Mughal-e-Azam:


VILNIUS, October 25 (Itar-Tass) -- Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas said he will be looking for a new coalition in the new parliament but made it clear that any coalition with the Labor Party, led by Russian-born businessman Viktor Uspaskich

Lithuanian PM for coalition without Labor party


Archaeologists unearth what is believed to be the first discovery of a Viking burial site in the UK.

'Amazing' Viking cemetery found


com September 20, 2004, 4:03 PM PT. Technology that can let walls, remote cameras or electricity meters relay information wirelessly to computers took a step forward with the first product release from Dust Networks.

Dust makes mesh of wireless sensors


Software piracy threatens to rob our cultural pioneers of their incentive to keep bringing us the best in everything they do. Microsoft is committed to preventing piracy from hurting legitimate software users, but by staying informed, you can ensure you're being part of the solution.   -- Microsoft on Software Piracy    Oops. Not taking your own advice is just silly.

Microsoft Caught Out


Mount St. Helens continued the slow process of building a new lava dome in its crater yesterday with still more lava pushing to the surface, geologists reported.

St. Helens continues to build lava dome


WHILE the US presidential candidates spent much of the week making the usual promises to brighten Americans #39; future, policymakers who will probably play a bigger role in determining the quality of most lives were quietly going about their usual business.

Cautious Fed lifts rates but hints at pause


VADUZ, Liechtenstein (Reuters) - The people of  Liechtenstein ushered in a new era Sunday as the tiny Alpine  principality welcomed a new ruler and sought to shed its image  as a haven for money launderers.

Rebranded Liechtenstein Welcomes Fresh Prince


Is no one safe from Eliot Spitzer #39;s accusing finger? After the investment banking, fund management and pharmaceuticals industries comes the insurance sector, which in a suit filed by the New York attorney

Jeremy Warner #39;s Outlook: Is anyone safe as Spitzer takes aim at <b>...</b>


KILKENNY, Ireland : British Open champion Todd Hamilton proved he deserved to be playing with the big boys when he shot a blistering six-under 66 in the first round of the seven million dollar WGC American Express Championship.

Golf: Hamilton relishes joining golf #39;s elite


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Goldman Sachs downgraded Tribune Co. Friday, saying the media company #39;s circulation woes will soon translate into lower advertising revenue.

Circulation drops will pull down ad revenue, analyst says


Reuters - Jeffrey Greenberg, chairman and chief\executive of embattled insurance broker Marsh   McLennan Cos.\, is expected to step down within hours, a newspaper\reported on Friday, citing people close to the discussions.

Marsh to Replace CEO Greenberg - FT (Reuters)


LOS ANGELES (Sports Network) - Reggie Bush ran for 204  yards and a pair of long touchdowns as No. 1 Southern  California edged UCLA, 29-24, in a regular season-ending Pac-10  showdown between cross-town rivals at the Rose Bowl.

Top-Ranked USC Beats UCLA to Finished Season Undefeated


Fear has been mounting in the open-source community that Microsoft could start suing users at any time for alleged patent violations.

Is Microsoft Poised to Sue OpenOffice Licensees?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar tumbled against the euro on  Wednesday, as traders shrugged off the surge in U.S. consumer  prices in October and focused more on the upcoming G20 finance  minister's meeting in Berlin starting from Friday.

Dollar Ignores Data and Tumbles


Australia #39;s John Senden was tied for third as American Dean Wilson seized the halfway lead in the Texas Open in San Antonio this morning.

Senden tied for third in Texas


The US Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended against listing the greater sage grouse as a threatened or endangered species, the agency announced Friday.

Biologists say grouse not a species in peril


Algerian officials say they have arrested the leader of a radical Islamic group and killed his deputy.

Algeria reveals rebel crackdown


A simmering steroid scandal that has plagued baseball for nearly a year began to boil over Thursday, with the promise of more eruptions tonight.

Steroid details rock sports


Australia took complete control of the first Test on day three in Bangalore, building a lead of 355 over India. India were bowled out for 246, adding 110 for the last three wickets with Parthiv Patel making a patient 46.

Live: India v Australia


A security loophole at internet bank Cahoot allowed customers to view other people's accounts.

Cahoot hit by web security scare


The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) continued its hard line approach to music sharing across P2P networks with a round of copyright infringement lawsuits targeting 761 alleged illegal file sharers.

RIAA launches P2P file sharing legal blitz


For virtually his entire adult life, Yasser Arafat had one dream, and he pursued it with such energy and zeal -- some would say fanaticism -- that he came to personify the dream itself.

For Arafat, His Life Personified His Dream


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Blockbuster Inc. <A HREF=

Blockbuster Interested in Hollywood Chain


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Procter   Gamble Co. <A HREF=

FDA Grants Fast Review of P G Sex Drug


AFP - A US Air Force transport plane landed at El-Fashir airport in northern Darfur bringing the first Nigerian contingent of a reinforced African Union truce-monitoring force to the troubled region, officials said.

Nigerian soldiers head to Sudan's troubled Darfur region (AFP)


ANAHEIM, Calif. - A fellow who identified himself as Rick Sisler and claimed to be George Sisler #39;s grandson called the Mariners and said he would attend the game last night.

Ichiro leads swingin #39; singles in M #39;s 7-3 win over Angels


Australia set a world record in winning the 400-meter medley relay at the Short Course World Championships on Saturday night. Sophie Edington, Brooke Hanson, Jessica Schipper and Lisbeth Lenton won in 3 minutes

Australia sets world short course record in 400 medley relay


PeopleSoft's Board of Directors voted Wednesday to recommend that its stockholders reject Oracle's takeover offer of \$24 per share. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison quickly responded, saying the offer is final and that it is now up to PeopleSoft's shareholders to make a determination.

PeopleSoft board gives thumbs down to Oracle's offer


AP - Although the Southern California desert is a long way  #151; and drastically different  #151; from her native South Korea, Grace Park feels at home among the sand and the cacti.

LPGA: Park Feels at Home in the Desert (AP)


KABUL, Afghanistan -- Militants claiming to hold three United Nations workers hostage said talks on demands, which include the release of Taliban prisoners, had broken down and that they would decide Friday whether to kill the trio.

Afghan talks break down but Nayan may be spared


NASA has delayed the third and final test flight of an unmanned, hypersonic aircraft attempting to fly at 10 times the speed of sound.

NASA delays jet speed record test


France #39;s president left a Brussels meeting early in what has been widely seen as a refusal to meet Iraq #39;s prime minister. Jacques Chirac left a European Union summit Thursday

Chirac skips meeting with Allawi


London Brent crude has fallen briefly through \$40 for the first time in three weeks, extending heavy losses to a fifth session as renewed exports from Iraq and higher-than-expected US gasoline inventories encourage big-money funds to

Oil falls to \$40


The judge in GEICO #39;s trademark infringement case against Google and Yahoo! #39;s Overture division has declined the defendants #39; motions to dismiss, effectively giving the go-ahead to a case with big implications for search engines #39; use of trademarks as

GEICO Gets Go-Ahead On Trademark Suit Against Google, Overture


com November 15, 2004, 11:32 AM PT. Organizations are replacing aging servers with newer more-powerful boxes, often Linux--based, and theyre also investing in storage.

AMD hatches new naming plan for chip generations


THE AUSTRIAN writer Elfriede Jelinek has won the 2004 Nobel Prize in literature. The Swedish Academy cited her  quot;musical flow of voices and countervoices in novels and plays that with extraordinary linguistic

A seer in Austria


London, England (Sports Network) - For the first time during this young Premiership campaign, Arsenal took the field and did not emerge victorious.

Perfect season over, unbeaten streak still alive for Arsenal


BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thai survivors of Asia's tsunami disaster have complained they are second-class victims, with foreign tourists getting the best care. Now aid officials say a third class of victims in Thailand has emerged: migrant workers from Burma.

Burmese 'forgotten,' aid workers say


AP - Jamie Broback scored 21 points and led No. 16 Minnesota to its seventh straight win, a 69-42 victory over Santa Clara on Saturday.

No. 16 Minnesota Wins 7th Straight Game (AP)


NASCAR #39;s 2004 season comes to a close in Sunday #39;s Ford 400 with five drivers in contention for the \$5.28 million Nextel Cup championship and a storyline for stock-car racing fans of every loyalty.

Season Cuts to The Chase


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks advanced on Monday as  investors showed optimism that corporate earnings reports may  come in better than expected, but crude oil prices at a fresh  record near \$54 a barrel curbed gains.

Stocks Rise Before Earnings Blitz


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Finance officials from all over the  globe gathered under heavy guard on Sunday to push for a  stepped-up fight against terror financing while warning the  poor must not be forgotten.

Finance Leaders Urge Vigilance on Terror


Bryan Randall Throws Two TD Passes, Runs for Third As No. 15 Virginia Tech Crushes Maryland 55-6. Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall (3) twarts the tackle of Maryland #39;s Dominique Foxworth (6) during first

No. 15 Va. Tech Demolishes Maryland 55-6


Bo Outlaw signed a one-year contract Monday to rejoin the Phoenix Suns, who missed his tough post play last season. The Suns said the 6-foot-8 forward would join them for Tuesday night #39;s game at the Chicago Bulls.

Outlaw rejoins Suns; Tabuse on injured list


If top-ranked Southern California looked like it was playing in a fog during much of its 28-13 victory over Oregon State late Saturday night in Corvallis, no one could blame the Trojans.

Trojans weather the storm


Reuters - U.S. regulators on Thursday said big\local phone companies will not have to share new fiber-optic\lines built for high-speed Internet and other services,\spurring one carrier to speed roll-out plans.

FCC Backs Bells on Fiber Phone Line Sharing Limits (Reuters)


UK telecom regulator Office of Communications (Ofcom) effectively gave the green light to voice-over-broadband competition today by ruling that service providers could provide geographic numbers (ones with area codes) to VOIP customers (see Ofcom Speaks

Brits Prepare for VOIP Deluge


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

Best Buy Pushes Its Insignia Brand


Africa #39;s senior Greek Orthodox leader, Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria, Egypt, and a dozen other religious officials were killed Saturday when a helicopter carrying

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Dies With 12 Others in Copter Crash


Shell outlined a profit strategy of modest acquisitions and no buybacks. Investors sold.

A Strategy for Shell?


Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) has begun shipping commercial versions of its Athlon 64 processors made using a 90-nanometer process, marking another step forward in the company's transition to the more advanced manufacturing technology.

AMD begins shipments of Oakville mobile chips


SEPTEMBER 06, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Even though Microsoft Corp. #39;s much-anticipated Longhorn has been stripped of its unified file system and some of its other key Longhorn technologies will be available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, the next

Stripped down Longhorn still offers gems


Australia are backing England to go on to win the ICC Champions Trophy after losing their one-day stranglehold over their arch rivals yesterday.

PONTING BACKS VAUGHAN #39;S MEN


Venus Williams of the US returns a shot during a match against Elena Bovina of Russia at the Kremlin Cup tennis tournament in Moscow #39;s Olympic Indoor stadium on Friday, Oct. 15, 2004.

Venus Williams Upset in Kremlin Cup


India News: Srinagar, Dec 5 : Twelve persons, including ten army troopers, were killed in a landmine explosion around midnight Saturday night in south Kashmir #39;s Pulwama district.

10 armymen among 12 killed in Kashmir explosion:


ISN SECURITY WATCH (14012/04) - The Israeli army has responded to a massive explosion that killed five Israeli soldiers on Sunday by launching an attack on two buildings in Gaza City allegedly being used by Palestinian militants to manufacture weapons

Israel responds to massive tunnel blast


AFP - The government spent 1.75 billion pounds last year to hire outside consultants, some of who were paid roughly 10 times that of a civil servant doing same job.

Gov't shells out billions on outside consultants (AFP)


The US Air Force (USAF) is drafting Microsoft to help simplify its networks and software contracts, a move that could improve its computer security and deliver savings of \$100m.

US Air Force #39;s security to depend on Microsoft


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Former world number one Justine  Henin-Hardenne will return to action in an exhibition match  this weekend after being out for three months with exhaustion.

Henin-Hardenne Ready for Comeback in Exhibition


US manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. (HON.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday bid \$1.5 billion in cash for Britain #39;s Novar Plc

Honeywell in \$1.5 Bln Takeover of Novar


The N.B.A. Players Association filed an appeal to Commissioner David Stern over the suspensions of the Pacers' Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal.

Union Appeals, Pacers Protest and 2 Fans Sue


Amjad Farooqi, a Pakistani militant killed by the country #39;s security forces yesterday, had links with top al-Qaeda leaders who instructed him to target westerners and top Pakistani leaders, a Pakistani minister said.

Pakistani Militant Farooqi had Links With Top Al-Qaeda Leaders


FOXBOROUGH -- Growing up in southern Florida and playing at the University of Miami, it'd be natural to assume Patriots rookie Vince Wilfork was a Dolphins fan. Bad assumption. Wilfork hates the Dolphins. So what kind of day did the 6-foot-2-inch, 325-pound nose tackle have against the teal and orange yesterday?

Developing nose for ball


Reuters - Gunmen killed three high-ranking\Iraqi police officers in two separate attacks on Saturday,\among a daily round of bombings and ambushes targeting U.S.\forces and their Iraqi allies.

Iraq Insurgents Kill Top Police, Hit U.S. Convoy (Reuters)


p2pnet.net News:- Winamp has an extremely critical security hole that could be exploited by hackers to compromise a user #39;s system.

Extremely Critical Winamp flaw


Reporters Without Borders expressed revulsion today at the  quot;barbaric quot; death of Italian freelance journalist Enzo Baldoni, 56, who was executed in Iraq last night by his kidnappers, according to the pan-Arab TV news station Al-Jazeera and the Italian news

Horror at execution of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni


AMD took the wraps off its first ever x86 64-bit dual-core processor during demonstrations held at the company #39;s Austin facilities Tuesday.

AMD Shows Off Dual Core Processor


Pakistan #39;s President Pervez Musharraf says about 100 al-Qaida members have been killed in military operations near the Afghan border.

Musharraf: 100 Al-Qaida Members Killed in Clashes


A panel absolved Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy of corruption charges, ending a trial that had dragged on for more than four years.

All Corruption Charges Against Berlusconi Are Dismissed


The American automotive industry is anticipating further increases in the sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles in 2005, following the impact of the rising global cost of gasoline on 2004 sales of the eco-friendly cars, according to the Chicago Daily

Hybrid industry gaining ground in the US - 11th October 2004


As ministers from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet in Cairo, there are calls for cuts in output to prevent the slide in oil prices accelerating with the seasonal decline in demand in the spring.

The case against cutting oil output


Reuters - The U.S. holiday shopping season got\off to a sluggish start with high oil prices and weak consumer\confidence hitting the key Thanksgiving weekend, according to\three retail indices released on Tuesday.

Holiday Shopping Gets Off to Slow Start (Reuters)


Arsene Wenger admits Arsenals title defence will fail if they do not sort out their costly lapses at set-pieces quickly. The Gunners twice led against Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea thanks to a double

WENGER - LAPSES WILL COST US


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rose against almost every  one of its main counterparts except the yen on Friday, as  technically focused investors shifted positions and considered  the implications of spiking oil prices.

Dollar Up Vs. Most Except Yen


IBM Corp. said Wednesday it will take a US\$320 million charge this quarter to settle some claims and cap its liability on others in a long-running class-action dispute about changes made in the 1990s to its pension plan.

IBM to pay \$320M to partially settle pension case


IRVING, Texas -- Bill Parcells saw exactly what he wanted: Vinny Testaverde and Keyshawn Johnson hooking up again like old times. Testaverde completed 17 of 24 passes for 240 yards and his first touchdown

George silent against ex-mates


A drop in oil prices spurred an afternoon stock rally yesterday, bringing investors back into the market despite lingering concerns over the strength of the dollar and the nation #39;s trade deficit.

A Decline in Oil Prices Spurs a Late Rally in Share Prices


The Great Santana, he was not. But even the Pretty Good Santana was enough to silence the Yankees last night.

Santana was an escape artist


KATHMANDU - Suspected Maoist rebels exploded two bombs in Kathmandu on Friday, the third day of their blockade of Nepal #39;s capital city.

Maoist rebels bomb Nepalese capital


Cell phone maker Sony Ericsson nearly doubled its third-quarter profit, the company announced Thursday, thanks to continued sales of its new feature-rich phones that boast bright colors, improved cameras and faster speeds.

Update 1: Sony Ericsson Posts 3Q Earns of \$111.1M


Microsoft released a  quot;cumulative security update quot; for Internet Explorer (MS04-38) that plugs eight holes in the popular browser, as well as six other unique patches for vulnerabilities that the company rated as critical.

Microsoft Issues Flurry of Fixes on Busy Patch Day


Sprint plans to accelerate efforts to get business customers to move to wireless and Internet services.  quot;This strategy plays to our strengths by advancing our broad portfolio of wireline and

Sprint To Cut 700 Jobs, Devalue Assets


ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp, has acquired a majority stake in an oil block in Australia.

ONGC #39;s 10th acquisition abroad


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The average price U.S. consumers pay  to warm their homes with heating oil declined for the second  week and inventories of distillate fuel are expected to start  rising later this month as more refineries ramp up their  operations, the government said on Wednesday.

Heating Oil Price Drops for 2nd Week


Multibillion-dollar security initiatives have given rise to a new industry seemingly overnight. A News.com special report.

Digital Agenda: Homeland security--Companies profiting from fear (page 3)


What happened in Brussels today is unique in the   Western world: never has a so-called democratic regime outlawed the country's   largest political party.  The party outlawed is for Flemish self-determination.  When Belgium's largest political party (despite being a minority, which even the largest parties usually are in parliamentary politics) cannot even seek self-determination via democratic means, aren't international organizations obligated to ask what self-determination really means in a liberal democracy?

Belgium Assaults Democracy and Self-Determination


United Airlines Flight 869, from San Francisco, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, at shortly after 10:00 pm Friday (10 am EST).

US Jet Flight to Vietnam Makes History


Reuters - Merrill Lynch   Co.  on Tuesday\said third-quarter profit fell 8 percent, hurt by reduced\investment banking and trading.

Merrill Profit Falls, Beats Expectations (Reuters)


Labonte, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, announced Tuesday that he will compete in at least 10 races with Hendrick Motorsports in 2005 and 2006 before retiring from the series.

NASCAR driver T. Labonte to drive limited schedule in Nextel Cup <b>...</b>


British Airways had to cancel six more flights today but promised to cope with the Bank Holiday rush over the weekend. The airline, which has suffered with plane

Bank Holiday Pledge as BA Cancels More Flights


JERUSALEM: Israeli military authorities have launched a fierce counter-attack to calls by right-wing rabbis who have urged soldiers to disobey any orders to uproot settlers from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli army chief stalls rabbis instigated mutiny


FOR Victorians, AFL grand final week is traditionally party time. But this year it will be like partying with a bunch of strangers instead of with your lifelong friends.

Out-of-towners crash AFL #39;s party


British ships battled through rough weather on Wednesday to reach a Canadian navy submarine with 57 crewmembers on board that was drifting in the Atlantic after an electrical fire that officials said was more severe than originally thought.

Rough weather hampers bid to rescue disabled Canadian submarine


Home buyers and owners were warned yesterday by two separate surveys of the property market that house prices were continuing to fall.

Property market faces up to 12 months of stagnation


DaimlerChrysler AG #39;s Mercedes Car Group Thursday warned that operating profit for this year will decline despite a rise in car sales, as it boosts spending to improve product quality.

Mercedes Sees 2004 Profit Below 2003


AP - Jamal Crawford scored 30 points in a game otherwise defined by offensive ineptitude  #151; such as the New York Knicks holding the New Jersey Nets without a basket for 15 minutes  #151; in an 87-79 victory Tuesday night.

Knicks Defeat Nets, 87-79 (AP)


INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning and Brett Favre threw nine touchdown passes between them and weren't even the heroes.

Manning, Colts air out Packers


Reuters - Millions of Afghans prepared for a\historic poll on Saturday, which will give the mountainous\Islamic nation on the ancient Silk Road its first elected\president and perhaps end over a quarter century of war.

Afghans Set for Historic Vote Under Militant Threat (Reuters)


Jimmie Johnson wins for the second time at Darlington this year and moves to within 18 points of Nextel Cup leader Kurt Busch with one race left in the chase for the title.

Johnson Creeps Closer


ADELAIDE, Nov. 28. - Glenn McGraths four wickets helped Australia take hold of the fourth day of the second cricket Test by restricting New Zealand to 251, giving the home side a first innings lead of 324.

Australia take command in 2nd Test


AP - The essential question facing NHL owners and locked-out players is: Who cares?

Wilstein: NHL Won't Be Widely Missed (AP)


AP - Arizona Diamondbacks officials met with DeMarlo Hale, first base coach of the Texas Rangers, on Friday, completing an initial round of managerial interviews.

D-Backs Finish Initial Manger Interviews (AP)


With a few notable exceptions, world leaders #39; reaction to George W. Bush #39;s electoral victory has been muted. As he declared victory on Wednesday afternoon, Bush said he is proud of his active international

World leaders hope for fresh start with Bush


On October 5, an unidentified call rang in the Lufthansa airlines office while one of its flights was flying from Frankfurt to Tel Aviv in Israel.

Fake Telephone Calls Trouble European Airlines


The United States had lost nine straight Olympic matches, dating to the Atlanta Games in 1996. Clay Stanley made sure it didn't continue.

US sweeps away slide in volleyball


Visteon Corp. is offering its 8,100 white-collar employees \$1,000 cash bonuses to buy Ford Motor Co. vehicles and boost its largest customer and former parent company in its

Visteon pays employees to buy Ford cars, aid race with Chevy


A 64-year old American soldier pleaded guilty on Wednesday to deserting to North Korea in 1965, receiving a relatively light sentence of up to 30 days confinement and a dishonorable

64-Year Old American Pleads Guilty to Deserting


SURFERS PARADISE, Australia - Brazil #39;s Bruno Junqueira spoiled his teammate #39;s bid to clinch the Champ Car drivers title. Junqueira won Sunday #39;s Lexmark Indy 300, meaning Newman/Haas teammate Sebastien Bourdais

Junqueira #39;s win puts hold on teammate #39;s title party


District officials said they are soliciting bids for the estimated \$13 million renovation to get RFK Stadium ready for baseball.

D.C. Bids Out Work


AP - Justice Sandra Day O'Connor extolled Wednesday the growing role of international law in U.S. courts, saying judges would be negligent if they disregarded its importance in a post-Sept. 11 world of heightened tensions.

O'Connor Extols Role of International Law (AP)


Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova set up an intriguing semi-final showdown with fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova at the China Open after her opponent Jelena Jankovic retired hurt on Friday with an ankle injury.

Sharapova comes out a winner in China Open semifinal


Recovering demand for luxury goods helped Swatch post an in-line 17 percent rise in first-half net profit to 217 million Swiss francs (\$172.

Swatch H1 profit rises on luxury sales ZURICH (Reuters) - Aug 24 <b>...</b>


HELSINKI (Reuters) - The prospects of saving the National  Hockey League (NHL) season are grim and unless owners and  players start talking soon to end a lockout the 2005-2006  season is also at risk, Montreal's Saku Koivu said.

Koivu Says Next NHL Season Also at Risk -- Paper


While all the buzz at the rainy US Open is about the need for instant replay, don #39;t hold your breath. Replay won #39;t be coming to an umpire chair near you anytime soon.

Tennis Replay System Not Coming Anytime Soon


The American League Gold Glove awards were announced Tuesday and two went to the Seattle Mariners. Seattle second baseman Bret Boone and Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki each were honored for the fourth time.

American League Gold Gloves announced


US regulators have yet to complete an advanced system for fully analyzing crash data to identify defects four years after the deadly Firestone tire debacle prompted an overhaul of federal auto safety oversight, a government watchdog

US Struggles to Develop Auto Safety Analysis System


Davie, Fla. (Sports Network) - Sunday's game between the  Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed  because of Hurricane Jeanne.

Dolphins/Steelers Postponed by Hurricane Jeanne


Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Baghdad, says troop levels must stay high until things improve. BAGHDAD, Iraq - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told Marines in Iraq on Sunday that he expects more

US sees upsurge in Iraqi violence


A TROJAN HORSE with a name that takes over a PC so that it sends SMS spam to mobile phones has been spotted in Russia. The Delf-HA Trojan contacts a Web site for details on which spam campaign to run and then

Trojan invades Russian mobiles


Australia #39;s biggest retailer Coles Myer has posted a record net profit of Aust. \$576.5 million (\$403 million) and says it is on track to achieve its 2006 target of A\$800 million.

Coles Myer rings up record profit


The company currently allows customers to copy a CD once onto a personal computer, but uses the Internet to charge a fee for subsequent copying of the same disk.

Sony in CD-copying u-turn


Vodafone Group will start Internet roaming trials this month with Connexion by Boeing, The Boeing Co.'s in-flight broadband Internet service, the companies said Thursday.

Vodafone to link with Boeing in-flight Internet


Italian driver Jarno Trulli got behind the wheel of a Toyota for the first time on Thursday just hours after being confirmed as one of the team #39;s new drivers for the 2005 Formula One season.

Trulli makes quick switch to Toyota


Two men were charged with public disorder Tuesday for for alleged racially taunting Birmingham City striker Dwight Yorke, police said.

Two fans charged for racial taunt of Yorke


Shares of Gold Banc Corp. (GLDB.O: Quote, Profile, Research) fell 3.8 percent on Tuesday after the Kansas banking company terminated an agreement to be bought by Silver Acquisition

Gold Banc falls after scuttling takeover


A half-dozen executives of embattled oil giant Yukos have left Russia and the company #39;s chief financial officer said Thursday he won #39;t return until he learns whether the government is planning charges against him.

Yukos CFO delays return to Moscow after summoned for questioning


AP - For an administration that likes to make the trains run on time, the Jan. 30 elections scheduled in Iraq are light at the end of a dark and violent tunnel.

Timely Iraq Vote a Point of Pride (AP)


Ziff Davis - IBM ThinkPad G41 gets latest mobile processor; T42 gets processor upgrade and better connectivity.

Two New ThinkPads (Ziff Davis)


WHILE MICROSOFT and AMD are suggesting it will be well into next year before the final version of WinXP 64 is released, yesterday it started offering a fresh preview edition of its up-and-coming software which now supports both Intel and AMD 64-bit ...

Microsoft rolls out fresh Windows XP 64 beta


Milan - Australian Michael Rogers successfully defended his cycling world time trial title in Bardolino on Wednesday. Rogers, 24, completed the 46.

Australian Rogers shines in Milan


AFP - The situation in Sudan's war-torn western region of Darfur

UN Darfur envoy issues new warning to Sudan ahead of deadline (AFP)


California employers created just 4,900 payroll jobs in September, and the unemployment rate held steady at 5.9 percent, the Employment Development Department reported Monday.

Job gains in state sluggish


NEW YORK An investigation into the insurance business is expanding as Eliot Spitzer, the New York State attorney general, increasingly turns his attention to whether US corporations and their employees are paying more for life, disability and accident

US insurance inquiry widens


Lawyers for investors suing Walt Disney Co. questioned whether chief executive Michael Eisner held a formal meeting to tell board members there were no grounds to deny then-president Michael Ovitz \$140 million in severance. Shareholders of Disney, the number two US media company, contend directors did not know Ovitz might be entitled to the \$140 million if ...

Disney chief defends paying \$140m to fired president


The United Nations (UN) Security Council passed a resolution yesterday (September 18) that proposes implementing oil sanctions on Sudan if the government fails to end the crisis in its Darfur region.

UN Approves Oil Sanction on Sudan


Reuters - Democrat John Kerry, citing a newly\commissioned study, said on Thursday that rising health care\expenses have cost American jobs and President Bush has done\nothing to solve the problem.

Kerry Blames Rising Health Costs for Job Losses (Reuters)


AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- Cedric Benson and Selvin Young allowed No. 8 Texas to run away with a season-opening win. Benson rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns and Young added a career-high 101 and two

North Texas Mean Green


Reuters - Some of Antarctica's glaciers are\melting faster than snow can replace them, enough to raise sea\levels measurably, scientists reported on Friday.

Thin Glaciers Get Thinner in Antarctica - Report (Reuters)


British entrepreneur Richard Branson is aiming for a piece of the digital-music market, launching Virgin Digital in the US The online Megastore will offer music-download fans about one million songs from which to choose, at 99 cents each.

Virgin Enters Digital-Music Fray


SiliconValley.com - Here's one way for a company to get noticed in the crowded world of Internet security: Hire someone whose r eacute;sum eacute; is topped off with a job title

Security firm hires writer of worms (SiliconValley.com)


Henry Bibby was fired Monday as the men #39;s basketball coach at Southern California. The move came four games into his ninth season, and assistant Jim Saia was appointed the Trojans #39; interim coach for the rest of the season.

Bibby out as coach at USC


ABUJA, 31 October 2004 - Sudanese government delegates and Darfur rebels failed to reach agreement early yesterday on a draft security protocol aimed at breaking a deadlock at peace negotiations in Nigeria.

Sudan, Darfur Rebels Fail to Agree on Security


High performance with low power, the removable memory card which is smaller than the size of a thumbnail, is expected to revolutionize cell phone designs.

Samsung Develops Thumbnail MMC


Defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. (GD) on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings surged 23 percent, led by a rebound in its Gulfstream business jet segment.

General Dynamics Profit Up 23 Percent


A man who purported to offer rare sports cards including that of baseball legend Mickey Mantle has been charged with defrauding eBay (EBAY.

Californian Charged with eBay Sports Card Scam


the sixth strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic -- was 70 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba around 2 pm on Monday.

Oil Prices Surge as Ivan Threatens Gulf of Mexico


Silicon Valley lost a decisive round in a long and hard-fought battle Thursday when the organization that sets corporate accounting standards served notice that companies would have to deduct the value of stock options when calculating profits.

Silicon Valley loses fight on stock options


TEHRAN -- A new movement of passive resistance is quietly sweeping young people in Iran, a response both to the reform movement's failure to introduce political and economic change and conservatives' control over who can run for office, according to Iranian student leaders and political analysts.

Activists' tool for change in Iran:


The trustee firm representing employee pension funds at United Airlines sought a court order today that the carrier be required to make up hundreds of millions of dollars

United unions seek up to \$1 billion in skipped pension payments


Zimbabwean police expelled a South African trade union team early yesterday in defiance of a court order allowing them to stay until the afternoon, union officials said.

Police defies court and deports S.African unionists


The Braves #39; Rafael Furcal hit the game-winning homer Thursday night during Game 2 of the National League division series. Really, he could have been watching the game from a jail cell enjoying three squares a day.

Judge dropped the ball on this one


Reuters - Oil prices fell on Thursday on\expectations that the United States might loan some crude to\U.S. refiners from its strategic petroleum reserve after\weather-related disruptions led to a big dip in supplies.

Oil Dips as U.S. Considers SPR Loan (Reuters)


AFP - Yukos scrambled to scrape together cash for a crushing tax bill by selling off one of its gas companies in the face of deep investor skepticism that Russia's oil giant could survive its standoff with the state.

Russia investors skeptical of Yukos mad scramble for cash (AFP)


Internet-based assaults continue to be a major concern, according to a new report from security software maker Symantec. The time from discovery of a vulnerability to attacks exploiting that vulnerability is shrinking.

Symantec: Attacks Targeting E-Commerce


BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer Honeywell  International Inc. <A HREF=

Honeywell Third-Quarter Profit Up 8 Pct


Macromedia this week will ship Flex Builder, which is designed to provide an interactive development environment for the companys Flex presentation server.

Macromedia launches Flex Builder


Nothing concerning the New England Patriots can be dismissed as implausible, not with the team performing with the historic sweep that it is.

Patriots still mean perfection


(Article Central) The Mozilla Foundation launched version 1.0 of its email management software Thunderbird in advance of the official release this Tuesday.

Mozilla Releases Thunderbird


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Gold hit its highest level in more  than 16 years on Tuesday as a steadier dollar failed to cool  worries over the currency's outlook, while Asian stocks gained  modestly after a solid performance on Wall Street.

Gold Hits 16-Year High; Asian Shares Gain


An \$11 billion plan to expand and modernize Los Angeles International Airport includes \$500 million in measures to ease the effects on surrounding communities.

Los Angeles Groups Agree to Airport Growth, for a Price


Reuters - Ring tones on mobile phones were once\considered cool if they simply sounded musical. Then phones\starting ringing to the tune of a pop song, giving way to

Mobile Operators Seek Higher Sound Quality (Reuters)


AP - Fearful of being left behind, Syrian President Bashar Assad has been saying something quite startling  #151; that he is willing to resume peace talks with Israel unconditionally.

Syrian President Makes Peace Overtures (AP)


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro  reshuffled his cabinet Monday to try to boost his popularity  and bolster his ability to implement reforms, but the retention  of several key ministers led some analysts to question whether  he would succeed.

Japan PM Reshuffles Cabinet, Keeps Some Ministers


NewsFactor - IBM (NYSE: IBM) is selling its PC business, marking the end of an era for the\personal computing pioneer, according to a story published today in the

Report: IBM To Spin Off PC Unit (NewsFactor)


Washington: The United States has said Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf has not taken any decision on keeping both posts of Army Chief and the President and it expected continued democratic reforms in the country.

No decision by Musharraf on keeping both posts: US


Open-source software is starting to expand into the big-ticket infrastructure-software market dominated by Microsoft and others.

Open source's next frontier


If Thursday #39;s unprecedented proposal by the NHL Players #39; Association does not form the basis for an agreement with owners to end the lockout, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic said the NHL #39;s intent would become obvious: to break the players #39; union.

Players await league counteroffer


AP - Glenn Johnson remembers running outside with canisters to catch some of the volcanic ash that began falling on Pullman after Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. He wanted a souvenir.

Wash. Locals Keep Eye on Mount St. Helens (AP)


Olympique Marseille expected to reach a deal with former Japan coach Philippe Troussier  quot;within 48 hours quot;, said the French first division club Thursday.

Troussier sets to take over Marseille


PASADENA - Northrop Grumman Space Technology has been selected to help NASA design a nuclear-powered spacecraft to orbit and explore three moons of Jupiter that may have oceans beneath their icy surfaces.

Northrop Grumman to co-design Jupiter moons explorer for NASA


SAN FRANCISCO - Roy Oswalt will have to overcome a rib injury and Barry Bonds to become the first 19-game winner in the National League.

Astros turn to Oswalt for crucial game


or, in this case, cowboy boots -- as the boys from Houston so often wear -- and peaches -- in honor of Georgia #39;s favorite fruit -- for performances in this year #39;s National League Division Series.

Game balls: Rating Game 5


With a third hurricane bearing down on Florida, thousands spent the weekend uncertain whether, when or where to flee.

With Eye on Storm, Skittish Floridians Search for Safety


The Wheaton men's and women's soccer teams are ranked No. 1 in New England among NCAA Division 3 teams and the women, coached by Luis Reis , have the distinction of a No. 1 national ranking the past two weeks.

Wheaton has a foothold


Press conference day. The cameras line up and point at Terrell Owens and there Owens sits with a smile on his face, baseball cap on backwards with terrellowens.

Owens keeps focus amid endless sideshows


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- Mylan Laboratories (MYL) , responding to the latest in a series of letters from investor Carl Icahn, reasserted its position that acquiring King Pharmaceuticals (KG) is in the long-term interest of the generic drugmaker and its

Mylan Labs rebuffs Icahn takeover offer


Labor disputes between rich athletes and even wealthier owners are always sickening. In this NHL cold war, both sides will be bruised a little.

NHL players should try a reality check


The prosecution in the Schabir Shaik trial will add another accused to its list of 10 on Wednesday, the Durban High Court heard today.

Mystery accused to join Shaik


Financial services company State Street Corp. (STT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said quarterly profit fell more than Wall Street had expected as foreign

State Street Profit Lower Job Cuts Coming


AP - OUTLOOK FOR HUBBLE: The newest report on a plan to save the popular, aging space telescope by repairing it with a robot says it would cost  #36;2 billion and have just a 50-50 chance of working.

Summary Box: Saving Hubble Will Be Costly (AP)


On the eve of a \$280bn racketeering trial of cigarette majors, political and legal uncertainties are still seen hanging over the US governments long-awaited case.

Tobacco companies to fight it out in court


The head of Oslo's Munch museum appeals to thieves who stole The Scream not to destroy it.

Thieves asked to save The Scream


In the latest coup for the fledgling satellite radio industry, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. on Thursday named former Viacom Inc. President Mel Karmazin as its chief executive officer.

Sirius Names Mel Karmazin as Its CEO


Worldwide semiconductor revenue is expected to rise by over 27 percent during 2004, according to a new report. Revenue this year will reach \$226 billion, market research company Gartner said Tuesday.

Gartner: Chip revenue to see steady growth


BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. #39;s Wal-Mart division plans to open 40 to 45 new discount stores and 240 to 250 new supercenters in the United States starting Feb. 1. The company said that relocations

Wal-Mart to open scores of stores


The non-profit Internet Education Foundation, along with computer maker Dell, launch a campaign to help consumers fend off spyware. Their first step is to publish tips and tutorials to help internet users stay safe.

Dell Teams Up to Fight Spyware


BESLAN, Russia - A numb Russia observed the first national day of mourning for the hundreds of victims of the terrorist school seizure on Monday, while desperate families searched for the missing and foreign planes delivered medical supplies to this grief-stricken southern region neighboring Chechnya.    In Beslan, townspeople crowded around the coffins of children, parents, grandparents and teachers ahead of the 120 burials scheduled in the town cemetery and adjoining fields...

Stunned Russians Observe Day of Mourning


he pilots #39; union at Delta Air Lines said last night that an  quot;unusually high quot; number of pilots planned to retire early in October because of concerns about the airline #39;s deteriorating financial situation.

Many Delta Pilots Plan to Retire Next Month


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc.'s pilots union on  Tuesday ordered its negotiators to strike a deal with the  carrier to address the possible retirement of a large number of  pilots, which could lead to grounded flights and push Delta  toward bankruptcy.

Delta Pilots Tell Negotiators to Get Pact


Altria, the owner of food company Kraft and the world #39;s biggest cigarette maker Philip Morris, may split itself up to help limit the effect of legal battles.

Altria plans to split businesses


PHNOM PENH Cambodia has detected its first outbreak of bird flu in chickens in recent months to become the sixth Asian nation to report a resurgence of the potentially fatal virus, officials said Wednesday.

Cambodia is 6th Asian nation to detect bird flu


New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has broadened his probe into insurance brokerage fees to include life and health insurance company practices.

Update 6: Insurance Broker Fee Probe Expands


In the UK, iTunes charges consumers STG0.79 per song, or around EUR1.20. In France and Germany, however, the cost of downloads is just EUR0.

UK watchdog queries iTunes pricing


Financial terms of the agreement between GM, the world #39;s largest automaker, and its German-American rival weren #39;t disclosed yesterday, but Tom Stephens, GM #39;s group vice

GM, DaimlerChrysler to develop hybrid engines


Dodgers first baseman Shawn Green will definitely sit out at least one game of a key weekend series against the Giants in observance of Yom Kippur, but will wait to make his final decision.

Green Observes Holiday


The Apple Expo 2004 opens in Paris on Tuesday with speculation running high that executives will unveil an overdue revamp of the iMac, the sleek desktop that restored Apple #39;s fortunes as a PC maker.

Apple Set to Unveil New IMac in Paris


The first criminal trial stemming from the 2001 collapse of Enron began yesterday with the swearing in of a jury. The trial is expected to focus on the role the investment

Merrill bankers at centre of first Enron criminal trial


Reuters - The head of UAL Corp.'s United\Airlines said on Thursday the airline's restructuring plan\would lead to a significant number of job losses, but it was\not clear how many.

United Airlines Sees More Job Losses (Reuters)


The contest many baseball fans wanted to see is about to begin. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees begin playing for the American League Championship Tuesday.

SquawkBack Poll: Will the Red Sox or Yankees win?


MOSCOW The chief financial officer of Yukos, Russia #39;s embattled oil company, said Thursday that he had delayed his return to Moscow indefinitely after Russian prosecutors had summoned him for questioning.

Yukos CFO delays return to Russia


Wayne Rooney believes he may have to wait until next season to celebrate Premiership title glory with Manchester United. The 18-year-old England striker, who moved to Old Trafford for 27 million pounds from

Rooney prepared to wait for United glory


Crude oil futures hit \$US50 in electronic after-hours trade in New York, setting a new record as supply worries intensified. In regular trading the November benchmark contract for light sweet crude on the

Oil price hits \$US50 a barrel


antor Fitzgerald, the brokerage firm that lost 658 employees in the Sept. 11 attack, has sued Saudi Arabia, charging that the kingdom  quot;provided funding and material support and substantial assistance quot; to Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

Saudi Arabia Is Sued by Firm That Lost 658 in Twin Towers


Microsoft plans to launch an online music store. Also: Copernic Technologies releases free desktop search software   hellip;. Hitachi, Matsushita Electric Industrial and Toshiba team up to make displays for flat-screen TVs   hellip;. and more.

Microsoft Takes On ITunes


Halo 2, the sequel to Microsoft #39;s best-selling game for its Xbox video console, has leaked onto the internet nearly four weeks before its planned sale.

Microsoft #39;s Halo 2 video game leaked on internet


Insurgents have detonated three car bombs near a US military convoy in Baghdad, killing 41 people, 34 of them children, and wounding scores.

Car bombs kill 34 children in Baghdad


After months of carrying around the pressure to win an Olympic all-around gymnastics title, after being dubbed the next Mary Lou Retton so long ago, Patterson finished her floor exercise Thursday and nearly floated off the floor, leaping ...

20 Years Later,  #39;the Next Mary Lou #39; Takes Her Place


A director of business software maker Peoplesoft says the firm may be ready to negotiate with its would-be buyer, Oracle.

Peoplesoft may mull Oracle bid


PC World #39;s already had a chance to test Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, which was announced today in a big to-do thrown by Microsoft in Los Angeles.

Enter your e-mail:


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- UK food supplier Big Food Group (UK:BFP) posted a 3.3 percent drop in same-store sales for the 13 weeks ending Oct. 1.  quot;Trading has remained tough in the food sector in recent months for

UK Big Food:  #39;Trading has remained tough


AT amp;T Corp. will cut more than 20 percent of its workforce this year, ratcheting up its planned layoffs from a previously estimated target of 8 percent, the long-distance telecommunications carrier announced Thursday.

AT amp;T boosts 2004 job cuts to 20 percent


Share in India's Reliance Industries rally after the brothers at the head of the group deny any rift over leadership.

Reliance denies any family row


NEW YORK : Citigroup, the world #39;s biggest financial firm, said it has agreed to buy Texas-based First American Bank for an undisclosed sum.

Citigroup to buy First American Bank in Texas


A federal judge rejected a request from the woman who accused the basketball star Kobe Bryant of rape to remain anonymous in her civil lawsuit.

Bryant Accuser Cannot Remain Nameless


JAKARTA (Reuters) - President Megawati Sukarnoputri urged  Indonesians on Thursday to accept the results of the country's  first direct election of a leader, but stopped short of  conceding defeat.

Indonesia's Megawati Apologizes, Warns on Terror


Momentum is growing in Ukraine for last Sunday's disputed presidential election to be re-run.

Ukrainian poll re-run calls grow


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei rose 0.49 percent to a  five-week closing high on Tuesday as growing optimism about the  domestic economic outlook buoyed small-cap stocks, but recent  gainers like miners fell on profit-taking.

Nikkei Hits Five-Week Closing High


PHILADELPHIA - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig received a contract extension through 2009 Thursday as owners praised his 12-year reign, but dissension surfaced among teams in the decision to launch a World Cup tournament.    Selig, who has presided over revolutionary changes in the most traditional of major U.S...

Baseball Gives Selig Contract Through 2009


Education: Bleustein holds a master #39;s degree and doctorate in engineering mechanics from Columbia University and a bachelor #39;s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University.

Bio of outgoing Harley-Davidson Inc. CEO


Brady Quinn stood patiently, almost valiantly, sputtering out answers to questions that had no politically correct response. More appropriate might be disposing of the film of

What #39;s the problem?


Standard  amp; Poor #39;s on Tuesday affirmed its ratings on French retailer Pinault Printemps Redoute SA (PRTP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) after the group entered exclusive talks to sell its Rexel(CDME.

S amp;P affirms rating on Pinault Printemps Redoute


US Airways and its flight attendants appeared closer to agreement Friday after union negotiators approved a tentative contract. The new pact, which now must be approved by the group #39;s 5,400 members, calls

US Airways, attendants in tentative accord


Thames Valley Police joins a national mobile database to trace owners of stolen phones.

Database to trace stolen phones


Reuters - Willis McGahee ran\for 132 yards and a touchdown to lead the Buffalo Bills to a\22-17 victory over the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

NFL Wrap: Buffalo Bills Defeat New York Jets (Reuters)


Pressure on French advertising group Havas mounted yesterday as it emerged that corporate raider and dissident shareholder Vincent Bollore has asked for seats on the company #39;s board.

Bollore asks for Havas seat


Longhorn #39;s woes may open a door for Linuxa very tiny doorbut Linux just isn #39;ta good choice for desktops. Instead, desktop Linux proponents should wake up and switch to the Mac OS.

Linux Doesn #39;t Make Sense for Desktops


High-flying Dwyane Wade might be a back-seat driver this season, but he is at ease playing in Shaquille O #39;Neal #39;s big shadow.

Super sidekick


Reuters - Texas Instruments Inc. , the\world's largest maker of chips for cell phones, on Tuesday said\it expects fourth-quarter revenue and earnings per share at the\mid range of its previous estimates, as order trends remain\soft.

Texas Instruments Narrows Forecast (Reuters)


Iran said on Sunday that the nuclear negotiations with the European Union (EU) in Paris were complicated but progressing, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran says nuclear negotiations  quot;complicated but progressing quot;


Rural and deprived communities worldwide are benefiting from the increased availability of computers.

Communities get hi-tech help


There has been more violence in Afghanistan where one of the country #39;s vice presidents has narrowly avoided assassination. Attacks are escalating as Afghanistan prepares

New attack on Afghan leadership


Japanese government officials Thursday confirmed a Chinese Navy submarine intrusively entered Japanese waters a day earlier. The submarine was discovered early Wednesday

Chinese sub detected in Japan waters


The Twins were 3 for 4 on stolen bases and lead the majors with 39 steals in 49 attempts since the All-Star break.

Notables


Mike Fratello will take over for the recently retired Hubie Brown, ESPN reported on Friday. Fratello, an analyst for TNT, flew to Memphis on Friday to meet with team officials.

Fratello reportedly taking Grizzlies job


NEW YORK : Four-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams, the 2000 and 2001 champion, overcame four double faults and 25 unforced errors to defeat Shikha Uberoi 7-5, 6-1 in the second round of the US Open.

Tennis: Venus Williams, Henin-Hardenne, Davenport advance at US <b>...</b>


People can get a 100 percent cash rebate on certain Linksys gear when they trade up to higher-end Cisco products.

Cisco gives Linksys rebate to the upwardly mobile


Integration is a key factor with any large ERP implementation and ongoing maintenance, and Oracle Corp. is catching on. At its London-based OpenWorld event this week Oracle announced better integration between

Integration Plays Key Role in Oracle #39;s Upcoming 11i.10


AP - No. 45 was a simple 3-yard floater to his favorite target. No. 46 was vintage Peyton Manning, a 12-yard bullet between two defenders.

Manning Comes Up Short of Marino's Mark (AP)


Alcoa Inc., one of the world #39;s top producers of aluminum, said Monday that it received an unsolicited  quot;mini-tender quot; offer from Toronto-based TRC Capital Corp.

Alcoa Responds to Unsolicited TRC Bid


AP - Oklahoma moved up to No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings Monday and Utah is now sixth, a position that would guarantee the Utes a spot in one of the four big-money bowl games if they can hold on to it.

Sooners and Utes Move Up in BCS (AP)


The Justice Department approved Cingular Wireless #39; \$41 billion acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless yesterday, clearing one of the last hurdles in a deal to create the country #39;s largest wireless-phone company.

Big wireless merger clears Justice Dept.