Embattled Russian oil company warns that it may scale back oil output after more funds seized. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil major Yukos again warned on Thursday that it may be forced to cut output after

Yukos may cut after \$2.6B funds seized


The Silicon Valley Bowl is close to finalizing a deal to bring a team from the Mid-American Conference to the game in place of a Pac-10 team.

MAC to fill Pac-10 #39;s slot in Silicon Valley bowl


Swiss bank Credit Suisse is to integrate its private investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) with the rest of its banking business.

Credit Suisse to integrate CSFB


GENEVA -- At least 70,000 refugees have died since March because of poor conditions in camps in Sudan's Darfur region, and more will die at the same rate unless countries contribute the \$300 million in aid they promised, the UN health agency said yesterday.

UN counts 70,000 dead in Darfur crisis


MacCentral - Clarion Corp. is the latest aftermarket automobile entertainment system manufacturer to step up to the plate with iPod support. The company announced Thursday plans to unveil a new in-dash DVD player/monitor for automobiles that will feature full iPod integration. Clarion also announced plans to introduce a new CD receiver with similar capabilities. Both new products will debut at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada in January.

Clarion to integrate iPod with car stereos (MacCentral)


An AOL user who logged on to check his online financial portfolio was given access to someone else's data and is calling on AOL to correct what he sees as a security breach. AOL acknowledged an

Possible security breach seen at AOL


The chess game between the NHL and the NHLPA continued Tuesday, with the league rejecting the players #39; offer from last Thursday and tabling a counteroffer, which was in turn rejected by the NHLPA.

SPECTOR: Proposals offer chance to compromise


THE CRIME: A car bomb killed a prosecutor preparing a case against nearly 400 people who backed a 2002 coup attempt to oust President Hugo Chavez.

Summary Box: Venezuela #39;s president vows to track down killers of <b>...</b>


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration expressed  fresh concern on Wednesday about the possibility bankrupt  United Airlines <A HREF=

U.S. Expresses Concern About UAL Pensions


Reuters - The House of Representatives on\Tuesday approved a sweeping overhaul of U.S. intelligence\agencies, ending weeks of wrangling over the Pentagon's power\under the reforms demanded after the Sept. 11 attacks.

House Passes Sweeping Intelligence Reforms (Reuters)


On Wednesday, 44 North Korean defectors entered the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. There are points worth noting regarding the timing and size of this incident.

EDITORIALSMore defectors are on the way


Reuters - Pakistan's security forces on Sunday\shot dead a militant said to have plotted an attempt to\assassinate President Pervez Musharraf and to have had a hand\in the killing of a U.S. journalist, the information minister\said.

Pakistan Kills Militant Wanted for Musharraf Plot (Reuters)


Argentina #39;s Guillermo Canas had an easy time winning the final of the Heineken Open in Shanghai. Canas, the No. 3 seed, rolled to his third ATP tournament win this season with a 6-1 6-0 straight-sets victory over Lars Burgsmuller of Germany.

CANAS TRIUMPHS IN SHANGHAI


update An alliance of technology workers on Tuesday accused conglomerate Honeywell International of planning to move thousands of jobs to low-cost regions over the next five years--a charge that Honeywell denies.

Group accuses Honeywell of planning to export jobs


LISBON, Aug. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Portugal captain Luis Figo said here on Wednesday he was taking a break from international soccer, although he would not confirm if the decision was final.

Figo has a break from international soccer match


Novell Inc. shares slid Friday after the Linux software vendor swung to a fourth-quarter profit but still didn #39;t meet analyst expectations during a period one Wall Street bank called disappointing.

Novell Shares Slide on Missed Estimates


Portal says DomainKey use will protect users from ID theft and phishing scams.

Yahoo Upgrades Its E-Mail Service


The Constitutional Court on Thursday ruled the government #39;s plan to relocate the administrative capital as unconstitutional. Eight of the court #39;s nine judges ruled the plan as unconstitutional.

Constitutional Court Puts an End to Capital Relocation Controversy


Google #39;s long-awaited public offering finally made it to the street, but the search is still on for Microsoft #39;s Windows update.

Google #39;s ups and downs


Mobile phone maker Nokia raised its third-quarter sales and earnings forecasts on Thursday on the back of strong market demand, reversing a recent spate of grim outlooks and sending its share price higher.

Nokia Raises Outlook, Shares Up


Linear Technology Corp., a maker of linear integrated circuits that transform analog signals into digital form, said Wednesday that chief executive Bob Swanson will shift to a new role after 23 years to become executive chairman.

Linear #39;s Founding CEO to Step Down


new study shows that genes from genetically engineered grass can spread much farther than previously known, a finding that raises questions about the straying of other plants altered through

Study Raises Questions About Bioengineered Grass


The No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners would like the poll voters out there to understand just how difficult a task they accomplished Saturday.

Plenty of options for Washington


AP - Will Conroy had 18 points and six assists to help No. 22 Washington beat No. 19 Alabama 79-76 on Saturday night in the championship game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.

No. 22 Wash. Upsets No. 19 Alabama 79-76 (AP)


AP - The South American trade bloc Mercosur has made a new offer in a bid to advance stalled trade talks with the European Union and clinch a trans-Atlantic free trade deal by an October deadline.

South Americans Make Offer to EU on Trade (AP)


Lusaka - Presidents from three African countries have laid wreaths to celebrate Zambia #39;s 40th independence anniversary. Fighter jets flew overhead in a display of military might not seen in at least a decade.

Thousands celebrate Zambia #39;s independence


TORONTO Chris Bosh scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to push Toronto past Minnesota 96-to-90. Bosh came within one point and one rebound of career highs.

Raptors 96 Timberwolves 90


Pedro Martnez took the M.R.I., passed the physical, and will be introduced as a Met in a news conference at Shea Stadium on Thursday.

Mets Bracing for Beginning of Martnez Era


Reuters - Arab militants and\insurgents who ruled the volatile city of Falluja before a\U.S.-led offensive this month had enough weapons to take over\all of Iraq, Marine officers said on Wednesday.

Falluja Rebels Had Enough Arms to Rule Iraq -U.S. (Reuters)


LOS ANGELES - 09/09/04 - For the third time in as many weeks, the World Trade Organization has handed down decisions against US ruling against US anti-dumping and cotton subsidy policies, and rejecting Washington #39;s appeal of an earlier ruling upholding

Another Blow from the WTO


NEW YORK : Storms, skyrocketing fuel prices, cutthroat competition and labor costs have shaped turbulent times for US airlines, and the troubles are starting to trickle down to the low-cost carriers.

Turbulent times for US airline companies


SpaceShipOne, the Paul Allen-backed venture that #39;s attempting to take paying passengers into suborbital space for the first time, has completed the first leg of its effort to win a \$10 million prize.

SpaceShipOne completes first flight in \$10M prize pursuit


ALAMEDA, Calif. - Jerry Rice returned to the practice field Monday and showed the Raiders the same old-fashioned work ethic that has defined his stellar career, a day after his record receptions streak ended.

Rice #39;s anger about broken streak seems over


Have you seen a four-door Accord, VA YGD 3719 tags? It's mine, and I want it back.

Dude, Where's My Car? Seriously.


Things are getting tighter, contenders are dropping like flies and conference races are coming down to the wire. Ahhhh, it #39;s a good time to be a college football fan.

10 Questions for College Football


European shares nosed up on Wednesday as Ericsson gained on news it had won part of \$4-billion Cingular deal and with Glaxo buoyed after Pfizer affirmed its outlook.

Eurostocks Nudge Up on Ericsson


Staff at  General Motors are to hold protests across Europe at the company's plans to cut 12,000 jobs.

Protests at GM job cuts to spread


The mass murderers who seized the school in Beslan, Russia, this month committed one of the most heinous acts of terrorism in world history.

Putin #39;s Strong Hand Fails Russia


Thousands of rechargeable batteries for use in Apple #39;s Powerbook G4 laptop are being recalled. The batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard. However, no injuries have been reported.

Apple Powerbook G4 Batteries Recalled


United Nations, Sept 15 (PTI) The United States presented a new draft resolution softening the threat of sanctions on Sudan in an effort to win support of key members in the Security Council but diplomats said it would have to be watered down much more to

US softens threat sanctions on a new draft resolution on Sudan


Jarvis Hayes is keeping Jared Jeffries out of the conversation when it comes to discussing who will start at samll forward for the Wizards.

Hayes Impresses Early


WMC Resources is almost certain to be taken over after the Anglo-Swiss Xstrata group put Australia #39;s last major diversified mining company in play with a \$7.

\$7.4bn bid for WMC


The Dutch government yesterday moved to reverse a long tradition as Europe #39;s most liberal haven for immigrants by signalling tougher treatment of foreigners and Muslims and greater powers for the security services, in response to the Netherlands #39; worst

Liberal culture under threat in Dutch religious and ethnic crisis


The lockout of NHL players by the league #39;s owners moved into its eighth day today, with the stalemate expected to last for months.

Hockey big men go head-to-head


WINDSOR, ONT. - A pickup truck loaded with propane tanks and gasoline cans smashed into the Children #39;s Aid Society building in Windsor, Ont.

Flaming truck smashes into Children #39;s Aid building


Nintendo, the reigning champ of portable gaming, has released its latest hardware: the Nintendo DS. The DS has gotten a head start on its upcoming competition - that would be Sony #39;s

DS points the way for the next generation of handheld games


AP - It's an idea that was popularized by Princess Leia's plea for help in Star Wars: sending a 3-D hologram. Now, two Japanese scientists have developed technology they hope will one day turn the humble telephone booth into a high-tech chamber for beaming holographic images.

Researchers Develop 3-D Phone Technology (AP)


LONDON - Japan international midfielder Junichi Inamoto looks set to remain in the English Premier League after signing a two and a half year contract with newly promoted West Bromwich Albion.

Inamoto signs for West Brom


Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary employ 8,000 people in Greater Cincinnati, control 90 percent of the departures at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and contribute 76 percent of the landing fees that fund the airport #39;s operation.

Editorial: Watching, waiting, worrying


AP - House ethics committee leaders said Monday they soon will present the panel with information on Majority Leader Tom DeLay's conduct and recommend whether to undertake a full investigation.

Ethics Committee Ends DeLay Fact-Finding (AP)


Bill O'Reilly settled a sexual harassment lawsuit by his former producer last night, ending what he called a

Bill O'Reilly, Producer  Settle Harassment Suit


The high-speed broadband communications, storage, and MIPS processor chip maker said revenues are now expected to be between \$71 million and \$73 million.

PMC-Sierra Cuts Q3 Outlook


Indians living in the US are hoping for positive results after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf meets Indian Prime Minister Dr.

NRIs hope for positive Mush-Manmohan meet


The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits dipped last week, offering a hopeful sign for recovery in the labour market.

US jobless claims drop last week, hopeful sign for labour market


NEO-NAZI parties made sweeping gains in vital regional elections in Germany last night to further tarnish the countrys image and plunge Chancellor Gerhard Schrders ruling coalition party into fresh crisis.

Voters lured to neo-Nazi parties in German elections


He actually considered floating away into retirement with his new bride aboard his yacht Privacy, never to be seen on a golf course again.

Tiger ready for  #39;fun week #39; after return


After two days of gloom, China was back on the winning rails on Thursday with Liu Chunhong winning a weightlifting title on her record-shattering binge and its shuttlers contributing two golds in the cliff-hanging finals.

Day 6 Roundup: China back on winning track


Romania striker Adrian Mutu, banned for seven months for taking cocaine, is to hold talks with Serie A leaders Juventus, an Italian club official says.

Mutu set to meet Juve officials


Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta's political future was in the hands of voters as the Progressive Conservatives sought a 10th consecutive election victory on Monday. Premier Ralph Klein - who was seeking a fourth mandate - appeared relaxed when he arrived at a Calgary-Elbow polling station to cast his ballot.

Alberta's political future in the hands of voters in provincial election (Canadian Press)


PORTLAND, Maine (Reuters) - This decade has been a tough  one for fund investors. The average stock fund has lost almost  6 percent annually since the beginning of 2000, a return that  encompasses huge losses from 2000 through 2002 and big gains in  2003.

Funds: What's Ahead for Fund Investors?


The US is playing down the significance of a UN letter saying almost 350 metric tons of high explosives went missing from an Iraqi base after the war.

US downplays Iraq explosives loss


TOKYO - Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) will roll out in Japan a handheld video game system on Dec. 12 called PlayStation Portable (PSP), priced at 19,800, or about \$185.

Sony to launch PlayStation Portable in December


German electronics manufacturer Siemens has set what it claims to be the fastest-ever wireless connection. At its research lab in Munich, Siemens achieved a transmission speed of 1gbps by combining an intelligent

Siemens sets wireless speed record with OFDM


ANN ARBOR , Mich. -- Freshman Chad Henne threw for two touchdowns in a surprising start for Michigan, helping the eighth-ranked Wolverines to a 43-10 victory over Miami of Ohio yesterday that ended the nation's longest winning streak.

Henne rules the roost in romp for Wolverines


Earlier today, Mforma and Marvel Enterprises announced the mobile entertainment industry #39;s largest content licensing deal to date.

Marvel-ous deal for Mforma: mu


Halo 2 for the Xbox shoots first, but for PC gamers, Half-Life 2 is locked and loaded.

Battle of the big games


JOHANNESBURG -- Health workers across west and central Africa began a 23-country polio immunization campaign yesterday to reach more than 80 million children in the next several days. The undertaking is part of an international effort to eradicate the disease by next year.

23-nation inoculation push in Africa aims to eradicate polio


The latest report on world corruption by Transparency International shows that Latvia is the second most corrupt country in the EU, while Estonia was the least corrupt among the 10 new members in the 25-member union.

Latvia remains hive of corruption


Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc. (DJTC.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) , trying to restructure \$1.8 billion in debt, said late Wednesday that it and DLJ Merchant

UPDATE 2-Trump Hotels ends \$400 mln talks with DLJ


SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Without a doubt, it was the biggest catch of his career.

Gonzalez takes turn as the Playmaker'


Most consumers have no firewall protection, their antivirus software is outdated, and dozens of spyware programs secretly run on their computers, America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance found.

Home Computer Users Wearing Security Blinders


In the spirit of being at the university, the Microsoft chairman also talked about when open-source licenses make sense. By Aaron Ricadela.

Gates At Berkeley: Thoughts On Research, Overseas Innovation <b>...</b>


AP - Consumers' renewed worries about job prospects led to a bigger-than-expected drop in confidence in August and provided more evidence of the fragility of the economic expansion.

Consumer Confidence Plummets on Job Market (AP)


The price of the Treasury #39;s 10-year note was down 1/16 point, or 63 cents per \$1,000 in face value, while its yield rose to 4.10 percent from 4.09 percent late Monday.

Update 1: Bond Prices Are Mostly Lower at Midday


As he prepared for a potential game-winning field goal in the waning moments Saturday, Florida State senior Xavier Beitia had several teammates tell him they believed in him.

Mates #39; faith in Beitia rewarded in victory


The failure to expense stock options is causing distortions and inefficiencies in U.S. labor and capital markets.

Stock Options Hurt U.S. Competitiveness


Despite winning Sunday's race and taking the overall Nextel Cup lead, Dale Earnhardt Jr. could lose points after cursing in an interview.

Earnhardt Takes Lead


The UK #39;s biggest service provider, with million customers, is leading the 3G push with 10 new handsets, seven of which will be exclusive to Vodafone - with the Sharp 902 debuting as Europe #39;s first two-megapixel camera phone.

Music, games, porn - Vodafone launches 3G


Jessica Rostedt, right, of the US fights for the ball with Zurine Gil Garacia of Spain during the first half of their U-19 Women #39;s World Cup Championship match at Surakul Stadium in Phuket, southern Thailand, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004.

US Women #39;s Soccer Under-19 Beats Spain


The championship euphoria has hardly abated. However it's never too early to start thinking about free agency. Not so much who's coming, but which Red Sox may not be around to bask in the Fenway love when the 2004 World Series flag is raised in April.

Likely many of this rank could soon be filing


European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti said he is  quot;confident quot; the European Union #39;s second-highest court will dismiss an attempt by Microsoft Corp.

EU #39;s Monti says he #39;ll win Microsoft case


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Friday after Ford Motor  Co. raised its earnings forecasts, but wireless technology  provider Qualcomm Inc. held back gains on the Nasdaq after  saying an accounting review may reduce pretax income.

U.S. Stocks Rise, But Oil Surges Again


For weeks, Paul Hamm #39;s Olympic gold medal sat in a drawer at his boyhood home, carefully tucked inside a sock so it wouldn #39;t be scratched or damaged.

Hamm can keep Olympic gold, court rules


AP - Two French journalists held hostage by Islamic militants in Iraq appealed late Monday for their countrymen and president to save their lives by giving in to their captors' demand to rescind a ban on Muslim head scarves in French schools.

French Hostage Seeks End to Head Scarf Ban (AP)


Reuters - Environment activists piled thousands of\dead fish at the foot of Berlin's biggest tourist attraction,\the Brandenburg Gate, Tuesday in a demonstration against\over-fishing and pollution in the North Sea.

Fish Dumped at Landmark in Pollution Protest (Reuters)


AP - Visitors to Parliament are strangers no more. In a bid to modernize Britain's ancient Parliament, legislators voted Tuesday to scrap the 400-year-old tradition of referring to visitors as strangers. Instead, they will be

Parliament Visitors No Longer 'Strangers' (AP)


If clear skies break over southern California on Monday, a B-52 bomber will take off from Edwards air force base and head out over the Pacific.

Dream of London to Sydney trip in two hours


While a terrestrial view of a galaxy might disguise the turbulent, changing mergers that fuel their formation, a famous cluster called Stephan's Quintet shows that seemingly immutable stars are always in flux.    Astrobiology Magazine -- A stunning image released by the Gemini Observatory captures the graceful interactions of a galactic ballet, on a stage some 300 million light years away, that might better be described as a contortionist's dance...

Gemini Telescope Captures Galactic Contortionists


MINNEAPOLIS - A big home run by Ruben Sierra, a clutch 11th-inning hit by Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees are headed right back where most people figured - playing the Boston Red Sox for the AL pennant. Sierra's three-run homer in the eighth inning tied it, then Rodriguez doubled, alertly stole third base and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by Kyle Lohse to lift the Yankees over the Minnesota Twins 6-5 Saturday...

Yanks Advance to ALCS After Beating Twins


Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki opened an international landmine conference in Nairobi with a plea for countries to sign a treaty banning the bombs.

Landmine Conference opens in Kenya


Three weeks after Haiti's worst natural disaster in years the country is trying desperately to attend to its sick, feed its hungry, keep drinking water flowing and remove tons of mud and debris.

Mud, Debris Hinder Aid Efforts in Haiti


Pakistan said Monday there was no evidence Osama bin Laden is hiding in the country, and denied it allowed CIA agents to set up bases along the border to search for the al-Qaida leader.

Pakistan Turns Up No Signs of Bin Laden


BASEBALL Chicago (AL): Activated P Scott Schoeneweis from the 15-day DL. New York (NL): Named Omar Minaya general manager/executive vice president of baseball operations and signed him to five-year contract; named Jim Duquette senior vice president of baseball operations.

Transactions


FORMULA One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is in the tightest spot of his long career as leading Formula One car manufacturers plough ahead with threats to set up a rival series.

F1 rivals line up on the grid


SHANGHAI, China Typhoon Aere (EYE #39;-ray) is tearing through mainland China where nearly a (m) million people have been ordered to leave their homes.

Typhoon Aere kills 34; thousands evacuated from coastal areas in <b>...</b>


REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The judge in Scott Peterson's murder trial dismissed the jurors for the day Wednesday, saying,

'Potential Development' in Peterson Case


NEW YORK (Reuters) - FedEx Corp. <A HREF=

FedEx Raises Forecast, Stock Climbs


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - U.S. President George W. Bush swooped into town Tuesday for a whirlwind visit designed to begin mending international fences in the wake of the Iraq war.

Bush arrives in Canada for first stage of world charm offensive (Canadian Press)


If Monday #39;s game comes down to Lito Sheppard vs. Randy Moss, the Eagles are in trouble. If Monday #39;s game comes down to Sheldon Brown .

Kevin Roberts: Moss is on everyone #39;s agenda


AP - Carmelo Anthony, who missed Denver's previous game after being cited for marijuana possession, scored 23 points for the Nuggets in a 100-88 preseason victory Thursday night over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Anthony Leads Nuggets Past Clippers (AP)


Reuters - World oil prices rose on Thursday as\Hurricane Ivan reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, having shut more\than 1 million barrels of daily output in the Gulf of Mexico\and 13 percent of refining capacity in the United States.

Oil Shoots Up as Ivan Hits U.S. Shores (Reuters)


NEW YORK - It was as if the US Open tennis tournament took a deep breath yesterday morning (Singapore time). No remarkable upsets happened.

No surprises for big names


Heavy consumer spending in the United States strains the global economy and also sustains it.

We Pledge Allegiance to the Mall


Reuters - Ancient Egyptians revered cats and other\animals and took as much care in preparing them for their\passage to the next life as they did with humans, scientists\said on Wednesday.

Egyptians Spared No Expense on Animal Mummies (Reuters)


Countries begin test programs--get ready for a facial scan the next time you take an overseas flight.

E-passports to put new face on old documents


AP - Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain rallied past ninth-seeded Jelena Kostanic of Croatia 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 Monday at the Gaz de France Stars, where Kim Clijsters will make her comeback this week from a five-month injury layoff.

Clijsters to Return in Gaz De France (AP)


Michael Vaughan and his fellow batsmen can take great credit for transforming England #39;s one-day side from no-hopers into potential Champions #39; Trophy winners.

England profit from waiting game


A Muslim schoolgirl has bowed to France #39;s ban on Islamic headscarves in state schools by returning to class and removing her veil to reveal a head shaved bald in protest.

French girl shaves head in scarf protest


Greater flexibility in China #39;s exchange rate is in the nation #39;s best interest to help the central bank better manage the effects of inflation and should be pursued without undue delay

Currency Flexibility Is in China #39;s Best Interest, IMF Says


Rulon Gardner #39;s bid for a second consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling #39;s super heavyweight division fell to the mat with a resounding thud yesterday along with the big man himself.

Gardner #39;s storied career ends with a thud


The  quot;Skulls quot; Trojan, which bills itself as  quot;Extended Theme Manager quot; by  quot;Tee-222, quot; has been found on Symbian shareware download sites.

Skulls Trojan Infects Symbian Phones


The MP3 player market, where the iPod Mini once stood alone, will soon have several new entries. IDC predicted last month that the segment will grow from 12.

Virgin Group Aims at iPod Mini


Avon Products Inc. (AVP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday posted higher quarterly earnings as business in Latin America and Europe helped offset weakness in the United States for the direct seller of cosmetics.

Avon Third-Quarter Profit Rises


EU leaders were poised on Thursday to set a date to start accession talks with Turkey, as Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Brussels in an optimistic mood for a spate of last-minute diplomacy.

EU Leaders Poised To Offer Entry Talks To Turkey


America Online is building alliances with mobile phone manufacturers and wireless carriers in an effort to build its share of the emerging mobile instant-messaging market.

AOL Targets Mobile IM


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Factory activity in the U.S.  Mid-Atlantic region slowed in November, but held in positive  territory as the outlook for the future bounced back from  depressed levels, a survey showed on Thursday.

Philly Fed: Factories Slowed in November


Oracle has put up its  quot;best and final quot; offer for PeopleSoft at US\$24 per share. The new price is up \$3 from Oracle #39;s last offer, and is in excess of PeopleSoft #39;s 52-week closing price high.

Oracle announces final PeopleSoft offer


NEW YORK - Before what appeared to be a receptive audience, Sun Microsystems Inc. Tuesday fired off a barrage of product promotions, upgrades and service announcements in an attempt to retake its traditional stronghold in the financial community here in New York.

Sun woos Wall Street with pricing, features


The school's tool for fighting piracy on campus automatically isolates students fingered by the entertainment industry for allegedly sharing copyright files. It's another example of a university cracking down on illegal file trading. By Katie Dean.

UCLA File Swappers in Quarantine


The Food and Drug Administration told Merck  amp; Co. that it would approve the company #39;s successor drug to the now defunct pain reliever Vioxx if it provides further safety and

Merck Pain Reliever Gets Preliminary OK


AP - South Florida and Pittsburgh have rescheduled their hurricane-delayed game for Dec. 4.

USF-Pittsburgh Rescheduled for Dec. 4 (AP)


Running back Marty Johnson said he #39;s still getting adjusted to running in the spread offense, saying after his Utah Utes #39; 49-35 victory over Air Force on Saturday that instead of just bulling

Marty runs to tie Ute record


Johnson and Johnson is in negotiations to acquire Guidant, one of the largest American makers of devices to treat heart and circulatory illnesses.

Johnson and Johnson Looks to Buy Guidant


The European Union #39;s top monetary official said Tuesday he was concerned over Italian budget deficit figures, only a week after Greece was challenged over alleged sloppy bookkeeping and possible underreporting of its deficit to present a rosy economic

Update 5: EU Official Concerned About Italy Figures


Denver #39;s Earl Boykins scored with six seconds left in overtime and the Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-92 Thursday.

NBA: Denver 94, Minnesota 92 (OT)


The United States would like the dollar to strengthen but believes international currency markets should be left to set its value, US Treasury Secretary John Snow said Monday.

Treasury chief wants stronger dollar


JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) -- Harmony representatives are on the US leg of their hostile takeover tour, with shareholders from both sides attending a presentation on Thursday.

US Analyst unimpressed, Swanepoel unfazed


NOVEMBER 18, 2004 (REUTERS) - Microsoft Corp. warned Asian governments today that they could face patent lawsuits for using the Linux operating system instead of its Windows software.

Microsoft warns Asian governments of Linux suits


The trial on terrorism charges of Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, accused of leading a regional network linked to al Qaeda, can go ahead, a Jakarta court ruled Thursday.

Jakarta Court Says Cleric Bashir Trial Can Proceed


Southwest Airlines, the discount carrier that has long stuck to its policy of seating passengers on a first-come, first-served basis, is seriously considering assigning seats, officials said.

Southwest Mulls Ending Unique Seating


NEW YORK, Sept 20: Expressing the hope that there will be a breakthrough in his first meeting with the Indian prime minister, President Pervez Musharraf said here on Sunday he expected the talks to get the impetus they deserved.

Talks will be successful, hopes president


TONY JONES: On a rare visit to North Korea, Australia #39;s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today he #39;s held productive talks on efforts to end the reclusive nation #39;s nuclear program.

Downer positive over North Korea talks


First Command Financial Services, one of the best-known companies marketing financial products to military families, agreed yesterday to pay \$12 million to settle accusations that it

Company Settles Charges on Funds Sold to Soldiers


By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter    HealthDayNews -- Teenagers who view sexual content on television, even if it only involves characters talking about sex, are twice as likely to start having intercourse in the ensuing year compared with peers who do not watch such content.    Sexual content on TV was also more likely to hasten adolescents' movement from one

Sexual Content on TV Spurs Teens Into Action


PalmSource today announced Jean-Louis Gassee has been appointed Chairman of the PalmSource Board of Directors. Gassee, 60, was appointed to the Company #39;s Board of Directors in May 2002.

PalmSource Names Jean-Louis Gassee Chairman of the Board


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co. <A HREF=

Kodak Profits on Discontinued Operations


Singaporean leader Lee Hsien Loong criticized Taiwan because he was under  quot;tremendous pressure quot; to patch up relations with Beijing, Taiwan #39;s foreign minister said Monday _ a day after Lee warned he wouldn #39;t support the island if it sparked a war with China

Taiwan shrugs off Singaporean leader #39;s criticism of the island #39;s <b>...</b>


WASHINGTON -- Revolution coach Steve Nicol expressed frustration after a 1-0 loss to D.C. United last night.

Nicol needs someone to take charge


Ex-soldiers from Haiti #39;s disbanded army occupied the plundered estate of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide for a third day yesterday, refusing to leave the compound unarmed and raising fears of a confrontation with UN

Ex-soldiers occupying Aristide #39;s abandoned estate refuse to disarm


Monaco  ITWeb, 3 November 2004 - Nokia unveiled several new products, including a Web-browsing, image-oriented wide-screen handset, at its mobility conference in Monaco, where the emphasis has been on smartphones and supporting technology.

Nokia says cellphone future is smart #39;


BAGHDAD -- Iraqi security forces fired on demonstrators loyal to rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the Iraqi capital yesterday, killing two in a clash that underscored the increasingly vitriolic and open split within the Shi'ite Muslim community.

Violence exposes Shi'ite divisions


Indian labs churn out technologies to help users in developing countries keep up with the information age even if they can't afford a computer, don't live near a phone or speak a language that can't be typed on a standard keyboard. By Manu Joseph.

India Emerges as Innovation Hub


PARIS (Reuters) - French regulators fined Vivendi Universal  <A HREF=

Vivendi, Ex-CEO Fined 1 Mln Euros Each


SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Hewlett-Packard Co. has stopped selling workstations based on Intel Corp. #39;s Itanium 2 microprocessor, a company spokeswoman confirmed today.

HP drops Itanium workstations


LEEDS CASTLE, England (Reuters) - Talks aimed at reviving  home rule in Northern Ireland and disbanding IRA guerrillas  ended on Saturday without a final deal, British and Irish Prime  Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern said.

N. Irish Peace Talks End Without Breakthrough


 By Joseph Guyler Delva

 GONAIVES, Haiti (Reuters) - A Brazilian soldier with theU.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti was shot and wounded Saturdaywhen peacekeepers and local police faced gunfire in a crackdownon armed gangs in the Haitian capital.

Brazilian Soldier Wounded in Haiti Unrest


Today at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium, Microsoft #39;s Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates laid out his vision of the future of multimedia.

Bill Gates charges forward into digital entertainment


The Dow Jones industrial average is up 21 points at ten-thousand-75. Gainers on the New York Stock Exchange hold a narrow lead over losers.

Stocks post gains


Dick Cheney has accidentally given a boost to opponents by wrongly recalling a website address.

Web blunder boosts Bush bashers


Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 US life insurer, on Tuesday said its quarterly earnings more than doubled, helped by its acquisitions

Prudential Earnings More Than Doubled


With No. 1 Lindsay Davenport missing out on qualifying for the semifinals, the No. 1 ranking is in Amelie Mauresmo #39;s reach. Today, we #39;ll test how much she #39;s feeling the pressure of going for No.

Mauresmo #39;s playing better than Serena


BOFFINS AND boffinettes at Imperial College London are developing a new optical disk that can store a terabyte of data. The Multiplexed Optical Data Storage (Mods)technology is expected to be released towards

One terabyte optical disk developed


Syria has turned herself into cannon fodder in the campaigns directed against her during the American presidential election battle-a result of her miscalculations in the Lebanese presidential elections.

Syria under Security Council Scrutiny ... A Gift from Syria to <b>...</b>


Britons #39; growing thirst for Courvoisier, the cognac brand championed by hip-hop culture, has helped Allied Domecq report a 6 per cent rise in annual profits.

Allied profits from rappers #39; thirst


Californians will have the right to decide for themselves whether their cell phone number is listed in a planned wireless 411 directory under a new bill signed into law last Friday (Sept.

California is First to Enact Cell Phone Number Privacy Law


AP - The Supreme Court said Friday it will consider whether Internet providers should be allowed to sell their high-speed service over the cable television system.

Supreme Court to Hear ISP, Cable Dispute (AP)


Presidential Guidester polls voters, matches their positions with those of candidates.

Web Site Helps Undecided Voters Choose


WILLIAM  amp; MARY (0-1) vs. UNH (2-0) When and where: Tomorrow at noon in Durham, N.H. Last season: William  amp; Mary won, 38-28. Comments: The 10th-ranked Wildcats have jumped out to a 2-0 start behind the surprising play of redshirt freshman quarterback Ricky Santos. Since stepping in for an injured Mike Granieri, Santos has completed 40-of-51 pass attempts for 531 ...

This weekend's key New England games


Online buying continues to snowball, according to the results of a recent America Online survey. This year, for the first time, Americans who regularly use the Internet for shopping -- researching

The Year Shoppers Left the Mall Behind


AP - Sonny Cumbie, the nation's leading passer, had a season-low 281 yards but threw for three touchdowns to lead Texas Tech to a 31-15 win over No. 23 Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Texas Tech Stuns No. 23 Okla. St., 31-15 (AP)


Much of the nation #39;s media makes it seem as if soft-money spending on campaign ads by the so-called  quot;shadow parties quot; is a Republican thing.

Soft money, hard politics


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Twin car bombs detonated outside a  police station near the protected Green Zone in Baghdad on  Saturday, killing at least three people in the latest guerrilla  strike against Iraq's shaky security forces.

Car Bombers Attack Near Baghdad Green Zone


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Wal-Mart Holds Sales View for September


Right before what promised to be a seven-day trial to decide whether it would have to pay Eastman Kodak a possible \$3 billion for trespassing on three of its patents, Sun decided to settle out-of-court and pay Kodak \$92 million in cash to get out from

As Sun Settles Kodak #39;s Java Patents Suit, What #39;s Microsoft <b>...</b>


South Africa captain Graeme Smith says his team #39;s losing run is reaching  quot;nightmare quot; proportions following their ninth successive defeat.

Losing run is becoming a  quot;nightmare quot; - Smith


Reuters - Privately held Copernic\Technologies on Tuesday released free desktop search software\ahead of expected offerings from Microsoft Corp.  and\others in a move some see as a test of the product's market\viability.

Copernic Desktop Search Takes Aim at Microsoft (Reuters)


Forbes.com - The news from Iran is grim. This islamic dictatorship--the biggest source of terrorist training and financing in the world and the nation that's doing all it can to stir up trouble in already combustible Iraq--is clearly on the cusp of becoming a nuclear power. The clerical fascists running the country have dropped just about all pretense of their atomic programs being energy-related only. Tehran announced in July that it had resumed making the centrifuges needed to produce highly enriched uranium, a key ingredient for nuclear bombs. ...

Fact and Comment (Forbes.com)


Yahoo Inc. launched a new service designed to let users of its search engine save and manage their query results for accessing later and sharing with others, the company said Tuesday.

Yahoo offers personal search


The start-up company made its retail debut Wednesday with You Perform, a collection of more than a dozen add-ons for Outlook, the widely used e-mail and calendar application included in Microsoft Office.

A brighter Outlook?


Conflicting reports that the Palestinian leader was fighting for his life touched off a flurry of political activity in Jerusalem and Ramallah.

Arafat's Condition Is Deteriorating, Reports Indicate


Shawn Green is a vital player in the Los Angeles Dodgers #39; run toward the playoffs. The All-Star first baseman hit a two-run, ninth-inning home run Sunday to lift the Dodgers to a 7-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

The passion of the athlete


GENEVA -- A ruling from the World Trade Organization could open the United States to offshore Internet gambling. A WTO panel says the federal government should drop its ban on Americans placing bets at online casinos.

World Body Wants US To Allow Online Gaming


MIAMI - Michael Jordan won #39;t be joining the Miami Heat or any other NBA team this season, according to Estee Portnoy, his Washington, DC-based spokeswoman.

Jordan comeback?  #39;Wishful thinking #39;


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy created only  112,000 new jobs in November, the government said on Friday,  about a third of October's total and weak enough to deepen a  shadow of uncertainty hanging over the holiday sales season.

November Job Growth Unexpectedly Weak


Sears, Roebuck and Co., which has successfully sold its tools and appliances on the Web, is counting on having the same magic with bedspreads and sweaters, thanks in part to expertise gained by its purchase of Lands' End Inc.

Sears Launches Venture for Online Sales


Moscow: Moscow-born Tatiana Golovin kept alive Frances hopes of retaining the Fed Cup title by crushing US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-1 in the second reverse singles on Sunday.

Russia power to maiden title


Sprint Corp. is to acquire Nextel Communications Inc., title sponsor of the Breeders Cup Distaff (G1), in a \$35-billion deal that will create the nations third-largest wireless telephone service provider

Sprint buys Breeders Cup sponsor Nextel for \$35-billion


At least 13 Iraqis were killed and other 50 injured most of them are members of the Iraqi police in a booby trapped car explosion that targeted a main inspection point for the Iraqi police at al-Rasheed street in the downtown of Baghdad.

Falluja victims, 56 killed, 40 injured


Circuit City Stores posted a narrower quarterly loss from continuing operations on Friday but said the outlook was cautious for the current quarter, which includes the key holiday season.

Circuit City cautious on outlook


JERUSALEM -- Israelis killed seven Palestinians in attacks yesterday, including a Gaza airstrike that killed one militant and wounded a militia commander, who vowed revenge from his hospital bed.

Israeli strikes kill 7 Palestinians


MICROSOFT will not broadly release its long-awaited update to the flagship Windows operating system, dubbed  quot;Longhorn, quot; until 2006.

Longhorn on hold until 2006


Eden Prairie, MN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss practiced on Wednesday despite nursing a strained right hamstring and is listed as questionable for this Sunday #39;s game against the New York Giants.

Vikings #39; Moss practices despite hamstring injury


PITTSBURGH -- After his Boston College football team suffered a 20-17 overtime loss to Big East foe Pittsburgh Saturday at Heinz Field, Eagles coach Tom O'Brien conveyed a simple message to his squad.

After loss to Pitt, Eagles have no margin for error


Durfee over Acton-Boxboro -- This Fall River Dream will be a nightmare for the Colonials.

This week's schedule


Jose Mourinho made several changes to his Chelsea side for the visit of Paris St.Germain, resulting in a rustrating but not entirely relevant 0-0 draw.

Champions League: Group H - Chelsea clam up again and round up


Cricket-Muralitharan signs for English county Lancashire October 5, 2004 13:37:14 LONDON, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Test cricket #39;s leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan has signed for Lancashire for the first half of the 2005 season, the English county

Gavaskar appointed consultant to Indian team


In addition to EPA, IBM announced five new commercial grid projects, including Siemens mobile, NTT Com, and Sinopec, as well as ten new application-software companies that have readied their products for grid computing.

IBM Launches Grid-Computing Projects


BRUSSELS - European Union leaders got a wake up call this week as a high-level report warned the bloc must run just to stand still in global competitiveness rankings.

Damning report on EU economic ambitions under fire


ABIDJAN - Three days of air strikes on former rebels in northern Ivory Coast have left 11 people dead and around 100 seriously wounded, a spokesman for the ex-rebel New Forces told AFP on Saturday.

Eleven dead, 100 wounded in Ivory Coast air raids


University of Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley will hold a news conference this afternoon regarding the future of third-year coach Ron Zook.

Report Says Florida to Fire Zook


Google's estimated \$3bn flotation has been delayed by at least a day as the firm awaits regulatory approval.

Google market debut delayed


TROY, Mich. -- Kmart says the final agreement with The Home Depot means it #39;s selling 18 stores to the home-improvement chain for \$271 million.

Kmart Sells 18 Stores To Home Depot


AP - America Online Inc. said Thursday it had filed a federal lawsuit accusing numerous unnamed defendants of violating federal and state laws by sending bulk messages known as

AOL Files Lawsuit Against IM 'Spim' (AP)


We #39;ve seen the smile more lately on Access Hollywood or the Today Show than walking up a fairway, but last week at Sherwood Country Club, it was different.

Tiger finds his swing at Target


PC World - Today's hottest cell phones feature full keyboards.

Does Your Phone Speak QWERTY? (PC World)


AN ARMY pilot attached to The Black Watch battle group was critically injured last night after being shot while at the controls of his helicopter.

Black Watch pilot shot by rebels


November same-store sales growth was sharply below target, Wal-Mart Stores said Saturday. Free! Sign up here to receive our Before the Bell e-Newsletter!

Wal-Mart misses comp-sales target


Microsoft has announced a new framework and tool for Visual Studio Team System to support the creation of service-oriented applications for various vertical industries.

Microsoft details new domain-specific modeling tools


US Airways Group Inc. and its pilots union said they may agree by today on a plan to cut \$295 million in wages and benefits to help the carrier avoid a second bankruptcy filing.

US Airways, pilots say they're close to a deal on cutting wages


Microsoft #39;s business strategy manager for Europe, Wilfried Grommen, said  quot;It #39;s really important for us at this stage that we have this major extension of the GSP.

Microsoft To Share Office Software Source Code with Governments


Militant cleric ordered suicide attack on Marriott hotel, says indictment. Not clear whether Bali bombings included in charge. JAKARTA - Indonesian prosecutors have formally charged militant cleric Abu Bakar

Bashir charged in hotel bomb case


CARACAS - Venezuelan leader Hugo Chvez urged his foes to accept their defeat and move on yesterday, after an audit of last week #39;s recall referendum confirmed the president #39;s victory.

Referendum confirmed, Chvez looks ahead


AP - U.S. troops and helicopter gunships killed five suspected Taliban rebels Friday, hours after militants attacked Afghan army troops in southern Afghanistan, a provincial governor said.

U.S. Forces Kill Five Suspected Taliban (AP)


HOWARD Stern, the New York radio star with the super-sized hair and ego, has given censors the finger by announcing a \$US500 million (\$690 million) deal to move over to the fledgling and largely unregulated airwaves of satellite radio.

Shock jock Stern has \$690m to launch his ego into orbit


Sri Lanka complains after monks were made to disrobe during an anthrax scare at the Canadian High Commission.

Sri Lanka upset over monk search


HOUSTON, United States : World number one Roger Federer outlasted Marat Safin in a tie-breaker that matched the longest in tennis history to book a date against Lleyton Hewitt in the ATP Masters Cup final.

Tennis: Marathon tie-breaker triumph puts Federer into Masters Cup <b>...</b>


The average

Study: Unpatched PCs compromised in 20 minutes


If LA #39;s Shawn Green waives a no-trade clause and agrees to land in Arizona and Johnson gives his OK to work in The Bronx, the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Yankees will have put together a blockbuster

UNIT ABOUT TO LAND IN BRONX


AFP - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo for talks that focused on enhancing bilateral ties and the various conflicts troubling the African continent.

Mubarak, Obasanjo discuss bilateral ties, African crises (AFP)


JBoss Application Server 4.0, middleware recently certified for J2EE, is ready for enterprise production deployment, according to JBoss.

Middleware moves into open source


With Microsoft spending most of its upgrade development time on Windows XP, it was only time before they announced plans to stop updating Windows 2000.

Microsoft Plans Last Windows 2000 Update


Yahoo #39;s e-mail service will use the company #39;s DomainKeys authentication technology starting Monday, almost a year after Yahoo first unveiled this anti-spam project.

Yahoo implements DomainKeys in its mail service


Google Inc.'s recently launched news service in China doesn't display results from Web sites blocked by that country's authorities, raising prickly questions for an online search engine that has famously promised to

Google Conforms to Chinese Censorship


Steven Gerrard insists he #39;ll not accept  quot;second best quot; by crashing out of the Champions League and into the Uefa Cup.

Gerrard aiming high


A five-year-old Indonesian girl critically injured in last month #39;s Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta has made a remarkable recovery and will leave hospital this week, press reports said yesterday.

Bomb victim makes good recovery


Motorsport.com. Valentino Rossi faces the real possibility of being able to wrap up his MotoGP title defense at this weekend #39;s Australian GP at the Phillip Island circuit.

Rossi heads Australian GP


CHICAGO The trustee firm representing employee pension funds at United Airlines wants the carrier to make up millions in skipped pension contributions before exiting bankruptcy.

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


NEW YORK - Retailer Saks Inc. Friday said it will close its Saks Fifth Avenue upscale department stores in La Jolla and seven other locations and three of its lower-price Off 5th stores, affecting 700 jobs.

Saks to close 11 stores, affecting 700 jobs


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Computer Associates  International Inc. <A HREF=

Ex-CA Chief Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud


As much as the Red Sox want to prevent Jason Varitek from playing elsewhere next year, they had their last best chance this season to work out a deal with him in spring training. They have not negotiated with Varitek, a potential free agent, since then and will not have their next opportunity to reach an agreement ...

Boras holds the line on Varitek and Lowe


Thousands of workers of German car giant Volkswagen on Wednesday held demonstrations ahead of a crucial round of wage talks. The company #39;s works council said Wednesday that about

Workers of Germany #39;s VW hold major protests ahead of wage talks


AP - Gov. James E. McGreevey answered questions for the first time in public Tuesday about his decision to resign, telling a supportive audience that it was

McGreevey Discusses Resignation in Public (AP)


Jeff Conine homered and Mike Lowell drove in two runs to lead the Florida Marlins over Montreal 5-2 on Tuesday night in what might prove to be the Expos #39; second-to-last game at Olympic Stadium.

Marlins 5, Expos 2


LOS ANGELES -- Southern California seemed helpless as Aaron Rodgers picked away at its defense, hitting pass after pass.

Trojans are in a golden state


Warburg Pincus, Providence Equity close to acquiring former part of AT amp;T Bell Labs, report says. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Two investment firms are about to close a deal to acquire telecommunications software company Telcordia Technologies Inc.

Telcordia to sell for \$1.3B: newspaper


A mechanician examines a plane of Chinese Bayi aerobatics team at an airport in Zhuhai, Guangdong, Oct. 31, 2004. The 5th China International Aviation  amp; Aerospace Exhibition during which five aerobatics teams

Int #39;l aviation  amp; aerospace exhibition to open in Zhuhai


GAZA CITY: PLO leader Mahmud Abbas stepped up calls yesterday to end  quot;armed chaos quot; engulfing the occupied territories, as the new Palestinian leadership readied the ground for presidential elections in January.

End chaos call by PLO leader


PC World - Dell and PalmOne roll out their latest pure PDAs, and heap on the extras.

First Look: Axim X50v Versus Tungsten T5 (PC World)


WASHINGTON - Homeland Security officials said Yusuf Islam - formerly known as singer Cat Stevens - will be deported Wednesday after being denied entry to the U.S. for being on a government watch list...

Passenger Cat Stevens to Be Deported


EL FASHER, Sudan -- As the sun set over this desert camp, Private Lambert Sendegeya, an African Union soldier from Rwanda, popped in a tape of music from his country and launched into a series of leg bends. Lieutenant Eugene Ruzianda peered from his canvas tent and, removing his green beret, joined the evening exercises.

Rwandans hope Darfur presence will halt violence


Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the\world's largest retailer, slashed its own expectations of

Wal-Mart Sees Lackluster November Sales (Reuters)


In winning the Olympic title on his first jump Thursday with the fifth-longest in 108-year Olympic history, Phillips took himself and American long jumping out from the lengthy shadow of four-time long jump gold medalist Carl Lewis and world record holder

Phillips leads US winners


GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli air strikes killed two Hamas  militants in Gaza on Thursday just after the Islamic group  renewed its threats to continue rocket attacks against Israelis  despite a massive army offensive aimed at stopping them.

Israel Kills Two Hamas Militants After Renewed Threat


The Grade I \$300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Pimlico features a fast field despite not missing the country's prime burner Pico Central.

Speed Rules at De Francis


Multinational oil companies began talks with hundreds of Nigerian villagers occupying three oil platforms on Monday in a dispute over jobs which shut 90,000 barrels per day of oil production.

Nigerian oil platforms still occupied in jobs row


Giant insurance broker Marsh and McLennan is now expected to escape criminal charges over illegal payments. It has been the subject of legal action over the payments by New Yrok attorney general Eliot Spitzer.

Marsh to avoid criminal charges


Brokerage LaBranche  amp; Co. on Monday said it swung to a loss in the third quarter on lower equity volumes and volatility at its specialist unit.

LaBranche Swings to a Third-Quarter Loss


The Football Association has written to UEFA and FIFA to complain about racist abuse suffered by England #39;s black players in an under-21 international against Spain in Madrid on Tuesday night.

English FA lodges protest over abuse of black players in Spain


BAGSHOT - Andy Robinson made his pitch to become England #39;s next fulltime head coach by insisting the champions could do what no side has done before and successfully defend the World Cup in France in 2007.

Robinson pitches for top England job


AP - If you're looking for President Bush, don't bother searching the White House. Bush has not spent a full day in Washington since Aug. 2  #151; roaming the country rather than staying in the Oval Office as he seeks a second term.

Bush Spending Little Time at White House (AP)


ATHENS As they lunged and lobbed with astonishing skill on Thursday, it was difficult to know whose personal journey had made them the worthier Olympic women #39;s badminton champion.

In badminton, two deserving champions


Freddie Mac (FRE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 US mortgage finance company, on Monday said it will restructure its securities and sales trading group as part of an effort to streamline its business operations.

Freddie Mac Streamlines Its Operations


Jason Kidd is back. The question now is for how long. The 34-year-old Kidd, who underwent off-season knee surgery, made his long-awaited season debut for the Nets

Nets Get Solid Return From Kidd While They Can


FIVE days after Indonesia #39;s first presidential election, neither candidate has claimed victory or conceded defeat, even though it is now clear President Megawati Sukarnoputri cannot possibly win.

SBY puts victory celebrations on ice


Before his defection 11 months ago, Kim, a 35-year-old with round-rimmed glasses and a self-assured air, enjoyed the relatively blessed life of the North Korean elite.

For North Korea, Openness Proves a Two-Way Street


As long as you keep customers happy, the subscription business can be a cash cow.

FactSet Knows Cash Flow


Some stores could close, but popular merchandise could be more widely available in Arizona after Wednesday #39;s announcement of Kmart Holding Corp.

Kmart buying Sears in \$11 billion deal


EBay Inc., which has been aggressively expanding in Asia, plans to increase its stake in South Korea's largest online auction company.

EBay To Acquire South Korean Auction Firm


Traveling around the state last week, I noticed the fall foliage making its rapid transition to winter. In fact, Birmingham experienced its first freeze of the season - three weeks later than the normal date of Nov.

Titmice guide out-of-town birds to best food, water


SAN FRANCISCO- As Barry Bonds numbers rise, the words to describe them become less adequate. When the slugger hit his 700th homer, only daughter Aisha could sum up the history and majesty of the blast.

Bonds Joins Ruth, Aaron in 700 Club


AP - Brazil's industrial output grew 1.1 percent in August compared to July, the sixth straight month-to-month rise as the economy gathers steam following a recession last year and a slow start in 2004.

Brazilian Industrial Output Goes Up (AP)


LONDON - BT Group, the British telecommunications company, said Monday that it #39;s buying US-based Infonet Services in a deal that values Infonet at \$965 million.

BT Group to buy Infonet


The county that is home to the Food and Drug Administration took a first step yesterday toward buying prescription drugs from Canada, despite FDA warnings that such a practice would be illegal.

FDA's home county eyes Canadian drugs


SWITZERLAND HAS managed to stage what it thinks is the first legally binding internet vote in a national referendum. More than 2720 people in four Geneva suburbs, about one in five voters in the region who

Swiss e-vote gets thumbs up


Manufacturers #39; business confidence in the three months to October deteriorated to its weakest level since the middle of last year as input prices, particularly oil, remained high, a survey shows.

Manufacturers #39; confidence dips


It's a case he could have made more convincingly with something other than a half-swing tapper to the pitcher for the final out of yet another in a seemingly endless series of one-run losses for the Red Sox. But Orlando Cabrera wants fans to believe this: For all the futile swings he has made in his two-week incarnation as a ...

He #146;s not short on confidence


Dover, DE (Sports Network) - Series points leader Martin Truex Jr. earned the win in Saturday afternoon #39;s Stacker 200 Busch race at the Dover International Speedway.

Truex Jr. wins at Dover


The movie industry on Thursday said it plans to start suing later this month people who have illegally swapped movies on the Internet, saying the practice represents the greatest economic threat ever faced by the industry.

Movie Industry Targets The Internet In Piracy Battle


Terry Tiffee hits a go-ahead two-run double in his major league debut as the Twins edge out a dramatic 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Twins Roll Rangers


A JAPANESE court has sentenced a self-employed man to a one year suspended jail term for allowing free downloads of two popular Hollywood films through a popular file-sharing software program.

Man sentenced over movie downloads


Yahoo Inc. is buying online jukebox provider Musicmatch Inc. for \$160 million in a deal designed to broaden the Internet giant #39;s appeal with the growing audience of consumers who buy songs off the Web.

Yahoo to buy Musicmatch


United Technologies made a 1.35 billion pound bid for Kidde, but the fire-fighting equipment maker has rejected the offer, saying it undervalues the company.

Kidde rejects United Technologies bid


Close-out retailer Tuesday Morning Corp. said Monday it expects fourth-quarter and full-year earnings and full-year sales to miss analysts #39; expectations due to poor sales of decorative

Tuesday Morning tumbles on Monday


FORMER Israeli nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu had been placed under house arrest after being detained on suspicion of giving secret information to foreigners, a judicial source said today.

Whistleblower  #39;under house arrest #39;


Shares in theme park Euro Disney rallied strongly by 9.38 percent in early trading on Wednesday in relief that a roller-coaster ride to obtain creditor backing for rescue refinancing had ended safely.

Euro Disney stock rallies on rough rescue ride with creditors


WASHINGTON: Nasa will conduct the final and fastest test flight of its pilotless X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, aiming to send it zooming across the Pacific Ocean at about 10 times the speed of sound - 3.2 km per second.

At Mach 10, around the world in 5 hrs


AP - Rookie Ben Gordon scored a career-high 31 points, 16 in the fourth quarter to hold off a furious Minnesota comeback, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Timberwolves 99-88 Saturday night.

Bulls Defeat Timberwolves, 99-88 (AP)


The fourth and final Test match between India and Australia begins in Mumbai on Wednesday. The Indians will be playing for some pride, while the Australians are hoping to sweep the series 3-0.

Indians to play for pride


INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - The U.S. team continued to  dominate the world short course championships Friday, claiming  five gold medals without the help of Michael Phelps after he  was forced out of the meeting with an injured back.

U.S. Continues to Dominate Without Injured Phelps


The personal history of Guo Guoting is of the hard-knock variety commonplace in China, where one old rule endures: you can't fight City Hall.

A Mild Shanghai Lawyer and His Accidental Crusade


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar sank across the board on  Friday as dealers shrugged off robust U.S. economic data and  kept their focus on the currency's shaky fundamentals.

Dollar Ignores Data as Downtrend Persists


At the Totally Fashion event in Shanghai, China, Nokia unveiled its latest mobile phones -- the 7280, 7270 and 7260. With sleek designs and interesting quirks, the phones -- which are more like fashion accessories

Nokia launches  #39;fashion #39; phones


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Suspected bomb blasts hit three  Egyptian Red Sea resorts used by vacationing Israelis on  Thursday and at least 23 people were feared dead from the  biggest explosion, Israeli media said.

Blasts Hit Egyptian Resorts, 23 Feared Dead


The world #39;s top professional players might soon have to use a  quot;deadened quot; golf ball to counter more athletic golfers hitting longer shots each year, US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

Golf Notebook:  #39;Deadened #39; ball revisited


Big changes are afoot for the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Longhorn. Microsoft announced on Friday that it is now targeting 2006 for broad availability of Longhorn.

Changes to Longhorn


PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 3, 2004) -- Brian Westbrook returned to practice, but he remains questionable for Philadelphia #39;s game against Pittsburgh on Nov. 7. The running back missed the Eagles #39; 15-10 victory against Baltimore last week because of a cracked rib.

Eagles #39; Westbrook practices; status not certain


They #39;re in the midst of one of the most relentless marches in their modern history, a 10-game winning streak that has them climbing up the backs of the New York Yankees and leaving their wild card rivals behind.

Pedro powers by Rangers


Reuters - India erupted with joy as shooter Rajyavardhan Rathore clinched their first medal at the Athens Olympics on Tuesday and their first ever individual silver.

India boosted as Rathore grabs historic silver (Reuters)


McLaren Mercedes form in the beginning of the Formula 1 season this year was so wretched that an English journalist had vowed to run naked around the Silverstone circuit if McLaren won a race this year.

I know I Can Beat Michael With The Right Car


France has quietly begun expelling Muslim girls who wear head scarves to public schools in defiance of a new law banning conspicuous religious symbols.

France expels Muslim girls over head scarves


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Interest rates on U.S. 30- and  15-year mortgages fell this week to their lowest levels since  early April as the housing market showed little sign of slowing  despite the Federal Reserve's move to raise interest rates,  mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said on Thursday.

30-, 15-Yr Mortgages Lowest Since April


A rainy Saturday afternoon belonged to hopeful Alabama fans, but once again, the blue and orange of Auburn owned Bryant-Denny Stadium by nightfall.

Rain doesn #39;t fall on Auburn #39;s parade


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. <A HREF=

Bristol-Myers Posts Lower Profit


NEW YORK - Stocks inched higher Thursday as investors shrugged off sluggish retail sales, disappointing worker productivity and a surge in oil prices, focusing instead on rising factory orders.    Trading was muted as investors awaited a mid-quarter update from U.S...

Stocks Climb on Rising Factory Orders


PARIS (AFP) - French bank Credit Agricole posted a better-than-expected 70.9 percent surge in third-quarter net profit thanks to lower provisions and despite an overall decline in revenues.

Credit Agricole third-quarter profit jumps 70 pct on lower <b>...</b>


Ireland has become the first country on earth to cut off direct-dialed calls to entire nations in a bid to crack down on Internet-based fraud.

Ireland Cracks Down on Internet Fraud


The European Union and the Mercosur group of South American economies agreed Thursday to let negotiations on opening their markets extend into next year, missing a month-end deadline to build the world #39;s largest trade area.

Briefly: EU #39;s Mercosur talks extended


NEW YORK: For years, profligate American consumers have been chided for putting aside nothing for a rainy day. Now, with the Federal Reserve raising interest rates, the prospect that households could start

US expansion could hurt if savings rise


SPACE.com - MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA - Human \  flight took a significant step forward today as the privately built SpaceShipOne \  flew into suborbital space for the second time in five days, apparently securing \  the  #36;10 million Ansari X Prize.

SpaceShipOne Wins  #36;10 Million Ansari X Prize in Historic 2nd Trip to Space (SPACE.com)


He walked out on the Foxes despite the club #39;s efforts to persuade him to stay. Director of football Dave Bassett has been placed in temporary charge of team affairs while the club consider their next move.

ADAMS QUITS AS FOXES BOSS


Reuters - Malaysia is sending more troops to\its border with Thailand to check smuggling of chickens into\northern Kelantan state, under quarantine for a bird flu virus\that can kill humans, defense officials said on Thursday.

Malaysia Boosts Border Watch to Rein in Bird Flu (Reuters)


The fundamental memory component of a quantum computer has been built for the first time using a string of atoms. This could offer a more reliable way to build a working quantum computer than other techniques, suggest researchers.

Atomic register offers route to quantum computing


Nepal's government says it is trying to secure the release of 13 Nepalese workers taken hostage in Iraq.

Nepal confirms abductions in Iraq


Jeff DaVanon walked to the plate in the seventh inning, fully aware that he was a home run away from history.  quot;I #39;d be lying if I said I didn #39;t know, quot; the Anaheim Angels outfielder said.

DaVanon hits for cycle as Angels rout Royals


As far as improbable endings go, this one has to rank high on the  quot;Rudy quot; scale. Gustavo Chacin was the ultimate underdog on Monday night, a Double-A pitcher summoned to face the toughest team in the American League.

Toronto Blue Jays News


At the SoftSummit conference, debate over subscription pricing, discounting and licensing practices comes alive.

Is the software license dead?


FORMULA One #39;s governing body has confirmed the threatened British, French and San Marino Grands Prix on a crowded 19-race calendar for next year.

Formula for GP frenzy


In a step fraught with risks for Prime Minister Tony Blair, Britain agreed yesterday to send 850 of its soldiers from relatively peaceful southern Iraq to a volatile area near Baghdad

CONTROVERSIAL MOVE TO LET AMERICANS HIT REBEL POSTS HARDER


Andy Roddick is reportedly close to confirming US Davis Cup assistant Dean Goldfine as his new coach. Roddick ended his 18-month partnership with Brad Gilbert on Monday, and Goldfine admits talks have taken place.

Roddick in talks over new coach


Dell has introduced its new PowerEdge 1855 blade servers, which it says combine enterprise-class features with increased density and lower cost than traditional Dell 1U rack servers to deliver an advantaged platform for data center computing.

Dell announces new enterprise-class blade servers


Matthew Emmons is a trained accountant but he got his numbers terribly wrong yesterday. The American sharpshooter was just one shot away from a second Olympic gold medal when he fired at the wrong target in the final round.

Shot at wrong target costs rifleman gold


AP - David Toms was going through his PGA Tour schedule for the remainder of the year when he mentioned the 84 Lumber Classic, which is squeezed between the Ryder Cup and a World Golf Championship in Ireland.

A Big Perk for 84 Lumber Golfers (AP)


Marion Jones, who left Sydney four years ago with a record five medals, will depart Athens with none after a disastrous night at the Olympic Stadium.

Olympics: Jones can #39;t hang on to success


Two bombs planted in a car and motorcycle exploded before dawn this morning at a gathering of Sunni Muslim radicals in central Pakistan, killing at least 39 people and wounding about 100 others.

Suspected Shiite bombs kill 39 Pakistani Sunnis


'Significantly exceeds previously estimated workforce-reduction target'

AT #38;T culls another 7,400 staff


Rahul Dravid won the toss on Wednesday and elected to bat. This was the first toss that India won in the series. Gautam Gambhir and Dinesh Kaarthik for India and Nathan Hauritz for Australia made their Test debuts.

Statistical highlights, Day 1


Pascal Lamy, the former EU trade commissioner, could become the World Trade Organisation #39;s new director general, replacing Supachai Panitchpakdi when his three-year term runs out in August.

EU backs Lamy to head World Trade Organisation


NASA #39;s plan to send a robot into space to repair the ailing Hubble Space Telescope is unlikely to succeed, according to a new report from the National Academy of Sciences.

Panel: Robot Won #39;t Save Hubble


The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Yakin Erturk, is visiting Sudan to examine the situation of women in the conflict-ridden African country.

UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women visits Sudan


The electronics giant has begun production of next-generation screens using organic light-emitting diode technology.

Sony begins mass production of OLED screens


Chilean senators agree to scrap provisions in the constitution widely viewed as undemocratic.

Chile to overhaul constitution


LEEDS CASTLE, England (Reuters) - Talks aimed at forging a  comprehensive peace settlement for Northern Ireland ended  without a deal on Saturday, despite Britain and Ireland saying  they were close to securing full disarmament by the IRA.

No Deal at N.Irish Talks, But 'Progress' on IRA


POIANA BRASOV, Oct. 14. - Russia has agreed to send warships to help Natos naval patrols monitoring suspicious vessels in the Mediterranean , as part of a drive for closer counter-terrorism cooperation between Moscow and the western alliance.

Russia to join Nato in Mediterranean patrols


New version of Media Center and accompanying

With new OS, Microsoft seeks couch potatoes' eyes


Judge Hillary Squires will today rule whether E-tv can broadcast the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial live from the Durban High Court.

Judge to decide on live broadcasts from Shaik trial


AP - Michael Moore shot back at Republicans on Wednesday after they requested that the filmmaker be prosecuted for offering underwear and food to college students in exchange for their promise to vote.

Michael Moore Responds to Michigan GOP (AP)


A South African businessman is charged with trafficking nuclear material to Asian countries, in particular Pakistan.

SA man charged for 'nuclear bomb'


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of top toy maker Mattel Inc.  <A HREF=

Toymakers' Stocks Hit Lows on Downgrade


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Steve McNair returned to the lineup for the first time in a month, throwing a touchdown pass and directing two other scoring drives in the Titans 18-15 upset in Jacksonville.

NFL roundup for Monday, Nov. 22, 2004


For the first time ever, Silverstone is not on the provisional 2005 calendar, which must be ratified by the FIA world council on 13 October.

Silverstone cut from provisional 2005 F1 Grand Prix calendar


Singapore #39;s foreign ministry said yesterday that it welcomed President Chen Shui-bian #39;s () address a day earlier, calling it a development that would reduce tensions between Taiwan and China.

Singapore welcomes Chen #39;s address


Microsoft Corp. has suspended the beta testing of the next version of its MSN Messenger client because of a potential security problem, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Security concerns put MSN Messenger beta on hold


As a standards-setting body readies a protocol for radio frequency identification, known as RFID, a bid for royalties from a holder of critical patents has threatened to disrupt the smooth rollout of a technology that could spawn one of the decade's biggest industries.

Patent fight may slow radio tags


A car is overturned in a damaged Route 117 in Ojiya, northwest of Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. A barrage of powerful quakes jolted the region Saturday evening, killing at least 16 people, toppling buildings and injuring more than 900 others.

Earthquakes Kill 18, Hurt 1,500 in Japan


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, a day  after a sharp sell-off, as value investors picked up shares in  lagging sectors such as healthcare.

Stocks Rise; Healthcare Sector Climbs


Just four insurgents tied down a Marine company for hours in a nighttime battle.

In pockets of Fallujah, US troops still face harsh battles


Top seed Tim Henman finally won a match at the Madrid Masters on Wednesday, producing a classy display to beat Spain #39;s Albert Costa 6-4 6-2 and reach the third round.

UPDATE 1-Henman makes it third time lucky in Madrid


WORLD champion Petter Solberg admitted he needed all his reserves of speed to complete a hat-trick of Wales Rally GB wins. The Norwegian stole victory from world championship leader Sebastien Loeb with a brave

Solberg digs deep to claim victory in Wales


Saturn #39;s mysterious moon Titan does a star turn today, getting a close-up from the international Cassini-Huygens space probe. Larger than Mercury and Pluto, Titan is a full-fledged

Saturn #39;s moon Titan comes into focus today


Beijing (VNA) - The Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) closed in Beijing on Sunday after issuing a joint declaration.

Asian political parties meeting issues joint statement


STARKVILLE, Miss. -- It will be different in November, when he makes the 90-mile journey east back to Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tougher, too. More difficult to control the emotions that he has kept in check for so long, since last December when opportunity and availability finally converged, making him a historic figure.

Croom's job is history


CAMP LEJEUNE, NC -- Camp Lejeune Marines patrolling south of Baghdad, Iraq, are getting help from British troops. The 24th Marine Exepeditionary Unit of some 2,200 troops says it is being reinforced by some

Lejeune Marines Get Help From British Troops


The head of the US space agency Nasa Sean O'Keefe is preparing to resign, according to reports.

Space agency chief 'to resign'


AP - Andy Reid moved ahead of Joe Gibbs. Just barely. In a game much tighter than form would have predicted, the Philadelphia Eagles held off the Washington Redskins 17-14 Sunday night, winning their fifth straight and propelling Reid past Gibbs into first place in winning percentage among active coaches.

Eagles Defeat Redskins 17-14 (AP)


U.S. sprinter Torri Edwards appeared for a hearing on her doping case that will determine whether the reigning 100-meter world champion competes in the Athens Games.

Edwards Appears for Hearing


After the fourth question yesterday regarding backup running back Ron Dayne, Giants coach Tom Coughlin felt he had answered enough.

Giants still coming up short


Attempting to fine-tune its software for use in business-critical applications, Blue Titan Software on Monday is unveiling Network Director RM (Reliable Messaging), a tool for policy distribution and messaging in SOAs (service-oriented architectures).

Blue Titan adds reliable messaging to SOA tool


TAIPEI - A TV photographer is believed to be the first victim on Taiwan of powerful Typhoon Nock-ten, which pounded the northern and eastern parts of the island with strong winds and heavy rainfall Monday.

Typhoon Nock-ten pounds Taiwan


CLAMART, France: A senior aide to Yasser Arafat said Saturday that the ailing Palestinian leader had undergone further medical tests and that results were expected within days.

Qorei urges calm as Arafats condition unchanged


The Houston Astros #39; Carlos Beltran has the St Louis Cardinals shaking their heads in disbelief and baseball owners quaking in their boots.

Beltran #39;s Bat Gives Cards, Owners Food for Thought


Lexmark suffers a setback in its fight to keep third-party ink cartridges off store shelves.

Court May Clear the Way for Cheaper Ink


AFP - The US House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a resolution expressing concern about human rights in Syria.

US House slams Syria on rights (AFP)


SAP has won a \$35 million contract to install its human resources software for the US Postal Service. The NetWeaver-based system will replace the Post Office #39;s current 25-year-old legacy application

SAP Lands \$35 Million Post-Office Deal


Fort Worth, Texas-based, American Airlines says it will defer 54 of 56 Boeing aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2006 and 2010, American said Monday.

AA to delay aircraft deliveries


New government-set goals for mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make home ownership affordable have been eased slightly from the targets proposed earlier this year, the Housing and Urban Development Department said Monday.

HUD Eases Affordable-Housing Goals


The shock here was not just from the awful fact itself, that two vibrant young Italian women were kidnapped in Iraq, dragged from their office by attackers who, it seems, knew their names.

Opponents of the War, but Targets All the Same


LONDON Ever since two successful flights into space were made from the Mojave Desert, thousands of people are signing up to take the same trip.

Virgin CEO says thousands are signing up to take flight into space


R B stars Usher and Alicia Key  dominate the Billboard Awards in Las Vegas.

Billboard awards honour hitmakers


Person who fingered alleged author of virus must cool heels while waiting for cool quarter-million-dollar reward.

Microsoft: Sasser bounty hinges on conviction


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei stock average fell 0.38  percent by mid-morning on Wednesday as investors took a  breather from the market's recent rises and sold shares of  gainers such as Sharp Corp.

Tokyo Stocks Dip on Profit-Taking


The United States must  quot;rededicate quot; itself to the strength of its universities if the nation is to maintain its place as a world leader in technology and innovation, Microsoft Corp.

America #39;s richest man talks tech at UC Berkeley


MOBILE phone operator mmO2 has signed a deal with Japanese group NTT DoCoMo to provide i-mode internet phone services in the UK, Germany and Ireland.

Mm02 dials up Japanese group to net deal for i-mode services


Ember, a start-up developing chips for ZigBee, gets money from Paul Allen's venture fund. Bob Metcalfe comes aboard as chairman.

Metcalfe, Allen back ZigBee start-up


Two members of the Iraqi prime ministers family have been abducted from their Baghdad home, his spokesman confirmed today. Kidnappers claimed to be holding three relatives.

Iraqi Premier #39;s Relatives Kidnapped - Threatened with Beheading


IS there anyone more stylish in New York than GIMM MUR SCHWG, the chain-smoking fashion editor of Boldface Names?.

How I Got That Schwag: A Boldfaced Online Spree


If the Randy Johnson deal gets done, the Yankees will have the best rotation in the American League - if it gets done. The Yankees continued discussions yesterday with Arizona and Los Angeles

Immediate upside for Yankees


WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--The New Zealand dollar is likely to add to its nine-year high against its Australian counterpart if, as expected, the two countries

FX Asia: Kiwi To Add To 9-Yr High Vs Aussie On Rate Gap


In the final talks of negotiations between the Anglo-Irish drive for a peaceful Northern Ireland the IRA guerrillas said on Thursday that they would never be humiliated by photographing their actual disarmaments.

IRA Will Disarm Under One Condition


AP - The Detroit Lions went three full seasons without winning an away game, setting an NFL record for road futility. They ended that ignominious streak Sunday in their first opportunity of the season, beating the Chicago Bears 20-16 at Soldier Field.

At Last, Success on the Road for Lions (AP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - Triple champion Marion Jones made a  low-key return to Olympic competition Wednesday by successfully  qualifying for Friday's women's long jump final.

A Low-Key Olympic Return for Marion Jones


Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON  #8212; House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was unanimously rebuked by the ethics committee Wednesday for involving a federal agency in a Texas partisan matter and staging a fundraiser in a way that appeared to link access to the congressman with political donations.

DeLay Is Again Rebuked on Ethics (Los Angeles Times)


Information Appliance Associates, a software developer, announced the release of an application synchronizing Research In Motion #39;s (RIM) BlackBerry mobile devices with Apple #39;s Mac OS X.

Blackberry in sync with Apple computers


The Motion Picture Association of America #39;s war on piracy took an unexpected turn this week with a new lawsuit. This time, instead of targeting pirates directly the MPAA has sued two microchip makers, Sigma Designs, Inc.

MPAA sues DVD chipmakers


The United States has toned down its threat of UN sanctions against Sudan, but said oil sanctions should be considered if the African nation does not stop the violence in the troubled Darfur region.

US eases Sudan sanctions threat


ARSENAL pulled clear at the top of the English Premier League table for the first time this season after producing a devastating change of gear to sink London rival Fulham 3-0 yesterday.

Gunners extend winning stretch


Anil Kumble is thrilled after becoming India's leading wicket-taker in Tests.

Cricket: Kumble joy over record


He couldn't go. Curt Schilling wasn't hedging on this. He wasn't thinking maybe, or I'm doubtful, or let's see.

Painful day, then win sewn up


About 2 million years ago, humans began to jog - perhaps to hunt animals or scavenge carcasses on the vast savannahs of Africa. And the ability to run long distances shaped our anatomy, allowing us to evolve

On the horizon


KATHMANDU: Angry protesters burnt tyres in Kathmandu and forcibly shut down schools and shops on Wednesday, following the killing of 12 Nepalis by their abductors in Iraq.

One killed in Nepal violence


ALMADEN, CALIFORNIA -- IBM has begun work on new technologies designed to boost the capacity of tape storage devices by 250 times. Using

IBM researchers eye 100TB tape drive


Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins announced on Saturday they have re-signed manager Jack McKeon to a one-year contract through the 2005 season.

McKeon to return for 2005 season


The incentive of a postseason berth inspired the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. And yet, when the game was over, each of the teams had lost.

Teams Battle Like There's No Tomorrow, and There Isn't


AMSTERDAM The mobile phone giants Vodafone and Nokia teamed up on Thursday to simplify cellphone software written with the Java computer language.

Nokia and Vodafone seek simpler software


HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong pro-democracy candidates,  stung by a sex scandal, made limited gains against the Beijing  camp in legislative polls as voters wary of irking their  communist rulers chose stability, results showed on Monday.

HK Vote Count Late, Few Democrat Gains in Exit Polls


Halliburton Co. said yesterday that it may sell its Kellogg Brown  #38; Root subsidiary, the largest government contractor in Iraq. Even though revenue soared from the unit, profit lagged and the dollars brought controversy over whether the company once run by Dick Cheney overcharged the government and mishandled some of the services it provides.

Halliburton Considers Selling Troubled Unit


Description: In the weeks leading up to the Olympic games in Athens, hotels were expecting huge crowds to flood the city. Lagging ticket sales at Olympic venues seem to have trickled into the hotel business as well, as crowds have failed to show up as ...

Plenty of Room at the Inns of Athens


CHICAGO (Reuters) - A dispute between Northwest Airlines  Corp. <A HREF=

Northwest, Sabre Tussle Heats Up


AP - Papermaker and forest products company Svenska Cellulosa AB said Tuesday it would cut 1,200 jobs, or 2.4 percent of its overall work force, as it seeks to cut costs amid competition from rivals and declining demand. Most of the job losses will be at plants in France and the Netherlands.

Svenska Cellulosa to Slash 1,200 Jobs (AP)


SEATTLE (Reuters) - For people trying to get their aging  parents on the Web so they can read e-mail and get digital  photos of the family, Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Microsoft Targets Older People for Web Via TV


(Kabul, Afghanistan-AP) Oct. 31, 2004 - Arab television has played a video that apparently shows three foreign election workers kidnapped in Afghanistan.

Video shows three foreign election workers kidnapped in <b>...</b>


This old mining town in the northeast of England used to be a grimy industrial wasteland. Now it's becoming a gleaming cultural center and -- who would have thought it? -- tourist destination

From Coal to Culture


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

Textron Posts Profit, Raises Outlook


Oracle declined to comment on Conway #39;s removal by PeopleSoft. But in a statement, chairman Jeff Henley said:  quot;We are now looking forward to the trial in Delaware of our claims

Peoplesoft Removes Craig Conway as CEO


ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sports Network) - Anaheim Angels  outfielder Vladimir Guerrero was drilled on the left side of  his head by a pitch from Mariners pitcher Ryan Franklin,  forcing him out of Monday's 5-2 win in the first inning.

Guerrero Beaned During Angels Game


Cheaper clothes prices helped to lower the UK inflation rate in August, with the consumer prices index (CPI) down to 1.3 from 1.4 in July.

Surprise slowdown in UK inflation


PepsiCo Inc. (PEP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s No. 2 soft drink company, on Wednesday reaffirmed its 2004 profit forecast and named former Kraft Foods Inc.

PepsiCo Reaffirms 2004 Profit Forecast


MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Following several years of cost cutting, Australia #39;s Orica Ltd. (ORI.AU), the world #39;s biggest maker of mining explosives, on Wednesday said net

UPDATE: Australia #39;s Orica Triples FY Net To A\$327.8M


Perhaps it won #39;t rank in the memory banks of New Yorkers to the extent the 1965, 1977 or 2003 blackouts do, but for the 53,530 in attendance at Yankee Stadium for Friday #39;s game against the Anaheim Angels, the unplugged ...

Power outage wreaks havoc in Bronx


France yesterday sent a further 300 troops to bolster a retaliation operation against the government of Ivory Coast after nine of its soldiers were killed in an air raid ordered

France sends more troops to Ivory Coast in retaliation for <b>...</b>


Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Donovan McNabb threw four touchdown passes, including three to Terrell Owens, to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 31-17 victory over the New York Giants in the season-opener for both teams at Lincoln Financial Field.

NFL Game Summary - NY Giants at Philadelphia


Caleb Hanie was supposed to serve an apprenticeship much the same way Justin Holland did the previous two seasons. Now that Holland is out of action with a broken fibula, the true freshman finds himself as the No.

CSU moves on with Hanie


Cazenove and JP Morgan have agreed a joint venture that effectively ends 181 years of independence for the UK stockbroker. The new venture, to be called JP Morgan Cazenove

JP Morgan, Cazenove agree joint venture deal


Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes is illegal and militarily unjustified, claims a report by Human Right Watch.

Report condemns Gaza demolitions


Even if he says he doesn #39;t care -- even if he pretends to ignore it -- the question lingers like a beachball-sized hanging curve: How many home runs does Barry Bonds have to hit?

National Post


Stocks are little-changed in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down five points in today #39;s early going. Losing issues on the New York Stock Exchange hold a narrow lead over gainers.

Stocks little changed on IBM, J amp;J news


MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Australian fertilizer interest Incitec Pivot Ltd. (IPL.AU) on Monday reported a net profit, including one-time items, of A\$75.

Australia #39;s Incitec Pivot FY04 Net A\$75.1 Million -2-


AP - California has become the first state to reward landowners for leaving forests standing to help control global warming, under a program adopted this week by the California Climate Action Registry.

Calif. Salutes Global Warming Fighters (AP)


After plugging woodpecker holes in the tail and a little touch-up paint, original space shuttle Enterprise and hundreds of other spacecraft and artifacts from human efforts

Nations 1st space shuttle lands in aviation museum


AP - Willie Randolph is guaranteed  #36;1,875,000 under his three-year contract with the New York Mets, one of the richest deals for a first-year manager.

Randolph Guaranteed  #36;1.88M in Mets Deal (AP)


A federal judge in Boston dismissed patent claims filed by large biotechnology companies against Columbia University that alleged the New York school was improperly trying to extend its rights to a process widely used to engineer new drugs.

Judge halts patent suits against Columbia


The US Federal Reserve, headed by Alan Greenspan, raises interest rates by 0.25 in a widely anticipated move.

US interest rates to rise to 2


The three partners involved in the development of the Cell processor, which will power the PlayStation 3 along with a number of other devices, have unveiled new details about the technology behind the chip.

Sony, Toshiba and IBM prepare to reveal Cell details


Aug. 31, 2004 - American astronomers say they have discovered the two smallest planets yet orbiting nearby stars, trumping a small planet discovery by European scientists five days ago and capping the latest

Astronomers Spot Smallest Planets Yet


AP - The ball finally got to Courtney Taylor, the flag rescued John Vaughn and No. 14 Auburn proved itself an SEC contender. Jason Campbell hit Taylor for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 1:14 to play, and Auburn got two chances to kick the winning extra point in a 10-9 victory over No. 5 LSU Saturday.

TD, Two Tries at Kick Send Auburn Past LSU (AP)


The sounds made by dune avalanches has mystified people for centuries. California scientists test an explanation by sliding down the sand on their rear ends.

Why Sand Dunes Go Boom


Barry Bonds hits his 699th home run, and the Giants regain the NL wild-card lead with a 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Bonds Bombs No. 699


A California environmental activist on Wednesday became the first customer to take delivery of a Ford Escape Hybrid. Ford Motor Co.

Calif. activist buys first hybrid Escape


While TV viewers and radio listeners have long suffered through ear-piercing emergency-alert tests, the system has had a spotty record in actual crises. That's why critics are leery of plans to expand the system to cell phones and PCs. By Randy Dotinga.

Crisis Alert in Critical State


Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg said that smart watches take advantage of  quot;invisible space, quot; items you carry with you that don #39;t take up any extra space.

Wireless Swatch Beams MSN Direct Services


Defender Wayne Bridge is in contention for Chelsea after missing the weekend win at Middlesbrough due to a knock suffered in the draw against Tottenham.

Chelsea v Porto


Executives at eight leading financial services firms met earlier this year to share their disaster recovery strategies -- and found that they all face many of the same issues.

Financial firms compare notes on disaster recovery


An Italian aid worker walked free from the jungles of the southern Philippines on Wednesday, a day after he was abducted by local gunmen, officials said.

Kidnapped Italian freed in southern Philippines


Reuters - The weather predictions for Asia in\2050 read like a script from a doomsday movie.

Asia Faces Living Nightmare from Climate Change (Reuters)


Cyberonics, the maker of a device that treats epilepsy, has nabbed the attention of a buyer. Advanced Neuromodulation Systems of Dallas said Friday it has acquired 15 percent of the company and added that it may want to buy it ...

Dallas firm interested in buying Cyberonics


Reuters - A few weeks ago, the crew of an\Indian fishing boat in the Arabian Sea thought they had the\biggest catch of their lives.

Whale Shark Finds New Friends in Indian Fishermen (Reuters)


The European Commission is giving up on its attempts to hold France and Germany to account for repeatedly breaching the financial rules governing the 12 countries that use the euro, effectively

Can the European Stability Pact survive?


British record companies trade association the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) has announced it is to begin a rolling programme of legal action against  #39;major filesharers #39; who illegally make copyright music available to millions of people across the

Music Industry To Sue  #39;Major File-Sharers #39;


Microsoft (Quote, Chart) CEO Steve Ballmer urged Asian government leaders not to take sides in the Linux versus Windows debate.  quot;We recommend to all governments that they not get emotionally involved in preferring

Ballmer Bearish on Linux


Australia are out to flex their muscles against part-timers USA at the Rose Bowl tomorrow and show the world they are serious about winning the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time.

PONTING PLANNING AMERICAN MISERY


which plans to axe three academic departments to save money -as been put up for sale on the internet auction site eBay. The campus is on offer at 10 million in

University Up for Sale in Spoof Auction


Fresh from their recent successful launch of the open-source Firefox browser, Mozilla may be preparing to challenge Opera for dominance in the mobile browser market, according to a story appearing on ArsTechnica.

Mozilla #39;s Minimo Prepares to Challenge Opera


After its recent delays and missteps, chip maker sets its sights on a dual-core future.

Intel Looks to Get Back on Track


AP - Newly acquired wide receiver Keenan McCardell will make his season debut on Sunday and might even start for the San Diego Chargers in their road game against the Carolina Panthers.

Keenan McCardell Could Start for Chargers (AP)


(11/08/04) The Washington Redskins grabbed a 17-to-10 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Clinton Portis ran for 147 yards on 34 carries and threw a tiebreaking touchdown pass.

Redskins top Lions


PC and home theater make sleek package, while new portable music devices abound.

Tokyo Edge: New Choices in Digital Entertainment


NEW YORK -- A decline in the nation's inventory of heating oil catapulted crude futures prices toward \$55 a barrel yesterday, providing the latest jolt to a market already rattled by the world's tight supply of oil, strong demand, and the possibility of output problems in several producing nations.

Heating oil report jolts prices


NEW YORK (Dow Jones/AP) -- JetBlue Airways Corp. said Thursday its profit plunged 71 percent in the third quarter, cut sharply by industry competition, record-high fuel prices and the effects of hurricanes.

JetBlue #39;s profit plunges on fuel prices, competition


Martha Stewart, the jailed celebrity homemaker, has filed a claim with her company for \$3.7m (2.85m) for help with her legal bills.

Martha Stewart pleads for legal aid


In the 1990s, as their European rival Airbus Industrie gobbled up market share, senior executives at aircraft builder Boeing Co. -- aviation engineers, financial analysts, retired military brass -- spent hours at team meetings reviewing the Boeing advertising campaign.

In one man's view, leaders shortchange strategy


When the year #39;s most eagerly awaited Test series starts here tomorrow Australia, who have dominated the world game since the fading of West Indies a dozen years ago, will feel the uncommon pressure of having to prove a point.

India await on final frontier


SALVADOR, Brazil -- Eduard Fioza pedals a unicycle up and down a ramp beneath a blue, red, and yellow big top. Jumping off his seat, he darts past a juggler and does a short, impromptu dance.

Circus an escape for Brazilian youth