WHEN history repeats itself, no-one minds if the experience was enjoyable in the first instance, but watching Paula Radcliffe on Friday night was as harrowing as being made to sit through your least favourite movie, this time without the popcorn and only

Radcliffe #39;s shot at redemption backfires


Reuters - U.S. aircraft and tanks pounded\Shi'ite militia positions around a holy shrine and ancient\cemetery in Najaf early on Friday, witnesses said.

U.S. Air, Ground Forces Pound Iraqi Militia Posts (Reuters)


While Willie Randolph remains the leading candidate to become the next Mets manager, GM Omar Minaya hasn #39;t made a final decision.

Mets: Backman, Leyland on Minaya #39;s list


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Anti-US cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his followers are ready to leave the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf if American-led forces pull back from the holy Shi #39;ite site, an aide to Sadr says.

Sadr calls for Najaf ceasefire


The family of the murdered journalist Daniel Pearl has appealed to American politicians not to use his name in their election campaigns.

Don #39;t use Pearl as electoral pawn, family tells politicians


International Business Machines Corp., the world #39;s largest computer maker, said it will pay at least \$300 million to settle part of a lawsuit that claimed the company #39;s pension plan discriminated against older workers.

IBM Agrees to Settle Part of Federal Pension Lawsuit (Update3)


The Israeli-Egyptian-US qualifying industrial zone agreement creates a basis for stable relations between Israel and Egypt. It will weather diplomatically difficult periods, Minister of Industry, Trade

Olmert: Egyptian QIZ agreement will weather political storms


A New York painter, Steve Mumford, has been embedded with military units in Iraq on and off since April 2003.

Sketches From the Front: An Artist's Dispatches, Rendered in Ink and Paint


WORCESTER -- Niel Loebig threw for four touchdowns as Duquesne beat Holy Cross, 31-7, yesterday in the season opener for both teams.

HC fails to put up it dukes


special coverage Assuming Oracle will win its antitrust suit, traders are scooping up PeopleSoft options.

Oracle v. DOJ: Traders bet on Oracle


An Iraqi man who has lived in Italy since 1980 has been killed by abductors in Iraq, his brother said Monday. Ayad Anwar Wali, a 43-year-old businessman, was kidnapped August 31 in Baghdad.

Iraqi-Italian  #39;killed by captors #39;


ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Willie Parker, Brian St. Pierre, and James Harrison -- who are these guys, you might ask?

Bills get bounced by Steelers' subs


Al Leiter #39;s heart may be in New York, but the southpaw #39;s paycheck will come from the Marlins. Agent Randy Hendricks acknowledged  quot;serious discussions quot; are underway to return Leiter to Florida

Marlins reeling Al back in


Hong Kongs gross domestic product rose 7.2 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter as strong trade flows and tourist spending continued to drive its recovery from the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome last year.

Hong Kongs GDP expands 7.2 on tourist spending


Microsoft has announced the availability of Beta 2 of its SQL Server 2005 database, which will include support for AMD's 64-bit Opteron CPU and Intel's 64-bit Itanium chip.

Microsoft offers sneak peak of SQL Server 2005


A hydrogen fuel cell being tested since February at Dow Chemical Co. #39;s complex in Freeport has successfully generated electricity using hydrogen that is less than 100 percent pure, which is prompting an expanded test.

Dow, GM to take fuel cell project to next stage


In another sign that the hype is off the advanced television market, Intel said Thursday that it is scrapping plans to build microdisplay chips for rear-projection televisions.

Intel pulls plug on TV chip plans


and that was before Larry Hughes gave an announced crowd of 15,042 at MCI Center good reason to go crazy.

Magical Evening For the Wizards


The World Trade Organization on Wednesday held off approving stiff sanctions on US exports ranging from cod to mobile homes intended to punish Washington until it repeals the so-called Byrd amendment.

US spared WTO sanctions -- for now


Nokia yesterday launched three new tri-band phones with fashion inspired designs that have allowed the company to add a twist to the common keypad.

Nokia aims handsets at the cocktail set


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration said it  would work with Congress to avoid U.S. exports being hit with  potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in new sanctions  approved on Tuesday by the World Trade Organization.

USTR to Comply After WTO Sanctions Threat


Tim Berners-Lee, the man who invented the web, says the medium will never realize its potential unless everyone involved can agree on standards that let computers more easily communicate with each other.

Can't We All Just Get Along?


A TV journalist was shot dead as he made a live broadcast from Baghdad when US helicopters fired on a crowd gathered around the burning wreckage of a US armoured vehicle.

TV reporter dies in US helicopter strike


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Monday as warnings of  lower earnings from consumer goods giants Colgate-Palmolive and  Unilever weighed on markets.

Stocks Slip After Colgate Warns


PC maker Dell and software company Microsoft have formed a development partnership to improve the way customers manage systems across the enterprise.

Dell, Microsoft to enable systems, software updates with one tool


LONDON (Reuters) - Next year's World Cup of Golf will be  staged at the Victoria Clube de Golfe Course at Vilamoura in  Portugal, the European Tour announced on Monday.

2005 World Cup to Be Played in Portugal


Six suspected Islamic militants go on trial in Paris for an alleged plot to bomb the US embassy in 2001.

US embassy bomb plot trial opens


LONDON/BOSTON (Reuters) - United Technologies Corp. <A HREF=

UTC Agrees to Buy Kidde for \$2.8 Billion


Chipmaker will pay Big Blue nearly \$300 million, but move should help in competition with Intel.

AMD, IBM extend chip development deal


Circuit City Stores Inc. (CC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday reported a 2.9 percent gain in quarterly same-store sales but its growth lagged estimates due to a calendar shift and reduced spending through August.

Circuit City Sales Trail Estimates


Police in Nigeria say dozens of people were killed in an explosion at an oil pipeline on the outskirts of the commercial capital, Lagos.

Nigerian Police Say Dozens Killed in Oil Pipeline Explosion


Prime Minister John Howard came under fire Friday for bankrolling a pre-election e-mail campaign carried out by a company run by his son.

Australian Prime Minister Admits Funding Pre-Election  #39;Spam #39; <b>...</b>


NEW YORK - Falling oil prices and strong earnings from Intel Corp. and McDonald's Corp...

Stocks Mixed on Strong Earnings Reports


KABUL, Afghanistan - A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan


AP - Gary Payton, the veteran guard the Boston Celtics acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, reported to training camp on Monday.

Payton Reports to Celtics Training Camp (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. construction spending fell  unexpectedly by 0.4 percent in November, as a cooling in  residential construction overpowered a small rise in public  spending, a government report showed on Monday.

Construction Spending Down


Sports teams are putting high technology into stadiums to attract fans, generate cash and improve standings.

Photo gallery: Game on for tech gear


AFP - An Aboriginal community in northern Australia is calm and under heavy guard after the death of a young indigenous man in police custody triggered riots.

North Australian Aboriginal community under heavy guard after rioting (AFP)


Volkswagen and its union traded threats Wednesday ahead of renewed wage talks, with several thousand workers staging short work stoppages and the German carmaker #39;s personnel chief warning of dramatic job cuts if the company doesn #39;t get cost

Thousands of Volkswagen workers walk out as company might have to <b>...</b>


Gordon Brown has struck a deal to derail Brussels plans for a rapid expansion in the EU #39;s budget, wresting back control for the finance ministers of member states.

Brown claims victory in fight to curb EU budget


Shipments of personal digital assistants declined for the third consecutive quarter as large vendors continued ceding the depressed market to smaller electronics makers, the research firm IDC said Wednesday.

Digital Assistants Continue to Lose Ground


Diplomats in Brussels say the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany will meet Iran #39;s top nuclear official Monday to discuss a long-term nuclear cooperation agreement.

European Ministers to Discuss Discuss Irans Long-Term Uranium <b>...</b>


After suffering its biggest casualties since its peacekeeping operation began in Ivory Coast two years ago, France is stepping up pressure on Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to cease all military action.

France Pressures Ivory Coast Government to Cease All Military <b>...</b>


Scott Johnson, a lawyer in Mendota Heights, Minn., put up his first post at 7:51 a.m. on Sept. 9. By the time he got to his Minneapolis office, he had dozens of e-mail responses.

After Blogs Got Hits, CBS Got a Black Eye


Sony and Ampex have agreed to end their dispute over a patent covering thumbnail images in digital image storage and retrieval devices.

Sony to pay \$40m to end patent dispute


A panel of biologists with the US Fish and Wildlife Service says sage grouse should not be listed as an endangered species. The recommendation has environmental groups threatening to sue.

Panel: Keep sage grouse off endangered list


AP - A lieutenant of Iraq's most feared terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was captured a few days ago in Mosul, the government's national security adviser said Thursday.

Al-Zarqawi Lieutenant Arrested in Mosul (AP)


Free agent Carl Pavano ended his visit to Detroit on Friday and left town accompanied by a report that the Tigers have offered the right-hander a four-year contract for \$40 million.

Agent says Tigers didn #39;t make \$40-million offer


KABUL (Reuters) - At least 15 people have been killed in  explosions in an upscale district of the Afghan capital Kabul  and at a school in a southeastern province, officials said  Sunday.

Two Afghan Blasts Kill at Least 15 People


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Home appliance maker Maytag Corp.  <A HREF=

Maytag Profit Slumps; Job Cuts on Track


A string of bombs hit a resort and a campground popular with Israelis in Egypt #39;s Sinai Peninsula at the end of a Jewish holiday killing at least 19 people.

Blasts Strike Sinai Resort in Egypt


AP - Colombian cyclist Maria Luisa Calle Williams has tested positive for a stimulant and could lose her bronze medal, Olympic officials said on Sunday.

Source: Colombian Cyclist Fails Drug Test (AP)


It's going to take a really good team to stop the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles. Right now, mediocre is a reach for the Chicago Bears.

Eagles Easily Best Struggling Bears


Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Timberwolves tacked on one more game to the suspension of center Michael Olowokandi, who was jailed early Thursday morning for refusing to leave an Indianapolis nightclub.

Another game added to Olowokandi suspension


NEW YORK (Sports Network) - Hakim Warrick scored 25 points  and Gerry McNamara added 21, as fifth-ranked Syracuse pulled  away late for a 77-62 victory over No. 24 Memphis in the  championship game of the Coaches versus Cancer Classic at  Madison Square Garden.

Syracuse Pulls Out Victory Over Memphis


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.

Update 3: Yahoo Buying Musicmatch for \$160 Million


AP - The ruling party claimed victory Wednesday in special elections designed to clear the path for Pakistan's finance minister to be elevated to prime minister. The opposition said the vote was rigged.

Pakistan's Ruling Party Claims Win in Vote (AP)


KABUL, Afghanistan -- With the counting effectively  quot;over and done, quot; incumbent Hamid Karzai is the clear winner in Afghanistan #39;s presidential election, a senior official has said.

Afghan vote: Karzai  #39;clear winner #39;


Ole Miss has received permission from the San Francisco 49ers to speak with head coach Dennis Erickson.

Rebels Target Erickson


Steven Gerrard #39;s thunderous volley against Olimpiakos Piraeus may have secured Liverpool #39;s progress in the lucrative and prestigious UEFA Champions League, but it also virtually ensured the skipper #39;s Anfield exit during the summer transfer window.

Gerrard playing for his future


Mount St. Helens #39; recent eruption may be replaying a scene straight from the geochemical drama that led to life on Earth. Besides ash and lava, most volcanoes

Missing Link to Life Found?


AP - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's drive to get his country into the European Union won strong backing from top EU officials Friday, a week before the bloc's leaders decide whether to open membership talks.

Turkish Leader Wins EU Officials' Backing (AP)


Police in Kashmir fired tear gas and used batons Wednesday to disperse thousands of people protesting the alleged rape of a woman and her daughter by soldiers.

Thousands in Kashmir Protest Alleged Rape


MANCHESTER, Aug 30 (SW) - Manchester United failed to reassure their fans after extending their poor campaign start, as Alex Ferguson and his men were held to a goalless draw by Everton at old Trafford.

Manchester United held by Toffees


By MATTHEW FORDAHL    (AP) -- For two months, Jacob Sevlie's insurance company tagged along whenever he slid behind the wheel of his Honda Accord.    An electronic monitor the size of a matchbook closely tracked Sevlie's driving time and behavior...

Insurance Companies Try Out Auto Black Boxes


Oracle will continue its pursuit of PeopleSoft this week, asking a judge to dismantle one of the last obstacles to a deal.

Oracle Will Take Its Quest Back to Court


A bug in Microsoft #39;s Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000 and Proxy Server 2 can let hackers spoof Web content, such as a trusted site, with their own fake content, the Redmond

Microsoft Fixes ISA Server Spoofing Flaw


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc. <A HREF=

Verizon Unlikely to Bid Now for Sprint


Reuters - Osama bin Laden is unlikely\to be hiding in Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan\border, the top military commander in the area said on Tuesday.

Commander: Osama Probably Not in Pakistan Region (Reuters)


No. 1 seed Andre Agassi overcame a sluggish start to the first set to eventually beat compatriot Paul Goldstein in straight sets at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington.

Agassi Opens With A Win In Washington


A study commissioned by the EU calls for a major rethink of security within its borders and beyond.

Europe told to 'rethink security'


TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Joe Nemechek took his first Bud Pole of the year and his third at Talladega Superspeedway Friday, turning a top speed of 190.

Nemechek wins Bud Pole at Talladega


LONDON - Virgin launches its rival to Apple #39;s iTunes and Roxio #39;s Napster in the US today, although consumers will get no break on price because the service charges the same 99 cents a song to download.

No price cut as Virgin unveils US music download service


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - This week's gathering of federal Liberals will allow Paul Martin to hone his skills for the consensus-building exercise that is minority government.

Martin meeting with Liberal caucus early test in art of compromise (Canadian Press)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Communications chip maker Agere  Systems Inc. <A HREF=

Agere to Cut 500 Jobs, Book Charges


DOVER, Del.  The day belonged to Ryan Newman, but not even his dominating performance could shake up anything in the drive for NASCAR #39;s Nextel Cup.

Newman gains little with win at Dover


The next version of Windows will let companies block access to iPods and other tiny storage devices, News.com has learned.\

Longhorn to put squeeze on gadgets


AP - Annika Sorenstam is mixing it up with the men again, and this time the competition includes Tiger Woods. Sorenstam and Woods will play against each other for the first time when they tee off Saturday in the Skins Game at the Trilogy Golf Club in the middle of the desert.

Sorenstam to Play Woods in Skins Game (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck   Co Inc. <A HREF=

Merck Pulls Arthritis Drug Off Market


FORT MYERS, Fla. - A federal judge Friday revoked a permit to develop a limestone mine amid 6,000 acres of habitat that could be used by the endangered Florida panther.

Judge Revokes Mine Permit in Florida


With the season winding down and conference championship games approaching, it seems an appropriate time to remind people of why some conferences are in favor of these games and why others aren't.

Mixed Messages


Embattled insurance broker Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. said yesterday that five members of its board of directors -- all of them executives of the company -- are leaving the board.

5  #39;inside #39; directors quit Marsh board


Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard lavished praise on Ronaldinho after the Brazilian #39;s brilliant late winner saw off the challenge of Champions League opponents AC Milan.

RIJKAARD SALUTES RONALDINHO


New York Giants Coach Tom Coughlin isn #39;t coddling his prized rookie quarterback. After Eli Manning completed only six of 21 passes and threw two interceptions in Sunday #39;s

Coughlin Not Pleased With Manning #39;s Progress


BAGHDAD - Leading Iraqi politicians called Friday for a six-month delay in the Jan. 30 election because of the spiraling violence as US forces uncovered more bodies in the northern city of Mosul, apparent

Delay in Jan. vote sought


Without saying it has anything to do with its avowed determination to open source Solaris 10, Sun has sent over a newfangled open source license to the Open Source Initiative (OSI), the keeper of such things, for its approval.

Sun Drafts New  quot;SCO-Sensitive quot; Open Source License


MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin senior running back Anthony Davis, who has missed the Badgers last three games due to an eye injury sustained during the teams season-opener on Sept.

Davis Cleared to Play


Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of MGM and Kirk Kerkorian's right-hand man, ponders life after MGM, which was recently sold for \$5 billion.

You Only Sell Thrice


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. <A HREF=

Delta to Cut Up to 7,000 Jobs


MADRID: Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero was eliminated by Luis Horna of Peru 6-3, 6-1 in the second round of the Madrid Masters last night.

Horna scores upset win over Ferrero


GREENSBORO -- Who knows what was going though Al Geiberger #39;s head Sunday evening. He was a thousand miles away watching on television as his son, Brent, won the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.

Ed Hardin #39;s column:  #39;Al #39;s boy #39; comes of age and makes Dad proud


According to the Associated Press, second-year running back Willis McGahee has asked the Buffalo Bills to trade him if he is not named the starter for opening day.

McGahee Pressures Bills


Unilever, the consumer goods giant, slashed its profit growth forecasts yesterday in the face of poor sales, weakening consumer spending and tough competition.

Unilever cuts profit growth forecasts as clouds gather over sector


The Al-Qaida terror network spent less than 44,600 on each of its major attacks except the September 11 suicide hijackings and one of its hallmarks is using readily-available items like mobile phones and knives as weapons, a new United Nations report

Al-Qaida spending little on terror attacks: Report


US technology stocks gained on Thursday after bellwether Nokia raised its earnings forecast, but blue chips slipped as oil prices climbed almost \$2 per barrel, increasing concerns about future corporate profits.

Tech Stocks End Higher, Oil Prices Climb


Notre Dame, IN - When Willingham was let go a week and a half ago, the word spread quickly across Notre Dame #39;s campus. Now the news that a new coach is in place is all over campus too.

Word of Weis spreads quickly


SEPTEMBER 03, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - IBM and Honda this week announced that they have jointly developed a hands-free and natural-sounding in-vehicle speech-recognition system.

IBM, Honda deliver in-car speech-recognition navigation system


Web hosting and connectivity company Savvis Communications on Wednesday confirmed that it has canceled about 40 accounts from businesses that were earmarked as spammers.

Savvis cancels spammers #39; accounts


Investor's Business Daily - Thanks to earlier reports of a strong cell phone market, it didn't surprise many analysts that Qualcomm, a leading cell phone company, on Friday boosted its earnings guidance.

Qualcomm Broaches A Red-Flag Subject: Accounting Changes (Investor's Business Daily)


Reuters - The two top U.S. toymakers posted\disappointing third-quarter results on Monday, citing\uncertainty in the economy and cautious retailers, and tempered\expectations for the crucial holiday season.

Toymakers Disappoint, Warn on Holidays (Reuters)


Hewlett-Packard brands its own version of Apple's music player and introduces a line of consumer products.

HP cues iPod in big product push


Oil prices struck a fresh record today on violence in Iraq and evidence that strong demand growth in China and India has not slowed due to higher energy costs.

Oil Prices Hit \$48 a Barrel as Iraq Violence Flares


Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova suffered a major defeat by newly US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova in the  quot;Russian Derby quot; semi-final of the 585,000 US dollars China Open WTA tour here on Saturday.

Kuznetsova beats Sharapova in all-Russian semifinal


This should be a rather pleasant week for Kyle Boller, the oft-criticized Baltimore Ravens quarterback. He will face the usual round of questions about his performance

Boller #39;s Solid Play Quiets Ravens #39; Boo Birds


Santander Central Hispano SA said Wednesday that net profit for the third quarter nearly doubled to euro1.17 billion (\$1.49 billion), with much of the gain coming from the sale of its stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Santander Posts 64 Percent Profit Rise


The US Commerce Department said Monday personal income grew modestly in September, while consumer spending rebounded from the previous month.

Personal Income Inches Higher


State insurance commissioners and the Securities and Exchange Commission joined an ever-widening probe of the insurance industry. Much of the focus remains on Marsh  amp; McLennan , the world #39;s largest insurance

Sins of Commissions


North Koreas Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Su-heon created another stir as he asserted on Monday (Local Time) that Pyongyang has reprocessed and weaponized 8,000 spent plutonium fuel rods.

Next Round of Six-way Talks Unclear


President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan, in a conciliatory gesture aimed at China's newly consolidated leadership, proposed a fresh start Sunday on long-suspended talks to improve relations and lower tension across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Urges China to Begin Peace Talks


Site Offer Save 30 on 1000's of titles!

The definitive guide to PHP Power Programming


Eric Shelton ran for three touchdowns and No. 24 Louisville earned its second shutout of the season with a 34-0 victory over North Carolina on Saturday.

No. 24 Louisville 34, North Carolina 0


In a interview on CNN #39;s  quot;Larry King Live quot; in September 1996, Michael D. Eisner, chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, praised its former president, Michael S. Ovitz.

Eisner Regrets Praising Ovitz on  #39;Larry King #39;


MEN #39;S MATCHES: Rain suspended the two men #39;s quarterfinal matches. Roger Federer (1) leads Andre Agassi (6), 6-3, 2-6, 7-5; and Tim Henman (5) leads Dominik Hrbaty (22), 6-1, 7-5, 4-5.

US Open at a glance


Iraq #39;s top Shi #39;ite cleric made a sudden return to the country on Wednesday and said he had a plan to end an uprising in the  quot;burning city quot; of Najaf, where fighting is creeping ever closer to its holiest shrine.

Iraq #39;s Sistani Returns, Plans to End Najaf Crisis


The 30-year mystery of how a Hull trawler sank off Norway may be solved when a new report is published.

Report published on Gaul's fate


Thousands of jobs will go as BBC boss Mark Thompson announces a radical shake-up of the corporation.

BBC shake-up to mean job losses


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

AOL Creates Its Own Browsing Software


Two days of celebrations to honour the Allied veterans who liberated southern France near a climax.

France marks the 'other D-Day'


Pharmacy chain CVS Corp. (CVS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said it would offer the world #39;s first disposable digital camera with a bright color viewing screen that allows consumers to instantly preview pictures.

Drugstore Offers New Wave of Disposable Cameras


AP - Courtney Lewis scored on a 25-yard run on the first play of overtime and Melvin Bullitt swatted away Sonny Cumbie's fourth-down pass into the end zone, sending the Aggies to a thrilling 32-25 win over Texas Tech on Saturday.

Texas A M Tops Texas Tech 32-25 in OT (AP)


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average was up 0.61  percent by midsession on Friday as strong gains in U.S.  technology shares encouraged investors to buy local peers such  as NEC Corp. that have recently fallen heavily.

Techs Lead Tokyo Stocks Up


Japan #39;s top cell phone operator NTT DoCoMo Inc. and major British mobile carrier mm02 plc reached an agreement that will allow mobile telephone users in Britain, Germany, and Ireland to surf the Internet on the handsets, DoCoMo said Tuesday.

NTT DoCoMo, Mm02 Sign Deal


TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors have to believe. That was coach Sam Mitchell #39;s message after the Raptors held on to win their final NBA preseason game 100-92 over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.

Raps coach wants team to believe


Aviation pioneer Burt Rutan has been fondly remembering his childhood hero - German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun. The X-Prize victor recently hooked up with two surviving members of von Braun #39;s V2 team

Burt Rutan takes a V2-powered wander down memory lane


RALEIGH, N.C. (Sports Network) - Julius Hodge poured in a  game-high 21 points as 19th-ranked North Carolina State routed  Elon, 71-45, in the semifinal round of the BCA Invitational at  the RBC Center.

No. 19 North Carolina State Pounds Elon


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. tanks pounded targets in the  rebel-held Sunni Muslim town of Falluja west of Baghdad on  Tuesday and U.S. warplanes could be seen flying overhead,  witnesses said.

U.S. Tanks Pound Rebel-Held Iraqi Town - Witnesses


Loreto, Sep. 06 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II (bio - news) traveled to the Marian shrine at Loreto, Italy, on September 5, where he presided at the beatification of three members of Catholic Action.

Loreto pilgrimage concludes as Pope beatifies 3


While the entire airline industry #39;s finances are under water, ATA Airlines will have to hold its breath longer than its competitors to keep from going belly up.

For ATA, it all boils down to cash


theodp writes  quot;A German security company has divided opinion in the IT industry by offering a job to the teen charged with creating Sasser.

Would You Hire A Hacker?


A ruling by New York's highest court on the state's death penalty law has complicated the job of prosecutors and left the fate of inmates uncertain.

Across New York, a Death Penalty Stuck in Limbo


Honda told regulators that faulty gaskets are a major factor in an engine problem that has led to fires in its CRV sport utility vehicles.

Honda and Regulators Meet on Engine Fires in S.U.V.'s


NASA #39;s three-year effort to bring some genuine star dust back to Earth is set for a dramatic finale Sept. 8 when Hollywood helicopter pilots will attempt a midair retrieval of a descending space capsule.

NASA prepares to catch a falling star sample


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Reuters) - I hope the tenants at South  Ashfield Heights are getting cheap rents. The place is a mess:  The hallways aren't just filthy, they're splattered with blood.  Bloody handprints mark the walls opposite Room 302, which is  also the source of some verrrry strange noises.

Programs: New 'Silent Hill' Is Gruesome and Awesome


NEW YORK - Stocks moved higher Wednesday as investors digested a jump in the second-quarter gross domestic product while keeping a close eye on falling oil prices. The tech-dominated Nasdaq composite index posted especially robust gains...

Stocks Edge Up on GDP Reading, Oil Prices


Britains Prince Charles has always prided himself on being a man of the people. But with one gruff memo about not all men being equal, the heir to the throne has tarnished his populist credentials.

Image Gallery of Faces of the week


KIRKLAND, Wash. (Sports Network) - Seattle Seahawks  defensive end Grant Wistrom will miss the next four-to-six  weeks due a fracture in his left knee.

Seahawks' Wistrom Suffers Broken Knee


A founding father of molecular biology and a surgeon who developed the standard operation for removing cataracts are among the winners of this year's Lasker awards for medical research.

Lasker Prizes to Honor 5 for Research in Medicine


AP - Nicholls State football coach Daryl Daye was fired Sunday over accusations of academic fraud involving players and an assistant coach. Daye was not implicated in the alleged fraud, but an investigation found he failed to

Nicholls State Fires Football Coach (AP)


FALLUJAH, Iraq : US airstrikes on rebel-held Fallujah left 15 dead while an insurgent attack in another troubled Sunni Arab town killed 10 more, as Britain and Egypt stepped up efforts to secure the release of hostages in Iraq.

Dozens killed in Iraq violence as Egypt, Britain seek to free <b>...</b>


Reuters - Thousands of Palestinian\prisoners in Israeli jails began a hunger strike for better\conditions Sunday, but Israel's security minister said he\didn't care if they starved to death.

Palestinians in Israeli Jails Start Hunger Strike (Reuters)


Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair remained in a Nashville hospital Monday because of a bruised sternum, but tests revealed no serious injuries.

McNair remains hospitalized with bruised sternum


As many as 15 senior execs could lose their jobs in the next few days: source. BOSTON (Reuters) - Putnam Investments is expected to lay off more employees, the chief executive of its parent company said Tuesday

Heads may roll at Putnam


NTL, Britains largest cable firm, has struck an agreement with a consortium led by one of Australias top banks to sell its network of masts for 1.27 billion.

NTL banks on deal to sell masts for 1.27bn


QANTAS chief Geoff Dixon is confident the new low cost Asian airline launched yesterday in Singapore will last the disance. Qantas owns 49 per cent of Jetstar Asia, a sister airline to Jetstar Australia, along

Qantas #39; Jetstar Asia lifts off for a long haul future


AP - Troubled German retailer KarstadtQuelle AG said Monday it is selling its 82 percent stake in a three-year-old joint venture with coffeehouse chain Starbucks Coffee International to the U.S. company.

KarstadtQuelle Sells Stake in Venture (AP)


Bob Evans, 77, a computer scientist who helped popularize personal computing and served as a scientific adviser to the Taiwanese government, died of a heart ailment Sept.

Bob Evans Computer Scientist


The economy is a political Rorschach test, and Richard McHugh and Claude Carpenter present two of its competing interpretations. McHugh #39;s company in this western Wisconsin city shows an economy on the rebound.

State of economy depends on point of view


Jeff Bagwell drives in two runs and Jeff Kent hit his 300th career homer to send the Astros to a 6-4 win over the Cardinals.

Astros Continue Charge


Jefferson Graham writes for USA Today,  #147;Apple #146;s trendy iPod digital music player, which has revitalized the company, is giving laptop sales a boost during back-to-school season. Many students, after falling in love with the iPod, are packing for college with new Apple Macintosh computers. #148; Aug 23

Students Follow the Music to Apple Laptops


SAN FRANCISCO - IBM Corp. is recalling power adapters that shipped with certain models of its ThinkPad notebooks sold between January 1999 and August 2000.

IBM recalls notebook power adapters


The high-profile fraud and corruption trial begins of Deputy President Jacob Zuma's financial advisor.

S Africa arms fraud trial starts


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Competitive telephone carriers could  still serve small and medium-sized businesses by cheaply  leasing the big local telephone networks under rules being  drafted by U.S. communications regulators, sources familiar  with the matter said this week.

US FCC May Back Some Phone Network Sharing-Sources


MSU #39;s plan to move its medical school to west Michigan is impractical and too costly, according to a report that lays out an alternative arrangement.

MSU med school plan to move has flaws, study says


com September 15, 2004, 9:01 PM PT. Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.

IBM protects passwords with PC chip


The already-bruising battle for control of the fast-growing Linux market has become even tougher after Dell (DELL:Nasdaq - news - research) announced Wednesday that it will distribute Novell #39;s (NOVL:Nasdaq - news - research) version of the upstart

Linux Cauldron Gets Another Stir


To paraphrase an old saying, when you keep going back to the bullpen, eventually it #39;s going to come up dry. That #39;s what happened to the Red Sox on Thursday night, when

Red Sox rally, but come up short


Reuters - U.S. stocks closed higher on\Wednesday, with technology stocks Google Inc.  and\Apple Computer Inc.  leading the way in quiet trading\as Wall Street wound down for Thanksgiving.

Stocks Close Higher Before Holiday (Reuters)


Curt Schilling hasn #39;t felt this good in months, and that #39;s great news for the Boston Red Sox. Schilling earned his 16th win, and David Ortiz homered twice and drove in four runs

Stronger Schilling stops Jays


You #39;ve been patient. You #39;ve done what Microsoft asked you to do. You #39;re ready to download Service Pack 2 for Windows XP.

Ready for Service Pack 2? Not so fast, XP Pro users


NEW YORK - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger drew on his childhood in Soviet-occupied Austria to praise President Bush's war on terror...

Schwarzenegger Lauds Bush on Terror Fight


AP - India's top software exporter Tata Consultancy Services announced Monday it has won a multimillion dollar deal with Italian sports car maker Ferrari to design Formula 1 engines.

Ferrari Outsources F1 Engine Design Work (AP)


SAN DIEGO - The only captive member of what may be the world #39;s most endangered species of bird has died in Hawaii, zoo officials announced Tuesday.

Endangered bird dies in captivity


IBMhas successfully demonstrated a new technique for improving transistor performance that will help the company build smaller, more powerful chips in the next decade, company researchers said Monday.

IBM triples transistor performance with germanium


VALENCIA, Spain -- Italy #39;s Alessandro Petacchi of the Fassa Bortolo team ran out the comfortable winner of the seventh stage of the Tour of Spain, a 170km ride from Castellon to Valencia.

Petacchi sprints to third victory


AFP - Police in southern Nigeria arrested three activists of a minority rights group who were protesting against the activities of the Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell, the group's spokesman said.

Police arrest activists protesting against Shell in Nigerian oil city (AFP)


A Palestinian militant has been killed and three other people wounded in an Israeli helicopter strike on a car in the southern Gaza Strip.

GAZA STRIKE KILLS MILITANT


Reuters - China's Communist Party chief, Hu\Jintao, pulled a close political ally out of a problem-plagued\province Monday in an apparent further consolidation of power\after assuming the top job in the military in September.

China's Hu Moves to Further Consolidate Power (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks look to open flat  on  Monday, with oil prices moving higher and the dollar holding  near record lows.

Stocks Seen Flat as Oil Prices Climb


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- A jury yesterday acquitted a leader of a paramilitary group accused of killing thousands, after a 14-hour murder trial that angered human rights groups and provoked criticism of the new US-backed government.

Haiti ex-rebel head cleared of murder


The match started at about 4 pm on Louis Armstrong Stadium Court with plenty of empty seats and a lazy, late-summer loginess to the game.

Zib takes Ferrero to the limit


A export surge has thrust the Canadian economy into high gear and it is running at close to full capacity, the Bank of Canada said on Thursday, explaining its move to

Bank of Canada Sees Economy Close to Full Capacity


Auburn will enter Saturdays SEC championship game as a heavy favorite over Tennessee, and for good reason. While Auburn dominated opponents on its way to the SEC West title, Tennessee looked more vulnerable

History says UT could pull upset


update To get next version of Windows out on time, company says it will delay some planned features.

Microsoft revamps its plans for Longhorn


TORONTO (Reuters) - Shares of Cott Corp. <A HREF=

Cott Drinks' Profit Falls, Cuts Outlook


Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. (8316.T: Quote, Profile, Research) laid out a \$29 billion bid for UFJ Holdings (8307.T: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday, challenging

Japan #39;s SMFG Bids \$29 Billion for UFJ


After an 18-day holdout during which he parted ways with his second agent (IMG's Tom Condon , who replaced Darrell Wills , formerly of IMG but now decertified) and hired a third ( Pat Dye Jr. ), first-round pick Benjamin Watson signed a six-year contract and reported to training camp yesterday.

Watson holdout ends


Bank of America Corp. has said it #39;s bringing more jobs to the New York area. But first, some existing employees apparently will be tossed overboard.

4,500 to be let go nationwide


TSMC, the world #39;s largest contract chip maker, said Thursday its sales fell in September for the first time in 7 months and warned they could continue to drop as demand falters amid a broad industry slowdown.

Taiwan Semi sales dip


An anonymous source close to the Chicago Bulls claimed Monday that Pippen, who combined with Michael Jordan to win six titles in an eight-year span, will announce his retirement as early as Tuesday.

Pippen ready to retire from NBA


Bones from the biggest dinosaur so far reported by scientists in Europe have been discovered in the Isle of Wight. A single neck bone from the 125 million to 130 million-year

Isle of Wight was home to biggest dinosaur yet


ITHACA -- During the next four months, job seekers looking for work in durable goods manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and education may have the best luck, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Job outlook moderately optimistic for 2005, survey finds


TWENTY years after China won their only women #39;s volleyball gold, the team did it again today, winning a hard-fought battle with Russia today.

China emulate  #39;84 success


The yellowing linoleum and faded wallpaper in the former prison of the East German secret police would be ultra hip in any German bar.

East Germany Becoming a Retro Utopia 15 Years On


Up to four million Muslims end three days of prayers in Bangladesh, for Islam's second largest event after the Hajj.

Muslims attend Bangladesh prayer


TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average sank 2 percent on  Monday morning after a fall in the dollar rattled exporters,  while a strong earthquake that hit northern Japan at the  weekend lifted builders but dented firms whose operations it  affected.

Nikkei Dips 2 Percent on Exporters


The Tennessee Titans rolled to a crushing 48-27 win over Green Bay Monday, and handed the slumping Packers their fourth straight loss of the National Football League season.

NFL: Tennessee Titans Crush Green Bay 48-27


Tony Blair is preparing to urge unionists and republicans to agree to a deal that would transform Northern Ireland #39;s deadlocked peace process.

Blair in Northern Ireland bargaining


MOSCOW - Russian prosecutors have charged three senior police officials with negligence over the Beslan school hostage taking, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday.

Three police officials charged over Beslan hostage taking


European Tour Member Richard Green finally enjoyed the taste of victory in 2004 when he has sunk a four foot birdie putt on the first play-off hole to capture the \$225,000 first prize in a dramatic conclusion to the 2004 MasterCard Masters at Huntingdale

Green strikes gold in MasterCard Masters in Australia


A new study finds that artists and musicians love the internet, using it to promote themselves and their work. But they are divided on whether illegal file sharing helps or hurts them. By Katie Dean.

Study: Musicians Dig the Net


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened higher on Tuesday,  as oil prices eased and insurance stocks extended gains from  their rally late on Monday.

Stocks Open Higher as Oil Prices Slide


A US appeals court upheld a patent infringement finding against BlackBerry e-mail device maker Research In Motion Ltd. on Tuesday, but struck down part of the ruling and

BlackBerry Maker #39;s Patent Suit Upheld


Israel #39;s parliament ratified Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s Gaza withdrawal plan on Tuesday, a pivotal step toward the first evacuation of settlers from occupied territory Palestinians want for a state.

Israeli parliament backs Gaza pullout plan


Didier Drogba hit the winner nine minutes from the end as unbeaten Chelsea broke its scoring drought with a 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday to go top of the Premier League for at least two hours.

Drogba captures another victory for Chelsea


Can the Bagers bounce back from last week #39;s debacle? Will Noah Herron maintain his momentum against Illinois? Will Minnesota be home for the holidays?

A look around the Big Ten


A subsidiary of American Express will lend \$600 million to the struggling airline, which is meeting with its pilots union. By Todd Pack.

Delta finds financing to keep airline afloat


Premier League: Arsenal 3 Birmingham City 0, Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 1, Blackburn Rovers 0 Tottenham Hot spur 1, Chelsea 4 Newcastle United 0, Everton 3 Bolton Wanderers 2, Manchester United 3 Southampton 0, Nor wich City 0 Fulham 1, Portsmouth 3 West

Soccer, Dec 5


BEIJING (Reuters) - Floods and landslides have killed 55  people in southwest China in the past four days, washing away  homes and roads, knocking down power lines and leaving at least  one city cut off, state media said on Monday.

Floods Kill 55 in China, No Let-Up in Sight


Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. , the insurance broker at the center of a bid-rigging probe, on Tuesday said it will lay off 3,000 employees, or 5 percent of its work force, and reported third-quarter profit tumbled 94 percent.

Marsh  amp; McLennan to Cut 3,000 Jobs


IBM (Quote, Chart) revealed a number of supercomputing projects from its Deep Computing unit, which should whet the appetites of those following the 12th Global Grid Forum (GGF) in Brussels, Belgium, next week.

Big Blue Turns Green with Grid Computing Deal


Nintendo announced today that it has sold roughly half a million units in Japan, bringing global sales of its new handheld over its goal of one million units.

Nintendo DS Sells Well in Japan


LONDON -- Italian hopefuls Lazio will take on Villarreal, Newcastle United faces Sporting Lisbon and two former winners will meet when Schalke 04 plays Feyenoord after Tuesday #39;s draw for the group stage of the UEFA Cup.

Newcastle meets Sporting Lisbon


CHICAGO (Reuters) - ATA Holdings Corp. <A HREF=

ATA Files for Bankruptcy Protection


Maryland freshman quarterback Jordan Steffy was released from a hospital near Virginia Tech on Thursday night and returned to College Park with his team, although his status remains in doubt for the Nov. 27 season finale against Wake Forest.

Steffy #39;s Status for Finale Is in Question


SAN FRANCISCO--Hewlett-Packard plans to give customers a new weapon against viruses: software that crimps their spread. Early next year, the computer maker will begin selling software designed to slow the

HP to launch  #39;virus throttling #39; software


MADRID (Reuters) - IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato sees  world economic growth of

IMF's Rato Sees World GDP 4.6 Percent


LUIS ARAGONS yesterday attempted to draw a line under the controversy surrounding his racist comments caught on camera last month.

Fiery Aragons loses his temper over race queries


Latrell Sprewell was suspended for one game by the NBA on Tuesday for yelling a sexual vulgarity at a female fan during a game. The Minnesota Timberwolves swingman #39;s comment to a heckler was picked up by a

Sprewell suspended for one game for vulgarity directed at female <b>...</b>


Some of the biggest fashion trends at department stores this holiday season have more to do with MP3 players than cashmere ponchos or fur-trimmed sweaters.

Department stores step back to electronic future


For years, the piece of paper has been tucked into Paul Carson #39;s insurance policy that outlined his hurricane deductible. He never thought about it until Hurricane Frances destroyed the garage roof of his Tamarac home.

Impact of deductibles


British airport operator TBI PLC said Wednesday it has agreed to a takeover by Spanish transport and communications company Abertis and Spain #39;s national airport authority Aena.

British Airport Owner TBI OKs Takeover


TOKYO (Reuters) - Bloated with inventory and mired in the  red, the digital camera business of Japan's Olympus Corp.  underscores how making money in the cut-throat market is  getting tougher.

Profits Fading in Digital Camera Industry


BEIRUT, Lebanon Sept. 4, 2004 - Lebanese lawmakers amended their constitution to keep pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud in office, boldly reaffirming their loyalty to Damascus and defying a UN resolution calling for presidential elections.

Lebanon Moves to Extend President #39;s Term


Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet agreed Thursday to extend the deployment of Japan's 600 non-combat troops in Iraq for up to one year despite widespread public opposition and condemnations by political opponents.

Japan  Extends Its Military Presence in Iraq


Only a handful of cars ventured out during the first 50 minutes of the hour-long session. There was a flurry of activity towards the end, however, when rainmeister Michael Schumacher took his accustomed position at the top of the timesheets.

SCHUEY TOPS WET FIRST PRACTICE


Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corp. raised net proceeds of roughly \$100 million through a share sale completed this week, the company said. Wheeling-Pittsburgh, a steel maker, sold 3.65 million shares of common stock at \$29 each.

Wheeling-Pitt closes stock offering


The Formula 1 circus spent Saturday morning holed up in various hotels in the Suzuka area, a number of people nursing sore heads after a little too much time off on Friday night.

Meanwhile in a typhoon


Jiri Novak made Tim Henman #39;s life as miserable yesterday as he did at this summer #39;s Olympics, toppling the second-seeded Briton 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the euro989,750 (US\$1.

Novak topples Henman to advance to semi-finals


Falling prices in September for plasma televisions and digital cameras sparked the biggest monthly decline in US consumer electronics prices in five months, according to an industry study prepared for Reuters.

Plasma TVs Lead Gadget Price Declines in Sept. -NPD


The head of the US Episcopal Church expresses 'regret' over the appointment of a gay Anglican bishop.

US bishop 'regret' over gay split


Manufactured with a 90-nanometer process, Freescale's MPC8641D processor has two PowerPC e600 processor cores that run at clock speeds faster than 1.5 GHz and are connected by a high-speed interface.

Freescale announces dual-core PowerPC processor


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday  nudged U.S. interest rates up a quarter percentage point for  the fourth time this year, citing healthier job markets and  indicating it will press on with a rate-rise campaign.

Fed Lifts Rates for Fourth Time This Year


CAIRO, Egypt - A Web site posting Monday claimed that an American hostage has been

Web Site: American Hostage Killed in Iraq


NEW YORK (Reuters) - PeopleSoft Inc. on Monday agreed to a  sweetened \$10.3 billion buyout by rival software maker Oracle  Corp., relenting after a bitter, 18-month takeover saga marked  by personal insults, courtroom battles and the ouster of  PeopleSoft's chief executive.

PeopleSoft Relents, Agrees to Oracle Bid


PARIS/MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti #39;s sports analyst Mikhail Smirnov) - Footballers of the Moscow Central Army Sports Club (CSKA) had their last and best game of the season in Paris, confidently outplaying local PSG (Paris Saint-Germain).

SPORT * RUSSIA * FRANCE * FOOTBALL * CSKA


Verizon Wireless and Nextel Communications, two of the country #39;s biggest cellphone operators, said yesterday that they planned to drop their lawsuits against each other.

Verizon and Nextel Agree to Drop Lawsuits


InfoWorld - Sun Microsystems on Tuesday said there have been 1.9 million downloads of an upgraded version of J2SE to correct a possible security vulnerability in the JVM, although there have been no attacks reported based on the problem.

Sun: 1.9 million downloads of Java fix (InfoWorld)


Not all of the cable company's broadband subscribers got a recent hike in bandwidth.

Cox speed boost leaves some members behind


AP - The Minnesota Timberwolves released guard Anthony Goldwire and forward Kasib Powell on Thursday, trimming their roster to 14 players.

Wolves Waive Goldwire, Powell (AP)


ATLANTA - If Reggie Jackson is forever baseball #39;s Mr. October, Vijay Singh has become golf #39;s calendar boy for August. And September.

Singh is a golfer for all seasons


Marsh  amp; McLennan Companies Inc. (MMC) on Friday announced a change in the management of Marsh Inc., its risk and insurance services subsidiary.

MMC Names New Chairman, CEO at Marsh Inc.


Curt Schilling allows one hit in seven innings and Boston batters Kevin Brown in his return from a broken hand, beating the Yankees 11-4.

Red Sox Belt Yankees


SAN FRANCISCO - As Google nears the end of its first quarter as a public company, industry watchers say one of its emerging challenges is how to keep soon-to-be wealthy workers from cashing out and moving on.

Google #39;s challenge is to keep its wealthy workers


Torii Hunter and Corey Koskie hit two-run homers to help the Minnesota Twins clinch their third straight AL Central title with an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

Twins clinch AL Central


There is an air of optimism about the Kashmir talks to be held during Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz #39;s forthcoming visit to Delhi.

A winter of promise for J amp;K?


washingtonpost.com - When I ordered Christmas presents last week from L.L. Bean's 295-page holiday catalog, I broke my usual routine and did not call the company's toll-free line. Instead I visited the Web site because I thought it might offer bargains and be as quick as a phone call.

Holiday Forecast: Continued Growth Of Online Sales (washingtonpost.com)


Goldman Sachs Group Inc. agreed Wednesday to pay \$13.4 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it unfairly offered shares in its initial public offering to Ford Motor Co.

Goldman settles suit involving IPO offer to Bill Ford


As fighting winds down, US troops face an even more difficult mission in Fallujah winning the people #39;s allegiance. Planners want to

US racing insurgents for influence in Fallujah as battle winds <b>...</b>


Novell has reversed its year-ago loss on a five per cent rise in revenue, but it failed to meet some forecasts on the Street. The maker of NetWare - and now a major force in the Linux business - posted net

Novell makes profit in Q4


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. producer prices shot up 1.7  percent last month, the biggest gain in nearly 15 years and  well above expectations, as energy costs skyrocketed and food  prices surged, a government report showed on Tuesday.

Producer Prices: Biggest Gain Since '90


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Credit Suisse #39;s (CSR) CEO, Oswald Gruebel, said the Credit Suisse First Boston name may be scrapped but not immediately, AFX News reported.

CSFB name may disappear: CEO


Yankee Group senior analyst Zeus Kerravala said that although it may take some time, it is likely that blade servers will eventually replace all parts of the software stack because of their time-to-market, cost and scalability advantages.

IBM Heralds Burgeoning BladeCenter Support


AP - Olympic time-trial cycling champion Tyler Hamilton of the United States has apparently failed tests designed to detect a form of performance-enhancing blood transfusions.

Hamilton Cycling Team Told He Failed Tests (AP)


AP - Paul Shmyr, the former NHL and WHA defenseman who captained the Edmonton Oilers in Wayne Gretzky's first season with the team, has died after a battle with throat cancer. He was 58.

Former NHL Defenseman Paul Shmyr Dies (AP)


3Com Corp., the Marlborough maker of computer-networking equipment, said it agreed to buy a Texas maker of antihacker security systems, TippingPoint Technologies Inc., for \$430 million in cash. TippingPoint makes so-called intrusion-prevention systems for businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, and telecommunications service providers and systems. TippingPoint has 125 employees at its Austin headquarters. The \$47-per-share purchase price offered owners ...

3Com buys Texas Web security company


AP - Turkey launched a new currency Saturday by dropping six zeros from the old one, in a sign of progress in its decades-long struggle with inflation. But getting rid of old habits in a country where even a loaf of bread costs hundreds of thousands isn't likely to be easy.

Turkey Launches New Currency (AP)


Sinhalas and Tamils clash again in eastern Sri Lanka after a grenade attack on a bus leaves one person dead.

Sri Lanka attack raises tension


Seiko Epson Corp. is developing a flying robot that looks like a miniature helicopter and is about the size of a giant bug. The company hopes it'll prove handy for security, disaster rescue and space exploration.

Seiko Epson Develops Micro Flying Robot


AP - International experts, searching for ways to break a deadlock with the United States over climate change, consulted on an array of ideas Monday to lure that No. 1 polluter into a joint effort to control

Climate Experts Confer on Post-Kyoto Steps (AP)


Tahsine Ali Hassan, husband of kidnapped aid chief Margaret Hassan, gestures during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct 21, 2004.

Gunmen Ambush Iraqi Airways Employees


Private data-mining software maker scoops up Kevin Thomson, who resigned from Linux maker in July.

SAS Institute lures former Red Hat CFO


AP - The FBI anticipates violent protests at the upcoming Republican National Convention in New York but does not have enough evidence to move against any group or person, the bureau's top terrorism official said Wednesday.

FBI Expects Violence at GOP Convention (AP)


Like a quarterback seeking first-down yardage, the Argonauts are scrambling for an alternate site for their new home after they were sacked by the University of Toronto in a bid to build a new Varsity Stadium.

Argos give U of T bad grade on sacking


TORONTO (CP) - A Russian steel company has gone to court to block Deutsche Bank #39;s refinancing proposal for Stelco Inc., one of a flurry of legal objections filed Friday against a sales process critics say is biased in favour of the German bank.

Severstal, Steelworkers, others fight Deutsche Bank #39;s Stelco bid <b>...</b>


With the rival Dodgers expressing interest in David Wells, the Padres yesterday traded for another left-handed starting pitcher, Darrell May, a move they said is unrelated to their attempts to re-sign Wells.

Lefty May to Padres in trade for Long


British Airways passengers at Heathrow Airport have suffered further travel disruption with two more flights cancelled due to  quot;technical quot; problems.

More BA flights cancelled


Canadian Press - SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Australia plans to enforce a maritime security zone more than 1,700 kilometres out to sea, far beyond its territorial waters, in a move to boost defences against possible terror attacks on its soil and offshore oil and gas facilities, Prime Minister John Howard said Wednesday.

Prime minister announces new 1,700-kilometre security zone off Australia (Canadian Press)


Fool contributor Tim Beyers finds that when it comes to stocks, it might pay to be Scrooge.

Three Stocks for the Scrooge in You


SEVILLE, Spain (Reuters) - Out of form and out of favor,  Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero could barely hide his  disappointment at being used as a bit-part doubles player in  the Davis Cup final against the United States.

Angry Ferrero Has Not Given Up Hope


AP - Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori on Thursday rejected his successor's call, made at the United Nations, for world leaders to press Japan to extradite him to face corruption charges and allegations of involvement in death squad massacres, according to a statement broadcast by news media here.

Peru Ex-President Rejects Extradition Call (AP)


The mobile service tower (MST) was retracted from around the Boeing Delta 2 rocket at launch pad 17B at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, exposing the vehicle as the countdown entered its final hours before liftoff.

Air Force GPS Satellite Roars Into Space


AP - Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi was arrested early Thursday morning after he refused to leave a club.

Minnesota Timberwolves Center Arrested (AP)


Ferrari and Michael Schumacher were savouring yet another world championship today after a milestone weekend for both team and driver.

Numbers Game for Schumacher


According to wire reports Sharman Networks has added Internet-based phone calls to the popular file-sharing program Kazaa. Legal experts are quoted as saying that this may be a preemptive by Sharman Networks, which owns Kazaa, to legitimize the software.

Kazaa Now Offers Free Internet Phone Calling Feature


SABMiller is upping its interests in China with a \$154 million deal to acquire three breweries from Australian rival Lion Nathan. Through its joint venture China Resources Breweries, the global beer company

SABMiller acquires Lion Nathan Chinese business


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

Costco Disappoints on Profit, Stock Falls


Before there was Home Depot for shovels and mulch, before there was JoAnn Fabrics for thread and ribbon, there was Frank #39;s Nursery.

Pounded by the competition, Frank #39;s Nursery set to close


AP - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won international approval from supporters and detractors alike Monday on his decisive referendum victory over opponents trying to oust him.

Chavez's Victory Garners Int'l Approval (AP)


WASHINGTON - One of President Bush's top lawyers resigned from his campaign Wednesday, a day after disclosing that he had given legal advice to a veterans group airing TV ads challenging Democrat John Kerry's Vietnam War service. The guidance included checking ad scripts, the group said...

Lawyer Advising Vets Quits Bush Campaign


British defence officials conceded yesterday that military action to bring Serb and Croat war crimes suspects to trial would probably fail because of the sophisticated support network surrounding them.

Hunt for Balkan war criminals  #39;likely to fail #39;


The fight started at school, when some teenage girls stole a pencil case filled with makeup that belonged to a new classmate, Amanda Marcuson, and she reported them.

Internet lets teen bullies inflict suffering from afar


NEW DELHI: Microsoft said on Wednesday that starter edition of Windows XP (XP SE) operating system (OS) will be available in India from early 2005, a move that is expected to bring down prices of entry level PCs.

Come 2005, Microsoft will bring Windows XP for beginners


You don #39;t need to buy a new black and red limited edition U2 iPod to get your hands on the collection of the Irish band #39;s tunes designed to accompany it.

Get complete U2 catalog sans new iPod


Thursday, October 21: Israeli troops killed two Palestinian gunmen on Thursday while a soldier died in a militant attack on the territory #39;s border with Egypt, the army said.

Two Palestinians and one Israeli killed in Gaza


Daniel F. Stulac, the former outside auditor for San Diego #39;s Peregrine Systems, has pleaded innocent to fraud charges detailed in a federal indictment issued last week.

Peregrine ex-auditor enters plea


A young Australian surfer has been killed in a horrifying attack by two great white sharks at a popular Adelaide beach, the second fatal attack in five days, rescue officials and witnesses say.

Teen surfer killed by two sharks


Dale Earnhardt Jr. was subdued yesterday following his victory at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday. Junior put his newly acquired points lead in jeopardy by cursing during an interview with NBC after dominating the EA Sports 500 to take the Nextel Cup lead by 13 points over Kurt Busch . Asked about the significance of his fifth victory at Talladega, Earnhardt said, ...

Possible points loss over comments concerns Earnhardt


SALT LAKE CITY (Sports Network) - Utah Jazz forward Andrei  Kirilenko signed a six-year, \$86 million contract extension  with the team Friday. The deal, which culminated three months  of negotiations, will kick in next season.

Kirilenko Signs Six-Year Extension with Jazz


AP - Clooney, Paterno, Bird, Sheen: The guest list at a party for Hollywood

Famous Faces Add Luster to House Races (AP)


HONOLULU - Warner Bros. reportedly intends to make a film based on the old

'Hawaii Five-0' May Become a Movie


Seiko Epson is developing a flying robot that looks like a miniature helicopter and is about the size of a giant bug. The company hopes it #39;ll prove handy for security, disaster rescue and space exploration.

Seiko Epson develops tiny flying robot


Volkswagen AG, Europe #39;s biggest carmaker, faces production losses at its Wolfsburg headquarters after a sixth set of contract talks with union negotiators on cost cuts, job security and pay ended without agreement.

Lack of Pay Accord Extends Stoppages at Volkswagen (Update1)


BEIJING (Reuters) - Rescue teams tried to reach 86 trapped  miners on Friday after one of China's worst mine disasters in  years killed at least 62 people, prompting calls for action by  the president, state media said.

China Mine Blast Kills 62, Hope for Survivors Fade


Tom Watson walked off the 18th green at Kiawah Island Clubs Cassique course Sunday afternoon wearing a huge smile. Part of that was the thrill of victory, but there was a certain parental pride involved, too.

Watson comes up a winner twice


Ziff Davis - If Google releases a browser, will Microsoft do an about-face and deliver a new standalone version of Internet Explorer?

Could a 'GBrowser' Spawn an 'MBrowser'? (Ziff Davis)


PC buyers can look forward to DVDs with up to 10 times the storage they now have when Hewlett-Packard rolls out machines supporting next-generation DVD technologies next year.

Hewlett-Packard goes Blu for DVDs


The first Rwandan peacekeeping troops have been airlifted into the Sudanese region of Darfur aboard two US transport planes. Sixty-five Rwandan officers and soldiers arrived with their supplies.

Peacekeepers airlifted into Darfur


An Australian investment fund will spend more than \$3 billion buying into the broadcast operations of UK communications company NTL Incorporated.

Australian consortium buys UK broadcast business


SHANGHAI (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp.  is reaping the rewards of a decade-long push into China's  business computer industry and is eyeing upward of a 50-percent  market share, its country head said.

IBM Covets Half of China Business Computer Market


Australian banking group ANZ has watered down its plan to combine the National Bank with the New Zealand arm of ANZ. The ANZ, which bought the National Bank from Britain #39;s Lloyds TSB for

Two into one just won #39;t go, says ANZ


Tiger Woods closed with a 5-under 66 to forge a two-stroke victory over Padraig Harrington of Ireland in the Target World Challenge.

Tiger Wins Own Tournament


A MAN WHO made money making rock music a long time ago has recorded a long playing record using a dual Opteron workstation. AMD said that Mark Knopfler,a hack

Aging rock star uses Opterons to make platter


WASHINGTON - Despite gaining their freedom by signing pledges to renounce violence, at least seven former prisoners of the United States at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have returned to terrorism, at times with deadly consequences.    At least two are believed to have died in fighting in Afghanistan, and a third was recaptured during a raid of a suspected training camp in Afghanistan, Lt...

Pentagon: Ex-Detainees Return to Terror


In a shift in strategy, Nintendo plans to begin selling its next generation of hand-held video game devices in the United States in time for the coming Christmas season.

Nintendo's Newest Product Aims for Adults


United Airlines, which has been under bankruptcy protection since 2002, won a temporary order on Friday stopping a group of creditors from repossessing 14 planes.

Judge Blocks Bid to Repossess United Planes


Millions of fans adore Apple #39;s iPod, the world #39;s most popular digital music player. Now, Apple has unleashed expensive new iPod models that do more: They can carry pictures with your music.

Latest iPod adds photos to its mix


GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization (WTO)  agreed Monday to begin accession talks with Iraq and  Afghanistan, but the United States again blocked any such  negotiations with Iran, diplomats said.

WTO Agrees Entry Talks with Iraq


By JEFF DONN    BOSTON (AP) -- Many older women with early breast cancer can safely skip radiation after having a lump removed, two studies suggest.    Most women should still undergo radiation, because it helps prevent relapses within the same breast, the researchers say...

Radiation Not Good for Treating All Cancer


Nasa's robotic rover Spirit has found evidence that water washed and altered rocks in the hills it has been exploring on Mars.

Mars hill find hints at wet past


Reuters - U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorated\in October as rising energy costs and persistent job worries\made Americans less optimistic about the future, according to a\survey released on Friday.

Consumer Sentiment Fades in October (Reuters)


BEIJING : The fate of 29 refugees who rushed a Japanese school in Beijing hung in the balance as Japanese consular officials interviewed them to find out who they were and what they wanted.

Fate of 29 refugees who rushed Japanese school in China undecided


The European Union #39;s head office on Tuesday echoed comments by the European Central Bank chief, warning that  quot;excessive volatility quot; of the euro #39;s exchange rate against the US dollar could damage economic growth in Europe.

Update 11: EU Head Office Backs ECB Warning on Euro


The Palestinian Authority #39;s National Security Council on Sunday endorsed a security plan designed to restore law and order in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but stopped short of calling for an end to attacks on Israel.

PA endorses domestic security plan


New York gets 57 combined points from its starting backcourt of Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury and tops Denver, 107-96.

Knicks Down Nuggets


Reuters - Foreign outrage at a Norwegian plan to let\tourists go on seal-shooting trips is mostly

Outrage at Seal Hunt Tourism Is Nonsense - Norway (Reuters)


Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Beltran and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols meet near the batting cage before every game of the National League Championship

Beltran and Pujols Playing  #39;Can You Top This? #39;


Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday that he won Israel #39;s agreement to permit freedom of movement for Palestinians when they hold elections for a successor to Yasser Arafat in January.

Palestinians granted free movement


OJIYA, Japan (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake and strong  aftershocks rocked northern Japan, killing at least 10 people,  injuring more than 500 and knocking out power and phone  services, media said.

Strong Quake, Aftershocks Hit Japan; at Least 10 Dead


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Technology shares closed mostly higher Monday, with semiconductor-related stocks extending the gains made last week as Artisan Components soared on word that UK-based ARM Holdings agreed to buy the chip-design company.

Tech shares close higher


TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan's leader used his National Day speech Sunday to urge China to begin peace talks so the two rivals can avoid war. Chinese and Taiwanese leaders haven't met since the Communists took over China in 1949 and Taiwan began resisting the mainland's rule...

Taiwan's Leader Urges China to Begin Talks


Apple Computer's iPod remains the king of digital music players, but robust pretenders to the throne have begun to emerge in the Windows universe. One of them is the Zen Touch, from Creative Labs.

Move over iPod, for a touch of Zen


Former Indonesian general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has become Indonesia first directly elected president in a landslide victory. Yudhoyono, who promised to inject fresh life into

Ex-general Indonesia #39;s new leader


Hurricane Ivan tested oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico to their limits and beyond this week as damage reports continued to grow Friday.

Oil, gas rigs put through the  #39;ultimate #39; test in Gulf


Lyon, France (Sports Network) - Olympique Lyon #39;s start to the season could not have been much better, until it came to a screeching halt Saturday in a French Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg.

Costly win for Lyon


Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon today insisted his club had no option but to sack Adrian Mutu over his failed drugs test and denied there was any vendetta to force the Romanian striker out of Stamford Bridge.

Mutu  #39;Lied #39; - Chelsea Chief


MONTREAL (Reuters) - Paul Tellier resigned as president and  chief executive of train and plane maker Bombardier Inc.  <A HREF=

Bombardier CEO Resigns, Shares Plunge


Tokyo stocks dipped Monday morning as investors took profits from recent gains. The US dollar was down against the Japanese yen. The Nikkei Stock Average of 225 issues fell 24.

Update 2: Tokyo Stocks Move Lower; Dollar Falls


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.'s John Tate quit as chief operating officer amid a government probe of the chain's accounting and earnings forecasts.

Krispy Kreme operating chief quits


UNITED NATIONS (CP) - An unapologetic President George W. Bush, who threw the United Nations into angry upheaval last year by attacking Iraq without its approval, returned Tuesday to ask for more help in the chaotic country.

Bush returns to UN to ask for help in Iraq as bloodshed threatens <b>...</b>


AP - Insurgents battled American troops in the streets of Baghdad on Saturday, killing a U.S. soldier in an ambush and gunning down four government employees in signals that the guerrillas remain a potent force despite the fall of their stronghold of Fallujah. Nine Iraqis also died in fighting west of the capital.

U.S. Fights Baghdad Militants; GI Killed (AP)


UK, France and Germany are to offer Iran incentives deal to give up nuclear its ambitions, US officials say.

Trio 'to offer Iran nuclear deal'


The French Prime Minister calls a crisis meeting to discuss the kidnapping of two French journalists in Iraq.

Emergency talks on Iraq hostages


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer electronics sales will  grow by 8.1 percent this year, sharply ahead of previous  forecasts and more than three times 2003 levels, an industry  trade group said on Monday.

Consumer Electronics Growth Tops F'cast


Beef up your PowerPoint presentations with our newest collection of Outsourcing facts. As part of our Outscoucing Special Report and Knowledge Center, Data Points are compiled to help IT executives make business and technology decisions.

Computerworld Data Points - Outsourcing


GRAEME SOUNESS ugly bust-up with Craig Bellamy came just TWO hours after warning his players not to get their names in the papers for the wrong reasons.

Shut your mouth


What a difference four weeks can make. The last time Bay State Conference field hockey powers Walpole and Dedham met, Walpole sent the Marauders packing with their first loss of the season, 5-3. But yesterday it was Walpole that was unable to preserve a blemish-free loss column, as host Dedham prevailed, 2-1.

Dedham's victory sweet


More than 250 hunts will meet legally the day after the ban on hunting with dogs comes into force, campaigners say.

Hunts 'to meet legally' after ban


ATHENS, Ga. (Sports Network) - David Greene threw a  school-record five touchdown passes to lift the No. 3 Georgia  Bulldogs to a 45-16 rout of the 13th-ranked LSU Tigers in a  Southeastern Conference matchup at Sanford Stadium.

Greene Lifts Georgia to 45-16 Rout of LSU


Two bus bombings and a series of other blasts yesterday killed four people and wounded 54 in a surge of violence that police blamed on separatist rebels in Indias insurgency-wracked Assam state.

Explosions kill four, wound 54 in India


Once labeled the most powerful man in Hollywood, Michael Ovitz portrayed himself yesterday as a victim whose every move at Disney was thwarted by his boss, Michael Eisner.

Ovitz says Disney dissed his dreams


There is a 35 percent rise in the number of people killed in road accidents three days after a terror attack, compared to an average day.

Study: Car accidents jump 35 after terror attacks


When people talk about sports at the University of Connecticut, the subject most likely is basketball. Men's or women's, it really doesn't matter, since both teams won the national championship last season. But there's another sport on campus that, although it doesn't grab as many headlines, is just as well respected in its circles.

UConn still gets a kick out of women's soccer


Reuters - DNA testing would be expanded to\better catch the guilty and clear the innocent under\legislation passed by the U.S. Congress and headed to President\Bush to sign into law.

DNA Crime Bill Headed to Bush for His Signature (Reuters)


BHP Billiton played down jitters in commodity markets over the Chinese economy on Friday, by predicting demand would  quot;be sustainable over the long term quot;.

BHP retains confidence in China


KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- US troops and helicopter gunships killed 22 militants, including three Arab fighters, in southern Afghanistan, the military said Monday -- the latest bloodshed ahead of historic Afghan elections.

US kills 22 militants in Afghanistan


AFP - A French appeals court acquitted three photographers of charges they broke privacy laws by photographing Diana, Princess of Wales the night of her fatal accident in Paris in 1997.

French appeals court confirms acquittal of Diana photographers (AFP)


BESLAN, Russia - A shaken President Vladimir Putin made a rare and candid admission of Russian weakness Saturday in the face of an

As School Toll Tops 350, Putin Vows Fight


NEW YORK (Reuters) - AT T Wireless Services Inc. <A HREF=

AT T Wireless Sells Dedicated Messaging Device


NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced on Thursday a troop reduction in Kashmir this winter, a move welcomed by Pakistan as a boost to peace efforts.

Singh announces troop reduction in held Kashmir


Are you a charmer with strong programming skills? Can you find happiness toiling in the IT department of a manufacturer or transportation company?

Mainstream Companies Seek Charming Programmers


The House has given final congressional approval to a bill that bans state and local governments from taxing Internet connections for the next three years.

House approves extension of ban on taxing the Internet


Umesh Patel, a 36-year old software engineer from California, debated until the last minute.

Bids Placed Despite Mixed News


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

Oracle Buys PeopleSoft for \$10.3 Billion


Accused US Army deserter Charles Jenkins, left, accompanied by his daughters, Mika, center, and Belinda, leaves Tokyo Women #39;s Medical University Hospital in Tokyo Saturday, Sept.

Army deserter released from jail


Inphonic Inc., an online retailer of wireless services and equipment, on Monday said it plans to sell 7 million common shares at \$15 to \$17 apiece in its initial public offering, according to an amended regulatory filing.

Inphonic Sets IPO Price Range


Runner-up in National League Most Valuable Player voting the last two seasons, Pujols was an obvious choice as MVP of the NL championship series after the St.

Pujols runner-up no more


TORONTO Conrad Black stepped aside today as head of the Toronto-based holding company that has voting control over Chicago-based newspaper publisher Hollinger International.

Conrad Black quits Hollinger Inc.


Suspected militants kill two people in southern Thailand, ahead of a Thailand-Malaysia annual meeting.

Thai violence ahead of key talks


ALBANY, N.Y. -- A four-bedroom, 1-bath colonial for only a \$450 monthly mortgage payment? How can you go wrong? Lots of ways. Fair housing advocates say the first-time buyer of that \$85,000 Syracuse, N.Y., home lost out in one of the many forms of  quot;house flipping, quot; or the fast resale of property at high profits.

'House flipping' said to cheat minorities


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - No. 1 video game maker Electronic  Arts Inc <A HREF=

EA Reports Higher Quarterly Profits


Cash-strapped American Airlines Wednesday said it is trying to take some of the fluff out of its costs: so the world #39;s largest carrier is eliminating pillows on its planes.

End to pillow talk on American flights


Senator John Kerry faces substantial obstacles in his bid to unseat President Bush, with voters saying he has not laid out a case for why he wants to be president.

Bush Opens Lead Despite Unease Voiced in Survey


SanDisk on Tuesday announced new flash memory cards with higher capacities, designed to fit into consumer gizmos like digital cameras, camcorders and cell phones.

SanDisk doubles memory card capacities


TO SAY THAT DENNIS ROMMEDAHL has failed to set the Premiership alight since joining Charlton Athletic from PSV Eindhoven in the summer for 2 million would be the understatement of this or any other season.

Rommedahl ensures local authority


FLAMBOYANT Russian Marat Safin lived dangerously tonight, salvaging three break points to hang on for a 6-4 6-4 win over Peru #39;s Luis Horna at the 2.425 million euro (\$4.

Safin salvages victory


Officials in China are holding few hopes for the survival of 148 miners trapped after a coal mine explosion. So far, 56 people are confirmed to have died in the blast in Henan province and rescue work is continuing.

Rescue workers in China continue search for 148 missing miners


Reuters - A general strike in Nigeria which has\raised fears over oil supplies was set to enter a fourth day\after a court rebuffed a government request to declare it\illegal on Wednesday.

Nigerian Strike Set to Drag Into Fourth Day (Reuters)


AP - Rookie Scott Kazmir outpitched Pedro Martinez to lead the Tampa Bay Devil Rays over Boston 5-2 Tuesday night and sent the Red Sox to consecutive losses for the first time in more than five weeks.

Devil Rays Cool Off Red Sox 5-2 (AP)


washingtonpost.com - Oracle Corp.'s  #36;24-a-share hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft Inc. heated up anew yesterday as tonight's deadline for stockholders to offer their shares for sale approached.

Oracle's PeopleSoft Bid Deadline Nears (washingtonpost.com)


A High Court judge has ruled that doctors can allow to let a seriously ill baby to die if she stops breathing again. The parents of 11-month-old Charlotte Wyatt, who was born three months premature, asked

Your view: Should baby Charlotte be allowed to die?


Google AdSense Expands to Multiple Advertising Units\\Google is now letting AdSense publishers place Google contextually targeted AdSense advertising on up to 3 placements on one web page. Google AdSense had always stuck to their guns about one AdSense ad per web page, however, web users may be getting used to ...


ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: The second round of Indo-Pakistan talks on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs) that began here on Tuesday zeroed in on formalization of pre-notification of missiles

CBM talks focus on notification of tests: Up gradation of hotlines <b>...</b>


Design and Coding for the Complete Package - WMW Conf 7\\Roger Sooley from CompStar was up first, his forum name is


The appointment of an Italian executive to Acer's presidency is a symbol of the Taiwanese firm's increasingly global view.

Acer reshuffles execs amid growth


When it #39;s typed up and aligned just so and stuck in the PGA Tour media guide someday, Ryan Moore #39;s resume may rank among the best in the book.

MOORE REFUSES TO BE BEATEN


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

Sun Micro Posts Narrower Quarterly Loss (Reuters)


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani troops backed by artillery and aircraft attacked two suspected terrorist hideouts near the rugged Afghan border on Saturday, killing and wounding a number of militants, Pakistan army and security officials said.    The attack was launched near Shakai in the South Waziristan tribal region, scene of several military counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida fugitives and renegade tribesmen in the recent months...

Pakistani Forces Attack Terrorist Lairs


ST. LOUIS -- There is no mystery, longtime scout Keith Champion said, about how Red Sox pitching was able to shut down the high-powered offense of the St. Louis Cardinals, a team Champion saw almost two dozen times this season.

Silencing St. Louis was as easy as 1-2-3


Islamabad: Asif Ali Zardari, husband of former Premier Benazir Bhutto, has said that his release from jail after eight years was not part of any deal with the government, even as he vowed to continue his struggle against the  quot;undemocratic set-up quot; in the

No deal with govt: Zardari


Women may be able to have unfertilised eggs routinely frozen during fertility treatment rather than just embryos after research.

New fertility treatment 'closer'


The essence of genocide, under international law, is the intentional physical destruction of a group; the intent can be to destroy the group in whole or in substantial part.

Americans Should Push For Strong, Political Response to <b>...</b>


Discussions about a possible acquisition by Minneapolis-based Target Corp. of Canada #39;s Hudson #39;s Bay Co. (HBC) continue, though  quot;complicated quot; real estate issues are bogging them down, according to a report published at www.

Report: Real estate issues complicate Target talks


ACE Ltd. has fired two employees and suspended three others over their alleged involvement in the contingent commissions scandal that is being investigated by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

ACE fires two employees in bid-rigging controversy


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar fell to a one-month low  against the yen and held near a recent one-week low versus the  euro on Monday after weak U.S. jobs data raised questions about  future interest rate hikes in the United States.

Weak Jobs Growth Drags Down Dollar


Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown channeled every bit of his anger into one hard punch into the clubhouse wall during the Yankees' loss on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

In Frustration, Brown Breaks His Hand in Loss


Megawati Sukarnoputri has declined to concede defeat in Indonesia #39;s first direct presidential election, although with most votes counted, she is too far

Indonesia vote count nears end


SRINAGAR: The two militants, who had stormed a security camp killing five CRPF personnel, were shot dead on Saturday by security forces, ending a 30-hour long gunbattle at Sopore, 55 km from Srinagar, in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

CRPF camp attack: Two militants killed


General Motors will unveil a new Hummer on Wednesday that will be smaller, cheaper and less gas-hungry than its predecessors.

New Hummer Is Slimmer and Cheaper


p2pnet.net News:- Intel will offer dual core  #39;two-in-one #39; microprocessors across all product lines starting next year. And by 2006, most chips sold for desktop and notebook PCs, as well as server computers

Intel goes for dual-core


Real Madrid believe David Beckham will be able to take part in a gym session on Wednesday despite the England captain suffering a hairline rib fracture in Saturdays 2-0 defeat of Wales.

Real Want Beckham Back in Training


Bed Bath   Beyond's stock looks ripe for a fall, even though the numbers are good.

No Shine to Home Furnisher


The flamboyant former West Ham boss stepped down after two-and-a-half years at Fratton Park yesterday, claiming the time was right for him to go and he needed a break.

Harry hard to follow


NEW YORK -- Oil prices surged yesterday on fears of hurricane damage and lower-than-expected crude oil and gasoline inventory data released by the government.

Oil prices surge on fears over hurricane


ABC apologized yesterday for a steamy intro to  quot;Monday Night Football quot; after receiving complaints from viewers and the NFL.

It's bad news bare for ABC


Iran #39;s senior nuclear negotiator said Monday that the Islamic republic was ready to discuss an extension of its suspension of uranium enrichment, but repeated a rejection to give up fuel cycle work altogether.

Iran can discuss extension of enrichment suspension


The New England Patriots are finally getting what they say they #39;ve been craving - a game in which their record winning streak is secondary.

Week 7 preview: Unbeaten Patriots, Jets collide for AFC East lead


NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp.  has put its personal computing business up for sale in a deal  that could be worth as much as \$2 billion, the New York Times  reported on Friday.

IBM Puts Its PC Business Up for Sale -NYT


Tokyo, Dec. 7 (Jiji Press)--Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday it is developing a graphics processor with Nvidia Corp. of the United States for its planned new video game console.

Sony, Nvidia Codeveloping Graphics Processor for New Game Console


Companies say they are postponing release of the new animated film to June 2006 from November 2005. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co.

Pixar, Disney delay release of  #39;Cars #39;


AFP - The Boeing Company's Connexion unit has teamed up with iPass Inc. to offer in-flight Wi-Fi access so

Boeing deal makes skies friendly for WiFi users (AFP)


A Saudi security officer is killed during a shootout with suspected al Qaeda militants north of Riyadh.

Saudi policeman dies in shoot-out


Sir Mark Thatcher will go before a South African court on Thursday on charges that he helped finance a foiled coup attempt.

Mark Thatcher court plea expected


Forbes.com - As Dieter Zetsche see it, DaimlerChrysler's diesel Jeep Liberty sport utility, due next month, should be an easy sell. Drivers in the U.S. need a powerful set of wheels that can travel 500 miles between fuel-ups.

Vehicle for Change? (Forbes.com)


Warnings of a poor Christmas for High Street retailers in the UK are unduly pessimistic, according to accountants Deloitte  Touche.

Christmas spending 'set to rise'


AP - The Bush administration said Thursday it is weighing a request from several U.S. refiners to borrow crude oil from the nation's emergency stockpile to help offset supply disruptions along the Gulf Coast from Hurricane Ivan.

U.S. Weighs Borrowing Oil From Stockpile (AP)


Sudan has eased access to its troubled Darfur region for relief workers and supplies but hasn #39;t disbanded the marauding militia that caused 1.5 million people to flee their homes

Aid workers get more access to Darfur


Germany #39;s economy is still on the mend despite an unexpectedly sharp slowdown in growth over the summer, the country #39;s central bank said Monday, predicting that exports would rise in the fourth quarter even as the euro soars.

Update 3: German Economy Is Still on the Mend


Red Hat is warning users that an email purporting to be a security update may contain malicious code. The email - which began appearing last Friday - uses a securityredhat

Red Hat hit by security-update email scam


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan claimed Monday it had dealt Al-Qaeda a crushing blow after killing a top militant said to have masterminded attempts on President Pervez Musharraf #39;s life and to have arranged the beheading of US reporter Daniel Pearl.

Pakistan claims crushing blow to Al-Qaeda


Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties yesterday pressed the government to come up with early countermeasures to end the current stalemate in inter-Korean relations and the standoff over North Korea #39;s nuclear weapons program.

Lawmakers focus on NK nuclear issue


PITTSBURGH -- According to published reports, the Pirates and A #39;s are close to completing a deal which would send catcher Jason Kendall to Oakland for left-handed pitchers Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes.

Jason Kendall (left) has made the All-Star team three times. (Pat <b>...</b>


Nik Caner-Medley scored 17 points Friday night to send No. 14 Maryland to an easier-than-expected, 84-61 win over 24th-ranked Memphis.

COL BKB: Maryland 84, Memphis 61


roundup Pocket DJ 5 has bigger drive, smaller price tag. Virgin's got a tiny tunesmith, too.

iPod Mini gets new challenge from Dell


Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has cast doubts over the viability of holding free and fair elections in Iraq, saying he  quot;cannot imagine quot; how an occupied country can go through a meaningful electoral exercise.

Putin casts doubts over viability of Iraq polls


WASHINGTON - Record global oil prices should have little long-term impact on the US recovery, nor should it even spark a new round of inflation, says Alan Greenspan, the US Federal Reserve chairman.

Greenspan allays fears of oil impact


An independent panel headed by former US Attorney Donald K. Stern will investigate the death of a college student who was shot by police using pepper pellet guns to subdue rowdy Red Sox fans after the team won the American League pennant.

Former US attorney to probe Boston police pepper ball shooting


European allies alienated during President Bush #39;s first four years in power offered yesterday to let bygones be bygones, saying they want to work with the new administration and seeking

Europeans hope to start all over


AP - President Bush and rival Sen. John Kerry paused from private debate practice on Monday to accuse each other of a lack of clarity on Iraq as they campaigned in

Bush, Kerry Pause to Trade Barbs on Iraq (AP)


Computer giant Dell is to recall 4.4 million laptop power adapters because of a fear they could overheat, creating a risk of fire or electric shock.

Dell warns on fire-risk laptops


TORONTO (Reuters) - Two National Hockey League players were  released on bail on Monday following an encounter at a Toronto  nightclub where the men where charged with uttering death  threats.

Two NHL Players Charged with Making Death Threats


Larry F. Stewart, Secret Service ink specialist, who was acquitted of perjury charges in connection with his testimony in the Martha Stewart trial.

Hot Hand, Cold Hand


Suffering stock steadied by deal that will hold costs of multiple Linux and Unix lawsuits at \$31 million.

SCO seals deal for legal expense cap


And then there was one. Northwest Airlines (NWAC ) reported Oct. 1 that its CEO, Richard H. Anderson, is quitting to take a job in the health-care industry.

Northwest #39;s CEO Deplanes


It was evident in the Purdue players postgame celebration following the 41-16 victory, the way Uche Nwaneri did his best impression of Touchdown Jesus, arms raised to the heavens.

Shutting up the echoes


Bogota - Former drug kingpin Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, head of the powerful Cali drug cartel, was en route to the United States early on Saturday after being handed over to American anti-narcotics officials the night before, a Colombian official said.

Colombian drug kingpin extradited to the US


Yankees' bats pound the Boston Red Sox to the brink of elimination with 22 hits in a 19-8 slaughter on Saturday night, giving New York a commanding 3-0 series advantage.

Yankees Rout Red Sox


A group of 44 former IT employees at Best Buy has filed a class-action lawsuit charging the retailer with age discrimination in connection with the termination of their jobs during layoffs last spring and in 2003. Best Buy said the claims

Best Buy hit with lawsuit over layoffs of IT workers


KIEV: Voting began Sunday in Ukraine #39;s presidential elections, seen as a critical test for the future of democratic development in the former Soviet state, a foreign news agency reported.

Voting opens in Ukraine election (12:20 PST)


The revised team of European commissioners headed by Jose Manuel Durao Barroso was approved by the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday.

New European Commission endorsed by EP


In most Internet categories, successful sites have led to copycats. But one growing Internet service has attracted a loyal following but, strangely, no rivals.

Meeting Site Stands Nearly Alone


A new video game  quot;JFK Reloaded quot; released at the time which coincides with the 41st anniversary of Kennedy #39;s murder stirs up so much controversy that even its producers can hardly expect.

Game  quot;JFK quot; reloads ire


MONTREAL (Reuters) - BCE Inc. <A HREF=

BCE Hikes Dividend, Sees '05 Growth


Ford Motor Co., the second-largest US automaker, posted a \$266 million profit for the third quarter, led by its unit that makes car and truck loans.

Ford Posts \$266 Million Profit for 3rd Quarter on Credit Unit


September 12, 2004 -- BAGHDAD - Strong explosions shook central Baghdad late last night and fighting erupted on a major street in the heart of the city near the US-guarded Green Zone.

BAGHDAD #39;S US ZONE ROCKED BY MORTARS


It was a tough week for the Boston College hockey team. An upset loss to Harvard and a disappointing tie with Providence put an end to BC's reign as the No. 1-ranked team in the country.

BC makes HC pay penalty


The new Nintendo DS gaming handheld, launched in the United States yesterday, is interesting in many ways. With this impressive new gaming device Nintendo has set it #39;s target age group for the twenty and above crowd and not teenagers.

Nintendo DS Review -- palmOne and HP Could Learn a Thing or Two


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc. <A HREF=

Tyson Foods Reports Lower Earnings


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Electronic Data Systems Corp.  <A HREF=

EDS:US Airways Bankruptcy to Cut Earnings


Comcast said it was in talks with Time Warner to make a joint bid for Adelphia, which has been operating under bankruptcy protection.

Time Warner And Comcast Discuss Bid for Adelphia


AP - Instead of a traditional classroom setting, high school students participating in an alternative program at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration are getting a hands-on learning experience alongside beluga whales, seals and other marine life.

Aquarium School Gives Students 2nd Chance (AP)


AP - There was no extra security around the Oakland bullpen Tuesday night for the start of a three-game series in Texas, and that didn't concern the Athletics.

No Extra Security for A's Bullpen in Texas (AP)


Insurgents detonated at least two bombs near a US military convoy in southern Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 16 people, while a suicide bomber killed two Iraqi police and a US soldier west of the capital.

Bomb Blasts in Baghdad Kill at Least 16 -Police


Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag are back on the pitch on the fourth day of the first Test between India and South Africa in Kanpur #39;s Green Park stadium.

Ind-SA Test: Day 4 play resumes after delay


Microsoft has delayed beta testing of the next version of MSN Messenger because of a security flaw. Vulnerabilities were discovered in MSN Messenger 7.0, due to be released today, after testers found it had

Microsoft stops winking on MSN 7.0 beta


Of Course It Was Poisoning


ESTONIA #39;S Markko Martin won his second successive world championship rally today as he took the Rally of Catalonia in a Ford Focus.

Martin wins Rally of Catalonia


PeopleSoft Inc. capitulated to Oracle Corp., accepting a sweetened \$10.3 billion offer to end an 18- month battle that pitted PeopleSoft against its shareholders and led to the ouster of its chief executive.

PeopleSoft Ends Fight, Accepts Oracle #39;s \$10.3 Bln Bid (Update8)


Seattle grunts out an ugly 79-68 triumph over the punchless New Jersey Nets, moving the SuperSonics to the top of the Western Conference.

Sonics Streak to 8-1


Yang, Yang, left, of China takes an outside turn against Alison Baver (47) of Reading, Penn., during the 1,500-meter finals at the World Cup Short Track Speed Skating competition in Madison, Wis.

Ohno, Yang Take Golds in Short Track


The Sony Ericsson Z500a is available for connection to Cingular #39;s EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) network. The new mobile phone features a built-in digital camera with zoom, a built-in video camera

Sony Ericsson  amp; Cingular Wireless introduce Z500a


AP - Democrat John Kerry on Thursday lashed out at

Debate on Kerry's Military Record Rages (AP)