BAGHDAD -- A heavy gunfight broke out yesterday on a dangerous street in central Baghdad within blocks of the country's most fortified facilities, including the US Embassy and interim Iraqi government headquarters. Five more American troops were killed in the volatile Anbar province.

Gun battle breaks out near Green Zone


Kathmandu - Nepalese rebels shot a policeman and set off two bombs in Kathmandu on Friday while keeping up a blockade that has isolated the capital since midweek to press demands for the release of rebels held by the government.

Nepalese rebels set off bombs in capital


It was the starting point for dozens of commercial communications satellites, military spacecraft and pioneering space probes, including the first man-made object to journey outside our solar system.

Launch team salutes Cape #39;s pad 36A after final liftoff


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks dropped on Friday as  investors were jolted by a jump in oil prices and comments by  U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who gave a blunt  reminder that interest rates were bound to go up and warned the  appetite for U.S. assets would eventually dwindle.

Stocks Fall, Jolted by Oil and Greenspan


Kazaa is  quot;an engine of copyright piracy to a degree of magnitude never before seen, quot; charge solicitors in Australia. The goal of the record company lawyers is to have Sharman Networks -- Kazaa #39;s owners -- declared

Accusations Fly as Kazaa Piracy Trial Opens


Microsoft Monday again revised its Windows server roadmap, this time delaying for nearly two years the release of features for controlling network access - in part to implement a new plan to develop the technology in unison with similar technology from

Microsoft delays access control technology for two years


Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader may get all the glory, but a new Star Wars video game finally gives credit to the everyday grunts who couldn't summon the Force for help.

Star Wars Game Gives Battle Tour


The European Union #39;s transport commissioner has praised the restructuring deal reached between Italy #39;s flagship air carrier, Alitalia, and unions representing cabin crews.

EU Transport Commissioner Lauds Alitalia Restructuring Deal


Reuters - Japan is confident it can secure the\votes needed to resume commercial trade in whale products and\that this would be a step toward lifting a ban on hunting the\marine giants, a Japanese official said Wednesday.

Japan More Confident on CITES Whale Vote (Reuters)


Reuters - Russian oil major YUKOS said on\Wednesday it had filed for bankruptcy protection in a U.S.\court and would seek an order from the court to halt the Dec.\19 sale by the Russian state of its main oil unit.

YUKOS Files for U.S. Bankruptcy (Reuters)


When Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi traveled to New York early this week to address the United Nations General Assembly, his objective was clear: to pitch for UN reforms that would

NEWS FOCUSKoreans split on Japan #39;s Council bid


A sprawling computer chip factory near the war-scarred German city of Dresden is forcing a shift in momentum in the battle between two US technology superpowers.

AMD #39;s German Plant Inflicts Wounds on Rival Intel


There is a certain gloom and doom feeling in the Windy City these days, as the beloved Chicago Bears are reeling. With franchise quarterback Rex Grossman

Bears #39; quarterback situation is not pretty


At Madison Park, coach Dennis Wilson's  quot;MP Pride quot; chant isn't the only phrase that's sticking like peanut butter. There's a new slogan that's catching on at the school.

Playing it smart


Ziff Davis - IBM will use the new devices, designed to make it more difficult for hackers to access a system's data, in its latest line of ThinkCentre PCs.

National Semiconductor Unveils 'Trusted' Chip for PCs (Ziff Davis)


A group of 20 Afghan women offered on Thursday to take the place of three foreign UN workers held hostage for the past two weeks by a Taliban splinter group.

Afghan women offer to take place of UN hostages


Google Inc. #39;s already soaring stock price rocketed even higher on Thursday after reporting strong growth in its first quarter as a public company, prompting skeptics

At Google, Earnings Soar, and Share Price Follows


AIN EL-HILWEH, Lebanon (Reuters) - Three people were killed  and several others wounded Sunday when unknown gunmen attacked  members of a Palestinian faction in Lebanon's largest  Palestinian refugee camp, witnesses said.

Three Dead, Several Wounded in Lebanon Camp Clash


Delta reached a tentative agreement with its pilots' union Wednesday night on wage and benefit cuts, averting a threatened bankruptcy filing, at least for now.

Delta Reaches Deal With Pilots, Averting Chapter 11 Filing


(RALEIGH, North Carolina)-- Wake County #39;s Salvation Army will have dozens of new donation sites this holiday. That #39;s in large part because Target decided not to allow any non-profit groups in front of its stores.

Salvation Army bell ringers find new donation sites


AP - Japan's capital has a 90 percent chance of being devastated by a major earthquake some time in the next 50 years, according to a study by a government panel.

Major Tokyo Quake Expected Within 50 Years (AP)


Millions of people in the Americas have stayed up to observe a total lunar eclipse that bathed the moon in a coppery red glow and gave scientists a chance to study the Earth #39;s atmosphere.

Millions in Americas watch lunar eclipse


Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden finished the third day #39;s play at Adelaide as they had begun the first, by rumbling along to an unbeaten 57-run stand to take Australia one step closer to a crushing victory in the second Test against New Zealand.

Australia march into dominant position against NZ


After a debut that was the stuff of fantasy, Wayne Rooney was introduced to the real Manchester United yesterday. The 18-year-old could have been forgiven for thinking that life

Rooney brought down to earth


AP - Pope John Paul II warned in a statement released Sunday that humanity's speedy progress in science and technology risks overlooking moral values, citing with particular concern experiments in human cloning.

Pope Condemns Unethical Science, Cloning (AP)


The dollar is down, and a lot of the developed world is worried that this could mean the end of economic recoveries. In Europe, where the euro is routinely said to be setting new record highs, governments

Floyd Norris: \$, , : Some historical perspective


LONDON : Saracens captain Hugh Vyvyan has been called up to the England replacements #39; bench for Saturday #39;s Test match against Canada at Twickenham as a result of an injury to back row forward Joe Worsley.

Rugby: Vyvyan called up as England save Worsley for Boks and <b>...</b>


Pakistan said its forces killed four foreign militants in a border area Monday as Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited to discuss the battle against Islamic guerrillas before his October re-election bid.

Pakistan Says Kills Militants as Karzai Visits


President Bush shifted his stance today on how much power a new national intelligence director should have.

Bush Backs Budget Authority for New Intelligence Post


The Iraqi government and US army expressed cautious optimism on Sunday about radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr #39;s deal to disarm his militia in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City.

Iraq #39;s Sadr militia to begin disarming


THE US will pursue sanctions against Iran if Tehran does not renounce its quest for nuclear weapons, a top US official said today.

US envoy warns of Iran sanctions


The US textile industry said yesterday that it is formally asking the Bush administration to cap China #39;s shipments of trousers, shirts, sheets and other textile items to the United States, warning

Textile Makers Fight for Limits


A jury in a torture trial of an alleged Afghan warlord is discharged after failing to decide a verdict.

No verdict in Afghan 'torture' trial


Martha Stewart asked an appeals court to overturn her obstruction conviction yesterday, saying misconduct by jurors and government prosecutors kept her from getting a fair trial.

Stewart files appeal of conviction


Shares in Rank Group have rallied after the leisure group said it might hive off its Deluxe film and video businesses to focus on its gaming and restaurant operations.

Rank Group mulls break-up


Because of repeated showings, television viewers continue to argue over how badly the Jets mangled the clock in last Sunday's loss to Baltimore.

Time Warp for Jets Just Won't Go Away


WASHINGTON--You soon may be able to dial 411 to find a cell phone numbers as well as traditional land-line phone information. Six of the seven largest wireless carriers

Dial 4-1-1 for Cell Phone Numbers?


PalmSource is to focus on wireless devices with its new version of Palm OS, but can it succeed against the likes of Microsoft and Symbian?

Palm OS to favour phones


RIYADH, Sept 26 (AFP) - A Frenchman who was shot dead in the port city of Jeddah early Sunday is the latest victim in a series of militant attacks in Saudi Arabia.

Attacks On Foreigners In Saudi Arabia Since 1995


John Terry's brace helps Chelsea move five points clear at the top of the table.

Football: Chelsea stay top


Marketer says left-leaning groups are miles ahead in using the Internet for political advocacy.

Liberal Praise Drawn From Unlikely Source


Prince Norodom Sihamoni, 51, a dancer and choreographer, is to be crowned king this month, carrying out the wishes of his father in the first change in the monarchy most Cambodians have known.

Cambodians Are Ready to Crown His Majesty the Ballet Dancer


Tracking Online Marketing ROI Using CPA\\As the online advertising market is poised to grow nearly \$10 billion over the next six years, it's essential that we remember the importance of measuring the effectiveness of that spending. There's no point undertaking any marketing or advertising campaign unless you can measure its ...

Tracking Online Marketing ROI Using CPA


Shares of Herndon-based government information technology contractor DigitalNet gained as much as 27 percent in Monday trading, after a weekend buyout offer from BAE Systems.

DigitalNet buyout offer boosts stock


NewsFactor - Information Appliance Associates is offering an application that links the \BlackBerry mobile e-mail platform with Mac OS X, further extending BlackBerry's considerable reach.

BlackBerry in Sync with Apple (NewsFactor)


BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's financial watchdog said on  Thursday it was looking into recent trading by U.S. financial  services group Citigroup <A HREF=

Germany Looking at Citigroup Bond Trading


LEVERKUSEN/ROME, Dec 7 (SW) - Dynamo Kiev, Bayer Leverkusen, and Real Madrid all have a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League Round of 16 if they can get the right results in Group F on Wednesday night.

CL Preview: Three teams still in the hunt in Group B


While not quite a return to glory, Monday represents the Redskins' return to the national consciousness.

Rivalry Lives Up to Hype


Majority of Home Computers Infected with Spyware\\Dont ever let anybody tell you otherwise, the Internet is not a safe place to take your computer systems without adequate protection. It wasnt too long ago that anti-virus and firewall software could provide your systems with more than enough security to safely cruise ...


Reuters - Deep in a palm oil estate\in Malaysia's north, a cluster of about 20 wooden huts sits\around a brick mosque.

Little Sympathy for Thai Rebels Over Malaysian Border (Reuters)


While Google SMS uses text-only messages to deliver its results, Yahoo #39;s new mobile service offers localised search results, maps and website icons that let people point, click and make a call.

Google vs Yahoo: Battle moves to the mobile


Bernie Ecclestone, the owner of the commercial rights to the Formula 1 (F1) world championship, has reportedly pulled the plug on the British Grand Prix.

Silverstones future looks bleak


BEIJING (Reuters) - Top seed Carlos Moya got blown off  court by a French teenager playing his first ATP Tour match at  the rain-hit China Open on Wednesday.

Top Seed Moya Stunned by Qualifier in Beijing


Manchester United gave Alex Ferguson a 1,000th game anniversary present by reaching the last 16 of the Champions League yesterday, while four-time winners Bayern Munich romped into the second round with a 5-1 beating of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Reds give Ferguson anniversary present


Reuters - The dollar was feeling the heat on\Thursday as concerns about the U.S. trade and current account\deficits hardened the market's view that the currency's\downward spiral would continue.

Dollar Under Pressure in Thin Trading (Reuters)


Norwegian researchers on a remote Arctic island have recovered rare fossil remains of two giant marine reptiles, one of them reminiscent of the fabled Loch Ness monster.

Norwegian researchers find fossil remains of giant reptiles on <b>...</b>


When NASAs Genesis solar-wind sample return capsule skyrockets from space next week and drops into the Utah Test and Training Range, that landmark in civilian space draws upon a once classified satellite snooping program.

The Genesis Payload: Just How Dangerous are its Contents?


The Cypriot government on Friday denounced a bomb attack that rattled the Church of Agios Mamas Friday morning in the town of Morphou in Turkey-controlled northern Cyprus.

Cypriot govt condemns bomb attack on church


Viagra, Oxycontin and some AIDS drugs will be among the first to carry radio chip tracking devices under a new Food and Drug Administration

FDA Encourages Radio Tags on Drug Bottles


Reuters - Wall Street investors will get their\first glimpses in September of how companies performed in the\third quarter, and financial experts say don't look for too\many positive earnings surprises.

Blazing U.S. Profit Growth to Cool (Reuters)


AFP - Investigators probing a fire that crippled the submarine HMCS Chicoutimi this month are focussing on flawed insulation beneath the captain's cabin, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

Flawed cable insulation suspected for causing submarine fire: report (AFP)


American Deena Kastor crosed the finish line crying as she captured the bronze medal in the marathon Sunday. She finished the course in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 19 seconds.

Kastor takes bronze in marathon; Japan #39;s Noguchi wins


Internet portal Yahoo is looking to boost its music offerings with the purchase of Musicmatch for 160 million dollars. The all-cash deal is intended to give Yahoo increased

Yahoo buys Musicmatch for 160 million dollars


Reuters - DualDisc and DVD(plus) discs have\until now been devoid of graphics, apart from limited text on\the inner ring. Because both sides of these CD/DVD hybrids\contain optical data, it has been impossible to apply graphics\to them.

Firm Intros Text-Friendly Coat for 2-Sided Discs (Reuters)


Cisco #39;s Tokyo R amp;D center will focus on advanced Internet technologies such as IPv6, multicast, and wireless, in addition to improving existing security and quality-of-service (QoS) technologies.

Cisco Invests \$12 Million in Japanese R amp;D Center


AP - Dwyane Wade narrowly missed a triple-double and Shaquille O'Neal scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, awakening just in time to help lift the Miami Heat to an 92-84 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

Heat Stops Cold-Shooting Grizzlies 92-84 (AP)


ANKARA, December 6 (Itar-Tass) - President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer have signed a joint declaration on deepening friendship and comprehensive partnership between Russia and Turkey.

Russia, Turkey sign documents on cooperation development


There will be no early end to punitive European tariffs on US products despite a decision by the US Congress to end a corporate tax subsidy ruled illegal by the World Trade Organisation (WTO)Pascal Lamy, the European Unions chief trade negotiator

EU not ready to lift sanctions against US


Pork processor Smithfield Foods Inc. said Thursday that improved profitability in the hog production segment, combined with strong results in pork, offset lower earnings in the beef segment to push first-quarter profits above revised expectations.

Smithfield #39;s 1Q Profits Beat Outlook


JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has asked the United States to use its strategic petroleum reserves to help reduce oil prices, the cartel #39;s president said Wednesday.

OPEC asks US to use oil reserves


AP - Fans taunted black players on England's team Wednesday night during Spain's 1-0 victory in an exhibition game.

Racist Taunts Mar Soccer Match (AP)


Engineers at Hewlett-Packard are working on  quot;virus throttling quot; software that could slow the spread of viruses and worms, possibly limiting the destruction hackers inflict on millions of computers each year.

New software blows the whistle on viruses #39; activities


Reuters - When Texas Instruments\needed a code name for its newest chip, the company settled on\Hollywood. That's a clear indication of TI's goal for its\latest development, the wireless industry's first single-chip\digital television for mobile devices.

Texas Instruments Chip Brings TV to Cellphones (Reuters)


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

Dollar Hits 1-Month Low Vs Yen


Purdue senior quarterback Kyle Orton demolished both a secondary and a streak as he led the 15th-ranked Boilermakers to a 41-16 victory over Notre Dame (3-2).

Top 25 roundup: Purdue ends long Irish streak


Washington area's job growth and well-educated consumers attract plenty of nationally-known retailers willing to compete for space, driving up rent prices.

Region's Affluence Yields Stable Returns


PalmSource has completed development of Palm Cobalt, the first version of its handheld operating system designed specifically for smartphones.

PalmSource unveils smartphone operating system


BAGHDAD - American officials yesterday said they were not about to free Iraqi women prisoners as demanded by an Al Qaeda-linked group which has already beheaded two Americans and is threatening to kill a British man.

US won #39;t free Iraqi women prisoners


BANGKOK (Reuters) - World No. 1 Roger Federer will meet  second seed Andy Roddick in the final of the Thailand Open  after both claimed three-set victories Saturday.

Federer to Meet Roddick in Thai Final


Thanks primarily to the DVD, home theaters have come within reach of many shoppers in the last few years. But why choose one over another?

A Home Theater That Rattles the Windows Without Breaking the Bank


The brokerage unit of Deutsche Bank has voluntarily agreed to pay almost \$90 million in compensation to settle allegations of misconduct, US regulators announced Friday.

Deutsche Bank Arm in Multi-Million Dollar Payout


ATHENS (Reuters) - American Justin Gatlin shot to victory  in the Olympic 100 meters final on Sunday in an atmosphere of  fevered excitement.

Gatlin Takes 100 Meters Gold


Lycos Europe attempted to get back at the leading spammers of the world through an initiative called MakeLoveNotSpam. The move was applauded by the ordinary user of the web considering more than a lakh

Lycos Screensaver down for indefinite period


Ricky Williams has asked the NFL for a hearing to clarify his playing status, a possible first step if the running back tries to return to the league.

Ricky Williams asks league to clarify his status


may have been surprised to learn that he had stepped in as head of the beleaguered insurance company, Marsh  amp; McLennan, on Monday, October 25, and has been in the national media spotlight ever since.

Michael Cherkasky: Now in Public Hotseat, Has Quieter Repute in <b>...</b>


Reuters - Japan's Nikkei share average was up 0.64\percent in mid-morning trade on Monday after a fall in the yen\helped some exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp.

Tokyo Stocks Firmer, Exporters Gain (Reuters)


The Columbus Crew extended their unbeaten streak to an MLS record 14 games in a season with a 1-0 win over visiting D.C. United last night. First-place Columbus (11-5-10) clinched at least a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference and maintained its four-point lead over the MetroStars.

Crew remain on top of things


AP - There is no quarterback controversy at Tennessee. The Volunteers have a competition. No. 10 Tennessee has been touting its rotation of two freshmen as a way to keep defenses off balance and busy preparing for quarterbacks with different styles.

Vols Impressed With Freshman Quarterback (AP)


At the same time, an increase in inventory is making chip vendors and distributors worried.

Gartner: Chip revenue to see steady growth


Singapore Airlines #39; low-cost arm raised the stakes Monday in the battle for budget travelers, saying it is ready for a price war as it prepares to begin services next month.

Singapore Budget Carrier Set to Take Off


Phil Burress, a self-described former pornography addict, has become a Paul Revere for the movement against same-sex marriage.

Flush With Victory, Crusader Against Same-Sex Marriage Thinks Big


Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s biggest drugmaker, on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings rose on higher sales of key medicines and favorable foreign exchange factors.

Pfizer Profit Up on Demand for Key Drugs


AP - Archaeologists have begun excavating ancient skeletal remains believed to be those of five people, probably Anasazis.

Experts Study Skeletal Remains in Utah (AP)


North Korea on Sunday accused Japan of using anti-terrorism moves as an excuse for militarism which put the Korean peninsula at risk of invasion.

NKorea accuses Japan of revising defense policy towards militarism


AP - The pileup of events in the city next week, including the Republican National Convention, will add to the security challenge for the New York Police Department, but commissioner Ray Kelly says,

N.Y. Touts Its Convention Security (AP)


So when a consortium of investors led by the Sony Corporation of America announced that it had reached a deal in principle to acquire Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for nearly \$5 billion, it came

The MGM Approach: Pay Me First, Sign the Deal Later


NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Stock selling in the software and semiconductor sectors sent benchmark indexes lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average breaking through to a new

Options Report: Traders Take Stock Sell-Off In Stride


The Bank of Canada rate will hit four per cent by late next year, an economist predicts. OTTAWA -- The Bank of Canada raised its key policy interest rate yesterday while hinting that this could be the start of a new upward trend in borrowing costs.

Central bank bumps rate


America Online Inc. (AOL) has decided not to fully support Microsoft Corp. #39;s Sender ID spam-fighting plan after the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the open- source

AOL backs away from Microsoft antispam plan


Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen powered St. Louis back to the World Series with a 5-2 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the N.L.C.S.

Cardinals Bunt and Bash Their Way Into the Series


3Com Monday announced plans to acquire TippingPoint Technologies, a maker of intrusion prevention systems, for approximately \$430 million in stock.

3Com to acquire TippingPoint for \$430 million


roundup TruSecure, Betrusted to merge, focus on big customers. Also: A bump up in the bureaucracy?

Security shifts


Exeter - A reclusive Russian may have solved one of the world #39;s toughest mathematics problems and stands to win \$1-million (almost R7-million) - but he doesn #39;t appear to care.

Maths breakthrough for reclusive Russian?


After a dismal season, Brigham Young coach Gary Crowton said Wednesday he was stepping aside to pursue other job opportunities. Crowton spoke at a news conference flanked by associate BYU

Amid unrest at BYU, Crowton opts to resign


Reuters - New York Yankees first baseman\Jason Giambi has been receiving treatment for a benign tumor in\his pituitary gland.

Yankees' Giambi Treated for Tumor in Pituitary Gland (Reuters)


Hog and pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc.(SFD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it plans a private offering to sell about \$150 million worth of senior notes due 2011.

Smithfield Foods plans private note offer


The Huskies set a school record with 19 blocks in the game (Hilton Armstrong had five and Boone had four)...This was the first-ever meeting between these teams...FIU, which shot 28 percent from the field, had a two-game winning streak halted...UConn ended

NCAA Game Summary - Florida International at Connecticut


AP - Stan Hill threw three touchdown passes and Marshall held off a late rally to beat Miami, Ohio 33-25 Wednesday night.

Marshall Holds Off Miami, Ohio 33-25 (AP)


RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - A Palestinian serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail will drop out of the race to replace former leader Yasser Arafat, he indicated in a statement on Sunday.

Jailed Palestinian won #39;t run for leadership


LAGOS, 15 November (IRIN) - Nigeria #39;s powerful trade unions on Monday called off a general strike planned for the next day after the government, in an eleventh-hour move, offered an almost 10-percent cut in the price of domestic fuels.

NIGERIA: NIGERIA: Unions call off strike after 11th-hour govt <b>...</b>


In addition to its recent failed attempts at making its Sender ID framework a standard,  #39;Net-wide solution to the problem of spam, Microsoft has also filed over 100 lawsuits against the spammers themselves.

New Microsoft spam lawsuit takes different tack


Greg Biffle, driving the  quot;Flash quot;-blazoned National Guard Ford, led 73 of the 200 laps Sunday to take his second career win in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing.

quot;Flash quot; Biffle Leads Roush One-Two at Michigan


AP - India's space agency said Thursday its removal from a U.S. export restriction list earlier this month could result in a threefold import increase of high technology equipment from the United States.

India Expects Jump in High-Tech Imports (AP)


South Carolina Coach Lou Holtz will retire at the end of the football season, opening the way for Steve Spurrier, the former Florida coach, to take the job.

Holtz Is Retiring, and Spurrier Will Take Over Job


The Bush administration Tuesday upheld a decision to impose penalty tariffs on shrimp imported from China and Vietnam, handing a victory to beleaguered US shrimp producers from Florida and other states.

Florida shrimpers win victory on tariffs against imported shrimp


US and Iraqi forces clashed with insurgents in northern Iraq on Saturday after launching an operation to destroy an alleged militant cell in the town of Tal Afar, the US military said.

US troops clash with insurgents in Iraq


AP - Making Michael Vick  #151; one of the NFL's most exciting players  #151; look ordinary for much of the day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated Atlanta 27-0 Sunday to keep the first-place Falcons from clinching the NFC South championship.

Buccaneers Shut Down Falcons, 27-0 (AP)


How does version 8 of Dragon NaturallySpeaking dictation software stack up?

Speaking Naturally, Anew


After they both finished 6-10 a year ago, the Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers have found themselves linked again, but now in their rise to the N.F.L.'s upper echelon.

If Jets and Steelers Are Mirror Images, It's Time for One of Them to Crack


In another consolidation in the hot-again business of Internet advertising, Web video specialist Viewpoint has agreed to buy Unicast Communications.

More Evidence That Internet Marketing Is Hot Again


Linux distributor Red Hat announced that it has reached an agreement with America Online to purchase several products derived from the Netscape Enterprise Suite, including Netscape Directory

Red Hat Buys Netscape Technology


NEW YORK (Reuters) - New Jersey, which tried for years but  failed to win the Yankees baseball team from New York City, now  has set its sights on the city's other baseball team, the Mets,  who play in Shea Stadium in Queens.

New Jersey Now Tries to Lure the Mets from NYC


Reuters - The dollar inched up but stayed in sight\of record lows against the euro on Thursday, as investors took\a break from pummeling the dollar after showing little interest\in a mixed bag of U.S. economic data.

Dollar Edges Up Vs Euro, Lows in Sight (Reuters)


No. 2 Kansas does not face much of a challenge as it rolls through an overmatched Nevada team, 85-52, on Monday night.

Jayhawks Breeze


International Business Machines Corp. has steadily lost its hold on the PC market, buffeted by made-to-order rivals such as Dell Inc. and low-cost competition from overseas. <FONT face=

PC Sector Sale by IBM Would Signal Change


With its great plains of concrete and endless shopping malls, Long Island would seem an unlikely location for wildlife research. Yet this winter a team of waterfowl biologists will follow

Study looks at hardy LI black ducks


Russian Mikhail Youzhny reached the final of the China Open with a surprise win over Paradorn Srichaphan. The sixth-seeded Thai struggled to find his rhythm and dropped his serve in each set to lose 6-4 6-4.

Youzhny reaches China final


Brussels, Belgium (Sports Network) - Tennis stars Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt have ended their relationship, according to Clijsters #39; web site.

It #39;s splitsville for Clijsters and Hewitt


Chinese net stock Sohu.com (Nasdaq: SOHU) dropped by 10 on Friday after the company announced that its multimedia messaging services with China Mobile Communication had been temporarily suspended for a year. The sanctions were ...

Mobile Boohoo for Sohu


If a shopkeeper tried to charge \$1,000 for a broken computer, you'd probably be outraged. You might even complain to the government.

Piracy rule is definition of misguided


Starbucks is opening a series of  quot;music bars, quot; where customers can listen to digital recordings and burn their own CDs. The  quot;Hear Music quot; coffeehouses will open in 15 Starbucks stores in Seattle starting Monday.

Starbucks Expands Digital-Music Service


I am expecting the Red Sox to beat the Cardinals. The Red Sox are an unbelievable team determined to achieve their goal of winning the World Series.

Who #39;s going to win (World Series, election)?


Plane maker Airbus has reported progress in plans to enable passengers to use mobile phones in flight, beginning in 2006. Test equipment aboard an Airbus A320 plane demonstrated that mobile phones can be used without interfering with navigation systems.

In-flight mobile calls approved


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Monday as  oil prices held near \$55 a barrel and Dow component 3M Co.  <A HREF=

Stocks Open Lower as Oil Prices, 3M Weigh


Five weightlifters, including India #39;s Pratima Kumari, were Thursday suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for failing drug tests conducted at the Olympic Games Thursday, reports Xinhua.

India #39;s Pratima, four others suspended for doping :


New York -- A federal appeals court agreed Tuesday to temporarily seal letters pertaining to the health of former Silicon Valley investment banker Frank Quattrone #39;s wife and teenage daughter after his lawyers protested that a judge was about to make them

DAILY DIGEST


Written by Net 4 Nowt As part of its effort to make offline information searchable online, Google Inc. has announced that it is working with the libraries of Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, and

Google to add searches on printed books


The White House said on Friday that South Korea and other nations should send a  quot;clear message quot; to North Korea of their commitment to a nuclear-free peninsula after Seoul admitted government scientists had enriched uranium to nearly

Seoul, Others Should Send Clear Message on Nukes -US


AP - Carlos Zambrano took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and struck out nine to lead the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers 8-3 Monday night.

Zambrano Leads Cubs Past Brewers 8-3 (AP)


The Russian-US crew of the International Space Station (ISS) went on a five-hour space walk overnight to carry out maintenance work, Russian space officials said on Saturday, quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency.

Russian, US astronauts leave ISS on maintenance mission


De La Salle High #39;s football team is still winless, but at least the Spartans aren #39;t 0-3. De La Salle held a 7-0 lead until the fourth quarter but couldn #39;t keep it and had to settle

DLS ties, remains winless


US agents busted an online network suspected of allowing the illegal trading of hundreds of movies, songs, video games and software programs over the Internet, the first such federal action taken

Pirate hubs busted


LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's ambassador to Uzbekistan, who  has condemned his superiors for accepting security information  gathered by torture, may be about to lose his job, British  media reported Tuesday.

Report: Maverick UK Envoy to Tashkent May Lose Job


The World #39;s leading portal website Yahoo.com will blaze its trial in the digital music market launching an online music service by the end of this year.

Yahoo to launch online music service


China #39;s central bank jolted global financial markets by raising its benchmark interest rates for the first time in nine years to cool the world #39;s fastest-growing major economy.

China Raises Interest Rates for First Time in 9 Years (Update6)


AFP - President George W. Bush and Democratic rival John Kerry have not been spared by US comedians who have constantly lampooned the US presidential contenders in a comic assault led by a widely watched fake newscast.

Weighty US presidential campaign lightened by relentless comics (AFP)


DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Burundi will urge regional leaders at a summit on Wednesday to impose sanctions against the rebel Hutu Forces for National Liberation (FNL), blamed for the slaughter of more than 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees in ...

Burundi Urges Sanctions on Rebels Over Massacre


Reuters - Israel has released the first video\footage of its Dimona nuclear plant, a television station said\on Monday, in an apparent attempt to promote a positive image\of what experts believe to be an atomic bomb factory.

'Atom School' Stars in First Israeli Reactor Video (Reuters)


Missouri #39;s basketball team was placed on three years #39; probation Wednesday for NCAA recruiting violations but avoided a ban on postseason play.

Missouri hit with probation, scholarship loss


For all the fanfare regarding the Red Sox MVP candidates -- Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and he-who-can-no-longer-be-overlooked, Johnny Damon -- the man in the Bronx has a pretty compelling case.

Sheffield has been top-shelf


Bank of America Corp.'s investment arm, Columbia Management , named Christopher Wilson head of mutual funds, replacing Kevin Connaughton, who will continue to work for the company. Connaughton held the position in an interim capacity, a spokeswoman said. He moved over from FleetBoston Financial Corp. , where he was head of mutual funds, in the companies' April 1 merger. The ...

Bank's investment unit names executive


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Longer-dated Treasuries rose on  Wednesday as a soggy batch of U.S. economic data dampened the  outlook for future growth, although a disappointing auction of  2-year notes curbed the session's gains.

Longer-Dated Treasuries Rise


Roger Federer has pulled out of his home event in Basle with a left thigh injury. The top-ranked player in the world pulled out of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors tennis tournament after tearing a muscle in his

Federer Pulls Out in Basle


InBev #39;s Labatt Breweries, which makes Blue, Bud and Bud Light beers, said it will close its New Westminster, British Columbia, brewery on April 21, eliminating 180 jobs.

InBev #39;s Labatt to Cut 180 Jobs, Close Canada Brewery (Update1)


The consequences of such a massive meltdown of northern ice would be dramatic, according to the study.  Low-lying coastal areas in Florida and Louisiana could be flooded by the sea.

Arctic Melting Fast; May Swamp US Coasts by 2099


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Striking reporters, photographers and other employees of The Vindicator went online Friday with their own newspaper.

Ohio paper strikers post own publication


Communications Minister Helen Coonan says the Government is taking nothing for granted over the sale of Telstra. Senator Coonan plans to speak with the Coalition #39;s newest senator-elect, Barnaby Joyce, to discuss his concerns about services in the bush.

Coonan aims to seal Telstra deal


 By Patrick Markey

 CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - A Venezuelan lawyersuspected in last week's bombing murder of a top stateprosecutor was killed in a gunfight with police on Tuesdayafter he tried to ram detectives with his car and opened fireon them, officials said.

Venezuelan Car-Bomb Suspect Killed in Shootout


It was an innocent enough looking roller. But, almost immediately, you sensed something weird was going to happen to the Red Sox at a critical juncture of a game they could not afford to lose.

A-Rod a bigger villain in one swipe


Al Leiter heard all the right things from the Florida Marlins. That was the reason he chose to move south and leave the New York Mets.

Leiter leaves Mets


Astronomers say they have found some of the earliest galaxies, which will help to piece together the history of the early universe. Some suspect galaxies took longer to form than previously thought. By John Gartner.

Reheating Big Bang's Leftovers


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Japan's lucrative market for U.S.  beef, ruptured by mad cow disease worries, is likely to remain  closed for the rest of this year, U.S. meat industry officials  said on Thursday.

US Sees Japan Beef Trade Unlikely in 2004


WASHINGTON - Three large drug manufacturers in the United States say they plan to add radio transmitter tags to bottles of pills to prevent counterfeiting and theft.

Prescription drug shipments to be tagged electronically


WASHINGTON, August 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Fund managers this month boosted the proportion of assets held in cash to the highest level since March 2003 when a global stocks rebound began, said the Washington Post on Wednesday.

Fund managers raise cash-asset level, says survey


AP - A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque Sunday in this eastern city killed four people, including two security guards who lost their lives confronting the attacker and preventing a far greater number of deaths.

Bomb at Pakistan Shiite Mosque Kills Four (AP)


Local women in Congo have accused U.N. soldiers of sexually assaulting them, using money and treats as lures.

In Congo War, Even Peacekeepers Add to Horror


AP - Mayor Anthony A. Williams predicted Monday he has enough votes in the District of Columbia Council to approve financing for a ballpark for the Expos in the location agreed to in the team's contract to relocate to the capital.

Key Expos Vote Set for Tuesday (AP)


The United States team wasn #39;t able to stop the juggernaut that is the partnership of Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, but little else slowed it down in a record-setting

US birdie assault seizes UBS Cup lead


Gamers already eager to tear down their enemies with heavy weaponry have now become even more desperate. Microsoft Game Studios has announced that MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf for Xbox has gone gold and will be

MechAssault 2: Where everything is destructible


Reuters - Shares of Taser International Inc.\(TASR.O) rose before the bell on Wednesday after the company\said it had received five orders totaling more than  #36;741,000\for its stun guns.

Before-the-Bell: Taser Climbs (Reuters)


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ Miami blew out New Jersey 100-to-77 in Shaquille O #39;Neal #39;s first game with the Heat. O #39;Neal felt good enough to play after being bothered by a strained left hamstring during training camp.

Heat 100 Nets 77


HNTB Cos.  has recruited retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, the former commander of the U.S. Southern Command, to serve as non-executive chairman of its federal government operation in Washington.

Retired General Brings Military Expertise to  Firm's Contract Unit


Virgin Mobile added 647,000 new users in the last half-year as turnover grew by 18, but profits were down due to rising costs.

Virgin Mobile adds more customers


Verizon Wireless on Thursday announced an agreement to acquire all the PCS spectrum licenses of NextWave Telecom Inc. in 23 markets for \$3 billion.

Verizon Wireless to Acquire NextWave Licenses for \$3 Billion


It is claimed that Al-Qaeda terrorist network leader Osama Bin Laden lives in a northeastern part of the Afghani capital Kabul in a safe place under the protection of a tribe.

Kuwaiti Paper: Laden Lives in a Safe Place in NE of Kabul


AFP - Police arrested a man who threatened to run over US Representative Katherine Harris, the former Florida Secretary of State blamed by critics for much of the 2000 presidential election debacle.

Man threatens to run over Katherine Harris, of 2000 Florida fiasco fame (AFP)


More than 4,000 American and Iraqi soldiers mounted a military assault on the insurgent-held city of Samarra.

Dozens Believed Killed in U.S. Assault on Iraqi City


LONDON - The British government announced plans Tuesday to impose a smoking ban across England and Wales. As part of the government #39;s wide-ranging  quot;White Paper on Public Health, quot; which also aims to tackle

Britain to impose smoking ban in England, Wales


United Parcel Service Inc. #39;s net income increased 20.4 percent in the third quarter, and the company #39;s board of directors has increased UPS #39; share repurchase authorization to \$2 billion.. The Atlanta-based

UPS profit grows 20 percent in third quarter


Thanks to a swarming defense, some tough runs by Tiki Barber, a few big catches by Jeremy Shockey and a turnover-free afternoon by Kurt Warner, the Giants beat the Vikings 34-13 on Sunday.

No mas: Giants stomp Moss-less Vikings


MOSCOW, Russia (Agencies) -- Seven people were killed as armed attackers stormed a school in southern Russia and took at least 100 people hostage on Wednesday, Russian media reported.

Russia in shock as school hostage drama looms Iran condemns Moscow <b>...</b>


The federal agency that insures pension plans said yesterday that its deficit, already at the highest in its history, had doubled in its last fiscal year, to \$23.

Debt Doubles at Agency that Insures Pension Plans


IBM (IBM) said Tuesday that it would sell its PC business to Lenovo, China #39;s No. 1 PC maker, in a \$1.75 billion deal that marks the end of an era.

It #39;s official: IBM sells PC unit to Chinese company


TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taipei plans to make wireless Internet  access available across the Taiwan capital by the end of 2005,  joining a small number of cities offering Wi-Fi networks.

Taipei Plans City-Wide Wi-Fi by End 2005


UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged Palestinians and Israelis to work with the international community to make Yasser Arafats dream of two states living in peace a reality.

Make Arafats dream a reality - Annan


KIEV -- Ukraine's political rivals agreed early today on legislation to ensure a fair vote during the rerun later this month of the presidential runoff but remained divided on constitutional amendments trimming presidential powers.

Ukraine lawmakers agree to amend laws


AP - Martin M. Kaplan, a health researcher and former secretary-general of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Pugwash conferences on disarmament, has died. He was 89.

Health Researcher Martin Kaplan Dies (AP)


Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao ruled out multi-party democracy on Wednesday on the eve of a key meeting aimed at tightening the party #39;s grip on power.

China Party Chief Rules Out Multi-Party Democracy


Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian was accused Sunday of playing word games in his  quot;national day quot; speech. Mainland researchers described his call for cross-Straits peace talks as  quot;more symbolic than substantial.

Chen Shui-bian #39;s call for talks discredited


KIAWAH ISLAND (South Carolina): Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer won for the eighth time together in matchplay as the Rest of the World led holders the United States by 3 points to 2 on the first day of the UBS Cup, which is limited to golfers in

US trail by one in UBS Cup


Though technophiles are the one who usually like to brag about their electronic toys, recently, even tech novices have started crowing about their digital video recorders.

TiVo, Cable or Satellite? Choose That Smart TV Wisely


Scientists discovered a new species of monkey in India, 101 years after the last species of its kind was found. They have called it the Arunachal macaque (scientific name Macaca munzala) after the state of Arunachal Pradesh where it was found.

New Monkey Species Found in India


When Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits Moscow on Thursday, all eyes will be on whether he can persuade his Russian counterpart Mikhail Fradkov to stick to an original agreement

Wen to lobby for oil pipeline from Siberia


The head of the International Monetary Fund has urged Argentina to agree soon to pay private lenders at least part of the \$100 billion in debt the country stopped paying in January 2002.

IMF Chief Urges Argentina to Finish Debt Restructuring Plan


November light, sweet crude oil futures rose as much as 96 cents on the New York Mercantile Exchange to US\$54.60 a barrel, the highest price in 21 years of trading.

Crude, Heating Oil Set Records on Storage Draw


AFP - Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry on Tuesday renewed his pointed attacks on President George W. Bush's handling of Iraq, accusing him of failing to  quot;level with the world's leaders quot; about the war during his speech at the United Nations.

Kerry, Bush exchange blows over Iraq as president addresses UN (AFP)


Retail group GUS says like-for-like sales at its key Argos chain outstripped the market in the first half as sales of consumer electronics and leisure goods shone.

GUS says Argos outperforms


The consortium plans to make bringing Linux up to the Evaluation Assurance Level 5 (EAL5), which is part of an internationally recognized security certification called Common Criteria, its first effort.

Consortium Aims To Beef Up Linux Security


The Passion of the Christ sells 2.4 million copies on DVD in its first few hours on sale in the US.

Passion sells 2.4m copies on DVD


Google's GMail Resembling Desktop Mail Client\\The more I use GMail and Google keeps on enhancing this webmail service, the more I look at it as a replacement to desktop mail clients. I have been using GMail for my personal mails and I cannot hide the fact that I am loving ...

Googles GMail Resembling Desktop Mail Client


As Fool Seth Jayson noted last week, Nintendo (OTC BB: NTDOY) had sold half a million of its portable Nintendo DS units within a week of their November 21 launch in the United States.

Nintendo DS vs. Sony PSP


NEW YORK - Stocks drifted lower in extremely light trading Monday as a disappointing consumer income report prompted investors to collect profits after two weeks of gains.    While investors were cheered by the Commerce Department's report of a strong rise in consumer spending for July, growth in incomes was nearly flat...

Stocks Dip on Consumer Income Report News


AFP - South Korea's Samsung Electronics said it has developed the world's highest-capacity SRAM (static random access memory) chip for high-performance networking systems.

Samsung Electronics develops world's highest-capacity SRAM chip (AFP)


The arrest of a Catholic priest drew criticism from human rights groups Thursday, who charged that the US-backed government was illegally trying to suppress support for ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Groups Decry Detention of Priest in Haiti


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Kyle Orton passed for 287 yards and a career-high four touchdowns as No. 25 Purdue used a slew of big plays Sunday to beat Syracuse 51-0, the Boilermakers #39; first shutout in four years.

No. 25 Purdue Embarrasses Syracuse, 51-0


AP - Sears, Roebuck and Co. posted a  #36;61 million loss in the third quarter and lowered its estimate for full-year earnings as its tailspin continues. The giant retailer's stock fell sharply Thursday.

Sears Posts  #36;61 Million Loss in 3Q (AP)


UK house prices rose 0.2pc in September compared with the month before to stand up 17.8pc on a year ago, according to Nationwide Building Society.

UK house prices up 17.8pc on yr in Sept


A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman described US President George Bush as an political imbecile, the BBC reported Monday. The unidentified spokesman made the remarks to the KCNA state news agency, adding

N. Korea calls Bush  #39;political imbecile #39;


Iraq #39;s interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, said Sunday he has held private meetings with representatives of insurgent groups from the restive cities of Fallujah

Allawi Holds Meetings With Insurgents


That was an expensive pair of red socks Clinton Portis wore last week. They #39;re costing him \$5,000. The NFL fined the Washington Redskins running back Friday for violating the league #39;s uniform rules.

Portis, Taylor fined \$5,000 for wearing red socks


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- IBM (IBM) later today is expected to announce the limited production plans for a chip for home entertainment products, the Wall Street Journal reported.

IBM to unveil graphics processing chip  #39;Cell #39; - report


China Aviation Oil or CAO has appealed to China National Petroleum Corporation or CNPC to prevent the aviation oil supply shortage in the 100 airports it serves.

CAO seeking help from CNPC for oil crisis


AP - Online search engine leader Google Inc. is setting out make better sense of all the scholarly work stored on the Web.

Google Introduces New Research Tool (AP)


The track-owning BRDC ultimately gambled on making a loss next year by succumbing to Ecclestone #39;s proposed race fee. The only sticking point now is the duration of a new contract -- Bernie wants to renegotiate

Brit GP on  #39;05 calendar - reports


SINGAPORE: Chinas reluctance to unshackle the yuan when the dollar is plumbing record lows against the euro risks sparking political tensions that could complicate the already fraught task of ironing out global economic imbalances.

Frictions over dollar to test global policy-making


Nursing a repaired nose, Sue Bird has 10 points and 14 assists to lead the Seattle Storm to the WNBA finals with an 82-62 win over the Sacramento Monarchs on Tuesday.

Bird Bounces Monarchs


TRENTON, NJ -- New Jersey #39;s top court shot down plans Thursday for next week #39;s bear hunt. The Supreme Court says the six-day hunt can #39;t take place because the state lacks a proper management program for the animals.

New Jersey Supreme Court Cancels Bear Hunt


Reuters - Peyton Manning threw three touchdown\passes to move closer to the all-time season record as the\Indianapolis Colts routed the visiting Tennessee Titans 51-24\Sunday.

NFL Wrap: Manning Tosses Three TDs as Colts Win (Reuters)


ISLAMABAD: Indian economists are showing concern over the prolong truckers #39; countrywide strike which is causing shortage of essential commodities.

Indian economy suffers due to truckers strike


A small, pilotless NASA aircraft set a speed record for jet planes on Tuesday when it dashed out over the Pacific Ocean at almost 10 times the speed of sound, project officials announced.

NASA Jet Sets Record for Speed


NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are seen flat to slightly lower at the open Monday as investors grapple with Friday's disappointing jobs report...

Stocks May Open Lower on Jobs Report


Reuters - Investors bought shares in Asian\exporters and electronics firms such as Fujitsu Ltd. on\Tuesday, buoyed by a favorable outlook from U.S. technology\bellwethers and a slide in oil prices.

Asian Stocks Rise on U.S. Tech Advances (Reuters)


FOXBOROUGH -- Defender Rusty Pierce has performed as a starter in most of the Revolution's crucial matches since joining the team four years ago. So, Pierce reacted calmly to the team's dramatic rally to qualify for the MLS playoffs with a 2-1 win over Chicago last night.

Team's talent clear to see, says confident Pierce


Code that claims to partially exploit a weakness in Microsoft software #39;s handling of image files has been published on the Internet.

Exploit for Microsoft JPEG Flaw Is Published


The US women's gymnastics team, which wlll go after Olympic gold tonight, will be doing it without Courtney McCool , whom the coaching staff left off the roster after she had a rough night in Sunday's prelims.

McCool not getting off the mat


Macedonian Prime Minister Hari Kostov resigned Monday over a minority party dispute and Parliament is expected to decide on the resignation Thursday.

Macedonia #39;s prime minister resigns


Navy's football team will announce Monday whether it will accept a bowl bid from the Emerald Bowl or consider inquiries from four other bowls.

Mids Go Bowling


The peer-to-peer Internet phone company patches a serious security flaw in its product for Windows PCs.

Skype plugs hole in VoIP software


NEW YORK - Stocks moved narrowly higher in early trading Monday as investors discounted another technology profit warning and focused instead on positive outlooks for third- and fourth-quarter earnings.    While some investors were concerned that rising energy prices would undermine third-quarter results for many companies, a new report by J.P...

Stocks Higher As Profit Worries Ease


Russian leader Vladimir Putin voices doubts over plans to hold elections in Iraq next month.

Putin questions Iraqi poll plan


MANILA -- The brother of a Filipino diplomat kidnapped in Afghanistan appealed for his release Tuesday, calling his sibling  quot;a very good man quot; who respects all Muslims.

Brother of Pinoy hostage appeals for his release (5:15 pm)


Kobe Bryant told police he stopped when his alleged victim said

Bryant Asked Police About Possible Payoff


Guillermo Canas of Argentina will play Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the final of the CA Trophy after straight sets victories Saturday.

Canas, Lopez advance to CA Trophy final


BUJUMBURA (Reuters) - The Burundi army said on Tuesday it  might cross into neighboring Congo to pursue rebels and militia  it blames for massacring 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees at a camp  in western Burundi.

Burundi Army Says Might Enter Congo After Massacre


Organic Search Engine Optimization for Large Sites\\Commercial websites are getting larger. Driven by the rapid evolution of content management systems, shopping carts and e-biz facilitation, and by the increasing sophistication of Internet retailers,


Adrian Fernandez overcame an equipment failure that turned his pit stops into mini-marathons, made a key pass of Bryan Herta and then held all challengers at bay Sunday for

Clearing obstacles


Graham Rowntree still vividly recalls the painful Sunday morning when his World Cup dream was shattered, and admits to this day: You cant prepare yourself for a disappointment like that.

Rowntree Admits: it #39;s Brilliant to Be Back


American Airlines, struggling to compete with lower-overhead carriers, will cut more jobs to reduce costs, Chief Executive Gerard Arpey said Wednesday.

CEO warns of more job cuts at American Airlines


neutron_p writes  quot;An international team of astronomers has produced the first ever image of an astronomical object using high energy gamma rays, helping to solve a 100 year old mystery - an origin of cosmic rays.

Origin of Cosmic Rays Revealed


Dozens of government proposals arise, but never get off the ground.

Study shows governments' open-source embrace


Bruised by aggressive promotional pricing by competitors over the Thanksgiving weekend, Wal-Mart on Thursday announced a counterattack.

Wal-Mart, fending off rivals, slashes prices on 24 items


Kyle Orton ended the 30-year drought by throwing for 385 yards and four touchdowns, leading the 15th-ranked Boilermakers over the Irish 41-to-16.

(15) Purdue 41 Notre Dame 16


The White House on Friday warmly welcomed a hard-fought deal between the European Union and Turkey that sets the stage for Ankara to start EU entry talks next year.

White House welcomes EU-Turkey breakthrough


Reuters - The United States has brokered a\cease-fire between a renegade Afghan militia leader and the\embattled governor of the western province of Herat,\Washington's envoy to Kabul said Tuesday.

U.S. Brokers Cease-fire in Western Afghanistan (Reuters)


Mike Nugent (below): Ohio State place-kicker makes five field goals as Buckeyes #39; three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust offense bores  #39;em and beats  #39;em.

Ratings game


RUESSELSHEIM - Top Opel management and labour officials began talks Monday on the plans by General Motors to axe 10,000 jobs at the carmaker, while workers at one of the company #39;s main plants in Bochum continued a walkout.

Walkout goes on as GM job-cut talks begin


IT MAY NOT HAVE been the most substantive line in President Bush's State of the Union address last January, but it had to be the least controversial.  quot;The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, quot; he intoned.  quot;And it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance ...

Are steroids as bad as we think they are?


Vijay Singh made a 30-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole that changed everything yesterday at the Chrysler Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Singh Turns Chrysler in His Direction


Nearly a third of North America #39;s birds are in significant decline, signaling degrading environmental conditions and leaving some Florida species hard-hit, according to a report released this week.

Fla. birds in serious decline


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average rose 0.54 percent  by late afternoon on Wednesday after revised figures on  Japanese economic growth, while sluggish, came in better than  some had feared and the yen edged down against the dollar.

Tokyo's Nikkei Average Rises 0.54 Percent


Amstelveen, The Netherlands - Rain forced the triangular series match between Australia and Pakistan to be abandoned without a ball being bowled on Wednesday.

Rain washes out Aussie-Pakistan match


PC World - Antivirus company offers improved anti-spyware app to users for a fee.

McAfee Enhances Spyware Protection (PC World)


Ford Motor Co. #39;s push to polish its blue oval green amounts to more than launching the nation #39;s first hybrid SUV and planting grass on an assembly plant roof.

Tough lessons shape Ford #39;s  #39;green #39; vision


London (Reuters) - The finale to the European golf season,  the Volvo Masters, will be fought out this week without  money-list winner-elect Ernie Els.

Els Stays Away as Valderamma Loses Its Sparkle


Microsoft is in court today contesting a Federal Court ruling in favour of Eolas for \$565 million. The court upheld a lower court ruling that Microsoft #39;s popular Internet Exporer browser infringed on patents

Microsoft Contests Patent Decision


150 foreign guests attending Tuesday's inauguration included U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, the highest-ranking American official to visit Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

Karzai Sworn in as First Democratically Elected Afghan President


Scott Rolen has been nursing a strained right calf muscle for the last month. But compared to his condition when the St. Louis Cardinals were last in the National

Cards #39; Rolen just happy to be on field


The next crew of the International Space Station (ISS) is to contribute to the Russian search for a vaccine against AIDS, Russian cosmonaut Salijan Sharipov said on Friday.

Space station crew to search for AIDS vaccine


Stocks to watch on Wednesday: FOREST LABORATORIES INC. (FRX.N: Quote, Profile, Research). The drug company #39;s experimental treatment for Alzheimer #39;s failed to prove effective in a big clinical trial.

Stocks to Watch Wednesday


Google Inc. shares came within a nickel of reaching \$200 on Thursday before investors buckled to weakness seen throughout the technology sector as trading came to a close.

Google Shares Flirt With \$200 Mark


PARIS -- Airlines the world over are raising fares to offset rising oil prices that threaten to choke off a gradual recovery in air travel and pile more woes on struggling carriers.

Oil price hits airlines


An electronic  quot;artificial eye quot;, developed for people with impaired vision, has been shown to reliably identify pedestrian crossings, determine when it is safe to walk across and even measure the width of a road.

#39;Electronic eye #39; helps blind across the road


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Veteran cornerback Charles Woodson re-signed Tuesday with the Oakland Raiders, ending his lengthy holdout. Woodson, 27, inked a one-year contract reportedly worth \$8.

Raiders #39; Woodson ends holdout


AP - Mike Wilkinson scored 18 points and No. 24 Wisconsin beat Wisconsin-Green Bay 65-55 on Tuesday night, extending the longest home winning streak in Division I to 32 games.

No. 24 Wisconsin Tops Wisconsin-Green Bay (AP)


The Army's new medium-weight armored vehicle, the Stryker, weighs so much that it curtails the range of C-130 military cargo aircraft that carry it and under certain conditions make it impossible for the planes to take off, a new report for Congress found.

GAO Calls Stryker Too Heavy for Transport


In 2003-04, Minnesota swept its two contests against the Raptors. Overall, Minnesota has won three straight and four of the last five meetings in this series.

Minnesota Timberwolves Team Report - December 15


A grilled cheese sandwich bearing the image of the Virgin Mary has been sold for nearly 15,000 on eBay. Florida jewellery designer Diana Duyser auctioned off the ten-year-old toastie saying it was time to share her  quot;miracle quot; with the world.

Virgin Mary toastie sells for 15,000


ELYRIA, Ohio - President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, their animosity stirred by a contentious second debate, lit into each other over Iraq, jobs and debate performance on Saturday in critical battleground states...

Kerry, Bush Campaign After Feisty Debate


NewsFactor - Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is adding its considerable weight to the growing\Internet-based communications market, introducing an addition to the\Office Live Communications Server (LCS) that promises to integrate\messaging, telephony and PC-based voice and video applications.

Microsoft Unveils 'Istanbul' Communications Hub (NewsFactor)


A left-leaning Minneapolis think tank says Senator Norm Coleman was, quote,  quot;reckless, quot; unquote, by calling for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resign.

Group Criticizes Coleman For Calling On Annan To Resign


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two car bombs shook the capital in quick succession Sunday, killing at least eight Iraqis and wounding 16, police said. An American soldier was also hurt...

Two Car Bombs Kill Eight in Baghdad


Bombardier Inc., the world #39;s biggest maker of railway equipment, said third-quarter profit plunged 93 percent because of higher costs in the train business and fewer aircraft deliveries.

Bombardier #39;s 3rd-Qtr Net Drops on Fewer Deliveries (Update4)


AFP -  quot;Don't come here! It's a trap! quot; warns Sanjay Teotia, an Indian doctor whose dream of travelling to Britain for better training and higher income has become a nightmare.

Dreams turn sour for young Indian doctors in Britain (AFP)


SEPTEMBER 09, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - IBM said today that it #39;s about to ship the next generation of its DB2 Universal Database, which it said offers self-tuning capabilities that will result in less management overhead even as databases grow bigger and

IBM pushes out new Stinger database


AP - The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday filed the first case in the country against software companies accused of infecting computers with intrusive

FTC Files First 'Spyware' Case in U.S. (AP)


THE photo-equipment maker Kodak yesterday announced plans to axe 600 jobs in the UK and close a factory in Nottinghamshire, in a move in line with the giants global restructuring strategy unveiled last January.

Shutters come down for Kodak


Former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni was formally crowned as Cambodia #39;s new king Friday in a lavish ceremony at the Royal Palace.

Cambodia crowns former dancer new king


Mom-and-pop shops doing business online have long struggled with the fact that they look just like the diminutive outfits they are.

Macromedia Puts Custom Storefronts at EBay Users #39; Fingertips


IBM late on Tuesday announced the biggest update of its popular WebSphere business software in two years, adding features such as automatically detecting and fixing problems.

IBM Rolling Out Biggest WebSphere Update in 2 Years


NEW YORK (AFP) - Software giant Oracle Corp. #39;s shares dipped while the stock of its rival, PeopleSoft, rose ahead of a court battle this week over PeopleSoft #39;s resistance to Oracle #39;s 18-month-old takeover bid.

Oracle shares drop, PeopleSoft #39;s rise ahead of court fight


Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the\world's largest retailer, said on Saturday it expects a 0.7\percent increase in November sales at its U.S. stores open at\least one year, down from a forecast of 2 percent to 4 percent\a week ago.

Wal-Mart Sees Nov. U.S. Sales Up 0.7 Pct (Reuters)


AP - Houston starter Brandon Backe was perfect through four innings of Game 5 of the NL championship series Monday night, and the game was scoreless because St. Louis' Woody Williams was pretty stingy, too.

Cards, Astros Scoreless After Four Innings (AP)


Microsoft will offer up to \$600 per server (up to a maximum of \$15,000) to companies who agree to switch from Novell to Windows servers, it has been revealed.

It pays to switch with Microsoft


On Wednesday, Delta pilots agreed on cost saving plan of the company as Delta Air Lines is trying to avoid possible filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Delta pilots agreed on cost saving package


LeBron James scored 27 points and assisted on Lucious Harris's clinching 3-pointer with 6 seconds left as the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers won their eighth straight at home, 103-97, over the New Jersey Nets last night.

James keeps Cavs hot


Canadian mining company Teck Cominco Ltd. asked a US court yesterday to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by a US native group whose land borders Lake Roosevelt, just over the border in Washington state.

Teck Cominco asks US court to dismiss lawsuit


PeopleSoft Inc. will kick off its Connect user show on Tuesday determined to focus attendees' attention on its progress in the past year and product plans for the coming one -- and away from the Jaws-like specter of Oracle Corp.

PeopleSoft prepares for questions at Connect show


Honeywell documents reveal plans to move 5,000 jobs overseas

Honeywell internal documents point to 5,000 jobs exported


A Swiss group may have helped more British people bypass the UK ban on euthanasia than previously thought.

Swiss group 'helped 22 Brits die'


LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was set for a steady start  on Thursday, bolstered by fresh falls in crude oil prices to  their lowest level in over three weeks to ease investor  concerns about prospects for economic growth and corporate  profits.

NY Seen Steady as Oil Prices Slip Further


The US Bureau of Land Management said on Friday its preferred plan for the rim of the Roan Plateau in western Colorado is to defer oil and natural gas drilling until 80 percent of anticipated wells are drilled below the rim.

US Plans Would Defer Roan Plateau Drilling


THE HAGUE, NOV 7: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday made a fervent appeal to Left parties to understand the compulsions that necessitated the hike in oil prices.

Price increase must for oil PSUs to be profitable: PM


In the face of growing competition from Linux, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer delivered a four-page memo to customers on Wednesday outlining the economic and security advantages Windows has over Linux, the potential dangers of open source involving indemnification, and the intent to aggressively convince Unix shops to migrate to Windows.

Ballmer: Windows TCO the way to go


On Monday Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Pakistan to discuss cooperation in the battle against al Qaeda before his October re-election bid.

Karzai visits Pakistan for terror talks


In yet another blow to Intel's Itanium ambitions, Microsoft says its big-server version of Windows won't run on the new chip.

Microsoft skips Itanium with new Windows


AFP - European Union finance ministers pressed for action by the United States to prop up the dollar as eurozone nations expressed their deep disquiet at the parlous state of America's national finances.

Eurozone ministers accuse US as dollar sinks to new lows (AFP)


AP - Pakistan's parliament elected former finance minister Shaukat Aziz, a close ally of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, as prime minister on Friday after the opposition boycotted the vote, saying it was undemocratic.

Pakistan Parliament Elects Prime Minister (AP)


Jordan #39;s boss Eddie Jordan promised here on Thursday that he would fight to stay in next season #39;s Formula One championship despite the tough situation he faces.

Jordan vows to fight for survival


Senator John Kerry said attacks were on the rise and the Bush administration was

Kerry Attacks Bush's Handling of Campaign Against Terror


BOSTON - About 15 hours after avoiding a sweep by beating the New York Yankees in 12 innings, the Boston Red Sox send Pedro Martinez to the mound Monday for Game 5 of the AL championship series in Boston. Martinez (16-9) faces Mike Mussina (12-9), trying to force the series back to New York...

Yankees Look to Close Out Red Sox


MOSCOW - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Moscow yesterday for Beijing after a two-day visit, during which China officially backed Russia #39;s bid to join the World Trade Organisation.

World Front


TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday it was willing  to negotiate with European nations the length of its uranium  enrichment suspension but will never renounce its right to  carry out the process, which can be used to make atom bombs.

Iran Ready to Negotiate Enrichment Halt Length


AFP - The leaders of Sudan and four neighbouring states, in a bid to avert UN sanctions on Khartoum, pledged to work to resolve the Darfur crisis at the African level, but rebel groups remained sceptical.

Darfur mini-summit aims to ward off UN sanctions with African solution (AFP)


It was intense and committed without any of the brutishness that Manchester United employed to stop Arsenal #39;s unbeaten run of 49 league matches in October.

Epic contest brings out the class


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

Security concerns put MSN Messenger beta on hold


AP - Four years after spending more than  #36;60 million of his own money to get elected to the Senate, Democrat Jon S. Corzine announced Thursday that he is running for governor in 2005.

Corzine Announces Bid to Be N.J. Governor (AP)


Analysts and authors expect Adobe to release a new version of its publishing software soon.

New Acrobat seen this year


The worst United States loss in Ryder Cup history led to a shake-up in the qualification process, a change geared toward making sure the Americans are on top of their game when the 2006 matches are played in Ireland.

A Ryder revamp for US


AP - Fox will be the new television home of the Bowl Championship Series. The network and the BCS announced a four-year,  #36;80 million deal Monday that gives Fox the broadcast rights to the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar bowls from 2007-10 and the national title game from 2007-09.

Fox Lands Bowl Championship Series Deal (AP)


Bradford C. Bleidt, the investment adviser and radio entrepreneur accused of stealing as much as \$20 million from clients over two decades, hid his activities from regulators by keeping two sets of books: one for investors whose funds were put into legitimate accounts, and a secret second set that kept track of money he stole from investors and put in ...

SEC details Bleidt's alleged scheme


Matt Kenseth turned the all-star International Race of Champions series into a one-star event Thursday night. Taking the lead on the sixth of 90 laps, Kenseth raced comfortably in front

Kenseth dominates IROCs short-track debut


19.09.04 - By Frank Gonzalez Jr: Preconceived notions dominated many a mindset leading up to the Hopkins vs. De La Hoya fight for the Middleweight Crown.

Hopkins-De La Hoya: Oscar Shows Up But Goes Down


ESPOO, FinlandNokia Corp. has applied for membership in the SD Card Association and has signed a licensing agreement that enables the use of SD memory cards in its devices.

Nokia licenses SD memory card technology, to join SDCA


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's key Nikkei average opened up 0.78  percent on Thursday as gains on Wall Street encouraged  investors to scoop up bargains including key technology stocks  following the market's nine days of losses.

Tokyo Stocks Bounce Up at Opening


Local Search Guide Backed By Yellow Pages Association, Kelsey Group, and SEMPO\\With local search - providing online information on businesses located in a community - as the catalyst, Internet Yellow Pages and Search Engine companies are joining forces at a rapid rate. To provide a central resource that captures these ...


Before Pakistan #39;s President General Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met last Friday in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly

Turning over a new leaf in New York


Britain #39;s largest cable company, NTL, is to sell its network of communication masts and towers in a deal worth almost 1.3bn, it was announced today.

NTL to sell masts in 1.3bn deal


The world's smallest independent country, the Pacific island of Nauru, holds elections on Saturday.

Bankrupt Nauru goes to the polls


A judge is set to deliver a ruling in a boardroom row which could lead to Bernie Ecclestone losing control of Formula One racing.

Court ruling due in F1 dispute


LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Steve Harmison took two cheap wickets to leave West Indies reeling on 54 for three on the second day of the fourth test at The Oval on Friday after England #39;s wagging tail had pushed the hosts to 470 all out.

Harmison strikes twice for dominant England


In a milieu where assassination is the normal vehicle for succession and alliances shift as rapidly as sand grains in the tidal zone, Arafat remained the premier spokesman for the Palestinian people for 35 years and died in bed at age 75.

Obsessed with his own survival, Arafat couldn #39;t deliver his people <b>...</b>


A federal law known as Check 21 takes effect Thursday, and whether that #39;s cause for celebration or commiseration is a matter of much debate.

Q amp;A on the new check-cashing law


Ecuador #39;s Edison Mendez, left, celebrates his goal beside of Brazil #39;s Kaka during their World Cup South American zone qualifying soccer match at Atahualpa stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004.

Loss Costs Brazil Top Cup Qualifying Spot


AFP - Shares in China's largest personal computer-maker Lenovo fell in Hong Kong trade, as they resumed trading after the company's purchase of American IBM's PC-making business.

Lenovo shares slump after IBM deal (AFP)


The Suncoast grad turns a punt into a score for the third time this season. MIAMI - Whenever Devin Hester touches the ball, he not only knows a big play is possible, he expects it.

Hester: Many happy returns


Crude oil was little changed after rising 2.5 percent yesterday as the approach of Hurricane Ivan disrupted production and tanker shipments in the Gulf of Mexico, where a quarter of US oil and natural gas is pumped.

Crude Oil Steady After Rising as Ivan Disrupts US Gulf Output


Tommy Haas of Germany defeated Xavier Malisse of Belgium, 6-4, 6-1 Tuesday in the first round of the Madrid Masters. Andre Agassi of the United States was due to meet Max Mirnyi of Belarus

Haas beats Malisse at Madrid Masters


UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (Ticker) - Katie Douglas and the Connecticut Sun had just enough poise in their first WNBA Finals contest.

Sun edges Storm in Game One of WNBA Finals


which could come as early as today - they will have completed the easy part. The harder part, industry executives and analysts

For Sprint and Nextel, the Struggle Is Ahead


Curfews for those thought to be thinking about terror

Blunkett moots 'proof-lite' Internet and banking banning orders


Senior offensive tackle Claude Terrell was the voice of dissent Tuesday in New Mexico #39;s decision to accept a bid to the Emerald Bowl, where the Lobos will try to win a bowl game for the first time in 43 years.

Lobos accept bid to the Emerald Bowl


World News: London, Dec 15 : Rare and contemporary works from the libraries of five of the world #39;s most important academic institutions are to be digitised by Google and made available online.

Oxford, Harvard... libraries online on Google:


AP - Tiffany Jackson scored nine of her 19 points early in the second half as No. 4 Texas broke open a close game and went on to a 74-59 win over No. 1 Tennessee on Thursday night.

No. 4 Texas Upends No. 1 Tennessee 74-59 (AP)


Australian cricket legend Keith Miller passed away peacefully today, aged 84, in a nursing home on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne.

Keith Miller passes away, aged 84


THIS YULE is all about console supply and there #39;s precious little units around, it has emerged. Nintendo has announced that it is going to ship another 400,000 units of its DS console to the United States to meet the shortfall there.

Consoles in terribly short supply


HOUSTON, Texas - Federal authorities are investigating whether former Enron Chairman Ken Lay #39;s wife acted improperly when she had their family foundation sell large quantities of Enron stock just days before the company #39;s bankruptcy.

Enron case focuses on Lay stock sale


As hurricane Ivan roared northwards yesterday through the Gulf of Mexico towards landfall in the US as early as this evening, Wall Street analysts warned that the damage could extend beyond buildings into the wider economy.

Hurricane onslaught may blow hole in US economy


WHITE PLAINS, NY Dec 7, 2004 - Zina Garrison was given a one-year contract to stay on as US Fed Cup captain, while Billie Jean King retired Tuesday as a coach for the team.

Garrison Gets New Contract; King Retires


Coca-Cola Enterprises said its profits fell more than 20 percent in the third quarter, thanks in part to soft retail sales in North America.

CEE profits fall 20


Johan Neeskens has been sacked as coach of NEC Nijmegen, the struggling Dutch first division club said in a statement on Monday. NEC are 14th in the standings

Neeskens sacked as NEC Nijmegen coach


Grocery retailer Kroger Co. signed a tentative three-year agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1099, the union said.

Kroger, Union Reach Tentative Cincinnati Pact


It #39;s enough to bring tears to the eyes of anyone who thinks that cars are already too big, and that the world #39;s roads are being overrun by SUVs - sport utility vehicles.

Move over SUV - the even bigger CXT is coming


Matt Stover kicked a 42-yard field goal with 7:39 remaining in overtime to lift the Ravens to a 20-17 victory over the Jets on Sunday.

Stover's Field Goal Lifts Ravens Over Jets


AP - Tens of thousands of people supporting opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko rallied in Ukraine's capital Saturday demanding that next week's presidential election be free and fair.

Ukrainians Rally in Support of Yushchenko (AP)


ABRASIVE Springbok flanker AJ Venter returns to the field on Saturday for South Africa #39;s crunch encounter against Australia, the only change to the team announced by coach Jake White today.

Venter back for Boks


US investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said fourth-quarter profit rose 22 percent on continued strength from fixed-income

UPDATE 2-Lehman Brothers profit up 22 pct, shares rise


Fifteen people were wounded early Sunday outside a hospital in the Chechen capital in a car bombing that apparently targeted the security service headed by the

15 People Wounded in Chechen Car Bombing


Hoping to accelerate the deployment of a new wireless technology, Intel Corp. announced Monday it's invested in a venture started by billionaire Craig McCaw to deliver high-speed Internet service over the airwaves.

Intel Invests in New Wireless Venture


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

Wal-Mart to Cut Prices After Poor Sales


Why to watch: With fireworks during and after the game, who doesn #39;t want to watch Texas Tech football? The Red Raiders are at it again as Sonnie Cumbie had a big game against SMU before head coach Mike Leach

Game of the Week


Trailing in 14th position before the final discipline - a three kilometre run - Harland, world No.1, made up 49 seconds on her nearest rival to snatch the bronze medal in dramatic circumstances.

Harland sprints in for bronze


Following are brief summaries of five memorable showdowns between Alex Ferguson #39;s Manchester United and Arsene Wenger #39;s Arsenal, English soccer #39;s two fiercest rivals.

FACTBOX-Five Manchester United-Arsenal showdowns


WASHINGTON - A summerlong effort targeting Internet crime has resulted in 103 arrests and 53 convictions on charges including use of  quot;spam quot; e-mail to steal credit card numbers, computer hacking and online fraud, Justice Department officials said Thursday.

Feds snare 103 in Internet crime fight


The decisions on the disengagement plan to be made by the cabinet today and the Knesset on Tuesday may be essential steps, but they still will not ensure its implementation.

The gathering storm


Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Denver Nuggets guard Voshon Lenard underwent successful surgery Monday to repair his torn left Achilles #39; tendon.

Nuggets #39; Lenard undergoes surgery


There is no reason whatsoever to be surprised by the way Ajax Amsterdam swept past Maccabi Tel Aviv last night. Ajax had to win last night and it did so almost effortlessly, making a joke of Nir Klinger #39;s

The Last Word / Deconstructing Klinger


R

Toys


AP - The mention of Kurt Warner brought a gleam to the eyes of New York Giants receiver Tim Carter.

Giants' Warner Says Best Is Yet to Come (AP)


Ionics Inc., a Watertown water treatment company with global operations, agreed to be purchased yesterday by General Electric Co. for \$1.1 billion in cash.

GE agrees to pay \$1.1b for Ionics


AP - Top-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia defeated Raemon Sluiter of the Netherlands 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) Wednesday in the second round of the Open de Moselle.

Top-Seeded Ljubicic Advances in Metz (AP)


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Intel Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.) on Monday (Nov. 1) rolled out a new Pentium 4 processor and chip set for PC gamers, based on a 1,066-MHz front-side bus technology.

Intel pushes Pentium 4 bus to 1,066-MHz for gamers


VIENNA, Austria Sept. 15, 2004 - Differences between the United States and Europe over how firmly to deal with Iran and its suspect nuclear program have resulted in the European Union pushing recommendations that ignore American suggestions.

US, Europe Differ on How to Rebuke Iran


AP - A Hamas activist survived a bombing Monday that destroyed his vehicle on a Damascus street shortly after he and his family stepped out, the Palestinian militant group said.

Hamas Activist Survives Damascus Blast (AP)


TALLADEGA, Ala. - Friday #39;s qualifying session at Talladega Superspeedway was a big day for the other guys -hose Nextel Cup drivers who aren #39;t among the elite 10 in the Chase to the Championship.

Other drivers feeling left out


Scores of Michigan residents are clamoring to file lawsuits against drug giant Merck  amp; Co. since its arthritis drug Vioxx was found to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

State Vioxx users line up to sue over heart ailments


President Pervez Musharraf #39;s radical proposals to bring an end to the long-festering Kashmir dispute with India has taken people on both sides of the border by surprise.

Analysis: Little hope for Kashmir plan


Favored Prince Arch overcame a bump with Good Reward in upper stretch to rally for a resolute victory by a head over Mustanfar in the closing-day \$108,200 Saranac Handicap (gr.

Bump Doesn #39;t Stop Prince Arch in Saranac


AP - Arsenal opened its defense of its English title with a 4-1 win at Everton on Sunday, making it 41 straight games without a loss in the Premier League.

Arsenal Beats Everton to Extend Streak (AP)


Also included with 7.2 is an improved pop-up blocker which now stops more pop-ups than any previous version of Netscape, something only just apparent in some more widely used browsers, Netscape will even block mouse over pop-ups.

AOL Releases Netscape 7.2


PeopleSoft has remained defiant in the long-running hostile takeover bid by Oracle, despite  #39;over 60 #39; of its shareholders coming down in favour of its rival.

Oracle claims support of PeopleSoft shareholders


LONDON (Reuters) - Canadian Jacques Villeneuve will race  the last three grands prix of the season for Renault, the  Formula One team said on Friday.

Villeneuve to Race for Renault to End of Season


The Ukrainian four-woman rowing team is stripped of its bronze medal Thursday after one member tests positive for a banned drug.

Ukrainians' Medal Stripped


AP - A militant group threatened Wednesday to attack Iraqi universities if Iraqi authorities continued to permit women to study alongside men, according to a videotape broadcast on the Arab language Al-Arabiya television station.

Militants May Attack Iraq Universities (AP)


CHICAGO -- Two companies famous for blue-light specials and monstrous catalogs are joining forces to become the third-largest retailer in the United States.

Kmart, Sears Merger Could Change Low-Cost Shopping


Just as US national soccer team coach Bruce Arena had predicted many months ago, the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup has been riddled with treacherous road trips and perplexing

US Is One Win From Final Round


Justin Anderson, president of Cordys' Americas group, sat down yesterday with Computerworld at the Gartner Application Integration and Web Services Summit to talk about his company and its Web services platform.

Q A: Cordys president talks up Web services


A home run by Rafael Palmeiro was the only blemish on Orlando Hernndez's seven innings. He gave up four other hits, two walks and struck out four.

Hernndez Continues to Pitch Like the Ace of Pinstripes


AUGUST 31, 2004 (TECHWORLD.COM) - Aruba Wireless Networks Inc. yesterday unveiled a change of direction in its Wi-Fi systems. Instead of installing a limited number of wireless access points (AP) in the ceiling

Aruba brings Wi-Fi down from the ceiling


Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand #39;s temperamental prime minister, is so annoyed by criticism of the violence in southern Thailand that he threatened last week to walk out of today #39;s south-east Asian summit if the subject was even raised.

When to meddle


With record-breaking oil prices nearing \$55 a barrel, just about everyone last week was worrying about them -- everyone, that is, except Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan.

From Greenspan, No Fear of Oil Heights


ABUJA, Nigeria -- Peace talks on Sudan's violence-torn Darfur region are deadlocked, a mediator said yesterday, as the chief of the African Union appealed to the Sudanese government and rebels to compromise.

Compromises urged amid deadlock in Darfur talks


roundup Plus: Legal expert joins open-source screening firm...Cray signs two supercomputing customers...MSN Messenger beta leaks onto Web...Level 3 to buy Sprint's dial-up business.

Briefly: Yahoo launches local-search engine


update A federal appeals court has upheld a controversial court decision that said file-sharing software programs such as Grokster or Morpheus are legal.

Judges rule file-sharing software legal


Philippine shares ended higher Thursday, with blue chip Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. , or PLDT, providing a boost after the strong overnight performance of its American Depositary Receipts, traders said.

Update 1: Philippine Shares End Higher


LONDON - Google is targeting the UK online shopping market, said to be worth 17bn annually, with the launch of dedicated shopping service, Froogle, in the UK, in time for the Christmas sales period.

Google launches Froogle in time for Christmas shopping


and predicted the victory would be more impressive than Italy #39;s. The German knows he could be sacked if Scotland

Victory in Moldova Vogts pledges


AP - Three Algerians who are considered close to a suspected ringleader of the Madrid train bombings are being questioned about an alleged plot to kill judges investigating Islamic terrorists, officials said Thursday.

3 Inmates Questioned on Alleged Spain Plot (AP)


AFP - Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said he would seek an explanation from UN chief Kofi Annan for his attitude to Iraq's elections when they meet on Friday at the United Nations.

Iraqi prime minister to seek election reassurances from UN chief (AFP)


WASHINGTON: General Electric Co (GE), which began business process outsourcing to India long before the term became familiar and the issue a hot button one, is planning to sell its India operation.

GE ready to sell India BPO ops


BATON ROUGE - The Miami Dolphins may be saying their pursuit of LSU coach Nick Saban is on hold for the time being, but LSU #39;s search party is not sitting on its hands waiting for the signal to look for a new coach.

Saban, Dolphins wait out NFL process


Friday night, Hornets guard Darrell Armstrong was dining at Smith  amp; Wollensky with other New Orleans athletes, including forward PJ Brown and Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks, when a restaurant employee rushed to their table.

CROSSING THE LINE


USATODAY.com - This could be the year that gridlock steals Christmas.

Gridlock at ports may dock retailers (USATODAY.com)


TOKYO (Reuters) - Typhoon Tokage hit western Japan on  Wednesday, killing at least two people and snarling transport  as it lashed the country with heavy rains that set off  landslides and forced thousands to evacuate.

Two Dead in Japan as Typhoon Wreaks Havoc


When Tennessee plays Alabama on Saturday afternoon, Neyland Stadium will be packed with the customarily passionate orange-clad throng.

A Coach Is Forced to Tackle the Lawyers #39; Game Plans


VeriSign Inc. officials are launching a managed security service that they believe can cut up to 40 percent of the cost of deploying strong authentication throughout an enterprise.

Verisign plans authentication management


For a good part of the afternoon Sunday, the Lions played like a team on a mission. They got a quick lead on Eddie Drummond #39;s 92-yard kickoff return touchdown.

Weak finish wastes Lions #39; roaring start


Super Mario, Madden football and Tiger Woods golf highlight the opening array of games for the Nintendo DS portable gaming system, scheduled for launch on Nov. 21.

Nintendo unveils titles for DS portable gaming system


Federal safety regulators have asked Daimler Chrysler AG to recall 600,000 vehicles, because their wheels could fall off. The vehicles in question are 2000 through 2003 Dodge Durango SUV #39;s and Dakota pick-up trucks.

Daimler Chrysler Asked To Recall 600,000 Vehicles


Third-quarter trading profit at Abbey National #39;s core retail banking unit was ahead of the first half trend despite uncertainty caused by Santander Central Hispano #39;s 9.1 billion pound swoop.

Abbey withstands takeover turbulence


LONDON, Dec 11 (IranMania) - Iraqi Vice-President Ibrahim al-Jaafari refused to believe in remarks published Friday that Iran was attempting to influence Iraqi polls with the aim of creating a  quot;crescent quot; dominated by Shiites in the region.

Iran not plotting Shiite  #39;crescent


Symbol Technologies Inc. shares fell more than 5 percent Monday morning after the company said it may restate its 2004 financial reports because of errors.

Symbol announces possible restatement; shares slip


Don #39;t you think it #39;s time to retire that VCR? You probably have a DVD player or two, so you already know videocassettes are fast becoming obsolete.

Go Ahead, Toss Out Your VCR


Defending champion Nicolas Massu of Chile reached the quarter-finals at the Campionati Internazionali di Sicilia when Potito Starace quit with a stomach illness while trailing 4-1 Thursday.

Massu, Volandri, Berdych reach quarter-finals of Palermo tennis <b>...</b>


The interim leader Hamid Karzai coasted towards victory in Afghanistan #39;s presidential election yesterday when his share of the vote passed the 50 mark.

Karzai on course to win Afghanistan election outright


Reuters - Inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog\arrived in Seoul on Sunday to conduct a second inspection of\South Korea's nuclear experiments, a day after the South said\it had no plans to develop or possess nuclear weapons.

IAEA Inspectors in S.Korea for 2nd Investigation (Reuters)


A survey produced by condom maker Durex - who else? - shows that we spend 22.5 minutes in foreplay, 36 seconds ahead of the German runners-up and more than three minutes more than the so-called sexy French.

No quick sex, please, we #39;re British


AP - For at least the fourth time this year, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has touched the electrified third rail of American politics  #151; Social Security.

Greenspan Sounds Alert on Social Security (AP)


Michael Vaughan today dreamed of capping a spectacularly successful summer for England with an appearance in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Vaughan Eyes Final Finale


Not everyone was complaining when the price of a barrel of oil flirted with the \$50 mark on global markets earlier this summer. For Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, it meant more money to

Oil-price boom a boon for producers


23 September 2004 - Addressing the United Nations General Assembly this afternoon, the Foreign Minister of Sudan pledged to work for peace and respect for human rights in the country #39;s vast and blighted Darfur region, but denounced a UN Security Council

Sudan #39;s Foreign Minister says Security Council measure on Darfur <b>...</b>


General Growth, the nation's second-largest mall operator, last week offered to buy Rouse for \$7.2 billion, a 33 percent premium over Rouse's stock price before the deal was announced. A big reason: Rouse has invested heavily in upscale malls.

Rouse Malls Boost Buyer's Portfolio


Nowhere does the rivalry between the Evil Empire and Red Sox Nation crackle more intensely than here, on the  quot;campus quot; of ESPN, built smack on the not-so-well-defined emotional boundary between New York and Boston.

Plenty of highlights on this trip


ATHENS - Calling all Andres. Maybe that #39;s what #39;s wrong with the US boxing team. Not enough Andres. Only two US boxers reached today #39;s medal round, middleweight Andre Dirrell and light heavyweight Andre Ward.

Andres the giants of US boxing team


Singapore #39;s new Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has stressed that Singapore will not change its long-held quot;one-China quot; policy, and if Taiwan provokes a conflict, Singapore will not support Taiwan.

Singapore will not change  quot;one-China quot; policy: PM


ATHENS, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Any hint of rust after a 12-week lay-off was long gone by the time Justine Henin-Hardenne took to the Olympic tennis court on Tuesday, a fact drummed mercilessly home to Venezuela #39;s Maria Vento-Kabchi.

Olympics-Henin rust-free but Ferrero falters


LUCK, Wis. -- A small but zealous group of antiwar activists in a pacifist commune called Anathoth in this lakeside speck near the Minnesota border say that four years ago, they gave presidential candidate Ralph Nader all five of their votes.

Wis. Peace Activists Shy From Nader


In August, our European government bond trading desk executed an innovative transaction that sought to access the liquidity in the European government bond markets.

From: Tom Maheras, Head of Global Capital Markets, GCIB


Bank of America says it #39;s moving one of its four major business lines to Boston. The news of the decision to move the Wealth and Investment Management Business to Boston comes

Bank of America to move Wealth, Investment Management to Boston


VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran intends to use Monday's talks with  France, Britain and Germany to ensure it has the right to go on  carrying out research with equipment that could be used to  develop nuclear weapons, Western diplomats said.

Iran Refuses to Give Up Nuclear Research-Diplomats


ISLAMABAD : A national debate is raging in Pakistan after President Pervez Musharraf #39;s outlining of a range of bold new options for divided Kashmir that include independence, joint control with India and demilitarisation.

Pakistan debates bold new Musharraf plan on Kashmir


KABUL (Reuters) - Five Afghan prison guards and police and  two prisoners were killed in a jail break attempt by al Qaeda  inmates on Friday and a shoot-out was going on with another  two, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said.

Seven Killed in Al Qaeda Jailbreak in Kabul


Eager to curb camcorder piracy at the cinema, Hollywood studios demonstrate a device that would detect bootleggers' recorders in the dark. Xeni Jardin reports from Hollywood.

An Eye on Movie Theater Pirates


washingtonpost.com - Commercial satellite operator Intelsat Ltd. lost use of one of its satellites Sunday -- a mishap that left some Internet customers stranded and could jeopardize a proposed  #36;5 billion deal to sell the company to a group of four venture capital firms.

Internet Users Left Stranded After Intelsat Satellite Fails (washingtonpost.com)


roundup Plus: SanDisk to supply Samsung with miniSD...Hitachi unleashes 100GB notebook drives...Web services security outfits merge.

Briefly: Think local, act Google


AFP - J Sainsbury said it would halve its dividend and cut costs to fund price reductions and a sprucing up of its image in an effort to reverse flagging fortunes.

Struggling Sainsbury plans price cuts to woo customers (AFP)


The US Supreme Court rejected appeals by Visa and MasterCard to overturn a ruling that they violated antitrust rules by barring banks from issuing cards on rival networks.

High Court ruling opens banks to new card issuers


A leading human rights group in India questions why police had to kill the country's most notorious bandit, Veerappan.

Call for bandit death inquiry