Two clubs seemingly vying to make theirs the most miserable start to a season - Real Madrid and AS Roma -ill meet on their return to Champions League duty.

Real v Roma: Clash of the down and outs


A day after a mortar round killed an Israeli-American woman in a nearby settlement, the Israeli army charged into a Palestinian refugee camp Saturday, killing

Israel Destroys Refugee Homes, Kills One


The trial of 14 men accused of plotting to topple Equatorial Guinea's president opens in Malabo on Monday.

'Mercenaries' coup trial begins


LABOUR officials yesterday dismissed reports that Tony Blair is contemplating a snap general election in February and insisted that May remained the most likely time for the poll.

Labour denies plan for February poll


A campaigner with the pressure group Fathers 4 Justice invaded a conference yesterday and handcuffed himself to Margaret Hodge, the minister for Children, for 40 minutes.

Fathers 4 Justice protester handcuffs himself to Hodge


AP - Millions of casual fishermen reel in a higher take of the nation's most prized saltwater fish than previously thought, researchers say, prompting them to urge improved regulation of recreational fishing.

Researchers Urge Stricter Fishing Rules (AP)


The TV timeout is one of the banes of a sports fan's life. You're at a stadium, the game is rolling along . . . until everything just stops for 1 1/2-2 1/2 minutes.

Truck delivers action


Microsoft Desktop Search To Compete with Google\\Google is doing a heck of a job! It led to market leaders (MSN Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail) increase the web space on webmail with GMail even before it is launched. Now, they have forced Microsoft to step into the desktop searching market sooner than ...


YANGON: The release of thousands of prisoners including top dissidents in military-run Myanmar lends dignity to the nation, the main opposition party said on Saturday as it praised those freed for their struggle for democracy.

Detainee release lends dignity to Myanmar


Reuters - Internet auction house eBay Inc.\said on Wednesday it would limit the use of racial slurs after\U.S. city officials complained the offensive terms were being\used to advertise lawn jockeys and other antiques.

EBay Agrees to Limit Racial Slurs on Auction Site (Reuters)


Sybase will have an opportunity to increase database software sales by teaming up with Big Blue, which has made a big push into Linux in recent years.

Technology ; Sybase Partners with IBM to Sell Database Software


Insurgents fired two rockets into the Ishtar Sheraton Hotel in central Baghdad, setting rooms ablaze and forcing an evacuation.

Baghdad 'Safe Zone' Proves Vulnerable in Hotel Attack


The landmark trial of a Rwandan Roman Catholic priest accused of supervising the massacre of 2,000 of his Tutsi parishioners during the country #39;s 1994 genocide opened in his absence on Monday.

Rwanda  #39;genocide #39; priest on trial


GAZA CITY -- Three Palestinians, including an 8-year-old girl, were killed in separate clashes with the Israeli army yesterday, and an Israeli soldier was killed when Palestinians shelled a Gaza Strip settlement.

Girl among 3 Palestinians killed


A few days ago, under the cover of darkness, the Ottawa Liberals #39; shiny new Environment Minister Stephane Dion slipped into Alberta to make a speech.

Is Petro-Can sale tied to Kyoto revival?


He's not among the team leaders in points or minutes, two areas that Raef LaFrentz could well improve on as the NBA season moves along. But here's where he is undeniably at the top of the list for the Celtics: relief. He's playing, he's playing reasonably well ( quot;hot and cold, quot; according to coach Doc Rivers), and he's playing ...

His little pain means big gain


The TotalStorage DS6000 ultra-dense server, about the size of a VCR, hold 16 disks, each capable of holding up to 300 GB. IBM #39;s larger system is the DS8000 array, based on two or four IBM Power5 chips.

Data Laws Set Storage Agenda for IBM


Immersion Corp. said Wednesday a jury ordered Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and its US unit to pay \$82 million in a patent infringement case.

Jury: Sony unit to pay \$82M to San Jose company


HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--TCL Communication Technology Holdings Ltd. (2618.HK), China #39;s fourth largest handset maker, said Sunday it will list by way of introduction on the Hong Kong main board on Sept.

China #39;s TCL Communication Lists On HK Main Board Sep 27


AP - Midwestern spiders always get big as they prepare to lay eggs, but this year they're even fatter thanks to a cool, wet summer that sustained their favorite snack  #151; insects.

Cool Midwest Summer Creates Bigger Spiders (AP)


Derek Lowe stood in the boisterous Boston Red Sox clubhouse early yesterday morning, a bottle of champagne in one hand, a cigar in the other.

World Series Notebhook: Lowe now a big hero in Boston


AP - The New England Patriots are unbeaten because of a simple approach  #151; score a lot early and keep the other team from scoring late.

New England Scores Early and Often (AP)


AFP - As the start of the National Basketball Association season approaches, commissioner David Stern offered soothing words for those worried that the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement next year could signal a work stoppage.

Stern says labor worries premature as NBA season approaches (AFP)


Chicago - The Boeing Company on Thursday said it is co-operating with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the agency #39;s general inquiry into pension accounting methods.

Boeing confident over pension probe outcome


OPEC will do all it can to show it wants to stabilize sky-high oil prices when the cartel meets here on Wednesday, but having already maximized production there is little more it can do to calm the markets.

OPEC #39;s choices limited ahead of Wednesday meet


European Aeronautic, Defense  amp; Space Co., the controlling shareholder of Airbus SAS, expects 2005 earnings before interest, taxes, amortization and one-time items to rise 9.1 percent as sales of aircraft grow.

EADS Sees 2005 Earnings Rising 9.1 on Plane Demand (Update1)


BP Plc, Europe #39;s largest oil company, said it evacuated 500 non-essential workers from offshore rigs near Trinidad and Tobago as Hurricane Ivan approached the Caribbean country.

BP, BHP Evacuate Workers From Trinidad Rigs as Ivan Approaches


AP - The Cassini spacecraft's close flyby of Saturn's mysterious moon Titan this week revealed clouds that will give clues to its weather, but the pass left scientists still puzzled about its surface.

Cassini Craft Spies Saturn Moon Dione (AP)


PARIS: Lance Armstrong has left the question marks hovering over his participation on next years Tour de France where the American could stretch his record to seven consecutive victories.

Armstrong leaves Tour de France guessing


Brett Favre #39;s legend is already lengthy, to say the least. Sunday he contributed another page. Favre went down and stayed down for a few tense moments during the Packers #39; opening drive in the second half.

Favre adds to his legend


He opened the season as a Red Sox prospect -- nothing more, nothing less, except for his celebrated distinction as  quot;The Greek God of Walks quot; in the bestseller  quot;Moneyball. quot; So imagine how far Kevin Youkilis has come, from picking up some tips from the big leaguers in spring training to playing third base for Triple A Pawtucket to, well, the ...

Youkilis makes another jump -- Series roster


Reuters - ConAgra Foods Inc.  on Wednesday\posted lower quarterly profits due to higher ingredient costs\and the sale of its chicken and agricultural products\businesses.

Commodities Rise, ConAgra Profit Falls (Reuters)


AP - Tom Daschle bade his fellow Senate Democrats farewell Tuesday with a plea that they seek common ground with Republicans yet continue to fight for the less fortunate.

Daschle Bids Senate Democrats Goodbye (AP)


AP - Andy Roddick withdrew from next week's Stockholm Open because of a knee injury, tournament organizers said Friday.

Knee Injury Forces Roddick to Withdraw (AP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece was rocked by the threat of being  stripped of an Athens Games medal and the host nation's team  manager offered to quit on Friday, as doping overshadowed  Michael Phelps' drive to be Olympic swimming's top medal  winner.

Greek Drugs Embarrassment Overshadows Phelps


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Electronic Data Systems on Thursday cautioned that US Airways Group #39;s bankruptcy could dampen its third-quarter earnings by up to 3 cents per share.

IT firm sees Q3 bottom-line hit from bankruptcy filing


Lindsay Davenport won the Porsche Grand Prix on Sunday when top-ranked Amelie Mauresmo quit after losing the first set because of an injured left thigh.

Davenport wins Porsche GP after injured Mauresmo quits


AFP - Nicaragua and Taiwan opened talks aimed at drafting a free-trade deal by the end of 2005, officials said.

Nicaragua, Taiwan open trade talks (AFP)


Mac maker is taking its retail act north of the border, CNET News.com has learned.\<br /> Photo: iPod's Toronto presence

Apple plans Toronto retail store


Arab satellite networks kept a close watch overnight on the US presidential race, the extensive coverage a sign of the great importance attached to the election in the Middle East.

Arab world follows closely for US election results


AP - After President Bush won re-election, many political observers expected MoveOn.org to move into retreat. The sentiment surrounding the liberal online powerhouse was neatly summed up by the satire publication The Onion in its spoof headline:

MoveOn.org Moves on to New Battles (AP)


Psychiatric Solutions Inc., an operator of mental health hospitals, said Friday that it registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer 3 million common shares.

Psychiatric Solutions to Sell Shares


Jefferson Graham writes in USA Today,  #147;Thanks to brilliant marketing, savvy neighborhood locations and a revival of the company #146;s fortunes sparked by the hip iPod digital music player, Apple stores are hot. Walk into one in Los Angeles #146; outdoor mall The Grove, in New York #146;s Soho district, on Chicago #146;s North Michigan Avenue or in Austin #146;s Barton Creek Mall, and it is likely to be jammed with customers. Saturday, Apple opened its first European store, in London #146;s West End district. Next month, the 100th store will open, in Bethesda, Md. #148; Nov 22

Apple Stores Are Hot


Hollinger International #39;s legal fight against its disgraced former CEO Conrad Black is far from over. Less than a week after a judge dismissed racketeering claims brought

JUDGE LETS HOLLINGER REFILE AGAINST BLACK


com. Pedro Martinez was the focal point of press coverage after pitching the Red Sox into a two-up position over the Angels in the American League Division Series.

Press Row: Pundits praise Pedro


While open-source software is new to the Middle Kingdom, Beijing is looking to change that. Red Hat CEO Matthew Szulik explains why.

China and Linux: Microsoft, Beware!


Boeing Co., the US aerospace giant, reported a 78 per cent jump in third-quarter earnings, buoyed by a strong defence business, and raised its estimate for full-year profits due to a favourable tax outlook.

Boeing #39;s quarterly profits increase 78 per cent


Howard or Latham? It depends on what kind of election it turns out to be, says Alistair Mant. John Howard will probably win an S-type election and Mark Latham an A-type election.

Between fear and hope


They suggest that government efforts to cool the economy are having some but possibly not enough of an impact. For the three months to September, the economy grew 9.1 per cent compared

China economy slows


BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's parliament is going ahead with  a vote to extend the term of Syrian-backed President Emile  Lahoud Friday despite a U.N. Security Council resolution  warning Damascus against interfering in Lebanon.

Lebanon to Extend President's Term, Defying U.N.


Stock prices are lower in moderate trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 23 points in today #39;s early going. Losing issues on the New York Stock Exchange hold a 5-3 lead over gainers.

Stocks Open Lower in Moderate Trading


BATON ROUGE, La. (Sports Network) - LSU has named Les Miles  its new head football coach, replacing Nick Saban.

LSU Going Miles to Fill Coaching Vacancy


Bee Washington Bureau. WASHINGTON - The economy added 144,000 jobs in August, the best performance since May, but 6,000 fewer than economists had forecast, the Labor Department reported Friday.

US adds 144,000 jobs


JAKARTA/DUBAI (Reuters) - OPEC is united on the need to  raise its oil price target to an average \$30 a barrel, but the  cartel has yet to agree on when to implement the higher level,  a top Iranian oil official said on Thursday.

Iran: OPEC United on Raising Price Target


ROME : Three goals in a vastly improved second half gave AC Milan a 3-0 win against bottom club Atalanta and cut Juventus #39; lead at the top of Serie A to two points.

Soccer: Milan #39;s 3-0 victory keeps Juventus in sight


A 39-year-old woman was savaged to death by her pet bull mastiff dog yesterday. Terrified elderly neighbours could only look on as the fatal attack, which started inside Carol Leeanne Taylor #39;s home in the Dunedin suburb of Caversham, spilled on to the ...

Terrified neighbours see dog kill owner


A Green Bay secondary that figured to be tested on Sunday, even if at full strength for the game with the Indianapolis Colts, took a considerable hit Saturday when cornerbacks

Late injuries sideline defensive backs


If you are a football fan, and you are watching the Colts play the traditional Thanksgiving game at Detroit today, pay close attention to quarterback Peyton Manning.

Give thanks for chance to watch Manning


Chauncey Billups tied his season high with 24 points and Richard Hamilton scored 13 of his 19 in the third quarter, helping the Detroit Pistons pull away from the Mavericks and post a 101-85 victory last night in Dallas.

Billups, Pistons fill it up vs. Mavericks


Digital pest prototype infects files only found in early Windows code for AMD 64-bit Opteron processors.

Virus targets 64-bit Windows


Plus: Salesforce reports rise in profit...Nortel to lay off 3,500...Intuit posts loss while revenue rises...BEA earnings rise amid internal turmoil.

Earnings alert: Novell sees weakness in IT spending


Sears Canada fired its top executive Thursday over what it characterized as  #39; #39;strategic differences #39; #39; and enlisted the chief financial officer of parent company Sears, Roebuck Co.

Sears Canada fires top exec -- parent #39;s CFO takes over as chair


Solution providers applauded the Tuesday launch of Firefox 1.0 as the first viable competitor to Microsoft Internet Explorer, even though they expect the browser #39;s publisher to face an uphill battle.

Partners Weigh In On Firefox, IE Faceoff


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks looked to open lower on  Thursday, a day after comments from Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan  did little to inspire investors and after Texas Instruments  Inc. gave a mixed business forecast.

Stocks Seen Lower After Greenspan


THE US Olympic Committee will consider supporting South Korea #39;s bid to claim a duplicate gold medal for one of its gymnasts to make up for the scoring error which gave American Paul Hamm the all-around title.

US may back gym blunder gold


November 10, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- Software giant Microsoft (microsoft.com) issued a patch for a flaw in Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000 and Proxy Server 2.0 on Tuesday.

Microsoft Patches ISA Server 2000 Flaw


AFP - Prime Minister Tony Blair called for a long-term effort from the international community to help overcome the tsunami tragedy in Asia which he said was a

Blair calls for long-term effort to overcome 'global catastrophe' (AFP)


Israeli troops killed 14 Palestinians in a Gaza refugee camp on Monday as parliament prepared, under tight security, to debate Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the occupied territory.

Israeli Troops Kill 14 in Gaza Refugee Camp


DAKAR, Senegal, Sep 13, 2004 (PANA) -- New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has in a letter to the UN Security Council urged an immediate increase in international presence in Darfur and an extension of arms embargo to stop continuing atrocities in the

UN should extend arms embargo on Khartoum, says HRW


Three British troops have been killed and others injured in an attack in central Iraq, British Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram confirmed on Thursday.

Three UK soldiers killed in central Iraq


Cisco Systems Inc. on Monday is set to take aim at small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) that have growing needs and sparse technical expertise, introducing a pair of LAN switches and a graphical management application.

Cisco unveils switches, software for SMBs


AFP - The failure of Bosnian Serbs to hand over warcrimes suspects could ruin Bosnia's hopes of joining NATO and the European Union, top international envoy Paddy Ashdown said here.

Bosnia's NATO, EU ambitions at risk over warcrimes suspects, Ashdown warns (AFP)


36.01 Teraflops. Yeah, that #39;ll just about do it. What  quot;it quot; is, I don #39;t know, but I #39;m sure the well dressed geeks at IBM are blue with pride after their BlueGene/L computer surpassed the speed of NEC #39;s Earth Simulator.

IBM #39;s BlueGene Now World #39;s Fastest Computer


MUMBAI: India #39;s nuclear czar Raja Ramanna (79) passed away at 3.15 am on Friday at Bombay Hospital. The architect of the country #39;s atom bomb project, who had serious intestinal problems, was cremated at the Shivaji Park crematoriumon Friday afternoon.

Ramanna, the happy-go-lucky N-czar


Major League Baseball has decided to relocate the Montreal Expos to Washington, DC The widely expected announcement is to be made later Wednesday, by city officials.

MLB: Montreal Expos to Relocate to Washington


Description: Russian oil company Yukos files for bankruptcy protection in a US court in an attempt to prevent the Russian government from auctioning off the company #39;s main asset.

Russia #39;s Yukos Oil Company Files for Bankruptcy


CANTON, Ohio (Ticker) -- Legendary quarterback Dan Marino headlines the list of nine first-time nominees for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Marino headlines  #39;05 Hall of Fame nominations


Description: Less than two years after emerging from bankruptcy, US Airways once again seeks Chapter 11 protection from creditors.

US Airways Files for Chapter 11 for Second Time


Nicolas Sarkozy lifted the veil Wednesday on what is likely to be his last major sell-off as France #39;s finance minister - the partial privatization of the state-owned nuclear group Areva SA.

Update 1: Sarkozy Partially Privatizes Areva


Crystal Erwin scored a career-high 24 points on 9-for-9 shooting and Jacqueline Batteast had 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading seventh-ranked Notre Dame to a 72-58 victory over Washington yesterday at South Bend, Ind.

Erwin's shooting lifts ND


washingtonpost.com - ALBANY, N.Y. -- Eight eBay sellers were ordered to pay nearly  #36;90,000 in restitution and fines after admitting they bid up products online to inflate the prices.

Restitution Is Ordered in eBay Sales (washingtonpost.com)


None of Ben Dougherty #39;s half-dozen touchdowns come during the fourth quarter of FAMU #39;s loss. By IBRAM ROGERS. ORLANDO - It was Florida A amp;M senior quarterback Ben Dougherty #39;s last chance to beat Bethune-Cookman.

Florida Classic: Record day fails to make Rattler feel any better


The Cassini spacecraft has returned the best-ever view of the icy Tethys, one of the moons of Saturn, depicting its battered 1060km-diameter surface in this photograph released by Nasa.

Pockmarked face of Saturn #39;s icy moon


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Continental Airlines <A HREF=

Continental Seeks \$500 Mln in Labor Cuts


The Fallujah assault has failed to secure any information leading to the possible arrest of key insurgent Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a US major has admitted.

Fallujah assault brings no Zarqawi lead


A bill that would make it easier to sue online file-trading networks like Kazaa appeared on Friday to have died a quiet death, but other copyright bills sought by the entertainment industry continued to advance.

Copyright Bill Dies in Senate as Others Advance


The body of work is not substantial enough to consider Chad Pennington a victim of the Belichick factor. Fair or not, Pennington #39;s five-interception game against the .

Chad hopes to emulate Brady


Dr Raja Ramanna, the bellwether of Indias nuclear programme, passed away at Bombay Hospital in the early hours of Friday. He was 79.

Raja Ramanna passes away


Of course, for those same three years, Venus owned pretty much everybody else, too, save for sister Serena. But of late, with Lindsay aging a lot more than just gracefully in what was assumed

Davenport turns away Venus


LONDON : The Spanish bank Santander Central Hispano said it still expects to complete its acquisition of British home-loan specialist Abbey National by the end of this year.

SCH still expects to close Abbey takeover by year end


Frequent Fliers on Finnair will be get flight info and seat assigments as text messages on their cells. Once they reply, they are checked in.

Airport Check-In Via Text Messaging On Cell Phones


Argosy Gaming Co., the owner of Sioux City #39;s riverboat casino, has been sold to Penn National Gaming Inc. in a \$1.4 billion deal that would create the nation #39;s third-largest operator of casinos.

Penn National buys Argosy Gaming Co.


AP - Russia, which argues that its war in Chechnya is part of the global fight against terrorism, proposed Thursday that the U.N. Security Council establish a new blacklist of terror suspects that calls for the extradition of anyone on it.

Russia Proposes U.N. Terror Suspect List (AP)


AP - Forget last season's win over Indianapolis in the AFC championship game. Don't focus on the Super Bowl title two weeks later. Block out Elton John's pregame performance Thursday night.

AFC Powers Meet in Season Opener (AP)


Mobile phone group mmO2 and giant Japanese telecoms giant NTT DoCoMo joined forces to launch the i-mode internet service in the UK, Germany and Ireland.

Telecoms Tie-Up


South Africa's ruling party tries to soothe the tempers of President Thabo Mbeki and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

ANC seeks to calm war of words


NEW YORK (Reuters) - New applications for U.S. home loans  rose last week while refinancings surged, as 30-year mortgage  interest rates fell to their lowest level in over four months,  an industry group said on Wednesday.

Mortgage Applications Jump in Aug 13 Week


AP - An end-of-the-session food fight over a milk support program erupted Friday in Congress, stalling action for hours on legislation ranging from corporate tax cuts to hurricane and drought relief and preventing lawmakers from adjourning to hit the campaign trail.

Milk Measure Pulled From Relief Bill (AP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - The U.S. men's basketball team were once  again in danger of defeat at the Olympic tournament on  Thursday, trailing Australia 51-47 at the end of the first  half.

Basketball: Americans Behind Again at Halftime


AP - The European Union on Thursday warned four countries  #151; Germany, Italy, Portugal and Greece  #151; that they risked violating budget rules next year if they do not further cut deficits.

EU Presidency Warns Nations on Deficits (AP)


Johnson  amp; Johnson agreed to acquire Guidant Corp. for \$25.4 billion, adding electrical devices for treating heart disease to a lineup of thousands of health products including Band-Aids and cardiac stents.

Johnson  amp; Johnson to Pay \$25.4 Billion for Guidant


England duly completed a 4-0 whitewash in their controversial one-day international series against Zimbabwe on Sunday in Bulawayo.

England wrap up 4-0 series victory


Oil prices fell to a four-week low yesterday, briefly dropping below \$50 a barrel, as traders grew less concerned about possible threats to supplies.

Oil Prices Fall as Concerns About Supply Begin to Ease


Sept. 23, 2004 - Cougars, wolves, lions and other predators inflict relatively few losses on livestock and farmers gain only a temporary boost if these marauders are culled, the British weekly New Scientist announced Wednesday.

Farmers  #39;Cry Wolf #39; Over Losses to Predators


While Google Inc. #39;s auction-based initial public offering may not spur a wave of copycats, venture capitalists are sorting through the IPO to see what can be learned for future deals.

Venture Capitalists Studying Google IPO for Ideas


LONDON - Capital Radio and GWR have agreed the terms of their proposed 711 merger, which will create the UK #39;s biggest radio company controlling 40 of the radio advertising market.

Capital and GWR agree on terms of 711m merger deal


The main oxygen generator on the International Space Station has failed, but NASA said Thursday there is plenty of oxygen on board to sustain the station #39;s inhabitants for the foreseeable future.

Oxygen generator fails on space station


Fernando Morientes claims Liverpool have contacted him over a move from Real Madrid to Anfield. The Spaniard is frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities at the Bernabeu, and has been linked with a New Year move to Merseyside.

Morientes claims Liverpool interest


Bill Gross, the driving force behind commercial search pioneer Overture Services, is once again swinging for the fences in Web search.

Idealab chief stakes out new direction in search


Reuters - World oil prices rose on Friday,\boosted by production stoppages due to a severe hurricane in\the Gulf of Mexico and worries that another storm might further\delay imports into the United States.

Oil Prices Firm as Storms Threaten Supply (Reuters)


THE new album by the rock veterans U2 is called How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. An alternative could have been How To Kill The Compact Disc And Make Two Billion Dollars.

U2 online deal hastens last spin for the CD


Two former underwriters at Zurich American Insurance Co. pleaded guilty yesterday to participating in rigging fake bids in an ongoing investigation into insurance industry practices led by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

2 plead guilty in bid scheme


In a briefing later this week, Intel is expected to announce the availability of a

Intel seen readying new Wi-Fi chips


After a string of lackluster play on the field and controversial incidents off of it, University of Florida football coach Ron Zook was fired Monday, two days after an upset

Zook fired at Florida


Sales at stores open at least a year rose 2.9 percent at Circuit City Stores Inc. in the fiscal second quarter. The results, also called same-store sales, were lower than Wall Street estimates for the June-through-August period.

Circuit City sales increase


The Walt Disney Co. appears poised to end its current deal with Miramax Films founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein after an often rocky 10-year relationship.

Disney, Miramax deal looks likely to end soon


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

Google Conforms to Chinese Censorship (AP)


Chicago Tribune - House Republican leaders introduced legislation Friday that grafts broadened police powers onto a plan to reform the nation's intelligence gathering agencies.

House intelligence bill would add police powers (Chicago Tribune)


A Canadian court approved Air Canada #39;s plan of arrangement with its creditors on Monday, clearing the way for the airline to emerge from bankruptcy protection at the end of September.

Court Approves Air Canada Restructuring


Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and Cleveland Browns running back William Green were ejected before Sunday #39;s game for fighting during warmups.

Green, Porter ejected before Steelers-Browns kick off


AP - Crime may not pay, but blowing the whistle on companies that swindle the government sure can. Jim Alderson got  #36;20 million in one settlement and split  #36;100 million with another whistleblower in a related case, both involving Medicare fraud by the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain and a company it acquired.

Blowing the Whistle Can Bring Big Bucks (AP)


Equipped with bells and the familiar red kettles, local Salvation Army volunteers and clients will hit the streets this weekend for the agency #39;s annual kettle campaign.

Salvation Army ready to ring in cash


A slowdown in the US economy could justify a pause in the Federal Reserve #39;s interest rate increases, Fed Governor Ben Bernanke said on Thursday.

Fed could pause on rates if economy slows-Bernanke


AP - International union and activist groups published an ad Thursday in a Salvadoran newspaper calling for an independent investigation into the death of a U.S. union leader who was shot in the back while working here.

Teamster Death Probe Sought in El Salvador (AP)


A new file-sharing program hit the Net late Wednesday, posted by none other than Internet service provider EarthLink. The software, hosted on an out-of-the-way corner of the company #39;s research and development

EarthLink tests file-sharing program


Jarvis Green capped the Patriots #39; domination when he recov ered the slip pery ball in the end zone against a team known for its own defensive touchdowns.

Patriots #39; defense leaves Ravens all wet


Worldwide semiconductor revenue is forecast to reach 226 billion US dollars in 2004, a 27.4 percent increase from 2003 revenues, according to the latest quarterly update released Tuesday by Gartner.

Global chip sales to increase 27 percent in 2004: study


Blockbuster Inc., the largest US video-store chain, will stop charging late fees at its company-owned stores to try to stem three consecutive quarters of declining sales and fend off a challenge for customers from Netflix Inc.

Blockbuster ending late fees at company-owned stores


The auction site eBay canceled bids for half of a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich whose owner claims it bears the image of the Virgin Mary.

Grilled Cheese Virgin Mary Up For Auction


By Andrew Balls, James Harding and Christopher Swann in Washington. US business has little appetite for fundamental tax reform, seeing deficit reduction and government entitlement programmes as priorities for President George W Bush #39;s second-term agenda.

Business hopes Bush will forgo tax reform


Reuters - Democrat John Kerry on Thursday\challenged Republican President Bush, to weekly debates from\now until the Nov. 2 presidential election.

Kerry Challenges Bush to Weekly Debates (Reuters)


LONDON - David Eldon will retire next year as chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. and the Hang Seng Bank, HSBC Group, one of the world #39;s largest banking and financial service organizations, said Monday.

HSBC Group Chairman to Retire


A grand experiment for the Grand Canyon, the controlled flood designed to reinvigorate the Colorado River ecosystem will finish today, while scientific research on the results steps up.

#39;Sedimental #39; journey nearly over


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average opened up 0.58  percent on Monday with buyers picking up a broad range of  stocks after key economic survey renewed hopes over Japan's  economic outlook.

Nikkei Opens Higher, Lifted by Survey


American Banker reports Ken Lewis, chief executive of Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. says the bank has laid off 1,365 former FleetBoston Financial Corp.

Report: BofA job cuts total 1,365


A 10-year-old Palestinian schoolgirl,who was critically wounded by Israeli soldiers gunfire, died of her wounds Wednesday at the hospital in southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, medics said.

Palestinian schoolgirl dies of wounds


Power to the SkyDome and surrounding areas went off for about an hour yesterday afternoon, and officials say the reason could have been a raccoon in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Masked intruder may have killed power to SkyDome


You did it again, didn't you? You fell into the trap that these fun-loving, baseball-bashing Red Sox set for you. You became so enamored with their irreverence and their pizazz and their long hair and their long-ball capabilities, you actually convinced yourself they were better than the New York Yankees.

Odds are fandom fell into trap


LUKE. His name is tattooed forever on her right ankle. His memory, just as permanently, in her heart. Loretta Harrop ran the race of her life in Athens yesterday, the inspiration of her late

In memory of Luke, Loretta races for her life


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - When families and friends get  together for the holidays this year, many more of them will use  a digital camera to record those memories.

PluggedIn: Digital Cameras All the Rage This Christmas


US industry is increasingly turning to countries like Mexico and China for its manufacturing, and to India for high-end services like computer programming.

Filmmaker Examines Jobs Lost to Outsourcing, Offshore Production


AP - A brief look at elements of climate change and the international agreements to deal with it:

Summary: Basics of Climate Change, Pacts (AP)


In separate statements both Syria and the Islamic resistance movement Hamas accused Israel of being responsible for the booby trapped car explosion which took place Monday evening in Mezze in Damascus.

Syria, Hamas: Israel tried to assassinate a movement #39;s cadre in <b>...</b>


The interim Iraqi government says it needs an extra \$3.4bn to fix its water and electricity infrastructure.

Iraq seeks extra cash to rebuild


Gordon Brown outlines to MPs plans to freeze fuel duty, minimise Council Tax rises and boost childcare.

Brown shrugs off economy worries


In many ways, Mike Lawrie seems to be just the sort of guy software maker Siebel Systems needs to lift it out of its dark days. It #39;s true he doesn #39;t exactly ooze charisma and intensity.

Can Mike Lawrie make Siebel better?


Israeli PM Ariel Sharon #39;s coalition faces possible collapse over a vote likely to force him to remake his government or call elections that would imperil his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Sharon faces new rebellion


Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees are reportedly closing in on acquiring free-agent starting pitcher Carl Pavano.

Yankees close to deal with Pavano; Wells to Red Sox?


Sep. 03, 2004. The Apache Software Foundation, developers of the popular open-source Apache web server, said on Thursday that it wouldn #39;t support the proposed anti-spam standard

Apache Balks At Microsoft #39;s Licensing In Anti-Spam Standard Sender <b>...</b>


Printer and PC maker Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will stop offering desktop workstations based on Intel Corp.

Report: HP to Stop Using Intel Itanium Chip


The five cities looking to host the 2012 Summer Olympics submitted bids to the International Olympic Committee, with Paris the front-runner to win next year #39;s vote.

Paris is favorite for 2012


It was not just a two-goal lead England threw away in its opening World Cup qualifier against Austria here on Saturday. Sven-Goran Eriksson #39;s margin for error was also discarded when David James allowed Andreas

England, France suffer first night nerves; Greeks tumble


AP - PeopleSoft Inc., the business software maker currently fending off a hostile bid from rival Oracle Corp., reported Thursday it swung to a profit as sales increased in three of its business lines.

PeopleSoft Turns Profit on Revenue (AP)


Don #39;t mention the NHL #39;s collective bargaining agreement in the Team Canada dressing room. The 26 players are polite when asked about the subject, but they #39;re not going to get into any heavy discussions regarding

Players refuse to let CBA talks become a distraction


Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg (Sports Network) - Aussie Alicia Molik began her quest for a second title in two weeks on Thursday, while top-seeded Argentine Paola Suarez was among the second-round upset victims at the \$225,000 Seat Open Luxembourg.

Molik stays hot; Suarez bows out in Luxembourg


The largest protest march since Chile #39;s police state ended 14 years ago turned violent Friday when demonstrators waged pitched street battles with riot police before President

Anti-Bush protest at a trade summit in Chile turns violent


The fastest knee in the world has jerked, and given a reaction. In a predictable retort to BALCO, steroid distributor Victor Contes statement that Marion Jones used dope even before the Sydney Olympics

Marion #39;s highs and blows


DECEMBER 10, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Ask Jeeves Inc. are all set to jump into the desktop search market, two months after Internet search leader Google Inc.

Desktop search avalanche set to hit


AFP - The abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib and detention without trial of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay may still draw headlines in US newspapers but the subjects have been notably absent from the White House race.

Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo absent from US presidential campaign debate (AFP)


Reuters - Xanadu, a  #36;1.3 billion entertainment\complex planned for New Jersey, now faces a stiffer\environmental test because two state agencies likely will\demand a more in-depth look at how air quality and traffic\would be affected.

New Jersey's Xanadu Faces Stiff Environmental Tests (Reuters)


Mateja Kezman believes he can go on a goalscoring spree after finally opening his account for Chelsea. The former PSV Eindhoven striker scored the matchwinner in the 57th minute

Kezman Vows to Hit the Goal Trail


NEW YORK - Nokia is developing a smartphone that will incorporate Good Technology #39;s GoodLink wireless e-mail service, a deal that should broaden Good #39;s penetration and boost its market share against leader Research in Motion.

Nokia, Good Technology Ink Smartphone Deal


About 20,000 pirate players of Half-Life 2 have been banned from the game.

Ban hits Half-Life 2 pirates hard


FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Nov. 1, 2004 -- A British armored battle group of about 850 soldiers, led by the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch Regiment, has deployed from Basra, Iraq, to an area south

Marines Welcome Arrival of British  #39;Black Watch #39; Regiment


Mike Piazza #39;s eighth-inning single off reliever Luis Ayala helped the Mets edge the Expos, 3-2, in front of 3,664 at Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night.

Batista #39;s blast not enough


The Braves gasped when Jaret Wright was forced to leave in the third inning of Tuesday night #39;s game against the Mets after being struck just above his right foot with line drive.

Braves ace listed day-to-day with bruised ankle


MELBOURNE: The world #39;s second-largest diversified miner, Rio Tinto Ltd Plc, said yesterday high oil prices were increasing its costs but were not dampening demand for its key commodities.

Rio Tinto: Demand good despite high oil prices


The United Nations Security Council is traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, for a special two-day meeting on the conflicts in Sudan. The Security Council meetings on Thursday and Friday are intended to put pressure

UN Security Council to Meet in Nairobi on Sudan


Mexico #39;s Cemex plans to sell two cement plants in the United States to Brazil #39;s Votorantim Cimentos for \$400 million to ease its debt burden as it makes a major acquisition in Britain.

UPDATE 2-Cemex to sell 2 US cement plants for \$400 million


CHICAGO - After leading the DePaul women #39;s basketball team to NCAA tournament appearances the past two seasons, Doug Bruno has been rewarded with a contract extension, the school announced Tuesday.

DePaul signs women #39;s basketball coach to contract extension


AP - Iraq's interim President Ghazi al-Yawer said in an interview broadcast Monday that the U.S.-led coalition was wrong to dismantle the Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi Leader Criticizes U.S.-Led Coalition (AP)


Continuing their (exponential?) company growth, Google has introduced another service, this time, aimed at the mobile phone generation.

Google Introduces Google SMS


David Collier has been confirmed as the new chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The 49-year-old replaces Tim Lamb, who stepped down at the end of last month after almost eight years in charge.

ECB confirm Collier as new chief


BAKU : David Beckham is set to be hauled over the coals by English football authorities over his admission that he deliberately fouled an opponent to earn himself a convenient booking in last week #39;s World Cup qualifier against Wales.

Soccer: Yellow card row leaves Beckham facing red card from <b>...</b>


US stocks rose as Kmart Holding Corp. #39;s \$11 billion offer for Sears, Roebuck  amp; Co. lifted retailers and Hewlett-Packard Co.

US Stocks Rise as Sears, Kmart Gain; Technology Shares Climb


CKE Restaurants (NYSE: CKR) seems to think that consumers can #39;t get enough hamburger, and so far it has been right. However, its Hardee #39;s chain may be reaching the point where it #39;s saturating the market with red meat.

CKE #39;s Monster


Toshiba Corp says it plans to boost output capacity for flash memory chips at a plant in central Japan by 7.5 percent to meet robust demand from digital camera and mobile phone makers.

Toshiba to boost flash chip output


AP - Washington Redskins rookie Sean Taylor was arrested early Wednesday on charges of driving under the influence and refusing a breathalyzer test.

Redskins' Taylor Arrested on DUI Charge (AP)


Two weeks after its rival Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) grabbed headlines by signing Howard Stern, XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR) disclosed late yesterday that it

XM Strikes Back


California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dedicated a pioneering hydrogen fueling station on Friday, calling it the first stop in a  quot;hydrogen highway quot; that would someday stretch across

Schwarzenegger Opens Stop on  #39;Hydrogen Highway #39;


Sharon is not Charles de Gaulle. He is as far away as ever from the conviction that Israel must recognize the national rights of the Palestinian people and withdraw from territories occupied in 1967, let alone

Settlers or Sharon


Moussa Arafat, cousin of Yasser Arafat and a top Palestinian security chief, has survived an apparent car bomb assassination attempt in Gaza City in an attack that signals deepening internal faction fighting.

Blast near convoy of Palestinian security chief


MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on  Thursday he had no plans to grab more power or change the  constitution when reforming Russia's government structure,  dismissing fears in the West he is watering down democracy.

Russia's Putin Defends Political Reforms


A union said that General Motors Corp. plans to cut about 430 jobs at its British Vauxhall operation as part of sweeping cutbacks around Europe.

GM to cut 430 British jobs, union says


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian leader Yasser  Arafat is in a very serious condition but was able to take part  in Muslim morning prayers on Thursday, officials said, as a  team of foreign doctors rushed to his headquarters.

Arafat in Serious Condition, Foreign Medics Summoned


Australia captain Adam Gilchrist warns India could bounce back from defeat.

Cricket: Aussies still wary of India


AFP - Wielding the war on terrorism as his main reelection argument, US President George W. Bush said that Democratic rival John Kerry was blind to the  quot;true dangers quot; facing the United States.

Bush says Kerry misunderstands war on terrorism (AFP)


The authorities in Brasov, central Romania, declare a rabies alert after an infected bear kills a man and injures others.

Romanian killer bear had rabies


IF you were planning to save on postage this year by sending electronic greeting cards, think again. And be careful when opening any you get.

Be careful, that e-card may be a virus


AP - Hezbollah on Monday released footage of an drone aircraft it had sent into Israeli airspace a day earlier, a flight which the United Nations said violated the U.N.-drawn border between Lebanon and Israel.

Hezbollah Releases Drone Aircraft Footage (AP)


Google brought the simplicity of its popular Internet search engine to the computer desktop last week, releasing software that allows people to use its home page to search their hard drives for documents, e-mail messages and other hard-to-find files.

BUZZ: Google your hard drive


America Online said Thursday it will launch a free online service to search the Web for the best travel deals, highlighting the online giant #39;s ambitions to boost it free Web-based businesses.

AOL plans to launch travel site


Ray Lewis, perhaps the finest linebacker in the N.F.L., will present the Jets' offense with what will probably be its biggest matchup problem on Sunday.

Jets Have Multiple Choices, but No Easy Answer for Ravens' Lewis


WASHINGTON - Legislation to extend several popular middle class tax cuts cleared a House-Senate conference and could be on President Bush's desk within days, handing him a major legislative victory in the closing weeks of the presidential campaign.    The \$145.9 billion package marked the fourth significant tax cut package that the president has championed since taking office...

Middle-Class Tax Cuts Extension Approved


AFP - The bizarre disappearance of tens of thousands of ballots has fueled worries over Florida's ability to avert a repeat of the chaos of 2000, when Americans were kept guessing for 36 days who won the election.

Missing ballots heighten fears of renewed voting chaos in Florida (AFP)


The miniature people found to have lived on an Indonesian island until 13,000 years ago have shaken up views of the human past.

Miniature People Add Extra Pieces to Evolutionary Puzzle


Timing of new building in West Bank linked to political survival instincts of Ariel Sharon. In a move that caught both the international community and the Bush administration by surprise, the government of Israel Tuesdayissued contract proposals for 1,001 ...

What #39;s behind Israeli construction permits?


Poster boys for jet lag, the newest Indiana Pacers quickly made themselves at home Thursday. Britton Johnsen and Tremaine Fowlkes were still a little woozy when they made their debuts against

Newcomers receive quick indoctrination


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Toronto Raptors will face yet another Western team that has manhandled them over the years. Fresh off a 108-92 drubbing at the hands of the Sacramento Kings, the Raptors head to Utah

Raptors look to cool off Jazz


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made a telephone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, promising Israeli cooperation with Russia to concentrate efforts to

Sharon promises cooperation with Russia to combat terrorism


An international investigation of telemarketing fraud schemes has resulted in the arrests of more than 135 people in cases involving more than 5 million victims, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Tuesday.

Hundreds Arrested in Telemarketing Scheme


Gov. Mitt Romney called on Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello to resign on Friday, citing ongoing management troubles

Romney calls for Turnpike chairman to resign in wake of Big Dig


Australia pressured New Zealand into tightening its citizenship laws because of fears it could be used as a back door to gain entry into Australia, a NZ government MP said today.

Australia pressured for NZ law change


NEW Zealand captain Stephen Fleming could be excused for wishing he was held up at customs a little longer last night before arriving at the SCG.

Captain #39;s ills continue as Kiwis wobble


U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen was the only winner on a rainy opening day of the World Match Play Championship, beating Jeff Maggert by a record 12 and 11.

Goosen Dominates


Reuters - European shares retreated on Wednesday as\AstraZeneca's business update disappointed investors and on\nagging concerns that soaring oil prices will hurt the quality\of future earnings.

Oil, Astra Lead European Stocks Down (Reuters)


CLEVELAND -- On draft day 1999, the Browns picked Tim Couch with the No. 1 pick. The Eagles selected Donovan McNabb at No. 2. You hate to oversimplify things, but since then, Cleveland is 28-58, Philadelphia is 57-29.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is more relaxed, confident in pocket


What: MIAA Division 3 Super Bowl. Where: Curry College in Milton. When: Saturday at 10 a.m. Last meeting: 1988 Super Bowl (a 13-0 Westwood win).

Abp. Williams (10-1) vs. Westwood (10-2)


Texas Instruments (TI) has developed the wireless industry #39;s first digital TV on a single chip for cell phones. This will capture broadcast signals and allow cell phone users to watch live broadcasts ranging.

Texas Instruments brings live digital TV to the cell phone


NEW YORK - Sen. John McCain said Monday it was fair game to criticize Democrat John Kerry's anti-war protests three decades ago, firing an opening salvo as Republicans sought to use their national convention to portray President Bush as a strong wartime leader...

GOP Sharpens Attacks As Convention Opens


In an unusual settlement to a lengthy investigation of the former chief executive of one of New Hampshire's largest utilities, state and federal regulators yesterday said Pennichuck Corp. will make a special payment of \$280,000 to its shareholders.

Ex-Pennichuck CEO settles


Pity Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT). For all the grief we give the company about its failure to plug security holes in its software, its historical problems with the blue screen

Microsoft #39;s Russian Carrot


The high-stakes standoff between General Motors and Fiat over the terms of a 2000 partnership moved a step closer to the courtroom on Tuesday.

GM-Fiat Talks Fail to Resolve Rift Over Partnership Agreement


GLASGOW, Scotland -- Scottish giants Rangers crashed out of a European competition for the second time this season following a 2-0 defeat at home to Auxerre in the UEFA Cup.

Two-goal Kalou kills Rangers hopes


The deadline set by  hostage-takers holding a Briton in Iraq has passed without any further word from them.

British hostage deadline passes


Plus, Amazon's British invasion, it's showtime for Martha, and GM's desperation gets noisier.

Is Intel Too Optimistic?


It seemed like a difficult assignment. Felix Trinidad returned to the ring last night after more than two years of inactivity to fight Ricardo Mayorga, a sturdy former champion who is capable of scoring a knockout with either hand.

Trinidad rocks Mayorga


It won #39;t be just a sigh of relief on Wall Street but an ovation if the US presidential election on Tuesday produces a clear winner and avoids a repeat of the chaotic 2000 results.

Wall St. Wants a Quick, Clean Election


Embattled insurance broker Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. (MMC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) has suspended four employees as part of a far-reaching investigation into industry practices, the

Marsh suspends four over insurance probe - WSJ


MINNEAPOLIS -- Target reported a 78 percent jump in third-quarter earnings on Thursday on strong revenue growth and the sale of its Mervyn #39;s discount chain, but it just missed analyst estimates.

Target soars, but misses estimates


New Yorks Bernie Williams, left, and Derek Jeter welcome Alex Rodriguez, right, after he scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Minnesota Twins Kyle Lohse in the 11th inning of Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Saturday in

Yankees-Sox again for ALCS


MOJAVE, Calif. Sept. 29, 2004 - After recovering from a wild corkscrew roll on its ascent, the first private manned rocket soared to space and returned safely to Earth on Wednesday in a bid to earn a \$10 million prize.

Private Rocket Unofficially Reaches Space


NEW YORK : Roger Federer will be chasing his third Grand Slam of the year and trying to blast his way into the record books as he faces Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday #39;s 17.

Tennis: Federer and Hewitt set for US Open final clash


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices held firm around \$55 a  barrel on Wednesday as traders braced for the start of the  northern winter with thin heating oil supplies.

Oil Holds at \$55, Braced for Winter


AFP - A Polish woman hostage abducted in Iraq more than three weeks ago was back home after being released by her captors who she said had treated her well.

Polish woman hostage back home after being freed in Iraq (AFP)


CHICAGO (Reuters) - FedEx Corp.'s <A HREF=

FedEx Ordered to Repay U.S. \$29 Million


Stephan Paternot, co-founder of theglobe.com, is reinventing himself with Palm Star Entertainment.

Dot-Com Star, Indie Filmmaker


This morning as Britain awakes, Kostas Kenteris and his training partner, Katerina Thanou, will be asked three questions by the disciplinary commission of the International Olympic Committee. These will determine whether they deliberately ...

Accused pair to tell their side of story


Hopes of a breakthrough in the Northern Ireland peace process rose on Friday as George W. Bush personally intervened to try to persuade the warring factions to strike a historic power-sharing deal.

Bush intervention raises Northern Ireland hopes


Broadband has out-stripped unmetered connections in the UK for the first time, official figures show.

Broadband starts to rival dial-up


AP - Lebanon's Parliament amended the country's constitution Friday to extend pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term, ignoring U.N. calls to hold an election to choose the head of state.

Lebanon Moves to Keep President in Office (AP)


U.S. Bancorp will use VeriSign's Unified Authentication service to validate and secure interactions with commercial banking customers, providing them with a secure USB token they must use when accessing services online.

U.S. Bancorp, VeriSign team on banking security


Hyperion Solutions, a vendor of business intelligence applications, will announce at its Solutions 2004 Hyperion International Conference in Paris this week, Essbase 7X, a greatly enhanced version of its analytic suite.

Hyperion launches Essbase 7X


Reuters - The 2004 U.S. elections ended on\Saturday with Republicans and Democrats swapping one U.S. House\of Representatives seat each in runoff elections in Louisiana.

Republicans, Democrats Swap Louisiana House Seats (Reuters)


RBC, 14.09.2004, Moscow 16:47:50.News about Russian President Vladimir Putin #39;s approval of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov #39;s proposal to exchange a stake in Gazprom for Rosneft assets spurred an upward trend on the stock market, traders say.

Russian stocks grow on PM #39;s proposals


Shares of Orbitz (ORBZ) jumped more than 25 in after-hours trading Tuesday on reports that the travel and real estate company Cendant (CD) is close to an agreement to buy the online travel site for about \$1.

Report: Cendant near deal to buy Orbitz


Reuters - Namibia lost a bid on Monday for\permission to export 4,400 pounds of ivory annually at a United

Namibia Loses Ivory Export Bid at CITES Meeting (Reuters)


AP - Stanford allowed its third-lowest points total ever and Candace Wiggins scored 15 points in the Cardinal's 82-26 victory over Pacific on Sunday.

No. 7 Stanford Shuts Down Pacific 82-26 (AP)


China may adjust its currency #39;s peg to the dollar within a year by fixing the yuan against a basket of currencies rather than adopting a floating exchange-rate regime, according to JPMorgan Private Bank.

Around Asia #39;s Markets: JPMorgan says shift in yuan is likely


Pfizer Inc. on Friday said a government-sponsored cancer-prevention trial of its blockbuster arthritis drug Celebrex was halted after patients taking it had more than

Celebrex Trial Stopped After Heart Attacks


VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul's health has  stabilized recently, so much so that the Pontiff has expressed  a desire to make at least two major trips abroad next year,  including one to Northern Ireland.

Pope Health Seen Stable, Eyes N.Ireland Trip


An e-mail Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer sent to customers around the world yesterday highlighted a new thrust in Microsoft #39;s campaign against Linux.

Microsoft offers insurance Linux can #39;t, Ballmer says


TORONTO (CP) - Embattled press baron Conrad Black is preparing yet another lawsuit - this one seeking \$1.1 billion for defamation - in his ongoing legal battle against the new management of the company he founded, Hollinger International Inc.

Conrad Black plans \$1.1B libel suit over Hollinger board committee <b>...</b>


ISLAMABAD : Afghan President Hamid Karzai is arriving in Islamabad on Monday on a two day visit to Pakistan. He will have talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Ch.

Hamid Karzai to arrive Islamabad on Monday


Options, options. Will the Patriots enter the season with Rohan Davey and Kliff Kingsbury as their backup quarterbacks or will they wait for Jim Miller , whom they released yesterday, to get ready and then re-sign him? Will they sign a quarterback if one is released in the next few days or trade for one?

Miller release puts it up in air


ATHENS, Greece -- Wouldn #39;t that have been great? Paul Hamm, the man with the tarnished gold medal in the gymnastics all-around event earlier this week, coming out Sunday night and saying,  quot;The right and honorable

An American gymnast #39;s Hamm-handed move


Porto of Portugal outscored Once Caldas of Colombia 8-7 from penalty shootouts to win the World Club Cup in Yokohama, Japan on Sunday.

Portugal #39;s Porto win World Club Cup on penalties


Prospects for the global economy next year are growing dimmer as high oil prices hurt consumption and the unchecked rise in the United States trade deficit depresses the dollar

Global Forecasts for 2005 Growth Are Reduced


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

Nortel Expects Lower 3rd-Quarter Revenue


With Nintendo DS sales moving faster than anticipated, some locations have reported sellouts, and Nintendo predicts the initial North American supply will be depleted within days.

500,000 NDS #39; Sold


The earthquake, which occurred in Romania last night, measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale, was also felt in Turkey. First reports say nobody was killed or injured in the earthquake.

Romanian Earthquake Felt in Turkey


Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said a few doubts crept into his mind about his offense this summer. It #39;s hard to blame him after 10 veteran

Offensive outburst


A pro-Kremlin former policeman has become president of Chechnya, according to partial results last night of an election held after a week of rebel attacks made a mockery of Moscow #39;s claim to have pacified the republic.

Putin ally  #39;is winner #39; of Chechen election


In an era when every major business transaction is measured in the billions of dollars, Ford Motor Co. of Canada #39;s decision to pump \$1 billion into redevelopment of its Oakville site - the formal announcement

Ford #39;s investment vote of confidence


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending rebounded  sharply in July, the government said on Monday, erasing the  disappointment of June and bolstering hopes that the U.S.  economy has recovered from its recent soft spot.

Spending Rebounds, Good News for Growth


New technologies will make existing information security measures obsolete over the next five years, according to analyst Gartner.

New technology increases threats


THE breeze barely tickled the flags around the first tee, the weather was warming and the air light. The greens were true and gave good grip to approaches.

Weekend warriors in test of technique and temperament


The economy added 112,000 payroll jobs in November, the Labor Dept. reported today, far fewer than the month before.

Job Growth Is Well Below Wall Street Forecasts


World News: Washington, Nov 19 : Google has now launched a new search engine, Google Scholar which can exclusively search for academic texts and scientific articles, instead of web pages.

Goolge search turns scholarly!:


OCTOBER 25, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Google Inc. this month began offering a beta version of a desktop search application that catalogs files, e-mail messages and other information stored on PCs and then enables end users to run searches against the data.

Google Tests New Desktop Search App


AP - Lee Westwood strolled to his car with his chest out, head high and a big smile.

Westwood Tough to Beat at Ryder Cup (AP)


quot;The crocodile walked into the tent and dragged the man out. A 60-year-old woman in an adjacent tent heard the commotion and jumped on the crocodile quot; - Stephen Pemberthy, Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mrs Crocodile Dundee, 60, wrestles with reptile to save camper


The worldwide server market continued to expand in the second quarter, analyst firm IDC said in a report Friday that mirrored findings by Gartner Inc.

IDC: Server Market Continues Overall Growth


The embattled IT services giant is trying to trim \$3 billion in annual costs.

EDS to cut up to 20,000 jobs over two years


Jaromir Jagr sat out practice Thursday but hopes to be ready when the Czech Republic plays Canada in the World Cup of Hockey semifinals.

Jagr hopes to play against Canada despite hip injury


CROMWELL, Conn. -- If you're looking for players who are sitting high on the PGA Tour's money list, you won't find them at TPC River Highlands, where the Buick Championship gets under way today. At No. 26, Jerry Kelly (\$1,622,449) is the leading money winner in this week's stop. If you're looking for players who are sitting high on the ...

In name game, Couples fills bill for most fans


AUSTRALIA #39;S involvement in Iraq and terrorism strikes in Southeast Asia have made defence and national security potentially decisive issues for voters as polling day nears.

Into the danger zone


BAGHDAD, 28 September 2004 - Fresh Iraq violence killed 12 people yesterday as an Iranian diplomat was freed after a 55-day hostage ordeal at the hands of the same militant group which is holding two French newsmen.

12 Killed in Fresh Iraq Violence


Centene Corp., the parent company of West Allis-based health maintenance organization Managed Health Services Insurance Corp., said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy two FirstGuard health plans serving a total of 136,000 members in Missouri and Kansas for

Centene expands into Missouri, Kansas markets


Computer, chip maker will license much of the technology behind their compact servers -- for free. NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp.

IBM, Intel open up their  #39;blades #39;


Chipmaker Texas Instruments (TI) has played down the importance to the smartphone market of Symbian #39;s new alliance with Intel.

Cold water poured on Intel #39;s Symbian deal


Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - Syracuse junior point guard Billy Edelin has been granted the academic waiver petition by the NCAA, making him eligible to play immediately for the Orange.

Syracuse #39;s Edelin cleared to play by NCAA


ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - Catcher Bengie Molina will return to the Anaheim Anaheim Angels next season but he will not have righthander Ramon Ortiz throwing to him.

Angels option on Molina, decline Ortiz


BELGRADE (Reuters) - The handover of a Bosnian Serb war  crimes suspect to The Hague at the weekend was a deliberate  cooperation test for Serbia arranged by U.N. chief prosecutor  Carla del Ponte, Belgrade radio reported on Monday.

Hague Prosecutor 'Set Warcrimes Test' for Serbia


AP - Congress passed legislation Saturday giving two committee chairman and their assistants access to income tax returns without regard to privacy protections, but not before red-faced Republicans said it was all a mistake and would be swiftly repealed.

Bill Gives Lawmakers Access to Tax Returns (AP)


ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Carl Pavano decided Saturday he wanted to pitch for the Yankees, and his agent and New York closed in on a four-year contract worth about \$39 million.

Pavano accepts Yankees #39; \$39 million


An audit by the international observers supported the official results of the recall referendum on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cesar Gaviria, the secretary general of

Int #39;l observers #39; audit backs Venezuelan referendum results


Think you #39;ve got rhythm? Test out your skill with TAIKO: Drum Master a new game for the whole family! Attach the miniature Japanese drum controller to your PS2 and you #39;re ready to drum to the music.

TAIKO: Drum Master


Reuters - Chechnya's pro-Kremlin leader\was sworn in as president of the turbulent Russian region\Tuesday and acknowledged immediately he was a prime target for\assassination by separatists.

Chechnya's New Leader Knows He's a Rebel Target (Reuters)


HBOS has dropped plans to bid for Abbey National, dampening hopes of a challenge to Spanish bank Santander #39;s agreed 8.8 billion pound takeover of Abbey.

HBOS won #39;t bid for Abbey National


The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality Party (Hadash) is organizing a 24-hour hunger strike on Wednesday at a protest tent being set up at the Umm el-Fahm junction in solidarity with Palestinian security prisoners.

Hadash Party joins prisoners #39; strike for 24 hours


Big run-ups in a few fast-food favorites might suggest that the value is gone, but take a closer look.

Time to Buy a Value Meal?


Coach Mike Holmgren labels the matchup of the Seahawks #39; defensive line vs. the St. Louis Rams #39; offensive line the game within the game when the NFC West frontrunners square off Sunday at Qwest Field.

Seahawks Slant


PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama's new President Martin  Torrijos vowed on Wednesday to mend diplomatic ties with Cuba,  ruptured last week when his predecessor pardoned four men  jailed for plotting to kill Cuban President Fidel Castro.

New Panama President Vows to Mend Cuba Ties


MetLife Inc. is in late-stage negotiations to sell one of Boston's oldest investment firms, State Street Research  amp; Management Co., to another New York financial giant, BlackRock Inc., according to two executives briefed on the talks.

MetLife seen near sale of Hub invest unit


US Airways Group Inc. said Monday that it will restructure its flight schedule beginning Feb. 6, 2005, adding 230 more daily flights without acquiring additional aircraft.

US Airways Boosts Flight Schedule


Customer traffic fell in the past week from a year earlier, Wal-Mart said Saturday in a report on its comparable-store sales. Free!

Wal-Mart reports drop in shoppers


Election year politics result in the passing of a multi-billion dollar tax cut package. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the measure 92-3 last night.

CONGRESS PASSES TAX CUT BILL


ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse will fully integrate its  investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston with the rest of its  banking business, the Swiss group said on Tuesday, as it set  ambitious earnings targets for 2007.

Credit Suisse to Integrate Units


One of the best things I like about the Internet is the boundary-less nature of this amazing network. I can check out user views of people (from here in India) around the world on the India issues.

Google in China: Politically Correct?


Keith Langford had 19 of his 24 points in the first half as Kansas coasted from the outset. JR Giddens had 14 of his 16 points for Kansas (6-0) in the first half.

UNDATED: 2-of-8 shooting.


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar rose on Monday, back-tracking  from record lows hit against the euro on disappointing U.S.  jobs data, but traders said it was just a matter of time before  the market sells the currency again.

Dollar Up, But Respite Seen Temporary


By Declan Walsh in Islamabad and Duncan Campbell and Ewen MacAskill inLondon. Oct 30 (Guardian News Service):NATO troops are hunting for three United Nations workers kidnapped in Afghanistan #39;s first Iraqi-style abduction on Thursday.

Kabul hunt for seized UN workers


PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Urban rescue teams, insurance adjusters and National Guard troops scattered across Florida Monday to help residents rally from the brunt of Hurricane Charley, the worst storm to hit the state in a dozen years...

Crews Rush to Hurricane-Ravaged Florida


MONCTON - A dairy farmer in northern New Brunswick says the price of milk and other dairy products should reflect reality. Dairy farmers across the country will find out in the next month or so whether they can charge more money for their milk.

Dairy farmers request milk price hike


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

Costco Profit Up 24 Percent, Shares Rise


Chile took a key step Wednesday toward confronting the grim legacy of abuses under the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, completing a lengthy report on torture and political imprisonment with testimonies from some 35,000 victims.

Chile Issues Report on Pinochet Torture


FRANKFURT (AFP) - OMX -- the European stock market group made up of the Stockholm, Helsinki and Baltic stock exchanges -- does not intend to get into in a bidding war with Deutsche Boerse for the London Stock Exchange, OMX #39;s president designate said in a

OMX has no interest in buying London Stock Exchange


Citing security risks, a state university is urging students to drop Internet Explorer in favor of alternative Web browsers such as Firefox and Safari.

School #39;s out to shun IE


Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Chris Brown rushed for 98 yards on eight carries, leading the Tennessee Titans to a 27-7 romp over the Green Bay Packers in the preseason finale for both teams at the Coliseum.

Final Score: Tennessee 27, Green Bay 7


Big game hunters may be off the hook in the latest twist of a prehistoric whodunit that tries to explain why bison populations sharply crashed thousands of years ago.

Big game hunters off the hook for bison population crash


Danny Sullivan's wide-ranging keynote address at Search Engine Strategies San Jose prodded several raw nerves in the industry, sparing neither search marketers nor the search engines themselves, reports Andrew Goodman.

State of the Search Marketing Industry


Eidur Gudjohnsen scored 31 seconds into the second half for league-leading Chelsea, helping offset two first-half goals by Arsenal #39;s Thierry Henry.

Chelsea ties Arsenal in Premier League


Local residents having difficulty reaching relatives in the areas recently hit by Hurricane Charley are urged to contact the Washtenaw County Chapter of the Red Cross for assistance.

Red Cross will assist in locating relatives


Best Buy Company Inc., the nation #39;s largest electronics retailer, said on Wednesday that third-quarter earnings rose 21 percent, but gave hints that profits during the holiday selling season may not be quite what analysts were hoping for.

Update 1: Best Buy #39;s 3Q Earnings Climb 21 Percent


Agency wants to learn if drugs can lead to suicide in young people; most major drugmakers impacted. NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Food and Drug Administration is expected to call for changes to labels for antidepressants to reflect a new agency analysis ...

Report: FDA to relabel antidepressants


The US administration believes that the pre-election campaign in Ukraine has several serious flaws, as an official spokesman for the US State Department Richard Boucher put it.

USA unhappy with presidential campaign in Ukraine


NEW YORK: Wall Street has finally broken to the upside after hovering in a narrow range for most of the year, and many analysts are optimistic going into the traditionally strong year-end period.

Out of the rut at last


Coca-Cola Co. is aiming to put the fizz back into its marketing as a key part of its turnaround strategy. Coke will boost its annual spending on marketing and developing new products by \$350 million to \$400 million beginning next year.

COKE #39;S AD POP: \$400M


T-Mobile USA has inked a deal to deliver Wi-Fi access to Accor Hotels #39; Red Roof Inns. Separately, Colubris Networks has been tapped by i-Hotel International to help it deliver high-speed wireless access to hotels across Canada.

T-Mobile, Colubris Land Wi-Fi Hotel Deals


LONDON -- Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday urged a new international dialogue with the United States on climate change, weeks before Britain takes over the presidency of the G8 group of industrialized nations.  quot;The most important thing is to try to get a dialogue with America on how we recognize both the scale of the problem on greenhouse gas emissions ...

Blair urges dialogue with US on climate


August was a dismal month for sales of new cars and trucks, with nearly every major automaker reporting a decline compared with a year ago.

New-car sales hit brakes in August


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

Alpharma Says Pfizer Drug Generic Cleared


Tamas Kasas was born the same month Hungary won its sixth Olympic water polo gold medal. For two decades, Hungarians waited for somebody like him to revive its dominance in a sport

Hungary Wins Gold in Olympic Water Polo


Aruba Wireless Networks and Ortronics have developed the world #39;s first Wi-Fi wall outlet. The new patent-pending Wi-Jack Wi-Fi wall outlet will be marketed and manufactured by Ortronics and will integrate

Ortronics and Aruba partner on world #39;s first Wi-Fi wall outlet


NEW YORK -- A federal judge today ordered Martha Stewart to surrender for prison by October 8th, granting a request by the celebrity homemaker to begin serving her sentence for lying about a stock sale.

Judge Orders Martha Stewart to Surrender


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Tyson Foods Inc. reduced its forecast of annual profit yesterday because of higher costs for feed grain and a drop in beef and chicken prices.

Tyson Foods cuts annual-profit forecast


AFP - A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale and a series of aftershocks hit Japan's capital Tokyo and its surrounding areas, the Meteorological Agency said.

Strong quake rocks Tokyo and surrounding areas (AFP)


Reuters - Russia agreed on Tuesday to help train\South Korea's first astronaut by 2007 -- although it is still\not clear whether Seoul's space cadet will make it into orbit\that year.

Russia to Help Train South Korean Astronaut by 2007 (Reuters)


DHAKA, Bangladesh -- A series of bombs exploded yesterday as a Bangladeshi opposition leader was speaking at a rally. At least 14 people were killed and hundreds were wounded, witnesses and news reports said.

Bombings kill 14 at a rally by Bangladesh opposition


LONDON - The shopping spree continues at Cisco Systems Inc., which said Monday (Aug. 23) it would buy privately-held P-Cube Inc., a developer of IP service platforms.

Cisco pays \$200 million for software IP developer P-Cube


November 16, 2004 - Yes, we #39;d barely believe it either if we hadn #39;t seen it ourselves: Half-Life 2 is here. More than six years in development, more than a year dramatically in the public eye, weathering delays

Half-Life 2 Released


Sirius claims it will need to generate only one million more subscribers to pay for the five-year, US\$500 million deal with Stern.

Stern Goes Satellite, But Will Listeners Follow?


No need to check with your primary care provider about the origin of that nervous tic you woke up with this morning, on the first full day of autumn. Ninth-inning home runs allowed in three consecutive games by Sox closer Keith Foulke, who also was tagged with blown saves in each of the last two games, were enough to leave ...

Just a close call for closer


P amp;Os cutbacks announced today are the result of the waves of troubles that have swamped the ferry industry of late. Some would say the company has done well to weather the storms for as long as it has.

Stormy Economic Waters for Ferry Firm


IBMis acquiring Liberty Insurance Services, or LIS, which is the U.S. business process services operation of RBC Insurance, IBM and RBC announced Tuesday. LIS handles life insurance and annuity processing and administration, and will become a new IBM subsidiary focused on that service.

IBM to acquire life insurance processing, admin company


A businessman wanted by the US for allegedly shipping thousands of tonnes of chemicals to Saddam Hussein has been detained by police in Holland and accused of complicity in the poison gas attacks that killed thousands of Kurds in the late 1980s.

Man held over Iraq gas deaths


A rare reef fish called the humphead wrasse should be guarded from overfishing, experts have claimed. The WWF and the IUCN-World Conservation Union are set to ask an international trade watchdog to include the fish on its list of protected species.

Protection plea for reef fish


LONDON (Reuters) - World cocoa prices rose from intraday  lows, but exports from the Ivory Coast, the key global  supplier, remain on hold after mob violence and military  clashes paralyze business in the West African country, traders  said on Tuesday.

Cocoa Price Off, Ivory Coast Shot to Bits


RADICAL Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir could face the death penalty if convicted of charges over the Bali bombings, which killed 88 Australians.

Butcher of Bali faces execution


Singh ended the five-year reign of Tiger Woods as world number one in September, defeating Woods in a man-to-man duel for the Deutche Bank Championship title to confirm his supremacy.

Vijay Singh win more than 10 million US dollars in one season


Several speakers at this week's EPCglobal conference talked about how RFID tagging can help companies track products, cut down on theft and reduce supply chain costs. But analysts said U.S. companies are moving cautiously on the technology.

Speakers debate RFID benefits, challenges


A new sign language created over 30 years by deaf Nicaraguan children, gives a unique insight into how languages evolve.

Kids create new sign language


Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds have scheduled a press conference for 4 pm (et) today, at which time the club is expected to announce that shortstop Barry Larkin will not be re-signed.

Reds decide not to re-sign Larkin


Israeli troops hunting militants raided a West Bank hospital Monday, searching rooms and calling on fugitives over loudspeakers to surrender, and in Gaza soliders

Israeli Troops Enter West Bank Hospital


AP - BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. said Tuesday that sales growth boosted second-quarter earnings 25 percent, and the bulk retailer disclosed it faces  #36;16 million in claims over the theft of some of its customers' credit and debit card information.

BJ's Wholesale Reports  #36;28M 2Q Profit (AP)


Hewlett-Packard reveals the pricing and storage capacity for its clone of Apple's music player.

HP tips its hand on new iPod


Amid falling oil prices, stocks climb for 2nd straight day as Dow closes at highest level since Sept. 14. BY PRADNYA JOSHI. Stocks kept climbing higher yesterday as oil prices retreated and investors continued

Post-election rally rolls


Washington #39;s closest ally in Iraq was horrified by the beheading of a British hostage there and Prime Minister Tony Blair urged Britons not to let it undermine their support for continued involvement in the country.

Britain Shocked by Death of Iraq Hostage


Reuters - Colombia will require banks\and money changers to report all international transfers of\more than  #36;200 starting next year to help combat drug money\laundering and

Colombia Eyes Banks in Drug Money Hunt (Reuters)


AP - Shawntinice Polk had 18 points and 16 rebounds to lead No. 24 Arizona past Rice 68-43 Sunday in the preseason WNIT, the Wildcats' 29th straight win at home.

No. 24 Ariz. Beats Rice in Preseason WNIT (AP)


The New York Liberty bring former interim coach Pat Coyle on as their head coach on Wednesday.

Liberty Hires Coyle


\\I've made a few passive mentions of my Lucene  Desktop prototype here on\PeerFear in the last few days and I'm amazed how much feedback I've had.  People\really want to start work on an Open Source desktop search based on Lucene.\\* Current Status *\\I have a prototype implemented that runs from the console and accepts a given\directory to index and writes it to /.lucene-desktop.  It then has a console\searcher that returns the output in grep format:\\file:rank\\I'm trying to get keyword in context to work but I haven't had a chance to hack\on this recently.  I need another 30 minutes to integrate the Lucene Highlighter\and then I should be done.\\At this point I will return:\\file:rank:hit ...\\

Lots Of Interest in Lucene Desktop


With Oracle #39;s (ORCL:Nasdaq - news - research) \$24-a-share offer for PeopleSoft (PSFT:Nasdaq - news - research) set to expire late Friday night, the database giant has thrown cold water on the notion that the price could go higher.

Oracle Doesn #39;t Want to Take It Higher


Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The dangers of second-hand smoke are so great there should be a ban on lighting up in cars carrying children, Ontario doctors said Thursday, bringing an immediate outcry from critics who labelled it another attack on personal freedoms.

Smoking should be banned in cars that carry children: medical group (Canadian Press)


nited Airlines said today that it was likely to terminate and replace its four employee pension plans with less-generous benefits, a drastic move that the airline said was necessary to attract the financing that would allow it to ...

United Airlines Likely to Terminate Pension Plans


If anyone had questions about Stewart Cink being chosen for the Ryder Cup team, he answered them with authority Sunday at the NEC Invitational.

Cink Answers Skeptics With Emphatic Victory


Future space explorers might bring back more than just pictures from their excursions -- they could mine the planets for profit. By Mark Baard.

The Final Capitalist Frontier


Jupiter Research analyst Joe Wilcox said that Opera is making a smart move by spending more money on marketing. He said some fear and uncertainty remains about the security level of Microsoft #39;s

Opera Sings Blues, Posting 3Q Losses Triple Last Year #39;s


Reuters - Not all Americans are\unpopular at this week's U.N. conference on climate change.

Maverick U.S. States Prove Popular at Climate Talks (Reuters)


Jazeera said eight soldiers were wounded on Sunday and a ninth was missing in addition to the four dead. Israeli sources said there were.

Israeli soldiers  quot;killed in Gaza blast quot;


India News: Bhopal, Nov 28 : Twelve people, including a woman, were ploughed to death by an express train outside the Sukhi Sevania railway station near here Sunday.

12 killed in train accident near Bhopal:


WASHINGTON -- Oil futures prices surged to new heights above \$55 US a barrel yesterday as concerns about the global supply of heating oil persist ahead of winter.

Oil futures pass \$55 US for first time


For years now, Research In Motion #39;s (Nasdaq: RIMM) BlackBerry wireless email device has been synonymous with, well, the phrase  quot;wireless email device.

Think Before You Ogo


Chinese authorities detained a prominent, U.S.-based Buddhist leader in connection with his plans to reopen an ancient temple complex in the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia last week and have forced dozens of his American followers to leave the region, local officials said Wednesday.

China Detains Prominent Buddhist Leader


He doesn #39;t know, or care, what it will cost, how big it will be or even where it will be located. All he wants to do right now is move his wife and five young boys to a new life.

Jewish settlers preparing to evacuate Gaza Strip


British Airways is canceling almost 1,000 Heathrow flights over the next three months in a move it says will protect its operational performance.

BA to axe 1,000 Heathrow flights


Three foreign UN workers held hostage in Afghanistan have been freed unharmed, almost four weeks after they were abducted at gunpoint on the streets of the capital Kabul.

UN confirms three hostages freed in Afghanistan


Reuters - U.S. stocks were little changed on\Thursday after cell phone maker Nokia Corp.  raised its\earnings forecast and weekly jobless claims fell more than Wall\Street's forecast.

U.S. Stocks Near Flat After Nokia Boost (Reuters)


By Rosie Murray-West, City Correspondent (Filed: 01/10/2004). US pharmaceutical giant Merck lost about a quarter of its value yesterday after it pulled arthritis drug Vioxx owing to concerns over heart attacks as a side-effect.

Drug withdrawal gives Merck palpitations


AP - A U.S. fighter jet crashed near the Tindal Royal Australian Air Force base in northern Australia on Tuesday, the Australian Defense Force said.

U.S. Fighter Jet Crashes Near Australia (AP)


BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (AFP) - For the first time since the kidnappings of foreigners started in Iraq in April, hostage takers have set conditions external to the country by demanding that France lift a ban on Islamic headscarves in state schools.

Hostage Takers Widen Demands Beyond Iraqi Affairs


As part of its much-touted new MSN Music offering, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is testing a Web-based radio service that mimics nearly 1,000 local radio stations, allowing users to hear a version of their favorite radio station with far fewer interruptions.

Microsoft Mimics Local Radio Stations


AFP - European finance ministers clashed over Franco-German proposals to harmonise EU corporate taxes to prevent lower-cost member states grabbing too much of the investment pie.

EU embroiled in taxing debate over 'fiscal dumping' (AFP)


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Advanced Micro Devices Inc. shares fell Tuesday after it said third-quarter sales will come in below those reported in the second quarter, citing softness in its flash memory business.

AMD shares drop on Q3 warning


AFP - Philippine rescuers were frantically digging for more survivors after four people, including a toddler, were pulled alive from a building crushed by a landslide 11 days ago.

'Miracle in mud' as four pulled alive from Philippine disaster (AFP)


Chinese PC vendor Lenovo announced its acquisition of IBM #39;s Personal Computing Division (PCD) for a combination of cash and stock totaling US\$1.25 billion.

Lenovo acquires IBM #39;s personal computing division


Three programming geeks use monsters and metaphors to turn the Sci Fi Channel into the best little horror house in the movie business. By Gary Wolf from Wired magazine.

We've Created a Monster!


ATHENS (Reuters) - Dwight Phillips of the United States  completed a hat-trick of global long jump titles when he  crushed the field with his opening leap to take gold in  Thursday's Olympic final Thursday.

Long Jump Gold for American Dwight Phillips


Don Shula knows what it takes to achieve a perfect season, and he says the New England Patriots have a chance to do it. On the other hand, Shula says, the winless Miami Dolphins have a shot at an upset Sunday at New England.

Shula says Patriots could go 19-0


The A #39;s fell from sole possession of first place and have five games to reassume exclusive control of the American League West.

A #39;s are fit to be tied Hudson lit by M #39;s, Angels pull even


MICK Davis, the South African-born chief executive of Anglo-Swiss mining giant Xstrata, clearly has a thing for Australia. Perhaps it #39;s because this country keeps offering him the opportunity to buy great

The long good buy


AP - The defense of Slobodan Milosevic resumed Tuesday, even as an appeals panel of the U.N. war crimes tribunal considered the former Yugoslav president's request to fire his court-appointed lawyer and let him represent himself again.

Slobodan Milosevic's Trial Resumes (AP)


Growth in manufacturing slowed from the euro zone to Japan in October as strong oil prices and a stuttering global economy took their toll, although British companies performed better, survey data showed.

Oil Slows Manufacturing Growth


British Airways today announced the cancellation of almost 1,000 flights over the next three months in an effort to ease congestion at Heathrow, one of the world #39;s busiest airports.

BA cancels 1,000 Heathrow flights


Investors welcomed the end of Oracle Corp. #39;s 18-month battle to take over PeopleSoft Inc., pushing stocks higher Monday. A better-than-expected survey of retail sales also helped the markets.

Stocks Surge on Oracle, PeopleSoft Merger


Police in Britain are questioning nine men in connection with an alleged plot to defraud hundreds of thousands of pounds from the UK national lottery and children #39;s charities.

UK Police probe alleged charity fraud plot


The Nuggets and the Timberwolves, who exchanged words and cheap shots in a playoff series in April, met again Thursday night at the Pepsi Center.

Nuggets snag win this time


FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots pulled within one game of the NFL record for consecutive victories with a 23-12 win over the Cardinals Sunday, but coach Bill Belichick was not satisfied with the team's performance.

Work to be done in time off


AP - Pig manure in Chile will keep neon lights glowing on Tokyo's Ginza in years to come. It's a grand north-south tradeoff to slow global warming: You reduce your

Pig Emissions Part of Global Warming (AP)


Darfur #39;s security situation remains unstable with gunmen attacking relief convoys, civilians and African villagers, causing roads to be blocked and areas to be classified as no-go zones, the United Nations said Friday.

Darfur security situation amplifies humanitarian crisis, United <b>...</b>


Failure to honour funding pledges to the UN means a world population explosion within decades, a report says.

UN warns of population explosion


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar fought back from one-month  lows against the euro and Swiss franc on Wednesday as investors  viewed its sell-off in the wake of the Federal Reserve's  verdict on interest rates as overdone.

Dollar Recovers Footing After Fed


NEWCASTLE #39;S golfing colt James Nitties held his nerve in the biggest poker game of his life yesterday to earn enough for a new car with his bold capture of second place at the Australian PGA Championship.

Nitties signals best yet to come


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar struggled near recent lows on  Thursday after soft U.S. manufacturing data failed to dispel  concerns that the U.S. economy may be running out of steam.

Dollar Struggles Near Recent Lows


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Security certificates used to detain suspected terrorists like Adil Charkaoui are constitutional, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled Friday.

Court: certificates used to detain suspected terrorists are constitutional (Canadian Press)


A \$US100 million (\$A130 million) supercomputer being built to analyse the US nuclear stockpile has again set an unofficial performance record - the second in just over a month.

IBM supercomputer claims new record


In the aftermath of the controversial firings of their football coaches, Notre Dame and Florida were desperate to hire Utah Coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer Spurns Irish for Gators


BAGHDAD, Iraq  One US soldier was killed and several others were wounded in clashes with Iraqi Shi #39;ite militiamen in a Baghdad suburb Monday, the US military said Tuesday.

US soldier killed in eastern Baghdad-military


Citizens Financial Group, New England's second-largest bank, plans to launch today an aggressive effort to encourage customers to switch banks.

Citizens plans push to get customers to switch banks


More than 3,000 union workers at three BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing plants in Indiana and Alabama have approved a new contract after working about 15 months without one.

Update 2: United Steelworkers OK BF Goodrich Pact


Pollen from a genetically modified grass has blown on the wind and pollinated other grasses up to 21 kilometres away, says a new study.

Wind carries GM pollen record distances


Ronaldo scored only his second league goal of the season to scrape a 1-1 draw for Real Madrid away to Real Betis on Saturday. Real, beaten in their two previous league games, fell

UPDATE 1-Ronaldo strikes to give Real 1-1 draw at Betis


Bill Thompson grew up on John, Paul, George and Ringo and bought all their records. Now he #39;d like them to give something back.

Apple row goes to core of online music


Gary Sheffield hit another clutch homer and Derek Jeter learned his elbow is just bruised. Not a bad night for the struggling New York Yankees.

AL notebook: NY rescued by Sheffield once again


AS Roma on Wednesday signed Luigi Del Neri as its new coach to replace Rudi Voeller, who resigned last Sunday. The club reported that Del Neri traveled to the training camp of Trigoria shortly

AS Roma names Del Neri as coach to replace Voeller


With apologies to the World Series, much of the world #39;s sporting interest in the United States is currently related to soccer, not baseball.

American Not Welcome in Manchester


Philadelphia Eagles defensive end ND Kalu will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at yesterday #39;s practice.

NFL ROUNDUP Eagles #39; Kalu Will Be Out for the Year


Poll result The people have spoken

Reg readers name BSA antipiracy weasel


Continental Airlines (CAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) posted a third quarter loss on Tuesday, as high fuel prices caused it to reverse course from a year ago when it was in the black.

High Fuel Pushes Continental Air to Loss


You Software, a small Oregon based company, released a set of add-on tools for Microsoft Outlook, an e-mail client, on Wednesday.

Less Outlook clutter with new add-on Toolkit


British American Tobacco has indicated that it would seek to put the company which runs the BAR Formula One team into administration if it proves unable to buy the minority shareholding in the operation required to press ahead with its new deal with Honda

BAR to seek administration in Honda deal.


Online journals, or weblogs, have put together a series of developments which suggest that the search engine is developing new web tools.

Rumours surround Google browser


November 3, 2004. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed he is looking to bring in a new striker following the injury to summer recruit Djibril Cisse.

Liverpool boss confirms striker search


However this election won #39;t occur in November and it won #39;t involve an electoral college. I #39;m talking about next week #39;s national elections in Australia.

Aussie election could impact US coalition


With smooth holiday travel along its 531 miles of road, the Pennsylvania Turnpike will continue to cycle temporary workers and managers

Turnpike turns to temps


Target Corp., the second-largest US discount retailer, said third-quarter profit surged 78 percent after selling its Marshall Field #39;s and Mervyn #39;s chains.

Target 3rd-Qtr Net Rises 78 After Sale of Two Chains (Update1)


KOLKATA: The live telecast of the Test series between India and Australia is a near-certainty. BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Wednesday said the board was making  quot;all-out efforts quot; to ensure the series

Don #39;t worry, it #39;ll be live on TV, says Dalmiya


Palestinian gunmen have released an Israeli Arab producer working for the CNN television network who was kidnapped yesterday in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian gunmen free CNN producer kidnapped in Gaza strip


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp. said on Tuesday it  would launch a new version of its popular PlayStation 2 game  console in the United States and Europe on Nov. 1 at a price of  \$149 and 149 euros (\$181) respectively.

Sony's Smaller PS2 to Debut in U.S., Europe on Nov 1


KARACHI -- Security forces following up on a raid that killed a top Al Qaeda fugitive arrested four more suspected extremists yesterday, and Pakistan's president predicted the investigation would lead to more high-profile militants.

Pakistan arrests 4 after raid that killed Al Qaeda fugitive


Lenny Harris has come up with clutch hits throughout his record-breaking career as a pinch hitter. His three-run double off Eric Gagne was a bit more special than most.

Harris #39; pinch double off Gagne leads Marlins past Dodgers


England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned Wales that Michael Owen will have a point to prove in Saturday #39;s World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford.

Owen has a point to prove warns Eriksson


THE surface of Saturn #39;s moon Titan may be covered by thick drifts of combustible organic  quot;snow quot; floating on lakes of liquid methane or water and ammonia ice flows, NASA scientists said on Friday.

Nasa scientists find surface of Titan  #39;Very Alien #39;


Running Windows applications on a Linux desktop has become a little easier with the release of PowerPak 1.4 by Linux vendor Lycoris. Following a deal with software developer CodeWeavers in June, Window-to-Linux software has been integrated with Lycoris #39; ...

Lycoris 1.4 integrates Windows apps support


SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (Reuters) - El Salvador has sent  the last 80 soldiers of a new contingent of troops to join the  U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, the army said on Monday, despite  repeated retaliation threats from Islamic militants.

More Troops Leave El Salvador for Iraq Amid Threats


Research In Motion #39;s BlackBerry 7100v, which sports the company #39;s latest keyboard technology, is being offered exclusively through Vodafone.

Vodafone Peddles New BlackBerry


Reuters - The Boston Celtics Wednesday\placed forward Tom Gugliotta back on the injured list.

Celtics' Gugliotta Back on the Injured List (Reuters)


US retail sales rose 0.1 percent in November, the Commerce Department said on Monday in a stronger-than-expected report that cemented views the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again this week.

Retail Sales Edge Up Slightly, Cars Down


The United States urged North Korea Tuesday to stop boasting about its nuclear weapons capability and return to the negotiating table to resolve the nuclear crisis in the Korean peninsula.

North Korea should stop boasting and return to negotiating table <b>...</b>


GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Chris Leak threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the rain yesterday, leading No. 11 Florida to a 49-10 rout of Eastern Michigan in the Gators' delayed season opener. Ciatrick Fason rushed for 105 yards and two TDs, while DeShawn Wynn, O.J. Small, Dallas Baker, Billy Latsko, and Skyler Thornton all scored once for Florida. The ...

Gators pour it on in opener


ARLINGTON, Texas -- The end of summer means the results are in for this year #39;s  #39; #39;Golden Ticket Awards, #39; #39; honoring the best rides and parks around the country.

Let out a scream for best amusement parks!


The Ulster Defense Association, Northern Ireland #39;s largest outlawed group, announced Sunday it wants to rejoin peacemaking efforts, a potentially significant step forward in the peace process.

Outlawed Protestant group pledges to rejoin Northern Ireland #39;s <b>...</b>


Leroy Gordon Cooper, one of the nation #39;s first astronauts who once set a space endurance record by traveling more than 3.3 million miles aboard Gemini 5 in 1965, died on Monday, NASA said.

Space pioneer Gordon Cooper dies