SEATTLE, Nov. 26 (Ticker) -- Despite Rashard Lewis #39; injury, Danny Fortson kept the Seattle SuperSonics on their surprising roll.

Sonics Storm Past Nets


Houston, TX -- Roger Clemens pitched seven strong innings to win his fourth straight start and was supported by four first-inning homers, as the red-hot Houston Astros completed a three-game sweep of Cincinnati with a 5-2 victory and matched a franchise

National League Game Capsules


The European Union's competition commissioner could be ready to allow Oracle to proceed with its \$7.7 billion hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft.

Europe Is Said to Be Close to Allowing Bid by Oracle


Firm brings tech already used in phones and laptops to desktops. Screen creates different pixel images for each eye.

Sharp brings 3D to PCs, without the funny specs


AT amp;T Wireless Services launched a mobile e-mail and messaging device without voice service on Monday, aiming to use a low price to tempt young consumers.

AT amp;T Wireless sells dedicated messaging device


While Tiger Woods was getting married beside the waters of the Caribbean, beside the slightly chillier waters of the North Sea here the two best golfers in the world will be contesting the Dunhill Links Championship.

Singh plans new regime to stay on top


SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 -- White Plains, NY -- Former Coca-Cola Company president Steven Heyer today was named the new chief executive of Starwood Hotels, effective Oct. 1. Heyer succeeds Starwood founder Barry

Starwood Names New Chief Executive


Queue submissions being scarce, I suggest we all submit limericks for consideration.  Mod up your favorites.    I'm no poet, so I'll submit a favorite of my childhood:    There was a young woman named Bright,  Who traveled much faster than light    She set out one day  In a relative way    And returned on the previous night.    I'm afraid I don't remember the author.

The Great K5 Limerick Contest


An advert for a Vietnam War PlayStation 2 game is banned over a reference to napalm.

Napalm joke gets advert banned


NEW YORK (Reuters) - America Online on Thursday said it  plans to sell a low-priced PC targeting low-income and minority  households who agree to sign up for a year of dialup Internet  service.

AOL to Sell Cheap PCs to Minorities and Seniors


By MATT SLAGLE    DALLAS (AP) -- Offering a stark counterpoint to rival Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc. (DELL) reported a nearly 30 percent jump in net income as strong sales of printers, servers and notched double-digit gains in overseas markets...

Dell Posts Another Quarter of Nice Earnings


AFP - Police discovered two bombs near the Sardinian villa of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, just hours after he met his British counterpart Tony Blair on the island.

Two bombs discovered in Sardinia after Berlusconi-Blair meet (AFP)


Google SMS is a new service that enables you to search for certain kinds of information with Google from a mobile phone or handheld device (such as an iPAQ 6315), and returns your search results as text messages.

Google SMS


Caracas, December 9, 2004Venezuelan President Hugo Chvez and heads of state and representatives from 11 other South American nations gathered in Cuzco, Peru yesterday and today, to formally inaugurate the South American Community of Nations (CSN).

Venezuela Signs South American Integration


Millions of people in Florida are ordered to leave their homes as the US state braces itself for Hurricane Frances.

Storm prompts mass evacuation


THE Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) says the government #39;s  #39;Get It Right #39; policy in regards to IT contracts is total nonsense.

IT Association slams government


AP - Kosovo's beleaguered Serb minority largely boycotted general elections Saturday, dealing a blow to international efforts to create multiethnic harmony in the province.

Serbs Largely Boycott Kosovo Elections (AP)


AP - Jorge Chavez, sitting in his office on a used car lot in Hollywood, picks up the phone and dials his sister in Peru. Nothing unusual about that  #151; except that the call went out over the Internet, sounded as clear as if he had been calling Fort Lauderdale, and cost just a few pennies.

Talk Is Cheap Using Internet Long-Distance (AP)


Wired News takes a trip down the historic Great River Road that winds along the full length of the mighty Mississippi. The route along 'Ol' Man River' is surprisingly rich in techie tinkerers. By Michelle Delio.

Geeks Take on the Mississippi


Wall Street puts Independence Air's parent on its bankruptcy watch list after an analyst offered a grim forecast for the local, four-month-old low-cost carrier.

Analyst Says Flyi Could Go Bankrupt


Ron Zook has been fired as University of Florida football coach. Athletic director Jeremy Foley told The Gainesville Sun the news.

Zook fired from University of Florida


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held near a one-week high  against the euro on Tuesday on optimism about the U.S. economy  as the market awaited comments from Federal Reserve Chairman  Alan Greenspan.

Dollar Firm Ahead of Greenspan, Data


Propelled by another potent performance from its defense unit, Boeing announced third-quarter results yesterday that surpassed investors #39; expectations as profits climbed 78 percent from a year ago.

Strong defense unit buoys Boeing #39;s profit


Rasheed Marshall set a Big East career rushing mark for quarterbacks and threw three touchdown passes while leading No. 15 West Virginia over Syracuse 27-6 Thursday night.

No. 15 West Virginia 27, Syracuse 6


Two people were missing as powerful typhoon Ma-on made landfall on Japan on Saturday, lashing the nation with heavy rains and high winds, snarling transport and prompting thousands to evacuate.

Typhoon Ma-On Strikes Japan, May Hit Tokyo


Whether Googleexceeded or missed earnings expectations for its third quarter remained unclear until mid-morning Friday.

Google earnings expectations create overnight confusion


The chants of  quot;MVP, MVP quot; followed Gary Sheffield from Yankee Stadium, headed down I-95 and spent the weekend at Camden Yards, home of the Orioles in name only when the Yankees are in town.

Give this man an award


Microsoft this week updated an administrative tool for delaying Automatic Update and Windows Update rollouts of Windows XP Service Pack 2 from four months to eight months.

Microsoft Doubles Delay Period for XP SP2 Tool


A detailed survey of ancient cave carvings at a site first discovered last year in Nottinghamshire, England, reveals the etchings may be some of most elaborate Ice Age art ever found.

British Cave Yields Elaborate Ice-Age Art


Delray Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Defending champion Jan-Michael Gambill of the United States was upended by Croatian Mario Ancic during first round action of the International Tennis Championships on Monday.

Defending champ Gambill falls in Delray Beach


Orbitz Inc., the Internet travel agency that is being bought by Cendant Corp., Wednesday posted a 30 percent jump in third-quarter profit, aided by a surge in hotel business.

Orbitz Profit Soars on Revenue Surge


GUANTANAMO BAY US NAVAL BASE, CUBA - The alleged driver and bodyguard of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is among four men due to face military court proceedings on Tuesday morning, as the Unites States begins trying some of the suspected terrorists it is

First Guantanamo detainees to face trial


Bloated bodies and weeping relatives filled mortuaries today as Tropical Storm Jeanne killed more than 570 Haitians with the toll expected to rise.

Floods Kill Hundreds as Storm Ravages Haiti


US Airways plans to ask a federal bankruptcy judge to impose temporary pay cuts on its workers unless it can reach agreement with its unions before then.

US Airways Said to Plan to Ask Court for Pay Cuts


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei stock average rose 1.16  percent by midday on Tuesday as gains on Wall Street and a slip  in crude oil prices encouraged investors to scoop up bargains  following seven straight days of losses.

Nikkei Up 1.16 Pct; Fujitsu Jumps


BBC weather is to use 3D gaming graphics technology to make its bulletins more realistic and accurate.

Weather gets 3D gaming makeover


Unidentified men threw crude bombs at two mosques as worshippers ended Friday prayers in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, wounding at least six people, police said.

Six Injured in Bomb Blasts at Two Indian Mosques


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese stocks fell by midday on  Thursday as concerns over domestic company earnings and the  impact on global economies of higher oil prices overshadowed  bargain hunting following the market's recent sharp losses.

Japanese Stocks Fall


Vivisimo has launched Clusty, a meta search engine with an impressive array of tools that helps you quickly find relevant results from a variety of information sources.

Reducing Information Overkill


Arthritis sufferers across South Africa have been inundating call centres and pharmacists in the wake of the shock withdrawal of their medication by the manufacturers of the most widely used drug treating the disease.

Arthritis sufferers at a loss


The US manufacturing sector continued to demonstrate that its road to recovery is anything but smooth in October as orders for big-ticket items unexpectedly fell.

Orders for US durables retreat in October


Heavy rain and wind from what was once Hurricane Ivan assaulted the southern Appalachian region Friday, washing away homes and killing at least three people.

Storm Pounds Appalachian Region With Rain


Marseille #39;s DR Congo-born striker Peguy Luyindula has been called up for France #39;s World Cup qualifier against Ireland. France coach Raymond Domenech picked Luyindula to replace Juventus striker David Trezeguet.

France call up Luyindula


Michael Vick ran for 104 yards and threw two first-half touchdown passes to Alge Crumpler to lead the Falcons (8-2), spoiling Eli Manning #39;s first start.

Vick and the Falcons spoil Manning #39;s debut


The foreign ministers #39; meeting of the European Union (EU) decided in Luxembourg Monday to lift the arms ban against Libya, which the bloc imposed 18 years ago.

EU decides to lift arms embargo on Libya


If you want to hit the books online - you can point your Internet browser to hit the online search engine Google. The site is inviting publishers to include entire books in its index.

Google to begin indexing books


A Royal security review starts after a protester's Batman stunt at Buckingham Palace sparks a Commons row.

Urgent review over Palace protest


Nude athletes, performance-enhancing lizard meat, and animal sacrifices are just a few of the things that separate the ancient Olympics from the modern games, says the author of <i>The Naked Olympics.</i>

Ancient Olympics Mixed Naked Sports, Pagan Partying


RealNetworks could lose \$2 million from below-cost sales -- but will give its service a huge boost, quot; says Forrester Research analyst Rebecca Jennings.

RealNetworks Promotion Sells 1 Million Songs


The high note which ended the the 10th Asean Summit at the Laotian capital of Vientiane were joined by leaders of Japan, South Korea, India, China, New Zealand and Australia as partners in free trade talks.

Thumbs Up From Brunei For Largest Free Trade In World


Charles Robert Jenkins, the husband of former abductee Hitomi Soga, was pressured by North Korean officials to refuse Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi #39;s invitation to go with him to Japan, an interview has revealed.

Jenkins faced N. Korean pressure before Koizumi meeting


DECEMBER 02, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - WASHINGTON -- Software vendors need automated tools that look for bugs in their code, but it may be a decade before many of those tools are mature and widely used, said the former director of cybersecurity for the US

Former cybersecurity czar: Code-checking tools needed


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A Shi'ite militia led by Moqtada  al-Sadr has agreed to disarm in Baghdad under a deal reached on  Saturday with Iraq's interim government and U.S. officials, the  chief Shi'ite negotiator said.

Sadr Fighters to Disarm Under Iraq Peace Deal


Dutch oil giant Shell has asked a Nigerian court to block oil workers from joining a nationwide labor strike set to begin November 16.

Shell Files Suit to Block Oil Workers in Nigeria Strike


BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Phil Mickelson was hoping this was the season when he finally could wear the title of  quot;major champion.

Benching suggests Lefty #39;s routine isn #39;t working


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar stalled on Wednesday after  weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data failed to provide new  direction for the market and focus shifted to what the Federal  Reserve would say after an expected rate rise next week.

Dollar Stalls as Focus Shifts to Fed


SX-8 system estimated to be almost twice as fast as IBM titleholder.

NEC Shoots to Regain Supercomputer Title


In response to pressure from high-tech businesses and industry groups, Congress this weekend approved an increase in the number of H-1B visas by 20,000 but limited it to specially qualified students.

Congress ups H-1B visa cap by 20,000


Delta Air Lines #39; (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) pilots union said late Wednesday it had reached a tentative agreement with the airline on cost savings.

UPDATE 1-Delta Air #39;s pilots reach tentative agreement


Manager Arsene Wenger denied Arsenal have a disciplinary problem after his team finished with only nine men in Wednesday #39;s 1-1 Champions League draw at PSV Eindhoven.

No discipline worries at Arsenal, says Wenger


AP - A 79-year-old woman has been caught attempting to smuggle heroin out of Colombia on a flight to New York, police said Friday.

Woman, 79, Accused of Cocaine Smuggling (AP)


Cardiff #39;s Millennium Stadium will host this season #39;s FA Cup semi-finals as well as the final. It will be the first time the venue has hosted the semi-finals, with Old Trafford and Villa Park having been favoured in recent years.

Cardiff to host FA Cup semi-finals


The Italian state must give up its majority stake in troubled Alitalia when the airline sells new shares, the EU warns.

EU warns Italy on Alitalia stake


Thousands of anti-war campaigners took to the streets of London last night calling for an end to the  quot;illegal occupation quot; of Iraq by US-led coalition troops.

Thousands join anti-war demo


European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen completed his five day fact-finding mission to Turkey and his generally positive messages left Turkey feeling  #39;hopeful #39; prior to the release of the EU Commission #39;s Progress Report on

Verheugen Reminds Turkey to Finish its Homework


PalmOne #39;s updated Treo, the Treo 650, will employ a new processor, have a sharper display and flash memory, as the company continues to improve its flagship product.

PalmOne announces new breed Treo


An online university that supposedly granted a business degree to a cat has been sued for consumer fraud. The lawsuit was filed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General #39;s Office against Dallas-based Trinity Southern

Bogus Degrees Lawsuit


InfoWorld - Qwest Communications on Wednesday announced a continued expansion of its VoIP service portfolio with IP Centrex Prime, an IP-enabled interface that helps enterprise business customers with multiple locations and mobile workforces migrate from traditional PBX connections to VoIP.

Qwest adds to VOIP service (InfoWorld)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange  Commission is expected to declare the initial public offering  registration of Google Inc. <A HREF=

SEC Seen Making Google IPO Effective


Adobe today announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, a major upgrade to its entry-level image editing product. The updated product includes a series of powerful image editing tools taken from

Adobe debuts Photoshop Elements 3.0


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices built on early  gains on Wednesday after an auction of five-year debt drew  surprisingly strong demand from indirect bidders, which include  foreign central banks.

Treasuries Up, Indirect Bidders Buy Big


Rebels bracing for a US-led assault on their Falluja and Ramadi strongholds showed their muscle Tuesday with a bloody car bombing in Baghdad, strikes on oil pipelines and several attacks on Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi Rebels Bomb Baghdad Ministry, Hit Oil Sector


Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the founders of search giant Google, have long had a dream of putting all the world #39;s information on the Internet, free for the world to browse.

Google plans to put millions of books online


By The Associated Press. Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield said yesterday that he and his wife were the targets of a blackmailer who claimed to have embarrassing videotapes showing her having sex with a professional musician.

Sheffield Says Wife Was Blackmail Target


LAKE FOREST, Illinois (Ticker) - Coming off their worst offensive performance of the season, the Chicago Bears placed guard Rex Tucker on injured reserve with a strained hamstring.

Bears #39; Tucker done for the season


Investors in digital copy protector Macrovision (Nasdaq: MVSN) are smarting this morning, after a 2 pre-earnings-announcement run-up in their stock #39;s price turned into a 6 rout in the announcement #39;s aftermath.

Macrovision Takes a Hit


BENSALEM, Pa. -- This was supposed to be a salute to Smarty Jones, a run on his home track before a rapturous crowd at Philadelphia Park.

Tapit is 2-1 favorite in Pennsylvania Derby


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States wants Israel to  further explain an Israeli official's statement that Israel  aims to freeze the peace process and effectively deny the  Palestinians a state, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

US Wants Israel to Explain Comment on Peace Process


Myanmar #39;s Prime Minister Khin Nyunt was removed from office Tuesday and placed under house arrest by the country #39;s military junta, the BBC reported.

Junta arrests Burma #39;s prime minister


France, Britain and Germany have told Iran that if they had not reached a final agreement to freeze key parts of its atomic programme by Monday, they would not stop moves to seek sanctions against Tehran.

EU trio hits Iran with nuclear deadline


Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. (RCMb.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) launched a friendly C\$1.4 billion (\$1.07 billion) cash bid for Microcell Telecommunications Inc.

UPDATE 3-Rogers bids C\$1.4 bln for Microcell, tops Telus


S outheast Portland resident Jerry Lindquist enjoys watching automotive programs, educational channels and TV shows on popular science.

Cable television a la carte


gt;Citigroup Inc. was sued by a group of institutional investors who contend the bank defrauded them in selling \$2.4 billion of notes linked to the creditworthiness of Enron Corp.

Business Topics by Industry


Hamas militants killed an Israeli soldier and wounded four with an explosion in a booby-trapped chicken coop Tuesday, in what the Islamic group said was a scheme

Hamas Militants Kill Israeli Soldier


Cirrus Logic Inc. (CRUS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , a maker of microchips for consumer electronics and other applications, on Wednesday said it had cut its work force by

UPDATE 1-Cirrus Logic cuts 7 percent of staff


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\ #36;149 and 149 euros ( #36;181) respectively.

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


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday  on the heels of a two-day rally, with Wall Street looking  poised for a pull back, while China's interest rate hike adds  concerns that global economic growth may slow.

Stocks Open Lower; China Rate Hike Weighs


Russians are observing a day of mourning Thursday for the 89 victims of two nearly simultaneous plane crashes Tuesday. Investigators say they have no evidence to prove whether the crashes late on Tuesday were caused by terrorism.

Russia Observes Day of Mourning for Plane Crash Victims


Search Engine Keyword Trademark Infringements\\On May 19, 2004, auto insurance company Geico sued Google and Overture for allegedly violating its trademarks in search-related advertisements, in the latest legal salvo against the Internet companies.\\The insurer charged the two companies with infringing on its trademarks when they sold them as keywords to ...

Keyword Trademark Infringements


NASA is relying on an overhaul of the space shuttle #39;s towering external fuel tank to eliminate dangerous debris that triggered the fatal breakup of Columbia nearly two years ago, space agency officials said Monday.

NASA is trying to reduce the size of liftoff debris


The benchmark US crude was down 96 cents, or 2, to \$43.03 a barrel, as traders felt confident about supply-and-demand dynamics. Prices are now down about 13 from their intraday record high of almost \$50 a barrel on Sept.

Crude Oil Slides Again


Lawmakers in divided Ivory Coast have approved a key reform measure, easing eligibility requirements for the presidency as part of efforts to move the stalled peace process forward.

Ivory Coast Lawmakers Approve Key Peace Proposal


Bernhard Langer is not ruling out staying on as Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2006 event in Ireland.

Golf: Langer mulls 2006 captaincy


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Most computer users believe they are  safe from online threats even as their machines fall victim to  viruses and spyware, according to a survey released on Monday.

Computer Security Survey Finds Awareness Gap


India #39;s most wanted, most brutal and most celebrated bandit has been killed in a shoot-out with police after more than 30 years on the run.

India #39;s celebrity outlaw killed


Reuters - South Korean mobile phone makers\continued a rapid move up the global market rankings during the\third quarter, while growth in the wider mobile phone market\slowed, a survey found on Wednesday.

Korean and Japanese Phone Makers Win -Survey (Reuters)


This time in Athens, the  quot;golden pair quot; China had prepared for its rivals was Chen Qi and Ma Lin, two Olympic rookies. In the final match played in the Galatsi Olympic Hall in northwest Athens Saturday afternoon

Profile: Chen Qi/Ma Lin, China #39;s new  quot;golden pair quot;


Treasury debt prices climbed on Thursday as higher jobless claims, a widening trade deficit and record high oil prices gave the market a positive tilt.

US Treasuries get a boost from data, rising oil


A Chicago man who threatened to go public with videotapes he claimed featured the troubled soul star R Kelly having sex with a professional athlete #39;s wife has been charged with extortion.

Latest R Kelly whistle-blower charged with extortion


CARACAS, Venezuela - Voters turned out in huge numbers Sunday to decide whether to keep populist President Hugo Chavez in power or oust him and his social revolution that critics say has sidelined the middle class and fueled tensions between rich and poor.    Activists on both sides set off huge firecrackers and played recorded bugle songs to wake voters hours before dawn...

Venezuela Voters Turn Out in Huge Numbers


An audiotape attributed to Ayman Zawahiri emerged Friday, stoking fears among some intelligence officials that the terrorist network is preparing a significant strike before the Nov. 2 election.

No. 2 Al Qaeda Leader Urges Attacks


GENEVA: Up to 15 hazardous substances are expected to be added to a  quot;watch list quot; regulating international trade in toxic industrial products and pesticides, the UN #39;s environmental agency said.

More toxic materials set to join global trade watch list


AFP - Geoff Boycott has slammed the International Cricket Council's proposal to relax the rules on chucking as the result of pressure from Sri Lanka on behalf of star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Boycott slams ICC 'chucker's charter' (AFP)


UK-based Internet entrepreneur Benjamin Cohen says that he got an unexpected shock last month after he checked his voicemail and heard a lawyer representing Apple Computer Inc.

Apple tangles with owner of itunes.co.uk


GAZA (Reuters) - Three Palestinian gunmen breached defenses  around an Israeli settlement in Gaza and killed three soldiers  before being shot dead Thursday, exacting the worst toll on  Israel's forces in occupied territory in four months.

Palestinians Kill 3 Israeli Soldiers at Settlement


TOWSON, Md. -- With just under 15 seconds left in the first half and Northeastern leading Towson by a touchdown, Huskies quarterback Shawn Brady had one message for his coach.

Brady on the ball for NU


Volunteers show marked improvement in verbal skills after a research team runs a weak current through their foreheads. The researchers say it could lead to innovative therapies for patients with brain injuries. By Amit Asaravala.

Apply Current, Boost Brain Power


IBM dispelled some of the gloom surrounding the tech industry #39;s third quarter performance yesterday, when it reported strong results for the period and raised expectations for the full year performance on the back of the just finished period.

IBM shrugs off industry blues in Q3


The unprecedented crisis over the European Commission moved decisively towards a conclusion last night when two would-be commissioners were dumped and a reshuffled team was announced.

Barroso claims his revamped team will now win backing from MEPs


Prince Harry has found himself at the centre of a controversy after a late-night scuffle with a photographer. According to royal officials, the 20-year-old was leaving the London nightclub Pangaea in the early

Harry #39;s security men (pictured) intervened in the altercation


Russian officials say three policemen have been charged with criminal negligence in connection with the deaths of more than 330 hostages seized by militants at a school in Beslan at the beginning of September.

Russia Charges 3 Policemen with Negligence in Beslan Hostage <b>...</b>


Former British SAS officer Simon Mann is convicted of attempting to buy arms for an alleged Equatorial Guinea coup plot.

'Mercenary leader' found guilty


VIENNA (Reuters) - Hans Knauss, one of the best known and  most experienced Austrian skiers, has tested positive for the  anabolic steroid nandrolone.

Knauss Tests Positive for Nandrolone


AP - U.S. and Iraqi security forces launched attacks Thursday to flush out insurgents in northern Iraq, the military and Iraqi officials said.

U.S.-Iraqi Security Forces Launch Attacks (AP)


A distant speck of light appears to be the first planet outside our solar system to be captured on film. While there is no definitive evidence that the speck is a planet, an international team of astronomers is arguing the case.

First Image of a Faraway Planet?


JERUSALEM - Israeli Cabinet ministers approved cash advances Tuesday of up to \$115,000 to Jewish settlers willing to leave their homes in the Gaza Strip and West Bank - the first concrete step toward carrying out Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's contentious pullout plan.    In a sign of growing tensions, Israeli police said Sharon and an official planning the withdrawal have been the targets of death threats by Jewish extremists...

Cabinet OKs Payment to Jewish Settlers


MADRID The Basque separatist group ETA struck Monday for the second time in days, exploding seven small bombs in seven cities throughout Spain, the Interior Ministry said.

Basque group sets off 7 explosions in Spain


Ernie Els took a three shot lead against Padraig Harrington at the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth today. The South African is three up on the Irishman after 17 holes of their semi-final this afternoon.

Els edges away from Harrington


November 19, 2004 - Valve updated the Steam site with a bit of news regarding Steam and Half-Life 2 support: A small number of Half-Life 2 customers have been experiencing problems while playing the game, and we have traced these issues to corrupt Steam

Steam Update


Iraqi insurgents yesterday kidnapped an American and up to five others in an audacious attack on a house in western Baghdad. An interior ministry source told the Guardian the militants approached the villa

Gunmen seize US and Arab hostages


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed above \$42 a barrel  on Wednesday, rising for the third day in a row as the heavy  consuming U.S. Northeast feels the first chills of winter.

Oil Prices Climb Above \$42 a Barrel


California geneticists have created a  quot;marathon mouse quot; that can run twice as far nongenetically altered mice, and eat ravenously without growing fat.

Geneticists rewire muscles to create a  #39;marathon mouse #39;


AP - Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 40 points, and the Miami Heat overcame the loss of leading scorer Dwyane Wade to beat the Washington Wizards 106-83 Monday night for their fifth straight win.

Heat Win 5th Straight, Beat Wizards 106-83 (AP)


KEVIN KEEGAN has challenged his resurgent Manchester City side to end Arsenal #39;s unbeaten run today and claim the prized scalp of  quot;the best team in the world quot;.

FOOTBALL: THE BEST ON EARTH


The 24-year-old sustained the injury after a challenge by Papa Bouba Diop in their 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday. A Villa spokesman said:  quot;Vassell has a fracture of his ankle.

Villa confirm Vassell setback


Singapore #39;s largest media publisher and the city-state #39;s biggest free-to-air broadcaster will take stakes in each others #39; operations, the two companies said Friday, four years after the industry was deregulated to boost competition.

Singapore #39;s Leading Media Firms to Merge


MINNEAPOLIS Daunte Culpepper engineered a pair of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to lead Minnesota #39;s 22-to-19 win over Detroit.

Vikings 22 Lions 19


AFP - Forty Britons have died in the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and 159 others were missing and

British death toll from tsunami could approach 200: foreign secretary (AFP)


AP - Tuskegee University officials called off Saturday's football game with Benedict College because of Hurricane Ivan's impact on Alabama.

Tuskegee-Benedict Football Game Postponed (AP)


Chipper Jones hit a three-run homer to help Atlanta overcome an early deficit last night, and the Braves reduced their magic number for clinching the NL East to eight by beating the Florida Marlins 8-1.

National League: Braves closing in on another crown


A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute computer science professor hopes to develop mathematical models that can uncover structure within the scattershot traffic of online public forums.  <FONT face=

U.S. Funds Chat-Room Surveillance Study


TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average fell 1.2 percent by  midsession on Friday as broad-ranged selling was prompted by a  steep fall on Wall Street in the past two sessions due to  concern about high oil prices.

Japan Stocks Slip by Midday


They could sit Rudy Tomjanovich in front of a Houston Rockets backdrop in a room full of his media friends, put his face on every scorecard in Toyota Center and hand him a microphone at midcourt to address the crowd.

Trip framed with closing win


Yes, say technologists there; they'll do it with a little help from Sony and a group of people called the Bro Dra.

Can Japan rule the consumer electronics realm?


Intel Corp., the world #39;s biggest maker of semiconductors, reduced its third-quarter revenue forecast Thursday, blaming lower-than-expected demand for flash memory and PC chips.

Intel lowers quarterly forecast


An ex-employee of the US space agency, Nasa, has pleaded not guilty to charges he falsified reports of safety checks on the space shuttle Discovery.

Nasa man  #39;faked safety checks #39;


London Stock Exchange Plc, Europe #39;s third-largest exchange by market value, said it received a 1.35 billion-pound (\$2.6 billion) takeover offer from Deutsche Boerse AG, the second attempt

LSE Receives \$2.6 Billion Offer From Deutsche Boerse (Update2)


Reuters - Pittsburgh Steelers starting\quarterback Tommy Maddox will be sidelined at least six weeks\after suffering a right elbow injury during Sunday's 30-13 loss\to Baltimore.

Maddox Sidelined at Least Six Weeks with Elbow Injury (Reuters)


Red Sox and Redbirds, a classic matchup filled with rich history. After finishing off the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox face their biggest National League nemesis, the St.

Cardinals complete a classic matchup


SpaceShipOne, the world's first privately built manned spacecraft, completed its third round-trip journey to space today, laying claim to the ten-million-dollar (U.S.) Ansari X Prize.

SpaceShipOne Wins Ten-Million-Dollar X Prize


GATUMBA, Burundi (Reuters) - Mourners covered their faces  to block the smell of disinfectant and death on Monday as they  buried more than 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees burned, hacked  and shot in an attack on their camp in western Burundi.

Congolese Massacre Victims in Burundi Mourned


Acer America Corporation, one of the leading worldwide suppliers of IT solutions, announced the newest addition to the Ferrari line of notebooks, the Ferrari 3400.

Acer Ferrari 3400 Notebook


ROCHESTER, NY - Eastman Kodak Co. accepted a \$92 million payout by Sun Microsystems Inc. to settle a \$1 billion patent-infringement lawsuit over the Silicon Valley company #39;s Java programming language.

Kodak, Sun Microsystems Settle Java Suit


Officials at 3Com said today they have signed an agreement to acquire TippingPoint Technologies, a maker of intrusion-prevention systems.

3Com to buy TippingPoint


AP - Colin Montgomerie looked out of place only once Sunday at the Ryder Cup. During the closing ceremonies, he walked self-consciously onto the stage without a female companion.

Montgomerie Triumphs in Ryder Cup (AP)


MicroWorld Software has cautioned Internet users about a new malicious worm known as the W32/Zafi-D. According to the antivirus and content security software provider, W32/Zafi-D behaves in a typical worm manner.

New Zafi-D Worm on the Prowl, Alerts MicroWorld


Los Angeles, CA -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed manager Jim Tracy to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the club through the 2006 season.

Dodgers Ink Tracy For Two More Years


At this time last year, Winky Wright was just another anonymous belt-holder. Despite having the IBF junior middleweight trinket, he was on the outside looking in at all the other big fights taking place around him.

Winky:  #39;I #39;m going to dominate Shane #39;


ATHENS (Reuters) - American Paul Hamm, who became the first  American to win the Olympics men's all-round gymnastics title,  should not have been awarded the gold, the sport's governing  body ruled Saturday.

Hamm Won Gymnastics Gold on Score Error: FIG


Residents of the Sadr City slum in western Baghdad on Tuesday said they hoped an unofficial truce between a Shiite Muslim militia and US and Iraqi government

As Sadr City calms, sanitation projects loom


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Video game accessory maker Mad Catz  Interactive Inc. will release a series of game-related products  based on Disney properties starting with

Mad Catz Signs Games Accessory Deal with Disney


Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court said on\Tuesday that it would decide whether the government can take a\person's home or business for a private development project\intended to boost tax revenues and revitalize a local economy.

Supreme Court to Review Taking Property for Development (Reuters)


Donovan McNabb threw for 376 yards and four touchdowns to lead Philadelphia to a 34-31 overtime win at Cleveland. Minnesota #39;s Daunte Culpepper completed 24 of 30 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown to lead the Vikings to a 20-3 rout of Tennessee.

Leftwich is best on day of passing


Giants rookie quarterback Eli Manning will take an 0-2 record as a pro starter into Sunday's game against the Redskins at FedEx Field.

Shouldering a Giant Load


Injuries: Michigan State -- LB Seth Mitchell (knee), questionable. Notre Dame -- RB Ryan Grant (hamstring), probable. Overview: The Spartans, going for their seventh victory in eight games vs.

Today #39;s games


ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS - Nova Scotia Power officials continued to keep the sluice gates open at one of the utility #39;s hydroelectric plants Wednesday in hopes a wayward whale would leave the area and head for the open waters of the Bay of Fundy.

Wayward whale yet to leave NS power plant area


The US-based oral care and personal products company Colgate-Palmolive Company is drawing a blueprint to restructure its operations.

Colgate to cut work force, India may emerge hub


LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was expected to start little  changed on Friday as investors continue to fret over the impact  of high oil prices on earnings, while Boeing <A HREF=

Wall St. Seen Flat at Open as Oil Eyed


That #39;s the game Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are playing as the search-engine war heats up. Microsoft is rolling out a new search engine today, touting it as  quot;the largest index of information, quot; with more than 5 billion Web documents.

Search Swagger


LANDSTUHL, Germany - Getting the Purple Heart Medal for his war wounds doesnt mean Spc. Kris Clinkscales is a hero. Getting the Purple Heart just means the rocket found me, quipped the 22-year-old

Wounded servicemen describe Fallujah fight


JERUSALEM - The real objective of Ariel Sharon's offer to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank is to freeze Palestinian statehood indefinitely, with U.S. blessing, the prime minister's point man with the Bush administration acknowledged in an interview published Wednesday...

Sharon Aide Nixes Palestinian State


IBM is attacking every rival system it can think of with a new line of low-cost Unix servers aimed at mid-sized customers. The p5-520 and p5-550 fit in IBM #39;s Express line of  quot;budget quot; hardware be they servers or storage systems.

IBM in attack mode with  #39;budget #39; Power kit


AP - Newly elected Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid prodded President Bush and Republicans on Tuesday to join him in working across party lines over the next two years and said,

New Senate Dems Leader Seeks Cooperation (AP)


Reuters - Stocks moving on Thursday: EXXON MOBIL\, ROYAL DUTCH PETROLEUM CO. :

Stocks to Watch Thursday (Reuters)


Augusto Pinochet was president of Chile from 1974 to 1990 Chile #39;s former President Augusto Pinochet pictured has been placed under house arrest on human rights charges.

Chilean judge indicts Pinochet


Sudan said it had imprisoned some Darfur militia and police for crimes including rape, the first admission that government security forces have committed human rights abuses there, a Khartoum daily said on Sunday.

Sudan jails some Darfur security forces - report


AP - Madden NFL 2005 and Spider-Man 2 are among the dozen video games Nintendo Co. says it plans to offer for is new DS handheld system within a month of the product's November launch.

Nintendo Unveils Lineup for DS Handheld (AP)


AP - Brad Radke pitched seven solid innings, Corey Koskie drove in three runs and the Minnesota Twins beat the New York Yankees in the regular season for the first time since 2001 with an 8-2 victory Tuesday night.

Twins Collect Rare Victory Over Yankees (AP)


TALKS on a free trade agreement with China will begin in March, opening a porthole to the world #39;s biggest market. An Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement, potentially worth more than \$190 billion, also looks more likely than ever before.

Talks set for China free trade


The American envoy to Sudan stressed that the political solution for the Darfur district crisis lies in Nivasha peace agreement with the southern rebels so as to end the central authority.

Washington: Darfur peace is linked to peace in the south


Since being slapped with yet more criticism and tough demands from the UN nuclear watchdog, Iran has reacted with noisy indignation while still signalling its willingness to negotiate.

Iran angered but leaves door open for negotiations in nuclear <b>...</b>


AP - President Bush has been gaining ground among overall voters as a leader and the man to fight terrorism, but swing voters have been less impressed, a tracking poll suggests.

Bush Gains, but Not With Swing Voters (AP)


LONDON: Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted the form of Michael Kasprowicz had left the world champions with a problem to solve ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy which gets underway in England on Friday.

Ponting confident about Kasprowicz


Pledging to respect private wealth and fight corruption, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has told his opponents they should not fear his left-wing  quot;revolution quot;.

Venezuelan president appeals for unity


Food and consumer goods giant Unilever has shocked investors by reining in expectations for full-year profit growth to under five percent due to stiff competitor pressure and poor weather.

Unilever warns on profits


CLEVELAND - On the campaign trail, Vice President Dick Cheney often jabs at Democrat John Edwards for his past as a trial lawyer, blaming his sort for

Cheney, Edwards to Meet in Only Debate


p2pnet.net News - Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who invented the World Wide Web, is going home to England where he #39;s been appointed a professor at Southampton University.

Berners-Lee returns to UK


Hubie Brown appeared at a news conference Friday but did not elaborate on the health issues that led to his retirement as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Hubie meets press; no details on health


An unusual alliance of US and European private equity firms has won the auction to buy Bermuda-based satellite business Intelsat. Europeans Apax and Permira and US firms Apollo Management and Madison Dearborn will pay \$3bn for the business and assume \$2bn ...

European/US private equity consortium buys Intelsat in deal valued at \$5bn


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents slaughtered 11 Iraqi soldiers and declared yesterday that Iraqi fighters will avenge women and children killed in US strikes on the guerrilla stronghold of Fallujah.

Rebels execute 11 Iraqi soldiers


Unless you live under a rock the size of Canada you #39;ve heard or read something this week about desktop search. Google sparked considerable interest with its Desktop Search launch in October, and the past few

What #39;s all the fuss about desktop search?


BERKELEY, California (Ticker) -- Behind the running by JJ Arrington and the arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, No. 13 California recorded another convincing victory.

California Golden Bears


Russian authorities have assessed a new tax claim for \$114 million on one of Yukos' smaller subsidiaries, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday, in the latest legal assault against the embattled Russian oil giant.

Yukos Subsidiary Tomskneft Gets \$114 Million Tax Bill


PC Workspace Services initially will serve businesses with 500 or more employees and eventually will work with smaller companies. By Kevin Ferguson, SmallBiz Pipeline.

Dell Launches Help-Desk Service For Smaller Businesses


After one of the worst losses the Jets have had in a long time, a Same Old Jets loss, LaMont Jordan stood there at the podium and tried to take the fall for everybody.

Can #39;t Hackett


Reuters - Pfizer Inc. said on Monday it plans to\sponsor a major clinical study to further assess the\cardiovascular safety of its arthritis drug Celebrex following\the withdrawal of Merck   Co.'s Vioxx, a drug in the same\class.

Pfizer to Sponsor Large New Celebrex Trial (Reuters)


ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps is done for the Olympics. Shortly after winning his fifth gold medal and seventh overall, Phelps told U.S...

Phelps to Forgo Final Race of Olympics


OCTOBER 13, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Borland Software Corp. and IBM announced upgrades to their development tools this week designed to support heterogeneous environments and more closely link software creation to business goals.

IBM, Borland upgrade developer tools


The US Labor Department said Thursday the number of workers filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits rose by 10,000 last week.

US weekly jobless claims rise


Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is beating the wireless drum. Its decision this week to throw \$150 million at wireless service venture Clearwire shows that Intel is serious about broadband wireless.

Intel Buys Growth


MacCentral - The PC industry is doing a better job of satisfying its U.S. customers than in recent years, and improvements to technical support seem to have done the trick, according to the results of a study released Tuesday by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Study: Apple, Dell lead PC customer satisfaction index (MacCentral)


Athens, Greece -- Debbie Ferguson carried the blue and yellow Bahamian flag during the parade of nations in the Olympic opening ceremony, then stood proudly Wednesday night as it flew in Olympic Stadium to honor her bronze medal in the 200 meters.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


A stolen copy of the latest sequel in one of the top-selling video game series of all time began circulating on the Web late Wednesday, the second high-profile game theft in a week.

Grand theft intellectual property


For 24 sets of horses, trainers, jockeys, strappers and connections, the ultimate Australian sporting prize is within reach today at famous Flemington - the \$4.

Elvstroem all set for race that stops a nation


The number of U.S. IT jobs increased by just 2 percent between the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, and demand for IT workers is expected to slow during the rest of the year, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA).

ITAA sees limited IT job growth in '04


Oracle is to raise its hostile bid for rival business software maker PeopleSoft to \$8.8 billion, calling this its  #39;best and final #39; offer.

Oracle unveils  #39;final #39; PeopleSoft offer


Wal-Mart #39;s CIO talks about the potential for RFID to revolutionize the retailer #39;s  quot;take-care-of-the-customer quot; processes.

Linda Dillman On RFID


Mitsubishi Motors Corp. shareholders approved a move Wednesday that was needed to accept new cash into the scandal-plagued Japanese automaker after DaimlerChrysler AG of Germany decided to withdraw further support.

Mitsubishi Shareholders Approve Move


National Grid Transco has sold half of its gas distribution networks for 5.8bn (\$10.4bn), it was announced today. The move has been welcomed by the gas and electricity regulator Ofgem, which said new competition in the sector could lower prices.

Transco sells four gas networks


Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd says it does not want to limit its options on the price it has offered for Australia #39;s National Foods Ltd.

Fonterra does not rule out higher offer for National Foods


I was present at the Pakistan National Assembly session in Islamabad when the bill authorising President Pervez Musharraf to retain his uniform was introduced in the House.

The idea of Pakistan


AP - The Australian government has been accused of humiliating Aborigines plagued by a blinding infection after offering to provide their community with a gasoline pump if they agreed to make their children wash their faces twice a day.

Aborigines Accuse Gov't. of Humiliation (AP)


Microsoft will give customers advance notice of its monthly security updates in an effort to help them prepare to install related software patches, the company announced today.

Microsoft to Help Users Prep for Patching


London - Indian captain Sourav Ganguly #39;s appeal against a two-match ban will be heard by a New Zealand lawyer within seven days, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.

Ganguly waiting on appeal


The Moab Music Festival takes the outdoor concert to the extreme by ferrying musicians, guests and instruments into a red-rock grotto.

In Nature's Own Concert Hall, Sound Is Forever


AP - The Tennessee Volunteers are ranked ninth in the country. They have defeated Southeastern Conference rivals Georgia and Florida. Yet they're counting on a victory over a struggling opponent for some national recognition. Of course, the opponent Saturday just happens to be Notre Dame.

Vols Want Respect by Beating Notre Dame (AP)


Linebacker Barrett Green scored on a 16-yard fumble return and the Giants forced seven turnovers, handing Tom Coughlin his first win as the team's head coach.

Giants' Coughlin Gets Win Over Redskins


SAN FRANCISCO Google and Microsoft were to separately introduce enhanced information-sharing services for Internet users on Thursday.

Google and Microsoft to update data sharing


Turns out that Ludlow Music, which claims to own the copyright on a classic Woody Gutherie song, may not actually own it after all. Which means JibJab, a scrappy web animation site, gets to use 'This Land Is Your Land' to its heart's content. By Katie Dean.

JibJab Is Free for You and Me


Among the tables, charts and bottom-line numbers in venture capital firm    Grotech Capital Group's  quarterly report to its investors is what Managing General Partner    Frank A. Adams  calls his

Venture Capital's Transparency Trouble


Does Playboy Interview Violate Google IPO?\\On the day of the IPO comes more Google controversy - Google rsquo;s founders will appear in an upcoming issue of Playboy magazine. Although the interview was apparently held before the IPO hype,  the Playboy interview may have broken US Securities laws over pre-IPO  #8220;quiet ...


It #39;s Tuesday morning in college football, California still isn #39;t going to the Rose Bowl and, frankly, people want answers.

Cal is skeptical of voting


Building supplies-to-cheque printing group Novar today agreed to be taken over by US giant Honeywell for 798 million. The deal sent shares in Novar up more than 14 and is

Novar Agrees on 798M Takeover


New Delhi, October 1: The issue of telecast rights for the upcoming India-Australia Test cricket series turned more complex on Friday with the Prasar Bharati saying it was an  quot;aggrieved party quot; as it was a higher bidder than Sony TV in the original tender

Prasar Bharati claims its bid higher than Sony


NEW YORK - One thing Bernard Hopkins knockout of Oscar De La Hoya hasnt changed for the middleweight champion: he still needs to beat Roy Jones to feel fulfilled.

Hopkins wants piece of Roy Jones


WASHINGTON -- Three men, including NBA free agent Rodney White, face weapons charges after a uniformed Secret Service officer allegedly saw them randomly shooting in the air early Sunday morning while driving on Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.

White played for Nuggets past two seasons


The Palestinian prime minister urged the United States on Friday to stick to its original 2005 deadline for Palestinian statehood, arguing that President Bush #39;s recent proposal

Palestinians Urge US to Keep Deadline


The Wi-Fi Alliance

Wi-Fi group: Jumping the gun on gear is risky


AFP - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer arrived in the West Bank for talks with the new Palestinian leadership ahead of a meeting later in the day with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

German FM meets with Palestinian leadership ahead of talks in Israel (AFP)


A toxic batch of home-brewed alcohol has killed 31 people in several towns in central Pakistan, police and hospital officials say.

Pakistani home brew kills 31


The former plans to team up its intrusion prevention technology with the latter's vulnerability management software.

McAfee grabs Foundstone


BEIJING (Reuters) - The six parties trying to end a crisis  over North Korea's nuclear ambitions could hold working group  talks in November, diplomats said on Thursday, the first sign  of progress since Pyongyang stalled after the last round.

Korean Nuclear Talks May Convene in November


Ravens defensive back Deion Sanders appears close to returning for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

Sanders Nears Return


Microsoft is expanding its experimental Windows XP Starter Edition program to India, the company disclosed on Wednesday. It #39;s the second such announcement from Microsoft this week.

Microsoft Expands Lower-Cost Windows XP Program To India


Sun Microsystems and the University of Texas at Austin are set to flip the switch on a unique supercomputer that will vastly speed up massive data analysis and visualisation to tackle time-critical problems such as weather

Sun Microsystems teams up on supercomputer


BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Diego Maradona was taken to hospital for a time Saturday with breathing problems but was then sent back to a drug treatment center and his life was not in immediate danger, a family member said.

Former star returns to clinic quickly


Talks between Alitalia and the unions were continuing on Tuesday as hopes rose of staving off bankruptcy at Italy's troubled national airline.

Hopes rise for Alitalia rescue


Ziff Davis - Third-party software developers that make their living selling add-on enterprise resource planning applications are bracing for a seismic shift in their business.

Developers Prep for Oracle (Ziff Davis)


IBM is expanding its resources to help application software companies generate leads and close sales.

IBM enhances support for ISVs


A bricks and mortar music store is transforming into a clicks and mortar presence, as the Virgin Group is launching a music store in the US.

Virgin Music launches music store


Tyngsboro is fast becoming comparable to the Buffalo Bills of the early 1990s. After three consecutive Super Bowl losses, the Tigers once again find themselves with a playoff berth and yet another Commonwealth Large title.

Tigers hoping to break through


An alliance between US IT giant Cisco and Japan's Fujitsu could help both business boost sales as competition in the market for  broadband equipment ramps up.

Cisco and Fujitsu form Japan ties


ConAgra Foods Inc. reported a 30 percent drop in first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, citing sales lost from discontinued operations and higher costs for materials.

Update 1: ConAgra Reports Drop in 1Q Earnings


By RICK CALLAHAN    INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Using a creature as hideous as any big-screen sci-fi monster, scientists have produced a one-minute horror movie starring a menacing, spidery virus swooping in on a hapless blob of bacteria.    While the shape-changing virus is clearly the villain, the bacterium is E...

Short Film Shows Virus Going in for the Kill


PCs running Linux are growing in popularity in part because they can be loaded with a pirated copy of Windows, according to a study from analyst Gartner.

Desktop Linux a vehicle for pirating Windows


AP - Volcanic rock has flowed to the surface of Mount St. Helens' crater, creating a new lava dome after weeks of seismic activity, a geologist said Tuesday.

New Lava Dome Growing on Mount St. Helens (AP)


InfoWorld - Sybase later this year will ship PowerDesigner 11.0, an enterprise data modeling tool for building or re-engineering business processes and aligning business and IT goals, according to the company.

Tools wrap: Sybase, Clear Clear eye data modeling, BPEL (InfoWorld)


Government regulators approved rules yesterday that would phase out discounts the four major regional telephone companies offer rivals for access to their networks, a move likely to lead to higher phone bills for some 18 million residential phone customers served by AT amp;T Corp., MCI Inc., and other carriers.

FCC clears new phone rules


AP - All-Star outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. had surgery Monday to repair his torn right hamstring and is expected to return for spring training.

Reds' Griffey Jr. Has Hamstring Surgery (AP)


Rubens Barrichello #39;s start-to-finish win - holding off the double challenge of young guns Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen - enthralled genuine sports fans and undoubtedly had the marketing men rubbing their hands as the sport sunk its claws into China #39;s

Chinese GP new star of F1 circuit


Elections in Iraq scheduled to take place by Jan. 31 may be postponed because of continued widespread violence or a coordinated boycott by Sunni Muslims, US and Iraqi officials said.

Iraqi Unrest May Delay Elections, Officials Warn (Update2)


ATHENS (Reuters) - The U.S. women took their third  consecutive gold medal in Olympic basketball Saturday, breaking  open a close game in the fourth quarter to beat Australia  74-63.

U.S. Women Win Third Consecutive Basketball Gold


More than 30 people were killed and more than 60 wounded in a rash of suicide car bombs and mortar and rocket attacks in the Sunni Triangle on Saturday as US Marines

Over 30 Killed in Iraq attacks, 20 Americans wounded


SRINAGAR: Police detained a separatist leader and fired tear gas shells to scatter protesters in Kashmir yesterday, the fourth straight day of protests against the alleged rape of a young girl and her mother by an Indian soldier.

Police fire tear gas on rape claim protesters


Motorsport.com. BAR test driver Anthony Davidson was due to try out for Williams at the beginning of December but BAR has put a stop to it.

BAR stops Davidson #39;s Williams test


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Computer Associates, the beleaguered maker of corporate software, will tap a longtime IBM executive as its new chief, according to a published report Monday.

CA reportedly set to name new chief


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and the European  Union are unlikely to reach agreement on a new civil aircraft  pact, a European Union official said on Thursday, increasing  chances the two sides could fight out the issue at the World  Trade Organization.

Chances of New U.S.-EU Aircraft Pact Dwindling -EU


Federal regulators and prosecutors are scouring tape recordings of more than 150 Riggs Bank board meetings as they investigate what role top executives, including former chairman Joe L. Allbritton, played in more than a decade of violations of anti-money-laundering laws at the company, according to five sources familiar with the tapes.

Riggs Probe Includes Recordings


AP - Talk about temptation:  #36;20,000 worth of box seat tickets for New York Yankees playoff games, just lying there on the street. Nine youngsters who came across the tickets turned them in.

Youngsters Return Yankees Playoff Tickets (AP)


MICROSOFT #39;S fiscal 2005 sales will be unable to keep up with the gains of earlier years, even if technology spending continues to improve, the company said in a US regulatory filing last week.

Microsoft sales down


It #39;s a great time to be an Internet shopper, but the same search technology that is transforming the Web into a bargain-hunter #39;s paradise is putting the squeeze

Web Retailers Facing Pre-Holiday Changes


Japans most closely watched business sentiment barometer rose to its highest in 13 years in September but the outlook for the coming months dimmed, underscoring concern that the economic recovery is losing steam.

Japan firms sentiment at 13-year high


Go outside on Wednesday evening and take a look at the moon. It will look mighty strange. The Earth #39;s dark shadow will march across the face of the moon and by 9:30 pm the moon will take on an eerie red color.

Central Texas gets look at lunar eclipse


SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The surging Boston Red Sox attempt to win their seventh straight series when they conclude a four-game set against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

J. Lopez, SS


Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has pledged to put his Football Association misconduct charge behind him and keep his side #39;s title challenge on track at Portsmouth on Sunday.

Wenger puts ticking-off behind him


No, the SCO Group is the copyright violator, according to Big Blue's latest filing.

IBM asks for Linux ban on SCO


A Chilean judge on Monday formally charged former dictator Augusto Pinochet with homicide and kidnapping in one of many pending cases related to human rights abuses committed during his 17-year rule.

Chilean Judge Charges Pinochet in Rights Case


(CP) - Canadian Jason Bay married longtime girlfriend Kristen on Saturday and picked up the National League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday.

Fresh off wedding, Canadian Jason Bay wins NL rookie award in <b>...</b>


The United States says it will continue to slap duties on countries it claims dump their goods on the US market, despite a World Trade Organisation ruling Tuesday that authorises seven nations and the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions against

US Defies WTO Ruling On Duties


Reuben Droughns is on pace to become the fifth different running back to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season under Coach Mike Shanahan.

Droughns Is a Perfect Fit in Shanahan's System With Broncos


Green Bay, WI (Sports Network) - Chris Brown rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns and Steve McNair threw for 206 yards and two scores to lead the Tennessee Titans to a 48-27 rout of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

NFL Game Summary - Tennessee at Green Bay


The first maps detailing the  #39;right to roam #39; on privately owned land are being published on Sunday. The Countryside Agency will be printing open access maps for the whole of England over the course of the next 15 months.

Right to roam maps published


WASHINGTON - Despite its clear risks and bad press, hormone therapy remains the best treatment for some women suffering miserable menopause symptoms - and it is inappropriate for doctors to withhold, says a new guide to help doctors and patients with the difficult decision.    Women who do try estrogen should use the lowest possible dose for the shortest period of time, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stressed...

New Menopause Hormone Therapy Guide Issued


The Aeros got a painful reminder of the prowess of a pair of their former teammates Wednesday night. They saw two of their former players combine for a goal and two assists

Former Aeros bite old teammates


COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri running back Damien Nash didn #39;t start against Texas on Saturday because he had inflammation in his right knee after getting banged up against Baylor a week earlier.

Knee inflammation limits Nash #39;s playing time


AP - Katie Gearlds scored 21 points for No. 21 Purdue, which handed 15th-ranked DePaul its first loss of the season, 69-61 Thursday night.

No. 21 Purdue Defeats No. 15 DePaul 69-61 (AP)


AP - The Michigan Wolverines knew they would have to replace quarterback John Navarre and running back Chris Perry this season. They had no idea two freshmen, Chad Henne and Michael Hart, would be doing it.

Michigan Led by Fab Two: Henne and Hart (AP)


AP - President Bush showered  #36;136 billion in new tax breaks on businesses, farmers and other groups Friday, quietly signing the most sweeping rewrite of corporate tax law in nearly two decades.

Bush Signs  #36;136B Corporate Tax Cut Bill (AP)


Little is known about the household employee at the center of the controversy enveloping Bernard B. Kerik, the former nominee for homeland security secretary.

Mystery Woman in Kerik Case: Nanny


A long-awaited audit, released by the high court of publishing, confirmed Newsday #39;s admission that its circulation was heavily inflated and cut the size of its New York City edition.

Audit finds Newsday circulation heavily inflated


American Taylor Dent has squeezed in an opening-round victory over Australian Peter Luczak before rain washed out the rest of the day #39;s play at the China Open at Beijing.

Dent moves past Aussie in China Open


BEIJING : Wimbledon winner Maria Sharapova scorched Russian compatriot Tatiana Panova 6-1, 6-1 to kick-start her campaign at the China Open and book a place in the quarter-finals.

Tennis: Sharapova slams Panova in Beijing


One of the tongue-in-cheek rules that we column-writers have is,

IPO's Success Doesn't Justify Google's Price


On a gloriously sunny San Francisco day last April, a friend and I paid \$150 for tickets worth less than \$80 to see the San Francisco Giants play the Milwaukee Brewers at SBC Park. Of course, like thousands of others on that chilly Monday afternoon, we weren't there so much to see the game as to get a chance to ...

Cheaters are still winners in the eyes of many fans


Reuters - Americans know George\Washington as the dour founding father with white hair and\ponytail depicted on U.S. currency, but most people have little\idea what the nation's first president really looked like\beyond this stock image.

Scientists to Flesh Out George Washington's Appearance (Reuters)


A new version of GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) desktop interfaces is now available for download.

New GNOME version is available for Linux users


NEW DELHI, AUGUST 30: India has formally offered Bangladesh help in investigating the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina some 10 days ago, in which 20 people, including grassroots leaders of her Awami League party, and nearly 200

Attack on Hasina gets a worried Delhi to tell Dhaka: we can help <b>...</b>


LONDON - A journalist posing as a workman was able to gain access to a private area of the Queen #39;s official Scottish residence in the latest breach of royal security in Britain.

Journalist breaks into residence of Queen


WASHINGTON - CBS News mounted an aggressive defense Friday of its report about President Bush's service in the Air National Guard, with anchor Dan Rather saying broadcast memos questioned by forensic experts came from

CBS Defends Report on Bush Guard Memos


Halo 2 has the feel of an instant classic, with addictive gameplay and impressive graphics.

Halo sequel delivers on the hype


BAE Systems acquires a US firm which provides computer and IT systems to the US defence department.

BAE buys IT supplier to Pentagon


(Sports Network) - Anaheim registered a narrow 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field Sunday night. John Lackey pitched 7 1/3 solid innings to lead the Angels to the victory.

Anaheim Angels Team Report - September 6


Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix scheduled for today was postponed yesterday because of a typhoon. Race organizers and Formula One moved pre-qualifying and qualifying to

GP qualifying bumped


ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps won another gold medal, this time wearing khaki shorts and flip-flops. From a front-row seat at the Olympic pool, Phelps watched his teammates do all the work in the 400-meter medley relay Saturday night...

Spectator Phelps' 8th Medal Ties Record


AP - For the first time this season, The Associated Press poll received a serious shake-up  #151; just not at the top. Big wins by Auburn, Georgia, California and Purdue, combined with surprising losses by West Virginia, Ohio State and Fresno State helped to overhaul the media poll released Sunday.

Big Upsets Shake Up AP Football Poll (AP)


A new study sponsored by Macrovision, the Software and Information Industry Association, and the Centralized Electronic Licensing User Group has found that there is a discrepancy between where software companies think software licensing is heading and

Subscription-based licensing lacking corporate excitement


The Black Watch regiment has returned to its base in Basra in southern Iraq after a month-long mission standing in for US troops in a more violent part of the country, the Ministry of Defence says.

Black Watch troops return to Basra


Dispute between regulators and SBC IP Communications highlights an endangered species: the 10-digit number.

VoIP firm tussles with states over phone numbers


Yahoo said today that it agreed to buy Web-based digital music and software provider Musicmatch, in a deal which will supplement the offerings of Yahoo's digital music site.

Yahoo to Buy Musicmatch for \$160 Million in Cash


Reports over the weekend claimed that Liverpool were considering making a move to bring Owen back to Anfield after his summer move to Madrid.

Liverpool return not Real option for Owen


Two former executives of Computer Associates International pleaded not guilty to charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice.

Ex-Executives of Computer Associates Plead Not Guilty


For the second time in two games, the veteran United States team was outscored, outshot, outskated and outplayed in the World Cup of Hockey tournament.

Americans Fail to Match Russians' Level of Desire


SYDNEY - Media mogul Rupert Murdoch said in a Thursday newspaper interview he would take a second stab at uprooting his News Corp Ltd empire from Australia to the United States if investors block the deal first time around.

Murdoch  #39;to relaunch News deal #39; if loses poll


The family of Margaret Hassan, the 59-year-old aid worker kidnapped in Iraq last month, said Tuesday they believed she was dead.

Margaret Hassan Believed Dead


No. 19 Maryland is a potent offensive team this season, one with several players who are capable scoring threats. But occasionally, even the best shooters fail to get their shots to fall.

Maryland Is a Bit Off, But Still Wins in Rout


After guiding earnings expectations lower, Nokia is now saying results will be better than expected.

Talking Up Nokia


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): UN peacekeepers and Haitian police rounded up 75 people for questioning Wednesday in a dawn sweep of the capitals Bel-air district, bastion of former president Jean Bertrand Aristides partisans, aimed at quelling violence

UN, Haitian police round up 75 in dawn sweep to curtail violence


The Sudanese government and southern rebels vowed today to end Sudan's long civil war by the end of this year.

At Unusual U.N. Session, Sudanese Factions Vow to End War


Petter Solberg #39;s current form exhausts superlatives, yet winning the Rally of Italy and completing a hat-trick has done little to improve his chances of remaining world champion.

Solberg world class in losing his title


Mellon Financial is good for Boston We take exception to Sasha Talcott's characterization of Mellon Financial in her story on corporate giving in Boston ( quot;Mergers pinching smaller nonprofits, quot; Nov. 21).

Letters


AFP - Malaysia's former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has made no commitment yet to join any political party but is likely to play a role in a multi-party alliance, probably in opposition, he told AFP.

Malaysia's Anwar mulls multi-party alliance (AFP)


Recent games between Real Madrid and Valencia have gone a long way to determining the fate of the Spanish league title. But perhaps not this season.

Madrid and Valencia, two teams struggling, meet in La Liga this <b>...</b>


by Harry Bortman    In part 1 of this interview with Astrobiology Magazine editor Henry Bortman, planetary scientist David Grinspoon explained how Venus evolved from a wet planet similar to Earth to the scorching hot, dried-out furnace of today. In part 2, Grinspoon discusses the possibility of life on Venus...

Venus: Inhabited World?


Leisure firm Rank Group will look at all options on the future of its Deluxe film and video processing business, including a demerger and sale, its chief executive says.

Rank to consider all options on Deluxe


AP - Back at No. 1 for the 29th straight week, it's everybody's favorite ringtone. The music market tracker Billboard will begin ranking the customized mobile phone sound snippets beginning next week  #151; another sign that ringtones are fast becoming a staple of recording industry sales,

Billboard to Rank Cell Phone Ringtones (AP)


A man in Thailand has died of avian flu, the first human casualty in the country since the disease re-emerged in Asia in July, officials said Thursday.

Teen first in Thailand to die of avian flu since disease re <b>...</b>


Equatorial Guinea #39;s state prosecutor has called for the death penalty for a South African man accused of taking part in an alleged coup attempt.

Death penalty call in E Guinea


Astros: Houston got rolling under manager Phil Garner, who replaced Jimy Williams at the All-Star break, and an amazing late-season surge carried the Astros to the wild card.

NL playoffs: Astros vs. Braves


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The British Columbia government does not have to pay for a  costly early childhood treatment for autism, the Supreme Court of Canada said Friday.

B.C. doesn't have to pay for special autism treatment: Supreme Court (Canadian Press)


November 6, 2004 -- Verizon Wireless will buy NextWave Telecom Inc. #39;s airwaves for \$3 billion, increasing capacity in New York and 22 other cities, as part of efforts to reclaim the No.

VERIZON CATCHES \$3B NEXTWAVE


Investor's Business Daily - Philips Semiconductors has a plan to cash in on the craze for cool new features in cell phones.

Philips Gets The Jump On Another New Promising Wireless Technology: NFC (Investor's Business Daily)


Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan have cost NASA a least a week's worth of work and upset its tight schedule for resuming shuttle flights, throwing into doubt the space agency's plans to launch Discovery in early spring.

Hurricanes May Have Upset NASA's Return-to-Flight Schedule


LONDON The Mexican cement company Cemex said Monday that it would buy the British concrete maker RMC Group for 2.3 billion to expand in Europe and increase its product line.

Cemex to acquire UK rival


The French prime minister says a French-language satellite TV news channel will be launched next year.

France to launch global TV news


CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (Reuters) - Public health and  education workers kicked and punched a sports utility vehicle  carrying Mexican President Vicente Fox on Friday as he toured  Ciudad Juarez on the U.S. border, local media said.

Protesters Attack Fox's Car in Mexico Border City


Will the chip maker ever overcome Intel's advantage in the notebook market?

AMD Releases New Mobile Sempron


The opening match of the 35th Ryder Cup featured four of the best golfers in the world, one of whom may yet be remembered as the greatest player of all.

Hats off to new cringe factor record


AP - Al Davis never considered releasing Jerry Rice  #151; that's just not the way the Oakland Raiders' owner wanted to treat the NFL's most prolific receiver.

Davis Says Trading Rice Was Difficult (AP)


Reuters - Frost will become less and less\common across much of the world as global warming accelerates,\U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.

Global Warming Means More Frost-Free Days - Report (Reuters)


Building on a longstanding relationship, Alcatel (Quote, Chart) will help China Telecom deploy 1.3 million DSL (define) lines, the latest in a slew of recent industry deals from emerging markets.

Alcatel Spreading DSL Wealth in China


WICHITA, Kan. Dec 14, 2004 - A former junior college basketball coach was indicted on charges that he provided false academic information about his athletes to Division I schools looking to recruit the players.

Former Kan. Junior College Coach Indicted


Nothing announces the molasses-like onset of autumn as much as the cooling temperatures, and colorful fronds and leavessomething I refer to as a sort of pleasant depression or a delightful malaise.

Art as Game: Grand Theft Auto Hi


Officials from the Department of Homeland Security formalized plans on Thursday to begin screening airline passengers against a list of potential terror suspects

Government to Begin Passenger Screening


Ukrainian MPs will make a new attempt on Wednesday to agree reforms ahead of the election re-run.

Ukraine in election law deadlock


Trade in great white sharks would be restricted under a proposal adopted at a UN wildlife conference today, despite criticism that there is little evidence suggesting the fearsome ocean predators are threatened by commercial trade.

Great White Sharks Given New Protection


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday as oil  prices eased a little and Friday's start-of-quarter buying  spree continued into the new week.

Stocks Rise; Siebel Boosts Tech Shares


AP - Police defused a time-bomb in a town near Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's villa on the island of Sardinia on Wednesday shortly after British Prime Minister Tony Blair finished a visit there with the Italian leader.

Bomb Found in Town After Blair Visit (AP)


TABA, Egypt (Reuters) - Rescue workers began to lose hope  of finding survivors in the rubble of an Egyptian Red Sea hotel  on Saturday, almost 48 hours after three bombs aimed at Israeli  tourists killed at least 33 people.

Hope Fades of Finding Survivors in Taba Rubble


High-octane energy drink Red Bull thinks it can go faster on the racetrack than Jaguar. The beverage in the tiny can bought Jaguar #39;s celebrated Grad Prix team from Jaguar #39;s

RED BULL PUTS JAG IN F-ONE


VIENNA (Reuters) - The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog,  Mohamed ElBaradei, is seeking a third term at the helm of the  International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a note circulated to  the agency's governing board on Monday confirmed.

ElBaradei Confirmed Seeking Third Term at IAEA


Dikembe Mutombo, 38, has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that will send him from the Chicago Bulls to Houston in exchange for Eric Piatkowski, Adrian Griffin and Mike Wilks, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mutombo says he #39;s being traded to Rockets; will back up, mentor <b>...</b>


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

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


SPACE.com - Every August, when many \  people are vacationing in the country where skies are dark, the best-known meteor \  shower makes its appearance. The annual Perseid meteor shower, as it is called, \  promised to put on an above average display this year.

Viewer's Guide: Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug. 11-12 (SPACE.com)


The Motley Fool - Investors have unloaded on many software companies lately, such as Red Hat (Nasdaq: RHAT - News), Siebel (Nasdaq: SEBL - News), Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL - News), and so on. However, with the markets perking up this week, investors are a little more sanguine about the sector -- at least for those stocks that exceed expectations.

Wind River's Smooth Sailing (The Motley Fool)


President Robert Mugabe accuses the UK of sheltering three bankers accused of corruption.

UK 'hiding Zimbabwe bankers'


Memphis, TN -- Bonzi Wells scored a season-high 26 points, hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with under a minute to play, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 93-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs at FedEx Forum.

National Basketball Association Game Capsules


AFP - Australian and Japanese researchers are working on a prototype  quot;near zero-emission quot; coal-fired electricity plant in an effort to reduce a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, they said.

Australia, Japan work on near zero-emission coal-fired electricity plant (AFP)


The number of new people signing up for jobless benefits plunged last week, partly reflecting a tapering off of filings related to Hurricane Charley.

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall Sharply


InfoWorld - ObjectWeb, a consortium focused on delivery of open source infrastructure technologies, announced Tuesday that eXo Platform SARL has joined the consortium and that its Enterprise Portal Solution (EPS) will be hosted by ObjectWeb.

eXo adds portal software to ObjectWeb (InfoWorld)


Phil Mickelson remains true to his TV ads that ask:  quot;What will Phil do next? quot; At the end of the most successful season of his career, Mickelson arrived

Mickelson confident despite change in equipment


Jakarta, Indonesia -- A powerful bomb exploded near the Australian Embassy in Jakarta early today, killing at least three people and wounding 50, witnesses and officials said.

At least 3 killed in blast at Australian Embassy


Warning that film piracy represents an enormous threat to the movie industry, the Motion Picture Association of America announced that it plans to sue people for trading illegal digital copies of movies over the Internet.

Hollywood Hot To Sue P2P Pirates


Sol Campbell today revealed he has agreed to sign a new long-term contract at Arsenal. The England defender expects to tie up a few loose ends over the next couple of weeks before making an official announcement

Campbell agrees new deal at Highbury


The Bush administration will take up strategy for UN sanctions against Iran at a meeting Friday of senior officials from eight nations.

US, G-8 nations to talk of Iran penalties Friday


The Air Force's management of its space programs has improved during the past year but some systems, including an early warning missile contract, will continue to need special attention, according to an advisory panel review released yesterday.

Report Says Air Force's Space Programs Improved


Mathematicians have made a model of the stable manifold of the origin of the Lorenz system - in crochet.

Mathematicians crochet chaos


MADRID : Barcelona may have lost in the league for the first time this season when they went down 2-1 at Real Betis on Sunday, which ended their 10-game unbeaten streak, but the Spanish leaders remain unbowed.

Soccer: Barca finally beaten, but unbowed


The world number one broke a jittery Mauresmo twice to take the opening set and the Frenchwoman failed to get a foot-hold in the second set.

Henin-Hardenne wins Olympic gold


Twelve years and 55,000 entries later, the herculean task of updating the  #39;Oxford Dictionary of National Biography #39; has finally been completed.

From Romans to rock stars: the biography of our nation


NEW YORK (Sports Network) - Texas Rangers relief pitcher Frank Francisco was suspended for the rest of the 2004 season Friday by Major League Baseball after tossing a chair into the stands and hitting two fans in the head earlier this week.

Rangers Reliever Francisco Suspended for Season


Bryon Russell has been to the playoffs every year but one and has played in the NBA Finals three times. It #39;s just the kind of experience the Denver Nuggets could use.

Nuggets hoping Russell can provide leadership


The technology-driven dislocation that has transformed one typesetter's business is spreading throughout the economy.

Innovation and Disruption Still Going Hand in Hand


Two major state-run Chinese banks on Wednesday announced plans to roll out American credit cards, including the country's first dual-currency American Express Card.

Chinese Banks to Offer American Credit Cards


Blockbuster Inc., the nation #39;s biggest movie-rental company, said yesterday that it will eliminate late fees on games and movies as of Jan. 1 - but if you keep them too long, you buy them.

Blockbuster to drop late fees


The Cleveland Rockers were reeling from something more disheartening than a gut-wrenching loss, or elimination from the playoffs. They had just been informed that they no longer existed.

Melvin Has Rediscovered Her Game


CNN will shut down its struggling CNNfn financial news network in mid-December, giving up its attempt after nine years to compete in a market dominated by CNBC.

CNN to shut down its CNNfn network


The promise of a regional sports network that would televise Expos and Orioles games and funnel revenue to Peter Angelos enabled Washington to get the Expos.

Network Must Take Shape


Reuters - The National Football League\handed down  #36;10,000 fines on Tuesday to linebacker Joey Porter\of the Steelers and running back William Green of the Browns\for their parts in a pre-game fight this past Sunday.

Fines Handed Down for Pre-Game Fight in Cleveland (Reuters)


The political crisis has stung people in Donetsk and could deeply aggravate the nation's east-west divide.

'Orange' victory sours east Ukraine


US stocks ended barely changed on Tuesday as a late retreat in oil prices pulled the market back from lows, although a broker downgrade of technology bellwether Intel Corp.

Stocks End Little Changed on Oil, Intel


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Hurricane Frances, the second hurricane to hit Florida in a month, will cost insurers between \$3 billion and \$10 billion, according to the most recent estimates from the industry #39;s leading catastrophe modeling firms.

Frances to cost \$3 billion to \$10 billion


NewsFactor - Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) has agreed to pay Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK) US #36;92 million to settle\a lawsuit filed by Kodak concerning patent infringement in connection\with Java technologies.

Kodak, Sun Settle Java Patent Dispute (NewsFactor)


Gartner #39;s research indicates that US consumers have certain expectations as to what fair use really is.  quot;When we #39;ve surveyed teens and adults, we #39;ve found that at least 60 percent of both groups

Home Theater Maker Kaleidescape Hit with Copyright Suit


DETROIT - Toyota Motor Corp. will offer XM Satellite Radio as a factory-installed option in Toyota and Lexus vehicles beginning in 2006, but customers also will be able to order rival Sirius Satellite Radio at Toyota dealerships starting next year.

Toyota Vehicles to Offer Satellite Radio


MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Computershare Ltd., the world's  largest share registry, said on Thursday a New York division  subpoenaed by U.S. market regulators investigating stock  surveillance firms had not broken any laws.

Computershare Says No Wrongdoing in Probe


Crude oil prices rose for the third straight day Friday, hovering near \$55 a barrel as heating oil futures hit another record high over supply concerns ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Update 4: Crude Oil Prices Rise for 3rd Straight Day


Harvard University is embarking on a collaboration with Google that could harness Google #39;s search technology to provide to both the Harvard community and the larger public a revolutionary new information location tool to find materials available in

Google to digitize some Harvard library holdings


ATHENS (Reuters) - The U.S. and Spanish coaches had to be  separated when an argument erupted at the end of the game as  the United States beat Spain 102-94 in the Olympic men's  basketball quarterfinals Thursday.

Marbury Powers U.S. Over Spain, Coaches Square Off


Beijing, Sept 30. (PTI): A 22-year-old university information technology student and another college student in east China #39;s Zhejiang province have been sentenced by Chinese courts for operating pornographic

Chinese students jailed for running porn sites


Michael Schumacher clinched an unprecedented seventh Formula One drivers #39; title at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, despite not winning for just the second time in 14 races this season.

Schumacher finishes second at Spa but still claims seventh season <b>...</b>


PC World - Handheld game devices and satellite radio receiver vie for gadget fans' attention with camcorders, big LCD TV, and more.

Tokyo Edge: Autumn Brings Gamers' Delights (PC World)


Not quite eight months ago, with a light snow dusting Foxboro #39;s Gillette Stadium, these two stared each other down with a trip to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston on the line.

Thursday, 9 pm EST (ABC)


AFP - EU finance ministers gather in the Netherlands Friday for informal talks likely dominated by efforts to agree on reforms to the long-strained budget rules underpinning the euro.

EU ministers to mull budget rules, seek a Mr Euro (AFP)


Real Madrid will play the final seven minutes of their Primera Liga match against Real Sociedad next month after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of their Bernabeu stadium yesterday.

Real to complete bomb threat match


Chad Pennington agreed to a \$64 million, seven-year contract extension with the New York Jets yesterday that includes \$23 million in guaranteed money.

Jets give QB \$64m extension


It's all about sticking to the basics with Elmer Santos. The offensive sparkplug (19 points) has led East Boston to an 6-0-0 record in the Boston City League. A senior center midfielder, Santos leaves us some food for thought in this week's Q  amp; A.

Elmer Santos


A tremor at Mount St Helens volcano in the US state of Washington prompts fresh warnings of an eruption.

US volcano eruption 'imminent'


Najaf, Iraq - Militants loyal to firebrand Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr remained in control of a revered shrine at the centre of the crisis in Najaf on Saturday as they bickered with top Shia leaders over how to hand the holy site over.

Militants bicker over surrender of shrine


Reuters - New York Attorney General Eliot\Spitzer on Tuesday said his office has created an interactive\Web site to help New Yorkers comparison shop for prescription\drugs, following a statewide survey showing widely varying\prices at pharmacies.

N.Y. Atty General Announces Drug-Price Web Site (Reuters)


LANDOVER, Maryland It was a test of character not many people expected top-ranked Southern California would face so early in the season.

College Football: Tailback U takes on new meaning at Southern Cal <b>...</b>


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - British troops and armor rolled north  from Basra on Wednesday to take over a deadly area near Baghdad  and free up U.S. troops for a widely expected attack on the  Iraqi rebel-held city of Falluja.

British Troops Head North for Mission Near Baghdad


Police have launched an investigation into claims from Birmingham #39;s Dwight Yorke that he was racially abused prior to a game at Blackburn.

Police probe Yorke racism claims


The innovative Stamps.com program has been halted after its test run.

Postal Service Cancels PhotoStamps


The merry-go-round future of Northeastern men's basketball coach Ron Everhart slowed down, at least temporarily, yesterday when Everhart decided not to pursue a position as an assistant on Bob Huggins's staff at the University of Cincinnati.

Everhart won't join Huggins


AdWeek.com - If you build it, or in the case of Circuit City's Web site, re-build it, they won't necessarily come. So, to ensure visits to the new CircuitCity.com, the electronics retailer yesterday started rolling out a multimedia push that promotes a

Circuit City Gets Online Makeover (AdWeek.com)


Hewlett-Packard's Integrity rx4640 server is available with Intel's new Itanium 2 processor, which has 9MB of high-speed cache memory.

Photo: Hewlett-Packard's Integrity rx4640 server


Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has laid the blame for his side #39;s recent lack of form at the feet of his expensively assembled strikeforce.

United boss blames strikers for loss of form


Reuters - Egypt sent a convicted Israeli spy\home after eight years in jail and Israel released six Egyptian\infiltrators Sunday in the clearest sign of a warming of\relations strained by a Palestinian uprising.

Israel, Egypt Swap Prisoners in Sign of Warmer Ties (Reuters)


ATHENS (Reuters) - World 100 metres champion Torri Edwards will miss the Athens Olympics after her appeal against a two-year drugs ban was dismissed.

Edwards banned from Games


NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Growth Properties Inc.  <A HREF=

General Growth Properties to Buy Rouse


ASHBURN, Va. (Sports Network) - Washington Redskins rookie  safety Sean Taylor was arrested on charges of driving under the  influence of alcohol and also refusing to take a breathalyzer  test.

Redskins Rookie Taylor Arrested on DUI Charges


The US issued a travel alert for its citizens in Afghanistan after weekend bombings that killed at least 19 people in the capital, Kabul, and in Paktia province.

Afghan Bombings Prompt US Travel Alert, Condemnation by Annan


Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is in news these days. And it is the middleware that gives meaning to the collection activity of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, turning the data for usable purposes.

USA : IBM announces integration of RFID capabilities in middleware


Closed-end mutual funds offer more bang for your investing buck as long as they are trading at a discount.

A Dollar for 85 Cents


MOSCOW Shamil Basayev, the elusive Chechen guerrilla commander who has become Russia #39;s most wanted man, has claimed responsibility for planning terror attacks that have killed more than 440 people here in recent weeks and is threatening to strike anew, a

Chechen lists details of attack on school


The small jet taxied up to the door of the private air terminal, with only two passengers and its crew on board. Brian Vickers and Ricky Hendrick were returning from a vacation at some exotic location after clinching the 2003 Busch Series championship.

At Their Fingertips


ATHENS : Yuriy Borzakovskiy became the first Russian runner to win the Olympic Games men #39;s 800 metres here. Lying at the back of the eight-man field at the bell, Borzakovskiy unleashed his trademark sizzling

Borzakovskiy becomes first Russian to win men #39;s 800


ST. PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Top seed and crowd favorite  Marat Safin was knocked out of the St. Petersburg Open  quarterfinals Friday, falling 6-4, 6-1 to Michael Llodra.

Surly Safin Slumps Out of St. Petersburg


Manmohan Singh #39;s recent trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, his first as India #39;s prime minister, has been widely seen as a diplomatic triumph.

India #39;s diplomatic gains in UN


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

PluggedIn: Mobile Operators Seek Higher Sound Quality


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq's interim Prime Minister  Iyad Allawi declared martial law on Sunday and said a U.S.-led  military offensive against the rebel-held city of Falluja could  not be delayed much longer.

Iraq Declares Martial Law, 22 Police Killed


Canadian Press - KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Authorities are testing a suspicious powder mailed to the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia to determine whether it's anthrax, officials said Monday. It's the second such scare at a U.S. mission in Asia within a week.

Letter, suspicious powder spark anthrax scare at U.S. Embassy in Malaysia (Canadian Press)


Lebanon #39;s cabinet has approved a bill to amend the constitution and allow the president, Emile Lahoud, to stay in power for another three years.

Move to bolster Lebanon president


American Funds sells mutual funds you could bring home to meet your parents: the funds are always described with words like  quot;steady, quot;  quot;solid, quot; and  quot;dependable. quot;

When steady is sexy


British Prime Minister Tony Blair has reacted to a barrage of criticism from politicians, analysts and national newspapers for considering a US request to deploy troops in Baghdad.

Blair denies  #39;bailing out Bush #39; charge


New Zealand coach John Bracewell did his best yesterday to create a siege mentality for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy decider in Brisbane today by accusing the media and the Gabba curator of skulduggery.

NZ coach launches pre-game tirade


SAN ANTONIO - Tim Duncan had 23 points and 18 rebounds and Manu Ginobili added 22 points to lead San Antonio past winless Golden State.

Spurs 91, Warriors 71


The death toll from torrential rainfall in China #39;s Sichuan province rose to 19 Sunday, reported Xinhua, China #39;s government-run news agency.

China rainfall death toll at 19


Jason Giambi declined comment on a report in yesterday #39;s New York Daily News that indicated the Yankees first baseman has been receiving treatment for a benign tumor on his pituitary gland.

Yankees: Giambi mum on Pituitary tumor report


Thousands of people who have fled their homes in northern Uganda are preparing to go home, officials say.

Ugandan refugees 'heading home'


TOKYO : The brokerage arm of Japan #39;s biggest lender, the Mizuho Financial Group, and Norinchukin Bank, the umbrella bank for farmers #39; cooperatives, are considering expanding their ties, an official said.

Mizuho Securities, Japanese farmers #39; bank to boost ties


AP - Former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, a critic of the most recent Palestinian uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, was named leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday within hours of the death of Yasser Arafat.

Former Prime Minister Named Leader of PLO (AP)


PC World - Upcoming browser will feature tools for finding files on your PC.

AOL Tests Desktop Search (PC World)


Even in the context of current outrage against corporate malfeasance, the tone of a report released this week detailing financial self-dealing by Conrad Black and his top lieutenant at Hollinger International Inc.

The Week #39;s Business: Putting Black behind bars or recovering money <b>...</b>


Telecommunications firm MCI Inc. on Thursday posted a hefty third-quarter loss, saddled by costs from writing down the value of its network as the reorganized telecom faces intensifying industry competition.

MCI Posts \$3.4 Billion Loss on Charges


off a championship point before claiming a gritty 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory over Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the China Open on Sunday.

Serena comes back from brink to win China Open


In the coming days, Washington and its disingenuous D.C. Council must make a simple decision. Do they want to accept the deal for a new stadium? Or don't they? That's it. Yes. Or no.

A Line in the Sand


Six years later, the Czech Republic has found how bitter the taste of Nagano can be. In a game very similar to their shoot-out win over Canada in the semi-final at the 2002 Olympics

Czechs lament wasted chances


MSN Beta - An SEO's Dream Search Engine\\MSN Beta is still serving up results that make any SEO jump for joy. It is very easy for many SEOs to rank well in the new Beta Search engine by MSN. A thread at SEO Chat asks the question, How long will ...

MSN Beta - An SEOs Dream Search Engine


Never mind that after only two NFL seasons Brian Westbrook #39;s medical dossier includes notations on a couple of sprained ankles, wrist surgery and an operation only seven months ago to stitch

Philly tailback has to prove he #39;s durable


OAKLAND, Calif. - Kerry Collins, the amiable backup quarterback who has repeatedly promised to be ready when needed, replaced injured starter Rich Gannon and calmly directed the Oakland Raiders to an emotional 30-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night...

Collins, Raiders Crush Buccanneers 30-20


Eight months after their contract expired, London #39;s outside workers remain without a new deal. Contract talks are not scheduled and none have been held since June when new city manager Jeff Fielding arrived

Still no contract for workers


A director of an international charity in Iraq has been kidnapped as she was being driven to work in Baghdad. Margaret Hassan, a British-born Iraqi national, was abducted in the capital, CARE International UK said in London.

Charity boss kidnapped in Iraq


Delta Chief Customer Service Officer Vicki Escarra will retire on Oct. 1 after 31 years with the Atlanta-based airline. Escarra said she wanted to spend more time with family.

Delta chief customer service officer retires


At least 17 Iraqis have been killed and 96 wounded in fierce clashes between US soldiers and fighters loyal to Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, an Iraqi health ministry official said on Monday.

Dozens dead in Sadr City clashes


AP - Everton beat Liverpool 1-0 Saturday on Lee Carsley's goal in the 68th minute to move into second place in the Premier League.

Everton Beats Liverpool in Premier League (AP)