By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran defied the  United Nations on Tuesday by announcing it has begun converting  a large amount of raw uranium to prepare it for enrichment, a  process that can be used to develop atomic bombs.

Iran Converts Uranium in Defiance of UN


The UK website of Amazon.com is launching a DVD rental service, the online retailer #39;s first foray into a market pioneered by US- based Netflix.

Amazon launching DVD rentals


AP - Someone gained unauthorized access to Purdue's computer network, prompting school officials to urge all students, staff and faculty to change their passwords.

Someone Hacked Into Purdue's Computers (AP)


WEST PALM BEACH  Trump International #39;s difficult finishing holes are asserting themselves at the ADT Championship. A year ago, the tournament came down to the final shots at the 18th, and

Finishing holes start more trouble


Kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan has made another videotape plea for Britain to withdraw its troops from Iraq. The tape, broadcast on Arab TV network Al-Jazeera, also showed Mrs Hassan

Margaret Hassan Again Pleads for her Life


American Express, which fought for the right to sign deals with banks that issue cards on the Visa and MasterCard networks, said that it won a contract with Citigroup.

Citigroup Says It Will Issue American Express Cards


The technical challenge of sharing massive movie files over the Internet has kept the problem of P2P file sharing to a minimum for the movie industry.

Music Industry More at Risk in Piracy


The 27-year-old #39;s awful form has become so predictable this year after a memorable 2003 which included making the Wimbledon final and leading Australia to glory in the Davis Cup.

Philippoussis #39; form suffers blow


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Turkey's bid to join the European  Union was back on course Thursday after Prime Minister Tayyip  Erdogan backed down in a row with the bloc over attempts to ban  adultery in his Muslim nation.

Turkey's EU Bid Back on Course After Damaging Row


Two years after the Tibetan government-in-exile renewed negotiations with China, after a full decade, on the question of Tibet, a delegation of the Dalai Lamas special envoys left for a tour of the Middle Kingdom on the weekend.

Talks on Tibet


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Austrians Michael Walchhofer and Hermann Maier finished 1-2 Thursday in training for this weekend #39;s season-opening World Cup downhill race in Lake Louise, Alta.

Austria #39;s Walchhofer fastest in training at Lake Louise


Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he is confident a court will not convict him on charges of bribing judges.  quot;I don #39;t think there will be a conviction, quot; he said at the presentation

Berlusconi says he won #39;t get convicted


Reuters - Britain's Tony Blair must make aircraft\pollution a priority in his drive to confront the problems of\climate change, an expert parliamentary committee of peers said\on Wednesday.

Aviation Key in Climate Change Battle -UK Report (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Dell Inc. <A HREF=

Dell to Recall 990,000 Laptop Power Adapters--CPSC


The US Air Force #39;s former No. 2 weapons buyer was sentenced to nine months in prison on Friday after telling the court she had given Boeing Co.

Ex-Air Force Buyer Gets 9-Months Prison


THE US Federal Trade Commission said that it had released a report which assessed whether offering bounties to turn in spammers would help stem the flood.

FTC recommends \$100,000 bounty for spammers #39; heads


Sourav Ganguly appears to be travelling incognito when he is blinking boyishly behind his Harry Potter specs, unrecognisable from the gnarled and uncompromising cricketer and captain who stared out Steve Waugh in India three years ago.

Ganguly feeling the pressure


Global chipmaker AMD has taken up the cudgel of IT-enabling half of the worlds population, by 2015, in what could be one the most ambitious initiatives undertaken by any technology manufacturer so far.

By 2015 AMD Will IT-Enable Half Of World Populace


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

Citigroup Elevates Krawcheck to CFO Post


AP - Ernie Els shot a 3-under-par 69 to trail Terry Pilkadaris of Australia by one stroke after the second round of the Korean Open on Friday.

Els Trails by One Stroke at Korean Open (AP)


The Cendant Corp., which owns Avis car rental and the Days Inn hotel chain, is close to a deal to buy Orbitz, the online travel service controlled by an alliance of airlines, for about

Cendant nears deal to acquire Orbitz


Newsday #39;s under a lot of pressure - but so is the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the agency charged with verifying circulation for the newspaper industry.

AUDIT BUREAU FAILS BIG TEST


Apache Corp., an oil and natural gas producer, increased its shareholder dividend by 33 percent after gains in energy prices and output boosted the company #39;s profits.

Around The Region


WASHINGTON -- Saddam Hussein was dead broke, the result of UN penalties. Or so it was thought.

US stance on Hussein's oil sales eyed


Colombian President Alvaro Uribe late Monday authorized the extradition to the United States of drug kingpin Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, the president's spokesman said.

Colombia OKs Extradition of Drug Kingpin


West Indies have been on the wrong end of some serious vitriol this summer, not least in the British media, where they have been accused of fecklessness, indiscipline and general lack of backbone.

Lara awaits date with destiny


Yahoo launched a beta version of My Yahoo Search, giving users more-advanced Web-search capabilities. Competition has been heating up in the search-engine space, with Amazon.

Yahoo Unveils Personal Search


As he took the mound to start the fifth inning Tuesday night, 20-year-old Scott Kazmir caught himself getting caught up in the moment.

Kazmir Shocks Red Sox With 9 Strikeouts


Russian President Vladimir Putin throws a question mark over the future of Yukos, saying state-owned companies should be allowed to buy the oil firm's assets.

Yukos could be sold to state firm


Accounting fraud charges against CA will be dropped if the company meets certain conditions, including paying compensation and appointing an independent overseer of its accounts, according to reports in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Reports: CA may escape charges in DOJ deal


So far employers and their workers have been slow to accept health savings accounts as an alternative to conventional health insurance.

Bush Health Savings Accounts Slow to Gain Acceptance


AFP - British retail sales bounced back in November, as Christmas shoppers kept the tills ringing in the crucial festive trading period.

British retail sales get Christmas boost (AFP)


Xbox exclusive Oddworld Stranger is now known as Oddworld Stranger #39;s Wrath, Electronic Arts advised this week, claiming that the revised title  quot;better reflects the spirit of the game quot;.

Oddworld Stranger renamed, dated


The Somerset boys' soccer team started the state tournament as an 18th seed and an afterthought in the race for the Division 2 state title. The Blue Raiders knew their coach, Whit Horton, would be retiring after their final game. Yesterday, they gave Horton the best retirement gift possible, the MIAA Division 2 state title, taking a 1-0 win over ...

Upstart Somerset gives Horton fitting finale


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Nabi Biopharmaceuticals <A HREF=

Nabi Says Vaccine Helped Smokers Quit


Xstrata Plc, the world #39;s biggest exporter of coal for power plants, offered to buy WMC Resources Ltd. for A\$7.4 billion (\$5.5 billion) in cash to add nickel and copper mines as China #39;s demand for metals grows.

Xstrata Offers A\$7.4 Billion for WMC to Add Nickel (Update4)


An uneasy calm held in Haiti's capital Monday after three weeks of violence that left more than 60 dead, while people looted a CARE truck in storm-ravaged Gonaives.

Peacekeepers Keep Watch After Haiti Raid


Maria Sharapova and Yelena Dementyeva both lifted titles Sunday to underline Russia #39;s domination of the women #39;s game. In Seoul, South Korea, Wimbledon champion Sharapova trounced Marta Domachowska 6-1, 6-1 to win the Korea Open.

More Glory for Russia #39;s Tennis Queens


With drivers like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin in the field for Nascar #39;s Chase for the Nextel Cup championship, there are plenty of intriguing and compelling story lines to follow.

Busch Remains the Man to Beat in the Race for Nascar #39;s Nextel Cup


LEXINGTON, Ky. -- David Greene passed for 259 yards and set an NCAA Division 1-A record for most wins by a quarterback as No. 8 Georgia routed Kentucky, 62-17, yesterday.

Greene a real chart-topper


MANNHEIM, Germany - The U.S. military judge hearing the Abu Ghraib abuse said Tuesday that prosecutors have until Sept...

Abuse Judge Forcing Intelligence Testimony


Reuters - The U.S. Navy on Friday rejected a\legal watchdog group's request to open an investigation into\military awards given to Democratic presidential nominee John\Kerry during the Vietnam War, saying his medals were properly\approved.

Navy Rejects Probe of Kerry's War Medals (Reuters)


Four times more camera phones will have been sold in Europe by the end of 2004 than last year, say analysts.

Camera phones are 'must-haves'


By JUAN A. LOZANO    HOUSTON (AP) -- Businesses and government agencies must re-examine the growing threat of cyberterrorism to automated computer systems running power grids, dams and other industrial facilities, security experts said Tuesday...

Experts Say U.S. Computer Control Systems Vulnerable


Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays activated pitcher Roy Halladay from the 15-day disabled list and he is expected to start Tuesday #39;s game against the New York Yankees.

Blue Jays activate Halladay from DL


A military judge ordered a US Army reservist on Friday to stand trial Jan. 7 in Baghdad for allegedly abusing Iraq inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad.

Trial date set for defendant in Abu Ghraib prison abuse case


Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) showed off 14 new imaging and printing products during an event in Frankfurt, Germany, where executives showcased the HP LaserJet 4345mfp multifunction copier, which they said can crank out up to 45 pages per minute for a third the cost of similar machines.

HP debuts 14 new imaging, printing products


BAGHDAD, Iraq - On the first official day of campaigning for the Jan. 30 elections in violence-racked Iraq, candidates were trying to figure out how to woo the voters.

Distrust dominates Iraq election


Crude oil futures rose yesterday ahead of an extended weekend for traders, even though weekly government data showed rising domestic inventories of crude and distillate fuel, which includes heating oil.

Crude oil futures rise ahead of long layoff


A group representing business travelers was expected to ask the US Congress on Tuesday to draft plans in the event that several major airlines are forced to liquidate.

Business travel group urges  #39;failure #39; plan for US airlines


Crude oil futures in New York rose to a record-high settlement overnight for the fifth straight session, closing just below \$US54 a barrel, reflecting real and perceived threats to global oil supply.

Oil futures rise toward \$US54


SPACE.com - An experienced team of pilots, engineers and scientists are relying on a reinforced skydiving parachute and a helicopter's hook to safely return the first samples from space since the Apollo era.

Sky Capture: How NASA Will Bring Genesis Down to Earth (SPACE.com)


Companies, along with Zagat Survey, to offer oral directions based on voice commands to U.S. addresses, restaurants.

IBM, Honda team on voice-driven car navigation


Paceman Michael Kasprowicz justified Australia #39;s decision to retain him in the team ahead of Brett Lee by taking 3-54 against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Australia play game of patience


Around 120 protesters were arrested here Wednesday after they crashed with police in a rally against globalization and US President George W. Bush, who will arrive here for

Chilean police arrest 120 demonstrators against globalization <b>...</b>


THE Ministry of Health yesterday urged Jamaicans to immediately discontinue the use of the arthritis drug Vioxx (refecoxib), which was pulled off the market yesterday by its manufacturer Merck  amp; Co.

Arthritis drug Vioxx pulled from market


Negotiations between the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the government over rising fuel prices collapsed on Friday, forcing the labor to begin its planned strikenext week with the first phase lasting four days.

Nigerian labor union to stage strike as negotiations collapse


Table tennis players Li Ching and Ko Lai Chak won here Saturday the first Olympic medal for Chinese Hong Kong since the former British-occupied territory returned to China on July 1, 1997.

HK wins first Olympic medal since 1997


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

Pfizer Profit Up on Demand for Key Drugs


Alarm in Russian markets yesterday at the authorities #39; \$158m tax demand from Vimpelcom, the mobile operator, underlines nervousness after the assault on Yukos.

Kremlin targets another oligarch


Adrian Annus faces the threat of becoming the second Hungarian athlete to be stripped of a gold medal after he failed to show up for a drugs test yesterday.

Hungary in second gold row


Shawn Green connects on a grand slam and a solo homer to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers past the Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Saturday.

Green's Slam Lifts L.A.


Research in Motion lost part of the case on appeal, but it #39;s not over until it #39;s over. Specifically, the patent infringement finding against the maker of the email device was upheld by the appeals court.

Blackberry Disappointed in Court


ZURICH/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Swiss banking group UBS, the  world's largest wealth manager, said on Monday it had  strengthened its position in the United States by buying local  rival Julius Baer's U.S. wealth-management business.

UBS to Buy Julius Baer U.S. Business


Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir told a court on Thursday his terrorism trial was a joke and mocked prosecutors by challenging them to file more bombing charges against him so the  quot;thrill quot; was complete.

Indonesia #39;s Bashir Mocks Terror Charges in Court


AFP - Australia's biggest company, the part state-owned telecom Telstra Corp Ltd., announced its chief executive Ziggy Switkowski would step down in 2005, two years short of the end of his contract.

Chief executive of Australian communications giant to step down (AFP)


Arie Haan will be sacked as China national coach following the nation #39;s early exit from the 2006 Asian World Cup qualifiers according to Chinese officials.

China to fire Haan


Yangon, Nov. 20: Myanmar #39;s Military Government has freed the country #39;s second most prominent political prisoner, student democracy leader Min Ko Naing, an Opposition party spokesman said today.

Myanmar junta frees  #39;number two #39; political prisoner


Residents of some Jewish settlements in the northern Gaza Strip have proposed that their entire communities be moved to locations inside Israel under Prime Minister Ariel

Gaza Settlers Seek to Keep Communities


Det_Williams 18 pass from Harrington (Hanson kick), 9:25. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:35. Key plays: Harrington 24 pass to S.Alexander; Harrington 19 pass to Bryson on 3rd-and-15; Harrington 10 pass to Swinton on 3rd-and-10 to Giants 22.

Sunday #39;s NFL Summaries By The Associated Press


Shawn Brady, QB, Northeastern With four touchdown passes in Northeastern's 34-30 win over No. 14 Villanova, the Huskies' senior quarterback was awarded this week's Division 1-AA Gold Helmet Award. Brady connected on TD strikes of 26, 24, 13, and 9 yards as the Huskies edged the Wildcats. The winningest quarterback in NU history, Brady was 17 of 24 for 299 ...

Gold helmet winners


Texas came up just short and California appears headed to the Rose Bowl, or maybe better, as the Bowl Championship Series #39; second-to-last rankings showed little movement at the top.

Cal coming up Roses


AT amp;T Corp. two decades ago employed more than 1 million people in the United States. The recent announcement that AT amp;T will cut its work force 20 percent to 49,000 by year #39;s

Reduction in work force reflects AT amp;T #39;s downfall


AP - NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe's resignation letter to President Bush:

NASA Chief's Resignation Letter to Bush (AP)


Computer maker Apple (Quote, Chart) has released a security update to fix more than a dozen flaws in the Jaguar and Panther versions of its flagship Mac operating system.

Apple Issues Mega Security Update


Memory designer Rambus reported a rise in net income to \$10.4 million, or 10 cents a share, on revenue of \$38.8 million in the third quarter.

Profits, revenue climb at Rambus


A Waltham maker of security software is being acquired by software behemoth Computer Associates in a cash deal worth almost a half-billion dollars, the companies announced yesterday.

Netegrity is bought, will fire


Shares of PeopleSoft Inc. surged 11 percent Friday after a federal judge paved the way for Oracle Corp. to press on with its \$7.7 billion hostile takeover bid for the business software maker.

PeopleSoft Shares Surge As Merger Seen


As survivors of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings joined hundreds of others at a service in the city yesterday to mark the 30th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the Sinn Fein president, Gerry

Adams stops short of apology


WASHINGTON - President Bush is dusting off his fund-raiser-in-chief hat and resuming the task of collecting campaign cash for himself and other Republican candidates. He was raising money Friday in Washington and North Carolina and, while down south, was holding an event designed to boost his standing among women voters...

Bush Raises Campaign Funds in D.C., N.C.


Galileo, the 21st Street restaurant that's a landmark in Washington cuisine and a frequent gathering place for the rich and powerful, filed for bankruptcy reorganization this week in the face of nearly \$2.5 million in debts, including a claim by the District for more than \$1 million in unpaid taxes and penalties.

Prominent Eatery Seeks Chapter 11 Protection


AP - Mike Maroth pitched splendidly into the seventh, and Dmitri Young and Brandon Inge homered to give the Detroit Tigers a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Monday night.

Tigers Defeat Indians 3-1 (AP)


AP - Pakistani authorities have banned an issue of Newsweek magazine for publishing material they said was offensive to Islam, local media reported Friday.

Pakistan Authorities Ban Issue of Newsweek (AP)


Athens - Sarah Ulmer gave New Zealand their first ever Olympic cycling gold medal and only their second of the Athens Games on Sunday, breaking her own world record for the women #39;s 3-km individual pursuit in the process.

Ulmer gives New Zealand historic gold


SHANGHAI United Parcel Service, the world #39;s biggest express courier, said Thursday that it would pay \$100 million to take direct control of its operations in China as it expands to compete with FedEx and other rivals in the fastest-growing market for

UPS to buy out China partner


Green ran for two touchdowns and caught a third Monday night to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 24-14 victory over the Panthers, who became the sixth straight team to lose in the Super Bowl and their ensuing season opener.

Packers 24, Panthers 14


Jiangsu, China (Sports Network) - Stephen Dodd closed with a four-under 68 Sunday to win the Volvo China Open by three strokes. Dodd finished the tournament at 12-under-par 276.

Dodd earns first win China Open


CAIRO (Reuters) - OPEC oil producers on Friday agreed to  squeeze out excess supply that has lowered world prices from  record highs.

OPEC Agrees Oil Supply Crackdown


AP - The hits and runs kept coming, spinning by on the scoreboard as fast as symbols on a slot machine. It wasn't just a rout, it was an epic defeat, the most one-sided in the 101-year history of the New York Yankees. Cleveland's 22-0 victory Tuesday night matched the biggest post-1900 shutout margin in the major leagues, Pittsburgh's win at the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 16, 1975.

Indians Rout Yankees 22-0 in Epic Defeat (AP)


Crude oil futures rose to within a quarter of \$50 a barrel Monday after a gas leak shut down a North Sea oil production platform and as traders weighed concerns about heating oil supplies against the fact that temperatures have been mild in recent weeks.

Crude Futures Trade Above \$49 After Norwegian Supply Snag


Oil prices held steady Thursday, with worries over the security of Nigerian supplies lending support despite an unexpected expansion in US crude inventories.

Nigeria concerns support oil prices


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices eased on Thursday as  signs of strong supply on physical crude markets encouraged  dealers to take profits from a bounce in the previous session.

Oil Prices Fall on Signs of Rising Supply


Train maker Bombardier cuts over 700  jobs in the UK, with the axe falling on workers in Derby and Ilford.

Train maker wields axe on UK jobs


New versions of the Bagle worm are rolling onto the Internet, prompting antivirus companies to warn customers about the threat and to push out software updates to spot the new worms.

Bagle Is Still Biting


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended barely higher on  Thursday, giving back some gains after a late spike in oil  prices dampened the effect of tame inflation data which had  boosted expectations of only measured interest rate hikes from  the Federal Reserve.

Stocks Up But Late Oil Spike Trims Gains


Three men who admitted violating South Africas anti-mercenary laws for their role in an failed coup in Equatorial Guinea were ordered to pay fines or go to prison today.

Coup Plot Mercenaries Given Choice of Fines Or Prison


The new initiative will automate and simplify the process for independent software vendors to become IBM business partners, according to a statement.

IBM enhances support for ISVs


Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne announced Wednesday his resignation from Boston United as player-coach of the fourth division side.

Gascoigne quits Boston post


Freshman Chad Henne, not Matt Gutierrez, leads No. 8-ranked Michigan to a 43-10 triumph over Miami (Ohio) with two touchdowns passes on Saturday.

Surprise Starter Stars


Despite a growing software industry revolution in favor of subscription-style pricing arrangements, most enterprise software buyers prefer the traditional approach of buying a one-time license, a newly released report indicates.

Report: Enterprises Favor One-Time Software License


An unidentified substance  sent to the US embassy in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur leads to a security scare.

Package prompts US embassy alert


Reuters - Motorola Inc. , the world's No.\2 maker of cell phones, on Tuesday said its quarterly profit\rose sharply, helped by improving sales of a host of new\handset models.

Motorola Third-Quarter Earnings Rise (Reuters)


AN AUSSIE teacher has quit after 35 years after his students threatened him on a web page. Greg Frawley was one of about 10 teachers threatened on the page set up by students at Hurlstone Agricultural High School.

Aussie teacher quits after web threats


Williams-Sonoma Inc., operator of home furnishing chains including Pottery Barn, said third-quarter earnings rose 19 percent, boosted by store openings and catalog sales.

Williams-Sonoma Net Rises 19; Shares Fall on Outlook (Update3)


The FIA has already cancelled todays activities at Suzuka as Super Typhoon Ma-On heads towards the 5.807km circuit. Saturday practice has been cancelled altogether while pre-qualifying and final qualifying

A race-day washout?


Production of Vauxhall cars will resume on Sunday following disruption caused by a shortage of components because of a strike by workers in Germany, it was announced tonight.

Vauxhall Production to Resume


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- New rules governing overtime pay kicked in Monday, spurring a politically charged debate over the impact of the new regulations on American workers #39; time cards and paychecks.

Bush, Kerry camps spar on overtime


Andy Johnson has decided to end his Wales career and concentrate on his West Bromwich Albion Football Club position. Johnson has won 14 caps for Wales, the last of which came against Latvia in a friendly in August.

West Bromwich Albion Football Club midfielder retires from <b>...</b>


Citigroup's top Japanese executive faces tough questioning over a scandal that caused the closure of the firm's private bank in Japan.

Citigroup's Japan boss apologies


Anti-spam vendors hit back on Tuesday against analyst firm Gartner #39;s claims that the level of spam is falling.  quot;I don #39;t agree with it at all, quot; said Mark Sommer, chief technology officer at MessageLabs.

Anti-spam firms hit back at Gartner claims


WORLD No.3 Ernie Els may feel like a hunted man this week when he takes on a largely unknown field in the Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek Country Club in South Africa.

Supporting cast out to nail star Els


With its profits and stock surging, the search giant is winning over skeptics. Still, long-term growth challenges remain. With Google #39;s shares climbing 75, to \$150 since its August initial public offering, a

Google #39;s First Report Is a Goodie


AP - A donor whose blood was used to transfuse 10 people and to manufacture medicines has been identified as France's eighth known victim of the human equivalent of mad cow disease, health officials announced Thursday.

Mad Cow Disease Found in 8th Blood Donor (AP)


DHAKA: Bangladesh was brought to a standstill yesterday by the fourth general strike in a week called by the opposition. Security was tightened for the shutdown called by the Awami League, which coincided

Strike shuts Bangladesh


Finnish mobile giant Nokia is losing the head of its networks division, the second senior executive to leave the unit in two weeks.

Nokia loses top network executive


THE peak summer travel season traditionally gives the US airlines a revenue lift, but this year struggling carriers will be glad to see the back of the third quarter.

Long summer for airlines


The pieces had fallen into place perfectly for the Yankees. Orlando Hernndez, who had not only been a perfect 5-0 for the team, but also good enough that the Yankees were

With Pieces in Place, the Yankees Slip Up


Among the stellar class known as red giants, Mira stars provide seventy-five percent of our galaxy's molecules including water vapor. These red giants pulsate as fast as every few months to years with their brightness varying by ten times during a cycle.

Mira Behind the Molecules


Desktop search tools from Microsoft and Ask Jeeves show just how shallow Google's moat really is.

Revenge of the Nerds


Microsoft today reported first quarter 2005 revenue of \$9.19 billion and net income of \$2.9 billion, figures that exceeded the company's guidance from July.

Microsoft revenue hits \$9.1B in Q1


VIENNA, Sept 21: Iran defied the United Nations on Tuesday by announcing it would go on converting a large amount of raw uranium to prepare it for enrichment, a process that can be used to develop atomic bombs.

Conversion of uranium to continue, vows Iran


EMC Corp. has unveiled a Microsoft Exchange server-based e-mail storage product called EMC Express Solution for E-Mail. EMC said the automated policy management software enables mid-sized organizations

EMC Unveils E-mail Storage For Microsoft Exchange


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp. <A HREF=

McDonald's Income Up on Sales, Taxes


Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri is unlikely to contest her defeat in last month #39;s presidential election race at the constitutional court.

Megawati unlikely to contest poll loss


Jerry Bailey greeted the shift of the champion mare Azeri to the \$4 million Breeders #39; Cup Classic as a double shot of good news.

Bailey welcomes Azeri to the Breeders #39; Cup Classic


Explosions and gunfire shook Najaf amid fierce battles between US forces and Shiite militants, who remained in control of a revered shrine there as negotiations dragged on for its handover to religious authorities.

Fierce battles for Najaf


The two Renault F1 Team drivers say the Japanese circuit is among their favourites, and are promising strong performances this weekend. Get ready!

Jacques and Fernando ready for Suzuka


Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was  quot;a major breakthrough quot; in Indo-Pak relations, as it has been an immense success.

Meeting with Manmohan major breakthrough


AP - Dwight Freeney always has gotten the attention of offenses.

Colts' Freeney Rushes to Get Most Sacks (AP)


AP - Wisconsin won't have tenacious and talented defensive end Erasmus James in the lineup Saturday when it faces nemesis Northwestern. That doesn't stop Wildcats coach Randy Walker from fretting over the Badgers' relentless pass rush.

Wisconsin Won't Have James Vs. N'western (AP)


The Missile Defense Agency announced today it was unable to complete a planned flight test after the interceptor missile experienced an anomaly shortly before it was to be launched from the Ronald Reagan Test Site, Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the

Missile Defense Flight Test Conducted


Prime Minister Tony Blair sought consensus with President Bush on Thursday to make peace in the Middle East an urgent priority, exploring whether the death of Yasser Arafat offers

Bush, Blair discuss peace prospects


The Champions League is back, and there are already plenty of talking points after an-incident packed first round of matches. The biggest story to come out of the last few days is from the Stadio Olimpico

CL KO for Frisk


BERKELEY, CA - In recognition of an historic season and the remarkable turnaround of the school #39;s football program, the University of California has reached a new five-year agreement with Head Coach Jeff Tedford through the 2009 season, Athletic Director

Cal Reaches New Five-Year Agreement With Jeff Tedford


Denis Menchov of Russia won the fifth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, while Manuel Beltran of the US Postal Service took the overall lead from teammate Benoit Joachim.

Menchov wins fifth stage; Manuel Beltran takes lead at the Spanish <b>...</b>


Men #39;s apparel retailer Joseph A. Bank Clothiers Inc. on Monday reported third-quarter profit climbed 19 percent as results benefited from growth in catalog and Internet sales.

JoS. A. Bank 3Q Profit Rises 19 Percent


Windows XP Service Pack 2 seems a smooth upgrade for most, but many are putting off installing Microsoft #39;s big security patch anyway.

Is XP #39;s Fix Safe?


Two weeks ago, we got to see a glimpse of Circuit City #39;s (NYSE: CC) second-quarter numbers when the electronics retailer pre-announced that sales had ticked up nearly 9 to \$2.

Circuit City #39;s Improving


KABUL (Reuters) - The United States has released 11 Afghans  held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on suspicion of Taliban links  after a request from President Hamid Karzai, an Afghan official  said on Wednesday.

U.S. Frees 11 Afghan Prisoners at Karzai's Request


VfB Stuttgart coach Matthias Sammer hosts his former charges Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and believes Kevin Kuranyi will be back to inflict further pain on the visitors.

Bundesliga matches, Oct 16-17


The Miami Dolphins are headed in a new direction and Dave Wannstedt wont be along for the ride. The final blow for Wannstedt came this Sunday when the Dolphins let two leads slip away, losing to the Arizona

Wannstedt officially steps down


The British Racing Drivers #39; Club tried to play hardball with Bernie Ecclestone and lost, the diminutive impresario revealed after dumping the historic Silverstone race.

Silverstone lost at game of hardball


Blisteringly hot summers similar to the one in 2003 when thousands of people in continental Europe died of heatstroke will become commonplace because of climate change, a study has found.

Deadly hot summers  #39;to become the norm #39;


Two little-known firms will join Russia gas monopoly Gazprom in the auction for the key unit of stricken oil giant Yukos, federal authorities say.

Three firms to bid for Yukos unit


Google Inc. will roll out POP3 (Post Office Protocol) support gradually over the coming weeks to Gmail users, who will be able to use the feature to download e-mail messages from Gmail servers to e-mail applications on devices such as PCs and wireless devices.

Google laces Gmail with POP3 support


AFP - A United Nations inspection team arrived to further investigate South Korea's past unauthorized experiments with plutonium and uranium as North Korea vowed not to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

UN team in S.Korea as N.Korea vows not to abandon nuclear ambitions (AFP)


FOR Ichiro Suzuki, it was the most emotional moment of his life. For Japan, it was a day of national celebration. The outfielder set a Major League record for most hits in a season on Friday, breaking an 84

Suzuki gets a place in Hits-tory


Reuters - Bomb blasts rocked southern\Thailand on Friday hours before Thai Prime Minister Thaksin\Shinawatra was to address the nation as he faces his worst\crisis following the deaths of 85 Muslim protesters. A second\bomb exploded at a busy food stall in Yala province on Friday,\wounding nine bomb squad members who had arrived to investigate\an earlier blast that wounded three people, including one\policeman, hospital officials said.

Thai PM to Address Nation as More Bombs Hit South (Reuters)


Opera Software #39;s Web browser 7.60, will incorporate Web and e-mail acceleration technology from SlipStream. The technology allows ISPs to offer up to six times faster browsing on dial-up and wirelessconnections, the two companies say.

New Opera Release Offers Faster Browsing


U.S. jets struck Fallujah with five air raids in 12 hours, softening up the insurgent stronghold for an expected major assault, as Iraq's prime minister warned that the

U.S. Strikes Fallujah With Air Raids


STAMFORD, Conn. -- Mail and document management company Pitney Bowes Inc. said Thursday it has signed a \$112 million mailing services contract with banking giant Bank of America Corp.

Pitney Bowes wins Bank of America mailing contract


AP - Hal Sutton wanted his best two players to set the tone for the Ryder Cup. Did they ever. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson got hammered in the morning and blew it in the afternoon, and the rest of the Americans followed suit Friday as Europe matched the largest first-day lead in Ryder Cup history.

U.S. Dream Team Spanked in Ryder Cup Play (AP)


Shane Matthews signed with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, bolstering the team #39;s banged-up quarterback corps. Matthews, an 11-year veteran, is expected to immediately take over as Drew Bledsoe #39;s backup, filling

Bills sign Matthews to replace injured backup QB


OUTLOOK FOR HUBBLE: The newest report on a plan to save the popular, aging space telescope by repairing it with a robot says it would cost \$2 billion and have just a 50-50 chance of working.

Summary Box: Saving Hubble will be costly


BERLIN (Reuters) - VfL Wolfsburg failed to reclaim the  Bundesliga lead when they lost 3-0 away to Hanover 96 on  Sunday, leaving VfB Stuttgart two points clear at the top.

Wolfsburg Beaten by Hanover, Stuttgart Stays Top


AP - Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis has agreed to plea guilty in his federal drug conspiracy case, an aide to the presiding judge said Tuesday.

Judge's Aide: Jamal Lewis to Plead Guilty (AP)


AP - Video-game chain GameStop Corp.'s second-quarter earnings rose on strong sales.

GameStop Earnings Up on Software Sales (AP)


Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi says national elections scheduled for Jan. 30 could be staged over two or three weeks so that the military can protect voters in dangerous places.

Reports: Allawi says Iraq could spread out elections


Description: Dutch authorities have indicted seven people in murder of a provocative filmmaker. Theo Van Gogh made films critical of Islamic violence against women and insulted Christians, Jews and others.

Killing of Filmmaker Yields Indictments in Netherlands


Perth has triumphed over Melbourne to win the endorsement of the Australian Rugby Union to establish Australia #39;s next provincial rugby franchise.

Perth wins Super 14 berth


Playing some of his best golf in the worst conditions, the South African breezed through a wacky day of weather at the WGC American Express Championship by starting with four straight birdies and finishing with an 8-under 64, giving him a two-shot lead

Els takes lead at WGC American Express


PepsiCo has posted a rise in Q3 revenue and operating profit. The drinks and snack company today (30 September) reported earnings for the three months to 4 September of US\$1.

US: PepsiCo Q3 figures on the rise


AP - It's been a long time since the San Diego Chargers played as big a game as they'll have Sunday, when they host the Denver Broncos.

Broncos Game Big for Chargers (AP)


AP - Jawad Williams scored 17 points and was one of six North Carolina players in double figures Sunday as the eighth-ranked Tar Heels beat Loyola of Chicago 109-60.

No. 8 N.C. Tops Loyola of Chicago, 109-60 (AP)


Four proponents of high-definition DVD technology will invite component manufacturers to join a group set up to help speed its commercialization, while Sony has confirmed that it will use blue lasers in its next Playstation console.

Blu-ray rivals set up promotional group


Mark Headley, who manages the second-best-performing US mutual fund focused on Japan, is buying shares of financial-services companies in anticipation of higher industry profits as consumer lending and investment climb.

Fund manager eyes Japanese financial stocks


Marc Eddy threw three touchdown passes in Bentley's 42-7 Northeast-10 victory over American International yesterday in Springfield, breaking or tying school, New England, and national records in the process.

Another record-setting day for Bentley's Eddy


What slips of the tongue say about a child's development.

A Lesson in Linguistics From the Mouths of Babes


Polar Express

Beyond


William Perez, president and chief executive officer of Racine-based SC Johnson  amp; Son Inc., is taking the reins of Nike Inc., the world #39;s dominant marketer of athletic shoes.

Johnson boss to fill big shoes at Nike


PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysian rebel politician  Anwar Ibrahim, freed from jail last week, sought on Monday to  clear the way for his return to active politics when his  lawyers moved to have his criminal record wiped clean.

Malaysia's Anwar Seeks to Clear Name, Remove Ban


A futuristic eye scanner system at a Wearside school is scrapped because it is too slow.

Eye scanner project scrapped


against Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate backed by Israel and Washington as a potential peacemaker, a lawmaker said. killing one soldier and wounding four.

Five die in renewed Gaza fighting


America Online will have a desktop search capability in a new browser the company is now beta-testing, an AOL spokeswoman said Friday.

AOL to have desktop searching in new browser


WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush has not decided on whether wholesale changes to the US tax code would be a focus of administration policy if he won a second term, US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Friday.

Bush hasn #39;t decided on tax reform-Treasury #39;s Snow


Every week, it seems, I see another announcement about one of the two competing blue-laser-based optical disc formats. The latest news is from the HD-DVD camp.

Enter your e-mail:


Rubens Barrichello wakes up this morning at his home in Sao Paulo this morning and savours the prospect of his first Brazilian Grand Prix victory.

All-set for the 2004 finale


ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps doesn't mind making history while sitting in the stands. The man who dominated the attention at the Olympic pool gave up a coveted spot on the 400-meter medley relay team to Ian Crocker...

Phelps Will End Olympics Cheering for Team


Games guru Peter Molyneux says he felt a duty to explain why some features are missing in his latest title.

Fable creator explains online apology


Defender Aitor del Horno scored in the ninth minute to earn Spain a 1-0 victory over England in their friendly at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Race jibes mar Spain #39;s win


Hewlett-Packard on Friday will launch 25 consumer products, part of its push toward digital entertainment as some of its other units struggle.

HP unveils 25 fresh consumer electronics products


Nintendo Co. Ltd. raised its 2004 shipment target for its DS handheld video game device by 40 percent to 2.8 million units on Thursday after many stores in Japan and

Nintendo Ups DS Console Shipment Target


Commuters in the Cincinnati metropolitan area waited an average of 38 hours in traffic tie-ups in 2002 -- making it the 27th most congested large city in the nation, according to a report by the Texas Transportation Institute.

Cincinnati drivers stuck in the slow lane


US stocks ended higher on Wednesday as Internet and semiconductor stocks led advances in technology shares and crude oil retreated from record high prices.

Stocks End Up, Boosted by Techs, Oil


Militants piled more pressure on Washington #39;s military allies in Iraq on Thursday, seizing a Polish woman and holding a Japanese man under threat of death.

Kidnappers demand foreign troops quit Iraq


Q: Where can I get help if I have problems with my computer after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2? A: Only a small percentage of Windows users have reported serious issues after installed Service Pack

Answer Desk


Discount retailer Kmart Holding Corp. Monday announced that it finalized a transaction to sell 18 stores to Home Depot Inc. for \$271 million in cash.

Kmart sells 18 stores to Home Depot


CNET News.com's Charles Cooper asks what it is about Microsoft that pushes so many people straight over the edge?

Taking the Microsoft Rorschach test


At age 42, Roger Clemens has done it all for the Astros this season. Tomorrow, he will do something he hasn #39;t done all season - pitch on three days #39; rest.

No rest for Roger, Astros


photos The NowHouse project in San Francisco brings together the latest in design, construction and digital wares.\

Gadgets rule in digital household


DURBAN, South Africa -- South Africa beat Australia 23-19 to regain the Tri-nations title after a five-year break. Percy Montgomery and wing Breyton Paulse received yellow cards which put the Springboks under

South Africa win Tri-nations title


The dollar hit eight-month lows against the euro and six-month troughs versus the yen on Monday on continued worries about the US economy and the yawning trade deficit, and traders say it could fall even further.

Dollar Hits Multi-Month Lows Vs Euro, Yen


CALGARY - The sale price of the federal government #39;s final 19 per cent stake in Petro-Canada has been set at \$64.50 per share, about \$3 higher than indicated in a preliminary prospectus last week.

Ottawa #39;s Petro-Canada stock priced at \$64.50


The first two at-bats were the kind of moments he'd like to forget. Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek looked, for lack of a better word, wobbly in his initial appearances against Anaheim fireballer Bartolo Colon.

Varitek stays one step ahead


Make a commitment to subscribe, donate and/or place all of your book and other product orders from Amazon.com and others through MMN Shopping web-site by clicking here.

The Politics of Time and Dispossession


Any product, any shape, any size -- manufactured on your desktop! The future is the fabricator. By Bruce Sterling from Wired magazine.

The Dream Factory


The Giants #39; three quarterbacks formed a triangle at practice Thursday and began to play catch. No pass was longer than 10 yards.

Warner Adjusts, and Giants Reap the Benefits


Inphonic, a Washington reseller of wireless phones, priced a proposed public offering at \$15 to \$17 a share, which would raise \$90 million to \$102 million.

IN BRIEF


Earth #39;s spin warps space around the planet, according to a new study that confirms a key prediction of Einstein #39;s general theory of relativity.

Einstein #39;s Warped View of Space Confirmed


AP - The U.S. Postal Service has canceled a brief experiment that allowed ordinary people to make postage stamps using images of their dogs, babies and even, it turned out, outlaws such as the Unabomber.

Home Photo-Stamp Experiment Canceled (AP)


First, he won the 500-mile race at Talladega and grabbed the NASCAR Nextel Cup points lead. Two days later, he lost his points lead and \$10,000.

Earnhardt Jr. is high profile, for better or worse


Former Enron Corp. Assistant Treasurer Timothy Despain was charged in Houston federal court Tuesday with conspiracy to commit securities fraud and has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors investigating the company.

Ex-Enron exec makes deal, will plead guilty to fraud


Royal Dutch/Shell Group announced Wednesday that it would spend US\$1.8 billion on exploration and production in the North Sea, including building a pipeline to transfer gas from Norway to Britain.

Shell to Spend More on North Sea Venture


Fundamentalist Hindu organizations are raising and spending big money to study the 'miraculous' properties of cows and their excreta. Manu Joseph reports from Mumbai, India.

Cattle, the Research Catalyst


Australasian grocer Foodland Associated which owns major chains in New Zealand says the hostile takeover bid by rival Metcash is complex and risky, and is urging shareholders not to act on the \$920 million bid.

Foodland says don #39;t sell


Vendor says it #39;s developing standards-based servers in various form factors for the telecom market. By Darrell Dunn. Hewlett-Packard on Thursday unveiled plans to create a portfolio of products and services

HP Building Portfolio of Products For Telecom Carriers, Equipment <b>...</b>


A huge jump in wholesale prices sent stocks falling yesterday as investors worried that rising oil prices were taking a toll on the overall economy.

Stocks drop as wholesale prices surge


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- The world #39;s leading economies should take advantage of a benign global economic outlook to strengthen their domestic economies, said a senior official of the International Monetary Fund.

US deficit cuts needed as Japan, Europe target growth


ANN ARBOR, Mich. ProQuest in Ann Arbor has agreed to buy Voyager Expanded Learning in a 360 (m) million dollar cash and stock deal.

ProQuest to buy Voyager Expanded Learning


AP - Under a security web of warplanes, battleships and 15,000 troops, President Bush praised Colombia's battle against drugs and Marxist guerrillas Monday and pledged to keep U.S. aid flowing so

Bush Praises Colombia's Battle Vs. Drugs (AP)


A policeman who says he escaped from the ambush said a group of around 20 armed men attacked a hotel occupied by the policemen near the Jordanian border.

Report Says Dozens Of Iraqi Policemen Abducted


An Australian court has ordered lorry driver Bradley John Murdoch to stand trial over the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, who has been missing for three years.

Falconio suspect to stand trial


Itsa good time to sell champagne and a bad time to sell soda pop. Luxury retailers had strong sales in October while discounters like Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Luxury retailers report sales rise


ZDNet Australia is reporting that Microsoft does not believe Mozilla Firefox is a threat to Internet Explorer. Steve Vamos, who heads the software giant #39;s Austrialian operation, does not believe IE #39;s market share is under attack from Firefox.

Microsoft Claims Mozilla Firefox Not a Threat to IE


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dillard's Inc. <A HREF=

Dillard's Loss Narrows But Off Estimates


AFP - South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun begins Monday a high-profile visit to Russia that is a chance for Moscow to showcase its role as a regional power in northeast Asia.

South Korea's Roh to showcase Russia's regional ambitions (AFP)


The European Commission was wrong to block the proposed \$120 billion merger four years ago between MCI WorldCom and Sprint, a European court ruled today.

Court Rules Against Europe's Antitrust Chief in MCI Case


For those sinking in a flood of unpaid loans, don #39;t lose hope. Many people have gone before you and made it out. Simply put, there are debt-defying actions you can take.

Steps to climb out of debt


LONDON -- In the second major security breach in London this week, five fox hunting enthusiasts stormed onto the floor of the House of Commons yesterday to disrupt a debate on banning the centuries-old sport.

Fox hunt protest turns violent


Italian politicians agree to work together to try to secure the release of two women kidnapped in Iraq.

Italy unites behind Iraq hostages


STOCKHOLM/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A reality show or soap opera  on your mobile phone? This is the vision of top telecoms firms  as they hope that from 2006 consumers will sign up for new  phones that can receive digital television signals.

Mobile Firms Hope Consumers Will Turn on to TV


The solar system #39;s smoggiest orb appears to have landscapes both foreign and familiar, say geologists who are sorting through the first up-close peek at Saturn #39;s planet-sized moon Titan.

Saturn Moon Titan #39;s Landscape Alien, Familiar


There #39;s no doubt that Apple #39;s latest notebook computer is a joy to look at. The enormous 17in widescreen means you can watch films on it at a size approaching that of a television, and the brushed aluminium finish is undeniably stylish.

Apple Macintosh 17in PowerBook


The far north Scottsdale Target store rang up better than expected sales during the three days after Thanksgiving. At Superstition Springs Center in Mesa, Bath and Body Works sold out

Retail sales over Thanksgiving weekend good for some


It will never be Yankees-Red Sox, but this may very well be the best rivalry in the NFL. All the big ones - Bears-Packers, Redskins-Cowboys, Steelers-Browns, Broncos-Raiders - have lost some of their luster

Fast Forward: NFL Week 7 breakdown


Just as some analysts believe the market for blade servers is about to heat up, Dell (Quote, Chart) moved forward with its most significant modular server, unveiling the PowerEdge 1855 for powerful computing at a lower cost.

Dell Looking For Bigger Blade Share


The search for the reasons behind Paula Radcliffe #39;s disastrous performance in the Olympic marathon moved yesterday to a medical laboratory in Athens, where blood samples taken from the 30-year-old athlete were being analysed in the hope of discovering

#39;I felt I #39;d let everyone down. But nobody was hurting inside as <b>...</b>


In a third-floor classroom at Charlestown High School, where models of human and animal skulls perch on a shelf near creature-filled specimen jars, teacher Allyson

\$12.5m grant offers teachers a science primer


Answer: The prevailing wisdom is the NHL Players Association is working on an offer to present to the owners, even though the NHLPA says nothing is imminent.

NHL LOCKOUT


THE UK should set up a dedicated police force to help companies protect themselves from terrorist attacks, says the Confederation of British Industry.

CBI calls for police help against terrorism


There's something spooky about a regulation that mandates child safety seats in hearses.

Hearse Makers No Longer Strapped Under Car-Seat Law


From its opening paragraphs, through scores of scornful sub-headings and on to its bitter conclusion, the Breeden report is a breathtaking assault on Lord Black #39;s activities.

Corporate kleptocracy that mirrors Maxwell #39;s world


X10's ActiveHome Pro modules let you turn your ordinary household lamps and appliances into smart devices that go on and off according to your habits. Product review by Amit Asaravala.

Give Your Home a Brain for X-mas


The Red Sox stats, schedule #39; starting rotation still has two significant spots to be addressed, but the bullpen is near completion with the addition of veteran Matt Mantei.

Mantei #39;s up in bullpen


Hundreds of Pakistanis who have fought alongside the Taliban against US-led forces have been released from an Afghan jail. The 368 prisoners, the last of more than 2500 Pakistanis captured during the overthrow

Afghanistan releases Taliban prisoners


MIGHTY COMBINES Canon and Toshiba said they will create a joint venture next month to develop, produce and sell surface conduction electron emitter display (SED) panels.

Canon, Toshiba team up on flat screen SEDs


Four years after publishing a daft human genetic sequence, researchers reach the halfway point in producing the

Human genome hits halfway mark


Plus, PeopleSoft's courtroom confession, and Wal-Mart looks overseas.

An Opportunity From Chiron's Misfortune?


If you look closely at my photo directly above, you can see that my hat features the silhouetted batter representative of major league baseball.

Gennaro Filice: Say it ain #39;t so Barry. Please.


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops pounded the insurgent stronghold Fallujah with airstrikes and tank fire Sunday, and the Iraqi government appealed to residents of the city to expel

U.S. Ground, Air Attacks Pound Fallujah


THE number of wild animals across the world has plummeted by 40 per cent in the past 30 years because of changes in the way humans are living.

World wildlife falls 40 due to humans


(WTNH/AP, Nov. 22, 2004 6:55 AM) _ Hartford is the seventh most-dangerous city in the country, according to a Kansas company #39;s yearly ranking based on crime statistics.

Hartford in top ten of  #39;most dangerous #39; cities


Media giant News Corp is mustering its forces to make sure the Murdoch family stays in control and to ward off a possible takeover bid.

Poison pill defence for News Corp


Infineon Technologies AG today will launch a radio-frequency identification package designed to help companies more easily connect and manage RFID hardware and software from multiple suppliers

SAP, Infineon Team Up To Accelerate RFID Deployment Cycles


Letters And a job offer for the brainiest woman

MS - NHS tie up unsettles Reg readers


AP - Mount St. Helens vented a new column of steam Sunday, a lazy plume that rose out of the crater of the snow-dusted volcano.

Mount St. Helens Shoots Out More Steam (AP)


The Congolese say more than 6,000 Rwandans have crossed the border and are attacking and burning villages. From the eastern town of Beni, Congolese regional cooperation minister Mbusa Nyamwisi said villages were being targeted nearby.

RWANDAN TROOPS CROSS INTO DR CONGO


For the former Roy Williams assistant, who spent seven years at Kansas, the crowd stood and applauded. It was pretty much the same old Phog for TCU #39;s third-year coach.

Dougherty makes return


BEIJING : The parent firm of troubled Singapore-listed China Aviation Oil (CAO) does not expect itself or any of its other subsidiaries to be implicated in the scandal surrounding CAO #39;s trading losses, state media said on Friday.

CAO #39;s parent not expected to be implicated in scandal: report


Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar may miss the second test against Sri Lanka starting on Thursday because of a shoulder injury.  quot;I have acute pain in my right shoulder which is very stiff.

Shoaib may miss Sri Lanka test with shoulder injury


HICAGO, Aug. 18 - The nation #39;s two largest airlines, American and United, announced on Wednesday that they would cut flights at O #39;Hare International Airport to ease congestion that has been delaying flights from coast to coast.

2 Big Carriers at O #39;Hare to Cut Flights


CLOROX CO. <A HREF=

Stocks to Watch on Thursday, October 7


The Red Sox' president, Larry Lucchino, and general manager, Theo Epstein, flew to Florida to meet with Pedro Martnez and one of his agents.

Red Sox Take Notice After Yanks Meet Martnez


AP - U.S. military officials and representatives of rebel Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr held talks Sunday aimed at reducing violence in the restive Baghdad slum of Sadr City, a day after clashes there killed 10 people, officials said. British forces in the southern city of Basra, also the site of recent fighting, held similar talks with al-Sadr officials there.

U.S., Shiites Meet After Deadly Clashes (AP)


The Bush administration and Congress should accept a mandatory programme of tradeable permits to limit greenhouse emissions and tighten fuel efficiency standards for vehicles

Bush urged to accept fuel emissions limits


roundup Plus: Dell updates low-end server line...SAS Institute lures former Red Hat CFO...McAfee CFO joins Cray board.

Briefly: Verizon Wireless pulls phone from shelves


A phishing scam has been detected that doesn #39;t require users to click on a link in order to jeopardise their personal data. Simply opening the email may be enough, according to Messagelabs.

Click-less phishing scam steals passwords


It may be the season of shopping, but time is running out for the Season of Giving. The Salvation Army is in desperate need of more volunteers to ring bells and collect money.

Season of Giving


Rubens Barrichello clinched second place in Formula One on Sunday when he won the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix by edging Jenson Button by about a second.

Barrichello wins Chinese Grand Prix


A powerful earthquake in Japan has struck the exact same region where at least 31 people were killed and more than 3400 injured five days ago.

New quake hits Japan


Long regarded as valuing so much more than favorable scoreboards, Notre Dame joined the cold, hard college football 21st century yesterday by deciding it had lived under too many unfriendly scoreboards of late.

Notre Dame says bye to Ty


Jason Collins has until Oct. 31 to sign a contract extension with the Nets. If Collins, a 7-foot center, cannot come to an agreement with the team by then, he cannot negotiate

It #39;s Decision Time for Nets #39; Collins


Global beverages firm Foster #39;s Group has sold its 10 per cent stake in pubs and bottleshops operator Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group Ltd (ALH) to Woolworths-led Bruandwo for \$3.

Foster #39;s sells ALH shares to Bruandwo


GUWAHATI, India: At least 46 people died and 118 were wounded in India #39;s northeast in one of the deadliest waves of violence in the insurgency-infested region in years.

Violence sweeps northeastern India


The C.I.A. was criticized today for failing to provide Army investigators with documents on unregistered

Senators Censure C.I.A. in Probe of Iraqi Prison Abuse


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Over the past few months, insurgents in Samarra have deposed the U.S.-picked leaders and put to death people suspected of collaborating with them, making the northern Iraqi city the latest no-go zone for Iraqi and American troops.    With preparations beginning for Iraq's nationwide general election, scheduled for January, the attacks in Samarra and other cities where officials cannot safely travel could present a major barrier to carrying out a credible poll...

Samarra Becomes Latest No-Go Zone in Iraq


Already reeling from Attorney General Eliot Spitzer #39;s no-holds-barred probe, insurers can now look forward to dozens of additional investigators from their state regulator giving their books a once over.

STATES GANGING UP ON INSURERS


NEW YORK - Stocks were narrowly mixed Tuesday as oil prices remained higher and Wall Street weighed a lackluster report on retail sales, but light volume showed that many investors remained on the sidelines.    With Hurricane Ivan threatening oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, crude futures moved higher for the second straight day, but the possibility of an increase in output from OPEC took the edge off investors' concerns...

Stocks Mixed As Oil Prices Remain Higher


Blockbuster on Thursday said it has contacted Hollywood Entertainment Corp. about acquiring its top rival for \$700 million. Hollywood shares jumped 13.

Blockbuster offers to buy Hollywood


The UK might be

Closures 'could benefit chemistry'


After cobbling together a string of copyright bills in the hopes of gaining enough support for final passage, lawmakers are ripping the package asunder in

Lawmakers Slicing, Dicing Copyright Bill


Reuters - The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.7\percent annual rate in the third quarter, below expectations\but still bolstered by healthy consumer spending that was\accompanied by the lowest inflation in decades, the Commerce\Department said on Friday.

U.S. Growth Under Forecast in 3rd Quarter (Reuters)


BAGHDAD: A US soldier was sentenced to three years in prison for murdering a severely wounded Iraqi teenager earlier this year, the US military said on Saturday.

US soldier gets three years for murder of Iraqi


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fresh Del Monte Inc. <A HREF=

Fresh Del Monte Cuts 2004 Profit Forecast


Bob Fisher, the legendary coach who guided Rockland for more than 30 years and won a state title last season, left the Bulldogs and appeared to ride off into the sunset.

Presidents look to rule


TOKYO  amp; SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)22 Novembre 2004--MontaVista Software, Inc., a annonc ce jour que le systme d #39;exploitation MontaVista(R) Linux(R) avait t retenu pour quiper trois des nouveaux tlphones mobiles de troisime

Presse conomique /High-Tech


ST. LOUIS _ The problem for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was not its offense Monday night. It was the defense, specifically the pass defense.

Ram #39;s air raid too much for Buccaneers


The Symbian OS Series 80 platform is the latest system to get support for the BlackBerry Connect push server from Research In Motion (RIM).

Symbian Series 80 gets BlackBerry support


London, Sept. 26 (NNN): After a sting operation involving a newspaper and the sleuths of British intelligence, the London police has arrested four Muslim men posing as businessmen who were trying to buy radioactive material.

4 Held In UK For Trying To Buy N-Material After Papers <b>...</b>


The world #39;s third largest music label, EMI, saw its revenues from digital music increase by more than 300 per cent in the six months to 30 September, the company said today.

EMI looks to digital future as download sales quadruple


NEW YORK - Stocks edged higher in early trading Friday as investors tried to uncouple share prices from skyrocketing oil costs, even as crude reached new highs and neared \$50 per barrel.    A barrel of light crude was quoted at \$49.33, up 63 cents, on the New York Mercantile Exchange, continuing a climb that has sent new intraday highs with every quote...

Stocks Up Despite Oil Nearing \$50 a Barrel


The International Cricket Council has found no signs of racism in Zimbabwe following a probe into the southern African country. An ICC hearing was held after 15 white players were sacked by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.

Probe clears Zimbabwe


KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A bomb tore through a government  office in the Nepali capital on Tuesday, wounding at least 38  people in an attack police suspect was carried out by Maoist  rebels.

Bomb Explosion in Nepal's Capital Wounds 38


TRENTON, N.J. - Flesh-eating bacteria cases, fatal pneumonia and life-threatening heart infections suddenly are popping up around the country, striking healthy people and stunning their doctors...

Staph Strain Infects More Healthy People


The software maker denies backing a SAP executive as a preferred candidate for the post of CEO, contrary to a Newsday report. WASHINGTON: Software maker Computer Associates Inc.

CA yet to appoint CEO


AP - Woody Austin made a 6-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Tim Herron and win the Buick Championship on Sunday.

Austin Wins Buick Championship in Playoff (AP)


Description: More than 20 Palestinians are killed in an Israeli raid on the Gaza Strip #39;s largest refugee camp. The Israeli action came a day after a Hamas rocket attack killed two Israeli children.

Fighting at Gaza Camp Leaves 20 Dead


Share prices closed broadly lower in Tokyo overnight, led by declines in commodity price-sensitive stocks. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell for the first time in four trading days, closing down 77.

Shares start their week lower in Tokyo


A new study finds little evidence that commercial weight-loss programs help people drop excess pounds.

Diet and Lose Weight? Scientists Say 'Prove It!'


Nintendo is releasing an adapter for its DS handheld console so it can play music and video. The add-on for the DS means people can download TV programmes, film clips or MP3 files to the adaptor and then play them back while on the move.

Nintendo adds media playing to DS


BEIJING : Beijing is in the midst of a dizzying architectural transformation aimed at creating a modern, high-tech metropolis by 2008 when the Chinese capital will have its moment in the Olympic spotlight.

Beijing undergoing biggest changes in 800 years for Olympic Games


washingtonpost.com - Ernie Miller, a 38-year-old software developer in Silver Spring, offers a telling clue as to how www.craigslist.org became the Internet's go-to place to solve life's vexing problems.

No Frills, but Everything Else Is on Craigslist (washingtonpost.com)


Stocks fell on Wall Street Tuesday as investors worred that a huge jump in wholesale prices, spurred by rising oil prices, could ripple through the economy.

Stocks Decline in Late Afternoon Trading


Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has accused Adrian Mutu of lying about a clash between the pair over the striker #39;s availability for Romania #39;s World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

Mutu #39;s Lying Claims Mourinho


Buoyed by surging sales of its mainframe computers in recent quarters, IBM is aiming to broaden the use of the powerful machines, particularly in China, the world #39;s fastest-growing large economy.

IBM looks to China in mainframe push


Laurent Beaudoin has done us all a favour. Monday #39;s boardroom upheaval at Bombardier Inc. brings a natural opportunity to reassess the taxpayers #39; role in this prestigious company.

Let light shine on Bombardier dealings


Apple has finally done it. They have blocked the files downloaded from RealNetworks music store from playing on iPod Photo. The software update on the Apples music player will not let it now play files downloaded from Reals Harmony software.

Apple blocks iPod Photo from RealNetworks Harmony


For years, the competition in the search business has focused on finding things on the Web quickly and accurately. And Google has been widely perceived as the winner.

These services search beyond the Internet


Reuters - U.S. orders for long-lasting durable\goods rose by a smaller-than-expected 0.2 percent in September,\held back by another sharp fall in commercial aircraft,\government data showed on Wednesday.

Durable Goods Orders Edge Up in September (Reuters)


Victor Diaz hit a tying, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, and Craig Brazell #39;s first major league home run in the 11th gave the New York Mets a stunning 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Mets 4, Cubs 3, 11 innings


The killer storm that slammed into Florida on August 13 made two things clear: Hurricanes can still surprise forecasters, and the rest of the 2004 hurricane season probably is going to be quite active.

Charley a Harbinger of Busy Hurricane Season?


BEIJING (Reuters) - Colliery accidents in China killed  5,286 miners in the first 11 months of the year, but the  government cast the figure in a positive light, saying it was  at an all-time low relative to production.

China Colliery Accidents Kill 5,286 Miners This Year


Leaders from 38 Asian and European nations are gathering in Vietnam for a summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting, know as ASEM. One thousand delegates are to discuss global trade and regional politics during the two-day forum.

Asian, European Leaders Gather in Vietnam for Annual Summit


GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli forces launched the sixth day of a  massive offensive in the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday with an  air strike that killed a Palestinian militant and wounded two  others in Jabalya refugee camp.

Israel Kills Militant in 6th Day of Mass Gaza Raid


Riding high with the No. 1 flick,  quot;Shark Tale, quot; DreamWorks is dividing up the riches among its Hollywood founders and investors.

HOLLYWOOD GOLD


Senior interior ministry officials are due to meet in Dhaka amidst a souring of ties between India and Bangladesh.

Delhi and Dhaka in critical talks


A British television host who saids she was groped by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger four years ago and then libelled by his aides can take legal action in a British court, a judge ruled.

British judge OKs lawsuit by TV host who says Schwarzenegger <b>...</b>


AP - Lenny Wilkens gained some job security despite coaching without a hand-picked assistant for the first time in his career as the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 96-88 Tuesday night.

Knicks Top 76ers Day After Helm Resigns (AP)


EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State used a powerful rushing attack, a trick play, and a key defensive stand to beat No. 4 Wisconsin, 49-14, yesterday and knock the Badgers out of the national championship race.

Badgers no longer unbeaten


South Carolina #39;s new football coach Steve Spurrier gestures during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain).

SC Assistants Asked to Stay on Staff


TechWeb - Gluecode Software is contributing what it says is the first open-source business process management engine to the Apache Software Foundation.

Gluecode Contributes Open-Source BPM Engine (TechWeb)


Adiences of an exhibition are being invited to see what they would look like if they had cosmetic surgery.

Arty cosmetic surgery alternative


By MIKE CORDER    SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- The distributor of file-swapping giant Kazaa on Friday welcomed a U.S. court's ruling that two of its rivals are not legally liable for the songs, movies and other copyright works shared online by their users...

Kazaa Owner Cheers Court's File-Swapping Decision


US Secretary of State Colin Powell may press Beijing for information regarding a New York Times researcher arrested for allegedly passing state secrets to foreigners.

Powell May Push China for Information on New York Times Researcher


THE UK is the 11th most competitive economy in the world, according to the World Economic Forums rankings. Finland topped the rankings as the most competitive economy, for the third time in the last four years.

UK ranked eleventh in competitive economies


Even with the NHL in the midst of a lockout, defensemen Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy and executive Cliff Fletcher were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night.

Hall ceremony special nonetheless


An investigating board says the capsule was doomed by faulty engineering drawings that were done backward. The drawings led to incorrect placement of switches that were supposed to detect Genesis' re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

Drawings Blamed for Genesis Crash


A proud nerd puts her prefrontal cortex on the line to discover whether she's really a closet cool cat. By Jennifer Kahn from Wired magazine.

We Know You Like Michael Bolton


Shares of WebSideStory Inc. jumped nearly 17 percent in their trading debut Tuesday after the Web statistics firm - making its second try in four years to go public - boosted the size of the deal and priced in the middle of its expected range.

WebSideStory Rises in Delayed IPO


At least 27 people are reported to have died of malaria in Alindra, India and 293 are seriously ill with the disease which broke out after the heavy rains and floods.

Indian, British scientists working on drug to fight malaria


KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - President Bush has reviewed disputed documents that purport to show he refused orders to take a physical examination in 1972 and did not recall having seen them previously, a White House official said Saturday.    The long-running story on Bush's Texas Air National Guard service took an unusual twist when CBS broadcast a report on what it said were the newly discovered records...

Bush Reviews Disputed Guard Documents


BAGHDAD, Aug. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- A top aide to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr denied a government announcement that Iraqi police entered Imam Ali shrine in Najaf on Friday, Al-Jazeera TV channel reported.

Sadr #39;s aide denies entering of Iraqi police into Najaf shrine


Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Peyton Manning threw four touchdown passes and Mike Vanderjagt kicked a 35-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a 31-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at

NFL Game Summary - Minnesota at Indianapolis


TOKYO (Reuters) - Two strong earthquakes that struck  western Japan are unlikely to be precursors to the type of  massive tremors that hit the region every century or so and the  chances of major aftershocks seem low, a government panel said  on Monday.

West Japan Quakes Unlikely to Be Precursors, Panel Says


Fifth seed Elena Dementieva and seventh seed Nadia Petrova were both beaten in the first round at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Wednesday.

RUSSIAN WOE IN FILDERSTADT


Qyntel Woods, No. 24, has been suspended without pay by the Portland Trail Blazers while investigators look into allegations of animal cruelty.

NBA Player Investigated for Dog Fighting


Enterprise IT executives attending this week's Gartner Symposium ITxpo  in Orlando, Fla., got a peek at several forthcoming products for security, CM (content management), wireless, and SOAs (service-oriented architectures).

Gartner ITxpo spotlights security, wireless


The Netherlands mourned filmmaker Theo van Gogh killed last week by a suspected Islamic militant, while Dutch Muslims rallied to urge reconciliation on Tuesday after a wave of attacks on mosques and churches.

Dutch Mourn Murdered Filmmaker Amid Revenge Fears


Robert McTeer #39;s tenure as president of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank was marked by his endless advocacy for free trade and his belief that rising productivity could trump inflation.

Update 1: McTeer Seen As Raising Dallas Fed Profile


LONDON: Britain will announce plans today for a ban on smoking in many public places and a crackdown on television advertising of  quot;junk food quot; aimed at children.

UK wants partial smoking ban, limit on junk food ads


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Embattled mortgage finance company  Fannie Mae <A HREF=

Fannie Mae to Meet Higher Capital Goal


ATHENS, Greece -- He told them to play for themselves and for their country, and they did. But the US softball team was playing for coach Mike Candrea, too.

US goes distance in softball


They #39;re squat and snub-nosed, slow but steadfast. The Fiat 500 - the tiny Italian car with the big personality - last rolled off assembly lines nearly 30 years ago, and today it is still fighting retirement.

Italian senators fight to save Fiat 500


Biogen Idec Inc. #39;s Tysabri drug for multiple sclerosis may reach patients as soon as next week, and doctors said they plan to prescribe it first to patients who are no longer being helped by older medicines.

New multiple sclerosis drug near patients


SAN FRANCISCO Cingular Wireless will have to pay millions of dollars in fines because of the steep fees it charged its customers who wanted to end their contracts early.

Cingular Wireless fined \$12.1 million over early termination fees


I don #39;t know about you, but this season really doesn #39;t feel like it #39;s started yet. You just about get into the groove of a couple of matches in a row, and then some sodding international match pops up and that #39;s it - everything goes on hold for two weeks.

Portsmouth vs Tottenham match preview


Eminent physicist and doyen of India #39;s nuclear program Raja Ramanna died Friday morning at the age of 79 in a hospital in Mumbai in west India following an intestinal problem.

Top Indian nuclear scientist passes away


Rubens Barrichello won yesterday's Italian Grand Prix, overcoming an unscheduled early pit stop to finish ahead of world champion Michael Schumacher in a 1-2 finish by Ferrari on its home track at Monza. Barrichello, who trails Schumacher by 38 points, has won this race two of the last three years, and now has eight Formula One career victories. Schumacher, who ...

Barrichello takes Italian Grand Prix


AdWeek.com - Marcus Kemp said his new job as vice chairman and chief creative officer at BBDO in Atlanta

Euro's Kemp Sees 'Challenge' At BBDO (AdWeek.com)


Richard Jefferson, who scored 26 points, hit a jumper with seven seconds left Monday to give the New Jersey Nets an 88-86 win over the Toronto Raptors.

NBA: New Jersey 88, Toronto 86


Walgreen (NYSE: WAG), a company that has built a business largely on prescription drugs, reported its 30th consecutive year of record sales and earnings today.

Walgreen: Prescription for Success


Brown-Forman Corp. (BFb.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , which sells products ranging from Jack Daniels whiskey to Lenox china, on Thursday posted a better-than-expected 67 percent jump

Spirits Boost Brown-Forman Profit


Legal action was taken against IBM concerning its conversion to a controversial cash-balance pension plan. Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will pay at least \$300 million to settle certain claims in the complex lawsuit.

IBM Makes Partial Settlement in Age-Bias Case


Rick Wills, CEO of Beaverton-based Tektronix Inc., has resigned from embattled biotechnology company Chiron Corp. #39;s board of directors after serving on it only one month.

Tek CEO quits Chiron board


Lauren Jackson returns from a three-game absence to score 15 points, helping Seattle get an 86-67 victory over the Shock.

Seattle Stops Detroit


The video archives of Pathe News are online, covering the late 1890s through to the 1970s. Pathe News was one of the earliest video news services in Britain and one of the best remembered.

Old News.... REALLY Old News!


BOSTON Nov 9, 2004 - Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling had surgery Tuesday to repair his injured right ankle. Schilling pitched Game 6 of the American League Championship Series and Game 2 of the World Series

Schilling #39;s Ruptured Ankle Tendon Repaired


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese stocks extended losses into a  seventh straight day by midsession on Monday as record-breaking  oil prices and caution about U.S. earnings offset bargain  hunting in some exporters and other recent laggards.

Tokyo Stocks Extend Losses, Hit by Oil


FONTANA, CALIF. - Elliott Sadler raced to his second victory of the season Sunday night at California Speedway and all but wrapped up a spot in NASCAR #39;s new championship playoff.

3rd career win all but clinches Cup contention


The number of people filing initial claims for US jobless aid rose more than expected to 352,000 last week, a government report showed Thursday.

Jobless claims rise by 15,000


West Bromwich Albion hope to make a swift appointment as they start the search to find a replacement for sacked manager Gary Megson.

West Brom begin search for boss


Reuters - Every day, an army of campaigners\fans out across central Florida's

All Political Roads Lead to Florida's I-4 Corridor (Reuters)


India's drive to adopt a western economic model is threatening those who make their living from the jungle.

Plight of India's tribal peoples


Neither Miami (Fla.) nor Florida State, nor the Orange Bowl for that matter, wanted the matchup that ensued last New Year #39;s night.

Rays of hope in Sunshine State


NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh indicated on Thursday that regional autonomy could be a solution to the Kashmir issue.

Autonomy could be a solution to Kashmir issue: Natwar


Stocks rose steadily in late trading Friday as Wall Street welcomed a new retail sales report that showed an increase in consumer spending.

Stocks Edge Higher on Retail Report


Oracle may yet prevail, but not because its target is surrendering. Digging in for a long fight is more likely. When PeopleSoft #39;s board of directors fired Chief Executive Craig Conway on Oct. 1, Wall Street

No White Flag Flying at PeopleSoft


AP - Because so many members of Red Sox Nation are expected in Boston on Saturday to celebrate the team's World Series triumph, the victory parade won't be making any stops and won't culminate with a staged rally, either.

Boston Expects Millions at Red Sox Parade (AP)


A suicide bomber who killed three Black Watch soldiers was white, suggesting British troops are being targeted by European terrorists.

UK soldiers #39; killer may be European


Shares of Google leaped \$15.34, or 18 percent, to \$100.34 on the Nasdaq exchange yesterday in an opening day of trading that harkened back to the wild run-ups of the dot-com era.

Google gets a bounce, ends its first day up 18 percent


Lyon drew 0-0 with Bastia Saturday, earning both a share of the French first-division lead as Marseille beat Toulouse 1-0 on Peguy Luyindula #39;g goal.

Lyon, Bastia tie, share lead after Marseille tops Toulouse in <b>...</b>


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil scaled a new high above \$55 a barrel  Monday as a threat by Norwegian oil and gas employers to halt  production from the world's third biggest exporter stoked fears  of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Hits New High on Norway Strike Fears


Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the\world's largest retailer, said on Saturday it still anticipates\a 2 percent to 4 percent increase in November sales at its\stores open at least a year.

Wal-Mart Keeps Same-Store Sales Outlook (Reuters)


AP - The European Union left open Monday the option of levying punitive tariffs against Boeing Corp.  #151; the main beneficiary of U.S. tax breaks found to violate global trade rules. The move came despite a U.S. warning that it could aggravate a trans-Atlantic fight over subsidies to Boeing and its European rival, Airbus.

EU Leaves Option Open on Boeing Tariffs (AP)


Emisphere warrants close attention, although massive profits are not in the near-term cards.

Emisphere Wins Novartis Over


Clearly, this is not the Venus Williams of old, so perhaps Lindsay Davenport #39;s 7-5, 6-4 fourth-round victory over Williams yesterday in the US Open no longer merits a gold star as a special achievement.

Resurgent Davenport bests Venus


AFP - A pair of sharks killed a teenage water-skier at a popular Adelaide beach as horrified friends looked on, in Australia's second fatal shark attack in less than a week.

Australian police search for teen shark attack victim (AFP)


WASHINGTON - Initial unemployment claims rose last week for the first time in four weeks, boosted by more filings related to Hurricane Charley, a government report showed yesterday.

Initial jobless claims up 10,000 in a week


American Express Co., the fourth- largest US credit-card issuer, said quarterly profit climbed 14 percent to a record as customers spent more on travel and carried larger loan balances.

American Express 3rd-Quarter Net Rises 14 on Travel (Update3)


AFP - Celtic went three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 2-1 win at home to Livingston.

Celtic go three points clear in Scotland (AFP)


The Arabic television channel al-Jazeera has broadcast footage of what it says is a militant group claiming to have seized 10 new hostages in Iraq.

#39;Ten hostages #39; captured in Iraq


Sarah Ulmer of New Zealand continued her dominance of pursuit racing yesterday, breaking her world record to win the Olympic gold medal in the 3,000-meter pursuit.

Ulmer tracks down world record


The Associated Press By Rachel Konrad

News: Nevadans to become first to use touch-screen voting that produces a paper trail


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) - Microsoft launched a preview version of its new service for downloading digital music late Wednesday, placing it squarely in competition with Apple #39;s rival iTunes music service.

Microsoft unveils digital music service


Plenty of eyebrows were raised yesterday when it was learned Yankees MVP-candidate Gary Sheffield had essentially tossed himself, as well as home run king Barry Bonds, under the

Division series notebook: Sheffield admits to steroid use


KARACHI, Pakistan - After eight years in jail on corruption charges, the husband of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was released on bail Monday, an official said, in a move the government heralded as a step toward political harmony with her

Bhuttos husband released from jail


AP - Karl Rove is a smooth, jovial political operative with a Texas-honed reputation as a ruthless competitor and three George W. Bush victories under his belt. Mary Beth Cahill is a daughter of Boston's rough-and-tumble ward battles who just last year brought her no-nonsense organizational skills to Democratic opponent John Kerry's camp.

Cahill, Rove Lead Presidential Campaigns (AP)


Users of portals, news sites and search engines were a bit less satisfied than average consumer scores overall, a University of Michigan survey show. Scores were higher for online travel, retail, auction and brokerage sites.

Study: E-business customer satisfaction on the rise


More than 100,000 German filmgoers see a controversial movie about Adolf Hitler on its opening night.

Germans flock to see Hitler film


In detailing its agreement to acquire IBM's personal computing division, China's Lenovo Group revealed data about growing warranty costs for Big Blue's PC business, and in doing so raised questions about quality control issues.

Lenovo reveals IBM warranty costs rising steadily


The Genesis space capsule that crashed into the Utah desert last month failed because four pencil stub-size gravity switches designed to trigger the release of the spacecraft #39;s parachutes

Switches Failed In Crash Of Genesis


AP - The economy grew at a 3.7 percent annual rate in the third quarter  #151; a pace slightly better than in the spring but not as strong as many analysts expected. Friday's government report was the last broad snapshot of economic activity before Election Day and provided political ammunition for both sides.

Economy Grows at 3.7 Percent Annual Rate (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Department store operator Saks Inc.  <A HREF=

Saks Slips Into Surprise Loss in 3rd Qtr.


AP - Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal is expected to plead guilty in Atlanta traffic court Thursday to his second drunken driving charge.

Furcal Expected to Get Concurrent Sentence (AP)


MISSOURI (1-0) VS. TROY STATE (1-0) When, where: Tonight, 7, at Troy, Ala. TV: ESPN2 AP ranking: Missouri is No. 19 The line: Missouri by 10 1/2 Last meeting: 2002, Missouri won, 44-7 What to watch: Missouri QB Brad Smith completed 14 of 22 passes for 233 yards, threw three TD passes and ran for a 34-yard score in a ...

Tonight on TV


Perhaps there will be a moment during Sunday's game between the Giants and the Redskins when a coach and his former franchise quarterback will do a double take.

On the Far Side of the Field, a Familiar Face


ALEXANDRIA, Virginia The revolving door between the Pentagon and its biggest contractors was described in detail this week when the former chief financial officer of Boeing pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conflict of interest.

Ex-Boeing executive admits guilt


He says the deputy governor (Hatim Kamil) was on his way to work Monday when he was assassinated in a drive-by shooting. Another Iraqi official says two of the man #39;s bodyguards were wounded in the attack.

Baghdad deputy governor killed


Oil prices have set new record highs above \$54 a barrel for US crude, with global supplies hounded by outages that are thwarting efforts to build winter heating oil inventories.

Oil price breaks through \$54


AP - European champion FC Porto won the Toyota Cup on Sunday, defeating Colombia's Once Caldas 8-7 in a penalty-kick shootout in a game between the top club teams from Europe and South America.

FC Porto Wins Toyota Cup (AP)


AP - India's Jyoti Randhawa won his first title of the year, capturing the Volvo Masters of Asia on Sunday by beating Australia's Terry Pilkadaris on the second playoff hole.

India's Randhawa Wins Masters of Asia (AP)


NASCAR chairman Brian France will keep the new points system in place for next year, satisfied that the closest championship race in history is proof that the 10-race playoff structure works better than expected.

NASCAR to Keep New Points System for 2005


For blogs and bloggers, 2004 was a good year, according to data released from the Pew Internet   American Life Project.

Pew study: Blogs busted out in 2004


Europe must deliver on plans to set up an independent funding body for science or face an unprecedented brain drain, a leading scientist warns.

Stakes high for EU science plans


Taj McWilliams-Franklin, a center for the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, was not one of those kids who started playing basketball when she was 6, or played on an AAU team every year during high school.

She has her priorities in order


Symantec Corp., the world #39;s largest maker of anti-virus programs for computers, agreed to buy Veritas Software Corp. for \$13.5 billion, the biggest software purchase in six years.

Symantec Will Buy Veritas for \$13.5 Billion in Stock (Update4)


It's a hacker's nightmare but a dream for bankers and spies: A computer network so secure that even the simplest attempts to eavesdrop will interrupt the flow of data and alert administrators to the snooping.

Super-Secure Quantum Network Warns of Data Danger


Sweden is to move the northern town of Kiruna to prevent it sinking into a hole left by iron ore mines.

Sweden to save 'sinking' town


Celtics fifth match in this seasons Champions League group stages sees the Hoops facing one of the favourites for the competition, Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Celts face huge task


What is Search Engine Optimization? \\It is no secret that search engines are the number one traffic generating method for driving visitors to the different web sites. Search engines are very useful in helping people find the relevant information they seek on the Internet. The major search engines develop and ...

What is Search Engine Optimization?


BOSTON -- Curt Schilling #39;s injury is not common, but another man underwent the same surgery Tuesday. NewsCenter 5 #39;s Liz Brunner took an inside look at the procedure and what patients can expect afterward.

Patient Describes Ankle Tendon Surgery


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistani security forces have arrested two  quot;important quot; Al Qaeda operatives, an Egyptian and a Saudi national, officials said yesterday.

Two Qaeda arrests in Pakistan


Supporters and detractors of a plan to bring baseball to the District are lining up to make their case before the D.C. Council.

Hearing Will Be Long


THESSALONIKI, Greece - Abby Wambach will never score an easier goal. From one foot away, she tapped the ball into the net and put the United States into the Olympic semifinals...

U.S. Soccer Team Fights Past Japan 2-1


Moscow - Recorders from the two planes that crashed nearly simultaneously in Russia have not yielded reliable information, a top official says.

#39;Black boxes failed before planes went down #39;


Fifty thousand are dead, thousands more will die, and more than 1 million have lost their homes. Simon Robinson visits Darfur and witnesses what is happening while the world dithers

The Tragedy of Sudan


ATLANTA -- It was fatherly advice sent cross-country from California to Boston two months ago.  quot;He's the man, quot; Jay Haas told his 22-year-old son, Billy, that Saturday night of the Deutsche Bank Championship.  quot;But remember: You're the man, too. quot;

Who's the man? Haas, Woods share lead


Jan Boldt can hardly believe the number of fake e-mail warnings she receives almost daily from crooks impersonating the security divisions at eBay, AOL, PayPal and other businesses. She usually deletes them without even looking.

'Phishing' on the Rise, But Don't Take the Bait


A jury convicted five and acquitted one of six former Enron and Merrill Lynch employees yesterday in the first prosecution arising from the accounting fraud that led to the energy trader #39;s collapse.

Five convicted of fraud in barge case


Hungry, thirsty and increasingly desperate residents attacked each other in a panic to get scarce food and water Thursday as workers struggled to bury hundreds of corpses six days after the city was struck by Tropical Storm Jeanne.

Haiti Storm Death Toll Could Reach 2,000


MADRAS, India - India and Australia both rued a missed opportunity of victory after bad weather ruined an absorbing climax to the second cricket Test on Monday.

Rain has the last laugh as second Test ends in a draw


JIDDA, Saudi Arabia -- The five men who attacked the US consulate are being vilified by some Saudis as criminals, not lauded as heroes, even though they targeted the offices of a country that remains unpopular among many Arabs.

US consulate attack


Just a few seconds after Richard Seymour raced 68 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown with a Drew Bledsoe fumble in Sunday's 31-17 Patriots victory over the Buffalo Bills, the camera panned the sideline at Ralph Wilson Stadium to capture a telling scene.

Two sides to Patriots' success story


Roger Clemens is ready to go on short rest tomorrow. The Astros don #39;t need to rush him back. In a stellar pitching duel and defensive clinic last night, Houston beat the Cardinals, 3

Kent blasts Astros ahead


Lawmakers believe the analog TV spectrum can be put to much better use and can generate billions in auctions to telecom companies. So Congress is considering paying Americans to ditch over-the-air analog TV and switch to digital. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.

Uncle Sam Wants Your Airwaves


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co. <A HREF=

Coca-Cola Warns on Profits, Shares Drop


Reuters - U.S. crude futures skidded more than\half a dollar lower on Monday, as a mild New Year's weekend in\the United States and forecasts for above-average temperatures\were expected to cap heating oil demand, traders said.

Mild U.S. Weather Bites Into Oil Prices (Reuters)


SPACE.com - Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful events in the universe, temporary outshining several galaxies and likely signaling the birth of a black hole.

Weak Version of Most Powerful Explosions Found (SPACE.com)


BUOYED by record revenue of \$401 million for the first half of 2004 (up 8.8 per cent on the same period last year), Canon Australia has trotted out 28 new consumer imaging products and a new inkjet printer line called Pixma.

Canon cashes in on digicam boom


MOSCOW - Russia #39;s Federal Space Agency and NASA (news - web sites) have approved the crew of the next mission to the international space station, a Russian agency spokesman said Tuesday.

Russia, NASA OK Space Station #39;s Next Crew


With physicals completed, the trade between the Pirates and Athletics that sends All-Star catcher Jason Kendall to Oakland is also completed.

A's Get Kendall


Chicago-related items and experiences will be up for sale Dec. 2 to Dec. 16 on eBay as part of an effort to raise money for arts and cultural programs in the city.

Online Auction to Offer a Bit of Chicago to Bidders


Reuters - Britain is considering a U.S. request to\move troops into more potentially dangerous areas of Iraq, a\politically charged move which has re-ignited anger over Prime\Minister Tony Blair's support for the war.

Britain Considers U.S. Request for More Iraq Help (Reuters)


Matrix Semiconductor Inc. is shipping samples of a new, cheaper memory chip that has been delayed by technological problems for nearly two years, the company said Friday.

After delays, 3-D memory chips get closer to market


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) - Oracle #39;s chief executive Larry Ellison on Friday said the company may be inclined to lower its \$7.7 billion hostile offer for PeopleSoft, according to published reports.

Ellison inclined to cut PeopleSoft bid


A bomb explodes at an opposition rally in Bangladesh, killing at least one person, witnesses and police say.

Blast hits Bangladesh party rally


IBM has begun using new security hardware from National Semiconductor in its desktop PCs in an effort to fend off viruses and hackers.

IBM Builds In PC Security


A goal deep in injury time from Stuart Elliott salvaged a 3-3 draw for Northern Ireland in a pulsating World Cup European Group Six qualifier against Austria on Wednesday.

Late goal salvages N.Ireland draw against Austria


ATHENS, Greece - Bad judging has become a tradition at the Olympics, almost its own event really. From the robbery of Munich, where officials stole a basketball gold from the United States and gave it to Russia

Controversy Again Taints Olympic Games


AP - Barry Bonds is three home runs away from joining Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth in baseball's 700 club. Bonds hit his 697th homer in the San Francisco Giants' 18-7 home victory over Arizona on Friday night, a two-run shot off Edgardo Gonzalez (0-8) in the second inning.

Bonds Hits No. 697, Giants Rout D'backs (AP)


The 13th-ranked Terps ran No.25 Memphis into submission 84-61 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic at Springfield Civic Center.

Terps #39; speed overwhelms Memphis


Oil prices shot up yesterday to their fifth straight 21-year high, as hurricane damage closed a key oil shipping port in Louisiana.

Oil, stocks both rise


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Advertisers may have been bitten once  by an indecency scandal at the 2004 Super Bowl, but they are  not shy about getting back into the game for the next U.S.  football championship.

Super Bowl Advertisers Still in Game After Scandal


(IsraelNN.com) Yasser Arafats nephew Nasser al-Kidwa announced after receiving the late arch terrorists medical records that no poison known to French officials was detected in Yasser Arafats bloodstream.

Arafats Nephew Blames Israel


Property and casualty insurers such as State Farm and The Hartford have invested in wireless and other technologies to streamline claims processing for policyholders affected by recent hurricanes.

Wireless technology aids post-hurricane claims processing


Republicans raised questions about John Kerry's motives; Democrats countered that the G.O.P. was throwing up a smokescreen.

Kerry's Mention of Cheney's Gay Daughter Sparks Sharp Reaction


AP - Emory University Hospital has confirmed that a brain surgery patient does not have the human version of mad cow disease, but does have a rare, fatal disorder that resembles it.

Emory: Patient's Disorder Isn't Mad Cow (AP)


Cutting-edge data mining and other intelligence tools could redefine privacy as we know it. A News.com special report.

Digital Agenda: Homeland security--A global assault on anonymity


Scientists in the US fear a volcano in Washington state, near Seattle and Portland, could soon erupt after a surge in seismic activity.

US volcano rumbles back to life