A powerful earthquake has shaken Tokyo, causing buildings in the Japanese capital to sway for up to a minute. The earthquake measured 6.8, according to prelimiary reports, and was centred in Niigata state, 160 miles (260 kilometres) north of Tokyo.

Powerful earthquake shakes Tokyo


PARIS In an effort to stop Iran from producing a nuclear bomb, the 25 leaders of the European Union on Friday offered the country possible economic and political incentives if it suspends its production of enriched uranium.

EU offers Iran incentives to halt nuclear program


SANTIAGO (Reuters) - President Bush reached out to Latin  America on Sunday with a pledge to pursue immigration reform  but a security scuffle that he inserted himself into created a  lasting image for this year's summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

Bush Pledges Immigration Reform at Asia-Pacific Summit


AFP - Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing concluded a visit to Yemen after handing President Ali Abdullah Saleh a message from his Chinese counterpart proposing boosting political and economic links between the two countries, the official SABA news agency reported.

Chinese FM discusses boosting links with Yemen (AFP)


That appears to be the conclusion of research in this week #39;s issue of Science that assesses the effects of 17-year periodical cicadas on forest ecology.

Cicadas #39; Overall Effect on Trees


HOFSTRA (4-4) vs. MAINE (4-4) When, where: Tomorrow, 2 p.m., at Orono, Maine. Last season: Maine won, 44-21. Comments: Maine is coming off a 35-34 loss to Massachusetts. TB Marcus Williams rushed for 175 yards on 28 carries to lead a Black Bear offense that accumulated 451 yards. Ron Whitcomb completed 22 of 33 passes with 1 TD and 1 ...

Key New England games


FALLUJAH, Oct 12: US planes hammered guerilla positions in of Fallujah and Ramadi on Tuesday, killing 11 people, as the disarming of Shia militiamen gathered pace in Baghdad despite US warnings of internal rifts.

US airstrikes leave 11 dead in Iraq


Plus, Hewlett-Packard's marginal margins, Yahoo! courts singles, and hyper growth equals one hot IPO.

Kmart, Sears Join Forces


FBI officials said they have netted close to \$87 million worth of counterfeit software and components in California, Washington and Texas as a result of a sting operation called Operation Digital Marauder.

Feds Seize \$87M in Counterfeit Software Sting


German officials today reaffirmed their policy of not contributing troops to the American-led coalition in Iraq and rejected speculation, prompted by a remark by the

Germany Rejects Speculation That Iraq Policy May Change


Britons are saving 57bn too little for their retirement, according to figures leaked to a Sunday paper.

Leaked figures 'show pension gap'


At least 56 miners were killed in a coal mine gas explosion in China last night that left another 92 missing. There is only a slim chance that those missing after the blast, at the Daping mine in Henan province

China mine blast kills 56


US presidential rivals George W Bush and John Kerry will both campaign in Iowa, a key swing state, on Wednesday.

US rivals blitz Iowa battleground


Fletcher Building Ltd., New Zealand #39;s largest building products maker, said it is considering buying parts of Australian construction group Amatek Holdings Ltd.

Fletcher Building Considering Bid for Parts of Amatek Group


Reuters - OPEC ministers will concentrate on quota\compliance rather than cutting official production ceilings to\combat falling oil prices when they meet in Cairo this week,\Iran's oil minister was quoted as saying on Monday.

Iran Expects OPEC to Leave Quotas Steady (Reuters)


Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has ended his opening statement in his war crimes trial, arguing he did nothing wrong.

Milosevic Concludes Opening Statement


Recent months have seen AMD taking an upper hand over Intel in the chip market. And the latest news is another new indication that Intel is struggling to keep up with the pace they once spearheaded.

Intel having a hard time competing with AMD


BY KOZO MIZOGUCHI    TOKYO (AP) -- A group of Japanese researchers has found that carbon dioxide levels over the Antarctica rose by over 2.6 percent from six years ago - the first such detection of an increase in a

'Greenhouse' Gas Found Rising Over Antarctica


Gas and electric utility Entergy Corp. Thursday said it expects to post third-quarter earnings about 15 percent below last year #39;s results, citing soft demand for electricity and lower income from energy trading.

Update 1: Entergy Sees Lower 3Q Earnings


Police said Saturday they have arrested one of Rio de Janeiro's most-wanted drug lords.

Police Arrest Rio De Janeiro Drug Lord


Aggregator says it expects flat-rate pricing to simplify budgeting for enterprises and to increase usage of hotspots. By Mobile Pipeline News.

IPass To Offer Flat-Rate Hotspot Pricing


OME, Aug. 18  The police defused a bomb today in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia, the same town where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had entertained British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie ...

Bomb Defused in Sardinia After Berlusoni and Blair Visited


Recently in spite of Sudan #39;s opposition and criticism from international community the US is ready to go ahead with submitting a resolution to the UN Security Council for sanctions against Sudan.

Sanctions cannot solve crisis in Sudan: Signed article


AP - Florida State quarterback Chris Rix left Saturday's game against Clemson late in the first quarter with an injured right ankle.

Florida State Quarterback Injures Ankle (AP)


LONDON - British police charged eight terrorist suspects Tuesday with conspiring to commit murder and use radioactive materials, toxic gases, chemicals or explosives to cause

Britain Charges Eight Terrorist Suspects


Tiger Woods is still the No. 1 golfer in the world, just as sure Generalisimo Francisco Franco is still dead. The difference these days is, Woods is No.

PRO GOLF NOTEBOOK Top spot seems hollow for Woods


ANALYST NATHAN BROOKWOOD has raised several questions about a technology announcement Intel made last week on Pentium 4 dual core processors and wonders just what technology was under the hood.

Did Intel mock up dual Pentium 4 demo?


Canada #39;s Toronto Dominion Bank said Wednesday it is in talks with US-based Banknorth Group about a possible deal, while a published report said the two parties are in advanced negotiations that could lead to a \$2.

Canada bank, Banknorth talk \$2B deal


AFP - Militants threatening to kill three UN workers held hostage in Afghanistan set a fresh deadline for their demands to be met and blamed the United States for slowing up negotiations.

Afghan kidnappers set new deadline for UN hostages (AFP)


TOKYO: Motorola and NTT DoCoMo, Japan #39;s top mobile phone operator, said yesterday they would jointly develop third-generation (3G) handsets, giving Motorola a way into a market largely out of reach for foreign manufacturers.

Motorola, DoCoMo to make 3G phones for business use


4Kids Entertainment got karate-chopped last week. Can it get back up off the mat?

Is 4Kids 4 Investors?


Senior negotiators from Volkswagen and its main union have met to seek a deal on cost cutting that could head off the first full-blown strike at the carmaker #39;s western German factories.

VW and union resume wage talks


Shares of Adobe Systems Inc. shot up 4 percent in the extended session after the software company reported better-than-expected third-quarter profit and predicted similar results for the fourth quarter.

Update 2: Adobe Beats 3Q Estimates; Shares Jump


\

 By Ed Cropley

 VIENTIANE (Reuters) - Leaders of 13 Southeast and Northeast\Asian states Monday underlined their determination to turn\growing economic power into political influence by establishing\a new summit-level grouping.

SE Asia Forges Closer Ties with China, Japan, S.Korea


Iraq war blogs are as varied as the soldiers who write them. Some sites feature practical news, war pictures and advice...

Soldiers' War Blogs Detail Life in Iraq


com. Despite the Rockies and Dodgers meeting 14 times already this year already, Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings will make his first start of the season against Los Angeles on Sunday.

Jennings faces Dodgers in finale


NAJAF, Iraq - Thousands of pilgrims streamed into the Imam Ali Shrine on Friday and filed out mixed with militants who had been holed up inside, leaving the holy site nearly empty after Iraq's top Shiite cleric brokered a peace deal to end three weeks of fighting in this holy city.    Hours earlier, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr issued a statement broadcast over the shrine's loudspeakers, ordering his fighters to lay down their arms and leave Najaf and neighboring Kufa...

Iraq Cleric Urges Fighters to Drop Arms


HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's ruling party on Saturday  confirmed the election of the first woman candidate as deputy  to President Robert Mugabe at the end of a congress which also  endorsed Mugabe as party leader for another five years.

Zimbabwe Ruling Party Elects Woman as Mugabe Deputy


The company that helped push word-processing and graphical computing into the mainstream wants to do the same thing with weblogs. Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft sees blogs for the masses


Extra  troops are sent to a remote area in west Nepal after 20 troops die in a clash with Maoist rebels.

Nepal army sends reinforcements


College basketball: MEN -- Detroit at Northeastern, 7 p.m.; UNH at Brown, 7 p.m.; Stony Brook at URI, 7 p.m.; UMass-Lowell at AIC, 7 p.m.; Mt. Ida at Bridgewater St., 7 p.m.; Dowling at Southern Conn., 7 p.m.; Tufts at Suffolk, 7:30 p.m.; St. Rose at Franklin Pierce, 7:30 p.m.; Southern Maine at Colby, 7:30 p.m.; WOMEN -- UMass-Lowell at ...

Today's schedule


The smart phone market will grow more crowded Wednesday with the debut of two devices directed at opposite ends of the customer spectrum: a BlackBerry for consumers with a newfangled keyboard and a Nokia phone-organizer for mobile business professionals.

Smart Phone Market Growing Rapidly


If it's possible to love something just because it could visit torrents upon the Washington region, fling hail from the skies and swell streams into rivers, then Jason Samenow is smitten.

Forecast: Plenty of Activity On the Weather Blog Front


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won a critical vote in Israel #39;s parliament Wednesday in favor of his plan to withdraw Israeli settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip.

Sharon Wins Support for Gaza Plan


Halley's comet won't return until 2061, but pieces of the celestial body are streaking across the sky. The heavenly show, known as the Orionids meteor shower, peaks Wednesday night.

Orionid Meteor Shower to Peak Wednesday Night


WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Oracle Corp. executives, lobbying investors to support the company #39;s \$9.2 billion hostile takeover bid, came out swinging Monday against PeopleSoft Inc.

Oracle assails PeopleSoft board


The three companies are investing billions of dollars to develop and prepare for mass production of Cell, a multicore semiconductor composed of several processors that work together to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Sony, IBM, Toshiba offer details on upcoming 'Cell' chip


AP - Stewart Cink was atop the leaderboard, and David Toms had the lead in the clubhouse. But with only 24 players completing second-round play in the rain-delayed NEC Invitational, it was hard to tell who had control.

Woods May Stay No. 1 - for Now (AP)


MURRAY HILL, NJ - Lucent Technologies has released a software upgrade for its wireless equipment that will allow operators to support high-speed data packet access (HSDPA) connections in 3G networks.

Lucent turns on HSDPA upgrade


STAR CITY, Russia - The new crew to the international space station will conduct experiments to research new AIDS vaccines and plant growth, and work on new space vehicles that will help future missions to the moon and Mars, crew members said Thursday.

Space Station Crew Plans New Missions


Wall Street bounded higher for the second straight day yesterday as investors reveled in sharply falling oil prices and the probusiness agenda of the second Bush administration. The Dow Jones industrials gained more than 177 points for its best day of 2004, while the Standard  amp; Poor's 500 closed at its highest level since early 2002.

Markets surge on oil drop, election


TOKYO (AFP) - A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale rocked the northern Japanese island of Hokkaid, injuring 13 people, the Meteorological Agency and police said.

Powerful quake rocks northern Japan, injuring 13


Starting Jan. 18, Oracle will provide security patches for all of its products on a quarterly basis, a schedule it believes is most convenient for customers.

Oracle to deliver security patches on quarterly basis


Sony's first consumer HD camcorder is expected to arrive in the U.S. soon.

Out in Japan: High-Def Home Movies


Whatever problems you encounter in your own portfolio, you #39;re not alone. Plenty of other investors trip over the same stumbling blocks.

Top 10 Portfolio Pitfalls


Three British ex-bankers are to appeal a decision by a judge that they could be extradited to the United States to face trial over alleged fraud charges relating to disgraced energy group Enron.

UK bankers may face US trial over Enron


US Airways' intention to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is expected to affect the third-quarter financial performance of Electronic Data Systems Corp.

US Airways bankruptcy to hit EDS earnings


Soelden, Austria - Anja Paerson picked up where she left off last year, winning the season-opening World Cup giant slalom in solid fashion on Saturday.

Paerson opens skiing season in style


The United Nations and France have begun mass evacuations of UN staff and foreign nationals following days of violence and looting in Ivory Coast, a UN spokesman said.

Foreigners flee Ivory Coast


The St. Louis Rams had spent the better part of the first half watching Michael Vick run circles around them. Surprisingly, they watched the normally accommodating Falcons run defense put the clamps on Marshall Faulk.

Rams storm back, still lose to Vick, Falcons


AP - Denmark's first soccer strike ended Thursday with an agreement between teams and the National Players' Association, which had walked out Aug. 17.

Denmark's First Players' Strike Is Over (AP)


Ziff Davis - The update fixes about eight vulnerabilities, including an image file problem and printing and networking holes.

Apple Releases Mac OS X Security Patches (Ziff Davis)


BANGKOK Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra headed to a Muslim-dominated part of southern Thailand on Sunday after promising to act aggressively against militants and illegal weapons they have used in deadly attacks there.

Thaksin vows  #39;iron fist #39; against rebels in south


Also: Get your Ashlee Simpson karaoke iPod.

News.com Extra: When Hilary and Larry didn't come to blows


AP - LaDainian Tomlinson ran right, smack into a Carolina defender. He went left and was tackled again. Almost everywhere the San Diego running back went, the Panthers' maligned run defense was there to stop him.

Chargers Hand Panthers 4th Loss in Row (AP)


Phil Craven, head of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) told a press conference he was very upbeat about the Games.

IPC President Upbeat About Athens Paralympics


AP - Cat Osterman struck out 10 in six innings, Crystl Bustos homered and the United States completed a perfect run through the preliminary round with a 3-0 win over Taiwan on Friday, setting up a U.S.-Australia showdown in the semifinals.

U.S. Softball Team Posts Shutout No. 7 (AP)


The US Supreme Court opted Monday not to hear a case involving the national  quot;do-not-call quot; list, effectively ending a bid by telemarketers to have the popular registry deemed unconstitutional.

quot;Do-not-call quot; list survives


A group of people thought to be North Korean refugees is now in the visa section of the Japanese embassy in Beijing. Japanese diplomats say 29 people entered a Japanese school in the capital Wednesday.

Suspected N. Koreans Enter Japanese School in Beijing


The number of mortgages approved for house purchases fell by more than a fifth in July, the British Bankers' Association says.

Fewer mortgages approved in July


Political polling outfits exclude cell phone users from this year's presidential surveys. But a new survey indicates that mobile phone users are a distinct voting group whose ballot preferences might not be reflected in traditional polls. By Elisa Batista.

Phone Choices May Affect Polls


(Sports Network) - The winless Golden State Warriors start a five-game road trip tonight, as they visit the undefeated Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

SportsNetwork Game Preview


With 99 percent of the votes still to be counted in Afghanistan #39;s presidential election, incumbent Hamid Karzai had taken a lead that many observers expect him to retain right to the end of a marathon count.

Karzai leads but 99 of votes to be counted


ATASCADEROS, Mexico -- This remote farming town in northwestern Mexico has tried just about everything to rid itself of rats: cats, poison, and even cash rewards for killing the thousands of rodents infesting businesses and destroying the corn harvest.

Mass. man is Mexican town's Pied Piper


If the Bengals are sharing this improbable underdog sports week with the Red Sox and Peter Warricks broken leg is their version of Curt Schillings bloodied ankle, then Chad Johnson must

Chad bumps; Rudi runs


WASHINGTON--Cynics might say Major League Baseball used competition from Northern Virginia to pry the District of Columbia #39;s pocketbook wide open for a new ballpark for the relocated Montreal Expos.

DC throws a curve


Two Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, apparently when explosives they were carrying were set off.

Two Palestinians killed in Gaza


Nokia launched three new phones at a major fashion event that might just match the clothing, purse or jewelry you are wearing. According to the press release: The sleek and sexy Nokia 7280 offers a completely

Nokia Announces Fashion Phones: Nokia 7280, 7270 and 7260


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices soared to \$44 a barrel on  Wednesday, ending a streak of heavy losses, as a U.S.  government report showed crude oil stocks falling to the lowest  level in five months.

Oil Hits \$44 as U.S. Crude Stocks Slide


AP - Replacement starter Travis Smith pitched five solid innings, Andruw Jones homered again and the Atlanta Braves buried Philadelphia a little deeper in the NL East, beating the Phillies 3-1 on Monday.

Braves Top Phillies 3-1 (AP)


President Bush  approved Wednesday \$20 million in direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, as part of a broader White House strategy to pursue peace in the Middle East following Yasser Arafat's death.

Aid to Palestinians Approved


29 October 2004 - Reacting to an upsurge of violence and disturbances in Liberia #39;s capital, Monrovia, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the local leaders there to lend their support to United Nations efforts to restore calm.

Annan asks traditional leaders to UN efforts to restore calm in <b>...</b>


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

Braves Rally to Defeat Marlins 8-1 (AP)


ATHENS -- Gail Devers stared straight ahead, her eyes focused on the first hurdle.  quot;I was trying to block it out, quot; she said later.

Devers can #146;t outrun pain, falls in hurdles


An Ontario court judge has made the rare move of agreeing to appoint an inspector to probe related-party deals at Conrad Black #39;s Canadian holding company Hollinger Inc

Ont. judge agrees to appoint Hollinger Inc. inspector


St. Andrews, Scotland (Sports Network) - Luke Donald shot a four-under 68 on Saturday to move into the lead after the third round of the dunhill links championship.

Donald moves in front at dunhill links championship


Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said international environment for India #39;s development was  quot;highly favourable quot; and there was  quot;tremendous goodwill quot; for the country in the outside world.

International environment for India #39;s development highly <b>...</b>


KATHMANDU: Nepali troops killed at least 21 Maoist rebels and lost 13 soldiers in gunbattles across the Himalayan kingdom, officials said yesterday.

New clashes in Nepal claim 34


ST. LOUIS -- The Red Sox were the bold-faced headline on the 2004 season, the town crier in Kenmore Square. The long-suffering franchise fought its way through a cursed history to deliver a World Series triumph

\$3.0 million team option


Edgar Martinez overshadowed Ichiro Suzuki #39;s chase of the Major League #39;s single-season hits record with a two-homer night. The long balls weren #39;t enough for Seattle

Ichiro singles, now 30 shy of mark


FRANKFURT : Labour conflict looks set to boil over in the German automobile sector in the coming weeks as car makers such as Volkswagen and Opel seek to impose rigorous belt-tightening measures as an answer to chronically weak demand.

German car sector faces autumn of discontent


SAMARRA (Iraq) - Bloodied by weeks of suicide bomb attacks and assassinations, Iraqi security forces emerged on Sunday to patrol the streets of Samarra after a morale-boosting victory in this Sunni Triangle city.

Samarra residents angry over civilian death toll


Apple couldn't ask for a better dilemma -- with nine days left until Christmas, retailers are reporting a run on the popular iPod digital music player. <FONT face=

iPod: The Gift That Keeps on Going


icrosoft, which has agreed to pay \$1.8 billion to settle consumer antitrust suits, has been sued by California munciplaties, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, over claims that the company overcharged them for its Windows software.

Suit by Cities Says Microsoft Overcharged


If the Astros finish in a two-way for the wild-card lead with the San Francisco Giants, they would play a one-game playoff at 3:05 pm Monday at San Francisco.

Astros beat Rockies, secure wild card tie


WITH GOOGLE nipping at its heels, Microsoft has just released a beta edition of its new MSN Desktop Search application. Like Google #39;s very similar product, Desktop Search builds an index of documents and e

MSN Desktop Search Beta tested


NEW YORK - Delta Air Lines Inc. #39;s bonds rose sharply in Thursday trading, a day after it offered to exchange some bonds in an attempt to stave off bankruptcy.

Business Glance


Eighty-six years after the Boston Red Sox last won the World Series, the franchise is again facing its rivals and its ghosts.

With a New Spirit, the Red Sox Tackle Their Haunted Past


Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe has issued a sweeping monetary and political blueprint, calling for a sovereign Quebec and for replacing the Canadian dollar with a new currency for North, Central and South America.

Duceppe advocates new, pan-American currency


Reuters - Google Inc. appeared set\to start trading on Nasdaq on Wednesday, after the Web's No. 1\search engine asked regulators on Monday for final approval to\price its closely watched initial public offering.

Google Could Make Its Market Debut Wed. (Reuters)


Energy drink company Red Bull has bought the Jaguar Formula One team.

Red Bull snaps up Jaguar F1 team


NEW YORK  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday raised doubts about Myanmar #39;s resolve to implement a road map for democracy and urged the nation #39;s military leaders to immediately release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Annan urges Myanmar to free Suu Kyi


AP - Chalk up the first game between the NFL's defending co-MVP quarterbacks to Peyton Manning. Manning threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns, and Nick Harper intercepted Steve McNair's pass in the end zone in helping Indianapolis rally for a 31-17 victory over Tennessee on Sunday.

Manning Leads Colts Past Titans, 31-17 (AP)


GMP Capital Corp. (GMP.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it has no plans to make further bids to restructure Stelco Inc.

UPDATE 1-GMP says no further plans to pursue bid for Stelco


FOR FOUR years, researchers have been pointing to disturbing signs that the popular painkilling drug Vioxx causes heart attacks and strokes with long-term use.

The Vioxx warning


In the past three weeks, shares of Apple Computer Inc. have flirted with all-time highs after a wave of reports from investment houses like Piper Jaffray, Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan issued glowing projections about the Cupertino firm #39;s future.

Preaching beyond the Mac faithful


Kansas City held on to the ball and controlled the clock to outlast the Baltimore Ravens 27-24 and win their first game of the season.

Priest brings Chiefs some salvation


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A large wall in a building under construction at Dubai airport collapsed Monday, killing more than eight people and injuring many more, a contractor said.    Workers at the site said they saw up to 40 casualties being taking away, but there was no confirmation of the number of wounded...

Building Collapses at Dubai Airport


A new scheme allowing disabled people to summon emergency services by text message is launched in Hong Kong.

Texts to alert HK emergencies


If it didn #39;t cross your mind while watching video footage of SpaceShipOne streaking into space over California #39;s Mojave Desert on Monday, there were plenty of commentators on hand to jog your sense of history.

An aviation milestone


Playing its first game in Idaho since 1954, BYU faces another non-conference opponent Friday when they travel to Boise to take on No.

BYU Hopes to Unseat Boise #39;s Bucking Broncos Friday


Oct. 1, 2004 - A research team that showed herring communicate by farting and the authors of a study on the effect of country music on suicide were among the winners of the 2004 Ig Nobel prize.

Farting Herring, Suicides Garner Ig Nobels


Sep. 15, 2004. Less than a month after its rival KDE rolled out its newest open-source desktop, the Gnome Project Wednesday debuted out Gnome 2.8, the latest iteration of its graphical interfaces for Linux.

Gnome Debuts 2.8 Desktop


Two EU reports on Turkey's membership bid suggest negotiations could take at least 10 years.

Turkey's EU bid 'may take decade'


AP - New Jersey Devils center Scott Gomez signed a  #36;500 a week contract with the minor league Alaska Aces for the duration of the NHL lockout.

Devils Center Gomez to Play for Alaska (AP)


AP - Steve Rocco didn't file a candidate statement or mount a campaign for the school board. He's unknown to teachers and the district and only barely known to his neighbors. Nonetheless, the man being called a

'Mystery Candidate' Wins Without Campaign (AP)


The move came two months after Dan Rather acknowledged flaws in a report on President Bush's National Guard service.

Rather Quitting as CBS Anchor in Abrupt Move


NEW YORK - Yesterday, Howard Stern--who loudly claims to dominate media, but has rarely, if ever, added one iota to the sum of human knowledge--made waves by announcing he will move his act to another media.

Google Print: The Next Big Thing


The Viry technical director is aiming for perfect reliability through to the final race of the year. Beginning this weekend in Monza.

Rob White aims for a zero defect finish to the season


NEW YORK - Former President Bill Clinton was in good spirits Saturday, walking around his hospital room in street clothes and buoyed by thousands of get-well messages as he awaited heart bypass surgery early this coming week, people close to the family said.    Clinton's wife and daughter visited him in the hospital Saturday and he had received 15,000 get-well messages relayed from the Web site of his foundation, a spokeswoman said...

Clinton in Good Spirits Before Surgery


AP - Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer, Moises Alou also homered and the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 11-6 on Sunday in the testy conclusion of a three-game series between the NL Central rivals.

Ramirez Hits 3-Run Homer, Cubs Beat Astros (AP)


MILAN BAROS, who has struggled to maintain a place in Rafael Benitez #39;s starting line-up this season, has been nominated for FIFA #39;s World Player of the Year award.

Baros on shortlist for world accolade


MIAMI Frank Gore scored the winning touchdown on a one-yard run with 49 seconds left as third-ranked Miami rallied to beat number-18 Louisville 41-to-38 at the Orange Bowl.

( 3) Miami 41 (18) Louisville 38


ATHENS, Greece -- Andrey Moiseev of Russia won the gold medal in the men #39;s modern pentathlon, beating out Andrejus Zadneprovskis of Lithuania.

Andrejus Zadneprovskis of Lithuania grabs silver


BANGKOK -- Thai and international health officials held an emergency meeting on Monday to review a case in which there is a  quot;very remote possibility quot; bird flu was passed from human to human, a senior WHO official said.

Thai suspected bird flu case fans human link fear


AP - Google Inc. is trying to establish an online reading room for five major libraries by scanning stacks of hard-to-find books into its widely used Internet search engine.

Google to Scan Books From Big Libraries (AP)


China's booming economy has fuelled a 40 jump in crude oil imports so far this year, official figures show.

China reports soaring oil imports


The Chicago Bears have sent wide receiver Marty Booker and a 2005 third-round draft pick to the Miami Dophins for disgruntled defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

Bears, Dolphins swap former Pro Bowlers


AP - The Seattle SuperSonics activated guard Ibrahim Kutluay before Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and placed guard Mateen Cleaves on the injured list with a strained left shoulder.

SuperSonics Activate Kutluay (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - Optimism about company earnings and  continued global economic strength boosted European and Asian  shares, hurt bonds, and laid the grounds for a strong Wall  Street opening on Monday.

Global Markets: Optimism Lifts Stocks


AP - Two U.S. soldiers were killed by small arms fire at a checkpoint in Baghdad, the U.S. command said Monday.

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Baghdad (AP)


NINTENDO is gearing up to defend its almost complete share of the hand-held games market with 12 new games to be launched along with its latest, dual-screen handheld console, the DS, on December 2. Nintendo

Nintendo ahead of the game


Chip giant Intel is launching a  #39;tri-mode #39; Centrino chipset that supports all three wi-fi networking standards. The new chipset will support 802.

Intel to launch tri-mode chipset


Judge rules that VU Games is  quot;not authorized quot; to distribute Valve games in cyber-cafes; other claims, amount of damages remain at issue.

Valve prevails in cyber-cafe rights case


Apple unveils its new ultra-thin G5 iMac while Logitech readies the first laser mouse. Also: HP's holiday offerings.

Gadget harvest


Rashard Lewis brought his game at both ends, scoring 23 points and blocking five shots, leading the Seattle SuperSonics to a 106-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

SuperSonics 106, Hawks 85


AP - A group of some 40 fishermen hurled rocks at park rangers who have been blocking the entrance to research stations on the Galapagos Islands in protest of the replacement of their director.

Fishermen Attack Galapagos Protesters (AP)


Less than a week after a collecting a \$536 million settlement from Microsoft Corp., Novell Inc. on Friday filed another lawsuit accusing the software giant of violating antitrust laws.

Update 2: Novell Files Additional Suit Vs. Microsoft


Computer shoppers who want and can afford the fastest machines face a dilemma as they decide just how to spend all that cash. Desktop PCs using the new PCI Express design - a faster way

PCI Express will please serious power junkies


AP - The Denver Broncos have struggled through three preseason games, unable to get much going on offense.

Texans, Broncos Looking for Answers (AP)


The University of California said on Friday that Lehman Brothers (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) has agreed to pay \$222.5 million to settle a class action suit for the bank #39;s role in the sale Enron Corp.

UPDATE 1-Univ. of Calif. reaches settlement with Lehman


Travelers faced weather delays across the US as they took to the highways and airways today to begin what industry experts say will be the biggest Thanksgiving travel weekend since 2000.

US Travelers Face Weather Delays on Holiday Journey (Update3)


It looks like NASA Administrator Sean O #39;Keefe will return to his home state of Louisiana to become the next chancellor at LSU.

Sean O #39;Keefe


A secret command that showed the number of connected users of the Kazaa file-sharing software was demonstrated to Federal Court on Thursday.

Kazaa secret command unlocked by court


AP - A collection of drunken rats is helping University of North Carolina researchers understand how brains repair themselves after chronic drinking  #151; and possibly find new ways to help alcoholics recover full mental capacity.

Drunken Rats Used to Study Alcohol Effects (AP)


IBM CORP. announced Wednesday that it has created the most powerful computer ever, besting a Japanese machine that has held the world record for computing power for three years.

BlueGene: IBM claims crown


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc., the number three  U.S. carrier, plans more job cuts as it struggles to avoid  bankruptcy, Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein said in a memo to  employees on Wednesday.

Delta Plans Job Cuts, Eyes Restructure


Patriots right cornerback Randall Gay realizes he has been the opposition's No. 1 target, and will remain so in Sunday night's game against Buffalo.

Gay happy to get his chance


AP - As of Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, at least 1,329 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,042 died as a result of hostile action, the Defense Department said. The figures include three military civilians.

A Daily Look at U.S. Iraq Military Deaths (AP)


AP - Google Inc. founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin said Wednesday that some new features on the world's top search engine and other services will come from its research center in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, where they are on a hiring spree.

Google Founders on Hiring Trip to India (AP)


The Securities and Exchange Commission passed rules Tuesday that will require most hedge fund advisers to register with the government within two years, firming up oversight on an industry that has been linked to several high-profile financial blowups.

SEC OKs Hedge Fund Registration


North Carolina has had some interesting results in what has been a very interesting season thus far for the Tar Heels. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer says only one of those results merits

Which UNC team will show up against 18th-ranked Tech?


Iraq News, KABUL, A British freelance cameraman said yesterday he was detained by Afghan authorities for his role in the release of three UN hostages and came under pressure to sign a statement saying he was part of the kidnap gang.

Iraq ; Briton Questioned in Kabul Over Role in UN Hostage Release


With a green light from Congress, NASA is moving swiftly to carry out President Bush #39;s ambitious plan to return robots and humans to the moon and eventually to Mars.

NASA moves ahead on Bush #39;s plan to return to moon, Mars


A recovery in the world's largest economy is likely to continue, despite oil prices surging to record levels, US Federal Reserve officials say.

Fed officials ease crude concerns


Lucent Technologies, the nation #39;s biggest telecommunications equipment maker, said yesterday that the Securities and Exchange Commission was considering suing three former executives over possible

SEC Considers Suing Ex-Lucent Officers


SUNNYVALE, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) -ct. 18, 2004  - (NYSE:AMD) today announced that guitar superstar Mark Knopflers latest album Shangri-La was recorded in high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz

Amd64 Journeys to Shangri-La with Mark Knopfler


Viacom Inc. has reshuffled its executive ranks, placings its Paramount television production under the control of CBS Entertainment President Nancy Tellem.

CBS Consolidates Network, TV Studio Arms


AP - Former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Justin Strzelczyk probably suffered a mental breakdown before he led New York state troopers on a highway chase that ended in the fiery head-on crash that killed him, according to a newspaper.

Paper: Strzelczyk Likely Had Breakdown (AP)


England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says striker Michael Owen must prove in training next week that he deserves to face Wales in a World Cup qualifier -- or risk losing his place.

Eriksson warns Owen over England place


An autopsy was performed on Ken Caminiti on Monday, though the cause of the 1996 National League MVP #39;s death may not be known for 10 days.

Autopsy performed on Caminiti, results may not be known for 10 <b>...</b>


Kostya Tszyu was soft-spoken before his rematch with Sharmba Mitchell and the same way after.  quot;I don #39;t like to talk, quot; the IBF junior welterweight champion said after demolishing Mitchell

Tszyu makes quick work of Mitchell in rematch


Australian Lleyton Hewitt eased into the final of the Washington Classic on Saturday with a 6-3 6-4 victory over fourth-seeded American Robby Ginepri.

Hewitt overcomes Ginepri to reach Washington final


Ultimately, the package will compete with collaborative-development tools from IBM's Rational unit.

Microsoft to show off team-development tools


BAGHDAD -- An insurgency led by Al Qaeda affiliate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has made the Iraqi capital its main battleground, perhaps in the hopes of swaying the outcome of US elections, a senior Western official said.

Terror effort seen focused on Baghdad


The previous NL game in an AL ballpark was in 1946, when the Boston Braves played several games at Fenway Park because a paint job on the seats at Braves Field had not dried, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Notables


After spending the week facing questions on how they would rebound from their disappointing loss to New England, the Jets turned in a commanding 41-14 victory over Miami on Monday night, their most complete game of the season.

JETS 41, DOLPHINS 14 Jets Are at Top of Their Game, and Back at <b>...</b>


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tim Duncan poured in a season-high 34  points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs won  their fifth straight game, 88-80 over the 76ers in Philadelphia  Thursday.

NBA Wrap: Duncan Notches Season-High as Spurs Win


IBM's decision to sell its PC division to a China-based company prompted a range of reactions today from technology users, from disappointment to a belief that the move reflects the times and the impact of globalization.

Users say IBM PC division sale a reflection of the times


NEW YORK -- Oil prices neared \$49 a barrel yesterday, capping a rise of 7 percent for the week, as Gulf of Mexico crude production rebounded at a slower-than-expected rate in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.

Oil prices rise 7 for the week


EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Brian Westbrook and the Philadelphia Eagles had no problem running to another division title.

Eagles win 4th straight NFC East title


PHOENIX (Sports Network) - Randy Johnson became the  all-time major league strikeout leader among left-handed  pitchers on a night he led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-2  win over the Colorado Rockies in the third of a four- game set  at Bank One Ballpark.

Big Unit Becomes All-Time Lefty Strikeout King


Iraq #39;s rebel Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr accepted a peace plan to lay down arms and join a Baghdad conference forming an interim national assembly.

Sadr agrees to lay down arms


This week, NASA has concerned itself with the fact that the astronauts aboard the international space station are running out of food.

Sean O #39;Keefe #39;s Watch


Federal regulators will formally approve Cingular Wireless \$41 billion purchase of AT  T Wireless, according to company officials briefed on the matter.

Approval Expected for Big Cellphone Deal


World News: Oslo, Oct 8 : Kenya #39;s environmentalist Wangari Maathai has won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize  quot;for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace, quot; the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.

Kenya #39;s Wangari Maathai wins 2004 Nobel Peace Prize:


Hackers wouldn #39;t bother writing malicious code to infect the Macintosh unless those computers actually mattered. By Eric Hellweg.

Apple Has a Virus? Congratulations!


Commandos stormed a school yesterday in southern Russia and battled separatist rebels holding hundreds of hostages, as crying children, some naked and covered in blood, fled through explosions and gunfire.

Russian massacre


Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced today that the Sixers have signed free agent Josh Davis. Per team policy, terms of the contract are not disclosed.

76ers sign Josh Davis


A high-speed passenger train ploughed into a car at a level crossing and derailed here on Saturday, killing six people and injuring dozens, 11 of them seriously.

6 Killed in Crash of British Train


A total of 21 gold medals will be awarded on Wednesday at the Athens Olympics. Day five medals already awarded include archery, boating and shooting events, as well as judo, cycling, and weightlifting.

Day 5 of Olympics Brings Gold for Some, Major Upsets for Others


AP - St. Louis Rams free safety Aeneas Williams probably will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a neck injury.

Rams Safety Probably Out for Rest of Year (AP)


It is difficult to convey the shock I felt on reading the allegations that Conrad Black, David Radler, and the rest of the Hollinger insiders had helped themselves to 95.

Invitation to a Titanic sinking?


Stocks inched higher on Friday in lackluster post-Thanksgiving trading, helped by steel producers amid concerns of a steel shortage and retailers as consumers piled into stores at the start of the holiday-shopping season.

US stocks end higher


ATHENS Robert Korzeniowski #39;s long road came to an end on Friday with an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic 50-kilometer race walk title.

Athletics: Korzeniowski takes final walk into record books


Stock markets rose across Europe and Asia, oil prices edged up and the US dollar was modestly higher Wednesday as US President Bush crept closer to re-election in a tight race for the White House.

Update 1: Asian, European Markets Advance; Oil Up


Elf ingenuity aside, if Santa wants to make sure he has enough of the holiday seasons video game must-haves, he had better start pre-ordering now.

Video-game market is hot


The US Federal Reserve Board, wanting to keep inflation at bay, is expected to boost short-term interest rates Tuesday for a third time this year, a move that would come in the final stretch of the presidential campaign.

Fed expected to boost rates for third hike this year


quot;The allegations made by Mr Conte are extremely serious and the IOC is fully committed to bringing to light any elements that will help the truth prevail, quot; the IOC said on its website on Tuesday.

IOC probe Jones drug allegations


BAGHDAD -- Trembling, haggard, and weeping into a tissue, Margaret Hassan, the kidnapped British aid worker who has spent nearly half her life delivering food and medicine in Iraq, begged Britain yesterday to help save her by withdrawing its troops, saying these  quot;might be my last hours. quot;

Aid worker held in Iraq pleads for her life


HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's largest personal computer  maker, Lenovo Group Ltd., could announce as early as Tuesday  that it is buying control of IBM's PC-making business for up to  US\$2 billion, a source familiar with the situation said.

Lenovo, IBM May Soon Reveal PC Unit Deal


The Russian military yesterday extended its offer of a \$10 million reward for information leading to the capture of two separatist leaders who, the Kremlin claims, were behind the Beslan massacre.

Grief turns to anger in dark Beslan


Analysts say Delta Air Lines chief executive Gerald Grinstein needs to cut a deal soon with his pilots union to buy enough time to implement his initiatives.

Delta needs pilot deal


Reuters - Most U.S. airlines, trying to offset\record high jet fuel prices, have boosted air fares in North\America by as much as  #36;10 on round-trip flights.

Most Airlines Raise Fares to Offset Fuel (Reuters)


Federal regulators yesterday filed civil fraud charges against three former Kmart Corp. executives and five current and former managers of big vendor companies, saying they engineered a \$24 million accounting fraud by the retailing giant in 2000-2001.

SEC files civil charges in Kmart fraud case


New Jersey-based Cytec Industries is to buy UCB Groups Surface Specialties business for \$1.5bn (E1.2bn). Completion of the deal will turn Cytec into a \$2.

Cytec buys Surface Specialities business from UCB


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - NDP Leader Jack Layton says he and Prime Minister Paul Martin agree they must co-operate to make Parliament work this fall. Layton and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper each met privately Monday with Martin, the same day the Liberals began their annual summer caucus.

Layton says he and Martin agree they must co-operate in House (Canadian Press)


Scientists are about to get their first really close and revealing look at Titan, the invitingly mysterious giant moon of Saturn.

NASA Prepares to Spy on a Satellite


A federal jury in New York has ruled that Sun violated several patents held by Eastman Kodak when it developed its Java technology.

Kodak wins patent lawsuit against Sun


Amir Khans victory sparked scenes of celebration tonight in the two towns where the boxing sensation lives and trains. Family and friends in Bolton and Bury heaped praise on the

Towns Celebrate and Hope Amir Can Strike Gold


Tate connected with Ed Hinkel on a pair of 19-yard touchdowns and scored on a five-yard run as 24th-ranked Iowa handed Illinois its 14th consecutive Big Ten Conference loss, 23-13.

Illinois Fighting Illini


New search engine Accoona launched with great fanfare last night, but hold the applause. It's a promising start, but testing shows Accoona isn't yet ready to play ball in the big leagues.

Accoona Launches, But Isn't Ready for Prime Time


Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said Pakistan still had room for improvement after knocking India out of the Champions Trophy at Edgbaston.

Inzy proves hard to please


The two Chechen suicide bombers who brought down two Russian passenger jets at the same time Aug. 24 gained access through petty bribes at Moscow #39;s airport, Russia #39;s top prosecutor said Wednesday.

Standardize airport security standards


More game companies may drop out of business as new consoles push up development costs.

Game publishers sweat console change


Like previous Dell Axims, the new Axim X50 comes in several different types. The most cutting-edge of these is designated the X50v, for its VGA screen.

Dell Axim X50 and X50v Review


Motorsport.com. There was uproar last week when it was revealed that the provisional 2005 F1 calendar did not feature the British Grand Prix but Silverstone is not dead and buried yet.

Still a chance for Silverstone


Jimmy Jerkens didn't learn how to be a trainer from a racing giant. He was taught by  quot;The Giant Killer, quot; the nickname given to his father, Allen.

It's a family affair


IN A major strategic reversal, Sony plans to add support for MP3 music files to some of its portable music players. The shift to support the widely used MP3 music format would end Sony #39;s long-standing insistence on its proprietary Atrac format.

MiniDisc gives in to MP3


November 26, 2004 - Nintendo #39;s pairing with Namco is starting to bear some ripe fruit, with Donkey Konga about to see its third entry and Star Fox Armada taking shape into an impressive 2005 title.

Nintendo Drafts Namco For Mario Baseball


Hundreds of airline passengers suffered disruption to their travel plans when a major regional airport was shut down for an hour after a humming and vibrating adult sex toy was mistaken for a bomb.

Vibrator shuts down Australian airport


Group says popular technique threatens U.S. security by sidelining other approaches more suited to decryption and the like.\
  Photo: IBM's unusual design\
 Photos: The fastest computer on Earth--for now\

Study: Supercomputer clusters shortchange security


Tanager Financial Services of Waltham, which helps wealthy people manage their finances, yesterday agreed to a takeover by North Carolina-based banking giant Wachovia.

Tanager clients: Wachovia to watch over you


The French president throws his weight behind Turkish EU membership ahead of a key summit decision.

Chirac backs Turkish EU entry


AP - Even in death, the 17-year cicadas made their mark. Their decaying carcasses gave a super-size boost in nutrients to forest soil and stimulated seed and nitrogen production in a plant important to the forest ecosystem, researchers reported in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

Study: Dead Cicadas Boost Soil Nutrients (AP)


Senior Chris Sheehan ran for three touchdowns and a career-high 114 yards as Needham scored 13 straight points to take a 28-21 victory against Wellesley in the state's oldest Thanksgiving Day rivalry.

Somber setting for Needham's victory over Wellesley


Air China, the biggest airline in China, raised \$1.07bn (558m), after pricing its flotation near the top of its range, sources said.

Air China raises \$1.07bn in IPO


Israeli troops patrolling the West Bank city of Nablus shot and killed a 19-year-old Palestinian woman Friday, witnesses and hospital officials said.

Palestinian woman shot dead in West Bank city


Holiday shoppers, intent on finding bargains, descended on the Washington region's malls this morning, joining a nationwide shopping spree that has come to be known as Black Friday.

Holiday Shoppers Take to the Malls


When Wayne Gretzky began assembling Team Canada #39;s roster last spring for the World Cup of Hockey, he knew that nothing short of victory would appease a nation that had been stunned by the Americans in 1996.

Canada is World Cup champion


AP - When two quarterbacks as good as California's Aaron Rodgers and Arizona State's Andrew Walter meet up, it usually leads to a thrilling game for fans  #151; and an embarrassing night for defenses.

ASU, Cal Defenses Looking for Respect (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks staged a late rally on Tuesday  after Caterpillar Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Up on Caterpillar, Oil Companies


HOUSTON There were two minutes left to play, and the Houston Texans #39; defense was in a find. The Texans were tiring, and Brett Favre (FAHRV #39;) had the ball.

Packers 16, Texans 13


AP - A Swedish study suggests that people who use a cell phone for at least 10 years might increase their risk of developing a rare benign tumor along a nerve on the side of the head where they hold the phone.

Study Links Mobile Phones, Benign Tumors (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose slightly on Monday,  as optimism that corporate earnings reports this week may come  in better than expected lent support, but record crude oil  prices reined in the advances.

US Stocks Hold Small Gains


AP - Mary Frances Berry, blunt-spoken chairwoman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, resigned Tuesday after more than two decades of criticizing the governments, both Democratic and Republican, that she served.

Chairwoman of Civil Rights Panel Resigns (AP)


LAS CRUCES, N.M. - President Bush wants to work with Republican Sen...

Bush Calls McCain About Anti-Kerry Ads


Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson has reported a steep year-on-year incline in revenues for the third quarter, as the public appetite for sophisticated handsets heightens.

Sony Ericsson profits from mobile growth


Prompted by government regulations, endless spam, and increasingly potent e-mail viruses, many enterprises are looking to tighten the cinch around messaging security.

Tightening the grip on message security


Colombia offers to exchange jailed rebels for hostages held by Farc militants - a reversal of earlier policy.

Colombia reverses hostages stance


Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  said on Monday a\complaint filed in South Korea by RealNetworks Inc. ,\alleging that its Media Player software breached antitrust\laws, was

Microsoft Dimisses RealNetworks' Complaint in Korea (Reuters)


WASHINGTON -- Oil prices fell yesterday as OPEC's president said supplies were growing faster than demand and traders breathed easier knowing that petroleum production in the Gulf of Mexico did not suffer as a result of Hurricane Frances.

Oil falls as OPEC sees rise in supply


Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported yesterday that by using cells harvested from rats, they have grown dime-size swatches of

MIT grows beating heart tissue


AP - Hurricane Jeanne forced the postponement of Saturday's football game between Illinois State and Florida Atlantic.

Hurricane Forces Football Postponement (AP)


Romanian striker Adrian Mutu, dismissed by English Premier League club Chelsea for taking cocaine, said on Tuesday he would continue his career in England or Italy after completing a seven-month ban.

UPDATE 1-Mutu to continue career in England or Italy


AP - For the second time in a week, Sudanese government troops took steps to forcibly remove residents from a displaced persons camp in Darfur, the State Department said Wednesday.

U.S.: Sudan Forcibly Moving More Refugees (AP)


A University of Idaho football player was shot to death, and police arrested two brothers from Seattle after a car chase that extended across two states.

Two Arrested in Shooting Death of Idaho Cornerback


ATLANTA (AP) -- A layer of quartz grains found in an east Georgia kaolin mine have been traced to the impact of a giant asteroid that crashed near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay 35 million years ago.    The 54-mile-wide crater left by the meteor, the sixth-largest in the world, has previously been identified as the source of a rare mineral called Georgiaite...

Grains Found in Georgia Traced to Huge Asteroid Impact


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to panic after his side were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Panathinaikos in the Champions League.

Wenger stays calm despite setback


The world #39;s largest chip maker, Intel, is changing its approach to making faster computer microprocessors. It has dropped plans to release a four gigahertz version of its flagship Pentium 4 chip.

Intel shift over need for speed


WASHINGTON - Cingular Wireless LLC announced Tuesday that it completed a \$41 billion acquisition of AT T Wireless Services Inc., creating the nation's largest wireless carrier, following approval from two U.S. government agencies.

Cingular wraps up AT T Wireless acquisition


Telecommunication equipment maker Telefon AB LM Ericsson said Monday it received a \$805 million (euro609.3 million) contract from Guangdong Mobile Communication Corp.

Update 1: Ericsson Lands \$805M Contract From China


FOXBOROUGH -- It is highly unlikely the winless Miami Dolphins' season will conclude as an inverse of the undefeated 1972 team. To go 0-16 is as difficult as finishing 17-0. But this season's edition is well on its way to becoming one of the most futile in Miami's stellar history.

Mistakes keep surfacing for Dolphins


Leaders from the United Nations #39; 191 member states gathered in New York for the beginning of the annual General Debate. Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened the assembly by depicting a bleak world.

UN Faces New Challenges to Peace


Ruth W. Messinger is the president and executive director of American Jewish World Service, an international development and emergency relief organization.

UN and US must stop the genocide


Jet Propulsion Lab -- Scientists examining Saturn's contorted F ring, which has baffled them since its discovery, have found one small body, possibly two, orbiting in the F ring region, and a ring of material associated with Saturn's moon Atlas.     A small object was discovered moving near the outside edge of the F ring, interior to the orbit of Saturn's moon Pandora...

Cassini Discovers Ring and One, Possibly Two, Objects at Saturn


PARIS, Nov 24 (AFP) - France #39;s military intervention in Ivory Coast was a mistake, Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi said Wednesday in an interview published ahead of President Jacques Chirac #39;s visit to Tripoli.

French action in Ivory Coast a mistake, says Kadhafi


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks extended their losses on  Wednesday after investment bank Morgan Stanley said quarterly  profit fell, casting doubt on corporate earnings growth, while  a brokerage downgrade on Cisco Systems Inc. hurt tech stocks.

Dow, Nasdaq, S P 500 Drop 1 Percent


Faget designed the original spacecraft for Project Mercury and played a role in the design of every US human spacecraft from Mercury to the space shuttle.

NASA engineer Faget dead at 83


Being a foreign correspondent in Baghdad these days is like being under virtual house arrest. Forget about the reasons that lured me to this job: a chance to see the world, explore the exotic

From Baghdad A Wall Street Journal Reporter #39;s E-Mail to Friends


Mississippi State #39;s Marcus Campbell drives to the basket around St. Mary #39;s EJ Rowland during the second half, at the Coaches vs Cancer Classic consolation game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Friday, Nov. 19, 2004.

Roberts Leads Mississippi St. to 67-54 Win


Volvo recalls 460,000 vehicles worldwide because a wiring problem could cause  fans to overheat and burn.

Volvo in worldwide vehicle recall


Leeds United, forced to sell their best players to stay afloat financially in last season #39;s doomed relegation fight, could have new owners in the next 24 hours.

Anglo-American hope for Leeds


Indonesia #39;s president will open an international religious conference in the world #39;s most populous Muslim nation on Monday aimed at sending a message of moderation

Religious Meeting in Indonesia Aims to Blunt Radicals


Oil giant Yukos says the Russian tax ministry aims to take \$2.7bn in back taxes from its accounts without court approval.

Taxman targets Yukos bank account


BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (Reuters) - U.S. helicopters shuttled  the injured and the homeless, many of them children, out of  some of the worst-hit parts of tsunami-devastated Aceh province  on Monday, as reports surfaced of trafficking in orphans from  the disaster.

Rescue Choppers Cheered in Aceh, Children Suffer


THENS, Aug. 17  As the American fencer Mariel Zagunis yelled in triumph, her teammates rushed her and hurled her into the air. What made their celebratory gesture especially notable was that Zagunis was still holding, and waving, her ...

US Wins First Fencing Gold Since 1904


Reuters - U.S. state and local air pollution\control officials said on Tuesday they are pulling out of\five-year-old talks to develop a voluntary program for reducing\pollution from aircraft engines.

States Pull Out of Talks to Cut Aircraft Pollution (Reuters)


WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (AFP) - Washington expects this week #39;s international conference on Iraq to send a strong and unified message of support for the country, according to Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is to attend the meeting.

Washington expects  #39;message of unity #39; on Iraq from conference


Seattle, working on a seven-game losing streak and matched up with a Red Sox team that had won 20 of its past 22 games, put together its single best game of the season.

Madritsch runs Sox through wringer


Bee Columnist. Sean Harrigan and his acolytes are spinning a melodramatic tale about his ouster from the governing board of the huge California Public Employees #39; Retirement System - that he

Dan Walters: Melodramatic spin aside, Harrigan #39;s CalPERS ouster <b>...</b>


Intel began to downplay so-called clock speed of processors within the past year, and other chipmakers followed suit, focusing on other advances such as dual-core, which essentially puts two

Intel Puts 4 GHz Processor on Back Burner


The Reds big trade came on Tuesday, one day after the Winter Meetings ended, when the club obtained starting pitcher Ramon Ortiz from the Anaheim Angels in exchange for pitching prospect Dustin Moseley.

Reds make a move: Prospect for veteran Ortiz


Office Depot Inc. will outsource most of its call-center operations, a move that will affect about 900 jobs, the second-largest US office supply retailer said Thursday.

Office Depot cuts 900 jobs


Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said on Monday that China had agreed to discuss the American request for a new dialogue over the detention of Chinese citizens

Powell says China will consider talks on human rights


The price of crude oil futures surged to new highs Monday despite assurances from Middle East oil producers that they were committed to bringing the price down as a strike began in Africa's largest exporter.

Crude Oil Prices Surge to New Highs


Two midlevel employees of the Zurich American Insurance Company pleaded guilty yesterday to criminal charges related to the rigging of bids that investigators say was organized by the Global Broking unit of Marsh  amp; McLennan.

Insurance Investigation Leads to More Guilty Pleas


A Merrill Lynch report out Friday is optimistic about stronger retail sales in October compared to a weak September. The report also singles out as a strong performer Kohl #39;s Department Stores, which entered

October retail sales predicted to show strength


AP - Japan's unemployment rate fell to 4.6 percent in September, the government said Friday in the latest sign of a recovery in the job market of the world's second largest economy.

Japan's Unemployment Rate Drops in Sept. (AP)


Pharmacists have long been called on by customers to do more than just fill prescriptions. But drugstores, from giants like Rite Aid to smaller regional chains, are looking to expand their counseling programs and boost revenue - a trend that could be bolstered by the prescription-drug benefit that will become available to Medicare enrollees in 2006.

Drugstores May Start Charging for Consultations


The LG.Philips LCD Company plans to spend a record 5.3 trillion won, or \$5.1 billion, to build the world's largest plant for flat-panel sets.

LG.Philips to Spend \$5.1 Billion on New Flat-Panel TV Factory


AFP - Ryanair and easyJet both announced plans to expand in the Italian market following the collapse of the low-cost airline Volare, which has declared insolvency and suspended flights and ticket sales.

Ryanair, easyJet expand flights to Italy after Volare bankruptcy (AFP)


LOS ANGELES Saturn #39;s moon Titan has some familiar-looking features, but scientists say most of it looks  quot;very alien. quot;.

Saturn moon Titan remains  quot;very alien quot; to researchers


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Northwest Airlines Corp. <A HREF=

Northwest Air Says Cancels New Ticket Fee


Canadian Press - DUNCAN, B.C. (CP) - Evelyn Martens, found not guilty Thursday of helping two British Columbia women commit suicide, said her days in Canada's assisted suicide movement are over.

Martens not guilty, says her days in assisted suicide movement are over (Canadian Press)


More than a year after the German city of Munich declared its landmark intention to abandon Microsoft Windows in favor of upstart rival Linux, its councillors are finally ready to go ahead with the plan.

Munich Set to Approve Linux Despite Patent Worries


Heikki Kovalainen, World Series by Nissan Champion and RDD member, was named Racing Driver of the Year in Finland last week.

Heikki scoops prestigious award!


Iraq #39;s foreign minister says his country is doing what it can to secure the release of two Americans and a British national taken hostage in Baghdad Thursday, but will not give in to kidnappers #39; demands.

Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Will Not Give in to Kidnappers #39; Demands


MELBOURNE - Lion Nathan will pursue growth in its domestic market after selling its loss-making China business. Lion Nathan incoming chief executive Rob Murray, who takes over on October 1, said the company

Lion gets premium for China venture


With precision passing, Joe Montana directed the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles. Dan Marino used his amazing arm to amass more than 61,000 passing yards in an unforgettable career with the Miami Dolphins.

Quarterback faceoff a bit of a throwback


As the International Atomic Energy Agency #39;s board met yesterday in Vienna to receive an update on the nuclear programs of North Korea

Not enough focus on nuclear threats


Crude oil futures were little changed after yesterday falling near a seven-week low on expectations an increase in imports and inventories will ensure US refiners have enough for winter heating oil production.

Oil Little Changed as US Inventories Expected to Meet Demand


Oil prices tumbled again on Monday, sliding to an 8-week low under \$46 a barrel, as growing fuel stocks in the United States eased fears of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Dives Below \$46 to 8-Week Low


US investment bank Morgan Stanley (MWD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said quarterly profit dropped by a third on sharply lower bond trading revenue

UPDATE 5-Morgan Stanley profit tumbles, shares drop


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks looked to open little  changed on Wednesday after staging a late rally in the previous  session, with investors focused on key economic and oil data as  crude drifts near \$50 a barrel.

Stocks Seen Flat; GDP, Oil Data in Focus


ATHENS : China reaffirmed its status as the most powerful force in world table tennis with three golds at the Athens Olympics, but South Korean Ryu Seung-Min ruined the Asian giant #39;s campaign for total dominance.

Olympics: China reaffirms status as most powerful force in table <b>...</b>


Missing a key piece to your favorite board game? The Web's abundance of board game sites might help.

Out for V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, but Missing Tiles


For many women who marry gay men, the truth comes out late at night, not in the bedroom but in front of the family's computer screen.

When the Computer Opens the Closet


Internazionale striker Christian Vieri was booed out of the San Siro on Sunday as his team twice came from behind to snatch a point.

INTER FIGHT BACK FOR A POINT


Intel Corp. has reached an agreement to hire hundreds of Hewlett-Packard Co. engineers who helped design the Itanium microprocessor, a massive joint project between the two technology companies since the early 1990s.

Intel Acquires Chip Designers From HP


WASHINGTON : The queue of newly jobless Americans lengthened a little last week, government figures showed. The number of people lodging new unemployment benefit claims rose 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted

US weekly jobless claims rise 2,000 to 333,000


Adobe, the company behind the ubiquitous Acrobat PDF reader and Yahoo! have teamed up to promote each other #39;s products. Adobe has agreed to add Yahoo!

Adobe and Yahoo! partner to create PDF documents online


Research In Motion Ltd. RIM.TO is seeing rising demand for its BlackBerry wireless e-mail device in Europe and expects Asia to be its next major market, the company #39;s chief financial officer said on Monday.

RIM Sees Strong European, Asian BlackBerry Growth


The rise and fall of companies such as Schwinn help explain why the economy has become less forgiving of workers who lack higher education or specialized skills.

A Rough Ride for Schwinn Bicycle


RealNetworks Inc. will begin offering some university students its digital music subscription service at a steep discount in an effort to stem illegal downloads and attract long-term customers.

RealNetworks offers discounts to students


The leaders of India and Pakistan met Friday and promised measures to gradually ease tensions between their nations and explore a peaceful settlement for the disputed Kashmir region.

Pakistan, India leaders vow cooperation


ST. LOUIS - No visiting team has won at Busch Stadium during this postseason. Then again, no team had ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit in the playoffs, either.

Rain threatens Game 3 of World Series


driven by the continuing power struggle in Iraq, by fears for the solvency of the Russian oil giant Yukos, and by surging demand for oil in Asia, notably in China.

Will hydrogen soon kill Middle East crude?


Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers hope to put yet another controversy behind them as they begin a two-game road trip against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Bryant, Allen have a score to settle


OCTOBER 08, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Dell Inc. is recalling about 990,000 electrical adapters manufactured in China by Taipei, Taiwan-based Delta Electronics Inc.

Dell recalls laptop power supplies


SYDNEY: Shares in Australian grocery food chain Foodland Associated Ltd were placed in a trading halt on Monday after a takeover offer from Metcash Trading Ltd.

Foodland shares placed on trading halt


Josh Cummings kicked a 37-yard field goal in overtime and host Pittsburgh needed 21 points in the fourth quarter yesterday to beat Division 1-AA Furman, 41-38.

Pitt escapes 1-AA Furman


Jason Leonard, the former England prop, declared it would be  quot;a crying shame quot; if Jonny Wilkinson #39;s injury denied him the chance to captain his country in next month #39;s internationals against Canada, South Africa and Australia.

LEONARD FRUSTRATED FOR WILKINSON


American sprinter Michelle Collins has been hit with an eight-year suspension for using a cocktail of banned drugs EPO, testosterone and the designer steroid THG.

COLLINS #39; EIGHT-YEAR BAN


Israel is determined to go ahead with its unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip - regardless of the death of Yasser Arafat and even if settlers resist - a top Israeli general who helped design the plan says.

Israel  #39;determined to complete Gaza plan #39;


Dubai, Oct. 19 (NNN): The Israeli military has claimed to have killed six Palestinian militants in separate incidents in and around Gaza.

Israeli Forces Kill 6 Militants In Gaza


AP - It was when Vanilla Fudge's

Product Review: Decent Debut for MyFi (AP)


The smaller firm's technology will help strengthen Computer Associates' ability to provide authentication tools, the company says.

CA to buy Netegrity for \$430 million


SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has been selling on its  domestic market international food aid aimed at helping to ease  food shortages in the impoverished country, South Korea's  Unification Ministry said on Friday.

North Korea Sells Food Aid on Local Market-South


Inter Milan, Chelsea and AC Milan maintained their perfect records on Wednesday in the European Champions League group stage on Wednesday.

Inter Milan, Chelsea and AC Milan keep perfect records


AP - A high-level panel called for sweeping reform of the United Nations in the wake of bitter divisions over the U.S.-led war in Iraq, with proposals to expand the Security Council and to give the powerful body clear guidelines for authorizing preventive military attacks.

Panel Calls for Sweeping U.N. Reform (AP)


Sixth-seeded Guillermo Canas of Argentina beat wild card Julian Knowle of Austria 6-2, 6-4 Monday on the first day of the CA Trophy.

Canas Wins on Opening Day at CA Trophy


Fannie Maes chief, Franklin Raines, once seen as a rising star and possible future Treasury secretary, may have to reassess his ambitions.

Fannie Mae Crisis Raises Concerns on Leadership


The versatile 39-year-old forward won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls between 1991 and 1998, playing alongside legendary shooting guard Michael Jordan.

Pippen retires from NBA


LOS ANGELES - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) has introduced an environmentally friendly Hummer - but not the converted hydrogen-powered car he promised voters he would build when he campaigned for office.

Schwarzenegger Shows Eco-Friendly Hummer


In calling for a 10 percent staff pay cut, Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Gerald Grinstein announced Tuesday he will decline his own salary for the remainder of the year.

Delta CEO declines own salary for remainder of year


AP - David Greene was a star from the moment he first took the field for No. 3 Georgia. David Pollack needed a little more time.

2 Davids Lead Georgia to Preseason Top 5 (AP)


AP - Despite a thriving economic partnership, political ties between Japan and China are at their lowest ebb in years. The two countries are locked in disputes over World War II history, natural gas exploration and now a bold incursion by a Chinese nuclear submarine.

Friction Grows Between Japan and China (AP)


NAMES Connecticut assistant men's basketball coach Clyde Vaughan resigned following his arrest last week in a prostitution sting by Hartford police, the Hartford Courant and New Haven Register reported on their websites. The resignation came shortly after state officials learned that Vaughan was arrested two previous times on charges similar to the patronizing a prostitute count lodged against him Aug. ...

Sports Log


Manhattan #39;s Union Square has been the site of anti-war demonstrations over the years, but midday Thursday it became the newest battleground in the satellite radio war.

Chanting throng tunes in to Stern #39;s Sirius giveaway


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks slipped on Tuesday as a sharp  drop in oil prices hurt energy shares and health-care company  Johnson   Johnson <A HREF=

Stocks Fall as Energy Shares, J J Weigh


With Game 3 of the World Series at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that the comforts of home make a difference against Boston.

Cardinals Are Down and Seek Lift From Fans


Gold futures hit a 16-year high yesterday, continuing a bull run that has gold companies  quot;living the dream, quot; according to one industry analyst.

Gold passes \$450 per ounce for the 1st time since 1988


MELBOURNE - Australian dairy group National Foods says it is in talks to take over food processing company SPC Ardmona, which has a market value of A\$380 million (\$408 million).

National Foods in SPC takeover talks


The death of Yasser Arafat has brought a flurry of diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East by Arab, Palestinian and Israeli leaders aiming to revive long-stalled peace negotiations on several fronts.

Mideast Initiatives Follow Arafat's Death


BRUSSELS (AFP) - Incoming EU executive head Jose Manuel Barroso said he hopes for  quot;clear quot; approval when EU lawmakers finally vote on his new team later this month, to end an unprecedented state of limbo in Brussels.

EU sets date to resolve institutional limbo


Chicago Tribune - Chinese authorities have arrested a New York Times news assistant on charges of leaking state secrets, and the newspaper has appealed to the

N.Y. Times' Beijing aide held in China (Chicago Tribune)


explanation of market-timing, further attorney comment. Picks up last graf. Also moving on general news wires. DENVER (AP) _ The former chief executive of Invesco Funds Group has agreed to pay \$500,000 to

Former Invesco chief agrees to \$500,000 penalty, industry ban to <b>...</b>


Toshiba is getting support from four Hollywood studios for its next-generation DVD format which is expected to be used in players, recorders and other products that go on the market late in 2005.

Toshiba Dreams of Hollywood


Patients given Pfizers painkiller Bextra have more than twice as many heart attacks and strokes as those given placebos, according to preliminary results of a study.

New Study Links Pfizer's Bextra, Similar to Vioxx, to Heart Attacks


In Evangeline Parish, La., squirrel season's opening celebrates and preserves a distinct Cajun custom.

If Town Clears Out, It Must Be Squirrel Season


The Bank of Mexico tightened its monetary policy Friday for the eighth time this year, pushing up local interest rates to counter rising inflation expectations.

Bank of Mexico Tightens Monetary Policy


Danvers coach thought he had the perfect game plan against Walpole last night in the Division 2 playoffs at Endicott College. It was the same game plan that earned his team its first playoff berth in 63 years.

Denehy boosts Walpole


Laurence Maroney rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown Saturday night while leading No. 19 Minnesota to a 16-7 victory over Penn State.

COL FB: Minnesota 16, Penn State 7


Vehicles with sensors that can, for example, automatically apply brakes are 41 percent less likely to get into single-vehicle crashes, which account for 60 percent of all fatal crashes, according to government statistics.

Study Shows Stability Systems Cut Crash Risk


Already battered airline stocks took a further beating Thursday following a gloomy outlook from the head of American Airlines (AMR) and reports of disappointing August revenue industrywide.

Airlines #39; stocks sink again on tough news


Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell recommended that the agency approve Cingular Wireless #39; proposed \$41 billion purchase of Redmond-based AT amp;T Wireless Services, a person familiar with the matter said.

Cingular #39;s proposed purchase of AT amp;T Wireless gets support


After agreeing to sell its PC division to China's Lenovo Group, IBM now faces the task of keeping its corporate and government customers from abandoning its standard-setting brand.

IBM looks to keep customers after PC division sale


TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) - The Sudanese government and  rebel leaders need to be pushed to find a solution to the  bloody conflict in Darfur, African foreign ministers said  Sunday ahead of a summit on the crisis.

African Leaders in Libya to Discuss Darfur


Posted December 2, 2004 - President Bush said he is looking forward to a full accounting and disclosure of the facts about the allegations of corruption surrounding the United Nations oil-for-food program.

Republicans Call for Annan #39;s Resignation; UN Members Stand By Him


Carlos Beltran homers in a record fifth consecutive postseason game in the eighth inning to carry the Astros over the Cardinals, 6-5, knotting the series at two games apiece.

Beltran's Bat Ties Series


COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The most intense action last night occurred in the corridor between the locker rooms when a fight erupted between the teams after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Celtics, 95-88, in an exhibition game at Value City Arena.

Celtics loudest after the game


Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon lamented poor finishing after his side were forced to rely on a trademark poacher #39;s strike from Ronaldo in a fortuitous 1-1 draw at Real Betis.

Ronaldo saves Real #39;s Betis blushes


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asian investors took advantage of a  pause in climbing oil prices on Thursday to buy beaten-down  technology stocks, autos and other exporters, snapping a  nine-session losing streak by Japan's key stock index.

Asian Shares Higher on Oil Dip


As the price of energy resumes its upward march, ordinary Americans are getting in their pocketbooks.

Higher Fuel Costs Starting to Hit Consumers


Microsoft is expected to enter the online song store market this week, which should put the software giant head-to-head with Apple Computer in the music business at last.

MSN Music: It #39;s really about Windows


Global investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston, or CSFB, has announced the appointment of former Merrill Lynch banker Zhang Liping as its country head for China.

CSFB picks Ex-Merrill banker as China head


A consortium of companies is pushing a new proposal to the IEEE for 802.11n. 135 Mbps in standard mode, 540 Mbps maximum throughput. Fast enough? ...

WWiSE group proposes 540 Mbps Wi-Fi


US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Powell is calling for a hands-off regulatory approach to Voice over IP (VoIP) and has vowed to try to take regulatory control

FCC Chairman Vows To Stop State Regulation of VoIP


David Beckham and Real Madrids underfire galacticos are breathing a sigh of relief after another trademark free-kick by the England captain secured a 1-0 win over Osasuna.

Beckham Special Eases Real Pressure


DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. <A HREF=

GM to Pay to Settle Pollution Violations


SCOTLAND #39;s hopes of a fresh start following the sacking of Berti Vogts as manager were shattered at Hampden Park today. A double from striker Marcus Allback and a goal apiece for substitute Johan Elmander

Hampden stroll for Swedes


America Online, Inc. (www.corp.aol.com) announced it was stepping up its fight against purveyors of unwanted, junk computer messages by filing two new lawsuits in Federal Court.

AOL Partners with Microsoft, Earthlink And Yahoo For Spam Lawsuits


Pakistani cricket star Imran Khan has been robbed by armed men in the country's capital, Islamabad.

Gunmen rob cricket legend Imran


WINDSOR, Ont. (CP) - DaimlerChrysler is recalling about 23,600 minivans in Canada over concerns that water could leak into a vehicle radio, trigger a short circuit and possibly start a speaker fire, the company said Monday.

Chrysler Group recalling 23,600 minivans in Canada over fire <b>...</b>


Shares of semiconductor stocks continued to bounce back Friday despite another round of profit warnings from chip makers predicting third-quarter sales won #39;t live up to previous expectations.

Chip Stocks Still Rally Despite Warning


Abuja - A leading Nigerian opposition figure told AFP on Saturday that he had been released by the secret police after being detained and pressured to drop his support for an impending general strike.

Cops release union leader


NEW YORK : A late rally lifted US stocks Wednesday after a sluggish start, as investors brushed off a new record high crude oil price above 52 dollars and bet on improving economic data.

Wall Street shrugs off new oil record, swings higher


DUBLIN: Tottenham striker Robbie Keane extended his Irish goal-scoring record with his 24th strike for his country as Ireland beat Croatia 1-0 in a friendly international on Tuesday.

Keane nets 24th goal in win over Croatia


The pilot and designer of a private rocket plane say they are confident it could return next week to the sky in a quest to claim a multimillion-dollar prize, despite a harrowing flight

SpaceShipOne crew confident


TONY Blair will today deliver an ultimatum to warlords in Sudan as he visits the conflict-ridden African country. In talks in Khartoum he will tell the Sudanese government they need to do more to stop the fighting in Darfur which has claimed 50,000 lives.

ULTIMATUM FROM BLAIR


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Altria Group Inc. <A HREF=

Altria Profit Aided by Stake in SABMiller


Chicago Sun-Times owner Hollinger International saw its plan to recover \$1.25 billion from former executives crumble on Friday, as a federal judge threw out the company #39;s racketeering lawsuit against the group.

Ruling means Hollinger can #39;t recover \$1.25 billion from execs


Dell and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a wide reaching recall of about 990,000 power adapters. The power adapters are being recalled because they can overheat and pose a risk of fire and electrical shock.

Dell recalls laptop power adapters


TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp. said on Monday it had won  support for the HD DVD optical disc standard from Warner Bros.  Studios, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and New Line  Cinema, advancing its cause in the battle for the  next-generation DVD.

Toshiba Wins Support for HD DVD from 4 Film Studios


Prior to the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft set a goal of having 100 million copies distributed through its automatic update (Windows Update downloads not included).

Microsoft looks to quicken Windows XP SP2 adoption


AP - French telecommunications equipment maker Alcatel SA swung to a profit in the third quarter, helped by cost-cutting and a rebound in the mobile communications industry, the company said Thursday.

Alcatel Swings to Profit (AP)


Home PC users will never choose Linux over Windows until it is adopted in the workplace. Whether Windows is a generic term and can be subject to copyright is all very interesting, as are some of the other

Missing the pressure point


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won an important victory within his party today that greatly improves the likelihood his faltering government will survive and proceed with a plan

Likud Panel Backs Sharon #39;s Plan for Coalition Government


SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp was dealt a setback on Tuesday after the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) decided not to adopt its e-mail sender ID standard that would make it easier for Internet service providers to block unwanted junk e-mail.

Internet task force rejects Microsoft e-mail ID plan


NCA amp;T 16, NC Central 15: Carlos Davalos kicked a 50-yard field goal as time expired to give NC A amp;T a victory against NC Central yesterday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

College-Football Roundup Aggies slip past Eagles on last-second <b>...</b>


BEIJING -- China #39;s inflation rate slowed sharply in November, kept in check by lower price rises for food as government efforts to curb the economy began to bite, official data showed Friday.

China #39;s inflation slowed sharply in November


Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs Tuesday agreed to a contract with shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. As per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cubs agree to terms with Garciaparra


If there had been as many people taking care of the Beagle 2 project as there have been reports into why the lander got lost, we #39;d have reams of data on the composition of the Martian soil flooding back from a perfectly functioning vehicle, right now.

Lack of cash killed Beagle 2


Lauren Jackson scores 14 points to lead the Seattle Storm past the Minnesota Lynx 70-58 Saturday in the first game of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Storm Sinks Lynx


SAN FRANCISCO - Researchers on Monday unveiled genetically engineered mice that can run farther and longer than their naturally bred brethren, bringing the

Group Creates Engineered 'Marathon Mice'


A TNO engineer prepares to start capturing images for the world's biggest digital photo.

Photo: Giant digital image


Reuters - About 100 people were taken to a hospital\in the Egyptian border resort of Taba on Thursday after a huge\blast tore through an Egyptian hotel, a hospital source said.

About 100 Wounded at Egypt's Taba Hospital-Source (Reuters)


Two car bombs exploded in the Iraqi town of Samarra, north of Baghdad, on Saturday, killing eight people and wounding at least 20, police said.

Two car bombs in Iraq #39;s Samarra kill 8, wound 20


US warplanes have pounded Baghdad #39;s Sadr City only hours after car bombs killed at least 26 people in two Iraqi cities. Heavy fighting also erupted in the suburb overnight on Monday.

US warplanes strike Sadr City


NEW YORK (AFP) - Delta Air Lines appeared to have averted imminent bankruptcy with a cost-saving deal with its pilots union, but still faces challenges ahead, analysts said.

Delta Air Lines averts bankruptcy with pilot deal, faces more <b>...</b>


NEW YORK -- This was all about Athens, about redemption for one and validation for the other. Britain's Paula Radcliffe, the fastest female marathoner in history, failed to finish either of her Olympic races last summer. South Africa's Hendrik Ramaala was a five-ringed dropout, too, reinforcing his reputation as a man who could go only half the distance.

Radcliffe, Ramaala prove themselves


Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) , which earlier this year ended talks to merge its discount brokerage unit with E-Trade Financial (ET.

UPDATE 3-TD Bank woos Banknorth for US expansion


AP - Rep. Charlie Norwood, who has suffered a breathing disorder for more than six years, underwent a lung transplant Tuesday that doctors said was necessary to save his life.

Georgia Congressman Has Lung Transplant (AP)


Iran believes there is only a 10 percent chance the UN Security Council will impose economic sanctions on it if Washington succeeds in sending its nuclear case there, a senior security official said on Friday.

Iran Sees Small Chance of UN Economic Sanctions


In this photo released by NASA, the X-43A  quot;scramjet quot; is seen attached to a modified Pegasus rocket under the wing of a B-52 aircraft before its release off the Southern California coast Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004.

NASA  #39;Scramjet #39; Soars Almost 7,000 Mph


Hewlett-Packard said it will invest \$US150 million (\$210million) over five years in radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, to appeal to large corporate customers such as retailers Wal-Mart Stores and Best Buy.

HP to spend \$210m enhancing its radio sensors


AP - After finishing 13-3 last season, the Kansas City Chiefs are thinking Super Bowl. The Denver Broncos always think Super Bowl, even though they've made the playoffs just twice in the five years since John Elway retired and haven't won a postseason game. So while it may be premature to think of their meeting in Denver on Sunday night as an AFC championship game preview, it could be critical in the AFC West, where the Chiefs and Broncos figure to battle for the title.

Chiefs-Broncos Game Could Be Pivotal (AP)


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union expects Turkey to  initial an accord on Friday giving Cyprus de facto recognition  and sign it before Ankara opens EU membership talks on Oct. 3,  2005, a draft final summit statement said on Friday.

EU Expects Turkey to Initial Deal on Cyprus Friday


BOSTON (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce nailed a jumper at  the buzzer to give the Boston Celtics a 90-88 victory over  Portland at the FleetCenter.

NBA Wrap: Wins for Celtics, 76ers, Lakers Lose


The historic opening last week of US military commissions that have not been used since World War II was marked by twists and turns and a carefully crafted defense strategy

Hearings Open With Challenge to Tribunals


NORTON -- Several players said yesterday they were thrilled to hear that the Deutsche Bank Championship has committed for two more years at TPC Boston.

Bank on it: Tour will return


While in Frankfurt, Germany yesterday, US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Alan Greenspan warned that the US foreign trade deficit could negatively effect the country #39;s economy.

US Fed: \$ Devaluation might Cause Trouble


Auburn caught Oklahoma in The Associated Press Top 25 yesterday, creating a tie for second place behind No. 1 USC. It is the second tie for No.

Notebook: Auburn shares 2nd in AP poll


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mark Loretta hit a bases-loaded  sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th to lift the San Diego  Padres a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants in National  League action on Wednesday.

NL Wrap: Astros Take Lead in Wild Card Race


MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - The fall-out over the Old Trafford tunnel brawl between Manchester United and Arsenal continued with news that United were preparing to ask the Football Association to take action.

United prepare  #39;Battle of the buffet #39; evidence against Arsenal


Sick of all the analogies of surfing the Web to actual surfing? Well, here's a literal one for...

Surf's up


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Blue-chip stocks opened slightly lower  on Thursday, with rising energy prices feeding investor  concerns, but the Nasdaq index opened higher after software  company Cognos Inc. <A HREF=

Blue Chips Open Down; Oil Near \$48


Intel Corp. #39;s board of directors on Thursday tapped Paul Otellini, who has been with the company for 30 years, to replace Craig Barrett as chief executive officer in May.

Otellini to become Intel #39;s CEO


The game designer, Scottish company Traffic, is also sponsoring a contest in which the person who most closely matches Oswald #39;s shots will win up to \$100,000, depending on how many people download the game.

Controversial Internet Game Recreates JFK Assassination


AFP - Hamid Karzai maintained his clear majority in the Afghan presidential elections as the vote count passed 75 percent, according to the official poll website.

Karzai maintains clear majority as Afghan vote count passes 75 percent (AFP)


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Actor Martin Sheen did some real-life politicking for a congressional candidate who used to work on his television series

Sheen Stumps for Real-Life Politician


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tribune Co.'s <A HREF=

Newsday Replaces Top Editor


President Bush #39;s electoral victory was greeted internationally on Wednesday with a mixture of praise, disappointment and pragmatic resignation as world leaders jostled

Leaders Jostle to Shape Agenda for a New Term


AP - A diplomat who visited the site of a huge explosion in North Korea said Friday he saw no evidence it was caused by a nuclear test, and South Korean officials said mushroom-shaped plume thought to be from the blast may have instead been a natural cloud formation.

Diplomat Says N. Korea Blast Not Nukes (AP)


The Issue: Two vehicles are still puttering around the surface of Mars. Our View: Their mission is paying off in knowledge. While we go about our days, rather amazingly 34 million or so miles away, our pair

The Rovers


ATHENS - Greece woke up to the Olympics last night, the spirit as it swayed to the music of Zorba #39;s Dance in the Olympic Stadium so infectious, so tantalizing that the finalists in the 100 meters joined in, acting more like dancers than runners minutes

US sprinter Gatlin hangs on to beat a blazingly fast field


The leaves are just turning in the nation #39;s capital but with a hint of spring, perhaps because Washington is getting a slice of Americana back: a baseball team of its very own.

DC #39;s Ballgame


AFP - Telephone calls from flabergasted friends back home have helped install a sense of urgency in the United States Olympic basketball team in the wake of their stunning loss to Puerto Rico.

NBA Olympians feel urgency after stunning loss (AFP)


A weightlifting drugs scandal and yet another twist to the saga of disgraced Greek sprinter Kostadinos Kenteris dominated the Olympics on Thursday as China extended their lead at the top of the medal table.

Dope and Kenteris hold focus


Reuters - Maoists rebels set off a powerful bomb in the Nepali capital on Thursday, causing no casualties but leaving a large part of a government building in ruins, police said.

Maoist rebels bomb Kathmandu building, no injuries (Reuters)


Reuters reported Thursday that Russian officials confirmed that Houston-based oil giant ConocoPhillips is interested in taking a \$2 billion stake in Russian oil major LUKOIL.

ConocoPhillips eyes \$2B stake in LUKOIL


Telecom Italia SpA, Italy #39;s largest phone company, plans to buy the 44 percent of wireless unit Telecom Italia Mobile SpA it doesn #39;t already own, a stake with a market value of about

Telecom Italia to Buy Rest of Mobile Unit, People Say (Update2)


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei fell more than one percent  by mid-morning on Monday as investors stepped up selling of  exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp. amid growing fears of the  impact of surging oil prices on the global economy.

Nikkei Falls Over 1 Pct on Oil Worries


IBM said Wednesday that it has sewn up outsourcing deals with two Danish companies valued at more than \$1 billion over 10 years, reinforcing its strength in Europe.

IBM scores \$1B in Danish contracts


For the first time, scientists have found rings of dust around planet-bearing stars - an important confirmation of theories about how planets form, NASA announced Thursday.

NASA telescopes find dust rings around


MUMBAI, OCTOBER 26: Government bonds fell across the board, mainly in the short to medium tenures on a knee-jerk reaction to the raising of the inflation estimate to 6.5 per cent and a 0.25 per cent hike in the repo rate to 4.75 per cent by the Reserve

Bonds tumble on rise in inflation estimate


German Michael Schumacher of Ferrari is seen at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano).

Michael Schumacher Crashes in Sao Paulo


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Several U.N. Security Council  nations expressed misgivings about a draft resolution  introduced by Russia on Monday that would create a new  blacklist of terrorist suspects subject to extradition.

Unease at UN Over Russian Terror Blacklist Plan


Manchester United chief executive David Gill has strongly defended payment of 5.5million to agents over the past 12 months. The extraordinary figure, which does not include a payment

Gill Defends Payments to Agents


AP - President Bush declared Friday that charges of voter fraud have cast doubt on the Ukrainian election, and warned that any European-negotiated pact on Iran's nuclear program must ensure the world can verify Tehran's compliance.

Bush: Validity of Ukraine Vote in Doubt (AP)


AP - Carolina kickoff returner Rod Smart, aka

Panthers' Smart Injured on Kickoff Return (AP)


Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Wednesday plunged headfirst into the controversial waters of comparing the benefits and advantages of the Windows platform with Unix and Linux in an executive e-mail he sent to customers, partners and subscribers.

Ballmer: Windows Safer than Linux


CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Two blasts destroyed a carin a Caracas suburb Thursday and killed its driver, whoVenezuelan authorities believed was a key state prosecutorleading a probe into opponents of President Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela Govt. Believes Car Blast Kills Prosecutor


With the dollar hitting a third straight day of record lows against the euro, gold rose above \$450 an ounce for the first time in more than 16 years.

Gold Hits 16-Year High as Dollar Plunges Vs. Euro


Notre Dame was close to hiring New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis as its new coach, a university source said Saturday night, but the deal was not complete and still could fall apart.

In brief: Notre Dame reportedly near deal with coach


STUART Rose conceded that more than 60 years of Marks  amp; Spencer experience was walking away with the clutch of top-tier departures.

Losing 60 years of experience


Zimbabwe's president is in Equatorial Guinea to discuss a suspected coup attempt against its government.

Mugabe flies to Equatorial Guinea


US authorities arrest two alleged members of Palestinian militant group Hamas on racketeering and terrorism charges.

US arrests two Hamas 'racketeers'


AP - The United States opens the final round of 2006 World Cup qualifying with games at Trinidad and Tobago in February and at Mexico in March.

U.S. Soccer Qualifying Schedule Set (AP)


By MAY WONG    SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Adobe Systems Inc...

Adobe Plans New Format Standard for Digital Photos