The price of crude reaches a new high in the US,  driven up by official data showing a decline in heating oil stocks.

Oil prices rise yet again in US


AP - Andrei Kirilenko feels he is close to a contract extension with the Utah Jazz and hopes to have it finalized within the next few days.

Kirilenko May Be Near Contract Extension (AP)


AP - IBM attorneys argued that Utah-based SCO Group has failed to provide any evidence that IBM allowed proprietary Unix code to enter the freely distributed Linux operating system and its  #36;5 billion suit making that claim should be dismissed.

Judge Weighs Evidence in IBM, SCO Case (AP)


Supermarket group Morrisons today cheered the City with news that converted Safeway stores were reaping the benefits of their change to the Morrisons format.

Safeways Stores Reaping Rewards from Morrison Brand


HOUSTON, Texas - A former Enron accountant testified this week that he knew an arrangement to temporarily sell Merrill Lynch some barges just to boost Enron #39;s bottom line was wrong and he planned to lie about it if confronted.

Accountant testifies he lied about Enron barge deal


AP - A massive car bomb exploded on the outskirts of Fallujah on Monday killing and wounding several U.S. Marines, a U.S. military official said on condition of anonymity.

Car Bomb Near Fallujah Causes U.S. Deaths (AP)


sweetshot97 writes  quot;According to the UK site, Times Online; future trips to Mars that will have probes return with samples of the martian surface may contain deadly microbes of course, foreign to our world.

The Threat From Life on Mars


Australian mining company WMC Resources Ltd. on Thursday forecast record profits for 2004 and announced plans to return up to 1 billion Australian dollars (US\$761 million; euro570 million) to shareholders

Australian Nickel Miner Announces Upgrade


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Time is running out for prospective  investors to submit their offers to buy shares of Google Inc,  the Web's No. 1 search company.

Last Call for Investors to Bid on Google


NEW YORK - Under a new resolution on Sudan proposed on Friday by Britain, the warring parties in both western and southern Sudan would be pushed anew to find a comprehensive peace.

UN pressing for peace with new solution in Sudan


The California Supreme Court on Thursday reinstated a class-action lawsuit by as many as 1, 400 Sav-on Drug Stores managers and assistant managers who claim they

Court reinstates Sav-on suit - report


Sir Richard Branson has kick-started a new space race, with plans to start tourist trips to the edge of the atmosphere. But are we ready for holidays at the final frontier?

Wish you were atmosp-here


HOUSTON -- It was one of the more spectacular corporate bankruptcies ever: Enron Corp. , once the seventh-largest company in the country, felled by intricate and illegal accounting tricks.

Enron trials to put human faces on scandal


Washington - The Internet browser wars, dormant for several years, shows signs of heating up again as a result of gains from a new program called Firefox, a research report showed on Monday.

Firefox gains hints browser wars may heat up


 By Mark Ledsom

 BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) - British world number fourTim Henman was knocked out of the quarterfinals of the \$1.26million Swiss Indoors tournament Friday, falling 7-6, 7-5 tounseeded Czech Jiri Novak.

Henman Falls to Novak in Basel


WASHINGTON - Weighed down by high energy prices, the US economy grew slower than the government estimated in the April-June quarter, as higher oil prices limited consumer spending and contributed to a record trade deficit.

US lowers growth rate in second quarter


Ajax threw themselves a qualification lifeline at the Amsterdam ArenA with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Champions League Group C. First-half goals from Wesley Sonck, Nigel De Jong and skipper

Comfortable Win Earns Ajax First Points


The number of British DSL subscribers jumped by 154 per cent in the last year to 2.7 million according to the latest report by the DSL Forum.

British broadband usage jumps 150 per cent in a year


Investors should weigh shareholder unfriendliness against a stock's cheap price.

Don't Pass on iPass


If the first four days of the Bangalore Test are any indication, the Indian team can well forget challenging Australia #39;s hegemony at the top of the cricket table.

Happy days are over again


Australia defeated New Zealand by a massive 213 runs on the final day of the second cricket Test at Adelaide Oval today. With this victory the Aussies have won the series.

CRICKET: Aussies sweep series with 213 run victory


PeopleSoft's board is willing to talk about a deal if the price is right.

PeopleSoft's Courtroom Confession


SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Seattle Seahawks finished two games behind the St. Louis Rams in the NFC West last season. But with a victory over the Rams on Sunday at Qwest Field, the Seahawks will take complete control of the division.

St. Louis Rams


ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A bankruptcy judge gave US Airways Group Inc...

Judge Lets US Airways Use Gov't Loan


Marvel argues that the character creation engine in  quot;City of Heroes quot; easily allows players to design characters that are virtual copies of its own superheros, including  quot;The Incredible Hulk.

Marvel Sues Over Role-Playing Game


Credit Suisse First Boston, the securities unit of the Credit Suisse Group of Zurich, replaced Adebayo O. Ogunlesi as head of investment banking with its president, Brian D. Finn, eight weeks after Brady W. Dougan was named chief executive.

More Management Changes at Credit Suisse


The US dollar hit a record low against the euro and a nearly five-year low versus the yen after a mainland business newspaper appeared at first glance to confirm the market #39;s worst fears - that China was dumping US Treasuries.

US treasuries dumping report sends greenback into a tailspin


ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- OK, so now the Patriots are 3-0 on this exhib-, no, wait, these games actually count , don't they?

Already 3-0, they are hard to contend with


Indo-Caribbeans, who have not felt particularly embraced by Indians in Flushing and Elmhurst in Queens, have cobbled together their own community in Richmond Hill.

Indian, Twice Removed


Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. on Friday said strong demand for Toyota cars and record sales of Lexus sport-utility vehicles drove a 10.

Toyota US Sales Surge in September


LINCOLN, Neb. - Drummer Tommy Lee has played plenty of stadium shows with his band Motley Crue...

Tommy Lee Plays With College Marching Band


A recording broadcast Thursday accuses the ruling dynasty in Osama bin Laden's Saudi homeland of being the

Voice, Said to Be bin Laden's, Criticizes Saudis


Japan #39;s Sony Corp is expected to unveil a smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing retailers and industry analysts.

Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report


AFP - The French state-owned railway system was back in the black in the first half of 2004, posting a parent net profit of 43 million euros (52.4 million dollars) after losing 243 million euros in the first half of 2003, La Tribune economic news daily reported.

French state railways back in black in first half of 2004 (AFP)


The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has exempted some centrifuges from its commitment to freeze uranium enrichment and lacks trustworthiness because of past concealment and delays in disclosing information.

IAEA: Confidence in Iran #39;s Nuclear Program Has Eroded


UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been accused of either lies or incompetence in his handling of the Iraq war, by Greg Dyke, former director-general of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

UK #39;s Blair Liar or Incompetent, Says Former BBC Director Dyke


Reuters - President Vladimir Putin accused the\West of indulging terrorists on Friday, just hours after a\Chechen warlord claimed responsibility for a wave of deadly\attacks in Russia and threatened more.

Putin Accuses West, Chechen Rebel Vows More Attacks (Reuters)


Security tools maker Finjan Software warned on Wednesday that it hadfound as many as 10 security flaws in the last update to Microsoft #39;s flagship operating system, Windows XP Service Pack 2. In a statement

Finjan: Warning users or scaring up business?


THERE IS no excuse for the behavior exhibited by a few Oakland A #39;s fans and some members of the Texas Rangers baseball team that sent a player to jail and left a spectator with a broken nose.

Out of control in Oakland


Cats can suffer from stress-related illness like humans, a new study by animal experts suggests.

Cats suffer stress, experts say


The board of Gold Fields Ltd. urged shareholders Wednesday to reject a \$8.1-billion-US takeover bid by South African gold producer Harmony Gold Mining Co.

Gold Fields board recommends rejection of Harmony #39;s US\$8.1B <b>...</b>


A team of astronomers announced last week the discovery of some of the smallest planets yet detected beyond our solar system. The two newly discovered planets represent a new class of extrasolar planets, and

Astronomers discover first Neptune-sized planets outside our solar <b>...</b>


Scientists believe a select group of people can spot when someone is lying.

Select few 'can identify liars'


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - Floating in the Atlantic Ocean, his life raft deflated, a man who has failed in his bid to row from the United States to England was counting on a Canadian search-and-rescue helicopter to pluck him from water Thursday.

Rescue attempt underway for ill-fated transatlantic rower from Germany (Canadian Press)


quot;The ability to watch TV-like content on a mobile phone is a natural next step of the advanced mobile multimedia services which are increasingly popular with consumer, quot; says Mats Lindoff, chief technology officer at Sony Ericsson.

Phone Giants Set Sights on Mobile TV


Arsenal are looking to haul themselves out of their first sticky patch of the season with a Champions League victory over Panathinaikos at Highbury tonight.

Gunners look for return to winning ways


Alaska Air Group Inc. earned \$79.2 million in net income in the third quarter, making more money than financial analysts projected as traffic increased and it worked to cut costs.

Alaska Air #39;s net beats analysts #39; projections


VIRGIN Blue faces a clouded second half as it battles volatile fuel prices, rising charges by monopoly airport and navigation providers and an uncertain revenue growth caused by tough domestic competition.

Costs put pressure on Virgin


SANTA FE, N.M. - Running even just 20 days before the election, President Bush and Sen...

Bush, Kerry Looking for Edge in Debate


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. trade gap widened nearly 9  percent in October to a record \$55.5 billion as sky-high oil  prices helped propel imports into new territory, the government  said on Tuesday, while a second report showed industrial output  rose in November, as expected.

Trade Gap Widens to Record \$55.5 Billion


Google Inc. lowered the target price per share for its initial public offering (IPO) on Wednesday, and asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to give buyers additional time to reconsider their bids, according to a notice on the company's IPO Web site.

Google drops target price, extends auction to Wednesday


At the time, it didn #39;t seem like a big deal. On the Miami Hurricanes #39; first offensive possession Saturday against the Virginia Tech Hokies, running back Frank Gore ripped off a 9-yard run, seemingly giving

Hurricanes Were Their Own Worst Enemy


Forbes.com - China beckons stock investors with the lure of brisk economic growth. Yet a school of prominent China watchers, led by Morgan Stanley strategist  Andy Xie, warns that the domestic overheating could lead to a

One China, May Exporters (Forbes.com)


Delta Air Lines yesterday announced plans to cut up to 6,900 jobs over the next 18 months as it struggles to avoid bankruptcy. The airline is in the midst of a restructuring designed to cut \$5bn (2.

Delta to cut 7,000 jobs by 2006


AFP - Russian basketball champions CSKA Moscow said they were disappointed that NBA giants Utah Jazz had pulled out off a planned exhibition match here because of security fears.

Moscow fumes as Utah Jazz pulls out of NBA date (AFP)


Four years ago, a federal court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to set limits on the release of mercury and other harmful emissions from cement factories.

Set mercury limits in concrete


roundup Plus: Chipmaker Fujitsu prepares WiMax chip...EDS extends Opsware contract...AOL signs up for Omniture traffic tool.

Briefly: Real touts one week, 1 million songs


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Olympic field hockey champion Australia pulled out of a December tournament in Pakistan because of security fears.

Aussies Pull Out of Pakistan Field Hockey


Europe appears to be fertile ground for new WiMax networks. Spain is the latest country to embrace the emerging high-end broadband wireless technology, following recent deployments in France, Ireland, and the U.K.

Spain sprouts WiMax network


US forces are reported to have launched overnight air attacks in Baghdad's Sadr City suburb.

US air strikes 'target Sadr City'


A fifth year of powerful economic growth in East Asia and the Pacific has driven the number of people living in poverty in the region to its lowest level ever, but the World Bank warned Tuesday that oil prices could dampen the boom next year.

East Asia #39;s Economies to Grow Over 7 Pct.


The company that brought us the Walkman should be giving the iPod a run for its money. What happened? Perhaps you #39;ve caught a glimpse of Sony #39;s new digital music player, a sleek silver gizmo brandished in

Sony Sings Off-Key


AP - Jose Guillen and Jeff DaVanon homer off Esteban Loaiza, who failed to make it out of the fourth inning Saturday, as the Anaheim Angels defeated the New York Yankees 6-1 in a storm-interrupted game.

Angels Rough Up Loaiza in Win Over Yanks (AP)


Google SMS started serving search results to mobile users in the US just a few days back. Now Yahoo! follows it with even more comprehensive feature set.

Yahoo! follows Google on Mobile Services


BAGHDAD - Foreign aid workers have bolted their doors, hired more guards and installed spy cameras outside their offices here, and are considering whether to quit Iraq altogether following the kidnapping of two relief workers.

Aid workers ready to quit after Baghdad kidnapping


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

Citigroup, Bank of America Post Profits


The Rally Australia should have been the grand finale of Carlos Sainz #39;s career, a respectful send-off to one of the sport #39;s greatest drivers.

Injured Sainz forced out of swansong


With the passage of one week, the effect of the  quot;Kathmandu Valley blockade quot; imposed by the Nepalese anti-government guerrillas has waned with the government #39;s move to step up security in order to foil the embargo.

Normal life resumes in Kathmandu Valley


Senators conceded on Tuesday they faced an uphill battle to win the power for the Food and Drug Administration to regulate nicotine and tobacco products, due to strong

US Measure to Regulate Tobacco in Doubt


ATHENS -- With his big, thick right hand, Pete Clentzos slaps his belly. The hand bounces off.

Word Champion


The only centers to lead the NBA in scoring in the last 28 seasons are Shaquille O #39;Neal and David Robinson, but the way Phoenix #39;s Amare Stoudemire has been pouring in the points, he could very well be the third.

Stoudemire scoring big at center for Suns


ZURICH (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova  remained on course for a third successive WTA title by beating  fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the  semi-finals of the Zurich Challenge on Saturday.

Sharapova on Course for Third Title with Dementieva Win


Every day, cubicle-dwellers get up from their desks and walk to their nearest windows in search of a strong enough signal to make or answer a cell-phone call. Cathy Zatloukal thinks her in-building wireless infrastructure company, MobileAccess Networks, can save them the trip.

MobileAccess Networks Strengthens Signals for Indoor Use


TXU Corp. (TXU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) management is deciding whether to recommend that its board reevaluate the utility #39;s common stock dividend, which was

UPDATE 3-TXU says management looking at dividend policy


THE merger of Harmony and Gold Fields is attractive in that it will not only create the biggest gold producer in the world, but one which is truly South African.

Caution Should Rule Decision On Harmony Deal


Though Tim Henman may be considerably more senior than some of his more illustrious opponents at this weeks Tennis Masters Cup, he isnt quite old enough to recall the Apollo programmes famous moon shots and the sound of Mission Control at Houston

Tennis Masters - Houston USA


AP - Lionel Hollins lost his debut as interim coach of the Grizzlies, with Kevin Garnett getting 26 points and 15 rebounds and Latrell Sprewell adding 22 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over Memphis 115-90 Friday night.

T-Wolves Spoil Debut of Grizzlies Coach (AP)


Earlier, in Cairo, presidents, kings and potentates from across the Arab world and beyond paid their last respects to the Palestinian leader.

Coffin Is Carried Through Surging Crowd Ahead of Burial


THREE JAPANESE GIANTS will team up to create a company to manufacture and sell LCD panels into the flat panel TV market. Hitachi, Toshiba and Matsushita hope to get the JV rolling by January 2005.

Hitachi, Toshiba, Matsushita form LCD joint venture


Southampton midfielder Fabrice Fernandes was fined 10,000 pounds (US\$18,000) and handed a two-year driving ban Wednesday for trying to elude police in a high-speed chase five months ago.

Fernandes fined 10,000 pounds for high-speed police chase


As his term as EU executive head comes to an end, Romano Prodi called the EU #39;s efforts to catch up economically with the United States  quot;a big failure.

Outgoing EU Chief Takes Stock


Reuters - Israeli troops shot dead a 7-year-old\Palestinian girl in a Gaza refugee camp on Friday, medics said,\after militants wounded four Israelis in a mortar attack on a\nearby Jewish settlement.

Palestinian Girl Killed in Gaza Strip, Medics Say (Reuters)


Stuart Pearce has placed an early claim on the Manchester City job when Kevin Keegan steps down as manager in 18 months #39; time.

Man City v Tottenham


Brett Wetterich is perched on a precarious ledge on the Nationwide Tour money list in his bid to win a PGA Tour card with the Miccosukee Championship beginning today in Miami.

Wetterich seeks more secure card


As local kids make their holiday lists, parents might want to check them twice for potentially dangerous toys. Consumer advocates yesterday released a list of 61 toys they contend have deficient labeling or hazardous parts.

No playin #39; around, toys called unsafe


So what's a dog's life like, anyhow? Scientists at Agencourt Bioscience Corp. in Beverly know. The biotech company helped to sequence the genetic coding that makes a dog a dog. Last month, the data was added to several public databases, making it available to biomedical and veterinary researchers around the world.

It's looking up for Beverly biotech firm


Grocer says sales rose 15, helped by acquisitions, puts full-year earnings at low end of forecast. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Albertsons Inc.

Albertsons 3Q profit up 21


Research In Motion (RIM) is demonstrating a new model of its Blackberry handheld device, the Blackberry 7270, that integrates Support for both voice and data capabilities on 802.

A Blackberry for WLANs is fruit of RIM research


English Premiership leaders Chelsea stayed five points clear of reigning champions Arsenal following a 2-2 draw away to their London rivals at Highbury.

Chelsea maintain lead with Arsenal draw


Reuters - The doubts, the uncertainty, the\mud-slinging that have kept investors indecisive all year are\set to end one week from Tuesday when U.S. voters go to the\polls.

Wall Street Fears an Undecided Election (Reuters)


Intel develops a new chip that roughly doubles the number of transistors on a chip.

Profiting From Moore's Law


AP - Former president Bill Clinton on Monday helped launch a new Internet search company backed by the Chinese government which says its technology uses artificial intelligence to produce better results than Google Inc.

Bill Clinton Helps Launch Search Engine (AP)


Glasgow, Scotland (Sports Network) - Rangers and Aberdeen finished up weekend play in the Scottish Premier League on Sunday at Ibrox.

Rangers wins convincingly to hold on to second


Even though Microsofts much-anticipated Longhorn has been stripped of its unified file system and some of its other key Longhorn technologies will be available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, the next Windows release will still be worth the upgrade, according to Microsoft.

Stripped down Longhorn still offers gems


NOTRE DAME (4-2) vs. NAVY (5-0) > When, where: Tomorrow, noon, at East Rutherford, N.J. TV, radio: Channels 4, 12; WJDA (1300). AP rankings: Neither team is ranked. Last season: Notre Dame won, 27-24. Comments: Notre Dame and Navy play for the 78th consecutive year, making it the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in the country. The Irish hold a 67-9-1 ...

Key college games on TV


AP - Google Inc.'s long-awaited expansion of its search tools from the Internet to individual computers takes advantage of the company's core technology as well as a weakness in Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system.

Google Tool Expands on Core Technology (AP)


Rescuers have saved at least 12 pilot whales that beached themselves on Maria Island, off Tasmania #39;s east coast. It has been an exhausting 24 hours for National Parks and Wildlife officers in Tasmania after mass strandings at Maria Island and King Island.

Rescue workers save 12 beached whales


AP - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with President Fidel Castro and other Cuban leaders Wednesday as the countries worked on re-creating more modest versions of political and economic alliances that unraveled after the Soviet Union's collapse.

Russian Foreign Minister Meets With Castro (AP)


U2 has been a familiar sight to iTunes Music Store visitors in recent weeks, with the online music store featuring everything from a U2-themed iPod to a digital boxed set of the Irish rock band #39;s recordings.

Apple pitches music industry on U2-style promos


It is known to many as Africa #39;s major. However, the Nedbank Challenge is in line to get enhanced status. There are possible plans to include the Sun City event in the World Golf Championship calendar.

Nedbank Challenge #39;s status to be enhanced


Militiamen trying to wrest control of the oil-rich Niger Delta threatened on Tuesday to launch a full-scale armed struggle #39; #39; on petroleum-pumping operations in Africa #39;s

Nigerian Militia Threatens Armed Struggle


Friday night came as close to an old-time local battle for viewers among Channels 4, 5, and 7 as we're likely to see. It was a throwback to pre-cable, pre-dish, and even pre-UHF days as the three local  quot;originals quot; served up a special night of sports programming. Although Red Sox-White Sox was on Channel 4's  quot;sister quot; station, Channel 38, it ...

Enough to make you flip


Afghan refugees living in Pakistan are registering to take part in next week's landmark presidential elections.

Afghan refugees register to vote


AP - Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport won in straight sets Friday to reach the Porsche Grand Prix semifinals in another step in their battle for the No. 1 ranking.

Mauresmo, Davenport in Porsche Semis (AP)


Wall Street brokerage house Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. is close to reaching a deal to pay about \$220 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that it and other big brokerage firms participated in a scheme with Enron Corp.

Lehman May Settle Enron Scheme Lawsuit


A computer crash that forced a pre-election test of electronic voting machines to be postponed was trumpeted by critics as proof of the balloting technology's unreliability.

E-Voting Machine Crash Deepens Election Concerns


ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - While the Boston Red Sox celebrated  the end of 86 years of frustration by winning the World Series  on Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals had to deal with some new  frustrations of their own.

Frustrated Cardinals Can't Hit in Series Loss to Sox


As rookie Eli Manning struggles, Kurt Warner will be the starting quarterback for the Giants' Sept. 12 regular season opener at Philadelphia.

Warner Snaps Back


p2pnet.net News:-  quot;We intend to do it, quot; Google chief executive Eric Schmidt told a University of California-Los Angeles conference, recently.

Google Apple desktop search


The local real estate market is showing signs of slowing down. There are more homes on the market in Greater Boston than at any time during the last five years, some properties -- especially the more expensive ones -- are taking longer to sell, and price reductions are becoming increasingly common. Meanwhile, sales of single-family homes across the state fell ...

Signs point to slowdown in housing market


In the long, winding tale of Barry Bonds and steroids, we have reached the part where Bonds plays dumb. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, he effectively told a grand jury a year ago that he used steroids

Bonds not as dumb as he appears


AP - The former chief executive of Sonera and five other people were charged Monday with gross violation of Finland's communications secrecy laws, following an investigation into the telecommunications company.

Six Are Charged in Finnish Telecom Probe (AP)


Reuters - New applications for U.S. home loans\climbed last week, as most mortgage rates fell from the\previous week, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Mortgage Applications Climb Last Week (Reuters)


THERE #39;S a sense of deja vu about the Metcash takeover offer for Western Australia-based Foodland Associated, because if Andrew Reitzer and his management team can pull it off it may finally create a competitive national  quot;third force quot; in retailing to take

Likely retail  #39;third force #39; to chew over


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and the European  Union are unlikely to reach a new civil aircraft pact covering  Boeing Co. and Airbus, an EU official said on Thursday,  boosting the chances the two sides will take their subsidy  countercharges to the World Trade Organization.

Chances Dwindling for US-EU Aircraft Pact


The privately-funded craft SpaceShipOne has completed a flight into space after an airborne launch above the California desert. The flight will bring the spaceship crew the \$10 million X Prize.

ShapeShipOne Wins \$10 Million X-Prize


German authorities said they disrupted a possible plot to attack Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, during his visit here Friday, arresting three Iraqi men and conducting raids across the country.

Germans Say Plot Against Allawi Foiled; 3 Arrested


UK businesswomen are breaking through the 'glass ceiling' to get on the board but then find themselves given impossible tasks, a leading psychologist claims.

Women looking over glass cliffs


SiliconValley.com - In August, Joshua Rosen, a San Francisco entrepreneur and art director, went live with a Web site that makes it very simple for people to register to vote.

Site eases voter registration (SiliconValley.com)


BESLAN, Russia -- Funeral processions filled the rainy streets of this southern Russian city yesterday, carrying coffins large and small, as townspeople buried scores of victims of a carefully planned school standoff that prosecutors linked to a Chechen rebel leader.

Victims mourned, officials criticized


USC had another harrowing trip to the Bay Area. Thanks to their defense and their unstoppable tailback tandem, this one had a much happier ending.

No. 1 USC 31, Stanford 28


Italy #39;s government insisted Tuesday it will keep its troops in Iraq despite a demand by militants holding an Italian journalist hostage that Italian forces pull out within 48 hours.

Italians brush off kidnapping threat


AFP - Up to seven people were killed in an attack on a police station in Grozny, the capital of the Russian breakaway republic of Chechnya, a report quoting officials said.

Up to seven killed in Chechnya shootout: report (AFP)


United States shoppers have spent more on the first day of holiday shopping than they did a year ago but retailers #39; hopes for the key season were curbed as titan Wal-Mart cut its November sales forecast.

Wal-Mart warning overshadows holiday sales figures


Paraguayan police captured a leading Brazilian drug trafficking suspect after a gunbattle with the occupants of a cocaine-laden plane near the border with Brazil, authorities said.

Cocaine-Laden Plane Seized in Paraguay


THE REGION Putnam Investments said Deborah F. Kuenstner, managing director and chief investment officer of the mutual fund firm's Large-Cap Value investment team and International Value team, will leave the company at year-end. Kuenstner has also been an executive board member and management team leader for the \$1 billion Putnam Classic Equity fund. Josh Brooks, chief investment officer of the ...

Putnam official resigns


BRUSSELS Microsoft said Monday that it had reached legal settlements with two of its biggest adversaries in the software industry, Novell and the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

Microsoft reduces ranks of its antitrust opponents


Sonys PlayStation console has been so popular that it feels strange that PSP is their first attempt at the handheld gaming market.

Sony PlayStation Portable is out


Mexican stocks fell early Monday, dragged lower by cement giant Cemex (CX) after it announced a multibillion dollar acquisition of a British company, the largest by a Mexican firm ever.

Mexico stocks dragged by Cemex acquisition news


Guidant Corp. #39;s 10-year run as one of Indiana #39;s most successful public companies will end with a \$25 billion sale to health products giant Johnson  amp; Johnson.

Growth was key to J amp;J, Guidant deal


Bayern - who disappointed in last season #39;s campaign - were back to their all-consuming best, their powerful midfield stifling the invention of Ajax #39;s talented trio of Wesleys Sonck and Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart.

Group C: Makaay hits hat-trick to crush Ajax


Ford will inject 534m into Jaguar, after the UK car maker had to cover a writedown on its investments following a drop in production.

Jaguar negotiates 534m Ford aid


Reuters - Tokyo stocks were higher at midday on\Wednesday thanks to gains in telecom shares and a handful of\small-caps, but the rise was limited as big technology firms\wilted ahead of a business update from bellwether Intel Corp.

Nikkei Up at Midday, Led by Telecoms (Reuters)


Clemson and South Carolina will turn down bids to play in postseason bowl games after both teams fought during their game on Saturday.

No Bowls After Fight


AstraZeneca Plc, the UK #39;s second biggest drugmaker, bought a 19.9 percent stake in Cambridge Antibody Technology Group Plc, an unprofitable biotechnology company, for 75 million pounds (\$139 million).

AstraZeneca Buys 20 Stake in Cambridge Antibody (Update1)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. retailers are spicing up their  fashion lines with a bit of Latin flavor to attract a  long-neglected but increasingly important group of consumers --  Hispanics.

Apparel Retailers Tune in to Latin Beat


ST. LOUIS T hree hours after the Boston Red Sox turned the lights out on this World Series, a guest staying on the 17th floor of the St.

We all could take a lesson from Red Sox


Reuters - Russia said on Saturday it would welcome more offers for the assets of oil major YUKOS as the only declared bidder, Gazprom, inked a cooperation deal with India's state-run ONGC oil firm.

Russia invites YUKOS unit bids, India interested (Reuters)


Contenders are trying novel twists on sending video over the global computer network in an effort to exploit the increasing number of in-home high-speed Internet links.
<FONT face=

Web TV Tries to Seize New Territory


It was an especially eventful summer for Microsoft, with the company unveiling new initiatives to take on rivals Apple Computer and Google, announcing plans for an unprecedented payout to shareholders, and cutting a key feature from designs for the next

Microsoft Notebook: Good news hasn #39;t helped stock price


Analysts speculate that company is a possible target to be acquired and that big operational changes are in store for the 16,557-person technology consulting firm.
<FONT face=

BearingPoint Leader Plans Shake-Up


PARIS (Reuters) - The president of European planemaker  Airbus said on Saturday he hoped to win around 50 orders for  the new wide-body jet A350 by next June.

Airbus Hopes for 50 Jet Orders by June


LONDON, Nov 6 (AFP) - Britain said a US-led assault on the city of Fallujah was needed to uproot insurgents who could derail elections in Iraq, dismissing UN warnings such an offensive would actually undermine chances for democracy.

Britain backs assault on Fallujah, dismisses UN warnings


Storage Decisions Being the competent vendors that they are, Cisco, Network Appliance and EMC all made good use of the Storage Decisions conference being held here this week and rolled out new gear.

Cisco, NetApp and EMC focus in on storage software


AMSTERDAM, Nov 2: Dutch film maker Theo van Gogh, who recently made a controversial short film about women and Islamic culture, was shot and stabbed to death on an Amsterdam street on Tuesday, police said.

Anti-Muslim Dutch film maker killed


A federal judge is expected to rule today whether US Airways Group Inc. will be permitted to impose a far-reaching 23 percent employee pay cut.

Judge approves US Airways financing deal, delays ruling on pay <b>...</b>


In the wake of a 15-month-long battle for its life, PeopleSoft Inc. #39;s board of directors fired CEO Craig Conway Friday morning.

PeopleSoft Fires CEO Conway


Wild weather seems to bring out the best in Ernie Els, who was both steady and spectacular yesterday in a cool rain, warm sunshine, and blustery conditions for an 8-under-par 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the American Express Championship at Thomastown, Ireland.

Charging Els moves to the top


The chipmaker will quietly roll out its 3.8GHz Pentium 4 570 for desktops on Nov. 15, sources tell CNET News.com.

Intel preps speedier Pentium 4


Mike Hanke scored three second-half goals and led Schalke 04 into the inaugural group stage of the UEFA Cup Thursday with a 4-0 beating of Latvia #39;s Liepajas Metalurgs.

Favorites dominate in advancing in UEFA Cup


American officials warned U.S. citizens Monday to avoid high-profile locations and government facilities in the Afghan capital after Sunday's car bombing outside the office of an American security firm here.

New Threats Against Americans in Kabul


NewsFactor - Cingular Wireless is set to receive final approval from the Department of \Justice for its  #36;41 billion purchase of AT T Wireless. One condition the Justice \Department reportedly is going to set is that Cingular must sell off \wireless \airwave assets in 16-24 markets for competitive reasons.

Cingular Getting the Nod To Buy AT T Wireless (NewsFactor)


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

Intel Readies Centrino-Style Push for Desktops


AFP - Heads of state from 17 African countries attended the opening of an African Union summit in Burkina Faso to craft a jobs creation plan to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty.

African poverty summit opens in Burkina Faso (AFP)


No one wants the Red Sox to capture the franchise's first world championship since 1918 more than the players who fell so excruciatingly shy in the four seven-game heartbreakers since that glorious day 86 years ago.

Two to go


Altering a single gene can turn ordinary mice into marathon racers that can run for hours and eat huge amounts of food without getting fat, researchers say.

Gene tweaking creates a mighty mouse


FT.com - European bourses are seen starting positively after a late spurt on Wall Street thanks to encouraging results from technology stalwarts IBM and Texas Instruments. A slide in oil back to  #36;53.30 from its  #36;55.33 peak on Monday also helped.

Late Street spurt to buoy bourses start (FT.com)


Four US Marines were killed in three separate incidents west of Baghdad, the US military said. The four were assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and were killed Friday while conducting security operations in Anbar province, the military said.

Four US Marines killed in Iraq


AFP - Afghans vote Saturday in the first direct presidential elections in their history, under the threat of violence from anti-US militants and Osama bin Laden's terror network.

Afghans vote in first elections under shadow of violence (AFP)


Video gaming #39;s most felonious franchise is back, and it #39;s threatening to hijack the holidays. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the latest in a line that has sold 32 million games and

#39;San Andreas #39; poised for big sales, big debate


Peace talks addressing Sudan's troubled region of Darfur are set to resume in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Peace talks on Darfur to resume


Iraq #39;s hostage crisis continued unabated yesterday, with one group of insurgents claiming that it had killed 11 Iraqi national guardsmen, another saying it had abducted

11 guardsmen killed, Iraqi insurgents say


ATHENS (Reuters) - Mariel Zagunis won the first fencing  gold for the United States for 100 years when she beat Xue Tan  of China 15-9 in the inaugural Olympic women's sabre final on  Tuesday.

Fencing: U.S. and Swiss End Gold Drought


Reuters - Swedish poets have broadcast their\work into outer space by radio to give alien life forms -- if\they exist -- a taste of earthling literature.

Swedes Beam Poetry Into Outer Space (Reuters)


In this nation beset by violence, disease and environmental devastation, weary relief workers struggled yesterday to gauge the magnitude of the latest disaster

Haiti swamped by tropical storm


The Spanish government rejected out of hand a new peace proposal made Sunday by Basque separatists because it did not renounce violence, reports the Scotsman.

Basque separatists fail to renounce violence


Internal e-mails and other documents from Merck  amp; Co. show the company fought for years to keep safety concerns from undermining the drug #39;s commercial prospects, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Report: Merck Tried to Bury Vioxx Concerns for Years


Time to call the credit bureaus? Almost 1.4 million records containing the personal information of Californians likely stolen.

Online intrusion risks large identity cache


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

Agere Posts Loss on Revenue Drop, Charges


New York state #39;s pension fund, the nation #39;s second largest, said on Friday it plans on tendering its 2.2 million shares of PeopleSoft Inc.

NY pension fund says to tender PeopleSoft stock


Martha Stewart said Wednesday she has decided to surrender for prison as soon as possible, citing the need

Martha Stewart Asks to Begin Sentence


James Franklin became the second New Zealand cricketer to take a Test match hat-trick as he helped restrict Bangladesh to 177 all out in the first Test in Dhaka.

New Zealand Cricketer Franklin Takes Test Hat-Trick (Update1)


Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday there was still time to resolve a nuclear crisis with North Korea through six-party talks despite Pyongyang #39;s refusal to resume the negotiations.

US: Still Time to End N.Korea Crisis in Talks


MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom said on Tuesday it will  bid for embattled oil firm YUKOS' main unit next month, as the  Kremlin seeks to turn the world's biggest gas producer into a  major oil player.

Gazprom to Bid for YUKOS Key Oil Unit


Relieved in more ways than one is how a Calgary woman drawn into Kobe Bryant #39;s legal troubles is feeling now the criminal case is closed.

Bryant #39;s been a trial for city witness


BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan -- A Russian rocket carrying a new Russian-US crew to the international space station lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome early today.

Russian rocket blasts off for station


Millions of casual fishermen reel in more of the nation #39;s most prized saltwater fish than previously thought, researchers say, prompting them to urge tougher regulation of recreational fishing.

Researchers: Fishermen need more restrictions


The Iraqi militant group led by al-Qaida associate Abu Musab Zarqawi took credit on a Web site Tuesday for the beheading of a Japanese hostage, Kyodo reported.

Zarqawi takes credit for Japanese slaying


\The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou abandons a plan to build the world's tallest building.

China shelves tallest tower plans


The weekly survey from mortgage company Freddie Mac had rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages inching higher this week, up to an average 5.82 percent from last week #39;s 5.81 percent.

Mortgage Rates Inch Higher


The next generation of passenger jets from the world #39;s biggest airplane manufacturers will soon be coming off the production line.

Makers battle for next generation


ARLINGTON, Va. - US Airways announced plans Tuesday to cut \$45 million a year in pay and benefits to roughly 3,700 management employees, a move the airline hopes will convince its union employees to collectively accept \$950 million in annual cost cuts...

US Airways to Cut Management Pay, Benefit


record-setting Hungarian weight lifter was in danger of losing his silver medal yesterday because he failed a drug test, a national Olympic committee spokesman said.

Hungarian Weight Lifter and Hammer Champ Face Loss of Medals


The 25million takeover of soccer club Leeds United by an American consortium led by Sebastian Sainsbury has collapsed according to the BBC.

LEEDS TAKEOVER COLLAPSES


OBIHIRO, Japan : Norway #39;s world champion Petter Solberg took charge of the inaugural Rally of Japan after the first day of driving although the Subaru driver will be hard pressed to keep his lead on day two.

Racing: Solberg rises to the occasion in Japan


VIENNA (Reuters) - The man who hopes to become Ukraine's  next president was the victim of poisoning by dioxin -- a toxic  chemical that can easily be administered in soup containing  cream, Austrian doctors said on Saturday.

Yushchenko Was Poisoned by Dioxin - Doctors


Criminals threaten to send out a flood of child pornography e-mails purporting to come from UK gambling website Blue Square.

Child porn threat to betting site


Crystal Palace defender Fitz Hall is doubtful with a knee problem, but boss Iain Dowie will leave it until the last minute before making a decision.

Crystal Palace v Arsenal


A US citizen is among four people reported to have been kidnapped at gunpoint from their office in Baghdad.  quot;They stormed the villa with automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, quot; a police source told the Reuters agency.

Hostages seized by gunmen in Iraq


Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh will not return for the 2005 season after meeting with Coach Brian Billick on Monday.

Offense to Begin Anew


AFP - Italy's cultural cognoscenti were waiting with bated breath for the reopening of the La Scala opera house, restored to its former glory after a sumptuous 61 million euro (81 million dollar) makeover.

Proud Italy awaits La Scala opening with bated breath (AFP)


Prominent venture capitalist at Silicon Valley's New Enterprise Associates wants to

TiVo backer Alsop to leave VC firm


One day before Martha Stewart is slated to enter prison, lawyers for the multimillionaire businesswoman continued to press her appeal, accusing the government of withholding material that might have led to her acquittal.

Stewart Attorney Asks For Prosecution's Papers


A Mylan Laboratories shareholder is suing the Canonsburg generic drug maker and its directors, saying they have failed their fiduciary obligations by not considering billionaire investor Carl Icahn #39;s \$20 per share offer for the company.

Business news briefs: 11/27/04


Vijay Singh, who knocked Tiger Woods off the top of the world rankings this month for the first time in over five years, surpassed Woods #39; earnings record for a single season when he won the 84 Lumber Classic on Sunday.

World No. 1 Singh beats Tiger Woods earnings record


WORST AIR. Houston has taken the lead in the annual race for the city with the worst smog, beating Los Angeles by eight days with 1 1/2 months left in the smog season.

Eco-watch


Medical technology company Biolase Technology Inc. (BLTI.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday cut its outlook for the third and fourth quarters, sending its shares tumbling by

Biolase cuts outlook, shares tumble


Dick Vermeil looks as if he #39;s on the verge of tears, Jon Stewart has finished a bizarre and semi-coherent interview with Desmond Tutu, and the Blog #39;s flight to Atlanta for the Braves-Astros series boards in a few hours.

Who should win: Buck Showalter


THE HAGUE: Dutch authorities will launch an international manhunt for the alleged Syrian leader of a Dutch-based terrorist group responsible for the murder of a filmmaker, and similar groups of homegrown radicals are believed operating in the Netherlands

Dutch to launch manhunt


The Bank of Ireland reported a 7.8 percent rise in half-year profits Thursday but also revealed a significant drop in investor confidence at its asset management unit.

Bank of Ireland Posts Rise in Profit


Reuters - Movie Gallery Inc.  on Friday\offered to buy rival movie rental chain Hollywood Entertainment\Corp.  for an undisclosed sum, one week after industry\leader Blockbuster Inc.  bid about  #36;700 million for\Hollywood.

Movie Gallery Bids for Hollywood Video (Reuters)


AP - The international Red Cross said Tuesday that U.S. officials have failed to address concerns about some significant problems in the treatment of terror suspects detained at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Red Cross Sees Problems at Guantanamo (AP)


UK house prices fell by 1.1 in October, confirming a softening of the housing market, Halifax has said. The UK #39;s biggest mortgage lender said prices rose 18.

UK house prices  #39;fell in October #39;


Russia brushed aside an American court #39;s attempt to halt the auction of the oil giant Yukos #39; biggest production unit, but a consortium of international banks withdrew

Banks Drop Support of Bid for Russian Oil Giant #39;s Unit


AP - Keith Bulluck knows his answer to the question of how much is enough. Coming off his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro season, the Tennessee linebacker could have played out the final year of his contract then become a free agent in search of more money. Instead, he signed a six-year,  #36;36 million contract in March and remained a Titan.

Bulluck Picks Super Bowl Shot Over Cash (AP)


The Huygens probe is on target and all set for its encounter with Titan, the mysterious large moon of Saturn. The 2.7m-wide robot lab has passed its final systems check-out and scientists

Mission cleared for Titan plunge


Former basketball star Calvin Murphy was acquitted on Monday by a Houston jury of sexually abusing five of his daughters. Murphy, 56, had denied the charges that he had abused the five

Former NBA Star Calvin Murphy Acquitted of Sexual Abuse


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Financial markets may be all ears on  Thursday night for hints about August job growth from President  Bush, but they will be listening in vain since he plans to  purposely avoid an early peek.

Bush to Avoid Sneak Peek at Jobs Data


THIS is the moment Prince Harry went spare at photographers early yesterday. The prince, third in line to the throne, snapped as he left a London club after four hours of knocking back cocktails.

PRINCE IN NIGHTCLUB PUNCH-UP: HEIR GOES SPARE


WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 - An important test of the United States #39; fledgling missile defense system ended in failure early Wednesday as an interceptor rocket failed to launch on cue from the Marshall Islands, the Pentagon said.

Defense Missile for US System Fails to Launch


Los Angeles Dodgers starter Odalis Perez learned just how quickly things can unravel against the potent St. Louis Cardinals. After allowing Albert Pujols #39;s first-inning

LA starter Perez lost it in a hurry


KABUL Militants holding three foreign United Nations staff members in Afghanistan released a video Sunday of their hostages and said they would be killed if demands for release of prisoners and withdrawal of foreign troops were not met by noon Wednesday.

Afghan group makes demands for hostages


Buying a new television used to straightforward: It was simply a matter of deciding how large you wanted the screen to be. Today, however, the purchase process has become much more complex as the 107-year-old

TVland a little bewildering


FOUR Merrill Lynch bankers and a mid-level Enron executive were last night found guilty of conspiracy and fraud in the first criminal trial since the collapse of the energy trading giant three years ago.

Five convicted in first Enron trial


Russia is one of the biggest, most powerful men's volleyball teams in the world. Already well aware, the United States received another reminder.

Russia blocks bid by US


Speaking after a meeting with the Irish Prime Minister in Dublin, party president Gerry Adams said:  quot;We are concerned that the time frame is stretching.

Sinn Fein voices delay concern


A breeze of interstellar helium atoms is blowing through the solar system. Thankfully, we have our shields up! The solar system's deflector shield is a giant magnetic bubble called

The Solar System's Deflector Shield is Up


You could talk about Auburn #39;s gritty defense, which managed to turn back LSU when the Bayou Bengals were up 9-3 and driving for a crucial field goal that would have made it a two-possession game midway through the third quarter.

Matthew Zemek / CollegeFootballNews.com Posted: 4 minutes ago


A not-so anonymous Anonymous Coward asks:  quot;The administrator at my work gave me the following reason for not using Mozilla. What do you think?

FireFox as a Security Risk Compared to IE?


It is not a World Series championship, but for Boston Red Sox fans who watched their team bring history to its knees, it must feel even better.

Sox stun Yankees


PEMBROKE PINES A veteran pilot known across South Florida for skywriting  quot;God Loves You quot; was killed Tuesday when his plane crashed at North Perry Airport.

Skywriting pilot dies in crash


A thinktank of British scientists has come up with a new way of quickening the national intellect - a brain-taxing spin on the old formula of 100 things to do before you die.

Turn yourself into a diamond: tips from science on a good life <b>...</b>


25 October 2004 - United Nations peacekeeping forces, together with Haitian National Police, have cleared the streets of Bel Air, a poor area of the Caribbean country #39;s capital, Port-au-Prince, which has been in upheaval over the past three weeks, a UN

UN forces and Haitian police clear barricaded quarter


More lenders, more options, more solutions. America #39;s Lending Partners can get you a great deal on home loans. Fill out one form and you #39;ll get up to 4 great offers from prominent lenders nationwide.

ADV: Get a Great Deal on a Home Loan


Boosters of the international space station have justified the billions spent on the project with reasons ranging from scientific research in a weightless environment to providing the first base camp on the long trek to the moon and planets.

THE NASA DIET


The New York-based Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel argued the government #39;s Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements accepted petitions by textile makers based on arbitrary factors.

Retailers Seek To Block US Curbs on Chinese Textiles


HOUSTON Wall Street brokerage Lehman Brothers has agreed to pay 222-and-a-half (M) million dollars to settle an Enron-related class-action lawsuit.

Lehman Brothers settles Enron shareholder lawsuit


The Federal Reserve yesterday boosted its key interest rate for the third time in as many months, signaling the economy has rebounded from its recent struggles and inflation remains in check.

Fed lifts rate, says economy picking up


Recently Yahoo unveiled some new features for their email service, Yahoo Mail. Some of the new features include improved search, Address AutoComplete, and full implementation of DomainKeys.

Yahoo Unveils New Mail Enhancements


NewsFactor - Virginia Tech announced that its Apple-based System X supercomputer has been rebuilt for speed and now operates at 12.25 teraflops.

Mac Supercomputer Gets Performance Makeover (NewsFactor)


Researchers say they have found a way to produce hydrogen with far less energy than other methods, a development that would move the country closer to the goal of a

Hydrogen Production Method Could Bolster Fuel Supplies


A boy has died of bird flu virus in Thailand #39;s central Prachinburi province, bringing the death toll from the epidemic in Asia to 28, the official Thai News Agency reported here on Thursday.

One boy dies of bird flu disease in Thailand


NEW YORK (Reuters) - M T Bank Corp. <A HREF=

M T Bank Profit Rises on Fewer Bad Loans


IT IS impossible to achieve greatness in sport without being measured against history. On Saturday, the last night of athletics in the 2004 Olympics, a man and a woman, a king and a queen of the track, ran into history.

Old is gold - and twice as good


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official commended  Pakistan on Tuesday for its help in ensuring the success of  last month's Afghan election and said the United States wanted  to accelerate and broaden its cooperation with Pakistan.

Pakistan Wins U.S. Praise Over Afghan Vote


Linux Networx has developed a clustered storage appliance which is able to pool capacity from separate storage devices into a single high-capacity resource.

Linux cluster storage system takes off


Sports Minister Richard Caborn today categorically ruled out the Government stepping in to provide the cash to save the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Final lap for Silverstone


Embattled management software vendor Computer Associates (Quote, Chart) has struck a deal with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to avoid a court appearance over its accounting problems, reports indicated Wednesday morning.

CA, DOJ Reach Settlement


Jakarta - A leading Indonesian scientist on Saturday challenged the widely publicised theory that fossilised bones found on the eastern island of Flores were from a previously unknown species of human.

#39;Flores man not a new species #39;


Sanctions could be aimed at a wide range of American exports, possibly including steel ball bearings, cod, shoes and apples. Most would be imposed by Japan and the EU, which have been the hardest

WTO Authorizes Sanctions Against US


Chicago - The Bears believe they need to win out in order to have a chance at playing in the postseason. Although five straight wins dont guarantee the Bears anything, if Chad Hutchinson plays the way he

Staying Alive


Bloglines Adds International RSS Feed Reading\\Bloglines, an online service for searching and subscribing to news feeds, blogs and rich web content today unveiled an internationalized web site that allows people who speak Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish to join and navigate the Bloglines service in their native languages. ...


Oliver Perez tossed a three-hitter over eight innings and struck out 14 batters to help host Pittsburgh end Houston #39;s 12-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory in game one of a National League (NL) doubleheader Thursday.

NL Wrap: Perez Strikes Out 14 as Pirates End Astros Run


China may avoid a sudden economic slowdown after the central bank raised benchmark interest rates for the first time in nine years last week, a survey showed.

China May Avoid Sudden Slowdown as Rates Rise, Survey Shows


Reuters - Most musicians and artists say the\Internet has helped them make more money from their work\despite online file-trading services that allow users to copy\songs and other material for free, according to a study\released on Sunday.

Net File-Sharing Doesn't Hurt Most Artists - Survey (Reuters)


Learn a little about yourself, and it may improve your performance.

Types of Investors: Which Are You?


News Item:  quot;The US Army has threatened to partially withhold payments to Halliburton due to allegations of overcharges for food, shelter and services. quot; ...

At least someone #39;s winning in this war


Top managers at Microsoft told employees to destroy evidence contained in old e-mail during 2000, even as the company faced several antitrust lawsuits at the time, court documents filed by Burst.

Burst.com Claims Microsoft Destroyed Evidence


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The British government has suspended  the manufacturing license of Chiron Corp. <A HREF=

Britain Suspends Flu Maker's License


Uhuru Kenyatta, leader of Kenya's former ruling party, apologises for mistakes made over the past 40 years.

Kenyan ex-ruling party says sorry


AP - Peja Stojakovic had 29 points, and Chris Webber added 22 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday night to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 98-93 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kings Defeat Slumping Grizzlies 98-93 (AP)


American Justin Gatlin roared from virtual unknown to win the blue ribband Olympic men #39;s 100 meters race on Sunday, upstaging defending champion Maurice Greene and other more illustrious rivals.

Gatlin Sprints from Unknown to Olympic Gold


Nearly 30 percent of U.S. voters will cast their 2004 ballots electronically.

E-Voting States Brace For Problems


Security company Symantec Corp. plans to announce the release of a patch management product on Monday that it says will enable small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to stay on top of software vulnerabilities.

Symantec releases patching tool


Greater protection to great white sharks and other big fish are among successes to emerge from the world species summit.

Summit boosts sea life protection


In upholding a lower court #39;s ruling, the Supreme Court rejected arguments that the Do Not Call list violates telemarketers #39; First Amendment rights.

US Supreme Court Backs Do Not Call Registry


Like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers gliding across the silver screen, the planets Venus and Jupiter dance cheek-to-cheek through our morning skies Thursday and Friday.

Brightest Lights Rise Together


The fight for the top of the portable gaming mountain has begun in earnest in Japan. Following up Nintendo #39;s highly anticipated DS launch, Sony has launched their version of a portable gaming system, the PSP.

Sony PSP Debuts To Strong Sales


AP - Mall-based retailer Hot Topic Inc., Wednesday reported an 18 percent decline in profit for the latest quarter, blaming weak Halloween sales.

Hot Topic 3Q Earnings Sink 18 Percent (AP)


If walking upright first set early human ancestors apart from their ape cousins, it may have been their eventual ability to run long distances with a springing step over the African savanna

Running Extra Mile Sets Humans Apart in Primates #39; World


Ernie Els won the World Match Play title for a record sixth time on his 35th birthday, beating Lee Westwood 2 and 1 Sunday to capture golf's biggest payday - \$1.8 million.

Els Wins Record Sixth Match Play Title


A draft report from the Commerce Commission says mobile phone operators have abused their dominant position in the market to keep the cost of calling high.

Cost of NZ mobile calls too high


Anteon International Corp. has won a \$10 million subcontract from Lockheed Martin Corp. to develop a video system for the Army to use in its urban warfare training.

Anteon to Develop Army Training Video


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue-chip stocks fell  on  Thursday to nearly a five-week low as crude oil flirted with  last month's record high and a key gauge of future economic  activity fell for a third straight month.

Blue Chips Fall on \$49 Oil, Economy Index


Oil costing roughly \$53 a barrel is a major drag on the US economy, and Arab finance ministers have told the Bush administration they are committed to bringing the price down, Treasury Secretary John Snow said Sunday.

Snow Expects Arab Help Against Oil Prices


Description: The most requested word on Merriam-Webster #39;s Web site isn #39;t in the dictionary yet. The word is blog. It will be in the next edition.

#39;Morning Edition #39; Returns: Webster #39;s Most Wanted


Abidjan - President Thabo Mbeki on Monday said Ivorian groups embroiled in a bitter two-year civil upheaval have agreed to four proposals to put the troubled west African country back on the road to peace.

Ivorian parties agree to peace proposals


Thousands of minority Shiite Muslims rampaged through this eastern Pakistan city for the second straight day yesterday, burning a police station and the mayor #39;s office after a mass funeral for 31 people killed by a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque.

Shiite Muslims continue to riot in protest of bombing at mosque


Updated chat client allows users to send more personalized messages.

Microsoft Tests MSN Messenger 7.0


A discarded vibrator at Queensland #39;s Mackay airport caused pandemonium after cleaners noticed a rubbish bin humming in a suspicious manner, the Herald Sun reports.

Sex toy creates Oz airport pandemonium


Philippine soldiers have rushed food, drinking water and other supplies by foot and helicopters to provinces cut off by four storms in two weeks that have left more than 1,300 people dead or missing.

Soldiers rush supplies to storm-hit Filipinos


ATHENS (Reuters) - Top seed Roger Federer was bundled out  of the Olympic tennis tournament on Tuesday by unheralded Czech  Tomas Berdych.

Federer's Games Dream Shattered


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks edged higher on Tuesday as  rising oil and other commodity prices drove up shares of major  energy and metal producers.

Stocks Rise, Led by Oil, Metal Companies


Unisys, the maker of high-end servers, has joined the Red Hat Partner Community, strengthening its ties to the Linux vendor. Unisys, formerly a Windows-only shop, began offering its ES7000 servers

Unisys Gets Deeper into Linux, Joins Red Hat Partner Community


Wide-open spaces, technological glitches and bitter cold all are potential obstacles to plans to track livestock and protect the food supply from disease and bioterrorism.

Policy Meets Reality in West as Cattle Tracking Is Tested


11 November 2004 - The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq met today in Baghdad with interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi to discuss the latest developments in the country, a UN spokesman said today.

UN envoy to Iraq discusses political process with Prime Minister


Step outside the University of Alabama football complex this week and it wasn #39;t hard to find distractions. The Mike Shula vs. Sylvester Croom debate.

On to what really matters


Reuters - Japanese school children and grown up\fans cheered Ichiro Suzuki when he set a new major league\baseball record for hits in a single season, a milestone that\drew personal congratulations from Japan's prime minister.

Ichiro's New Hit Record Stokes Japanese Pride (Reuters)


washingtonpost.com - If this were a Hollywood movie, the federal lawman would be played by an A-list actor. But in the real world, the marshal displays only the familiar, everyman face of U.S. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft, while the film might be a bootleg copy swapped illegally online.

DoJ Cracking Down on P2P (washingtonpost.com)


\

 PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A planned \$3.1 billion takeover of\satellite operator Intelsat Ltd. appears in jeopardy after an\electrical problem ruined one of the company's satellites.

Intelsat Satellite Loss Threatens Sale


LUXEMBOURG -- Microsoft Corp., which was ruled an illegal monopolist by the European Union in March, will learn next month whether it can wait years before complying with an EU order to sell a stripped-down version of Windows and disclose information on

Microsoft, EU see pre-Christmas antitrust ruling


Former champion Lleyton Hewitt reached his third consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal Tuesday, defeating Karol Beck 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, at the US Open for his 14th consecutive match victory.

Hewitt advances to US Open quarterfinals


TEHRAN - Iran reacted yesterday with defiance to a resolution from the UN #39;s atomic watchdog, rejecting calls to halt sensitive nuclear activities and threatening to block tough inspections if the issue was referred to the Security Council.

Order to stop nuclear activities angers Iran


Reynolds American Inc., created by the recent merger of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. and the US businesses of Brown  amp; Williamson Tobacco Corp.

Update 2: Reynolds American Issues Earnings Guidance


Many athletes exude ideals of Games, from embraces in the pool to a fencing timeout. By Mark Sappenfield  Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor.

Underneath the competition, sportsmanship ethic prevails


A working group within the Internet Engineering Task Force voted not to proceed with an antispam technology standards proposal submitted by Microsoft because of concerns about intellectual property claims that the company is making.

IETF deals setback to Microsoft antispam effort


CHIBA, JAPAN -- For Kunio Nakamura, president of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., the much-discussed era of the ubiquitous network society, is

Ubiquitous network society 'around the corner'


AFP - Two weeks after the US general election, the northwestern state of Washington was still without a governor as the painstaking process of counting votes dragged on.

US state still without a governor two weeks after polls (AFP)


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Citigroup is to revamp its  Japanese private banking unit, creating a local committee to  oversee operations, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Citigroup to Revamp Japan Operations -WSJ


A coalition of groups that do not believe the Ohio presidential election was conducted accurately asks the Ohio Supreme Court to review the swing state's voting results.

Challengers Want Ohio Vote Review


Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Monday, with the key index rising sharply in Tokyo and hitting a record high in Australia.

Asian Stock Markets Close Mostly Higher


LONDON (Reuters) - England's victory at the WGC-World Cup  of Golf in Spain on Sunday has capped a remarkable year for  Paul Casey and Luke Donald, British golf and the European game  in general.

European Game, Already on a High, Eyes Major Peaks


New Enterprise Associates is the biggest stand-alone venture capital operation in the world, and industry critics say the company's girth is a handicap.

Huge and Proud of It


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices continued to rally on  Monday, clawing back more of this months' losses on heightened  concerns over low global winter fuel supplies.

Oil Extends Rally on Heating Worries


New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) What was External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh chewing at his joint press conference yesterday with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri after their two-day talks?

What was Natwar chewing at press conference with Kasuri


While many drivers entertain back-seat passengers with DVD's like

When the Car Beside You Is an XXX Theater


Free-agent reliever Antonio Alfonseca signed a one-year contract Friday to rejoin his former team, the Florida Marlins.

Marlins Make Move


ATHENS, Greece - Costs for the Athens Olympics are climbing again, expected to top \$8.5 billion because of the massive security and overruns in the last-minute scramble to get venues ready.

Greek Gov #39;t: Games Will Top \$8.5 Billion


NEW YORK, Sept 13 (AFP) - The Skyteam airline alliance announced Monday that Dutch airline KLM and US carriers Northwest and Continental will join from Wednesday, making it the second biggest in the world behind the Star Alliance.

KLM, Northwest And Continental Join Skyteam Alliance


Smithfield Foods Inc., the world #39;s largest pork producer, said profit in the fiscal second quarter rose 61 percent as the company sold more hogs at higher prices.

Smithfield 2nd-Qtr Net Soars 61 on Higher Hog Prices (Update3)


A trio of fierce hurricanes have pushed presidential politics to the back burner in Florida, the epicenter of the 2000 election, and could affect voter attitudes and turnout in the Nov. 2 race, analysts say.

Hurricanes May Affect Florida Presidential Contest


Yahoo, owner of the world #39;s second-most-used Internet search engine, said it began testing a service that searches for travel bargains and provides links to hotel and airline booking Web sites.

Tech Briefs


An Australian journalist was held hostage in Iraq for nearly 24 hours but has now been released unharmed. John Martinkus was seized outside his Baghdad hotel on Saturday, according to his employer, SBS television.

Australian hostage freed in Iraq


It's a no-brainer, a Red Sox pitcher suggested when he was asked which team he would rather face in the postseason.

Handing out A -- for advantage


Reuters - Wall Street was set to start higher on\Tuesday to recoup some of the prior session's losses, though\high-profile retailer Amazon.com  may come under\pressure after a broker downgrade.

Wall Street Set to Open Firmer (Reuters)


The Honduran government's crackdown on street gangs has been swift, severe, and apparently successful.

Marked men with no place to hide


Reuters - Israel's attorney general urged the\government Thursday to swiftly reroute its barrier in the\occupied West Bank to minimize the risk of international\sanctions after the World Court deemed the project illegal.

Israel AG Says Shift Barrier to Avoid Sanctions (Reuters)


AP - Peyton Manning had barely made it to the locker room, and already the talking heads on the network NFL shows were debating his place in history.

Sportsview: Manning Still Needs Ring (AP)


Massachusetts gained nearly 4,000 payroll jobs last month while the jobless rate held steady after hitting a three-year low in September, the state reported yesterday.

State adds 4,000 jobs in October


AFP - Janjaweed militiamen, who have been accused of committing atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region, are now appearing as guards at refugee camps according refugees, a senior UN official said.

Darfur refugees say Janjaweed now working as camp guards: UN (AFP)


A day after signing his first long-term contract as an NBA head coach, Lawrence Frank wasn #39;t in a mood to celebrate. Between the joy of extending his childhood dream and the news conference to announce it

Nets sign Lawrence Frank to 4-year contract extension


AFP - A German teenager accused of creating the Sasser worm that infected millions of computers around the world is being taught to become a security software programmer, the company that hired him said.

German teen who made Sasser worm hired by computer security firm (AFP)


AP - Lycoming County officials and scientists are testing technology they hope will turn organic waste into profitable byproducts.

Scientists Test Organic Waste Technology (AP)


Sudan has asked the United Nations to help verify reports that 190,000 refugees from the conflict-hit western Darfur region have voluntarily returned to their homes, the UN refugee agency chief said on Tuesday.

Sudan Asks UN to Verify Darfur Refugee Returns


New York Post - BOSTON  #x2014; If the Yankees don't win the World Series, you can blame it on Kevin Brown's immaturity and lack of respect for his teammates.

BROWN BATTERED IN BOMBERS' LOSS (New York Post)


AP - The Boston Red Sox claimed left-handed pitcher Billy Traber off waivers from the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.

Red Sox Claim Lefty Traber Off Waivers (AP)


PESHAWAR: A judicial commission formed by the Muttahida Majilis-e-Amal government has suggested amendments to the Nizam-e-Adal Regulations of 1999 in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas.

district briefs:


Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig will stay close to his home during the lockout, taking a position as goaltenders coach with his former junior team, the Tri-City Americans.

Kolzig Head West


Weather bumped The Boeing Co. #39;s demonstration launch of the Decatur-made Delta IV Heavy rocket from today to Saturday. Boeing delayed the inaugural launch of the rocket for 24 hours because of

Boeing delays launch


The pregnant former lover of David Blunkett who has been receiving treatment for stress-related complications may be released from hospital tomorrow, according to her husband.

Quinn may leave hospital tomorrow


Throngs of residents headed for polling places here on Sunday in legislative elections widely seen as a referendum on relations with mainland China.

Turnout Is Heavy for Election in Hong Kong


Microsoft has admitted that growing pressure from open-source operating system, Linux, is eating into the companys profits and will hit revenues hard over the next fiscal year.

Microsoft signals cut prices to combat Linux rivals


AP - Many states are facing legal challenges over possible voting problems Nov. 2. A look at some of the developments Tuesday and Wednesday:

A Look at Voting Problems, Election Issues (AP)


AP - Two car bombs killed seven Iraqi national guardsmen and a rocket barrage hit a police academy Monday as insurgents kept up their offensive to subdue Iraq's beleaguered security forces. U.S. jets pounded suspected militant positions in a Baghdad slum.

U.S. Jets Pound Militant Positions in Iraq (AP)


TOKYO : The Japanese government hopes to make changes to the constitution that will allow a woman to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne within  quot;several years, quot; a news report said.

Japanese government hopes to allow woman on throne within years <b>...</b>


Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has won Indonesia #39;s presidential election after the former general garnered support from three-fifths of voters, the General Election Commission said.

Indonesia #39;s Yudhoyono Wins Presidential Election (Update2)


A 40-year-old soldier from Groton died yesterday in an explosion in Iraq, apparently while delivering candy to Iraqi children during a government-sponsored celebration to inaugurate a sewage plant in Baghdad, according to family and news reports. The apparent car bombs reportedly left about 35 children dead. Army Staff Sergeant Darren Cunningham, a father of two, had been serving in Iraq ...

Groton soldier killed in blasts in Iraqi capital


ATHENS, Greece - A defrocked Irish priest bolted from the crowd and grabbed the marathon leader about three miles from the finish Sunday. The Brazilian runner wound up with the bronze - and a special award for sportsmanship - and the former priest was arrested...

Marathoner Finishes Third After Attack


(Detroit-AP) Dec. 10, 2004 - The world #39;s largest automotive supplier says it will slash 8500 jobs next year. Delphi had set the same goal for this year and exceeded it.

Automotive supplier Delphi to cut 8500 jobs in 2005


Fable succeeds as a plain-ol' fantasy action game where you kill things to buy stuff to kill bigger things. But given the expectations that preceeded it, the game is ultimately disappointing. Lore Sjberg reviews Fable.

Fable Feels Like Unfinished Tale


Tom Izzo was relieved his Michigan State team escaped with a 66-60 victory over George Mason on Sunday in the consolation game of the BB amp;T Classic.

Spartans bounce back to edge George Mason


STUART, Fla. - Hurricane Frances weakened slightly but pounded Florida relentlessly with high wind and heavy rain Sunday after it smashed across the state's east coast, knocking out power to 2 million people and forcing residents to withstand a prolonged lashing that shredded roofs and uprooted trees...

Frances Pounds Florida, Weakens Slightly


PASADENA, California (Ticker) - Southern California held off a final challenge before punching its ticket to Miami. Heisman Trophy hopeful Reggie Bush scored on two long touchdown runs and accounted for 277

USC holds off ULCA, headed to Miami


DAMASCUS, Syria-- The dire security conditions in Iraq have overshadowed many of the Bush administration's diplomatic priorities in Syria, prompting US officials to focus their efforts here on enlisting the government's help in stabilizing the country's eastern border with Iraq.

US presses Syria to stabilize porous border with Iraq


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli television said on Wednesday  that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's health had  deteriorated.

Israeli TV Says Arafat Health Has Worsened


The Anaheim Angels will again try to grab a share of the division lead and further hinder the Texas Rangers chances of winning the West when the teams continue their four-game series at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.

Angels try to keep pace with A #39;s


The incoming European Commission president is to meet parliament heads to defuse the crisis over his proposed justice commissioner.

Bid to end EU commissioner row


AP - The feathered creatures winging across North America have an obvious gift that land-bound humans lack, but their survival is threatened by earthly concerns.

Audubon: Habitat Losses Lower Bird Count (AP)


WASHINGTON - The House on Thursday passed the second bill in three days that would outlaw  quot;spyware, quot; irritating software that quietly monitors the activities of Internet users.

Bill Imposes Prison Time Over  #39;Spyware #39;


The rookie season of Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. might have ended after two games. The first-round draft pick is among several players who will be sidelined for a few weeks

Notebook: Browns rookie Winslow might be out for season


AFP - Allen Iverson was ejected from the bench in the second quarter before his Philadelphia 76ers teammates rallied for a 108-103 victory over Toronto in a National Basketball Association preseason game.

Iverson ejected in pre-season victory over Raptors (AFP)


GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Suspected separatist rebels set  off a string of fresh bomb blasts in northeastern India on  Sunday, bringing the death toll in a weekend of violence to 56.

Rebels Launch New Attacks in India's Northeast


AFP - Turkcell, Turkey's biggest mobile phone operator, said that it had signed a licence agreement with Iran to set up the first Iranian private mobile phone network conditional on paying a 300-million-euro (366-million-dollar) licence fee.

Turkcell signs deal for Iran mobile network, still to pay licence fee (AFP)


NEW YORK, Sept. 15 -- After her sentencing on July 16, Martha Stewart angrily denounced the case against her as a

The Moment That Starts a Makeover?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. securities regulators may file  suit against Morningstar Inc., a provider of mutual fund and  stock research, over incorrect data it published about a mutual  fund, the company said on Friday.

Morningstar Faces Possible SEC Suit


Cuban master Mario Kindelan has met the future of boxing and has survived the experience after he outpointed British teenager Amir Khan in the highlight of final action at the Olympic tournament.

Khan secures boxing silver


Columnist Johanna Rothman explains the art of the question, whether it be in a job interview or a vendor meeting.

Asking Great Questions


The Siemens handset has been designed to provide cordless access to Skype features including free Skype-to-Skype calling, buddy lists, the Skype Global Directory and conference calling.

Skype Offers Free Wireless Voice Calls


MacCentral - Apple has stepped up its marketing campaign for the dimunitive iPod MP3 player by featuring lendendary rockers U2 in the latest

New iPod ads feature U2 (MacCentral)


Microsoft Corp. said it plans to release the next version of its Windows operating system as expected in 2006, but it will not include much-touted new technology for organizing and storing data.

Microsoft to release next version of Windows in 2006


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - TiVo Inc.<A HREF=

TiVo Net Loss Widens; Subscribers Grow


The signature ceremony for the European Constitution agreement and a final bill have been completed. Host country Italy #39;s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, made a speech at the ceremony saying that October

Erdogan and Gul Sign EU Constitution


Jeffrey Griffiths, the president and chief executive of the video game retailer Electronics Boutique Holdings, spoke about the holiday season and video violence.

The Teeming Crowd in Video Games


BEA Systems is readying the release of new software that will combine an enterprise service bus (ESB) and Web services management software into one product, a company executive said Friday.

BEA To Unwrap New Products,  #39;Liquid Computing #39; Vision


Congress is poised to extend a ban on taxing Internet access, a move that would please Internet service providers but possibly cost states millions of dollars in lost revenue. <FONT face=

Congress Poised to Vote On Internet Taxes


Microsoft Corp. #39;s Windows XP Service Pack 2 has thrown patch management vendors into a tizzy. IT managers should be interested because, in an ironic twist, SP2 will likely make it harder to keep desktops and laptops up-to-date with the latest patches.

SP2 May Spell Trouble for Agentless Patching


NEW YORK - Filmmaker Michael Moore isn't bothered at all by the jeers he received from Republicans at the convention when his anti-Bush film

Moore Not Bothered by GOP Jeers


Reuters - Heavy rains and fresh floods disrupted\aid to Asia's tsunami-hit villages on Sunday as the U.N.\refugee agency started a 400-ton airlift as part of a  #36;2\billion relief operation to save millions struggling to\survive.

Rain, Flooding Hinders Asia's Tsunami Relief (Reuters)


Halo 2, the stunning Xbox video game nearly three years in the making, goes on sale at midnight tonight, with Microsoft pulling out the stops to herald its launch as a pop culture event.

Xbox uses Halo 2 to herd players online


Mobile phone subscribers around the globe totaled nearly 1.5 billion by the middle of this year, about one quarter of the world's population, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

Mobile phone users double since 2000


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators filed fraud charges  on Monday against former Hollinger International Inc. <A HREF=

SEC Charges Hollinger's Black with Fraud


SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame is different from any other university in a lot of ways. But on Saturday, the Irish were just another team, like Fresno State or UCLA before them, finding enough ways to put away the Washington Huskies.

Huskies get Irish mugging


WASHINGTON -- The average level of a deadly form of air pollution dropped in the United States from 1999 to 2003 as new pollution controls made strides in battling the nation #39;s air quality problem, the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.

Particle pollution falls 10 in 4 years


JONKOPING, Sweden (CP) - Ray Whitney scored and assisted on Alexandre Daigle #39;s goal as the Worldstars played a strong defensive game in a 5-1 victory over HV 71 on Friday.

Worldstars play strong defensive game in 5-1 victory over HV 71


Ah, the life of Steve Spurrier. From all indications, he #39;s headed to the University of South Carolina, which will allow him to pursue victories and birdies, not necessarily in that order.

Will SEC tee off on Spurrier?


Canadian Press - SHANGHAI, China (AP) - China has ordered severe punishment for phone sex operators as part of a sweeping crackdown on electronic pornography, Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

China tries to shut down phone sex lines in anti-porn campaign (Canadian Press)


The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has named Mohammed bin Al Dhaen Al Hamili oil minister, succeeding Obeid bin Saif Al Nasseri in a cabinet reshuffle approved by Supreme Council

The UAE names new energy minister


Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers placed tight end Jay Riemersma on injured reserve on Tuesday. Riemersma has a ruptured Achilles which he suffered in Sunday #39;s game against Jacksonville.

Steelers place Riemersma on IR


The Vancouver Canucks re-signed twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin and goaltender Alex Auld on Friday. The Sedins signed one-year deals, while Auld agreed to a two-year contract.

Canucks re-sign Sedin twins, Auld


AP - Vikings linebacker Raonall Smith will miss at least two more games because of concussions.

Vikings' Smith Out Two More Weeks (AP)


The US House of Representatives yesterday unanimously passed a bill that would make using spyware to snoop of the online activities of consumers a criminal offence.

House approves anti-spyware bill


ST. PAUL, Minn. _ Sung Won Sohn, the high-profile chief economist of Wells Fargo  amp; Co. in Minneapolis, will be leaving after 30 years to run his own bank.

Leading economist to run largest Korean-American bank


UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said yesterday he was disappointed in his son for accepting payments from a key contractor in the oil-for-food program for more than four years longer than had been previously acknowledged.

Another oil-food scandal emerges


KARACHI (Dow Jones)--The Privatization Commission on Saturday invited proposals from potential investors for the sale of a 26 government stake in the country #39;s biggest telecommunications firm, Pakistan Telecommunication Co.

Pakistan Invites Proposals For Pakistan Telecom Sale


Jose Mourinho will take Chelsea to Barcelona, the club where he honed his raw coaching talent, for the most glamorous tie of the first knock-out phase of the Champions League.

Draw Sets Up Reunion in Barcelona


BRITAIN: BLAIR WARNS OF CLIMATE THREAT Prime Minister Tony Blair urged the international community to consider global warming a dire threat and agree on a plan of action to curb the  quot;alarming quot; growth of greenhouse gases.

World Briefings


With no Australian reporters covering the World Swimming Championships, Ian Hanson has been responsible for reporting all the news from Indianapolis.

Her breaststroke #39;s good as gold


People with chronic disease should not rely on the net for health advice, research suggests.

Warning on internet health advice


As the whole world expected, the Federal Reserve continued its policy of normalizing short-term rates by raising its policy target to 2 percent this week.

Inflation Worriers, Dollar Pessimists


TheDeal.com - SIF hf. plans to buy Labeyrie Group for an enterprise value of  #36;425 million.

Icelanders after French salmon (TheDeal.com)


Reuters - Alex Rodriguez drove in three runs and\Orlando Hernandez pitched seven strong innings to guide the New\York Yankees past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7-4 in the American\League Monday.

Yankees Win Controversial Game Against Devil Rays (Reuters)


A smart investor pays \$1.25 billion for Orbitz. So what's Travelzoo worth?

Orbitz: Travelzoo's Line in the Sand


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Foreign doctors on Thursday  tended to seriously ill Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who  for decades has symbolized his people's struggle for statehood.

Arafat in Serious Condition, Foreign Medics Arrive


MARTIN O #39;NEILL reckoned Celtic were set to continue Rangers #39; run of misery in Old Firm showdowns. O #39;Neill was convinced that John Hartson #39;s 66th-minute header might just be enough to clinch a place in the last four of the CIS Cup.

FOOTBALL: I THOUGHT A SEMI-FINAL SPOT WAS IN BAG AFTER WE SCORED


Vice President Cheney dropped a dot-bomb Tuesday night when he inadvertently directed millions of viewers of the vice presidential debate to an Internet site critical of the Bush administration.

Urging Fact-Checking,  Cheney Got Site Wrong


A high-capacity cigar, keys to the Internet, disc repair tools, Bluetooth add-on kit, and more.

Digital Gear: Gadgets, Networks Go Mobile


Two members of the Muslim Council of Britain are in Iraq planning to meet Muslim leaders in Baghdad in an attempt to seek the release of the British hostage Ken Bigley.

Envoys in Iraq on mission to save British hostage


IBM Global Services has agreed to sell its Electronic Data Interchange and Business Exchange Services businesses to Francisco Partners, the majority owner of electronic data transmission vendor Global eXchange Services Inc.

Two IBM services units acquired by GXS owner


\$2.5 million in prize money is on the line as gamers from Uzbekistan to Ecuador compete in the World Cyber Games.

Photo 2 of 8: Global gamers clash for cash


The European Commission said Tuesday that it has approved Oracle Corp. #39;s \$7.7 billion bid for PeopleSoft Inc., removing the last antitrust obstacle to the hostile takeover attempt.

EU clears way for PeopleSoft takeover


NIGERIA LAGOS -- The Nigerian government yesterday disclosed a foiled coup plot, charging four military officers and a civilian with conspiring to topple the government by shooting down a helicopter carrying President Olusegun Obasanjo. Major Hamza al-Mustapha, former chief of personal security to the late military dictator General Sani Abacha, and four others, were each charged with two counts of ...

5 charged with bidto kill president


Ashburn, VA (Sports Network) - San Francisco 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson will remain with the team after discussing the head coaching vacancy at Ole Miss with school officials on Tuesday.

Erickson staying in San Fran after talks with Ole Miss


Reuters - Monsanto Co. (MON.N) on Wednesday said\the U.S. Justice Department has closed an inquiry into\potential antitrust issues regarding a key ingredient used in\its Roundup herbicide.

Monsanto Says Justice Dept Closes Inquiry (Reuters)


A widely watched barometer of future economic activity edged lower in September for the fourth month in a row, suggesting a slowing in economic growth, a private research group reported Thursday.

Leading Economic Indicator Index Declines


The Times is to ditch its broadsheet edition and publish in a compact-only format starting on Monday. Almost a year ago, The Times followed in the footsteps of The Independent

After 216 years,  #39;Times #39; to stop printing as broadsheet


If you #39;re looking for a reason the favored United States team lost for the seventh time in the past 10 Ryder Cup Matches, look at the reason the Americans were favored.

US stars fizzle with pressure on


Kevin Garnett narrowly misses a triple-double with 35 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as Minnesota outlasts Sacramento, 113-105, on Friday night.

T'wolves Drop Kings


MOSCOW (Reuters) - Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed  responsibility on Friday for the Russian school siege in which  more than 320 hostages were killed, half of them children, and  threatened more attacks by any means he saw fit.

Chechen Warlord Threatens More Attacks After Beslan


PARIS (Reuters) - French author Francoise Sagan, who shot  to fame with her first novel

Controversial French Author Francoise Sagan Dies


Negotiators for 14 major District hotels walked out of contract talks with the union that represents 3,800 employees Wednesday afternoon, raising the prospect of a work stoppage at the city's largest hotels.

Hotels, Union End Talks, Prepare for Strike


NOVEMBER 15, 2004 (SNW ONLINE) - Since the late 1990s, leading data storage technology vendors have adopted a myopic and largely self-serving approach for addressing the two central challenges of enterprise storage: resource provisioning and data

Reconstructing the utility storage system vision


TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's foreign ministry is considering  a proposal to use the name

Taiwan Mulls New Policy to Differentiate from China


Products produced to meet Japan #39;s demand for broadband services will be  quot;robust enough to handle any other market in the world, quot; said Mike Volpi of Cisco #39;s routing technology group.

Cisco To Open R amp;D Center in Japan To Hone Broadband


WHEN Europe came away from the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, Detroit, in September with a record 18-9 win over the United States, they left behind a nation questioning what had gone wrong

US revamp Ryder Cup qualifying


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices dropped to 2-month lows on  Monday, with U.S. crude falling near \$45 a barrel before paring  losses in late trade, as growing fuel stocks in the United  States eased fears of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Ends Lower as Ample Winter Fuel Seen


MONTREAL - The Canadian arm of a huge tobacco company has asked a Quebec court to stop a provincial lawsuit claiming \$1.4 billion in unpaid taxes on smuggled cigarettes.

Tobacco company wants government to butt out


AP - Anna Acker-Macosko shot an 11-under 60 on Sunday at the Longs Drugs Challenge, one stroke off Annika Sorenstam's tour record.

Acker-Macosko Shoots 11-Under 60 at Longs (AP)


Reuters - Tony Parker scored 20 points and Brent\Barry made two free throws in the final seconds to give the San\Antonio Spurs an 80-77 win over the Detroit Pistons Friday.

NBA Wrap: Spurs Squeeze Past Pistons (Reuters)


LONDON - Hundreds of British troops returned to their base in southern Iraq yesterday, ending a monthlong deployment requested by the United States for an offensive in a restive region near Baghdad.

British troops return to southern Iraq after mission near Baghdad


Formular One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone is facing strong challenge as leading carmakers are seeking to start their own World Grand Prix racing series by 2008.

Carmakers to launch new series


After three up-and-down seasons that briefly brought the Notre Dame football program back to elite status, then quickly returned it to mediocrity, it was announced Tuesday

Notre Dame fires Willingham


CAIRO (Reuters) - OPEC oil producers on Saturday said they  had already moved to rein in excess supply, a day after doubts  over the group's resolve to cut sent prices into a tailspin.

OPEC Seeks to Quell Doubts Over Oil Cut


ways to easily track and store Internet searches -o make online research easier and more productive. On Tuesday, No.

Search engines develop personal touches for Web surfers


AP - Ireland has suffered its first homegrown case of the human form of mad cow disease, the government said Wednesday.

Ireland Suffers Case of Mad Cow Disease (AP)


NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Fiji's Vijay Singh took a  step closer to gaining the world number one ranking by  extending his lead to three shots over Tiger Woods in Sunday's  third round of the \$5 million Deutsche Bank Championship.

Singh Extends Lead Over Woods, Closing on Top Spot


It is suspected that they were freed in exchange for a \$1 million ransom, a belief that has cast a cloud over national celebrations of the release.

Spies  #39;brokered \$1m hostage ransom deal #39;


Actually, Haskins isn #39;t alone. The Internal Revenue Service says it is looking for 329 Nebraskans who have more than \$174,000 in unclaimed federal tax refunds coming their way.

IRS on search for Nebraska residents


All Nick Freer wants is his digital music, and he #39;s even willing to pay for it. When the Hong Kong-based client-services director bought an iPod, it came with software to link with iTunes, Apple Computer #39;s

Where #39;s the Music?


USATODAY.com - If Major League Baseball can negotiate a settlement with Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, it could announce next week the Montreal Expos' new home is Washington, D.C.

MLB works to appease Angelos (USATODAY.com)


AP - Computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc. reduced its net income by  #36;12 million for its fiscal fourth quarter, citing new information related to property leases and the finalization of the accounting for its settlement with Microsoft Corp.

Sun Cuts 4Q Net Income by  #36;12 Million (AP)


NEW YORK: At least one new variant of a worm spread rapidly from Asia and Europe to US computers on Friday morning, filling up people #39;s e-mail accounts, but otherwise causing little apparent damage.

Caution! New worm on the prowl


Colgate-Palmolive, the US consumer products company, has said that it plans to close about a third of its factories and cut more than 4,400 jobs over the next four years as part of a major restructuring effort to increase profit margins.

Colgate overhaul to cut over 4,400 jobs


The latest image from NASA #39;s Hubble Space Telescope highlights a stellar blast that was first discovered by an amateur astronomer a little more than a month ago.

Space telescope spots new supernova


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- After investing roughly \$500 million and spending years of development time on its next-generation operating system, Sun Microsystems Inc. today will reveal an aggressive price for the software: It's free.

Sun Microsystems' new software to be free


You have a fancy home-entertainment system that can record and play TV programs, DVDs, show digital photos, and tap into your collection of digital music.

Putting Home Theater In Every Room


Hal Sutton, at his press conference yesterday afternoon, was asked if his desperation to regain the Ryder Cup might encourage a repeat of the bad behaviour at Brookline in 1999.

Langer expects  #39;the worst #39;


Diana Beresford-Koeger, an Ontario horticulturist, naturalist and author, will appear at two events in Ann Arbor next weekend. She will lead a walking tour of trees in the Nichols Arboretum at 1 pm Oct. 16.

GARDEN PLOT: Naturalist to lecture


The US Justice Department will defer prosecution of Computer Associates in its long-running probe of accounting fraud at the software maker, a source close to the company said.

Computer Associates to pay fine to DoJ


Intel Corp. named President Paul S. Otellini as its next chief executive officer, for the first time choosing a non-engineer to run the world #39;s largest computer-chip maker.

Intel Names 30-Year Veteran as Its First Non-Engineer CEO


So the phoney war has started, the Messiah dumps United in the press, United draw with the Mighty Birmingham, and the gooners cruise to 49 against the Villa.

#39;Shut Your Trap, You Silly Old Man #39;


KARACHI (Pakistan) - Paramilitary police have killed a suspected top Al-Qaeda operative wanted for his alleged role in the slaying of a Wall Street Journal reporter and two assassination attempts against President Pervez Musharraf, the Information

Top Pakistani Al-Qaeda suspect killed


A disappointing retail sales report and the threat of oil prices reaching \$53 per barrel sent stocks lower Thursday in early trading.

Stocks Fall on Climbing Oil Prices


The remarkable thing about the Federal Reserve #39;s interest-rate increases this year is that they have been so unremarkable. The latest move, on Tuesday, pushed the benchmark overnight lending rate up a quarter of a percentage point to 2.25 percent.

David Nicklaus