Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers objected Friday to a characterization that he second-guessed or doubted war plans drawn up by Gen. Tommy R. Franks, then chief of the U.S. Central Command, six days before the United States launched the war in Afghanistan against al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Myers Denies Doubts on Afghan War Plans


Sun on Thursday announced that it settled the lawsuit Eastman Kodak had brought against it, but the charge that Suns Java violated software patents held by Kodak brought to light the major impact patents can have on software techniques.

Sun settles Java suit with Kodak


The first ever Sicilian derby in Serie A, between Messina and Palermo ended in a goalless draw at the San Filippo stadium. In a hard-fought match between two newly promoted sides, Messina and Palermo avoided

Sicilian Derby Ends In Draw


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.  <A HREF=

Krispy Kreme COO Leaves for New Job


At times during the Mars rover mission, the tension was palpable even as far away as NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. This was especially true about 18 months before launch, when the airbags and parachutes that cushioned the landers began tearing apart during testing. This is part 3 in our series.

Mission Fantastic to Mars (Part 3)


AFP - Hungary plans to send troops to Iraq next summer under a NATO training mandate, Defence Minister Ferenc Juhasz said, a week after parliament voted to pull its contingent out by the year's end.

Hungary to send troops to Iraq next summer: defence minister (AFP)


Islamabad, Oct 30 (UNI) Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf today said Pakistan and India would have to move beyond their stated positions to find out a solution to the Kashmir issue.

Flexibility needed to resolve Kashmir issue: Musharraf


Russia #39;s once mighty armed forces are riddled with Clockwork Orange-style sadism where senior soldiers subject their junior colleagues to vicious beatings, torture, sexual violence and death threats, a report claimed yesterday.

Russian recruits tell of beatings, torture and sex assaults


Robonexus Expo, which wrapped up over the weekend in Santa Clara, California, offered the requisite look at commercial robotics, robot parts and accessories, small-market redistributors, and research and experimental robots, but the overall theme and most

Robots Compete for Your Interest


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia #39;s highest court will decide today whether to review the corruption conviction of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, a move that could lead to his immediate return to politics.

Anwar plots his return


Manchester United MNU.L , the world #39;s richest soccer club, has received a bid approach, boosting its shares and fanning talk US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer is planning a bid likely to top 650 million pounds.

Man United gets bid approach


Philip Knight is to resign as chief executive of sports footwear and clothing giant Nike although he will remain as chairman.

Knight stands down as Nike boss


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Johnson   Johnson aims to seal a  purchase of Guidant Corp. without immediately jettisoning the  medical device maker's stent operations, sources familiar with  the situation said on Thursday.

J J, Guidant Talks Undeterred by Overlap


LONDON (Reuters) - Ireland's Padraig Harrington completes  an impressive 16-man field for next week's World Match Play  Championship, organizers said Friday. The world number eight  joins three other members of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup  team, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Levet, and  captain Bernhard Langer in the 41st Match Play at Wentworth,  England.

Harrington Completes Heavyweight Match Play Field


Richard Branson, famed entrepreneur from Great Britain, has announced that he will launch the first passenger space service in 2007.

Virgin Galactic launches space tourism


CRUSADING New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is turning his attention to pension consultants as part of his attack on the insurance industry.

Spotlight falls on consultants


TAMPA, Fla. - Frances completed its two-day assault on Florida, leaving storm-weary residents Tuesday with flooding, frayed nerves and shortages of everyday items such as gas, ice and water...

10 Deaths Blamed on Hurricane Frances


Apple has taken steps to take ownership of the iTunes.co.uk domain name from its current owner, with the company formally complaining to Nominet, the UK domain name registrar, that it is entitled to the domain.

Apple Threatens Owner of iTunes Domain


The Hornets #39; injury epidemic gave diminutive Dan Dickau a chance to show he could play in the NBA. His latest performance made him a crowd favorite among New Orleans #39; victory-starved fans.

Hornets snap 11-game losing streak, top Warriors 98-89


STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Andre Agassi made short work of  Kristof Vliegen in his opening Stockholm Open match on  Wednesday, beating the Belgian 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour.

Agassi Makes Short Work of Vliegen


Reuters - U.S. chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has introduced a low-cost Internet access device that could cost just a few hundred dollars, aimed at first-time technology users in the developing world.

AMD introduces low-cost Net access device in India (Reuters)


Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - JT Snow homered to lead San Francisco over Los Angeles, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers must put champagne on ice; Giants still alive for NL West


The family of a Briton held hostage in Iraq are waiting for news after a deadline set by his captors passed. On Saturday, the kidnappers said they would kill Ken Bigley, from Liverpool, and two Americans unless

British hostage deadline passes


Blood swirled in knee-deep flood waters as workers stacked bodies outside the hospital morgue yesterday. Carcasses of pigs, goats, and

Jeanne #39;s floods kill 691 in Haiti


AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said Tuesday that third-quarter earnings increased nearly 13 percent year-over-year on strong international sales and higher same-store sales at the company's Sam's Club stores.

Wal-Mart's 3Q Earnings Climb on Sales (AP)


The Slow Food movement builds an ivory tower in Italy to train holistic gastronomes.

Raisin farmers meet yak herders? Must be the Slow Food f #234;te.


An attorney for Ricky Williams met with NFL officials on Thursday in Santa Monica, Calif., hoping to pave the way for the former Dolphins running back to return this season.

Ricky #39;s rep, NFL talk


London, England (Sports Network) - Arsenal and Tottenham will clash in the North London derby Saturday as the Gunners attempt to recover their unbeatable form at White Hart Lane.

Stumbling Gunners try to steady ship in derby


AP - Al Gore's stiff jokes are gone now, replaced by recount jokes. The cautious campaigner of 2000 is gone, too, replaced by a fire-breathing Bush basher.

Gore Unleashes Fury on Democrats' Behalf (AP)


KABUL, Afghanistan -- Since the US military expelled the Taliban three years ago, it has battled the regime's diehard fighters in the barren mountains and dusty wastes of southern Afghanistan. Now the United States is extending an olive branch to moderate elements of its shadowy foe.

US extends an olive branch to Taliban's 'moderates'


Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Brett Favre engineered three scoring drives in the fourth quarter, the final one ending with a 46-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell as time expired, to lift the Green Bay Packers to a 16-13 victory over the Houston Texans.

NFL Game Summary - Green Bay at Houston


An ambitious plan to turn millions of desktop computers into hubs of wireless Internet access has been shelved after PC makers balked at the price of the feature, Intel Corp.

Intel Shelves Plan to Turn Desktop Into Wi-Fi Hub


Allen Iverson waited his entire NBA career to make a buzzer-beating shot. Grant Hill waited four long years just to get back to full strength.

Iverson hits buzzer-beater, Hill stars for Magic


AP - Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn's reputation as a watchdog for the health and education of Texas children is summed up in a needlepoint decoration in her office:

Texas Comptroller Eyes Governor's Race (AP)


AP - BISMARCK, N.D.  #151; Jack Uldrich says his stain-resistant pants are just the beginning for a technology that could someday be used to create cell phones so small they can be sewn into clothes and enhance electrical transmission through power lines.

Nanotechnology May Change Energy Industry (AP)


BAHRAIN is one of the most corruption-free countries in the Arab world, according to an international report. It also ranks well globally, coming in at 34th out of 146 places listed in the Transparency International (TI) report.

Straight dealers!


A tearful Paula Radcliffe has revealed she has no idea what went wrong in her failed bid for Olympic marathon gold. The Briton said fans deserved an explanation but was waiting for test results from a Monday

Radcliffe baffled by failure


Afghan authorities say a US translator has died after a suicide bombing in Kabul, bringing the number killed to three.

Kabul bomb deaths rise to three


Reuters - World leaders are anxiously awaiting the\U.S. presidential election but major shifts in American foreign\policy are unlikely whatever the outcome and there will be no\change in the world order.

World Leaders Anxiously Await U.S. Election (Reuters)


American Airlines and United Airlines became the latest carriers on Thursday to say sky-high oil costs are hurting them and worsening a three-year industry downturn.

Fuel Costs Hurt American, United Airlines


The United Nations on Monday added 14 pesticides and chemicals, including lead additive for petrol, to a growing list of toxic substances in which trade is restricted.

Treaty Curbs Trade in More Dangerous Chemicals


LONDON: World oil prices rebounded slightly Thursday in the wake of multiple pipeline attacks in major producer Iraq, traders said.

Prices climb after bombing spree


AP - In a harbinger of security threats to come, hackers have exploited a newly announced flaw in Microsoft Corp. programs and begun circulating malicious code hidden in images that use the popular JPEG format.

Hackers Target Microsoft's JPEG Flaw (AP)


AFP - Hong Kong police said they were investigating an Internet service that posts bogus e-mails to unwitting recipients claiming to be from the police and other official organisations.

Hong Kong police look into prank e-mail service (AFP)


Tiger Woods spent Monday snorkelling off the coast of Barbados, as police and private security agents patrolled the public beach of a posh resort where islanders kept talking of an imminent wedding to Swedish model Elin

Tiger Woods snorkels off Barbados coast as wedding rumours persist


The New York Yankees look to take a 2-0 lead over Pedro Martinez and the Red Sox in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series on Wednesday.

Red Sox Turn to Martinez


The Daily Telegraph applied  quot;spin quot; to its presentation of documents alleging that the ex-Labour MP George Galloway was in the pay of Saddam Hussein and its coverage went beyond mere reporting, a high court judge ruled today.

Telegraph surrounded story with  #39;blizzard #39; of comment


USATODAY.com - With the longer and better theatrical version of Spike Lee's Jim Brown - All American out today, I've been thinking about the DVD pleasure I've gotten from other portraits of African-American sports figures. Three to check out:

Black athletes loom large in world of sports movies (USATODAY.com)


X-Prizes for breakthroughs in science or technology that solve the world's greatest challenges are planned.

X-Prize for world's 'Holy Grails'


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasuries prices clung to modest  gains on Wednesday as the market looked past mixed data on U.S.  business investment to focus on high oil prices and an auction  of new government debt.

Treasuries Look Past Data to Oil, Auction


Not three weeks ago, Sean Harrigan launched his crusade against corporate malfeasance from one of the most powerful pulpits of all: the presidency of CalPERS, America #39;s largest pension fund with some \$177bn in assets.

do-gooder who fell from grace


WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US trade gap unexpectedly shot to a record 55.5 billion dollars in October as Americans sucked in more imports, particularly from China, and oil prices sizzled.

US trade deficit hits new record 55.5 billion dollars


Airbus has received approval from its shareholders, EADS and BAE Systems to begin making firm commercial offers to launch customers for two new members of its wide-body Family.

Airbus shareholders OK A350


Canadian Press - CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - In a series of dramatic steps capped Sunday by a high-profile prisoner swap, Israel and Egypt are moving rapidly to improve relations, seizing the opportunity for a Middle East peace deal presented by Yasser Arafat's death.

Prisoner-spy swap caps dramatic steps toward improving Israeli-Egyptian ties (Canadian Press)


What #39;s the case for higher stock prices? Let #39;s examine it, on this slightly down morning, if only to remove some of the incessant gloom I feel surrounds this stock market.

Wishing Won #39;t Make Market Better, Bulls


Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley was ejected in the eighth inning after he slammed a plastic bottle down in the front row of seats in the right-field corner. A fan apparently threw the bottle onto the field one play after Bradley dropped a liner with the bases loaded.

NL notables


WASHINGTON (CBS) Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) says he will introduce legislation imposing drug testing standards on professional athletes if baseball players and owners do not adopt a stringent crackdown on steroids by January

McCain Hits Baseball Over Steroids


A top Palestinian official says Yasser Arafat is breathing on his own and  quot;his brain is not damaged. quot;. Conflicting reports have flown for the past day, after the Palestinian leader took

Arafat reportedly breathing on his own


Members of the Australian women #39;s rowing eight face disciplinary action after publicly criticising team-mate Sally Robbins for her failure to complete the Olympic final.

Ructions in Australian rowing eight


MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Australian gold and tantalum producer Sons of Gwalia Ltd. (SGW.AU) on Monday said it had moved into voluntary administration after being unable to reach agreement with its creditors.

Australia #39;s Sons Of Gwalia Appoints Administrator -2-


AP - An Arizona cryonics facility must show a document to the nephews of the late Ted Williams that could prove the baseball Hall of Famer wanted to be frozen after his death, a judge has ruled.

Cryonics Facility Must Show Willams Note (AP)


AP - Brazilian U.N. peacekeepers will remain in Haiti until presidential elections are held in that Caribbean nation sometime next year, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday.

Brazilian Troops to Remain in Haiti (AP)


quot;It #39;s one hell of a system, quot; said Columbia project manager Bill Thigpen, who told TechNewsWorld the system is being submitted for a top spot on the upcoming Top500 Supercomputer list due next month.

NASA-SGI Supercomputer Tops in Speed and Research


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks finished little changed on  Monday as a retreat in crude prices from a record high offset  investors' caution about the U.S. presidential election and a  fall in the dollar.

Stocks Flat, Oil Retreats, Dollar Weakens


AP - Democrats and Republicans in Congress must set aside partisan differences to adequately fund health care services for active U.S. troops and military veterans, Rep. Chet Edwards of Texas said Saturday in the weekly Democratic radio address.

Dems Say More Funding Needed for Veterans (AP)


In recent years, Big Ten football teams such as Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin have trekked to the University of Oregon #39;s Autzen Stadium.

Rebuilding plan taking hold at IU


Caminiti #39;s career spanned 15 years, during which he played with four different teams (Houston, San Diego, Texas, Atlanta) before retiring three years ago.

MLB: Former MVP Caminiti Dies


Travelers headed home for Thanksgiving were greeted Wednesday with snow-covered highways in the Midwest, heavy rain and tornadoes in parts of the South, and long security lines at some of the nation #39;s airports.

Bad Weather, Tight Security Slow Heavy Holiday Travel


Warburg Pincus Equity Partners and Providence Equity Partners are close to buying telecommunications-software company Telcordia Technologies Inc.

Warburg, Providence to buy Telcordia for \$1.3 bln-WSJ


The wife of British hostage Kenneth Bigley begs his captors to show mercy and set him free.

Wife begs captors to free hostage


NEW YORK (Reuters) - CNNfn, the financial news cable  network owned by Time Warner Inc. <A HREF=

CNNfn Network to Close by Mid-December


The directors of Merck, the giant drug maker, have opened an independent investigation into whether the company acted properly regarding Vioxx, the arthritis treatment that it withdrew from the market in September.

Merck #39;s Board Appoints Panel to Investigate Handling of Vioxx


Microsoft's legal fight against EU antitrust penalties enters its second day as focus turns to its media player.

Microsoft defence enters day two


Austria and Britain split the opening singles matches Saturday in a Davis Cup World Group playoff with Stefan Koubek and Greg Rusedski both emerging victorious.

Austria holds Britain to 1-1 on opening day


Tim Duncan had 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping the San Antonio Spurs to a 99-81 victory over the New York Kicks. This was the Spurs fourth straight win this season.

Tim Duncan and Spurs torch Kicks 99-81


Take your pick of culprits in the stunning melee Friday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills, in a heated game between Central Division rivals: the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.

Malice at the Palace - the last thing the NBA needed for their <b>...</b>


MONTREAL (CP) - Bombardier Aerospace is cutting about 2,000 jobs - including 1,440 in the Montreal area - because of slowing demand for its Canadair Regional Jets.

Bombardier Aerospace cutting 2,000 jobs in Montreal, Belfast; more <b>...</b>


Aaron Sele , the former Red Sox righthander, went an impressive 9-4 during the regular season for the Angels. But he and that .692 winning percentage will be out of the Division Series between the Angels and Sox.

Sele left off roster but he stays cheery


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumers turned more glum in  October, beset by everything from soaring energy prices to  relentless violence in Iraq and the increasingly bitter end of  the presidential election campaign.

Consumer Confidence Hits 7-Month


Coimbatore: The country #39;s most wanted forest brigand Veerappan, charged with abduction and murder of politicians and film stars, was on Monday night killed in a gunbattle with Tamil Nadu police in a thick forest about 150 km from here, ending three

Veerappan shot dead


The Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday evening unanimously elected Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the new president of the UAE, the official Emirates news agency WAM reported Wednesday.

UAE Supreme Council elects Khalifa as president


New deal aims to simplify and protect Air Force networks by introducing standard configurations.

Air Force turns to Microsoft for network security


Northern Ireland midfielder Michael Hughes today insisted his challenge on Robbie Savage merited only a booking, not a red card. Hughes is due to miss the next World Cup qualifier against

Hughes: Referee Over-Reacted


As early as the 1970s, several theorists and climate modelers predicted that global warming would cause ice shelves in the oceans around Antarctica to melt and release glaciers.

Antarctic Glacier-Melt Increasing Dramatically


The United Nations is useless to blacks in Darfur. China will veto any meaningful action. his land stinks of fear and death. Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times, from Darfur, October 20.

Liberty Beat by Nat Hentoff Kofi Annan vs. Me


AFP - US President George W. Bush's administration weathered a pre-election mauling as it announced emergency measures to skirt a 7.38-trillion-dollar debt limit.

Bush administration takes emergency steps to avoid debt ceiling (AFP)


ADELAIDE, Australia : News Corp. shareholders have backed Rupert Murdoch #39;s plan to move his media empire to the United States from the sleepy Australian city of Adelaide where the company #39;s foundations were laid more than 50 years ago.

News Corp. move to New York approved by shareholders


Brazil recognized China as a market economy on Friday, a move that should make it easier for the two countries to do business. Brazilian oil giant Petrobras and China Petroleum and Chemical Corp.

Update 2: Oil Cos. Agree on \$1B Gas Pipeline Deal


SYDNEY Rising oil prices may slow Australia #39;s economic growth rate in the short term by damping global demand for exports, and by cooling consumer spending, the central bank said Thursday.

Oil may slow Australian economic growth


Eddie George scored on a 1-yard run with 4:01 left in the first quarter to give the Dallas Cowboys a 7-0 lead over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

Cowboys lead Washington 7-0 after first quarter


Ex-soldiers who helped topple former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Wednesday vowed to end escalating street warfare in the Haitian capital while

Ex-Soldiers Vow to Bring Order to Haiti Capital


Usually when a trade involving a high-priced player of a small market team gets consummated, there is generally the sense that the small market team is being taken advantage of.

Clubhouse Chatter: A trade that works for everyone


Several Internet sources today reported that the Internet #39;s Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has officially turned thumbs down on the proposed Sender ID specification.

IETF Reportedly Rejects Sender ID


Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it expects \$45 million to \$55 million in pre-tax costs for severance pay and other benefits for employees laid off during its planned restructuring.

Alaska Air sees \$45 mln-\$55 mln in severance costs


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices dropped in July  for the first time in eight months as a sharp run up in  gasoline costs reversed, the government said on Tuesday in a  report suggesting the U.S. Federal Reserve can stick to a plan  of gradual interest-rate rises.

Consumer Prices Drop, Industry Output Up


Data from Nasa's Mars rover Opportunity shows its landing site is a prime spot for a return mission to look for life.

Rover data makes return a must


The former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, yesterday won back the right to lead his own defence at his trial for war crimes.

Milosevic wins appeal on defence


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The first-ever parliamentary panel to review Supreme Court appointments declared Friday it was pleased with the two justices chosen by Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Review panel pleased with Supreme Court choices; Tories criticize procedure (Canadian Press)


A team of British explorers, who are retracing the steps of a Victorian  pioneer, have reached Thom Bay.

Arctic team reaches destination


Scientists may have discovered a way of patching injured hearts with manufactured tissue swatches that carry the same properties as actual cardiac tissue.

Heart  quot;Band-Aid quot; Developed


Reuters - Many Japanese singles are still singing\the

Japan Singles Courted by On-Line Matchmaker (Reuters)


SOUTHAMPTON, England - The US cricket team is heading home after two humbling defeats in the Champions Trophy that set records for futility.

US eliminated in Champions Trophy


On 1 October 2004, PeopleSoft #39;s board of directors terminated Conway as president and CEO, citing a  quot;loss of confidence quot; in his ability to lead the company.

CEO Exit and DOJ Decision Continue PeopleSoft Uncertainty


Danville -- Liesel and Jeff Ray, of Avon, followed tradition Friday morning when they left the house. No, they did not head to the nearest mall, hoping to be the first in line for Christmas bargains.

Day after Thanksgiving busy for yule tree farms


Street sales of illegally copied Hollywood films, fake auto parts and pharmaceuticals are thriving despite an official government crackdown, agitating a nettlesome trade conflict between Washington and Beijing.

Pirated Goods Continue To Swamp China


The Asean group of south-east Asian states sealed a historic trade pact with China today in the latest move towards a pan-Asian trade bloc that could rival the EU and the US.

Asean signs historic deal with China


WASHINGTON -- President Bush pledged yesterday to ''do what it takes quot; to help create a democratic Palestinian state living peacefully with Israel and said ''it is possible quot; such a state could come into being before he leaves office in four years.

At White House, Bush and Blair restart push for Palestinian state


AP - After losing to Northwestern for the first time in 33 years, there is plenty of blame to go around for Ohio State.

Ohio St. Regroups After Northwestern Loss (AP)


LOWELL -- Few people expected ex-Patriot and NFL Hall of Famer John Hannah to walk into the head coach position at Somerville and turn a winless team into a Super Bowl contender. After last night, skeptics may be looking to Hannah's role in the Somerville youth football program for solace as the Highlanders were swamped by Lowell, 47-14, at Crowley ...

Somerville provides Hannah dreary debut


Italian dairy giant Parmalat SPA owes nearly \$26 billion to creditors including many big international banks, a judge ruled Friday in a decision that will affect who will become a shareholder in the reorganized company.

Update 4: Parmalat Owes Almost \$26B to Creditors


A video of Princess Diana talking about her life is aired on American television.

Diana video tape screened in US


Indiana defends its NCAA men's soccer title by edging UC Santa Barbara in penalty kicks on Sunday.

IU Claims Soccer Title


Waters begin to recede but aid agencies in Haiti struggle to bring supplies to people hit by tropical storm Jeanne.

Haiti struggles for flood relief


John Hopkins caused a surprise by claiming provisional pole position this morning for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. The Suzuki rider, who has endured a mediocre season so far, stole the limelight from

HOPKINS SETS THE PACE


A Palestinian was killed overnight by Israeli forces, as further violence continued in the Gaza Strip, medical sources said. A body - described on Israeli radio as a  quot;Palestinian youngster quot;, and on Palestinian

Palestinian killed in Gaza Strip


AP - Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have hip surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks, further depleting the team's front court.

Pacers' Foster to Miss Four to Six Weeks (AP)


Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. 005930.KS plans to introduce a mobile telephone with high-speed Internet links in the United States in the first quarter of next year, an executive said on Thursday.

Samsung to Sell US High-Speed Phone in Early 2005


British opposition politicians are demanding the government clarify plans for the nation #39;s troops in Iraq, Sky News reported Saturday.

UK opposition figure seeks troop info


Microsoft Corp.'s quarterly earnings rose 11 percent over the comparable quarter last year, with strongest growth in sales of server software.

Microsoft Profit Up; Forecast Mixed


AP - Israel has proposed leaving a Gaza settlement intact to be used as a hospital after an Israeli pullout, and wants to sell an industrial zone on the edge of the coastal strip to international bodies, Israeli officials said.

Israel Plan to Use Settlement As Hospital (AP)


PARIS, Nov 17 (AFP) - Media and mobile telephone group Vivendi Universal said on Wednesday that third-quarter profits had risen by nearly six-fold and upgraded its full-year profit outlook owing to a change in tax arrangements.

Vivendi rings up blistering third-quarter profits


USATODAY.com - - When the Saudi government announced last month the particulars of municipal elections to be held here for the first time in 40 years, Nadia Bakhurji was thrilled that her country was taking a baby step toward democracy.

A woman runs for office in Saudi Arabia (USATODAY.com)


AP - Priest Holmes had already scored four touchdowns before an ankle sprain knocked him out of the game. Steve McNair and Randy Moss barely worked up a sweat Sunday before injuries sent them to the sidelines.

Moss, McNair Injured Again - in Same Game (AP)


Some 100 former soldiers who helped lead a revolt against ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide seized his abandoned residence on Wednesday and said they would make it their headquarters.

Haiti Ex-Soldiers Seize Aristide #39;s Old Compound


He was chosen today as one of five finalists for college football #39;s most prestigious individual title. Joining Smith for Saturday #39;s award ceremony in New York will be Oklahoma teammates Jason White and Adrian

Alex Smith is a Heisman Finalist


Chad Pennington took full blame for the Jets #39; loss yesterday and the numbers back him up. It was the second-worst performance of his outstanding young career.

Chad pins picks, loss on himself


Indonesians began voting on Monday in a landmark election and are expected to throw out President Megawati Sukarnoputri and install an ex-general vowing firmer leadership in fighting terror and boosting the economy.

Indonesians Begin Voting in Landmark Election


CHICAGO/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shares of Google Inc.  <A HREF=

Google Soars, Shorts Scramble to Cover


Following a summer of unprecedented success the headlines were inevitable.  quot;Bring on the Aussies quot; shouted one Sunday paper, following England #39;s 4-0 Test series whitewash of the West Indies.

Flintoff and Harmison must hunt for Australia


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - A Nova Scotia government backbencher is stepping forward to try to fulfil a promise made by Premier John Hamm to hold elections for Senate vacancies.

Nova Scotia backbencher to introduce bill to elect Senate replacements (Canadian Press)


The US Congress approved a \$145 billion bill providing new corporate tax breaks and a buyout for tobacco farmers as part of legislation that eliminates an export tax credit ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization.

Congress Passes \$145 Bln Tax Cut, Ends Export Subsidy (Update2)


NBC is adding a 5-second delay to its Nascar telecasts after Dale Earnhardt Jr. used a vulgarity during a postrace interview last weekend.

Network Adds Delay to Nascar Telecasts


AP - Denmark is joining Russia and Canada to see if it can lay a claim to the North Pole  #151; and whatever natural riches may lie beneath it.

Denmark Hopes to Claim North Pole (AP)


This fact has never been better evidenced than by watching the astonishing way in which the family of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley have waged their own campaign for his release.

The valiant fight of the Bigley family


A Thai legislator says the death toll from a riot and its aftermath in the largely Muslim south may be far higher than the officially acknowledged 85, most of whom suffocated in army custody.

Thai riot official death toll questioned


Though Omnivision's future isn't fully in focus, this camera chip maker looks set to turn megapixels into megaprofits.

Triple Crown Stock: Value, Growth, Tech


Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Marcus Banks a season-high 20, and the visiting Boston Celtics put seven players in double figures en route to a 117-101 victory Monday against the Orlando Magic.

Celts give Rivers victory vs. Magic


SHANGHAI, CHINA - Under pressure from the Chinese labor federation, the world #39;s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, said Tuesday it would permit branches of the official Communist Party-controlled union in its Chinese stores if employees requested it.

Wal-Mart will let Chinese union in


At least six have been killed after a huge explosion outside Australia's embassy in the Indonesian capital.

Massive blast at Jakarta embassy


NAJAF: Since his Shi #39;ite militia put down their weapons and ended their uprising in Najaf last week, Abdul Sahib has slept in a different house every night, hiding from revenge-seeking residents.

Sadr #39;s men wait for call to fight


Google executives have long conceded that one of their great fears is to be overtaken by a more advanced Internet search technology.

New Company Starts Up a Challenge to Google


WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators on Thursday adopted rules aimed at tempting electric utilities to offer broadband services -- a move officials hope will someday enable US consumers to jack in to the web from virtually any power outlet.

Broadband: More Power to You


Don #146;t like the names Apple created for the colors used in the Color Labels feature? Then just create your own. Find out how on the Apple Pro/Design/ site  #151; it #146;s the first of a weekly series of Mac OS X killer tips. Sep 15

Mac OS X Tip of the Week: Custom Labels


Boeing has received down payments for up to 200 of its new 7E7 planes in addition to the known 52 orders it has gained, Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher said in an interview published Thursday.

Boeing lands 200 7E7 down payments


BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's centrist opposition, buoyed  by a presidential election victory of their leader Traian  Basescu, put pressure on the ruling left on Wednesday to  abandon its bid to cling to power or face early elections.

Pressure Grows on Romanian Left to Give Up Power


IBM moved back into the iSCSI (Internet SCSI) market Friday with a new array priced at US\$3,000 and aimed at the small and midsize business market.

IBM adds iSCSI to SANs


AP - The Super Bowl champs ended their exhibition season with a three-game losing streak and a 31-0 setback. Hey, at least they should be rested for their regular-season opener.

Patriots Routed Before Quest for Repeat (AP)


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A group headed by Sony Corp.  <A HREF=

Sony Group Agrees in Principle to Buy MGM


Turin, Italy (Sports Network) - Valentino Castellani, the chief organizer of the Turin Olympic Committee, has announced his decision to resign.

Turin Olympic organizer resigns


President Vladimir Putin gave his blessing on Friday for Russian state energy firms to bid for oil major Yukos #39;s assets if bailiffs put them up for sale to recover a huge back-tax bill.

Putin: State firms can bid for Yukos assets


NEW YORK: Pakistan and India on Friday agreed to explore possible options for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in a sincere spirit and purposeful manner.

Pakistan and India agree to explore options


RESULTS: Men, third round: No. 2 Andy Roddick, No. 18 Tommy Robredo and No. 28 Joachim Johansson won. Also advancing to the fourth round were Tomas Berdych, Tommy Haas and Michael Llodra.

US Open Glance


PANACEA, Fla. - Tropical Storm Frances plowed ashore on the Florida Panhandle on Monday, its second U.S...

Frances Plows Ashore in Panhandle


AP - Auburn tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown haven't joined in the rush to the Heisman Trophy.

Auburn's Tailback Duo Share Spotlight (AP)


Plane maker Boeing has said its third quarter profits shot up 78 from a year ago to \$456m. The company also gave an upbeat forecast for the rest of 2004 and into 2005.

Upbeat Boeing lifts profit forecasts


ISLAMABAD: The issue of releasing political prisoners is a legal matter and it is up to the courts to decide cases against them, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday.

Political prisoners release a legal matter, says Aziz


The basic technology is called voice-over-IP and it is referred to as VOIP. Free! Sign up here to receive our SiteWatcher e-Newsletter!

Commentary: Virtual numbers changing all


AP - Rodney Carney scored a career-high 33 points and Memphis ended the surprising tournament run of Saint Mary's with an 81-66 victory Thursday night in the semifinals of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

No. 24 Memphis Rolls Past St. Mary's 81-66 (AP)


Sony Corp. #39;s Japanese music unit says it will no longer sell CDs with built-in copy protection, a technology it had been pushing for two years.

Sony Nixes Copy-Protected CDs in Japan


Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd., India #39;s top phone and broadband provider, on Monday said it plans to buy Tyco International Ltd. #39;s undersea fiber-optic network for \$130 million, a move an analyst said could spawn a number of similar deals involving foreign

Update 1: Indian Telecom Buys Tyco Network Assets


Honda Motor Co., the second-largest Japanese automaker in the US, recalled 257,616 Accord sedans for the 2004 and 2005 model years because the driver-side air bag can tear while inflating.

Honda Recalls 257,616 Accord Sedans in US for Torn Airbags


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Friday after news the  economy added more than twice the number of jobs expected last  month, sending the Standard   Poor's 500 index to its highest  in more than 2 1/2 years.

Stocks Rise as Jobs Figures Impress


Microsoft will hold a second Longhorn-themed Professional Developers Conference in September 2005, almost two years after it first detailed the successor to Windows XP.

Date set for second Longhorn conference


Capital Radio and GWR Group have agreed to merge in a deal that will create the dominant company in the UK radio sector. Capital Radio CEO David Mansfield and GWR executive chairman Ralph Bernard will stay in their respective roles in the merged company.

Radio Head: Station Merger Plans Unveiled


It was another glorious opportunity for the Giants to provide an answer to the burning question of the day, namely,  quot;How the hell are these guys in the wild-card race?

Baffling day in baffling race


Chad Gifford, one of Boston #39;s most visible business leaders, said yesterday he would retire as chairman of Bank of America Corp.

Gifford retiring early at Bank of America


p2pnet.net OT News:- A  quot;cold landscape carved by winds and perhaps puddled with organic lakes quot;.  quot;The take-home message, although preliminary, is that Titan may be sculpted by fierce winds and cradle vast lakes of organic chemicals.

Titan intrigues scientists


AP - Tennessee running back Chris Brown will not play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders because of a turf toe injury.

Turf Toe Injury Sidelines Titans' Brown (AP)


The guy who almost joined the Red Sox before the season was bowing down to the Red Sox by the end of the season. As the Yankees turned into the Devil Rays for the final four games of the American League Championship

A-Rod #39;s turn to take chops


TORONTO (CP) - The strong Canadian dollar chipped away at Aber Diamond Corp. #39;s quarterly profit but, with sales almost doubling from a year ago, the company said Monday it has initiated a dividend and a share buyback.

Strong C\$ cuts Aber Diamond Q3 net to US\$8.5M; dividend and <b>...</b>


The brother of Ken Bigley, the British hostage held in Iraq, said on Monday he was increasingly hopeful the engineer would be released soon and that he was ready to travel to the Middle East at a moment #39;s notice.

Bigley #39;s brother hopeful for release


CHICAGO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein presented his long-awaited plan for the airline #39;s future to board members on Wednesday, a strategy that could determine whether the struggling carrier ...

Delta CEO presents long-awaited plan to board


Bowing to the inevitable -- following persistent breaches of the rules by the eurozone #39;s two most powerful members, Germany and France -- Brussels announced plans that would make the pact less rigid.

European stability pact watered down


Internet-based holiday company Ebookers says second-quarter loses have been cut compared with the same period a year ago.

Ebookers sees 'encouraging' signs


Houston-based Noble Energy Inc. agreed Thursday to acquire Denver #39;s Patina Oil  amp; Gas in a deal that highlights the Rocky Mountains #39; stature as an energy center even as Denver loses another headquarters.

Noble taps Patina Oil


OVER FIVE million websites have been built in the last five months, according to the latest Netcraft survey. This means that there are more than 55 million active sites on the Interweb.

Web grows by a million sites a month


MADRID, Spain - Spanish media are reporting that at least one explosion -- and possibly as many as four blasts -- have gone off in Madrid following a warning from a Basque (search) group.

Reports: Blasts Rock Madrid Gas Stations


In lieu of facing a court judgment of possibly more than US\$1 billion, Sun Microsystems has agreed to pay \$92 million to settle a long-running patent infringement case with Eastman Kodak.

Sun, Kodak Look to Future Following Patent Suit Settlement


CARDIFF, Wales -- Citroen #39;s championship leader Sebastien Loeb made a flying start to the Rally of Britain on Friday to seize the lead from Ford #39;s overnight front-runner Francois Duval.

Loeb claims Rally of Britain lead


Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp plans to build a\factory in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, the first local\production in that nation by any Japanese carmaker, company\officials were quoted by Kyodo news agency as saying.

Toyota Plans to Open Russian Plant (Reuters)


MacCentral - You Software Inc. announced on Tuesday the availability of You Control: iTunes, a free\download that places iTunes controls in the Mac OS X menu bar. Without\leaving the current application, you can pause, play, rewind or skip songs,\as well as control iTunes' volume and even browse your entire music library\by album, artist or genre. Each time a new song plays, You Control: iTunes\also pops up a window that displays the artist and song name and the album\artwork, if it's in the library. System requirements call for Mac OS X\v10.2.6 and 10MB free hard drive space. ...

You Control: iTunes puts control in OS X menu bar (MacCentral)


Retief Goosen showed great class to take the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Sunday, when a closing 69 gave him victory by six clear shots.

EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF LATEST BETTING ODDS UPDATE


Every day, somewhere in the universe, there #39;s an explosion that puts the power of the Sun in the shade. Steve Connor investigates the riddle of gamma-ray bursts.

The cosmic neighbours from hell


OJIYA, Japan (Reuters) - Dozens of aftershocks shook  northern Japan on Sunday after the country's deadliest  earthquake in nine years killed at least 18 people and injured  some 1,400 as houses collapsed, roads crumbled and rail tracks  buckled.

Japan Quake Kills 18, Aftershocks Strike Fear


Oil prices have fallen further below \$50 a barrel as, with the result of the US presidential elections still difficult to predict, traders cashed in positions.

Election jitters send oil lower


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. <A HREF=

Whirlpool Profit Falls as Costs Rise


PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A suspected Arab member of  al Qaeda was arrested by Pakistani security forces on Thursday  after breaking his legs trying to escape a raid on his house  near the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Al Qaeda Suspect Breaks Legs Fleeing in Pakistan


Last summer, Yahoo! purchased e-mail company Oddpost and now it has acquired Bloomba which analysts compare to Microsoft #39;s Outlook e-mail program.

Another Yahoo to compete with Gmail


AP - Attorneys for the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape went on a public relations offensive Tuesday, appearing on network television to bolster her public image and dispel speculation that a settlement is in the works in her civil lawsuit against the NBA star.

Bryant Accuser's Attorneys Boost Client (AP)


Russia #39;s state-owned Gazprom monopoly has announced it will bid for Yukos #39;s main oil production unit, which is being auctioned off by the government.

Analysts Say Kremlin Seeks Control Of Oil Sector Through Yukos <b>...</b>


Levels of potentially dangerous airborne soot declined nationwide between 1999 and 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency reported Tuesday, and may be nearly a third lower than concentrations 25 years ago.

Study: Airborne soot on the decline


JAKARTA, Indonesia -- As Indonesia awaits next month #39;s formal announcement that its new president will be Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the former army general has pledged to seek an end to the bloody separatist war in Aceh province.

Aceh a focus for Yudhoyono


Japan said it has obtained intelligence indicating that North Korea may be preparing to test fire a short-range missile, in what would be the latest provocation from the communist country.

N. Korea May Be Preparing Missile Launch


_ Bank of New York has filed a lawsuit accusing Citibank and its parent company of a  quot;massive scheme of deception quot; designed to hide the failing finances of the bankrupt energy giant Enron while making billions of dollars for itself.

Bank of NY sues Citigroup over Enron securities


For its  quot;Patch Tuesday quot; this month, Microsoft delivered five security bulletins for what it called  quot;important quot; security flaws, including one publicly known flaw in the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS).

Microsoft Issues 5 Important Security Bulletins


AP - Microsoft Corp. will begin its music download service in Japan with an initial offering of 50,000 songs, a spokeswoman for the U.S. software giant's online service unit said Wednesday.

Microsoft Launches Music Service in Japan (AP)


ANDAHUAYLAS, Peru -- The leader of a paramilitary nationalist group that seized a police station, took 10 officers hostage and allegedly killed four more surrendered late last night as security forces launched an offensive against his followers, an Interior Ministry official said.

Leader of Peru group in standoff surrenders; troops mobilize


* Sprint #39;s strong wireless Internet service and Nextel #39;s walkie- talkie feature popular among mobile professionals would be a competitive combination.

Nextel Deal Sees Sprint Shares Rise


Los Angeles Times - PARIS  #8212; Muslim women in head scarves, journalists in jeans and senators draped in tricolored sashes rallied here Monday in support of two French hostages held in Iraq by kidnappers demanding that France repeal a new ban on the Islamic head scarf in public schools.

Divided France Unites Over Hostages (Los Angeles Times)


AP - Wake Forest celebrated its first appearance at No. 1 with an easy victory. Chris Paul, Eric Williams and Kyle Visser each scored 15 points to lead the Demon Deacons past Yale 99-72 Monday night.

No. 1 Wake Forest Wallops Yale 99-72 (AP)


Halo 2 has been released in the US, with fans queuing to get their hands on the Xbox title.

Halo fans' hope for sequel


LISTENING to the saber-rattling emanating from western countries that are angry about the humanitarian crisis in the western Sudan region of Darfur, one would conclude that strong international action is about to be carried out on behalf of the more than

Darfur is All About Talk And No Action


Lawsuit alleges the software giant unlawfully attempted to eliminate competition from Novell #39;s WordPerfect and Quattro Pro applications.

Novell Accuses Microsoft of Unfair Competition


AP - U.S. jets pounded insurgent positions in Fallujah for a second straight day Wednesday, raising plumes of smoke but leaving no extensive damage or signs of weakening the Sunni militants who have steadily expanded their control of this city about 30 miles west of Baghdad.

U.S. Jets Hit Insurgent Areas in Fallujah (AP)


Hackers are close to finding a way to spread harmful computer viruses just by getting people to open an e-mail message or visiting an infected Web site, computer security experts warned yesterday.

Danger of Image-Borne Viruses Looms


Description: International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge calls the 2004 Games, held at their historic birthplace,  quot;dream games.

Olympiad Ends Amid Shows of Spirit and Relief


AP - West Virginia University's neurosurgery department has launched a new system to help surgeons view brain disorders and diseases more precisely.

WVU Launches New Brain Surgery System (AP)


AP - Pope John Paul II received an honorary degree Tuesday from Nicholas Copernicus University in his native Poland, calling it a

Pope Receives Honorary Degree in Poland (AP)


Investor's Business Daily - A long-awaited ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has cleared the way for Oracle   to proceed with its  #36;7.7 billion hostile bid to buy rival PeopleSoft  .

Oracle Big Win Reopens Door For A Big Deal (Investor's Business Daily)


Typhoon Tokage is moving toward Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The storm has been blamed for at least seven deaths, Kyodo News reported.

Typhoon Nears Tokyo; Seven Dead, Transport Snarled (Update1)


Documents stolen from the Equestrian Federation of Ireland were linked to the ongoing doping scandal surrounding an Olympic gold medal winning horse.

Stolen papers linked to drug saga


PARIS: AC Milan #39;s Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko, right, was last night named European footballer of the year for 2004. The 28-year-old becomes the third Ukrainian to win the award after Oleg Blockhin

Shevchenko wins top Euro award


PRODUCTION is set to resume at Ellesmere Port #39;s Vauxhall plant after striking German workers returned to work. Production of the new Astra came to a standstill yesterday due

Car makers ready to return to work


The prospect of the Huygens probe landing on a hard, soft or liquid surface when it lands on Titan next January still remain following further analysis of data taken during the Cassini mother ship #39;s closest encounter with Saturn #39;s largest moon during its

Crunch, squelch or splash on Saturn #39;s moon Titan?


The Bush administration will not remove federal dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to protect 11 endangered species of salmon and steelhead, even as a last resort.

U.S. Rules Out Dam Removal to Aid Salmon


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

Hurricane Damage to Hit Allstate Profits


Fisico's first run for Renault as Franck begins development work for 2005.

Barcelona Testing, Day 1, 24/11/04


She sees Xerox becoming more of an information-services firm. Observers are skeptical, but Mulcahy says she #39;ll buy consultancies if necessary.

Xerox #39;s Mulcahy: We #39;re Moving Beyond Documents


Suspicions grew today that terrorists were to blame for the twin airline crashes, with a top official saying terrorism was the main theory and many Russians insisting the double disaster could not be explained by mere coincidence.

Double Russian Air Disaster  #39;A Terrorist Act #39;


Delta Air Lines Inc. has a tentative pilot deal on concessions and much-needed breathing room, but hasn #39;t detailed the progress of its crucial debt restructuring efforts.

Update 12: Delta Chief: Bankruptcy Still Possible


THE Mars rover Opportunity has found new evidence of past existence of water on the Red Planet, NASA said today. Opportunity keeps finding new clues of past water as it continues probing Mars, said mission

Rover finds more evidence of water


AP - Fifty years after the U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing school segregation, an Alabama law mandating racially separate classrooms is still on the books.

Alabama to Vote on Segregation Language (AP)


PLANOTexas - The traps are out as a Plano family waits to see if a bobcat #39;s kittens take the bait. The mother bobcat was captured Wednesday, and one of three kittens was captured Friday morning.

Plano Family Waits For Bobcats


LINUX distributor Red Hat has announced it would purchase Netscape #39;s enterprise security products from AOL. Products to be purchased by Red Hat include the Netscape Directory Server and Netscape Certificate management system.

Red Hat snaps up Netscape security


AP - The Anaheim Angels rounded out their starting outfield Friday, agreeing to a  #36;14 million, two-year contract with center fielder Steve Finley.

Finley Signs  #36;14 Million Deal With Angels (AP)


At Boston's Ski Ball at the Ritz-Carlton last Friday night, a marvelous thing happened: Outside the window, snow swirled out of a black sky into streetlights below.

Flakes? Here's hoping for plenty more of it


LONDON ARM Holdings, a British semiconductor designer, said on Monday that it would buy Artisan Components for \$913 million to broaden its product range.

ARM shares tumble on deal for chip firm


(Auburn Hills, Mich., AP) -- The NBA isn #39;t commenting on the Pistons-Pacers brawl until it reviews what happened in the final minute of Friday night #39;s game.

Suspensions Expected in Wake of Detroit-Indiana-Fans Altercations


Ordered by Congress to give consumers free access to their own credit reports once a year, the nation's three largest credit bureaus are turning that requirement into a marketing opportunity.

Free credit reports to bear ads


COPENHAGEN -- Offering relief from managing complex, distributed systems, Microsoft Corp. Chief Software Architect Bill Gates took the stage of the IT Forum in Copenhagen Tuesday to introduce a handful of tools and a hatful of promises.

Gates touts software 'magic' to cut complexity


The dollar may fall against the euro for a third week in four on concern near-record crude oil prices will temper the pace of expansion in the US economy, a survey by Bloomberg News indicates.

Dollar May Fall on Concern Climbing Oil Prices Will Slow Growth


Juliana Sasaki didn #39;t bother checking out Sony Corp. #39;s digital music player in Tokyo before buying her green iPod mini.  quot;I knew Sony and other companies had MP3 players, but they can #39;t beat the mini, quot; said Sasaki, 23, a language teacher.

Apple #39;s iPod takes the lead on Sony #39;s home turf


It #39;s likely that Yogi Berra has never kicked a soccer ball in his life. Yet one of his more famous utterances could easily be applied to Tuesday #39;s press conference held by the San Jose Earthquakes: It #39;s dj vu all over again.

Quakes Staying Put...For Now


A few weeks back, I had a pretty dim view of Twinkie and Wonder Bread maker, Interstate Bakeries (NYSE: IBC). I even suggested -- shudder -- that the firm might

Empty Twinkies Get New Filling


Athens -- Allen Iverson scored 17 points, even with the broken thumb on his shooting hand, as the United States rebounded from a shocking opening-game loss to beat Greece 77-71 at the men #39;s Olympic basketball tournament yesterday.

Americans bounce back


The House of Representatives passes a bill that would sic the feds on people using peer-to-peer networks to swap songs or movies. Copyright infringers may face up to three years in prison.

File Traders Could Do Hard Time


The Federal Reserve still has some way to go to restore US interest rates to more normal levels, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Anthony Santomero said on Monday.

Fed #39;s Santomero says rate rises have a way to go


LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - The leader of a 200-strong armed  group that killed four policemen and seized a police station  and part of a southern Peruvian town, to demand the resignation  of President Alejandro Toledo, said it would hand over its  weapons on Monday.

Peru Rebel Says Will Surrender Monday


Google has doubled the number of Web pages it indexes from 4 billion to about 8 billion, according to a posting on the company #39;s Web site.

Google doubles search index


The personal communications management service debuts in the north-eastern United States.

Verizon sets up Iobi Home


The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council's recent track record on Beacon Hill is the envy of most other industry lobbies. On issues from blocking drug price-control efforts to state funding for job training, the council has successfully persuaded the Democrat-controlled Legislature and Republican Governor Mitt Romney to vote its way.

For Mass. biotech, a boost in stature


Nina Kraft tested positive for the endurance-boosting drug EPO after winning last month #39;s Hawaii Ironman competition, the German triathlon union said Thursday.

German winner of Hawaii Ironman has positive drug test


NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Signs of discord emerged between  India and Pakistan as foreign ministers from the nuclear-armed  rivals met on Sunday to review and advance a peace process that  has faltered recently over Kashmir.

Signs of Discord Emerge as Indo-Pak Ministers Meet


Throughout these Olympic Games, United States boxing coach Basheer Abdullah has lamented that his young fighters weren #39;t listening to him.

Up-and-down night in the ring


The Democrats appear to be gaining the upper hand in the battle to sign up new voters in the all-important swing states, an Associated Press analysis suggests.    The AP analysis of the most up-to-date figures from across the country found that, in every state where complete data is available, the Democrats have registered more new voters than Republicans...

Democrats Signing Up More New Voters


AFP - China's SARS vaccine trials are expected to be completed by January as clinical experiments were going smoothly, state media reported.

China's SARS vaccine tests to be completed by January (AFP)


AFP - Sterling remained weak after disappointing trade data as the US Dollar held firm against major currencies.

Pound ends week with modest gain on dollar (AFP)


JAKARTA: President Megawati Sukarnoputri has appealed for the release of two Indonesian women held hostage in Iraq as their captors demanded a militant Indonesian preacher be freed in return.

Indonesian leader appeals for hostages #39; release as captors make <b>...</b>


It #39;s impossible to know how many of the stock-car-racing fans who heard Dale Earnhardt Jr. use a naughty word on television after winning a 500 at Talladega were offended -- or even noticed.

NASCAR #39;s caution flag


MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- After getting off to a slow start, Michael Redd provided a fantastic finish. Redd scored a season-high 30 points, including a pair of clutch jumpers in the final 90 seconds that lifted

Bucks escape with win over Bobcats


It was around 10 am on July 21 that their convoy, carrying steel and cement reached Faluja.  quot;We stopped to find out where we were to unload the consignment when all of a sudden, about 40 masked men, armed to their teeth, pounced on us, quot; recalls Tilak Raj.

Life flickered in captors clutch


BigZoo.com, a popular California company selling prepaid long distance for as little as 2.9 cents a minute, is getting out of the business at the end of next month.

Pennies at a time, we chip away at long-distance firms


AP - Georgia Tech acknowledged Friday that it certified 17 athletes as eligible when they had not met the NCAA's academic requirements.

Georgia Tech Admits Certifying Violation (AP)


The molecular structure of Vioxx. The drug approval process for drugs like Vioxx in Canada is largely controlled by the pharmaceutical companies that develop them.

Vioxx Populi?


Svetlana Kuznetsova didn #39;t show the form that saw her win the US Open, but she was good enough on Wednesday to win her opening round-robin match at the WTA Tour Championships against an erratic Vera Zvonareva.

Kuznetsova wins WTA Tour Championships opener


MOSCOW Sept. 27, 2004 - Assets of Russia #39;s beleaguered Yukos oil company should be sold for at least \$15 billion, a senior official said Monday, as the company #39;s main production unit is evaluated for sale against a crushing back-tax bill.

Yukos Unit Evaluated for Sale to Pay Bill


Sometimes, change for change #39;s sake can be a good thing. Team USA proved that last night. After inserting five fresh sets of legs into the lineup because of extremely poor

US finally thaws out: Shakeup nets 3-1 win vs. Slovakia


Djibril Cisses leg-break horror has left Rafael Benitez facing a severe striker crisis ahead of Wednesday nights crucial Champions League showdown with Deportivo La Coruna.

Cisse injury leaves Benitez facing striker crisis


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Lowe's Cos. <LOW.N>, the No. 2 home  improvement retailer behind Home Depot Inc., on Monday reported  an 18 percent increase in second-quarter profit, but results  trailed estimates as sales weakened in June.

Lowe's Net Trails Views, But Shares Rise


AP - Ken Griffey Jr. walked down the practice range Wednesday morning and stopped to watch Vijay Singh, two world-class athletes with not much else in common.

Singh Wants to Finish Strong This Fall (AP)


Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland held his three-shot lead in the German Masters Saturday at 14-under-par 20. McDowell, 25, shot a 69 in the third round to maintain the

McDowell keeps lead in German Masters


\The bird flu virus that can kill humans has the potential to be spread by cats, scientists have found.

Cats may carry the bird flu virus


The only things you can count on in life, or so the saying goes, are death and taxes. But when it comes to economics and government budgets, perhaps the only thing that #39;s for sure is demographics.

Greenspan on America #39;s Age Wave


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- The latest results on the server market from research firm Gartner show IBM and Hewlett-Packard dueling for the top spots in terms of revenue and shipments.

IBM, HP take top spots for in Gartner report


AP - One more victory and U.S. softball team will have its goal: a third Olympic gold. Right now, the Americans aren't just a Dream Team  #151; they're more like the Perfect Team. Lisa Fernandez pitched a three-hitter Sunday and Crystl Bustos drove in two runs as the Americans rolled to their eighth shutout in eight days, 5-0 over Australia, putting them into the gold medal game.

U.S. Softball Team Wins, Closes in on Gold (AP)


Jamie Foxx has three Golden Globe nominations, with Nicole Kidman and Johnny Depp also up for prizes.

Golden Globes names announced


BERNIE ECCLESTONE has hit out at Silverstone #39;s owners, describing the track as  quot;embarrassing quot; just hours after axing it from the Formula One calendar.

Ecclestone rebuke as Silverstone dropped


AP - Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen shot a par-70 Thursday in the opening round of the Suntory Open, leaving him five strokes behind leaders Scott Laycock of Australia and Y.E. Yang of South Korea.

Retief Goosen Five Shots Back in Japan (AP)


The US military says marines in Fallujah shot and killed an insurgent who engaged them as he was faking being dead, a week after footage of a marine killing an apparently unarmed and wounded Iraqi caused a stir in the region.

Insurgent  #39;playing dead #39; in videotaped shooting


AP - Lucent Technologies Inc. signed a four-year agreement to supply equipment for Cingular Wireless' rollout of its nationwide 3G high-speed wireless data system.

Lucent, Cingular Ink Wireless Deal (AP)


Washington's new Major League Baseball franchise, the former Montreal Expos, is tentatively scheduled to play its first game in the District on April 15 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

D'Backs to Open RFK


The Angels' bullpen, a collection of arms expert in dishing out misery all season, took lead roles in their own ugly production of Les Miserables here last night in Game 2 of the American League Divison Series.

Bullpen came undone


World Champion Sebastien Loeb ended day two of the Rally Australia in Perth in the lead after Marcus Gronholm retired early. Citroen driver Loeb won three stages yesterday to take a 1min 20.

Loeb is on course to equal win milestone


Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq #39;s foremost Shiite cleric, wants US-led military forces to leave Najaf and nearby Kufa as a condition for establishing peace with cleric Moqtada al

Al-Sistani Wants US-Led Forces to Leave Najaf (Update2)


Reuters - Worldwide research and\development spending in the emerging field of nanotechnology\should rise about 10 percent this year to  #36;8.6 billion, a\research firm said on Monday.

Nanotech Research Spending Seen Reaching  #36;8.6 Bln (Reuters)


With a series of events being strung together, rumors about Google building a browser are running amok. Speculation about the Google browser intensified after its recent hiring spree.

Google Browser on Its Way?


Navy vs. Vanderbilt
    Records:  Midshipmen 3-0; Commodores 0-2.
   When:  1:30 p.m.    Where:  Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.    Radio:  WRC-1260 (in progress), WNAV-1430.
   Off and Running:  After leading the nation in rushing with 323.2 yards per game in 2003, the Midshipmen are sixth in Division I-A after three games this season. Navy is averaging 310.3 yards, trailing Texas (386), Minnesota (359.3), California (339), Oklahoma State (333.7) and West Virginia (311). In their past 16 games, the Midshipmen are 9-2 when they run for 300 yards or more; 2-3 when they run for less than 300. The Commodores are 96th nationally in run defense, allowing 219.5 yards per game.

Navy Is Ready to Run Against Vanderbilt


Crude oil futures fell after a US Energy Department report showed rising imports boosted inventories by three times the amount analysts forecast.

Crude Oil Falls After US Supplies Rise More Than Expected


America #39;s top enemy in Iraq claimed the killing of nearly 50 unarmed army recruits in a cold-blooded assault on fledgling security forces slated to take part in a crackdown on rebels before elections due in January.

Top US foe claims Iraq killings


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc. said on Tuesday it  would digitize some of the world's most important libraries in  a bold effort that could profit the company by attracting more  viewers to its site -- and its ads.

Google Bets Big on Bringing Libraries to Web


US retail titan Wal-Mart has reported an 8.7 increase in total company sales for November. The company said sales for the four weeks to 26 November were US\$23.5bn, compared to \$21.7bn in the corresponding period of the previous year.

USA: Wal-Mart posts 8.7 rise in November sales


MADRID (Reuters) - Valencia suffered a 2-1 defeat at home  to nine-man Sevilla Sunday to leave Barcelona five points clear  at the top of the Primera Liga table.

Valencia Defeat Leaves Barca Five Points Clear


The battle for No. 1 between Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods is coming to western Pennsylvania. Woods has agreed to play in the 84 Lumber Classic near Farmington, Pa.

Woods to play at 84 Lumber Classic


US 10-year Treasury notes fell in Asia as an index of manufacturing probably rose from last month, giving further evidence the economy is expanding.

US Treasuries Fall as Manufacturing Likely Gained This Month


WASHINGTON -- Iraqi officials reported that thieves looted 377 tons of powerful explosives from an unguarded site after the US-led invasion last year, the top UN nuclear official said yesterday. And a former weapons inspector said he had counted about 100 other unguarded weapons sites that may have been stripped of munitions for use in the wave of attacks against ...

Explosives were looted after Iraq invasion


They had all vanished, swept away by a black-and-gold tidal wave known as the Pittsburgh Steelers. And now they have returned. But it was their 29-6 victory against the Buffalo Bills that made the loudest

With back-to-back wins, Patriots are back


The National Security Agency is undergoing its largest recruiting drive since the Cold War. Some of the agency's top officials emerged about a year ago with a message: The NSA needs help fighting the war against global terrorism.

NSA Prodded to Look Beyond Its Fortress


Orders for long-lasting US goods slipped unexpectedly in October, but new home sales rose, consumer sentiment brightened a bit this month and claims for jobless aid fell, a mixed bag of reports showed yesterday.

October economic data mixed


Wireless players Nokia (Quote, Chart) and Vodafone (Quote, Chart) are teaming up to write the next chapter (of code) in the mobile Java story.

Nokia, Vodafone to Drive Mobile Java


Britain last night gave Iran two months to come clean about its nuclear programme and halt work on enrichment of uranium or face a demand for United Nations sanctions.

Britain #39;s nuclear deadline for Iran


Aether Systems Inc., a Maryland wireless data company that is selling off its operating units, said Wednesday it received a \$30 million offer for a division it had already agreed to sell to another buyer for \$25 million. <FONT face=

Aether Declines Higher Bid for Transit Division


JAKARTA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, fighting to win a fresh term, formally unveiled on Thursday a coalition of parties seeking to ensure she stays in power for the next five years.

Indonesia #39;s Megawati unveils grand coalition


Pakistan indicated that it was willing to go beyond UN resolutions and take  quot;all risks quot; but wanted India to show flexibility.

Kashmiris must have veto power: Kasuri


ANKARA, Turkey - A special session of parliament approved legal reforms Sunday aimed at opening the way for Turkey to begin membership talks with the European Union after the governing party dropped a proposal to criminalize adultery, a plan that had upset EU leaders.    The vote came before an Oct...

Turkey Parliament OKs EU-Oriented Reforms


Wow, wouldn #39;t that be something if the NBA season ended with Ron Artest holding the championship trophy? It #39;s not out of the realm of possibility.

Don #39;t count Pacers out just yet


The companies team up to develop broadband telephony products due in time for the holidays, sources familiar with deal say.

Netgear, Vonage gear up for VoIP


Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic activated forward Pat Garrity from the injured list on Friday and placed forward Brandon Hunter on the IL with a hyperextended right elbow.

Magic #39;s Garrity activated from injured list


Armed poachers from Sudan have been raiding and destroying neighboring Central African Republic's wildlife resources for years. Now, with the help of a militant U.S. conservationist, the CAR populace is arming and training itself to fight back.

U.S. Warrior Arms Africans to Hunt Sudanese Poachers


Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Free agent starting pitcher Carl Pavano has chosen to join the New York Yankees and the two sides were working on finalizing a contract before the end of the winter meetings.

Pavano chooses Yankees


The European Union added a fresh arm to its fast-growing military and police machinery yesterday, launching a fighting  quot;gendarmerie quot; for quick deployment to trouble spots all over world.

Euro  #39;gendarmerie #39; set up to police the world


By Michael Lasalandra, Globe Correspondent  August 24, 2004. Brynna Mathews began having intestinal problems in her early 20s. The onset was gradual, but eventually the bloating, cramping, intestinal pain

Digestion troubles get more attention


THE Hearts manager, Craig Levein, decided it would be more useful to catch a flight to Holland than watch the second half of yesterdays match.

El Nino Juninho blows hot for Celtic


An emergency official said Florida residents may want to think twice about taking down the hurricane shutters. Even as Hurricane Frances battered Florida, another strong storm churned in the central Atlantic.

Hurricane Ivan Roars Toward Caribbean


The World Trade Organization on Tuesday authorized the European Union and seven other leading American trading partners to impose more than \$150 million

US Loses Trade Cases and Faces Penalties


Hunt Valley, MD (Sports Network) - Wayne Levi matched the course record of eight-under-par 64 on Friday to take a one stroke lead after the opening round of the Constellation Energy Classic.

Levi grabs early lead in Maryland


US Coast Guard officials still have not determined what caused a Greek-owned tanker to leak 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware River Friday, but did reveal Monday

Tanker #39;s hull was pierced twice


ROME: Italian airline Alitalia said yesterday that its first half loss was 620 million euros (\$NZ1.14 billion), a higher-than-expected result owing to one-off expenses from a broad restructuring.

Auditors reviewing Alitalia first-half loss


The fate of American sprinter Michelle Collins, who has been charged with doping violations, will be decided next week. Collins, last year #39;s world indoor 400metres champion, has been implicated in the BALCO

DATE WITH DESTINY FOR COLLINS


Yasir Arafat #39;s uncertain health took a sharp turn for the worse on Wednesday night with an ambulance and medical teams summoned to his West Bank compound amid unconfirmed

Arafat #39;s Health Reported to Have Turned Sharply Worse


Rogers Communications Inc. (RCInvb.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) expects to refinance C\$2 billion to C\$3 billion (\$1.7 billion to \$2.

Rogers Communications sees debt refinancng ahead


Formula One fans will wait with bated breath today to see if the British Grand Prix is included on the proposed 2005 calendar. Sources close to the negotiations believe Silverstone will get the all-clear from Bernie Ecclestone after all.

Silverstone deal likely


Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title tonight against Danny Williams in Las Vegas. Klitschko is 34-and-2 with 33 knockouts heading into his first title defense.

Klitschko defends WBC heavyweight title


This weekend, millions of Americans will be trying hard to forget the horror of the terrorist attacks that took place exactly three years ago.

9/11 anniversary sees uptick in Mydoom


Google, the ubiquitous Internet search engine, is taking the University of Michigan #39;s library from Ann Arbor to the world. BY THE NUMBERS.

MIKE WENDLAND: UM #39;s entire library to be put on Google


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc. <A HREF=

Caterpillar Earnings Rise But Shares Fall


Reuters - Ford Motor Co. (F.N) said on Monday it\has stopped production at its assembly plant in Georgia for at\least a day because of lack of parts.

Ford Halts Plant Output for Lack of Parts (Reuters)


Scientists discover a new group of giant apes in central Africa, which could be a new species of primate.

'New' giant ape found in DR Congo


Eight men charged with planning terrorist attacks in Britain and the US have entered no pleas in a British court guarded by some of the tightest security ever seen.

Eight terror suspects appear in British court


Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to terms Thursday with closer Jose Mesa on a one-year contract, with a club option for 2006.

Pirates agree to terms with Mesa and Torres


Jeff DaVanon became the fourth player in Anaheim Angels history -nd first in more than 13 years  -hit for the cycle, accomplishing the feat Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals.

Angels #39; Jeff DaVanon hits for the cycle


AP - Free agent Pedro Martinez met with the general manager of the New York Mets in his home country, a month after helping the Boston Red Sox win their first World Series title since 1918, a baseball source told The Associated Press.

Pedro Martinez Meets With Mets' GM (AP)


Lisa Leslie recorded the third triple-double in WNBA history, finishing with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks in Los Angeles #39; win over defending league champion Detroit.

UNDATED: third straight.


LOS ANGELES Punitive damages of 100 (m) million dollars awarded to the family of a man who sued tobacco giant Philip Morris have been slashed in half by a state appeals court in Los Angeles.

Appeals court cuts punitive damages in tobacco suit to \$50 million


An emotional letdown? For the first World Series in Boston in 18 years? Ask the Red Sox if they might take the Cardinals lightly tonight in Game 1 of the 100th World Series, and they look at you like they did when they first laid eyes on Pedro Martinez's 29-inch-tall actor pal, Nelson de la Rosa.

Sox don't underestimate challenge


Ryder Cup captain #39;s pick Stewart Cink continued his assault on the \$7 million NEC Invitational after completing his rain-delayed second round in two-under-par 68 on Saturday.

Cink leads from Woods after second round of NEC


At an EU-China Summit on Wednesday, the EU said now was not the time to lift its arms embargo on China. However, EU leaders held out the prospect of ending the ban perhaps next year, despite opposition from the US.

EU to Work toward Ending China Arms Ban


The latest news in the Ricky Williams saga - that he has instructed agent Leigh Steinberg to explore avenues for a return -as all the impact of a wet diaper with his ex-Miami Dolphins teammates.

Ex-teammates sour on Williams


The Terrapins found the lanes underneath closed and the basket unreachable against an impenetrable Badgers defense, and No. 25 Wisconsin (3-1) beat No.

Frozen out


So it will be that hottie Maria Sharapova grunting her way to a second...no? Got beat? Then it #39;s that tempestuous nude-posing Marilyn Manson-look-alike Anastasia Myskina gunning for a second...no? Elena Dementieva?

All-Russian US Open Final a Tough Sell for US Television


FRANKFURT, Nov 19 (AFP) - US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan deflated European hopes Friday for coordinated central bank intervention to check the record-setting pace of the euro.

Greenspan sceptical about central bank intervention, warns on US <b>...</b>


If every postseason game were an opener, the Metrodome would be filled with World Series banners. Eight times in a row, Minnesota has won the first game of a playoff.

Twins would be better off with best-of-one


What happens to a society when its fulcrum - its mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses, farm workers - die in their prime?

Hut by Hut, AIDS Steals Life in a Southern Africa Town


Neumann, the 1988 US Women #39;s Open champion, closed with a final-round 68 for a 15-under 273 total, for her first win since the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship in 1998.

Neumann wins first LPGA title in 6 years


BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- China is granting some foreigners permanent residence in the country with a  quot;green card, quot; a credit card-sized photo ID that was revealed to the public at a press conference here Friday.

China hands out  quot;green card, quot; winning acclaim of foreigners


PHILLIP ISLAND - Italian Valentino Rossi, closing in on a fourth consecutive premier race world title, grabbed provisional pole after initial qualifying at the Australian MotoGP earlier today.

Rossi takes provisional pole in Australia


ICANN, the body that oversees the core functionality of the Internet and is responsible for regulating top level domains or TLDs (such as .

.mobi domain approved


Athens, Greece - In response to two scoring controversies that overshadowed the best US gymnastics performance in Olympic history, an official with the sport #39;s international governing body says it will review judging procedures and the rule book that

Judge not, lest ye be judged


Back in the days when the Washington Senators were losers, which was often, there was a saying:  quot;First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League.

A 3-Decade Campaign Is Over: Baseball Is Back in Washington


BRISBANE (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard  officially launched his government's campaign on Sunday for an  Oct. 9 election with billion-dollar promises to woo voters and  a defiant stand against terror.

Australia's Gov't Targets Security in Election Bid


MILAN (Reuters) - Citigroup launched a legal challenge  against Parmalat's restructuring plan on Friday, hitting back  after the insolvent food group rejected its claims for credit  repayment and sued the bank for damages.

Citigroup, Parmalat Brawl Over Billions


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the U.S. economy picking up  steam, the year's fourth straight interest-rate hike looked  like a certainty at Wednesday's meeting of the Federal  Reserve's Open Market Committee, economists said.

Fed Seen Likely to Raise Interest Rates


Dr David Graham, associate director for science in the Office of Drug Safety at FDA, alleged in a  quot;series of testy e-mail exchanges quot; that agency officials  quot;delayed and demeaned quot; the results of a study he conducted that found Vioxx -- a COX-2 inhibitor

FDA Researcher Says Supervisors Delayed Vioxx Study That Found <b>...</b>


SPACE.com - While you may never have pondered the similarity between a common bar magnet and a \  star, nbsp;astronomers do, and they believe they have figure out why the two disparate bodies are \  sometimes strikingly similar.

Mystery of Magnetic Stars Solved (SPACE.com)


AP - The State Department on Tuesday relaxed departure rules for nonessential U.S. Embassy employees and their families in Nepal but reiterated its advice for Americans to defer travel to the Himalayan country.

U.S. Eases Some Travel Rules for Nepal (AP)


AP - The players hear it and so do the coaches. The perception is out there that Syracuse football is in a downward spiral.

Is Syracuse Football on Permanent Slide? (AP)


AP - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand a lower court's ruling that upheld a county ordinance banning gun shows on government property such as fairgrounds.

Supreme Court OKs Calif. Gun Show Bans (AP)


The MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) has just announced that its super-small MMC cards will be adopting new logos and capabilities.

Enter your e-mail:


AP - Steve Smith had surgery Tuesday on his broken left leg, leaving the Carolina Panthers searching for replacements for their top receiver and punt returner.

Steve Smith Has Surgery; Panthers Seek 2 (AP)


Steve Francis and Grant Hill combine for 54 points to guide the climbing Magic over the 76ers, 105-99, on Saturday night.

Truly 'Magical' Tandem


The four hurricanes that recently struck the southeastern United States left a lingering imprint on the national economy by pushing up oil prices, wiping out jobs and disrupting shipments of fruits and vegetables to grocery stores.

Hurricanes Leave Huge Economic Footprint


ALES are still falling at Marks  amp; Spencer, the company revealed today, sparking fresh fears for the retailers recovery. The group confirmed that half-year profits will be between 285m-295m, in line with

Gloom continues at M amp;S


(AGI) - Vatican City, Sept. 24 - In these hours, the  quot;incessant prayer of the Christian community continues quot; for the liberation of the two Italian hostages in Iraq.

BISHOPS WORRIED ABOUT ITALIAN HOSTAGES


MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- We can only imagine how enjoyable that flight home was for the Boston College party.

A peak performance


US stock futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Tuesday as investors take a step back after last week #39;s three-day rally, with shares of drug maker Merck  amp; Co.

Stocks Seen Slightly Lower; Merck Down


One of the feel-good stories of the Olympics turned sour Saturday, becoming the latest in a long line of scoring controversies that seem to show up in every Games.

Scoring goof taints gold


Oracle Corp. #39;s newfound control of PeopleSoft won #39;t result in vast improvements to the E-Business Suite, according to analysts, but it could result in long-term benefits for users of both application suites.

Oracle merger to result in few app improvements


(Baghdad, Iraq-AP) Oct. 9, 2004 - A senior aide to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr says militiamen loyal to him will begin handing over weapons to Iraqi police next week.

Al-Sadr aide says militia will begin handing over weapons Monday


Freelance photographer Nicolas Reynard died yesterday. The seaplane in which he was traveling crashed in the Negro River near Manaus in northern Brazil.

Geographic Photographer Dies in Amazon Plane Crash


Lost in Notre Dame #39;s disappointing 20-17 loss to Brigham Young last week was the surprise start of sophomore Tom Zbikowski at strong safety.

Zbikowski makes impact in Irish debut


The new head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday signaled the lender would take a larger role in speaking out about policies in the world #39;s richest nations if they pose global economic risks.

UPDATE 1-Rato asserts stronger IMF role in rich countries


THE fight over what #39;s going to replace your DVDs has heated up as three major movie studios announce support for one of two competing next-generation formats.

DVD battle a fight to the death


Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), the legendary Xeroxinstitution that pioneered graphical user interfaces, Ethernet and laser printing, is set to announce on Tuesday a multiyear research and development agreement with Fujitsu.

PARC signs multiyear research deal with Fujitsu


The FCC has voted to approve a spectrum swap for Nextel to keep emergency radio spectrum clean from interference. We let you know that it was likely to be approved, as late as yesterday.

FCC approves Nextel spectrum swap


This article discusses how a virus outbreak will produce a few unique opportunities to examine the health of an organization's network -- and learn ways to further harden the network from future automated attacks.

Infocus: Lessons Learned from Virus Infections


AFP - The US Army acknowleged that eight prisoners have died in US military custody in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled the Taliban regime, two more than previously disclosed.

US Army acknowledges eight deaths in military custody in Afghanistan (AFP)


Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says the growing US budget deficit might destabilize the economy. Fed Governor Susan Bies says Congress spends like it #39;s dipping into a  quot;a cookie jar.

Fed warns of growing budget gap


Decades before I could definitively identify the business end of a golf stick, I was a baseball player. Decades before I could definitively identify the business end of a golf stick, I was a baseball player.

Boys from Beantown provide lesson for all


Cheap telephone calls made using broadband internet connections came a step closer yesterday when Ofcom, the industry regulator, laid out its plans to help the take-up of the new technology.

New numbering system planned for internet calls


A federal judge said that a Supreme Court ruling in 2000 required a clause allowing abortions if a women's health is at risk.

Law Banning Type of Abortion Is Unconstitutional, Judge Says


WASHINGTON - The US West, already suffering from a long drought, could be in for worse if past patterns hold up, experts said in the latest issue of the journal Science.

could worsen, study finds


Shares of Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) sunk nearly 16 percent before the bell on Tuesday, after the chicken producer #39;s quarterly earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates.

Before-the-Bell: Sanderson Farms Falls


Ferrari grand slams have been taken for granted in formula one over the past five years. But Rubens Barrichello #39;s close victory over Michael Schumacher here in the Italian grand prix was a remarkable success

Monza rain makes it a perfect day for Ferrari


p2pnet.net OT News:- The idea was for helicopter stunt pilots to catch the Genesis space capsule in mid-air and bring it gently back to earth.

Genesis mission: hopes are high


Glenn McGrath tormented New Zealand with bat and ball and Shane Warne took four wickets Sunday as Australia won by an innings and 156 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-test cricket series.

Australia wins series opener? (updated PM 1:52)


The Associated Press By Alex Veiga

News: Source: Hollywood to sue server operators behind BitTorrent, eDonkey


A self-proclaimed stock guru was alternately described as a crusader and a crook yesterday in opening arguments of his federal racketeering trial in Brooklyn.

Penny stock scammer tried


American pair Misty May and Kerri Walsh continued their unbeaten streak to reach the final of the women #39;s beach volleyball competition.

US women power to final


Interstate Bakeries Corp. (IBC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday filed for bankruptcy after struggling with more than \$1.3 billion in debt and weak demand for bread products

Interstate Bakeries files bankruptcy


The Boston Red Sox clinched their second straight trip to the playoffs, rallying past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7-3 Monday night behind Manny Ramirez #39;s AL-leading 43rd home run.

AL Capsules


Federal procurement spending in the Washington area rose last year at its highest rate since the 1980s, according to a study to be released today, creating tens of thousands of jobs and increasing economic growth disproportionately in Northern Virginia.

Government Spending Up Sharply Locally


AP - Hiring is picking up and President Bush is on track to preside over job growth in his second term, shedding the Herbert Hoover label of being the first president since the Great Depression to lose jobs under his watch.

Bush Has a Plan to Create Jobs (AP)


Australian supermarket group Coles Myer has admitted defeat in the takeover battle for Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) after rival bidder Woolworths said it had secured more than 20 of its target.

AUSTRALIA: Woolworths wins battle for ALH


Samsung Electronics, largest producer of color monitors, color TV sets, memory chips, and LCD displays, has announced the  quot;first-ever mobile phone with an internal hard drive quot; (Samsung #39;s slogan for this phone) on Tuesday.

Samsung launches camera phone with hard drive


Olympic swimming champion, Michael Phelps, withdrew from the  quot; World Short Course Championships quot; in Indianapolis last night because of tightness in his back.

Michael Phelps Suffers Back Pain


PeopleSoft (PSFT:Nasdaq - news - research) Wednesday publicly rejected Oracle #39;s (ORCL:Nasdaq - news - research) \$24-a-share takeover offer, saying the \$8.

PeopleSoft Rejects Oracle Bid


SAN FRANCISCO--The next battle between top Internet phone service providers Vonage and AT amp;T will involve features like voice mail, according to key executives at both companies.

Yes, but can your VoIP service do this?


MARION Jones, once regarded as the world #39;s finest woman athlete, could be banned despite never having failed a drugs test and be stripped of her Olympic gold medals.

Jones faces ban and medal stripping after expos


Even though a year has passed since former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was arrested, terrorism continues to escalate. Saddam was assumed to be organizer of the resistance in Iraq and was arrested on December 13 of last year on his farm in Tigrit.

Saddam #39;s Cause Remains Strong Without Him


United Nations employees marked the anniversary of the Baghdad bombing with a demand for better security. The fear of further attacks hangs heavy as the world body anticipates a greater role in Iraq, and other world hot spots.

UN Staff Marks Baghdad Bomb Anniversary with Security Demand


Reuters - Hundreds of thousands of Sikhs congregated in the northern Indian city of Amritsar on Tuesday for the 400th anniversary celebration of the installation of the Sikh sacred book at the religion's holiest shrine.

Sikhs flock to Amritsar for Guru Granth Sahib anniversary (Reuters)


Harrah #39;s Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment Tuesday confirmed they have been in discussions with potential buyers for four properties, including an affiliate of Colony Capital.

Harrah #39;s East Chicago in sale talks


Russian President Vladimir Putin cast doubt on Tuesday over the viability of holding elections as planned next month in an Iraq under  quot;total occupation quot;.

Putin casts doubt on Iraq polls


WASHINGTON (Dow Jones/AP) - Financial services giant Citigroup says the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering recommending charges against two of its former employees and a current worker.

Ex-Citigroup execs under scrutiny of regulators


Anxious civilians trickled back into Tal Afar yesterday, digging through the rubble of buildings flattened during a nearly two-week siege by US-led forces targeting foreign fighters holed up in the city astride a smuggling route to Syria.

Tal Afar civilians return home after nearly two-week assault


The British Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Monday that Britain would host an international peace conference on the Middle East in London early next year after winning an agreement from the United States.

Britain to host Mideast peace summit


Woolworths has probably won the first phase of the battle for Australian Leisure  amp; Hospitality Group. Whether that translates into clear leadership of the Australian liquor retailing

Waiting for a counterblow


US actor Brandon Routh is cast as the man of steel in the new Superman film, due for release in 2006.

Unknown actor for Superman role


Search enabler Google Inc. said Wednesday it acquired digital mapping company Keyhole Corp. for an undisclosed sum. Keyhole maintains a multiterabyte database of digital images of geographic locations, culled from satellite and aerial snapshots.

Google buys digital mapping company


Marat Safin played his best tennis in quite some time, beating Andre Agassi 6-3, 7-6 (4) Saturday to advance to the final of the Madrid Masters.

Tennis Roundup


(Sports Network) - The New Jersey Nets lost their third straight game, as they were defeated by the Houston Rockets, 80-69, on Monday at Continental Airlines Arena.

New Jersey Nets Team Report - November 16


BOSTON - Tens of millions of people will cast their votes Nov. 2 in one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in recent U.S. history. But voters across the U.S. will encounter different voting technologies and procedures, with many counties nationwide clinging to punchcard, lever machine and even paper ballots, and the transition to electronic voting moving slowly in many states.

Despite federal money, no consistency in e-voting


Abu Musab al-Zarqawi #39;s Tawhid wal- Jihad group has declared its allegiance to the al-Qaeda terrorist network, according to a statement posted on an Islamist Web site.

Top Worldwide


Ian Paisley warned the IRA today that it was  quot;now or never quot; for Republicans if they wanted to conclude a deal on powersharing with his Democratic Unionist Party.

Paisley says it #39;s now or never for IRA after No 10 meeting


Reuters - Hog and pork producer Smithfield Foods\Inc. (SFD.N) on Thursday said quarterly earnings more than\doubled due to higher hog prices and the acquisition last year\of Farmland Foods.

Smithfield Foods Profit More Than Doubles (Reuters)


The killing of a filmmaker critical of Islam puts new strains on Dutch traditions of tolerance and will fuel demands for tougher treatment of immigrants, analysts and commentators said on Wednesday.

ANALYSIS-Suspected Islamist killing tests Dutch tolerance


New lawsuits include one against a Web hosting company that called itself

Microsoft Files More Spam Suits


One phenomenon that has become quite obvious from the vast numbers of virus victims over the last year is that people click first and ask questions later.

Think Before You Click to Avoid Viruses and Scams


Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyrone Calico is expected to undergo surgery Thursday on his injured left knee.

Titans #39; Calico to have surgery


AFP - Sales of new US homes plunged in July for the second straight month, data showed, a sign of chillier demand cooling the once red-hot market.

US new home sales dive 6.4 percent in July (AFP)


Jerusalem, Sep 6 (PTI) Israel and Russia today signed an agreement to fight terrorism and agreed to explore every possible means to step up intelligence gathering to root out the  quot;global scourge.

Israel, Russia to fight terror jointly


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration  staff reviewers on Tuesday questioned clinical data for  non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Marqibo, made by Inex  Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc..

FDA Reviewers Mixed Over Two New Cancer Drugs


A third of people trying to lose weight find they actually end up piling on the pounds, a survey finds.

Dieters 'likely to put on weight'


The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide warning after having discovered residue of untested pesticides in ginseng imported by a New Jersey firm.

FDA Warns About Pesticides Found in Ginseng


Meanwhile, the favored candidate, Mahmoud Abbas, escaped injury as Palestinians waged a deadly gun battle during a mourning service for Yasir Arafat.

Palestinians Schedule Election for Jan. 9


Manny Ramirez said in the spring that he'd love to win a Most Valuable Player award, but he knows better than to pin his hopes on it, regardless of how well he plays.

MVP: Manny, very possibly


Toyota have cleared the way for Jordan to compete in Formula One next season by agreeing to supply the troubled team with engines at  quot;an affordable price quot;.

UPDATE 1-Jordan offered Toyota engines for 2005


WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States warned it might boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over the chairmanship of the Southeast Asian grouping in 2006, unless the military-ruled state improves its human rights record.

US may boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over helm in 2006


Eden Prairie, MN (Sports Network) - One day after being upgraded to doubtful, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss has been listed as out for Sunday #39;s game against the Green Bay Packers due to a right hamstring injury.

Moss to miss second straight game


TOKYO (Reuters) - A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the  Richter scale jolted eastern Japan including Tokyo on Wednesday  evening, but there was no danger of tsunami tidal waves, the  Metereorological Agency said.

Strong Quake, 5.8 on Richter, Jolts Tokyo


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices slid from record highs  above \$50 a barrel Wednesday as the U.S. government reported a  surprise increase in crude stocks and rebels in Nigeria's  oil-rich delta region agreed to a preliminary cease-fire with  the government.

Oil Ends Below \$50 on Nigerian Cease-Fire


: Insurgents attacked British troops at a checkpoint in central Iraq, killing three and wounding eight in a suicide bomb and mortar barrage aimed at soldiers sent to the high-risk area

Three British soldiers killed in Iraq suicide attack


AP - Tennessee kept its promise. The 15th-ranked Volunteers pledged after losing 34-10 to Auburn in October that they would face the Tigers again in the Southeastern Conference championship. And the Vols will on Saturday in the Georgia Dome.

Vols Keep Promise of Rematch With Auburn (AP)


Five people die after an explosion hits a car used by election staff in south-eastern Afghanistan, the UN says.

Five killed in Afghan poll blast


Johnson  amp; Johnson said Wednesday night that it would acquire Indianapolis-based medical device manufacturer Guidant Corp. for \$25.4 billion.

J amp;J to buy Guidant for \$25.4 billion


The Federal Trade Commission said Friday that it will make Sprint Corp. pay \$1.125 million to settle charges that the telecommunications giant skirted federal credit laws.

Sprint settles FTC claim for \$1.125M