Iron ore miner BHP Billiton has announced a further expansion of its Pilbara operations, to meet continuing demand in Asia. Under its \$780 million Rapid Growth Project, BHP Billiton will increase its overall

BHP Billiton to expand Pilbara operations


AP - In a cathedral ankle-deep in mud and overturned pews, Haitians prayed for 1,500 killed by Tropical Storm Jeanne and gave thanks for their lives  #151; though most lost homes and belongings  #151; while the United Nations rushed in hundreds more peacekeepers to stem looting by gangsters and ordinary citizens of the ravaged city of Gonaives.

Haitians Pray for 1,500 Killed by Jeanne (AP)


NEW YORK - Former President Clinton was alert and talking on Tuesday, a day after undergoing a heart operation to bypass four severely clogged arteries.    Clinton remained in intensive care at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia and was

Clinton Talking, Taking Liquids


Everton manager David Moyes has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until 2009. The 41-year-old Scot has steered the Toffees to third place in the Barclays Premiership table despite last

Moyes signs new deal


COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- They #39;d roared and swayed nearly non-stop for four hours, but as Ty Branyon #39;s final Hail Mary heave sailed toward the end zone, the 81,125 spectators at Kyle Field couldn #39;t have been more quiet.

Is Oklahoma Orange-worthy?


Experts at a UK anti-virus firm have discovered a job application buried in lines of code for two new computer worm viruses. The message, which could only be read by anti-virus professionals, said:  quot;We searching 4 work in AV (anti-virus) industry.

Job application hidden in virus code


Riggs National Corp. said Tuesday that it lost \$10 million in the third quarter, largely the result of \$13 million in fees for a small army of lawyers and consultants to help it navigate a growing list of criminal, regulatory and civil matters.

Legal Woes Cut Into Bottom Line at Riggs


For Rover, a once revered but now sullied brand name, it represents what one insider calls  quot;the last-chance saloon quot;. For China, a nascent economic superpower, it could be the start of a new phase as a global player in the world auto market.

Shanghai #39;s gain might be Birmingham #39;s loss


NEW YORK - If you build it, they will come... or so Qualcomm hopes. The wireless chip and technology vendor is betting that if it constructs a nationwide network to stream television over cell phones, cellular

Qualcomm #39;s Field Of Streams


Several research teams are developing robots made of smart building blocks that can morph into different forms to perform a broad variety of tasks. The bots are to be used in space missions and in search-and-rescue efforts. By Lakshmi Sandhana.

Mutating Bots May Save Lives


AP - Previewing its fall strategy, John Kerry's presidential campaign will buy  #36;45 million worth of commercial time in 20 states through Election Day, including spots on cable television and advertising geared toward minorities.

Kerry Will Buy  #36;45M TV Time in 20 States (AP)


BANGKOK (AFP) - A 60-year-old Buddhist man has been killed and seven people injured in a blast at a market in southern Thailand, the fourth in less than 24 hours in the violence-wracked Muslim-majority area, police said.

Fourth blast in 24 hours hits southern Thailand


AP - Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor was upgraded to probable Friday and should start at Houston despite a leg injury.

Jaguars Upgrade RB Taylor As Probable (AP)


IBM (Quote, Chart) and AMD (Quote, Chart) have devised a new silicon transistor technology they claim will boost the speeds of single- and dual-core chips.

Chipmakers Advance Transistor Technology


IBM, Sony, and Toshiba dropped some details on the co-developed next generation processor, code-named Cell, which was first announced in 2001.

Tech Trio Share Cell Processor Details


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court opened its  new term on Monday, with two hours of arguments on federal  sentencing rules and the rejection of some 1,800 appeals,  including a challenge by telemarketers to the government's  popular do-not-call list.

U.S. Supreme Court Terms Begins


Europe will enter the 12 singles matches holding a 11-5 lead and needing to finish with only 14 points to retain the Ryder Cup.

For the U.S., a Big Deficit and Little Time to Come Back


The locals #39; love of luxury sport viewing has prompted Breeders #39; Cup Ltd., the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie to offer temporary suites for the first time in the event #39;s 20-year history.

How suite it is at Dallas #39; Lone Star Park


Militants who say they are holding three foreigners hostage in Afghanistan say talks are about to open.

Kabul kidnappers 'ready to talk'


Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar is passed fit for the third Test against Australia in Nagpur.

Cricket: Tendulkar fit for Test


WASHINGTON: Another small hike in US interest rates is seen as a certainty when Federal Reserve policy-makers meet on Wednesday - a step on the march toward a level of rates necessary to underpin long-term expansion.

Fed to raise US rates to underpin steady growth


ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - The Utah Utes have something the Washington Huskies dont: a pure big man blessed with silky talents. But the Huskies have something the Utes dont: swarming, suffocating, overwhelming quickness.

Huskies quickness overwhelms Utes


Google has announcing five new content partners and a massive scanning project that will bring millions of volumes of printed books into the Google Print database.

Google Partners with Oxford, Harvard   Others to Digitize Libraries


Microsoftis again using the courts to pursue individuals allegedly responsible for spam e-mail campaigns, this time going after those who send out unsolicited and sexually explicit e-mail.

Microsoft files suits against smut spammers


US soldiers have discovered a series of underground bunkers in the Iraqi city of Fallujah . That word comes from a CNN correspondent embedded with a unit of the First Infantry Division.

Bunkers, Human Remains Found In Fallujah


Scientists get their first look at a virus attaching to DNA. Physical proof of this surprising interaction could lead to drugs that can stop some infections. By Kristen Philipkoski.

Catching a Virus in the Act


Video footage of 10 more hostages kidnapped in Iraq was today broadcast on the al-Jazeera television channel as the British government again said it would not negotiate to free Kenneth Bigley.

Film shows 10 new Iraq hostages


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Tuesday  approved the importation of up to 4 million doses of influenza  vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline <A HREF=

HHS Buys 'Experimental' Glaxo Flu Vaccine


News.com: Yahoo fixed two flaws in its free mail system that could have allowed a malicious user to read a victim #39;s browser cookies and change the appearance of some pages, Yahoo said Thursday.

Yahoo fixes two flaws in mail system


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has lent its full support to United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan and wishes to see him complete his remaining tenure in office.

Islamabad backs Kofi Annan


For a year, Microsoft Corp. has extolled the virtues of the Can-Spam Act, which Congress passed in late 2003 to crack down on purveyors of unwanted bulk e-mail.  But some think the software giant is engaged in its own spamming.
\\<FONT face=

Microsoft E-Mail Looks Like Spam to Some


The iPod looks set to make a further step into PDA territory if claims that Apple is preparing a 60GB model equipped with a 2in colour display and iPhoto synchronisation prove correct.

Apple colour-screen  #39;PhotoPod #39; said to be in production


The optimism that Paris expressed, at the end of last week, concerning releasing the kidnapped French journalists Chesnot and Malbrunot in Iraq, turned into caution at the beginning of this week.

Delay in Releasing the French


Reuters - Researchers who found a link between\country music and suicide, and a man who patented his combover\hairstyle won IgNobel Awards for true but funny experiments on\Thursday.

Country Music-Suicide Link Tops IgNobel Awards (Reuters)


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 13 Iraqis were killed in a  suicide car bomb attack on a major police checkpoint in central  Baghdad on Friday, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

Baghdad Car Bomb Death Toll Rises to 13 - Ministry


The United States grabbed top honors in the race for the world #39;s fastest supercomputer, beating out the Japanese computer that has held the title for more than two years.

IBM Celebrates Supercomputing Triumph


STOCKHOLM, Sweden - American researchers Richard Axel and Linda B. Buck shared the 2004 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine on Monday for their work on the sense of smell - showing how, for example, a person can smell a lilac in the spring and recall it in the winter...

U.S. Researchers Share 2004 Nobel Prize


Plus, Kellogg's healthy but plain, BellSouth's Cingular pursuit, and Wild Oats grows stale.

Disney Direct?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorated  in October as rising energy costs and persistent job worries  made Americans less optimistic about the future, according to a  survey released on Friday.

Consumer Sentiment Fades in October


Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin, while attending the APEC Summit in Santiago, Chile, tried to garner support among world leaders for his idea of instantiating a new world forum, a so-called L-20 group of leaders, consisting of the G-8 countries and the leaders of about 12 other emerging economic powers like India, China, Brazil and South Korea.  As The Toronto Star reported, the animated Prime Minister Martin literally had to be yanked away by his own handlers after describing in urgent tones the need for United Nations reform and for a new forum of world leaders that he wants to create. He bemoaned Sudanese being slaughtered while the UN dithers, he interrupted several questions from reporters to elaborate further, and Saturday he waved off an aide who tried cutting off a press conference.

Paul Martin Pushes For New World Forum


WHILE India was celebrating its Independence Day, another important event was taking place on the other side of the world, in Venezuela.

Tremendous Victory In Venezuela


Arlington, Va.-based EADS North America has purchased Racal Instruments Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of electronic tests and measurement equipment, for \$105 million.

EADS acquires Racal Instruments for \$105 million


Formula One outfit Sauber will switch to Michelin tyres next season after six seasons using Bridgestones. The Swiss team #39;s move means Ferrari are the only top team contracted to Bridgestone although Jordan and Minardi both used them in 2004.

Sauber switch to Michelin tyres


(IsraelNN.com) After 11:00am, the coffin of former IDF Chief of Staff and former Minister of Agriculture Rafael (Raful) Eitan arrived at his home community of Tel Adashim.

Hundreds Pay Last Respects to Rafael Eitan


BEIJING - China would come to a  #39;dead end #39; if it copied blindly from Western political systems, President Hu Jintao said yesterday on the eve of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) meeting focused on shoring up its own waning image and legitimacy.

Hu warns against aping Western politics


NEW YORK - Carl Krauser and his New York teammates won another  quot;home quot; game. Krauser, one of seven New York City area players on No.

Krauser sinks Tigers from free throw line


AP - CONFIDENCE SLIPS  #151; Fewer than half of Americans, 47 percent, think it's likely Iraq will establish a stable, democratic government. In April, 55 percent said they believed such a government probably would be established.

Summary: Faith in Democratic Iraq Slips (AP)


A program called HIPSchools lets parents track assignments and communicate with teachers online. For a Brooklyn middle school with a failing grade from the state, the system has meant a dramatic turnaround. By Cyrus Farivar.

School Ups Grade by Going Online


Frustrated members of the Jets' offense have been venting all week about their shortcomings after Sunday's 17-6 loss to Pittsburgh.

What's Wrong With Jets? Not Enough Points


ATHENS, Greece - In an upset as historic as it was inevitable, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson and the rest of the U.S. basketball team lost 92-73 to Puerto Rico on Sunday, only the third Olympic loss ever for America and its first since adding pros...

U.S. Men Stunned by Puerto Rico, 92-73


Twenty months after the Columbia tragedy, NASA is still struggling to overcome serious engineering hurdles to resume flying its space shuttles in March, a task that has become even tougher

NASA Struggles for Shuttles #39; Return


Revamped website signals desire for broader customer base

Alienware evolves from gamers to corporates


BAGHDAD -- Iraq's electoral commission yesterday set Jan. 30 for elections to choose a National Assembly, a vote that could deliver power to Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim majority after decades of disenfranchisement. The balloting, however, remains imperiled by calls for a Sunni Muslim boycott and a persistent insurgency that has roiled Sunni regions.

National Assembly elections set for Jan. 30


Now that NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit is finally examining bedrock in the

Bedrock in Mars' Gusev Crater Hints at Watery Past


Massachusetts exports grew at a record pace in the first nine months of the year, surging 19 percent from the same period the year before, Alliance for the Commonwealth, the research arm of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, reported. Through September, Bay State companies exported \$16.4 billion in goods to overseas markets, keeping them on pace to break the annual export ...

Mass. exports increase 19 in year


AT amp;T on Monday announced it will add virus and worm protection features to its Internet Protect service. It helps businesses to protect themselves from a variety of security threats without deploying firewalls at each location.

AT amp;T upgrades Internet Protect


Reuters - Oil prices climbed above  #36;41 a barrel\on Monday after Saudi Arabia cut January crude deliveries to\clients in Asia, confirming that the top exporter was adhering\to OPEC's agreement last week to curb excess supply.

Oil Above  #36;41 as Saudi Cuts Supplies (Reuters)


GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia Tuesday said authorities were working hard for the release of a CNN producer and urged the kidnappers to free him.

Palestinian PM Calls For CNN Producer #39;s Release


Reuters - Orders for long-lasting U.S. durable\goods slipped unexpectedly in August as demand for civilian\aircraft plunged, but the data beat expectations once\transportation was stripped out, government data showed on\Friday.

Durable Goods Fall as Aircraft Orders Off (Reuters)


Carlos Ferreira was Manny Ramirez's Little League coach back in Washington Heights, a Dominican neighborhood in New York City, where it all began 20 years ago.

Red Sox Star Keeps Bit of His Past in Present


By Bloomberg News. Whole Foods Market Inc., the largest natural-foods grocer in the United States, said yesterday that fourth-quarter profit rose 27 percent as sales increased.

Profit Rises 27 at Whole Foods


AFP - A right-wing militant accused of shooting at French President Jacques Chirac during the Bastille Day parade in 2002 is to go on trial for attempted murder in Paris on Monday.

Man accused of shooting at France's Chirac faces trial (AFP)


MATANZAS, Cuba -- The photo on the living room wall shows a smiling young man on a palm-fringed balcony near his new home in Miami, just 90 miles from here. His aging parents and grandmother fear they may not live to see him again -- and they blame President Bush.

Cubans say US remittance policy unfair


(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Curt Schilling in the offseason so they would be able to experience the jubilation of finally winning a World Series for the first time since 1918.

Schilling wants to quiet Yankee Stadium crowd


Jakarta: At least 10 people were killed and almost 50 injured when a passenger plane skidded off a rain-slicked runway and seven crew aboard the plane operated by budget airline Lion Air, which was landing at Adisumarno airport in the city of Solo after a

10 dead, 50 hurt in Indonesian plane mishap


China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., the countrys largest airline, said over the weekend it would buy assets worth US\$2 billion from its State parent as part of a restructuring of the fragmented industry.

China Southern buys assets to restructure


AP - European Union regulators will decide Tuesday whether Oracle Corp.'s hostile  #36;7.7 billion bid for rival business software concern PeopleSoft Inc. can proceed, the EU's antitrust chief said Friday.

EU to Rule on Oracle's Bid for PeopleSoft (AP)


Aching to go home and campaign, senators agree to a bevy of votes today to get their tax overhaul through. By Associated Press. WASHINGTON - The Senate late Sunday resolved a dispute delaying passage of a sweeping

Senate to vote on corporate tax package


Marcus Wilson has been the invisible man on Notre Dame #39;s football roster. The 5-11, 202-pound senior tailback from Staten Island had his moments at Poly Prep, once rushing for 358 yards against Valley Forge Prep in 2000.

Local guys sink Navy


Scott Kazmir won his major league debut with five impressive innings, and Jose Cruz Jr. hit a three-run homer to lead the Tampa Bay Devil Rays past the Seattle Mariners 9-0 Monday night.

GAME DAY RECAP Monday, August 23


Europe s Mars Express is gathering data regarding the geological and atmospheric processes on the red planet -- information that might shore up the case that present-day life is percolating subsurface.

Mars Express Yields Provocative Observations


Company says laptop-like technology will be useful in server systems, where it can help companies save on electricity and cooling costs in data centers.

Improved power management planned for Opteron


Eli Manning will likely develop into an elite quarterback, maybe even a special one, and yet he will never, ever scare a defense quite like Michael Vick.

Eli #39;s future up in the air


Over the years, the ground has produced some of the most endearing moments between the two countries. In the 1969-70 series, the match produced a shoot-out between two of the best post-war

History promises memorable Chennai encounter


MELBOURNE: Australian dairy group National Foods Ltd said yesterday it is continuing merger talks with SPC Ardmona despite becoming a takeover target itself.

National Foods continues merger talks with SPC


Danish electronics equipment maker RTX Telecom RTX.CO said on Monday it had signed an agreement with Skype, a provider of Internet-based voice telephony, to develop and market cordless handsets.

RTX Provides Cordless Phones for Net-Based Calls


On Board Special Aircraft: India on Saturday said it will hold  quot;substantial quot; talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during his to New Delhi from November 23 and  quot;certainly look quot; at any  quot;formal quot; proposal by Islamabad on Kashmir but firmly ruled

India to hold  #39;substantial #39; talks with visiting Pak premier


Technology to Drive Changes in Search Engine Marketing\\The coming years will be much more interesting as the business of search transits from its adolescence into adulthood. Search engine marketing has matured and is now viewed as an important component in mainstream marketing. The environment is going to change becoming more ...


FASHION plate Serena Williams revealed yesterday she was progressing through the US Open against the advice of three doctors, who were concerned her injured left knee was not ready for the rigours of a grand slam.

Serena rebels for a cause


roundup Plus: Shopping.com holders cut IPO shares...Transmeta starts new chip, warns on earnings...Keynote to buy researcher Vividence.

Briefly: Groups push on for TV on cell phones


US Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth resigned on Thursday after serving in the post for less than six months. Danforth, 68, said in a letter released Thursday

US ambassador to UN resigns


Regional phone companies still would have to share their networks with companies competing for local business customers but eventually wouldn #39;t have to do the same for rivals

Small Businesses May Get Break on Phones


Canada #39;s dollar gained for the fifth week in six, reaching the highest since January 1992, on speculation the central bank will lift its interest-rate target next month.

Canadian Dollar Gains for Fifth Week in Six on Rate Prospects


Scientists disagree on the origins of the annual Geminid shower but agree that conditions this year favor a spectacular show. Shooting stars of mysterious origin promise a spectacular sky-show tonight for

Mystery meteors slice sky tonight


Upon hearing the news that Steve Spurrier turned down the chance to return to the University of Florida, Southwest Florida Gator Club president-elect Corbyn Hightower exchanged a few calls and e-mails with fellow Gators.

Locals take Spurrier decision in stride


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia #39;s former chairman and largest outside holder, Jeffrey Ubben, sold more than half his stake in the company this month as the shares reached their highest price in more than two years.

Around The Nation


AP - Animal handlers agonized over the issue for more than a year: the wisdom of moving Alaska's only elephant away from the only home she has ever known. Nine elephant experts were consulted from zoos and animal parks in the United States and Canada, and a decision was made: Maggie stays.

Alaska's Lone Elephant Getting Treadmill (AP)


Diamond Ferri ran for two touchdowns and returned an interception for another as Syracuse defeated No. 21 Boston College 43-17, likely knocking the Eagles from a Bowl Championship Series game.

Syracuse Upsets No. 21 Boston College 43-17: College Football


Reuters - A strict ban on granting new logging\concessions in Congo's rainforest must be maintained while the\poor African country struggles to recover from years of war,\conservationists said on Saturday.

Conservationists Fear for Congo's Rainforests (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set to open higher on  Tuesday after an economic report showed U.S. consumer prices  dropped in July for the first time in eight months and another  report said U.S. housing starts rebounded sharply in July.

Stocks Set to Open Up After Reports


SOUTH BEND, Ind. - One day after being dismissed as Notre Dame football coach, Tyrone Willingham admitted that he failed to live up to his own expectations.

Fired Willingham blames only himself


The Dolphins have acquired Lamar Gordon from the St. Louis Rams for a third-round draft choice next season. The deal fills the apparent void at running back for Miami, although Gordon #39;s impact likely won #39;t be felt in the first week of the season.

Fantasy Spin:


The Toronto Raptors traded six-time All-Star Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets for three players, including center Alonzo Mourning, and two first-round draft picks.

Toronto trades Carter


Fifth Third Bancorp, the ninth largest US bank, on Thursday said fourth-quarter profit will fall well short of analyst forecasts, as it takes \$340 million of

UPDATE 2-Fifth Third balance sheet fix to cut profit


The cars finally set to the track for the first official practice Friday for the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher down the list.

Cars on track for official practice session in Chinese Grand Prix


18 August 2004 -- There has been renewed fighting in the Iraqi city of Al-Najaf between US and Iraqi troops and Shi #39;a militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Fighting Resumes In Al-Najaf After Peace Mission Fails


Chinas annual inflation rate dropped sharply in November, heartening policy makers who have been striving to cool the economy and reducing chances of a further rise in interest rates in the near term.

Chinas inflation falls sharply in November


They're small, smart and vigilant, the sort of miniature technology that science fiction writers once dreamed of. But the battery-powered, wireless sensors sometimes known as

Tiny Sensors That  Can Track Anything


If yesterday's MSTCA Invitational at Franklin Park was a warmup for next week's Eastern Massachusetts championships, then Haverhill's Jefferson Welch should consider himself ready.

Quick start works for Welch


Reuters - The number of Americans filing first\claims for jobless pay fell 3,000 last week, the Labor\Department said on Thursday in a report showing no impact from\Hurricane Charley which struck Florida last Friday.

Jobless Claims Dip, No Storm Effect (Reuters)


YUKOS has sold a 56 per cent stake in a Siberian natural gas company to the Anglo-Russian joint venture TNK-BP to pay off its crushing tax bill, Western oil sources and media reports said today.

Yukos sells gas stake


Third baseman Tony Batista officially files for free agency Thursday, becoming the most significant member of the new Washington franchise to do so.

T. Batista a Free Agent


AP - Despite losing his most dependable big man, Chris Mullin believes his offseason moves will help the Golden State Warriors end their long playoff drought.

Mullin Confident About Warriors' Future (AP)


Searching for scapegoats? Try horrormeister Stephen King, who tossed a ceremonial first pitch.

Agony of defeat


In a trade dispute that could spread to one of Washington state #39;s biggest exports -- apples -- the World Trade Organization gave the go-ahead yesterday for punitive sanctions on US products.

WTO OKs sanctions on US products


A stubby rocket plane powered its rockets and blasted through Earths atmosphere for a second time in two weeks today to capture a \$10-million prize meant to encourage space tourism.

Private spaceship wins \$10M prize


The Houston Astros refuse to live in the past, especially with their immediate future looking so bright. Roy Oswalt, the National League #39;s only 20-game winner, will try to give Houston a commanding lead in

Astros-Braves Game 2 preview


CALGARY (CP) - A plan to build a new rail line to haul heavy equipment and supplies up to the oilsands in northern Alberta has  quot;substantial merit, quot; according to a study commissioned by the provincial government and the energy industry.

Oilsands transportation study calls for \$2.6 B road and rail <b>...</b>


To foster the rapid adoption of technology in high-growth markets throughout the world, AMD (www.amd.com) has unveiled a business strategy with initial participants in India, Mexico and the Caribbean to enable 50 percent of the world #39;s population with

AMD expands global reach


Ads served to search query results based on category rather than keywords.

Business-to-business online ad network launches


It #39;s almost certainly too little too late, although after what took place here on Saturday afternoon the rope reserved for the head coach has been put aside for the time being.

Win offers some relief for coach


BERLIN - Germany #39;s BMW AG said Monday the head of its ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce car brand, Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, has resigned to take up  quot;new responsibilities quot; outside the company, which has been struggling to meet its sales targets for the superluxury brand

Rolls-Royce Boss Steps Down After 5 Months


AP - A top African Union official said Wednesday the 53-nation group is ready to move thousands of troops to Sudan's western region of Darfur within days if it gets logistical support from Western nations and the United Nations

African Union Ready to Send GIs to Darfur (AP)


Reuters - Julius Jones scored on a 17-yard\touchdown run with 37 seconds left as the Dallas Cowboys scored\two touchdowns in the last two minutes to stun the Seattle\Seahawks 43-39 in the National Football League Monday.

Jones Leads Cowboys to Stunning Win Over Seahawks (Reuters)


AP - A judge's order requiring some provisional ballots in Michigan to be counted even if they are cast in the wrong precinct was put on hold Sunday, the second time in as many days that a federal appeals court dealt a setback to Democrats who wanted to ease voting restrictions.

Democrats Lose Mich. Ballots Court Ruling (AP)


No one knows for sure exactly what causes muscle soreness, but many scientists think that the delayed pain is caused by microscopic tears in the muscles.

Work Out Now, Ache Later: How Your Muscles Pay You Back


WASHINGTON - U.S. government agencies need to better understand the vulnerabilties of the software they're buying, said IT workers from several government agencies during a software assurance forum in Washington, D.C., this week.

US government agencies aim for software assurance


AP - If you've got better things to do than pour over the finer points of your stock portfolio, and you don't care to study the performance records and investing styles of mutual fund managers, chances are you've invested in an equity index fund.

Index Funds Can Be a Great Tool (AP)


Tech weakness hurts composite, while broader market little changed ahead of expected Fed rate hike. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Techs slumped early Wednesday on disappointment about Cisco #39;s earnings, while the

Nasdaq on the slide


WASHINGTON - Factory orders for costly manufactured goods in July recorded the biggest gain in four months. Meanwhile, new-home sales slid, according to a pair of reports that offered a mixed picture of economic activity.

Durable-goods orders up; new-home sales down


Investors digested word today that Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) has lowered its sales forecast for August, with the possibility that same-store sales may come in flat to up 2.

Wal-Mart #39;s Roller-Coaster Summer


By the Telegram Staff. An annual IRS review shows 329 federal tax refunds totaling more than \$174,000 belonging to Nebraska taxpayers were returned to the IRS as undeliverable.

Several area taxpayers due refunds


When computer users hunt for information on the Internet, they typically turn to Google or Yahoo. When analysts working for US intelligence look for documents and data stored on computers

Agencies Find What They #39;re Looking For


Soccer will officially become football in Australia next year after the Australian Soccer Association announced Thursday it will change its name to Football Federation Australia.

Soccer to become football in Australia


Scientific evidence of increased heart attack risk associated with popular arthritis drug Vioxx was available as early as 2000, say Swiss scientists, although the drug was only withdrawn in September 2004.

Vioxx heart risks apparent for years


Reuters - A Polish-led multinational division in\charge of security in south-central Iraq faces disintegration\if more countries pull their troops out, Polish officials said\on Wednesday.

Pull-Outs Threaten Polish-Led Force in Iraq (Reuters)


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

Nikkei Up One Percent, Fujitsu Jumps


The consumer electronics giant is finally ready to build MP3 players that play MP3s. What does that mean to the industry?

The Playlist: Sony and MP3, Together at Last


That was the message Saturday, from a quarterback shootout when two teams gained 873 yards through the air, and 175 on the ground.

Orton #39;s Heisman bandwagon is getting rather crowded


Kmart is acquiring Sears, Roebuck  amp; Company for \$11 billion with the combined estimated earnings of the two making it the third-largest retailer in the United States.

Kmart - Sears Merger May Bring More Shopping Options to Region


US Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry said he would expand the low-income housing focus of mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie

Kerry says expand Fannie, Freddie housing focus


Union workers went out on strike Wednesday morning at four San Francisco hotels, their contract bargaining having stalled over differences about wages, pensions and the term of a contract.

Union workers walk at 4 hotels


In at least one of the past three years, 82 of the largest US companies paid no federal income taxes, a report released Wednesday said.

Big profits don #39;t mean big tax bills


SF AIRPORT -- The nation #39;s largest union of flight attendants mailed 21,000 strike authorization ballots to United Airlines attendants Thursday, setting the stage for possible strikes nationwide.

Flight attendants union mails strike ballots


Is your hard drive the land of the lost files? An experimental software program labels files with images that can be easily remembered.

Navigating PCs with pictures, not words


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on  Thursday after a report showed a larger-than-expected rise in  weekly jobless claims, but a continued drop in oil prices  boosted investor sentiment.

Stocks Near Flat as Oil Eases Further


Limited Brands Inc. (LTD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday reported higher quarterly operating profit as cost controls and strong lingerie sales offset poor results at the retailer #39;s Express apparel stores.

UPDATE 3-Limited Brands lifts operating profit


Reuters - Australia plans to create what it\believes will be the most lethal force of fighter jets in\Southeast Asia by equipping its aircraft with long-range\missiles in a move critics said could antagonize neighbors.

Australia Risks Asian Ire with Long-Range Missiles (Reuters)


KABUL (Reuters) - Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf on  Saturday congratulated President Hamid Karzai on his election  victory and said the neighbors needed to increase cooperation  in the war on terror.

Musharraf in Kabul, Urges Security Cooperation


Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out negotiations with Chechen rebels after the Beslan school bloodbath, further straining ties with Western leaders who are pressing for a political solution to Chechnya.

Putin rules out Chechen talks


They suffered through a rough start against Baltimore in the season opener a week ago, but because they hung in there and just kept grinding away, things gradually

Garcia, offense can #39;t recover


The phone provider reported a 14.6 percent drop in third-quarter profit on flat revenue and a continued loss of local access lines.

BellSouth Profit Drops on Flat Revenue


Federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating Merck  amp; Co. in connection with Vioxx, the painkiller that was pulled from the market in September

Maker of Vioxx hit with criminal probe


Apple has begun shipping Motion, which delivers high-performance, real-time motion graphics design and integration with Final Cut Pro HD and DVD Studio Pro 3, at a breakthrough price of \$299. Aug 10

Apple Ships Motion


GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to disclose information on all clinical studies of its drugs to settle a lawsuit that accused it of withholding negative information about the antidepressant Paxil, the New York Attorney General #39;s office says

Glaxo settles suit over Paxil


Apple Computer has scheduled a special event for next week, fueling speculation that the company could be ready to introduce an updated model of its iPod digital music player.

Apple event could bring iPod news


The scientists who cloned Dolly the sheep apply to use cloned human embryos to study motor neurone disease.

Dolly scientists' human clone bid


BURLINGTON, Mass.--Sun Microsystems will create an open-source project around its Solaris 10 operating system by the end of the year, company executives said Monday.

#39;Open Source Solaris #39; to debut this year


If anyone wasn #39;t quite sure whether 22-year-old A #39;s righty Rich Harden is ready for prime time, they got their answer on Friday night.

A #39;s stretch AL West lead


Friday #39;s European papers offer a distinctly cool reaction as the prospect of  quot;Turkey in Europe quot; appears to move one step closer.

European press review


HOUSTON (Reuters) - Australia's Lleyton Hewitt dispatched  Argentine Gaston Gaudio 6-2, 6-1 Friday to clinch his place in  the Masters Cup semifinals.

Hewitt Crushes Gaudio to Reach Masters Semifinals


The Kyoto Protocol is by no means a  quot;mostly symbolic treaty, quot; as a Nov. 6 editorial called it. If all countries -- including the United States -- lived up to the clean-air commitments negotiated in Kyoto, their

More Than  #39;Symbolic #39;


com October 18, 2004, 8:32 AM PT. This priority retains its ranking at number five as more and more companies deploy Web Services to share business logic, data and processes with each other and with clients.

Web services outfits merge


Yum! Brands Inc. operations chief Aylwin Lewis has resigned from the Louisville restaurant company to become president and chief executive officer of discount retailer Kmart.

Yum executive quits for Kmart


Unranked and 18-point underdogs, Oregon State came into Death Valley and nearly shocked the nation Saturday night. After a 47-minute weather delay, the Beavers outplayed fourth-ranked

Foot fault


AP - Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against a former executive at Network Associates Inc., alleging he illegally profited from advance knowledge of a massive sales shortfall in 2000.

Ex-McAfee Exec Settles Insider-Trade Case (AP)


The online employment site remains at the top, but the rest of the field is gaining ground.

Is Monster for Sale?


AFP - Disgraced Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu will undergo counselling in an effort to save his career after he tested positive for cocaine.

Drugs shame Mutu to undergo counselling (AFP)


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The grandson of Mahatma  Gandhi urged Palestinian refugees Sunday to march home from  Jordan en masse, even if the Israelis

Gandhi's Grandson Urges Palestinians to March Home


Roush Racing driver Matt Kenseth, the defending NASCAR champion, will race Sunday in the Ford 400 at Homestead, Fla., the final event in the Nextel Cup series.

AUTO RACING: I hope to help Busch


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin met with key cabinet ministers and diplomats Sunday to talk about Ottawa's response to the tsunami crisis that has devastated south Asia.

Martin meets with cabinet ministers, diplomats over tsunami aid (Canadian Press)


AP - A military plane carrying Vice President Dick Cheney came within almost half a mile of a small private plane over Bridgeport, Conn., last month, forcing the pilot to take evasive action, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday.

Cheney's Plane Avoids Collision (AP)


After two preseason games in which they played to a virtual draw, Kurt Warner edged ahead of Eli Manning in the Giants' quarterback competition.

Warner Sharp in Giants' Loss to Jets


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. soldier broke down in tears Saturday as he admitted abusing inmates at Abu Ghraib prison, receiving a lighter sentence in return for his testimony against others charged in the scandal...

Soldier Sentenced for Iraq Prison Abuse


Harmony Gold yesterday undermined its ambitions to take over rival Gold Fields and create the world #39;s biggest gold producer by reporting a headline loss that was worse than expected for the first quarter.

Harmony #39;s ambitions undermined


Michael Eisner announced an exit on his own terms, shifting the spotlight from the debate over his leadership to speculation over his successor.

Disney Chief to Leave, Setting Off Race for Job


The US economy continued to grow in September and early October despite rising energy costs and increased uncertainty caused by the presidential campaign, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday, in its last snapshot of business conditions

Economy growing despite energy costs, Fed says


The failure of a communications satellite on Sunday has knocked out broadband services supplied by StarBand Communications, according to a statement posted on the company's web site.

Satellite failure hits U.S. broadband services


The OSCE condemns Russia's handling of the media during the bloody Beslan school siege.

Russia 'impeded media' in Beslan


LEXINGTON, Ky. Nov 22, 2004 - Kentucky offensive coordinator Ron Hudson resigned Monday after directing one of the worst offenses in college football this season.

Kentucky Offensive Coordinator Resigns


TEHRAN: Iran on Sunday described a European proposal aimed at ending a nuclear standoff as unbalanced and rejected its demands that the Islamic republic halt all uranium enrichment activities, a foreign news agency reported.

Iran rejects EU nuclear proposal


A scheme which bans fishing east of Lundy Island is having a very beneficial effect on marine wildlife, says English Nature.

Marine life booms in fishing ban


The US brings into service the first FA-22 Raptor, a stealth fighter rated as the most expensive jet in history.

US rolls out most expensive jet


AP - Dale Earnhardt Jr. was strangely subdued after his latest victory at Talladega Superspeedway.

Earnhardt Slip May Jeopardize Nextel Lead (AP)


NAJAF, Iraq - Militants loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr remained in control of a revered Shiite shrine at the center of the crisis in Najaf on Saturday, as they bickered with top Shiite religious leaders over how to hand the holy site over.    As the standoff dragged on, heavy clashes broke out for about 45 minutes near the cemetery and the Old City on Saturday afternoon between al-Sadr's militiamen and U.S...

Militia, Shiite Leaders Bicker Over Shrine


TOKYO (Reuters) - The story leads the TV news, and everyone  from schoolchildren to the prime minister is talking about it.

Strike May Be Last Chance to Save Japanese Baseball


Howard Stern, one of the most popular US radio personalities, said Wednesday he will broadcast his show on Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) beginning in 2006, after being dropped earlier this year from several stations that objected to

Howard Stern to broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio


As the number of downloads of Mozilla Foundation #39;s open source browser Firefox 1.0 continues to soar (4.7 hits by Nov. 19), people are asking what will established browsers do in response?

Firefox catches fire


NEW YORK - Oil prices fell nearly US\$2 a barrel on Wednesday, dragged down by heavy losses in US petrol futures after summer driving demand in the world #39;s largest consumer failed to meet expectations.

Oil: Price drops nearly US\$2 a barrel


In the age of prevalent terrorism, identity needs stronger protection, says counterterrorism expert.

Clarke: Using technology to secure IDs is vital


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices abruptly ended a losing  streak on Wednesday, jumping nearly \$1 after a U.S. government  report showed heating oil stockpiles down 16 percent from last  year ahead of winter.

Oil Up as Winter Heating Supplies Fall


Mumbai, Dec. 11: Singapore Technologies Telemedia (ST Telemedia) and TM International have together acquired a 47.7 per cent stake in Idea Cellular for approximately \$390 million.

Singapore, Malaysia dial Idea number


AP - Two years before he allegedly killed a Dutch filmmaker in the name of radical Islam, Mohammed Bouyeri volunteered at his local community center and was a promising member of the second generation of Moroccan immigrants to the Netherlands.

Changes Sway Netherlands Slaying Suspect (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The PIMCO mutual fund group has  agreed to pay \$50 million to settle fraud charges involving  improper rapid dealing in mutual fund shares, the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission said on Monday.

PIMCO-SEC Settle Fraud Case for \$50 Mln


With the Republican National Convention just two weeks away, signs are pointing to a modest economic boost for few businesses.

New York City Lowering Its Sights for a Convention Boom


The browser market lives, and IT executives should be open-minded about using Firefox and other alternatives. The browser market lives.

Browsers: Choice Is Yours


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) --Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trading in Friday #39;s session are Genuine Parts Co.

STOCKS TO WATCH


Brees #39; strong first-half performance this season has pleasantly impacted the Chargers #39; present in a surprising way, but it hasn #39;t changed anything about their long-term future at the quarterback position.

How will the Chargers deal with the success of QB Drew Brees?


OLYMPIA - A coalition of 11 school districts filed a lawsuit against the state yesterday, arguing the Legislature has not lived up to its constitutional obligation to fully fund special education.

School districts sue state over special-ed funding


AP - Nick Skorich, an NFL head coach in Cleveland and Philadelphia and the offensive line coach on the Eagles' 1960 championship team, has died at the age of 83.

Former Eagles Coach Nick Skorich Dies (AP)


Gerry DiNardo, Gary Crowton and David Cutcliffe all became unemployed coaches Wednesday, upping the total coaching vacancies in Division IA to 15.

Indiana, Ole Miss, BYU Dismiss Coaches


AP - Charlotte Bobcats fans were in for a surprise if they dialed an NBA ticket number listed in a local phone book: Instead of getting seats, they were told to call a sex chat line.

Fans Calling for Tickets Get Sex Line (AP)


Mass-mailing Zafi-D worm, which disguises itself as a Christmas greeting, is infecting more than one in every ten emails. The worm, which spreads in a file attached to email messages containing the text Happy

Zafi worm causes email mayhem


England boss Sven Goran Eriksson insists the row between Manchester United and Arsenal will not spill over into tonight #39;s international against Spain.

Eriksson: No Man Utd, Arsenal rifts in squad


American Andre Agassi and Argentine David Nalbandian have pulled out of the Paris Masters, organizers said Monday, meaning neither will play in the season ending Masters Cup.

Agassi, Nalbandian pull out


AP - Kay-Jay Harris rushed for a school-record 337 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 10 West Virginia to a 56-23 victory over East Carolina on Saturday night.

No. 10 W.Virginia Tops E.Carolina, 56-23 (AP)


Syria has agreed to tighten security along its borders with Iraq to block rebels from crossing into its neighbor country, a US Embassy official said Thursday.

Syria to tighten security on Iraq border


Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Beltran is listed as day-to-day with a bone bruise on his right elbow.

Astros outfielder Beltran day-to-day


Gillette Co. yesterday unveiled its newest razor -- one that promises to make a buzz in women's shaving.

Gillette hopes to create a buzz with vibrating women's razor


AP - A Boeing 737 carrying aid for Tsunami victims hit a herd of cows as it landed early Tuesday in Indonesia's devastated Aceh province, forcing the airport to close and delaying relief flights, officials said.

Aid Flight Delayed After Plane Hits Cow (AP)


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Altria jumped more than 8 percent Thursday after the company #39;s chief executive said 2004 earnings would come in at the high end of previous expectations and that the company is looking at splitting up.

Altria up on outlook, possible breakup


AP - Nokia, the world #39;s largest handset maker plans to mark its original batteries with a hologram as part of the fight against unsafe, counterfeit mobile phone batteries - some of which have exploded in users #39; hands.

Nokia to put holograms on batteries


AP - Archaeologists in northwestern England have found a burial site of six Viking men and women, complete with swords, spears, jewelry, fire-making materials and riding equipment, officials said Monday.

Viking Burial Site Found in England (AP)


Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Contrary to previous reports, Mel Stottlemyre will return to the New York Yankees as their pitching coach for the 2005 season.

Stottlemyre, Mattingly back in Bronx; Girardi bench coach


Political scientists say the surprisingly high number of votes for President Bush in Florida can be explained by demographic trends -- it wasn't because of rigged voting machines. But the election process is so opaque that the conspiracy theories won't go away. By Kim Zetter.

Blogs Fuel Election Fraud Fears


ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in August kept Wired  amp; Wireless on top for the 18th month in a row. WASHINGTON--The US Supreme Court on Monday let stand a lower-court ruling that telemarketers #39; rights to

Supreme Court upholds Do Not Call registry


Political couch potatoes who can't get enough of the impending presidential election will find endless fun with

'Political Machine' Game Brings Politics to PC


STAMFORD, Conn. -- Xerox Corp. reported Thursday that third-quarter profits increased 39 percent, citing strong sales of new products and demand for document services.

Xerox reports 39 percent increase in third-quarter profits


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Friday it  is preparing a new U.N. resolution on Darfur and that Secretary  of State Colin Powell might address next week whether the  violence in western Sudan constitutes genocide.

U.S. Mulls New Darfur Resolution, Genocide Finding


Japanese stocks rose on Tuesday on expectations that a Government report later today would provide further evidence of strength in the world #39;s second-largest economy.

Banks, insurers lead Nikkei higher


Two people were killed and a third injured Sunday when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded at a weapons depot east of Baghdad. Eyewitnesses said the grenade fell into a sports club where al-Mehdi militiamen

Two killed in mortar attack in Baghdad


US Army deserter Charles Jenkins was released from military jail on Saturday after serving 25 days for abandoning his squadron in 1965 and defecting to North Korea, where he lived for nearly four decades.

Army deserter Jenkins released in Japan


AP - The Philadelphia Eagles had talent. Now they have swagger and personality, too.

Sportsview: Eagles Have Attitude, Talent (AP)


Stocks surged Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrials posting triple-digit gains as investors expressed relief following Sen. John Kerry #39;s concession to President Bush.

Stocks surge on Bush win


US President George W. Bush signed legislation expanding the rights of North Korean citizens to seek refugee status in the US and authorizing \$24 million a year in humanitarian relief through 2008.

Bush Signs Law Expanding Rights of North Koreans to US Asylum


Iran has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons but does not intend doing so, a senior Iranian official said here Wednesday.  quot;We do not intend making nuclear weapons, quot; said Ali Akbar Soltan, deputy director

Iran can make the bomb, but doesn #39;t want to: Iranian official


Canadian Press - MONTREAL (CP) - Nearly 460,000 Canadians on the federal payroll are eligible to be reimbursed tax-free for using their cars on government business, according to documents obtained by The Canadian Press.

Federal employees get special treatment on car usage, say documents (Canadian Press)


Investigators suspect Chechen rebels had hidden weapons or other equipment beneath the first-floor library weeks or months before their attack on a Russian school.

Depth of Planning by Rebels Is Evident in School's Remains


AP - The world will be living with volatile oil prices for years to come, but this year's price spike should not be serious enough to push the country into a recession, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Friday.

Greenspan Not Worried About Energy Prices (AP)


BERKELEY, Calif. -- The California winemaker Robert Mondavi says it is reviewing an unsolicited offer to buy the company, but it is not rejecting it as yet.

Spirits Company Makes Bid For Mondavi Wines


Ziff Davis - The company this week will unveil more programs and technologies designed to ease users of its high-end servers onto its Integrity line, which uses Intel's 64-bit Itanium processor.

HP Faces New Realities in a 64-Bit World (Ziff Davis)


AP - Readership of online journals known as blogs grew significantly in 2004, driven by increased awareness of them during the presidential campaign and other major news events, according to a study released Sunday.

Blog Creation, Readership Rises in 2004 (AP)


Following Monday #39;s announcement that a black economic empowerment (BEE) consortium had concluded an agreement to acquire the remaining 15.

Telkom welcomes BEE deal, shares soar


Usually after a heartbreaking loss, the losing team #39;s locker room is as quiet as a tomb. Cubs closer LaTroy Hawkins, who allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth and suffered the

Cubs face music after suffering heartbreak


As part of its efforts to combat software piracy, Microsoft Corp. is testing a new feature on its Download Center Web site that can lock out pirated copies of Windows.

Microsoft trials piracy lock on Download Center


Dow Jones won out over a list of competing media bidders to gain control of MarketWatch with its \$18-a-share offer. If the buy is approved by shareholders, Dow Jones will gain a valuable foothold in the fast

Dow Jones To Pay \$519 Million for MarketWatch


Microsofts first search technology went live on Wednesday. The software giant claims that the preliminary or beta version of its MSN Search stands out from other search engines because it offers more

Microsoft unveils new internet search engine


Local government in UK says it didn't use the open-source OS as a bargaining chip; Microsoft was simply best option.

Officials say Linux not a price ploy in Microsoft deal


AMID speculation over the cause of Yasser Arafat #39;s death, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier today said France had nothing to hide concerning the late Palestinian leader #39;s medical file.

France  #39;hiding nothing #39; about Arafat


Reuters - Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has lost his\patience with British theater audiences -- it's time to turn\off the mobile phones and stop rustling candy wrappers.

Stop Misbehaving, Spacey Tells British Theatergoers (Reuters)


Reuters - Israel's Radvision  \said on Monday its video services platform has been chosen by\mobile phone operator Partner Communications  as a\core part of its third-generation video services trial.

Radvision Gets Deal for Partner's 3G Video Trial (Reuters)


com. Aaron Heilman will continue to state his case for consideration in next season #39;s Mets rotation picture as New York meets the visiting Chicago Cubs for the second game of a three-game weekend series Saturday.

Mets battle Cubs on FOX


Two-thirds of Food and Drug Administration scientists surveyed two years ago lacked confidence that the FDA adequately monitors the safety of prescription drugs, a report released Thursday shows.

Survey: FDA scientists question safety


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Gunmen fired on a bus carrying workers  to Baghdad airport on Thursday, killing four people and  wounding 11 in a brazen assault on Iraqis helping to revive a  vital link in the country's reconstruction.

Gunmen Attack Key Baghdad Link; UK Forces Redeploy


AP - A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in the dispute over who is the rightful owner of the ball Barry Bonds hit for his 700th home run.

Hearing Set in Bonds Baseball Lawsuit (AP)


Sybase said on Tuesday that it will partner with IBM to sell its Linux database software, potentially dealing a blow to Sun, another long-standing partner.

Sybase to make Big Blue databases


With backwards compatibility, first-party games, and a cheaper price, Nintendo DS is the portable system to beat.

Nintendo DS vs. Sony PSP


Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced today that center Todd MacCulloch will retire from the game of basketball.

Todd MacCulloch Retires


CAPE CANAVERAL -- An Atlas 5 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral just after dawn Friday carrying a broadcast communications satellite designed to provide subscribers with direct-to-home video and broadband services.

Broadcast satellite launched successfully from Cape Canaveral


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Radical Shi #39;ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has agreed to disarm his Iraqi militia and leave a holy shrine but only after a truce with encircling US marines.

Sadr calls for Najaf ceasefire


Although the visitors did not get a victory, the United States is still in a good position after what figured to be the most threatening game of the regional semifinal round.

Ching's Late Goal Rescues U.S. in Soccer World Cup Qualifier


DAVIE, Fla. - Dave Wannstedt tried to steer the Miami Dolphins through a lot of obstacles this season, but he finally found one distraction he couldn #39;t overcome: Worried that the heat surrounding his job status

NFL: Miami #39;s Wannstedt quit to avoid being focal point


ATHENS (Reuters) - All-round champion Paul Hamm's Olympic  fortunes took a downward turn on Sunday when he was outdone by  the mastery of Kyle Shewfelt and Teng Haibin in the men's  apparatus finals.

Gymnastics: Misery for Hamm, Khorkina


Dr Craig Barrett, CEO, Intel Corporation, with a young learner from Kerala during the launch of the Intel Learn Programme in the Capital on Thursday.

Intel evaluating India as manufacturing destination


Microsoft resurrected its anti-spam Sender ID proposal this week by making changes to appease some critics, and immediately won over one of its biggest detractors: American Online (AOL).

Microsoft changes Sender ID, AOL back on board


If investors thought things could only get better for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (KKD:NYSE - news - research) after its disastrous summer, Monday #39;s third-quarter debacle proved them wrong.

Krispy-Kreme Is Getting Harder to Stomach


Johannesburg, 10 December 2004 - Mobile operator MTN has announced a strategic partnership with Ericsson, which will become its partner of choice for its third-generation (3G) network.

MTN, Ericsson sign 3G agreement


A group led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. agreed to buy the Cooper Tire  amp; Rubber Co. business that makes automotive fluid-handling systems and other components for \$1.

Goldman Group to Buy Cooper Tire Unit for \$1.17 Bln (Update1)


VIENNA (Reuters) - UEFA have approved plans for artificial  pitches to be used at national and club level from the 2005/06  season, European soccer's governing body said on Wednesday.

UEFA Approve Use of Artificial Pitches Next Season


Harry Redknapp made the jump from Portsmouth to Southampton. Is Gordon Strachan about to move in the opposite direction? Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric said Tuesday he plans

Gordon Strachan touted as Portsmouth manager


The announcement was a blow to U.S. health officials, who are scrambling to calm growing public alarm about vaccine shortages because of the loss of about half of the 100 million doses of flu vaccine the nation was expecting.

British Flu Vaccine Is Unusable, FDA Says


Viagra, Oxycontin and some AIDS (news - web sites) drugs will be among the first to carry radio chip tracking devices under a new Food

FDA Encourages Radio Tags on Drug Bottles


A RAMPAGING Europe led by Colin Montgomerie put the United States on the rack when they rushed into a opening day lead of five points at the Ryder Cup today.

Nightmare for US dream team


TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese video game fans have bought nearly all 200,000 PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld video-game machines launched on Sunday by Sony, the company said.

Japanese snap up 200,000 PSP video-game consoles in two days


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held gains against the euro  and traded near two-week highs versus the yen on Thursday after  data showed the U.S. trade gap shrank and the Fed indicated it  would press on with monetary tightening.

Dollar Keeps Gains After Trade Data, Fed


Team USA failed miserably in the team performances of the Ryder Cup golf tournament this weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with golf, the Ryder Cup is the Davis Cup of golf, where the US takes on Europe in a series of different match-types.

America #39;s Lack of  #39;Spirit Fingers #39;


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT T Corp. <A HREF=

AT T, Vonage Cut Prices on Internet Calling


Microsoft has entered the desktop search fray, releasing an initial version of software to scour a PC hard drive.

Microsoft takes on desktop search


NEW YORK (Reuters) -  U.S. stocks moved higher on Friday,  as oil prices edged down and PeopleSoft Inc. <A HREF=

US Stocks Rise as Oil Eases, Techs Surge


BAR-Honda won a contract dispute Wednesday to keep Jenson Button as its driver for next season. Button drove for BAR-Honda this season, but said several months ago he had signed a contract to join Williams-BMW for 2005.

Formula One #39;s BAR-Honda wins contract dispute with Jenson Button


The man who beat the man they said was the greatest wrestler the world has ever known felt his own tug of mortality here yesterday, in a grey building on a scorching, rubbish-strewn hillside of broken-down houses and a stray goat.

From shock winner to dignified loser, Gardner leaves stage a true <b>...</b>


AP - This week's U.S.-Spain Davis Cup final is expected to break the attendance record for a sanctioned tennis match.

Spain-U.S. Match Expected to Set Record (AP)


New component could allow players small enough to fit in notebook PCs.

Sony Plans Portable Blu-ray Disc Drives


On the road, the momentum and most of the crowd against them, and trailing their division rivals by seven points, the Patriots responded to the challenge with a tying touchdown

Pats capitalize on others #39; mistakes


Shawn Fanning, founder of Napster and former scourge of the music industry, has set up his own firm in an attempt to legitimise online file-sharing.

Napster founder goes legit


CHICAGO -- DePaul University women #39;s basketball coach Doug Bruno has signed a contract extension, the school announced Tuesday.

Coach receives extension after NCAA tourney berths


ASPEN - After two days of disappointment, an American ski racer finally landed on a podium in front of an enthusiastic, partisan and snow-covered crowd Sunday.

Koznick lands spot on Aspen podium


Performance Food Group Co. said Monday that earnings for the third and fourth quarters will fall below its previous estimates, in part due to the effects of the hurricanes that hit the Southeast.

Performance Food Warns on 3Q, 4Q Profits


The International Olympic Committee joined the investigation yesterday into allegations that Marion Jones, the American gold-medal sprinter, had used anabolic steroids and other illegal bodybuilding drugs.

IOC Joins Steroid Inquiry Involving Marion Jones


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average closed 0.72  percent lower on Tuesday after weak industrial output data  sapped investor appetite for technology issues, but declines  were limited as the dollar firmed against the yen for a second  day.

Japan's Nikkei Average Closes Lower


JERUSALEM : The Israeli parliament is set for an historic vote on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s hotly contested plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip after 37 years of occupation.

Israeli parliament set for historic vote on Gaza pullout


IBM Corp. will spend more than \$1 million to help fund a Linux technology center in Brazil. The center, created in conjunction with the Brazilian government

IBM opens Linux center in Brazil


Royal Mail is expected to announce it has failed to meet its 15 targets in the first three months of this financial year.

Royal Mail misses service target


Federal authorities have arrested 28 individuals in the United States and several other countries who are accused of operating public Web sites designed to help people steal, sell and forge credit cards and identification documents. <FONT face=

Police Arrest 28 in Online ID Theft Scams


Software giant hopes to challenge Google with new search technology.

Microsoft to Launch New Search Engine


The skinny: Tonight, 9 pm (ABC). Since these AFC kingpins can #39;t meet on Super Bowl Sunday, it #39;s pure marketing genius to have them hook up on opening night.

Cracking the Coad


Reuters - Three former Kmart executives and\representatives of several major vendors were charged on\Thursday with fraudulently accounting for  #36;24 million of profit\before the retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2002.

3 Former KMart Execs Charged with Fraud (Reuters)


The protesters coming to New York are receiving an outpouring of hospitality from scores of people who are opening their homes as temporary, free shelter.

Wanted: Sleeping Space for Protesters. Hot Water Optional.


Federal prosecutors cracked a global cartel that had illegally fixed prices of memory chips in personal computers and servers for three years.

Infineon to Pay a Fine in the Fixing Of Chip Prices


Marat Safin of Russia smiles at the awarding ceremony during the finals of the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing September 19, 2004.

Safin becomes first champion in China Open


Bangladesh maybe celebrating Victory Day today to mark the liberation of their country from the occupation by Pakistani forces, but their actual battle begins on Friday in Chittagong in the second Test against India.

India to play full-strength team


The Nokia 9300 is a high-end smartphone for business users, it runs on the Symbian Series 80 OS and has a full sized QWERTY keyboard waiting to be flipped open.

Nokia 9300 QWERTY Communicator


WASHINGTON - Fannie Mae chief Franklin Raines told Congress on Wednesday that the huge mortgage company did not intentionally manipulate earnings to boost executives #39; bonuses.

Fannie Mae chief defends accounting


Bill designed to clarify rules for advertising via fax could expose consumers to a flood of unwanted solicitations. <FONT face=

Critics Say Bill Could Trigger Flood of Faxes


The hostage drama in North Ossetia, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of schoolchildren, parents and teachers, has revealed the enormous gulf between the interests of the Russian

Putin strengthens his authoritarian regime


Europe #39;s first mission to the moon, SMART-1, has been placed in orbit around the moon. European Space Agency (ESA) science director David Southwood says the moon #39;s gravity captured the probe Monday.

SMART-1 Eases into Orbit Around Moon


The surge in early voting is affecting where candidates are sent and money is spent in the final days of the campaign.

Sharp Increase in Early Voting Alters Campaign


Children #39;s television networks owned by Viacom and Disney have agreed to pony up \$1 million and \$500,000, respectively, to end Federal Communications Commission investigations into whether

FCC Fines 2 Networks For Violating Limits On Kids #39; Show Ads


IBM next month will begin shipping high-end servers in their pSeries and iSeries lines running on its Power5 processor. The Armonk, NY, company will launch the 32-way p590, the 64-way p595 and the 64-way i595, IBM officials will announce Friday.

IBM Preps High-End Power5 Servers


An audit of last week #39;s recall vote in Venezuela has found no evidence of fraud in the process that endorsed President Hugo Chavez as leader.

AUDIT CONFIRMS CHAVEZ VICTORY


We uncover the candidates' views on Internet taxes, privacy, and other tech hot buttons.

Tech 2004: Where the Candidates Stand


The leaders of Japan and China agreed to a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a summit, overcoming a diplomatic impasse between the Asian powers that have been increasingly at odds. The breakthrough came as ministers for 21 Pacific Rim economics pledged Thursday work hard for the passage of a global trade treaty.

Japan, China Leaders Agree to Meeting


Software giant hopes to convince governments that its products are secure.

Microsoft Shares Office Source Code


NEW YORK, August 18 (New Ratings)  Google Inc has reportedly reduced its expected IPO price range to \$85-\$95 per share, from the previously expected price range of \$108-\$135 per share. The company is unlikely to price its shares until the market closes ...

Google reduces IPO price range; SEC approval awaited


MANCHESTER: A stunning goal by captain David Beckham guided England to a convincing 2-0 victory over Wales in their World Cup qualifier at his former Old Trafford home yesterday.

Lampard strikes as England cruise past Wales


Police suspect the bomb attack on the Australian embassy in Indonesia was a suicide operation and that up to three militants may have died in the blast, a senior commander said.

Suicide trio  #39;carried out attack #39;


Reuters - XM Satellite Radio on Wednesday said\it signed a  #36;650 million deal to broadcast Major League\Baseball games for 11 years, countering a rival's moves to sign\up high-profile programing that will lure listeners to the new\medium.

XM Satellite in  #36;650 Million Deal with Pro Baseball (Reuters)


THE Springboks will need to reduce the amount of possession they give away through errant kicking sharply if they are to limit Australia #39;s lethal counterattacking power in Saturday #39;s tri-nations clash in Durban.

The Boks Must Give Lame Kicks the Boot


David Wing will return to his posts of chief financial officer and executive vice president at the parent company of ATA Airlines, four months after abruptly leaving the Indianapolis company for personal reasons.

Key executive will rejoin troubled ATA


NEW YORK - While Oracle Corp. awaits a judge's decision on whether it can continue in its quest to acquire PeopleSoft Inc., the company faced a setback in an unrelated case. An appeals court on Wednesday ruled that a three-year-old shareholder lawsuit charging Oracle and several of its top executives with misleading investors about Oracle's performance may proceed, overturning a lower court's dismissal.

Appeals court revives Oracle shareholder case


Slow-moving talks between the European Union and the four-nation South American Mercosur trade bloc, aimed at building the world #39;s largest free-trade area, will be extended beyond the October 31 deadline into next year, negotiators at talks here announced

EU-Mercosur Free trade talks extended into 2005


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasuries prices plunged on Friday  after a startlingly strong U.S. jobs report raised the risk the  Federal Reserve would keep hiking interest rates well beyond  the move widely expected for next week.

Treasuries Trounced on Fears Fed to Hike


Government unity seemed to crumble as the president proposed a new election and the Supreme Court heard complaints of fraud.

Leader Offers Fresh Election For Ukrainians


BAGHDAD: Iraq #39;s southern oil exports were still below normal yesterday as firefighters battled to put out a new blaze at a sabotaged pipeline, industry officials said.

Iraq oil exports below normal as pipeline hit


Scientists believe they have tracked down the origin of a low-frequency

Science pinpoints Earth's 'hum'


Michael Owen hailed his best week so far at Real Madrid after scoring his third goal in as many games in Tuesday #39;s 2-1 King #39;s Cup victory over third division Leganes.

Owen hails his best week at Real Madrid


GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Palestinian gunmen seized the governor #39;s office in a southern city on Sunday, demanding aid for families left homeless by an Israeli military operation, witnesses said.

Gaza militants seize government building


Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost his appeal of a 25-point penalty and \$10,000 fine for using a vulgarity during a postrace TV interview. Instead of leading the Nextel Cup standings Monday by a point with five races to go, Earnhardt trails Kurt Busch by 24 points.

NASCAR rejects Earnhardt #39;s appeal


Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said it has offered to buy Robert Mondavi Corp. (MOND.O: Quote, Profile, Research) for about \$970 million, looking to add to its wine portfolio.

Constellation Brands Seeks to Buy Mondavi


At Miami, Cory Lidle took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Ryan Madson escaped a jam, and the Philadelphia Phillies ended two years of frustration in Florida by beating the Marlins.

Phillies end Florida frustration


A large majority of Britons think a US election victory for John Kerry is the best outcome for global security, according to a poll in a Sunday newspaper.

Britons Prefer Kerry to Bush for World Safety


A spokesman for Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy is calling a new video game  quot;despicable. quot;. A British company says it #39;s releasing a game that recreates the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy, the senator #39;s brother.

Britain-JFK Game


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. <A HREF=

CORRECTED: Bristol-Myers Profit Sinks


US chip maker Advanced Micro Devices has unveiled 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 rolls out low-cost online-access device in India


Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has flown to Khartoum on a mission to pile the pressure on the Sudanese government to tackle the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur.

Straw flies to pressure Khartoum


BEIRUT, Lebanon (Reuters) - A top aide to Iraq's rebel  Shi'ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr called on the Mehdi Army militia  Monday to cease fire across Iraq and said Sadr was preparing to  announce plans for a major political program.

Sadr Aide Tells Iraq Militia to Cease Fire -- TV


Forget Congress' myopic efforts to outlaw spyware. What we really need is better enforcement of existing computer crime laws.\

Columnists: I Spy With My Little Eye


US Airways will ask the bankruptcy court to temporarily nullify its labor agreements and impose wage cuts if the carrier's unions do not agree on concessions by Friday, the chief executive told employees yesterday.

US Airways Wants Deals  By Friday


AP - Despite horrific struggles in recent weeks, Tom Coughlin still believes that Eli Manning is going to be an outstanding quarterback for the reeling New York Giants.

Coughlin Sticks With Manning Despite Woes (AP)


MANAUS, Brazil (Reuters) - Washington has intelligence  suggesting Iran is working on the technology to deliver a  nuclear warhead on a missile, Secretary of State Colin Powell  said Wednesday in a claim that could increase fears about  Tehran's nuclear activities.

U.S.: Iran May Seek to Mate Missile, Nuclear Warhead


A technical working group at the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) last weekend voted to veto a proposal by Microsoft that was designed to identify the real source of email messages.

IETF Shoots Down Microsoft Email Proposal


Reuters - U.S. oil prices fell for a second session\on Tuesday on worries that high energy costs may crimp economic\growth, but crude remained firmly planted above  #36;50 a barrel on\persistent fears of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Slips But Holds Over  #36;53 (Reuters)


NASA Administrator Sean O #39;Keefe, a self-described  quot;budgeteer quot; who was brought in to curb space station cost overruns and who later helped formulate a new presidential initiative to send

Reports: NASA chief Sean O #39;Keefe may leave agency


DUBLIN (Reuters) - The British and Irish prime ministers  presented bitterly divided Northern Ireland politicians on  Wednesday with what their governments insist is their final  plan for restoring home rule in the province.

Britain, Ireland Launch 'Final' N.Irish Peace Push


Lately, supernovas have become signal events in the life of the cosmos, as told by modern science.

Life-or-Death Question: How Supernovas Happen


Marion Jones has filed a 12million lawsuit for defamation against the man who alleged he supplied her with performance-enhancing drugs.

Jones sues her accuser


PC World - Design and performance issues hold back this very cool idea.

First Look: OQO Handheld PC Fails to Excite (PC World)


Rashad McCants scored 19 points and Raymond Felton added 18 points as No. 9 North Carolina fought off Indiana 70-63 on Wednesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

No. 9 North Carolina 70, Indiana 63


An Israeli aircraft has fired a missile at a house in a northern Gaza Strip refugee camp, killing at least one person and wounding three others.

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills Palestinian


The West is trying to bully Iran into giving up its nuclear program, Iran #39;s supreme leader said on Monday. Tehran once again appeared to be flip-flopping on its agreement

Iran Flip-Flopping on Nuclear Agreement


Led by a backcourt rotation that has left fans and college scouts alike salivating, the Boston Amateur Basketball Club dismantled the Bay State Magic, 72-58, in the final of the annual Veterans Day Classic held at Chelsea High School yesterday. Newton North's Anthony Gurley poured in 22 for BABC while Iowa State-bound Farnold DeGand, who will suit up for O'Bryant ...

BABC stops Magic act


AP - An uptick in airstrikes and other military moves point to an imminent showdown between U.S. forces and Sunni Muslim insurgents west of Baghdad  #151; a decisive battle that could determine whether the campaign to bring democracy and stability to Iraq can succeed.

Signs Point to Imminent Showdown in Iraq (AP)


Iraq #39;s national carrier Iraqi Airways will resume international flights on Saturday after 14 years of being grounded by war and sanctions.

Iraqi Airways to return to the skies


Shortly before throwing the first pitch in Saturday night #39;s opening game of the World Series, Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield will pause for just a second to locate his wife

Wakefield #39;s nightmare becomes a dream


SMART-1, a spacecraft carrying an experimental engine, was designed to test ion propulsion. A mission set to begin in 2006, called Dawn, will use ion propulsion to explore the asteroids Ceres and Vesta in a multi-year journey.

Slowly but Cheaply, a New Way to the Moon


The ObjectWeb Consortium added portal, content, and business process management elements to the stack of open source middleware projects it promotes, potentially providing businesses with access to cheaper technology, members of the group announced Tuesday.

ObjectWeb adds portal content management middleware


Sony, Matsushita and other firms are planning to launch camcorders using next-generation, smaller DVDs in the Blu-ray format as early as 2005 to win a lead over a rival offering, a report said today.

Blu-ray camcorders next year: report


The lead semiconductor equipment trade group said August bookings declined 5 from the revised July level to \$1.52 billion -- another sign that chip equipment demand is flagging.

Chip Equipment Bookings Slip


Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Ken Caminiti, who won the National League MVP in 1996 and later admitted to using steroids during his playing career, passed away on Sunday due to an apparent heart attack.

Former NL MVP Caminiti passes away


Yuliya Nesterenko ends two decades of American dominance in the 100 meters with a closing surge to catch Lauryn Williams.

Nesterenko Takes Gold


Sam Maldonado and Josh Allen successfully share the rushing load for the Maryland Terrapins, mirroring the national trend in collegiate football.

Two for the Road


Iran appeared yesterday to have reached a tentative deal with Britain, France and Germany that would avert the threat of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme.

Agreement close on atom deal with Iran


Tyler Hamilton #39;s cycling team is challenging the method of a drug test that nearly cost him his Olympic gold medal and could result in a two-year ban for the US rider.

Cycling team challenges Hamilton #39;s blood testing


Alcoa #39;s profit warning a thorn in industrials #39; side. Nasdaq up with PeopleSoft, extended tech rally. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Alcoa #39;s profit warning bruised the Dow Friday, while the broader market inched higher

Dow wanes, Nasdaq gains


By STEPHANIE HOO     JIUQUAN, China (AP) -- Rising space power China provided a rare peek into its top-secret launch center Wednesday, capitalizing on its recent success in orbit to promote the military-funded project as a lure for foreign investment and a key to growing prosperity.    A police car with flashing lights led busloads of international journalists across northwestern China's vast Gobi Desert to the Jiuquan space center, past armored patrol vehicles and a sign, in English:

China Showcases Space Program to the World


Wednesday after a more than two-week journey from Charleston in the United States. They fear it is vulnerable to. plutonium will be recycled into nuclear fuel.

Bomb-grade plutonium driven across France


Impeccably timed to take full advantage of the success of  quot;Shark Tale, quot; the initial public offering of DreamWorks Animation SKG went off swimmingly Thursday, floating 38 higher in its first day of trading.

DreamWorks Animation hits Street running


Even through a television set 3,000 miles away, the eyes revealed it: Something burned deep inside Ken Caminiti, a fire that ultimately consumed him.

Caminiti reminder of dangers


l Education: Holds an MBA and bachelor #39;s degrees in business management and English literature from the University of Houston.

Kmart names new chief executive


Reuters - The music video business, long\synonymous with MTV and more recently identified online with\Yahoo Launch and AOL, is about to get even more competitive\thanks to cable and Internet convergence.

New Options Emerge for Music Video Play (Reuters)


Two Italian aid workers kidnapped 21 days ago in an audacious daylight raid were freed Tuesday, the prime minister of Italy announced.

2 Aid Workers Are Freed After 3 Weeks in Captivity


VAUXHALL lost more than 115 million last year, twice as much as it lost the previous year. The company blamed the competitive car market.

Vauxhall reveals big losses and cuts 340 UK staff


A new facility for VW and Audi could take the edge off the companys currency woes. VW sales and marketing chief Georg Flandorfer, in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, said that steep losses

VW Looks at a US Factory


BEIJING (Reuters) - China's annual inflation rate dropped  sharply in November, heartening policy makers who have been  striving to cool the economy and reducing chances of a further  rise in interest rates in the near term.

Chinese Inflation Falls Sharply in Nov.


The US outbreak of soybean rust has spread to Alabama and Georgia, the Agriculture Department said on Friday, leaving Texas the lone state in the Gulf Coast untouched by the devastating crop fungus.

Outbreak of Soybean Rust Spreads


The aerospace industry bounced back this year with record sales and the first upswing in employment in five years as a result of  quot;robust quot; defense

Aerospace firms #39; sales, jobs climb


VIENNA : Sticking points hampering a tentative agreement on getting Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment are over the length and extent of any halt, diplomats told AFP, revealing first details from talks in Paris last week.

Sticking points in Iran-EU nuclear talks: diplomats


Michael Eisner reportedly has told Walt Disney Co. directors that company President Robert Iger is his  quot;preferred choice quot; to succeed him as chief executive of the media

Embattled Disney head reportedly endorses successor


In his first major quarterback decision of the season, Dave Wannstedt went for the safe choice. On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins coach went for the obvious one.

Dolphins switch to Feeley


Consolidating his hold on the military, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday appointed chief of the country #39;s powerful spy agency ISI General Ahsanul Haq as chairman of the joint chiefs of military staff after promoting him to the rank of four

Musharraf elevates ISI chief to top post


Following our previous report, based on claims being made by an Austrian News Agency, Pitpass can now confirm that David Coulthard has signed a one-year deal with Red Bull Racing.

Official: Coulthard joins Red Bull for 2005


Autozone #39;s (AZO:NYSE - news - research) first-quarter sales and earnings were virtually unchanged from a year ago, held back by higher fuel prices that made car owners skittish.

AutoZone Earnings Are Flat


Reuters - Thousands of Bangladesh opposition activists have gathered on Saturday in cities and urban centres to form an unprecedented 900-km

Bangladesh opposition in 900-km human chain protest (Reuters)


Comedienne Shabana Rehman's Pakistani roots and Norwegian lifestyle make a provocative comic brew

Nice Witch of the North


AFTER months of procrastination - an attempt to wear down the shareholders of Australian Leisure  amp; Hospitality into accepting an under-priced offer - the joint bid vehicle of Woolworths and pubs king Bruce Mathieson, Bruandwo, has reversed tactics.

ALH investors should wait for a Bruandwo extension


AP - Carson Palmer kept throwing and throwing, and by the time he was finished with Notre Dame two years ago, Southern California had a one-sided victory and the quarterback had locked up the Heisman Trophy.

USC's Leinart on Big Stage Against Irish (AP)


Iraq isn #39;t part of its quota system -- pump about 1.1 million barrels a day over their agreed 27 million barrels a day target, leaving them room to cut production without adjusting the target.

OPEC Cut Will Be 1 Million Barrels per Day


NEW YORK (Reuters) - May Department Stores Co. <A HREF=

May Dept. Posts Lower Profit, Sales Fall


Web search leader Google Inc. (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , in its first earnings report as a publicly held company, on Thursday posted a higher net profit as revenue more than doubled on strong Web search advertising.

Google Profit Up in 1st Reported Quarter


AP - Taquan Dean scored 22 points, Francisco Garcia added 19 and No. 13 Louisville withstood a late rally to beat Florida 74-70 Saturday. Rick Pitino improved to 20-1 against former assistant coaches and players and extended his record to 6-0 against Billy Donovan.

No. 13 Louisville Holds Off Florida 74-70 (AP)


CAPE CANAVERAL-- The explosive growth of tools and toys using data from the US military #39;s array of Global Positioning System satellites is showing no signs of letting up, and the US Air Force aims to meet demand.

Satellite gets perfect ride to space


quot;I #39;m not sure I can think of any scenario more enjoyable than making 55,000 people from New York shut up, quot; the Boston Red Sox ace said Monday, a day before starting the opener of the AL Championship Series against Mike Mussina.

There #39;s no stopping Boston-NY buzz


Jockey Stewart Elliott made a successful visit to Aqueduct as he swept both stakes on the Election Day card. Elliott, who came to prominence as the regular jockey of 2004

ELLIOTT BAGS BOTH STAKES AT THE BIG A


The cheerleading for Google from the analysts at leading brokerage firms is starting to sound a lot like the days of the dot-com bubble.

Rah-Rah, Sis-Boom-Bah for Google! Or Not


Round-by-round action as Danny Williams takes on Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title. Build-up: The atmosphere is building at the Mandalay Bay Casino, Las Vegas with a strong British presence on hand to cheer for Williams.

Klitschko . . . . v . . . .Williams


AFP - Indonesian police have arrested three men suspected of being members of a suicide squad belonging to the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah regional terrorist network, a senior officer said.

Indonesian police arrest suspected JI suicide squad members (AFP)


Sydney: New Zealand made a disastrous beginning in their tour opener against New South Wales as they were shot out for a modest 213 at the Sydney cricket ground here today.

Lee, MacGill help NSW fire out Kiwis for 213


Shuttle astronauts would do a better job of upgrading the ailing Hubble Space Telescope than robots, a panel of space experts has said.

Humans favoured for Hubble rescue


The M.T.A., in an effort to raise more than \$1 billion, wants to sell or lease many of its 14,000 properties.

To Pay Debt, Transit Agency Goes to Market


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries prices were a shade  firmer on Thursday, though gains were tentative at best as a  drought of major data left the market at the mercy of volatile  oil price changes.

Treasuries Tick Higher, Curve Flattens


Before lineup introductions, NC State men #39;s basketball coach Herb Sendek pulls each one of his starters aside and offers a word.

Off to a strong start


Kuwaiti FM says his country is producing oil at maximum capacity to try to stabilise oil prices. NEW DELHI - Kuwait #39;s foreign minister said Wednesday his government was pumping crude to maximum capacity to

Kuwait pumping crude oil at maximum levels


CAIRO, Egypt -- Mahmoud Abbas, the leading candidate for the Palestinian Authority presidency, said Sunday that Palestinians wanted to begin negotiating final statehood terms with Israel as soon as possible and hoped to reach an accord by the end of next

Palestinians look for early solution


The Orlando Magic eased their logjam at the shooting guard position somewhat today, dealing Keith Bogans to the expansion Charlotte Bobcats for power forward Brandon Hunter.

Magic trade Bogans to Charlotte Bobcats


A new 24-hour help desk will cover non-Dell or non-PC problems--for a charge.

Dell Expands Consumer Services to Spyware, Peripherals


Though Paul Casey and Luke Donald, England #39;s duo in this week #39;s World Cup, were both members of the winning Ryder Cup side at Oakland Hills, the last time they were partners was in the 1999 Walker Cup at Nairn.

Confidence in Casey


The Tennessee Titans don #39;t plan to worry about Hurricane Ivan right now. They #39;re too busy preparing to play the Miami Dolphins in a season opener still scheduled for Sunday.

Titans not worried about Ivan changing kickoff with Dolphins


The woman who accused the basketball star Kobe Bryant of rape told investigators he ignored her entreaties to stop and said there was no doubt he heard her.

Bryant Ignored Woman's Plea, Papers Show


Univision Communications Inc. and Nielsen Media Research Inc. have dropped lawsuits against each other over the rollout of Nielsen #39;s controversial  quot;personal people meters, quot; which critics said

Nielsen #39;s Concessions End Fight With Univision


LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Even without leading scorer Corey Maggette, the Los Angeles Clippers were able to complete a sweep. Elton Brand scored 25 points and Bobby Simmons added 22 to lift the Clippers to a

Shorthanded Clippers fight off Warriors


CHICAGO -- Len Kasper is the new voice of the Chicago Cubs, replacing Chip Caray in the team #39;s all-new TV booth. Kasper leaves the Florida Marlins to become WGN TV #39;s play-by-play announcer for the Cubs, joining

Kasper joins Brenly in booth


Southern African leaders have agreed to a set of rules aimed at enhancing the transparency of elections and democratic rule in the region.

Southern African Development Community Agrees on New Election Guidelines


Variety has set the speculation machines on fire today by reporting that Apple and The Beatles are close to a settlement in the two companies #39; legal dispute.

McCartney Rumored Apple Board Member In  quot;Mind Boggling quot; Beatles <b>...</b>


AP - Scientists would kill possibly thousands of white perch under a project to help restore the ecological balance of East Pond in the Belgrade chain of lakes in central Maine.

Scientists Focus on Algae in Maine Lake (AP)


ACS will continue to provide Orange with help-desk and application support, data-center and network management, and consulting services.

California City Extends Outsourcing Deal


CHICAGO The surging Boston Red Sox won their sixth in a row by completing a weekend sweep of the Chicago White Sox 6-to-5. The game featured five home runs.

Sports: Red Sox 6 White Sox 5


AFP - Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier, who is currently filming the sequel to his 2003 movie Dogville starring Nicole Kidman, said the final instalment of his American trilogy was years away from hitting screens.

Final instalment of Dogville trilogy years away: Lars von Trier (AFP)


By Laura Elston, Deputy Court Correspondent, PA News in Jordan. Five of the British tourists injured in a coach crash in Jordan have been moved to a hospital in the capital city Amman, a doctor said today.

Coach Crash Survivors Moved to Capital Hospital


ONE of Queensland golfer Rod Pampling #39;s principal endorsements is from a company that manufactures a flea treatment for dogs. He wore the Bayer cloth badge proudly on his chest yesterday while dusting down

Runaway Rod hard to rein in


AP - The point guard thought he was great. The general manager had no comment. Dennis Rodman himself? He thinks the Denver Nuggets could really use a guy like him.

Rodman Thinks Nuggets Could Use Him (AP)


Champions Milan picked up their first win of the season but it was hard going against a determined Bologna whose inspired keeper Gianluca Pagliuca kept the visitors at bay until the 84th minute

Italian Serie A match reports


Japan is to formally protest to China after saying a submarine found in its waters on Wednesday was Chinese.

Japan says mystery sub was Chinese


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. <A HREF=

Delta Suffers Setback with Debt Committee


BAGHDAD, November 24 (IslamOnline.net  amp; News Agencies) - US-led occupation troops took Tuesday night, November 23, their offensive from Fallujah to Baghdad with some 5,000 US marines, British troops and Iraqi commandos launching full-scale raids into

US Launches Massive Offensive on Baghdad


LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - A European Union judge will weigh on  Friday whether Microsoft should be forced to remove its music  and video player from its Windows operating software, in a  second day of hearings at the EU's second-highest court.

Judge to Weigh Removing Media Player from Windows


COMMACK, NY -- Second-seeded Lleyton Hewitt reached the final of TD Waterhouse Cup sooner than expected Saturday when Russian Dmitry Tursunov retired from their semifinal match because of injury.

Aussie will face Srichaphan or Horna


Unscrupulous Filipino phone shops are cashing on recent stories about mobile phone viruses to flog worried punters services they don't need.

News: Filipino mobe users scammed over virus scare


AP - Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia and steeplechaser Saif Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar set world records at the Van Damme Memorial meet Friday.

Pole Vault, Steeplechase World Marks Set (AP)


The US Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) on Wednesday ordered a strong, new warning for Pfizer Inc. #39;s injectable contraceptive called Depo-Provera, saying it could permanently weaken bones.

US FDA: Pfizer #39;s Contraceptive Can Weaken Bones


Athens -- They might as well paint the diving board red. The gold medal for women #39;s 3-meter springboard diving went to the Chinese -- for the fifth Olympics in a row.

China soars in springboard, takes 3-meter gold for 5th straight <b>...</b>


Not once or twice, but on dozens of occasions Hollinger was victimised by its controlling shareholders as they transferred to themselves and their affiliates more than US dollars 400 million (22 M) in the last seven years, according to the report

Media Mogul Black  #39;Lined his Pockets Every Day #39;


Compressed audio players - also known as MP3 players -re available in portable, home and automotive form factors and from major and minor consumer electronics manufacturers and PC vendors.

Booming Market for MP3 Players According to IDC #39;s Latest Forecast


The five drivers locked in the closest championship race in NASCAR #39;s history have a single, simple goal in today #39;s Southern 500: win.

Winning Southern 500 name of game


PC World - Low-cost Linux and Windows servers are outselling Unix models, Gartner analysts say.

Sun, Dell Lead Server Sales (PC World)


Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. said Tuesday that the Securities and Exchange Commission has asked the companies for information on their pension fund accounting.

SEC seeks Ford, GM pension info


President Vladimir Putin #39;s move earlier this week to enhance his own power in response to a wave of terrorism does not take on the real problem: the corrupt and unreformed security

Critics take on Putin terror plan


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo stocks were flat in afternoon trade  on Friday as worries about record high oil prices took the edge  off investors' appetite for recently battered high tech issues  such as Sharp Corp

Tokyo Stocks Flat in Late Trade


The Asean forum opens in Laos, with a free-trade accord and anti-terrorism moves on the agenda.

Regional meeting opens in Laos


Reuters - President Bush and Democrat John\Kerry kept up the offensive in swing states on Saturday as the\presidential race remained deadlocked in the polls with 10 days\to go until Election Day.

Bush, Kerry Hammer Each Other in Swing States (Reuters)


Agency awarded \$4M in grants to study the health, environmental risks posed by manufactured nanomaterials -- invisibly tiny materials revolutionizing many industries but its effects on living things remain unknown.
<FONT face=

EPA Backs Nanomaterial Safety Research


A new online music service, Peer Impact, has signed deals with three major music labels -- Sony BMG, Universal and Warner. What sets Peer Impact apart is its use of a peer-to-peer distribution

P2P Music Upstart Signs On the Big Boys


New Southampton manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed coach Kevin Bond will join him at St Mary #39;s. Bond will make the switch from Portsmouth on Thursday and Redknapp #39;s former Pompey assistant Jim Smith could also be joining him.

More Southampton Stories


Commerce Undersecretary Grant D. Aldonas arrives in Beijing for talks on textiles and other trade issues. US Chamber of Commerce opens small-business summit.

The Week Ahead


Now that all the holiday presents have been opened, it is time to do some real shopping  for the home, from the home.

Click, and the Deals Arrive at the Doorstep


Sepp Blatter, the president of football #39;s world governing body Fifa, will tell Sven Goran Eriksson today that his England players were wrong to boycott the media last week.

Blatter criticises  #39;childish #39; England players


The MathWorks, a Natick software firm, plans to expand its Route 9 location and add hundreds of jobs in the coming years following a deal with state and local officials granting the company a tax break.

Software firm to expand, add jobs


Dell and Microsoft are offering a new server toolkit that brings together Dell #39;s OpenManage 4 server management software and Microsoft SMS 2003, used to configure and upgrade servers running Windows.

Microsoft, Dell Team on Server Software


A fourth-quarter lead proves fleeting for the Redskins as John Kasay hits a 52-yard field goal Saturday to give the Panthers a 23-20 overtime win.

Redskins Get the Boot


Reports suggest an Iraqi woman scientist may be freed, as militants reportedly kill a second US hostage.

Iraq woman prisoner 'to be freed'