Canadian Press - THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The killers of an outspoken Dutch filmmaker threatened his scriptwriter - a politician who renounced Islam and has criticized its customs - in a letter that was pinned to the victim's body with a knife.

Dutch politician threatened in letter pinned with knife to filmmaker's body (Canadian Press)


The Australian Government has welcomed the arrests of four key suspects in the bombing of Australia #39;s embassy in Jakarta in September.

Australia welcomes arrest of embassy bomb suspects


Bridgetown - Islanders scrambled to put up storm shutters and buy water as Hurricane Ivan churned toward Barbados just days after Hurricane Frances tore across the Caribbean.

Caribbean islands prepare for Ivan


CLEMSON, S.C. -- Charlie Whitehurst threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Browning in the second overtime, which lifted No. 15 Clemson to a 37-30 victory over Wake Forest yesterday.

Clemson needs two OTs to dump Wake Forest


When Annia Hatch was 17, her homeland of Cuba refused to send her to the 1996 Olympics even though she had won the country #39;s first world championship medal earlier that year.

Hatchs comeback proves silver is golden


Amidst the ongoing confusion over Yasser Arafat #39;s health, there is an unlikely showdown brewing in Paris -- between top members of the caretaker Palestinian administration and their ailing leader #39;s wife.

Visitors headed for showdown with Arafat #39;s wife


The head of the aeronautics division of defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. will retire next year, the company announced Friday. The division makes fighter jets and other planes for the United States and foreign armies.

Head of Lockheed's Aeronautics Division to Retire


Canadian Press - LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (CP) - Dar Heatherington, the former alderwoman who made headlines last year when she mysteriously disappeared in Montana, was given a 20-month conditional sentence Friday for fabricating tales of being stalked.

Alta ex-alderwoman gets conditional sentence for fabricating stalking stories (Canadian Press)


Airline British Airways reveals pre-tax profits more than doubled to 220m in the July to September period.

BA sees profits more than double


RESCUERS in the Philippines yesterday pulled at least four survivors from a building that collapsed in mudslides 10 days ago. The miraculous tale of survival came as officials

Buried under rubble for 10 days


Synnex Corp., a provider of technology supply chain services, on Wednesday said its third-quarter profit jumped 50 percent, helped by higher revenue and a settlement gain from the acquisition of its British subsidiary.

Synnex 3Q Profit Rises 50 Percent


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Elan Corp. and Biogen Idec rose in premarket trade Wednesday after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the companies #39; multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri.

Biogen, Elan up on MS drug approval


Reuters - Japan's Toshiba Corp. (6502.T) will\introduce laptop computers with HD DVD technology in December\2005, aiming to pressure rivals in the battle over formats for\next-generation DVDs, the Nihon Keizai daily said on Wednesday.

Toshiba to Unveil HD DVD Laptops in 2005 -- Paper (Reuters)


Wavesat Inc., a fabless semiconductor developer of broadband wireless chips, today announced delivery of the first ever WiMAX chip, the DM256.

First WiMAX Baseband Chip


A bidding group headlined by Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed in principle to buy Hollywood film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM.

Sony Agrees to Buy MGM for Nearly \$5 Bln


UK-based envoy Akhmed Zakayev warns of more bloodshed in Chechnya unless peace talks are held.

Chechen envoy warns of bloodshed


Can you think of a better way to torture a Red Sox fan than what the Yankees are now doing? A four-game sweep, as New York clearly could have done, would be embarrassing for the Red Sox, shocking and disappointing.

Bostons Torture


BEIJING (Reuters) - Twenty men, women and children claiming  to be North Koreans broke into the South Korean consulate in  Beijing Friday seeking asylum, a diplomatic source said.

Suspected N.Koreans Enter S.Korean China Mission


WASHINGTON Sept. 5, 2004 - A spotty job market and stagnant paychecks cloud this Labor Day holiday for many workers, highlighting the importance of pocketbook issues in the presidential election.

Slow Job Market Greets Workers Labor Day


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average dipped 1.06  percent to a one-month closing low on Wednesday, extending  losses from the day before when poor Japanese industrial output  data put a damper on the economy's outlook.

Nikkei Hits 1-Month Closing Low


Voters who feel disempowered by political fat cats have a new option: a website that allows individuals to create their own political action committee. Now anyone can be a professional Democratic fund-raiser. By Daniel Terdiman.

ActBlue Lets Anyone Be PAC Man


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Office document management company  Pitney Bowes Inc.<A HREF=

Pitney Bowes Quarterly Profit Rises


Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday hailed what he called a new era of stronger ties with South Africa as he began a tour that has outraged pro-Palestinian groups.

Israel #39;s Olmert hails new era of S.Africa ties


Saturn #39;s mysterious moon Titan remained much of a mystery despite a close reconnaissance by the Cassini spacecraft. Pictures taken through the thick, hazy atmosphere as Cassini

Cassini flyby gives little news on Titan


The United Nations has put off for this year the question of whether to draft a treaty that would ban all human cloning. Diplomats instead settled on a compromise political declaration.

UN Delays Cloning Decision


Sudan says it will decide next week whether to charge Islamist leader Hassan Turabi over an alleged coup attempt.

Sudan 'considers' Turabi charges


Supporters of interstate shipping of wine from producers to consumers see their cause as a contest between David and Goliath: mom-and-pop wineries and connoisseurs of the grape vs. powerful liquor wholesalers.

Small Wineries Find Ally


Something has to give -- either 15th-ranked Harvard's status as the nation's only undefeated Division 1-AA team or 17th-ranked Penn's 20-game Ivy League winning streak -- when the teams square off Saturday in Philadelphia.

Harvard and Penn's Ivy tale a familiar story


The Oakland Raiders needed a 24-hour extension and some behind-the-scenes maneuvering to make it happen, but managed to avoid what would have been the most embarrassing television

Raiders-Bucs: Blackout lifted


UNITED NATIONS, Sep 15 (IPS) - The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is dispelling a widespread notion -- prevalent mostly in Western countries -- that population growth has ceased to be a serious socio-economic problem primarily because of declining numbers.

Rising Population Growth Still an Issue, Says UNFPA


Microsoft chief executive officer, Steve Ballmer, has acknowledged Linux as the  quot;only game in town quot; when it comes to competing with the proprietary software heavyweight #39;s offerings, Australia #39;s peak open source body claims.

Ballmer #39;s open source assault gives Linux a leg-up: OSIA


AP - President Bush says his economic policies, including billions of dollars in tax cuts, are helping to create new jobs. But not the millions he promised. Democratic challenger John Kerry says 10 million new jobs would be added in his first term. Don't bet on that either.

Economists: Bush, Kerry Job Plans Lacking (AP)


SiliconValley.com - Sun Microsystems made some of its first sales in the early 1980s selling workstations to Wall Street. Now the struggling Santa Clara computer maker is returning to its roots with a campaign to win back some of its former financial-industry customers.

Sun tries to woo Wall St. firms (SiliconValley.com)


Reuters - OPEC oil producers were poised on Friday\to stamp out excess supply that has lowered world prices from\record highs.

OPEC Poised to Stamp Out Excess Supply (Reuters)


WASHINGTON - David Graham says he was surprised when he got back to his Food and Drug Administration office after telling Congress last week the government had allowed unsafe drugs on the market.

Whistleblower earns kudos, fears reprisal


AP - Ordinarily, Sen. Rick Santorum might figure to be Sen. Arlen Specter's most public of allies in a fierce and ultimately successful battle for the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee, one Pennsylvania Republican aiding another in a classic Capitol power struggle.

Santorum Keeps Low Profile With Specter (AP)


A search of a warehouse used by the coach at the center of a doping scandal involving the country's star sprinters uncovered small amounts of anabolic steroids.

Investigators Find Steroids


Calgary Sun. Dan Marino wouldn #39;t swap his collection of NFL records and Hall-of-Fame nomination for the world. Not even for that elusive Super Bowl victory.

Passing the torch


ATHENS -- When the Olympic softball schedule was released, Lisa Fernandez grabbed a marker and began counting down the days.  quot;This game is always on my calendar, quot; she said.  quot;I have a tremendous history with Australia. quot; And until yesterday, mostly a haunting one.

Clout shown in rout


A bomb probably planted by the Abu Sayyaf caused the fire that sank the SuperFerry 14 and killed over 100 people last Feb. 27 in what could have been the countrys worst terrorist attack

SuperFerry sinking a terrorist attack


The St. Louis Cardinals suddenly erupted against Roger Clemens, startling the Houston Astros, 5-2, Thursday night to take Game 7 of the N.L.C.S.

Cardinals Get to Clemens and World Series


Ralph Friedgen and Frank Beamer's relationship goes back 32 years to College Park, but for about three hours on Thursday, that friendship will be suspended.

Friends in the End


AP - The Philadelphia Eagles once again have home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. And once again, nothing less than a trip to the Super Bowl will be considered a success.

Eagles to Weigh Playoff Pressure Over Week (AP)


Some Antarctic glaciers are flowing seaward five times faster than they did just two years ago, increasing concerns about rises in sea levels resulting from the warming of Earth #39;s polar caps.

Speed of glaciers #39; flow spurs concern


AFP - Bosnians were reluctant voters in their third post-war local elections this weekend, with the ruling Croat, Muslim and Serb nationalists benefiting from the lower turnout, early results indicated.

Bosnian local elections confirm strength of nationalists (AFP)


DUBLIN (Reuters) - A Greek plane carrying more than 300  people on board and heading for New York from Athens made an  emergency landing in Ireland on Tuesday after a bomb alert --  the second such incident in three days.

Greek Plane Diverted to Ireland After Bomb Threat


The Mars Opportunity site continues to intrigue scientists as they decipher the chemistry deeper in Endurance crater. The rise in chlorine and fall in sulfur may suggest alterations by evaporating water in the crater's past.

Popping Opportunity's Escape Hatch


The number of Iranian bloggers passes 10,000 as internet users seek to protest against media censorship.

Iran's protest blogger numbers grow


Red-hot oil prices cooled, easing below 50 dollars a barrel in New York after news of stronger-than-expected US inventories and oil in the United States and diminishing fears of unrest in Nigeria.

Oil prices fall on rising US inventories, easing Nigeria fears


Reuters - A senior U.S. official said on Wednesday\deals should not be done with hostage-takers ahead of the\latest deadline set by Afghan Islamic militants who have\threatened to kill three kidnapped U.N. workers.

U.S. Rules Out Deals with Afghan Kidnappers (Reuters)


JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Israel's military said Saturday that its 17-day incursion into the northern Gaza Strip struck a heavy blow to Palestinian militants routinely firing makeshift rockets into the country's southern region.    Palestinian residents, however, accused the army of wanton destruction, saying the broad military offensive targeted densely populated areas never used to launch rockets...

Israel Calls Gaza Incursion Successful


There's a new social class in town -- the

Google Yields More Than Fistful of Dollars


GAZA CITY: A Hamas leader was killed Friday as Israel pressed a major offensive in the northern Gaza Strip Friday and imposed a watertight closure on the Palestinian territories ahead of the Jewish New Year.

Hamas leader killed in Gaza as settlers warn of civil war


WASHINGTON - Because Sen. John Kerry is the challenger and lags President Bush in most national polls, he seems to have the most to gain from a strong performance in the upcoming fall debates...

Upcoming Debates Could Prove Pivotal


Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie managed a little separation from those in pursuit Friday, each riding tournament-best rounds of 66 to a two-shot lead midway through the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club.

Woods, Montgomerie match 66s, share lead


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- US stocks closed higher Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ending at its best level in more than nine months amid better-than-expected economic data and merger-related optimism.

Oracle acquisition of PeopleSoft leads flurry of deals


ENVIRONMENTAL activists claim the latest outbreak of violence in Nigeria is simply the beginning of a civil war that could force Shell into a huge shake-up of its activities in the oil-rich country.

Shell could quit Niger Delta


Reuters - Residents burned tires and\children took to the streets with sticks in Senegal's capital\on Wednesday to fight an invasion of locusts, as 12 West\African nations agreed on a battle plan.

Senegalese Fight Locusts with Smoke and Sticks (Reuters)


Internet auction house eBay has announced that they will be taking preventative action against users searching for racially sensitive items.

Racially Offensive Search Terms To Be Banned By EBay


In the annals of computer news, reports of Dell being near to using AMD products have become something akin to UFO sightings: lots of circumstantial evidence surfaces, but it never really quite happens.

Dell CEO says AMD products are on the horizon


After her latest win, Finland #39;s Tanja Poutiainen just shrugged and raised her eyebrows with each question. Not even she could explain why she #39;s off to such a good start this season.

Finnish skier on top at Aspen


Apple and Motorola  quot;could soon show us quot; their co-developed solution. A report on Forbes cites Apple vice president of applications

Motorola Apple iPod phone imminent?


US stocks showed small gains at the open on Monday as easing oil prices alleviated investors #39; worry about the effect of higher fuel costs on corporations and consumers.

Stocks Open Slightly Higher as Oil Eases


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Elan (UK:ELA) (ELN) and partner Biogen (BIIB) said the FDA has approved new drug Tysabri to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Elan gets FDA approval for Tysabri MS treatment


A new draft resolution circulated within the United Nations Security Council urges warring parties in southern Sudan and western Darfur province to reach peace agreements, promising international support and possible debt forgiveness.

UN Draws Up Aid-for-Peace Offer to Sudan


JACKSON, N.J. - Six Flags Great Adventure is opening the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster this spring - a thrill ride that accelerates to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds and rises 456 feet off the ground...

Six Flags Unveils Fastest Roller Coaster


AFP - A British court has ordered the release of files disclosing payments by a leading British arms company to the daughter of former Indonesian president Suharto, the Guardian newspaper reports.

British court orders release of files in Britain-Indonesia probe (AFP)


US producer prices dropped unexpectedly last month as the cost of gasoline plunged and prices of food and vehicles fell, according to a government report on Friday that showed inflation pressures under wraps.

Producer Prices Drop, Trade Gap Narrows


He is a mass of contradictions. In the jeweled circle of  quot;celebrity quot; trainers of thoroughbred horses, he is the face at the edge of the crowd because that #39;s as close as he wants to get to it.

Izenberg: Hats off to Derby-less Frankel


The nations largest video chain says there will be no more late fees charged on any movie or game rental at its more than 4,500 US outlets, starting Jan. 1. Blockbuster (BBI, news, msgs) said it spilled

Act of desperation


Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Hishamuddin Hussein, leader of the youth wing of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and Malaysias ruling party, called Ibrahim Anwar a traitor.

Anwar is a traitor, UMNO youth wing leader says


By Andrew Yeh and Francesco Guerrera in Hong Kong and Mure Dickie in Beijing. He has been in China on  quot;family matters quot; since late November but plans to return soon to answer investigators #39; inquiries, the Singapore

China Aviation Oil says chief will return to Singapore


Reuters - The Irish Republican Army said on\Thursday it would never provide photographic proof of\disarmament as demanded by its Northern Ireland Protestant\opponents.

IRA Says Disarmament Pictures 'Never Possible' (Reuters)


\

 By Dane Hamilton and Justin Hyde

 WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal regulators have\launched an investigation into creditor actions in the WorldCom\bankruptcy, demanding thousands of documents from bondholders\related to the largest U.S. bankruptcy, according to court\documents.

SEC Probes WorldCom Creditor Actions


The trouble with preseason rankings in college football is that they are just that, preseason. It's not like the National Football League, where if last year's champion returns most of its players, one can make an assumption the team will be very good. But it's different in college. The cast of characters is always changing, as players graduate, leave, get ...

USC looked out for No. 1


com September 30, 2004, 9:28 AM PT. There #39;s no doubt the Internet will continue to make its mark in the world of business and technology.

Senate postpones vote on file-swapping bill


Standard  amp; Poor #39;s on Wednesday said it may upgrade Nextel Communications Inc. #39;s (NXTL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) corporate credit rating to investment-grade status, citing earnings and revenue growth and debt reductions.

UPDATE 2-S amp;P says may upgrade Nextel to investment grade


Reuters - The majestic saker falcon is being\pushed toward extinction because of soaring demand from wealthy\Gulf Arabs who prize the animal for its hunting prowess,\conservation group BirdLife International said on Wednesday.

Gulf Falconers Push Rare Bird Toward Extinction (Reuters)


President Bush #39;s plan to begin pulling most of the US troops out of Europe nearly fifteen years after the fall of the Berlin Wall has many Germans worried.

Farewell to American friends


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Procter   Gamble Co. <A HREF=

P G's Earnings Climb, Maintains Outlook


A family meeting of Ambanis to resolve differences over the ownership issue in India #39;s largest corporate house - Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is likely to take place tomorrow in Mumbai.

Ambanis seek to resolve ownership issue


Apple introduced iPod Photo, the newest member of the iPod family that lets you take your entire music and photo library with you wherever you go.

Apple Introduces iPod Photo Your Entire Music  amp; Photo Library in <b>...</b>


CANNES, France (Reuters) - Concerns about soaring oil  prices and terrorism have injected fresh caution into global  markets over the last six months, executives and investors said  at a technology conference in Cannes.

Caution Dampens Spirit at Cannes Tech Conference


A 30m online map is launched telling homeowners in England and Wales what risk of flooding they face.

Online map shows risk of flooding


There's a good chance you'll become disabled for a while. Are you protected?

Do You Need Disability Insurance?


SAN FRANCISCO - More than40 years after Purdue University established the first department of computer science in the U.S., a whole new field of study is about to emerge in colleges and universities throughout the country, according to a researcher at IBM Corp.'s Almaden Research Center, who believes that students could begin to receive doctorate degrees in the field of

Coming to a college near you: Services science?


AP - Toys R Us Inc., the nation's second biggest toy retailer, reported a narrower third-quarter loss as a gain on the sale of Kids R Us stores boosted results despite a sales decline.

Toys R Us Narrows Loss on Kids R Us Sale (AP)


Reuters - Amazon.com chief executive Jeff\Bezos on Tuesday said the online retailer was poised for record\holiday sales, with MP3 players and digital cameras leading the\way as this year's hot gift items.

Amazon CEO Bezos Predicts Record Holiday Season (Reuters)


Olympians can do media interviews but they'd better not blog. The International Olympic Committee, interested in protecting lucrative broadcasting contracts, forbids any activity that might upset the networks.

You're Athletes, Not Journalists


NEW YORK - Hardly at her best, barely beating one of the tour's pesky teens, Serena Williams suddenly found herself face-down at the U.S. Open...

Serena Reaches Fourth Round of U.S. Open


Reuters - A U.S. trade panel on Friday\approved anti-dumping duties of up to 198 percent on  #36;1.2\billion worth of wooden bedroom furniture from China. However,\many Chinese furniture companies will escape the highest duty\levels.

U.S. Gives OK to China Furniture Duties (Reuters)


The extraordinary news that Jos Antonio Camacho offered up his resignation on the Sunday after the Espanyol defeat was a fitting end to a fascinating week in La Liga.

Fiddling while Madrid burns


Police investigating the murder of newlywed Chanel Taylor make an arrest.

Murder search police make arrest


Creatures gather to decide the fate of the world by -- what else? -- wrestling. Anything goes, including pizza tossing and porn. Xeni Jardin reports from Hollywood.

Kaiju Monsters Invade Hollywood


Reuters - Ford Motor Co.  is recalling about\40,000 minivans because their wheel hubs may develop cracks.

Ford Recalls About 40,000 Minivans (Reuters)


If Matt Leinart and undefeated U.S.C. it can defeat U.C.L.A. on Saturday, it will play in the Orange Bowl for the Bowl Championship Series title.

Southern Cal Stumps Hard for Heisman and Ranking


AP - Patrick Sparks scored 16 points and No. 10 Kentucky dominated Indiana inside in a 73-58 win over the Hoosiers on Saturday.

No. 10 Kentucky Defeats Indiana, 73-58 (AP)


Microsoft will pay Novell \$536 million to settle an antitrust dispute. Novell plans to file a new suit againt Microsoft regarding word-processing software.

Microsoft to Pay Novell \$536 Million


LeBron James had 26 points to become the youngest player in National Basketball Association history to score 2,000 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers eased to a 96-74 home win over the Chicago Bulls Saturday.

NBA Wrap: James Sets New Milestone as Cavaliers Keep Winning


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft says his country needs Canada's help to thwart terrorism in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election Nov. 2.

U.S. attorney general says his country needs Canada's help to thwart terror (Canadian Press)


Thanks to Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson, the United States can advance to the finals round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a victory over Panama next week.

On the verge of Cup spot


MONZA, Italy -- Michael Schumacher was fastest in Italian Grand Prix practice as McLaren #39;s Kimi Raikkonen remained a threat to Ferrari #39;s homecoming celebrations.

Schumacher is quickest in practice


Officials at Computer Associates International Inc. are trying to upgrade their image in the storage market with a bundled solution that contains many applications that were previously available individually

CA bundles storage apps


The United States win the doubles rubber to cut Spain's Davis Cup final lead to 2-1.

Bryan twins keep US hopes alive


NEW YORK and LONDON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cendant Corporation (NYSE:CD) today announced that it has agreed to acquire privately held, UK based Gullivers Travel Associates, the trading name of Donvand Ltd.

Cendant Corporation Acquires Gullivers Travel Associates And <b>...</b>


Spaniard Sete Gibernau cruised to his third win of the season in the Czech MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off a tough challenge from championship leader Valentino Rossi.

UPDATE 2-Gibernau beats Rossi in Czech GP revenge


The freewheeling wireless industry, known for its upstarts and edgy competition, got a little more run-of-the-mill Wednesday when Sprint and Nextel Communications formally announced a merger

Sprint, Nextel agree to join forces as No. 3 cellphone carrier in <b>...</b>


David Beckham thanks better enforcement of the 10-metre rule and a slice of good fortune for the recent return of his free-kick prowess.

English star David Beckham enjoys free-kick revival in soccer


Week Four threw up some surprising results over the weekend as current high-flyers had their wings clipped and new faces staked their claims in a title race that, although barely a month old, is already wide open.

All Change in Bundesliga Title Race


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Outlining an expectation for higher oil prices and increasing demand, Royal Dutch/Shell on Wednesday said it #39;s lifting project spending to \$45 billion over the next three years.

Oil major eyes buybacks, \$10 billion in divestments


The number of acceptances received from world number four gold miner Gold Fields #39; shareholders is increasing, marketing director for world number four gold miner Harmony Ferdi Dippenaar said on Wednesday.

Gold Fields acceptances up  Harmony


TechWeb - Process Perfecter 7,Perfect Product SuiteT 5.0,Ultimus Suite V 7,e-DMS Workflow,HP OpenView Smart Plug-In for Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g

Pipeline (TechWeb)


Has the moment that TiVo (Nasdaq: TIVO) and Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) investors have been waiting for finally come to pass? Well, speculation has turned to rumor, which many obviously hope will turn to fact.

A TiVo/Netflix Hookup?


AP - The Labor Department announced a new program Monday to provide job training, counseling and employment services to veterans wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq who cannot return to active duty.

Job Training Outreach Planned for Vets (AP)


Herman Edwards certainly wasn #39;t yesterday, when he stood before his 5-0 team and - in his own motivational style -tressed that Sunday #39;s smackdown against the 5-0 Patriots in Foxboro is not Armageddon.

JETS RESIST HYPE OF PATS MATCH


washingtonpost.com - Verizon and Sprint wireless customers will get a small break on their bills soon. The companies have decided to eliminate or reduce a 40-cent-per-line monthly charge imposed to allow customers to transfer their phone numbers to new carriers.

Verizon and Sprint to Cut Fee For Transferring Cell Numbers (washingtonpost.com)


Despite a U.S. push to put in place a worldwide ban on human embryo cloning, the proposed pact remains in limbo after three years. The sticking point? Therapeutic cloning.

U.N. Clone Treaty Still on Ice


No longer only a war of words, Apple Computer Inc. has quietly started to block the technology that RealNetworks Inc. created to get around the iPod music player #39;s copy-protection armor.

Apple Fights Back Against RealNetworks


Red Hat #39;s decision to change the way it accounts for subscription revenues  quot;is an accounting issue, quot; says Yankee Group analyst Dana Gardner.

Red Hat Gets New CFO, Will Restate Results


AP - Just in time for Halloween comes a new version of the 1960s hit

'Monster Mash' Revived As Anti-Bush Song (AP)


The African Union can quickly mobilise up to 5,000 troops to help end the looting and killing in western Sudan, but it needs hundreds of millions of dollars to deploy the force, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has said.

Millions of dollars needed to deploy troops in Darfur


Crucial tests to establish whether Yasser Arafat is brain dead have not been carried out by a Paris hospital, a French newspaper reported yesterday, leading to claims that

Arafat doctors  #39;told to delay #39; brain death tests


More than 15,000 species, from sharks to frogs to fir trees, are facing extinction and the total is rising faster than ever before.

Animal extinction rate growing fast


Roger Clemens pitched seven strong innings to earn his 13th victory of the season and 323rd of his career as the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 in the National League Monday.

NL Wrap: Lucky 13 for Clemens as Astros Defeat Phillies


Sony is on a roll after the announcement that some of its digital audio players will now support MP3 files. Up to now, they only supported the company #39;s proprietary ATRAC3plus format, a technology used in its Mini Disc players.

Network Walkman NW-HD3 supports MP3s


Attorneys for Martha Stewart have appealed her conviction before the US Court of Appeals in New York, claiming her trial was unfair and tainted.

Martha Stewart appeals conviction


A Las Vegas adult entertainment operator sues his local telephone company in federal court for \$30 million, ressurecting charges that phone hackers crippled his business.\

News: Sprint sued over alleged vice hacks


SPACE.com - Newly discovered galactic highways cut across the Milky Way at odd angles, bringing stars through the neighborhood of our solar system.

Rebel Stars Cross Paths with Sun (SPACE.com)


The world #39;s biggest confectioner, Cadbury Schweppes, says its full-year results will be at the lower end of target ranges after a wet summer hit soft drinks sales in Europe.

Cadbury sees results at lower end of targets


Rebecca Much of the United States won the silver medal in the junior time trial Monday at the road cycling world championships. Tereza Hurikova of the Czech Republic was the winner, following her bronze medal on a mountain bike Sept.

US junior rider wins silver at cycling worlds


Storage Expo Do you want a SAN or a SANity check?

Europe's SAN avoidance strategy


The price for settling state charges of collusion and bid-rigging by America #39;s largest insurance broker could be  quot;far higher quot; than \$500 million, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said Thursday.

Biggest US insurance broker faces penalty  #39;far higher #39; than \$500M <b>...</b>


ATHENS (Reuters) - Norway, Germany, France, Britain  Romania, New Zealand and Australia all looted the gold-medal  chest in the Athens Olympic rowing basin on Saturday, as Greece  counted the cost of the Games in national pride and treasure.

Olympic Games Hit Stride with Medals Free-For-All


TARANTO, Italy -- A 37-year-old Dane has become the first transsexual golfer to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. Mianne Bagger said she #39;s naturally delighted to be able to finally fulfill a childhood ambition.

Transsexual Golfer Qualifies For European Tour


KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees hope to recover from another pitching collapse when they face the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in the second game of their series.

NY Yankees at Kansas City, 2:10 PM


According to a source close to the family, the 54-year-old CFL coaching legend, who spent 16 seasons in the Calgary Stampeders organization, has known for the past six weeks but kept the shocking news a closely guarded secret.

Buono needs bypass


Ice cores drilled from deep beneath the floor of the Arctic Ocean show it was once warm enough for swimming.

North Pole 'was once subtropical'


RealNetworks says it sold more than three million tracks thanks to an aggressive three-week price promotion in the US. The company halved the cost of tracks to 49 cents in mid-August to try to tempt consumers away from Apple #39;s iTunes music store.

Real sells 3m tracks at a loss


FCC chairman tells VoIP industry that government shouldn't create too many rules to govern the technology's growth.

Powell: Feds must use light touch on Net


SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Indian troops killed two  heavily armed rebels in the heart of Kashmir's biggest city on  Wednesday, and said the gunmen planned to attack a meeting  nearby which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed just hours  later.

Gunbattle, Strike in Kashmir as Indian PM Visits


The years of failure for the Cubs always seem to come with an indelible image that serves as a harsh reminder of what might have been.

Hawkins blows save, Cubs fall behind in wild-card race


Microsoft is planning to introduce its long-awaited Internet search engine on Thursday, a person knowledgeable about the announcement said.

At Last, a Microsoft Search Tool


New top-end Power5-based Unix server has commanding lead in performance test of servers running a large database.

IBM tops server speed test


UnitedHealth Group buys Definity Health, which offers consumer-driven options.

UnitedHealth Getting Healthier


Alcoa Inc. is restarting its Jamalco alumina refinery in Jamaica after the plant escaped serious damage from Hurricane Ivan. But Alcoa said damage elsewhere in the country was leading it to declare force majeure on supply contracts.

Alcoa restarts Jamaica plant but suspends contracts


A US soldier is jailed for three years in a plea bargain after the murder of a severely wounded Iraqi teenager.

US soldier jailed for Iraq murder


Seeking to end the lockout, the N.H.L. Players Association on Thursday offered an immediate pay reduction of 24 percent and other concessions to the league.

N.H.L. Players Propose a 24 Percent Solution


Internal reports show that Romanian cyber extortionists weren't the first to penetrate the South Pole Research Station, but cast doubt on the U.S. claim that life support systems were compromised in the attack.\

News: South Pole 'cyberterrorist' hack wasn't the first


The first test of the United States anti-missile shield in nearly two years, has failed. Our correspondent, John Shovelan, reports the Missile Defence Agency says the ground-based interceptor has shut down, due to an unknown anomaly.

US anti-missile shield test fails


Federal drug regulators are

F.D.A. Failing in Drug Safety, Official Asserts


AP - Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups missed Saturday night's game against the Utah Jazz because of a sprained ankle.

Billups Sits Out Because of Ankle Sprain (AP)


Ziff Davis - Microsoft has published a list of nearly 50 software programs that require tweaking in order to work with its most recent Windows update.

Microsoft Lists Apps Affected by XP SP2 (Ziff Davis)


Molson Inc., Canada #39;s biggest brewer, and Adolph Coors Co., agreed to pay Molson shareholders a special dividend of C\$381 million (\$315 million) as part of their proposed merger in an effort to win over investors.

Molson, Coors to Pay C\$381 Million to Sweeten Merger (Update1)


The for-profit, post-secondary education industry is ripe for consolidation, and Arlington has a letter of intent to buy another school in the western United States and anticipates more deals in the next year.

Arlington Capital Buys Calif. School


Verizon, the largest US phone company, will hire as many as 5,000 workers from Massachusetts to Virginia to build a fiber-optic network to 3 million homes by the end of next year.

Verizon #39;s hiring 5,000


China has asked that North Korea attend working-level meetings ahead of the next round of six-party nuclear talks in Beijing.

China #39;s Appeal to North Korea: Attend Nuclear Working Talks


Ricardo Mayorga swung so hard at Cory Spinks throughout their fight last December that once, when a wild shot missed its mark, Mayorga spun around in a cartoonish pirouette.

No Easy Return for Trinidad


The quest for a wireless, robust video game controller is a hit and miss task.

Quest for holy grail of game controllers


Reuters - Chinese and Indian border troops have held their first-ever joint mountaineering exercise as part of a programme to improve understanding along the historically tense border between the world's two most populous countries.

Indian, Chinese troops hold mountain exercise (Reuters)


FORMER con artist Frank Abagnale, whose life was portrayed in the film Catch Me if You Can, has been recruited to help in the battle against cyber crime as spokesman for the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) in a forthcoming campaign.

Former con man joins crime battle


In a desperate move to save an infant, doctors sought a device they had never tried before: a miniaturized pump called the Berlin Heart.

Tubes, Pump and Fragile Hope Keep a Baby's Heart Beating


You just know that somewhere on this planet, at about 11:30 Saturday night, a bunch of stressed-out people losing their grip on reality began a four-day group-therapy retreat at some sanitarium.

The Red Sox celebrate after Game 7 of the ALCS. (Doug Pensinger <b>...</b>


The Toronto Argonauts are offering a big giveaway to make up for a big loss. Apologizing to their fans after getting beaten 58-20 by the Montreal Alouettes, the CFL club said Friday that a ticket stub from

Argonauts offer free tickets after 38-point loss


NEW YORK, October 27 (newratings.com) - Apple Computer (AAPL.NAS) has introduced a new version of its popular iPod digital music player, iPod Photo, with a capacity of 25,000 digital pictures and 15,000 songs.

Apple launches new iPod versions - Photo and U2 Special


Syria condemned on Friday an attempt of assassination against a former Lebanese minister in Beirut, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

Syria condemns assassination attempt against former Lebanese <b>...</b>


Reuters - Afghan President Hamid Karzai's running\mate for Saturday's historic presidential election escaped\unhurt Wednesday when a mine exploded under his convoy in the\remote northeast of the country.\Vice presidential candidate Ahmad Zia Masood, the brother of\assassinated resistance hero Ahmad Shah Masood, had gone to\Faizabad, the capital of mountainous Badakhshan province, for a\campaign rally.

Karzai's Running Mate Escapes Afghan Mine Blast (Reuters)


The death toll from a blast that ripped through a fireworks factory in central Thailand rose to 11 on Monday, police said.  quot;At this moment the death toll is 11 and one person is in the ICU, quot; Police Lt.

THAILAND-BLAST-FIREWORKS


com October 13, 2004, 2:19 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

PeopleSoft exec: We pumped up earnings


President Vladimir V. Putin warned Russia #39;s business elite on Tuesday to  quot;get used to paying taxes and observing the law, #39; #39; but he also sought to allay investor fears

Putin Tells Businesses to Get Used to Paying Taxes


A US soldier is expected to be sentenced today after being found guilty of murder for shooting a severely wounded Iraqi civilian, while the US army pressed its sole supplier of armoured Humvees to increase production amid a growing domestic controversy

Soldier guilty of murdering Iraqi


Think you've got a bead on who will win the World Series that begins tonight between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals? Prepared to put your money where your mouth is?\
<FONT face=

Sox Are Up? Sell!


An unlikely union of Halo 2 and Excel has been capturing the interest of statistically minded Xbox Live fans for whom Bungie.net #39;s seven-day online game stats service just isn #39;t detailed enough.

Excel powers advanced Halo 2 stats system


Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, has devised a novel way of raising funds for the cash-strapped state - a giant car boot sale.

Sold! To the man at the back in the stetson


Derek Jeter, who suffered a bone bruise on his left elbow when he was plunked by a pitch Monday, not only played Tuesday, but he turned out to be the star.

Jeter Walks, Runs and Pulls Yanks to Victory


Defense has been the theme for No. 13 BC High and 14th-ranked St. John's Prep for most of this soccer season. Yesterday, BC High was just a little bit better in a 1-0 win that assured the host Eagles at least a share of the Catholic Conference title.  quot;That's a top defensive battle, quot; said BC coach Billy Ryan.  quot;The players ...

BC High shuts down the Prep


The Toronto Stock Exchange cruised to a flat close yesterday as the latest rise in oil prices propelled energy stocks higher. But New York blue chips finished lower as the price of oil ended above \$46 (US) a

Oil price propels TSX as warnings hurt Dow


Web Services Management supports a full spectrum of usage models, including the management of everything from silicon components and handheld devices to PCs, servers and large-scale data centers.

Dell, Intel, Microsoft Launch Web Services Standard


Dr Manmohan Singh said international networks of terror appear to cooperate more effectively between themselves than the nations they target.

UN must lead fight against terror: PM


The Chinese economy risks a hard landing, according to an International Monetary Fund report on China #39;s economy published today.

IMF warns of Chinese hard landing


Saddam Hussein met for the first time since his capture a year ago with a defense lawyer Thursday, two days after Iraq announced it will soon bring top figures of the fallen regime to court, the chief of the former dictator's legal team said.

Hussein, Defense Lawyer Meet for 1st Time


PROVIDENCIALES, Turks  amp; Caicos Islands -- Hurricane Ivan dealt a mercifully glancing blow to Jamaica yesterday but immediately rebounded to a potent Category 5 storm and raged through open waters toward the Cayman Islands and Cuba. The death toll rose to 56.

Jamaicans spared direct hit from deadly hurricane


March Madness is four months away, but November Numbness is upon us as the NCAA kicks off tournaments in field hockey and women's soccer, with the New England area a prominent host.

Local entries facing tall tasks


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei fell 0.79 percent by  midday on Monday, extending losses into a seventh session as  worries about higher oil prices hit airlines, while banks and  retailers wilted on concerns about the domestic economic  outlook.

Nikkei Weighed Down by Oil, Economy


With most organizations that planned to move already moved to Microsoft Server 2003, OS migration has dropped to the bottom ranks after making its mark on IT Professional #39;s top five priority last year.

Novell sets Open Enterprise Server release


In a careening, high-speed shootout, insurgents tried to assassinate the commander of the Iraqi National Guard here on Tuesday, a day after he identified a man in

Iraqi Battalion Commander Barely Escapes Assassination


Russia said Saturday 11 of its nationals who were staying at a hotel in Egypt that was bombed Thursday are missing. Russia #39;s Itar-Tass news agency quoted a Russian embassy diplomat

Russia says 11 missing in Taba explosion


India #39;s top court has set aside a lower court #39;s order suspending all office-bearers of the country #39;s cricket board, including president Ranbir Mahendra, because of alleged misconduct during board elections last month.

Court reinstates Indian board officials


After rocky road to public offering, search engine proceeds--but what will it do with its windfall?

Google Gets IPO Go-Ahead


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Web search leader Google Inc.  <A HREF=

Google Profit Up, Stock Rises, No Outlook


Microsoft said it will deliver an  quot;update rollup quot; for Windows 2000 in mid-2005, rather than a final service pack for the operating system.

#39;Rollup #39; replaces SP5 for Windows 2000


Former US army sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins, who deserted to North Korea (news - web sites) four decades ago, said he decided to turn himself in to the US military and risk jail for the sake of his North Korean-born daughters, whom he feared might be

Army Deserter to Move to Japan


Type design was once the province of skilled artisans. With the help of new computer programs, neophytes have flooded the Internet with their creations.

Acceptance Letters


PITCHING: Braves left-hander Mike Hampton, already pitching with a bad knee, had to leave the game with one out in the seventh inning when his left forearm tightened.

Breaking down the teams


Electronic Data Systems Corp., a provider of outsourced computer services, said Wednesday that it is further delaying the release of its third-quarter earnings pending a review of charges related to its Navy Marine Corps Intranet account.

EDS Postpones Third-Quarter Release


The slow rise in the price of clothing and footwear on the high street has once again helped to keep inflation under control in the UK.

UK inflation rate fall continues


A court ruled that the distributors of software used by millions of people to exchange music files over the Internet cannot be held liable for aiding copyright infringement.

File-Sharing Sites Found Not Liable for Infringement


If the San Diego Chargers are able to contain Jake Plummer, they can take a huge step towards winning the AFC West title. The Chargers look to clinch their first winning season in nine years on Sunday when they host the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium.

CHARGERS EYE TOP SPOT


He has urged UEFA to give the go-ahead for major competition matches to be played on artificial surfaces. The European governing body #39;s executive committee convenes for its latest gathering in Vienna on Wednesday.

FANS WANT MORE PLASTIC - LEISHMAN


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Caesars Entertainment Inc.<A HREF=

Caesars Profit Rises, But Outlook Lags


A Bethesda company owned by Microsoft Corp. and Time Warner Inc. is the subject of a European Union investigation into whether the company #39;s software will give the two media giants a monopoly in copyright protection.

Venture by Time Warner And Microsoft Unsettles EU


RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Guatemala coach Ramon Maradiaga  believes his players were too individualistic in Saturday's 5-0  drubbing by Costa Rica and urged them not to repeat their  mistakes in Wednesday's qualifier against Honduras.

Pressure Grows for CONCACAF World Cup Hopefuls


ATHENS - Britain took a shock gold in the men #39;s 4x100m relay, pipping favourites the United States by 100th of a second. Mark Lewis-Francis held off 2000 Olympic 100m champion Maurice Greene in a blistering last leg to clinch the gold in 38.

Athletics: It #39;s Britain by a vest thickness


Penn National Gaming is buying Argosy Gaming, which operates Indiana #39;s largest riverboat casino, in a stock deal worth \$2.2 billion that includes \$805 million in long-term debt, the companies said yesterday.

Business Digest


AP - Gunmen belonging to a nationalist group that seized a police station in remote southern Peru ambushed a police vehicle on Sunday, killing four officers and wounding several more, hospital officials said. One gunman was gravely wounded.

Peru Gunmen Seize Police Station (AP)


Famously, now, there was no scoreboard at the 18th green at Oakland Hills so Colin Montgomerie had no idea his putt was for the Ryder Cup.

Montgomerie finds it tough after highs of Ryder Cup


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Tight oil supplies could leave the  global economy worryingly vulnerable for years to come, a  senior International Monetary Fund official said on Thursday.

IMF: High Oil Price a Threat for Years


AP - House Republicans plan to follow President Bush's lead and reject the Sept. 11 commission's recommendation to strip the Pentagon of control over its spy shops in favor of a new national intelligence director with hiring, firing and spending control.

House GOP to Reject 9/11 Recommendation (AP)


Chittagong (Bangladesh), Dec. 17 (PTI): India put themselves in a commanding position after centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid ensured the visitors another huge total against Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test here today.

India seizes initiative, on course for big total


A government minister today dismissed the Prince of Wales as  quot;old-fashioned and out of time quot; with  quot;patronising quot; views on the education system.

Prince  #39;out of touch #39; with education, says Clarke


RUESSELSHEIM - General Motors, the world #39;s biggest car maker, said on Thursday that after months of negotiations it had finally reached a framework agreement with unions on a deep restructuring programme for its loss-making German unit Opel.

GM management, unions reach agreement


A female Palestinian bomber blew herself up near an Israeli military hitch-hiking post in Jerusalem on Wednesday, killing two people and wounding 15.

Border police killed in Jerusalem attack


Struggling carrier Alitalia said Thursday that revenues were below expectations in July and August as domestic market share fell to 45 percent from about 50 percent last year.

Update 1: Alitalia: July Revenues Below Expectations


SCHINIAS, Greece (AP)  The early success of the first black Olympic rower on the US men #39;s team and his Navy officer partner was supposed to end Wednesday.

US rowers advances in photo finish


The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, reports rising profits and says it is optimistic it will see strong sales over the festive season.

Wal-Mart expects bumper Christmas


Quentin Griffin took off the middle, broke left to daylight and juked past a defender before racing into the end zone.

Griffin, Broncos on the run again


Throughout history, who moves in and who moves out of the White House has moved stocks on Wall Street. With the neck-and-neck presidential race between President Bush and John Kerry nearing the

Presidential election effect on stocks is stuff of legends


According to a recent study, a Chicken and a Human share half of their genes. Although the chicken genome contains considerably less DNA than the human genome, it has about the same number of genes.

Are you Chicken? Genome study shows we share half their genes!


Albert Pujols hit a tiebreaking three-run home run Sunday night as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 to reach the National League Championship Series for the second time in three years.

St. Louis gets back to NLCS


Mozilla Firefox 1.0 has launched following a two-month preview that drew 8 million downloads of the alternative Web browser. ADVERTISEMENT.

Mozilla Launches Firefox 1


LOSAIL, Qatar : World champion Valentino Rossi angrily hit out at race organisers here after he was demoted to the back of the grid for the Qatar Grand Prix.

Motor Cycling: Angry Rossi hits out at demotion


A UN report -- noting while opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan was up 64 percent the past year, opium production had only increased 17 -- has still led one UN official

UN sees surge in Afghan opium exports


Homing pigeons use the Earth #39;s magnetic field to navigate their way home over long distances, scientists writing in Nature magazine confirm.

Pigeons  #39;sense magnetic field #39;


Investor's Business Daily - When it comes to making CDMA chips for cell phones, Qualcomm is king. But as a new generation of phones hits the market, the company may struggle to keep its reign.

Goal For Qualcomm: Repeat Performance (Investor's Business Daily)


NEW YORK - Oil prices fell for the fifth day in a row on Thursday after word of a peace deal in the embattled Iraqi city of Najaf raised hopes of more reliable oil shipments from the energy-rich country and encouraged a run of profit-taking by big money

Oil Slide continues as peace deal struck in Najaf


Verizon Communications Inc. has eyed a potential acquisition of Sprint Corp. (FON.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , but has no imminent plans to make a bid, people familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.

Verizon: No Imminent Plan for Sprint Bid


The largest Voice-over-IP business deployment revealed to date presents new opportunities for both the bank that #39;s using it and the services provider that #39;s implementing it.

VoIP Gains Ground With Bank of America Deal


A few months after winning his fourth Olympic Gold Medal Matthew Pinsent, one of Britain #39;s premier rowers in recent years has announced his retirement.

Olympic rowing champion Pinsent bows out


Three years is an eternity to wait for a sequel. Early Tuesday morn ing,  quot;Halo quot; fans received deliverance with the launch of  quot;Halo 2, quot; one of the most anticipated video games of all time.

Game on: Fans are fired up for release of Halo #39; sequel


Security experts have spotted the first attempts to create an Internet worm that propagates using instant messages and exploits a recently disclosed flaw in Microsoft software.

Instant messaging worm exploits JPEG flaw


Palestinian militants fired two mortars at a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip on Friday, killing a 24-year Israeli woman and enflaming settler anger at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Palestinians Shell Gaza Settlement; 1 Dead


Reuters - For those who believe the adage

Web Scribe Ranks Olympic Last-Place Losers (Reuters)


Ziff Davis - Microsoft sources claim a British regulatory agency's objections to an anti-Linux print advertisement are moot because the ad hasn't run in any UK publications since May.

Microsoft Dismisses British Objections to Anti-Linux Ad (Ziff Davis)


Officials were today still trying to identify the body of a western woman found in Fallujah as US marines continued attacking insurgents in the city.

Mystery of woman #39;s body in Fallujah


PARIS  amp; PITTSBURGH --(Business Wire)-- Nov. 8, 2004 -- Bull today announce that its range of NovaScale servers will run the latest Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2 processors, with a L3 cache up to 9 MB, and the new

Bull Announces the Availability of NovaScale Servers Running the <b>...</b>


A huge sweep for online fraud and other Internet-related crimes netted 53 convictions and another 103 arrests, the Justice Department announced.

DOJ announces online fraud convictions


Halliburton Co. (HAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , once run by Vice President Dick Cheney, said an internal probe found information suggesting that members of a consortium

Halliburton Finds Talk of Nigerian Bribes


Toshiba is taking action to protect its patents. The Japan-based company has accused Hynix Semiconductor of violating seven patents in the United States, including ones for DRAM, and three flash-memory patents in Japan.

Toshiba Sues Hynix for Patent Infringement


Reuters - Syria has shown a new readiness\to work with U.S.-led forces to stop arms, militants and money\from crossing into Iraq and fueling insurgency, Secretary of\State Colin Powell said on Wednesday.

Syria Open to Cooperating with U.S. on Iraq -Powell (Reuters)


Vladimir Guerrero of the Anaheim Angels won the A.L. Most Valuable Player award, easily beating the second-place finisher, Gary Sheffield of the Yankees.

Guerrero Wins American League M.V.P. Award


Jonny Wilkinson, the fly-half who kicked England to victory in last year #39;s rugby World Cup final, has been ruled out for several weeks #39; #39; with an arm injury, his club said.

Wilkinson Injures Arm, May Miss Three England Matches (Update1)


Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie hailed Andy Johnson as one of the best strikers in the country after the centre-forward scored his fifth goal of the season in a 2-0 win against Fulham on Monday.

Palace boss hails hitman Johnson


Israeli officials pointed an accusing finger at Syria yesterday after two Palestinian suicide bombers killed 16 people and wounded scores more in the first such attack in Israel in more than five months.

Israelis accuse Syrians of harboring Hamas


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Designers say it flies faster, farther, and smoother. Pilots say the latest collision-avoidance systems in the all-digital cockpit make it the safest in the air.

Patriotism drives copter competition


Reuters - The United States\showed no signs of budging in its opposition to the Kyoto\protocol Monday as U.N. climate change talks began, a month\after President Bush's reelection and Russia's ratification of\the agreement.

U.S. Firmly Anti-Kyoto as U.N. Climate Talks Start (Reuters)


AP - The two candidates vying to fill South Carolina's open Senate seat both pledged Sunday to fully arm American troops in Iraq, as the Army investigates the refusal of a South Carolina-based platoon to go on a convoy mission because their trucks were unarmored.

S.C. Candidates Pledge to Fully Arm GIs (AP)


AFP - A powerful South Korea labor group said it would call hundreds of thousands of its members to strike next week against a government bill aimed at stopping union militancy and securing flexible job markets.

South Korean group vows massive strike over labor reform bill (AFP)


AMMAN, Oct 28 (AFP) - The international charity CARE has shut down its operations in Iraq following the abduction last week of its director there, Briton Margaret Hassan, spokesman Arnoud Hekkens said in Jordan Thursday.

International charity CARE closes Iraq operations


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc.  <A HREF=

Poultry Producer's Stock Falls 23 Percent


Reuters - Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt\was taken to hospital late on Tuesday after a car accident,\Belga news agency reported.

Belgian PM in Hospital After Car Accident -Agency (Reuters)


Google plans to raise as much as \$1.67 billion in its public stock offering today, but even that impressive estimate doesn't hide the fact that the hype surrounding the search engine's IPO is only half as hot as yesterday. <FONT face=

Google's IPO: Grate Expectations


NEW YORK - President Bush, trying to soften his image overseas as a heavy-handed unilateralist, is using his annual address to the United Nations to offer up a brighter vision of a planet with less hunger, disease and oppression.    Exactly six weeks before Election Day, Bush is equally concerned about his audience at home...

Bush's Address to U.N. Seeks Cooperation


BEAVER CREEK, Colorado (Reuters) - American Bode Miller won  a men's World Cup Alpine skiing downhill Friday to celebrate a  phenomenal fourth win in five races.

Miller Wins Downhill for Fourth Win in Five Races


AFP - The United States urged North Korea to stop boasting about its nuclear weapons capability and return to the negotiating table to resolve the nuclear crisis in the Korean peninsula.

North Korea should stop boasting and return to negotiating table: US (AFP)


Reuters - The dollar crept up on Wednesday,\enjoying some respite from recent falls due to caution ahead of\an announcement on U.S. interest rates and after more European\officials spoke out against the euro's rapid rise.

Dollar Edges Up After Euro Talked Down (Reuters)


The Atlanta Falcons #39; Jay Feely kicked two field goals Sunday in a 6-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Feely #39;s field goals were from 25 and 23 yards in the first half.

NFL: Atlanta 6, Arizona 3


HCC Insurance Holdings said Monday that its subsidiaries that have market service agreements have voluntarily suspended payments under the agreements.

Around The Region


GAZA (Reuters) - A senior Hamas leader survived an Israeli  assassination attempt on Wednesday but at least five other  Palestinians were killed in the night-time explosion that tore  through his Gaza home.

Israel Kills 5 in Attempt to Assassinate Hamas Man


LOS ANGELESSiebel Systems Inc., under the leadership of new CEO Mike Lawrie, is rededicating itself to ensuring enterprises #39; success at implementing, deploying and managing its market-leading but complex CRM software applications.

Siebel Refocuses on Customers


The nephew of late Palestinian leader says Yasser Arafat's medical file does not end rumours about his death.

Arafat file fails to halt rumours


For the first time in two years, the percentage of loans in foreclosure in Colorado has quit rising, perhaps signaling a turnaround in the state economy.

Loan foreclosures stop climb, but still top figures from 2003


Uruguay #39;s leftist candidate Tabare Vazquez is headed for victory in presidential elections with an estimated 50.9 to 53 percent of the vote, exit polls and pollster projections showed.

Uruguay #39;s left headed for poll win


Iran acknowledged for the first time today it has convicted some Iranians of supporting al-Qaida. A few pro-al Qaida Iranian nationals have been tried and convicted, said foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi.

We #39;ve convicted al-Qaida supporters, says Iran


AFP - US software giant Microsoft Corp has sued a group of  quot;spammers quot; who it accuses of sending unsolicited e-mails promoting pornography to millions of its customers, documents showed.

Microsoft sues spammers for sending unsolicited mail (AFP)


The productivity of America #39;s workers grew at a 1.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the slowest pace in nearly two years, the government reported Tuesday.

Third-Quarter Productivity Slows to 1.8


Computer Associates introduces usage-based pricing model for mainframe software.

CA adds utility-like mainframe pricing


American Aaron Peirsol reclaims the gold medal Thursday night in the 200-meter backstroke after his disqualification was reversed.

Peirsol's Medal Restored


Most of the citizens of Gator Nation hungrily devoured the juicy piece of news yesterday morning: The University of Florida fired its beleaguered football coach, Ron Zook.

With Zook ousted, talk turns to Spurrier


AP - For paramedics in rural areas, responding to frantic calls for help is at times akin to doing a high-wire act without a net. Mountains, valleys, bad weather and long distances between hospitals make communication with emergency room physicians spotty at best and nonexistent at worst.

Satellite System Puts Doctors in Ambulance (AP)


Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Inc. (HGST), the business created by the merger of the hard-disk drive manufacturing units of Hitachi Ltd. and IBM Corp., is to lay off about 400 workers, it said Monday.

Hitachi, IBM to lay off 400 at hard disk drive venture


Boeing does not want a trade war over subsidies, but Europe must stop giving state aid to rival Airbus, which is destroying competition in the aerospace industry, a senior Boeing official said on Friday.

Boeing Urges Europe to End Airbus Aid


The European Union has announced it will pay for more than half of the African Union #39;s peacekeeping force in Sudan #39;s Darfur region.

EU to pick up half AU #39;s Darfur tab


KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN should deny Myanmar the chairmanship of the regional grouping in 2006 if the military-run state fails to show tangible proof that it is moving towards democracy, regional lawmakers and activists said on Saturday.

Lawmakers want ASEAN to push Myanmar for reforms


SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Running back Darius Walker didn #39;t play last week against Brigham Young, but Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham said the reason had nothing to do with any thoughts of holding Walker out as a freshman to preserve a year of eligibility.

Freshman Walker gives Irish running game a boost


As chipmakers plunge into the world of multicore processors to increase performance, software companies are struggling to catch up.

Seeing double


Canadian Press - HOBART, Australia (AP) - About 100 whales and dolphins died after beaching on a southern Australian island Sunday and about 50 more were still at risk, a government official said.

100 beached whales, dolphins die on Australian island, official says (Canadian Press)


Signaling a possible wider slowdown in the semiconductor industry, Royal Philips Electronics on Friday became the latest company to say that sales had begun to stall.

As With Other Chip Makers, Sales Begin to Stall at Philips


Reuters - Medtronic Inc. (MDT.N) on Wednesday\said its quarterly earnings rose on brisk demand for devices\that manage irregular heart beats and products used to treat\the spine.

Medtronic Quarterly Net Up (Reuters)


AP - Iraq's government is planning a conference in late November to promote political stability and seek support for upcoming elections, but U.N. officials say they're worried about the timing and lack of a clear agenda.

Egypt to Host Summit on Iraqi Elections (AP)


An official of Macedonia #39;s ruling coalition says Sunday #39;s referendum challenging ethnic Albanian autonomy will go down to defeat for lack of sufficient turnout.

Opponents: Macedonian Referendum Will Fail on Low Turnout


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Software maker Computer  Associates  International Ltd. <A HREF=

Computer Associates Results Top View


SYDNEY: Australian flag-carrier Qantas said it was disappointed a proposed alliance with Air New Zealand had been rejected by New Zealand #39;s High Court but ruled out appealing the decision.

Disappointed Qantas wants to  quot;move on quot; after NZ alliance rejected


AP - Immediately after Jamaal Tinsley made a layup in the third quarter that got the Indiana Pacers rolling to an improbable win over Boston, he raised his hand and extended three fingers.

Pacers Holding Tough After Suspensions (AP)


AP - Web sites for President Bush's campaign and the Republican National Committee suffered outages for several hours on Wednesday.

Bush and GOP Sites Suffer Outages (AP)


Investigation into this month #39;s crash of the Genesis spacecraft entered a new phase last week inside a Jefferson County laboratory.

Spacecraft back in Jeffco


When Indonesian archaeologists uncovered the remains of several ancient skeletons in a remote island cave, the discovery was hailed as introducing modern humans to an unfamiliar two-legged cousin: Homo floresiensis.

Human races


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi announced plans Monday to extend a cash-for-weapons program for Shiite fighters in Baghdad's Sadr City to cities nationwide in an attempt to disarm the country.    In Fallujah, the focal point of the Sunni rebellion, hopes that peace talks could resume there quickly were dashed when the city's chief negotiator, Sheik Khaled al-Jumeili, ruled out restarting talks soon despite his release Monday from U.S...

Iraq's Allawi Extends Arms-For-Cash Plan


Internet users at home are not nearly as safe online as they believe, according to a nationwide inspection by researchers. They found most consumers have

Internet users not as safe online as they believe, researchers <b>...</b>


ATLANTA - It #39;s been a long time coming but the state #39;s financial picture, at least on the income side, is brightening, state officials said Thursday.

State financial picture brightening - on income side, at least


A senior United Nations official said here Monday that the situation in the western Sudanese regionof Darfur is still troublesome.

Situation in Darfur region still troublesome: UN official


Target Corp. has agreed to pay \$1 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging it failed to stamp prices on merchandise, the fourth in a string of agreements over the past two years costing major retailers more than \$8 million in fees and millions more in compliance measures.

Target to pay \$1m in item price suit


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. 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


Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, appeared to back off last night from Tony Blair #39;s promise to Parliament that a Black Watch battle group being redeployed to help US Marines near Baghdad will be home by Christmas.

Hoon wavers on Black Watch Christmas return


His team #39;s national title hopes dashed, West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez searched for a positive to take out of the Mountaineers #39; loss to middling Virginia Tech.

West Virginia out of national title race


AP - Dutch retailer Ahold NV, recovering from a major accounting scandal largely attributed to its U.S. food distribution business, reported a lower-than-expected profit for the second quarter that reflected weak U.S. results. Its shares fell more than 8 percent in midday trading.

Ahold Reports Weaker Second Quarter Profit (AP)


AFP - Soaring oil prices should inflict less damage on US economic growth and inflation than the 1970s oil shock, Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said.

Greenspan says oil price agony milder than in 1970s (AFP)


Israel says it will move a planned stretch of its controversial barrier in the West Bank closer to Israel.

Israelis to alter barrier route


Asked who might be the first big-name player to be traded this season, Knicks president Isiah Thomas answered Eddy Curry and 76ers president Billy King guessed Kurt Thomas.

Who #39;ll be traded first? The favourite is Eddy Curry


Titans QB Steve McNair was released from a Nashville hospital after a two-night stay for treatment of a bruised sternum. McNair was injured during the fourth quarter of the Titans #39; 15-12 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.

McNair let out of hospital


Libya achieved Monday a new major political victory by the EU decision fully and finally lifting the embargo on selling and exporting weapons to Libya imposed since 1986.

EU decision on the final lifting of sanctions imposed on Libya


England has held out Spain by one stroke for only its second World Cup victory thanks to magnificent putting from Paul Casey. Casey and partner Luke Donald survived a challenge from Spanish duo Sergio Garcia

England clinches World Cup


AirTran Airways plans to assume the Chicago Midway Airport gate leases and acquire other related assets including takeoff and landing slots at New York #39;s LaGuardia and Washington #39;s Ronald Reagan National airports from ATA Airlines for approximately \$87.

AirTran to acquire ATA #39;s Chicago gates


A car bomb attack outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday bears all the hallmarks of a Malaysian terror suspect who is a senior member of an al Qaeda-linked group, Indonesia #39;s police chief said.

Jakarta suspects key terror suspect over bombing


Gary Megson was dismissed as West Bromwich Albion manager on Tuesday, just hours after saying he would quit at the end of the season, Britain #39;s Press Association reported.

Gary Megson dismissed as manager of West Bromwich Albion on <b>...</b>


Racial abuse of black players during England #39;s friendly against Spain has seriously jeopardised Madrid #39;s chances of staging the Olympics in 2012, according to members of the International Olympic Committee.

Racist chanting puts Madrid bid at risk


A local researcher #39;s invitation to participate in a federal drug-safety board meeting was rescinded after he spoke out about his concerns regarding the safety of some arthritis drugs.

Panel spurns WFU expert


Depressed sales at Federated Department Store Inc. stores in Florida will cause third-quarter results to come in lower than expected, the company announced today.

Federated to take 3Q hit from hurricanes


This time, it #39;s not Andreessen #39;s former company Netscape Communications that #39;s taking on Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer; it #39;s the emerging popularity of smaller products such as Apple Computer #39;s Safari and open-source browser Firefox, Andreessen said.

The browser wars are back, according to Netscape #39;s founder


UNHERALDED Gilles Muller spoiled a star-studded finals scenario at the Washington Open today, muscling aside Andre Agassi 6-4, 7-5 to move into a match-up with Lleyton Hewitt.

Muller, Hewitt for final


Danish footballers have suspended a week-long strike, called to protest against FIFA transfer rules, allowing next weekend #39;s games to go ahead.

Danish players call off strike


The African Union is to decide early October whether it will send 3,000- to 5,000 troops to the troubled region Darfur to help stop the violence there, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said.

AU to deploy 5,000 troops in Darfur


British Airways says it is rewarding ground staff with cheap flights after a chaotic week of cancelled flights.

BA staff to get cut-price flights


Taiwan #39;s markets and government offices closed yesterday as Typhoon Nock-Ten, the sixth typhoon to hit this year, whipped parts of the island with torrential rains and winds.

Markets close as sixth typhoon this year hits Taiwan


WASHINGTON: The United States said on Friday it will adhere to its international obligations on anti-dumping efforts, after the World Trade Organization gave seven trading powers, including the European Union, a final green light to levy multimillion

US will conform to anti-dumping rules: Bush


The magazine Chemical and Engineering News has started publishing movie reviews that focus on the accuracy of the science in the latest Hollywood releases.

Forget Star Chemistry. How About the Film's?


Carrefour, the world #39;s No. 2 food retailer said Wednesday that its profit increased 5.3 per cent in the first half of the year, as robust international operations and lower finance costs helped

Carrefour posts 5.3 per cent profit rise, maintains 2004 goals


MOSCOW -- Police intercepted a car packed with explosives in central Moscow yesterday and said they had thwarted a terrorist attack, Russian media reported. A suspect told investigators he was being paid \$1,000 to take the car to a major thoroughfare used by President Vladimir Putin, news agencies and television said, quoting security forces. The suspect died from a heart ...

Police said to stop explosives-laden car


GOTEMBA, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) European Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke shot a solid 4-under-par 68 to capture his first victory of the season at the Mitsui-Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters on Sunday.

Clarke romps home in Taiheiyo Masters


Think there are too many Starbucks in the world? The coffee retailer apparently doesn #39;t think there are enough. Starbucks yesterday expanded its estimate of outlets that it eventually plans to open worldwide to 30,000, up from 25,000.

Starbucks envisions more stores


BELFAST -- The outlawed Ulster Defense Association has resumed a credible cease-fire and is eligible to play a formal role again in Northern Ireland's peace process, Britain announced yesterday in a surprise move.

N. Ireland militants' cease-fire OK'd


Englishman Simon Dyson took advantage of the excellent conditions at the stunning Crans-sur-Sierre course in Switzerland to move to the top of the leaderboard on the second morning of the Omega European Masters.

Dyson Masters Swiss Course


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attack and roadside bombings killed six American soldiers, the U.S. command said Wednesday, as U.S...

6 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq Attacks


AP - The United States withheld judgment Tuesday on whether Israel's plans to build 1,000 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank violate the U.S-led Middle East peace plan.

U.S. Studying Israeli West Bank Home Plan (AP)


Michael Vaughan is hoping that England #39;s tour of Zimbabwe will benefit his younger players despite the controversy surrounding the series.

Vaughan wary of Zimbabwe tour


This just in. In addition to that whole Milton Bradley thing, the Dodgers are now also demanding that Fox erase all tapes of this division series against the Cardinals.

Dream Weaver #39;s worst nightmare


Two car bombs shook the capital in quick succession, killing at least 11 people, including a U.S. soldier, and wounding 16.

Two Car Bombs Kill at Least 11 as Rumsfeld Visits Iraq


washingtonpost.com - The Bush administration has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a decision that requires cable companies to open their high-speed Internet networks to rival online providers.

High Court Petitioned on Cable Net Access Rule (washingtonpost.com)


In his 14th year as an NFL head coach, Dick Vermeil has now started a season with two straight losses four times, the latest with the current edition of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cards, Dolphins in store for long season


NEW YORK, November 10 (newratings.com) - California #39;s insurance commissioner has approved the proposed \$16.5 billion merger between Anthem Inc (ATH.

Anthem-WellPoint merger deal wins approval in California


Israeli troops shot and killed a 7-year-old Palestinian girl on Friday after militants fired mortar rounds at a Gaza Strip settlement, injuring four Israelis, one of them a child, officials said.

Israeli Soldiers Kill Palestinian Girl


Joyce Plotkin, Massachusetts Software Council #39;s president, told LinuxInsider that the group regularly brings heavy hitters to its membership meetings, and that past speakers have included Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Microsoft #39;s Ballmer Addresses Linux, Security


GLASGOW, Scotland -- Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League with an impressive 3-0 win over struggling Dundee, then learnt that would face old firm rivals Celtic in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Rangers win, then draw old rivals


Treasury chief Gordon Brown said Thursday that the British economy will continue to grow strongly in 2004 and that the government will meet key targets on public borrowing, bettering the expectations of many economic forecasters.

Chief Gordon Brown Predicts Strong Growth


LISBON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Microsoft CEO: Merger Strategy Unchanged


Viacom Inc., the third-largest US media company, said third-quarter profit from continuing operations rose 12 percent, boosted by advertising gains at CBS and MTV.

Viacom Profit Rises on CBS Ads; Plans \$8 Bln Buyback (Update9)


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said his team turned in a near-perfect performance, re-igniting their bid for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a valuable 1-0 win at Deportivo Coruna.

Benitez delighted with Liverpool step forward


AP - Finland didn't get its long-awaited revenge on Sweden, but a 4-4 tie was good enough to win the European Pool at the World Cup of Hockey on Saturday.

Finland Wins European Pool in Hockey (AP)


IBM has signed a 500m, seven-year deal with Lloyds TSB to enhance the banks voice and data services. IBM is acting as the Lloyds TSBs strategic technology partner, as the bank builds a new national

Lloyds TSB signs 500m network deal with IBM


where? -- for so long now, it #39;s easy to overlook one pesky little problem: There are still a whole mess of questions that haven #39;t been answered about the Expos #39; move to Washington.

Expos not quite out of limbo


: A former soldier, rebel and warlord was sworn in today as the new President of Somalia in the latest attempt to unite the nation under a Central Government for the first time since 1991.

Ex-soldier, rebel  amp; warlord sworn in Somalia President


US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova overcame a tough first-set challenge from wild card Angelique Widjaja to reach the semi-finals of the Wismilak International with a 7-5 6-1 victory on Friday.

Kuznetsova forced to fight to reach Bali semis


GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli leader Ariel Sharon vowed on  Sunday to widen an offensive into Gaza which has killed 55  Palestinians until militants stop firing rockets that have  fueled criticism of his plan to quit the occupied strip.

Sharon Vows to Expand Gaza Raid, Toll Hits 55


Sports India, Cricket: Chittagong, Dec 17 : Consistent Rahul Dravid Friday became the first batsman to smash a Test century in all 10 Test playing nations when he scored his 18th ton in the second Test against Bangladesh here.

Dravid first to score centuries in 10 Test-playing nations:


TechWeb - The  #36;99.95 software stores Outlook e-mail, calendar and contacts, Internet Explorer favorites and browsing history, among other data.

Migo Transforms iPod Into Backup Device (TechWeb)


Bluetooth specialist CSR has packed a triple-mode a/b/g Wi-Fi adapter into a single ultra-small chip, complete with multiple antennas ready for 802.

Wi-Fi superchip threatens Bluetooth


Bankrupt US Airways Group Inc. (UAIRQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday asked a court to impose wage and benefit cuts on its union employees to save

UPDATE 2-US Air seeks court-imposed cuts in wages, benefits


Tokyo stocks ended mixed Tuesday as investors grew cautious ahead of the US presidential election. The US dollar edged higher against the Japanese yen.

Tokyo Stocks Finish Mixed, Dollar Higher


German rowers repeated their Olympic glory in Athens with two gold medals in women #39;s quadruple sculls and women #39;s single sculls.

Germany repeats rowing glory in Athens


WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court agreed yesterday to consider whether cable companies must open their high-speed lines to rival Internet providers.

Court will hear case on cable Net access


DEADLY SCORER: Manchester United #39;s Wayne Rooney celebrating his three goals against Fenerbahce this week at Old Trafford. (AP).

More Rooney magic?


Pakistan's parliament passes a bill allowing Gen Pervez Musharraf to remain as both president and head of the army.

Musharraf dual role backed by MPs


The Seattle Storm has defeated the Connecticut Sun 67-65 to force a decisive third game in the Women #39;s National Basketball Association Finals.

WNBA: Storm Defeat Sun, Tie Finals at 1-1


AP - German phone giant Deutsche Telekom AG said Thursday its third-quarter net profit jumped to 1.39 billion euros ( #36;1.73 billion) amid growth at its wireless and Internet businesses, and raised its full-year forecast.

Deutsche Telekom Boosts 3rd-Quarter Profit (AP)


A Soyuz spacecraft with a replacement crew for the International Space Station docked safely with the orbiting complex.

A New Crew Arrives at the Space Station


Prices paid by US consumers rose for a fourth straight month in November, supporting forecasts that Federal Reserve policy makers will keep raising interest rates.

US November Consumer Prices Rise 0.2; Core Up 0.2 (Update3)


ON the heels of devices such as Sanyo #39;s Xacti C1 and Panasonic #39;s D-SNAP, which cut down video camera bulk by writing video to storage cards instead of tape or disc, comes the Everio range from JVC.

Drives cut vidcam bulk


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A much-anticipated first meeting  between South Asia's rivals, Pakistan President Pervez  Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will be  held on Sept. 24 in New York, a Pakistani official said on  Monday.

Pakistan, India Leaders to Meet Sept. 24 in U.S.


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces battled insurgents around the rebel stronghold of Fallujah on Sunday after two American soldiers died when their helicopters crashed south of Baghdad...

Two Soldiers Die After Crash in Iraq


NEW YORK (Reuters) - E*Trade Financial Corp. (ET.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , a major online broker, on Wednesday said customer stock trading for the month of July dropped 1.6 percent from June as investors curbed their enthusiasm for trading stocks.

E*Trade Says Customer Trading Dipped in July


Ryan Newman and Mark Martin did things to aid their causes Friday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway. But only the final tally after the checkered flag for the Chevy

Newman, Martin pace scramble to  #39;Chase #39;


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Militiamen loyal to rebel Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Friday removed their weapons from the revered Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf as part of an arrangement aimed at ending a 2-week-old anti-U.S. uprising centered on the holy site...

Militants Remove Arms From Najaf Shrine


quot;BE not dismayed, quot; sang the Pitcairn Islanders, all wearing their best clothes, in a white, wooden church high above Bounty Bay.

Sermon urges unity for island


Red Hat, the top seller of Linux, has hired a former Sun Microsystems executive to head its push to get the open-source operating system on desktop computers.

Red Hat drafts Sun exec for desktop Linux push


ATHENS (Reuters) - Japan's diminutive Mizuki Noguchi put on  an extraordinary display of front-running to win the Olympic  women's marathon title on Sunday as Paula Radcliffe's challenge  ended in bitter tears.

Noguchi Reduces Radcliffe to Tears, Kastor Wins Bronze


The 2004 hurricane season is expected to be costly for insurers, with early estimates of \$8bn (4.5bn) of losses from just one of the storms that have hit the United States this year.

Ivan intensifies terrible hurricane year for insurers


WASHINGTON - Oil prices rose Thursday despite reports that refineries along the Gulf Coast, as well as production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, that had been shut down were slowly being restaffed, as Hurricane Ivan proved to be less disruptive than feared.

Oil Prices Rise Though Storm Fears Vanish


BRUSSELS -- NATO allies agreed yesterday to create a military training academy in Iraq, expanding the alliance's small presence in the country after two years of feuding over the US-led war.

Allies agree to set up military training academy in Iraq


SBC Communications will offer a high-speed Internet connection for \$19.95 per month to new customers who buy a premium calling plan and sign a one-year contract, the company said on Wednesday.

SBC lowers broadband prices for new customers


TOKYO -- Electronics and entertainment giant Sony Corp. is talking with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp. in an effort to boost sales by shipping to US discount chains with which it previously did little business.

Sony in talks to sell products at discounters


DENVER - In a last-minute flurry of accusations before their final debate, John Kerry tried to tie President Bush to record oil prices while the president charged that his Democratic opponent has totally misunderstood the war on terror.    On the way to the debate that will range over domestic issues from the economy to health care, Bush is reaching out to military supporters in Colorado Springs, where the war in Iraq is the chief concern...

Bush, Kerry Talk Tough on Oil, Terror


Reuters - Pedro Martinez pitched seven shutout\innings to lead the streaking Boston Red Sox to their 10th\straight victory, a 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers in American\League play at Fenway Park on Friday.

AL Wrap: Martinez Pitches Red Sox to 10th Straight Victory (Reuters)


DoCoMo previously procured FOMA handsets only from domestic manufacturers. The two companies -- Motorola and DoCoMo -- said they aim to market the new handset from next spring targeting business users.

Motorola To Develop FOMA Mobile Phone Handset for DoCoMo


Microsoft yesterday said it will expand its indemnification program to cover the vast majority of its customers in a move to set itself apart from open-source rivals.

Microsoft to indemnify most customers from legal threats


BAGHDAD, Iraq - British and Irish leaders today condemned the apparent slaying of a British aid worker who would be the first foreign woman killed in the wave of kidnappings that have beset Iraq.

Female hostage likely executed by militants


AP - Check out any sporting goods store around town and you'll find them cluttering the clearance racks: brown, white and orange No. 2 jerseys  #151; in any size.

NFL 2004: Garcia a Good Fit for Browns (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. initial jobless claims slumped  last week but the outcome was heavily influenced by weather,  while soaring petroleum prices in August powered the cost of  imports to an 18-month high.

Jobless Claims Slump, Import Prices Jump


The Supreme Court, accepting urgent pleas from the recording and film industries, agreed on Friday to decide whether the online services that enable copyrighted songs

Justices Agree to Hear Case on Sharing of Music Files


President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the media could not just be passive observers in the face of terrorist threats and called on journalists to use their work to advance the anti-terrorist cause.

Putin calls for media to fight terror


It was bad enough when Northwestern receiver Mark Philmore said Ohio State was no better than the Wildcats, conveniently overlooking all that tradition and those four national titles.

Northwestern ends 33 years of frustration with victory over <b>...</b>


AP - Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Montae Reagor could feel the weariness long before Thursday's game at Detroit. The constant hits, the barrage of meetings, the quick pivots from game plan to game plan had already worn down his body and mind.

Colts Thrive in Grueling Four-Game Stretch (AP)


Nintendo sold 500,000 Nintendo DS video game devices during the first week of sales in US stores for the new handheld featuring two screens for game playing, the Japanese game maker said Wednesday.

Nintendo sells 500,000 DS handhelds in first week


AP - The Dallas defense hinted at an all-out blitz early in the second quarter, and Daunte Culpepper saw it coming. He alerted his Minnesota teammates, stepped back into the shotgun and calmly threw a soft pass over the line for a 63-yard touchdown that put the Vikings ahead for good in last Sunday's season-opening victory over the Cowboys.

Culpepper Has Vikings' Offense Clicking (AP)


Credit cards issuers may face penalty from the regulators as credit cards solicitation is not as reliable as they are said. Consumers sometimes are not given the whole information about the possibly imposed

Credit cards may cause trouble for issuers


WASHINGTON - President Bush has a slight lead over Democrat John Kerry in an Associated Press poll, but the president has a big advantage on protecting the country - the issue voters say they care about most.

Poll: Kerry Lags Bush on National Security


SEATTLE -- So, Curt Schilling , what do you do after you reach the threshold of your third 20-win season in four years and your first for the Red Sox, who signed you out of junior college 18 years earlier?

Schilling focused on 20th


Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Andrew Brackman scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half to lead 12th-ranked North Carolina State to a hard-fought 78-72 win over Louisiana-Lafayette at the RBC Center.

NCAA Game Summary - Louisianna-Lafayette at North Carolina State


Lycos Europe has taken down their  quot;Make Love Not Spam quot; campaign. After a short but popular campaign the company decided to stop their mission.

Lycos Europe shuts down  quot;the love quot;.


Nokia has teamed with Pointsec Mobile Technologies AB on encryption technology for smart phones based on the Nokia Series 60 and Series 80 design platforms, which run on the Symbian operating system.

Nokia, Pointsec team on mobile data security


The last time Louisiana Tech visited Starkville, in 1999, they left with an upset defeat at the hands of Mississippi State. Five Novembers later, the Lady Techsters returned to Humphrey Coliseum...and the Lady Bulldogs ready to do it again.

Ladydogs Upend #20 Louisana Tech 72-55


A tiny unmanned NASA  quot;scramjet #39; #39; soared above the Pacific Ocean Tuesday at nearly 10 times the speed of sound, or almost 7,000 mph (11,263 kph), in a record-breaking demonstration of a radical new engine technology.

NASA  #39;scramjet #39; launched, soars at 11,263 kph


COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sports Network) - Troy Smith threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 145 yards and a score to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 37-21 victory over No.

Ohio State Surprises No. 7 Michigan


Intel today released the latest Pentium M chip in the form of the Pentium M model 765. The Pentium M 765 clocks in at 2.10GHz, contains 2MB cache and a 400MHz system bus.

Intel Releases Faster 2.10 GHz Pentium M, Prices Dropped on Slower <b>...</b>


Orders to US factories for big-ticket goods dropped in August, largely weighed down by a sharp decline in demand for commercial airplanes.

Durable Goods Orders Dip in August


BAGHDAD - Several insurgent groups in Iraq have set deadlines for killing hostages, from a trio of American and British workers to an entire squad of 18 Iraqi soldiers, unless demands are met.

Militant groups set deadlines for killing hostages


At least one Russian ministry has signed letters agreeing to Moscow #39;s approval of the Kyoto Protocol, a spokesman said on Thursday, in what could be a final step in bringing the global pact into force.

Russian ministries start agreeing to Kyoto approval


GAINESVILLE  He walked toward the tunnel one final time, his career within Ben Hill Griffin Stadium finished less than three years after it began.

Zook #39;s Swamp finale a romp


AP - Ben Wallace is expected to miss at least two road games for the Detroit Pistons following the death of his brother in Alabama.

Ben Wallace to Miss Time With Pistons (AP)


The Chicago Cubs exercised the option of pitcher Ryan Dempster for the 2005 season and could look at the right-hander as a possible closer.

Veteran right-hander might be used in closer role


Shares of Forest Laboratories (FRX:NYSE - news - research)slipped Tuesday after the company said a test of an experimental blood pressure drug didn #39;t meet all of the study #39;s goals.

Forest Labs Hypertension Drug Falls Short


House prices fell by 1.1 per cent last month, their worst performance in four years, Halifax, Britain #39;s biggest mortgage lender, has said.

House market has worst month since 2000


SPACE.com - A piloted rocket ship race to claim a  #36;10 million Ansari X Prize purse for privately financed flight to the edge of space is heating up.

The Next Great Space Race: SpaceShipOne and Wild Fire to Go For the Gold (SPACE.com)


The production capacity of Alcoa Inc. #39;s proposed aluminum plant in Trinidad is being expanded by 29 percent, the prime minister said.

Proposed Trinidad Alcoa Plant Expanding


SINGAPORE -- Bill Gates, the chairman and founder of Microsoft, receives millions of e-mail messages a day, said Steve Ballmer, the company #39;s chief executive.

Gates Gets 4M Spam Messages Each Day


AFP - Britain's Ben Ainslie collected his second successive Olympic Games yachting gold medal when he took victory in the Finn class.

Ainslie wins second Olympics yachting gold (AFP)


Nortel Networks Corp. named its first chief marketing officer on Monday in keeping with the new initiatives announced last month by CEO William Owens.

Nortel names chief marketing officer


BERLIN, Germany - Bahamian 400-metre Olympic champion Tonique Williams-Darling has to continue her unbeaten streak for one more race this season, tomorrow #39;s Berlin meet, in order to collect her share of the TDK Golden League jackpot.

Williams-Darling poised for jackpot


US President George W. Bush saidon Saturday that the kickoff of Afghan presidential elections was a remarkable achievement.  quot;A marvelous thing is happening in Afghanistan, quot; Bush

Bush hails Afghanistan #39;s election


Courier service DHL is expected to set up an intercontinental hub either in Vatry, France, or Leipzig, Germany. For the eastern German city, a lot is at stake.

Leipzig Hopes to Gain DHL Hub


Dell Inc. is recalling about 990,000 AC adapters used with notebook personal computers because they can overheat and cause a fire and electrical shock hazard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday.

Dell Recalls Power Adaptors


Mark Philippoussis lost 6-3 6-4 to Czech player Tomas Zib as the rain-hit Japan Open finally got under way. Zib humbled the big-hitting Australian at Tokyo #39;s Ariake Colleseum on a day when many matches were postponed.

Philippoussis suffers loss


Washington, Oct. 4: The weekend reshuffle of Pakistan armys top brass offers a mixed bag for India at a time when New Delhi is banking on the army to advance a peace process which has eluded success in

General alters stripes, India watches


Two Neptune-sized planets have been discovered circling stars beyond our Solar System, US astronomers reported on Tuesday. The discoveries, which come less than a week after a similar announcement by European

Two new rocky  #39;super Earths #39; found


Pakistan #39;s President Pervez Musharraf is  quot;confused quot; and not a little impatient. India is concerned, and Kashmiris are increasingly pessimistic.

ANALYSIS-Indo-Pak peace bid runs into rough water


Oklahoma moved up to No. 2 in the B.C.S. standings Monday and Utah is now sixth, a position that would guarantee the Utes a spot in one of the four big-money bowl games.

Sooners and Utes Move Up in Bowl Championship Series Standings


ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - JL Lewis produced a dazzling  10-under-par 62 to grab a two-shot lead after the opening round  of the \$4.2 million Funai Classic at the Walt Disney Resort on  Thursday.

Lewis Fires Spectacular 62 to Take Funai Lead


The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday suspended Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly from two Test matches for his teams slow over-rate against Pakistan in the Platinum Jubilee One-Day International match held on Saturday putting him out of action

Ganguly to appeal against ICC googly


The Stanley Cup must start to watch its weight. Due to restrictions on weight of luggage, the championship trophy went missing in baggage claim in Vancouver for a while on Sunday.

Stanley Cup Vanishes


Reuters - Shipments of personal computers\this year will be higher than previously anticipated, boosted\by the strongest demand from businesses in five years, research\firm IDC said on Monday.

IDC Raises '04 PC Growth View, Trims '05 (Reuters)


Move over, terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft pledges to make fighting piracy a top priority for the Justice Department. By Katie Dean.

Ashcroft Vows Piracy Assault


DALLAS - American Airlines, struggling to compete with lower-overhead carriers, will cut more jobs to reduce costs, chief executive Gerard Arpey said Wednesday.

CEO of American Airlines warns of more job cuts


Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate has suffered a setback in his comeback from a thigh problem - which has kept him on the sidelines since April.

Woodgate comeback on hold


AP - Someday, Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens may connect again. Someday, the former teammates may be able to talk, shake hands and repair their ruptured relationship. And maybe, just maybe, they can become friends again. Someday. Not this week.

Garcia Wishes Owens Would Move On (AP)


Dimon to acquire tobacco leaf rival Standard Commercial

Dimon to Acquire tobacco Leaf Rival Standard Commercial


JERUSALEM - Masked Palestinian gunmen killed a suspected collaborator in a public square in Tulkarem in the West Bank yesterday, throwing the bound man from their vehicle and shooting him before hundreds of schoolchildren and other onlookers, witnesses

Two  #39;collaborators #39; are killed


NAIROBI Sudan #39;s government and insurgents in the south signed a pledge Friday to end Africa #39;s longest running civil war by Dec. 31.

Sudanese sign pledge to end long civil war


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top U.S. electronics chain Best Buy  Co. Inc. <A HREF=

Best Buy Profit Up, Backs Year Outlook


KDE developers are crafting a search engine for the desktop, but don't look for it just yet.

Linux group aims for Google-like search