There are many other treatment options for people with arthritis, and physicians are considering them patient by patient. Washington -- Physicians are pulling out their risk-versus-benefit calculators once

Vioxx recall raises prescribing questions


Lawyers for software vendor Compuware (Quote, Chart) filed a motion with a US District Court in Michigan asking a federal judge to impose sanctions against IBM for producing source code two years too late.

Compuware Calls for IBM Oust


SALVATION for Foster #39;s shareholders is at least another year away as management continues to gaze inward for the means to kick-start the company #39;s growth.

Wine spikes Foster #39;s result


Oil prices scaled new heights at \$53 for US crude on Thursday on concerns over tight winter heating fuel supplies and an unexpected strike at Nigerian oil terminals.

UPDATE 11-Oil sets new \$53 high on winter worries, Nigeria


Had they beaten Philadelphia, the Lions might feel different about taking a week off this early in the season. Had they gone into October with a 3-0 record, they would have been eager to keep the roll going.

NOTEBOOK: Bye week very timely for banged-up Lions


Johnny Cash's instruments and possessions raise almost \$4m (2.2) after a three-day auction in New York.

Johnny Cash auction closes at \$4m


Logicalis, one of Hewlett-Packard #39;s largest enterprise server and storage solution providers, Monday reached an agreement to acquire Solution Technology Inc.

Logicalis Goes On Buying Binge


After seeing revenue growth for five quarters in a row, waning interest in the enterprise market results in a drop.

Businesses: Routers, shmouters


Two friends created a constellation of 14 Web sites devoted to all fictional things squip: squip news, squip viruses, even squip detractors.

At a Click, a Clique of the Uncool


Early birds get bargains Treasure Coast shoppers get their holiday money #39;s worth on the biggest shopping day of the year. By Charlie Reed.

Early shoppers catch bargains


KABUL: At a campaign rally in Minnesota, US President George W Bush hailed democratic progress in Afghanistan and plans for presidential elections next month as  quot;unbelievable quot;.

Karzai attack underlines Afghan poll fears


Reuters - Stocks ended slightly higher on Friday\but stayed near lows for the year as oil prices surged past  #36;46\a barrel, offsetting a positive outlook from computer maker\Dell Inc. (DELL.O)

Stocks End Up, But Near Year Lows (Reuters)


Advanced Micro Devices announced its plans for a new lineup of mobile Athlon 64-bit processors intended for thin and light notebooks.

AMD Announces New Mobile Chip For Notebooks


The last antitrust obstacle to Oracle #39;s takeover bid has been cleared. Now, one way or another, investors want this soap opera to end.

What #39;s Next for PeopleSoft?


The proposed merger of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. could face a rocky start as the companies work to run and eventually merge two wireless technologies without breaking the bank or losing customers.

Technology Challenges Sprint-Nextel Merger


Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 supports DVD burning, HDTV, and more mobile devices.

Microsoft Updates Media Center OS


Team bosses will discuss their plans to cut costs in F1 including a proposal to cut testing to just ten days during the season for all teams.

Ferrari will miss F1 team meeting


Legitimate mortgage lenders inadvertently support--and get tangled in--spam traps.

Spam Slayer: Tracking Spam to Its Source


US-led troops battling for control of Fallujah yesterday took their fight against rebels to the south of the Iraqi city as scores of insurgents opened a new front in Mosul in the north.

Fallujah fight is not the walkover the US expected


AP - The state must reject provisional ballots if they are cast in the wrong precinct, a federal judge said Thursday in the latest in a series of opinions on how such votes should be counted.

Judge: Votes in Wrong Precinct Don't Count (AP)


By Nick Cafardo and Mark Blaudschun, Globe Staff  December 10, 2004. Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, long rebuffed in his attempts to land a head coaching position in the NFL, has emerged as a

ND, Weis are ready to talk


Australian Prime Minister John Howard #39;s Liberal-National coalition is poised to win a fourth term in office after pledging to extend 13 years of economic growth, keep interest rates low, cut taxes and increase spending.

Australia #39;s Howard Poised for Fourth Term After Nation Votes


WALES striker Craig Bellamy could be in hot water with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness after appearing to direct verbal insults towards his manager when substituted during yesterday #39;s Premiership draw with Charlton.

Souness reserves judgment on Bellamy rant


NAJAF: Rebel cleric Moqtada Sadr and his Mehdi Army were preparing to hand over the keys to the Imam Ali shrine on Friday after Sadr agreed a peace initiative by Iraqs top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, to end fierce fighting in the

The five points of the Najaf peace agreement


Americans are optimistic about the next four years, but they have reservations about President Bush's agenda.

Americans Still Concerned About Bush Agenda, Poll Shows


United goals-scored co-leader Alecko Eskandarian injured his left ankle in practice Wednesday and is questionable for Saturday's match at New England.

Eskandarian Hurts Ankle


SO, JUST the nine days to go. Nine days for the Sudanese government to clean up its act, disarm the Janjaweed militia and make Darfur safe for the 1.2 million people driven from their homes by the campaign

As countdown goes on, so does the killing


Forbes.com - MaryLou O'Malley wants to get something off her chest--or collarbone, more precisely. The 72-year-old is tired of having to adjust her necklace when it slips around her neck. Wouldn't it be wonderful, she says, if there were an adhesive to keep her jewelry stuck to her skin?

Move Over, Edison (Forbes.com)


Conrad Black, the embattled press baron, said Thursday he would give up his posts as CEO and chairman of Hollinger Inc., a Canadian holding company, to ease his plan to take the company private.

Update 1: Conrad Black to Step Down As Hollinger CEO


WASHINGTON - Korean Air is the first airline granted permission by the federal government to carry electric stun guns aboard jetliners that fly within US airspace.

Taser guns allowed on Korean Air planes


Reuters - The number of Americans filing\initial claims for jobless pay grew unexpectedly last week to\357,000, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, but an\official said an increase in the week after a public holiday\was typical.

Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly (Reuters)


Aaron Brooks threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Donte #39; Stallworth with 61 seconds remaining as the New Orleans Saints escaped with a 30-27 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

New Orleans Saints


Conference expansion means many things: new schools, new rivalries, new divisions and, as it turns out, a new logo. The ACC -- which this year added Miami and Virginia Tech, and next year welcomes Boston College

ACC Unveils New Football Division Names, Logo


Women who work are healthier than women who don't have jobs, suggests a study presented Aug. 16 at the American Sociological Association annual meeting in San Francisco. The University of Pennsylvania study concluded the health benefits that women derive from working aren't diminished by longer work hours or combining longer work hours with those of a spouse.

Work Works for Women


Green Bay #39;s victory over Carolina on Monday night featured an entertaining performance by Brett Favre. It wasn #39;t that the quarterback had one of his typical Favre nights.

ABC Sports, for Insider


The European Union #39;s new antitrust chief Neelie Kroes used her first major rulings Thursday to make plain her aversion to cartels and reject suspicions that she would bow to the interests of big business.

Kroes Vows to Be Tough on Big Business


MOSCOW - Russias military has postponed the launch of a new-generation space booster rocket scheduled for this week, the defence ministry said on Thursday.

Russia postpones launch of new space booster


The Long mystery surrounding whether or not linebacker Channing Crowder and safety Jarvis Herring would serve their suspensions now or later has been resolved.

Gators Anxious To Play; Crowder And Herring Will Play 9/8/2004


AP - Top government ministers from 21 Pacific Rim nations convened high-level talks on free trade and global security Wednesday as police battled university students protesting the summit and a weekend visit by President Bush.

APEC Ministers Start Trade, Security Talks (AP)


Hollywood Entertainment's board wants shareholders to accept the lowest buyout offer. That's called negotiating?

Hollywood, But Holly Shouldn't


It #39;s buying biz news site MarketWatch, betting big on online content. But will its free offerings hurt its fee-based products?

Digital Gamble


According to Michelins F1 chief, the two tyre manufacturers have gone for very different approaches at Shanghai. It could make the race interesting.

Pascal Vasselon: Two different approaches


AP - Ricky Williams abruptly retired from the Miami Dolphins last summer because he disagreed with the NFL over a disputed drug test. Williams now wants to play again.

Williams Retired Over Disputed Drug Test (AP)


Forbes.com - Frank L. VanderSloot sells items like Classic Tooth Polish ( #36;3 a tube), Replenex (90 glucosamine pills for  #36;10) and Nicole Miller Timeless Age Defying Serum ( #36;18 a bottle). He doesn't hit the road himself to ring doorbells. At 56, his sales days are far behind him. He leaves the pitching to an army of part-time hucksters who sell these and 350 other household and

If You Believe (Forbes.com)


An anonymous reader writes  quot;Market research company IDC is predicting a rosy future for MP3 player sales. They predict that by 2008 it will grow into a \$58 billion industry - four times bigger than the US record industry.

Big Demand for Digital Music Players


Propelled by Google envy, new players and Internet industry giants are rushing into the online search market, setting off a burst of activity that contrasts sharply with the lull after the dot-com collapse.

Google Envy Is Fomenting Search Wars


Russian President Vladimir Putin asked State Duma and Federation Council Speakers Boris Gryzlov and Sergei Mironov to begin consultations with Ukrainian parliamentarians on the introduction of dual citizenship between Russia and Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin comes out for dual citizenship between Russia and <b>...</b>


Computer Associates on Monday unveiled storage-management software designed to help customers keep costs in line. The CA BrightStor r11.

CA Responsive On Storage Management


The Zafi.d worm continued to sweep through the Internet Wednesday, creating such a flood of messages as it replicated that by one security vendor #39;s estimate, it accounted for 10 percent of the world #39;s mail.

Zafi Spreads Like Crazy


Ceremonies are held in Japan to mark the 40th anniversary of the start of the world's first high-speed railway service.

Japan marks bullet train's 40th


An NHL lockout that #39;s already nine weeks old won #39;t end any time soon unless owners show some willingness to negotiate, agents said after a meeting with the players #39; union.

Union meets with agents; no progress


he #39;s the tallest, most solidly-built player in international cricket at the moment. The next thing that gets your attention

Big Jake makes his mark


Games giant Electronic Arts is  joining forces with a Scottish mobile entertainment firm to make more mobile games.

Games giant muscles in on mobiles


Afghan President Hamid Karzai, frontrunner in next month #39;s landmark election, traveled north on Sunday to inaugurate a road project, his first domestic

Karzai Flies North on Rare Trip Inside Afghanistan


TIAA-CREF, the largest US retirement fund, said the Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting an informal inquiry into a relationship between auditor Ernst  amp; Young LLP and two former fund trustees.

SEC probes auditor's link to fund trustees


Jewish settlers in the occupied territories will soon be able to claim compensation, sometimes of more than 270,000, under guidelines approved yesterday by Israel #39;s security cabinet for the Gaza withdrawal plan.

270,000 for settlers to quit Gaza Strip


Your secret shame is over. A start-up in Pennsylvania says it can cure foot-odor problems with nanosocks.

Nanotechnology aims to cure smelly feet


AP - About half the usual number of loggerhead turtles have nested between North Carolina and Florida this season, and scientists have no explanation for the drop.

Southeast Coast Sees Fewer Turtle Nests (AP)


Ray Evernham was fighting the thick air of tension with every step on pit road. Up ahead, Mark Martin sat in his car ready to vomit -- but more on that later.

Mayfield clears mind after owner #39;s message


It signalled this in no uncertain terms when oil prices fell below US\$50 (\$83) mark on Monday. US light crude dipped to US\$49 at one point before ending at US\$49.

We want Kerry


STAFF WRITER; Staff writers Alan J. Wax and Regina Marie Glick contributed to this story. As Bank of America pushes ahead with its takeover of Fleet Bank, about 1,000 jobs were cut companywide yesterday throughout the Northeast, ...

Fleet workers get pink slips


TOKYO - Tokyo stocks opened lower Monday due to economic uncertainties following powerful earthquakes that hit northern Japan over the weekend.

Tokyo Stocks Open Lower; US Dollar Down


roundup Plus: Evite goes local with invitations...Westinghouse cuts price of LCD TVs...Adobe debuts hobbyist Photoshop package.

Briefly: Hitachi cuts 10 percent of U.S. work force


AP - A former top-level State Department official illegally took a secret, unauthorized trip to Taiwan last year and met with Taiwanese intelligence officers, according to a criminal complaint.

Ex-U.S. Official Charged With Concealment (AP)


JERUSALEM Sept. 10, 2004 - Settler leaders accused Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Friday of bringing the country to the brink of civil war with his plans to evacuate Jewish settlements.

Israel Locks Down Palestinians


HONG KONG (CBS.MW) -- British bank HSBC may make an offer for the \$3 billion credit card portfolios of Macy #39;s and Bloomingdale #39;s department stores, according to a report published Tuesday.

Macy #39;s, Bloomingdale #39;s \$3 billion portfolio in view


Notre Dame officials will meet with Utah coach Urban Meyer on Thursday, a source with knowledge of the discussions told the New York Times.

Meyer can leave Utah without buyout


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan At least ten people have been killed in an explosion that ripped through a Shiite Muslim mosque in an eastern Pakistani city during prayers today.

Blast kills at least 10 at Shiite mosque in eastern Pakistan


Four small security software vendors have teamed up to develop a set of technical criteria for tools designed to secure Web applications. They also invited Cisco and other large IT vendors to take part in the certification program.

Vendors seek certification for application security tools


AP - Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are peering into the atomic world with record clarity, developing an electron microscope image that can distinguish the individual, dumbbell-shaped atoms of a silicon crystal.

Tenn. Lab Develops Electron Microscope (AP)


America Online Inc. (AOL) on Tuesday released a preview version of a new Netscape Web browser that is based on the open-source Firefox Web browser, but also supports Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer (IE) browser engine.

New Netscape browser supports Internet Explorer


Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva could miss the entire group stage of the Champions League plus a handful of Premier League games due to an ailing back.

Silva could miss group stage of Champions League due to bad back


In a much-noted speech last week, Israels Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ostensibly made a dramatic reversal in course. But I am wondering whether to take his shift at face value.

Reading Sharon #39;s Mind


ANAHEIM, Calif. The Texas Rangers today reached a one-year, five (M) million dollar contract with right fielder Richard Hidalgo. Hidalgo split last season between the Houston Astros and the New York Mets.

Hidalgo agrees to \$5 million, one-year contract with Texas


The Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr remained in control of a holy shrine here on Saturday in defiance of the Iraqi government, even as his aides said they were making

Cleric Maintains His Hold on Najaf Shrine, Even While Saying He #39;ll <b>...</b>


Researchers at Cornell University are still sending messages to Mars giving instructions to the rover, Opportunity.  quot;Telling the rover how to point the cameras, and then how to take the images, what kind of

Cornell explores Mars


KABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban warned on Monday of further  deadly attacks in the run-up to Afghanistan's first  presidential election after a car bomb in the heart of the  capital killed up to a dozen people.

Taliban Warns of More Attacks as Kabul Toll Rises


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications  Commission on Wednesday reviewed complaints about ABC's steamy

FCC Reviews 'Desperate Housewives' Football Promo


JOSE MOURINHO revealed last night that he accused Adrian Mutu of being a coke-head the very first time he met the Romanian striker.

FOOTBALL: I ASKED MUTU: ARE YOU TAKING COCAINE? HE JUST LAUGHED IN <b>...</b>


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning headlines the AFC Players of the Month for November.

Surprise: Manning headlines AFC monthly honorees


Frank Gore - the Miami Hurricanes junior running back who has had two college seasons torn apart by tearing apart two knees -ent rambling 18 yards into an Orange Bowl end zone sometime near midnight Friday to complete a 16-10 overtime win against

Injuries, Seminoles can #39;t stop Gore


Ernie Els and Tiger Woods are ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in the world, but on Thursday paired together in the first round of the Tour Championship they could have been two guys at the local municipal course.

For Woods, Els,  #39;It was a tough day #39;


Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he was utterly frustrated that the Malay party he helped develop into Malaysia #39;s dominant political force had become riddled with corruption and bribery.

Mahathir  #39;frustrated #39; with party corruption


Arsene Wenger moved to underline his faith in keepers Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia ahead of Sundays clash against Chelsea by pledging not to sign a replacement in the January transfer window.

Wenger: No Plans to Buy New Keeper


House price growth remained subdued in September, offering further proof of a slowdown in the property market, figures showed today.

House prices continue to slow


New Delhi, Oct 24 : Myanmar #39;s military strongman Than Shwe arrived here Sunday on a six-day visit to India, a country that sees  quot;strategic compulsions quot; in warming up to its eastern neighbour after years of alienation.

One Stop India News Resource on the Web


In the latest big deal among US real estate companies, General Growth will pay \$67.50 per share in cash for each share in Rouse, a premium of 33 per cent over its closing stock price of \$50.61 in Thursday New York Stock Exchange trade.

General Growth to buy Rouse for \$7.2bn


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo stocks will probably move little on  Thursday amid worries over higher oil prices and their possible  impact on global economies, but the market will be supported by  bargain hunting following recent sharp losses.

Nikkei Seen Moving Little


A rocket exploded in the air above the US military compound in Kabul on Friday, the eve of Afghanistan #39;s presidential poll, but there were no casualties, a spokesman for the international peacekeeping force said.

Rocket Explodes Above US Base in Kabul, No Casualties


WINNIPEG (CP) - Special gains from the sale of international assets helped CanWest Global Communications Corp. post a solid profit in the fourth quarter, reversing a big loss last year.

CanWest Global earns \$62M for Q4, compared with \$45M loss last <b>...</b>


Train and plane maker Bombardier Inc. said on Monday that Paul Tellier, its president and chief executive officer, had resigned. The surprise resignation of Tellier and two board of directors comes one year

Bombardier chief executive Paul Tellier resigns


Reuters - Steelcase Inc. , the world's\largest office furniture maker, posted a quarterly profit on\Friday, reversing a year-earlier loss, as orders increased and\it passed on higher costs to its customers.

Steelcase Posts Profit (Reuters)


Four executives at German chipmaker Infineon were jailed today on charges of engaging in illegal price fixing of PC memory chips according to the US Department of Justice.

Infineon Execs Jailed for Price Fixing


JABALIYA, Gaza Strip, October 5 (IslamOnline.net  amp; News Agencies) - As the United Nations was set to vote Tuesday, October 5, on a resolution calling on Israel to halt its bloodiest onslaught on Gaza in years, Israels occupation army pressed ahead

UN to Vote on Gaza Onslaught, Israel Escalates


UK watchdog the Office of Fair Trading is investigating claims that Apple is ripping off its UK customers. The investigation follows a complaint that UK customers were having to shell out more for the reassuringly

Apple bitten by watchdog


England captain David Beckham is expected back in Madrid on Wednesday and will be able to resume light training despite cracking a rib, the Real Madrid website said on Sunday.

Beckham to resume light training soon, say Real


I #39;m not asking for much here. I #39;m willing to overlook a lot, rationalizing this, forgiving that. When Latrell Sprewell wonders why he should try to win a title for a team that wouldn #39;t extend his contract, I

Just give it a rest It #39;s time for spoiled stars to leave families <b>...</b>


Game invites users to play the role of JFK's assassin, causing some observers to wonder whether video games have gone too far.

JFK Reloaded Game Causes Controversy


AP - Fans of the Seattle music pop station Kiss 106.1 FM usually have to sit through an array of disc-jockey antics and advertising between listening to favorite artists like Avril Levigne and Ashlee Simpson.

Microsoft Mimics Local Radio (AP)


The HD-DVD Promotion Group will facilitate exchanges of information among hardware companies, device manufacturers and content firms, and organize joint promotion of HD-DVD to support early product launches and market expansion.

HD-DVD Promotion Group Formed


Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra sat out with a groin injury. He left Saturday's game when he tweaked the groin.

NL notables


SPACE.com - A fabled tenth planet out beyond Neptune, often referred to as Planet X, hasn't \  been found despite years of searching. But astronomers involved in the hunt \  are beginning to speculate that something like Planet X will be discovered, \  along with Y and Z.

Solar System Surprise: A New View of What's Out There (SPACE.com)


DUBAI (Reuters) - Militants who had kidnapped two relatives  of Iraqi Defense Minister Hazim al-Shalaan have released one of  them, Al Jazeera television reported Friday.

Militants Free Relative of Iraqi Minister-Jazeera


Oil prices were dragged down today by heavy losses on U.S. gasoline as summer driving demand failed to meet expectations.

Oil Below \$45 as Gasoline Prices Slide


Panasonic's new DVD recorder has a massive hard drive and can be programmed using a cell phone.

Honey, did you remember to call the DVD recorder?


December 15, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- According to reports release on Tuesday Hollywood movies studios sued numerous operators of computer servers that help transfer digital movie files across online file-sharing networks.

Movie Makers Target BitTorrent


Carla Thomas scored 23 points, Ashley Earley 22 and Dee Davis a career-high 21 as No. 13 Vanderbilt opened the season with a 102-47 victory over St.

No. 13 Vanderbilt Routs St. Francis 102-47


Reuters - Google Inc. , the No. 1\Web search company that recently went public and said it will\not issue financial forecasts, expects to add 372,050\advertiser accounts by 2008, the San Francisco Chronicle\reported on Wednesday.

Google Expects to Add 372,050 Advertisers by 2008 (Reuters)


The decision follows other moves by the IT services and hardware vendor  to embrace LInux.

Unisys joins Open Source Development Labs


Children born in May have an increased risk of going on to develop multiple sclerosis, research has suggested.

MS risk 'linked to birth month'


ALMATY (Reuters) - Oil-rich Kazakhstan voted on Sunday in a  parliamentary poll criticized by the West and all but written  off as unfair by opposition parties.

Oil-Rich Kazakhstan Votes, Poll Criticized by West


As the UN climate conference meets in Argentina, a new report questions the economic sense in tackling greenhouse gases so vigorously now.

Business cost of climate control


BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - A suicide bomber posing as a taxi  driver killed three people near the headquarters of Iraqi Prime  Minister Iyad Allawi's party in Baghdad on Monday as insurgents  pressed a bloody campaign to disrupt a Jan. 30 election.

Suicide Bomber Kills 3 in Baghdad Near Allawi HQ


Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Lawyers for Robert Baltovich, convicted 12 years ago in the murder of his girlfriend, began a long-awaited legal bid to clear his name Monday in an appeal that's expected to resurrect the grim spectre of sex killer Paul Bernardo.

Convicted killer Robert Baltovich finally in court in bid to clear his name (Canadian Press)


PC maker expanding printer business with new photo printers. Digital cameras also a possibility.

Dell green-lights photo printers


By GINA HOLLAND    WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday sidestepped a dispute over whether Internet providers can be forced to identify subscribers illegally swapping music and movies online.    The subject, however, may be back at the court soon...

Supreme Court Won't Hear Music Sharing Case


AP - France tightened security around embassies Friday after a bomb outside the Indonesian Embassy slightly injured nine people in a pre-dawn explosion that shattered neighborhood windows and puzzled police.

Bomb Blast Injures 9 at Embassy in Paris (AP)


Soliman S. Biheiri, the only person convicted in a broad probe into whether Islamic charities in Northern Virginia were financing terrorist organizations, pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally possessing and using a U.S. passport to enter the United States last year.

Man Pleads Guilty in Passport Case


Reuters - Shipments of personal computers\in the third quarter rose 12 percent, driven by strong\corporate demand and ongoing strength in Europe, the Middle\East and Africa, a market research firm said on Monday.

PC Shipments Rise 12 Percent Worldwide (Reuters)


WASHINGTON: The Federal Open Market Committee, the rate-setting panel for the US Federal Reserve, began its deliberations Wednesday with a rate hike widely expected.

US rate hike seen as Fed meets


Peru #39;s 20-year-old Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia began her reign as Miss World 2004 on Sunday after beating 106 other women to the title in China #39;s second staging of the international beauty pageant.

Peru beauty crowned Miss World 2004


Colin Montgomerie yesterday applied for the job of captain of the 2006 Ryder Cup team - by the simple expedient of not applying for it.

Montgomerie sends Ryder smoke signal


VIENNA (Reuters) - France, Britain and Germany on Wednesday  failed to persuade Iran to scrap a program that could give it  the capacity to build nuclear weapons but both sides agreed to  meet again soon.

EU Trio, Iran Fail to Reach Nuke Deal


TOKYO Japanese retail sales rose in July after three months of declines, the government said Monday, as higher-than-usual temperatures spurred demand for summer clothing and drinks and as consumers bought televisions to watch the Olympics.

Retail sales in Japan show modest rise in July


Ferrari #39;s Rubens Barrichello aimed to shake off a decade-long jinx after seizing pole position at his home Brazilian Grand Prix for the second year in a row.

Barrichello well placed to end home-town jinx


Joe Worsley has recovered from a leg injury and will return to the England back row to face Tri Nations champion South Africa on Saturday.

Worsley returns to strengthen England back row against Springboks


At least five loud explosions have been heard near holy sites in the Iraqi city of Najaf. Sniper fire could also he heard coming from the area.

Fighting continues in Najaf


Carlos Emmons, Barrett Green and Terry Cousin, three veteran defensive players the Giants signed in the offseason, have filed appeals through the NFL Players Association of \$500 fines Tom Coughlin gave them in training camp.

Early is too late


ROME, Aug 27 (AFP) - Russian Patriarch Alexy II blasted the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches Friday for proselytising in traditionally Orthodox areas of the former Soviet Union, even as the Vatican handed over a precious icon to his Orthodox Church.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II Blasts Vatican  #39;proselytism #39;


Reuters - Europe's trade chief Peter Mandelson\meets his U.S. counterpart Robert Zoellick for the first time\on Monday amid signs of a truce in the dispute over government\aid for rivals Boeing and Airbus.

EU, U.S. Meet to Discuss Trade (Reuters)


AP - Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Tim Bowens, who has yet to play this season, will miss Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a herniated disc in his back.

Dolphins Receiver Chambers Questionable (AP)


SCOTLAND #39;S property market is escaping the steepest UK-wide fall in house prices for nine years, it emerged today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors #39; Housing Market Survey of Great Britain shows

Scots house prices avoid UK slump


WANA, Oct 9: Two Chinese engineers and their five security guards were kidnapped on Saturday while travelling through the South Waziristan Agency.

2 Chinese engineers kidnapped


Reuters - Lusty Koalas in southern Australia\are going to be put on the pill to stop them breeding too\quickly and putting too much strain on their eucalyptus-forest\home.

Australia's Frisky Koalas to Get Hormone Implants (Reuters)


OCTOBER 15, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - IBM today unveiled two high-performance p5 servers in its eServer line. The new servers run Unix or Linux and are aimed at medium to large businesses.

New IBM servers tout increased performance for enterprise needs


BEIJING, Dec. 13 -- Three years after China #39;s entry into the World Trade Organization and the country #39;s quality of textile exports continues to improve.

China textile exports develop


AP - Gunmen opened fire at a convoy carrying the deputy Palestinian intelligence chief on Wednesday, seriously wounding him in the chest and killing two bodyguards, Palestinian officials said.

Gunmen Attack Senior Palestinian Officer (AP)


SAN FRANCISCODuring his Connect keynote address at PeopleSoft Inc. #39;s user conference here on Tuesday, CEO Craig Conway pulled all the heartstringsincluding a round of applause for former PeopleSoft founder Dave Duffield, who was strategically

PeopleSoft #39;s Conway Glib About Oracle in Keynote


WASHINGTON, DC / BRUSSELS, Belgium - 10/07/04 - Whatever meager goodwill was gained by the move yesterday - albeit tardy - by Congress to act on the contentious Foreign Sales Corporation - Extraterritorial Income Act (FSC-ETI) export tax mechanism has

US, EU Trade Blows on Aircraft Subsidies


Iraq #39;s interim government has resumed talks to pacify the western town of Falluja and avert a military assault on the rebel stronghold that has faced heavy US bombardment in recent days.

Iraq government resumes Falluja talks


AP - Santander Central Hispano said Monday it expects to cut about 3,000 jobs at Abbey National as part of a cost-saving plan if its friendly takeover bid succeeds.

Santander Plans 3,000 Job Cuts at Abbey (AP)


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Leaving the orbiting outpost unmanned, the international space station's two astronauts floated outside on a spacewalk Friday to plug in new antennas and replace a worn-out piece of cooling equipment...

Astronauts Float Outside for a Spacewalk


CBS admitted today that it cannot vouch for the authenticity of documents used to support a story that questioned President Bush's National Guard service.

CBS Says It Can't Vouch for Bush Documents


An Australian software developer has been left fuming after the latest virus definition update from McAfee caused his package to be wrongly identified as a Trojan horse programme.

News: McAfee AV ate my application


Armed Hamas activist, two teenagers killed during Israeli army raid into north of Gaza Strip. GAZA CITY - Three Palestinians, including an armed Hamas activist, were killed Wednesday during an Israeli army

Three Palestinians killed in Gaza


AP - Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower Thursday following Wall Street's losses. The dollar was down against the Japanese yen.

Tokyo Stocks Open Lower; Dollar Down Aga (AP)


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

Siebel beats Wall Street targets


At least 13 people were killed and up to 23 injured in an explosion in a Siberian mine. The blast, which was caused by methane, happened as a repair team was fixing a section of the mine near Russia #39;s border with Mongolia.

13 killed in Siberian mine explosion


The IDF has recently introduced a system that can detect Qassam rockets and provide the residents of Sderot with a 15 to 20 second warning before the rocket falls.

Let it be a warning to you


Three Americans jailed for up to 10 years for torturing Afghans and running a private jail in Kabul begin their appeal.

Kabul vigilante appeal under way


Britain's Alison Sheppard coasts into the women's 50m freestyle semi-finals.

Sheppard makes semi-finals


SiliconValley.com - When IBM gave a sneak peek at its new Cell microprocessor this week, it was short on specifics about what it calls a supercomputer on a chip. But details are leaking out thanks to a recent patent awarded to IBM and Big Blue's own disclosures for an upcoming conference.

IBM discloses details of chip (SiliconValley.com)


Britains biggest insurance company sparked a fresh row today over work being lost to India when it unveiled plans to create almost 1,000 jobs in Asia.

Jobs Fears as Insurer Offshores Operations to Asia


KIRKLAND, Wash., (Sports Network) - The Seattle Seahawks  have placed starting offensive tackle Chris Terry on injured  reserve with a shoulder injury.

Seahawks Place Starting Tackle on Injured Reserve


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber rammed into a  Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad during dawn prayers Friday, killing  14 people and stoking fears that sectarian divisions over when  to hold elections could unleash further bloodshed.

Violence in Baghdad Kills at Least 25 Iraqis


His call came at the end of his opening address to the ministerial conference of the grouping of 114 developing nations.

Mbeki urges reform of global agencies


As Yasir Arafat lay in a deep coma, Palestinian officials asked Israel for permission to bury him in Ramallah.

Aides Seeking Arafat Burial in West Bank


UNITED NATIONS, Sept 10: Pakistan and China on Thursday expressed strong opposition to a US-sponsored resolution on Sudan which demands sanctions and a UN inquiry whether a genocide was taking place in the country.

Pakistan and China oppose resolution on Sudan


Nike Inc. (NKE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest athletic shoe company, on Monday reported a 25 percent rise in quarterly profit, beating analysts

Nike Profit Up 25 Percent on US Demand


After Barry Zito gave up a tying three-run homer to Willie Bloomquist, the Oakland Athletics bounced back and maintained their one-game lead over Anaheim in the AL West.

A #39;s maintain one-game lead with ninth-inning win


But wine stores, restaurants and bars can #39;t sell the wine from France before 12:01 am Thursday. By Joel Smith / The Detroit News.

Northwest ships Beaujolais to Detroit


Striker Michael Owen is facing a battle to prove his form and fitness as the pressure grew on his starting place for Englands World Cup qualifier against Wales.

TESTING TIMES FOR OWEN


AFP - Manchester police have been asked give evidence into the Old Trafford buffet battle when an Arsenal player was alleged to have thrown soup and pizza at Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Police called in to Old Trafford buffet battle (AFP)


US stocks gained on optimism that third-quarter earnings this week from companies including Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp.

US Stocks Gain; Shares of Citigroup, Bank of America Advance


-- Procter  amp; Gamble Co. of Cincinnati is recalling 175,000 SweepVacs by Swiffer Vacuum Cleaner. In some cases, when the vacuum cleaner is left in the on position, the rotor can lock up and cause the unit to overheat.

PRODUCT RECALLS


Security researchers are warning of a serious - and unfixed - security hole with the popular Winamp media player.

News: Warning: critical Winamp vuln


A banned substance is found in the horse of Ireland's Olympic show jumping champion Cian O'Connor.

Olympics: Show jump gold at risk


BAGHDAD: At least 75 people were killed yesterday in a Baghdad car bombing and in an ambush on police in Baquba as fighting flared between US troops and insurgents in Ramadi.

#39;Gates of hell #39; in Iraq as 75 die


Reuters - U.S. House of Representatives\Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas got fellow Republicans on\Monday to reverse a recent rule change that would have allowed\him to keep his leadership post even if indicted.

DeLay, Republicans Reverse Indictment Rule Change (Reuters)


AP - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig scheduled a conference call for Friday for owners to vote on the proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington.

Baseball Owners to Vote on Expos Move (AP)


TOKYO - A pair of powerful earthquakes struck western Japan today, rattling several major cities and triggering tsunami waves. There are reports at least four people are injured, but no damage reports yet.

Japan rocked by two powerful earthquakes


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Soybean rust has spread to   Arkansas, the first major U.S. soybean-producing state infected  with the contagious fungus that slashes crop production,  Arkansas officials said on Monday.

Rust Found in Big Soybean-Producing State


OXFORD, Miss. A source says David Cutcliffe, the only coach in Ole Miss history to win at least seven games in his first five years, was fired by the university today.

Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe fired after 4-7 season


ATLANTA -- Energy supplier Mirant Corp. hopes to emerge from bankruptcy in the first half of next year, the company said Thursday as it appointed a chief restructuring officer to oversee the process.

Mirant works to emerge from bankruptcy


If you're old enough to think you may have seen a Yankee lineup like this before, you have.

We've seen this swat team before


Here is a look at the series of events in the brawl Friday night involving the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and fans at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Timeline of the Pacers-Pistons brawl


For 35 years, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD ) stood in the shadow of archrival Intel Corp. (INTC ) AMD churned out lower-priced clones of the tech leader #39;s chips and occasionally enjoyed a hit that helped boost its meager profits.

The perennial underdog is challenging Intel with a new class of <b>...</b>


Felix Trinidad's return to boxing may be timed well but it won't be easy facing the aggressive and dangerous Ricardo Mayorga.

No Easy Return


AP - Shares of Japan's troubled supermarket chain Daiei Inc. soared 27 percent Thursday following reports that U.S. giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. planned to submit a proposal for turning the company around.

Retailer's Share Up on Wal-Mart Interest (AP)


Lagos - Nigerian workers will disrupt their country #39;s key oil exports of 2.5 million barrels per day when they launch an indefinite general strike on November 16, the country #39;s top labour leader warned on Sunday.

Nigerian oil strike looms


The revelation by a resistance leader that three British Muslims have joined the terrorist group holding the Liverpool engineer Kenneth Bigley hostage in Iraq has not only shocked most people in Britain but could cause further fracture in the already

Three British Muslims join Zarqawi terrorist group in Iraq


General Motors Europe will slash its workforce by around a fifth, cutting as many as 12,000 jobs in a bid to halt chronic losses in the region, the world #39;s biggest carmaker said on Thursday.

GM to Cut 12,000 Jobs in Europe Revamp


Prime Minister Tony Blair has committed a future Labour government to providing broadband access for all during a next term of office.

Blair pledges to  #39;end digital divide #39; if re-elected


Inter Milan were held to a goalless draw by Valencia on Wednesday but the result, earned by  quot;an almost perfect performance quot;, was enough to send the Italians through to knockout stage of the Champions League.

No goals but everyone happy as Valencia hold Inter


Flight attendants at struggling low-cost carrier ATA Airlines (ATAH.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said they approved a contract that would save the airline \$24 million over the next two years.

ATA flight attendants ratify giveback deal


MacCentral - Some may have thought Apple's iPod Socks, first show at Apple's special event in San Jose, Calif. in October, were an elaborate joke. If so, the joke's on them, because iPod Socks are now available for pre-order from the Apple Store for US #36;29. Apple plans to ship the iPod holders in early December. iPod Socks ship six to a box, and come in hues including green, purple, grey, blue, orange and pink. The knit holders fit all iPod models, according to Apple.

iPod Socks coming in Dec. (MacCentral)


Nigerian labor leaders say they will end a four-day old general strike called to protest rising fuel prices in Africa #39;s largest oil-producing nation.

Nigeria Strike Expected to End Thursday


THEY USED TO be for kids. Space Invaders, Pong, Doom, some of them were shoot-em-up fun, others were just, well, fun. But computer games have changed.

How computer games grew up


All morning they emerged from Yasser Arafat #39;s prison with assurances that the ageing revolutionary was not done for yet. Hanan Ashrawi, the former peace negotiator, revealed that  quot;the president quot; had managed to keep down a breakfast of cornflakes and milk.

Baffling bulletins from the muqata


The rocket plane SpaceShipOne is just one flight away from claiming the \$10m Ansari X-Prize.

SpaceShipOne set to take X-Prize


Reuters - China will decide whether to ease or\tighten restrictions on credit and investment after reviewing\economic data for August due this month, central bank governor\Zhou Xiaochuan said on Monday.

China to Decide on Curbs After Aug Data (Reuters)


The Titans, led by a backup quarterback and employing three straight on-side kicks, banged out three touchdowns and a field goal to own the opening quarter 24-17 in the RCA Dome today.

Colts crush Titans


Cambodia #39;s legislature on Monday approved a long-delayed agreement to put surviving Khmer Rouge leaders on trial for atrocities that claimed nearly two million

Khmer Rouge tribunal pact OKd in Cambodia


BEIJING (Reuters) - Twenty-eight children in eastern China  are in hospital a day after a man wielding a long knife and  homemade bombs attacked them in a kindergarten, officials and  state media said on Sunday.

Man Attacks East China Kindergarten, Wounds 28


STARKVILLE, Miss. (Sports Network) - Mississippi State has  extended the contract of head football coach Sylvester Croom,  keeping him with the university through the 2008 season.

Mississippi State Extends Croom Contract


AP - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the leading contender to succeed Yasser Arafat, said Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's hope of annexing West Bank settlements and keeping all of Jerusalem in a final peace deal is a disaster that could torpedo efforts to restart peace talks.

Palestinian Leader Contests Annexing Talk (AP)


OPEC members were divided yesterday on whether their output should be increased in a bid to boost global supply that might cause oil prices to drop.

OPEC wrestles over output increase as hurricane, Iraq attacks lift <b>...</b>


Reuters - A Russian rocket carrying\a U.S.-Russian space crew on a two-day flight to the\International Space Station blasted off from the Baikonur\cosmodrome in Kazakhstan early Thursday.

Space Station Crew Blast Off from Kazakh Steppe (Reuters)


Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said an international plot to overthrow him would have resulted in a massacre and those responsible deserve death by firing squad.

Equatorial Guinea president says thwarted  quot;massacre quot;


LONDON SEPTEMBER 6: Oil prices eased on Monday as speculative funds continued to take profits but a tight global supply picture stopped the selling from gaining much momentum.

Oil eases as Brent price falls to \$41 a barrel


ANDOVER -- In one play, Andover's Matt Hennessy surpassed his team's first-half output, rushing for 23 yards to spark a sluggish Golden Warrior offense to a 17-7 victory over Lowell. Andover (6-0), known for its potent offense, was held to one first down and 20 yards of total offense in a scoreless first half.

Hennessy rouses Andover from a slow start


HERAT (Reuters) - A renegade Afghan militia commander and a spokesman for the governor of the western province of Herat said on Wednesday their forces were honoring a cease-fire brokered a day earlier by the US envoy to Afghanistan.

Warring Afghan Factions Say Cease-fire Holding


NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Trent Green found Eddie Kennison for a go- ahead nine-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining as the Kansas City Chiefs pulled out a thrilling 49-38 victory over the Tennessee Titans in a back-and- forth contest at the Coliseum.

Chiefs Down Titans In Exciting Finish


Banks can destroy checks: The new law, known as Check 21, allows banks to destroy original paper checks and to convert them into digitized equivalents.

It #39;s never too early to be thinking about retirement -- just ask <b>...</b>


Quarterback Marcus Randall threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to running back Joseph Addai with less than 30 seconds to go in the game to lift LSU to a 24-21 win over Florida Saturday night in the Swamp.

10 Chance of Rain


The latest trend in digital photography is ultra-high-resolution fixed-lens cameras. The digital-camera manufacturers are constantly trying to outdo one another, in much the same way that CPU

High-Resolution Cameras Set Out to Win the Megapixel Competition


A convoy carrying Afghan President Hamid Karzai's vice presidential running-mate came under attack Wednesday in northeastern Afghanistan, the presidential palace and other officials said, the third attack on Karzai's supporters ahead of landmark weekend elections.

Convoy of Karzai's Running Mate Is Attacked


Sick Florida smokers urged the state #39;s highest court Wednesday to punish the tobacco industry for  quot;fraud and deceit quot; by restoring a \$145 billion class-action award, the largest ever by an American jury.

Ailing smokers ask Florida justices to restore \$145 billion award


Roger Federer will miss next week #39;s Paris Masters with a torn left thigh, making Andy Roddick the tournament #39;s No. 1-seeded player.

Federer pulls out of Paris Masters


AT least 39 people were killed when two bombs exploded at a gathering of Sunni Muslim radicals in the central Pakistan city of Multan early yesterday.

Twin bombs take terrible death toll


The 11th-ranked Seminoles converted seven fourth downs and did not punt until the final period in a solid 34-7 victory over UAB. Embattled Chris Rix threw for 191 yards and ran for 42 and a touchdown for Florida

Florida St. Seminoles


The first US military intelligence soldier brought to court in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal yesterday pleaded guilty to two charges of conspiracy and mistreatment of Iraqi detainees, witnesses said.

Intelligence soldier pleads guilty in US Abu Ghraib abuses


Gallaher #39;s profits rose 4.4 percent in the first half as its improved prospects in Britain offset worsening trading conditions in continental Europe, the tobacco company says.

Gallaher profits up despite tough Europe


Oracle yesterday announced the result of a joint venture with strategic partners to validate and extend its to grid computing vision with best-practice standards.

Computing giants team up on grid


The Expedition 10 crewmembers successfully relocated a Soyuz spacecraft at the International Space Station this morning, setting the stage for their upcoming spacewalks.

Expedition 10 Relocates Soyuz


LONDON, United Kingdom -- Oil prices fell back from record highs Monday, ducking below 50 dollars in New York as fears of disruption to supplies from Nigeria receded after a peace deal between rival gangs in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Oil prices drop amid easing of tensions in Nigeria


Sales on America's busiest shopping day of the year could exceed last year, retail experts believe.

US retailers cheer 'Black Friday'


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marsh   McLennan Cos. <A HREF=

Marsh to Scrap Fees Spitzer Faulted


Reuters - An explosion in the Afghan capital\Kabul was 200 to 300 meters (yards) outside the U.S. embassy\and there were no U.S. casualties, a U.S. official said late on\Thursday.

Kabul Blast Was Outside U.S. Embassy, No U.S. Casualties (Reuters)


Google AdSense to Introduce Animated Banner Advertising\\Google has announced a number of changes for their Adsense advertising program that has become the mainstay of many blogs and websites. In what could be considered somewhat contriversial, Google has announced as part of an expansion of its image ad program they will ...


Online music downloading might be the new wave in the music business, but it won't crest for at least another five years, according to a new report. <FONT face=

Silicon Still Rocks the House


East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - The New Jersey Nets have signed head coach Lawrence Frank to a multi-year contract extension.

Frank-ly speaking: Nets sign head coach to extension


Scott Starks returns a fumble by Purdue QB Kyle Orton 40 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes to lift No. 10 Wisconsin to a 20-17 win over No. 5 Purdue.

Badgers Take Control


Oil closed above \$55 a barrel Friday for the first time as traders worried about low stockpiles of heating oil and strong economic growth in China.

Oil Price Tops \$55; Heating Supply Low


EMI has blamed a weak release schedule for a failure to exploit an improvement in the music sector, with sales falling by more than four times the industry average.

EMI sales slip on weak release schedule


The Oracle Corporation fired PeopleSoft's co-president and chief financial officer, Kevin Parker, and three other top executives.

Oracle Fires Top PeopleSoft Executives


quot;I know that sounds like heresy coming from my lips, quot; said Southwest President Colleen Barrett, at the Dallas carrier #39;s annual media day yesterday.

Southwest Airlines thinks assigned seating might fly


com December 14, 2004, 2:32 PM PT. Microsoft managed to give a small holiday gift to network administrators this month: No critical patches.

Microsoft patches spell happy holidays


The European Parliament has approved Jose Manuel Barroso #39;s revamped executive European Commission by a wide margin, ending a three-week political standoff that boosted the assembly #39;s power.

Barroso Commission approved


Classmates Online founder Randy Conrads was feeling good yesterday after the company he started nine years ago in the basement of his Kent home was sold for \$100 million in cash to United Online Inc.

Classmates Online sells for \$100 million


At the same time, Oracle #39;s in court trying to strip PeopleSoft of its poison-pill provisions. By Antone Gonsalves, TechWeb News.

PeopleSoft Says Revenue Will Beat Wall Street Forecasts


Indonesian rights campaigners have had their worst fears confirmed with the news the country #39;s best-known activist was apparently a victim of arsenic poisoning.

Death jolts Indonesian rights activists


Tomorrow morning at a press conference in New York, Pedro Martinez is expected to don a Mets uniform for the first time, his seven-year Red Sox career over, his four-year stint with the Mets just beginning.

Pedro set to join Mets today


Konarka Technologies is expected to announce that it has acquired from Siemens of Germany the technology to print power cells on flexible sheets of plastic.

Konarka to Acquire Solar Technology


WHAT a Champion act ... now give me an encore when we take on Manchester City at the weekend. That was Sir Alex Ferguson #39;s challenge to his team today after their Ruud van Nistelrooy-inspired 4-1 win over

Ruud boys plot big City kill for Fergie


WANA, Pakistan Sept. 9, 2004 - Pakistani warplanes pummeled a suspected al-Qaida training facility near the border with Afghanistan on Thursday, flattening a vast mud-brick compound and killing at least 50 fighters, the military said.

Pakistani Jets Attack Suspected Militants


NVidia will supply the graphics chip for the successor to the PlayStation 2 games console being developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

NVidia Will Supply Graphics Chip for New PlayStation


Insurgents threatening to kill three UN hostages said Saturday that talks with Afghan and United Nations officials had been postponed for another day.

Afghan rebels threatening to kill UN hostages say talks postponed <b>...</b>


rgentina swept aside Italy, 3-0, yesterday in Athens to advance to the final of the Olympic men #39;s soccer tournament without conceding a goal in five games.

Argentina Continues to Stifle, Will Play for Gold


Reuters - A Moroccan soldier has been released\five days after he was kidnapped while serving in a United

Kidnapped UN Peacekeeper Released in Congo (Reuters)


Swedens Johan Edfors and South Africas Darren Fichardt both went to the turn in 32 today to take over the lead in the Madrid Open.

Edfors Ekes Out Precious Lead


TORONTO (CP) - Shares of Iamgold fell more than 10 per cent after its proposed merger with Gold Fields Ltd. was thrown into doubt Monday as South Africa #39;s Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.

Harmony #39;s offer for Gold Fields puts Iamgold merger in doubt <b>...</b>


When the National League Rookie of the Year is revealed Monday, fans will get a glimpse into whether or not the writers favored numbers or intangibles.

Bay, Greene battle for NL rookie honors


MIAMI (Reuters) - Powerful Hurricane Ivan, the latest in a  busy storm season, rushed over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday and  threatened the eastern Caribbean Windward Islands.

Hurricane Ivan Threatens Barbados, East Caribbean


The whiff of scandal has been swirling around the UN for months. But now Kofi Annan himself, the man handpicked by the Americans to lead the organisation seven years ago, is on the ropes.

Annan gets ovation at UN despite US attack


China #39;s Sun Yingjie clocked 68 minutes and 40 minutes to win the women #39;s individual title of the world half-marathon championships here Sunday.

China #39;s Sun Yingjie wins women #39;s world half-marathon


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It takes a special kind of person  to stay up all night and stand in a line nearly 250 people long  just to buy a video game -- but for rabid fans of the first

Fans Throng for First Crack at New Game 'Halo 2'


AP - Software giant Microsoft Corp. opened its wallet again Monday to clear more of its courtroom problems, paying  #36;536 million to rival Novell Inc. and an undisclosed smaller amount to a trade group that had backed antitrust complaints by the U.S. government and the European Union.

Microsoft Settles With Novell, Trade Group (AP)


German police today arrested three Iraqis who appeared to have been planning an attack on Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who is visiting Berlin today.

3 Arrested in Suspected Plot to Attack Iraqi Prime Minister


AFP - The Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) began its two-day monthly meeting amid broad expectation that interest rates will be left unchanged due to signs of economic slowdown.

Bank of England policymakers meet; no change seen on interest rates (AFP)


BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - In search of their first playoff berth in eight years, the Los Angeles Dodgers squandered a golden opportunity to secure it at the hands of their bitter rivals.

Dodgers miss chance to clinch division title


AP - The quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons appeared comfortable in the new West Coast offense, calmly using his mobility to avoid pressure and then finding open receivers.

Rookie Leads Falcons Past Vikings 27-24 (AP)


Interim Haitiam Prime Minister Gerard Latortue speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Oct.23, 2004.

Haiti #39;s Ruler Chides World for Disinterest


Queen Noor of Jordan speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at a hotel in downtown Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004.

AP: Queen Noor Appeals to Muslim Moderates


Names Oklahoma State football coach Les Miles will replace Nick Saban at Louisiana State, a source close to the negotiations said last night. LSU called a news conference for today, and the source, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Miles will be introduced then. LSU athletic director Skip Bertman did not immediately return a call seeking ...

Oklahoma State's Miles gets LSU job


INTERNET users fed up with spam can go on the offensive by downloading a screensaver aimed at hitting junkmailers in the pocket, net portal Lycos said.

Screensaver hits back at spammers


(Sports Network) - Detroit registered a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Friday night at Tropicana Field. After the game, the Tigers left the state as Hurricane Frances was set to affect the area in the next few days.

Detroit Tigers Team Report - September 4


By PAUL FOY     DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah (AP) -- Scientists with tweezers picked through the twisted wreckage of a space capsule that crash-landed on Earth, hoping that microscopic clues to the evolution of the solar system weren't completely lost in Utah's salt flats.    NASA engineers were stunned Wednesday when neither parachute deployed aboard the Genesis capsule and the craft plummeted to the ground at 193 mph, breaking open like a clamshell and exposing its collection of solar atoms to contamination...

Scientists Pick Up Pieces of Genesis Space Capsule


Nvidia Corp. will supply graphics technology for Sony Corp. #39;s next-generation PlayStation video game console, the companies said Tuesday.

Nvidia to be Sony game supplier


IBM and Honeywell International are teaming up in a 10-year engineering and technology services deal that covers the design and development of electronics for aircraft, munitions and vehicles.

IBM, Honeywell sign 10-year, \$250M deal


Vodafone will primarily target the under-35's, a group which it characterized as the

Photos: Vodafone's 3G generation


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve, while  remaining watchful as prices and interest rates tick higher, is  holding to its mantra that rate increases will be

Fed Officials: No Inflation Alarm Bells


PalmOne launched the Tungsten T5, its first PDA to ship with 256MB of memory and the first to operate as a USB Flash drive, this morning, as anticipated.

PalmOne unveils 256MB Flash drive T5 PDA


Derek Lowe doesn't expect to pass unnoticed on the Red Sox' first trip back to Oakland, Calif., since his dramatic save in Game 5 of their division series last October -- and his subsequent vulgar gesture toward the A's dugout immediately after the final out.

Lowe ready for a rude welcoming


When I recently called up my local DSL provider, there was no doubt about the location of the person at the other end of the line. Offshoring blog

You're from WHERE!!!!????


Major League Baseball is poised to cancel the move of the Montreal Expos to Washington after the District of Columbia Council on Tuesday amended the agreement

Notebook: Washington move in jeopardy


Sony cuts full-year forecast by 3, Matsushita warns on effects of high oil prices and competition. TOKYO (Reuters) - Sony Corp. Thursday reported a quarterly profit gain thanks to the  quot;Spider-Man 2 quot; hit movie

Sony, Matsushita post Q2 gains


The glamour match of the US Open so far, two-time champion Andre Agassi vs. No. 1 Roger Federer, was suspended because of showers on Wednesday.

Agassi-Federer match could resume


ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- Erik Ainge and David Greene looked nothing like they did a week ago and neither did No. 17 Tennessee or third-ranked Georgia.

Tennessee stuns Georgia


Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) reported its profits to be promising for the rest of the year. The company said it noticed a \$42.

SMIC starts new production line to boost profits


shakes hands with Hungarian defence minister after a military parade in Budapest, Wednesday. The prime minister said that Hungary would withdraw its 300 troops from Iraq by March 31 next year.

Hungary to pull troops from Iraq


ALTHOUGH POLITICIANS tend to talk about  quot;the environment quot; as if it were a single, easily defined topic, environmental issues range quite widely, from climate change to nuclear waste disposal to forest management.

The Choice on the Environment


It is being billed as the DVD equivalent of the Betamax versus VHS video format battle of the early 1980s. Disney announced yesterday it has signed up to Sony #39;s Blu-ray technology for the

Disney backs Sony #39;s Blu-ray DVD format


The US Olympic Committee has filed an appeal with the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to block a decision that would strip Michael Johnson and the rest of the US men #39;s 4x400 relay team members of their 2000 Olympic gold medals because of

USOC Appeals on 2000 Relay Team #39;s Behalf


India resume the fifth and final day of the second Test against Australia in Chennai from the score of 19 for no loss. The hosts need another 210 runs to win the Test and square the four-match series 1-1.

India eye victory


The leader of the world's second biggest Anglican church attacks a report into the ordaining of gay bishops.

Nigerian bishop's anger at church


BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Commission will be

EU Report 'Extremely Critical' of Turkey-Verheugen


AFP - French President Jacques Chirac will put forward ideas for an international tax scheme that would help build a 50-billion-dollar war chest to fight poverty during a 55-nation conference on economic development opening Monday in New York.

Chirac to push for international tax to fight poverty (AFP)


Javier Solana travels to Africa for talks on Darfur amid hints that the EU will give \$126m for a peacekeeping mission.

EU envoy heads for Darfur talks


KATHMANDU: Nepal pledged action on Friday against rioters who ransacked Muslim shrines and businesses following the murder of 12 Nepalese in Iraq, as a curfew kept the minority community away from weekly prayers.

Nepal pledges Muslim security after riots


Yahoo and Adobe Systems have entered an alliance aimed at boosting Yahoo #39;s internet search tool while possibly turning more net content into PDF (Portable Document Format) documents, to the advantage of Adobe #39;s PDF Reader product.

Yahoo and Adobe to boost search tool


AP - Connecticut placed assistant men's basketball coach Clyde Vaughan on paid administrative leave Thursday after his arrest in a prostitution sting.

UConn Aide Put on Leave After Sex Bust (AP)


Sachin Tendulkar hits a career-best 248 not out as India gain a lead of 342 over Bangladesh.

Cricket: Tendulkar sets new best


AP - The Democrats are trying to target their criticism of President Bush in a way that shows voters they've been hurt by administration policies on the economy and Iraq, vice presidential candidate John Edwards said in an Associated Press interview Friday.

Edwards: Democrats Focus Bush Criticism (AP)


The 4GB SanDisk Memory Stick PRO will cost \$799.99, while 2GB SanDisk SD Card will be \$199.99. They will be available in November.

SanDisk Intros New Memory Sticks and SD Cards with World #39;s Largest <b>...</b>


US mutual fund assets fell 2 percent to \$7.4 trillion last month, as declining equity markets reduced the value of stock funds, according to a survey conducted by the Investment Company Institute.

Mutual fund assets fall 2 percent in July


J Sainsbury today revealed it would this year suffer a 550m hit in profits, but said it would also recruit 3,000 shop floor staff in an effort to revive sales.

Sainsbury #39;s profits to suffer 550m hit


LOS ANGELES A report says California #39;s economy will see solid growth next year, but danger looms. The quarterly UCLA Anderson Forecast says the state #39;s fortunes could change if the national economy falters

Report: Calif economy will see growth in 2005, but danger looms


AP - A top Sudanese official on Tuesday defended an accused ringleader of Arab militia attacks on African villagers as a legitimate tribal leader and warned any attempt to go after such men could ignite warfare that would tear the country apart.

Sudan Warns of Tribal War in Darfur (AP)


Scientists who created Dolly the sheep, the world #39;s first cloned mammal, applied for a license on Tuesday to clone human embryos to obtain stem cells for research into Motor Neurone Disease.

Dolly #39;s Creator Applies for Human Cloning License


IBM on Friday introduced an upgrade of its performance-monitoring software for web-based transactions, expanding its view of transaction flows by adding support for more infrastructure components.

IBM Upgrades Web-Transaction Performance Tool


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks hovered near the unchanged  mark on Tuesday as investors took another pause after last  week's big rally, with the Fed expected to raise interest rates  a quarter point on Wednesday.

Stocks Flat; Oil Falls, Waiting for Fed


The Toronto Argonauts are set to announce York University as the location of their new stadium, according to several published reports.

Report: Argos settle on York U site


Paul Hamm fights to keep his gymnastics gold medal during a hearing before the sports world's highest court Monday but the panel adjourns without making a decision.

No Decision on Hamm


An unfamiliar-looking Manchester United team slumped to their first defeat of this Champions League campaign as Uefa Cup-bound Fenerbahce won 3-0 in Istanbul.

United Finish Second After Fener Defeat


Italy #39;s Jarno Trulli will race for Toyota in Japan and Brazil, the last two races of the Formula One season, after leaving Renault.

Sports Round-up


BAGHDAD : Shiite militia leader Moqtada Sadr has agreed to disarm and quit a holy shrine in Najaf as demanded by Iraq #39;s key national conference, one of the organisers of the meeting said.

Sadr agrees to accept Iraq peace mission demands


Unlike their red-stockinged rivals, the Yankees weren't going to use their next scheduled starter -- Mike Mussina -- to relieve if things went bad early last night.

No Moose sightings in extras


Oracle Corp. #39;s 18-month struggle to gain control of PeopleSoft Inc. drew to a close this morning when PeopleSoft #39;s board agreed to a new \$10.3 billion takeover offer.

PeopleSoft accepts latest Oracle offer


Under the cover of darkness, the entire British challenge for Breeders #39; Cup XXI emerged on to the track here at Lone Star Park yesterday.

Racing: Lone Star turf magical for Ouija Board


Reuters - The dollar strengthened above last\week's record low against the euro on Monday, allowing shares\in shippers and steelmakers to take Asian equity markets up,\but nerves about the dollar's direction capped stock gains.

Asian Stocks Edge Up as Dollar Steadies (Reuters)


Where is the Humane Society when you need it? Where are those organizations against cruelty to dumb animals - or in this case, drunk Irishmen?

Fighting Irish No More


AFP - Malaysia has detected a new outbreak of bird flu in a village in northeast Kelantan state, the sixth to be hit by the deadly virus in a month, officials have announced.

Malaysia reports new bird flu outbreak (AFP)


White House officials were still shaking their heads in disbelief yesterday that President Bush personally had to rescue a US Secret Service agent from angry Chilean security officials Saturday night.

Melee in Chile seen as  #39;big deal #39;


Top-ranked shock jock Howard Stern says he is leaving Infinity Broadcasting Corp. to join Sirius satellite radio, beginning in January 2006, where he'll get the national audience he has coveted.

Howard Stern to Join Sirius Satellite Radio


Sybase Inc. is trying to lure businesses seeking low-cost open source DBMS alternatives by offering a free production license for its Adaptive Server Enterprise Express Edition on Linux.

Sybase offers free ASE license for Linux


This weekend #39;s Davis Cup final between Spain and the United States is to set a new record for the number of spectators at an official tennis match.

Davis Cup final to break spectator records


Back in Dallas, Steve Nash deftly ran the Phoenix offense and set up his new teammates with one smooth pass after another. Kevin Garnett kept the ball in his own hands, outclassing Shaquille O #39;Neal all night.

Nash enjoys emotional return to Dallas; Garnett gets best of Shaq


SHARM EL SHEIKH (Egypt), November 22 (Itar-Tass) - An international conference on Iraq is opening in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh on Monday.

International conference on Iraq opening in Egypt


If current plans succeed, travelers' facial and fingerprint data will be stored on embedded chips.

Europe likely to opt for biometric passports


or decades, an airline job was a coveted plum. Good pay, generous benefits, strong unions and the glamour of air travel made pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and even baggage handlers the envy of their neighbors.

Coffee, Tea or Job? For Airline Workers, an Uncertain Future


AP - Sandora Irvin had 23 points and 17 rebounds and Texas Christian upset a ranked team for the second night in a row, beating No. 13 Michigan State 80-75 Sunday in the championship game of the Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Texas Christian Beats No. 13 MSU 80-75 (AP)


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq believes the weekend massacre of  49 army recruits could have been an inside job, a source close  to interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi told Reuters Monday.

Iraq to Probe if Army Massacre Was Inside Job


CHITTAGONG: A double century from Stephen Fleming placed New Zealand in a prime position heading into the third day of the second cricket test against Bangladesh tonight.

Double the delight for Fleming


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices bounced back on Friday,  ending this week's 8 percent slide on renewed winter supply  fears and jitters ahead of next week's U.S. presidential  election.

Oil Up on Supply Woes, Election Jitters


AP - Fraud in the  #36;300-billion-a-year Medicaid program is widespread and the federal government is not doing enough to combat it, congressional investigators said in a report released Wednesday.

Study: U.S. Needs to Fight Medicare Fraud (AP)


Quarterback Matt Leinart won the 70th Heisman Trophy by a comfortable margin over Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, the first freshman to finish second.

Leinart Is Sixth Heisman Winner From U.S.C.


ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - Hurricane Ivan made a direct hit on Grenada with ferocious winds, causing

At Least Nine Killed by Hurricane Ivan


AP - Carl Pavano decided Saturday he wanted to pitch for the Yankees, and his agent and New York closed in on a four-year contract worth about  #36;39 million.

Pavano Wants to Pitch for Yankees (AP)


Nobby Solano struck a spectacular winner for Villa, but Spurs boss Martin Jol insisted:  quot;I think we are in for a good spell soon.

Spurs coach admits concerns after Villa defeat


Fanning an already hot business rivalry, Airbus is working on a new plane to compete with Boeing #39;s pending 7E7 widebody jet. Meanwhile, US and European Union trade negotiators

Airbus plans new jet to fend off Boeing


International Business Machines Corp. has reportedly put its personal computer business up for sale in a deal that could fetch as much as \$2 billion and close an era for an industry pioneer which long ago shifted its focus to more lucrative segments of the computer business.

Report: IBM Selling Personal Computer Unit


The presidential candidates' opposed images of the war reflect opposed strategies for the final weeks of the campaign.

2 Assessments of Iraq, 2 Election Strategies


Only days after mocking a call for a new presidential runoff vote, President Vladimir V. Putin said today that he would work with whoever is elected by the people of Ukraine to lead the country, a Russian news agency reported.

In Shift, Putin Says He Will Back Whomever Ukraine Elects


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investment manager T. Rowe Price Group  Inc. <A HREF=

T. Rowe Price Posts 25 Percent Profit


Toogle: Cool Google Image Search Implementation\\Google has become a synonymous with Internet Searching. It has also become a verb with all those talks about Googling this and Googling that. But the truth remains; Google is the best thing to happen to Internet Searching in years. And it does great at ...


On May 15, 1963, Gordon Cooper piloted the Faith 7 capsule and circled the globe 22 times in 34 hours and 20 minutes. It was the last flight of NASA #39;s Mercury program, but it

Gordon Cooper, pioneering Mercury program astronaut, dies at 77


\Hong Kong's government warns people with heart and respiratory problems to stay in as smog chokes the territory.

Hong Kong chokes under thick smog


Harry Redknapp quit Portsmouth after the relationship with chairman Milan Mandaric became untenable, though the manager diplomatically said he simply felt it was time for a break.

Chimes up for Redknapp


Chicago Bears offensive lineman Mike Gandy was waived Monday after starting five games for the team this season and 30 over the past three seasons.

Bears waive Gandy, activate Colombo


By THERESA AGOVINO     NEW YORK (AP) -- Privately insured, low-income workers with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma are being financially squeezed as employers shift the burden of higher health care costs to employees, a new study found.    The number of such individuals spending more than 5 percent of their income on out-of-pocket medical costs soared 48 percent to 2.2 million people from 2001 to 2003, according to a study released Thursday by the Center for Health System Change...

Insurance Falls Short for Many Workers


The volume of worms and viruses is increasing, but the rate of successful attacks has dropped, according to Symantec.

Viruses keep on growing


Reuters - Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad\Allawi sought to calm anger on Friday over his description of\states that opposed the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein as\

Iraq's Allawi Plays Down EU 'Spectators' Remarks (Reuters)


DALLAS, United States (AFP) - Kimberly-Clark, maker of Kleenex tissues and other consumer goods, announced a cost-cutting plan aimed at saving 400 to 500 million dollars over three years, as well as a share buyback plan.

Kimberly-Clark seeks cut of 400-500 million dollars


AP - The Houston Texans were plenty embarrassed when Peyton Manning threw five touchdown passes against them in a 35-point rout.

Texans Want No Part of Manning's History (AP)


When you hear the phrases  quot;strong military quot; or  quot;military-industrial complex, quot; one country comes right to mind.

Europe #39;s Best Defense: France


quot;Thrilled quot;: Not everyone feels that way on Monday. But not everyone is Sirius Satellite Radio (nasdaq: SIRI - news - people ) Chief Executive Joseph Clayton.

Ford: Automaker Inks Deal With Sirius Satellite Radio


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Playboy magazine on Tuesday  posted to its Web site an unpublished portion from its  interview with Google's founders, which raised regulatory  eyebrows not for what it revealed, but for its timing -- just  before the Internet search engine's much-anticipated initial  public offering.

Playboy Posts Unused Google Excerpt to Web Site


VIENNA (Reuters) - Inspectors from the U.N. nuclear  watchdog would like to visit a secret military site in Iran  that an exile group said was a nuclear weapons site, but they  lack the legal authority to go there, U.N. diplomats told  Reuters.

UN Lacks Right to Inspect Sites in Iran -- Diplomats


Three plays. That's been the sum total of Larry Lester's contribution to Boston College's 3-0 start. Lester was shelved for the first two games of the season when he partially tore his left posterior cruciate ligament on the first play of BC's first preseason scrimmage. He returned to the field for last week's 27-7 victory over Big East foe Connecticut.

Lester set to go


Reuters - Wild animals seem to have escaped\the Indian Ocean tsunami, adding weight to notions they possess\a

Tsunami Adds to Belief in Animals' 'Sixth Sense' (Reuters)


Zurich, Switzerland (Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 Venus Williams advanced on Thursday and will now meet Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals at the \$1.

Venus advances to meet Sharapova in Zurich


RAMALLAH, West Bank - Yasser Arafat was buried Friday in the place where he spent his last years as a prisoner, buried in a huge and chaotic outpouring of grief for the man who embodied the Palestinian people #39;s dream of statehood.

Thousands greet coffin of Arafat


Software maker meets earnings projects but applications business languishes with unit's sales down 36 percent.

Oracle sales rise on database demand


Skype Technologies has launched Skype for Pocket PC Version 1.0, which allows users to make Skype voice calls for free using Wi-Fi wireless networking.

Skype for Pocket PC Allows Free VoIP Phone Calls


AFP - Seven people close to Islamic groups in the Netherlands are to be charged with terrorist-related activities over the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, the Amsterdam public prosecutor revealed.

Seven to be charged with terrorism over killing of filmmaker (AFP)


The US Trade Representative on Monday rejected the European Union #39;s assertion that its ban on beef from hormone-treated cattle is now justified by science and that US and Canadian retaliatory sanctions should be lifted.

US Rejects EU That Hormone-Treated Beef Ban Is Justified


Arab television has shown a video tape of a Sudanese interpreter in Iraq who said he had been kidnapped and called on his US employer to leave Iraq.

Sudan translator  #39;seized in Iraq #39;


The current motion is in addition to the request for a summary judgment IBM has been seeking since early July. If the initial request is granted, it could bring the case to a close without trial. Although summary judgment arguments ...

IBM Seeks Another SCO Dismissal


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Prime Minister Paul Martin yesterday urged rival groups to disarm and political factions to settle differences so the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere can make use of international aid.

Just stop fighting!


Chris Bosh needed a good talking to during halftime last night. He had sort of coasted through the opening half of the game against the Detroit Pistons, doing some good things here, some bad things there, some

Biggest Bosh basher is Chris


IBM is considering pulling out of the personal computer business it founded - a sign of a big change in the way companies buy computers and a shift of power in the PC industry.

Analysts: IBM selling PC business makes sense


Sun Microsystems plans to unveil the latest version of its flagship Solaris operating system and offer a free version of the program to make it more attractive to corporate and academic computer users.

Sun to Introduce Newest Version of Solaris Today


UNITED NATIONS -- The Bush administration responded calmly yesterday to North Korean statements it has turned the plutonium from 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods into nuclear weapons.

US downplays N. Korea announcement


After winning their first four league games, the Blues were unable to break through against Villa. The draw left the road open for Arsenal -the Gunners have won their first four games - to move two points

Chelsea #39;s perfect season comes to an end


With President George Bush safely back in the White House, and with no need to face the voters again (American presidents are only allowed two terms), is he not duty bound finally to do something about America #39;s terrible twins - a current account deficit

Jeremy Warner #39;s Outlook: Bush bets on twins cancelling each other <b>...</b>


EDITORS NOTE: This is one in an occasional series in October about the 160 members of Fort Waynes 221st Ordnance Company in Afghanistan.

Quiet week precedes Afghan elections


As videocassettes fade into history, a full-fledged battle is on to establish the next standard of DVDs which could open up a new realm of possibilities in interactive home entertainment.

Consumers losers in next-generation DVD battle


ABUJA (Reuters) - Talks between a rebel warlord and the  Nigerian president aimed at preventing an explosion of violence  in the oil-producing Niger Delta will resume Friday, an  organizer said.

Nigerian Oil Delta Talks to Resume Friday


BANGKOK, Thailand (DPA): Activists from the Greenpeace environmentalist group on Wednesday handcuffed themselves to the gates of the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok to protest Malaysia #39;s  quot;laundering quot; of ramin, a protected hardwood found primarily in

Greenpeace protests Malaysia #39;s  #39;laundering #39; of ramin in RI forests


Promoted Sicilian side Messina shocked Italian champions AC Milan with a 2-1 victory at the San Siro in Italian first division league match on Wednesday.

Messina upset league champions Milan


AP - FBI interviews and surveillance of at least a dozen political activists in Kansas and Missouri prior to the Democratic National Convention amounted to intimidation, contends the American Civil Liberties Union.

Activists Condemn FBI Tactics Before DNC (AP)


Canadian Press - GATINEAU, Que. (CP) - A national aerospace policy is in the works that would consolidate existing financial-aid initiatives into one cohesive program, Transport Minister Jean Lapierre said on Friday.

National aerospace policy in the works, says Canada's transport minister (Canadian Press)


Lenovo will pay \$1.75 billion for IBM #39;s PC business unit but will continue to use the IBM brand for five years. By Paul McDougall, and Darrell Dunn.

IBM Discloses Details Of PC Business Sale


AP - A natural gas pipeline just outside the southern Russian city of Makhachkala exploded Wednesday, sending flames soaring into the air and lighting up the night sky.

Gas Pipeline Explodes in Southern Russia (AP)


Investors cheered a final verdict on the outcome of the presidential race, leaving behind their fears of a 2000-style election and boosting markets, especially stocks perceived to benefit from a continued Bush administration. <FONT face=

Tech Investors See Brighter Future


Boulder, CO -- Spacecraft observations of the landing area for one of NASA's two Mars rovers now indicate there likely was an enormous sea or lake covering the region in the past, according to a new University of Colorado at Boulder study.     Research Associate Brian Hynek of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics said data from the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey spacecraft now show that the region surrounding the Opportunity rover's landing site probably had a body of water at least 330,000 square kilometers, or 127,000 square miles...

More Confirmation Mars Had Large Seas


AP - An error with an electronic voting system gave President Bush 3,893 extra votes in suburban Columbus, elections officials said.

Machine Error Gives Bush Extra Ohio Votes (AP)


Top-seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland beat two-time champion Andre Agassi in five sets to reach the US Open semifinals for the first time, where he will play Britain #39;s Tim Henman.

Federer Wins to Join Henman in US Open Semifinals (Update1)


His contract status, public comments regarding the now-filled Washington Huskies job and another disappointing season have Vikings coach Mike Tice on thin ice.

Murky Future for Tice


AP - Human Rights Watch said Monday it had uncovered two more cases of prisoners dying in American custody in Afghanistan, and it accused the Bush administration of

Group: 2 More Detainees Die in Afghanistan (AP)


The Jets began their bye week Monday, and the time off comes not a moment too soon. A day after their second straight victory sent them to their best regular

For Jets, Two Victories and Two Big Injuries


Opponents of importing prescription drugs from Canada are introducing a new argument to the debate with studies that say it would wipe out thousands of jobs in states like Massachusetts that depend on pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.

Critics: Legalization will lead to job losses


AT amp;T Corp. said Thursday that California #39;s decision to raise wholesale telephone rates will decrease competition between local carriers.

AT amp;T Decries California Rate Hikes


Description: In the first day of trading in shares of the Internet search engine company Google, the stock rises to above \$100. After much anticipation over the public offering, Google set its initial price at \$85 for Thursday #39;s debut. NPR #39;s Laura Sydell ...

Google #39;s New Stock Rises to \$100 Mark


JP Morgan Chase  amp; Company, the nation #39;s second-largest bank, surprised Wall Street today with a sharp drop in third-quarter earnings, attributing the weaker performance to poor results in fixed-income trading.

JP Morgan Chase Reports Sharp Drop in Earnings


IT WAS a good sign that those claiming to have kidnapped two Australians in Iraq had not released the names of their alleged hostages, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Lack of hostage news  #39;encouraging #39;


It's safe to say most people would prefer to never have to see a bankruptcy attorney or judge.

Lessons in making life-and-debt decisions


The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of 990,000 AC adapters distributed by Round Rock-based Dell Inc.

Dell recalls nearly a million defective adapters


Evidence of the explosive hexogen was found on a Tu-134 jetliner that crashed in the Tula region south of Moscow, said Sergei Ignatchenko, spokesman for the Federal Security Service.

Terrorists blamed for Russian plane crashes


BRYAN, Texas Citibank said today that it #39;s expanding into the Texas retail banking market in a big way. New York-based parent company Citigroup says it #39;s buying Bryan-based First American Bank, which has 102 full-service branches throughout Texas.

Citigroup buys First American Bank, expands Citibank into Texas


BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Two years ago, Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy after a fantastic outing against Notre Dame. Matt Leinart may have earned himself the same piece of hardware after his performance Saturday.

USC routs Notre Dame; BC and Iowa State blow chances Saturday


A spokesman for the People #39;s Bank ofChina (POC) said Friday that the central bank welcomes the effortsmade by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its staff report for 2004 Article IV consultation with the People #39;s

Central bank welcomes IMF #39;s China report


With just days to go before the U.S. presidential election, the candidates are darting from one stop to the next #151;putting the pressure on the Secret Service in the process.

Election Is Crunch Time for U.S. Secret Service


The legend of Michael Vick appeared to be on the verge of ballooning yet again as he dropped back to pass in the game #39;s waning moments.

Slick Vick struggles


Australia should send 400 personalised stuffed koalas to the grieving families of the Beslan school massacre, Greens leader Bob Brown has proposed.

Brown #39;s koalas for Beslan idea rapped


AP - Prime Minister Tony Blair has been dogged for months by speculation that his grip on power was weakening because of smoldering public anger over the Iraq war. But the pundits apparently underestimated his instinct for survival.

Blair Reasserts Control After Rocky Summer (AP)


LONDON - Vijay Singh is officially the best player in the world, but as far as this week #39;s World Matchplay Championship is concerned, Ernie Els is the top seed because he is the champion.

Vijay is the best but Els is favourite


AFP - Sudanese peace talks restarted here at the end of a one-day boycott called by rebel groups in protest at alleged government attacks on civilians, and as a UN deadline for action on the Darfur crisis expired.

Sudanese peace talks restart after rebel boycott as UN deadline expires (AFP)


The Brazilian runner jostled by an Irish-born ex-priest in the Olympic marathon has been invited to Ireland by the country #39;s Sports Minister.

Irish invite for De Lima


The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approved a \$1.47 million increase in its expenditure budget for next year. The rise will lift WADA #39;s budget to \$21.7 million, the Montreal-based

WADA Sanctions \$1.47 Million Rise in Expenditure


AP - Julius Hodge drove to the basket and scored, then turned to run back on defense. On the way, for a brief moment, he held the Heisman Trophy pose. It was the North Carolina State guard's not-so-subtle way of letting everyone know where he thinks he ranks among the elite players in the country  #151; even if he had the wrong sport.

N.C. State's Hodge Puts Self Among Elite (AP)


UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations is calling for the return of thousands of refugees who were forced by Sudanese security forces to relocate to a new camp in Darfur.

UN demands return of Darfur refugees


PeopleSoft's chief executive on\Thursday said Oracle was spreading misleading information about\his stock sales and he threatened to sue for defamation on the\eve of the expiration of Oracle's \$8.8 billion hostile tender\offer.

PeopleSoft Threatens Oracle with Suit


DENNIS Cooper is too much of a soft-spoken gentleman to publicly express anger, but the professional conflict between him and Peter Macdonald goes back a long way to a day in May 2001.

The day Hardie #39;s sums didn #39;t add up


The Boeing Co. is welcoming a decision by its European rival to build a plane that can compete with the Chicago company #39;s 7E7.

Boeing thanks Airbus for the flattery


Oil lingered above the \$50 per barrel threshold in Asian trade Wednesday, breaching the mark for the second straight day ahead of key US crude stockpile data.

Update 23: Crude Prices Stay Above \$50 Per Barrel


JERUSALEMIt was one of the most expensive sets of eyes Israel has ever produced, and today it was to begin watching Iran like a high-resolution hawk from the lofty vantage of 260 kilometres skyward.

Israel #39;s eyes in sky #39; plummets into sea


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar was under pressure again  Monday, snapping last week's rebound ahead of a key week of  U.S. data and Tuesday's meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve on  interest rates, but European shares got a lift as oil prices  hovered near-five month lows.

GLOBAL-MARKETS-Dollar on Ropes, Shares Up


Vice President Dick Cheney (website - news - bio) congratulated US troops for helping give democracy a chance to take root in Afghanistan.

Cheney Meets With Troops in Afghanistan


A Communist Party whistle-blower who created a national sensation in China by publicly accusing his superiors of tolerating official corruption has been condemned for breaking party rules and ordered to

China  Condemns Whistle-Blower


Hewlett-Packard Co. today reported net income for its fiscal fourth quarter of \$1.09 billion, compared with \$862 million during the same quarter a year earlier.

HP profit tops lowered forecast


SAP AG has extended the scope of the SAP Active Global Support customer service portfolio with the addition of SAP Security Optimization, a remote service that investigates SAP systems for security vulnerabilities and proposes an action plan.

SAP launches remote security service


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday chose  Carlos Gutierrez, the Cuban-born CEO of Kellogg Co, as his  nominee to be commerce secretary, his second selection of a  Hispanic for a second-term Cabinet.

Bush Picks Kellogg CEO as Commerce Chief


NEW YORK (Reuters) -  Computer disk drive maker Maxtor  Corp. <A HREF=

Maxtor's Tufano Resigns as CEO, President


BT has signed a E3.75m deal with Canadian firm Nortel for the supply of IP telephony equipment for a major new  #39;virtual #39; contact centre.

BT inks E3.75m contract with Nortel


There are 1.1 million fossils in the collection of Harvard's Museum of Natural History: invertebrate, vertebrate, and one of more recent origin. Insert 50 cents, and it lets you make a phone call.

Pay phones have become an old-fashioned hang-up


Sixth formers ask Jeeves for information on the heart and get links to hardcore porn.

School net search throws up porn


Shares in The Boeing Co. hit a one-year high Wednesday on news that the aircraft builder has received an order to build 18 777-300 ER (extended range) airplanes for Singapore Airlines, with the airline also

Boeing stock soars on news of 777 order


Greg Rusedski produced one of his finest clay-court performances to haul Great Britain level in their Davis Cup clash with Austria in Portschach.

Rusedski Drags Britain Back into Davis Cup Tie


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasuries recouped early losses on  Friday after data showed the U.S. economy grew less strongly  than expected last quarter while inflation slowed markedly.

Treasuries Turn Flat on GDP Data


Gateway said yesterday it is backing away from selling TVs and other consumer electronics - essentially shelving the strategy that founder Ted Waitt championed for two years to turn the money-losing company around.

Gateway to cut back selling electronics; to focus on core PCs


Malaysia #39;s Maxis Communications Bhd. (Maxis) has selected Siemens as one of its 2G and 3G/UMTS infrastructure suppliers. Under the terms of the three- year framework contract, the Siemens Communications Group

Siemens awarded 2G/3G network extension in Malaysia


Starbucks #39; (SBUX:Nasdaq - news - research) sales slowed a bit in August, but still came in above the coffee shop chain #39;s long-term targets.

Starbucks Posts Robust August Sales


Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The EUs ban on arms sales to China will be the main topic at next week high-profile diplomatic talks between China and Europe.

Arms sales ban at the centre of China-EU talks


AP - President Bush made an unexpected visit to the Russian Embassy on Sunday where he signed a book of condolences for victims of the school hostage seizure and expressed outrage at the actions of

Bush Visits Embassy, Offers Condolences (AP)


Bringing an appropriate end to their odd stay, Jeff Conine drove in the go-ahead run with a walk and the Marlins beat the Montreal Expos 8-6 Tuesday for a sweep of their miniseries at US Cellular Field.

Marlins belt three homers en route to 8-6 victory over Expos


India #39;s batsmen made a less than ideal start to their first innings in Bangalore, losing two wickets for just 34 runs after Australia finished strongly to build a commanding lead.

Clarke leaves India reeling


The US economy grew at a slower-than- expected 3.7 percent annual rate in the third quarter as rising oil prices contributed to a record trade deficit and companies added less to inventories.

US Economy: 3rd-Qtr GDP Grew 3.7, Confidence Ebbed (Update2)


Microsoft is removing features and cutting prices in India for a special version of its Windows XP operating system to tap the large market potential

Low-cost versions of Windows XP unveiled


DETROIT -- Chrysler is recalling 240,000 minivans because their radios may short-circuit and cause a fire. Affected are Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans from the 2001 and 2002 model years.

240,000 Minivan Radios May Be Susceptible To Fires


AP - A Colombian arms broker was charged with trying to buy  #36;4 million in grenade launchers, machine guns, other high-powered weapons and munitions for a leftist rebel group and promising 2 tons of cocaine as partial payment.

Colombian Charged in Fla. With Buying Guns (AP)


Dell CEO Kevin Rollins came out swinging against overseas outsourcing in a speech delivered Friday at a conference in Boston. Outsourcing Blog

Dell and the definition of 'is'


Heads up: From the summer doldrums to the September doldrums. Don #39;t get your hopes up that the stock market will spike up until oil prices come back down and the presidential election is decided, the Stock Trader #39;s Almanac advises.

A glimpse of the business week ahead


The Arlington airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time, is seeking an across-the-board 23 percent employee pay cut for at least six months in hopes of saving about \$38 million a month.

Airline Can Use Lenders' Cash, Judge Says


Andre Agassi had to cope with the power, accuracy and consistency of Max Mirnyi #39;s serve and the novelty of models acting as ball-girls in his opening match at the Madrid Masters here last night.

Agassi puts in model performance


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- One week after Ed Reed stole a pass to seal another win for the Baltimore Ravens, the Pro Bowl safety victimized yet another football team with his instincts and speed.

Ravens #39; Reed keeps stealing games, passes


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rookie John Van Benschoten pitched  eight strong innings to seize his first major league victory,  powering the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Houston Astros 6-1 in  the National League Friday.

NL Wrap: Rookie Pitcher Leads Pirates Over Astros


Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has faxed a letter to UEFA pleading with them not to punish his old club Porto after he was spat at by a visiting fan at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho Begs UEFA to Spare Porto


The FCC approved rules for transmitting broadband over power lines, providing a way for high-speed Internet access to be delivered through home electrical outlets.

FCC Jump-Starts BPL


Paychecks all over the country could be going up or shrinking as a result of new changes to the nation #39;s overtime pay rules. The new laws took effect August 23.

Helping or Hurting Workers?