AFP - The German economy, which grew strongly in the first half of this year on the back of robust exports, will see a slowdown next year as a result of the braking effects of runaway oil prices and a tailing off of foreign demand for German-made goods, top research institutes warned.

German recovery already running out of steam: research institutes (AFP)


Huntsman, which calls itself the world #39;s largest privately held chemical company, on Monday announced an initial public offering and said it will use the proceeds to reduce debt.

UPDATE 2-Huntsman latest chemical company to plan IPO


The Panamanian government declared a state of emergency Saturday in response to torrential rains which triggered flooding and mudslides, leaving at least 10 people dead and a dozen others missing.

Panama Declares State of Emergency in Response to Deadly Floods


KABUL, Afghanistan -- Interim leader Hamid Karzai has clinched a majority of the votes in Afghanistan #39;s first presidential election under near-complete results Monday, leaving him all but certain of becoming this war-wrecked nation #39;s first democratically

Karzai All but Certain of Afghan Election Majority


DALLAS - Kimberly-Clark, maker of Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues, said Monday that it aims to cut costs by \$400 million to \$500 million over the next three years and will repurchase \$1 billion in stock during 2005.

Competition leads to Kimberly-Clark cuts


OK, maybe the merger of Kmart and Sears doesn #39;t exactly put them in the realm of Wally World, but the \$11 billion deal is nonetheless impressive.

Merger to spur retail change


The same day the Houston Astros announced that pitcher Andy Pettitte would have surgery on his troublesome left elbow next week, Roger Clemens left last night #39;s game against the Philadelphia Phillies with a strained right calf.

NL notebook: Pettitte out for season; Clemens hurt


UK shares including HBOS Plc advanced after the country #39;s fourth-biggest bank dropped out of the running for Abbey National Plc.

UK Shares Including HBOS Rise; Abbey National, Cadbury Fall


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded from seven-week  lows on Wednesday as U.S. heating fuel stocks fell again ahead  of winter.

Oil Prices Rebound After Heating Report


The iPod #39;s importance to Apple, which has in the past been overshadowed by the likes of Microsoft and Dell in the desktop stakes, cannot be underestimated.

IMac G5: another P from the iPod


The luxury hotel manager doubles earnings for the second straight quarter.

Reasons to Like Four Seasons


Plan will let customers rent supercomputing power from the company's data centers, paying for exactly as much muscle as they need.

Sun begins pay-as-you-go supercomputing


The two astronauts aboard the International Space Station moved the Soyuz spacecraft that brought them to the orbiting outpost to prepare for a pair of spacewalks to be conducted next year.

Space Station Astronauts Move Soyuz to Prepare for Spacewalks


AP - The Interior Department said Monday it will begin delaying some new oil and gas drilling projects until the effects on wildlife are studied more thoroughly.

Interior Will Delay Some Energy Projects (AP)


It might sound like a space-age case of sour grapes, but Rod and Randa Milliron say they #39;re glad they don #39;t have to think about the \$10 million Ansari X Prize anymore.

Space racers set sights on orbital frontier


It #39;s already well known for its cheesesteak sandwiches, the Liberty Bell - and for sports fans who once booed Santa Claus. Now, the city of Philadelphia is trying to forge a new reputation - by way of the Internet.

The City of Brotherly Love loves Wi-Fi


The German chancellor #39;s decision to adopt a young child has unleashed massive media coverage. Schrder #39;s been fighting revelations about his private life but the current attention could help rather than harm his career.

Schrder #39;s Best  quot;PR Campaign quot;


Scientists have worries about the Arctic warming as they have determined that the ice in Greenland and the Arctic is melting too rapidly .

Arctic warming is good news for oil companies, but not for <b>...</b>


Chantelle Newbery became the first Australian to win the Olympic women #39;s platform diving title with a clearcut victory in the final on Sunday.

Newbery Wins Platform Diving Gold for Australia


Florida is investigating Redmond-based AT amp;T Wireless Services over complaints of price-gouging during Hurricane Frances, Attorney General Charlie Crist told CNN.

AT amp;T Wireless hurricane pricing probed


Russia #39;s Svetlana Khorkina, who was second to American Carly Patterson in the women #39;s all-round gymnastics competition, has accused the judges of robbing her of the gold

Gymnast Khorkina Says  #39;Judges Robbed Me #39;


AP - Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change said Wednesday that it would boycott future elections until the government reforms election laws, ends what the movement calls state-sponsored political violence and repeals what it terms repressive media and security laws.

Zimbabwe Opposition to Boycott Elections (AP)


More than 90 of Africans are proud of their continent, a new survey conducted for the BBC shows.

'We are proud to be Africans'


NEW YORK - Cisco Systems Inc. said Monday it has agreed to acquire Sunnyvale, California, software developer P-Cube Inc. in a cash-and-options deal Cisco valued at \$200 million.

Cisco to acquire P-Cube for \$200 million


Micron ranks fourth in the Chinese chip market, trailing Hynix, Samsung and Infinitron, according to a report from the consulting firm CCID.

Micron To Build Chip Production Plant in China


The Bush administration released a new economic forecast for 2005 in which it boosted growth forecasts slightly from a year ago but cut back sharply on its estimates of new jobs.

White House Expects Steady Economic Growth


President Vladimir Putin said Friday, the government has no plans to seize the embattled oil giant, but if its assets are sold, anyone, including government organizations, will be able to bid.

Russia to Allow State-Owned Firms to Bid on Yukos Assets


It is rare to see a British player #39;s name at the top of a draw sheet for any international tournament, let alone an ATP Masters Series event.

Henman #39;s chance to shine at the top


A decision by the Berlin state government to ban an Islamic conference promoting the  quot;resistance movement quot; in Iraq and the Palestinian territories was an  quot;extraordinarily

German Ban On Islamic Conference  #39;Extraordinarily Important <b>...</b>


NEW YORK: Tributes were continuing to pour in at the United Nations for the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Mr Arafat, who passed away in a Paris hospital

Tributes for Arafat continue to pour in at UN


The powerful Hollywood talent agent who walked away from The Walt Disney Co. with \$140 million in severance benefits had a meal at Friendly #39;s Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach

Before big Disney trial, a modest meal


have left 169 whales and dolphins dead on Australian and New Zealand beaches in the past three days. By Tuesday, 96 long-finned pilot whales and bottle-nosed dolphins had died after the first beaching on Sunday at King Island, midway.

Whale beachings stump officials


AP - An influential Dutch advisory body said Wednesday that Islam was not a bar to membership in the European Union and recommended the organization open talks with Turkey, while insisting Ankara do more to meet EU human rights standards.

Netherlands Panel Suggests Turkey-EU Talks (AP)


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Five-time Olympic biathlon champion Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Norway may have been absent from a World Cup event Wednesday, but his fellow countrymen Stian Eckhoff and Frode Andresen were there to pick up the slack.

Norwegians finish 1-2 at biathlon World Cup


The production of the original Star Wars was a disaster. But as the riveting documentary Empire of Dreams shows, underdog director George Lucas somehow pulled it off, which makes you appreciate the trilogy even more. A review by Jason Silverman.

A New Reason to Love Star Wars


A team of astronomers, whose leader teaches at the University of Hawaii, has observed a head-on collision of two galaxy clusters, in which trillions of stars have been smashed together.

UH professor reports cosmic collision


VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Japan Tobacco's  <A HREF=

JTI-Macdonald Files for Court Protection


Telecommunications giant AT amp;T Corp. said Tuesday that it agreed to pay \$100 million to settle a shareholder class action lawsuit underway in a New Jersey district court, three weeks after the trial began.

AT amp;T Settles Shareholder Lawsuit


Fulham boss Chris Coleman will use the forthcoming break for World Cup qualifying to rally his beleaguered troops and plot an end to the club #39;s dismal start to the season.

Coleman insists start must  quot;wake up and smell the coffee quot;


Two senior CIA officials are reported to have quit in the latest sign of turmoil within the US spy organisation.

Two senior officials 'leave CIA'


Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the\world's biggest retailer, on Tuesday reported higher quarterly\profit, meeting Wall Street expectations, and said it was\optimistic about the rest of the year.

Profit Rises for Optimistic Wal-Mart (Reuters)


Detectives warn internet auction bidders to be wary of how they pay after a teenage fraudster conned customers.

Boy's eBay con nets 45,000


Consumer electronics prices still drop, mostly, but not so much.

Gadget price declines slow for summer


Got a shoebox full of receipts from purchases you made this year? Hold onto them and make sure to have them handy come tax time. Congress this week temporarily reinstated a law that gives Texans - as well

Sales tax now a write off  on federal taxes


An estimated 2 million Americans are taking the blockbuster pain reliever Vioxx, which is being withdrawn from the market because of concerns about heart attacks and strokes.

Answers for those who take Vioxx


Turkey #39;s Renay International Transportation Company announced to withdraw from Iraq on Sunday, after one of its employees was kidnapped in Iraq Saturday, Anatolia News Agency reported.

Turkish company withdraws from Iraq to save hostage


WAYNE Rooney and Henrik Larsson are among the players nominated for FIFAs prestigious World Player of the Year award. Rooney is one of four Manchester United players on a list which is heavily influenced by the Premiership.

Larsson and Rooney bid for world player award


Many of them have been extraordinarily patient; some died waiting. A few are relative newcomers sensing an opportunity.

Cash from the past?


World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound has called for a hearing into allegations former Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones used steroids.

WADA Chief Calls for Hearing Into Jones Doping


By JIM SALTER      ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A company driven out of business by Hollywood and the video game industry over its DVD- and computer game-copying software has reached a settlement with the motion picture industry...

321 Studios Reaches Settlement in DVD Copying Dispute


ATHENS -- In a race of attrition that resembled a demolition derby as much as an Olympic final, Joanna Hayes of the United States captured gold in the 100-meter hurdles last night because she managed to keep her feet while others were losing theirs.

Fresh face lift


By Philippe Naughton, Times Online, and Stephen Farrell in Ramallah. Yassir Arafat was laid to rest in the West Bank city of Ramallah today amid a chaotic send-off from the people he had led as fighter and figurehead for almost four decades.

Chaos as thousands swarm Arafat burial


WASHINGTON - Voting security advocates in the U.S. are bracing for a repeat of problems in the upcoming general election that could rival Florida during the 2000 presidential race.

Critics, supporters prepare for U.S. e-voting


MORNIE, Sudan - A U.S. aid chief got a firsthand look at the anger among Darfur's beleaguered population Friday, when residents of a refugee camp beat up a government worker who tried to stop them from complaining to the visiting diplomat...

U.S. Official Witnesses Sudan Attack


IN the international world of gaming there are few more recognisable names than that of Stanley Ho. The 82-year-old billionaire with several wives and 17 children built his fortune on the back of a 40-year

PBL punts on Macau


There is some concern that roaming fees, which are being waived until the end of the year, will later be reimposed. Ken Dulaney of Gartner does not think this is likely, however, because the agreement

Wireless Carriers Ink International Roaming Deal


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US retail sales over the Internet rose 0.9 percent in the second quarter of 2004 and gained 23.1 percent compared with the same period last year as consumers continued to turn to e-commerce to make purchases, a government report ...

E-Commerce Sales Rise in Second Quarter


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. proven crude oil reserves fell  last year for the first time in five years, as energy companies  replaced just over half the oil they took out of the ground,  the U.S. government said on Wednesday.

Oil Reserves Drop for 1st Time in 5 Years


Anti-tobacco senators agreed late Friday to stop delaying a tax bill that includes a bailout for tobacco farmers and pass a separate bill calling for Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco, Sen.

Senate Tobacco Foes Agree on FDA Bill


BRITISH Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has disclosed that his government knew about the alleged plot to overthrow Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema at least five weeks before mercenaries were arrested in March for planning the coup.

Fury As Straw Admits to Knowing of Coup Plot


Valentino Rossi hailed this year #39;s against-the-odds championship win as his finest achievement yet after winning the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

Motorcycling: Rossi clinches bike title


Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, United States of America -- National Basketball Association champions Detroit held LeBron

Pistons stop James and Cavaliers


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

Intel Doubles Dividend, Expands Buyback


All phishing attacks launched across the Internet come from one of just five networks of zombie PCs, according to research published by security firm CipherTrust this week.

Phishing attacks powered by  #39;just five #39; zombie networks


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces punched to the heart  of Falluja on Tuesday after fierce fighting with guerrillas in  Iraq's most rebellious city, a U.S. military source said.

U.S.-Led Forces Reach Central Falluja-U.S. Source


DONALD TRUMP is to remain chairman and chief executive of his Hotels  amp; Casino Resorts business and avert a possible bankruptcy filing.

Trump does deal on \$1.8bn debt at his casino business


TORONTO - Ontario is launching 10 new projects to create electricity from renewable resources, Energy Minister Dwight Duncan said Wednesday.

Province unveils renewable energy projects


David Ortiz, still champagne-scented, was watching Saturday's decisive playoff game between the Yankees and Twins with a friend. Up stepped Ruben Sierra, who'd been 1 for 20 in the series, to clock a three-run homer and tie the game in the eighth.  quot;Here they come, quot; the Red Sox slugger said. Did anyone from Eastport to Block Island expect anything else?

A clashing combination


Red Bull have this morning been confirmed as the new owners of Jaguar Racing after Ford completed their withdrawal from Formula One.

Red Bull confirms Jaguar purchase


The much-awaited  #39;Transformation Plan #39; for Delta Air Lines Inc., one of Tampa International Airport #39;s largest carrier, will include further job cuts, wage and benefit reductions and a new strategy that will help Delta revitalize its entire business.

Delta plan includes job and wage cuts


The house price boom has ended with values falling by their steepest for almost a decade, according to a national survey. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors says the decline in prices is the biggest

Housing Boom  #39;Over  #39; After Rate Hikes


Forget  quot;super-sized, quot; McDonald #39;s is going for  quot;super-fast quot; service. The nation #39;s largest quick serve restaurant chain is getting ready to test a system that enables customers to tap or wave the new  quot;PayPass MasterCard quot; on or near a specially equipped ...

Tap, Eat, N Go


Longtime Business Week editor-in-chief Stephen Shepard is expected to be named the first dean of the City University #39;s planned Graduate School of Journalism.

Eye biz editor for CUNY post


A select group of testers next week will get an early look at MSN Messenger 7.0, the next version of Microsoft Corp.'s popular instant messaging client.

Microsoft set to release MSN Messenger 7.0 beta


Planned job cuts at US firms climbed during November, a report said on Tuesday, in a further sign of sluggishness in the labor market.

Job Cuts Rise Further in Nov. - Report


NEW YORK - Chipmaker Intel today threw more weight behind the developing wireless broadband data standard known as WiMax by taking a stake in Clearwire, a wireless startup led by billionaire Craig McCaw 240699.

Intel Takes Stake In WiMax Startup


AP - On the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the victims were remembered and honored in sporting events around the country and the world.

Sporting World Remembers Sept. 11 Attacks (AP)


CHEN JIULIN, the suspended chief executive of China Aviation Oil (CAO) in Singapore, has agreed to face a criminal investigation into the Beijing-backed groups \$550 million (283 million) in derivatives trading losses.

Singapore oil chief to face police over \$550m trade losses


Pharmaceutical firm Biovail Corp. on Tuesday narrowed the scope of its full-year revenue forecast to the middle of its prior estimate range, but backed its earnings prediction - excluding charges - of \$1.

Biovail Backs 2004 Earnings on Strong Sales


Halsey M. Minor, the founder of CNET, is now running his own, very private, investment fund.

Is It Still Called a Venture Fund When You Use Your Own Money?


SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's conservative Prime Minister  John Howard celebrated a thumping election victory Sunday after  voters, enjoying the fruits of a strong economy, gave him what  looked certain to be an increased majority.

Australia's Howard Celebrates Fourth Poll Win


IN THAT FAMOUSLY irritating advert, Thierry Henry smiles smugly as he struggles to explain to his audience what he means by Va va voom.

Henry shines right on cue


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The seldom used auction system that  Web search giant Google Inc. <A HREF=

3 Months Later, Still Digesting Google


Reuters - At the urging of the White House, a\key Senate panel will put off consideration of the nomination\of Condoleezza Rice to be secretary of state, the chairman of\the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Sunday.

White House Nixed Early Hearing on Rice Nomination (Reuters)


KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's main opposition party urged  the government on Monday to call a unilateral cease-fire with  Maoist rebels and seek peace talks to end a road blockade that  has cut the capital off from the rest of the country.

Nepal Opposition Calls for Truce to End Blockade


AFP - Pope John Paul II issued a new appeal for peace in Iraq and the Middle East, condemning the  quot;horror quot; of violence as well as  quot;the terrorism that cruelly targets the innocent quot;.

Pope issues new appeal for peace in Iraq, Mideast (AFP)


Floating a check became riskier Thursday under a new law that makes it possible for banks to process them in a matter of hours, rather than days.

New law sinks old practice of floating your checks


Parents heading out to buy holiday gifts, listen up. There #39;s a warning out Wednesday about extremely violent and explicit video games.

Report On Video Games


KEY WEST, Fla. - The only whooshing sound Hurricane Ivan stirred in the Keys and populous South Florida on Sunday was a sigh of relief from residents no longer fearful the 160-mph storm would make a direct hit...

Florida Keys Likely Spared Ivan's Wrath


ALBANY, NY -- The makers of Kool cigarettes have settled lawsuits claiming it was targeting black youths. RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company agreed to limit a hip-hop marketing campaign following lawsuits by attorneys

Cigarette Maker Agrees To Limit Hip-Hop Marketing Theme


IBM transformed the world when it launched the personal computer back in 1981. Its decision last week to sell its PC business to Chinese IT supplier Lenovo shows how profound the changes it brought about really are.

How IBM and the PC changed the world


Jacques Derrida, 74, originator of the diabolically difficult school of philosophy known as deconstructionism, died Oct. 9, the office of French President Jacques Chirac announced.

Jacques Derrida Dies; Deconstructionist Philosopher


AFP - Australian property giant Westfield Group announced a 585 million pound bid to acquire British shopping center operator Chelsfield, a move seen as likely to spark a bidding war with rival Multiplex.

Australia's Westfield, Multiplex in battle over Chelsfield (AFP)


Two years in a row, the Patriots #39; veteran outside linebacker has made the biggest play at exactly the right moment to maintain the separation between the Colts and true greatness.

FARINELLA: McGinest saves win


Police have detained more than 50 people in a swoop on the local mafia, known as the Camorra, in the southern Italian city of Naples, which has been the scene of an escalating turf war.

51 held over deadly feud in Naples


John Kerry says President Bush was wrong to pursue Saddam Hussein instead of Osama Bin Laden.

Kerry faults Bush over Bin Laden


MEPs have voted to approve the new European Commission team. The result was 449 votes in favour to 149 votes against with 82 abstentions.


AP - Gay marriage is emerging as a big enough issue in several states to influence races both for Congress and the presidency.

Gay Marriage Issue Motivates Conservatives (AP)


NTT DoCoMo, Intel and IBM have published a jointly developed security specification called the Trusted Mobile Platform. It aims to provide an end-to-end security architecture for mobile wireless devices, including

NTT DoCOMo, IBM and Intel team up to secure mobile devices


VIENNA: OPECs core Gulf producers on Wednesday recommended the cartel raise supply quotas by one million barrels a day, four percent, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah said.

OPEC aims for four percent increase in oil quotas


Senate governmental affairs subcommittee hearing on insurance brokerage policies, with Eliot Spitzer of New York and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut scheduled to testify.

Congress Urged to Conduct Its Own Insurance Inquiry


NEW YORK, October 14 (newratings.com) - Apple Computer (AAPL.NAS) reported its highest fourth-quarter sales in the past nine years for 4Q FY04, while the company #39;s quarterly profits more than doubled on ay/y basis.

Apple beats 4Q forecasts with fivefold increase in iPod sales


American International Group Inc. (AIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed to pay \$126 million and appoint an independent monitor to settle allegations it helped

UPDATE 2-AIG to pay \$126 mln to settle federal probes


Providence scores just five second-half field goals on 19 percent shooting to allow Winthrop to rally and defeat the Friars, 60-54, on Tuesday night.

Friars Collapse in Upset


Airtel has signed an agreement with six cellular operators to form Bridge Mobile Alliance, which will invest \$30-40 million over three years to build a shared infrastructure in Asia Pacific for mobile phone technology, report newswires.

Airtel in JV with six cell firms in Asia-Pac


Kicker Ryan Ohliger of Newark, Del., and punter Johnny Ayers of Oakton, Va., will have the huge responsibility of being the only freshman starters on the Boston College football team this season. Pressure? What pressure?

BC freshmen forced to stand on own feet


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co. <A HREF=

HP Shifting Last of Itanium Engineers


NEW YORK (Reuters) - SuperGen Inc. on Monday said it has  withdrawn an application to market its pancreatic cancer  treatment in the United States due to insufficient data,  sending its shares down 17 percent.

SuperGen Pulls U.S. Cancer Drug Application


GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian gunmen kidnapped a top  security official they accused of corruption and held him for  several hours in the Gaza Strip on Thursday in a fresh  challenge to President Yasser Arafat amid a wave of unrest.

Gaza Gunmen Kidnap, Then Free Palestinian Official


A US tennis team expected to collect a gold rush or at least challenge for one, instead got derailed just after coming out of the gate.

Americans fall on tennis court


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Catching Blondie's reunion tour  broadcast at 4 a.m. wasn't an option for XM satellite radio  subscriber and single father Scott MacLean.

Homegrown Satellite Radio Software Draws XM Fire


Police arrested more than 150 people and seized computers holding more than 2 million images of child pornography in Australia #39;s biggest crackdown yet on child porn, police said Thursday.

150 arrested for child porn in Australia


Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - Argentina snapped a 58-game winning streak by the United States two years ago at the World Championships.

What a nightmare: US men fall to Argentina


The Natick medical devices company is using profits from its successful Taxus stent to expand into new areas. By Ross Kerber, Globe Staff  December 6, 2004.

Boston Scientific goes shopping


Neolithic people in China may have been the first in the world to make wine, according to scientists who have found the earliest evidence of winemaking from

Earliest Signs of Winemaking Found in China


Reuters - An underground subculture of\teenage girls who bond over their eating disorders and glorify\bone-thin celebrities has surfaced on the Internet, in a\growing trend that experts say frustrates treatment.

Anorexic Girls Bond on Web to Dismay of Doctors (Reuters)


Middle East. But the results have been patchy, with many in the Arab world regarding it as a. and social reforms in the Middle East and Africa.

NATO seeks to boost image in Middle East


Missing nuclear-related equipment in Iraq was removed by experts working systematically over an extended period, diplomats said Thursday, contradicting Iraqi officials

Diplomats: Nuke equipment taken


The amount consumers are charged for making mobile calls while abroad is to be investigated by EU regulators.

EU probes mobile phone call costs


A 32-YEAR-OLD Thai woman was today confirmed to be suffering from bird flu, the second confirmed human case of the disease since the country #39;s latest outbreak started in July.

Second Thai woman has bird flu


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar rose against the yen on  Tuesday on weaker than expected Japanese output figures, but  traders said that recent heavy selling of the U.S. currency had  not ended.

Dollar Higher Vs Yen


China on Sunday launched a recoverable science experimental satellite into a preset orbit, atop a Long March 2C carrier rocket from a launch center in northwest China.

China launches science satellite


Canadian Press - LONDON (AP) - Heavy rain caused flash floods in seaside communities in southwestern England on Monday, and dozens of people were rescued from cars, trees and rooftops by emergency helicopters and lifeboats, officials said.

Flash floods force big rescue operation in tourist area of England (Canadian Press)


HIGH speed is not necessarily all that counts. What #39;s demanded at the end of the day is performance. In the latest change to its product lineup, Intel has cancelled plans to release a 4GHz computer microprocessor.

Intel puts brakes on fast chip


David Beckham loves being the centre of attention and tonight the England captain is granted his wish. Steven Gerrard #39;s incapacitation means Beckham moves into the middle against Austria, setting

Pressure on Beckham


Dutch retail giant Ahold has reported a third-quarter net loss, as its results were impacted by exceptional costs and asset impairment charges.

NETHERLANDS: Ahold says Q3 loss highlights  #39;year of transition #39;


Reuters - For children with autism, theater can\rank among the worst of experiences.

British Theater Reaches Out to Autistic Children (Reuters)


The holiday season has arrived and with it the ultimate in year-end giving, bonus season on Wall Street. Top executives of the leading financial firms are now spending

The Bonus: A Rise in the Number Wall St. Crunches the Most


The technology industry stands behind its call for an assistant secretary for cybersecurity in the Homeland Security Department, even as confusion grows over what the department is planning.

Techies want assistant secretary to address cybersecurity


AP - The Supreme Court turned away a challenge Monday to the federal do-not-call registry, ending telemarketers' bid to invoke free-speech arguments to get the popular ban on unwanted phone solicitations thrown out.

Supreme Court Won't Hear Do Not Call Case (AP)


The NBA on Friday suspended the Portland Trail Blazers #39; forward for five games for violating the league #39;s drug program. Woods will serve the penalty beginning with the first game he is eligible for in the regular season.

Blazers #39; Woods in trouble again


Early this month, several Web sites began offering software promising ringtones and screensavers for certain cell phones. But those who downloaded the software

Cell phones increasingly vulnerable to hackers


MORE than 200 people - including children - are believed to have died after the school hostage crisis in Russia came to chaotic and bloody end today.

Hundreds die in commando raid


The San Diego Padres quickly found a replacement for injured shortstop Khalil Greene, acquiring Alex Gonzalez from the Montreal Expos on Thursday night for a player to be named or cash.

Padres acquire Gonzalez from Expos


The Associated Press By Ted Bridis

News: House drops plans to move cybersecurity role to White House


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A Paris newspaper editor said Thursday that two French journalists held by kidnappers were turned over to an Iraqi opposition group, raising hopes that they could soon be released. A separate militant group in Iraq said it had killed three Turkish captives...

Editor: Hostages in Iraq Given to Group


PalmOne Inc. is beefing up its new Tungsten T5 handheld with more memory in an attempt to make the device more appealing to business users who need access to data-intensive applications.

Palm #39;s Tungsten Gains More Memory


AP - Jake Peavy won his sixth straight decision, and Phil Nevin homered and drove in three runs in the San Diego Padres' 5-2 victory over the Montreal Expos on Saturday night.

Nevin Drives in Three As Padres Beat Expos (AP)


NEW YORK  amp; ARMONK, NY - (BUSINESS WIRE) -ept. 15, 2004  -organ Chase  amp; Co. (NYSE: JPM) and IBM today announced JPMorgan Chases plans to reintegrate the previously outsourced portions of its technology

Jpmorgan Chase and Ibm Announce Changes to Technology <b>...</b>


AP - Greek and Albanian soccer fans fought across the country, and Athens police fired tear gas to disperse crowds following a loss by European champion Greece in a World Cup qualifier.

Greek, Albanian Fans Clash After Match (AP)


Footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc. said Thursday it will restructure its operations and cut jobs in a move to reduce administrative expenses by about \$12 million a year.

Payless ShoeSource to restructure as August same-store sales fall


Four executives at German memory vendor Infineon Technologies AG and its US subsidiary have pled guilty to charges of illegally setting prices for PC memory chips, the US Department of Justice announced Thursday.

Infineon Executives Guilty of DRAM Price-Fixing


As Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shawn Green struggles with his decision to play or not to play this Friday and Saturday in observance of Yom Kippur, local Jews hope his faith will win out over the pennant race.

Its not easy being Green


AP - Japan's prime minister, a staunch U.S. ally in Iraq, refused on Wednesday to withdraw Japan's troops from the country, taking a tough stance in the face of demands by militants threatening to behead a Japanese hostage unless the soldiers leave.

Koizumi Says Japan Will Stay in Iraq (AP)


KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's outgoing leader made key  concessions on Tuesday to opponents who have staged mass  protests against a rigged presidential poll, but failed to  agree exactly how to end the ex-Soviet state's political  turmoil.

No End Yet to Ukraine Turmoil Despite Concessions


HELSINKI (Reuters) - The world's largest mobile phone maker  Nokia <A HREF=

Nokia Launches Three New Camera Phones


The pace of corporate audits by the Internal Revenue Service continued to decline in the first six months of fiscal 2004, despite IRS pledges to crack down on

IRS business audits decline so far this year


Bobby Cox and Buck Showalter were given little chance of success after payroll purges pushed out key players. Proving the predictions wrong, their teams won, anyway, and so did the managers.

Showalter, Cox are tops


England striker Michael Owen made a telling contribution off the bench his game for new club Real Madrid. Owen #39;s cross from the right flank in the 52nd minutes set up an easy

Owen tastes first Real action


Yukos issued a fresh warning yesterday that it could be forced to cut output, after a court ruling allowing authorities to seize up to \$2.

New Yukos warning after \$2.6 bn ruling


We asked those affected by Hurricane Ivan, or those in its path, to e-mail us with their thoughts and experiences. The following are a selection of your replies.

YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington is likely to help Brazilin its plan to shoot down planes suspected of smuggling drugsafter determining it has enough safeguards to preventaccidental killings, senior U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

U.S. Set to Aid Brazil Drug Shootdown Plan-Officials


CHICAGO (Reuters) - ImClone Systems Inc. <A HREF=

ImClone Posts Profit on Erbitux Sales


PCS Vision Multimedia streams faster video plus audio channels to Samsung phone.

Sprint Puts Streaming Media on Phones


Data Center Markup Language Organization joins XML body to broaden industry adoption.

Utility computing spec takes refuge in OASIS


VIENNA, Austria - The UN nuclear agency agreed on ways to police Irans suspension of some nuclear programs, but a US official said Washington might still try to take the case to the Security Council.

UN agency agrees to police Iranian enrichment freeze as US voices <b>...</b>


PARIS Tyler Hamilton, the American bicycle racer who won an Olympic gold medal in the time trial last month in Athens, strongly denied Tuesday that he had used illegal performance-enhancing blood transfusions there and in the major race in Spain.

US cyclist ensnared in doping scandal


We are at war with Iraq. We have always been at war with Iraq.  This is the first time I've read 1984 all the way to the end, and I finally understand it, and why it's so important. Winston lost entirely, and it was the most complete loss that is possible. This was important, because it sticks in the mind.  Ironically, Orwell understood how to manipulate people's emotions, but he used this knowledge for the good of us all.

Ignorance Is Slavery


Apple announced yesterday that over 200 million songs have been sold via the iTunes online music store. According to Eddie Cue, Apples VP of Applications, the amount of sales/downloads from iTunes has vastly accelerated since its launch in April 2003.

Apple iTunes Hits 200 Million Sales


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Moments after surviving a horrific plane crash, Charles Ebersol frantically begged bystanders for help in rescuing his kid brother from the wreckage:  quot;Can you please help get him

Body of NBC TV exec #39;s son believed found


Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons rolled into town this summer with a mission: Get people to the voting booths and banking to the people.

Chasing the  #145;unbanked #146;


So, I was thinking, maybe the University of Miami would want to change its nickname, and soon. I know, I know, this is not funny to anyone in the state of Florida.

#39;Canes have been magic against  #39;Noles


Bombs have exploded in Nepal #39;s capital Kathmandu in the third day of a Maoist rebel blockade which is choking the passage of supplies to the city.

Maoist blockade of Kathmandu continues


Scientists develop a synthetic version of a herb-based drug to treat malaria.

Drug 'could boost malaria fight'


Newspapers across the country have been engaging in discussions about whether their current rosters of comics are a luxury, given the current dreary economics of the newspaper business.

Sunday Without Favorite Comic? Not So Funny


Reiterating previous statements, though providing no new details, President Vladimir V. Putin said Russia would continue to emphasize its nuclear deterrent.

New Nuclear Weapon to Surpass Others, Putin Says


Yahoo on Monday implemented its own sender authentication scheme, dubbed DomainKeys, for its free Web-based mail service. DomainKeys is one of several authentication technologies that hope

Yahoo Mail Adds Authentication, Storage


JERUSALEM: Most members of Israel #39;s ruling Likud party want Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to press on with talks to widen his coalition despite a vote by the Likud executive barring any such move, a poll showed on Friday.

Likud voters want Sharon to pursue coalition: poll


The product is designed to let companies manage years of e-mail messages on a single networked storage system.

EMC debuts e-mail consolidation


Manny Ramirez banged a ball off his knee. Keith Foulke had a stiff back. Neither was available at the end of the game, and yet the Boston Red Sox keep winning.

Ramirez injured as Red Sox beat Tigers 5-3 for 10th win in 11 <b>...</b>


The Reserve Bank says there has been a sharp increase in activity on Australia #39;s foreign exchange markets over the past three years.

Australia #39;s foreign exchange market booms


JAKARTA - Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to fight terrorism yesterday after police officers came under fire for taking a convicted Bali bomber out for coffee.

Indonesia insists it is committed to war on terror


AP - Geoff Blumenfeld picked a good time to make his first field goal of the season, nailing a 30-yarder with 4 seconds left to lift Navy to a 24-21 victory over Air Force on Thursday night.

Undefeated Navy Sinks Air Force 24-21 (AP)


Boston ace Curt Schilling will not start Game 5 of the ALCS on Sunday because of an injured right ankle. Derek Lowe will start in his place.

Schilling Out of  Game 5


AP - Orlando Magic center Andrew DeClercq will likely miss 3-to-4 weeks while he recovers from his second knee surgery of the year.

Magic Center DeClercq May Miss 3-4 Weeks (AP)


It would be tempting to lump Adrian Mutu, the latest high-profile footballer to find himself in hot water, with the rest of the got-rich-too-quick brigade.

MUTU HAS BRAINS TO BOUNCE BACK


About 1,100 U.S. soldiers and Marines were wounded during August, by far the highest combat toll for any month since war began.

Iraq Injury Count Rose


RAMADI, Iraq, Oct 6 (AFP) - A suicide car bomb ripped through a queue of young national guard recruits in western Iraq Wednesday, killing 10 of them as Iraqi and US forces pursued their crackdown on the country #39;s insurgency.

Ten killed by Iraq car bomb as Iraqi-US forces forge ahead with <b>...</b>


ATHENS, Aug. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- American Carly Patterson, runner-up in the 2003 Worlds, took the women #39;s individual all-around gymnastics gold medal with 38.387 points at the Athens Olympics here Friday evening.

American Patterson takes women #39;s all-around gymnastics gold


BANGALORE, INDIA -- Ariba Inc. has set up a software development facility in Bangalore, India, which will work on product development as well as technical support and services, the company announced Friday.

Ariba opens development center in India


China #39;s top Communist party leaders have called for stability in the country #39;s monetary and fiscal policies and continued efforts to rein in growth in fixed-asset investment, in a

Chinese party leaders call for monetary stability


Scientists have manipulated carbon atoms to create a material that could be used to create light-based, versus electronic, switches. The material could lead to a supercharged Internet based entirely on light, scientists say.

Nanotechnology Material May Supercharge Internet


MOST YEARS, AROUND THIS TIME, THE pundits gather around the Champions League tables and begin to draw conclusions, looking for wider trends and patterns.

Italians shake off shackles


VIENNA, Austria - The UN nuclear agency agreed yesterday on a plan for policing Iran #39;s nuclear programs designed to avoid a showdown at the United Nations.

National news briefs


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar fell against the yen on  Friday in its steepest one-day drop in over a year, pushed down  by unexpectedly weak jobs data and speculation that China may  soon allow the yuan to appreciate against the dollar.

Dollar Sinks on Weak Jobs Data


Shares of Bioscrypt Inc. (BYT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) jumped 18 percent on Wednesday after it said it had teamed up with IBM (IBM.

Bioscrypt shares soar on hopes for new ID product


Study finds more than half of seats offer little protection against neck injury in a crash. By Dee-Ann Durbin. WASHINGTON -- More than half of the seats in cars do a poor job of preventing whiplash injury because

Institute: Most cars do poorly in whiplash tests


Ray Reed scores 10 points and Georgetown holds San Jose State to a season-low point total in a 58-40 win over the Spartans.

GU Pounds San Jose St.


She argued the hard-liners' case on Iraq. But the next Secretary of State remains an ideological puzzle

Condi Gets Her Shot


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israel charged on Thursday that  Iran had replaced Saddam Hussein as the world's primary  exporter of

Israel Charges Iran Replaces Saddam as Terror Exporter


Ahead of the final race of the season, the Renault F1 Team Technical Director sat down to give his verdict on 2004 and the team's performance.

Bob Bell analyses a 'challenging but successful' season


Donald Rumsfeld queries whether there were ever ties between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden.

Rumsfeld doubts Saddam Laden link


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- An explosion ripped through a Shiite Muslim mosque in the eastern Pakistani city of Sialkot during Friday prayers, killing several people and injuring dozens of others, wire reports say.

Deaths in blast at Pakistan mosque


NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed an  11-year-old girl and five militants in a West Bank raid on  Wednesday, keeping up pressure in Palestinian areas as Prime  Minister Ariel Sharon's plan for a Gaza pullout moved forward.

Israeli Troops Kill Girl, Five Militants in West Bank


A top official from Sudan #39;s ruling party said on Thursday that the government would not disarm  quot;Arab rebels quot; in the troubled Darfur region, saying they were not all members of the feared Janjaweed militia.

Sudan has no plans to disarm  #39;Arab rebels #39;


Company beefs up online service for shipping business information between firms over the Net.

Grand Central spiffs up integration service


One Beacon Street, one of Boston's earliest prominent office towers, was sold yesterday for about \$340 million, the third time in two years a sale had been in the works for the 34-story building.

After failed attempts, One Beacon gets sold


LONDON, Nov 8 (SW) - Tottenham Hotspur FC have handed former Roda and RKC Waalwijk coach Martin Jol the first-team managing position, following Jacques Santinis resignation last Friday.

Spurs appoint Martin Jol


New York #39;s JP Morgan Chase is buying a majority stake in Highbridge Capital Management, a hedge fund, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

JP Morgan Chase buys stake in hedge fund


The Washington women #39;s basketball team played a thriller at Hec Edmundson Pavilion last night, coming from behind to defeat Minnesota in overtime 72-67.

Huskies upset Gophers in OT


British Telecom is buying U.S.-based Infonet Services in a deal that values the company at almost \$1 Billion.

British Telecom to Buy Infonet


Europe #39;s first mission to the Moon has arrived and begun orbiting, 14 months after its launch from French Guiana. European Space Agency officials confirmed Tuesday the SMART-1 spacecraft reached

Europe #39;s First Moon Probe Arrives to Destination with <b>...</b>


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

Magic #39;s Garrity Activated From Injured List


AP - Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Larry Chester will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee, his agent said Monday.

Dolphins DT Larry Chester Out for Season (AP)


(Sports Network) - Winners in four of their last five games, the Detroit Tigers hand the ball to 23-year-old lefthander Wilfredo Ledezma tonight for the middle portion of a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.

Detroit Tigers Team Report - August 24


A list comprising top twenty threats to computers from hackers has been issued by the Sans Institute to guard companies against the most common loopholes in their system, which makes them susceptible to cyber crimes.

Top 20 loopholes that make a PC susceptible to hacking revealed


Tokyo stocks fell for a seventh straight session Monday amid concerns about rising oil prices. The dollar was flat against the Japanese yen.

Update 2: Tokyo Stocks End Lower, Dollar Flat


The retrievable chamber of China #39;s 20th recoverable satellite returned to Earth with a bang, crashing through the roof of a house, the Beijing News says.

Satellite part returns with a bang


Four former Gurkhas working for a London-based security firm were killed in an attack in Baghdad, the Foreign Office said today. The attack, in which around 15 other

Four Ex-Gurkhas Killed in Baghdad


In a move likely to have major ramifications for the library world, Google announced December 14 that it would embark on an ambitious project to digitally scan books from the collections of five major research libraries and make them searchable online.

Google Partners with Libraries in Massive Digitization Project


AP - The Kremlin-backed president of Chechnya said Monday he was open to negotiating with rebel leaders if they could ensure that their followers make good on any commitments undertaken in peace talks.

Chechen President Open to Rebel Talks (AP)


In conclusion of its works, the African summit held in Tripoli, Libya, stressed rejection to any foreign intervention concerning the issue of Darfur in being a mere African issue.

Tripoli summit rejects intervention in Darfur


Toshiba said today that it is close to commercializing a new data storage technology, called perpendicular recording, that could significantly increase the capacity of hard-disk drives.

Toshiba to use perpendicular recording in new drives


Microsoft's antispam Sender ID technology continues to get the cold shoulder. Now AOL adds its voice to a growing chorus of businesses and organizations shunning the proprietary e-mail authentication system.

Spam-Busting Plan Can't Buy a Pal


Few schools boast a list of faculty and alumni as distinguished -- or as eclectic -- as Brandeis University.

For Brandeis women, situation is unbeatable


A South African arms dealer accused of a key role in a planned coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea today sought to clear 18 imprisoned co-defendants.

Coup trial of  #39;mercenaries #39; opens


Long shunned as a player in US-led international space ventures, China has been admitted to talks with NASA about helping to accomplish President Bush #39;s goals for exploring the moon and Mars.

Beijing takes part in a workshop with 30 other countries


InfoWorld - SANTA CLARA, CALIF. -- Noting two evolving areas of software licensing, Microsoft is pondering how to license when multiple instances of an application are run on a single computer, but is not eyeing a plan for utility-based computing, in which charges are based on individual usage.

Microsoft ponders licensing for app virtualization scenarios (InfoWorld)


Markko Martin won his second event in succession as he held off a late charge from Marcus Gronholm to come out on top in Rally Catalunya.

Martin Triumphant in Catalunya


CHICAGO - The governors of Illinois and Wisconsin on Monday launched the first state-sponsored program to help residents buy cheaper prescription drugs from Europe and Canada - despite federal laws banning prescription drug importation.

Business Glance


Lake Forest - Rex Tucker started his first regular-season game in more than two years Sunday, filling in at right guard in place of Mike Gandy, who was sidelined with a strained hamstring.

Friday News  amp; Notes


AP - Forwards Lonny Baxter and Donnell Harvey were cut Thursday by Atlanta, reducing the Hawks' roster to 15 players.

Hawks Cut Lonny Baxter, Donnell Harvey (AP)


AP - Authorities have arrested a man they called the alleged mastermind of a deadly bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi two years ago, but another key member of his network remains at large, a senior official said Thursday.

Suspected Mastermind Held in Pakistan (AP)


EILAT, ISRAEL - Six Egyptian students were freed by Israel on Sunday in exchange for the release of an Arab-Israeli spy. The students had sneaked into Israel in August and were arrested on suspicion that they

Israel, Egypt swap prisoners


Reuters - A key Iranian nuclear facility which the\U.N.'s nuclear watchdog has urged Tehran to shut down is\nearing completion, a senior Iranian nuclear official said on\Sunday.

Iran Says Uranium Conversion Plant Nearly Finished (Reuters)


Kenya's Human Rights Commission criticises conditions at Meru jail where seven prisoners have died.

Kenya prison conditions slammed


Iron Mountain moved further into the backup and recovery space Tuesday with the acquisition of Connected Corp. for \$117 million. Connected backs up desktop data for more than 600 corporations, with more than

Iron Mountain Gets Connected


Vodafone have today announced a new form of BlackBerry, the 7100v. It has been designed with the BlackBerries creator, RIM (Research In Motion) and will be the first release of a new form factor.

Vodafone Launch BlackBerry 7100v  With New Form


In one fell swoosh. Nike (nyse: NKE - news - people ) said its President and Chief Executive Phil Knight, 66, will relinquish those posts.

Knight: Quits As Nike CEO, President; Remains Chairman


A software upgrade was inadvertently given to PCs not intended to receive it, which made payment processing systems at Britain #39;s Department for Work and Pensions stop working, EDS #39; investigation revealed.

#39;Human Error #39; Crashed Britain #39;s DWP


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Gilead Sciences Inc. <A HREF=

Gilead Sciences 3rd Quarter Profit Rises


WASHINGTON (AFX) - The US economy is losing steam, the Conference Board said Thursday, reporting that the index of US leading economic indicators fell 0.3 percent in October, the fifth straight decrease.

US leading indicators fall for 5th straight month


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The world's top finance officials on  Friday asked oil-producing nations to step up output and agreed  it was crucial to work out exactly why prices have soared to  levels that threaten global growth.

Group of Seven Wants More Oil Output


NEW YORK - Last night, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Tarceva, a pill that extends survival in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients for whom chemotherapy has failed.

Cancer Drug Tarceva Approved


Englishman Lee Westwood will take a one-shot lead over a tightly bunched group of players into Sunday #39;s final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge played at the par-72, 7162m, Gary Player Country Club layout.

Westwood carries narrow lead


To ante up, or not to ante up? That would appear to be the question for the Red Sox as they make an attempt to re-sign Pedro Martinez.

What's in the cards for this ace?


washingtonpost.com - Election Day is less than two weeks away, but so far technology has yet to make more than the occasional cameo appearance on either presidential candidate's priority list.

Bush, Kerry Don't Worry About Tech (washingtonpost.com)


Less than two weeks after the Sudanese government and rebels reached a partial agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Darfur, two clashes in that western Sudan

Fighting Erupts in West Sudan Despite Accord


As he lies, the young man shrugs, flutters his eyelids and shakes his head. Another, on a witness stand, grimaces for a millisecond as he answers a question.

Human Lie Detectors Almost Never Miss, Study Finds


The British boss of Citigroups international division is leaving the company in the wake of a banking scandal in Japan. Sir Deryck Maughan, 56, also a vice chairman

Citigroup Boss Leaves in Wake of Banking Scandal


Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will be allowed to leave his West Bank headquarters for medical treatment, an Israeli official said Monday.

Arafat can leave compound for hospital, Israel says


World-renowned thinker Jacques Derrida, a charismatic philosopher who founded the school known as deconstructionism, has died, the French president #39;s office said Saturday.

Philosopher Jacques Derrida Dies at 74


The British government has unveiled a new website to help punters

News: Watch out, there's a scammer about


Federal regulators have rejected the second of two suitors for Independence Federal Savings Bank, leaving the money-losing District institution pursuing a strategy to survive as an independent thrift.

Regulator Stops Sale Of Thrift


Blue chip stocks ended lower in the US last night under the impact of a new spike in crude oil prices. Analysts said confidence had also been hit by the bomb attack on a US consulate in Saudi Arabia.

New oil spike hits prices on Wall Street


BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.Former US Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange was criticized in 2002 for holding his best players out until the final Sunday singles matches.

Sutton strikes out as Ryder Cup captain


SEATTLE -- Microsoft on Monday took another big step toward putting most of its legal challenges in the rearview mirror. The world #39;s largest software maker said it will pay rival software maker Novell a \$536

Microsoft settles disputes


NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez hit a tying double in the 12th inning, then Derek Jeter dashed home on Hideki Matsui's sacrifice fly and the Yankees bailed out Mariano Rivera with another improbable postseason comeback, beating Minnesota 7-6 Wednesday night to even their series at a game apiece.

Yankees Rally to Win Game 2 Over Twins


TONY Blair refused to say sorry for the Iraq war yesterday, after a last-minute change of mind over a conference apology. In his Brighton address, the Prime Minister

LABOUR AT BRIGHTON: SORRY I JUST CAN #39;T SAY SORRY FOR IRAQ


Pakistan and India have opened many channels for talks and Islamabad wanted to settle all issues, including the core issue of Kashmir, with New Delhi on the basis of mutual respect, said the country #39;s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Pak, India have opened many channels for talks: Aziz


AP - Pipes and pencils will be replaced by cameras and games when a 90-year-old royal tradition of sending gifts to British troops abroad is revived this Christmas, a defense spokesman said Thursday.

Britain to Send Christmas Gifts to Troops (AP)


Seattle forward Danny Fortson was suspended for one game without pay after a foul in Friday #39;s game against Toronto was upgraded to a flagrant.

Seattle #39;s Fortson suspended over foul


XM Satellite Radio Holdings  introduced a handheld portable version of its satellite radio.

Photo: XM's portable satellite radio


IBM is now offering enterprises the ability to add two small form-factor SCSI drives internally to the five new HS20 models of BladeCenter systems, which are based on the 2.8 GHz to 3.6 GHz Intel Xeon-processor with 64 bit extensions.

IBM Reveals Blade With Room For Two SCSI Drives


New York - Paul Hamm says Thursday #39;s decision from sports #39; highest court confirms what he #39;s always felt in his heart. That he was champion in the men #39;s all around that night at the Athens Games and Olympic gold medalist.

Court Rules on Hamm Medal


ALICANTE, Spain (Reuters) - Spain number one Carlos Moya  will start off against Paul-Henri Mathieu of France as he bids  to lead his country to their third Davis Cup final in five  years this weekend.

Moya Leads Off Against Mathieu in Davis Cup Semi


A proposal to claw back bonuses paid to executives under the cloud of an accounting scandal has been rejected by Computer Associates #39; shareholders.

CA execs hold on to their bonuses


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia made an unexpected change at the top yesterday, saying that Sharon Patrick, the company #39;s president and chief executive and a close friend of Stewart #39;s, has resigned

CEOs resignation a surprise


The Angels #39; team bus driver isn #39;t allowed to break the speed limit, but a couple of extra pumps on the gas pedal might have been in order as the big dog meandered toward Sea-Tac Airport on Thursday night.

Angels get all the breaks


Before Astros righthander Roy Oswalt starts today #39;s Game 4 of the NLCS, he #39;ll need a painkiller injection for an aggravated left rib cage muscle.

Astros #39; Oswalt will pitch through pain


Microsoft Corp., the world #39;s largest software maker, said first-quarter profit rose 11 percent as sales of Windows corporate network software increased.

Microsoft 1st-Qtr Net Rises as Server Sales Advance (Update4)


The US is working with China and other nations to hold another round of talks with North Korea on dismantling the communist country #39;s nuclear program, the State Department said.

North Korea Nuclear Talks Still Planned, US Government Says


Plus: Strong sales of phones, other gadgets boost PalmOne profit...Lawson expects quarterly loss...SCO to cap legal costs.

Earnings alert: Linux demand lifts Red Hat profit


KABUL (Reuters) - With 99 percent of the votes still to be  counted in Afghanistan's presidential election, incumbent Hamid  Karzai has taken a lead many observers expect him to retain  right to the end of a marathon count.

Karzai Leads, 99 Pct of Afghan Votes to Be Counted


Charlie Whitehurst threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Browning in the second overtime that lifted No. 15 Clemson to a 37-30 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday.

Clemson Wins in 2OT


AFP - An official inquiry will show that former British home secretary David Blunkett originally gave a misleading account in the case of a visa application for his former lover's nanny, a newspaper said.

Probe questions account given by British former home secretary in visa row (AFP)


\The facility's 35 engineers will focus on Net telephony, says the firm, which plans to double the center's head count within a year.\

3Com opens research center in India


Big pharmaceutical companies are testing new tracking technology they hope will help them spot counterfeit drugs before they reach consumers' medicine cabinets.

Drug Makers Eye RFID Tags in Counterfeiting Fight


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Oracle is set to kick off its OpenWorld developer conference in San Francisco on Monday, with analysts expecting announcements about product enhancements and at least some words about the company #39;s long-running, \$9.2 billion

Oracle faces the masses at OpenWorld


Reuters Rio de Janeiro Nov 18: World champions Brazil crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat in Ecuador yesterday while home wins for Peru, Colombia and Uruguay kept the South American World Cup qualifying group wide open.

Ecuador stun Brazil; Argentina up


The MBNA Corporation has decided that it should ask for permission before switching its customers' credit cards to American Express cards.

MBNA Stops Unsolicited Switching of Customer Credit Cards


A three-hour election show from film-maker Michael Moore has been dropped by a US cable TV company.

Moore election special is dropped


The participation of Chechen women in suicide attacks reflects the radicalization of a war that has turned increasingly nihilistic.

From Dismal Chechnya, Women Turn to Bombs


Beleaguered Royal Mail chiefs came under fire yesterday for cutting too many jobs after fresh figures showed they had missed all their delivery targets between April and June.

Royal Mail fails to meet every target on postal deliveries


AP - A lunar orbiter that Japan had planned to launch this year could face further delays, possibly until next year or later, because of a funding shortfall and problems developing the probe's information-gathering capabilities, Japan's space agency said Wednesday.

Japanese Lunar Probe Facing Delays (AP)


The Boston Red Sox crept closer to the New York Yankees in the AL East on Tuesday night, beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10-8 on Kevin Millar #39;s two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning.

Red Sox 10, Devil Rays 8, 11 innings


THE Turkish embassy in Baghdad was investigating a television report that two Turkish hostages had been killed in Iraq, but no confirmation was available so far, a senior Turkish diplomat said today.

Turkish hostages killed: report


a large hole, quot; said Parsons.  quot;Our expectation is that we #39;ll fix the tank and there won #39;t be anything like that we #39;ll have to deal with.

Still no fix for US space shuttle


Veteran financier Carl Icahn said he and a group of investors are willing to buy Mylan Laboratories Inc. for \$20 per share, according to a Friday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Icahn, Group Offers to Buy Mylan Labs


AP - A defrocked Irish priest bolted from the crowd and grabbed the marathon leader about three miles from the finish Sunday. The Brazilian runner Vanderlei de Lima wound up with the bronze  #151; and a special award for sportsmanship  #151; and the former priest was arrested.

Marathoner Finishes Third After Attack (AP)


Search engine company Vivisimo have launched the beta of their new Clusty search engine, and it #39;s open to the public to try out.

Vivisimo #39;s Clusty Takes on Google


NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - US Treasuries rallied early Monday, sending yields to their lowest levels in nearly seven months, as record high crude oil prices pressured equities.

Bond yields near 7-month lows


precious  quot;few quot; brain cells - Wladimir Klitschko and DaVarryl Williamson have so much cerebral firepower between the two of them that some casual observers of the sport may ask themselves,  quot;Why are they doing this quot; for a living?

Klitschko-Williamson: A Well-Educated Battle


DUBLIN, Sept 29 (AFP) - An Olympic Airlines plane diverted to Ireland following a bomb alert, the second faced by the Greek carrier in four days, resumed its journey to New York Wednesday after no device was found on board, airport officials said.

Diverted Greek plane leaves Ireland for New York after bomb alert


Photoshop Elements 3.0 enhances tools for touching up photos, including the

Adobe releases hobbyist Photoshop package


Reuters - French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy\took over the ruling conservative party Sunday at a glitzy\American-style congress that put him on course to launch a\presidential bid and possibly challenge Jacques Chirac.

Chirac Rival Sarkozy Gets French Party Boost (Reuters)


Donor nations wrapped up a two-day meeting Thursday with pledges to speed up projects to rebuild Iraq possibly by using more Iraqis to implement

Iraq donors vow to speed up funds for reconstruction


If you #39;re in the market for a new notebook computer it #39;s your lucky day, Intel has announced a major price cut on its chips for mobile notebooks.

Intel Slashes Notebook Computer Chip Prices


Samsung announced that it doubled the density of graphics DDR3 memory and has begun shipping samples to graphics card and game console manufacturers.

Samsung ships 512 Mbit GDDR3 memory


AP - Peyton Manning tied an NFL record set by John Unitas in 1959 with his 12th straight game with at least two touchdowns to open a season.

Colts' Manning Ties Unitas Record (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Federal Reserve policy-makers  met on Wednesday amid universal expectation they will nudge  interest rates up for a fourth time this year and growing  speculation that they will carry on with rate hikes.

Fed to Raise Rates as Economy Strengthens


In Nairobi story headlined  quot;Song and dance as land mine meeting opens in Kenya quot; please read in 7th paragraph ... He said over 22,000 people were killed and maimed... instead of ...He said 2,000 people were killed and maimed...(corrects figure).

CORRECTED - Song and dance as land mine meeting opens in Kenya


AP - Quarterbacks Dan Marino and Steve Young and wide receiver Michael Irvin are among nine first-time nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Marino, Young Nominated for Hall of Fame (AP)


New ways of protecting U.S. troops from RPGs, biological weapons and more take center stage at a military science conference. There's even a morphine substitute that emerged from the rave scene. Noah Shachtman reports from Orlando, Florida.

Army Wages War on Modern Menaces


NEW YORK The dollar fell sharply on Monday, dropping to within a cent of record lows against the euro as worries over the US economy persisted.

Currencies: Dollar falls sharply on economic fears


SANAA, Yemen -- Yemen's former interior minister helped the alleged mastermind of the attack on the USS Cole to pass through security checkpoints in the months before the 2000 bombing, according to a document read out in court yesterday by a lawyer for five of the accused plotters.

Ex-official in Yemen implicated in Cole plot


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The initial public offering of  Internet search engine Google Inc. <A HREF=

Google Roadshows Left Small Investors Out


Sprint and SBC Communications have reached an agreement under which their Wi-Fi customers will be able to use both companies #39; wireless hot spots.

Sprint, SBC in Wi-Fi Deal


A threat by a militant Islamic group in Iraq to murder two French hostages unless Paris abandons a law banning muslim headscarves in schools was being treated as a national crisis by the French government last night.

France in crisis as Iraqis threaten to kill hostages over <b>...</b>


PC World - German man sentenced to three years for selling counterfeit Microsoft products.

Software Pirate Gets Jail Time (PC World)


AFP - Canada condemned the deadly bombings of Egyptian resorts frequented by Israeli tourists, saying the attack was aimed at hurting cooperation between Egypt and Israel.

Canada condemns Sinai resort bombings (AFP)


GlaxoSmithKline PLC is in talks with the Food and Drug Administration about selling its Fluarix influenza vaccine in the United States this season because of the expected flu vaccine shortage this year.

Glaxo, FDA in talks about flu vaccine


Iran's hardline parliament approves a law giving it the right to block two huge foreign investment contracts awarded to Turkish companies.

Iranian MPs vote for Turkish veto


On paper, it #39;s hardly a sporting proposition. It never is. On paper, the Ryder Cup is habitually a bigger mismatch than Lyle Lovett walking down the aisle with Julia Roberts.

Underdog role gives Europeans motivational edge


Reuters - New satellite images show Iran's\Parchin military complex, southeast of Tehran, may be a site\for research, testing and production of nuclear weapons, a\nuclear expert said on Wednesday.

New Satellite Photos May Show New Iran Nuclear Site (Reuters)


Conventional wisdom said that when the Cardinals and Astros hooked up in the National League Championship Series, there might be a few runs scored.

Cards strike first: Overpower Astros in Game 1 victory


BAGHDAD, Iraq Four Marines have been killed in separate incidents in Iraq #39;s volatile Anbar province. The US military says one Marine was killed in action yesterday, while two others died of wounds sustained

Four Marines killed in Anbar province


KUWAIT CITY Dec 12, 2004 - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas apologized to Kuwaitis on Sunday for the Palestinians #39; support of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, making a gesture many here have long demanded as he

Kuwaitis Get Apology From Palestinians


At the beginning of the year, Square Enix will be re-releasing two RPGs originally released at the turn of the century. Valkyrie Profile and Dragon Quest VII will be released in Japan under the PS One Books

Valkyrie Profile and Dragon Quest VII To Make Another Round


As eco-lodges sprout under the forest canopy and guidebooks roll off the presses, Peru stands ready to showcase itself as a bird-watcher's paradise.

Peru Bird-Watching Takes Flight With 1,800 Species


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. technology sector suffered  another round of widespread layoffs during the third quarter,  with computer firms slashing jobs most aggressively, a report  said on Monday.

Job Cuts in Tech Sector Soar, Report Finds


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Business software maker Siebel  Systems Inc. <A HREF=

CORRECTED: Siebel Sees Sales Topping Street


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attack and roadside bombings killed six American soldiers, and Iraq's prime minister warned residents of insurgent bastion Fallujah on Wednesday to hand over terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi or face military action.    Al-Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad group has claimed responsibility for beheading several foreign hostages and for car bombings throughout the country, and a videotape posted Wednesday on an Islamic Web site showed militants linked to al-Zarqawi beheading two Iraqis they accused of being intelligence officers...

6 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq Attacks


NEW YORK - Palestinian Authority President Yasir Arafat, the longtime symbol of Palestinian nationalism, died Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET in France after receiving treatment at a Paris military hospital.

Yasir Arafat Dies


With his white cowboy hat, carefully creased jeans and rugged Jack Palance looks, D. Wayne Lukas seemed every bit the gunslinger as he strode into this north Texas town on Tuesday.

Azeri Will Join a Strong Field in Classic


Half of the quarterbacks selected in the first round of this year #39;s NFL draft are now starters, with the New York Giants promoting top overall pick Eli Manning on Monday to join the Pittsburgh

Bills Still Giving Bledsoe the Nod Over Losman


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

Audubon: Habitat Losses Lower Bird Count


AP - President Bush said Friday that the choice facing voters amounts to who can keep Americans safer from terrorists and that John Kerry does not measure up. Kerry's campaign accused the president of resorting to fearmongering out of desperation as the rivals exchanged accusations across battleground states.

Bush Declares Kerry Can't Keep U.S. Safe (AP)


AP - The promoter who brought the Montreal Expos to Puerto Rico is talking with major league baseball to have other reams play on the island next season.

Promoter Wants More MLB Games in P.R. (AP)


The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review an appeals court ruling that opens up cable networks to competing Internet service providers (ISPs).
ADVERTISEMENT

<img src=

U.S. Supreme Court to review cable Internet case


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co.'s president and chief  operating officer, Steven Heyer, will leave the company on  Sept. 1 after missing out on the top job in May, the Wall  Street Journal said on Tuesday, citing an internal memo.

Coke's Heyer to Go, May Join Starwood


The Greek sprinters Kostantinos Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou  facing sanctions after missing drugs tests  quit the Games yesterday to avoid the humiliation of being thrown out by the IOC.

Greek pair jump to avoid push


Asia-Pacific leaders meet in Australia to discuss how to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of extremists.

Nuclear summit opens in Australia


Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the investment company run by billionaire Warren Buffett, named another billionaire, Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates, as a director.

Buffett #39;s Berkshire Names Microsoft #39;s Gates to Board (Update2)


A shrinking pool of young adults, a dearth of international students and a tight job market are reducing demand for traditional, two-year master of business administration programs across the country.

Traditional MBA programs receiving fewer applications


MIAMI (Reuters) - The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados  was under a storm alert as powerful Hurricane Ivan raced across  the Atlantic Ocean toward the Caribbean on Sunday.

Hurricane Ivan Threatens Barbados, Eastern Caribbean


ATHENS (Reuters) - The honor of Greece lies above  individual athletes and no backstage antics should compromise  it, Greek media said Sunday, after the country's top athletes  were suspended from the team under a cloud of doping suspicion.

Olympics-Doping-Greek Media Put Country's Honor Above Athletes


AP - Cesar Izturis homered and Adrian Beltre had three hits for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who survived a shaky start by Kazuhisa Ishii and beat San Diego 9-6 on Thursday night to take a 1 1/2-game lead over San Francisco in the NL West.

Dodgers Clobber Padres 9-6 (AP)


BEIJING, Oct. 21 -- Nearly 150 miners were feared killed by a gas explosion in a coal shaft in central China, the highest toll in a series of recent mine tragedies affecting the country's hard-pressed energy industry, the government said Thursday.

148 Feared Dead in China Mine Blast


AP - Thundering fighter jets streamed the blue, white and red of the French tricolor as President Jacques Chirac on Tuesday dedicated the world's tallest bridge, a skyway span dwarfing the Eiffel Tower by more than 50 feet.

World's Tallest Bridge Inaugurated (AP)


The Irish held their second day of practice on Wednesday in preparation for their game against Navy this weekend. Many think the key to the Irish winning this game will be stopping the Midshipmen on offense.

Discipline is Key to Irish Victory on Saturday


a new, Microsoft-conceived handheld device that presents video and photos as well as music -- would be a decent idea if there weren #39;t such a thing as lampposts.

Pointlessly, Imperfectly Portable


The US administration, facing huge and politically sensitive trade deficits, secured China #39;s pledge Friday to work harder to move its currency toward a flexible exchange rate, which would make US goods more competitive abroad.

G-7 finance ministers meet in Washington; China agrees to work on <b>...</b>


THE US stood firm in rejecting the Kyoto Protocol on global warming yesterday despite renewed pressure to yield after Russia ended years of hesitation by moving to ratify the treaty.

US resists Russian embrace of Kyoto


A consortium of companies collaborating under the moniker  quot;WWiSE quot; today announced their intended submission of a complete joint proposal to the IEEE 802.11 Task Group N (TGn), which is chartered with developing a next-generation ...

New Wi-Fi Spec Pushes for 100 Mbps


Playoff format: Each team hosts a match in the two-game, first-round series, with total goals determining the winner. If the series is even after the second game, a 30-minute overtime period and, if necessary, a penalty kick tiebreaker will...

MLS Postseason Preview


Queensland Reds #39; number eight John Roe will make his starting debut for the Wallabies in Saturday #39;s first Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Roe named ahead of Lyons for Scotland Test


In an abrupt completion to a merger that was delayed for months, Anthem Inc. completed its \$20.8 billion purchase of WellPoint Health Networks on Tuesday and said the combined company is  quot;off and running.

Anthem seals WellPoint deal


John Thomson threw shutout ball for seven innings Wednesday night in carrying Atlanta to a 2-0 blanking of the New York Mets. New York lost for the 21st time in 25 games on the

MLB: Atlanta 2, New York Mets 0


com October 18, 2004, 9:58 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

Microsoft steers  #39;R2 #39; server for  #39;05 release


Circuit City Stores Inc., the nation #39;s No. 2 electronics retailer, reported Monday that same-store sales declined 4.3 percent in the third quarter, largely because of weak sales of music and movie software.

Circuit City 3Q Same-Store Sales Decline


NASA is hoping techniques that would enable a crew to repair damages to a space shuttle in flight will be ready for the shuttle #39;s planned May 2005 return to space, officials with the agency said on Monday.

NASA Seeks Methods to Repair Shuttles in Flight


Reuters - Human activity has raised the risk of\more heatwaves like last year's, which gave Europe probably its\hottest summer since 1500, scientists said on Wednesday.

Humans Raise Risk of Europe Heatwaves -Scientists (Reuters)


Have they no shame? The team at Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO) is the latest to cast a wary eye on Google #39;s (Nasdaq: GOOG) popular new desktop search tool and yell,  quot;me too

Yahoo! Says,  quot;Me Too! quot;


Newcastle cruise through to the knock out phase of the Uefa Cup with a convincing 4-0 away to Sochaux. The French side made a promising start, Jeremy Menez free kick forcing Shay Given to make a diving save.

Magpies hammer French


Former Computer Associates International Inc CEO Sanjay Kumar yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges that he was involved in CA #39;s multibillion accounting fraud and then tried to cover up the scam from federal investigators.

Kumar pleads not guilty to CA fraud charge


Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing of China said here on Saturday that Beijing would oppose efforts aimed at referring the issue of Iran #39;s nuclear program to the Security Council.

China Bolsters Iran in Dispute Over A-Fuel


Nokia, the world's largest\cell phone maker, reported lower third-quarter earnings on\Thursday after cutting prices to claw back market share, but\said sales were strong as it enters the key Christmas season.</p>

Nokia Reports Lower Profits but Strong Sales


It hasn #39;t taken long for Brent Barry to see why he joined the San Antonio Spurs. Barry returns to the city where he spent his previous five NBA seasons as the Spurs, coming off two wins over perennial title contenders, visit the Seattle SuperSonics.

Preview: Spurs vs. SuperSonics


SunGard Data Systems Inc. plans to split into two companies: one focused on software and processing services and the other on business continuity, availability and disaster recovery services.

SunGard will spin off disaster recovery unit


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank President James  Wolfensohn told the Bush administration on Monday that he will  leave his post at mid-year, triggering a hunt for a replacement  for the top job at the global lender.

World Bank Head to Leave in June


Hurricane Ivan has roared into Jamaica with drenching rains and deadly winds and sporadic shooting erupted in the near-deserted streets of the capital as looters

Hurricane Ivan slams into Jamaica


Reuters - The United Nations has warned its staff\in Thailand to be careful following threats by a separatist\group to stage attacks in Bangkok in revenge for the deaths of\85 Muslim protesters in the south last week.

U.N. Issues Warning of Muslim Attacks in Bangkok (Reuters)


Manchester United and Newcastle have until 1200 BST on Tuesday to secure a deal with Everton over Wayne Rooney. Everton, who play at Old Trafford in a lunchtime game on Monday, are sitting on a reputed 25m offer from the former Premiership champions.

Rooney war nears endgame


Tony Blair today urged Labour to unite behind a radical third-term agenda as he sought to heal party wounds over Iraq. The Prime Minister said that he realized the war in Iraq had divided

Blair comes out fighting


Brett Favre and a sea of green spilled into town Sunday afternoon and made their presence known at the Indianapolis Colts home opener.

Airshow in the dome


NEW YORK - Stocks tumbled Wednesday as investors saw a surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a reason to collect profits from gains of the last month. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 135 points, and all three major indexes saw their biggest losses since early August...

Stocks Dive on Morgan Stanley, Oil Reports


AP - The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of special teams standout Harold Morrow and cut eight players, including 2004 draft picks Tony Pashos and Brian Rimpf.

Ravens Waive Morrow, Cut Eight Players (AP)


Prosecutors, lawmakers and rights activists criticized Venezuela's judicial system for the acquittal of a man who had been accused of torturing and repeatedly raping a woman.

Rape Acquittal Criticized in Venezuela


The Federal Aviation Administration is facing some of the same problems that are driving the airlines to bankruptcy, rising costs and declining income.

F.A.A. Faced With Aging of Computers and Staff


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Hollinger International Chief  Executive Conrad Black and other former executives looted the  company of more than \$400 million, using the company as a

Hollinger Panel Says Owners Took Cash


Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal #39;s legal woes will not affect his availability for the postseason. State Court Judge David Darden ruled on Wednesday morning that Furcal will

Furcal available for postseason


He had a solid script, he says, and a total lack of personal expertise with its subject matter, which he says saved him  quot;a lot of time.

Hustle #39;s #39; director knew little about Rose


Thai security forces have begun large-scale detentions in the predominately-Muslim south of the country following a clash with demonstrators Monday that left more than 80 protesters dead.

More than 80 Protesters Dead as Thai Government Cracks Down on <b>...</b>


Insurgents launched a string of assaults around the city of Samarra on Wednesday, trading gunfire with US forces, attacking a US convoy

Samarra sees repeated attacks, British defense minister visits <b>...</b>


Melbourne, Australia (Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters continues to recover from a wrist injury and is not expected to play in next month #39;s Australian Open.

Clijsters expected to miss Aussie Open


Bangkok: The Thai government has begun dropping an estimated one hundred million paper origami birds in an unusual peace bid. The birds are being dropped by military planes over the countrys Muslim south after a surge of violence in the area.

Thai government drops origami peace bombs


The low-carbohydrate diet craze has prompted a skinnier fiscal 2005 earnings forecast from MGP Ingredients Inc., the company said Monday.

Low carbs thin out MGP earnings forecast


By HILLEL ITALIE     NEW YORK (AP) -- Jennifer Weiner, author of the best-selling novels

More Authors Are Blogging


Greek Olympic 200 metre champion Costas Kenteris, the focus of an Olympic doping scandal, has withdrawn from the Athens Games  quot;out of a sense of responsibility quot;.

Dope scandal athletes withdraw


Crime profilers will join the Emilie Delagrange murder investigation to help determine whether a serial hammer attacker is on the loose.

Emilie Murder Hunt Seeks Serial Links


General Electric Co. (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it had sold a 60 percent stake in its pioneering Indian business process outsourcing unit for \$500 million, making

UPDATE 1-GE sells India back office unit stake for \$500 mln


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc., the world's most popular  Web search engine, on Wednesday slashed the price range on its  eagerly awaited initial public offering (IPO) to between \$85  and \$95 per share from between \$108 and \$135 per share.

Google Slashes IPO Price Range


AP - On the eve of the GOP National Convention, Republicans in battleground Ohio are in the midst of a fund-raising scandal and fighting in the ranks that have played out through name calling, anonymous allegations and reports of document thefts.

Ohio GOP in Midst of Money Scandal (AP)


It said it has demonstrated a working version of the technology based on its Opteron chip. By Darrell Dunn. The shift to dual-core microprocessors continues to accelerate.

AMD Shows Off Dual-Core Microprocessor


NEW YORK - IBM Corp. has begun using new security hardware from National Semiconductor Corp. in its desktop PCs in an effort to fend off viruses and hackers.

IBM fits PCs with new hardware-based security chip


Consumer advocates are urging bank customers to be more careful about the checks they write now that new federal regulations designed to speed up check processing have taken effect.

Say Goodbye to the Float as Checking Enters 21st Century


AP - As Barry Bonds' numbers rise, the words to describe them become less adequate. When the slugger hit his 700th homer, only daughter Aisha could sum up the history and majesty of the blast.

Bonds Joins Ruth, Aaron in 700 Club (AP)


The abandoned Roma v Dynamo Kiev game cannot be awarded to the Ukranians, as the two teams are involved in a group, rather than a knock-out between the two of them.

Problema Violencia A Roma Continua (Pardo Duo)


New Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said he was encouraged by his team #39;s brave 1-1 draw with world champions Brazil in a friendly international on Wednesday.

World-Klinsmann encouraged by brave draw with Brazil


The Pac-10 midseason report this year will suffer from a case of premature analyzation, considering that at the end of this coming weekend, only one team will remain unblemished and alone atop the conference.

Nationally ranked trio rules Pac-10


Jeremiah Trotter got his revenge Sunday, leading an Eagles defense that pounded the Redskins - the team that released Trotter this summer.

Trotter, defense step up


Claria Cancels \$150 million IPO\Contextual advertising and pop up company Claria Corp. has canceled plans for a \$150 million initial public offering due to

Claria Cancels \$150 million IPO


Naming the iMac G5 one of its Best Products of the Year, Fortune writes,  #147;An engineering marvel, the new iMac tucks the computer and speakers inside the expansive flat-panel display  #151;  #145;an advance as welcome as the day that VCR/DVD players were encased in the TV monitor box, #146; says Thompson Paul Thompson, director of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Built-in wireless technology lets you use a cable-free keyboard and mouse. #148; Dec 10

Best of Year: iMac G5


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods Inc. <A HREF=

Smithfield Foods Reports Higher Profit


Some guys can do it. Some guys can look past the faces and the memories and the feelings and the history and see only a uniform. It is the World Series, and there is no room for sentiment or friendship. If you are a member of the Boston Red Sox, every member of the St. Louis Cardinals must be the ...

Loyalties divided, but a connection remains


The US economy slowed less than previously estimated in the second quarter as exports and inventories grew, revised numbers from the government show.

US Economy: Growth Slowed Less Than Expected in 2nd Quarter


But will Wi-Fi, high-definition broadcasts, mobile messaging and other enhancements improve the game, or wreck it?\<br /> Photos of tech-friendly parks\

Sports venues look to score with wireless, HDTV


Best Software's SalesLogix is a Windows-based sales, marketing, and support application that gives SMBs a universal view of the customer, from identifying initial leads to managing ongoing service contracts.

SalesLogix closes in on full-service CRM


MONTREAL (CP) - Shares in Bombardier Inc. fell to new lows Monday, partly due to the crash of another of its jets on Sunday, the third fatal crash of a Bombardier aircraft in two months.

Bombardier shares drop to new lows after third Bombardier jet <b>...</b>


AFP - The death toll from a devastating coal mine gas explosion in central China's Henan province rose to 66 as hopes of finding survivors among a further 82 trapped workers faded.

China coal mine blast death toll rises to 66, hope fades for 82 missing (AFP)


The Philippine presidential palace vowed Tuesday there would be no default on debt payments although President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted the country was in the midst of a  quot;fiscal crisis.

Philippines vows no default on debt payments


Apple Computers iTunes Music Store sold its 150 millionth song in mid-October, another milestone in its push to stay ahead of digital music rivals such as Microsoft and Dell.

Apple on top of digital music charts


L. Gordon Cooper Jr., one of the seven astronauts selected by the US space program for NASA #39;s first space project in 1959, has died at his Ventura, California home.

Gordon Cooper, Original Project Mercury Astronaut, Dies at 77


BERLIN Infineon Technologies said Thursday that it had set aside enough funds to settle additional antitrust probes and civil suits after agreeing to plead guilty in the US to fixing prices for memory chips.

Infineon says funds are enough to cover price-fixing cases


A few weeks ago people in San Diego were screaming for a change at quarterback. Now it seems that sort of talk has been quieted by the play of Drew Brees.

It #39;s a Brees: Chargers pound Raiders


AP - The chief suspect in the slaying of Serbia's first democratic prime minister since World War II returned to court Monday for a trial that has been marred by delays and bureaucratic tie-ups.

Serbian Assassination Suspect in Court (AP)


Parties on the far right and left made gains in two state elections Sunday in Germany, with voters delivering a rebuke to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder #39;s Social Democrats as he tries to rein in German welfare programs.

German fringe parties make gains


AP - For back-to-school shoppers, a new alphabet reigns, and it starts with E for electronics. With camera cell phones and the Apple iPod music player topping student wish lists, some of the hottest gadgets have little to do with pen or paper, much less studying.

The ABCs of Back-To-School Electronics (AP)


TOKYO : Japanese share prices closed 0.70 percent lower Monday amid uncertainty over the direction of global oil prices and after leading index figures suggested the domestic economy could be slowing, dealers said.

Tokyo stocks end down 0.70 percent on uncertain economic outlook


Argentina will issue up to \$41.8 billion in new bonds as part of its world-record swap of \$100 billion in defaulted debt, Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna told reporters on Monday.

UPDATE 1-Argentina to issue up to \$41.8 bln in bond swap


The Rouse Co. is working with the Internal Revenue Service to resolve tax issues that could affect its plans to sell itself to a Chicago mall developer by mid-November, according to documents filed yesterday with regulators.

Tax Issues May Affect Proposed Rouse Merger


A new report on ecological damage from greenhouse gases dominated the sidelines of a UN conference on global warming Saturday as delegates from nearly 200 nations

Ecological forum gets greenhouse gas report


Armed gunmen have abducted a Lebanese-American contractor from his Baghdad home, CNN reported Wednesday. The contractor, who reportedly works for the US Army in the Green Zone

Lebanese-American seized in Baghdad


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - As Europe's  top-ranked golfer, Padraig Harrington might well have expected  the sight of autograph seekers as he went through his first  Ryder Cup practice round on Tuesday.

Harrington Plays Second Fiddle to Quarterback Cousin


Britain #39;s Stephen Dodd fired a four-under-par 68 to clinch his maiden European Tour title with a three-shot victory at the China Open on Sunday.

UPDATE 1-Briton Dodd wins maiden title in China


When Justin Gatlin became entangled in the drug-testing net three years ago, he managed to wriggle out of it on the grounds of suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Gatlin turns on the power to take gold


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of CoTherix Inc. <A HREF=

CoTherix, Google Rise Before the Bell


Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. (PBG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest bottler of Pepsi drinks, on Tuesday said quarterly profit rose on volume growth in the United States and Europe.

Pepsi Bottling Profit Rises


Reuters - Web search leader Google Inc.\, in its first earnings report as a publicly held\company, on Thursday posted a profit of  #36;52.0 million in the\third quarter on strong Web search advertising.

Google Profit Up in 1st Reported Quarter (Reuters)


Emerging technology uses a printer's fingerprint to trace and verify documents.

Can Laser Printers Fight Crime?


JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa has canceled a  meeting with prosecutors from Equatorial Guinea who had hoped  to interview Mark Thatcher on his suspected links to a coup  plot in the oil-rich country, officials said on Sunday.

S.Africa Cancels Thatcher Meeting with Eq. Guinea


Lawmakers revived a long-stalled effort Wednesday to block state and local governments from taxing Internet connections, in a last-minute agreement to ban the taxes until 2007.

Congress moves closer toward reinstating ban on Internet taxes


Microsoft has been reticent to commit publicly on how, when and whether it would make the browser-specific security fixes that it delivered as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2 available to users of older versions of Windows.

Microsoft Changes Its Tune on Porting SP2 Fixes


Recently, the Government Procurement Office of Beijing Municipality issued the Notice of Beijing Municipal Information Office on the Result of the Government Procurement Project for Copyrighted Software Vendors of Computer Operating Systems, Office Suites

Government procurement cannot save china #39;sl software industry


SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Australian metal recycler Sims Group Ltd. (SMS.AU) on Monday raised its profit outlook by some 23, saying it expects first quarter earnings to exceed A\$50 million.

Australia #39;s Sims Grp: Expects 1Q Earnings Above A\$50M -2-


The government says all U.S. airlines must turn over passenger data so that it can test a planned screening system. The airline industry and others complain that the order will mean massive privacy violations, extra expenses and possible trouble with foreign countries. By Ryan Singel.

Airlines Ordered to Expose Data


Better come focused, not drift. Remember the last visit here and recognize exactly what could be at stake. It #39;s the new USC theme -- win or else.

USC can #39;t afford to relax in upcoming football contests


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. <A HREF=

Wrigley to Buy Life Savers, Altoids


US blue-chip stocks ended barely higher on Friday as a spike in oil prices to near record levels pared earlier gains and renewed concerns about the effect of high energy prices on consumer spending and corporate profits.

US stockmarket closes on a high


Reuters - Researchers called the situation in\Darfur a

Study Reveals 'Demographic Catastrophe' in Darfur (Reuters)


By MARK JEWELL    CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- The surveillance cameras that keep watch over our daily activities are being watched...

Group Posts Surveillance Camera Locations


Apple launched its revolutionary iTunes Music Store in Canada, giving music fans in Canada the same innovative features and breakthrough price of \$.99 CDN per song that have made iTunes the number one online music service in the world. Dec 02

Canadian iTunes Music Store


US women #39;s water polo coach Guy Baker was seething so much about an unusual call that he could barely speak. His world champion squad was too  quot;crushed quot; to explain what happened.

Italy upsets Americans in semifinals


Jim Boeheim rarely leaves the Syracuse area early in the season. This trip to New York was well worth it. The fifth-ranked Orange beat No.

No. 5 Syracuse 77, No. 24 Memphis 62


Genta (GNTA:Nasdaq - news - research) is never boring! Monday night, the company announced that its phase III Genasense study in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) met its primary endpoint, which was tumor shrinkage.

Genta Can #39;t Catch a Break


Microsoft and Intel are joining forces to conquer US living rooms and make further inroads into the coveted consumer electronics space.

Microsoft, Intel Spread Digital Joy


Santa Clara, California start-up Orion Multisystems is trying to take the benefits of supercomputers and put them into a workstation for power users.

Cluster Workstations bring supercomputing to power users #39; desks


Plan a big, fat cheap wedding, and start your coupling with extra cash, not debt.

Don't Marry Until March


NANO, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani forces are driving al  Qaeda-linked militants out of mountains near the Afghan border  but small attacks, such as a Saturday bomb that wounded some  soldiers, could not be ruled out, a commander said.

Pakistan Says Militants on the Run, Despite Blast


Jon Smith scored on a 7-yard run in the second overtime as William  amp; Mary rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Delaware, 44-38, in Williamsburg, Va., and advance to the Division 1-AA semifinals for the first time in school history.

Delaware KO'd in second OT


Western governors gathered last week to plan with the Bush administration and Congress how to change the Endangered Species Act, the 31-year-old law they say

Battle lines drawn on protection of species


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) -- Tyson Foods shares dropped more than 8 percent Monday after the poultry producer cut its profit outlook for fiscal 2004, citing poor grain hedging and weaker demand for chicken and beef, as well as higher material costs.

Tyson trimmed on earnings warning


Islamabad, Nov. 1. (PTI): With Pervez Musharraf #39;s new formulation on solving the Kashmir issue with India under flak from domestic opposition groups, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday termed as

Musharraf #39;s Kashmir solution hypothetical: Aziz


Software maker promises that the sales force automation revamp will help sales processes by pulling in more data.

Oracle updates CRM sales tools


USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but dont really understand the Washington Post. They do, however, like their smog statistics shown in pie charts.

US Newspapers and their Audience