He #39;s a crusader for campaign finance reform embroiled in a scandal over political donations; a defender of workers #39; rights who allegedly subjected his own employees to humiliating dressings-down and inappropriate workplace demands.

Shelley #39;s career is a study in contradictions


LOS ANGELES : A private US spaceship is set to blast off for the second time in five days on Monday in the final stage of an attempt to clinch a US\$10 million prize aimed at launching a new era of space tourism.

First commercial spacecraft set for bid to clinch big prize


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - The average price of gasoline fell nearly 3 cents per gallon for the first time in two months, according to a national survey released Sunday.

Gas drops to lowest price in 2 months


Samsung is turning up the heat in the mobile camera phone market with the introduction of the world #39;s first mobile phone with a 5-megapixel camera onboard.

Samsung Introduces First 5-Megapixel Camera Phone


SEOUL : South Korea #39;s defense ministry said it had completed the deployment of around 2,800 troops on a relief and rehabilitation mission to northern Iraq.

South Korea completes deployment of 2,800 troops in Iraq


: Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, today warned southern Thailand risked becoming a flashpoint for Islamic extremism, after 85 Muslims died there last week in a confrontation with the army.

#39;Southern Thailand could be flashpoint for extremism in Asia #39;


Services firm Rentokil Initial has warned of a likely deterioration in trading into the first-half of 2005 and earmarked some asset sales, as it continues to suffer from shrinking margins.

Rentokil warns of lower earnings


Dell and Novell have reached an agreement that will see Novell SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 receive certification on a selection of Dell PowerEdge servers.

Dell moves closer to Linux with SuSE deal


As US Airways continues concession talks with pilots to avert a second bankruptcy filing, it #39;s facing new strains with mechanics.

US Airways mechanics won #39;t reopen contract


Tracy McGrady gripped his left ankle and grimaced in pain. This time he worried he really had hurt it. McGrady had gone for a backdoor lob midway through the second quarter and stepped on the foot of Atlanta #39;s Tony Delk.

McGrady puts the hurt on Hawks


The Mavericks' Michael Finley nails a jumper with 3.2 seconds left to lift Dallas to a tough 94-93 victory over Chicago on Monday.

Finley Dumps Bulls


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two car bombs ripped through crowded Baghdad streets on Monday, killing at least 21 people and wounding 96, as insurgents step up their campaign to undermine the country's U.S.-backed interim government and drive the United States and its allies out of Iraq.    In the first explosion, a four-wheel-drive vehicle packed with explosives detonated outside the heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of the U.S...

Two Blasts Rip Through Baghdad, Killing 21


Eric Shelton scored his fourth touchdown with 37 seconds left, and No. 14 Louisville held off Memphis, 56-49, last night.

Louisville holds off Memphis


BROWN-FORMAN, the drinks group behind Jack Daniels, will launch a formal bid for Glenmorangie, the Scotch whisky producer which was put up for sale last week.

Brown-Forman to make first move in 300m Glenmorangie bid battle


NEW YORK -- Evander Holyfield knows that life, like boxing, is about adjustments. On Saturday night, we will see whether he has made the biggest adjustment of his career -- the adjustment to a boxing life of diminished skills.

Time isn't in his corner


Reuters - Washington Redskins star\linebacker LaVar Arrington will miss his fourth straight game\after having right knee surgery last month.

Redskins' Arrington Out for Sunday (Reuters)


Michael D. Eisner, the chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, played down his decades-long relationship with the former Disney president Michael S. Ovitz

Eisner, on Stand, Describes the Courting of Ovitz


HAMILTON, ON - Dofasco Inc. beat analysts #39; expectations as it reported a big jump in its third-quarter earnings Monday. The Hamilton, Ontario, steelmaker reported a profit of \$115 milllion, or \$1.

Dofasco Q3 up on higher prices, shipments


AP - Move over, MoveOn.org. The liberal-leaning group that has raised millions of dollars to run negative ads attacking President Bush now has a competitor on the right with a somewhat similar name.

New Group to Launch Anti-Kerry Ads (AP)


Former Boeing Co. Chief Financial Officer Michael Sears pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count of aiding the illegal hiring of a US Air Force official to a top job at the company.

Ex-Boeing CFO guilty in hiring scam


New Delhi, Sept. 6 (NNN): Concluding their two-day Foreign Ministers-level talks, India and Pakistan on Monday decided to continue the ceasefire, which is in force since November 25, 2003.

Talks End: Indo-Pak Ceasefire To Continue


Four former Merrill Lynch and Co. executives and two former mid-level Enron Corp. executives conspired to push through a sham sale of barges in 1999 because they didn #39;t

First Enron Fraud Trial Nears End


Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 08 September 2004: - - Hurricane Ivan pounded the islands of the southeastern Caribbean yesterday.

Wave machine Hurricane Ivan produces Caribbean swell


The United States has reached an agreement with France, Britain and Germany on a draft UN resolution on Iran that calls for an immediate halt to Tehran #39;s uranium enrichment programme, a Western diplomat said late on Thursday.

US, allies strike deal with EU trio on Iran-diplomat


JAMES Hardie chief executive Peter Macdonald will stand aside from his position in the wake of the findings of a special inquiry into the embattled building products company #39;s asbestos liabilities.

Hardie chief stands aside


The Indianapolis Colts built a huge lead Sunday and then held on to beat the visiting Green Bay Packers, 45-31, in a battle between two of the strongest National Football League quarterbacks.

Colts Take Down Packers in NFL Shootout


A series of bombs have exploded at an opposition rally in Bangladesh #39;s capital, killing at least 14 people and injuring hundreds, witnesses and news reports have said.

Scores killed in Bangladesh blast


party building

China's communist elite to mull


Holywood #39;s Rory McIlroy has helped get Ryder Cup week off to a great start by playing in Europe #39;s win over their US counterparts in the junior event.

McIlroy stars for Europe


Saudi Arabia, the world #39;s largest oil exporter, is to raise production from 9.5 million barrels a day to 11 million barrels in an attempt to rein in prices that have topped US\$50 a barrel.

Saudi boosts oil output to rein in prices


CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - U.S. number one Andy  Roddick broke his own fastest serve record as he overwhelmed  Belarus's Vladimir Voltchkov in the opening match of their  Davis Cup semifinal Friday.

Roddick Hits Record Serve in Voltchkov Thrashing


Microsoft Corp. announced yesterday that it will leave out some planned features from its next major operating system to meet a goal of rolling out a new version of Windows in the second half of 2006. <FONT face=

New Windows Planned for 2006


Disused Texas oil field reservoirs may become storage areas for greenhouse gases emitted by burning fossil fuels. Known as carbon sequestration, the technology captures the gas that can linger in the atmosphere for decades.

Sequester That Carbon Dioxide


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Warren Holloway has quite a story to tell at his next family reunion in Chicago.

Hawkeye heroics go a long way


NewsFactor - Intel announced Wednesday the latest member of its Centrino mobile processor family, the Pentium M 765 chip. The 765 now is the company's flagship mobile processor for consumer and business notebooks, according to IDC analyst Alan Promisel.

Intel Announces Latest Mobile Chip (NewsFactor)


The National Audubon Society #39;s State of the Birds report draws on data collected between 1966 and 2003 for 654 American bird species.

Decline hits North American birds


Joining the ranks of collegiate varsity football last year was like starting from scratch for Endicott College coach J.B. Wells and his staff. With so many talented yet inexperienced players forced to play key roles for the second-year program, which had just moved up from the subvarsity level, Wells and his staff were forced to do a lot of teaching.

Gulls settling in to varsity roost


The man who pierced the barrier of manned commercial spaceflight thinks the problem with space travel today is not so much technology but drive and inspiration.

X-Prize winner says NASA needs another von Braun


Responding to the convergence of networks and the growth of connected devices, SBC (Quote, Chart) and Yahoo are expanding their successful Internet access and content partnership beyond the PC.

SBC, Yahoo Reach Beyond the PC


Top-seeded Spain plays at Slovakia, while No. 2 United States hosts Croatia in the opening round of next year #39;s Davis Cup World Group.

US hosts Croatia in next year #39;s Davis Cup 1st round


Bolstered by strong sales of new models, Chrysler earned \$269 million in the third quarter, up from \$171 million a year ago, outperforming its larger US rivals in North America.

DaimlerChrysler reports \$1.2 billion profit after loss last year


The Houston Astros used a Jeff Bagwell home run and a gutsy pitching effort by its bullpen to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2 Friday and hold on to its lead in the National League wild card race.

Houston Astros Hold on Wild Card Lead with 4-2 Win


HOUSTON (Reuters) - The red-hot Houston Astros slugged six  home runs on Saturday to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 and  clinch at least a tie for the National League wild card playoff  berth.

Houston Has No Problem Landing Wild Card Tie


A former army general looks set to snatch Indonesia #39;s presidency by a landslide in next week #39;s election run-off, two surveys showed on Wednesday, but incumbent

Ex-General Keeps Big Poll Lead in Indonesia Campaign


Reuters - It's a great time to be an\Internet shopper, but the same search technology that is\transforming the Web into a bargain-hunter's paradise is\putting the squeeze on online retailers doling out discounts\and incentives to lure customers.

Web Retailers Facing Pre-Holiday Changes (Reuters)


Scientists are chomping at the bit for tomorrow #39;s Earthly return of a sample capsule from NASA #39;s Genesis spacecraft, hoping the star stuff it carries will help answer questions on the origins of the solar system and we who live in it.

Genesis samples to shed light on our origins


(Sept. 13, 2004) -- Last season on the weekend of Jan. 10-11, two of the most unlikely scenarios in the NFL played out, and we never found out what was going to happen if the Packers played for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

First Monday game is a classic battle


Spencer Abraham joined the exodus from President Bush's  Cabinet yesterday, submitting his resignation as energy secretary after four years of running a department that faced a series of high-profile challenges.

Abraham Leaving Energy Department


Sudanese government and rebel officials signed an agreement Friday promising to end the 21-year civil war in Sudan by the end of the year in front of the UN Security Council holding a special meeting in Africa.

Sudanese government and rebels agree to end southern conflict by <b>...</b>


The Skulls trojan horse we warned you about last month didnt do much since users had to install it themselves (thats why its called a trojan).

Skulls mobile trojan learns Bluetooth


MacCentral - Shortly before Apple's special music event on Tuesday featuring Bono and The Edge from U2, the iTunes Music Store was updated with links to allow residents of nine new European countries to buy music online. In addition to the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, iTunes now supports Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. At long last, Apple also announced plans to bring the iTunes Music Store to Canada in November.

Apple opens EU iTunes Music Store, Canada in Nov. (MacCentral)


Rescue teams are confident of saving most surviving whales from a pod beached off Tasmania #39;s east coast - the second mass stranding in Tasmanian waters in 24 hours.

Rescuers confident of saving second pod


At least 21 people were killed and 150 injured yesterday as two suicide car bombers wrought havoc in Baghdad and US forces pounded suspected insurgents in the east of the capital.

21 die in Baghdad violence


Reuters - The United States will more\aggressively promote and more tightly coordinate oversight of\its Global Positioning System, the network of satellites used\to determine precise geographic locations, the White House said\on Wednesday.

U.S. to More Closely Coordinate GPS Policy (Reuters)


Investigators looking into price manipulation in the natural gas industry charged five former traders Monday, and for the first time accused workers from different companies of colluding to move the market.

Government claims collusion for the first time


NewsFactor - Sales of portable MP3 digital-audio players are booming and are set to generate US #36;58 billion in revenue worldwide by 2008, according to a new study from research firm IDC.

Study: MP3 Player Market Booming (NewsFactor)


Rome - AS Roma hired Luigi Del Neri as coach on Wednesday to replace Rudi Voeller, who resigned last Sunday. The 54-year-old Italian coach and Roma officials agreed on a two-year contract, but terms were not immediately disclosed.

Del Neri replaces Voeller


Reuters - Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony\Williams on Wednesday said the deal to bring baseball back to\the U.S. capital was close to dead after the city council\changed the plan to require private financing, a move Major\League Baseball called unacceptable.

Washington Baseball at Risk, MLB May Seek Bids (Reuters)


AP - Yasser Arafat has a large gallstone, a Palestinian hospital official said Tuesday, as the weakened Palestinian leader broke his Ramadan fast and underwent more medical tests at the urging of his doctors.

Hospital Official: Arafat Has Gallstone (AP)


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Twenty-three Ryder  Cup players went to work on their games on Wednesday at Oakland  Hills but one of the American trump cards was not among them.

Mickelson Skips Ryder Cup Fever by Taking Day Off


Southwest Airlines plans to cut 88 flights in October and shift planes to more profitable routes, mostly in and out of Philadelphia, officials said Monday.

Southwest to Shift Flights to Philadelphia


Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest publicly traded oil company, said on Friday it would take a charge of \$550 million in the third quarter to cover

Exxon Mobil to Take Charge


Should prices for blank media and recording products include a royalty fee to copyright holders for presumed losses to piracy?

Tech.gov: Paying for Piracy in Advance


Oil is now down almost 15 in a week. Isn #39;t this what people were complaining about two weeks ago when oil was marching toward \$50 a barrel?

Oil Obsession Wanes on Wall Street


The close race for the presidency is depressing the stock market, which is flat to down for the year despite a recovering economy, solid profits and major new tax breaks for investors.

Close election weighs heavily on stock markets


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli wireless broadband systems  provider Alvarion Ltd. <A HREF=

Alvarion to Expand Wireless Broadband in China


PayPal, the popular payment method on auction site eBay Inc., has fixed the technical problems that had plagued the systems for almost a week, leaving many users unable to access their accounts or conduct business.

PayPal Back To Normal


Vitali Klitschko #39;s dream was always to fight Mike Tyson. For now, he #39;ll have to settle for fighting the man who last beat Tyson.

Klitschko wanted Tyson, settles for Williams


AP - Mutual funds are moving to comply with a new rule that requires them to have independent chairmen starting in 2006, despite a growing challenge to the rule.

Funds Move Toward Independent Chairmen (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Insurance broker Willis Group Holdings  Ltd. <A HREF=

Willis Hires Top Marsh Exec, Stock Rises


Former Nepalese-born Gurkha soldiers who helped defend Hong Kong under British rule are fuming at London #39;s decision to exclude them from a new law giving the crack fighters British citizenship, a spokesman said Thursday.

Hong Kong #39;s former Gurkhas angry over British nationality move


Drug growers in Colombia are using genetically modified plants to dramatically boost cocaine yields, officials say.

'GM cocaine grown in Colombia'


Web portal Yahoo and media agency OMD unveiled the findings of an Internet Deprivation Study examining consumers #39; media habits and their emotional connection to the internet.

Life without internet almost impossible  study


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices eased on Tuesday as fears of  supply disruptions receded following a convincing referendum  victory in Venezuela for President Hugo Chavez and after  Russia's YUKOS said it had received a government assurance on  September exports.

Oil Eases on Venezuela, Russia Optimism


SWAMPSCOTT -- Woburn prepared all week to defend against Swampscott's aerial offense. The Big Blue trained all week to defend against Woburn backs Mike McLaughlin and Tom Hart.

There's no stopping McLaughlin, Woburn


Australian Lleyton Hewitt ousted home favourite Goichi Motomura 6-0 3-6 6-1 to advance to the third round of the Japan Open on Wednesday.

Hewit advance to the third round of the Japan Open


A barren, grassless wicket in the middle of rain-soaked Bangalore promises a riot of spin. Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble will lead India #39;s slow bowling attack.

Forum: Should India bat first or bowl first?


Reuters - Times must be getting tough for computer\virus writers.

Virus Writer Hides Job Ad in MyDoom Net Worm (Reuters)


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi officials recovered a decapitated corpse in western Baghdad on Wednesday and turned it over to the United States, which was investigating if it was the body of kidnapped American Jack Hensley - purportedly slain the day before by al-Qaida-linked militants.    The discovery came as Iraq's Justice Ministry promised to release one of two high-profile women prisoners...

Iraq Turns Over Decapitated Corpse to U.S.


The lawsuit claims the companies use a patented Honeywell technology for brightening images and reducing interference on displays.

Honeywell Sues 34 Companies Over LCD Patent


Reuters - Janco Partners on Thursday\initiated coverage of Google Inc. with a

Janco Partners Initiates Google with 'Sell' Rating (Reuters)


In tracing responsibility for the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, a panel drew a line that extended to Donald H. Rumsfeld.

A Trail of 'Major Failures' Leads to Defense Secretary's Office


SpaceShipOne is just one flight away from claiming the Ansari X-Prize, a \$10m award designed to kick-start private space travel.

'Personal spaceflight revolution' beckons


AP - It wasn't hard for college basketball coaches to get to know NCAA president Myles Brand. He went and met them.

NCAA, NABC Address College Hoops Issues (AP)


Tokyo, Oct. 13 (NNN): Iraq #39;s deputy leader, Barham Saleh, on Wednesday urged donors to release the aid money they have pledged, saying it is the key to destroying terrorism in his troubled country.

Iraq Asks Major Donors To Release Cash


Not that the Astros were tight heading home down 0-2 to the Cardinals, but knowing Roger Clemens would be taking the mound for Saturday #39;s Game 3 of the National League Championship Series had to be a comforting thought.

Rescue mission for The Rocket


The kidnapping of French journalists has sparked anger across a broad spectrum of the Muslim world.

Kidnappings backfire on Iraq militants


Shoppers got their buying groove back last month, propelling sales at the nation #39;s retailers by a strong 1.5 percent. It was the best showing since March.

Shoppers Spring Back to Life in September


HARARE, 6 December (IRIN) - Joyce Mujuru was sworn in as Zimbabwe #39;s first woman vice president on Monday. Her path to the vice presidency was cleared by a ZANU-PF congress resolution at the weekend, which

ZIMBABWE: Mujuru sworn in a vice president


US carmaker Ford Motor returns to profit, as the money it makes from lending to customers outweighs losses from selling vehicles.

Finance moves Ford into the black


PHNOM PENH - Cambodia #39;s retired king yesterday for the first time publicly backed his 51-year-old son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, to take over the throne he relinquished last week.

Sihanouk wants dancer son to be next king


Well, I still think he was a small-minded, wishy-washy puppet, but maybe, it turns out, he was right. Maybe he was right to treat the NHL as a mom-and-pop league, way down the ladder in

NHL needs to think small


MCI announced on Wednesday a line of managed LAN services available at three different service levels.

MCI adds managed services


Sunday's game between the Cardinals and the Jets features two of the league's greatest runners, but LaMont Jordan, the backup for the Jets, might be the most intriguing back.

Patience and Hope Sustaining Jets' Jordan


AFP - Japan's number two telecoms operator KDDI said it had agreed with major British carrier BT to join hands on international data communications services for corporate clients.

Japanese carrier KDDI to tie up with BT on data communications (AFP)


A Palestinian man has been killed and six others have been injured in the latest violence in the Gaza Strip. The man - a schoolteacher - died on his way to work after an Israeli missile blew apart a home in the Jabaliya camp, Palestinian witnesses said.

Israel air strikes hit Gaza camp


Yasser Arafat was buried Friday in the place where he spent his last years as a virtual prisoner, seen off in a huge and chaotic outpouring of grief for the man who

Arafat Buried Amid Chaotic Ramallah Scene


P amp;O staked its immediate future as a ferry operator on the burgeoning freight market yesterday as it blamed the death of the booze cruise for the need to axe one-fifth of its workforce.

City sees overhaul as precursor to sale, leaving group focused on <b>...</b>


Japan #39;s Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura has urged Islamic militants in Iraq to release a Japanese hostage, in an interview with the Arabic satellite network Al-Jazeera.

Japan televises appeal for hostage #39;s release


IBM Corp. on Tuesday will announce an expansion of its services for companies seeking help with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

IBM broadens suite of RFID services


If you #39;re reading this, you either have a brand new iPod photo or are thinking about getting one. In either case, you #39;re probably excited about carrying your entire digital photo

The Complete Guide to iPod photo Pictures


BAGHDAD Three powerful car bombs exploded in Baghdad and northern Iraq on Monday morning, killing at least 26 people and wounding more than 100 in a day of carnage that demonstrated the relative ease with which insurgents are striking in the hearts of

Car bombskill 26 in Baghdad and Mosul


Intel scratches Craig McCaw #39;s back, while his Clearwire scratches Intel #39;s. In exchange for a  #39;significant #39; investment by Intel Capital, Clearwire has agreed to use Intel silicon products in its deployment of WiMAX networks.

Intel, Clearwire Pair For WiMAX


DETROIT Ford Motor exceeded Wall Street #39;s expectations in its third-quarter earnings report on Tuesday, but it lost money in its core business - making cars and trucks - for the second straight quarter.

Ford swings to profit in 3rd quarter


Reuters - The first U.S. presidential debate\next week and a load of data on consumer spending will settle\some questions that have been hanging over U.S. stocks, and\equity strategists and traders say the decreased uncertainty\could draw buyers back to the market.

Presidential Debate, Consumer Data Eyed (Reuters)


CHICAGO -- It's hard enough trying to hit a 5-ounce sphere hurtling toward the plate at 90-something miles an hour. For David Ortiz , it's even harder trying to do it batting fourth in the Red Sox lineup, although he didn't have much trouble last night.

Ortiz is cleaning up his act


Bank of America Corp. has told executives at the FleetCenter that it is no longer interested in putting its own name on the building, and even raised the possibility of renaming the arena as the Boston Garden as a gift to the city.

FleetCenter renaming talks stall


German police stands guard along the rails as the castor transport of nuclear waste passes by Dahlenburg, near Lueneburg, northern Germany, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001 on its way to the interim nuclear depot in Gorleben.

Nuclear waste shipment rolls toward German storage site after <b>...</b>


While the leadership of the Major League Baseball Players Association remained silent on the issue of a harsher steroid-testing program following the first day of its annual meetings in Phoenix, Commissioner Bud Selig continued his public campaign to

Selig Would Welcome Government #39;s Help in Tougher Drug Testing


Second-quarter profit fell by two-thirds at plane and train maker Bombardier Inc. (BBDb.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) as its regional aircraft business lagged a rebound

Soft Margins Cut Bombardier Profit


As promised, Veritas has prepped a new release of its i3 management software that will tie into existing applications and give customers sophisticated tools for checking on the performance of server and storage systems.

Veritas puts finishing touches on i3


Bryant, in a taped interview on ESPN #39;s  quot;Pardon the Interruption quot; on Wednesday, did not elaborate much further about Malone, who was accused of making a pass at Bryant #39;s wife, Vanessa, at a Lakers game on Nov. 23.

Kobe takes on the hard questions


Investors sent stocks markedly lower yesterday as oil prices reached \$53 a barrel during the trading session and new questions were raised about the safety of arthritis drugs, putting pressure on pharmaceutical shares.

Oil Prices and Drug Safety Comments Send Shares Lower


BELLEVUE, Wash. (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Microsoft Shareholders OK \$3 Dividend


Candy maker Hershey Foods Corp. on Wednesday said new products and favorable pricing sweetened its third-quarter profit, which surged 16 percent and topped Wall Street expectations.

Update 1: Hershey 3Q Profit Climbs 16 Percent


Jammu, Aug. 28 (PTI): The army today foiled a major infiltration bid along the line of control in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

Infiltration bid foiled along LOC in J  amp; K


Television listings company Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. has named a Fox Entertainment Group vice president, Rich Battista, as chief executive, succeeding Jeff Shell, who resigned.

Gemstar-TV Guide Taps Fox Executive as CEO


The High Court this morning granted the music industry the power to request the names and addresses of the 28 file sharers the industry aims to litigate against.

BPI wins court order on filesharing


Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will arrive in Srinagar tomorrow on the first leg of his two-day maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir during which his approach would be of looking at the big picture rather than doling out packages, sources in the Prime Minister

Militants kill 12 in J amp;K ahead of PMs visit


AFP - Leading Web search engine Google launched a new site for book lovers at the world's largest publishing show that will provide a new avenue for sales.

Google launches new Web site for readers, publishers (AFP)


AFP - Britain is

Britain 'sleepwalking' into big-brother state, watchdog warns (AFP)


Unionized workers have reached an agreement with a group representing 14 luxury hotels to end an eight-week lockout, allowing about 4,000 maids, bellhops

San Francisco Hotel Workers to Return


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators have decided against  filing civil charges against Global Crossing Ltd. founder Gary  Winnick following a probe of its accounting practices, his  attorney said on Monday.

SEC Won't Punish Global Crossing Founder


PALM BEACH, Fla. - Florida voters get to cast their ballots for president beginning Monday, and Democrat John Kerry planned to spend all day asking for their votes...

Kerry Tours Fla. Asking for Early Votes


The Federal Communications Commission has voted to consider eliminating its ban on the use of cell phones on airplanes. The agency instituted the ban because of potential interference with ground-based cell systems.

FCC May Allow Cell-Phone Use on Airplanes


Khalel Pritchard threw three touchdown passes yesterday, giving him 20 on the season, to lead Newton North to a 41-13 win over Brookline and a surprising playoff berth.

Pritchard sends Newton North to postseason


Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps will chase gold in the men's 200m freestyle on day three of the Olympics.

Swimming showdown


AP - Fresno State is out of the BCS mix  #151; again.

La. Tech Wrecks Fresno State's BCS Dreams (AP)


ZURICH/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on  Thursday rejected ABB's <A HREF=

Appeals Court Rejects ABB Asbestos Plan


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee  Chairman John McCain is pushing for up to \$1 billion in aid to  ensure consumers are not left in the dark when television  stations broadcast only new, crisp digital signals, according  to draft legislation obtained on Sunday.

Sen. McCain Seeks \$1 Billion to Speed Digital TV Shift


Emblaze (LSE: BLZ) group company Orca Interactive means to float stock on London #39;s AIM stock exchange. Orca develops flexible solutions for broadband commercial television over the Internet.

Orca Interactive plans AIM flotation


The curtain is set to come down on the 2004-05 National Hockey League season before it ever goes up.

Freezing point is near


Even as a gravely ill Yasser Arafat receives medical aid in France, the Palestinian leader #39;s refusal to name a successor will mean further disruption to the Middle East when he does die.

The Arafat void


Adrian Mutu is hoping to become an example for youngsters after vowing to bounce back from his drugs ban. Mutu, sacked by Chelsea after testing positive for a drug said to be cocaine and subsequently

Mutu Wants to Set An Example


AP - Brett Favre might start a game with a rookie center for the first time in his 14 NFL seasons.

Packers' Wells to Start Against Lions (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. manufacturer Honeywell  International agreed a \$1.5 billion trump bid for Britain's  Novar Plc on Monday to beef up its security business and lift  2005 earnings from the low end of forecasts.

Honeywell Agrees Takeover of UK's Novar


The last time the Philadelphia Eagles were dominated so thoroughly they had a whole offseason to contemplate the defeat. They have two days to get over this dismantling -- a 27-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Eagles regroup after first loss


Courtney Love must stand trial for assault for assault after a court hears testimony from her alleged victim.

Love must stand trial for assault


Brian Laras brilliance undermined Englands ICC Champions Trophy victory bid at the Oval this morning. West Indies captain Lara, who earlier won the toss, inflicted a major

Lara Proves the Undoing of Flintoff


General Motors Corp., which sells  the gas-gobbling Hummer, urges Americans to

Automakers Tout Hybrids, Power Rules


SAN FRANCISCO - IBM Corp. will soon begin shipping upgraded models of its HS20 and JS20 blade servers, including a new SCSI (small computer system interface) option for the HS20 that will double the number of SCSI blades that users can fit into a single chassis, the company announced Friday. The Armonk, New York, computer maker also announced new management software for the servers designed to make them cooler and easier to manage.

IBM upgrades blade servers


AP - Put Barbara White down as undecided in the race for the White House.

Bush, Kerry Forces Woo the Undecided (AP)


Researchers find that humans produce their own morphine. If naysayers finally believe it, the discovery could boost pain and addiction research. By Kristen Philipkoski.

Morphine Apparently in Your Head


TOKYO (CBS.MW) - Shares of Japan #39;s Isuzu Motors Ltd. rose Thursday after a published report that trading house Mitsubishi Corp.

Mitsubishi to have second-largest stake after GM -report


US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld accepts a request from President Bush to say in his job, a senior official said.

Bush asks defence chief to stay


JOLIET - Adrian Fernandez had a difficult time in the pits but overcame his problems with pit strategy Sunday in winning the Delphi 300 Indy Racing League event at Chicagoland Speedway.

For champ, IRL race far from the pits


The BBC is to close some websites and invest in those that add

Public value key to BBC websites


Senior members of the ruling Saudi royal family have been accused of ultimate responsibility for the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre that killed nearly 3000 people and sparked the worldwide war on terror.

Saudis to be sued over 9/11


FRANKFURT, Oct 9 (AFP) - Germany #39;s Deutsche Telekom is to reintegrate its Internet arm T-Online, Europe #39;s largest Internet provider, via a swap for Telekom shares and a share buyback offer, the company said Saturday.

Deutsche Telekom to reintegrate T-Online in share swap, buyback


Delta Air Lines #39; pilots Thursday overwhelmingly approved a \$1 billion package of concessions that cuts their pay by nearly a third but may pull the financially beleaguered carrier from the brink of bankruptcy.

Delta pilots choose pay cuts


Reuters - Now that digital cameras have overtaken\film cameras in sales, users are beginning to encounter a\familiar problem -- what to do with the bulging image files and\folders filling up computer hard drives?

Software Tackles Digital Photo Proliferation (Reuters)


AP - Britain agreed Thursday to meet a U.S. request for British troops to be moved into volatile central Iraq, a proposal that has met strong opposition within the governing Labour Party.

Britain Agrees to U.S. Troops Request (AP)


Reuters - The tiny but elite club of Group of\Seven finance chiefs seems to have hit the limits of its\influence on the two top economic issues of the day -- oil\prices and the emerging powerhouse that is China.

When the G7 Talks, Is Anyone Listening? (Reuters)


President Vicente Fox vowed to clean up Mexico #39;s police on Tuesday after violence that has shocked the country, and he told the capital #39;s left-wing mayor, his main political rival, to do the same.

Fox pledges Mexico police clean-up, challenges mayor


PHILADELPHIA - Clashing over Iraq, Sen. John Kerry said Friday that President Bush's policies made the war against terror harder to win and

Kerry, Bush Clash Over Iraq and Allawi


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Heralded Tennessee freshman Candace Parker underwent knee surgery and could miss the upcoming women #39;s college basketball season.

Heralded Lady Vols #39; Freshman Has Surgery


South Africa added just 62 runs for the loss of three wickets as India pegged them back on day two of the second Test in Calcutta.

India dampen South Africa advance


AP - Riley, who tied for fourth at the PGA Championship to earn a spot on his first Ryder Cup team, became a first-time father late last week when his wife gave birth to a girl.

Riley Becomes Father Ahead of Ryder Cup (AP)


Monsanto Co., Syngenta AG and Bayer AG failed to win wider access to the European Union #39;s biotechnology market when a demand that five nations lift bans on some gene-modified foods allowed elsewhere in the EU was blocked.

EU Nations Cling to Biotech Bans on Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Raimo Summanen, who signed a three-year deal through 2006 to coach Finland #39;s national hockey team, has been relieved of his duties.

Finland fires national hockey coach


These days, the violence in Iraq #39;s third-largest city is more like The Sopranos than Black Hawk Down. By Jim Macmillan, AP. About 40 dead bodies turned up across Mosul last week.

Mosul #39;s militants fight mostly from shadows


CLEVELAND -- In Corey Dillon's postgame interview with the media yesterday, the running back indicated he hurt his leg after he had gained 98 yards in the first half, but he wanted to go back in for 2 more yards and his seventh 100-yard game this season.

Dillon needed 1 to get 2


Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - The Tennessee Titans, who lost kicker Joe Nedney for the season due to a hamstring injury, have announced that they will bring Gary Anderson out of retirement for the second time.

Anderson going back to the Titans


Managers: Terry Francona is in his first year with the Red Sox and is 3-0 in the postseason. Joe Torre is 887-567 (.610) in nine seasons with the Yankees, 68-31 (.687) in the postseason.

Red Sox vs. Yankees


Tottenham boss Jacques Santini was left ruing Norwich keeper Robert Green #39;s string of impressive saves after his side were held to a goalless draw.

Santini praises Green


Humans were born to run and evolved from ape-like creatures into the way they look today probably because of the need to cover long distances and compete for food, scientists said on Wednesday.

Humans Were Born to Run, Scientists Say


Reuters - Seoul shares were under pressure\early on Monday as a strong currency fueled worries about\export earnings but Hong Kong and Singapore stocks were\slightly firmer in light post-holiday trade.

Seoul Stocks Under Pressure, HK Firmer (Reuters)


A new Naples football club, formed to replace the bankrupt team of the Italian city, has been handed a place in the country #39;s third division.

New Napoli club to play in third division


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. trade gap widened nearly 9  percent in October to a record \$55.5 billion as sky-high oil  prices helped propel imports into new territory, the government  said on Tuesday, while a second report showed industrial output  rose in November, as expected.

Trade Gap Widens, Industrial Output Up


TOKYO : Japanese industrial output rose only 0.3 percent in August, suggesting after a series of recent weak data that the recovery in the world #39;s second-largest economy is slowing, economists said on Thursday.

Japan industrial output rise marginally in August


For months, he's been a man without a team. Bruins strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides filled up some of the time helping defenseman Hal Gill rehabilitate from a broken foot suffered during the World Cup of Hockey. Now that Gill is healthy, Whitesides is working with the Wilmington Fire Department.

New department for Bruins strength coach


Crude futures prices traded near two-month lows on Wednesday after the US government reported that commercially available oil supplies increased for the eighth straight week.

Crude futures bounce around \$46 per barrel range


Standard Chartered has won a controlling stake in Indonesia #39;s seventh-largest bank with a bid of \$305 million (170 million pounds), gaining

Standard Chartered wins bid for Permata


Champions Milan have said they will make Chelsea an offer to sign on-loan striker Hernan Crespo.  quot;We are already in talks with Chelsea, quot; confirmed Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Serie A round-up: Milan to make Crespo bid


AP - The trade deficit jumped to the second-highest level in history as surging demand for foreign oil swamped a small gain in U.S. exports, the government reported Thursday. America's trade gap with China hit an all-time high as retailers stocked up on cell phones, toys and televisions in preparation for Christmas sales.

Trade Deficit Soars; Jobless Claims Rise (AP)


ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Sports Network) - Hajime Meshiai, who  held the lead the previous two rounds, shot a three-under 69 on  Sunday to share first with Don Reese after five rounds of the  Champions Tour National Qualifying Tournament.

Meshiai in Tie for the Lead at Q-School


Heating oil prices are unusually high right now, so high that some analysts are wondering whether it's worthwhile for homeowners to try to lock in a price at these levels for the winter.

Locking in the price of heating oil is no safe bet


The home computer maker is recalling nearly a million AC notebook adapters. The company says they can overheat, catch fire, or cause electrical shock.

Recall on Dell Notebook Adapters


Unocal Corp. and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group are withdrawing from a natural gas exploration project in the East China Sea, the companies said Wednesday, citing  quot;commercial reasons.

Unocal, Royal Dutch withdraw from project


The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) on Nov. 10 said it #39;s lifting its decades-long, self-imposed ban on liquor sponsorships.

NASCAR Green-Flags Liquor Sponsors


Billionaires forge a deal: Lakshmi Mittal, one of the richest men in the UK, will merge his steel assets and buy International Steel Group (nyse: ISG - news - people ), which counts US billionaire Wilbur L. Ross Jr.

Mittal: British Billionaire Creates World #39;s Largest Steel Company


New York, NY (Sports Network) - According to a published report, the New York Yankees have finally landed ace lefthander Randy Johnson.

Report: Yanks acquire Big Unit in three-team trade


MIAMI - Tourists and residents were told Thursday they will have to leave the Florida Keys to avoid mighty Hurricane Ivan, even as the state still struggled with the misery left by Hurricanes Frances and Charley.    Forecasters said Ivan - which strengthened early Thursday to 160 mph - could reach the island chain as soon as Sunday, making it the third hurricane to hit Florida in a month...

Fla. Urges New Evacuations As Ivan Nears


Harry Redknapp shocked Portsmouth two weeks ago by quitting to take a break from soccer. Now those same fans are in a rage _ he #39;s joined the one club they despise.

Redknapp unrepentant about move from Portsmouth to Southampton? <b>...</b>


HERI Golun, 30, was confirmed yesterday as the suicide bomber who attacked the Australian embassy in Jakarta. Indonesian police yesterday confirmed his identity, saying Golun died in the attack, which killed nine others.

Police confirm bomber


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar sank to a record low against  the euro on Thursday and stood near a 12-year low versus the  pound after a round of robust U.S. economic data failed to  dispel souring sentiment on the U.S. currency.

Dollar Crumbles to Record Low Vs Euro


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alpharma Inc. <A HREF=

Alpharma Sells Generic of Pfizer Drug


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alcoa Inc. <A HREF=

Alcoa Plans to Declare Force Majeure


With Derek Lowe #39;s days in Boston almost certainly numbered -- and Pedro Martinez #39;s future here in question -- the Red Sox are expected to greet All-Star righthander Carl Pavano this week on Yawkey Way.

Pitcher hopes not to miss target


Adobe Systems Inc. released a new version this week of the popular Acrobat desktop publishing system, with features for both authors and recipients of electronic documents.

BUZZ: Desktops  New publishing system


Bolstering its XDA product line, O2 unveils the XDA IIs and IIi models - both offering a vast array of advanced features including quad-band GSM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, SDIO and more.

O2 unveils two new XDA models


Reuters - Lisa Simpson,\the spiky-haired U.S. cartoon character, may just be the spark\that revives an ancient language and fuels a tiny political\movement at the tip of Britain's southwest coast.

Ancient Language Clings to Life at Tip of Britain (Reuters)


HOUSTON Lleyton Hewitt sent a deflated Andy Roddick home today with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the semifinals of the ATP Masters Cup in Houston.

Hewitt defeats Roddick in Masters Cup semifinals


AP - Many of Florida's beaches have taken on a different look after this year's parade of hurricanes finished shifting, eroding or completely relocating tons of sand. How to deal with that change will be a complicated and costly problem, coastal experts say.

Parade of Hurricanes Erode Fla. Beaches (AP)


AFP - Hong Kongers famously told a survey last year they were too busy with work for relationships; now a new technology will enable them to go dating using their famous passion for mobile phones.

Hong Kong passion for mobile phones could end dating woes (AFP)


Through genetic engineering, scientists have bred a mouse capable of running twice as far as other mice before exhaustion. Medical researchers believe some of their findings could apply to humans. By Kristen Philipkoski.

Scientists Breed a Tougher Mouse


The expression on Ryan Newmans face wasnt that of somebody who had qualified fourth for tonights Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Newman not happy with lackluster year


Personal insolvencies in England and Wales have hit another record high as interest rate rises take their toll on already over-extended households.

Record for personal bankruptcies


HOUSTON Jurors stung a bit of Wall Street by convicting four former Merrill Lynch and Company executives and a former midlevel Enron finance executive of conspiracy and fraud.

Five convicted, one acquitted in conspiracy, fraud trial


BIG aircraft orders from Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International yesterday underscored the potential for growth in the Asia-Pacific aviation industry.

SIA, Thai splurge billions on planes


Reebok International Ltd. is turning its attention to the growing US Hispanic population, starting with an ad campaign promoting Reebok #39;s ties to the wildly popular Chivas soccer club in Mexico.

Reebok star rises in south: Shoemaker targets Hispanic markets


Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange\Commission said on Wednesday the accounting practices of\housing finance group Fannie Mae  from 2001 to mid-2004\

SEC: Fannie Fails Accounting Compliance (Reuters)


Security vendors eye a billion-dollar pie as key section of accounting law goes into effect.

Sarbanes-Oxley kicks in


ROME -- Recalling the horror the nation felt when its first hostage was killed in Iraq, word that a second Italian hostage was slain brought condemnation from the pope yesterday and fueled debate over Italy's role in the war-torn country.

Italy mourns hostage slain by captors


BESLAN, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin  rejected any dialogue with Chechen separatists, blamed for at  least 335 deaths in the school hostage siege, as hundreds of  thousands joined rallies against terrorism.

Angry Putin Rules Out Chechen Talks as Crowds Rally


With the evidence of the northern snakehead fish's spawning, hope is fading along the Potomac River that the aggressive, toothy Asian invader can be stopped.

Spawning of Interloper Fish in Potomac Worries Experts


The Silverstone-based team were left without an engine supplier when Ford put Cosworth up for sale earlier this year and needed frantic discussions in Brazil, at the final grand prix of the season, to secure their future.

Jordan confirm Toyota deal


AP - Jets defensive end John Abraham will miss Sunday's game at Pittsburgh with a sprained ligament in his right knee.

Jets' Abraham Out With Sprained Ligament (AP)


AFP - International concern was growing after Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced that his country's troops will launch an operation in pursuit of Rwandan Hutu rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

International concern at Rwanda military intervention in DR Congo (AFP)


Pakistan #39;s President Pervez Musharraf has arrived in Britain for talks with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. General Musharraf was given a red carpet welcome after landing on a flight from Washington where he held talks with US President George Bush.

Musharraf arrives in UK for talks


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Insurgents detonated three car bombs  near a U.S. military convoy in Baghdad Thursday, killing 41  people, 34 of them children, and wounding scores.

Car Bombs Kill 34 Children in Baghdad


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dean Foods Co. <A HREF=

Dean Foods Exits Nutritional Beverages


A series of bombings damaged five churches in the capital early Saturday, and mortars later struck near a hospital and a hotel used by foreign news organizations and diplomats, Iraqi officials said.

Churches Bombed in Baghdad


IT IS said that there are three kinds of organisation: those that make things happen; those that watch things happen; and those that wonder what happened.

Economic Agenda Europe at mercy of a bank driving blind


n Overall fourth-quarter retail sales this year are expected to be 6.5 percent higher than last year #39;s -- the biggest increase since 1999.

Retail predictions for 2004 shopping season


Add Atlanta to the list of potential sites for Kmart Holding Corp. #39;s new headquarters. The Troy-based company with about 2,000 corporate employees is looking for up to 300,000 square feet of office space, Atlanta media are reporting this week.

FINANCIAL HEADLINES: Kmart considering Atlanta, reports say


KOSTYA TSZYU looked anything but rusty today as he dismantled Sharmba Mitchell in less than three rounds to retain his International Boxing Federation super lightweight title.

Tszyu in thumping win


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Revlon, Inc reiterated its 2004 financial outlook as the cosmetics firm reported a wider-than-expected third quarter loss.

Cosmetic company #39;s Q3 loss widens as sales slip 7


SABMiller had a gain of \$96 million from selling its 29.4 percent of Harbin Brewery Group to Anheuser-Busch Cos. and a gain of \$239 million from the disposal of 21 percent of South African retailer Edgars Consolidated Stores Ltd.

South Africa


Brazilian head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira played down sentiment about the world champion #39;s 1-0 defeat by minnow Ecuador in the South American zone World Cup qualifier.

Parreira plays down Brazil #39;s defeat


Five years after catastrophic floods and mudslides killed thousands along Venezuela's Caribbean coast, survivors in this town still see the signs of destruction - shattered concrete walls and tall weeds growing atop streets covered in dried mud.

Venezuelans Recall Catastrophic Floods


The International Cricket Council (ICC) is continuing to monitor developments over England #39;s tour of Zimbabwe after the players were told on Wednesday to stay in South Africa overnight.

ICC monitoring developments as England stay in SAfrica


PC World - Software giant contesting order to pay  #36;521 million in patent infringement verdict.

Federal Court to Hear Microsoft Appeal of Internet Explorer Case (PC World)


Tiger Woods tried to get a read on Retief Goosen when they faced each other in the Presidents Cup.  quot;I mean, I played him in two matches and he didn #39;t say one single word, quot; Woods said, smiling at the memory.

Goosen puts a fitting end to the year


New Orleans, the city, is known as the Big Easy. The Atlanta Falcons defense should be called the Big Tease. How else can you explain the frustrations of the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Jake Delhomme.

Panthers pile up yards, but still lose


The end of the world wide web may be nigh, top technology companies have warned. Predicting a future which would horrify many businesses and email addicts, some experts fear

Superhighway  #39;Could Crumble #39; under Weight of Users


Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world #39;s largest retailer, plans to open as many as 15 new stores in China next year, competing for a foothold with Carrefour SA and Metro Group as the government lifts curbs on foreign retailers.

Wal-Mart Plans as Many as 15 New China Stores in 2005 (Update2)


The German Parliament on Thursday overwhelming approved a one-year extension of the Bundeswehr #39;s Afghanistan mandate. The decision comes a day after a grenade attack on a German camp in Kunduz injured five.

Germany Extends Afghan Mission


UK house prices fell by 0.6 in August as recent interest rate rises took hold, the Halifax says.

UK house prices retreat in August


South Korea has put frontline troops on high alert after finding two holes cut in the wire along its heavily fortified buffer zone with North Korea.

Seoul finds holes in North border


Reuters - India's Jammu and Kashmir state\plans to fight a global ban on the trade in super-fine\shahtoosh wool, which environmentalists say is produced by\killing a rare Tibetan antelope.

India's Kashmir Govt to Fight Ban on Shahtoosh Wool (Reuters)


World Cup winner Josh Lewsey has underlined the importance of England delivering a confidence-building performance against Canada this weekend.

Lewsey: We need confidence boost


Three of the nation #39;s top 10 personal computer manufacturers will likely leave the market by 2007 because of slower growth and reduced profits in the industry, a research firm predicted Monday.

Computer makers face slowdown, firm predicts


The Davis Cup is tennis #39;s best way of compensating, and that #39;s no reference to prize money, which is not the reason most of the world #39;s top men #39;s players still look forward to this century-old team competition.

Davis Cup Tennis: For US and Spain, a little psychic compensation


Sean Marshall did the work in the first half, scoring 17 of his 19 points. Then Jared Dudley carried the load early in the second half, tallying 13 of his 17, including 9 in the first 8 minutes 48 seconds.

Smith has finishing touch


Reuters - Soaring crude prices plus worries\about the economy and the outlook for earnings are expected to\hang over the stock market this week during the depth of the\summer doldrums.

Oil and Economy Cloud Stocks' Outlook (Reuters)


Some 850 of Britain #39;s Black Watch troops set out from the southern Iraqi city of Basra Wednesday to replace US troops south of Baghdad.

British troops on the move in Iraq


TORONTO, (Nov. 22, 2004) -- About 3,800 UPS Canada employees, represented by the Canadian Council of Teamsters, have gone on strike.

Brown Canada workers hit the bricks


Economic growth slowed sharply in the third quarter to its weakest level since the run-up to last year #39;s Iraq war, reinforcing expectations the Bank

Economy cools in third quarter


Microsoft has announced the imminent availability of Host Integration Server 2004 in a bid to compete with IBM #39;s WebSphere.

Microsoft readies Host Integration Server 2004


AP - Wily Mo Pena hit two home runs to offset a pair by Moises Alou and lead the Cincinnati Reds over the Chicago Cubs 6-5 Saturday night.

Pena Homers Give Reds 6-5 Edge Over Cubs (AP)


In their third and final debate this week, President Bush and Sen. John F. Kerry will turn to what Americans quaintly call

South Asia Balks at Kerry's Outsourcing Stance


Shares of international media giant News Corp. (Nasdaq: NWSWI) fell nearly 4 yesterday following the company #39;s announcement that it adopted a  quot;shareholder rights plan

Moguls Match Up Over News Corp.


AFP - Key players in the search for Middle East peace have reached understanding on a plan that could lead to a comprehensive settlement.

Egypt announces 'breakthrough' on Mideast peace (AFP)


NEW YORK - The NHL will lock out its players Thursday, starting a work stoppage that threatens to keep the sport off the ice for the entire 2004-05 season.    The long-expected decision was confirmed by NHL owners Wednesday following a meeting in New York...

NHL to Lock Out Players Thursday


An Indian security team travels to Bangladesh to decide on the tour's future.

India assess Bangladesh security


ATHENS (Reuters) - South Korea were still lobbying  gymnastics and Olympics officials over the gold medal gymnast  Yang Tae-young lost as a result of a judging mistake, the team  said Thursday.

Gymnastics: South Koreans Still Pursuing Yang Gold


Put away the red pen, because publishing software giant Adobe Systems plans to change the way businesses share comments on documents.

Adobe to update PDF tools


Thousands of fans wait for hours to pick up the first copies of Microsoft's long-awaited Xbox game sequel.

Photos: Halo 2, the adventure begins


TOKYO Aid to Iraq should be disbursed faster, Iraqi companies should get priority for contracts, and projects should be focused on bolstering parliamentary elections that are to be held in January, Iraqis and donor representatives agreed on Thursday at

Aid to Iraq should be sent faster, donors say


Previously, the Bush administration stressed uncertainties in understanding the causes and consequences of global warming.

U.S. Report Turns Focus to Greenhouse Gases


Royal Group Technologies Ltd., the Canadian maker of plastic building products, said three executives, including its chairman and founder, are accused of fraud in company dealings with a Caribbean resort.

Royal Group Executives Accused in Fraud Investigation (Update2)


Security has been beefed up in the Valley following reports that the LeT plans to step up violence in the state during Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit.

Troops reduction in J amp;K to begin today


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

Google Slashes IPO Price Range


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - Employees of Atlantic Canada's largest telecommunications company voted Thursday to return to work, ending a bitter labour battle that kept them on the picket lines for almost five months.

Aliant employees in Atlantic Canada vote to end lengthy strike (Canadian Press)


NEW YORK (Sports Network) - Former undisputed heavyweight  champion Evander Holyfield has been banned from fighting by the  New York State Athletic Commission, according to published  reports.

CORRECTED: Report Holyfield Banned from Boxing in U.S.


Trend Micro Mobile Security is designed to protect data-centric mobile devices such as smartphones against viruses and short message service (SMS) spam.

Trend Micro Offers New Mobile Security


The worldwide market for Wi-Fi network infrastructure and adapters surpassed \$1.0 billion in quarterly revenues for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to market research firm In-Stat/MDR.

Wi-Fi tops \$1 billion quarterly revenues


Tiger Woods, who is due out at lunchtime in today #39;s first round of the WGC American Express Championship at Mount Juliet, says that his morning warm-up will determine whether he is fit enough to defend his title.

Fitness test for wounded Tiger


Yahoo! Inc. is going mobile on Nextel Communication Inc. handheld devices. A new partnership between the companies puts Yahoo! e-mail, instant messaging, games, news and more in Nextels products.

Yahoo! Goes Mobile on Nextel


As thousands of apple pickers milled about his farm last Sunday, Michael Smolak gave thanks for the postcard-perfect autumn weather that brought them there.

They like them apples


NextWave Telecom and Verizon Wireless have struck a \$3 billion deal over NextWave #39;s beleaguered PCS spectrum as they strive toward starkly contrasting network goals.

It #39;s Official: Verizon, NextWave Sign Pact


Reuters - U.S. drug company Biogen Idec\is considering an all-share bid of more than 8.5 billion euros\( #36;10.6 billion) for Irish peer Elan, a newspaper reported on\Sunday.

Biogen Mulling Bid for Ireland's Elan (Reuters)


HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Nokia Corp. (NOK), the world #39;s largest mobile phone maker, expects to launch more than 10 handset models operating on code division multiple access technology in 2005, a senior executive said Tuesday.

INTERVIEW: Nokia To Launch Over 10 CDMA Handsets Next Yr


LAS VEGAS -- Geronimo, the open source Java application server in development by the Apache Software Foundation, will provide a malleable technology base amenable to applications such as regulatory compliance systems, according to a technologist working on the project.

Apache Geronimo readied as Java app server


Japan #39;s Asahi Shimbun reported from Washington on Thursday that Charles Kartman, executive director of the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO), would make a four-day trip to Pyongyang beginning Saturday.

Charles Kartman to Visit Pyongyang, North Korea


THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Former Yugoslav President Slobodan  Milosevic wraps up the opening statement of his war crimes  trial defense on Wednesday after launching a counterblast to  charges of ethnic cleansing in the Balkans in the 1990s.

Tribunal to Consider Defense Lawyer for Milosevic


After you've joined the music revolution and plunked down \$250 for an Apple iPod mini, it's easy to become quite protective of the little gizmo.

Waterproof IPod Housing All Wet


USA Ryder Cup wildcard Stewart Cink increased his lead to five shots after three rounds of the WGC Invitational at the Firestone Country Club in Ohio.

Cink increases lead in Ohio


This article discusses the discovery of compromised machines in large enterprise environments, and offers some suggestions on correlating NIDS and HIPS logs to avoid false positives.

Infocus: Issues Discovering Compromised Machines


WASHINGTON--For much of the night, Shaquille O #39;Neal was right where the Washington Wizards wanted him. Saddled with foul trouble, the center was cramming his 7-foot-3-inch body onto a way-too-small folding chair on the Miami Heat #39;s bench.

Wizards can #39;t corral Wade


Nature is pretty good at solving engineering problems, so designers are increasingly turning to biomimetics to improve their products and ideas. By Rowan Hooper.

Ideas Stolen Right From Nature


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. drivers traveling this week  will pay the highest gasoline prices on record heading into a  Thanksgiving holiday, the Energy Department said on Monday.

Gas Prices Highest Ever for Thanksgiving


12 November 2004 -- Al-Jazeera television is reporting that Iraqi insurgents have kidnapped a US citizen who worked at a Baghdad airport.

Iraq Group Claims Kidnapping Of American


IT has been touted as the biggest game of the season so far when some of the Actim Index #39;s star performers lock horns as Arsenal host leaders Chelsea at Highbury tomorrow.

Lampard closing in on Henry


Bolton expect Jay-Jay Okocha to shake off a groin injury suffered in the defeat at West Brom a fortnight ago. Khalilou Fadiga will be in the Bolton squad for the first time after recovery from a heart complaint.

Bolton v Crystal P


roundup Plus: Macromedia announces training tool...Yahoo launches local-search engine...Sybase links back office to mobile devices...Legal expert joins open-source screening firm.

Briefly: Korean software maker joins Asian Linux group


Reuters - The last of the seven Project Mercury\astronauts who pioneered U.S. space exploration in the 1960s\remembered one of their own as a fearless pilot with the

Last of Mercury Astronauts Remember 'Gordo' Cooper (Reuters)


The people of Taiwan Province were called on Monday to join with their mainland compatriots in the fight to safeguard national unity and counter Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian #39;s splittist moves.

Compatriots urged to battle Chen #39;s moves


Denise Lewis makes a stuttering start to the heptathlon, as fellow Briton Kelly Sotherton storms into second place.

Lewis drops off pace


If Microsoft Corp. possessed the panache of Apple Computer Inc., it would have named the new Windows XP operating system release after a fabulous feline, as in Jaguar or

New Windows XP update  #39;huge #39;


JAMAICA #39;S government has announced a \$US5 million program to provide free internet access in poor communities across the island.

Jamaica to provide free Net access


BioBus

Students Take Veggie-Fueled


SYDNEY: British Airways said it will sell its entire 18.25 stake in Australia #39;s Qantas Airways in a move seen as likely to fuel a major realignment of airline alliances.

BA selling stake in Qantas


Illinois, off to a 7-0 start entering Thursday's game against Georgetown, felt all along it was the best team in the country.

Illini Could Be the 1


AP - A look at the three men charged with financing terrorist activities in Israel:

Three Indicted in Raising Funds for Hamas (AP)


Orlando Hernandez's tired right arm felt better Saturday, but he's not sure when he'll be able to pitch again for the Yankees.

Hernandez Uncertain About Return


LAS VEGAS -- Andre Stolz played like a veteran instead of a rookie and shot a 5-under 67 to win the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas by a shot over Tom Lehman and two others.

Stolz scores first tour win at Vegas


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The average weekly retail price for  U.S. gasoline topped \$2 a gallon to reach the third-highest  level ever recorded by the government, the Energy Department  said on Monday.

Gas Tops \$2/Gallon, 2.9 Cents from Record


Russia #39;s military will test a new-generation rocket booster this week that could eventually be used to launch civilian cargoes into space, Itar-Tass news agency said Monday.

Russia to Test New Soyuz Booster on Oct. 29


KIEV (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin made an  unprecedented television appearance in neighboring Ukraine days  before presidential elections, endorsing the record of the  prime minister, one of two top candidates.

Russia's Putin Lauds Ukraine PM in TV Appearance


ST. LOUIS (Sports Network) - Derek Lowe has allowed just  two hits as Boston jumped on St. Louis early and still leads  3-0 after six innings in Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.

Lowe Shutting Out Cardinals Through Six Innings


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Salton Inc. <A HREF=

Salton's Quarterly Loss Widens


Just as it is doing with its Windows client software, Microsoft Corp. is developing customized variants of its Windows Embedded operating system for specific markets.

Microsoft to Offer New Windows Flavor for Retail Market


Insurgents detonated three car bombs near a US military convoy in southern Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 35 people and wounding around 140, many of them children, officials and doctors said.

Car Bombs in Iraq Kill at Least 42, Wound 140


General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday led a late-day rally in auto stocks, one day after the world #39;s largest automaker posted dismal US sales results for August and cut vehicle production.

Auto Stocks Surge After Weak Sales


Maria Sharapova nearly crumbled under the weight of remarkable expectations Tuesday night in her first-round match at the US Open.

Sharapova Toughs Out Three-Set Win


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Wal-Mart Sales Estimate Boosts Sector


SANTIAGO (AFP) - An Asia-Pacific divide is widening as the United States sinks under the weight of a ballooning current account deficit and a plummeting dollar, analysts said after a regional summit here.

Asia Pacific divide widening as leaders fail to grapple with key <b>...</b>


A: Apple #39;s digital music player, which uses a high-capacity hard drive to store music, has truly become a pop-culture touchstone.

Ask Matt


LUXEMBOURG, Oct 11 (AFP) - The European Union agreed Monday to lift an 18-year-old arms embargo on Libya, welcoming the country #39;s renunciation of weapons of mass destruction and movement towards  quot;responsible government.

EU lifts Libya arms ban but presses Tripoli over medics


Intel drew the curtain Friday on some of its future research projects to continue making transistors smaller, faster, and less power-hungry out as far as 2020.

Intel preparing for next 20 years of chip making


Much has been made of the extent to which domestic matches such as this one prepare Celtic for the rigours of the Champions League, with the verdict rarely particularly flattering to Scotlands less glamorous clubs.

Three and easy for slick Celts


AP - Two issues have House Republicans tied in a knot on the intelligence bill President Bush says he wants: military control of spy satellites and provisions that, some lawmakers say, let terrorists shield themselves with claims of political asylum.

Two Issues Stalling Intel Overhaul Bill (AP)


A FATHERS #39; rights activist dressed as Batman, who clambered onto a ledge at Buckingham Palace, has ended the protest after five-and-a-half hours.

#39;Batman #39; ends palace protest


Get or Give Gmail Invites With GMailOMatic\\I heard about this last week, but when I tried to send it a couple invitations, it didn't work. It worked yesterday so I'll mention it. GmailOMatic allows people to submit Gmail invitations and request Gmail invitations.\\So if you've got a couple invites left ...


A group of gunmen have released a senior Palestinian security official after earlier kidnapping him in the Gaza Strip. General Mohammad al-Batrawi was driving through Gaza City when he was ambushed.

Palestinian official freed after Gaza kidnap


Two new Internet domain names -quot;.post quot; and  quot;.travel quot;  -ld appear on-line as early as next year as the Internet #39;s key oversight board announced preliminary approval on Wednesday.

New Web domain names get preliminary nod


The decision is an about-turn for President Nestor Kirchner #39;s administration. As late as Wednesday afternoon, Mr Kirchner appeared determined to go ahead with the government #39;s

Argentina to postpone debt restructure date


Brian Lara expects the England fast bowlers to come up with something similar to the Shoaib Akhtar bouncer that struck his neck and left him dizzy in the Champions Trophy semi-final, West Indies coach Gus Logie said yesterday.

WI captain expects more from England


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is cracking down  on the growing trade in counterfeit and pirated goods that  costs U.S. businesses hundreds of billions of dollar annually,  U.S. government and industry officials said on Monday.

U.S. Plans Crackdown on Piracy, Counterfeiting


Reuters - Two astronauts face a not-so-merry\Christmas after being told to ration their food and hope a\cargo ship with extra supplies docks on Dec. 26.

Space Station Astronauts Told to Ration Food (Reuters)


AOL Places Classified Listings in Search Engine Results\\Although AOL has yet to launch their AOL InStore into their search engine results, according to AuctionBytes, AOL is now testing the inclusion of AOL Classified Ads into their normal Google powered search listings. The classified listings are now being tested in AOL ...


OPPOSITION Leader Mark Latham today praised his wife Janine Lacy for taking centre stage at Labor #39;s official campaign launch. Ms Lacy took the extraordinary step of introducing her husband at the ALP launch

Latham  #39;very proud #39; of wife


AccountingWEB.com - November 05, 2004 - A government investigation into accounting practices at America Online has prompted Time Warner to set aside \$500 million to cover the costs of potential fines.

Time Warner Prepares for Settlement with \$500M Reserve


BERLIN - As the dollar plunges to record lows, Europe and the US kept up a war of words at the weekend, blaming each other for the currency #39;s fall and avoiding new steps to halt it.

Sliding dollar stokes a fire under the rand


Reuters - Whether Republican George W. Bush or\Democrat John Kerry wins the Nov. 2 election, Americans are\likely to see some familiar faces in the Cabinet of either man\as president.

Familiar Faces Likely in Either Bush, Kerry Cabinet (Reuters)


BRASILIA, Brazil, (Reuters) - U.N. peacekeepers in Haiti  will not respond to international pressure to

Brazil Rejects U.S. Call for Haiti Crackdown


AP - Details of a new television ad from Democrat John Kerry to begin airing Wednesday:

AdWatch: Kerry Attacks Bush's Tax Cuts (AP)


AP - No one has ever doubted that, in the beginning, primitive man learned to walk before he could run. But how about it taking three million years for that second part  #151; after the whole walking thing was already down? Or, when it finally happened, the idea that simply being able to run radically propelled our evolution as a species?

Study: Learning to Run Propelled Evolution (AP)


New products helped push Hardee #39;s Food Systems Inc. #39;s sales up 5.1 percent in the four weeks ended Oct. 4, its parent company said Wednesday.

Hardee #39;s September sales up 5 on new products


India go into the final Test against Australia desperate to restore pride after losing the series in Nagpur. Captain Sourav Ganguly is still missing for the home side, who may ask Sachin Tendulkar to take

India hoping for consolation win


Ford (NYSE: F) may have proclaimed the 2005 model year as the  quot;Year of the Car, quot; but DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX) threatens to steal its thunder in 2005 and beyond.

Daimler #39;s Car Quest


Temasek Holdings Pte earned S\$7.4 billion (\$4.4 billion) in the last fiscal year, the Singapore state-owned investment company said, revealing details of its financial performance for the first time in its 30-year history.

Temasek Makes S\$7.4 Bln Profit, Gets Top AAA Rating (Update2)


Down by 2 points, 77 yards from the end zone, and with only 14 seconds remaining, there was little Cambridge quarterback Matt O'Brien could do to change an inevitable outcome. The Falcons' quarterback managed to complete a pair of deep heaves, but when Peter Manns was tackled at the 12 with zeroes on the clock, the scoreboard read ...

Studley is too much for Cambridge


About 1,000 Indian army troops began withdrawing from the embattled Kashmir district Wednesday as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for peace.

India pulls 1,000 troops from Kashmir


Bertelsmann AG, whose Random House unit publishes The Da Vinci Code #39; #39; and Bill Clinton #39;s autobiography, said first-half profit quadrupled as earnings improved at its television and music businesses.

Bertelsmann 1st-Half Profit Jumps on TV, Music Units (Update2)


SAN FRANCISCO - To handle the demands of the next-generation Internet, a new layer of intelligent nodes and services needs to grow over the existing Internet structure, said Intel Corp. Chief Technology Officer Pat Gelsinger, during his concluding address at the Intel Developer Forum Thursday.

IDF - Intel seeks role in development of the next Internet


JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has indicated he is dropping a demand that Palestinians crack down on militant groups before he will resume peace talks.

Sharon eases conditions to restart peace talks


AP - A local committee helping the Republican National Committee hold its New York convention raised roughly  #36;60 million to  #36;70 million in private money for the event. Corporate donors include:

Republican National Convention Donors (AP)


ACTON -- Lucky, good, whatever. En route to consecutive win No. 38, a 14-9 victory over Marshfield last night, Acton-Boxboro needed good fortune and talent.

38 straight for A-B


USATODAY.com - A guest ogre has been recruited for the Shrek 2 DVD. It's none other than that caustic Brit Simon Cowell of TV's American Idol  doing what he does best: passing judgment.

Here come the judge: Simon's a 'Shrek' extra (USATODAY.com)


NEW YORK - If there #39;s one thing that makes Sony #39;s Network Walkman seem superior to Apple Computer #39;s iPod, at least at first glance, it #39;s the issue of size versus storage capacity.

New Sony Walkman Can #39;t Break IPod #39;s Stride


JAKARTA (Antara): Presidential front-runner Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is leading in the vote-count by a wide margin ahead of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, will likely start drawing up his Cabinet on Oct. 5., a party leader has said.

Susilo to form Cabinet as of Oct. 5: Minister


Internet search firm Google has launched its Froogle price comparison Web site in Britain, expanding the company #39;s e-commerce business and putting it head to head with partners such as Kelkoo.

Google launches UK Froogle shopping site


Digital musicians will have a few new riffs for their virtual production boards, at least those using the latest Apple software. Apple Computer on Wednesday announced new versions of its pro and midrange digital

Apple software to help garage bands jam


France #39;s Roman Catholic Church has reported a 1.3m-euro deficit (\$1.6m) from a visit by the Pope to the southern shrine of Lourdes.

Pope #39;s French visit leaves debt


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar edged down against the euro on  Monday toward its lowest level in seven and a half months,  pressured after it fell through key technical levels on weak  U.S. economic data on Friday.

Dollar Slips Toward Lows After Weak Data


THE US FTC has set aside more spectrum for third-generation cell phone calls and wireless. An additional 20 megahertz previously used by unlicensed personal communications services and mobile satellite services has been handed over to the new technology.

FTC lets 3G be


LONDON : Australa won the toss and elected to field in their winner-takes-all ICC Champions Trophy Pool A match against New Zealand here at the Oval.

Cricket: Australia replace Lee with Watson for Kiwis


LOS ANGELES - Spending nearly \$25,000 for baseball tickets seemed like a worthy investment to Michael Mahan, considering the 700th home run ball crushed by Barry Bonds will likely fetch a much higher price.    But it appears Bonds will reach that historic milestone in the coming days so Mahan, a lifelong Los Angeles Dodger fan, has been selling most of those tickets in the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium...

Fan Spends \$25K Hoping for Bonds HR Ball


The Patriots set the N.F.L.'s unofficial record for consecutive victories at 19 (counting playoff games) with another grind-it-out performance.

The Relentless Patriots Reach a Magic Number


Networking giant launches new program for resellers targeting small and midsize customers.

Cisco continues to court small business


Canadian Press - KHARTOUM, Sudan (CP) - Sudan isn't afraid of a U.S.-backed United Nations resolution threatening sanctions over the violence in Darfur, President Omar el-Bashir was quoted as saying Sunday.

Sudan says it's not afraid of UN resolution threatening sanctions (Canadian Press)


A baby believed to have been cut from her murdered mother's womb is found alive in the US.

Baby cut from mother's womb


LG Electronics has unveiled the worlds first terrestrial digital broadcasting cell phone this week. The Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) handset will allow people to receive satellite broadcasts to watch consumer programs.

LG Wins DMB Satellite Handset Race


Paradorn Srichaphan was pumped. At the end of an exhausting, three-set match against Joachim Johansson, Srichaphan had enough energy left for a series of arm pumps and a few shouts of joy.

Srichaphan wins again at his Hamlet  #39;home #39;


NEW YORK (Reuters) - SuperGen Inc. on Monday said it has  withdrawn an application to market its pancreatic cancer drug  in the United States due to insufficient data, casting a cloud  on the drug's future in the world's biggest market and sending  the company's shares down as much as 16 percent.

SuperGen Withdraws Drug Application


ANAHEIM -- Suddenly, being Canada #39;s undisputed National Team comes with a burden, the Toronto Blue Jays seem to understand. Getting prominent Canadian natives into a Toronto uniform is part of the responsibility.

Blue Jays bring Koskie home


REFORMED con artist Frank Abagnale, whose life was portrayed in the movie Catch Me if You Can, has been recruited to help fight cyber-crime.

Ex-conman security adviser


taking our intellectual property and turning it into pay-for-use network services, quot; Sun President Jonathan Schwartz said. The company envisions businesses that

Sun Microsystems Pushes Computing-as-Commodity


Japan #39;s economy grew 0.3 percent in April-June from the previous quarter, less than the 0.4 percent growth rate initially estimated, the government said Friday.

Update 3: Japan Revises April-June GDP Data Down


Veteran financier Carl Icahn said it was  quot;reprehensible and insulting quot; that the board of drug maker Mylan Laboratories Inc.

Icahn Blasts Mylan Board on King Deal


Firm to sell Utility Data Center package as separate software modules. UDC staff handed walking papers.

HP sinks utility project, lays off some workers


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amelie Mauresmo's hopes of a first  grand slam title were left in tatters at the U.S. Open on  Tuesday when she was beaten by Elena Dementieva.

Mauresmo Comes Up Short, Hewitt Cruises


Here's a hands-on look at the moderately priced, multiformat DV-CP802.

Onkyo's DVD Changer Spins a New Tune


Efforts to get North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons programs are expected to be high on the agenda when President Bush meets with other Asia-Pacific

North Korean Nuclear Issue to Feature at Asia-Pacific Summit


Shares of film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (NYSE: MGM) rose more than 6 on heavy volume yesterday on the back of reports from Reuters -- and followed up by various

MGM Stays in the Picture


Sean Harrigan, the President of Americas biggest pension fund, California Public Employees #39; Retirement System (CalPERS), has been removed from his post.

CalPERS boss given marching orders


HOUSTON Two former El Paso Corporation natural gas traders have pleaded guilty in Houston to making false reports used to calculate the commodity #39;s index price.

Ex-natural gas traders plead guilty to making false reports


ARLINGTON, Texas -- Vladimir Guerrero hit two home runs, drove in five runs and went 4-for-5 on Tuesday night, and the Anaheim Angels beat the Texas Rangers, 8-2, to tie Oakland atop the American League West.

AMERICAN LEAGUE: Angels tie A #39;s; Ichiro: 254


Former All Black winger Jonah Lomu says he is still hopeful of a return to competitive rugby following his kidney transplant earlier this year.

Rugby union-Lomu still hopeful of return to action


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Friday dismissed the reported bust-up between his two major players as just  quot;a storm in a tea cup quot;.

Wenger plays down reported bust-up on Arsenal team bus


German police arrested three men suspected of planning an attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who was in Berlin on Friday.

Germany Thwarts Possible Attack on Iraqi Leader


Handheld computer maker PalmOne Inc. unveiled Monday a new memory-packed personal digital assistant that can double as a portable data storage drive. PalmOne's new Tungsten T5 handheld has 256 megabytes of built-in flash memory.

PalmOne Introduces a Memory-Packed Organizer


BERLIN: A global corruption index released by watchdog organisation Transparency International has ranked Pakistan along with Kenya and Iraq 129th in a perceived corruption index of 146 countries.

Pakistan 15th most corrupt state


Mary Ma, Lenovo Group Ltd. Chief Financial Officer, said she doesn #39;t think employees will be fired when the company completes its \$1.25 billion purchase of International Business Machines Corp.

Lenovo Says It Doesn #39;t Plan to Fire IBM Unit Workers (Update3)


Tehran: Iran agreed on Sunday to suspend  #39;nearly all #39; of its uranium enrichment-related activities as part of a deal with Britain, France and Germany in a step that eases the threat of possible UN sanctions over its controversial nuclear programme.

Iran bows to demands for nuclear suspension


US consumer prices rose in October, spurred by energy and food costs, and industrial production and housing starts surged, suggesting the Federal Reserve may keep raising its benchmark interest rate.

US Economy: Consumer Prices, Industrial Production Rise


Fannie Mae (nyse: FNM - news - people ) disclosed Tuesday that prosecutors had asked the company to preserve documents as part of a criminal probe by the US Department of Justice.

Raines: Lawmen Told Fannie Mae To Preserve Papers In DOJ Probe


AP - Germany's unemployment rate rose to 10.3 percent in November as the country's economy continued to plod along with near-zero growth, the government said.

German Unemployment Rises in November (AP)


Former Red Sox stats, schedule pitcher Jeff Suppan, who Thursday night outdueled Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the NLCS, was thrilled to be getting another chance to pitch at Fenway, especially with all the marbles on the line.

Series start keeps Suppan satisfied


Reuters - The analysis of soil samples taken by\U.N. inspectors at Lavizan, a site in Tehran that U.S.\officials suspect may be linked to an atomic weapons program,\shows no sign of nuclear activity, Western diplomats said.

No Sign of Nuke Work at Suspect Iran Site-Diplomats (Reuters)


I Am David


ATLANTA -- After watching Auburn University #39;s football team finish a perfect regular season yet remain on the outside of the national championship picture, Doyle King is experiencing a familiar and not-so-welcome feeling these days.

Fans  #39;disgusted #39; by Tigers #39; fate


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. industrial production growth  nearly stalled last month as cool weather led to a drop in  electrical output, which obscured a strong performance at  factories, a Federal Reserve report showed on Wednesday.

Factories Bright Spot Amid Output Growth


The Red Sox are one of seven teams that have an offer on the table to righthander Matt Clement , who came up in the Padres' system with Theo Epstein and remains one of the most attractive pitching options left on the market despite a career record under .500.

Competition in sight for Clement


New software helps corporate travel managers track down business travelers who overspend. But it also poses a dilemma for honest travelers who are only trying to save money.

If HAL the Computer Audited Your Expenses


Jerome Bettis ran for 129 yards and the Pittsburgh Steelers used a stifling defense to edge the Cincinnati Bengals 19-14 for their eighth straight win in National Football League play Sunday in Cincinnati.

Bettis Runs Over Bengals, Steelers Win 8th Straight


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Four of the biggest U.S. public  pension funds said Tuesday they would press for the right to  have shareholders nominate directors to Walt Disney Co.'s  <A HREF=

Funds Seek to Nominate Disney Directors


To first-time viewers, the 50-foot-high Forevertron might look like nothing more than 320 tons of towering scrap metal. But its creator says it's also an antigravity machine designed to propel him to the heavens. Michelle Delio reports from Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.

An Artist's Junkyard of Dreams


The Air Force is expanding its airlift of equipment to Iraq to reduce the amount of military cargo hauled over land routes.

Added Cargo Flights to Cut Down on Risky Truck Convoys


China pledged to invest \$19.7 billion in Argentine railroad, energy, telecommunications and housing projects over the next 10 years, an Argentina government official said.

China Pledges Investments of \$19.7 Bln in Argentina (Update1)


AFP - Four bombs that went off simultaneously in separate Turkish cities targeting British and US interests caused material damage and left one man slightly injured, Anatolia news agency reported.

Bombs hit US, British targets in Turkish cities (AFP)


China shares may decline after the government took over Hantang Securities Co. and three brokerages controlled by failed investment company Xinjiang D #39;Long Group Co.

China Stocks May Fall After Government Takes Over 4 Brokerages


Fighting resumes in the Iraqi city of Najaf between US troops and Shia militias after an abortive peace bid.

Najaf clashes as truce talks fail


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - General Mills Inc. on Tuesday  reported a steeper-than-expected drop in quarterly net income  due to higher food ingredient costs and stepped-up spending on  promotions.

General Mills Profit Down 19 Percent


Who knew that 71-year-old assistant coach Dick Helm was the Knicks #39; problem? One day after his head rolled, so did the Knicks.

No doubt they got message


Demonstrations and protests bubbled up around New York again Wednesday, as thousands of people formed a symbolic unemployment line extending 3 1/2 miles from Wall Street to within yards of the Republican National Convention.

Jobs, Economy Focus of 2 Big Protests


ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Somalia's newly elected president,  Abdullahi Yusuf, has asked the African Union to send 20,000  peacekeepers to disarm militias controlling his lawless Horn of  Africa country, an AU spokesman said on Saturday.

New Somali President Asks for 20,000 AU Peacekeepers


Description: Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), who just returned from a trip to Sudan, says he saw little evidence that Sudan is trying to disarm militias carrying out attacks in Darfur, despite government claims.

Sen. Corzine: Sudan Not Disarming Militias in Darfur


A MOMENT of lunacy four minutes from the end of extra-time from Frederic Kanoute cost Tottenham a place in the Carling Cup semi-final as Liverpool #39;s reserves stole the most unlikely of victories at White Hart Lane.

Kanoute #39;s blunders knock Spurs out


LAGOS, Nigeria - Oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell Group opened court action Monday to block a threatened strike targeting oil in the world #39;s No.

Nigerian Oil Unions Take on Shell


LONDON, England -- Many European Union companies are being denied access to a market in public contracts worth \$1.8 billion because governments are still favoring home-based firms, according to a British report into fair competition released on Monday.

EU governments favoring home firms


Matsushita is asking a Tokyo court to halt sales in Japan of plasma display panels made by a South Korean company that the Japanese electronics giant says violate its patents, the company said Tuesday.

Matsushita Sues Over PDP Patent


AP - Rod Paige's tenure as Education secretary was defined by his defense of one law, No Child Left Behind Act, the biggest change in federal education policy in decades.

Paige Defined by No Child Left Behind Act (AP)


That #39;s what the public relations folks at Talladega Superspeedway dubbed the next stop in NASCAR #39;s new playoff-style championship, and it would be hard to find many drivers who would argue with the label.

Nerve-racking weekend ahead for Cup drivers


Sudan #39;s rebels and government broke off internationally brokered peace talks for the bloodied Darfur region Wednesday after three weeks with little progress and no deal.

Peace Talks for Sudan #39;s Darfur Collapse


By Alistair Osborne, Associate City Editor (Filed: 17/12/2004). United Technologies Corporation clinched the acquisition of Kidde yesterday after sweetening its 165p-a-share offer for the fire protection group with a final dividend of 2p per share.

Kidde succumbs to 17m  #39;sweetener #39;


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar dawdled at the lower end of  recent ranges on Friday after soft U.S. manufacturing data  fueled a view that the Federal Reserve may slow or even  temporarily halt its tightening campaign.

Dollar on Hold as Doubts Grow Over Fed


Rangers boss Alex McLeish has attempted to quickly keep expectations low-key after going top yesterday. A 3-2 win over Hearts at Ibrox moved McLeish #39;s men a point clear of Celtic - the first time they #39;ve looked

Rangers boss McLeish keeps lid on expectations


A dispute between Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWAC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Sabre Holdings Corp. (TSG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) intensified

UPDATE 1-Northwest, Sabre tussle heats up, Sabre shares fall


Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva will miss the team #39;s second Champions League group game against Norwegian champion Rosenborg on Wednesday with a back injury, ruling him out for at least a month.

Arsenal, Facing Rosenborg in Europe, Loses Gilberto (Update1)


NOVEMBER 12, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - In a deal aimed at helping corporate IT decision-makers feel more comfortable about moving to open-source software offerings, Hewlett-Packard Co.

HP to offer first-call support for JBoss app server


China Petroleum  amp; Chemical Corp., Asia #39;s biggest oil refiner, had a 92 percent increase in second- quarter profit on rising demand for fuel from China #39;s motorists and power generators.

Sinopec 2nd-Quarter Profit Rises 92 on Fuel Demand (Update3)


Swift #39;s new launch date is Saturday, if NASA, Boeing and the Air Force can replace and test components of the rocket in time. The gamma-ray observatory #39;s

NASA sets Swift launch for Saturday


NEW YORK - Coca-Cola cut its long-term growth targets Thursday in a bid to create more realistic goals, but the company also expressed a firm belief that it can find ways to recharge its global business.

Coke scales back goals


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar moved higher on Wednesday as  the euro was hurt by a downbeat outlook for European growth and  the Japanese yen edged lower after another earthquake in  northern Japan.

Dollar Inches Up, Yen Hurt by Quake


The price of success is \$25 million, according to a filing Friday by the corporate rescue company of Enron Corp. #39;s interim chief executive.

HOUSTON: Enron CEO #39;s company submits bill for \$25 million bonus


It #39;s moments like this when boxing fans must know that the folks at HBO and the Garden don #39;t take you seriously. Seriously now.

BUDDY BATTLE TOPS HEAVYWEIGHT CARD


Eli Manning, the No. 1 pick in this year's N.F.L. draft, will make his first professional start on Thursday when the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers.

Manning Gets Early Go-Ahead to Start


Reuters - Asian shares were mostly lower on\Tuesday, pulled down by technology stocks following worries\about a sales forecast from bellwether Intel Corp. and\unexpectedly flat industrial output in Japan.

Asian Stocks Mostly Lower on Tech Worries (Reuters)


In addition to expected production increases, OPEC president Purnomo Yusgiantoro cited the upcoming US presidential election in early November a factor likely to ease international oil prices.

OPEC President: Oil Prices Will Fall


AP - The U.S. military is investigating whether American soldiers abused an Afghan detainee so badly that he died last year at a special forces base in southeastern Afghanistan, an official said Tuesday.

U.S. Probes Death of Afghan Detainee (AP)


Reuters - U.N. inspectors, barred from most of\Iraq since last year's invasion, are ready to return to probe\the disappearance of equipment that could be used in atomic\weapons, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Wednesday.

U.N. Nuclear Inspectors Ready to Return to Iraq (Reuters)


Planets are built over a long period of massive collisions between rocky bodies as big as mountain ranges, astronomers announced today. New observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveal surprisingly large dust clouds around several stars.

Astronomers Discover Planet Building Is Big Mess


Afghan security forces backed by US helicopter gunships stormed a Taliban safe house, killing one man and capturing 15 others, in an attempt to curb attacks ahead of this weeks presidential election, officials said on Sunday.

Afghan forces arrest 15 Taliban fighters


BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co.'s <A HREF=

GE Third-Quarter Profit Rises 1 Percent


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

Mixed Economic Data Fog US Outlook


WASHINGTON - UN Ambassador John Danforth submitted his resignation yesterday after six months in the position, an official said. Danforth, 68, had been mentioned as a successor to Secretary of State Colin

Danforth steps down from UN post


COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark aims to claim the North Pole  and hunt for oil in high Arctic regions that may become more  accessible because of global warming, the Science Ministry said  on Monday.

Denmark to Claim North Pole, Hopes to Strike Oil


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) - At least 21 people, including 17 Iraqis working for the US military, were killed yesterday as a senior UN official warned that crucial elections could not be held in the current climate of violence.

21 cut down in Iraq gunfire


AP - When a poacher with a baseball bat mugged Willem Dekker for his baby eels, it was further confirmation for the Dutch biologist that the species is in trouble.

Europe's Eel Population Collapsing (AP)


AP - Former No. 1 Kim Clijsters' comeback from left wrist surgery stalled Saturday when she quit in pain while losing to Elena Bovina in the Gaz de France Stars semifinals.

Kim Clijsters' Wrist Stalls Comeback Bid (AP)


NEW YORK The NHL is fining one of the owners of the Atlanta Thrashers 250-thousand dollars for saying the league would use replacement players next year if a new collective bargaining agreement isn #39;t reached.

NHL fines Thrashers owner 250-thousand


Tobacco company Reynolds American Inc., reporting earnings for the first time since the combination of RJ Reynolds and the US operations of Brown  amp; Williamson Tobacco, posted a third-quarter profit of \$339 million Monday.

Reynolds American reports first earnings since merger with B amp;W


NewsFactor - One of the first flaws found in Windows XP SP2 -- which leaves a PC vulnerable through a drag-and-drop hole in Internet Explorer -- could be used by hackers for even greater mischief.

Home Users Most Vulnerable to SP2 Flaw (NewsFactor)


Making their third National League Championship Series appearance in four years, the Cardinals #39; next goal is to get to the World Series for the first time under Tony La Russa, who began managing the club in 1996.

Cardinals #39; bats likely to be difference in NLCS


SHANGHAI, China Dec 9, 2004 - China has banned a new computer game for referring to Taiwan and other regions claimed by China as separate countries.

China Bans a New Computer Video Game


Companies are expected to formally announce on Tuesday that they plan to create a new firm called Cybertrust.

TruSecure, Betrusted to merge and rename


Wood paneling and chrome dominate one of two sample designs for a new style of Media Center PC, commissioned by Microsoft's eHome division from One   Co.

Photo 2 of 2: Microsoft's fashion makeover


Ivan Hlinka coached the Czech Republic to the hockey gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and became the coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins two years later.

Ivan Hlinka, 54, Czech Coach of Gold Medal Hockey Team, Dies


Peyton Manning threw six touchdown passes, setting a National Football League record with his fifth straight game with at least four TD tosses, as the Indianapolis Colts hammered the Detroit Lions 41-9 in US Thanksgiving Day play in

NFL: Manning Fires Six TD Passes as Colts Rout Lions


US grocery retailer Kroger has reported lower second-quarter net earnings, hit by the early redemption of debt and the continuing after-effects of the labour dispute in Southern California.

USA: Kroger reports lower Q2 earnings


Palestinian militants angry over Yasser Arafat #39;s death have attacked a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip in what they said signalled the start of a new round of clashes against Israel.

Palestinians attack settlement after Arafat dies