What once was the exclusive state of astronauts -- weightlessness -- is now available to anyone with a few grand to spare. Xeni Jardin goes for a ride on a commercial zero-gravity flight.

Farewell to Gravity


US Open and French Open runner-up Elena Dementieva reached the quarter-finals of the Gaz de France Stars tournament Thursday, beating Michaela Pastikova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-2.

Elena Dementieva wins in Gaz de France Stars tennis tournament


Motorola is to conduct a trial of mobile phones incorporating MasterCard #39;s PayPass, a contactless payment technology. The handsets will allow customers to make payments by holding the device next to a reader

Motorola turns mobile phone into wallet


AP - Former Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz got a rough introduction in his first career start at second base.

Mientkiewicz Starts at Second for BoSox (AP)


Insurgents in Iraq carry out a series of bomb attacks to coincide with the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Iraq blasts mar Muslim holy feast


quot;America #39;s justice community is dedicated to stopping economic crimes before they spread through the online community, quot; Attorney General John Ashcroft said as he announced the results of  quot;Operation Web Snare quot; at a Washington news conference.

Ashcroft Heralds Success in Net Crime Crackdown


West Indies captain Brian Lara tips his helmet to the fans after becoming one of only four players to reach ten thousand runs in Test matches. Picture:AP ...

Lara #39;s captaincy on the line at Oval


AP - President Bush's main focus during a White House economic conference next week will be big damage awards in lawsuits and the federal deficit, the White House said Friday.

Bush to Focus on Tort Reform at Forum (AP)


57 miners have died in a fire at five connected iron ore mines in northern China. The fire started last Saturday in a privately run mine in Shahe city, and rapidly spread to four other mines nearby, trapping 106 people working underground.

57 die in China mine disaster


The television unit of Japan #39;s Sony Corp. and a division of China Film Group on Wednesday unveiled a joint venture to make Chinese-language TV shows under a new Chinese law that allows such co-ventures.

Sony TV, China Film unveil JV


The California department store operator might look interesting to acquirers.

Gottschalks Gets a Lift


LOS ANGELES Nov 25, 2004 - Three major recording companies have agreed to make their music available to be shared and sold over a new online file-swapping service that aims to lure music fans away from rival services where trading of music and movies

3 Giants Create New Online Music Service


HELSINKI (Reuters) - Analysts differed over whether  improved third-quarter guidance from top mobile phone maker  Nokia was the start of a turnaround or a brief reprieve in a  grim year and the share's rally cooled on Friday.

Nokia: Caution Replaces Euphoria


Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it will sell \$2 billion of auto loans to Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. as part of a plan to help the automaker reduce debt.

Mitsubishi Motors to Sell \$2 Bln of Loans to Merrill (Update1)


HBOS HBOS.L says it will write to the European Commission to complain about Santander Central Hispano #39;s continuing ties to Royal Bank of Scotland despite the Spanish bank #39;s bid for Abbey National.

HBOS to complain over SCH Abbey bid


Across our galaxy, the formation of planetary systems is typically a  quot;big mess quot; -- a violent, slam-bang process in which dust balls grow into mountainous asteroids that hurtle about like pinballs, repeatedly smashing each other to bits, scientists

Milky Way a hodgepodge of violence


A video purportedly posted on the web by Iraqi terrorists shows the beheading of a Turkish driver, world news agencies reported. The video has grabbed the man introducing himself as Durmus Kumderelu, a driver

Video Shows Beheading of Turkish Hostage


System builders say Intel #39;s latest price cuts will help them clear out old inventory and should move the sweet spot of the company #39;s processor lineup to the 3GHz Pentium 4 from the 2.8GHz Pentium 4. After

Custom-System Builders: Intel Price Cuts Move Processor Sweet Spot


Dieters on the popular high-fat, low-carb Atkins approach lose just as much body fat as those on low-fat diets, but the annoying low-carb side effects could mean problems down the road, according to a scientist who reviewed five dozen diet studies.

Atkins Diet May Bring Side Effects


Can computers get along fine without writers? Word is they just might. Missing Link

Unlocking the chip's inner Hemingway


Arsene Wenger has accused ManYoo of deliberately targeting Jose Reyes during Sundays controversial clash at Old Trafford. As well as fuming at the penalty awarded by Mike Riley, Wenger was incensed by the

Wenger:  #39;ManYoo deliberately targeted Reyes #39;


Athens - Edmonton #39;s Lori-Ann Muenzer moved to within one win of Olympic gold Tuesday, defeating Australian Anna Meares in the semi-final of the sprint cycling.

Muenzer races for gold


AP - President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia is

Putin Threatens Preventive Terror Actions (AP)


Armed Palestinians kidnapped an Israeli Arab producer for the CNN television network from a car in Gaza City on Monday after asking for him by name.

CNN Producer Seized by Armed Men in Gaza


House prices rose only modestly on the month in September, the Nationwide Building Society says, backing expectations that the Bank of England may have nearly finished raising interest rates.

House prices show modest rise


roundup Plus: Dolby, Intel sound off for developers...AOL updates Instant Messenger...Push-to-talk wiretaps on feds' speed list...Tellabs scales back AFC buy.

Briefly: EdgeStream introduces IPTV platform


Three Israeli soldiers, including an officer, were shot dead by Palestinians who slipped unnoticed into their outpost at a settlement in the Gaza Strip yesterday.

Gaza gunmen kill three Israelis


NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways Group Inc.'s pilots union  said on Wednesday it may agree this week on a plan to cut wages  and benefits to help the seventh-biggest U.S. airline avoid a  second bankruptcy filing.

US Airways Pilots May Be Near Pay Pact


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Johan Santana pitched seven strong  innings to win his fifth straight start and Shannon Stewart  homered, had three hits and two RBI to lead the Minnesota Twins  to a 7-2 home win over the New York Yankees.

AL Wrap: Santana Solid on Mound as Twins Beat Yankees


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

Staples Profit Up Sharply, to Enter China


Up to four fully-armed RAF fighter planes are likely to have escorted Olympic Airways flight 411 into Stansted today, with orders to shoot it from the skies if it threatened the capital.

RAF Jets with Orders to Shoot


World News Najaf, Aug 26 : At least 25 people were killed and over 60 wounded when mortars slammed into a mosque where thousands of supporters of radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had gathered in the southern Iraqi town of Kufa Thursday, Xinhua reports

25 killed in mortar attacks on Kufa mosque:


Volatile crude oil prices kept stocks under pressure today, leaving the major US indexes with a slight loss. Questions over economic growth and the upcoming election weakened the US dollar and contributed to investors uncertainty.

Crude oil worries hit US stocks


DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syria and Lebanon rejected any outside  role in shaping their relations Sunday, a day after a top State  Department official said Damascus should pull its troops from  its small neighbor.

Syria, Lebanon Reject Foreign Criticism of Ties


The union for United Airlines flight attendants promised Friday to fight the company over every dime of its plan to impose an additional \$725 million

United #39;s unions face new hit to pay, pensions


Corporations, municipalities and foreign governments have grown wary of the big three credit-rating companies as they have expanded into global powers without formal oversight.

Credit Raters' Power Abused, Borrowers Say


Chantelle Newbery won Australia #39;s first gold medal in diving since 1924 Sunday night, easily holding off China #39;s Lao Lishi and Aussie teammate Loudy Tourky in women #39;s 10-meter platform.

Australian Newbery wins women #39;s platform Olympic gold


Google PageRank is for Entertainment Purposes Only\\This is shocking news, I mean, we all knew PageRank was not something to look at too closely these days, but for Google to come out and say


THE latest version of the controversial Kazaa peer-to-peer file swapping platform has appeared with an integrated Skype voice over IP internet phone application, promising free calls between its users.

Kazaa #39;s Skype offers free calls


Calpers, the biggest US pension fund, on Thursday said it had tendered its 1.5 million shares of PeopleSoft Inc. (PSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) to Oracle Corp.

Calpers says tendered its PeopleSoft shares


The US supports a strong dollar, #39; #39; Treasury Secretary John Snow said, making his first remarks on the currency since George W. Bush was re-elected on Nov. 2. We support a strong

Snow Supports Strong Dollar, #39; Says Markets Should Set Value


The Motion Picture Association of America said Thursday that it will sue people who download movies from online file-sharing services. Reporter David McGuire discusses the likely impact of the lawsuits with Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge.

Internet Movie Piracy


GOOGLE caused a stir when it announced recently that its search engine can now look for data that is stored in users #39; computers.

Yahoo! to test desktop search engine in January


BERLIN Sept. 5, 2004 - Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder #39;s party was routed in elections Sunday in the small western state of Saarland, where public anger over his cuts in social programs also boosted a small

Schroeder #39;s Party Routed in German Vote


Medical advances are forcing more patients and families to confront ever more grueling choices about living and dying.

As a Life Ebbs, the Ultimate Family Quarrel


The European Court of First Instance judge called an unexpected hearing to reconsider the evidence that can be used in the Microsoft antitrust case.

Judge Calls Conference on Microsoft


Malaga goalkeeper Juan Calatayud has played down talk of a summer switch to Real Madrid. The 25 year-old is expected to move to Real at season #39;s end after signing a new contract extension with a revised buyout clause of a knockdown 5 million.

Malaga keeper Calatayud aware of Real Madrid, Liverpool interest


The scene at the end of Colorado #39;s victory Saturday night probably was not what the university was looking for after a tumultuous off-season.

Colorado Is Not Quite All Better


Michael Kors was 12 when he designed his first handbag, a fringed suede shoulder bag with whipstitching that he ended up selling to a neighbor.

For designer Michael Kors, it's all in the bag


A report on the US request to send British troops to an area near Baghdad is set to come before Cabinet.

Ministers to decide on troop move


An affiliate of Colony Capital LLC will buy Harrah #39;s casinos in East Chicago, Ill., and Tunica, Miss., and Caesars-owned Bally #39;s casino in Tunica and the Atlantic City Hilton in New Jersey for \$1.

Colony Capital to buy 4 Harrah #39;s, Caesars casinos


The endgame of Randy Johnson #39;s maneuvering to be traded to the New York Yankees, an issue in Arizona since June, is close to being written in blockbuster-trade fashion.

Three-way deal in making that finally sends  #39;Unit #39; to Yanks


Art Cooke, president of SAS International, offers some practical advice for U.S. companies with global operations.

Q A: SAS International chief on global best practices


Colombo: Sri Lankan police is probing the grenade attack on a concert of Bollywood mega star Shahrukh Khan in Colombo on Saturday, which killed two people and injured 19, including the wife of former cricketer Ravi Shastri, as the actor and his troupe

Lankan police probe concert blast


Canadian Press - ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Africa must brace itself for an AIDS time bomb as 8,000 people are infected with HIV a day in the region worst hit by the pandemic, the United Nations warned Thursday.

UN warns Africa of bleak future, telling it to brace for AIDS time bomb (Canadian Press)


The House on Thursday passed the second bill in three days that would outlaw  quot;spyware, quot; irritating software that quietly monitors the activities of Internet users.

Bill imposes prison time over  #39;spyware #39;


Just how good is Ghostzapper? Considered an outstanding sprinter, Ghostzapper opened the eyes of racing fans when he won the Iselin Handicap at Monmouth by more than 10 lengths Aug. 21.

Ghostzapper an eye-opener


New evidence from Gartner Group suggests that software licensing costs could see an overall increase of roughly 50 in the next year.

Software License Costs to Soar in 2005


quot;I #39;ve been about everywhere you can go, quot; Manuel said this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies introduced him as their 51st manager.

A Chipper New Skipper


The number of Muslim guerrillas infiltrating Indian Kashmir from Pakistan has plunged 60 percent since construction of a border fence and a tighter vigil by frontier troops, India #39;s home minister has said in a report.

India says Kashmir incursions down


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

Marsh to Scrap Fees Spitzer Faulted


AMERICANS are downloading Powderfinger #39;s music for nothing this week - and the Brisbane band couldn #39;t be happier. The track Stumblin #39;, from the band #39;s latest album Vulture Street, is the free download of the week on Apple #39;s iTunes Music Store in the US.

Freebie to boost Powderfinger


Growth at Nokia Corp. #39;s (NYSE: NOK - message board) Networks division continues to keep company net sales afloat, with the Finnish vendor today predicting healthy times ahead for the cellular infrastructure market.

Networks Rescues Nokia


STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh's  confessed killer sought leniency in a Supreme Court appeal on  Wednesday, with his lawyer arguing he was mentally ill when he  attacked her and should not be jailed for murder.

Killer of Sweden's Lindh Seeks Leniency in Appeal


AP - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia ordered an inquiry Wednesday to determine the cause of death of former leader Yasser Arafat.

Palestinian Inquiry Probes Arafat's Death (AP)


A federal judge threw out on Friday a Pennsylvania law requiring Internet service providers to block Web sites containing child pornography, saying the law was unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.

Judge Tosses Pa. Child Porn-Blocking Law


VeriSign Inc. lost another round in its battle against the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) on Thursday when a U.S. federal judge dismissed the company's antitrust claims, filed in an amended complaint.

VeriSign dealt another legal blow in ICANN suit


MARKS  amp; Spencer yesterday recorded its fourth quarter of falling sales in a row, just a day before potential suitor Philip Green is expected to report an increase in full-year earnings at rival BhS.

Rose fails to stop slide in M amp;S sales


Don #39;t count on seeing any major league stars in the Olympics while Bud Selig is baseball commissioner. Selig, who last week received a three-year extension through 2009, said Monday that

Selig: MLB stars unlikely to play in Olympics


A Californian-based team is halfway to claiming a \$10 million prize by putting a privately financed manned craft into sub-orbital space.

SpaceShipOne on course for X Prize


During every break in play, every timeout, every chance to catch a breath, one word was on the minds of the Penn State women #39;s basketball players during the second half of Sunday #39;s game against No.

Heeling power


Using what he learned from Italy's pro league, Mike D'Antoni has installed a run-and-gun offense that has Phoenix trampling opponents.

Suns Tops in West


Shares of the Web search giant leapt 15.43 percent yesterday, on the heels of a 6.33 percent spurt the previous day, even as the broader financial markets continued to retreat.

For Google investors, a taste of  #39;90s


The players #39; association filed a grievance yesterday seeking to overturn the Anaheim Angels #39; suspension of left fielder Jose Guillen.

AL notebook: Union hopes to get Guillen ruling reversed


EAGLE - Jury selection in the Kobe Bryant trial is taking place this week. It #39;s the first time Bryant saw the people who could end up hearing his case.

Kobe Bryant arrives in court for jury selection


Anti-phishing applications, smart cards, and new authentication technologies are vying for your support.

Online Identity Theft: Many Medicines, No Cure


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - J.P. Morgan Chase   Co. <A HREF=

J.P. Morgan Cancels IBM Outsourcing Deal


Tuesday #39;s abrupt firing of Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham resonated across the college football landscape, with ripples potentially stretching all the way to the Bay Area.

Willingham out as Irish coach Firing could have local <b>...</b>


Reuters - Rescuers in the\Philippines smashed train windows Friday to reach 100\passengers trapped when a carriage derailed and dragged other\cars into a steep ravine, killing at least 10 people.

Philippine Rail Cars Crash Into Ravine, 100 Trapped (Reuters)


As Sven-Goran Eriksson appeared in Viennas Intercontinental Hotel, dozens of camera flashes went off and one caused the Swede a slight moment of surprised discomfort

Lights, Camera, ACTION...NO it #39;s Not Sven #39;s Private Life


LOUDON, N.H. -- The sun came out -- finally -- 100 laps into yesterday's Sylvania 200 Craftsman Truck Series at New Hampshire International Speedway. Trouble is, it was a bit after 6 p.m. and the sun also happened to be setting behind the main grandstand.

For shining moment, Kvapil has enough in tank


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Thursday as investors  worried that oil's jump to a record \$53 a barrel would hurt  consumer spending and cut into corporate profits.

Oil, Drug Woes Send Stocks Down


Europe #39;s Ryder Cup team is having a reunion this week at Valderrama. All 12 members of the team which beat the United States at Oakland Hills last month are playing in the European tour #39;s season-ending Volvo Masters.

Ryder Cup reunion at Valderrama


A new version of the Bluetooth wireless specification and a three-year plan for more updates have backers hoping the technology will finally take off in the US market.

Bluetooth chews on future plans


Deportivo La Coruna coach Javier Irureta is rarely a picture of relaxation but he was tense even by his own standards ahead of his team #39;s Champions League clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.

The strain starts to tell for Irureta


Symantec on Tuesday introduced versions of its consumer and small business security software with updates that protect against network-scanning worms such as Sasser, and keep phishing attacks at bay.

Symantec Updates SOHO Gear To Battle Against Worms, Phishing


HOUSTON (Reuters) - Roger Clemens came out of brief  retirement earlier this year with one goal in mind...to lead  his hometown Houston Astros to post-season glory for the first  time.

Clemens Ready to Make History for Astros


So now we know the reasons why he left. And more. Pedro Martinez was hurt the Red Sox didn't act more quickly in their efforts to sign him. He didn't like the Sox sending more than one person to the Dominican Republic to negotiate. He doesn't like Curt Schilling. He doesn't need the money because he's been a millionaire since ...

He'll let the words speak for themselves


President Bush yesterday signed into law the most sweeping changes to the corporate tax code in nearly two decades. The bill creates roughly \$140 billion in tax cuts for businesses and

President OKs overhaul of corporate tax law


In the face-off at the shrine, U.S.\ and Iraqi leaders vowed to crush\ al-Sadr's rebellion. But they may have stoked the insurgency even\ more

The Lessons of Najaf


AP - A Turkish contractor and an Iraqi Kurdish translator were beheaded on a video posted Monday, and a statement said they had been taken captive by the Ansar al-Sunnah Army  #151; the same group that killed 12 Nepalese hostages.

Web Site Shows Two Beheadings in Iraq (AP)


roundup Plus: HP also uses Hitachi drives in servers, storage...Microsoft boosts reporting tools...Circuit City picks up AT #38;T Net phone plan...Tech firms rally against copyright bill.

Briefly: HP may expand Puerto Rican research


The brother of Kenneth Bigley last night claimed that Tony Blair #39;s inaction could cost the British hostage his life. Paul Bigley, who cited new information

Blair #39;s silence  #39;is kiss of death #39;


WASHINGTON - A London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Maine on Tuesday when it was discovered passenger Yusuf Islam - formerly known as singer Cat Stevens - was on a government watch list and barred from entering the country, federal officials said.    United Airlines Flight 919 was en route to Dulles International Airport when the match was made between a passenger and a name on the watch list, said Nico Melendez, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration...

Passenger Cat Stevens Gets Plane Diverted


Reuters - Two strong earthquakes that struck\western Japan are unlikely to be precursors to the type of\massive tremors that hit the region every century or so and the\chances of major aftershocks seem low, a government panel said\on Monday.

West Japan Quakes Unlikely to Be Precursors-Panel (Reuters)


For the first time in 20 years, an American woman did not win gold in the 100m dash. On Saturday that honor went to Yuliya Nesterenko of Belarus.

Belarus Breaks US Hold in 100m Dash


Reuters - U.S. Treasury prices built on early\gains on Wednesday after an auction of five-year debt drew\surprisingly strong demand from indirect bidders, which include\foreign central banks.

Treasuries Up, Indirect Bidders Buy Big (Reuters)


New computer code that exploits a recently disclosed hole in Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer Web browser is circulating on the Internet and could allow remote attackers to take full control of vulnerable Windows machines, according to warnings from

Dangerous Exploit Targets JPEG Flaw


On the night he was accused of rape, Kobe Bryant was scared about what happened and may have conceded lying to detectives, according to a tape recording made then.

Before Rape Arrest, Bryant Expressed Fear to Police


It started with a late-race collapse, escalated in a physical threat and manifested in a highly public finger-pointing session. Now, after rower Catriona Oliver slapped Sally Robbins before stunned

Sally still shoulders rowing blame


Authorities intensified the pressure on the OAO Yukos oil giant Thursday, arresting a manager at a key subsidiary and issuing an international arrest warrant for the company #39;s chief lawyer.

Update 2: Authorities Arrest Yukos Unit Manager


WACO, Texas -- Adrian Peterson ran for 240 yards, including three second-half touchdowns, and No. 2 Oklahoma got the lopsided win it needed for the BCS standings by beating Baylor, 35-0, yesterday.

Peterson carries perfect Sooners


Paul Hamm thought his fantastic finish was too good to be true. Maybe he was right. The International Gymnastics Federation ruled Saturday that Yang Tae-young was unfairly docked

Judging Error Led to Hamm #39;s Gold


AFP - A blockade of the Nepalese capital called by Maoist rebels entered a second day, causing a rise in food prices and prompting the government to declare the city had enough supplies for a month.

Food prices rise on second day of blockade of Nepal's capital (AFP)


AP - The Russian Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal from an arms control researcher who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for treason in what rights advocates have called a politically motivated case.

Russian Court Rejects Researchers' Appeal (AP)


The Toronto-Dominion Bank confirmed on Wednesday that it was negotiating to buy all or part of the Banknorth Group, which has branches in five New England states and upstate New York.

Canadians Confirm Talks on Bank Deal


Analysts agree that it would be of little benefit for Google to create a browser from scratch, but it could add value by adding components onto the open-source browser Mozilla.

Mozilla could form base of a Google browser


Two Italian women held hostage in Iraq for three weeks were freed today, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy announced.

2 Abducted Italian Women Freed in Iraq After 3 Weeks


Over 1500 experts and politicians from 189 countries discuss global warming scenario after Russia ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Bush is the main target of delegates for his anti-ecological policy.

Wasghington to be criticized at UN climate change summit in Buenos <b>...</b>


NEW DELHI President Vladimir Putin of Russia arrived Friday to hold talks on expanding trade and cooperation in defense, energy and space with India, a longtime ally of the Soviet Union during the cold war.

Putin arrives in India to cement several pacts


Auction site eBay is enjoying continued growth thanks to increased global sales and the success of PayPal.

International growth lifts eBay


MacCentral - First introduced on Jan. 6, 2004, Microsoft Corp.'s Macintosh  Business Unit on Tuesday will announce the release of Virtual PC 7 for  the Mac. Among the many new features, company executives boast about a  10 percent to 30 percent increase in performance and support for  Apple's Power Mac G5.

Microsoft releases Virtual PC 7 (MacCentral)


Sports #39; highest court rejected an appeal from a South Korean gymnast on Thursday, ruling that Hamm is the rightful champion in the men #39;s all-around competition at the Athens Games.

Three more judges rule Hamm gets gold medal


CHARLES PRINCEs decision to oust three very senior executives demonstrated that the heir to Sandy Weills empire is finally running the show.

Cull proves Prince has finally taken the throne


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices scaled a new high above  \$55 a barrel on Monday as a threat by Norwegian oil employers  to halt production from the world's third biggest exporter  stoked fears of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Scales New Highs


Online search engine leader Google Inc. (GOOG) will surrender more than \$300 million of its stock to Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) in a settlement that removes a legal threat hanging over its IPO at the expense of enriching a nettlesome rival.

Google to Give Yahoo More Stock to Settle Dispute


VANCOUVER - Investors sent units of Hot House Growers Income Fund down more than 35 per after the fund said it is suspending cash distributions.

Investors squash units of Hot House Growers fund


Martin, Jordan each rush for 115 yards as New York grabs share of the division lead. By Andrea Adelson. EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- No miracles needed this time.

Jets rout Dolphins, tie Pats in AFC East


Reuters - A group led by al Qaeda ally Abu Musab\al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility on Saturday for a suicide car\bombing which killed three British troops in Iraq on Thursday.

Zarqawi Group Says It Killed British Troops (Reuters)


Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corp. said they are exploring a potential joint bid for Adelphia Communications Corp., the troubled cable company that put itself on the block as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.

Update 3: Comcast, Time Warner Consider Joint Bid


On the night that some of the greatest names in women #39;s soccer retired -amm, Foudy, Fawcett  -re was a new one on the US team when it took the field for the second half against Mexico at The Home Depot Center.

It #39;s a wrap for Hamm and fellow legends


Is it a video game maker's lab or a twisted vision out of Charles Dickens's worst coal factory nightmare? A growing number of people can't tell the difference. <FONT face=

Serf's Up in the Video Game Industry


AP - Talent was never Jeff George's problem. His personality, well, that's a different story.

George Thankful for Opportunity With Bears (AP)


KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's influential parliament speaker  called on Monday for a scandal over the poisoning of opposition  leader Viktor Yushchenko to be kept out of the country's  presidential election campaign.

Ukraine Speaker: Keep Poisoning Out of Campaign


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt prices were a  sliver lower on Friday, but trading was thin as many investors  took off for an early weekend before next week's Republican  convention.

Treasuries Slip in Thin Trade


Peyton Manning provided the expected fireworks. Mike Vanderjagt #39;s leg sealed the win for the Indianapolis Colts. Manning threw four touchdown passes and Vanderjagt kicked a 35-yard field goal with 2 seconds

Colts 31, Vikings 28


NEW DELHI: With all the flap about whether India should get the veto or not, the real culprit here seemed to have been the language barrier.

It was the language barrier


Unisys Corp. said Wednesday night that it plans to lay off about 1,400 employees, mostly in general and administrative areas. The computer hardware, software and services company didn #39;t say how many of the

Unisys to ax 1,400 workers


HBOS is said to be in talks with potential financial backers over how to fund an 8bn takeover bid for Abbey National in a move to break up a takeover plan from Spain #39;s Banco Santander Central Hispano.

HBOS in talks to fund 8bn Abbey bid


World oil prices marched towards 55 dollars today on worries about low stocks of US heating fuel and tight crude supplies amid strong demand in key markets ahead of the northern hemisphere winter.

Oil prices climb towards \$55


MIAMI, FL, Tues. Sept. 7: Dangerous Hurricane Ivan maintained its intensity at 11 pm last night churning just about 210 miles... A hurricane warning remained in effect for Barbados last night along with St.

Hurricane Ivan Continues To Churn Towards The Caribbean


Reuters - Sudanese officials and Darfur rebels\arrived in Nigeria on Friday for talks on a political deal to\end two years of conflict in the vast desert region which\observers say is slipping deeper into chaos.

Darfur Talks to Seek Political Pact Amid Fighting (Reuters)


AFP - The Hungarian central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points from 11.5 percent to 11.0 percent, the bank said in a statement posted on its website.

Hungarian central bank cuts key interest rate by half percentage point (AFP)


Paul Hamm can keep his Olympic gold medal. Sports' highest court rejected a South Korean appeal Thursday, ruling that Hamm is the rightful champion in the men's all-around gymnastics competition at the Athens Games.

Hamm Can Keep Gold


THIS was the Old Firm result the Premierleague wanted, and needed. A few weeks back, we were holding our heads in our hands thinking it was all over when Dundee United scored that late equaliser at Ibrox, but Rangers have fought their way back.

Dont count out champions after setback


Global fund managers have become increasingly risk averse and significantly more pessimistic about corporate profits and the US stock market, according to the latest monthly Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. Inc. survey.

Merrill survey of fund managers finds them more pessimistic, risk averse


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- French-Belgian bank Dexia and Italy #39;s Sanpaolo IMI both confirmed a report on Thursday that they were in talks that could lead to the creation of the eurozone #39;s fourth largest bank.

Dexia, Sanpaolo IMI confirm talks


quot;San Andreas quot; likely will outsell  quot;Halo 2 quot; because there are at least 10 million more PlayStation 2 units sold than Xboxes, which are in about 14 million homes.

#39;Halo 2 #39; Has Game Fans Excited


Playing his last football until November, Jamal Lewis punished would-be tacklers and kept the Baltimore Ravens offense on the field for nearly the entire fourth quarter.

Ravens 17, Redskins 10


ATHENS (Reuters) - A hostage on a hijacked Greek bus said  in a mobile phone call from the vehicle Wednesday that her  captors wanted to fly to Russia and were armed with guns and  explosives.

Greek Bus Hijackers Want to Go to Russia -- Hostage


Two Britons are feared to have been killed in a cargo plane which crashed immediately after take-off in eastern Canada and burst into flames.

Two Britons Feared Dead in Canada Plane Crash


A 22-year-old hotel bouncer has been ordered to stand trial over the death of former Australian Test cricketer David Hookes. Zdravco Micevic has pleaded innocent to charges of manslaughter and assault.

Man to face trial in Hookes case


The most unlikely element in one Iraqi nuclear physicist's quest may be his decision to undertake it in the first place.

In Iraq, a Quest to Rebuild One More Broken Edifice: Science


Reuters - Philips Electronics unveiled an\optical disk drive on Monday for use in computers that can burn\and play CDs and DVDs in three formats, including the new\Blu-ray standard.

Philips Unveils DVD Burner That Plays CDs (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Negotiations on \$295 million in  concessions between US Airways Group Inc. <A HREF=

US Air Pilots to Resume Giveback Talks


GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli helicopter missile strike  killed a Palestinian militant and wounded two others in the  northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, witnesses said.

Militant Killed in Israeli Missile Strike-Witness


Wall Street ended an otherwise strong week with a mixed finish yesterday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 22.93, or 0.23 percent, to 10,027.

Oil price dip propels stocks to mixed finish


Microsoft Corp. isnt often an underdog in anything, so when the software powerhouse released its new search engine, I was anxious to give it a whirl.

#39;Mr. Bill Gates, you #39;re no Google #39;


The start-up, soon to be acquired by Cisco, adds feature to help broadband service providers fight

Cisco's P-Cube aims to stop spam at source


The International Red Cross has made an unprecedented appeal for an end to human rights abuses in Iraq, saying it is  #39;deeply concerned #39; at the impact of the fighting in the country and at apparent failures by all sides in the conflict to respect

Red Cross condemns Iraq abuses


Reuters - Defense Secretary Donald\Rumsfeld lowered a freighter into the Pacific Ocean from the\Panama Canal on Sunday and praised Panamanian steps to protect\the vital waterway from terrorist attack.

Rumsfeld Tours Panama Canal, Praises Security (Reuters)


In fact, when referee Mike Riley gave a penalty kick to United in the 73rd minute, he was clearly sold on a Wayne Rooney dive after a confrontation with Arsenal defender Sol Campbell.

Penalty call lifts United to key win over Arsenal


Spin bowler Anil Kumble took three wickets as India reduced Australia to 150-4 in its second innings at stumps on the third day of the second cricket Test, a lead of only nine runs.

Kumble Wickets Give India Advantage Against Australia in Test


The Time Warner Inc. chairman and CEO and his legal eagles are said to be close to a deal with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department that would settle the dual

AOL NEARS SEC FRAUD DEAL


The Los Angeles Dodgers #39; struggle to hold off San Francisco in the National League West is nothing compared to the individual trial of star first baseman Shawn Green.

LA #39;s Green sits out game


LIVERPOOL, England -- Steven Gerrard crashed home a stunning half-volley as four-times European champions Liverpool came back to beat Olympiakos Piraeus 3-1 on Wednesday and reach the Champions League knockout stage.

Gerrard stars in dramatic comeback


Deep beneath the Antarctic ice sheets are at least 145 lakes that may be teeming with microscopic organisms similar to those that could be thriving beneath the ice on Jupiter's moon Europa.

Antarctic Lakes: 145 and Counting, Scientists Say


This week, chip giant Intel is hosting its twice-a-year Intel Developer Forum, where PC hardware and software developers will hear the company #39;s plans for future products.

Developers to gather at Intel forum


\If you can't get a good night's sleep it's likely that your parents are at least partly to blame.

Genes to blame for restless sleep


Microsoft and Amazon.com are teaming up to sue a Canadian-based company that they say ran a phishing scheme.  quot;They are going to crush this guy legally, quot; Panda Software CTO Patrick Hinojosa Hinojosa gleefully observes.

Amazon, Microsoft Suit Caps Busy Two Weeks


Results from Botswana #39;s parliamentary election on Saturday will emerge later than expected, officials said on Sunday, but the poll is still expected to return President Festus Mogae #39;s party to power.

Botswana election results delayed


Yahoo #39;s (Quote, Chart) public embrace of the RSS content syndication format took a major leap forward with the release of a revamped My Yahoo portal seeking to introduce the technology to mainstream consumers.

Yahoo Takes RSS Mainstream


TSENTOROI, Chechnya. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Chechen village of Tsentoroi on Sunday morning and laid a wreath at the grave of former Chechen president Akhmad Kadyrov.

Putin lays wreath at Akhmad Kadyrov #39;s grave


Political violence and general strikes following a recent grenade attack on an opposition rally may frighten foreign investors away from Bangladesh unless the situation is quickly resolved, a government official said Tuesday.

Foreign Investors Wary on Bangladesh


DHAKA : Bangladesh was brought to a standstill by the fourth general strike in a week called by the opposition, which has stepped up its campaign to oust the government since an assassination attempt on its leader.

Bangladesh at standstill in fourth opposition strike in a week


Reflecting the uncertainty that has always swirled around Oracle's hostile bid for control of PeopleSoft, two major PeopleSoft shareholders have reached opposite conclusions about how to cast their votes on Oracle's buyout offer.

Two big PeopleSoft shareholders split vote on Oracle bid


Just when I thought it might be winding down, the mutual fund scandal is back to rear its ugly head. Yesterday, Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN), parent of the Franklin Templeton

Franklin Can #39;t Come Clean


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

Microsoft Renews Push for Living Room PC


US employers will add jobs at a quicker pace at the end of 2004 and throughout 2005 than earlier expected, according to a survey of economic forecasters out Monday.

Economists expect job creation to pick up


Residents packed the District of Columbia Council chambers Thursday to praise or pan the mayor #39;s \$440 million proposal to refurbish RFK Stadium and build a new ballpark for the Montreal Expos.

Hundreds Attend DC Meeting on Expos


AP - Cambodia moved closer to joining the World Trade Organization on Monday when its Senate approved its entry, a move the government hopes will help protect its billion-dollar garment industry.

Cambodian Senate OKs WTO Entry (AP)


Last year, in the American League Division Series, the Minnesota Twins beat the New York Yankees in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium, then lost Game 2. The series shifted

Minnesota is back in a familiar place


The price of goods imported into the United States in November rose 0.2, slightly more than expected, a Labor Department report showed on Thursday, as increases in non-petroleum prices hit a 10-month high.

November import prices rise 0.2, more than expected


CHICAGO _ Calling its financial condition  quot;sobering, quot; United Airlines said Friday that it will seek substantially more cost cuts than previously announced to help the carrier emerge from bankruptcy.

United says it will ask workers for more cost cuts


In HELSINKI story  quot;Soccer-Forssell could be out for six months quot; please read in intro ... a national team spokesman said... instead of ...Finland #39;s Football Association said... (corrects source). Also, in para

CORRECTED-Forssell could be out for six months


The Philippines is likely to keep well within the 2004 budget and consolidated public sector deficittargets due to improved revenue flows and increased electricity tariffs, officials said Friday.

Philippines likely to keep 2004 budget deficit below ceiling


By MIKE BRANOM     ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A former NASA safety inspector accused of falsifying examinations of crucial parts on the space shuttle Discovery pleaded not guilty Friday in federal court, and his attorney called him

Ex-NASA Worker Charged for Faking Exams


Shares in dairy giant Dairy Crest Group have fallen more than 18 percent after supermarket chain Tesco said it no longer wants its fresh milk.

Tesco drops Dairy Crest


Freshman Jeremy Ito kicked four field goals and Ryan Neill scored on a 31-yard interception return to lead improving Rutgers to a 19-14 victory on Saturday over visiting Michigan State.

Rutgers Shocks Mich. St.


PARIS, Nov 16 (AFP) - Peace must be  quot;imposed quot; on Ivory Coast if the warring sides there refuse to abide by a ceasefire, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said Tuesday, hailing sanctions voted by the UN Security Council against the west African state.

Peace must be  #39;imposed #39; on I Coast, says France


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks to watch on Friday: MICROSOFT  CORP. <A HREF=

Stocks to Watch Friday


* PULLING RANKS: NC State is 8-47-1 against opponents ranked in the top 10, including a 1-5 record under Chuck Amato. The Pack has twice beaten a team ranked as high as No.

TODAY #39;S MATCHUP: MIAMI AT NC STATE


Voters in Switzerland have backed a new law permitting research on stem cells from human embryos. The Catholic Church and the influential Green Party had opposed the legislation, saying it involved taking human lives.

Swiss voters back stem cell law


Ontario is prepared to force Internet service providers to blow the whistle on child pornography sites, Attorney-General Michael Bryant announced yesterday.

Child-porn strategy pressures Web firms


LAGOS (AFP) - The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and a coalition of civil society groups on Monday stepped up efforts to whip up support for a planned general strike, called to protest rising fuel prices in the oil-rich west African country.

Nigerian labour group whip up support for fuel strike


AP - Nintendo has wet my old-school whistle, yet again. I spent a majority of my earlier years plopped in front of the TV screen playing NES games, and blowing into the cartridges to get the games to work (which Nintendo, apparently, does not condone).

Game Review: Classic NES Is Nostalgia Trip (AP)


TORONTO Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter will miss at least two games because of a strained left Achilles #39; tendon. Carter was injured in the second half in last night #39;s 90-to-86 overtime loss at Detroit.

Carter out at least two games with Achilles #39; injury)


A question parents have pondered for years: When is a child watching too much television? Let's turn to East Lansing, Mich., for the answer. There, a pair of Michigan State wide receivers -- Terry Love and Irving Campbell -- were arrested last week for possessing a dangerous chemical after they allegedly exploded

Do Not Do This at Home


China has revised upward its gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 9.69 per cent during the first half of this year due to higher growth in service industries, the state media reported on Monday.

China revises GDP growth rate to 9.69 in Jan-June


Larry Bowa #39;s fiery personality made him a fan favorite during his playing days in Philadelphia. It also helped cost him his job as manager.

Notebook: Bowa fired as Phillies #39; manager


NEW YORK (CP) - Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell came away empty-handed Saturday after arguing the case for reopening the Canada-US border to live cattle exports in a meeting with his American counterpart.

Agriculture minister argues case for opening US border to live <b>...</b>


The Sun may have captured thousands or even millions of asteroids from another planetary system during an encounter more than four billion years ago, astronomers are reporting.

Sun Might Have Exchanged Hangers-On With Rival Star


Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington underwent arthroscopic surgery in his right knee for a lateral meniscus tear yesterday and will probably be out 2-4 weeks, leaving the Washington Redskins, the league's top-ranked defense, without one of its most dangerous players.

Arrington out 2-4 weeks


MONTREAL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs acquired  catcher Mike DiFelice from the Detroit Tigers and outfielder  Ben Grieve from Milwaukee, both for a player to be named later,  Tuesday.

Cubs Trade for DiFelice, Grieve


ZAMAAR, Mongolia -- Oyungerel crouches among the rocks and sand in the river bed, scouring for the means to send her children to college.

In Mongolia, 'ninjas' struggle to make a living


\A Cornish teacher claims one of sport's endurance crowns by winning a 3,100-mile race across the US.

UK teacher wins US ultra-marathon


What do you get for that special someone who has just about everything? How about a personal zeppelin? The 12-seater could be yours for a mere \$10 million from the 2004 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.

Update 1: Neimen Marcus Selling Zeppelin for \$10M


Buck Showalter won his first American League Manager of the Year award 10 years ago after leading the New York Yankees back into contention.

Showalter, Cox voted managers of the year


Europes leaders were urged today to continue a ban on arms sales to China in protest against torture and human rights abuses. The call came on the eve of an

Europe Urged to Continue China Arms Sales Ban


Manager Arsene Wenger has extended his contract at Arsenal until May 2008, the English champions said on Wednesday. Wenger, 55, arrived at Highbury in 1996 and has led the London

Wenger extends Arsenal contract until 2008


NEW YORK - Physically and emotionally drained after the deaths of two of his wife's relatives, Mariano Rivera planned to be ready to pitch in the American League championship series opener.

Rivera Says He Plans to Return for Game 1


AFP - The Saudi branch of Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda terror group used an Islamist web site to claim an unprecedented attack on the US consulate in the Saudi port of Jeddah, stating that some assailants had managed to flee after the operation.

Al-Qaeda claims attack on US consulate in Jeddah: website (AFP)


SA RUGBY, the controlling body of the sport in SA, has sent a letter of intent to the International Rugby Board (IRB) confirming its desire to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

#39;Greedy #39; SA Rugby Bids to Host 2011 World Cup Event


RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia condemned Israel Saturday, saying their continued military raids were hampering efforts to restart the peace process.

Palestinians say Israeli raids hampering renewal of peace talks


Yeah, yeah.... it #39;s been almost a decade since Art Modell sold his soul and moved Cleveland #39;s beloved (original) Browns to Baltimore.

Relocation Bowl


The German man who found the remains of a 5,300-year-old frozen mummy in 1991 is found dead in the Alps.

Iceman's discoverer dead in Alps


AFP - The Australian government has defended its big-spending election promises as opponents and some economists claimed its new commitments would push up the very interest rates it is promising to hold back.

Government spending will push up Australian interest rates, critics warn (AFP)


A funeral for 30 victims of a mosque bombing in Sialkot, Pakistan, became violent Saturday, with protesters setting fire to several government buildings.

Hundreds in Pakistan protest at funeral


Pfizer Inc., the world #39;s biggest drugmaker, may benefit from Merck  amp; Co. #39;s withdrawal of Vioxx because Pfizer #39;s competing pain medicine Celebrex hasn #39;t been linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Pfizer can capitalize on drug withdrawal


Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Tuesday that, notwithstanding weaker consumer confidence, he did not think the US economy was at risk of a slowdown.

UPDATE 1-Snow says no risk of sharp US slowdown


Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta voters are set to mark the final X Monday on an election campaign that has seen opposition leaders score points but still struggle to catch a cranky premier flying high by the seat of his pants.

Klein flying high on issue-light campaign, opponents want recognition (Canadian Press)


IT managers need to implement systems that work correctly in the first place, rather than spending time and money to fix problems after the fact, according to Victor Wheatman, vice president and research area director at Gartner Inc.

Gartner analysts talk about the security companies don't need


Investor's Business Daily - After fretting for months about the bulging U.S. deficit, in recent days currency traders have turned their attention to the health of the world's other economies.

Strong U.S. Economy Attracts Dollar Buyers (Investor's Business Daily)


On the surface it is a simple stock purchase, but on another level, the maneuvering is part of an angry chess game between two mega-entrepreneurs who are used to running the board.

In Tussle With Murdoch, Malone Seeks Leverage


FORT WORTH, Texas (Sports Network) - Oklahoma quarterback  Jason White was one of three finalists announced Tuesday for  the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback.

Finalists Named for O'Brien Award


Reuters - U.S. stock futures rose on Friday,\spurred by lower oil prices and Intel Corp.'s   higher\sales forecast as Wall Street waited for monthly employment\data for clues about the economy's health.

Stocks Seen Opening Higher, Data Awaited (Reuters)


Iomega Corp. will cut its workforce by 25 percent and end development of its DCT (Digital Capture Technology) product line in a restructuring aimed at cutting costs and returning to profitability, the company announced Thursday.

Iomega backs away from DCT, cuts jobs


and not only on the political spectrum. Another November - another BCS college football quagmire looming. With the release

Texas rises to No. 7 in latest BCS rankings


AP - Second-year UCLA coach Karl Dorrell's contract was extended for two years Friday, putting him under contract with the school through the 2010 season.

UCLA's Dorrell Gets Contract Extension (AP)


ST. LOUIS  A good outing today potentially could have a two-fold effect for Cardinals starter Matt Morris. Not only will he go a long way toward keeping his team alive in the National

Morris has high stakes in Game 6


HE was the brown-eyed windsurfer with a gentle waviness to his thick hair, perched last night atop a medal stand, struggling to keep his tin voice on key as he sang a national anthem called  quot;The Hope.

IOC Ignores Snub, but Israel Stands Tall


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Media stocks opened mixed Tuesday, with Viacom and Sony among the largest percentage gainers. Free! Sign up here to receive our After the Bell Report e-Newsletter!

MEDIA STOCKS


Sprint Corp. on Tuesday reported a larger loss in its third quarter, as it wrote off \$3.5 billion in value for its long-distance assets and suffered from disruptions caused by hurricanes.

Update 2: Sprint Reports Bigger Loss in 3Q


BERKELEY, Calif. -- J.J. Arrington ran for 169 yards to set California's single-season rushing record, and the fourth-ranked Golden Bears beat Stanford, 41-6, yesterday for their biggest victory in the Big Game since 1930.

Arrington gives Bears a big game


AP - A Green Party candidate for Congress can stay on the ballot despite being on probation for a sex offense conviction, the state attorney's general office said Friday.

Convicted Sex Offender Can Stay on Ballot (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair will  go into hospital Friday for a procedure to correct heart  palpitations but will be fully functioning and back at work  next week, his office said in a statement.

Blair to Have Heart Procedure, Will Serve 3rd Term


British police said Saturday they have arrested four terror suspects in London who were reportedly on suspicion of plotting to explode a dirty bomb on the streets of Britain.

Four terror suspects arrested in London


AL notables A brown squirrel ran onto the field in the bottom of the third inning at Jacobs Field in Cleveland and ran circles around the Yankees and Indians . After a brief delay, play continued when the squirrel ran out and settled down in center field. Several players smiled at the sight, and the squirrel was still out there ...

AL notables


AP - The Chicago Bears stole the New York Giants' early-season formula for success  #151; again and again and ...

Bears Defeat Giants, 28-21 (AP)


Reuters - The Bush administration created on\Friday a cabinet-level committee to address rising pollution\and overfishing in U.S. territorial ocean waters.

White House Creates Cabinet-Level Ocean Policy Panel (Reuters)


An internal probe of Riggs Bank's dealing with the former Chilean dictator has found that former chairman Joe L. Allbritton was more actively engaged in Pinochet's banking business than has been previously disclosed.

Probe Links Pinochet,  Allbritton


Public-safety officials reacted happily to yesterdays announcement that Nextel and Verizon Wireless have settled their legal differences, which included Verizon dropping its objections to the FCCs 800 MHz rebanding order, believing that the

Public Safety Praises Nextel, Verizon Truce


Stocks declined on Monday, as record crude oil prices triggered fresh worry that energy costs will erode corporate profits and consumer demand.

Stocks Fall on Oil, Dow Ends Below 10,000


News International is to move printing operations out of Wapping, east London as part of plans to invest more than 600 million in new plants.

News International to Move Printing Out of Wapping


IBM said that it saw 997 Internet attacks in September directed at networks that the company monitors, a 27 percent increase from July and August.

IBM Starting Warning List on Threats to Networks


Saudi Arabia is set to see a budget surplus for 2004, thanks to surging oil prices, Crown Prince Abdullah says.

Oil bonanza boosts Saudi finances


AUSTRALIAN Pharmaceutical Industries has acquired New Price Retail in an attempt to bolster its retail presence amid growing competition from Woolworths and Coles.

API deal lifts retail presence


AFGHANISTAN #39;S first democratically elected president was sworn in yesterday - vowing to crack down on drug traffickers and the last of the Taliban.

AFGHAN PRESIDENT TAKES ON TALIBAN


Freed from Yasser Arafat #39;s one-man rule, Palestinians say they are eager and able to build the first real democracy in the Arab world, despite the dangers lurking on the road to Jan. 9 elections.

Palestinians believe they can build Arab world #39;s first democracy


Google Inc. is working hard to broaden the searching and indexing capabilities of its enterprise Search Appliance from Web documents based on the HTTP and HTTPS protocols to multiple and disparate non-Web data repositories, a Google executive said Tuesday.

Google lays out lofty plans for Search Appliance


Craig A. Conway said that he did not lie in 2003 but had simply not been clear when he suggested that all pending software orders had been completed.

PeopleSoft's Ex-Chief Says He Misspoke to Analysts


Aids activists get help from Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, back in Shanghai for a promotional game.

China sports star in Aids campaign


By George Chamberlin , Daily Transcript Financial Correspondent. Stocks rallied sharply Wednesday for the second consecutive session.

Stocks surge for second day on falling oil prices


AP - J.J. Arrington ran for 84 of his 121 yards in the second half and Aaron Rodgers shook off a slow start to throw two touchdown passes to help No. 5 California beat Washington 42-12 on Saturday.

No. 5 California Tops Washington 42-12 (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - BP Plc, the world's second largest oil  company, reported bumper third-quarter earnings on Tuesday on  the back of high oil prices.

BP Beats Q3 Forecasts on High Oil Price


The European Union head office this week proposed redefining how working hours are counted under the bloc #39;s maximum 48-hour workweek law and stopping companies in Britain from abusing an  quot;opt-out quot; to the law.

EU seeks to improve maximum workweek rules, leave hard-won UK opt <b>...</b>


Who #39;s next on first? McDonald #39;s (nyse: MCD - news - people ) isn #39;t saying. Earth #39;s biggest restauranteur would neither confirm nor deny a published report Thursday that its succession plan calls for Vice Chairman

Bell: McDonald #39;s Denies Report Re Succession Plan


The death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a month ago appears to have created a new atmosphere for possible renewal of peace efforts in the Middle East.

Renewal of Peace Process Discussed a Month After Arafat Death


AP - Syracuse's stars got the Orange a tournament title. Hakim Warrick had 25 points, and Gerry McNamara added 21 to lead No. 5 Syracuse to a 77-62 victory over No. 24 Memphis on Friday night in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

No. 5 Syracuse Dismantles No. 24 Memphis (AP)


AP - The Supreme Court on Monday overturned the death sentence of a convicted Texas killer because jurors in his trial did not consider his learning disability and other evidence.

Court Throws Out Texas Death Sentence (AP)


Spain #39;s Banco Santander Central Hispano is expected to announce today that it will cut up to 3,000 jobs at Abbey National if it succeeds with its agreed bid for the UK bank, the Financial Times reported.

Santander To Cut 3,000 Jobs


DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. <A HREF=

Ford Down, Nissan Up in Sept. U.S. Sales


Reuters - The consumer electronics gizmo\that offers many functions in a small package is what's\compelling back-to-school shoppers to open their wallets.

Multifunction Devices Draw Back-To-School Crowd (Reuters)


SYDNEY: Discount Australian airline Virgin Blue said yesterday it would increase fares again to help offset higher fuel costs, and would axe one of its routes because of low passenger numbers.

Australia Virgin Blue ups fuel charge, axes route


In just a few minutes,  quot;Halo 2 quot; would officially be released, and these gamers couldn #39;t wait to get their first taste of the most marketed, and perhaps most anticipated, video game ever.

For gamers, a midnight wait in line for  #39;Halo 2 #39;


BRANSON, Mo. - A Branson man has put a face to the anonymous references people often make to

Mo. Man Legally Changes His Name to 'They'


DHAKA, Bangladesh Aug. 21, 2004 - A series of bombs exploded as a top Bangladeshi opposition leader was speaking at a rally from atop a truck Saturday, killing at least 14 people and injuring hundreds, witnesses and news reports said.

10 Killed by Bombs at Bangladesh Rally


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

Israel Charges Iran Replaces Saddam as Terror Exporter (Reuters)


Virginia Tech tailback Mike Imoh won't practice this week because of a strained hamstring and a bout of the flu and is questionable to play in Saturday's game against Virginia.

Hokies' Imoh Is Ailing


C-117 writes  quot;The 15 Star Alliance member carriers decided to move ahead with a complete analysis and comparison of the Boeing 7E7 and Airbus A350, which could be seen as a setback for Boeing, as several airlines may delay potential orders while waiting

Star Alliance airlines may delay orders to hear more about Airbus <b>...</b>


TechWeb - Anacubis Desktop 3.0 shows the BI potential of information visualization software.

A Better View Into Relationships (TechWeb)


AP - In a surprise move, business software maker PeopleSoft Inc. fired CEO Craig Conway Friday, saying it has has lost confidence in the feisty leader who engineered the company's dogged resistance to a  #36;7.7 billion takeover bid by rival Oracle Corp.

PeopleSoft Fires CEO Craig Conway (AP)


The Scottish Football Association have confirmed that Berti Vogts has resigned as coach of the national team. The German has been under intense pressure after a series of bad results and was expected to be

Vogts Resigns!


Yasser Arafat lay critically ill with liver failure on Sunday and his condition was getting no better, a Palestinian official said, as Palestinian leaders adopted in his absence a plan to restore order in their areas.

Arafat Has Liver Failure, Officials Say


Norwegian browser specialists Opera Software announce a version of their browser for Microsoft #39;s Windows Mobile platform is forthcoming.

Opera browser to come to Windows Mobile


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

PepsiCo Profit Up, Cuts Jobs, Shares Rise


LYON (Reuters) - Swede Robin Soderling clinched the first  ATP Tour title of his career when he tamed Belgium's Xavier  Malisse 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the final of the Lyon Grand Prix  Sunday.

Sweden's Soderling Clinches First ATP Tour Title


MIAMI - Dan Marino suspects the Miami Dolphins need to consider an overhaul if they are to regroup after the worst starts in team history.

Names in the Game


BusinessWeek Online - Europe has long been an innovation leader. Centuries ago, Johannes Gutenberg  revolutionized practically everything with his technological marvel, the printing press. Europe's modern-day innovators have changed how we work and play with inventions such as compact disks, the World Wide Web, and the Linux operating system. Today, engineers at Airbus are pushing the envelope with the world's biggest commercial aircraft, the 600-seat, double-decker A380 superjumbo. ...

The Old World Becomes A Little Newer (BusinessWeek Online)


Michael Vaughan found his one-day feet at last as England stunned world champions Australia to reach the Champions Trophy final on Tuesday.

UPDATE 1-Vaughan #39;s England stun Aussies with Trophy win


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb by police on a Baghdad bridge, and U.S. troops foiled a second suicide vehicle bombing in attacks Friday that killed at least five people and wounding at least 21...

Suicide Bomber Targets Baghdad Police


OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma will lose Delta Air Lines flights to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as the airline restructures to try to avoid bankruptcy.

Delta Cutting Flights From OKC To Dallas-Fort Worth


Martha Stewart will do her time farther from home than she had hoped, at a remote West Virginia prison where inmates sleep in bunk beds and rise at 6 am to do menial labor for pennies an hour.

Martha Stewart assigned to West Virginia prison


Bill Mann looks back at the returns from the three previous years of our annual stock guide.

Stocks 2005: Make Sure Risks Are Compensated!


AP - The Americans got a taste of what it was like in the good ol' days, finally playing an opponent they were able to beat easily, routing Angola 89-53 on Monday in their final game of the Olympic men's basketball preliminary round. Tim Duncan finished with a team-high 15 points in limited minutes, and the Americans dominated the boards Barcelona-style with a 52-17 edge in rebounding.

Dream Team Breezes Past Angola 89-53 (AP)


Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri believes that his side #39;s Champions League win at Anderlecht on Wednesday will be a turning point for his team, but believes they have to improve further if they are to qualify for the last sixteen.

Ranieri believes victory to be turning point


The Genesis space capsule, which had orbited the sun for more than three years in an attempt to find clues to the origin of the solar system, crashed to Earth on Wednesday after its parachute failed to deploy.

Genesis Space Capsule Crashes In Utah Desert


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad  Allawi Monday ordered an urgent investigation into whether the  weekend massacre of 49 Iraqi soldiers was an inside job,  sources close to Allawi told Reuters.

Iraq to Probe if Army Massacre Was Inside Job


Samsung Electronics has developed ultra-fast 1Gb OneNand Flash memory designed for next-generation mobile phones which it claims boasts a fourfold read speed increase over conventional Nand Flash performance.

Samsung develops ultra-fast Flash memory for mobiles


Forbes.com - The Bullrun is held every fall in Europe, every spring in the U.S. Routes change year to year. Entry fees ( #36;5,500 for Europe,  #36;14,000 for the U.S.) include hotels and food. Transportation to and from the race, gas, tolls, speeding tickets, the cost of your car and any repairs are extra. Participation is by invitation, so buttering up race organizers helps. ...

On the Run (Forbes.com)


Orlando Cabrera may be new to the Red Sox and to this business of Red Sox-Yankees playoffs. He may be as far away as he could get from his previous baseball outpost, Montreal, where the Expos drew closet crowds.

Second best isn #39;t good enough


Reuters - An audio tape said to be from senior al\Qaeda official Ayman al-Zawahri called for organized resistance\against invading

Zawahri Tape Urges Resistance to 'Crusaders' (Reuters)


ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday that Pakistan would not contribute to expanding the UN Security Council. We feel that increasing the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council

Pakistan is opposed to UNSC expansion, says Musharraf


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retailer Office Depot Inc. <A HREF=

Office Depot Aims for Business Customers


ABUJA, Dec 11 (AFP) -- African Union-sponsored peace negotiations on the crisis in the western Sudanese region of Darfur were to resume Saturday, a spokesman for the continental body told AFP.

AU-sponsored peace talks on Darfur crisis set to resume


Two of the three Australians who made the field for this week #39;s US Amateur Championship at the famed Winged Foot Golf Club in New York, have made it into the top sixty four who will fight out the Match Play phase of the Championship.

LaCassie, Price qualify for US Amateur Match Play


Singapore shares rose to fresh highs for the year Monday, with market sentiment buoyed by Wall Street #39;s broad gains on Friday, traders said.

Singapore Shares End Up; Hits 2004 High


BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi national guardsmen raided a Sunni mosque in Baghdad after Friday prayers, sparking bloody clashes, an AFP correspondent reported, while in the northern city of Mosul US-backed Iraqi commandos were poised to storm rebel strongholds.

Two killed in Baghdad mosque clash; Iraqi troops prepare assault <b>...</b>


If you have a credit card with a variable interest rate, you may have noticed your rates have been going up.

Credit card costs buried in the fine print


High Priest

Evolution's


Mack Brown and his most important supporters believe his tenure at Texas should not be defined by a four-game losing streak to Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners.

Longhorns aim to end their Sooners skid in classic football <b>...</b>


Colgate-Palmolive said today that it would close about a third of its 81 factories and cut more than 4,400 jobs over the next four years in a major effort to increase profit margins pressured by global competition.

Colgate Plans to Cut Work Force by 4,400 and Close Plants


Tiki Barber ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and Steve Christie kicked four field goals, leading the Giants past the Dallas Cowboys for their fourth victory.

Giants Match 2004 Win Total


Microsoft said that it might restart settlement talks with European Union regulators after Europe's second-highest court ruled on whether penalties should be suspended.

Microsoft Weighs Resuming Negotiations With Europe


Arsenal will be playing against Panathinaikos on Tuesday night, in a match valid for Group E of the Champions League. Arsene Wenger is convinced that a win would almost surely qualify the English champions

Wenger Highlights Importance Of Panathinaikos Match


Cuba announces a ban on commercial transactions in dollars in response to tighter US sanctions.

Cuba bans US dollar transactions


French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin called an emergency ministerial meeting Sunday to discuss the kidnapping of two French journalists in Iraq, local media reported.

French PM calls emergency meeting over journalist hostage in Iraq


Digital music is ramping up, but Jupiter Research reports that the venerable CD will remain the best-selling format throughout the remainder of the decade.

Study: Compact Disc Rocks On


Militia fighters in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City are to begin surrendering their mortars, grenades, machine guns and other weapons Monday under an accord with the interim Iraqi government, both sides announced Saturday.

Militia to Give Up Arms Under Sadr City Plan


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asian share markets were trapped in  narrow ranges on Tuesday as higher oil prices and a sales  warning by chip maker Advanced Micro Devices offset upbeat U.S.  economic and corporate news.

Tech Warning, Higher Oil Weigh on Asia


Glasgow, Scotland (Sports Network) - Rangers went back to the top of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) Saturday with a 3-0 demolition of Dundee.

Rangers take lead back with Dundee win


The world's major economic powers were far apart Saturday on agreeing how to provide debt relief for Iraq and the poorest nations, as finance officials began broader discussions about the global economy.

Officials Far Apart on Iraq Debt Relief


AP - The kid couldn't catch the Thorpedo  #151; and he won't be catching Mark Spitz, either. Michael Phelps' quest for seven gold medals ended after just three events, doomed by another bronze Monday night in the most anticipated race at the Olympic pool  #151; the head-to-head showdown with Australia's Ian Thorpe in the 200-meter freestyle.

Thorpedo Sinks Phelps' Shot at Spitz Mark (AP)


Prime Minister Tony Blair tonight vowed the Government would do all it could to help free an aid chief kidnapped in Baghdad. Margaret Hassan, who heads Care Internationals operation

Government Will Do  #39;All It Can #39; to Free Aid Chief


Google Inc. wants to conclude its share auction Tuesday, setting the stage for its stock to go public Wednesday, according to a statement on its IPO (initial public offering) Web site.

Google seeks to end auction Tuesday


The latest Linux Standard Base specifications are now out, allowing open-source vendors and developers to maintain easy portability and compatibility among applications for Linux.

Version 2.0 of Linux Standard Base specs now available


Swatch, the innovative, trend-setting watch brand from Switzerland-based Swatch Group, the leading global watch corporation, has joined with MSN Direct, a division of Microsoft Corp.

Switzerland : Swatch launches New Smart Watch  Swatch <b>...</b>


PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania Turnpike officials reported no significant backups at toll plazas on Sunday, one of the busiest travel days of the year, despite the absence of hundreds of unionized toll collectors who have been on strike since Wednesday.

No travel problems reported during Turnpike strike


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces poised to assault  Falluja bombarded the rebel stronghold on Saturday, while  insurgents launched deadly attacks that killed 34 people in  Samarra, another city in Iraq's Sunni Muslim heartland.

U.S. Bombs Rain on Falluja, Rebels Attack in Samarra


PARIS - Is Bill Gates preparing to switch careers, from software architect to ambassador?

Gates: Software tycoon to ambassador?


Peter Mandelson faces a three-hour grilling from MEPs before he is able to take up the job as Europe's trade commissioner.

Mandelson faces EU job grilling


AFP - A Thai policeman suspected of shooting dead two British tourists last month gave himself up, police said.

Thai policeman suspected of shooting Britons surrenders: police (AFP)


The European Union welcomes Iran #39;s new offer to suspend sensitive nuclear activities, saying Tehran should be given a few more months to comply before any tougher action, the Netherlands said on Thursday.

Iran absolutely will not engage in nuclear weapons program: EU


Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said the Hungarian contingent will stay until elections are held in Iraq. He said it was not possible, however, for the troops to remain in the war-torn country past the March pull-out date.

Hungary to Withdraw Troops from Iraq by End of March


AP - Three weeks ago, the Seattle Seahawks were considered in a class with New England and Philadelphia at the top of the NFL. Then 11 disastrous minutes against the Rams sent them into a free fall that hit bottom with a loss to the Cardinals.

Goldberg: Seahawks Go From Top to Bottom (AP)


Three British bankers can be extradited to the US to face fraud charges related to former energy trader Enron Corp., a London court ruled.

UK Enron Bankers Can Be Extradited to the US, Court Rules


Irving, TX (Sports Network) - Tiki Barber ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and the New York Giants scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to post a 26-10 victory over Dallas in a showdown between NFC East rivals at Texas Stadium.

Barber leads Giants over Cowboys


Sachin Tendulkar was thrilled, but not satisfied, by his record-equalling 34th test century against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.

Tendulkar eager to score more centuries


When the football agent Paul Stretford hid a camera behind a hotel coffee-machine before a business meeting last year, he planned to reveal a campaign of bullying and blackmail

Sport #39;s hottest property, a collapsed trial, and the seedy world <b>...</b>


Like his colleagues, Penguins winger Mark Recchi figured the NHL Players #39; Association made a fairly dramatic proposal last Thursday.

Recchi, mates shocked at NHL dismissal of union #39;s offer


Royal Philips Electronics NV, Europe #39;s third-largest maker of semiconductors, reduced its third- quarter chip sales forecast as demand wanes, joining companies including Texas Instruments Inc.

Philips Cuts Chip Sales Forecast on Waning Demand (Update2)


GENEVA - The World Health Organization says that since March, at least 70,000 people in Sudan #39;s western Darfur province have died because of poor conditions in camps for internally displaced people.

Darfur refugee death toll at 70,000


Reuters - Intel Corp. , the largest\maker of microchips, on Thursday raised its quarterly revenue\target, citing strong worldwide demand for its microprocessors,\and its shares jumped nearly 6 percent in after-hours trading.

Intel Raises Quarterly Revenue Target (Reuters)


KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine's central election  commission meets Tuesday to sign off on the final paperwork  from last month's presidential election, which could see winner  Viktor Yushchenko's victory formally declared at last.

Ukraine Election Commission Pores Over Last Results


I guess we were all just very desperate and very stupid. Just last week there was that ray of hope that the National Hockey League labor strife could be nearing an end.

NHL #39;s  quot;Quest for the Cap quot; continues


The Boeing Co. #39;s major rival, Airbus, announced Wednesday it has received an order from Cebu Air Inc., the Philippines #39; second-largest airline, for 12 new A319 jets.

Airbus snags Asian order


AP - Adrian Peterson ran for 240 yards, including three second-half touchdowns, and No. 2 Oklahoma got the lopsided win it needed for the BCS standings by beating Baylor 35-0 on Saturday.

No. 2 Oklahoma Blows Out Baylor 35-0 (AP)


TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's party  suffered a surprise defeat on Saturday in elections likely to  be welcomed in Beijing as a step back from what it sees as  dangerous moves toward independence from mainland China.

Taiwan Chen's Pro-Independence Party Loses Poll


Kirk Hinrich scored 32 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 100-95 victory over the Washington Wizards in an exhibition game delayed by a fight Monday night.

Chicago bullies Wizards 100-95 despite brawl


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Washington Post Co. <A HREF=

Washington Post Profit Up on Education,TV


WASHINGTON - A little-known Food and Drug program is testing the latest medical technology to determine how safe and useful it can be.    One cutting-edge experiment is designed to see if injecting certain drugs directly into diseased arteries works better than commonly used stents in keeping arteries clear...

FDA Testing Limits of Medical Technology


Filderstadt, Germany (Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport easily won her second-round match on Wednesday, but last week #39;s Hasselt champion Elena Dementieva was among the first-round losers at the \$650,000 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Davenport rolls; Dementieva ousted in Filderstadt


A British national who was kidnapped along with two Americans was beheaded, his family said Friday, ending hopes that the family #39;s relentless fight for his release would work.

Terrorists execute British hostage in Iraq


It didn #39;t need any dramatic comeback. No amazing flurry of three-pointers. No tough defensive stand. No bogus referee #39;s call in the closing seconds.

US basketball loses to Argentina


NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Paper Co. <A HREF=

International Paper Sells Unit to Mohawk


BEIJING, OCTOBER 25: Chinese officials Monday rebuffed Secretary of State Colin Powells suggestion they use a possibly conciliatory speech by Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian to restart cross-straits discussions, telling him in strong terms that they

China rebuffs Powell on talks with Taiwan


SPAM has been one of the major turn offs for most web users. Checking emails have become a hassle when you cannot be sure the mail you received is from the actual sender!

DomainKeys reach out to more users


THIS time last year the nation was all atwitter at the prospect of the Brisbane Lions winning three AFL premierships in a row. Could they?

It #39;s a four-gone conclusion


A new technology capable of storing the equivalent of 100 DVDs on a single DVD-sized disc has been unveiled by researchers from London #39;s Imperial College.

Simpsons swallowed whole by DVD of the future


Priced at about US\$36, the Starter Edition gives users limited options and features, compared to the standard Windows version. Microsoft hopes the low price will help it compete in Russia

Budget Version of Windows Headed for Russia


NASA #39;s older Martian robotic rover, Spirit, has found evidence that underground water changed a major rock formation called the Columbia Hills, scientists said yesterday.

Mars Rover Discovers Evidence of Moisture ; New Findings From <b>...</b>


Taking a tough stance, the new British Home Secretary Charles Clarke ruled out release of 12 overseas terror suspects, even after Law Lords ruled detention without trial as a breach of human rights law.

UK Home Secy rules out release of terror suspects


Four executives at Infineon Technologies AG and its US subsidiary, Infineon Technologies North America Corp., are to plead guilty to participating in an international conspiracy to fix prices in the DRAM market, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) said

Infineon Execs Plead Guilty in DRAM Price-Fixing, Face Jail Time


The Samsung SCH-S250 5-megapixel camera phone will enable users to take photos as good as those taken with a mid-range digital camera, Samsung says.

Samsung Debuts 5-Megapixel Camera Phone


TOKYO, Japan -- Tokyo #39;s Nikkei 225 average is almost 1.4 percent higher in afternoon trade Monday as investors take a cue from gains in US technology stocks, snapping up Toshiba, Hitachi and other lagging high-tech issues.

Techs lead Nikkei #39;s rally


The increasingly competitive Web mail market has a new player: Instant messaging provider ICQ now offers a fee-based service that includes 2GB of storage, a calendar feature, task manager, notepad, wireless access, and support for both POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol).

ICQ joins Web mail battles with new service


For a change, the Vikings' defense produces a long touchdown as tackle Kevin Williams rumbles for a 77-yard touchdown after a fumble to beat the Jaguars, 27-16.

Vikings Deny Jaguars


Colgate-Palmolive Co., the consumer products giant, will close a third of its factories and cut 4,400 jobs, or roughly 12 percent of its worldwide workforce, as part of a

Colgate to cut 4,400 jobs, close a third factories


As more firms install software to keep tabs on workers, start-ups and heavy hitters alike spy an opportunity in surveillance products.

Mind those IMs--your cubicle's walls have eyes


An explosion rocked at hotel in the Egyptian border town of Taba, near Israel, on Thursday and a large number of casualties were reported, Israel Radio reported.

Explosion in Hotel at Israel-Egypt Border


The Bush administration, battling negative perceptions of the Iraq war, is sending Iraqi Americans to deliver what the Pentagon calls

U.S. Effort Aims to Improve Opinions About Iraq Conflict


HOUSTON -- The New York Stock Exchange could have avoided the controversy over former chief Richard Grasso #39;s \$187.5 million pay package if it had faced more competition, the head of the Nasdaq Stock Market said Wednesday.

Nasdaq chief comments on NYSE controversey


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

Procter   Gamble CEO Gets \$3.5 Mln Bonus


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were seen opening lower on  Wednesday after investment bank Morgan Stanley <A HREF=

Stocks Set for Lower Open, Earnings Weigh


Asia #39;s deadly bird flu has been found in a dog for the first time in Thailand, authorities said yesterday, as the country battles a second major outbreak of the virus this year.

Virus found in a dog for first time


washingtonpost.com - Technology giants IBM and Hewlett-Packard are injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into radio-frequency identification technology, which aims to advance the tracking of items from ho-hum bar codes to smart tags packed with data.

IBM, HP Chasing Tag Technology (washingtonpost.com)


AP - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced a referendum asking voters to remove term limits so he can seek five more years in office, a change that will almost certainly isolate him even more from foreign governments that have condemned his authoritarian rule.

Belarus' President Announces Referendum (AP)


Spending by banks and financial institutions on defending themselves against money laundering is soaring, a survey finds.

Bank spending on laundering soars


Austrian Stephan Goergl of Austria won a World Cup Super-G race, ending American Bode Miller #39;s three-race winning streak Thurday in the Colorado Rockies.

Goergl ends Miller #39;s winning streak at World Cup Super-G


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A weeping British-Iraqi hostage pleaded  for her life in a video broadcast on Friday as British troops  prepared to move nearer Baghdad before an expected U.S.-led  offensive against rebels before January elections.

British-Iraqi Hostage Pleads for Her Life


Forbes.com - The stock market in 2004 has been, at best, treading water. Yet presidential election years are supposed to see equities rise. This one will be no exception. Stocks often go up in rapid bursts. As people grasp that President Bush will indeed be reelected, the market will experience a sharp rally. Expect the S amp;P 500 to end the year well above 1250, up at least 12 from year-end 2003.

Fact and Comment (Forbes.com)


quot;A lot of people are going to ask,  #39;Where did the computer go? #39; quot; says Phil Schiller, Apple #39;s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing.

Thinnest iMac Ever Makes Paris Debut


Serena Williams Ends Mauresmo #39;s Bid for Year-End No. 1 Ranking, Will Face Sharapova in WTA Final. Serena Williams waves to the crowd after beating Amelie Mauresmo of France 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 in their semifinal

Serena Ends Mauresmo #39;s Year-End No. 1 Bid


An asteroid named for a Celtic god of war will come as close to Earth this week as it has since 1353. The space rock known as Toutatis will come on Wednesday within 960,000 miles of

Asteroid Toutatis Makes Closest Pass in 651 Years


Olympic champion Tyler Hamilton will keep his gold medal because of a laboratory error, but the Marblehead cyclist still may face a two-year ban for blood doping after another positive test this month.

Hamilton keeps gold, may face ban


NEW YORK (Sports Network) - Minnesota Timberwolves guard  Latrell Sprewell has been suspended one game without pay for  directing obscenities toward fans.

Sprewell Suspended Over Fan-Directed Obscenities


Los Angeles Times - At the White House's request, confirmation hearings for Condoleezza Rice as secretary of State will not begin until Congress reconvenes in January, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said.

Confirmation Hearings for Rice Pushed Back (Los Angeles Times)


Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck: Completed 21 of 30 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, good for a 117.9 quarterback rating. At one point, he completed seven passes in a row.

Two-minute drill: Players of the game, by the numbers


California had its cleanest summertime air in three decades, yet the San Joaquin Valley still had 104 violations of the daylong, or eight-hour, smog standard.

For sixth year, valley leads nation in clean air violations


By MATTHEW FORDAHL    SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- In another product postponement, semiconductor giant Intel Corp. (INTC) said it won't be offering a chip for projection TVs by the end of 2004 as it had announced earlier this year...

Intel Delays Launch of New Projection TV Chip


Japanese Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono said Sunday that late 2005 is a possible target date for Japanese troops to withdraw from Iraq.

Japan eyes troops pullout from Iraq next December


As you know we regularly posted about the closed beta tests of the MMORPG from Blizzard called World Of Warcraft. Today Blizzard annouced the release date for WoW in North America.

Location: Netherlands, Almere


FRANKFURT (AFX) - European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has called on the US to reduce its budget deficit, saying this will help facilitate a  quot;gradual and smooth correction quot; of the ballooning US current account deficit.

ECB #39;S Trichet calls on US to reduce budget deficit


Russia #39;s state-controlled gas monopoly, Gazprom, announced today that it is planning to bid for the main production facility of troubled oil company Yukos.

Gazprom to bid for Yukos facility


The initial public offering of Google brings to mind one of the great one-liners offered by Clint Eastwood in one of his Dirty Harry films:  quot;Opinions are like a**holes, quot; Harry says.

Nobody is neutral about the great Google gamble


Merck (MRK) officials on Wednesday called a press conference to reiterate that they did not believe until last month that Vioxx raised users #39; risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Merck repeats: We didn #39;t know of Vioxx threat


EU leaders agree at a summit in Brussels to begin membership talks with Turkey on 3 October next year.

EU-Turkey talks set for October


The giant Toutatis asteroid passes by the Earth on Wednesday at distance of less than 1.6 million km. This is roughly four times the distance from the Earth to the Moon and closer than this 4.6km-wide rock has come to us since at least the 12th century.

Mountain-sized rock passes Earth


AP - Virginia Tech can now proclaim itself the Atlantic Coast Conference's best team  #151; and no one can argue.

No. 10 Va. Tech Wins ACC Championship (AP)


Indian-born billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, who made a fortune buying mills from Algeria to Mexico, agreed to acquire Wilbur Ross #39;s International Steel Group Inc.

Mittal to Buy ISG, Create World #39;s Largest Steelmaker (Update3)


NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Top seed Lindsay Davenport recovered from a set down to battle past American compatriot Lilia Osterloh 4-6 6-4 6-1 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open on Thursday.

Determined Davenport continues winning streak


Reuters - U.S. blue-chip stocks were knocked\lower on Thursday after Exxon Mobil Corp.  was\downgraded by a brokerage, but the technology-dominated Nasdaq\index rebounded from Wednesday's sharp decline.

Blue Chips Down, Hurt by Exxon Downgrade (Reuters)


The armed uprising against Israel is a mistake and must end, interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published Tuesday, signaling his determination to change direction after Yasser Arafat's death.

Abbas Calls for End of Armed Uprising


It was the surest sign that the Kobe Bryant case was leaving town for good after a 14-month occupation: A rancher obtained permission to tear down CNN #39;s 15-by-20-foot camera platform near the courthouse.

Town #39;s relief tempered by unanswered questions in wake of Bryant <b>...</b>


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar rallied against the  euro, Japanese yen and most other currencies on Tuesday,  although traders suggested the rise was a brief let-up in a  longer-term decline in the value of the currency.

Dollar Gets a Rest on BOJ Worry, Holidays


Lockheed Martin won a contract worth up to \$3.27 billion Friday to build a new communications satellite network for the US military, using spacecraft that will be assembled at the firm #39;s huge campus in Sunnyvale.

Coup for Lockheed


Oil prices fell again Tuesday, with U.S. light crude sinking to about \$53 a barrel, despite persistent supply worries and an attack on a key Iraqi pipeline.

Crude Oil Retreats to \$53 Per Barrel


Continuing the roll-out of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday began pushing the security-focused update to PCs running Windows XP Professional Edition, made it available on Windows Update and started taking orders for SP2 CDs.

Microsoft continues Windows XP SP2 distribution


The extreme weather conditions have forced all the F1 teams to adapt this weekend. Pat Symonds thinks the result could well be an extremely exciting race

Symonds anticipates potential classic race in Japan


Never mind cover boy Adrian Peterson, the quarterback with a Heisman at home, the stifling defense or the sideline genius of Bob Stoops.

Is The Burden too much for Texas to handle?


Reuters - Kiruna, a mining town in north\Sweden, has been invaded by thousands of rats thought to have\crossed the border from Norway with garbage shipments for the\local recycling center, officials said Tuesday.

Norwegian Rats Invade North Sweden Mining Town (Reuters)


At least 47 people were killed at a Baghdad market today in an explosion that was believed to have been targeted at a nearby police station.

47 dead in Baghdad market blast


Volkswagen has recruited Wolfgang Bernhard, who as DaimlerChrysler #39;s former star manager built a reputation as an aggressive cost-cutter, to join its board.

VW recruits former Daimler cost-cutter


The sluggish pace of job growth in November hasn #39;t changed the odds for a quarter point interest rate hike later this month, but maybe it should.

Weak Job Data Won #39;t Deter Fed


AP - Pau Gasol scored 20 points and Shane Battier hit four free throws in the final 20 seconds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 72-68 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.

Grizzlies Drop Pistons' Record to 10-10 (AP)


Commotion simply isn #39;t part of his makeup, the level of Retief Goosen #39;s stoic personality fast approaching legendary proportions on the PGA Tour.

Quiet Goosen roars to victory


At a special event with two U2 band members, Apple introduces a U2-branded iPod and a color photo iPod. Leander Kahney and Katie Dean report from San Jose, California.

IPod Bloody IPod


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. <A HREF=

Sprint to Buy Nextel in \$35 Billion Deal


There #39;s plenty to blame for the rise of extremists in Germany: Ex-communists, unemployment and social reforms all had their turn.

Who #39;s to Blame for Far-Right Extremism?


Cuban authorities on Tuesday released Ral Rivero, a dissident poet and journalist who spent 20 months and 6 days behind bars for conspiring with the US government to overthrow President Fidel Castro.

Cuban dissident freed, recounts grueling ordeal


Reuters - Online DVD rental company Netflix\Inc. on Thursday cut its subscription price and said it was\changing its strategy to sacrifice healthy profits for growth\in the face of strong competition.

Netflix Sees Break Even in 2005, Stock Down 35 Pct (Reuters)


During a Senate hearing Thursday regarding Vioxx, the arthritis blockbuster pulled off the market in September over concerns about increased risk of heart attacks and

FDA scientist details problems of five drugs


The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team this evening announced that French-Canadian Jacques Villeneuve will test for the team at Silverstone.

Jacques Villeneuve to test for Mild Seven Renault F1 Team at Silverstone


The man suspected of throwing a chair during the Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers brawl refused to be interviewed by police on Tuesday.

Chair suspect won #39;t talk


SHANGHAI: China #39;s securities regulator suspended approval of initial public offerings pending rule changes that will allow the market to set the price of new shares, bringing the country #39;s stock exchanges more into line with international standards.

Regulator suspends China IPOs


p2pnet.net News:- Mozilla #39;s Firefox is still giving Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer grief, scoring heavily against the latter #39;s gaping security holes.

Firefox: like a rocket


A bomb placed under a police car at a pop concert in southern Turkey has hurt at least 14 people, officials say. The explosion happened in the city of Mercin during a performance by well-known Turkish singer Candan Ercetin.

Turkey concert blast  #39;hurts 14 #39;


Disney big cheese Michael Eisner took the witness stand for the first time yesterday in an ongoing shareholder lawsuit, defending his choice of ex-super talent agent Michael Ovitz as Disney #39;s No.

Quiz Eisner in shareholder suit


The New York Mets hired Willie Randolph as their manager Wednesday and planned to introduce him at a news conference Thursday. Randolph, 50, was the bench coach for New York Yankees

Randolph hired to manage Mets


A Zimbabwe court has jailed British former special services officer Simon Mann for a total of seven years for trying to buy dangerous weapons in a case linked to an alleged coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.

Zimbabwe jails Briton in mercenary case


General Motors and DaimlerChrysler are teaming up to develop fuel-saving hybrid technology for a range of vehicles. The engines are expected to help them compete with hybrid-vehicle leaders Toyota and Honda.

DaimlerChrysler, GM to Team Up on Hybrid Engines


Chewing gum giant Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. on Thursday said it plans to phase out production of its Eclipse breath strips at a plant in Phoenix, Arizona and shift manufacturing to Poznan, Poland.

Wrigley to Move Phoenix Production


ATHENS, Greece - Gail Devers failed once again in the Olympic 100-meter hurdles, falling to injury just steps into her first race. Devers, 37, who has three world championships in the event, pulled up short and screamed as she slid under the first hurdle Sunday...

Injured Devers Can't Finish Hurdles


Deal is a dramatic sign of the transformation of China into an increasingly outward-looking nation integrating itself into the world economy.<FONT face=

IBM Deal Puts Lenovo on Global Stage


Maryland men's soccer team loses in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament for the third straight year, this time 3-2 to Indiana in overtime.

Terps Falter Again


BERLIN: The Queen laid a wreath at a Commonwealth war cemetery in eastern Germany yesterday on the second day of a state visit in which she urged Britain and Germany to learn from history.

Queen #39;s plea to old enemies: learn from history


England champions Arsenal #39;s winning streak was stopped Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton Wanderers at Highbury on Saturday.

Arsenal held 2-2 by Bolton


NAJAF, Iraq -- Throughout the battle that smashed crypts, splintered memorial plaques, and scattered unexploded bombs across the Valley of Peace cemetery in Najaf, US troops painted the decision of the Mahdi Army rebels to fight among the graves as a sign of disrespect for the religion they say they defend.

Damage at Shi #146;ite cemetery stirs up complex feelings in Najaf


After Boston University's 2-1 loss to Minnesota last night at Walter Brown Arena, the last game BU will play at the Babcock Street building, nearly half of the Terrier squad trudged down the runway to their locker room.

Terriers are unable to go out in style


JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Everywhere you look and everywhere you go these days, people are using cell phones. Right now, air travelers can only use their cells phones before their flights take off, but that could soon change.

In-flight Cell Phones


HAVANA -- Cuba announced yesterday that US dollars will no longer be accepted at stores or other businesses on the communist island starting next month in a move that will radically change the way business has been done there over the past decade. The measure called for all such transactions to be done in a local currency known as convertible ...

New measure will ban US dollar transactions


Jerusalem, Sept. 24 (PTI): An Israeli woman was killed and another slightly injured today when Palestinian militants fired four mortar shells at the Neveh Dekalim settlement in southern Gaza Strip, army sources said.

Mortar shells hit Gaza settlement, woman killed


The creator of Bikes Against Bush planned to use his Wi-Fi-Bluetooth-SMS-bike combo to spray anti-Bush messages on city streets. But police intervene before he could start. Cyrus Farivar reports from New York.

Cops Put Brakes on Bike Protest


Iran insisted Thursday it had a right to exempt some equipment from an agreement with the European Union committing it to freeze all parts of a program that can make nuclear weapons-grade uranium, a move that diplomats said

Iran wants centrifuges exempted from uranium enrichment freeze <b>...</b>


Ispat International NV (IST.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (ISPA.AS: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said it would buy LNM Holdings NV and then will purchase International Steel Group Inc.

Ispat International to buy LNM, then Int #39;l Steel


AP - Marques Hagans had 283 total yards with two touchdown runs and a TD pass to lead No. 12 Virginia to a 31-10 victory over Syracuse on Saturday.

Hagans Throws for 283 Yards in Va. Win (AP)


iMac, eMac, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac and iPod compatible, with easy plug and play set up and convenient touch controls, Creature takes multimedia sound to another dimension.

Category: SpeakersMics


At least one gunman has taken about two dozen passengers hostage on a bus in the Greek capital Athens, police say. Armed officers have surrounded the vehicle in the suburb of Marathon.

Greek passengers in armed hijack