About 200 anti-war protesters held a sombre meeting tonight calling for the withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq. The meeting, which was initially due to feature a live telephone link with Paul Bigley, brother

Anti-war meeting hears Paul Bigley message


Maybe the long overseas flight will take something out of him. Perhaps the bland food will leave him feeling less than his best. There #39;s always the chance that a leprechaun could emerge from the Irish woods to distract him.

Singh takes aim at greatest modern-day season


LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Ukraine's Vitali Klitschko stopped  Britain's Danny Williams in the eighth round to retain his  World Boxing Council heavyweight crown on Saturday.

Klitschko Retains WBC Heavyweight Crown


How many paragraphs of rules and regulations can a society have before no one can predict how it will respond to critical situations?  The answer, as demonstrated on 9/11/2001 is:

Open Source Law and National Security


Microsoft is set to change the way that organisations handle upgrades. The company has teamed up with Dell and Vintela in an attempt to cut the people-hours that are spent on software support.

Microsoft, Dell and Vintela aim to eat IBM #39;s lunch


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Following a wave of declining quarterly sales, Manugistics Group has fired its top sales and marketing executive a little more than a year after he was hired, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday.

Sales chief ousted just over a year after being hired


The biggest applause at Olympic Stadium yesterday, the first day of athletics competition, didnt come for Greek heptathlete Aryiro Strataki or triple jumper Hristos Meletoglou

Athletics: Olympic Record For Bekele, Webb Eliminated From 1500 <b>...</b>


Reuters - Eastman Kodak Co.  on Wednesday\backed its near and long-term profit forecasts, saying sales of\digital products, such as cameras and medical imaging, are\growing faster than expected and helping to offset rapidly\declining sales of its traditional film business.

Kodak Reiterates Outlook (Reuters)


British seabirds have had their worst breeding season ever with industrial fishing a key problem, scientists say.

Fishmeal catch 'hits UK seabirds'


PHILADELPHIA/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A group headed by Sony  Corp. of America on Monday agreed to buy Hollywood film studio  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for about \$2.85 billion in cash to mine  MGM's lucrative library for the booming DVD market.

Sony Group Agrees to Buy MGM


The hills of Mars yielded more tantalizing clues about how water shaped the Red Planet in tests by NASA (news - web sites) #39;s robotic geologist, Spirit, while its twin

Mars Hills, Crater Yield Evidence of Flowing Water


Taipei plans to have a citywide connection by 2005. Also: MIT creates a voice operated plane that takes audio commands   hellip;.  Basketball players use video games to hone their skills   hellip;. and more.

A City Invaded by WiFi


Japan has confirmed a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy -- the third discovery of the brain-wasting illness in the country this year.

Japan Confirms Another Case of BSE in Dairy Cow


European Commission President Romano Prodi urged US President George W. Bush to use his second term to promote collective security #39; #39; after the transatlantic clashes over the Iraq war.

Prodi Congratulates Bush, Urges Steps to Collective Security #39;


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asian shares were mostly flat to  lower on Monday as investors kept a wary eye on stabilizing oil  prices and looked past signs Japanese consumers were beginning  to spend more freely.

Asian Stocks Mostly Flat to Lower


Q amp;A: The development alliance will give both companies a broader reach in the marketplace, with the first offerings coming in early 2005, says Buell Duncan, IBM #39;s general manager of ISV and developer relations.

IBM Exec Outlines PeopleSoft Deal


Nuwan Zoysa ripped through South Africa #39;s upper order to power Sri Lanka to a 37-run victory in the second One Day International in Colombo.

ZOYSA PUTS SOUTH AFRICA TO THE SWORD


Shares of Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) slipped last night in after-hours trading when the coffee champ reported same-store sales that were more lackluster than usual.

Wish Upon a Starbucks


Verizon Communications Inc. yesterday launched a new \$7.95-a-month messaging and call-forwarding service that lets people get many of the benefits of advanced Internet phone systems, even if they have only conventional telephone lines and dial-up Net access -- or no computer at all.

Verizon launches 'Iobi' service


OPEC will consider raising its average price band at a meeting next week, but has forecast crude prices to fall by up to a third once elections in the US and Iraq are completed.

Oil prices to fall by a third: OPEC


COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri coach Gary Pinkel announced Monday that he has indefinitely suspended starting running back Damien Nash for violating team rules.

Pinkel suspends Tigers #39; top running back


The market may be stuck in neutral, but your portfolio doesn't have to be.

A Small Cap for Any Market


Speaking to technologists during an appearance at the Computer History Museum, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates touched on a number of topics, including Linux, Web services, grid computing and digital rights management.

Gates undaunted by Linux


ID Biomedical appears well-positioned for the coming years, but it may be best to stay cautious on the company.

ID Biomedical's Shot in the Arm


Despite \$2 billion in yearly aid, 98 percent of Egyptians have unfavorable view of US.

US standing with Arabs hits a low


By 1 pm on Sunday, 123 miners were rescued alive after a major gas explosion took place at the Chenjiashan Coalmine, Shaanxi Province, around 7:10 am but another 170 remained trapped underground.

170 miners remain trapped in coalmine gas explosion


LONDON (Reuters) - European stock markets scaled near-2-1/2  year highs on Friday as oil prices held below \$48 a barrel, and  the euro held off from mounting another assault on \$1.30 but  hovered near record highs against the dollar.

Global Markets: European Shares Climb


After all, Florida is second in the Southeastern Conference and 17th nationally at 35.1 points per outing. And the Gators have put up 83 points in their last two games.

Florida notebook: Focus on defense after loss


securitas writes  quot;The New York Times Television reporter William S. Kowinski writes about questions of the Star Trek franchise #39;s viability due to overexposure, audience fatigue and creative exhaustion.

Should Star Trek Die?


THE mayor of Pitcairn Island and his son were among five men found guilty yesterday of a series of rapes and sexual assaults against young girls on the island stretching back more than four decades.

Five Pitcairn men guilty of rapes on girls


Reuters - China Sunday launched a satellite that\will carry out land surveys and mapping for several days before\returning to earth, the Xinhua news agency said.

China Launches Mapping and Surveying Satellite (Reuters)


NEW YORK -- As reported by Reuters:  quot;A scuttled deal to rebuild Donald Trump #39;s casino empire on Thursday left the star of  quot;The Apprentice quot; optimistic he could forge a new agreement, but bond analysts were wary of the prospects for the money-losing

Trump Optimistic About Future for Gambling Company


NEW YORK (Reuters) - CNNfn, the financial news cable  network owned by Time Warner Inc. <A HREF=

CNNfn Network to Close by Mid-December


: Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi today said major neglect by US-led forces led to the murder of 49 Iraqi army recruits by insurgents this weekend.

US neglect led to killing, says Allawi


DISCOUNT store operator Kmart Holding has appointed Aylwin Lewis as its new president and chief executive officer. Julian Day, who has served as the American groups president and CEO since January 2003, will

New chief at Kmart


AP - Archaeologists said Monday they have found a cave where they believe John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples  #151; a huge cistern with 28 steps leading to an underground pool of water.

AP: Group Discovers John the Baptist Cave (AP)


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

Rate Hike Seen as Federal Reserve Meets


Martha Stewart beat the news media trailing her every move at their own game today by announcing herself that she had checked into prison in West Virginia.

Martha Stewart Reports to Prison, Ducking Cameras


The search for a new Scotland manager is underway following the resignation of Berti Vogts. He quit yesterday after a disastrous two and a half year run, saying he couldn #39;t put up with the  quot;disgraceful abuse quot; any longer.

Search for new Scotland manager


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Fifth Third Bancorp cut profit forecasts late Thursday as the bank alters its balance sheet to prepare for higher interest rates.

Bank sees \$320M in losses as it girds for higher rates


AP - John Kerry linked U.S. assault weapon sales to worries about terrorism Friday and said President Bush was bowing to the National Rifle Association by not pushing to keep alive an expiring ban.

Kerry Links Assault Weapons to Terrorism (AP)


ATHENS At the end of the first week of the Olympic Games, security officials are generally pleased, even surprised, by the calm so far, though they caution that a safe opening ceremony and first week may encourage a laxness that could yet give terrorists

A wary sense of relief in Athens


AP - Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are hoping that the thousands of zebra fish living in their Biomedical Science Tower South will one day help identify genes involved in human disease and development.

University to Build Zebra Fish Center (AP)


Apple Computer is offering free replacement screens to owners of 15-inch PowerBook models whose machines have a flaw that causes the screen to display white spots.

Apple extends PowerBook screen repair program


After two weeks of talks to end the crisis in Sudan #39;s Darfur region, government and rebel negotiators remain far apart on key security issues, including disarming warring factions, rebels and diplomats said on Monday.

Sudan Talks in Nigeria Said Deadlocked


AP - Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl center Mike Flanagan will undergo surgery on his left knee and miss the rest of the season.

Packers Lose Flanagan for the Season (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rural hospital operator LifePoint  Hospitals Inc. <LPNT.O> has agreed to acquire rival Province  Healthcare Co. <PRV.N> for \$1.125 billion in cash and stock to  broaden its geographic reach, the companies said on Monday.

LifePoint in \$1.1 Billion Province Deal


DUBAI (Reuters) - A militant group headed by al Qaeda ally  Abu Musab al Zarqawi denied on Monday it had bought two Italian  women hostages from their Iraqi captors, an Internet statement  said.

Zarqawi Group Denies Report It Bought Italians -Web


AP - Frank's Nursery  amp; Crafts Inc., having filed for bankruptcy twice in three years and failing to lure enough customers back from bigger retailers like Wal-Mart and Home Depot, is going out of business.

Frank's Lawn, Garden Retailer Closing (AP)


The San Jose Earthquakes clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference by tying the Burn, 2-2, last night in Dallas in the season finale for both teams.

San Jose ties up final berth


Martin ONeill today warned the Celtic supporters to expect the Bank of Scotland Premier League champions to lose more points this season than in the past.

O #39;Neill tries to lower expectations


Giant pandas may well prefer bamboo to laptops, but wireless technology is helping researchers in China in their efforts to protect the engandered animals living in the remote Wolong Nature Reserve.

Giant pandas in China reserve get Wi-Fi


Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment has signed a deal with Electronic Arts which will see the giant publisher taking on the creation of videogames based on the forthcoming Batman Begins, which is tipped to be one of the biggest movies of next summer.

EA developing tie-in game for Batman Begins


RBC, 19.11.2004, Moscow 10:54:13.The Russian Finance Ministry has paid \$63.2m in debts to the International Monetary Fund today, the Finance Ministry reported to RBC.

Russia pays \$63m in debts to IMF


CAMBRIDGE -- The traveling ''Windows on Wheels quot; exhibition, parked at dusk outside the Micro Center electronics palace on Memorial Drive, is jam-packed with wary Christmas shoppers checking out Microsoft Corp.'s lit-up vision of their entertainment future.

Is Microsoft's media center ready for prime time?


Imphal: Winding up his visit to the trouble-torn Manipur, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday extended an open invitation to all groups including ULFA, who abjure violence, for talks to resolve all outstanding issues in the North East and expressed

PM gives open invitation of talks to North east groups


With U.S. control imperiled in Iraq, the military vows to oust the\insurgents from their havens. Here's what it will take

Mission Still Not Accomplished


NEW YORK -- Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart has won the 70th Heisman Trophy, edging out four other finalists, including Oklahoma quarterback Jason White who had hoped to win the trophy for a second time.

Southern Cal #39;s Matt Leinart Wins Heisman


AP - Prison officials are no longer allowing Missouri's most violent criminals to have access to video games with titles like

Missouri Pulls Video Games From Prison (AP)


The pace of job creation picked up modestly in August and the unemployment rate edged down, the Labor Dept. said.

U.S. Economy Added 144,000 Jobs in August


Robbie Savage will miss Wales #39; 2006 World Cup qualifier against England next month following his red card against Northern Ireland.

Sav Misses England Clash


CHICAGO Sept. 17, 2004 - Struggling to put together a new bankruptcy exit plan, United Airlines said Friday it is in talks with its unions about the need for an additional \$500 million in cost cuts.

United Aims for Another \$500M in Cuts


Household-scale renewable energy schemes could provide power for many British familes, conservationists say.

Micropower 'could fuel UK homes'


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

Interstate Bakeries Hires Turnaround Firm


Consumer Electronics Association publishes guidelines for responsible use of cell phone cameras

Watch where you point that camera phone


Drugstore chain Rite Aid Corp. (RAD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday reported a quarterly profit, reversing a year-ago loss, on strong cash flow and a reduction in inventory-related expense.

Rite Aid Posts Profit Vs. Year-Ago Loss


New Mexico, on the verge of going to a third straight bowl game, Tuesday gave coach Rocky Long a contract extension through 2009. While details of the new contract are still being worked

New Mexico #39;s Long gets extension through 2009


Harvard scientists ask the school's ethics board to allow production of embryonic stem cells. If approved, the controversial procedure would boost research that could lead to cures for many diseases.

Team Wants to Clone Human Embryos


Reuters - Hurricane Ivan killed at least 20 people\as it laid waste to the tiny spice island of Grenada, where\looting hampered relief efforts on Wednesday as the storm swept\through the Caribbean heading northwest.

Hurricane Ivan Kills 20 in Grenada, Heads West (Reuters)


Start developing for Mac OS X v10.4  #147;Tiger, #148; the next release of Apple #146;s powerful UNIX-based operating system, due to ship in the first half of 2005. The Tiger Early Start Kit for Developers provides everything developers need  #151; including pre-release Tiger software, Tiger documentation, access to Tiger support engineers and more  #151; to create revolutionary Tiger products. Oct 19

Tiger Early Start Kit for Developers


Reuters - Eddie Griffin scored a career-high 27\points and Latrell Sprewell returned from suspension to score\24 as Minnesota clobbered the Philadelphia 76ers 119-84 in

NBA Wrap: Timberwolves Rout Sixers by 35 Points (Reuters)


Sony #39;s (NYSE: SNE) tweaking its musical strategy, with reports galore that the electronics giant will now support the playback of MP3 files on many of its digital music players.

Is Sony in the Groove?


A: This one is - and that was true even before NASCAR officials told the series #39; most popular potty-mouth to go chomp on 25 points #39; worth of figurative Irish Spring.

Earnhardt Jr. needs strong run at Kansas


Intel, the world #39;s biggest semiconductor maker, said it is helping Chinese and Indian customers build personal computers that use the Linux operating system, an alternative to Microsoft #39;s Windows software.

Intel helping clients in Asia to use Linux


AP - Adobe Systems Inc.'s income rose 62 percent in its latest quarter on stronger-than-anticipated revenue growth.

Adobe Systems Earnings Rise 62 Percent (AP)


AP - The third-ranked Auburn Tigers will face No. 9 Virginia Tech on Jan. 3 in the Sugar Bowl, a matchup of conference champions that greatly exceeded expectations.

Auburn Misses Out on National Title Hopes (AP)


Long before the college football season started, followers of Boston College and West Virginia were eyeing Nov. 13 on their schedules. With Miami and Virginia Tech gone to the Atlantic Coast Conference, it seemed likely that the battle for the Big East title, and a trip to a BCS bowl, would be contested between the Mountaineers and Eagles, 1-2, respectively, ...

BC's Bulman ready to tackle Mountaineers


He had read the comments on the Internet and watched television, and real or imagined, the harsh words had their effect. Eagles receiver Terrell Owens is not one to

EAGLES 15, RAVENS 10 Owens Breaks Some Tackles and Burns More <b>...</b>


The MSI motherboard we tested is actually the very first working sample of the K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI; in fact, as of right now there are only 4 working nForce4 SLI samples at MSI in Taiwan, two of which happen to be in my hotel room.

NVIDIA SLI Performance Preview with MSI #39;s nForce4 SLI Motherboard


Reuters - Office Depot Inc.  on Wednesday\unveiled plans to muscle in on rival Staple Inc.'s turf to\boost sales and stem a fall in market share in the increasingly\cutthroat office supply business.

Office Depot Earns Fall, Blames Weather (Reuters)


WASHINGTON The Washington-bound Montreal Expos have a general manager, at least for the time being. Former Cincinnati Reds GM Jim Bowden (BOH #39;-den) has been hired for the job.

Bowden lands a new GM job


Petter Solberg turned up the heat on world championship rival Sebastien Loeb with a blistering display on stage six to close in on the Wales Rally GB leader.

Solberg Turns Up Heat


An impressive England win over Wales.a game they looked in complete control..means only one thing for Azerbaijan.defeat. This England side is beginning to look like a formidable outfit.

Azerbaijan v England SSP1 Kick Off 17.30pm


KABUL (Reuters) - Hamid Karzai was sworn in as  Afghanistan's first popularly elected president Tuesday,  promising to bring peace to the war-torn nation and end the  economy's dependence on narcotics.

Karzai Sworn in as Afghanistan President


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber killed at least  seven Iraqis outside Baghdad's government compound on Monday, a  year to the day since U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein.

Bomb Hits Iraq Govt., Year After Saddam Capture


People immunised against hepatitis B are at increased risk of multiple sclerosis, a study shows.

Jab linked to multiple sclerosis


General Electric Co. violated the law by failing to fully disclose to investors the many perks lavished on its retired chief executive Jack Welch, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday.

SEC says General Electric violated law over Welch perks


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

Labor Costs, Hurricane Hit Alcoa Profit


Somalia #39;s new prime minister is Ali Mohamed Ghedi, a Member of Parliament from the capital, Mogadishu. Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed announced the appointment at a news conference in Nairobi.

Somalia Names New Prime Minister


The largest rebel group in Colombia, the Farc, rejects a government proposal to exchange prisoners.

Farc rebels reject hostage offer


On the verge of becoming just another millionaire golfer, Woods finally put his new swing to good use. He sure resembled the Tiger of old in the second round of the Tour Championship, shooting an eight-under

Woods plays catch up


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The euro weakened half a percent  while the Japanese yen held its ground against the dollar as  trading in 2005 got off to a quiet start in Asia on Monday.

Euro Slips, Yen Steady in Start to 2005


Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. said Wednesday that a long-term study of its Norvasc blood pressure treatment in patients with other heart disease risks was stopped early because of the drug #39;s significant benefits.

Pfizer Reports Positive Trial Results


A passenger plane crashed in an ice-covered lake in northern China seconds after takeoff Sunday, killing all 53 people aboard and one person on the ground after an apparent midair explosion, the government said.

Plane Crash in China Kills All 53 People Aboard


Park, Inkster, Diaz, Kim tied: Grace Park birdied the last three holes in a 6-under 66 yesterday that left her in a four-way tie after the first round of the LPGA Tournament of Champions in Mobile, Ala.

Four tied for 1st after opening round of LPGA Tournament of <b>...</b>


The steakhouse operator posts a 23 rise in net income, despite high beef costs.

Lone Star Stays Strong


The cell phone industry is banking on cell phone that seem more like personal assistants --dialing numbers, zapping text messages from fancy keyboards, taking pictures and serving as digital Rolodexes.\<FONT face=

Cramming Features Into Phones


Oracle has dangled its  quot;best and final quot; offer of \$24 per share in front of PeopleSoft shareholders. Oracle #39;s latest bid for the software maker is a \$3 hike over a previous offer and values PeopleSoft at just less than \$9bn.

Oracle makes last bid for PeopleSoft


Reuters - In BANGALORE story headlined

CORRECTED - Reuters to make Bangalore biggest employment hub (Reuters)


The Chicago Sun-Times #39; management and unionized reporters planned to return to the bargaining table Wednesday morning on the heels of a vote authorizing a strike and picketing by employees outside a gala thrown by the company.

Guild members boycott gala, picket outside Sun-Times building


Computer giant Dell sees profits rise 25 despite slowing momentum in the PC market, as laptop sales soar.

Laptops drive Dell profits boost


AP - Jason Giambi's agent said the New York Yankees first baseman appreciated the support of fans, though he didn't address a report last week that said his client told a grand jury he used steroids.

Jason Giambi's Agent Makes Statement (AP)


Qwest has been under investigation by the SEC and the Justice Department over allegations that it inflated revenue by incorrectly booking network-capacity deals to meet revenue expectations.

Source: Qwest to settle with SEC for \$250M


Scientists in California on Friday began examining for the first time samples of solar wind particles collected by the spacecraft Genesis, which crashed earlier this month in the Utah desert when its parachutes failed to open on

NASA Genesis Space Sample Shipped to Calif. Lab


South Korea #39;s Yang Tae-young accepted an international sport court #39;s ruling on Thursday that rejected his appeal for a gymnastics gold medal at the Athens Olympics.

S Korean gymnast accepts ruling


Exploding through the newsnets is the discovery of the remains of seven members of a tiny, previously unknown human species that survived until at least 13,000 years ago, and perhaps co-existed with modern humans right up to the present day.  Adult Homo Florensiensis, nicknamed

quot;Hobbits quot; Found In Indonesia


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cocoa prices sank on Wednesday as  exporters in top-grower Ivory Coast kept up with the arrival of  the new crop, which was halted several times this month by an  outbreak of civil violence and a farmers strike.

Cocoa Drops, Metals Jump on Weak Dollar


Consumer group Which? warns against buying 3G handsets in the UK due to a limited network.

3G phones 'bad value' says Which?


AFP - US President George W. Bush's re-election bid, buffeted by bad news on the economy and Iraq, faced a crucial test Friday as he headed into a second debate with resurgent Democratic challenger John Kerry.

Bush faces critical test in second debate (AFP)


The southern hemisphere #39;s Tri-nations and Super 12 rugby union competitions will be expanded from 2006, it was announced on Monday.

Rugby-Super 12, Tri-nations to be expanded in 2006


A US discount warehouse chain known for piling  #39;em high, and selling  #39;em cheap, is offering cut-price coffins along with the buckets of sauce and tubs of ice-cream under a new pilot program.

Warehouse offers cut-price coffins


China Southern Airlines Co. said its board of directors has approved plans to take over China Northern Airlines and Xinjiang Airlines from its parent company.

China Southern Airlines board approves taking over two airlines <b>...</b>


NEW YORK - Sen. John McCain swept aside his long-running differences with President Bush on Monday and urged voters to re-elect him, offering a stout defense of Bush's decision to invade Iraq as the only way to keep that country from acquiring weapons of mass destruction...

McCain Endorses Bush, Defends Iraq War


Rodrigo Rato, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, on Tuesday urged Argentina to increase government saving and to arrive at a comprehensive agreement with its private creditors.

El jefe del FMI intenta alargar los plazos de la deuda argentina


TechWeb - Linux Networx closed on a  #36;40 million funding and unveiled a new scalable storage system engineered for use with its Linux Networx computing systems.

Linux Networx Lands  #36;40 Million Funding (TechWeb)


MOSCOW: Embattled Russian oil major Yukos should hear later today whether a United States bankruptcy court will back its last-ditch attempt to halt the sale due on Sunday of its main production unit.

Yukos awaits US ruling on break-up order


Costs have increased steadily in recent years, causing some to wonder about quality.

IBM Data Reveals Rising Warranty Costs


The US Justice Department has agreed to defer prosecution of Computer Associates International Inc. (CA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) in its long-running investigation of accounting fraud

Report: Prosecutors, CA Reach Accord


ATHENS (Reuters) - Britain's Tanni Grey-Thompson bounced  back from a disappointing show in the 800 meters to take gold  in the T53 100 meters Thursday.

Grey-Thompson Takes 10th Paralympic Gold


BAYERN Munich put their painful midweek European defeat to Juventus behind them with a 3-0 triumph over Hannover at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Germany: Bayern close in


MONTREAL -- On a recent night, the Trimarchi men stood outside their favorite Italian restaurant, at the edge of this city's Little Italy section, and gazed disapprovingly at the cathedral-like structure across the street.

Once-sacred spaces go condo in Montreal


An Italian aid organisation said on Monday that two Italian women were kidnapped from its office in Baghdad. The women, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, both 29, worked for an NGO called  quot;Un Ponte Per... quot; (A

Two Italian women kidnapped in Baghdad


Intel has followed up its patent cross-licensing agreements with graphics processor maker ATI Technologies with a similar one with rival Nvidia.

Nvidia, Intel Sign Agreement


ISN SECURITY WATCH (12/10/2004) - Relations between Canada and Britain were strained after an electrical fire broke out last Tuesday on board a submarine purchased by Ottawa from the British Royal Navy, killing one crewmember and seriously injuring two

Canada may sue UK over diesel sub fire


West Bromwich Albion replaced manager Gary Megson with his assistant Frank Burrows after the English soccer club slipped to 16th in the 20-team Premiership on Saturday following a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

West Brom Replaces Team Manager Megson With Assistant Burrows


PARIS Lance Armstrong was absent when the route and difficulties of the 2005 Tour de France were made public in Paris, but his aura filled the hall.

Cycling: Armstrong question hangs over 2005 Tour


A suspect Bahraini militant escapes from court, but gives himself up an hour later, his lawyer says.

Bahrain 'militant's' brief escape


PLEASANTON, Calif. - Business software maker PeopleSoft Inc. unexpectedly fired CEO Craig Conway, dumping the feisty leader who engineered the company #39;s dogged resistance to Oracle Corp.

Software maker #39;s chief out


Astronaut Leroy Chiao is instructed to return by the flight controllers because of a food shortage on the international space station.

Space crew cuts down food, awaits resupply


Michael Vick can do some amazing things with a football. But first, he #39;s got to hang on to it. Vick had three turnovers in the Atlanta Falcons #39; first loss of the season -- all of them having a crucial impact on the game.

Vick struggling in new offensive scheme


Navistar International Corp., the world #39;s fourth-largest truckmaker, said profit in the fiscal third quarter more than tripled as truck sales rose and retirement and medical costs declined.

Navistar #39;s profit more than triples


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., whose founder will begin serving a prison sentence Oct. 8, said it agreed to work with television producer Mark Burnett to create a prime-time TV series featuring Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart headed for prime-time TV show


LAGOS, Nigeria -- Protesters besieged oil platforms run by Royal Dutch/Shell Group Cos. and ChevronTexaco Corp. for a second day yesterday, shutting down 90,000 barrels a day in oil production, company officials said.

Protesters invade oil platforms, shutting production


Latvian and NHL hockey players and fans were saddened yesterday after national star Sergei Zholtok died while playing in Belarus.

Zholtok death shakes hockey world


KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian opposition protesters  rushed to parliament and massed at its main door Tuesday after  the assembly failed to take any decision over a disputed  presidential election the opposition says was rigged.

Ukraine Protesters Rush to Parliament


Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley is due to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London today as part of ongoing efforts to restore devolved government in the North.

Paisley to meet Blair as efforts continue to secure North deal


National Center for Atmospheric Research -- Computer models of Earth's climate have consistently linked long-term, high-magnitude variations in solar output to past climate changes.     Now a closer look at earlier studies of the Sun casts doubt on evidence of such cycles of brightness, their intensity and their possible influence on Earth's climate...

Evidence Shaky for Sun's Major Role in Past Climate Changes


com. As IT landscapes are in a constant flux, SAP advised that these security checks need to be undertaken at regular intervals. SAP Security Optimization is part of SAP Active Global Support #39;s portfolio of customer services.

SAP Clamps Down on IT Security


AFP - Australia's conservative government has offered to supply a remote Aboriginal township with fuel if parents agreed to wash their children, under a controversial plan to end health problems plaguing indigenous communities.

Australian government offers Aborigines petrol if they wash their children (AFP)


AP - Lots of people are hoping to get rich off Google Inc.'s stock now that the online search engine's IPO is finally completed. Here's a look at some of the investors that have already locked in huge profits by selling a portion of their stakes:

Google's Insiders Strike It Rich With IPO (AP)


Reuters - Walt Disney Co. and News Corp. are to challenge in court the conditional award of Indian cricket TV rights to local media firm Zee Telefilms Ltd., their ESPN Star Sports joint venture said on Tuesday.

ESPN Star Sports challenge India cricket rights (Reuters)


The Greek sprinters who withdrew from the Olympic Games yesterday were named in an e-mail exchange between Balco Laboratories owner Victor Conte Jr. and a Greek track and field coach, two sources familiar with the case said.

Greeks named in Balco e-mail


AP - A shaken President Vladimir Putin made a rare and candid admission of Russian weakness Saturday in the face of an

Putin Urges Strength; School Toll Tops 340 (AP)


Council claims union 'holding people of Swansea to ransom'

1,000 workers rally behind Swansea IT strikers


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence fell sharply  in August, breaking four straight months of gains, as a  slowdown in job creation and rising oil prices weighed on  sentiment.

US Consumer Confidence Tumbles in August


Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell says he wants to start next season and is uncertain if he could be content in a backup role.

Brunell Speaks Out


Arsenal stretched its record unbeaten string in the Premier League to 45 games, Freddie Ljungberg #39;s two second-half goals -- and another from Jose Antonio Reyes -- making the difference in yesterday #39;s 3-0 victory at Fulham.

Arsenal extends win streak


AP - Burt Rutan, an aviator whose SpaceShipOne won the  #36;10 million Ansari X-Prize for making three suborbital space flights, said NASA needs another Wernher von Braun  #151; and chided the space agency for what he called a failed space shuttle program.

SpaceShipOne Guru: NASA Needs a Visionary (AP)


If the video game industry is beginning to rake in revenue that rivals the movie industry, it's also beginning to accumulate Hollywood-like headaches.
<FONT face=

Half-Life 2's  Real Battle


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury debt prices firmed on Tuesday  after a key reading of U.S. inflation proved  softer-than-expected, a relief to investors in fixed-income  debt.

Treasuries Edge Ahead on Inflation Relief


November 01, 2004 - Microsoft today unveiled the special MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf Limited Edition. Available only in limited quantities, the special edition to the much-anticipated sequel will include two

Grab a Bigger Mech


WASHINGTON -- Home Internet users are not nearly as safe online as they believe, according to a nationwide inspection by researchers, which found most consumers have no firewall protection, outdated antivirus software, and spyware programs secretly

Internet users seen having few safeguards


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks added to earlier gains on  Monday after software maker PeopleSoft Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Rise, Mergers, Retail Sales Help


Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil futures in New York will probably rise next week, after setting records every day except one since July, on concern that shipments will be curtailed as demand grows, a Bloomberg survey of traders and analysts showed.

Crude Oil May Rise From Record on Supply Threats (Update1)


Riding on a  quot;crest quot; of high economic growth, India is poised to clock 7-8 per cent GDP growth on a sustained basis in the next 10 years driven mainly by galloping trade, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today.

India poised for high, sustained growth: FM


Texas A amp;M University couldn #39;t give away a fleet of 20-year-old buses, so it sold them - on eBay. With starting bids of \$500 each, three buses went online for a weeklong auction.

Colleges turn to eBay to sell unwanted goods


Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) is disappointed by Microsoft Corp.'s decision to delay the introduction of 64-bit versions of its Windows operating system, but sees no significant impact from the delay on sales of its 64-bit processors, the company's top executive said Thursday.

AMD's Ruiz disappointed by Microsoft's 64-bit delays


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lleyton Hewitt hit the ground running  after a two-day wait to start his U.S. Open campaign on  Wednesday, racing past experienced South African Wayne Ferreira  6-1, 7-5, 6-4.

Hewitt Makes Impressive Start at U.S. Open


Delta Air Lines Inc. has hired New York-based Ogilvy  amp; Mather Worldwide and their media agency partner, Group M/MindShare, to develop a strategic brand campaign for the struggling airline.

Delta taps Ogilvy for ad campaign


The share of California homeowners behind on their mortgages in the third quarter slid to the lowest level in 25 years, according to a mortgage industry report.

Home loans healthy


Reuters - U.S. Treasury yields held near\six-month lows on Thursday, though the market was struggling to\extend recent hefty gains in the face of profit-taking.

Treasuries Tussle with Profit-Takers (Reuters)


ATHENS - Daniel Inman went home to North Carolina this weekend and tried to get away from football. It didn #39;t work.  quot;The whole time I was at home, I was thinking of this game, quot; Daniel Inman said.

Offensive Linemen Looking for Redemption


PRIME Minister John Howard conceded yesterday a fresh inquiry into the children overboard saga would find he had lied.

Howard defiant as attacks mount


AT least four people were killed and 30 more were wounded last night by a suicide bomber in an open-air market in the heart of Tel Aviv, the first such attack by Palestinian militants in Israel in more than two months.

Four dead in Tel Aviv bombing


Companies #39; hiring plans could cool early next year, according to a new survey by Manpower Inc. Some local job experts, though, question the employment agency #39;s findings.

Fewer employers plan to hire in early 2005


TOKYO, SEPT 6: Panasonic brand products maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co said on Monday it will launch the world #39;s largest plasma display television, with a screen measuring 65-inches diagonally, on Oct 1 in Japan.

Matsushita To Launch World #39;s Largest Plasma TV


Notebook chips will likely support location-based services by 2006, Intel says.

Pentium M Finds Its Place


Oil prices abruptly ended a losing streak on Wednesday, jumping nearly \$1 after a US government report showed heating oil stockpiles down 16 percent from last year ahead of winter.

Oil Up as Winter Heating Supplies Fall


Come Dec. 1, many Floridians may find an unwelcome piece of mail interspersed between bills, holiday catalogs and greeting cards: a non-renewal or cancellation letter from their insurers.

Insurers may drop thousands of homeowners as moratorium ends


com. Trying to predict who #39;ll be taken in the Major League phase of Monday #39;s Rule 5 draft is about as easy as finding your car in the mall parking lot during the holiday shopping season.

Left-handers likely to generate the most interest


RUSTON, La. -- Ryan Moats scored his fourth touchdown with less than four minutes left and finished with 236 yards rushing to lead Louisiana Tech to a 28-21 upset of No. 17 Fresno State last night.

Moats sinks Fresno St.


In a divided vote, members of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild have voted to maintain financial and legal support for a group intervening in the legal dispute between Seattle #39;s daily newspapers.

Times, PI staff vote to keep ties with two-paper-town group


Intel #39;s biggest customer for its Itanium processor is to stop building workstations built around the chip according to the online edition of the Wall Street Journal.

HP  #39;jilts Intel Itanium #39;


AP - Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou submitted written explanations to the sport's governing body, detailing the reasons why they missed drug tests on the eve of the Athens Olympics.

IAAF Receives Explanations From Kenteris (AP)


ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey cleared a hurdle on its long path  toward European Union membership on Sunday when its parliament  approved a new penal code which will boost women's rights and  punish police more severely for torture.

Turk Parliament Approves EU-Backed Reforms


SEATTLE - The 258th hit in 2004 for Ichiro Suzuki was like so many others, a little ground ball up the middle. Only this one made history - a hit cheered 'round the world...

Hits Record Is Ichiro's 'Best Moment'


Reuters - Gold broke to new 16-1/4-year highs\above  #36;450.00 an ounce on Thursday, before pausing as players\began to eye the next big target of  #36;455, traders said.

Gold Eyes New Highs (Reuters)


Shares of Pixar Animation Studios Inc. on Friday rose to a record high, a day after the company posted a 70 percent quarterly profit increase, driven by strong home video sales for  quot;Finding Nemo quot; and  quot;Monsters, Inc.

Pixar Shares Jump to Record High on Results


RANGOON, BURMA - Burma #39;s military government has reportedly released a number of political prisoners as part of a wide-ranging amnesty for thousands of prisoners it said were improperly detained.

Burma said to be freeing 4,000 political prisoners


Funeral processions snaked through this grief-racked town as relatives buried victims of the school siege in southern Russia in rows of freshly dug graves Sunday.

Beslan mourns as Putin vows tough response to  #39;all-out war #39; by <b>...</b>


Vince Carter wants out of Toronto, but new Raptors coach Sam Mitchell doesn't think it will be an issue when training camp opens next week.  quot;I don't even think it's going to become a distraction, quot; Mitchell said. Carter has asked for a trade, but Mitchell hopes the All-Star guard will change his mind when he reports.  quot;Vince has had some ...

Mitchell downplays Carter's request


GOP candidate for Congress Charles R. Floyd bought three Internet domain names with Van Hollen's name and turned them into Web sites carrying unflattering comments about the freshman congressman's record.

Foe Catches Van Hollen With Web Guard Down


Washington - The Genesis space probe, consigned to an ignominious end by a failed parachute, risks tarnishing Nasa #39;s image as the agency seeks to restart its space shuttle programme after the Columbia shuttle disaster.

Nasa tries to salvage Genesis solar dust


AP - A strong earthquake rocked the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe early Sunday, killing a child, destroying numerous homes and knocking out power to thousands of people.

Strong Earthquake Kills One in Caribbean (AP)


2006 will mark the first time in 19 years the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes will not be shown on the same network as ABC will host the Belmont.

ABC Gets Belmont in 2006


Bernard Hopkins has been called the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He is boxing #39;s first undisputed middleweight champion since  quot;Marvelous quot; Marvin Hagler in 1987 and has won an unprecedented 18 consecutive title defenses.

Hopkins rich in his own way


AP - Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank is wrapping up an agreement to buy a consumer credit company from UFJ Holdings, a Japanese banking group that is set to merge with another

Shinsei Bank to Buy Consumer Credit Co. (AP)


LONDON -- Four hundred years after King James I denounced tobacco as  quot;loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, quot; the British government is taking heed. It announced plans yesterday to ban smoking in most public places, including restaurants and any pub that serves food.

Britain targets a smoky tradition


Oil futures prices advanced to a new high Monday as a strike began in Africa #39;s largest exporter of crude, exacerbating global supply concerns at a time of strong demand and reduced

Business briefs, October 12


Kobe Bryant arrived at his sexual assault trial Monday as attorneys in the case who spent the weekend poring over questionnaires prepared to question potential jurors.

Bryant Arrives at Trial


TEHRAN -- A quarter-century after U.S.-Iran relations collapsed, Iranians are angrier and more anxious about U.S. policy than at any time since 1979-81, when the United States took in the deposed and dying shah, Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy and 52 hostages were held for 444 days.

At Crucial Juncture, Iran Seeks Edge on U.S.


The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), a global consortium dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Linux in the enterprise, today announced the creation of a Open Source Software Licensing  amp; Legal education track at its upcoming Enterprise Linux

Open Source Software Licensing and the Law to be Featured at <b>...</b>


2004-05: Because of slow over-rate during the BCCIs Platinum Jubilee one-dayer against Pakistan at Kolkata, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was suspended for two Tests against South Africa.

Ganguly and Punishment


AP - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo attempted to calm labor discontent Friday ahead of a planned general strike, saying he would order the reduction of kerosene prices.

Nigerian President Orders Price Reduction (AP)


Bodies lay in growing piles outside mortuaries today as United Nations peacekeepers planned the first major distribution of food and water in Haiti, devastated by floods that tore apart families and left hungry crowds that have mobbed truckloads of aid.

Haiti Death Toll Rises to 700-Plus


Leaders of the US Airways pilots #39; union have rejected the carrier #39;s latest contract proposal, hampering the airline #39;s attempt to avoid filing bankruptcy a second time.

US Airways Pilots Reject Wage And Benefit Cuts


To battle your way down the interminable ramps leading to the exits at Yankee Stadium after Friday night #39;s game, you would have thought the days of a last-place finish in a 10-team league from 1966 were back to haunt us.

I #39;ll Give Them This One


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Auto parts supplier Johnson Controls  Inc. <A HREF=

Johnson Controls Sees Revenue, Earns Up


AP - Spending by presidential and congressional candidates and the national party committees that support them already tops  #36;1 billion for the 2004 election cycle, with more than two months of campaigning to go.

Candidate, Party Spending Tops  #36;1 Billion (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - The San Francisco Giants on Monday signed free agent catcher Mike Matheny, who likely will replace AJ Pierzynski behind the plate.

Giants ink Matheny to three-year deal


Ravens defensive back Deion Sanders strained a hamstring muscle in the second quarter of Baltimore's game against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Deion Sanders Leaves Game With Injury


US Open champion Roger Federer breezed into New York #39;s Hard Rock cafe on Monday clutching his latest piece of silverware. Maybe the venue was chosen in anticipation

Open-Federer #39;s  #39;beautiful tennis #39; sets the standard


French cycling star Richard Virenque retired Friday, ending a career marked by his fierce mountain climbs but tainted by his part in the Tour de France #39;s worst doping scandal.

Star cyclist Richard Virenque retires


Reuters - Warmer temperatures in North America\since 1950 were probably caused in part by human activity, the\Bush administration said in a report that appeared to\contradict the White House position there was no clear\scientific proof on the causes of global warming.

U.S. Study Links Human Activity to Global Warming (Reuters)


Reuters - Donovan McNabb passed for one\touchdown and rushed for another as the Philadelphia Eagles won\their fourth straight division title with a 27-6 win over the

NFL Wrap: McNabb Leads Eagles to 4th Straight East Title (Reuters)


MG ROVERS controversial directors pension trust is to be substantially scaled back as the company nears the final stages of a vital partnership that will give

MG Rover to slash directors #39; pension payments by 90


As Democrats licked their wounds after President Bush's reelection last week, some turned their thoughts back to Howard Dean, the Democratic firebrand who energized the party with his strident opposition to the war in Iraq and with his Internet-based fund-raising operation.

Dean takes on his image in ad for search engine


Derek Lowe pitches effectively into the eighth inning, and Boston takes control of the wild-card race Thursday night by completing a three-game sweep of Anaheim.

Red Sox Sweep Angels


AP - SALT LAKE CITY  #151; The race for governor of Utah is a contest between two men from families that might be the closest thing to royalty in this state.

Scions of Utah Royalty Vie for Governor (AP)


Don't expect to see Lance Armstong or Tyler Hamilton at Wells Avenue in Newton Sunday; just expect to see a lot of cyclists who aspire to be like the Tour de France veterans.

Club titles on the line in Newton


Crummy comps and anemic overall sales have stockholders reaching for the antacids.

Rejecting Rite Aid


AN already confident Great Britain side have been boosted by news Australian skipper Darren Lockyer and forward Craig Fitzgibbon have been ruled out of Saturday #39;s Tri-Nations clash in Manchester.

Lockyer woe great for Brits


#39;Ol #39; Blue Eyes #39; provided an emotional musical tribute to  #39;Old Big  #39;Ead #39; as Nottingham Forest celebrated the remarkable life of Brian Clough ahead of today #39;s game with West Ham.

Forest say farewell to legend Clough


AP - Alley Broussard ran for a school-record 250 yards with three touchdowns and No. 14 LSU rallied to beat Mississippi 27-24 Saturday night.

No. 14 LSU Rallies to Beat Mississippi (AP)


LONDON - British authorities pre-empted a US bid to extradite radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, charging the fiery preacher Tuesday with urging followers to kill non-Muslims, in some case specifically targeting Jews.

US must wait to prosecute Muslim cleric


In the very week Mozilla Firefox Version 1.0 was launched, a series of potentially nasty security holes have been uncovered in older versions of the browser.

New Firefox supplies patches in nick of time


A federal jury in New York has dealt a legal blow to Sun. The jury ruled that Sun violated several patents held by Eastman Kodak when it developed its Java technology, a Kodak spokeswoman confirmed on Monday.

Kodak wins patent lawsuit against Sun


A plan to bump up the bandwidth bills of spammers seems to be getting out of control. Earlier this week Lycos Europe released a screensaver that bombards spam websites with data to try to increase the cost of running such sites.

Anti-spam plan overwhelms sites


Opponents of the proposal say Poland's move delivers a serious blow to attempts to make software patentable in Europe.

Poland withdraws support for EU patent plan


A group of internet security and instant messaging (IM) providers have teamed up to detect and thwart the growing threat of IM and P2P viruses and worms.

Group formed to track IM threats


BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar was the latest Anaheim Angels #39; pitcher to subdue the New York Yankees. Escobar pitched seven strong innings and Bengie Molina tied a career-high with four hits, including

Molina ties career high with four hits


Minnesota will play in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31, the Golden Gophers #39; third straight postseason appearance. Minnesota will play a Southeastern Conference opponent still to be determined in Nashville, Tenn.

Minnesota will play Music City Bowl


In work designed to halt the trade of illegal ivory, Samuel Wasser of the University of Washington and his colleagues have begun collecting elephant DNA from tissue sample and from dung.

Test of Time


AP - Production resumed Monday at a General Motors plant in Ruesselsheim that was idled by a lack of parts after workers at another factory staged a six-day walkout protesting threatened job cuts.

Production Resumes at GM Plant in Germany (AP)


Nearly 70 percent of Massachusetts hospitals have failed to install special computer systems for ordering drugs for patients, mostly because they carry big price tags. But a new report from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative says the state's hospitals would end up saving money if they install these sophisticated systems to reduce medical errors.

Drug-ordering systems get a boost


AP - Criticism of the United States was surprisingly muted at an international conference in Egypt that drew fierce opponents to the U.S.-led invasion.

Criticism of U.S. Muted at Iraq Conference (AP)


This holiday season's retail conundrum: to silence the bells, or let them ring. As the Salvation Army kicks off its annual red-kettle program today, a growing number of retailers, from Best Buy to Target, are banning Salvation Army bell ringers from their doors -- to avoid having to choose between competing charities and out of concern for customers, they say.

Retail discord ringing over charity's bells


Motorsport.com. FIA President Max Mosley believes that the three teams with an uncertain future will survive the current problems and that there will be 20 cars on the grid in 2005.

Mosley hopes for full grid in 2005


The International Energy Agency said that higher petroleum prices would hurt economic growth around the world next year.

Oil Prices Surge Briefly Above \$54 a Barrel


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp is expected to unveil a  smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on  October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing  retailers and industry analysts.

Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report


com September 13, 2004, 8:47 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half.

Linux standard gains big-name backers


The hard drive maker on Tuesday raised its quarterly  revenue and profit forecasts for the December quarter on strong  seasonal demand for newer products, surpassing analysts'  forecasts.

Stocks to Watch Wednesday


Reuters - Democrats are pouncing on what they say\is a slip in support for President Bush among Florida's Cuban\Americans, who backed him overwhelmingly in 2000 and have been\staunchly behind Republicans in presidential elections.

Fla. Democrats Hope for More Cuban American Votes (Reuters)


Nextel Communications and Sprint are negotiating a possible merger, according to a source familiar with the discussions. It was not clear how far the talks had progressed, and

Sprint, Nextel exploring merger; 40 million subscribers involved


roundup Plus: Cisco reports access control server flaws...Toshiba tinkers with Wi-Fi for TV...Music promoter offers concert downloads.

Briefly: Oracle extends PeopleSoft deadline


AP - Johnny Damon and the Boston Red Sox are putting pressure on the New York Yankees and pulling away from everybody else. Kevin Millar homered and drove in four runs, Damon had four of Boston's 16 hits, and the streaking Red Sox beat the Anaheim Angels 12-7 Wednesday night at Fenway Park for their eighth consecutive victory and 14th in 15 games.

Red Sox Win 8th Straight, Pressure Yankees (AP)


AP - Satellites and telephone wires bring the battle for the White House to an Internet cafe 7,200 miles away in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, where Girma Hagos goes for his daily dose of U.S. election news.

World Follows U.S. Race by Internet, TV (AP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - After playing second fiddle at the last two World Championships, Georgia #39;s Zurab Zviadauri finally shook off his choker tag.

Zvidauri Wins Gold for Georgia


BAGHDAD, 18 September 2004 - US warplanes bombed the central Iraqi city of Fallujah yesterday, killing 44 people, many of them women and children.

43 Die in US Bombing of Fallujah


Space is the one frontier that #39;s out of reach to the average person, but the feeling of space travel is now a little less elusive.

Zero-gravity jet simulates space for regular folks


Japanese wireless operator NTT DoCoMo said Friday that it has achieved wireless speeds in the laboratory of 1 Gbps. The operator has said for more than a year that it is working on

DoCoMo Hits 1 Gbps Wireless Data Speeds In 4G Tests


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Militants pounded central Baghdad on Sunday with one of their most intense mortar barrages ever, targeting the Green Zone and destroying a U.S. vehicle along a major street...

Baghdad Explosions Kill 25, Injure 100


LEEDS CASTLE, England : Talks to restore home rule to Northern Ireland ground on as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ireland #39;s Bertie Ahern pushed rival Catholic and Protestant parties toward a lasting peace deal.

Northern Ireland talks grind on through night


WOBURN, England : Colin Montgomerie, the hero of Europe #39;s Ryder Cup slaying of the United States last weekend, came down to earth with a bump on Friday as he slumped out of The Heritage tournament.

Golf: Monty brought down to earth with a bump


IT HAS taken 128 years but after all the pain and pessimism, plus the passion, persistence and pockets of Steve Gibson, the chairman, Middlesbrough were finally allowed to play with the big boys last night.

Zenden brace invigorates vibrant Middlesbrough


RICHMOND, Dec. 1 -- The coalition of Virginia interest groups that helped push through a \$1.5 billion tax increase this year received a blunt message Wednesday from Gov. Mark R. Warner and senior Republican legislators who control the purse strings: Don't expect the same gift twice.

Warner, GOP Urge Funding Restraint


MILAN A day after getting its pilots to agree to pay cuts and longer hours, Alitalia took another step on Wednesday toward avoiding bankruptcy as the Italian state-run airline neared an accord with its flight attendants and ground workers.

Alitalia nears more union deals


South Africa's Kruger National Park elephant population has nearly doubled in recent years, causing heavy habitat destruction and invasion of adjacent farms. Now conservation authorities are considering a plan to kill perhaps thousands elephants to bring the problem under control.

South Africa Considers Killing Elephants


Three suicide car bombs, including one that exploded near the Iraqi prime minister's party headquarters in Baghdad, and a roadside explosion killed at least 16 people Monday as insurgents pressed their deadly campaign to disrupt national elections, which Iraq's defense minister said could be postponed to give the Sunni minority time to participate.

16 Killed in Baghdad Car Bombings


Sinn Fin president Gerry Adams tonight gave his backing for a plan to revive power-sharing in Northern Ireland. The party confirmed that at a meeting of senior Sinn Fin leaders in Belfast, Mr Adams said

online.ie


BODE Miller earned his fourth win of the season when he and fellow American Daron Rahlves finished a first-ever 1-2 in a World Cup downhill today.

Miller in downhill win


HAMBURG -- Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev yesterday called for a ''clear and careful analysis quot; of last week's hostage drama at a school in southern Russia and argued that parliament should be involved in the investigation.

Gorbachev calls for probe of seizure


AP - A leading credit ratings agency raised its outlook Monday for India's economy despite rising inflation and insufficient monsoon rains that could slow growth.

Standard   Poor's Raises India's Outlook (AP)


AFP - German exports were booming in the first nine months of the year and are heading for record levels despite the strong euro, data released by the federal statistics office showed.

German exports booming despite strong euro (AFP)


That #39;s the question confronting Auburn #39;s football team after the Tigers eased past Tennessee 38-28 in last night #39;s Southeastern Conference Championship game.

Auburn #39;s sweet and sour season: Sugar Bowl, no BCS title berth


JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--A consortium led by Standard Chartered PLC (STAN.LN) has won the bidding for a 51 stake in PT Bank Permata (BNLI.

Indonesia Govt Confirms Stanchart Wins Bk Permata Sale


Richard Avedon, the revolutionary photographer who redefined fashion photography as an art form while achieving critical acclaim through his stark black-and-white portraits of the powerful and celebrated, died Friday. He was 81.

Richard Avedon, Dean of Photographers, Dead at 81


Reuters - Global sales of semiconductors\rose 1 percent in July as consumer uncertainty and swelling\inventories restrained the industry's pace of growth, the U.S.\Semiconductor Industry Association reported on Thursday.

Global Chip Sales Growth Moderates in July (Reuters)


Along with the potentially devastating physical damage that a stroke can cause, a little known and rare consequence can be the loss of dreaming.

Stroke Steals One Woman #39;s Dreams


Fans nostalgic for the arcade classic have something to look forward to on the new handheld from Sony. TOKYO--Namco today took the official site for its PlayStation Portable version of Ridge Racer live.

Ridge Racers PSP site gets green flag


In related news, it was announced yesterday that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DC Comics and Electronic Arts will bring a Batman Begins videogame tie-in.

Cool Batman Photo!


A UN peacekeeper and a Haitian policeman were injured Saturday in a clash with loyalists of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Port-au-Prince.

UN soldier injured in clash with Aristide loyalists


Reuters - Southeast Asian nations, Australia and

ASEAN, Australia, N.Zealand See 2007 Pact (Reuters)


The OECD cut its 2005 economic growth forecast for the euro zone and other major economies on Tuesday, blaming a  quot;surge in oil prices quot; and the slide in the dollar.

OECD: Oil Prices Set Back Global Recovery


BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian President Boris Tadic called  for a rapid investigation on Wednesday after a man in a car  tried several times to ram his limousine as it sped through the  streets of Belgrade in a night-time convoy.

Car Attack on President Inflames Serb Suspicions


Reuters - Bioenvision Inc. (BIVN.O) said on\Friday it has submitted an application to European regulators\to market its experimental leukemia drug.

Bioenvision Files for Drug OK in Europe (Reuters)


Reuters - Carolina wide\receiver Steve Smith was carted off the field Monday night\after breaking his left fibula during the Panthers' 24-14 loss\to Green Bay.

Carolina WR Smith Breaks Left Fibula (Reuters)


London - Tottenham appointed assistant Martin Jol as their new head coach on Monday, three days after the sudden resignation of manager Jacques Santini.

Jol new Tottenham manager


Iraqi authorities are holding talks with tribal leaders in the western Anbar province and Baghdads tense Sadr city in hopes that militias will hand over their weapons in exchange for a pullback of US troops, Iraqs vice president said.

Iraq  #39;Peace Talks #39; Swap Weapons for Pullback


NewsFactor - Although personal computer sales are on track for double-digit growth, the research firm Gartner says consumer buying of PCs in the last quarter of the year may come up short.

Enterprise PC Shipments Strong in Q4 (NewsFactor)


Students who download and exchange movies illegally over the Internet may soon face lawsuits and subpoenas similar to those faced by music filesharers.

MPAA to Take Legal Action


HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong authorities defended  themselves on Wednesday against complaints of poor organization  of Sunday's legislative election, and insisted the poll was  open and honest.

Hong Kong Authorities Say Sorry for Blunders, Poll Fair


Inflation rates in Europe are unlikely to fall below the European Central Bank #39;s 2 percent target for the rest of the year because of high oil prices, ECB board member Ottmar Issing said Sunday.

Issing sees inflation above target


There is likely to be strong U.S. pressure on much of Asia next year, not just China, to allow a major depreciation of the dollar.

Is It Time to Stem Asia Deficits With a Weak Dollar?


Online travel agency Priceline.com Inc. (PCLN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday quarterly profit rose on strong airline, rental car and hotel bookings.

Priceline Profit Rises But Shares Drop on Outlook


Hundreds of human rights campaigners have held a vigil outside a prison to protest against Britain #39;s detention without trial of 11 foreign terror suspects.

Rights groups protest terror detentions


THOUSAND OAKS, California : Host Tiger Woods fired a four-under par 67 here Thursday to match fellow American Jim Furyk and Scotland #39;s Colin Montgomerie for the lead after the first round of the World Challenge.

Golf: Tiger and Colin share lead at World Challenge


The company is releasing its new ASE Express Edition for free in hopes of attracting customers who will later upgrade to Sybase's ASE Small Business Edition.

Sybase releases free Express database for Linux


Car bombs and clashes have shaken the Iraqi capital Wednesday, killing at least 17 people and wounding dozens more. A suicide car bomber killed seven people and wounded more than 50 outside a photocopy shop

Baghdad Violence Kills at Least 17


George Soros, the billionaire financier, is handing more control of his money management firm to two of his sons as he continues to scale back the focus of his investment firm.

2 Soros Sons Get More Control of the Business


BANJA LUKA, Bosnia (Reuters) -  Bosnian Serb Prime Minister  Dragan Mikerevic stepped down on Friday, refusing to enact  police and army reforms demanded by top peace overseer Paddy  Ashdown.

Bosnia Serb PM Resigns, Rejects Western Pressure


AP - Hushing a boisterous crowd with its all-around domination, the United States defeated Greece 102-72 Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Olympic women's basketball tournament. The Americans, seeking their third straight gold medal, will play Russia in the semifinals Friday.

U.S. Women's Hoops Team Cruises Into Semis (AP)


Korea has made major strides in information and communication technology over the last four decades, progressing as a global trendsetter with one of the world #39;s highest wired and wireless penetration rates.

Korea makes major strides in information technology


AP - The NFL Players Association filed a grievance Monday against the Dallas Cowboys on behalf of Quincy Carter, claiming the quarterback was released by the team for reasons not permitted in the NFL collective bargaining agreement.

NFL Players Union Files Carter Grievance (AP)


Diplomats in Beijing say at least 44 people claiming to be North Koreans have stormed the Canadian embassy in an apparent bid for asylum.

44 Apparent N. Korean Asylum Seekers Enter Canadian Embassy in <b>...</b>


AP - Attorney General John Ashcroft is leaving but the top issues for the Justice Department are the same heading into President Bush's second term: persuading Congress to renew key parts of the anti-terrorism Patriot Act and continuing fundamental reforms at the FBI.

Bush Sees Patriot Act Renewal As Key Goal (AP)


President Bush was holding one-on-one talks Sunday with leaders of Chile and Mexico. He leaves Santiago Monday to return to Central Texas, where he will spend the remainder of the week.

Bush Spends Last Day At Pacific Rim Summit In Chile


Roger Federer will open against Albert Costa, and Justine Henin-Hardenne will play a qualifier when the tournament begins Monday.

Federer and Henin-Hardenne Get the Top Spots for U.S. Open


MONTREAL (Reuters) - Shares of Air Canada (AC.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) fell by more than half on Wednesday, after the Toronto Stock Exchange said it was reviewing the company #39;s stock to determine if it meets listing requirements.

Air Canada Stock Plummets on Review


Starting tomorrow, AT amp;T Corp. will sell its residential VoIP service for \$5 less than an earlier promotional offer as it prepares for the holiday sales season.

AT amp;T Lowers Price of Residential VoIP Service


Sharp's LL-151-3D offers stereoscopic mode for viewing 3D models, but it'll cost you.

First Look: LCD Adds a Dimension to the Desktop


INGSTON, Jamaica, Aug. 19 - Sixty minutes into Wednesday #39;s World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica, with the United States trailing by 1-0, Brian Ching stood on the sideline, waiting to enter, more excited than nervous.

Second Wave for US Makes the Difference


SHANGHAI (Reuters) - French telecoms equipment maker  Alcatel is nearing a deal with a Chinese peer on cooperating to  build third-generation (3G) mobile phone networks using a  Chinese technology standard, a senior executive said.

Alcatel Says Closing in on China 3G Mobile Deal


Germany beat Sweden 1-0 in a repeat of the 2003 World Cup final to take Olympic bronze in the women #39;s soccer tournament on Thursday.

Olympics-German women beat Swedes to take bronze


AP - Rashad McCants scored 19 points and Raymond Felton added 18 points as No. 9 North Carolina fought off Indiana 70-63 on Wednesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

No. 9 North Carolina Tops Indiana 70-63 (AP)


CANTON Coach: Tom Bresnahan (fourth year, 14-16). Last year's record: 7-3. Returning starters (5) : Chris Bell, OT/LB, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Mike Alberts, OL/DL, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Hashim Haneef, TE/DE, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Rob Powell, G/DT, 5-11, 235, Sr; Patrick Murphy, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr. Returning lettermen: Mike Burlingame, QB/S, Sr.; Russell Burrows, G/LB, Jr.; Jacques Faubras, WR/DB, Sr.; Jason ...

Hockomock League


WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--New Zealand Contact Energy #39;s (CEN.NZ) independent directors Monday recommended that shareholders not accept a takeover offer from Australia #39;s Origin Energy Ltd.

UPDATE: Origin #39;s Bid For NZ Contact Isn #39;t Fair - Adviser


A controversial referendum on legislation that would give Albanians greater autonomy gets under way in Macedonia.

Macedonians to vote in key poll


AUSTRALIA needed to be doing more than giving out fridge magnets in the war against terror, Labor #39;s foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said yesterday.

Wake-up call on terrorism


Reports said that the SEC felt that Global Crossing founder Gary Winnick #39;s role as non-executive chairman, which is often a position that has limited knowledge of day-to-day operations of a

Global Crossing Founder Escapes SEC Charges


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Olympics officials say they are unaware of any team member failing a drugs test after media reports that the International Olympic Committee had found a Greek competitor had taken banned substances.

Greeks deny failed drug test reports


Two new Web services launched last week aim to help people tap their friends for tips about where to eat, shop and play. <FONT face=

Sites Help to Connect Social Networks


It has been a busy few days at Computer Associates (CA) as the company first announced the acquisition of Netegrity and has now released details of a new licensing schema for its large portfolio of mainframe software.

CA intros usage pricing for mainframes


The International Gymnastics Federation opened an investigation Friday morning into the scoring of the men #39;s all-around competition.

Scoring questioned in men #39;s all-around gymnastics event


So much for Microsoft #39;s Can-Spam proposal. Now you can add America Online to the growing list of ventures who #39;ve rejected a Microsoft-patent-encumbered and lawsuit-challenged anti-spam standard, Sender ID.

Sign on to a new Microsoft standard? Why certainly, we #39;d love ... <b>...</b>


China sent 95 riot police to join United Nations #39; peacekeepers in Haiti to help increase security in the Caribbean island nation, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua said.

China Sends 95 Riot Police to Join UN Peacekeepers in Haiti


COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Anthony Davis slashed his way to 168 yards rushing and a touchdown and 15th-ranked Wisconsin throttled No. 18 Ohio State #39;s offense in a 24-13 victory yesterday.

Davis, Badgers on good footing


LOS ANGELES -- A lawyer has been convicted of using a credit card scam to pay his way through law school. Christian Ehlers, 29, a 2001 graduate of Loyola Law School, was found guilty Tuesday of conspiracy, fraud

Attorney convicted of credit card scam


Tony Blair will today set out plans for radical reform of the welfare state ahead of a highly critical report on the Government #39;s record on pensions.

Blair moves from welfare state to opportunity society


Liverpool were left stunned as Lomana LuaLua grabbed a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to earn Portsmouth a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, back in the side with Chris Kirkland injured, looked

Last-gasp LuaLua denies Reds


MANNY RAMIREZ #39;s three-run home run capped a seven-run fourth inning as the Boston Red Sox registered a 9-3 win over the Angels at Anaheim in the opening game of their American League Division Series on Tuesday.

Angels crash to earth as Red Sox run riot


TORONTO (CP) - Early indicators were mostly negative Monday for North American stock markets as crude oil prices rose and investors braced for another US interest rate increase.

Investors brace for impact of higher oil prices, US interest rate <b>...</b>


Reuters - Iraq cleared around  #36;81 million in\debt it owed the International Monetary Fund late last week,\fund sources said on Monday, opening the way for the first aid\to flow from the global lender to Iraq.

Iraq Clears Debt, Opens Way for Aid (Reuters)


Football lost a maverick soul yesterday, an extraordinary man whose unique style of management would give a modern-day club chairman apoplexy.

Charismatic Clough one of a kind


Former press baron Conrad Black has made a proposal to buy out the minority shareholders of his Canadian holding company Hollinger Inc.

Black offers to take Hollinger private


The University of Missouri Board of Curators today voted unanimously to rename the former Paige Sports Arena on the Columbia campus to Mizzou Arena.

Arena on MU campus now just Mizzou Arena


What was first believed to be an assassination attempt against President Boris Tadic of Serbia on Tuesday night was actually a case of road rage by a driver

Serb Not an Assassin, Just an Angry Driver


AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. #39;s victory Sunday in the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, his second straight at the track, softened the emotional blow he suffered a week ago when he crashed late in a race near Atlanta.

Earnhardt victory cuts into Busch #39;s Cup lead


World oil prices are continuing to scale record heights, rising on concerns over disruptions to supply from strike-hit producers Nigeria and Norway.

OIL PRICES SCALE RECORD HEIGHTS


Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday urged Japan to properly treat its war time history with an eye to the future, and called for a halt to visits by Japanese leaders to a shrine honoring World War II criminals.

Chinese President urges Koizumi to stop shrine visits, improve <b>...</b>


NEW YORK A large build in the nation #39;s energy inventories has oil prices plunging. That, combined with increased consumer spending and good news on manufacturing, has stocks in rally mode.

Stocks rise as oil prices fall


Thirty-year-old Jeremy Jaynes, a US citizen settled in North Carolina, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sending junk e-mails with fraudulent and untraceable routing information.

First Jailed Spammer Gets 9 Years


The Russian military has postponed the launch of the Soyuz-M2 space booster rocket scheduled for this week. The Soyuz-M2 booster was scheduled to lift off from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northwest Russia on

Russia Postpones Launch of Soyuz-M2 Space Booster


CAIRO -- Jalila finally tracked down the terrorists who stole plutonium from the nuclear power plant where she worked. They had set up a camp right outside her native City of All Faiths and were clearly up to no good.

Wonder Woman -- a Mideast version -- finds her niche


Ziff Davis - The company says the new version of its SAN virtualization manager can handle all of rival EMC's arrays.

IBM Updates TotalStorage SAN Software Suite (Ziff Davis)


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA should use astronauts, not a robot, to carry out a crucial life-prolonging mission to the acclaimed Hubble Space Telescope one last time, a National Academy of Sciences panel concluded Wednesday.

NASA Urged to Scrap Hubble Robot Rescue


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China's surprise interest rate rise  weighed down Asian stocks on Friday as investors sold shares of  miners, shippers and other firms whose fortunes have been  closely linked to the country's rapid growth.

Asian Stocks Ease After China Rate Rise


TORONTO (CP) - With oil prices easing, North American stock markets were poised for more gains early Monday. Wall Street futures suggested a modestly positive start to regular trading while European indexes rose in early action.

North American markets set to rise as crude oil prices drop below <b>...</b>


A fire at a market in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka,  kills one and destroys about 1,800 shops.

Dhaka fire destroys 1,800 shops


Saint-Paul-Les-Durance - A lorry carrying a shipment of plutonium from US weapons arsenals arrived early onFriday at a reprocessing plant in the south-western French town of Cadarache, a security source said.

Secret delivery of deadly cargo in France


Why didn #39;t Bush outright prohibit the research, if he truly believed destroying embryos is killing? BY RAMESH PONNURU. Ramesh Ponnuru is a senior editor at the National Review.

Stem-cell policy moderately wrong


Regulators Monday fined a unit of Citigroup Inc., the nation #39;s largest financial institution, \$250,000 for using what they said was  quot;inappropriate quot; sales material for hedge funds.

Citigroup fined \$250K in hedge fund case


The geographically challenged need no longer feel shame. Men (and women) who lose their way will be able to safely ask for directions without having to stop (gasp) at a gas station.

Finally, a Car That Talks Back


Two Americans and a Briton were kidnapped from their residence in the Mansour district of Baghdad by unknown gunmen this morning, the US embassy there said in an e-mailed statement from the Iraqi capital.

Two Americans, One Briton, Kidnapped in Baghdad, US Says


An apparent terrorist bombing in southwestern Pakistan has killed at least nine people and injured a dozen others. Police say a bomb attached to an abandoned bicycled explode at a crowded

Bomb Kills Soldiers, Civilians in Pakistan


With a single individual time trial on the penultimate day in St Etienne and fewer finishes at high altitude, July #39;s Tour could be a little less demanding than in recent years and give the likes of Jan Ullrich and Joseba Beloki more recovery time.

2005 Tour route is announced


Merck  amp; Co. #39;s chairman and chief executive Raymond Gilmartin yesterday defended his firm #39;s handling of earlier health warnings about Vioxx and said he

CEO defends Merck on Vioxx


quot;Procurement departments in some provinces and municipalities, regardless of national interests and information security, bought a lot of foreign software and did not procure, or procured only a little domestic software, quot; Li Wuqiang, deputy director of

Beijing Calls Off Controversial Deal with Microsoft


AP - Nova Scotia became the sixth Canadian province or territory to allow gay marriages when the provincial Supreme Court ruled Friday that banning such unions was unconstitutional.

Nova Scotia Court Allows Gay Marriages (AP)


Crude oil surpassed \$50 a barrel and was close to a record in New York as US production in the Gulf of Mexico took longer than expected to recover, slowing the buildup of inventories to meet winter needs.

Oil Rises, Nears Record Above \$50 as US Production Curbed


AP - Brad Ott shot an 8-under 64 on Sunday to win the Nationwide Tour's Price Cutter Charity Championship for his first Nationwide victory.

Brad Ott Gets First Nationwide Victory (AP)


Wholesale retailer shares jump on news profit beat expectations by 4 cents a share, sales up 11. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Costco Wholesale Corp.

Costco profit beats forecast


Michael Schumacher wants to celebrate his world championship in style, while the Renault F1 Team is looking to strengthen its championship advantage.

Monza: whats at stake this weekend


PARIS (AFP) - Multiple European Cup winners Real Madrid and Liverpool squeezed through to the last 16 of the Champions League after winning their respective final group matches.

European giants dash minnows #39; hopes at the death


Federal oversight of crops genetically engineered to produce medications  in their seeds and leaves is inadequate to prevent unwanted contamination of food crops, according to an analysis released yesterday by a scientific advocacy group. As a result, the report concludes, consumers are at risk of inadvertently dosing themselves with prescription drugs while eating a morning bowl of cereal.

Oversight on Bioengineered Crops Is Poor, Report Says


Five prestigious university and public libraries have reached agreement with Google Inc. to digitize millions of volumes in their collections and make portions of the text available for free

Google to Digitize Some Library Collections


The Motley Fool - Well, it looks like General Motors (NYSE: GM - News) has done it once again. The auto industry's leader in offering consumer incentives has come up with a brand new pitch to try to lure buyers into its showrooms. If you buy and finance a 2005 GM vehicle by the end of November, the next GM vehicle you purchase within five years can be financed at today's low rates -- as long as the vehicle is purchased before the initial loan expires.

GM Deal: Hitch Included (The Motley Fool)


James Hardie Industries NV said Chief Executive Officer Peter Macdonald will stand aside during a probe by Australia #39;s securities regulator into allegations he misled investors about

James Hardie #39;s Macdonald Stands Aside for Regulator #39;s Inquiry


The dollar sank to a record low against the euro and a 7-month low against the yen Thursday, pressured by expectations that nothing will be done at an upcoming G20 meeting to arrest its fall.

Dollar hits new low against euro


GAUHATI, India - Suspected separatist rebels attacked sleeping villagers in northeastern India on Monday, killing six in a third day of explosions and gun attacks that have left at least 63 people dead in northeast India.    Seven people were wounded when the militants opened fire with machine guns on families in Gelapukhuri, a village 130 miles north of Gauhati, the capital of Assam state, said police officer P...

New Attack Kills Six More in India Strife


The MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite captured this true-color image of Typhoon Rananim on August 12 at 2:40 UTC.

Natural Hazards: Typhoon Rananim


Avaya (Quote, Chart), a communications software, systems and services company, has announced a new Internet Protocol-based video-conferencing offering for businesses.

Avaya, Polycom Dial in Videoconferencing


US stocks opened higher on Tuesday after crude oil prices fell for a third day, easing investors #39; concerns of costly oil squeezing company profits and slowing growth.

Stocks Open Higher as Oil Slips


South Korea is sceptical about reaching a substantive agreement at the next round of six-party talks aimed at dismantling North Korea #39;s nuclear programmes, Seoul #39;s top negotiator to the talks said today.

S Korea sees trouble ahead on N.Korea nuclear talks


Indonesian militant Idris is jailed for a hotel bombing in Jakarta, but cleared of the Bali attacks because of a new law.

Militant cleared of Bali bombings


Does Your Copy Look

Does Your Copy Look Fake To the Search Engines?


Ziff Davis - According to Gartner, worldwide server revenue increased in the second quarter by 7.7 percent over the year-ago period,  and server shipments jumped 24.5 percent.

Server Sales Continue to Soar (Ziff Davis)


Rubens Barrichello may have to say goodbye to his title aspirations in Belgium this weekend but he doubts tat will take anything away from the  quot;phenomenal sensation quot; he gets lapping the Spa circuit.

Barrichello lauds  #39;phenomenal #39; Spa


Reuters - Pakistan's National Assembly discarded a no-confidence motion against its speaker on Friday after opposition deputies declined to vote when the deputy speaker refused to allow all 107 of those present to speak.

Pakistan assembly discards anti-speaker motion (Reuters)


Most big companies are coming up with enough cash to keep their pension funds legally sound, after three years of extraordinary losses. Not so their government backstop.

An Outsider's Grim Prognosis for Pension Agency


Within months of acquiring FleetBoston Financial Corp. , Bank of America Corp. handed out its sales playbook to Fleet employees in the branches to teach them how to sell.

Adopting a new model yields gains at old Fleet


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon struck a deal with the opposition Labor Party tonight to join his Likud government, which is likely to insure that Mr.

Sharon Strikes Deal With Opposition Labor Party


The Cassini spacecraft cruised on Tuesday to within 745 miles of Titan, Saturn #39;s planet-size moon, for the first close encounter with it.

Cameras Ready, Spacecraft Gets Up Close to Saturn Moon


A \$42.8 million training facility for the Capitals receives approval from the Arlington County Board on Tuesday and will be built at the Ballston Common Mall.

Practice Rink Plans Set


ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With players getting hurt left and right, the Anaheim Angels defeated the Mariners 5-2 last night at Edison Field.

Tempers flare in M #39;s loss


Consumers in Dublin pay more for basic goods and services that people elsewhere in the country, according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office.

Most services more expensive in


Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) made another hit. After optimizing the PlayStation 2 multiple times, they now decided to give the Portable market a chance.

PlayStation Portable spoils gamers.


About 300 Syrian soldiers in a convoy of trucks and armored vehicles crossed the Lebanese border into Syria early Thursday as part of a partial troop withdrawal that began two days ago, Lebanese security officials said.

Small Syrian force withdraws from Lebanon as part of redeployment


Selling Advertising on Your Website\\The number of sites on the Web today is almost infinite, with new ones popping up every day. There are multiple types of sites: portals,

Selling Advertising on Your Website


washingtonpost.com - When it began two decades ago, the company now known as Lenovo Group Ltd. was little more than a glorified delivery service, a venture launched by academic researchers in Beijing who earned cash by distributing personal computers built by prominent brands in faraway countries.

IBM Deal Puts Lenovo on Global Stage (washingtonpost.com)


AFP - The first results released in Afghanistan's presidential election put President Hamid Karzai in the lead after 7513 votes were counted in the northern province of Kunduz, Afghanistan's electoral commission said.

First results in historic Afghan vote put Karzai in lead (AFP)


BEIRUT, Lebanon A former Lebanese Cabinet minister has been wounded and his driver killed in an early morning car bombing in Beirut.

Ex-Cabinet minister wounded, driver killed in Beirut car bombing


An end to the takeover squabble between Oracle and PeopleSoft may not be in sight even though, in what it called a  quot;best and final quot; offer, Oracle upped its unsolicited bid by 14 percent, to \$24 per share.

Oracle Says Latest PeopleSoft Bid Is  #39;Final Offer #39;


New Zealand has deported two Israelis who admitted trying to fraudulently obtain passports, the BBC reported Wednesday. In July, Uriel Kelman and Eli Cara got six-month sentences for the crime.

New Zealand deports suspected spies


HAVANA/MADRID (Reuters) - Cuba said on Saturday it barred  entry to three European lawmakers on a trip to support  dissidents, setting back Spain's campaign to mend frosty ties  between the EU bloc and the communist-ruled island.

Cuba Expels Spanish, Dutch Legislators in EU Spat


LONDON - Puzzled and angry at being barred from the United States, Yusuf Islam, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, returned to London on Thursday vowing to find out why.    Surrounded by a throng of reporters at Heathrow Airport, Islam said it was ludicrous that he's on Washington's no-fly list, suspected of ties to terrorists, and said he would challenge the decision to block him from entering the country...

Stevens Returns to U.K. After Detention


Maybe this is all you need to know about the determination on Yawkey Way to overtake the Yankees in the American League East: Nearly a month before the regular season ends, Red Sox starters were told to prepare to wage an all-out effort in the four-game series that ends the season in Baltimore.

Sox will fight to the finish for division


Paul Otellini, currently president and COO, will replace outgoing chief Craig Barrett in May. \<br /> Photo: Barrett's mea culpa \

Intel board approves Otellini as CEO


A Japanese trainer paid \$8 million Tuesday for a colt by top sire Storm Cat at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Storm Cat Colt Fetches \$8 Million


As a child, Adam Levesque would sit with his grandfather, watching televised nature documentaries featuring exotic animals in their natural habitats. These days, Levesque creates his own wild kingdoms in a Waltham office park with a few clicks of a computer mouse.

A breed apart


Microsoft is looking for additional European-based firms to file challenges against the European Union #39;s US\$600 million ruling against the software giant.

Airbus supports Microsoft in EU antitrust case


Barcelona were unable to completely rebound from their midweek Copa del Rey fiasco as they were held to a 1-1 draw in Bilbao. Sameul Etoo had given the Catalans the lead on 11 minutes with a nicely taken shot that hammered in the net at the far post.

Liga Sat. Wrap: Barca Draw As Valencia Crisis Continues


There is more to Howard Stern's migration to satellite radio than meets the FM dial's eye.

Sirius and Stern


Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.(KKD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday reported a sharp drop in quarterly profit and signaled that business may not recover any

UPDATE 4-Krispy Kreme profit plunges, stock hammered


Spain's Oscar Freire won the road race at the cycling world championships for the third time Sunday in a sprint finish. He joined Belgium's Eddy Merckx and Rik Van Steenbergen and Italy's Alfredo Binda as the only three-time winners.

Spain's Freire Wins World Cycling Title


The board of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. met Monday to consider plans to launch a new Airbus passenger jet that would rival Boeing Co.

EADS Board Still Mulling New Airbus Jet


AP - Sudan said Wednesday it had closed its embassy in Washington after being unable to find a bank that would handle its financial matters.

Sudan Closes Its Embassy in Washington (AP)


Israel's High Court orders the government to respond to a World Court ruling on the West Bank barrier.

Israel court orders barrier reply


American tycoon Malcolm Glazer is reportedly poised to launch a takeover bid for Manchester United.

Football: Glazer 'eyes Man U bid'


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar shuffled in narrow ranges on  Tuesday as the market looked to U.S. economic indicators due  later in the day for clues about the pace of monetary  tightening.

Dollar Treads Water as U.S. Data Awaited


ANAHEIM, California The Boston Red Sox opened the playoffs with a new nickname, a new Game 1 starter and a welcome new association with the number seven.

Red Sox blast off against the Angels


UpSnap turns your cell phone in to a search tool, offering free directory assistance lookups using SMS text messaging.

A New Mobile Phone Search Service


Manchester United plans talks with its two largest shareholders to put an end to months of speculation about the club #39;s future ownership.

United planning talks with big two


Gateway computers will be more widely available at Office Depot, in the PC maker #39;s latest move to broaden distribution at retail stores since acquiring rival eMachines this year.

Gateway spreads out at retail


Elmont. NY (Sports Network) - Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone has been retired because of a bone chip in his left front ankle. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the husband of owner Marylou Whitney.

Birdstone retires after injury


CHILE said it will make US President George W. Bush and fellow leaders wear poncho-like  quot;chamantos quot; at this weekend #39;s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, answering what is always a burning question.

APEC leaders to don chamantos


Serena Williams breezed into the China Open semi-finals on Friday when Russia #39;s Nadia Petrova retired with an ankle injury during the second set of their quarterfinals match.

Williams, Kuznetsova in China Open semi-finals


Dell gets set to roll out its PowerEdge 1855 blade server line a home-grown design, this month.

This week in Dell news


In another sign the NHL season is slipping away, the league canceled its All-Star Game because of the lockout. The season was supposed to have begun Oct. 13.

All-Star Game canceled


Some 70,000 Mac fans gathered at Apple Expo 2004 in Paris earlier this week for the largest exhibition of its kind in Europe. The event provided a showcase for just what kind of stylish technology

Paris showcase for Apple #39;s vision


US technology shares tumbled on Friday after technology bellwether Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) slashed its revenue forecast, but blue chips were only moderately lower as drug and industrial stocks made solid gains.

Tech Stocks End Lower, Intel Disappoints


NEW YORK - Sen. John McCain said Monday it was fair game to criticize Democrat John Kerry's anti-war protests three decades ago, firing an opening salvo as Republicans at their national convention sought to portray President Bush as a strong wartime leader...

GOP Sharpens Attacks As Convention Opens


NEW YORK - Walt Disney Co.'s chief executive Michael Eisner will leave the giant entertainment company in 2006 when his contract expires, a newspaper reported Friday.    Eisner's departure was expected to be announced Friday, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal's Friday editions...

Paper: Disney CEO to Leave Company in '06


VIENNA (Reuters) - Fifth seed Paradorn Srichaphan added to  Albert Costa's woes at the Vienna Trophy Wednesday, winning  6-4, 6-4, in the second round.

Paradorn Powers Past Struggling Costa


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- European stocks were mixed Friday, with Paris-listed stocks failing to shine but German stocks were boosted after business sentiment increased during November.

EUROPE MARKETS


The Federal Communications Commission has approved the \$41 billion merger of Atlanta-based Cingular Wireless and AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.

FCC OKs Cingular, AT amp;T Wireless deal


Aaron Rodgers tied an N.C.A.A. record by completing 23 consecutive passes, but he watched his last three attempts sail off target in the final minute.

Trojans Hang On to Spoil Stellar Day for Cal Quarterback


Japan has told Russia it will not be satisfied with the return of just two of the four disputed Kuril islands. Russia #39;s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested at the weekend that Moscow might return two of the islands.

Japan spurns Russian initiative


The price of US crude oil has eased in early trade, after breaching the \$50-a-barrel mark on Friday. Light sweet crude for November delivery fell 42 cents from Friday #39;s \$50.

Oil price drops but fears remain


The world #39;s top telecom equipment makers may have to settle for just a fraction of the multibillion-dollar orders they had expected when China builds its next-generation mobile phone networks.

China cuts back 3G spending


NEW YORK, August 30 (New Ratings) - LNR Property Corporation (LNR.NYS) has reportedly agreed to be acquired by Riley Property Holdings LLC for about \$3.

Cerberus to buy LNR Property for \$3.8 bn


The term  quot;blog quot; has been chosen as the top word of 2004 by a US dictionary publisher. Merriam-Webster said  quot;blog quot; headed the list of most looked-up terms on its site during the last twelve months.

Why 2004 was the year of the blog


Microsoft Corp. has found an unlikely new partner to help promote Windows XP: Google Inc.

Google helps promote Windows XP


Bristol City Council could begin one of the UK #39;s biggest roll-outs of open source desktop applications if a proposal to adopt Star Office is adopted at a council meeting next month.

Bristol plans to move 5,000 to open source


BusinessWeek Online - In the world of big-time telecom, the Baby Bells have been hogging the spotlight as they bulk up to compete against an onslaught of new technology -- and their arch-rivals, the cable companies. For competitors hovering outside the Bells' territory, that sends a stark message: Team up or get smashed. Sprint Corp.  and Nextel Communications Inc.  chose the former, announcing on Dec. 15 a  #36;35 billion deal to merge into the third-largest wireless powerhouse. With a market capitalization of  #36;70 billion, the new Reston (Va. ...

Why Sprint And Nextel Got Hitched (BusinessWeek Online)


Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt called it quits yesterday midway through a dismal season that began with the retirement of running back Ricky Williams and has left the team with the NFL #39;s worst record at 1-8.

NFL Notebook: Wannstedt out as Miami coach


The Montreal Expos appear to be near the end of a long road, mere inches from finally becoming the Washington Nationals. And Mayor Anthony Williams believes the District of Columbia is making similar progress

Owners give OK to move


Reuters - Oil prices eased on Monday after rebels\in Nigeria withdrew a threat to target oil operations, but\lingering concerns over stretched supplies ahead of winter kept\prices close to  #36;50.

Oil Eases on Nigeria Peace Pact (Reuters)


washingtonpost.com - It's a noble concept that was designed to bridge the digital divide: Offer public schools and libraries steep discounts on Internet access and phone service through a special government-mandated program. But reports of fraud and lackluster oversight have caused the program to be put on ice and now some educators and librarians are scrambling.

School House Shock (washingtonpost.com)


The Philadelphia Eagles were the only NFL team to reach the playoffs last season after an 0-2 beginning. This time around, they #39;re making things a little easier.

Eagles Sprint to Fast Start


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasuries backtracked for a fifth  session running on Monday, extending a rout that has seen  benchmark yields jump a quarter of a percentage point in just a  week.

Treasuries Fall for Fifth Day Running


Tom Lehman, winless for almost five years, kept himself in weekend contention with a 6-under 66 Friday on the Magnolia course at the Funai Classic at Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Calif.

Baird leads Lehman by 1 as Singh fades at Disney