Reuters - Yahoo Inc.  late on\Tuesday launched Personals Premier, a premium online dating\service aimed at attracting serious relationship seekers with\deeper pockets.

Yahoo Launches Premium Personals Service (Reuters)


AP - A highway patrol officer traveling Friday with Sen. John Kerry's motorcade fell off his motorcycle and suffered minor injuries.

Officer in Kerry Motorcade Hurt in Pa. (AP)


CAIRO: People in the Middle East reacted with resigned disappointment yesterday to US election results that showed President George W Bush winning four more years in power.

Arabs unhappy at Bush re-election


NEW YORK CITY-Newly formed Riley Property Holdings LLC, which is comprised of affiliates of locally based Cerberus Capital Management LP and its real estate affiliate Blackacre Institutional Capital Management LLC, will acquire LNR Property Corp.

Cerberus Venture Takes Over LNR in Nearly \$4B Deal


Computer Associates International Inc. (CA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is set to name IBM sales executive John Swainson as chief executive, completing a long search to replace indicted

IBM Sales Exec Swainson to Become CA CEO


SWARMS of pink locusts yesterday swept through Cairo in scenes recalling the biblical plague of Egypt. The swarms flew high above tall towers or swooped on to treelined streets, where scared pedestrians stamped on them or ran for cover.

Locusts invade Egypt


Shares in Dreamworks Animation, the creators of Shrek and Shark Tale, jump 30 on their first day of trading.

Dreamworks shares surge on debut


Reuters - Military records contradict a\critic's charge that U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful John\Kerry did not come under fire during the battle that resulted\in military honors for Kerry, The Washington Post reported on\Thursday.

Records Contradict Kerry Critic's Charges -Report (Reuters)


Television makers say 16-inch-thick tube sets will arrive next year at a fraction of the price of thin rivals.

Slimmer tube TVs to challenge flat panels


WASHINGTON : German microchip giant Infineon Technologies agreed to plead guilty and to pay a 160 million dollar fine for participating in  quot;an international conspiracy to fix prices quot; US officials said.

German chipmaker Infineon to pay 160 million dollar antitrust fine


Stephen R. Karp is known for his shopping malls. And his patience. He waited all of August while Lennar Corp.'s deal to purchase Fan Pier on the South Boston Waterfront imploded, then plunked down a \$2.5 million deposit to secure what is considered one of the most promising development sites in the Northeast.

The profits of patience


TechWeb - Third quarter revenue from the company's two-tier distribution was up 18 percent from a year ago, despite rumored challenges from EMC and its Legato software unit.

Bloom: Veritas On Track For  #36;2B Year (TechWeb)


LONDON: Tony Blairs office played down reports on Sunday that the British prime minister plans to call a snap general election in February.

Tony Blairs office plays down reports of Feb elections


AP - Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender's chronically injured left knee has taken yet another turn for the worse.

Bender Out Indefinitely With Knee Injury (AP)


A grave containing

Mass grave unearthed in DR Congo


BOLTON returned to fourth place in the Premier League with a win that ended the vistors #39; unbeaten run under manager Graeme Souness.

Bolton end Souness honeymoon


Hostage Margaret Hassan has made an emotional appeal for UK forces to withdraw from Iraq, in a video shown on al-Jazeera. She was shown pleading:  quot;Please help me, please help me.

Hostage Margaret:  #39;I don #39;t want to die like Bigley #39;


Pfizer said today that it had found an increased risk of heart troubles in some people taking higher dosages of Celebrex.

Study Raises Concern Over Safety of Pfizer Painkiller Celebrex


Shoppers turned tightfisted in August, dropping sales at the nation's retailers by 0.3 percent, providing fresh evidence of an erratic pace of consumer spending in recent months.

Retail Sales Drop in August


Nothing like chipping in for an eagle at a crucial time to get Annika Sorenstam fired up. Sorenstam chased front-runner Grace Park for almost the entire tournament and finally passed her on the 71st hole, pulling away to a three-shot victory Sunday.

Sorenstam rallies to beat Park


Not just for phone hackers anymore, a California entrepreneur hopes to sell bill collectors and private investigators on the virtues of spoofing.\

News: Website offers Caller I.D. falsification service


Phone companies are not doing enough to warn about net rogue-dialling scams, says the UK telecoms watchdog.

Call for action on internet scam


Favored Russia has captured the Fed Cup tennis title for the first time, with a dramatic 3-2 win over defending champion France in Moscow.

Russia Captures Fed Cup Tennis Title


On November 9, 1989, jubilant Germans breached the ugly concrete wall that separated East and West Berlin. Soon the Wall began to disappear piece by piece, visible evidence the Cold War was over.

Fifteen years after the fall


When cosmetics and fragrance company Estee Lauder recently made that claim, as it announced plans for its latest men #39;s scent - Donald Trump, The Fragrance - financial analysts snickered.

Perhaps Donald Trump really has found the secret to success


EarthLink agreed to test Yahoo! #39;s anti-spam technology. The technology encodes digital signatures (dubbed DomainKeys) into customers #39; email so that the receiver can tell whether the message is legitimate.

EarthLink to Test Yahoo #39;s Antispam Technology


Many popular browsers are affected by a vulnerability that makes it easy to spoof the content of websites, security firm Secunia warns.

Probably the simplest phishing trick in the world


AFP - Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev has claimed responsibility for the deadly school hostage taking in southern Russia, according to a letter posted on a rebel website.

Chechen warlord claims responsibility for school hostage taking (AFP)


US Treasury Secretary John Snow has said the financial markets should determine the value of the dollar. But speaking in Dublin on the first leg of a tour of Europe, he reaffirmed his policy to support a  #39;strong dollar #39;.

Snow still backing strong dollar


The scene is set for a thrilling Australian Grand Prix after title rivals Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi qualified first and second for Sunday #39;s race, in which Rossi could be crowned the 2004 world champion.

MOTOGP NEWS Gibernau, Rossi to fight title from the front.


US troops went on the offensive overnight against insurgent strongholds west of Baghdad, pounding militant positions from the air and supporting Iraqi soldiers in raids on mosques suspected of harbouring extremists.

US troops on offensive in Iraq


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chinese officials reiterated their  country would move toward a flexible foreign exchange rate, but  offered no new specifics on the timing in a joint statement  issued on Friday after talks with high-level U.S. officials.

China Pledges to Move Steadily on Forex


Bee Staff Writer. Or else, their run of four consecutive playoff appearances would end with a whimper and plenty of regrets. The A #39;s face that reality because Mark Mulder #39;s mysterious downfall

The Angels maul Mark Mulder, and the punchless A #39;s fall one game <b>...</b>


Tobacco companies are spending more than ever to market cigarettes, but sales still are falling, according to a study released Friday.

As sales fall, cigarette makers spending more on marketing


Looking at Yahoo Local and Google Local\\I love New York City. More than any other city on the planet, New York is exciting, expansive and always interesting. As Earth's unofficial capital city New York is home to many of the world's largest entities, some even bigger than Donald Trump's ego. ...

Looking at Yahoo Local and Google Local


JASON Robinson settled into life as England captain and admitted he had no hesitation in accepting the post. Robinson #39;s  #39;fantastic job #39; in leading Sale Sharks to the Zurich Premiership summit was also revealed

Robinson thrilled with England captaincy


It #39;s been a long commute for Gordon Freeman. He nodded off on the train from Black Mesa six years ago, exhausted from his victory over the vile, slime-spewing aliens infesting the atomic research station.

#39;Half-Life #39; sequelenters excitingnew territory


Khartoum, Sudan- President Omar el-Bashir on Saturday called on Sudanese to train and prepare to defend their government and country against internal and external enemies, reacting angrily to what authorities said was a foiled coup plot a day earlier.

Sudanese government accuses opposition of attempted coup


PARIS - France said Wednesday it plans to sell about one-third of Areva SA in a partial privatization of the state-owned nuclear group.

France to Sell About One-Third of Areva


The Barnstable girls' volleyball team was looking for challenging nonleague opponents before the state tournament.

Barnstable meets challenge


PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Private equity firm Veritas said  on Sunday it agreed to acquired DynCorp International LLC,  which provides aviation maintenance, personal security and  training for law enforcement agencies and the U.S. government,  for \$850 million.

CORRECTED: Veritas Capital to Buy DynCorp Units


The fate of 29 North Koreans remains unclear after they penetrated a Japanese school in Beijing Wednesday. Japanese officials on Thursday indicated they might help the asylum seekers go to a third country.

Japan May Help North Korean Refugees Leave China


A film industry group has sued a high-end consumer electronics company, claiming its home theater jukebox system makes illegal copies of movie DVDs.

Film Industry Sues DVD Jukebox Maker


Google Inc., the world #39;s most-used Internet search engine, said net income more than doubled to \$52 million after sales of Web advertising rose.

Google 3rd-Qtr Profit More Than Doubles on Web Advertising


Fresh off being the worst team in baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks set a new record this week: fastest team to both hire and fire a manager.

D-Backs made wise choice


AP - Germany's defense minister rejected a U.S proposal to have NATO take over the U.S.-led military mission in Afghanistan, saying Wednesday that his country wants to focus on stabilization.

Germans Reject NATO-Afghan Proposal (AP)


An aide to rebel Iraqi Shi #39;ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr says an American journalist kidnapped in Iraq more than a week ago has been freed.

Captive American Journalist Freed in Iraq


Insurgent leaders in Falluja probably fled before the American-led offensive and may be coordinating attacks in Iraq.

Rebel Fighters Who Fled Attack May Now Be Active Elsewhere


A federal bankruptcy judge has given United Airlines a 30-day  quot;test period quot; to show it can cooperate with its unions on a restructuring plan, rejecting union calls to open the process up to rival proposals immediately because United has not

Judge gives United temporary reprieve


The Recording Industry Association of America filed on Thursday another round of lawsuits against alleged file-swappers, including students on 13 university campuses.

RIAA targets students in new file-swapping suits


PAULA RADCLIFFE will make her first competitive appearance since failing to complete the marathon and 10,000 metres at the Athens Olympics at next month #39;s New York marathon.

Radcliffe returns


Israeli tourists flock to this idyllic stretch of coastline between Taba, on the Egyptian-Israeli border, and Dahab to the south. Small seaside camps

Sinai attacks shatter peace for tourists


PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia's legislature approved a long-delayed agreement today to put surviving Khmer Rouge leaders on trial for atrocities that claimed nearly two million lives during their murderous rule in the late 1970s.

Cambodia ratifies deal to try Khmer Rouge leaders


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

Halliburton May Separate KBR Unit


OS security fix is being rolled out to users who have enabled Automatic Updates.

Microsoft Sends XP SP2 Home


Michael Schumacher won the Hungarian Grand Prix Sunday in Budapest, setting yet another record by becoming the first Formula One driver with 12 victories in a season.

Schumacher Sets Mark


He has won 20. He has saved 50. And now that he #39;s back in the Braves #39; starting rotation, he #39;ll probably win 20 again. John Smoltz last started a game back in the 2001 season.

Smoltz back in starting rotation


AFP - Two Chinese travelling salesmen have been gunned down in southern Thailand as part of separatist violence which has claimed more than 275 lives since the start of the year, officials said.

Two Chinese salesman gunned down in Thailand's restive south (AFP)


Prince Charles #39; beliefs on class standing are about as ancient as his royal lineage, say his critics. Servants should not aim above their station, according to the heir to the throne.

Prince Charles rebuked for  #39;old fashioned #39; views


Defiant lawmakers - shouting Death to America #39; #39; - unanimously voted Sunday to approve the outline of a bill requiring the government to resume uranium enrichment, a

Compromise Said Possible on Iran Nukes


A team of Irish scientists develops a strain of bacteria that can convert a toxic byproduct of the Styrofoam manufacturing process into biodegradable plastic. By Rowan Hooper.

Bacteria Turn Toxins Into Plastic


Jeff Weaver says the potent St. Louis Cardinals lineup reminds him of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox batting orders. That #39;s about the only New York comparison the former Yankee wants to summon tonight.

Dodgers #39; Weaver eager to escape NY state of mind


USATODAY.com - Computer security giant Symantec has agreed to buy storage and backup program maker Veritas Software to create the world's fourth largest software company. The all-stock acquisition was initially valued at  #36;13.5 billion, but the price quickly plummeted after investors weighed in on the merger.

Symantec to acquire Veritas for  #36;13.5B (USATODAY.com)


Cash'n'Carrion Get 'em in by Sunday

Last Xmas order date for the Antipodes


MOSCOW -- Russia's transport minister, citing a  quot;black box quot; recording from one of two planes that crashed minutes apart last week, said yesterday there was no evidence of a hijacking attempt or any other disturbance before explosions aboard the jetliners.

No evidence of hijack bid found before jet explosions


Minardi boss, Paul Stoddart has insisted that his team will be on the grid in 2005, even if they have to do it with their own engine.

Stoddart: Minardi will use own engine if need be.


Indian batting stuttered once again as they lost the two opening batsmen cheaply and handed Australia a slight advantage on the second day of the third cricket Test here today.

India lose early wickets


Metro, Germany's biggest retailer, turns in weaker-than-expected profits as sales at its core supermarkets division dip lower.

Metro hit by slowdown


IN a desperate attempt to spark some public interest in an England team that appears to be quickly losing its appeal, Sven-Gran Eriksson announced his starting line-up for the friendly against Ukraine at St James #39; Park a day earlier than expected.

Are England fans are changing their Toon?


Bernie Williams looked out from the on-deck circle at the place he has called home longer than any other of the Yankees. It was the last of the ninth, tie score and the division

Yankees back for more


MCIon Monday announced an approximately \$3.5 billion charge against its third-quarter financial results to reflect a decrease in the value of the company's assets.

MCI takes financial charge for Q3


Reuters - Animal-to-human organ transplants could\be at the dawn of a new era thanks to progress in overcoming\rejection and the creation of transgenic pigs, an expert said\Tuesday.

Progress Seen in Animal-To-Human Organ Transplants (Reuters)


A birdie-eagle finish had Colin Montgomerie smiling yet again when he returned to the European Tour after his Ryder Cup heroics. Montgomerie was seven shots adrift of the first-round leaders in The Heritage

Monty still smiling at Woburn


On Oct. 31, eastbound Southwest Airlines customers out of Oakland International Airport were treated to a new nonstop daily flight to Philadelphia International Airport.

Southwest expands Oakland Airport destinations


While Tom Brady, fat-lipped courtesy of an unidentified Dolphins defender, took a knee in the backfield as the final minute ticked away, Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour

Pats ice Belichick after 19th straight


AP - Illinois apparently is going to spend a little longer at No. 1 this time.

No. 1 Illinois Tops Oregon, 83-66 (AP)


The latest abduction of a foreigner in Afghanistan - a Turkish engineer working on a US-sponsored road project - ended when the kidnappers killed him, apparently so he wouldn #39;t slow them down with police hot on their trail.

Body of Turk Engineer Found in Afghanistan


Cingular will not only roll out a 3G UMTS cellular data network next year, but it also will use even faster wireless technology that will compete, at least in part, with wireless broadband technologies like WiMAX.

Cingular Tips Hand On Wireless Broadband, 3G Plans


SpaceShipOne, the world #39;s first privately developed spaceship, is fueled and ready to embark this morning on a flight into space in a bid to claim the \$10 million Ansari X Prize.

SpaceShipOne gears up for final leg of Ansari X Prize


But the scoreline and Anders Limpars winner were forgotten when the dust settled on what came to be known as The Brawl at Old Trafford.

BRAWL-OUT WAR ... the 1990 clash


What a night for US athletes in Olympic track and field. Even in the event that went to another country, an American won. Shawn Crawford, Bernard Williams and Justin Gatlin swept the 200.

A big night for American track _ five medals and a countryman wins <b>...</b>


Houston, Nov 22 - World number one and defending champion Roger Federer won an epic 20-18 tie-break to seal a 6-3 7-6 win over Marat Safin and place in the Masters Cup final.

Federer wins epic tie-break to reach final


Minister Ariel Sharon ordered his army to press on with a week-old offensive that has killed 75 Palestinians. briefed him on Israel #39;s biggest and bloodiest military campaign in the Gaza Strip in four years of open conflict.

Hamas fires more rockets at Israel


Bluetooth short range wireless connectivity is to receive a number of upgrades over the next two years, according to the body that controls development of the technology.

Two-year Bluetooth roadmap laid out


AP - Chris Quinn scored 25 points to lead No. 20 Notre Dame to an 80-61 exhibition victory over Quincy on Wednesday night.

No. 20 Notre Dame Defeats Quincy 80-61 (AP)


Damien Duff started his second successive game - and his first in this seasons Champions League -s Jose Mourinhos Chelsea slammed defending champions FC Porto on a 3-1 scoreline at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Duff starts as Chelsea maintain momentum


Reuters - A computer program known as\

'Skulls' Mobile Security Threat Seen Low-McAfee (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Technology stocks climbed near a  2-month high on Monday, as investors seeing value in a battered  group bought software and semiconductor shares, while higher  crude oil prices limited blue-chip gains.

U.S. Stocks Up, Technology Leads Way


The Bears added sportswriter Dennis Dillon to their 2005 training-camp roster yesterday. Brian Urlacher confirmed the transaction.

Notebook: Overrated? Urlacher aggravated by article


LONDON (Reuters) - Next weekend's inaugural Chinese Grand  Prix could be the most significant race in the history of  Formula One.

F1 Sees China as a 'New Klondike'


Antivirus firm Symantec is facing a denial-of-service attack on its Web site from the latest version of the MyDoom worm. Authors of MyDoom.

Symantec under attack from MyDoom


AP - A soldier from an Army Reserve unit whose members refused to deliver fuel along a dangerous route in Iraq says he and others did not act out of fear, as the soldier's father has said.

Soldier Says Mission Not Refused From Fear (AP)


Canadian Press - PARIS (AP) - France will not revoke a law banning Muslim head scarves in public schools despite demands by a militant Islamic group holding two French journalists hostage in Iraq, a government spokesman said Monday.

France will not repeal head scarf law despite demands from kidnappers in Iraq (Canadian Press)


The Army reversed a decision to withhold payment on 15 percent of future payments to the Halliburton Company on its contracts in Iraq and Kuwait.

Army, in Shift, Will Pay Halliburton


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lucent Technologies Inc. <A HREF=

Wireless Business Helps Lucent Profit


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric was due  to travel to Najaf on Thursday after making a surprise return  to the country to try to end bitter fighting creeping ever  closer to the city's holiest shrine.

Sistani to Lead Peace Mission to Embattled Iraq City


The 22nd-ranked Washington Huskies (3-0) conclude their treacherous run through the Great Alaska Shootout bracket, meeting No. 19 Alabama (4-0) in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 27.

Washington Plays for Shootout Championship


The annual Perseid meteor shower could provide a

Clouds dash Perseids show


Dave Wallace met Pedro Martinez in a sugar-cane field in the Dominican Republic. Wallace was looking for live arms for the Los Angeles Dodgers, his search bringing

Martinez lets arm do his talking


With the New York Yankees' starting rotation struggling, the team's offense matched its biggest performance of the season.

Yankees destroy Jays


AFP - The world's biggest software company, Microsoft Corp, said that its first quarter profits swelled to 2.9 billion dollars as consumers and businesses pumped up demand for new computers.

Software giant Microsoft rings up multibillion dollar profit gain (AFP)


Oracle has opened a new front in its 17-month battle to take over rival software company PeopleSoft, announcing a slate of nominees to challenge the existing board of directors at its annual meeting next year.

Oracle puts up four for target #39;s board


AP - Taylor Dent defeated Australian qualifier Peter Luczak 6-3, 6-2 in a rain-delayed first-round match at the China Open on Tuesday.

Dent Tops Luczak to Win at China Open (AP)


Ziff Davis - Mozilla is kicking off a campaign to promote Firefox and its supporters in a New York Times advertisement. Meanwhile, downloads keep climbing for Web browsing alternatives to Internet Explorer.

Firefox Gets Ready for Ad Splash (Ziff Davis)


AP - For a few moments last weekend, they were the hottest act in town. But Treephort wore out its welcome at a downtown club when the lead guitarist set his thong on fire, then removed it and scurried around the stage naked.

Fiery Act Leaves Michigan Club Cold (AP)


American Airlines says it will begin charging a service fee of \$5 or \$10 to buy a ticket over the phone or at an airport counter, copying a similar move by Northwest Airlines.

Update 1: American to Charge for Certain Ticket Buys


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rose against almost every one of its main counterparts except the yen on Friday, as technically focused investors shifted positions and considered the implications of spiking oil prices.

Dollar Up Vs. Most Except Yen


iFone will introduce ring tones, games and screen graphics based on Rocky, the flying squirrel, and his sidekick, Bullwinkle.

Photo: Famous squirrel, moose go wireless


For the first time, a slim majority of US Net users are connecting via broadband. In July, 51 percent of America #39;s home online population was using broadband connections, according to a report from Nielsen/NetRatings. Before July, the ...

Slim Majority of Web Users Connect With Broadband


The dollar fell to a record against the euro and dropped against the yen yesterday as Treasury Secretary John W. Snow signaled that he would not back any agreement to stem the currency #39;s slide.

Treasury Chief Rejects Idea of Trying to Stem Dollar #39;s Fall


Cameroon's President Paul Biya confirms that he will stand for re-election in next month's polls.

Cameroon leader seeks a new term


Reuters - Global oil prices rallied to fresh\highs on Friday with U.S. crude approaching  #36;49, driven by\escalating violence in Iraq and unabated demand growth from\China and India.

Oil Near  #36;49 on Mounting Iraq Violence (Reuters)


Sept. 8, 2004 - Mars may be cold, dry and dusty today but it once had a watery climate that lasted for much of its history, according to a study published in the British science journal Nature on Thursday.

Mars Was Watery for Eons


AP - Brazil successfully launched its first rocket into space, 14 months after a devastating accident that killed 21 space agency employees and damaged the reputation of the country's space program.

Brazil Launches First Rocket Into Space (AP)


ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Some NHL players who took part in a charity hockey game at the University of Michigan on Thursday were hopeful the news that the NHL and the players association will resume talks next week

Players, at charity game, express hope of having season


HOUSTON -- Halliburton Co. says an internal investigation has found that a consortium it later took over had once considered bribing Nigerian officials to win an energy contract.

Purchased unit mulled bribes, says Halliburton


For at least their next two games, Florida State will have a new face under center. Head coach Bobby Bowden announced Monday morning that redshirt sophomore Wyatt Sexton would start in place of fifth-year

Sexton Gets The Start For UNC


HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's High Court Friday  acquitted opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on charges of  plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe, saying the  state had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Zimbabwe Court Acquits Tsvangirai of Treason


Indonesian prosecutors filed terrorism charges on Friday against cleric Abu Bakar Bashir that could bring to trial within two weeks the accused leader

Indonesia Files Terrorism Charges Against Cleric Bashir


AP - The Warriors and Mavericks are close to completing a five-player trade that would bring forwards Eduardo Najera and Christian Laettner to Golden State and send centers Erick Dampier, Evan Eschmeyer and guard Dan Dickau to Dallas, an NBA source aware of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Warriors, Mavs Close on Five-Player Trade (AP)


THE local stock market weakened today, reflecting the losses on Wall Street on Friday night. By 10.12am (AEST) the benchmark S amp;P/ASX 200 index was 2.7 points lower at 3574.

Stock market weaker


Then again, you don #39;t think about Mike Nugent missing a 40-yard field goal in overtime. And beyond that, you just don #39;t entertain any notion that Ohio State #39;s defense can get beaten consistently on third down.

Instant Analysis: Ohio State at N #39;Western


A Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up on Wednesday afternoon and killed two Israeli policemen who had confronted her at a busy intersection in Jerusalem, officials said.

Bombing Kills 2 Policemen in Jerusalem


Grace Park had four straight birdies on the back nine in a 6-under 66 that put her in a tie for the lead with Kim Saiki and Silvia Cavalleri after Thursday #39;s opening round of the LPGA Asahi Ryokuken International Championship.

Park heads three-way tie at Asahi Ryokuken


The federal government raked in billions more than it expected last year in personal and corporate income taxes, and slapped down all \$9.

Ottawa surplus swells to \$9.1 billion


The Air Force is scheduled to launch a new Delta 4 rocket on Saturday in a test that will help determine whether it can become a vehicle to carry billion-dollar military satellites.

Air Force Set for Test Flight of New Rocket


Bayer Leverkusen, losing finalists to Real Madrid in 2002, hammered the Spaniards, 3-0, yesterday, the most stunning upset in the opening rotation of the Champions League.

Leverkusen hammer Real Madrid 3-0


Reuters - Electronics conglomerate Sony Corp.\unveiled eight new flat-screen televisions on Thursday in a\product push it hopes will help it secure a leading 35 percent\of the domestic market in the key month of December.

Sony Unveils New Flat TVs, Aims to Boost Share (Reuters)


Tyrell Dortch #39;s homecoming will be triumphant regardless of how Michigan State #39;s season-opener against Rutgers turns out. There was a time in 2001 when doctors claimed a major victory on

MSU counting on Dortch during homecoming at Rutgers


LONDON Three gamblers who used a laser device to win more than a million pounds at a London hotel casino will not face prosecution because they did nothing illegal, police said Sunday.

Laser-sharp gamblers keep winnings


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

Zawahri Tape Urges Resistance to 'Crusaders'


A videotape of the late Princess Diana talking frankly about her sex life with Prince Charles and suggesting that a lover on her royal staff was  quot;bumped off quot; was broadcast on US television on Monday.

Lover  #39;bumped off #39; - Diana tapes


was killed in a clash in the small southern city of Nawabshah, 130 km (80 miles) northeast of Karachi on Sunday. he was accompanying Musharraf on an official visit.

Qaeda suspect shot dead in Pakistan


If a week is a long time in politics, just how long is almost three years in boxing? That is how long Felix Trinidad will have been inactive when he meets Nicaraguan wildman Ricardo Mayorga in New York this weekend.

TOO MUCH TOO SOON FOR TITO


BRUSSELS The incoming president of the European Commission offered an olive branch to the European Parliament on Thursday but failed to quell a rebellion by deputies that is threatening the future of a conservative Catholic commissioner-designate, Rocco

Barroso proposals fail to quell revolt


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Sysco Corp. <A HREF=

Sysco Profit Rises; Sales Volume Flat


AFP - The European Union will after all attend a summit with key Asian states next month after resolving a row over military-ruled Myanmar, while insisting it stands firm against Yangon.

EU to attend ASEM summit, but Myanmar remains cloud (AFP)


British Prime Minister Tony Blair #39;s security strategy, a central plank in his re-election bid, looked in trouble on Friday after a landmark legal ruling against a vital part of his anti-terror policy.

UK Verdict May Jeopardize Blair #39;s Terror Policies


Federal safety regulators issued new rules on Monday to prevent deaths and injuries caused by power-window switches that can be activated inadvertently by small children playing in a car.

US Orders Safer Vehicle Power-Window Switches


A group of 29 North Koreans fled into a South Korean school in Beijing yesterday to seek asylum, exactly one week after an earlier group defected under similar circumstances.

29 N. Koreans flee into South Korean school in Beijing


The signs of encouragement were everywhere yesterday, on a summer-like afternoon softened by blue skies and sunshine.  quot;Go Cards quot; messages were hung from buildings large and small, including banks and other businesses. The disappointments of the weekend in Boston were fading fast for St. Louis and the Cardinals.

Support system helps the Cardinals


BAGHDAD - A car bomb exploded at a police station Saturday near a base in western Iraq used by US Marines, killing 10 Iraqi policemen and wounding 48 other people, officials said.

Car bomb kills 10 Iraqi policemen


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set to open lower on  Friday after a government report showed weaker-than-expected  job growth in September.

Stocks Set to Open Lower After Jobs Data


America Online has launched an online shopping service called inStore that lets users search for products, compare prices and features, and set up price-drop alerts.

AOL Goes Shopping


The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, arrived in Seoul Sunday to discuss South Korea #39;s nuclear experiments after last month #39;s two intrusive inspections.

IAEA Chief in South Korea for Nuclear Talks


WASHINGTON - The federal deficit will swell to a record \$422 billion this election year but fall short of even more dire forecasts, Congress' top budget analysts projected Tuesday in a report that became instant fodder for both political parties.    The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the shortfall would shrink to \$348 billion next year - still the third worst ever in dollar terms...

CBO Projects \$442 Billion Federal Deficit


CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- It has been more than 15 years since the Cincinnati Bengals have hosted a Monday night game. But that finally ends when the Denver Broncos visit Paul Brown Stadium.

Denver vs. Cincinnati


AOL is looking to take off with its online travel site but it may be in for a bumpy landing instead.

AOL at 50,000 Feet


A car bomb Tuesday ripped through a busy market near a Baghdad police headquarters where Iraqis were waiting to apply for jobs on the

Car bomb explodes near Iraqi police recruiting station in Baghdad


Manchester, England (Sports Network) - England beat Wales 2-0 Saturday in an intense World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford. The victory was bittersweet for England as captain David Beckham fractured a rib late in the win.

England blanks Wales as European qualifying continues


Price and consumer satisfaction are not necessarily fellow travelers, according to a survey of new-home buyers. But buyers of new homes in the greater Bay Area were for the most part satisfied with the people

Survey shows what pleases new-home buyers


Going out on a high note is just what Woburn running back Mike McLaughlin wanted to do.

McLaughlin has Woburn fired up


AP - Athletes were tested for human growth hormone for the first time during the Athens Olympics, World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound said Friday.

Official: Athletes Were Tested for Hormone (AP)


Chinese police have arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of stabbing eight teenagers to death as they slept in a school dormitory, the latest in a wave of school attacks in China, state media say.

Man held over China school deaths


Scientists in Brazil find the bones of a new species of dinosaur that may be related to some found in Europe.

New dinosaur uncovered in Brazil


Elevated levels smooth out highs and lows, study says    HealthDayNews -- Higher blood pressure may dull a person's emotional response, smoothing out emotional highs and lows, says a study in the current issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.    Clemson University researchers checked the blood pressure of 65 volunteers and then showed them a series of photographs meant to elicit either a positive or negative emotional response...

High Blood Pressure Dulls Emotions


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission plans to open  an in-depth, four-month probe of plans by Microsoft Corp. and  Time Warner Inc. to acquire joint control of U.S. ContentGuard  Holdings Inc., a source close to the situation said on Tuesday.

EU to Probe of Microsoft/Time Warner


The FBI and New York police detectives have unearthed the mob equivalent of an elephant graveyard. Descending on Ruby Street, in a far-flung corner of Queens, the agents dug for a week in watery soil.

COAST TO COAST


NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Oil prices jumped anew Monday as Hurricane Ivan continued to ravage the Caribbean and forced the evacuation of some oil workers in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ivan approach pumps up oil


AP - A judge on Friday declared Steve Williams  #151; the man who ended up with Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball  #151; the lawful owner, freeing him to sell it immediately.

Bonds' 700th Homer Ball Can Be Sold (AP)


It is two days before payday and you are almost out of gas. To pay for it, you write a check. You hope it takes two or three days before it hits your bank, and by then, your paycheck will be deposited.

New law: Check 21 speeds up check processing


DEADLY floods, a bomb blast - reports on these were no match for news of this movie legend #39;s illness and death in the Philippines.

Philippine movie legend who ran for President, dies


The US government #39;s Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT) and software security companies have issued warnings about a number of security vulnerabilities in versions of Oracle Corp.

US government, companies warn of critical Oracle flaws


Inexpensive flash-based player isn't perfect, but it serves its purpose.

First Look: Rave-MP's Flashy New MP3 Player


Reuters - The United States will announce the sale\of four Aegis missile-defense warships to Taiwan next year with\delivery likely to begin in 2011, a newspaper said on Monday.

Report: U.S. to Approve Sale of Aegis Ships to Taiwan (Reuters)


This gold medal comes with a broken heart. This victory - as dominant as the Olympic Games have seen in years from any sport, any team, any nation - comes with a searing sense of loss.

Golden lining greets softball


roundup Plus: AOL gives exclusive sneak peek for fall TV...Copernic debuts desktop search tool...Charter signs 3 phone deals.

Briefly: LinkedIn links a million


THEIR previous leader was assassinated in a bomb blast, scores of their fellow countrymen have been killed this month and yesterday it was confirmed that terrorist explosives were responsible for downing a civilian aircraft last week.

Suicide bombs and rebel attacks as disillusioned Chechnya votes


Reuters - Home furnishings retailer Pier 1\Imports Inc.  on Tuesday posted a sharp fall in\third-quarter earnings, but its share price jumped as analysts\had feared worse news.

Pier 1 Shares Up (Reuters)


By DIEDTRA HENDERSON     WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans should feel reasonably safe taking government-approved prescription drugs - with a few caveats - even after a popular arthritis medication was pulled from the market, medical experts say. But the problems with Vioxx raise questions about the Food and Drug Administration's safety review process and the length of time it took Merck to pull the drug, observers say...

Vioxx Withdrawal Raises Concern About FDA


By RON FOURNIER    LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) -- First lady Laura Bush defended her husband's policy on embryonic stem cell research Monday, calling Democratic rival John Kerry's criticism

First Lady Bashes John Kerry's Pro Stem Cell Stance


The Salvation Army has set an ambitious fund-raising goal for the holiday season. The organization hopes to raise \$300,000 in its annual kettle drive.

To meet goal, Salvation Army needs our help


Toshiba Corp. on Tuesday said it has sued Hynix Semiconductor Japan Inc., accusing the company of infringing on Toshiba #39;s memory patents.

Toshiba Sues Hynix Semiconductor


NEW YORK (AFP) - Pfizer dismissed a report on the safety of its pain reliever Bextra, but the new controversy weighed on the stock price of the US pharmaceutical giant.

Pfizer defends Bextra after new report on risks


Substitute Diego Tristan headed in a late equalizer Saturday to earn Deportivo La Coruna a 1-1 draw with Malaga in the eighth round of the Spanish league.

Tristan saves late draw for Deportivo vs. Malaga


SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister John Howard #39;s push to forge a closer alliance with the United States and his strong rhetoric on the war on terror have only added to his negative image among Asian voters and Asia at large.

Howard struggles to win over Asian vote


Runners who finish Sunday #39;s Olympic marathon will be watched over by a 63-year-old white-haired Englishman who established the still-unbroken course record 35 years ago.

Marathon elite face a 35-year course record in Athens race


The White House expects revised data due on Friday to show job creation from March 2003 to March 2004 was much more robust than thought, economists who received

UPDATE 2-White House expects upward revision to jobs data


As well as taking part in the Uefa Cup - Robbo #39;s first game in charge is tonight against Schalke - the Gorgie club are also surrounded by an ongoing controversy about where they will play in the future.

Robbo focused on fight ahead


Irfan Pathan is raw and animated; Anil Kumble is polished and low key. Pathan just picked his first five-wicket haul in the Test match at Dhaka; Kumble has 28 in the bag and an Indian record for most number of wickets.

A tale of two  #39;warriors #39;


Refrigeration rules clash with old ways, and fresh mozzarella is at risk.

Get Your Cheese While It's Hot


Caution is necessary when attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in services and it #39;s important to have the right mix of policies, the United Nations Conference on Trade

UNCTAD stresses importance of policies in attracting FDI in <b>...</b>


ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Briny Baird shot a  six-under-par 66 to grab the lead after the second round of the  \$4.2 million Funai Classic at the Walt Disney Resort on Friday.

Baird Hits the Front in Funai Classic


Senior forward Wayne Simien scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading the No. 1-ranked Kansas Jayhawks to a 68-61 season-opening win over the Vermont Catamounts.

Kansas squeaks pass Vermont, 68-61


Adobe Systems and internet company Yahoo today announced a strategic relationship aimed at providing consumer services to internet users.

Yahoo, Adobe announce strategic partnership, launch joint toolbar


Firefox use around the world climbed 34 percent in the last month, according to a report published by Web analytics company WebSideStory Monday.

Report: Firefox Gains 34 Percent in November


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new  claims for unemployment benefits rose 20,000 last week, the  government said on Thursday in a report that continued to be  somewhat inflated by hurricane-related claims.

Jobless Claims Up More Than Expected


There have been signs of danger he has read about, warnings of trouble told to him.

Woods right on course


ComputerWorld AU: Respondents to the 2004 Ernst  amp; Young Global Information Security Survey cited lack of security awareness by end users as the top barrier to achieving the required level of security.

Security: End users are your first line of defense


The Basque terrorist group Eta yesterday gave its second violent reminder in four days that it was still active by exploding bombs in seven cities on Spain #39;s constitution day public holiday.

Eta bombs keep up pressure on national holiday


We can forgive Ireland that they didn #39;t surpass the 70 points England scored against Canada, or the century Scotland put past Japan last week.

Miller gives new-look Ireland fringe benefits


The Hague, Nov. 7: India did not expect any hiccups in its relationship with the US after the re-election of George W. Bush to the presidency, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here today.

Singh asks Left to see US reality


The United Nations nuclear watchdog said Iran #39;s suspension of its uranium enrichment program isn #39;t yet complete and that it hoped to resolve Iran #39;s request regarding 20 centrifuges in the next day.

Iran #39;s Suspension of Uranium Enrichment Not Complete (Update2)


TBILISI (Reuters) - At least two Georgian soldiers were killed and five wounded in artillery fire with separatists in the breakaway region of South Ossetia, Georgian officials said on Wednesday.

Two Georgians Killed in Breakaway Region


The Blu-ray Disc Association has added the MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 video codecs to its specification for prerecorded Blu-ray Disc media, it says this week.

Blu-ray Disc To Support MPEG-4, VC-1


VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran on Monday suspended sensitive  nuclear activities that could be used to make a bomb in a move  likely to thwart U.S. efforts to report the Islamic Republic to  the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

Iran Halts Key Nuclear Work to Avoid Sanctions


Ex-Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt is an ardent supporter of the University of Pittsburgh, but he decided Thursday against pursing the Panthers #39; vacant head coaching position.

Wannstedt won #39;t pursue U. of Pittsburgh job


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A gunbattle broke out between UN peacekeepers and supporters of ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide yesterday, wounding a peacekeeper for the first time in the force #39;s 4-month-old mission.

Gunmen in Haiti wound UN peacekeeper


GREEN BAY, Wis. - Brett Favre sprained his right hand in leading Green Bay to its 41-20 victory over Dallas and the hand progressively got worse Sunday.

Packers #39; Quarterback Favre Has Sore Hand


Company cites weak Wall Street Journal ads, analysts predict weak results at other newspaper chains. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dow Jones  amp; Co.

Dow Jones cuts forecast, stock sinks


AUSTRALIA #39;s best players will be forced to take a pay cut running into thousands of dollars if a West Indian dispute leaves a second-string Caribbean side touring Australia for the one-day series.

Rebels threaten gates


Late in August, Boeing #39;s top sales execs flew to Singapore for a crucial sales pitch. They were close to persuading Singapore Airlines, one of the world #39;s leading airlines, to buy the American company #39;s new jet, the mid-sized 7E7.

Airbus, Boeing in subsidies battle


SAN FRANCISCO (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


Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has managed some top strikers, but he reckons there are few better than Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert.

Shear class


Red Hat said Thursday that it will pay \$20.5 million for Netscape security software that will expand the Raleigh company #39;s product offerings and boost revenue.

Red Hat acquires security software


AP - Former President Clinton will have to ask President Bush for permission to release thousands of domestic-policy records from his two terms in the White House, officials at Clinton's presidential library said Friday.

Bush Must OK Clinton Document Release Plan (AP)


AP - The 86-year-old mother of a Briton held hostage in Iraq pleaded with his captors to free him Thursday, days after they beheaded two Americans kidnapped along with him.

British Hostage's Mom Pleads for His Life (AP)


Crude oil prices surged past an unprecedented \$55 per barrel Monday as uncertainty swirls over production, high demand and tight global supplies.

Crude oil price surges past \$55


Kilkenny, Ireland (Sports Network) - Ernie Els shot a four-under 68 on Saturday to maintain his two-shot lead through three rounds of the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship.

Els maintains lead at American Express Championship


The Cardinals won a major league best 105 games, andfinished 13 games ahead of second-place Houston in the National League Central.

World Series preview - NL


The ice is melting and the heat is on for international delegates assembling in Buenos Aires this week to find new ways to confront global warming under the 194-nation treaty on climate change.

Nations to discuss what to do after Kyoto treaty


percent chance of an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or greater in the area in the next week. Saturday #39;s initial earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8.

Japan quake survivors face aftershocks


The company #39;s automatic blocking tool for SP2 will only work until April 2005. After that, Microsoft will push its security update automatically to all XP customers.

Microsoft Sets a New Deadline for XP Service Pack 2


Global server sales rose nearly 8 percent in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year, according to new data from Gartner.

Server Shipments Defy Pessimism in the Market


Joe Grzenda ended the life of the Washington Senators as a left-handed reliever who threw the last pitch in the franchise's final game in 1971.

The Ultimate Closer


Residents will be paid \$5 a day for one of the first tasks that will prepare the city for the eventual return of its 250,000 citizens, most of whom fled before the Nov. 8 ground assault.

Fallujans Get Grim Task: Grave Digging


North Korea says it is committed to resolving the nuclear crisis through six-party talks, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday, appearing to reverse statements out of Pyongyang over recent months.

N.Korea Committed to 6-Way Nuclear Talks - China


Muhammad el-Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), sent a letter to the current UN Security Council President Sir Emyr Jones Parry last week expressing concern about the whereabouts of equipment from dismantled sites that

Analysis: IAEA Concerned Over Dismantlement Of Former Iraqi <b>...</b>


Broadband growth doubles in hotels, as chains try to tap into demand for speedy Internet access.

Study: Half of U.S. hotel rooms have broadband


A technological weapon against unwanted  #39; #39;spam quot; e-mails that has been embraced by leading Internet companies doesn #39;t work as well as its developers had hoped, according to a new study.

Popular spam fighter #39;s effectiveness questioned


MIAMI -- Hurricane Jeanne forced the postponement of Sunday #39;s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins. The game has not been rescheduled, but ESPN #39;s Hank Goldberg reports that the NFL is

Delay could be merely a matter of hours


Perpendicular Recording has been promoted as the technology to carry us through the superparamagnetism limit. In conventional longitudinal recording, the magnetization in the bits on a disc is flipped between

Toshiba Sets Record With New HDD Recording Technology


British badminton star Nathan Robertson has set his sights on Olympic gold in Beijing following his silver medal with Gail Emms at the Athens Games.

Britain target Beijing gold


BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra fired ministers responsible for dealing with a bird flu crisis and violence in the largely Muslim south yesterday, just months ahead of a general election.

Thai PM fires ministers over bird flu, Muslim unrest


A car driver who caused the Berkshire rail crash in an apparent suicide was named by police tonight, as the first tributes were paid to the victims of the tragedy.

#39;Suicide #39; Crossing Crash Driver Named


For Putnam Investments, the end of the Jeffrey W. Greenberg reign at Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. is bittersweet. His resignation on Monday was greeted with some relief

Mixed bag for Putnam Marsh chief #39;s exit met with relief, concern


Reuters - General Growth Properties Inc.\(GGP.N), the No. 2 U.S. shopping mall owner, on Friday said it\would buy Rouse Co. (RSE.N) for  #36;7.2 billion, expanding its\holdings of regional shopping centers and commercial property.

General Growth Properties to Buy Rouse (Reuters)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Attorney General Bill  Lockyer said on Tuesday he would sue electronic voting machine  maker Diebold Inc. <A HREF=

Calif. to Sue Diebold Over False Claims


Microsoft this week quietly fixed a security weakness in the configuration of the built-in firewall component of Windows XP.

News: MS plugs weak XP firewall


MINNEAPOLIS - While other retailers struggled with a sluggish back-to-school season, Target Corp. reported same-store sales well above the industry average.

September sales at Target stores beat retail average


WASHINGTON: A new front has been opened in the long-dormant browser war, with an open-source program called Firefox aiming to challenge Microsoft #39;s dominant Internet Explorer.

Browser war flares again


Microsofton Tuesday released five Security Bulletins warning of several vulnerabilities that put computers running Windows at risk of attack.

Microsoft issues five bulletins on Windows flaws


STAT LINE: Shaquille O #39;Neal had 24 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots in 38 minutes Friday against the Pistons. POWER PLAY: The crowd buzzed with anticipation when fan favorite Darko Milicic caught the ball on the block with O #39;Neal on his back.

SIZING UP SHAQ


PITTSBURGH - Few members of the Jets are surprised to see their former linebacker and first-round draft pick James Farrior excel with the Steelers, least of all Herman Edwards.

HERM TIPS HIS CAP TO FARRIOR


WASHINGTON - NASA should turn to astronauts, not robots, to repair the aging Hubble Space Telescope, an expert panel recommended on Wednesday.

Use humans to fix Hubble, panel tells NASA


ATHENS, GREECE - Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium won the singles gold medal in tennis, beating Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

Belgian makes golden comeback


Mixing of the votes cast for the first-Afghan presidential elections began in parts of the country this morning, a spokesman of the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) said Thursday evening.

Mixing of votes begins in Afghanistan


DENVER -- Coloradans willing to brave the nighttime cold and get away from the lights of the city could be in for a spectacular show Monday night.

Geminid Meteor Shower Could Be Spectacular


Reuters - Google Inc. (GOOG.O) debuted as a\public company on Thursday, but that did not stop the debate\over whether its auction-based IPO was a success or will\influence future IPOs.

Auction Debate to Outlive Google Debut (Reuters)


At least eight people were killed after a wall collapsed at a building site at Dubai airport today. Workers said they saw up to 40 casualties being taken from the scene of the collapse, with some people reported to be trapped under the debris.

Eight killed as Dubai airport wall collapses


Jeffrey Nick will become EMC's chief technology officer, an addition that analysts laud as a big win for the storage company.

Big Blue veteran heads to EMC


The UK's growing sexual health crisis is to be tackled with a 300m investment for clinics and advertising.

300m to halt sex disease crisis


In a sign that Google Inc. #39;s initial public offering isn #39;t as popular as expected, the Internet search giant lowered its estimated price range to between \$85 and \$95 per share, down from its earlier prediction of \$108 and \$135 per share.

Update 14: Google Lowers Its IPO Price Range


NAJAF, Iraq - Followers loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Friday they were prepared to hand control of the revered Imam Ali Shrine to top Shiite religious authorities, and Iraq's interim prime minister said he would not storm the holy site.    The moves came after a day and night of fighting in Najaf that killed 77 people and wounded 70 others, as al-Sadr militiamen mortared a police station and U.S...

Al-Sadr Followers Offer to Leave Shrine


Research In Motion, aka RIM, and T-Mobile USA recently launched the latest and perhaps greatest of the GSM BlackBerry line of mobile phone communicators, the 7100t.

RIM BlackBerry 7100t


NewsFactor - Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) offer a new desktop version of Linux for its enterprise customers, the company announced Monday.

Novell Ships Enterprise Desktop Linux Distro (NewsFactor)


Former US President Bill Clinton on Thursday offered condolences to Palestinians after the death of Yasser Arafat but said their leader had missed the opportunity to create lasting Middle East peace in 2000.

Clinton Says Arafat Missed the Chance for Peace


AP - The Bush administration predicts financial markets would applaud a costly overhaul of Social Security for tackling long-term financial obligations weighing on the federal budget.

Social Security a Priority for White House (AP)


A router and clients for both notebooks and desktops can provide Wi-Fi connectivity over either of two unlicensed radio bands.

Linksys goes dual-band on Wi-Fi


Crude oil prices briefly hit an all-time high of US\$50.69 on Tuesday as worries persisted over supply and unrest in key producers.

Crude Oil Prices Surge to All-Time High


Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corp. reached an agreement that gives Comcast, the world #39;s largest cable-television operator, the option of reducing its stake in Time Warner #39;s cable unit to 17 percent.

Time Warner Reaches Agreement to Allow Comcast to Reduce Stake


While many companies compete in the IT security business, IBM is differentiating itself by going beyond the worm of the day to include peripheral threats to a company #39;s IT environment.

IBM Introduces IT Risk Management Service


NBA, Players #39; Union Go Before Arbitrator to Debate Suspensions of Four Players Over Mich. Brawl. A fan wearing a T-shirt with a message about the Indiana Pacers watches a large television screen during the

NBA, Union Debate Brawl Before Arbitrator


It's like Big Blue realized everyone's secret dream: lose weight and make money at the same time. But its \$1.75 billion sale of its PC business to a Chinese company portends big changes for the international technology game board. <FONT face=

IBM Gives Shanghai a Real Surprise


Oil prices fell 3.5 percent to a three-month low Tuesday as mild winter weather sapped heating oil demand in the U.S. Northeast.

Oil Falls to 3-Month  Low


Princess Alice, the Royal aunt who lived through the abdication crisis, two world wars and the turn of the millennium has died at the age of 102, the oldest member of the British royal family in history.

Princess Alice, oldest ever royal, dies


AP - Australia's foreign ministry said Wednesday it will boost security spending at its embassies by  #36;52 million after a terror attack on the U.S. consulate in Saudi Arabia left nine dead earlier this week.

Australia to Upgrade Embassy Security (AP)


The Chase for the Nextel Cup will begin in earnest Sunday with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. It will be the first event of NASCAR #39;s inaugural 10

New format becomes a game of survival


LONDON - Eight suspects, including a man the United States calls a senior al-Qaida figure, appeared in court under heavy guard yesterday as police investigated their alleged terrorism plots.

Terror suspects go to court


Astronomical quantities of arms and ammunition have poured into Sudan #39;s Darfur region in the last two weeks and the government is poised for a major military offensive, the African Union said on Friday.

Darfur a  #39;Timed Bomb #39; Waiting to Explode - AU


The International Space Station, with two astronauts aboard, has fallen seven kilometers as a result of a severe magnetic storm, Russian space experts announced.

ISS Is Falling Down  Russian Mission Control


After going three years without winning on the road, the Detroit Lions are unbeatable away from the Motor City. Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes, and Chris Cash made a diving interception in the

NFL: Away from lair, Lions claim Giants as latest victim


After dodging hurricanes for a generation, Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast got what no soothsayer would have dared predict: two storms striking almost the same spot three weeks apart.

Hurricane season 2004: The year Florida #39;s luck ran out


Interstate Bakeries Corp., parent company of the Wonder Bread plant in downtown Columbus, on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Wonder Bread maker files Chapter 11


Amazon.com was accused in a lawsuit of infringing a Cendant patent for a Web site feature that makes recommendations to consumers based on past purchases.

Amazon sued over Web site feature


McDonald #39;s (MCD) third-quarter earnings rose a higher-than-expected 42 on a preliminary basis, the world #39;s largest restaurant chain said Wednesday, citing strong sales in the United States and a lower tax rate.

McDonald #39;s 3rd-quarter earnings rise


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar dangled near a record low  against the euro on Monday after a meeting of the Group of 20  rich and developing nations produced no coordinated stance to  stem the U.S. currency's decline.

Dollar Near Record Low Vs Euro


DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iraq-based group led by Abu Musab  al-Zarqawi has pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda  group in a move it said aimed to increase the

Zarqawi Pledges Allegiance to Bin Laden -- Web Site


Rafael Nadal upset world number two Andy Roddick in four sets to give Spain a commanding two-nil lead over the United States in the Davis Cup final on Friday.

Tennis: Spain take 2-0 lead over US in Davis Cup final


The former mile world record holder Steve Cram claimed last night that Paula Radcliffe should not be considered  quot;a quitter quot; for failing to complete the marathon in Athens yesterday.

#39;She isn #39;ta quitter... it was heartbreaking sight #39;


BAE Systems Plc, Europe #39;s largest defense company, said its first-half loss widened as it wrote down goodwill in its avionics and defense-electronics units.

BAE First-Half Loss Widens on Goodwill Writedowns (Update4)


SEOUL (AFX) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said it has developed the industry #39;s first 2-Gigabit (Gb) DDR2 SDRAM utilizing 80-nanometer (nm) process technology.

Samsung Electronics claims industry first with 2-Gb DDR2 SDRAM


BAGHDAD - Several Iraqi political parties on Friday called on the interim government to postpone the January national election for at least six months, until the safety of voters can be guaranteed.

Push to postpone Iraqi elections spreads


WASHINGTON : The US intelligence community is in the grip of an internal debate on whether new data on North Korea should be interpreted as a sign the country is preparing for its first nuclear weapons test, US administration officials said.

US wonders if North Korea is preparing for nuclear test


Sony #39;s new Walkman NW-E99 and NW-E95 take aim at Apple #39;s iPod Minis. The new Walkmans offer up to 70 hours of battery life -- significantly more than the Mini -- though they have less memory than the market leading mid-range players.

New Sony Walkman Challenges iPod Mini


Mexico is poised overtake Canada in annual passenger vehicle sales by 2010, a situation one economist says could make it more difficult for Canada to lure future investments from automakers, including the construction of new assembly plants and

Mexico set to pass Canada in vehicle sales


Sixteen Maoist rebels were killed in clashes with Nepalese security forces Thursday in the western district of Dailekh, Royal Nepal Army spokesman Deepak Gurung has told CNN.

16 die in fresh Nepal clashes


Trent Strickland makes sure No. 6 Wake Forest avoids a loss to Temple Monday night by scoring nine points in the last nine minutes in the Demon Deacons' 67-64 win.

Deacons Silence Owls


OAKLAND, Calif. -- Antonio Gates had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 164 yards and a score on 37 carries, and the San Diego Chargers won their fourth straight game, 23-17, over the AFC West rival Raiders yesterday.

Chargers zap Raiders again


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were slightly lower on  Wednesday after government reports for July on durable goods  orders and new home sales cast some doubt on the strength of  the economy.

Durable Goods, Housing Data Trip Stocks


Pakistan #39;s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Thursday he believes the time is ripe for peace with arch-rival India. Aziz, who returned Wednesday from his

Pakistan: Now #39;s time for peace


IT administrators preparing for the Windows XP SP2 juggernaut may want to catch up on their reading before deploying the service pack.

Microsoft offers kit for XP SP2 application testing


India News, SRINAGAR, India - The main separatist alliance in Indian Kashmir insisted on Thursday on holding talks with Pakistan before reviving a dialogue with New Delhi, a demand Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said was not acceptable.

India ; Stalemate Looms in Kashmir as Singh Ends Visit


Juventus moved to the top of Serie A on Sunday while bitter rivals Roma saw their dismal week climax with defeat at Messina. Juve were too strong for Atalanta at the Delle Alpi - Fabio Capello #39;s men winning

JUVE GO TOP OF THE PILE


Nevada election officials are confident that an electronic voting system being used in the Sept. 7 primary and the November election will work as expected, despite a problem that occurred during a demonstration of the technology in California.

Nevada officials back e-vote systems for primary, general election


THE OFFER: Britain, France and Germany are offering Iran a trade agreement and the chance to buy nuclear fuel in exchange for a promise to suspend enrichment of uranium.

Summary: Europeans make Iran offer


Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis is suspended for two games by the NFL but will be available to face the Redskins Sunday.

Lewis' Suspension Issued


Cisco Systems will pay \$74 million for Perfigo, a developer of packaged network access control products. Perfigo #39;s product, CleanMachines, will bolster up Cisco #39;s network security offerings for the small and mid-size business market.

Cisco Beefs Up Security Through Acquisitions


Stock futures rose sharply on Monday, pointing to a strong open, as investors pinned hopes on a solid start to the holiday shopping season, while the dollar pulled back from record lows and oil eased slightly.

Stocks Set for Firmer Open; Retail Eyed


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jeffrey Greenberg, chairman and chief  executive of embattled insurance broker Marsh   McLennan Cos.  <A HREF=

Marsh to Replace CEO Greenberg - FT


Liberty Media Corp. (LN: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday posted an eight-fold gain in quarterly net profit following the purchase of a majority stake in shopping network QVC and a large gain on the sale of assets.

Liberty Media Profit Rises on QVC


Microsoft Corp. isn #39;t often an underdog in anything, so when the software powerhouse released its new search engine, I was anxious to give it a whirl.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Microsoft search falls far short of Google


SEOUL (Reuters) - Divisions in President Bush's first  administration gave North Korea valuable time to develop  weapons and he needs to put far more on the table to get it to  end its nuclear plans, a security group said on Monday.

U.S. Needs to Offer More to N.Korea-Security Report


Connecticut is headed to the Motor City Bowl, the Huskies #39; first postseason as a Division IA team. The Huskies (7-4) will play the winner of Thursday night #39;s Mid-American Conference title game between Toledo (8-3) and Miami of Ohio (8-3).

UConn accepts bid to Motor City Bowl


Reuters - Computer-security experts, including\former government officials, urged the George W. Bush\administration on Tuesday to devote more effort to\strengthening defenses against viruses, hackers and other\online threats.

Experts Push for More U.S. Computer Security Efforts (Reuters)


NEW ORLEANS -- Stefan LeFors returned to his home state for the final time as a collegian and led Louisville to a record-setting performance.

LeFors, Cardinals put Tulane in sorry state


PETER CAVE: Police in Indonesia believe they #39;ve arrested the kingpin behind the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta earlier this year.

Indonesian Police arrest Australian Embassy bombing suspect


It #39;s a market that could use a shake-up. Backup and recovery still can be too expensive and complex for many small and midsize companies that rely on Windows, but the software is vital to their businesses.

Microsoft Takes On Backup Market


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Adult entertainment company Playboy  Enterprises Inc. <A HREF=

Playboy Forecasts Higher 2005 Profit


Heavy fighting erupts in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region, shattering a two-day ceasefire.

Fighting rages in South Ossetia


The US today urged India to adhere to the principles of the Council of Europes convention on cyber crime for strengthening national laws in the areas of cyber-security.

US stress on cyber crime


NewsFactor - Beijing's municipal government has stopped an order for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) software, apparently giving in to public sentiment after nearly two weeks of fierce criticism within China about the deal.

Microsoft Order Cancelled by Beijing (NewsFactor)


Citrus growers will harvest the smallest crop since 1993 because of three hurricanes that ravaged the state and damaged groves locally and statewide, the Florida Department of Citrus said Tuesday.

Grapefruit crop to be smallest since 1938


Rod Pampling took advantage of perfect morning conditions to snatch a four-stroke lead midway through the second round of the centenary Australian Open on Friday.

Pampling takes over lead in Australian Open


NOVELL HAS been playing management musical chairs as it distances itself as a purveyor of NetWare and transforms itself into a flogger of Linux and high end systems.

Novell restructures away from NetWare


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Consumer goods maker Colgate-Palmolive  Co. <A HREF=

Colgate to Cut Work Force, Close Plants


The Yankees are expected to make a push in the next couple of days to sign Eric Milton, and the lefthander has allowed the Yankees to examine his surgically repaired left knee.

Milton deal getting closer for Yanks


Time Warner and Microsoft see the acquisition of ContentGuard as a way of obtaining a stronger foothold in the increasingly important digital-rights management market.

EC Investigates Microsoft, Time Warner Deal


After much speculation that it would raise its bid yet again, Oracle Corp. Monday morning announced its latest offer for PeopleSoft Inc.

Oracle Makes  #39;Final #39; PeopleSoft Offer


IBM this week is expected to debut its highest-capacity storage arrays, although the products' real differentiator is a mix of management technologies designed to help customers get a better handle on where to store growing volumes of data.

IBM supersizes storage arrays


If Chechen separatists carrying on a 150-year-old battle against Russia hoped to gain anything by their maniacal siege of a Russian middle school last Wednesday, they were wrong.

Editorial: Hostage-takers show no mercy


SYDNEY -- Six men have been convicted on charges ranging from rape to indecent assault following trials that exposed a culture of sexual abuse on their small Pacific island, home to descendants of the 18th-century mutineers from the British ship HMS Bounty.

6 Convicted on Sex Abuse Charges on Pacific Island


Google Inc. released free software Thursday that lets people search the Web and their personal computers for information simultaneously.
<FONT face=

Google's New Tool Brings Search Home


Hold onto your hats, Seattle SuperSonics fans. The 2004-05 NBA season is bound to be a roller-coaster ride. That #39;s our guess, anyway, following the team #39;s wacky first week.

Sonics surprise Spurs


UNITED States tanks today encircled the sacred Imam Ali shrine in the Iraqi city of Najaf, after an intense bombardment of rebel positions overnight.

Tanks encircle shrine in US blitz on rebels


Knoxville (WVLT/AP) - Beating Alabama is so important to Vols Coach Phillip Fulmer he has mentioned the annual game in his spiel to recruits.

Bama Game is Important to Fulmer


The off-season landscape changed a bit Friday, the first day teams were allowed to present offers to free agents from other clubs.

Free Agents Start Taking Offers From Other Clubs


Nobody really expected Harry Redknapp to stay at Portsmouth Football Club for very much longer, but the announcement of his decision to resign today (November 24) is perhaps still a little surprising.

Premiership: Harry Redknapp quits Portsmouth


Argentina #39;s Guillermo Canas won his third title of the year Sunday with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of Germany #39;s Lars Burgsmuller at the Shanghai Open.

Canas wins Shanghai title


On a day when police inspected Turin #39;s financial records, the IOC urged Italian organizers to sort out their problems soon or risk a crisis of confidence in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

IOC urges Turin organizers to resolve problems soon


SANTIAGO, Nov 21 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Sunday welcomed newly scheduled Iraq elections and a deal to shave billions of dollars off the war-torn country #39;s debt, calling on all creditors to follow suit.

Bush calls for broader Iraq debt relief


Vijay Singh of Fiji, right, smiles at Tiger Woods on the 18th green after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on Monday in Norton, Mass.

Singhs win topples Tiger from top


WASHINGTON - A plane bound for Washington from London was diverted to Maine on Tuesday after passenger Yusuf Islam - formerly known as pop singer Cat Stevens - showed up on a U.S. watch list, federal officials said...

The Former Cat Stevens Gets Plane Diverted


Thousands of demonstrators supporting and hundreds opposing Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets in Iraq on Friday as US soldiers fought insurgents in Baghdad #39;s Sadr City and near Falluja.

Kidnappings; pro and con al-Sadr rallies in Iraq


Police say they are not assuming that a car driver committing suicide caused Saturday's rail crash.

Crash probe focuses on car driver


At least 10 people were killed and 21 others wounded in a powerful bomb blast Friday in Quetta, capital of Pakistan #39;s southwestern Baluchistan province, state-run Pakistan TV reported.

Blast kills 10 in southwestern Pakistan


RWerp writes  quot;LWN.net reports that Debian, a Linux distribution known for its commitment to Free Software ideas, rejected Microsoft-patented SenderID technology, intended to combat spam.

Debian Rejects SenderID


Talks between US Airways Group Inc. and the Air Line Pilots Association have resumed, the union says. The pilots #39; negotiating committee met with management Sunday in Virginia, a week after talks broke down.

US Airways, pilots union resume talks


SunGard, which provides software and services to top financial companies, plans to spin off its disaster data recovery business into a separate publicly traded company.

SunGard to Spin Off Data Unit


Everton boss Dave Moyes insists his team are now genuine title contenders after yesterday #39;s 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

Moyes: Everton now genuine title contender


The foreign ministers of Britain and Germany on Tuesday urged Iran to indefinitely suspend its nuclear program and avoid a showdown next month with the UN nuclear agency.

UK, Germany to Iran: Suspend nuclear program


The Dodgers are believed to be closing in on an agreement with free-agent outfielder Ricky Ledee, who would fill the left-handed-hitting reserve role left open by the retirement of Robin Ventura after last season.

Ledee could fit on bench for Dodgers


TechWeb - Apple Computer Inc. has released a patch for 15 Mac OS X flaws, many of them originating from the operating system's open-source components.

Apple Releases Patches For Mac OS X (TechWeb)


Skype plans to offer a business telephone service for  quot;individuals and workgroups, not CIOs quot; that the free Internet phone service provider believes will shake-up another major telephone market.

Skype readies business telephone offering


AFP - Australia's most populous state has announced it will give counter-terrorism police increased powers to carry out covert surveillance to help them break up extremist cells.

Australian state to increase secret police powers (AFP)


In an effort to increase the integrity of next week #39;s presidential election, five voting machine makers agreed for the first time to submit their software programs to the National Software Reference Library for safekeeping, federal officials said on

E-Vote Vendors Hand Over Software


WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ - Shares of Merck  amp; Co. plunged almost 9 percent Monday after a media report said that documents show the pharmaceutical giant hid or denied evidence for years that its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx cause heart problems.

Merck Shares Plunge on Vioxx Denial News


MONTREAL (Reuters) - Paul Tellier stepped down on Monday as  president and chief executive of Bombardier Inc. <A HREF=

Bombardier CEO Quits, Shares Dive


Opinion A chip on the shoulder?

Is IBM PC sell off preparation for a Power chip attack?


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Major League Baseball players and owners are currently meeting to hammer out a deal that would toughen rules on steroid testing in baseball.

MLB, players #39; union engage in steroid talks


Swiss drugmaker Roche #39;s (ROG.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) majority-owned biotech firm Genentech Inc (DNA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) faces an investigation by US

Roche shares slip as Genentech faces Rituxan subpoena


Former President Alberto Fujimori is on a watch list barring his entry to the United States because of allegations of corruption during his decade-long authoritarian regime, a U.S. diplomatic official said.

Fujimori on List Blocking Entry to U.S.


SYDNEY (Reuters) - The dollar made slight gains on Monday  as traders prepared for a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting this  week, where a rate rise is widely expected and the market will  be looking for signals on future policy intentions.

Dollar Firmer Ahead of Fed Rate Decision


AP - Nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu said Wednesday he wants to replace his Israeli citizenship with a foreign one, perhaps Palestinian, and is considering marrying an American pen pal.

Israel Whistleblower May Marry American (AP)


AP - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick missed practice Monday because of tightness in his right hamstring.

Vick Misses Practice With Tight Hamstring (AP)


Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt will resume discussions today on a plan to allow DHL Worldwide Express to add night flights from Brussels after suffering minor injuries in a car accident, his spokesman said.

Belgium #39;s Verhofstadt to Resume DHL Talks Following Car Crash


TORONTO (CP) - A debt refinancing by CanWest Global Communications Corp. has cut its future interest costs while paying \$133.6 million US to Hollinger International Inc.

CanWest debt shuffle provides US\$133.6M in cash to Hollinger <b>...</b>


INTER Milan coach Roberto Mancini believes the club #39;s lavish (northern) summer signings will enable them to mount a serious Serie A challenge this season.

Inter hope spending pays


OSLO, Norway - Norwegian police said Monday that they were working on several tips in their search for two Edvard Munch masterpieces, including a version of

Norway Searches for Treasured Masterpieces


AP - Reliever Arthur Rhodes was traded for the second time in two weeks Saturday, sent from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Matt Lawton in the first trade of the winter meetings, a baseball official told The Associated Press.

Indians Get Rhodes for Lawton, AP Learns (AP)


AP - Larry Walker and the St. Louis Cardinals turned Game 1 into a slugfest, and that was big trouble for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Walker homered twice and the Cardinals tied a postseason record by hitting five home runs, overwhelming Odalis Perez and the Dodgers in an 8-3 blowout Tuesday in the opener of their NL playoff series.

Cards Dominate Dodgers in Playoff Opener (AP)


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

Before-the-Bell: Taser, Oracle Rise


Since debuting so successfully in the opener two weeks ago, true freshman quarterbacks Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge have been the talk of Tennessee football.

Vols #39; power set the stage


Saturn #39;s haze-shrouded moon Titan gets a second look today from the international Cassini Huygens spacecraft. Cassini #39;s planned flyover altitude of 746 miles above the moon is the same as its October flyby.

Moon that mimics early Earth revisited


ATHENS (Reuters) - Gold medal favorite Carlos Moya joined  the exodus of big name tennis players from the Olympics on  Thursday, crumbling in the men's quarterfinals against Chile's  Nicolas Massu.

Moyo Knocked Out, Women Prosper


The Motley Fool - The Mozilla Foundation, the creators of the open-source Firefox browser, has predicted that by the end of 2005, it will have 10 of the browser market. It doesn't take rocket science to realize that's a swing at Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News), given the near ubiquity of its Windows operating system and its Internet Explorer browser.

Mozilla vs. Microsoft (The Motley Fool)


AP - Shan Moore had 14 points and eight rebounds to help No. 23 Louisiana Tech beat Arkansas State 67-50 on Sunday.

No. 23 La. Tech Defeats Ark. St., 67-50 (AP)


Web portal Yahoo on Monday appointed Usama Fayyad as its chief data officer and senior vice president of the strategic data solutions group.

Yahoo names chief number-cruncher


Like a patient staring wide-eyed as a doctor readies a syringe, Australian business owners and consumers are nervously watching global oil prices scale new heights -- and waiting helplessly for the pain to kick in.

Oil price pain kicks in


FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Marion Barber 3d ran for 201 yards and two touchdowns and running mate Laurence Maroney added 132 yards, lifting No. 22 Minnesota to a 34-16 victory over winless Colorado State last night. Bryan Cupito hit Matt Spaeth on a pair of TD passes and the Golden Gophers (3-0) scored on four of their first five drives, ...

Gophers are golden again


Following is a factbox on Bobby Robson who was sacked as Newcastle United manager on Monday. 1948: Signed as an apprentice with Middlesbrough, at the same time working at the local coal mine.

FACTBOX-Bobby Robson factbox


The New York Mercantile Exchange is to open a Brent crude oil futures trading floor in Dublin later this morning. The Exchange has leased space from the New York Board of Trade #39;s FINEX Dublin operation, with

Brent oil to start trading in Dublin


Reuters - U.S. oil prices slid below  #36;46 on\Tuesday, marking the third successive session of falls as Iraqi\exports returned to near normal, although supply uncertainties\kept the market close to historic levels.

Oil Slips Below  #36;46, Supply Woes Persist (Reuters)


Crude oil prices have dipped in New York, sliding as much as two dollars to around \$50 a barrel. That #39;s extending declines seen last week despite concerns that a planned strike in Nigeria could affect output.

Crude oil prices dropping in NY


HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia has taken legal action against  small European handset makers Sagem and Vitelcom on allegations  of patent infringements, the world's largest mobile phone maker  said on Thursday.

Nokia Challenges Sagem, Vitelcom on Patents


Human rights groups lauded the announcement by lawyers that an agreement in principle has been reached to settle human rights lawsuits against oil giant Unocal Corp.

Update 7: Unocal Settles Rights Cases in Myanmar


washingtonpost.com - Google Inc. stock dropped more than 6 percent yesterday as tens of millions of new shares held by early investors and employees of the search engine giant became available for sale for the first time.

Google Stock Slips as New Shares Hit Market (washingtonpost.com)


NEW YORK - What are the odds that a tiny nation like Antigua and Barbuda could take on the United States in an international dispute and win?

Antigua Gets A Piece Of The Action


COLUMBUS - Penn State coach Joe Paterno has had his share of second-guessers of late. And after a 21-10 loss to Ohio State, he added his name to the list.

Paterno second-guessing field goal


The author of the controversial CherryOS, an emulator that allows Windows to run Mac OS X, insists the software is not a scam, and any similarity to PearPC is coincidental. We'll soon see: He promises a free demo later this week. By Leander Kahney.

CherryOS Not BS, Author Says


Drug stocks continued to slide on the week toward new 52-week lows as a few bright spots were eclipsed by losses in large-cap stocks.

Drug Stocks Continue to Slide


GREEN BAY - Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas knew they were going to be targeted by the St. Louis Rams #39; pass- happy offense Monday night.

PACKERS: Defense bends, doesn #39;t break


Description: Coby is the proud recipient of a master #39;s degree from Trinity Southern University. It #39;s an online university, which may not have realized that new grad is a cat.

#39;Morning Edition #39; Returns: Congrats to the Cat


AP - Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry is maintaining a slight lead over President Bush in the battleground state of Pennsylvania with crucial support from veterans and military families, according to a poll released Wednesday.

Poll: Kerry Continues to Hold Edge in Pa. (AP)


England striker Michael Owen has vowed to keep fighting for a place in the Real Madrid starting line-up after another substitute appearance led to his now almost customary goal.

Owen Still Hoping for Starting Role


AP - Wayne Simien had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 2 Kansas shot 63 percent during a 91-51 rout of St. Joseph's on Tuesday night.

No. 2 Kansas Defeats St. Joseph's 91-51 (AP)


The Bank of England today hinted that interest rates may have peaked as it said it was on course to meet its inflation target assuming that rates remain unchanged.

Bank set to meet inflation target


AP - Matt Leinart became a Notre Dame fan at age 8, when the movie

Irish, Southern Cal Renew Storied Rivalry (AP)


HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros not only tied the National League Championship Series with a 6-5 triumph yesterday over the St. Louis Cardinals. They sent a message entering tonight's Game 5 that they have more than enough to cope with the NL's most potent offense.

Beltran, Astros have the power


SIXTEEN people, including champion jockey Kieren Fallon, were arrested today in a major investigation into alleged fixing of horse races in Britain, police and news reports said.

Race-fixing probe nets 16


A high-level panel investigating US military detention operations has concluded that top Pentagon officials and the military command in Iraq contributed to an environment in which detainees were abused at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, a defense official said

Pentagon leaders faulted in prisoner abuse - officials


A group of suspected militants armed with M-16 assault rifles attacked an army unit protecting Buddhist monks at a temple in Thailand #39;s southernmost province of Narathiwat early Friday, killing one soldier, police said.

Militants attack army unit in Thailand, killing one soldier


AFP - President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam led India's condolences on the death of Yasser Arafat, praising the Palestinian leader's lifetime devotion to his people.

India lauds Arafat's lifetime devotion to Palestinian cause (AFP)


DNA from seized ivory could help conservationists and police identify hotspots where elephants are in particular danger from poachers.

Genetic map pinpoints elephant poachers


TO CALL it premature elation would be wrong: having spectacularly vanquished the New York Yankees, their smugly superior rivals and progenitors of The Curse, the Boston Red Sox nation was entitled to party as if there was no tomorrow.

Red Sox in shape to lift The Curse with historic win


The Charles Schwab Corporation said that it would reduce commissions on most online trades by a third as it strives to retain customers.

Schwab to Cut Most Online Trade Commissions by One-Third


A former U.S. Marine staff sergeant testified at a hearing Monday that his unit killed at least 30 unarmed civilians in Iraq during the war in 2003 and that Marines routinely shot and killed wounded Iraqis.

Former Marine Testifies to Atrocities in Iraq


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive  Officer Steve Ballmer on Thursday warned Asian governments that  they could face intellectual rights-infringement lawsuits for  using rival open-source operating platforms such as Linux.

CORRECTED: Microsoft's Ballmer Warns Asia of Linux Lawsuits


Rashard Lewis scored a season-high 37 points, and SuperSonics improved to 18-4 with a 108-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers last night in Seattle.

Lewis (37) is superman for Sonics


Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai is to be presented with the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004 at a ceremony in Oslo. Professor Maathai, also Kenya #39;s deputy environment minister, is the first African woman

Kenyan to collect Nobel prize


Swedens Henrik Stenson returned to the fray in The Heritage at Woburn Golf and Country Club taking the third round lead with a five under par 67.

Choose a topic from the pull-down menu:


Australia won the Olympic men #39;s hockey tournament for the first time in history on Friday, beating the Netherlands 2-1 with a golden goal.

Australia win first men #39;s hockey gold


Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - American Jeremy Wariner led the United States to a sweep of the medals in the men #39;s 400 meter sprint Monday night at the Olympics.

== Wariner #39;s gold leads US to sweep in men #39;s 400 meters ===


AP - Alex Bogomolov Jr., ranked 110th, was among eight young American men given U.S. Open wild cards Thursday.

Eight Wild Cards Added to U.S. Open (AP)


BELFAST (Reuters) - A Belfast court sentenced a former  Protestant guerrilla to life imprisonment on Thursday for the  murder of Catholic lawyer Pat Finucane, one of the most  controversial killings in 30 years of sectarian conflict in  Northern Ireland.

Man Sentenced to Life for N.Irish Finucane Murder


Anne Maneikis has a problem with the holidays. She goes crazy. The rest of the year, she is perfectly sane. Thirty-seven and single, she works as an account executive for an advertising agency, managing budgets.

Avoiding future debt from holiday present


It was a Holy Grail looming on the personal electronics horizon: a pocket-sized device with a workhorse battery and the capacity to hold hours of audio and video.

New breed of portable media players means squinting at palm-sized <b>...</b>


The Eagles won #39;t even begin their preparations for Sunday #39;s game against the Baltimore Ravens until the players return to practice today, but Ravens linebacker Edgerton Hartwell already has fired the first salvos.

Baltimore starts trash talk early


LET #39;S assume that the merger of Kmart and Sears is exactly what it #39;s being sold as: a way to combine the remaining strengths of two well-known but struggling retailers.

Who #39;s Afraid of Kmart and Sears? Not Target


United States international DaMarcus Beasley scored the breakaway goal Saturday as PSV Eindhoven brushed aside FC Groningen 3-0 to stretch its lead in the Dutch premiership.

Beasley goal helps PSV extend league lead


Consumers will be able to hunt for music, movies, news, and more.

Singingfish Unveils Multimedia Search Tool


STEVEN GERRARD scored one of the finest - and most dramatic -oals Anfield #39;s famous Kop has ever witnessed today. And it was enough to fire Liverpool into the knockout stages of the tournament with a gut-wrenching victory.

Gerrard stunner seals comeback


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Personal computer maker Gateway  Inc. <A HREF=

Gateway Posts Operating Profit


ISLAMABAD : Pakistan has expressed the confidence that during their meeting in New York, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would focus on Kashmir, review status of the composite dialogue and discuss how to add substance to the

Musharraf, Singh to discuss Kashmir: spokesman


In the cosmetics department at Hecht's in downtown Washington, construction crews have ripped out the traditional glass display cases, replacing them with a system of open shelves stacked high with fragrances from Chanel, Burberry and Armani, now easily within arm's reach of the impulse buyer.

Hecht's Adopts Smarter Look


Jeff Bagwell, Brad Ausmus, and Lance Berkman drove in two runs each and the Houston Astros shook off Pirates starter Oliver Perez's dominance in the opener, beating the Pirates, 9-2, for their 13th victory in 14 games and a doubleheader split last night in Pittsburgh.

Astros earn split after streak ends


ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- The diva does not warm up before her performance. Not much, anyway. That is something that other gymnasts do, and Svetlana Khorkina will never be confused with one of those.

Too tall, too old, too artistic, Khorkina makes grand Olympic exit


DEERFIELD, Ill. - Scottie Pippen announced his retirement from the Chicago Bulls, the team he and Michael Jordan led to six NBA titles in the 1990s...

Scottie Pippen Retires After 17 Seasons


The music industry wants to get a sales bounce by wooing students with steep price cuts, while universities are eager to strike deals to cut down on illegal downloading. <FONT face=

Online Music Goes Back To School


SEOUL (Reuters) - A huge explosion in North Korea last week  was a deliberate blast to pave the way for a hydro-electric  dam, Pyongyang said Monday.

N.Korea Says Blast Was for Hydro-Electric Project


Singapore #39;s unemployment rate improved in the third quarter reflecting the improving economic environment. The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent at

Singapore jobless rate falls


The US government said yesterday that intercepted drugs purportedly sent from Canada, made and shipped elsewhere, had been subject to Canadian recall and had cheaper generic counterparts in the United States.

FDA warns on drugs from Canada


Beta Search Engine iZito Supports Human Search Behavior\\iZito has launched a new meta-search engine that makes searching on the Internet easier and quicker. iZito has developed a


AP - In a Dec. 8 story about the Morehead State-Kentucky basketball game, The Associated Press reported erroneously that in a 71-40 loss, Morehead State scored its fewest points in a game since early in the 1978-79 season, when the Eagles had 37 in a loss to Indiana. Morehead State scored 32 points in a 1995 loss to Kentucky.

Correction: Morehead-St-Kentucky Story (AP)


AFP - Winning a gold medal would ease the sting of two Olympic qualifying defeats for the United States team of National Basketball Association stars.

Golden goal for NBA stars as they face formidable challengers (AFP)


AP - The Supreme Court has quashed charges of obscene exposure levied last year against avant-garde theater director Gerald Thomas, who mooned an audience after an opera performance.

Court Acquits Mooning Theater Director (AP)


Psychotic mice that flee their littermates may offer insights into diseases such as schizophrenia, US researchers reported on Monday.

Psychotic Mice May Aid Study of Disease - Report


Defending B.C.S. champion L.S.U. dropped eight spots to No. 13 in The Associated Press media poll after losing 10-9 at Auburn on Saturday.

L.S.U. Tumbles, Auburn Rises in A.P. Poll


AFP - Australian Prime Minister John Howard meets Southeast Asian leaders in Laos under growing pressure to sign a non-aggression pact with them to dispel concern about his policy of pre-emptive strikes.

Australian PM makes ASEAN debut under pressure to sign non-aggression pact (AFP)


AVONDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Amid darkness, rain and a series of late crashes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. recorded an overtime victory in Sunday #39;s NASCAR Nextel Cup Checker Auto Parts 500.

Earnhardt wins extended race in Phoenix


A new world record has been set for transmitting data across a wireless network, claim researchers in Germany. A team at Siemens Communications research laboratory in Munich, have transmitted one gigabit (one

Wireless network smashes world speed record


China Netcom Group Corp. (Hong Kong) Ltd., China #39;s second-biggest fixed line phone company, plans to spend half of the net proceeds from its HK\$9.

China Netcom to fund expansion with IPO proceeds


AP - Opera Software, the maker of the No. 3 Web browser, reported a third-quarter net loss Friday that was more than three times greater than the year before, despite an increase in revenue. Its shares fell 6.5 percent.

Opera Software Triples Third-Quarter Loss (AP)


washingtonpost.com - Mel Karmazin, the hard-charging broadcasting executive who left Viacom Inc. after clashing with chairman and chief executive Sumner M. Redstone, is taking command at Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., which will reunite him with longtime ally Howard Stern.

Radio Veteran To Head Sirius (washingtonpost.com)


ATHENS, Greece  It began with Allen Iverson  The Answer, the captain, the leader of Team USA  forgetting about the fractured bone in his right thumb and courageously hitting the floor against Greece in full regalia.

Renewed focus ends nightmare


Hewlett-Packard executive promises

HP readies TVs, media hub products


THE Ministry of Manpower has taken the unprecedented step of outsourcing its entire IT applications, hardware, software and services.

MOM farms out all IT-related functions


Real Madrid moved back up to second in the Primera Liga with a 5-0 rout of Levante at the Bernabeu on Sunday. Although Madrid struggled to get going, a 12-minute spell either side of half-time saw the hosts race into a four-goal lead.

Five-star Madrid back up to second


A wonderful result for what had become, because of injury and retirement, a beleaguered rugby nation. England began in control, they never lost that control and both the squad and their new coaching set-up will take fantastic heart from it all.

England 32 South Africa 16: Shocking South Africa left trailing by <b>...</b>


Users are finding lots of inventive ways to lose precious files, say data recovery experts.

How to smash a home computer


Sports science has allowed athletes to prepare for this Olympiad using technology beyond their predecessors' wildest dreams.

Tech's impact on sport success


SYDNEY: The chief executive of Australia #39;s Westpac Banking Corp said yesterday he believed government restraints on mergers and takeovers between the country #39;s main four banks should be removed.

Australia Westpac seeks end to takeover restraints


TODAY'S GAMES Division 1 CATHOLIC -- Malden Catholic at BC High, 7. GREATER BOSTON -- Revere at Malden, 6:30; Waltham at Peabody, 7.

This week's schedule


Thousands of new customers across the Northeast are flocking to Bank of America Corp. , chief executive Kenneth D. Lewis said yesterday, despite a wave of bad publicity over layoffs and other business decisions.

Bank says it's gaining customers since merger


The space agency's top administrator, Sean O'Keefe, says he wants to ensure that his children can go to college without incurring debt. His plan? Applying for a \$500,000-per-year job at Louisiana State University. By Amit Asaravala.

NASA Chief Resigns


The Lebanese Embassy in Baghdad is working with Iraqis to secure the release of a 7-year-old Lebanese boy taken by kidnappers demanding \$150,000, Foreign Ministry officials said Monday.

Lebanese Foreign Ministry says it is trying to secure release of 7 <b>...</b>


KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is likely to visit Pakistan from August 23 (Monday), sources said on Tuesday.

Karzai likely to visit Pakistan next week


Venezuela on Sunday ordered foreign oil firms operating in its huge Orinoco heavy crude belt to pay much higher taxes in what President Hugo Chavez called

Venezuela Boosts Taxes on Orinoco Deals