Although Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon admits to having problems with migraine headaches and a stiff neck, you #39;d never know it.

Aching Damon remains a sparkplug


At least eight people have been killed and at least 54 others injured in a road accident in southwestern France. Authorities say a Spanish bus, a minivan, and at least two cars were involved in the pre-dawn

8 Dead, 54 Injured in French Auto Pileup


The number of people who were killedwhen a high-speed train hit a car in southeastern England on Saturday rose to seven Sunday, including the drivers of both the car and train.

Death toll of England #39;s train crash rises to seven


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices stood firm on Thursday,  holding onto near-\$2 per barrel gains made the previous session  when U.S. inventory data showed commercial crude stocks falling  to their lowest in five months.

Oil Holds at \$44 After Sharp Crude Draw


CONSIDER THE SOURCE. That #39;s always good advice when evaluating a dispute, and never more true than in recent football developments.

Clarett, Owens best seen but not heard


NEW YORK - Just like at Wimbledon two months ago, Marat Safin exited at the earliest stage of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, bowing meekly to Thomas Enqvist 7-6 (5), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3...

Safin Makes Early Exit at U.S. Open


ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sports Network) - Anaheim Angels  outfielder Vladimir Guerrero was drilled on the left side of  his head by a pitch from Mariners pitcher Ryan Franklin,  forcing him out of Monday's game in the first inning.

Guerrero Beaned During Angels Game


Barclays PLC, Britain #39;s third-biggest bank, said Thursday it is on track to meet analyst expectations of a full-year profit before tax of 4.5 billion pounds (\$8.5 billion US), despite a flat performance from its domestic retail banking

Barclays says on track to meet full-year profit forecasts; shares <b>...</b>


KIEV (Reuters) - Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, fresh  from securing a re-run of Ukraine's disputed election, tore up  a deal on Saturday to reduce the president's powers and told  his supporters to keep up pressure on the streets.

Ukraine Opposition Flexes Muscles After Victory


Today the Supreme Court declined to rule that the National Do Not Call Registry violates telemarketers #39; rights to commercial free speech.

Call it an Early Birthday Present


AP - John Kerry is giving  #36;250,000 to support Democrats in disputed elections in Washington state and Louisiana and forming a new fund that could help his future political ambitions.

Kerry Gives Money to Support Dem Races (AP)


US consumer price inflation moderated in November after experiencing a sharp rise in the prior month, the Labour Department said today.

US CPI and Core rates rise 0.2pc in Nov


In a judicial blow to the entertainment industry, a federal appeals court ruled that makers of two leading file-sharing programs are not legally liable for the songs, movies and other copyright works their users swap online.

Update 4: Two Firms Cleared of Swapping Violations


A memorial service is held in Ireland for Margaret Hassan, as the EU warns of effects for relief workers in Iraq.

Mourners honour Iraq aid worker


Reuters - U.S. retailers are spicing up their\fashion lines with a bit of Latin flavor to attract a\long-neglected but increasingly important group of consumers --\Hispanics.

Apparel Retailers Tune in to Latin Beat (Reuters)


PRAGUE : Former Czech president and anti-communist dissident Vaclav Havel launched a major demonstration of support for the Cuban democracy by predicting that things were set to change in the communist country.

Czech rights summit hails Cuban dissidence


Nordstrom Inc. beat its cautious forecasts once again, posting a 71 percent increase in third-quarter earnings, reaping the benefits of a streamlined inventory system while focusing on improving its merchandise.

Nordstrom posts 71 increase


VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul is returning centuries-old relics of two Orthodox Christian saints in an effort to bridge the divide between the two churches.

Vatican returns relics of saints to Istanbul


Hong Kong #39;s chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, ruled out on Thursday trying to pass internal security legislation any time soon, a strong sign that his backers in Beijing

A Sign From Beijing? Hong Kong Chief Shelves the Security Law


After a week of swimming, gymnastics, synchronized diving, and beach volleyball, the Olympic menu will offer a steady diet of its bread-and-butter sport beginning this morning.

Finally, events are in track spotlight


Rockets struck a Baghdad hotel housing foreign contractors and journalists late Thursday, drawing return fire and underscoring the insecurity even in the heart of the capital.

Western hotel in heart of Baghdad hit by rockets


A major re-ordering of South Africa #39;s gold mining industry is expected to get under way today with Gold Fields of South Africa poised to announce a multi-billion dollar merger with one of its big Johannesburg-based rivals, most likely Harmony Gold.

South African gold groups poised for merger


Tobacco company Reynolds American Inc., reporting earnings for the first time since the combination of RJ Reynolds and the US operations of Brown  amp; Williamson

Reynolds reports 1st earnings since merger


With help from software giant Microsoft Corp., officials tracked down two brothers who authorities say sold bogus college degrees over the Internet, including an MBA that was issued to a housecat.

Microsoft helps in bogus degrees case


AP - Microsoft Corp., stepping up its efforts to compete with rival Google Inc., will offer consumers a preview of its technology for searching the Internet, beginning Thursday.

Microsoft to Preview New Search Engine (AP)


TechWeb - Enterprise Voice Sites allows businesses to build and deploy pre-packaged IVR solutions on a pay-as-you-go usage model.

Angel.com Releases Hosted IVR Suite (TechWeb)


Oil #39;s days at \$50 per barrel look numbered, former Saudi oil minister Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani says, predicting that prices should ease unless politics or a tough winter get in the way.

Fifty-dollar oil unlikely to last


Shares of Web search leader Google (GOOG) rose more than 5 in extended trade Tuesday after Goldman Sachs analyst Anthony Noto put a \$215 price target on the stock.

Google up on Goldman #39;s \$215 stock price target


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Computer chip sales have  recovered from a

AMD: Chip Sales Rebound After U.S. Election


What happened before CJ arrived in Los Santos? Check these screens, details, and exclusive movie to find out. November 19, 2004 - Did you ever wonder what was happening in Los Santos prior to the events of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - The Prequel


O2 has outlined its plans to catch up with 3G rivals Orange and Vodafone by rolling out what it claims will be Europe #39;s first super-fast 3G mobile data network.

O2 outlines 3G catch up strategy


By BILL KACZOR    PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- A former dormitory converted to classrooms at the Pensacola Naval Air Station was dedicated Friday to two Columbia astronauts who were among the seven who died in the shuttle disaster Feb...

Building Dedicated to Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts


KABUL, Afghanistan Oct. 7, 2004 - The Afghan government on Thursday blamed drug smugglers not Taliban or al-Qaida fighters for a bomb attack on interim leader Hamid Karzai #39;s vice presidential running mate

Drug Smugglers Blamed in Afghan Attack


The battle for the US presidency enters new territory today with both candidates turning to scientific journals to set out their election promises.

Candidates battle for hearts and minds in the science journals


In the past five years, national sales of real Christmas trees have dropped faster than needles on an unwatered pine in the living room.

O Christmas tree


BASEL, Switzerland : Former champion David Nalbandian of Argentina will bid to claim his second Basel ATP title here on Sunday when he faces Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic for the first time in his career.

Tennis: Nalbandian to meet Novak in Basel final


Atlanta holds a 9-4 edge in the season series, and has won four of seven in New York...The doubleheader was the Braves #39; second in five days after they were swept at home by Philadelphia on September 8...The last doubleheader between these clubs at Shea

National League Game Summary - Atlanta at New York, Game Two


SAMARRA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces tightened  their grip on Samarra Saturday, pushing ahead with one of the  largest offensives since the fall of Saddam Hussein to try to  regain control of the rebel stronghold.

U.S.-Led Forces Tighten Hold on Rebel Iraqi City


WASHINGTON: The deficit at the federal agency that rescues failed US corporate pensions more than doubled to \$23.3 billion in fiscal year 2004, officials said on Monday, with analysts largely blaming bankrupt airlines.

US pension agencys deficit jumps to \$23b


Dow Chemical Co, in a major policy reversal, is accepting full responsibility for the 1984 Bhopal disaster in India, a company spokesman said on Friday.

Dow Accepts Responsibility for Bhopal -- Spokesman


SPORTS Minister Richard Caborn this morning praised the discipline of the England players in the face of the racist chanting which marred last nights 1-0 defeat in Spain.

Caborn praise for abused players


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saboteurs blew up Iraq's northern  export pipeline for the second week in a row on Saturday,  halting oil flows to Turkey's Ceyhan port, oil officials said.

Sabotage Stops Iraq's North Oil Exports


Omar Minaya officially locked up Kris Benson for the next three seasons on Monday, but the Mets general manager couldn #39;t say for certain whether Al Leiter would join him in the rotation in 2005.

Mets, Benson make deal official


The Mac BU today announced the availability of Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Office 2004 for Mac via Microsoft AutoUpdate, which it says addresses potential security issues and bugs reported via the new Microsoft Error Reporting Protocol (MERP), which

Microsoft releases Office 2004 Service Pack 1


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is refusing to panic but admits his side are going through a dip after witnessing their English Premiership and Champions League campaigns stutter.

Wenger unruffled by sluggish Arsenal


Deutsche Telekom, the largest European phone company, on Thursday raised its forecast for net income in 2004 and said it planned to pay its first dividend in three years, after its third-quarter profit more than doubled.

Telekom lifts forecast as net rises


Some throws fell woefully short, skittering across the turf and rolling to the feet of receivers. Others sailed over the heads of the intended targets, fluttering

Jets Say Pennington Bothered by Shoulder


WASHINGTON-- With the U.S. Congress winding down its work for 2004, technology lobbying groups are stepping up their push for lawmakers to pass several pieces of legislation, including extensions to a research and development (R D) tax credit and an Internet access tax moratorium.

Tech groups push for R D credit, Internet tax ban


Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who founded and run Walt Disney Co. #39;s Miramax Films unit, are now looking for a way to stay within the Disney fold, the New York Post said on Tuesday, citing no sources.

Report: Weinsteins Looking to Stay with Disney


The bad blood was everywhere in the building. It caused Canadian coach Pat Quinn to accuse the Americans of running goalie Martin Brodeur.

Canadians start fast


AVRICOURT, FRANCE - An anti-nuclear protester was killed in France Sunday when his leg was cut off by a train carrying radioactive waste to Germany.

Protester killed in anti-nuclear demonstration


Online retail sales in the US are expected to double by 2010, accounting for 12 percent of the total retail sales, a market research firm said Monday.

US Online Retail Sales Expected To Double In Six Years


FREED former Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has lived up to his reputation for outspokenness, declaring on his first night out of jail that he was released because Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was  quot;ignoring quot; his predecessor

Mahathir obsolete: Anwar


Bank of America Corp. confirmed yesterday it will locate its wealth management division in Boston and said it will move about 100 high-level jobs here.

Bank of America bases unit in Hub


The former Yankee, sidelined by surgery, can only be a spectator for Houston #39;s NLCS matchup with St. Louis. BY DAVID LENNON. ST.

Astros in, Pettitte out


Supporters cheer Botswana's President Festus Mogae in the last day of campaigning before Saturday's parliamentary polls.

Botswana gears up for the polls


A toolkit designed to exploit a recently-disclosed Microsoft JPEG vulnerability has been released onto the net. The toolkit (screen shot from AV firm F-Secure here) makes it trivially easy for maliciously-minded

JPEG exploit toolkit spotted online


Houston - Jeff Kent sat alone in the dugout Monday, thinking forward and counting backward. As the sellout crowd of 43,045 screamed, waving white towels, the Houston Astros #39; second baseman began preparing for the biggest at-bat in the franchise #39;s history.

Astros launch into NLCS lead


Mozilla Firefox 1.0 Ready For Primetime\\After years of reinventing the wheel with the Mozilla browser, Mozilla seems to have struck a gold stake into the heart of Microsoft with Firefox. As popular as Mozilla's open source browsers have been in the tech world, that niche popularity was a whisper to ...

Mozilla Firefox 1.0 Ready For Primetime


Clash of the Titans - When Search Engines Collide\\Billions of pages going to trillions. Most of the information available online is replicated again and again, then twisted, corrupted and re-entered. When one search question retrieves one million answers, the system fails -- results have little or no value.\


Rival trans-Tasman airlines Air New Zealand and Qantas have far from abandoned their dreams of an alliance, despite it failing to clear yet another hurdle.

Air NZ, Qantas keep alliance dream alive


After suffering through the worst season of his career, Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels is dedicated to returning to Pro Bowl form.

Samuels Rebounds


BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Arab news network Al-Jazeera on Wednesday broadcast footage of British hostage Kenneth Bigley pleading to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to work for his release.    The footage showed a sobbing Bigley talking from behind bars of what appeared to be a prison cell...

British Hostage Pleads to Tony Blair


A former NASA quality inspector tasked with checking maintenance work on parts for the space shuttle Discovery will be arraigned Friday on federal charges that he failed to conduct 83  quot;critical quot; inspections in late 2002 and 2003, federal

NASA inspector indicted


PARIS (Reuters) - Planemaker Airbus said on Friday it had  raised its expected deliveries target for 2004 to as many as  320 planes and might tap up to 1 billion euros (\$1.24 billion)  in controversial government loans to build a new model.

Airbus Raises Delivery Target for 2004


For anyone who has watched the Giants' defense over the past few seasons, safety Brent Alexander's critique of his play in Sunday's victory seems laughable.

New Safety for Giants Is Tough on Himself


Reuters - The surge in oil prices over the\summer was not enough to derail the U.S. economy and the\central bank sees no reason to pause in its interest-rate rises\just yet, top Fed officials said on Thursday.

Fed on Tightening Path, Unfazed by Oil (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. orders for durable goods rose  by a smaller-than-expected 0.2 percent in September, held back  by another sharp fall in commercial aircraft, government data  showed on Wednesday.

Durable Goods Orders Edge Up in September


When Walt Disney Co. chief executive Michael D. Eisner and Disney President Michael S. Ovitz appeared on  quot;Larry King Live quot; on Sept.

Eisner Continues Defense of Hiring, Firing


MOSCOW (Reuters) - Supporters of a candidate in a disputed  election in the separatist Georgian region of Abkhazia stormed  government buildings on Friday, Russia's Interfax news agency  reported.

Activists Storm Parliament in Rebel Georgia Region


AP - Cave explorers discovered a pit inside a mountain range in central Croatia believed to have the world's deepest subterranean vertical drop, at nearly 1,700 feet, a scientific institute reported Monday.

Cave Explorers Discover Pit in Croatia (AP)


SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Linux vendor Red Hat Inc. is adding security and authentication tools from Netscape Security Solutions to its software arsenal through a deal with America Online Inc.

Red Hat acquiring LDAP server from AOL #39;s Netscape unit


CMS Energy announced today the company intends to offer 22 million shares of common stock to the public. The underwriters will be granted an option to purchase an additional 3.3 million common

CMS to offer shares to public


Just four days before Halloween, the full moon will disappear from the sky tonight, likely leaving a bloody facsimile behind. Dont be alarmed; its just another lunar eclipse, the third visible in North America in the past two years.

Blood moon to make its mark tonight during lunar eclipse


Against an impossible deadline, a small team at Sony Cinematics Solutions Group created a two-minute animated promo to prove that a tech-savvy group could do dazzling broadcast work. Aug 13

Animating for the Super Bowl


Amateur baseball: Yawkey League playoffs -- Somerville vs. South Boston at Ronan Park, Dorchester, 7:30 p.m.

Today's schedule


It is often the case with charismatic rebels with a just cause that, when they pass on, the world tends to assume one of two things: either that all problems will be solved now, or none will be solved.

After Arafat


AP - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found a tonic for their sputtering offense in the Chicago Bears' porous run defense.

Struggling Bucs Best Dismal Bears, 19-7 (AP)


HAITI #39;S former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide lashed out today at his country #39;s interim prime minister, calling him  quot;a killer quot;.

Haiti #39;s PM a  #39;killer #39;


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. job market brightened in  August as employers added 144,000 workers to their payrolls and  hiring totals for the two prior months were revised up, the  Labor Department reported on Friday.

Job Picture Brightens with August Hiring


After rewriting the Pirates #39; record book, Jason Bay was named the National League Rookie of the Year yesterday by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Pirates #39; Bay National League Rookie of the Year


Electrolux shares have tumbled after the world #39;s largest maker of consumer electronics said profit in the second half of 2004 will be less than forecast.

Electrolux issues profit warning


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health officials, taking  another step to ease the season's flu shot shortage, approved  the importation of up to 4 million flu shot doses from Europe  on Tuesday for patients willing to sign a consent form.

U.S. to Import 4 Million Flu Shot Doses


The space shuttle may begin flying before NASA has a reliable plan to fix damage similar to that which doomed the Columbia shuttle in February 2003, the manager of the shuttle program said Monday.

Shuttle repair plan remains in the works


A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 hit a wide area of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido early Monday, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.

Strong Quake Hits in Japan


A court in Florida will convene tomorrow, to consider the software industry #39;s largest merger. Sitting in the Delaware Chancery Court, vice-chancellor Leo Strine will decide whether PeopleSoft is allowed to

Business Analysis: Oracle refocuses to give itself an upgrade


A European indie music label is taking an unusual approach to the issue of CD copy protection - it is branding all its releases with a sticker proclaiming the absence of any such control measure.

Indie music label rejects lock-down CDs


Reuters - Hundreds of Iraqi troops backed by U.S.\forces stormed a Sunni Muslim mosque in Baghdad after Friday\prayers, killing four people and wounding at least nine,\witnesses and an influential group of Sunni clerics said.

Iraqi Troops Raid Baghdad Mosque, 17 Detained (Reuters)


AP - Despite President Bush's clear margin of victory in the 2004 presidential race, voting and civil rights advocates say the election did not go as smoothly as Americans might think.

Groups Seek to Address Voting Troubles (AP)


Kenya says it  has started to repossess millions of hectares of land acquired illegally since independence in 1963.

Kenya to repossess illegal land


OTTAWA - The navy board of inquiry investigating the fatal submarine fire aboard HMCS Chicoutimi should include independent members, perhaps from another country, says Tory MP Bill Casey.

Tory MP calls for independent experts at sub inquiry


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Freshman Michael Hart rushed for 206 yards and Garrett Rivas hit a 35-yard field goal with 2:45 to go to lift No. 13 Michigan to a 16-14 win over No. 12 Purdue yesterday.

Hart break thrill


AP - There was no big stir on Wall Street, but a San Francisco-based Internet company marked a cultural milestone Thursday by becoming the first gay-directed business to trade its stock on a major exchange.

Gay-Owned Media Firm PlanetOut Goes Public (AP)


TheDeal.com - The software maker has indicated it could abandon the hunt for PeopleSoft if it does not win support for a tender offer.

Oracle-PeopleSoft end nears (TheDeal.com)


BOSTON (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling  underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured flexor tendon in  his right ankle.

Schilling Has Successful Ankle Surgery


Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi says time is running out for Al-Fallujah residents to evict foreign fighters from the city of face a US-Iraqi military operation to do so.

Allawi Threatens New Offensive To Take Over Al-Fallujah


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Satellite TV giant EchoStar Communications Corp. on Tuesday reported its third-quarter earnings nearly tripled as the parent company of Dish Network, the nation #39;s second largest satelite TV service, added about 350,000 new subscribers.

EchoStar Earnings Nearly Triple in 3Q


SINGAPORE : The Singapore Exchange (SGX) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) plan to enter into a cross-membership agreement that will allow member securities firms of both exchanges to execute equity transactions in both bourses from fiscal 2005, the

SGX, TSE plan cross-membership agreement: report


The Minnesota Timberwolves finally had some fun at the expense of a team going through a coaching change. Lionel Hollins lost his debut as interim coach of the Grizzlies, with Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett scores 26 points as the Timberwolves beat Memphis <b>...</b>


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

Microsoft Issues Five Bulletins on Windows Flaws


AP - It's a chore that can quickly chill the warmth of the holiday season: Trudging outside each winter night to unplug the lights, deflate the blowup snowman and shut off the rest of the outdoor extravaganza.

REVIEW: Kit Automates Holiday Lights (AP)


The United States have routed Angola 89-53 in their final Olympic preliminary round men #39;s basketball game, but the reigning champions must wait to learn their opponent in Thursday #39;s quarter-finals.

US basketball stars rout Angola


Acquisitions can juice sales but can also lead to messy balance sheets. A simple test can sort them out.

How to Spot a Serial Acquirer


US industrial production jumped the most in three months in October, housing starts surged and consumer prices rose, suggesting the Federal Reserve may keep raising its benchmark interest rate.

US production prices increase


Global sales of chip equipment are expected to fall 5.2 percent next year, an industry group said Wednesday in a sharp reversal of its midyear forecast of 24 percent growth.

Chip gear sales now expected to shrink


Microsoft's Media Center edition of Windows XP has to rank as one of the company's bigger disappointments in a while.<FONT face=

Microsoft's Media Center Still Falls Short


The consumer products firm issues a profit warning for the second half.

Colgate-Palmolive Washed Away


Speaking at a conference in Boston, CEO Kevin Rollins expounds on his philosophies about all things IT.\<br />\ Photos: Inside Dell's plant

Dell's dirty words: Outsourcing, proprietary


BAGHDAD: An Al Qaeda-linked suicide bomber blew up his vehicle yesterday near cars waiting to enter the Green Zone, home to the US embassy and Iraq #39;s interim government, killing 13 Iraqis on the first anniversary of Saddam Hussein #39;s capture.

Bomb kills 13 in Iraq


Kraft is reportedly planning to sell two well-known brands. What will it do with the proceeds?

Kraft's Candy Sale


Paris St. Germain fan favorite Danijel Ljuboja has hit out at coach Vahid Halilhodzic for dropping him for a crunch Sunday visit from Champions League runners up Monaco.

Ljoboja Disgusted By Squad Slight


Lycos Europe has started to offer a controversial screensaver that floods spammers #39; servers with requests for info, similar to a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.

Take part in your very own DDoS attack


On Sunday evening, if you were in Birmingham, you couldn #39;t have missed the boisterous celebrations on the roads. And you couldn #39;t be blamed for thinking you were in Lahore or Delhi, not Birmingham.

Time to take back good memories


An international research team has found the first direct evidence that the Earth is dragging space and time around itself as it rotates, like a spoon spinning in honey.

Scientists Obtain Evidence Earth #39;s Spin Twists Space-Time Around <b>...</b>


FT.com - Three, the new entrant mobile operator pioneering 3G services in the UK, is experiencing strong uptake of its football news and video clips service in an encouraging sign of likely consumer demand for data services on mobile phones.

Football scores uptake bodes well for Three (FT.com)


The French Education Minister, Francois Fillon, said yesterday that up to 120 Muslim girls were still disobeying the government #39;s ban on wearing headscarves in state schools since the new school year started last week.

Muslim girls flout French ban on headscarves


Nintendo, Sony ready rival portable gaming devices. Which one will gamers go for?

Let the Handheld Games Begin


LONDON (Reuters) - High-flying oil climbed back over \$50 a  barrel on Thursday, with worries over the security of Nigerian  supply supporting prices despite a surprise build in U.S. crude  inventories.

Oil at \$50 Again, Nigeria Worries Persist


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Microsoft #39;s (Quote, Chart) chairman and chief software architect said the move to Web services (define) could ease the Internet #39;s security woes and that digital rights management can balance out piracy.

Gates Chats Up DRM, Web Services


Employers added 96,000 jobs to payrolls in September, the government announced Friday, a surprisingly weak total in the last report before the Nov. 2 election.

96,000 jobs added to payrolls last month


Michael Owen is expected to be fit for Saturday #39;s World Cup qualifier game against Wales. Owen, who has been suffering from a hamstring injury, managed to train successfully on Wednesday.

Michael Owen fit for England game


TONY EASTLEY: To Iraq now, where three British soldiers have been killed and a number of others injured in an ambush by insurgents.

Three British soldiers killed in Iraq


Even in the immediate afterglow of her bronze medal in the Olympic marathon in August, Deena (Drossin) Kastor was thinking of Sunday #39;s New York City Marathon.

Streets of New York on deck for Kastor


Reuters - Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio began\moves Tuesday to dissolve parliament and call an election after\deciding Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes could no longer\continue in the job.

Portuguese President Moves to Dissolve Parliament (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. is in talks with Qualcomm  Inc. about using a network the chipmaker is building to deliver  live television to Sprint mobile phone customers, Chief  Operating Officer Len Lauer said on Tuesday.

Sprint in Talks with Qualcomm on TV to Cellphones


Spanish police have arrested five suspected ETA members just days after 21 people were seized including the Basque separatist group #39;s suspected leader, officials say.

Spain seizes 5 more ETA suspects


Underlining the importance of message archiving software, Veritas Software Corp. has announced plans for a \$224 million cash acquisition of KVS Software Ltd.

Veritas buys KVS, plugs archive hole


Industry and regulators continue to intensify the fight against intellectual piracy, with the movie industry the latest to crack the whip.

Industry, regulators ramp up anti-piracy fight


Thanks to a break in the weather, search teams have found the black box of a cargo jet that crashed at Halifax #39;s International Airport last week.

RCMP help find crashed jet #39;s data recorder


Tennent #39;s Scottish Cup holders Celtic have been drawn to face Old Firm rivals Rangers in next month #39;s third round. Martin O #39;Neill #39;s men, who knocked out their Glasgow neighbours in the quarter-finals last

Old Firm plum tie in Scottish Cup


EILAT, Israel Thousands of Israelis trudged through the Taba border post on Friday, returning home, like shocked refugees, from a Sinai bloodied by three terrorist bombings of three tourist hotels on Thursday night.

Israel tourists flee after Sinai blasts


ATHENS, Greece - Efharisto! A nervous world learned the Greek word for thank you and repeated it endlessly at an astonishingly successful Athens Olympics that quelled fears, surprised skeptics and greatly honored the birthplace of the games.    Fireworks and spectacular lighting kicked off the closing ceremony Sunday night, a two-hour extravaganza of folk dancing and music in the Olympic tradition that summed up the glee and relief the games brought to Greece...

Triumphant Olympics End With Pride, Relief


DUBAI (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official appointed to a  controversial multi-million dollar project to promote democracy  in Arab countries insists he will not meddle in the politics of  the region.

U.S. Middle East Project to Leave Politics Alone


More than 1,400 Colombian paramilitaries hand over their weapons to the country's government.

Colombian rebels hand over guns


There's no other outcome now: The Red Sox will either win the World Series or add another historic collapse to their legend.

Red Sox Go for World Series Sweep Tonight


SCOTLANDS Murray brothers face an exciting weekend north and south of the Border, with Jamie due to contest the doubles final of the LTA Futures event at Craiglockhart, and Andrew fulfilling a boyhood ambition at Wembley where he will come face to face

Murray ready for McEnroe


Reuters - Swiss banking group UBS, the\world's largest wealth manager, said on Monday it had\strengthened its position in the United States by buying local\rival Julius Baer's U.S. wealth-management business.

UBS to Buy Julius Baer U.S. Business (Reuters)


SEOUL (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell is to  seek South Korean support Tuesday for a U.S. hard line on North  Korea after China said Washington must be more flexible to  entice the reclusive state back to nuclear arms talks.

U.S. Seeks Seoul's Support for Hard Line on N.Korea


With Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 lined up for release next year, the open source solutions vendor has released a power pack to ensure that customers using the existing version 3.0 have access to the latest enhancements in Linux.

Red Hat Packs More Punch Into RHEL 3.0


ATHENS, Greece - Marion Jones made a quiet Athens debut, advancing easily to the long jump final. Allen Johnson had the attention of everyone in the stadium, for all the wrong reasons...

Jones in Long-Jump Final; Johnson Falters


He stood only 5 feet 2 inches but Yasser Arafat cast a long shadow on the world stage, and many leaders, diplomats, and analysts saw in his passing

Chance seen to pursue peace


PC users might look at competitors after dealing with patches for patches.

More Flaws With Microsoft


Security experts said that while the new Service Pack 2 for Windows XP will bolster the operating system's security, hackers will still find a way to exploit any flaws.

Hunt for XP SP2 flaws seen in full swing


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. --  quot;Very definitely, we're still in this, quot; maintains Pat Noonan of the bandaged and bruised but still playoff-hungry New England Revolution.

Revolution lose grip


roundup Plus: TiVo hires marketing chief...Jail time for California swappers?...Microsoft updates home PC package...LookSmart buys Furl.net.

Briefly: MLB sells game clips for 99 cents


KABUL, Afghanistan Afghan president Hamid Karzai aborted his trip to a provincial capital today when a rocket hit near his landing site as his helicopter was approaching.

Karzai aborts trip to Afghan city after rocket hits near landing <b>...</b>


SYDNEY : Prime Minister John Howard #39;s election campaign received a last-minute boost as new unemployment figures showed a larger than expected fall in the number of jobless, two days before an election he has fought on his economic record.

Australian PM gets election boost with surprise drop in <b>...</b>


Reuters - Asia needs a special crime-fighting\network to combat a booming illegal wildlife trade worth\billions of dollars which threatens many species with\extinction, Thailand's prime minister said Saturday.

Asia Needs Network to Fight Illegal Wildlife Trade (Reuters)


AP - The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights voted Friday to wait until after next month's election to discuss a report critical of the Bush administration's civil rights record. Republican members had objected to the report's timing. The report remains posted on the commission's Web site, however, despite objections from GOP commissioners who sought to get it removed.

Civil Rights Panel to Wait to Discuss Bush (AP)


AP - Carolina Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, a police spokeswoman said Thursday.

Panthers Punter Arrested on DWI Charge (AP)


China on Tuesday vehemently protested a US decision to impose a quota on sock imports, warning it might take  quot;further steps quot; under World Trade Organization rules to protect its own rights.

China Protests US Limits on Sock Imports


AFP - Retail sales in Britain rebounded by 0.6 percent in August, buoyed by higher sales in food, department and clothing stores, defying expectations of a second monthly decline.

British retail sales show surprise rise in August (AFP)


TEHRAN (Reuters) - The European Union's three big powers  and Iran have reached a preliminary deal over Tehran's disputed  nuclear program which could be finalized in the next few days,  a senior Iranian security official said Sunday.

Iran Says Preliminary Nuclear Deal Reached with EU


The Utah Jazz #39;s exhibition game in Russia next month was canceled by the NBA on Friday because of security concerns. The league and the Jazz hope to reschedule the game for possibly next preseason, but with

Jazz trip to Moscow canceled because of security concerns


GENEVA -- The fighting in Iraq is ''wreaking havoc quot; on the children, all but preventing relief groups from working in the country, the UN children's agency said yesterday.

UN says children suffering the most


Mariano Rivera smiled easily and talked about how yesterday was better, how the  quot;sun came up today. quot; But his eyes were still weary when he stopped to talk during batting practice before Game 2 of the ALCS last night.

Weary Rivera saves day for Yankees again


BEIJING: At least 57 miners were killed and three missing following a massive blaze at a complex of iron mines in northern China, the government reported Monday.

Mine death toll rises to 57


As Congress's chief opponent to a bill that would revamp the intelligence community, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Ca.) has evoked concerns about President Bush's clout among Republican lawmakers.

Intel Bill Foe Holds Out


Hewlett-Packard Co. #39;s board considered on three occasions whether to break up the company, but each time directors unanimously concluded it would

HP eyed breaking up 3 times Each time, board decided against it


NASAs two crawler transporter vehicles soon will sport new shoes. A \$10 million project to replace the 456 tread belt shoes, weighing more than one ton each, on both crawlers at Kennedy Space Center begins mid-October.

Crawler #39;s New Shoes to Help Space Shuttle Move Toward Return to <b>...</b>


Kevin Keegan has revealed that Manchester City would be without Sun Jihai will be out of action for a year with a serious leg injury.

Sun setback for City


College football is big business, but there is still room for players such as Boston College fullback Everett Lee.

BC's Lee was a little late getting started


Unions began a four-day strike against rising fuel prices in Nigeria on Monday, helping drive world oil prices to record highs even though shipments from Africa #39;s top producer were unaffected.

Nigerian Unions Launch Strike But Oil Exports Flow


US consumers and businesses have lost an estimated \$US500 million (\$688 million) to the internet scam known as  quot;phishing quot;, with seven out of 10 lured to fake websites, according to a survey.

Phishers hook US consumers


com September 13, 2004, 1:28 PM PT. With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.

3Com challenges Cisco to router duel


After signatures, fingerprints and iris recognition, 3-D face maps encoded onto ID cards and passports are unveiled today. The ground-breaking system of recording biometric information could be the key to our security.

The future face of identity checking


The trial begins in Sudan of 15 Eritrean asylum seekers charged with hijacking a Libyan plane.

Eritrean 'hijackers' go on trial


AFP - Outgoing EU competition commissioner Mario Monti wants to reach a decision on Oracle's proposed takeover of business software rival PeopleSoft by the end of next month, an official said.

EU's Monti seeks Oracle-PeopleSoft decision by end-October (AFP)


Minneapolis, MN -- Saturday #39;s matchup between the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome was suspended after 11 innings with the game tied at 5-5 so that the stadium could be converted for a college football contest later in the day.

American League Game Summary - Cleveland At Minnesota


More than 200 Brigitte Bardot fans descend on a memorabilia sale on the star's 70th birthday.

Bardot fans snap up memorabilia


AFP - The US economy's  quot;soft patch quot; was not as weak as initial estimates, according to government data showing a 3.3 percent pace of expansion in the second quarter.

'Soft patch' not so soft, as US economic growth is revised higher (AFP)


Pleading for her life between terrified sobs, kidnapped aid official Margaret Hassan appeared on a videotape Friday urging the British prime minister to abandon Iraq.

Kidnapped Aid Official Begs Blair To Save Her


LOS ANGELES -- At least one Indiana State University student has been named as a defendant in a new round of lawsuits against music downloaders.

ISU Student Named In Downloading Lawsuit


Coach: Bill Gibbons (20th year, 393-172). Last year: 13-15, 8-6 (fourth in Patriot League).

Holy Cross at a glance


Yahoo! has lost an appeal against a US district courts ruling which said that the company does not have to obey a French courts decision requiring it to block French citizens from accessing internet auctions of Nazi memorabilia at Yahoo!

Yahoo! loses US appeal over French ruling on Nazi auctions


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers opened up  a 2 1/2 game lead in the National League West pennant race with  a 7-4 victory over title rivals the San Francisco Giants  Sunday.

Dodgers Slay Giants in Crunch Pennant Game


It was tailback Chris Perry #39;s 15-yard touchdown run in the final quarter last year that clinched Michigan #39;s victory over Ohio State and helped send the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl.

Wolverines should ride Hart and hope to establish early lead


Reuters - Iran will never be prepared to\dismantle its nuclear program entirely but remains committed to\the non-proliferation treaty (NPT), its chief delegate to the\International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday.

Iran Rules Out Complete Nuclear Dismantling (Reuters)


Almost 30 percent of bird populations in North America are facing a  quot;significant decline, quot; The National Audubon Society said in its first  quot;The State of the Birds quot; report Tuesday.

Bird populations declining


quot;It does not look good. I #39;m not predicting a disaster or anything like that, but it would be really miraculous if we didn #39;t have some impacts, quot; Department of Natural Resources

Oil spill looks bad for Del.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US industrial output advanced in July, as American factories operated at their highest capacity in more than three years, a Federal Reserve report on Tuesday showed.

US July Output Up; Factories Run Faster


Google's long-awaited initial stock sale, which appeared imminent today, has been delayed while the company awaits final approval of its paperwork by the S.E.C.

Google Offering Is Delayed


urged protesters to form a  quot;human shield quot; to protect the house of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo. the unrest in Ivory Coast, the world #39;s largest cocoa grower.

Ivory Coast protesters face French troops


The department must do more to lower the risk of cyberattacks against its IT systems and networks, an internal report says. By George V. Hulme.

Energy Department Hacked Nearly 200 Times In Last Year


The scientific Breakthrough of the Year awards are less glitzy than the Oscars, but the discoveries they honour are as spirit-stirring as anything to come out of Hollywood.

Water of life and other scientific highlights of 2004


The Bush administration expressed confidence Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon intends to  quot;move forward quot; on peacemaking with the Palestinians after he withdraws Jewish settlers and Israeli troops from Gaza.

Bush administration seeks clarification of Israeli officials #39; <b>...</b>


NEW YORK Nov 3, 2004 - In another sign the NHL season is slipping away, the league canceled its All-Star game Wednesday because of the lockout.

NHL Lockout Forces All-Star Cancellation


Genentech and OSI's launch of Tarceva brings a new choice in the treatment of lung cancer.

A New Drug for Lung Cancer


roundup Plus: Siebel moves toward self-repairing software...Monster says it could enter Japan by mid-2005...Novell to release Open Enterprise Server.

Briefly: PeopleSoft extends customer assurance


Sweden #39;s Annika Sorenstam overhauled a three-shot deficit in the last five holes to win a record fourth Samsung World Championship in California.

Sorenstam takes California title


BANGALORE, INDIA - Veritas Software's research and development (R D) center in Pune, India, will soon be the company's largest worldwide, according to a company executive.

Veritas' India lab to become its largest R D center


Another Fed meeting looms with another quarter-point interest rate hike virtually assured. It may seem strange that the Fed continues to raise interest rates on the heels of a summer-long economic soft patch.

Sunny Fed leaves no doubt about another rate increase


Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund is in  quot;serious quot; negotiations to sell the NBA franchise, which has enjoyed a dramatic financial turnaround since the arrival of star LeBron James.

Cavs owner in  #39;serious #39; negotiations to sell team


AS A 14-year-old on a men #39;s handicap of four, Mianne Bagger was recognised as a future champion. Photographed alongside Greg Norman in the magazine Golf World, Bagger would eventually earn international recognition for a much more dramatic swing.

Bagger just one of girls


The overall market revenue for Linux desktops, servers and packaged software will exceed US\$35 billion by 2008, research published today has claimed.

IDC Says Linux Market Will Top \$35 Billion by 2008


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - The cockpit voice recorder has been recovered from the wreckage of a crashed cargo plane, but is too badly damaged to be of use to investigators.

Cockpit recorder from crashed cargo jet too damaged to be of use (Canadian Press)


Airstrikes are used in Tal Afar and Fallujah with more than 60 killed in  quot;no-go quot; zones. An Iraqi soldier guards the road near radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr #39;s office.

US, Iraqi forces seek to reclaim control of 3 cities


A Republican running for Congress has received heavy donations from industry because of expectations over posts she may receive if she loses and President Bush wins.

A Texan's Race Could Lead to the F.C.C.


By ADAM GOLDMAN    LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The waiter appears tableside in the cozy dining room laden with oil paintings, stained glass and hints of cherry and oak. Before reciting the day's special menu items, he recounts the restaurant's devotion to farm-fresh produce and tosses out a morsel about its namesake, chef Bradley Ogden...

Celebrity Chefs Are Everywhere in Vegas


As UEFA threatened to take soccer #39;s 2008 European Championships away from joint hosts Austria and Switzerland, other European countries started dusting off their defeated bids.

Rival bidders dust off Euro 2008 plans as UEFA warns Alpine hosts


OSAKA (Reuters) - Sharp Corp., the world's largest maker of  liquid crystal display televisions, said on Monday it expected  operating profit for the April-September first half to rise 32  percent to a record on strong demand for LCD TVs.

Sharp Expects Record Operating Profit


ATA #39;s parent corporation has appointed a chief restructuring officer amid heightened speculation that the nation #39;s 10th-largest airline might be nearing bankruptcy.

ATA parent hires restructuring officer


Berkeley is a philosophy class with John Searle, an economics seminar with George Akerlof or a protest march led by students with Noam Chomsky readers tucked in their hemp backpack.

Cal eager to prove itself -- again


NEW YORK, December 8 (newratings.com) - Sony Corp (SNE.NYS) named NVIDIA yesterday as the supplier of the graphics chips required for its upcoming Playstation 3 video game console.

Sony selects NVIDIA for Playstation 3 chips


As many as 15,000 New Zealanders will be forced to find an alternative form of pain relief after the worldwide recall of the drug Vioxx, which has been found to double the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Pain in store after major drug recall


Reuters - The United Nations said on Thursday a\secret listening device had been found in a posh meeting room\of its European headquarters in Geneva.

U.N. Says Bugging Device Found at Its Geneva HQ (Reuters)


SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Citing a continuation in rising fuel prices, Australia #39;s Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AU) said Friday it will increase its passenger fuel surcharge for a second time in two months.

UPDATE: Australia #39;s Qantas Raises Fuel Surcharge Again


With the dollar hitting a third straight day of record lows against the euro, gold rose above \$450 an ounce for the first time in more than 16 years.

Gold Hits 16-Year High as Dollar Plunges Against Euro


ABUJA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Sudanese rebels insisted on  Tuesday that the government disarm its militias in Darfur  before they would sign a deal to bring aid to 1.5 million  civilians displaced by violence.

Sudanese Darfur Rebels Stall Aid Pact for Refugees


Loblaw Cos. said third-quarter net income rose 19 percent as the company, Canada #39;s largest supermarket chain, cut distribution costs and sold more of its profitable nonfood goods.

Loblaw Profit Rises 19 as Lederer Fends Off Wal-Mart (Update1)


Vinny Testaverde heard that grumble growing to a growl, always a warning of yet another Bill Parcells tirade in which the words become sledgehammers.

Testaverde Is Hearing It All Again From Parcells


TAIPEI United Microelectronics Corp., the world #39;s second-largest supplier of made-to-order semiconductors, said on Wednesday that its third-quarter profit rose 160 percent from a year earlier.

UMC posts 160 surge in earnings


LONDON - The worlds oil refiners are unimpressed by Saudi Arabias boost to production capacity that would only swell supplies of sour, high sulphur crude while they hanker for sweet oil.

Saudi extra barrels wrong kind of crude


BAQUBA, Iraq (Reuters) - Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi  claimed responsibility on Sunday for the killing of nearly 50  unarmed Iraqi army recruits in one of the bloodiest attacks on  the country's fledgling security forces.

Zarqawi Claims Killing of Iraqi Army Recruits


update Verizon Communications has no imminent plans to bid for Sprint, people familiar with the situation said Tuesday, toppling a potential obstacle to Sprint #39;s \$37.8 billion bid for Nextel Communications.

Verizon unlikely to bid for Sprint


Sir Mark Thatcher will  quot;easily quot; be able to prove he had nothing to do with an alleged coup plot in the oil-rich west African state of Equatorial Guinea, his lawyer said yesterday, despite the jailing of his close friend Simon Mann on arms charges.

Thatcher can  #39;easily #39; prove he was not involved in coup plot <b>...</b>


NEW DELHI: The UPA government on Wednesday hiked the foreign equity limit in domestic airlines from 40 per cent to 49 per cent, but maintained the ban on international airlines from buying equity in the Indian carriers, even indirectly.

Cabinet hikes aviation FDI cap to 49 pc


NEW YORK - Continental Airlines joined a growing number of airlines that plan to charge service fees when tickets are sold through traditional outlets.

Continental to begin ticket surcharges


AFP - Relatives of 12 Nepalese workers missing in Iraq were desperately seeking information after an Islamist website showed alleged pictures of them in captivity.

Impoverished families of Nepal hostages in Iraq desperate for details (AFP)


Because of its geographically dispersed staff and high percentage of telecommuting employees, Intellicare Inc., which operates health-related call centers, has drawn big benefits from implementing an instant messaging platform.

IM boosts health care company


TOKYO (Reuters) - Seven people claiming to have defected  from North Korea sought refuge in a Japanese school in Beijing  on Friday, Japanese government officials said.

N.Koreans Seek Refuge at Japan School in China


Nation remains volatile eight months after Aristide's departure.

Ex-Troops Fill Haiti's Security Vacuum


The Swiss Phonak Cycling team has issued an official statement on the rejection of the team #39;s ProTour license on its website, www.

First Edition Cycling News


It #39;s Big Game week in the Bay Area, and Jeff Tedford has dominated the headlines. The California coach preaches a team-first dogma, so he probably wasn #39;t happy that speculation about his future swamped the pregame coverage.

Speculation about Tedford dominates Big Game buildup


Networking giant Cisco Systems Inc. have announced plans to open a new research and development center in Tokyo next year. The company will invest a cool \$12 million in the project over five years.

Cisco open \$12m research center in Japan


The European Commission says the elections in Romania were conducted in an orderly manner and will not affect membership talks.

EU backing for Romania elections


Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the Kyoto protocol on climate change - clearing the way for the treaty to come into force next year.

Putin clears way for Kyoto treaty


AP - DaimlerChrysler AG said Tuesday that it plans to transfer jobs from its automaking plant in Bremen, but said it was not a signal of layoffs to come.

DaimlerChrysler Plans to Transfer Jobs (AP)


Digital video recorders (DVRs) and set-top boxes are shaping up as one of the early proving grounds for traditional PC chip companies tentatively wading into the consumer electronics market.

PC chip vendors set sights on DVRs


The British journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq says he faced mock executions and tried to escape his captors.

'Mock executions' for UK hostage


ITSolutions will provide IT consolidation services to help streamline operations at eight branches of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

FDA picks Maryland company for IT consolidation contract


AP - Jerry Rice probably didn't figure his team-first attitude would lead to the end of his NFL-record receptions streak.

Rice's Streak Ends but Raiders Edge Bills (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Hewlett-Packard moved Friday to erase memories of its recent disappointing quarterly results with a new push into consumer electronics that includes digital televisions, printers and the long-awaited debut of its version of

HP digital push aims for living room


Reuters - Many important foreign policy topics\went unexplored during the first debate of the 2004 U.S.\presidential campaign but perhaps most unusual was the lack of\attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Candidates Omit Israel-Palestinian from Debate (Reuters)


Theres no doubt about it. Serena Williams #39; outfit Monday night when she won her first-round match in the US Open was an eye-catching number.

Serena fashions a statement with eye-catching outfit


Microsoft and Sun held a conference call yesterday to update the industry on where they are at in terms of their agreement to work together and interoperate more.

Microsoft  amp; Sun Get All Luvvy Dubby


Linux users in German-speaking countries and the U.K. will have an opportunity to buy keyboards specially designed for the open source operating system in late September, when Cherry GmbH launches what the company claims is the world's first Linux keyboard.

Cherry to launch keyboard for Linux users


AFP - The ban on fox hunting is driven by the Labour Party's desire to stamp out

Fox hunting ban is about 'class war': Labour MP (AFP)


Even before the hype could begin for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, Jets Coach Herman Edwards was insisting upon a measure of caution.

Jets' Edwards Avoids Bulletin Board Material


ATHENS -- The Games ended here last night with the last runner of the marathon making his way into Panathinaikos Stadium and the Olympic flame being doused a few hours later.

A sample of things to come


AP - Spain's Rafael Nadal won his first ATP singles title Sunday, beating Argentina's Jose Acasuso 6-3, 6-4 in the final at the Idea Prokom Open.

Nadal Wins in Poland for First ATP Title (AP)


HOUSTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) today announced the election of Jeff Smisek, executive vice president and president-elect of Continental Airlines, Inc.

Continental Airlines Elects Jeff Smisek to Its Board of Directors


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has resumed  its probe of Oracle's \$7.7 billion hostile attempt to buy  PeopleSoft in a bid to complete approval before Competition  Commissioner Mario Monti leaves office, sources familiar with  the situation said on Thursday.

Sources: EU Probes Oracle, PeopleSoft


To help bolster its presence in Europe, the proponent of a North American cell phone standard goes on a shopping spree.

Qualcomm tries Trigenix on for size


afrol News, 18 August - The governments of Rwanda and Burundi may again send troops into Congo Kinshasa (DRC) if Kinshasa does not finally take action against the militias still slaughtering Tutsis. Both claim Friday #39;s massacre was masterminded by ...

Rwanda, Burundi threaten with Congo invasion


ADDIS ABABA, 8 December (IRIN) - With the threat of renewed regional conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the African Union #39;s (AU #39;s) Peace and Security Council announced on Tuesday that it would seek a greater role in helping to disarm

GREAT LAKES: African Union may help disarm militias


With four interceptions and seven turnovers in Sunday's loss to the Giants, quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey take the shots for the team's sloppy showing.

No Passing Blame


Consumer prices rose slightly in August, easing fears that inflation, which surged earlier this year, would rapidly pick up steam.

Inflation inches up in August


SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Sports Network) - The University of Notre  Dame announced Tuesday that Tyrone Willingham will not be  retained as the head football coach for 2005. The school has  scheduled a news conference for 4 p.m. EST.

Notre Dame Will Not Retain Willingham


A decade ago, when Hadijat Gatayeva risked her life to pluck orphaned children out of the blackened ruins of her native Chechnya, she never imagined that the small, personal rescue operation would have no end.

Rescuing the orphans of Chechnya


The soft orange glow of a common Caribbean coral comes not from the coral itself but from bacteria that live inside it, US scientists said last week. And the bacteria not only give the coral a little night light, but they also break down seawater to help ...

Coral gets its color from bacteria


New applications for US home loans fell last week as 30-year mortgage rates declined to their lowest level since late March, an industry group said on Wednesday.

UPDATE 1-US mortgage applications fall last week-MBA


Japan Airlines Corp., the country #39;s largest carrier, has canceled flights between the southern islands of Okinawa and Daito as Typhoon Chaba slowly proceeds west to Japan #39;s main islands.

Japan Airlines Cancels Flights as Typhoon Heads to Main Islands


ATHENS, Greece - Top American sprinters Jason Lezak and Ian Crocker missed the cut in the Olympic 100-meter freestyle preliminaries Tuesday, a stunning blow for a country that had always done well in the event.    Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands and Australian Ian Thorpe advanced to the evening semifinal a day after dueling teenager Michael Phelps in the 200 freestyle, won by Thorpe...

Americans Miss Cut in 100-Meter Freestyle


Reuters - More than 250 world figures --\but not the Bush administration -- have urged the United

250 Leaders, But Not US, Back UN Population Plan (Reuters)


The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.0  EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).

Bluetooth Version 2.0 Enhanced Data Rate Announced


When the leaders of the People #39;s Republic of China insist that the pre-condition for the peaceful resolution of the decades-long face-off across the Taiwan Strait can only be  quot;one China, quot; they are making it quite clear that  quot;unification, quot; and not peace

Peace in Straits hard to achieve, but essential


AFP - Manchester United's Dutch international striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was charged with serious foul play by the Football Association (FA).

Van Nistelrooy charged by FA (AFP)


Reuters - Credit Suisse will fully integrate its\investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston with its flagship\private bank, the Swiss banking giant said on Tuesday, as it\set ambitious earnings targets for 2007.

Credit Suisse to Integrate Units (Reuters)


Of the roughly 300 people who filled the large auction hall at Sotheby #39;s on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, only two had come to bid on the bat.

The Bambino strikes again


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - A radical Iraqi cleric leading a  Shi'ite uprising agreed Wednesday to disarm his militia and  leave one of the country's holiest Islamic shrines after  warnings of an onslaught by government forces.

Iraq Cleric Agrees End Uprising, Fighting Continues


Apple Computer this week launched a voluntary worldwide 15-inch PowerBook G4 battery exchange program to deal with 28,000 potentially faulty units.

Apple Recalls PowerBook Batteries


Class has been transformed by technology and a consumer who is as well informed as she is impatient to have the latest gaud.

It's Not Exclusive, but It's Lucrative: Why Luxe Went Online


Southeast Asian ministers on Saturday completed a free trade pact with China and other accords to be adopted at a meeting of their leaders, but touchy

Southeast Asians Finish China Trade Pact but Avoid Touchy Issues


WASHINGTON - Time Warner Inc. agreed Wednesday to pay \$210 million to settle criminal securities-fraud charges brought by the Justice Department against the company #39;s America Online unit.

AOL fraud charges settled for \$210 mil


Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a home-made rocket at a house in an Israeli town today, Israeli rescue services said, but no serious injuries were reported.

Militants Fire Rocket at Israeli Town


Frances AMF market watchdog slapped a one million euro fine on Jean-Marie Messier, the disgraced former chairman of Vivendi Universal , on Tuesday following allegations the media firm had published misleading financial information.

French watchdog fines Messier 1m


Abbott Laboratories Monday said it has agreed to pay \$320 million in cash to acquire EAS, a privately held company that sells nutritional products including AdvantEdge low-carbohydrate nutrition bars.

Abbott to buy nutrition company


ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc. #39;s chief executive said Tuesday he is giving up his six-figure salary for the rest of the year as he detailed a 10 percent pay cut that will affect senior officials, administrative staff and ticket and gate agents.

Delta CEO forgoes salary, details pay cuts; Pilots OK retirement <b>...</b>


Hamas said on Wednesday it had canceled an annual rally on the anniversary of its founding for fear Israel might target leaders of the Palestinian militant group in reprisal for a deadly attack on an army outpost.

Hamas Cancels Annual Rally, Fearing Israeli Strike


Firing his father led to a better performance for Shane Mosley against Winky Wright in their fight for the undisputed super welterweight championship Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

Wright #39;s jab still too much for Mosley


The six nations planning to build the world #39;s biggest nuclear fusion reactor ended their latest meeting with no agreement on a site for the facility.

Fusion reactor decision must wait


GORDON Brown yesterday fired off yet another political salvo at Brussels, as he dismissed a call from the European Commission to increase its spending limit by 35 per cent.

Chancellor takes aim at Brussels for bigger budget demands


South African miner Harmony, seeking to acquire rival Gold Fields, posted a first quarter headline loss per share of 110 cents on Monday, worse than expected.

Harmony Gold Q1 headline loss misses expectations


NOKIA #39;S SALES SLIDE has been halted according to figures released by the Gartner Group. The analysts predict Nokia #39;s share of the global market crept back to almost 30 per cent.

Nokia handset sales recover slightly


Some science may have been lost as the Genesis space capsule landed in the Utah desert with a thud. But there might be a glimmer of good news in the failed NASA mission.

Genesis Crash a Disappointment, But Was a Better Simulation


Thanks to hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, names that will be burned into memory, residents learned the hard way: Florida has a target on its back.

As hurricane season ends, Floridians wonder whats in store for <b>...</b>


Biogen Idec in Cambridge is rumored to be in talks to buy or merge with Elan Corp. in Ireland, though the later company denies any such conversation is taking place, Bloomberg News is reporting.

Biogen, Elan merger rumors persist


The Leukemia  #38; Lymphoma Society's Team in Training surveyed its runners and found that one of the primary reasons people join a marathon training group is to meet other people.

Competing for Causes


A JURY in Houston, Texas, today delivered criminal convictions against four bankers and an Enron executive in a case stemming from a money-losing project of electricity-generating barges off the coast of Nigeria.

Five convicted in Enron barge case


A football fan yesterday admitted racially abusing Birmingham City footballer Dwight Yorke - and vowed to apologise personally to the striker.

Monkey chant fan to apologise to Yorke


The problems with Vioxx, taken off the market last week, raise questions about the Food and Drug Administration's safety review process. Observers say longer clinical trials should be required.

Vioxx: How Safe Is FDA Approval?


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar crept up on Wednesday,  enjoying some respite from recent falls due to caution ahead of  an announcement on U.S. interest rates and after more European  officials spoke out against the euro's rapid rise.

Dollar Edges Up After Euro Talked Down


Fossil remains of the oldest and smallest known ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex, the world #39;s favorite ferocious dinosaur, have been discovered in China with evidence that its body was cloaked in downy  quot;protofeathers.

T. rex #39;s smaller ancestor was covered with down


Computer engineers could - in theory at least - reconstruct the genes of an animal that lived more than 75 million years ago. No DNA could possibly survive that long, but forensic scientists now routinely

The beast from yesterday


For many employers, health saving accounts - the newest insurance innovation - is a lot like a swimming pool on summer #39;s first hot day.

Employers slow to try HSAs


Hurricanes have crippled the campaign season in Florida, and candidates are only now starting to make up for lost time.

In Florida, the Campaigning Just Has to Wait


Reports that Sprint Corp. may be close to a \$36 billion takeover of Nextel Communications Inc. yesterday alarmed consumer advocates, who predicted it would lead to less competition and higher prices for wireless service.

Prospect of deal triggers concerns


Shares of financial services firms helped lead the broader market higher Tuesday as investors were encouraged that insurance companies saw less damage from Hurricane Frances than originally feared.

Insurers Weather Storm; Stocks Climb


Third-quarter figures showing Cisco Systems continues to lose ground may be due to rough product transition.

Cisco slips in key router market


NEOWIN TELLS us that Windows XP Service Pack 2 automatic delivery service is now to be launched on the 25th of August - that #39;s tomorrow.

Microsoft Windows XP SP2 ready to auto-roll


The results of a survey conducted by Gartnerand shared with IDG News Service show that online consumers are growing frustrated with the lack of security provided by banks and online retailers, and feel that passwords are no longer sufficient to secure their online transactions.

Consumers reportedly dissatisfied with online security


Germany #39;s Martina Glagow won a 15-kilometer biathlon event Thursday for her first World Cup victory this season, and compatriot Sven Fischer won a men #39;s 20-kilometer race.

Germany #39;s Glagow, Fischer win biathlon events


AP - A gunbattle between U.S. forces and militants erupted in central Baghdad on Friday, witnesses said.

U.S., Militants Battle in Central Baghdad (AP)


LONDON - A bomb threat that mentioned Iraq forced a New York-bound Greek airliner to make an emergency landing Sunday at London's Stansted Airport escorted by military jets, authorities said.    An airport spokeswoman said an Athens newspaper had received a phone call saying there was a bomb on board the Olympic Airlines plane...

Bomb Threat Forces Flight Diversion


Five months after answering those who questioned his resolve with a one-shot victory at the Masters, Phil Mickelson is facing the critics once again this week at the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.

New Clubs, Same Lefty?


TORONTO - The public mud slinging and name calling over the National Hockey League lockout fell to a hush Wednesday ahead of the first meeting between the league and its union since the deadlock began three months ago.

Last chance for NHL season


Well, I was wrong about North Carolina #39;s matchup with UConn ... and am happy to be wrong. This is not to say anything against UConn.

Let #39;s hear it for the Heels


GREAT Universal Stores, the owner of Argos, revealed today that it was seeking a partial flotation of its South African business the Lewis Group.

Gus plans float for Lewis Group


Siebel Systems Inc. and Electronic Data Systems Corp. this week will announced a partnership to help companies avoid many of the costs and complexities of managing customer relationship management systems in enterprises.

Siebel, EDS Ink BPO Deal


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Former Enron chairman and CEO Kenneth Lay, facing federal charges in the company #39;s spectacular collapse, lashed out Wednesday against the man leading an investigation of his wife Linda for possible insider trading.

Calls probe of wife Linda #39;s stock trades  quot;troubling quot;


PC World: Businesses don #39;t have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line.

Open Source Software Goes to Work


French President Jacques Chirac said in a newspaper interview on Tuesday that Britain has gained nothing from its support for the United States-led invasion of Iraq.

France #39;s Chirac Says UK Won Nothing from Bush Support


The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) plans to begin filing copyright theft lawsuits Nov. 16 against users of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks who illegally trade movies over the file-swapping networks.

MPAA Targets Movie Downloaders


COLUMBUS, Ohio - A suspected arson fire engulfed an apartment complex in suburban Columbus Sunday, killing eight people and forcing others to jump from third-story windows to escape, firefighters said.    The fire in Prairie Township came just six weeks after three fires were set in the same building in an empty apartment and hallway, said Fire Chief Steve Feustel...

Fire in Ohio Apartment Building Kills 8


Computer engineers were at a loss last night to explain why the Government had been hit by arguably the worst electronic meltdown in the history of Whitehall.

Computer meltdown baffles the experts


MANILA (Dow Jones)--Philippine shares ended lower Thursday on last-minute profit-taking in select blue chips led by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

Philippine Shares End Down; Profit-Taking In PLDT


Time Warner Inc. (TWX) and Comcast Corp. said on Monday they had agreed to a pact giving Comcast an option to cut its interest in Time Warner Cable Inc.

TW, Comcast in Pact on Cable Unit Stake


KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 23 -- A purported Taliban fighter with grenades strapped to his body detonated them Saturday on a bustling Kabul street popular with foreigners, killing himself and wounding seven people, including three NATO soldiers, Afghan and U.S. officials said.

Attack in Kabul Injures 3 NATO Soldiers, 4 Others


Putting some starch back into their playoff bid, the Padres crafted their best outing in some time last night. Ramon Vazquez, starting for the injured Mark Loretta, provided three hits, and

Padres suddenly appear playoff worthy


ROMAN Abramovich #39;s face was wreathed in smiles yesterday and he had every reason as the billionaire owner of Premiership side Chelsea saw his team book its place in the last 16 of

Chelsea makes League #39;s last 16


Microsoft is urging Web designers to take more responsibility for content filtering, after forming a partnership with ICRA (the Internet Content Rating Association).

Microsoft wants Web designers to use content tagging


PepsiCo Inc., the world #39;s No. 2 soft- drink maker, said third-quarter earnings increased 35 percent, boosted by sales in Asia and lower taxes.

PepsiCo Net Rises 35; Frito-Lay to Cut 780 Jobs (Update5)


GAZA CITYA senior Hamas leader survived an Israeli assassination attempt early today but at least five other Palestinians were killed in the explosion that tore through his Gaza home.

5 die as Hamas chief survives Israeli strike


Moviegoers don #39;t need to be a sorcerer #39;s apprentice to see that Pixar has cast a powerful spell over the world of animation.

Pixar continues its incredible run


Greece confessed Wednesday to having repeatedly misrepresented significant economic data before it joined the European currency union, prompting suggestions that it might

Greece Admits Faking Data to Join Europe


A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 has shaken northern Japan in the same region that was hit by a deadly tremor last month, but there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Strong earthquake shakes northern Japan


MOSCOW -- Two days after the bloody end of a hostage crisis left more than 300 people dead, the identity of the attackers who seized a school in the ethnic patchwork of Russia #39;s North Caucasus region remained uncertain yesterday.

Russians question official take on hostage-takers #39; identities


Is the Oklahoma defense a notch below its predecessors? Is Texas #39; offense a step-ahead? Why is Texas Tech feeling good about itself despite its recent loss?

A look around the Big 12


A family from Layton and more than a dozen other Americans have been stranded on Grand Cayman Island for five days without much food, clean drinking water or electricity in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.

Ivan strands Utahns; help is on the way


Kodak said the reductions are because of the increasing popularity of digital photography. The cutbacks are part of the three-year program Kodak announced in January to reduce its

Kodak To Cut 600 Jobs in UK, 270 in France


Air passengers could soon be allowed to use their mobile phones during flights, Sky News reports. Planes are currently one of the few sanctuaries from the modern curse of the mobile ring tone, but America #39;s

Plans for air calls


By Sam Haverstick, Special to The CJ. Dillon West, 11, doesn #39;t understand why Target Corp. won #39;t let the Salvation Army place bell ringers outside its stores this Christmas.

Target bans Salvation Army ringers


While software makers are planning to move more of their products to a subscription basis, 64 percent of the buyers surveyed still prefer the old way of doing things.

Enterprises Not Hot for Subscription Software


AP - A powerful earthquake rocked Nicaragua's western coast on Saturday, sending residents running from their homes. No major injuries or damage were immediately reported.

Powerful Quake Hits Off Coast of Nicaragua (AP)


Numerous applications, including some of Microsoft #39;s own, have encountered compatibility problems with Windows XP SP2 (Service Pack 2).

Microsoft Fixes Vexing XP SP2 Incompatibility


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The tech-driven Nasdaq Composite Index  got a 1 percent boost on Thursday on gains in the semiconductor  sector, but the blue-chip Dow ended down slightly after  Caterpillar Inc. <A HREF=

Nasdaq Ends Up, Dow Slips


A group of unknown hackers posted on message boards and security user groups claiming to sell Ciscos PIX Firewall software source code for sale.

Cisco source code for sale


By ALEX VEIGA    LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Internet service providers and other technology firms are proposing to soften a bill in Congress that they claim will make them targets of frivolous entertainment industry copyright lawsuits.    The group, which includes Verizon Communications Inc., SBC Communications Inc...

Tech Firms Seek to Soften Proposed Anti-Piracy Bill


AP - Ronaldo scored less than a minute into the game, and Brazil rolled over Bolivia 3-1 in World Cup qualifying Sunday.

Ronaldo's Early Goal Sparks Brazil (AP)


Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Panthers placed kick returner/running back Rod Smart on injured reserve Wednesday because of a hyperextended right knee.

#39;He Hate Me #39; placed on IR


MONTREAL (Reuters) - Shares of Bombardier Inc. <A HREF=

Bombardier Falls After Ebersol Jet Crash


The defeated Indonesian president accepts the poll result, without formally stating she has lost.

Megawati 'accepts' Indonesia vote


Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Rosenborg in tonights Champions League Group E encounter in Norway. Freddie Ljungberg had given the visitors the lead in the sixth minute, but Roar Strand grabbed a deserved

Rosenborg hold Gunners in Norway


Wired  amp; Wireless continues its reign at the top spot among IT priorities due to widespread IP telephony and wireless deployment.

High court will not hear AT amp;T appeal


US warplanes have bombed houses in the Iraqi city of Falluja for a third successive night, killing at least eight people, four of them children, doctors and residents say.

Falluja air strikes kill eight


Virus writers have grafted a network sniffer into the latest variant of the SDBot worm series.

News: Virus writers add network sniffer to worm


A small company claims that Cisco stole its intelligent routing technology, and the company's lawyer is looking for a big pay-out.\

Cisco target of patent lawsuit


General manager Omar Minaya interviewed Jim Riggleman for the Mets #39; vacant managerial spot yesterday, and minor-league manager and former Mets second baseman Wally Backman will be interviewed today.

Mets: Interviews continue for Minaya


MANHASSET, NY Siemens Communications said Friday (Oct. 8) it will develop wireless broadband products using Flash-OFDM technology from Flarion Technologies.

Siemens adopts Flarion #39;s Flash-OFDM technology


TOKYO (Reuters) - Typhoon Megi has killed one person as it slammed ashore in northern Japan, bringing the death toll to at least 13 and cutting power to thousands of homes before heading out into the Pacific.

Typhoon Megi slams into northern Japan


INVESTORS and traders lean to the Republicans, but the Dow is sending a signal that George W. Bush is going to lose office. Since 1904, the incumbent has failed to win re-election if the Dow falls by 0.5 per cent or more in October.

Dow winds blow in favour of Kerry


The European Parliament (EP) has advised European Union (EU) leaders, who meet today at the EU summit, to begin full membership negotiations with Turkey immediately.

EP Leaders Deliver Opinion: Let Negotiations Begin Without Delay


Tuesday, in the computing community, is now known as patch Tuesday. That #39;s because Microsoft has taken to releasing operating system and browser fixes on Tuesdays.

Commentary: Microsoft can #39;t plug holes fast enough


KANSAS CITY, MO. - Interstate Bakeries, the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread in the United States, filed for bankruptcy protection early Wednesday.

Twinkies maker files for US bankruptcy protection


Handheld maker looks beyond Palm OS with quiet tests of other operating systems, News.com has learned.

PalmOne ponders Microsoft, Linux options


AP - Ahead of his firsthand look at the tsunami's devastation, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday the United States has responded appropriately to what he called one of the world's greatest catastrophes.

Powell Reaffirms Commitment of U.S. Aid (AP)


Spain needs only to beat an under-strength French team to secure its place in the Davis Cup tennis final, while Britain looks to the experience of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski in its World Group play-off with Austria this weekend.

Spain confident ahead of Davis Cup tie


America Online Inc. said Monday it is once again supporting a Microsoft Corp. plan to combat unwanted bulk e-mail by verifying senders of messages, a move that could rekindle industry adoption of a new system for attacking spam.
<FONT face=

Microsoft, AOL Resume Anti-Spam Effort


AP - A large wall in a building under construction at Dubai airport collapsed Monday, killing more than eight people and injuring many more, a contractor said.

Building Collapses at Dubai Airport (AP)


Preview There's only one in Europe - and we had a look

Apple iPod Photo


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23 - Macromedia has introduced a new addition to the Flex product line, Flex Builder, a product designed to accelerate all aspects of rich Internet application development including interface

Macromedia offers Flex Builder


Reuters - Intel Corp.  on Monday\launched a global advertising campaign for its Centrino\notebook computer chips, aiming to boost sales of a brand that\has brought the world's largest chip maker more than  #36;3 billion\in revenue since its start last year.

Intel Corp. Makes Marketing Push for Centrino Chip (Reuters)


SEOUL, Oct 19, 2004 (AFX-Asia via COMTEX) -- SEOUL (AFX) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said it has developed what it claims to be the world #39;s first mobile phone equipped with a 5-megapixel camera.

Samsung Electronics claims world-first 5-megapixel camera phone


MULTAN, PAKISTAN - At least 39 people were killed and nearly 100 injured when a car bomb exploded in Pakistan #39;s central city of Multan during a celebration marking the first anniversary of the death of an outlawed Sunni Muslim leader.

Car bomb kills dozens at Pakistani rally for outlawed leader


MOSCOW - Traces of explosives have been found in the wreckage of one of two airliners that crashed nearly simultaneously earlier this week, the Federal Security Service said Friday, a day after a top official acknowledged that terrorism was the most likely cause of the crashes.    A duty officer at the agency, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, confirmed reports on Russian news agencies that cited agency spokesman Sergei Ignatchenko as saying that

Explosives Found in Russian Jet Wreckage


France and Germany's market watchdogs say they are looking into Citigroup bond trades already under scrutiny in the UK.

Europe joins Citigroup bond probe


Demandware service designed to help midsize firms open shop online as fast as with a hosted service, but with more customization.

Start-up looks to help firms hang out their e-shingles


AP - As of Friday, Oct. 1, 2004, 1,055 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to the Defense Department. Of those, 801 died as a result of hostile action and 254 died of non-hostile causes. The figures include three military civilians.

Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq (AP)


Kazaa, the world #39;s most popular Internet file-swapping system, told a court on Thursday it was worried about users exchanging unauthorized files and held talks with record companies in the United States about the problem.

Kazaa Talked to Record Firms About Music Swaps


Damage to the environment could make existing tensions in the southern Caucasus even more intractable, researchers say.

'Environment threat' to Caucasus


Canadian Press - MOSCOW (AP) - On the eve of a three-day visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would take its foreign partners' needs into account when building energy pipelines in the Far East but would proceed on the basis of its own national interests.

Putin, on eve of visit to China, says Russia will pursue national interest (Canadian Press)


At least four people were killed and 30 wounded in an explosion which ripped through an open market in central Tel Aviv on Monday, Israeli rescue workers and police said.

At least 4 killed in suicide attack in Tel Aviv


AFP - The head of Australia's major counter-terrorism force has called for extra powers to face increasing threats and warned terrorists are using new technology to wreak havoc far outside their own countries.

New powers needed to fight terrorism, Australia's counter-terror chief says (AFP)


Lowe #39;s Cos., the second-largest home improvement retailer behind Home Depot Inc., said Monday quarterly profit rose. The Mooresville, NC-based retailer had third-quarter net income of \$522

Lowe #39;s income up


LOS ANGELES -- Everywhere you looked before Monday night #39;s game at Dodger Stadium, there he was. Paul Lo Duca, the thirtysomething mother of two. Paul Lo Duca, the dude with the thick beard and the backward Dodgers cap. Paul Lo Duca, the guy with the beer ...

Los Angeles loves Lo Duca


Q: Is it acceptable to list an MBA degree on business cards? I received a master's in business 10 years ago, and at that time it was never done. Now I see MBAs popping up everywhere, right next to MD, JD, CPA, CFA, and other professional designations. S.S., Reading


Sony says its digital music players will now play MP3 music tracks, and not just its own format.

Sony u-turn over MP3 music files


OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) - Barry Bonds took creams and  oils that could have contained steroids, but did so unknowingly  out of blind faith in his trainer and best friend, the baseball  player's lawyer said on Friday.

Bonds Could Have Unknowingly Taken Steroids


Jeffrey Greenberg, the chief executive of Marsh  amp; McLennan, the insurance broker accused of rigging the market to make inappropriate fees from customers, was yesterday expected

Greenberg son  #39;to stand down at Marsh #39;


One member of the Big Three is done for the regular season, with Mark Mulder #39;s nightmarish second half ending in a whimper, his night over after a ragged second inning.

A #39;s are down Angels take opener, lead in the West


WASHINGTON - All antidepressants must carry a

FDA Orders Strong Antidepressant Warnings


AP - Brett Elliott started eight games for Utah before breaking his wrist early last season.

Linfield College QB Nears NCAA TD Mark (AP)


AP - Unbeaten Orlando Hernandez pitched seven innings of five-hit ball to win his eighth straight decision, and the New York Yankees beat Sidney Ponson and the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 Saturday.

El Duque Unbeaten As Yanks Down Orioles (AP)


AFP - Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher slammed half-centuries as South Africa posted a competitive 263-9 in the first one-dayer against Sri Lanka at the Premdasa Stadium here.

Kallis, Boucher boost South Africa in Colombo one-dayer (AFP)


Ziff Davis - FAST launches an application to help directory publishers compete in local search, while Copernic dives into the desktop-search arena.

Enterprise Search Vendors Eye Emerging Markets (Ziff Davis)


Two armed militants infiltrated Israel early on Sunday from the southern Gaza Strip near the community of Holit, near the Sufa crossing.

IDF exchanging fire with 2 Palestinian infiltrators


New Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor will be available in a high-end PC from Dell. Intel is expected to release a faster version of its powerful but expensive Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor this week

Intel Boards a Faster Bus


small-mass planets soon, quot; said Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, the co-discoverer of one of the new planets.

New class of planets found


Verizon announced FTTP deployment to homes and businesses in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia -- bringing to nine the total number of states where work is under way.

Verizon Expands FTTP Sites, to Hire Up to 5,000 to Accelerate <b>...</b>


Jenson Button will not know which Formula One team he will race for next season until next month after a hearing on the dispute was adjourned.

Button contract decision delayed


Nigeria sent over 100 troops to Sudan #39;s troubled Darfur region on Monday, its contribution to a joint force with Rwanda protecting African Union cease-fire observers.

Nigeria Troops Leave For Darfur


Former Olympic sprinter Alvin Harrison has been suspended for four years for drug violations, the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced Tuesday.

Sprinter Harrison gets 4-year suspension


A San Francisco launderette has been rated one of the top places in the world to surf the internet. The winners of the first Yahoo Mail Internet Cafe Awards, published to mark the 10th anniversary of the world #39;s

Surfing at the launderette


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

Staples Profit Up; Sees 4th Qtr in Line


West Indies captain Brian Lara is calling on his battered troops to pull together and end the 2004 summer campaign on a high.  quot;We #39;ve got a break after this so what we #39;d like to do is end on a high.

Lara: Let #39;s End on a High


Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims trekked to a temple in the southern republic of Kalmykia today to join prayers led by the Dalai Lama, on his first visit to Russia after years of being denied entry.

Dalai Lama Leads Prayers at Russian Monastery


SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - The San Diego Padres lacked speed and an experienced bench last season, things veteran infielder Eric Young is capable of providing.

Padres add Eric Young


Toshiba said on Monday that four major Hollywood studios had thrown their crucial weight behind High Definition DVD (HD-DVD), one of two disc formats contending to be the standard in next-generation DVDs.

Hollywood majors back Toshiba DVD


MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces launched an  offensive in Mosul on Tuesday to retake control of rebel-held  areas after a week of anarchy with insurgents rampaging through  Iraq's third largest city.

U.S. Forces Launch Assault on Iraqi Rebels in Mosul


AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat in the triangular series final against Pakistan at the VRA Ground in the Netherlands.

Ponting opts to bat first


The new desktops, priced between \$600 and \$715, target families, students and small businesses.

Gateway takes eMachines to Mexico


AP - Mike Mularkey is shrugging off St. Louis coach Mike Martz's accusations that Buffalo players took cheap shots during their win over the Rams.

Bills Coach Downplays Rams' Complaints (AP)


The battle of Fallujah, the most significant of the Iraq war since the fall of Baghdad, is a huge military success for US forces. But it #39;s not clear now, nor will it be for some time - perhaps not until elections

Beyond Fallujah


If you haven't remembered to buy your dog his costume yet, here's something else you may have overlooked:

A Holiday to Buy For


Intel Corp. President Paul S. Otellini yesterday demonstrated new chips scheduled for release next year that simultaneously run tasks such as burning CDs and playing video games, as he sought to allay concerns about product delays. <FONT face=

Intel Demonstrates New Chips


Dropping a last-minute demand to keep using centrifuges, Iran agreed yesterday to suspend its nuclear programs and won some additional concessions from Europe for a resolution

Iran agrees to a freeze on nuke programs


Reuters - Selling songs over the Internet in\Western Europe will explode to a 3.5 billion euros a year\market by 2009, a new survey found on Tuesday.

Music Sales on the Web to Hit Jackpot - Survey (Reuters)


TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto stock market made moderate gains Thursday thanks to rising oil and gold stocks, while the Canadian dollar moved closer to an 85-cent US close despite a warning about the economy - and hints the Bank of Canada may not be in a

Resource stocks boost Toronto stock market as NY shuttered for <b>...</b>


Reuters - U.S. consumer sentiment surpassed\expectations in late August after declining earlier in the\month as oil prices eased from record highs and security fears\abated, according to sources who saw a survey on Friday.

US Consumer Index Up from Early August (Reuters)


Willie Randolph hung up the phone and gave his wife a big hug. After falling short nearly a dozen times, he finally was a major league manager.

NY, NY: Randolph takes over hometown team


Reuters - The dollar paused from recent heavy\selling on Wednesday, edging up against the euro and the yen as\investors brushed aside revised data that confirmed sluggish\growth in Japan's economy.

Dollar Firmer, Sell-Off Seen Waning (Reuters)


AP - Defending champion Tiger Woods said Wednesday he injured his back sleeping on a plane last week and will not know until before his tee time whether he can play in the American Express Championship.

Woods Unsure About Tee Time With Injury (AP)


Cisco Systems Inc.'s fiscal first-quarter profits jumped 29 percent as the network equipment giant saw growth in its traditional routing markets as well as its emerging technologies like Internet telephone and home networking gear. <FONT face=

Cisco's Fiscal 1Q Profit Jumps 29 Percent


James Hardie Industries NV, Australia #39;s fourth-biggest building materials maker, said full-year profit will miss analysts #39; estimates because of boycotts by unions protesting the handling of asbestos compensation.

James Hardie Earnings to Miss Estimates on Boycott (Update2)


Warrick Dunn previously held the Tampa Bay record with a 76-yard run against Chicago on December 21, 1997...Green tied Bill Kenney #39;s club record with his 15th 300-yard outing in a Chiefs uniform...Kansas City has scored 132 points over its last three

NFL Game Summary - Kansas City at Tampa Bay


Facing fierce international pressure, Iran backed off yesterday from its demand to be allowed to continue operating some uranium enrichment

Iran backs down on uranium demand


Chinadotcom Corp. said Friday that China #39;s state-controlled wireless carrier fined the company \$160,000 and suspended its text-message services on charges that the cell-phone service provider #39;s Go2joy unit

Chinadotcom #39;s Text-Messages Suspended


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite record federal deficits, the  Bush administration has benefited from historically low  interest payments, but as rates continue to rise, the era of  cheap debt service may be over.

Rates Mean End of Low Interest Costs


The prosecution in Malabo demanded death sentences and jail terms exceeding a century on Thursday for alleged putschists accused of plotting against President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.

E Guinea: death sentences demanded


TORONTO: New internet-based technology could soon turn regular computer users into armchair spies, a Canadian inventor says. Vincent Tao, an engineer at Toronto #39;s York University said he has invented a mapping

Now everyone can spy


Colin Montgomerie fell out of contention for the Volvo Masters at Valderrama today as word of the Scot being pictured with a famous Spanish model went around the course.

NO MODEL ROUND FROM MONTGOMERIE


NEW YORK -- Don't expect the Red Sox to buy the theory that the Yankees' pitching has declined. Not after the Sox managed only eight runs on 20 hits over three of the most important games of the season. While the Yankees hit .308 and scored 27 runs, the Sox mustered only a .200 average as two of their core ...

Bats were more than a bit wooden in series


PARIS (Reuters) - Solid sales at Richemont helped European  shares stay in positive territory at midday on Thursday but  higher oil prices capped buying, amid worries that Hurricane  Ivan could damage oil facilities in the crude-rich Gulf of  Mexico.

Richemont Keeps European Shares Higher


Amateur baseball: Yawkey League playoffs -- South Boston vs. Somerville at Ronan Park, Dorchester, 7:30 p.m.

Today's schedule


LONDON, October 5 (newratings.com) - Diageo Plc (GUI.FSE) has raised \$2.26 billion (1.84 billion) from the sale of more than half of its stake in the US-based cereal maker, General Mills Inc.

Diageo raises \$2.26 bn through sale of General Mills #39; shares


President Ben Ali was elected for a fourth term, with close to 95 percent of the vote, according to results published by the ministry of interior.

Tunisian President Ben Ali Reelected


AFP - The Sudanese government and two rebel groups from the war torn region of Darfur signed two accords to demilitarize their conflict and ensure the safety of 1.5 million displaced people.

Sudanese govt, rebels sign security and humanitarian deals (AFP)


The University of Missouri board of curators on Friday voted to rename the Columbia campus basketball arena Mizzou Arena, severing the connection between the posh sports facility and allegations of cheating at a university 1,700 miles away.

Turning the Paige: It #39;s now Mizzou Arena


Serie A leader Juventus was held to a 1-1 draw by newcomer Palermo on Saturday, losing its perfect record in the fourth round. The Sicilian team, which has been off to an impressive start

Juventus held to 1-1 draw, nine-man Bologna stuns AS Roma 3-1


Some have explained the flu vaccine shortage by saying that the vaccines business holds little allure, but vaccines, it turns out, can make for good business.

Sometimes, Vaccines Can Be Good for Business


American Express, which fought for years for the right to sign deals with United States banks that issue cards on the Visa and MasterCard networks, said late yesterday that it had won

Citigroup Says It Will Issue Amex Cards


The Beatles are asking \$15mn for six months #39; exclusive rights to sell their catalogue online, according to a News.com report. If true, such a high premium would almost certainly price the world #39;s biggest selling

Beatles demand \$15mn for online rights - report


BANGKOK : Thailand launched its month-long war on bird flu with more than 900,000 volunteers carrying out house-to-house checks for signs of the disease, a senior health official said.

More than 900,000 volunteers begin war on bird flu in Thailand


Southampton have been told it was  quot;unacceptable quot; they parted company with manager Paul Sturrock after just two games into the Barclays Premiership season.

Saints behaviour unacceptable: Barnwell


NASAs Genesis spacecraft performed a critical trajectory maneuver September 6, putting it on a precise course for plunging into Earths atmosphere and fireballing its way toward the Air Force #39;s Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), southwest of Salt

Genesis Hits the Mark For Utah Reentry Wednesday


A page, if not a chapter, has come to closure in the long dark saga of Sept. 11, 2001. A federal jury on Monday ruled that the assault on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center was in fact two occurrences for insurance purposes.

Silverstein: WTC Leaseholder May Collect Up To \$4.6B


BOSTON (Reuters) - Mark Bellhorn cracked an eighth- inning,  game-winning homer as the Boston Red Sox fended off the

Bellhorn Homer Earns Red Sox Game One Win


There are plenty of reports on the final day of the Expos, how the city that no one in the United States felt deserved a team is finally losing it.

Top 10 depressing things about Expos #39; finale


Reuters - The last few tons of sticky toxic fuel\oil have been sucked out of the wreck of the Prestige tanker,\Spain said on Friday, almost two years after the ship went down\in the country's worst environmental disaster.

Spain Says Last Oil Sucked Out of Prestige Tanker (Reuters)


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

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