Oracle Corp. Chief Executive Larry Ellison took home \$3.85 million in salary and bonuses in fiscal 2004, according to a Friday filing with securities regulators.

Ellison earns \$3.85 million in FY04


Ernie Els made the most of his local knowledge with a five-under-par 67 in the first round of the Dunhill Championship. Els, who has a house on the course, carded five birdies and no bogeys after starting at 6:45am local time.

Els stalks leader in South Africa


AFP - President George W. Bush and his Democratic rival John Kerry scouted votes in key battleground states but were already looking ahead to their crucial televised debates starting in a week.

Presidential candidates look toward crucial debate (AFP)


AP - Internet portal Yahoo Inc. said Tuesday that it agreed to buy Web-based digital music and software provider Musicmatch Inc. for  #36;160 million in cash, in a deal which will supplement the offerings of Launch, Yahoo's digital music site.

Yahoo to Buy Musicmatch for  #36;160M in Cash (AP)


No. 1 US satellite television provider DirecTV Inc. says it will launch four new satellites to expand programming capacity, particularly for high-definition channels and interactive services.

DirecTV goes for more HDTV


GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands - Hurricane Ivan skirted Grand Cayman with winds near 250 km/h today, uprooting trees, bursting the banks of canals and flooding some homes on the island as it churned toward Cuba.

Ivan skirts Grand Cayman, flooding homes


AP - The Senate used a voice vote Thursday to denounce the massacre of hundreds at a Russian school and to express its condolences to that nation's people.

Senate Condemns Russia School Massacre (AP)


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

Constellation Bids \$970 Mln for Mondavi


Editor #39;s note: The following excerpts are from Oracle CEO Larry Ellison #39;s press conference Monday announcing an agreement to acquire PeopleSoft.

Ellison talks about the acquisition


The Swedish Industrial Development Fund has invested about \$4 million in Cypak, which makes throwaway RFID tags.

Maker of disposable RFID tags gets millions


ATHENS, Greece - Justin Gatlin ran the race of his life Sunday night, barely holding off the fastest Olympic 100 field in history to win the gold in 9.85 seconds. Francis Obikwelu of Portugal got the silver in 9.86...

Gatlin Blazes to 100 Gold; Greene Third


Moving ever closer to its dream of being able to catalogue almost everything in the world, Google Inc. has just bought digital map-maker, Keyhole Corp.

Keyhole bought by Google for 3D mapping


In one huge move, the Kremlin has created a global giant, may have resolved the question of Yukos #39; fate, and has undone another part of Yeltsin #39;s legacy.

Kremlin Oil  amp; Gas Corp


What: MIAA Division 3A Super Bowl. Where: Bentley College in Waltham. When: Saturday at 10 a.m. Last meeting: Schools have never met. .

North Shore (10-2) vs. East Boston (11-0)


A new low threat virus has been popping up on some Symbian OS-powered phones, according to an F-Secure anti-virus. The virushas been found at some Symbian shareware download sites under the filename  quot;Extended

Skulls Trojan Virus Hits Symbian Phones


Hewlett-Packard says it is putting 300GB hard drives into storage devices and servers, with more products in October.

HP using Hitachi drives in servers, storage


A bomb explodes at the Indonesian embassy in Paris injuring up to 10 people including embassy staff.

Bomb blast hits embassy in Paris


A subsidiary of the German engineering giant Siemens has landed a 2.7bn euros outsourcing contract with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Siemens wins major BBC contract


AFP - The White House said that US intelligence agencies believe a newly broadcast videotaped threat by Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was authentic and recorded recently.

White House says bin Laden tape authentic (AFP)


The Europeans head Stateside tomorrow for the 35th transatlantic golfing showpiece at Oakland Hills, Michigan. And the pressure is on for Donald, who travels as one of captain Bernhard Langer #39;s two wildcard choices.

Golf: Ryder rookie praise


in fact, the first farm animal - to be genetically sequenced, researchers said Wednesday. That #39;s important for humans because understanding chicken DNA can

Spartan hen serves up a scientific golden egg


The Scottish Football Association postponed a board meeting Tuesday that had been called to discuss the German #39;s future. Scotland has picked up just two points from its first three qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup.

Vogts #39; future as manager of Scottish soccer side still in the <b>...</b>


The Phillies have decided to bring all of their managerial candidates in front of the media, where they undergo a quasi second job interview.

He owns Manuel on managing


MacCentral - Apple on Friday posted details of its 15-inch PowerBook G4 Display Repair Extension Program, which offers a fix for certain Titanium and Aluminum 15-inch PowerBook G4's that show faint white spots on the screen. The worldwide program covers replacement of LCD panels that show the spots; Apple will also reimburse PowerBook owners who paid for eligible repairs. In order for your PowerBook to qualify, it must have a serial number ranging from V7334xxxxxx to V7345xxxxxx or QT331xxxxxx to QT339xxxxxx. Such machines were manufactured between July 2003 to November 2003. ...

Apple offers fix for spotted PowerBook displays (MacCentral)


AFP - Croatia will call a new international tender for a third mobile telecommunications license after authorities refused an offer from a Croatian-Swedish consortium.

Croatia to set new tender for mobile license after Tele2 bid rejected (AFP)


The very lawsuits that swept through US cyberspace have reportedly made their way across the Atlantic. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said Thursday that it filed 459 criminal and

Hundreds of file-sharing lawsuits filed against Kazaa, Gnutella <b>...</b>


PAULA RADCLIFFE is almost certain to challenge for the 10,000 metres title next summer rather than contest the marathon at the bi-annual World Champion-ships in Finland.

Radcliffe #39;s resurgence to continue in Finland


A day after Yasser Arafat was buried, Palestinians began taking stock of a future without the man who led their fight for independence, while Europe and the US look at ways to revive the stalled peace process.

Palestinians Look to Future Without Arafat


Fortis, Belgium #39;s biggest financial- services company, named Jean-Paul Votron, former head of Citigroup #39;s retail bank for Western Europe, to take over from Chief Executive Anton van Rossum.

Fortis Names Votron to Succeed Van Rossum as Chief (Update1)


SHANGHAI : China #39;s largest manufacturer of personal computers Lenovo Group said it is in negotiations with a major information technology company, believed to be US-based IBM.

China #39;s Lenovo in talks with  #39;major IT firm #39; for acquisition


com. Macromedia on Tuesday opened up its Breeze Live hosted Web conferencing service to smaller shops by adding pay-as-you-go pricing to the subscription deals it had earlier offered.

Macromedia Sells Web Conferencing By The Minute


AP - LeBron James scored 26 points to become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 2,000 in a career, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 96-74 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

James Becomes Youngest to Score 2,000 (AP)


Auto regulators from the USA and other nations will meet Thursday in Geneva to sign off on the first-ever global safety standard for vehicles.

Global auto-safety standards on way


Novell Inc. has just announced details of its latest Linux offering for desktop computers. The software is to be known as the Novell Linux Desktop 9, hopefully to be shortened to NLD 9, and will be the first

The Novell Linux Desktop


Online Resources Corp., a McLean Internet banking and bill payment company, agreed to buy Incurrent Solutions Inc. of Parsippany, N.J., for \$15 million in cash and stock.
\<FONT face=

Online Resources to Buy N.J. Firm


A POTENTIAL flight attendants #39; strike and record crowds at the nation #39;s airports could combine to make travel the most cheerless aspect of this holiday season.

Holiday travel may bring little cheer


Reuters - A top lawyer for President\Bush's re-election campaign resigned on Wednesday after\disclosing he has been providing legal advice to a group that\accuses Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry of lying\about his Vietnam War record.

Bush Campaign Lawyer Quits Over Ties to Ads Group (Reuters)


Top-seeded Roger Federer and No. 5 Tim Henman became the first men to reach the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open on Monday, Federer on a walkover over Romanian Andrei Pavel and Henman when Germany's Nicolas Kiefer retired with a wrist injury.

Federer, Henman Advance at U.S. Open


DENVER Newmont Mining Corporation temporarily shut down a mine in Peru today after a two-week blockade of a road to the mine and thousands of workers protesting in the streets over concerns of the effects of new mining operations on water supplies.

Newmont Mining shuts down Peru mine after road blockade, protests


Save for the promise of a new plan by the year-end to resolve the long-pending issue of debt relief to poor countries, the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meetings have ended without any consensus on critical issues.

Consensus eludes key issues at IMF-WB meet


ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- An American T-shirt company wants to help US citizens relax on vacation -- by posing as Canadians. TshirtKing.

#39;Go Canadian #39; advises US t-shirt maker


Utilities running the nation's high-voltage electric lines have done extensive tree trimming that should cut chances of blackouts, according to a federal report released Wednesday.

Utilities Uneven in  Managing  Vegetation


VANCOUVER -- An already buoyant lumber market is getting a psychological boost from the combined impact of hurricane Charley and reports of surprisingly strong US housing construction activity.

Lumber rises on Florida #39;s need to rebuild


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. <A HREF=

Delta Up on Financing, Analyst Upgrades


Second-seeded Joachim Johansson of Sweden easily beat Adrian Garcia of Chile 6-4, 6-2 Tuesday to reach the Stockholm Open #39;s second round without facing a break point.

Top seeds advance in Stockholm


US photographer Richard  Avedon, renowned for his  portraits of the rich and famous, dies aged 81.

Fashion photographer Avedon dies


AP - As Yasser Arafat was buried, President Bush raised hopes Friday for a Middle East peace and the creation of an independent Palestinian state within four years, suggesting decades of distrust and frustration could be altered by the change of Palestinian leadership.

Bush, Blair See Hope for Palestinian State (AP)


MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis-based FedEx is challenging a Transportation Department order to repay 29 (m) million dollars. It #39;s part of the federal money the package carrier received after the 2001 terrorist attacks shut down flights.

DOT orders FedEx to repay \$29 million


US regulators approve documents relating to Google's flotation, clearing the way for its market debut.

Regulators clear Google flotation


quot;I think the game played out probably the way I thought it would play out, quot; he said.  quot;I can #39;t say that I #39;m really, really that surprised.

Top 25 roundup: North Carolina upsets UConn


The business applications maker will integrate its technology more closely with infrastructure software from Big Blue.

PeopleSoft deepens ties with IBM


Victor Agali scored three goals within seven minutes Saturday as Nice mounted an incredible comeback to beat French first division leader Monaco 4-3.

Agali treble helps Nice fight back, beat Monaco


National Basketball Association star Yao Ming, from China, received a warm welcome and responded with 13 points, but it was not enough as the Sacramento Kings edged the Houston Rockets 91-89 in a preseason game played in Beijing.

Yao Ming Returns to China to NBA Exhibition Game


Motorsport.com. Current World Rally Championship points leader Sebastien Loeb started out early with a bang to maintain the lead in the Rally of Great Britain on the close of the first day.

Loeb hangs in to maintain early lead


Michigan State used a powerful rushing attack to rout No. 4 Wisconsin 49-14 yesterday and knock the Badgers out of the national championship race.

Spoiler Spartans whack Wisconsin


Kenya #39;s Paul Kirui capped an impressive year by winning the men #39;s World half-marathon title Sunday, while China #39;s Sun Ying Jie claimed the women #39;s race.

Kirui, Sun win world half-marathon titles


Sun has agreed to purchase Ashburn, Va., IT services company SevenSpace, the companies announced Monday. With the purchase, Sun takes a further step away from its traditional focus on supporting only its Solaris

Sun acquisition to boost IT services portfolio


The Federal Reserve probably will not approve a \$10 million payment due later this year on Riggs's trust-preferred securities as the agency is cautious about preserving Riggs's cash, sources say.

Fed Likely To Say No To Riggs  Payments


Running back    Jamal Lewis  will start for the Baltimore Ravens today against the New York Giants, according to a Ravens official. Lewis has not played since spraining his ankle against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 21, but he resumed practicing this week. Baltimore (7-5), which is in the thick of the AFC wild-card race, is 6-2 with Lewis and 1-3 without him.

J. Lewis Will Start


Reuters - The U.S. Coast Guard shut five ports on\Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico coast states of Alabama,\Florida and Mississippi as Hurricane Ivan churned nearer.

Coast Guard Shuts Gulf of Mexico Ports (Reuters)


WHEN it came, the end of the siege at School No1 in the small north Ossetian town of Beslan was the worst possible outcome. It was protracted, chaotic and bloody and a catastrophe not just for the families

Siege bodes ill for Putin Rescue a catastrophe for leader and <b>...</b>


With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.

Study: MP3 player market to explode


Operating cash flow is the best growth path there is, and Kenneth Cole is on it.

The Best Way to Grow


Italian airline company Alitalia unions and management on Saturday agreed on new contract terms for flight assistants, ending a tense round of negotiations involving the airline #39;s workers.

Italian airline company agrees crucial labor deal with trade <b>...</b>


Tony Blair is holding talks with his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern in a bid to inject renewed pace into the peace process. The informal discussions, which will take place at the prime minister #39;s Sedgefield

Blair meets Ahern ahead of crunch talks


The Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) has been suing people left, right and centre for illegal downloading, but now theyve taken a more positive action toward supporting legit downloading services.

OutKast Now Have A Digital Platinum Record To Hang On Their Wall


ORLANDO, Fla. A new study shows 27 of the 56 schools with bowl-bound football teams graduated less than half their players. The study by the Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports at the University of

Study: 27 of 56 bowl teams graduate less than half their players


TOKYO: A body resembling a Japanese hostage who was studying English in New Zealand just weeks ago has been found in Iraq and is being shipped to Qatar for identification.

Japanese hostage feared killed in Iraq


Reuters - Egypt, where Yasser Arafat began his\political life and where biographers say he was born, will host\a military funeral for the Palestinian president on Friday\before he is buried in the West Bank, officials said.

Egypt to Host Military Funeral for Arafat (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Open champion Roger Federer  breezed into New York's Hard Rock cafe Monday clutching his  latest piece of silverware.

Federer's 'Beautiful Tennis' Sets the Standard


AP - An anti-war group planning a massive demonstration the day before the GOP convention asked a judge on Wednesday to overrule city officials and let protesters gather in Central Park.

Group Asks to Protest in Central Park (AP)


On Saturday, November 20th 2004, Apple will open its first European Retail Store on Regent Street in the West End of London. There those with an interest to do so will be able in a kind of adventure shop to

First Apple Retail Store in Europe on its marks and set to ...


VIRGIN Blue had not trained its workers to cope with an emergency like the discovery of an explosive device on a flight, an airport union said today.

Virgin staff  #39;not trained for bomb #39;


When each company in a food chain has an inventory glut, look out below.

The Tech Inventory Hair Ball


Sequential revenue and profit declines had been widely expected; year-over-year growth robust.

Adobe: Health strong overall, despite quarterly drop


It was a busy day for Red Sox brass, who also introduced new shortstop Edgar Renteria. By GARRY BROWN. Free agent pitcher Matt Clement apparently will be coming to the Boston Red Sox to plug the last open spot in their starting rotation.

Red Sox reel in Cubs #39; Clement


After tearing through the wrapping paper, Jim White, 17, of Decatur remembers Christina Aguilera #39;s face staring back at him from a CD cover.

What a kid wants


Fred Robbins spent four years as Daunte Culpepper #39;s teammate, and since quarterbacks always are off limits in practice, he never has had a chance to hit him.

Potent arsenal


Ford Motor Co. said Friday its US sales fell in September despite aggressive month-end incentives. Ford (F: up \$0.05 to \$14.10, Research, Estimates), the nation #39;s second-largest automaker

Ford reports lower US sales again


ARSENALS first team may not have won for five matches, the slump threatening their progress in the Premiership and Champions League, but their second-stringers, the young and inexperienced

Arsenal youngsters punch above their weight again


PC World - Clamshell-style WCDMA phone packs a browser, e-mail software, and two cameras.

Panasonic Unveils International 3G Cell Phone (PC World)


AP - Lauren Shoush and Chelsi Welch each scored 13 points to lead No. 21 Oklahoma to an 88-40 win over Akron in the first round of the Junkanoo Jam on Friday.

No. 21 Oklahoma Drubs Akron 88-40 (AP)


Reuters - Military helicopters provided air\cover to vehicles ferrying crucial supplies to the Nepali\capital on Sunday, as a blockade called by Maoist rebels\stretched into its fifth day, a senior army officer said.

Nepal Seeks to Break Rebel Siege with Air Patrols (Reuters)


Porto, Portugal (Sports Network) - Champions League play began Tuesday and Groups G and H featured few surprises, as Valencia, Inter Milan and Chelsea all emerged victorious.

Holders Porto held to draw


Navy coaches remember Ron Winchester's gregarious personality Monday, four days after the former Midshipmen tackle was killed in the Al Anbar province in western Iraq.

Thinking of Winchester


SALISBURY, Md., (Sports Network) - Olympic champion swimmer  Michael Phelps was arrested last week for driving under the  influence of alcohol.

Olympic Champion Phelps Cited for DUI


AP - How do you explain a quarterback sneak in Chinese? How about a blitz, an onside kick, or a fair catch?

Patriots Establish Web Site in Chinese (AP)


ATLANTA A Mirant Corporation subsidiary has agreed to pay 12-and-a-half (M) million dollars to settle government claims. The federal government accused the bankrupt Atlanta-based energy supplier of trying

Mirant subsidiary settles CFTC pricing manipulation claims


The NFLs meekest division is in no position to contest the issue, and thats fine by the Seattle Seahawks. Were in first place despite the general feeling you get when people talk about us, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said Wednesday.

Bad-news West good for Hawks


JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Israeli soldiers on Saturday shot and killed a Hamas militant whom the military said was responsible for a rocket attack that killed two Israeli preschoolers last week and triggered an army offensive in northern Gaza.

Isareli aircraft fire missiles at Gaza


Uruguay has elected its first leftist president, Tabare Vazquez, who joins a growing list of left-leaning leaders in South America.

Uruguay Elects its First Leftist President


Stop the digital video cams. Adobe, a heavyweight in digital image editing, has released Premiere Elements, video-editing software based on Adobe's high-end Premiere Pro.

Adobe makes home movies easier


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

UPDATE:Stanchart To Buy 51 Stake In Indonesia Bk Permata


Manufacturing executive John Workman was named chief financial officer of HealthSouth Corp. on Tuesday, replacing an interim executive who helped the rehabilitation giant avoid bankruptcy after a massive accounting scandal.

HealhSouth Names John Workman Its CFO


Insurers are having their costliest year since 2001, when the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US led to \$26.5 billion in catastrophe claims.

Insurers Assess Frances #39; Damage Toll


The French president hails billions of euros of business deals as a sign his Chinese trip has been a success.

Chirac hails China trade deals


Ted Lilly's three-hit shutout against the surging Boston Red Sox was barely the best pitching performance in the American League. Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman struck out a career-high 14 Monday night in a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox, and Scott Kazmir pitched five scoreless innings to win his major league debut for Tampa Bay...

Lilly Throws One of Three Shutouts in AL


AP - A man identified as a Turkish truck driver kidnapped in Iraq was beheaded in a video shown on an Islamic Web site Thursday.

Video: Kidnapped Turkish Driver Beheaded (AP)


Millionaire building tycoon Steve Morgan still wants to buy into Liverpool despite fresh speculation of US interest in the club. Morgan, the clubs third largest shareholder, was

Morgan Still Eyeing Reds Despite Hollywood Interest


Hollinger Inc., one of the key companies in Conrad Black #39;s troubled business empire, has received approval to issue another \$15 million (US) in notes to raise cash for its day-to-day operations.

Hollinger Inc. note holders OK refinancing


(Sports Network) - Brad Miller had 26 points and nine rebounds and Peja Stojakovic chipped in 22 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 101-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

Sacramento Kings Team Report - November 15


AP - An explosion rocked a commercial district in western Baghdad on Wednesday, killing one person and wounding 47, authorities said.

Explosion in Baghdad Kills One, Wounds 47 (AP)


AP - Ryan Moore took medalist honors in stroke-qualifying play at the U.S. Amateur on Tuesday, shooting and even-par 70 for a two-round total of 139.

Moore Takes Stroke Honors at U.S. Amateur (AP)


Manchester United are not likely to find out if Malcolm Glazer intends to launch a takeover bid until next week at the earliest. The American business tycoon is widely believed to be pondering a bid for the

Glazer - has yet to reveal his hand (Getty Images)


Vijay Singh breaks the PGA Tour single-year money record Tiger Woods set in 2000, holding off a fast-finishing Stewart Cink to win the 84 Lumber Classic.

Singh Makes History


In a sign of security threats to come, hackers have exploited a flaw in Microsoft programs and begun circulating a virus hidden in images that use the popular JPEG format.

Hackers target Microsoft #39;s JPEG flaw


US President George W Bush awards medals to three men closely involved in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Bush honours controversial trio


AP - Annika Sorenstam competed against the men last year at Colonial. Now she is being compared with them.

Annika Sorenstam Having a Vijay-Like Year (AP)


Reuters - Two British entrepreneurs who founded\online dating service Udate.com and sold it last year to media\mogul Barry Diller's InterActive Corp  for  #36;150\million, have resurfaced to run a professionals-networking Web\start-up.

UK Net Entrepreneurs to Run Web Startup Soflow (Reuters)


\\The Mozilla foundation may be considering a desktop search implementation :\\

Mozilla Desktop Search


Partial results put opposition candidate Traian Basescu narrowly ahead in the race to be Romanian president.

Opposition leads in Romania poll


America Online Inc is bundling antivirus software from McAfee Inc into version 9.0 Security Edition of its online service, providing blanket virus blocking coverage for its approximately 23 million paying subscribers.

AOL to give away McAfee to members


AFP - Australian resources firm BHP Billiton is expected to post sharply higher earnings in the year to June aided by rising commodities prices, high production levels and continued strong demand from China, analysts said.

BHP Billiton year to June profit seen up sharply on higher prices, demand (AFP)


In its pursuit of one-stop storage shop superstardom, Storage Technology Corp. (StorageTek) has bought Storability Software Inc. and got hold of its enterprise storage resource manager product.

StorageTek buys management company


SANTA MARIA, Calif. - In a high-stakes drama of legal gamesmanship, prosecutors and defense lawyers in the Michael Jackson child molestation case are battling over still-secret evidence that might make or break the case against the pop star...

Battle on Secret Evidence in Jackson Case


Will Interactive is part of a prospering crop of Washington area firms trying to sell interactive training and simulation technologies to the military.<FONT face=

Simulation, War's New Teacher


News agencies quoted unnamed Egyptian security sources as saying more than a dozen Sinai Desert Bedouin were being questioned about smuggling explosives into the resort areas.

Egypt Questions Suspects in Red Sea Resort Bombings


Eastman Kodak Co., the world #39;s biggest photographic company, said it will shed almost 900 jobs in Europe to concentrate on the digital market and cut costs as demand for traditional film products declines.

Kodak to Shed 900 Jobs, Reorganize European Business (Update3)


AP - Andy Roddick and the rest of the U.S. Davis Cup team figure it's about time the country reclaimed the championship.

Roddick to Lead U.S. Against Belarus (AP)


UK bank HBOS has decided not to make a bid for Abbey, the bank has said. Many observers had expected HBOS to make a play for Abbey, which had agreed to a 8.

HBOS decides not to bid for Abbey


World Cup-winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has no doubt former England coach Sir Clive Woodward will succeed in pursuing a new challenge in football.

Wilkinson Backs Woodward to Succeed


AP - Three or four times every minute, Mount St. Helens shivered. Sometimes the majestic peak even shuddered, the trembling beneath reaching a crescendo, a magnitude of 3.3.

Mount St. Helens a Volcanic 'Ring of Fire' (AP)


Biopharmaceutical company Medarex Inc. said Monday that it reached a special protocol assessment agreement with the Food and Drug Administration to start a late-stage clinical trial for its MDX-010 drug as a combination treatment for melanoma patients.

Medarex to Start Phase III Trial


On Dec. 7, wine became an issue in the halls of the US Supreme Court. Oral arguments were heard in two cases that challenge bans on interstate, direct-to-consumer wine shipments in Michigan and New York, meaning

High Court decants controversial cases over direct shipment of <b>...</b>


AP - It's what executives of SBC Communications Inc. call their vision for the future: combining voicemail, e-mail and incoming fax messages in one system that can be accessed on the Web or on the phone.

SBC to Combine E-Mail, Voicemail, Faxes (AP)


VAL D #39;ISERE, France (Ticker) -- Blood, sweat and tears finally paid off for Austrian veteran Werner Franz, who on Saturday collected the very first World Cup downhill win of his 14-year career.

Franz wins downhill, Guay 13th


WASHINGTON - The two astronauts on board the international space station are cutting back on their food as supplies are running shorter than expected in advance of the planned arrival of a Russian supply ship on Christmas Day.

Astronauts running low on food


The UN Security Council has warned Rwanda not to attack the Democratic Republic of Congo to flush out Hutu rebels based there, reports Anne Mugisa.

UN warns Rwanda on Congo threats


Just a week after Microsoft released a patch to plug a security flaw in the way at least 13 of its programs handle the JPEG imaging format, code appeared on the Internet on Wednesday showing how to exploit those holes.

Exploit Code Appears for MS Graphics Flaw


AP - The walk through the decaying seaside mansion is a grim reminder of the political carnage that wracked Peru over two decades and killed nearly 70,000 people. The photos stare from peeling walls in a stark chronicle of the bloodbath.

Peru Photo Exhibit a Powerful Reminder (AP)


The Nikkei average rose 1.37 percent at the opening on Monday as a recovery in US stocks encouraged investors to seek bargains among lagging issues, including Canon Inc.

Nikkei Opens Higher


DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan - Two Chinese engineers went missing Saturday in a remote Pakistani tribal region near the border with Afghanistan and may have been kidnapped, police said.

Two Chinese engineers feared kidnapped in Pakistani tribal region


Telekom Austria on Monday won the right to acquire MobilTel, the Bulgarian operator, for 1.6bn (\$2.12bn), in a deal that would allow it to tap into an underdeveloped mobile market.

Telekom Austria secures right to buy MobilTel


Visiting French President Jacques Chirac yesterday pushed for stronger economic and political ties with China, emphasizing mutual respect and equality in foreign relations in his speech at Tongji University in Shanghai.

Chirac calls for closer ties


Cisco has warned in a security advisory that some networks with its routers could be vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks.

Cisco flaw opens networks to attacks


CAIRO (Reuters) - Deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is  depressed and has begged the Iraqi government for mercy, Iraq's  Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said in an interview published  Monday.

Iraq's PM Says Saddam Depressed, Begs for Mercy


KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's Supreme Court considered final  arguments on Friday from two rivals in a contested presidential  election that has plunged the country into turmoil and kindled  distrust between Russia and the West.

Supreme Court Mulls Ruling on Ukraine Poll Crisis


Former Microsoft senior vice president Brad Silverberg and some ex-BEA executives are teaming up to launch an open-source company that aims to become the Dell of the softwareindustry.

-Posted by dan.farber  10:50 am (PDT)


Microsoft is developing versions of its Windows operating system with only a subset of the Windows code base, designed for specific server tasks, in a move that could reduce maintenance costs for customers and create products that are less vulnerable to

Microsoft Eyes Lighter Versions of Longhorn


A growing U.S. focus on North Korea's human-rights record will complicate the six-nation talks

Turning Up the Heat


FOXBORO The Patriots #39; minds and bodies hum along at a higher frequency than that which the 31 topsy-turvy teams occupying the rest of the NFL tune into.

Patriots are just ... well ... different


Arsenal #39;s Dutch winger Robin van Persie will not face any further action after his tussle with Manchester United #39;s Kieran Richardson in Wednesday #39;s League Cup tie, the Football Association said.

No FA action over Van Persie incident at United


With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.

AMD enters the 90-nanometer zone


AP - Steve Finley's two-run single capped a five-run rally in the ninth inning that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a wild 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

Dodgers Edge Rockies 5-4 (AP)


The court said that Gov. Jeb Bush violated separation of powers when he signed a law to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

Court Voids Law Keeping Woman Alive


They came in their thousands, many in replicas of that tatty, old green sweatshirt, to mourn the passing of the man who, for 18 years, made the name Nottingham Forest synonymous with success.

Forest turn Clough #39;s wake into pageant


SPACE.com - As the holiday season approaches, book lists fill the entertainment sections of newspapers: fiction and non-fiction, prize winners of all sorts, the ubiquitous coffee-table large-format illustrated tomes, and children's literature. For me, it's always a tempting feast. It's an opportunity to expand my personal library or find a gift for someone special.

Sharing SETI: A Personal Book List (SPACE.com)


THE US space agency has given a green light for the resumption of space shuttle flights in May 2005, more than two years after seven astronauts died in the mid-air disintegration of space shuttle Columbia.

NASA to fly again in May 2005


Like many of you, I spent a long time watching the election returns come in, and I saw the election eventually handed to George Bush.  I saw exit polls that did not correspond to the results in certain states.  I heard about the diebold president talking about using his machines to turn the election.  I have spent a long time over the past day checking information about the election, information from 2000, comparing data.  And after all of this, I feel I am able to post a list of some questionable data that I have seen:

Analyzing the Election Data from Ohio


Time Warner Cable and Comcast Corporation announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, LLC (SEE) to form a New

Mets to have a new home on cable


AFP - When Chungin Chung, an Asian American community leader, was invited to meet US vice-presidential candidate Senator John Edwards ahead of the November 2 election, she was excited but politely declined.

Asian Americans fight language barrier in US elections (AFP)


Washington -- The AFL-CIO cranked up its campaign to stop the export of US jobs on Thursday by starting a database designed to track companies that outsource jobs overseas.

AFL-CIO pounds job loss


SHARES in Manchester United will come under pressure after the apparent collapse of a controversial 780m bid by American sports mogul Malcolm Glazer.

Glazer #39;s own-goal at Man U


The Australian sharemarket dropped sharply at the open after Wall Street set the tone on Friday with one of its lowest closes for 2004.

Stocks open: ASX follows US falls


AP - A headline in a Lisbon newspaper called Portugal's soccer team

'Laughingstock' Portugal Hopes to Rebound (AP)


The Chicago Cubs on Saturday re-signed veteran pitcher Glendon Rusch to a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cubs re-sign veteran pitcher Rusch


Sean O #39;Keefe on Monday officially resigned as the head of NASA to interview as the chancellor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

NASA #39;s chief quitting post


A French Muslim delegation in Iraq trying to win the release of two French journalists held hostage by Islamic militants said Thursday they had received proof the men were alive and well. The kidnappers have demanded that Paris rescind a law banning Muslim headscarves.

French Muslim Delegation Hopeful About Hostage Situation


For accountant Roger Barnes, the final straw came when he was deliberately excluded last fall from Fannie Mae #39;s preparation for a special review by federal regulators.

Accountant claims retaliation over Fannie Mae


Reuters - U.S. economic growth during the\second quarter of the year was stronger than previously\thought, the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday, partly\because businesses built up inventories at the strongest rate\in four years.

Economic Growth Reported Above Forecast (Reuters)


Continental Airlines on Tuesday posted a third quarter loss and said it sees itself losing money in 2005 as well. Free! Sign up here to receive our Weekly Roundup e-Newsletter!

Airline tops estimates on Orbitz gains, sees 2005 loss


Yahoo Inc. (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday named Lloyd Braun, a former chairman of Walt Disney Co. #39;s (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) ABC Entertainment Television Group, as

Ex-ABC Exec to Head Yahoo Media Division


At least 10 Afghans, including a nomad leader who fought with the Taliban, have been released from a U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, officials said Wednesday.

10 Afghans Released From Guatanamo Bay


After two days where neither side took control of this match, Australia finally grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and by the close on the third day at Brisbane were in a commanding position.

Clarke and Gilchrist flay sorry New Zealand


Microsoft started selling music tracks on its MSN online service, taking on Apple Computer and a host of others in the fast-growing market for digital music.

Microsoft Challenges Rivals With New Online Music Service


A suspected car bomb has exploded outside the Education Ministry in central Baghdad killing at least five people, two of them women.

CAR BOMB ROCKS CENTRAL BAGHDAD


The biggest-selling electronic product in the world is mobile phones. Analysts estimate that consumers from Canada to China will snap up more than 600 million handsets this year -- five times the number of TVs or personal computers expected to sell.

Nokia #39;s Goal: Cell-Phone Planet


Leptin, the hormone best known to control appetite, also appears to play a major role in fertility and bone development in women. A small, new study finds synthetic injections of the hormone can help young women whose naturally low levels of leptin left them thin and prone to osteoporosis, broken bones, and reproductive problems.

Appetite Hormone Key to Women's Health


The bass should be in your face. That's what Matt Kelly, of Boston's popular punk rock band Dropkick Murphys, thinks is the mark of a great stereo system. And he should know. Kelly, 29, is the drummer for the band that likes to think of itself as a bit of an Irish lucky charm for the Red Sox.

Buying a stereo with the Dropkick Murphys


The doom-mongers may complain that commercial pressures and a growing reluctance to annoy the posh neighbours are stealing the soul of the Notting Hill Carnival.

Carnival clings to its soul despite the doubters


The trade group representing the US music industry has filed a new round of lawsuits against 744 people it alleges used online file-sharing networks to illegally trade in copyrighted materials, it said on Wednesday.

Music Industry Sues 744 More for File Sharing


Schering-Plough (SGP:NYSE - news - research) Monday announced a broad marketing agreement with Germany #39;s Bayer (BAY:NYSE - news - research) that both companies said will lead to a more efficient use of their marketing and sales strengths.

Schering-Plough and Bayer Ink Deal


The Supreme Court turned away a challenge Monday to the federal do-not-call registry, ending telemarketers' bid to invoke free-speech arguments to get the popular ban on unwanted phone solicitations thrown out. <FONT face=

Justices Affirm Do-Not-Call Ruling


Any hope of saving the NHL season hinges on whether the next proposal by the Players Association stirs serious negotiating.

NHL players to put new offer on table


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran Sunday rejected a European Union  proposal that it scrap uranium enrichment in return for nuclear  technology, increasing the likelihood it will be reported to  the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

Iran Rejects EU Nuclear Proposal, Wants More Talks


Feeding Google's Froogle with Yahoo Stores\\There is a new feed service which is making it easy for Yahoo Store owners to list their porducts in Google's Froogle. Somacon is now offering a web-based service that allows Yahoo! Store owners to submit their products to Froogle. Somacon's Data Feed Service, located ...

Feeding Googles Froogle with Yahoo Stores


A tiny unmanned NASA  quot;scramjet quot; soared above the Pacific Ocean yesterday at nearly 10 times the speed of sound, or almost 7,000 mph, in a record-breaking demonstration of a radical new engine technology.

NASA  quot;scramjet quot; breaks speed record


Reuters - Asia's bird flu epidemic, which experts\fear could spawn a human pandemic, has claimed its 31st victim,\a nine-year-old Thai girl who had contact with infected\chickens at home.

Bird Flu Kills Nine-Year-Old Thai Girl, 31st Victim (Reuters)


According to preliminary data, the December futures contract closed 63 cents higher at \$55.17, matching the previous record high, in regular floor trading on the Nymex.

Crude Oil Tests Record High


Scandal-hit Chen Jiuling, the suspended chief of Singapore-based China Aviation Oil (CAO) was questioned by local police for a second straight day yesterday as the investigation

Oil firm chief in Singapore free on bail


LONDON (Reuters) - Retail sales fell more than expected in July and for the first time in over a year as poor weather pushed down clothing sales sharply.

Retail sales fall more than expected


Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 supports DVD burning, HDTV, and improved support for mobile devices. Microsoft will unveil the latest version of its media-oriented operating system tomorrow, positioning

Microsoft to Announce Media Center OS Update


_ Donovan McNabb threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score as Philadelphia beat Detroit 30-to-13. While the Eagles improve to 3-and-0 the surprising Lions fall to 2-and-1.

NFL: Eagles/Lions


The clash of the remnants of Hurricane Ivan and a cold front coming down from Canada dumped 2 to 5 inches of rain over southern New England yesterday.

Storm splashes down in Beantown


Canadian Press - LONDON (AP) - Thousands of British Airways passengers have been stranded by cancelled flights and lengthy delays at Heathrow Airport because of staff shortages and technical problems at the airline.

Thousands of passengers stranded by cancelled British Airways flights (Canadian Press)


Global warming has had little noticeable impact in Washington, DC Politicians in the nation #39;s capital have been reluctant to set limits on the carbon dioxide pollution that is expected to warm the planet by 4 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit during the next century

Warming affects climate, not DC


OCTOBER 25, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - PalmOne Inc. #39;s long-awaited update to the Treo 600 will come with a new processor, sharper display and flash memory, as the company continues to improve its flagship product.

PalmOne updates the Treo smart phone


WASHINGTON - US producer prices, a measure of inflation at the wholesale level, rose by a faster-than-expected 0.5 in November, seasonally adjusted Labor Department data showed.

US wholesale prices up 0.5


Celera Genomics Group, a segment of Applera Corp., on Tuesday said its first-quarter loss widened by 25 percent on lower revenue.

Celera Genomics Quarterly Loss Widens


Steve Jobs must love superheroes. Though earnings from The Incredibles, the latest release from Pixar Animation Studios (nasdaq: PIXR - news - people ), did not make it into the company #39;s most recent quarterly

Jobs: Pixar #39;s  #39;Incredibles #39; Derails  #39;Polar Express #39;


CAIRO (AFP) - Egypt said it had arrested five suspects accused of carrying out a wave of deadly car bomb attacks in Red Sea resorts almost three weeks ago.

Egypt arrests five suspects over Sinai bombings


Russian troops killed some 50 rebels in a recent operation in Russia #39;s breakaway republic of Chechnya, the Interfax news agency reported Sunday, quoting.

Some 50 rebels killed in Chechnya: spokesman


AP - The United States on Monday proposed broad international measures to curb the slaughter of sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and encourage the study and preservation of threatened shark populations throughout the world.

U.S. Exhorts Nations to Protect Sharks (AP)


HALIFAX: President Bush caught Canadian officials off guard in calling openly for joint action on a continental missile defence shield.

Prez catches Canada off-guard with ballistic missile defence plan


WASHINGTON - Increasing numbers of National Guard and Reserve troops who have returned from war in Iraq and Afghanistan are encountering new battles with their civilian employers at home. Jobs were eliminated, benefits reduced and promotions forgotten...

Reservists Say War Makes Them Lose Jobs


Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria filed for free agency Friday along with catcher Mike Matheny and outfielder Ray Lankford, two days after the Boston Red Sox swept St.

Renteria files for free agency


Scattered problems were reported in the balloting in Florida as early voting began in 10 other states.

Voters Cast Early Ballots as Candidates Trade Sharp Attacks


A shot put competition unique in Olympic history -- ancient or modern -- turned into one of the strangest competitions in the Games history Wednesday evening as the sun was setting on the ancient stadium.

SHOT PUT Bizarre turn of fortune


I.BM plans to begin releasing on Monday a monthly report of threats to computer networks in an effort to establish an indicator similar to the federal government #39;s Homeland Security Advisory System.

New IBM Report Will Warn of Computer Security Threats


The president of the Manila-based Asian Development Bank on Tuesday announced his resignation from the multilateral bank, effective next year.

ADB President Tadao Chino Resigns


SPANISH bank Santander has offered to cut back its ties with Royal Bank of Scotland in an attempt to avoid a competition inquiry into its bid for Abbey.

Santander ready to give up RBS board role


Malcolm Glazer will make David Gill sweat before deciding whether he wishes to pursue his takeover plan for Manchester United. The Old Trafford board had been expecting some kind of public response from the

GLAZER  #39;SPECTRE #39; HANGING OVER UNITED


Spanish police arrest 90 people, including 21 minors, in one of its largest ever operations on child pornography.

Minors held in Spain porn swoop


Roger Clemens could scarcely contain his glee, practically skipping off the mound and pumping his fist after his final strikeout of the night.

Roger Clemens wins his sixth straight start as Astros beat Brewers <b>...</b>


How forthcoming are search engines in disclosing their paid placement and paid inclusion policies?  They're better than they were a couple of years ago, but there's still room for improvement, according to a prominent watchdog group.

Search Engine Disclosure: Better, but Still Wanting


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half. OPN System 4.5, the latest version

Antepo further secures Enterprise IM


Ingram Micro Inc. (IM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest computer products distributor, on Monday said it would acquire Australia-based Tech Pacific for \$493 million in cash, including debt.

UPDATE 1-Ingram Micro to buy Tech Pacific for \$493 mln


Car production is to end at Jaguars historic Browns Lane factory in Coventry but some work will continue there, parent firm Ford has confirmed.

Jaguar ends car making in Coventry


Sporting News #39; Ken Rosenthal has learned that the Houston Astros will reassign general manager Gerry Hunsicker within the organization and elevate Tim Purpura to the GM position.

Changes at the top: Astros to replace GM Hunsicker


CBS and Fox will continue to televise NFL games on Sunday afternoons through the 2011 season. The price tag for the six-year deal: \$8 billion, 25 percent and 30 percent higher than the previous eight-year contracts for the two networks.

\$8-billion deal for NFL, 2 networks


AP - Illinois took an unusual route to the top of The Associated Press' men's college basketball poll. The Illini, riding their impressive win over then-top-ranked Wake Forest, vaulted from fifth to No. 1 on Monday, moving past three unbeaten teams.

Illinois Takes Top Ranking in AP Poll (AP)


Reuters - Militants in Iraq said they have killed\Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, who went missing after being\ambushed on the road between Baghdad and Najaf, Al Jazeera\reported Thursday.

Kidnappers Say They Have Killed Italian Hostage --TV (Reuters)


Get your blue golf shirt on. The Intel Developer Forum is back. Servers a central focus.

Dual cores to lead Intel show


AP - A new deep-sea research vessel will be able to carry people to 99 percent of the ocean floor, diving deeper than the famed Alvin that pioneered the study of seafloor vents, plate tectonics and deep ocean creatures over the past 40 years.

Deep-Sea Vessel Puts Ocean Floor in Reach (AP)


The Knicks and Nets met again on Tuesday, but the scene would have been unrecognizable to anyone who watched their playoff rumble of last spring.

Misgivings in New Jersey; Hope at the Garden


Floridas hurricane-damaged citrus crops will be even smaller than originally estimated, officials said Friday, raising the specter of higher prices for orange juice and an even greater scarcity of grapefruit juice.

Hurricane damage to Fla. citrus crop even worse than expected


Card game's popularity is fanned by a combination of television, technology and, for some, the allure of big money.

Poker Proves a Hot Hand for Gaming Industry


Quincy Carter threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Justin McCareins with 5:32 remaining as the Jets bounced back from an embarrassing loss with an ugly 10-7 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Jets 10, Browns 7


BEIJING: China can expect to see the first commercial space flights in 20 years, the head of the country #39;s space program was quoted as saying by state media.

China: commercial flights in 20 years


He discusses the dearth of developers, scaling problems and his public blog war with Sun's Jonathan Schwartz.

Q A: Red Hat exec talks of challenges to open-source


If purchasing software were as straightforward as buying a car, users would not have to think twice about the risk of intellectual property lawsuits.

Do software users need indemnification?


Brisbane, Australia: Australia grabbed two key wickets to have New Zealand on the defensive on the opening morning of the first cricket Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.

Kasprowicz #39;s double strike puts Aussies on top


More than a hundred thousand fans are expected to descend on the city this weekend to watch some crew races. A playoff game kicks off on Saturday evening

For one week at least, Boston lives up to its name: the Hub


Jarrod Moseley, who won the Heineken Classic on his European Tour debut in 1999, must try his luck at the tour #39;s qualifying school - all for the sake of 23 dollars.

Moseley misses out by \$23


A takeover bid which would create the world's biggest gold company, with assets of \$10bn, is reportedly being considered in South Africa.

Biggest gold firm 'takeover bid'


Fast bowling great Dennis Lillee has cut ties with Australia #39;s Cricket Academy after failing to come to terms on a new coaching contract.

Former star bowler Lillee ends coaching role at Australian academy


SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Thousands of Kashmiri Muslims,  scarred by 15 years of violence, celebrated Eid al-Fitr Sunday,  days after India announced it would reduce the number of troops  in the disputed Himalayan territory.

Thousands Pray for Peace in Indian Kashmir on Eid


WASHINGTON - The nations chief media regulator expressed disappointment Wednesday over the steamy locker room opening to ABCs Monday Night Football broadcast.

FCC boss chides ABC for racy MNF intro


AP - After investing roughly  #36;500 million and spending years of development time on its next-generation operating system, Sun Microsystems Inc. on Monday will announce an aggressive price for the software  #151; free.

Sun to Give Out Operating System for Free (AP)


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday reiterated its call for  OPEC to pull supply back down to official quota levels and  mapped out a way to fund a long-promised production hike, a  newspaper reported.

Iran Wants OPEC to Return to Quotas


US Army reservist Staff Sgt. Ivan  #39; #39;Chip #39; #39; Frederick pleaded guilty Wednesday to five charges of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison as a two-day court-martial opened at a US base in Baghdad.

Army reservist in Iraq pleads guilty in prisoner abuse court <b>...</b>


The Chinese Government is to suspend all share flotations for a month in order to try to stop a stock market slide and revive interest in future floats.

China to suspend share flotations


A high school student wielding a 9mm pistol shot and killed four classmates and wounded five more today in Argentina #39;s worst school rampage, police said.

Four dead in Argentine high school rampage


EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK) is the latest company to bridge the Internet and the telephone. It #39;s offering Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) service for free to its customers, as it announced in a press release today.

EarthLink #39;s Calling


Police in India are blaming separatist rebels for a series of bombings in the country #39;s volatile northeast that killed more than 60 people.

India death toll rises to 63


Taiwan's largest airline plans to sign a deal tomorrow that clears the way for the Connexion by Boeing in-flight Internet service to be offered on one Boeing 747-400 aircraft that flies between Taiwan and North America.

China Airlines scales back in-flight Internet plans


Monthly measurement of techie optimism marks another slight hike, less worker worry.

IT workers happier about job market


AP - Consumer prices rose by a modest 0.2 percent in September as a decline in prices for new cars and airline fares helped to temper a rise in costs for medical care, gasoline and fuel oil.

Consumer Prices Up Modestly; Housing Dips (AP)


MOBILE, ALA. - Heather Daly-Donofrio took advantage of the ultimate mulligan Sunday in the LPGA Tournament of Champions. She wasn #39;t supposed to be in the select field, but got in when tournament officials

4-stroke win in LPGA finale earns 3-year exemption


An Apple exec has told Reuters that the company will be expanding its European iTunes Music Store in October. Vice president Eddie Cue told the news service

European iTMS Expansion Coming In October


BERKELEY, Calif.) - The personal information of more than a (m) million Californians may have fallen into the hands of a computer hacker.

Personal info for millions could be in hands of hacker


Organizers in Amstelveen, the Netherlands have called off the cricket match between Australia and Pakistan after heavy rain overnight soaked the pitch.

Cricket: Officials Call Off Australia-Pakistan Match Due to Heavy <b>...</b>


Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. announced this morning that they will merge the companies in a deal that would create a new wireless telecommunications giant.
<FONT face=

Sprint, Nextel Announce Merger Plans


Fidelity National Financial Inc. (NYSE: FNF) has reached an agreement to purchase an Atlanta technology company for nearly \$400 million, a transaction large enough to cause Fidelity to delay the initial public

Fidelity acquires Atlanta company, delays IPO


The economy grew at an annual rate of 3.7 percent in the summer as a big rebound in auto sales offset weakness from an exploding trade deficit, soaring oil prices and the

Economic growth rate falls short


AP - So much has changed in Alex Smith's life the past two years, he's still trying to sort through it all.

Utah's Smith Sets Sights on Heisman Award (AP)


US regulators will let utility companies send high-speed Internet signals through electrical outlets to residential and business clients.

FCC letting utilities move into broadband


Reuters - North American wildlife species\ranging from butterflies to red fox are scrambling to adapt to\Earth's rising temperatures and may not survive, according to a\study released on Monday.

Report: Many Species Scramble to Adjust to Warming (Reuters)


AFP - Australian shopping center giant Westfield is teaming up with property group Multiplex and Aldersgate Investments to make a cash offer for Duelguide, the company which owns British developer Chelsfield.

Westfield, Multiplex join in new offer for Chelsfield (AFP)


CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard plans to base special  #39;flying squads #39; of police in South-east Asia to fight terrorism at the source and stop it reaching Australia.

Howard to fight terror with teams based in Asia


AP - Stephanie Bradford isn't content with her daughter dissecting frogs in science class. She wants the students to cut into the hearts and eyes of moose, caribou, bear and other large game.

Mom Collects Big Game Organs for Science (AP)


Rising oil prices will weigh on US economic growth but the increases seen so far will not derail the expansion, Federal Reserve Board Governor Ben Bernanke said on Monday.

Oil Won #39;t Derail US Expansion -Bernanke


The new recipient of Redmond's bounty, Vintela, sells software that integrates Unix and Linux tools with Windows environments.

Microsoft invests in interoperability specialist


Russian President Vladimir Putin says he cannot imagine how Iraq could hold its elections (planned for next month) as long as the country remains under what he called foreign occupation.

Russia #39;s Putin Skeptical About Iraq Election


HOUSTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors are investigating  whether the wife of former Enron Corp. <A HREF=

Wife of Ex-Enron Chief Stock Sale Probed


As Delta Air Lines (nyse: DAL - news - people ) agonizes over whether to seek the shelter of Chapter 11, ATA Holdings (nasdaq: ATAH - news - people ) beat them to the punch.

Mikelsons: ATA Founder Has Grim Duty In Bankruptcy Filing


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales rose modestly as  expected last month, but the underlying message from the  consumer was strong at the start of the fourth quarter after  record oil prices failed to deter shoppers.

Retail Sales Up Slightly as Expected


Reuters - The campaign for Afghanistan's landmark\presidential election has been marred by intimidation and\official partiality, the United Nations said on Sunday, but it\expects this week's vote to be relatively free and fair.

Abuses in Afghan Campaign, But UN Sees Fair Vote (Reuters)


World #39;s largest software maker #39;s best-selling game for Xbox video console -- Halo 2-- has leaked onto the Internet nearly four weeks before its planned sale date.

Microsoft #39;s Halo 2  quot;hello quot; to the world before planned sale


KAZAN, Russia (Sports Network) - Russian forward Alexei  Kovalev is the latest locked out National Hockey League player  to head abroad, as he signed on to play for AK Bars Kazan.

NHL's Kovalev Bolsters Already Potent Kazan Lineup


US stocks fell sharply as record oil prices and disappointing sales forecasts from Microsoft Corp. spurred losses in technology shares.

Stocks sent sliding on rash of bad news


JC Penney (JCP:NYSE - news - research) said Wednesday it hired a new chairman and chief executive, Myron Ullman. Ullman, a former executive at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH:Nasdaq - news - research), will succeed Allen Questrom.

JC Penney Picks Questrom Successor


Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Friday that the country will face

Greenspan Urges Pension Benefit Cuts


The company says thousands of retailers across the country are planning  quot;midnight madness quot; sales for eager gamers. Microsoft says it has 1.5 million pre-orders for the sequel to the popular  quot;Halo quot; game, which sells for \$50.

Microsoft #39;s Xbox sequel  #39;Halo 2 #39; goes on sale at midnight


Logitech releases computer mice in ladybug and football models that are sized for smaller hands.

Novelty mice chase after kids


Just one week after finding feathers on the ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex, Chinese and US scientists have announced the discovery of a dinosaur curled up like a sleeping cygnet.

Dinosaur that slept like a bird


AP - Vietnam veterans supporting John Kerry for president made their case Friday in the heart of what was once enemy territory.

U.S. Vets Make Case for Kerry in Vietnam (AP)


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Microsoft Renews Push Into Entertainment Products


NEW YORK -- Although Maria Sharapova's Siberian childhood was not spent in one of the region's infamous salt mines, she remained the salt of the tennis earth to the folks who made their way to Flushing Meadow in a record drove yesterday.

Great match, with something mixed in


Thursday was a relatively good day for US cyclist Tyler Hamilton. I say  quot;relatively quot; because Hamilton was informed by the International Olympic Committee that he will be allowed to keep the gold medal he won last month.

Rash of doping scandals makes it hard to believe anyone is clean


FT.com - Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hong Kong's largest property developer, urged the government to increase land supply as demand for new flats was expected to remain strong.

Sun Hung Kai urges HK to increase land supply (FT.com)


A growing steroid scandal has entangled the sport's biggest star, and now Washington wants reform

How Pumped Up is Baseball?


ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States crashed to its second  defeat in the Olympic men's basketball tournament Saturday when  a late shooting spree by Sarunas Jasikevicius propelled  Lithuania to a 94-90 victory.

Olympic Basketball: Lithuania Guard Shoots Down U.S.


Double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday. Holmes had been the hottest favorite ever to win the award after her exploits

Holmes voted sports personality of year in Britain


AP - Jason Flores-Williams may despise President Bush, but he can't wait for him and his party to get here.

Convention Protesters Eager to Begin (AP)


The opening round of the three-million-US-dollar Paris Masters has produced some spectacular scenes as players displayed their strength at the last tournament of the Masters series.

Day One of tennis Paris Masters


Australia #39;s Peter Lonard successfully defended his title in the centennial Australian Open on Sunday, shooting a 3-under 68 for one-stroke victory over countryman Stuart Appleby.

Lonard wins second straight Australian Open


It's difficult to sit here in the heart of Red Sox Nation -- where people are buying every form of BoSox garb and memorabilia (Red Sox dog bones?) to put under the tree -- and feel the rain of the game's steroid scandal soaking your head and shoulders.

No flex in union muscle


The Green Bay Packers return to the site of one of their most bitter defeats on Sunday when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers still have the memory of last season #39;s divisional play-off loss to

PACK BACK IN PHILLY


Nate Archibald, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the NBA #39;s 50th anniversary all-time team, was hired as coach of the American Basketball Association champion Long Beach Jam on Tuesday.

Nate Archibald hired as coach of Jam


US stocks ended higher on Wednesday as internet and semiconductor stocks led advances in technology shares and crude oil retreated from record high prices.

US stocks: Stocks up, boosted by techs and cheaper oil


AP - Gen. Augusto Pinochet was indicted Monday for the kidnapping of nine dissidents and the killing of one of them during his 1973-90 regime, and the former dictator was placed under house arrest.

Judge Indicts Chile's Ex-Dictator Pinochet (AP)


MOST of the big names, including the Alan Shearer-inspired Newcastle United, progressed safely to the new group stage of the UEFA Cup after a frantic nights action last night, although Parma and Real Zaragoza cut it fine.

Shearer leads way as big guns book group stage places


The nature of Israeli occupation will not change overnight. The savagery that the Sharon government adopts in dealing with the Palestinians will not change.

Abbas and the Rafah Operation


Reuters - Shares of JetBlue Airways Corp.\ fell nearly 8 percent in premarket trading on\Wednesday after warning that the recent hurricanes in Florida\would hurt its earnings.

Before-the-Bell: JetBlue, Oracle Fall (Reuters)


Tinkerer Iain Sharp couldn't bear to part with his first computer -- a Mac SE/30 -- so he turned it into a powerful media server using a mini PC motherboard and a software emulator. By Leander Kahney.

New PC in Old Mac Clothes


AP - Two University of New Mexico doctoral students will star in the Discovery Channel's new show

'Autopsy' Showcases Scientists' Research (AP)


Reuters - Some 30 brown bears have been terrorising a Transylvanian mountain village\and could delay the start of the school year, local authorities say.

Bears could keep kids from school (Reuters)


Seattle, September 29: Microsoft Corp and Amazon.com Inc jointly filed lawsuits against e-mail spammers and scams to get unsuspecting users to divulge credit card and account information, the two companies said on Tuesday.

Amazon, Microsoft file lawsuits against spammers


Screwfix.com, the internet home improvement service and part of the B Q chain, is freezing orders until more staff can be found.

Staff fix needed at DIY website


The IRS is looking for 1,025 Hoosier taxpayers who havent received their income tax refund checks. Twenty-one of those checks were addressed to residents in Johnson County.

IRS looking to give good news to taxpayers


Michael Phelps will attempt a racing schedule nearly as ambitious as what he did at the Olympics. But this time he won't be swimming as far. Six weeks after winning six gold medals and two bronzes in Athens, the 19-year-old will swim six events in a 25-meter pool at the World Short Course Championships that begin today in Indianapolis. Phelps ...

Olympic star Phelps right back at it


Of late, Federal Reserve governors and bank presidents have been talking a lot about Fed transparency. How open the Fed should be has always been a touchy subject, and one can only wonder if the latest talk is a hint of things to come.

The see-through Fed


ITALIAN superstar Valentino Rossi could wrap up his fourth consecutive championship in the premier motorcycle class at Phillip Island this weekend.

Phillip Island shapes as star #39;s crowning glory


BERLIN : Four US soldiers accused of abusing prisoners at a notorious jail in Iraq, including the suspected ringleader, face a military hearing in Germany on Monday, before their trial by court martial.

Four US soldiers face hearing in Germany over Iraq prisoner abuse


Firm's ReportNet product now is available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux running on IBM's pSeries servers.

Cognos brings software to Linux on Power


BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian Prime Minister Adrian  Nastase and centrist opposition leader Traian Basescu emerged  neck-and-neck from the second round of presidential elections  on Sunday, exit polls showed.

Romania Presidential Race Too Close to Call


It was a carefully scripted moment when Russian President Vladimir Putin began quoting Taras Shevchenko, this country #39;s 19th-century bard, during a live television

Ukraine faces milestone election


A backup doping sample from the horse that won the show jumping gold medal at the Athens Olympics also was positive for a banned substance, the Irish rider #39;s lawyer said Tuesday.

Second doping test on Irish winner Waterford Crystal positive <b>...</b>


TEMPE, Ariz. (Sports Network) - The Arizona Cardinals  placed running back Marcel Shipp and fullback James Hodgins on  injured reserve Wednesday night, effectively ending their  seasons.

Season Over for Cardinals' Shipp


Charterhouse has beaten off competition from another private equity player to buy Saga, the company that provides services to the over-50s, for 1.

Charterhouse wins battle for Saga


AP - President Bush's record campaign fund raising left him with millions of dollars to spare, allowing him to donate  #36;11 million to the Republican Party and even send a few checks to the White House Historical Association.

Bush Finished Campaign With Millions (AP)


After 216 years as a broadsheet newspaper, The Times will become a tabloid-only publication starting on Monday. The move follows a decision 11 months ago to publish the British national

Times of London Shrinks to Tabloid Format Only


Banco Santander is making an attempt to seize back the initiative in its 8.3bn takeover of Abbey National, speeding up its bid timetable while rival bidders continue to circle the UK bank.

Spanish grab initiative in bidding war for Abbey


Banking giant Halifax today said that house prices would fall by 2 fall next year and that interest rates had peaked. Its negative outlook for the property market is in contrast to the 2 rise predicted by

Halifax forecasts 2 house price drop


SEOUL -- North Korea said yesterday that prospects for talks on its nuclear weapons program are getting dimmer every day and it condemned US-led naval exercises in Japanese waters as an ''ultimate war action. quot;

N. Korea, US trade blame for delays


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Loews Corp. said Monday it would buy Gulf South Pipeline for \$1.14 billion, enhancing its natural-gas supply network across the southern and southeastern United States.

Paying \$1.14 bln for 8,000-mile natural-gas line


Paris, Nov. 4 (NNN): Palestinian officials have said that ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat #39;s health has deteriorated further.

Yasser Arafats Health Deteriorates Further


Anti-terrorist police were granted a further five days yesterday to question four men arrested after a Sunday newspaper claimed they were plotting to detonate a chemical bomb in Britain or the US.

Police given extra time to hold  #39;dirty bomb #39; suspects


No. 2 US home improvement company Lowe #39;s earned \$522 million in the three months ended October 29th, surpassing Wall Street expectations.

Lowe #39;s Sees 15.5 Percent Q3 Earnings Spike


Apple's new London store on Regent Street puts the iPod music player front and center.

Photos: 'Wanna buy an iPod, guv?'


MADRID (Reuters) - Police arrested seven suspected Islamic  militants in raids across Spain on Monday to foil a planned  bomb attack on the High Court, judicial sources said.

Spain Seizes Islamic Militants Suspected of Plot


Jeremy Mayfield had one very big incentive for winning Saturday #39;s Chevy Rock  amp; Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

Mayfield earns shot at the Cup


Israel has killed Hamas #39;s top bomb and rocket-maker in Gaza ahead of a Knesset vote on a pull-out from the area. Adnan al-Ghoul died when an Israeli missile hit his car, witnesses said.

Israel kills Hamas #39;s top bomb-maker


The confidence Colin Montgomerie has displayed throughout the week in Munich proved to have been justified today when, as expected, he was named as one of Bernard Langer #39;s wild cards for the European Ryder Cup team.

Monty gets the call


THEY do not approach their subjects wearing lab coats to indicate a) they work behind the Clinique counter at Saks, or b) they test for drug cheats at the Olympics.

Running (Not Hiding) From the Doping Police


With the Blu-ray Disc Association securing non-exclusive backing from Disney, the major Hollywood studios are split down the middle over next-generation DVD.

Hollywood split as Disney backs Blu-ray


Apple has announced it is to open a multi-nation European iTunes shop sometime in October. The computer manufacturer #39;s vice-president of applications, Eddie Cue, made the announcement yesterday at the Popkomm conference in Berlin.

Apple to launch Western Europe iTunes in October


The price of oil sank for the fourth consecutive day yesterday amid profit taking and easing concerns about supply, dipping below \$44 US a week after it threatened to hit \$50 US.

Oil settles below \$44


German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Sunday that there was  quot;no problem quot; with Germany #39;s support to the start of negotiations on Turkey #39;s entrance into EU.

Germany supports EU negotiating with Turkey on membership issue


Following is the Globe Top 20 in EMass for girls' soccer. No. Team Record Last 1. Belmont 12-0-1 1 2. Oliver Ames 11-1-0 2 3. Lynnfield 12-0-0 3 4. Andover 12-0-0 4 5. Norwell 12-0-0 5 6. Bishop Feehan 11-1-1 9 7. Old Rochester 12-1-1 7 8. Wellesley 9-0-4 8 9. Marshfield 8-1-4 6 10. Weymouth 10-1-2 10 11. Rockland ...

Girls Top 20


An arbitrator has ruled that Ricky Williams owes the Miami Dolphins \$8.6 million US in the wake of his retirement just before the start of camp, an NFL spokesman said.

Arbitrator: Williams must pay Dolphins


SPACE.com - A unique date in the annals \  of baseball history will be recorded Wednesday, Oct. 27 when for the first time \  a total lunar eclipse will occur during a World Series game.

Total Lunar Eclipse to Grace World Series Game 4 (SPACE.com)


A \$280bn (156bn) government lawsuit against the largest cigarette manufacturers in the United States begins on Tuesday with both sides confident of victory.

US tobacco firms set for trial


The web will be more interactive and will use tools to mine its vast pool of data, say experts.

Visionaries outline web's future


On Wednesday, November 3, Tom Lehman was selected to captain the 2006 US Ryder Cup Team. Lehman, a member of three Ryder Cup Teams and winner of the 1996 British Open, was chosen by the PGA of America to guide

Lehman Selected Captain of 2006 US Ryder Cup Team


Successful businessman Here, But He Hasn't Forgotten His Native El Salvador.

Immigrant Sends Hope Back Home


Senior military officers have threatened to leave the Israeli army in protest at Ariel Sharon #39;s proposals for disengagement from Gaza.

Senior officers threaten to quit Israeli army in settlements rift


Just four days after he was introduced as the Arizona Diamondbacks manager, Wally Backman was fired yesterday following revelations he was arrested twice and had serious financial problems.

Arizona changeup


GENEVA, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations human rights chief expressed her deep concern over the massacre in the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi last Friday, a UN official said here Tuesday.

UN rights chief deeply concerned about refugee camp massacre in Burundi


but surely that term no longer exists if we are the opposition. After dismal displays against Slovenia and Norway at Hampden, we simply must win or face World Cup heartache.

MR FIXIT: GO FOR LOW SCORE BORE


A.J. Feeley will replace Jay Fiedler as the starter Sunday at Seattle, interim coach Jim Bates says Monday.

Bates Taps Feeley


Reuters - Akimbo, a provider of video on demand\services via the Internet, on Monday said Turner Broadcasting\System Inc. agreed to provide Akimbo subscribers with\programming from networks such as CNN and Cartoon Network.

Turner in Deal with Akimbo for Video-On-Demand (Reuters)


The Houston Texans made mistake after mistake Sunday and Manning converted them into touchdown after touchdown. Manning completed 18 of 27 passes for 320 yards and threw five touchdowns for the third time

Colts 49, Texans 14


An Israeli missile fired from a pilotless aircraft wounded two Palestinian policemen in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis on Sunday, witnesses said.

Israeli Missile Wounds 2 Gaza Policemen -Medics


Gillette Co. said Thursday its third-quarter profit rose 14 per cent as customers traded up to its premium-line shaving and dental care products and it sold more Duracell batteries due to the recent hurricanes.

Gillette posts \$475M US profit in quarter on strong sales of <b>...</b>


Google Inc. has bought digital map maker Keyhole, extending the search engine with a toolbox that can catalog almost anything in the world.

Google buys digital mapping company


At first glance, Vijay Singh and Harry  quot;Lighthorse quot; Cooper might not seem to have much in common with each other, except that both were fairly successful golf professionals during their eras.

Who will be PGAs first \$100 million man?


SAN FRANCISCO -- Oracle is working on a tool to provide a complete life cycle for building, managing, and updating database applications, a company executive revealed at the Oracle OpenWorld conference here on Wednesday morning.

Oracle working on database development tool


BEIRUT: With international condemnation of Syria #39;s control of Lebanon multiplying in recent days, the Arab Foreign Ministers #39; meeting in Cairo gave in to Lebanon #39;s

Arab foreign ministers affirm Lebanon #39;s right to a free political <b>...</b>


AP - Owners of pirated copies of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP operating system can trade them in for the real thing as part of a bid by the software giant to fight counterfeiting.

Britons Offered 'Real' Windows XP (AP)


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

Anderson Going Back to the Titans


Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has formally requested that France publish the medical records of Yasser Arafat following his death last week, Quriea said Tuesday.

Palestinian PM asks French for Arafat medical report


The Bank of England appears set to hold interest rates steady for at least the next few months after revealing policymakers did not even discuss raising borrowing costs at their November meeting.

BoE hints rates on hold for now


AP - With its ample resources and a professional staff numbering 10,000 people, the World Bank seems like an ideal instrument for getting Iraq back on its feet.

Lawmaker Upset by World Bank Aid to Iraq (AP)


Walt Disney #39;s board of directors did not even meet to discuss the hiring of Michael Ovitz, a leading Hollywood talent agent at the centre of a major trial, it was alleged yesterday.

Disney board  #39;nodded through agent #39;s hiring #39;


Jenson Button today issued a passionate defence of Silverstone, insisting it would be  quot;devastating quot; if the British Grand Prix was axed.

BUTTON PLEADS FOR SILVERSTONE FUTURE


The Patriots stats, news steamroller has yet to meet an obstacle it can #39;t obliterate. Job-hunting coordinators. (Allegedly) vengeful running backs.

Patriots once again beasts of AFC East: Clinch title in ugly win <b>...</b>


washingtonpost.com - When  #36;100 buys a pocket-sized gadget that can store decades' worth of appointments and addresses -- and  #36;200 gets you one that also serves as a digital photo album and MP3 player -- why would anybody want to spend  #36;400 or  #36;500 on a new Palm or Pocket PC handheld?

Deluxe Handhelds Try Hard to Justify the Price (washingtonpost.com)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Video games, often maligned as  having little or no redeeming value, are becoming a way for  firefighters, soldiers, currency traders and college  administrators to hone their skills.

Video Games Teach More Than Hand-Eye Coordination


WASHINGTON Can you always tell when somebody #39;s lying? If so, you might be a wizard of the fib. A California psychology professor says there #39;s a tiny subculture of people that can pick out a lie nearly every time they hear one.

Truth Wizards: They know a lie when they hear it


Budget airline EasyJet today reported a 21 improvement in annual profits but warned that it expected competition to remain intense this winter.

EasyJet caution despite profits rise


Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.

Symantec plugs holes in firewall


NewsFactor - While a U.S. District Court continues to weigh the legality of \Oracle's (Nasdaq: ORCL) attempted takeover of \PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT), Oracle has taken the necessary steps to ensure the offer does not die on the vine with PeopleSoft's shareholders.

Oracle Extends Bid for PeopleSoft (NewsFactor)


We #39;re all used to searching the web at blazing fast speeds: picking out the right webpages among the five billion choices takes only a few hundredths of a second.

Google Revolutionizes Desktop Searching


Ivorian government forces withdrew from rebel positions yesterday, easing fears of a resumption of all-out civil war, as France and other countries continued to fly out thousands of foreigners.

Ivory Coast government pulls troops from front


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Hotel employee Rafaat Maher dreamed  the postwar reconstruction of Iraq would lure throngs of  customers to enjoy the view of sacred Najaf.

Dazed Residents of Iraq's Najaf Survey the Damage


Ralf Schumacher is looking forward to competing at the Chinese Grand Prix after a two-month injury absence. The Williams driver has been out of action since cracking bones in his back during a crash at Indianapolis in June.

Ralf ready to return


Chad K. Gifford is retiring earlier than initially expected as chairman of Bank of America, a title he gained when the bank acquired FleetBoston Financial Corp.

Lewis Tapped to Become Chairman of BofA


A new federal case illustrates the role computer intrusion is taking in the high-stakes world of niche Internet commerce.

Columnists: The Latest Tool in Competition: Hacking


AP - Argentina's Guillermo Canas beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the final of the CA Trophy.

Canas, Lopez Advance to CA Trophy Final (AP)


Iran has been seeking to exclude some uranium enrichment experiments from a nuclear freeze it agreed with three European governments this month, western diplomats said on Wednesday.

Iran seeks to exclude uranium enrichment


Reuters - The crisis surrounding Afghanistan's\historic presidential election appeared to end on Monday as\President Hamid Karzai's chief rival said he and other\candidates were withdrawing their rejection of the weekend\poll.

Afghan Poll Crisis Subsides as Karzai Rivals Back Off (Reuters)


An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 is felt across large areas of north Italy.

Earthquake shakes northern Italy


This week, the Walt Disney Company and its Buena Vista division said they would release content on the Blu-Ray next-generation DVD standard, meaning that battlelines have been drawn in publishing content.

Disney Backs Blu-Ray


BAGHDAD, Sept 5 (AFP) - Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, Saddam Hussein #39;s deputy whose capture was announced Sunday, is 62 and riddled with cancer, but was public enemy number two in Iraq for the world #39;s most powerful military.

Ibrahim: The  #39;iceman #39; Who Became Iraq #39;s Most Wanted Fugitive


Islamabad, Aug 22 (DPA) Pakistan #39;s Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said today that the security agencies have arrested at least ten suspected al-Qaeda operatives who were planning to attack important government and US targets in Islamabad last week.

Ten al-Qaeda suspects arrested in Pakistan for planned attacks


It's acceptable for consumers to use software that edits out nudity or bad language from a DVD movie -- but they had better leave the commercials and promotional announcements in, according to legislation adopted by the House of Representatives this week.
<FONT face=

Piracy Bill's Language Protects ClearPlay


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said it will take up to four months before they have a strong team following their 1-0 Premiership defeat at Bolton where their Spanish debutants were on show.

It will take four months to get it right says Benitez


JERUSALEM - Israel's defense minister decided Thursday to launch a large-scale, open-ended military operation in the Gaza Strip to stop Palestinian rocket fire on Israeli border towns, an Israeli radio station reported.    Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz made the decision after consultations with army commanders and the Shin Bet security service, Israel Army Radio reported...

Israel Plans Large-Scale Gaza Operation


The mutilated body of a Western woman was found by American forces in Fallujah yesterday, lying on the street covered with a blood-soaked cloth.

Mutilated body of  #39;Western woman #39; found


After just four months on the job, the Italian airline #39;s latest boss succeeded this weekend where his many predecessors had failed: getting unions to agree to sweeping job and wage cuts.

Alitalia wins respite


AP - Results of recent polls on the presidential race. Listed above each set of results is the name of the organization that conducted the poll, the dates, the number interviewed, whether it was adults, registered voters (RV) or likely voters (LV) and the margin of error (MoE). Results might not total 100 percent because of rounding.

Presidential Polls Glance (AP)


IBM Corp. said Monday it will release as open source code some of its software for speech-enabling applications. The move is intended to spur development in the field and outflank rivals by making IBM's free technology the industry standard.

IBM open-sources speech recognition development tools


ATHENS (Reuters) - Portugal were bundled out of the men's  soccer tournament at the Athens Olympics on Wednesday after a  humiliating 4-2 defeat by Costa Rica.

Portugal Suffers Humiliating Athens Exit in Soccer


Erika, the latest offering from the Barbie franchise, wears a blue peasant dress and flowered headband. She carries a small plastic cat, plus a set of Barbie essentials: a comb, brush, mirror and perfume bottle.

The Toy War Begins


Donald Trump bowed to the inevitable late on Sunday, sending his casino empire into bankruptcy for the second time in its troubled history.

Trump casinos in bankruptcy for second time


Finally, the wait is over. After a long wait, iRiver has finally decided to challenge the might of Creative and Apple in the 5 GB portable music player department.

iRiver H10


Ziff Davis - HP is working with specialists BearingPoint and OATSystems on RFID for Wal-Mart compliance and other retail implementation. Meanwhile, the major IBM competitor is building

HP Deals to Aid RFID Push Into Retail, Manufacturing (Ziff Davis)


By IRA DREYFUSS    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Bills to protect restaurants and food companies against lawsuits by people who claim the meals or snacks made them fat are moving ahead in the states like hamburgers passed out a drive-thru window.    Measures known as

U.S. Eateries Push for Obesity Lawsuit Protection


and NELSON ANTOSH. Halliburton on Thursday promoted the head of its KBR operation to the No. 2 job and announced that the highly regarded leader of its oilwell service group had resigned.

Halliburton shakes up its top ranks


Oil prices rise again after US government data showed heating stocks remained 16 down on 2003 levels.

Oil prices rise on heating fears


AP - Stafano Baldini of Italy took the lead two miles from the finish to win the gold medal and American Meb Keflezighi took a stunning silver Sunday in an Olympic marathon disrupted by a costumed intruder who grabbed the race leader with about three miles to go.

Italian Wins Bizarre Men's Marathon (AP)


By Abdul Hussein Al-Obeidi, Associated Press, 8/22/2004 15:32. NAJAF, Iraq (AP) Explosions and gunfire shook Najaf #39;s Old City on Sunday in a fierce battle between US forces and Shiite militants, as negotiations

Clashes break out in Najaf, but government says it hopes to <b>...</b>


Layoffs by Delta Airlines in Dallas are being felt in Tulsa. Delta announced Wednesday they #39;re cutting 7,000 jobs by drastically downsizing their Dallas hub.

Reshuffling Of Flights In And Out Of Tulsa International Airport


AP - The Bush administration is trying to stifle scientific evidence of the dangers of global warming in an effort to keep the public uninformed, a NASA scientist said Tuesday night.

NASA: Bush Stifles Global Warming Evidence (AP)


Before Friday night #39;s semifinal in the World Cup of Hockey, coach Raimo Summanen of Finland and coach Ron Wilson of the US discussed different opponents.

Finland stuns US with two late goals


GROZNY, Russia : Chechens voted in an election expected to crown a Kremlin-backed candidate as the strife-torn republic #39;s new leader, with thousands of security personnel patrolling its streets against the threat of rebel attacks.

Kremlin candidate favourite as Chechens vote amid fears of <b>...</b>


Jose Mourinho #39;s Chelsea put one foot in the second round of the Champions League yesterday with a 3-1 win over his former club, defending champions Porto.

Chelsea defeat champs Porto 3-1


AP - Oregon researchers have started work on a new five-year,  #36;10.3 million biodefense contract to find the proteins associated with bacteria that cause salmonella poisoning and typhoid fever, and the virus that causes monkeypox.

Study Eyes Salmonella, Typhoid, Monkeypox (AP)


It's part of the company's effort to beat back Linux and piracy efforts in developing technology markets.

Microsoft to Offer Cheaper, Limited Windows in Russia


BOSTON - The fans wanted it. For that matter the entire baseball world wanted it. Now it #39;s here, and nobody is champing at the bit more than the Boston Red Sox.

Division rivals meet for pennant


New Roma boss Luigi Del Neri is confident he can get the best out of temperamental striker Antonio Cassano. The ex-Chievo tactician is keen to open a successful chapter with the Roman club and expects the

DEL NERI KEEN TO LIFT CASSANO


AP - Everything about the bones that turned up in a Grain Valley back yard last summer suggested to scientists that they came from a 50,000-year-old mastodon. But evidence yielded by additional digging has led the experts to conclude they were off-base. The remains are actually those of a mammoth that lived 500,000 to 1 million years ago, according to the scientists.

Skeleton in Mo. Came From Ancient Mammoth (AP)


The world's second-largest maker of business software was created in the deal, which ended a long and hostile battle.

Oracle Ups Its Offer and Buys PeopleSoft for \$10.3 Billion


AP - Asian financial markets showed little reaction Friday to China's first interest rate rise in nine years, which analysts welcomed as a shift toward capitalist-style economic tools and away from central planning.

Markets Cool to China's Rate Increase (AP)


The state #39;s last monthly job report before the presidential election shows Arizona #39;s job-creation machine has shifted into neutral.

Unemployment rate rises slightly


AP - After five mediocre starts, Esteban Loaiza lost his job in the New York Yankees' rotation on Saturday and was sent to the bullpen. Loaiza failed to make it out of the fifth inning in Friday's 8-7 victory over Toronto.

Yankees Remove Loaiza From Rotation (AP)


Sundeep Sanghavi's job at Cable   Wireless USA Inc. had been to look for mistakes in the bills the company received from other telecommunications carriers.

Keeping Tabs on Invoices to Avoid Billing Errors


Microsoft Corp. is flatly denying what it calls  quot;misguided reports quot; of a flaw in its new Windows XP Service Pack 2 upgrade that exposes security information to hackers.

Microsoft denies flaw in XP upgrade


Obviously, we #39;re very disappointed, #39; #39; Miami #39;s coach said in the wake of a shocking 31-28 loss at North Carolina.

Canes Reeling After Loss To UNC


KIRKUK, Iraq - A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb near a crowd of people waiting to apply for jobs with the Iraqi National Guard in the northern city of Kirkuk on Saturday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 16, officials said.    Also Saturday, videotape surfaced showing two Americans and a Briton kidnapped two days ago from their house in central Baghdad...

Iraq Suicide Attack Kills 20, Injures 16


As promised, the NHL Players Association on Thursday delivered its strongest proposal to end the lockout. In a move even NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow admitted

NHL players offer 24 percent rollback of salaries


The UN nuclear agency agreed yesterday on a plan for policing Iran #39;s nuclear programs designed to avoid a showdown at the United Nations.

Agency OK #39;s plan to monitor Iran #39;s nuclear programs


A steering problem disabled the Mars rover Spirit Oct. 1, and the craft has not moved since, Space.com reported Wednesday. Spirit #39;s right-front and left-rear wheels did not operate as commanded, NASA said in a statement Tuesday.

Mars Rover #39;s Wheels Are Malfunctioning


The natural foods chain is predicting double-digit sales growth until 2010.

Whole Foods' Healthy Outlook


The government's cybersecurity chief has abruptly resigned after one year with the Department of Homeland Security, confiding to industry colleagues his frustration over what he considers a lack of attention paid to computer security issues. <FONT face=

U.S. Cybersecurity Chief Resigns


(Hartford-WTNH, Oct. 28, 2004 12:15 PM ) _ Connecticut Red Sox fans are already grabbing up those World Series shirts and hats. People are swarming local stores to get a piece of memorabilia.

Sox fans dress up to celebrate


protesting against the death of a man in custody burnt down a police station, police residence and a courthouse. northeast coast, said Queensland state police minister Judy Spence.

Nine arrested after Australian island riot


The FBI alleges that a veteran U.S. diplomat met with agents from Taiwan. What were they up to? \

Error of Judgment


The regional telecommunications company Qwest agreed Thursday to pay \$250 million to settle allegations that it improperly booked millions in revenue and that senior managers sought to cover it up.

Qwest Agrees to SEC Settlement


Annual economic growth in China has slowed for the third quarter in a row, to 9.1 percent, responding to Beijing #39;s efforts to rein in breakneck investment and lending, third-quarter official data shows.

China says economic growth slows again


Rocky Shoes and Boots makes an accretive acquisition -- and gets Dickies and John Deere as part of the deal.

Rocky Shoes' Knockout Punch


StarHub Ltd., Singapore #39;s sole cable TV operator, has priced its initial public offering at the bottom of its forecast range, raising S\$457.

StarHub share offer to raise \$271m


AccountingWEB.com - December 03, 2004 - Five former executives from Kmart and its vendor companies settled Securities and Exchange Commission civil charges this week stemming from a \$24 million accounting fraud they oversaw at the retail giant, the

Former Executives Settle SEC Civil Charges in Kmart Fraud


WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- US consumer prices declined marginally in July, posting the first fall since last November, the Labor Department said in a report released Tuesday.

US consumer prices post first decline in eight months


PalmOne has at long last released an SD Wi-Fi card, enabling PDA users to connect to both office WLANs and public hotspots. However, difficulties with implementing wireless Ethernet on PalmOS mean that the US\$129 card will only work on the Tungsten T3 and ...

Palm adds an SD Wi-Fi card


CARSON, CALIF. - DC United won an unprecedented fourth Major League Soccer Cup on Sunday, beating Kansas City 3-2. United spotted the Wizards an early goal, then scored three times in a seven-minute span of the first half to move in front for good.

Sports Scene: DC United wins MLS Cup


LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - Peru has separated the top two  leaders of Shining Path after more than a decade in jail,  moving Abimael Guzman's longtime lover to a different prison as  it gets tough with rebels who made a mockery of their retrial.

Peru Splits Up Jailed Lovers Who Led Shining Path


The bureau #39;s three-year, \$1 billion IT-modernization plan said to need a big-picture view. By Eric Chabrow. Despite some improvements, the FBI still lacks a coordinated plan to modernize its IT systems, increasing

GAO Report Finds FBI Plans Still Lacking


LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - InterContinental Hotels Group  Plc <A HREF=

InterContinental to Sell 13 Hotels


California sued Mirant Corp., a bankrupt US power producer, accusing it of rigging electricity markets during the 2000-2001 energy crisis that led to rolling blackouts and a tenfold increase in consumer energy prices.

California sues Mirant, alleges energy scheme


Opposition parties in Bangladesh have reportedly reached a consensus on ousting the government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, which it termed as being  quot;fanatic, terrorist and autocratic.

Bangladesh opposition unites to oust Zia government


Struggling publisher Infogrames nets \$22.3 million by hocking its powerhouse strategy franchise to an as-yet unidentified company.

Civilization sold off to mystery buyer


Microsoft overtook PalmSource in the third quarter as the world #39;s biggest operating system for handheld computers, a survey showed Friday.

Survey says Microsoft overtakes Palm


Plainclothes police detained a prominent Nigerian labor leader Saturday, bundling him into a car at an airport in an apparent effort to stop a threatened nationwide

Nigeria police said to detain labor exec


Mark Hurlbert, the prosecutor who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing a case against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant before dismissing it, may pay dearly for his decision at the polls in November.

Bryant prosecutor may have hurt re-election bid


AP - The BCS is all but busted. Utah beat rival Brigham Young 52-21 Saturday, completing its first unbeaten season since 1930 and putting the Utes one step closer to the first appearance in the Bowl Championship Series for a team from a mid-major conference.

No. 5 Utah Beats BYU for Unbeaten Season (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks are seen opening little changed  on Monday as crude prices remain high, but insurers may dip on  worries about their potential liabilities after a hurricane  struck Florida on Friday.

Stocks Seen Little Changed; Oil Weighs


WASHINGTON With public pledges and in private conversations, Britain managed to smoke out the United States and win its commitment to the full forgiveness of the debts of the poorest countries during the annual meetings of the World Bank and the

At IMF, US bows to pressure to forgive debt


MetLife Inc. said on Tuesday that it paid brokers and consultants about \$25 million last year in  quot;contingent payments, quot; which are the subject of a probe by New York state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

MetLife discloses contingent payments


A major rescue effort has been launched off the coast of Ireland after a Canadian submarine sent a distress signal for assistance from the North Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday.

Rescue effort for Canadian sub launched off Irish coast


Wireless communications service provider Nextel Communications Inc. on Friday posted 69 percent growth in third-quarter earnings based on demand across its business sectors, and raised its outlook for 2004.

Nextel 3Q Profit Rises