Australia set New Zealand a victory target of 464 runs in the second and final cricket Test in Adelaide, declaring at 139-2 after lunch on the fourth day.

Australia Sets New Zealand #39;s Cricketers 464 to Win Second Test


LOSAIL, Qatar : Spain #39;s Sete Gibernau won a dramatic Qatar Grand Prix to throw the world title race wide open after defending world champion Valentino Rossi crashed out.

Motor Cycling: Gibernau wins in Qatar as Rossi crashes out


After a soft stretch in their schedule, the Knicks on Friday meet Orlando, their first opponent with a winning record since they beat Cleveland on Nov. 21.

Knicks Could Face a True Test of Strength


The first major release of IBM WebSphere in two years offers self-healing capabilities to provide failover for business transactions conducted via the Internet.

IBM announces new  #39;self-healing #39; WebSphere


Pharmaceutical stocks were mixed in afternoon trading, performing slightly better than the Dow Jones Industrial Average but seeing sharp declines in smaller stocks on clinical trial snags.

Drug Stocks Mixed, Outpacing Dow


In Asian trade, US light crude hit \$50.28 a barrel, the highest since the record \$50.47 one week ago. London #39;s Brent crude opened higher Tuesday, up 46 cents at \$46.

Oil prices climb back over \$50


The video game publisher blows away expectations and ups the ante for fiscal 2005.

Activision Nails Second Quarter


Many PC makers have a list of drivers and other patches that should be in place before installing the OS update.\

PC makers: Look before taking SP2 leap


The country representative of the United Nations Children #39;s Fund (UNICEF), Morten Giersing, sought cooperation Thursday from the rich of the society for the wellbeing of the children.

Country lags behind in saving  #39;children from deprivation #39;


Soldiers who left behind families in the U.S. are divided between Bush and Kerry, but there is little doubt where most stand. Polls show that two-thirds of them favor Bush.

Military Wives Share Pain -- and Often Politics


PARIS (Reuters) - Euro Disney wants to use part of a  planned rights issue to build a gut-wrenching new

Euro Disney Eyes \$180 Mln 'Tower of Terror'-Source


OCTOBER 15, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Microsoft Corp. #39;s move to a monthly patch-release cycle one year ago this month has made it easier to install security updates for Windows and other products, IT managers said this week -- even as they were greeted with

Users buoyed by monthly patch releases


BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer Honeywell  International Inc. <A HREF=

Strong Demand Pushes Honeywell Profit


MacCentral - Shortly before Apple's special music event on Tuesday featuring Bono and The Edge from U2, the iTunes Music Store was updated with links to allow residents of nine new countries to buy music online. In addition to the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, iTunes now supports Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

iTunes expands into nine more European countries (MacCentral)


LONDON The International Olympic Committee has opened an investigation into doping allegations against US athlete Marion Jones. IOC president Jacques Rogge (ROH #39;-guh) set up a disciplinary commission to look

IOC opens investigation


Ricky Williams wants to rejoin the Miami Dolphins and has asked the N.F.L. how soon he can return, his agent said.

Just Weeks Into Retirement, Williams Wants Back in N.F.L.


(Sports Network) - The much-improved Orlando Magic will take aim at their fourth win in five games tonight, when they take on the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center.

Orlando Magic Team Report - November 10


Creative Technology Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Sim Wong Hoo told reporters in Singapore his company plans to spent US\$100 million in 2005 in a marketing war aimed squarely at Apple Computer Inc.

Creative declares marketing  #39;war #39; against iPod


Microsoft has warned Asian governments that they may face lawsuits for using the Linux operating system instead of Windows. Speaking to government officials in Singapore Thursday as part of a five-day visit

Ballmer Warns Asian Officials of Linux Suits


The first time I saw Ian Paisley, I was carrying a camera. He kept shaking his fist and grimacing at me every time I lifted it from my waist.

Comment: Liam Clarke: Paisley and the IRA must both accept  <b>...</b>


After three months of darkness and silence, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the NHL. In a meeting Thursday at the league #39;s Toronto offices, the players #39; union presented an in-depth proposal

NHL finds hope


Reuters - The State Department said on Tuesday\it had information that

U.S. Sees Possible Attacks in Uzbekistan (Reuters)


KATHMANDU: Thousands of villagers have fled districts in Nepal #39;s remote eastern region following threats by Maoist rebels to attack the area and set up a  quot;people #39;s government, quot; human rights and local officials said yesterday.

Nepali villagers flee after Maoist threat


In Microsoft #39;s latest SEC filing again, Redmond warns that next year won #39;t see the handsome growth in PC sales that it has seen over the past twelve months.

Microsoft sees sluggish PC growth ahead


Yeah, theyre saying Sonys two new players wont make you deal with that ridiculous SonicStage MP3 to ATRAC converstion stuff anymore, and its being reported that the two new players will be among the first to natively support MP3.

Sonys new Network Walkman NW-E99 and NW-E95 rock MP3


One of the most anticipated computer games of the year, Half-Life 2, is seeing the light of day in November. The game is due to go on sale worldwide on 16 November, its publisher Vivendi has announced.

Half Life 2 Set for November


Microsoft Chief Software Architect Bill Gates took the stage of the IT Forum in Copenhagen Tuesday to introduce a handful of tools and a hatful of promises designed to offer relief from managing complex, distributed systems.

Gates Touts Software Magic


A five-member panel to investigate whether genocide has taken place in Darfur has been appointed by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

UN to investigate Darfur genocide


Reuters - Pentagon efforts to fix absentee\voting problems among U.S. troops that marred the 2000 election\have run into trouble as plans to use the Internet crumbled and\a fax or e-mail balloting system draws fire.

Pentagon Bid to Reform Absentee Voting Draws Fire (Reuters)


Can't wake up before lunchtime? Blame your ancestors. Researchers now suspect that night owls inherit their sleeping patterns and are launching a study that could lead to new gene therapy for sleep disorders. By Randy Dotinga.

Sleep Disorders Traced to Genes


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures pointed to a  slightly lower open on Tuesday as investors stay cautious after  last week's three-day rally and await results from networking  gear maker Cisco Systems Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Look to Open Lower; Cisco Awaited


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. personal incomes rose 1.5  percent in the second quarter of 2004, the fastest pace of  growth in more than three years, as income gains sped up in 33  states, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.

All 50 States Post Personal Income Growth


ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson ran for 119 yards on 26 carries, his first career 100-yard game, to help the St. Louis Rams compensate for Marc Bulger's shoulder injury in a 16-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers yesterday. Jackson, the first running back taken in this year's draft, took advantage of Marshall Faulk's bruised left knee to get his ...

Bulger hurt, but Rams win


Enterprises are opening up to open source alternatives to commercial software, panelists said at the SDForum conference Open Source Entering the Mainstream, held in Santa Clara, Calif., last week.

Enterprises warm up to open source


NEW YORK - Stocks tumbled Wednesday as investors saw a surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a reason to collect profits from gains of the last month. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped nearly 130 points, and all three major indexes saw their biggest losses since early August...

Stocks Dive on Morgan Stanley, Oil Reports


Big Blue adds

IBM expands China research site in midmarket push


A slanging match, instigated by Paul Casey of Europe #39;s Ryder Cup team, continues to simmer here as teams from 24 countries prepare for the World Cup which starts today.

Casey opens war with America


The tech sector continues to sit on unstable ground, with Intel Corp. lowering its forecast due to lagging consumer demand for technology products and fueling investor buzz of weakness in the sector.
<FONT face=

Intel Sets Off New Jitters


Reuters - Russia will launch a three-man crew to\the International Space Station on Oct. 11, two days later than\initially scheduled due to problems with the docking system,\Itar-Tass news agency reported on Wednesday.

Russia Plans Space Station Launch on Oct. 11 (Reuters)


By the end of August 2004, a total of 106 Chinese mainland enterprises had been listed on stockmarkets outside the mainland, an official from China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said here Friday.

106 mainland enterprises listed outside mainland market


During a scheduling hearing Wednesday, the judge overseeing Oracle #39;s attempt to overturn PeopleSoft #39;s takeover defenses said he wants to know exactly why PeopleSoft has turned down Oracle #39;s offer again.

Judge Wants PeopleSoft To Explain Why It Turned Oracle Down


RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian footballer Robinho appealed for his family to be left in peace as he spoke in public for the first time since his mother was kidnapped on Saturday.

Robinho: Leave us in peace


The FA is to take action after trouble marred Wednesday #39;s Carling Cup tie between West Ham and Chelsea. Police in riot gear were confronted by a section of the West Ham support after the match which the Blues won 1-0.

FA probes Stamford Bridge trouble


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher hopes an MRI will determine the severity of a left hamstring injury sustained in this past Sunday #39;s 22-3 loss at Jacksonville.

Bears #39; Urlacher hurts hamstring


NEW YORK : Wall Street managed to end on a positive note Wednesday, brushing off fresh oil price spikes and disappointing economic news, including a surprise drop in consumer sentiment last month.

Wall Street ends higher despite oil price spike


Middlesbrough manager Steven McClaren was delighted by his team #39;s offensive output against Manchester City Monday night. Striker Mark Viduka scored twice, and his striker partner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored the other in a 3-2 win.

McLaren Pleased With Boro Outburst


HELSINKI, Finland US embassies in northern Europe say they have received  quot;threat information quot; and are urging Americans living in the Nordic and Baltic regions to be cautious.

US embassies issue terror threat warning in northern Europe


The Major League Baseball Players Association on Monday filed a grievance to reverse the Angels #39; decision to suspend outfielder Jose Guillen for the remainder of the season and the postseason.

Hearing to be held Friday in Oakland


FORMER US tennis star Roscoe Tanner has been arrested for allegedly failing to pay child support, an Orange County sheriff #39;s official said.

Ex-tennis star Tanner arrested


AP - The University of Texas and Texas A amp;M University are planning to construct what they call the world's largest telescope with the help of a Houston businessman's  #36;1.25 million gift.

Universities to Build Largest Telescope (AP)


Samsung Electronics will begin selling a mobile phone equipped with a 5-megapixel figital camera to Korean customers. The multi-function phone stores almost 100 minutes of video, works as

Samsung To Release 5-Megapixel Phone


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set to open flat on  Friday after news of a drop in durable goods orders last month  did little to sway investor sentiment that remained focused on  higher oil prices.

Flat Opening Seen After Durable Goods


A \$7.4 billion takeover bid for the Australian mining company WMC Resources has seen its share price surge by 36 per cent. The Swiss-based mining house Xstrata wants to add WMC Resources to its Australian mining portfolio.

WMC shares surge on takeover bid


Blueprint, in conjunction with BT, plan to launch a new service for hosting, managing and distributing digital music and related content online, which could substantially accelerate the growth of the market to the benefit of artists, record companies

BT #39;s New Music Service Hopes To Be Different


Injury-hit India made a good start in the third cricket Test against Australia on Tuesday, leaving the tourists on 103-3 by lunch on the opening day.

Depleted India strike early blows


Public services across part of Italy have been brought to a standstill as workers take to the streets to protest against the government #39;s economic policies.

Q amp;A: The Italian general strike


SPORTS NETWORK - The Cleveland Indians on Friday agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Bob Howry. Howry, who was eligible for salary arbitration, went 4-2 with a 2.74 earned-run average in 37 games this past season.

Indians lock up Howry


AP - Struggling German retailer KarstadtQuelle on Thursday agreed with employee representatives on a cost-cutting plan that will include eliminating some 5,500 jobs, or 12 percent of its work force, and a three-year pay freeze.

KarstadtQuelle, Union Reach Agreement (AP)


IBM will announced the pre-release of several tools for SMEs designed to speed development of solutions built on IBM middleware. The tools support the IBM Solutions Builder Express Portfolio, which provides

IBM readies SME tools


Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh received death threats after a recent movie criticized the way women are treated under Islam. Yesterday, the threats became reality.

Dutch Filmmaker Who Criticized Islam Is Slain In Amsterdam


Reuters - The U.N. nuclear watchdog has held up a\new report on inspections in Iran while Tehran and the EU's\

UN Iran Report Held Up as Nuke Freeze Talks Stall (Reuters)


Samsung has developed the world #39;s first five-megapixel camera phone. It can also function as a camcorder. (Oh, the espionage... -- Ed.).  quot;South Korea #39;s Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it had developed the

World #39;s first five-megapixel camera phone


Canadian bonds rose and the dollar dropped after the government said so-called core inflation unexpectedly fell in August. The figures suggested policy makers may lift their key interest rate less than predicted this year.

Canadian Bonds Rise, Dollar Drops After Core Inflation Declines


No doubt, all of you have heard of Xfce and those who haven #39;t will hear about it soon anyway. I remember trying out Xfce for the first time back on SuSE 9.0.

XFce 4.2 - the Future is Now!


Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday\agreed to consider whether Internet file-trading networks\should be held responsible when their users copy music, movies\and other protected works without permission.

Supreme Court to Decide Grokster Case (Reuters)


Federated Department Stores says its regional chains will begin operating under the Macy #39;s name in January. Do you think changing the names of Federated stores to Macy #39;s is a good idea?

Lazarus Disappearing From Western Pa.


By Ellis Mnyandu  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. on Tuesday  reported a 2.9 percent gain in quarterly same-store sales, but  its growth lagged estimates due to a calendar shift and reduced  spending through August.

Circuit City Growth Misses Estimates


The success of Indias broadband policy will depend on the government clearly articulating the strategic role it expects broadband to play in delivering socio-economic gains to all stakeholders.

India can be among worlds top five by 2010


Top officials from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay gathered Wednesday for high-level trade talks ahead of a two-day summit taking place 10 years after leaders officially created South America's Mercosur zone.

Mercosur Trade Talks Begin Amid Bickering


Kirk Rueter of the Giants pitched seven innings of five-hit ball, his longest outing since May 7. Larry Walker hit his second grand slam in five days for the Cardinals. Shortstop Jerry Gil became the 48th player to suit up for the Diamondbacks, a club record. Barry Bonds of the Giants scored his 100th run for the 12th straight season. ...

NL notables


Many endangered species are under threat from growing prosperity in China, where exotic animals are butchered for gourmet banquets, exotic medicines or luxury goods.

Chinese Prosperity Seen as Threat to Endangered Wildlife


Erasmus James spent all of last season rehabbing a dislocated hip that threatened to end his playing career. He #39;s spent this year in a much better place: the quarterback #39;s face.

James leads way for UW #39;s stingy defense


The European Union has agreed to lift an arms embargo on Libya after pressure from Italy, which said the North African country needed better equipment to tackle illegal migrants.

EU to end Libya arms embargo


Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court said on\Friday it would decide what regulations should apply to\high-speed broadband Internet service offered by cable\television companies like Time Warner Inc.

High Court to Hear Cable Internet Case (Reuters)


PARIS (Reuters) - L'Oreal, the world's biggest cosmetic  group, reported a 6.3 percent rise in first-half earnings on  Wednesday helped by a contribution from drugmaker Sanofi, and  confirmed it was aiming for a 20th straight year of  double-digit profit growth.

L'Oreal Profits Paint Pretty Picture


AP - The United States expects to sit down with Iran at an international conference to discuss stability in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday. Washington and Tehran have no diplomatic relations.

Powell: U.S., Iran to Talk Iraq Stability (AP)


LONDON, Oct 6 (IranMania) - Iran declared Tuesday it had ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) and could produce ones with a greater range, an announcement likely to add to international concerns over its weapons capabilities.

Iran adds to int #39;l worries with high range missile


WAYNE ROONEY #39;S future will be decided today, with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright due to travel to Old Trafford for talks. He will meet Manchester United chief executive David Gill before

FOOTBALL: D-DAY ON DEAL FOR ROONEY


Marion Jones is attempting to sue controversial Balco boss Victor Conte for alleging that she took drugs. The American sprinter is at the centre of a widespread probe into the activities of Conte #39;s laboratory

Jones files Balco lawsuit


Super Eagles Nwankwo Kanu #39;s West Bromwich have named Bryan Robson as their new manager. Robson, 47, has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal, with Nigel Pearson moving to The Hawthorns as his assistant.

Robson Leads Kanu


MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Expos may claim it is of little importance to them if they finish out of last place in the National League East, but it #39;s definitely important to Steve Trachsel and the New York Mets.

Piazza brings home winning run in eighth as Mets down Expos 3-2


No longer confined to technology fans and those ahead of the curve, MP3 players are entering mainstream society as prices fall and general consumers get used to them.

Study shows MP3 players entering mainstream society


ISLAMABAD: President Musharraf #39;s loyalist Shaukat Aziz was on Friday elected as Pakistan #39;s PM in a national assembly vote boycotted by the opposition in protest of the Speaker #39; decision not to permit their jailed candidate Javed Hashmi to take part in the

Aziz elected Pak PM amid oppn boycott


The 2004 Global Lifestyle Monitor survey, conducted by Cotton Incorporated and Cotton Council International, reveals about 68.7 per cent of consumers surveyed in five Chinese cities say the material used is the deciding factor.

Cotton on consumers


Cuba restores contacts with eight EU embassies in Havana, ending a bitter row over

Havana halts EU 'cocktail wars'


No. 3-ranked Georgia rallies from 16 points down behind David Greene's 213 yards and two touchdown passes to beat South Carolina, 20-16, on Saturday night.

Georgia Struggles to Win


A Greek bus hostage siege has ended peacefully as all 23 passengers were freed and as police revealed the two armed Albanian hijackers had been bluffing when they threatened to blow up the bus.

Greek hijack siege ends peacefully


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar fell broadly on Friday as  dovish comments from several U.S. central bankers raised doubts  over the health of the world's biggest economy ahead of a  crucial U.S. jobs report.

Dollar Weakens Ahead of Payrolls Release


Reuters - One year after a highly\critical report urged NASA to develop the means to fix a broken\space shuttle in orbit, the U.S. space agency still could not\repair a hole the size of the one that doomed the seven\Columbia astronauts, NASA said on Thursday.

Still No Fix for U.S. Space Shuttle (Reuters)


An Israeli helicopter fires two missiles at targets in Gaza City, Palestinian witnesses say.

Israel 'hits' Gaza City targets


AP - Iran said Sunday that demands from the U.N. atomic watchdog agency that it freeze all work on uranium enrichment  #151; technology that can be used for nuclear weapons  #151; were

Iran Says U.N. Nuclear Ban 'Illegal' (AP)


Nine people were killed in two pre-dawn raids by US planes on suspected reel targets in Fallujah, west of Baghdad today, according to a local hospital.

Nine killed in US air raids on Fallujah: hospital


Companies trying to deploy Internet phone calling face varied costs depending on the technology provider, according to a report.

Study: VoIP costs all over the map


SURGING oil prices are continuing to drive up British Airways fuel costs and persuaded it to continue its three-year freeze on the dividend yesterday despite rising profits.

Profits soar but oil fears freeze BA divi


Some of the largest anti-virus companies have virtually ignored the spyware problem because there is no profit incentive for them to do otherwise. Meanwhile, spyware companies make millions.

Columnists: Profitware


TEHRAN, Oct 27 (AFP) - Iran said Wednesday a heavy water plant will go online within a month near the central city of Arak, despite international pressure for Tehran to suspend such nuclear-related activities.

Iran #39;s heavy water plant to be operational within month: official


AP - A year after the first of NASA's twin rovers landed on Mars, scientists on Monday celebrated the robotic explorers that were supposed to last only about three months but are still roaming a planet with a reputation for swallowing spacecraft.

NASA's Rovers Still Exploring Mars (AP)


A new keyboard for phones that incorporates a traditional Qwerty layout and a standard number pad has been developed by the makers of the Blackberry mobiles.

Blackberry shrinks phone keyboard


Poor tackling, missed opportunities and turnovers plagued Illinois through a 1-11 season last year and all were factors again in Saturday #39;s 35-17 loss to UCLA.

Turner confident Illini can rebound from 35-17 loss


HOUSTON, Texas : Carlos Beltran doubled, homered, scored twice and drove in two runs as Houston posted an 8-5 triumph over Atlanta in game three of their National League Division Series.

Baseball: Backe carries Astros to victory over Braves


CARE Australia vowed yesterday to take every possible step to secure the release of an aid worker kidnapped in Baghdad. Margaret Hassan, the head of the charity #39;s operations in Iraq, who is employed by CARE

Anger at taking of CARE chief


GENEVA -- As many as 10,000 refugees from Sudan's Darfur region are dying from disease and violence every month in the teeming camps where they have taken refuge, UN health agency officials said yesterday. European Union foreign ministers called yesterday for the United Nations to ''immediately investigate quot; whether atrocities by the government-backed ethnic Arab militias against the region's black African ...

Up to 10,000 in Sudandie monthly, WHO says


Microsoft has turned the channel on its slow-moving television software business by winning a key contract for its new Internet-based TV platform from SBC Communications.

Microsoft Turns On IPTV


Winger Luke Rooney scored two tries on debut as Australia drew 16-16 with New Zealand in Saturday #39;s series-opening Tri Nations rugby league test.

Kiwis hold Aussies 16-16 in Tri Nations opener


Jacques Santini has resigned as coach of Tottenham Hotspur after just 13 games in charge, the English Premier League club announced Friday.

Roundup: Santini resigns as Hotspur coach


In the four days since New York Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer alleged that brokers and corporate insurance carriers were engaged in bid-rigging and secret payoffs

Insurers Feel Pressure, Drop Commissions


Starbucks announced nationwide rollout of the Hear Music bar, which enables customers to listen to music from tablet PCs, burn the music on CDs in the stores and purchase the CDs with a credit card.

Starbucks serves up music and CD-burning in its cafes


(Home games in caps) APRIL 4 Mon.at Yankees 1:05 6 Wed.at Yankees 7:05 7 Thu.at Yankees 7:05 8 Fri.at Toronto TBD 9 Sat.at Toronto 1:05 10 Sun.at Toronto 1:05 11 Mon.YANKEES 3:05 13 Wed.YANKEES 7:05 14 Thu.YANKEES 7:05 15 Fri.TAMPA BAY 7:05 16 Sat.TAMPA BAY TBD 17 Sun.TAMPA BAY 2:05 18 Mon.TORONTO 11:05 19 Tue.TORONTO 7:05 20 Wed.at Baltimore 7:05 ...

2005 Red Sox schedule


Online payment service PayPal said it will essentially waive transaction fees for some customers on Thursday to make amends for the inconvenience caused by about five days of intermittent service outages earlier this month.

PayPal Makes Amends for Recent Outage


Eirik Veraas Larsen had no problem winning his heat in the K-1 500m semifinals on Thursday morning, and is now favourite to win the Saturday final.

Olympics 2004: Canoeing: Veraas Larsen ready for K-1 500m finals


BAGHDAD A senior Oil Ministry official was killed Wednesday by gunmen on his way to work, the ministry #39;s spokesman said. The official, Hussein Ali al-Fattal, director general of the ministry #39;s oil byproducts

Iraqi Oil Ministry official killed in Baghdad


More than 1,000 opposition activists protest in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, about the rising cost of living.

Sri Lankan protest at price rises


How #39;s this for rough justice: A video game named for an act of stealing was stolen. A version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, due to hit stores next week, ended up on the Web late Wednesday

Video game posted on Web


(New York-AP, October 21, 2004) - It #39;s not the kind of statement George Steinbrenner hoped to be making. The New York Yankees owner is congratulating the Boston Red Sox for their come-from-behind playoff victory over the Yankees.

Yankees #39; Owner Congratulates Boston Red Sox


In a recent television commercial for Major League Baseball to promote the 2004 postseason, Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said it was a bigger thrill to take home runs away than hit them.

Center fielder makes art of taking away home runs


Humans will upgrade their nervous systems with technology, a professor predicts--and then they'll be open to computer viruses.

Virus warning: Cyborgs at risk


Polaris Industries Inc. said Thursday it will immediately stop manufacturing boats and other marine product lines after the division drowned in a hefty operating loss in 2003.

Polaris Discontinues Marine Products


The owner of the Nasdaq index, an icon of the internet boom, is planning to sell \$100m of shares to the public and list itself on the market it operates.

Nasdaq planning \$100m-share sale


AP - One in three of France's imams don't speak French, the country's interior minister said in an interview published Tuesday, proposing initiatives to help Islamic religious leaders better adapt.

Minister Urges Imams to Speak French (AP)


Frank Farina #39;s new look Australian attack fired the Socceroos to a 4-0 half-time lead over Solomon Islands in their their Confederations Cup qualifier in Honiara this afternoon.

Socceroos on Honiara goal spree


Despite the NFL's 30th-ranked offense, Washington is still in the mix for a wild-card spot. The Redskins and Bengals are underway at FedEx.

Redskins Underway


This season #39;s format for the semifinals of the MLS playoffs has the higher-seeded team opening play on the road. That #39;s not a good thing for the Los Angeles Galaxy as they meet the Colorado Rapids in Game 1 of their two-leg aggregate score series.

San Jose vs. Kansas City


A Milan judge on Tuesday opens hearings into whether to put on trial 32 executives and financial institutions over the collapse of international food group Parmalat in one of Europe #39;s biggest fraud cases.

Parmalat judge to open hearings


Crude oil prices rose Wednesday ahead of US petroleum inventory data and an OPEC meeting this week at which the group could decide on a production cut.

Crude oil prices rise near US\$42 as traders await US data, OPEC <b>...</b>


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's cabinet agreed on Sunday to  free dozens of Palestinian prisoners in a move meant to show  goodwill ahead of elections to replace Yasser Arafat, officials  said.

Israel Cabinet Agrees to Free Jailed Palestinians


The Canadian government has signalled its intention to re-introduce legislation to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Canada renews plan to decriminalise pot possession


Karachi, October 5: Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu said his side must build on their Asia Cup win as they face hosts Pakistan in the tri-series one-day tournament here at the National Stadium tomorrow.

Lanka will depend on Asia Cup momentum


SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Everywhere you look at the Fall Processor Forum, there #39;s another chip with more than one core. At this annual industry conference where chip companies discuss the designs they #39;re working

Many Cores On Many Chips


A majority of PeopleSoft (PSFT) shareholders are expected to support Oracle #39;s (ORCL) takeover bid when they tender shares Friday night.

Rancor deepens over PeopleSoft deal


Scientists have unearthed a new species of hobbit-sized humans that may have lived as recently as 12,000 years ago, sharing the earth alongside modern-day man.

On island, scientists unearth modern humans' tiny cousin


Keyhole maintains a multi-terabyte database of digital images of geographic locations, culled from satellite and aerial snapshots.

Google buys digital mapping company


Haven #39;t seen too many people dare to cross Bill Parcells, verbally or in print. Not many have the guts. Most are afraid to incur the Tuna #39;s wrath.

Belichick fillets Tuna: Powerful coach can rip Parcells


Former Fresno State standout Nick Watney recovered from a double-bogey on the seventh hole to shoot 1 under and tie for the third-round lead Saturday in the Nationwide Tour Championship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Prattville, Ala.

Watney moves to the front


Reuters - American Indians are poised to take a\step back into history when they begin managing portions of the\nearly 100-year-old National Bison Range in Montana, officials\said on Tuesday.

American Indians Set to Manage U.S. Bison Refuge (Reuters)


Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has appealed to Dhirubhai Ambani #39;s widow Kokilabehn to settle the differences between her sons Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani who run India #39;s largest private sector company.

Amar Singh urges Kokila Behn to resolve RIL issue


Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday said on Friday that terrorism is a common threat to the international society, and a new international security system should be created

Putin calls for establishment of new international security system


Revenue from the tourism sector, crucial in financing the current accounts deficit, has passed its target for the year within the first nine months.

Tourism Aims at \$13 Billion


One of the holiday #39;s season most well-known sounds is back, but some stores are limiting where Salvation Army volunteers can ring their bells.

Salvation Army #39;s Bell Ringing Limited


ZURICH (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova kept  on course for a third successive WTA title on Saturday, beating  fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in the semi-finals of the  Zurich Challenge.

Sharapova on Track for Third Successive Title


Reuters - Air pollution clearly causes\immediate damage to the heart, including heart attacks, but its\short-term effects on asthma and other respiratory symptoms are\harder to document, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.

Carbon to Blame for Pollution Heart Damage -Study (Reuters)


MOSCOW, Idaho -- Former University of Idaho athletic director Bill Belknap fears a divide is being creating over athletics at the state #39;s land grant college.

Report: University can #39;t financially sustain IA status


Symantec (SYMC:Nasdaq - news - research) Thursday said it will acquire rival software company Veritas Software (VRTS:Nasdaq - news - research)in an all-stock deal.

Symantec and Veritas to Merge


It #39;s a new internet browser. The first full version, Firefox 1.0, was launched earlier this month. In the sense it #39;s a browser, yes, but the differences are larger than the similarities.

Cheat Sheet: Firefox


By ALLISON LINN    SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is expanding a program to give government organizations access to some of its tightly guarded software blueprints amid growing competition from rivals who make such source code freely available...

Microsoft Expands Source Code Sharing


Reuters - A row over Indian TV rights, which threatens a test series next month with world champion Australia, is heading back to court after jilted broadcaster Zee Telefilms filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Zee takes cricket TV rights fight to Supreme Court (Reuters)


Brussels has said the EU #39;s newest members should adopt the euro in one step, in contrast to the currency #39;s original phased introduction.

New EU set for quick euro switch


Wachovia Corp. said Friday that third-quarter earnings rose 14 percent to \$1.26 billion, or 96 cents a share, on gains in its wealth management and investment banking businesses.

Wachovia's 3Q Profits Increase 14 Percent


The route of the New York City Marathon wends its way through the five boroughs of the Big Apple, from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park.

Athletics: Paula has a mind to conquer her demons


Marcelo Bielsa has resigned, less than a month after steering Argentina to their first Olympic gold medal and less than two months after their Copa America final appearance, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Julio

Argentina coach Bielsa resigns


Cardinal Health Inc. will cut 4,200 jobs, or 7 percent of its work force, as part of a three-year restructuring plan outlined Monday by the Central Ohio health-care products and services provider.

Cardinal shakeup to cut jobs, improve profit


Iraq #39;s Shiite Muslims led by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Thursday unveiled a broadly based electoral alliance which excludes radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Sistani unveils electoral alliance, Sadr not on list


Deadline extended while the software maker waits for a ruling in Justice Department's antitrust case.

Oracle gives PeopleSoft shareholders more time


AFP - Former England and Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes has died from a brain tumour aged 57.

Liverpool legend Emlyn Hughes dies (AFP)


EMI, the world #39;s third-largest music group, reported a drop in first-half profits on Friday but said the beleaguered industry was rebounding as online music sales start to take off.

EMI sees music market improving


Reuters - U.S. stocks slipped on Wednesday as\Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, speaking before\Congress about the health of the economy, did little to quell\expectations for a rate hike later this month.

Stocks, Dollar Slip, Oil Off, Gold Up (Reuters)


GAZA CITY, Nov 14 (AFP) - Gunmen killed two members of the security services in Gaza City Sunday as PLO chairman Mahmud Abbas visited a mourning tent for Yasser Arafat, underlining fears the Palestinian leader #39;s death could trigger an upsurge in

Abbas, clear favourite to succeed Arafat, escapes from Gaza <b>...</b>


Yahoo has snapped up privately-held e-mail software company Stata Labs, which develops technology that allows users to quickly search through mail and attachments. The move, announced Thursday, generated speculation that the Internet powerhouse is gearing up to take on Google Inc.'s Gmail Webmail service, which features broad capabilities to search e-mail messages.

Yahoo joins the search with Stata purchase


Disgraced Olympic shot put championIrina Korzhanenko from Russia has been expelled from the Athens Games after failing a drugs test, the International Olympic Committee said on Monday.

Koorzhanenko kicked out of Olympics


AP - Bernard Hopkins suddenly ended a close fight with two left hooks to the body in the ninth round Saturday night to stop Oscar De La Hoya and ruin his bid to become the undisputed middleweight champion.

Hopkins Stops De La Hoya, Retains Title (AP)


Lleyton Hewitt made it a sad US Open farewell for Wayne Ferreira with a clinical straight-sets victory. The No4 seed breezed into the second round after a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 triumph.

HEWITT BRINGS ON FERREIRA FAREWELL


The Microsoft Corporation announced on Monday that it was significantly expanding its software development operations in India as it opened a new campus near Hyderabad

Microsoft Expands Operations in India


Services firms are worried that they are vulnerable to a weakening economy, a CBI report warns.

Confidence sags in service sector


I was just shy of a year and a half old when John F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin #39;s bullet 41 years ago this week. But like so many of my generation - the so-called baby boomers - I believe

Game should be pulled


Baseball players and owners have made progress toward toughening rules on steroid testing, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

Steroid Talks Progress


AP - Emboldened by their Election Day successes, some Christian conservatives around the country are trying to put more Christ into Christmas this season.

Christians Aiming to Boost Religion (AP)


Server maker Dell Inc is trying to steal some headlines away from Sun Microsystems Inc, which is launching its Solaris 10 Unix operating system, by debuting its reentry into the server blade market, the PowerEdge 1855.

Dell back into blades, partners with Microsoft for Windows <b>...</b>


Just when it appeared Michael D. Eisner, the chief of the Disney, could begin enjoying his final years in charge, a lawsuit threatens to dredge up embarrassing details of his two-decade reign.

Investor Suit at Disney Puts Exits in a Spotlight


AP - Senators on Monday gave in to several House demands on compromise legislation dealing with the Sept. 11 commission's anti-terrorism recommendations, including keeping the intelligence budget secret, increasing border security forces and banning aliens who have been trained by terrorist groups.

Senators Compromise on Intelligence Bill (AP)


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium's Interbrew, which acquired  AmBev to create the world's biggest brewer, reiterated on  Thursday its higher volume and profit targets for 2004 as  demand began to recover from a weak summer.

Beck's Brewer Sees Beer Demand Rising


The world will be living with volatile oil prices for years to come, but this year #39;s price spike should not be serious enough to push the country into a recession, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Friday.

Greenspan upbeat on oil spike


He may be known as  quot;El Loco quot;, but there is none of the traditional flamboyant Latin madness about Marcelo Bielsa. Instead, the man whose controversial reign as Argentina coach came to an end

A man of morals


The dollar slipped close to its lowest level of the year Thursday in Tokyo, entering 103 yen territory as market players dumped the currency in the belief that the United States tacitly approves of its weakening.

Dollar falls to 103.75 yen on remark by Snow


More than 1 million households and businesses across Florida Power  amp; Light Co. #39;s area don #39;t have electricity because of Hurricane Jeanne, FPL said Sunday morning.

Jeanne leaves at least 1.1 million without power


Hezbollah sent a reconnaissance drone into Israeli territory over northern Jewish settlements Sunday in the first hostile aerial incursion from Lebanon since a hang glider attack 17 years ago killed six soldiers.

Hezbollah claims to send its first reconnaissance drone over <b>...</b>


PHILADELPHIA (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Hornets are  going to have their work cut out for them in the 2004-05  season. When the NBA approved its realignment plan, the Hornets  became the newest member of the Western Conference as the  expansion Charlotte Bobcats were placed in the East, giving  each conference 15 clubs comprised of three divisions of five  teams.

Can the Hornets Conquer the West?


WHAT if you could look at the world through only one window in your home, even though your place had other windows and other views?

Foxy new software to heat up browser war


US Secretary of State Colin Powell is beginning his four-day trip to East Asia Saturday with a visit to Japan. In the coming days, Mr.

Powell Looks to Reassure North Korea, Push to Resume Nuclear Talks


THE head of oil cartel Opec today revealed that he had urged the United States to release crude stocks from its strategic reserve to bring down sky-high oil prices.

Opec seeks US help to ease oil price


AS the 2004 season headed into the final lap, farce and boredom were still vying for supremacy, but with the kind of audacious over-taking manoeuvre fans would love to witness on the track, farce darted into the lead to take the chequered flag.

Big formula for farce


Researchers are working on autonomous robots that eat to produce energy. The problem right now is that batteries are much better. By Lakshmi Sandhana.

Ecobot Eats Dead Flies for Fuel


Viagra, Oxycontin and some AIDS drugs will be among the first to carry radio chip tracking devices under a new Food and Drug Administration initiative.

FDA Encourages Radio Tags on Drug Bottles


Under orders from a federal judge, the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape identified herself by name Thursday in a revised version of the lawsuit she filed against the NBA star two months ago.

Bryant accuser publicly identifies herself in civil lawsuit


Microsoft Corp. introduced on Tuesday a new version of its Internet TV service, seeking to broaden its appeal beyond a relatively small base of older, computer-phobic users.

Microsoft Unveils News Version of MSN TV


Malaysia and Singapore on Monday made significant progress in repairing four decades of soured relations, agreeing to hold top-level talks on a range of disputes including

Malaysia, Singapore Work to Repair Ties


(AGI) - Rome, Sept. 11 - As of Saturday afternoon the piazza del Campidoglio in Rome displays 4 large photographs of Simona Pari, Simona Torretta and the two kidnapped Iraqis until they will be released.

KIDNAPPED ITALIANS: ROME, 4 BIG PICTURES ON CAMPIDOGLIO


Israel #39;s parliament will today begin debating bitterly opposed legislation to remove Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip next year ahead of a vote that could force a major realignment of Israeli politics.

Israel settlers row at crisis point


BAGHDAD, Iraq - British hostage Kenneth Bigley, who pleaded tearfully last month for Prime Minister Tony Blair to meet his kidnappers' demands, was beheaded by his captors, a witness who saw the videotaped killing said Friday.    The witness, who asked not to be identified by name, said the tape - sent to Abu Dhabi TV - showed six hooded, armed men standing behind the kneeling Bigley, whom the witness recognized from two previous tapes released by the kidnappers in which he pleaded for his life...

Video Said to Show British Hostage Killed


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp. <A HREF=

McDonald's Net Income Up 42 Percent


The U.S. Federal Trade Commission yesterday asked a federal court to shut down a New Hampshire operation, alleging that it disables users' computers to bully them into buying antispyware products.

FTC files suit against Internet spyware firm


James Foley, chairman of the Computing Research Association, says major trouble stalks the nation's technology education pipeline.

Fixing a busted IT research system


A series of bomb blasts and militant attacks in Nagaland and Assam have killed at least 49 people today. In Assam, there have been several explosions and attacks all through the day, killing 26 people.

49 killed in serial blasts in Assam, Nagaland


\\Really cool blog post about hidden Java features.  These are little tricks that\you forget about from time to time but that make life more pleasant.\\This is a good one:\\

Hidden Java Features


After staying close in the first half against a No. 12 Louisville team that was shooting 61 percent, Iowa coach Steve Alford knew it was only a matter of time before his Hawkeyes #39; defense would change the momentum.

Iowa waits out Louisville


For only the second time in its history, Greece has been awarded a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council after a vote in New York yesterday.

Greece gets onto Security Council


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks finished little changed on  Thursday, pausing after Wednesday's sharp rally. But after the  closing bell, shares of Intel Corp. <A HREF=

Stocks End Flat; Intel Leaps After Bell


An angry mob set fire to a passenger train in central Bangladesh yesterday, injuring at least 20 people, in retaliation for a grenade attack on an opposition rally that killed 22 people and wounded hundreds, police said.

Mob sets fire to train in protest at attack


LONDON : Newcastle striker Alan Shearer believes Graeme Souness can bring the good times rolling back to St James #39; Park.  quot;All I keep hearing is that Souness will bring discipline to this club and I don #39;t doubt that that will be the case, quot; said Shearer.

Soccer: Souness can bring good times to Newcastle, says Shearer


Reuters - The United States and China want to\expand trade regulations to protect Asian yew trees, a plant\that provides the compound for one of the world's top-selling\chemotherapy drugs but is threatened by poaching.

China, U.S. Seek to Protect Cancer-Fighting Tree (Reuters)


AP - Salim Stoudamire had 15 of his 18 points in the second half, helping No. 14 Arizona turn a close game into a 97-79 rout of Arizona State in their Pac-10 opener Sunday.

No. 14 Arizona Defeats Arizona St. 97-79 (AP)


Pitt coach Walt Harris preferred to  quot;play the percentages quot; late in the first half last night and, as a result, the Panthers came away with a field

Pitt Notebook: Harris chooses FG over touchdown try before half


A fountain that's planned as a centerpiece for a key stretch of the Rose Kennedy Greenway is drawing objections from Boston residents and a design review panel -- just one month before bidding on construction work is supposed to begin.

Gush of criticism


Canadian Press - JASPER, Alta. (CP) - A man from British Columbia is facing charges after a large bull elk was illegally shot and killed in Jasper National Park.

B.C. resident facing charges after bull elk killed in Jasper National Park (Canadian Press)


AP - NASA's Mars rovers don't seem to be wearing out, so mission planners have begun to think more boldly  #151; including a plan to let one climb up a steep slope from a crater it has been exploring to set out across a plain.

Mars Rovers Planners Plot Crater 'Escape' (AP)


Embattled insurance broker #39;s banks agree to waive clause that may have prevented access to credit. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos.

Marsh averts cash crunch


A photography exhibitions in London documents what online identities gamers create for themselves.

Virtual gamers reveal themselves


Japan #39;s world open-weight champion, aiming to make up for compatriot Kosei Inoue #39;s shock loss in a lighter men #39;s division, defeated Yury Rybak.

Suzuki advances to semis


Former star banker barred by the NASD for refusal to testify in obstruction of justice probe. NEW YORK (Reuters) - The NASD said Monday it permanently barred former star banker Frank Quattrone from the securities

Securities industry boots Quattrone


Dell has issued a recall notice for more than 4 million AC power adapters used with many of its notebook computers. The company says the adapters sometimes overheat, which could lead to a fire or electrical shock.

Dell Recalls Notebook Adapters


GENERAL NAKAR, Philippines (Reuters) - Philippine troops  rushed food and drinking water by foot and helicopters on  Sunday to areas cut off by four storms that left more than  1,300 people dead or missing as residents scrambled to flee the  region.

Philippines Rushes Relief to Flooded Areas


Los Alamos employees like the University of California #39;s benefits, its academic reputation and the chance to send their children to UC at in-state prices.

Energy Secretary Gets Mixed Reviews at Los Alamos


The Yankees' Gary Sheffield has a pulled muscle and bursitis in his troublesome left shoulder, but can continue to play.

Sheffield Should Be Able to Play On


By Bloomberg News. Employees representing 4 percent of the work force of Canada Post, the government-owned letter carrier, have threatened to strike by Dec. 8 unless they receive improvements in health benefits and job security.

A Union Threatens to Strike at Canada Post


AMERICAN Andy Roddick wasted little time in trouncing Britain #39;s Arvind Parmar 6-1 6-4 to advance into the second round of the Thailand Open today.

Roddick betters Parmar


Music fans are miffed about a court decision that says musicians must get permission to sample tunes even if the remix bears no resemblance to the original. An activist group is sponsoring a remix project based upon the clip in question. By Katie Dean.

Remixing to Protest Sample Ruling


Despite widespread public opposition, the European Union #39;s political leaders said late Thursday that Turkey had made sufficient progress in political and economic reforms

Europe Invites Turkey to Hold Membership Talks Next October


BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Hungary #39;s ruling Socialist Party confirmed Friday, August 20, it had accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy and will shortly name a successor. The government crisis overshadowed Friday #39;s celebrations ...

Prime Minister #39;s Expected Resignation Overshadows Hungary #39;s National Day


Fifty-one small businesses, nearly all of them Washington area companies, were included in the contract for Commerce Information Technology Solutions Next Generation, known as COMMITS NexGen. The contract can be used by all federal agencies to buy information technology services.

51 Win Spots on Commerce List


Southern Miss converted four of the Cornhuskers' five turnovers into points, beating Nebraska 21-17 Saturday to become the first nonconference opponent to win in Lincoln since 1991.

'Err' Nebraska Loses


After telling The Mac Observer 11 days ago it would seriously consider developing its desktop search tool for the Mac in the future, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said Friday his company would definitely release a version of Google Desktop for Macs, but gave no

Google Desktop Search Tool For Mac- Now for sure


Business Week has reached outside its own ranks and into those of The Wall Street Journal to name a new editor in chief. The 75-year-old financial magazine said yesterday that Stephen J. Adler

Business Week taps new editor


Samsung Electronics Co. has become the first South Korean company to exceed the 10 trillion won (\$8.7 billion) operating profit milestone this year, with its third-quarter profit jumping on strong memory chip earnings.

Analysis: Samsung Electronics growth slows


The first United Nations representation office was officially opened in Sofia on Monday, bringing under the same roof most of the UN agencies and programmes, working in the country.

First UN Rep Office Unveiled in Sofia


Reuters - The yen fell half a percent against\major currencies on Friday on a surprising downward revision to\Japanese growth, while the dollar hit three-week lows against\the euro on worries about the U.S. trade deficit.

Deficit Weighs on Dollar; GDP Hits Yen (Reuters)


Reuters - A federal judge may have sent a gift\to all merger-minded U.S. executives when he rejected the\government's request to block Oracle Corp.'s  bid for\PeopleSoft Inc.  last week.

Oracle Ruling May Embolden Dealmakers (Reuters)


Brian Lara refused to get carried away by the tidal wave of emotion that followed the West Indies #39; remarkable triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy final, but hoped that the success would act as a spur for a new generation of Caribbean cricketers.

Lara hopes that win will kickstart a new era


More than 100 students and teachers have been adducted in Nepal, reported China Radio International Monday morning. Reports said suspected rebels kidnapped 49 students from

Over 100 students, teachers abducted in Napal


Syria #39;s decision to pull back some of its forces from hills near Beirut, an apparent attempt to deflect international pressure to get its army out of Lebanon altogether, was met with caution, skepticism and concern that the move may not end Damascus

Syrian pullback of some forces near Beirut meets with skepticism?


FOXBORO, Mass. - The New England Patriots stopped a late Seattle comeback to beat the Seahawks 30-20 Sunday, running their streak to 20 wins, including playoffs...

Pats Beat Seahawks, Extend Win Streak


COLLEGE STATION -- For the third year in a row, a group of current and former students continued the suspended Texas A amp;M University bonfire tradition off-campus.

Alternative bonfire takes a while to light


Cisco Systems has announced a pair of wireless access points that offer dual-band connectivity and said its line of wireless networking products is being integrated with intrusion-detection software from AirDefense.

Cisco expands WLAN line, teams up with AirDefense


American astronaut Mike Fincke greeted his 4-month-old daughter for the first time on Sunday, hours after he descended to Earth in Central Asia to end a marathon mission aboard the international space station.

After time in space, dad is on Cloud 9


Michael Wilbon is wrong Sports, Aug. 22. Paul Hamm should turn in his gold medal, which he did not earn. The judges #39; clerical error had no effect on how Paul Hamm or Yang Tae Young performed, and the correction can be made after the fact.

Bad Scoring and Slights at the Olympics


David Beckham is targeting a return from injury next week in the hope that he can be fully fit in time for Englands forthcoming friendly against Spain.

Beckham Sets Comeback Date


Forbes.com - Simon Lok is brash and brilliant and intense, a 26-year-old computer scientist with a teensy company and big, conqueror dreams. He has developed an elegant little networking box that shuts out intruders and costs 80 less than the gear hawked by the giants he despises--Cisco, Lucent, those guys.

(Not So) Simple Simon (Forbes.com)


Investigations into the sale of insurance that can smooth out volatile earnings have widened significantly, as Ace Ltd., a big Bermuda insurer with extensive operations in the United

Bermuda Firm Is Subpoenaed in Inquiry Into Insurers


Reuters - The dollar held above last week's record\low against the euro and 4-1/2 year lows against the yen\Monday, winning some respite after 10 consecutive weeks of\losses.

Dollar Rests After Sharp Losses (Reuters)


Google Inc. #39;s initial public offering has been delayed while the company awaits final approval of its paperwork by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Google #39;s IPO delayed


No. 2 Nordic bank eyes stronger EPS in  #39;06; shares fall 4.2 due to deal #39;s size, reduced buybacks. MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Denmark #39;s Danske Bank has bought two Irish banks from National Australia Bank (NAB) for

Danske pays \$1.86B for Irish banks


Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to terms with veteran first baseman/designated hitter Rafael Palmeiro Wednesday to a one-year contract.

O #39;s ink veteran Palmeiro for 2005 season


AP - Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have hip surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks, further depleting the team's front court.

Foster to Miss Four to Six Weeks (AP)


Growth in its network power and industrial automation businesses contributed to a 28 percent jump in profit in the fourth quarter for Emerson, the company said Tuesday.

Emerson #39;s profit, sales grow in fourth quarter, fiscal year


The price of music downloads has been a contentious issue among fans in the UK, who are quick to point out the pricing scheme often means that downloading a full album costs more than buying the CD.

UK Group Accuses Apple of Overpricing iTunes


(October 19, 2004) - Constellation Brands Inc. has offered \$1.3 billion in cash to buy Robert Mondavi Corp.a California maker of table wines such as Woodbridge.

Constellation offers \$1.3B for Mondavi


PHNOM PENH: Cambodia #39;s retired King Norodom Sihanouk has confirmed that he will not retake the throne despite the pleas of his nation to change his mind.

Cambodia #39;s King Sihanouk insists abdication is final


The Football Association laid themselves open to ridicule last night when they ruled there was  quot;insufficient evidence quot; to charge David Beckham with bringing the game into disrepute, despite

FA risk flak over leniency for Beckham


After dropping support for Microsoft #39;s Sender ID antispam technology last month, AOL announced this week that it #39;s once again supporting the technology, thanks to some changes Microsoft recently made.

AOL Reverse Course, Readopts Microsoft Antispam Tech


Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz swings his bat before Japanese media during a workout session at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004.

Red Sox Hero Ortiz Remains Hot in Japan


As an interpreter for the US Army, Khalid Ahmed faces constant taunts and death threats from fellow Iraqis.

Always in hiding, an Iraqi interpreter's anguished life


Analysis Smaller, cheaper and supported

On Microsoft's Virtual Server 2005


Absa Group Ltd., South Africa #39;s fourth- biggest bank, said talks to sell a controlling stake to Barclays Plc, the UK #39;s No.

Absa Says Stake-Sale Talks With Barclays Progressing (Update4)


Reuters - Oil major Royal Dutch/Shell\Group said it was merging its Dutch and British holding\companies as it seeks to address failings that led to a shock\downgrade in proven oil reserves.

Royal Dutch/Shell Unifies (Reuters)


A powerful typhoon veered away from the site of the Japanese Grand Prix, boding well for Sunday #39;s Formula One race after organizers were forced to postpone qualifying.

Formula One race race spared from typhoon


AFP - Adidas-Salomon, the German maker of sportswear and equipment said it was optimistic about the outlook for its US operations and said it was likely to pay shareholders an increased dividend for 2004.

Adidas sees strong US sales growth, higher dividend (AFP)


A woman wept as she described being raped as a young girl by a man who is now mayor of Pitcairn Island, as his sex abuse trial opened on this remote rocky outcrop populated by descendants of the 18th-century Bounty mutineers.

Weeping Woman Tells Court of Pitcairn Island  #39;Rapes #39;


com November 17, 2004, 2:22 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories for several months, but for many IT managers, ERP (enterprise resource planning

Sun to offer utility pricing for desktops


PITTSBURGH, United States : Reigning world pairs champion Tatiana Totmianina was released from hospital, a day after she fell head first to the ice during the Skate America Grand Prix event.

Figure Skating: Pairs skater Totmianina released from hospital <b>...</b>


ATHENS : New Zealand #39;s Sarah Ulmer smashed her second world record in as many days on the way to claiming the 3000-metre individual pursuit cycling gold medal at the Athens Olympics.

Olympics: Ulmer smashes world record to bag pursuit cycling gold


With five youngsters in the house, state Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago) already uses a blocking mechanism on his television to protect little eyes and ears from inappropriate material.

Gov bets video game ban can survive courts


NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India successfully test fired a  long-range nuclear-capable Agni II missile off its eastern  coast Sunday, a defense ministry spokesman said.

India Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile


FOXBORO, Mass.  The New England Patriots claimed a place in NFL history Sunday while the Dolphins continued on their march toward NFL infamy.

Dolphins off to worst start since first season


Pierre Danon is quitting as head of BT Retail to become the chief operating officer at French computer consultants Cap Gemini, furthering suggestions of a split in the telecoms giant boardroom.

Row blamed as Danon quits BT


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea's explanation that a  blast last week was demolition work for a power project rather  than a nuclear explosion squared with what Washington saw,  Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.

U.S.: Blast Consistent with N.Korea Explanation


The New York Yankees haven #39;t given up improving their pitching rotation yet, and they appear to be making moves with a certain tall left-hander in Arizona in mind.

Yankees reportedly seek 3-way deal for Unit


Reuters - Online travel agency Priceline.com Inc.\ said on Tuesday it will no longer offer Northwest\Airlines Corp.  tickets due to a disagreement over the\terms of distribution.

Priceline to Stop Offering Northwest Air (Reuters)


A Houston-based jury is scheduled to begin deliberations this week on the guilt or innocence of the first former Enron executives to face a criminal trial.

Jury to consider fate of Enron defendants this week


_ Consumer confidence declined in November for a fourth consecutive month, a private research group reported Tuesday, reflecting doubts about the economy once the holidays are past.

Consumer Confidence Drops In November


NEW YORK, December 3 (newratings.com) - Nokia Corp (NOK.NYS) continued to regain lost market share in the global handset mobile segment for the second consecutive quarter in 3Q, driven by new models and price cuts, according to a study conducted by the

Nokia regains share of global mobile handset market


Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai defended her selection as the first environmentalist to win the prestigious award, saying Thursday it would help others understand that the struggle for peace begins with protecting the

Nobel peace laureate: Struggle for peace, environmental <b>...</b>


AFP - From the remote jungles of Papua to the sky-scrapers of Jakarta, Indonesia is staging landmark elections which will see the vast Southeast Asian archipelago choose its president for the first time.

Indonesia's Megawati faces former general in landmark presidential polls (AFP)


Jane Christo is gone, but the lessons that brought an end to her long reign at WBUR should not be lost on Boston University itself -- particularly as it looks for a new president.

Financial lessons


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The deficit at the federal agency  that rescues failed U.S. pension funds more than doubled to  \$23.3 billion in fiscal 2004, officials said on Monday, as the  safety net was hit by losses from pension plans that have  failed or are expected to fail.

Fed Pension Agency Deficit to \$23.3 Bln


NOVEMBER 15, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Network Appliance Inc. today brought out the latest version of its Data ONTAP software, which it said creates a grid storage architecture on its appliances by creating an

NetApp updates Data ONTAP software


The problem with being in the spotlight dance is a basic one. You had better know how to dance.

Something was on the blink


The founders of the PBHG mutual funds agreed to pay \$160 million in restitution and civil fines, and to accept a lifetime ban from the securities industry to resolve allegations they facilitated improper trading in the funds

UPDATE 1-Founders of PBHG funds settle market timing case


LONDON (Reuters) - BBC World said on Friday it was duped in  an

BBC Says Deceived by Dow Impersonator on Bhopal


Padres general manager Kevin Towers called Expos general manager Omar Minaya on Thursday afternoon and told him he needed a shortstop because Khalil Greene had broken his

Expos trade Gonzalez to Padres


opposition to promise to complete by December 31 a comprehensive peace agreement ending a 21-year civil war. Security Council would put pressure on both sides to wrap up the accord.

UN wants Sudan peace deal by end of year


An unmanned experimental jet has broken a world record for speed, cruising over the Pacific Ocean at just under 7000 miles (11,265km) per hour in a NASA test of cutting-edge  quot;scramjet quot; engine technology.

Nasa test flight sets new record


SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants will look for their sixth straight win Tuesday when they continue a four-game series against the Montreal Expos at SBC Park.

Montreal at San Francisco, 7:05 PM


Even without their star rusher, the No. 3 Brockton Boxers continued rolling last night, turning in a dominant defensive effort to handle New Bedford, 32-6.

Brockton rules New Bedford


Reuters - Iran looked set to avoid being reported\to the United Nations Security Council on Monday after\reaffirming its commitment to a deal meant to reassure the\world it is not trying to build a nuclear bomb.

Iran to Escape Censure After Nuclear Cat-And-Mouse (Reuters)


Eight alleged terrorists were charged in Britain this week. One was caught with detailed plans of several US buildings.

British say US gave terror suspects a heads up


RICHMOND, Va. - The highest-stakes midseason race in NASCAR history shuffled playoff contenders in and out of the top 10 all night.

Losing hits veterans the hardest


When it comes to digital gadgets, Europeans are not impressed by do-it-all devices that play songs and films, keep track of appointments and play video games, a new survey on Monday said.

Not Everyone Likes Those Do-It-All Gadgets


AFP - The European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana denied a BBC report that he had met secretly with the Palestinian group Hamas, which is on an EU list of banned militant outfits.

EU's Solana denies having secret meeting with Hamas (AFP)


Following todays launch of Robbie Williams Greatest Hits album, digital music lovers or more importantly in this case mobile phone users will be able to buy the new album from Carphone Warehouse following a deal with EMI.

Robbie album to be sold on memory card


By Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter    Even passive smoke can make you a nocturnal noisemaker, study finds    HealthDayNews -- Your chances of getting a peaceful night's sleep are better if you don't smoke, or spend time around anyone who does.    That's because smoking -- both active and passive -- makes it more likely you'll snore the night away, according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine...

Smoking Spurs Snoring


THERE were grounds to suspend multi-million dollar payouts to departing James Hardie executives, NSW Premier Bob Carr said today. Mr Carr also urged Hugh Morgan, president of the Business Council of Australia

Suspend Hardie payouts: Carr


BP could be forced to raise capital spending by \$1.5bn (820,000) next year because of sharply rising steel prices and increased competition for drilling rig services as oil companies lift investment to record levels.

* Chief blames higher steel and services prices


DUBAI (Reuters) - The chief negotiator in the rebel-held  Iraqi town of Falluja said on Monday the government had  canceled talks to avert a military assault on the town.

Report: Iraq Government Breaks Off Falluja Talks


BEIJING, Dec. 17 -- An Islamic Website has posted an audiotape message, attributed to terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, bitterly criticizing the Saudi government.

quot;Bin Laden quot; tape slams Saudi govt


Microsoft #39;s chief executive has ruled out acting as the white knight for business software maker PeopleSoft, which is trying to fight off a hostile takeover from Oracle, a newspaper reported Monday.

Microsoft said to nix PeopleSoft bid


Fujitsu and Cisco have announced that they have reached an agreement to enter into a strategic alliance to carry out joint development of high-end routers, plan future cooperation in routing and switching, and collaborate on quality improvement.

Fujitsu  amp; Cisco To Jointly Develop Routers


Stories that Kim Jong Il's favorite companion has passed away leads to speculation on North Korea's line of succession

Rumors of a Death


Bangalore - Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble gave home fans plenty to cheer about on Wednesday when he capped a glorious career by becoming the ninth bowler in Test history to complete 400 wickets.

Kumble joins  #39;Club 400 #39;


AFP - The absorption of Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft by the gas giant Gazprom appeared to run into trouble amid press reports of furious infighting among top Kremlin officials over the deal.

Gazprom-Rosneft deal hits rough patch (AFP)


Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui, two of Japan #39;s four biggest banking groups, reported Monday that their group net profits for the first fiscal half fell from the previous year, despite some progress in getting rid of bad debts.

Mizuho, Sumitomo Mitsui Post Lower Profits


Reuters - Russia's government approved the Kyoto\Protocol on Thursday and sent the climate change pact to the\State Duma, the lower house of parliament, for ratification.

Russian Government Approves Kyoto, Sends to Parliament (Reuters)


Analysis Slurry with infringe on top

Much smoke to BPI's fileshare suits, but where's the fire?


The head of the chip division of electronics group Philips unexpectedly stepped down on Wednesday, raising worries that the key division is performing below expectations.

Head of Philips Chip Unit Resigns


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three U.S. consumer products makers  will give a peek into their strategies this week and while the  sector has been plagued by rising costs and stiff competition,  analysts are optimistic about their prospects.

Consumer Goods Companies Set to Reassure


Time Warner will be paying \$210 million as part of a settlement for securities fraud charges leveled by the US Department of Justice.

AOL Fraud Claim Settled


Dodger Adrian Beltre is the third third baseman to hit at least 47 homers. Mike Schmidt hit 48 in 1980, and Eddie Mathews had 47 in 1953.

NL notables


Hurricane Jeanne forced the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers to move their game to prime time Sunday. The teams and the league agreed to move the starting time from 1 pm EDT to 8:30 pm EDT because the

Hurricane Jeanne moves Steelers-Dolphins game into prime time


UNITED NATIONS, Oct 15: Japan, Argentina, Denmark, Greece and Tanzania were elected non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council by the UN General Assembly on Friday for two years.

Five UNSC members elected


The average US retail price of gasoline rose slightly over the last two weeks to almost \$1.88 a gallon -- the first increase reported since late May, according to the nationwide Lundberg survey of about 8,000 gas stations.

Gas Price Up Near \$1.88 a Gallon -Survey


Amit Yoran, the Homeland Security Department #39;s cybersecurity chief, abruptly resigned Thursday, saying that he has accomplished his goals for the job, which he had for a year.

Yoran quits DHS


THE REPUBLIC of Ireland is to block direct dial telephone calls to 13 countries in an effort to crack down on growing internet scams.

Ireland blocks 13 countries after net scams


CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (Reuters) - World number  three Ernie Els says he feels a failure after narrowly missing  out on three of the year's four major championships.

Els Haunted by Major Failures


Jermain Defoe claims he is still on cloud nine after his first senior England goal on his full debut for his country in Poland on Wednesday.

DEFOE STILL ON CLOUD NINE


The EU has ended 11 years of sanctions against Libya and eased an arms embargo to reward the country for giving up plans to develop weapons of mass destruction.

EU ends 11-year sanctions against Libya


The final frontier has been conquered and Australia return home wondering about the location of their next great challenge. The only serious blemish came in the final Test when their susceptibility to fourth-innings chases was again exposed.

Winning the big moments


AP - As NASA's Mars rovers keep rolling past all expectations of their useful lives, scientists have a happy mystery: For some reason one of the vehicles has actually gained power recently.

Mars Rovers Get Mystery Power Boost (AP)


Reuters - As if the U.S. presidential contest\wasn't enough like a horse race, Web users all over the world\can now bet on the outcome through online futures exchanges\that treat politics like corn, cocoa or other commodities.

Livewire: Futures Markets Allow President Race Wagers (Reuters)


AP - Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks pleaded not guilty Thursday to an assault charge stemming from a hit on Steve Moore during a game that left the Colorado Avalanche forward with a broken neck.

Bertuzzi Pleads Not Guilty to Assault (AP)


Thomas Jefferson once wrote,

Goodbye, Numminen


AFP - President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry go head-to-head for the final time in their knife-edge election battle, with their final televised debate.

Bush, Kerry to square off in last debate (AFP)


England #39;s Paul Casey has been busy repairing Anglo-American relations as he prepares for this week #39;s World Cup. Casey told a Sunday newspaper he  quot;hated Americans quot; but claims it was a part tongue-in-cheek reference to Europe #39;s Ryder Cup motivation methods.

Casey takes back US  #39;hate #39; jibe


Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. on Monday said it agreed to buy Stasys Ltd., a Britain-based technology and consulting firm specializing in network communications and defense interoperability.

Lockheed Martin to Buy Stasys Ltd.


WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Reebok's new strategy: To be seen is to sell. And what better place to be seen than on North Robertson Boulevard, the Rodeo Drive of the younger, hipper set.

Reebok goes Hollywood to refashion its marketing


AP - Congressional oversight of the Homeland Security Department is

Changes in Homeland Sec. Oversight Sought (AP)


SOARING global energy demand will leave the West increasingly in thrall to the Middle East, the world #39;s energy watchdog has warned.

Mid-East power to grow as oil surges


Philippe Camus announces that he will  leave Franco-German defence group EADS, bringing the company's power struggle to an end.

French boss steps down from EADS


In the latest of his exclusive columns for Crash.net, renowned Eurosport MotoGP commentator Toby Moody provides the latest behind the scenes news from Sepang, analyses the Valentino Rossi/Sete Gibernau championship battle and ponders just how committed

MOTOGP NEWS Moody Blues: Rossi, Gibernau and Formula One.


Financial services firm SunTrust Banks Inc. said Thursday that it received notice that the Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting an informal inquiry into the company #39;s recent announcement that it

SunTrust Banks Gets SEC Inquiry Notice


Howard, at 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, can clinch a winning record in the MEAC with a win over Delaware State on Saturday.

Hornets Stand in Way


A videotape posted by on a Web site Saturday showed the beheading of three hostages said to be members of an Iraqi Kurdish party, slain for cooperating with American forces, according to their Islamic militant captors.

Militants claim in Web statement to have beheaded three Kurdish <b>...</b>


The machine began life as a research project in 2000, is currently the world #39;s fastest supercomputer, and has only four publicly announced customers.

IBM #39;s Blue Gene to hit the shelves


The very pleasant Games most people experienced, superimposed on one of the world #39;s historic cities. The very expensive Games that Greeks will have to underwrite for decades.

The Olympics Are Ending: Now Athens Pays for a Nice Party


Hewlett-Packard will shell out \$16.1 billion for chips in 2005, but Dell's wallet is wide open too.

Study: HP is world's top chip buyer


Royal Dutch/Shell will merge its Dutch and British holding companies, the oil giant said on Thursday, as it seeks to address the failings that led to a shock downgrade in proven oil reserves in January.

Royal Dutch/Shell merges companies


BERLIN : Bayern Munich tasted their first home defeat of the season with Schalke 04 grabbing a late 1-0 victory at the Olympic Stadium.

Soccer: Bayern fall to Schalke defeat, Stuttgart pull away


NEW YORK, October 25 (newratings.com) - TXU Corporation (TXU.NYS) has announced a new \$50 million share buyback programme, while more than tripling its quarterly dividend payout, leading to an annual rate of \$2.

TXU raises earnings outlook, dividend; to repurchase shares


TALLAHASSEE - When Virginia coach Al Groh met Bobby Bowden at midfield Saturday night after Florida State #39;s 36-3 victory, he offered some advice.

#39;Noles In Running For BCS Berth


At least two persons were killed and 18 injured when a bomb exploded at the fag end of a concert in Colombo by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Blast at SRK #39;s concert, 2 dead


BRUSSELS - European Central Bank left its key interest rate at a post-war low of two percent Thursday with ECB chief Jean-Claude Trichet playing down worries about weakening economic growth but warning about the risks posed by surging oil prices.

ECB keeps rates steady despite surging oil prices


FRANKFURT, Germany -- Top euro zone politicians on Friday voiced mild concern as the euro rose to a record high against the dollar, and a European Central Bank policymaker said quick currency moves were unhelpful.

Euro at record high against dollar


NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are called slightly higher at the open as investors use a letup in oil prices and some upbeat corporate news to add to positions...

Stocks to Open Higher As Oil Prices Let Up


ORRVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The JM Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) today announced several actions to refine its portfolio and improve its cost base as well as service levels in support of its long- term strategy.

The JM Smucker Company Announces Strategic Actions


US securities regulators have ratcheted up their probe of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (KKD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , looking at how it repurchased some of its doughnut franchises, the company said on Friday.

UPDATE 1-SEC steps up probe of Krispy Kreme


AP - In his interview with police the night after he was accused of rape, NBA star Kobe Bryant insisted the sex was consensual, that he stopped when she said

Report: Bryant Told Police He Was Innocent (AP)


CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 7 - Trend Micro has announced the availability of Trend Micro Mobile Security, providing antivirus and anti-spam protection for SMS messaging customers using data-centric mobile phones and PDAs.

Trend Micro offers cellphone, PDA security


WASHINGTON - Federal health officials are urging doctors to restrict flu shots to those patients at highest risk from influenza, an appeal for voluntary rationing after the nation's vaccine supply was abruptly cut in half.    British regulators unexpectedly shut down a major flu-shot supplier Tuesday, citing manufacturing problems at the Chiron Corp...

Voluntary Flu Vaccine Rationing Urged


AP - Ireland has become the first country on earth to cut off direct-dialed calls to entire nations in a bid to crack down on Internet-based fraud.

Ireland Cracks Down on Internet Fraud (AP)


Ryan Nelsen, the defensive force behind D.C. United's MLS championship run this season, will not return to the club.

United Loses Nelsen


Today researchers announced the discovery of a new species of ancient reptile. The 230-million-year-old remains of the long-necked, aquatic predator were found in China.

Pre-Dinosaur Reptile Discovered -- Long-Necked Hunter


Japan #39;s Cabinet formally approved the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico, ahead of a meeting between the two nations #39; leaders.

Japan OKs Free Trade Agreement With Mexico


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Affected by a weak El Nino, winter  weather in the United States will be warmer in the West and  cooler and wetter in the South and Southeast, forecasters  predicted Thursday.

NOAA U.S. Winter Weather Forecast: Mixed


AP - When President Bush takes his second oath of office Jan. 20 it will be his family's fifth inauguration ceremony, a day of pomp and pageantry set amid the icons of democracy only this city can provide: the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Pennsylvania Avenue.

Pageantry Planned for Bush Inauguration (AP)


AP - An Indonesian man has been arrested for failing to disclose on his U.S. visa application that he poured gasoline during a riot over gas prices, helping start a fire that killed more than 200 people in Jakarta, authorities said Thursday.

Indonesian Man Arrested, Lied About Fire (AP)


WELLINGTON: Further sexual abuse charges involving Britains remote Pacific colony of Pitcairn Island are expected to be laid against people in Australia and New Zealand, the lead prosecutor said yesterday.

More face charges


People who use public or workplace computers for e-mail, instant messaging and Web searching have a new privacy risk to worry about: Google's free new tool that indexes a PC's contents for quickly locating data.

Google's New PC Search Tool Poses Risks


Talk about an overachiever! HP #39;s iPAQ 6315 smart phone is a sleek PocketPC and wireless phone combo that #39;s about as good as it gets.

Technogadgets for the Holidays


PHILADELPHIA  The Carolina Panthers #39; hopes of relying on their defense to help their injury-plagued offense took a big hit Wednesday when coach Jon Fox announced that defensive tackle Kris

Panthers #39; defense takes big hit before game with Eagles


German automaker BMW will launch a crucial redesign of its mainstay 3-Series in March, the company said Tuesday. The new line is expected to challenge German rival Mercedes and its C-Class cars.

Update 1: BMW to Launch Its New 3-Series in March


Proper waste disposal in the EU has become prohibitively expensive, leading to black market dumping.

Europe cracks down on illegal exports of toxic trash


DuPont has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit in which West Virginia residents accused the company of having contaminated local water supplies with an important chemical used to make Teflon products.

Settlement in DuPont Water Suit


MARION JONES will be able to keep the three gold and two bronze medals she won at the Sydney 2000 Olympics even if it is proved she was taking banned drugs at the time.

Jones #39; Sydney medals safe


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady above \$49 on  Friday as market unease persisted over supply security in  Nigeria, despite peace talks, while the world's richest nations  suggested oil resources were scarcer than first thought.

Oil Above \$49 on Nigeria, G7 Worries


The 30-year-old player likely suffered cardiac arrest, doctor Marco Aurelio Cunha said. The official cause of death was not immediately released.

Sao Caetano player collapses and dies during Brazilian <b>...</b>


With Israeli rescue workers gone, the Egyptian military closed off the scene of a luxury hotel bombing that targeted Israeli tourists to clear more debris yesterday and collect evidence for investigators tracing the explosives and vehicles.

Egyptians close off bombed hotel


MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Australian insurer AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. (AXA.AU) rebuffed Monday a buyout proposal from major shareholder AXA SA (AXA) after it wouldn #39;t agree to the A\$3.

UPDATE: Australia #39;s AXA Rebuffs A\$3.4B Buyout By Parent


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Thursday as  Hurricane Ivan reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, having shut more  than 1 million barrels of daily output in the Gulf of Mexico  and 13 percent of refining capacity in the United States.

Oil Shoots Up as Ivan Hits U.S. Shores


Pennsylvania, Sep 27 - World number one Vijay Singh recorded his eighth victory of the season, winning the 84 Lumber Classic in Farmington, Pennsylvania, USA on Sunday by one stroke from Stewart Cink.

Vijay Singh breaks earnings record


ATHENS -- During yesterday's celebration of the assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Greek orthodox clergy had a stern reminder for the organizers of the Olympic Games: No matter what the advertisements and speeches say about Greece's modern, Western orientation, this country is still the domain of its decidedly traditional, ubiquitous state-sanctioned religion. Speaking over the Byzantine chants of a ...

They flocked from Games


The Spanish bank poised to take over Abbey National will walk away if the 8.2 billion deal is stalled by competition concerns, it was reported today.

Competition Probe Threatens Abbey Deal


Open source software vendors Red Hat Inc and MySQL AB have lent their support to a new campaign against software patents in the European Union under the name NoSoftwarePatents.

Red Hat and MySQL back European anti-patent campaign


Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, China's largest carmaker, is consolidating its assets into a new company as it considers listing its shares abroad.

Chinese auto firm looks overseas


Reuters - The discovery of a tomb filled with\decapitated bodies suggests Mexico's 2,000 year-old

Headless Bodies Found at Mysterious Mexico Pyramid (Reuters)


Reuters - The United States said it expected\European countries to come up with offers of help in Iraq and\Afghanistan at a NATO meeting on Thursday to discuss the\alliance's role in the insurgency-hit countries.

Europe Urged to Help NATO More in Iraq, Afghanistan (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Qwest Communications International  Inc. <A HREF=

Qwest to Settle with SEC for \$250 Million


VODAFONE shares fell nearly 3 per cent yesterday on fears that the mobile phone group could come under pressure from its US partner to provide \$25 billion (13 billion) to help to finance a bid for Sprint.

Vodafone shares hit by fear of pressure to fund US bid


Guitar Player magazine announced during the summer NAMM show in Nashville that it has awarded GarageBand the magazine #146;s reader #146;s choice for Best Software of 2004. Jul 29

Guitar Player Honors GarageBand


AP - Hanging stockings by the chimney with care? Retailers hope that St. Nicholas soon will be there  #151; to hang a 42-inch plasma-screen TV. As prices drop for high-end televisions, sales are leaping. Retailers expect to sell twice as many plasma-screen televisions and three times as many LCD televisions this year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

Retailers Looking to Move Plasma TV's (AP)


The US Open will either get its dream all-American final, a nightmare all-Russian final, or something in between today when No. 5 Lindsay Davenport faces No.

Potential All-American Dream or All-Russian Nightmare for USTA at <b>...</b>


LONDON - The British Grand Prix was yesterday dropped from next year #39;s calendar after the owners of the Silverstone circuit failed to meet the asking price of Formula One rights #39; owner Bernie Ecclestone.

F1: Ecclestone drops British GP


That England #39;s Euro 2004 wonder boy Wayne Rooney will leave Everton is virtually certain, following an increased offer by Manchester United and the teenager #39;s determination to move on.

Rooney hovers between Manchester United and Newcastle


JEAN-ALAIN Boumsong, who appeared an oasis of calm within Saturday #39;s maelstrom at Ibrox, has urged the Old Firm combatants to disregard any vendettas and restore sanity before the teams collide again.

Boumsongs plea for peace


Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir flayed the South African attack to record India #39;s second-highest opening partnership in the first Test on Tuesday.

Sehwag flays SA attack


Finance police have raided Italy #39;s Olympic Committee and the committee organising the 2006 Winter Games, investigative sources say.

Police raid Italy #39;s Olympic Committee


TOKYO -- China expressed regret today over what it called an accidental incursion by one of its submarines into Japanese waters last week, Japan #39;s foreign minister said, the first time Beijing has acknowledged the submarine was one of its own.

Japan says China regrets submarine intrusion


AFP - An Indonesian court jailed an alleged member of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror group for 10 years for his role in the deadly bombing of a Jakarta hotel but cleared him of involvement in the Bali bombings.

Indonesian militant gets 10 years for hotel attack, cleared of Bali blast (AFP)


Initial reviews of the nation #39;s largest accounting firms have turned up numerous rule violations and shoddy recordkeeping practices, as regulators embarked on a new effort to regularly examine auditors #39; work.

Accounting Board Finds Violations


YAHOO #39;S BID to stop two French groups stopping it selling neo-nazi paraphernalia are having a job convincing the US court system to intervene.

Yahoo has problem with the Nazis


Valencia suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to nine-man Sevilla on Sunday to leave Barcelona five points clear at the top of the Primera Liga table.

UPDATE 3-Valencia defeat leaves Barca five points clear


Rescuers trying to reach 141 miners trapped by an underground explosion were pumping noxious fumes out of a Chinese coal mine Monday but an official said their chances of survival were  quot;extremely slight.

Rescuers Trying to Reach Chinese Miners


US forces continued to battle Iraqis in the insurgent bastion of Falluja on Wednesday as the kidnapping of two Italian aid workers in central Baghdad prompted workers for foreign charities workers to consider leaving Iraq.

Battle rages in rebel stronghold, as aid workers flee Iraq


Gift cards are the perfect gift - they always fit and never cost a fortune to send, right? But consumer advocates are cautioning that we need to be slightly more careful when it comes to such gifts.

Gift card may not be free to use


EIGHT years after his last win. The six-time Major winner fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 at the Hong Kong Open to stand in joint-second place after three rounds.

Slick Nick on victory trail


NEW YORK - Don #39;t call brick-and-mortar retail stores irrelevant in this age of e-commerce: In a survey, 69 percent of US online shoppers admit to browsing in traditional stores before buying over the Internet.

Technology Briefs


To most weary shoppers, it #39;s known as Black Friday, the semiofficial start of the holiday retail season. But to hundreds of regional residents and countless others worldwide

Not Buying Into Shopping #39;s Big Day


Free quotes on mortgages, annuities, life and auto insurance, and all your financial and insurance needs. A local MostChoice expert helps you at no cost or obligation. Quick and easy form.

ADV: Free Insurance Quotes and Help


Mutual fund companies in Boston say they have strict prohibitions against employees getting the kind of wining and dining and luxe entertainment that government regulators are investigating at Fidelity Investments, but industry officials and attorneys in the field contend such extravagance is nonetheless common in the investment world.

Fund insiders: Lavish gifts abound


Wall Street stocks moved mostly lower Monday on a disappointing sales forecast from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. as investors worried that oil prices would cut consumer spending and hurt companies #39; third-quarter profits.

US stocks mostly lower on disappointing Wal-Mart sales forecasts


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- The 12-member pilot leadership council at US Airways Group delayed its decision Saturday on whether it will send management #39;s latest contract offer to its pilots for a vote.

US Air pilots undecided over contract


Wales centre Gavin Henson says he is determined to show-case his talent against New Zealand on Saturday. The 22-year-old was given his Wales debut by current New Zealand coach Graham Henry against Romania in 2001.

Henson out to make NZ statement


After a series of missteps, Google finally pulled off its much-hyped initial public offering Thursday. The good news about this unusual IPO, which sought to deprive Wall Street banks of full control over the

Google goes public


After more than three years of appointment battles, President Bush's ambitions for the courts are clear, but his record is mixed.

Mixed Results for Bush in Battles Over Judges


RealNetworks has slashed the price for downloading music taking the online music market competition a step further.

Real slashes Music Prices


Two U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in shootouts with supporters of Haiti's ousted president in the capital and storm survivors in flood-ravaged Gonaives, the first casualties of the 4-month-old U.N. mission, officials said Sunday.

U.N. Peacekeepers Hurt in Haiti Shootouts


Edward Lee Pitts of the Chattanooga Times Free Press told colleagues in an e-mail that he and members of the Tennessee Army National Guard now in Kuwait

Reporter Prompted Query to Rumsfeld


PALM DESERT, Calif. While Annika Sorenstam rallied for a victory at the LPGA Samsung World Golf Tournament yesterday at Bighorn Golf Club, Michelle Wie entered the record book.

Sorenstam rallies for World victory


AP - Alfonso Soriano had three hits and two RBIs as the Rangers responded with their bats to beat the Oakland Athletics 12-9 Tuesday, a night after Texas reliever Frank Francisco threw a plastic chair into the stands and broke a woman's nose.

Rangers Defeat Athletics 12-9 (AP)


The sudden boost trillions of cicadas dying en masse give to North American forests is apparent from a new study published in Science magazine.

Death deluge makes forest mulch


Four months after launch, NASA's Gravity Probe B spacecraft has begun its search for an elusive space-time vortex around Earth.

Gentlemen, start your gyros!


COMMACK, New York (Reuters) - Second seed Lleyton Hewitt  continued his excellent build-up to next week's U.S. Open when  a 6-1, 6-4 win over Frenchman Michael Llodra Thursday put him  in the quarter-finals of the \$380,000 Long Island Cup.

Hewitt Continues Excellent U.S. Open Build-Up


Stephen Fleming batted himself into the record books and New Zealand into an ominous position on the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

TON-UP FLEMING OUT ON HIS OWN


Washington Post staff writer Dan Keating discusses electronic voting with washingtonpost.com tech policy editor Robert MacMillan. He'll also take your questions.

E-Voting Raises New Issues


We know what piracy debaters Lars Ulrich and Chuck D think of file sharing. But aside from the few who speak out publicly, musical artists typically sit out the rhetorical crossfire over copyright protection.

Musicians Sing Different Tune on File Sharing


Harry Potter author JK Rowling delights a small group of fans by giving her first public reading in Scotland for four years.

Rowling reads to gathered fans


Senior diplomats of 17 Asian governments Friday adopted a Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures, declaring their intention to promote closer cooperation in the fight against international terrorism.

Asian countries pledge closer cooperation in fighting against <b>...</b>


Indonesian police said Saturday that four suspects in last week #39;s bomb attack at the Australian embassy in Jakarta have been arrested.

Four arrested in Jakarta bombing attack


WASHINGTON: Polling for the US elections will begin according to Pakistan time at 5:00 pm on Tuesday as Americans vote in one of the closest presidential elections in decades after a long and often bitter campaign between Republican incumbent George W

US elections polling begins today


The half-dome base is gone, and the iMac G5 is iPod-white in colour. Get more of our first impressions of Apple #39;s redesigned iMac.

Apple iMac G5: a first look


This summer marks the third anniversary of President Bush #39;s announcement of his policy on stem cell research. In the intervening years, the subject has become a polarizing flash point for American politics and a focal point for the presidential campaign.

Facts on Stem Cells


A POSTING on an Islamic Internet site today said that an al-Qaeda-linked group had killed British hostage Kenneth Bigley. The claim could not immediately be verified, but surfaced on a website usually used

Website claims hostage is dead


Bankrupt US Airways received approval yesterday to use \$745 million in cash over the next three months, but a US Bankruptcy Court judge gave lawyers

Court yet to rule on US Airways pay cut


Several of Saddam Hussein #39;s jailed deputies have been refusing food but Saddam himself is not on hunger strike on the eve of the first anniversary of his capture, an officer in charge of detainees said on Sunday.

Saddam Aides Refusing Food, US Military Says


European aerospace group EADS reports higher-than-expected profits, boosted by sales in its Airbus plane-making subsidiary.

EADS boosted by Airbus orders


quot;We are now entering the digital age and the new DVD technology available represents a step-change in picture quality and convenience, quot; said marketing director John Mewett.

UK ; Last Rites Sounded for Life-Changing Video Format


NEW YORK, and BALTIMORE, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Deutsche Bank and Legg Mason, Inc. (NYSE:LM) announced today that they have signed a definitive asset purchase agreement whereby Legg Mason will acquire

Deutsche Bank Agrees to Sell Private Investment Counsel Business <b>...</b>


The Detroit Tigers were rusty on Monday after two days off, but they didn #39;t make as many miscues as their opponents. Therefore, the Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-3.

Tigers pull out 7-3 win in mistake-filled game


IDF Fall '04 Think different, developers told

Intel plans for digital planet


Roger Federer beat Andre Agassi in last year #39;s hardcourt final to go 5-0 for the week and corral \$1.5 million...Hewitt captured the Masters Cup back-to- back in 2001 and 2002...This year #39;s winner will collect at least \$1 million, while and undefeated

Tennis Masters Cup men #39;s update - November 16