BusinessWeek Online - Once a month, 24-year-old Jane Manarang drops by the McDonald's  in her busy Manila neighborhood. But she's not there for a burger and fries. Instead, she is stopping by to cash an electronic check. Her husband, a teller at Forex International in Hong Kong, sends a portion of his salary to Manarang using a new mobile-phone-based cash remittance service called Smart Padala. His Hong Kong remittance company sends a text message to Jane's phone, crediting the money to her account. ...

Filipinos Are Getting The Message (BusinessWeek Online)


Union leaders representing more than 10,000 Atlantic City casino hotel workers in a monthlong walkout met into the night yesterday, considering the latest in a series of contract offers by the casinos.

Union leaders weigh latest contract offer


The director of cyber security for the Homeland Security Department, Amit Yoran, has resigned his post. The issue of whether cybersecurity was receiving sufficient attention at DHS created

US Cybersecurity Chief Resigns


Yankees slugger Jason Giambi takes batting practice for the first time Sunday since having a benign tumor diagnosed last month.

Giambi Back Batting


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

NOAA: Winter Weather Warmer in West, Cooler in East


Ferraris Brazilian driver took the fastest pole position in history while Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest.

Monza Qualifying Report: Barrichello goes record-breaking


US military officials in Iraq say two US soldiers were killed in separate incidents late Wednesday. One soldier was killed and two others were wounded in an attack on their convoy near the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

2 US Soldiers Killed in Iraq


The Sooners held on to second place in the Bowl Championship Series standings yesterday, staying ahead of third-place Auburn because of a stronger computer ranking.

Computers take liking to Sooners


Washington state #39;s resident killer whales, with two newborns in tow, dodged a potentially lethal roadblock in their voyage south to feast on a healthy run of chum salmon, experts say.

Washington Orca Population Heads South


It may be called the City of Peace, but no other city has been more bitterly fought over than Jerusalem. Eric Cline, a historian, archaeologist, and author of the new book <I>Jerusalem Besieged: From Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel</I> discusses the holy city's turbulent history.

Jerusalem Strife Echoes Ancient History


Justin Gatlin of the US ran the fastest time in the world this year to become the youngest Olympic 100 meters champion for 36 years.

Gatlin Wins Olympic 100 Meters; Greene Finishes Third (Update4)


The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday made more of the local phone companies #39; high-speed fiber networks free from competition rules.

FCC eases high-speed network rules


\

 CHICAGO (Reuters) - FedEx Corp.'s <FDX.N> express air\shipping unit has been ordered by the U.S. government to repay\\$29 million in excess funds received under an act established\after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the company said on Friday.

FedEx Ordered to Repay U.S. \$29M


Reuters - Oracle Corp.  is in\merger talks with other technology companies as it awaits the\outcome of its  #36;9.2 billion hostile takeover bid for rival\software maker PeopleSoft Inc. .

Oracle in Merger Talks with Other Firms (Reuters)


Scientist Professor David Parry has paid tribute to Nobel Prize winner and New Zealand born scientist Maurice Wilkins who has died at the age of 88.

Tribute to pioneer scientist Maurice Wilkins


United Online Inc. on Monday reported a 42 percent jump in profits and a 25 percent increase in revenues in the third quarter, but lowered its forecast for the number of paid subscribers it expects by the end of the year.

United Online Reports Strong Profts, Acquires Classmates Online


The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Vodafone has given Verizon Wireless the green-light to make a bid to buy Sprint.  quot;Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Considering Bid For Sprint


How interesting it is that scientists have discovered another species of human - an 18,000-year-old skeleton named Homo floresiensis that has been described as  quot;hobbit-sized.

Humans are getting taller, but we still weigh too much


Stewart said in a statement she was pleased that the government had assigned her  quot;so quickly quot; to  quot;the first federal prison camp for women in the United States.

Martha Stewart sent to W. Virginia prison


It is often said that the debates over Turkey #39;s application for membership into the European Union (EU) reveal the fact that the European project has come to a standstill and that they reflect a lack of vision from its leaders.

The Worrying Developments of the Debate in France


OIL futures prices rose in Europe today amid concerns about heating oil supplies at the beginning of the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Oil prices rise in Europe


Danske Bank on Tuesday said it agreed to buy two Irish banks from the National Australia Bank for 967 million pounds (\$1.93 billion) in cash.

To buy banks in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland


AMD, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corp. and Sun Microsystems have announced the publication of Web Services Management (WS-Management), a Web services specification that addresses the cost and complexity of

Vendors announce new Web Services Specification


The South Korean gymnast who lost the all-around title to Paul Hamm because of a scoring error files an appeal Sunday with a sports arbitration panel asking it to help him get a gold medal.

Gymnast Goes to Court


Deutsche Telekom, the largest European phone company, has offered to buy out investors in T-Online International, its Internet division, for about E3 billion, aiming to revive growth at its fixed-line business.

Buying back T-Online


Forbes.com - Back and forth. Back. And forth. No, this isn't baseline tennis. It's the Dow Jones industrial average, which has generally been stuck in a trading range--9000 to 10,500--for the past five years.

When Picky Analysts Pick (Forbes.com)


Kansas City, Kan. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday that he should have been punished for using profanity in victory lane last week at Talladega Superspeedway but taking 25 points wasn #39;t the proper thing to do.

Earnhardt Jr. says punishment harsh


MOSCOW -- Anastasia Myskina and Vera Zvonareva powered Russia to its first Fed Cup title by winning the decisive doubles against defending champion France on Sunday.

Myskina keys all three wins over France


SYDNEY (Reuters) - Four Pitcairn Island men were sentenced  by a British court to prison terms ranging from two to six  years for raping underage girls on the remote South Pacific  island, a British official said on Friday.

Pitcairn Men Sentenced to Jail for Underage Sex


Kiev, Ukraine (Sports Network) - Shakhtar Donetsk #39;s Champions League aspirations were dealt a severe blow Thursday when the club learned star striker Julius Aghahowa will be out for two weeks.

Shakhtar loses top goal-scorer


A pipeline that supplies Arizona with about 70 percent of its gasoline, diesel and jet fuel was operating again today after being shut down in the aftermath of severe rain in Southern California.

Gas pipeline feeding Arizona reopened


Gerard Houllier was on Monday installed as the early favourite to succeed Sir Bobby Robson as Newcastle manager. The former Liverpool boss is being tipped to take over with Magpies skipper Alan Shearer, who

Houllier installed as favourite to succeed Robson


It's not a Super Bowl, but South Shore Voke is not complaining. The Vikings, who won back-to-back Division 7 Super Bowls before moving up a division this season, capped their 2004 campaign by defeating Blackstone Valley, 16-6, last night in the Vocational Football Championship Series small school final at Chelsea High School.

South Shore goes out a winner


AFP - CARE Australia, the charity group which employs kidnapped British-born Iraqi aid worker Margaret Hassan, said Wednesday that it appeared she had been killed in Iraq.

CARE Australia says it appears Iraq hostage Margaret Hassan is dead (AFP)


AFP - Singapore will next year introduce jail terms and stiff fines for people who break software and Internet copyright laws, the government warned.

Singapore to introduce jail terms, fines for software and Internet piracy (AFP)


Representatives of 21 Pacific Rim economies are in Santiago, Chile for preliminary meetings leading up to this weekend #39;s meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Taiwan Takes Active Role at APEC Meetings in Chile


ATLANTA (Sports Network) - Atlanta Thrashers right wing  Dany Heatley, who is charged with vehicular homicide and five  other counts in the 2003 car crash that killed teammate Dan  Snyder, had his Wednesday arraignment waived by a judge.

Heatley's Arraignment Waived


Amazon Inc., a popular online retailer, extended its reach on the Internet by introducing its search engine on Tuesday. The search engine was launched earlier this week and is the first project from Amazon #39;s

Amazon offers discount to A9 search users


MEXICO CITY -- Amid a welter of mass demonstrations and political conflicts, President Vicente Fox used his annual state-of-the-union address yesterday to try to assure Mexicans that their raucous, evolving democracy is on the right path.

Amid protests, Fox touts successes Mexico leader tries to reassure nation


ATHENS (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of athletes,  officials and visitors waved goodbye to Athens in a  post-Olympics exodus Monday, leaving city officials to probe a  doping scandal that tarnished an otherwise dream Games.

Athens Waves Goodbye After 'Dream' Games


CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos travels to Tokyo to find out what may soon be on U.S. shelves.

Photo 2 of 5: Gadgets galore in old Tokyo


Northern Ireland #39;s Graeme McDowell, a former top-ranked college golfer at Alabama, shot an 8-under-par 64 Friday for a three-stroke lead at the German Masters, where three European Ryder Cup players missed the cut.

McDowell leads German Masters; three Ryder Cup players miss cut


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Shiite militants and U.S. forces battled throughout the Baghdad slum of Sadr City, and a mortar barrage slammed into a busy neighborhood in the capital in a new wave of violence Saturday that killed at least five people and wounded dozens of others...

U.S., Shiites Fight in Baghdad; 5 Killed


KABUL (Reuters) - Hamid Karzai was cruising to victory in  Afghanistan's first direct presidential elections, but by  Wednesday the returns so far have underscored the ethnic fault  lines that have often divided the country.

Karzai's Big Poll Lead Shows Afghan Ethnic Divide


By EMMA ROSS    MUNICH, Germany (AP) -- A simple test that scrutinizes bad cholesterol more closely may more reliably predict who is going to have a heart attack, new research indicates.    The current test measures total cholesterol and the breakdown of good HDL and bad LDL cholesterol...

Scientists Praise New Cholesterol Test


NEW YORK - Hurricane Ivan held its grip on oil markets Tuesday as shutdowns of production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and fears of storm damage drove crude prices higher.

Nation/world briefs


NASA officials said on Friday that the space shuttle Discovery could take off for the International Space Station in May or June in the first of two test flights aimed at resuming normal shuttle operations.

Test Flights for Shuttle Could Begin Next Spring


It's been a year since New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer fired the shot heard 'round the mutual fund world.

In wake of scandals, here's what's ahead


MUMBAI: Asian markets were up in early trades on Friday. While Tokyo Nikkei gained 119.90 points at 10966.22, Hong Kong #39;s Hang Seng index was up 147.

Nikkei, Hang Seng rally smartly


WALPOLE -- For Milton, the loss of star running back Dennis Lynch translated into negative yards yesterday as Walpole held the Wildcats running game to minus-20 yards on 10 plays in the first half en route to a 24-0 Bay State League victory. Walpole's three-pronged rushing attack of Mike Cuqua (96 yards, 1 touchdown), Andrew Denehy (8 rushes, 86 yards), ...

Powerful Walpole runs past Milton


AP - Vice President Dick Cheney, who has a history of heart trouble, went to a hospital Saturday after experiencing shortness of breath, an aide said.

Cheney Undergoes Tests at Hospital (AP)


com. The Chicago Cubs opened a one-game lead in the National League Wild Card standings with a 12-5 victory Monday night over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.

Major League Baseball News


Venezuela, OPEC #39;s third-largest oil producer, said the group shouldn #39;t raise its output targets at this week #39;s meeting in Vienna.

Venezuela Minister Opposes Increase in OPEC Production Quotas


St Cloud, US: Faced with UN chief Kofi Annan #39;s charge that the war in Iraq was  #39;illegal #39; under the world body #39;s charter, President George W. Bush strongly implied that the invasion enjoyed UN support.

Bush claims UN support for ousting Saddam


The Herminator is selling well, just not as well as The Terminator. An Austrian postage stamp depicting Herman Maier, the country #39;s first skiing star to adorn a stamp, sold out in just six weeks after it went on sale Sept.

Names in the Game


quot;We. quot; It's always  quot;We, quot; not  quot;They. quot;  quot;I was really happy for the organization, quot; he says.  quot;We've been trying to beat the Yankees for so darn long. quot;

Still involved, he hails Red Sox as fantasy team


Rescuers search for victims after a ship capsizes in the Amazon region of Brazil, killing at least 15 people.

Search for Amazon wreck victims


A crane smashed into a wall during construction of an unfinished terminal at Dubai #39;s airport Monday, and witnesses reported at least eight workers were killed.

Accident at Dubai Airport Kills 8


Tropical Storm Jeanne claimed at least 556 lives in Haiti over the weekend.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo). HAVANA, Sept. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- With the death toll in Haiti by Tropical Storm Jeanne rising to nearly 700

Jeanne kills nearly 700 in Haiti


Arsene Wenger was predictably fuming at referee Mike Riley following the  #39;homer #39; referees incredible decisions at Old Trafford.

Wenger:  #39;The referee #39;s decision made the difference #39;


Shares of Biomira Inc., a Canadian drug developer, jumped 94 percent and Merck KGaA, Germany #39;s fourth-largest drugmaker, rose as much as 6.4 percent after the companies said data from

Merck KGaA, Biomira Shares Gain on Cancer Study (Update1)


The relationship between President Bush and Wall Street has always been layered with paradox and outright contradiction.

In Mr. Bush's Neighborhood, a Peculiar Intersection


NEWS OF THE WORLD: Ashley Cole last night called on the Spanish FA to axe their shamed coach Luis Aragones and branded him evil #39; #39;.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY


PERTH (Dow Jones)--Australian winemaker Evans  amp; Tate Ltd. (ETW.AU) said Monday it is aiming for profit growth of at least 10 in the current year as it expands sales in its key markets across Australia and the UK.

INTERVIEW: Australia #39;s Evans  amp; Tate Aims For 10 Growth


A man has been able to savour his first proper meal in nine years after surgeons successfully created and transplanted a jawbone for him.

Jaw transplant allows man to chew after nine years


WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Flight attendants at US Airways overwhelmingly authorized their union to engage in CHAOS(TM) strike-related activities should a federal bankruptcy court permit management

US Airways Flight Attendants Authorize Strike


Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - One month before a trade mission to China, Prime Minister Paul Martin said Canada must do more business with the booming Asian giant, whose economy could soon surpass that of the world's economic engine, the United States.

PM touts China-Canada trade as Chinese firm confirms interest in Alberta oil (Canadian Press)


BOSTON (CBS.MW) - Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin took aim at the Bush Administration over the weekend, calling the fiscal policy of the past three-and-half years  quot;horrendous.

Rubin criticizes Bush #39;s fiscal policy


Performance venues there can now install signal-jamming equipment to deal with rude mobile-phone users.

France fries cell phones


Its touch panel makes the Nintendo DS a unique and fun gadget, although the system and the current crop of games don't use it to its fullest. By Chris Kohler.

Playing the Touching Game


The real competition is about to begin for the eight government contractors picked to update the Air Force #39;s communication systems -- modernizing databases and giving forces in battle better

8 Firms Vie for Pieces of Air Force Contract


Canadian Press - NEW DELHI (AP) - A stampede at the main railway station in India's capital killed at least five people and injured seven on Saturday, the railway minister said.

Stampede kills five at railway station in Indian capital; seven injured (Canadian Press)


As expected, Intel introduced its tri-mode wireless chip Thursday with several software enhancements to the product to help improve security and reliability, it said during a Webcast.

Intel formally introduces tri-mode Wi-Fi chip


Five years ago, running a telephone company was an immensely profitable proposition. Since then, those profits have inexorably declined, and now that decline has taken another gut-wrenching dip.

Cheap Talk


Dynegy Inc., owner of power plants in 12 US states, has agreed to buy Sithe Energies Inc. from Exelon Corp. for \$135 million, the first acquisition since the company began selling assets to repay debt in 2002.

Dynegy says acquisition  #39;sign of turning corner #39;


com September 14, 2004, 7:32 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half.

IBM targets manufacturers with RFID


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. aircraft launched a fresh  assault on Shi'ite rebels in the Iraqi city of Najaf early on  Sunday after talks on surrendering control of the gold-domed  mosque at the center of an 18-day siege ran into trouble.

U.S. Aircraft Make New Attack on Rebels in Najaf


Gail Devers and LaShaunte #39;a Moore will replace banned world champion Torri Edwards in the Olympic 100 and 200 metres races.

US choose Devers to replace Edwards


When it happens, somehow it will change. It will change by making the remainder of the season more meaningful, extending the dreams of a BCS bowl

Beating Oklahoma would be OK with the Longhorns


Manchester United were denied three times by the woodwork as they were held on Monday to a 0-0 home draw by Everton, the club whose England striker Wayne Rooney they hope to sign before Tuesday #39;s transfer deadline.

UPDATE 2-Manchester United held 0-0 by Everton


British canoeists Nick Smith and Stuart Bowman are out of the men's C2 doubles.

Defeat for GB canoeists


A friend called and said Keith Miller had died peacefully. It was one of the few times he did anything quietly. He was a vigorous and mettlesome man who loved a yarn.

Courage of our favourite Aussie


SPAIN #39;S Miguel Angel Jimenez leads the European Masters by one shot from overnight leader Sergio Garcia and Ryder Cup pick Luke Donald after a third round 66 today.

Jimenez aims for two in a row


Andy Roddick will play Vladimir Voltchkov on Friday to open the Davis Cup semifinal between the United States and Belarus. Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish was drawn Thursday to face Max Mirnyi in the second singles match.

Roddick vs. Voltchkov opens Davis Cup semifinal


NEW YORK (Reuters) - As U.S. home purchases slow, an  expected rise in demand for rentals will result in a spike in  inflation, analysts say, citing studies showing housing costs  have been under-reported by the government.

Slowing Housing Market May Stir Inflation


AP - Emmitt Smith waved and bowed to the crowd Sunday as he walked off the field for what might be the final time as an NFL player.

Smith Reflective As He Ponders Retirement (AP)


GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Two armed Palestinians infiltrated a fog-shrouded Israeli army outpost in a Gaza Strip settlement early Thursday, killing at least three Israelis in a fierce gunbattle before being shot dead, Israeli media reported.    Two other Israelis were wounded, one critically, the Web site of the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported...

Palestinians Kill Three at Army Outpost


'So what do we do if Galileo's threatening American lives?'

USAF plans space wars, world's space hardware gets nervous


More than 25 individuals with reported links to the Taliban and its al-Qaeda allies were arrested by Afghan security forces overnight in two locations, spokesmen said Saturday.

Dozens of suspected militants nabbed in pre-dawn raid


AP - Gianfranco Fini, a right-wing leader who has turned his party from Neo-Fascist to mainstream conservative, was appointed Thursday as Italy's new foreign minister, a Cabinet minister said.

Right-Winger Fini Is New Italy Official (AP)


Two months after elections that were criticized as falling short of international standards, two explosions shook the offices of President

Kazakh Party Offices Hit


DALLAS (Reuters) - American Airlines' parent AMR Corp.  <A HREF=

American Air Parent AMR Posts Loss


AP - Several California cities and counties have sued Microsoft Corp., accusing the software giant of illegally charging inflated prices for its products because of monopoly control of the personal computer operating systems market.

Calif. Cities, Counties Sue Microsoft (AP)


Palestinian militant group Hamas vowed Tuesday to keep up its armed resistance against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.

Hamas vows to keep up armed struggle


The number of men claiming they #39;re victims of sexual harassment at work is increasing, according to a published report. Have you witnessed or have you been a victim of sexual harassment of men at work?

Number Of Men Alleging Harassment On Job Up, Report Says


Two clients of Germany #39;s Postbank have fallen for an email fraud that led them to reveal money transfer codes to a bogus Web site -- the first case of this scam in German, prosecutors say.

Phishing lures first German victims


MONZA, Italy Those who did not see the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday will not be surprised to hear that Ferrari finished first and second for the eighth time this season.

Formula One Racing: Ferrari #39;s one-two is full of surprises


Production is to cease at a Midlands factory where some of the world #39;s most iconic cars were made. Mark Tran looks at its history.

Jaguar puts brakes on at historic plant


China #39;s spending on construction and factory equipment edged lower in October, but there was no sign of a major cutback despite efforts to curb lending for such investments.

China Construction Spending Down in Oct.


Australian stocks fell, led by Axa Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd., after Axa SA, its parent, withdrew aA\$3.4 billion (\$2.5 billion) offer for the shares of the company it doesn #39;t already own.

Australian Stocks Fall, Led by Axa Asia, Prime Infrastructure


National City Corp. on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose 72 percent as the financial holding company benefited from its corporate and consumer businesses and recent acquisitions.

National City #39;s 3Q Profit Soars 72 Percent


BHP Billiton #39;s record-breaking profit was driven by China #39;s seemingly insatiable demand for commodities. Picture:Bloomberg ...

Record \$4.7bn profit for BHP


The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on their first playoff berth in eight years, and they #39;re not about to leave their chances to fate.

Beltre #39;s slam helps Dodgers open three-game lead


Transmeta last week announced it had started shipping limited quantities of its x86-compatible Efficeon TM8800 processor, a low-powered CPU fabbed on 90-nanometer silicon.

Transmeta ships 90-nm processor


BT plans to migrate its UK call centres to a new VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) system over the next two years, allowing around 9,700 call centre agents on 124 sites to work as one team in a single, virtual, customer contact centre.

BT switches its call centre network to VoIP


CAIRO (Reuters) - OPEC oil producers on Friday agreed to  stamp out excess supply that has lowered world prices from  record highs.

OPEC Agrees to Stamp Out Excess Supply


Outfielder Jose Guillen and the Anaheim Angels have reached a financial settlement to resolve the grievance filed after the team recently suspended him without pay for the rest of the season. The sides agreed that Guillen will not rejoin the team for the remainder of the regular season and the penalty was reduced from seven days without pay to two ...

Angels, Guillen reach financial accord


Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia denounced Monday #39;s suicide attack in Tel Aviv, dismissing fears it might endanger Yasser Arafat #39;s return to Ramallah.

Qureia condemns Tel Aviv attack


AP - Carrefour, the world's No. 2 retailer said Wednesday that its profit increased 5.3 percent in the first half of the year, as robust international operations and lower finance costs helped it ride out tough conditions at its core French superstores.

Carrefour's Profit Climbs for First Half (AP)


Reuters - In a bid to further expand its\reach, Google Inc. said on Thursday it authorized BellSouth\Corp.'s  online Yellow Pages unit RealPages.com to sell\Google's Web search ads to small and mid-sized businesses in\the southeastern United States.

Google, BellSouth Ink Local Advertising Deal (Reuters)


Jacques Santini will fight Tottenham for compensation in the wake of his shock departure nine days ago. The 52-year-old is staying in England until the issue is resolved

Santini: Unhappy families just a game


AP - The U.S. banking system, having weathered a recession and the bankruptcies of several big corporations, is in very good shape, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Tuesday.

Greenspan: Banking System in Good Shape (AP)


The European golf tour will feature three, and possibly four, tournaments in China next season. The new schedule, released Thursday at the Volvo Masters, begins Nov. 25-28 with the China Open in Shanghai.

China set for at least three Euro golf events


Ziff Davis - A quick resolution to the Mambo open-source copyright dispute seems unlikely now that one of the parties has rejected an offer for mediation.

Open-Source Copyright Conflict Heats Up (Ziff Davis)


A puffer fish genome sequence sheds light on human biology, and tells a twisted evolutionary story. By Kristen Philipkoski.

Fish Tales Solve Genetic Puzzles


While Pyongyang will likely delay six-nation talks on its nuclear programs, Japan #39;s Foreign Ministry is preparing discussions with North Korea later this month in Beijing to finally get answers on 10 missing Japanese.

SEEKING ANSWERS: Japan plans Sept. 29-30 abduction talks


Citigroup Inc. (CN: Quote, Profile, Research) shares fell as much as 2.75 percent on Monday after a prominent Wall Street analyst downgraded the world #39;s largest financial

Merrill Cuts Citigroup, Shares Drop


The Philippine government said on Sunday that the Philippine envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Jorge Arizabal, is now in Kabul to coordinate with UN officials and Afghan authorities

Philippine envoy in Kabul to seek release of hostage


SECOND seed Lleyton Hewitt beat Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-1 6-4 to move into the quarter-finals of the Long Island Cup today. Fresh from his third title of the year last weekend in Washington, Hewitt will

Hewitt coasts into quarters


Despite the impressive job David Moyes has done in transforming Everton during his two-and-a-half years as manager, cult status was always going to be withheld

Carsley puts Moyes on top of the Merseyside world


Sisler set the all-time record for hits in a season in 1920 with 257, wresting the record from Ty Cobb, who #39;d set it nine years earlier with 248.

Mariners Notebook: Ichiro pads hit parade


The United States and Iraq are crafting a two-pronged plan to prepare for Iraq #39;s first democratic election in January, combining a fall military offensive to evict insurgents

US, Iraq Prepare Offensive to Pave Way for Election


NASA -- When Space Shuttle Discovery rolls to the pad next year, the trip is guaranteed to be on firm ground. That's because the Crawler Transporters used to carry the Space Shuttles to the launch pads are being overhauled, including the installation of new tread shoes...

Space Shuttle Crawler Gets New Shoes


UM - Nick Novak 43-yard field goal, 5:39. Maryland 3, Florida State 0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:37. Key play: Joel Statham connected on consecutive passes to Josh Allen for 29 yards and Danny Melendez for 39 yards.

MARYLAND 20, NO.5 FLORIDA STATE 17


Reuters - Denver Broncos\running back Quentin Griffin will miss the remainder of the\season after being placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a\knee injury.

Broncos' Griffin Done for the Season (Reuters)


AFP - Two policemen were killed and three injured in a Muslim rebel attack on their camp in Indian Kashmir, police said.

Two policemen killed, three injured in Kashmir rebel attack (AFP)


KIEV (Reuters) - Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko was  poisoned by dioxin during Ukraine's presidential election  campaign, his Austrian doctors said on Saturday as the country  counted the cost of the turmoil generated by the rigged poll.

Yushchenko Was Poisoned; Ukraine Assesses Turmoil


WORLD No.1 Roger Federer won his 20th match in a row over a top-10 opponent, beating Lleyton Hewitt for the fifth consecutive time to book a semi-final spot at the ATP Masters Cup.

Federer beats Lleyton, again


Reuters - Ford Motor Co.  said on Thursday\it is recalling 234,208 Econoline vans in North America to fix\a defect in the anti-lock brake unit that can spark fires even\when the vehicles are parked.

Ford Recalls Econoline Vans to Fix Brakes (Reuters)


The US government approved a drug Tuesday to treat multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease of the central nervous system that affects 350,000 Americans.

Biogen Idec gains MS drug approval


PRIME Minister John Howard has called an election he cannot confidently predict he will win. But he is a political veteran and has calculated that the six-week campaign is more likely to serve

Economy hurdle looms large for Latham


AP - Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended Monday for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for arguing with umpires during an Aug. 9 game against Cleveland.

White Sox Manager Suspended Two Games (AP)


The House passed a \$690 billion increase in the debt ceiling in a 2005 budget resolution, but it was never adopted by the Senate, leading to delayed contributions to federal employees' pension systems.

U.S. Hits Debt Limit After Ceiling Raises Delayed


Danny Ellis posted the lowest score but had to be content with a share of the lead on eight-under-par with six other players after the first round of the \$4 million Las Vegas Championship on Thursday.

Ellis in seven-way tie for Las Vegas lead


LONDON, England (Reuters) -- England lost opener Andrew Strauss as they reached 53 for one at lunch on the first day of the fourth and final test against West Indies at The Oval.

England soon lose opener Strauss


Travel and financial services giant American Express Co. on Monday sued Visa and MasterCard as well as eight banks for damages stemming from anticompetitive practices that prevented American Express from issuing cards through U.S. banks.

American Express Suing Card Companies Over Antitrust Violations


John Keeley, manager of the \$155 million Keeley Small Cap Value Fund, is generating above-average returns by buying shares of US companies that are emerging from bankruptcy or being restructured.

Fund finds turnaround opportunities


BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany said Tuesday U.S. plans to pull  out 30,000 troops were a sign Europe's divisions had healed,  but communities hit by the decision warned they were headed for  economic disaster.

Germany Shaken by U.S. Plans to Withdraw Troops


Vijay Singh is making it look easy by winning tournament after tournament, and millions upon millions of dollars, while chasing Tiger Woods's record for earnings in a season.

Singh eyes big prize


Hometown boy Jim O'Brien has found that returning to Philadelphia as head coach is as tough as a week-old cheesesteak. With three new starters, the 76ers are scuffling at 6-10.

Losing Takes Its Toll


SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Consideration is being given to the effects of the high Australian dollar against the US dollar, with  quot;buyers being held back while the currency remains at 76 cents, quot; says Peter Morgan, of Tolhurst Noall in Sydney.

Australian Shares Midday:No Buyers To Support S amp;P/ASX 200


Barry Larkin will not be offered another contract by the Cincinnati Reds, ending his 19-year career with his hometown team, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Larkin Won't Be Coming Back to Reds


AP - Texans safety Marcus Coleman will miss the rest of the season with a right shoulder injury,

Texans Safety Marcus Coleman Out for Year (AP)


A US Army soldier watches from atop his armoured vehicle as smoke rises in background after his unit destroyed a seized Katyusha rocket in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday Oct. 17, 2004.

US Continues Major Attack on Fallujah


SBC Communications expects to cut 10,000 or more jobs by the end of next year through layoffs and attrition. That #39;s about six percent of the San Antonio-based company #39;s work force.

SBC to Cut Thousands of Jobs


CHICAGO _ Google Inc. #39;s initial public offering may have captured investors #39; fancy, but a leading proxy voting advisory service says its corporate governance leaves a lot to be desired.

Experts in corporate governance score Google at bottom of scale


Japanese Internet service provider Softbank Corp. agreed Tuesday to pay troubled retailer Daiei Inc. 5 billion yen (US\$48.5 million; euro36.61 million) for its baseball team, the Daiei Hawks, becoming the

Japanese Internet Co. Acquires Daiei Hawks


ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of Indian Sikhs arrived in Pakistan yesterday to commemorate the 535th anniversary of the birth of the founder of their religion, officials said.

Sikhs to mark anniversary


EADS North America has bought Racal Instruments Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of electronic tests and measurement equipment based in Irvine, for \$105 million.

EADS buys Racal Instruments for \$105M


Woodland conservationists launch a campaign to get children across the UK to plant 12 million trees.

Tree project to target under-16s


The government has fired 19 civil servants and disciplined more than 200 in an unprecedented crackdown on viewing Internet porn at work, officials say.

Government fires workers over Web porn


The world #39;s airline industry is set to rack up losses of almost \$5bn (2.6bn, 3.6bn euros) this year, global airline body AITA has forecast.

Airlines  #39;end 2004 \$5bn in red #39;


Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. (CAT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) came away empty-handed on Thursday after meeting face-to-face with the United Auto Workers for the first time since workers rejected a company offer in August.

Caterpillar, UAW Resume Contract Talks


Prime Minister John Howard says he would consider inviting Iraq #39;s interim Prime Minister to visit Australia. Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is visiting America, where he has addressed a joint sitting of the United States Congress.

Iraqi PM may receive invite to Australia


LIVERPOOL, England : Britain #39;s leading Muslim organisation dispatched two envoys to Iraq, hoping to help secure the release of a British engineer taken hostage by extremists eight days ago.

Muslim envoys off to Baghdad in bid to free British hostage


TechWeb - Integration of sales and marketing is key to new release.

Oracle Releases New CRM Software (TechWeb)


BAGHDAD -- Six US soldiers were reported killed in Iraq yesterday, while the country's interim prime minister threatened a major offensive against the city of Fallujah unless its residents hand over Abu Musab Zarqawi, a Jordanian guerrilla leader thought to be hiding there.

Officials target support for foreign fighters


STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Israelis Aaron Ciechanover and Avram Hershko and American Irwin Rose won the 2004 Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for discovering a key way cells destroy unwanted proteins - starting with a chemical

Israelis, American Win Nobel for Chemistry


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Near-record oil prices will slow  U.S. economic growth but won't be enough to derail a  self-sustaining expansion, U.S. Federal Reserve officials said  on Monday.

Oil Won't Derail Expansion -Fed Officials


A year after the first US case of mad cow disease was reported, Sen. Maria Cantwell says the Food and Drug Administration still has not fulfilled its promise to tighten animal feed rules to help prevent future cases.

Cantwell says mad cow feed loopholes still aren #39;t closed


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks edged slightly lower on Monday  as interest rates and a weakening dollar took center stage now  that the presidential election is over and investors took  profits after last week's rally.

Stocks Dip as Focus Goes to Rates, Dollar


The date for Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hickss trial has been pushed back from January 10 to March 15. The trials presiding officer, US Army Colonel Peter Brownback, said the delay would

HICKSS TRIAL DELAYED


Brian Lara, equally sledged and celebrated for the role he has played in West Indian cricket, brought the horns of Brixton to life with a stirring performance against England in the final of the Champions Trophy at the Oval.

Lara the man to restore Windies pride and passion


The Dolphins haven #39;t had a 100-yard rusher all season, but the odds of TB Travis Minor reaching that mark are improved now that impressive rookie RG Rex Hadnot has replaced Taylor Whitley in the starting lineup.

BREAKDOWN: Dolphins vs. Broncos


Reuters - Drivers still learning how to talk\on cell phones and maneuver at the same time are headed for an\even more complex world.

PluggedIn: New Car Gadgets May Distract Drivers (Reuters)


Nike has reported that first quarter revenues increased 18 to \$3.6bn (3bn), against \$3bn (2.5bn) for the same period last year.

Nike profits run ahead


The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a ruling that the Visa and MasterCard credit card associations violated federal antitrust law by barring their member banks from issuing credit and charge cards on the rival American

UPDATE 2-US top court lets stand Visa, MasterCard ruling


In Iraq, the list of places from which American soldiers have either withdrawn or decided to visit only rarely is growing.

One by One, Iraqi Cities Become No-Go Zones


com October 13, 2004, 5:06 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

Sun releases Solaris-based desktop software


quot;We believe that Oracle has nominated this slate to allow Oracle to purchase PeopleSoft for an inadequate price that does not reflect the Company #39;s real value, quot; PeopleSoft said in a statement.

Oracle To Make PeopleSoft Nominations


VIENNA - Senior officials from France, Britain and Germany will meet Irans top nuclear negotiator in Vienna on Thursday to offer Tehran a final chance to halt uranium enrichment plans or face possible UN sanctions.

Iran given last chance to halt uranium enrichment


BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Pakistani President PervezMusharraf said on Monday there were prospects for resolving alldisputes with India, including over Kashmir, through peacetalks now under way.

Musharraf Sees 'Light at End of Tunnel' with India


DAVID HARDAKER: In Israel #39;s deepest thrust into the Gaza Strip in four years of conflict, 30 people have been killed in a single day of combat.

Thirty killed in Gaza battle


Nigeria #39;s umbrella union on Wednesday hailed a high court rule on the ongoing warning strike against rising domestic fuel prices, saying the government has failed to stop the strike using the court.

Nigerian court rule on ongoing strike hailed by trade union


Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  on Thursday\posted higher quarterly earnings as revenue rose 12 percent,\but its shares fell after the world's largest software maker\said current quarter sales would fall below Wall Street\expectations.

Microsoft Profit, Sales Rise (Reuters)


Scientists are now optimistic some valuable data can be salvaged from the wrecked capsule of the solar mission.

Genesis data 'retrieved intact'


But shares fall after the video game publisher cuts outlook for crucial Christmas shopping season. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Electronic Arts Inc.

Electronic Arts reports higher 3Q


New Delhi, Nov 24 Giving a decent burial to Gen Pervez Musharraf #39;s controversial seven-region formula on Kashmir, India and Pakistan today decided to operationalise the much talked about Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as early as possible and hold the

Musharraf formula not for India: Aziz India News


Home Secretary David Blunkett has denied abusing his position to help fast-track a visa application for a friend's nanny

Blunkett denies visa 'fast-track'


World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer game, so you should expect some dying, but Blizzard has managed to make even that pleasant. Game review by Lore Sjberg.

A Kinder, Gentler Type of War


When the renowned cookbook author Marcella Hazan comes to New York, Italian food is not uppermost on her mind  she eats Chinese.

Hold the Risotto, Make It Fried Rice


It has come to this: Good thing we're in the easy bracket. The United States men's basketball team is in Pool B, along with Greece, Australia, Lithuania, Angola, and, of course, Puerto Rico, the feisty little brother who enjoyed a pretty big laugh at the expense of Uncle Sam's boys Sunday night. Most of the serious teams are ...

US dominance an impossible dream


Making unlimited phone calls for a fixed monthly price has proven to be a key selling point for Internet phone services like Vonage and AT amp;T CallVantage.

For \$999, a lifetime of Internet phone calls


AFP - India's opposition leader and Hindu hardliner Lal Krishna Advani vowed his defeated BJP party would return and launched a blistering attack on the new government.

India's Advani confident of a BJP comeback (AFP)


Oil prices were up 12 cents to \$49.88 a barrel in electronic trading in Europe in advance of the opening on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Oil Prices Hover Near \$50 a Barrel


November 09, 2004 - Gran Turismo 4 has just finished its development cycle. While developer Polyphony Digital is still hard at work on Gran Turismo 4 Mobile and, possibly, Gran Turismo For Boys, we #39;re sure

Collisions in Gran Turismo 5


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Airbus has withdrawn its challenge to  a European Union antitrust ruling against Microsoft Corp. only  days after the aircraft maker's intervention became public, the  Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.

Airbus Drops Microsoft Ruling Objections


Syria did not interfere in Lebanon #39;s recent presidential elections and has no interest in controlling its smaller neighbor, Syria #39;s foreign minister said Sunday.

Syria Defends Its Role in Lebanon


Hurricane Ivan is battering the Cayman Islands after moving on from Jamaica where it killed at least 14 people.

Hurricane Ivan hits Caymans


ATLANTIC CITY-November 2, 2004 - The month-old strike by thousands of Atlantic City casino and hotel workers may soon be over. Late Monday night, union leaders tentatively approved a new contract, ending

Deal in Casino Strike


CHICAGO -- Sammy Sosa appears to have found his swing, and the timing couldn #39;t be better for the Chicago Cubs. Sosa hit his first grand slam in more than two years, and also had a solo homer as the Cubs hit

Cubs beat Pirates again


Retailers around the country reported October sales Thursday that were better than Wall Street analysts were expecting, but industry experts said the results didn #39;t raise their expectations for the holiday season.

October retail sales reassuring


Infineon #39;s net profit fell to \$54.6 million in the fourth quarter from \$63 million in the third quarter of last year. The net result came up short of analyst forecasts of \$169 million.

Infineon Posts 10 Percent Profit Drop


The government will  quot;examine with very great care quot; claims around 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the US-led invasion, Jack Straw has said.

Iraq deaths claim  #39;to be studied #39;


President Bush said Thursday that the United States was committed to having elections take place as planned late next month in Iraq, despite reports that Iraqi security forces

Bush: Fighting won #39;t stall Iraq vote


BRIGHTON, England/DUBAI (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony  Blair said on Wednesday Britain would respond to the captors of  hostage Kenneth Bigley in Iraq if they made contact with his  government.

Blair Says Britain Would Respond to Hostage Takers


LAKE LOUISE, Alta. (CP) - Lindsey Kildow of Vail, Colo., won her first World Cup downhill race Friday, continuing the American domination of the early part of the ski season.

American Lindsey Kildow wins first downhill, Turgeon top Canadian <b>...</b>


EMC Corp. aims to make it easier for businesses to search unstructured information from multiple sources in multiple languages with a new software tool it released Monday.

EMC rolls out new content integration software


LAHORE: Unlike the Pakistan-India historic cricket series, there is less public interest in the two back to back matches of the tri-national cricket series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka being played at Gadaffi stadium on Thursday and Saturday.

Pakistan Cricket mania fails to grip Lahorities


Human genome researchers have said we have about 10,000 or 20,000 fewer genes than they originally estimated.

Human gene number slashed


Songwriter Guy Chambers helps schools introduce lessons on music piracy and copyright.

Pupils to get anti-piracy lessons


Since World War II, no two candidates have had such strikingly similar backgrounds of class and privilege. So, why do these guys dislike each other so much?

So Alike, Rivals Make It Personal


Kelly Holmes was due back in the Olympic stadium on Tuesday evening less than 24 hours after becoming the first British woman to win gold in the 800metres for 40 years.

No rest as Holmes returns for heats


Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi spent Wednesday night in jail after police needed a stun gun to compel him to leave a nightclub.

Olowokandi jailed for nightclub incident


WASHINGTON - Construction spending surged in August to the highest level on record, while manufacturing grew at a slower pace in September, offering mixed signals about the economy's strength.    The Commerce Department reported Friday that the value of buildings put in place clocked in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of \$1.02 trillion, a record high...

Construction Spending Hits All-Time High


NEW YORK -- A drop in oil prices and upbeat outlooks from Wal-Mart and Lowe's helped send stocks sharply higher yesterday, with the swing exaggerated by thin late summer trading. The Dow Jones industrials surged nearly 130 points.

Stocks surge amid upbeat outlooks


It was another hard luck story for Martin ONeills demoralised Celtic in the Ukraine as an emphatic Francelino Matuzalem double and exquisite Brandao chip in the second half left their European dreams in tatters with Shakhtar Donetsk running out 3-0

CELTIC CRASH AGAIN


They used to fill entire floors of buildings and were so costly only governments or large companies could afford them. Yesterday, Apple Computer showed just how far technology

The supercomputer that fits into a screen just two inches thin


Wolfsburg fell out of the Bundesliga lead for the first time in a month Sunday, losing 3-1 to Hamburg SV despite a goal by Thomas Brdaric after only 19 seconds - the fastest goal this season.

Wolfsburg falls out of Bundesliga lead despite early goal


Software maker PeopleSoft Inc. announced Monday that it had agreed to be acquired by Oracle Corp. in a \$10.3 billion deal, ending one of the longest, nastiest takeover battles in recent corporate history. <FONT face=

Oracle, PeopleSoft Merger Approved


Stuttgart, Germany (Sports Network) - Matthias Sammer brings a resurgent Stuttgart club against Dortmund this weekend. Sammer has helped Stuttgart to second in the Bundesliga table with 17 points and no losses after seven matches.

Sammer returns to Dortmund with an in-form Stuttgart squad


NEW YORK - In a bid to

Stewart to Begin Serving Sentence Soon


British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon told the British Parliament on Thursday that the government has agreed to a US request to redeploy British troops in Iraq to relieve American forces.

UK agrees to US request to redeploy British troops inIraq


SKYTEAM, the airline alliance launched and fostered by Air France, is about to claim three new member carriers and access to 25 per cent of the world #39;s air routes.

Airlines join the dots


TORONTO -- It may be Canada's game -- with an emphasis on may -- but the Czechs like their chances. They've got former Bruin Rosie Ruzicka behind their bench, in the dual role of good-guy coach/good luck charm, and they have the hope of Jaromir Jagr playing at close to full speed.

Czechs list winning for Hlinka their goal


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. on  Thursday said its quarterly profit tumbled by more than half  and slashed its sales growth outlook for the rest of the year,  wiping 17 percent off the value of its stock.

Earnings Not So Sweet for Krispy Kreme


AP - Enrique Salinas, the youngest brother of former Mexican president Carlos Salinas de Gortari, was found dead in a car on the outskirts of Mexico City on Monday, with a plastic bag tied over his head in an apparent murder, officials said.

Brother of Ex-Mexico President Found Dead (AP)


A conference has opened in Kenya to try to eradicate the use of landmines around the world. Dozens of people are killed or injured by landmines every day and many of them are civilians.

Landmine summit opens in Kenya


A MASSIVE computer crash at the Department of Work and Pensions has blocked payments of vital benefits to terminally-ill claimants, Tories claimed today.

Benefits chaos


VAL GARDENA, Italy - Bode Miller finished fourth Friday in a super-G while Michael Walchhofer led Austrians into the top-three places.

Miller fourth in Italian super-G race


PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13 - It started poorly for Harvard, even before the game. When its marching musicians were introduced by the public address announcer -

Harvard Earns Share of Ivy Title


WASHINGTON - The number of new people signing up for jobless benefits rose last week, reflecting the impact of hurricane Charley, which recently tore through Florida.    The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications for unemployment insurance increased by a seasonally adjusted 10,000 to 343,000 for the week ending Aug...

Jobless Claims Up on Impact of Charley


Reuters - Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.\ is close to settling a class action lawsuit for  #36;220\million stemming from allegations that it colluded with other\brokerages to mislead Enron Corp.  shareholders, the\Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Report-Lehman Near Deal on Enron Lawsuits (Reuters)


ARSENAL ended a turbulent week on a high by sweeping Charlton aside to move to within two matches of a phenomenal 50-game unbeaten run in the English Premiership overnight.

Gunners cruise toward magical 50


AP - Mount St. Helens began belching a huge column of white steam Friday after days of rumblings and earthquakes that suggested the volcano that erupted with cataclysmic force in 1980 was about to blow its top again.

Mount St. Helens Releases Plume of Steam (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Levi Strauss   Co. said on Monday  it has scrapped plans to sell its Dockers brand because  potential buyers would not meet the company's price for the  casual clothing line it had considered spinning off as part of  a turnaround plan.

Levi Strauss Scraps Dockers Sale


A consortium of international banks has withdrawn their support for a bid by the state gas monopoly Gazprom to buy one of Yukos's prized assets.

Banks Drop Support of Bid for Russian Oil Giant's Unit


AP - Jessica Davenport had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead No. 11 Ohio State to an 80-43 win over Yale on Saturday.

No. 11 Ohio State Routs Yale, 80-43 (AP)


Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis is stripped of his bronze medal and expelled from the Olympics for a doping offense.

Greek Weightlifter Out


Leeds United, one of the great names in English soccer, said on Friday they were close to selling their Elland Road stadium after ending takeover talks with a British-American consortium.

Leeds to sell Elland Road as taekover deal collapses


Germany coach Jrgen Klinsmann revealed that he has been working on the confidence of his strikers after Wednesday #39;s 3-0 success over Cameroon in Leipzig.

Klinsmann Seeks Confident Strikers


The Transportation Security Administration yesterday said it would resume plans to seek bids for a large technology maintenance contract, ending consideration of a proposal to give the

TSA Reconsiders Technology Contract


Citigroup of New York said Tuesday it will acquire First American Bank of Bryan, Texas. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Citigroup #39;s earnings.

Citigroup to buy First American Bank


In Street Racing Syndicate, a video game scheduled for release at the end of the month, players can test their role-playing mettle in the illegal street-racing scene without the nasty risk of going to jail. A review by Chris Kohler.

Game Mixes Racing and Role Play


Sports and fitness products company Reebok International Ltd. on Thursday said third-quarter sales rose 12 percent, driven by its acquisition of Hockey Co.

Reebok #39;s Third-Quarter Earnings Jump


Reuters - Anaheim Angels outfielder Vladimir\Guerrero claimed the American League MVP award on Tuesday,\turning what was supposed to be a tight race into a runaway\victory.

Angels Outfielder Guerrero Claims MVP Award (Reuters)


In what could prove to be a setback for The Boeing Co. #39;s expectations that it will win upwards of 200 orders this year for its 7E7, Singapore Airlines said yesterday that it is not ready to order the new super-efficient jet.

Singapore not ready to buy 7E7


Gainesville, FL (Sports Network) - Steve Spurrier will not coach the Florida Gators again after he withdrew his name from consideration in the process to select a new head football coach at the university.

Spurrier withdraws name from Florida vacancy


The British government is considering a provisional agreement over Iran #39;s nuclear activities, a Foreign Office spokesman said Monday.

UK considering Iran nuclear agreement


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces stepped up operations Tuesday across a wide swath of the Sunni insurgent strongholds northwest of the capital, pounding targets in two cities from the air and supporting Iraqi troops in raids on mosques suspected of harboring insurgents...

U.S. Steps Up Attacks on Iraq Insurgents


BESLAN, Russia (Reuters) - Russia's top general threatened  Wednesday to attack

Russia Ready to Strike Against 'Terror' Worldwide


BOSTON (CBS.MW) -- Pharmaceutical behemoth Merck heads to Capitol Hill Thursday to testify at a Senate hearing on whether the government should have forced the drugmaker to withdraw its Vioxx drug from the market before late September.

Merck heads to Capitol Hill


AP - Following a recent industry trend, Internet giant Yahoo Inc. is adding new search engine tools that will enable users to create personal folders and share their favorite links with others.

Yahoo Joins Trend to Personalize Searches (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yellow Roadway Corp. <A HREF=

Yellow Roadway Raises Profit Outlook


Subsidising cheap fuel costs the government in Abuja more than \$2bn (1.25bn) a year - and President Olusegun Obasanjo has spent much of his second term in power trying to get rid of that subsidy.

Nigeria tackles fuel subsidies


MANAGER Jose Mourinho got the better of his former club and Chelseas Champions League ambitions remained firmly on track following last nights comfortable win over Porto.

Mourinho gives Porto the blues


LONDON - Defence Minister Bill Graham was tight-lipped after meeting with his British counterpart to discuss last week #39;s fire on board HMCS Chicoutimi.

Defence minister sees damage to Chicoutimi, meets with British


Japanese stock benchmarks fell. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 126.43, or 1.1 percent, to 10,956.41 at 9:02 am in Tokyo. The broader Topix index dropped 11.04, or 1 percent, to 1098.73.

Japan #39;s Nikkei 225, Topix Decline; Kyocera Corp., Canon Drop


PATTANI : Fifty aircraft scattered 120 million paper birds across southern Thailand on Sunday in a peace gesture marred by new killings in the troubled Muslim-majority region.

Paper peace doves fall over southern Thailand as violence <b>...</b>


BAR has a long way to go before it can dream of regularly beating world champion team Ferrari, 2005 driver Takuma Sato said on Wednesday.

BAR not ready to beat Ferrari - Sato


AP - His hand on a toggle switch and his eyes on a computer screen, Oregon State University graduate student Anthony Kirincich uses an array of scientific instruments to probe the vibrant waters of the Pacific. He is searching for the absence of life.

Scientists Probe Pacific for Dead Zone (AP)


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian bomb attack caused 10  casualties at an Israeli army post along the Gaza Strip-Egypt  border on Sunday, military sources said.

Ten Israeli Casualties in Gaza -Military Sources


Pitcairn Island #39;s sex trials have started this morning with Mayor Steve Christian the first to face the court. The prosecution has told the court Mr Christian committed offences against four women between 1964 and 1975.

Sexual abuse trials underway on Pitcairn


Twelve years after Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird led the American senior basketball team to conquer the world, the era of the US Dream Team was terminated in the summer of 2004 at Athens.

Era of Dream Team terminated in Athens


The kidnappers of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, taken hostage in Iraq, say they have killed him, the Arabic language television channel Al Jazeera reports.

Kidnappers say killed Italian hostage


The Yankees would like to void Jason Giambi's contract, but they continue to face serious roadblocks.

Voiding Giambi's Deal Easier Said Than Done


LONDON, October 26 (newratings.com) - The European Commission has reduced its growth forecasts for the Eurozone economy for 2005, saying that the elevated oil prices and a continued rally in the euro would adversely impact the economy next year.

EU downgrades 2005 growth forecast on high oil prices, euro rally


SPOOKED lenders to local auto parts maker Ion have withdrawn vital finance facilities, forcing the group to the brink of collapse.

Banks pull plug on Ion


Reuters - Leaders from the Group of Seven rich\industrialized nations need to do more to aid poor African\countries, Canadian Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said on\Thursday.

Canada Says G7 Not Doing Enough to Help Africa (Reuters)


The guy who once gave \$10 lessons as a club pro in Borneo is now the first \$10 million man in golf. Singh once found work as a bouncer in a Scottish night club when he failed to get through European qualify school.

Singh becomes first \$10 million man in golf


SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - Chip designer Arm Ltd.'s new Cortex family of processor cores will help designers of mobile and embedded devices build powerful systems that use less memory, the company said Tuesday at its developer conference.

ARM's new Cortex cores deliver big punch in small chip


The Detroit Lions had everyone fooled -- except the Green Bay Packers. Brett Favre and Co, entering Ford Field with a 1-4 record, hammered the Lions 38-10 on Sunday, leaving little doubt that the Lions were, in fact, pretenders.

Lions Return to Old Form, Crushed 38-10


KINGSTON, Jamaica (Wednesday, August 18, 2004) -- Brian Ching was not one to waste a second chance. The reserve striker, who earlier missed an opportunity to tie the game with a point-blank header, made no mistake when he drove home a close-in shot in the ...

Ching gains repemption, his goal in 89th minute earning 1-1 qualifying draw in Jamaica.


ATHENS, Greece - The United States men's basketball team endured another brutal loss Saturday night. But because Angola is playing even worse than the Americans, the Dream Team is in the quarterfinals of the Athens Games...

Dream Team Loses Again, but Still Advances


PARIS, France -- Lille handed Lyon their first defeat of the season on Wednesday, beating the champions 3-2 after extra time in a League Cup first round match.

Lyon suffer first defeat of season


As a new crew prepares to lift off tomorrow for the international space station, NASA officials say they are less worried than they were two weeks ago about problems with its oxygen generator and growing shortages of food and spare parts.

Space Station Concerns Reduced


The writer of an online journal describing her life as a London call girl has signed off.

London 'call girl' gives up blog


Armed men stormed into an art museum Sunday, threatened staff at gunpoint and stole Edvard Munch #39;s famous paintings  quot;The Scream quot; and  quot;Madonna quot; before the eyes of stunned museum-goers.

#39;The Scream #39; stolen from museum


A US citizen is jailed for 23 years for illegal financial dealings linked to an alleged plot by Libya to kill the Saudi Crown Prince.

US citizen jailed for Libya ties


Gina Lynn discovers remote (how shall we say this?) 'interaction' technology with the Sinulator and finds herself on the cutting edge of cybersex.

Ins and Outs of Teledildonics


Another notch on the Canadian medal chart of expectations ended with the least likely of fourth place finishes at the Olympic Games.

Despatie least likely disappointment


MADRID, Spain Spanish authorities say the suspected leader of a Muslim cell plotted to blow up a truck outside the country #39;s National Court in downtown Madrid.

Spain: Terror suspect planned devastating attack


AP - For the first time since Bill Parcells lost his Dallas debut in 2003, the Cowboys have a losing record.

Cowboys Not Winners Any More for Parcells (AP)


Atlas Copco Group has agreed to sell its electric tools business, including Brookfield-based Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., to Techtronic Industries Co.

Milwaukee Electric Tool, other units to be sold for \$626.6M


SiliconValley.com - Hewlett-Packard on Friday unveiled its own version of Apple's iPod music player, part of its alliance with Apple Computer as well as HP's own foray into consumer electronics.

HP to sell version of Apple's iPod (SiliconValley.com)


Liechtenstein's Prince Hans-Adam hands over power to his son and invites the whole nation to a garden party.

Liechtenstein royals swap power


The 18,000 US troops in Afghanistan have begun a new offensive to hunt Taliban and al-Qaida militants through the country #39;s harsh winter, aiming to sap their strength ahead of planned spring elections, the American military said Saturday.

18,000 troops begin winter offensive in Afghanistan against <b>...</b>


Binh N. Le had not been back to the land of his birth since he came to the United States with an aunt and uncle at age 4, leaving his parents behind.

Sadly Fulfilling Marine's Dream


MP3 players could become even more popular in Canada thanks to newer, lower price tags made possible by a recent court ruling. The drop in price could be possible after the Federal Court of Appeal #39;s decision

Court decision may lower cost of MP3 players


Preliminary results of the autopsy performed on Ken Caminiti show that the former National League MVP died of a drug overdose, a New York City police source told ESPN.

Report: Caminiti died from overdose


A lawmaker who defied Syria and voted against extending President Emile Lahoud #39;s term survived an assassination attempt Friday when a parked, explosives-rigged vehicle blew up in Beirut.

Beirut car bombing wounds ex-Cabinet minister, kills driver and <b>...</b>


Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged yesterday to press forward with democratic reforms even if the European Union refuses to open membership talks with Turkey this week.

Turkey divided over EU entry


The trade group that represents movie studios filed its first round of lawsuits Tuesday against people who allegedly share copyright films on the internet.

Movie Studios Sue File Traders


Reuters - A decade after apartheid ended, South\African filmmaking has come of age and is able to tell stories\about the country's troubled past with humor and affection,\several of the country's directors said on Tuesday.

South African Films Offer Love, Comedy in Toronto (Reuters)


The RIAA announced it has filed 750 new lawsuits against alleged file-traders using peer-to-peer (P-to-P) software.  quot;The 750 new lawsuits were against  quot;John Doe quot; defendants not yet identified by the RIAA.

RIAA Files 750 New File-trading Lawsuits


Fans and coaches might have wanted to brush up on the overtime rules before the Cape Ann League's finest met to break their tie atop the standings last night. As the clock ticked down, Wilmington and Masconomet remained deadlocked as each bid to oust the other from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Wilmington edges Masconomet


In the Potomac River scientists and anglers have uncovered male smallmouth bass growing eggs. The reason is a mystery, but clues point to estrogen-enhanced sewage.

Male Fish Producing Eggs in Potomac River


For once, when the US Open kicks off in New York tomorrow it won #39;t be the biggest show in town. The Republican convention, with its threatened attendant demonstrations

Federer aims to put out New York #39;s Bush fires


The Russians were angry. The South Koreans were angry. The Greeks were angry. Nobody paid for it more than Paul Hamm. For 10 solid minutes, the crowd booed and whistled, creating a deafening roar.

Hamm ignores boos to latch onto silver


Iraq #39;s hostage crisis took an encouraging turn yesterday with the safe release of seven hostages, including two female Italian aid workers who were abducted three weeks ago.

Italian women freed


GAINSVILLE, Florida (Ticker) - Urban Meyer has chosen old friend Bernie Machen over his former friends at Notre Dame. On Saturday, Florida announced that Meyer has accepted an offer to replace Ron Zook as the school #39;s 21st football coach.

Meyer accepts coaching job at Florida


Cingular Wireless LLC agreed to sell and swap certain assets with Alltel Corp. for \$170 million in cash as part of the company #39;s required divestitures following Cingular #39;s acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.

Cingular to Sell Select Assets to Alltel


NEW YORK - Investors saw a major surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a chance to collect profits Wednesday, sending stocks substantially lower. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped nearly 130 points...

Earnings, Oil Prices Drive Stocks Lower


NAJAF, Iraq -- Iraq #39;s top Shi #39;ite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, made a dramatic return to Najaf on Thursday and won agreement from a rebel cleric and the government to end three weeks of fighting between his militia and US-Iraqi forces.

A peace deal is reached in Najaf


Figures show a fall in Japan's trade surplus, casting a shadow over the country's export-led recovery.

Japan trade surplus in shock fall


ATHENS (Reuters) - Fani Halkia's victory in the Olympics  women's 400 meters hurdles was extraordinary but drug-related  questions about the Greek's performance are unfair, Australian  coach Phil King said Thursday.

Halkia's Win Extraordinary, Says Pittman's Coach


AP - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova reached the semifinals of the Korea Open on Friday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over Australian Samantha Stosur.

Sharapova Advances to Korea Open Semis (AP)


SPACE.com - WASHINGTON -- The nbsp;announcement Wednesday by nbsp;the National Academy of \Sciences that NASA scrap its plan to robotically repair the Hubble Space \Telescope and instead plan a manned shuttle mission for the endeavor was met by \by nbsp;congressional leaders nbsp;with both support and \reservations.

Recommended Hubble Repair Mission Gets Measured Response from Congress (SPACE.com)


Middle East News, TEHRAN - To cries of  quot;Death to America quot; and  quot;God is Greatest quot;, Iran #39;s hardliner-dominated parliament has passed a bill obliging the government to press ahead with efforts to develop a nuclear energy programme.

Middle East ; Bill backs pro-nuke energy drive in Iran


Security company Internet Security Systems Inc. (ISS) is warning its customers about a critical security hole in a commonly used technology from the Mozilla Foundation called the Netscape Network Security Services (NSS) library that could make Web servers vulnerable to remote attack.

ISS: Critical Netscape hole could be widespread


TEMPE, Ariz. -- With 7:12 left in the game, Arizona State was beaten and left for dead. The Sun Devils trailed UCLA by 11 points. Safeties Riccardo Stewart and Josh Barrett were on the sideline with injuries.

Walter #39;s passing jolts Sun Devils awake


With solemn commemorations, a ceremonial flag-raising at the Eiffel Tower and columns of 1940s-era tanks and army jeeps, Parisians on Wednesday marked the 60th anniversary

Paris Marks Liberation Mindful of Collaboration


Hurricane Ivan has gotten stronger once again, and is back to a category five storm. Ivan #39;s sustained winds are at 160 miles-per-hour, as it leaves behind a deadly trail in the Caribbean and heads toward Cuba.

Hurricane Ivan Still Strong


Lamar Odom had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers held on to give coach Rudy Tomjanovich a victory over the Houston Rockets 84-79 Saturday night.

Lakers 84, Rockets 79


Five wickets stand between the Australians and victory on the final day against New Zealand to complete a 2-0 win in the series. Set a prohibitive 464 to win in Adelaide, New

Australians close in on victory


LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks jumped to fresh 6-month  highs on Friday, buoyed by lower oil prices and a strong rally  on Wall Street, but the dollar hung close to record lows  against the euro ahead of key U.S. jobs data.

Dollar Struggles Before U.S. Jobs Report


Cambodia #39;s legislature has voted to allow a nine-member council to choose a successor to 81-year-old King Norodom Sihanouk, who abdicated last week.

Profile: Cambodian King Nears End of Long Political Career


An off-duty policeman watched a train plough into a car on a level crossing  in Berkshire, killing six people.

Policeman 'saw fatal train crash'


South African PC demand looks set to keep pace with the good worldwide demand, with rand strength, product bundling

PC sales storm ahead


BRUSSELS: India is all set to open talks on Monday to forge a strategic partnership with the European Union, a status so far restricted to just five big countries.

Two #39;s Company: India, EU to enter partnership


By JOHN ANTCZAK     LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- It was billionaire Paul Allen's \$20 million that allowed Burt Rutan to build SpaceShipOne, the first privately financed manned rocket to reach space...

Space Tourism Seeking Public Investors


The number of US call centers is expected to decline through 2008, with Canada getting many of the jobs the US will lose, a research firm said Friday.

US Call Centers Declining


Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson is unlikely to play again this year because of a knee injury. The Sweden international had to be carried from the Nou Camp pitch during the second half of Saturday night #39;s

LARSSON SUFFERS INJURY AGONY


GOOGLE, with whom I spend more time than with my loved ones, is planning to put the contents of the worlds greatest libraries on line, including the Bodleian in Oxford and those of Harvard and Stanford in America.

Despite Google, we still need good libraries


The Massachusetts golf community took a hit last week, losing two distinguished personalities. Ted Carangelo and Ted Kenerson were men of great spirit, devoted to their families, to their businesses, to their golf clubs, and most definitely to the integrity of the game.

Hard recovery from losses


IBM has sold its computer making business to Lenovo Group, the Chinese technology company, in a \$1.75 billion (900 million) deal, signalling an exit from the PC market it helped create in the 1980s.

IBM quits PC manufacturing in 900m deal


The Register ran a story on August 6th called 'Phone spam misery looms stateside.' It seems that there's legislative nastiness underway in Washington, DC to essentially gut the existing junk fax law, and replace it with a marketer's wet dream.

Junk faxes to be legalized as  quot;opt-out? quot;


The rebel cleric #39;s followers began handing in weapons Monday, but some are bent on continuing to fight American forces in Baghdad.

Sadr fighters disarm, again


Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the world #39;s largest maker of chewing gum, agreed to buy candy businesses including Altoids mints and Life Savers from Kraft Foods Inc.

Wrigley to Buy Altoids, Life Savers From Kraft for \$1.48 Bln


A private space plane is set to shoot beyond Earth #39;s atmosphere for the second time in a week on Monday in a pioneering bid to win a \$10 million prize and prove that space is open for business.

SpaceShipOne Bid Seen Opening Space for Business


The managerial merry-go-round shows no signs of stopping, with former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan now the favourite to replace new Saints manager Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth.

Pompey targets Strachan


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Caryn Wilson of Rancho Mirage shot a 1-under-par 71 on Thursday and was tied for 20th place after two rounds of the LPGA Tour Qualifying School.

Valley resident tied for 20th


AP - Coach Phillip Fulmer can relate to Tennessee's fans. He, too, is eager to see how his two freshmen quarterbacks do in their college debuts.

Tenn. Coach Excited About Freshman QBs (AP)


AP - A Republican Senate candidate in South Carolina has reprimanded a campaign staffer for a derogatory comment she made about lesbians in an e-mail.

Senate Candidate Chides Staffer for E-Mail (AP)


RS Investments, a \$6.7 billion money manager based in San Francisco, said Wednesday it had settled US and state allegations of improper trading by agreeing to pay \$30 million in fines and reduced management fees.

Funds in Brief: San Francisco firm pays \$30 million in settlement


British consumer group Consumers #39; Association has raised its voice over the iTunes #39; pricing in the United Kingdom. Most notably, its anger is aimed towards the different pricing model Apple uses for its online music store in European countries.

British consumer group: iTunes UK overpriced


Asian stock markets closed mixed Monday, with the key indexes dipping both in Hong Kong and Singapore. Japanese financial markets were closed for a national holiday.

Asian Stock Markets Close Mixed


From Seoul 1988 to Athens 2004, China has pocketed every gold for men #39;s doubles in the Olympic table tennis tournament and, more amazingly, each time the gold has gone to a different pair of players.

Profile: Chen Qi/Ma Lin, China #39;s new  amp;quotgolden pair quot;


FORMER world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has hinted he could be tempted out of retirement by a mouth-watering rematch with WBC title-holder Vitali Klitschko.

Klitschko rematch tempts retired Lewis


Rower Matthew Pinsent, who has won four Olympic gold medals, has announced he is retiring from the sport. That means Pinsent won #39;t equal the five gold medals won in successive Olympics by another rower, Sir Steven Redgrave.

Olympic champion Pinsent retires


AS Roma was punished on Tuesday for last week #39;s incident in which referee Anders Frisk was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd during a match against Dynamo Kiev, local newspapers reported Wednesday.

Roma punished for ref incident


Spain #39;s Constantino Zaballa broke away early and finished more than a minute ahead of his closest competitors in winning the 19th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Friday.

Spaniard Constantino Zaballa wins 19th stage


When my 17-year-old son said he might want to apply to colleges on the West Coast, my wife had a flashback. When she was thinking about schools in the fall of 1970, she considered Stanford. Her father told her to forget it. His rationale: the cost of flying coast-to-coast, on top of tuition costs, would have made Stanford prohibitively expensive.

There's nowhere for the cost of tuition to go -- except up


Tiffany Porter-Talbert scored 24 points, and Western Kentucky rallied from an 8-point halftime deficit. The Lady Toppers (3-3) made 16 of 28 shots in the second half after trailing 44-36 at the break.

UNDATED: 14 points.


This time, however, they hope to take a 2-0 lead back to Minnesota as they continue their best-of-five AL Division series with the New York Yankees.

Yankees facing must-win situation


The Yankees wanted to swat it before it become a downright menace, a phalanx of mosquitoes, bearing the West Nile Virus of baseball, which is a shift in momentum.

For the Red Sox, a Series of Trials and Teases


AP - The president of troubled retailer Daiei announced his resignation Friday, two days after he was forced by lenders to seek a government bailout.

Head of Troubled Japanese Retailer Resigns (AP)


When NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced on September 15 that the league had failed to reach a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and would lock out the players it drove an icy spike through the hearts of hockey-mad Canadians.

Canadians Fret as Americans Forget About Lockout


UNCASVILLE, CONN. - When the WNBA announced its 2004 MVP on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena, the Seattle Storms Lauren Jackson wasnt part of the presentation as she was last year when she won the award.

Jackson second to Leslie for MVP


roundup \Gateway switches on a combo music-photo device two days after Apple debuts its own image-ready iPod.

As iPod evolves, rivals strive to keep pace


Delta Air Lines Inc. could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as next week, a source familiar with the matter said.

Delta Air Lines Prepares Chapter 11 Filing


Struggling German retailer KarstadtQuelle said Tuesday it plans to sell nearly half of its department stores and issue euro500 million (US\$615 million) in shares as it restructures in response to Germany #39;s persistent retail slump.

Update 5: KarstadtQuell to Sell Nearly Half Stores


US Treasury Secretary John Snow reassured critics Wednesday that America is dealing with its huge budget and trade deficits, but discounted any suggestions of official intervention to prop up the ailing US dollar.

Update 1: Snow Says US Dealing With Budget Deficit


teve Mariucci, coaching in the state of his birth, is an optimist who still leaves tickets at Ford Field for his parents. His Detroit Lions, one of the surprise teams in the National Football

Mariucci Builds a Team Close to Home


Shares in Molson Inc. slumped Friday after the brewer warned its summer-quarter earnings would be lower than expected due to slow sales in Canada and problems with profitability in Brazil.

Molson Issues Profit Warning on Slow Sales


NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways Group Inc. #39;s (UAIR.O: Quote, Profile, Research) chairman said employees must agree to \$800 million in new wage and benefit cuts within 30 days or the airline might be liquidated, the New York Times said on Thursday, citing ...

US Airways Chairman: Liquidation Possible


SEATTLE -- RealNetworks Inc. will begin offering some university students its digital music subscription service at a steep discount in an effort to stem illegal downloads and attract long-term customers.

RealNetworks to offer discounted music


Business intelligence software company Actuate proposes an open-source Java-based reporting tools.

Eclipse to consider open-source data reporting


Equipment which could be used in an illicit nuclear bomb programme has disappeared from previously monitored sites in Iraq, and radioactively contaminated items from there have been found abroad, the International Atomic Energy Agency has told the UN.

Nuclear materials from Iraq  #39;missing #39;


AP - Vandals spray painted vulgar messages on the walls of the North Carolina Republican Party headquarters and left a burned effigy depicting President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, police said.

Vandals Hit GOP Headquarters in N.Carolina (AP)


MozSource, the independent company that operates the Mozilla Store and the Netscape Store, has announced the launch of its new high-quality, affordable technical support service for Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird and Mozilla 1.7.

MozSource Now Offers Technical Support for Key Mozilla Products


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Wednesday asked  Treasury Secretary John Snow to stay in his job and Snow  agreed, ending a frenzy of speculation that the former railroad  executive and loyal Bush foot soldier was about to be replaced.

Snow to Remain as U.S. Treasury Secretary


AP - A gas explosion in a coal mine in China has killed at least 56 miners, and 92 others listed as missing had only a slim chance of survival, officials say.

Explosion in Chinese mine kills 56


Pakistan said that it had dealt Al-Qaeda network a crushing blow after killing senior Al Qaeda operative, Amjad Farooqi, who is accused of hiding the chief plotter of Sept.

Pakistan dealt crushing blow to Al Qaeda


Prudential Plc, Britain #39;s No. 2 insurer, plans to raise 1 billion pounds (\$1.8 billion) by selling new stock to help fund a UK expansion and comply with European rules on capital reserves.

Prudential to Raise 1 Billion Pounds in Share Sale (Update5)


PRIME Minister John Howard has backed curfews and alcohol bans for Aboriginal communities where leaders want to put them in place.

PM backs curfews, booze bans


A sleek NASA X-43A aircraft set a world speed record Tuesday, flying at more than 6,600 mph in a test flight that eventually could revolutionize air travel and space exploration.

Craft sets speed record


Pollen from a genetically modified grass has been shown to travel up to 21km away from the site where it was orginally planted. This may be the longest recorded distance travelled by any GM pollen, US researchers have claimed.

GM grass pollen has long reach


Ian Schrager, known for his luxury boutique hotels, has hung for sale signs over two of his London hotels, the St Martins Lane and the Sanderson.

Schrager eyes London hotels sale


General Motors plans to install a global identity management system that will provide single-sign-on access to applications for about 500,000 internal and external end users, and Boeing is in the midst of a similar project -- both aimed at cutting IT costs and improving user productivity.

GM, Boeing push identity management


Celtic will put Henri Camara and John Hartson together up front on Tuesday to face the might of Barcelona and Martin ONeill has no doubts about the partnership after seeing them destroy Dundee on Saturday.

ONeill has no doubts over new strike force


US retailers #39; credit card sales rose more than 6 percent during the first weekend of the holiday shopping season. Same-store sales at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

US Retailers #39; Holiday Sales Rise; Wal-Mart Lags Behind


JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was declared Indonesia #39;s next president today and now faces the tough task of rebuilding a country plagued by attacks from al-Qaida-linked terrorists, separatist conflicts and an economy still reeling from

New Indonesian presdient faces tough tasks


The founder of Peru's Maoist Shining Path insurgency raised a defiant fist and proclaimed

Peru Retries Shining Path Leader Guzman


MOROCCO #39;s Hicham El Guerrouj completes an historic 1500-5000m double, emulating the achievement of Paavo Nurmi in 1924. BRITAIN #39;s Kelly Holmes becomes only the third woman in Olympic history to complete the 800m-1500m double.

The day #39;s milestones


AP - American and Afghan forces searching for three kidnapped U.N. workers smashed their way into houses in downtown Kabul early Monday, officials and witnesses said.

U.S., Afghan Forces Raid Homes in Kabul (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The vaunted political and financial  skills of Fannie Mae Chief Executive Franklin Raines may not be  enough to save him professionally after a scathing regulatory  report last week detailed pervasive accounting lapses at the  mortgage finance company.

Fannie CEO May Not Withstand Challenge


President Bush and John Kerry have said little more than that each will end the war the right way and his opponent will not.

How Would They End the War?


or professional sports, for that matter -- the Knicks talk about wanting to have a good defense. The question is: Can they?

Knicks: Wilkens spells out goals, starting with  #39;D #39;


com September 30, 2004, 12:52 PM PT. Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.

Feds fund secure ID project


Carlton Fisk in 1975. David Ortiz in 2004. Twelfth inning both times. Hold on to those tickets for this afternoon's fifth game of the American League Championship Series. The left-for-dead Red Sox are still breathing.

The dream stays alive


August 23, 2004 - (HostReview.com) - Cisco Systems, Inc. (www.cisco.com) today announced, with the support of Microsoft, the Cisco Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Communications Connector developed for Microsoft Business Solutions CRM.

Cisco and Microsoft CRM Team for Medium Businesses Integrated <b>...</b>


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell more than a dollar to  \$45 on Tuesday, in a third day of losses as a more optimistic  Iraq export picture helped unwind some of the supply worries  that have lifted the market to historic levels.

Oil Prices Fall to \$45 as Iraq Oil Flows


PUNTA GORDA, Fla. Aug. 19, 2004  It took years for many insurance claims to be paid following Hurricane Andrew in 1992. This time, technology is helping speed along the claims process for residents hardest hit by Hurricane Charley.

Insurance Claims Moving Quickly in Fla.


LANDSTUHL, Germany - Wounded US servicemen bore scars of a fierce battle for the Iraqi city, and told of a city teeming with heavily armed fighters who roamed the streets in small groups and fired from rooftops and mosques.

Wounded US soldiers recount Fallujah battle


Akron at No. 12 Virginia
   Where:  Scott Stadium, Charlottesville
   When:  3 p.m.    Radio:  WTNT-570    Tickets:  Sold out
   Another Top QB:  Like North Carolina's Darian Durant last week, Akron quarterback Charlie Frye is the key to his team's slim chances of upsetting the Cavaliers. The 6-foot-4 senior, likened by Virginia Coach Al Groh to recent ACC stars Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers, ranks fourth among active NCAA quarterbacks with 9,048 career passing yards. In losses the past two weeks to Penn State and Middle Tennessee, Frye completed 60 of 80 passes for 622 yards. Weather permitting, he will present a challenge for an inexperienced Virginia secondary that made a few too many errors in deep coverage in its first two games.

Cavaliers, Hokies Play Host


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rebounded on Monday as  worry about oil prices crunching corporate profits eased when  crude retreated from record highs.

Stocks Bounce Back as Oil Retreats


Vast man-made mounds are nearly all that remain of an ancient city now called Cahokia, built along the banks of the Mississippi. In its heyday around A.D. 1050, the city was a bustling metropolis. Michelle Delio reports from Collinsville, Illinois.

Indian Mounds Mystify Excavators


Gazprom has spun a web of control over energy supplies extending from Estonia on the Baltic Sea to Bulgaria on the Black Sea.

Europe Worries Over Russian Gas Giant's Influence


McLEAN, Va. -- Auburn picked up two more first-place votes but remained third in the latest ESPN/USA Today coaches #39; poll, released Sunday.

Tigers trail Sooners by just four points


LOS ANGELES - With 81 seconds to go Saturday afternoon, Southern California coach Pete Carroll summoned his dog-tired defenders to the sideline.

Trojans eke out win over Bears


Four California legislators want the the state's Department of Social Services to take more aggressive steps in notifying 1.4 million residents that their personal information may have been stolen by hackers.

Update: California lawmakers rip handling of data theft at university


ROME : Alitalia management and flight attendants reached agreement on a crucial deal early Saturday on job cuts that would allow the struggling airline to keep flying, union sources quoted by ANSA news agency said.

Alitalia, flight attendants agree on crucial accord: report


and it surely is not -- it isn #39;t for lack of a great story, compelling characters, and a capable director. Really, the

Hustle #39; drops the ball on Rose story


President Bush plans to seek support from China and other key allies at the Asia-Pacific summit to help resurrect talks with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, White House officials said on Friday.

At APEC, Bush to Work on North Korea, Iran


A NEW breed of kidnappers, described as  #39;strategic terrorists #39;, in Iraq has led experts with experience of negotiating hostage releases to admit that lessons from the past may no longer apply.

Hostage negotiators #39; worst nightmare


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - As the often-quoted Hall of Fame  catcher Yogi Berra might say:

Fan Sues for Barry Bonds' 700th Home Run Ball


With Microsoft's entrance into the portable music business, Apple's Steve Jobs must do what he has failed to do in the past: prevail over his old nemesis, Bill Gates.

Gates vs. Jobs: The Rematch


Today's customers are increasingly demanding, in Asia as elsewhere in the world.  Henry Astorga describes the complex reality faced by today's marketers, which includes much higher expectations than we have been used to.  Today's customers want performance, and they want it now!

The New Customers Are In Town


Reuters - The British and Irish\prime ministers struggled to break an apparent deadlock in\talks aimed at sealing a final peace settlement for Northern\Ireland as a deadline loomed.

N.Irish Talks Deadlocked with Time Running Short (Reuters)


The presidents of Congo and Rwanda could meet soon to calm renewed tensions between the neighboring countries, according to presidential aides.

Rwandan and Congo Leaders to Meet


BOSTONWith 10 homers in September, Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero likely wrested the American League Most Valuable Player award away from either David Ortiz or Manny Ramirez.

Sweep Dreams Are Made Of This


AP - The guessing game over who will take home the world's most coveted awards ends this week with the announcement of the 2004 Nobel Prize winners.

Nobel Prize Winners to Be Announced (AP)


The agreement was reached in Brussels on Wednesday after days of negotiations on the size and scope of the mission. In particular, France had refused to agree to the expanded NATO role in Iraq

NATO Reaches Agreement on Iraq


AP - Statement by CBS News President Andrew Heyward and Dan Rather about the authenticity of documents used to support a

Statements by CBS News President, Rather (AP)


Discount retailer Kmart Holding Corp. reported a third-quarter profit Wednesday, reversing a year-earlier loss, as asset sales and cost containment helped offset a further decline in sales.

Kmart swings to profit in 3Q


The genetic profiles held by police for criminal investigations are not sophisticated enough to prevent false identifications, according to the father of DNA fingerprinting.

DNA fingerprinting  #39;no longer foolproof #39;


An IBM supercomputer still under development has set an unofficial new world speed record during testing, the company announced on Wednesday.

IBM claims supercomputer speed crown


TUCSON - The Arizona football team is sticking with quarterback Kris Heavner, but Wildcats coach Mike Stoops wants the sophomore to improve.

UA #39;s Heavner under pressure


National Grid Transco, the pipes and pylons company, yesterday announced a 6bn deal to sell half its gas distribution business. The move pleased the City but alarmed unions and consumer groups.

Grid #39;s 6bn sale raises job and safety concerns


LAKE LOUISE, Alta. -- Bode Miller is your typical pushy, aggressive American. And that #39;s the reason he was able to win his first World Cup downhill race yesterday.

Bode #39;s well for Americans


Cleveland Browns linebacker Andra Davis will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee during Sunday #39;s loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Browns lose LB Andra Davis for season


Ziff Davis - Microsoft is reaching out further to the open-source community with offers of joint development and testing, but some wonder about the company's sincerity.

Microsoft Makes More Open-Source Overtures (Ziff Davis)


Struggling Italian carrier Alitalia said it lost euro620 million (US\$767 million) in the first half of the year, almost double the airline #39;s euro315 million (US\$360 million) losses for the same period the previous year.

Update 1: Alitalia Reports Heavy Losses


JENSON Button will settle for second best in tomorrows Belgian Grand Prix at Spa- Francorchamps. The Englishman concedes Ferrari are out of reach and has set his sights on helping BAR overhaul Renault for

Button driven on by lure of second place


Hoping to attract developers and customers, Sun Microsystems will announce its next-generating operating system will be offered for free. The company spent roughly \$500 million and years of development time on the software.

Sun to Roll Out Free Solaris OS


Reuters - Bengie Molina had four hits, including\a three-run homer, as the Anaheim Angels completed a three-game\series sweep with a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees on\Sunday.

AL Wrap: Molina Leads Angels to Sweep of Yankees (Reuters)


MANHASSET, NY - Proponents of HD-DVD gained an ally Monday (Nov. 29), as film studio Universal Pictures announced it has adopted the format, with select titles available to consumers during the 2005 holiday season.

Universal Pictures to adopt HD-DVD format


AP - A night after he was hit on the left elbow by a pitch, Derek Jeter stole two bases in the ninth inning and scored on Hideki Matsui's two-out single to lead the visiting New York Yankees past Cleveland 5-4 Tuesday night, handing the Indians their ninth straight loss.

Jeter Helps Yankees Steal One in Cleveland (AP)


A Turkish construction company said Tuesday it was halting operations in neighboring Iraq to try to save the lives of 10 employees kidnapped by militants.

Turkish company halts operations in Iraq


OXFORD, Miss. - Three high-profile coaches are no longer being considered to fill the football coaching vacancy at the University of Mississippi.

Three high-profile coaches out of Ole Miss picture


SIR Frank Williams led the celebrations after the British Grand Prix was rescued by a last-ditch agreement yesterday. The British Racing Drivers #39; Club, which owns the Silverstone racetrack, had until the close

Joy at Silverstone deal


AP - With promises to curb credit card fees and protect home buyers and military families from unfair lending practices, Democratic candidate John Kerry is making a pitch aimed squarely at voters' checkbooks.

Kerry Promises Protection for Consumers (AP)


British Columbia businessman Francesco Aquilini bought half of the Vancouver Canucks and General Motors Place arena from John McCaw of Seattle.

Notebook: McCaw to sell 50 percent of Canucks, GM Place


PITTSBURGH -- The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given \$20 million to Carnegie Mellon University to help fund construction of a new computer science building.

CMU #39;s computer science school receives \$20 million gift from Gates


BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Less than four months after  causing an uproar by almost expelling a New York Times  reporter, the Brazilian government criticized the U.S.  newspaper on Monday for a report on a controversial proposal to  oversee the country's journalists.

Brazil Government Criticizes New York Times Report


SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has denounced South Korean  authorities as

N.Korea Dubs South 'Wicked Terrorist' Over Refugees


With apologies to the Mamas and Papas, California isn #39;t just dreamin #39; about the baseball playoffs as the regular seasons winds down.

North vs. South baseball wars, California style


AP - Mark Teixeira needed only a single to hit for the cycle, and his Texas Rangers teammates wanted to see him make some baseball history.

Teixeira Hits for Cycle in Rangers' Win (AP)


AFP - Royal Dutch/Shell plans to auction off its liquefied petroleum gas business, which is valued at more than one billion pounds.

Shell plans auction of liquefied petroleum gas unit (AFP)


Reuters - Computer Associates International Inc.\ is set to name IBM software sales head John Swainson as\chief executive, completing a seven-month search to replace\indicted former CEO Sanjay Kumar, sources said on Monday.

CA to Name IBM Exec Swainson as CEO (Reuters)


Mark Hughes is reportedly keen on becoming the new manager of Blackburn Rovers Football Club. The Ewood Park club have been looking for a new boss since Graeme Souness left for Newcastle United last week, and

Hughes wants Blackburn Rovers Football Club job


MacCentral - Apple on Tuesday announced that its Xserve RAID storage system is now available with up to 5.6 terabytes (TB) of storage capacity -- up from 3.5TB in previous models. Apple has also received certification for the Xserve RAID from Cisco and SUSE Linux, and has optimized the RAID system to work with Apple's own Xsan Storage Area Network (SAN) file system.

Apple Xserve RAID upped to 5.6 terabytes (MacCentral)


KANSAS CITY -- A precautionary CAT scan taken on Ichiro Suzuki on Thursday afternoon was  quot;completely normal quot; and the right fielder could continue his pursuit of another 50-hit month Friday night in Detroit.

Notes: Ichiro CAT scan proves OK