Oil dipping almost \$1 doesn #39;t signal the beginning of a major retreat, say commodities experts who suggest crude might never fall below \$40 US a barrel again.

High crude here to stay


PARIS (Reuters) - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was  very ill but his brain, heart and lungs were still functioning,  Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said.

Arafat's Heart Functioning - Palestinian Minister


Ohio State (7-2) handled Texas Tech #39;s (5-2) pressure defense and overcame anemic foul shooting to hang on for their first road win of the season, 77-71 over the Red Raiders.

Buckeyes Step it Up Against Red Raiders and Knight


Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin believes in Atlantic Hockey. Four years ago when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference was born, Mercyhurst was simply the cream of the crop.

Mercyhurst knows drill


Financial news and information provider Reuters Group PLC plans to make Bangalore its biggest worldwide employment center in order to become more competitive, executives said Thursday.

Reuters looks to make India job hub


AP - After weeks of wowing the New York Giants with his passing, poise and promise, Eli Manning showed that even the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft can have his rookie moments.

Jets Befuddle Giants' Manning in 17-10 Win (AP)


NEW YORK - Oil prices continued their rise on Monday, as a general strike shut down Nigeria and a Moscow court upheld a billion dollar back tax demand on Yukos, Russia #39;s largest oil producer.

Oil strikes another new high


AFP - Pauline Hanson, the former leader of Australia's xenophobic One Nation party, has announced that she was coming back from political retirement to run for a seat in the Senate next month.

Far-right firebrand Hanson to attempt political comeback (AFP)


DUBAI (Reuters) - A militant group in Iraq said it had  killed two Macedonian hostages whom it accused of spying for  the United States, Arabic television Al Jazeera said Monday.

Jazeera: Iraq Militants Kill Two Macedonia Hostages


A fifth year of powerful economic growth in East Asia and the Pacific has driven the number of people living in poverty in the region to its lowest level ever, but the World Bank warned yesterday that oil prices could dampen the boom next year.

Asia #39;s economic growth drives down poverty


Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest maker of microchips, on Thursday raised its quarterly revenue outlook, citing strong worldwide

Intel Raises Quarterly Revenue Target


This could be due to Dell #39;s persistance of continually trying to make their products cheaper. Dell has recalled almost 1 million AC adapters that could start a fire.

Dell Recalls 990,000 AC Adapters


The timing of Notre Dame's firing of Tyrone Willingham makes no sense . . . unless the board of trustees had a replacement not only in mind, but in hand. The only coach Notre Dame would have to go after with such urgency is Utah's Urban Meyer, who reportedly is also on the short list at Florida.

Is Meyer the man to get Irish up?


Several raids have been carried out on opposition offices in Ukraine just over a week before presidential elections.

Raids on Ukraine poll opponents


KIEV (Reuters) - Western diplomats said on Monday they had  secured assurances that Ukraine would hold a free and fair  presidential run-off election, seen as a choice between closer  ties with Russia or moves toward the West.

EU Hopes for Clean End to Ukraine Election


How much of the antagonism between Disney CEO Michael Eisner and former No. 2 Michael Ovitz is really over money? Both have testified about their rocky relationship during a trial in which stockholders are

Harriet Rubin


TOKYOWhen the United States demands at this week #39;s Group of Seven meeting that China loosen its grip on the yuan, Japan is expected to say little and try to avoid being drawn into the debate between the country #39;s two biggest trading partners.

Japan expected to remain quiet on yuan


MIAMI (Reuters) - A Florida businessman has sued former New  York Stock Exchange director Kenneth Langone for \$1.8 billion,  claiming he made false statements about data management company  Seisint in hopes that ChoicePoint Inc. <A HREF=

Fla. Businessman Sues Ex-NYSE Director


AFP - Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry's campaign formally alleged that a group attacking his Vietnam war record had illegal ties to US President George W. Bush's reelection bid.

Kerry takes legal action against Vietnam critics (AFP)


Canadian Press - N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees proposed autonomy for the troubled Darfur region of Sudan - a solution the government has resisted. But it said Friday it would be willing to discuss the position anew in an effort to end the violence that has killed 50,000 people.

UN official proposes autonomy for Sudan's embattled Darfur region (Canadian Press)


Victor Conte, who founded the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, which is at the center of a federal investigation, says Marion Jones and Barry Bonds #39; trainer, Greg Anderson, received steroids produced by his lab.

Jones will be next to feel heat


AP - Recording companies filed copyright infringement lawsuits against 754 computer users Thursday, the latest round of legal action in the industry's effort to squelch unauthorized swapping of music online.

Computer Users Sued for Swapping Music (AP)


French advertising group Havas said last night it would bid for US rival Grey Global, joining expected bids from the UK #39;s WPP and an American buyout firm.

WPP and Havas in Grey Global chase


Colombo: Sri Lanka #39;s president and top aides were Monday studying the latest Tamil Tiger threat to return to their protracted war amid mounting tension in embattled regions, officials said.

Sri Lanka mulls Tiger threat to return to war


Greece announced stringent measures to improve safety on its roads yesterday as the country mourned seven schoolchildren killed in a traffic accident on their way to the Paralympics.

Greece tackles road safety after crash


Hurricane Frances caused an afternoon doubleheader between the Devil Rays and Yankees to become a single night game.

Devil Rays Can't Get to New York in Time for Afternoon Game


A year after investigators concluded that the space shuttle Columbia was lost because of a damaged wing and a flawed approach to safety at NASA, agency officials said

NASA Notes Some Progress in Making Shuttles Safer


AP - The Philippines' top envoy on Sunday appealed to Iraqi militants for the release of a Filipino accountant kidnapped earlier this month in Baghdad.

Philippine Envoy Pleads for Captive (AP)


The West Indies cricket team began their 2004 ICC Champions Trophy campaign, ten days ago, as potential also-rans and ended up dancing around London #39;s Brit Oval with the trophy.

Epic Victory


AFP - Future United States Olympic teams of National Basketball Association stars will have more training with international rules before arriving at the Games, NBA commissioner David Stern said.

NBA boss vows future US teams to work more on global rules (AFP)


PERTH (Dow Jones)--Trying to derail Xstrata Plc. #39;s (XTA.LN) hostile takeover bid, WMC Resources Ltd. (WMR.AU) Thursday said it will return up to A\$1 billion to shareholders

UPDATE: Australia #39;s WMC Ups Stakes In Xstrata Battle


COMMACK, New York (Reuters) - Former world number one  Lleyton Hewitt hammered out a warning to his rivals for next  week's U.S. Open as he demolished Peru's Luis Horna 6-3, 6-1,  to win the Long Island Cup on Sunday.

Hewitt Wins Long Island, Sends U.S. Open Warning


Phone companies are not doing enough to warn customers about internet

Call for action on internet scam


PC World - Ten security flaws found in Firefox browser, Thunderbird e-mail client.

Mozilla Fixes Browser Bugs (PC World)


Eddie Lampert has built a reputation as one of the investing world #39;s savviest money managers. By Yuval Rosenberg, CNN/Money contributing writer.

The man behind the deal


On the way to his vision of an

Taking The Plunge


The heart of the Yukos oil empire will be auctioned by the government next month for what could be a bargain price to pay back a mounting multibillion-dollar tax bill  --  a dramatic finale to a relentless 18-month official probe that could destroy Russia's largest oil producer. A top Yukos manager slammed the plans as

Yukos Unit To Be Auctioned Off Next Month


Microsoft announced today that they were rolling out a new set of tools under the Mid-Market Netware Migration Program banner, aimed at convincing existing NetWare clients to move to Windows Server 2003 instead of Linux.

Microsoft Puts the Moves on NetWare Customers


WASHINGTON -- Texas researchers will begin clinical trials of a candidate vaccine against the deadly toxin ricin, a biological agent that can only be tested in select labs.

1 Nation briefing


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Andre Agassi headlines day four of the  U.S. Open Thursday as he seeks a place in the third round at  his home grand slam.

Agassi Headlines Fourth Day of U.S. Open


The following stocks may rise or fall in Asian markets, excluding Japan, today. Prices are as of the local market #39;s close. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.

China Motor, Quanta, Techtronic: Asia Ex-Japan Equity Preview


AP - The Miami Dolphins will put their courtship of LSU coach Nick Saban on hold to comply with the NFL's hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate, a team source told The Associated Press on Friday.

Dolphins to Interview Minority Candidate (AP)


TORONTO -- Some of his former teammates said he didn #39;t want to come. People close to the negotiations were doubtful he would come.

Koskie good fit for Jays


John Kerry argued today that the president left a trail of broken promises on the path to war and has squandered billions.

Kerry, Keeping Up Criticism of Bush, Lists Costs of Iraq War


The Philippine economy rose 6.3 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, higher than the market expectations, the government said Monday.

Philippine GDP rises 6.3 percent in third quarter


OAKLAND, Calif. - Johnny Damon hit a leadoff homer in his return to the Red Sox lineup after missing four games with a jammed right pinkie to start Boston's 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night...

Red Sox Clobber Athletics 7-1


Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox and infielder Juan Uribe avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to terms on a three-year, \$9.75 million contract with a club option for 2008.

White Sox and Uribe agree to terms


Would a half-day management training seminar have made a better boss of Ebenezer Scrooge? You and Bob Cratchit already know the answer; Ebenezer needed a more personal approach to turn him around. Dickens understood that. And now, just 161 years later, using personal coaches to modify behavior is all the rage in the enterprise.

Modifying management behavior


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

IBM Sales Exec Swainson to Become CA CEO


MOSCOW: Police have arrested two Chechen suspects in connection with the murder of journalist Paul Klebnikov, the editor of Forbes magazine #39;s Russian edition, who was shot in an apparent contract killing in July.

Chechen pair held over journalist #39;s murder


Three days after the preview release of Firefox 1.0 and more than 720,000 downloads later, the Mozilla Foundation is moving to a new phase in its online campaign to build more market share.

Spreading The Gospel of Firefox


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Negotiations between US Airways  <A HREF=

US Airways Talks with Pilots Collapse


Biometrics and smartcards are the future

Stunned pundit agrees with Gates over passwords


An epidemic has erupted in the postseason. In the first seven division series games, managers used their closers for three innings three times.

Thin bullpens have managers calling on closers earlier


Reuters - Xerox Corp. on Thursday said\third-quarter profit rose as it cut costs and sales of its\copiers and printers improved.

Xerox Quarterly Profit Rises (Reuters)


InfoWorld - Crossroads Systems has announced it is collaborating with iVivity to develop new gateway and intelligent iSCSI storage systems. The new products will provide intelligent Crossroads storage routing software in a hardware platform based on iVivity's iDiSXsilicon technology.

Crossroads to develop intelligent iSCSI storage (InfoWorld)


(October 21, 2004) - HENRIETTA -he rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees literally hits home with the Haggertys.

Loverly rivalry


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell sharply on Wednesday after  oil prices jumped more than a dollar to over \$48 a barrel and  investment bank Morgan Stanley <A HREF=

Stocks Sink on Oil Prices, Morgan Stanley


While they're still a sliver of overall U.S. retail sales, retail online sales continued to rise in the second quarter of the year to \$15.7 billion, according to figures released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Online sales continue to rise, up 23.1 from a year ago


Nigerian rebel leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari said he arrived in the capital Abuja on Wednesday for talks with President Olusegun Obasanjo after his group threatened a new offensive against troops in the oil-producing Niger delta and

Nigerian Oil Delta Rebel in 11th Hour Peace Talks


IRVINE, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Nov. 4, 2004 -- Highly Anticipated Massively Multiplayer Online Game to Release Simultaneously in Multiple Regions for the Holiday Season.

Blizzard Entertainment Announces World of Warcraft  #39;Street Date #39; <b>...</b>


AP - Gay and lesbian advocates have been doing some soul-searching since President Bush's election victory, wondering if same-sex wedding marches through San Francisco and Massachusetts tipped the scales to Republicans promising to restore traditional values.

Gay Advocates Examine Role in Election (AP)


Tailback Brian Westbrook joined quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens on the list of the Philadelphia Eagles #39; seemingly irreplaceable offensive players when the club lost

Westbrook Injury Leaves Eagles Thin at RB


World News: Washington, Nov 27 : Scientist have always wondered how pigeons manage to be such good navigators and have a  #39;nose for the north #39; and now a new study has suggested that it is because they have small magnetic particles in their beaks, which

Pigeons homing instincts due to their magnetic beaks!:


College football: Bryant at Bentley, 7 p.m. College hockey: Men -- Maine at Merrimack, 7 p.m.; UMass at Providence, 7 p.m.; Harvard at Brown, 7 p.m.; Air Force at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.; North Dakota at BC, 8 p.m. Women -- BC at Dartmouth, 5 p.m.; Brown at Maine, 7 p.m.;

Today's schedule


AFP - Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura pressed the United States to reduce its military presence in Japan, saying it was  quot;very important quot; and that Tokyo expected a  quot;reasonable solution. quot;

Japanese FM presses case for reducing US military presence (AFP)


The Securities and Exchange Commission wants to scrap a 1933 rule that forces a strict  quot;quiet period quot; on all talk about a company just prior to its stock being sold initially to the public.

#39;QUIET #39; RULE MAY CHANGE


Paul Collingwood #39;s composure guided England to a comprehensive 142-run victory in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy - and ended Zimbabwe #39;s slim hopes of a shock triumph at Edgbaston.

COLLINGWOOD GUIDES ENGLAND TO VICTORY


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The storm over the U.S. insurance  industry took a new turn Thursday when American International  Group Inc. <A HREF=

Grand Jury Probes AIG, S P Cuts Marsh


PMC-Sierra Inc. warned Wall Street third-quarter revenues won #39;t meet expectations, but that wasn #39;t enough to persuade investors to pull out of the beleaguered chip sector.

PMC-Sierra Issues Revenues Warning


The prime minister of the Bosnian Serb-run half of Bosnia Herzegovina resigned yesterday, a day after international sanctions were imposed for the failure to arrest and hand over war-crimes suspects to the UN tribunal.

Bosnian Serb leader resigns


DENG Xiaoping loathed the cult of personality but that didnt stop Chinese Communist Party leaders falling over each other to idolise their late leader to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth yesterday.

China #39;s leaders fly pro-reform flags for Deng


The smiles should be wider than the Wasatch Mountains this week at The Y., as they call Brigham Young University. The Cougars are coming off a triumph of Biblical proportion over Notre Dame, in

Best of times, worst of times


ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger was fined  amp;pound15,000 (\$38,000) by the Football Association today for calling Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat.

Wenger fined for  #39;cheat #39; jibe


Chicago, Ill. (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks  Monday agreed to terms on a one-year contract with defenseman  Bryan Berard. As per team policy, financial terms of the deal  were not disclosed.

Blackhawks Re-Sign Defenseman Berard


NASAs Mars rovers have had their missions extended by a further six months after weathering the Martian winter solstice, NASA announced on Tuesday.

Mars rovers given six more months


Louisiana State University may be the next stop for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Chief Administrator, Sean OKeefe, 48 years old.

NASA Head OKeefe--Louisiana Bound?


The European Central Bank is sounding markedly more confident these days than it had earlier this year about the economic recovery in the 12 countries that use the euro.

Europeans, Hopeful on Growth, Leave Rates Unchanged


AP - Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds hit two-runs homers, and pinch-runner Reggie Sanders scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on Joe Valentine's wild pitch to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 Wednesday night.

Cards Score in Ninth to Top Reds 6-5 (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO -- The next time you visit one of your favorite Web sites, you may be contributing to it as much as you #39;re taking from it.

The Web, Take 2.0


Quarterback Bret Meyer collects a career-best 345 yards and three touchdowns to lead Iowa State past Nebraska, 34-27, and into a tie for first place in the Big 12 North.

Cyclones Storm Big 12


Zimbabwe police arrested an opposition MP as he tried to flee the country on Thursday to escape a one year jail term for assaulting the justice minister during a parliamentary debate over land seizures.

Fleeing MP arrested in Zimbabwe


Pioneering astronaut Gordon Cooper has died in California, at age 77. He was one of the seven Mercury astronauts who led the way in the exploration of space.

Mercury Astronaut Gordon Cooper Dies


A ROCKET fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip landed in the southern Israeli town of Sderot today but did not cause any injuries, military sources said.

Hamas fire rocket into settlement


The past years have been very dreadful for the Israelis, even to the extent that Yitzhak Rabin himself hoped that he would wake up one day and find that the seas have swallowed him.

Sharon and the Disengagement Opposition


Wasteful Valencia had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Real Betis on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid missed a chance to move into the Spanish leaguie #39;s top three when they were beaten 1-0 away to Real Sociedad.

Wasteful Valencia held to draw


Batting great Sunil Gavaskar will assist India #39;s out-of-form batsmen ahead of the Test series against against Australia. Gavaskar, the first batsman to score 10,000 runs, agreed to a specific request by captain

Gavaskar answers India SOS


With the increasing popularity of VoIP,  quot;SPIT quot; (SPam over Internet Telephony) has the potential to be an even bigger problem than its email counterpart.

VoIP tools firm ready to battle  quot;SPIT quot;


CHICAGO It was a birthday gift from his girlfriend and brother, a box-seat ticket to a Chicago Cubs game against Montreal at Wrigley Field.

Baseball: Have a seat - sitting in the lap of Chicago Cubs #39; <b>...</b>


Miguel Angel Jimenez #39;s 66 gave the Spaniard a one-shot lead Friday at the BMW International Open, where European players are in a last-minute scramble to make the Ryder Cup team.

Ryder Cup berths on the line at BMW, Jimenez leads


The company is willing to pay \$10,000 each to the owners of nearly 500 contaminated homes in an upstate village if the owners give up their right to sue over pollution.

I.B.M. Offers \$10,000 to Owners of Contaminated Houses


Hurricane Ivan may cost insurers less than first estimated after the third storm to hit the United States in six weeks skirted New Orleans.

Ivan #39;s cost may fall as it misses Big Easy


President Vladimir Putin #39;s new envoy to Chechnya on Wednesday urged local officials to end corruption, while troops swept towns and villages hunting for rebels.

Putin #39;s Chechnya envoy urges end to corruption


Thousands of angry pro-hunting protesters are to stage a rally at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

Pro-hunt demo at Labour gathering


The dollar kept close to the previous session #39;s one-week highs against the euro on Thursday, holding steady as investors awaited US data to confirm fresh signs of strength in US manufacturing.

Dollar Idles vs. Euro Before US Data


\Scientists have taken an important step towards a new way of treating disease by switching off key genes.

Huge potential for gene therapy


SINGAPORE - SingTel will begin selling high-speech third generation mobile phones, or 3G phones, from Thursday, making it the first company in the region to sell the new technology.

SingTel to launch 3G phones; first in SE Asia


The Scottish Football Association yesterday made a formal offer to the former Rangers manager and, pending the ratification of his appointment at a board meeting on Thursday, Smith will be officially unveiled as the successor to Berti Vogts on a four-year

Burns to stay on as Smith agrees four-year deal with Scotland


AP - With his medal hopes all but gone after he hit the judges' table on his vault landing, Paul Hamm performed two of the most spectacular routines of his career to win the men's all-around gymnastics title by the closest Olympics margin ever.

Hamm Wins All-Around Gymnastics Title (AP)


(Hartford-AP, Nov. 15, 2004 10:20 PM) _ Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is heading to Washington tomorrow and says he plans to tell Congress to stay out of the insurance brokerage industry.

Blumenthal to testify before Congress about insurance laws


The smart phone market will grow more crowded Wednesday with the debut of two devices directed at opposite ends of the customer spectrum: a BlackBerry for consumers with a newfangled keyboard and a Nokia phone-organizer for mobile business professionals.

BlackBerry 7100t and SureType


By Danna Harman  Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor. First a Chilean court stripped immunity from leaders of the country #39;s 17-year  quot;dirty war quot; last month.

In Chile, pace of justice quickens


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Gateway Inc. <GTW.N>, the computer  maker that recently shuttered its chain of 188 stores, will  begin selling its desktops at CompUSA Inc.'s outlets later this  week, the two companies said on Monday.

CompUSA Stores to Sell Gateway PCs


Air traffic is seen increasing steadily worldwide in 2004, the International Air Transport Association said Wednesday. Passenger traffic for 2004 is expected to increase by 11 percent from a year ago, the

Air traffic seen recovering steadily


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Sports Network) - New Jersey guard  Jason Kidd is expected to make his season debut Monday, when  the Nets host the Toronto Raptors at Continental Airlines  Arena.

Kidd to Make Season Debut Versus Raptors


The sluggish bond market took a toll on another Wall Street behemoth, as JPMorgan Chase reported a 13per cent drop in third-quarter earnings, far worse than Wall Street analysts had expected.

Merger wounds JP Morgan


Pressure is still high inside America's Mount St Helens volcano but the chance of an eruption may be receding.

Americans wait as volcano boils


ARSENAL #39;S Fredrik Ljungberg belives Sunday #39;s clash at Manchester United will be great fun for the high-flying Gunners. Arsenal can not only reach a half-century in unbeaten league games if they avoid defeat

Fearless Freddie #39;s hooked on Funday


Wolfsburg can reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga for 24 hours at least if they can pile more misery on misfiring Bochum on Saturday.

Gerets - eyeing top spot. (Getty Images)


US says winter heating bills will be higher, but not by as much as feared. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US consumers still face sharply higher home heating bills this winter, but prices will be somewhat lower than

Govt: Consumers face high heat bills


Tony Purnell, the boss of Jaguar Racing says that there is  quot;masses of interest quot; in the team, which the Ford Motor Company has decided to discontinue.

quot;Masses of interest quot; in Jaguar Racing


CALLAO NAVAL BASE, Peru (Reuters) - Peru abruptly suspended  the retrial of Shining Path founder Abimael Guzman almost as  soon as it began on Friday after the guerrilla leader caused a  furor in court, shouting communist slogans and defiantly  raising his fists.

Peru Suspends Retrial of Shining Path Leader Guzman


Novell is mum on the exit of Chris Stone, a key leader in the company's transformation to Linux vendor.

Top Linux exec departs from Novell


NTT DoCoMo, Japan #39;s largest mobile phone company, will announce an agreement next week for UK operator MMO2 to offer its i-mode services in the UK next year, according to people close to the deal.

DoCoMo closes in on UK i-mode deal


IHS Energy, which provides maps and technical databases to oil and natural-gas producers, acquired Cambridge Energy Research Associates, the consulting company

IHS Energy acquires Yergin #39;s Cambridge Energy Research


Little Rock, AR -- Dwyane Wade scored 20 points, including eight in the decisive third quarter, to lead the Miami Heat to an 83-74 win over the Detroit Pistons, 83-74, in preseason action.

NBA Game Summary - Detroit At Miami


Our government can give tax breaks to revenue-rich corporations, but seems to have a hard time giving a puny \$250 tax break for teachers who spend their own money to buy classroom supplies.

Give Teachers a Break


Unions in Israel end a damaging two-day general strike, which saw public services brought to a standstill in a row over unpaid wages.

Unions end Israeli general strike


Greek and Albanian soccer fans fought across Greece as Athens police fired tear gas to disperse crowds following a loss by European champion Greece in a World Cup qualifier.

Soccer Loss Turns Ugly


SEATTLE - Ichiro Suzuki set the major league record for hits in a season with 258, breaking George Sisler's 84-year-old mark with a pair of singles Friday night. The Seattle star chopped a leadoff single in the first inning, then made history with a grounder up the middle in the third...

Ichiro Breaks Sisler's Season Hits Record


Public and private comments from Kobe Bryant have ended any possibility that Karl Malone would rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Malone's agent.

No 'Lake' Show for Malone


Pentagon officials have identified the period during which nearly 400 tons of powerful explosives from an Iraqi military facility vanished, leading to speculation over should claim responsibility for the disappearance.

U.S. Thinks Explosives Vanished in Spring '03


The explosion of a bolt could have damaged the Soyuz spacecraft set to carry a new crew to the International Space Station, and the Russian space agency says resulting safety

Bolt explosion could delay next Soyuz launch


A judge is scheduled today to hear arguments from a Hollinger Inc. minority shareholder that wants to oust Conrad Black and his allies as senior managers of the Toronto holding company.

Court asked to oust Black


A partial solar eclipse will occur on Thursday, and will be visible in northeast China, north of the Pacific Ocean, northwest of North America and part of the Arctic Ocean.

Partial solar eclipse occurs next week


AP - Indiana University agreed to pay  #36;35,000 to former basketball assistant Ron Felling, who was fired by Bob Knight after a postgame confrontation in 1999.

Former Knight Assistant Accepts  #36;35,000 (AP)


EL FASHER, Sudan (Reuters) - Aid agencies fearing an  upsurge of fighting in Sudan's troubled Darfur region have  suspended operations and evacuated staff from the volatile  Jebel Marra area in West Darfur state, U.N. officials said on  Friday.

Darfur Aid Groups Fear Fresh Violence, Move Staff


TWITCHERS should book their plane tickets as soon as possible. Wildlife experts yesterday claimed to have discovered a new species of bird in the Philippines. But they immediately warned that the flightless Calayan rail could be driven to extinction by ...

New species of flightless bird #39;s days may be numbered


Russia will meet defending champion France in the Fed Cup final after they both achieved 5-0 sweeps of Austria and Spain, respectively, in the semifinals on Thursday.

Russia about to face France


LONDON (Reuters) - Video game sales soared to a record  \$18.2 billion last year, but the days of strong growth are on  pause as players await a new generation of consoles in 2005 and  2006, a new study showed on Wednesday.

Video Game Sales Seen Pausing After Record 2003


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- New efforts to promote health and a continued commitment to flexible scheduling helped employers make the cut on Working Mother magazine #39;s annual  quot;100 Best Companies for Working Mothers quot; list.

Health, financial firms top Working Mother #39;s 100-best list


Reuters - Financial services company State Street\Corp.  on Tuesday said quarterly profit fell more than\Wall Street had expected as foreign exchange and securities\lending revenue declined, and its shares fell 8.5 percent.

State Street Profit Lower Job Cuts Coming (Reuters)


High oil prices, which have been a factor in virtually all US recessions over the past three decades, are surging again this year.

Analysts Debate Effect of High Oil Prices


: David Beckham ruled out early retirement today and said he turned down a  quot;good part quot; in a Hollywood movie.  quot;I #39;ve never said that I wanted to go into movies.

Beckham denies early retirement rumors


Tyler Hamilton will keep his title as an Olympics cycling champion, but he faces an uphill climb to restore his reputation and avoid a ban from his sport.

Hamilton #39;s gold medal safe


DENTON, Texas -- A University of North Texas quarterback who died in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler last month was legally drunk and had traces of marijuana in his system, an autopsy report shows.

Smith also had marijuana in his system


Reuters - Venezuela's President Hugo\Chavez, emboldened by a recent referendum victory, on Sunday\promised tougher land redistribution as he pressed ahead with\the

Venezuela's Chavez Vows Tougher Land Reform (Reuters)


quot;The toll from the explosions was 12 dead and 135 wounded, quot; an Interior Ministry spokesman said on Friday. Earlier unofficial reports put the death toll from the explosions on Thursday evening as high as 35 people.

Bomb blasts rock Red Sea resorts


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tiki Barber rushed for 182 yards and  ran 52 yards for a touchdown as the New York Giants used a  stifling defense to upset the Green Bay Packers 14-7 in Green  Bay on Sunday.

NFL Wrap: Barber Runs Over Packers as Giants Win


Shares in Telstra rose slightly following the news chief executive Ziggy Switkowski would step down - but the focus remains on who will step up to take the job.

Telstra shares up on Ziggy #39;s exit


IBM Corp. and Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) have won contracts to supply Linux-based supercomputers to a Korean national university and a Japanese nuclear research institute, the two companies said Thursday.

IBM, SGI win Linux supercomputer deals in Asia


Three Gulf countries -- the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Saudi Arabia -- promised Sunday to increase their oil output capacity to help stabilize world prices, the official WAM news agency reported.

3 Gulf states promise to increase oil output to stabilize price


Microsoft said on Thursday that the company filed seven lawsuits against spammers that have sent sexually explicit emails on the Internet without adhering to federal laws.

Microsoft Sues Porn Spammers


NEW YORK (Reuters) - IBM and top scientific research  organizations are joining forces in a humanitarian effort to  tap the unused power of millions of computers and help solve  complex social problems.

Top Researchers Ask Web Users to Join Science Grid


Having been plagued with e-bugs, Bill and the Boyz say theyll use intellectual property and technology assets from the acquisition to provide Microsoft Windows customers with new tools to help protect them from the threat of spyware, and other

MS buys anti-spyware GIANT


Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer was in the UK for barely 24 hours this week, squeezing in meetings with the recently-appointed head of egovernment Ian Watmore and Vodafone Group chief executive Arun Sarin.

Q amp;A: Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer


USATODAY.com - Beginning in March, a static pop-up ad, or

Ads to pop up when TiVo users scan past commercials (USATODAY.com)


AP - As part of an ongoing race in the cable industry, Time Warner Cable is raising the speed of its broadband Internet offerings to 5 and 8 million bits per second without increasing prices.

Time Warner Raising Broadband Speeds (AP)


AP - A cow in southern Italy has tested positive for mad cow disease, raising to 124 the number of cases detected in the country since testing began in 2001, the Health Ministry said Monday.

Italy Detects Latest Case of Mad Cow (AP)


All-pro linebacker Julian Peterson ended his holdout Wednesday and signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

49ers Sign Peterson


New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister left Sunday #39;s game against San Francisco with an ankle injury.

McAllister injures ankle for Saints


Microsoft #39;s big Windows patch gets snapped up by consumers, but many businesses are still testing it. By John Foley. Microsoft #39;s Windows XP Service Pack 2 is now in the hands of more than 100 million users, the company disclosed on Wednesday.

Windows XP SP2 Distribution Surpasses 100 Million


For the second straight game, Duke overcame a slow start to win in a rout. Shelden Williams had 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks Tuesday night to lift the seventh-ranked Blue Devils past Illinois-Chicago 88-55.

No. 7 Duke 88, Illinois-Chicago 55


WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration on Friday won a commitment from China that it will move to a flexible, market-based currency.

China To Move Toward Flexible Currency


The Democratic Republic of Congo #39;s President Joseph Kabila visited the former rebel-held east on Saturday for the first time since taking power, a trip intended to show the country was reuniting after years of war.

Kabila makes symbolic visit to eastern DRC


FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- A little bit of rest has done Kris Benson a world of good. Benson recorded his first shutout in more than four years and David Wright and Cliff Floyd each homered and drove in

SI.com


AP - A federal judge Tuesday left it up to the voters to decide on Election Day whether to change the way Colorado distributes its electoral votes for president.

Judge Rules in Electoral College Lawsuit (AP)


Bangalore, Nov 15 (UNI) Indian IT majors Infosys Technologies and Wipro Ltd today announced separate agreements with Microsoft Corp, the world #39;s largest software maker, to deliver applications and solutions to their global customers based on Microsoft

Infosys, Wipro in pact with Microsoft


AP - The Cincinnati Reds activated right-handed pitcher Paul Wilson and infielder Brandon Larson from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.

Reds Activate Wilson, Larson (AP)


World record holder Roman Sebrle moved ominously close to Dmitriy Karpov with just two disciplines remaining in the Olympic decathlon Tuesday.

American Decathlete Clay Currently in Third


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marsh   McLennan Cos. <A HREF=

Marsh to Scrap Fees Spitzer Faulted


This image reveals the odd shape of Saturn #39;s moon Hyperion and an intriguing variation in brightness across its surface. The diameter of Hyperion is 266 kilometers (165 miles).

NASA Cassini Image: Oddball Moon Hyperion


Stocks finished mixed in a volatile session Monday as investors worried that the continued fall of the US dollar would spur inflation and hurt the overall economy.

Dollar Worries Send Dow to Close Down 46


quot;Both planes were destroyed as the result of terrorist acts, quot; spokesman Lt Gen Andrei Fetisov told the Itar-Tass news agency.

Planes  #39;blown up by terrorists #39;


Seventy-five years after the 1929 collapse, experts say market tumbles will still occur but a mature US economy is more equipped to handle them.

Stock-crash calamity unlikely today


Bayer Leverkusen started their Champions League campaign with a shock 3-0 win over a sluggish Real Madrid in a Group B game on Wednesday.

UPDATE 1-Leverkusen serve up 3-0 thrashing for Real


A Russian court today rejected the beleaguered oil company's appeal to suspend government efforts to collect \$3.4 billion in back taxes.

Court Rejects Yukos' Plea on Tax Bill


Australian golfer Steve Elkington is two strokes off the pace after the first round of the Greensboro Classic in North Carolina. Elkington, whose first US victory came in Greensboro 14 years ago, is one of

Elkington in touch at Greensboro Classic


Washing your hands with soap may clean them for you, but according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, toxic chemicals used in hand soaps, cleaners and other personal care products to kill germs are deposited and remain ...

Washing your hands with soap could damage the environment


By charlie smith. Since the release of a Hollinger International Inc. special committee #39;s report on August 31, much has been written and broadcast about the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by Conrad Black and his

Straight Talk


Cayman Islanders clambered onto rooftops and kitchen tables Sunday to escape surging the floodwaters of Hurricane Ivan. A monster storm packing 150 mph (240 kph) winds

Cayman Islanders flee to rooftops


HAITI - At least 90 people died due to floods caused by heavy rains brought by Tropical storm Jeanne. Hundreds of people in Port-au-Prince, Haitis capital, have to save their lives from powerful water streams on the roofs of their properties.

Tropical storm Jeanne to bring floods and deaths to Haiti


You know how it is guys. Work, mates, sports, work, sleep - there just isn #39;t enough time to meet members of the opposite sex. Now technology has come to the rescue with the launch of the world #39;s first virtual girlfriend game.

World #39;s first virtual girlfriend to launch in November


23 September 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi told a joint session of the US Congress today that his country is making progress in its effort to create a stable Iraq despite obstacles.

PM Says Iraq Succeeding In Fight For Stability


The seemingly nonstop pummeling of Florida during the past month has been the result of a highly active hurricane season mixed with two unusually stubborn high-pressure ridges funneling the storms in a track directly over Florida.

Florida likely to get hit again


Stocks rose sharply on Friday in heavy trading as software company PeopleSoft Inc. and chip-related stocks boosted the Nasdaq and Standard  amp; Poor #39;s 500 indexes to their highest closes in about three months.

Stocks Rise; Nasdaq, S amp;P at 3-Month Highs


AP - A panel from the association that accredits the University of Illinois chastised the school Wednesday for failing to resolve the long-standing controversy over its American Indian mascot, which supporters argue is an honored tradition and others say is racially offensive.

Accreditation Team Criticizes U. of Ill. (AP)


AFP - EU countries reiterated that they intended to press ahead with the construction of a pioneering nuclear energy project in France if talks with Japan, which also wants to host the facility, fail to reach a conclusion, EU sources said.

EU to go it alone on nuclear project, if no deal with Japan (AFP)


LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's defense ministry has taken the  highly unusual step of ordering a navy captain to leave his  ship and return to the UK to face an investigation.

Captain Ordered Off UK Warship and Sent Home


In a press release today, Nintendo of America announced that the Game Boy Advance SP will drop in price tomorrow. Currently priced at \$99.

Game Boy Advance SP Price Drop!


A pair of Americans who found the mechanism that enables humans to recognize odors bags the Nobel Prize in medicine. Their pioneering work on 'the most enigmatic of our senses' wins them the \$1.3 million award.

Sweet Scent of Nobel Victory


The earthquakes that started a week ago at Mount St. Helens -- precursors to Friday's eruption -- are a reminder that the 8,364-foot sleeping giant is but a part of a volcanic

Mount St. Helens -- A Volcanic 'Ring of Fire'


The new Liverpool are already looking remarkably similar to the previous Liverpool - right down to the scowl on Steven Gerrard #39;s face.

Davies exploits Liverpool #39;s lack of adventure


AP - Earnest Graham's confidence never wavered. Not after going undrafted out of the University of Florida. Not after a shoulder injury derailed his bid to earn a spot on an NFL roster last year. Not even after being released after just six days on Tampa Bay's practice squad.

Graham Eager to Make Debut for Buccaneers (AP)


(CP) - After losing four straight - and five of the last six - world rugby champion England is in a snarly mood. The English have dropped to third in the world rankings.

England to field full-strength team against Canada in rugby Test <b>...</b>


Some 100,000 weary survivors of Japan #39;s deadliest earthquake in a decade have bedded down for a third night in makeshift shelters or slept outside as a series

Japan quake survivors face aftershocks


Pakistan today continued the trend for one-sided matches in the opening week of the ICC Champions Trophy by completing an emphatic victory over Kenya between the showers at Edgbaston.

Pakistan cruise to victory


Musk has been used in perfume and traditional remedies for 5,000 years. But now the deer that secretes the valuable substance is becoming threatened across its range.

Poachers Target Musk Deer for Perfumes, Medicines


AFP - Two-time All-Star guard Baron Davis will miss one or two weeks of the National Aasketball Association season with an inflamed disc in his lower back, adding to the misery of the winless New Orleans Hornets.

Injury joins insult for winless NBA Hornets (AFP)


Indians pitcher Kyle Denney will never complain about having to dress like a cheerleader again. The white go-go boots that went with the outfit might have prevented a bullet from seriously injuring his leg.

He #39;s glad to stand, cheer for old  #39;SC


You make the right turn off Storrow Drive onto Boylston Street, and that #39;s when you get the first look at the little green ballpark.

Red Sox bring craziness to grand stage


Indian PC users can expect to see a localized, stripped-down version of Microsoft #39;s XP operating system early next year. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft plans to ship the low cost version of its PC operating

Low-cost  #39;Hindi Windows #39; to hit Indian desktops next year


quot;Hyundai Motor must tap China #39;s commercial vehicle market to produce one million vehicles there in 2008, quot; Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo said at the signing ceremony held at Hyundai #39;s main office in southern Seoul.

Hyundai To Set Up Commercial Vehicle Joint Venture in China


T amp;T, MCI and other telephone companies that provide local calling by renting other carriers #39; equipment have received a six-month extension on discounted leasing rates while regulators work on new competition rules.

FCC Says It Extended Discounted Phone-Line Rates


Investors flocked back into retail stocks Wednesday ahead of the monthly onslaught of sales reports, encouraged by positive consumer spending data from October.

Wal-Mart Clouds November Retail


Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. YALA, Thailand -- Two bomb blasts rocked southern Thailand Friday, injuring at least 18 people as fury mounted

Twin bomb blasts wound 18 in tense Thai south


NEW YORK -- Daniela Hantuchova took another step back up the tennis rankings ladder Wednesday, defeating No. 17 Alicia Molik 6-4, 6-3 at the US Open.

Hantuchova Upsets No. 17 Molik


Description: For the second consecutive day, a suicide bomb explodes near the entrance of Baghdad #39;s heavily fortified Green Zone.

For Second Day, Bomb Explodes Near Green Zone


KABUL, Afghanistan - Ballot boxes poured into counting centers Monday for a tally of the troubled presidential election in Afghanistan amid signs an opposition boycott was wavering after at least two candidates agreed to accept the ruling of an independent panel's inquiry.    Election organizers hope their decision, announced late Sunday, to establish a panel of about three foreign election experts to investigate the balloting will end the boycott, which many fear could seriously undermine the winner's ability to rule this war-ravaged nation...

Ballots Pour Into Afghan Counting Centers


ATHENS (Reuters) - The Olympic hosts are winning rave reviews after the first week of the Athens Games, with foreign visitors expressing delight with the friendly, clean and well-organised Greek capital.

Tourists award gold to Athens


Toys R Us (TOY:NYSE - news - research) swung to a second-quarter profit after revealing recently that it was considering exiting its namesake business.

Toys R Us Swings to Profit


Philadelphia and Verizon Communications Inc. were nearing an agreement Tuesday that would allow the city to provide wireless Internet access as a municipal service, even if Gov. Ed Rendell signs legislation to give Verizon the power to pre-empt the project.

Philadelphia and Verizon Nearing Wireless Agreement


Day three at the MasterCard Masters promised so much. Bradley Hughes has been through difficult times in recent years, battling to retain USPGA Tour playing privileges, losing them and then spending two years

McKenzie seeks first tour win at MasterCard Masters


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium's Option <A HREF=

Option Says New Mobile Data Card to Launch in Nov.


Internet telephony firm Skype today promised free wireless voice calls for millions of European surfers via a version of its software for the recently launched Siemens Gigaset DECT cordless phones.

Skype offers free wireless voice calls


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Federer teased, Lleyton Hewitt  shone and Serena Williams dazzled at the U.S. Open on  Wednesday, although the bronze medallists at the Athens  Olympics were both upset.

Tennis: Big Names Advance in Open, Medal Winners Out


BELFAST, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - A major push to seal  a political settlement for the turbulent British province of  Northern Ireland stalled at the last moment Wednesday over  demands for photographic evidence of IRA guerrillas scrapping  their arms.

N. Irish Deal Stalls Over IRA Arms Pictures


Going, going, gone. The massive 46-ounce Louisville Slugger used by Babe Ruth to drill the first home run in Yankee Stadium history was sold for a record \$1.26 million Thursday to an unidentified private collector.

Babe's Bat Tops \$1 Million at Auction


Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao has taken command of the world #39;s largest military, inheriting the challenge of transforming a 2.5-million-strong force long bent on making money into a world-class war machine.

China #39;s Hu takes over armed forces in flux


The Days, owned by its advertisers, may boost ABC'S bottom line. But will they control content?

The Sponsor Moves In


The 23-year-old Australian continued his solid play yesterday, extending his winning streak to 11 matches.  quot;I have been able to put it together day in and day out the last few weeks, quot; Hewitt said.

Hewitt, Serena advance at US Open


WASHINGTON -- Federal Reserve policy makers suggested ''significant quot; increases in short-term interest rates probably would be needed to keep inflation from becoming a problem, according to minutes of their August meeting that were released yesterday.

In August Fed planted seed for more rate hikes


The body of a teenager believed to be the son of Dick Ebersol was found Monday in the wreckage of a corporate jet that crashed during takeoff.

Body of NBC Official's Son Is Believed Found in Crash


The hopes of either Wales or Northern Ireland enjoying a German excursion in the summer of 2006 were dealt another blow on an extraordinary night in the Millennium Stadium.

Three sent off before Earnshaw saves Wales


The No. 10 Hokies completed their inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference with the league's outright championship.

An Afterthought for the A.C.C. Becomes Its Champ


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Stepping up raids before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, U.S. forces traded fire with insurgents in the Sunni stronghold of Ramadi, officials said Thursday, while troops detained 10 people, including two suspected insurgent leaders, in a sweep of Baqouba...

U.S. Pre-Ramadan Raids Net Insurgents


Oil prices soared to a new record above \$50 yesterday as uncertainties over Nigerian output heightened worries of a severe supply disruption ahead of winter.

Oil surges to \$50.47 a barrel


Britain's largest civil service union votes to stage a one-day strike among its 260,000 members on 5 November.

Civil servants vote for walkout


MOSCOW, Aug 18 (AFP) - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at his Black Sea resort residence at the end of the month, Interfax quoted the top Kremlin spokesman as saying ...

Chirac and Schroeder to meet with Putin


ROTTERDAM (CP) - A goal by Canadian international Kevin McKenna was called off due to an apparent offside Thursday as Scotland #39;s Hearts of Midlothian were beaten 3-0 by Feyenoord in UEFA Cup action.

UEFA Cup: Feyenoord wins 3-0 over Hearts in Rotterdam


AFP - Former England international midfielder Keith Weller has died aged 58 after a long battle with cancer.

Dashing former England midfielder Weller dies (AFP)


KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan #39;s capital is under tight security for the inauguration of Hamid Karzai as the country #39;s first popularly elected president.

High alert for Karzai inauguration


Bike owners trying to figure out what to do with their round-key Kryptonite locks (which reportedly can be picked open with the hollow shaft of a Bic pen), should know that Kryptonite is offering to replace the locks, free of charge.

Bike owners can replace Kryptonite locks free of charge


France was selling almost half its stake in Air France KLM on Thursday as part of a wider deal which could see its remaining stake cut to below 20 and give staff shares in return for pay cuts.

France moves to cut Air France KLM stake


The stakes have never been higher for Mukesh and Anil Ambani. Sunit Arora and Dev Chatterjee find out why egos threaten to come in the way of economicsand what a compromise will cost.

Oh brother!


Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez says his players are determined not to be the also-rans of Group Six. Northern Ireland take on Wales in Cardiff on Wednesday reeling from a 3-0 defeat at home to Poland in the opening World Cup qualifier.

Sanchez seeks NI boost


BRUSSELS -- Turkey will have to accept tough conditions, including de facto recognition of Cyprus and a permanent brake on labor migration, to open European Union entry talks, according to a draft EU summit statement.

Tough EU terms for Turkey Draft of document draws framework


After six months of public tension between Syria and the United States, relations have settled down into a more pragmatic mode. At least this is how Syria's ambassador to Washington,    Imad Moustapha , describes it.

Syrian Sees a Calming of Tension


This is the moment that the painstaking research from a three-year, \$250m (140m) mission in space crashed headlong to Earth. The cargo - weighing only as much as a few

Also from this section


NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are seen opening in a subdued mood with the release of August's retail sales report likely to influence overall sentiment...

Stocks to Open Subdued Ahead of Sales Data


horror

Campaigning Bush cites


AP - Suspected Islamic militants fired rockets at Pakistani paramilitary bases in tribal regions near Afghanistan, intelligence officials said Saturday. No one was reported injured.

Pakistan Security Forces Come Under Attack (AP)


The  world's largest insurance group pays \$126m in fines as part of a settlement with US regulators over its dealings with two firms.

AIG settles over accounting probe


For decades, an airline job was a coveted plum. Good pay, generous benefits, strong unions and the glamor of air travel made pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and even baggage handlers the envy of their neighbors.

For airline employees, it #39;s the end of a golden age


THE SELECTIONS MADE by Vodafone for its 3G handset range due for launch in November have been announced. Surprisingly LG (formerly Lucky Goldstar) isn #39;t included as one of the six chosen suppliers.

Vodafone misses out on lucky 3G phone


Reuters - A group headed by Sony Corp of\America agreed in principle to acquire Hollywood film studio\Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  for  #36;12 a share in cash, MGM said\on Monday.

Sony Group Agrees in Principle to Buy MGM (Reuters)


They sport the best record in the NBA and have beaten several top-tier teams (like Minnesota, Sacramento, San Antonio and Denver).

Just how super are the Sonics?


The businessman, who has made his fortune through investing in pizzas and pubs, is at the head of a consortium buying four closed life insurance businesses, including Pearl Life, for 1 billion from HHG.

Pizza chief wants slice of insurance market


The company is changing tack under CEO Robert Stephens and may soon find itself in direct competition with several longtime partners.

Adaptec: Friend or foe?


TROUBLED business software company Computer Associates has reportedly selected long-time IBM executive John Swainson as its new chief executive.

IBM exec to be CA chief: report


Oil prices bounced higher on Friday after two days of sharp declines that came on the heels of rising inventories of crude in the US and a move by China to cool its economy.

All Eyes On Nigeria As Oil Price Bounces


An Indonesian court Thursday dismissed defense arguments that the trial of alleged Southeast Asian terror chief Abu Bakar Bashir was illegal, and ordered that proceedings against him should continue.

Trial of alleged terror chief Bashir to continue: judge? (Updated <b>...</b>


Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has warned his players not to underestimate non-league Yeading when they clash next month. The Magpies were paired with the Ryman League outfit in yesterday #39;s draw for the FA

Souness wary of a giantkilling


AP - Two Japanese companies said Tuesday they have developed a DVD that can play on both existing machines and the upcoming high-definition players, raising hopes for a smooth transition as more people dump old TV sets for better screens.

New DVD Has Dual-Layered Surface (AP)


DENVER - Potential jurors in the rape trial of NBA star Kobe Bryant are filing into the Eagle County Courthouse in Colorado today, ready to fill out questionnaires that could determine if they become a part of this high profile trial.

Jury Selection in Kobe Bryant Trial


AP - The University of Kansas must immediately release its athletic director's employment agreement and another compensation document under the state's open records act, a district judge ordered.

Judde Orders Release of Kan. AD's Records (AP)


Researchers said it may be possible to stretch the supply of flu vaccine by giving some people reduced doses that are injected into the skin instead of a muscle.

Flu Shots Skin Injection Might Stretch Supply of It


Aug. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Google Inc., the most-used Internet search engine, sold shares at \$85 each in its initial public offering, the bottom of the range the company had suggested the stock would fetch in the biggest auction-style IPO.

Google Sells Shares in IPO for \$85 After Cutting Price of Stock


DoCoMo #39;s service allows users to send e-mails, chat, play games, download ring tones and access content from more than 70,000 Web sites.

MmO2 Offered I-Mode Phones


The Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider whether two Internet file-sharing services may be held responsible for their customers' online swapping of copyrighted songs and movies.\<FONT face=

Supreme Court to Look At File Sharing


So a few weeks ago, the two astronauts who live there tossed out some useless junk, like so many old hubcaps for the trash heap. Only this stuff floated away in space.

No space in space station


TOKYO -- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reshuffled his Cabinet yesterday, replacing several top ministers in an effort to boost his popularity, consolidate political support, and quicken the pace of reforms in the world's second largest economy.

Japan's leader shakes up Cabinet


The two factions of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference on Tuesday reacted cautiously to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf #39;s proposal to demilitarise some regions of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control and grant them automomy.

Hurriyat reacts cautiously to Musharraf #39;s proposal


The Colts #39; 24-17 triumph at ALLTEL Stadium allowed them to retain their status as the team to beat in the division and the primary challenger to the New England Patriots in the AFC.

Jaguars Still Have Work to Do


Barcelona held off a spirited comeback by newcomers Getafe to claim a nervous 2-1 win and cement their hold on the leadership of the Primera Liga on Saturday.

Barca extend Spanish lead


It #39;s called the book of life but mice, and perhaps humans, can still thrive even when chapters are missing, scientists said Wednesday.

Mice Thrive Without Chapters of the Book of Life


BRUSSELS, Dec 6 (SW) - The Belgian Raymond Goethals, former coach of Standard Liege, RSC Anderlecht and Olympique de Marseille, has died at the age of 83.

Belgian coach Raymond Goethals dies at 83


German champions Werder Bremen squeezed Spanish counterparts Valencia out of the Champions League after an absorbing and sometimes fractious clash at the Mestalla on Tuesday evening.

Werder #39;s Valdez Victorious In Valencia


The companies want to create more consistent platforms that can be used with any handset.

Nokia, Vodafone team up on Java effort


Sydney - Coral reefs around the world could grow by up to a third because of rising ocean temperatures, according to a new Australian study which turns on its head the long-held theory that global warming is killing the reefs.

Reefs set for rapid growth


US oil prices rose slightly on Monday as Iraq #39;s oil exports continued at more than 30 percent below normal after sabotage attacks on pipelines.

UPDATE 1-Oil steadies above \$43 on Iraq exports woes


Lynette Woodard will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 8 pm tonight in Springfield, Mass. Woodard, a four-time University of Kansas All-American and former assistant coach, played at the University 1978 to 1981.

Basketball hall of fame adds Kansas standout


AFP - The family of a British engineer held hostage in Iraq made a final desperate appeal to his captors to  quot;be merciful quot;, as hopes for his safe release started to fade.

Family of Briton held in Iraq issue final appeal for mercy (AFP)


Brazilian forward Ronaldinho scored a sensational goal for Barcelona against Milan, making for a last-gasp 2-1. The 24-year-old #39;s brilliant left-foot hit at the Nou Camp Wednesday night sent Barcelona atop of Group F.

Ronaldinho Brilliance in Barcelona-Milan 2-1


Intel took the stage to talk up its plans for dual-core chips and wireless gadgetry and to sketch out  quot;the Internet of tomorrow.

Week in review: Intel looks ahead


Symantec Corp. is fishing for dollars with a new service designed to help companies combat the ongoing epidemic of online identity theft, or

Symantec launches antiphishing service


BAGHDAD, Iraq - The chairman of a Turkish construction company whose employees were released by kidnappers said Tuesday his firm will not withdraw from Iraq because it was unclear whether the abductions were politically motivated.    Ten employees of the Turkish firm VINSAN were freed by their abductors and arrived at the Turkish embassy in Baghdad...

10 Turkish Hostages Freed in Iraq


AP - Roger Clemens hopped off the mound, pumped his right fist and muttered to himself all the way to the dugout. His work was done and the Houston Astros were exactly where they wanted to be  #151; right back in the NL championship series. Pitching to save the Astros' season, Clemens came through. He slowed down St. Louis for seven innings, closer Brad Lidge finished off the Cardinals and Houston went on to win 5-2 Saturday, cutting its deficit to 2-1.

Astros Defeat Cardinals 5-2 in NLCS Game 3 (AP)


SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Microsoft Profit, Revenue Rises


Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is one benefit of the convergence between data and telecommunications. Companies today are seeing the value of transporting voice over IP networks to reduce telephone and

Make the Case: Business Case Template for Voice Over Internet <b>...</b>


TheDeal.com - The company plans to spend  #36;27 billion to buy the 44 of Telecom Italia Mobile it does not already own.

S amp;P frowns on Telecom Italia debt (TheDeal.com)


But he admits he never expected to be on the brink of breaking the NCAA career receptions record when he first arrived in West Lafayette five years ago.

Stubblefield eyes NCAA receptions mark


Former US President Bill Clinton is to undergo surgery after being admitted to hospital in New York.

Bill Clinton to have heart bypass


Japanese mobile phone company DoCoMo is in talks to buy 3G handsets from Motorola, the world's second largest handset maker.

DoCoMo in Motorola 3G talks


The Basque separatist group, Eta, says it will continue its violent campaign for self-determination.

Basque group warns of new attacks


It's strange but true -- the more you spend, the more you'll save for school.

Saving by Spending: Do UPromise?


AP - Two days before the start of jury selection in Kobe Bryant's rape case, prosecutors charged that crucial DNA evidence the defense had hoped to use to prove the NBA star's innocence might have been contaminated.

Bryant Prosecutors Say Some Data Tainted (AP)


A CHAMPIONS League match was abandoned last night when one of the world #39;s top referees was hit on the head by a missile from the crowd.

BLOODY REF


Ukraine appears to be headed toward holding a new election under a deal to adopt a reorganization of political power.

A New Election for Ukrainians Appears Likely


There aren #39;t many NBA coaches who would publicly side with a player, as opposed to management, in a contract dispute. But then, there aren #39;t many coaches like San Antonio #39;s Gregg Popovich, who has the luxury

NBA Rundown - Coach stands up for player


The Philippine military said Friday rescuers have recovered 484 bodies from landslides and flash floods in an eastern province, bringing the toll from this week #39;s powerful rainstorm to 527 people.

Death toll from storm in Philippines rises to at least 527, 352 <b>...</b>


Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when Tomas Repka clearly brought down Robben despite the heated protests from the disgruntled West Ham players.

Ft Chelsea 1 West Ham 0


NewsFactor - U.S. music-downloading service Napster has launched a preview version of its Napster To Go portable music service, which incorporates \Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) latest digital-rights management software, Janus.

Napster Launches Music-To-Go Service (NewsFactor)


VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Defending champion  Ernie Els beat Padraig Harrington 5 4 and Lee Westwood held off  a brave fightback by Miguel Angel Jimenez to win their World  Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth on Saturday.

Els and Westwood Set Up Final Showdown


INDIANAPOLIS -- All the injuries and Ron Artest #39;s benching finally caught up with Indiana, in historic fashion. Elton Brand had 19 points and 16 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers took control of the lethargic

Clippers Thrash Artest-Less Pacers Clippers 102, Pacers 68


Colorado isn #39;t doing enough to boost its low-income working families, according to a study to be released today. That is especially troubling, say those who are involved in

Study: Aid for poor  #39;inadequate #39;


LONDON: Doctors are warning people not to buy the anti-impotency drug, Viagra, over the internet, because they have found conclusive evidence that it is usually fake and could lead to a number of side effects, including a heart attack.

Buying Viagra over the Internet could give you a heart attack!


The United Arab Emirates has become the first Middle East country to join a US program aimed at protecting US-bound sea cargo from terrorists.

US to Screen Sea Cargo from Dubai Port


In the Deutsche Bank field of 156 golfers, many are well-known, but a lot are far removed from the spotlight. Meet another of those unheralded golfers -- South African Tim Clark.

Clark is all business on, off course


Hyping LeBron James as rightful inheritor of the NBA kingdom, some call the 19-year-old phenom King James. He proved himself a benevolent ruler last night at the sold-out FleetCenter when it took all the king's men for the Cavaliers to defeat the Celtics, 98-96.

Kingpin


Dubai - An Islamist group has claimed that it hijacked two Russian planes that crashed this week, killing at least 89 people, and threatened more attacks, according to an Internet statement posted on Friday.

Islamist group may have downed Russian planes


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Google Inc.'s plans to move ahead with its initial public stock offering ran into a roadblock when the Securities and Exchange Commission didn't approve the Internet search giant's regulatory paperwork as requested...

No SEC Decision on Google IPO Paperwork


Top US retailers reported double-digit profit gains in the third quarter, with industry titan Wal-Mart Stores Inc. leading the pack and brightening its outlook for the key holiday season underpinned by the recent drop in oil prices.

Wall Street Not Buying Retail #39;s Optimism


MacCentral - The Digital Video Broadcasting Steering Board (DVB) has approved a revision to its implementation guidelines for audio and video codecs over a broadcast Transport Stream. The revision includes two technologies supported by Apple Computer Inc., H.264 or Advanced Video Codec (AVC) and High Efficiency AAC (HE-AAC) audio codecs.

Apple supported technologies approved by DVB (MacCentral)


Latrobe, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Steelers starting guard Kendall Simmons is expected to miss the entire 2004 season after apparently suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Simmons #39; season in jeopardy


SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - SAN FRANCISCO -- Embattled PeopleSoft Inc. is offering a sweetener to customers to migrate to the latest versions of its products, hopefully allowing it to close more sales

PeopleSoft pushes upgrade sweeteners


With an internet connection, users enter an address or other location information and Keyhole #39;s software accesses the database and takes them to a digital image of that location on their computer screen.

Google acquires digital mapping firm


BASEBALL Atlanta (NL): Assigned Ps Tim Drew and Travis Smith outright to their minor league camp and announced they will become free agents; activated INF Carlos Guzman from the 15-day DL and released him. Baltimore (AL): Assigned OF Darnell McDonald outright to Ottawa (IL); purchased the contract of P Jacobo Sequea from Bowie (EL) and added him to the 40-man ...

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TOKYO Japan #39;s main news agency reports a Tokyo court has dismissed a request to stop the deportation proceedings against fugitive chess master Bobby Fischer.

Report: Japanese court dismisses request to halt deportation of chess legend Bobby Fischer


Reuters - Democratic state education\superintendent Inez Tenenbaum is giving Republicans an\unexpectedly tough battle for a U.S. Senate seat in\conservative South Carolina.

South Carolina Senate Race Surprisingly Close (Reuters)


The major Hollywood studios vowed yesterday to sue people who illegally download movies from the Internet, borrowing a page from the music industry #39;s script of using lawsuits to fight online piracy.

Major movie studios vow to sue Internet pirates


Already facing a threat to its Windows operating system dominance from the open source Linux platform, Microsoft can #39;t be too thrilled to find out this week that its Internet Explorer browser is losing market share to the open source Mozilla offering.

More encroachment on Microsoft


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

Berkshire Hathaway Profit Falls


Todays Champions League draw in Monaco has again thrown-up some mouth-watering prospects for British clubs. Here, the Press Association assesses the chances of Arsenal, Celtic

How the Brits Might Fare in Europe


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Epsom-like salts believed to be common on Mars may be a major source of water there, say geologists at Indiana University Bloomington and Los Alamos National Laboratory...

Epsom Salts Could Reveal History of Water on Mars


The former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has addressed hundreds of supporters who gathered outside his home after he returned from surgery in Germany.

Anwar thanks Malaysian PM for release


AP - Peja Stojakovic still wants the Sacramento Kings to trade him. Until then, he seems perfectly happy to be back.

Stojakovic Still Wants Out of Sacramento (AP)


Mullah Rafsanjani said here Friday that Tehran expects it would become a member of the club of countries possessing nuclear technology.

Mullah: Iran bids to join nuclear tech club


FORMER world No.1 Andy Roddick today leapt to the defence of Paris Masters no-shows Roger Federer and Andre Agassi. Officials are furious with Agassi #39;s last minute withdrawal, arguing that the lucrative nine

Roddick defends  #39;injured #39; stars


The International Olympic Committee has announced that Vanderlei de Lima of Brazil, will be presented with a sportsmanship medal. The International Olympic Committee has announced

Brazilian racer to be honored Pierre de Coubertin Medal


The Senate Commerce Committee hears testimony on the connection between greenhouse gases and climate changes. Many legislators want to take action, but the best course remains unclear. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.

Weather Makes Lawmakers Antsy


\\This is a cool little feature I've been wanting for a while now.\\Every once in a while I'll develop some cool feature in some software that I'm\writing and want to show off a screenshot.  The only problem is that without\showing how it interacts with the user I can't demo the features raw power.\\An animated screenshot would solve this but no existing screenshot tools support\animated gif output.\\It turns out that 'convert' from ImageMagick supports. Ksnapshot can be used to\grab the screens and 'convert' can stitch them together.\\Heres what you do:\\- Startup ksnapshot and take a series of snaps from your application.  Each\  snapshot should be an independent frame in the series.\\- Save ...\\

Creating Animated Screenshots on Linux


Adding a dash of cash to sweeten the pot, the Liberal government has retabled its much-maligned marijuana bill. Justice Minister Irwin Cotler reintroduced the cannabis reform package

Liberals retable pot bill


Many area executives are advocating competitive sports as a tool for networking, relieving stress, and improving job performance.

Playing at the Top of Their Games


Telstra Corp., Australia #39;s biggest phone company, offered to buy back shares for as much as A\$4.65 each, the first stage in a plan to return A\$4.

Telstra Corp. to Pay Up to A\$4.65 a Share in Buyback (Update2)


including South Africa - had submitted proposals to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup. South Africa, will face stiff opposition

2011: It #39;s South Africa v New Zealand v Japan


HOUSTON - Nine days had passed since the Cardinals mathematically clinched their division title. Monday night, their playoff express took a wrong turn smack into the middle of a wild-card street fight.

Astros tee off on Williams


British retail sales rose more than expected in October and at their sharpest pace in three months. The Confederation of British Industry said 37 of firms in its monthly distributive trades survey saw sales

UK retail sales growth rebounds


AP - The Dallas Cowboys Channel, a 24-hour cable network devoted to America's Team, will launch Sept. 8 and be available to more than 1.3 Comcast subscribers in Texas and adjoining states.

Cowboys Launching 24-Hour TV Network (AP)


October #39;s lunar eclipse is well-placed for North and South America as well as western Europe and Africa. From the United States, the eastern two-thirds of the country will see the entire eclipse (weather permitting).

Total Lunar Eclipse on October 27


Board cites

PeopleSoft dismisses CEO Conway


I know why the caged mogul sings. Celebrity jailbird Martha Stewart has asked the eponymous firm she founded to reimburse her for \$3.

Stewart: Martha Seeks \$3.7M In Legal Fees From Namesake Firm


The U.S. technology sector suffered another round of widespread layoffs during the third quarter, with computer firms slashing jobs most aggressively, a report said on Monday. <FONT face=

Job Cuts in Tech Sector Soar, Report Finds


AP - The State Department accused Syria on Friday of threatening members of Lebanon's parliament to force enactment of an extension of three years in the term of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud.

U.S. Accuses Syria Over Lahoud Extension (AP)


ne bad breaking ball did in the Yankees yesterday. Usually, one mistake does not cost them so dearly, but the Yankees are not usually scrounging for hits either.

The Sputtering Yankees Look for a Jump Start


BASEBALL Nomar Garciaparra can become a free agent after the World Series and will consider returning to the Chicago Cubs, his team for the final two months this season.  quot;Do I know what's going to happen, what is going on? That I can't foresee, quot; Garciaparra said before yesterday's season finale against Atlanta, one day after the Cubs were eliminated from ...

Garciaparra still interested in Cubs


Technology is changing daily. It #39;s a wonder we aren #39;t all punch-drunk from the velocity with which new things emerge and not-so-old things become obsolete.

Microsoft puts household entertainment at touch of a mouse


Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has appealed for the British hostage in Iraq Ken Bigley to be freed, reports say.

Gaddafi asks for Bigley's release


Former England coach Clive Woodward has apologised for his stinging comments about owners, directors and coaches at some English clubs.

Woodward apologises for criticising clubs


Reuters - Mobile phone users around the world\will spend  #36;1 billion a year on pornography sent to their\handsets by 2008, which may boost the wireless services sector\much as it fueled growth in the fixed-line Internet, a market\research firm said.

Survey: Porn to Boost Wireless Web Services (Reuters)


Bernie Ecclestone #39;s formula one empire was under threat last night after an alliance of car manufacturers announced they would set up a rival world championship series by 2008 to give a fairer financial deal to all the competing teams.

Teams threaten Ecclestone #39;s empire


Turkey #39;s main opposition Republican People #39;s Party (CHP) called for the Turkish Parliament (TBMM) to convene for an emergency meeting on Septembers 28th to ready the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) by October 6th.

Turkish Opposition Party: Penal Code should be Ready by October 6


ATHENS, Greece - They are America's newest golden girls - powerful and just a shade from perfection. The U.S...

Almost Perfect: U.S. Wins Softball Gold


NEW YORK - Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. reiterated Tuesday it would meet its 2004 earnings target but said over the next two years it would lose \$14 billion in revenues because of patent expirations.

Pfizer Sales to Be Hurt in Next 2 Years


Troubled retailer M S is offering 332-380p a share in a 2.3bn buyback scheme - less than Philip Green offered for control of the group.

M S share buyback set at 332-380p


Israeli ag officials are coping with huge swarms of locusts sweeping in from North Africa, the first such invasion since 1959. Residents report clouds of the insects munching palm trees bare, but some citizens are eating the bugs.

Locust Plague Hits Israel


Lawrence Dallaglio and Wasps rugby chief Warren Gatland tonight defended the double champions from criticism by Sir Clive Woodward.

WASPS HIT BACK AT WOODWARD


BESLAN, Russia (Reuters) - Russia's top general said on  Wednesday he was ready to attack

Russia Ready to Strike Against 'Terror' Worldwide


A REBEL Formula One series planned by the  quot;big four quot; car manufacturers is doomed before it starts, according to Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker.

Rebel F1 series  #39;doomed #39;


AP - Two U.S. soldiers were killed Monday in a firefight with insurgents in a troubled southeastern Afghan province, the American military said.

2 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghan Fighting (AP)


Profits are up, but recently, a number of for-profit colleges have faced inquiries concerning the way they pursue federal funds.

Can For-Profit Schools Pass an Ethics Test?


NEW YORK Wall Street, which forced Google, the Internet search engine, to sharply lower the price of its shares in its initial public offering in August, has now decided that the company is worth a lot more today than it was then.

After a skeptical greeting, Google shares climb


By PAM EASTON    HOUSTON (AP) -- Mercury program astronaut Gordon Cooper was remembered Friday by NASA officials and fellow space pioneers as

NASA Celebrates Life of Astronaut Gordon Cooper


Real Madrid have made a sparkling return to their top form with a rousing 6-1 Primera Liga victory over an out-classed Albacete. Ronaldo, Zidane and Raul found the net on Sunday in a dramatic

Stunning Real dazzle with 6-1 win


BOSTON (Reuters) - Scattered violence broke out on Thursday  after thousands of Boston Red Sox fans converged on Fenway Park  to celebrate their baseball club's historic win over the New  York Yankees that puts them in the World Series.

Violence Flares in Boston After Red Sox Win


Sony and other technology companies working to launch the next generation of DVD format, Blu-ray Disc, are planning to develop a smaller (8cm) version of the disc, Sony have said.

8cm Blu-Ray Discs Planned


Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry got most of his holiday shopping done before the Winter Meetings this weekend in Anaheim. The Cubs signed Nomar Garciaparra and

Closer, left fielder among most pressing needs


New York, Nov 19 : In a highly disturbing development, the area under opium cultivation in Afghanistan increased by 64 percent this year, giving the country the dubious distinction of establishing a new record in its cultivation and becoming the largest

Afghan opium cultivation area increased by 64 percent: UN :


Like a captivating novel, the 650-page tax act headed toward President Bush #39;s desk will make you want to laugh, cry and scream.

Special interests in tax bill


Letter An insight into piracy rates

China's IT: An Inside Outsider's View


A US soldier who pleaded guilty to deserting to North Korea nearly four decades ago was sentenced to 30-days confinement and a dishonorable discharge on Wednesday, ending one of the Cold War #39;s strangest dramas.

US Deserter Get 30 Days, Dishonorable Discharge


SAN FRANCISCO  Google #39;s star-crossed stock offering is making high-tech history. But will its cash windfall help make it a permanent part of Silicon Valley lore despite mounting competition and a tepid market? ...

After the IPO, Google may need to invest in itself


Irrational markets can create buying opportunities for those watching the right numbers.

Book Value Bargains


SYDNEY A series of mass strandings left 168 whales and dolphins dead on Australian and New Zealand beaches, leaving scientists and wildlife officials searching for the cause Tuesday.

Volunteers struggle to save whales


Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan was fined 8,500 pounds (\$18,900 Cdn) Friday by the Football Association for verbally abusing a referee.

Keegan fined for verbally abusing referee


Sexual violence is being used to terrorise entire communities caught in Colombia's conflict, Amnesty says.

Rape 'a weapon in Colombia war'


AFP - British Prime Minister Tony Blair reshuffled his cabinet, bringing back a key ally to lead Labour's campaigning ahead of a general election, expected in Spring 2005.

Blair ally handed key role in British cabinet reshuffle (AFP)


Four of the nation's largest online providers Thursday announced a new round of lawsuits aimed at e-mail spammers, including the first major case involving spam sent via an instant messaging service.
<FONT face=

ISPs File Suits Against Spammers


AP - When he steps up to accept his party's nomination for a second time, President Bush will present the record of not one but two presidencies: one before and another after Sept. 11, 2001.

Bush Record Suggests Two Presidencies (AP)


Shareholders of the foundering Russian oil giant Yukos will not vote on an anti-crisis plan at a Dec. 20 meeting, the company said in a statement Friday, saying the plan would be impossible to implement in

Update 8: Yukos Removes Anti-Crisis Plan From Agenda


November 01, 2004 - Hot on the heels of Sony #39;s announcement last week that its forthcoming handheld, called the PSP, would retail this December in Japan for approximately \$186 USD, a brief war of words between the company and rival Nintendo erupted.

The War of Words


Canadian Press - FATEH JANG, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's finance minister took an important step toward becoming the new prime minister by easily winning two byelections that give him a seat in parliament, a prerequisite for the post, state-run television reported Thursday. Opposition groups insisted the vote was rigged.

Shaukat Aziz wins byelection, clears way to become Pakistan's prime minister (Canadian Press)


MSN Spaces Blog Service Review\\This review started nearly 10 hours ago when MSN Spaces first went live, and its taken this long to complete due to the continual downtime of the site. It was originally going to be longer and in more depth, but I rsquo;d didn rsquo;t have all day and ...

MSN Spaces Blog Service Review


Reuters - Thousands poured onto Palestinian\streets to mourn Yasser Arafat on Thursday while world leaders\praised him as an icon of his people's struggle whose death\could usher in a new Middle East peace drive.

World Recalls Arafat the Icon, Hopes for Peace (Reuters)


The chief UN nuclear arms inspector sharply criticized the Bush administration Thursday, saying the American invasion and occupation of Iraq had damaged the credibility of the United States.

Top UN arms inspector slams Bush


JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli troops shot dead an  unarmed mentally handicapped Palestinian during a raid on  Tuesday on a West Bank refugee camp on the fourth anniversary  of a Palestinian uprising.

Israeli Soldiers Kill Palestinian in West Bank Raid


The Singapore government #39;s investment arm, Temasek Holdings, released a public annual report Tuesday for the first time since its inception three decades ago, shedding some light on its long-secretive operations.

Singapore Gov #39;t Arm Releases Report


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) - Yahoo and EarthLink said they are adding a feature that promises to reduce spam. Free! Sign up here to receive our Before the Bell e-Newsletter!

Yahoo, EarthLink team to fight spam


GENEVA - Tyler Hamilton will keep his Olympic cycling gold medal because a backup drug test was inconclusive, the International Olympic Committee said Thursday.    Hamilton tested positive for signs of blood doping in the initial sample Aug...

Hamilton Will Keep Cycling Gold Medal


ATHENS (Reuters) - In a baseball battle of gold-medal  contenders, Japan banged three home runs to defeat Cuba 6-3  Tuesday, as starter Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched into the ninth.

Japan Powers Past Cuba in Baseball


Certainly you know by now that Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been released. As anticipated, some systems have had problems after installation of the new service pack. But many people report that their installations have been successful and without ...

Windows XP SP2 Help


Manchester City stand firm to deny United in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Football: Man Utd 0-0 Man City


The XD1 uses Opteron processors and the Linux operating system--and sports a starting price tag of \$50,000.

Cray begins selling new mini-supercomputers


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The United States and its allies have moved closer to capturing Osama bin Laden in the last two months, a top U.S. counterterrorism official said in a television interview broadcast...

U.S. Near Seizing Bin Laden, Official Says


Public religious meetings are banned in Pakistan after Thursday's bomb explosion in Multan kills at least 40 people.

Pakistan bans religious meetings


Reuters - High oil prices will probably\brake U.S. growth but will not derail the economy provided\there is not another sharp spike upwards, a top Federal Reserve\policymaker said on Tuesday.

Hoenig: High Oil Will Not Derail Economy (Reuters)


Adam Foote added a pair of assists for Canada, who improved to 2-0 in the tournament while handing Slovakia a loss in its first game of the eight-nation event.

Smyth Nets Twice as Canada Routs Slovakia


A closely-watched index of German business sentiment barely rose in October, showing that the current recovery in Europe #39;s largest economy lacks the strength of previous upswings.

Update 2: German Business Sentiment Index Edges Up


AP - The United States warned its citizens Friday to avoid the northeastern Sinai Peninsula for the next three months after suicide bombings hit three Egyptian hotels in the area.

Americans Warned to Avoid Part of Sinai (AP)


PARIS : Floods in Haiti have killed 600 people and left 1,000 others missing and presumed dead, Prime Minister Gerard Latortue told French radio.

Some 600 killed, 1,000 missing and presumed dead in Haiti: premier


TOKYO, October 7 (Itar-Tass) - King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia has abdicated the throne, his son Prince Norodom Ranariddh, leader of the royalist party FUNCINPEC and Chairman of the National Assembly, has announced, according to reports reaching here.

Cambodia #39;s King Sihanouk abdicates the throne


Four men were sentenced to termed imprisonment Thursday in Beijing for creating and profiting from pornographic websites. Liang Hongbin, Li Yufei, Yu Jianhong, and Chen Dong #39;s pornographic

Four sentenced for online porn


Retailers such as Ito-Yokado got a lift after government data showed activity in Japan #39;s service sector rose in June as a wide range of businesses including retailers and restaurants enjoyed a recovery in customers.

Tokyo Stocks Flat in Late Trade


Coca-Cola on Friday agreed to alter its sales practices in some European markets, an offer likely to bring to an end a five-year investigation by the European Commission into whether the soft drinks giant was stifling retail competition.

Coke to alter sales practices


Microsoft begins a legal bid to have a European Commission anti-monopoly ruling temporarily suspended.

Microsoft starts EU legal defence


\A US soldier who deserted to North Korea four decades ago embarks on a new life with his family in Japan.

Jenkins starts new life in Japan


Reuters - When the Boston Red Sox and New York\Yankees meet in Game Seven of the American League Championship\Series on Wednesday the result could produce the greatest\comeback in Major League history.

Red Sox Look to Reverse the Curse with Game Seven Win (Reuters)


EVERY time the clamour starts over the future of a manager, there are always a few weary souls who can be relied upon to ask  quot;Who else is there?

Strachan can lead Scotland from the mire


Reuters - Lowe's Cos. (LOW.N), the second-largest\home improvement retailer behind Home Depot Inc. (HD.N), on\Monday said quarterly profit rose, but trailed estimates.

Lowe's Second-Quarter Profit Rises (Reuters)


IT IS doubtful whether Alex McLeish had much time eight weeks ago to dwell on John Donnes famous meditation that No man is an Island.

Rangers ride wave of optimism


Enterprise security products that once focused solely on spam are broadening scope to tackle messaging issues, compliance violations, phishing scams, and viruses.

Messaging security cuts wider swath


AP - Toshiba Corp. on Tuesday unveiled a flat-panel TV that uses a new technology developed jointly by the Japanese electronics maker and the Japanese camera company Canon.

Toshiba Unveils New Flat-Panel SED TV (AP)


With the release of MechAssault 2 looming for Xbox, Microsoft has kicked-off what could very well be the easiest competition you #39;ll ever encounter.

Win a Limited Edition of MechAssault 2


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. oil prices hovered near \$47 a  barrel on Wednesday, awaiting data that was expected to show a  big drop in fuel stocks in the United States due to  weather-related disruptions to output and shipments.

U.S. Oil Clings Near \$47


The Nordics fared well because of their long-held ideals of keeping corruption clamped down and respect for contracts, rule of law and dedication to one-on-one business relationships.

Finland First, US Second in Economy Survey


Attorneys for both sides of a challenge to evolution disclaimers on science books in a suburban Atlanta school district made their final pleas before a federal judge Friday.

Arguments conclude in evolution sticker trial


Capitalizing on the rapid adoption of its Flex presentation server, Macromedia Inc. is rolling out a new integrated development environment for the platform based on the popular Dreamweaver Web site tool.

Macromedia Bolsters Flex with New Development Environment


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- The final monthly jobs report before the Nov. 2 presidential election will be released Friday at 8:30 am Eastern.

Jobs report dominates pre-debate spin


As Pedro Martinez left the mound for the final time Tuesday night, he looked and pointed skyward. He had done in his first World Series start what Babe Ruth did in his back in 1916

BOSTON 4, ST. LOUIS 1: Red Sox one win to glory


Slumping corporate spending and exports caused the economy to slow to a crawl in the July-September period, with real gross domestic product expanding just 0.1 percent from the previous quarter, Cabinet Office data showed Friday.

Consumers help GDP edge up just 0.1


DAVID JAMES has vowed to fight to reclaim his place in the England side even though Paul Robinson seems likely to keep his place against Wales this weekend.

England custodian is left fighting for his future


LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) - The California Public Employees #39; Retirement System, the largest public US pension fund, has tendered its 1.5 million shares of PeopleSoft Inc.

Courses to help teach you


Ed Black, president of the CCIA, has defended his organisation #39;s decision to take a settlement payment from Microsoft. The Washington DC-based CCIA (Computer and Communications Industry Association) this month

CCIA chief defends Microsoft payment


NASA astronomers last month detected two X-ray blasts and an almost-gamma ray burst that could be signs of imminent supernovae. The X-ray flashes came on 12 and 16 September, followed on 24 September by something

X-ray fireworks could signal supernovae


TORONTO (CP) - Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Canada #39;s biggest supermarket chain, says its third-quarter profit rose 18 per cent to \$258 million as sales increased six per cent.

Supermarket chain Loblaw #39;s third-quarter profit rises 18 to \$258 <b>...</b>


Just days after it announced deep job cuts in Europe, the General Motors Corporation is battling a wildcat strike at one of its biggest German auto plants, and a threat of wider disruptions.

GM Workers in Germany Protest Job Cuts a 3rd Day


A trip by CNET News.com editors and reporters to Dell's headquarters in Texas yields a bonanza of information about the PC maker's plans and operations.

This week in Dell news


Starting Thursday, if you write a check, the money had better be in the account to back it up. The cash could be coming out quicker.

Checking overhaul to begin


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces warned residents of  Falluja through loudspeakers and leaflets on Friday that they  would detain any man under 45 trying to enter or leave the  rebel-held Iraqi city.

U.S. Troops Urge Civilians to Leave Iraqi Rebel City


About 400,000 public sector workers are on strike in Israel,  crippling business around the country.

Israel strike cripples business


Group 1 Automotive reported a net loss of \$9.6 million for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. The results include a charge of \$29.

LOCAL EARNINGS Group 1 Automotive posts \$9.6 million loss


PERTH, Australia -- World champion Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) cruised through the final day to clinch his record-equalling sixth win of the season.

Loeb cruises to victory in Australia


Reuters - Europe retained the\Ryder Cup in record-breaking style on Sunday after dominating\the last-day singles matches against the United States for an\18 1/2 to 9 1/2 winning scoreline.

Monty Seals Cup Triumph for Europe (Reuters)


AP - The third hurricane to hit NASA's spaceport in just over a month blew out more panels and left more gaping holes in the massive shuttle assembly building, but overall damage was not as severe as feared, a space agency official said Sunday.

NASA: Hurricane Damages Shuttle Building (AP)


SYDNEY : Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he would not call a snap general election while opposition leader Mark Latham was ill as he wanted to beat him fair and square.

Australia #39;s Howard rules out snap election while rival still ill


Reuters - The European Union cannot force Iran to\give up its right to enrich uranium, Iran's foreign minister\said, dealing a blow to EU efforts to halt the process and ease\fears Tehran is seeking a nuclear bomb.

Iran Says Won't Be Made to End Uranium Enrichment (Reuters)


WASHINGTON, DC, Oct 20 (OneWorld) The administration of US President George W. Bush has lifted a 13-year arms embargo on Haiti, amid sporadic violence that threatens to plunge the western hemispheres poorest nation back into chaos.

US Lifts Arms Embargo on Haiti as Tensions Mount


Whether you want the iPod Photo (www.apple.com/ipodphoto) depends, then, on how much money you #39;re willing to spend and the value you place on looking at images of friends and family on a two

Should You Want the New iPod Photo? It Depends


The Boston Red Sox manager worked as the bench coach for the Athletics last season, and still has many friends in the other clubhouse -- and during a September pennant race, he just can #39;t deal with any personal distractions.

Francona trying to  #39;ignore #39; personal ties to A #39;s


MINNEAPOLIS The New York Yankees coughed up a 9-to-3 lead before rallying in the ninth inning to beat Minnesota 13-to-10.

Sports: Yankees 13 Twins 10


BUDAPEST (AFP) - Voters in Hungary failed to turn out in sufficient numbers to pass a referendum to extend citizenship to millions of ethnic Hungarians living in the region, a motion that split the country and drew fire from neighboring governments.

Hungary citizenship fails due to low turnout


By George Chamberlin , Daily Transcript Financial Correspondent. Stocks were mixed Monday as investors reacted to modestly higher oil prices.

Blue-chip downgrades, higher oil prices pressure stocks


In a move that may have been designed to reassure shareholders, Walt Disney CEO Michael Eisner has announced that he will retire from the company when his contract ends in 2006.

Controversial Disney boss retiring in 2006


AFP - Prince Charles left Turkey after touring religious and historic sites in this ancient southeastern city on the last leg of a two-day, three-stop visit.

Prince Charles leaves Turkey after touring historic sites (AFP)


ST. LOUIS (Sports Network) - St. Louis Cardinals starting  pitcher Chris Carpenter is expected to miss the first round of  the playoffs next week with an injury to his right arm.

Carpenter to Miss Division Series


p2pnet.net News:- Eastman Kodak is looking for \$1.06 billion in damages from Sun Microsystems following a federal jury ruling in its favour.

Sun loses Java case


IBM has released a new low-cost eServer BladeCenter chassis and a unique set of  quot;business-in-a-box quot; solutions to help lower the cost and speed the time it takes for SMBs to purchase, deploy, and implement blade servers.

IBM Introduces Blades With Slimmer Price Tags


This weekend sees one of the big games of Serie A - a Milan-Turin clash between Inter and Juventus. Both sides are doing well in the Champions League -ut Juve lead the way in Serie A. Goal.

Fan v Fan: Internazionale-Juventus


Reuters - A PeopleSoft Inc.  board\member told a Delaware court on Tuesday that the software maker\would consider a bid from its rival Oracle Corp. \provided the price was right and a deal closed quickly.

PeopleSoft Open to Oracle Bid -Director (Reuters)


An ingenious new Trojan is circulating that hijacks PCs and uses them to send SMS-based spam to mobile phones. After a PC has been infected, the Delf-HA Trojan contacts a Web site for details on which spam

New Trojan Sends Spam


Major international environmental groups have hailed the decision by the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin to endorse ratification of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as a historic breakthrough in curbing global warming.

Green Groups Praise Russian Decision to Ratify Kyoto