The explosive growth of male populations in China and India could threaten social order in those countries as well as international security, according to a book by two academic researchers.

Alarm raised on Asia's males


Microsoft is giving customers a little more time to test Windows XP Service Pack 2 by extending the time that a download-blocking mechanism will be in effect.

Microsoft extends life of XP SP2 download blocker


NewsFactor - T-Mobile has signed an agreement with six international wireless telephony companies to simplify roaming and billing arrangements for customers using Wi-Fi around the world.

T-Mobile in Wi-Fi Roaming Pact (NewsFactor)


AP - Jessalyn Deveny scored 16 of her 22 points in the opening 9 1/2 minutes Wednesday, helping 20th-ranked Boston College to a 74-43 win over Quinnipiac.

No. 20 Boston College Squashes Quinnipiac (AP)


com October 29, 2004, 10:41 AM PT. This priority retains its ranking at number five as more and more companies deploy Web Services to share business logic, data and processes with each other and with clients.

New Net domains near approval


London - The dollar hovered close to eight-month lows against the euro Friday and a four-month trough against the yen amid worries about the US economic outlook.

Dollar in the doldrums amid economic jitters


At least six Britons are believed to have died in a crash in Jordan near the ancient city of Petra.

Britons die in Jordan bus crash


Scientists say new images from the US-European Cassini spacecraft support the view that Saturn #39;s giant moon, Titan, has conditions similar to that of early Earth before life appeared.

New Images of Titan Show Early Earth-Like Conditions


The debate over the disclosure of clinical drug trials could reach a turning point this week, with editors of influential medical journals expected to call for fundamental changes.

Expected Call for Advance Registration of Drug Tests


Crude oil surpassed \$50 a barrel for the first time and analysts said Tuesday that prices could keep rising because of a sharp rise in global demand, tight supplies and threats to output in petroleum-producing nations such as Iraq and Nigeria.

Barrel of oil hits \$50


Reuters - India said on Thursday it could consider giving a large amount of autonomy to the disputed region of Kashmir to help make peace with Pakistan, but said it was not willing to redraw its borders to settle half a century of enmity.

India pitches Kashmir autonomy for Pakistan peace (Reuters)


Yahoo Goes Mobile with Search and Images\\Yahoo yesterday unveiled their latest weapon in the search engine wars with Google and Microsoft - their mobile phone Yahoo. Nevermind desktop search or free email accounts, Yahoo is now bringing their search, local listings, and even images to mobile phones and portable devices. ...


Like a lot of cock-ups, the Takeover Panel #39;s decision on Prime Infrastructure #39;s takeover bid of networks company Powerco started with a small miscalculation.

Opinion: Local councils may be stuck with junk after Powerco <b>...</b>


AP - Orlando Hernandez was one of the few people in New York unaware of the final score of the historic rout the Cleveland Indians handed the Yankees.

El Duque Restores Order in the Bronx (AP)


ATHENS They bounded onto the court with the joy of kindergartners, skipping to the beat of the sound system, turning a simple layup drill into a recess game.

Basketball: Full of joy, US women win 3rd straight gold


Lleyton Hewitt cruised to victory on Sunday 29th August in the final of TD Waterhouse Cup, as he easily defeated Peru #39;s Luis Horna, 6-3, 6-1.

Hewitt wins Waterhouse Cup


MOSCOW: Oil giant ConocoPhillips looked close to taking a \$US2 billion (\$NZ3.11b) stake in Russian major Lukoil on Thursday after Russian officials confirmed the US firm #39;s interest in the auction of a 7.6 per cent stake.

Russia says Conoco mooting \$US2b Lukoil stake


AdWeek.com - With 75 percent of Americans online today, the Internet has come of age as a reach medium, and a new report suggests that advertisers need to understand how a Web site's audience builds over time and adjust their buys accordingly.

New Study Challenges Online Buying Methods (AdWeek.com)


Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Southern California and Oklahoma remained the top two teams in the Bowl Championship Series standings, while Miami- Florida and Florida State plummeted in the rankings after suffering surprising road losses on Saturday.

USC, Oklahoma remain 1-2 in BCS;  #39;Canes and  #39;Noles plummet


Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. (MMC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest insurance broker, on Tuesday said it will reform its business practices and stop

UPDATE 4-Marsh to scrap fees Spitzer faulted, sets reforms


Invesco Funds Group (IFG) and affiliate AIM are to pay a total of \$450m (254m) to settle an improper trading probe. The UK #39;s Amvescap, which owns both firms, said the two would pay \$140m in civil penalties

Invesco deal ends US funds probe


Paris - In one of the most spectacular fossil finds in decades, anthropologists say they have found the bones of a tiny human who is a twig in mankind #39;s family tree.

Tiny human is big news


FERRARI was set to snub key talks at Heathrow today aimed at revolutionising grand prix racing. The other nine teams, led by Melbourne millionaire Minardi team owner Paul Stoddart, were intending to gang up

GP teams see red


AFP - Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw pledged full support for the Palestinian election to find a successor to Yasser Arafat after paying homage to the veteran leader at his graveside.

British FM pledges support for Palestinian vote (AFP)


AP - A retired Texas National Guard official mentioned as a possible source for disputed documents about President Bush's service in the Guard said he passed along information to a former senator working with John Kerry's campaign.

Ex-Guardsman: I Contacted Kerry Campaign (AP)


A US Army 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment soldier scans the area through his rifle scope during a joint early morning raid on insurgent targets by Iraqi and US forces, during which 13 suspects were detained in Mosul, Iraq Friday, Nov. 26, 2004.

Four Killed in Baghdad #39;s Green Zone


When the NBA began sending its players to the Olympics in 1992, one of the league #39;s goals was to spread basketball around the globe. Clearly, the idea worked.

US no-show: Teamwork


The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would increase jail time for identity thieves and other fraudulent Web users who register sites under false identities.

House Approves Penalties for False Web Records


In the latest volley of the file-sharing wars, the movie and music industries have filed a petition asking the US Supreme Court to overturn a federal appeals court decision that favored Grokster and StreamCast Networks, the makers of software that allow

Supreme Court decision sought over file sharing


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar lost ground on Friday after a  stronger than expected German business sentiment survey boosted  the euro, but thin pre-holiday trade made moves erratic.

The Dollar Loses Ground


There will be plenty of discussion on Wall Street about December and shopping this week as top retailers report their earnings. The third quarter was rough for retailers, with

Earnings reports, holidays, will put focus on retailers


How Manchester United wish they could play in the Champions League week in and week out. After plundering fours goals against Sparta Prague in midweek, they came a cropper again in the Barclays Premiership.

United fire blanks, again


Rupert Murdoch #39;s News Corp says it has approved stricter corporate governance provisions, soothing critics of a plan to shift its legal base to the United States from Australia.

News Corp soothes investors over US shift


Scientists are investigating whether global warming is linked to declining penguin populations on South Africa's Prince Edward Islands and Antarctica.

Penguin Decline Due to Global Warming?


The final Manning Bowl bragging rights belong to Lynn English. The Bulldogs closed out the career of the deteriorating 66-year-old Lynn landmark, which is slated to be torn down this winter and replaced by a state-of-the-art facility, by rolling over archrival Lynn Classical, 28-8, yesterday before more than 3,500 fans. For the first time in 28 years, English ...

Bulldog victory closes Manning Bowl


Virgin Group today announced plans to expand its mobile phone services to China in a \$300m (154m) joint venture with a Chinese company.

Virgin plans China mobile expansion


\China's security chief tells officials to pay more attention to people's grievances, in the wake of increasing protests.

Beijing urges rethink on protests


A series of bombs targeting US forces were detonated in a western Baghdad neighbourhood, leaving scores of dead and wounded. Interior Ministry spokesman Colonel Adnan Abd al-Rahman said two car bombs and a

Car Bombs Rock Baghdad


New Zealand opening batsman Mark Richardson on Friday announced his retirement from cricket after returning home from his fruitless tour to Australia.

Kiwi opener retires


New England captain Jason Robinson is setting new standards. Sam Wheeler looks at the career of the state-educated Leeds-born former rugby league star Thirty-two years after Clive Sullivan led Great Britain

Robinson #39;s class act sweeps snobbery aside at last


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

Florida Court Rejects Law Keeping Comatose Woman Alive


Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Inc. (HGST) announced the availability of 2.5-inch hard drives with capacities up to 100GB for notebook computers by the end of 2004, the company said on Tuesday.

Hitachi to release 100GB hard drives for notebooks


India captain Sourav Ganguly will be unable to play in the forthcoming Test series against Sout Africa, because of a ban imposed by the International Cricket Council.

ICC crack down on Ganguly


The UK government is checking unconfirmed reports that British hostage Kenneth Bigley has been killed in Iraq.

Hostage Bigley reported killed


I was complaining to Schabir Shaik in the courtyard of Durban #39;s High Court that, for once, a certain Sunday newspaper had got it right.

How Schabir tried to come to my rescue


Longhorn needs a new name. It #39;s not just because I #39;m tired of the bovine references and the  quot;shorthorn quot; jokes. No, the problem is that the future version of Windows, formerly known as Longhorn, in many ways

Road to Longhorn gets longer


Hoping to drive biometric devices into the mainstream, IBM on Monday unveiled its first ThinkPad that features an integrated fingerprint reader that will work in tandem with an embedded security system.

ThinkPad with fingerprint reader is introduced


AFP - Opponents of the Lao government may be plotting bomb attacks in Vientiane and other areas of Laos timed to coincide with a summit of Southeast Asian leaders the country is hosting next month, the United States said.

US warns of possible bomb attacks in Laos during upcoming ASEAN summit (AFP)


Reuters - Israeli police arrested nuclear\whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu on Thursday on suspicion of\spilling more state secrets seven months after he completed an\18-year prison term for treason.

Israel Arrests Nuke Whistleblower Vanunu for 'Leak' (Reuters)


LONDON (CBS.MW) - Philips Electronics, the largest consumer electronics maker in Europe, on Tuesday cautioned it expects flat sales in its semiconductor business in the fourth quarter and is seeing ongoing margin pressure in consumer electronics.

Sees its semiconductor unit outperforming market in 05


Japanese police are investigating two cases of suspected group suicide, after several people were found dead in parked cars outside the capital, Tokyo.

Nine Japanese dead in suspected suicide pacts


The MDGrape 3 chip will calculate faster than most supercomputers in existence, its creators say.\

Japan designers shoot for supercomputer on a chip


NOVEMBER 10, 2004 (REUTERS) - IBM said yesterday it plans to offer Web conferencing as a hosted Internet service, seeking to reach small and midsize business customers while taking on more established rivals in the market.

IBM plans Web meeting service, takes aim at WebEx


The recording industry's lobbying group today sued three users of American University's computer network, accusing them of illegally sharing digital music files online. They are among 761 suspected music pirates in the latest round of lawsuits. <FONT face=

D.C. College Students Targeted in Piracy Suit


MADRID (Reuters) - Top seed Tim Henman lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-2  to big-serving Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in the Madrid Masters  third round Thursday.

Top Seed Henman Falls to Ljubicic in Madrid


A disengagement administration that would handle compensation to the evacuated Gaza Strip and northern West Bank settlers was established Sunday.

Settlers #39; compensation board formed


AP - Liverpool lost for the first time in the Premier League this season, beaten 1-0 at Bolton on Sunday on a 38th-minute goal by Kevin Davies.

Bolton Sends Liverpool to First Loss, 1-0 (AP)


State officials say the statewide slowdown caused by Hurricane Charley, with estimated losses of \$20 billion, will probably last no more than a month or two.

Officials Forecast Hope for Victims of Hurricane


CLEVELAND - His team was trailing by 19 points, the home crowd was booing and there was only a quarter left for LeBron James to make things right.

Comeback establishes James as Cavs #39; leader


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

Catastrophic loss for unencumbered standards


ATHENS -- The Ano Liossia Olympic Hall looked more like Madison Square Garden yesterday when Olympic freestyle wrestling took on more of a WWE flavour.

Belarus wrestler brawls after defeat


Barclays Capital, the investment banking arm of the UK banking giant, is being sued over claims it failed to properly manage a portfolio of bonds.

Barclays Capital sued for 50m over bond loss claims


The world used to be green with envy over the greenback, but now the stuff in your wallet can #39;t seem to shake the blues. It #39;s not that the United States is on the verge of singing  quot;Brother, Can You Spare a

Falling dollar may raise problems


The International Monetary Fund warns that rising interest rates in some of the world's biggest economies may slow global house price growth.

IMF warns on global house prices


COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sports Network) - Troy Smith threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a commanding 30-7 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten action from Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State Routs Indiana


Beijing, Dec. 16 (PTI): China today said it opposed terrorism  quot;in all forms quot;, and vowed to enhance cooperation with Pakistan to jointly fight against the menace as also to develop the  quot;comprehensive cooperative partnership quot; with its  quot;all-weather friend.

China vows to further anti-terror ties with Pakistan


New report from Congress reveals little on extent of shipping IT and other services work abroad, as debate on the trend heats up.

Study: Government data limited on offshoring


Darfur rebels and the Sudanese government ended peace talks on Sunday in Nigeria in a deadlock on how to address what the United Nations has called the world #39;s worst humanitarian crisis.

Sudan Talks End in Deadlock on Humanitarian Issues


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

PeopleSoft Ousts CEO Amid Oracle Battle


As expected, IBM took over the top slot on the Top500 supercomputing list with a BlueGene/L system that shatters previous Linpack benchmarks at 70.

IBM Sits Atop Supercomputer List


The world's largest mobile phone manufacturer and Europe's largest wireless operator have launched an initiative to simplify Java standards for mobile devices in a move aimed to help developers create software for multiple Java-enabled devices, thus providing users with a wider choice of Java-based applications.

Nokia, Vodafone push for mobile Java standards


Sprint PCS today made the first moves toward turning its popular Picture Mail service from a mere novelty to a full-fledged digital photography solution.

Sprint PCS introduces Picture Mail developing


MOSCOW -- Maintaining control over the North Caucasus region, where the plains of southern Russia give way to mountain ridges and the predominant faith changes from Orthodox Christianity to Islam, has been Moscow's headache for centuries.

For centuries, ethnic strife has been Moscow's bane


Britain today said it was  quot;considering quot; a request from Washington to redeploy some of its troops in Iraq from their current base in Basra into strife-torn US-held areas.

UK considering US request for redeploying its troops in Iraq


Reuters - Director George Butler says he hasn't\seen the ads that attack U.S. presidential hopeful John Kerry's\record in Vietnam, noting that his documentary

Kerry Film Not Meant to Combat Attack Ads-Director (Reuters)


The Washington Redskins lost their final home football game before the US presidential election on Sunday -- and that #39;s great news for Democratic Sen. John Kerry and bad news for President Bush.

Redskins Loss: Bad News for Bush, Touchdown Kerry


Required exercise at 7 a.m. sharp. No personal televisions or computers. A cafeteria bereft of potato chips and candy bars but full of good-for-you vegetables. Mal Mahedy's new school has tons of rules that other teens would find intolerable.

New Boarding School Teaches Weight Control Methods


Australian oil producers #39; stocks such as Woodside Petroleum Ltd. rose after crude oil climbed to a record amid concern that hurricane damage in North America will disrupt supply.

Australian Oil Producers Gain, Led by Woodside; Origin Falls


Patch management is a particularly expensive burden for Microsoft Windows-based systems. While solution providers have profited from the services associated with installing patches, many businesses are starting

Microsoft #39;s Windows Update Services Looms On The Horizon


AP - President Bush is striking twin themes for a second term, vowing to fight hard for his political agenda while reaching across the aisle to Democrats.

Bush Vows to Reach Out to Democrats (AP)


Barely a year after an internal investigation into ESPN's boxing program led to the dismissal of its long-time boxing coordinator and a shakeup in its approach that left many small-time promoters losing money just to put a show on the network, ESPN has decided to fight for a niche in the sport long the property of HBO and Showtime.

It's a fancy move from ESPN


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Goodyear Tire   Rubber Co. <A HREF=

Goodyear Sees Profit; Stock Up


John Force didn #39;t score his fifth victory in the National Hot Rod Association #39;s biggest event Monday at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Winners go full Force at Nationals


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rising interest rates, record oil  prices and geopolitical instability may send chills down the  spines of finance directors of debt-strapped global  corporations.

Restructuring Gurus See Day of Reckoning


Online auctioneer eBay Inc. asked for a new trial Tuesday on claims the company stole ideas for an electronic marketplace from a Virginia inventor.

EBay Seeks New Trial in \$29M Patent Case


AP - While there has been more Internet advertising activity in this year's presidential race than in the past, the money spent on Web ads still pales in comparison to that allocated for TV commercials, the first-ever study of online political ads found.

More Internet Ads in Presidential Race (AP)


Forest Laboratories Inc. (FRX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said its experimental treatment for Alzheimer #39;s disease failed to prove effective in a large clinical trial, sending its shares lower in after-hours trading.

UPDATE 2-Forest says Alzheimer #39;s drug fails to meet goal


Intel Corp has proposed an overhaul of what it says is an increasingly creaky internet that would result in servers running its chips taking as central role in the network as Cisco #39;s routers do today.

Intel plans to fix internet


AP - September sales and sales for the fiscal year to date reported by leading retailers.

Retailers and Their September Sales (AP)


A main train line between London and the southwest of England will remain closed for a number of days, #39; #39; police said, while they investigate the derailment of a FirstGroup Plc train that killed six people yesterday.

UK Train Line to Be Closed for Days, #39; Police Say (Update1)


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : Nov 30 (SADA) - Pakistan conducted a test of its nuclear- capable ballistic missile on Monday as part of efforts to boost its defenses, the state-run television reported.

Pakistan Test Fires Ghaznavi Missile


Reuters - Archaeologists have found a\2,500-year-old tomb near Egypt's ancient pyramids in Giza, the\head of the excavation team told Reuters on Thursday.

Archaeologists Discover Tomb Near Egypt's Pyramids (Reuters)


By early next year, viewers could be watching their favorite shows on their cell phones. Consider this: Fox is teaming with Verizon Wireless to create and distribute  quot;24: Conspiracy, quot; 60-second

A brand new way to cell  #39;24 #39;


Decatur resident Chris Singer was recently appointed co-deputy director of the Engineering Directorate at NASA #39;s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

Decatur resident becomes key figure in space shuttle travel


Greek police found nutritional supplements containing banned stimulants and steroids in a raid on premises used by the sprint coach at the centre of the Athens Olympics

Drugs found in raid on Greek coach #39;s store


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces appeared to keep Sh'ite  militants guessing in the city of Najaf overnight, firing off  sporadic rounds as a military aircraft flew overhead.

U.S. Forces Keep Sh'ite Militants Guessing


AP - Theron Smith scored 16 points Wednesday to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to their second win of the preseason, an 82-74 victory over the Miami Heat.

Bobcats Beat Heat for Second Preseason Win (AP)


Tokyo #39;s Nikkei fell 0.67 percent by mid-morning on Monday, extending losses into a seventh session as worries about higher oil prices hit airlines while banks and retailers wilted on concerns about the domestic economic outlook.

Tokyo Stocks Extend Losses


AP - Israel released the top Hamas leader in the West Bank from prison on Thursday after he finished a 28-month sentence for being a member of an outlawed organization.

Israel Releases Senior Hamas Leader (AP)


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half. A San Francisco judge ordered Microsoft to pay lawyers involved in its \$1.

Calif. judge cuts Microsoft legal fees


Satisfied that the economy is back on track, the Federal Reserve is likely to increase interest rates today, and in December as well.

So much for the  #39;soft patch #39;


OTTAWA - Canada #39;s current account surplus showed the first drop in almost two years in the third quarter, Statistics Canada said Monday.

Canada #39;s current account surplus shrinks


Ireland forged South Africa #39;s ill-judged pre-match words into a steely response which sentenced the Tri-Nations champions to a dramatic defeat and shattered Springbok dreams

Ireland stand tall to end the Bok dream


AP - New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mount Everest and the first to drive a vehicle to the South Pole, described a U.S. highway to the pole as

Hillary Opposed to Highway to South Pole (AP)


Nintendo Co. of Redmond, Wash., says its new hand-held videogame device will be available in the United States in time for the holiday retail season.

Nintendo to sell new game device


A three-man crew has arrived at the International Space Station, after a two-day trip in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Two of the men will replace the crew now on the station as part of the normal six-month rotation.

Russian Spacecraft Avoids Collision, Docks with International <b>...</b>


ATHENS (Reuters) - Australia's

Australia Salvages Late Draw with U.S. Women in Soccer


BUJUMBURA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Police in Burundi #39;s capital Bujumbura fired tear gas at crowds on Wednesday, protesting against the massacre of at least 160 Congolese Tutsis at a United Nations refugee camp in the west of the country.

Burundi police fire tear gas at massacre protest


World News: Lahore, Dec 15 : Pakistan has expressed its desire for the Bush administration #39;s intervention to help Islamabad sort out all of its conflicting issues with New Delhi.

Pak wants US intervention in Kashmir:


DUBLIN, Ireland The investigation into whether Ireland #39;s only medal winner from the Athens Olympics had a banned substance in his system has taken a twist.

Police investigating theft of Olympic drug test sample


Ever since computer giant IBM announced earlier this week that they had developed the world #39;s fastest computer, the whole nation seems to be abuzz about supercomputers.

What If Supercomputers Ruled The


Cash America International (NYSE: PWN) is in the secured non-recourse lending business. That is, it operates pawnshops. In fact, the company operates quite a few: more than 700.

Cash America #39;s Pawnshop Swap


Thomson #39;s Technicolor subsidiary will provide duplication services for both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, based on customer preference, the company says.

Storage Hardware Thomson To Support Both HD DVD and Blu-ray


AP - Greg Maddux pitched the Chicago Cubs into the lead in the NL wild-card race and gave Dusty Baker a win to remember. Maddux threw seven shutout innings for his 302nd career win, Baker got his 1,000th victory as a manager and Chicago beat the Montreal Expos 5-2 on Monday night.

Maddux Wins No. 302, Baker Wins No. 1,000 (AP)


Scientists know so little about a disorder that links a strep infection with obsessive-compulsive disorder in children that some question whether it even exists.

Can Strep Bring On an Anxiety Disorder?


MINNEAPOLIS -- Considering how much the Yankees have dominated the Twins during the regular season in recent years, it was easy to assume Javier Vazquez picked the right time to return from a nasty two-week bout with conjunctivitis.

An irregular regular loss


Viewing conditions could be just right to try and catch a meteor shower Monday night. Some scientists say the best shooting star show of the year will peak Monday night.

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Monday Night


The US Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT), the federally-funded security clearinghouse and alert center, put its two cents in this week and recommended that every Windows XP user install the Service Pack 2 update.

US-CERT Urges All To Install XP SP2


a little -- while would-be rival Mozilla gains. A new report says the number of Web visitors using IE dropped from

Mozilla Hot on Explorer #39;s Tail


BELFAST, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Sinn Fein, political  ally of the Irish Republican Army, said Tuesday it had found a  British bugging device at party offices, days before crucial  talks on Northern Ireland's future.

N.Ireland's Sinn Fein Says Bugged by British


Charles Schwab announced early Tuesday it has reached a deal, as expected, to sell its Soundview Capital Markets unit to Swiss bank UBS for \$265 million in cash.

Schwab sells Soundview to UBS


The United States said on Tuesday that the latest United Nations Security Council #39;s statement, which called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, is  quot;a step forward in the Security Council quot;.

US: UN statement on Syria  quot;a step forward quot;


Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said Monday India and Pakistan have decided to cooperate in exploring different energy sources in the South Asian region.

Pakistan, India to cooperate in energy exploration


Shares fell Monday after the doughnut company said an independent auditor refused to sign off on its second-quarter financial statement until an outside law firm performed additional work.

Krispy Kreme: Auditor Won't OK Figures


SAN FRANCISCO -- Though Barry Bonds will treasure his 700th homer, he probably wanted the San Francisco Giants #39; 4-1 victory over San Diego even more.

No. 700 for Bonds


Reuters - Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart said on\Wednesday she wants to serve her prison sentence for lying over\a suspicious stock sale as soon as possible so she can put her\

Martha Stewart Asks Judge Jail Me Now (Reuters)


Havana, Oct. 22 (Agencies): Fidel Castro wont allow himself to be put under general anaesthesia and America wont say get well soon.

Fidels fall fails to get US call


FOXBOROUGH -- Bill Belichick is a pretty good salesman. He was able to pitch to his team for weeks that setting an NFL record by winning 19 straight games, including postseason, was not important. Yet after his team set the mark in yesterday's 24-10 win over the Miami Dolphins, Belichick acknowleged the achievement and complimented his players.

Coach was in on the pass game


NASA scientists are poring over the latest pictures unveiling Saturn #39;s mysterious moon Titan. The images show distinct dark and bright surface areas.

Cassini unveils mysterious Saturn moon Titan


DOHA (Reuters) - World number one and top seed Roger  Federer posted a fluent 6-1, 6-1 victory over Spaniard David  Ferrer in the first round of the ATP \$1 million Qatar Open on  Monday.

Federer Eases to Victory in Qatar Open


Coca-Cola Co., said its second-half earnings will decline because of sluggish sales in North America and Europe. Its shares are traded at the lowest level since May 2003.

Coca-Cola H2 net to miss estimates


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell on  Monday spoke of the eventual

Powell Speaks of China, Taiwan 'Reunification'


It #39;s a great idea that private money finance at least 50 percent of the cost of a new riverfront baseball stadium. It #39;s a smart idea to protect the District from millions of dollars in penalties resulting

Michael Wilbon


A second bomb exploded near a food stall in southern Thailand on Friday, wounding at least nine members of a bomb squad investigating an earlier blast that wounded four people.

Second Bomb Injures 9 in Thai South - Witnesses


AP - Benito Santiago was traded Thursday by the Kansas City Royals to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have sought a veteran catcher since dealing Jason Kendall to Oakland last month.

Pirates Finish Santiago Trade With Royals (AP)


NEW YORK (Billboard) - DualDisc and DVD(plus) discs have  until now been devoid of graphics, apart from limited text on  the inner ring. Because both sides of these CD/DVD hybrids  contain optical data, it has been impossible to apply graphics  to them.

Firm Intros Text-Friendly Coat for 2-Sided Discs


InfoWorld - At Storage Networking World (SNW) in Orlando this week, several storage vendors are adding to their arsenal of products and technologies aimed at IT managers dealing with the explosion of data storage.

Storage products unveiled at SNW show (InfoWorld)


After a nine-day postponement, Microsoft on Wednesday plans to start pushing out Windows XP Service Pack 2 to PCs running Windows XP Professional Edition.

Windows XP SP2 rollout to resume Wednesday


MADRID (Reuters) - Five passengers were killed and around  30 injured when their bus flipped over after tearing through  the central reservation of a motorway in the northern Spanish  province of Burgos, officials said on Sunday.

Five Killed, 30 Injured in Spanish Bus Crash


Washington - The nation #39;s factories cranked out more products in July, miners dug more minerals and builders broke ground on more homes, the government said Tuesday in three reports that showed some rebound in economic activity last ...

Production, housing rise while consumer prices decline


Reuters - A British detainee at Guantanamo Bay\said in a letter revealed Friday he was tortured and abused\during detention, in what is believed to be the first such\claim to come from inside the prison.

British Guantanamo Detainee Alleges Abuse from Jail (Reuters)


PRA International Inc., a McLean company that manages clinical trials for drug companies, plans to use some of the funds to hire staff as it expands its worldwide operations. <FONT face=

PRA Raises \$68.4 Million In Its IPO


TOKYO - A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 shook quake-devastated Niigata Prefecture around 10:40 am Wednesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Another powerful quake jolts Niigata


As the holiday season gears up, consumer advocates are again warning parents to do their homework and be vigilant about keeping dangerous toys out of the hands -- and mouths -- of kids.

Illinois group warns parents of potentially dangerous toys


Mortgage lending slows to its lowest level in a year in August, but credit card spending continues to boom, Bank of England figures show.

Mortgage lending at 12-month low


A gaping hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica appears to have shrunk by about 20 percent from last year #39;s record-breaking size, New Zealand scientists said on Friday.

Antarctic Ozone Hole Smaller This Year -Scientists


Jacques Derrida, a philosopher who founded the school known as deconstructionism, has died, the French president #39;s office said Saturday.

Jacques Derrida, founder of deconstructionist philosophy, dead at <b>...</b>


FORT WORTH, Texas -- American Airlines has unveiled a new simplified domestic fare structure and eliminated many fare restrictions, including all Saturday night stay requirements on the Fort Worth-based airline, as well as American Eagle and

American Lowers  #39;Walk-Up #39; Fares, Cuts Restrictions For S. Florida <b>...</b>


A former crematory operator in Georgia has pleaded guilty to dumping 334 bodies and giving the families cement dust instead of ashes.

Crematory Operator Pleads Guilty To Corpse Abuse, Fraud


LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Eric Shelton ran for 129 yards and tied a Louisville record with five touchdowns on the ground yesterday to lead the No. 22 Cardinals to a 59-7 win over East Carolina.

Shelton runs for five TDs


DaimlerChrysler and General Motors will jointly develop new hybrid motors to compete against Japanese rivals on the fuel-saving technology that reduces harmful emissions, the companies said Monday.

DaimlerChrysler, GM team on hybrids


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- SBC Communications on Wednesday became the second major local phone carrier to unveil plans to offer cable-like television services.

SBC to sell cable-like TV service


The FDA thinks those  quot;wild thing quot; ads for Viagra need to be domesticated. The ads feature a balding middle-age man with a beautiful blond woman and a voice-over asking,  quot;Remember that guy who used to be called  #39;Wild Thing #39;?

FDA Prompts Pfizer To Yank Viagra Ads


Iran #39;s foreign minister, Kamal Kharrazi, told state television Saturday Iranian negotiators have given their final response to an EU proposal to suspend Iran #39;s uranium enrichment program.

Iran Close to Decision on Nuclear Program


Ireland has become the first country to cut off direct-dialled calls to entire countries in a bid to crack down on Internet-based fraud.

Ireland first country to crack down on modem hijacking


NEW YORK Yahoo appears to be moving a step closer to challenging Google after making a purchase of a start-up company that has developed a promising e-mail application.

Yahoo acquires another e-mail start-up


With 30m subscribers added in the 12 months leading up June 30, 2004, the number of global users of the DSL broadband technology reached 78m, according to the latest data produced for the DSL Forum, the international DSL trade association, by industry

Global DSL subscriber base crosses 78m  report


Some people have a great excuse for being bad at math -- their language lacks the words for most numbers, US-based researchers reported on Thursday.

Tribe has great excuse for poor math skills


Hard-disk drive maker Seagate Technology LLC has started shipping a drive targeted at personal computers that offers 400GB of storage space, it said Tuesday.

Seagate ships 400GB PC hard disk drive


\China is leading the world in the number of subscribers to broadband through phone lines, says a report.

China leads world on broadband


HONG KONG - China #39;s biggest computer maker said Tuesday it is in acquisition talks with a major international technology company, a disclosure which comes amid reports it might buy IBM Corp.

Lenovo may be in acquisition talks with IBM


SINGAPORE : A government-initiated plan to upgrade the technology used by logistics players is paying off. The plan involves getting industry players to develop tags using Radio Frequency Identification or RFID technology.

Singapore #39;s investment in Radio Frequency Identification paying <b>...</b>


SYDNEY (Reuters) - Insurer and fund manager AMP has reported a better-than-expected profit for the first half on higher investment returns and improved margins after casting off its British operations.

AMP profits beat forecasts


Remember the 1980s movie Wall Street, starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen? For those who don #39;t know, here #39;s a recap: To impress financier Gordon Gecko, played by Douglas, Sheen #39;s Bud Fox provides inside information ...

US Airways Off Course, Again


HSBC is the first big bank to commit to going carbon neutral as it seeks to reduce its environmental impact. Starting in 2005, it will plant trees, reduce energy use, buy green electricity and trade carbon credits to cut carbon dioxode flows.

HSBC bank to go carbon neutral


Iran announced yesterday that it has frozen all uranium-enrichment programs, weakening a US effort to refer its suspect nuclear activities to the UN Security Council.

Uranium processing halted, Iran says


Oil prices slipped from their record highs Wednesday ahead of the weekly report on US inventories, but stocks hovered close to unchanged levels as investors considered the long-term implications of the flu vaccine shortage.

Stocks Hover Close to Unchanged Levels


Barry Bonds #39;s 700th home run ball brought a top bid of \$804,129 yesterday after a 10-day online auction. The ball had received 240 offers by the time Overstock.

Bonds #39;s 700th? Not Priceless: It Fetches \$804,129 In Internet <b>...</b>


The Brazilian defense ministry said on Thursday it had requested the president extend the flying license of indebted airline Vasp (VASP3.

UPDATE 1-Brazil ministry requests Vasp license extension


A video purporting to show the beheading of a Turkish driver kidnapped in Iraq last month surfaced today on the website of an al-Qaida-linked militant group.

Iraqi hostage beheading appears on website


Reuters - French leaders began high-level meetings\on Sunday on the fate of two French hostages in Iraq after\Foreign Minister Michel Barnier returned to Paris empty-handed\from a Middle East rescue mission.

French Leaders Discuss Hostage Crisis in Iraq (Reuters)


OIL giant Royal Dutch/Shell has evacuated two platforms in Nigerias southern region, following clashes between troops and militia fighters.

Shell clears Nigeria bases


When it came down to making a decision between the Notre Dame job he had often dreamed about and what could become his dream job in Gainesville, University of Utah football

Gators get what they want in Utah coach


When Pittsburg State (Kan.) football coach Chuck Broyles surveyed his roster last August, he was confident he had an offense that could score.

Pittsburg #39;s offense hogs the ball


The city #39;s attorney said Friday he hasn #39;t decided whether to drop a marijuana possession charge against Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, even though a friend of the player #39;s said the drugs found in Anthony #39;s backpack belonged to him.

City lawyer still reviewing facts of Anthony drug case


TechWeb - McAfee introduces a multi-function managed e-mail service for small- and mid-sized businesses.

McAfee Launches Managed Mail Security Service (TechWeb)


NAIROBI International mediators swore in members of Somalia #39;s new Parliament on Sunday, a move seen as a crucial step toward establishing the first central government in the country since 1991.

Somalians sworn in


Hip-hop duo OutKast and rapper Jay-Z are among the main winners at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards.

OutKast triumph at MTV Awards


JABALYA, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed three  Palestinians on Wednesday after storming into north Gaza for  the third time in as many months to quell Palestinian rocket  fire into Israel.

Israel Kills 3 Palestinians in Major Gaza Raid


Eurostar workers will stage a 24-hour walk-out over a pay dispute on August 28, their union announces.

Union sets Eurostar strike date


An unspecified number of cochlear implants to help people with severe hearing loss are being recalled because they may malfunction due to ear moisture, the US Food and Drug Administration announced.

Defective Hearing Implants Recalled


A potential gas source found on the moons surface could hold the key to meeting future energy demands as the earths fossil fuels dry up in the coming decades, scientists said on Friday.

Moon gas may bail out energy-sapped earth


Canadian Press - ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) - Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams raised the spectre of the bungled Churchill Falls hydroelectric deal Wednesday as he tried to explain what is at stake in his province's battle with Ottawa over offshore energy revenues.

Newfoundland premier invokes historic grievance amid fight with Ottawa (Canadian Press)


LOS ANGELES - Five days after his wedding to Elin Nordegren in Barbados, world No 3 golfer Tiger Woods spent Sunday on his 155-foot yacht  #39;Privacy #39; and said, well, he wouldn #39;t mind more of precisely that.

Woods basks on Privacy after wedding


ROBERT ZOELLICK, the United States Trade representative, suggested last night that talks to settle the EU-US trade dispute surrounding subsidies paid to Boeing and

US and EU trade war to flare up again as Airbus takes on Boeing


JOHANNESBURG -- Rwanda denied yesterday it had sent troops into neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, despite repeated threats from Rwandan President Paul Kagame to attack ethnic Hutu militias that have harassed his nation from the area.

Despite evidence, Rwanda denies incursion into Congo


AP - Investors welcomed the end of Oracle Corp.'s 18-month battle to take over PeopleSoft Inc., pushing stocks higher Monday. A better-than-expected survey of retail sales also helped the markets.

Stocks Surge on Oracle, PeopleSoft Merger (AP)


The English Football Association said on Friday it had asked England captain David Beckham for an explanation about his yellow card controversy at last weekend #39;s World Cup qualifier against Wales.

FA asks for Beckham #39;s explanation


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Moderate Palestinian leader  Mahmoud Abbas's chances of winning a presidential election to  replace Yasser Arafat appeared to be sealed after his main  rival Marwan Barghouthi pulled out of the race.

Abbas Set to Win Palestinian Vote


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) - After July #39;s jobs report came up much weaker than expected, August #39;s figures probably calmed nerves at the White House and the Federal Reserve, both of which have been making the case that recent economic soft spots were only temporary.

Jobs data sound perfect #39; to some


Nintendo executives say playing the same old games is getting stale, so they #39;ve created this system to bring new life to games.

Nintendo DS: Doubly Good Dual Screens Elevate Gaming


GULF SHORES, Ala. - Hurricane Ivan slammed into the Gulf Coast early Thursday with 130 mph wind, launching tornadoes, washing out a major bridge and hurling metal signs through the night...

Hurricane Ivan Blasts Alabama, Kills 11


Hu Jia, Sydney silver medallist from China, was crowned in the men #39;s 10m platform final here on Saturday, finishing the competition with 748.

Hu Jia crowned in men #39;s 10m platform in Athens


Continental Airlines Inc. said yesterday it would cut about 425 jobs, or 1 percent of its work force, through staff reductions, attrition, and elimination of unfilled vacancies as part of an effort to trim expenses by another \$200 million.

Continental Airlines to cut 425 jobs


NEW YORK (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees re-signed  catcher John Flaherty to a one-year contract on Friday.

Yankees Re-Sign Catcher Flaherty


com. Free agent pitcher Carl Pavano, whose visits to five American League cities in a week will set up the most talked-about pursuit at the Winter Meetings, left the Motor City on Friday

Tigers, Pavano optimstic after visit


Ireland #39;s major pharmaceutical firm, Elan Corp. PLC, said Tuesday it plans to pay US\$55 million (euro43 million) to resolve a US class-action lawsuit and a related investigation by American federal regulators into alleged accounting malpractice.

Elan Corp. Shares Jump


Furniture retailer Courts yesterday issued a  quot;disastrous quot; profit warning, blamed partly on hurricane Ivan #39;s effects on its Caribbean business but mainly indicating further turmoil in its UK business.

Hurricane claims add to  #39;disastrous #39; Courts trading


Afghanistan #39;s government has asked the country #39;s most powerful mujahideen commander to give up rule over the western province of Herat in order to escape attacks

quot;Lion of Herat quot; offered way out of west Afghan crisis


ARKALYK, Kazakhstan Oct 23, 2004 - A US-Russian crew spent its last scheduled day on the International Space Station on Saturday, saying goodbyes to their replacements and catching up on sleep ahead of a 3 1/2 hour ride back to Earth strapped inside

Space Crew Prepares to Return to Earth


By MARCIA DUNN     CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- NASA's hurricane-damaged spaceport should be able to withstand the wind and rain from Ivan if the storm stays well to the west, the Kennedy Space Center's director said Saturday...

NASA Says Spaceport Should Withstand Ivan


BEIJING: Record oil prices have had only  quot;limited quot; impact on the Chinese economy but the country needs to be keep a close watch on the issue, a senior official said.

Oil price hike has had  quot;limited quot; impact on China #39;s economy <b>...</b>


AP - T.J. Duckett set a team record by rushing for four touchdowns and the Atlanta Falcons clinched just the third division title in franchise history, wrapping up the NFC South with a 35-10 rout of the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Falcons Top Raiders, Win NFC South Title (AP)


MSN Spaces, Microsoft #39;s new blogging service, accompanies a beta version of MSN Messenger 7.0 and updates to MSN Hotmail. MSN Spaces makes it easier for consumers to create and maintain a personal Web site, says Microsoft.

Microsoft Launches MSN Spaces Blogging Tool


THE British-Iraqi aid executive Margaret Hassan, kidnapped by rebels in Iraq, was feared dead today, as US-led forces swept into the flashpoint city of Mosul in a renewed offensive against insurgents.

Rebels attacked in Mosul


Saudi visitors to Malaysia were up 53 percent in 2004.

Tired of post-9/11 hassles, Arab tourists head east


TORONTO (CP) - Team Canada defenceman Wade Redden had his first full practice Friday since injuring his left shoulder in last Wednesday #39;s 5-1 win over Slovakia.

World Cup notebook: Redden skates but probably won #39;t play Saturday


Mystics forward Chamique Holdsclaw touched off more speculation Thursday by practicing with the team a day after being placed on the injured list.

Holdsclaw Practices


MIYAZAKI, Japan (Reuters) - Tiger Woods collected his first  strokeplay title of a difficult year when he stormed to an  eight-shot victory at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament on Sunday.

Woods Ends Drought with Japan Breakthrough


AP - Friday's rematch between President Bush and John Kerry proved to be a livelier affair, and a more revealing show, than their first debate.

Bush and Kerry Put on a Lively Show (AP)


Five Egyptians have been arrested on charges of plotting a series of simultaneous bomb blasts in Red Sea resorts earlier this month.

Egypt arrests Sinai bomb suspects


AP - For the world's best video game players, getting the high score is no longer enough.

World's Top Game Players Battle for Cash (AP)


Reuters - Opposition leader Shimon Peres said\Tuesday he feared Israeli extremists might try to assassinate\Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the target of growing far-right\fury over a planned withdrawal from Gaza next year.

Peres: Israeli Extremists May Try to Kill Sharon (Reuters)


ATHENS, Greece - World champion Perdita Felicien and two United States runners reached the final of the 100-meter hurdles Monday, an event that lost Gail Devers to injury a day earlier.

Two US runners reach 100 hurdles final


In an effort to encourage hardware vendors to build components for the blade platform they co-develop, Intel Corp. and IBM Corp. on Thursday will open up parts of the BladeCenter

IBM and Intel to open up blade specifications


Bart Bryant won his first PGA Tour event Sunday, closing with a 3-under 67 for a three-stroke victory over Patrick Sheehan at the Texas Open.

Bryant records first tour win at Texas Open


Reuters - U.S. jobless claims unexpectedly\rose again last week in more worrying news for the labor\market, government data showed on Thursday, while other data\offered some positive signals for America's economy.

Jobless Claims Up, Import Prices Gain (Reuters)


Sylvain Wiltord scored one goal and made another as he returned to lead Olympique Lyon to a 2-1 victory over AJ Auxerre in a Ligue 1 game on Saturday.

UPDATE 1-Wiltord helps leaders Lyon beat Auxerre


Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein will be online to talk about the investigation into accounting practices at Fannie Mae.

Fannie Mae


Athens -- Stacy Dragila, the first great woman pole vaulter and 2000 Olympic champion, will not be defending her gold medal in Athens.

WOMENS POLE VAULT A huge comedown for defending champ Dragila


Citigroup said regulators warned the bank that an investigation of its asset management unit could result in an enforcement action against the executive who ran the division.

S.E.C. Warns It May Act On Ex-Officer Of Citigroup


(Nov 30, 2004) -- SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Ceramatec of Salt Lake City and the Idaho Natioal Engineering and Environmental Laboraty today announced they they have been selected to lead a \$2.5 million project to develop hydrogen by high temperature

Utah Company to Develop Better Fuel


MOSCOW A senior Russian official says his country is going to continue its nuclear energy cooperation with Iran in spite of concern that Tehran could be trying to develop atomic weapons.

Russia will continue its nuclear energy cooperation with Iran


The death toll from a suicide bombing outside a Moscow subway station rose to 10 as a 20-year-old man succumbed to his injuries, Russian news agencies reported.

Moscow suicide bombing death toll grows


WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. - Relatives of more than a dozen travelers who were hurt when their tour bus drifted off a highway kept vigil Sunday at hospitals while investigators sought a cause for the crash that killed 15 people...

Cause Sought for Fatal Ark. Tour Bus Crash


In the hidden ravines and forbidding, dust-colored mountains of a remote border region near Afghanistan, about 25,000 Pakistani troops are battling hundreds

Toll Rising on Pakistani Frontier


It turns out Richard Awa was just warming up when he scored a hat trick in Waltham's first game this season.

Hawk one-ups himself


AFP - A repetition of problems that plagued the 2000 US presidential election is likely, former US president and veteran elections monitor Jimmy Carter said, charging that  quot;basic international requirements quot; for a fair vote are missing in Florida.

Carter foresees unfair vote in Florida (AFP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - Michael Phelps led the United States to  a narrow victory in the men's 4x200 meters freestyle relay at  the Athens Olympics Tuesday to collect his third gold medal in  four days.

Phelps, U.S. Win Men's 4x200 Freestyle Relay


Sam Allardyce is continuing to prove you do not have to spend millions to feast at the top table. The Bolton manager #39;s ethic is simple.

Allardyce makes most of meagre resources


Marsh  amp; McLennan (NYSE: MMC) has the highest yield this company #39;s share price has offered since 1988. The dividend has risen every year for the past 10 years at a 12 clip.

Is Marsh Ringing the Value Bell?


TechWeb - Six Apart released a new version of its popular blogging software only three months after Movable Type 3.0.

Six Apart Releases Movable Type 3.1 (TechWeb)


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signalled the country was in no rush to reform the yuan, and questioned why more hadn #39;t been done to stop the dollar #39;s slide, the strongest

UPDATE 1-China premier wants stable economy for yuan reform


The winner of this year's competition in the classic computerized strategy game shows that a tactic based on cooperating with team members can succeed over one that relies on echoing rivals' moves. By Wendy M. Grossman.

New Tack Wins Prisoner's Dilemma


Reuters - Wildlife workers have begun a program to\poison thousands of prairie dogs in the grasslands of South\Dakota to stop them from moving onto private ranch land parched\by drought, a federal official said on Tuesday.

U.S. to Poison Prairie Dogs in South Dakota (Reuters)


quot;The only possible source for adequate support of our medical schools and medical research is the taxing power of the Federal Government.

Bankrolling Stem-Cell Research with California Dollars


Home builder DR Horton Inc. said Wednesday that fourth-quarter net income surged 52 percent on improved results in all its markets.

DR Horton Net Profit Jumps in 4Q


Reuters - Defense Secretary Donald\Rumsfeld swept into an airbase in Iraq's western desert Sunday\to make a first-hand evaluation of operations to quell a raging\Iraqi insurgency in his first such visit in five months.

Rumsfeld Arrives at Desert Marine Base in Iraq (Reuters)


Flying to Washington will become easier for Iowa travelers in March when Northwest Airlines begins daily flights. Airline officials said Monday they won a federal lottery that gave them

Northwest wins Washington airport slots


WILMINGTON, Del.--PeopleSoft might have considered Oracle #39;s takeover proposal more seriously if some of the terms were different, PeopleSoft #39;s chairman said in a videotaped deposition played in a Delaware court on Tuesday.

PeopleSoft chairman says bid needed different terms


Ricky Williams rejects a deal that would have allowed him to serve a four-game suspension this season and return to the NFL next year.

Williams Rejects Deal


TORONTO (CP) -- Canadian music lovers who #39;ve been itching to get into the ITunes online music store will have the chance next month.

ITunes coming to Canada in November


Please be aware as there #39;s a new virus worm spreading on the net. The Zafi.D variant is a Christmas wish e-mail together with a .

Zafi.D virus: Christmas wishes and a computer virus!


Recruiters working for U.S. contractors are hiring former Colombian soldiers - and luring away active-duty ones - for security jobs in Iraq, according to a former army officer who met with the recruiters.

AP: Colombia Troops Being Sought for Iraq


The Extreme Edition bears out Intel #39;s announcement last month that it would look beyond increased clock speed.  quot;The problem is, if they keep the clock speed and increase the bus speed, they #39;ll

Intel P4 Extreme Boosts Performance off the Clock


AFP - A Yemeni was sentenced to death and 14 others to jail over the 2002 bombing of the French supertanker Limburg and for other terror attacks, in controversial verdicts promptly appealed by both the defense and prosecution.

Yemeni sentenced to death, others jailed over Limburg bombing (AFP)


Lebanon Wednesday rejected US criticism Syria dictated the make-up of the the new 30-member government of Premier Omar Karami. Information Minister Elie Ferzili said after

Lebanon rejects US criticism of cabinet


Tropical Storm Jeannes death toll in Haiti rose to more than 1,500 and UN peacekeepers were sending reinforcements to help keep order among desperate survivors who have been looting aid trucks and mobbing food distribution centres.

Storm Death Toll Tops 1,500 in Haiti


POLICE have arrested former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson for allegedly jumping on the bonnet of a car outside a nightclub. The car #39;s driver Asaf Alikadic, 22, told police he had left the club and stopped

Tyson arrested for beating car


Halliburton Co. said yesterday that it may sell its Kellogg Brown  amp; Root subsidiary, the largest government contractor in Iraq.

Halliburton Considers Selling Troubled Unit


America Online blocked popup ads and intensified its fight against junk e-mail last year. Starting today, the largest online service is carrying its campaign against online plagues even further.

AOL offers its customers online shield free of charge


The 30-year-old has fallen out of favour at Inter Milan after a bright start to his San Siro career following a move from Bologna in summer 2003.

Liverpool Football Club boss keen on Cruz


AdWeek.com - What do you do when you evoke the ire of the ad industry's largest trade organization? You launch an editorial-cartoon contest about it, of course. That's what Talent Zoo, the Atlanta-based job-recruitment and -placement specialist for the ad business, did last week after that nasty spat with the 4A's over a column on the Talent Zoo Web site criticizing Advertising Week.

SHOPTALK: Don't Tread On Me (AdWeek.com)


Manufacturing conglomerate Tyco International Ltd. said Monday that it agreed to sell its Tyco Global Network unit to Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

Tyco Sells Unit to India Phone Provider


The list of drugs include Meridia - a weight loss drug. Crestor- for reducing cholesterol. Accutane- an acne drug. Bextra- a painkiller.

Dangerous Drugs


ven the most-heralded Yankee rookies are hazed. Last September, Hideki Matsui slipped into a leopard-skin suit with a matching wide-brimmed hat.

Yanks Qualify, and Elvis Has Left for Boston


Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh inaugurated a research centre in the Capital on Thursday to mark 400 years of compilation of Sikh holy book the Guru Granth Sahib.

PM inaugurates Guru Granth Sahib research center in Capital


One of the worlds largest providers of Linux software on Monday said the Philippines has great potential for developing open-source computing because Filipinos have a thorough understanding

Red Hat pushes wider use of open-source computing


Once again the New York Yankees finished the division race in their customary position, first place. However, the road to the top of the first mountain peak wasnt as easy as the 101-61 record would indicate.

Picking your poison


AP -

MIT Works to Power Computers With Spinach (AP)


Novell reports a \$31 million profit for the year, crediting the turnaround to its expanded Linux strategy. By Larry Greenemeier. Novell #39;s move into the Linux market is paying off as the company Thursday reported

Novell Rebounds In Fiscal 2004 On Linux Revenue


This Web-savvy update syncs with MSN accounts, but you'll want to be aware of some functionality requirements and service limitations.

First Look at Microsoft Money 2005


Makybe Diva strengthened her claim to be the finest staying racemare that Australia has seen when she won the two-mile Melbourne Cup for the second year running in the early hours of yesterday.

Melbourne Cup heroine eyes the Arc


Roy Oswalt became the NL's first 19-game winner as the Astros stay close in the wild-card race with a 10-3 victory over St. Louis.

Astros Stay Close


Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it will need an additional \$135 million in liquidity in early 2006 to meet the requirements of certain financing agreements.

UPDATE 2-Delta says needs \$135 in added liquidity for 2006


Software602 updates its productivity package, which started as a creation of Czech hobbyists.

Czech out this Microsoft Office alternative


NEW YORK (Dow Jones/AP) -- Deutsche Bank AG of Germany plans to sell its New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Chicago offices of Scudder Private Investment Counsel to Legg Mason Inc.

Deutsche Bank to Sell Scudder Business to Legg Mason


AP - In the days before Microsoft Corp. released the hotly anticipated Halo 2 video game for the Xbox game console, some gamers noticed a sudden spike in the number of people being kicked off the company's online game service. That was no coincidence.

Microsoft Cracks Down on Xbox Changes (AP)


Like many organisations, the United Nations sometimes goes for clunky jargon and lowest common denominators when addressing important questions.

The only one we #39;ve got


The White House embraced the theory that aluminum tubes bound for Iraq were for nuclear centrifuges despite contrary views from America's leading nuclear scientists.

How the White House Embraced Disputed Arms Intelligence


Far fewer Americans than expected applied for first-time unemployment benefits last week as the effects of Hurricane Charley faded, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Jobless Claims Drop; Imports and Inventories Rise


By Ossian Shine  ATHENS (Reuters) - Justine Henin-Hardenne blasted her way to  Olympic gold Saturday, beating Amelie Mauresmo 6-3, 6-3 in a  clash of the world's top two players.

Henin Blasts Her Way to Gold


AP - Eric Pegram kicked a 19-yard field goal in overtime and Lee Foliaki recovered a fumble on the next possession, giving No. 17 Texas A amp;M a 29-26 victory over Colorado on Saturday.

No. 17 Texas A M Nicks Colo. 29-26 in OT (AP)


Apple will brook no criticism of its offerings on its new product review page--but praise and pan other makers' stuff all you like.

Apple store takes reviews--but not of its own stuff


AP - Farmers said Tuesday they are investigating alternatives to slicing flesh from live sheep to prevent them from becoming infested with flies, after animal advocates urged a boycott of Australian wool to protest the

Australian Farm Group Announces Research (AP)


LONDON, SEPTEMBER 27: Wayne Rooney might be seen in the red of anchester United for the first time on Tuesday. United manager Alex Ferguson calls him the best English player in the last 30 years, and hes

Let the Rooney Era begin at Man U


Oil futures prices surpassed \$54 a barrel Tuesday on supply concerns in Nigeria and the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricane damage to pipelines and production platforms could curb output for months.

Oil Prices Pass \$54 on Supply Concerns


Secretary of State Colin Powell sees the situation in Iraq

Powell Says Situation in Iraq 'Getting Worse'


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed to press ahead with his Gaza pullout plan despite a humiliating rebuff from his own party of his bid to forge a coalition with the pro-withdrawal Labour Party.

Sharon presses on with Gaza plan


Tracy Miller thinks about her son's touch and his voice, trying to grasp that she will never experience either again.

Hundreds Mourn Marine From Md.


VA Software in March 2005 plans to add Wiki integration to its SourceForge Enterprise Edition environment for collaborative application development, with the goal of providing more structure to Wikis.

VA Software adding Wiki support to collaborative tool


DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. <A HREF=

Ford Cuts Production as Sales Fall Again


Because of the large scale of the offensive operation in Fallujah, the ammo guys have been working nearly nonstop, trying to fill orders for U.S. and Iraqi security forces who continued Sunday to battle the last holdouts of insurgents and foreign fighters.

Ammo Outpost Assumes Key Role


Shrugging off the boos and jeers that delayed the start, Shawn Crawford led an American sweep of the medals in the men #39;s 200-metre race yesterday at the Summer Games.

Jeers turn to cheers


SRINAGAR, India - A roadside bomb killed 10 Indian soldiers and their civilian driver yesterday in Indian-controlled Kashmir in separatist guerrillas #39; most devastating attack since India #39;s government began withdrawing troops from the disputed region last

International Briefs


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

Multifunction Devices Draw Back-To-School Crowd


An Israeli missile strike killed at least two Hamas gunmen in Gaza City Monday, a day after a top commander of the Islamic militant group was killed in a similar attack

Israeli Missile Strike Kills Two Gaza Militants


Investor's Business Daily - Growing use of digital music players has cell phone makers singing a happy tune.

Cell Phone Makers Fast Getting In Tune With Emergence Of Digital Music (Investor's Business Daily)


Fewer Americans filed jobless claims last week and growth in worker productivity slowed sharply in the third quarter, government data showed on Thursday, hinting that

Jobless Claims Dip, Productivity Growth Slows


More Sudanese refugees flee across the border into Chad following reports of renewed violence in the Darfur region.

Sudan refugees report new attacks


Computer Associates International Inc. (CA) avoided a revolt at its annual meeting on Wednesday, when shareholders voted down a proposal requesting that the company's board adopt a policy of revoking executive bonuses paid based on financial results that are later revised.

CA shareholders back management over bonuses issue


US entrepreneurs participating in the Havana Trade Fair are planning to negotiate new sales of cattle and foodstuffs and hope to exceed the one billion dollars in total revenue they have

First contract signed with US companies at Havana Trade Fair


Champions Arsenal dropped their first points of the season when a late Henrik Pedersen equaliser earned Bolton a point. The Danish substitute poked home the ball after 85 minutes to deny Arsene Wenger #39;s team their sixth win in six Premier League games.

English Premier League match reports


Top seed Serena Williams rallied to claim the China Open yesterday, taking a hard fought 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Serena topples US Open champ in China


U.S. court says it's a French matter; plaintiff organizations want ban on sale of Nazi memorabilia.

Yahoo Faces New Court Battle over Nazi Items


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon  on Wednesday renewed his threat to remove Yasser Arafat, saying  the Palestinian president would

Israel's Sharon: Arafat Will 'Get What He Deserves'


Biopure Corp. is running out of money -- again. Recent regulatory filings, including one yesterday, show the Cambridge blood-substitute developer seeking the financial flexibility it says it will need to keep operating after January. That's when it expects to use up the \$7 million it raised through a stock sale in September.

Biopure seeks OK to boost stock sales


Dwyane Wade paced a balanced attack with 21 points and Shaquille O #39;Neal added 16 in his Heat debut, leading Miami to an easy 100-77 win over the New Jersey Nets at the Meadowlands Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Shaq debuts in Miami win over New Jersey


LAHORE: At least 25 men have died of drinking homemade liquor in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts, a news channel reported on Saturday.

25 die drinking moonshine


Australia beat New Zealand by 213 runs in the second cricket Test at Adelaide to clinch a 2-0 series victory and complete a winning record against all nine teams at the sport #39;s elite level.

Australia Beats New Zealand, Seals Sweep of Test Cricket Wins


John Selvaggio, the president of Delta Air Lines #39; low-cost carrier, Song, has retired, effective immediately, for personal reasons, a Delta spokeswoman said on Friday.

President Of Delta #39;s Song Retires


US stocks rose as optimism about third-quarter earnings reports overshadowed record oil prices. Alcoa Inc., which is scheduled to announce results tomorrow, led gain in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

US Stocks Rise on Earnings Optimism; Shares of Alcoa Advance


SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Earlier this year, The Yankee Group published the results of a customer satisfaction survey that showed that buyers of market-leading ERP software -- the integrated suites that companies use to run basic business

A Challenge to Software Vendors, From One of Their Own


A ban on the sale of all tobacco products comes into force in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.

Bhutan forbids all tobacco sales


Both the Titans and the Packers desperately needed a win last Monday night to turnaround a disappointing start by both teams. Given this fact, one might have expected a close game, but that was not the case.

Packers Lose Four Straight


MedImmune Inc. said Tuesday that it is evaluating whether it can help stem a threatened flu vaccination shortage by producing more doses of its inhaled vaccine FluMist after a request from federal officials.
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MedImmune Tapped for More Flu Vaccine


Keep praising your troops and maybe they #39;ll win the fight. Sun Microsystems (nasdaq: SUNW - news - people ) Chief Executive Scott McNealy saw good in earnings that were somewhat worse than expected.

McNealy: Pulling Out A Tough Quarter At Sun


Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday signed veteran forward/center Scott Williams. As per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cavs sign Scott Williams


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Sony launches iPod killer


Internet portal Yahoo has launched a personalization feature in its search engine in an effort to counter Google #39;s ever-rising popularity.

Your Own Web at Yahoo  #39;My Web #39;


Reuters - Corey Dillon ran for a pair of\touchdowns and Tom Brady threw for 315 yards as the New England\Patriots registered a 27-19 win over the Chiefs in the Monday\night game in Kansas City.

Dillon, Brady Lead Patriots to 24th Win in 25 Games (Reuters)


The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft on Tuesday returned the first close-up glimpses of Titan, one of Saturn #39;s moons. Mission controllers at NASA #39;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena unveiled ghostly images from the flyby Tuesday night.

Cassini-Huygens Sends Ghostly Images from Titan


About 150 Iraqis, many of them recipients of humanitarian aid, rallied Monday in front of the Baghdad offices of CARE International to demand the release of aid worker Margaret Hassan.

More than 100 Iraqis demand release of Margaret Hassan


Symantec is making a play for a broader market with a new

Symantec tries to widen reach beyond security tools


Zurich, Switzerland - England and Manchester United teenage sensation Wayne Rooney has made it on to the shortlist for Fifa #39;s 2004 Player of the Year award.

Rooney on Fifa shortlist


JP Morgan Chase  amp; Co. (JPM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 US bank, said on Wednesday profit fell in the third quarter, missing analyst expectations, as a result of costs from its July merger with Bank One Corp.

Merger Costs Hit JP Morgan Chase Profit


JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) --While the dust is still settling lets take a look at some of the arguments Gold Fields might start putting up to persuade its shareholders of the poverty of the Harmony bid.

Countering the Harmony offer for Gold Fields


Samples and data inside the wrecked Genesis space capsule appear intact enough to salvage most of the mission #39;s science, optimistic researchers said Friday.

Scientists Think Data From Space Capsule Can Be Salvaged


RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has issued an edict barring the use of cell phones with built-in cameras, blaming them for

Saudi Edict Bans Mobile Phone Cameras


LONDON (Reuters) - Although the grand slam silverware has  been doled out for the 2004 season there is still much pride  and prize money to play for as the tennis year creeps toward  its climax.

Pride, Prizes Aplenty to Play for as Year Nears Climax


J.T. Snow singled in the winning run in the ninth to lead the Giants to their sixth straight victory, 5-4, over the Expos on Tuesday night.

Giants Edge Expos


THE investigation into the \$5.3 billion collapse of insurer HIH has claimed its biggest scalp, with founder and former chief executive Ray Williams pleading guilty to criminal charges.

HIH inquiry claims its biggest scalp


ORRVILLE, Ohio - JM Smucker Co. said on Friday that earnings for its second quarter were up 18 percent, helped by a 57 percent increase in sales stemming from its acquisition of International Multifoods Corp.

Acquisition helps Smucker reports 18 percent earnings increase


Computer Associates International shareholders vote down a proposal to recoup money paid to top execs during an accounting scandal.

CA execs can keep bonuses--for now


AP - Alex Smith threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns, Morgan Scalley returned a fumble 88 yards for a score and No. 7 Utah beat Colorado State 63-31 on Saturday night for its first 9-0 start in school history.

No. 7 Utah Defeats Colorado St. 63-31 (AP)


SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--News Corp. (NWS) Chairman Rupert Murdoch said there was  quot;no choice quot; but to change the media giant #39;s domicile to the US as he attempts to win over crucial support from Australian investors for the move, the Australian Financial Review ...

AUSTRALIA PRESS: Murdoch Drums Up Support For US Move


SAN JOSE, Calif. The online payment service PayPal says it #39;s been able to fix most of the technical problems that have plagued the company for the past five days.

Technical problems subside at online payment service PayPal


AFP - Singapore Telecommunications' Australian unit Optus and Vodafone announced an agreement on rolling out a shared third-generation (3G) mobile phone network in Australia.

Singtel's Optus, Vodafone Australia plan shared 3G network (AFP)


By Richard Lloyd Parry at Camp Dogwood and Michael Evans, Defence Editor. THREE soldiers of the Black Watch battle group were killed yesterday in the first fatal suicide bomb attack against British troops in Iraq.

Iraq suicide bomber kills three men of Black Watch


Who better to talk about the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry than Tom Gordon, who calls his days in Boston among his happiest in the game.

Special to ESPN.com


Reuters - The run-up to the U.S.\presidential election is casting the spotlight on a new crop of\Web sites for political-minded singles who are seeking Mr. or\Ms. Right ... or Left.

Livewire: Web Aids Search for the Right -- or Left -- Mate (Reuters)


The European Union Wednesday held out the prospect of lifting a 15-year-old arms embargo on China, possibly by next year. Washington firmly opposes

EU Could Lift Arms Embargo on China by Next Year


The Foreign Office tonight warned Britons against all but essential travel to Indonesia in the lead up to and during Christmas and the New Year.

Terror Warning Against Travel to Indonesia


BAGHDAD, Nov 2 - A car bomb exploded Tuesday in the busy commercial district of Azamiyah in northern Baghdad, causing casualties, the Interior Ministry said.

Car Bomb Explodes in Baghdad


Boston University will raise the curtain on a new \$225 million athletic complex at a gala next week, and its much-anticipated Agganis Arena will host its inaugural hockey game Jan. 3.

Bringing BU together


More weaknesses appear in the Diebold electronic voting system that activists say could be used to rig the November election. The company says auditing procedures would catch any vote fraud. By Kim Zetter.

Activists Find More E-Vote Flaws


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Hurricane Ivan drilled the Gulf Coast on Thursday with 130-mph winds that inflicted far less damage than feared everywhere except Florida's Panhandle, where residents were left with surge-ravaged beachfronts, flooded streets and homes ripped apart by deadly tornadoes...

Hurricane Ivan Slams Gulf Coast; 23 Dead


Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers is planning to miss Saturday #39;s game against rivals the San Francisco Giants in observance of Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, a team spokesman said Thursday.

Green to Sit Out Dodgers Game for Yom Kippur


Qantas domestic and international air fares will rise by \$4 and \$7 respectively from next week as the airline lifts its fuel surcharge to offset soaring oil prices. Despite posting a record annual net profit of \$648.40 million on ...

Qantas, Jetstar fares rise with oil


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

Iraq Rebels Kill Nearly 50 Army Recruits, U.S. Envoy


France, Britain and Germany reached a tentative deal with Tehran on freezing enrichment activities during talks in Paris over the weekend.

UN awaits Iran nuclear letter


AFP - Singapore, which sees itself as a target for terrorists, will install more closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in crowded areas to forestall any attacks, the Sunday Times reported.

Singapore to install more surveillance cameras as anti-terror measures (AFP)


NewsFactor - America Online is seeking help with efforts to push its messaging services into the mobile realm, enlisting the help of handheld-device manufacturers while introducing a developer program focusing on the company's Instant Messenger (AIM) applications.

AOL Targets Mobile IM (NewsFactor)


Could Ricky Williams be rethinking his retirement from the NFL? According to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel the ex-running back has  quot;reached out quot; to Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt and is contemplating a return to the NFL.

FOXSports.com Posted: 3 minutes ago


A UN report says key goals to improve clean water and sanitation by 2015 will fail  unless the world acts.

Water 'wake-up call' given by UN


Reuters - An ape that lived 13 million years\ago in what is now Spain may have been the last common ancestor\of all apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and\humans, researchers said on Thursday.

Fossil Ape May Be Ancestor of All Apes -- Report (Reuters)


Worldwide mobile handset sales topped 167 million units, with almost all regions posting growth, according to the latest numbers coming out of Gartner.

Gartner: Mobile Phone Sales Up 26


Olympic champion Tyler Hamilton was fired by Phonak, his Swiss cycling team, two months after testing positive for illegal blood transfusions.

With Ban Pending, Hamilton Loses Ride


AP - Bosnian Serb forces killed more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica, a Bosnian Serb commission conceded Thursday in its final report on the 1995 massacre.

Bosnian Serb Panel Publishes Final Report (AP)


More evidence of past water on Mars may help answer the questions  quot;How wet? quot; and  quot;How long? quot; At a news conference here at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical

Rovers Find More Evidence That Mars Was Once Home to Water


Rebates are getting easier. Instead of making it as difficult as possible for a consumer to claim a rebate, some retailers are simplifying the process, figuring fewer hassles along the way will build customer loyalty and raise sales.

Retailers simplify the rebate process


Vijay Singh and Ernie Els, the world #39;s top two players, could not be more confident going into the World Match Play Championship starting at Wentworth on Thursday.

PREVIEW-Singh and Els primed for Match Play showdown


ST. GEORGE #39;S, GRENADA - Jamaica #39;s Prime Minister urged his country to pray Thursday as the Category 5 hurricane Ivan headed toward the island nation after killing 20 people elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Jamaicans told to pray as storm looms


Some say Mustafa Barghouthi's campaign may lead to the creation of a viable secular opposition in Palestinian politics.

'Unknowns' stirring Palestinian race


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A series of major oil company  mergers in recent years have left U.S. households vulnerable to  higher gasoline and natural gas prices, the Consumer Federation  of America said on Tuesday.

Oil Company Mergers Hurt Consumers-Group


Ireland #39;s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern has shuffled his cabinet to re-energise his party after a poor showing in local and European elections earlier this year.

FACTBOX-Profiles of key figures in new Irish cabinet


Reuters - (Linda Stern is a freelance writer who covers personal\finance issues for Reuters. Any opinions in the column are\solely those of Ms. Stern. You can e-mail her at\lindastern(at)aol.com.)

Finance: the Point of No Returns (Reuters)


According to fellow lawmakers and an advisor, Senator Christopher J. Dodd is considering running for governor of Connecticut in 2006.

Three Senators Consider Bids for Governor


Young people are increasingly happy to buy pirated goods or illegal download content from the net, a survey shows.

Fake goods tempting young adults


Forbes.com - By now you probably know that earnings of Section 529 college savings accounts are free of federal tax if used for higher education. But taxes are only part of the problem. What if your investments tank? Just ask Laurence and Margo Williams of Alexandria, Va. In 2000 they put  #36;45,000 into the Virginia Education Savings Trust to open accounts for daughters Lea, now 5, and Anne, now 3. Since then their investment has shrunk 5 while the average private college tuition has climbed 18 to  #36;18,300.

Pay Now, Learn Later (Forbes.com)


Crude oil fell on skepticism that members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will enact promised production cuts.

Crude Oil Falls on Skepticism OPEC Will Adhere to Output Quotas


THE death toll from a tropical storm buffeting Japan rose to 17 yesterday, including two men buried inside their homes by mud. Tropical storm Meari has cut a wide swath through Japan

Japanese storm #39;s fatal landslides


A computer technician who prosecutors said made possible the largest identity theft in U.S. history, surpassing \$50 million, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy in a scheme that poached personal information from tens of thousands of people.

ID Theft Case Yields Guilty Plea


Starting next month, intensive-care patients at Inova Alexandria Hospital will be monitored round the clock by more than doctors and nurses at their bedsides.

Alexandria Hospital to Create a Virtual ICU


Paula Radcliffe holds the world record for both the marathon and the 10K. She won the world championships half-marathon three times in the last five years.

Radcliffe out to put Athens in rearview mirror


Sam Cassell and the Minnesota Timberwolves apparently are back on good terms. The veteran guard reported for yesterday afternoon's practice after skipping the team's media day and first day of workouts earlier in the week. Cassell, 34, was unhappy about not getting a contract extension.

Cassell returns to the fold


Tight end Tony Gonzalez caught six passes for 71 yards for the Chiefs, who have scored 38 points on their initial drive of the game this season...Safety Jay Bellamy and Fakhir Brown each made nine tackles for the Saints, whose last home win over Kansas

NFL Game Summary - Kansas City at New Orleans


AP - Apple Computer Inc. stock jumped to a four-year high Monday after a major Wall Street firm nearly doubled its price target on the stock, saying that customer satisfaction with its iPod music player is creating

Popularity of IPod Drives Up Apple Stock (AP)


The Smithsonian #39;s National Museum of Natural History plans to announce today the largest renovation in its nearly 95-year history, creating Ocean Hall, an unusual hybrid of public display and research.

Museum to Get \$60 Million Exhibit


AFP - Democratic challenger John Kerry turned the Bible against born-again Methodist President George W. Bush, arguing that his policies ran counter to America's moral foundation.

Kerry turns the Bible, terror comments on Bush (AFP)


Ask Jeeves will launch a test version of its desktop search tool on Wednesday, following the launch of similar tools by rivals Microsoft on Monday and Google in October, and ahead of expected entries from America Online and Yahoo.

Ask Jeeves Previews Desktop Search Tool


The Patriots seemed to have reason for optimism following Tyrone Poole's return to action last Sunday and the upgrading of Ty Law to doubtful for the team's visit to Miami Monday. But the situation changed yesterday. Poole was placed on the injured reserve list and is out for the season, according to Patriots spokesman Stacey James.

Poole is out for the year


Toshiba has announced a dual layered disc that will playback both HD-DVD and DVD formats strengthing its offering in the battle of the next generation DVD formats.

Toshiba create dual layered DVD/HD DVD disc


AS the roar of their fans swept over the Port players in yesterday #39;s Grand Final parade, the enormity of the occasion finally hit.

Well, this really is it for Port faithful


AP - The Tight Lies Tour is one of several regional circuits for players with aspirations of making the big leagues. One of its alumni is Ryan Palmer, who held off Vijay Singh last month at Disney for his first PGA Tour victory.

Tight Lies Tour Goes Against the Grain (AP)


Just over a year ago, the recording industry unleashed its first barrage of lawsuits against people who share music online - a move that appeared to curtail illegal file swapping briefly.

Congress joins file-sharing battle


ARLINGTON, Va. -- US Airways Group Inc. , operating in bankruptcy, will increase service from Charlotte, N.C., and Philadelphia and spread flights during the day, boosting its schedule 7 percent without adding aircraft.

Airline to raise number of flights


Hearts has named its former goalscoring champion John Robertson as its new manager following the departure of Craig Levein to Leicester.

Robbo is all Hearts


Despite a barrage of new ideas, the hangover itself is imperfectly understood and a true cure remains elusive.

Raw Eggs? Hair of the Dog? New Options for the Besotted


AP - Florida elections officials were lax in their oversight of the company that created a flawed database of felons and dead voters, but there was no intent to disenfranchise anyone, an internal audit of the project found.

Audit Lays Blames for Fla. Database Errors (AP)


Several Wall Street analysts cut their forecast on earnings for American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday while the airline #39;s chief

AMR Forecast Cut by Analysts


Philadelphia won a fourth consecutive NFC East title as Brian Westbrook scored two touchdowns Sunday and the Eagles #39; defense made life miserable for Eli Manning in a 27-6 victory over New York.

Sunday #39;s NFL Capsules


RealNetworks is sending a real message to Apple, their largest competitor in the online music market. On Tuesday, RealNetworks announced that it was launching the biggest music sale in history, offering single music downloads for just 49 cents, and most ...

RealNetworks Launches Music Download Price War


While taking a back seat to software and security efforts, hardware is still a big time concern according to our survey. Organizations are taking the opportunity to consolidate their environments as they replace

Gateway returns to Japan after three years


The Chicago Bears stole the New York Giants' early-season formula for success - again and again and ...

Bears Defeat Giants, 28-21


Former champion Lleyton Hewitt bristled, battled and eventually blossomed as he took another step towards a second US Open title with a second-round victory over Moroccan Hicham Arazi on Friday.

Open-Hewitt hits top gear, Mauresmo storms on


Reuters - AG Interactive and Univision\Communications launched Univision Movil Sept. 1. The new brand\provides bilingual wireless downloads.

Univision Movil Bows with Bilingual Downloads (Reuters)


AP - With just three Sundays left before Election Day, Sen. John Kerry is asking for all the help he can get from black voters and the Almighty.

Kerry Courts Black Voters at Church Stops (AP)


Federal agencies have new hints to guide them to green ovals in the e-government column on their quarterly Office of Management and Budget scorecards.

Going for green


British manufacturers are reporting that their order books are at their lowest level since January, prompting the CBI to scale back its forecast for economic growth for 2005

Downturn in growth worries the CBI


Over the next year and a half, Clear Channel Radio -- which owns six stations in the Austin market -- will convert 20 to 25 stations around the country to Hispanic formats.

Clear Channel Radio pursues Hispanic listeners


Trusted Computer Solutions (TCS) Inc. officials are developing Trusted Linux, a highly secure version of Linux that will rival Unix in environments in which security is the highest priority.

Linux wants to earn your trust


Officials in southern Florida began evacuating some people from the Keys as Hurricane Ivan ripped through Grenada, leaving at least 15 dead.

Hurricane Ivan Rages; Evacuations Begin in Florida


Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, a Bedouin tribesman who became president of the federation known as the United Arab Emirates and one of the Arab world #39;s leading statesmen, died yesterday.

Zayed bin Sultan Dies; Gulf Leader and Statesman


Sprint and Nextel, two of the top five US mobile phone carriers, are negotiating a merger, say people close to the proposed deal. The combined company would be worth about \$70bn.

Nextel and Sprint talk about \$70bn merger plan


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips closed slightly higher  on Thursday, helped by Johnson   Johnson Inc.'s <A HREF=

Dow Ends Up on J J Deal


They are 22 years old, rookies barely out of their junior years at Miami and Louisiana State, but one is already starting for the defending Super Bowl champions, while the other is trying to break through the group of young defensive ends in front of him.

Hill's goal to play active role


AP - Foreign Minister Alexander Downer conceded Wednesday that the Iraq conflict may have increased the threat of Australians becoming a terror target, supporting a claim by the country's top spy.

Australians Said a Bigger Terror Target (AP)


Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it agreed to buy rival health plan First Health Group Corp.

UPDATE 5-Coventry Health to buy First Health for \$1.8 bln


A group of companies led by Sony Corp of America which includes cable television #39;s Comcast Corp. on Thursday said it has signed a definite agreement to acquire film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Sony-led deal for MGM set


Japan lodged a formal protest with the Chinese government on Friday after determining that an unidentified nuclear submarine that entered its territorial waters this week belonged to China.

Japan Protests Incursion by Nuclear Sub


President Bush said that Alberto R.Gonzales had been

Bush Nominates His Top Counsel for Justice Post


Reuters - Anglican Church head Rowan Williams has\warned church leaders that criticism of gay people could make\them vulnerable to persecution or suicide.

Anglican Leader Warns Churches on Gay Hate Message (Reuters)


Microsoft #39;s MSN division has launched a test version of a free blogging service aimed at consumers, its first attempt to provide this popular activity for the mass consumer market.

Microsoft introduces weblog service


A ban on hunting with dogs in England and Wales is expected to be backed by MPs on Wednesday.

Hunting ban to be debated by MPs


WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said he dropped his opposition Tuesday to the merger of Wellpoint Health Networks and Anthem, adding the two health insurance giants met his criteria in order to complete the deal.

California OKs WellPoint-Anthem deal


Chiron Corp. is delaying shipment of its flu vaccine, Fluvirin, because lots containing 4 million vaccines, do not meet product sterility standards, the pharmaceutical company said on Thursday .

UPDATE 1-Chiron delays flu vaccine shipments


HONG KONG Turnout is brisk in Hong Kong where voters could give pro-democracy leaders more clout than they #39;ve had since China reclaimed the area in 1997.

Voters in Hong Kong may give opposition party its most clout since <b>...</b>


After a season of near misses in golf #39;s major championships, Ernie Els fired back Sunday to tame the difficult Ireland conditions at the American Express World Golf Championship and quiet the critics.

As the seasons change, these tips will help you deal with wind


Saturn's satellite, Mimas, can be imaged from afar and imagined up close, but its striking resemblance to the fictional Death Star from Star Wars gives the most dramatic view of its violent past.    Astrobiology Magazine -- Lonely Mimas swings around Saturn, seeming to gaze down at the planet's splendid rings...

Saturn's Death Star Lookalike


Their wrists and feet shackled, the accused half-crawled, half-fell out of the high four-wheel-drives that had delivered them to a garish conference centre-turned courtroom in Equatorial Guinea #39;s capital.

Dogs of war? These men in shackles have been whipped into <b>...</b>


A total lunar eclipse expected to create views of a blood-red moon will be visible tonight throughout most of North America -- weather permitting.

If clouds part, blood-red moon will be seen during eclipse tonight


\A virtual reality hand, complete with vital veins, that

Virtual veins give nurses a hand


Two astronauts who spent half a year aboard the International Space Station returned safely on Saturday to the steppes of Kazakhstan in the pre-dawn darkness.

Two Back on Earth After Year on Space Station


ABUJA (Reuters) - Sudan rejected an offer of African troops  to disarm rebels in Darfur as peace talks began in Nigeria,  insisting it was capable of neutralizing both pro-government  and rebel militia fighting in the western region.

Sudan Rejects Africa Troop Offer at Darfur Talks


ExxonMobil Corp. and Royal Dutch/Shell Group yesterday reported large increases in third-quarter profits, part of an industry-wide windfall caused by high oil prices and strong demand.

Oil Firms Report Big Profit Increases


Faisalabad: Pakistan needs to equal a world record chase of 418 to beat Sri Lanka after the tourists made 438 in their second innings on the fourth day of the first cricket Test at Iqbal stadium on Saturday.

Lanka set Pak historic target of 418 to win


Nokia on Tuesday said it has joined an industry group working on technical and specification standards for Secure Digital memory card applications.

Nokia joins Secure Digital industry group


Citing newly disclosed State Department documents, Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) called yesterday for further congressional hearings on Halliburton Co.'s contracts in Kuwait and Iraq.

Waxman Seeks New Halliburton Inquiry


There appeared to be another faller in the Ryder Cup chase today when Ulsterman Graeme McDowell failed to make the dramatic move he needed in the third round of the BMW International Open in Munich.

McDOWELL #39;S CUP CLAIMS FADE


AP - Colombia's Congress gave final approval to a bill to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for re-election, a move aimed at giving the hard-line leader more time to fight a leftist insurgency and drug trafficking.

Colombia's Congress to Let Uribe Run Again (AP)


An era will come to an end when IBM sells off its computer manufacturing business, according to The New York Times. A Chinese company seems the likely buyer, and the deal should fetch upward of \$2 billion.

IBM to Quit Making PCs


POLAND produced a stunning comeback to deny departing Wales manager Mark Hughes a happy send-off at the Millennium Stadium today. The home side dominated the first-half and Robbie Savage finally unlocked the

Poles are party-poopers


Qwest neither admitted nor denied guilt, but in accordance with the judgment promised not to violate federal securities laws in the future.

Qwest Confirms \$250 Million Settlement with SEC


AP - Pressured by a ranking senator from Nevada and the Environmental Protection Agency, Gov. Kenny Guinn says he might reconsider his opposition to a federal Superfund cleanup declaration for a huge abandoned mine contaminated with toxic waste and uranium.

Nevada Ponders Superfund Status for Mine (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Far fewer Americans made  initial  jobless claims than expected last week as the effects of  Hurricane Charley faded, government data showed on Thursday,  while import prices hit an 18-month high and inventories grew.

Jobless Claims Drop, Imports Hit Highs


Haemonetics Corp. acquired Harvest Technologies Corp.'s Bloodless Surgery Station line, in an effort to expand its surgical blood salvage products and to enter the surgical patient management market. Haemonetics said it paid an undisclosed amount of cash to buy Plymouth-based Harvest Technologies' Bloodless Surgery Station, which is an integrated product for blood conservation and surgical blood salvage. The Braintree maker ...

Haemonetics buys blood products line


The US men #39;s soccer team has played Panama to a 1-1 draw in Panama City in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match. Roberto Brown found the net first for Panama in the 71st minute Wednesday as the hosts outshot

US Men #39;s Soccer Team Plays Panama to 1-1 Draw


MIAMI -- Bryan Randall grabbed a set of Mardi Gras beads and waved them aloft, while his teammates exalted in the prospect of a trip to New Orleans.

Hokies' victory is sweeter this season


The AutoSketch 9 program supports powerful tools for drafting and other precise drawing.

AutoSketch Makes 2D Drawings Easier


French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin called a ministerial crisis meeting on two French journalists held hostage in Iraq on Monday as efforts to secure their release threatened to turn into a fiasco.

France Calls Crisis Talks Over Iraq Hostages Farce


AP - Houston Astros outfielder Lance Berkman may miss the start of next season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing flag football.

Berkman Injures Knee, May Miss Opener (AP)


Sprint Corp. (FON.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday said it plans to cut up to 700 jobs as it realigns its business to focus on wireless and Internet services and takes a non-cash network impairment charge.

Sprint to Cut Jobs, Sees Non-Cash Charge


AP - Fifteen seasons may not be not enough for Emmitt Smith.

Smith Hints He Wants to Play Another Year (AP)