BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Leading Sunni Muslim politicians yesterday urged postponement of the Jan. 30 national elections, and a senior official said the government had agreed to meet outside the country with Saddam

Sunni leaders urge delay in Iraqi elections


LONDONUS crude prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit fresh record highs on Tuesday, hitting \$50.47 a barrel, up nearly 55 percent from the start of the year.

Why are oil prices so high?


AP - No. 15 Virginia Tech is all alone in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with three games left, including one against Virginia and another against Miami.

Hokies Take It One at a Time (AP)


Russia says it opposes a US proffer to refer Iran #39;s nuclear case to the UN Security Council. Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the remarks in Tehran at a

Russia opposes referral of Iran to UN Security Council


The eighth-seeded American fell to sixth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia, 0-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5), on Friday - despite being up a break on four occasions in the third set.

HEARTBREAK FOR AMERICAN DUO


The newest release in the GTA franchise, San Andreas, could be the best yet,

GTA sequel is criminally good


A warning was issued today about a Peeping Tom computer virus which can hijack webcams and spy on users. The virus, or worm as it is technically

Beware  #39;Peeping Tom Webcam Worm #39;


MADRID, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Factbox on England defender Jonathan Woodgate who will sign for Real Madrid on Saturday after passing a medical on Friday.

FACTBOX-Jonathan Woodgate factbox


Jaguar workers delivered a snub to union leaders by rejecting plans to strike over Ford #39;s decision to stop car assembly at the Browns Lane plant in Coventry.

Jaguar workers vote against strike


Jeff Wasson thumbed the steel visor higher on his forehead so he could see out from under his suit of armor.  quot;It would be a great gift for the executive who has everything, quot; Wasson said of the shiny suit, which weighs 65 pounds.

Neiman Marcus book features pricey gifts


Oil wealth can often lead to corruption, according to the latest survey by anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International.

Oil wealth 'can cause corruption'


AP - Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield will have arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his left shoulder, which didn't improve after two weeks of rehabilitation.

Yankees' Sheffield Faces Shoulder Surgery (AP)


Russia's first race hate murder trial ends in long jail terms for three men who killed an African medical student.

Russia jails killers of African


THE race to get a widespread third generation mobile phone network in Australia started in earnest yesterday with Optus and Vodafone agreeing to a joint venture network.

Telcos forge 3G link


NEW YORK  Just when it seemed that reality television was set to take over the dial, scripted shows have come roaring back - at least for now.

ABC encores  #39;Desperate Housewives #39;


SAN FRANCISCO -- Oracle on Wednesday will introduce Oracle Application Server 10g Release 2, which is being characterized as a significant upgrade to the product with improvements in Java, Web services, and identity management and the addition of RFID backing.

Oracle readies major app server upgrade


Italy #39;s Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha, won the Portuguese MotoGP race for the fourth year in a row to close on the world championship crown.

Rossi rushing towards world title


Cairn Energy Plc, which plans to produce 80,000-1,00,000 barrel of crude oil per day from its Mangala and Aishwariya fields in Rajasthan, is disputing a tax that has been imposed on production.

Cairn to oppose cess on output


Controversy surrounding a current art exhibition (earlier reports here) being held in Berlin has deepened after an unusual stunt pulled on Wednesday by a German gymnast, said to be protesting over the dark legacy which is attached to the artworks on

Backflipping into controversial art (Friday 24 September 2004)


Reuters - Russian state television\predicted at least 100,000 people would attend a Moscow rally\on Tuesday to denounce terrorism, bolstering President Vladimir\Putin against critics over a Chechnya-linked hostage bloodbath.

Rally Offers Putin Support Over Hostage Bloodbath (Reuters)


Nigeria said on Monday it had banned the awarding of government contracts to Halliburton, the world #39;s second-largest oil services firm, following the theft of two radioactive devices from its Nigerian subsidiary.

Nigeria bars Halliburton contracts


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Oracle Corp. Chief Larry Ellison  has long preached the virtues of consolidation in the software  sector and some analysts say a key federal court decision could  help to push his vision closer to reality.

Oracle Court Win Could Prompt More Deals


Reuters - Sharman Networks Ltd., distributor\of the Kazaa file-sharing software, on Monday launched its\latest version which enables users to make free online calls\anywhere in the world.

Kazaa Offers Unlimited Free Internet Phone Calls (Reuters)


New laptops, games and even Google applications share the spotlight at DigitalLife2004, a show designed to tempt consumers to pry open their wallets. Michael Myser reports from New York.

Expo Tries to Whet Geek Appetites


BAGHDAD, December 5 (IslamOnline.net  amp; News Agencies) - With unabated attacks and bombings leaving at 41 Iraqis and six occupation forces dead in the past 24 hours, a senior UN official cast doubt on the possibility of organizing the scheduled elections

Iraq Attacks Kill 41, UN Envoy Skeptical on Elections


UZLOVAYA, Russia (Reuters) - Russia observed a day of  mourning on Thursday for at least 89 people who died in a  mysterious double air disaster, which some fear could have been  a terrorist attack ahead of a key election in rebel Chechnya.

Russia Mourns Dead in Mystery Double Air Crash


Imagine the satisfaction around these parts if the chant suddenly is true. Maybe it's no longer just the jealous, seventh-grade,  quot;you're fat-you're ugly quot; taunting. Maybe it's reality. Finally.

AL East race now a chase


Man had been charged with one of the largest such scams in U.S. history.

Identity Theft Suspect Pleads Guilty


Something happens to Jens Lehmann on Champions League nights. In the Premiership, the German has few peers, as his record verifies.

Jens out of sorts in the Euro zone


Just days after Lycos Europe #39;s launch of an anti-spam DDoS tool raised eyebrows in the security space, the company appears to have scrapped the campaign.

Lycos Pulls Anti-Spam  #39;Vigilante #39; Campaign


Half-Life 2 creator Valve Games has announced that a legal complaint filed against publisher Vivendi Universal Games in August 2002 has been upheld by a US court, but several other cases remain outstanding.

Valve wins case against Vivendi


China beefed up its ongoing crackdown on internet porn on Monday with new rules published that allow courts to issue life sentences to those convicted of posting pornography online.

Net porn providers to get life sentences


Bangalore, Oct 19 - Within hours after the jungle terror unleashed by Veerappan was brought to an end with his killing, Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today announced that a probe would be conducted to uncover the political patronage and

Karnataka to investigate political links of Veerappan


IBM (Quote, Chart) upped the ante against rivals HP (Quote, Chart) and Sun Microsystems (Quote, Chart) in the server market by adding three new machines based on its Power5 processor, two of which can run 254 virtual servers on a single machine.

IBM Fleshes Out Power5 Line


Our story this morning on Microsoft #39;s digital media launch included comments from Forrester Research analyst Ted Schadler, explaining why he thinks the first wave of Media Center Extender products will be too expensive (about \$300 for set-top boxes) for

#39;Extender #39; reality check


A former Enron accountant testified Thursday that he knew an arrangement to temporarily sell Merrill Lynch some barges just to boost Enron #39;s bottom line was wrong and he planned to lie about it if confronted.

Accountant testifies he lied about Enron barge deal


KOLHUFUSHI ISLAND, Maldives -- Residents of this low-lying atoll are being forced to seek refuge on the sea more than a week after it destroyed their homes.

Some rely on boats in Maldives


WASHINGTON -- A Food and Drug Administration official is defending the agency #39;s action with regards to Vioxx. The drug was taken off the market Sept.

Official Insists FDA Acted Appropriately With Vioxx


WASHINGTON -- While North Americans wince as they fill up their vehicles with fuel, market forces are smiling on the Saudi Arabias and Exxon Mobils of the world.

Soaring oil prices redistributing world #39;s wealth


he Americans bowed out relatively early. Controversy clouded the elimination of one of the game #39;s biggest names, Serena Williams, and rain and wind each had a day to ravage the tournament.

Federer #39;s Power to Meet Hewitt #39;s Precision in US Open Final


NEW DELHI: A key communist ally of Indias Congress party-led coalition urged the government on Friday not to raise retail prices of petroleum products if possible despite soaring global oil prices.

Communists in India oppose fuel price increase


Seven Marines have died in combat in western Iraq. The fighting in Anbar, a vast province including Fallujah and Ramadi, was the deadliest for US forces since eight Marines

Seven Marines die in Anbar fighting


Barcelona powered nine points clear at the top of the Primera Liga with a 2-1 win at Getafe. The damage was done early on with Rafael Marquez and Deco firing home goals in quick succession to give Barca a 2-0 lead by the 22nd minute.

Barca on Cloud Nine


The great white shark, African rhinos and the American bald eagle are among the animals and fauna that will take center stage at an international conference on regulating trade in endangered species that opens Saturday.

Conference on Endangered Species Opens in Bangkok


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that the legal case against the country #39;s embattled oil giant Yukos will be handled under Russian law.

Russia says Yukos case to be dealt with under Russian law


The new Palm Tungsten T5 takes a lot of steps backward, but offers one huge leap forward.

A Palmtop's Curious Subtraction


SALISBURY, Md. Nov 30, 2004 - Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps #39; drunken driving trial was set for Dec. 29. Phelps, 19, was stopped by a state trooper on Nov. 4 for running a stop sign in Salisbury.

Olympic Swimmer Phelps #39; DUI Trial Set


Oracle on Wednesday will introduce Oracle Application Server 10g Release 2, which is being characterized as a significant upgrade to the product with improvements in Java, Web services, and identity management and the addition of RFID backing.

Oracle readies major app server upgrade


Media Man: Ted Turner #146;s Improbable Empire , Ken Auletta, Atlas Books and W.W. Norton   Co., 205 pp, \$22.95.

An incomplete account of Ted Turner's fall from grace


MADRID, Oct 16 (AFP) - A trademark poacher #39;s strike from Ronaldo saved Real Madrid #39;s blushes at Real Betis on Saturday as his second-half effort rescued a point in a 1-1 draw.

Ronaldo saves Real #39;s Betis blushes


BT has entered an agreement with Research In Motion to offer co-branded BlackBerry 7230 and 7730 handhelds to its corporate customer base.

BT To Offer BlackBerry in Europe


BOUAKE, Ivory Coast -- President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa traveled yesterday to the rebel-held north of Ivory Coast, telling cheering crowds that his peacemaking efforts were designed to improve the life of all people in the former French colony and economic hub of West Africa.

Mbeki on Ivory Coast peace trip


Reuters - The scandal at Marsh   McLennan Cos.\ may have floored Wall Street, but some executives who\had defected to a rival insurance broker said the legal storm\was long overdue.

Ex-Marsh Executives Bolster Small Rival (Reuters)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold  Schwarzenegger vetoed on Wednesday a bill that would have  required the state's employers to give workers written  notification if e-mail and other Internet activity is being  monitored at work.

Schwarzenegger Vetoes E-Mail Monitoring Disclosure


Rank Group is working on plans to split off its Deluxe international film and DVD business to focus on bingo, casinos and Hard Rock cafes.

Last picture show for Rank as it seeks Deluxe buyer


KERRY Packer has taken a first step to forging a global gambling empire by teaming up with Hong Kong tycoon Stanley Ho to enter the lucrative casino land of Macau.

Macau card up Packer sleeve


Brian Barwick last night accepted the chief executive #39;s position at the Football Association following a final round of interviews earlier in the day.

Barwick handed post as FA chief executive


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar edged up on Wednesday,  recovering some of the losses it made after the Fed raised U.S.  interest rates as expected but did little to change the  market's view that its monetary tightening cycle will continue.

Dollar Claws Back from Losses


Crabtree  amp; Evelyn, a leading retailer of beauty products, recently joined Amazon.com #39;s new Beauty Products category of online retail channels.

Crabtree  amp; Evelyn Connects To Amazon Using Web Services


The Cuban government does not believe there will be changes in Washington #39;s policy against the island country, regardless whoever wins the presidential election in the United States next week, local press said Saturday.

Cuba rules out US change of policy towards it


AP - When a Republican-funded group of Vietnam veterans sought to run a blistering television ad accusing John Kerry of lying about his decorated war record, Democrats quickly fired off a letter to broadcasters imploring them not to air the

GOP, Democrats Seek to Pull Campaign Ads (AP)


Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United has temporarily ended talks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer over a possible takeover.

Manchester United stop talks with Glazer


The Russian government issued an arrest warrant for the chief lawyer for Yukos and arrested a midlevel executive at a company subsidiary.

Russia Seeks to Prosecute Two More at Yukos


PALO ALTO, Calif. - Lauren, 11, saunters nonchalantly past a Discovery Channel store and a Gymboree clothing store at the mall. Then suddenly, the girl #39;s eyes light up and she pulls her mother into an Apple Computer Inc.

New crop of portable players nips at iPod


Every day they wait on Eli Manning here, the pressure percolates. Behind a crumbling offensive line and a suddenly tenuous season, there will be less and less patience for the NFL #39;s No.

Playing catch-up with the future


WASHINGTON -- Personal bankruptcies appear to have broken the upward trend of recent years, slipping 0.8 percent in the 12 months ending June 30, figures released Friday show.

Personal bankruptcy trend turns downward


Kananaskis Country will take on a Tour de France feel Sept. 26 as its perennial champion, Lance Armstrong, leads a swarm of cyclists through the Rockies.

Calgary Sun


BBC Northern Ireland rural affairs correspondent Martin Cassidy looks at the renewed strength of mussel fishing in Belfast Lough.

Mussel beds flourish again


New world number one Amelie Mauresmo struggled to a 7-5 6-4 victory over Patty Schnyder in the second round of the Filderstadt Grand Prix on Thursday.

Mauresmo struggles past Schnyder at Filderstadt


quot;I wanted him to stay outside, quot; US boxing coach Basheer Abdullah would say later,  quot;and use his speed. quot;. But when it mattered most Friday night - in the closing seconds of the Olympic light-heavyweight

One American left as Ward boxes into final round


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips fell on Wednesday as a  steep decline in commodity prices and lower crude oil dented  shares of Alcoa Inc. <A HREF=

Blue Chips Fall on Commodity, Oil Stocks


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. <A HREF=

Coke Enterprises Cuts Earnings Forecast


HONG KONG -- A Hong Kong appeals court cleared some convictions yesterday against 16 Falun Gong followers for protesting outside China's liaison office but upheld more serious verdicts in a case seen as a test of this territory's freedoms under Chinese rule.

Court reverses some Falun Gong convictions


ABUJA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Sudan plans to double the number  of police in Darfur to 20,000, the country's foreign minister  said on Tuesday in the face of fresh reports that marauding  Arab militiamen were still preying on stricken refugees.

Sudan Says More Police to Shield Darfur Refugees


MOSCOW -- The intense US-led assault on Fallujah could undermine Iraq's upcoming elections, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned yesterday, and the UN refugee agency expressed concern about the tens of thousands of civilians who have fled the besieged city.

Russia warns about elections; UN fears for civilians


Britain #39;s largest low-cost airline, easyJet, was at the centre of frenzied speculation over a Nordic takeover last night after Icelandair revealed it had snapped up an 8.4 stake.

Icelandair in swoop on easyJet


com. Major League Baseball has expanded its availability to fans everywhere in yet another important way, announcing on Wednesday an 11-year, \$650 million agreement with XM Satellite Radio

MLB announces 11-year deal with XM Satellite Radio


Reuters - Sara Lee Coffee   Tea said Wednesday\it was raising its retail coffee prices to keep pace with 14\percent hikes by other major roasters as global bean supply\next year shifts from surplus to deficit.

Sara Lee Raising Retail Coffee Prices (Reuters)


For many coaches, their last home game after 41 years on the job would be an emotionally charged event that becomes bigger than the game.

BC High drops Cotter home finale


Justin Langer batted all day for a superb unbeaten 181 as Australia reached 8 for 357 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Pakistan at the WACA on Thursday.

Magnificient Langer rescues Australia


Given what members of the military are facing in Iraq, and what mission might soon await some of them, none of Army or Navy #39;s football players could think of Saturday #39;s

Anything but a Game


Dogs must be between 14 and 30 months old and between 22 and 24 inches when measured from the top of the shoulder blade to the floor.

Preparing pooches for the work force


AP - Adnan al-Ghoul, the Hamas military leader assassinated in an Israeli missile strike Thursday, had long eluded Israeli forces through a mixture of stealth and luck.

Hamas Leader Had Eluded Israel for Years (AP)


Union leaders at central Florida #39;s Walt Disney World have asked its rank and file to vote to approve a strike because contract negotiations have stalled.

Strike vote called at Disney World


Forget the mayhem in Iraq, the presidential elections, even last night #39;s candidates #39; debate. A banner headline yesterday in The Washington Post proclaimed the only news in

Baseball: After 34 years, baseball returns to Washington


Arab, Muslim and Western nations gather in Morocco on Saturday in an effort to promote economic and political reform in the Middle East that is widely seen within the region as US meddling.

US Promotes Mideast Reform Amid Arab Skepticism


Iraqi security forces and American troops have been patrolling the battered streets of Samarra as normal life began returning after a US-led assault wrested the city from rebels.

Iraq town struggles back to life after US assault


ANKARA: The European Commission is widely expected to give Turkey the green light to start EU entry talks in a progress report due to be published on Wednesday.

Pros and cons of Turkey joining the EU


15:19  quot;The complaint is meritless. quot; As retorts go, Cryptic Studios #39; response to comic book giant Marvel Enterprises hits with the power of an Incredible Hulk ( er, better insert a TM here - Ed) punch.

CITY OF HEROES HITS BACK AT MARVEL


THE United States looks set on a collision course with the European Union (EU) over their aircraft industries. In recent months, the two giants have been unable to agree on how best to replace a 1992 bilateral

Clash of the Titans


Six directors of Reliance Energy, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, India #39;s biggest private sector company, yesterday resigned from the board as

Family feud prompts six directors to quit


NIIGATA (Kyodo) Rescue operations to save three people trapped in a buried car in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, ended without a second miracle Thursday after a 3-year-old girl was confirmed dead.

Girl trapped in buried car confirmed dead; quake toll 35


The CD will remain the dominant format for music distribution in Europe at least until the end of the decade, according to a new study.

Study: CDs Still Overshadow Digital-Music Downloads


The first space mission dedicated to gamma-ray bursts was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday. Gamma-ray bursts are the most energetic events in the universe, but they continue to

Swift takes off


ARLINGTON, Va. -- Bankrupt US Airways says it lost \$232 million dollars July through September, more than twice as much as a year ago.

US Airways Reports \$232 Million Loss


Conan O'Brien will succeed Jay Leno as host of the

Conan O'Brien to Succeed Jay Leno in 2009, NBC Announces


GM Today Staff. WAUKESHA - The orange numbers glow bright enough to be seen from across the street of North American Computer. The number - 68,248.

Internet users have false sense of security, study finds


Ina Fried reports for cnet News.com,  #147;Apple Computer #146;s rack-mounted storage system received a vote of confidence Monday, with database giant Oracle endorsing the Xserve RAID as part of an initiative to cut storage costs  #133; Additionally, Oracle is using the Xserve RAID in its own technology department to store e-mail, voice mail and calendar information  #133; Meanwhile, Apple also said Oracle is moving ahead with previously announced plans to offer its 10g software for the Mac sometime before the end of the year. #148; Dec 07

Oracle Uses Xserve RAID


SiliconValley.com - China's role in the international economy took a big step forward this week when a plucky computer maker named Lenovo bought a majority stake in IBM's personal computer business.

Money from China's boom makes way into U.S. economy (SiliconValley.com)


An aircraft carrying three US military passengers and three American civilian crew is presumed to have crashed in mountains in central Afghanistan at the weekend, military and security sources said on Tuesday.

US Plane Presumed Crashed in Afghanistan


PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) - France will sell up to 12.1  percent of France Telecom in Europe's largest share placement  in four years, bringing as much as 5.75 billion euros (\$6.95  billion) into state coffers as it strives to cut national debt.

France to Cut Debt with Telecom Sale


The UK watchdog upheld complaints about a magazine advert which claimed that the open-source operating system Linux was more expensive than Windows.

Microsoft #39;s Linux ad  #39;misleading #39;


com September 23, 2004, 4:49 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half.

Oracle sets new deadline on PeopleSoft bid


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries prices skidded lower  on Friday after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said  investors should be hedged for higher interest rates.

Greenspan Rate Warning Spooks Treasuries


Venus Williams stretches for the ball during her first round match with Lisa Raymond at the Advanta Championships Tuesday, Nov 2, 2004 in Villanova.

Venus Advances at Advanta Championships


AP - Leftist Zapatista rebels announced Wednesday they will voluntarily withdraw seven squatter settlements from an endangered jungle nature reserve, a move that may mark the end a decade-long standoff with authorities.

Mexican Rebels Withdraw From Reserve (AP)


Although the veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan have little in common, their recent moves have given a jolt to two long frozen conflicts -- the Israeli-Palestinian imbroglio and the Indo-Pakistan struggle

Arafat, Musharraf shake logjam


Reuters - European shares flirted with 28-month\highs on Monday, buoyed by a bounce back in auto groups after\their recent trouncing due to the weak dollar.

Eurostocks Near 28-Month Peak (Reuters)


Walt Disney Co. #39;s directors nominated Michael Ovitz to serve on its board for another three years at a meeting just weeks before forcing him out of his job as

Disney Nominated Ovitz to Board Before Ousting Him


Time magazine once called him  quot;the genius who gave voice to the common man in the 20th century, quot; comparing him (not entirely unseriously) to Mao Zedong and Mohandas Gandhi in influence.

Singing the praises of karaoke #39;s creator


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie  drew first blood for holders Europe with a birdie-three at the  first hole as the 35th Ryder Cup began at Oakland Hills under  cloudy skies on Friday.

Monty Gives Europe Early Advantage at Oakland Hills


Reuters - The dollar sank across the board on\Friday as dealers shrugged off robust U.S. economic data and\kept their focus on the currency's shaky fundamentals.

The Dollar Sinks Across the Board (Reuters)


Sun Microsystems Inc. on Thursday posted a narrowed first-quarter loss on a second consecutive quarter of sales growth. Sun released its results after the closing bell and shares rose 7 cents, or 1.8 percent, to \$4.

Sun Microsystems Narrows 1Q Loss


Explosions damaged churches in Baghdad yesterday and the US military reported the deaths of four more American troops in bomb attacks elsewhere in Iraq.

Iraq insurgents hit churches, kill four American troops


Investor's Business Daily - When Matrix Partners gave  #36;10 million to open-source software maker JBoss Group last February, some wondered whether the venture capital investors had lost their minds.

Venture Firms Warm Up To Open Source, But Questions Remain (Investor's Business Daily)


IBM's loss of its huge JPMorgan contract comes as outsourcing deals are getting smaller.  \

Outsourcing megadeals lose momentum


A federal judge ruled Friday against Long-Term Capital Management, finding that the fund acted in bad faith when it took \$106 million in tax deductions.

Hedge Fund Is Censured and Ordered to Pay Taxes


IBM will supply Florida International University with hardware and software so the university can do research on how technology can be used to better protect patient privacy and reduce waiting room time.

IBM, Fla. university look to autonomic computing research


Video games that have players shoot rival gang members, watch bare-breasted women and recreate the assassination of President Kennedy were criticized Tuesday by advocacy

Groups protest sex, violence in video games


Microsoft Corp. said on Sunday that it would share the underlying software code for its Office program as part of its efforts to make governments more confident in the security and compatibility

Microsoft to Share Office Software Code


LOUDON, NH - The 10 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers who qualified for the 10-race Chase for the Championship all got together Friday morning at New Hampshire International Speedway for a group photo.

Rainout gives Gordon pole for start of Chase for the Championship


AP - Indonesian police arrested an American executive of a U.S.-based mining company and three local staff over the alleged contamination of a bay in eastern Indonesia, a company spokesman said Thursday.

Indonesia Arrests U.S. Mine Executive (AP)


Outsider Athanasia Tsoumeleka snatched the women #39;s Olympic 20km race walk title after a thrilling finish to give hosts Greece their first athletics gold of the Games.

Surprise Greek winner in 20km walk


A US-European spacecraft is preparing to explore the planet Saturn #39;s huge moon, Titan. The  quot;Cassini-Huygens quot; spacecraft that has orbited the ringed planet since July is to venture within 1,200 kilometers of the cloud-covered moon on 26 October.

US-European Mission To Solve Mystery Of Saturn #39;s Enigmatic Moon


Health care professionals across the state say a new federal program that will give \$1 billion to hospitals nationwide that provide emergency care to undocumented

Doctors say US plan will alienate


British Prime Minister Tony Blair has had a successful operation for recurrent heart palpitations and is doing well, Sky TV reported on Friday.

Blair undergoes heart operation


com December 10, 2004, 11:28 AM PT. Customers at Apple Computer #39;s iTunes store will now be able to pay for their songs, albums and gift certificates using PayPal, a virtual wallet technology owned by eBay.

Apple #39;s iTunes now accepting PayPal


Just three years after Ohio salesman Steve Warshak started selling penis enlargement pills out of a spare room in his home, his company rakes in more than \$200 million a year on unproven palliatives

Supplement maker walks fine legal line


Legislation that would expand the definition of criminal file-trading over the Internet was approved Wednesday by the US House Judiciary Committee.

File-trading penalties legislation moves forward


SAN FRANCISCO - America Online Inc. (AOL) has decided not to fully support Microsoft Corp.'s Sender ID spam-fighting plan after the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the open- source community expressed intellectual property concerns.

AOL backs away from Microsoft antispam plan


Political wonks no longer need to hunch over their PCs to track the political leanings of different regions. A new service sends that data to cell phones and PDAs, so people can find out instantly if they're in a Democratic or Republican stronghold. By Daniel Terdiman.

Campaign Donor Data Goes Mobile


Reuters - The Houston Rockets exercised\the fourth-year option on center Yao Ming's contract on\Thursday.

Rockets Exercise Contract on Yao (Reuters)


Former Gator football coach Steve Spurrier will not be back coaching the Gators next fall. In a statement released just before noon, Spurrier said that he told Athletic Director Jeremy

Spurrier Won #39;t Be Back Next Year


Kretschmer, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher and a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker award, did not start due to a knee problem and finished with just seven yards on four carries...Nevada was picked fifth in the WAC #39;s preseason poll, while Louisiana

NCAA Game Summary - Nevada at Louisiana Tech


Tom Richey, head of homeland security efforts at Microsoft, will be online to discuss homeland security trends and Microsoft's current work in the homeland security arena. Filter columnist Cynthia L. Webb will moderate.

Microsoft's Homeland Security Efforts


Convicted killer Demarco McCullum, who grew up in Seminary, Miss., was executed Tuesday for the abduction, robbery, beating and fatal shooting of a Houston man 10 years ago.

Seminary native, 30, executed in Texas


A \$5 million shortfall in client funds has been discovered after Wellington-based discount broker Access Brokerage was placed into liquidation yesterday.

Broker #39;s books \$5m short


College basketball: Men -- Becker at Fitchburg St., 1 p.m.; Daniel Webster at WNEC, 1 p.m.; Long Island at Hartford, 2 p.m.; Framingham St. at WPI, 2 p.m.; Colby-Sawyer at Amherst, 2 p.m.; UMass-Lowell at Southern N.H., 2 p.m.; Keene St. at UMass-Boston, 3 p.m.; Mass. College at Eastern Nazarene, 3 p.m.; Elms at Lasell, 3 p.m.; Bridgewater St. at ...

Today's schedule


If ever there were a time for the Chargers offense to panic, this was it. In fact, it seemed as if the group already was a bit unnerved.

Brees kept offense cool


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

Oil, Gas Prices Help Chevron Earnings


GEORGETOWN, Del., Oct. 28 -- Plaintiffs in a shareholder lawsuit over former Walt Disney Co. president Michael Ovitz's \$140 million severance package attempted Thursday to portray Ovitz as a dishonest bumbler who botched the hiring of a major television executive and pushed the release of a movie that angered the Chinese government, damaging Disney's business prospects in the country.

Ovitz Defends His Role in ABC Hiring, 'Kundun'


Yet Lisa Fernandez desperately longed to give up her gold-medal moment to US softball coach Mike Candrea.  quot;He truly deserved to be on that podium, quot; said Fernandez, the winning pitcher for the United States

Grief gives way to gold


Until Theo Epstein became the general manager of the Boston Red Sox two years ago, at 28, life had offered him little cause to believe in superstition.

A New-Age General Manager Helps End an Age-Old Curse


Based on 18 months of Envisat observations, this high-resolution global atmospheric map of nitrogen dioxide pollution makes clear just how human activities impact air quality.

Urban Smog: State of the World


The dollar rose against the yen and the euro in London on expectations the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates tomorrow and signal it plans further increases.

Dollar Advances on Outlook for Federal Reserve Rate Increases


PARIS (Reuters) - A small parcel bomb exploded outside the  Indonesian embassy in Paris before dawn on Friday, slightly  injuring 10 people and shattering windows, but officials said  they had no clues to the motive.

Bomb Hits Jakarta's Paris Embassy, Motive Unclear


Schlumberger Ltd., the world #39;s second- largest oilfield-services company, had third-quarter net income of \$318.2 million after a year-earlier loss of \$55.

Schlumberger Reports 3rd-Quarter Profit of \$318.2 Mln (Update1)


Hurricane Ivan, which weakened to a Category 2 storm Monday, is expected to regain its strength today as it plows through the Windward Islands and passes at least 200 miles south of St.

Tuesday, September 7th 2004


Russia #39;s prime minister pledged Friday his country would meet its oil export obligations to China, the Interfax news service said.

Russian PM assures China on oil exports


By Wayne Pearson, host of ESPN #39;s  quot;Ultimate Outdoors quot;. It #39;s been my experience that the term  quot;legend, quot; when describing an individual, has been tossed around all too freely.

Dale Earnhardt: In the presence of a legend


What started with the debut of a  quot;dream team quot; turned into a nightmare of a Friday for the United States at the 35th Ryder Cup Matches.

Europeans dominate Friday matches at Ryder Cup


NASA has announced that its Mars robots Spirit and Opportunity would work six months longer than expected. NASA made the decision after re-establishing radio contact with the twin rovers, which had spent 12 days behind the Sun.

Mission extended for Mars robots


LONDON, England -- Italian trade unions have rejected a rescue plan put forward by Alitalia management, intended to turn the airline around with job cuts and a restructured corporate framework.

Unions reject Alitalia rescue plan


Reuters - Maoist rebels blockading the Nepali\capital killed four soldiers on Tuesday in an attack on a\patrol trying to keep the main highway to Tibet open for\traffic, an army spokesman said.

Nepali Rebels Kill 4 Soldiers, Tighten Blockade (Reuters)


AP - Lorenzo Bromell was placed on injured reserve by the New York Giants on Thursday, joining the team's growing list of defensive linemen whose season has been ended by injury.

Giants Place Bromell on Injured Reserve (AP)


The

Tunes, a Hard Drive and (Just Maybe) a Brain


British police have charged eight terrorist suspects with conspiring to commit murder and use radioactive materials, toxic gases, chemicals or explosives to cause  quot;fear or injury quot; in a case involving an alleged top al-Qaeda operative at the centre of a US ...

Eight terror suspects charged in UK


Tracey Emin, Damon Albarn and Jack Vettriano have taken mobile phone photos for an exhibition in London.

Bidders to snap up mobile photos


A clever species of owl baits its lair with dung to attract tasty beetles, offering a remarkable case of an animal using a tool to help it survive.

Owls use tool to attract food, research shows


CLAMART, France The mystery surrounding Yasser Arafats illness broadened Thursday as the Palestinian leader at various times was said to be in a coma, in stable but serious condition, very critically ill, and then dead - until reports of his death

Mystery surrounds what ails Arafat


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - When Iraq's Olympic soccer side beat  Costa Rica nine days ago en route to their semi-final clash  with Paraguay later on Tuesday, Hussein Allawi jumped so high  with joy he cut his hand in the ceiling fan.

Winning Iraqi Soccer Team Rare Cause for Joy


SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Argentine Guillermo Canas crushed  Germany's Lars Burgsmuller 6-1 6-0 to win the Shanghai Open on  Sunday.

Canas Thrashes Burgsmuller to Win Shanghai Open


Treasuries prices plunged on Friday after a startlingly strong US jobs report raised the risk the Federal Reserve would keep hiking interest rates well beyond the move widely expected for next week.

Treasuries Trounced on Fears Fed to Hike


Ad networks target online gamers as next big audience for product placements.

Invasion of the Video Game Ads


SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Tim Rattay authored a much-needed fourth quarter comeback for the San Francisco 49ers. Rattay accounted for 16 points in the last 4:36 of regulation, and directed a drive that led

San Francisco 49ers


PARIS Sept. 2, 2004 - France #39;s bold effort to reign in Muslim fundamentalism was put to the test Thursday, with a new law that bans students from wearing Islamic head scarves taking force with the start of the school year.

France #39;s Ban on Head Scarves Put to Test


PITTSBURGH The chief executive of Mylan Laboratories says a move by Wall Street financier Carl Icahn (EYE #39;-kahn) to halt Mylan #39;s acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals is wrongheaded.

Mylan exec blasts financier #39;s plan to block King merger


Hewlett-Packard acknowledged that on three occasions it considered breaking up, but each time the board unanimously decided to keep the company together.

Hewlett Chief Says a Breakup Was Discussed


MCI, the troubled telecommunications company, has quietly begun shopping itself to potential buyers, executives involved in the sale process said.

Executives Say MCI Is Looking for Buyers


The family of the murdered Nottingham man Marvyn Bradshaw are to gather at the spot where he was shot to mark the first anniversary of his death.

Family #39;s tribute to murdered man


COMMACK, New York (Reuters) - Defending champion Paradorn  Srichaphan withstood a barrage of huge hitting to beat Swede  Joachim Johansson 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 and reach the semifinals of the  Long Island Cup Friday.

Battling Paradorn Reaches Long Island Semifinals


United Airlines has secured a tentative contract agreement with its pilots, clearing a critical early hurdle in its effort to make another round of painful

Pilots reach agreement with airline


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon  said on Thursday Yasser Arafat's death could be a turning point  for peacemaking but he would pursue a unilateral plan that  would strip Palestinians of some land they want for a state.

After Arafat Death, Sharon Vows to Pursue Gaza Plan


SRINAGAR: Fourteen people, including nine soldiers, were killed in held Kashmir on Sunday, the Indian army said. An army spokesman said that the convoy had driven over a landmine detonated by separatist militants

Nine soldiers among 14 killed in Kashmir


VIENTIANE, Laos -- A day after reaching a deal with China in a bid to create the world #39;s largest free trade zone, the leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations have approved free trade talks with Japan.

ASEAN approves talks with Japan


Bank of America Corp. said a departing executive is eligible to collect about \$20.7 million in severance and other payments from the company.

Bank of America Exec to Get Severance Pay


AP - Oft-injured quarterback Steve McNair left Tennessee's game at Minnesota on Sunday after reaggravating the bruised chest that kept him in the hospital for two nights last month.

McNair Leaves Game After Reinjuring Chest (AP)


Major creditors holding billions in claims on Tuesday supported plans by US Airways (UAIRQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) to void labor contracts covering thousands

UPDATE 1-US Air creditors back plan to dump labor contracts


On the day Craig McCaw #39;s old company, AT amp;T Wireless, came one step closer to being absorbed by Cingular Wireless, the cellphone pioneer announced that his latest venture, Clearwire, has formed a high-profile partnership with Intel.

Intel joins McCaw #39;s new tech venture


AP - Albert Pujols made sure the St. Louis Cardinals got off to another fast start.

Pujols Gets Cardinals Off to Fast Start (AP)


The government asked its citizens not to retaliate against immigrants Thursday, a day after two Albanian gunmen hijacked a bus. The 18-hour standoff near Athens ended peacefully early Thursday after police

Hijackers of Greece Bus Surrender


A London court on Tuesday backed anindependent inquiry into an Iraqi civilian allegedly killed by British soldiers but ruled out judicial reviews into five other civilian deaths in southern Iraq.

London court backs probe into Iraqi civilian death


AP - U.S. warplanes and artillery units bombed the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah on Monday, killing at least nine people and wounding 12, hospital officials and witnesses said.

U.S. Bomb Insurgent Stronghold of Fallujah (AP)


Gambro AB, the world #39;s No. 2 operator of dialysis centers, agreed to sell its US clinics to DaVita Inc., for \$3.1 billion in cash.

Gambro Agrees to Sell US Dialysis Unit to DaVita (Correct)


Area companies may not have the budget to buy premium sports tickets or lease luxury suites to Washington's new baseball team.

Baseball Crowds Market


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady on Tuesday  after falling 2 percent a day earlier and were set for further  falls in anticipation of higher U.S. crude stocks despite  concerns over disruptions to Iraqi oil flow.

Oil Flat After Drop, More Losses Seen


AP - The Senate race in Kentucky stayed at fever pitch on Thursday as Democratic challenger Daniel Mongiardo stressed his opposition to gay marriage while accusing Republican incumbent Jim Bunning of fueling personal attacks that seemed to suggest Mongiardo is gay.

Ky. Democrat Responds to Personal Attacks (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Eagles thumped the  Detroit Lions 30-13 Sunday in a clash of two previously  unbeaten teams.

NFL Wrap: McNabb Sparkles for Eagles, Manning Delights Colts


Has America ever had a good relationship with France? I mean, besides in the movies? We probably cheered on les citoyens during the Revolution, which erupted only 13 years after our own

A French fried policy


VANCOUVER - A Vancouver-based firm won #39;t sell 1.2 million doses of influenza vaccine to the United States after all, announcing Tuesday that it will sell the doses within Canada instead.

1.2 million flu shots will stay in Canada after all


Hilton Group Plc, the operator of Hilton hotels outside the US, said first-half profit almost tripled, helped by gains at the Ladbrokes betting chain and a recovery in demand for hotel rooms.

Hilton Profit Almost Triples on UK Bettors, Hotels (Update2)


In Coach Herman Edward's first three seasons, the Jets went 4-4, 6-2 and 5-3 after the halfway point.

Second-Half Success Is an Edwards Tradition


MANNHEIM, Germany, Aug. 22 -- A memo issued last summer by a US Army military intelligence officer appealed for suggestions on how to extract information from prisoners in Iraq and called for tougher means of getting intelligence.

Memo Appealed for Ways To Break Iraqi Detainees


AP - On a night when pitching suddenly took over the NL playoffs, someone was bound to get a hit. Fortunately for the Houston Astros, Jeff Kent stepped up.

Astros Beat Cards 3-0 to Take NLCS Lead (AP)


Reuters - Two continents. Three luxury mansions\courtesy of friends. Endless sun and sea. And a front-row seat\for the Olympics to boot.

Blair's 'Freebie' Summer Holidays Irk Britons (Reuters)


Signaling it can no longer vouch for the fiscal health of America #39;s seventh-largest city, a major Wall Street credit-rating agency Monday suspended its ratings for San Diego because officials

City #39;s credit standing frozen by top agency


Malaysia #39;s former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to find out on Wednesday whether he can return immediately to active politics.

Anwar awaits key court decision


The US government on Monday signed agreements to provide Indonesia with 468 million dollars to develop its creaking health, education and environment sectors.

US signs \$468 mn development deal with Indonesia


WISCONSIN (9-1) vs. IOWA (8-2) When, where: Tomorrow, 3:30 p.m., at Iowa City. TV: ESPN. Last season: Iowa won, 27-21. Comments: No. 9 Wisconsin is looking to bounce back after losing for the first time this season, 49-14, at Michigan State. DB Jim Leonhard has 19 career interceptions, two shy of the school record. QB John Stocco, who is averaging ...

College games on TV


Reuters - Miami Dolphins linebacker\Zach Thomas will miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills\with a hamstring injury.

Dolphins LB Thomas Out for Sunday's Game (Reuters)


The finding was made by breeding mice that lacked specific receptor subunits and testing their response to nicotine. Mice lacking the subunit designated beta2 had reduced sensitivity to nicotine

Researchers Identify Nicotine Addiction Gene


The rocket was launched from the Alcantara base in northern Brazil to conduct experiments just outside Earth #39;s atmosphere. The launch Saturday came 14 months after a deadly rocket explosion at the Altcantara

Brazil has successfully launched its first rocket into space.


Apple has announced a programme to repair certain 15in PowerBooks whose screens have been found to show faint white spots. The 15in PowerBook G4 Display Repair Extension Program will provide free repairs for

Apple offers fix for PowerBook white spots


Retiring president Sam Nujoma, founder of the state who has held office for 15 years, cast the first vote at a polling station in the capital, Windhoek.

Namibia votes to elect new leader


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

MySQL to make use of Microsoft code


Israel #39;s Cabinet approved compensation yesterday for settlers who will be uprooted by Ariel Sharon #39;s program to withdraw from the Gaza Strip

Cabinet approves Gaza compensation


Canadian Press - CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australians on Sunday commemorated the efforts of a British explorer whose tenacity prevented their country being named New Holland or Terra Australis.

Australians celebrate 200th anniversary of battle to name their nation (Canadian Press)


As it strives to improve its reputation in the server and desktop management arena, Microsoft announced on Tuesday Virtual Server 2005 and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 as well as the first public beta of Windows Update Services.

Microsoft Enlists Channel Help For Server, Desktop Management


washingtonpost.com - If the video game industry is beginning to rake in revenue that rivals the movie industry, it's also beginning to accumulate Hollywood-like headaches.

Half-Life 2's  Real Battle (washingtonpost.com)


Now that SpaceShipOne has proved private companies can reach space, the next hurdle is finding investors -- an even more difficult task. By Dan Brekke.

Space Race Focuses on Money


(CBS/AP) A sophisticated Israeli spy satellite plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after launch, dealing a blow to Israeli efforts to keep an eye on Iran #39;s alleged nuclear weapons program.

Israel Loses Spy Satellite


The game came down to one play, no time remaining, and the Patriots already had won the contest. There was not a thing at stake . . . except the fact that if the Seahawks punched it into the end zone, they would cover. My thoughts turned immediately to the folks who had a  quot;vested quot; interest in the game and ...

But seriously, folks


AP - Pitcher Mike Bacsik was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on Sunday after going 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA in three starts.

Rangers Designate Bacsik for Assignment (AP)


NEW YORK -- Rupert Murdoch, the billionaire CEO of News Corp., has reportedly offered to buy a three-story penthouse for \$44 million, which would be the highest price ever paid for a Manhattan by about \$1.75 million if the deal goes through.

Murdoch will shell out \$44 mil. for Manhattan penthouse


Crude oil futures were little changed close to a one-month high on concern Russian exports will be disrupted after utilities cut some power supplies to OAO Yukos Oil Co.

Crude Steady Near 1-Month High on Concern About Russian Supply


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck   Co. <A HREF=

Merck Profit Falls, Hurt by Vioxx Recall


China #39;s President Hu Jintao has succeeded Jiang Zemin as head of the powerful military commission, the government said Sunday, completing China #39;s first peaceful leadership transition since its 1949 revolution.

Zemin resigns as head of the China #39;s military commission


German chemical and drug maker Bayer AG announced Monday it has entered a strategic alliance with the Schering-Plough Corporation that will have the New Jersey-based company market and distribute Bayer #39;s primary care pharmaceutical products in the United

Bayer Announces Schering-Plough Alliance


The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers.

IBM Recall AC Adapters for Notebook Computers


THE last two Egyptian telecom employees held hostage in Iraq had been freed, Al-Arabiya television reported today, quoting its own correspondent.

Last two Egyptians  #39;set free #39;


O2 plc, a leading European mobile operator, and NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Japan #39;s largest mobile communications provider, today signed a long-term strategic agreement under which O2 will launch the i-mode mobile internet service in the UK, Germany and Ireland.

O2 AND NTT DoCoMo ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT for i-mode in the UK


rocket exploded near a helicopter carrying President Hamid Karzai yesterday, forcing him to abandon his trip and raising questions about how difficult it will be for him

Afghan leader escapes attack


FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (Sports Network) - Atlanta Falcons  running back T.J. Duckett is expected to undergo minor  arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday and will miss  this Saturday's home game against Carolina.

Falcons RB Duckett Sidelined with Knee Injury


Bernard Hopkins #39; fights are studies in boxing #39;s subtleties. He deals in nuances. He doesn #39;t have to be hitting an opponent to be setting him up, as he was Oscar De La Hoya here Saturday night.

Hopkins #39; big punch was product of patience


Iran and its European partners struggled on Friday to salvage their agreement committing Tehran to freeze an important part of its nuclear program, European and Iranian officials said.

Iran and Europe Negotiate to Try to Save Nuclear Agreement


Richard Hamilton scores six of his 19 points in overtime as Detroit holds off Toronto, 90-86, Wednesday night.

Pistons Prevail in OT


Reuters - The European Union warned on\Tuesday it may go ahead and build the world's first nuclear\fusion reactor with whatever partners it can find if there is\no global deal to put the project in France at talks in Vienna.

EU Threatens to Go It Alone on Nuclear Fusion (Reuters)


The unprecedented vote was sluggish as huge crowds lined up at voting booths. Results were not expected until 8 p.m., or later.

Millions Wait Hours in Venezuela to Vote in Recall Election


The top commander in Iraq is reviewing a proposal to add hundreds of U.S. military advisers to work directly with Iraqi units.

U.S. May Add Advisers to Aid Iraq's Military


DURBAN, Aug 17 (Reuters) - South Africa hope AJ Venter will add a physical edge to their play in the loose in the deciding Tri-Nations test against Australia in Durban on Saturday.

Rugby-South Africa opt for Venter #39;s physical edge


The  #39;News of the World #39; reveals that David Blunkett is having an affair with a married woman. It takes 24 hours for  #39;The Sun #39; to identify the woman as the US publisher of The Spectator - Kimberly Fortier, who has since adopted her married name Quinn.

The end of the career: Blunkett timeline


Notre Dame officials hope to be one step closer to obtaining a new football coach after getting to bed a little later than usual Thursday night.

ND officials take search for a coach to Utah


The chief financial officer of Oracle, Harry L. You, said that \$24 a share remained the company's

Oracle Insists Bid for PeopleSoft Is Final as Deadline Approaches


Setting its sights on the Microsoft mobile camp, Nokia has kicked off two standards initiatives intended to strengthen its appeal to enterprise IT.

Nokia launches enterprise security initiatives


Reuters - Internet auction house eBay Inc.\said on Wednesday it would limit the use of racial slurs after\U.S. city officials complained the offensive terms were being\used to advertise lawn jockeys and other antiques.

eBay Agrees to Limit Racial Slurs on Auction Site (Reuters)


Business risk is something that anyone involved in commerce has to assess on a daily basis. But last week saw several major shifts in geo-politics that will impact on the outlook for Middle East business in the years to come.

Geo-political shifts likely to influence regional outlook


German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder confirmed on Wednesday that he and his wife have adopted a child, reported to be a girl from a Russian orphanage, but has called on the media to respect his family #39;s privacy.

Germany #39;s Schroeder confirms adopting Russian toddler


Toy retailer KB Toys Inc. announced Tuesday that it will close 141 to 238 underperforming stores by Jan. 31, 2005. The company #39;s store at Crabtree Valley Mall on Glenwood Avenue is one of the locations KB Toys says it is considering closing.

KB Toys mulls closing Crabtree location


After eight months of campaigning centered largely on personality, security issues could become a key factor in Indonesia #39;s presidential election.

Security key in Indonesia vote?


Nintendo and iQue to release Game Boy Advance SP later this month in 21 different cities in China. TOKYO--Nintendo has announced that it will launch the Game Boy Advance SP in China on October 27, Bloomberg Japan reports today.

GBA SP invades China


The Motion Picture Association of America has filed lawuits against operators of more than 100 servers that use BitTorrent and eDonkey to swap copyighted movie files.

Internet Life Hollywood Intensifies File-Swapping Fight


ABU GHRAIB, Iraq -- More aggressive US military operations in Iraq over the past two months have generated a surge in detainees, nearly doubling the number held by US forces to about 8,300, according to the general in charge of detention operations.

Number of detainees nearly doubles


ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - Former Boeing Co. <A HREF=

Ex-Boeing CFO Pleads Guilty


PHILADELPHIA/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Two major PeopleSoft  Inc.<A HREF=

PeopleSoft Investors Split Votes on Deal


OSLO: Nearly 60 years after Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl and five others crossed the Pacific on their Kon-Tiki raft, six men will attempt to redo the feat next year, the head of the expedition said on Monday.

Group plans repeat of Kon-Tiki voyage


AP - Julien Clement of Switzerland shot a 7-under 64 Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Madrid Open.

Julien Clement Takes Lead at Madrid Open (AP)


No .1 hotel operator earns 55 cents a share, in line with estimates, as room rates rise 4. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marriott International Inc.

Marriott 3Q profit jumps 45


AP - Hurricane Frances cost Federated Department Stores Inc. about  #36;20 million in lost sales at Florida stores, the retailer said Tuesday.

Federated Says Frances Cost  #36;20M in Sales (AP)


AP - A former restaurant inspector for France's famed Michelin Red Guide  #151; fired for revealing how it awards its coveted stars to the nation's best chefs  #151; lost a lawsuit Tuesday alleging wrongful dismissal, a Michelin lawyer said.

Former Restaurant Inspector Loses Lawsuit (AP)


Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen entered a Chicago hospital on Tuesday with symptoms that suggest kidney stones.

Sox's Guillen Hospitalized


New Delhi, Nov. 16: Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer today asked the Indian government to spend more on information technology (IT) while showcasing the software giants efforts to promote technology in the country.

Microsoft showcases technology initiatives


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Officials from Major League Baseball and the players #39; union have reportedly discussed a new drug testing policy that could go into effect for the 2005 season.

Report: Baseball and Union discuss steroid policy


INDIANS 22, YANKEES 0---At New York, Omar Vizquel went 6-for-7 to tie the American League record for hits as Cleveland handed the Yankees the largest loss in their history last night.

Ouch! Yankees hit new low


President Bush conceded today that Iraq did not have the banned weapons he had warned of, but insisted that

Bush Defends Iraq War Despite Report Finding No Illicit Arms


Oslo #39;s Munch Museum could remain closed until June 2005 while officials upgrade its security system following a brazen daylight robbery in August of two Edvard Munch masterpieces.

Munch Museum to Stay Closed Well Into 2005


NewsFactor - Finding a cure for a major disease like cancer or AIDS is among the lofty objectives of an initiative launched by IBM (NYSE: IBM). The tech giant is constructing a World Community Grid\(WCG) and enlisting the help of the world's computer users.

IBM Builds World Community Grid (NewsFactor)


Deutsche Boerse AG, Europe #39;s largest stock exchange by market value, made a 1.35 billion-pound (\$2.6 billion) takeover offer for London Stock Exchange Plc, its second attempt in five years to buy the UK company.

Deutsche Boerse Bids \$2.6 Billion for London Exchange (Update2)


AP - Oscar De La Hoya has been in enough big fights to know what each one means. Some have helped build his reputation, others have made him rich. So don't just chalk it up to hype when he says his fight Saturday night against Bernard Hopkins means more than all of them put together.

De La Hoya: 'This Is for All the Marbles' (AP)


His gut was twisted into a knot, his head pounding, his leg searing in pain from a gunshot wound. Ibrahim Mohamed Doud, a village elder in an African tribe, remembers the day an

Family Crisis in Divided Sudan


Evidently the Celtics didn #39;t think five games were enough on this West Coast journey, so they performed a basketball cover of Southside Johnny #39;s I Don #39;t Want to Go Home #39; #39; and stayed around for two extra periods last night.

Celtics outlast Clippers


Japan #39;s defense panel Monday called for greater security measures, strengthening the US/Japan security alliance and changing the Self-Defense Forces.

Japan defense panel delivers report


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices slid nearly \$2 a barrel to  end at 7-week lows on Tuesday, as growing signs of ample supply  eased concerns over fuel stocks for the northern winter.

Oil Ends Nearly \$2 Down


DAVID BLUNKETT resigned last night after an inquiry found his office was involved in  quot;fast-tracking quot; his ex-lover Kimberly Quinn #39;s nanny #39;s application to stay in Britain.

Blunkett quits after Whitehall report


DETROIT (Reuters) - Auto retailer CarMax Inc. <A HREF=

Auto Retailer CarMax Trims Outlook


San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer improved to 22-7 in his career against Oakland...Tomlinson surpassed Chuck Muncie, who ran for 43 touchdowns from 1980-84...Brees finished one TD pass shy of Dan Fouts #39; club record of six, set against the Raiders

NFL Game Summary - Oakland at San Diego


Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, chairman of Iran #39;s powerful Expediency Council, said on Friday that the maximum duration of Iran #39;s suspension of uranium enrichment activities was six months, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran says suspension period six months maximum


GROZNY, Russia - The Russian government's candidate to lead warring Chechnya easily won a presidential election held in the wake of last week's terrorist destruction of two airliners, election officials said Monday. The opposition charged voting was tainted by fraud...

Kremlin Choice Wins in Chechnya Election


By AIKO HAYASHI    TOKYO (AP) -- Five years ago Japanese women's rights advocates won their battle to legalize the birth control pill. Now they are waging an even tougher fight - getting women to use it...

Most Japanese Women Shun Birth Control Pill


Some have explained the flu vaccine shortage by saying that the vaccines business holds little allure, but vaccines, it turns out, can make for good business.

Some Drug Makers Find That Vaccines Are Good Business


People who own something valuable, like a house, want to protect themselves against financial loss. Natural disasters like fire, storms or flooding can damage or destroy valuable possessions.

This Hurricanes and insurance in Florida


Senior Congolese officials charged Tuesday that Rwandan President Paul Kagame had made good on his threat to invade, claiming Rwandan troops had crossed into eastern Congo and were clashing with militias there.

Congo officials claim Rwanda troops attacking


Investors shrugged when state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said Dec. 10, 2001, that he was investigating research at Merrill Lynch  amp; Co.

Spitzer A guerrilla fighting corruption


Police said Wednesday a woman who lives at the home found the intruder Sept. 27 and called police. A police dog tried to track the intruder but the person got away.

Nothing taken in suspected burglary


The casualty toll from a typhoon that has lashed South Korea and Japan this week has reached at least 18 dead or missing.

Typhoon leaves 18 missing or dead in Japan, South Korea


The president of the AFL-CIO announced Wednesday that organized labor, facing the second term of an administration it fought hard to beat in last week #39;s election, would

Labor Vows to Consider Change, but Rebel Voices Discontent


AP - Jason Schmidt figures he probably lost his chance at the NL Cy Young Award when he strained his groin covering first base back in August.

Giants Pitcher Pleased by Honor From Peers (AP)


Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA) said Wednesday that, based on preliminary results, its exchange offer for the split-off of Blockbuster Inc.

Viacom announces preliminary results of Blockbuster share exchange


Nokia, the world #39;s biggest cell phone maker, reported lower third-quarter earnings on Thursday after cutting prices to claw back market share, but said sales were strong as it enters the key Christmas season.

Nokia Profit Drops But Sees Strong Sales


David Beckham admitted England needed to prove a point by beating Ukraine in Wednesday night #39;s friendly at St James #39; Park.

Beckham:  #39;England needed this boost #39;


The World Trade Organization (WTO) has approved requests by Iraq and Afghanistan to begin membership negotiations, but Iran #39;s bid for such talks was again blocked by the United States.

WTO approves membership talks with Iraq, Afghanistan


In a breakthrough that doctors say gives hope to many women who've become infertile after cancer treatments, a woman who received an ovarian tissue transplant gives birth to a healthy baby girl.

Ovarian Transplant: First Birth


NEAR FALLUJA (Reuters) - U.S. planes and artillery battered  Falluja on Monday and Marines moved toward forward positions on  the outskirts of the rebel-held city ready for the start of a  full-scale offensive.

U.S. Forces Advance Ahead of Falluja Assault


BEIRUT : Beirut rejected a UN Security Council resolution calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon, as lawmakers prepared to vote to change the constitution to allow pro-Damascus president Emile Lahoud to serve another term.

Beirut rejects UN resolution ahead of Lahoud vote


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices charged back toward \$55 a  barrel on Wednesday as a fresh fall in U.S. heating oil stocks  stoked worries over winter supplies.

Oil Back Near \$55 as Winter Stocks Ebb


TOKYO - Tokyo stocks ended moderately higher Friday as investors bought high-technology blue chips following recent declines. The dollar inched up against the Japanese yen.

Technology Stocks Spur Nikkei Higher


The NBA is facing serious, serious issues, problems bigger than fan arrests and player suspensions can repair. A season that began with Latrell Sprewell suggesting he would be hard-pressed

Friday Night Fracas Was Criminal on Every Level


San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says he doesn #39;t try to create history, it just happens when he does what he thinks is right. Earlier this year, he made international headlines for attempting to legalize gay

The Women in Charge


Tottenham crashed out of the Carling Cup on penalties tonight to Liverpool, after the teams had finished deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Liverpool kids defeat Spurs on penalties


Newfields, N.H., is an unlikely place for a basketball clinic by a former professional player, but that is exactly what is going to take place Saturday when former NBA forward Dwight Davis conducts the first Newfields Youth Basketball Clinic at Newfields Elementary School.

Former NBA pro sharing his skills


NEW YORK - Station managers at several CBS affiliates said Thursday they appear to be a target of a national e-mail campaign placing pressure on the network to oust Dan Rather as anchorman of the

Stations Get E-Mails to Oust Dan Rather


World oil prices are on the rise, as Hurricane Ivan threatens to disrupt oil flow in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Ivan pushes oil higher


It was 3:45 pm ET on Wednesday afternoon when Expos president Tony Tavares held a team meeting to inform the players that the Expos franchise would be relocated to Washington, DC, starting in 2005.

Move produces mixed emotions


DECEMBER 01, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - TOKYO -- The group supporting the HD-DVD optical disc format for high-definition video has received a boost in its battle against the rival Blu-ray Disc format with pledges of support from a number of Hollywood

HD-DVD picks up Hollywood support


When it comes to cosmetics, the ancient Romans knew what they were doing. Scientists have unearthed a small tin canister dating back to the middle of the second century

Tin of Ancient Roman Cosmetic Cream Found in UK


Alejandro Valverde threw down the gauntlet to the other contenders in the Tour of Spain cycle race by winning stage three between Burgos and Soria.

Valverde puts heat on Tour leaders


America Online Inc.'s settlement with the Justice Department imposes a strict new set of controls on the company, including requirements that the Internet giant hire a corporate monitor and disclose serious wrongdoing discovered internally to the government. <FONT face=

Settlement Includes Tight Controls for AOL


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt prices fell for a  second straight session on Wednesday as buyers' resistance to  higher prices spawned a wave of profit-taking.

Treasuries Fall as Investors Take Profits


ZIMBABWE #39;S ruling party used its parliamentary majority today to pass electoral reforms the opposition said did not go far enough, and ban foreign-funded rights groups, a move critics say would stifle dissent.

Zimbabwe okays electoral reforms


COOLUM, Australia -- Former Australian amateur star James Nitties took the third-round lead in the Australian PGA on Saturday, closing with a birdie for a one-stroke advantage over American Bob Estes.

Nitties birdies closing hole to maintain Australian PGA lead


ATHENS -- Two of Greece #39;s most famous athletes and their coach made their first public appearance here yesterday only to withdraw from the Olympic Games rather than face a panel charged with looking into a ...

Withdrawal for Greek sprinters


Sony, Matsushita and other firms are planning to launch camcorders using next-generation, smaller DVDs in the Blu-ray format as early as 2005 to win a lead over a rival offering, a report said Thursday.

Sony, Matsushita to launch Blu-ray Disc camcorders in 2005: report


LONDON - World trade in oil will double over the next 25 years, intensifying pressure on supply chokepoints which threaten security of international flows, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday.

World oil trade to double in next 25 years


MONTREAL (CP) - BCE Inc. is selling most of its minority stake in Manitoba Telecom Services for a total of \$578 million, with MTS buying back more than half of the shares and the rest sold on the open market, BCE announced Wednesday.

BCE Inc. expects \$578 million from selling most of stake in <b>...</b>


LONDON : A consortium, including former world champion Nigel Mansell, claims it has agreed terms to ensure Silverstone remains one of the venues for the 2005 Formula One world championship.

Racing: Consortium claims it has agreed terms to keep Silverstone <b>...</b>


Hoping other scientists might apply their findings to humans, a team of researchers in Halifax has announced they #39;ve become first in the world to successfully clone insects.

Dalhousie scientists first to clone insects


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

Goodyear Sees Profit; Stock Up


GAZA CITY : Twelve Palestinians, including a child, were killed in a major army operation in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli parliament prepared to debate a controversial plan to pull out from the territory it has occupied for almost 40 years.

Twelve Palestinians killed as Israeli parliament to debate Gaza <b>...</b>


ROME - Iraqi kidnappers may have sold two Italian women hostages to militants tied to al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Deputy Iraqi Foreign Minister Hamid al-Bayati has been quoted as saying.

Italian hostages possibly sold to Zarqawi group


EVERTON manager David Moyes will steadfastly block Wayne Rooneys transfer from Goodison Park if he does not get the valuation he wants for the England striker before Tuesdays transfer deadline.

Rooney hands in transfer request


AP - When Derek Jeter came across Pedro Martinez at Legends Field last month, the Yankees' captain wasn't surprised the longtime Boston ace was meeting with New York owner George Steinbrenner.

Jeter Says He Could Work With Pedro (AP)


Security firms are starting to find loopholes and bugs in the SP2 security update for Windows XP.

Holes found in Windows update


MOSCOW: Russia celebrated a holiday on Sunday that under the Julian calendar was in October, that commemorates the beginnings of a state that no longer exists.

Russia #39;s holiday soup


Semiconductor company Silicon Image Wednesday announced its SteelVine Storage Architecture and Appliance for the personal video recorder market and small to midsized businesses.

Silicon Image unveils low-cost storage appliance


Philips' chip chief to return to U.S. in move that makes some analysts jumpy.\

Philips Semi chief steps down


US Airways and its pilots union broke off talks on reduced pay and benefits, the Bloomberg news service reported Monday. US Airways, Myrtle Beach International Airport #39;s busiest carrier, is seeking concessions to avoid a bankruptcy filing.

COASTAL BUSINESS


At the time, the decision to start Kevin Brown seemed to make the most sense. It turned out to be an unmitigated disaster.

Boston bats put hurting on Brown


Shropshire #39;s Scott Drummond believes he will learn from the experience of going head-to-head with world number two Ernie Els, despite seeing his HSBC World Matchplay dreams end this morning.

Drummond enjoys Wentworth Els test


ATHENS, Greece - Frustrated by fouls, turnovers and a feisty opponent, the United States desperately looked for help.    Then along came Sheryl Swoopes to set things right...

U.S. Women Top Russia to Make Hoops Final


Cambodians prepare for the coronation of King Sihamoni, amid an array of official festivities.

Cambodia set to crown new king


There #39;s no space in the space station. With no garbage pickup by shuttles for nearly two years, the international space station is looking more and more like a cluttered attic.

Trash Begins to Clutter Space Station


Virgin #39;s attempt to force Apple to open up its digital rights management (DRM) technology has failed. The French Competition Council has dismissed a Virgin France case that alleged Apple had abused market dominance.

Courts not convinced in Apple DRM battle


Under a treaty known as the Montreal Protocol, methyl bromide was to be banned for most uses by the end of this year.

Pesticide Persisting Beyond Scheduled Elimination Date


AP - A 15-year plan would restore salt marshes and mudflats for migrating salmon at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, more than 100 years after the farmland was drained and diked.

Plan Would Turn Restore Wash. Estuary (AP)


The Federal Communications Commission Thursday (Sept. 9) added spectrum to be used for advanced wireless services (AWS) such as 3G data services.

FCC adds spectrum for 3G services


KUALA LUMPUR - Genting International Plc, a subsidiary of Malaysia #39;s Genting Berhad, has agreed to set up a 50:50 joint venture with the United Kingdom #39;s largest casino operator, Stanley Leisure.

Malaysia #39;s Genting in JV with UK casino operator


Even if you never fly through Chicago, your plane may end up delayed because of congestion at the O #39;Hare Airport. Delays there cause a ripple effect through the country #39;s entire air-traffic system.

Plane Delays From O #39;Hare


The Genesis team has shipped its first scientific sample from the mission #39;s specially constructed cleanroom at the US Army Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah.

Genesis Mission Status Report


Viagra, which has long taken a staid marketing approach, will join its fast-growing competitors in taking a sly, devil-may-care tack.

A New Campaign for Viagra


A finer, mellow blend of phone and PDA, PalmOne launched the Treo 650 in the US yesterday. There are changes on the outside and changes on the inside - some cosmetic, some ergonomic, and some fundamentally technical.

Treo 650 Launched by PalmOne


A decline in the nation #39;s inventory of heating oil catapulted crude futures prices toward \$55 a barrel yesterday, providing the latest jolt to a market already

Heating oil report jolts prices


Seville, Spain - England #39;s Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey and Luke Donald produced a classic display of team golf over the Royal Seville Golf Course on Friday to forge a five-stroke lead in the World Cup at the halfway stage.

Trevor and Rory fight back


The decision by the US Anti-Doping Agency comes after the Fort Worth runner #39;s second positive test for an illegal steroid. The former 400-meter world champion tested positive for the banned drug EPO at a meet in July.

USADA bans Jerome Young for life after second doping violation


SEARCH ENGINE giant Google seems to have agreed to block access to sites that the Chinese authorities think will corrupt their citizens.

Google agrees to Chinese censorship


It took Navy 25 years to bring the Commander-In-Chief trophy back to Annapolis and considering what it took to get it again, the Midshipmen aren't set to let it go any time soon.

Have Trophy, Will Travel


BESLAN, Russia - Russian soldiers fled as shooting broke out in the spasm of violence that ended the school siege here, and unprepared special forces were forced to borrow bullets from armed locals who had rushed to the scene.    As Beslan buried more victims Friday, a week after the bloodbath at School No...

Questions Linger Over Russia School Seige


Australian budget airline Virgin Blue announced Monday it will increase the fuel surcharge it adds to ticket prices from Aug. 26 because of soaring oil prices.

Virgin Blue budget airline announces fuel surcharge hike


Micron Technology Inc. (MU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 3 computer memory chip maker, on Wednesday reported a quarterly profit on stronger pricing, reversing a year-earlier loss.

Micron Technology Posts Profit


Union leaders representing US Airways pilots said Thursday that a new labor agreement could be struck soon, telling their rank and file a new deal is  quot;our last opportunity to control the fate of our airline and our careers. quot; ...

Update 1: US Airways Union Says Labor Deal Is Near


Reuters - International squads of beer\drinkers, leather-clad Bavarians and devotees of excess young\and old converged in Munich on Saturday for the start of the\planet's biggest beer festival, the Oktoberfest.

World's Beer Fans Meet for Annual Munich Binge (Reuters)


Reuters - Internet companies have begun to\change the way e-mail works in order to weed out spam, but\experts on Tuesday clashed over whether the underlying\technology should be controlled by any one company.

Ownership of Anti-Spam Measure Queried at Talks (Reuters)


Reuters - Back when everyone\believed the world was flat, people thought these rocky shores\on Spain's windswept

Lost? Your Phone Knows a Way Out (Reuters)


If you own any domain names ending in .net, you will be required to pony up an extra \$0.75 per year per .net domain name, courtesy of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

ICANN Institutes New Annual Fee


Ron Gardenhire spotted Jacque Jones in the lobby of the team hotel Tuesday morning. Still coping with the death of his father, Jones didn #39;t hesitate to tell his manager how he felt.

Notes: Jones in starting lineup


HOUSTON The NASA four-engine turbojet notoriously known as the  quot;vomit comet quot; for its use in training astronauts for weightlessness made its final flight today.

NASA #39;s  #39;Weightless Wonder #39; makes final flight


BRITISH Sports Minister Richard Caborn has hit out at the racist abuse suffered by black England players during their friendly match.

Racist chants


SINGAPORE - The price of crude oil surged past an unprecedented \$55 per barrel Monday amid continued uncertainty over production, high demand and tight supply globally.    The price of crude for November delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange reached \$55.02 per barrel mid-morning in Asia, up 9 cents from its settlement price on Friday...

Crude Oil Price Surges Past \$55 in Asia


Tewksbury Redmen fans were seeing red yesterday after watching their team get clawed by the ferocious Wilmington Wildcats, 19-8.

Wilmington keeps its unbeaten record intact


Following the ubiquitous images of U2 gyrating to their new single  quot;Vertigo quot; in a TV spot for Apple #39;s iPod and iTunes, the band and the corporation are set to announce that they #39;ve partnered to release a special-edition iPod pre-loaded with U2 music this

U2 Get in Bed With Apple Mega-band and mega-corp forge <b>...</b>


La Coruna, Spain (Sports Network) - Osasuna overcame a red card to shock Deportivo La Coruna Sunday, 3-1. Deportivo took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a Walter Pandiani strike in the 19th minute.

Deportivo goes down at home


DALLAS (Sports Network) - Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points  and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks overcame an  early 17-point deficit for a 101-98 overtime victory against  Golden State at American Airlines Center.

NBA Wrap: Mavericks Come Back to Beat Golden State


When Vijay Singh became the world No1 on Monday, displacing Tiger Woods after a record 264 weeks, it was just reward for an outstanding season.

Singh set to oust Woods again


Lauryn Williams never saw her coming. Not as a contender in the weeks and months leading up to the Olympics. Not as a blur whooshing up on her right.

Williams stunned by Belarus runner


The Bush administration failed on Friday to persuade them to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran, settling instead for another request that Tehran voluntarily drop its nuclear program.

U.S. Allies Reject Tough Talk on Iran


Israeli troops shoot two Palestinians who entered a closed military area in Gaza, near the Israeli border.

Two Palestinians killed in Gaza


A capsule carrying samples of solar wind was supposed to be plucked out of midair by a helicopter, but its chutes apparently malfunctioned. Amit Asaravala reports from Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah.

NASA's Genesis Capsule Crashes


NEW YORK - Wall Street professionals know to keep their expectations in check in September, historically the worst month of the year for stocks. As summertime draws to a close, money managers are getting back to business, cleaning house, and often sending the market lower in the process...

Will September Be Good for Stocks?


Microsofthas quietly released an update to Windows XP to fix a potentially serious configuration problem in the firewall that ships as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Microsoft fixes 'critical' XP firewall issue


VimpelCom, the No. 2 cellphone company in Russia, received a first notice for \$157 million in back taxes on Wednesday, sending its stock plunging and prompting fears of another Yukos-style tax investigation.

Russian Cellphone Carrier Faces Tax Claim


SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Rams still have plenty of offensive firepower. The same could not be said for the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers


A strike at a General Motors factory in Germany over job cuts starts to affect production at other plants.

GM strike leads to parts shortage


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Sept. 7, 2004 - The director of the hurricane-ravaged Kennedy Space Center refused to speculate Tuesday whether the damage will thwart plans to resume shuttle flights next spring, but

Spaceport Mum on Frances Shuttle Delays


AP - American Abigail Spears advanced to the quarterfinals of the Korea Open on Wednesday with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win over second-seeded Shinobu Asagoe of Japan.

Spears, Stosur Advance in Korea Open (AP)


ATHENS (CP) - The Canadian who embarrassed Olympic officials by jumping into a Games swimming pool during a diving competition wearing a skirt and advertising an on-line casino has paid the price for his 15 minutes of fame.

Canadian who leaped into Olympic pays the price for 15 minutes of fame


Paula Radcliffe yesterday announced that she would make a surprise, high-profile return to racing in the New York City Marathon on Sunday week.

Radcliffe to take bite at Big Apple


AP - The NHL will lock out its players Thursday, starting a work stoppage that threatens to keep the sport off the ice for the entire 2004-05 season.

NHL to Lock Out Players Thursday (AP)


GLOBAL miner BHP Billiton Ltd and the world #39;s largest aluminium producer, Alcoa Inc, plan to raise up to \$US100 million (\$138 million) in calendar 2004 by selling shares in their metal-processing

BHP, Alcoa plan \$138m JV sale


Too many of us are going whole hog, so General Mills is going whole grain.

General Mills Shakes Up Cereal


USATODAY.com - The holiday shopping season is hurtling toward its close, but demand remains soft and inconsistent. With just 11 days before Christmas - and heading into the last full weekend of shopping - retailers have been steadily easing prices. But a burst of late spending  has yet to materialize.

Sluggish holiday sales leave retailers uneasy (USATODAY.com)


The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade defensive end Adewale Ogunleye to the Chicago Bears for wide receiver Marty Booker and a 2005 third-round pick, if agent Drew Rosenhaus can work out a new contract for Ogunleye by 7 pm Saturday, according to a

Dolphins on verge of trading Ogunleye to Bears


In the trial of former Walt Disney Co. President Michael Ovitz, the plaintiff #39;s lawyer accused the company #39;s former official of leaking rumors to the press accusing NBC West Coast chief Don Ohlmeyer of sexually

Lawyer introduces harassment scheme in Ovitz case


The terrorist bombings last week at resorts along Egypt #39;s Red Sea coast raised fears of another slump in the country #39;s tourism industry, a key sector of its economy.

Sinai Attacks Appear to Have Limited Effect on Egyptian Tourism


By MARCIA DUNN     CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Hurricane Frances did more damage to the Kennedy Space Center than any other storm in history, tearing an estimated 1,000 exterior panels from a giant building where spaceships are assembled, officials said Monday...

Hurricane Frances Damages NASA Space Center


ANKARA/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Turkey signaled growing unease  on Monday that the European Union wants to impose special  conditions on its drive to join the wealthy bloc and insisted  it must be treated in the same way as any other candidate  country.

Turkey Rejects Special Conditions for EU Bid


INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 8, 2004) -- Peyton Manning provided the expected fireworks, including a left-handed pass for a key first down. Mike Vanderjagt #39;s leg sealed the win for the Indianapolis Colts.

Manning, James carry Colts to 31-28 win


Microsoft last week faced accusations of short-changing its Software Assurance customers following its decision to strip core features from the next major Windows client operating system, codenamed Longhorn.

Longhorn plans cut short


China on Wednesday abruptly blocked a meeting of global union and business leaders scheduled for next week that aimed to press Beijing to do more to protect workers #39; rights.

China Blocks World Meeting on Workers #39; Rights


Reuters - Japan's Ichiro Suzuki\is poised to break one of the oldest records in major league\baseball.

Ichiro Closes on Sisler's Hit Record (Reuters)


MOSCOW - Nikolai Zherdev and Alexander Perezhogin scored 18 seconds apart Saturday, leading the Russian Stars past the NHL World Stars 5-4 in an exhibition game during the lockout.

Russians Beat NHL World Stars 5-4


AP - OK, so I don't like asking for directions. But I don't get lost so often that I need to spend more than  #36;1,000 on a built-in car navigation system to plot my course with global positioning satellites.

Review: GPS in Cell Phones Performs Well (AP)


Hubie Brown retired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday due to health reasons.  quot;Unexpected health-related issues will not allow me to continue coaching the Memphis Grizzlies, quot; the 71-year-old Brown said in a statement from Memphis.  quot;This situation was unforeseen and absolutely nonexistent at the beginning of the season. quot;

Brown calls it a career


SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The Norwegian hacker famed for developing DVD encryption-cracking software has apparently struck again - this time breaking the locks on Apple Computer Inc...

Hacker Cracks Apple's Music Streaming Technology


Iraq and the fate of a British hostage are threatening to thwart Prime Minister Tony Blair #39;s efforts to put domestic issues centre stage today as Chancellor Gordon

Iraq to dominate Labour conference


HOUSTON - St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Tony Womack left Monday night #39;s game against Houston in the seventh inning after getting hit on the left hand with a pitch.

Womack hit by pitch on left hand


TORONTO (AP) -- Beer, a health food? That's what some Canadian researchers report.    A study from the University of Western Ontario finds a brew could be good for you...

Beer in Moderation Could Be Good for You


Foundry partner gears up for second-generation 90nm Efficeons

Transmeta licenses LongRun 2 to Fujitsu


BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - Rebel Shi'ite cleric Moqtada  al-Sadr has ordered his militia to end attacks on U.S. and  Iraqi government forces and will soon unveil plans to pursue  his goals through politics rather than conflict, aides said  Monday.

Iraqi Cleric Calls Cease-Fire After Bloody Uprising


US blue-chip stocks fell on Thursday to nearly a five-week low as crude oil touched \$49 a barrel, close to the record set last month, and a key gauge of future economic activity fell for a third straight month.

Stocks Drop on \$49 Oil, Slowing Economy


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp. <A HREF=

Lockheed Profit Jumps 41 Percent


PITTSBURGH -- Larry Lester seemed inconsolable as he sat on a chair outside the visitors' locker room at Heinz Field. His head bowed, Lester agonized over the fumble he lost in overtime in Boston College's 20-17 setback yesterday to the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Lester left with an empty feeling


LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's prime minister said on  Saturday he and his cabinet had submitted their resignations, a  move that came a day after a snap election was called.

Portugal PM, Cabinet Submit Resignations


Gaming giant MGM Mirage (MGM) announced plans Wednesday for a \$4.7 billion luxury complex of hotels, condominiums and shopping centers on the Las Vegas Strip.

MGM Mirage hotel-condo complex would be Vegas  #39;hub #39;


CHARLOTTE - Bank of America is deploying some 180,000 Cisco Internet Protocol-based telephones across its 5,800 branches and enterprise centers in a major deployment of Voice over IP technology from Cisco.

Bank of America Begins Deployment of Cisco VoIP Phones


Companies are teaming up to bring their technology to your living room.

Microsoft, Intel Spread Digital Joy


The US Department of Transportation has dismissed a claim filed against Northwest Airlines that accused the carrier of violating its own privacy policy when it gave government officials passenger information related to the Sept.

DOT dismisses privacy complaint against Northwest


Harry Reid, an unassuming Democrat, Mormon and opponent of abortion who will become the Senate minority leader, is little like the man he will succeed, Tom Daschle.

New Democratic Leader in Senate Is Atypical Choice


Improved sales of household goods, clothing, footwear and food helped retail sales increase 0.6 per cent in November, increasing the likelihood of higher interest rates next year.

Retail sales stronger than expected


An Al Qaeda-linked militant group beheaded an American hostage in Iraq and threatened last night to kill another two Westerners in 24 hours unless women prisoners were freed from Iraqi jails.

American beheaded


The Java language is an object-oriented programming language created by James Gosling and other engineers at Sun Microsystems. It was developed in 1991, as part of the Green Project, and officially announced

Nokia and Vodafone Team Up on Mobile Java Standards


A California-based start-up says the open-source business model makes sense for network monitoring, a services-intensive area.

Open source moves to network management


El Museo del Barrio's eye-opening survey of Latin American portraiture covers an exhausting tract of cultural ground.

The Lesson for Today Is in Spanish


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Dresser Inc., an Addison, Texas, drilling equipment company sold by Halliburton to private equity firms in 2001, on Friday filed to raise as much as \$575 million in an initial public offering.

Dresser Inc. files \$575M IPO


BAR Honda have dashed Anthony Davidson #39;s hopes for a top drive in 2005, and blamed the Williams team in the process. BAR technical director Geoff Willis said that Williams would not compromise on an  #39;unconditional arrangement.

Davidson #39;s Williams Hopes Dashed


The rapid decline of the 75-year-old Palestinian leader's health, the refusal of his wife and authorities at the French military hospital where he died last Thursday to release his medical records and Israel's threat a year ago to

Conspiracy Theories Persist on Arafat's Death


Reuters - Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini grabbed three wickets to help bowl out India for 466 and give South Africa a 44-run first innings lead on the final day of the first test on Wednesday.

Ntini spell sparks India collapse as test heads for draw (Reuters)


Fists may have been flying at The Hawthorns... but it was Rob Earnshaw #39;s foot that left Gary Megson wondering what might have been.

Kanu Can Do for Megson


Iran #39;s Judo champion, a favourite at the Athens Games, has disqualified himself rather than face an Israeli opponent, apparently on the instruction of Iran #39;s Olympic Committee. So far the International Olympic Committee has been silent. What #39;s your view? ...

Voices: Iranian Judo scandal


Simon Mann, the leader of the failed Equatorial Guinea coup attempt that led to the arrest of Sir Mark Thatcher, was last night facing up to 10 years in jail after being found guilty of attempting to possess dangerous weapons by a court in Zimbabwe.

Mann faces 10 years jail over coup attempt linked to Mark Thatcher


Five months ago, Danny Williams beat a shadow. Tonight, he #39;ll try to beat a mountain. Don #39;t bet against the mountain. Williams is the burly British

Williams a timid challenger?


The word's fifth largest oil exporting nation, Venezuela, signs an oil deal with South American neighbour, Paraguay.

S American nations sign oil deal


LONDON (AFP) - Hollinger International has extended an olive branch to its former ousted boss Conrad Black by offering him proceeds from its sale of two leading British newspapers, according to a report.

Hollinger International offers Black olive branch


After nearly four years of slashed security deposits, allowances for pets and other perks, Bay Area renters are starting to see prices rise and their bargaining power decline.

Rental market tighter


Research in Motion has unveiled a new BlackBerry mobile-style communicator featuring a multi-tap keypad to replace its usual qwerty keypad.

BlackBerry handset gets shirty with qwerty


Plus:  Microsoft tops its expectations...Google doubles profit year-over-year...SAP earnings beat estimates...EarthLink trims outlook...AT #38;T posts \$7.1 billion loss...Lucent sees first profitable year since 2000...EMC issues sunny report.

Earnings alert: PeopleSoft exceeds targets


CARTAGENA, Colombia President Bush is shrugging off a pair of security flaps during his just-concluded visit to Chile. In one incident, Chilean security guards barred Bush #39;s Secret Service detail from a dinner

Bush downplays security flaps on trip to Chile


US antitrust regulators have approved the \$41 billion purchase of Redmond-based AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc. by Cingular Wireless LLC, the Associated Press and Reuters have reported.

AT amp;T Wireless, Cingular merger passes one test


Some websites are now offering surfers the chance to download free  quot;phishing kits quot; containing all the graphics, web code and text required to construct the kind of bogus sites used in internet phishing scams.

#39;Psst...want the tools to be a cybercriminal? #39;


SPACE.com - Astronomers have found what they believe to be several of the earliest star-forming galaxies, in a detailed analysis of Hubble Space Telescope images released earlier this year.

Hubble Lifts Fog on Early Universe (SPACE.com)


Reuters - Grieving relatives on Monday cremated victims, mostly women and children, of a separatist bombing in northeastern India, while hundreds of angry people rallied against the rising bloodshed.

Grieving families cremate dead after Assam bombing (Reuters)


Urged on by Democratic lawmakers, the Government Accountability Office plans to investigate the way votes were counted in the presidential election. The office cautions, however, that it is powerless to act if irregularities are found.

GAO to Probe Vote Counting


KABUL, Afghanistan Oct. 2, 2004 - Afghan intelligence agents backed by international peacekeepers arrested 25 people allegedly linked to the Taliban and al-Qaida in an early morning raid in eastern Kabul Saturday, a spokesman for the peacekeepers said.

25 Terror Suspects Nabbed in Afghanistan


Four new stocks shot out of the starting gates Friday and posted upbeat opening-day gains, riding investor momentum spurred by stronger-than-expected pricings from two initial public offerings while two others came in at the top of expectations.

Community Bancorp Soars in IPO Debut


Where might you find the origins of life in the universe? Astrobiologists are looking everywhere, including, someday, beneath the surface of one of Jupiter's moons.

The Genesis Project


AP - Some 300 Galapagos Islands rangers peacefully occupied park research stations Monday to protest the reported firing of the park director and his probable replacement.

Galapagos Park Rangers Go on Strike (AP)


Reuters - Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.73 percent\at the opening on Thursday as investors bought exporters such\as Canon Inc. after a fall in oil prices boosted confidence\over the U.S. economy and lifted Wall Street stocks.

Nikkei Opens Higher on Economic Optimism (Reuters)


The Argentine government on Monday presented US regulators with details of a debt exchange offering intended to restructure some US\$103 billion (euro80.

Argentine Gov #39;t Presents Repayment Details


McNair threw a touchdown pass, directed two other scoring drives as the Titans (4-6) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) 18-15 Sunday.

Rusty McNair leads Titans over Jaguars


WASHINGTON Sept. 20, 2004 - A judge has struck down several government rules on campaign fund raising, ordering tougher restrictions on big political money in the long term while creating uncertainty about

Judge Strikes Down Campaign Finance Rules


A car bomb went off in central Baghdad Thursday, killing 17 people and injuring at least eight in a crowded commercial area, police said.

At least 17 dead in Baghdad blast as Fallujah fighting goes on


Bidding begins in an auction for a 7.6 government-held stake in Russian oil giant Lukoil.

Lukoil sell-off gets under way


Thousands of striking casino-hotel workers reached a tentative contract agreement that signals an end to a bitter, month-old walkout - the longest in Atlantic City casino history.

Update 5: Tentative Deal Reached in Casino Strike


In a move designed to help it better compete in Europe, Hewlett-Packard said it has acquired Synstar PLC, a U.K.-based technology services firm, for \$293 million.

Brief: HP acquires Synstar for \$293M


AP - Two passenger trains collided head-on on a stretch of rural track in northern India on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens of others, officials said.

20 Killed in India Train Collision (AP)


Devin Theriot-Orr, a member a feisty group of reporter-activists called Indymedia, was surprised when two FBI agents showed up at his Seattle law office, saying the visit was a

Web Server Takedown Called Speech Threat


Micron Technologies says it still does not expect to pay any fines or face criminal charges after a European competitor agreed this past week to price fixing charges.

Micron rival to pay fine for price-fixing