KABUL, Afghanistan -- Rival militias clashed in western Afghanistan yesterday, reportedly killing 21 people and ramping up concern about security as the country prepares for landmark elections.

Clash among warlords casts doubt on Afghanistan's security


Mark Thatcher, multi-millionaire businessman and son of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, had planned to flee South Africa shortly before he was arrested on charges of being involved in a coup plot to overthrow the government of the central

Thatcher son was planning to flee


Hakim Warrick had 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to lead No. 6 Syracuse to a 104-54 victory over Northern Colorado Thursday night in the first round of the Coaches vs.

Syracuse rolls in tournament


STRASBOURG: The EU reiterated on Wednesday that an accord on Irans nuclear plans was a step in the right direction, but warned the row may still go to the UN Security Council if the deal is not rapidly implemented.

REGION: EU warns Iran nuclear row could still go to UN


GREENBELT, MD. - Star gazers across North America watched the moon turn orange Wednesday night in a total lunar eclipse.  quot;When it passes into the Earth #39;s inner shadow, that sunlight reaching the moon passes

Red sky at night a lunar delight


WASHINGTON -- The Boeing Co., the second-biggest US defense contractor, won a \$54 million contract to launch four navigation satellites for the Air Force in the second exception to a ban imposed on the company last year.

Boeing wins Air Force contract to launch satellites


Pathmark Stores Inc. (PTMK.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , the Northeast grocery chain beset by falling sales and increased competition, on Thursday reported a wider quarterly loss

UPDATE 1-Pathmark loss widens, hires investment bank


Crude oil futures prices fell around the globe yesterday following a steep run-up on Friday that was prompted by persistent concerns about winter fuel supplies.

Oil prices fall after steep run-up


In his first media scrum since publicly demanding a trade, Vince Carter acted like he always does when the cameras surround him and the microphones threaten to chip his teeth.

Vince re-enters game


It sounds as if Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge has been listening to one of those self-improvement tapes that repeat positive mantras. The message?  quot;I am happy with my roster. I am happy with my roster. quot; It's clear he will go to great lengths (or is that great pains?) to convince fans and reporters that he is comfortable ...

Pointing out alternatives


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Brandon Backe grew up idolizing the likes of Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, but he #39;ll probably be pulling for more Carlos Beltran heroics Monday night.

Backe, Beltran lead Astros into Game 5


COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Jason Ricks kicked a 28-yard field goal with 55 seconds left and No. 22 Oklahoma State rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Missouri, 20-17, yesterday.

Cowboys rally past Missouri


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Chiron Corp. <A HREF=

Before-the-Bell: Chiron Shares Stumble


BERLIN : German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder #39;s party vowed to press on with its tough economic reform drive, despite a fresh state election rout that spells trouble for a string of further polls this month.

Schroeder party vows not to buckle on reforms after election <b>...</b>


ABUJA (Reuters) - The Nigerian government sought a court  injunction on Wednesday to stop a three-day-old general strike  which has raised fears about oil supplies from the world's  seventh largest exporter.

Nigerian Govt. Seeks Injunction to Halt Strike


AP - Even though Byron Leftwich's throwing arm is getting quite a workout, it probably won't help the Jacksonville Jaguars the next two weeks.

Jags QB Leftwich to Miss Two Games (AP)


President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appealed to world Muslim leaders today to help secure the release of Filipino hostages in Afghanistan and Iraq as anxious relatives prayed for their safety.

Arroyo asks Muslims for help on Filipino hostages


Nagpur: Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar today said he was not rushing his comeback to cricket and that with more than a decade #39;s experience, he was prepared to face all kinds of challenge the game could throw at him.

I #39;m not rushing myself: Tendulkar


AFP - French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier is to head to India for a two-day trip aimed at reinforcing ties and examining its growing role in the world, his office said.

French FM heads to India to boost ties, explore UN bid (AFP)


AP - Shay Doron scored 21 points to lead No. 24 Maryland past Siena 73-52 on Sunday.

No. 24 Maryland Beats Siena 73-52 (AP)


President Bush will meet next week with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, a principal ally in Iraq, in his first meeting with a foreign leader since his re-election, the White House said on Saturday.

Blair Coming to Washington for Discussions With Bush


REGULATORS in the US moved to seize the bulk of Lord Black of Crossharbours wealth yesterday and remove his power as controlling shareholder of Hollinger International, the newspaper publisher.

SEC charges Lord Black and takes control of Hollinger


Asian champion Japan overcame a lethargic first half display to outplay India 4-0 in an Asian zone World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Japan thrashes India to win fourth qualifier


Combat management contractor opts for Win2k as base OS

OSS torpedoed: Royal Navy will run on Windows for Warships


The US-led anti-terrorism coalition is still hunting terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect in the September 11, 2001 deadly attacks on US cities.

Bin Laden Still At Large 3 Years After US Attacks


A NASA spacecraft has begun the first-ever daily tracking of how air pollution moves across the globe, a scientist at NASA #39;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said on Wednesday.

NASA Spacecraft Tracks Global Air Pollution


Singapore says it has extended a ban on all poultry and egg imports from Malaysia due to a new outbreak of bird flu there. Singapore says it is working with Malaysia to develop ways to import poultry and eggs

Singapore Extends Ban on Malaysian Poultry, Eggs


Japan #39;s Nikkei average rose 0.67 percent at the opening on Monday after crude oil dropped back from record highs above \$49 a barrel, encouraging some investors to return to the Tokyo stock market in search of bargains.

Tokyo Stocks Open Higher


Israeli armored vehicles backed by helicopters rolled into Palestinian-controlled areas of the northern Gaza Strip early on Wednesday, Palestinian witnesses said.

Israeli Armored Vehicles Mass in Gaza: Witnesses


Reynolds American Inc. (RAI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the maker of Camel and Kool cigarettes, on Monday posted a third-quarter profit and raised its expectations for its full-year performance on tax benefits and cost savings.

Reynolds American Profits, Raises Outlook


Fourth seed David Nalbandian tamed the big-serve threat of Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to move into the final of the 2.

Nalbandian moves into second final of the season


Detectives are investigating the deaths of two inmates who were both found hanged at Manchester Prison.

Two inmates found dead at prison


Birdstone, who denied Smarty Jones the Triple Crown by beating him in the Belmont Stakes, has been retired from racing due to an ankle injury his connections announced Wednesday.

Birdstone retired to stud


Now that digital cameras have overtaken film cameras in sales, users are beginning to encounter a familiar problem: bulging image files and folders filling up computer hard drives.

Thousands of pictures worth one word: Organization


Colonial BancGroup Inc. on Tuesday said it agreed to acquire Union Bank of Florida in a cash and stock transaction, adding Union #39;s 18 branches to its network of nearly 300 locations.

Colonial BancGroup to Buy Union Bank


AP - Gov. Jim Doyle announced plans Wednesday to invest nearly  #36;750 million to support human embryonic stem cell research and other medical experiments.

Wis. Plans to Invest in Stem Cell Study (AP)


NEW YORK, Nov. 26 -- An international consortium said Friday that it has extended for another year a freeze on a project to build two light-water nuclear reactors in North Korea.

North Korea Reactor Plan Suspended  Until 2005


The Steelers grind out a tough win with new addition Duce Staley and old horse Jerome Bettis, holding off a late Raiders' rally to win, 24-21, on Sunday.

Steelers Run to Win


AMD used the Fall Processor Forum to provide more details about its dual-core Opteron architecture which is scheduled to be released by mid of 2005.

AMD: Dual-core tech accelerates Opteron by more than 30 percent


Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will rest some of his star players for the final Champions League group game against Fenerbache on December 8. With qualification to the last 16 assured after Tuesday

FERGIE READY TO RING CHANGES


The head of United said today the airline's restructuring plan would lead to a significant number of job losses, but it was not clear how many.

United Airlines Sees More Job Losses


Mount St. Helens' convulsions over the past week have demonstrated all too clearly that the inner workings of a seething volcano, hidden under miles of rock, remain one of nature's stubborn secrets.

Predicting a Volcanic Eruption Involves Guesswork


Six descendants of the original mutineers on the Bounty were found guilty yesterday of 32 sexual assault offences in one of the last and remotest outposts of the British empire.

Six found guilty in Pitcairn sex offences trial


A South African court on Thursday charged two German men who live in the country with illegally exporting equipment used to enrich uranium needed to make nuclear weapons.

Germans Arrested in South Africa on Nuclear Charges


Reuters - Russian President Vladimir Putin has told\key ministries to sign the Kyoto protocol on global warming in\a step toward salvaging the U.N. plan, international\environmentalists said Wednesday.

Putin Tells Ministries to Salvage Kyoto -- Lobbyists (Reuters)


There is a distinction between the layman #39;s use of the term theory and the word #39;s meaning in the scientific world. That distinction seems lost in Cobb County, where thousands of dollars have been spent as

The theory behind the theory


Thousands of Bangladesh opposition activists holding banners reading  quot;Why the bombings, why the bloodshed? quot; protested on Monday against a deadly grenade attack

#39;Why the Bombings? #39; Ask Bangladesh Protesters


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - What the U.S. Federal Reserve is  taking away from the economy via higher interest rates, the  U.S. Treasury bond market may be giving back -- at least  partially.

Rate Plunge May Soften Fed Tightening


New data shows third-quarter slowdown in euro-zone growth

New Data Shows Slowdown in Euro-Zone Growth


TEHRAN: Iran Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday rejected any talks with the United States on the standoff over Iran #39;s nuclear programme because of Washington #39;s hostile attitude towards the Islamic republic.

Iran rejects negotiations with US on N issue


Elections in Burundi, scheduled under a peace accord to take place by 1 November, are postponed.

Burundi peace poll postponed


CANNES, FRANCE -- Microsoft Corp. still hopes to settle with the European Commission over the sanctions ordered against it to correct its anticompetitive behavior, even as its appeal of the case winds its way through the legal channels, a senior company executive said Monday.

Microsoft still hopes to settle with EC, exec says


Cingular Wireless, the largest cellphone service provider in the United States, will upgrade its high-speed data network, allowing faster downloads than are now available

Cingular to upgrade high-speed data network


ATHENS, Greece - Despite early disappointment in the Olympic tennis tournament, the US by was treated by Mardy Fish to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Fernando Ganzalez in the semifinal match.

Not Roddick, but Fish reaches finals


A CORUA, Sep 22 (SW) - Valencia CF have confirmed their title aspirations by crushing Deportivo la Corua 1-5 at Riazor stadium, while Levante surprised Atletico de Madrid, winning 2-1.

Spain: Valencia crush Deportivo at Riazor


Leaders Juventus were the happiest team in Serie A after title rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan played out a 0-0 draw in front of an 80,000 crowd at the San Siro.

Juventus joy as Milan derby ends in stalemate


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sports Network) - Cleveland Indians  pitcher Kyle Denney was shot in the right calf late Wednesday  night after a bullet was fired at the team bus and grazed  another player.

Indians Pitcher Shot on Team Bus


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

Bomb Hits Jakarta's Paris Embassy, Motive Unclear


Sales were lower than expected, and the quality of earnings is in question.

Are Pests Plaguing PETsMART?


Rupert Murdoch, the billionaire CEO of News Corp. (NWS)(NWSA), has reportedly offered to buy a three-story penthouse for \$44 million, which would be the highest price ever paid for a Manhattan apartment if the deal goes through.

Report: Murdoch offers \$44 million for NY apartment


Following the launch of its Firefox browser, Mozilla delivers an E-mail client. A calendaring application may be next. By John Foley.

Thunderbird 1.0 Takes Aim At Microsoft #39;s Outlook Express


Cash'n'Carrion Sign up for newsletter, get  #163;20 Virgin plonk voucher

<cite>Reg</cite> in free (ish) wine giveaway


Intel Corp. will shift to a second-generation strained-silicon technique within its forthcoming 65-nanometer process technology, the company will announce on Monday.

Intel Shifts To Next-Gen Strained Silicon


AMERICAN Lindsay Davenport won the Filderstadt Grand Prix in Germany yesterday after world No1 Amelie Mauresmo retired injured at the end of the first set.

Davenport #39;s default title


NEW YORK - Jon Lieber took a shutout into the eighth inning and John Olerud backed him with a two-run homer in the sixth off Pedro Martinez as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 3-1 Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in their AL championship series rematch. In the National League series opener Wednesday night, Albert Pujols homered early, Larry Walker delivered three key hits and the St...

Yanks Go Up 2-0; Cardinals Win Opener


WASHINGTON - An important test of the United States #39; emerging missile-defense system ended in an \$85 million failure early Wednesday as an interceptor rocket failed to launch as scheduled from the Marshall Islands, the Pentagon said.

Missile-defense test ends in failure


US software maker Microsoft has announced the availability of a combination of tools, prescriptive guidance, training and technical support for customers that are considering migrating from Novell NetWare to Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft lures NetWare users with migration tools, support


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Discount retailer Kmart Holding Corp.  <A HREF=

Kmart Buying Sears in \$11 Billion Deal


EMC CEO Joe Tucci Tuesday said the company hasn #39;t felt the heat from the recent storage-platform product introductions by rivals IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

EMC #39;s Tucci: New IBM, HP Products Not  #39;Game-Changers


The signatory states to the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meet every two to three years to vote on new additions to the list of protected animals, flora and fauna.

Endangered species at risk from market forces


It #39;s a clash between the film industry and a consumer electronics company -- over a home theatre jukebox. The legal battle is over something called the Kaleidescape System.

DVD-copying system sparks legal battle


BAGHDAD, 22 September 2004 - A second American hostage was killed yesterday by a group linked to Al-Qaeda as a 24-hour deadline set by it for the United States to free Iraqi women in US-run prisons ran out.

Kidnappers Kill Second American


Bob Carr may be forced to appear at the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption this afternoon hoping he will be let off with a black mark and a spank over some intemperate

Bob Carr takes aim at Hardie #39;s


Johannesburg, 13 October 2004 - While a great deal of the data residing within organisations today is not accessed regularly, the ECT Act as well as basic business strategy maintains that this seldom accessed data is business-critical.

FastT100 offers cost-effective, reliable storage for consolidation <b>...</b>


Chinese textile manufacturers saidThursday they are  quot;highly concerned quot; by a petition posted by United States textile industry to limit Chinese textile products in the US market.

Chinese textile makers concerned at petition against their <b>...</b>


AP - Recalling the horror the nation felt when its first hostage was killed in Iraq, word that a second Italian hostage was slain brought condemnation from the pope Friday and fueled debate over Italy's role in the war-torn country.

Italy Hostage Death in Iraq Stuns Nation (AP)


Reuters - Applications for U.S. home mortgages\fell last week, which was shortened by the Thanksgiving\holiday, as mortgage rates edged higher, an industry group said\on Wednesday.

Mortgage Applications Fell Last Week -MBA (Reuters)


When the Liverpool footballer Harry Kewell parked his  quot;greenmobile quot; beside his team-mates #39; sparkling Ferraris and Aston Martins he was teased mercilessly over his choice of wheels.

#39;Milkfloat #39; motor on road to success


A small, air-breathing test plane will attempt to blaze into history on Monday by flying at nearly 10 times the speed of sound. The hypersonic craft is one of three built by NASA for its \$230-million Hyper-X project, established in 1996.

Revolutionary plane prepares to set speed record


AOL has taken a step back from an earlier stance and agreed to support the Microsoft-backed anti-spam technology Sender ID. The reconsideration followed Microsoft #39;s retooling of the technology

AOL Reconsiders, Backs Sender ID


The Chilean government disinvited more than 200 guests to a dinner with President Bush rather than let them be screened for weapons.

Security Dispute Dulls Luster of Bush's Trip to Chile


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Vancouver Canucks will announce Wednesday that local businessman Francesco Aquilini is buying half of the team, according to newspaper reports.

Local developer buys stake in Canucks: reports


JERUSALEM - Pop diva Madonna made a midnight pilgrimage to a Jerusalem cemetery early Sunday, holding a mystical candlelit ceremony at the grave of a Jewish sage.    The singer is in Israel on a five-day spiritual quest along with 2,000 other students of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism...

Madonna Makes Israeli Midnight Pilgrimage


WARSAW (Reuters) - Three Polish soldiers were killed in a  helicopter crash in Iraq, where the country runs a  multi-national division, the army said Wednesday.

Three Polish Soldiers Die in Iraq Helicopter Crash


NEW YORK - Dell Inc., the worlds largest personal computer maker, Thursday posted a higher quarterly profit, helped by market share gains and lower component costs despite slowing demand for corporate PCs.

Dell reports strong third-quarter profit


Reuters - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's wife\died of a heart attack earlier this month, South Korea's Yonhap\news agency said on Monday, quoting sources in Beijing.

Wife of N.Korean Leader Kim Jong-Il Dead -Report (Reuters)


great opportunity

Bloc flag flap offers


HONG KONG -- A record 1.7 million Hong Kong voters cast ballots yesterday for an election that sent a fresh contingent of prodemocracy opposition politicians to the legislature, but fewer than the outright majority feared by Beijing's allies, exit polls indicated.

Record turnout in Hong Kong election


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Abbott Laboratories Inc. <A HREF=

Abbott Seeks Foothold in Stent Business


US Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth says the Bush administration has confidence in UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and is not calling for his resignation.

Bush wants Annan to stay


COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Joel Statham completed 18 of 25 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in No. 23 Maryland's 45-22 victory over Temple last night, the Terrapins' 12th straight win at Byrd Stadium.

Terrapins too tough


Airport security screeners will begin more thorough pat-downs of some passengers later this month in an effort to prevent terrorists from sneaking aboard commercial aircraft with explosives under their clothing.

TSA Widens Airline Passenger Searches


Senator Edward M. Kennedy yesterday said he would press US pension plans to disclose proxy votes on the stocks they hold -- as mutual funds must now do -- in response to a government report calling for greater transparency in pensions affecting 100 million workers and \$4 trillion of assets.

Pension plan disclosures urged


The new platform is designed to help companies speed the deployment of smart-tag systems and cut the costs of managing both hardware and software components from several suppliers.

SAP, Infineon unveil RFID management system


XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. will soon begin broadcasting some of its stations to subscribers over the Internet, fresh on the heels of the company's discontinuation of a receiver for PCs that some users used to circumvent the music industry's crackdown on illegal file sharing.

XM Satellite Radio to Broadcast on Web


The day before the regular season was supposed to open, the N.H.L. rebuked a team official for his comments about the league's strategy in its labor lockout.

N.H.L. Owner Is Criticized for Talking of Replacement Players


International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Rodrigo de Rato said that formidable challenges existed in South Africa #39;s economy and that the country needed to increase its growth rate for unemployment to erode.

SA must improve productivity - IMF


AFP - Foreign mediators are to join efforts to resolve Ukraine's deepening political crisis, sparked by a fiercely-disputed presidential vote which has polarised the former Soviet republic along pro-Western and pro-Russian lines.

East-West standoff in Ukraine hardens, EU seeks to mediate (AFP)


SYDNEYSIDERS had a half-portion of Harry Kewell last night as the rarely-sighted Socceroo star made a cameo appearance for his country as Australia completed the formalities of qualifying for next year #39;s Confederations Cup.

Short but sweet glimpse of Kewell for Sydney #39;s fans


An Indonesian court on Thursday acquitted two prominent reporters of libeling a wealthy businessman, the conclusion of a closely watched cased that is likely to encourage Indonesia #39;s embattled press.

Indonesia acquits two reporters of libel


For Brett Favre it was just another day at the office. In celebration of his record 200th straight start at quarterback, Favre threw three touchdown passes to help lead the Packers to a 45-17 win over the St.

Favre Leads Pack to Victory in 200th Straight Start


With a posted total of 42 or higher a the home team is off of a home win the road team scored 24 or more points their last game and the road team played a close gameeither lost by five or less or won by 10 or less, its gone under 27-5.

NFL: Seattle-St. Louis UNDER 43


Giants center Shaun O #39;Hara remained hospitalized Friday afternoon with an infection in his left leg, making his chances of playing Sunday against the Vikings remote.

Lucier #39;s in for O #39;Hara


AFP - President George W. Bush signed a law to promote human rights in nuclear-armed North Korea and provide humanitarian aid to citizens and refugees of the Stalinist state, as well as making them eligible for asylum in the United States.

Bush signs law pushing human rights, humanitarian aid in North Korea (AFP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Defense contractor General Dynamics  Corp. <A HREF=

General Dynamics Profit Jumps 23 Percent


BATON ROUGE, La. - Louisiana voters decided Saturday whether to approve a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, one of up to 12 such measures on the ballot around the country this year...

La. Voters Expected to OK Gay-Marriage Ban


ON the eve of possibly calling a federal election, Prime Minister John Howard chose his words carefully when delivering the key speech at the Tasmanian Liberal State Council yesterday.

Coy Howard in call to arms


SACRAMENTO BEE. NINTENDO has been on top of the handheld gaming market for 15 years. Its various Game Boy machines have sold more than 100 million units since the first model.

Nintendo DS a major upgrade from Game Boy machines


Shares of Cisco Systems fell sharply Wednesday after the company #39;s chief executive, John Chambers, said sales growth would slow this quarter and that it was too early to say whether customers were more optimistic about the economy.

Cisco hurt on worries about sector #39;s recovery


TODAY AUTO RACING 2:30 p.m. -- NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 qualifying at Kansas City, Kan., Speed Channel 4:10 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Banquet 400 qualifying at Kansas City, Kan., Speed Channel 1 a.m. -- Japanese Grand Prix qualifying at Suzuka, Speed Channel PRO BASEBALL 4 p.m. -- AL Division Series: Red Sox vs. Anaheim at Fenway Park ...

This weekend on TV, radio


Comcast is giving Microsoft something the software giant has struggled to get on its own: an easy way to expand from the desktop computer to the home-entertainment center.

Comcast deal gives Microsoft entry into cable TV


Everton Football Club midfielder Tim Cahill could get the red card he received at the weekend rescinded. The Australian was shown two yellow cards by referee Steve Bennett, the second one dished out following

Everton Football Club midfielder set for reprieve?


JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Israeli troops struck deep inside the largest Palestinian refugee camp Thursday, battling masked gunmen in an unprecedented campaign to stop deadly rocket fire on Israeli towns. Twenty-six Palestinians were killed and 131 wounded, the bloodiest single-day toll in fighting in 30 months...

26 Palestinians Die, 131 Wounded in Gaza


Iraq #39;s electoral commission said it will examine Saturday a request by 15 leading political parties for the Jan. 30 elections to be postponed by six months.

Iraq considering petition to postpone January #39;s elections


As tailback Ricky Williams contemplates a return to the NFL, his representatives are considering having him file for bankruptcy in an attempt to void the remainder of his contract with the Miami

Bankruptcy Proceedings Could Free Williams From Contract


Ziff Davis - In another blow to Microsoft, a government agency in New South Wales, Australia, signs a deal with Sun to migrate 1,500 users to the company's StarOffice productivity suite and Messaging products.

Australian City Agency Switches to Sun's StarOffice (Ziff Davis)


MUNICH, Germany - People with high blood pressure seem to be more vulnerable to heart attacks when the temperature drops, new research shows.    The findings, presented Monday at a conference of the European Society of Cardiology, are not surprising because cold weather makes the blood vessels constrict, making it harder for blood to move through, but the study is the first to document that variations in the weather increase the occurrence of heart attacks in people with high blood pressure...

Heart Attacks More Likely in Cold Weather


After hearing rare boos from the home fans, Vince Carter didn #39;t want to talk about it. Carter had 15 points in his first game since demanding to be traded, but the Toronto Raptors lost their

Carter #39;s  #39;got nothing to say #39; after scoring 15


ONE of Australia #39;s most stunning bowling performances of all-time was blotted out by one of their most embarrassing losses as a Test match turned mad here yesterday.

Dust to Dust


Insurer Tower is going ahead with a plan to spin off its Australian money management business, raising A\$130 million (\$143 million) for acquisitions in the transtasman life and general insurance markets.

Tower builds war chest for buys


Reuters - The compact disc has at least another\five years as the most popular music format before online\downloads chip away at its dominance, a new study said on\Tuesday.

CDs to Dominate for Years Over Net Downloads-Study (Reuters)


Oracle yesterday sweetened its hostile bid for rival business software maker PeopleSoft to \$9.2 billion, a 14 percent increase aimed at resolving the long-running takeover battle between the bitter foes.

Oracle raises offer for PeopleSoft 14


IBM is recalling power adapters that shipped with certain models of its ThinkPad notebooks sold between January 1999 and August 2000.

IBM Recalls Notebook Power Cords


Lower interest rates and taxes have sent South Africans to the shops, driving retail sales up 10 in June on a year ago.

Retail sales soar in South Africa


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc. <A HREF=

Amazon Posts Profit, Outlook Disappoints


Archos has turned up the heat in the portable entertainment arena by announcing the 20GB Gmini400, a \$400 digital audio player with a 2.2-inch color LCD screen for watching videos and viewing photographs.

Enter your e-mail:


Jill McGill fired an eight-under 64 Friday for a tournament record 14-under 130 and a four-shot lead midway through the Wachovia LPGA Classic.

McGill takes 4-shot lead in Wachovia


Britain #39;s international trade gap widened in July as it ran up a monthly deficit on its oil balance for the first time in more than a decade,official figures showed Thursday.

Britain #39;s trade gap widens as oil imports hit record high


The BellSouth Corporation, the third-largest Bell operating company, said yester that profit dipped 3.6 percent in the third quarter as expenses rose because of this summer's hurricanes and costs at its Cingular Wireless division.

BellSouth Profit Drops 14.6; Wireless Costs Get Some Blame


Reuters - Exporters led a fall in Asian shares\on Monday as oil prices set new highs near  #36;47 and data showing\the U.S. trade deficit widened to a record raised fresh concern\about the health of the world's largest economy.

Stocks Fall as Oil Hits High (Reuters)


Four Palestinian militants and an Israeli soldier were killed Tuesday in the heaviest Gaza fighting since Yasser Arafat #39;s death, raising the prospect that renewed violence could complicate a vote for his successor.

Soldier, 4 Militants Die in Renewed Gaza Fighting


JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police have made their first  arrest over a car bombing outside the Australian embassy last  week, detaining a man they said on Friday had helped their top  suspect prepare the attack.

Indonesia Police Make First Embassy Bombing Arrest


Mountaineers retrieve three bodies believed to have been buried for 22 years on an Indian glacier.

Indians retrieve Himalayan bodies


BEIJING The NBA has reached booming, basketball-crazy China _ but the league doesn #39;t expect to make any money soon. The NBA flew more than 100 people halfway around the world for its first games in China, featuring

NBA brings its game to Beijing


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar regained some ground against  the yen on Friday, moving away from four-month lows hit the  previous day, as the market remained reluctant to push the U.S.  currency below the closely watched 107 yen mark.

Dollar Gains Ground on Yen


The bodies of women and children are exhumed in north Iraq, as investigators seek evidence against Saddam.

Babies found in Iraqi mass grave


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - A Serbian woman who sought refuge in a Halifax church basement for 441 days before being forced to leave Canada is concerned about unexpected delays in handling her immigration application.

Serbian woman who hid in Halifax church concerned about immigration process (Canadian Press)


Matt Leinart led top-ranked U.S.C. shook off the fog and an early Oregon State threat to beat the Beavers.

U.S.C. Plays Through the Fog to Remain Undefeated


The Bush administration says it will host a meeting of G8 diplomats this week in Washington in a bid to resolve a nuclear impasse with Iran.

US bid to resolve Iran standoff


International Place developer Donald J. Chiofaro's ownership partner said in federal bankruptcy court yesterday that it would never agree to the reorganization plan that Chiofaro has proposed to stave off a takeover of the towers by Tishman Speyer Properties of New York.

Partner rejects Chiofaro's plan


The Yankees may try to take action against Jason Giambi in the wake of a damaging report that he illegally used steroids.

Yanks and Baseball Meet as Report Ties Giambi to Steroids


Oracle is now OracleSoft, and that means SAP will soon have some real competition on its hands. Oracle #39;s recent monster user conference, the first that united its technology, database and

PeopleSoft deal is done, real work begins


The European Union sought consultations with the United States to determine if new US legislation abolishing contested corporate tax breaks is consistent with World Trade Organization regulations, an EU commission spokeswoman revealed.

EU seeks consultations with US on new tax law


Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori claimed six wickets to demolish the Bangladesh second innings and help New Zealand claim the first test Friday by an innings and 99 runs.

New Zealand dominates Bangladesh to claim first test (Updated on <b>...</b>


Sending people to the moon and Mars is no longer just President Bush #39;s vision. It #39;s officially the United States #39; new mission in space.

Congress Approves NASA budget


Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss issued a four-point statement through the Lakers #39; staff. Rudy Tomjanovich offered words of praise outside the locker room.

Bryant turns the page


United Airlines #39; flight attendants union said it will begin preparing for a strike in response to the airline #39;s proposal to cut jobs, employee pay and benefits as part of its effort to exit bankruptcy.

United flight attendants threaten strike over cuts


HBOS today assumed a spoiler #39;s role in Santander Central Hispano #39;s 8.3bn takeover of Abbey National by highlighting the Spanish bank #39;s ties to the Royal Bank of Scotland.

HBOS voices Abbey concerns


Australian flag carrier Qantas on Friday raised fuel surcharges on domestic and international tickets, blaming the skyrocketing price of crude oil prices.

Update 1: Qantas Says Oil Prices Will Boost Charges


U.S. and Iraqi forces battled militants Tuesday in Najaf, sending plumes of black smoke over the holy city, as Iraq's government warned fighters loyal to a radical cleric to abandon their weekslong standoff inside the Imam Ali Shrine or face attack.

Iraqi Guardsmen Close in on Najaf Shrine


Links to this week's topics from search engine forums across the web: The Great SEO Myths of our Time - Let's Test Hijacking A Google Listing - Internet Searches Getting Re-directed - Search Engines Offering SEO Services? - Shopping Search Arrives as an Important Vertical - Is Having A Yahoo Directory Listing A Hindrance? - Google Not Reporting All Backlinks

Search Engine Forums Spotlight


FIA President Max Mosley has dismissed suggestions that the big teams could run three cars next year after Ford #39;s sudden withdrawl from the sport.

Mosley dismisses chances of three car teams


IBM/Lotus is stepping up efforts to reassure users that its Notes/Domino collaboration platform isn't on the chopping block and will survive well into the future.

IBM sheds light on next Notes/Domino


MARK Latham has stepped up his attack on the Howard Government #39;s approach to national security, calling it  quot;clumsy quot; and  quot;high-risk quot; and saying it showed no lessons were learned from the Iraq war.

Latham hits out at  #39;clumsy #39; security


AP - Minnesota at Texas (8:05 p.m. EDT). Johan Santana (13-6) starts for the AL Central-leading Twins against Kenny Rogers (15-5).

Baseball Today (AP)


NAGDHUNGA, Nepal (Reuters) - Maoist rebels, fighting to  topple Nepal's constitutional monarchy, cut off all land routes  to the Himalayan kingdom's capital on Wednesday, disrupting  food and supplies to the city of 1.5 million people.

Maoist Rebels Block Land Routes to Nepali Capital


The new Bose SoundDock, available exclusively on the Apple online store, brings your music to life while charging your iPod or iPod mini through its docking connector. Bose technology produces room-filling sound on a wide stereo sound stage from your iPod. Comes complete with remote. Sep 24

Bose SoundDock


MOJAVE, California -- The first private manned rocket to reach space soared toward the edge of the atmosphere again yesterday in the first half of a bid to earn a \$10-million US prize.

One down, one to go


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Kyle Martino has earned Major League Soccer #39;s Player of the Week honor for Week 21 of the 2004 season.

Martino earns second Player of the Week honor


quot;Our jails are overcrowded, the police are overworked, and we #39;re going to have to make room in the prisons for teenage file-sharers?

Freeze! Drop the Song! File-Swappers Targeted


Man became the world #39;s alpha species thanks to his outsized brain, according to the view that has dominated anthropology for decades.

The secret to the rise of Man?


Prime Minister Tony Blair admonished the international community today not to waiver in its support for military victory in Iraq and the establishment of democracy there

Blair Tries to Counter Iraq Skeptics in Europe


CAPE CANAVERAL -- Lingering storm clouds Sunday evening foiled a third attempt to launch the last Atlas 2AS rocket in as many days.

Third try not a charm for launch


The BBC leads the nominations for the Bafta Interactive Awards, including for the Radio Times site.

New media battle for Bafta awards


AP - Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has barred the use of mobile phones with built-in cameras, blaming them for

Saudi Edict Bans Mobile Phone Cameras (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar hovered near multi-week lows  on Wednesday as investors questioned whether the U.S. central  bank would raise interest rates next month in the light of  another round of weak U.S. data.

Dollar Mired Near Lows After Weak Data


The federal agency that insures pension plans said that its deficit, already at the highest in its history, had doubled in its last fiscal year, to \$23.3 billion.

Debt Doubles at Agency that Insures Pension Plans


com. Open-source company JBoss Inc. on Monday introduced a workflow engine that broadens the company #39;s middleware stack. JBPM 2.0 was developed with the open-source project of the same name and joins

JBoss Unveils Workflow Engine


AFP - Sudan's foreign minister rejected US charges of genocide in the western region of Darfur as a reelection ploy by US President George W. Bush.

US genocide charge is Bush election ploy - Sudan FM (AFP)


Lucent Technologies #39; quarterly earnings rose sharply, helped by improvement in its wireless networks business and lower costs, the company said Wednesday.

Lucent sees first profitable year since 2000


In brief A victory for humanity

Austrians silence jibbering supermarket trolleys


US officials say Syria has agreed to tighten its border with Iraq to prevent insurgents from entering the country. The State Department says Syria agreed to coordinate with Iraqi and multinational forces.

Syria Agrees to Tighten Iraq Border


Charles M. Vest, who will be stepping down next month as the president of MIT, personifies his school's famed ''engineering mentality. quot; Simply put, this is the inclination to find a problem and fix it.

Redefining the role of academic research


AP - The graduation rate for major college football players increased for the fourth straight year, and the rate for all Division I athletes remained at 62 percent, or 2 percent higher than the general student population.

NCAA Graduation Rates Hold Steady (AP)


Sugar Shane Mosley made all of the necessary adjustments from the first fight, but still managed to come up short as consensus junior middleweight champion Ronald Winky Wright earned

Sugar Shane Mosley Sweet, but Wright Call in End


NEW YORK - Shares of Google Inc. surged nearly 18 percent in their market debut Thursday, in the culmination of a unique and bumpy initial stock offering for the 6-year-old dot-com dreamed up in a college dorm room...

Google Shares Surge Nearly 18 Percent


DENVER (Sports Network) - Colorado terminated the contract  of pitcher Denny Neagle on Monday, three days after he was  ticketed for soliciting a women for oral sex.

Rockies Terminate Neagle's Contract


NEW YORK - Republicans belittled Democratic Sen. John Kerry as a shift-in-the-wind campaigner unworthy of the White House on Monday, opening their national convention four miles from Ground Zero of America's worst terrorist attack...

Republicans Assail Kerry at Convention


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top seed Roger Federer survived a  stirring comeback from twice champion Andre Agassi to reach the  semi-finals of the U.S. Open for the first time Thursday,  squeezing through 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Federer Squeezes Past Agassi Into Semifinals


DAVID HARDAKER: Celebrations have continued in Italy overnight following the homecoming of the two Italian aid workers who were taken hostage in Iraq three weeks ago.

Celebrations after release of Italian aid workers taken hostage in <b>...</b>


Astronomers scouring nearby stars have found two planets that mirror Neptune in size, making them by far the smallest found outside the solar system.

Scientists discover two new extra-solar planets


Six of seven Pitcairn men being tried on sexual assault charges on the south Pacific island were convicted by three judges, New Zealand TV reported Monday.

Six convicted in Pitcairn sex trials


The need to push our boundaries is in our DNA. We can't afford not to go to Mars -- or anyplace else, for that matter. By James Cameron for Wired magazine.

The Drive to Discover


AP - KIEV, Ukraine  #151; Their name means

Ukranian Pro-Democracy Group Protests (AP)


KINGSTON, Jamaica - Hurricane Ivan slammed coastal areas of Jamaica with waves two-stories high and torrential rains, but the mighty storm shifted tack and may now spare the island the worst of its fury. The death toll elsewhere in the Caribbean rose to 37...

Ivan Lashes Jamaica; Death Toll Hits 37


DETROIT: New York real estate mogul Stephen Ross has made a \$100m donation to the University of Michigan, a gift the school hailed as the biggest in its 187-year history.

Real estate mogul gifts \$100m to Michigan Univ


BEIJING (Reuters) - Jelena Dokic ran true to the miserable  form she has shown this season, falling 6-3, 6-0 to Thailand's  Tamarine Tanasugarn in the first round of the China Open on  Tuesday.

Dokic Dumped Out of China Open in First Round


Antonio Daniels #39; driving 8-foot shot with 7.2 seconds left gave the Seattle SuperSonics an 88-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors tonight.

Daniels hits late shot to left Sonics over Raptors, 88-87


Scientists and space enthusiasts are excited about pictures of Saturn #39;s moon Titan that are now being sent to earth by the Cassini orbiter.

Planetary Society Asks People to Imagine Titan Surface


Bombardier Inc., the world #39;s third- biggest maker of commercial airplanes, said it will reduce production of its regional jets because of weak demand and cut about 2,000 jobs.

Bombardier to Cut 2,000 Aircraft Jobs on Weak Demand (Update1)


The European Union threatened a World Trade Organization case against the US and Canada if they don #39;t drop \$126 million of tariffs, imposed on EU exports in retaliation for a ban on hormone-treated beef.

EU Challenges US, Canada Retaliation for Beef Ban (Update1)


It is a high tribute to the legal systems of the United States and Britain that they have not blindly followed their governments in accepting the threat of terror as a reason to subvert fundamental democratic values.

A lordly ruling


Banknorth Group's largest shareholder, Private Capital Management, said it plans to vote in favor of the merger with Canada's TD Bank Financial Group after expressing reservations several months ago. The change increases the likelihood the merger will go through. Several of Banknorth's major shareholders had reservations because of the deal's structure. TD plans to acquire a majority stake in the ...

Banknorth-TD Bank merger gets backing


AFP - The Sudanese government and the Darfur region's rebel groups are due to meet in the Nigerian capital Abuja as the African Union bids to restart its stalled peace process and prove that the troubled continent can handle its own crises.

African Union to relaunch peace talks for Sudan's western Darfur region (AFP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Maria Sharapova express almost  came off the rails Tuesday when she was pushed to the limit in  the U.S. Open first round by American Laura Granville.

Sharapova Forced to Scrap Past Granville


DETROIT - General Motors Corp. #39;s ratings on about \$200 billion in debt may be cut by Moody #39;s Investors Service, which cited unsold vehicles in North America, losses in Europe and rising health care costs.

Metro Briefs


In NEW YORK story headlined

PeopleSoft Ousts CEO Who Battled Oracle


London - Protea openers Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs made a solid start against the West Indies on Saturday in the decisive one-day cricket international in Pool B of the Champions Trophy at The Oval.

Proteas get good start


When Hollinger International bosses Conrad Black and David Radler were selling the company #39;s Canadian newspapers - including the National Post -our years ago, they put more effort into lining their own pockets than getting a good price for the papers

Shareholders the losers, report charges


How much sweeter for the Nation to contemplate only the second sweep in postseason history by the Red Sox, the first since perhaps the most beloved Sox team in the last 30 years, the Sox of Pudge and Yaz and Looie and Lynn and Evans swept the A's in the 1975 American League Championship Series, than to ponder the implications ...

No wonder it was over so quickly


erizon Wireless said on Wednesday that it would expand its wireless high-speed data network into 14 additional cities, including New York and Los Angeles, starting on Monday.

Verizon Wireless Expands High-Speed Data Network


Redskins wide receiver Darnerien McCants is happy to be back on the active roster and contributing again.

Chance for McCants


Two people have been killed in clashes between troops and stone-throwing protesters angered by President Hamid Karzai effectively axing a regional governor.

Two killed in pre-election unrest in Afghanistan


The FBI has begun investigating whether the Pentagon improperly awarded no-bid contracts to Halliburton Co., seeking an interview with a top Army contracting officer and collecting documents from several government offices.

FBI Investigates Halliburton's No-Bid Contracts


Flawed software code used by numerous Microsoft applications to render images mean that a specially constructed image file could hijack a computer or spread a virus.

Software bug raises spectre of  #39;JPEG of death #39;


Terrell Owens found a new way to celebrate touchdowns: He mocked Ray Lewis. Owens had an 11-yard TD catch and David Akers kicked three field goals, helping the Philadelphia Eagles beat

Eagles WR scores winning TD in grudge match against Ravens


Pat McDermott passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns as Penn defeated Columbia, 14-3, in Philadelphia yesterday. The victory was the 17th straight in Ivy League play for the Quakers (4-1, 2-0), tying their own league record set during the 1993-95 seasons.

Quakers sow oats in league


The companies plan to share security features to help customers protect their networks from worms and viruses.

Cisco, Microsoft pledge security interoperability


A trojan by the name of  quot;Skulls quot; has appeared in the wild for some Series 60 smartphones, and users are warned to be wary as always.

Symbian, security groups warn of Series 60 trojan


Gunmen ambushed the head of the Palestinian intelligence service in Gaza City today, seriously wounding him in the chest and killing two bodyguards after opening fire on his convoy, Palestinian officials said.

Palestinian intelligence chief shot


Despite watching the Cubs and Red Sox surge the past two months, Michael Wilbon says they're both cursed and neither is going to the World Series.

Can You Say Cursed?


Yasser Arafat #39;s increasingly imminent passing from the scene points to the end of a long and complex era that is best left for historians to assess.

The opportunities and dangers of the post-Arafat era


AFP - The US Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on whether music-swapping services can be held liable for copyright infringement if their networks are used for illegal digital copies.

US Supreme Court to hear appeal on music-swapping, copyright (AFP)


Britain is to scale back its 8,000-strong military presence in southern Iraq in October, despite fears of worsening security in the run-up to elections, the Observer newspaper reports.

UK to scale back troops: report


Outfielder Jose Guillen and the Anaheim Angels reached a financial settlement yesterday to resolve the grievance filed after the team recently suspended him without pay for the rest of the season.

AL notebook: Angels, Guillen reach resolution on grievance


US computer giant IBM agrees a \$320m deal with older staff, who had argued that changes to its pension scheme left them worse off.

IBM in \$320m pension settlement


IBM (Quote, Chart) continued to apply pressure to rival EMC (Quote, Chart) on the virtualization front with products that help customers improve how they shuttle data throughout different storage systems.

IBM  #39;Virtually #39; Upping Storage Ante


The first half of 2004 saw a huge increase in zombie PCs. Also called bots, their average numbers monitored by security firm Symantec rose between January and June from under 2,000 to more than 30,000 per day - peaking at 75,000 on one day.

Rise of the Botnets


On a near balmy day, the red-and-green confetti and Christmas carols seemed out of place, but Salvation Army officials hoped their plea Thursday for \$2.1 million in financial assistance rang true.

Salvation Army hopes to avoid blue Christmas


SPACE.com - BOULDER, COLORADO -- Engineers here at Ball Aerospace  amp; Technologies Corporation are readying NASA's Deep Impact mission for shipping this month to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Comet Crashing Mission Prepped For Launch (SPACE.com)


There likely won #39;t be a reduction in US troop strength in Iraq until after the country #39;s national elections in January, Defense Secretary Donald

Rumsfeld: Troop Reductions Not Likely Until Iraqis Stronger


Thomas Hall, one of four former midlevel Qwest executives charged with fraud in a 2001 equipment sale, will plead guilty to a misdemeanor, his attorney, Jeffrey Springer, said Friday.

Qwest case to see plea deal


Red Sox manager Terry Francona wants ace starter Curt Schilling to take a painkilling shot to ensure his health for Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.

Francona Urges Injection


The Miami Dolphins' opening game against the Tennessee Titans will be played Saturday instead of Sunday because of approaching Hurricane Ivan.

Hurricane Blows Dolphins vs. Titans to Saturday


But Hurricane Charley intensified at an astonishing rate just a few hours before making landfall, and its eye wobbled off its forecast track and smashed ashore about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa, killing at least 21. It became the most ...

Charley a Harbinger of Busy Hurricane Season?


Washington has scored four of Temple #39;s five touchdowns this season, but has yet to throw for a score...The Owls have lost 19 straight against nationally ranked opponents...Maryland improved to 21-1 at home under head coach Ralph Friedgen.

NCAA Top 25 Game Summary - Temple at Maryland


The National Hockey League went on resuscitation at 12:01 am today, the right time for the fewest people possible to hear any commotion whatsoever, despite a year of blaring sirens beforehand.

Lockout could be NHL #39;s demise


In one of those  quot;legal quot; announcements which leaves the curious unsatisfied Sendo and Microsoft have announced they have settled their dispute.

Sendo Microsoft Dispute Settled


A large funeral was held yesterday afternoon for Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan, late president of the United Arab Emirates, who died on Tuesday evening at 86 year old of which he had spent 33 years as a president for the country.

Sheikh Zayed buried, sadness overwhelms UAE


NEW YORK - AIDS demonstrators disrupted a Republican youth gathering on the floor of the party convention Wednesday, shortly after President Bush's twin daughters left the stage.    The incident occurred after Jenna and Barbara Bush introduced White House chief of staff Andrew Card...

AIDS Activists Disrupt Convention Event


General Electric Co. (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said it would buy a fire detection systems business from SPX Corp.

GE to Buy SPX Fire Detection Unit


Diplomats from several countries have expressed support for the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, after a call for his resignation over the UN role in the Iraq Oil-for-Food programme.

Diplomats back Annan after resignation calls


US President George W. Bush on Sunday hailed an agreement by the Paris Club of creditor nations to cancel 80 percent of Iraq #39;s debt and called on other nations to join in as well.

Bush encourages more debt reduction for Iraq


Ukraine's opposition leader thanks doctors who treated him for suspected poisoning, as officials reopen the case.

Yushchenko thanks medics for care


Cisco Systems Inc. continued its push into the small and medium-sized business market today with the announcement of new modular switches geared toward SMBs.

Cisco helps SMBs build app-ready networks


Air pollution levels in the UK are too high to meet key objectives and may harm human health, an expert tells the BA science festival.

UK 'will fail pollution targets'


SEATTLE -- Mike Hargrove has been named manager of the Seattle Mariners, the team said Wednesday. The team said Hargrove had agreed to a three-year contract for 2005 through 2007.

Mariners name Hargrove as new manager


AP - O.K., 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)


AP - Charlie Weis promises to give Notre Dame an arrogant attitude and turn the Fighting Irish into an intelligent, hard-working, nasty football team.

Winning Paramount to New Notre Dame Coach (AP)


London - Oil prices edged lower on Friday after a two-day rout that saw the value of crude drop 12 percent amid easing fears over a northern winter supply shortage, traders said.

Oil prices pause for breath after two-day rout


NEW YORK - Stock prices were expected to drop after the opening bell Friday as investors stay cautious on the corporate earnings picture, with Alcoa Inc. likely casting a shadow in early trading...

Stocks Expected to Fall on Alcoa Report


European scientists are about to reach for the moon. After a 13-month journey, driven by a new kind of technology, an experimental spacecraft the size of a washing machine will begin to orbit around the moon on Monday night.

European scientists envisage robotic village on moon


Craig McCaw discusses Cingular's acquisition of AT #38;T Wireless and looks toward his new WiMax venture.

Wireless pioneer reflects on roots, looks to WiMax


NEW YORK (Reuters) - PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. , one  of the biggest Medicare plan providers, said on Wednesday it  has agreed to buy health-care benefits provider American  Medical Security Group Inc. for \$502 million to expand its  product offerings to individuals and small businesses.

PacifiCare to Buy American Medical


The launch of a Soyuz spacecraft with new astronauts for the international space station could face a delay of several days so experts can examine a potential docking system problem, the Russian Federal Space Agency said Wednesday.

Space station crew change may be delayed


Record consumer debt won't become ''destabilizing quot; to the US economy so long as there isn't a ''significant fall quot; in home prices or household incomes, an unlikely prospect, Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said.

Greenspan: Household debt unlikely to be 'destabilizing'


NEW YORK - FedEx Corp. Monday raised its earnings forecast for the first quarter ending this month and for the full fiscal year, citing strong demand for its international express, ground and less-than-truckload services.

FedEx raises first quarter, full-year outlook


Site Offer Save a whopping 50 on definitive MySQL guides

It's SQL, but not as you know it


Lucent Technologies Inc. (LU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said it reached a tentative labor agreement with the two unions representing about 10 percent of its work force, ending

Lucent, Unions Have Tentative Agreement


UK factories enjoyed a surge in new orders over the summer, but high oil prices weighed on the service sector, surveys suggest.

UK manufacturers 'in good shape'


An interview with Google's co-founders due out in the current issue of Playboy may delay the company's IPO. Securities regulations restrict what executives can say while preparing to sell stock for the first time.

More Big Boobs in Playboy


Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell has welcomed the new television deal for English cricket agreed on Wednesday. The England and Wales Cricket Board has awarded an exclusive four-year contract to BSkyB for Test matches, which will run until 2009.

Glamorgan relieved by new TV deal


Mozilla blocks those un-requested and annoying  quot;pop-up quot; windows. It also has the ability to open new Web pages in a  quot;tabbed quot; interface, as is common to most Windows-based programs.

A Better Browser Gets Better


At least four Iraqi police officers were killed and 16 American soldiers were wounded Saturday in a string of insurgent attacks across central and northern Iraq, military officials said.

American soldiers are arrested for murder of a wounded Iraqi <b>...</b>


ATHENS -- Nobody wanted to leave. If they could have, everybody would have stayed inside the stadium all night dancing to bouzouki music under the full moon.

Greece was game


AP - President Bush and Sen. John Kerry on the issues at Friday's debate:

A Look at Presidential Debate Topics (AP)


AP - Pakistan on Saturday downplayed suggestions that a new CIA report indicates that a renegade scientist provided more help to Iran's nuclear weapons program than previously disclosed.

Pakistan Downplays CIA Report on Leaks (AP)


Japan's prisons are at their most crowded in years, a result of rising crime and longer sentences.

Japan warns of prison crowding


PlanetOut Inc. showed a small gain in morning activity before shooting up more than 15 percent in recent trading, marking a successful initial public offering for the Web site operator while Thursday #39;s second deal fell flat in its debut.

PlanetOut Soars in Public Trading Debut


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc. <A HREF=

Tyson Foods Posts Lower Earnings


The video game maker Electronic Arts announced an exclusive five-year deal with the National Football League and its players yesterday to design games using the NFL brand, stadiums, player names and uniforms.

Electronic Arts Gets an Exclusive NFL Deal


Reuters - Tribal separatist insurgents gunned down five people, including two children, in the remote and restive Tripura state in different attacks in the past 24 hours, police said on Thursday.

Insurgents kill five in Tripura (Reuters)


MILPITAS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 7, 2004 -- Kineto Wireless a Key Participant in Creation of Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Specifications.

Wireless Industry Leaders Publish Open Specifications for Cellular <b>...</b>


AFP - As videocassettes fade into history, a full-fledged battle is on to establish the next standard of DVDs which could open up a new realm of possibilities in interactive home entertainment.

Consumers could be the losers in battle for next-generation DVD standard (AFP)


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound thinks allegations that Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones used steroids are serious enough to warrant a hearing.

WADA chief wants hearing into Jones doping


DARFUR, November 5 (IslamOnline.net  amp; News Agencies) - The Darfur talks in Abuja, Nigeria, were stalled Friday, November 5, over a security deal proposed by the African Union (AU), amid reports the situation in the western Sudanese region is heading

Darfur Talks Stalled Over Compromise Deal


Campaigner Jason Hatch has been released on police bail after staging a protest on a ledge at Buckingham Palace while dressed as Batman.

quot;Batman quot; protester freed on bail


AP - Republican leaders, eager to deliver a pre-election victory to President Bush, moved closer to agreement Monday night on legislation needed to extend three popular middle-class tax cuts that are set to expire this year.

Effort to Extend Tax Cuts Gains Ground (AP)


Chechnya #39;s new leader vowed on Monday to rebuild the shattered region and crush extremists after winning an election condemned by a rights group as a show stage-managed by Moscow.

New Chechen Leader Vows Peace, Poll Criticized


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was suspended for two games without pay and fined an additional two weeks #39; salary by the league on Friday for violating the NFL substance abuse policy.

Jamal Lewis suspended for two games


The cabinet is expected to agree in principle today to a request from George Bush #39;s military commanders for British troops to be redeployed to the so-called  quot;triangle of death quot; near Baghdad.

Cabinet set to agree troop movement, but delay likely


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sports Network) - The Toronto  Raptors have traded All-Star swingman Vince Carter to the New  Jersey Nets in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, forward  Eric Williams, center/forward Aaron Williams and two first-  round draft picks.

Vince Carter Traded to Nets


At least 38 people died Tuesday when two trains collided in northern India, officials said, revising downwards a previous death toll of 50.

Trains collide in India: 38 killed


NAGPUR: On his first real day at the office in his 100th Test match, Glenn McGrath showed why he ranks among cricket #39;s all-time greats.

McGrath puts Australia in command; India 146/5


Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the release of Ratchet  amp; Clank: Up Your Arsenal for the Playstation 2 console.

Ratchet  amp; Clank: Up You


Ziff Davis - RFID deals are really flying at the Frontline show. In one agreement, Linux handheld terminals will come together with wireless emulation for the enterprise. Through another, three IT firms will support Beaver Street Fisheries' bid to move RFID a step beyond mere compliance.

Workers to Wield Linux RFID Devices (Ziff Davis)


LOS ANGELES -- A Red Flag Warning signifying a high risk of fire will be in effect Tuesday in the mountains and valleys of Los Angeles County because of a combination of Santa Ana winds and very low humidity.

Red Flag Warning Issued For LA County


Reuters - A passenger was seen leaving a hijacked\Greek bus Wednesday five hours after two foreign gunmen seized\the vehicle carrying 26 passenger in an Athens suburb, a\Reuters correspondent at the scene said.

Passenger Leaves Hijacked Greek Bus (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. chain store sales rose in the  fifth week of September, with stores indicating that business  picked up toward the end of the week as temperatures in parts  of the country turned cooler, a report said on Tuesday.

U.S. Chain Store Sales Rise in Oct 2 Week


The US senator leading the investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the Iraq oil-for-food program is urging UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resign.

senator wants Annan to resign


MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will not forget this match at Craven Cottage early this morning. His woeful error cost Australia victory in a 2-2 draw with Norway.

Unlucky Aussies


Open source can immediately prompt the words  #39;law suit #39; in some peoples #39; minds, but Black Duck have introduced a software platform that helps developers catch and resolve potential intellectual property disputes.

Black Duck #39;s protexIP  Safer Open Source Code Usage


LONDON (Reuters) - The euro slipped against the dollar and  yen on Tuesday after weaker-than-expected German investor  confidence data, while the dollar was soft ahead of U.S. data,  seen key for interest rate expectations.

Euro Slips After ZEW, Dollar Awaits Data


Cisco Systems Inc. warned of another security vulnerability to its products last week, one that could allow an attacker to disable remote administration access to a Cisco device running IOS.

Cisco warns of IOS flaw


The Packers said they had acquired quarterback JT O #39;Sullivan, 25, and a second-round selection in the 2005 draft from the Saints in return for McKenzie, 28, and a future conditional draft choice.

Packers deal disgruntled CB McKenzie to Saints


Accommodating large patch sets in Linux is expected to mean forking off of the 2.7 version of the platform to accommodate these changes, according to Andrew Morton, lead maintainer of the Linux kernel for Open Source Development Labs (OSDL).

Linux keeper, SpikeSource CEO talk up open source


A volunteer Maryland election worker touched off a frenzied legal effort in Montgomery County yesterday after he refused to return a touch-screen voting machine, telling state election officials he intended to let an expert hired by CBS News examine it.

Md. Voting Machine Custody Debated


AP - What seemed like a meaningless birdie on the final hole of the NEC Invitational will ensure that Tiger Woods keeps his No. 1 world ranking at least one week longer.

Birdie Helps Woods Retain Top Ranking (AP)


With its major competitors mired in a struggle for financial survival, American Airlines yesterday kicked off a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign aimed at grabbing market share and capitalizing on its own turnaround.

American hits the airwaves


Cuban leader Fidel Castro broke his knee and fractured his arm after falling down on a stage. The 78-year-old had just finished a speech at a graduation ceremony.

Fidel Castro Falls Down


LG.Philips LCD, the world #39;s second-largest liquid crystal display (LCD) maker, said Tuesday that it has developed the world #39;s biggest active-matrix (AM) organic light emitting diode (OLED) display

World #39;s Largest OLED Unveiled


Reuters - Charles Darwin would have had to wait\decades for his own

Nobel Scientists' 'Natural Selection' Takes Decades (Reuters)


Barclays said Thursday that it was in  quot;early stage quot; talks about buying control of South Africa #39;s Absa Group for at least \$3 billion in what would be its largest purchase outside Britain.

Barclays takes look at Absa


The latest version of the Rbot worm contains features that allow malicious hackers to easily turn on the webcam and microphone of infected Windows computers, effectively allowing them to spy on their victims, according to an anti-virus firm.

Webcam worm spies on victims


AFP - The German government expressed annoyance at the Bundesbank following a press report which suggested the German central bank was sceptical about Berlin's growth forecast for next year.

German government miffed by Bundesbank's scepticism on growth (AFP)


By JAN M. OLSEN     COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- Denmark is joining Russia and Canada to see if it can lay a claim to the North Pole - and whatever natural riches may lie beneath it...

Denmark Hopes to Claim the North Pole


Second-seeded Lleyton Hewitt defeated French teenager Gael Monfils 6-3, 7-6 (3) at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, then heaped praise on the former junior champion.

Hewitt beats French teen Monfils to reach third round at Paris <b>...</b>


AP - Three times a week, The Associated Press picks an issue and asks President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry a question about it. Today's question and their responses:

Candidates on Issues: Medical Malpractice (AP)


During the next four years, hospitals in the state of Washington could be reimbursed nearly \$13 million for emergency care they provide to uninsured illegal immigrants.

State #39;s hospitals can get money if illegal immigrants give status


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Credit Suisse Group said Tuesday it will merge its Credit Suisse First Boston investment banking division into its private and corporate bank, cutting up to 300 jobs cuts and dropping a name that #39;s been on Wall Street for 72 years.

Credit Suisse to combine units, float Winterthur


(Editor #39;s note: Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy, one of the smartest and greatest coaches in NFL history, provides his thoughts about the players, the coaches and the games each week throughout the season.

After two weeks, it #39;s still anyone #39;s game


Rebels launch an attack outside the western Sudanese region of Darfur, killing eight people, officials say.

Sudan rebels hit outside Darfur


The industry has run into regulatory, political and economic pressures that may drive it out of Canada altogether.

Internet Drug Exporters Feel Pressure in Canada


AP - President Bush said Friday he'll carry a message of shared values and goals to Europe during a trip planned after his inauguration, reaching out to those dismayed by the Iraq war and what they see as a go-it-alone foreign policy.

Bush Promises Europe Trip to Heal Divide (AP)


BANGALORE, INDIA - Microsoft Corp. is setting up a research lab in Bangalore, India, that will focus on areas including computing technologies for emerging markets, according to a company executive.

Microsoft to open research lab in India


The Swiss banking giant announces it is to integrate its private investment unit CSFB and float its Winterthur insurance wing.

Credit Suisse to integrate CSFB


HAVEN, Wis. - Vijay Singh shot a 4-over 76 to eke into a three-way playoff Sunday, then made his only birdie of the day on the first of three extra holes to beat Justin Leonard and Chris DiMarco in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits...

Singh Wins PGA Championship in Playoff


THE sharemarket should take heart from US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan #39;s comment that sky-high oil prices won #39;t harm the US economy - as long as they don #39;t go any higher.

All Ords get help from gold, Dr Money


Cisco Systems on Tuesday announced enhancements to its Catalyst switching product line, and also announced  quot;the industry #39;s first quot; Gigabit Ethernet-enabled IP phone.

Cisco Enhances Gigabit Ethernet Switches


Kurt Busch claimed a stake in the points lead in the NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup yesterday, winning the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Busch sweeps Loudon: No. 19 takes lead in Nextel Cup


MOSCOW -- Russia's top general threatened yesterday to strike terrorists ''in any region of the world, quot; and the Kremlin offered a \$10 million reward for information leading to the killing or capture of Chechnya's top rebel leaders.

Russia vows terror fight, hits US view


The US mobile-game industry will leap to annual revenue of \$1.8 billion by 2009, according to a new study from market research company In-Stat/MDR.

Mobile-game market to boom, study says


AFP - The Bundesbank is forecasting growth of 1.2 - 1.3 percent for the German economy next year, much less than the government's official forecast of 1.7 percent.

Bundesbank sees German economy growing by 1.2 - 1.3 pct in 2005 (AFP)


Digital images that are billions of pixels in size are now becoming commonplace.

Terapixel digital images approach


With Oracle #39;s \$9.2 billion tender offer for PeopleSoft set to expire Friday, David A. Duffield, PeopleSoft #39;s chief executive, accused Oracle on Thursday of spreading

PeopleSoft Chief Threatens to Sue Over Oracle Statements


LOS ANGELES A private spaceship is to blast off for the second time in a week on Monday in the final stage of an attempt to win a \$10 million prize.

Private spaceship is set to take a second trip


AP - Kay-Jay Harris caught two scoring passes and ran for two other touchdowns to lead No. 15 West Virginia to a 42-21 victory over Temple on Saturday.

No. 15 WVirginia Beats Temple 42-21 (AP)


JANE Saville was the first person to reach fellow Australian heartbreak walker Nathan Deakes when he was disqualified with a medal in sight in the Olympic 50km race yesterday.

Deakes agony as curse strikes


It was a story all too familiar to the other players on the LPGA for the last 11 years. Annika Sorenstam grinds around the golf course, waits for other golfers to make mistakes, then pounces on another tournament title.

Sorenstam story at Samsung World Championship


LAKE LOUISE -- Less than a dozen hours before making history, Bode Miller proved he #39;s every bit as good an apres skier as he is on the snow.

It Bodes well


Israeli troops killed three Egyptian policemen mistaken for Palestinian militants along the Gaza-Egypt border early Thursday, in what the army called a

Israeli Troops Mistakenly Kill Three Egyptians


MOUNT ST. HELENS -- A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St. Helens on Saturday, the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October.

Nation briefs 11/28


Reuters - With no major economic crises\brewing, the head of the International Monetary Fund on\Saturday urged world financial leaders to seize the period of\calm as a time to tackle weak spots in their economies.

'Don't Let Down Guard,' IMF Chief Warns (Reuters)


Scientists release a first draft of the bovine genome - a run through of the genetic code that describes a cow.

Draft of cow 'life code' released


Update addresses potential denial-of-service vulnerabilities as well as a flaw in QuickTime.

Apple issues Mac OS X security update


NORTH Korea has warned the imposition of economic sanctions by Japan would be treated as a declaration of war and that the Pyongyang regime would  quot;immediately react to it with powerful physical methods quot;.

Sanctions will mean war: N Korea


Google Inc.'s long-awaited initial stock sale, which appeared imminent Tuesday, has been delayed while the company awaits final approval of its paperwork by the Securities and Exchange Commission. <FONT face=

SEC Delays Google Stock Offering


Italy coach Marcello Lippi said yesterday that Inter Milan #39;s Marco Materazzi will replace Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence for the Azzurri #39;s crunch World Cup qualifier at home today to Belarus.

Lippi upbeat after Slovenia setback


The Houston Astros and their fans patiently waited 42 years before winning their first post-season series on Monday and what do they get for a payoff?

Who? Who? And Clemens


AP - Tropical Storm Jeanne formed Tuesday in the Atlantic Ocean and was expected to hit Puerto Rico with strong wind and heavy rain by Wednesday morning.

Tropical Storm Jeanne Forms in Atlantic (AP)


Unichem Laboratories has has entered into an agreement with Lannett Company of USA for the exclusive supply of one or more generic drug products.

Unichem Labs inks pact with Lannett


Among three recent human deaths in Vietnam #39;s northern Thai Nguyen province, two were initially reported to have contracted an unidentified dangerous virus, local newspaper Labor reported Monday.

2 Vietnamese die of unidentified virus


Description: Scientists say the arthritis drug Bextra may pose increased risk of cardiovascular troubles. Bextra is related to Vioxx, which was pulled off the market in September for the same reason.

Scientists Raise Concerns about Arthritis Drug Bextra


Vivendi Universal posted a near doubling in its first-half net loss to 1.86 billion euros (\$2.28 billion) on Tuesday, hit by currency translation losses linked to its

Vivendi Net Loss Widens


The UN says government air strikes on rebel-held territory in northern Ivory Coast is a

UN condemns Ivory Coast bombing


The vendor is teaming with OATSystems and BearingPoint to launch new RFID systems and services. By Elena Malykhina. Hewlett-Packard is teaming up with OATSystems Inc.

HP Bolsters RFID Offerings With Partners


STUART, Fla. - Hurricane Frances pounded Florida with high wind and heavy rain Sunday after it smashed across the state's east coast, knocking out power to 4 million people, shredding roofs and uprooting trees...

Frances Strikes, Knocks Out Power to 4M


Reuters - A former general with a doctorate in\economics takes power in Indonesia on Wednesday, facing the\challenge of translating a landslide election victory into\action on economic growth and against Islamic militancy.

High Hopes as Ex-General Takes Over in Indonesia (Reuters)


Wall Street had a tough week as oil prices jumped 6.4 percent, to a record \$53.31 a barrel, and the Labor Department reported that 96,000 jobs were created in September, about 40,000 fewer than economists expected.

Local Stocks


The Red Sox have made an astounding eight errors in the first two games of the World Series, so naturally, they plan to downgrade their defense for Game 3 tonight.

Terry gives Papi first shot


French armoured vehicles today took up positions near the home of Ivory Coast #39;s president as enraged supporters marched on the site fearing an attempt to oust him.

Ivory Coast loyalists confront French soldiers


Oracle may be breathing fire down its neck with an ongoing hostile takeover effort, but PeopleSoft is trying to withstand the siege and stay independent.

PeopleSoft #39;s Knightly Quest


AP - Earthquakes have been rumbling more frequently deep beneath Mauna Loa, suggesting that the world's largest volcano is getting ready to erupt for the first time in 20 years, scientists said.

Scientists Say Mauna Loa May Soon Erupt (AP)


Fire-extinguisher maker Kidde yesterday poured more water on wannabe bidder United Technology Corporation when its chairman said Kidde #39;s shareholders had backed the board #39;s rejection of the 1.

Kidde shares up 38 since offer


The Ravens released their final 53-man roster Monday. The team terminated the contract of veteran fullback Harold Morrow, and waived eight other players.

No To-Morrow


Union leaders today arrived at luxury car-maker Jaguar for crucial talks over the future of the Coventry Browns Lane plant. The factory, which opened in 1951 and currently employs

Unions and Car Chiefs in Talks on Jaguar Plant


Winning a gold medal would ease the sting of two Olympic qualifying defeats for the United States team of NBA stars. But their path to defending the throne is a rocky one, with unbeaten Spain coming up first

NBA stars face formidable challengers


Four score and six years ago, a relatively new Boston baseball team called the Red Sox won the World Series for the fifth time. Not long after, a man named George Herman Ruth, Jr.

William Rivers Pitt: Believe


Seating: The two versions of the A350 would seat between 245 and 285 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. Boeing #39;s 7E7 Dreamliner #39;s three models will accommodate between 217 and 289 passengers.

How the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7 stack up


The Giants are not exactly fearing their game in Philadelphia on this first Sunday of the N.F.L. season. In many ways, they relish it.

Giants Cramming for an Early Test


DUBAI : The Islamic militant group of Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi said in a video shown on the Internet it had taken a Japanese citizen hostage in Iraq and threatened to execute him if Tokyo does not withdraw its troops from Iraq in 48 hours.

Al-Zarqawi group says kidnapped Japanese in Iraq: website


In the celluloid dreams of her own keeping, Latika Harris is watching her favorite movie,

Popcorn, With a Dash of Magic


The CBI has warned that there will be no jobs for unskilled workers in Britain within 10 years. Speaking on the opening day of the business organisation #39;s annual conference in Birmingham, director general

CBI issues skills warning


A 21-YEAR OLD British soldier appeared in court yesterday charged with murdering an Iraqi civilian during the course of an arrest.

British soldier is charged with murdering Iraqi


NEW YORK (Reuters) - It is back to business for U.S.  initial public offerings and time to see if the market for new  issues can pull out of its end-of-summer slump.

IPOs Kick Into Gear with Busy Calendar


For the eighth time this year, Vijay Singh stepped up to the winners podium to accept the hardware following another PGA Tour victory.

Vijay Sings Yet Another Victory Tune


A Christian teacher goes into hiding in the northern Nigerian city of Kano for offending her Muslim pupils, police say.

Nigerian teacher flees Koran row


Wizards forward Kwame Brown returns to practice following his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team last Wednesday.

Brown Rejoins Wizards


AP - John Gilchrist had 16 points, 10 rebounds and led a scrappy defense that helped No. 13 Maryland run past No. 25 Memphis 84-61 on Friday night.

No. 13 Maryland Tops No. 25 Memphis 84-61 (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Surging energy costs drove up U.S.  consumer prices a hefty and larger-than-expected 0.6 percent  last month, while industrial output grew strongly after  rebounding from hurricanes and housing starts leapt, government  reports showed on Wednesday.

Economy Expands Despite Rising Oil Prices


AP - Excerpts from the citation awarding the 2004 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences to Finn E. Kydland of Norway and Edward C. Prescott of the United States for their contributions to dynamic macroeconomics and the time consistency of economic policy and the driving forces behind business cycles.

Excerpts From Nobel Economics Citation (AP)


LOS ANGELES : Shaquille O #39;Neal paid various women hush money to keep quiet about sexual encounters, Kobe Bryant told law enforcement officers in Eagle, Colorado.

Basketball: Bryant says O #39;Neal paid women hush money to keep <b>...</b>


(CP) - With their depth and determination, there is little surprise the Seattle SuperSonics are the best team in the NBA. One night after Ray Allen helped Seattle become the first team to win in San Antonio

Thursday #39;s NBA Roundup


Tender offer could be trimmed by a third, given PeopleSoft's business prospects, top Oracle exec Safra Catz tells a court.

Oracle may cut PeopleSoft bid


By Alan M. MacRobert, Globe Correspondent  November 6, 2004. In this darkening season, lots of people start the day before sunrise.

Moon, Jupiter, Venus are dancing at dawn


A newly discovered fossil might be the remains of one of the first stealth hunters, a swimming dinosaur that could use its long neck to sneak up on prey and strike without warning.

Scientists discover fossil of new, long-necked dinosaur


Oil scaled a new high above \$55 a barrel Monday as a threat by Norwegian ship owners to halt production from the world #39;s third biggest exporter stoked fears of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Scales New High as Norway Strike Hits


Corus Group Plc, the UK #39;s biggest steelmaker, reported its first profit and said earnings will rise in the second half because of higher steel prices and cost cutting by Chief Executive Officer Philippe Varin.

Corus Reports First-Ever Profit as Steel Prices Soar (Update3)


roundup Plus: Friendster hires ex-AOL ad exec...HP inks deal with energy firm...Holiday Inn welcomes Priceline.

Briefly: AOL signs up for Omniture traffic tool


AFP - The United States believes a blast that wounded several people at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad was caused by an improvised bomb and not an electrical short circuit as Pakistani officials have said, the State Department said.

US believes bomb caused Marriott blast in Pakistan, tells citizens to avoid area (AFP)


The youngest son of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, was involved in a high-speed police chase through central Paris that ended in fisticuffs, according to French officials.

Gaddafi #39;s son in brawl with French police


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - General Mills Inc. <A HREF=

General Mills to Sell Stake in Cereals


Professor Danny Mills of Lincoln University will predominantly study the behaviour of dogs, cats and horses and see how their anxieties can be solved.

Britain #39;s first pet professor


If the Giants #39; 12-inning loss to New York on Saturday was a grand, tragic opera, Sunday #39;s game was  quot;The Minute Waltz, quot; a blithe romp on the grass that brought cheer inside the clubhouse not only for its outcome, but its brevity.

Rueter riddles Mets Bonds blasts No. 693; Giants finish homestand <b>...</b>


Life, and how it functions, is at the center of Dr. Gnter Blobel's research.

Here's the Nobel. Now Explain It to Your Grandmother.


TOKYO Wal-Mart Stores is considering taking a stake in the heavily indebted Japanese retailer Daiei, a move that could greatly expand the presence of the world #39;s largest retailer in the world #39;s second-largest retail market.

Wal-Mart looking at Japan #39;s Daiei


CANBERRA (Reuters) - An Australian terror suspect was  offered the services of a prostitute by the U.S. military if he  agreed to spy on other detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay  base in Cuba, according to court documents. In an affidavit  unsealed by a U.S. District Court and seen by Reuters on  Friday, David Hicks, a 29-year-old convert to Islam, said he  was also beaten while blindfolded and handcuffed, threatened  with weapons and had his head rammed into asphalt.

Australia Terror Suspect Offered Prostitute -Papers


His first space flight was in 1965 when he piloted the first manned Gemini mission. Later he made two trips to the moon -- orbiting during a 1969 flight and then walking on the lunar surface during a mission in 1972.

NASA #39;s longest-serving astronaut retiring


Meeting with leaders of the European Union in Brussels, the prime minister of Iraq #39;s interim government, Ayad Allawi, has called for reconciliation with European nations and urged  quot;spectator quot; states to engage in Iraq.

IRAQS ALLAWI MEETS WITH EU LEADERS


Microsoft Corp. is developing a new front-end application for its upcoming Live Communications Server (LCS) 2005 instant messaging server that links LCS 2005 with end-users' telephones.

Microsoft announces Istanbul LCS client


US mining giant Newmont Mining has welcomed the release of five of its executives, including an Australian, who were detained in Indonesia last month amid claims one of the company #39;s gold mines polluted a bay in central Indonesia.

Newmont welcomes exec release


Indonesia has been staging landmark elections widely expected to see a former general unseat President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Megawati faces her former security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the presidential

Indonesia polls open


Intel, the world #39;s biggest semiconductor maker, said Monday it built a test chip with a new process that creates faster circuits by packing 10 million transistors into an area the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen.

Intel test chip boasts technology to add to speed


WESTBOROUGH -- Massachusetts faces several years of lackluster job growth unless innovations spur the state's listless economy, according to an economic forecast.

State won't recoup all lost jobs till '08


CORAL GABLES  Miami coach Larry Coker admits it took him a while to come down from Friday night #39;s 16-10 overtime victory against Florida State.

Coker pleased players didn #39;t quit


Red Sox fans never had the chance to boo Grady Little for letting Pedro Martinez start the eighth inning against the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.

Enter a Category


ATHENS, Greece - Andy Roddick hit one last errant shot into the net and hung his head, his medal hopes over. A short while later, Venus Williams was gone, too...

Venus, Roddick Upset in Olympic Tennis


Pros: Fits the recent profile (44, past PGA champion, fiery Ryder Cup player); the job is his if he wants it. Cons: Might be too young to be willing to burn two years of play on tour.

The emergence of the past captains began when the PGA of America


A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 shook northern Japan on Saturday, rocking buildings hundreds of miles away.

Strong earthquake rocks northern Japan


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has sounded a note of optimism about peace prospects in the coming year provided Palestinians stop violence against Israel.

Sharon Optimistic About Peace Prospects While Violence Continues <b>...</b>


Visiting Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee chairman Mahmud Abbas here Sunday apologized to Kuwait for PLO #39;s past stance on the 1990 Iraqi invasion against the emirate.

Abbas apologizes to Kuwait over PLO stand on 1990 Iraqi invasion


An upcoming Microsoft (MSFT:Nasdaq - news - research) software product for clustered servers won #39;t run on Intel #39;s (INTC:Nasdaq - news - research) high-end Itanium 2 chip, according to a report first published on News.

Microsoft Nixes Intel #39;s Itanium


England reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals as Andrew Flintoff's 104 earns victory over Sri Lanka.

Cricket: England beat Sri Lanka


ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps took care of qualifying for the Olympic 200-meter freestyle semifinals Sunday, and then found out he had been added to the American team for the evening's 400 freestyle relay final. Phelps' rivals Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband and teammate Klete Keller were faster than the teenager in the 200 free preliminaries...

Phelps, Thorpe Advance in 200 Freestyle


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces hit Iraq's rebel  stronghold of Falluja with the fiercest air and ground  bombardment in months, as insurgents struck back on Saturday  with attacks that killed up to 37 people in Samarra.

Iraq Rebels Hit Back as U.S. Bombs Falluja


The chief rival of interim President Hamid Karzai said he has evidence of organized fraud in Afghanistan #39;s election and accused the UN-Afghan electoral commission on Monday of ignoring his complaints.

Karzai ahead after first million votes counted in Afghan election <b>...</b>


ISTANBUL (Reuters) - An explosion rocked Turkey's  Mediterranean resort city of Antalya on Monday, killing one  person and injuring at least one other, police said.

Blast in Turkish Resort City Kills One


AP - Emmitt Smith ran his way to another NFL record and Neil Rackers booted himself into a share of one.

Cardinals Win, Smith Earns Another Record (AP)


Jerusalem, Oct 07 - The United States has asked Israel to clarify a statement made by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s senior advisor Dov Weisglass, which said Tel Aviv #39;s disengagement plan meant a  quot;freezing of the peace process, quot; media reported here.

US asks Israel to clarify disengagement plan


LONDON (Reuters) - The yen pulled back above a 6-week low  on the dollar and a 4-month trough on the euro on Wednesday, as  oil prices backed off record highs, while the euro maintained  its grip on recent gains against the dollar.

Yen Reverses Off Lows, Keeps Eye on Oil


I own quite a few Coltrane CDs -- mad jazz saxophone player from the  #39;60s. Timeless. If you #39;ve never heard  quot;A Love Supreme, quot; well, you #39;ve missed out.

Talkback: Is Ripping a Crime? written by Patrick Norton on <b>...</b>


Yesterday #39;s first round of the \$5 million Deutsche Bank Championship was all the evidence anyone could possibly need to keep this tournament right where it is, at TPC of Boston.

RELATED COLUMNISTS NEWS


CHARLOTTE, NC - Bank of America said Thursday it will cut about 4,500 jobs beginning this month as a result of its merger with FleetBoston Financial Corp.

Bank of America to cut 4,500 jobs beginning this month


In an eyebrow-raising forecast, Gartner researchers said they believe that as many as 50 percent of the IT operational jobs in the U.S. could disappear over the next two decades because of improvements in data center technologies.

Gartner: Half of U.S. IT operations jobs to vanish


The British scientist who created Dolly the sheep, has applied for a licence to clone human embryos in the hope of finding a cure for motor neurone disease.

#39;Dolly #39; scientist seeks human clone licence


\Hong Kong scientists warn rising global temperatures may transform  the city into a breeding ground for viruses.

HK heat 'risks bacteria growth'


\Smoking killed almost 5 million people around the world in 2000, researchers have calculated.

Smoking killing millions globally


FINLAND #39;s Marcus Gronholm crashed out of the Rally of Great Britain, the 12th round of the 16-race world championship series, during today #39;s second special stage.

Gronholm crashes out of rally


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Three years after the attacks of Sept.  11, 2001, is today's business traveler safer?

Away on Business: Is Travel Safer?


US shoppers showed a bit of cheer at the cash registers in November, boosting sales at the country #39;s retailers by 0.1 per cent.

US retail sales rise by 0.1 per cent in November, higher than <b>...</b>


The Red Sox beat the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in a season-deciding game. The Red Sox beat the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in a season-deciding game and it wasn #39;t even close.

Passing thoughts on Yankees-Red Sox series


PASADENA, Calif. - The theory that Saturn #39;s giant moon Titan has oceans or seas of liquid methane and ethane faced its best test yet Tuesday.

Cassini takes a close-up look at Saturn #39;s giant moon Titan


Northeastern field hockey coach Cheryl Murtagh doesn't want the glare of the spotlight that shines on her to detract from a team that has been the America East champion for the past three years and has been to the NCAA tournament 13 times.

Murtagh a stickler for success


The Golf Expert is here with answers to your questions. Since slow play is not encouraged, let #39;s quickly move to the first tee, er, question and get started.

Singh won #39;t sit still at No. 1


With the latest update to Microsoft Corp. #39;s Windows XP operating system, personal computers will soon join parents, bosses, teachers and spouses as a source of nagging in your life.

Microsoft battens down Windows XP #39;s hatches


Enough of the Bowl Championship Series. Enough of coaches sounding like Oliver Stone scripting his latest movie project.

This BCS business is getting out of hand


One Chinese hostage held by Islamic militants dies and one is freed in a rescue mission by Pakistan's army.

Hostage killed in Pakistan rescue


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

Limited Ups Earnings View, Buyback Offer


By PAUL ELIAS     SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Silicon Valley tycoons, Nobel laureates and Hollywood celebrities are backing a measure on California's Nov. 2 ballot to devote \$3 billion to human embryonic stem cell experiments in what would be the biggest-ever state-supported scientific research program in the country...

California to Vote on \$3 Billion Stem Cell Project


Chile's former President Augusto Pinochet is charged with murder and kidnapping, but his house arrest is lifted.

Chilean judge charges Pinochet


AP - Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Gordon left Sunday's game against Pittsburgh in the first quarter with a left shoulder injury after a jarring tackle by safety Chris Hope.

Dolphins RB Gordon Injures Shoulder (AP)


1. Pregnant fan sneaks into security area to be closer to Shah Rukh Khan as he performs, while fireworks go off. 2. Grenade thrown towards stage but lands in security area, killing pregnant fan.

Pregnant fan got too close


AFP - European Union nations criticised Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels for killing rivals and recruiting child soldiers, appealing to the guerrillas not to undermine the Island's Norwegian-led peace bid.

EU nations slam Tiger rebels as fresh killings dim Sri Lanka peace hopes (AFP)


BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Israeli troops shot  dead seven Palestinians in a strawberry field in north Gaza on  Tuesday after mortar fire from Palestinian militants there  wounded two Jewish settlers.

Israel Kills 7 Palestinians in North Gaza -- Medics


LONDON - Entertaining football in the Premiership, boring in the Champions League. That is the key to Arsenal #39;s success, insists Robert Pires.

Time now for boring Arsenal


Company pushes back third beta program of database to early next year; says final product is on track for next summer.

Microsoft sets summer delivery of SQL Server


A senior Italian politician says ransom of \$1m was paid for the release of two hostages held in Iraq.

Italy 'paid \$1m to free hostages'


World News: Cairo, Dec 5 : A convicted Israeli spy will be released by Egypt in exchange for six imprisoned Egyptian students, an Arabic-language TV station reported Sunday.

Egypt, Israel in prisoner swap deal:


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr  may have escaped the U.S.-led military siege of the Imam Ali  Mosque in Najaf, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Friday.

Sadr May Have Escaped Najaf Mosque-Iraq Official


AP - Call it TiVo for the radio. A new  #36;70 device called RadioShark lets you record your favorite AM and FM radio shows to your home computer and enjoy them later either from the desktop or a portable device.

REVIEW: Device Lets You Record Radio Shows (AP)


Hewlett-Packard is considering an expansion of its research operations in Puerto Rico for pharmaceutical work and other tasks.

HP may expand Puerto Rican research


NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has come in for fierce criticism following a meeting of locked-out players. The NHL Players Assocation leaders briefed 74 players on Tuesday about the team owners #39; lockout which

Players attack Bettman


German carmaker Porsche expects its streak of strong earnings to continue in the current fiscal year that ends in July, the company said on Wednesday.

Sports Car Revamp Revs Up Porsche Sales


The airline industry is expected to lose as much as \$4-b in 2004 due to the high fuel costs, despite an increase of about 19 in international passenger traffic so far this year.

Fuel price flying off the handle


Reuters - Japan's financial regulators may suspend\or even end some private banking operations at the Japanese\commercial banking unit of U.S. financial services firm\Citigroup Inc., the Nihon Keizai newspaper said on Thursday.

Report: Japan May Sanction Citibank (Reuters)