HONG KONG (Reuters) - Seoul shares were under pressure  early on Monday as a strong currency fueled worries about  export earnings but Hong Kong and Singapore stocks were  slightly firmer in light post-holiday trade.

Seoul Stocks Under Pressure, HK Firmer


EBay dropoff stores, which list, package and ship eBay items for people who prefer not to do it themselves, have gotten a little help in their quest to find a market - from eBay itself.

EBay Lends Hand to Dropoff Stores


Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:    -----       Hearings Begin on Antidepressant Use in Children      Two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels opened hearings Monday on the controversial issue of prescribing antidepressants for children...

Health Highlights: Sept. 13, 2004


AP - Hundreds of angry French farmers mounted blockades around the country Monday to hold up fuel shipments in protest at soaring diesel and gasoline prices and to press their demands for government aid.

French Farmers Mount Fuel Blockades (AP)


The news got worse for the Carolina Panthers Friday. Running back Stephen Davis was sidelined with a knee injury days after star receiver Steve Smith broke his leg.

Panthers running back out 2-5 weeks


Reuters - Former U.S. President Bill\Clinton, just seven weeks after heart surgery, received a\rousing welcome back to the campaign trail on Monday at a rally\to rev up core Democratic support before next week's election.

Clinton Gets Hearty Campaign 'Welcome Back' (Reuters)


Indonesian president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said a blast on Friday near Jakarta #39;s embassy in Paris was a terrorist act, and called on France and Indonesia #39;s outgoing president to take appropriate action.

Paris blast terrorist act - Indonesia #39;s Yudhoyono


Senior African Union officials will meet on Saturday for emergency talks on the conflict that has reignited in Ivory Coast, threatening to undermine efforts to restore peace in neighbouring countries, an official said.

Senior African Union officials hold emergency consultations on <b>...</b>


Two US soldiers have been killed in a gun battle in southeastern Afghanistan, the US military has said. Six Afghan and two other American troops were slightly wounded in the exchange, in the province of Paktika.

US troops killed in Afghanistan


roundup Plus: Think local, act Google...SanDisk to supply Samsung with miniSD...Hitachi unleashes 100GB notebook drives.

Briefly: LogicLibrary buys bug catcher


AP - Earthquake activity has increased at Mount St. Helens, but scientists said Saturday there was no reason to raise the volcano's alert level.

Quake Activity Rises at Mount St. Helens (AP)


LONDON, August 26 (New Ratings) - The beleaguered global oil giant, Shell (SHE1.ETR), has been reportedly asked by the Nigerian government to pay \$1.

Shell to pay \$1.5 bn as eco-claims in Nigeria


Steve Francis completed a spectacular debut with a driving layup just before the final horn Monday night, leading the Magic to a 93-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA season opener for both teams.

Francis Makes Magic in Opener


FORD sold its Jaguar Formula One team on the cheap to ensure that they were guaranteed survival and a multimillion-pound budget that will allow them to flourish.

Jaguar given new lease of life by Red Bull


Reuters - J.P. Morgan Chase   Co.  said\on Wednesday it was canceling a  #36;5 billion outsourcing deal\with IBM Corp.,  and planned to rehire about 4,000\workers who had been transferred to IBM under the pact.

J.P. Morgan Cancels IBM Outsourcing Deal (Reuters)


AP - Seimone Augustus scored 22 points to lead top-ranked LSU past No. 13 Minnesota 75-67 in a matchup Tuesday night of Final Four teams from last season.

No. 1 LSU Beats No. 13 Minnesota, 75-67 (AP)


The US Airways pilots' union said it would resume talks with the airline, which is urging its unions to grant \$800 million in cuts to save it from a bankruptcy filing.

US Airways Pilots' Union Decides to Resume Talks


High-speed Internet access is becoming more and more popular, study shows.

DSL Leads the Broadband Boom


SATURN makes its reappearance on our star maps this month but is only the appetiser for a feast of planetary interest later in the night.

A universally good year for the Geminids meteor shower


Gartner strengthened its forecast for 2004 global semiconductor sales Tuesday, saying it saw the market growing by 27 percent to \$226 billion, a 25 percent increase from an earlier prediction.

Chip downturn fears overblown?


referral was a possibility.  quot;Iran has fully prepared itself for the possible consequences, quot; he told Reuters. The EU trio want Iran to halt uranium enrichment since it can be used to make nuclear bomb material.

Iran rejects EU nuclear proposal


Pilots at US Airways Group Inc. are slated hold an emergency meeting Friday, a few days after their union leadership rejected an airline proposal for significant wage and work-rule concessions.

US Airways pilots hold emergency meeting


Manchester United #39;s directors barely disguised their gritted teeth yesterday as they issued the statement the outside world has been awaiting for months: Britain #39;s richest football club has received a possible takeover offer.

Kick-off whistle blows as Tampa Bay #39;s leprechaun makes move for <b>...</b>


Reuters - When Wall Street gets back to work\this week after the Thanksgiving holiday, the focus will be on\jobs and retail sales.

Jobs, Retail on Stock Market Menu (Reuters)


AP - WHAT WAS FOUND: A microscopic diamond embedded in kimberlite, the molten rock in which diamonds are found, in Montana.

Summary: Microscopic Diamond Found in Mont (AP)


When Smarty Jones was retired following the Triple Crown, it took some sizzle out of the racing scene. But one doesn #39;t have to be an insider to appreciate the

Fields are stocked for Breeders #39; Cup


At least two more states are planning to join New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in suing the insurance industry over allegations of bid-rigging and collusion.

Spitzer #39;s insurance fight gains steam


The head of Fannie Mae is sure to come under fire when he testifies before Congress today. At a Capitol Hill hearing, Franklin Raines is scheduled to make his first public comments since an accounting scandal surfaced last month at the mortgage giant.

Morning Briefing


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Serena Williams ended Amelie  Mauresmo's hopes of grabbing the year-end number one ranking by  beating the Frenchwoman 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the  WTA Tour Championships Sunday.

Williams Downs Mauresmo to Reach WTA Tour Final


ATHENS (Reuters) - American Shawn Crawford won the Athens  Games 200 meters final Thursday in a race delayed five minutes  by chanting and booing from hostile sections of the crowd at  the Olympic stadium.

Crawford Is Golden Amid a Chorus of Boos


HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania attorney generals office Monday sued an online university for allegedly selling bogus academic degrees - including an MBA awarded to a cat.

School that awarded MBA to cat sued


The International Monetary Fund starts talks with Kenya which could result in the release of a delayed loan to the country.

IMF team opens Kenya loan talks


Big Lots Inc., the largest closeout retailer in the United States, said Wednesday that total sales for the five weeks ended Oct. 2 rose 2.9 percent to \$357.

Big Lots Revises Quarterly, Year Views


The holiday gaming season officially opened Tuesday with the release of  quot;Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. quot; The third in the immensely popular line of video games is expected by analysts to sell

#39;GTA #39; Expected To Drive Holiday Sales


AP - Jon Gruden can understand why Tampa Bay fans are talking about Chris Simms.

Simms Impressive in Bucs' Preseason Debut (AP)


Iran, the Middle East #39;s second- largest oil producer, has successfully completed testing of a strategic missile, #39; #39; the country #39;s official news agency reported, citing Iran #39;s defense minister.

Iran Completes Strategic Missile #39; Test, State News Agency Says


USATODAY.com - It's not just cell phones taking advantage of a time standard. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colo., sends out a radio signal that any properly equipped device in much of North America can pick up and use to set itself to the proper time.

Andrew Kantor: CyberSpeak - Ultra-accurate clocks are all around us (USATODAY.com)


LOS ANGELES (Sports Network) - Tracy McGrady tallied 32  points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead Houston over  the Los Angeles Clippers, 91-86, in an overtime contest at the  Staples Center.

McGrady Leads Rockets Past Clippers in OT


A French technician who worked on Saudi naval contracts was shot and killed early Sunday in western Saudi Arabia in what his company said may have been a random shooting.

Frenchman shot, killed in Saudi Arabia


Top-seeded Maria Sharapova pounded unseeded Anne  quot;Kosmo quot; Kremer of Luxembourg 6-0, 6-2 Saturday to advance to the final at the WTA stop at Seoul.

Sharapova Faces Unseeded Domachowska in WTA Seoul Final


Greek prosecutors are expected on Wednesday to announce results of an investigation into whether the country #39;s top sprinters faked a road accident in a doping scandal that rocked Greece and plagued the Athens Olympics.

Greek Prosecutors Expected to Rule on Olympic Pair


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world #39;s largest retailer, reported a 12.7 percent increase in its third-quarter earnings.

With earnings up 12.7, Wal-Mart shares drop


NEW YORK - In heat or wind, before a crowd for or against him, facing Andre Agassi's baseline bashing or Tim Henman's get-to-the-net style: When Roger Federer is on his game, it doesn't seem to matter what he has to deal with. Now Lleyton Hewitt will try to disrupt him...

Federer Tries for Third Major Title of '04


In a private study conducted by IDC for Open Source Development Labs, Inc (OSDL), IDC predicted that the overall Linux marketplace revenues for server, PC hardware and packaged software on Linux is expected to reach \$35.7 billion by 2008.

Linux Is Now Mainstream, Says IDC


Randy Moss left Vikings practice Thursday afternoon with a sore ankle, but the All-Pro wide receiver isn #39;t expected to miss any action Sunday at Houston.

Vikings #39; Moss probable with ankle injury


NEW YORKMartha Stewart will do her time for lying about a stock sale at a remote West Virginia prison camp where inmates sleep in bunk beds and rise at 6 am to do menial labour for pennies an hour.

Stewart to serve time in West Virginia


US mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said on Friday it began payments to former Chief Executive Leland Brendsel after a court ruled regulators could not freeze his compensation pending investigation into an accounting

UPDATE 1-Freddie Mac to start payments to former CEO


The Microsoft Corp. has decided to advance the timetable on its much-anticipated overhaul of Windows, the Financial Times reported Saturday.

Microsoft to release Longhorn in  #39;06


Boston smacked its hosts around and pinned a defeat on the Knicks, who absorbed their most lopsided home-opening loss.

Knicks Embarrassed in Opener at the Garden


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar rose to a six-week high  against the yen on Monday as the Japanese currency was ground  down by a weak stock market and oil prices pushing back toward  record highs.

Dollar Inches to 6-Wk High


KABUL, Afghanistan -- US-led troops mounted overnight raids on suspected Al Qaeda compounds in eastern Afghanistan, killing four people and detaining several others, officials said yesterday.

US forces kill four in suspected Al Qaeda compounds


The morning sky this weekend is sparkling. Wake up early to see Mercury, Venus, Saturn and more.

Morning Planets


Separatist militants set off a powerful land mine in Indian Kashmir killing eleven people, including nine soldiers in one of the biggest guerrilla attacks in weeks, police said on Sunday.

Rebels Set Off Land mine in Indian Kashmir; 11 Dead


THERE ARE signs that US Judges are becoming a little uneasy about the way the music industry is hauling the little people before the courts with acusations of music piracy.

Judges get nervy about music cases


A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 rocked eastern areas of Hokkaido, Japan #39;s northernmost main island, early Monday, injuring at least 13 people.

Strong quake hits north Japan, injuring 13


WASHINGTON - Pilgrim #39;s Pride Corp., the nation #39;s second-largest poultry producer, Monday said profit for its latest quarter nearly tripled as the acquisition of ConAgra Foods #39; chicken unit and an insurance gain helped its bottom line.

Pilgrim #39;s Pride Profit Up on Acquisition


AP - Guard Dajuan Wagner will become a free agent after this season because the Cleveland Cavaliers declined their  #36;3.4 million contract option for 2005-06 on Friday.

Cavaliers Decline Option on Wagner (AP)


Short of an actual prize, one of the most coveted handouts at this years Grammy Awards, Academy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards was the iPod music player stashed in celebrity goody bags.

Apples iPod takes a bite of hip culture


Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan and his central bankers gave the national economy a vote of confidence yesterday and raised the key federal funds interest rate by a quarter-point.

Feds raise key rate again


The Olympics closed with praise for the athletes and relief that the event was safe from terrorism. BY RICK MAESE / ORLANDO SENTINEL.

Torch goes out


SAN JOSE, Calif. (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. rolled out  on Tuesday a new iPod that allows users to view and share  photos as it opened nine new iTunes music stores in Europe,   spurring its rivalry with Microsoft Corp. and others.

Apple Rolls Out IPod Photo, Rocks with U2


AFP - Sudan condemned UN threats of sanctions against Khartoum, saying they would only undermine efforts to restore security in the devastated western region of Darfur.

Sudan says UN sanctions counter-productive to security in Darfur (AFP)


SOMEBODY obviously hasn #39;t mentioned to Kevin Keegan that he #39;s supposed to be tactically naive. Because there was nothing remotely naive about Keegan #39;s tactics at Old Trafford yesterday as the Manchester City

Naive? Not our Kev!


Defending champion Paradorn Srichaphan battled past Wayne Ferreira to reach the TD Waterhouse Cup quarter-finals. The duo both broke serve in the first set, which fourth seed Srichaphan won on a tie-break, and

Srichaphan into last eight


ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - President Bush accused John Kerry on Monday of employing

Bush Accuses Kerry of Scare Tactics


VLADIMIR Putin, the Russian president, yesterday ordered a drastic centralisation of government power that is likely to strengthen the Kremlins grip over every aspect of political life.

Putin strengthens the Kremlin #39;s grip


AP - In a sharply worded challenge to President Bush, Democratic Sen. John Kerry said Wednesday

Kerry Challenges Bush on Terror Policies (AP)


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two days before college football's biggest game of the season -- the BCS national championship Orange Bowl matchup between No. 1 Southern Cal and No. 2 Oklahoma -- college football itself is again on the precipice of chaos.

BCS still ranks as a failure


It #39;s no surprise that the Knicks have a roster move to announce today. Penny Hardaway #39;s strained right hamstring is forcing him to go on the injured list for at least two weeks, maybe a month.

Houston #39;s return will have to wait a little longer


RealNetworks has ended its three-week  quot;Freedom of Choice quot; online music promotion. According to the Seattle-based company over 3 million songs were purchased during the sale.

The Real End


Tennessee's health care plan for the state's most vulnerable residents, once hailed as an example for the nation, is on the ropes.

Once a Model, a Health Plan Is Endangered


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union expects Turkey to  initial an accord Friday giving Cyprus de facto recognition and  sign it before Ankara opens EU membership talks on Oct. 3,  2005, a draft summit statement said Friday.

EU Expects Turkey to Initial Deal on Cyprus Friday


EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (Sports Network) - Former St. Louis  Blues forward Mike Danton has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in  prison for concocting a murder-for-hire plot against his agent.

Danton Sentenced to 7 1/2 Years for Murder Plot


SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea is seriously reconsidering  its role in talks on its nuclear plans because of what it sees  as a concerted campaign to topple the North's ruling system,  the North Korean Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

N.Korea Says Reconsidering Place at Nuclear Talks


The Boston Red Sox have evened the American League Championship Series at three games apiece by beating the New York Yankees 4-to-2 in game six.

Red Sox tie up the series


A Wall Street analysis suggests the Vioxx recall may cost the pharmaceutical firm Merck as much as \$18 billion over the next decade.

Vioxx recall may cost \$18 billion


Houston, TX -- Morgan Ensberg went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs to lead Houston over Atlanta 8-5 in Game 3 of their National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park.

National League Playoff Game Capsules


Kevin Garnett jumper with 8.3 seconds remaining lifts the Timberwolves to a 96-91 win over the Rockets on Thursday.  Garnett finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists.

Garnett Sinks Rockets


MAIDENHEAD, United KingdomT-Mobile International said it has deployed a trial of Flarion Technologies FLASH-OFDM system for its mobile broadband services in The Hague, the Netherlands.

T-Mobile trials Flash-OFDM in the Netherlands


UNITED NATIONS (CP) - Haiti and Grenada need \$59 million US in humanitarian aid immediately to cope with the destruction wrought by hurricanes last month, the top UN relief official said Friday.

UN launches appeal for \$59 million in emergency aid to Haiti <b>...</b>


Meeting with visiting here Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to support all Iraqi steps aimed at restoring order

Russia supports Iraq in restoration of order


For the second time in three years, a hypoxic

News: New Hypoxic Event Found Off Oregon Coast


SAO PAULO (Brazil): Olympic marathon bronze medallist Vanderlei de Lima, who was tackled by a spectator while leading the race, came home Wednesday to a heros welcome and said he was thrilled to earn a medal even though his fellow Brazilians believe he

Brazils Lima returns home to heros welcome


AP - Daniela Vanegas, a bright-eyed girl with thick, dark tresses, was kidnapped almost a year ago as she boarded her school bus in Bogota.

Dad ID's Kidnapped Daughter in Colombia (AP)


(Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds will start a season-ending three-game series versus the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds Team Report - October 1


Three into two rarely goes. Graeme Souness has done his best to test that theory by playing Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert together, but the striking situation at Newcastle has only reinforced that adage.

Three into two


You usually don #39;t hear executives at Oracle talk about taking outside advice. But the hard-charging company has solicited some feedback on a new round of products from an unlikely source--Emerson

Emerson Pushes Boundaries Of IT


Canadian Press - WINNIPEG (CP) - An armed man suspected in the shooting of a Winnipeg cab driver was holding police and RCMP at bay Tuesday night in the area of a Sikh temple on the city's outskirts.

Winnipeg police in standoff with armed man after cabbie shot (Canadian Press)


Reuters - Hurricane Frances gained strength and\became a major hurricane with 115 mph winds in the Atlantic on\Friday as it took a path that should carry it north of the\vulnerable northeastern Caribbean islands early next week.

Hurricane Frances Grows Quickly in Atlantic (Reuters)


Maybe now's the time for Papa Jack to break out his signature T-shirts, emblazoned with his rally cry:  quot;Somebody gotta pay. quot;

Birds of prey


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

EU Threatens to Go It Alone on Nuclear Fusion


Felipe Massa set the pace on the first full day of Formula One testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain on Wednesday. Massa posted a top lap of 1:17.513, which was almost two seconds faster than Jarno Trulli in the Toyota.

Massa tops Jerez test session


Reuters - AT T Wireless has given U.S.\music fans the ability to purchase 99-cent songs using a mobile\phone.

AT T Puts Cell-Phone Twist on Song Sales (Reuters)


In a major blow to Martha Stewart, the government ink expert who testified during her trial was found not guilty of perjury after less than two days of jury deliberations.

Martha ink expert found not guilty


ATHENS (CP) - Canadian sprinter Earle Connor has been suspended from the Canadian Paralympic team pending the final review of his positive drug test by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

Sprinter Earle Connor suspended from Paralympic team pending CCES <b>...</b>


It #39;s been a few decades since anyone recorded my mile splits as I bounded over hill and dale, immersed in running #39;s intoxicating rhythm.

REVIEW: Music player measures running pace


T.C. Williams High School English teacher Patrick Welsh discusses the influence of video games on male students.

Outlook: Teaching vs. Video Games


Known for its Internet search engine, Mountain View-based Google Inc. on Thursday announced a beta desktop search application that it says enables users to search their e-mail, files, web history, and chats.

Google offers desktop search engine


Fresh controversy has hit the war crimes trial of Slobodan Milosevic with a claim from a senior intelligence analyst that the Yugoslav leader is innocent of genocide.

Milosevic:  #39;no link to genocide found #39;


In an effort to stem the spread of software patents in Europe, the Open Source Risk Management (OSRM) group has begun documenting the sources of innovation claimed by such patents.

OSRM Tracing Linux Patents in EU


Review Just as ATI's X800 XT PE ships, along comes the next board

ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition


Consumer electronics retailer Tweeter Home Entertainment Group Inc. said Wednesday that same-store sales declined 3.5 percent in the fourth quarter after the effects of recent hurricanes.

Tweeter Posts Lower 4Q Sales


Microsoft announced the release of its MSN Desktop Toolbar Suite beta yesterday, including a new desktop search capability aimed at making it faster and easier for Windows computer users to find the information on their local systems.

Review: New Microsoft beta good but security still an issue


Recently, TV news reported that the Target chain of retail stores has decided to ban the Salvation Army from the annual kettle collection at its stores, beginning this Christmas season.

It #39;s Scrooge-like To Ban Salvation Army Kettle


Merck, the beleaguered US pharmaceuticals group, could be forced to pay out as much as \$18bn (9.7bn) over 10 years as a result of lawsuits linked to Vioxx, its controversial arthritis drug.

Merck faces threat of 10bn actions


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rebounded on Wednesday as  investors focused on relative interest rates, which  increasingly were expected to favor the dollar, and reversed  some bets against the currency.

Dollar Rises in Corrective Bounce


Major League Baseball #39;s plan to move the former Montreal Expos franchise to Washington DC appears to be falling apart. Washington Mayor Anthony Williams said Wednesday the deal was almost dead after the city

Montreal Expos Will Not Move to Washington


AP - Notre Dame mishandled the firing of Tyrone Willingham as football coach and is not doing a good job in its search for his replacement, board of trustees member Dave Duerson said Friday.

Notre Dame Trustee Raps Coach's Firing (AP)


Iraq #39;s plans to hold elections in January have gained traction after a Shi #39;ite militia agreed to disarm in Baghdad and delegates from rebel-held Falluja said the Sunni Muslim city wanted to vote in the polls.

Sadr rebels boost election hopes


Microsoft (Quote, Chart) is fighting to hold onto a multi-million dollar deal with the municipal government of Beijing. On Nov. 17, Microsoft beat domestic software developers to snag a \$3.6 million, three

Microsoft Fights to Keep China Business


Ted Purdy hit a nine-under-par 61 to lead after the first round of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. The American, who is looking for his first PGA Tour victory, had birdies at four of his first five holes and finished eagle-birdie.

Purdy sets Texas pace


The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been dubbed  quot;Raiders East, quot; after former Oakland general manager Bruce Allen joined them this season, two years after ex-Raiders coach Jon Gruden jumped coasts.

Twists abound as Raiders meet  #39;Raiders East #39;


Marsh  amp; McLennan, the US insurance broker accused of rigging the market to win bogus fees from customers, yesterday warned lines of credit from lenders

Marsh woes deepen after credit lines are threatened


British Iraq hostage Kenneth Bigley may have been handed over to a new group, his brother Paul says. Bigley, a 62-year-old engineer, was seized 18 days ago with two Americans

Bigley possibly handed to new group


Oracle reported second-quarter 2005 earnings that beat analyst expectations today, thanks to new software revenue and continued gains from license updates and product support.

Software revenue pushes up Oracle's Q2 earnings


DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. <A HREF=

GM Gives Car Buyers 'Locked-In' Rates


NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Technology stocks sank Friday after Intel Corp., the world #39;s largest chipmaker, disappointed investors by slashing its revenue forecast.

Nasdaq chipped by Intel


BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - With championship belts to go with their rings, the Detroit Pistons scored a late unanimous decision in their first title defense.

With rings and belts, Pistons begin defense of title


Reuters - McDonald's Corp.  on Tuesday\reported quarterly earnings that were in line with a\higher-than-expected forecast the company gave last week,\helped by strong sales in the United States and a tax benefit.

McDonald's Profits In-Line with Estimates (Reuters)


Banking giant UBS (UBSN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) was cautious over prospects for the rest of the year after a seasonal lull in trading hurt its third-quarter

UPDATE 2-UBS cautious as weak trading hits quarterly profit


Undaunted by the presence of eight millionaires in the field, Ghostzapper blazed to a wire-to-wire win in yesterday #39;s \$4 million Breeders #39; Cup Classic at Lone Star

Happy Halloween: Ghostzapper scares up a Classic win


BEIJING : As the Olympic flame leaves Athens, the eyes of the sporting world are turning towards Beijing. When China hosts the games for the first time in 2008, it will cap an extraordinary 30-year journey

History beckons as China prepares grand Olympic coming out party


WASHINGTON -- Leaders of Iraq's religious parties have emerged as the country's most popular politicians and would win the largest share of votes if an election were held today, while the US-backed government of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is losing serious ground, according to a US-financed poll by the International Republican Institute.

Religious leaders ahead in Iraq poll


AP - A state grand jury has handed down an indictment regarding the use of prostitutes to entice football recruits to the University of Colorado, according to a published report.

Report: Indictment in Colo. Football Case (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Monday, with the  blue-chip Dow at a new low for the year, after oil prices  climbed to new highs overnight and the dollar fell to within a  cent of record lows against the euro.

Stocks Fall; Oil, Dollar Take Their Toll


Moves to harmonise corporate tax systems across the European Union are to be resuscitated, despite the objections of Britain and Ireland.

Britain objects to harmonised EU tax rate


From soaring heights to missed opportunities, the feel-good ride of the United States track and field team hit a couple of potholes last night even

Two pieces of jewelry in vault


Yachting is one of the new luxuries for Moscow's superrich.

Moscow on the Mediterranean? Russia's yacht craze


While the Old Trafford outfit have added a Premiership title and an FA Cup to their growing trophy cabinet in the last two seasons, the flamboyant football that characterised their 1999 treble triumph and the two championships that followed has largely

GIGGS FORESEES VINTAGE UNITED


AP - A car bomb exploded early Sunday near a U.S. military convoy on the road leading to Baghdad's airport, Iraqi police said, and a witness said two Humvees were destroyed.

Bomb Explodes Near U.S. Military Convoy (AP)


Microsoft Corp. will drop a much-touted new technology for organising and storing data when it releases the next version of its Windows operating system as expected in 2006.

New Windows version in 2006


Reuters - Israeli television said on Wednesday\that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's health had\deteriorated.

Israeli TV Says Arafat Health Has Worsened (Reuters)


NAPSTER creator SHAWN FANNING has revealed his plans for a new licensed file-sharing service with an almost unlimited selection of tracks.

NAPSTER FOUNDER REVEALS NEW FILE-SHARING PROJECT


Verizon Communications has gained the backing of partner Vodafone Group to bid for Sprint Corp in a move that could thwart Sprint #39;s potential \$35 billion bid for Nextel Communications, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

Verizon gets Vodafone OK for Sprint bid: WSJ


NEW YORK (Reuters) - LeBron James recorded 33 points to  guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to their fourth straight win, a  99-88 victory over the Golden State Warriors Monday.

NBA Wrap: James Inspires Cavs to 4th Straight Win


Samsung Electronics plans to invest 25 trillion won (\$24 billion) in building new semiconductor production lines by 2010, the company said Monday.

Samsung to make \$24B chip investment by 2010


Some of the children cry, refusing to speak but shivering in shock at the day #39;s horror. Others lie lifeless in the morgue of Baghdad #39;s Yarmouk hospital.

Iraqi children bear brunt of bombings


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer  as the Chicago Cubs survived the ejection of starting pitcher  Kerry Wood to defeat the Astros 11-6 in National League play in  Houston on Sunday.

NL Wrap: Ramirez Lifts Cubs Over Astros After Wood Exit


When Alan and Linda Townsend were unhappy with the sprayed-on siding applied to their house, the frustrated couple launched a Web site to complain and to give other unsatisfied customers a forum.

Web Site for Complaints Sparks Lawsuit


The Sudanese government agreed to observe the UN resolution on Darfur, avoiding threatened sanctions to their oil industry. But it says the resolution is unfair and unjust to Sudan.

Sudan says it will observe UN resolution


Reuters - Washington, D.C.'s City Council on\Tuesday approved a debt and tax-backed financing plan to build\a new stadium for Major League Baseball, moving a step closer\to bringing baseball back to the U.S. capital.

Washington, D.C. Council Moves on Baseball Funding (Reuters)


Following the political crisis at the beginning of the year and torrential rains in May, Haiti has now been ravaged by tropical storm Jeanne.

Haiti devastated by floods: Action Against Hunger deploys <b>...</b>


FT.com - Slovak Telecom, the fixed-line operator controlled by Deutsche Telekom of Germany, has agreed to buy out AT amp;T Wireless and Verizon from its mobile arm Eurotel for an undisclosed price.

Slovak Telecom to gain control of Eurotel (FT.com)


Sarasota county wanted to use e-mail to let people know the area was unharmed by the summer's hurricanes. People were quick to point out a word for such activity. By Daniel Terdiman.

Sarasota Spams, Mends Evil Ways


Science instructor Roxanne Hunker #39;s methods are a bit unorthodox: She shuns science textbooks and seldom assigns homework. Yet year after year, her hands-on instruction has groomed a multitude

Excelling at science


Adrian Mutu has vowed to rebuild his career after being handed a seven-month ban for failing a drugs test. Former Chelsea star Mutu was suspended by the Football Association after a positive sample for a recreational drug, believed to be cocaine.

Mutu in pledge to rebuild career


WASHINGTON -- Grocery wholesaler Fleming Cos. and some of its suppliers and their employees have agreed to settle Securities and Exchange Commission claims of accounting fraud.

Fleming, suppliers settle SEC claims


A team in desperate need of a victory and a new star found them at the last second Thursday night. Jamal Crawford, the Knicks #39; main acquisition last summer, banked in a 26

Crawford #39;s Bank Shot at Buzzer Saves Knicks


AFP - China's largest manufacturer of personal computers Lenovo Group said it has bought IBM's PC business for 1.25 billion dollars, making it the world's number three in the intensely competitive field.

China's Lenovo buys IBM personal computer business for 1.25 bln dollars (AFP)


The University of New Hampshire's impressive 51-40 road victory over 10th-ranked Villanova Saturday night vaulted the Wildcats three spots to ninth in this week's Sports Network 1-AA football poll, while dropping Villanova to 14th.

Wildcats on the rise with Santos


Traces of explosives found in one of two downed Tupolev planes match explosives used in the 1999 bombing attacks of Moscow apartments by Chechen separatists, according to two US government sources.

Russian Air Disaster Was Suicide Attack, According to US Sources


The Pentagon said yesterday that 380 tons of missing explosives from an Iraqi munitions facility may have been moved before US troops overran the area during the invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

Pentagon responds to missing-explosives report


Joe Cole believes Chelseas number one Petr Cech is probably the best keeper I have ever seen. The 7million summer signing from Rennes has been installed ahead of Carlo

Chelsea Cashing in on Czech - Cole


Many women, both surgically and naturally menopausal, probably were disappointed last week when a Food and Drug Administration advisory group recommended holding off approving a new libido patch to rev up womens low sex desire.

Is more desire for sex worth risk to the heart? The FDA says no


The British couple murdered in Thailand yesterday were following thousands of tourists who make the trip to the picturesque province of Kanchanaburi every year.

Backpacking trip that ended in death on the River Kwai


In this photo released by the Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan (PPY) a Bromeliad is seen atached to a branch inside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico on Feb. 2004.

Mexico Announces Historic Rain Forest Plan


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - America Online Inc. on Thursday  shunned a Microsoft Corp. proposal to help weed out unwanted

AOL Won't Use Microsoft Anti-Spam Standard


The choice of Alberto R. Gonzales as attorney general may be part of a strategy to bolster his credentials with conservatives.

Choice of Gonzales May Blaze a Trail for the High Court


Crystal Erwin scored a career-high 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting and Jacqueline Batteast had 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading seventh-ranked Notre Dame to a 72-48 victory over Washington on Saturday.

No. 7 Notre Dame 72, Washington 58


Reuters - America Online will begin offering to\sell members a security device and service that has been used\to safeguard business computer networks, the world's largest\Internet service provider said on Monday.

AOL to Sell Secure ID Tags to Fight Hackers (Reuters)


Guess what is the most popular search word in the online version of the Merriam-Webster dictionary? It #39;s blog. In case you didn #39;t know, that #39;s short for Web log, a form of online expression that has come into

And the Winner Is...


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. stock jumped to its highest level in nearly four years on Friday following a steady climb spurred by Kmart Holding Corp.

Martha Stewart Omnimedia shares soar


AFP - US consumers and businesses have lost an estimated 500 million dollars to a relatively new Internet scam known as  quot;phishing, quot; according to a survey released this week.

500 million dollars lost in Internet 'phishing' scams in US (AFP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The outlook for U.S. manufacturing  improved in November as factories hired more workers in  response to a jump in new orders, a national survey published  on Wednesday showed.

Manufacturing Speeds Up as Consumers Spend Away


Nintendo did particularly well in a recent poll ran by  quot;Walk of Game quot;. With Shigeru Miyamoto winning a lifeti. Walk of Game, the first physical landmark honouring the icons and pioneers of the videogame industry

Nintendo Honored by  quot;Walk of Game quot;


Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan was able to salvage the emergence of a potential new star out of a disappointing 3-2 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Keegan Delighted with Wright-Phillips II


For protesters navigating Manhattan during the Republican National Convention, text-message broadcasting services like this, sent to their cell phones, provided an up-to-the-minute guide to the action on the streets.

RNC Protesters Using Text Messages to Plan


Richard Hamilton banked in the winning shot with 1.3 seconds remaining as the Detroit Pistons edged the Miami Heat 78-77 in Auburn Hills on Friday.

Hamilton #39;s Late Basket Lifts Pistons Over Heat


\\The internet may be fuelling a rise in suicide pacts, a leading psychiatrist has warned.

Web 'may fuel suicide pact rise'


AFP - President Jacques Chirac arrived in Libya in the first ever visit by a French head of state, confirming maverick leader Moamer Kadhafi's gradual return to international respectability.

Chirac arrives in Libya for first ever visit by French head of state (AFP)


Chelsea moved into the fourth round of the Carling Cup thanks to Mateja Kezman #39;s first goal for the club. But there were unpleasant scenes towards the end of this closely fought contest when the

Patience pays off for Kezman


Reuters - Elcoteq  is targeting\growth by strengthening its focus on design services to tap\surging demand in the mobile handset market, Europe's top\electronics manufacturing services firm said.

Elcoteq Focuses on Design to Tap Hefty Demand (Reuters)


One major shareholder says it won't touch Oracle's latest offer. Another says it likes the price. Who'll prevail?

Investors duke it out in PeopleSoft bid


AP - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi arrived in Brazil on Tuesday on the first leg of a three-country trip that will also include Mexico and the United States.

Koizumi Visits Brazil's Expatriate Haven (AP)


Justin Langer #39;s most treasured piece of memorabilia is a photograph of the Hobart scoreboard on one cloudy afternoon in 2001. The archetypal Aussie scrapper, Langer is particularly

Cricket: The openers we #39;re heartily sick of seeing


Under pressure from federal regulators, mortgage giant Fannie Mae has agreed to boost its reserve cushion against risk by several billion dollars.

Fannie Mae to boost reserves, rework transactions to fix <b>...</b>


Japanese scientists say they have tackled one of the last frontiers of semiconductor technology, environments where electronic devices have to run at high power, in fierce heat or at lethal doses of radiation.

Extreme microchips take the heat


Reuters - Trendsetter Martha Stewart\reported to a minimum-security prison known as

Martha Stewart Reports to Prison (Reuters)


Hershey Foods Corp., the nation #39;s largest candymaker, reported an almost 16 percent jump in third-quarter earnings on Thursday, citing strong sales of new products and higher prices.

Update 2: Hershey Reports Higher Earnings on Sales


MAKHACHKALA, Russia -- Chechens this weekend are choosing a replacement for their assassinated president -- the Kremlin hoping the vote will bring some stability to a region racked by a decade of violence.

Chechnya prepares to go to polls


MINSK: Voters in Belarus have overwhelmingly endorsed constitutional changes to allow authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko to seek a third tem in office, according to provisional results of a weekend referendum, the electoral commission chief has

Belarus referendum result allows Lukashenko to serve third term


A Hendrick Motorsports plane crashed Sunday on its way to a NASCAR race, killing all 10 people aboard, including the son, brother and two nieces of the owner of one of auto racing #39;s most successful organizations.

Hendrick Motorsports plane crashes, killing 10 on way to NASCAR <b>...</b>


Chip maker wants you to know about the benefits of a wireless network.

Intel Plans Centrino-Like Brand for Desktops


Curt Schilling wasnt supposed to pitch again this year, but hes endorsing President Bush in automated phone calls being made in three battleground states through Election Day.

Schilling delivers for Bush; team execs shill for Kerry


PDF developer Adobe is among the new allies of the group, which promotes identity standards for Web services.

Liberty Alliance captures seven new members


THE Milanese giants flexed their considerable muscles last night, both gaining impressive victories in the Champions League. AC Milan won the glamour clash with Barcelona thanks to Andrei Shevchenkos 31st

Milan rivals steamroller Spain #39;s finest


RAMADI, Iraq, Nov 1 (MASNET  amp; News Agencies) - Violence flared in the flashpoint city of Ramadi as nearby Fallujah braced for an all-out assault with fresh US and Iraqi troops massing in the rebel heartlands.

Clashes in Ramadi as US Troop Reinforcements Arrive in Iraq


NAJAF, Iraq -- Loyalists to Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr remained in control of the gold-domed Imam Ali shrine yesterday after failing to reach an agreement with representatives of Iraq's most senior Shi'ite leader on how to hand over the holy site.

Clashes in Najaf threaten peace bid


While the Dallas Mavericks have an overhauled roster, a more conventional rotation and a new commitment to defense, they also still have Dirk Nowitzki.

Mavericks 107, Kings 98


AFP - Spar, Germany's eighth-biggest food supermarket chain, plans to sell a 50-percent stake in its discount arm Netto to its French parent company ITM Entreprises, Spar's new chairman Stephan Schelo said in a newspaper interview.

German food retailer Spar sells 50-pct stake in Netto discount to ITM (AFP)


CNET reports that PalmOne has evaluated versions of Microsofts Windows Mobile as well as Linux-based operating systems for use in its products.

PDA News - Alternative OSes, PalmOne disses Cobalt, European Treo <b>...</b>


Golf, rugby union and squash have been included in a shortlist of five sports being considered for the 2012 Olympics. Karate and roller sports complete the list, while softball, baseball and modern pentathlon could be excluded.

Five up for Games inclusion


Advanced Micro Devices plans to demonstrate its version of a new approach to processor design on Tuesday, with a chip that is expected to offer faster computing and relatively less power consumption.

Advanced Micro Plans to Show New Chip Ahead of Intel


Bob Knight said yesterday that the US Olympic men's basketball team didn't win the gold medal in Athens last month because the players were too pampered on and off the court. The Texas Tech coach, speaking to the San Antonio Sports Foundation, said things would have been different had he been leading the team instead of Larry Brown . For ...

Knight blames pampered Olympians


With his Texas team on a roll and a pivotal matchup with Oklahoma just three weekends away, Longhorns coach Mack Brown found himself looking for ways to keep his team focused on the present.

Rice, No. 5 Texas will run right at each other


The search to replace Keith Gilbertson at Washington will be national, athletic director Todd Turner indicated yesterday. But Gilbertson #39;s successor could come from a handful of promising candidates in the West.

What #39;s next? West coaching pool deep for UW


On the men #39;s side, top-seeded Marat Safin was upset by Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (10-8), 4-6, 6-3. Stepanek, No.

Kuznetsova wins, Safin loses at Kremlin Cup


Sun Microsystems will create an open-source project around its Solaris 10 operating system by the end of the year, company executives said on Monday.

Sun sets up open-source Solaris project


TRENTON, NJ -- Camden has become the nation #39;s most-dangerous city, but two Ocean County municipalities are among the safest, according to a Kansas company #39;s yearly ranking based on crime statistics.

Camden Named Most-Dangerous City In US


Scientists are delighted, fascinated and thoroughly perplexed by the Cassini spacecraft's first close-up pictures of Titan, the smoggy giant moon of Saturn.

Titan Photos Mystifying Scientists


Nine men have been charged over yesterday #39;s riot on Palm Island, in north east Australia. Hans Mick reports the community #39;s police station and court house were destroyed.

Nine charged over Palm Island riot


Verizon Communications Inc. #39;s third-quarter profit held steady at about \$1.80 billion as declining revenues from traditional phone services at the nation #39;s biggest telephone company were offset by another blockbuster quarter for Verizon Wireless, which

Verizon Third-Quarter Profit Flat


Fallen press baron Conrad Black will sue Hollinger International Inc. #39;s special committee and others for C\$1.1 billion (\$870 million) over a report that accused him of looting the company of millions of dollars.

Black to Sue Hollinger Committee for C\$1.1 Bln


Reuters - The decline of migratory birds due to\an accelerating Arctic thaw may also disrupt the delicate\ecosystems of their far-flung winter homes from Africa to South\America, experts said on Wednesday.

Woes of Warming Arctic to Echo Worldwide Via Birds (Reuters)


AP - Bills running back Travis Henry bruised his ribs in Saturday night's preseason game against Tennessee.

Bills RB Henry Knocked Out in Preseason (AP)


Qualcomm plans to study whether to change its accounting practices to reflect the growing size and volatility of the mobile communications market.

Qualcomm to Review Accounting Practices


Charles Hayward, a former top executive with The Daily Racing Form and Little Brown Publishing, was named yesterday to the top management position at the troubled New York Racing Association.

NYRA Picks Chief Out of Racing Form


Thursday's bond price rally followed a government report that showed that inflation was well restrained in August.

Inflation in Check, Bond Prices Rise Briskly


AP - No longer only a war of words, Apple Computer Inc. has quietly started to block the technology that RealNetworks Inc. created to get around the iPod music player's copy-protection armor.

Apple Fights Back Against RealNetworks (AP)


he United States economy grew more slowly in the second quarter than previously stated, as it struggled under an increasing trade deficit and a slowdown in consumer spending, the Commerce Department said in a report today.

US Economy Grew at Slower Pace Than Expected


Intel Corp. named President Paul Otellini as its next chief executive officer, choosing a salesman instead of an engineer to run the computer-chip maker for the first time.

Intel Names Otellini Chief Executive After Barrett (Update3)


Trees and plants are to be cut down in woodland near Redruth in southwest England after the discovery of a new disease.

Disease raises fears for plants


India #39;s prime minister has urged militant separatists in the north-east to join negotiations with the federal government and end decades of strife.

India PM courts north-east rebels


AP - Ralph Nader will not appear on Oregon's general election ballot, the state Supreme Court said Wednesday, overturning a lower court decision.

Oregon High Court Takes Nader Off Ballot (AP)


SCHEVENINGEN - The French public deficit is expected to come to 3.6 of output this year and around 3 or slightly less in 2005, Finance Minister Nicholas Sarkozy predicted.

French public deficit may hit 3.6 of GDP


Kostya Tszyu #39;s return after 22 months out of the ring with various injuries was short, sweet and sensational. Tszyu retained the junior welterweight world title

It #39;s all Tszyu as Mitchell falls early


Three Israeli soldiers and two Palestinian gunmen were killed during a firefight outside a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip Thursday.

Israeli Soldiers, Palestinian Gunmen Killed in Gaza Clash


Colombia, locked in a 40-year war fueled by the drug trade, has made gains in restoring order and economic growth but needs more international help to secure

Colombian leader seeks more international support


CHISINAU : Italy #39;s 2006 World Cup campaign gathered momentum despite a scrappy 1-0 win away to Group Five rivals Moldova. The Italians, who failed to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2004, should have had

Soccer: Del Piero answers critics by steering Italy to narrow win


Oil spills cause more than half a million water birds to die each year, according to conservationists. Rescue workers offer some birds a chance at survival.

Shampooing to Stop Oil Spill Bird Deaths


HOUSTON (Reuters) - Halliburton Co. <A HREF=

Halliburton Posts Loss on Asbestos Charge


Annika Sorenstam matched the LPGA Tour record for consecutive victories in a tournament Sunday, winning the Mizuno Classic for the fourth straight season to lock up her seventh player of the year title.

Sorenstam wins record fourth straight Mizuno title


OTTAWA (Reuters) - Military officials and family members  attended funeral services on Wednesday for a Canadian naval  officer who died as the result of a fire on a second-hand  submarine that Canada bought from Britain.

Questions Persist on Canadian Subs as Funeral Held


SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo Inc. in November will close PayDirect, its online payments service that aimed to compete with eBay Inc. #39;s PayPal, the company said Friday.

Yahoo to close online payment service


Afghan officials say three United Nations workers kidnapped on Oct. 28th in Kabul were freed late Monday in Kabul. The hostages were released late Monday and are in good condition, three Afghan officials

Three Hostages Freed In Kabul


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. troops fought to crush  resistance in the Iraqi city of Falluja on Thursday, but rebels  hit back with an armed rampage in Mosul and a car bomb that  killed 17 people in a crowded Baghdad street.

Iraq Rebels Hit Back Amid Falluja Battles


MILITARY helicopters doused one of Venezuela #39;s tallest buildings with water yesterday, bringing under control a blaze that many feared would cause the tower to collapse.

Choppers fight high-rise blaze


Rafael Benitez says he is happy Liverpool have avoided an Italian team after being drawn to play Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Benitez pleased to have avoided Italian team in draw


SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Australian energy company Alinta Ltd. (ALN.AU) said Monday that Australia #39;s competition regulator won #39;t oppose its joint bid for the Dampier to Bunbury gas pipeline in Western Australia state.

Australia #39;s Alinta: ACCC Won #39;t Oppose Dampier Pipe Bid-2-


US automotive company BorgWarner Inc. said Monday it is buying a controlling stake in German supplier Beru AG and would make an offer for the remaining shares in a nearly \$800 million deal that it hopes will strengthen its position with global automakers.

BorgWarner Takes Over Supplier Beru


With the victory, the Steelers clinched the A.F.C. North title and maintained their hold on the conference's top playoff seeding.

Defeat Throws Doubts Into Outlook of Jets


KABUL, Afghanistan -- Three UN workers held hostage for nearly a month were preparing to fly home after their release yesterday from an ordeal that suggested Taliban-linked militants are adopting the tactics of Iraqi insurgents.

Freed UN hostages prepare for trip home


David Coulthard will lead the Red Bull Racing team next season, according to quotes attributed to new owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Although the team has yet to issue official confirmation of a deal with the

Mateschitz: Coulthard will lead Red Bull.


A funky Melbourne cybercafe in an Elizabeth Street basement has been named one of the best internet cafes in the world in a survey by search engine company Yahoo.

Cybercafe nets nomination for style


Wide receiver Terrell Owens said he had a few end-zone celebrations prepared for Sunday #39;s game against the team he shunned in the offseason, the Baltimore Ravens.

Owens Gets a Little Too Funky


Thursday #39;s unexpected resignation of Memphis Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown left a lot of questions unanswered. In his unique way of putting things, the 71-year-old Brown seemed to indicate he was burned out and had some health concerns.

It #39;s Up to Players, Hubie Brown Says


Better IT security and identity management is necessary if online commerce and e-government services are to succeed, RSA Security chief executive Arthur Coviello said.

RSA CEO: Beefed Up Security Needed for E-Commerce to Succeed


PC World - Sierra Wireless promises easy corporate syncing, but we hit some snags.

First Look: Voq Cell Phone Needs Work (PC World)


Apple today introduced the iPod U2 Special Edition as part of a partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG) to create innovative new products together for the new digital music era.

Apple introduces the U2 iPod


The occasion was clearly too much for Kristin Heaton, the first athlete for 1,611 years to compete at the original Olympic Games venue of Olympia. The American opened the women #39;s shot put competition yesterday, but could not ...

Historic return but how much has it all changed?


The leaders of Japan and China agreed to a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a summit, overcoming a diplomatic impasse between the Asian powers that have been increasingly at odds.

Update 4: Japan, China Leaders Agree to Meeting


JAKARTA -- A powerful explosion rocked the Australian embassy in central Jakarta this morning, killing at least three people in the vicinity and injuring more than 100, witnesses and local radio said.

Blast shatters busy Jakarta street


By Channel NewsAsia #39;s Indonesia Bureau Chief Haseenah Koyakutty. JAKARTA : The head of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, says he expects global oil prices to come well off their current crippling highs.

OPEC chief expects oil prices to ease from recent high levels


MILLAU, France French citizens and officials are celebrating a roadway bridge considered to be the world #39;s tallest. One of the Millau bridge #39;s pillars reaches more than eleven-hundred feet into the air, making

Tallest bridge in world spanning clouds across southern France


Trying to regain some of its lost market share, Nokia Corp. is hoping to woo both enterprise and consumer customers with a lighter, sleeker version of its high-end Communicator handset that will be released worldwide at the beginning of next year, the company announced Wednesday.

Nokia plans new, lighter version of Communicator


AFP - Maybe it's something to do with the fact that the playing area is so vast that you need a good pair of binoculars to see the action if it's not taking place right in front of the stands.

Among the well-heeled at the world polo championships in Chantilly (AFP)


Three Hollywood studios choose to use next-generation DVD technology backed by Toshiba, snubbing a rival product promoted by Sony.

Film studios snub Sony DVD format


EBay Inc., the world #39;s largest Internet auctioneer, said third-quarter earnings surged 77 percent as the number of listings rose and the company expanded its PayPal e-mail payment service in Europe.

EBay Third-Quarter Net Surges 77 as Listings Rise (Update2)


PRINCE Harry has been cleared of cheating to obtain his art A-level pass, despite a secret tape recording in which he allegedly admitted he did only  #39;a tiny, tiny bit #39; of the course work he submitted for the examination.

Teacher calls prince a cheat


By Ed Edelson    New study strengthens connection between two organ ailments    HealthDayNews -- A new blood test could provide the quick, easy marker of kidney function that cardiologists need to assess patients being treated for heart attacks or other serious coronary events, Swedish researchers report.    The test measures blood levels of cystatin C, a molecule that is produced by most cells and is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys...

Simple Kidney Test Predicts Heart Death


Former NFL player Justin Strzelczyk did not have alcohol or drugs in his system when he died after leading police on a highway chase, authorities said.

Police: No alcohol, drugs in ex-Steeler #39;s system


Microsoft #39;s Windows XP Starter Edition, which is aimed at desktop PCs in developing-world markets, is to be made available in India and Russia.

Microsoft #39;s Starter Edition of XP will roll out to India and <b>...</b>


People will need to eat more vegetables and less meat because of dwindling water supplies, scientists say.

Hungry world 'must eat less meat'


GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Ticker) - Richard Mandella is confident that Pleasantly Perfect again will be cashing in on horse racing #39;s richest day.

Breeders Cup day in Texas


Unlike the original game, Halo 2 doesn #39;t end with a bang so much as a whimper. When you get to the end of the game, as I did tonight (congrats if you beat me, but I have a life, sort of), you discover that

Halo 2: The surprising anticlimax


The dollar softened on Thursday after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sounded more cautious on the US economic recovery than many investors had expected.

Dollar Slips on Greenspan, Japan Data


Personal computers have rapidly turned into storage vaults for digital music, photos and videos. Now, computer-industry companies are rolling out new ways to let that content roam through the house.

Microsoft targets couch potatoes


It's been possible for years to watch television on a personal computer, but not many people do. The reasons are simple: mediocre picture and sound quality and the ergonomics of it all. TVs don't need to boot up.

Hi-Def TV May Be PCs' Killer App


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon  intends to present a timetable for withdrawal from Gaza to  lawmakers from his Likud Party Tuesday despite a mutiny in the  right-wing bloc over the plan.

Sharon to Present Gaza Timetable to Mutinous Party


West Bengal government should give more emphasis to infrastructure development by building more roads, rapid transit and communication systems for providing a conducive environment to the information technology sector, Nasscom president Kiran Karnik said

Nasscom urges WB to boost infrastructure


Lecce, Italy (Sports Network) - Alessandro Del Piero led Juventus to a 1-0 victory in the rain over Lecce Sunday. The win allowed Juve to maintain a six point cushion on top of the table.

Del Piero and Juventus edge Lecce


VIENNA, Austria Aug. 30, 2004 - Some nuclear technology ordered by Libya for its former weapons program is missing, while the origin of other material is unclear, the UN nuclear watchdog said Monday, raising

UN: Origin of Libya Nuke Info Unclear


NEW YORK -- The suit is back, and America's boardrooms and bars are looking smart again.

In weak job market, suits make comeback


For the past five years, Bill Gates and the people at Microsoft have been trying to turn that boring gray computer box on your desk into a sexy entertainment gadget that you would welcome into your living room or media room.

Sleek computer moves from den to living room


The two governments are hoping to respond to queries tabled by the DUP and Sinn Fein over the British-Irish proposals on restoring devolution by Friday.

Governments #39; response  #39;due soon #39;


AP - Hakim Warrick had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Josh Pace added 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 3 Syracuse past St. Bonaventure 91-67 on Wednesday night.

No. 3 Syracuse Beats St. Bonaventure 91-67 (AP)


While India and Russia signed a joint declaration signalling a push to their strategic partnership on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired a Brahmos on the issue of  #39;veto #39; for new UNSC members which India is seeking.

UN seat yes, veto no


A month ago I was introduced to the works of Michel Gondry.  In short, I was amazed and tantalized by his short films and music videos.  Even if you haven't heard of him, you've probably seen his many works in Gap commercials, various music videos, and the recent movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.    Many of his works explode with visual elements that, when taken alone, are simple and mundane.  However, under his masterful guidance, these elements come together to form a highly mesmerizing visual experience.  He never ceases to push visual technologies and challenge our ideas about the visual medium.

The Visual World of Michel Gondry


Reuters - You change the oil in your car\every 5,000 miles or so. You clean your house every week or\two. Your PC needs regular maintenance as well -- especially if\you're using Windows and you spend a lot of time on the\Internet.

Programs: a Checklist for Tuning Up Your PC (Reuters)


AFP - The initial public offering (IPO) of shares in the newly established Saudi mobile phone company led by the United Arab Emirates' Etisalat will start October 16, the head of the Capital Market Authority announced.

IPO for new Saudi mobile company opens October 16 (AFP)


AP - Tom Coughlin's first season with the New York Giants might be very similar to his start with the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars.

Giants Starting Over With New Coach (AP)


What is it about Red Sox players hitting the foul pole late at night to win World Series games?

Sox prevail in wild Series slugfest


Vicente scored the opening goal and created the second to give Valencia a comfortable 2-0 victory over Anderlecht in their opening Champions League Group G match on Tuesday.

UPDATE 1-Vicente inspires Valencia win over Anderlecht


The treadmill Maria Sharapova has been on since winning Wimbledon earlier this year has spun at blinding speed. From New York to Beijing to Korea to Zurich, the 17-year-old Russian has tried

Sharapova struggles early but wins at Advanta championships


The first Windows XP owners have started to get the SP2 patch--but it'll be a while till Microsoft can get round to everyone.

Microsoft sends security update to home PCs


In the coming weeks, the U.S. and Iraq's government must still combat a resilient and dangerous insurgency outside Falluja.

A Goal Is Met. What's Next?


Lately, I #39;ve written extensively about Apple Computer #39;s moves in the connected home, and certainly some of the company #39;s well-designed productsespecially its best-selling iPodare hits with users.

Will the iPod Become the Next Pet Rock?


Group Review Not yet ready for DDR 2? Then make the most of the original

DDR RAM Round-up


World number one Vijay Singh will face Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer in the first round of the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth on Thursday.

Singh to face Langer at Wentworth


The owner of several Denver-area radio stations, and other properties in 63 countries worldwide, says third-quarter earnings dropped 59 percent from last year -- but still beat analysts #39; expectations.

Clear Channel posts drop in profit, but tops forecasts


DALLAS (CBS.MW) -- Oil and gas field operators in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore refiners said Thursday the weather is now calm enough to begin the arduous task of damage assessments after Hurricane Ivan steamrolled through the region.

Oil companies assess Ivan damage


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Zoran Planinic of the New Jersey Nets underwent surgery on his broken left hand Thursday and is sidelined indefinitely.

Nets #39; Planinic has hand surgery


AP - NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol and his college-aged son emerged from the fiery wreckage of a corporate jet after it crashed during takeoff and burst into flames, killing two crew members. Rescuers were still searching for Ebersol's younger son, whose seat was missing from the smoldering ruins.

NBC Exec Dick Ebersol Survives Jet Crash (AP)


Richard Branson, the British tycoon known for daredevil exploits in a speedboat, a hot-air balloon and an amphibious car, wants to take a giant leap into the final frontier -- and to give a lift out of this world to similarly intrepid paying passengers.

British tycoon wants to fly you to space


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks looked set to open lower  on Monday as oil prices approach record levels, fueling  concerns that high energy costs are biting into corporate  profits and consumer spending.

Stocks Seen Lower as Oil Pushes Higher


TOKYO - At least two people are dead, eight are missing after Typhoon Meari pounded southern Japan with heavy rain and strong winds.

Typhoon kills 2 in Japan


AP - Albert Demtchenko of Russia won the men's singles Sunday to break up a sweep by the powerful German team of all five races at a Luge World Cup event.

Demtchenko of Russia Wins Men's Luge (AP)


October 26, 2004 -- Walt Disney Co. said its board chose executive search firm Heidrick  amp; Struggles to help it find a new chief executive officer when Disney CEO Michael Eisner steps down.

HEIDRICK TO HELP PICK NEXT EISNER


HILLA (Iraq): In a bloody day in Iraq, at least fifteen Iraqis died and another 20 were wounded in an exchange of gunfire south of Baghdad, hospital sources said, while the US military reported killing five suspected rebels during clashes.

15 Iraqis, 9 US Marines killed in one of Bloodiest Day


Sergio Garcia removed the flag from the 18th hole and waved it over his head. Padraig Harrington tossed his glove and cap into crowd that draped itself in European flags and sang  quot;Ole, Ole quot; from the top of his lungs.

Europe on verge of record Ryder rout


Greg Rusedski brushed aside American Matias Boeker in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Millennium International tournament in Florida.

Greg sails into last eight


Spammers are a key adopter of a technology meant, in part, to fight spam.

Study: Spammers use e-mail ID to gain legitimacy


LOS ANGELES Three top Hollywood studios are throwing their considerable weight behind one of two competing formats for the next generation of high-definition DV-Ds, citing in part the need to stem rampant piracy.

Studios taking sides in fight for successor to the DVD


Two fresh tires helped Dale Earnhardt Jr. win the EA Sports 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway yesterday, but a four-letter word he said in Victory Lane might cost him the points lead.

Earnhardt cusses up a controversy


Reuters - U.S. efforts to secure a global\treaty banning the cloning of human embryos, including for stem\cell research, were dealt a major setback on Thursday when U.N.\diplomats agreed to work for a political declaration on the\issue instead.

UN Short-Circuits U.S.-Led Drive to Ban Cloning (Reuters)


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

Before the Bell: Sprint, Veritas Rise


German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder #39;s Social Democratic Party is likely to lose elections in four of Germany #39;s 16 states this month as voters protest welfare cuts and rising unemployment, according to opinion polls.

Schroeder May Lose Elections in Four German States (Update2)


Reuters - The Soviet Union might still\exist and Saddam Hussein might dominate the Gulf if Democratic\presidential candidate John Kerry had been president in recent\years, Vice President Dick Cheney said on Saturday.

Soviets Might Be Around if Kerry Had Led - Cheney (Reuters)


Sony announced that, in partnership with IBM and Toshiba, it is working on developing a Cell chip, which is designed to deliver high-definition content in an efficient manner.

Sony PlayStation 3 to use Cell chip


TEHRAN, Iran -- From this country's divisive political sphere to its disaffected streets, one thing binds Iranians of all ideologies: a fervent belief in the Islamic Republic's right to its nuclear program.

Iranians see right to nuclear program as matter of national pride


ATHENS -- The coach of the United States softball team had a dream the other night. As Mike Candrea explained yesterday, it has been hard enough sleeping for the last month, let alone dreaming. The dream had nothing to do with these Olympics -- and everything to do with these Olympics.

US softball team earns just reward


Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, testifying in a Delaware court as part of Oracle's efforts to get PeopleSoft to pull back anti-takeover measures, denied that his company is trying to kill off its smaller software rival.

Ellison: Oracle considered lowering PeopleSoft bid


William Rainer, recruited in 2001 to lead the Chicago financial markets #39; venture into the trading of single-stock futures, said Thursday he #39;s resigning to spend more time on family-owned enterprises.

OneChicago CEO and Chairman Rainer announces resignation


ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in October kept upgrading hardware at number two on the businesses radar throughout the year.

PDAs incorporate barcode scanning, VoIP


BEIJING, Dec. 15 -- The National Hockey League has slipped closer towards losing - for the first time - a season to a labor dispute.

Hockey players reject NHL counteroffer


Washington coach Keith Gilbertson, above, will step down at the end of the season and end a difficult two years as Rick Neuheisel #39;s replacement.

Gilbertson to step down


If University of California regents listen to a former energy secretary and top Democratic politician, they will fight hard to keep running the birthplace of the bomb -- and leave to others

New Mexico gov. urges UC to bid on Los Alamos


(Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays look to rebound from a tough loss as they host the New York Yankees for the third of a four-game set at SkyDome.

Toronto Blue Jays Team Report - August 28


The smaller of Colombia's two leftist rebel groups offered Tuesday to meet with a Mexican mediator to discuss possible peace talks with the government and reiterated its call for a bilateral cease-fire.

Colombia Rebels May Explore Peace Talks


US investment bank JP Morgan Chase  amp; Co (JPM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will continue advising on a defenc strategy for South Africa #39;s Gold Fields (GFIJ.

JP Morgan will stay as Gold Fields advisor-source


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Computer memory chip maker Micron  said on Wednesday it had indications that demand for DRAM  memory chips, used mainly in personal computers, would be  robust enough to soak up rising supply in 2005.

Micron Sees Robust DRAM Memory Chip Demand in 2005


Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Monday that its losses grew in the first half of the fiscal year as the Japanese automaker struggled to recover from an auto-defect scandal that has sent sales plunging.

Mitsubishi Reports First Half Earnings


Although AIDS is thought of as a disease of the young, in the United States it is rapidly becoming one of the middle-aged and even the old.

Facing Middle Age and AIDS


AFP - Chinese basketball player Liu Wei's quest to become Asia's first-ever point guard in the NBA has come to an end after he was cut from the roster of the Sacramento Kings, Chinese press reports said.

Chinese guard Liu Wei cut from Sacramento Kings (AFP)


Hitting President Bush on the issues of jobs and the war in Iraq, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is moving aggressively in the face of polls showing his candidacy lagging.    Campaigning in North Carolina, a state hurt by job losses, Kerry says he would end tax breaks for companies that outsource overseas...

Kerry Launches Second Attack on Bush


A Michigan-based executive for PepsiCo Inc. of Purchase and two former executives of PepsiCo #39;s Frito-Lay division were sued by federal regulators yesterday for allegedly helping Kmart falsify its earnings.

SEC names Pepsi executives in fraud lawsuit


The top-seeded Oliver Ames girls' soccer team has outscored opponents, 11-0, in the first two rounds of the Division 1 South Sectional tournament, and its all-star forwards have not scored most of those goals.

Defense steps up for Oliver Ames


Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova of Russia beat former world number one Venus Williams of the United States 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Zurich Challenge WTA tennis tournament.

Sharapova beats Venus Williams for Zurich tennis semis


A soldier from Britain  #39;s Black Watch regiment was killed and two others wounded in Iraq when a bomb exploded near their camp, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Roadside bomb kills British soldier


Spain #39;s Sergio Garcia has a one-stroke lead over countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez after the second round of the Omega European Masters golf tournament in Switzerland.

Golf: Sergio Garcia Leads Omega European Masters


It took 43 years, but the Houston Astros are finally postseason winners. Carlos Beltran hit two more homers and drove in five runs, while original Killer B's Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell chipped in during a five-run seventh inning that carried the Astros to a 12-3 rout of the Atlanta Braves last night in Game 5 of their ...

Astros climb to new heights


NASCAR lifted a decades-old ban on liquor ads on cars Wednesday, opening the door for teams to be sponsored next season by distilled spirits.

NASCAR lifts ban on liquor sponsorship


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The National Basketball Association  suspended four players on Saturday, one day after one of the  worst brawls in North American pro sports history.

NBA Suspends Four Players After Brawl


CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos travels to Tokyo to find out what might be winding up on U.S. shelves in the not-too-distant future.

Gizmo shopping in Japan


An expert says the agreement probably will make it easier to reach cost-cutting deals with the ailing carriers other unions. United Airlines is making headway in its efforts to trim labor costs by \$725

United reaches tentative pact with pilots on givebacks


com October 20, 2004, 9:00 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

Ballmer: We need a \$100 PC


The FBI has seized equipment as part of the first copyright action taken against file-sharing networks.

FBI action over illegal file-swap


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Hillenbrand Industries Inc. <A HREF=

Low Death Rate Cuts Coffin Maker Outlook


It has been revealed that Hynix Semiconductor (formerly Hyundai Electronics) cooked the books to nearly W2 trillion during the latter half of the 1990s and corrected the total misstated amount over several years.

Hynix Under Investigation for Cooking Books


United Airlines is poised to make more reductions in its work force -- already 40 percent smaller than it was before the 2001 terrorist attacks. The second-biggest US airline confirmed job cuts will be part of its plan to get out of bankruptcy.

United ready to cut more jobs


Apple today introduced the iPod Photo, The new device holds up to 25,000 digital photos alongside the user #39;s music library and displays them on a high-resolution color screen.

Apple Introduces iPod Photo


AOL is chums again with buddy Microsoft and is now supporting a new version of Redmond #39;s controversial Sender ID anti-spoofing technology.

Microsoft and AOL agree to agree on anti-spoofing Sender-ID <b>...</b>


AMD and IBM said today they will begin using a strained-silicon transistor technology designed to augment processor performance and power efficiency.

AMD and IBM collaborate on strained silicon


Vivendi #39;s unit plans to buy out the rap star and his partners from Roc-A-Fella Records, report says. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Universal Music Group is close to a deal to buy out the rapper and producer Jay-Z

Universal to tap Jay-Z?


The season may be young, but No. 6 Syracuse has already made a statement. Facing two Top 25 teams in two nights in the Coaches vs.

Syracuse, Off to a Fast Start, Wins Tournament


Apple has done it again. Today apple released its iPod photo a Special edition U2 iPod and an updated version of iTunes. The iPod photo has been rumored for some time now but many didnt expect a release of the iPod photo until next year.

Apple Releases Two New iPods and Updated iTunes


Italian military planes carried 360 would-be migrants from the Italian island of Lampedusa to Libya on Wednesday, a move that officials here described as an emergency response

Italy Transports 360 Migrants to Libya


Srinagar, Nov 6 (UNI) Two militants and a Border Security Force jawan were killed and four personnel injured in a fidayeen attack on the BSF camp at Sopore ealy this morning.

Fidayeen attack foiled, two militants, one BSF jawan killed


A desktop computer seems an unlikely place to find a car radiator. But open up the latest rendition of Apple Computer #39;s Power Mac and that is essentially what you #39;ll find.

Auto technology keeps Power Mac cool


A judge ordered two former auditors at dairy giant Parmalat to stand trial for false accounting and market rigging, handing down the first indictments in the massive fraud scandal that stripped many Italians of their savings.

Update 6: Judge Indicts 2 Former Parmalat Auditors


Unionized Northern California grocery workers union set a Sunday deadline for contract talks and said they would hold a strike vote next week if necessary.

North California Grocery Union Sets Talks Deadline


quot;I #39;m excited as I can be, quot; said legendary Bradwell Institute football player Candler Boyd.  quot;I hated to see anybody go out like coach Holtz did.

Former Gamecocks ready for Spurrier era


Britain could send more troops to Iraq before next January #39;s elections, a senior military commander said today. Military chiefs are reported to have

1,300 more British troops for Iraq


AP - Wailing and pounding their hands on dirt graves, hundreds of people dressed in black on Tuesday marked the end of the traditional 40-day mourning period for the children and adults killed after terrorists seized a school on the first day of classes.

Grief-Stricken Russian Town Ends Mourning (AP)


(CBS/AP) Iraq #39;s Interior Ministry on Wednesday threw its weight behind a reported suggestion by Prime Minister Ayad Allawi to hold next month #39;s national elections over several days, rather than just one.

Iraqis Float Staggered Vote Idea


The 25 prime ministers and presidents said they expected Turkey to start normalizing its trade relations by then with Cyprus.

Europe Asks Turkey to Hold Membership Talks Next Year


NEW DELHI : Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said that the dispute over Kashmir was not a nuclear flashpoint and that there had been progress in recent talks with his Pakistani counterpart.

Indian foreign minister says Kashmir  #39;not a nuclear flashpoint #39;


By LAURAN NEERGAARD      WASHINGTON (AP) -- Four-month-old Damaris Ochoa was near death, born with an enlarged heart that was quickly giving out. Obtaining a transplant in time was a long shot...

Doctors Place Hope in Baby Pacemaker Devices


AP - The Food and Drug Administration approved using an antibiotic originally designed for humans to help treat skin infections suffered by dogs.

Human Drug OK'd for Dog Skin Infection (AP)


com September 14, 2004, 10:45 AM PT. With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.

Sony begins mass production of OLED screens


Singapore #39;s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday night delivered his first National Day Rally speech since he was sworn in as the country #39;s third Prime Minister.

Singapore #39;s new PM delivers national day rally speech


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Health insurance premiums rose five  times faster than U.S. workers' salaries this year, according  to a survey released on Thursday that also showed slippage in  the percentage of American workers covered by employer health  plans.

U.S. Health Insurance Costs Soar, Workers Hit


KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's historic presidential  election is now unstoppable, the United States said on Monday,  but other officials warned of more attacks by Taliban  guerrillas and their al Qaeda allies before Saturday's vote.

Afghan Poll Unstoppable, Says U.S. Ambassador


President of the US Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Jack Guynn said on Wednesday that the soft patch that the US economy hit recently was likely to be short-lived.

US Fed official says economic softness  quot;fleeting quot;


KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghanistan's first direct presidential election was thrust into turmoil hours after it started Saturday when all 15 candidates challenging interim leader Hamid Karzai alleged fraud over the ink meant to ensure people voted only once and vowed to boycott the results.    But electoral officials rejected the candidates' call to abandon the rest of the balloting, saying it would rob millions of voters of their chance to cast ballots and that they would rule later on the legitimacy of the election...

Afghan Leader Says Election 'Fair'


LAS VEGAS -- Joe Louis was once told that an opponent,  quot;Didn't like it to the body, quot; to which he replied,  quot;Who do? quot;

De La Hoya given the hook in ninth


Former President Bill Clintons quadruple bypass surgery two weeks ago sent many middle-aged men rushing to have their hearts checked.

Heart-health lessons from Clintons case


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bombs exploded outside five churches in Baghdad and mortar rounds hit near a hospital and a hotel frequented by foreigners, as U.S. forces loosened a cordon around the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah after several days of clashes with rebels there...

Five Churches, Hospital Bombed in Baghdad


Although Al Leiter has pledged his allegiance to the Mets on numerous occasions, baseball sources have told the Daily News he is  quot;still very much undecided quot; about his future and is not close to signing with the Mets or another team.

Leiter undecided


A SLIDE of 20 in revenues from equity and bond trading knocked UBS #39;s third-quarter financial earnings back sharply. Only a strong performance by its 56-owned Swiss industrial holding company Motor-Columbus

Downturn hits UBS earnings


NEW ORLEANS (Sports Network) - Dustin Almond passed for 299  yards with a touchdown and rushed for another score to lead the  Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to a 31-10 victory over the  North Texas Mean Green in the New Orleans Bowl at the  Superdome.

Southern Miss. Beats N. Texas in New Orleans Bowl


Bombers in Baghdad took the war to the very heart of United States power in Iraq yesterday with two blasts inside the supposedly impregnable Green Zone, killing five civilians, including three US nationals, and injuring at least 20.

Bombers penetrate Green Zone


NASA has awarded a \$330.6 million contract to the aerospace company Lockheed Martin to design and build a robot spaceship to carry replacement parts to the Hubble Space Telescope to keep it operating for another five to seven years.

NASA Awards Contracts for Rescue of Hubble


Tool Kit

Chimps Shown Using Not Just a Tool but a


Reuters - An explosion killed a Palestinian in Gaza\Sunday, the 11th day of an Israeli offensive against militants\Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hopes will defuse internal\resistance to his plan for withdrawing from some occupied land.

Israel Pushes Gaza Offensive, Faces Vote on Pullout (Reuters)


Volkswagen AG is threatening to eliminate 30,000 jobs ahead of next week #39;s wage talks with unions as Europe #39;s biggest carmaker seeks cost cuts similar to agreements reached by other German companies, including DaimlerChrysler AG.

VW May Cut 30,000 Jobs If No Agreement With Workers (Update2)


NEW YORK - Stocks regained some momentum Thursday as oil prices declined in spite of Hurricane Ivan's damper on production in the Gulf of Mexico, and fresh economic data suggested inflation remains well under control.    In the first hour of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 32.81, or 0.3 percent, to 10,264.17...

Stocks Move Higher As Oil Prices Drop


Pakistan's Supreme Court grants bail to the jailed husband of former PM Benazir Bhutto and lawyers say he could be free soon.

Bail granted for Bhutto husband


NHL union head Bob Goodenow said Tuesday that locked-out players remain unified and that the season is in serious jeopardy. Im hopeful that there will be a season, but

NHL union head: Season in doubt


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

Microsoft Profit, Revenue Rise


Reuters - Japan's Canon Inc. said on Thursday\it had found problems with equipment for making liquid crystal\displays (LCDs), boosting shares in LG.Philips and other LCD\makers as fears of a supply glut eased.

Canon Problems Ease Fears of LCD Glut (Reuters)


Over the first eight minutes it was hard to determine whether the Comets realized the desperate straits theywere in, trying to keep alive their faint playoff hopes.

Comets remain in playoff race


Optimism amongst executives in Britain #39;s service sector soured in early August on rising interest rates and soaring oil prices, a Confederation of British Industry report says.

UK service executives #39; optimism sours


AP - Aubrey Huff hit his 29th homer and Mark Hendrickson pitched seven solid innings, leading the Tampa Bay Devil Rays past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 Friday night.

Huff Leads Devil Rays Past Blue Jays 4-2 (AP)


MILWAUKEE -- Harley-Davidson Inc. #39;s third-quarter profit surged 20 percent, revved up by higher gross margin and brisk sales of its brand-name motorcycles and accessories.

Harley-Davidson #39;s 3Q profit up 20 percent


The European Commission is expected later this week to recommend EU membership talks with Turkey. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan are anticipating a  quot;positive report.

Schroder reaffirms support for Turkeys bid


Email archiving specialist KVS, which counts Air New Zealand among its customers, has been bought by Veritas. Veritas announced last week it had bought KVS (which stands for Knowledge Vault Software) for \$US225

Veritas buys email archiver


The Baltimore Ravens won #39;t soon forget the hit Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter leveled on injured tight end Todd Heap during the second quarter of yesterday #39;s 30-13 rout of the Steelers.

Ravens enraged by Porter #39;s  #39;cheap #39; hit


IBM has signed up more than 110 companies to build technologies to the open specification for its BladeCenter systems. ADVERTISEMENT.

IBM Gains Support for BladeCenter Spec


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - National Semiconductor Corp.  <A HREF=

National Semi Quarterly Profit Rises


As a writer, I am certainly appreciative of the fact that fighters are not crude, monosyllabic imbeciles. Indeed, the volume, quality and variety of their articulated expressions

Hopkins-De La Hoya: The Final Countdown


Unisys' updated ES7000 server line includes a top-end Itanium 2  processor with 9MB of high-speed cache memory.

Photo: Unisys' updated ES7000 server line


AFP - Myanmar's state media confirmed that the military regime's leader General Than Shwe would visit India, just days after the ousting of the nation's premier for alleged corruption.

Myanmar state media confirms leader's India visit (AFP)


Following on from yesterday #39;s horrific car bombing in Baghdad which claimed the lives of 47 people, the UN has warned that a  quot;lack of security quot; is undermining the world body #39;s efforts to assist in elections set for January.

UN input into Iraqi elections threatened by  #39;lack of security #39;


The convoy stopped in a single-file line: a half-dozen US armored military vehicles and one gray Nissan pickup truck, all of them idling in a dirt lot in the insurgent-controlled slum called Sadr City.

Taking on Sadr City in a Pickup Truck


West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and chose to field in the ICC Champions Trophy Group B decider with South Africa at the Oval on Saturday.

UPDATE 1-Windies win toss, field v South Africa


07.11.04 - By Eddy Manning: The word impressive could only be used as a mere understatement when summing up IBF Junior Welterweight champion Kostya Tszyus performance tonight.

Tszyu returns with a bang and Mitchell goes Thud


TORONTO (Reuters) - Loblaw Cos Ltd. <A HREF=

Canadian Grocer Loblaw Sales Up 6 Pct.


Portraying it as a means of combating terrorism, Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday outlined a plan to eliminate popular elections of governors and individual

Putin calls for elimination of elections for key posts


The United Nations Committee Against Torture has urged Britain to carry out a review of its policy of detaining foreign suspects indefinitely under anti-terrorism laws.

UN urges UK to review foreign suspect detention policy


The Chancellor has faced bad news on government tax revenues and borrowing so far this year - too little tax revenue, too much borrowing.

Brown has no room for giveaways


As expected, Apple last week launched iPOD Photo, a new version of its portable digital music player that has been optimized to handle photos as well.

Apple rolls out iPOD Photo


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange  Commission is expected to declare the initial public offering  registration of Google Inc. <A HREF=

SEC Seen to OK Google IPO After 4 P.M.


TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average closed up 0.63 percent  on Friday, led by gains in Nippon Steel Corp. and its rivals  after data showing only a minor slowdown in China's robust  economic growth eased concerns about a sudden downturn in one  of Japan's biggest export markets.

Nikkei Ends Up as China Data Lifts Steel


It's a busy day at Ask Jeeves with the announcement of several new services and enhancements, including the launch of a new personalized search tool and a major upgrade of the company's Teoma search engine.

Ask Jeeves Serves It Your Way


The now-notorious domestic diva will probably feel right at home this Christmas at Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia, what with the town's traditional inmate knitting bee.

Martha Stewart Should Fit Right In


AP - Indonesian police pursued a manhunt Sunday for two of Southeast Asia's most wanted terrorism suspects while warning of the danger of more suicide attacks on Western interests in the wake of a lethal bombing outside the Australian Embassy.

Indonesia Pursues Two Terror Suspects (AP)


Specialist retailer Jessops says the popularity of digital cameras has helped to boost its profits.

Digital cameras aid Jessops sales


A deal to dismiss the sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant is being discussed inside the Eagle County Courthouse, sources close to the case told CNN on Wednesday.

Sources: Deal discussed to drop charge against Bryant


Beauty and integrity were restored to the Champions League at venues as far apart as Barcelona and Moscow on Tuesday night. Nothing quite matches the beauty of a Brazilian #39;s conjuring a winning goal out of sheer imagination.

Soccer: Ronaldinho brings matchless beauty


Round about 400 arms smuggling tunnels linking Egyptian Sinai to Palestinian Gaza under the Philadelphi border route have been unearthed and destroyed in the last couple of years by Israeli forces.

Karni Tunnel as Hamas Hidden Arm into Israels Western Negev


Industrial output in the US rose for a 16th straight month in September,  ahead of analysts' forecasts.

US industrial output still rising


A ZIMBABWE court yesterday convicted Briton Simon Mann, a former SAS and Scots Guards officer, of attempting to buy weapons for an attempted coup in the oil-rich West African state of Equatorial Guinea.

Coup plot conviction increases the pressure on Mark Thatcher


NEW YORK - In a capstone to the withdrawal of Vioxx, the US Food and Drug Administration has decided to delay the approval of successor drug Arcoxia until more safety data are available.

Merck #39;s FDA Delay, Pfizer #39;s Problem


SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to outlay around US\$7.35 billion for up to 31 Boeing B777-300ER (extended range) aircraft, with 18 to be delivered between 2006 and 2010, the company said.

Singapore Airlines eyes 31 Boeing aircraft


AP - Fighting between rival factions in western Afghanistan killed three militiamen and injured another seven, officials said Tuesday, despite the presence of government and U.S. troops.

Fighting in Western Afghanistan Kills 3 (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices broke above \$46 on Monday  after Russian oil giant YUKOS said it would cut some oil  shipments to China, the first toll on exports from the  company's financial turmoil.

YUKOS Cuts China Supplies, Oil Above \$46


So the New York Jets won their first two games. Big deal, right? For this franchise, it is huge. The Jets are 2-0 for just the eighth time since the team #39;s inception in 1960.

Jets go into bye week with sense of accomplishment


NEW YORK The dollar declined on Friday as the market shrugged off positive US economic data and remained focused on the record US current-account deficit.

Currencies: Despite strong data, the dollar declines


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Authorities insisted they won't give in to militants' demands to free female Iraqi prisoners despite the plea of a tearful British hostage begging Britain to save his life in a video released by his captors.    The captive, Kenneth Bigley, appealed to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to intervene...

U.S. Rules Out Iraq Women Prisoner Release


Rwanda has denied it has pushed troops into Democratic Republic of Congo hours after UN peacekeepers said they had compelling evidence that some had entered the vast country.

Rwanda denies army in Congo


ATHENS -- As the deeply religious Andre Ward, the 20-year-old from Oakland, Calif., waited through the day for last night's match with two-time world champion Evgeny Makarenko, he pondered his predicament. Not only was he facing the pre-Olympic gold medal favorite in the quarterfinals of the light heavyweight division, but he was stepping in against a 6-foot-6-inch opponent who towered ...

Ward: No size too great


The pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to settle consumer fraud charges by posting online both negative and positive results from its clinical drug trials, a practice that New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said should have been made

Glaxo settles fraud suit


General Motors Acceptance Corp. plans to sell \$2.7 billion of securities backed by auto loans on Wednesday, a person familiar with the deal said on Tuesday.

GMAC to sell \$2.7 bln ABS on Wednesday - source


By agreeing to its regulator #39;s demands, the mortgage titan has largely defanged its critics and distanced itself from scandal.

Fannie Mae Goes Along to Get Along


Oakville, ON (Sports Network) - Canada #39;s own Mike Weir fired a six-under 65 on Friday to take the lead during round two of the Canadian Open.

Weir on top at home; Singh one back


Reuters - An Indian air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed on Tuesday during joint exercises with Singapore's air force but no one was hurt after the two pilots bailed out in time, an Indian military spokesman said.

India's Mirage 2000 crashes during exercise with Singapore (Reuters)


US software maker Microsoft has announced the general availability of the Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting version 3.0.

Microsoft launches Windows-based hosting solution 3.0


Andy Roddick has sacked Brad Gilbert, the coach who guided him to world number one and the US Open crown in 2003. No reason has been given for the split.

Roddick splits with coach Gilbert


AP - Environmentalists asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday to grant protected status to the California spotted owl, claiming the bird's old-growth forest habitat is threatened by logging.

Protected Status Sought for Calif. Owl (AP)


The group that awarded US\$10 million this week to the winner of an outer-space travel contest is gearing up to offer cash prizes for technology breakthroughs in medicine, computer science, transportation and a number of other arenas.

X Prize group plans new series of contests


SPACE.com - The largest asteroid ever known to pass near Earth is making a close celestial brush with the planet this week in an event that professional and backyard astronomers are watching closely.

Huge Asteroid to Fly Past Earth Wednesday (SPACE.com)


Business travelers will soon take advantage of airborne internet if two companies have their way. Boeing and software maker iPass plan to use satellite and Wi-Fi to connect high fliers to the office.

Reporting to Work Mid-Flight


VIA Technologies has announced details of its 64-bit architecture based Isaiah processor core with the engineering code name  #39;CN #39;.

Via to enter 64-bit processor market


EMERYVILLE, Calif. A high-tech executive appointed to Chiron #39;s board of directors last month has resigned from the embattled biotechnology company.

Board member quits embattled Chiron Corp.


Kodak enjoys a rise in profits thanks to strong sales of digital cameras but its traditional film business continues to struggle.

Kodak eyes faster digital growth


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. chain store sales fell in the  first week of October as increased customer traffic in malls  failed to translate into bigger purchases, a report said on  Tuesday.

Chain Store Sales Rise in the Oct 9 Week


OJIYA: Some 100,000 weary survivors of Japan #39;s deadliest earthquake in a decade have bedded down for a third night in makeshift shelters or slept outside as a series of strong aftershocks raised fears of another big tremor.

Japan quake survivors face aftershocks


AP - Larry Bowa will retain his job through the end of the season, but Philadelphia general manager Ed Wade wouldn't address whether the Phillies manager will return in 2005.

Phillies' Wade Says Bowa to Finish Season (AP)


A new federal law, entitled the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, went into effect this week enabling millions of Americans to get a snapshot of their credit history for free.

Free Credit 101


A tearful Martha Stewart announced today that she wants to begin serving her five-month prison sentence immediately so she can get back to  quot;life and living quot; as soon as possible.

Martha to judge: Send me to jail ASAP