The agreement clears the way for Yaser Esam Hamdi, who was born in the U.S. and raised in Saudi Arabia, to return there.

U.S. Agrees to Send Terror Detainee to Saudi Arabia


British American Tobacco, the firm behind the Lucky Strike and Dunhill brands, sold 6 more cigarettes in the first nine months of the year and saw profits rise 20 to 1.

American refit helps boost BAT profits by 20


BAGHDAD - Two US soldiers were killed and four were wounded late Thursday when an airborne helicopter struck one on the ground at an airfield in the northern city of Mosul, military officials said.

Helicopter crash kills 2 US soldiers in Iraq


PREMIER FOODS today emerged victorious in the bidding for another slice of British gastronomic history. The owner of Ambrosia creamed rice has.

Premier Delight at buy from Kraft


AP - Carly Patterson has hobnobbed with Jay Leno, David Letterman and Shaquille O'Neal, posed for the cover of the Wheaties box and been the guest of honor at a parade in her hometown.

Gold Medal Alters Life for Carly Patterson (AP)


Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc. on Monday announced an agreement on what could be the first step of giving Comcast a way to redeem its stake in Time Warner Cable Inc.

Comcast, Time Warner announce financial deal


As expected, Apple Computer today released Mac OS X 10.3.7 Update, a maintenance release for its Mac OS X 10.3  quot;Panther quot; operating system.

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.3.7 Update


SEOUL (Reuters) - This week's talks between Japan and North  Korea show efforts to hold more six-party talks on the North's  nuclear plans are gathering pace and most countries want a  meeting before the year ends, South Korea said on Wednesday.

Seoul Sees Efforts Gathering Pace for N.Korea Talks


R2, an interim release, will begin beta testing later this month.

Microsoft Readies Windows Server 2003 Update


Cyclist Chris Hoy today secured Britain #39;s second gold medal of the Games by winning the men #39;s 1km time trial in a new Olympic-record time.

Hoy wins gold by a whisker


Open source developers who contribute to OpenOffice should stop donating their code to Sun Microsystems, open source advocate Bruce Perens has urged.

Perens hits out at Sun over OpenOffice


NEW DELHI, Oct 1: India does not plan to withdraw troops from the Siachen Glacier and recent news reports claiming otherwise are  quot;pure speculation and a lie, quot; Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh said on Friday.

India denies pullback plan


NEW YORK - A day after sacking its chief executive, Marsh  amp; McLennan (MMC) announced Tuesday it will stop accepting fees at the heart of a lawsuit by New York #39;s attorney general accusing the world #39;s largest insurance broker of rigging prices.

Marsh  amp; McLennan drops fees


IN many respects Sean Bones is an unremarkable man. He #39;s 44, unmarried, lives in the Gorse Hill area of Stretford and earns his living as a semi-skilled assembler in the factory of a company which manufactures gas metres.

Bones will not break


On September 28, 2004, Standard  amp; Poor #39;s Ratings Services lowered its ratings on regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) BellSouth (BLS ) and SBC Communications (SBC ) and their jointly-owned affiliate, Cingular Wireless.

S amp;P Lowers Ratings on BellSouth, SBC


Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq gambled and lost as his team were routed by West Indies for 131 from 38.2 overs in the second Champions Trophy semi-final.

Windies skittle Pakistan


More than a day and a half after a deadly gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in northwest China, rescuers are losing hope of finding 141 people still trapped underground.

Hope fading for China miners


Discs would offer 100 times the capacity of today's DVDs--but when will they be available?

Pioneer Eyes 510GB Optical Discs


ANAHEIM, Calif. - So now the Red Sox rotation, with Curt Schilling, David Wells, Tim Wakefield and likely Pedro Martinez, is as old as Fenway Park.

All Yankees, All Red Sox All the Time


Incredulity and bewilderment greeted today #39;s suggestion that rugby #39;s World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward might be England #39;s next football saviour.

Don #39;t rule it out completely


AP - European officials are increasingly alarmed by the U.S. dollar's slump against the euro  #151; but they aren't likely to get help from the United States or Asian countries at the G-20 meeting of industrial and developing countries that opened Saturday.

Slumping Dollar to Dominate G-20 Meeting (AP)


Washington Post staff writer Jacqueline Salmon will be online to answer your questions on charities and charitable giving.

Charitable Giving


Apple Computer Inc. on Thursday recalled the batteries used in 15-inch PowerBook G4 computers, due to an internal short that can cause the batteries to overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers.

Apple Recalls Batteries In G4 Laptops


The editor of Russia #39;s respected Izvestia daily said Monday he was stepping down in a dispute with his publisher over the paper #39;s critical coverage of the school hostage standoff

Editor of Russia #39;s Izvestia forced to step down


More bad blood between the Red Sox and Yankees in Boston #39;s 11-to-4 win yesterday. Boston #39;s Pedro Astacio and New York #39;s Brad Halsey were ejected in the eighth inning for throwing at batters.

Tensions still high between Red Sox and Yankees


A report on advertising spending showed strong growth across most media in the first nine months of the year, with Internet advertising increasing the most.

Ad Spending Rises, Particularly on the Net


Privatisation and trade liberalisation policies foisted on developing countries in return for financial help are often bad for the poor, according to a confidential government paper.

Poor hurt by aid conditions


An ailing Yasser Arafat entered a fourth day of emergency treatment Monday at a French military hospital specializing in blood disorders, but the cause of his precipitous decline in health remained unexplained.

Arafat #39;s condition improving but further tests needed, say <b>...</b>


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar slipped against the yen on  Wednesday after a Bank of Japan survey suggested the  deterioration in Japanese business sentiment was not as bad as  some had feared.

Dollar Slips Against Yen


Nokia #39;s new Near Field Communication product will turn mobile phones into wireless wallets, the company says. It is conducting trials of the new technology in Germany, involving wireless ticketing with a transportation authority.

Nokia Unveils Near Field Communication Product


Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano said on Thursday he was happy to quit as Mozambique #39;s leader and hoped to be remembered for securing peace and rapid economic growth in the once war-torn country.

Chissano hopes legacy is Mozambique peace, prosperity


US Coast Guard Divers have found a two-metre gash on the tanker in the Delaware River. The spill leaked over 100-thousand litres of crude oil and has created a 32-kilometre long slick.

Two Metre Gash Found on Tanker in Delaware River


The Knicks lost last night to the Nets #39; A Team, the one with Jason Kidd in the lineup for 21 minutes, 40-32. They beat the B Team, the one without Kidd, for 27 minutes, 55-39.

More meetings would keep this Atlantic rivalry afloat


Militants beheaded three Iraqi Kurd militiamen, showing their deaths in a video posted on a Web site on Saturday and denouncing Kurdish political

Militants behead three Iraqi Kurdish militiamen


AP - The day after Chad Hutchinson pumped some life into their offense and their season, the Chicago Bears were actually talking about making the playoffs  #151; despite a 5-7 record.

Bears Eyeing Playoffs After Beating Vikes (AP)


The chances of another rise in interest rates faded today as mortgage lending slowed to its lowest level for a year during August.

Mortgage lending hits 12-month low


Kelly Holmes is looking forward to a well-deserved break at home with her family over Christmas after adding the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award to her double Olympic gold.

Kelly Receives Early Christmas Present


SAN FRANCISCO--Google board member and investor John Doerr said Tuesday that despite speculation, the search giant would not enter in the Web browser market, but he predicted others would.

Investor doesn #39;t see browser in Google #39;s future


Once again, it appears the United States is the favorite -- at least on paper -- to win the 35th Ryder Cup matches, which unfold this weekend at Oakland Hills in suburban Detroit.

The United States is favored to win the Ryder Cup


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. software giant Microsoft  is  aiming to get its audio and video software into mobile phones  before it is beaten to the 650-million-handsets-a-year market  by rivals like Apple.

Microsoft Sees Music Opportunity in Cell Phones


In one of its broadest efforts to rein in what it regards as abusive tax shelter activity among well-to-do professionals, the Internal Revenue Service is seeking to shut down a group

Tax Shelter #39;s Assets Frozen


TOKYO (Reuters) - The yen edged down against the dollar on  Wednesday as Japanese stock prices slid, but it remained within  striking distance of three-month highs on persistent concerns  about the health of the U.S. economy.

Yen Eases Against Dollar


VIENNA : The United States now realizes that it does not have the majority it needs at the UN nuclear watchdog to bring Iran before the UN Security Council over Tehran #39;s alleged atomic weapons program, a US official told AFP.

US gives up on getting Iran to UN Security Council in September <b>...</b>


AP - Dairy farmer Dennis Leonardi, who describes himself as a

California Counties May Ban Biotech Crops (AP)


Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the world's number one retailer, is in talks with the US Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania to settle an investigation into whether it knowingly hired contractors who used illegal immigrants to clean its stores.

Wal-Mart may settle immigration case


Everyone is moaning about the fallout from last weekend but they keep on reporting the aftermath.  #39;The fall-out from the so-called  quot;Battle of Old Trafford quot; continues to settle over the nation and the debate

FERGIE vs WENGER - YAWN


UPDATE 1-Cricket-Boje withdraws from India tour November 3, 2004 16:09:19 DURBAN, South Africa, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Spinner Nicky Boje has withdrawn from South Africa #39;s two-test tour to India later this month because he fears being detained over a match

India 104 all out v Australia - fourth test, lunch


Reuters - New evidence shows that polar bears are\suffering from industrial chemicals swept to the Arctic from\nations thousands of miles to the south, the WWF global\conservation organization said on Monday.

Are Polar Bears Suffering from Industry Chemicals? (Reuters)


SEATTLE -- Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes and got another TD on a sneak, leading the Seahawks to a 28-26 win over the Atlanta Falcons yesterday and helping Seattle win the NFC West and secure a first-round playoff game at home.

Safe landing for Seahawks


QI #39;m about to replace a couple of older computers whose Web browsers have memorized the user IDs and passwords I use at many financial sites.

HELP FILE


Top-ranked Boston College dominated the first two periods, but Providence came on in the third and emerged with a 2-2 tie at Schneider Arena last night.

Friars are let off the hook by Eagles


Saudi security forces, battling a wave of al Qaeda attacks in the world #39;s biggest oil exporter, clashed with suspected militants in the capital Riyadh on Sunday.

Saudi Police, Militants Clash in Capital Riyadh


Ziff Davis - Epiphany's new applications, which sit atop rival apps, don't delay in getting customer information into sales reps' hands. IBM weighs in with its support.

Epiphany's New CRM Apps Offer Instant Analysis (Ziff Davis)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jeff Wilkins booted a clutch 31-yard  field goal to earn the St. Louis Rams a playoff berth with a  32-29 overtime victory over the New York Jets on Sunday, as the  NFL regular season came to furious conclusion.

NFL: Jets, Rams, Broncos and Vikings Complete Puzzle


After battling the budget airlines on fares, the traditional carriers are now trying to match their rivals' in-flight entertainment offerings.
<FONT face=

Airlines Focus On In-Flight Entertainment


WEST PALM BEACH - She didn #39;t mean it in the literal sense, but the words nonetheless were startling even under camouflage of a dismissive laugh.

Webb won #39;t let game become all-consuming


The Justice Department Monday approved the \$41 billion merger of Cingular Wireless LLC and AT T Wireless Services Inc., requiring the combined company to sell off some assets in 11 states in order to satisfy antitrust concerns.
\<FONT face=

Cingular-AT T Wireless  Merger Approved


Andy Roddick squeezed past Britain #39;s Tim Henman 7-5 7-6 at the Masters Cup overnight, giving his fellow Texans the hometown win they came to see.

Roddick beats Henman in Texas


Euro Disney SCA said Tuesday its lenders have agreed unanimously to extend a debt plan designed to keep the troubled theme park operator afloat.

Euro Disney Strikes Restructuring Deal


Linux advocates have long insisted that open-source development results in better and more secure software. Now they have statistics to back up their claims.

Linux: Fewer Bugs Than Rivals


Novell Inc. (NOVL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said it had reached a settlement with software maker Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.

Novell OKs \$536 Mln Microsoft Settlement


Come midnight EDT on Wednesday night, barring a miracle, the NHL lockout will finally begin. Few believe it will end any time soon.

Dreaded day finally arrives: NHL to trigger lockout Wednesday at <b>...</b>


Jeff Gordon enters Sunday's Sylvania 300, the first event of the

Gordon Is Out Front


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The Canadian government is willing to smooth the way toward a national election in Iraq by helping to train officials there and monitor the voting process, say Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Martin says Canada ready to help train election workers, monitor vote in Iraq (Canadian Press)


Virus writers have unleashed a second version of the  quot;Skulls quot; Trojan horse and packaged it with a cell phone virus, a security company has warned.

Skulls program carries Cabir worm into phones


NEW YORK - Al Leiter pitched two-hit ball for six innings to earn his first win in six weeks, and the New York Mets put another dent in Chicago's playoff hopes Sunday with a 3-2 victory over the Cubs.    Chicago began the day a half-game in front of San Francisco in the NL wild-card race after losing 4-3 to the fourth-place Mets in 11 innings Saturday...

Mets Put Another Dent in Cubs' Hopes


Canadian Press - TOKYO (AP) - Two strong earthquakes, one magnitude 6.9 and the second magnitude 7.3, rattled western Japan within hours of each other Sunday night, injuring 14 people, shaking buildings in Tokyo and triggering tsunami waves.

Strong earthquakes rattle western Japan, triggering tsunami waves (Canadian Press)


BRITISH telecoms group Cable and Wireless has agreed to sell its Japanese unit to internet service provider Softbank for 72.4 million (\$178.

Cable and Wireless offloads Japanese unit


OCTOBER 25, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - IBM today introduced a security service that offers a concise, monthly global-network threat report designed to help organizations assess security needs and vulnerabilities from a business perspective.

IBM offers companies monthly security report


The constant pattering of the Thunderstixx and the Budweiser jingle further fueled the migraine-like misery sustained Wednesday night by the Houston Astros.

Cards offense switches into gear it needs to win


A market bombing in the southern Philippines Sunday killed at least 15 and injured dozens.

In Philippines, a renewed bid to drive out terror factions


Internet search giant Google #39;s aficionados may just have lost some vital information that could hurt their wallet! Hackers exploiting a flaw in Google #39;s desktop search tool launched a week back could have

Phishing may have hit Google users


Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has revealed that two national teams tried to lure manager Arsene Wenger from Highbury last summer.

Dein reveals Wenger approaches


BERLIN - Rainer Hertrich, a co-chief executive of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., will leave his position in 2005 when his contract expires, a company spokesman said Sunday.

EADS Co-CEO Hertrich to Step Down in 2005


Gunmen attacked a car in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Friday, killing four male passengers, and witnesses said three of the victims were foreigners.

Four Killed in Mosul Gun Attack


Warplanes bombed French peacekeepers Saturday, killing eight French soldiers and wounding 23, and French forces responded by shooting down government aircraft, French

8 French Soldiers Killed in Ivory Coast


New York, August 28: Yahoo Inc said on Saturday it sold \$191 million in Google Inc stock in that company #39;s Initial Public Offering, cashing out some of the 2.7 million shares Google gave Yahoo this month to settle two disputes.

Yahoo pares Google stake, sells \$191 mn in stock


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece, an ancient nation, searched its  soul over a new doping scandal on Saturday while Michael  Phelps, a fresh-faced American teenager, prepared to enter the  Olympic record books without having to swim a stroke. The  Olympics started its eighth day with 32 gold medals up for  grabs in what has been dubbed Super Saturday.

Greece Soul Searches, Phelps Nears Record


Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain warned Sudan on Wednesday that the international community would not rest until violence was ended in Western Darfur and a comprehensive

Blair, in Sudan, Urges a Broad Peace Agreement


Reuters - Battle lines are drawn at the\Federal Reserve between those who favor formal inflation goals\and those who don't, and the debate is heating up ahead of the\coming retirement of Chairman Alan Greenspan.

Fed Debates Policy for Post-Greenspan Era (Reuters)


Intel Corp. #39;s shares climbed nearly 6 percent Friday after saying its fourth-quarter sales are on track to break a company record because demand for the chips that

Intel stock up on positive 4Q outlook


SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A peace activist who once fasted for 63 days to protest movie violence and war toys is launching another hunger strike to persuade Ralph Nader to abandon his presidential bid...

Activist Holds Anti-Nader Hunger Strike


For a moment this week, it looked as if Moqtada al-Sadr - the leader of a Shiite rebellion against the US presence in Iraq - might

Sadr army becoming potent political force


State Street Research, which isn #39;t related to State Street Corp., was founded in 1924 by investor and former Harvard University treasurer Paul Cabot in Boston.

State Street Research


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Clothing retailer Gap Inc. <A HREF=

Gap Third-Quarter Earnings Tick Up 1 Pct


Nova Chemicals Corp., Canada #39;s largest chemical maker, will join Petroleos Mexicanos, Mexico #39;s state-owned oil company, and two other partners to study a plan to build a \$2 billion petrochemical complex in Mexico.

Nova Chemicals Considers Mexico Investment With Pemex (Update5)


The Rodriguez brothers help Bishop Ireton beat Bishop O'Connell for the first time in 32 years on Saturday.

Ireton Gets Historic Win


Tesco will use the technology in more stores, focusing this time on tracking cases and pallets, rather than individual items.

European supermarket chain extends RFID push


WASHINGTON - Howard Schmidt, a highly regarded technology executive who was former special adviser to US President George W. Bush for cybersecurity, is returning to work with the Homeland Security Department on efforts to protect the nation #39;s computer

Former Bush adviser returns to cybersecurity


More than 100,000 Afghan and foreign security forces were on high alert Friday, the day before the country's first direct presidential election after more than two decades of war.

Security Forces on Alert Ahead of Afghan Election


WASHINGTON - The government agency in charge of airport security spent nearly a half-million dollars on an awards ceremony at a lavish hotel, including \$81,000 for plaques and \$500 for cheese displays, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.    Awards were presented to 543 Transportation Security Administration employees and 30 organizations, including a

AP: Report Finds Lavish Spending at TSA


Microsoft has released an update to Internet Explorer to fix a security flaw that was discovered a month ago and has since been exploited to attack users.

Microsoft patches month-old IE flaw


BOYCOTTS of James Hardie building products over the company #39;s handling of asbestos liabilities were beginning to hurt sales in Australia, the company said today.

Hardie boycotts start to bite


Paying those hometown dues, Devil center Scott Gomez is passing on a chance to make up the money he #39;s losing from Gary Bettman #39;s lockout.

IT #39;S HOME OVER BUCKS FOR GOMEZ


For 12 days in the middle of August, a research firm commissioned by Sports Illustrated polled 1,004 sports fans on a variety of topics for the magazine's 50th anniversary issue.

Flagging a poll: Not so fast on Bull dynasty'


AP - The United States urged the Ukrainian government on Tuesday not to certify pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych as winner of disputed presidential elections in the former Soviet republic because of suspected widespread fraud.

Diplomats Question Ukraine on Election (AP)


NewsFactor - Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has signed a licensing agreement to support the use of Secure Digital (SD) flash memory cards in its \cell phones.

Nokia Signs Up for SD Memory Card (NewsFactor)


AP - Despite reports that the beleaguered oil giant Yukos could receive yet another back tax bill in addition to the  #36;7.5 billion in claims it already faces, the company's stock rallied slightly Thursday on a new statement by President Vladimir Putin that he is not seeking the company's bankruptcy.

Yukos Stock Gains on Comments From Putin (AP)


NOVEMBER 30, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Mobile phones running Symbian Ltd. #39;s Series 60 operating system are the target of a new strain of the Skulls Trojan horse program.

New strain of Skulls Trojan hits smart phones


A rift has emerged between the US and Europe over how harshly to deal with Iran and its suspect nuclear program. The Europeans are ignoring American suggestions and circulating their own recommendations to

EUROPE AND US CLASH OVER IRAN


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Monday -- the first  trading day of 2005 -- after disappointing U.S. employment and  construction spending data triggered concern about economic  growth and lower crude oil prices pulled down energy shares.

Stocks Start 2005 on Weak Note


LANDOVER, Md. - The problems that plagued the Washington Redskins at the beginning of the season are the same ones that dog the Washington Redskins at the end of October.

Redskins swing, miss on orchestrating complete game


Top insurance brokers in Hong Kong have stopped accepting controversial commissions from insurance companies, reflecting the continuing fallout from a scandal rocking the industry in the US.. Sources within

Insurance fees under fire


PHILADELPHIA -- The US Coast Guard has deployed thousands of feet of protective boom to contain a 30,000-gallon oil spill in the Delaware River between Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.

Coast Guard Tries To Contain 20-Mile Oil Slick


Although the United States is experiencing a shortage of flu vaccines this fall, don't be so eager for one that you're duped into purchasing it online.

Experts warn of Internet flu vaccine scam


AP - Danny Bautista hit a run-scoring double in the seventh and scored on Alex Cintron's sacrifice fly, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Diamondbacks Rip Rockies 8-5 (AP)


The case appears to be focused on whether hospitals are fraudulently overcharging Medicare and other programs for goods.

Wide U.S. Inquiry Into Purchasing for Health Care


Cleveland Indians: Preparing for their first season in 11 years without perennial gold glove winner Omar Vizquel, the Indians added some defensive insurance for their infield Tuesday.

Cleveland signs infielder Hernandez for 1-year


TEHRAN (MNA) - Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani said on Monday that Iran is cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to show the world that the US allegations against Tehran #39;s nuclear program

Iran to cooperate with IAEA to prove US claims are baseless <b>...</b>


LONDON (Reuters) - Boosted by a first strokeplay title in  more than a year, Tiger Woods is champing at the bit to mount a  fresh major challenge in 2005.

Victory in Japan Reignites Tiger's Fire


NEW YORK The American space agency is becoming increasingly optimistic that the failing Hubble Space Telescope can be revived and rejuvenated by a robot rescuer.

Robot rescuer for Hubble?


Homebuilder DR Horton Inc. (DHI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday posted a 52 percent increase in quarterly profit on strong orders for new homes and forecast better-than-expected results for 2005.

UPDATE 3-DR Horton earnings jump, sees strong 2005


Reuters - Brazil's unemployment\rate fell in July for the third straight month to a seven-month\low of 11.2 percent and wages rose, underscoring the\strengthening economy, official data showed on Thursday.

Brazil Jobless Falls to 7-Month Low (Reuters)


Reuters - A renegade Afghan militia commander and a\spokesman for the governor of the western province of Herat\said on Wednesday their forces were honoring a cease-fire\brokered a day earlier by the U.S. envoy to Afghanistan.

Warring Afghan Factions Say Cease-fire Holding (Reuters)


Mourners filed past Yasser Arafat #39;s tomb in Ramallah Saturday as Palestinian soldiers kept watch over what had been a chaotic scene just hours before.

Mourners file past Arafat #39;s tomb


So confident was Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt that he would make a tying, 48-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining in Thursday night #39;s league opener against the Patriots

Another Indy effort bites the dust


OAO Yukos Oil Co., Russia #39;s biggest oil exporter, cut its oil production target and capital spending for this year, the first sign its struggles to meet a \$3.

Yukos Cuts Oil Output Target, Spending on Tax Bill (Update1)


Two witnesses tell an Australian court they saw UK backpacker Peter Falconio more than a week after he disappeared.

Pair tell of 'Falconio' sighting


The government faces a warning today from Robin Cook and a liberal-oriented foundation that it must work harder to reverse the increasingly authoritarian tendencies of Vladimir Putin.

No 10 told of Putin #39;s authoritarian trend


For millions of Americans, gymnast Paul Hamm #39;s fame began only when the broad-shouldered Olympian shrugged off a fall in the vaulting competition last week and made an inspired comeback to win gold.

Olympians pursuit of marketing gold begins long before medals <b>...</b>


Shawn Fanning, the founder of the original Napster peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network, is set to unveil his new music download-related service called SNOCAP this week.

Napster founder gets musical with Snocap


AP - THE FILIBUSTER: The notion of talking a measure to death dates to the Founding Fathers. In the 1950s and '60s foes of racial progress used it to block civil-rights legislation and in 1957 Strom Thurmond launched the longest one-man filibuster in history. He spoke for more than 24 hours.

Summary: Senate GOP Set to Dump Filibuster (AP)


While standing in a queue for what proved to be an undercooked cheeseburger, the script for Sunday afternoon #39;s Insider report was suggested.

Reds carry Kewell


Because Internet Explorer is one of the programs vulnerable to a newly discovered Windows image flaw, it is possible that someone could fall victim to a virus written to exploit it just by visiting a Web site that uses JPEG images.

Image Flaw Exposes Users to Hacker Risk


AP - Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe is coming out of retirement after a 17-month prison stint, with a scheduled return to the ring Sept. 25.

Boxer Bowe to Launch Comeback in Sept. (AP)


The aircraft maker and defense contractor's chief executive  backed its previous earnings forecast for the year.

Stocks to Watch Friday


Locusts are commonly associated with plagues, food shortages, and death. But they are also inspiring what may be the next wave in lifesaving collision-avoidance systems.

Locusts Inspire Technology That May Prevent Car Crashes


Framingham resident Arly Noel, a junior midfielder on the Mount Ida College of Newton men's soccer team, was named to the All-North Atlantic Conference first team after finishing among the nation's top 30 NCAA Division 3 players with a team-high 11 assists.

Framingham's Noel gets first-team honors


WASHINGTON The Justice Department has announced that more than 150 people have been arrested, charged or convicted in the past three months in a crackdown on criminal activity on the Internet.

US cracks down on cybercrime


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece hailed a new sporting diva on  Wednesday when Fani Halkia surged from relative obscurity a few  days ago to be crowned the women's 400 meters hurdles Olympic  champion.

Olympic Wrap: Greece Hails New Diva in Halkia


LONDON - According to a correspondent in Taiwan Morris Chang, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. had some interesting things to say about the outlook following on from the company #39;s third quarter results.

TSMC sees plummeting utilization, capex down in 2005


A new survey shows that Ireland's population now totals more than four-million with this rise reflecting immigration stemming from the country's economic boom.

New record for Irish demography


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Goldman Cuts Wal-Mart Rating


What more does a player like Retief Goosen need to do to be taken seriously? By Jim Gorant. Goosen has quietly moved up to fourth in the World Ranking.

Silent Assassin


Athens, Greece -- LeBron James snuck behind Australia #39;s zone defense in the fourth quarter and quickly made eye contact with Stephon Marbury, who lobbed the ball high above the rim. James catapulted into the air and jammed it home with both hands.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Joachim Johansson is threatening to drive a wedge through the Hewitt family after he beat Andy Roddick to reach the semi-finals of the US Open on Thursday.

Johansson splits Hewitts


com October 7, 2004, 10:30 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half.

CA adds utility-like mainframe pricing


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Grant Hill posted 23 points and seven  assists to hand Mike Fratello his first defeat as team coach as  the Orlando Magic downed the Memphis Grizzlies 96-91 Saturday.

NBA Wrap: Magic Stun New Grizzlies Coach Fratello


Brussels - Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt was in hospital on Tuesday after being involved in a traffic accident in which his vehicle overturned, Belga news agency reported.

Belgian PM injured in traffic accident


Previously, I have asked what happens to the software industry if enterprises expect to acquire their software for free via open source.

Can #39;t say I didn #39;t tell you so


EAST GREENWICH, R.I. -- A pair of J's carried Chelmsford to a commanding win in the Varsity 2 race yesterday at the 22d Brown Invitational.

Chelmsford runners go 1-2


Leaving their orbiting outpost unmanned, the international space station #39;s two astronauts floated outside on a spacewalk Friday and plugged in new antennas and replaced a worn-out piece of cooling equipment.

Spacewalking astronauts replace worn-out piece of cooling <b>...</b>


United Airlines said on Wednesday it would reduce US flights and increase capacity on more lucrative international routes as part of its aggressive cost-cutting campaign to emerge from bankruptcy.

UPDATE 2-United to cut US flights, focus on international


The R24 has undergone several revisions ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. Technical Director Bob Bell explains what's new.

A modified R24 for China


AFP - The Japanese economy is expected to grow just above 2.0 percent in 2005 and 2006, losing some steam on slower exports after an estimated robust 4.0-percent expansion this year, according to the OECD.

OECD sees Japanese growth slower at just above 2.0 pct in 2005 (AFP)


Asked to freeze enrichment, Iran says its atomic plants geared solely to electricity generation, but it will never give up its right to develop such technology entirely.

Iran reaches preliminary nuke deal with EU


Vanguard Group Inc. voted in favor of a shareholder proposal demanding that Intel Corp. expense stock options. Putnam Funds and Fidelity Investments voted to dump Walt Disney Co. Chairman Michael D. Eisner. Vanguard voted to keep him.

Mutual Funds Reveal Shareholder Votes


Fish

Owls Use Dung to


BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Margaret Hassan spent a large part of her 59 years helping needy Iraqis. On Tuesday, her friends and family said they believed her captors had executed her, unjustly ending her life in the land she had adopted as her home.

Aid worker who cared for Iraqis is believed slain


German Finance Minister Hans Eichelon Friday called on the world #39;s three main trading blocks to find a way of halting the dollar #39;s slide against the euro and the yen.

Germany calls for measures to halt dollar decline


In the international online media, Yasser Arafat is receiving gentler treatment in death than he usually received in life. Arafat was a  quot;truly great leader, quot; said the Jakarta Post in Indonesia.

Arafat Eulogized as Keeper of Palestinian Dream


Top Al Qaeda terrorist Amjad Farooqi was killed in a shootout with security forces in Nawabshah, about 200 km northeast from Karachi on Sunday, report agencies.

Man who tried to kill Musharraf shot dead


AP - Mount St. Helens began rumbling more intensely Wednesday, prompting scientists to warn that a small or moderate eruption could happen in the next few days.

Group Warns of Mount St. Helens Eruption (AP)


The presidential inauguration is typically the most lucrative single week for the city's hospitality industry in any four-year span.

All Geared Up to Serve


SALT LAKE CITY - Mark Hacking pleaded not guilty yesterday to murder in the death of his wife, Lori, whose remains were found in a landfill weeks after her disappearance.

Hacking pleads not guilty in killing of wife in July


Service offers 2GB of storage, wireless access, and video e-mail--for a fee.

ICQ Updates Its Web-Based E-Mail


The most surprising part of last night #39;s pre-season Raptors game was the indifference displayed by the Air Canada Centre crowd toward Vince Carter.

Forgive and forget


Iraq will ask Iran and Turkey for border security arrangements to keep foreign militants out, similar to measures already agreed with Syria, the Iraqi Foreign Minister said on Monday.

Iraq to Ask Iran, Turkey for Border Help


Not only is the U.S. government keeping too many secrets, it's spending too much money to do it. That's the conclusion of a government watchdog group, which estimates more than \$6.5 billion was spent last year keeping data under wraps. By Noah Shachtman.

All That Secrecy Is Expensive


Nortel Networks Corp. gave details of a previously announced job cut program Thursday, saying it is cutting 1,400 in the United States by next June.

Nortel Details Previously Announced Cuts


For retailers and manufacturers, rebates are a quick and easy way to adjust prices in a cost-conscious market.
<FONT face=

Rebates Fuel Sales, Frazzle Buyers


Reuters - German business software giant SAP\ is starting to see the silver lining in a potential\linkup between rivals Oracle  and PeopleSoft ,\the German Sunday newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported.

SAP More Friendly to Oracle-PeopleSoft (Reuters)


Reuters - Opposition supporters rallied anew on the\streets of the Ukrainian capital on Sunday, boosted by a\parliamentary vote declaring invalid a disputed presidential\poll handing victory to Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.

Ukraine Sees Fresh Rallies After Parliament Vote (Reuters)


Government warplanes bombed the largest city in Ivory Coast #39;s rebel-held north twice on Thursday in what a government military commander said was the launch of a new offensive to reunite the war-divided nation.

Ivory Coast Military Bombs Rebel City


A computer virus posing as an electronic Christmas card is spreading across the net in many languages.

Virus poses as Christmas e-mail


Global Crossing plans to eliminate 600 jobs, roughly 15 percent of its workforce, by March 2005 as part of a restructuring plan. The company needs an additional \$40 million in financing to fund

Global Crossing Shares Plummet


Reuters - Ukraine's opposition takes its\campaign to overturn a presidential election result they say\was rigged to the factories and railways Thursday by trying to\organize a country-wide strike.

Ukraine Opposition to Launch Strike in Vote Dispute (Reuters)


MedImmune Inc. said Monday it has ended advanced human testing of its drug Vitaxin to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis because it failed to show clinical benefits in preliminary results.
<FONT face=

MedImmune Ends Some Vitaxin Testing


Silver for the women #39;s quad yesterday sealed Britain #39;s biggest Olympic rowing tally since 1928, which they matched with a gold, two silvers and a bronze.

Silver glint of a glowing future


Microsoft has signed a pact to work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to increase computer use, Internet access and teacher training in developing countries.

Bill Gates Signs UNESCO Agreement


Bringing an appropriate end to his team #39;s odd stay, Jeff Conine drove in the go-ahead run with a walk in the seventh inning yesterday and the Marlins beat the Montreal Expos, 8-6, for

BASEBALL ROUNDUP Marlins Make Most Of Playing In Chicago


Microsoft has doubled the period of time it will allow business users of Windows XP to delay installing Service Pack 2. Customers who wished to avoid having systems updated while they were testing the upgrade

Microsoft gives businesses more time to test SP2


FT.com - Wall Street futures were flat on Tuesday, as a lack of economic news led investors to focus on the falling price of oil and the falling dollar. Investors were also assessing the merits of IBM's planned sale of its personal computer division to Lenovo, the Chinese computer group, for  #36;1.75bn.

Wall Street set for steady open (FT.com)


Gasoline prices are hitting record highs, stocks of winter heating fuel are shrinking and energy costs are slowing the US economy.

ENERGY AND AMERICA #39;S FUTURE


As they keep reminding themselves, that goal remains attainable. Yet one day after their second loss to NFC West rival St. Louis, everyone from coach Mike Holmgren down was asking the same question.

What #39;s wrong with the Seahawks?


OCTOBER 26, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - A little over a year after introducing the first version of Office Live Communications Server, Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft prepares to ship new corporate IM server


Plans by Australia to enforce an extensive new offshore security zone are causing concern among its neighbors. The Maritime Identification Zone announced by Prime Minister John Howard will extend 18-hundred

Australia #39;s Maritime Security Net Stirs Concern Among Neighbors


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

Green to Sit Out Dodgers Game for Yom Kippur (Reuters)


Medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp. on Monday said it is launching a public offering of two series of its senior notes to repay commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

Boston Scientific to Offer Senior Notes


AP - Psychological testing shows that the former Baylor University basketball player accused of gunning down one of his teammates is not competent to stand trial, his attorneys said Wednesday.

Defense Says Dotson Incompetent for Trial (AP)


Port-Au-Prince - A man #39;s beheaded body lay in the street in a seaside slum on Thursday near the smouldering remains of another beheaded corpse that was wrapped in tires and set ablaze, as leaders of the uprising that ousted President Jean-Bertrand

Haiti: Beheaded corpses found


The violent hostage-taking at a school in Russia last week blamed on Chechen terrorists has sparked condemnation from the Arab media in the Middle East.

Arab Commentators Examine Terrorism, Islam Link


McAfee will announce an add-on for its enterprise anti-virus products to offer increased protection against spyware. Users of McAfee VirusScan Enterprise Edition versions 7.1 or 8.0i next month will be able

McAfee takes on more spyware


Fighting continues in Najaf even though Iraq #39;s Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has made a final call to Shi #39;ite militants to lay down their weapons and leave the holy Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. Militants threaten to kill a Turkish hostage and missing American ...

Standoff Continues with Militant Cleric in Najaf


As if defending the Paris indoor title was not enough to worry about, Tim Henman knows that every competitive ball he hits in the next few days could have a bearing on whether he makes the line-up for the prestigious Masters Cup in Houston.

Ball in Henman #39;s court for Houston


With hundreds of UN troops and Haitian police at the ready, government negotiators met Thursday with ex-soldiers who have seized the abandoned estate of ousted President

UHaiti Gov #39;t Negotiates With Ex-Soldiers


Defense conglomerate General Dynamics Corp. said Wednesday that earnings rose 23 percent in the third quarter to \$322 million, thanks to strong results across all its divisions.

Profit Up 23 Percent at General Dynamics


quot;There was a lot of obscenity and personal comments quot; about Chief Executive Rob Glaser, said senior vice president Dan Sheeran.

RealNetworks Online Petition Targeting Apple Backfires


NFL fans spending time in Las Vegas always can place a bet on their favourite team for that week #39;s game. Now, the Plaza Hotel is offering something more long-range.

Las Vegas casino offering full season of action


TELCOS Optus and Vodafone Australia will combine to create a national 3G mobile network, just three weeks after rival Telstra Corp entered a similar deal.

Optus, Vodafone in 3G link


STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Austrian feminist writer Elfriede Jelinek won the Nobel Prize in literature, the Swedish Academy said Thursday, citing her

Austrian Novelist Jelinek Wins Nobel Prize


The fireworks shot out from the top of the Olympic Stadium, the grand finale of the Opening Ceremonies lighting up the Athens sky.

Afghan woman basks in Olympic moment


AFP - President George W. Bush's campaign website was inaccessible from outside the United States.

Bush campaign website inaccessible from outside US (AFP)


PARIS (AFP) - French interests named the head of Airbus, Noel Foregeard, to be one of two new pilots running the EADS aeuronautics group after weeks of reported tension over his role.

France chooses Forgeard for joint control of EADS


TORONTO (CP) - LionOre Mining International Ltd., a global company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, has made a \$208 million US friendly bid to acquire Australia #39;s MPI Mines Ltd.

LionOre Mining offers \$208M US to acquire MPI Mines Ltd. of <b>...</b>


Amidst claims that IT shops can now provision BEA WebLogic Servers in mere minutes instead of hours, Veritas today debuted version 4.0 of Opforce Enterprise Edition for Windows, Linux (Red Hat  amp; SUSE), Solaris and AIX.

Veritas Reveals OpForce Upgrades


Study shows defense agencies accounted for three-quarters of the \$20 billion in federal IT contracts awarded last quarter.

Defense deals lead in federal IT contracts


Taiwan Premier Yu Shyi-kun accused arch-foe China of sending surveillance ships into Taiwan and Japanese waters to prepare for a possible confrontation with the United States, newspapers said today.

Taiwan says China ships challenge US defence line


A platoon in Iraq is being investigated for allegedly refusing to carry out a convoy mission its members deemed too dangerous, Army officials said Friday.

Probe of No-Show Reservists Underway


SAP is rolling out a new set of Java and business intelligence enhancements to its NetWeaver middleware and integration stack.

SAP touts NetWeaver enhancements


BEVERLY -- It's clear just from the title that a race like the ''Mountain Masochist Trail Run quot; isn't for everyone. It takes a certain kind of individual -- energetic, undaunted, determined -- to traverse 50 miles of wooded terrain in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, virtually nonstop, for fun.

Above and beyond


AP - Colombians are ecstatic that two of their countrymen are in the World Series  #151; a first for a nation better known for drug trafficking and its long-running guerrilla war than baseball players.

Colombia Spellbound With World Series (AP)


Churchill denied that any promises were made to give Gibraltar to Spain, prompting a row, archived documents show

Files reveal 1953 Gibraltar row


The firm led by Enron Corp. #39;s (ENRNQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) acting chief executive asked a bankruptcy judge for a \$25 million  quot;success fee quot; for its efforts in

Enron CEO #39;s Firm Seeks  #39;Success Fee #39;


RAMALLAH - Palestinian presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouti said on Wednesday that Israeli soldiers had beat him at an army checkpoint south of Jenin in the West Bank.

Palestinian presidential candidate says Israeli soldiers beat him


AFP - Internet security experts have found two

New flaws found in Microsoft security (AFP)


Reuters - Egypt's official news agency said\Tuesday significant progress had been made in international\efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian violence, but both sides to\the conflict termed talk of a deal premature.

Egypt Sees Move Towards Israel-Palestinian Peace (Reuters)


ATHENS, Greece - While the U.S. men's basketball team fell short of its gold-medal goal, the bronze it won Saturday night helped the American delegation reach a bigger goal - it was the 100th U.S...

Dream Team Puts U.S. at Goal of 100 Medals


Despite its continuing difficulties forcing power plants to reduce their toxic emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency has enjoyed unusual success in bringing

EPA Cuts Pollution Levels With Refinery Settlements


CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Miguel Angel  Jimenez and Sergio Garcia warmed up for this month's Ryder Cup  with sparkling starts at the European Masters on Thursday.

Jimenez Grabs First-Round Lead at European Masters


Microsoft has filed its first lawsuits over allegedly counterfeit and illicit certificates of authenticity, the labels attached to software packages and computers to verify the legitimacy of the programs inside.

Microsoft Files Suits Over Certificates of Authenticity


SYDNEY - Humane Society International opened legal proceedings in Australian Federal Courts on Tuesday against a Japanese whaling fleet that it charges has killed more than 400 minke whales within Australia #39;s whale sanctuary over the past four years.

Humane Society opens case against Japan whaling in Australian <b>...</b>


Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling called into a sports-talk radio station on Wednesday to dispel speculation that he didn't get along with teammate Pedro Martnez.

Schilling Adds Voice to Talk of the Red Sox


A mechanic was ordered today to stand trial for the alleged murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio in the Australian Outback three years ago.

Mechanic must stand trial for British backpacker #39;s murder


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Embattled insurance broker Marsh    McLennan Cos. , the main target of a probe into insurance bid  rigging, said on Wednesday it will have only limited ability to  borrow money through the rest of the year.

Marsh Says Probe May Hurt Borrowing


ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League has said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz ongoing visit to three SAARC member states is highly important as it will play a significant role in bringing positive changes in the region.

PM visits to help bring positive changes in region: PML


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Business software maker Oracle  Corp. <A HREF=

Oracle Moves Earnings Forward to Monday


Releases dates of quarterly bulletins for 2005 to allow companies to better plan system updates.

Following trend, Oracle sets schedule for patches


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Wal-Mart September Sales Rise 2.4 Percent


Bill Parcells knew the game was getting away from the Dallas Cowboys. Yet he thought one jolt could put them back in control. So with Dallas down only six points and

Dallas done in by errors; Parcells: We #39;re just stupid


LONDON (Reuters) - A top Merrill Lynch official is due to  testify on Wednesday over a 7.5 million pound (\$13.4 million)  sex discrimination lawsuit brought against the U.S.-based  investment bank by former executive Stephanie Villalba.

Merrill Exec to Testify in Sex Bias Case


Reuters - Wireless technology company\Motorola Inc.  said on Sunday it had been selected by\China United Telecommunications Corp. (China Unicom) for a\project that will expand the telephone services company's\networks in 11 provinces.

Motorola Gets China Unicom Contract (Reuters)


BERKELEY, Calif. (Reuters) - The United States has nothing  to fear from rapidly growing technology markets in China and  India, Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of  Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Bill Gates: U.S. Need Not Fear Overseas Tech


As the hometown of the current Afghan president, Kandahar should be wrapped up for Hamid Karzai. But look around, and

Warlord politics heats Afghan vote


ROME (Reuters) - A bomb has been defused overnight near the Sardinian holiday villa of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi hours after a visit by Tony Blair, Italian police say.

Bomb defused after Blair #39;s Italy visit


AP - Ken Ramsey likes to say he's been successful in practically everything he's taken on. That would sound like bragging coming from just about any other horse owner.

Ramsey Owns Three Breeders' Contenders (AP)


Darleen Druyun, who was leaving to join Boeing, gets nine months for sweetening tanker deal. ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Reuters) - The former No.

Ex-Air Force buyer sentenced in scam


Eastman Kodak Co., the world #39;s largest maker of photographic film, said Wednesday it expects sales of digital products and services to grow at an annual rate of 36 percent between 2003 and 2007, above prior growth rate estimates of 26 percent between 2002

Kodak Reaffirms Earnings Outlook


Outraged workers in Germany refuse to resume production as automaker seeks to save \$623.8Ma year. FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) - General Motors management started negotiations with union leaders Monday over

GM, Euro labor debate 12,000 layoffs


If you thought predictive texting was impressive, you ain #39;t seen nothing yet. A cellphone is on the way that can predict what you are about to do.

The phone that knows you better than you do


Google unveils its first desktop application for searching through personal files on the PC and through a person's Web history.

Screenshot 3 of 4: Google Desktop Search tool


AP - The war on terror might eventually be won, depending on one's definition of winning.

Victory in Terror War Has Many Meanings (AP)


Local residents take refuge outdoors after a series of earthquakes in Niigata Prefecture, northwestern Japan, Oct, 24, 2004. A series of powerful earthquakes, one measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, rocked northwestern Japan Saturday evening.

21 die, 2000 injured in Japan #39;s quake


Ex-Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic asks judges to subpoena world leaders at his trial in The Hague.

Milosevic calls leaders to trial


( Columbia -- November 28, 2004) -- (AP) There #39;s new information that a rebel group in Colombia had planned to assassinatePresident Bush during his visit there last week.

Columbian Marxist Group Planned Assassination on President Bush


The folk at eBay were unbelievers in the cheesy miracle: one half of a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich, the owner of which claimed it bore the image of the Virgin Mary.

eBay pulls carpet from under cheesy miracle


On Wednesday, the company #39;s shares (NYSE: DWA) were priced at \$28, according to media reports. That was above the \$23 to \$25 range predicted.

DreamWorks IPO opens at \$39.50


Sprinter Jerome Young, a central figure in a doping case that could cost the US relay team its gold medal from Sydney, was banned for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency yesterday following his second positive test for a banned drug.

Sprinter Young banned for life


washingtonpost.com - The state of Virginia and Fairfax County each pledged  #36;600,000 to entice International Business Machines Corp. to bring 1,250 high-paying new government contracting jobs to Fairfax.

Virginia, Fairfax Commit Funds To Help Lure New IBM Jobs (washingtonpost.com)


A breakthrough in the way scientists make crystals could lead to a replacement for silicon in chips for devices.

Door open for silicon replacement


washingtonpost.com - Lucent Technologies Inc, the nation's leading telecommunications-equipment maker, recorded its first annual profit since 2000, fueled by rapid growth in its wireless telephone division, the company announced yesterday.

First Profit Since 2000 For Lucent (washingtonpost.com)


LONDON (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus reported  progress on Wednesday in plans to allow passengers to use  mobile phones in flight, beginning in 2006.

Airbus Sees Mobile Phone Use on Planes in 2006


US gymnast Paul Hamm planned to return to the United States on Wednesday after resting in Lausanne, Switzerland, for a day following his 11 1/2-hour session before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sports briefs for September 28, 2004


By MATT SLAGLE    DALLAS (AP) -- Nintendo Co. has permanently slashed prices on its Game Boy Advance SP portable video game system as the company tries to entrench its No...

Nintendo Cuts Price on Game Boy Advance System


Senior industrialists, religious leaders and politicians have swung into action to mediate between the warring Ambani brothers, Mukesh and Anil, even as a Reliance Industries spokesperson on Friday ruled out chances of Mukesh dragging his brother to court

Now, peace moves in Reliance group


AFP - Legal authorities in Britain faced an ethical dilemma over whether doctors should continue to prolong the life of a nine-month-old baby who suffers from a rare genetic disorder.

British judge to rule on life-support for fatally ill baby (AFP)


Britain #39;s largest insurer Aviva says it will move 950 jobs to low cost centres in India and Sri Lanka in 2005 and it plans to have up to 7,000 people working in offshore centres by the end of 2007.

Aviva to move 950 jobs to Asia


AP - Japanese banking giant Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group Inc. pumped the equivalent of  #36;6.4 billion into UFJ Holdings Inc., Japan's fourth biggest bank, Friday in a move designed to discourage a rival takeover.

Mitsubishi Injects Cash Into UFJ (AP)


Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted that he was shocked to find out that he had been dropped from the Arsenal side on Saturday.

Lehmann: I don #39;t know how to take being axed


Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Duro Barroso yesterday announced the new line-up of his EU executive team, aimed at resolving a row that has left Brussels in limbo.

Barroso makes limited changes to Commission


Prices paid to US producers rose 1.7 percent last month, the biggest jump in 14 years, as higher energy and food costs suggested that inflation is picking up with economic demand.

US October Producer Prices Rise the Most Since 1990 (Update3)


Coca growers protesting government plans to eradicate their cocaine-producing crop briefly held a group of European tourists visiting Inca ruins in the Andean city of Cuzco Tuesday, police said.

Peru Coca Growers Briefly Hold Tourists


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Friday on  worries that the ongoing storm season in the U.S. Gulf would  continue to hamper energy production and imports, delaying  vital pre-winter stock building.

Oil Rises as Storms Threaten Supply


A DOZEN former government officials and police officers have gone on trial for tapping phones so late president Francois Mitterrand could keep tabs on personal enemies.

Spy scandal rocks Paris


Reuters - The dollar recovered from record lows\against the euro and clung near two-week highs versus the yen\on Thursday after the Federal Reserve indicated it would press\on with its tightening campaign.

Dollar Recovers from Lows After Fed, Data (Reuters)


BACS, the UK clearing house and operator of the direct debit system, will today announce it is changing its name to Voca and planning to muscle in on the continental European market for automated payments.

BACS looks to conquer Europe


At first glance, the question of whether the Bruins should sign 2001 draft pick Jordan Sigalet at the end of his senior season seems to be a no-brainer.

Sigalet public about illness


Europe is in the midst of another bout of angst about its currency, amid signs the Bush administration will tolerate a prolonged weakness in the dollar.

In Europe, Rising Euro Gathers Much Angst


BEIJING, (AFP) - A secession law being drafted by China could provide the legal basis for using force against Taiwan, but it is unlikely to include a clear deadline for when reunification must take place, analysts said.

Chinese secession law may seek legal basis for use of force <b>...</b>


BERLIN - Europe's major powers have agreed to set a November deadline on Iran to meet demands meant to resolve concerns that it is secretly trying to make nuclear weapons, in a confidential document made available Saturday to The Associated Press.    The draft resolution was prepared by France, Germany and Britain for Monday's start of a key meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N...

Europe Sets Deadline for Iran on Weapons


\\My boy Howard Dean talks  about the next generation of politics:\\

Dean on Blogs, Politics and the Internet


com November 12, 2004, 8:58 AM PT. Organizations are replacing aging servers with newer more-powerful boxes, often Linux--based, and theyre also investing in storage.

Study: Supercomputer clusters shortchange security


Also this week: Xbox 2 backwards compatibility and Halo 2 four-way co-op (or lack thereof). RUMOR #1: Sony will release the PStwo, a scaled-down version of the PlayStation 2, on October 26th.

Rumor Control: The GTA/PStwo bundle speculation frenzy


NEW YORKAlmost six months into his new stint as president and CEO of Gateway Inc., Wayne Inouye came here on Monday to outline for financial analysts his plans for bringing the PC maker back to health.

Gateway: Cost-Cutting, Refocusing Will Lead to Profitability


Millionaire celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart had hoped to spend her prison time closer to her family and attorneys or in Florida, but instead will be incarcerated at a remote West Virginia prison camp.

Martha #39;s new estate


Less than 24 hours after delivering one of the biggest walkoff hits of the season, Mark Bellhorn last night found himself answering more questions about his strikeout total than his substantial contributions to the Red Sox. Bellhorn, who ranks among the team's leaders in walks, runs, and RBIs, set the major league record for strikeouts by a switch hitter Tuesday ...

Swing and a hiss: Bellhorn sets mark


Industrial activity edged up by 0.1 percent in August as declines in utility and mining output tempered a gain in factory production.

Industrial Production Inches Up in August


AP - Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay was activated from the 15-day disabled list and returned to the Toronto Blue Jays to start Tuesday night against the New York Yankees.

Halladay Activated to Start Against Yanks (AP)


WASHINGTON - The Justice Department has asked a judge to throw out the convictions of a suspected terror cell in Detroit because of prosecutorial misconduct, reversing course in a case the Bush administration once hailed as a major victory in the war on terrorism, legal sources said Tuesday.    The department told U.S...

U.S. Seeks to Throw Out Terror Convictions


YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) - President Susilo Bambang  Yudhoyono of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim  nation, called on all religions Monday to rise up against  terrorism and show that faith could be a force for peace.

Religious Forum in Indonesia Aims to Blunt Radicals


PHOENIX - Two Phoenix police officers were killed and a third wounded Saturday night during a shootout at an apartment complex, authorities said.    The man believed to have shot the officers was found dead following a two-hour stand off with police...

Shootout Kills 2 Ariz. Officers, Wounds 1


The new law has touched off a battle between insurance companies and drug companies that could determine how many medicines will be readily available to Medicare beneficiaries.

Access to Drugs May Be Limited by Medicare Law


AP - Right now, Roger Clemens is leaning toward retirement. Fortunately for his Houston Astros, he's still making up his mind.

Clemens Leaning Toward Retirement (AP)


Several California cities and counties have sued Microsoft, accusing the software giant of illegally charging inflated prices for its products because of monopoly control of the personal computer operating systems market.

Microsoft hit by monopoly suits


Syrians say they have begun a serious effort to tighten security and prevent rebels from crossing their 400-mile border with Iraq.

At Tense Syria-Iraq Border, American Forces Are Battling Insurgents Every Day


Cedric Benson ran for 165 yards and a touchdown to lead the Longhorns over the Aggies in Austin, Texas. Vince Young added a touchdown run and 224 yards total for the Longhorns (10-1, 7-1 Big 12), who earned

Nebraska #39;s loss is a bowl-breaker


It #39;s doubtful that Elin Nordegren, retired swimsuit model and nanny, ever aspired to the title  quot;Most Powerful Person in Golf.

Tiger needs focus


WASHINGTON : Congress approved a 146-billion-dollar tax cut endorsed by both President George W. Bush and his rival John Kerry but criticized as a budget buster by some economists.

Congress delivers 146-billion-dollar tax cut


British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Sudan on Wednesday the international community would not rest until violence was ended in Darfur and a comprehensive peace deal was struck across the whole country.

Blair Visits Sudan


arrah #39;s Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment, which announced plans to merge in July, are in talks with a group of financiers about selling the Atlantic City Hilton and three other casinos as a way to win approval from regulators for their merger

Harrah #39;s and Caesars Seeking to Sell 4 Casinos to Protect Merger


MORELLA, Spain : Russia #39;s Denis Menchov won the fifth stage of the Tour of Spain, a 186.5km run between Zaragoza and here. The overall race lead was claimed by Spaniard Manuel Beltran from his US Postal teammate Benoit Joachim.

Cycling: Menchov wins fifth stage in Spain


Reuters - The number of Americans lining up to\claim an initial week of jobless aid climbed more than expected\last week, primarily because of hurricanes that have battered\Florida, putting many people out of work, the government said\on Thursday.

Hurricane Impact Drives Up Jobless Claims (Reuters)


Target Corp. Monday said it plans to build a regional distribution center in DeKalb - its first in Illinois - and employ up to 1,000 workers thanks to a \$9.

DeKalb wins new Target center


AFP - An ultra-rare 1929 Mercedes has become the second most expensive car the world has ever seen after selling at a British auction on Friday for 4.18 million pounds (6.16 million euros, 7.43 million dollars).

Rare 1929 Mercedes become world's second most expensive car (AFP)


Rangers' Alfonso Soriano left the game in Oakland in the eighth after injuring his left leg on a headfirst slide, putting the rest of his season in doubt. He will have an MRI exam today.

AL notables


KABUL (Reuters) - Taliban insurgents fired rockets in parts  of Afghanistan and a huge truck bomb was intercepted on the eve  of the first presidential election in the rugged, war-torn  land, underlining the risk of sabotage by Islamic radicals.

U.S. Base Attacked, Truck Bomb Found Before Afghan Vote


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories for several months, but for many IT managers, ERP (enterprise resource planning) and open source initiatives are on the horizon.

Is Microsoft taking dead aim at Linux?


Japanese 10-year bonds fell after the US government said retail sales rose more than expected last month, damping concern demand for Japan #39;s goods will slow.

Japanese Bonds Fall as US Sales Figures Damp Export Concern


The  quot;in quot; item for big four of the search industry (Google, Yahoo, MSN, and, Ask Jeeves) is Desktop Search utilities. By early next year, all the major search platforms will/should have a branded, functional

Weighing The Desktop Search Pros And Cons


Commerce One, an internet software maker valued at \$20 billion at the peak of dot-com mania, is poised to go to a pauper #39;s grave.

Commerce One Sinking Fast


The German teenager who allegedly wrote the Sasser and Netsky computer worms has been charged. Sven Jaschan, now 18, was arrested in May this year at his parents #39; home in Waffensen, North Germany.

Teenager charged over Sasser worm


MUNICH, Oct 26 (SW) - Bayern Munich have brought the gap with league leaders VfL Wolfsburg back to one point while Borussia Dortmund finally managed to reach a win against Berlin based Hertha BSC.

Germany: Bayern beat Wolfsburg in top clash


TOKYO: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc #39;s US\$29bil hostile bid for UFJ Holdings Inc may hinge on its ability to convince shareholders that it can cut costs and bad loans at Japan #39;s most unprofitable bank, investors said.

Sumitomo Mitsui bid for UFJ to test cost-cutting skills


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon marshalled support for Thursday #39;s Likud party vote to bring the Labor Party into a government that would block snap elections and pave the way for a Gaza withdrawal next year.

Israel #39;s Sharon Lines Up Support for Likud Vote


Shipments of PDAs and similar handheld devices declined for the third consecutive quarter, according to the latest data from IDC. Third-quarter global PDA shipments fell 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Study: PDA Market in Decline


SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Sept. 18 -- Tropical Storm Jeanne headed for the Bahamas on Saturday after an assault on the Dominican Republic that killed 10 people, destroyed hundreds of houses and forced thousands from their homes.

Tropical Storm Heads for Bahamas


One man has died and seven have been injured in clashes between Greek and Albanian fans in Greece following the World Cup qualifier game played between the two countries in Tirana, police say.

One dead after World Cup qualifier


Justice Department lawyers say there is indeed a rule requiring passengers to show ID at the airport before boarding a plane, but they say the exact wording of the rule can't be read by the public and can't be challenged. By Ryan Singel.

ID Rule Exists, But Can't Be Seen


Lawmakers may vote on Internet tax ban, controversial copyright bills before the end of the year.

Congress Tackles Taxing Issues


The small-business push is aimed squarely at Microsoft, executives for the database giant acknowledge.\

Oracle looks beyond big-ticket contracts


Washington - The face of a man who died and was mummified in Egypt 3 000 years ago has been modelled, using special CAT scans and without unwrapping his bandages, Italian researchers said on Wednesday.

Special X-rays unmask mummy #39;s face, virtually


ALTHOUGH Microsoft #39;s anti-spam sender-ID is disliked by Open Sources, it is providing popular with the very people it is targeted against.

Spammers love Sender ID


Amid all the hype surrounding its 350th anniversary, the Taj Mahal opened to higher than usual pollution on Monday. On a day that ministers at Agra Fort and Delhi promised to take the best care of the world

Birthday bumps for Taj Mahal: Spike in pollution on Day 1


The Islamic Bank of Britain, which will give the UKs 1.8 million Muslims access to a British bank which is operated in accordance with the principles

First Islamic Bank Opens for UK Muslims


A scare triggered by a vibrating sex toy shut down a major Australian regional airport for almost an hour Monday, police said. The vibrating object was discovered Monday morning

Scare due to vibrating sex toy shuts down airport for an hour


A new technology under development in Australia -- geneballs -- may be used to quickly and easily tell you your genetic makeup. By Daith  hAnluain.

Quick Read on Your Genetics


Reuters - Wild elephants and farmers\are killing each other at an alarming rate in Sri Lanka, so\hundreds of wildlife officers and villagers fanned out into\forests on Monday to find ways to broker peace.

Sri Lanka Seeks Peace - This Time with Elephants (Reuters)


The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) this week published a final version of its Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume 1 document, looking to set forth codified principles for the Web itself.

W3C publishes Web architecture


PITTSBURGH at NY GIANTS Time: 1:30 p.m. Line: Steelers by 10. Records: Steelers 12-1, Giants 5-8. Vs. spread: Steelers 10-1-2, Giants 5-8. Series: Giants lead, 43-27-3. Comments: Think the Giants knew Ben Roethlisberger was available on draft day when they broke the bank and traded for Eli Manning? . . . All Big Ben has done this year is complete ...

Today's NFL games


Leaders from 38 Asian and European countries are in Vietnam #39;s capital Hanoi for the fifth Asia-Europe summit. The European delegations say they will use the meeting to protest against the

Burma clouds Asia-Europe talks


Militants loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr failed to hand over substantial quantities of heavy weapons on the first day of a disarmament plan yesterday, bringing threats from the US

Amnesty defied as militants hang on to their arms


: Yahoo Inc. said today it sold \$191 millions in Google Inc. stock in that company #39;s initial public offering, cashing out some of the 2.7 million shares Google gave Yahoo this month to settle two disputes.

Yahoo sells \$191 millions in Google stock


Quarterback Chad Pennington took most of the snaps with the New York Jets' starting offense during Wednesday's practice.

Pennington Recovering


Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo castigated elected officials in the oil-producing Niger Delta on Friday for failing to care more for their impoverished people as talks

Nigerian Leader Scolds Delta Officials, Militants


Dell #39;s Inspiron 1000 is their latest budget oriented notebook that can provide an excellent value for those willing to shop Dell #39;s site for offers.

Dell Inspiron 1000


The left-hander David Wells passed a physical and was introduced at a Fenway Park news conference, and the timing could not have been more striking.

Good News (Wells), Bad News (Schilling)


Reuters - Jamaicans scrambled for\supplies and fortified their homes as a ferocious Hurricane\Ivan swept nearer with 150 mph winds on Thursday after killing\at least 20 people on the tiny spice island of Grenada.

Hurricane Ivan Roars Toward Jamaica (Reuters)


special coverage Court ruling casts pall over software maker's customer bash. Also: How to boost employee morale?

Oracle v. DOJ: Challenges for PeopleSoft


In Greece, a schoolbus filled with teenage students bound for the Paralympic Games has crashed on the way to Athens, leaving seven passengers dead and at least 24 injured.

Greek School Bus Crash Kills 7, Injures At Least 24


The Bears offense continues to be more offensive than anything else, but the defense and special teams each chipped to lead the Bears for their third straight win.

Scoring Summary: Bears 19, Titans 17


The U.S. government has no

U.S.: No-Fly List Created With No Rules


Royal  amp; SunAlliance, second-biggest general insurance company in Britain, announced on Monday it will transfer as much as 1,100 jobs to India to raise the number of employees in the country to 1,200 within a couple of years.

Royal moves workforce to India


Davie, Fla. (Sports Network) - The Miami Dolphins bolstered  their depleted running corps on Wednesday, acquiring running  back Lamar Gordon from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for a  2005 third-round draft pick.

Dolphins Acquire RB Gordon from Rams


The semiconductor industry is showing the first signs of slowing growth, trimming purchases of raw materials and production equipment as demand slows, industry executives and analysts said on Tuesday.

Eyeing Downturn, Chip Makers Trim Equipment Buying


Increased spending by consumers and business helps US economic growth rise at a higher-than-predicted rate in the July to September period.

US GDP rise fails to halt caution


The US Department of Homeland Security plans to scale back the level of cleanup recommended after detonation of a dirty bomb, policy watchdogs assert.

Watchdogs: Don #39;t Scale Back Nuke Cleanup


PUEBLO VIEJO, Guatemala (Reuters) - Mayan Indians ended a  siege of Guatemala's largest dam on Wednesday after the  government agreed to consider demands they be compensated for  land and lives lost in massacres when it was built.

Mayan Indians End Guatemalan Dam Seizure


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has approached the opposition Labour Party with a tentative offer to join his shaky coalition, in hopes of avoiding early elections and saving his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Sharon Seeks Labour Help to Bail Him Out


NAJAF, Iraq - Militants loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr kept their hold on a revered shrine, and clashes flared in Najaf on Saturday, raising fears that a resolution to the crisis in the holy city could collapse amid bickering between Shiite leaders.    An unofficial mediator pleaded with al-Sadr to disarm his militants, pull them out of the shrine and disband his militia immediately...

Militants Hold Najaf Shrine; Bombing Heard


Sol Campbell today revealed that he has agreed to sign a new long-term contract at Arsenal. The England defender is expecting to tie up a few loose ends over the next couple of weeks before making an official announcement.

Campbell set to sign new Arsenal deal


PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Residents left homeless by Hurricane Charley's 145 mph winds dug through their ravaged homes on Sunday, sweeping up shattered glass and rescuing what they could as President Bush promised rapid delivery of disaster aid...

Florida Starts Massive Hurricane Cleanup


Chances are, if your employees are using Microsoft Corp. #39;s Internet Explorer to surf the Web or Outlook to check e-mail, your company is more exposed to viruses and spyware, some security experts say.

Brand name isn #39;t always better _ at least when it comes to <b>...</b>


MOSCOW -- Last week's attack on a Russian school has driven new wedges between Russia and the West in the fight against terrorism, as Moscow continues to accuse the United States and European countries of coddling Chechen separatists.

In new rift, Russia accuses US, Britain of coddling Chechens


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Suicide car bombers hit a bus packed  with Iraqi National Guards on Sunday, killing 26 people in the  deadliest attack of its kind in four months on Iraqis  cooperating with U.S. forces to secure a Jan. 30 election.

Suicide Bombers, Gunmen Kill 32 in Iraq


AP - A German court on Monday acquitted a jailed aide of the terrorist Carlos the Jackal of murder in a deadly series of bombings in France in the early 1980s.

Aide to Carl the Jackal Acquitted (AP)


NORTH AUGUSTA, SC -- Liselotte Neumann won her first LPGA Tour title in six years, holding off a late charge by Grace Park for a three-stroke victory at the LPGA Asahi Ryokuken International Championship on Sunday.

Neumann, 38, gets first LPGA win in six years GOLF


Quarterbacks Dan Marino and Steve Young and wide receiver Michael Irvin are among nine first-time nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Marino, Young, Irvin head NFL Hall of Fame first-timers


Reuters - Customs officers in this dusty\Saharan town turned a blind eye as yet another creaking truck\piled with grain, smuggled cigarettes and dozens of migrants\heading for Europe rumbled off into the desert.

Thirst, Fear and Bribes on Desert Escape from Africa (Reuters)


AP - Miikka Kiprusoff stopped all 12 shots, and Saku Koivu and Niko Kapanen were among four goal scorers in Finland's 4-0 win over the Czech Republic in the World Cup of Hockey opener Monday.

Finland Tops Czech Republic 4-0 in Worlds (AP)


AFP - Germany has expelled a Jordanian suspected of links to a terrorist group run by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is wanted for launching several attacks in Iraq, the Bavarian state interior ministry said.

Germany expels Jordanian allegedly linked to Zarqawi group (AFP)


Sep. 17, 2004. A judge is ordering the Microsoft to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California #39;s market.

Microsoft To Pay \$113M to Calif. Lawyers


Not just the one Denver #39;s placekicker never got to try. Don #39;t forget about that 52-yard attempt with 31 seconds left in the third quarter, which also would have given the Broncos the 9-7 lead they needed for

Thorburn: Broncos revert to exhibition form on offense


Coughing up five turnovers, having a field goal blocked and playing without four suspended defensive players for part of the game, 18th-ranked ASU did all it could to hand back the Territorial Cup to underdog Arizona.

ASU turns over Territorial Cup


A new start-up offering certification, testing and distribution of existing open-source software could become the Dell of the software industry.

Integration champion enters open-source lists


The trial of an alleged fraudulent sale by Enron Corp. to Merrill Lynch ended its fourth week with a discussion of rudimentary accounting principles by the last of six defendants on trial for conspiracy and fraud.

Former Enron accountant presenting defense in barge case


Texas Instruments, a company well-known for its calculators, says it has developed a computer chip that will let television fans watch their favorite shows on cellular phones.

Worried About Missing Your Favorite Show? Just Pull Out Your Cell <b>...</b>


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- While Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin each made tens of millions of dollars selling some of their holdings in the Internet search giant, they were hardly alone.

#39;Googlers #39; scoop up piles of cash


David Nalbandian of Argentina reached his third straight Swiss Indoors final, setting up a title match against Jiri Novak and keeping alive his chance for a spot in the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Houston.

Nalbandian vs. Novak in Swiss final


Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say they have used spinach to harness a plant's ability to convert sunlight into energy for the first time, creating a device that may one day power laptops, mobile phones and more.

MIT Researchers Work to Power Computers With Spinach


A bevy of scientists is helping Jonathon Keats reverse-engineer God. Observers will witness the experiment's final phase to answer the question: Is God's DNA more like blue-green algae or a fruit fly? Kari Lynn Dean reports from San Francisco.

Engineering God in a Petri Dish


A jury #39;s finding yesterday that the Sept. 11 attack by two hijacked planes on the World Trade Center was two occurrences for insurance purposes provides an

Jury finds Sept. 11 attacks are separate acts


SHIPKA, Bulgaria (Reuters) - A Bulgarian archaeologist has unearthed an ancient gold mask and a ring featuring an  quot;Olympic quot; rower in what he called an unrivalled find in the study of classical antiquity.

Ancient Mask,  #39;Olympic #39; Ring Found in Thracian Tomb


Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court questioned on\Wednesday whether world opinion against the death penalty for\juveniles should influence its decision on the\constitutionality of executing those who committed murder at\age 16 or 17.

Supreme Court Questions Juvenile Death Penalty (Reuters)


AP - Hundreds of wailing mourners gathered to bury five slain police officers Monday as gunfire crackled around the capital where clashes between supporters of the U.S.-backed government and ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have plagued peacekeepers.

Slain Police Officers Buried in Haiti (AP)


Australian building products firm James Hardie Industries Ltd., tainted by a row over asbestos, sought to repair its reputation on Wednesday

Australia #39;s Hardie faces US asbestos protests


Almost until the eve of the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, U.S. oil companies, including ExxonMobil and ChevronTexaco, were among the largest purchasers of Iraqi crude oil.

New Scrutiny of the Flow of Iraqi Oil to American Consumers


ANAHEIM, Calif. -- He's making it look easy, as if he's strolling down a supermarket aisle, checking off the items on his grocery list as he lobs them into his cart. And while some of these transactions were not yet official as of yesterday afternoon, no one doubts that Theo Epstein will have enough dough when he gets to the ...

Epstein is being a smart shopper


Nokia #39;s N-Gage QD addresses many of its predecessor #39;s problems, but it #39;s still a big phone. Nokia #39;s N-Gage gaming cell phone was the Gigli of the tech world when it first came out last year.

Gaming Cell Phone: Take Two


Sun Microsystems Inc. on Tuesday was set to announce its UltraSparc IV microprocessor, the last significant upgrade to the company's processor line before it begins shipping the redesigned chips it calls

Sun unveils UltraSparc IV


The push by the commissioner of Internal Revenue for quick completion of audits of big corporations - a move criticized by many longtime agency auditors - has led to a sharp drop in the

IRS Reveals Less Cheating by Businesses, Its Data Show


Business feared the Labor Party in government because of its links with unions, Harvey Norman chief executive Gerry Harvey said. But Mr Harvey also said that having the Coalition or Labor in government made little difference to the economy.

Labor win fine: retailer


ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE -- France yesterday honored soldiers, including tens of thousands of Africans, who staged an assault on the French Riviera 60 years ago to break the Nazi grip -- one of the least-remembered military operations of World War II.

France remembers WWII Riviera mission


Lindsay Davenport has taken over as world number one on the WTA rankings list, following her 6-4, 6-2 win over Dinara Safina at the Kremlin Cup in Russia.

Davenport back on top of the world


World Bank head James Wolfensohn has backed Russian President Vladimir Putin #39;s political shake-up criticised by many Western nations as limiting democracy, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

World bank chief backs Putin shake-up plans -WSJ


PARIS, Sept 23 (AFP) - US aircraft maker Boeing has not received subsidies to finance the developement of its new 7E7 commercial airliner, chief executive Harry Stonecipher said Thrusday, dismissing accusations from European rival EADS.

Boeing Says 7e7 Being Developed Without Subsidies


PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Vera Zvonareva and Jennifer Capriati both needed to win their quarterfinal match at the \$585,000 Advanta Championships to keep alive hopes of a berth for the WTA Tour Championships.

Zvonareva ends Capriati #39;s season


Reuters - Shares of General Electric Co. \fell slightly before the bell on Friday after the industrial\conglomerate said quarterly earnings rose.

Before the Bell: GE, Sirius Slip (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An explosion in the Afghan capital  Kabul was 200 to 300 meters (yards) outside the U.S. embassy  and there were no U.S. casualties, a U.S. official said late on  Thursday.

Kabul Blast Was Outside U.S. Embassy, No U.S. Casualties


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Europe's top consumer electronics  group Philips cut the forecast for its closely-watched  semiconductor unit on Friday, pointing to the predicted  slowdown of the sector's recovery.

Philips Warns on Chip Unit Sales


LONDON - A new species of flightless bird has been discovered on a remote island in the northern Philippines, Filipino and British researchers announced Tuesday.

New bird species discovered


Andre Ward was in the hallway waiting to fight when he got his first glimpse of the fighter standing between him and an Olympic medal.

Americans falter, while Ward faces an uphill climb


A Soyuz space capsule containing a US-Russian crew has successfully landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan. Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and American astronaut Mike Fincke had left the international space

Russians, American return from space station


Sunday at 1 o'clock. Time for football. That's the way it was for Patriots fans pretty much every fall weekend for four decades. Then Bill Belichick  amp; Co. had to go and win two of the last three Super Bowls, and now they're TV stars.

Patriots shift Nov. 28 start


(October 25, 2004) - The Kansas City Chiefs were overdue for an offensive explosion and visiting Atlanta was the 56-10 victim Sunday.

Chiefs #39; offense finally breaks out


AFP - Yunus Qanooni, Hamid Karzai's chief rival in Afghanistan's presidential election, said he will accept the outcome, as Karzai swept the country's south and southeast en route to outright victory.

Karzai en route to victory in poll; Qanooni pledges to accept result (AFP)


Reuters - The town house of Pittsburgh\Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress was invaded by three\men, who are accused of taking  #36;63,000 in jewelry, cash and\other items before Sunday's game against Buffalo.

Burress' Home Burglarized (Reuters)


The head of a British boutique investment bank, Seymour Pierce, is considering a financial restructuring of Manchester United as a possible rival proposal to a planned takeover by US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer.

Bank mulls rival proposal for Manchester United


Palestinians prepare for the funeral and burial of their veteran leader as officials warn of his imminent death.

'Final hours' for Yasser Arafat


SYDNEY : The Australian government announced a major security upgrade for nearly 150 small airports including the creation of police rapid response teams to deal with possible terrorist attacks.

Australia boosts anti-terror measures at small airports


WASHINGTON - Rumored merger talks between Sprint and Nextel Communications Thursday were met with a

Sprint: No comment on reported Nextel merger talks


FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The U.S. unit of Volkswagen will  offer a year of free car insurance to customers in two states  as a way of attracting business, Europe's biggest automaker  said on Monday.

VW Offers Insurance to Lure U.S. Buyers


Finland #39;s Tanja Poutiainen clears a gate during the women #39;s slalom World Cup race in Zauchensee, Austria, on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004.

Poutiainen Regains Women #39;s World Cup Lead


Reuters - Starbucks Corp. , the\world's largest coffee shop chain,  on Wednesday said quarterly\net profit rose 47 percent, helped by its aggressive store\expansion and an extra week in the period.

Starbucks Profit Climbs, Extra Week Helps (Reuters)


This WeatherBug Backyard weather station, dubbed the Wireless Vantage Pro2, streams meteorology data to a desktop.

Photo: Weather data to your desktop


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- After playing spoiler in the American League West Division for a week, the Seattle Mariners finally looked like a last-place team.

SI.com


\

 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT T Corp. <T.N> will pay \$100\million to end a class-action lawsuit by investors who accused\AT T and former Chairman C. Michael Armstrong of lying about\its outlook to boost its share price, the company said on\Tuesday.

AT T Settles Lawsuit for \$100 Million


AP - Former St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton was sentenced Monday to 7 1/2 years in prison for a failed murder-for-hire plot to kill his agent.

Danton Sentenced to 7 1/2 Years (AP)


A dominant defensive performance and a 21-point lead left the Indianapolis Colts with precious little to fret about at halftime Sunday at the RCA Dome, save the inconsequential.

5 TDs keep Manning on pace for NFL record


An electronic eye that can be fitted to a pair of glasses could help the blind cross roads more safely.

Street Smarts: A Device to Help the Blind Find Crosswalks


AP - The Supreme Court was asked Friday to hold two Internet file-sharing services responsible for their customers' online swapping of copyrighted songs and movies.

Court Asked to Settle File-Sharing Dispute (AP)


AP - Germany's BMW AG said Monday the head of its ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce car brand, Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, has resigned to take up

Rolls-Royce Boss Steps Down After 5 Months (AP)


Lisa Fernandez pitches a three-hitter Sunday and as the Americans roll to their eighth shutout in eight days, 5-0 over Australia, putting them into the gold medal game.

U.S. Beats Australia, 5-0


A report by the Army's inspector general concludes that a controversial data-mining project involving airline passenger records did not violate federal privacy law. Critics say the report misinterprets the law. By Ryan Singel.

Army: JetBlue Data Use Was Legal


Reuters - Microsoft Corp.'s  widely\anticipated search engine, which launched in test mode on\Thursday, encountered some glitches on its first day, the\world's largest software maker said.

Microsoft Search Encounters Glitches on First Day (Reuters)


We are born to run. According to new research, our bodies are highly evolved for running long distances, an ability that allowed our ancestors to conquer the African savannahs.

Evolution made humans marathon runners


AP - The replacement crew for the International Space Station started two days of preflight exams Monday, part of final preparations to relieve the two-man Russian-American crew finishing a six-month mission.

Space Station Crew Begins Preflight Exams (AP)


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sports Network) - LeBron James, playing  his first game since suffering a facial fracture, scored a  game-high 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six  assists to lead Cleveland to a 94-83 win over the Bobcats at  Charlotte Coliseum.

NBA: James Returns to Lead Cavaliers Over Bobcats


Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan ecologist who last week was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, on Saturday repeated her belief that HIV was created by scientists for biological warfare, Agence France-Presse reports.

Nobel Peace Prize winner says HIV was created for biological <b>...</b>


The first Olympic Games were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia, famous for its magnificent temples of the gods Zeus and Hera. Take the Rediff Business Quiz and find out what role the corporates play in the ...

Olympic Games


BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA -

Gates pitches computer science, biology studies


London, September 22: Britain #39;s leading insurance company Aviva on Wednesday announced plans to shift another 760 jobs to India, in addition to the 3,700 jobs already created in the country.

Aviva to shift 950 jobs to India, Sri Lanka


washingtonpost.com - Microsoft Corp. announced this week it is making the programming code for its Office 2003 software suite available to government agencies around the globe, a move partly aimed at allowing them to inspect the product for flaws and security problems.

Microsoft to Share Source Code With Governments (washingtonpost.com)


BAGHDAD, Iraq Oct. 4, 2004 - Two car bombs ripped through Baghdad streets on Monday, with one blast killing at least 15 people and wounding 81 at an entrance to the Green Zone, the seat of the US Embassy and key Iraqi government offices, officials said.

Two Blasts Rip Through Baghdad, Killing 15


South African police say the son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was planning to flee the country before his arrest on suspicion of involvement in a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

South African Police: Thatcher Preparing to Flee Before Arrest


Last year #39;s US-led invasion of Iraq and ousting of President Saddam Hussein has made the world more dangerous, French President Jacques Chirac said on the eve of a state visit to key US ally Britain.

Chirac Says Iraq War Created More Dangerous World


Wall Street helped Aether Systems Inc. become a wunderkind of the wireless data industry in 1999. But when its strategy to build a wireless empire collapsed, it turned to the small Arlington investment bank of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group Inc. for a solution.

Wireless Solution Illustrates Success of Unorthodox Strategies


It took nearly 11 hours and 26 innings for the Red Sox to shed the humiliation of falling behind 3-0 in a best-of-seven ALCS via an unholy 19-8 shellacking, but shed it they did.

My gawd, what if the Red Sox ever won?


The first American military intelligence soldier to be court-martialed over the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal was sentenced Saturday to eight months in jail, a reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.

US Intelligence Soldier Jailed for Abu Ghraib Abuse


Netflix Inc. and TiVo Inc. are teaming up to work with Hollywood studios to develop technology for the delivery of video programming over the Internet.

Netflix, TiVo Partner To Offer Online Films


Microsoft settled with Novell for \$536 million. Novell also intends to file a new suit againt Microsoft regrading word-processing software.

Microsoft Settles With Novell and a Trade Group


Mikhail Youzhny won the second title of his career with a straightforward victory over Karol Beck in the final of the St Petersburg Open on Sunday.

Youzhny wins St Petersburg title


Australian bank ANZ and Cambodia #39;s Royal Group have teamed up in a \$18 million venture that will bring electronic banking to the impoverished Southeast Asian nation, company officials said Tuesday.

ANZ, Royal Group Join on Bank in Cambodia


AP - Suspected Muslim militants detonated a car bomb Thursday outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, killing nine people and wounding 173 in a bloody strike at a key U.S. ally in the war in Iraq.

Jakarta Embassy Blast Kills 9, Hurts 173 (AP)


Plate umpire Brian O #39;Nora became ill during the game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets on Wednesday night, causing a delay of nine minutes.

Plate umpire O #39;Nora ill, game delayed


A mid Wales man with a terrifying and risky hobby explains why he is fascinated by extreme weather.

The art of safe storm-chasing


Square Enix, the world #39;s biggest maker of role-playing computer games, and rivals including Koei Co. are counting on the new consoles from Japan #39;s Sony Corp.

Square Enix, Gamemakers Count on Sony, Nintendo to Boost Sales


Microsoft's Web site lists about 40 software programs that may be hampered when its Service Pack 2 is installed and 50 that don't seem to be compatible at all -- these aren't obscure titles, either.
<FONT face=

SP2 Fights Worms, Has Bugs


AP - During the dot-com boom, people who didn't want to miss out on the Web and e-mail craze but didn't want to buy a real computer could get WebTV, which delivered the Internet through the warm, friendly glow of their TV sets.

Product Review: MSN's WebTV Grows Up (AP)


Five judges of India #39;s top court will hear a petition by Zee Telefilms Ltd. on Tuesday contesting the cancellation of a \$308-million contract for the rights to broadcast Indian cricket matches on television.

UPDATE 1-Indian court to hear cricket telecast case Tuesday


A man accused of infecting computers with intrusive  quot;spyware quot; and then trying to sell people the solution has denied any wrongdoing.

Man accused of infecting computers with  quot;spyware quot; says he #39;s <b>...</b>


WHAT MICROSOFT DID: Paid \$536 million cash to rival Novell Inc. to settle potential antitrust complaints over Microsoft #39;s alleged actions toward Novell #39;s Netware operating system, which competes with Windows software.

Microsoft cash makes some legal problems disappear


HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Kurt Busch got his first big break in NASCAR by winning a 1999 talent audition nicknamed  quot;The Gong Show. quot; He was selected from dozens of unknown, young race drivers to work for one of the sport #39;s most famous team owners, Jack Roush.

In The Fast Lane: Busch wins NASCAR title


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar gained broadly on Friday  for the third straight session, as strong U.S. economic data  gave traders additional reasons to take profits in other  currencies before the year's end.

Dollar Rallies in Year-End Profit-Taking


MADRID (Reuters) - Bomb explosions hit five petrol stations  in the Madrid area on Friday after a telephoned warning from  armed Basque separatist group ETA, police said.

ETA Returns with Five Bombs in Madrid, No Injuries


LOS ANGELES -

Long-Running Shows to Take Final Emmys Bow


President Jacques Chirac inaugurated Europe #39;s highest bridge yesterday, a creation taller than the Eiffel Tower, longer than the Champs Elyses and designed to end a traffic bottleneck in southern France.

Europe #39;s highest bridge links art and engineering


LONDON (Reuters) - Video game and mobile phone companies  are set to make money this year as customers use phones to zap  space invaders or sink game-winning golf putts, pushing the  mobile gaming market over \$1 billion, a study said.

Mobile Phone Gaming to Top \$1 Billion in '04


The United Nations called on Monday for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo as fighting between rival army factions flared for a third day.

UN calls for immediate end to Congo fighting


Ed Orgeron, Southern California #39;s assistant head coach and defensive line coach, has agreed to become the new coach at Mississippi, USC athletic department sources have told ESPN.

Orgeron to finalize deal with Rebels


Gaming giant Electronic Arts will boost production of video games for mobile phones over the next nine months, bringing top-selling franchises  quot;Fifa Football quot; and  quot;The Sims quot; to handsets, the company says.

EA to boost mobile-phone games