LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices hit new record highs Monday  and the dollar slid against major currencies, piling up worries  in financial markets about slower growth and thinner corporate  profits.

Oil Hits High; Dollar, Stocks Slide


AP - Jeremy Wariner is just 20 years old. He just led a U.S. sweep in the 400 meters at the Olympic Games. So c'mon kid, get excited! Cool, calm and with a fluid running style all his own, the lean Baylor University student raced to the gold medal Monday night wearing sunglasses, two earrings and a jingling necklace.

Cool, Calm Wariner Races to 400 Gold (AP)


CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo  Chavez has survived a referendum to recall him, according to  preliminary results released by the country's top electoral  officer on Monday.

Chavez Wins Venezuela Referendum-Preliminary Result


Chipmaker Intel will spend \$40m to expand in the southern Indian city of Bangalore over the next two years. Intel Chief Executive Craig Barrett on Friday laid the foundation of a new Intel building in Bangalore

Intel lays deeper Indian foundations


Reuters - The number of Americans lining up to\claim an initial week of jobless aid rose less than expected\last week, according to a report on Thursday that the Labor\Department said was unaffected by recent hurricanes.

Jobless Claims Up Less Than Expected (Reuters)


Reuters - Filipinos mourned the death of movie\legend Fernando Poe Jr on Tuesday after the actor who nearly\unseated Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in May's presidential election\suffered a stroke at the weekend.

Philippines Mourns Poe, Film Star Who Ran for President (Reuters)


Invesco Funds Group will become part of a sister mutual-fund family, ending a 74-year-old Denver institution and opening a door to changing the name of the city #39;s football stadium.

Invesco to be merged into AIM family


Reuters - Indiana Pacers forward\Jermaine O'Neal is expected to be placed on the injured list\prior to the beginning of the regular season as he continues to\suffer from a sore left foot.

Pacers' O'Neal Expected to Go on Injured List (Reuters)


AP - Venus Williams reached the second round of the Swisscom Challenge with a 6-2, 6-2 victory Tuesday over Karolina Sprem, who upset her in the second round at Wimbledon.

Venus Beats Sprem at Swisscom Challenge (AP)


AP - Down a steep staircase littered with glass shards and rubble, U.S. Marines descended Thursday to a dark basement believed to have been one of Fallujah's torture chambers. They found bloodstains and a single bloody hand print on the wall  #151; evidence of the horrors once carried out in this former insurgent stronghold.

Marines Find Alleged Iraqi Torture Chamber (AP)


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

Greenspan Rate Warning Spooks Treasuries (Reuters)


Bloomfield Hills, MI (Sports Network) - No matter what you did on Thursday, I #39;ve got you topped. I attended the Opening Ceremonies for the 35th Ryder Cup Matches and what a show this was, but a different one from years past.

Thursday at the Ryder Cup


Ericsson, the world #39;s largest maker of mobile phone networks, posted a quarterly profit on Friday, but reported disappointing new orders and offered a subdued outlook for 2005.

Ericsson Returns to Profit but Lowers 2005 Outlook


The Braves prevailed, 6-5, after coming back from a three-run deficit against the Houston Astros after Roger Clemens came out of the game.

Atlanta Forces Game 5


The chancellor presses the G8 to freeze all debts owed by countries hit by the Asian tsunami disaster, the BBC learns.

Brown pushes tsunami debt relief


SEATTLE -- Marc Bulger was at his best when his teammates needed him most. Bulger threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Shaun McDonald three minutes into overtime, leading the St. Louis Rams to a thrilling 33-27 victory over the previously undefeated Seattle Seahawks yesterday.

Seahawks stunned in OT


Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen () yesterday blamed the uneven levels of democratization in Singapore and Taiwan for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong #39;s () refusal on Sunday to support Taiwan if it provoked cross-strait conflict over

MOFA says cross-strait issue misinterpreted


FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Potent but slow-moving Hurricane Frances snapped power lines and whipped the Atlantic coast with winds over 90 mph Saturday, knocking out electricity for about 2 million people and forcing Floridians to endure another day of waiting and worrying...

Sluggish Frances Cuts Power to 2M in Fla.


WASHINGTON -- It has taken five years of pretrial skirmishing, but testimony will finally begin tomorrow in the government's massive racketeering case alleging that the tobacco industry defrauded and misled the American public for almost 50 years about the health risks of cigarette smoking.

Racketeering case against tobacco industry to begin


Less than a week after a historic 29-17 victory over Pittsburgh - UConn #39;s first as a Big East Conference member -he Huskies were no match for the conference #39;s best team, West Virginia.

A Mountain Too High


Pressure from Microsoft chairman and shareholder Bill Gates over a sagging financial outlook and news that Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has bought nearly 9 percent of Six Flags, Inc. drove the amusement park company's shares up more than 25 percent Tuesday.

Snyder Takes Stake in Six Flags


Reuters - Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli\cracked solo homers and rookie Scott Kazmir out-duelled Pedro\Martinez to lead the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 5-2 road win\over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.

AL Wrap: Devil Rays Humble Red Sox, Yankees Triumph (Reuters)


It is reported that another  quot;Champion Supermarket quot; of French retailer Carrefour will open soon in Guangming Village, Haidian District in Beijing.

Foreign retailers #39; enclosure of land competition in China


National City Corp. (NCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose a greater-than-expected 72 percent, helped by a recent acquisition and its consumer and corporate banking businesses.

UPDATE 2-National City 3rd-quarter profit rises 72 pct


The number of people out of work in the UK fell by 29,000 between August and October to 1.39 million, the latest official figures have shown.

Jobless level continues to fall


Europe and the United States kept up a war of words over the sliding US dollar at a G20 meeting of rich and developing nations, blaming each other for the currency #39;s fall and avoiding new steps or rhetoric to halt it.

US, Europe play blame game over sliding dollar


PC World - Consumer group complains of higher prices in U.K. than elsewhere in Europe.

British Music Fans Decry ITunes Pricing (PC World)


The free-agent closer Troy Percival and the Detroit Tigers agreed Wednesday to a two-year, \$12 million contract, a move that will lead to Ugueth Urbina #39;s becoming a setup man or his being traded.

Percival to Sign With the Tigers


New Zealand made the rare move of resting its captain, and Wales named three changes for their rugby Test at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

All Blacks rest captain


DATABASE COMPANY Oracle is trying to liven up the sleepy and dull database industry by having a patch day.

Oracle has patch day


Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - A Canadian-based security expert will tell a panel on Internet pharmacies this week that mail-order drug companies could become targets for terrorists.

Security expert warns Internet pharmacies at risk from terrorists (Canadian Press)


Dell #39;s Inspiron notebook line made its big-screen debut Tuesday with the introduction of a 17-inch display. As expected, the Inspiron 9200, which starts at \$1,699, aims to use more screen real-estate to appeal

Dell fields 17-inch notebook


A fingertip test could detect patients in the earliest stages of heart disease, US scientists have claimed.

Finger test 'spots heart disease'


Investigators have determined that back-to-back coal-dust and gas blasts ripped through a mine in northern China killing at least 50 workers and leaving more than 110 trapped and feared dead, said reports on Tuesday.

China Agonizes as Hope Vanishes for Missing Miners


ZAGREB (Reuters) - Under heavy police security, Croatia  removed two plaques commemorating Nazi-era officials on Friday  in the first such action since independence in 1991.

Croatia Removes Nazi-Era Leaders' Plaques


Oracle has issued an alert regarding multiple security vulnerabilities discovered across an unsettlingly wide range of its products.

Oracle Products Exposed To Hackers


Halliburton Co. said Thursday it is restructuring its troubled engineering and construction subsidiary, and would consider selling or spinning it off should the division #39;s stock performance fail to improve once costly asbestos litigation is resolved.

Halliburton to Restructure Subsidiary


As he headed by car to JFK airport Saturday evening to fly to Lausanne, Switzerland, to defend his Olympic all-around championship before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, gymnast Paul Hamm was calm and collected.

Hamm #39;s case to keep gold goes to arbitrators


By Fadel al-Badrani  FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. aircraft launched a new  airstrike in the rebel-held city of Falluja on Saturday aimed  at killing supporters of a Jordanian militant who has led a  campaign of suicide bombings and kidnappings in Iraq.

U.S. Airstrike Targets Militants in Falluja


You need to adjust your asset allocation as you get older. Why not just let a fund do it for you? NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - If you feel overwhelmed by the dozens of different investing options out there

Recipes for retirement


Arsenal extended its record league unbeaten streak to 44 games with a 4-1 victory Saturday at Norwich, and 18-year-old American defender Jonathan Spector made his Premier

Arsenal extends record unbeaten run


AP - War is hell on a presidency. And it plays havoc with presidential campaigns.

Iraq Shadows Bush Presidency, Campaign (AP)


LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28 -- Shares of DreamWorks Animation Inc. soared nearly 38 percent on the first day of trading Thursday as investors anticipated Shrek-sized profits from the computer animation film studio.

DreamWorks Spinoff Sees Shares Rise 38 1st Day


NewsFactor - Sales of mobile phones took off in the second quarter, fueled in large part by replacement purchases in some regions of the world and a growing number of new users in developing markets, according to research firm Gartner.

Global Mobile-Phone Sales Set New Records (NewsFactor)


A Greek soldier guarding an Olympic facility in Athens was shot dead Monday after apparently playing game of Russian roulette with a policeman, security sources said.

Olympics: Soldier Shot Dead, Policeman Held


NASHUA, N.H. - President Bush boasted Monday of unemployment

Bush Lauds Economy in Battleground States


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

Microsoft Sets 2006 Target for Next Windows Version


On Saturday, it is 100 days since Georges Malbrunot was taken hostage, and I still feel the rage I felt on the first day. The pain of Georges #39; parents and brother is impossible to measure, the suffering of his fiance unimaginable.

The grim ordeal of France #39;s hostages


One night after his most embarrassing moment in the major leagues, Michaels went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI to lead the Philadelphia Phillies past the New York Mets 9-5 Friday.

Michaels swats one out after swatting one out


The calm air above part of the Antarctic makes it the best place on Earth for astronomy, according to the scientists who propose building a telescope in the icy wilderness.

Antarctic deemed perfect for stargazing


Continued job worries resulted in an unexpected decline in consumer confidence in September, the second consecutive monthly dip, a New York-based private research group said Tuesday.

Consumer confidence declines again in September


And it #39;s a large shadow hanging over the Baltimore Ravens. A shadow big enough to cover 5-11, 245 pounds. A shadow big enough to blot out the Jacksonville sun.

All this, and no Jamal Lewis, too?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City's hotels are full for  the last week of August, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on  Friday, boosting his claim that next week's Republican National  Convention will provide an economic boom to the city.

NYC Mayor Says Hotels Full During Convention Time


Virus writer Sven Jaschan, who claimed responsibility for the Sasser and Netsky worms, has been given a job at an internet security company.

Virus writer gets security job


After nearly a year of lawsuits against bulk e-mailers, improvements in antispam technology, and passage of the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing law (CAN-SPAM), spam fighters face an unenviable choice: They can concede

The Fog of Spam War


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - Shares of leading automakers closed on a positive note Thursday, one day after General Motors and Ford Motor posted soggy sales results for August and announced plans to scale back production.

Analysts mull production cuts, disappointing sales


A series of explosions rocked central Baghdad on Friday afternoon during a day of violence in the capital. The cause or exact location of the blasts was not immediately clear.

Explosions rock central Baghdad


BRUSSELS Europe #39;s efforts to become the world #39;s most competitive economy have failed, and the European social model faces collapse unless the Continent #39;s governments stimulate growth and create more jobs, according to a report published Wednesday.

EU failed to become the world #39;s most competitive economy, report <b>...</b>


AMD64 is a new computing platform that extends the ubiquitous x86 architecture to accommodate 64-bit processing. Formerly known as x86-64, AMDs enhancements to the x86 architecture allow users of laptops

Chartered to Manufacture AMD64 Processors in 2006


AP - Nathalie Dechy advanced to the final of the Pilot Pen tournament, using quick, accurate play to beat Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-0 Friday.

Bovina, Dechy to Meet in Pilot Pen Finals (AP)


com. DENVER (News 4) Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony says he has a tactic when he finds himself in frustrating situations with opposing fans.

Carmelo Up Close


Lebanon #39;s ambassador to Washington, Farid Abboud, who traveled to New York to observe part of the Republican National Convention, was on double duty this week in the back halls of the United Nations.

A Little Middle East Maneuvering In Downtown Manhattan


More than one way to skin a market. Sun Microsystems (nasdaq: SUNW - news - people ) believes the pricing on Solaris 10 will be irresistible: nada.

McNealy: Sun Micro Gambles On Free Operating System


Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins, joint winner of the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, died on Tuesday (October 5), Kings College London announced on Wednesday.

Maurice Wilkins dies


South Africa #39;s deputy president, Jacob Zuma, began a fight for his political life yesterday when he was repeatedly named in corruption charges against his friend and financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

Trial puts ANC in the spotlight


LONDON : Britain #39;s manufacturing industries experienced an unexpected drop in output in August, the first time since January 2002 that output has fallen for three months in a row.

British manufacturing output falls for third successive month


Insurance firm says its board now consists of its new CEO Michael Cherkasky and 10 outside members. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos.

Marsh #39;s 5 top execs leave board


Both under the hood and above it, the Apple iPod from HP looks just like the Apple iPod from Apple. It has the same Click Wheel, backlit black and white LCD screen and chrome and white case design.

MacCentral Week in Review


London - Arsenal #39;s fury at Manchester United #39;s 2-0 win in the English Premiership on Sunday spilled over into the papers on Monday with the Gunners #39; manager Arsene Wenger #39;s claiming they had been cheated.

Gunners cry foul


NewsFactor - Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) still view cost-cutting as their primary reason for making enterprise software purchases. But customer acquisition and retention ranks second, and for that reason they will spend more on CRM functionality than any other enterprise software area this year, according to data gathered by Aberdeen Research.

Aberdeen: CRM To Lead SMB Enterprise Software Spending (NewsFactor)


Google IPO Bidding Opens\\Google's IPO bidding is officially open. Google and its underwriters expect to open the auction for the shares of Google rsquo;s Class A common stock at 9:00 a.m. EST (press time) on Friday, August 13, 2004. Google bidders must have obtained a bidder ID from ipo.google.com if you ...

Google IPO Bidding Opens


CORUS, the Anglo-Dutch steel-maker, today hit a landmark point in its recovery as it revealed it had achieved its first profitable six months since its creation from the merger of British Steel and Dutch firm Royal Hoogovens in 1999.

Corus in black for first time in history


ABUJA (Reuters) - 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 with a rebel leader to avert an explosion of  violence there entered a third day.

Nigerian Leader Scolds Delta Officials, Militants


A federal jury in New York has ruled that Sun violated several patents held by Kodak when it developed its Java technology, a Kodak spokeswoman said today.

Update: Kodak wins patent lawsuit against Sun


A full season has passed since the UN Security Council gave the government in Sudan one month to stop its campaign of ethnic cleansing in the region of Darfur.

Death in the Sudan: The world can no longer delay intervention


AP - Felipe Lopez hit a tiebreaking two-run triple in the sixth inning and the Cincinnati Reds held on to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6 Tuesday night.

Reds Hold on to Beat Phillies 7-6 (AP)


IBM plans to announce today that it is getting into a fast-growing segment of the data storage industry that #39;s currently dominated by Hewlett-Packard.

IBM #39;s New Storage Play


Champion jockey Kieren Fallon is due back in the saddle at Salisbury today, after his arrest yesterday in connection with a race-fixing probe.

Fallon due to ride again today


An Australian federal court has been told that Sharman Networks, the developer of file swapping technology Kazaa, is the largest music piracy system ever seen.

Industry Claims Kazaa Copyright Pirate


Cesare Prandelli has become the second manager to leave a major European side this summer without coaching a single competitive match, quitting his new AS Roma post to care for his ailing wife.

Prandelli Cedes Roma Reins


Nextel is reportedly in advanced merger talks with Sprint, a deal that would form the third largest US cell phone company. However, there were indications a third player, Verizon Wireless, might make a run

Nextel, Sprint in advanced merger talks


The use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors, pull guard duty and perform other chores is likely to increase sevenfold by 2007, says a new UN survey, which credits dropping prices for the robot boom.

Robotic Revolution


Don Kennedy, who led St. Peter #39;s basketball team from a small-time program to major college status during his 22 years as head coach, has died.

Longtime St. Peter #39;s basketball coach Kennedy dies at 97


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The government turned aside attempts Tuesday by its language czar to exempt bilingualism initiatives from a spending review.

McCallum says no exemption for bilingualism in budget reviews (Canadian Press)


The Brazilian striker Adriano scored two goals Sunday as Inter Milan beat Udinese, 3-1, in Serie A. An Andrea Pirlo strike gave AC Milan a 1-0 victory at Cagliari, moving Milan three points behind first-place Juventus.

Soccer: Adriano paces Inter Milan


Poland will withdraw its troops from Iraq by the end of 2005 according to Poland #39;s Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski, AFP announced.

Poland Leaves Iraq December 2005


This moment, rather, is one in which all should embrace new prospects for peace in the Middle East. Ariel Sharon, who once behaved as a fierce hawk, has shown his ability to make concessions in recent months

Our Opinion: Peace prospects


In a separate incident in Baghdad, four oil workers from a Saudi Arabian firm - including an American and a Nepalese - were grabbed at gunpoint from their office.

GUNMEN KILL OFFICIAL


ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - The most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in nearly a decade killed at least 12 people in Grenada, damaged 90 percent of its homes and destroyed a prison that left criminals running loose, officials said Wednesday...

Ivan Devastates Grenada, Kills at Least 12


Microsoft recently launched a  #39;Get the Facts #39; ad campaign telling consumers Linux isn #39;t cheaper than Windows. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) thinks they should get the facts too - but it #39;s warned Microsoft to make sure theirs straight first.

Linux 10 times more expensive? Get the facts, watchdog tells <b>...</b>


It #39;s the unwritten rule of sports. A starter who has to sit out games because of an injury should return to the lineup once healthy.

Bowden made right decision picking Sexton


Lexar Media today at Photokina (Hall 1.2, B-058) introduced two new Professional CompactFlash Readers designed for nearly instantaneous data transfer as well enhanced version of its multicard readers.

Lexar launches new media card readers


VIENNA: France, Britain and Germany failed to reach a deal with Iran on Wednesday under which Tehran would scrap its uranium enrichment programme in exchange for nuclear power technology, but the two sides agreed to meet again.

REGION: EU and Iran fail to reach nuclear deal


New Wi-Fi chips increase range of wireless networks by 50 percent, according to the company.

Broadcom Wi-Fi chips increase range


Veteran driver Joe Nemechek earns his second straight pole Friday in Kansas City after having gone four years without winning one.

Nemechek Nabs Pole


Posh toy seller FAO Schwarz, forced into bankruptcy after a price war with discount giants like Wal-Mart, hopes offerings like a \$12,000 treehouse will lure the

FAO Schwarz takes high-end road for survival


Engineers at Hewlett-Packard Co. are working on

HP Touts Software to Slow Computer Worms


ABUJA (Reuters) - A general strike in oil exporter Nigeria  may be extended beyond Thursday if the government continues to  crack down on protesters violently, union chief Adams  Oshiomhole said on Tuesday.

Nigeria General Strike May Be Extended - Union


Moises Alou, who hit a career-best 39 home runs last season but doesn't expect the Cubs to re-sign him after they declined his \$11 million option, dismisses reports that Chicago will trade Sammy Sosa this winter.

Alou goes to bat for Sosa


AFP - The UN Security Council voted on Tuesday to hold a rare meeting in Africa next month to try to focus international attention on the Sudan, site of Africa's longest-running civil war.

UN Security Council going to Africa for Sudan meet (AFP)


Crude prices have hit record highs as Nigeria emerges as the new focus of worries about supply security on world oil markets. London Brent on the International Petroleum

Oil price hits record on Nigeria worries


THOMASTOWN, Ireland (Reuters) - World number three Ernie  Els overcame difficult weather conditions to fire a sparkling  eight-under-par 64 and move two shots clear after two rounds of  the WGC-American Express Championship Friday.

Els Shoots a 64 to Move Two Clear at Mount Juliet


Here #39;s what consumers ought to know about flying on the dominant airline for much of the Carolinas. Q. Will US Airways keep flying if the airline files again for bankruptcy?

MR. WATCHDOG Plan ahead to protect interests


US interest rates would rise and the dollar would fall if Asian central banks slowed their recent heavy purchases of US assets, the New York Federal Reserve warned in a report on Thursday.

NY Fed-Slower cenbank buying would hit dlr, rates


WASHINGTON -- Revolution striker Taylor Twellman played half of last night's game against D.C. United with a right foot injury and plans to undergo an X-ray today.

Twellman: Booting painful


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc. <A HREF=

Cisco Unveils New Routers for Business


America's trade deficit swelled to a record high of \$55.5 billion in October as imports -- including those from China -- surged to the loftiest levels ever. Skyrocketing crude oil prices also contributed to the yawning trade gap.

US trade deficit hits record high


The San Diego-based maker of data storage products said in a statement that it plans to cut 145 regular and temporary personnel worldwide, and will incur restructuring charges of between \$5 million and \$7 million.

Brief: Iomega to cut workforce by 25 in restructuring


Jose Pekerman is to be offered the job of Argentinian football coach after Carlos Bianchi turned it down it was announced on Wednesday.

Bianchi turns down Argentine coach post


ATHENS, Greece  Take Mark Spitz off his back, and this Phelps kid is pretty fast.  quot;It is, quot; Michael Phelps conceded,  quot;a little bit easier to get up on the (starting) block. quot; ...

Phelps gets that golden feeling again


Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest retailer, said on Saturday it still sees a 2 to 4 percent increase in October sales at its stores open at least a year.

Wal-Mart Keeps Same-Store Sales Outlook


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Boston Celtics added a healthy Tom Gugliotta and deleted injured Delonte West. Gugliotta, 34, was activated Wednesday from the injured list after missing seven games because of lower back pain.

Gugliotta returns to Celtics lineup


AP - The safety of Celebrex and other pain relievers was questioned Wednesday as scientists in the United States and regulatory agencies in Europe said they feared such drugs might raise the same risk of heart problems as those blamed on the arthritis medicine Vioxx.

Report: Other Drugs May Raise Heart Risks (AP)


European shares edged higher Tuesday, with easing oil prices underpinning market sentiment, but investors were cautious ahead of a neck-and-neck race in the US presidential elections.

Europe awaits US poll verdict


ATLANTA -- Pilots for Delta Air Lines have begun to cast ballots on a union contract proposal that would slash their salaries by nearly a third.

Delta Pilots Vote On One-Third Pay Cut


Mobile phone giant MMO2 is teaming up with Japanese group NTT DoCoMo to launch i-mode internet services in the UK, Germany and Ireland.

MMO2 signs Japanese internet deal


The Astros lifted a 42-year-old hex when they eliminated the Braves Monday night and advanced past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Houston lifers such as Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell were finally liberated from years of postseason futility, but former Yankee Andy Pettitte, already the owner of four World ...

Being on sideline isn't sitting well with Pettitte


Auto-parts maker Intermet Corp. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, blaming soaring prices for scrap steel and other raw materials.

Update 1: Intermet Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy


Michael D. Eisner told the board of directors Thursday that he plans to step down in two years.

Eisner to Step Down as Disney Chief in 2006


AP - Still deliberating on where to move the Montreal Expos, members of baseball's relocation committee scheduled a new round of meetings this week.

Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Expos Move (AP)


Hardbeatnews.com, JOHANNESBURG, SA, Tues. Oct. 12: Jean Bertrand Aristide is thousands of miles away from South Africa but remains tuned to the strife ongoing in his homeland of Haiti.

Aristide Calls For Dialogue In Haiti


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell sharply on Friday as  investors were jolted by a \$2 jump in oil prices and a warning  from Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan that the dollar  had further to fall.

Stocks Tumble; Greenspan Jolts Investors


AFP - A millionaire British arms dealer is reportedly fuelling a bloody civil war in Sudan by arranging to supply its government with tanks, rocket launchers and a cruise missile.

British businessman selling arms to Sudan: report (AFP)


He sold the soul of rock 'n' roll and turned FM into a musical wasteland. Now he has 130 satellite channels and says we won't get fooled again. By Richard Martin from Wired magazine.

The Future of Radio?


The Philippine film legend who came close to defeating Gloria Arroyo in the presidential race in May died early today after suffering a stroke.

Film star politician dies in Philippines


The Palestinian prime minister calls for new peace efforts with Israel, a day after Yasser Arafat's burial.

Palestinians call for peace talks


AP - Miami Dolphins wide receiver David Boston was suspended by the NFL for four games for testing positive for steroids, but he will not miss any games because he is out for the season with a knee injury.

Dolphins WR Boston Suspended Four Games (AP)


com. As I write this column, I #39;m trying to send an important e-mail. I #39;ve got Microsoft Outlook open in another window. Every once in a while, I Alt-Tab over to that window to see if the little hourglass has gone away.

All Windows E-Mail Clients Suck


Stubbs the Zombie being built on top of the Halo engine; Aspyr pegs summer  #39;05 as day the bloody demon arrives. Exclusive screens, developer video inside.

New game from Wideload, Alex Seropian named, dated


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A computer hacker accessed names  and Social Security numbers of about 1.4 million Californians  after breaking into a University of California, Berkeley,  computer system in perhaps the worst attack of its kind ever  suffered by the school, officials said on Tuesday.

Hacker Hits California University Computer


The University of Waterloo has bumped the University of Guelph out of first place and into second in Maclean #39;s magazine #39;s annual assessment of comprehensive Canadian universities.

U. of Waterloo tops Maclean #39;s university ranking


Japan issued a deportation order on Tuesday against former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, who is wanted in the United States for defying sanctions, but his lawyer immediately filed an appeal, blocking the move.

Japan Issues Order to Deport Ex-Chess Champ Fischer


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

Andrew Tumbles in Before-The-Bell Trade


WITH the heavens set to open over Melbourne this morning, one of Australia #39;s biggest bookmakers predicts a rush of money so large for Irish galloper Vinnie Roe that he will become the new favourite for today #39;s Melbourne Cup.

Wet-weather plunge on Vinnie


Bulgaria is reluctant to write off a US\$1.7 billion (euro1.3 billion) debt it is owed by Iraq, despite mounting international pressure on Iraq #39;s creditors to agree on substantial debt reduction, officials said Monday.

Bulgaria Reluctant to Write Off Iraqi Debt


It may have been raining outside in Seville today but it didn #39;t dampen the mood of either the Spanish or American teams, as they appeared before the world #39;s press.

Rain in Spain Doesn #39;t Dampen Spirits


A man is arrested after attacking two pilots and a passenger with an axe on an internal flight in Norway.

Passenger attacks pilots with axe


Ignoring advice from state election officials to junk Florida's felon no-vote list because it's inaccurate, Gov. Bush puts the list in play, according to a newspaper report. The same database wrongly disenfranchised 2,500 voters in 2000, most of them Democrats.

Jeb Bush Keeps Felon List


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

Calpine Accounts Questioned


AFP - Sterling bulked up some by the end of the session. Earlier the pound had been on the backfoot after softer than expected inflation numbers for August cemented expectations that the Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee may not raise the cost of borrowing too much further from its current 4.75 percent.

Sterling recovers from inflation-rate pressure (AFP)


LOUISVILLE, Ky. Nov 25, 2004 - Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe will not fight Kenny Craven on Saturday because of a shoulder injury.

Bowe to Miss Fight Due to Shoulder Injury


originally offered on notebook PCs -- to its Opteron 32- and 64-bit x86 processors for server applications. The technology will help servers to run

AMD Adds Power Management to Opteron


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

Largest Quake Since Oct. Hits St. Helens (AP)


AP - Nearly a year since it was sold by Vivendi Universal to private investors, online retailer eMusic has undergone a facelift that includes a panel of music critics to help users comb its trove of independent music.

Revamped EMusic Targets Indie Market (AP)


PC World - BTX technology cools down the company's new 700GR desktop.

Gateway PC Delivers New Motherboard Standard (PC World)


Roger Clemens takes the mound for Houston tonight in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series as the Astros and the Cardinals vie for a World Series berth and a trip to Boston.

NL Takes Center Stage


AP - The Environmental Protection Agency is leaning toward allowing sewage plants to skip some stages of treatment during heavy rains or melting slow as long as the treated water meets all permits and other safeguards are provided, agency sources said Wednesday.

EPA Nears New Storm Sewage Guidlines (AP)


Gold Fields has made a secret offer to buy out its largest shareholder as a last-ditch defence against a hostile \$8.1bn (4.35bn) bid from Harmony, its rival South African gold producer.

Gold Fields to bid for \$2bn Norilsk stake


Tickets for individual Celtics home games for the 2004-05 season will go on sale today at 11 a.m.

Celtics tickets on sale


OTTAWA (Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp. <NT.TO> <NT.TO>posted long-awaited preliminary results for the first half of2004 on Thursday, estimating first and second quarter earningsbetween nil and 1 cent per share.

Nortel to Cut 3,500 Jobs to Boost Profit


Tim Carter, the New York Giants' best deep-threat wide receiver, might miss the rest of the season with a hip injury.

Giants May Lose Carter


BESLAN, Russia -- The hostage standoff at a school near Chechnya ended tragically yesterday with more than 200 children and adults reported killed and hundreds injured in an afternoon of fighting.

Over 200 dead at Russia school


Israel #39;s military commander of the Gaza Strip area, Brig.-Gen. Shmuel Zakai, announced his resignation Thursday amid a leaked media report scandal.

Israeli military commander of Gaza quits


DESPITE a generous offer from the Hibs midfielder, Craig Rocastle, Rangers are unlikely to appeal against the ordering-off of striker Nacho Novo in debatable circumstances in the Ibrox sides 1-0 victory at Easter Road yesterday.

Rocastle admits Novo dismissal was  #39;harsh #39;


MacCentral - Apple on Monday released AirPort 4.1, an update to the drivers for its wireless networking hardware running under Mac OS X v10.3. AirPort 4.1 is available for download from the Software Update system preference pane, and more information is available online.

Apple releases AirPort 4.1 (MacCentral)


All the heat and pressure are on them for a change now, and if they lose the next two games and this playoff series to Boston, we may witness two unique phenomena simultaneously: the reversal of an 84-year-old Curse and George Steinbrenner #39;s head

Now, Yanks are on hot seat


Southern California took the top spot Monday in the season's first Bowl Championship Series standings, but surprisingly Miami is ahead of Oklahoma in a close race for the second spot.    Oklahoma is No...

USC and Miami Atop First BCS Standings


Stocks were trading mixed today following a lower reading on manufacturing activity and a spike in oil prices

Stocks Are Mixed as Oil Prices Rise


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saboteurs have bombed two oil pipelines  transporting crude from northern and eastern Iraq to Baghdad's  Dora refinery, officials said on Saturday.

Saboteurs Bomb Iraqi Pipelines to Baghdad


Is it possible to outrun evolution? Two new lizard-behavior studies look at why it's not always just the fittest that survive.

Lizards Help Explain Survival of the Not-So-Fittest


Consumers may notice their monthly bank statements are considerably lighter now that banks no longer have to return paper checks but instead can return digital images or substitute versions of the checks.

Changes in check-processing lie ahead


MONTREAL (CP) - The Expos may be history, but their demise has heated up the market for team memorabilia. Vintage 1970s and 1980s shirts are already sold out, but everything from caps, beer glasses and key-chains to dolls of mascot Youppi!

Memories and memorabilia all that #39;s left as Expos set to leave <b>...</b>


The NFL Europe League has pulled the plug on the Scottish Claymores in favour of another German team. The Claymores have been part of the NFLEL since 1995, posting an average attendance of 10,799.

Scottish Claymores bite the dust


Top Silicon Valley venture capitalists who missed out on the Google deal are scratching their heads.

Google Is One for the Books, Leaving Some With Regrets


Business got better for Boston hotels last month, as events including the Democratic National Convention and Macworld brought plenty of guests and higher rates than local hoteliers have seen in recent years, according to a study released yesterday.

Conventions boost Hub hotel revenue


WASHINGTON - A lawyer for the tobacco industry on Wednesday rejected the government's claim that cigarette companies conspired for decades to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking and should forfeit \$280 billion generated by the alleged fraud.    To win the case, the government must prove the scheme existed and is likely to continue...

Big Tobacco Disputes Conspiracy Claim


Kansas University officials will release the contract of Athletic Director Lew Perkins during a press conference Friday evening. Todd Cohen, a KU spokesman, said Perkins and Chancellor Robert Hemenway will

KU to release information on Perkins #39; contract


AFP - Sterling slipped against the euro in the wake of further evidence that the housing market boom is coming to an end, suggesting that interest rates are close to their peak.

Sterling loses ground against euro (AFP)


The fight for the support of conservationists, hunters and anglers is being waged from the pages of Field and Stream magazine to the strategy sessions of the Sierra Club.

A Quiet Struggle for the Conservationist Vote


Nov. 14: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will formally put forward General Pervez Musharrafs proposals for Kashmir when he arrives here later this month.

Pervez plan on way to Delhi


ATHENS (Reuters) - To prepare for the Olympics, Kerri  Pottharst practiced serving with her team mate screaming in her  ear.

Beach Volleyball: Australia in with a Shout


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The PIMCO mutual fund group's  adviser and two affiliates will pay \$11.6 million to settle  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges involving  improper

PIMCO Adviser in \$11.6 Mln SEC Settlement


Credit Suisse today announced that up to 300 jobs will be lost in an overhaul of its troubled investment banking business. The company said its investment arm - Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) - would be

Jobs cut in Credit Suisse reshuffle


A mortar barrage hammered the heavily fortified Green Zone and elsewhere in central Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least one person and underscoring the vulnerability of even Iraq #39;s best-protected areas ahead of national elections.

Mortar barrage kills one, wounds several in central Baghdad


In a heavy blow to Microsoft #39;s intellectual property rights, the US Patent and Trademark Office has initially rejected Microsoft #39;s patent claims on the universally popular FAT (file allocation table) file system.

Microsoft #39;s FAT Patent Rejected for Now


Shares in the LSE jumped nearly 26 per cent to a new record at 540 pence after Deutsche Boerse made a 1.3-billion approach, which was rejected by Europe #39;s biggest equity market.

Eurostocks close higher


Reuters - Scientists said Wednesday they have\identified key genes involved in the body's response to HIV,\which causes AIDS -- a finding that could narrow the search for\an effective vaccine against the deadly illness.

Scientists Find Gene Clue in Hunt for AIDS Vaccine (Reuters)


Asian number one Ai Sugiyama and last year #39;s runner-up Chanda Rubin slumped to first round defeats at the Wismilak International on Wednesday.

Sugiyama dumped out by tour debutante


King Norodom Sihanouk #39;s abdication announcement is not the first time the mercurial and enigmatic Cambodian has caught his nation by surprise.

Profile: King Norodom Sihanouk


India #39;s prime minister offered Wednesday to hold unconditional talks on Kashmir  quot;with anyone and everyone quot; as his country began withdrawing troops from the divided Himalayan region as a goodwill gesture to rival Pakistan.

India Offers Kashmir Talks, Pulls Troops


The first Westerners were kidnapped in Afghanistan yesterday when three UN election officials were bundled into a car by gunmen who ran their vehicle off the road in the capital Kabul.

Westerners kidnapped in Afghanistan


Difficult questions. Questions about the futures of Felix Trinidad and Ricardo Mayorga. Very likely they will be questions only one of them will be able to answer.

Trinidad set to punch back in


MONTREAL (CP) - BCE Inc. is posting a special charge of \$985 million as 5,052 workers - 11 per cent of the workforce - take advantage of buyouts announced earlier this year.

BCE #39;s Q3 profit sinks to \$82M from \$446M as over 5,000 workers <b>...</b>


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasuries prices were under pressure  on Tuesday just hours before the Federal Reserve was expected  to raise U.S. interest rates for the fifth time this year.

Treasury Prices Lower Before Fed Meeting


AP - U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley scored a goal Sunday to help lead PSV Eindhoven past Vitesse Arnhem 2-0 in the Dutch league  #151; the 10th straight shutout for unbeaten PSV.

Beasley Leads PSV to Another Shutout Win (AP)


Flinching in the trenches, holding around quarterback Chris Leak and even a late hit by punter Eric Wilbur plagued Florida throughout the game.

Mental miscues hurt the Gators


Former NASCAR Nextel (Winston) Cup Champion Rusty Wallace has confirmed that he will retire from the sport after the 2005 season during a much-awaited press conference in Daytona Beach on Monday.

Rusty to retire after 2005.


AP - Sudanese authorities have moved hundreds of pro-government fighters from the crisis-torn Darfur region to other parts of the country to keep them out of sight of foreign military observers demanding the militia's disarmament, a rebel leader charged Thursday.

Rebel Chief: Sudan Hides Gov't Fighters (AP)


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Kyle Orton threw for a career-high five touchdowns and ran for another to lead No. 25 Purdue to a 59-7 win over Ball State yesterday.

Boilermakers have a ball


COOL kid Wayne Rooney will spearhead a three-pronged strikeforce for England against Wales today. Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson insists not even a World Cup Final would make Rooney nervous and will place Manchester

FOOTBALL: ROONEY #39;S ALL SET TO LEAD 3-MAN STRIKEFORCE


AP - North Carolina State has the most turnovers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Florida State is among the conference leaders in takeaways.

N.C. State Eyes Florida State Wins (AP)


For the first time since closing a deal to purchase PeopleSoft for \$10.3 billion, Oracle has begun offering a glimpse of how it plans to digest its acquisition and handle what will represent four different product lines.

Oracle's Phillips talks up PeopleSoft integration


Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is considering a plan to reopen a large corporate tax loophole the General Assembly closed over his objections this year, according to state tax officials.

Schaefer, Ehrlich Spar Over Tax Shelter


VIENTIANE, Laos China moved yet another step closer in cementing its economic and diplomatic relationships with Southeast Asia today when Prime Minister Wen Jiabao signed a trade accord at a regional summit that calls for zero tariffs on a wide range of

Beijing signs pact for Asean trade


Research In Motion and Vodafone have released the BlackBerry 7100v, available exclusively for Vodafones subscribers. Like the 7100t launched earlier this month with T-Mobile USA Inc.

Vodafone launches second phone-form BlackBerry


Will this be third time lucky for dotcom boom darling?

Excite rises again like a turkey from the ashes


Microsoft Corp. is expanding a program to give government organizations access to some of its tightly guarded software blueprints amid growing competition from rivals who make such source code freely available.

Microsoft Expands Sharing of Source Code


Unam Pumas became the first team to win back-to-back titles in Mexico when they defeated Monterrey on Saturday in the second leg of the title series.

Mexico Has Repeat Champion


AP - The White House on Wednesday told 15 federal agencies to better share scientific data about the Earth among themselves and with other nations.

15 U.S. Agencies Told to Share Earth Data (AP)


The men #39;s single slalom canoe race ended with balled fists and shouts of joy for Stefan Pfannmller. But for Germany #39;s women, there was nothing to celebrate.

Germany Paddles to Bronze


AP - Matt Harpring scored 17 points, including six in overtime, to lift the Utah Jazz past the Portland Trail Blazers 92-87 on Friday night to snap a six-game losing skid.

Jazz Oust Trail Blazers 92-87 (AP)


ATHENS, Greece - If anyone deserved a party, it was the people of Athens.    The flame went out on the Olympics during a closing ceremony Sunday night that honored the birthplace of the games with an ebullient display of Greek pride and symbolism, a relief-filled celebration of the ancient and the new...

Athens Throws a Party to Celebrate Games


CHICAGO : Aerospace giant Boeing reported a 78 percent increase in third-quarter profit on Wednesday and gave an upbeat forecast for the rest of 2004 and into 2005.

Boeing profit up 78 percent in quarter, upbeat on 2005


Reuters - Starbucks Corp.  on\Wednesday said quarterly net profit rose 47 percent, helped by\sales of new products like Frappuccino Light, aggressive store\expansion, and an extra week.

Starbucks Profit Meets Estimates (Reuters)


ATHENS -- There was an elegant symmetry to it -- from Athens to Athens, from glory back to glory. The US women's soccer team won its first Olympic gold medal eight years ago in Athens, Ga., beginning its four-year reign on top of the world. Last night, after a mighty struggle, the Americans returned there, holding off relentless Brazil, 2-1, ...

Old glory


Honeywell International Inc., the world #39;s largest supplier of building controls, agreed to buy Novar Plc for 798 million pounds (\$1.53 billion) to expand its security, fire and ventilation-systems business in Europe.

Honeywell to Buy Novar to Expand in Building Products (Update9)


JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) -- CE Ian Cockerill unveiled Gold Fields defence document on Wednesday, lacing it with barbed remarks aimed at Harmony, its CE Bernard Swanepoel and the claims he made when launching a takeover bid promoted as designed to

Gold Fields picks up US support against Harmony


Florida's hurricane-damaged orange and grapefruit crop will be even smaller than originally estimated, officials said Friday, raising the prospect of higher prices for orange juice at supermarkets and an even greater scarcity of grapefruit juice.

Florida Orange, Grapefruit Crops Reduced Further


SAN FRANCISCO - Internet users are getting more Web browser choices. On the heels of a new Netscape preview release and the launch of Firefox 1.0, a U.K. company on Thursday released a Web browser it claims is more secure than Internet Explorer (IE) or Firefox.

Deepnet browser guards against phishing


Microsoft is introducing a new line of keyboards and mice this week, including some with fingerprint readers that lets users scan a finger instead of having to enter a log-in name and password when accessing online services or logging on to the PC.

Microsoft #39;s New Mice Get Touchy


Carrie Alison, editor of the largest U2 fan Web site, confirmed that some fans are angry at the band #39;s decision. She said,  quot;Some pockets of U2 fans will rankle at the band aligning themselves with a major

U2 Fans Furious at iPod Deal


China #39;s gold-crazed masses will be allowed to trade in the precious metal under reforms that will upgrade trading on the country #39;s nascent market, state media reported Tuesday.

China to Let Individuals Trade in Gold


-ebounding from an ethics scandal that torpedoed a \$22 billion deal to lease new refueling tankers to the Air Force, Boeing (BA) on Wednesday reported a 78 jump

Defense sales boost Boeing profit 78


Reuters - The number of Americans filing new\claims for jobless benefits rose 25,000 last week to 349,000, a\government report showed on Thursday, with some analysts citing\the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday as distorting the data.

US Jobless Claims Rise More Than Expected (Reuters)


The top blew off Celtic #39;s discipline in a volcanic Old Firm derby as they lost their proud record of scoring in every meeting with Rangers since Martin O #39;Neill took over as manager in the summer of 2000.

Resurgent Rangers shatter O #39;Neill #39;s unbeaten record


A member of Sudan #39;s opposition Islamist Popular Congress has been tortured to death in detention by security forces, a party official says.

Sudan opposition says member tortured to death


Reuters - The Democratic Republic of Congo has\pulled all of its diplomats out of neighboring Burundi\following the slaughter of Congolese Tutsi refugees there last\week, its foreign minister said on Friday.

Congo Pulls Diplomats Out of Burundi (Reuters)


Bankruptcies, dominated by personal filings, fell by about 1 percent in the year that ended June 30, with business bankruptcies falling almost 4 percent, the Administrative Office of the US Courts said Friday.

Personal, corporate bankruptcies take dip


Valero LP (VLI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will buy Kaneb Services LLC (KSL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Kaneb Pipe Line Partners LP (KPP.

Valero to Buy Kaneb Services, Pipe Line


No 2. US book retailer Borders Group Inc. (BGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday posted a quarterly loss versus a year-ago profit, hurt by sluggish store traffic and a slowdown in sales of bestsellers.

Borders Posts 3rd-Quarter Loss Vs Yr. Ago


BEERSHEBA, Israel (Reuters) - Palestinian leader Marwan  Barghouthi is considering pulling out of a presidential race to  avoid splitting his mainstream Fatah faction, an Israeli-Arab  lawmaker said after visiting him in jail.

Barghouthi Mulls Pulling Out of Palestinian Election


The defense secretary also cautioned that any final decision hinged on the progress of Iraq's new government.

Rumsfeld Sees U.S. Troops Leaving Iraq Within 4 Years


Glenn McGrath celebrated his 100th test by grabbing two key wickets and putting Australia on course for a rare series victory in India on the second day of the third test on Wednesday.

UPDATE 3-Pinpoint McGrath puts Australia in command


Reuters - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration\said on Friday that Senate testimony by a veteran FDA\researcher regarding safety risks for five drugs does not\reflect the views of the agency.

FDA Says Approved Drugs Are Safe (Reuters)


Police in Holland have arrested a Dutch national suspected of supplying thousands of tonnes of nerve gas to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Dutchman suspected of aiding Saddam


The Detroit Lions reached a six-year deal with Shaun Rogers yesterday, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, his agent said. Kennard McGuire would not reveal terms of the contract, but ESPN.com reported the deal was worth \$46 million and included a \$15 million signing bonus. Rogers, 25, was selected to the Pro Bowl this year and was ...

Lions, Rogers OK six-year deal


Sharp will make its first play for the living room PC space later this year with a machine that looks less like a computer and more like a consumer electronics product.

Sharp Puts Its PC in the Living Room


SEOUL, South Korea - A large explosion occurred in the northern part of North Korea, sending a huge mushroom cloud into the air on an important anniversary of the communist regime, a South Korean news agency reported Sunday.    The Yonhap news agency, citing an unidentified source in Beijing, said the explosion happened Thursday in Yanggang province near the border with China...

Blast, Mushroom Cloud Reported in N. Korea


SOUTH Australian cricket will send an SOS to batting legends Steve Waugh and Barry Richards after the Redbacks #39; capitulation for 29 against New South Wales at the SCG yesterday.

All out for 29  SA in crisis


Buying music used to be simple: You coughed up \$14 or so for a CD, and as long as you didn #39;t bootleg it or charge crowds of people to listen to it, the music was yours.

Digital media -- knowing your rights


Before the Portuguese Grand Prix, Sito Pons had restated his position that it could well be a mistake that decides the destination of the 2004 world championship.

Pictures: Biaggi hits Capirossi.


TAIPEI - China is secretly mapping underwater terrain in the Pacific in preparation for an eventual conflict with the United States there, reports said yesterday, quoting the Taiwanese Premier.

China  #39;preparing for conflict with US #39;


PalmSource today announced entry into an agreement for the acquisition of China MobileSoft Limited (CMS), a leading Chinese mobile phone software company with business operations headquartered with its wholly-owned subsidiary, MobileSoft Technology

PalmSource to Acquire China MobileSoft, Develop for Linux


InfoWorld - Application developers got several new options last week as Sun Microsystems updated J2SE, Borland upped its CORBA ante, and Compuware announced products that will work with Microsoft #8217;s Visual Studio 2005 toolbox.

Sun upgrades J2SE platform (InfoWorld)


Microsoft today joined the desktop search fray by releasing the beta-test version of a suite of tools designed to let users find information stored in their PCs.

Microsoft releases desktop search suite to testers


Miami's Dwyane Wade sends the game into overtime with two free throws, and wins it in the extra session with a fading jumper at the buzzer to stun Utah.

Wade Silences Jazz


A Pittsburgh research center will buy a Red Storm system and an Indian physics institute is getting an XD1.

Cray signs two supercomputing customers


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is pushing forward his unilateral  quot;disengagement quot; plan which calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the dismantling of settlements in the Gaza strip and parts of the West Bank.

Sharon #39;s Plan


The sagging US dollar plunged to a new low Thursday against the euro, which hit US\$1.3074 in a surge that has been fueled by nagging concerns about high oil prices and the US trade and budget deficits.

Update 7: Sagging Dollar Hits New Low Against Euro


The classic power struggle between Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner and former feared talent agent Michael Ovitz makes for high drama in the courtroom - and apparently on cable.

MOUSE HOUSE FLICK IN WORKS


Kathy Tremblay hoped to score a top-five finish in yesterday's Monster Challenge Triathlon. Instead, she took home first place, and a fat lip.

Tremblay and Alexander tough it out


A software developer whose program was accidentally labeled a threat is considering action against the antivirus company.

McAfee's Trojan horse error gets developer's goat


Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Unilever NV warned of profit shortfalls Monday, leading an overall decline for stocks in consumer goods makers, who face tougher competition and increased

Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever issue warnings


LONDON - Virgin Radio is to broadcast weekly chart rundowns using Napster online sales figures from August 29, beating BBC Radio One to the punch.

Virgin to launch online music chart ahead of Radio One


Hamid Karzai remained on course on Friday to win Afghanistan #39;s first direct presidential election, but with a quarter of the vote still to be counted, rivals were whittling

Karzai Rivals Whittle Away at Afghan Vote Lead


MCI Inc. (MCIP.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday reported a \$3.4 billion third-quarter loss as it wrote down the value of its assets due to a withering price war for long-distance telephone service.

MCI Reports \$3.4 Billion Loss


Aug. 27, 2004 - NAIROBI, Kenya Urgent investment is needed in North Korea to deal with severe environmental problems that have depleted the country #39;s forests, contaminated water supplies and polluted the

UN: N. Korean Environment in Poor Shape


John McEnroe believes Tim Henman can pick up the 1million winner #39;s cheque at the Tennis Master Cup in Houston next week. McEnroe, who will be at the Albert Hall for the Masters

McEnroe backs Henman


Braves left-hander Mike Hampton missed his scheduled start Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies because of a stiff neck. Hampton #39;s neck had been bothering him for the past three days, said

Braves southpaw Mike Hampton misses start against Phils with stiff <b>...</b>


Indiana Pacers center Jermaine O #39;Neal, left, collides with Detroit Pistons forward Antonio McDyess (24) while driving to the basket iin the second quarter Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Pacers Brawl With Fans During Pistons Game


Both AMD and Intel are preparing to unveil new, ultra high-end processor refreshes later this month that will push the 3.5 GHz mark.

AMD, Intel Stick with Speed for Gamers


TOKYO (Reuters) - Gains in banks and exporters helped lift  Tokyo's Nikkei average 0.84 percent by midday on Tuesday as a  fall in crude oil prices and a rebound in U.S. stocks led  buyers to pick up shares hit by the index's recent sharp  losses.

Nikkei Rises by Midday


CARACAS, Venezuela - Summoned by bugle calls and firecrackers, millions of Venezuelans turned out in unprecedented numbers Sunday to vote on whether to force leftist President Hugo Chavez from office.    Lines snaked for blocks in upscale neighborhoods, where suspicion is high that the leftist leader plans a Cuba-style dictatorship, and in the slums, where support for his

Venezuela Voters Turn Out in Huge Numbers


Iran and Europe failed to reach an accord on Tehran #39;s uranium enrichment program, the state-owned Iranian news agency said, increasing the chances the US may call for United Nations sanctions against the Islamic nation.

Iran, Europe Fail to Agree on Uranium Enrichment, IRNA Reports


La Blu-ray Disc Association a publi hier un communiqu de presse donnant la liste exacte de ses membres. Cette dernire est assez impressionnante et ce sont 73 constructeurs, dveloppeurs, diteurs ou

73 membres pour la Blu-ray Disc Association


Washington, Sept. 1. (UNI): Scientists at the US Commerce Department #39;s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are demonstrating the design of a new miniscule atomic clock that could be used

Miniscule atomic clock demonstrated in US


Clear Channel Radio has inked a five-year deal to have Fox News Radio serve as its primary national news service for more than 100 of its news/talk stations beginning in 2005.

Clear Channel tunes in Fox News as primary news provider


Six wins in a row have lifted the Green Bay Packers to the top of their division and into the NFC elite, which isn #39;t saying much.

NFL Insider


THREE massive seizures of ecstasy over the past six months, including a record 820kg bust on Saturday, could stem from a war among European organised criminals trying to carve out a market in Australia.

Ecstasy link to Europe gang war


Player representatives will gather Tuesday in Toronto for an update on the NHL #39;s nearly seven-week-old lockout. The meeting will be spiced by recent comments by a handful of players, notably the Calgary Flames

NHL player reps to meet in Toronto


But on that glorious day in May, 1963, Gordo Cooper went higher, farther, and faster than any other American. Twenty-two complete orbits around the world.

Gordo Cooper, American hero and astronaut


New Delhi, Oct. 10. - Her association with India is nearly two decades old. She is someone who had inspired environmentalists here to think big.

Maathais Indian connection...


Nearly a generation ago, in 1981, the debut of the IBM PC ushered in the personal computing era of business, a wondrous event in the history of computing that led to the immediate birth of one of the most thankless tasks in IT: desktop support.

The whining class


CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard  remained committed on Tuesday to the U.S.-led war on Iraq as  investigations continued into an unconfirmed report that two  Australians had been taken hostage and threatened with  execution.

Australia Firm on Troops After Iraq Hostage Report


Three more vulnerabilities in Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer 6.0 browser were disclosed by Danish security vendor Secunia. By Gregg Keizer, TechWeb News.

More Security Holes Found In Internet Explorer 6.0


JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) -- Gold Fields has formally announced that its proposed merger terms with Toronto-listed IAMGold, due for the vote on December 7, are unchanged but that Gold Fields will contribute \$200 million (in US dollars) less in cash to

Gold Fields #39; IAMGold bid cut by \$200 million


Chipmaker teams up with cell phone pioneer Craig McCaw. Also, PalmOne's latest Treo, and TV for the mobile set.

At wireless show, WiMax gets a nod from Intel


The Houston Astros can put themselves in the playoffs. They no longer need help from anyone else. Roger Clemens, Jeff Kent and the Astros took over the NL wild-card lead Wednesday night, beating the St.

Kent and Bagwell power Houston to 6-4 victory over St. Louis


Nine Formula 1 teams issued proposals to dramatically reduce costs in the sport next year as they turned the heat on world champions Ferrari on Saturday.

F1 teams meet on cost-cuts sans Ferrari


WASHINGTON - World finance leaders, struggling to find a way to help the world #39;s poorest countries get out from under huge debts, did not reach agreement Saturday, but promised to devise a new plan by year #39;s end.

Bank leaders fail to reach pact


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

Phelps, Thorpe Advance in 200 Freestyle (AP)


Militia fighters loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr today continued to battle US soldiers in Najaf, hours after a delegation from Iraq #39;s national conference had left the city empty-handed when its truce offer was turned down.

Najaf truce offer rejected


SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (http://bea.com/more_info.jsp?p8 amp;r=1.4.6 ) -- BEA Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:BEAS), the world #39;s leading application infrastructure software company, today announced

BEA Systems to Host Financial Analyst Conference on December 9 <b>...</b>


Rumours that the Internet would witness a sustained and devastating cyber-attack by Islamic  quot;cyber-terrorists quot; today have turned out to be completely baseless.

#39;Electronic Jihad #39; fails to materialise


InfoWorld - Gateway plans to overhaul its consumer PC lineup Thursday with new configurable models that will be sold exclusively through the company #39;s Web site and call centers.

Gateway expands PC configuration options (InfoWorld)


WASHINGTON Congress would find a  quot;Pandora #39;s box quot; of unethical conduct if it delved deeper into the growing scandal within the insurance industry.

Spitzer: Only tip of insurance scandal uncovered


The Nikkei average fell 1 percent by midsession on Tuesday as auto makers declined following a rise in crude oil to another record high, and as the yen #39;s rise against the dollar stoked concern over exporters #39; earnings.

Nikkei Falls on Higher Oil Price


Reuters - They may thrive on land and in water,\but amphibians everywhere are in serious trouble and up to a\third of species are threatened with extinction, a troubling\new study said on Friday.

Amphibian Extinctions Sound Global Eco-Alarm -Study (Reuters)


Rescuers start evacuating about 30 workers who  were trapped by a fire in a copper mine tunnel in north-western Turkey.

Rescuers reach Turkey fire miners


Thompson, CT (Sports Network) - Tom Baldwin, 57, father of Nextel Cup driver Kasey Kahne #39;s crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., was killed in a crash at the Thompson International Speedway. He was driving in a Featherlite modified race on Thursday night.

Father of crew chief killed in crash


Senator John Kerry said he wanted troops home within four years, and President Bush defended the war as

Bush and Kerry Clash Over Iraq and a Timetable


In hindsight it is becoming clear that the strong economic growth over the past two years depended on bringing in large quantities of capital from the rest of the world.

A Matter of Missing Foreign Investors


European cell phone group mmO2 has agreed to adopt the i-mode mobile Internet technology pioneered by Japan #39;s NTT DoCoMo and plans to bring

MmO2 teams up with Japan #39;s DoCoMo


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

NBA Wrap: Mavericks Come Back to Beat Golden State


For the Maryland Terrapins, however, it was hardly a routine preseason. The Terps spent 11 days in the birthplace of modern-day soccer, Britain.

English Seasoning


Mets rookie Victor Diaz stroked a tying three-run home run with two out in the ninth and Craig Brazell won it in the 11th with his first major-league homer.

Young Mets Hurt Cubs in a Game They Needed


Hot new video game titles aim at Generation XXX, where racy content falls between barely decent and indecently bare. <FONT face=

Screen Sizzlers


IQUITOS, Peru -- A few miles downriver from this city in the western Amazon jungle, Andres Alvarado hops off a boat and walks up a muddy path to a hollowed-out log resting on a wooden stand. He beats the log with a stick, sending a series of low-pitched tones into the rain forest.

With its cellphones, 3d World shrinking


AP - The nation has faced innumerable challenges in its history  #151; social, medical and political  #151; but the American spirit always bounces back, Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards said Saturday.

Edwards Addresses Black Caucus in D.C. (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Web search leader Google Inc.  <A HREF=

Google Profit Up in 1st Reported Quarter


Ford Motor Co said on Wednesday it will match rival General Motors Corp. #39;s offer of interest-free car loans for up to six years on 2004 model-year vehicles.

Ford matches GM deals


WTA Tour Championships, Los Angeles, Nov 5 - The war of words between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova has been hotting up in a bout of psychological gameswomanship before todays final of the WTA Tour Championships.

Serena, Sharapova bitching before final showdown


PATTANI, Thailand -- Thailand #39;s prime minister has said security forces made mistakes handling a group of Muslim rioters and has expressed regret that nearly 80 people died of suffocation while in custody.

Thai PM: Mistakes made over riots


TV footage dated on Sept. 19 shows 18 soldiers from the Iraqi National Guard were kidnapped by An Islamist group, who threatened to kill the hostages if a Shiite radical militia commander is not released within 48 hours.

Iraqi militant groups threaten to kill 20 hostages


Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and American President George W Bush will discuss a wide range of bilateral and international issues, including the need for the world community

PM, Bush will look to deepen  #39;strategic partnership #39;


TORONTO - In the wake of yet another avian influenza death in Thailand, the World Health Organization urged countries with flu vaccine production capacity and their manufacturers to speed up work on trial vaccines against the highly deadly H5N1 virus.

WHO urges more bird flu vaccine in wake of death


British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thursday night he will go into hospital Friday and stay overnight for a procedure to correct irregular heartbeats.

Writethru: Blair to go hospital for heart procedure


Cyber threats, chiefly viruses like NetSky and Sasser, make security an ongoing concern as it holds steady over software infrastructure as the third top priority.

AT amp;T upgrades security tools


LOS ANGELES/PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - California's insurance  commissioner on Tuesday ended his opposition to Anthem Inc.'s  <A HREF=

California OKs Anthem-WellPoint Deal


American forces Friday pushed deeper into the last remaining insurgent stronghold in Fallujah, and the Iraqi government rushed reinforcements

Americans push deeper into Fallujah; Police in Mosul lose control <b>...</b>


Madrid: Spain coach Luis Aragones landed himself in trouble on Wednesday after appearing to make a racist comment about French striker Thierry Henry during a training session.

Aragones in trouble over racist remark


The first test in nearly two years of a multibillion-dollar US anti-missile shield failed on Wednesday when the interceptor missile shut down as it prepared to launch in

US Missile Defense Test Fails


VIENNA: George W Bushs victory in the US presidential election is likely to prolong and even widen the trans-Atlantic rift, adding new urgency to a growing sense in Europe of the need for a balance to US might.

Victory spells trouble for US-Europe relations


Raytheon Co. said it plans to increase its dividend and repurchase \$700 million in shares. The Waltham-based aerospace and defense giant increased its annual dividend 10 percent to 88 cents a share from 80 cents, starting with the first quarter of 2005. Raytheon said its board also authorized \$700 million in share repurchases, which it expects to complete over 18 ...

Defense giant to increase its dividend


Orlando Hernandez on Wednesday was officially scratched from his Game Three start because of his tired right shoulder, but his replacement isn #39;t exactly healthy, either.

Torre giving Brown ball next


Reuters - British rock band Marillion has gone a step further. Since\striking off on its own in 2000, the band has used its online\site, http://marillion.com, to raise over 500,000 pounds\( #36;913,200) from fans to finance its last two albums and support\its first North American tour since 1995.

Livewire: Today's Pop Stars in It for the URLs (Reuters)


ROME - Almost 1,000 illegal immigrants have arrived at a southern Italian island over the weekend. Most are believed to be from North Africa.

Italy summons Libyan ambassador to discuss latest illegal migrants


Rashad McCants produced 19 points Wednesday night to help No. 11 North Carolina outbattle Indiana, 70-63, for its fifth straight win.

COL BKB: North Carolina 70, Indiana 63


BALTIMORE -- The Kansas City Chiefs bullied the Baltimore Ravens with a dominant performance that belied their stature as a winless team.

Chiefs #39; 1st win of season stuns Ravens #39; defense


LONDON (Reuters) - An undercover reporter smuggled fake  bomb-making equipment into the British parliament a day after  fox hunting protesters made a mockery of security by bursting  into the debating chamber.

Reporter Smuggles Fake Bomb Gear Into UK Parliament


Intel, the world #39;s largest computer chip maker, announced on Thurs-day that its directors had confirmed the selection of the company president, Paul Otellini, as chief executive.

Intel appoints Otellini as CEO


IT security and research organization The SANS Institute is releasing its annual Top 20 list of Internet security vulnerabilities this week, with the intention of offering organizations at least a starting point for addressing critical issues.

Find the Web #39;s Worst Security Flaws


WATERFORD, Ireland (Reuters) - Tiger Woods's slide down the  world rankings over the last month underlines the changing face  of golf in 2004.

New Order Reflected by Tiger's Slide in Rankings


Martin Scorsese's portrayal of aviator/billionaire/loony Howard Hughes is brilliant in places, but it fails to translate his fire and passion to the screen. By Jason Silverman.

Aviator Keeps Feet on the Ground


By DIEDTRA HENDERSON    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Doctors who receive drug company funding would be limited in what they could teach other physicians under new rules being proposed by accreditors.    The Chicago-based Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, which gives its stamp of approval for such classes, was to announce sweeping changes Tuesday to limit the influence of doctors with financial connections to the pharmaceutical industry...

Group Targets Medical Industry's Influence


Reuters - Corey Patterson scampered home\following Salomon Torres's wild pitch in the first extra inning\to give the playoff-hopeful Chicago Cubs a 5-4 win over the\host Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Tuesday.

NL Wrap: Cubs Earn 10th-Inning Win in Pittsburgh (Reuters)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Kohl's Corp. <A HREF=

Kohl's Profit Up on New Clothing Brands


SANTIAGO - High level talks on free trade and global security got underway in the Chilean capital, as ministers from 21 Pacific Rim countries convened for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit.

Demonstrations mark opening of APEC summit in Chile


AP - The sweat-stained felt hats worn by Australian cowboys, as much a part of the Outback as kangaroos and sun-baked soil, may be heading for the history books. They fail modern industrial safety standards.

Australia May Say Goodbye to Cowboy Hats (AP)


Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz meets his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on Wednesday to hold talks that are expected to put aside a recent spat over disputed

Singh, Aziz to talk after India-Pakistan spat


BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (AFP) - Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt sought to calm a row with the Democratic Republic of Congo Friday, voicing encouragement for the ex-colony #39;s political transition in a call to President Joseph Kabila.

Belgian PM seeks to calm spat with DR Congo


Silverstone racing track owners are confident they will reach an agreement with Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone for a British Grand Prix next July.

British confident of Grand Prix deal


Opponents of Ukranian premier Viktor Yanukovychdesires seek to carry their country not only to democratic rule but also to alter the direction of its history.

Kiev Protesters Look Ahead


For all but the two Blackburn Rovers fans who spoilt an otherwise thrilling afternoon #39;s entertainment by targeting Dwight Yorke for racist abuse, this was a classic to savour.

Blues display Sunday best and worst


LONDON -- Headed goals from captain John Terry and striker Eidur Gudjohnsen earned Chelsea a 2-0 Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday and virtually guaranteed the London side a spot in the knockout round.

Chelsea Punishes CSKA Errors


If all goes as scheduled Monday afternoon, NASA will set another flight-speed record with its X-43A hypersonic, scramjet research aircraft.

NASA Set To Break Aircraft Speed Record For Second Time This Year


Bahrain #39;s king pardoned a human rights activist who convicted of inciting hatred of the government and sentenced to one year in prison Sunday in a case linked to criticism of the prime minister.

Bahrain Activist Pardoned by King


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened flat on Friday  after a government report showed that the U.S. economy grew  more slowly in the second quarter but at a rate that matched  economists' forecasts.

U.S. Stocks Flat After GDP Data in Line


TEHRAN, Iran Iranian officials say it #39;s  quot;illegal quot; for the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency to make them freeze all of their uranium enrichment work.

Iran says ban on its uranium enrichment program  quot;illegal quot;


Reuters - Major League Baseball\Monday announced a decision on the appeal filed by Chicago Cubs\pitcher Kerry Wood regarding a suspension stemming from an\incident earlier this season.

Wood's Suspension Upheld (Reuters)


NEC Corp. has succeeded in reducing the size of a prototype direct methanol fuel cell for use with notebook PCs but says it is unlikely to see commercialization until at least two years later than previously forecast.

NEC delays notebook fuel cell launch


The US may change its stance on global warming despite George Bush's re-election, says UK minister.

Minister upbeat on climate change


SAN FRANCISCO - The next two weeks could have been all sunshine and beaches for the Cardinals as they enjoyed their week off basking in the glow of national attention attracted by a stunning success story.

Complete collapse


ATHENS, Greece -- In the biggest competition of her young life, Carly Patterson made a four-inch balance beam look as wide as a sidewalk. And she danced, leapt and tumbled her way across it Thursday to become only the second American to win ...

US gymnast shines


Lawyers who file frivolous lawsuits would be hit with financial penalties under legislation moving through Congress. Supporters say the bill would protect businesses from being threatened with lawsuits that have no merit.

Bill targets lawyers who file frivolous suits


The price of the Treasury #39;s 10-year note was down 1/2 point, or \$5 per \$1,000 in face value, while its yield rose to 4.18 percent from 4.12 percent late Thursday.

Update 3: Treasury Bond Prices Fall at Midday


A proposed law would limit foreign funding of churches and AIDS programs.

New Zimbabwe restrictions target aid groups


The FBI #39;s Salt Lake City office said Friday that Utah #39;s high rate of mortgage fraud has become the focus of its campaign to combat a host of white-collar crimes committed against financial institutions.

FBI targets mortgage fraud crime in Utah


ATHENS (Reuters) - Shawn Crawford led an American sweep of  Olympic medals in the 200 meters in Athens Thursday, ignoring  the jeers of a hostile crowd livid that their local hero was  not on the starting line after missing a doping test.

Olympic Wrap: Crawford Wins the 200m Amid Jeers


The purpose of this paper is to explain how attackers behave when they attempt to identify and defeat honeypots, and is useful information for security professionals who need to deploy honeypots in a more stealthy manner. Part 2 looks at Sebek-based honeypots, snort_inline, Fake AP, and Bait and Switch honeypots.

Infocus: Defeating Honeypots: Network Issues, Part 2


NEW YORK, September 8 (New Ratings) - Nokia (NOK.NYS) reportedly announced yesterday that its Series 80-based handsets, which are scheduled to be launched in 1Q05, would integrate the BlackBerry software.

Nokia #39;s Series 80 handsets to include Blackberry software


Reuters - British interest rates stayed at 4.75\percent for the fourth month running on Thursday, but\economists are split over whether the Bank of England will\raise borrowing costs again next year.

BoE Holds UK Rates at 4.75 Percent (Reuters)


Reuters - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet\passed a bill on the nuts and bolts of pulling out of occupied\Gaza Sunday, a day before he seeks approval from Israel's\parliament for his withdrawal plan.

Israeli Cabinet Passes Gaza Bill Before Key Vote (Reuters)


There has been more violence in the strife-torn republic of Chechnya, just days before the Russian region is due to elect a new president.

More violence ahead of Chechen election


AP - Steve McNair is hurting, frustrated and just wants to finally get healthy. For now, the Tennessee Titans will only say he's day to day.

McNair Day to Day With Bruised Sternum (AP)


LOS ANGELES -- The giddy head coach jumped up and down on the sideline like he #39;d just won the lottery. Walking into the room for his postgame press conference, he gave athletics director Mike Garrett a long

For USC, repeat road is tougher


In my Firefox series last week, I overlooked one of the browser's most powerful search functions: An 'always on' find as you type feature.

Another Cool Firefox Search Tool


REVITALISED former French international striker Sylvain Wiltord hit the winner in Lyon #39;s 2-1 Champions League victory at Sparta Prague in a virtuoso display contrasting sharply with his fruitless time at Arsenal.

Lyon find their Sylvain lining


threatened that they may disappear soon due to intensive agriculture and climate change, scientists say.  quot;The number of bird species in trouble across Europe is rising, quot; said BirdLife, a British-based conservation group.

Nearly half European birds species at risk


Memory-Tech will start mass production late next year of read-only discs that can contain data stored in both DVD and HD-DVDs (High Definition/High Density-DVDs) layers, a company executive says.

Dual DVD, HD-DVD Disc Developed


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is being sued in  a federal court by a job applicant who says it discriminates  against black employees seeking work as truck drivers,  according to court documents filed on Wednesday.

Wal-Mart Sued for Racial Discrimination


Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. agreed to buy the Altoids mints and Life Savers brands for \$1.48 billion from Kraft Foods Inc., its biggest acquisition ever, to expand its share of the candy market.

Wrigley to Buy Kraft #39;s Life Savers for \$1.48 Bln (Update2)


AFP - British-Irish aid worker Margaret Hassan, kidnapped by militants in Iraq last month, has most probably been killed by her captors, her family said in a statement.

Aid worker feared killed in Iraq: family (AFP)


Alive

At New American Indian Museum, Artifacts Are


Microsoft Corp. announced today the expansion of its end-user intellectual property (IP) protection policy to cover customers using a wide range of current and earlier versions of its software.

Are MS Idemnification Claims For Real?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sixth seed Andre Agassi set up a  mouthwatering quarter-final showdown with world number one  Roger Federer following a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Armenia's  Sargis Sargsian at the U.S. Open Monday.

Agassi Sets Up Federer Showdown at U.S. Open


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Northrop Grumman Corp. <A HREF=

US Awards Airliner Antimissile Contracts


House prices across the UK will come to a virtual standstill in 2005, the Nationwide Building Society predicted today. The lender said that property prices in Britain look set to rise by just 2 across the year, compared to a rise of 13 in 2004.

Nationwide predicts house price freeze


MILAN Parmalat, Finanziaria, the bankrupt Italian dairy and food giant, said Thursday that it was suing 45 banks to recover money paid to them in the year before it collapsed.

Parmalat is suing 45 more banks


AFP - A South Korean soap opera called

South Korean soap opera boosting tourism from Japan, says thinktank (AFP)


US aircraft and defence company Boeing reports a 78 jump in quarterly profits, driven by increased demand for equipment from the armed forces.

Weapons sales boost Boeing profit


Ruud van Nistelrooy has apologised to Arsenal #39;s Ashley Cole for his Old Trafford horror tackle on Sunday, after confirming he will not contest a Football Association charge of serious foul play.

Van Nistelrooy pleads guilty


The Columbus Crew extended their unbeaten streak to an MLS record 14 games in a season with a 1-0 win over visiting DC United last night.

Crew remain on top of things


According to a report in the Financial Times, Symantecs local office has announced that a program called Freegate, which allows users in China to access government-blocked Web sites, should be considered a Trojan horse.

Symantec: Anti-Blocking Software Is A Trojan


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Newlywed Marc Schlotthauer had just returned from his honeymoon in California and fallen asleep in his Stayton bedroom, when his heart stopped cold...

Cardiac Researchers Make Surprising Heart Find


In what could prove to be one the great second acts in Internet history, erstwhile king of spam Sanford Wallace takes center stage this week as exhibit A in a federal crackdown on invasive online advertising software.

From spam king to spy master?


Most Arab governments have decided to put their stock in George W. Bush for another term, concluding prematurely that the American presidential elections have been decided in favor of the Republican candidate.

Most Arab Governments are Putting Their Stock in George Bush for a <b>...</b>


Union leaders and advocates for the poor are uniting behind an effort to raise the state's \$6.75-an-hour minimum wage for the first time since 2001 and to tie future increases to the inflation rate, a move that would make Massachusetts only the fourth state in the nation to establish that link.

Support builds for minimum wage hike


New Design for My Yahoo Adds Screen Real Estate\\Yahoo is now allowing My Yahoo users to test out the new My Yahoo layout. Yahoo! lists the new features to be found at the new My Yahoo here. Jeremy Zawodny has some great information on this in his entry named New ...


AP - It's party time for trade associations, companies and interest groups at the GOP convention in New York, and each is trying to outdo the next in gimmicks to lure in movers and shakers.

Special Interests Woo Powerful at RNC (AP)


President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan has often embarked on an uncharted and unconventional way in expressing his views. His comments on the state of Islamic nations have earlier aroused a lot of interest among Muslims and non-Muslims.

President Musharraf #39;s bold initiative


AP - Former Washington Mayor Marion Barry, infamous for being caught smoking crack on an FBI videotape, has made it back to city hall  #151; again.

Marion Barry Victorious in Comeback Bid (AP)


The fixed line phone in the home could soon disappear, a study by mobile firm Nokia shows.

Home phones face uncertain future


But the antivirus community wrinkles its nose at the notion of a worm as curriculum vitae.

The Trojan resume: MyDoom authors encode job plea


Reuters - Intelsat Ltd., the world's\second-largest satellite operator, said on Monday it agreed to\be bought by a consortium of four private equity firms for  #36;5\billion, including assumption of  #36;2 billion of debt.

Intelsat to Be Bought for  #36;5 Billion (Reuters)


Controversy over the veracity of recently released Bush National Guard memos has put the spotlight on digital forgery. These days, computers make document fakery easier -- and harder to detect -- than ever before. By Randy Dotinga.

Tech Boosts the Fraudsters


For many of us, it seems like a long time since the battle of the bands was waged on the front pages of the media. It started with Napster, an illegal file sharing service that made it possible

Computer Q amp;A: Latest action in music wars is down under


A top Islamic cleric was rushing to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat #39;s hospital bedside Wednesday after his coma deepened and his caretaker government chose a burial site.

Top Islamic cleric rushes to bedside of comatose Arafat in French <b>...</b>


Reuters - Tom sits patiently in a cage\while Jerry, tethered by a harness, scuttles around sniffing\and scratching the earth.

Move Over Sniffer Dogs, Here Come Africa's Rats (Reuters)


Thousands of miles from the rain and wind of Hurricane Ivan, a model of the storm swirls in the memory and processors of a supercomputer that can predict its likely course and strength.

Supercomputers Help With Hurricane Forecasting


LONDON, December 17 (newratings.com) - Dutch electronics company Royal Philips Electronics NV (PHI1.ETR) announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to sell its PC monitor and flat TV businesses to Taiwans TPV Technology Ltd for \$358

TPV buys Philips PC monitor business


Phil Mickelson reiterated Wednesday that his performance at the Ryder Cup would not suffer because of his recent switch to using some Callaway golf equipment.

Mickelson Says Equipment Change Won #39;t Hurt Him


The Baltimore Orioles strengthened their bench yesterday, signing veteran infielder Chris Gomez to a one-year minor league deal. Gomez, who hit .282 with three home runs last season as a reserve for the Toronto

Orioles Sign Utilityman Gomez to Bolster Bench


BusinessWeek Online - On weekdays, Jeff Solof is director of Sun Microsystems'  Web site. On weekends, he's a deacon at an Eastern Orthodox church in Worcester, Mass. But the 44-year-old father of two has a dream: When he hits his 50s, he'll cash in his 40,000 Sun stock options and become a full-time minister. Stock options

Expensing Options: A Reprieve? (BusinessWeek Online)


Reuters -

With Yankees Slain, 'Miracle' Sox Eye Bigger Demon (Reuters)


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Citigroup fell after a Merrill Lynch analyst downgraded the Dow Jones Industrial Average component early Monday.

Fallout from Japan private-banking suspension cited


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- General Motors said Tuesday that it will lay off 950 employees at its assembly plant in Linden, NJ, due to waning demand for the Chevy Blazer and GMC Jimmy.

GM to lay off 950 in New Jersey


Crude oil futures eased slightly Monday but remained close to the US\$50 barrel level amid lingering concerns about shortages of heating oil at the start of the Northern Hemisphere winter, market-watchers said.

Crude futures ease despite lingering fears over heating oil <b>...</b>


A Kabul, Afghanistan, court has sentenced 29-year-old Reza Khan to death for killing four journalists in 2001. Khan was convicted of killing Australian television cameraman

Afghan gets death penalty for killing four


Shares of Google Inc. made their market debut on Thursday and quickly traded up 19 percent at \$101.28. The Web search company #39;s initial public offering priced at \$85

Google Shares Gain in Market Debut


DECEMBER 14, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Toshiba Corp. said today that it is close to commercializing a new data storage technology that could significantly increase the capacity of hard disk drives.

Toshiba to use perpendicular recording in new drives


VeriSign on Thursday announced it would update the domain name servers for the .com and .net domains every few seconds rather than just twice a day to speed up Web site launches and limit disruption when changing hosting services.

VeriSign Speeds Up DNS Updates


In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve fell off a horse and severely damaged his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. From then until his death in October 2004, the silver screen Superman became the most famous face of spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury


A senior leader of Sri Lanka #39;s rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said it is ready to resume peace talks with the government if its self-rule proposal gets a positive response, a local newspaper reported Sunday.

Sri Lankan Tamil rebels to resume talks conditionally


Sven-Goran Eriksson may gamble by playing goalkeeper Paul Robinson and striker Jermain Defoe in Poland.

Football: England v Poland


Unable to settle into a rhythm, sophomore quarterback Jordan Palmer resembled a wide-eyed freshman, squeamish about playing under the lights.

ASU punishes UTEP in Price debut


The Athens Olympic Games debriefing has opened in Beijing, with future Olympic hosts and five bidding cities for the 2012 Games participating.

Beijing to learn from experiences from Olympic host cities


Adelaide: New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram said playing in the lopsided series against Australia  quot;leaves for dead quot; thrashing Bangladesh twice in Tests last month.

Oram relishes the tough Aussie challenge


The German man who found the remains of a 5,300-year-old frozen mummy in 1991 has gone missing in the Alps.

Iceman discoverer missing


BEIJING (Reuters) - China urged Canada on Thursday to hand  over 44 North Korean asylum seekers who broke into the Canadian  embassy in Beijing, promising to deal with the men, women and  children in a humanitarian way.

China Urges Canada to Hand Over NKoreans in Embassy


By Paul Upham, ringside in Phoenix, and pic by Tom Hogan: Undisputed junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu entered the post-fight media conference with a beaming smile on his face.

Tszyu takes great satisfaction from Mitchell beat-down


Online search-engine leader Google is targeting the computer hard drive with software that promises to scour the clutter of documents, e-mails, instant messages and other stored files.

#39;Google #39; Your Cluttered Computer


MOSCOW Russia warned the West on Thursday not to interfere in its policies toward Chechnya and said the granting of political asylum to rebel figures by Western governments only worsened problems for most Chechens.

Russia warns West on Chechen issue


Bee Staff Writer. SAN FRANCISCO - One mighty swing by the Houston Astros #39; Lance Berkman made a significant impact before 41,537 hushed spectators and a stunned band of Giants.

Giants succumb to Astros #39; 5-run 9th


NEW YORK - Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly made a TV talk show appearance on what he said was

O'Reilly Says He's Ready to Fight Charges


Cinergy has a venture with Current Communications to market BPL systems to municipally-owned and rural cooperative utilities. Their plan so far has not been slowed by regulatory uncertainty

Rules Approved for Broadband over Power Lines


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Kraft Foods Inc. has confirmed an agreement to sell substanially all of its sugar confectionary business to Wm.

Kraft Foods confirms plans to sell sugar candy biz


ris Benson, whose  quot;tired shoulder quot; briefly symbolized the Mets #39; season-long troubles, pitched a four-hit shutout last night as the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves, 7-0, at Shea Stadium.

METS 7, BRAVES 0 Benson Gets 4-Hit Shutout


Behind the twisted wire mesh and shattered glass winks a sign:  quot;Taba Lounge quot;. The lounge itself has been gutted. Couches are buried under rubble while contents from upper floors sag precariously above loose ceiling blocks.

A burst of light, a powerful bang, then ringing mobiles


Doubts had arisen over Yorkes future at St Andrews following the racial abuse he suffered at the hands of two Blackburn Rovers fans at Ewood Park over the weekend.

Yorke staying at Birmingham City Football Club


The future of the economy looks strong for San Diego County but less promising for the nation as a whole, according to two economic reports released yesterday.

County #39;s economic forecast outshines national


NEW YORK - Stock investors this week should get more clues on whether the bull market has long enough legs to drive gains to year end, as many market pros now expect.

US stocks: Wall St outlook: bull market with legs?


Our gratitude goes to you for the interest and enthusiasm you have shown in visiting the AsiaNews.it website. AsiaNews is also a monthly magazine (only in Italian).

Myanmar frees 4,000 wrongly imprisoned from jail


ATHENS - Larry Brown found out some things about his team last night. Among them was that Allen Iverson apparently shoots better with a fractured right thumb than he does with two healthy paws.

Winning is Greek to US: Outlasts h


Oil prices fell sharply last night, taking US crude below \$50 ahead of the US presidential election. US light crude dipped as low as \$49.

Oil prices fall below \$50 a barrel


The company's Desktop Search utility is an impressive way to find information on your computer.

Google Ogles Your Hard Drive


Church leaders have begun a campaign to curb climate change, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Churches launch climate campaign


LONDON OIL prices rebounded yesterday after falling sharply last week on receding supply worries, buoyed by jitters over this weeks OPEC meeting and last weekends seizure of four flow stations in Rivers State, Nigeria by militant youths.

Oil prices up, now \$41.95 per barrel


National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern issued indefinite suspensions Saturday to four of the main protagonists in Friday night #39;s brawl among the Indiana Pacers, the Detroit

NBA players suspended for big brawl


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks retreated on Tuesday, as a  jump in the Producer Price Index on skyrocketing food and  energy costs raised concerns that the Fed might become more  aggressive with rate increases in the months ahead.

Stocks Slip on Strong PPI; HP Climbs


Toshiba #39;s laptop exchange program will run worldwide from Nov. 1 to April 30. The company said 650,000 PCs could be affected. It stressed that the recall will not affect the projected recovery of its PC business.

Toshiba Announces Global Notebook Recall


PHILADELPHIA -- Left-handed reliever Rheal Cormier is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to a \$5.75 million, two-year contract.

Signings roundup: Cormier signs two-year deal with Phillies


Apple #39;s appeal to enterprise and high-end computing grew yesterday when Oracle announced its support and use of Xserves internally.

Oracle sees enterprise future for Apple


Months ago, when the idea of Google #39;s inevitable IPO could be discussed by its leaders only in hypothetical terms, cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were trying to explain

Surviving the IPO From Hell


GOOGLE, the world #39;s number one search engine, has lost its edge. That #39;s the considered view of software engineers who have been testing an early version of Microsoft #39;s MSN Search service, released last week.

Rival engines catch up with Google


AP - Non-party groups spending millions of dollars in unlimited donations on ads and get-out-the-vote drives in this year's presidential race will face some new ground rules starting with the 2006 election.

New Rules for 'Soft Money' Groups in 2006 (AP)


NEW YORK -- Already hit with an automatic one-game suspension and a \$250 fine for drawing a red card, Kansas City Wizards defender Alex Zotinca has been issued an additional fine and suspension.

Defender to miss extra game