John Ashcroft, the attorney General of the US, is expected to announce on Thursday dozens of lawsuits against alleged spammers following a low key campaign against the practise across the US.

US cracks down on spam mountain


Amazon.com Inc., the world #39;s biggest Internet retailer, began offering a DVD-rental service in the UK that will probably increase traffic on its site and could compete with Netflix Inc.

Amazon.com Begins DVD Rental Service on UK Site (Update2)


Use of databases to purge voter rolls led to complaints of people being wrongly excluded.

Case study: Data crunch in Florida ballots


Nigeria's main trade union says it will hold a second general strike which could target oil production.

Nigeria union calls second strike


United Parcel Service must give deaf employees a chance to drive its smaller delivery trucks if they can show they can drive as safely as employees with normal hearing, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled Thursday.

UPS ordered to let deaf apply to drive trucks


PaperlinX Ltd. (PPX.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) , Australia #39;s biggest paper maker, said on Thursday its annual net profit fell 18 percent, battered by weak European

UPDATE 2-Australian PaperlinX profit slides, but shares gain


Corey Dillon , who missed last Sunday's game against Pittsburgh with a thigh injury, was held out of practice again yesterday.

Dillon is not yet up to speed


The Palestinian foreign minister, Nabil Shaath, today called on Britain to fill the gap in the Middle East peace process left as the US focuses on next month #39;s presidential election.

Palestinians in plea to UK over peace process


TechWeb - Digital Mind Corp.'s DMC Xclef 500 player offers voice recording, FM radio, PC and Mac compatibility, and support for six music file formats in USB mass storage device.

Music Player/Storage Device Holds 100Gb of Data (TechWeb)


LAUREN JACKSON yesterday completed an emotional tribute to her  quot;nan Irene quot; when she helped Seattle Storm win the WNBA title.

Jackson over the moon after eclipsing Sun


After being a frustrated  #39;nearly man #39; at this year #39;s majors, Ernie Els plans to make the most of a near-perfect finish to the 2004 season.

Els Looks Ahead with Promise After Major Woes


The television unit of Japan #39;s Sony Corp and a division of China Film Group on Wednesday unveiled a joint venture to make Chinese language TV shows under a new Chinese law that allows such co-ventures.

Sony TV, China Film Unveil Joint Venture


MALABO - The prosecution demanded death sentences and jail terms exceeding a century in a trial of alleged putschists accused of plotting against Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Prosecution demands death for SA  #39;mercenary #39;


Two positive drug tests and Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi playing as if they were on tranquilisers. India had a nightmare day at the Olympics today.

Big Indian Dream comes crashing down


Rice finished with 145 yards on eight catches, and Jackson had 113 yards on nine grabs...Testaverde broke Steve DeBerg #39;s NFL record with his TD pass to Copper, the 63rd receiver he #39;s hooked up with for a score...Alexander has scored 15 or more touchdowns

NFL Game Summary - Dallas at Seattle


Microsoft's attempt to get EU antitrust penalties against it suspended turns to the question of its media player.

Microsoft defence enters day two


TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith will miss 2-3 weeks with a toe injury, ESPN reported Monday. And that #39;s not the only change in the starting lineup for the Cards.

Emmitt reportedly out 2-3 weeks


The European Union has decided that it will lift, at least temporarily, the sanctions it has imposed on US goods, now that Congress enacted sweeping changes in corporate tax law earlier this month, an EU official said yesterday.

EU Set To Lift Sanctions For Now


Ten years ago last Wednesday, Cafe Cyberia, billed as the world's first Internet cafe, opened in the West End of London.

It All Started With a Good Cup of Coffee


STOCKHOLM -- Ericsson has been awarded a USD 805 million contract by Guangdong Mobile Communication Corporation Limited (Guangdong Mobile) to expand its GSM network in Guangdong Province, China.

Ericsson Expands Guangdong


Hot G5 chip requires some serious effort to avoid overheating in all-in-one desktop design.

New iMac tries to play it cool


(GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands) - It appears Hurricane Ivan is turning toward the northwest -- with its wake, death and destruction.

Ivan #39;s Category Five strength targeting Cuba, Yucatan Peninsula


AP - Using a creature as hideous as any big-screen sci-fi monster, scientists have produced a one-minute horror movie starring a menacing, spidery virus swooping in on a hapless blob of bacteria.

Film Shows Virus Going in for the Kill (AP)


Medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp. said Tuesday that it made an equity investment in Reva Medical Inc. and secured an exclusive option to purchase the privately held San Diego firm, which is developing

Boston Scientific Buys Stake in Reva


Brazilian sports officials blamed inadequate security for a defrocked priest's bizarre attack on the Olympic marathon leader, and said yesterday they will appeal to world track authorities for a duplicate gold medal.

Brazil appeals for gold


Fidelity Investments' flagship equity fund, Magellan, saw assets slip about \$496 million in August, to \$61.9 billion, primarily a result of investor withdrawals. The fund had a year-to-date loss of 1.56 percent through Aug. 31, compared with the 0.43 percent gain of its benchmark, the Standard  amp; Poor's 500 Index. Year-to-date through July 31, the fund lost 1.79 percent. According ...

Magellan assets fall \$496m in August


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- UAL Corp, parent of United Airlines, said late Monday it will cut pay of salaried workers and management beginning Jan. 1 as part of its goal to emerge from bankruptcy.

UAL plans non-union pay cuts


PITTSBURGH - Banged up and perhaps emotionally drained, the Steelers (11-1) can set records and clinch a division title today by beating the New York Jets (9-3) in a 4 o #39;clock game at Heinz Field.

Game Day: So much on the line


LAS VEGAS - The parent company of Nevada #39;s two major electric utilities has won a rehearing of a federal bankruptcy court ruling that said it owed more than \$300 million to energy trader Enron Power Marketing.

Nevada utilities win a chance to shed \$336 million Enron bill


Sep. 03, 2004 From the September 06, 2004 CRN. Microsoft #39;s decision to cut WinFS out of the Longhorn Windows client upgrade for 2006 is causing a crisis of confidence in the channel.

Promises, Promises: Microsoft #39;s Credibility Questioned Over <b>...</b>


CANNES -- Kai-Uwe Ricke, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Deutsche Telekom AG, and Ben Verwaayen, his counterpart at BT Group PLC, have diverging views on convergence -- the idea that, some day, fixed and mobile telecommunications systems will come together into a seamless whole.

Telcos' convergence strategies diverge


Reuters - First Lady Laura Bush said on\Thursday that her husband has long consultations with advisers\before making decisions, disputing a recent report that he\sometimes relies primarily on gut instincts.

Laura Bush Denies Husband Relies on Instinct (Reuters)


Australia #39;s 35-year wait for a test series triumph on Indian soil ended yesterday when its fast bowlers ripped through the India #39;s defenses to clinch a massive 342-run victory in the third test.

Australians win first series on Indian soil in 35 years


Washington State Ferries expects to provide passengers on its high-traffic Puget Sound routes with free Wi-Fi service it will begin rolling out next month.

Washington State Ferries expands ferryboat Wi-Fi service


Sony Corp. is talking with Wal-Mart and Costco in an effort to boost sales by shipping to US discount chains with which it previously did little business.

Sony In Talks To Sell Products At Wal-Mart


Controversial images of diseased lungs which health advisers want to see on every cigarette packet were revealed today. The hard-hitting anti-smoking campaign

Shock images to make smokers quit


Sony is hiring some big guns to capture movie giant Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Photo: AP. Unlike the old days, Sony is seeking outside support in its tilt at MGM, writes William Pesek.

Sony gets top cast in MGM \$US3bn show


International Business Machines Corp. on Wednesday said it has developed the world #39;s fastest computer, putting it back on top after a Japanese supercomputer claimed the title some two years ago.

IBM Says Its Supercomputer Is World #39;s Fastest


Prosecutors seize the hospital records of two Greek sprinting stars who withdrew from the Olympics after they missed a doping test and were involved in a suspicious motorcycle accident.

Prosecutors Seize Medical Files of Greek Sprint Stars


PHILADELPHIA Andruw and Chipper Jones belted solo homers to support Jaret Wright in Atlanta #39;s 7-to-2 win over Philadelphia. Chipper Jones gave the Braves a 5-to-2 lead in the fourth with his 26th homer of the season.

Sports: Braves 7 Phillies 2


roundup Plus: HP to sell Voltaire's InfiniBand switch...PC shipments up, but revenue less so, study says...BEA mobilizes corporate data.

Briefly: RIM touts BlackBerry with Wi-Fi


The Pentagon has identified the following US service members who were killed recently in Iraq:

American deaths


Sometimes it pays to befriend an enemy. Longtime foes palmOne Inc. and Microsoft Corp. Tuesday announced a licensing deal that will allow the next generation of palmOne #39;s

PalmOne, Microsoft Join on Mobile E-Mail


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd.  <A HREF=

DirecTV Consolidates LatAm Satellite Ops


Two-year legal dispute over smart phone technology comes to an end.

Sendo, Microsoft Settle Lawsuits


A relief convoy of ambulances and supplies Monday was turned back by Iraqi authorities or US Marines from entering Fallujah, a spokesman for the international Red Cross said.

Relief convoy turned back from Fallujah: Red Cross


DENVER Attorneys for Kobe Bryant and the woman who accused him of sexual assault have met in Denver federal court to map out a preliminary schedule for the civil case.

Attorneys in suit against Bryant meet in federal court


The European Commission is taking all the time it needs to rule on Banco Santander Central Hispano #39;s bid for Abbey National, competition spokeswoman Amelia Torres said Monday.

EU Commission taking its time with SCH bid for Abbey National


Jose Mourinho is set to rest some of his jet-setting Chelsea stars against Aston Villa following the exertions of an international double-header.

Blues May Rest Internationals


One sport that relies increasingly on GPS technology is horseback riding ( quot;Space-age sport, quot; Aug. 16). Horseback riders who practice trail riding for pleasure, or the more demanding cross country sports, are beginning to use GPS in large numbers.

Modern technology for an ancient sport


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

Dollar Recovers from Lows After Fed, Data


ABUJA (AFP) - Sudanese rebels and government envoys began arriving here on Thursday to restart talks to end the conflict in their country #39;s western province of Darfur, as the African Union confirmed it will multiply its truce-monitoring force in the

Delegates gather for Darfur peace talks


Oregon Christmas tree growers are shipping 1,300 donated trees to military families based at Fort Hood, Texas, industry officials said.

Oregon trees head to Texas to cheer military families #39; holidays


Sony revealed new details Monday on the chip that will power the next version of its PlayStation video game machine and said development is on track to deliver products based on the chip next year.

PlayStation 3 chip on track


Iraq #39;s main Shi #39;ite parties insisted on Saturday that elections should go ahead on Jan. 30 as planned, rejecting mounting calls from Sunni and secular politicians

Calls for Iraq Poll Delay Fuel Tension


A bomb threat prompted a Greek Olympic Airlines passenger plane to make an emergency landing, escorted by British Tornado jets, at London #39;s Stansted Airport on Sunday.

Bomb Alert Prompts Greek Plane to Land in London


Reuters - Police arrested a man in central England\on Thursday under anti-terrorism laws.

UK Police Arrest One Man Under Anti-Terror Laws (Reuters)


Police in the Pakistani city of Peshawar say they have arrested two foreign al-Qaeda suspects.

Pakistan holds al-Qaeda suspects


Islamabad, Nov 25 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today briefed the National Security Council (NSC) headed by President Pervez Musharraf on his just-concluded India visit and said he had stressed that lasting peace was possible only with a solution

Aziz briefs NSC on India visit :


THE KING of Microsoft his Excellency Williams Gates and his silent voodoo doll Steve Ballmer are claiming to be the world #39;s most spammed men.

Gates and Ballmer the most spammed in the world


A NEW York fireman involved in the 9/11 rescue effort today told of his ordeal on board a plane diverted to the UK in a bomb alert.

9/11 fireman tells of plane alert ordeal


The head of a trade association that represents competitors of the large regional telephone companies resigned after his lobbying blueprint was published by mistake on the Federal Communications Commission's Web site.
\<FONT face=

Phone Group Head Resigns After Uproar


Carl Krauser scored all but two of his 17 points at the free throw line to lead No. 11 Pittsburgh to a 70-51 victory over Memphis on Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic.

Panthers #39; defense leads to another win


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chiron Corp. <A HREF=

Chiron Wins Bird Flu Vaccine Deal


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - Senior navy officials went on the offensive Thursday, challenging media reports that suggested they initially downplayed the severity of a fire that disabled HMCS Chicoutimi and led to the death of one of the submarine's crew members.

Navy commanders insist they did not downplay initial reports of sub fire (Canadian Press)


Scientists have discovered a tiny species of ancient human that lived 18,000 years ago on an isolated island east of the Java Sea -- a prehistoric hunter in a  quot;lost world quot; of giant lizards and miniature elephants.

Scientists Discover Ancient  #39;Little People #39;


The International Monetary Fund expressed concern Tuesday about the impact of the troubles besetting oil major Yukos on Russia #39;s standing as a place to invest.

IMF Voices  #39;Some Concern #39; Over Legal Assault on Yukos


THE parents of a tiny premature baby clinging to life in a hospital oxygen box are preparing to let her die in their arms. A High Court judge yesterday ruled that Charlotte Wyatt should be allowed to die in

#39;We #39;ll let Charlotte die in our arms #39;


THE insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has attacked Muslim clerics for failing to support attacks on United States-led forces in Iraq.

Al-Zarqawi attacks the  #39;silent #39; scholars


RALEIGH, N.C. -- Ohio State made up for a shoddy day offensively by forcing five turnovers, and Mike Nugent tied a school record with five field goals to give the ninth-ranked Buckeyes a 22-14 victory over North Carolina State yesterday. The Buckeyes (3-0) managed only 137 yards of offense -- 35 coming on their first drive -- and converted only ...

Breaks go Buckeyes' way


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average rose 0.69 percent  by mid-morning on Tuesday as another jump in U.S. technology  shares encouraged investors to step up buying in local  counterparts such as Advantest Corp.

Techs Lead as Tokyo Stocks Move Higher


JAKARTA, Indonesia Indonesian prosecutors say they #39;ll file terror-related charges against a cleric accused of heading the group behind the Bali bombings.

Prosecutors say they expect to charge alleged head of Jemaah <b>...</b>


PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia : Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim launched a final bid to completely clear his name, a challenge rare in Malaysia #39;s legal system and a move which could lead to his immediate return to politics.

Malaysia #39;s Anwar launches bid to clear his name, return to <b>...</b>


AP - The Agriculture Department offered  #36;2 million Thursday to help private land owners in four Western states protect the habitat of the sage grouse.

Agriculture Dept. Offers Grouse Funding (AP)


This will go down as another tough loss for Ron Zook, the beleaguered Florida head coach who was fired on Monday. Another punch in the gut.

Zook #39;s Gators didn #39;t give up


Toy company Marvel Enterprises Inc. on Thursday blamed a sharp drop in third-quarter profit on a tax swing in the period, but the company still beat Wall Street expectations as sales and license fees soared from sales of Spider-Man merchandise.

Marvel 3Q Profit Falls but Sales Surge


AP - WEATHER REPORT: The year 2004 was the fourth-hottest on record, extending a trend since 1990 that has registered the 10 warmest years, a report by the World Meteorological Organization showed.

Summary Box: 2004 Fourth-Hottest on Record (AP)


Embattled Russian oil giant Yukos has launched bankruptcy proceedings in a Houston, Texas court, the company has said. Claire Davidson, a spokeswoman for the company in London, did

Yukos files for bankruptcy


Two Egyptians are seized in Baghdad as anguish mounts in the UK and Italy over their kidnapped nationals.

Iraq's kidnapping crisis deepens


The British Racing Drivers #39; Club has come to a financial agreement with Bernie Ecclestone which will keep the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on the F1 calendar for the next five years.

British Grand Prix Safe Till 2009


Credit Suisse First Boston maintained  quot;neutral quot; ratings on Guidant (nyse: GDT - news - people ) and Johnson  amp; Johnson (nyse: JNJ - news - people ), saying a near-term acquisition of the former by the latter values Guidant at \$76.

J amp;J May End Stent Shortcomings With Guidant Buy


Intel Corp. took a huge step Tuesday away from its usual strategy of pushing the need for speed, announcing that it will offer microprocessors with dual cores across all product lines starting next year.

Intel shifts course on processors


The recent wave of mergers spread into the e-commerce space today when auction giant eBay said it would acquire Rent.com for US\$415 million in cash and stock.

EBay To Buy Rent.com in \$415 Million Deal


IBM has released a biometric Thinkpad - the T42 laptop incorporates a fingerprint sensor for managing passwords and controlling access to sensitive documents and data.

IBM swipes at security with fingerprint-reading Thinkpad


Shareholders of Computer Associates International, the software maker tarred by an accounting scandal, Wednesday defeated a proposal calling for current and former executives to return bonuses based on restated results.

Computer Associates shareholders defeat proposal to recall bonuses


The Office of Personnel Management must tackle many major challenges in the coming months, both in its role as agencies human resources adviser and in improving internal operations.

Photo by Lloyd Francis Jr./Federal Times


The latest snapshot shows an economy that has returned to a moderate economic expansion of about 3 percent. At this pace, the economy is not growing fast enough to create large numbers of jobs

Economy Steady But Job Growth Moderate, Giving Fodder to Kerry and <b>...</b>


Company follows up on promise of

HP replaces three senior executives


Iraq #39;s interim government could be within days of reaching what a US official calls a  quot;breakthrough quot; deal to end fighting for control of Sadr City, a Shiite slum on the eastern outskirts of Baghdad.

Deal near to end Sadr City battle


German economic growth will slow next year as foreign demand for goods and services cools and consumers hesitate to increase spending, the country #39;s six leading economic research institutes said.

German Institutes Forecast Growth Will Slow in 2005 (Update1)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kraft Foods Inc. <A HREF=

Price of Maxwell House Coffee Up 14 Pct.


You might not be able to morph your wallpaper just yet, but digital ink is already threatening to make big changes in the way we experience advertising. By Rachel Metz.

Changing at the Push of a Button


Paul Broadhurst is in the hunt for his first European Tour win for nine years after adding a 65 to his opening 67 in the Madrid Open yesterday.

Broadhurst advances as Baker fails


Hutchison Telecommunications International, the mainly emerging market telecom assets owned by conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, had set a price range that could see its initial public offering raise up to \$US1.

Hutchison Telecom IPO to raise up to \$US1.13bn


ARLINGTON Coach: Rob DiLoreto (third year, 9-11). Last year's record: 4-6. Returning starters (12): Jay McGrath, C, 6-0, 260, Sr.; Michael O'Loughlin, RB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Moses Ortiz, TE, 6-1 215, Sr.; Jordan Cooper, SE, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Neil Rainford, RB, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Michael Talarico, RB, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Peter Samko, OG, 5-9, 255, Jr.; Josh Vest, DL, 6-0, ...

Greater Boston League capsules


Virginia's secretary of technology, George C. Newstrom, said yesterday that he is stepping down from the post after more than two years on the job. He will be replaced by his deputy, Eugene J. Huang.

Technology Secretary For Virginia Steps Down


Minnesota #39;s Marion Barber III surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season, joining Laurence Maroney as the first pair of teammates to accomplish that in NCAA history.

Barber joins Maroney at 1,000-yard mark, sets NCAA record


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch cabinet has decided to  bring home the 1,350 Dutch troops in Iraq in March next year,  confirming a decision first made in June, the Dutch news agency  ANP cited Defense Minister Henk Kamp as saying on Friday.

Dutch to Withdraw Troops from Iraq in March


Established Shiite parties and powerful upstarts are feuding, causing their leading cleric to try to pull them together to ensure that the Shiites clearly dominate the new government.

Bickering Iraqis Strive to Build Voting Coalition


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The first international war crimes  trial of former Kosovo Albanian rebels was due to begin on  Monday, with three men accused of murdering Serb civilians and  suspected collaborators during the 1998-99 conflict.

Ex-Kosovo Rebels Face First Hague War Crimes Trial


ONE MONTH ago, the UN Security Council demanded progress on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Darfur. A resolution called on Sudan #39;s government to allow aid workers unimpeded access to the province and

Next Steps on Darfur


World number-one Vijay Singh of Fiji hopes to win his eighth PGA Tour event this year as he competes in the 84 Lumber Classic golf tournament beginning Thursday, in Pennsylvania.

Golf: Singh Hoping for 8th PGA Tour Win


Kansas offense may not have been able to post a whole lot of yards, but they were able to take advantage of several opportunities created by the defense.

Kansas #39; defense key to loss against Texas Tech


Tiki Barber sprinted for a 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter, the play that the Giants would ride to their third victory of the season.

Giants' Barber Sees Daylight at a Good Time


WASHINGTON : The US economy will grow solidly in 2005 despite high oil prices, no matter whether President George W. Bush or John Kerry is in the White House, top business economists said.

Economists predict solid US economy under Bush or Kerry


Reuters - PeopleSoft Inc.  on\Thursday returned to profit in the third quarter from a year\earlier with a 12 percent rise in sales that upended market\fears that Oracle Corp.'s takeover bid had damaged PeopleSoft's\business in the quarter.

PeopleSoft Posts Profit (Reuters)


A video tape posted on the Internet shows British hostage Kenneth Bigley making a final appeal to the British Government to meet his captors #39; demands before he was beheaded by a militant group in Iraq.

Video shows Bigley #39;s last appeal


AP - Archaeologists have unearthed the site of Genghis Khan's palace and believe the long-sought grave of the 13th century Mongolian warrior is somewhere nearby, the head of the excavation team said Wednesday.

Remains of Genghis Khan Palace Unearthed (AP)


The Socceroos will be without forward John Aloisi for Tuesday night #39;s Confederations Cup second-leg qualifier against the Solomon Islands in Sydney.

Aloisi sidelined for Sydney leg


FRANKFURT - Three German border policemen who suffocated to death a Sudanese asylum seeker they were trying to deport received nine month suspended jail terms from a German court on Monday.

German border police convicted over Sudanese death


Nvidia Corp., a maker of computer video cards, on Friday said it inked a multiyear patent cross-licensing agreement with Intel Corp.

Nvidia, Intel Sign Cross-License Deal


The Black Watch is being deployed as part of a US Marine expeditionary unit to take  quot;decisive action quot; against insurgents in Iraq, Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Michael Walker has revealed.

Black Watch to take on Iraq rebels


US consumer prices - stoked by more expensive gasoline as well as pricier fruits and vegetables - heated up in October, rising by 0.6 per cent, the biggest gain in five months.

US consumer prices up 0.6 per cent in October, most in five months


Jimmie Johnson has fought through mistakes, mechanical failures and the despair of losing friends in a plane crash to charge back into NASCAR #39;s closest championship battle ever.

Johnson sweeps Darlington


The first-year growth rate for the no-cost phone service was

Can Skype live up to the Net phone hype?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hyatt Corp. on Thursday said it agreed  to buy AmeriSuites, an upscale limited-service hotel chain that  it hopes will complement its full-service portfolio.

Hyatt to Buy AmeriSuites Hotel Chain


Flint middleweight Andre Dirrell dashed Cubas dreams of another boxing gold rush and moved into the Olympic medal round himself Wednesday.

Dirrell assured medal


A former US policy analyst, testifying for the defense at Slobodan Milosevic #39;s war crimes trial Wednesday, said part of the groundwork

US analyst testifies on Bosnian war as a Milosevic defense witness


AP - LG Electronics Inc., South Korea's biggest maker of home appliances, said Tuesday its third-quarter net profits rose more than 30 percent on brisk sales of mobile phones.

LG Electronics' Third Quarter Profits Up (AP)


Reuters - The first case of soybean rust has\been found on the mainland United States and could affect U.S.\crops for the near future, costing farmers millions of dollars,\the Agriculture Department said on Wednesday.

USDA Finds Devastating Soy Rust in Louisiana (Reuters)


NEW YORK - Abortion-rights protesters and the first Republican delegates descended on President Bush's heavily fortified convention city Saturday as campaign officials said their boss would use the nomination spotlight to defend his hawkish foreign polices and offer a second-term agenda for health care, education and job training.

Bush Readies Second-Term Proposals for RNC


NAJAF, Iraq - U.S. warplanes bombed Najaf's Old City and gunfire rattled on Sunday amid fears a plan to end the standoff with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr could collapse...

U.S. Warplanes Bomb Najaf's Old City


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Saturday that  reports that Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been  detained in Iraq were not credible.

Reports Zarqawi Seized in Iraq Untrue--U.S. Army


The leader of Sinn Fein, the political ally of the IRA guerrillas, says agreement to seal a peace settlement in Northern Ireland was possible but could not be based on  quot;humiliation quot;.

Sinn Fein rejects  quot;humiliation quot; deal


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday dismissed Syrian moves towards redeployment in Lebanon.  quot;We are not seeing any significant change in the Syrian position, quot; he told Israel Radio.

Sharon: Syria trying to deflect US pressure


In 2004, Kemal Uzan and his two sons, Cem and Hakan, made the Forbes list of the World #39;s Richest People with an estimated net worth of \$1.

Diddy #39;s New Digs


Some reports from Paris say Arafat has slipped into a coma. There have been other reports through the day that Arafat #39;s still unexplained condition has become worse and he is in the ICU.

Conflicting reports about Arafat #39;s health


Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams missed Sunday #39;s game against the Dallas Cowboys because of an ankle injury. Williams leads the Lions with 24 catches for 362 yards and five touchdowns, having taken over

Lions WR Roy Williams misses game in Dallas


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices slid on Monday on  expectations that more mild U.S. weather at the start of the  New Year will limit heating oil demand.

Oil Prices Skid as U.S. Winter Stays Mild


AP - Forward Shandon Anderson was signed Sunday by the Miami Heat. Anderson was waived last week by the New York Knicks, who unsuccessfully tried to trade him and eventually bought out his contract, making him a free agent.

Heat Sign Free Agent Shandon Anderson (AP)


Company offers free replacement screens to owners of 15-inch models that display white spots.

Apple to replace 'spotty' PowerBook screens


Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL), a telecom arm of Li Ka-shing-controlled Hutchison Whampoa seeking a listing in Hong Kong and New York, said it has no plan to pay dividends as it has racked up HK\$5.

Hutchison arm rules out dividends


(Undated) Oct. 19, 2004 - The maker of arthritis drug Celebrex is launching a study to see if the drug has the same dangerous side effects that took Vioxx off the market.

Health Alert: Celebrex launches study to check for risk of side <b>...</b>


Six people were killed and 11 seriously hurt Saturday when a high-speed train derailed after colliding with a car at a rural crossing in southern England.

Six people killed in high-speed train crash in England


EDMONTON (CP) - Shares in Biomira Inc. shot up as much as 48 per cent Wednesday after the drug developer said one of its cancer vaccines has won fast-track investigation status from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Biomira stock jumps as lung cancer vaccine gets US fast-track <b>...</b>


More than 50 Mafia suspects have been arrested in the southern Italian port-city of Naples after dawn raids carried out by hundreds of police and paramilitary Carabinieri forces.

MAFIA ARRESTS AFTER NAPLES RAIDS


Shares of PortalPlayer Inc. (PLAY.O: Quote, Profile, Research) jumped as much as 62.4 percent in their first day of trading on Friday after the company #39;s initial public

PortalPlayer Shares Soar in Market Debut


BLOOMFIELD TWP., Mich. - There are still two more days of this 35th Ryder Cup to be played out, but unless something dramatic occurs in favor of the US team, Phil

MICK SENT TO BENCH


NEW YORK The NASD on Monday said that it had permanently barred Frank Quattrone, the former star banker, from the securities industry for refusing to testify in an NASD investigation of his role in possible document destruction and obstruction of justice.

Quattrone barred from Wall Street


Arsenal cruised into the knockout stage of the Champions League with a comfortable 5-1 win over a shell-shocked Rosenborg side at Highbury.

Classy Arsenal progress with big win


The UN Secretary General says he is

UN hails Burma inmates' release


KABUL, Afghanistan -- Three UN workers kidnapped in Afghanistan four weeks ago were released unharmed today, a day after a string of raids by US and Afghan security forces.

UN hostages held for 4 weeks in Afghanistan freed


The Robertson Stevens Investments firm agreed to pay \$30 million to settled allegations it allowed  quot;excessive quot; market timing in its mutual funds, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday.

Robertson Stevens settles timing case for \$30 million


Barring unexpected complications from the concussion Brett Favre suffered Sunday, the Packers will have their starting quarterback in the lineup for their Monday night game against the Titans.

Pederson has back injury, broken rib


Funny things happen when a horse knocks on the door to racing history and can #39;t get through. Smarty Jones, this year #39;s near-Triple Crown winner, is retired to a career as a stallion.

Funny Cide a Classic tale of redemption?


Darren Wallace is used to doing things ahead of schedule. He was hitting golf balls in his backyard as an 18-month-old and played his first 18 holes of golf -- albeit on a par-three course -- on his third birthday.

Teenager will play in heady company


STAR Trek fans will be able to boldly go online to take part in new worldwide multiplayer game. Games company Perpetual Entertainment has secured the exclusive worldwide rights from Viacom Consumer Products

Online gaming for Star Trek fans


The net must be changed to help it cope with what the future holds for it, according to chip maker Intel. In a keynote speech at an Intel conference, chief technology officer Pat Gelsinger said new uses for

Intel sees big changes to the net


AccuRev on Monday will release an upgrade to its SCM (software configuration management) package that the company argues offers a superior alternative to file-based SCM systems.

AccuRev touts software configuration management approach


Reuters - Software giant Microsoft is\casting its sights on the digital media marketplace by\positioning itself as pro-consumer-choice.

Microsoft in Tune with Digital Music (Reuters)


Pretext  databases  mobile terminals. Yum.

Immigration, police share data in trawl of 'crime hot-spots'


LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. shares were expected to open lower  on Wednesday after crude oil pushed to a fresh high overnight,  while Web search engine Google Inc. dented sentiment as it  slashed the price range on its initial public offering.

Wall Street Set to Open Down


Reuters - South Korea's Samsung\Electronics overtook Motorola as the world's second-biggest\mobile phone maker in the third quarter as the market continued\to boom, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Samsung Pips Motorola in Cellphone Ranking (Reuters)


A curious incident occurred on Thursday which had Roberto Mancini and a Milan fan involved. Apparently a quarrel between the Inter coach and a rossonero fan nearly degenerated into a fight.

Mancini Clashes With Milan Fan


Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria has ripped through the Sri Lankan order taking five wickets on the fourth day of the second Test in Karachi.

Kaneria spins through Lankans


AP - Online auction giant eBay Inc. has acquired the most popular classifieds Web site in the Netherlands for about  #36;290 million, the company announced.

EBay Acquires Web Site From Netherlands (AP)


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jerry Rice became the most prolific offensive player in NFL history on Monday night.

Rice shatters NFL yardage record


PHILADELPHIA (Sports Network) - Indiana Pacers forward Ron  Artest will be back in the lineup for Friday's game versus  Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center.

Pacers' Artest Back in the Lineup


Dearly beloved, we gather here this evening to pay our last respects to the Green Bay Packers, a once-proud little engine that for 12 straight years could win with the best of them.

Here lie the Packers, may they rest in peace


Another season means another round of rosy predictions of Wizards postseason glory.

Wizards Exude Optimism


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices extended a streak of losses  on Tuesday as dealers anticipated that strong OPEC output and  recovering production in the United States would boost lean  stockpiles in time for peak winter heating demand.

Oil Extends Slide, Supplies Seen Growing


A group of open-source software pioneers, led by Linux developer Linus Torvalds, has issued an appeal to the EU Council to block the legalization of software patents.

Torvalds, Open-Source Pioneers Take On EU Patent Issue


AP - Princess Sayako, the only daughter of Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, on Saturday postponed the announcement of her engagement due to the death of her great-aunt, an official said.

Japanese Princess Postpones Engagement (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - Virgin Radio and online music service Napster, combining one of the oldest music mediums with the newest, have teamed up to create the first UK radio programme counting down the week #39;s most downloaded songs.

UK radio to chart music downloads


Safe boxes from a bank branch were taken away and crushed as scrap metal, leaving customers shocked and angry at the loss of their most valued possessions, executives acknowledged Wednesday.

Crushing blow for bank customers


Reggie McNeal switched his jersey number in the off-season, trading No. 16 for No. 1 in a salute to a departed teammate. McNeal has become the

Texas A amp;M Quarterback Finds Groove Once Again


NEW YORK -- Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck  amp; Co. must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug's side effects -- lawsuits that threaten to further damage the company's finances and reputation.

Merck could suffer from Vioxx lawsuits


The plot: The Yankees will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, thanks to their 101-win season and the AL #39;s victory in the July All-Star Game.

Preview and pick: Twin attack Yanks #39; image


ATI Technologies Inc., the world #39;s second-biggest maker of computer-graphics chips, said fourth- quarter profit more than doubled, helped by sales of graphics- enhanced cell phones and high-definition televisions.

ATI Technologies 4th-Qtr Profit Doubles as Sales Rise (Update2)


Tottenham caretaker coach Martin Jol has confirmed he #39;s interested in taking over the reigns from Jacques Santini.  quot;It #39;s a terrific job, everyone would want a job like that, quot; he said.

Jol puts hand up for Tottenham post


The epic rivalry between Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is legendary. The original point of debate centered on which company was more integral to making PCs.

New Smartphone Triumvirate


CHENJIASHAN MINE, China : The death toll from a blast in a north China coal mine rose to 50 after more than 20 bodies were found as hopes of finding alive another 116 trapped workers all but vanished.

China mine blast toll rises to 50 as hopes for missing workers <b>...</b>


The full moon turns red and orange as it passes the Space Needle in Seattle during a total lunar eclipse Wednesday evening, Oct. 27, 2004.

Stargazers Enjoy Total Lunar Eclipse


AP - Tracy McGrady let fly with a running 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left, capping a one-man rally in the final minute to send the Houston Rockets past the San Antonio Spurs 81-80 Thursday night.

McGrady's Flurry Sends Rockets Past Spurs (AP)


Reuters - The remains of a prehistoric town\believed to date back 15,000 years and belong to an ancient\Berber civilization have been discovered in Western Sahara,\Moroccan state media said on Thursday.

Prehistoric Desert Town Found in Western Sahara (Reuters)


Captain Patrick McEnroe announced Wednesday that Andy Roddick would be on the US Davis Cup team when it competes in the semifinals this month.

Roddick to play in Davis Cup semifinals


Oil prices hugged \$50 a barrel on Wednesday on worries of potential supply disruptions and with US crude inventories expected to fall due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Ivan.

Oil Clings to \$50, Fuel Stocks to Fall


Broadcom Corp. on Tuesday announced that Scott McGregor, chief of Philips #39; chip division, will become its new president and CEO.

Philips Chip Chief to Take Over at Broadcom


AP - An Italian aid worker abducted in the Philippines was released unharmed early Wednesday, the military said.

Italian Hostage Released in Philippines (AP)


After an offseason of verbal jousting when wide receiver Terrell Owens shunned the Ravens for the Eagles, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Owens take it to the field on Friday.

Owens, Lewis Face Off


DAR ES SALAAM - African leaders on Wednesday declared  quot;a terrorist organisation quot; the rebels who claimed the slaughter of at least 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees in Burundi, but failed to impose sanctions on their group.

Summit declares Burundi Hutu FNL rebels  #39;terrorists #39;


Within two weeks of the firing of CEO Craig Conway, business applications vendor PeopleSoft Inc. has seen the departure of another top executive, Ram Gupta, executive vice president of products and technology.

PeopleSoft exec follows Conway out the door


China repatriates up to 70 North Koreans caught in Beijing while allegedly preparing to seek asylum.

China returns N Korea refugees


Playboy Enterprises, the adult entertainment company, has announced plans to open a private members club in Shanghai even though the company #39;s flagship men #39;s magazine is still banned in China.

Playboy to open club in Shanghai


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Battery maker Rayovac Corp. <A HREF=

Rayovac Nears Deal for United Industries


While security experts applaud Microsoft #39;s recently released Service Pack 2, some companies that distribute their software over the Web are watching the product #39;s introduction with dread and suspicion.

SP2 vs. the plug-ins


United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday congratulated US President George W. Bush on his re-election and hoped to maintain  quot;positive and productive quot; relations

UN chief congratulates Bush on re-election


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Sony Corp <A HREF=

Sony Takes on iPod with New Hard Disk Walkman


George Bush received the best possible boost to the start of his second term yesterday when US payrolls rose at the fastest rate for seven months, well above the market #39;s expectations.

Hurricanes help to create jobs in US


CUPERTINO, CaliforniaOctober 14, 2004Apple today announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 150 million songs from the iTunes Music Store, marking another major milestone for the online music business.

iTunes Music Store Downloads Top 150 M


Hollinger International has extended an olive branch to former chief executive Lord Black by offering him a share in the proceeds of the 665m sale of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.

Hollinger offers Black \$100m deal


Vijay Singh's gift bag was without question stuffed more than anyone else's when he left TPC Boston in Norton following Monday's final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Cashing in at Deutsche Bank


A Syrian and an Algerian have been arrested in Spain in connection with the March 11 Madrid train bombings, the Spanish interior ministry said.

Syrian, Algerian arrested over Madrid train bombings


AP - Xavier Beitia kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1:03 to play to help No. 5 Florida State pull off a surprisingly close 20-17 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday.

No. 5 Florida St. Nips Wake Forest 20-17 (AP)


Internet media and Web search company Yahoo Inc. (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it bought privately held e-mail search company Stata Labs, jumping into the nascent

Yahoo Buys Privately Held Stata Labs


The chief of the United Nations #39; nuclear agency appealed to Iran Monday to suspend its nuclear activities and expressed concern that efforts to halt

UN Nuclear Agency Chief Urges Iran to Suspend Activities


MICHAEL ROGERS likes the look and feel of the world champion #39;s rainbow-coloured jersey on his back. The Italian-based Rogers, 25, from Canberra, has been hovering around world championship podiums at junior

Rogers rejoices after gold rush


In four NFL seasons spanning 54 games, Redskins safety Matt Bowen had never sacked a quarterback. In last week's win over the Bucs, he sacked Brad Johnson twice.

Bowen Invades Backfield


Flying the first commercial test pilot into space three months ago was more than a feat of entrepreneurial engineering. SpaceShipOne's maiden flight just beyond the edge of the atmosphere also required a little bureaucratic ingenuity from Patricia Grace Smith and her staff at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Helping New Space Industry Lift Off


GENEVA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - United Nations human rights investigators on Wednesday called on Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to identify and hold accountable those behind the massacre of at least 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees.

UN rights envoys urge probe into Burundi massacre


SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a  key U.S. ally and supporter of the Iraq war, celebrated on  Sunday his election win over opposition Labor after voters  enjoying the fruits of a strong economy gave him another term.

Australian PM Howard Celebrates Fourth Poll Win


Matt Gutierrez will start at quarterback for the University of Michigan on Saturday against Miami (Ohio). It #39;s right up there with  quot;dog bites man quot; on the surprise scale.

Not all QB questions answered


President Bush and his rival, Senator John Kerry, may have clashed over how to stop North Korea #39;s nuclear plans but their policies are not as far apart as their first debate suggested, analysts said on Friday.

Bush, Kerry Differ on Approach to North Korea


CIUDAD DEL ESTE, Paraguay -- In this gritty border town known as a haven for drug smugglers, arms dealers, and counterfeiters, stacks of money change hands in the open on every corner and thousands of people stream each day across Friendship Bridge into Ciudad del Este.

Paraguayan border town called key site for terrorist funding


It #39;s no longer Sun Microsystems and IBM working to undermine the Itanium processor. Both the chip #39;s maker - Intel - and close software partner Microsoft are doing the dirty work now.

Intel nuances Itanium; Microsoft ignores it


Financial group HHG today announced the 1.03 billion sale of its UK life insurance business, which includes the Pearl and London Life brands.

Hhg Offloads Pearl and London Life


A suicide bomber rammed a minibus packed with explosives into a police station near Baghdad's protected Green Zone on Saturday morning.

Suicide Bomber Kills 8 Iraqi Police Officers


Nokia yesterday demonstrated streaming video over mobile phones using IPv6, the slow-building successor to today's Internet addressing system. Broadband Blog

Next-gen Net addresses move ahead


COCA-COLA has reported a 24 per cent plunge in third-quarter net income due to weak sales of its soft drinks, juices and bottled waters in Germany, North America and other key markets.

Coca-cola earnings lose their fizz


Pakistan #39;s caretaker prime minister has stepped down, clearing the way for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz to take control of the country #39;s Parliament.

Pakistan #39;s Caretaker Prime Minister Steps Down


First it was the steel industry, now it's the airlines. United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. , both in bankruptcy protection, have warned they might terminate employee pension plans in a bid to survive. Delta Air Lines Inc. may also file for bankruptcy.

Pensions grounded?


AP - NTT DoCoMo Inc., Japan's top mobile carrier, reported a 6 percent drop in first fiscal half earnings Friday as it introduced discounts to fight intensifying competition. But it raised its full-year forecast, citing anticipated gains on asset sales.

Profit Drops at NTT DoCoMo on Service Fees (AP)


TWO British soldiers were fighting for their lives last night after being wounded in a suicide car bomb attack as a state of emergency was declared in Iraq.

Two hurt in suicide attack on Black Watch force


NORTHFIELD, Ill. The SEC won #39;t recommend enforcement action against Kraft Foods for allegedly helping the Fleming Companies inflate revenue.

SEC won #39;t take action vs. Kraft in Fleming case


Eye of newt and toe of frog may one day be gone from witches grog. Indeed, not just frogs and newts but amphibians in general are rapidly becoming threatened worldwide, a new study shows.

Many Amphibians on the Verge of Extinction


A US judge has dismissed the racketeering case against media tycoon Lord Black brought by Hollinger International.

Judge dismisses Hollinger case


The 32-year-old European footballer of the year said this month that he would not return to the national squad until he had fully recovered from a knee injury.

Nedved hangs up international boots


AFP - US marines have begun arriving in the Philippines to help the relief effort from storms that have left over 1,500 people dead or missing, a US military spokesman said.

US marines in Philippines on storm relief mission, health fears grow (AFP)


The airline, whose workers refused to accept \$800 million in wage and benefit cuts, joins United Airlines in bankruptcy. Delta could soon follow.

US Airways Tries to Reorganize for a 2nd Time


Reports that Google is planning a Mac version of its Desktop Search tool, recently released in beta for Windows, are not entirely accurate, according to publisher Tim O #39;Reilly.

Mac version of Google desktop not planned - O #39;Reilly


Sleeping Dragon


Despite the price of oil settling above \$50 a barrel for the first time, Wall Street yesterday celebrated new data showing the nation #39;s manufacturing sector expand again last month.

Markets skirt crude oil hikes


Research In Motion Limited (RIM) has reported the results of its most recent financial quarter. Both revenue and profits were higher than the previous quarter.

RIM Continues Long String of Profitable Quarters


Those the gods wish to destroy, they first make really dumb

MS PlaysForSure #8482; - GoneForNow #8482;?


AUSTIN Farmers Insurance today announced plans to cut its Texas homeowners insurance rates by five percent in a settlement with the state.

Farmers to cut rates under settlement


US stock-index futures declined before Alan Greenspan #39;s presentation to Congress, where the Federal Reserve #39;s chairman may restate his commitment to a measured #39; #39; increase in borrowing costs.

US Stock-Index Futures Decline; Dow Stocks Drop in Europe


VAIL, Colo. -- Prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case said this week they were unconcerned with a ruling that many legal experts said would have torpedoed their chances of convicting the NBA star.

Hurlbert disputes effect of key ruling


At least two of the crew members of a cargo plane that crashed in Canada were South Africans, Ronnie Mamoepa, foreign affairs department spokesperson, confirmed today.

Two South Africans killed in Canadian plane crash


AP - Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi simply smiled during the live television show when a man called to praise terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The Iraqi leader then moved on, offering to find information about a woman's detained son and see why a student didn't get into the graduate program of his choice.

Iraq's Allawi Takes Call-In Questions (AP)


The links between Delta Air Lines and Dallas reach all the way back to the carrier #39;s first passenger flight. On June 17, 1929, a six-seat Delta  quot;Travelair quot; flew from Dallas to Jackson, Miss.

Delta clips its wings in Dallas


It was once the crown jewel of the Sony empire. But for years now the Japanese company #39;s consumer-electronics division -- responsible for everything from TVs to Walkmans to DVD players -- has been a disaster.

Sony: A Bight Picture?


Federal energy regulators improperly calculated how much money energy companies should refund to California consumers, and the state should get another

Court sides with state in case against FERC


SanDisk has announced new, high-capacity versions of many of its flash card formats. New versions of both the miniSD and RS-MMC card formats now push the maximum capacity to 512 MB.

SanDisk ups capacity, again


As six NBA championship trophies covered with his fingerprints gleamed behind him in a trophy case, Scottie Pippen slumped his lean 6-7 frame over a Berto Center podium Tuesday and bade farewell to his playing days.

Final buzzer arrives for Pippen


The US space agency NASA plans to launch an experimental aircraft Monday that it hopes will set a new world record for air speed. If weather permits, an unpiloted wedge-shaped X-43 aircraft

US Space Agency Aims for New Air Speed Record


When Inhibitex Inc. set the terms of its initial public offering in March, it thought it was being conservative, expecting shares to sell for \$10 to \$12 apiece.

As money-raisers, 2004 #146;s initial offerings fall short


Reuters - Rebels from Sudan's Darfur region on\Thursday rejected calls to disarm or garrison their fighters\before a political solution to the conflict there has been\decided and implemented.

Darfur Rebels Say Peace First, Disarming After (Reuters)


Beleaguered Russian oil company Yukos said yesterday that it had reduced its crude output forecast for the year as bailiffs continued to collect cash against

Yukos cuts its production forecast


Across the Americas, Native Americans are preparing for Tuesday's opening powwow in Washington, D.C. #151;the largest such gathering in recent times.

20,000 American Indians to March at National Museum Opening


Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh #39;s recent moves to restore peace in Kashmir were encouraged by successful elections in the state in 2002 and positive steps by archrival Pakistan, Indian Ambassador to Washington Ronen Sen said yesterday.

Pakistan credited in Kashmir overture


Matt Hemingway, who qualified for his first Olympics on his third try and once quit high jumping because he was  quot;burned out, quot; made sure his first Olympic experience was one to remember.

Hemingway nabs silver in high jump


Apple Computer Inc. has introduced a new larger-capacity iPod with a colour display as well as a first-of-its-kind digital compendium of the rock band U2 #39;s songs.

Apple introduces colour screen iPod


The family of DNA pioneer Professor Maurice Wilkins has been touched by floods of tributes from around the world.

Tributes touch DNA pioneer's family


JOHANNESBURG (Dow Jones)--Telkom SA Ltd (TKG) said in a statement Tuesday it welcomes the sale of a 15.1 stake in the company to a black consortium.

Telkom Welcomes Black Consortium As Strategic Shareholder


WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (AFP) - The United States downplayed Wednesday interim Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi #39;s charge of  quot;negligence quot; by members of the multinational force in Iraq after 49 recruits for Iraq #39;s new army were massacred.

US downplays Allawi charge after massacre of recruits in Iraq


President Bush said Thursday that

Bush Says Social Security Is a Top Priority


KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms, agreed to settle a shareholder lawsuit over the collapse of Belgium #39;s Lernout  amp; Hauspie Speech Products NV, by agreeing to pay \$115 million, one of the law firms representing investors said

KPMG Settles Lernout  amp; Hauspie Lawsuit


BRIGHTON, ENGLAND -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair tried yesterday to heal divisions over the Iraq war and unite his Labour party to fight for a historic third term in power.

Blair defends Iraq war, urges party to heal rifts


WATERLOO, ONTARIO - Research in Motion reported sharply higher quarterly profits and revenues Thursday as sales of its popular BlackBerry wireless e-mail device continue to soar.

Research in Motion revenues soar on BlackBerry popularity


TORONTO (CP) - Chris Bosh scored 23 points and hauled down nine rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors to an 86-83 NBA pre-season victory over Italian powerhouse Benetton Treviso on Wednesday.

Raptors edge Benetton Treviso


Dozens of aftershocks shook northern Japan after a powerful earthquake killed at least 17 people and injured nearly 1,000 as houses collapsed and landslides devastated a village, stranding hundreds.

Aftershocks hit northern Japan


CHEJU (Yonhap) - South Korean golfer Grace Park gave the home crowd exactly what they wanted at the \$1.35 million CJ Nine Bridges Classic on Sunday as a storming final round gave her a comfortable win.

Park Claims Title at CJ Nine Bridges


George C. Newstrom is quitting as Virginia #39;s secretary of technology, becoming the first departure from Gov. Mark R. Warner #39;s Cabinet.

Warner secretary of technology to quit


SALT LAKE CITY Oct. 12, 2004 - Utah Jazz point guard Raul Lopez, who missed the 2002-03 season after having a second surgery on his right knee, will be out indefinitely after bumping his leg over the weekend.

Lopez Out Indefinitely With Knee Injury


ONCE upon a time I used to have a really untidy desk, inches deep in press releases, old newspapers and illegible notes. Now it may not exactly be paper-free, but at least it is paper-reduced.

Taming the curse of virtual clutter behind your tidy desktop


CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Sports Network) - Carolina  Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith underwent successful surgery  on his broken left leg Tuesday and needs at least eight weeks  to rehab.

Carolina WR Smith Undergoes Surgery


The Food and Drug Administration insists that until pharmaceutical giant Merck presented new information this week, there was not enough evidence to pull the arthritis drug Vioxx off the market.

Questions About Drug Safety System Emerge After Arthritis Drug <b>...</b>


New communications technology could spawn future products. Could your purse tell you to bring an umbrella?

Photos: Networks of tomorrow


News Item: NASA #39;s Cassini-Huygens spacecraft to broadcast French rock  #39;n #39; roll as it approaches Saturn #39;s moon Titan.

Something #39;s a little fishy about PETA #39;s priorities


India and Pakistani Foreign Ministers met in New Delhi for two days on September 5-6 to resolve outstanding bilateral disputes including the Kashmir dispute.

Indo-Pak talks: Do they offer any hope?


YUKOS has reported a net loss of US\$2.65 billion (1.45bn) for the first half of 2004, a period of record oil prices, prompting speculation that the Russian oil firm is on the verge of declaring bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy fears as Yukos #39; half-year loss hits \$2.65bn


The GlobalFlyer, a single-seat airplane designed to make the first solo, nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world, is a feat of engineering.

Around the World, With 13 Fuel Tanks and a Single Seat


_ Kidde PLC, the British fire and safety company, said Thursday it had agreed to a 1.4 billion pound (\$2.8 billion) takeover by United Technologies Corp.

British fire and safety firm Kidde accepts takeover by United <b>...</b>


Nokia posted better-than-expected results for the third quarter yesterday, possibly marking a turnaround in the cellphone giant #39;s fortunes after it failed to pick up on the popularity of clamshell phones earlier.

Nokia #39;s fortunes improve in third quarter


AP - Enmeshed in his re-election campaign, President Bush rarely spends a full day at the White House. But even when he does, presidential politics and campaign pitches remain close at hand.

Bush Campaign Trail Stops at White House (AP)


Pakistani troops in Waziristan begin a new search for Islamic militants, among them a former US detainee.

New hunt for Pakistan militants


The United Nations said on Wednesday that African Union monitors should be deployed in Darfur refugee camps and should also monitor police to help in building trust with the local community.

UN calls for more AU monitors in Darfur Camps


France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has refuted critics of his national squad #39;s current poor run of form. Critics have wondered why the former FIFA Footballer of the Year and current top-performer in

Henry rebuts critics


ATHENS (Reuters) - Romania underlined their superiority  over the rest of the field by storming to the women's  gymnastics team gold at the Olympic Games Tuesday.

Romania Wins Women's Gymnastics Gold, U.S. Takes Silver


President Bush and Sen. John F. Kerry disagreed vigorously last night as they tossed out plenty of numbers, and both demonstrated a talent for relying on facts and assertions of questionable origin.

Plenty of Flaws Among the Facts


(Oct. 11) -- Chrysler is recalling nearly 1 million minivans because an electrical problem could cause the driver #39;s side air bag to fail.

Chrysler Recalls Minivans


Uno, dos, tres, CATORCE! The TV quakes as a euphoric punk holler, stabbing guitar and muscle-bound rhythms roar over convulsive images of rock stars in silhouette.

U2 sees iPod TV spots as synergy, not sellout


Congressional negotiators appeared to have beaten back efforts yesterday to expand or preserve the tax refunds for poor families, even as they added \$12.

Bid to Save Tax Refunds For the Poor Is Opposed


The scooter maker is testing a new four-wheel gadget that travels 20 mph and can handle rough terrain.

Segway may go off-road


AP - 1932  #151; Brooklyn's Johnny Frederick hit his sixth pinch home run of the season, a major league record, in the ninth inning to spark the Dodgers to a 4-3 triumph over the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field.

This Date in Baseball for Sept. 12 (AP)


Steven Gerrard #39;s stunning late goal caps a remarkable Liverpool comeback as they beat Olympiakos Pireaus 3-1 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Gerrard rocket sends Liverpool through


SANTA FE, NM -- A coalition of environmental groups plans to sue the federal government over its failure to list the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse as an endangered species.

Environmentalists intend to sue over sharp-tailed grouse


SEPTEMBER 29, 2004 (MACCENTRAL) - Apple Computer Inc. has improved the services offered to subscribers of .Mac. Previously, the amount of storage for a basic .

.Mac bumps up storage capacity, improves mail


Mumbai, Aug 28 - The situation in both Jalna and Poorna towns in Central Maharashtra, that witnessed violence in the aftermath of explosions at places of worship leaving 18 persons injured, was peaceful and under control today, police said.

Curfew relaxed in Jalna; sitation peaceful in Poorna


A powerful typhoon was poised to strike the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu on Monday, threatening large areas of the country with strong winds and heavy rain.

Typhoon set to hit southern Japan


Federal agents and international allies arrest 28 suspects thought to have traded in credit card numbers and financial information.

Secret Service busts online ID fraud ring


IBM has signed a \$969-million deal to provide DSL-based Internet telephony and data services to Lloyds TSB, one of the largest banks in the UK.

IBM Wins Lloyds TSB Network Contract


Ingram Micro is shelling out \$493m cash including assumption of debt for Tech Pacific, an Australian distie. The deal will see Ingram #39;s Asia Pac operations double in size.

Ingram buys Aussie distie for \$493m


Enterprise Sales for BlackBerry is designed to deliver full application functionality, including alerts on hot sales leads, prescriptive analytics, and remote security.

PeopleSoft Tries Out CRM In A BlackBerry


FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank held interest rates steady as expected on Thursday for the 17th month in a row, uncertain about how resilient the euro zone economy will prove to a strong currency and high oil prices.

ECB as expected keeps rates at 2 pct, eying euro


Reuters - Housing starts rebounded sharply in\July, making up almost all the ground lost in a June slump by\posting their largest monthly percentage gain since September\2002, a report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday showed.

Housing Starts Rebound Sharply in July (Reuters)


The 2004 Summer Olympics are underway in Athens and the web is home to plenty of information that makes watching the games even more interesting.

An Olympic Selection of Search Resources


AP - High-end retailer Saks Inc. on Friday said it named Andrew Jennings as president and chief operating officer of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Saks 5th Avenue Names President, COO (AP)


Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) said today that the outlook for the company was positive due to a major supply agreement for its Brisbane plant and a possible overseas joint venture.

Incitec rakes in \$75.1m profit


Company says it will come out with 1-gigabit chip for mobile devices next year.

Samsung raises flash memory bar


A race for the ages is in prospect at next year #39;s Helsinki world championships if three of the world #39;s great runners stay fit, healthy and focused.

Classic 5,000 metres in store at Helsinki


Ruud van Nistelrooy could still face a UEFA ban after his alleged elbow on Sparta Prague defender Pavel Pergl. The United striker thought he had escaped when the referee cleared him of misconduct in Tuesdays game.

News / What The Papers Say


 By Saul Hudson

 MANAUS, Brazil (Reuters) - The United States has seeninformation suggesting Iran is working on the technology todeliver a nuclear warhead on a missile, Secretary of StateColin Powell said on Wednesday.

Iran May Seek to Mate Missile, Nuclear Warhead-US


Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), the biggest telecoms both in Singapore and Southeast Asia, on Wednesday announced the start of a month-long trial for its third-generation

SingTel to launch 3G trial services soon


Cingular Wireless said Monday that it plans to sell a wireless data network that supports about a quarter of the world #39;s Blackberry users to a New York-based fund manager.

Cingular Wireless plans to sell interactive unit


AP - Reggie Bush usually comes off the bench for No. 1 Southern California. He'll start at tailback for the Trojans against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

USC's Bush to Start at Tailback (AP)


Lions head coach Steve Mariucci says he was contacted by Notre Dame regarding their vacant head coaching position, but he will remain in Detroit.

Mariucci Passes On Irish


The European Parliament is set to hold a debate as it prepares to decide the fate of the incoming commission.

MEPs to decide commission's fate


Dell offers to install its PCs, televisions and networks, and provide extra phone support for stopping viruses and spyware.

Dell touts in-home services


Australian milk producer National Foods Ltd. said on Friday it expects its fiscal 2005 net profit to grow by about 14 per cent, spurred mainly by a raft of new products which lifted its market share.

Australia #39;s National Foods flags 14 per cent profit growth


Design specialists dream up the unexpected to help Microsoft get a foothold in the living room.

Is that a Media Center PC--or an end table?


At least 22 officers have been killed in attacks on police targets in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar.

Attacks kill 22 policemen in Iraq


Advanced Micro Devices Inc. will use Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. #39;s manufacturing services to produce AMD #39;s Opteron and Athlon 64 processors starting in 2006, adding production capacity as the

AMD signs up for extra 64-bit production capacity


Here's hoping you won't have to choose between health and comfort.

Is Health Insurance Killing Retirement?


A greatest hits album by late South African singer Brenda Fassie will help Nelson Mandela's Aids project.

Fassie CD to boost Mandela fund


SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Wireless networking provider Proxim Corp., today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Symbol Technologies Inc.

Proxim settles patent lawsuit with Symbol


Thanksgiving didn #39;t start out as planned for many holiday travelers who began the long weekend stuck in airports or creeping along highways after fierce storms dumped snow in the Midwest.

Thanksgiving travelers hope for better weather


Reuters - Reports that portraits of North Korean\leader Kim Jong-il had been removed were a U.S. plot to\overthrow the government and a

N.Korea Says Kim Portrait Reports a 'U.S. Plot' (Reuters)


AP - A top networking gear producer plans to offer a speedy new cellular technology that's an alternative to DSL and cable Internet access with the added advantage of being available on the road.

Modem to Connect With Speedy Cellular Tech (AP)


OPINIONS were split in the Australian camp on the future of Brett Lee after a maverick selection push by captain Ricky Ponting last night.

Ponting in Lee plea


The world #39;s developing countries this year will turn in the strongest economic growth in three decades and should continue to enjoy solid expansion in 2005 and 2006, the World Bank predicted Tuesday.

World Bank predicts growth for countries


Businesses saw inventories rise in July as sales picked up, the government reported Wednesday.

Businesses' Inventories, Sales Rise in July


It didn't take anything so drastic as driving a stake through Manny Ramirez's heart, but to the Texas Rangers, who brought an end to the Red Sox' 10-game winning streak here, it almost felt like that's what was needed to put the Sox in the loss column.  quot;Especially in Boston, quot; said Doug Brocail, the Rangers' 37-year-old reliever who has pulled ...

A range of emotions for Texas


The family of Ken Bigley, the Briton kidnapped in Iraq, have released a statement through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office appealing for his safe release.

Appeal from Family of Kidnapped Briton in Iraq


IN AFGHANISTAN. US troops and helicopter gunships killed 22 militants, including three Arab fighters, in the southern province of Zabul, Afghanistan, the military said yesterday.

WORLD BRIEFS


Context Specific Mirroring


RICKY PONTING believes cricket watchers have fallen for the  quot;myth quot; that New Zealand know the secret to rattling Australia ahead of tonight #39;s sudden-death Champions Trophy clash at The Oval.

Ricky slams Kiwi  #39;myth #39;


Cricket is safe from pretzels and popcorn for a while longer, judging by yesterday #39;s nine-wicket defeat for the United States.

Throw minnows back says Ponting


ATHENS, Greece -- It was death by a thousand cuts. If you can describe taking silver instead of gold as  quot;death. quot; ...

Finish tarnished by silver


As the SuperComputing 2004 show kicks off in the US city of Pittsburg this week, Linux technology will be well represented among the big honking processor, storage and networking technologies on display.

Linux #39;s SuperComputing day


(HOMESTEAD, Fla.) - Kurt Busch will start in great position on Sunday as he tries to wrap up the Nextel Cup drivers championship. Busch has won the pole for the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Busch gets Ford pole


There was a great 35th birthday present for Ernie Els on Sunday. The South African won the World Match Play title for a record sixth time, beating Lee Westwood to earn a million pounds, the biggest prize in golf.

Els captures record 6th world title


Lleyton Hewitt looked impressive once again as he cruised into the men #39;s quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. The Australian fourth seed, champion here in 2001, was far too good for Slovakia #39;s Karol Beck.

HEWITT IMPRESSES IN BECK ROMP


More than a year after allegations of rape levelled at basketball star Kobe Bryant shocked the world of sport and set in motion a circus of claim and counterclaim, the first wave of jury selection began yesterday.

Jury lines up for Kobe Bryant rape trial


AP - Archaeologists unveiled Sunday the tomb of a member of a powerful family that governed a swath of western Egypt about 2,500 years ago, along with a dozen recently discovered mummies from Roman times.

Egypt Unveils 2,500-Year-Old Tomb, Mummies (AP)


Three of the nation #39;s largest airlines have reported a combined 906-(m) million-dollars in third-quarter losses. The largest by far was at Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines -- where bankruptcy looms unless it

Losses for major carriers mount, Delta #39;s biggest of all amid <b>...</b>


Halliburton said Tuesday that the US Army had decided not to grant it additional time to substantiate its costs for feeding and housing American troops in Iraq and Kuwait, a decision that could cost the company 15 percent of its payment.

US withholds some Halliburton payments for Iraq services


AP - NTT DoCoMo, Japan's top mobile-phone carrier, and Motorola Inc., the world's No. 2 cell-phone maker, plan to develop a more sophisticated mobile phone that subscribers in Japan can also use while traveling to other parts of Asia as well as Europe, the companies said Wednesday.

NTT DoCoMo, Motorola Strike Phone Deal (AP)


Shares of Google Inc. (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) fell as much as 6.5 percent on Tuesday, as selling restrictions were lifted on 39 million shares held by employees and early

Google Stock Falls as Share Lockups Expire


PeopleSofts shareholders tendered 60.8 of their shares to Oracle on November20th, which in TBRs (Technology Business Research) opinion makes this acquisition approximately 95 plausible.

Peoplesoft deal to trigger industry consolidation


A private rocket ship shot into space on Monday morning and won a coveted \$10 million aviation prize for its creators.

Private Rocket Ship Earns \$10 Million in New Space Race


AP - Technological advances that help drug companies churn out highly profitable prescription medications must also be applied to improving public health care around the globe, a World Health Organization report released Wednesday says.

WHO Urges Science to Keep World Healthy (AP)


Reuters - About 100 Tibetan exiles chanted prayers as they began a hunger strike on Friday in a busy business district of Bombay, to demand the release of a Tibetan Buddhist monk jailed in China over a spate of bombings.

Tibetan exiles in India campaign for monk's release (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Ford Motor Co. <A HREF=

Ford Rises 2.7 Percent Before Bell


AP - Japanese Internet service provider Softbank Corp. agreed Tuesday to pay troubled retailer Daiei Inc. 5 billion yen ( #36;48.5 million) for its baseball team, becoming the second Net company to snap up a Japanese baseball club this year.

Japanese Internet Company Acquires Team (AP)


The U.S. Navy is getting a 21st century makeover, with a new dress code that makes skirts optional for its more than 54,000 female sailors for the first time since women officially entered the service in 1908...

U.S. Navy Makes Skirts Optional for Women


Honda Motor Co., Japan #39;s third- largest carmaker, said it will take 45 percent stake in British American Tobacco Plc #39;s Formula One team, owning part of a team for the first time in 36 years.

Honda Takes 45 Stake in British American #39;s F-1 Team (Update1)


Jaret Wright couldn't get much lower: Waived by the last-place San Diego Padres last summer, he stood outside Houston's Minute Maid Park with his luggage stacked beside him, waiting for a cab that would take him to the airport.

Wright back on right track


Nita Bertsche, who lives a few miles north of Atlanta and has been flying on Delta Air Lines for 20 years, was relieved this week to hear that the airline had, for now at least, managed to avoid bankruptcy.

In Atlanta, Relief That the Hometown Airline Remains Aloft


Reuters - Canada does not expect to hand over to\China any time soon 44 North Korean asylum seekers who scaled the\fence to enter the compound this week and is preparing for what\may be a long stay, an official said on Friday.

Canada May Not Hand N.Koreans Over to China Soon (Reuters)


The U.S. Postal Service is about to get a \$35 million Web-based human resources application makeover, based on the mySAP Business Suite from applications vendor SAP AG.

SAP to deliver HR upgrade for U.S. Postal Service


The dollar strengthened slightly against major currencies in Asian trade yesterday, with the yen coming under pressure from a further spike in crude oil prices, dealers said.

Greenback strengthened slightly after energy price spike pressures <b>...</b>


LONDON, SEPTEMBER 7: Some of Europes major powers including newly-crowned champions Greece, France and England, will be looking to improve on Saturdays disappointing results when they play their second World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday.

European powers wary of more slip-ups


Toxicology tests outlined in Yasser Arafat #39;s medical records did not find any known poisons, the late Palestinian leader #39;s nephew said today, adding that the records gave no clear cause of death.

Cause of death unclear, says Arafat nephew


Boeing Co. changed management of its commercial aircraft division yesterday, replacing the head of the sales team after losing several competitions to its European rival Airbus SAS.

Boeing Changes Management in Key Division


AP - New software at Hewlett-Packard Co. was supposed to get orders in and out the door faster at the computer giant. Instead, a botched deployment cut into earnings in a big way in August and executives got fired.

Software Disasters Often People Problems (AP)


Wharf T amp;T, a telecom arm of conglomerate Wharf (Holdings), has teamed up with its sister company i-Cable Communications, Hong Kong #39;s second-largest broadband provider, to launch an Internet phone service, hoping to widen its market share.

Wharf T amp;T links up with i-Cable on Net phones


MOSCOW -- President Vladimir Putin's plan to end the election of governors by popular vote passed its final hurdle yesterday, when the Russian parliament's upper chamber approved the bill. The law -- part of a package that has been assailed by opposition parties and human rights monitors as an attempt by the Kremlin to strengthen its authority at the expense ...

Putin plan to appoint governors is approved


NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Mills Inc. on Thursday said it  will begin using whole grains in all of its breakfast cereals,  including such well-known brands as Lucky Charms and Trix,  becoming the latest foodmaker to promote healthier eating.

General Mills Cereals All Going Whole Grain


STARKVILLE, Mississippi (Sports Network) - The NCAA  Wednesday placed Mississippi State on probation for four years  because of football recruiting violations.

Mississippi State Penalized for Football Violations


Fed-up fans at the Air Canada Centre yesterday treated Vince Carter as if the trade was already a done deal. SUPERSONICS 101 RAPTORS 94.

Crowd rains boos on Raptors Carter


THE HAGUE -- A mosque in the Netherlands' southeast was destroyed by fire yesterday in what seemed to be the latest suspected attack against an Islamic site since the killing of a Dutch filmmaker critical of Islamic fundamentalism.

Arson eyed at Dutch mosque


Richard Sterne of South Africa shot a 5-under-par 65 and rallied to win the one-million-euro (\$1.5-million Cdn) Madrid Open by two shots Sunday, ensuring the 23-year-old of another year on the European tour.

South African wins Madrid Open by two shots to assure European <b>...</b>


As PeopleSoft Inc. and Oracle Corp. continue dragging each other into courtrooms across the country, the trials are bringing to light reams of internal documents and discussions usually hidden from public view. Highlights so far from this week's case in Delaware's Chancery Court include:

PeopleSoft trial airs dirty laundry


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Shi'ite militiamen struck at the center  of Iraq's oil industry Thursday, setting the South Oil Company  headquarters in the southern port of Basra on fire and further  undermining the central government authority, police and  officials said.

Iraq Oil Flows Unchanged After Basra HQ Attacked


Novell Inc has taken its new stance on software patents in order to protect innovation in the industry as a whole, not just the open source community, according to a European regulator.

Novell patents to protect more than open source


Chris Draft scooped up the ball, fell down, got back up and didn #39;t stop running until he reached the end zone with teammate DeAngelo Hall draped over his back.

Vick pass to Crumpler for 49-yard TD lifts Falcons past Buccaneers <b>...</b>


LONDON (AFP) - England coach Andy Robinson was in upbeat mood despite a 21-19 Twickenham defeat against Australia that was the team #39;s first loss since the resignation of World Cup-winning supremo Sir Clive Woodward.

Robinson optimistic ahead of Six Nations


Microsoft says SP2 may not work on computers powered by chipmaker's 64-bit processors.

Windows update harbors AMD conflict


Sudanese rebels insisted on Tuesday that the government disarm its militias in Darfur before they would sign a deal to bring aid to 1.5 million civilians displaced by violence.

Sudanese Darfur rebels stall aid pact for refugees (Updated 12:45 <b>...</b>


A custom-built early warning radar installed in an Israeli border town passed its first live test on Wednesday, alerting residents to incoming Palestinian rockets in time for them to take cover.

Using New Radar, Israeli Town Ducks Gazan Rockets


Messina and Palermo played to a lacklustre 0-0 draw Thursday in the first Serie A derby between the Sicilian clubs since the Second World War.

Messina draws Palermo 0-0


The Court of Arbitration for Sport today announced it had rejected a South Korean appeal to reduce Hamm to the silver and give the all-around Olympic gold to a gymnast who lost because of a scoring error.

Paul Hamm says court affirms he #39;s a  quot;champion quot;


High performance analog chipmaker National Semiconductor today lowered its revenue guidance for its fiscal Q2. The new guidance for the quarter calls for revenues to range from \$445 million to \$450 million

National Semi Cuts Guidance


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. warned Asian  governments on Thursday they could face patent lawsuits for  using the Linux operating system instead of its Windows  software.

Microsoft Warns Asian Govts of Linux Lawsuits


TOKYO (Reuters) - Nintendo Co. will begin selling an  adaptor for its DS and Game Boy Advance handheld game players  to allow them to play music and video, the company said,  matching a popular feature on Sony's portable game machine.

Nintendo to Bring Music, Video to DS Game Machine


TOKYO -- NTT DoCoMo, Japan's biggest mobile communications carrier, achieved a 1Gbpspacket transmission speed using fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication equipment on Aug. 20, the company said Friday.

NTT DoCoMo's 4G research hits 1Gbps


School pupils in Singapore lead the world in maths and science tests, latest international rankings suggest.

Singapore heads school test table


HANOI (AFP) - Vietnam Airlines said Monday it was in talks with Boeing to buy four super-efficient 7E7 Dreamliner aircraft as part of its ambitious fleet and route expansion program.

Vietnam Airlines in talks to buy four Boeing 7E7s


The US government has sued a New Hampshire man in its first attempt to crack down on Internet  quot;spyware quot; that seizes control of a user #39;s computer without permission.

First Suit Filed Against Internet  #39;Spyware #39;


SAN FRANCISCO - Online auction giant eBay Inc. has acquired a 25 percent stake in San Francisco classified advertisements Web site Craigslist, the companies said Friday.

EBay takes stake in Craigslist


LONDON (Reuters) - European shares touched a two-month high  on Monday as investors bought stocks in sectors highly exposed  to the global economic cycle like tech and basic resources  following reassuring U.S. jobs data on Friday.

Economy Hopes Lift European Stocks


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration has asked  Congress to quickly lift a ban on U.S. Export-Import Bank loans  in Libya and said

Bush Tries to Help U.S. Firms Invest in Libya


Only the nave or willfully ignorant seem not to understand that drug use has been widespread for many years in elite sport.

Revelations Only Confirm Suspicions About Drugs


Reuters - Israel's justice minister warned on\Thursday that far-right rabbis who urge soldiers to disobey\orders to evacuate Jewish settlements in Gaza were flirting\with civil war and could face prosecution.

As Gaza Vote Looms, Israel Warns of Civil War Risk (Reuters)


As you may have heard, the Red Sox won the first World Series championship for the franchise since 1918. Making that championship even sweeter, they pulled off an unprecedented comeback against the team they and their fans love to hate, the Yankees.

Baseball America


OAKLAND - Let us bypass for a moment all that is debatable about yet another lost Raiders on Sunday. Let #39;s forget the for-now unforgettable, unprecedented and bizarre referee #39;s flag on rookie tackle Robert

Raiders can #39;t hold on


Telecoms giant BT is looking again at price rises on wholesale broadband which have angered small net providers.

BT mulls u-turn on broadband cost


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

Newly discovered dinosaur reached out and chomped its prey


Richard Sterne of South Afrrica won for the first time in his career on Sunday when he finished on 18 under par to win the Open de Madrid.

US PGA AND EUROPEAN GOLF LATEST BETTING ODDS NEWS


Microsoft has joined big Internet service providers, America Online, EarthLink and Yahoo against spamming. The companies announced they are filing three new antispam

ISPs unite, sue spammers


Slot machine maker International Game Technology (IGT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings, as casinos bought

RPT-UPDATE 2-Slot machine maker IGT beats estimates


A car bomb exploded at a gathering of Islamic radicals in the central Pakistan city of Multan early Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens, police said.

Car bomb kills at least 20 in Pakistan


The manufacturing technology can result in faster chips without increasing power requirements, say the companies. By Darrell Dunn.

New Technology From AMD And IBM Boosts Chip Performance


Milwaukee - For the first time, the man who is expected to be the next owner of the Brewers met with the media. California investor Mark Attanasio assured fans that if the sale goes through, the team will definitely stay in Milwaukee.

Man Buying Brewers Introduced


JBoss Inc. on Monday plans to announce its JBoss Enterprise Middleware System, which includes a number of open-source projects the company plans to integrate into a single software offering.

JBoss aims high with Enterprise Middleware System


SUN CITY, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa's Retief  Goosen claimed his first Sun City Golf Challenge title at the  Gary Player Country Club Sunday after overnight leader Lee  Westwood slumped to an 80.

Goosen Wins Sun City Title, Westwood Slumps to 80


Ray Brent Marsh, who is to enter the plea Friday, had faced up to 8,000 years in a case that shocked the nation two years ago when investigators found hundreds of rotting corpses stacked in storage sheds and scattered in woods outside his rural northwest

Crematory operator to get 12 years


Outgoing Kmart chief executive Julian Day is getting about \$90 million in stock options for his leadership at the discount chain, which emerged from bankruptcy in May.

Update 3: Outgoing Kmart Chief Gets \$90M in Options


BOUAKE (Reuters) - Government warplanes and helicopter  gunships pounded rebel-held towns in northern Ivory Coast for a  second day on Friday, fueling fears of a slide into all-out war  in the world's top cocoa grower.

Ivory Coast's Army Bombs Rebel Towns


During a press conference yesterday, Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge answered his cell phone, turned to the audience of reporters, and said,  quot;Hold on, it's Gary Payton. quot; It was an obvious joke, but also wishful thinking.

Ainge is waitin' for Payton


SRINAGAR, India (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dangled a multi-billion-dollar plan for peace before Kashmiris as he pulled an army battalion out of the insurgency-hit state and hinted at further troop cuts.

Indian PM offers Kashmir five billion dollar peace boost as troops <b>...</b>


NEW YORK - Bill Clinton underwent a successful quadruple heart bypass operation Monday to relieve severely clogged arteries that had put the former president at high risk of suffering a heart attack.

Clinton Has Successful Quadruple Bypass


DHAKA, Dec 11: Legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday congratulated Sachin Tendulkar for equalling his world record of 34 Test centuries, saying he was more precious to the Indians than even the  #39;Kohinoor #39; and must not stop before 50 centuries.

Sachin precious than  #39;Kohinoor #39;: Gavaskar


Andre Miller scores 29 points as the Nuggets sprint to a 115-102 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

Miller Lifts Nuggets


Hundreds of new refugees from Sudan have poured into overwhelmed camps in Chad. This latest influx is an alarming barometer of the violence inside Darfur.

Death and Sorrow Stalk Sudanese Across Border


US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer bought more shares in Manchester United on Monday, lifting his stake to 27.63 percent and heightening speculation that he will bid for the club, sources said.

Glazer raises Manchester United stake to 27.6 pct-sources


BEIJING, SEPT 13: Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan has outlined an ambitious long-term vision for China, with the aim of quadrupling output within two decades, at the opening plenary session of the World Economic Forums China Business Summit 2004.

Zeng Outlines Vision For The Chinese Economy


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Bond was set Tuesday for an Oklahoma man who is accused of opening fire outside a Fayetteville Wal-Mart. Henry Bunch, of Stilwell, Okla.

Bond Set For Man Accused In Wal-Mart Shooting


Soaring oil prices trumped positive earnings news Wednesday, sending stocks skidding as investors rushed to take profits on new fears that the market is in the midst of a commodities bubble.

Soaring Oil Prices Send Stocks Skidding


It has been a long and acrimonious road back, but six years after being forced out as owners of the first commercial television station in the Czech Republic, Central European Media Enterprises is back, spending \$642m (334m) in cash and shares for a

US firm regains TV Nova


Despite a knee injury that ended his season, the Chiefs' Priest Holmes says he is

Holmes Will Return


NEW YORK - As he prepared for heart bypass surgery early next week, Bill Clinton was in good spirits, dressed in street clothes and walking around his hospital room Saturday morning, people close to the Clinton family said.    The former president said he was

Clinton in Good Spirits Before Surgery


European Union antitrust regulators on Tuesday cleared Oracle Corp. #39;s hostile \$7.7 billion bid for rival business software maker PeopleSoft Inc.

Regulators Clear Oracle Bid for Peoplesoft


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hershey Foods Corp. <A HREF=

Hershey Buys Macadamia Nut Producer


BIG BLUE has pre-briefed US journalists about an announcement it will make today which means its Blue Gene supercomputer will knock NEC #39;s Earth Simulator off the top performing slot.

IBM #39;s Blue Gene to topple Japanese supercomputer


A feared assassination attempt on Serbia #39;s President Boris Tadic was actually a case of  quot;road rage quot; the interior minister has said.

Belgrade attack  #39;was road rage #39;


The route for next year #39;s Tour de France may provide the stiffest test yet for the six-times winner, Lance Armstrong. Or perhaps not.

Route to make it a stiff test for Armstrong


Homing pigeons may use a magnetic

Magnetic Beaks Help Birds Navigate, Study Says


AP - More than two dozen top fund-raisers for President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry are current or former senior managers of companies punished for trading with Iran or Saddam Hussein's Iraq  #151; including the chairman of Bush's Homeland Security Advisory Committee and Kerry's fund-raising chairman.

AP: Fund-Raisers Trade With Iran, Iraq (AP)


The BSA trade group ups its reward for information on U.K. companies that are using illegal software.

Software piracy whistle-blowers get bigger rewards


WASHINGTON - Despite major increases in money and personnel, the FBI is still failing to translate many al-Qaida surveillance recordings in a timely manner and faces a giant backlog of untranslated material from terrorism and espionage investigations, a new Justice Department audit shows.    The report released Monday by Glenn A...

Audit Finds Large FBI Translation Backlog


As the first criminal trial stemming from the financial deals at Enron opens, it will be notable as much for who is not among the six defendants as who is.

First Criminal Trial on Enron to Begin Today


Madrid: Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi bowed out of the \$2.45 million Masters Series meet on Friday. The third seeds were beaten 4-6, 6-7 (3-7) by No.

Bhupathi, Mirnyi lose in last four


ACQUISITION fever gripped markets on both sides of the Atlantic yesterday including a 1.3-billion-pound takeover approach for the mid-cap London Stock Exchange from its rival Deutsche Berse.

\$1.3bn LSE bid fuels acquisition fever


NEWS Corporation would continue to grow its publishing business in Australia following the company #39;s move to the US, chairman and chief executive Rupert Murdoch stressed yesterday.

Murdoch pledges Australian growth


Prime Minister Tony Blair is preparing for a gruelling trip to Africa just days after undergoing heart treatment.

Blair prepares for African trip


I admit I thought Reggie Bush was the most devastating player in college football. I thought he was the biggest headache any defensive coordinator could ever have this season, and that he

Peterson college football #39;s ultimate weapon


The Nikkei average rose 0.53 percent by midsession on Tuesday as investors remained optimistic about Japan #39;s economy, buying banks such as Mizuho Financial Group and shares in firms tied to domestic business.

Tokyo Stocks Rise on Economic Optimism


Initiation Day concluded with the older guys raising their arms to provoke adoration and the younger guys walking away, heads lowered, shirts and egos untucked.

Young Wildcats receive the spanking on Initiation Day


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI believes there is an Israeli  spy at the very highest level of the Pentagon, CBS News  reported on Friday. The Israeli embassy immediately denied the  report.

FBI Suspects Israel Has Spy in Pentagon -- CBS News


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Hyatt Corp. said it will buy the 143-unit AmeriSuites hotel chain from The Blackstone Group for an undisclosed sum and will consolidate all of the Pritzker family #39;s hospitality holdings into one company called Global Hyatt.

Hyatt to buy AmeriSuites, consolidate holdings


Struggling to lift a Kalashnikov, a 12-year-old with the Mahdi army militia said he could do anything in battle except fly a helicopter.

Child soldiers square up to US tanks


Kansas City Royals: The Royals signed third baseman Chris Truby to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Truby, 30, spent last season with the Pirates #39; Triple-A affiliate at Nashville, where

Truby gets one-year contract


An online scouting service recently rated the Dallas Cowboys in a tie with the 49ers as the second least-talented offense in the NFL.

Raiders #39; revamped defense still needs tinkering


If tired-armed righthander Orlando Hernandez continues to feel better, he may well get the call for Game 4 Saturday ahead of Javier Vazquez . Hernandez, who has not pitched this postseason, threw 40 pitches in the bullpen yesterday and came through it well, according to Yankees manager Joe Torre .

New spin on rotation?


AP - His post-majors funk behind him, Ernie Els was back in his element Friday. Playing some of his best golf in the worst conditions, Els breezed through a wacky day of weather at the American Express Championship by starting with four straight birdies and finishing with an 8-under 64, giving him a two-shot lead and hope that he still has a lot to play for this year.

Els Takes 2-Shot Lead at American Express (AP)


When Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUNW ) Chairman and CEO Scott G. McNealy took the stage at a shindig in San Jose #39;s Tech Museum of Innovation on Nov. 15, he unveiled the most important product to come out of his company in nearly a decade.

Will Solaris 10 Make Sun Shine Again?


New animal research indicates that a single molecule may be linked to nicotine dependence, the Associated Press reported Nov. 4. For the study, researchers in California worked with a single gene to genetically

Molecule May Be Key to Nicotine Addiction


The presidential campaign is not the only race that #39;s being hotly contested these days. Consider the battle of titans underway as the two largest computer hardware firms in the world -- IBM and HP -- duke

News and Trends


Infineon Technologies AG, Europe #39;s second-largest maker of semiconductors, plans to invest about \$1 billion in a new factory in Malaysia to expand its automotive chip business and be closer to customers in the region.

Infineon to Invest \$1 Billion in Malaysian Factory (Update4)


A newly revealed summit of terrorists raises fears of a fresh plan to attack the U.S. This bombmaker and pilot could be a key player

What is this Man Plotting?


NO. 1 LSU 77, NORTH TEXAS 51: At Baton Rouge, La. - Seimone Augustus scored 22 points on 11-for-11 shooting, leading Louisiana State (8-0) over North Texas (2-2) on Tuesday.

LSU routs N. Texas, now is 8-0


When competing sides fall out of balance on shows such as  quot;The Apprentice quot; or  quot;Survivor, quot; they usually mix up the teams to even things out.

Shaq #39;s move to Miami won #39;t weaken West


Election 2004 Not even a gay, blogging Jesus could help

How organized religion, not net religion, won it for Bush


LONDON (Reuters) - The yen fell half a percent against  major currencies on Friday on a surprising downward revision to  Japanese growth, while the dollar hit three-week lows against  the euro on worries about the U.S. trade deficit.

Deficit Weighs on Dollar; GDP Hits Yen


More than 200 people are feared dead as a result of flash floods and landslides triggered by a storm in the Philippines, officials say.

Hundreds die in Filipino storm


The UN says Bangladeshi children and women face acute malnutrition after the worst floods for years.

UN warns of hunger in Bangladesh


While nine-metre (30ft) steel  quot;peace walls quot; divide Protestant and Catholic working-class streets and residents lock themselves behind metal  quot;safety quot; grills, a grim picture is emerging of post-ceasefire Northern Ireland, where hundreds of families are

Violence in Ulster drives 1,240 people from homes


AFP - A Zimbabwean court found Briton Simon Mann guilty of attempting to illegally buy arms for an alleged coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea but absolved 66 other suspected mercenaries.

Zimbabwe court finds Mann guilty over coup plot arms deal, absolves others (AFP)