Reuters - France suspended hunting in\the western Pyrenees on Wednesday to save a bear cub orphaned\when his mother, the last female bear native to the region, was\killed by hunters earlier this week.

France Suspends Hunting to Save Orphaned Bear Cub (Reuters)


Delta Air Lines makes a \$646m quarterly loss, increasing pressure on the airline as it attempts to ward off insolvency.

Delta losses soar in fresh crisis


Reuters - Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir\Bhutto's husband said on Saturday only fresh elections and an\end to military rule could lead to a rapprochement between\Bhutto's party and President Pervez Musharraf.

Bhutto's Husband Wants Fresh Election in Pakistan (Reuters)


USATODAY.com - More college campuses are adopting deeply discounted - and legal - digital music as the latest amenity for students. Several top schools began offering these services in September, either free or highly subsidized.

More schools offer cheap music downloads for students (USATODAY.com)


Corporations and government contractors have been lubricating their relationships with the region's state officials all week in New York.

Business, Pleasure, or Both?


Human rights and environmental activists have hailed the award of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize to Wangari Maathai of Kenya as fitting recognition of the growing role of civil society

Activist Groups Hail Nobel Pick


The creators of the widely-used Globus Toolkit have formed a company to provide commercial software, services and support for the open source software that has become the de facto standard for grid computing.

Grid Pioneers To Launch Company


Rogue proteins that behave like those linked to vCJD and Alzheimer's can give yeast a survival advantage.

Rogue proteins give yeast an edge


Olympic silver medalist and 2002 world champion Irina Slutskaya presented an almost flawless program to take the lead after the short program at the Cup of Russia on Friday.

Slutskaya leads after short program


Noelle Quinn scored the go-ahead basket with 16.7 seconds remaining and finished with 27 points yesterday, helping host UCLA rally from an early 17-point deficit and beat fourth-ranked Texas, 63-60.

No. 4 Texas Defeated by UCLA


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Motorola Inc. <A HREF=

Motorola Profit Rises


Thousands of Argentines angered over safety lapses at a nightclub where a fire killed 183 people, many of them teenagers, marched through capital streets Monday holding pictures of the victims and demanding the resignations of key city officials.

Protesters Seek Resignations After Fire


Japan #39;s government on Sunday said it is now certain that a 24-year-old Japanese backpacker taken hostage in Iraq has been killed.

Japan Confirms Japanese Hostage in Iraq Beheaded


BANGALORE, INDIA - Israeli companies want to collaborate with Indian companies on research and development (R D) to create IT products and services for the global market, according to Ehud Olmert, Israel's deputy prime minister and minister for industry, trade, labor and communications.

Israel to collaborate with India in IT


Virus writers are attempting to take over computer users #39; PCs by enticing them to click on a malicious programme masquerading as lurid photos of England soccer captain David Beckham, according to a security firm.

Fake Beckham pix in new virus scare


AP - Mining is such a major part of Montana's legacy that the words

Montana's Mining Future on Ballot Measure (AP)


Reuters - For Rainer Kinnunen, life has been a bit\of a blur since he signed up for a superhigh-speed Internet\service three years ago.

Livewire: Beep! Beep! Ultra-Fast Broadband Is Here (Reuters)


The European Central Bank left its key refinancing rate unchanged at two per cent Thursday amid signs that the recovery in the 12-country euro zone may be sputtering.

ECB and Britain leave rates alone despite inflation fears


Three years after cardiologists at the Cleveland Clinic warned of the dangers of the popular arthritis drug Vioxx, subsequent studies have found that the medication puts patients at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Studies confirm findings Clinic from 3 years ago


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

PRODUCT REVIEW: MSN's WebTV Grows Up (AP)


A grenade exploded at a concert of Indian movie stars and entertainers in Sri Lanka #39;s capital Saturday, killing at least two people and injuring 15, officials said.

Grenade at Sri Lanka Concert Kills Two


Oklahoma quarterback Jason White was a two-time award winner Thursday night, taking the Maxwell Award as college football #39;s best all-around player and adding his second straight Davey O #39;Brien quarterback trophy.

OU #39;s White takes Maxwell, Davey O #39;Brien awards


Lycos is offering its customers a screensaver that helps to launch denial-of-service attacks on spammers #39; websites. The controversial move is designed to use the idle processing power of a computer to slow down the response times from spammers #39; websites.

Lycos fights spam with screensaver


More security will be placed around the fields of play at the Olympics after a man who wanted to send  #39; #39;a loving message to his wife #39; #39; jumped into the diving pool, the Athens Organizing Committee said.

Security tightened after fan takes a plunge


AFP - Supporters of fox hunting stormed Britain's parliament and scuffled with police at a mass rally, but failed to prevent lawmakers from moving closer to a ban of the blood sport.

Hunt supporters storm British parliament, but ban moves closer (AFP)


THE Iraqi militants who murdered Kenneth Bigley delivered a final affront to his memory yesterday, when they released a videotape of him appealing to the Prime Minister for help moments before he was decapitated.

Kenneth Bigley #39;s final TV plea


We are likely to hear a lot about former United States president Herbert Hoover in the coming months as the US election approaches in November.

Why Bush is on the carpet with Hoover


Japanese stocks edged lower by midday on Monday with confidence in the domestic economic outlook failing to offset profit-taking that hit recent gainers such as insurers and telecom stocks including KDDI Corp.

Tokyo Stocks Dip, Focus on Data


jhu: red by joan:  In  quot;Halo 2, quot; you blow the heads off hundreds of space aliens with shotguns, rocket launchers and rifles.

Spotlight #39;s on  #39;Halo 2 #39;


HARVARD (1-0) vs. BROWN (1-0) When/where: Tomorrow, noon, at Providence. TV/radio: YES, WWZN (1510 AM), WHRB (95.3 FM). Last season: Harvard won, 52-14. Comments: Harvard has an overwhelming lead in the all-time series, 73-28-2, and has won the last four meetings. The Crimson crushed Holy Cross last weekend, 35-0. Sophomore RB Clifton Dawson led the attack, rushing for 184 yards ...

Key New England games


Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and other Internet access providers filed three new lawsuits on Thursday to stop the spread of unsolicited e-mail messages touting everything

Microsoft, Others File More Anti-Spam Lawsuits


FOXBORO, Mass.  Bill Belichick took a few minutes Monday to convey his congratulations to his offensive coordinator on becoming Notre Dame #39;s head coach.

Belichick still confident in Weis, offense


Reuters - China, which put its first man in orbit\last year, has built a national engineering and research center\for small satellites, paving the way for large-scale\production, state media said on Wednesday.

China Plans Big Production of Small Satellites (Reuters)


CHARLOTTE - The storyline couldnt had been written any better for the Charlotte Bobcats Tuesday night in their first meeting with the New Orleans Hornets.

Bobcats clip New Orleans in overtime


Karachi, Pakistan - Sri Lankan tailenders on Monday frustrated butter-fingered Pakistani fielders on the fifth and final day of the second cricket Test.

Sri Lanka frustrate sloppy Pakistan


Blackburn has come back from two goals down to draw with Birmingham in a 3-3 thriller. With first-half goals to Darren Anderton, Robbie Savage and David Dunn, Birmingham had forgotten Matt Jansens early

Rovers, Blues draw


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani security forces have  arrested two

Pakistan Says 'Important' Al Qaeda Men Arrested


Cricket has a colorful vocabulary, with terms worthy of Monty Python. Bail -- one of the wooden crosspieces that sit atop the set of stumps to form a wicket.

How's that? A cricket primer


When the Colts run EDGE: Patriots Speculation swirled all summer about tailback Edgerrin James returning to Miami  #151; where he lives and starred in college  #151; to fill the void left by Ricky Williams #146;s unexpected retirement from the Dolphins. Whether there #146;s any substance to the rumors remains to be seen. This  #145; #145;distraction #146; #146; may be good news for the Colts. If ...

Hanging with the horses


Mike Danton was sentenced yesterday to 7 1/2 years in prison for trying to have his agent killed. Danton said nothing in East St. Louis, Ill.

Danton Sentenced to 71/2 Years For Murder-for-Hire Plot


Leaders from Sudan and four other African countries issued a joint statement here late Sunday, rejecting any foreign intervention in the Darfur issue and stressing that the

African leaders reject foreign intervention in Darfur issue


Jardine Lloyd Thompson Plc, the UK #39;s biggest publicly traded insurance broker, said Chief Executive Steve McGill quit and profit will decline this year because of a difficult #39; #39; second half.

Jardine Lloyd Profit to Fall; Chief Executive Quits (Update3)


Syria and Lebanon have rejected outright a renewed United Nations Security Council call for Damascus to pull its troops out of its tiny neighbour, calling the international body #39;s decision  quot;interference quot;.

Syria and Lebanon reject UN  #39;interference #39;


Arsne Wenger celebrated Arsenal #39;s massive 100 million sponsorship deal yesterday by declaring that he expects to sign a new contract this week, committing himself to the Premiership champions until at least 2008.

New deal for Wenger as Arsenal hit the jackpot


Elliott Bernerd has agreed to walk away from the property empire he built over two decades for about 65m cash after falling out with his billionaire business partners.

Founder set to quit Chelsfield


An Irish woman convicted of murdering her millionaire boyfriend returns to court in Las Vegas.

Dancer's retrial begins in Vegas


The outcome -- or lack of it -- of Tuesday #39;s US presidential contest will move stocks in the short term, but the election effect likely will wear off quickly

Elections to Move Stocks in Short Term


UNITED NATIONS -- Secretary General Kofi Annan said yesterday he will visit tsunami-devastated Indonesia to work with regional leaders to help coordinate aid and relief efforts on the ground. Annan said he will attend a regional meeting there Thursday. Asked how long he thought the reconstruction would take, Annan replied:

Annan plans visit to aid Indonesia


Rasheed Marshall threw for 144 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night in sending 14th-ranked West Virginia coasting past Syracuse, 27-6.

COL FB: West Virginia 27, Syracuse 6


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Web search leader Google Inc.  said on Wednesday it will soon make it possible for users of  its Gmail service to check their e-mail via Microsoft Outlook  or on certain handheld devices such as mobile phones.

CORRECTED: Gmail Users Soon Able to Check E-Mail Via Outlook


As England departed on a three-month tour of southern Africa yesterday, their captain, Michael Vaughan, suggested that his team could yet refuse to fulfil their commitment to the Zimbabwe section of the trip.

Threats could force England to cancel trip


KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich  said on Saturday he would run against opposition liberal Viktor  Yushchenko again in a rerun of their contested presidential  election and he defiantly vowed he would win.

Ukraine's Yanukovich to Run Again in Repeat Vote


VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday it might extend a  partial freeze on uranium enrichment in order to ease Western  fears about its nuclear ambitions, but a senior U.S. official  dismissed this as a ploy to fend off tough U.N. action.

Iran Nuclear Enrichment Freeze Offer a Ploy - U.S.


ichael D. Eisner, the embattled chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Co., told the board of directors Thursday that he plans to step down in two years.

Eisner to Step Down as Disney Chief in 2006


\The World Bank warns Cambodia that it needs to quicken reform to avoid severe economic problems.

Cambodia 'must speed up reform'


Wholesale prices, pushed by sharply higher energy and food costs, soared by 1.7 percent in October, the largest increase since early 1990.

Wholesale Prices Register Biggest Jump Since 1990


quot;Halo 2 quot; continues the story of Master Chief, a genetically enhanced soldier who is the only human ever to successfully defy the Covenant-a coalition of alien races on a murderous march toward Earth.

Anticipated  #39;Halo 2 #39; Leaves Gamers Panting


MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian commission has backed a plea  for pardon by an army colonel jailed for 10 years for the  murder of a Chechen girl, prompting anger in the restive  province, Interfax news agency reported Friday.

Russia May Pardon Colonel for Chechen Girl's Murder


Newspaper publisher Tribune Co. (TRB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , embroiled in a scandal over inflated circulation figures, on Friday further cut circulation numbers at two New York

Circulation Scandal Costs Tribune Co More


The U.S. President has said that the problem with health care is the lawyers. He doesn't seem to think that there are any other problems we should be concerned about, and the free market is the best way to determine how much you would be willing to pay for health care. The President is pushing our current system, and his challenger is doing the same.

Healthcare is Different


In order to meet the growing demands of the flash memory market, Fujitsu and AMDs flash memory subsidiary Spansion LLC unveiled plans to develop a new ORNAND flash memory architecture that combines the best of NOR code execution with NAND data

Spansion Details NOR/NAND Hybrid Roadmap


Rafael Palmeiro didn #39;t want his homecoming with the Baltimore Orioles to end after just one season, so he took a pay cut and accepted a one-year, \$3 million contract Wednesday.

Palmeiro signs one-year contract with Orioles


TOKYO : International carriers are to raise fares on flights from Japan to Europe by five percent in mid-January to cope with soaring oil prices, Japanese airlines said.

Japan-Europe flight fares to rise 5 as oil prices continue to <b>...</b>


The idea that letting people invest some of their Social Security money in the stock market will allow for higher returns is as flawed as a perpetual motion machine.

Social Security Reform, With One Big Catch


DALLAS, Oct 21, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Texas Instruments unveiled plans Thursday for the industry #39;s first cell phone capable of receiving high definition TV broadcast signals.

TI announces plans for cell phone TVs


In the flood of corporate reform unleashed by recent business scandals, one issue has been largely ignored, shareholder activists say: the stratospheric level of executive pay and

SEC considering disclosure rules for executive pay


Ian Bradshaw, left, and Courtney Browne celebrate their matchwinning 71-run ninth-wicket stand. Photo: Reuters. Brian Lara #39;s West Indies held their nerve in near darkness to beat England by

Windies discover a sting in the tail


International security consultant Kroll Inc. took out ads in Brazil's largest newspapers Thursday to defend five employees arrested amid allegations Kroll illegally spied in its probe of a bitter corporate dispute.

Kroll Defends Arrested Employees


Randy Johnson was on the verge of joining the Yankees in a three-team, megadeal that also includes Shawn Green and Javier Vazquez, a source told the AP on Thursday.

Big Unit Deal in Works


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces advanced to  within 400 meters (yards) of Najaf's Imam Ali shrine on  Tuesday, a Reuters witness said.

Iraqi Forces Move Close to Najaf Shrine - Witness


Paris, Oct. 27 (NNN) : A report from media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RWB) has put Press freedom under most under threat in Asia and the Middle East.

Press Freedom Under Threat Most In Asia, Mid-East: Report


ANAHEIM, Calif., (Sports Network) - Free agent starting  pitcher Carl Pavano has chosen to join the New York Yankees and  the two sides were working on finalizing a contract before the  end of the winter meetings.

Pavano Chooses Yankees


BEIJING (Reuters) - China breathed a measured sigh of  relief after the skills of its basketball giant Yao Ming  dwarfed New Zealand to sweep his team nearer to their goal of  reaching the Athens Olympics semi-finals.

China Sighs in Relief as Yao Scores High


LOUDON, N.H. -- In a year of sweeping changes for NASCAR, the most notable of which was the process by which its 2004 champion will be determined, Kurt Busch yesterday made it a clean sweep at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Primary race in Cup Chase won by Busch


The Cardinals overwhelm Odalis Perez and the Dodgers in an 8-3 blowout in the opener of their NL playoff series.

Cardinals Start Strong


Federal regulators, who are ordering Fannie Mae to take prompt action to remedy what they say are serious accounting problems, also have raised the possibility of removing top managers of the giant mortgage finance company.

Update 5: Regulators May Oust Fannie Mae Management


MacCentral - Alpine Electronics of America Inc. on Tuesday announced it is shipping its Interface Adapter for iPod, model KCA-420i. The  #36;100 product enables Alpine's 2004 Ai-NET in-dash head units to interface with Apple's iPod and iPod mini. First announced in January, the Alpine Interface Adapter for iPod enables Alpine users to navigate their iPod's playlists, search for songs and more using the front panel buttons or remote on compatible Alpine head units. The interface kit can be installed anywhere in the car and charges the iPod's battery when it's connected. ...

Alpine ships car stereo iPod interface (MacCentral)


BEIJING (Kyodo) Japan pressed North Korea on Sunday to provide fuller accounts of 10 Japanese who Tokyo says were abducted by Pyongyang agents, but the North did not provide new information as they wrapped up two days of talks, Japan #39;s chief delegate said

N. Korea talks end; no progress reported


Interest rates on short-term Treasury securities were mixed in yesterday's auction. The Treasury Department sold \$18 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 1.640 percent, up from 1.635 percent last week. An additional \$16 billion was sold in six-month bills at a rate of 1.840 percent, down from 1.860 percent.

Short-term T-bill rates mixed


As the program name suggests, Computer Associates #39; new Measured Workload Pricing bases licensing costs on how much the system is sued rather than on total potential hardware capability.

Computer Associates Launches Usage-Based Pricing


BERLIN - Jens Lehmann wore the wrong gloves and is not available for Germany #39;s Asian tour in December. Oliver Kahn, by contrast, has the right gloves, can play in December and will be made fit like never before by Sepp Maier.

German goalkeeper battle escalates


Four Pitcairn Island men convicted of multiple sex offenses received jail sentences of between two and six years Friday. Two other men have been ordered to perform community service.

Pitcairn sex offenders receive sentences


Apple has stopped offering the latest version of McAfee's anti-virus package to Mac users following reports of widespread problems with the software.

News: McAfee app raids Mac users' inboxes


Forty-six years of Major League Baseball in sunny Southern California came down to one magical afternoon Saturday as the Dodgers and Angels clinched their respective

Great day for SoCal baseball


SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of  people gathered in a northern Afghan town on Tuesday to hear  General Abdul Rashid Dostum launch his bid for the presidency,  as a slow election campaign began to gather pace.

Thousands Gather as Afghan Campaigning Picks Up


BOSTON (Reuters) - Curt Schilling, his bad ankle held  together by stitches, tossed six courageous innings to help the  Boston Red Sox pound the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 to seize  control of the 100th World Series Sunday.

Schilling Gives Red Sox 2-0 World Series Lead


Taiwan is seeking to dominate the world's orchid industry, and its government plans to bring heavy public spending into the effort.

Once Elusive, Orchids Flourish on Taiwanese Production Line


A clear roadmap for Longhorn was more important than inclusion of an advanced file system, Jim Allchin tells CNET News.com.\

Allchin explains Longhorn's haircut


InfoWorld - Capitalizing on the current trend within the enterprise to reduce the number of applications to support, Siebel Systems on Monday unveiled a package of business analytics solutions that can be deployed by IT as both extensions to current CRM applications or as stand-alone programs.

Siebel releases flood of BI applications (InfoWorld)


Americans are fixated on nutrition, freshness and convenience -- and in the minds of consumers, industry analysts say, old-fashioned cans do not stack up.

Dawn of the New Can


AFP - A blast at a Siberian mine killed 13 men in the latest disaster to strike Russia's accident-prone industry that has been chronically short of funds following the Soviet collapse.

Blast at Russian mine kills 13 in industry's latest disaster (AFP)


United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told the BBC that the US-led invasion of Iraq was an illegal act that contravened the UN Charter.

Iraq war illegal: Annan


Yahoo #39;s email service has begun to use the company #39;s DomainKeys authentication technology, almost a year after Yahoo first unveiled this antispam project.

Yahoo upgrades its email service


AP - Damian Miller headed home Wednesday, still waiting for the Brewers to finalize his contract. The 35-year-old Wisconsin native was in Milwaukee, hoping to be introduced as the Brewers' new starting catcher. But the club canceled its news conference after it couldn't complete its medical evaluation, the final step needed to finalize his  #36;8.75 million, three-year deal.

Brewers' Deal for Damian Miller on Hold (AP)


Matt Richey weighs in on Lone Star Steakhouse's roundtrip from \$22 to \$33 back to \$22.

Second Chance on Lone Star


Stocks moved narrowly higher in early trading Monday as investors discounted another technology profit warning and focused instead on positive outlooks for third- and fourth-quarter earnings.

Stocks higher as profit worries ease


Orders to US factories for big-ticket durable goods edged up 0.2 percent in September while sales of new homes surged to the third highest monthly level on record.

New Home Sales Surge, Durable Goods Up


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Slowly but  inexorably, the groundswell of home support for the United  States Ryder Cup team gathered momentum at a sun-baked Oakland  Hills on Saturday.

Oakland Hills Fans Respond as U.S. Hits Back


A fire burned its way up one of Venezuela's tallest buildings on Sunday, injuring at least 25 firefighters and prompting the evacuation of nearby residences and businesses amid fears that the tower might collapse, officials said.

Fire Sweeps Through Caracas High-Rise


Reuters - Israeli soldiers shot dead a\Palestinian gunman in the Gaza Strip Sunday as he approached\the border fence with Israel, the army said.

Israeli Army Kills Gunman in Gaza Strip (Reuters)


But even she didn #39;t believe it as she looked over her shoulder five times in the last 600 meters at Sunday #39;s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

No Svet: Tomescu-Dita coasts to marathon win


PARIS, Oct 17 (AFP) - European stock markets could be heading for a patch of rough water with the introduction of new accounting standards, analysts are warning, saying that stock prices could be bounced around and initial public offerings held back.

European stock markets face rough water over new accounting <b>...</b>


Cleveland Cavaliers #39; LeBron James, left, shoots over Golden State Warriors #39; Jason Richardson in the third quarter of Cleveland #39;s 99-88 win Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, in Cleveland.

LeBron Scores 33, Cavs Win Four Straight


Write down the date, Aug. 26, and the time, 2:30 pm in Athens. Its the moment that Olympic basketball entered a new era. Itsa real basketball tournament now, almost a

From Dreamers to Cinderellas


Heinz (NYSE: HNZ) is probably one of the most efficiently run public companies and continues to  quot;remove clutter quot; and  quot;squeeze out cost quot; to improve cash management and balance sheet performance.

Heinz Squeezes Out Results


With Google Desktop Search, users can sift through their e-mail, files, Web history and chats to find information in the same way they search the Internet.

Google Brings Search Technology to the Desktop


The retail sector overall may be reporting a sluggish start to the season, but holiday shoppers are scooping up tech goods at a brisk pace -- and they're scouring the Web for bargains more than ever. <FONT face=

More Web Shopping Is What's in Store


Reigning world champion Tom Pappas suffered from a crisis in confidence Monday as he faded from the medal picture in a tough first day of the Olympic decathlon.

Sebrle soars as Americans struggle in first day of decathlon


TRENTON, NJ A Kansas company #39;s yearly ranking has Camden, New Jersey, as the nation #39;s most dangerous city. The rankings based on crime statistics are detailed in Morgan Quitno #39;s  quot;City Crime Rankings, quot; an annual reference book.

Camden overtakes Detroit as most-dangerous city


AFP - The EU added its voice to a chorus of international concern over the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that threaten to undermine the fragile peace in the region.

Rwanda singled out as Great Lakes peace threatened (AFP)


PSV Eindhoven beat Vitesse Arnhem 2-0 to maintain a five-point lead atop the Dutch First Division on Sunday, earning its 10th straight shutout in a game that was suspended 15 minutes for unruly fan behaviour.

Holland: PSV Eindhoven keeps lead


Giant pandas might prefer bamboo to laptops, but wireless technology is helping researchers in China in their efforts to protect the endangered animals in the Wolong Nature Reserve.

Wireless network links researchers in panda preserve


Auto racing: NASCAR Nextel Cup Sylvania 300 practice at N.H. International Speedway, Loudon, 9:30 and 11:10 a.m.; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sylvania 200 at N.H. International Speedway, Loudon, 1 p.m.; NASCAR Busch North Sylvania 125 at N.H. International Speedway, Loudon, 3 p.m.

Today's schedule


AP - France is seen by many Americans as a reluctant ally, at best, in President Bush's war on terror. But a new hostage crisis has made clear that the Gallic nation, with western Europe's largest Muslim population, is not immune to threats from radical Islam.

France Not Immune to Radical Islam Threats (AP)


Bulgarian striker Martin Petrov scored all four goals and Wolfsburg rallied from a two-goal deficit to stay atop the Bundesliga with a 4-3 victory over newcomer Mainz, while Stuttgart and Bayern both lost Saturday.

Wolfsburg stays on top in Germany with 4-3 win; Bayern, Stuttgart <b>...</b>


Russian spacecraft carrying a Russian-US crew successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday morning. The Soyuz TMA-5, which was launched Thursday

Russian spacecraft docks with space station


The BC government has decided to reduce the provincial sales tax by one-half of a percentage point. Starting Thursday, the provincial tax rate will fall to 7 per cent from 7.5 per cent.

BC lowers provincial sales tax to 7 per cent


Reuters - FedEx Corp. , the world's top\air-express shipper, on Wednesday said quarterly earnings more\than doubled on strong growth in its international, ground and\freight services.

FedEx Earnings More Than Double (Reuters)


Snoop Dogg running deep post routs for Matt Leinart. Snoop Dogg rapping and giving a pep talk inside the locker room of the top-ranked USC Trojans.

Irish eye No. 1-ranked Trojans


Timo Poikolainen, vice president of technology marketing at Nokia, said  quot;This is a natural step in our digital convergence strategy to adopt leading technologies to launch new, compelling mobile devices and services.

Nokia Widens Storage with SD Cards


For Jeffrey J. Steiner, chairman and chief executive of Fairchild Corp., nearly \$2.5 million in salary last year was just the beginning.

Lucrative Cash Package Came as Fairchild Reported \$53.2 Million Loss


Spain coach Luis Aragones has defended himself against accusations of racism in the wake of his remarks about French striker Thierry Henry, saying his conscience is completely clear.

Angry Aragones defends himself over Henry remarks


Cricket-Buchanan looking for middle-order defiance October 16, 2004 13:39:32 MADRAS, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Coach John Buchanan said he was hoping his middle order could dig in to give Australia a chance of saving the second test after India took

Bangladesh v New Zealand scoreboard


By genetically enhancing these brain proteins in mice, Henry Lester and colleagues at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena created a mouse that was far more sensitive to nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco.

Enter a Category


HAVANA (Reuters) - Former Argentina captain Diego Maradona  was having medical examinations in Cuba on Tuesday and received  a message of support from President Fidel Castro for his latest  efforts to kick cocaine, Argentina's ambassador said.

Maradona Gets Cuban Check-Up and Castro's Support


AP - The founder of Peru's Maoist Shining Path insurgency raised a defiant fist and proclaimed

Peru Retries Shining Path Leader Guzman (AP)


Sure, the Cardinals had hoped erstwhile right-hander Matt Morris would be all that he could be on Thursday night at Busch Stadium.

Cardinals make it two straight without an ace


North Korean officials have announced that a huge explosion in its remote Northeast was part of a hydroelectric project. Mystery surrounded the blast in the mountainous province of Yanggang and fears grew

North Koreans say blast was demolition


Saboteurs blew up an export pipeline in southern Iraq today in the latest in a series of attacks targeting the volatile countrys crucial oil industry.

Saboteurs blow up Iraq oil pipeline


India #39;s unmanned moon mission -Chandrayan - is expected to take place in 2007-08 as it is progressing smoothly, the country #39;s space agency chief G. MadhavanNair said here Sunday.

India #39;s unmanned moon mission going smoothly: official


AP - Bram Cohen didn't set out to upset Hollywood movie studios. But his innovative online file-sharing software, BitTorrent, has grown into a piracy problem the film industry is struggling to handle.

'BitTorrent' Gives Hollywood a Headache (AP)


SAN DIEGO, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Iomega Corporation , a global leader in data storage, today announced the release of the new Iomega(R) NAS 100d entry-level network-attached storage (NAS) server.

New Iomega Wireless Servers Bring New Features  amp; Flexibility to <b>...</b>


AP - Eli Manning is going to get a chance to open the season as the New York Giants' starting quarterback.

Giants to Start Manning Against Carolina (AP)


AP - The Athens Olympics broke global TV viewing records, with nearly 4 billion people tuning in, IOC president Jacques Rogge said Tuesday.

Athens Olympics Draw Record TV Audiences (AP)


RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Suha Daoud Tawil Arafat, 41, has been the focus of resentment and controversy among Palestinians for most of the time that she has been married to the founder and chief symbol of the Palestinian national movement.

Resentment high on Arafat's wife


Tyler Ecker caught a short pass from Chad Henne over the middle, eluded two tackles and lumbered down the sideline for a 31-yard touchdown with 1:57 left to give the 14th-ranked Wolverines a 27-24 victory over the No.

Wolverines comeback kids again


AP - Thousands of partygoers showed up for this sleepy island's annual New Year's Eve bash that is the talk of the Caribbean, swelling the population twentyfold. But this year the merriment came under the shadow of the Asian tsunami.

Caribbean Island Revelers Mourn Victims (AP)


Reuters - World oil prices held firm on Friday\after pipeline sabotage in northern Iraq kept up supply fears\that have revived a powerful price rally.

Oil Firm as Dealers Digest Iraq Sabotage (Reuters)


Bruce Chen pitched his first complete game for his first victory in over two years, and Rafael Palmeiro homered during a five-run opening inning, leading the Baltimore Orioles past the Toronto Blue Jays 9-1 Monday night.

Monday #39;s AL Capsules


MINNEAPOLIS - Black strips of electrical tape adorned players #39; wrists, forearms and jerseys. Lauren Jackson wore hers around her left biceps.

Storm rallies around Jackson in first playoff win


AP - Former All-Star forward Jamal Mashburn will miss the entire 2004-05 NBA season because of a knee injury that could end his career.

Jamal Mashburn Out for Entire NBA Season (AP)


DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iraqi militant group said it beheaded  an Iraqi man it accused of collaborating with U.S. forces and  posted pictures of the killing on the Internet.

Militants Say Beheaded Collaborator-Web Site


Federal regulators have subpoenaed Fidelity Investments and several brokerage firms that handle the stock-trading business for the mutual fund giant, seeking information about gifts and expensive perks Fidelity traders may have accepted from the brokerage firms, according to attorneys involved in the case.

Probe of gifts said to focus on Fidelity


WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--New Zealand #39;s monopoly pay television operator Sky Network Television Ltd. (SKY.NZ) said Thursday it is in merger talks with its majority shareholder Independent Newspapers Ltd. (INL.NZ).

UPDATE: NZ #39;s Sky Network TV, INL Enter Merger Talks


AP - American Michael Phelps won the gold medal Tuesday in the 200-meter butterfly with an Olympic-record time of 1:54.04.

Phelps Wins Second Gold Medal, in 200 Fly (AP)


Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Daniel Nestor of Canada claimed their second grand slam title when they beat Leander Paes and David Rikl 6-3 6-3 to win the men #39;s doubles at the US Open.

Open-Knowles and Nestor win men #39;s doubles at US Open


Harmony, the listed gold miner, has not put a final figure on how much it will have to spend on its hostile bid for local rival Gold Fields.

Harmony cagey about its war chest for Gold Fields


Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom said here Wednesday that he was confident French authorities are making every effort to fight against anti-Semitism.

Israeli FM praises French fight against anti-Semitism


The Walt Disney Co. has postponed an expansion of its video-on-demand service while it explores partnerships that could result in a deal to include the service in set-top boxes, computers or other devices.

Disney Eyes Video-On-Demand Partnerships


Longtime Warriors center Erick Dampier could be on the verge of finding a new home, 2 1/2 months after becoming a free agent.

Dampier headed to Mavericks?


Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) warned Asian governments on Thursday they could face patent lawsuits for using the Linux operating system instead of its Windows software.

Microsoft Warns Asian Governments of Linux Suits


Gary Payton has probably tolerated more unappealing tasks, like eating his spinach when he was 10 or sharing the Lakers #39; sandbox with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O #39;Neal last spring.

Glove will lend hand: Payton #39;s arrival changes C #39;s


Former Gateway executive to lead consumer marketing efforts at Hewlett-Packard.

Gateway alumnus resurfaces at HP


AP - Amare Stoudemire scored 29 points, Shawn Marion had 24, and Joe Johnson 22 to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 108-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

Young Suns Outhustle 76ers 108-98 (AP)


It #39;s called a  quot;personal Internet communicator, quot; described as an affordable and simple way to connect to the Internet, and it #39;s being marketed by Sunnyvale #39;s Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

AMD rolls out PIC


JERUSALEM Aug. 19, 2004 - Embattled leaders Ariel Sharon and Yasser Arafat rebuffed demands from their backers Thursday, holding steadfast to positions posing great political risk: Sharon insisted he will

Sharon, Arafat Defy Demands From Backers


The seemingly endless battle over mp3s and filesharing wages on as the largest copyright infringement case in Australian history began yesterday (November 29) in Sydney.

The Record Labels Attack Kazaa  In Australia, That Is


AP - The Bush administration on Wednesday accused a Sudan-based relief organization and five of its officials of helping finance Osama bin Laden and other terrorists.

White House: Islamic Agency Aids Terror (AP)


Buyout firm Forstmann Little  amp; Co. Thursday said it would buy International Management Group, a leading talent agency that represents major sports and entertainment stars.

Forstmann Little to buy Talent Agency IMG


The Red Sox are the newest champions to grace the cover of a Wheaties box. But with what the team was paid for the deal, it couldn't even buy a box of Wheaties.

A national league


Editor #39;s Note: Published on page A1 of the November 8, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. HOPES FELL yesterday for Filipino accountant Robert Tarongoy, held hostage in Iraq, but rose for compatriot

Filipino still hostage in Iraq


Microsoft has won the browser wars, but a battle is raging for the runner-up spot and one of the contenders has recently been refreshed.

Lost faith in Internet Explorer? Try another browser


If Shannon Sharpe, who was at the Broncos #39; exhibition finale on Thursday and spotted at team headquarters this weekend, wanted to he could roll off the

Veteran tight ends get pink slip


San Diego becomes a battleground for 3G wireless broadband, as AT #38;T Wireless debuts a service that competes with Verizon.

AT T Wireless: Sun, sand and 3G, anyone?


Intel is readying a line of consumer electronics chips based on the IA-32 architecture, the design underlying the vast majority of Intel #39;s desktop, notebook and server processors, said Louis Burns, co-general manger of the Desktop Platforms Group at Intel

Intel devising chip line for consumer electronics


EDS, which initially delayed its earnings release on 25 October, said the latest delay comes because it and auditor KPMG need time to finish assessing  quot;the timing and amount of the (charge) quot;.

Navy charge delays EDS earnings


AP - A bomb exploded during an Independence Day parade in India's remote northeast Sunday, killing at least 15 people, including schoolchildren, while a rocket attack during a celebration at a school in the separatist region of Kashmir injured 17, officials said.

Bomb at India Independence Parade Kills 15 (AP)


What are Blogs, and Why Your Business Should Use One\\A few weeks ago I was involved in a very strange conversation with some pretty bright people. One publishes a widely circulated industry magazine, another was an industry consultant, and the last was the CEO of a major corporation in the ...


AT least 18 people have died after drinking tainted homemade liquor in Pakistan #39;s eastern Punjab province. Two of the men were dead on arrival at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, and six others died in intensive

Homemade booze kills 18


CINCINNATI -- At the height of his efforts to get out of this town, Corey Dillon declared,  quot;Rudi ain't no C.D. quot; Dillon, now a Patriot, genuinely liked his former backup with the Bengals -- Rudi Johnson -- and really didn't mean it the way it sounded.

No gain on this return


AP - The hurricanes that struck Florida this year left polling places in shambles and displaced thousands of voters, but election officials say they are taking steps to allow everyone the opportunity to cast a ballot Nov. 2.

Hurricanes Damaged Florida Polling Places (AP)


Im suspicious of sequels. They can be rotten at their core, like reeling in a wealthy elderly spouse - not to carry on a legacy, but to carry off the money.

HALO 2: The aura still glows


LONDON Parmalat, the Italian dairy giant, has shown  quot;stark and illegitimate discrimination quot; against non-Italian banks in formulating a plan that is crucial to its bankruptcy reorganization, Citigroup has said.

Citigroup seeks to block Parmalat plan


MANCHESTER, Oct 15 (SW) - Following the recent speculation over a potential takeover bid issued by US tycoon Malcolm Glazer, Manchester United have announced they have yet to receive a firm offer.

Man Utd deny receiving firm takeover bid


Police had a mugshot of a robbery suspect before he was arrested. Thanks to a camera phone, they even had a picture of his getaway vehicle.

Robbery suspect caught on camera phone in Nashville


Silicon Graphics Inc. announced that it will ship a new Intel Itanium-based Linux workstation that the company says is the most powerful of its kind in the world.

SGI to Ship Intel Linux Workstation


Slesarenko cleared 2.04m at the first attempt which none of her rivals could match and she went on to set a new Olympic record of 2.06.

Slesarenko wins high jump


After a ride of some 50 miles straight up, SpaceShipOne paused poetically in the weightless black above the Mojave Desert.

With the dawn of space tourism, the jet jockey returns


JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - Raiding Israeli forces killed  six Palestinian militants and four civilians on Wednesday, the  highest single-day Palestinian death toll in the West Bank for  more than two years, witnesses and medics said.

Israel Kills 10 People, Says Not Following Roadmap


GM is facing major changes in the role of information technology, with software a growing component of vehicle cost and performance, and its use of outsourcing changing with the end of its EDS contract.

GM CTO Says Software Will Be Part Of Bumper-To-Bumper Warranties


Senior United Airlines pilots would have to fly more hours each month and be away from home longer under a sweeping cost-cutting proposal by the ailing carrier.

UAL asks its pilots for steep cutbacks


TODAY AUTO RACING 1 p.m. -- NASCAR Busch Series Cabela's 250 qualifying at Brooklyn, Mich., Speed Channel 3 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup GFS Marketplace 400 qualifying at Brooklyn, Mich., TNT LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL 1 p.m. -- World Series: Midwest vs. Southeast at Williamsport, Pa., ESPN 5 p.m. -- World Series: Latin America vs. Canada at Williamsport, Pa., ESPN2 8 ...

This weekend on TV, radio


Coach Tom Coughlin announced the decision Sunday, a day after indicating he would not decide until after this week #39;s final preseason game.

Coughlin taps QB ahead of schedule


Yankees slugger Jason Giambi still wants to keep his medical situation private, even though a newspaper report yesterday detailed the location and treatment of his benign tumor.

Is Giambi tumor in pituitary?


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The departure of NASA #39;s boss comes at a challenging time as the space agency struggles to ditch the mentality that lost Columbia and get its remaining shuttles flying again, while aiming for the moon and Mars.

NASA chief resigns, cites college costs


com September 30, 2004, 4:00 AM PT. There #39;s no doubt the Internet will continue to make its mark in the world of business and technology.

What #39;s missing in Microsoft IE?


BAGHDAD: An Iraqi militant group said on its web site Thursday that it had killed 11 Iraqi troops taken hostage south of Baghdad and posted video of the bound men being shot or beheaded.

Group claims to kill kidnapped Iraq troops


SCOTTISH Premier League leaders Rangers have nine players out of action for Sunday #39;s clash against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Pittodrie.

Injury crisis engulfs Rangers


The divisions rending Australia in the general election campaign hardened yesterday as Prime Minister John Howard slipped out through a rear entrance to avoid hundreds of chanting protesters picketing Brisbane #39;s City Hall.

Coalition presses the fear button


If you are like many parents, there's a good chance you can't remember the last time you solved for X, were never really confident about the rules for when to use a comma, and find that the hourly rate for private tutors can be a bit daunting.

Homework Problems? Help Is a Click Away.


London - The long-awaited clash between the Barbarians and the All Blacks in Cardiff on Saturday has been given a huge shot in the arm with the news that the Springboks have given the world #39;s best rugby player, flanker Schalk Burger, permission to play

Schalk faces media frenzy


Coach Dave Wannstedt made official on Sunday what everyone suspected: AJ Feeley will start at quarterback for the Dolphins for the Week 2 game at Cincinnati.

Feeley gets the call


LONDON: Former England and Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes, right, has died from a brain tumour aged 57. Hughes had been battling the illness for the last 15 months but deteriorated in the last few days, his wife Barbara said.

Liverpool legend Emlyn Hughes dies at 57


NAJAF, Iraq - Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, made a dramatic return to Najaf on Thursday and swiftly won agreement from a rebel cleric and the government to end three weeks of fighting between his militia and U.S.-Iraqi forces.    The renegade Muqtada al-Sadr accepted the proposal in a face-to-face meeting Thursday night with the 75-year-old al-Sistani...

Iraqi Government, Al-Sadr OK Peace Deal


Eddie Griffin begins a new chapter in his life as a professional basketball player more than 18 months after the book seemed to close on his promising NBA career.

Layoff ends for Wolves #39; Griffin


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Friday as oil  prices touched another record high and Microsoft Corp. <A HREF=

Stocks Slip on Oil, Microsoft Forecast


United States President George W Bush #39;s campaign website is inaccessible from outside the United States, blocking access for Americans living in Australia.

Bush website inaccessible from Australia


You #39;d think that after the disaster Jean-Marie Messier created at Vivendi (NYSE: V) by overhyping the prospects of an aging French water utility, no executive would ever again resort to lying about his company #39;s prospects.

PeopleSoft #39;s Courtroom Confession


Ex-Wrexham, Swansea and Wales Under-21 coach Brian Flynn is desperate to succeed Mark Hughes as Wales manager.  quot;I said when I took over the Wrexham job 14 years ago that my long-term ambition was to manage

Flynn makes Wales plea


It can be safely guessed that Stuart Pivar, a scientist and art collector, has more than 300 objects in his duplex apartment.

Two Scientists Caught in Amber


Approximately 500 D.C. United fans gathered at RFK Stadium on Tuesday to celebrate the team's victory in Sunday's MLS Cup.

Fans Honor United


From 1999 to 2002, American multinational corporations increased profits taken in countries with no taxes or low rates by 68 percent, a study found.

Study Finds U.S. Companies Shifting Profits Overseas


CHICAGO (Reuters) - HealthSouth Corp. <A HREF=

HealthSouth Names John Workman CFO


AP - The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will play one game tonight for the American League pennant. The Red Sox pulled even in the series last night with a 4-2 win as Boston won its third straight after losing the first three. Derek Lowe (14-12) goes for Boston tonight against either Kevin Brown (10-6) or Javier Vazquez (14-10) for New York. This afternoon, Pete Munro (4-7) pitches for the Houston Astros against Matt Morris (15-10) for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros lead that series 3 games to 2.

Red Sox, Yanks Play for Pennant Tonight (AP)


BUDGET airline Jetstar has helped propel Qantas to a record post-tax profit of \$648.4 million. Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon paid tribute to the subsidiary domestic carrier during a formal profit announcement yesterday.

Jetstar boosts Qantas turnover


South Korea #39;s Grace Park shot a seven-under-par 65 to triumph at the CJ Nine Bridges Classic on Sunday. Park #39;s victory made up her final-round collapse at the Samsung World Championship two weeks ago.

Park takes victory in South Korea


A Lazard board meeting today could set in motion a \$3.2bn (1.8bn) stock market flotation of the 156-year-old investment bank. Bruce Wasserstein, the bank #39;s chief executive, has been working to win support

Wasserstein fights for Lazard float


International Oil Daily, 27 October 2004 - With oil prices at record highs, governments must accelerate technological innovations  quot;that radically alter how we produce and use energy quot; to create a sustainable energy system, the International Energy Agency

IEA Urges Governments Worldwide to Rethink Energy Policy


Thousands of people are expected to turn out to celebrate the official opening of Scotland's new parliament.

Historic opening day for Holyrood


By Bloomberg News. The Bush administration yesterday appealed a trade panel #39;s decision that effectively struck down United States tariffs on \$4.6 billion a year of Canadian lumber.

US Appeals Nafta Ruling Against Tariffs on Canadian Lumber


Afghan President Hamid Karzai #39;s running mate for Saturday #39;s historic presidential election escaped unhurt Wednesday when a mine exploded under his convoy in the remote northeast of the country.

Karzai #39;s Running Mate Escapes Afghan Mine Blast


Ireland #39;s Padraig Harrington demonstrated his return to form five days before the Ryder Cup, with victory in the German Masters on Sunday.

UPDATE 2-Harrington shows form to win German Masters


Quarterback Jason White, last year's Heisman winner, passed for five touchdowns as No. 2. Oklahoma escaped from No. 22 Texas A M.

Oklahoma Rallies Behind White


Furor over the legalization of out-of-state online alcohol purchases will soon reach the Supreme Court.

Photo: Uncorking a legal challenge


(Sports Network) - Bronson Arroyo tries to win his fifth straight decision, as the Boston Red Sox continue a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Fenway Park.

Boston Red Sox Team Report - September 22


International Business Machines Corp. said Monday it will provide voice and data services to British financial-services company Lloyds TSB Group PLC for seven years in a deal worth \$971.6 million.

IBM in Voice Services Deal With Lloyds


LSU will stick with a two-quarterback rotation Saturday at Auburn, according to Tigers coach Nick Saban, who seemed to have some fun telling the media what he will and won #39;t discuss Monday.

LSU to use both QBs vs. Auburn


A disappointing sales forecast from Wal-Mart sent stocks mostly lower yesterday as investors worried that oil prices, which stabilized after last week #39;s highs, would curb

Stocks wane on weak Wal-Mart forecast


In a quiet retreat, France on Monday eased off its call to include Iraqi groups that renounce violence in an international conference next month on ways to pacify their war-ravaged country.

France accepts Iraqi conference will be governments only, easing <b>...</b>


In the many smaller cities that are reliant on hockey to enliven downtowns at night, the loss of a season is a significant blow.

Lockout in N.H.L. Puts Businesses on the Brink


AP - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council to issue

U.N. Chief Urges Warning on Sudan Fighting (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- In an attempt to unseat Apple Computer from its spot on top of the online music market, Microsoft officially launched its MSN Music service Tuesday.

Microsoft launches music service


Reuters - Thieves, rapists, kidnappers and hoaxers\are preying on tsunami survivors and families of victims in\Asian refugee camps and hospitals and in the home countries of\European tourists hit by the wave.

Tsunami Victims Prey to Crime from Asia to Europe (Reuters)


MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Jimmie Johnson #39;s series-high sixth victory of the season Sunday was overshadowed by word that a plane carrying members of the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed on the way to Martinsville Speedway.

Johnson Wins, Busch Gains in Title Chase


A mortar barrage hammered the heavily fortified Green Zone and elsewhere in central Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least one person and underscoring the vulnerability

Mortar Barrage Kills 1 in Central Baghdad


HONG KONG China Telecom, the publicly traded unit of China #39;s biggest fixed-line operator, said Wednesday that profit in the first half of the year rose 13 percent after it bought networks from its parent and expanded a service that competes for mobile

Phone unit in China has 13 rise


As the N.F.L. and a lawyer for the Ricky Williams close in on an agreement to allow Williams to be reinstated, the question remains whether he is interested in returning.

League Ponders Letting Williams Return Faster


PITTSBURGH: A geology student on a field trip stumbled across the fossil of an oversized, salamander-like creature with vicious crocodile-like teeth that lived about 300 million years ago, paleontologists said.

New species of fearsome amphibian uncovered?


AP - ESPN will launch a new multimedia college sports initiative in March 2005 that includes a new 24-hour television network and content from ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

ESPN Launching College Sports Initiative (AP)


Sprint Corporation announces a loss of \$1.32 per share Tuesday despite strong sales for its third quarter. Sprint says the loss was caused by writing off \$3.

Sprint Earnings


Belgian police arrest a man suspected of threatening to kill a senator who criticised fundamentalist Muslims.

Belgium death threat suspect held


David Blunkett  says measures to beat terrorism could include special anti-terror courts using phone-taping evidence.

Anti-terror laws 'may go further'


INDIA withdrew about 1,000 troops from Kashmir yesterday as Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister, made his first visit to the disputed territory since coming to power.

Indias leader makes peace overtures in Kashmir


AP - Melissa Bean hands out seat cushions that spell out the reason Democrats think she can beat veteran Rep. Phil Crane on Nov. 2. They read:

Bean Poses Re-Election Dilemma for Crane (AP)


AP - Things have gotten so bad in Zimbabwe that people have taken to telling a wry joke:

Zimbabwe Turns Back Clock After Turmoil (AP)


com October 1, 2004, 4:25 PM PT. Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.

Viral movies possible with RealPlayer flaw


Lately, the company's retail operation has been lagging behind sales of its locations.

Kmart: Retail or Real Estate?


RAND is not unique among government contractors in continuing to do business with the government after being found in violation of labor law.

Does RAND Walk the Talk on Labor Policy?


AFP - President Vladimir Putin sacked the interior minister of North Ossetia and the regional head of the FSB security service, one week after the massacre at a school in the republic, the Kremlin press service said.

Putin fires North Ossetia interior minister, regional FSB head (AFP)


Manchester United have been warned that they are still not safe from the take-over plans of Malcolm Glazer by Keith Harris, the City financier who could yet lead a supporters

United warned Glazer will fight


Plans to combat spam are in trouble because Microsoft wants too much power, argues technology analyst Bill Thompson. The internet relies on a large number of technical standards which define in precise and

Keeping how the net works open to all


A car bomb has exploded near a police station in central Baghdad and a thick column of smoke was seen rising from the east side of the Tigris river, Iraqi police and witnesses say.

Car bomb explodes in Baghdad


EAST HARTFORD, CT (November 20, 2004) - Senior quarterback Dan Orlovsky (Shelton, Conn.), playing in the home final game of his illustrious career, threw for 283 yards, sophomore tailback Cornell Brockington (Burlington, NJ) ran for 136 yards and two

Huskies Shut Out Buffalo To Earn Bowl Eligibility


For several years before and after Vioxx was approved for commercial use, executives of Merck (MRK:NYSE - news - research) were reportedly aware of ?

Report: Merck Played Down Vioxx Risks


Antonius Pius #39;s waywardness and a troubled passage for Six Perfections cost the European team dear as Singletary hung on grimly to land a dramatic NetJets Breeders #39; Cup Mile at Lone Star Park today.

SUPER SINGLETARY HOLDS EUROPEANS AT BAY


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's High Court said on Thursday  it was upholding a decision by the country's attorney-general  to drop a bribery case against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Israel's Top Court Upholds Dropping of Sharon Case


The true extent of global warming is hidden by air pollution, a German scientist is warning.

Pollution 'hides' global warming


AP - Secretary-General Kofi Annan's claim that the war in Iraq was illegal drew strong protest from the United States and its allies but little comment from the war's opponents, who appeared unwilling to revisit the question.

U.S., Allies Protest Annan Claim on Iraq (AP)


AP - The Philadelphia Eagles were 28 points better than Dallas last month. Julius Jones could change that for the Cowboys this time around.

Jones Is a Tough Test for Eagles (AP)


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House on Wednesday told 15 federal agencies to better share scientific data about the Earth among themselves and with other nations.    The administration's draft plan for the next 10 years requires the agencies to identify ways they can help create a global system for observing the planet...

U.S. Agencies Told to Share Earth Data


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - African leaders will launch a  global fund to help people in poor countries buy mobile phones  and Internet access as a step out of poverty and into economic  growth, the president of Senegal said on Wednesday.

African Leaders Seek More Cell Phones, Computers


MILWAUKEE -- Fans following Barry Bonds #39; quest for career home run No. 700 have been thinking ahead, as in of course he #39;s going to hit it, but when?

ESPN.com news services


Courier firm DHL is ditching plans to site its international hub in Brussels at a likely cost of 1,700 jobs by 2008. Negotiations with local and federal authorities over increasing the number of night flights have failed, the firm told BBC News Online.

DHL scraps Brussels growth plan


Despite Microsoft #39;s many woes, the honchos got a bump this year. Considering the company #39;s outlook, their next may be a ways off.

The Last Raise for Gates and Ballmer?


AP - Invesco Funds Group and its sister company will pay more than  #36;450 million in penalties, restitution and lowered fees to settle allegations they allowed wealthy investors to trade their mutual funds improperly.

Invesco, AIM Advisors Settle for  #36;375M (AP)


And later on Sunday, gunmen killed two National Guards and wounded four others in an attack near Latifiya, a town south of Baghdad that has seen persistent unrest, officials said.

World ; Insurgents kill 23 Iraqis countrywide


ATHENS -- The final curtain fell Wednesday on a week-long drama that has riveted this nation when Greece #39;s two top sprinters, swept up in a suspected doping scandal, withdrew from the Summer Olympics and competitions that might have ...

Greek sprinters withdraw from Olympics


Violence and political instability are growing in the Caribbean nation of Haiti. More than seven months after former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled the country, political polarization

Violence, Instability Continue in Haiti


\The UK government has suspended the manufacturing licence of major flu vaccine maker Chiron.

Flu vaccine licence suspended


Yahoo is eager to improve its Web-based Yahoo Mail, which competes most directly with market-leader Hotmail from Microsoft. Though many of the users of those services do not pay for them, the

Yahoo Buys E-Mail Search Firm Stata Labs


BAGHAD -- The Iraqi political campaign officially kicked off yesterday, colored by hope but tempered by violence that highlighted security concerns leading up to the national election set for Jan. 30.

Bombing mars launch of political campaign in Iraq


Never shy about entering a market late, Microsoft Corp. is planning to open the virtual doors of its long-planned Internet music store next week.

At Last, Microsoft Starts the Music


AP - The fan who retrieved Barry Bonds' 700th home run attended the same private Catholic high school as the slugger  #151; Serra High in nearby San Mateo.

Fan With Bonds' Ball Attended Same H.S. (AP)


Sammy Sosa belted a pair of home runs, including his first grand slam in more than two years, as the Chicago Cubs pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-5 in National League at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.

NL Wrap: Sosa Belts Two Homers as Cubs Pound Pirates


BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbs went to the polls in local  elections on Sunday in the first test of voter opinion since  they chose pro-Western President Boris Tadic in June.

Serbs Vote for Councils and Belgrade Super-Mayor


Antigua needs to implement an aggressive reform program to break years of fiscal mismanagement and lift itself out of deep debt, the International Monetary Fund said Friday.

IMF Says Antigua Needs Aggressive Strategy


ARSENE WENGER last night taunted Real Madrid by insisting he would take over at the Bernabeu only if he was homeless and unemployed.

YOU MUST BE MAD


Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern has condemned a decision by Burma #39;s military government to extend the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Minister condemns Suu Kyi detention


British consumer watchdog group Consumers #39; Association, publishers of Which? magazines and books, on Wednesday announced that they #39;ve written to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) alleging that Apple may be

iTunes pricing unfair, says British consumer group


There are some people who think the University of Massachusetts basketball team is a contender in the Atlantic 10 this season. The Minutemen received 12 first-place votes and were projected for a third-place finish in the East Division in the league's men's preseason poll with voting from coaches and the media.

UMass draws support


A knee injury has knocked Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman out for the rest of the 2004 season. Grossman was hurt Sunday while running for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 27-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Knee injury ends Grossman #39;s season


MINNEAPOLIS -- In terms of beauty, Sunday #39;s 20-3 Minnesota Vikings win had all the appeal of a glow-in-the-dark, velvet portrait of a group of dogs playing poker around a table.

Vikings 20, Titans 3: Defense makes a difference


Prosecutors blame the New York Times hacker for inspiring others of his generation to become cyber outlaws.\

News: Feds say Lamo inspired other hackers


IBM #39;s Canada Division has announced a new feature in selected models of their Thinkpad T42 series of notebook computers - a fingerprint reader for enhanced security measures.

IBM announces notebook computer with fingerprint reader


Plus, one ripe Rule Breaker, an earnings pig-out, and focus on future dividend yields.

Is Priceline out of the Cold?


NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Andre Agassi has withdrawn  from the TD Waterhouse Cup, starting in Long Island on Monday,  citing fatigue.

Agassi Withdraws from Long Island Tournament


Microsoft finally made good on a five months #39;-old promise Thursday by upping the storage allowance for new members of its Hotmail e-mail service.

Microsoft Hotmail Ups Storage Space For New Users


Israeli rockets killed two gunmen in the Gaza Strip #39;s biggest refugee camp Sunday, taking the death toll to 49 on the fourth day of a massive offensive to stop rocket firing into Israel, witnesses said.

Israeli Rockets Kill Two in Gaza Strip Camp


Negotiation is nearing its final stage for an international treaty that would give broadcasters control over who records or transmits their signal. Broadcasters back the treaty, but digital rights advocates worry it could set an ominous precedent. By Wendy Grossman.

Broadcast Treaty Battle Rages On


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Machete-wielding supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide are turning their wrath on Haiti's demoralized police force, beheading some of their victims in a campaign imitative of the insurgency in Iraq.    Seven of at least 18 people killed in the turmoil in Port-au-Prince have been police officers, judicial police chief Michael Lucius said Monday...

Haitian Pro-Aristide Marchers Threaten PM


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two refiners will borrow crude oil  from the national emergency reserve to replace output lost due  to Hurricane Ivan and another oil major may be next to tap the  stockpile as prices near all-time highs.

U.S. to Loan Strategic Reserve Crude Oil


Record-breaking winds struck Tokyo on Sunday, beaching a tanker, toppling trees, halting trains and injuring at least 14 people in and near the capital, police and weather officials said.

Tokyo battered by record winds; 14 injured


LANDOVER, MD. - It #39;s been awhile since Virginia Tech entered a season unranked, with modest expectations. A win over No. 1 Southern California would change perceptions of this year #39;s Hokies in a hurry.

Unranked Hokies look for fast start


Maverick Tube Corp., a maker of welded tubular steel products, on Monday said it expects to exceed previously announced third-quarter earnings guidance of \$1.

Maverick Increases 3Q Earnings Outlook


TOKYO (Reuters) - Rescuers were searching through rubble  for survivors on Thursday after Japan's deadliest typhoon in a  decade triggered floods and landslides that killed at least 44  people and left 36 missing.

Typhoon Kills 44 in Japan, Deadliest in a Decade


A cohort of Egyptian security, political and diplomatic experts have concluded that Israel is the only party to benefit from the blasts

Israel To Benefit From Sinai Bombings: Experts


LONDON - Microsoftis ramping up its efforts to sell software as a service by teaming with U.K. telecommunications giant BT Group PLC to provide a platform for the delivery of its business applications.

Microsoft, BT team on software as services


Short for high definition-DVD, a generic term for the technology of recording high-definition video on a DVD. In general, HD-DVD is capable of storing between two and four times as much data as standard DVD.

Thomson to Support Next-Generation DVD Formats


Reuters - Iran has not agreed to an offer by the\European Union to receive nuclear technology in exchange for\abandoning its uranium enrichment program, but it will consider\the proposal, an Iranian official said on Thursday.

Iran to Consider EU Nuclear Offer, No Deal Yet (Reuters)


TORONTO -- Long after the Finns had departed the ice, replaced by a throng of television cameras and the hopelessly odd looking World Cup of Hockey trophy, three Tampa Lightning teammates gathered for a picture along the boards, delirious Canadian fans

Special to ESPN.com


Canadian Press - MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (CP) - The Ontario government finally made good Friday on its long-awaited promise to start siphoning millions in gas-tax revenue to municipalities desperate to fix crumbling infrastructure and underfunded transit systems.

Ontario delivers long-awaited gas-tax revenue to cash-strapped cities (Canadian Press)


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average fell 0.46 percent  by late Tuesday, setting the stage for an eighth straight day  of losses after oil prices topped \$50 a barrel, fanning  concerns about Japan Inc's prospects.

Nikkei Poised to Fall for 8th Day


In a press tour on Friday, Microsoft senior vice president for Windows Server Bob Muglia updated the Windows Server release schedule for next year.

Muglia Updates Windows Server Roadmap


AFP - Congress overwhelmingly approved a 146-billion-dollar tax cut endorsed by both President George W. Bush and his rival John Kerry but criticized by some economists.

Congress delivers 146-billion-dollar tax cut (AFP)


You #39;ve made your Web browser a part of the operating system, and you #39;ve effectively vanquished every other Web browser in the world to minimal importance.

The Friday File: First shots fired in new browser war?


RANGOON, Burma, Nov. 25 -- Burma announced Thursday that it would release more than 5,000 prisoners, and a senior official said a top dissident who was democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's closest aide would also be freed before long.

Burma Says It Will Free Over 5,000 More Prisoners


A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan #39;s northern island of Hokkaido early Monday, swaying buildings and triggering a tsunami that lashed the shore, officials said.

Powerful earthquake hits northern Japan, triggers tsunami


DUBLIN, Ohio - Cardinal Health Inc., a medical products and services company, plans to cut 4,200 jobs, or about 7 percent of its work force, and close 25 offices as part of a three-year restructuring plan, the company said Monday.

Cardinal Health to Slash 4,200 Jobs


The Environmental Protection Agency released an annual report on Monday that showed enforcement actions in the last fiscal year would eliminate a billion pounds of pollution from the nation #39;s air, land and water.

EPA Says Enforcement Shows Results


High gas prices are a tough obstacle for most businesses, and the auto parts retail business is no exception. AutoZone (NYSE: AZO), the largest of the auto parts retailers, said this morning

Pricey Gas Stalls AutoZone


Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. posted a fiscal third-quarter loss of \$3 million on costs to close stores after same-store sales fell for the first time as a public company.

Krispy Kreme Posts Loss, Scraps Revenue Forecast (Update5)


AMERICA #39;S original soccer mamas put off the next stage to their lives last night because it wasn #39;t time for Mary Tyler Moore #39;s hat to fall from the sky just yet.

US Team #39;s  #39;91ers Get One More Kickaround


Myanmar #39;s military junta is to release a further 5,070 prisoners, state media announced on Saturday, bringing the total number of prisoners released in recent weeks to more than 14,000.

Myanmar to Release a Further 5,000 Prisoners


The death of the VHS video recorder came a step closer yesterday when the UK #39;s largest electronics chain said it would stop selling them.

Largest UK Electronics Seller Cuts VHS


AP - President Vicente Fox fired Mexico City's police chief Monday for allegedly bungling the response to a mob attack that killed two federal police officers. Fox's action sharply increases a political clash with leaders of the opposition-led capital ahead of the 2006 presidential race.

Mexico's President Fires Mexico City Chief (AP)


Media Center PCs allow users to record live television, burn DVDs and organize their digital media files.

Gateway expands Media Center PC lineup


The worst U.S. loss in Ryder Cup history led to a shakeup in the qualification process, a change geared toward making sure the Americans are on top of their game when the 2006 matches are played in Ireland.

Ryder Cup Criteria Puts Emphasis on Play


Tom Lehman is just one shot back at the Funai Classic at the Disney Magnolia course. Lehman has not won in nearly five years.

Lehman Lurks in Fla.


Industry deserves a chance to act responsibly, CNET News.com's Declan McCullagh says, before ill-informed legislators step in.

Don't regulate RFID--yet


The plot: Although some of the key players aren #39;t familiar to fans, the Braves are no strangers to the playoffs. Their unprecedented streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances

Houston vs. Atlanta


CINCINNATI -- Barry Larkin will not be offered another contract by the Cincinnati Reds, ending his 19-year career with his hometown team, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

AP Newsbreak: Larkin won #39;t be coming back to Reds


DETROIT, Dec. 7- Toyota, General Motors and seven other automakers filed suit on Tuesday to block California #39;s new greenhouse gas regulation, which was approved by the state in its final form in September.

Automakers Sue to Block Emissions Law in California


<a href=

A flash-based iPod from Apple? Not so fast


MILAN : Troubled Italian automaker Fiat Auto reported an 11 percent increase in third quarter sales to 4.5 billion euros (5.7 billion dollars) compared with the same period last year and cut its operating loss 18 percent to 270 million euros.

Fiat third-quarter net loss rises, operating loss is slashed


The U.S. citizen who was held by the military as an

Hamdi Returns Home to Saudi Arabia


NewsFactor - Businesses preparing to implement Windows XP SP2 should brace themselves for problems impacting a significant number of their Windows XP machines, according to research conducted by I.T. infrastructure management firm AssetMetrix.

Report: SP2 Problems Impact 10 Percent of Windows XP PCs (NewsFactor)


The Tigers didn #39;t tear the cover off the ball Monday night. But compared to their previous two games -- both shutouts -- it was an offensive explosion.

Young unties it for Knotts; Tigers win


Down, 20-7, the Boston College players got together at halftime yesterday and decided they didn #39;t want to go down quietly, see their three-game winning streak against Notre

BC keeps the Irish firmly in its pocket: Eagles take 4th straight <b>...</b>


Coming into the season, the Detroit Lions were well-known for their futility in foreign stadiums. The unlucky number was 24, as the Lions hadn #39;t won on the road since 2000.

Lions are suddenly road warriors


Oracle today introduced the latest version of its Business Intelligence product which combines information access, analysis, reporting, data integration and management tools into a standalone application.

Oracle intros Business Intelligence 10g


NEC Corp. researchers have developed a quantum cryptography system with sufficient speed and range to make it commercially viable. It could go on sale in the second half of 2005, the researchers said Thursday.

NEC extends quantum cryptography range and speed


Boeing regained some ground in its battle with Airbus yesterday when it won a \$7.35billion order from Singapore Airlines for 31 aircraft.

Boeing lands Singapore order


Freshman Darius Walker had two fourth-quarter touchdowns and the Fighting Irish renewed hope for a turnaround season by upsetting the eighth-ranked Wolverines 28-20 on Saturday.

Notre Dame 28, No. 8 Michigan 20


Recent updates to IE contain a serious regression that leaves systems once more vulnerable to a flaw fixed more than two years ago, according to security researchers.\

News: Undead IE bug rises from grave


SPACE.com - A new challenge awaits private rocketeers hoping to breach the space frontier with their own versions of reusable spacecraft, this one demanding faster and hardier vehicles capable of orbital flights.

America's Space Prize: Reaching Higher Than Sub-Orbit (SPACE.com)


ATHENS, 27 August - China #39;s Huina XING produced a sprint over the final 100m to destroy Ethiopia #39;s hopes of a medal sweep and claim her nation #39;s second Olympic gold medal of the night.

Women #39;s 10,000m : XING wins gold for China


The U.S. government will offer over the Internet low-quality images of its new \$50 bill for artists, students and others who discover that their computers, scanners or printers won't allow them to view or copy pictures of the new currency.

U.S. Offers Internet Downloads of \$50 Bill


When the Old Colony League was trimmed to just four teams during the offseason, the spotlight was quickly cast on Bridgewater-Raynham's game at Marshfield Oct. 29.

B-R's opening task is not an easy one


Malaysian carmaker Proton is in talks with Volkswagen about a potential partnership, which could boost the German auto giant #39;s presence in the Southeast Asian market.

Volkswagen, Malaysian Carmaker in Talks


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Florida has found the highly  contagious soybean rust fungus in one of its soybean fields on  Wednesday, becoming the third infected U.S. state in a week,  state officials said.

USDA Tests Confirm Soy Rust in Florida


Dax Holdren could only watch helplessly as partner Stein Metzger made a desperate dive for the ball, screaming as if the noise could stop it from hitting the sizzling sand.

Swiss Pair Eliminates Holdren, Metzger


MOSCOW The Russian oil producer Yukos sought bankruptcy protection in the United States on Wednesday and requested an emergency court hearing to stop the Russian government #39;s auction of its largest production unit.

Yukos, of Russia, files for bankruptcy in US


Chiron Corp. said yesterday that it has acquired a La Jolla biotechnology company to further efforts to develop a donor blood screening test to detect mad cow disease.

Chiron acquires La Jolla biotech


JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (Reuters) - An aging U.S. population  will strain public finances and hurt the economy without swift  fixes to the social safety net, such as raising the age for  full retirement benefits, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan  Greenspan said on Friday.

Greenspan-Aged Population to Hit Finances


Samsung Electronics, the worlds second largest chipmaker, said on Monday it would invest Won25,000bn (\$24bn) in new chip production lines by 2010 to generate accumulative sales of Won200,000bn.

Samsung plans to invest \$24bn in chips by 2010


Oct. 26, 2004 - The US-European spacecraft Cassini-Huygens on Tuesday made a historic flyby of Titan, Saturn #39;s largest moon, passing so low as to almost touch the fringes of its atmosphere.

Cassini Spacecraft Flies By Saturn Moon


The waiting and wondering continued Sunday about the fate of British hostage, Kenneth Bigley, although one Muslim activist says he is still alive.

British hostage reportedly still alive in Iraq


A statement on the IAAF website said the governing body #39;s Doping Review Board had conducted an extensive three-month inquiry and had concluded that evidence exists that the three committed doping violations.

Kenteris and Thanou charged


TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran said Wednesday that it would keep improving its missile capability after announcing that the latest version of its medium-range Shahab-3 could now hit targets up to 2,000 kilometers away.

Iran Improving Missile Range


KATHMANDU - Food and supplies are rolling into Kathmandu again after Maoist rebels lift a week-long blockade that demonstrated their growing power in the impoverished Himalayan kingdom.

Kathmandu back in business after Maoist rebels lift blockade


MOSCOW -- French Open champion Anastasia Myskina pulled Russia into a 1-1 tie with defending champion France at the Fed Cup final Saturday after US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova lost the first singles match.

Myskina salvages Fed Cup tie for Russia vs. France


Search company Google begins the global roll-out of an enterprise search tool that allows companies to

Google rolls out corporate search


 By Jude Webber and Kate Kelland

 LIMA/LONDON (Reuters) - Veteran British disc jockey JohnPeel, who championed new music trends like punk on mainstreamradio, has died of a heart attack on holiday in Peru.

Veteran British DJ John Peel Dies in Peru


(Article Central) Google has started spending some of the \$1.67 billion it made in last month #39;s initial public offering, recruiting a half-dozen of the brightest minds from Microsoft and other tech giants.

Google Goes on Hiring Spree


Could the Meadowlands be the next stop for the vagabond Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals Major League Baseball franchise? That would be good move for the sport, according to New Jersey Sports

NJ would welcome homeless baseball team


The elected union representatives of Northwest Airlines pilots have voted unanimously to endorse concessions sought by the airline.

Northwest Pilots


The nation's home builders, real estate sales people and mortgage bankers stood by their man in the presidential election and now they hope he stands by his housing agenda during the next four years.

Industry Plans To Keep Up The Pressure


Govt sets minimum price at \$8.6 bn, against Dresdner Kleinwort Wassersteins lowest fair value of \$15.7 bn. The Russian government on Friday approved the forced sale of the main subsidiary of Yukos, the

Russia okays forced sale of Yukos arm


BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) -- It would be fitting for the Houston Astros to clinch a playoff spot at Minute Maid Park, but they will have to do it without Roger Clemens.

Astros can clinch last playoff berth Sunday


The number of people without health insurance rose by 1.4 million, to a record 45 million last year, amid rising costs for coverage.

Record Level of Americans Not Insured on Health


Mahdi Army emerging as well-organized parallel government

Sadr loyalty grows, even as Sistani returns


NEW YORK - President Bush picked apart John Kerry's record on the Iraq war and tax cuts Thursday night and summoned the nation toward victory over terrorism and economic security at home.

Bush Pledges 'Nothing Will Hold Us Back'


Top-seeded Vincent Spadea beat qualifier Hugo Armando 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 Friday night to reach the semifinals of the Millennium International Tennis Championships.

Top-seed Spadea, No. 3 seed Ancic advances to semifinals


British Black Watch troops are blocking a key bridge on the River Euphrates in the regiment #39;s biggest mission since it was redeployed to Iraq.

Black Watch block Fallujah supply line


Trying to end a four-game losing streak, Georgetown will start quarterback Andrew Crawford, who lost his starting job to Keith Allan earlier this season, in Saturday's homecoming game against VMI at Harbin Field.

Another Shot for Crawford


AFP - Five blasts struck Thailand's Muslim-majority south within 24 hours, killing a Buddhist man and wounding 29 people, police said.

One dead, at least 29 injured in series of blasts in southern Thailand (AFP)


The Catholic church in Spain yesterday attacked government plans to legalise gay marriage, saying it would be like releasing a  quot;virus quot; into Spanish society.

Spanish Catholics attack plans for same-sex marriage


Stocks rose modestly in uninspired trading Thursday as investors looked past a mix of economic data and falling profit forecasts from from Google Inc.

Stocks End High on Jobless Claims Report


Cinergy Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio, said Friday it plans to sell 6.1 million shares of common stock. The sale will be made under Cinergy #39;s effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cinergy to sell 6.1 million shares


Reuters - Israel's pro-settler National\Religious Party (NRP) decided on Monday to quit Prime Minister\Ariel Sharon's government in protest at his Gaza pullout plan.

Sharon Gov't Partner Quitting Over Gaza Pullout (Reuters)


AP - Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader told supporters Saturday that a far larger number of Americans die each year from poverty, hunger, pollution, dangerous jobs or poor access to high-quality health care than terrorism.

Nader: Social Ills Deadlier Than Terror (AP)


MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia offered a \$10 million reward on  Wednesday for information to help it hunt down Chechen rebel  leaders Shamil Basayev and Aslan Maskhadov, whom it accuses of  being behind last week's deadly school siege.

Russia Offers \$10 Million for Chechen Rebels -Agencies


Swatch has introduced the Paparazzi watch. The Paparazzi is a watch capable of displaying information it receives wirelessly through FM radio transmissions.

Swatch #39;s Paparazzi Watch Receives Wireless Information


Sprint and Nextel Communications formally announced a merger that will create a formidable No. 3 carrier with 35.4 million subscribers.

Latest Merger Would Recast Cellular's Face Once Again


AFP - A deadly outbreak of hepatitis E in Sudan's Darfur region has spread rapidly, with the number of cases almost tripling in less than a month, the World Health Organization said.

Sharp jump in hepatitis E cases in Darfur: WHO (AFP)


We #39;re all taught in elementary school a universal principle:  quot;Two wrongs don #39;t make a right. quot;. What happened in the NBA game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers is a perfect example of how true that principle is.

The  #39;basketbrawl #39; in Detroit


In Siberia the world's largest peatlands absorb greenhouse gasses. But could global warming thaw and dry the bogs, turning them into greenhouse gas faucets?

Melting Arctic Bogs May Hasten Warming, Study Says


NEW YORK (Reuters) - A group of private equity firms is  courting bankrupt cable firm Adelphia Communications Corp.  <A HREF=

Report: Equity Firms Stalk Adelphia


Honeywell on Wednesday announced that it has filed suit in federal court against Apple Computer Inc. and more than thirty other companies, alleging infringement over a 1994 patent that describes technology

Details emerge in Honeywell #39;s suit against Apple


Reuters - Outfielder Jason Bay became the\first Pittsburgh Pirate to win the National League Rookie of\the Year, as he was voted the honor on Monday.

Bay, Crosby Honored as Top MLB Rookies (Reuters)


ZEE Telefilms Ltd (ZTL) has decided not to re-bid for the rights to broadcast cricket matches played in India.  quot;The board of directors in its meeting on September firmly decided against re-bidding, quot; ZTL said in a press release issued here on Tuesday.

Zee not to re-bid for cricket rights


The rivalry between the New England Patriots and New York Jets may lack the animosity of the Red Sox-Yankees, but it is nonetheless one of the fiercest in the NFL, dating to its AFL ori- gins.

Against Jets, Pats know they can #39;t let up a minute


AFP - Japan's trade surplus in August fell sharply for the first decline in 14 months as higher costs for imported oil combined with weaker export growth, prompting concerns about the country's economic outlook, the finance ministry said.

Rising oil prices hit Japan's trade surplus (AFP)


Online-payment service PayPal on Tuesday sought to reassure customers that outages that had plagued the service since Friday finally had been resolved.

PayPal Battles Glitches


The Motley Fool - Firefox is catching fire -- pardon the pun -- and for good reason. Web surfers looking for a reliable alternative to Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) Internet Explorer have been busy over the last month downloading the new version of the Web browser. The Mozilla Foundation, a network of programmers jointly developing open-source technology, reports more than 8 million people have downloaded the program since early November.

Mozilla Outfoxing Microsoft (The Motley Fool)


Led by Burt Rutan, the designers of SpaceShipOne -- the first privately manned rocket to enter outer space -- received a 150-pound trophy along with a check for \$10 million Saturday.

Rutan Collects \$10 Million Ansari X Prize


At least eight people are dead from a car bomb that exploded outside the gates of a US base in western Iraq. US military and hospital officials say around 48 people were injured near Ramadi

At least eight dead from car bomb explosion near US base close to


London, Oct. 9 (NNN): The British Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt has said sorry for the blunders over intelligence used to justify the Iraq war, becoming the first member of the Government to do so.

First UK Secy Says Sorry Over Iraq War


Ray Brent Marsh did officially plead guilty in court.. But the judge could still reject the plea bargain. 31-year old Ray Brent Marsh was surrounded by and army of Walker County deputies as he entered the courtroom.

Ray Brent Marsh Plea Agreement


KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 31 -- The U.S. military said its forces killed more than 20 Islamic fighters on Tuesday in eastern Afghanistan but denied reports it had killed up to eight villagers in the same operation.

U.S.: Militants, Not Villagers, Hit in Afghan Raid


Staggering traffic problems, nightmarish security concerns and incomplete construction of sports venues that would cause an embarrassment to the host country.

Athens Games halfway home free


Boston Scientific Corp. said yesterday it sold \$8.3 million worth of its Taxus drug-coated cardiac stents per day this month, a record level the Natick medical-devices giant said demonstrates it has won back doctors' confidence after three recalls.

Boston Scientific stent sales set record


Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - LeBron James poured in a career-high 43 points to lead Cleveland to an easy 92-76 win over Detroit at Gund Arena.

LeBron, Cavs downs Pistons without a fight


Sun Microsystems on Friday will unveil more of its plans for OpenSolaris, the open-source project for the Solaris operating system.

Sun #39;s OpenSolaris Plans Start to Emerge


PHILADELPHIA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies  re-signed righthander Cory Lidle to a two-year deal worth \$6.3  million Tuesday.

Phillies Keep Lidle Around for Two More Years


A company with close ties to White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is a leading candidate for a contract to help plan Washington's new stadium.

A Favorite Emerges


It #39;s hard to say which was a more unlikely sight for the Orioles last night: journeyman starter Bruce Chen tossing seven shutout innings, or ace reliever BJ Ryan giving up a walk-off home run.

Chen sparkles, but O #39;s drop 9th in a row, 3-0


HENDALA, Sri Lanka -- Day after day, locked in a cement room somewhere in Iraq, the hooded men beat him. They told him he would be beheaded. ''Ameriqi! quot; they shouted, even though he comes from this poor Sri Lankan fishing village.

Militants beat man thought to be from US


Researchers at IBM and Advanced Micro Devices have improved a chip-making technology called strained silicon, boosting semiconductor performance at a time when such

IBM, AMD speed chips by straining silicon wafers


Phishing is one of the fastest-growing forms of personal fraud in the world. While consumers are the most obvious victims, the damage spreads far wider--hurting companies #39; finances and reputations and potentially

This week in security news


MADRAS: Damien Martyn masterminded Australia #39;s stirring fightback yesterday to leave the second cricket Test against India poised for a knife-edge finish.

Second Test finely poised


AP - After one win, defensive end Bobby Hamilton made the bold prediction that Oakland's new defense is good enough to get 12 sacks in a game.

Raiders Making Progress in New Defense (AP)


Is Social Security an important part of civilized society, or just another form of welfare?

Why You Hate, and Like, Social Security


GAZA, SEPTEMBER 27: Armed Palestinians kidnapped an Israeli Arab producer for CNN TV network from a car in Gaza City on Monday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Palestinian gunmen abduct CNN producer


NASA plans to try to set a world speed record for jets with the flight of a pilotless vehicle that culminates a decades-long research program into hypersonic flight.

Pilotless Jet Will Attempt Speed Record


The media frenzy over the Google I.P.O. is a perfect example of the disproportionate amount of attention the technology sector receives.

Google, Shmoogle. The Biggest I.P.O.'s Went Unnoticed.


CNF Inc. said Monday it swung to a loss in the third quarter as the result of a charge related to the planned sale of its Menlo Worldwide Forwarding unit.

CNF Swings to 3Q Loss on Charge


PREDICTIONS that the housing bubble has finally burst were confirmed yesterday by figures revealing the first year-on-year drop in mortgage lending for four years.

First fall in loans since 2000 shows bubble has burst


Next month, firm will launch revamped middleware products for content management and application infrastructure.

Oracle shoots for the middle


India #39;s home minister made his first visit to insurgency-hit Indian Kashmir yesterday as 15 people died in the latest violence.

Violence kills 15 as home minister visits Kashmir


David Ortiz drove in three runs, including the game winner in the bottom of the 14th inning, to lead Boston to a rallying 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees which kept the Red Sox #39;s postseason hopes alive Monday.

Red Sox Stay Alive with Epic 14th-Inning Win


Oil prices fell on Monday to a seven-week low just under \$47 a barrel, as growing fuel stocks in the United States eased fears of a winter supply crunch despite a cold snap in North America at the weekend.

Oil slips below \$47 a barrel to 7-week low


AP - This small village of mud and straw huts lay ruined and abandoned Sunday, the ground charred, after residents said Sudanese soldiers attacked with a warplane and helicopters, driving farmers from their homes days before a U.N. deadline to end the violence in the ravaged Darfur region.

African Union Probes Cease-Fire Violation (AP)


Russian officials hope to prevent reprisals as a 40-day mourning period ends for victims of the school siege.

In Beslan, a tense bid for calm


The Supreme Court on Tuesday sidestepped a dispute over whether Internet providers can be forced to identify subscribers illegally swapping music and movies online. <FONT face=

Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Piracy Case


Goldman Sachs reported a 23 percent increase in earnings for the fourth quarter, driven by robust gains in investment banking, asset management and trading.

Goldman Sachs Says Earnings Rose 23 for Quarter


The former military ruler was indicted over the disappearance of nine opposition activists and the killing of one of them during his 17-year regime.

Chilean judge charges Pinochet


Arctic indigenous people urge the US to cut gas emissions to slow down  the thaw of the polar ice.

US urged to help slow Arctic thaw


Game fan upset over failed disc drive sues Microsoft on behalf of all U.S. Xbox owners.

Xbox owner sues over dud drive


AFP - US President George W. Bush launched a three-stop bus tour in this up-for-grabs state, hoping to become the first Republican White House hopeful to win Minnesota in 32 years.

Bush campaigns to seize Democratic stronghold of Minnesota (AFP)


President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that investigators were looking for a link between al-Qaida and Chechen rebels widely believed to have downed two planes last week.

Putin Sees Al-Qaida in Twin Air Crashes


#39;There #39;s a certain element of embarrassment, no question, #39; manager Joe Torre says as his Yankees suffer their worst loss ever.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: 22-0w


An appeals court should throw out a \$500m (260m) patent infringement judgement against Microsoft because a lower court failed to recognise that the patent was not invented by the company awarded the money, a Microsoft lawyer claimed yesterday.

Microsoft contests patent infringement decision


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Monday after Wal-Mart  Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Wal-Mart Sales Cast Gloom, Stocks Fall


December 06, 2004 - Today game and film fans alike are picking sides to decide the fate of Middle-earth as Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) announces the release of the eagerly-awaited PC game, The Lord of the Rings(tm), The Battle for Middle-earth(tm).

The Battle for Middle-earth Ships


HONG KONG (CBS.MW) -- London-based financial services group HHG surged Friday after agreeing to sell its life insurance and pensions business to private equity investors for 1.025 billion pounds (\$1.96 billion) in cash.

Group to focus on fund management


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

HCA Blames Hurricanes for Lower Earnings


A new IRA conversion rule will let you ignore minimum distributions in computing threshold incomes.

A Simpler Conversion


TORONTO (Ticker) - The prospects of an NHL season look to be growing bleaker with each passing day. The Sports Network of Canada reported on its Web site Monday that the NHL will reject the latest proposal

Report: Owners reject players #39; offer, will make counterproposal <b>...</b>


San Francisco (dpa) - Microsoft is working toward a bare-bones personal computer that would cost less than 100 dollars and could help stem rampant software piracy in emerging countries, CEO Steve Ballmer said Wednesday, according to tech news service ZDNet

Microsoft considering 100-dollar PC


Roger Clemens says he will pitch next year. Whether it #39;s throwing batting practice to his kids or split-fingered fastballs to major-league hitters remains to be seen.

Clemens claims his magnificent 7th Cy Young Award


afrol News, 16 September - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the UN Security Council to  quot;act without delay quot; regarding a resolution on Sudan #39;s Darfur region.

Annan backs US, EU push for action on Darfur


NEW YORK - A lot of people say Michael Ovitz was overpaid at Walt Disney Company. These critics dwell on the superficial, noting, for instance, that he worked at the company just 14 months and was paid \$140 million when he quit.

At Disney, Ovitzworked And Unditzpaid


Chile is violating the rights of indigenous people by resorting to an outdated anti-terrorism law, a leading rights group says.

Chile 'violates Indians' rights'


DAVID HARDAKER: In Soviet times, it was a long-held tradition to immortalise leaders by renaming streets and major cities after them.

Kremlin candidate for Chechen presidency set to win


The threat of a constitutional crisis hangs over the EU as MEPs vote on whether to veto the new Commission.

Crunch vote for new EU Commission


It's a fall weekday, and retired Bedford residents Bob and Lee Evans are hard at work in their new career: leading mud-splattered, middle-aged suburbanites on mountain bikes over a root-laced trail through Chelmsford's Cranberry Bog Reservation.

Retirees recycle passion into a new career


Confectionery group Cadbury Schweppes today said it was expecting full-year profits towards the lower end of hopes after a difficult summer for its European drinks business.

Wet Summer Dampens Cadbury Profits


WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal regulators have  launched an investigation into creditor actions in the WorldCom  bankruptcy, demanding thousands of documents from bondholders  related to the largest U.S. bankruptcy, according to court  documents.

SEC Probes WorldCom Creditor Actions


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Back to school for many kids means

Livewire: Back to School Means Back to Advergames