For purposes of comparison, many people are sizing up MSN #39;s new desktop search program and toolbar suite against Google #39;s previously released desktop search program.

MSN vs. Apple  #39;Spotlight #39;


Ask iPodlounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-related questions from a member of the iPodlounge editorial team.

Spouse says  quot;No iPod, quot; Getting rid of CDs, and Resurrecting a dead <b>...</b>


South Africa #39;s Retief Goosen fired a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead over the season #39;s other three major winners after the first round of the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Kauai, Hawaii on Tuesday.

Goosen Forges One-Shot Lead at Grand Slam of Golf


Global research by MORI, conducted for Nokia, has identified a strong trend for consumers to move from their fixed line phones to use their mobile handsets for all or most of their voice calls.

Nokia: Consumers increasingly giving up their fixed line phones


Cellular industry arch-rivals Nextel Communications Inc. and Verizon Wireless reached an accord yesterday, with Verizon Wireless agreeing not to sue to block regulators from giving Nextel control of airwaves worth billions of dollars.

Cellular Firms End Dispute Over Airwaves


LONDON -- Ofcom today published its proposals to support the growth of greater competition, innovation and investment certainty in the UK telecommunications sector.

Ofcom Unveils UK Sector Proposals


CAIRO- - Israel will release within hours six Egyptian students arrested in August and charged with conspiring to abduct and kill Israeli soldiers, the Egyptian state newspaper al-Ahram reported on Sunday.

Israel to free Egyptian students: Cairo media


Through all the recent warnings about antidepressants and children, one of the drugs seemed somehow above the fray: Prozac. But is it really that different?

Is Prozac Better? Is It Even Different?


AP - Passengers taking to the skies for U.S. flights could be checking e-mail and surfing the Web through high-speed Internet connections in a couple of years. And the day when travelers can chat away on cell phones while in flight might not be far behind.

FCC to Allow Wireless Access on Planes (AP)


Alan Greenspan says oil prices will have to rise a lot more before they have a serious impact on the American economy. The Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board told a Washington audience the impact of

Greenspan comments on oil prices


House Republican negotiators beat back Senate efforts to more aggressively regulate tobacco and to more strictly limit tax shelters Tuesday as a congressional conference committee moved toward approving the most significant corporate tax legislation in two decades.

Tobacco Rider Adds Fire To Corporate Tax Bill


DETROIT (AP) -- Compuware Corp. is accusing IBM of attempting to  quot;sandbag quot; it with new evidence just three months before the software company #39;s piracy claim against the technology giant is to go to trial.

Compuware accuses IBM of ambush tactics in piracy suit


Cristiano Ronaldo had plundered a double against Russia and the Portuguese teenager grinned like he had just received an early Christmas present.

Early Christmas present for Ronaldo


Colombo: Four people including a top renegade Tamil Tiger rebel were shot dead Thursday in growing factional fighting in Sri Lanka despite efforts to revive the peace process, officials and a pro-rebel website reported.

LTTE kills Karuna #39;s brother


Office Depot Inc. announced plans Friday to cut roughly another 800 jobs, including positions in retail stores, its corporate headquarters and its European sales force, officials said.

Office Depot to Eliminate 800 More Jobs


Computer Associates International #39;s former chief executive was indicted on criminal charges related to fraudulent accounting practices, and the company on Wednesday agreed to pay \$225 million to settle with federal prosecutors.

Former CA chief indicted, company reaches accord


Khartoum, Sept. 26 (NNN): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) has said more than a million people displaced by the Darfur conflict are living in a  quot;climate of fear quot; and described refugee camps as  quot;prisons without walls quot;.

Darfur Refugees Living In Prisons Without Walls: UNHCR


The Detroit Tigers #39; young right-hander has been going through a rough stretch. His 21-year-old brain was being overloaded with too many thoughts about mechanics.

Bonderman goes blank, shuts out Sox


Reuters - A majority of the U.S. Federal\Communications Commission has voted to conditionally approve\Cingular Wireless' proposed acquisition of AT T Wireless\Services Inc. , a source familiar with the matter said\on Wednesday.

FCC Majority OKs Cingular-AT T Wireless (Reuters)


LOS ANGELES: NASA has delayed a planned flight of an unmanned hypersonic jet designed to reach a record speed of Mach 10 (11,200km/h).

X-43 scramjet test delayed


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Baseball slugger Barry Bonds's  700th career home run ball drew a winning bid of \$804,129 in an  online auction that closed Wednesday.

Bonds 700th Homer Ball Gets \$804,000 at Auction


Mayor Gavin Newsom made good on his promise to join locked-out union members on the picket line Tuesday after a group of San Francisco hotels rejected his proposed 90-day cooling off period, extending a bitter labor dispute that has left 4,000 workers

Newsom joins picket line, vows boycott of hotels  #39;Bad business <b>...</b>


Opec has raised its output quotas in an attempt to bring oil prices below \$40 a barrel. The cartel of leading oil producers says it will pump another million barrels of crude a day, bringing total output to 27 million barrels a day.

Opec Ups Quotas At Vienna Summit


College field hockey: Fitchburg St. at Endicott, 3:30 p.m.; Regis at UMass-Dartmouth, 3:30 p.m.; Lasell at UNew England, 3:30 p.m.; Saint Anselm at Stonehill, 4 p.m.; Bentley at AIC, 4 p.m.; Gordon at Nichols, 4 p.m.; Trinity at Eastern Conn., 4 p.m.; Dartmouth at UNH, 7 p.m.; Merrimack at UMass-Lowell, 7 p.m.; Anna Maria at Clark, 7 p.m.

Today's schedule


NASA says the space capsule, built by Lockheed Martin, went down in the Utah desert because a crucial switch was put on backward. By John Johnson.

Genesis Crash Blamed on Installation Error


FC Porto scored three second-half goals to beat visiting Sporting Lisbon 3-0 Monday and move into second place in the Portuguese league, one point behind leader Benfica after nine rounds.

Porto beats Sporting, goes second place in Portuguese league


It will soon be riskier than ever to write a check if you don #39;t have money in the bank to cover it. Under a law that goes into effect Oct. 28, banks that get checks will be allowed

Consumers who play float will sink


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has agreed to let Palestinian  President Yasser Arafat go to a hospital in the West Bank city  of Ramallah if necessary and allow Jordanian doctors to come  and examine him, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.

Israel to Permit Arafat to Go to Ramallah Hospital


The banned Basque separatist party, Batasuna, is expected to appeal for an end to decades of armed conflict in its campaign for Basque independence.

Basque party  #39;to call for peace #39;


Antonio Palocci, a doctor from Brazil's farm belt, has found himself presiding as the country's finance minister during the most robust economic expansion in a decade.

For Brazil's Economy, the Doctor Is In


Security managers in government agencies are most worried about patches and the poor quality of commercial software, a survey finds.

Patches cause headaches for federal managers


AFP - US Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, will again miss work when the Supreme Court reconvenes Monday, according to a report.

Ailing US chief justice to miss work again: report (AFP)


The German finance minister, Hans Eichel, today warned that global growth would be at risk if oil prices remained at their current levels.

Oil price surge  #39;threatens global growth #39;


U.S. jets pounded the rebel stronghold of Fallujah on Thursday, and American and Iraqi forces entered the central city of Samarra for the first time in months to try to reseat the city council and regain control.

U.S. Strike Targets in Fallujah and Tal Afar


com. Global Crossing founder Gary Winnick, who sold hundreds of millions of dollars of the firm #39;s stock as it headed towards bankruptcy, won #39;t be charged with civil violations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it was reported Monday.

Report: Global Crossing Founder Winnick Won #39;t Face Charges


A new biography tells you more than you may want to know about the late Hollywood star. Stock quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes for Nasdaq, at least 20 minutes for NYSE/AMEX.

London Share Prices Up at Midday


HP World SAP hell lingers

HP's order system chaos to continue throughout August


NEW YORK -- Iran's foreign minister said yesterday his country's relations with the United States are about the worst ever, but he believes the upcoming US presidential election could open avenues for renewed dialogue, even if President Bush is reelected.

Iran aide cites worse relations


Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Convicted Ontario schoolgirl killer Karla Homolka, considered a real danger to reoffend by the National Parole Board, could quietly slip into any community across Canada after her release next July.

Schoolgirl killer Homolka could quietly slip into any town in Canada: top cop (Canadian Press)


AP - Despite improvements in recent decades, the Great Lakes remain a dumping ground for pollution ranging from livestock waste to mercury emissions, a U.S.-Canadian panel said Monday.

Panel Says Pollution Plagues Great Lakes (AP)


TORONTO - Lord Black of Crossharbour will step down as chairman and chief executive of Hollinger Inc.  quot;in a matter of days, quot; his lawyer said yesterday after a hearing in Ontario court into the matter.

Black to quit Hollinger Inc. positions


Global grocery retailer Ahold NV has agreed to a settlement of civil fraud charges over an alleged \$1 billion overstatement of earnings in a deal with US regulators that does not fine the company.

Ahold, executives settle fraud charges


TEHRAN (AFP) -- Iran said the UN nuclear watchdog #39;s report Wednesday on Tehran #39;s atomic energy program was a positive step toward clearing up the country #39;s file and demonstrating the peaceful character of the program.

IAEA report positive step: Iran


It was an emotional return for Joe Gibbs. Tied in the fourth quarter, an interception by Antonio Pierce turned the momentum, and the Washington Redskins beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16-10, yesterday in Landover, Md., to welcome the Hall of Fame coach back to the NFL after a 12-year hiatus.

Gibbs, 'Skins off to the races


The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the practice of injecting humans with tracking devices for medical purposes, according to a Florida company that makes the devices.

FDA approves injecting ID chips in patients


Joe Thornton didn't make the score he was looking for yesterday, but the Bruins captain will earn \$6.75 million, the most of any player in the club's history, if the National Hockey League has a full 2004-05 season.

Jumbo dough for Joe


Google Blesses Blogger Users with AdSense Advertising\\Blogger, having replaced the default Google powered AdSense ads with a search enhanced Blogger task bar, has recently announced that they will now make Google AdSense advertisements available to Blogger members and other personal blog owners via a new program. Biz Stone, a Google ...


The European Parliament was expected to endorse the 24-member European Union executive Thursday after new European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso moved to solve the legislature #39;s objections to his lineup.

Vote due on new Europe Commission


Reuters - A Texas congressman who brought a\successful ethics complaint against House Majority Leader Tom\Delay was himself rebuked by the ethics panel for violating the\rules in the way he brought the complaint.

House GOP Leader DeLay Delights in Rebuke of Accuser (Reuters)


Credit Suisse First Boston raised estimates and the target price on Sun Microsystems (nasdaq: SUNW - news - people ) after the company broke even on per-share, pro forma basis for the fiscal first quarter.

Sun Microsystems #39; Revenue Growth Seen Pressured


The European Commission's former chief accountant, who said the EU budget was open to fraud, will fight her dismissal.

Sacked EU whistleblower defiant


USATODAY.com - You've got to like a movie in which William H. Macy dispatches several villains with brute force and also dons an avocado facial mask. And you can't help but admire a film in which a cell phone is put to the use for which it was intended: assistance during an emergency.

'Cellular' answers action call (USATODAY.com)


Reuters - U.S. stocks slid on Thursday, ending\four days of gains as oil prices continued their march higher,\but Google Inc. (GOOG.O) created a buzz as shares of the\Internet search company surged on their debut.

Stocks Dip as Oil Soars; Google Shines (Reuters)


Mark Shipman and Tony Ally both failed to progress beyond the semi-final stages of the three-metre springboard diving this afternoon.

Medal Hopes Take A Dive


A capsule look at the first day of Ryder Cup matches Friday at Oakland Hills Country Club: Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie, Europe, def.

Quick look at Ryder Cup #39;s key holes


Despite higher oil prices, the Singapore government on Wednesday keeps its economic growth forecast of 8 percent to 9 percent for this year, and growth of 3 percent to 5 percent for next year.

Singapore economy may grow by 8 despite high oil prices


 By Justin Hyde

 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT T Corp.  and Internet telephoneprovider Vonage said on Thursday they were cutting prices fortheir residential Internet calling services by \$5 per month,the strongest signs yet of a price war in the nascent market.

AT T, Vonage Cut Prices on Internet Calling


NewsFactor - It looks as though the European Commission is getting ready to permit \Oracle's (Nasdaq: ORCL) US #36;7.7 billion hostile takeover bid of PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT). The ruling, which has been \widely anticipated after a similar consideration in the United States also \paved the way for Oracle's takeover, is expected to be handed down before the \end of October.

EC Set To Rule on PeopleSoft Acquisition (NewsFactor)


Spoons are so old school. And so slow. Harried Americans searching for ways to shave precious seconds have seized on new foods designed to keep them on the go -- no utensils needed. There's soup in heat-and-sip cups. Yogurt in squeeze tubes. Mini cookies in little cans that fit in car cup holders. Even frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ...

For makers of food packages, seconds count


Rangers manager Alex McLeish has revealed he will consult with his own bosses before deciding whether to fight Nacho Novo #39;s Old Firm suspension.

McLeish considering appeal


International insurance services firm Crawford  amp; Co. said Friday that it received a subpoena from the office of New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer requesting information in connection with the office #39;s investigation.

Crawford Gets Subpoena From Spitzer


Brescia, Italy (Sports Network) - New acquisition Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in his debut as Juventus dominated Brescia 3-0 Sunday.

Ibrahimovic scores as Juventus wins opener


The UK Conservative Party has some challenging environmental policies, though there are several glaring gaps.

Howard's way is a delicate green


San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Caron Butler scored 18 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a 117-91 preseason victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

NBA Game Summary - Seattle vs. LA Lakers


Iran #39;s Judo champion, a favourite at the Athens Games, has disqualified himself rather than face an Israeli opponent, apparently on the instruction of Iran #39;s Olympic Committee. So far the International Olympic Committee has been silent. What #39;s your view? ...

Iranian judo scandal


com October 13, 2004, 5:30 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

IBM sets date for new tools bundle


Google's third-quarter profit more than doubled, reflecting a continued surge in the online advertising distributed by its Internet-leading search engine.

Google Reports First Profit as Public Company


CHORZOW: The England football team staged a silent protest over recent press criticism, refusing to be interviewed after their 2-1 World Cup win over Poland here on Wednesday.

English players snub media after victory


MAUNA KEA, Hawaii -- The sharpest image ever taken of a dust disk around another star has revealed structures in the disk which are signs of unseen planets.     Dr...

Sharpest Image Ever Obtained of a Circumstellar Disk Reveals Signs of Young Planets


NIAMEY, Niger -- French troop reinforcements flew to the coastal city of Abidjan in riot-torn Ivory Coast yesterday amid rising concerns that the conflict between government and rebel forces was on the verge of spiraling out of control and could dramatically hurt its West African neighbors.

As Ivorian crisis deepens, so do concerns for region


XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. said Wednesday it is launching a commercial-free online music service in early October called XM Radio Online.

XM to Launch Online Radio Service


Australia reduced New Zealand to 149- 5 on day four of the second cricket Test in Adelaide, moving within five wickets of a 2-0 series win after setting the tourists 464 for victory.

Australia Needs Five Wickets for Sweep of Test Cricket Rivals


Japan confirmed its 13th mad cow disease on Wednesday, said the health ministry, as the nation is in short of beef supply for the ban of imports from the United States.

Japan confirms 13th mad cow case


Buffalo's offense, which had led the way to six straight victories, was inefficient in a defeat to Pittsburgh.

Reality of Steelers Puts a Quick End to the Bills' Dream


China's Communist Party tells its members that  corruption could threaten its hold on power.

China leaders warn of corruption


DALLAS -- A month before the video game #39;s scheduled release this coming Tuesday, illegal copies of the hot sci-fi action title  quot;Halo 2 quot; already were circulating on the Internet.

Thieves spoil release of hot new video games


KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan officials delayed counting ballots  in a historic presidential election on Monday to deal with  complaints of fraud, but several of the candidates appeared to  be pulling back from an initial decision to boycott the vote.

Vote Count in Disputed Afghan Poll Delayed


AFP - The Swedish-Finnish telecommunications operator TeliaSonera said it had bought the remaining 10 percent stake in Lithuania's major mobile company Omnitel that it did not already own for 63.5 million dollars (51.4 million euros).

TeliaSonera acquires 100 pct of Lithuanian mobile company Omnitel (AFP)


Apple Computer #39;s stock price hit its highest level in four years, passing the \$50 mark. The company recently announced that it shipped more than two million of its wildly popular iPod music

Apple Share Price Tops \$50


Stelco Inc. (STEa.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) , Canada #39;s largest steel company and a takeover target of Russia #39;s OAO Severstal (CHMF.

Stelco board approves C\$900 mln in financing


NEW YORK -- It was an exhausting, gut-wrenching victory against a nationally-ranked opponent, the type that elicits a high lasting far longer than the plane-ride home.

Balanced attack


Cuba put seven of its eight boxers into this weekend #39;s Olympic boxing finals and has an opportunity to equal the seven boxing golds it won in the

Cuba Sends Seven to the Gold-Medal Round


The British government says it #39;ll honor the US request to send a battalion of troops to central Iraq. British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon says there #39;s  quot;a compelling military operational justification quot; for the redeployment.

British government to redeploy troops to central Iraq


SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium - Jarno Trulli is the only driver to beat Michael Schumacher this season. On Saturday, the Renault driver claimed another victory.

A little competition for Schumacher


More than 100 workers in Newton are scheduled to lose their jobs by February amid the purchase of MedSource Technologies Inc. by another medical device contract manufacturer, the new owner acknowledged yesterday.

Over 100 will lose jobs amid MedSource sale


UN peacekeepers and Haitian police say 75 people have been arrested during a sweep aimed at curtailing violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

UN Peacekeepers, Haitian Police Arrest 75 in Sweep


AFP - English Premiership strugglers Crystal Palace were hit by a killer last minute goal as they went down 1-0 to fellow Londoners Charlton.

Palace hit by Rommedahl's tale of the unexpected (AFP)


Srinagar: Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, (J amp;K) was greeted with violent incidents across the state soon after he landed here with a delegation of ministers and bureaucrats, including Gulam Nabi Azad, Sriprakash

In J amp;K, Patil greeted with snubs, violence


A GREEK journalist, who has been giving evidence in the Konstantinos Kenteris Olympic doping scandal, was yesterday recovering in hospital in Athens after being stabbed and beaten up with iron bars.

Journalist at centre of Kenteris row is stabbed


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

Exxon Mobil Profit Up 56 Percent


Walking Barry Bonds intentionally to load the bases in the 10th inning turned out to be the wrong move for Florida - because Rudy Seanez then walked pinch-hitter A.J. Pierzynski on four pitches...

Giants Walk to 6-5 Win Over Marlins


Google Saves Kidnapped Journalist in Iraq\\Google can claim another life saved after a kidnapped Australian journalist was freed by his captors in Iraq earlier today. Freelance journalist John Martinkus was abducted by gunmen on Saturday outside a hotel near the Australian embassy. Apparently Martinkus was able to convince his captors ...


Mylan Laboratories Inc. (MYL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said its board does not believe discussions with financier Carl Icahn #39;s about his unsolicited proposal to buy the company are in the company #39;s best interests.

Mylan says Icahn talks not in co #39;s best interests


But there are only a handful of programs that consider themselves to be on the same level as Arizona, an elite basketball power that expects to be in contention for the Final Four every season.

Win bolsters Wildcats #39; confidence


A controversial Irish priest who sabotaged the mens Olympic marathon by leaping on the race leader appeared in court today on indecency charges.

Marathon Saboteur Priest Accused of Indecency


NewsFactor - Open-source software company JBoss has introduced JBoss jBPM 2.0, a workflow engine developed in conjunction with the Java Business Process Management (jBpm) project.

JBoss Introduces Workflow Software (NewsFactor)


Sven-Goran Eriksson insists the off-field distractions in Wayne Rooney #39;s private life will not hinder his England career. And while he was unwilling to enter the debate over Rooney #39;s future on the pitch amid

Rooney #39;s private life no concern to Sven


The United States has made a controversial request to Britain to re-deploy some of its troops in Iraq. The request would involve moving hundreds of British troops from their relatively calm zone in southern

US Request For British Redeployment Poses Dilemma For London


HOUSTON, OCTOBER26: Hallburton Co. swung to a loss in the third quarter due to \$230 million in charges to pay for a settlement of asbestos claims.

Halliburton Co suffers loss


Nasa celebrates the first year on Mars of its Spirit rover and says the vehicle can go on working for some time.

Martian explorer marks first year


ATHENS (Reuters) - U.S. Olympic chiefs accused world  gymnastics officials of putting

U.S. Furious as Hamm Asked to Give Back Gold Medal


MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Seven Network Ltd. (SEV.AU) chairman and biggest shareholder Kerry Stokes said Friday he has no intentions of selling his 43 stake in the Australian television broadcaster.

Australia #39;s Seven Chmn Stokes: No Plans To Sell 43 Stake


DAMASCUS (Reuters) - A Syrian court has agreed to release  on bail a prominent rights activist who faces trial on charges  of tarnishing the image of the Arab state by publishing false  information, one of his lawyers said Monday.

Syrian Rights Activist to Be Released Pending Trial


AFP - Clashes erupted between soldiers and Muslim separatist rebels in the southern Philippines, with both sides accusing the other of violating a truce ahead of peace talks.

Clashes erupt between Philippine troops, Muslim rebels (AFP)


A suicide car bomber rammed into an army convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday, triggering an explosion that left four people dead and 22 wounded, the army said.

4 killed, 22 injured in Kashmir attack


Air travelers moved one step closer to being able to talk on cell phones and surf the Internet from  laptops while in flight, thanks to votes by the Federal Communications Commission yesterday.

FCC Considers Cell Phone Use On Airplanes


The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) warned on Thursday that any preparations to form a new Palestinian leadership without the participation of Hamas would be illegal.

Hamas warns against leadership that excludes it


Canadian Press - KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko signed a compromise agreement Wednesday that obliged his supporters to lift their siege of government buildings, but he said they would stay in the streets until a deal is reached on a new vote.

Ukraine's opposition agrees to lift siege of government buildings in Kyiv (Canadian Press)


Reg review Aka i-mate PDA 2k, O2 XDA IIs, Orange M2000, Vodafone VPA III, T-Mobile MDA III etc, etc

HTC 'Blue Angel' Wi-Fi PocketPC phone


Capcom's Viewtiful Joe 2 offers a graphically impressive old-school beat-'em-up experience with unmatched stylistic flair. Game review by Chris Kohler.

Another Viewtiful Day


Photographer and conservationist Karl Ammann discusses why he takes often shocking photos of African apes and other rare animals killed for meat. <i>With photo galleries.</i>

Photographer Fights African Poaching With Grisly Pictures


Reuters - Adrian Gonzalez drove in three runs\with a pair of hits as the Texas Rangers beat Anaheim 6-3 in\Arlington on Thursday, dropping the Angels into a first place\tie with Oakland in the AL West.

AL Wrap: Rangers Overcome Angels, A's Draw Level (Reuters)


RFID tags, the dime-sized devices that can track inventory from the factory to the store, are being embraced as one of the hottest of new technologies.
<FONT face=

Odin Aims to Lead RFID Technology


A cabinet minister embroiled in the messy fallout of an affair with a married woman resigned Wednesday, his department said.

Top British Official Resigns Amid Scandal


Myanmar #39;s military government has begun to release nearly 4,000 prisoners, including some political detainees, arrested  quot;inappropriately quot; by the dissolved National Intelligence Bureau led by purged prime minister Khin Nyunt.

Myanmar frees some political prisoners


Reuters - MCI Inc. , the No. 2 U.S.\long-distance company, said on Monday it would record noncash\impairment charges of about  #36;3.5 billion in the third quarter,\mostly for property, plant and equipment.

MCI to Record  #36;3.5 Billion in Charges (Reuters)


Home improvement retailer Lowe #39;s Cos. (LOW.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said it expects diluted earnings per share to rise in both 2005 and 2006 as it benefits from increased remodeling and home ownership.

Lowe #39;s Sees Profit Rising in 2005, 2006


LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas Wal-Mart Stores, the world #39;s largest retailer, on Tuesday reported a 12.7 percent rise in its earnings in the third quarter, meeting Wall Street expectations, but its stock fell on worries over its sales outlook.

Wal-Mart profit rises 13


RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin went  quot;too far quot; in a warning to the West not to adopt a colonial attitude toward Ukraine #39;s election wrangle, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has said.

Putin went  #39;too far #39; on Ukraine


Travel agents, their trade association and at least one reservation system are challenging Northwest Airlines Inc. #39;s plans to pass on a new fee to travel agents next week, a move that soured

Travel agents fight NWA fees on air bookings


Thoughts of the October 2003 incident in which Kenny Brack sustained serious injuries flashed through Buddy Rice #39;s mind as his car slid upside down on the backstretch during the Delphi Indy 300 on Sept.

Safety measures help Rice walk away from scary accident


It appears software vendors and their customers are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to newfangled licensing techniques.

Kicking and screaming


AP - Jimmie Johnson'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 (AP)


ICONIC brand Playboy plans to open a private club in Chinas commercial capital of Shanghai in a first for the communist nation, which still bans the companys flagship mens magazine.

Playboy plan for a private lifestyle club in Shanghai


Intervoice gives companies a cost-effective way to deal with customer calls.

Intervoice's Customers Come Calling


Peacekeepers from the African Union will be increased to help protect civilians in the afflicted Sudanese region of Darfur, the country #39;s foreign minister said Thursday.

Sudan agrees to more peacekeepers


NEW YORK, Dec 13 (AFP) - Following are key facts about Oracle, which is the number two global software company behind Microsoft, and PeopleSoft, a business software firm that agreed Monday to be bought after an 18-month battle.

Oracle, PeopleSoft key facts


MORE than 500 Australians could be implicated in the international crackdown on Internet child pornography, police said yesterday as the first of those arrested appeared in court.

The Net could capture up to 500 porn offenders


BUCHAREST (AFP) - Romania #39;s main civil rights group said Monday it was pulling thousands of observers out of the Romanian presidential election after being submerged by an avalanche of fraud allegations.

Thousands of observers quit Romanian election


AFP - Australia is to boost its defence against terrorism by creating a 1000-nautical mile security zone around its coast to protect its shipping, ports and oil rigs from attack, it was reported here.

Australia boosts anti-terror defences with new maritime security zone (AFP)


Datatec International, the global arm of information technology group Datatec (DTC), has announced that its subsidiary Logicalis has acquired Solution Technology Inc (STI) - a privately-held IBM solution provider and one of IBM #39;s top 10 business partners

Logicalis buys Solution Technology


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

Gap to Launch Store for 'Boomer' Women


A relentless rise in the cost of employee health insurance has become a significant factor in the employment slump.

Cost of Benefits Cited as Factor in Slump of Jobs


The country's Ministry of Finance chooses JBoss on Linux over Microsoft's BizTalk to run a key system.

Danish government agency opts for open source


JVC has joined the Blu-ray Disc Association, the company and association say in a statement issued this week. The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is the group responsible for promoting the Blu-ray Disc optical

JVC Sides With Blu-ray Disc


This week, a company is launching technology that will make it possible for someone to choose what appears on phones that have Caller ID, the feature for displaying identifying information about an incoming call.

Caller ID: Do you really know who #39;s calling?


CIOs surveyed by Forrester Research are more confident than they were earlier in the year, and expect IT spending to grow by 7 next year.

CIOs Cheerier About Future Spending


Ford Motor Co. reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, but losses widened in its core automotive business and the company #39;s shares sagged after

Ford Posts Profit, Autos Disappoint Again


Problems with switches aboard NASA #39;s Genesis solar probe may have kept its parachute from opening, which led to the craft #39;s crash-landing in the Utah desert, the US space agency said.

NASA Says Switches May Have Caused Genesis Crash


AT amp;T (T) and Internet telephone provider Vonage said Thursday they are cutting prices for their residential Internet calling services by \$5 a month, the strongest signs yet of a price war in the nascent market.

AT amp;T, Vonage cut prices on Internet calling


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

In the frame


McDonald #39;s Corp. (MCD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) President and Chief Executive Charlie Bell stepped down effective immediately to focus on his cancer treatment, the company said on Monday.

McDonald #39;s CEO Steps Down Due to Cancer


The generally jovial ogre Shrek might have enchanted moviegoers, but investors are even more interested in shares of the character #39;s creator: DreamWorks Animation (DWA).

DreamWorks Animation sets IPO at \$28


AP - Business software maker Oracle Corp. attacked the credibility and motives of PeopleSoft Inc.'s board of directors Monday, hoping to rally investor support as the 17-month takeover battle between the bitter business software rivals nears a climactic showdown.

Oracle Slams PeopleSoft Board on Takeover (AP)


Nov. 03: Over the next two mornings Venus and Jupiter reach their minimum separation. Tomorrow before dawn they stand 0.8 degree (1 1/2 moon widths) apart, with Venus above and slightly left.

Winter constellations returning to view


AP - It appears that Vijay Singh will have to be content with nine wins this year. The world's No. 1 player had another nondescript day at East Lake, shooting an even-par 70 that left him 11 strokes behind co-leaders Tiger Woods and Jay Haas heading into Sunday's final round of the Tour Championship.

Singh Floundering in Pursuit of 10th Win (AP)


MEXICO CITY - Mexican police raided a town to search for members of an angry mob who lynched two officers a day earlier, but said they had been powerless to prevent the attack.

Police besiege town after officers die


SAN FRANCISCOAnalog chip maker National Semiconductor Corp. yesterday posted a higher quarterly profit, with sales in line with its reduced forecast on lower-than-expected demand for flat-panel displays and from Chinese wireless handset makers.

National Semiconductor posts robust quarterly profit


Three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall was close to being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Oakland Athletics for a pair of pitchers, a baseball official told the Associated Press on Wednesday.

Sports in brief


Under a web of Army rules, thousands of part-time soldiers injured on duty in Iraq and elsewhere are navigating a system suited to full-timers.

Part-Time Soldiers, Injured but Not Yet Home


From the foot of the White Mountains to the tidal flats of Ipswich, in coffee shops and college campuses, gas stations and law firms, everywhere that Pedro, Manny, and Curt are revered, they heard the call beckoning them to the shrine of Beantown baseball.

Celebration bringing fans from all over


Double Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell is to take a year out of the sport but hopes to return to compete at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Cracknell to take a break from rowing


Car giant Ford is reportedly abandoning a \$200m web-based purchasing project because it can #39;t get the software to work properly.

Ford scraps Oracle-based purchasing system


I have seen the future, and it looks sort of human (sometimes), makes whirring sounds (often), and fascinates geeks and gadget lovers of all ages (always).

Enter your e-mail:


Stock prices fell in early trading today with investors collecting some profits after Wednesday's gains.

Stocks Decline Despite Slide in Oil Prices


In a sign that Google Inc. (GOOG)'s initial public offering will not be as hot or big as expected, the Internet search giant slashed its estimated per-share price range and reduced the number of shares to be sold by insiders.

Google Slashes Its IPO Price Range


A Pennsylvania-based casino and racetrack operator will buy the owner of Lawrenceburg #39;s Argosy riverboat casino in a \$2.2 billion deal that will create the third-largest gambling company in the nation.

Argosy sale will form third-largest US gambling firm


MAUI, Hawaii (Sports Network) - Jeff Horner scored 18  points and Pierre Pierce added 16, as Iowa knocked off  12th-ranked Louisville, 76-71, in the opening round of the Maui  Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center.

College Basketball: Iowa Surprises Louisville


AP - Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo are linked by a dynamic Ryder Cup match in which neither player wanted to lose, even after they had nothing to gain.

ABC to Bring Azinger, Faldo to the Booth (AP)


Two people die as Hurricane Ivan wreaks havoc across Jamaica and heads for the Cayman Islands and Cuba.

Jamaica counts cost of hurricane


Ben Broussard hit a two-run homer to lift the Cleveland Indians to a 5-2 victory over the Twins on a strange afternoon in Minneapolis, sending AL Central champion Minnesota to Yankee Stadium for the start of the playoffs.

Twins hit road again


A 16-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a jilted and much older boyfriend she met after accidentally sending a text message to his mobile phone, in Normandy, France.

Jilted boyfriend shoots teenager


GREEN BAY - As he makes his unheard-of 200th consecutive regular-season start at quarterback tonight, Brett Favre is thankful his father, Irvin, taught him everything he knew about playing the position back at Hancock North Central High School in Kiln

PACKERS: Favre #39;s historic streak  #39;incomprehensible #39;


Eurekster and Friendster Partner for Friendster Search Engine\\Friendster, the social networking community, and Eurekster, the Internet search engine powered by community and social networking technologies, announced the launch of personalized Internet search and navigation services on Friendster networks in eight countries.\\Friendster Search, powered by Eurekster, shows search results that have ...


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli company said on Monday it  planned to distribute free to Asian countries hit by last  week's tsunami a device it says could save lives by warning  holiday-makers directly that a tidal wave is coming.

Israeli Company Offers Free Tsunami Alert System


VIENNNA (Reuters) - England's World Cup qualifying campaign  got off to a miserable start Saturday when they squandered a  two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Austria in Group Six.

Austria Hits Back to Tie Scrappy England


The FDIC Friday issued an alert about an increasingly common e-mail scam designed to steal personal information and money from millions of unwary consumers.

FDIC warns consumers on e-mail scams


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures rose on Friday,  spurred by lower oil prices and Intel Corp.'s  <A HREF=

Stocks Seen Opening Higher, Data Awaited


PARIS One week after a fragile calm returned to Ivory Coast, the country #39;s business life remains in shambles, with many foreign chief executives out of the country and no prospect of their immediate return.

An Ivorian economy  #39;fatally hurt #39;


Sudan is in denial about the extent of rape in refugee camps in its traumatised Darfur region where fear and distrust of the government is pervasive, the United Nations #39; top human rights official says.

Sudan in denial over Darfur rapes - UN official


Kidnappers released two Italian women and five other hostages Tuesday, raising hopes for foreigners still in captivity. Insurgents showed no sign of easing their

Iraqi kidnappers release 7


GULF SHORES, Ala. - Hurricane Ivan slammed ashore early Thursday with winds of 130 mph, packing deadly tornadoes and a powerful punch of waves and rain that threatened to swamp communities from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle...

Hurricane Ivan Slams Alabama, Killing 8


Top US economic forecasters are growing increasingly worried about the impact of surging oil prices on consumer and business spending in 2005, a survey released on Sunday showed.

US Forecasters Fret About Oil Hit


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Lowe's Cos. <A HREF=

Lowe's Net Income Up 18 Percent


One million Bosnians, about 45 percent of those who fled during the 1992-5 war, have returned to their homes, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Bosnia refugee returns reach one million - UN


Marchets Toys  amp; Hobbies, a small shop tucked in the corner of Southgate Shopping Center, is a reminder of life before the big-box stores.

The Best Toys Don #39;t Come In A Big Box


Iomega Corp. updated its network-attached storage line Friday with the NAS 400r, a rack-mounted NAS line featuring faster processors and improved capacity.

Iomega NAS Line Boasts Improved Speed, Capacity


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell further from record  highs on Monday as easing concern about winter supplies  prompted big-money hedge funds to switch money away from oil  and into other financial markets.

Oil Prices Down as Supply Fears Ease


An advance team of 40 US Marines joined relief efforts in the Philippines on Wednesday after four deadly storms, as officials said funds were running short to help 650,000 survivors.

US Sends Troops to Help Philippine Flood Relief


Three large Hollywood studios are throwing their weight behind one of two competing formats for the next generation of DVDs, citing in part the need to stem piracy.

Studios line up behind competing new DVDs


HBN, LONDON, England, Weds. Dec. 15: Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, joined 11 other party members yesterday to be arrested on suspicion of incitement to commit racial hatred.

British National Party Leader Arrested On Suspicion Of Racial <b>...</b>


Fifty-six miners are dead and another 92 are still stranded underground after a gas blast at the Daping coal mine in Central China #39;s Henan Province, safety officials said Thursday.

Blast kills 56 miners, traps 92


H amp;R Block #39;s (HRB:NYSE - news - research) low-multiple shares cheapened Wednesday as investors tried to digest its explanation for a wide first-quarter earnings miss.

Rate Scare at H amp;R Block


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. <A HREF=

Apple: ITunes Music Store Accepts PayPal


Virus writers have packaged the Skulls mobile Trojan with Cabir to create a more potent threat against Symbian Series 60 smart phones.

Cabir added to payload of Symbian mobile Trojan


The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will amend its rules on the qualification of independent directors to make it in line with global standards.

SEC to make qualifications of independent directors harder


AP - Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season Sunday and two of his Indiana Pacers teammates must miss a total of 55 games for fighting with fans in a melee that broke out at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons.

NBA Suspends Artest for Rest of Season (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were knocked lower on Wednesday  after a U.S. government review questioned home finance company  Fannie Mae's <A HREF=

Stocks Fall Sharply, Fannie Mae Weighs


The UN atomic watchdog must accept Iran #39;s right to enrich uranium, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said Saturday in a fresh rebuttal of efforts to limit the Islamic republic #39;s nuclear programme.

Khatami says IAEA must accept Iran #39;s right to enrich uranium


To say that Skype may be one of the fastest-growing software programs in history may sound like a lot of dot.com hype, but consider this: Since the program that turns

CMU grad hopes to turn Skype #39;s fast-growing Internet phone service <b>...</b>


Pakistan's President Musharraf offers support to Afghanistan in tracking down al-Qaeda fighters in border regions.

Pakistan offers Afghan terror aid


Gordon Brown will try to focus Labour's conference on the economy, after delegates forced a vote on Iraq.

Brown seeks to set Labour agenda


A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority Friday to immediately cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent, saying the airline's situation is so dire that urgent action must be taken.

US Airways Gets Approval to Cut Pay


cientists think useful samples of all the many types of solar particles collected by the Genesis space capsule survived its crash in the Utah desert almost four weeks ago, promising researchers

Space Specimens Saved From Wrecked Capsule


One of the things that separates college football from the NFL is the diversity of offensive schemes that you see every week. The triple option is unique to college football and it will be showcased

Football 101: Option football


AMD (Quote, Chart) took the wraps off a batch of new mobile processors it hopes will steal market share away from Intel #39;s Centrino empire.

AMD Mobilizes Against Centrino


AP - Computer Associates International Inc. announced a restructuring plan Wednesday that would reduce its work force by 800 people worldwide, saving the business software maker  #36;70 million annually once the plan is fully implemented.

Computer Assoc. Cuts 800 Jobs Worldwide (AP)


Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the world #39;s largest gum maker, agreed to buy brands including Altoids mints and Life Savers for \$1.48 billion from Kraft Foods Inc.

Wrigley to Buy Kraft #39;s Candy Brands for \$1.48 Bln (Update4)


Support for MP3 will first appear in solid state players based on flash memory Sony plans to release this year. Sony has long insisted its digital music players support only its proprietary ATRAC format, but

Sony #39;s Major Strategic Shift: MP3 Format Support


LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks shrugged off new peaks  in crude oil prices and moved slightly higher on Thursday with  technology firms leading the advance, while bonds and the  dollar were steady.

Global Markets: Stocks Up Despite Oil


With the help of Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, Maine emerged a clear winner in the corporate tax relief bill signed by President Bush yesterday.

Thanks to Snowe, Maine a clear winner


Big Blue adds features, beefs up training efforts in China; rival Unisys debuts new line and pricing plan.

IBM, Unisys work to rejuvenate mainframes


AP - Akimbo Systems Inc., a startup that plans to deliver video over the Internet to television sets, has signed a deal for mainstream content from Time Warner Inc.'s Turner Broadcasting System.

Turner to Provide Content for Net TV Co. (AP)


VILNIUS : The upstart party of a Russian-born tycoon and right-wing opposition parties were neck-and-neck in Lithuania #39;s parliamentary elections, almost complete results showed.

Russian-born tycoon, rightists neck-and-neck in Lithuania poll


This is welcome news for researchers as their favorite web search engine Google will now scan the entire collections of seven prestigious libraries and make these pages available to Google users.

Google can now take you inside seven great libraries


Microsoft has said it is trying to track down the people behind a pirated copy of the forthcoming Halo 2 game. A version of the eagerly awaited Xbox game has appeared on net piracy sites and newsgroups, almost a month before making it into the shops.

Halo 2 leaked onto the internet


JERUSALEM - Palestinian leaders on Sunday accused the United States of harming prospects for Mideast peace after the latest indications that Washington is ready to accept some Israeli expansion of West Bank settlements.    The New York Times reported Saturday that the United States will now tacitly support construction in built-up areas of major Jewish settlements, while remaining opposed to housing activity in undeveloped areas...

Palestinians Chide U.S. Over Settlements


Ziff Davis - A new study by VDC finds Linux in barely 2 percent of retailers' point-of-sale systems; it also indicates more strength for bar-code systems and more stumbling blocks for RFID.

Survey: Linux Has Long Way to Go in Retail (Ziff Davis)


Reuters - Kirk Rueter allowed just three hits\over seven innings and J.T. Snow homered as the San Francisco\Giants scored a crucial 4-2 win over Los Angeles in National\League play at Dodger Stadium Friday.

NL Wrap: Rueter Sharp as Giants Stay in Division (Reuters)


The U.S. Treasury Department has signed a deal worth up to \$1 billion with AT T Government Solutions and its partners for a new secure high-speed network that will connect more than 1,000 Treasury Department locations around the U.S.

AT T to build \$1B communications network for Treasury Dept.


he Yankees #39; game against the Minnesota Twins was rained out last night, but Orlando Hernndez, the Yankees #39; scheduled starter, would not have pitched anyway.

Hernndez #39;s Shoulder Worries Yanks


AT amp;T Corp. on Thursday said it is reducing one fifth of its workforce this year and will record a non-cash charge of approximately \$11.

AT amp;T Cuts More Jobs


IBM IBM.N said on Thursday its workhorse commercial computers have smashed the industry #39;s most demanding tests, which analysts said creates a performance gap that could

IBM Says It Swamps Rivals in Key UNIX Computer Test


Public bodies are ill-prepared for the Freedom of Information Act, says a group of MPs.

'Few ready' for information act


Germany #39;s Roechling family completed the sale of its stake in weapons-maker Rheinmetall AG to institutional investors for 561 million euros (\$743 million), people familiar with the transaction said.

Roechlings Sell Rheinmetall Stake for \$743 Million, People Say


Right from the start of the biggest game in the country this week, one team was clearly ready to play bigger than the other, Auburn fulfilling its reputation while the Bulldogs continued to put holes in the one they brought into the season.

The night the lights went out on Georgia


Irish Premier Bertie Ahern has apologised to Ian Paisley in a bid to halt a new row over IRA disarmament turning into a political crisis, it has been claimed.

Ahern apologises to Paisley


Orders increased at US factories in August for a range of durable goods, including automobiles, metals and communications equipment, evidence manufacturing will help drive the economic expansion.

US Aug. Durables Orders Rise 2.3 Ex-Transportation (Update4)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rallied further on Friday,  led by computer maker Dell Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Resume Rally, Dell Boosts Techs


Manmohan Singh kicks off his eight-day foreign trip with a meeting with Tony Blair in London.

India PM due to meet Tony Blair


TABA, Egypt- Investigators lifted fingerprints, swabbed dust and collected tissue yesterday from the wreckage of three car bombings and detained scores of Bedouin tribesmen, including quarry workers who could have provided the explosives that killed at

International Briefs


Vivendi #39;s recovery is almost complete, the French media and telecommunications giant declared Tuesday, despite a massive second-quarter net loss bloated by the effects of the weaker US dollar.

Vivendi says it has turned corner


China's President in Hu is in Havana for talks expected to centre on Chinese investment in Cuba's metal and telecoms.

China to discuss Cuba investments


Rookie quarterback Philip Rivers ended his lengthy holdout, agreeing to terms Monday on a six-year, \$40.5 million contract with the San Diego Chargers that includes a \$14.

Holdout QB Rivers gets \$40.5M deal


ARLINGTON, Va. - US Airways has assured customers they won't notice any changes following its decision to file for bankruptcy protection, the second time in two years the airline has sought such help as it struggles against lower-cost rivals...

US Airways Seeks Bankruptcy Protection


MINSK - Legislative elections in Belarus held at the same time as a referendum on whether President Alexander Lukashenko should be allowed to seek a third term fell significantly short of democratic standards, foreign observers said here Monday.

Belarus vote significantly short of democratic standards


Chinese officials praised Secretary of State Colin L. Powell on Wednesday for warning Taiwan that it is not an independent nation and should not seek to become one.

Statements by Powell About Taiwan Provoke a Diplomatic Dispute


After four days during which the back page headlines have been dominated by everything but football, Celtic let their feet - and hearts -o the talking again tonight by storming the Nou Camp to claim one of the clubs greatest ever results.

Bhoys make their point in Barca


LONDON (CBS.MW) - London markets edged higher Friday as oil prices eased and Northern Rock confirmed it would meet analysts #39; full-year profit expectations.

LONDON MARKETS


Nintendo Co. Ltd. #39;s DS video game player saw strong sales on its debut in Japan on Thursday, kicking off what is expected to be a fierce fight with rival Sony Corp.

Nintendo DS Game Player Makes Strong Japan Debut


ATHENS -- Michael Phelps was sitting in the bleachers in his team shirt and shorts last night, waving a small American flag and exulting in every gold medal. Especially the one he got without swimming a stroke.

Maine's Crocker part of record-setting team


It would have been easy to dedicate this one to  quot;Maw quot; - the 78-year-old grandmother Ryan Franklin lost last week. He could have said it was for his son, splayed across his father #39;s lap after the game.

Franklin dumps the  #39;monkey #39;


AstraZeneca Plc, the UK #39;s second largest drugmaker, said US regulators approved its ulcer treatment Nexium for use in reducing the risk of stomach ulcers in patients taking certain painkillers

AstraZeneca #39;s Nexium Gets US Approval for New Use (Update1)


AFP - A Belgian gas explosion in which 20 people were killed may have resulted from a combination of a halt in the gas circulation in a pipeline and existing damage to the main, Belgian television said.

Gas stoppage may have caused deadly Belgian blast: TV report (AFP)


Cingular Wireless will cut close to 10 of its 68,000 jobs over the next 12 to 18 months as it combines operations with the recently acquired AT amp;T Wireless, the chief executive of the nation #39;s largest cell phone company said Tuesday in an

10 of jobs on the block at Cingular; office jobs targeted


The Internal Revenue Service has filed a \$15 million claim against  AmeriDebt Inc. of Germantown in anticipation that the controversial credit-counseling firm's tax-exempt status will be overturned, according to documents filed in federal bankruptcy court.

Claim Against AmeriDebt Advances IRS Crackdown


At Oracle OpenWorld, the database software giant touts the application server aimed at midsize companies.

Oracle serves up lower-cost app server


InfoWorld - Sun Microsystems on Monday night posted a prerelease,

Sun previews next version of Java (InfoWorld)


Remember some of the biggest winners from 1999? Yeah, Bill Mann forgot about a lot of them too.

Where Are They Now?


Bank of America Corp., following pressure from Massachusetts authorities to justify job cuts and movement of business lines out of state, today unveiled plans to locate its wealth-management business in Boston.

B of A sets plans to move wealth management operation to Boston


AP - As if shooting a loved one's ashes into space or pressing them into artificial diamonds were not sufficiently offbeat, relatives of the deceased now can have their ashes mixed into concrete to help form ocean habitats.

Human Remains Used in Artificial Reefs (AP)


GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli tanks battling Palestinian gunmen  shelled a town in the central Gaza Strip early on Tuesday,  Palestinian security sources said.

Israeli Tanks Shell Gaza Town-Palestinian Sources


Applied Materials (Quote, Chart) said it filled a major gap in its services portfolio with its acquisition of Metron Technology (Quote, Chart).

Applied Materials Takes on Metron


There is no conference or in-state affiliation between these two programs, but it hasn #39;t prevented the annual Notre Dame-Michigan State game from becoming one of the most heated rivalries in all of college football.

Fighting Irish should build on momentum


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon opened the debate on his disengagement plan in the Knesset (parliament) on Monday by telling lawmakers that his plan would  quot;strengthen

Sharon determined to go ahead with pullout


TAIPEI: Taiwanese authorities have denied reports that President Chen Shui-bian #39;s plane was targeted by Chinese fighter jets when he was flying over the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan denies President Chen #39;s plane targeted by Chinese fighter <b>...</b>


Circuit City Stores Inc. (CC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday reported a 2.9 percent gain in quarterly same-store sales but its growth lagged estimates due to a calendar shift and reduced spending through August.

UPDATE 2-Circuit City same-store growth misses estimates


Reuters - U.S. retail sales over the Internet\rose 0.9 percent in the second quarter of 2004 and gained 23.1\percent compared with the same period last year as consumers\continued to turn to e-commerce to make purchases, a government\report showed on Friday.

US E-Commerce Sales Rise in Second Quarter (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices hit a one month-high of \$47  a barrel on Tuesday as China showed no let-up in its strong  import growth and traders worried that U.S. petroleum  inventories had drawn down heavily due to Hurricane Ivan.

Oil Breaks \$47 as Supply Worries Linger


US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday that the escalating insurgency in Iraq could make the organizing of election in the country difficult, while atleast 16 people were killed in rebel attacks in Iraq.

Powell: Worsening insurgency makes election difficult in Iraq


The record trade deficit, a sign of the growing imbalance of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, raised new concerns about the country's indebtedness.

U.S. Trade Gap Reached Record in 2nd Quarter


British Airways Plc, Europe #39;s second- biggest airline, said it will conduct an internal investigation into a labor shortage that led it to cancel more than 100 flights in the past week, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

British Airways to Conduct Internal Probe Into Canceled Flights


A consortium of major industrial nations has not been able to agree on where to build the world #39;s first nuclear fusion reactor, but the European Union is making it clear that one will be built in France, in any case.

Union  #39;Cautiously Optimistic #39; About Landing World #39;s First Fusion <b>...</b>


(Deerfield, Illinois-AP) Oct. 5, 2004 - Scottie Pippen has called it quits. Pippen has announced his retirement as a member of the Chicago Bulls, who he helped lead to six NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan.

NBA great Pippen retires after 17 seasons


Citizens Energy boss Joe Kennedy, like his famous uncle Ted, opposes the huge wind farm proposal in Nantucket Sound, his backyard. But the

Boston sampler


The gigantic hangar where the space shuttle is prepared for its missions sustained much more damage from Hurricane Frances than initially believed, NASA officials said Tuesday.

SPACE PROGRAM NASA #39;s Shuttle Hanger Badly Damaged by Storm


BAGHDAD - Doctors at a central Baghdad hospital said on Monday at least eight people were killed and 30 wounded in a car bomb blast near one of the entrances to the heavily fortified Green Zone.

Baghdad car bomb kills eight, wounds dozens


BEDMINSTER, NJ - In a move its IP voice services forward, AT amp;T announced Tuesday (Sept. 21) that is has formed an Innovation and Interoperability Program to foster development of applications and systems for its voice-over-IP (VoIP) network.

AT amp;T forms VoIP interop program


A Russian court has ruled that embattled oil firm Yukos must pay nearly all the fines and penalties connected to its 2001 tax bill.

Fines Against Yukos Stand


Officer Andrew Barnett of the Anne Arundel County police allegedly told his superiors last year that his nation needed him -- that his Army reserves unit had been activated and that he was headed to Iraq. With that, police say, Barnett was granted a leave from his job while continuing to collect his salary.

Md. Officer's Army Leave A Fraud, Police Say


Congress is close to approving a broad intelligence overhaul, but the changes that will matter most still lie ahead.

Will More Power for Intelligence Chief Mean Better Results?


Continuing its assault on the European IT outsourcing market, IBM Corp. has signed agreements to buy two Danish IT services companies and another to provide IT services to one of the country's largest banks.

IBM expands into Danish IT services market


It disrupted a network allegedly used to illegally share copyrighted files and is making a series of arrests against purveyors of spam.

Justice Department Cracks Down On Spammers


The owners of Fan Pier reached out to one of the losing bidders for the property over the last week to see whether the firm was still interested in the land, in case the winning team led by Lennar Corp. doesn't close the deal.

Losing bidders still have shot at Fan Pier


Mitsubishi's new technology should lead to handsets with high-resolution cameras by next year.

Cell Phones Focus on 4 Megapixels


Alex Rodriguez finally came through in the clutch, hitting a go-ahead single in the ninth inning to help the New York Yankees rally past the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4 Thursday night.

Yankees 7, Blue Jays 4


The UN Security Council has met to discuss the alleged incursion of Rwandan troops into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Security Council debate Rwanda-Congo


Russian President Vladimir Putin is wooing India to create a strategic partnership in Information Technology, the Moscow Times said Monday.

Russia woos India for IT partnership


Rivals F5 Networks and Redline Networks are announcing new Web-enabled application delivery tools that are designed to accelerate data processing by shifting workloads off of servers.

F5, Redline expand software for speeding app performance


NEW YORK - Suitcases full of cash, secret bank accounts, covert operatives, corrupt politicians on the take. A report detailing alleged illicit U.N...

Report: Saddam Benefitted From U.N. Deals


Scotland back row forward Allister Hogg sees no reason why England coach Sir Clive Woodward cannot make the switch from rugby to football.

Woodward Can Make Switch - Hogg


American University President Benjamin Ladner wants a Web site critical of the school to stop using his name as its address.

AU President Challenges Eponymous Web Site


Notre Dame #39;s search for a football coach appears to have turned from Utah eastward toward Kentucky, where sources familiar with the process said the Irish

Irish eyes look to Louisville


Arsene Wenger today renewed his attack on Real Madrid for the methods they use to sign players. The Arsenal manager sparked a row with the Spanish giants on the day the new

Wenger on the attack


The one-time federal prosecutor, who in the 1980s went after crooked deal-makers at investment banks, is starting one of his own. Dubbed Giuliani Capital Advisors Llc, the Times Square

Rudy tries investment banking


Insurance commissioners nationwide, including those from Virginia, Maryland and the District, waded into the growing industry scandal yesterday, holding a teleconference to coordinate

States, DC Join In Insurer Probes


Chelsea defeated CSKA Moscow 1-0 to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, while Ronaldinho #39;s goal helped Barcelona beat six-time champion AC Milan.

Chelsea, Inter Milan Advance in Champions League (Update2)


In the movie The Rock, the protagonist is a chemestry nerd who gleefully signs for a package as if he's a kid who's just gotten his box tops honored with a toy in the mail. He opens it- and it is an old, presumably pristine, Beatles LP.    His fellow chemist asks,

Digital vs. analog- which is better?


Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said Rio Ferdinand #39;s return from suspension had lifted his entire team after their 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

United revelling in Ferdinand #39;s return


Reuters - The Golden State\Warriors have placed guard Derek Fisher on the injured list\with a sprained right knee.

Warriors Place Fisher on Injured List (Reuters)


PORTSMOUTH, NH -- The taxman is looking for 230 New Hampshire residents, and he wants to give them money. The Internal Revenue Service said the refund checks it mailed to the residents came back undelivered and unopened, with more than \$221,000 unclaimed.

IRS Seeks Taxpayers Due Refunds


How about a \$269 server? PC maker turns on rebates, special offers to breathe life into its direct-sales efforts.

Gateway looks to pump up direct sales


EAGLE, Colo. -- Defense attorneys argued in a court filing that Kobe Bryant's statements to investigators after the basketball player was accused of rape last summer should be kept secret because it is not certain they will be used in his trial.

Lawyers ask to seal Bryant interview


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt rallied on Friday  as a weak employment report revived talk the Federal Reserve  might slow the pace of interest rate increases.

Treasuries Up as Weak Jobs Ease Rates


Ziff Davis - Enterprise application vendors should be lauded for offering evaluation versions.

Taking Software for a Test-Drive (Ziff Davis)


TORONTO (CP) - The NHL season isn #39;t dead yet, but it is on its last legs. The cautious optimism accompanied by last week #39;s offer by the NHL Players #39; Association was replaced by doom and gloom Tuesday as both

NHL labour talks hit roadblock after sides reject each other #39;s <b>...</b>


The UN nuclear agency is set to meet in Vienna on Thursday to review Iran #39;s controversial nuclear programme. The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will learn if Iran is abiding by an agreement

UN to assess Iran nuclear freeze


MOSCOW, October 27 (Itar-Tass) - The Federation Council, or Russian parliaments upper house, ratified on Wednesday the Kyoto protocol to the UN frame convention on change of climate.

Russia ratifies Kyoto protocol.


Microsoft Corp. #39;s MSN Music online download service fired another salvo this week at Apple rival iTunes Music Store by announcing its expansion into new European countries.

MSN Music expands farther into Europe


Johnson   Johnson is in advanced negotiations to acquire Guidant, one of the nation's largest makers of devices to treat heart illnesses, for more than \$24 billion.

Johnson Said to Be in Talks for Heart Device Maker


Budget airline Jetstar Asia on Monday announced cut-rate fares to its initial destinations of Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan and said it was seeking rights to fly to India and additional routes to China.

Jetstar Asia Seeks Destinations in India


New federal rules governing overtime pay went into effect Monday. USA TODAY workplace reporter Stephanie Armour explains how the rules will affect some workers.

Overtime rules may affect 7.3M


AP - Supporters of a Bahraini human rights worker scuffled with police and shouted slogans against the prime minister outside the court Wednesday as a judge denied bail to the activist, who is being prosecuted after criticizing the Gulf nation's leadership.

Bahraini Activist's Jailing Sparks Protest (AP)


The New York Jets found a winning combination Saturday night -- a near-perfect game from Chad Pennington and an opportunistic defense.

Jets 31, Colts 7


MILAN (Reuters) - Ten months after the Parmalat scandal  rocked the global finance industry, a judge next week begins  deciding whether to put on trial executives, bankers and  auditors of the dairy group plus three financial institutions.

Judge Ready to Start Parmalat Hearings


Pakistan's president is to stay on as head of the army, despite an earlier pledge to stand down by January.

Musharraf to retain his army post


Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering playing Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney AND Jermain Defoe as part of a three-pronged attack for Saturday #39;s vital World Cup qualifer against Wales.

Sven #39;s three-striker plan


Reuters - Funding is the only obstacle to\U.N. approval for Cambodia to begin long-delayed trials of\former Khmer Rouge leaders blamed for some 1.7 million deaths,\the United Nations said on Friday.

Money Now Sole Obstacle to Khmer Rouge Trials -UN (Reuters)


IN A debut vaguely reminiscent of the dot.com boom, shares of internet search giant Google surged in their first day of public trading.

Google makes market debut


BAGHDAD - Campaigning for the first post-Saddam Hussein elections got under way on Thursday amid more bloodshed, as US President George W. Bush warned Iran and Syria to stop meddling in Iraq in the run-up to the vote.

Iraq election campaign under way, Bush warns Iran, Syria to keep <b>...</b>


CHICAGO The union representing United Airlines #39; flight attendants is calling for new management at the Elk Grove Village-based company.

Flight attendants union calls for new United Airlines #39; management


NEW YORK The dollar rose against most European currencies on Monday on expectations that the Federal Reserve on Tuesday will lift its overnight lending rate and signal plans for more increases.

Currencies: Dollar gains on euro as traders await Fed


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday  after a report showed a larger-than-expected rise in claims for  unemployment benefits, a gauge of strength in the jobs market.

Stocks Open Lower After Jobless Claims


AFP - The United States is committed to offering more assistance to Nigeria in the global fight against HIV-AIDS, US Senator Chuck Hagel said.

US pledges more aid to Nigeria to fight HIV-AIDS (AFP)


The French Competition Council has rejected Virgin France #39;s claim that Apple #39;s FairPlay technology should be licensed to other companies #39; online music stores.

French competition body rejeccts #39; open iPod #39; claim


Old age is

Old age a 'burden' to employers


Round 1: Vitali Klitschko opened his WBC heavyweight title defense with a diet of left jabs, cutting Danny williams #39; right eye early.

ESPN.com news services


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Time Warner, the world's largest media  company, on Tuesday said it plans to aggressively pursue new  cable service subscribers to staunch a loss in video  subscribers to Rupert Murdoch's DirecTV Group<A HREF=

T-W to Aggressively Woo Cable Subscribers


Electronic Data Systems offered voluntary early retirement to about 9,200 US employees who are at least 50 years old, the world #39;s second-largest technology services provider said Tuesday.

EDS offers early retirement


England international defender Jonathan Woodgate passed his medical and will sign a four-year contract with Real Madrid on Saturday, the Spanish giants said.

Woodgate joins Real Madrid


com September 27, 2004, 5:02 PM PT. There #39;s no doubt the Internet will continue to make its mark in the world of business and technology.

Yahoo pages to get touch-up


NEW YORK - The withdrawal of the arthritis drug Vioxx two weeks ago was a disaster for Merck. But it also put rival Pfizer in a fix.

Pfizer #39;s Vioxx Problem


PARIS (Reuters) - Yasser Arafat remained in a coma on  Friday as a row brewed over where he would be buried and  questions loomed about who might succeed him.

Arafat Stays in Coma, Row Looms Over Burial Site


Record high oil prices are likely to trigger a rash of airline mergers and tie-ups, accelerating a wave of consolidation in the aviation sector, the head of Australian carrier Qantas said on Wednesday.

Soaring Fuel Costs to Spur Airline Mergers -Qantas


Reuters - Britain's WPP Group Plc has offered to\pay more than  #36;1.25 billion for advertising firm Gray Global\Group, the Wall Street Journal said on Thursday, citing an\unidentified person familiar with the matter.

WPP Bids for Gray Global -WSJ (Reuters)


AP - Jason Kidd was cleared for individual noncontact drills to get his surgically repaired left knee ready for the Nets' season.

Kidd Cleared to Do Some Work on Court (AP)


Siemens has issued a statement warning users of a bug in their 65-series handsets (C65, CX65, M65, S65, SL65 as well as all provider variations such as the CV65, CT65, CXV65 and CXT65).

Siemens warns of problem with 65-series phones


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. claims for jobless benefits  jumped last week, while consumer spending was unexpectedly flat  in August as shoppers closed their wallets after splashing out  the previous month, the government said on Thursday.

US Jobless Claims Up, Consumption Flat


Werner Seiffert, the chief executive of the Deutsche Brse, the German stock market, has made little secret of his determination to expand into London.

Mustard-hot Frankfurt


At least one big-city police department has suspended use of pepper-spray pellet guns blamed for the death of a 21-year-old college student

police department suspends use of pepper pellet gun


General Electric Co. (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said it would buy a fire detection systems business from SPX Corp.

UPDATE 2-GE to buy SPX fire detection unit for \$1.4 bln


New Zealand Hockey boss Ramesh Patel is sticking to his guns over the national men #39;s team #39;s participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite Australia waving the white flag yesterday because of security concerns.

Bomb blast fails to stop NZ Hockey, but Aussies pull out


Haarlem (pts) - The Internet portal Lycos http://www.lycos-europe.com has developed a screensaver that endlessly requests data from sites that sell the goods and services mentioned in spam e-mail.

Lycos launches screensaver in fight against spam


NEC Corporation is to provide Mazda Motor Corp. with an experimental grid computing system that will undergo testing in 2005, the companies said today. If the tests are successful, NEC hopes to become a major grid computing systems vendor to large enterprises in Japan and internationally, the company said.

NEC begins grid computing trial with Mazda Motors


(National) Sept. 29, 2004 - A British study shows as much as half of the Viagra sold on the Internet is not the real thing. Some of the pills have totally different ingredients.

Study: As much as 50 of Viagra sold online is fake


AP - NBA Commissioner David Stern's statement accompanying the announcement of suspensions for Friday night's Pacers-Pistons brawl:

NBA Commissioner Statement on Suspensions (AP)


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamic militants freed seven truck  drivers from India, Kenya and Egypt held hostage in Iraq for  six weeks, offering a ray of hope Wednesday to a dozen other  foreign nationals still in captivity.

Seven Foreign Truckers Freed in Iraq; France Anxious


LG.Philips Displays' new picture tube line allows for thinner televisions.\

Photo: Super-slim TV tubes


British police have arrested the leader of the far-right British National Party (BNP) Tuesday, accusing him of inciting racial hatred.

UK far-right party leader arrested on charge of inciting racial


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- The European Commission accepted a settlement of its five-year antitrust investigation of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.

EU agrees to settle Coca-Cola antitrust case


PARIS - The television channel run by Lebanon #39;s Hizbollah guerrillas and banned in France as anti-Semitic has agreed to stop its satellite broadcasts here immediately, France #39;s broadcasting authority said on Tuesday.

Hizbollah TV stops broadcasting to France


IT MAY NOT HAVE been the most substantive line in President Bush #39;s State of the Union address last January, but it had to be the least controversial.

Are steroids as bad as we think they are?


SYDNEY, Australia -- Australias Rod Pampling got off to a rough start Saturday and finished with a 3-over-par 74, leaving him one stroke ahead of countryman Richard Green entering the last round of the centennial Australian Open.

Pampling in lead at Australian Open


The music industry's tactic of mass file-sharing lawsuits is improper, a California judge rules. Also: Japanese scientists work on holographic phones....  Microsoft's antitrust case delayed but not over   hellip;. and more.

Judge Blocks RIAA Mass Suits


France says it is ready to release the medical records of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to his nephew. French officials have so far denied the files to Palestinian leaders saying only family are entitled to the see them under French privacy laws.

Paris set to release Arafat file


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The political interference in the federal sponsorship program was so pervasive that it even prompted complaints from Alfonso Gagliano's former right-hand man, a public inquiry was told Monday.

Gagliano aide had misgivings about sponsorships, inquiry told (Canadian Press)


England lifts the pressure off Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson with a 2-1 win at Poland in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday night, while Italy and France also get victories.

England, Italy, France Win


Freescale Semiconductor Inc. plans to cut at least 1,000 jobs from its worldwide operations, the company said as part of its second earnings report since it went public in July after being spun off from Motorola Inc.

Freescale Semiconductor to Cut 1,000 Jobs


Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts, trying to restructure US\$1.8 billion in debt, has ended talks that would have resulted in the company receiving a US\$400 million lifeline.

Trump end talks


This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.

Computer Sciences inks \$1.35 billion deal


BERLIN (Reuters) - The Berlin state government said Monday  it had banned an Arab-Islamic Congress due to be held in the  German capital next month to rally support for

CORRECTED: Berlin Bans Controversial Arab-Islamic Congress


Brazil is the global capital for computer hacking and internet fraud, say experts at a conference in Brasilia.

Brazil is world 'hacking capital'


European Space Agency -- One of the ingenious instruments on board Rosetta is designed to smell the comet for different substances, analysing samples that have been cooked in a set of miniature ovens.     ESAs Rosetta will be the first space mission ever to land on a comet...

Cooking on a Comet...?


The number of Americans who get on the Internet via high-speed lines has now equaled the number using dial-up connections. July measurements from Nielsen/NetRatings placed the broadband audience at 51 percent of the US online population at home.

Survey Notes Rise in US Broadband Users


AP -

Dog Rescues 7-Year-Old in India (AP)


GAZA CITY : Thirteen members of the radical Palestinian group Hamas were killed and more than 45 wounded in an Israeli raid in the Gaza Strip, medical sources and witnesses said.

13 killed in Israeli raid on Hamas activists  #39;training #39; in Gaza


palmOne introduced Monday the Tungsten T5 handheld with 256 megabytes of flash memory - the most built into a handheld to date. Expected to be widely available

New Tungsten T5 Boasts 256MB Flash Memory


Just a week ago, following an astonishingly poor effort in their season-opening loss to the Clippers, the plan seemed clear: Hope for the top pick in the lottery.

Green players, gold future?


US Secretary of State Colin Powell convened Wednesday in New York with his counterparts from Russia, the European Union and the United Nations making up the informal Quartet on the Middle East.

Middle East Quartet Laments Lack of Progress on Israeli <b>...</b>


Carter was booked for not retreating 10 yards at a free-kick but Birmingham looked to have weathered the Villa storm. The Blues started to come forward more, although Morrison was high and wide from 20 yards

Ft Aston Villa 1 Birmingham 2


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A videotape of the beheading of British hostage Kenneth Bigley appeared Sunday on an Islamist Web site, showing the civil engineer pleading that he wanted

Tape of Bigley Decapitation Posted on Web


Russia #39;s foreign minister welcomed Israel #39;s offer of help in combating militant groups on Monday, saying Russia needs to be more effective in fighting terror after last week #39;s deadly hostage school standoff.

Russia, Israel Agree on Anti-Terror Union


AP - Election officials on Wednesday upheld the contested mayoral victory of a millionaire dog-track owner in Tijuana, putting the party that ruled Mexico for 71 straight years back in power in a key city along the U.S. border.

Mexican Election Tribunal Upholds Wins (AP)


CHINA today called for a swift resolution to the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal, saying it wanted to see an independent and objective investigation.

China wants answers on oil-for-food


The two companies zoom in on semiconductor technology to help digital cameras and camera phones take better pictures.\

Kodak, IBM team up to build image sensors


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Publisher and broadcaster Tribune Co.  <A HREF=

Tribune Profit Seen Below Wall St. Views


ABUJA, 13 December (IRIN) - Continuing violence in Darfur is derailing efforts to find a political roadmap out of a crisis that has pitted the Sudanese government against rebel groups for almost two years, delegates at AU-sponsored talks said on Monday.

NIGERIA-SUDAN: Violence pushes peace talks off track


The UK's manufacturing sector shows an unexpected slowdown in September, easing pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates again.

Manufacturing growth slows down


roundup Plus: House takes on piracy, 'video voyeurism'...Verizon sets up Iobi Home...Sun makes financial pitch...PeopleSoft-Oracle trial delayed.

Briefly: Hello, halitosis


Oil prices rebounded from seven-week lows Wednesday, jumping \$1 as a drawdown in US heating fuel stocks rekindled worries about thin supply levels ahead of the northern winter.

Oil Rebounds \$1 as Heating Supplies Fall


MOSCOW : Defending champion and French Open winner Anastasia Myskina advanced into the final of the 2.3 million dollar Kremlin Cup beating new world number one Lindsay Davenport of the United States here.

Tennis: Defending champion Myskina sees off world number one <b>...</b>


IBM and officials from leading science, education and philanthropic organizations yesterday launched a global grid computing project aimed at helping solve a variety of health issues and other scientific problems.

'World Community Grid' seeks to harness unused computers


Stocks inched higher Tuesday as investors saw the bright side of mixed economic data and rumors about big merger deals, including a report that consumer products giant Johnson  amp; Johnson is in talks to purchase a leading medical device maker.

Stocks Move Higher on Mixed Economic Data


LONDON - Allrounder Dwayne Smith has pulled out of the West Indies cricket squad for this month #39;s ICC Champions Trophy event in England because of injury.

Cricket: Smith withdraws from Windies squad


With a three-game set vs. Florida, Montreal bids adieu to its pro baseball team Hurdles exist, but relocation process now appears irreversible, by Richard Griffin.

Last hurrah for Expos


Paul Kenyon confronts the drive hunt fishermen of Taiji in Japan and the intermediaries who sell the animals to dolphinariums.

Dining with the dolphin hunters


HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Lenovo Group Ltd. (0992.HK), China #39;s largest computer company, confirmed it is in acquisition talks with a major international information technology company.

UPDATE: Lenovo Confirms In Talks With Major IT Company


Struggling US Airways (UAIR) has asked its pilots to accept a 16.5 pay cut while giving them the chance to recoup some of the money by flying more.

US Airways asks pilots for 16.5 cut in pay


REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Jurors in the Scott Peterson murder trial got an early start on their weekend when the judge delayed cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness, then sent them home because of what he described as a

Jury in Peterson Trial Gets Long Weekend


palmOne today announces that it is to provide a second level of wireless connectivity for Tungsten T3 and Zire 72 handheld users with the introduction of its first Wi-Fi card. Developed specifically for handheld owners who want to complement the ...

PalmOne Announces SD WiFi Card


ARSENAL fear the defence of their Premiership crown is being threatened by bullying tactics from their opponents. The Gunners stretched their unbeaten run to 47 as they overcame a tough

WENGER: THEY ARE OUT TO GET US


Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk reportedly gave up a budding career as a violinist to pursue his freewheeling boarding passion. Hawk, a professional skateboarder who has become a household name thanks to successful

Tony Hawk gave up violin for skateboarding


KABUL : Ten people, most of them youths, were killed and an unknown number were injured when a bomb went off overnight in a religious school in Afghanistan, the US military said.

Ten dead in Afghanistan bomb blast: US military


Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt is recovering in hospital today, after his chauffeur-driven car crashed into a concrete pillar near his home and overturned several times.

Belgian PM in Car Crash


The Expos president has lists prepared and plans in place to close up shop in Montreal and rebuild the franchise in Washington. He #39;ll begin to act once Major League Baseball confirms the club #39;s move, something which could happen as soon as Thursday.

Plans in place to close up shop in Montreal, open up in Washington


YANGON, Myanmar - Military-ruled Myanmar will stick to its plans for gradual democratization despite the abrupt appointment of a new prime minister believed to hold a hard line in dealing with the countrys political reform movement, Foreign Minister

New leader: Democracy for Myanmar


The Indonesian tourism industry has so far not been affected by last week #39;s bombing outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta and officials said they do not expect a significant drop in visitor numbers as a result of the attack.

Indonesia says tourism unaffected by Australian embassy bomb blast <b>...</b>


Police in Austin, Texas, want to question a Yorkshire man over allegations that he had sex with a teenage girl he met in an internet chatroom.

Brit cuffed in US net sex investigation


SEVEN Swiss firefighters were presumed dead today after they were trapped under the collapsed roof of a burning underground car park.

Firefighters die in roof collapse


Researcher finds two flaws that under unusual circumstances could let a malicious program read private data or render a phone unusable.

Vulnerability hits Java for cell phones


Poor facilities are limiting schooling opportunities for many children in post-Saddam Iraq, says Unicef.

UN focus on Iraq education crisis


MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan (Reuters) -

Ethnic Divide Risks Being Reinforced in Afghan Vote


China will succeed in cooling off an overheated economy and achieve a soft landing, according to a major Asian Development Bank (ADB) report released on Wednesday.

Chinese economy sets for soft landing in 2005: ADB


The absurd notion of Cal playing in the national championship game does not seem so absurd today. Thanks to losses by Miami and Florida State and a significant rise in the Bears #39; computer ranking, Cal rose four spots in this week #39;s BCS standings to No.

Cal up to 4th in BCS Rose Bowl or national title game possible for <b>...</b>


Manufacturing activity expanded for the 19th consecutive month in December, a new report said Monday, suggesting that the industrial sector entered the new year with solid strength behind it.

Manufacturing Activity Expands in December


Thailand #39;s Paradorn Srichaphan on Friday lined up a semifinal clash with world number one Roger Federer as he handed out a 6-2, 7-5 defeat to Dutchman Dennis van Scheppingen at the Thailand Open.

Srichaphan sets up Federer semi


KENNEWICK, Wash., (Sports Network) - Wally Backman, briefly  the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was sentenced to 10  days in jail Friday for violating his probation.

Backman Sentenced to 10 Days in Jail


Where to now? That was the question everyone at Boston College was asking yesterday after the 17th-ranked Eagles laid a colossal egg in Saturday's devastating 43-17 loss against Syracuse. It cost BC the Big East title outright, a berth in the Bowl Championship Series, and a likely New Year's Day bid to the Fiesta Bowl.

BC's bowl picture out of focus


Australia captain Ricky Ponting has led the tributes to great all-rounder Keith Miller, who died on Monday. Miller, who played in Donald Bradman #39;s Invincibles team, died in Melbourne at the age of 84.

Ponting leads tributes to Miller


HAVING finally wrapped their hands around the holy grail - an Olympic gold medal -ustralia #39;s men #39;s hockey players retired to their dressingrooms to perform a victory ritual immortalised by a national team familiar with success.

Kookas enjoy last laugh


Toyota Motor Corp. will offer XM Satellite Radio as a factory-installed option in Toyota and Lexus vehicles beginning in 2006, but customers also will be able to order rival Sirius Satellite Radio at Toyota dealerships starting next year.

Toyota Vehicles to Offer Both XM, Sirius Satellite Radio


washingtonpost.com - Terrorists who alter their fingerprints have about an even chance of slipping past U.S. border watch-list checks because the government is using a two-fingerprint system instead of one that relies on all 10 prints, a lawmaker said in a letter he made public yesterday to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

2-Fingerprint Border ID System Called Inadequate (washingtonpost.com)


DETROIT Nov 17, 2004 - Free agent Troy Percival and Detroit agreed Wednesday on a \$12 million, two-year contract, giving the Tigers two closers for their bullpen.

Closer Percival OKs \$12M Deal With Tigers


Targeting Unix archrivals Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems, IBM on Friday topped off the high end of its Power 5-based line of iSeries and pSeries servers, rolling out three systems all capable of hosting as many as 250 virtual servers on a single

IBM tops off Power 5-based server line


Reuters - President Bush's campaign spent\ #36;45.8 million in July, the bulk of it on advertising, but he\still had about  #36;32.5 million left to spend before he accepts\his party's nomination next month, according to a filing\released on Friday.

Bush Spending Spree Continues, More Cash to Burn (Reuters)


New Delhi: Hailing RBIs monetary and credit policy, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said it will not hamper growth and the investment momentum will continue despite pressure on price level.

RBI policy will not hamper growth: FM


Microsoft Corp., a worldwide leader in operating systems and Internet technologies, announced that it has found a major flaw in Windows XP operating system that is related to the JPEG image format.

Microsoft offers patch to fix security flaw


IDF Fall  #39;04 With the Intel Developer Forum rolling along in full force, IBM made the obvious decision to announce its next-generation server based on AMD #39;s Opteron processor.

IBM strikes out at Intel with new Opteron box


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The chief spokesman for rebel Iraqi  cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Wednesday no deal had been  agreed with Iraq's government to end fighting in Baghdad's  Shi'ite slum district of Sadr City.

No Deal on Ending Baghdad Clashes-Senior Sadr Aide


Cytec Industries said Friday it will pay \$1.87 billion to Belgian chemical company UCB for its Surface Specialties unit, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Cytec pays \$1.87b for UCB unit


Madrid, Spain (Sports Network) - Real Madrid #39;s powerful offense was held in check during a scoreless draw with Villarreal Sunday.

Real Madrid held by Villarreal


Shares in Centrica have fallen by 7 per cent after the energy company revealed that its British Gas business was to limit rises in bills after losing 900,000 this year.

Price rises prompt exodus from British Gas


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Thursday  delivered a stinging blow to the anti-piracy efforts of major  movie studios and music companies, ruling that several online  file-sharing software companies are not liable for copyright  infringement.

US Court Rejects Movie, Music Makers' Piracy Claims


The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a final \$422 billion bill for defense programs that backs next year #39;s round of military base closings and kills

US House approves \$422 billion arms bill


JPL -- New views of two of Saturn #39;s moons, Titan and Tethys, represent the most detailed look at these moons to date and show a sharp contrast between them -- one is foggy and one is cratered.

Cassini Shows Grandeur of Two Saturn Moons


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Investors bought shares in Asian  exporters and electronics firms such as Fujitsu Ltd. on  Tuesday, buoyed by a favorable outlook from U.S. technology  bellwethers and a slide in oil prices.

Asian Stocks Rise on U.S. Tech Advances


Wega TVs, Vaio systems, DVD recorders and camcorder highlight HD product lineup.

Sony Describes HD Product Plans


President Thabo Mbeki took his peace mission to Ivory Coast #39;s rebel-held stronghold of Bouake today, where he was greeted by hundreds of people demanding Laurent Gbagbo, the president, quit.

Mbeki in Ivory Coast rebel town on peace mission


CREWE Alexandras efforts to prolong the culinary theme of the week by hurling a banana skin at Manchester United fell apart last night and, as a gallant Dario Gradi disappeared to share

Smith proves he has class to fulfil all United needs


Barcelona defender Juliano Belletti will be out of action for about two weeks after suffering a slight ankle strain during Saturday #39;s 2-1 victory over Deportivo Coruna.

Barcelona defender Belletti out for two weeks


Linux servers are on the rise again thanks in part to low-end and x86-64 based servers, according to a new survey by market research firm Gartner.

Server Sales Favor Linux


After being turned down by Urban Meyer and spurned by other big-name coaches (in some cases before the coach even was contacted), Notre Dame officials concluded their search for a replacement for Tyrone Willingham as head football coach Saturday night by

Weis decision: Irish make their move


Packer fans are known for being fanatics, and River Oaks resident Doug Erwin is adding to their lore by recreating the 1967 Ice Bowl.

A cold blast from the past


Proposed tech standard would verify senders' IP addresses to cut malicious phishing and annoying Viagra pitches.

Microsoft touts 'Sender ID' to fight spam, scams


MPs and the main City watchdog are at odds over the plight of millions of policyholders  quot;trapped quot; in closed with-profits funds.

FSA rejects call to rescue savers


Forget sticking a toe in the water, Vodafone #39;s done a cannonball -- unveiling 10 handsets it #39;s got lined up for the November launch of its 3G consumer services in the UK.

Vodafone Throws Down 3G Gauntlet


This was supposed to be a battle between Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant, meeting on the court for the first time since trading preseason barbs in the press.

Sonics #39; Lewis steals spotlight from anticipated Kobe-Allen matchup


Here #39;s something to ponder when you eat your next chicken wing: A new study says about 60 of the genes in the critter you #39;re eating have close cousins in your own DNA.

Deciphered chicken genome sheds light on human DNA


Global Warming is a hot topic that shows little sign of cooling down. Earth's climate is changing, but just how it's happening, and our own role in the process, is less certain. Includes photo gallery.

Global Warming Fast Facts


MADRID (Reuters) - Four sub-Saharan Africans trying to  immigrate illegally drowned 20 feet from shore Saturday at the  same Spanish beach where 33 would-be immigrants died last week,  state radio said.

Four Immigrants Die Trying to Reach Spanish Shore


Corporate computing software giant Computer Associates International Inc. said yesterday it will pay \$430 million in cash to acquire Waltham data security firm Netegrity Inc. The deal marks a major expansion of Computer Associates' security business. It also comes as the company tries to move on from a major financial scandal that forced the resignation of its chief executive.

Computer Associates to buy Netegrity


Microsoft's leader brings home the gold medal for the 11th year running. Google's founders aren't doing too badly, either.

That's rich: Gates tops Forbes list once again


October 26, 2004 - In the quest to frustrate roommates, parents, friends, neighbors, and pretty much everyone within audio range, Namco is releasing Taiko Drum Master in the States.

Taiko Drum Master


MARKET RESEARCH firm IDC said that revenues in the worldwide server market grew by 5.5 per cent in the third quarter of this year, valued at \$11.5 billion.

Dell puts Sun in shade on server share


Coca-Cola's chief executive yesterday said the world's largest beverage maker needs to work harder, better execute its strategy, and improve its culture as he warned that third-quarter per-share income will drop at least 24 percent from a year ago. In a speech to employees, CEO Neville Isdell said:

CEO of Coke lowers outlook for quarter


Keith Tkachuk had four goals and an assist, leading the United States into the World Cup of Hockey semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Russia last night at St. Paul.

Tkachuk's 4 goals lift US


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose Monday as a gas leak  closed a large Norwegian North Sea oil field and the threat of  a colder-than-normal U.S. winter fueled worries about low  heating oil stocks.

Oil Up on Winter Worries, Norway Outage


Security researchers found two software flaws in the Windows XP Service Pack 2 that could allow virus writers and malicious hackers to sidestep new security features in the operating system.

Researchers find holes in XP SP2


JERUSALEM -- Israel risks international sanctions and other serious diplomatic repercussions surrounding the barrier it is building in the West Bank and must be prepared to make further changes in the route, the nation's attorney general has warned in a report.

Israel #146;s AG suggests changes to barrier


NEW YORK (Reuters) -  U.S. stocks looked to open slightly  higher on Tuesday, despite oil prices above \$50 a barrel, as  the market readies to extend its streak of gains in four of the  last five sessions.

Stocks Seen Higher Despite Oil Price