LAS VEGAS Vitali (VIH #39;-tah-lee) Klitschko defended his WBC heavyweight title with a ninth-round TKO over Danny Williams last night in Las Vegas.

Klitschko defends WBC heavyweight title


Industrial production in the eurozone \falls by 0.4 in June from May, with Germany registering the biggest fall.

Euro industrial production slows


WASHINGTON Aug. 25, 2004 - Federal agents seized computers and software Wednesday as part of an investigation targeting an Internet network used to illegally share copyrighted music, movies, software and games, Attorney General John Ashcroft said.

Justice Dept. Cracks Down Internet Crime


Inspired by the magnificent surroundings of the Panathinaiko stadium and assisted by a gust of wind and a police siren, the British archer Alison Williamson ended her 12-year quest for an Olympic medal at the fourth attempt when she won bronze in the ...

Alison Williamson takes bronze to hit her Olympic target after 12 years


I have no problem with Microsoft operating in a market environment. Given a choice, I am sure many of us would gladly pay for Windows and Office rather than use Linux and Open Office.

OPEN SOURCE Software Battle Pits Microsoft Against the Open <b>...</b>


If placing your website within the top search engine results, entering certain keywords in Google, Yahoo, MSN Search, or Alta Vista, has become your daily obsession, stop for a moment and reflect.

Web Positioning With Top Results Or The Ability To Attract More <b>...</b>


Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has put the pressure for the success or failure of the Northern Ireland assembly talks firmly on the shoulders of Ian Paisley.

Adams backs power-sharing plan


Semiconductor manufacturer Texas Instruments sharpened its forecast for fourth-quarter sales and profits Tuesday while staying within the boundaries of its previous forecasts.

Update 1: Texas Instruments Narrows 4Q Guidance


Art Howe stood behind his desk, looked down at his folded scorecard and scratched his head as he gazed at all the scribblings and crossed-out names that made the card look like a 2-year-old #39;s afternoon art project.

Mets: Wright shares spotlight in a wild victory


Hard-drive video recorders support HDTV, while Blu-ray and HD-DVD wait in the wings. Plus: pricey headphones and cheap megapixels.

Tokyo Edge: More Video Options


MELBOURNE, Fla. - Hurricane Jeanne tore a fresh path of destruction and despair as it continued its march up storm-ravaged Florida, where the fourth major hurricane in six weeks shut down much of the state and prompted recovery plans on a scale never before seen in the nation...

Hurricane Jeanne Continues to Ravage Fla.


Before the Braves-Astros series began, the conventional wisdom was that the Astros deserved the nod as favorites -- even though they barely squeaked into the playoffs and won fewer games than Atlanta.

Astros #39; aces trump Braves #39; depth


Forbes.com - In 1986 Rohan Vos, a wealthy South African auto-parts dealer, bought several vintage railcars for his private amusement. He wanted to take his wife, four children and four dogs on a jaunt. He phoned Spoornet, the main state railway of South Africa, to rent a locomotive. Sure, said Spoornet. But the price caused Vos to blanch. Well then, suggested the officious official, Vos would simply have to take along some paying passengers.

The Rail World (Forbes.com)


Secretary of State Colin Powell on Saturday said Middle Eastern economic and political reform would help defeat terrorism but many Arabs dismissed

Reform Needed in Arab World to Defeat Terror-US


Macromedia is heading in a new direction with the launch of a development tool for Flex, its development platform for rich internet applications (RIAs).

Macromedia wires up Flex Builder


The loss of Britain #39;s Beagle 2 project can be traced to the Government wanting a Mars lander  quot;on the cheap quot;, and tensions with the European Space Agency, MPs said yesterday.

Lack of cash blamed for Beagle 2 failure


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global advertising titans Omnicom  <A HREF=

Ad Groups Omnicom, WPP See Strong Earns


AP - Workers' productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the spring, the smallest gain since late 2002, reflecting the economy's slowdown.

Spring Productivity Rate Makes Small Gain (AP)


Reports suggest phishing gangs are turning to automatic tools to mount more attacks than ever.

Hi-tech tools fuel phishing boom


In what is becoming as predictable as Groundhog #39;s Day, Michigan and Michigan State again topped the preseason polls at the Central Collegiate Hockey Association #39;s media day Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena.

Usual favorites picked in CCHA; WMU 7th


A tiger attacked his owner and a teenager at a county fair in St. Augustine, but neither suffered major injuries. Curtice LoGiudice, owner of the tiger, suffered puncture

Tiger attacks teen, owner


Holder Juan Carlos Ferrero has suffered a 6-3, 6-1 setback against a Peruvian with a bad ankle, crashing out listlessly in his opening match at the Madrid Masters.

Ferrero leads Spanish slump in Madrid


NEW ORLEANS - Many New Orleans voters were unable to cast ballots Saturday on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage because voting machines had not been delivered to polling places, a state official said.    At least 35 precincts did not have voting machines because drivers hired to deliver the machines had apparently not shown up for work, said Scott Madere, a spokesman for Secretary of State Fox McKeithen...

Voting Machines Missing for La. Election


The US government #39;s latest supercomputer, BlueGene/L, has been officially crowned the most powerful number cruncher on the planet.

US heavyweights storm supercomputer league


sl0wp0is0n writes  quot;Computerworld has published an interview with Microsoft #39;s chief Linux strategist, Martin Taylor. It #39;s interesting to find out that Microsoft thinks and predicts Novell (SuSE) will be the

Microsoft #39;s Chief Linux Strategist Interviewed


If you don #39;t care to wait for CSI: Gainesville to autopsy the career of Florida football coach Ron Zook, grab a tape of the Gators #39; 31-24 loss Saturday to archrival Georgia.

Zook, Gators frustrated again


The Iraqi deputy prime minister arrived Sunday in the Tehran, Iran, a day later than planned, the BBC reported. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh was part of a high-level political

Iraqi delegation arrives in Iran


SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones/AP) -- Financial services firm Charles Schwab Corp. said its brokerage subsidiary will open 54 satellite offices as part of a change in its retail branch strategy aimed at providing more in-person financial advice.

Schwab unit to merge 19 branches, launch 54 satellite offices


NEW YORK - Lindsay Davenport is two victories from a second U.S. Open title and the No...

Davenport Easily Defeats Asagoe at Open


Shares of clothing retailer Hot Topic (HOTT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) fell nearly 10 percent in extended-hours trading on Monday after it cut its fourth-quarter earnings forecast, citing lackluster sales of accessories.

After Bell: Hot Topic Falls, Micromuse Up


JERUSALEM Tens of thousands of Jewish settlers and their backers essentially shut down much of Jerusalem today. They took to the streets to protest a plan to evacuate settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

Thousands demonstrate in Jerusalem against plan to evacuate Gaza <b>...</b>


Glasgow, Scotland (Sports Network) - Celtic jumped back to the top of the Scottish Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Hibernian at Celtic Park.

Celtic back on top


The suspended head of a major supplier of jet fuel to China, under investigation for overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in derivatives trading losses, has agreed to return to Singapore to face investigators, the company said Monday.

China Aviation #39;s Ex-Chief to Face Probe


Reuters - More than 200 Mexican journalists\sent an urgent letter to President Vicente Fox on Monday\demanding better security after three journalists were murdered\this year, the latest one last week.

Mexico Journalists Want More Security After Murders (Reuters)


Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here Tuesday that Pakistan is ready to provide military assistance to Nepal if Nepal demands.

Pakistan ready to provide military aid to Nepal: Aziz


MOJAVE, Calif. A test pilot yesterday made a successful foray into space marked by a white-knuckle ascent in which his rocket ship rolled at least 16 times in 16 seconds.

White-knuckle flight


It was the third month in a row that the bank #39;s Monetary Policy Committee has frozen the rate. The decision was widely expected following indications that Britain #39;s economy has slowed.

Bank of England Leaves Rate Unchanged


The Marvel deal calls for Mforma to work with the comic book giant to develop a variety of mobile applications based on Marvel content.

Mforma Wins Valuable Marvel Deal


The US Supreme Court will decide whether cable operators that provide high-speed Internet connections, like Time Warner Inc., should be required to open their networks to other Internet service providers.

Cable Internet case goes to Supreme Court


JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Iran and its nuclear ambitions represent a very great danger to the Jewish state but played down the prospect of a pre-emptive strike on its atomic facilities.

Pre-emption not on cards: Sharon


AP - Political couch potatoes who can't get enough of the impending presidential election will find endless fun with

Video Game Review: 'Political Machine' (AP)


AP - The New England Patriots stopped a late Seattle comeback to beat the Seahawks 30-20 Sunday, running their streak to 20 wins, including playoffs. They also tied the league record with their 17th consecutive regular-season victory.

Pats Beat Seahawks, Extend Win Streak (AP)


 By Tiago Pariz

 BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil's biggest party votedto leave the governing coalition on Sunday in a move that couldcomplicate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's reform agendaand pressure him to give the centrist party extra governmentposts.

Brazil's Biggest Party Votes to Leave Government


PRIME Minister John Howard yesterday said his personal staff witnessed and backed his version of a sensitive phone call with former ministerial adviser Mike Scrafton over the children overboard affair.

Howard stands by overboard account


LONDON: The dollar headed for its first weekly gain in more than two months against the yen after Japanese officials suggested they may stem the currency #39;s slide and on expectations that US firms employed 200,000 workers last month.

Dollar set to make gains against yen


ALINTA is set to emerge as part-owner and operator of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline - Australia #39;s biggest gas transmission system -n a deal that pays out the \$1.

Pipeline secured by Alinta syndicate


IBM said on Thursday that it will recall about 553,000 AC power adapters worldwide for several models of its laptop computers because of potential fire and electrical shock hazards.

IBM recalls melting laptop adaptors


WASHINGTON - Consumer prices, which have been buffeted this year by soaring energy costs, fell by 0.1 percent in July as gasoline costs posted their biggest decline in eight months, the government reported Tuesday.    The Labor Department said the decline in its closely watched Consumer Price Index was the first decrease since a 0.2 percent drop last November, a decline which also reflected a decline in energy costs...

Consumer Prices Fall As Gas Costs Drop


GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Favre did something Sunday he hadn #39;t done for a long time. He finally posted a quarterback rating of at least 100.

Favre, Pack offense are clicking like never before


The lawyer who headed a lawsuit that ended Sanford Wallaces reign as the worlds  quot;Spam King quot; six years ago said he cannot believe Wallace now faces several spyware charges in US District Court.

Once a spammer?


Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group -- three of the four major recording companies -- have licensed their catalog of music to Saratoga Springs-based Wurld Media, the firm said Wednesday.

Recording companies to allow legal file swap


The most hyped new issue since Netscape chalked up a very tidy gain on its first day of trading. Peace reigns in the Valley ...

An IPO Afterglow in Googleland


ABC Sports, which has carried the entire Bowl Championship Series since 1998, withdrew yesterday from talks to retain the full package of games.

ABC Says It Won #39;t Attempt to Retain All BCS Games


Derrek Lee whacked a three-run double against his former team to help the Chicago Cubs defeat the Florida Marlins 5-2 to retain their National League (NL) wildcard lead Saturday.

NL Wrap: Cubs Rally to Beat Marlins


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices scaled a new high above  \$55 a barrel on Monday as a threat by Norwegian oil employers  to halt production from the world's third biggest exporter  stoked fears of a winter supply crunch.

Oil Scales New High on Norway Fears


AP - The man who brought the Yugo and Subaru to this country has a new project  #151; becoming the first mass importer of low-cost Chinese-made cars.

Yugo Entrepreneur Importing Chinese Cars (AP)


AFP - Afghanistan's presidential vote count passed the 80 percent mark with Hamid Karzai holding on to his clear majority, but any potential celebrations were cut short by a Taliban suicide bomb in Kabul.

Suicide bomb blast overshadows Afghan election count (AFP)


ALDERSON - Starting Oct. 8, Martha Stewart will begin serving her five-month sentence for lying to federal investigators here, in the Alderson Federal Prison Camp.

Martha Stewart #39;s new abode


Alana Beard scores 22 points as the Mystics beat the San Antonio, 84-73, Wednesday for their fourth straight win.

Beard Leads Mystics


Intel (Quote, Chart) released a new suite of developers #39; tools it hopes will increase the amount of people using its 64-bit technology.

New Intel Tools Run on Rival Chips


The Bush administration predicted on Friday that economic growth would slow to 3.5 percent from about 4 percent next year but still be strong enough to reduce unemployment slightly.

White House Predicts Slower Growth in 2005


Boston Latin over Acton-Boxboro -- Please take this prediction cum grano salis. Wilmington over Pentucket -- The always accurate Boston.com 100 has Wilmington (No. 37) ranked over Pentucket (39). Can't argue with that.

This week's picks


AP - Ireland, a mostly Roman Catholic country where divorce was legalized just seven years ago, is contemplating another leap away from its conservative past  #151; and toward greater rights for homosexual couples.

Irish Lawmakers to Review Rights for Gays (AP)


OAKLAND, CALIF. - David Ortiz homered and drove in four runs to lead the Boston Red Sox to their 12th win in 13 games, a wild 8-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Ortiz, Red Sox set fire to bats at home of A #39;s


: Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono thanked Indonesians on Monday for electing him as the next president and said he would work hard to resolve the country #39;s problems.

Susilo thanks Indonesians for electing him


Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi visits Berlin to secure a German boost for his country's  reconstruction.

Iraqi PM lobbies German leaders


HOUSTON: Russia #39;s Marat Safin and Australia #39;s Lleyton Hewitt advanced to the Masters Cup semi-finals with impressive straight-set victories here on Friday, completing a historic line-up.

Masters Cup semis to feature the four best players in the world


SPACE.com - Research into what separates matter from antimatter is accelerating in particle physics experiments around the world.  Scientists are hoping the difference will help explain why you, me and all the things around us are made of matter instead of its opposite.

Getting a Grip on Antimatter (SPACE.com)


Consulting firm reports that about 40 percent of Linux PCs will be modified to run an illegal copy of Windows.

Desktop Linux a vehicle for pirating Windows


South African golfer Richard Sterne rescued his European tour career in brillant fashion yesterday by winning the Madrid Open with a closing 65.

Sterne stages escape to victory


At 73 years of age, with half a trillion dollars already to manage, the Capital Group Companies #39; American Funds have lately caught a second wind.

Fund Report: Capital Group belies its age with a late growth spurt


With the regular season less than a week away, coach Doc Rivers and the players agree a lot of work remains, so the Celtics may practice twice today.

Sour taste left by turnovers


Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 works well as a dictation tool, but its PC controls are still limited.

First Look: Voice Rec Gets Better


Georgia Power and Savannah Electric will not have to pay for new research into energy-efficiency programs, the state Public Service Commission ruled Tuesday.

Georgia Power wins ruling on research study


The application traffic management space is getting resurfaced as vendors such as F5, Radware, and Redline green-light new products with traffic compression, DoS attack protection, server-side caching, and other features aimed at simplifying and lowering the cost of network management.

Traffic management shifting lanes


As Australians watch their country #39;s flag being raised yet again in Athens, it can be imagined that no one is more pleased, nor more relieved, than Prime Minister John Howard, writes The Dominion Post in an editorial.

The Olympics - weapon of mass distraction


The former Rovers striker has signed a two-year contract at Ewood Park, with the option to extend the deal by twelve months should both parties agree.

Hughes delighted with Blackburn Rovers Football Club


New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer yesterday sued Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos., alleging the world #39;s largest insurance broker took payoffs to steer clients to some insurers.

German Stocks Decline; Munich Re, Allianz Pace Drop by Insurers


The Zeeland native made the final ballot of 25 players to be considered by the Veterans Committee. The results will be announced March 2. Kaat, who could not be reached for comment, won 283

Zeeland #39;s Kaat to be considered for Hall


Aaron Polanco's ability to run Navy's option offense will be the key to the Mids' attempt to defeat Notre Dame for the first time in 40 tries this Saturday.

Polanco Pitches Well


Domain Hijacking - Major Issue for Search Engines and Optimizers\\I have yet to discuss the topic of domain hi-jacking through the use of redirects in detail. Please do not expect me to detail how to accomplish such a hi-jacking of a domain name, that will just make things worse. But ...


TOKYO UFJ Holdings, Japan #39;s fourth-largest bank, reported a large net loss of 674.3 billion for the first half of its fiscal year on Wednesday as it scrambled to reduce its bad loans before a takeover by Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group.

UFJ Holdings bank reports large half-year loss


Energized by electoral wins, conservative Christians are pushing ahead state and local initiatives on controversial issues.

Christian Conservatives Press Issues in Statehouses


A stagnant economy and rising health care costs helped push the percentage of people in the USA without health insurance last year to 15.

Ranks of uninsured grow to highest since  #39;98


The third installment of the Ratchet  amp; Clank franchise incorporates new elements of gameplay not seen previously in the series, including online and offline multiplayer capabilities that will appeal to a wide variety of players.

Ratchet  amp; Clank: Up Your Arsenal


World oil prices plummeted to a near three-month low on Thursday, capping a two-day, 12-percent plunge as fear of a global energy supply crunch evaporated.

Oil prices fall as supply fears fade


AFP - Buddhists from around the world will gather in revolt-hit Nepal this month to consider ways to promote Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini in the country's southwest, as a  quot;world peace city. quot;

Activists to promote Buddha's birthplace as 'world peace city' (AFP)


DARLINGTON, SC -- Rain canceled qualifying at Darlington Raceway on Friday so starting lineups for this weekend #39;s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series races have been set by points.

Busch, Truex garner wet poles at Darlington


Shares of Novell (NOVL:Nasdaq - news - research) are slipping after-hours on the unexpected news that the software company #39;s No.

Novell Slides on Exec Departure


Reuters - An area of Amazon jungle\larger than the U.S. state of New Jersey has been destroyed\this year and work on a new highway is mainly to blame,\environmental group Friends of the Earth and the government\said on Wednesday.

Brazil Amazon Deforestation Jumps, Data Show (Reuters)


NewsFactor - PalmOne has unveiled the latest version of its popular Treo smartphone. The Treo 650 features a number of modifications that make the device more useful, while not changing its basic design or core capabilities.

PalmOne Rolls Out New Treo Smartphone (NewsFactor)


The fact that neither Kmart or Sears has faired well against Wal-Mart may leave some people wondering if the combined company can do any better.

An Alliance for the Scale to Battle a Common Foe


A graduate of the University of Houston #39;s master of business administration program has taken over the reins of Kmart Corp. as president and CEO.

UH MBA grad takes over as Kmart CEO


JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Prominent Saudis dismissed  U.S. accusations of severe violations of religious freedom in  the kingdom and said on Thursday that the criticisms were  politically motivated.

Saudis Say Politics, Not Religion, Behind U.S. Move


The outer solar system may not be a cemetery full of dead, frozen bodies, suggest new observations of a large object called Quaoar.

Frozen heavenly body hints at a warm heart


Reuters - Pakistani security forces have\arrested two

Pakistan Says 'Important' Al Qaeda Men Arrested (Reuters)


Crude oil prices pushed past the psychologically important US\$50-per-barrel mark Tuesday to an all-time high of US\$50.01 as the market reacted to the slow recovery of US oil production in the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Ivan.

Oil prices breach US\$50, setting new mark in Asian trading


Home sales slowed in the Untied States in July, but experts say they still moved at a healthy pace. Tuesday #39;s report from a business group (the National Association of Realtors) says sales of previously-owned homes dropped 2.9 percent in July.

US Home Sales Slow In July


Scientists unlock the rainfall history stored in tree rings and find evidence of long dry periods in the past that dwarf the current drought in the western United States. The research hints at another monster drought to come. By Stephen Leahy.

Drier Times Ahead in the West?


Top News News, Bhopal,Residents, activists and intellectuals alike Friday mourned the death of thousands in the world #39;s worst industrial disaster that hit this central Indian city 20 years ago.

Top News ; 20 years on, they mourn Bhopal #39;s dead


A total of 49 new Iraqi army soldiers have been killed in an ambush near the town of Baquba, northeast of Baghdad, which dealt a blow to the interim government #39;s efforts to build Iraqi security forces.

50 Iraqi soldiers die in ambush, US diplomat killed


A German security firm has hired the teen accused of writing the Sasser and Netsky worms, a move that sends a dangerous message to hackers, anti-virus firms said Monday.

German Security Firm Hires Hacker Awaiting Trial


A gamer spends \$26,500 on a virtual island that exists only in a PC role-playing game.

Gamer buys \$26,500 virtual land


A new variant of the MyDoom Internet worm contains some puzzling add-ins: a photo that bears a likeness of Sven Jaschan, whom police in Berlin last week charged with computer sabotage after he admitted to authoring the Sasser worm, and a high-level

MyDoom Variant Packs Photo of Netsky Author


The battle of Najaf, in which Iraq #39;s fledgling government is being held to ransom by the occupation of Shia Islam #39;s holiest site, can be traced to American political and military failures in recent months.

Najaf stand-off has beginnings in earlier US failures in Fallujah


Russian-born Alexander Shnaider, chairman of Midland Group, said on Friday the Midland F1 team will begin racing in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Russian-Canadian Businessman to Start New F1 Team in 2006


ST. LOUIS -- A day of steady rain not only caused the Busch Stadium tarp to cover the infield little more than two hours before the scheduled start of Game 2 of the NL Championship Series, it gave the Houston Astros some hope strengthening their rotation.

Game 2 rainout would give Astros much-needed breather


Ivo Karlovic pounded 11 aces Tuesday and knocked off second-seeded Dominik Hrbaty 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-4 in the first round of the St. Petersburg Open.

Hrbaty, Andreev upset at St. Petersburg Open


Southwest Airlines plans to cut 88 flights from its schedule starting Oct. 31 in an effort to free up planes for more profitable markets, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Report: Southwest to cut 88 flights; local impact unclear


I.B.M. plans to announce that it will share the designs and technology for a fast-growing line of computers known as blade servers.

I.B.M. to Share Technology and Designs for New Computer


Canadian Jacques Villeneuve is relishing the chance to help Renault overtake his former BAR team for second place in this year #39;s Formula One constructors #39; championship.

UPDATE 1-Villeneuve relishes Renault challenge


The BAR Formula One team has officially been put up for sale by administrators Simon Morris and Andrew Hosking - but only to aid the restructuring of the team that will see Honda take a 45 stake in the Brackley based outfit.

BAR put up for sale.


A car bomb exploded outside the Chechen capital #39;s main hospital Sunday, injuring 17 people in an attack apparently targeting members of a Chechen security force bringing in wounded from an earlier explosion, officials said.

17 Injured in Chechnya Car Bombing


JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 7 -- Teams were to spread out across 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa on Friday to begin what global health officials hope is the final push against the crippling polio virus, with the goal of vaccinating 80 million children, including those in northern Nigeria, where opposition had derailed the eradication effort.

Push Against Polio Launched in Africa


China #39;s leaders pledged at a key policy meeting to keep the economy on track next year while raising farm incomes, promoting energy conservation and holding down investment in overheated industries, state media said Monday.

Update 1: China Vows to Keep Economy on Track


Asbestos victims voiced outrage Friday at a multimillion dollar golden handshake given to the chief of building products group James Hardie Industries NV, who resigned in the wake of a scandal about the company #39;s treatment of thousands of people poisoned

Update 1: CEO of James Hardie Resigns


Hoping to build on the success of a shoe that generated big sales but also ridiculed when it was introduced 15 years ago, Reebok Inc.

Reebok #39;s revives Pump shoe, marking industry shift to high-tech


Mozilla gets ready to launch what may become one of the most significant steps in Internet browser innovations since the release of the Internet Explorer 4.0.

Mozilla ignites Firefox 1.0 PR


Vodafone finally took the wraps off its 3G services yesterday, just in time for Christmas. It vowed to attract 10 million customers across 12 European countries and Japan to the new technology with a mixture

Vodafone calling - with fun and games


The place known as much for its  quot;airball quot; chants as the winning basketball that is played there was silent when Shanika Freeman #39;s shot failed to hit the rim Wednesday night.

Duke women take life out of Gamecocks, crowd


IBM plans to announce that it will invest \$US250 million (\$350million) over five years and employ 1000 people in a new business unit to support products and services related to sensor networks and radio identification tags.

IBM puts faith in smart tags


If Congress enacted President Bush #39;s entire health care agenda, campaign aides have asserted, as many as 10 million people who lack health

Bush has grand health plans; some are skeptical


Investors are tuning in to news that the subscription-based programmer has tapped Mel Karmazin, the former Viacom president, to be its new CEO.

Sirius stock soars on Karmazin addition


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes vigilance is the key to knowing whether a player has developed problems outside of his footballing life.

Mourinho Keeps Close Tabs on Players


#147;Music lovers checking into fine hotels may want to ask the front desk about the latest trend in upscale amenities: in-room iPods, #148; writes Alorie Gilbert for CNET News.com.  #147;Dream, a new Manhattan four-star, is one of the latest boutique hotels to offer guests the use of Apple #146;s popular music gadget during their stay. #148; Nov 05

iPod:  #147;High-Tech Mint on the Pillow #148;


consortium led by the Sony Corporation of America reached a tentative agreement today to buy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the Hollywood studio famous for James Bond and the Pink Panther, for

Sony Group Set to Buy MGM; Time Warner Drops Its Bid


Doc Rivers plays the part an unfortunate victim in The Grant Hill Story. But it #39;s still a good story, according to the former Magic coach.

Rivers Has No Regrets In Return to Orlando


Israel has killed six Palestinians in air strikes during a raid on a militant stronghold in southern Gaza. Witnesses said pilotless aircraft fired five missiles at Palestinian targets in the

Six Palestinians killed in Gaza air strikes


Lincoln, NE (Sports Network) - Bobby Purify ran for 130 yards with a touchdown and Joel Klatt threw for 222 yards with a score, as Colorado kept its Big 12 title hopes alive and sent Nebraska to its first losing season in 43 years with a 26-20 victory in

NCAA Game Summary - Colorado at Nebraska


Oracle Corp. #39;s hostile bid to acquire rival enterprise software maker PeopleSoft Inc. for \$7.7 billion is set to continue for a bit longer.

Oracle again extends offer for PeopleSoft


Reuters - U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan\Greenspan said on Friday the United States should cut its\budget gap to foster a more balanced pattern of global trade\and avoid painful economic consequences.

Greenspan: U.S. Needs to Cut Budget Gap (Reuters)


BOSTON -- They proudly call themselves  quot;idiots, quot; and the thing with idiots, you see, is they don #39;t often think rationally.

BERARDINO: Even idiots get some things right


L. Kenneth Johnson, president of US operations at CACI International Inc., has announced his retirement from the company. In a statement, Johnson said he is leaving effective Nov. 1 to spend more time with his family and to pursue other interests.

Johnson retires from CACI


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Lehman Brothers agreed to pay \$222.5 million to settle an Enron securities class action suit, the University of California said Friday.

Lehman agrees to pay \$222.5m to settle Enron suit


Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Quarterback Henry Burris of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was among the CFL players recognized Wednesday for their outstanding performances in the division finals.

Burris highlights CFL Players of the Week


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday successfully test fired a medium range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, capable of hitting targets deep inside India, the military said.

Pakistan test fires Hatf-IV missile


FIRST Arsenals unbeaten record came to an end and now that of the New England Patriots is no more. The Super Bowl champions suffered their first defeat for 399 days on Sunday, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Patriots run brought to an end by Pittsburgh


Before the shopping malls, before Levittown and Jones Beach, before the traffic jams on the Long Island Expressway, there were the ducks.

Long Island ducks beat odds; researchers want to figure out why


The battle for Warner Chilcott moved to the next round today when the drugs group confirmed an approach that could value it at more than 1.

Drugs Group Confirms Higher Approach


AFP - The euro hit a new record high of 1.3074 dollars, even as eurozone officials called for the United States, Europe and Japan to take a common position against the currency's rise.

Euro sets new record high at 1.3074 dollars (AFP)


Plummer to remove sticker: Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer cut a deal with the NFL on Wednesday to remove the sticker memorializing former teammate Pat Tillman from his helmet in exchange for finding other ways to honor him.

Briefs: Plummer to remove sticker


With the over-the-counter movie rental business on the decline, Blockbuster Inc. said Thursday that it wants to buy rival Hollywood Video in a \$1 billion transaction that would include \$700

Blockbuster deal?


MONKEYS use tools to dig up roots, crack seeds and dig insects from holes in trees, scientists have found, contradicting the traditional idea that humans are nature #39;s only tool-makers.

Monkeys stock their tool-kit


In one of the biggest settlements to date in the mutual fund scandal, Invesco Funds and AIM Advisors agreed to \$450 million in fines and fee reductions Tuesday to settle allegations they allowed favored customers to carry out illicit trading strategies in

Invesco, AIM Advisors in \$450 Million Market Timing Settlement


Tony Blair will have a showpiece start to Britain #39;s presidency of the European Union next year, overseeing the beginning of membership talks with Turkey.

Blair to lead talks on Turkey #39;s EU entry


While the victims of the latest phishing technique may not have to click on a link to be victimized by the effort to steal information, the attack is similar to traditional phishing scams because

Phishing Without a Lure


PC World - Alternative power source for notebook PCs won't be available next year.

NEC Delays Fuel Cell Launch (PC World)


Microsoft has cobbled together dozens of third-party software plug-ins and add-ons that enhance IE and provided links to them from its Windows Marketplace site.

Speculation Surrounding IE Updates Continues


Update to SecureCore firewall aims to prevent programs from executing malicious commands.

Software program whacks worms


Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton is questionable for Saturday #39;s game against Iowa with an injured left hip. Orton was injured in last week #39;s 13-10 loss at Northwestern.

Roundup: Purdue dubs Orton doubtful vs. Iowa


Ann Arbor, MI (U-WIRE) -- Entering Saturday #39;s showdown with archrival Ohio State, sophomore linebacker Prescott Burgess has a very simple goal.

Michigan #39;s Burgess ready for home rival


SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. unveiled a preliminary  version of its Web search engine late on Wednesday, in its  first attack on Google Inc. leading position in the market.

Microsoft Launches Its Own Web Search Tool


Canadian Press - ATHENS (CP) - Canada had its biggest one-day medal haul at the Athens Olympics on Saturday, picking up a medal of every colour on the eve of the Games finale.

Medal mania: Canada picks up gold, silver and bronze on the water at the Games (Canadian Press)


KIEV -- Ukraine's prime minister was leading the nation's runoff presidential election, according to partial vote tallies released today, but his Western-leaning challenger held the advantage in an exit poll funded partly by the United States.

Ukraine prime minister takes lead in runoff


Computer Associates International Inc. is expected this week to announce a succession plan for its chief executive post in which a top IBM executive will assume the role now held by Kenneth Cron, sources said.

IBM executive expected to be named CA chief


Malaysia #39;s highest court has turned down former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim #39;s appeal of his corruption conviction.

Malaysian Court Rejects Anwar Appeal of Corruption Conviction


Amazon.co.uk has added a rental service to its DVD tab allowing customers to rent six DVDs a month for 9.99 or four DVDs for 7.99 additionally rental members will save an extra 10 per cent off of Amazons DVD prices.

Amazon adds DVD rental service to UK store


AC Milan, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven advanced Wednesday night to the second round of the European Champions League, but Arsenal had two players ejected and played its fourth straight tie.

Milan, Barcelona, PSV reach last 16 while Gunners have two sent <b>...</b>


An Irish political party leader is to urge British Prime Minister Tony Blair to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from republican areas of Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein seeks faster N Ireland pullout


THE HAGUE, Nov 10 (AFP) - Shots were heard Wednesday near a building in The Hague where suspected terrorists are holed up and which is under siege by Dutch police, witnesses told Dutch television.

Shots heard near Dutch building where terror suspects holed up


Manchester United captain Roy Keane could reinforce Ireland for their World Cup qualifier away to Switzerland in Basel on Wednesday.

Keane set to reinforce Ireland against Swiss


EU LEADERS were poised last night to open accession talks with Turkey, giving a massive boost to Ankaras four decade long bid to join the European Union.

Turkey on brink of joining EU


Anxious civilians trickled back into Tal Afar Tuesday, digging through the rubble of buildings flattened during a nearly two-week siege by US-led forces targeting

US allows Iraqis back to Tal Afar homes


Rusty Pierce symbolized the Revolution's break with the past when he joined the team in 2000. The Revolution had qualified for the MLS playoffs once in their first four seasons, then advanced to the playoffs in three of the next four.

Revolution need final kick for playoff push


AP - Retailers expected Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod music player to be a hot item this holiday season but are still struggling to keep up with demand.

Apple's IPod in Short Supply at Holidays (AP)


I had to bust this Wednesday Mail Bag out. We #39;ve got great matchups coming our way this weekend with Trinidad-Mayorga and Phillips-Ouma but the Monday Mail Bag was understandably dominated by Roy Jones emails.

Doug Fischer


In yet another devastating body blow to the company, Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) announced it would be canceling its 4-GHz Pentium chip. The semiconductor bellwether said it was switching

Intel on the Outs?


Reuters - Dozens of people threw stones at a mosque in Kathmandu and tried to set it on fire on Wednesday to protest against the killing of 12 Nepalis in Iraq.

Protesters stone Nepal mosque after Iraq killings (Reuters)


Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points to surpass 2,000 for his career, and the Nuggets controlled Shaquille O #39;Neal with double-teams to defeat the Miami Heat, 104-95, last night in Denver.

Nuggets team up on Heat


Late goals from Brazilian Kaka and midfielder Andrea Pirlo gave AC Milan a 2-1 win at lowly Parma in Serie A on Saturday. Brazilian Adriano hit a devastating first half

UPDATE 2-Adriano crushes Messina, Milan in Parma comeback


Given the nostalgia surrounding yesterday #39;s game at the Valley, it would have been cruel to deny Charlton at least a point, so a draw in the rain of south-east London was a fair result.

Lisbie saves Charlton #39;s centenary celebrations


TOKYO (Reuters) - Typhoon Megi killed one person as it  slammed ashore in northern Japan on Friday, bringing the death  toll to at least 13 and cutting power to thousands of homes  before heading out into the Pacific.

Typhoon Megi Slams North Japan, Death Toll Hits 13


Reuters - Red Hat Inc. , a Linux\software distributor that in July said it would restate three\years' of financial results, on Thursday named Charles Peters\as chief financial officer.

Red Hat Names CFO After Restatements (Reuters)


LONDON, Oct. 17. - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson today reopened his war of words with Arsenals Mr Arsene Wenger, a week before the two clubs Premier League confrontation at Old Trafford.

Ferguson begins war of words


Sep 28, 2004 (CIDRAP News) - Thailand #39;s avian influenza outbreak is drawing widespread international attention with the confirmation of two more human cases, one of which opens the possibility of human-to-human transmission.

New avian flu cases confirmed in Thailand, human transmission <b>...</b>


ISP rejects Microsoft antispam plan after open-source community speaks out.

AOL Signs Off From Sender ID


The nation #39;s banks are heavy users of the complex financial contracts at the heart of Fannie Mae #39;s accounting woes, but bank regulators and financial experts said banks likely will avoid Fannie #39;s troubles.

Banks Scrutinize Their Accounting


Honda still appear to be smarting from Williams #39; attempt to sign Jenson Button and in an apparent case of tit-for-tat they #39;re reportedly trying to stop Anthony Davidson #39;s Williams test.

#39;Honda out to stop Ant #39;s Williams test #39;


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumers have grown more  cheerful so far this month as the hotly contested presidential  election drew to a close and job prospects seemed to improve,  according to a survey released on Friday.

Consumers More Upbeat in Early November


Top ranked Roger Federer shrugged off a strong challenge by local hero Paradorn Srichaphan to take a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win Saturday and set up a Thailand Open final showdown with Andy Roddick.

Federer moves to Thailand Open final


This week #39;s schedule may not be loaded with marquee matchups, but there are plenty of games Saturday with huge BCS implications.

Dawgs match up well with Auburn


Delta Air Lines Inc. has obtained up to \$600 million in new financing and has agreed to conditions that require it to get court approval to repay the money even if it files for bankruptcy.

Delta gets up to \$600 million in new financing


Iraq #39;s deputy prime minister yesterday expressed his growing impatience with neighbouring countries for not doing enough to keep foreign fighters from joining the insurgency here, and warned that his government would take a  quot;decisive

Top official angry over foreign insurgents in Iraq


Revenge feels sweet, and Swiss researchers said on Thursday they have the brain scans to prove it. In a study investigators said might

Revenge Really Is Sweet, Study Shows


Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert McTeer was named on Wednesday as the sole candidate to become Chancellor of the Texas A amp;M University System and his office said he would release a statement later.

Fed #39;s McTeer sole candidate to head Texas A amp;M


AP - When Romanians pick a president Sunday, their main choice is between the forces of the past  #151; flawed but comfortingly familiar  #151; and an inexperienced challenger promising a dynamic, Western-leaning future.

Romanians Have Stark Choice in Election (AP)


AP - Prosecutors dropped a marijuana possession charge against Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony on Wednesday, saying it would be tough to get a conviction after a friend claimed the drug was his and not Anthony's.

Marijuana Charge Dropped Against Anthony (AP)


MALELANE - The story of yesterday #39;s second round at the Dunhill golf Championship was more about the losers than the winners. After shooting a five- under-par 67 on Thursday to lie one shot off leader Bruce

Poor round leaves Els up the creek


GRAEME SOUNESS had to be separated from Craig Bellamy in a training ground bust-up yesterday after he blasted his swearing striker.

SOUEY AND BELLAMY AT IT AGAIN


FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Many Arkansans and Oklahomans could have money coming and not know it, federal officials said Tuesday. The Internal Revenue Service announced that more than 1,500 residents in both states have unclaimed tax refunds.

IRS Announces Thousands In Unclaimed Refunds


GENEVA (Reuters) - The European Union and its allies got  the go-ahead on Tuesday to slap potentially heavy sanctions on  U.S. goods in a row that could stir trade tensions ahead of the  U.S. elections.

WTO OKs Sanctions Vs. U.S. in Trade Row


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb exploded outside an air base used by U.S. forces near Dijiel, about 25 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S...

Car Bomb Explodes Near U.S. Base in Iraq


The California Public Employees' Retirement System, a state agency that used its power to influence corporations

CalPERS: Corporate Reformer Under Fire


CASINO operator Burswood has posted a better than expected net profit of \$44.9 million for its final year before it is swallowed by Kerry Packer #39;s media and gaming giant Publishing  amp; Broadcasting Ltd.

Burswood packs \$44.9m punch


TBILISI (Reuters) - Overnight clashes killed six Georgian servicemen in the rebel South Ossetia region, which Tbilisi is trying to bring back under government control, Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava said on Thursday.

Georgia Says Six Soldiers Killed in Rebel Region


BEIJING (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova set  up an intriguing semi-final showdown with fellow Russian  Svetlana Kuznetsova at the China Open after her opponent Jelena  Jankovic retired hurt Friday with an ankle injury.

Sharapova Sets Up Semi-Final with Kuznetsova


The government is likely to tighten supervision of domestic companies #39; trading futures on overseas markets after the China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp lost US\$550 million from

Authorities to harden tactics on speculation


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures surged Friday  morning on the back of Intel Corp.'s <A HREF=

Stocks Seen Higher Before Jobs Data


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Thursday as  Hurricane Ivan reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, shutting more than  1 million barrels daily of output in the Gulf of Mexico and 13  percent of U.S. refining capacity.

Oil Higher as Ivan Hits U.S. Shores


Mud continues to be one of the biggest obstacles to relief efforts in Sudan #39;s Darfur region. Heavy rains have washed out roads and airstrips and the rainy season is expected to last another month or two.

WFP Relying On Airdrops To Bring Food In West Darfur


Residents of northeastern India were bracing for more violence Friday, a day after bombs ripped through two buses and a grenade was hurled into a crowded market in attacks that killed four people and wounded 54.

4 killed, 54 wounded in three separate attacks in India #39;s restive <b>...</b>


I want to understand what it #39;s like to play for Tom Coughlin. So I file this column at 5:30 pm Friday -- 28 hours before deadline -- and the Times Union fines me 63 cents for writing in my home office in boxer

Tick, tock: Clock #39;s running on Coughlin #39;s methods


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures pointed to a  slightly lower market open on Tuesday, as Wall Street awaits  inflation data, while shares of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Seen Lower; Inflation Data on Tap


BOSTON (Sports Network) - Larry Walker had hits in each of  his first four at-bats, including a homer, helping the St.  Louis Cardinals rally from a five- run deficit to tie the Red  Sox at 7-7 after six innings.

Cards Rally from 5-Run Deficit to Tie Game One


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Clemens pitched seven innings  and Carlos Beltran homered, had three hits and scored three  runs to help the Houston Astros rout the Atlanta Braves 9-3 in  the opening game of their National League Divisional Series  Wednesday.

Clemens Helps Astros Take 1-0 Series Lead Over Braves


Sun Microsystems has entered into a formal agreement with the Eastman Kodak Company to settle all claims in pending litigation regarding a software architecture based on the Java computer language.

Sun and Kodak settle Java case


Hong Kong #39;s leading stocks reversed course and were down 0.20 percent by midday as investors took profits ahead of a US interest rate announcement later in the week, when a rate rise is widely anticipated, analysts said.

HK stocks dip on caution before US rate decision


AP - Wadia Bajoka, a 71-year-old Iraqi immigrant, enjoys knitting, gardening, and baking pungent meat pies that she presents to guests in an old-fashioned display of hospitality.

Education Helping Seniors Get Online (AP)


In the debate, John Kerry was on the offensive on topics like tax cuts in wartime, prescription drug imports and the deficit.

Best Defense: More Offense


One of the biggest talked about items around the consumer electronics world was an announcement earlier this year that computer giant Hewlett Packard would be partnering with Apple to put out an HP-branded iPod.

Hewlett Packard gets new mp3 players...iPod style


Sure, California quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back JJ Arrington get the lion share of the publicity for the Golden Bears.

California Blackout


LOS ANGELES - Jason Kidd and Alonzo Mourning are disgusted and desperately want out of New Jersey, but nobody is hurt more by the Nets #39; sorry situation than Kerry Kittles.

Kittles Joins Kidd, Mourning in Feeling High And Dry


SPACE.com - Earth's spin warps space around the planet, according to a new study that confirms \  a key prediction of Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Einstein's Warped View of Space Confirmed (SPACE.com)


SBC and Microsoft strike a \$400 million deal to provide internet TV.   Also: Gates agrees to computer charity work in developing countries   hellip;.  Japan gives us surround-sound cell phones   hellip;. and more.

Computer, TV Merger Begins


European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet warned on Thursday that persistent high oil prices could stoke inflation and undermine an already slow economic recovery in the eurozone.

ECB chief warns on oil prices


American marines found the mutilated body of a Western woman as they searched for militants still holding out in Fallujah, the former Sunni insurgent stronghold.

Mutilated Western Woman #39;s Body Found in Fallujah


England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering using a three-man attack in Saturday #39;s World Cup qualifier against Wales. With Eriksson having confirmed at the start of the week that a fit-again Wayne Rooney

SVEN CONSIDERING NEW-LOOK ATTACK


The GAO and the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general have issued critical reports about IT at the DHS -- a development that calls into question whether a proposed consolidation of U.S. intelligence agencies would lead to the same kinds of problems.

Reports criticize DHS for lack of progress on IT


A barometer of future US economic activity fell for a fifth month in October, the longest decline since 1995, signaling that the world #39;s largest economy may slow in coming months.

US Economy: Leading Indicators Fall for 5th Straight Month


Microsoft and Sun Microsystems on December 1 will deliver a joint update on their collaborations pursuant to an April 2004 technology-sharing agreement to boost interoperability between the two vendors products, according to a Microsoft representative on Wednesday.

Microsoft, Sun to talk about cooperation


Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday said customers of its iTunes online music store can now use eBay Inc.

Apple Says ITunes Music Store Now Accepts PayPal


Novell's SuSE software is set to join Red Hat as a server option. Also: Is AMD in Dell's future?

Dell tightens Linux ties


Military-ruled Burma says it will stick with its road map to democracy despite the juntas recent purge of the prime minister who proposed it, but is ducking questions on when pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will go free.

Burma Pledges to Stick with Democracy  #39;Road Map #39;


SAN FRANCISCO/TAIPEI (Reuters) - From Taiwan to Texas, the  specter of record-high oil prices has dampened expectations for  corporate technology spending, though some well-placed  companies such as low-cost computer maker Dell Inc. could be  spared, analysts said on Thursday.

Oil Prices Hit Tech Budgets, But Some Suffer Less


Rubens Barrichello set the pace Friday in his native city, just ahead of Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher, as the two took the top times in practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Ferrari on top in practice for Brazilian GP


Researcher says U.S. shoppers will fork out \$13.2 billion online this season, but year-over-year increases are slipping.

Study: Online holiday sales merry, but not very


European papers on Wednesday have their eyes firmly focused eastwards, ahead of a key judgment by the European Commission on whether Turkey has met European Union criteria for accession talks.

European press review


Millions of origami paper cranes yesterday rained down upon Thailand #39;s three violence-torn southern provinces in an extravagant government-sponsored gesture aimed at bringing peace to the predominantly Muslim region.

Cranes rain down as peace gesture


European Union officials Monday rejected a French proposal to cut funding to poor nations in Eastern Europe with low tax rates that tempt investment away from their richer western neighbors.

France Faces EU Fight Over Tax Rates


Federal prosecutors in Washington, DC, have opened an investigation into possible wrongdoing at mortgage giant Fannie Mae, just days after regulators accused the company

Fannie Mae Target of Criminal Probe


MIAMI - Although Chris Rix's fumble overshadowed Xavier Beitia's blocked field goal, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden will remember them both. The mistakes cost his team dearly against Miami on Friday night, with the fifth-ranked Hurricanes rallying to beat the No...

Miami Rallies to Beat Florida St. in OT


US Airways reached a tentative agreement with the leaders of its pilots union on \$300 million in annual concessions yesterday, a deal that would result in the pilots permanently losing 17.5 percent of their salaries in exchange for a chance to save the airline and their jobs.

US Airways, pilots reach pact on cuts


Former Chievo Verona coach Luigi Del Neri Wednesday took over to coach troubled Serie A club AS Roma, local media reported Wednesday.

Del Neri takes over at AS Roma


Microsoft Corp. #39;s retreat from its Longhorn ambitions and its decision to add several Longhorn technologies to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 may rob the next Windows release

Longhorn #39;s loss may be some users #39; gain


Hideki Matsui hit a sacrifice fly to score Derek Jeter in the bottom of the 12th inning, giving the New York Yankees a dramatic 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the American League Divisional Series Wednesday.

Yankees Take Dramatic 12-Inning Victory Over Twins


China shut 1,600 Internet cafes between February and August and imposed 100 million yuan (\$12.1 million) worth of fines for allowing children to play violent or adult-only games and other violations, state media has said.

China purge closes 1,600 net cafes


SPORTS NETWORK - New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington suffered a rotator cuff injury during Sunday #39;s game against the Buffalo Bills and is expected to miss the next two to four weeks.

Jets #39; Pennington out 2-4 weeks with shoulder strain


In the name of homeland security, America's spy imagery agency is keeping a close eye, close to home. It's watching America. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, about 100 employees of a little-known branch of the Defense Department called the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency have focused on observing what's going on in the United States.

Spy Imagery Agency Watching Americans


AP - Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned with TCDD, the most harmful known dioxin and one contained in Agent Orange, a scientist who analyzed his blood said Friday.

Yushchenko Poisoned With Pure TCDD (AP)


Package deal: IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ) added its 14th board member, Michael L. Eskew, chairman and chief executive of United Parcel Service (nyse: UPS - news - people ), on Tuesday.

Eskew: UPS CEO Joins IBM #39;s Board


JAKARTA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he has no idea if the detention of Myanmar Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt will affect the democratic process in the country.

PM: Were monitoring Myanmar situation


While taking a back seat to software and security efforts, hardware is still a big time concern according to our survey. Organizations are taking the opportunity to consolidate their environments as they replace

Dell cuts prices on many corporate products


Scott Kazmir #39;s big league debut was everything Mets fans had dreamed about since the day he was drafted in the first round two years ago.

Kazmir dazzles in D-Rays debut


Unmanned aerial vehicles and other remote-controlled weapons are part of a high-tech arsenal the U.S. military is developing to help minimize casualties in battles with insurgents.

Save Soldiers by Remote Control


US new home sales unexpectedly rose 0.2 percent in October to 1.226 million at an annual rate, the third highest ever, as hiring improved and borrowing costs fell.

US October New Home Sales Rise 0.2 to 1.226 Million Rate


The total number of virus attacks are down, but malicious codemeisters are getting faster, more sophisticated, and they #39;re beginning to target e-commerce concerns and small businesses.

More attackers targeting e-commerce and Web apps, says Symantec


IDF Fall '04 As Intel prepares to detail its own multi-core chips

AMD heralds OS support for dual-core CPUs


UK to gain two more Apple retail stores in early 2005, company officials confirmed on Thursday afternoon. Two days before officially opening the doors to its new retail store on Regent Street in London, Apple

Apple confirms two additional UK stores at preview event


: UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said yesterday he was disappointed his son did not tell him the full story of his ties to a firm involved in the UN oil-for-food programme, now under investigation.

Annan hurt by son


Health Savings Accounts, the latest untested flavor on the health insurance shelf, are giving consumers a stake in cost-cutting, but some advocacy groups say they increase exposure to risk.

Selection Time


Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich, who once played a college game in such pain from a leg injury that his teammates had to carry him to the line of scrimmage after a play, may not have

Jaguars #39; Leftwich Has a Left Knee Injury


The AMR Corporation, the parent of American Airlines, said late Wednesday that it would probably not meet its revenue forecasts for the busy August travel season because

American Airlines to Miss Revenue Goal


WASHINGTON : US Federal Reserve policymakers opened a meeting, nearly certain to raise key interest rates amid signs of a resurgent American jobs market.

Fed opens meeting, poised to raise interest rates


GAZA (Reuters) - Armed Palestinians kidnapped an Israeli  Arab producer for the CNN television network from a car in Gaza  City on Monday after asking for him by name.

CNN Producer Seized by Armed Men in Gaza


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Amid a lull in the IC market, North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted a book-to-bill ratio of 1.00 in August, down from 1.04 in July, according to new figures

SEMIs book-to-bill falls amid lull for equipment


AP - A car bomb exploded Monday in western Mosul as an American military convoy was passing by, witnesses said. First reports indicated it may have been a suicide attack.

Bobby-Trapped Car Explodes in Mosul (AP)


The Constitutional Court of South Korea delivered a major blow to President Roh Moo-hyun today by virtually scuttling his high-profile plan to relocate the national capital away from Seoul.

South Korean Court Rules Against Capital Relocation


GONAIVES, Haiti, Sept. 25 -- The death toll from Tropical Storm Jeanne reached 1,500 Saturday, with 900 people still missing, Haitian officials said, as a thunderstorm drenched  survivors living on rooftops and sidewalks.

Storm's Toll Rises To 1,500 in Haiti


Raytheon Co. reported yesterday it swung to a profit in the third quarter and that revenue surged 13 percent, benefiting from rising military spending and more orders for its business jets.

Raytheon sees quarterly profit


BASEBALL Boston (AL): Claimed P Tim Bausher on waivers from Colorado (NL); named Fernando Arroyo pitching coach at Portland (EL). Colorado (NL): Terminated P Denny Neagle's contract; assigned P Justin Hampson to Colorado Springs (PCL). Los Angeles (NL): Signed OF Ricky Ledee. Milwaukee (NL): Signed INF Trent Durrington to minor league contract; assigned OF Chris Magruder to Nashville (PCL). Philadelphia ...

Transactions


Volkswagen (VW) and its workers headed into crucial wage negotiations yesterday that will sorely test the tradition of labour-management co-operation at the car maker as it struggles

VW and union square up over wage offers


An otherwise wonderful advert for English football was blemished by racism yesterday. As Dwight Yorke, a second-half substitute for Birmingham, warmed up on the touchline of his former club two or, possibly

Yorke accuses Blackburn fans of racist abuse


Two-time champion Uruguay continued to struggle in its quest to qualify for the 2006 World Cup on Tuesday, while Saudi Arabia maintained its unbeaten record in Asia.

Uruguay #39;s struggles continue, Saudi Arabia wins again in World Cup <b>...</b>


The International Olympic Committee has notified the governing bodies of golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports that they will be  quot;studied further quot; as part of a review of the games #39; competition schedule.

IOC Considering Possible Addition of Five Sports to 2012 Olympics


Reuters - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on\Tuesday released wide receiver Bill Schroeder and kicker Martin\Gramatica, and activated offensive guard Matt O'Dwyer from the\physically unable to perform list.

Bucs Release Schroeder and Gramatica (Reuters)


Investors sent stocks modestly higher Friday, embracing a sluggish gross domestic product reading that was nonetheless better than expected, hoping that falling oil prices would help spur the economy.

Dow Up 22, Nasdaq Gains 9 on GDP Reading


AP - Miami quarterback Brock Berlin tied a school record with five touchdown passes and Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for another score, helping the No. 4 Hurricanes hold off the Wolfpack 45-31 Saturday night.

Berlin's Five TD Passes Lift No. 4 Miami (AP)


The Mac maker confirmed to CNET News.com on Friday that it plans to open a store in Toronto in mid-2005. Apple started notifying Canadian retailers of its plans earlier Friday, according to Mac enthusiast site Macosxrumors.

Apple plans Toronto retail store


AP - With the women's 1,600-meter relay team winning gold Saturday night, the United States picked up its 98th medal, topping the total won four years ago in Sydney. Next up: the goal of 100 set by the U.S. Olympic Committee. There was a chance of hitting it late Saturday through one more relay, the men's javelin and men's basketball. If not, it could be tight on Sunday.

With 98 Medals, U.S. Tops Sydney Total (AP)


The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 4.5 and occurred at 3:38 pm, about 70 kilometres northeast of Athens on the island of Evia.

Small earthquake tremor felt in Greek capital


WASHINGTON - MCI Inc. on Thursday reported a \$3.4 billion third-quarter loss as it wrote down the value of its assets due to a withering price war for long-distance telephone service.

MCI reports \$3.4 billion loss


The World Series has been over less than 48 hours and already I can #39;t wait for the free-agent signing period to commence, for the Winter Meetings to unfold, for tensions between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees to escalate to unprecedented levels.

Topsy-TURVY Baseball World Entices Fans


InfoWorld - Dell president and CEO Kevin Rollins indicated that the company is actively considering including AMD processors in its server roster in the foreseeable future.

Dell close to adopting AMD chips (InfoWorld)


ATHENS -- The Ano Liossia Wrestling Hall looked more like Madison Square Garden yesterday when Olympic freestyle wrestling took on more of a WWE flavour.

Grappling grabs WWE flare Wrestling


CRUDE oil prices pushed past the psychologically important \$US50-per-barrel mark today and hit an all-time high as the market reacted to the slow recovery of US production in the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Ivan as well as unrest in key oil

Oil breaks \$US50 barrier


Amani Toomer sat on the sidelines a second straight day with a strained hamstring, in jeopardy of missing a game for the first time since his rookie season of 1996.

TENTATIVE TOOMER


WHEN someone as colourful as the Chairman of the Virgin group, Sir Richard Branson, comes visiting there is bound to be some fun and games.

Virgin keen to invest in airlines, telecom


Mike Imoh ran for 236 yards and two touchdowns Saturday as No. 18 Virginia Tech edged North Carolina, which missed a 54-yard field goal with about a minute left.

Hokies Squeak Past Tar Heels


AP - The U.N. atomic watchdog agency began a key meeting Monday that will consider a European draft resolution on Iran's nuclear program, with the United States lobbying its allies to have Tehran hauled before the Security Council.

U.N. Nuclear Agency Meets to Discuss Iran (AP)


Fans who can #39;t get enough of NBC #39;s  quot;The Apprentice quot; can visit a new companion Web site produced by Yahoo and watch an extra 40 minutes of video each week that will not be shown on Thursday #39;s reality TV show.

Yahoo Makes A Deal With The Donald


The legacy from environmental irresponsibility still hangs heavily over the city of Bhopal in India. Two decades after the world #39;s worst industrial disaster, the site still needs to be cleaned up.

Site still a disaster


A major component of Microsoft Corp. #39;s Application Lifecycle Management platform, Visual Studio 2005 Team System is today expected to reach beta.

Debut for Microsoft ALM platform code


The NCAA yesterday denied the University of Southern California #39;s request to restore the college football eligibility of all-American wide receiver Mike Williams.

NCAA Denies Reinstatement of USC Star


AP - Wali Lundy ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns, and Alvin Pearman returned a punt 70 yards for a score to lead No. 16 Virginia to a 44-14 win over Temple on Saturday.

No. 16 Virginia Blows Out Temple 44-14 (AP)


Top seed Serena Williams of the United States has powered her way into the finals of the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing with a straight sets (6-2, 6-3) victory over fourth-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia.

Tennis: Serena Williams Reaches Finals of China Open


The anti-spam action pioneered by Lycos and its  #39;make love not spam #39; campaign has been all-too successful and could make the company vulnerable to legal attack.

Lycos anti-spam screensaver proves too effective for target <b>...</b>


The US military was investigating Thursday a National Guard F-16 fighter jet that fired 25 rounds through a New Jersey school. The rounds were fired on a nighttime training

Jet fires rounds through school


AP - The low number of minorities coaching college football teams reflects a lack of diversity among college and conference leaders, according to a University of Central Florida study released Wednesday.

Study Looks at Minority Coaching Hires (AP)


AFP - Russia said it would welcome Indian and other companies bidding for the assets of Russian oil giant Yukos, the country's biggest oil exporter, due to be sold off later this month.

Russia welcomes foreign bids for assets of embattled Yukos oil giant (AFP)


It doesn #39;t plan an entry until next year #39;s Australian Grand Prix, but the Canadian-based Midland Group chaired by expatriate Russian (and Canadian citizen) Alexander Shnaider has announced the formation of a new GP team to be called Midland F1.

Russians Coming In Formula 1


London: Holders Porto produced a thrilling fightback to beat Chelsea 2-1 and grab a Champions League lifeline as Arsenal and Werder Bremen booked their places in the next round on Tuesday.

Arsenal, Bremen make last 16


Charles Schwab Corp. (SCH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the discount brokerage giant, said on Thursday it will merge 19 branches into existing offices and open 54 satellite offices

UPDATE 1-Schwab adjusts branch network to save costs


BERLIN : German flag carrier Lufthansa plans to boost by 50 percent its flights to China by 2007, company chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber said.

Germany #39;s Lufthansa to boost flights to Asia


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

Amgen Net Down, Adjusted Earnings Rise


AP - The top diplomats for Russia and Cuba condemned all forms of terrorism Tuesday and renewed Russia's call last week to expand the war against the global scourge.

Cuba, Russia Agree to Condemn Terrorism (AP)


Futures market lets investors buy and sell right to see teams if they make it to the big game. By Chris Isidore, CNN/Money senior writer.

Investors see Eagles, Pats in Super Bowl


Alexander Linden, a prominent Gartner Research analyst will be talking about the future later this week in Cannes, France. Smart Web was held ahead of this week #39;s ITXpo symposium, an annual event held to identify the future of technology.

Smart Web - Looking Into the Future


BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - A Russian-US crew lifted off on a two-day journey to the international space station, where their first priority will be to fix a broken generator.

New crew blasts off for space station


DALLAS Electronic Data Systems, the beleaguered technology company, may cut as many as 20,000 jobs in coming years, its chief executive, Michael Jordan, has told investors.

EDS chief sees possibility of 15,000-20,000 job cuts


New York (dpa) - Delphi Corp., the world #39;s largest auto-parts maker, said Friday that it will cut 8,500 jobs, or nearly 5 per cent of its workforce, next year while it also announced that it would post losses for the fourth quarter and for 2005.

Delphi to cut 8,500 jobs, post 350-million-dollar loss in 2005


The observations by NASA #39;s Spitzer Space Telescope, linking with previous data from European satellites, demonstrated that the dust clouds in these proto-planetary disks did not steadily fade away over a few million years.

FORMATION OF NEW AND OLD PLANETS  FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE <b>...</b>


AMHERST -- They're talented but inexperienced, so flawless play is a bit much to expect of the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at this stage of the season.

UMass hasn't cleaned up act


Ichiro Suzuki went home without the major league hits record, thanks to Oakland's determined pitching staff -- and a much bigger hit by Bobby Crosby.

Athletics Hold Ichiro in Check, Move Back Into First


MOSCOW - Responding to a spate of deadly terror attacks, President Vladimir Putin announced a series of anti-terror initiatives Monday that would strengthen the Kremlin's grip on every layer of Russian political life.    Putin told Cabinet members and security officials convened in special session that the future of Russia was at stake, and called for creation of a powerful anti-terror agency...

Putin Moves to Strengthen Kremlin's Power


People walking by mock coffins in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a tribute to the more than 1,100 US service personnel killed so far in the Iraq war.

Iraq: A limitless insurgency


PERTH (Dow Jones)--WMC Resources Ltd. (WMR.AU) said Monday that expansion of its nickel production will cost up to A\$650 million, with an investment decision in the first half of 2006.

WMC Resources Plans 25 Nickel Expansion In Four Years


Demand for larger properties pushed house prices up by 2.1 in July, official government figures show.

House prices show sharp July rise


The MIAA raised the price of an adult playoff ticket to \$10 this season. Last night, after six lead changes, including a touchdown by each team in the last two minutes, no one leaving East Boston Stadium after North Shore's 26-20 victory over St. Mary's in the Division 3A playoffs can say they didn't get their money's worth.

North Shore gets best of St. Mary's


ATLANTALong the most common way to store letters, homework and other computer files, the floppy disk is going the way of the horse upon the arrival of the car: it #39;ll hang around, but never hold the same relevance in everyday life.

Floppy disk spins its way toward graveyard


Mike McGuire, an analyst with Gartner G2, said HP #39;s moves are born both out of innovation and market necessity, and that the company still faces stiff competition from the likes of consumer electronics giant Sony.

New Printers, TVs, iPod at Core of HP Digital Push


Not too many companies that were around during the dawn of the personal computer revolution are still in business. Intel, Apple Computer, Microsoft, IBM - after them, names come to mind a little more slowly.

Restoring file-sharing #39;s good name


Patagonia, a seller of outdoor equipment, says it wouldn't have a business if the wilderness were paved over. So the company launches a voter-education initiative on its website to support environment-friendly candidates. By Louise Witt.

Retailer Gets Out the Green Votes


OAKLAND, California (Reuters) - Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki  could only manage a lone hit in five at-bats to draw within one  of the single season record of 257 as the Oakland A's picked up  a vital 3-2 win over the Mariners Thursday.

Ichiro Moves Within One Hit of Record as A's Win


AP - A fire at a complex of iron mines in northern China killed at least 33 miners and trapped another 28, state media reported Monday.

Thirty-Three Chinese Miners Dead in Blaze (AP)


OPEC president Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Wednesday he had urged the United States to use its strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) to bring down oil prices.

Oil prices: OPEC urges US to act


It may not look monumental. But the fact that it's happening is significant.

Amid suburban glut, project rises


NEW YORK, (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees and New  York Mets swapped lefthanded relievers on Friday, with the  Yankees shipping Felix Heredia across the East River in  exchange for Mike Stanton and cash considerations.

Yankees and Mets Swap Relievers


Faced with pressures to deal with a spate of unanticipated natural disasters as well as with the election-year needs of dozens of key constituencies, Congress moved this week

Bills for Domestic Programs, Disaster Relief Get Support


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Sports Network) - Mike Fratello returned to  the NBA coaching ranks Thursday when the Memphis Grizzlies  selected the former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coach  as their new head coach.

Grizzlies Name Fratello Head Coach


TODAY AUTO RACING 3 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Sylvania 300 qualifying at N.H. International Speedway, Loudon, N.H., TNT PRO BASEBALL 7 p.m. -- Red Sox at New York Yankees, Ch. 38, WEEI (850) (on cable systems where Ch. 38 is not available, the game will air on NESN); Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, ESPN 6 p.m. -- Eastern League finals: ...

This weekend on TV, radio


BUENOS AIRES, December 16 (RIA Novosti #39;s Yuri Nikolayev) - The mechanisms for compliance with the Kyoto Protocol are not focused on cutting greenhouse gas emissions yet, Alexander Bedritsky, head of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and

RUSSIA * ROSGIDROMET * KYOTO * OPINION


Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri is to face terrorism charges in the UK , which will take precedence over US extradition requests.

Hamza to face UK terror charges


AP - Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants can reach the playoffs two ways. They certainly boosted both chances Tuesday night. Brett Tomko won his sixth consecutive decision and San Francisco beat the visiting Houston Astros 9-2 to maintain their wild-card lead and move within 1 1/2 games of first-place Los Angeles in the NL West.

Giants Beat Astros, Boost Playoff Hopes (AP)


WR Grace  amp; Co. and several of its senior-level employees are the targets of a federal grand jury investigation relating to possible violations of environmental laws in Montana, the company announced Friday.

Grace acknowledges workers at center of federal probe


An autopsy was performed on Ken Caminiti on Monday, though the cause of the 1996 National League M.V.P.'s death may not be known for 10 days.

Autopsy Performed on Ken Caminiti


jm writes  quot;The Classic Gaming Expo 2004 kicks off this weekend, with over 60 industry guests. This year the CGE is being held at San Jose #39;s McEnery Convention Center, August 21st  amp; 22nd.

Game On For Classic Gaming Expo 2004


ANAHEIM, Calif., (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Devil  Rays acquired catcher Kevin Cash from the Toronto Blue Jays on  Sunday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin.

Devil Rays Acquire Catcher Cash from Blue Jays


WASHINGTON When Joe Gibbs announced his return to the Washington Redskins, Bill Parcells sent a congratulatory fax. Gibbs says it said something like  quot;Does this mean we can #39;t talk for the next five years?

Gibbs, Parcells renew  #39;80s rivalry


Jerusalem - Israel could begin withdrawing from occupied Gaza early next year under an accelerated timetable that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to present to lawmakers of his Likud party on Tuesday, political sources said.

Sharon wants to speed up Gaza plan - sources


Looks like the Greatest Show on Turf is in high gear -- on offense and defense. Torry Holt caught two long touchdown passes and Adam Archuletta returned a fumble 93 yards Monday night, keying the Rams #39; 28-21 victory over Tampa Bay.

Rams 28, Buccaneers 21


An American asked Tim Henman if he would like to comment on the fact that only two US men, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, survived into the last 32 of this year #39;s US Open.

Fatigue is main fear for Henman


TIM HENMAN confirmed his well-being despite recently being diagnosed as suffering from magnesium deficiency with a straight-sets win over Antony Dupuis in the first round of the Davidoff Swiss Masters.

Henman proves he #39;s far from deficient in Basel


New Windows-based computer doubles as a TV and a digital video recorder.

Sharp Puts Its PC in the Living Room


After further review, the ABC promotion for last week's Eagles-Cowboys  quot;Monday Night Football quot; was over the top.

From the frying pan to the kitchen


As expected, Lebanon #39;s Parliament on Friday rubber-stamped Syria #39;s order to keep its handpicked president in office, voting in an extraordinary session to amend the Constitution to give him three more years.

Lebanon Agrees to Extend Term of Leader Imposed by Syria


Shares of radio station operators sank in Friday trading, saddled by a report raising concerns that future growth could be limited as advertising demand wanes amid fierce competition from personal media players and satellite radio.

Radio Stocks Fizzle on Analyst Downgrade


AP - Auburn's defense, at least, made a decent case for No. 1.

Auburn's Defense Might Be Tops, at Least (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Wednesday after oil  prices jumped more than a dollar to over \$48 a barrel and a  U.S. government review questioned home finance company Fannie  Mae's <A HREF=

Stocks Fall on Oil, Fannie Mae Probe


AP - Following a mass exodus of offensive stars and starting quarterbacks, defense could dominate the Big Ten this season.

Defense Could Dominate in the Big Ten (AP)


IBM has released the latest version of the core middleware product of WebSphere, its application server platform, promising new autonomic, or self-healing, features.

IBM adds self-healing to WebSphere


AP - Retired Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was sworn in as Indonesia's sixth president on Wednesday after winning the country's first-ever direct elections for head of state last month.

Yudhoyono Sworn in As Indonesia President (AP)


A controversial new British-made computer docu-game recreating John F Kennedys assassination has been branded despicable by aides to the late presidents brother.

Kennedys Condemn  #39;Despicable #39; JFK Assassination Game


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. warplanes hammered suspected militant strongholds in Fallujah on Wednesday after a suicide bombing there and a series of attacks in Baghdad pushed the number of U.S...

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq Pass 1,000


Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Mahmoud Abbas says officials will take steps to end lawlessness and violence in the Palestinian territories ahead of scheduled January 9 elections for president.

PLO chief vows crackdown on violence


Seismologists have detected deep, non-volcanic tremors lasting up to 20 minutes along the San Andreas Fault in central California. The discovery suggests earthquakes may have deeper origins than previously thought.

Deep Tremors Detected Along San Andreas Fault


Japanese-Swedish mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson reports a tripling of its third-quarter profit, driven by sales of new camera phones.

Sony Ericsson sees profits triple


The US Supreme Court said on Friday it would decide what regulations should apply to high-speed broadband Internet service offered by cable television companies like Time Warner Inc.

Supreme Court to Decide Cable Internet Case


Turkey has been knocking on the EUs door for more than 40 years, watching in frustration as other countries leapfrogged Ankara in the queue to join the Union.

Turkey #39;s Long Wait for EU Entry


A compromise deal to save the next European Commission was today rejected by European parliament leaders who want an anti-gay member of the new team axed.

Compromise Deal Rejected - New EC Faces Veto


Although fewer Utahns are falling behind on their house payments, the rate at which families in the state are losing their homes to foreclosure was the 10th-highest in the nation in the

Foreclosure rate still high


The US is responsible for most of the spam e-mails that fill up computer inboxes, says a report.

US tops league of spammers


So long, Eryca. Here comes Darby. New Englanders who call Verizon Communications Inc.'s 411 directory assistance will start to hear a different voice over the next week, as the phone giant upgrades to a system that will handle more calls with automatic speech-recognition software instead using a human operator.

OK, here's the 411


NAIROBI (Reuters) - A presidential election aimed at  restoring national government to lawless Somalia for the first  time in 13 years went into a third round on Sunday after no  outright winner emerged.

Somali Presidential Poll Goes Into 3rd Round


 By Mary Milliken

 BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - Bombs exploded at threebanks in the Argentine capital on Wednesday, including twobranches of U.S. giant Citibank, killing one security guard andinjuring a bomb squad officer, officials said.

Bombs Hit Three Argentine Bank Branches, One Dead


According to Google, current Keyhole users will benefit from the expanded resources and operational scale made possible by the company #39;s integration into Google.

Google Buys Digital Mapping Firm Keyhole


Converting Chicago fans into Marlins #39; supporters isn #39;t an easy assignment. But team president David Samson gave it his best shot Monday morning.

Marlins president looks for support at US Cellular Field


US trade policy is far from perfect, of course. But election year rhetoric, particularly that on  quot;outsourcing quot; of jobs, may have given some Americans a distorted view of reality.

US Shows Its Muscle In International Trade


Guerrillas killed 49 unarmed army recruits in one of the bloodiest attacks on Iraq #39;s fledgling security forces, and in other attacks Sunday a US diplomat and a Bulgarian soldier also died.

Rebels Kill 49 Iraqi Army Recruits, US Diplomat


The free-agent closer Troy Percival and the Detroit Tigers agreed Wednesday to a two-year, \$12 million contract.

Percival to Sign With the Tigers


AP - A U.S.-Iraqi raid on the Abu Hanifa mosque  #151; one of the most revered sites for Sunni Muslims  #151; spawned a weekend of street battles, assassinations and a rash of bombings that changed Baghdad. The capital, for months a city of unrelenting but sporadic violence, has taken on the look of a battlefield.

Raid on Mosque Sparks Battles in Baghdad (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Clemens pitched seven strong  innings to earn his 13th victory of the season and 323rd of his  career as the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4  in the National League Monday.

NL Wrap: Lucky 13 for Clemens as Astros Defeat Phillies


The European Space Agency's chief scientist sets out his vision for a DNA library on the Moon in case of emergency.

Noah's Ark plan from top Moon man


He is short, bespectacled and lacks charisma, yet Yunus Qanooni, 47, until July the education minister, is the most formidable rival to President Hamid Karzai

Karzai Rival Lacks Charisma, but Mujahedeen Back Him


After missing five games with a right groin strain, the Redskins will activate place kicker John Hall for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kicker Hall Returns


LONDON --

David Hare Sees How War Plays on World Stage


InfoWorld - Rackable Systems has added to its line of NAS solutions with its new S3116-NAS server appliance. The new NAS server is designed for datacenters looking for a high-performance SATA system at an affordable price, according to Geoffrey Noer, senior director of storage products at Rackable Systems.  #8220;Companies using expensive Fibre Channel-based storage can migrate older projects to a lower-cost Rackable Systems NAS, #8221; Noer said. Other uses include disk-based backup, small and medium business workgroups, and applications such as seismic processing and video rendering, he said.

Rackable Systems adds new NAS to line (InfoWorld)


The Public Health Ministry yesterday confirmed the second case of human bird flu in a new wave of the deadly disease and announced it was putting all parts of the country on high alert for the epidemic.

Country on high birdflu alert following new case


DENVER -- An Army appeals court stopped a key hearing yesterday for three soldiers charged with killing an Iraqi general during an interrogation and ordered the military to explain why the proceedings have been closed to the public.

Hearing on prisoner's death halted over access


SHIZUOKA, Japan (PA) -- Darren Clarke cruised to his first victory of the year Sunday in the Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters, a high-profile event on the Japan Tour.

Clarke tops Westwood in Taiheiyo Masters for his first win of 2004


SAN FRANCISCOThe tension between enterprise and consumer segments of the wireless market was evident at Monday #39;s keynote addresses here at the CTIA Wireless conference and expo.

Vendors Address Productivity, Convergence at Wireless Expo


Comparing the state of security in 1994 versus 2004, has anything really changed over the course of ten years?

Columnists: Security, 1994-2004: Then And Now


Marks  amp; Spencer is no longer the UK #39;s largest clothing retailer after losing its crown to supermarket chain Asda. Industry figures for the 12 weeks to July 25 are understood to show that Asda now has a leading

Asda clothing overtakes M amp;S


Rookie Wes Welker kicked off, then made the tackle. He returned punts and kickoffs, kicked a PAT and even made a field goal, providing a lift for a team that has had little to celebrate this season.

A little good news for winless Dolphins: Welker wins special teams <b>...</b>


Just two weeks ago, Beon Media founder Scott Lipsky was touting a partnership with Microsoft that he said would help the 27-person company distribute famous photographs, artwork and other digital images to thousands of computers and flat screen televisions

Beon Media #39;s GalleryPlayer a no-show


A senior Iranian envoy suggested Wednesday that Tehran #39;s partial yearlong freeze on uranium enrichment is about to end, shrugging off US and European pressure to renounce

Iranian Freeze on Uranium About to End


AP - Packers offensive coordinator Tom Rossley says he's fine with his reduced role after being been stripped of his play-calling duties for health reasons.

Rossley Fine With His Reduced Role (AP)


South Africa coach Eric Simons is considering resigning because of the team #39;s poor performances in Sri Lanka. South Africa drew the first Test but lost the second by 313 runs and they have already been defeated in the first one-day international.

SA coach Simons could quit


The Braves #39; magic number to clinch the NL East remained at 10, thanks to Florida #39;s 4-3 victory over Montreal...Keppinger #39;s error was the 130th this season for the Mets, tops in the majors...Betemit #39;s RBI was the first of his career...Atlanta holds a 10-6

National League Game Summary - Atlanta at New York


While most security firms have designated the threat from the worm in the medium range, it is notable because of how quickly it was developed, Graham Cluley, technology consultant with Sophos antivirus, said.

Latest IE Worm Developed in Record Time


Research In Motion shares have been fluctuating amid anticipation that a ruling over a hotly contested patent infringement case may be near--and that it could be bad news for the BlackBerry maker.

RIM shares atwitter amid case concerns


American judge George Beckstead was rejected in his bid for re-election to the men #39;s technical committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in Antalya, Turkey on Friday.

American judge rejected from FIG technical committee


AP - Warming water temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific last month may indicate the start of a new El Nino.

Pacific May Be Seeing New El Nino (AP)


PC World - Web servers may be vulnerable to attack, security company warns.

Critical Netscape Flaw Found (PC World)


NEW YORK, August 18 (New Ratings)  The Halliburton Company (HAL.NYS) has reportedly gained more time to justify its bills to the US Army, regarding the company #39;s contract to provide logistic services to the US troops in Iraq.

Halliburton gets more time to justify bills to US Army


Advertising agencies and communications professionals are using blogs to create discussion about ideas within their industries.

Madison Avenue Ponders the Potential of Web Logs


Singapore #39;s unemployment rate fell in the third quarter of 2004 as job creation increased in tandem with the city-state #39;s strong economic growth, the government said Monday.

Singapore #39;s Unemployment Rate Falls in Q3


It's too bad Stern stopped at 30 games for Ron Artest's Indiana teammate Stephen Jackson, who should have been kicked out for the rest of the season, too.

Justice Is Too Light


In an attempt to increase its share of the business market, the mobile phone maker Nokia on Tuesday announced a sleeker version of its Communicator smart phone and expanded the number of mobile phones equipped with the BlackBerry e-mail application, a

Nokia woos the business market


US communications regulators on Tuesday exempted Internet telephone services from certain state oversight, a boon for Vonage Holdings Corp.

FCC Insulates Web Phone Service from State Rule


The US Court of Appeals has ruled that Lawsuits in Motion - aka Research in Motion - did indeed violate patents owned by intellectual property holding company NTP.

RIM infringed NTP patents, appeal court rules


AP - Chile took a key step Wednesday toward confronting the grim legacy of abuses under the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, completing a lengthy report on torture and political imprisonment with testimonies from some 35,000 victims.

Chile Issues Report on Pinochet Torture (AP)


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar rebounded for a second session  against the yen and the euro on Thursday as traders and  investors took profits on bets against the U.S. currency before  the year draws to a close.

Dollar Extends Rebound Against Euro, Yen


What medical advances have done for life expectancy, the mortgage industry is doing for borrowing -- making it last longer. In case a 30-year loan seems just too short, here comes the 40-year mortgage.

Mortgage marathon -- lower payments, more of  #39;em


p2pnet.net News:-  quot;The iTunes music store is the key driver to establish the iPod as the Walkman of the 21st century. quot;. The words belong to Pascal Cagni, Apples European boss, and they #39;re quoted in a Sunday

An Apple a day ...


AP - John Buck hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Royals Rally to Defeat Mariners 3-2 (AP)


AP - Cliff Lee won for the second time since July 16 and rookie Grady Sizemore hit a two-run homer, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 9-7 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Indians Defeat Twins 9-7 (AP)


The Hokies beat the Hurricanes for the second straight season, won the ACC title and a BCS spot - one that Tech let slip away by collapsing down the stretch a year ago, is the reward.

Auburn wins title but not one it wanted


Logic Express 7, a streamlined version of Logic, provides a basic set of professional tools for students, educators and advanced hobbyists at an affordable price. Sep 29

Apple Debuts Logic Express 7


US economic growth should slow over the coming year as consumers cut back on spending, but improved business confidence should help hiring, a wide-ranging survey of forecasters found.

Economists see GDP easing to 4.3


AP - In the latest sign of improving ties, Egypt and Israel moved closer to resolving a simmering dispute Friday, a day after President Hosni Mubarak called Israel's prime minister the best chance for Mideast peace.

Egypt, Israel Work to Resolve Dispute (AP)


AP - Johnny Estrada homered, drove in three runs and started Atlanta's go-ahead rally in the ninth inning, and the Braves beat Eric Gagne and the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 Thursday night.

Braves Edge Dodgers 6-5 (AP)


Celtic stretched its lead to seven points in Scotland #39;s Premier League, beating Kilmarnock 2-1 Saturday on goals by Aidan McGeady and a penalty from Alan Thompson.

Celtic stretches Scottish lead to seven pts.


French government refuses to yield to Iraqi kidnappers of two French reporters on law banning headscarves. By Hugh Schofield - PARIS.

France: Headscarf law will be applied


The average Internet-enabled PC hosts 26 spyware programs, according to an audit by Internet service provider EarthLink, a sign of increasing bombardment by malicious software.

EarthLink finds spyware running amok


New orders at US factories fell unexpectedly in August after a sharp drop in demand for civilian aircraft, government data showed on Monday.

Factory Orders Dip as Aircraft Dive


Supporters found plenty of reasons to cheer the European Unions recommendation of yesterday for talks to begin on making Muslim-majority Turkey a member.

Europeans welcome qualified yes for Turkey talks to join EU


Russia #39;s Cabinet approved the Kyoto Protocol on global warming yesterday, clearing the way for the worldwide adoption of the pact -- despite US opposition -- once the Russian parliament ratifies it as expected.

Russia moves to ratify Kyoto climate accord


(Clint Willis is a freelance writer who covers mutual funds for Reuters. Any opinions in the column are solely those of Mr. Willis.

Funds: Finding bargains in bond funds


An Australian pleads guilty to fraud after posing as a dispossessed Nigerian to cheat people of their money. Also: eBay penalizes its own con men   hellip;. Microsoft's legal woes not quite over   hellip;. and more.

Nigerian Internet Scam Convicted


An informal hearing of the Football Association on the positive drug test of Adrian Mutu is likely to be held tomorrow and it will be attended by the player #39;s representative and the Professional Footballers Association.

FA make early start to Mutu inquiries


AP - The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to place independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader on the ballot in Pennsylvania, upholding a state court finding of flawed signatures on voter petition sheets.

High Court Won't Put Nader on Pa. Ballot (AP)


GAZA (Reuters) - Moussa Arafat, cousin of Yasser Arafat and  a top Palestinian security chief, survived an apparent car bomb  assassination attempt in Gaza City on Tuesday in an attack that  signaled deepening internal faction fighting.

Blast Near Convoy of Palestinian Security Chief


Equipment rental company United Rentals Inc. on Tuesday said it will likely report a non-cash charge in the third quarter to write down the goodwill of its suffering traffic control business.

United Rentals Sees 3Q Goodwill Charge


CHICAGO (Reuters) - ConAgra Foods Inc. <A HREF=

ConAgra Profit Falls


The

Nokia's Preminet aims to chill Qualcomm's BREW


* Guerrero beaned: Vladimir Guerrero left the Angels game against the Mariners in the first inning after being hit on the left side of the head by a pitch from Ryan Franklin.

Charting the Majors


CARACAS, Venezuela - The opposition's long and bitter campaign to oust Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez finally came down to a recall referendum Sunday, with the leftist leader hoping a huge turnout among the poor will keep him in power.    Activists on both sides set off fireworks and blared recordings of bugle music to wake voters hours before dawn, hoping for a flood of early votes in their favor...

Venezuela Holds Referendum on President


JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian Islamic cleric Abu Bakar  Bashir went on trial on Thursday accused of leading an al  Qaeda-linked militant network and of planning or inciting  others to carry out attacks in the world's most populous Muslim  nation.

Indonesian Court Opens Bashir Terror Trial


LOS ANGELES - Their worst opening-night defeat in 27 years became even more difficult for the Sonics to swallow when they learned that Ronald Murray will miss at least the next week because of a strained left quadriceps.

Notebook: Murray out another week or so


Explosive of a kind used by Chechen rebels has been found in one of two airliners that crashed simultaneously, Russian investigators said, making it look ever likelier that the disaster was a political attack.

Investigators Find Explosives in Russia Plane Wreck


AP - Quentin Griffin might make the Denver Broncos forget Clinton Portis after all. Griffin ran for 156 yards and scored three touchdowns in his first game as Portis' replacement, lifting the Broncos to a 34-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

Broncos Defeat Chiefs 34-24 (AP)


Russian President Vladimir Putin is to attend an EU summit despite diplomatic sniping over the  Ukraine crisis.

EU-Russia set for strained talks


AP - Hurricane Charley's 145-mph force took forecasters by surprise and showed just how shaky a science it still is to predict a storm's intensity  #151; even with all the latest satellite and radar technology.

Charley's Force Took Experts by Surprise (AP)