CHICAGO - A US federal court judge has thrown out Hollinger International #39;s \$1.25 billion US lawsuit against Conrad Black and other former executives of the company.

Judge dismisses \$1.25 billion US lawsuit against Conrad Black


By DIEDTRA HENDERSON     WASHINGTON (AP) -- As the nation prepared for a severe shortage of flu shots, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday that problems at the British plant that manufactured vaccine withheld by British authorities likely will be used as a

British Flu Vaccine Problem to Be Used As Example


SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Imprisoned gang members enraged by a tough new anti-crime law rioted and seized about 100 hostages at two Salvadoran prisons Thursday.

About 100 Held Hostage at Salvador Prisons


Sporadic violence has erupted in Bangladesh in response to a deadly grenade attack on an opposition rally, which killed at least 19 people and wounded more than 100.

Violence erupts following Bangladesh attack


BEIJING: Rescue workers in central China searched Thursday for 88 coal miners who were missing after a gas explosion ripped through a shaft, killing at least 60 others in the country #39;s deadliest mine disaster this year.

Explosion in Chinese coal mine kills at least 60 people


As more and more consumers turn to plastic to solve their gift-giving dilemmas, many states are passing laws to protect those buying gift cards from what may be hidden in the fine print.

Gift cards are hot for Christmas


AFP - New Orleans Hornets center Jamaal Magloire, who is expected to miss three months of the National Basketball Association season with a dislocated finger, will have to find a way to open his wallet.

Hornets' Magloire fined for throwing ball at coach (AFP)


ATLANTA Coca-Cola, the world #39;s biggest maker of soft drinks, said Thursday that it was scaling back its long-term targets for sales volume and earnings growth amid continuing weakness in key markets including North America.

Coke cuts growth goals, saying it missed trends


VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Ernie Els beat Lee  Westwood 2 1 in a gripping final at Wentworth Sunday to win a  record sixth World Match Play Championship and claim the  biggest first prize in golf.

Relentless Els Seals Record Sixth Match Play Title


Islamabad, Oct. 7 (NNN): At least 40 people were killed and over 100 injured when twin bomb blasts went off in a Sunni Muslim gathering in Pakistans Multan city on early Thursday morning.

40 Sunnis Killed In Twin Pak Bomb Blast


WASHINGTON - The number of cybersecurity professionals is projected to grow at an annual compound rate of nearly 14 percent from now until 2008, according to a study released this week during the Computer Security Institute (CSI) trade show in Washington, D.C.

Study: Information security field to grow steadily


LONDON -- The U.K.'s National Health Service (NHS) has tapped IT researcher Gartner Inc. to provide market intelligence services as the health organization forges ahead with a mammoth, 5 billion (\$9.2 billion) project to upgrade its information technology infrastructure.

U.K.'s NHS taps Gartner to help plan \$9B IT overhaul


AP - Residents of Eagle County are a diverse lot  #151; 23 percent Hispanic, 0.3 percent black. Forty-three percent of them are college graduates. And attorneys in the Kobe Bryant rape case would love to know what they are thinking right now.

Diversity Defines Bryant Case Jury Pool (AP)


Staples Center is a multi-purpose venue. It not only houses the Lakers and Clippers, but other events as well, including the circus.

Kobe needs to step up, apologize to Malone


Fireballing American Andy Roddick improved his service serve mark blasting a record 155 mph serve in a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, win over Vladimir Voltchkov Friday earning the United States a 1-0 early lead lead over Belarus in the Davis Cup semifinals World Group.

Roddick Smacks Voltchkov With a Record 155mph Serve


AP - Dallas McPherson had three hits and an RBI in his first major league start Monday night, helping the Anaheim Angels gain ground in the playoff race with a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Angels Clobber Mariners 5-2 (AP)


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Luxury jeweler Tiffany   Co. <A HREF=

Tiffany Earnings Fall


AP - Sony Corp.'s Japanese music unit says it will no longer sell CDs with built-in copy protection, a technology it had been pushing for two years.

Sony Nixes Copy-Protected CDs in Japan (AP)


AFP - Colin Montgomerie, who sank the winning Ryder Cup putt last weekend, returned to the European Tour with a bump with only a late flourish keeping him in contention on the first day of The Heritage tournament.

Ryder Cup stars return with a bump (AFP)


quot;If you are talking about the media center PC in the family room, it #39;s going to be a disappointing experience, quot; Gartner research vice president Martin Reynolds told TechNewsWorld.

Dell, Gateway Settle into the Living Room


The race to succeed Disney chief Michael Eisner took an intriguing turn yesterday when it emerged that a highranking Murdoch employee has signed a new contract making it easy for him to leave ... but only if he goes to Disney.

#39;Easy exit #39; clause hints at News Corp man #39;s Disney move


Contract electronics manufacturer Solectron Corp. on Tuesday posted a narrower quarterly loss, helped by a 23 percent rise in revenue but issued a forecast at the low end

UPDATE 2-Solectron net loss narrows on strong revenue


The decision to fire Florida coach Ron Zook was welcomed by Gator fans around the country. It didn #39;t get the same reception in the locker room.

College Football Notebook: Florida #39;s players blast decision to <b>...</b>


The United Nations says Sudanese police have raided a camp in Darfur and destroyed makeshift homes, fired into the air and shouted at terrified villagers.

Sudanese police raid Darfur camp: UN


With its recent introduction of the PCIe-enabled Nvidia nForce4 media and communication processors (MCP) for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processors, Nvidia expects to extend its lead against other chipmakers for the worlds K8 chipset market, said Drew

Nvidia aims to take lead in K8 chipset market with nForce 4 MCP


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel declared psychological war on  hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners on Monday, saying it  would barbecue meat outside their cells to try to break their  will.

Israel Turns Up Heat on Palestinian Hunger Strike


NEW YORK (Reuters) - New applications for U.S. mortgages  for both refinancing and home purchases climbed last week, as  most mortgage rates fell from the previous week, an industry  group said on Wednesday.

Mortgage Applications Climb, Rates Fall


Israeli forces and Palestinian militants trade gunfire in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli tank is hit by a Hamas bomb.

Gun battle erupts in Gaza Strip


The Source Code Club is back in business, if you can call it that. The anonymous hacker group first began peddling proprietary source code last July, then disappeared, and now has reemerged

Source Code Club Reemerges, Offering Cisco Code


Kenya #39;s environmentalist Wangari Maathai said Friday that she feels  quot;very excited quot; to win the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and pledges to continue to plant the seeds of peace with her fellow Kenyans.

Kenyan Nobel Prize winner pledges to continue planting  quot;seeds of <b>...</b>


KIEV -- Ukraine's outgoing government sought yesterday to control the inquiry into the poisoning of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, with officials close to the government taking charge of both investigations into who tried to harm or kill the leader of the Orange Revolution.

Ukraine aims to control poison probe


USATODAY.com - Stick a tape in the VCR and save it for posterity. Clip the newspapers. Buy the frame for the ticket stub. Baseball history beckons. Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees. The American League Championship Series that opens Tuesday night in Yankee Stadium pits teams that have been bickering for 100 years.

Red Sox vs. Yankees: Bitter enemies clash with Series on line (USATODAY.com)


Publishing-software giant Adobe Systems reported on Monday a slight seasonal decline in sales and profit amid strong overall growth.

Adobe: Health strong overall, despite quarterly drop


MSN Music Store Adds to iTunes Competition \\Microsoft plas to release Windows Media Player 10 on Thursday alongside the highly anticipated MSN Music Store. WMP10 will be included in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 which finalized some time after SP2. According to Neowin,  Media Center 2005 is due ...


MANILA (Dow Jones)--Philippine shares are sharply higher early Wednesday on a technical rally, as the market sets its sights on testing the 1700 psychological resistance.

Philippine Shares Higher Early; Mkt Eyes 1700 Resistance


Customers at Apple Computer #39;s iTunes store will now be able to pay for their songs, albums and gift certificates using PayPal, a virtual-wallet technology owned by eBay.

Apple #39;s iTunes now accepting PayPal


AP - Alonzo Mourning scored 14 points, including two layups down the stretch, and the New Jersey Nets found some late offense to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 64-60 Tuesday night in what was nearly the lowest scoring game in modern NBA history.

Nets Nip Blazers 64-60 in Offensive Dud (AP)


LOS ANGELES -- Computer companies have been trying for several years to convince consumers that their next PC should also be their hub for home entertainment.

PC home entertainment options pushed


Do-it-yourself phishing kits are being made available for download free of charge from the Internet, according to anti-virus firm Sophos.\

News: DIY phishing kits hit the Net


Scientists say one thing has remained constant since Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey's work: Americans' ambivalence about the study of sexuality.

Long After Kinsey, Only the Brave Study Sex


Business India: South African gold producer Harmony has bid to take over larger rival Gold Fields, a merger that would create the world #39;s biggest gold producer.

World #39;s biggest gold firm - South African gold producer:


It hasn #39;t taken Miami and Virginia Tech long to start reaping the benefits of membership in the conference. BLACKSBURG -- It #39;s hard to overlook the irony.

Feeling right at home in the ACC


Ruud van Nistelrooy's 73rd-minute penalty kick and Wayne Rooney's injury-time goal gave Manchester United a victory over league-leading Arsenal.

Arsenal's Unbeaten Streak Ends at 49


Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United will end Arsenals 49-game unbeaten run on Sunday - because they simply have to.

Fergie: Only A Win Will Do


The family of a French woman murdered in south-west London are travelling to the UK to meet detectives.

French victim's family come to UK


AP - Jason Kidd's recovery from surgery on his left knee is on schedule and the All-Star point guard hopes to practice next month with the struggling New Jersey Nets.

Kidd Hopes to Practice Next Month (AP)


Physical defense and a defiant attitude has fueled the Mystics' four-game winning streak and rise to playoff contention.

A Physical Stretch


Conference focuses on challenges in services sector, such as how irritating Web-based self-service can be.

Plenty to learn about services


Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini arrived today to the Middle East, in a bid to free two female aid workers kidnapped in Iraq.

Italy #39;s Foreign Minister Arrives to the Middle East


When Pakistan #39;s prime minister made a rare visit this week to India, plenty of people had little interest in talking about regional peace, or the Kashmir militancy, or nuclear proliferation.

Indian cos. seek business with Pakistan


NEW YORK, Dec. 9 -- Opponents of creating private accounts under Social Security often argue that the primary beneficiaries would be Wall Street investment firms. Wall Street's main trade group on Thursday said it isn't so.

Report Denies Privatization Windfall


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and the New Jersey Nets ended a nine-game losing streak by downing the expansion Charlotte Bobcats 99-to-86.

Nets 99 Bobcats 86


Risking another trans-Atlantic tussle over Microsoft Corp., European Union antitrust regulators said Wednesday they were investigating whether the software giant #39;s deal with media conglomerate Time Warner Inc.

Update 3: EU Probes Microsoft-Time Warner Deal


European Union leaders said Turkey could join its ranks as soon as 10 years from now, but warned that it must overcome opposition to a Muslim country's entering the European fold.

Europe Bloc Says Turks Can Apply


What's holding companies back? Can anything be done to rev up their investment spending?

Long on Cash, Short on Ideas


AP - Teresa Heinz Kerry made nearly  #36;2.3 million in 2003 and had a federal and state tax bill of close to  #36;800,000, according to tax forms filed Friday.

Heinz Kerry Reports Nearly  #36;2.3M in 2003 (AP)


NEW YORK - Stocks enjoyed a late-day rally Wednesday to finish higher despite a new record price for oil and gloomy third-quarter outlooks from several companies. Volume was relatively light as investors awaited the government's jobs creation report at the end of the week...

Stocks Turn Higher As Oil Hits Record High


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices inched lower on  Tuesday as an auction of inflation-protected debt was met  without too much enthusiasm, although strong interest from  indirect bidders helped dealers cheer up a bit.

Treasuries Down After Auction Results


Hitachi announced it would be shipping 2.5in hard drives with capacities up to 100GB for notebook computers by the end of 2004. The Travelstar 5K100 and E5K100 hard drives

Hitachi to release 100GB hard drives for notebooks


Iran has admitted processing several tonnes of raw  quot;yellowcake quot; uranium, a key stage in the development of weapons-grade nuclear material.

Iran makes uranium breakthrough


We alerted the Iraqi government, the US military, and the Mahdi Army; we were planning to go to the shrine.

A journey into the epicenter of the Sadr standoff


Stephen B. Shepard, the longtime editor in chief of BusinessWeek magazine, will retire in April to become the founding dean of the new Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.

BusinessWeek editor to CUNY


Serena Williams was all about show at the beginning of this US Open. Dress in what some would consider an outrageous manner. Tweak the tennis establishment.

Good tennis is latest fashion


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bernard Hopkins defended his  undisputed world middleweight championship for the 19th time on  Saturday, knocking out Oscar De La Hoya in the ninth round of  their scheduled 12-round bout in Las Vegas.

Hopkins Knocks Out De La Hoya to Retain Title


SEATTLE/NEW YORK: Microsoft has said it will pay \$536m to Novell to settle an antitrust suit. It also resolved a 10-year dispute with a computer trade group.

Microsoft settles \$536m antitrust


Tottenham defender Dean Richards has confirmed that a specialist has told him the chances of him suffering a brain tumour are  #39;extremely low #39;.

Tottenham #39;s Richards remains positive


Powerful typhoon Chaba is slowly bearing down on Japan, threatening to unleash strong wind and heavy rain throughout southern and western parts of the country over the weekend.

Typhoon bears down on Japan


Microsoft and Time Warner ran into fresh trouble in Europe today as antitrust regulators ordered an in-depth probe of their deal to collaborate in making anti-piracy software.

European Union Extends Review of Microsoft Deal


Reuters - The dollar edged up on Friday as\investors took advantage of the currency's recent weakness to\take profits, and as the market took on more neutral positions\in the final stretch before the year-end.

Dollar Inches Up, Market Eyes Fed, Tankan (Reuters)


Businesses in Europe, Asia can net bucks for outdated computer equipment, company says. \

IBM's recycling program goes global


As far as the Red Sox are concerned, there are no hard feelings for Pedro Martinez. Team president/CEO Larry Lucchino says he, principal owner John Henry

Red Sox wish Pedro well


Perhaps seeking to leverage any momentum from recent negotiations with prominent citizens of the volatile Iraqi city of Fallujah, Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi Wednesday issued what The Australian Broadcasting Corporation calls an  quot;ultimatum.

Allawi threatens rebel-held Fallujah with force


LONDON (Reuters) - Tiger Woods, optimistic as ever, is  excited about his prospects for 2005 despite struggling off the  tee for most of this year and winning just one title.

Woods Is Upbeat for Next Year After 2004 Struggles


Opec, the oil producers #39; cartel, is poised to raise its target price range for a barrel of crude this week - delivering a harsh message to oil-guzzling economies to get used to a \$30 floor under prices.

Opec #39;s new price shock


By the AAP. Olympic finalist Lara Carroll is the fastest qualifier for the 200 metres individual medley final on day four of the world short course swimming championships at Indianapolis.

Carroll leads Aussie swim charge


AP - Rick Ankiel's return to the major leagues might not be just a September cameo.

Ankiel May Be With Cardinals in Postseason (AP)


KABUL (BBC) -- Afghan troops have stormed the main jail in the capital, Kabul, after an escape bid by inmates escalated into a day-long siege that left several dead.

Afghan troops storm siege prison


AP - European Ryder Cup player Padraig Harrington, playing days after laser eye surgery, broke his slump with a 6-under-par 66 Thursday for one-stroke lead over Alex Cejka at the German Masters.

Harrington Leads German Masters by Stroke (AP)


Brazil is the latest country to recognise China as a market economy in a move expected to consolidate their trade ties.

Brazil backs China on trade bid


Michael Clarke made a sparkling 151 on his debut and captain Adam Gilchrist 104 to put Australia in command against India in the first test on Thursday.

UPDATE 2-McGrath strikes after Clarke, Gilchrist tons


By ALLISON LINN    SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will drop a much-touted new technology for organizing and storing data when it releases the next version of its Windows operating system as expected in 2006...

Microsoft to Release Next Version of Windows in 2006


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four British former inmates of the  U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay sued Defense Secretary  Donald Rumsfeld and others Wednesday saying they were tortured  in violation of U.S. and international law.

British Ex-Guantanamo Detainees Sue Rumsfeld


Several companies ease burden of using Internet via cell phones.

New systems cut cell phone finger work


Analysis Inspired thinks big but lacks the content

Digital music download coin-op to offer 'all formats, all DRMs'


French corporate raider Vincent Bollore has asked for seats on the board of French advertising company Havas (EURC.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) , Havas #39;s chief executive said on Thursday, saying the company was considering the

Bollore has asked for Havas board seats-Havas CEO


CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo  Chavez, emboldened by a recent referendum victory, on Sunday  promised tougher land redistribution as he pressed ahead with  the

Venezuela's Chavez Vows Tougher Land Reform


AP - The House, in an emotionally and politically charged debate six weeks before the election, voted Thursday to protect the words

House Blocks Court on Pledge Case Rulings (AP)


AP - A group of Japanese researchers has found that carbon dioxide levels over the Antarctica rose by over 2.6 percent from six years ago  #151; the first such detection of an increase in a

'Greenhouse' Gas Rising Over Antarctica (AP)


November 2, 2004 6:48 PM GMT (Datamonitor) - From next Monday, British viewers will be able to see a five-week long televised advertising campaign intended to promote Spam to consumers aged over 45 years.

Spam: staging a canny comeback


Erik W. Hayes told friends and family that he joined the U.S. Army to help save money for his future. And just last week, that future seemed more certain: He sent an e-mail from Iraq telling friends that he wanted to become an emergency medical technician when he returned to Maryland.

Another Soldier From Md. Is Killed in Iraq


Canadian Press - KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Their name means

Student group grabbing Ukrainian spotlight ahead of presidential election (Canadian Press)


NEW DELHI: Indian sports officials on Wednesday handed life bans to three women weightlifters who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, officials said.

India slaps life ban on three weightlifters caught for doping


The Pentagon #39;s investigation into the actions of a former Air Force official who admitted giving preferential treatment to Boeing Co.

Pentagon Widens Procurement Investigation


PC World - With VPN bug resolved, distribution of Windows XP update will increase.

Microsoft Speeds Up SP2 (PC World)


AP - Alabama has the Southeastern Conference's best defense and rushing offense, and leads the nation in kickoff returns.

'Typical' Alabama Team Faces Tennessee (AP)


According to The Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a four-year, \$40-million contract with shortstop Edgar Renteria.

Red Sox to Sign Renteria


FRANKFURT Volkswagen, plucking a fallen star from a rival carmaker, announced Wednesday that Wolfgang Bernhard, a former DaimlerChrysler executive known for his cost-cutting skills and new-product flair, would take over its ailing flagship car brand.

A cost cutter takes over VW brand


com September 13, 2004, 8:58 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half.

PeopleSoft aims to keep worker morale high


quot;I think the game played out probably the way I thought it would play out, quot; he said.  quot;I can #39;t say that I #39;m really, really that surprised.

UNC upends UConn


SEATTLE - Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas spent the night in a San Francisco hospital with a bruised lung. Coach Mike Holmgren says the injury was similar to what car accident victims experience when they are hit in the chest by the steering wheel.

Injured Seahawks player should get out of hospital Monday


Iraqi rebels seized the centre of the city of Ramadi and attacked police stations elsewhere as US-led troops continued their Falluja assault.

Rebels  #39;stage show of strength #39;


Having received a renewed boost from those who see it moving out of niche markets, iSCSI (Internet SCSI) may finally be getting some much-needed respect.

iSCSI gets some respect


AP - Umpires Tim Welke and Randy Marsh were picked as crew chiefs for the league championship series and will start out Game 1 behind the plate.

Welke, Marsh Picked As Crew Chiefs for LCS (AP)


Advanced Micro Devices will demonstrate dual-core chips Tuesday, but Intel will likely do the same in a week.

AMD to demonstrate dual-core chips


Manchester City, a friendly club with terrific supporters and an intelligent board, must now address the reality that Kevin Keegan has guided them from Maine Road down a cul-de-sac.

Keegan #39;s City on road to nowhere


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tribune Co.'s <A HREF=

Audit Finds Hoy Overstated Circulation


Adrian Fernandez scored his third career IRL IndyCar Series win this afternoon, claiming victory in the Toyota Indy 400 at California Speedway.

Fernandez Racing Post-Race Notes: Toyota Indy 400


Chile #39;s Supreme Court stripped former dictator Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution on Thursday in one notorious human rights case, raising hopes of victims

Chile Court Lifts Pinochet Immunity in Rights Case


At least five people have serious injuries after a high-speed train derailment in south-east Queensland. A Tilt Train commuter service with 157 passengers and seven staff on board came off the tracks north of Bundaberg just after midnight.

Five seriously injured in Tilt Train derailment


Remembering all your passwords and keeping your computer safe is not easy these days. We offer some top tips to help you out. If you #39;ve ever lost, misplaced or forgotten the keys to your home, you #39;ll know how much of an inconvenience it can be.

Who goes there?


Beijing: At least 170 miners were trapped underground after a gas explosion on Sunday ignited a fire in a coalmine in north-west China #39;s Shaanxi province, reports said.

170 miners trapped in China


XSTRATA saw its shares fall 1.4 per cent yesterday after the London-listed miner said it was taking its A\$7.4 billion (3.12bn) offer for Australias WMC Resources hostile, following a rebuff from the WMC board last month.

Xstrata to go hostile in 3bn bid for Australian rival WMC


Former Padre Ken Caminiti died of a drug overdose, coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart, according to the New York City Medical Examiner.

Overdose played role in death of Caminiti


Philadelphia -- A fast-moving arson fire killed six people in a rowhouse before dawn Saturday, four of them children, police said.

Police: 6 killed in arson at Philadelphia rowhouse


Forbes.com - On a cold November morning in Brooklyn Edward Hamann, a buyer for Barnes  amp; Noble, drops to one knee and cautiously cuts a green chili with a 300-year-old Bengalese fish slicer. The device is an upright sheet of hammered iron in the silhouette of a swan, its neck a vertical sword.

Stir Crazy (Forbes.com)


Weightlifters Pratima Kumari, Sanamacha Chanu, S Sunaina and coach Pal Singh Sandhu have been banned for life, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi announced in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Life ban for Chanu, Pratima Kumari


A tiny unmanned Nasa  quot;scramjet quot; set a new world speed record after flying at nearly 10 times the speed of sound. The 12ft supersonic combustion ramjet flew at just under 7,000mph - or around Mach 9.6.

Nasa jet flies at  #39;10 times speed of sound #39;


If it works as promised, DNA bar coding will assist in the urgent task of cataloging unknown species before their ranks are decimated by extinction.

A Species in a Second: Promise of DNA 'Bar Codes'


Texas Rangers closer Francisco Cordero appeared on the Jeff Rickard Show on Sporting News Radio to discuss Monday night #39;s incident in which several members of the Rangers bullpen were involved in an altercation with Oakland fans and one - Frank

Cordero: Fan was  quot;way out of control quot;


ARSENE WENGER is preparing for outright confrontation with the FA over his right to call Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat. Arsenal boss Wenger was charged with improper conduct by Soho Square for his comments after

RUUD RAGE


Maybe the most unpleasant Ankara-Brussels meeting since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002 was held in The Hague last week.

The Hague Fouls up the Atmosphere


The online games company's high valuation even more of a concern with the success of its competition.

Is Shanda Overvalued?


Schalke beat Ferencvaros Budapest 2-0 in their UEFA Cup match on Thursday to leapfrog over idle Feyenoord Rotterdam to the top of Group A. Support your favorite team with official UEFA Cup gear from the FOX Soccer Shop!

UEFA Cup: Schalke beats Ferencvaros 2-0


AP - An Israeli bus exploded in a Jerusalem neighborhood early Sunday, but officials said the blast had been caused by a mechanical problem. There were no injuries.

Israel Bus Blast Said Mechanical Problem (AP)


Reuters - Romanian Prime Minister Adrian

Romania PM, Bucharest Mayor Battle for Presidency (Reuters)


SAN DIEGO David Wells led San Diego past St. Louis this afternoon 10-to-5. He pitched seven strong innings and even drove in two runs as the Padres bolstered their wild card chances.

Sports: Padres 10 Cardinals 5


BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - There are reports that at least 12 people were killed and 90 per cent of all homes in Grenada have been destroyed by Hurricane Ivan which has left  quot;incalculable destruction quot; in the Caribbean  #39;Isle of Spice #39;.

Spice Isle in ruins


UNITED NATIONS Oct. 5, 2004 - The United States said Tuesday a draft Security Council resolution by Arab states demanding and end to a large-scale Israeli offensive in Gaza was not balanced and vowed that the measure will not go forward.

US: UN Gaza Resolution Not Balanced


Sir Alex Ferguson could not resist a wry smile after learning his Manchester United side had been paired with arch-rivals Arsenal in the last eight of the Carling Cup.

Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 0


Russian officials are reported to have collected most of the tax debt that the troubled oil firm Yukos owes for the year 2000. A Justice Ministry official was quoted Wednesday as saying bailiffs have collected \$2.

Russia Reportedly Collects Most of Yukos 2000 Tax Bill


BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) - British second seed Tim  Henman came through an unexpectedly tough second round match  with South Africa's Wesley Moodie to reach the quarter-finals  of the Swiss Indoors tournament Thursday.

Henman Battles Into Basel Quarter-Finals


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Wal-Mart Holds Sales View


British troops stop to detonate a roadside bomb they found near their base in Basra, Iraq Friday Nov. 5, 2005. Thursday insurgents attacked British troops at a checkpoint in central Iraq, killing three and

US Warplanes Pound Targets in Fallujah


Football star David Beckham said Monday that he turned down a good part in MGMs The Pink Panther, staring Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, Beyonce Knowles and Jean Reno.

Beckham wasnt interested in The Pink Panther


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trading in Thursday #39;s session are IBM (IBM: news, chart, profile) and American International Group (AIG: news, chart, profile).

STOCKS TO WATCH


The Irishman who was arrested after obstructing Brazilian athlete Vanderlei de Lima in the men #39;s Olympic marathon will be brought to the general district attorney #39;s office in Athens today.

Marathon intruder Horan held in Athens


roundup Plus: IBM, Boeing team up for defense work...TI touts combo chip with VoIP, Wi-Fi...ContextWeb nabs \$3 million.

Briefly: PeopleSoft-Oracle trial delayed


AP - President Vicente Fox on Monday promised the relatives of a federal police officer burned alive by an angry mob that he would ensure those responsible for the killing are punished and that police authorities who failed to come to his aid would be investigated.

Mexico's Fox Vows Justice in Mob Slayings (AP)


NEW YORKA weekend which began with rain and hope ended in sunshine and frustration for the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez allowed a two-run home run to Gary Sheffield on the fourth pitch of the game and the Yankees

Yanks Tattoo Martinez, Sox In 11-1 Rout


US stocks were headed for a flat open on Monday a day ahead of the US Presidential election, as Wall Street awaits a clear-cut winner.

US Stocks Seen Flat as Election Weighs


Tens of thousands of Israeli settlers and their supporters yesterday took part in a right-wing demonstration in Jerusalem #39;s Zion Square.

Tens of thousands of Israeli settlers rally against Sharon #39;s <b>...</b>


AP - Shares of PalmSource Inc., the former software arm of organizer-maker Palm Inc., fell 10 percent in post-market trading Thursday after it provided a weak revenue forecast.

PalmSource Falls After Weak Forecast (AP)


TEHRAN - Iran said Wednesday it had test fired a more accurate version of its Shahab-3 missile, believed capable of hitting American bases in the Persian Gulf and Israel.

Iran test fires longer-range missile


THE Football Association is determined to bring forward the peace summit between Arsenal and Manchester United, despite the clubs opposition to being forced into a superficial show of reconciliation.

Pizza pair scoff at FA #39;s call to order


Kidde PLC, a British fire and safety equipment maker, agreed Wednesday to open its books to United Technologies Corp. after receiving a new takeover offer from the US engineering giant.

Kidde Opens Books to United Technologies


NORTON, Mass. - Tiger Woods shot a 6-under 65 at the Deutsch Bank Championship to tie for the lead with Ryan Palmer, one stroke ahead of Mark OMeara and two others.

Briefs Woods shares 1st-round lead at Deutsche Bank


The malware/adware threat is great enough, Gates said, that Microsoft is investing  quot;hundreds of millions quot; of its \$5 billion annual R amp;D budget toward solving it.

Microsoft to offer software to help users combat spyware/malware


AFP - Chinese star center Yao Ming is excited about making a homecoming with his National Basketball Association(NBA) teammates next week when he and the Houston Rockets play two exhibitions against Sacramento.

Yao excited about Chinese homecoming (AFP)


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

Oil Slides as U.S. Supplies Seen Growing


An Indonesian airplane with 146 people aboard skidded off the runway on landing at central Java #39;s Solo airport, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens.

Indonesian plane skids off runway, 10 die


AFTER what seemed like the longest time, Arsenal have finally cleared the jam and got their cannons firing again. As the annals of Highbury history would record it, t #39;was the nightmare before

DANGER AHEAD


Disney announced yesterday that it will support Blu-Ray as its choice for the next generation optical format, instead of the HD-DVD.

Disney to support Blu-Ray


The self-confessed author of the infamous Sasser worm has been charged with computer sabotage. Sven Jaschan, 18, was arrested in the village of Waffensen near Rotenburg, in northern Germany, in connection

Sasser kid charged with computer sabotage


DOJ announces arrests, convictions for online fraud and other Net-related crimes.

Dozens Convicted of Cybercrimes


The annual Grey Cup news conference will pit Pinball Clemons against a coach who dared to publicly criticize him. It was about three weeks ago that BC Lions coach Wally Buono spoke openly about the Argos #39; decision

Pinball ready to tackle Buono


World oil prices bolted up to new record summits beyond 52 dollars on markets nervous about tight global supplies with winter looming in the northern hemisphere.

Oil prices reach new record highs past 52 dollars


CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 200 million songs from the iTunes(R) Music Store.

iTunes Music Store Downloads Top 200 Million Songs


The Tnaiste, Mary Harney, has said she has no reason to believe that a miscarriage of justice was involved in the case of the three Irishmen in Colombia given lengthy jail sentences for training left wing guerrillas.

No miscarriage of justice in Colombia: Harney


PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov. 27 -- The Pakistani army announced Saturday that it would withdraw hundreds of troops from a tense tribal region near Afghanistan where Osama bin Laden and his top deputy were believed to be hiding.

Troops Hunting Al Qaeda Members Withdrawn


AP - Hurricane Frances carved a huge gap in the wall of a fertilizer company reservoir, spilling 41 million gallons of acidic waste that posed a threat to aquatic life in a bay near Tampa.

Hurricane Spills Gallons of Acidic Waste (AP)


Microsoft has turned the channel on its slow-moving television software business by winning a key contract for its new Internet-based TV platform from SBC Communications.
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SBC switches on Microsoft in major IPTV deal


Athens -- Greek sprinter Costas Kederis did not know he was expected for a doping test, his lawyer said after the disgraced athlete testified to a public prosecutor probing the scandal that rocked Greece on the eve of the Olympics.

Lawyer says sprinter did not know about test


AP - Documents purported to be transcripts of top-level ruling party meetings with ministers discussing intimidating opposition leaders and rigging votes in the Senate have surfaced ahead of Romania's Sunday elections.

Romania Party Transcripts Cause Outrage (AP)


Lawmakers may soon pass a bill that would set up a huge network of databases that law enforcement officials could tap to find terrorists. But that kind of unfettered access to data about Americans raises eyebrows. By Ryan Singel.

Senate Wants Database Dragnet


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - There could be more curling medals handed out at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, if a World Curling Federation proposal is accepted.

New curling event in store for 2010 Olympics?


Former Hornets forward Lee Nailon will return to the team at least for training camp. Nailon and guard Junior Harrington both signed contracts with New Orleans on Thursday, bringing the Hornets #39; preseason roster to 19 players.

Hornets bring back Nailon for training camp


Brazil #39;s debt rating was raised by Moody #39;s Investors Service for the first time since 2000 as a surge in exports gives the country more hard currency to pay its foreign bonds.

Brazil Debt Rating Raised by Moody #39;s on Export Growth (Update2)


Two months after ending a licensing deal with Oracle Corp., midmarket business applications vendor NetSuite Inc. is using its entry-level software relaunch to woo customers of Intuit Inc.'s QuickBooks.

NetSuite relaunches, Oracle delays small business suite


Microsoft will let customers configure the next major release of Windows Server for specific server tasks, rather than selling a host of different Windows Server Longhorn editions tailored to those tasks.

Longhorn Server to have one version for many roles


A car bomb detonated outside the gates of Abu Ghraib prison, killing one militant, the military said. The attack occurred when a vehicle tried to crash through the prison #39;s protective gate, said Lt.

Abu Ghraib prison hit by car bomb


Peyton Manning equaled a career high with six touchdown passes Thursday in carrying Indianapolis to a 41-9 blasting of Detroit. It was the fifth straight game in which Manning

NFL: Indianapolis 41, Detroit 9


Napster was a revolutionary product. It practically gave birth to the p2p industry on the Internet. It has lead to a stage that big corporations of the music industry are practically scared of losing a major chunk of their business from this phenomenon.

Napster creator develops Snocap


BANGALORE, INDIA -- Police officials investigating the alleged theft of source code at Jolly Technologies' Mumbai development center are questioning aspects of the security incursion reported by the company.

Police question details of India code theft report


Indexes are up so far this week, but another record oil price could put some of those gains at risk. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - US stock markets were set for a little slip at Friday #39;s open, but it would take a

Stocks #39; second thoughts


The decision by high street electrical chain Dixons to no longer sell the machines could soon mean RIP for the VCR. But VHS (video home system) is just

Video Joins Long Line of Out-Dated Technology


A Delaware judge has thrown out the last claim against Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) filed by Qualcomm Inc. in a licensing dispute between the two companies, ending the current round of litigation, TI said in a release Wednesday.

TI-Qualcomm cross-licensing deal upheld again


Microsoft Corp. on Monday joined the battle for supremacy in so-called desktop search, introducing software for quickly locating files on personal computers that challenges Google's two-month-old rival product.

Microsoft Unveils Software to Find Files


Bank of Japan says prices will rise 0.1 in  #39;05, but it will likely keep ultra-low interest rates. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan #39;s five-year bout with deflation is likely to end next year, the Bank of Japan said

Japan deflation struggle nears end


SpaceShipOne - as much a work of art as a groundbreaking flying machine -as recast the mold for spaceflight established by NASA largely because it doesn #39;t have to worry

Unlike NASA, SpaceShipOne and other private pioneers can afford to <b>...</b>


One line did most of the work as the Northeastern men's hockey team defeated Merrimack, 5-1, in a Hockey East contest last night in North Andover.

Huskies line up to score


AP - Two sponsors of the nation's campaign finance law sued the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday for failing to block the spending of unlimited donations in the presidential race, the second lawsuit the FEC has faced over the issue this month.

Campaign Finance Law Sponsors Sue FEC (AP)


NEW YORK - It certainly sounds like bad news when a company fires seven executives for financial malfeasance, lays off 3,500 employees and advises investors that it expects sluggish market growth for the year. But for Ontario-based Nortel Networks, it #39;s ...

Nortel: Nowhere To Go But Up


Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO), is proud to announce that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has shipped to retail stores in North America.

Rockstar Games Ships Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for <b>...</b>


VeriSign and America Online on Tuesday announced plans to showcase software for  quot;safe chat rooms quot; this December. The safe chat room will use authentication technology to verify a child #39;s age.

VeriSign, AOL team up to make chats safer of kids


Gregg Zaun homered and Orlando Hudson had three hits and an RBI, leading the Toronto Blue Jays past the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Monday night.

Blue Jays 4, Orioles 1


Less than a month after IBM Corp. claimed the world's fastest computer crown from NEC Corp., the Japanese company is trying to win it back with a new supercomputer that will be available from December, it said Wednesday.

NEC announces speedy supercomputer


A think tank of British scientists has come up with a new way of quickening the intellect -- a brain-taxing spin on the old formula of 100 things to do before you die.

Turn yourself into a diamond: tips on having a good life


Less than 25 of old computers sold or given away by companies have had data removed, a survey suggests.

Slack security for old computers


Norwegian ship owners threaten to expand a lockout, disrupting production. Marsh  amp; McLennan #39;s CEO reportedly is set to resign.

Now Norway riles the oil market


AP - Forty-three men, women and children using ladders clambered over a spiked fence around the Canadian Embassy on Wednesday in what appeared to be the biggest recent bid for asylum by North Koreans. One other man was stopped by police.

Group Enters Canadian Embassy in Beijing (AP)


The Netherlands #39; biggest bank ABN AMRO says it is cutting more than 4,000 back office and information technology staff as it aims to bring its cost base in line with its competitors.

Dutch bank unveils 4,000 job cuts


Texas Head Coach Mack Brown has been the focus of most Longhorn fans' bashes. And Brown, rightly or wrongly, is the first one to say that it is he, not the players, who should shoulder the blame.

Brown Absorbs Shots


BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia's Congress on Tuesday  approved a bill allowing Alvaro Uribe, one of few conservative  South American presidents with strong ties to Washington, to  run for an unprecedented second term.

Colombian Congress Approves Uribe's Re-Election Bid


IBM, a barometer of trends in the computing business, has reported a solid quarterly performance that pointed to modest if uneven improvement in the corporate technology sector.

IBM #39;s profit growth shows tech recovery hanging on


Nearly twice Khan #39;s age at 33, the defending champion relied on his greater experience to counter-punch methodically and win a 30-22 decision.

Master Kindelan stops pupil Khan #39;s great run


It wasn #39;t supposed to end like this for Pau Gasol and Spain. Not after the way things were going in this Olympics. The Spaniards finished group play an undefeated 5-0

Drawn and Quartered


The most powerful storm to strike the Caribbean in a decade threatened widespread destruction on the island before it rumbles into Cuba and storm-battered Florida this weekend.

Hurricane Ivan's Rains Pound Jamaica


Nine Chinese miners have been killed and 57 trapped underground after fire swept through a series of iron mines in the northern province of Hebei, Xinhua news agency has reported.

Nine Chinese miners die in blaze


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Security Council, in an  apparent warning to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, said on  Tuesday it intended to consider unspecified measures against  individuals who undermined the peace process in Congo.

UN Council Warns Rwanda Against Attack in Congo


THE senior management of Royal Dutch/Shell is starting a whirlwind tour of shareholders and staff. They aim to boost morale and explain plans to unify the company ahead of the vote on the shake-up at next May #39;s annual general meeting.

Shell bosses in a charm offensive


As the Olympic Games headed into the home straight, Argentina won their first Olympic gold medal in more than half a century when their soccer team beat Paraguay Saturday.

Argentina Wins First Olympic Gold for 52 Years


MADRID (Reuters) - The Basque separatist group ETA set off  bombs in cities across Spain Monday, slightly wounding five  people and escalating their renewed fight for independence on  the day Spaniards celebrate unity.

ETA Sets Off 7 Bombs Across Spain; at Least 5 Hurt


SPACE.com - On these late summer evenings \  after the Sun has set, look low in the south for the classical Archer, Sagittarius.

Scan the Summer Sky for the Archer (SPACE.com)


WEAK job growth figures and record-high oil prices pulled the rug from under US equities on Friday, despite soothing words from General Electric about the state of the American economy.

Low jobs growth savages US stocks


AP - Builder Jim Sargent paused on the staircase of the model home, sweat glistening on his forehead as the temperature outside rose into the 90s.

Home Designed to Produce Energy It Uses (AP)


Businesses and government agencies must re-examine the growing threat of cyberterrorism to automated computer systems running power grids, dams and other industrial facilities, security experts said Tuesday.

Experts Say Control Systems Vulnerable


The Blue Jays placed a phone call to Menasha, Wis., last night. As the crow flies, Menasha is about as far away from baseball #39;s winter meetings as the southernmost tip of Greenland.

Hinske shifts to first if Koskie signed


America is riveted by the story emerging in court of how former Disney president Michael Ovitz, now being sued over his 74 million pay-off, shocked even Hollywood with his grandiose behaviour.

You take the bus, Ill take the limo


TOKYO - Japan insisted yesterday it would not bow to the demands of militants in Iraq who threatened to behead a young Japanese unless Tokyo pulls its troops from the country within 48 hours.

Japan hostage faces execution


AP - As many as 19 people believed to be North Korean asylum seekers tried to dash into a South Korean consulate building in Beijing on Monday, but only three succeeded, a diplomat and a news report said.

Defectors Try to Enter S. Korea Consulate (AP)


AP - Tyler Palko threw for a career-high 411 yards and five touchdowns in three quarters Saturday, helping No. 19 Pittsburgh rout South Florida 43-14 and virtually assure the Panthers the Big East spot in the Bowl Championship Series.

No. 19 Pitt QB Palco Throws 5 TDs in Win (AP)


An audit made public Thursday says that the quickest and cheapest way to protect motorists on the eastern span of the Bay Bridge from major earthquakes is to stick with the plan to build the costly single-tower suspension span that has generated so much

Current bridge plan urged Single-tower span now quickest, cheapest <b>...</b>


Adnan Al-Gul, the inventor of the Qassam rockets used by Palestinians to attack Israel, was killed yesterday in an air attack on Gaza.

Israeli Airborne Attack Kills Inventor of Qassam Rocket


Search Engines and The Meta Description Tag\\The keywords and phrases you use in your Meta description tag don't affect your page's ranking in the search engines (for the most part), but this tag can still come in handy in your overall SEO campaigns. What Is the Meta Description Tag?\\The Meta ...


Either there is a reliable crystal ball somewhere in Lowe #39;s (NYSE: LOW) corporate boardroom, or management of the home improvement retailer feels quite confident about its prognostication skills.

Lowe #39;s Builds High Expectations


The fate of the five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya has been discussed by the French President Jacques Chirac and Libyan leader Muammar Quaddafi.

Chirac, Qaddafi Discuss Bulgarian Nurses Fate


Michael Vaughan has endured a lean time in one-day cricket but show him an Australian cricketer and he is a man transformed. Yesterday, at Edgbaston, he excelled as batsman, bowler

Victorious Vaughan on the right path to glory


A Neil Mellor strike in the 90th minute has condemned Arsenal to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield. The youngster struck in the second minute of injury time to pinch the three points off the champions after an absorbing contest.

Mellor strike gives Liverpool victory


A meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the world #39;s wealthy nations with Chinese counterparts on Oct. 1 will be a key opportunity to discuss

UPDATE 1-US says G7 to discuss forex flexibility with China


KATHMANDU, Aug 22: Maoist rebels killed a soldier, bombed government offices and kidnapped six policemen in a raid on a district headquarters in Nepal #39;s far northwest, police said on Sunday.

Nepal Maoists kill soldier, kidnap six policemen


Crude oil futures fell slightly Monday as traders speculated that slower economic growth next year might ease global oil demand. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude

Crude oil prices fall on slower economic growth forecasts


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Pavilion ZD8000 is a TV lover's dream, but it's no lightweight and it doesn't come cheap.

First Look: HP's Hefty Media Center Notebook


The battle moves to the political arena as Taipei and Beijing wrap up their wargames

Hostile Takeover


Singapore #39;s new Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, has announced a partial relaxation of rules on political expression. But, he warns race and religion will remain sensitive issues subject to restrictions.

Singapore announces relaxation of rules on political expression


Union employees at Pratt  amp; Whitney return to work today under terms of a new contract, after failing to muster the two-thirds vote needed to go on strike.

Pratt Union Won #39;t Strike


SINGAPORE - Singapore authorities on Wednesday arrested the chief of beleaguered China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp following his return from China, a police spokesman said.

China Aviation Oil chief arrested


Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United will always be the top team in the country as they prepare to face Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

We will always be No 1 - Ferguson


Canadian Press - OTTAWA  (CP) - Liberal cabinet ministers are coming to the defence of Prime  Minister Paul Martin over revelations from a book written by Sheila Copps.

McLellan defends Martin against questions on his attitude to health care (Canadian Press)


DOLPHINS herded four swimmers together then scared off a great white shark which had moved in for the kill. The 10ft predator circled as lifeguard Ron Howes, his daughter Niccy, 15, and two of her friends took a dip.

SAVED FROM DEATH #39;S JAWS ..BY DOLPHINS


Russia #39;s threat to target  quot;terrorists anywhere quot; is a danger to Britain, Europe and the rest of the world, a top Chechen separatist based in the UK has warned.

Russian vow  #39;a threat to everyone #39;


West Brom manager Gary Megson was left to rue his side #39;s missed chances after the Baggies crashed out of the Carling Cup in extra time at Colchester.

Megson rues missed chances


Billups scored 15 points, including a pair of free throws with 2.6 seconds left, as the Pistons rallied from a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat the Knicks, 94-93.

New York Knicks


No other recording artist can channel American middle-class tastes quite like Chip Davis and his best-selling band

Stoking the Steamroller


WASHINGTON - The White House came out Tuesday against parts of a Senate intelligence reorganization bill, saying they would create

White House Opposes Sections of 9/11 Bill


Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Professional baseball appears ready to make a return to the nation #39;s capital, as an announcement could come later this week that the Montreal Expos will be relocated to Washington, DC for the 2005 season.

Expos to DC announcement could come later this week


AP - Larry Bowa's fiery personality was a perfect fit as a player on Philadelphia's 1980 championship team. It was too much for the Phillies he managed, though, and it was one reason he was fired Saturday, a day before the end of yet another disappointing season.

Bowa Fired As Phillies Manager (AP)


After Beslan, Europe's schools look to cameras to keep children safe without restricting their room to grow

Hard Lessons In School Security


Google has released Google Desktop Search, which enables users to search their desktop computers using the same technology as Google #39;s online-search tool.

Google Releases Desktop-Search Tool


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou were charged by track and field #39;s world governing body Thursday for missing a series of mandatory drug tests.

Greek sprinters charged with doping violations


Cendant Corp., the world #39;s largest hotel franchiser and owner of the Avis car-rental company, said Wednesday it agreed to purchase Orbitz, a popular Internet travel agency, for \$1.

Cendant buys Ortiz for \$1.25B


AP - Scott Verplank had to wait six years, but he finally gets to play in the World Cup. At No. 21 in the world, Verplank is the highest-ranked American who accepted a chance to represent the United States in the two-man team competition involving 24 countries. Nine other players, from Tiger Woods to Todd Hamilton, declined to play.

Verplank Will Play in World Cup (AP)


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces battled insurgents loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City on Tuesday, in clashes that killed 34 people, including one American soldier, and wounded 193, U.S...

Fierce Clashes in Iraq Kill 34 People


Reuters - San Francisco linebacker\Julian Peterson left Sunday's game against Arizona late in the\first quarter with a torn left Achilles' tendon.

Niners LB Peterson Tears Achilles' Tendon (Reuters)


Locally focused group

'Insider' Information Puts City Blogs on the Map


Payments to tens of thousands of people who receive state pensions and benefits will be delayed after a computer crash at the Department of Work and Pensions.

Computer crash to delay pension and benefit payments


Michael Owen scores his first goal for Real Madrid, plus a round of Tuesday's Champions League games.

Owen strike hands Madrid victory


Charlotte Bobcats: Primoz Brezec has signed a contract extension with the Bobcats, who selected him from the Pacers in the expansion draft.

Nailon back with Hornets for camp


Microsoft (Quote, Chart) has expanded the scope of its intellectual property protection policy to cover customers using current and earlier versions of its software.

Microsoft Expands Indemnification


A vigil in Nottingham for murdered teenager Danielle Beccan will call for an end to the city's gun culture.

Nottingham to hold Danielle vigil


PATTANI, Thailand -- At least 78 Muslim detainees suffocated or were crushed to death after police rounded up 1,300 people and packed them into trucks following a riot in southern Thailand. Islamic leaders accused troops yesterday of overreacting and warned the deaths could worsen sectarian violence.

78 detainees die in Thailand


Serie A title hopefuls Juventus and AS Roma made winning starts on Sunday, gaining an early advantage on rivals AC Milan and Inter who were held to draws on Saturday.

UPDATE 2-Juventus and Roma make winning starts in Serie A


Brewing giant Fosters today said that higher annual profits from sales of beer overseas had been eroded by a sharp drop in US wine trade.

Fosters counts cost of poor wine market


Relatives return to the scene of Russia's bloody three-day school siege, as the number killed reaches 330.

Hostage families return to school


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With oil near \$50 a barrel, the Bush  administration is set to allow oil refineries to borrow from  the government's emergency petroleum stockpile to make up for  supplies disrupted by Hurricane Ivan, a congressional source  briefed on the pending decision told Reuters on Thursday.

Bush Set to Open Oil Reserve Spigot


Tony Blair says the government must do more to ensure failed asylum seekers are deported from the UK.

Blair sets asylum removal target


Sun Microsystems Inc. will pay Eastman Kodak Co. \$92 million to license patents originally filed by Wang Laboratories, a former minicomputer maker in Lowell.

Sun, Eastman Kodak settle high-stakes dispute over Java


Tired of new wireless technologies? Then stop reading. Because here's a story about a new wireless system that could someday eclipse the Wi-Fi service you've just begun to understand.

WiMax wings into the wild world of wireless


Microsoft ISA and Proxy Server are prone to an Internet domain name spoofing vulnerability that could allow an attacker to spoof Internet sites.

ISA Flaw Shows Way In To Phishing Attacks


BRUSSELS The Belgian government struggled Tuesday to settle a dispute over a proposed increase in night flights over Brussels, a problem that could cost the country thousands of jobs with the international shipper DHL.

Night flights fuel dispute


Electricity distribution companies in Great Britain will be allowed to raise their prices by an average of 1.3 per cent after inflation in 2005-2005, industry regulator Ofgem said on Monday.

Step change as Ofgem agrees price rise


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rallied across the board  early  on Friday, after a widely anticipated U.S. payrolls  report came in nearly in line with expectations, something of a  relief to a market fearing another bad number.

Dollar Rallies on Jobs Numbers


The carrier recruits Intel, Cisco Systems and other major players to create VoIP phone gear and applications.

AT T forms Net phone alliance


Indonesia #39;s financial markets have reacted with shock to an explosion at the Australia embassy, with both shares and the currency sliding.

Indonesia shares slip after blast


ATLANTA - Preparing for the acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless, Cingular has committed to a \$100 million deal to buy network services from AT amp;T, Cingular said Monday.

Cingular, AT amp;T Wireless, AT amp;T Agree on Services, Branding


SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium): Renault #39;s Jarno Trulli claimed pole position for today #39;s Belgian Grand Prix as weather conditions played into his hands in qualifying yesterday.

Trulli claims pole at Spa


Imagine sitting down to your computer and seeing thin, plastic color displays on either side of your monitor, showing high-resolution text pages you can refer to and print from. On the wall next to you is another large display on which you can show colleagues a power point presentation, or display family photos and notes.

HP offers peek at future of large, plastic displays


AP - A court in northern Nigeria has sentenced two women to death by stoning for allegedly committing adultery, and both will soon appeal the sentences, a human rights group said Friday.

Nigerian Women to Appeal Death by Stoning (AP)


The Italian will be pushing 100 for himself and the team at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa Francorchamps.

Jarno looking to reverse recent form


AP - China appealed to North Korea on Tuesday to join working meetings before a new round of six-party talks on dismantling its nuclear program, despite the North's declaration that it saw no point in attending.

China Appeals to N. Korea for Nuke Talks (AP)


France shed almost half of its 44 percent stake in Air France KLM on Thursday, kicking off a wider deal that could see its remaining stake cut to below

France Cuts Air France KLM Stake


Baltimore Technologies, once a darling of the dotcom boom, is to quit the London stock market, putting an end to its chequered history as a listed company.

Baltimore to quit stock market


A VIRUS WRITER has decided that the wants to see the look on your face when you discover your computer is infected by his handiwork.

Worm turns on webcams


Storm weary residents of Florida and the rest of the Southeast can take a little consolation from the first forecast of tropical weather for next year.

Forecast for next year: fewer nasty hurricanes


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has agreed  to defer prosecution of Computer Associates International Inc.  <A HREF=

Reports: Prosecutors, CA Reach Accord


Apple Computer Inc. AAPL.O may have sold more than twice as many of its iPod digital music players in its most recent quarter than its signature Mac computers, but

Apple Under Scrutiny as Music Competition Rises


Comcast said it was in talks with Time Warner to make a joint bid for Adelphia, which has been operating under bankruptcy protection.

Time Warner and Comcast Discuss Bid for Adelphia


The last two Saturdays of July changed the 2004 Boston baseball season. Before the final two weekends of the seventh month, the Red Sox were alarmingly average. The Olde Towne Team, swollen with the second-highest payroll (\$130 million) in the majors, was finishing a third consecutive month of .500 baseball and a season of great expectations looked like it might ...

Red Sox enter playoffs with seasoned performers


Australian Formula One world champion Alan Jones says the sport #39;s administration is making a terrible mistake if it goes ahead with plans to axe the British Grand Prix from next year #39;s schedule.

Former F1 champ slams axing of British GP


AP - Airline mogul and adventurer Richard Branson announced plans Monday to boldly go where no private transport company has gone before  #151; into space.

Virgin to Launch Commercial Space Flights (AP)


AFP - The leaders of Britain and Pakistan agreed that the world could not defeat terrorism by force alone, and that it must move quickly to remove its

Pakistan, Britain push for uprooting cause of terror (AFP)


Microsoft is expected to hear next month whether antitrust penalties imposed by the European Commission will become effective immediately, or whether they will be suspended for possibly four to five years.

Microsoft awaits penalties timing


JC Penney said yesterday that Allen I. Questrom, the chief executive who has restyled the once-beleaguered chain into a sleeker and more profitable entity, would be succeeded by Myron E. Ullman III, another longtime retail executive.

Ex-Macy #39;s Executive to Lead JC Penney


Crude oil fell after reaching a record \$53 a barrel in New York yesterday on speculation global output may provide US refiners with enough supply to meet winter needs.

Crude Oil Falls From Record \$53; Supplies May Meet Winter Needs


A government review into the nation's No. 1 mortgage finance company charges it with inappropriate accounting practices, the company's board said today.

Regulators Question Fannie Mae's Accounting


Dixons, the UK #39;s largest electrical retailer, has today announced plans to phase out the sale of video recorders by the end of the year.

Dixons to stop selling VCRs


HOSTAGE Margaret Hassan was last night shown on a new video pleading for British troops not to be sent to Baghdad. As the Black Watch headed towards the  quot;triangle of death quot; outside the Iraqi

PLEASE DON #39;T BRING THE TROOPS TO BAGHDAD ..PLEASE RELEASE THE <b>...</b>


Lanny Thorndike, whose Century Shares Trust mutual fund has about a third of its assets in insurance stocks, is keeping his investments in Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos.

Sticking With Insurance Stocks


Company says that instead of just performance, customers now want manageability features and lower power consumption.

Intel sheds light on 2005 desktop strategy


MADISON, Wis. -  #39;Tis the season to buy real trees to decorate the home and Wisconsin Christmas tree farmers hope they can repeat last year #39;s success.

Christmas tree farmers hope for as good of year as last year


\\John Battelle blogs about Rojo :\\

Check Out Rojo


Google released a free tool today that lets people simultaneously search the Web and their personal computers for information, a move analysts described as a potential blow to rivals. <FONT face=

Google Releases Desktop Search Tool


AP - Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday defended Vice President Dick Cheney for saying last week that terrorists will hit the United States again

Powell Defends Cheney's Remarks on Attack (AP)


As antitrust pressure against Intel appeared to ease today, the European Commission filed complaints against France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland saying they unfairly

Antitrust Pressure Against Intel Appears to Ease in Europe


From a much quieter corner of the clubhouse, Houston Astros right fielder Lance Berkman briefly glanced over at the crowd of television cameras and tape recorders encircling teammate Carlos Beltran.

Berkman #39;s magnificent postseason play overshadowed by Beltran


This image of a cheese sandwich was taken from the www.ebay.com Web site. Sandwich owner Diana Duyser, of Hollywood, put the sandwich up for sale last week, drawing bids as high as \$22,000 before eBay pulled the item Sunday night.

Virgin Mary sandwich?


Congress may kill the Air Force #39;s plan to lease refueling tankers from the Boeing Co. By Bryan Corliss. Congress appears poised to reject the Boeing Co.

Boeing 767 deal on path to defeat


The mood at Vivendi Universal #39;s headquarters was distinctly upbeat during a Tuesday morning news conference here to announce the company #39;s first-half results -- despite the fact that

Viv Uni unfazed by \$2.2 bil loss


Reuters - The safety of herbal medicines, which\are widely used on the basis of scant scientific evidence, is\to be investigated by a new panel of European experts.

New EU Panel to Study Safety of Herbal Medicines (Reuters)


Oxford, MS (Sports Network) - The University of Mississippi introduced Southern California assistant Ed Orgeron as its new head football coach during a Thursday press conference.

Ole Miss tabs Orgeron as head coach


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson was  relegated to the Ryder Cup sidelines by U.S. captain Hal Sutton  on Friday after the Masters champion and partner Tiger Woods  slumped to two defeats at Oakland Hills.

Mickelson Benched by Sutton at Ryder Cup


A spokeswoman for Derby City Hospital said that the manager was pronounced dead on Monday morning. Clough, who underwent a successful liver transplant in 2003, had been diagnosed with stomach cancer but only

English soccer legend Clough dies


Reuters - Internet phone service Vonage on\Tuesday said it has struck a deal with Cisco Systems Inc.\(CSCO.O) to sell Vonage-ready equipment at hundreds of retail\stores in a bid to boost new subscriptions.

Vonage in Deal with Cisco in Subscriber Push (Reuters)


Last year's Giants were 4-4 after eight games, then went on an eight-game losing streak, collapsing in a heap of injuries and lost confidence.

Last Year Is Last Year, or So the Giants Hope


Oil prices pierced the \$50-a-barrel mark again today amid concern over possible conflict in Nigeria's oil-producing delta region.

Oil Closes Over \$50 as Market Eyes Nigeria


Whilst some may claim that the British are staunch allies of the United States (depite being having clearly different agendas on the World Stage), the recent request made to Britain for additional support, namely 600 troops from Black Watch to be moved North to Baghdad to help out the 130,000 US troops who want to move upto Fallujah, is being met by the British Parliament with what we might politely call some   hostility. As the Honourable member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (yes, it is as grim as it sounds), Geraldine Smith asks:

The tide is turning...


Great Britain slip down to third after the cross-country round of the three-day eventing.

British eventers slip back


Reuters - Oil prices eased further on Tuesday, as\the head of the OPEC cartel said markets were well-supplied\with crude and traders continued to take profits from this\year's 40 percent rally.

Oil Extends Falls, Supply Fears Lessen (Reuters)


MADRID (AFP) - Former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar rejected the idea that the Madrid train bombings stemmed from his backing for the war in Iraq and told a parliamentary inquiry into the attacks that terrorist groups were inextricably linked.

Aznar denies Iraq link, defends role in wake of Madrid bombings


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday,  with investors taking a breather after Wednesday's rally amid  lackluster monthly sales figures from retailers and  higher-than-expected jobless claims.

US Stocks Lower After Jobless Claims Rise


Coming off a 24-17 loss to 14th-ranked Hampton, Howard is hoping to snap a four-game losing streak to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.

Looking to Break Through


SYDNEY, Australia - Australian voters face a stark choice on Iraq when they choose a new prime minister - to stay or to go.    Prime Minister John Howard, whose conservative coalition is seeking a fourth three-year term on Oct...

Iraq War Divides Australian Candidates


South Korea #39;s Constitutional Court blocked President Roh Moo Hyun #39;s \$40 billion plan to relocate the capital about 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Seoul.

South Korean Court Blocks Roh Plan to Move Capital (Update2)


November 29, 2004 - After months of momentum for Blu-ray, HD-DVD has shot back with a big gain - studio support. Toshiba Corp., which has been developing the HD-DVD format, announced it has lined up Warner Bros.

HD-DVD Gains Three Backers


The top price Gazpromneft will pay for a 76.79 percent stake in Yuganskneftegaz will be set by four government representatives, Vremya Novostei newspaper reported, quoting a source close to the Gazprom board of directors.

YUKOS asset sale: paper names panel fixing the price


USATODAY.com - In their final debate Wednesday night, President Bush and Sen. John Kerry didn't only thrust and parry for 90 minutes. They also displayed their strategy for the next 19 days.

A night of back-and-forth jabs, stereotyping, quips (USATODAY.com)


BAGHDAD, Iraq Britain #39;s ambassador to Iraq is pleading for information on Ken Bigley #39;s beheaded body. The British engineer was kidnapped last month and later murdered.

British ambassador pleads for information on Bigley #39;s body


As the Internet turned 35 last week, Web speed-demons claimed a new record for how fast data can be transmitted over computer networks, announcing they had sent the equivalent of a big fat

Internet #39;s Speed Increases As It Turns 35 Years Old


JENSON BUTTON last night admitted he #39;d give up chasing personal glory in tomorrow #39;s Belgian Grand Prix for the sake of his team.

MOTOR RACING: I #39;LL BE SIMPLY SECOND BEST


Google AdSense Expands with Web Search\\When Google launched Adsense, millions of website owners scurried to sign up. By adding

Google AdSense Expands with Web Search


In the storied, almost century-long rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas, even legendary OU Coach Bud Wilkinson lost a few games in a row to the Longhorns.

Texas looks to overcome Red River losing streak


Citing the urgent need to protect its users from online threats, America Online will begin bundling antivirus software from McAfee with the latest version of its software, AOL 9.0, according to a statement from the company.

AOL 9.0 Packs Antivirus Protection


Hennes  amp; Mauritz AB, Europe #39;s largest clothing retailer, said fiscal third-quarter profit rose 18 percent, the fastest rate in five quarters, as a cooler summer spurred demand for jackets

Hennes  amp; Mauritz Net Rises 18 on European Expansion (Update4)


AP - Matt Morris had every reason to believe he could dominate the Dodgers again. He'd shut them out with a two-hitter last month  #151; so what if he'd struggled down the stretch in the regular season?

Morris Gets No Offensive Help From Cards (AP)


Earlier, SMFG said it offered the one-for-one share exchange ratio to UFJ Holdings as part of its bid to win the support of UFJ for its merger proposal over a rival offer from MTFG.

Japan #39;s UFJ Says It Is Examining SMFG Offer, But No Change to MTFG <b>...</b>


AP - For purveyors of pumpkins, there's more to life than orange. While the standard gourd is the staple for jack 'o lanterns, pies and Thanksgiving tables, seed developers and growers have opened their minds to other colors of the rainbow when it comes to pumpkins.

Colorful Options Offered to Pumpkin Fans (AP)


A preoccupied parent revisits the world of grocery shopping on the Web and finds that a lot has changed.

To Market, to Market, Without the Drive


The much-hyped battle between two of the best wide receivers looked like a draw on paper, but it was Terrell Owens and the Philadelphia Eagles who were

TO and Eagles gather no Moss


When his right-front tire went flying off early in the Ford 400, the final race of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season, Kurt Busch, it seemed, was destined to spend his offseason

Busch pulls out Cup title


Laywers for Ravens tailback Jamal Lewis are preparing to challenge any league mandated penalty  from his expected plea bargain because the incident occured prior to his NFL career.

Lewis Readies Defense


WORCESTER -- Close . . . but not quite. Holy Cross, in search of its first win in more than a year, suffered its second straight last-minute home loss yesterday, dropping a 42-35 decision to Patriot League foe Fordham at Fitton Field.

Holy Cross can't stop Fordham, losing streak


Catching Brian Morrissey is akin to catching a BB with your teeth: It's virtually impossible. But that's the task Brunswick faces tomorrow in a showdown with Governor Dummer for the NEPSAC Congleton-Stokinger title.

Preps step into spotlight


AFP - The dollar drifted higher against the euro in a modest recovery after Friday's decline following weak US job creation numbers for September.

Dollar perks up from Friday's jobs slump (AFP)


The World Trade Organization gave the go-ahead Friday for punitive sanctions on US exports from lobsters to industrial equipment because Washington has yet to comply with a two-year-old order to repeal a trade law that uses penalties collected from

Update 7: WTO Approves Sanctions on US Exports


The flagship George Putnam fund has managed to beat the Dow Jones industrial average by four percentage points in this year's trying market.

Putnam as pariah


The Federal Trade Commission has asked a US District Court to shut down a computer spyware operation. The FTC said Tuesday the operation hijacks computers, secretly changes their

FTC asks court to halt a spyware operation


AMSTERDAM -- A smarter internet and a host of cheap, web-enabled mobile devices will allow access to a whole range of services on the move, research group Gartner Dataquest said on Sunday, ahead of its ITXpo symposium.

Smart Web Changes World


FOR Microsoft shareholders, Christmas may come early this year in the form of a one-off \$US2.35 (\$3) dividend that #39;s part of the company #39;s plan to return some of its \$US50.

Microsoft to change share plans


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Johnny Damon drove in the winning run  with a bloop single in the top of the ninth inning as the  Boston Red Sox rallied to edge the New York Yankees 3-2 in an  American League East showdown at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

AL Wrap: Damon Lifts Red Sox Nearer to Yankees


Sony #39;s forthcoming PlayStation Portable handheld will fail to attract newcomers to gaming, according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, whose comments come as shipment targets for the DS are raised once again.

Ninty boss slams PSP as DS shipment target raised


_ Serena Williams left her opponent swinging at shadows, then Andy Roddick finished off his work with a 135 mph fastball. Roddick and Williams easily aced their latest tests in the US Open on

Roddick, Serena serve notice: Aces aiming for another US Open <b>...</b>


KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 30 -- Twinkie maker Interstate Bakeries Corp. on Monday delayed filing its annual report for the second time, a move that dragged shares lower by more than 42 percent on speculation about the company's ongoing viability.

Maker of Twinkies Delays Filing Annual Report, Hires Turnaround Firm


During its bi-annual Developers Forum in San Francisco this week, the chipmaker focused on promoting its next-generation Itanium and Xeon processors.

Gaps in Intel Itanium, Xeon Road Maps


Reuters - The former chairman of the U.S.\House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, who\earlier this year ended negotiations to head the pharmaceutical\industry's top lobby after critics questioned the ethics of the\move, has now accepted the post, the group said on Wednesday.

U.S. Drug Lobby Group Taps Tauzin for Top Job (Reuters)


Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - China #39;s Zhang Yining, already a gold medalist here with doubles partner Wang Nan, won the women #39;s singles title Sunday with a four-set victory over Hyang Mi Kim of North Korea.

China #39;s Zhang a gold medalist again in table tennis


Prime Minister John Howard has ended the phoney election campaign, naming October 9 as the day he hopes to cement his place in history by winning a fourth consecutive term.

Howard, Latham battle for Oct 9 poll


What's the proper use of a speaker phone? A colleague uses hers to listen to voicemail messages and to make all of her outgoing calls so that I can hear the dialing. It's very distracting and annoying.


Logic Pro 7, the next major release of the award-winning professional music creation and audio production software, will change the way musicians and audio engineers worldwide compose, record, edit and mix music in any studio environment. In addition to more than 100 workflow enhancements, breakthrough new software instruments, new mastering plug-ins and support for Apple Loops, Logic Pro 7 also debuts distributed audio processing, a revolutionary technology which allows audio pros to tap into a virtually unlimited number of Macs to expand available Digital Signal Processing (DSP) power. Sep 29

Apple Unveils Logic Pro 7


SOMALIA, the only country without a national government, took a step towards ending its failed-state status yesterday as international mediators swore in members of its new parliament.

Somalia swears in new MPs


According to the deal worth \$35 million, it will supply and install human resources software to help the US Postal Service manage its staff of about 700,000.

SAP wins SW deal for gigantic US Postal staff


NEW YORK (Reuters) - XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.  <A HREF=

XM Satellite Up, Sirius Down Before Bell


Reuters - China can expect more droughts, floods\and other extreme weather as it struggles to balance rapid\development with environmental concerns, a report on climate\change released on Tuesday said.

China in for Extreme Weather as Climate Change Felt (Reuters)


She seemed distraught when she came home from the hotel, but didn #39;t want to talk about it. By the next morning, she had changed her mind and called her mother at work and told her to come home.

She told mom: I was raped


NEW YORK - Judging merely by the motion Jamal Crawford was using on his jump shot, it was clear he had leapt into the realm players call The Zone.

Crawford #39;s hot hand halts Cavs #39; streak


The Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA), the agency responsible for public transit in Greater New York area, is lowering its projected fare increases and will not lay off employees, officials said Thursday.

NY public transit authority reduces proposed fare hikes


Scientists reconstruct a sea spider from the faint imprint it left when it fossilised 425 million years ago.

Early sea spider flashes pincers


spackbace writes  quot;The notorious, mysterious Source Code Club (SCC) has re-emerged, this time selling source code for a Cisco application in another blatant violation of copyright regulations.

Cisco Source Code Up For Sale: Only \$24,000


VIENNA -- Young girls born in Europe to immigrant families from Africa are subjected to ritual genital mutilation, and authorities are doing little to discourage it, a leading activist for women's rights warned yesterday.

End to genital mutilation urged


Jason Michaels goes 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI to lead the Philadelphia Phillies past the New York Mets, 9-5, Friday.

Phillies Hammer Mets


Army #39;s Rick Greenspan was named athletic director at Indiana University on Thursday, the school #39;s fourth AD in little more than three years.

Indiana hires Army #39;s Rick Greenspan as new athletic director


Reuters - U.S. Treasuries prices were sucked\lower on Monday as speculators took advantage of a vacuum of\economic news to test the bearish side of recent tight trading\ranges.

Treasuries Lower in Data Vacuum (Reuters)


Reuters - A critical Senate\committee plans to vote this week on legislation that would\require broadcasters to abandon their current analog TV\channels and switch solely to digital transmissions by 2009.

Senate Panel to Vote on Digital TV Bill (Reuters)


Holiday shoppers spent 10 percent more Friday than they did a year ago, according to early reports, but Wal-Mart Stores Inc. dampened hopes for a strong start to the key retail season by slashing its November sales forecast by more than half.

Holiday Shoppers Off to a Fast Start


ATHENS, Greece -- American superstar Mia Hamm was given the perfect sendoff as the United States rode their luck to beat Brazil in extra-time and win the Olympic women #39;s football gold medal for the second time in eight years.

US beats Brazil for Olympic gold in womens football


The e-mails have returned from two weeks off. The first week, they succumbed to the shocking news of Notre Dame firing Ty Willingham.

The e-mails are back with attitude


Authorities raided five residences and and an Internet service provider Wednesday morning in the first federal criminal enforcement action against private peer-to-peer (P2P) (define) networks.

DOJ Raids Private P2P Operation


Former Credit Suisse First Boston (NYSE: CSR) investment banker Frank Quattrone #39;s gamble on a jury trial came to a close yesterday when he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice.

Frank Quattrone Is a Bad Man


When Paul Hamm won the Olympic gold medal for Olympic all-around gymnastics, NBC analyst Tim Daggett proclaimed it the greatest sports moment he #39;d ever witnessed.

Scoring dispute won #39;t hurt sport


Sunday #39;s exchange is just one striking example of the post-Arafat thawing of relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. BY SALAH NASRAWI.

Israel, Egypt swap prisoners


Halliburton (HAL), the world #39;s No. 2 oil field services company, posted a third-quarter net loss Tuesday as it took \$230 million in charges to pay for its asbestos liability.

Halliburton posts loss


Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce apologized for arguing with coach Doc Rivers, one day after being benched for not hustling.

Celtics' Pierce Apologizes to Coach


Venezuelan native Johan Santana used his first opportunity as a full-time starting pitcher to prove the bullpen is not where he belongs.

It #39;s unanimous: Santana deserves rotation spot


There's plenty of good news out there in the technology sector, but nearly five years after the great Nasdaq bust of 2000, bellwether firms like Cisco Systems continue to struggle. <FONT face=

Techs Can't Find Hangover Cure


Video footage of the area where North Korea said a huge explosion occurred showed dozens of workers swarming around a dusty construction site resembling a large dam project, while a foreign diplomat who visited the site said Friday he found no sign the

Swedish ambassador says diplomats in North Korean saw no sign of <b>...</b>


Police confirmed a fatal shooting occurred outside a city government office Monday morning (Monday evening AEDT), but could not confirm the identity of the victim.

Dutch filmmaker shot dead: report


AP - For more than a year, Apple Computers Inc. enjoyed singular success selling songs exclusively to users of its iPod portable music player. Now, it's got rival RealNetworks Inc. trying to lure iTunes customers away.

Rival Targets Apple's iTunes Customers (AP)


Oil prices held just below the \$47 mark on Monday as Iraq resumed exports from both its northern and southern outlets after lengthy disruption, despite fierce fighting in the holy city of Najaf.

Oil Holds at \$47 as Iraq Resumes Exports


You can #39;t blame Navy fullback Kyle Eckel for saying the Midshipmen #39;s game Saturday with Notre Dame is more important to the players than the annual intraservice bloodletting with Army.

Navy #39;s main foe is Army, but beating Notre Dame may be more <b>...</b>


NEW DELHI, Sept. 4 -- India and Pakistan agreed Saturday to widen peace talks that focus on eight festering issues, including the decades-old dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

India, Pakistan Extend Peace Talks


Eastman Kodak Co. and Lexar Media Inc. have expanded digital media card offerings with new Kodak picture cards. Lexar will distribute and market Kodak xD-Picture Cards through both companies global retail

Rochester Business Journal


Fiat and General Motors (GM) have agreed to begin a period of mediation to resolve the future of the Italian conglomerate #39;s loss-making auto group.

Fiat seeks pact in row with GM


OBIHIRO - Norwegian Petter Solberg on Sunday won the inaugural Rally of Japan, a race he dominated from start to finish. Solberg in a Citroen Xsara finished well clear of Sebastien Loeb (Citroen Xsara) of

Solberg wins Rally of Japan


BRISBANE: Brendon McCullum and Scott Styris were last night forgiven for expressing pent-up frustration at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday night and cleared to play the Chappell-Hadlee

Black Caps duo cleared to play Australia


HARTFORD, Conn. -- A design for a futuristic glass building with a giant plasma video screen landed Cesar Pelli the job as architect for the new science center at Adriaen #39;s Landing.

New Haven architect to design Adriaen #39;s Landing science center


The price for settling state charges of collusion and bid-rigging by the nation's largest insurance broker could be ''far higher quot; than \$500 million, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said yesterday.

Spitzer says Marsh could face penalty 'far higher' than \$500m


quot;I think it #39;s kind of fun to play new courses, quot; she said.  quot;During the year we don #39;t get to see very many courses other than the ones we play on the tour.

LPGA on new terrain for California tourney


The end zone must be a very scary place, with skeletons and spikes, where dark, shadowy figures with painted faces lurk. It has been a black hole, all right

Bucs #39; season continues its spiral in Black Hole


Pakistani police question the alleged mastermind of a deadly bomb attack on the US consulate in Karachi in 2002.

Karachi bomb 'mastermind' quizzed


Netherlands prosecutors plan to charge a Dutchman suspected of assisting genocide in Iraq in the 1980s.

Dutchman held for 'Iraq genocide'


BRUSSELS : French-Belgian bank Dexia said that it has decided to terminate its plans to form an alliance with Italian bank Sanpaolo IMI.

Dexia formally abandon #39;s merger plans with Italy #39;s Sanpaolo


Three UK bankers must wait until the middle of October to see if they will be extradited to the US over an Enron-related case.

Bankers wait for extradition news


 By Alistair Bell

 MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Latin American literary giantGabriel Garcia Marquez has unintentionally won the last laughon copyright pirates by changing the ending of his latest book,the Nobel laureate's first novel in 10 years.

Garcia Marquez Has Last Laugh on Book Pirates


NAJAF, Iraq -- Radical Shi #39;ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr refused yesterday to meet with a delegation of Iraqi political figures that had rushed here from Baghdad with a last-ditch offer for peace, ...

Sadr refuses to meet with peace delegation


MODERN human beings may have wiped out two species of our closest relatives 25,000 years ago, possibly deliberately. The new research, by scientists at the University of Utah, raises the possibility that we

Our dark past a head-scratcher


Brian Ching did it again, putting the United States in good position to advance to the regional finals of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

United States 2, El Salvador 0


US forces over the weekend entered the hard-line Islamist stronghold of Latifiya in search of the terrorist group that killed two American contractors and last week beheaded their colleague, British engineer Kenneth Bigley.

US forces enter Latifiya seeking hostage killers


Australians will vote on October 9 in an election pitting the conservative government against centre-left Labor, with national security and the economy as major issues.

Australia election date set


PRIME Minister John Howard today said Australia was unlikely to sign a non-aggression pact with its Asian neighbours. The issue is reportedly causing tension ahead of Mr Howard #39;s visit to Laos for the ASEAN leaders #39; summit next week.

ASEAN peace pact signing  #39;unlikely #39;


Hollywood has a new star this morning. But you won't find this star on the Walk of Fame. Instead, you'll have to head 3,000 miles east to Wall Street, where the much-anticipated IPO from DreamWorks Animation is having its debut. <FONT face=

Shrek 3: The Wall Street Years


The highly classified program has provoked opposition from lawmakers questioning its necessity and rapidly escalating price.

New Stealth Spy Satellite Debated on Hill


Used cars have a lot to offer -- if you know what you're doing.

Should Your Next Car Be New or Used?


FORT PIERCE, Fla. - About three-quarters of a million residents of Florida's east coast were urged to evacuate - again - as Hurricane Jeanne churned westward Friday and threatened the state with its fourth pounding in six weeks...

Thousands in Fla. Told to Flee Hurricane


AP - The campaigns of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry tentatively have agreed to a series of three debates that both sides hope will give them momentum in the closing weeks of the presidential election campaign, a person familiar with the debate negotiations said Sunday night.

Bush, Kerry Tentatively OK Three Debates (AP)


Looking to lock up your notebook and its data? IBM is offering you a new choice: its already attractive Thinkpad T42 series now integrates a fingerprint reader.

IBM Puts Security at Your Fingertips


Severe weather caused by global warming can pose greater physical danger to women than men, a Canadian attending a UN conference on climate change said Friday.

Women more at risk from climate change: Canadian at UN conference


The sports and celebrity management firm which represents clients such as Tiger Woods and Elizabeth Hurley is to be sold to a buyout specialist, it emerged today.

Tiger Woods #39; Agents Sold


Worries about the strengthening euro and concerns over persistently high oil prices helped push German business confidence down in November, a closely watched survey showed Thursday.

Update 1: German Business Sentiment Drops in Nov.


Manchester United showed why it has been the dominant club in the Premier League era, ending Arsenal #39;s 49-match unbeaten streak and closing within eight points of the league leader.

Gunners run out of ammunition


Dow Jones Buying MarketWatch for \$519 Million\\Yes Virginia, there is money to be made in web publishing, especially stock market and trading news! The news will invigorate bloggers and news publishers everywhere. If you're read by a certain targeted market with money to spend, you can be worth something. Maybe ...


KINSHASA (Reuters) - The U.N. mission in Congo said on  Wednesday it had spotted 100 soldiers, thought to be Rwandan,  in the east of the vast Central African country but Kigali  declined to say whether its troops had crossed the border.

UN Says May Have Spotted Rwandan Troops in Congo


Paris - A virus that spies on keystrokes and downloads passwords and bank account details is circulating among e-mails. It masquerades as a screensaver designed by internet portal Lycos to attack spammers, a watchdog warned on Thursday.

New virus steals passwords


AP - Ichiro Suzuki tied the 84-year-old major league record for hits in a season with No. 257 when he chopped a leadoff single to left field Friday night.

Ichiro Ties Sisler's Season Hits Record (AP)


Merrill Lynch (MER:NYSE - news - research), despite a checkered history in the energy sector, is jumping back in with its acquisition of the energy-trading business of Entergy-Koch.

Merrill Lynch Returns to Energy Trading


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Point guard Avery Johnson retired Thursday as an active player to accept a coaching position with the Dallas Mavericks.

Avery Johnson retires from NBA


AP - Wade Redden took off his practice gear unsure of when he'd have a chance to put it on again. His injured shoulder wouldn't allow him to play for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey championship on Tuesday night. The lack of a collective bargaining agreement between NHL players and owners figures to keep the Ottawa defenseman off the ice much longer.

NHL Lockout a Virtual Certainty Thursday (AP)


Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan returned to the bench Wednesday against the Nets after missing two games with a blood clot in his leg and Kwame Brown was activated for the first time this season.

Jordan, Brown Return


The software maker offers a new service to add digital signatures to PDF documents.

Adobe tackles document ID


Reuters - Fingerprint sensors, gadgets to pry open\doors and transmitters to spy on unsuspecting targets were\among the wizardry on show at the opening of Italy's biggest\technology fair on Thursday.

Beat Hackers and Learn to Spy at Italy Tech Fair (Reuters)


Jarrod Washburn is a starter by trade, not a closer, a man more accustomed to easing his way into games rather than nailing doors shut. Early in his career, the Angels lefthander saw his share of the relief biz, and it was just enough for him to know it wasn't really his calling.

Call to lefty wasn't right one


For the third time in as many meetings, the Federal Reserve raised a key interest rate by a quarter of a point, which experts say sends a message the economy is moving in the right direction at the right speed.

Fed ups rate by quarter point


Charles Woodson signed the Oakland Raiders' one-year tender for \$8.782 million yesterday, rejoining the team after a 33-day holdout.

Raiders' Woodson signs to end holdout


The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether the federal courts must give a hearing to a Mexican inmate on Texas's death row who says the state violated international law by trying him on murder charges without first notifying Mexican diplomats who might have helped him.

Mexican Inmates on Death Row Win Review


Hugh Osmond, the pubs-to-pizzas entrepreneur, is to make a dramatic move into Britain #39;s life insurance market by leading a 1billion cash acquisition

Osmond makes 1bn life insurance debut


Automaker Volkswagen said Monday there is  quot;no room quot; for wage increases this year as it prepares for pay talks with Germany #39;s largest industrial union.

Volkswagen Says It Will Not Increase Wages


Reuters - U.S. Food and Drug Administration\staff reviewers on Tuesday questioned clinical data for\non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Marqibo, made by Inex\Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc..

FDA Reviewers Mixed Over Two New Cancer Drugs (Reuters)


Daniel Cabrera pitched 7 1/3 strong innings to help the Baltimore Orioles mark their return to Camden Yards after a two-week road trip with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins in the American League Monday.

AL Wrap: Orioles Celebrate Homecoming by Beating Twins


AP - Every Friday, 17-year-old Dhari al-Zahameel's family would wait for him to come back from the mosque so they could have lunch together. Then one day the young al-Zahameel didn't come home, instead sending word he had gone to fight in the jihad, or holy war.

Kuwait: Fundamentalists Recruiting Teens (AP)


Canadian Press - ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - Pushed to end what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, Sudanese government envoys gathered in Nigeria on Monday for talks with rebel leaders from the western Darfur region.

Sudan's rebels, government gather for talks on Darfur crisis (Canadian Press)


TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto stock market was higher Monday morning as energy stocks benefited from the world crude oil price #39;s move above \$46 US a barrel.

Stocks mixed as oil prices lift TSX, add to earnings warnings woes <b>...</b>


AP - Recent winners of the Nobel Prize in physics, and their research, according to the Nobel Foundation:

Recent Winners of Nobel Prize in Physics (AP)


The second and final week of a Delaware court trial relating to Oracle Corp.'s hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft Inc. turned into an extended negotiating session between the two sides. Oracle executives criticized PeopleSoft's business in an apparent attempt to drive down PeopleSoft's selling price, while PeopleSoft rewrote for the sixth time the controversial

PeopleSoft awaits Delaware court ruling


AP - If U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton ever thought their brothers caused them public relations headaches, they might feel lucky compared to Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo.

Peru President's Kin Create Headaches (AP)


Two US soldiers were killed and four wounded when their patrol came under attack in the northwestern city of Mosul, the military said Sunday.

Two US soldiers killed, four wounded during attack in Mosul


A trio of powerful explosions emanating from three different regions in space could mean astronomers might see stars blowing up within days, scientists said on Friday.

Cosmic explosions could precede supernovae


Somewhere in their latest indignity in a six-game losing streak, the Giants stepped into a rabbit hole and found themselves reliving last season all over again.

Giants Are in Another Free Fall