AFP - Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and his Palestinian counterpart Nabil Shaath held

Israeli, Palestinian ministers meet in Italy (AFP)


JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Byron Leftwich once played a college football game with a fractured shin. So will a sprained left knee put the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback on the sidelines?

Jags QB Leftwich sidelined with sprained knee


CNET News.com recently ran a report on companies with technologies that involve implanting RFID chips under people #39;s skin or inside a bracelet.

RFID tags: The people say no


The most contentious issue of the upcoming presidential election so far is history. Whoever expected that wed be re-fighting thirty and forty year old arguments about the Vietnam War?

Re-Fighting Vietnam


AP - The number of Americans who get on the Internet via high-speed lines has now equaled the number using dial-up connections.

Survey Notes Rise in U.S. Broadband Users (AP)


This year #39;s Olympic Games in Athens cost nearly nine billion euros (\$11.5 billion), almost double the amount forecast a year before the opening ceremony, the Greek finance minister said on Friday.

Athens staged costliest Games


The People #39;s Bank of China, China #39;s central bank, announced yesterday that it would raise both lending and deposit interest rates 0.27 percentage point as of today.

China #39;s central bank raises interest rate


BASRA, Iraq - A bomb exploded Saturday outside a former Saddam Hussein-era palace that houses a U.S. consular office, killing at least one person and wounding two others, police and witnesses said...

Explosion in Iraq Kills 1, Injures 2


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is tired of talking about his team #39;s 2-0 loss to Manchester United more than a week ago. United ended Arsenal #39;s unbeaten league record of 49 games in a contentious game at Old Trafford on Oct. 24.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger says feud with Man U of  #39;no interest <b>...</b>


p2pnet.net News Feature:- Reports on Napster creator Shawn Fannings newest p2p application, Snocap, are doing the rounds. Snocap is a, a proprietary Content Identification Service (CIS) that uses audio

Is Fanning #39;s Snocap a sno-job?


Canadian Press - KANESATAKE, Que. (CP) - Quebec provincial police denied Friday they were spying on the Mohawk territory of Kanesatake by hiding a surveillance camera on top of a school opposite the police station.

Quebec provincial police secretly installed camera in Kanesatake territory (Canadian Press)


Federal prosecutors cracked a global cartel that had illegally fixed prices of memory chips in personal computers and servers for three years.

Infineon to Pay a Fine in the Fixing of Chip Prices


Jason Giambi homered to end the longest slump of his career and Esteban Loaiza finally earned his 100th career victory and first for the Yankees, leading host New York over the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-3, last night.

Giambi, Yankees prevail


A sickening video of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley being beheaded by his captors is circulating on the internet. In his last desperate moments, Mr Bigley is seen pleading  quot;to live a simple life quot; before being executed.

Bigley execution shown on internet


Baghdad, Nov 03 - Car bombs killed at least a dozen people in Baghdad and another major city as pressure mounted on interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi to avert a full-scale US attack on the insurgent stronghold Fallujah.

Car bombs kill 12 in Baghdad, Mosul, oil pipeline blown up


Reuters - Oil prices rose on Friday, stemming five\days of heavy losses as fresh sabotage attacks on Iraqi oil\infrastructure renewed concern over the country's supplies,\despite a peace deal in Najaf

Oil Losses Ease on Iraq Pipeline Attack (Reuters)


MOTOR racing boss Bernie Ecclestone, the man trying to axe the British Grand Prix, is backing the Mirror #39;s campaign to save the Silverstone showpiece.

SAVE OUR GRAND PRIX: BY ECC!


ROME, Italy -- Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero has been ruled out for two weeks with an Achilles tendon injury. He will miss the Serie A match against Udinese this weekend, and is a major doubt for Italy #39;s

Del Piero ruled out for two weeks


SINGAPORE : Oil prices pushed past 43 dollars in Asian trading but the market was quite calm as the focus shifted to OPEC following a bloody attack on the US consulate in the Saudi port city of Jeddah.

Oil prices hover above US\$43 in Asia but market calm after Saudi <b>...</b>


UPDATE, SUN 9PM: More than a million people have left their homes in Cuba, as Hurricane Ivan approaches. The ferocious storm is headed that way, after ripping through the Cayman Islands, tearing off roofs, flooding homes and causing general havoc.

At Least 60 Deaths Caused by Hurricane Ivan


BESLAN, Russia - Heavily armed militants who seized a school three days ago are holding at least 1,000 students, teachers and parents hostage inside the building, far more than previously thought, a released hostage and a regional official said.    Russian officials had said that about 350 people were being held by raiders who seized the school in the North Ossetian city of Beslan on Wednesday...

1,000 People May Be in Russian School


KABUL Hamid Karzai was formally announced the winner of the Oct. 9 presidential election by Afghanistan #39;s electoral board Wednesday after an international panel announced that irregularities it had investigated

Karzai is formally declared victor in the Afghan elections


Clamshell-style WCDMA phone packs a browser, e-mail software, and two cameras.

Panasonic Unveils International 3G Cell Phone


The Israeli parliament is set for a second tempestuous day of debate ahead of a vote on whether to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Monday saw Prime Minister Ariel Sharon urge the Knesset to back the planned

Knesset heads towards Gaza vote


Israel's latest and most advanced spy satellite - Ofeq 6 - has been destroyed during launch.

Israeli spy satellite destroyed


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.N.-mandated agency said on  Wednesday its task of watching over Iraq's oil money was being  hampered by the Bush administration's failure to hand over  audits of Iraq contracts awarded without competitive bids,  including to Halliburton .

UN Watchdog Says Work Hindered by Absent U.S. Audits


For the 11th straight time, the University of Toledo defeated Northern Illinois, and this time it is was a Northern Illinois team that had been unbeaten in the Mid-American Conference and seemingly headed for its first appearance in the league

UT reigns on NIU


AP - Celtics longtime play-by-play television broadcaster Mike Gorman was taken to the hospital Monday night at halftime of Boston's game against Golden State with complaints of stomach cramps.

Celtics' Broadcaster Taken to Hospital (AP)


Australia is in a commanding position at stumps on day three of the first cricket Test against India in Bangalore, despite a late fightback from the home side.

Aussies on top but India show fight


AP - A federal judge dismissed an antitrust complaint against a key Internet oversight group brought by a company that controls directories for guiding Internet users worldwide.

Court Tosses VeriSign Suit Vs. Overseers (AP)


Intermec Technologies on Monday unveiled a prototype version of a multi-protocol RFID printer in its PM 4i Smart Printer product line at the Frontline Solutions Conference   Exposition in Chicago. Company officials said it is the first multi-protocol printer in the market.

Intermec unveils first multi-protocol RFID printer


NEW YORK -- Hold off on the traditional postseason, red, white and blue bunting draped over the rails at Fenway for the upcoming weekend series with the Yankees. After wicked Wednesday's double-barrel blast of bad news from the Bronx, Red Sox management might want to decorate with black crepe when the American League Championship Series resumes tomorrow night at the ...

Down again in N.Y.


Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the world #39;s third-largest handset maker, said on Tuesday it was launching the first mobile phone with a stamp-sized hard disc drive this month that would expand the memory capacity by 15 times.

Samsung to Launch Phone with Mini Hard Drive


STANFORD, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Dec. 14, 2004 -- Stanford University today announced an ambitious plan to cooperate with Google Inc.

Stanford and Google to Make Library Books Available Online


In 2003-04, the Bucks won three of their four contests with the Bulls. Overall, the home team has won 13 of the last 14 meetings. Milwaukee has won four of six and six of the last nine contests in this series.

Chicago Bulls Team Report - December 16


NEW YORK (Ticker) - The San Francisco Giants may have to continue their quest for the postseason without their closer. Major League Baseball on Tuesday suspended righthander Dustin Hermanson three games and

Giants #39; Hermanson suspended


The violence in the occupied territories continued Tuesday as Israeli troops shot dead an unarmed Palestinian described by witnesses as mentally handicapped.

Israeli Troops Kill Unarmed Palestinian


Francesco Totti scored a capping brace as crisis-stricken AS Roma got well with a 4-0 away rout of Siena. The Giallorossi built a quick 2-0 lead with Serie A top scorer Vincenzo Montella poaching a pair within 10 second half minutes.

Roma Form Reappears At Siena


Police on Tuesday released two sisters of the alleged al-Qaida leader in Lebanon who died of a heart attack in custody, security officials said.

Lebanese police release detained sisters of dead Al-Qaida detainee


BELFAST (Reuters) - The Irish Republican Army said on  Thursday it would never provide photographic proof of  disarmament as demanded by its Northern Ireland Protestant  opponents.

IRA Says Disarmament Pictures 'Never Possible'


Cleveland Cavaliers youngster LeBron James scored 26 points in his side #39;s 96-74 victory over the Chicago Bulls to become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 2,000 points.

LeBron makes NBA history


The key third-down conversion was typical of Paul Peterson's play in Boston College's 21-7 victory over Penn State Saturday night in an ABC-televised home opener before a sellout Alumni Stadium crowd.

BC's Peterson a pistol at QB


AP - Guillermo Canas booked his third finals appearance of the season with a 6-1, 6-2 victory Saturday over Jiri Novak at the Shanghai Open.

Canas Advances to Shanghai Open Final (AP)


WASHINGTON - Sales of existing homes edged down a less-than-expected 0.1 percent in October as low mortgage rates continued to support a record year, a trade association report showed Tuesday.

Sales of existing homes drop


Brushing aside mounting pressures for a nationwide referendum on his disengagement plan, a defiant Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ruled out any such possibility along with calls for new elections.

No referendum on disengagement plan: Sharon


A man accused of murdering a Belfast solicitor in 1989 pleads guilty, as his trial is about to get under way in the city.

Loyalist admits Finucane murder


Reuters - The Sudanese government and\rebel leaders need to be pushed to find a solution to the\bloody conflict in Darfur, African foreign ministers said\Sunday ahead of a summit on the crisis.

African Leaders in Libya to Discuss Darfur (Reuters)


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Reuters) - Was absenteeism a little high  on Tuesday among the guys at the office? EA Sports would like  to think it was because

'Madden,' 'ESPN' Football Score in Different Ways


The Red Sox extend their winning streak to six games with a 6-to-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers Sunday. Tim Wakefield was masterful over eight innings, allowing just three hits and one run to improve his record to 11-and-7.

Sox win sixth straight


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - In a sign of warming U.S.-Libyan  ties, Secretary of State Colin Powell will meet Libya's foreign  minister on Thursday in the highest level talks between the  countries in decades, U.S. officials said.

Powell, Libya Foreign Minister to Hold First Talks


Apparently, when the good fathers of Notre Dame lately looked to their football sideline, they saw a fellow who wasn #39;t nearly as acceptable as even Gerry Faust or Bob Davie, each of whom was allowed to squeeze out five years in South Bend.

Decision to boot Willingham a cold one


Winner of five medals and arguably the biggest star of the Sydney Games four years ago, the American finished fifth in Friday #39;s long jump and -- barely one hour later -- went out with the US 4x100m relay team.

Marion Jones bombs out of Athens


A decade after Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay sealed a trade deal amid grandiose visions of transforming South America into a single economic bloc, officials representing the Mercosur nations are returning amid mounting criticism to the same colonial Brazilian town where the historic agreement was signed.

Mercosur Leaders Meet, Assess Trade Bloc


TOULOUSE, Sep 21 (SW) - A strange goal early in the second half propelled three-time defending French champions Lyon to a 2-0 win away at Toulouse in Ligue 1 action on Tuesday.

France: Lyon use bizarre goal to earn victory at Toulouse


Spain's foreign minister defends his claim that the former government supported the 2002 Venezuela coup.

Moratinos defends coup comments


MOSCOW -- Russian news agencies report that the launch of the next International Space Station crew may be delayed by up to 10 days.

Russia May Delay Space Station Replacement Crew


The coffin of Yasser Arafat, draped with the Palestinian flag, was bound for Ramallah in the West Bank Friday, following a formal funeral on a military compound near Cairo.

Palestinian Mourners Await Arafat's Arrival


AP - Israeli soldiers on Saturday shot and killed a Hamas militant who the military said was responsible for a rocket attack that killed two Israeli preschoolers last week and triggered an army offensive in northern Gaza.

Israelis Kill Hamas Militant in Gaza (AP)


Shares of technology bellwether Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) fell more than 6 percent on Wednesday, as the company #39;s disappointing revenue outlook

Cisco Stock Falls on Tech Spending Concerns


Judge says law violates free speech, orders blocking stopped.

Court Rules Against State Web-Blocking Law


Sony upped the ante Wednesday in the looming handheld gaming war, giving its PlayStation Portable device a price and on-sale date likely to inspire fierce competition with Nintendo #39;s DS.

Sony sets price, date for PSP


Reuters - Microsoft Corp. said on Sunday that it\would share the underlying software code for its Office program\as part of its efforts to make governments more confident in\the security and compatibility of the world's largest software\maker's products.

Microsoft to Share Office Software Code (Reuters)


Video-game fans across the country stood in the chilly November air last night, eagerly awaiting the arrival of  quot;Halo 2. quot;.

Gamers line up to grab  #39;Halo 2 #39;


Robby Albarado got the 3,000th victory of his career Thursday when he rode Isle of Silver to win the sixth race at Fair Grounds. Albarado, 31, is the defending champion jockey at Fair Grounds

Albarado wins 3,000th race


THE German government has sold a 6.3 per cent stake in phone operator Deutsche Telekom, raising up to 3.1 billion to help cut its growing budget deficit.

Germany in 3.1bn Telekom sell-off


A welfare case management and telephony system worth some \$806.5 million is in danger of being unplugged if the agency overseeing it cannot fix technical and procedural processes in the next several months.

Problems bedevil massive EDS system in U.K.


Bode Miller finished fourth in a World Cup super giant slalom Friday in which Michael Walchhofer led a 1-2-3 Austrian sweep. Miller has won six of 11 races this season and still holds a commanding lead in the overall standings.

Miller is fourth in super-G


NEWS Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch said today he plans to meet media investor John Malone in the coming months, and played down reports of hostility between the two tycoons.

Murdoch to meet News Corp rivals


US retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc plans to open 15 new stores in China next year, reported China Daily on Wednesday. Joe Hatfield, president of Wal-Mart Asia, revealed the news at a press conference yesterday in Beijing.

Wal-Mart enhances mainland presence


A huge explosion struck Hilton hotel at Egypt-Israel border, killing at least 23 people, Egyptian police sources said. Witnesses said they heard a second explosion at the Sinai desert region of Nuaiba, between the Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Explosion rocks hotel in Taba, Egypt, killing 23


Kosuke Kitajima won the men #39;s 200 metres breaststroke final at the Athens Olympics on Wednesday to collect his second gold medal in four days.

Kitajima wins breaststroke double


Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Iran on Friday to heed the demands of the UN nuclear watchdog after Tehran defied the United Nations by going ahead with its uranium enrichment programme.

Putin urges Iran to yield to IAEA demands By Reuters, Thursday <b>...</b>


Robbie Savage claimed the first red card of his life was an absolute joke after the dramatic World Cup clash with Northern Ireland in Cardiff.

Savage  quot;Gutted quot; after Red Card


SYDNEY: Australian scientists who found a new species of hobbit-sized humans who lived about 13,000 years ago on an Indonesian island yesterday said they expect to discover more new species of hominids on neighbouring islands.

Scientists hope to find more tiny hominids


The 11th meeting of finance ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) concluded on Friday, highlighting the role of governments and financial institutions

APEC forum of finance chiefs stresses role of gov #39;t,institutions


A new free new tool lets people easily set up personal journals, often called blogs, on the World Wide Web. MSN Spaces, which debuts in test form Thursday, is aimed at home users who want to share things such

Microsoft Now Offers Blogging Tools


Plus, the \$600 billion cash cow, Kraft's diet pitch, and Samsung sets nano benchmark.

HP Spurns Intel


ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The US women's soccer team will begin its 10-game Olympic gold medal celebration tour Sept. 25 at Frontier Field against Ireland.

Champs will take their show on the road


ATHENS, Greece - The kid couldn't catch the Thorpedo - and he won't be catching Mark Spitz, either. Michael Phelps' quest for seven gold medals ended after just three events, doomed by another bronze Monday night in the most anticipated race at the Olympic pool - the head-to-head showdown with Australia's Ian Thorpe in the 200-meter freestyle...

Thorpedo Sinks Phelps' Shot at Record


John W. Young, Commander of First Shuttle Mission and NASA #39;s Longest-Serving Astronaut, to Retire. HOUSTON Dec 8, 2004 - The longest serving astronaut in history, who flew twice to the moon and commanded

NASA #39;s Longest-Serving Astronaut to Retire


A global summit aims to lay the groundwork for a new structure of internet governance. Participants, however, have very different visions for the future of broadband deployment, net telephony and other web technologies. By Wendy M. Grossman.

Nations Plan for Net's Future


AFP - In an open letter to US President George W. Bush and his Democratic rival John Kerry, the leading Cuban-American lobby group called for tougher US policies against Cuba's communist government.

In letters to Bush, Kerry, Cuban exiles seek firmer anti-Castro US stance (AFP)


Foreign investment declined in 2003 for the third year in a row, a United Nations report has revealed. Last year, total inward flows of foreign direct investment were worth \$560bn (312bn

Foreign investors eye poorer nations


The US has provided airlifts and pledged \$300 million to support African troops in western Sudan.

US, Africa team up to help Darfur


Reuters - Stem cells taken from tiny monkey\embryos and implanted in the brain reversed some of the\Parkinson's symptoms in monkeys used to study the disease,\Japanese researchers reported on Monday.

Stem Cells Reverse Parkinson's in Monkeys (Reuters)


AP - The status of Iraq's crucial oil exports was mired in confusion Tuesday, with government and industry officials giving contradictory statements about whether oil was flowing or whether there were even oil tankers at the port here.

State of Iraqi Oil Exports Unclear (AP)


Oil major Total SA has signed a draft agreement to purchase a 25 percent stake, plus one share, in the privately held Russian gas producer Novatek, the French company announced Wednesday.

Total Signs Draft Agreement for Novatek


It #39;s going to be a little quieter outside of Target stores this holiday season. The company isn #39;t allowing the Salvation Army bell ringers outside its stores.

Salvation Army looks for new fundraising  quot;target quot;


VIENNA, Austria European negotiators are making a last attempt to get Iran to stop enriching uranium so that it can avoid UN sanctions.

Europeans resume talks with Iran to avoid UN sanctions


LONDON -- Open source software proponents received a potential boost from the U.K. government on Thursday with a release of a report citing the well-documented advantages on the server side, but also growing maturity on the desktop front.

U.K. government report cites merits of open source


FM Shalom, who met US secretary in Washington, said Israel would do all that it can to enable elections, as long as it would not harm our security.

Powell calls on Israel to enable Palestinian elections


The study of Titan, Saturn #39;s largest moon, will be one of the Cassini spacecraft #39;s central goals. The probe will execute 45 close flybys during its four-year mission, with the first Tuesday morning.

Cassini To Probe Saturn Moon #39;s Secrets


Leading ISPs, anti-spam vendors, and e-mail software companies are moving quickly to add support for the Microsoft-backed anti-spam technology standard Sender ID, even as some e-mail experts raise doubts that the technology will work.

Sender ID gains traction


Militant Islamic leader Metin Kaplan, the self-described  #39;Caliph of Cologne #39;, in Cologne, Germany, in this June 1, 2004 file photo.

Germany Extradites Militant to Turkey


London has unveiled its detailed plans to stage the 2012 Olympics, promising a Games of excellence without extravagance. Bid chief Sebastian Coe said on Friday the city would

London unveils plans for Olympic Games


Yahoo Inc is more than doubling its limits on free e-mail storage in its latest move to combat two of its biggest rivals, Google Inc and Microsoft Corp.

Yahoo doubles e-mail storage limits


The release of the account on Iraq's weapons is only the latest in a series of damaging blows to the White House's strategy of portraying the war as being on the cusp of success.

War's Rationales Are Undermined Again


Prince Charles will today make the highly unusual move of publicly addressing the furore unleashed by his leaked memo to say the it is a  quot;travesty of the truth quot; to suggest he said people should know their place.

Clarke ends feud with Charles over  #39;social utopianism #39;


BAGHDAD -- After more than a week of fighting between the Mahdi Army and the combined US and Iraqi forces in Najaf, Baghdad's Sadr City, and a half-dozen other cities, analysts say neither interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi nor radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had any good options left other than to talk.

Options running out as Najaf talks collapse


Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Friday the Security Council #39;s call for all foreign forces to be removed from Lebanon and all militias in Lebanon to be disarmed  quot;have not been met, quot; a finding that places Lebanon and Syria in violation of the council #39;s

Annan: Syria is in breach of UN resolution


Crude oil may rise for a sixth week, after reaching a record \$55 a barrel in New York, on concern supply cuts from Norway, Nigeria or Iraq may deter refiners from building winter fuel inventories, a Bloomberg survey shows.

Crude Oil May Rise on Supply Concern, Survey Shows (Update2)


A coalition of organized labor and industrial groups yesterday asked the Bush administration to attack China #39;s currency policy at the World Trade Organization.

Chinese currency policy targeted


Auburn gained a measure of respect in the eyes of Associated Press pollsters for its 24-6 rout of Georgia on Saturday, but it wasn #39;t enough to vault the Tigers ahead of Oklahoma for second in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

Despite Rout, Auburn Remains 3rd Wheel


The nation's factories cranked out more products in July, miners dug more minerals and builders broke ground on more homes, the government said yesterday in three reports that showed some rebound in economic activity last month.

Production Grew, Prices Fell in July


AP - Nine months of chaos and casualties in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's capture have taken a heavy toll on American opinion of President Bush's decision to go to war. Last December, when Saddam was caught, public support for Bush was 2-to-1 in favor. Now the public is evenly divided on whether the war was the right thing to do or whether it was a mistake.

U.S. Public Now Evenly Split on Iraq War (AP)


AP - Jermaine O'Neal practiced with Indiana on Monday for the first time since being suspended for fighting with Detroit fans during the Pacers-Pistons brawl on Nov. 19.

O'Neal Returns to Practice for Pacers (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shipments of personal computers  in the third quarter rose 12 percent, driven by strong  corporate demand and ongoing strength in Europe, the Middle  East and Africa, a market research firm said on Monday.

PC Shipments Rise 12 Pct Worldwide in 3rd Quarter


By jeff fisher. After its historic victory last night against Saint Joseph #39;s, the Penn women #39;s basketball team will face an even bigger challenge against another city rival.

W. Hoops looks for record third Big 5 victory


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - San Francisco 49ers linebacker Julian Peterson will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday on his torn left Achilles #39; tendon.

Season over for Niners #39; Peterson


Since Pedro Martinez wasn't talking, leave it to Kevin Millar to clear that up.

He'll let actions speak


Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ltd., the mobile-phone venture owned by Sony Corp. and Ericsson AB, said third-quarter profit rose 45 percent on camera phone demand and forecast this quarter will be its strongest.

Sony Ericsson Profit Rises 45 on Camera Phone Demand (Update2)


If you don #39;t think anybody else could possibly get any more spam than you, think of Bill Gates. The Microsoft Corp. chairman receives about 4 million pieces of e-mail per day, most of it junk, says Steve Ballmer, the company #39;s chief executive.

Gates loaded ... with e-mail spam


The Guinness Book of Records recognises the world speed record set by Nasa's X-43A hypersonic aircraft in March.

Jet record marked by Guinness


Red Hat Inc. is adding Netscape Directory Server and Netscape Certificate Management System to its software arsenal through a \$25 million deal with America Online Inc.

Red Hat acquiring LDAP server from AOL's Netscape unit


Choosing Domain Names for Professional Sites\\A professional or business site is one where the primary purpose of the site is to facilitate business transactions. You can sell items directly online or exclusively offline, but the result is the same. You want customers to buy products and/or service directly from you.\\To ...


China will strengthen ties with foreign partners to revitalize the economy in Northeast China and to further co-operation in Northeast Asia, a senior official said.

Overseas partners sought to revamp Northeast China


Pfizer Inc. #39;s manufacturing plant in Portage has been put on notice by the US Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly violating federal.

Pfizer plant faces EPA inquiry


Reuters - Voting activists on Wednesday\enlisted computer experts, a trained monkey and a man on a\hunger strike in a last-minute pitch to convince officials to\improve the security of electronic vote-counting systems.

Electronic-Vote Critics Urge Changes to System (Reuters)


Italy police defuse a  bomb  near Silvio Berlusconi's holiday villa, hours after a visit by the UK's Tony Blair.

Bomb found near Berlusconi villa


Defense -- a foreign concept to Wake Forest last season -- was the key in the Deacons #39; raucous, season-opening 97-76 men #39;s basketball victory Monday against George Washington at Joel Coliseum.

WAKE FOREST 97, GEORGE WASHINGTON 76: Wake Forest moves on


AP - Oklahoma's Dusty Dvoracek had been granted a medical hardship waiver by the NCAA, which will allow the defensive tackle who was kicked off the team in September to play a fifth season with the Sooners.

NCAA Grants Waiver to Oklahoma's Dvoracek (AP)


So the 600-page Olympic and Paralympics candidate file for London 2012 is now with the International Olympic Committee and Sebastian Coe has told us we must Make Britain Proud and Back the Bid

Spin doctors must deal with truth


AP - Lleyton Hewitt breezed to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Kenneth Carlsen Monday night in the first round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

Hewitt, Sluiter, Muller Win at Legg Mason (AP)


Berti Vogts was handed a stay of execution when the Scottish Football Association insisted there would be no immediate decision on his future.

SFA hold fire on Berti


Negotiations over the embattled city of Najaf took a new and complicated turn Thursday when an official of Iraq's interim government issued fresh demands to be met by rebellious Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, accompanied by warnings of an imminent military offensive at the shrine where Sadr's militia is holed up.

Violent Standoff in Najaf Continues


Sun Microsystems (Quote, Chart) announced the availability of two upgrades to its software development platforms on Tuesday. Java Studio Enterprise (JSE) 7, the Santa Clara, Calif.

Sun Upgrades JSE, NetBeans


HALIFAX -- The cargo jet that crashed in flames off the end of a Halifax International Airport runway last week had two engines replaced in the weeks leading up to the accident, investigators revealed yesterday.

Two engines recently replaced on cargo jet


The PC industry is doing a better job of satisfying its U.S. customers than in recent years, and improvements to technical support seem to have done the trick, according to the results of a study released Tuesday by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Study: Apple, Dell lead PC customer satisfaction index


Millions of Hotmail users face having to pay to access their messages using the Outlook e-mail program. Microsoft says it decided to start charging for the service as it was being abused by senders of spam.

Hotmail fees for Outlook access


Motorcycle Diaries


PARIS, Dec 10 (AFP) - The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is to launch a new plane, the A350, that will challenge the future Boeing fuel-efficient 7E7, Airbus owners EADS and BAE Systems announced Friday.

Airbus to launch A350 to rival Boeing 7E7


A US firm is proposing to use guided missile technology to make an automated, precision landing on the Moon.

Missile team homes in on the Moon


The Seattle Seahawks finished two games behind the St Louis Rams in the NFC West last season. But with a victory over the Rams on Sunday at Qwest Field, the Seahawks will take complete control of the division.

SEATTLE HOPE TO MAKE HISTORY


Spain #39;s socialist Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, turned his back on the pro-Americanism of his conservative predecessor yesterday as

Spain hosts summit as it returns  #39;to the heart of Europe #39;


David Beckham has admitted the foul on Ben Thatcher which earned him a yellow card in England #39;s World Cup qualifying win over Wales was premeditated.

Beckham - foul  #39;was deliberate #39;


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks looked to open lower on Monday  as oil prices rose to their highest in nearly a month,  increasing concern about the impact on corporate profits.

Stocks Set for Lower Open; Oil Eyed


Rite Aid Corp. (RAD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the third-largest US drugstore chain, on Tuesday warned that if current sales trends continue its fiscal 2005 results would fall below expectations it gave in September.

Rite Aid Nov. Sales Fall, Bleak Forecast


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar stayed firm against other  major currencies on Monday, helped by U.S. jobs data, but  traders said it lacked momentum to advance strongly.

Dollar Firm Vs Yen on Jobs News


Responding to a scourge of online fraud and identity theft that threatens to undermine public confidence in Internet commerce, major companies are rolling out new services to encourage the adoption of better technology to identify customers, business partners, and employees online.

AOL, RSA, VeriSign push authentication services


A site for cut-rate Apple products has amassed a loyal following by taking the unusual approach of relying on readers for bargain-hunting tips. By Leander Kahney.

Site Is Mac Daddy of Apple Deals


BANGKOK, Thailand -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra replaced his agriculture and defense ministers in a Cabinet reshuffle Wednesday, apparently because they failed to resolve Thailand #39;s bird flu crisis and continuing violence in the country #39;s Muslim

Thai leader replaces 2 Cabinet officials


SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia #39;s commodity exports are forecast to increase by 15 percent to a record 95 billion dollars (71 million US), the government #39;s key economic forecaster said.

Australian commodity exports set to increase 15 percent <b>...</b>


ATHENS -- The meltdown continues in the pool for Canada #39;s swimmers. Only this time, it #39;s talk and not just times that are creating heat. Rick Say, who has posted Canada #39;s best individual showing in the pool with a sixth-place finish in the highly ...

Say slams teammates #39; relay effort


Leading Prudential shareholders will this week attempt to garner support for a campaign to replace the insurer #39;s chief executive, Jonathan Bloomer, and Michael McLintock, who runs the group #39;s

M amp;G #39;s McLintock touted as potential Bloomer successor


PARIS, Oct 29 (AFP) - Two major French industrial groups, telecommunications equipment maker Sagem and aerospace engine manufacturer Snecma, announced merger plans Friday that would lead to privatisation of the latter.

French groups Sagem and Snecma to merge


The National Reconnaissance Office has asked the Justice Department to consider opening a criminal investigation into recent disclosures about a highly classified satellite program that has prompted criticism in Congress because of escalating costs, two administration officials said yesterday.

Justice Reviews Request for Probe Of Satellite Reports


The Mercury wasted a 13-point lead and dipped to .500 at 16-16 with a 73-58 loss to the Seattle Storm at KeyArena Wednesday night.

Loss has Mercury scrambling to hold final playoff berth


Syrian troops are about to redeployed in Lebanon, three weeks after a UN motion urged their withdrawal.

Syria to move troops in Lebanon


Oracle Corp. won European Union approval for its hostile \$7.7 billion takeover offer for PeopleSoft Inc., removing the last regulatory hurdle to the bid.

Oracle #39;s Bid for PeopleSoft Gains on EU Antitrust Clearance


SAN FRANCISCO - Business software maker Oracle Corp. will do everything it can to support PeopleSoft Inc. customers, who are vital to the success of Oracle #39;s proposed \$9.2 billion takeover of PeopleSoft, Oracle

Ellision: Oracle to  #39;oversupport #39; PeopleSoft customer


AP - Crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the Pro Bowl running back, and the star quarterback finds the Pro Bowl tight end.

Chiefs' Offense on a Roll Again (AP)


Greer hasn #39;t played since July 11, 2002, but has collected \$21.8 million for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. He will receive a \$600,000 buyout from the Rangers, who declined a \$8,066,667 option for 2005.

Rangers decline 2005 options on Greer, Jordan


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Torii Hunter and Corey Koskie belted  two-run homers in the first inning to help the Minnesota Twins  clinch their third straight American League Central Division  title with an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox Monday.

AL Wrap: Twins Secure Third Straight AL Central Title


NEW YORK (CNNfn) - The Bureau of Prisons has assigned Martha Stewart an inmate register number, 55170-054, and its inmate locator Web site says Stewart is  quot;in transit.

Martha is now inmate #55170-054


LONDON (Reuters) - The BBC's international TV news channel  apologized on Friday after being duped into airing an interview  with a fake Dow Chemical spokesman who said the U.S. company  accepted responsibility for India's Bhopal disaster.

BBC Says Deceived by Dow Impersonator on Bhopal


Northern Ireland #39;s only brewery is to close with the loss of up to 85 jobs after failing to find a buyer, its Belgian owner Interbrew says.

Belfast brewery to close after 107 years


MOSCOW - Russia #39;s Gazprom said on Tuesday it will bid for embattled oil firm Yukos #39; main unit next month, as the Kremlin seeks to turn the world #39;s biggest gas producer into a major oil player.

Gazprom decides to bid for Yukos key oil unit


A series of bomb blasts killed nine people and wounded 35 in northeastern India on Saturday in the deadliest attack since a cease-fire with the main separatist group in Nagaland began seven years ago.

Bomb Blasts in Northeast India Kill 10, Wound 35


Penn State junior quarterback-wide receiver Michael Robinson is listed as doubtful for this week #39;s game against No. 19 Minnesota after suffering a concussion in Saturday #39;s game at Wisconsin.

Penn State #39;s Robinson doubtful for game


DALLAS -- Third quarter profits at Texas Instruments Inc. grew by \$116 million from a year ago due to rising demand for its chips used in high-end mobile phones and digital light processing systems for big-screen televisions.

Texas Instruments posts higher 3Q profits


AP - After weeks of earthquakes and steam eruptions, Mount St. Helens has a new lava dome that could even eclipse the volcano's old one.

Lava Breaks Surface at Mount St. Helens (AP)


The US trade deficit, propelled by a record foreign oil bill, surged to \$54 billion in August, second highest level in history. The politically sensitive

US trade deficit is 2nd highest ever


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Allen Iverson hit a 14-footer at the  buzzer to earn the Philadelphia 76ers 106-104 overtime win over  the Indiana Pacers Friday, spoiling Ron Artest's return from a  two-game suspension.

NBA Wrap: 76ers Edge Pacers in Overtime Win


Sports India  gt; New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court today stayed the Madras High Court order appointing Justice (retd) S Mohan as the Interim Administrator of BCCI.

SC stays appointment of Mohan as interim administrator of BCCI :


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average fell 0.9 percent  by mid-morning on Tuesday and was on course for an eighth day  of losses as a broad range of stocks wilted after oil prices  spiked to \$50 a barrel and U.S. stocks made more losses.

Tokyo Stocks Fall After Oil Spike


Reuters - Sales of existing U.S. homes fell\more than expected in July, as the housing market took a\breather from its record-toppling run, a trade association\report showed on Tuesday.

U.S. Existing Home Sales Fall in July (Reuters)


A Melbourne financial manager faces a hefty prison sentence after stealing AU\$1m from his clients and handing it over to Nigerian advance fee fraudsters.\

News: 419ers take Aussie financial advisor for AU\$1m


They knew all about this haunted house in the Bronx and about the ghosts that come out around midnight in October. But until last night, the Minnesota Twins hadn #39;t lived the nightmare themselves.

Yankees rally in 12th, even series


The Whitehouse Station, NJ-based drug giant held its traditional yearly conference call announcing earnings guidance for next year.

Merck #39;s Irrelevant Guidance


com October 8, 2004, 10:45 AM PT. Mac sites were abuzz Friday on reports that Apple is readying a color-screen iPod in time for the holidays.

Rumor site pictures Photo iPod for holidays


HOPKINTON -- If there's one room in the house that's his, Ron Sargent says it's the home office.

Creating a home office with Staples CEO


Microsoft and Dell launched a new initiative program for their enterprise consumers that promise to be productive and cost efficient.

Dell and Microsoft improves patch management


Swiss maestro Roger Federer has produced a devastating display of tennis to crush Lleyton Hewitt in a one-sided US Open final at Flushing Meadows.

Federer crushes Hewitt to win US Open


Hoping to put the ordeal of the last several months behind her, business executive Martha Stewart said yesterday that she wants to begin serving her prison sentence for lying about a stock sale  quot;as soon as possible. quot;

Stewart asks to start serving her prison sentence


(Baghdad-WABC, September 6, 2004 ) - It could have all been a case of mistaken identity in Iraq. Sunday, Iraqi officials thought they #39;d nabbed Saddam Hussein #39;s former right-hand man in a shoot-out north of Baghdad.

Tests Show Forces Did Not Nab Saddam #39;s Right Hand Man


The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised its 2004 economic growth forecast for the region to seven per cent from 6.8 per cent due to surging exports, but cut its 2005 estimate as it sees China #39;s expansion slowing.

ADB lowers India #39;s 2005 growth forecast to 6


AP - A test pilot in a stubby rocket plane will try to climb more than 60 miles over the Mojave Desert and punch through the atmosphere Wednesday in the first stage of a quest to win a  #36;10 million prize meant to encourage space tourism.

Rocket Plane to Attempt Space Flight (AP)


Microsoft on Thursday will launch its long-promised Internet search engine, which will compete directly with market leader Google, sources close to the company said Tuesday.

Microsoft ready to launch search engine


AP - Belarusians' decision whether to scrap presidential term limits in a referendum this weekend could determine if this East European nation will remain an isolated Soviet-style throwback or slowly turn toward the West.

Belarusians Vote in Term Limit Referendum (AP)


The student loan industry is collecting a record amount of the old subsidies Congress thought it had retired.

A Windfall for a Student Loan Program


TOKYO (Reuters) - Ring tones on mobile phones were once  considered cool if they simply sounded musical. Then phones  starting ringing to the tune of a pop song, giving way to

Mobile Operators Seek Higher Sound Quality


If you didn #39;t get a chance to see it Wednesday night, you #39;ll have to wait another four years. People all over world had a chance to see a lunar eclipse Wednesday night.

Lunar Eclipse won #39;t happen again for four years


Top seeds Lleyton Hewitt and Maria Sharapova were taken to three sets in their second round matches before safely advancing at the \$860,000 Japan Open on Wednesday.

Top seeds Hewitt, Sharapova safely through in Japan


Consumers may not be getting what they think when they pay to download music. After years of resisting the inevitable, the music industry has responded to the music download phenomenon by offering music in digital formats through online stores.

Pay music services have limits


President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of indulging terrorists, just hours after a Chechen warlord claimed responsibility for a wave of deadly attacks in Russia and threatened more.

Putin accuses West


After preaching the superiority of its DLT tape format for years, Quantum has up and bought Certance, a key maker of the rival LTO format.

Quantum Snags LTO Rival Certance


8 November 2004 - The Arctic climate is warming rapidly, much larger changes are in store due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases from human activity and the global impact such as rising sea levels will be staggering, presenting one

World must act now to forestall staggering threat from global <b>...</b>


A panel of senior biologists has told the US Fish and Wildlife Service not to list sage grouse as an endangered species. If Fish and Wildlife Director Steve Williams follows the panel #39;s

Panel says keep sage grouse off endangered list


These are hopeful times for those who like to think the prospects of life elsewhere are good.

All of a Sudden, the Neighborhood Looks a Lot Friendlier


Merck  amp; Co Inc. on Thursday pulled its arthritis drug Vioxx off the market because it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, a move that sent the company #39;s

Merck Pulls Arthritis Drug from Market


New York, NY: It was to be expected; the four main events of Don Kings pay per view telecast on HBO were, shall I say, dreadful.

Ruiz, Byrd, Rahman and Donald All Score Wins


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

Israel's Top Court Upholds Dropping of Sharon Case (Reuters)


Iraq's interim president says Ghazi al-Yawar the 30 January poll must go ahead, despite continuing violence.

Iraqi leader backs January poll


The Object Management Group (OMG) is in the process of voting on whether to approve Unified Modeling Language (UML) 2.0, the latest version of this specification for model-driven development. InfoWorld Editor at Large Paul Krill talked about the subject with Brian Selic, IBM Distinguished Engineer and co-chairman of the OMG task force on UML 2.0.

Q A: OMG member talks up UML 2.0


By now weve established that the fans are tired of college footballs bowl system, the prevailing opinion that wed all like to see a playoff.

Not bowling them over


LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. crude prices rose to another new  record on Thursday, rising 25 cents to \$47.52 a barrel on  evidence that high prices are not hurting world oil demand  growth.

U.S. Crude Sets New Record: \$47.52/Barrel


DUSSELDORF - Struggling German retail concern KarstadtQuelle asked shareholders Monday for a EUR 500 million capitalisation increase, at the same time cautioning that it may only just barely turn a profit again in 2005.

Embattled retailer downbeat on profit


Zee TV Network has decided to take legal recourse in the battle over the controversial cricket telecast rights, as its board of directors has chosen not to submit fresh bids.

Zee TV to take legal recourse


The Web site of identity-fraud suspects operating as the

Photo: Cybercrime arrests


Microsoft said some spyware could cause computers to freeze up upon installation of the SP2 update. Microsoft recommends that users clean their PCs of spyware and back up their data before

Microsoft Warns Spyware Could Foul Up System


AP - After a series of delays, a Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying a Global Positioning System satellite for the Air Force roared into space early Saturday.

Air Force GPS Satellite Roars Into Space (AP)


Three directors of Manchester United have been ousted from the board after US tycoon Malcolm Glazer, who is attempting to buy the club, voted against their re-election.

Glazer forces out Man Utd directors


The 10 th round of the inter-Korean economic talks planned to start today for a four-day run in Seoul has been cancelled as Pyongyang refused to contact Seoul to coordinate meeting schedule the day prior, a government official said Monday.

Inter-Korean Economic Talks Cancelled


It #39;s a problem that confronts every homeowner: There #39;s always at least one lightbulb around the house that needs to be replaced -- often in places that require a ladder.

New light technology promises longer life and lower costs


FAIRFAX, Va. - A judge dismissed an indictment Friday against convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad, ruling that the state waited too long to try him for capital murder in the death of an FBI analyst who was shot in a store parking lot...

Va. Judge Dismisses Indictment Vs. Sniper


CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. regulators, who rejected  Cyberonics Inc.'s <A HREF=

Cyberonics Gets FDA OK for Small Study


A number of the larger Linux developers like Red Hat and Novell are likely to back the plan, bolstering its uptake in the market. The agreement aims to ensure compatibility between Linux versions

Linux Group Pushes for Greater Standardization


The European Union #39;s ambition to become the world #39;s most dynamic economy by 2010 is becoming a tale of  quot;missed objectives and failed promises, quot; said a report released Wednesday.

Report: EU #39;s Growth Strategy Off-Target


Delta Air Lines said it would cut 12 percent of its work force and said a bankruptcy filing was a real possibility.

Delta Aims to Cut Jobs 12, Drop a Hub and Reduce Pay


Lawson, a senior guard whose previous high was the 11 points he scored earlier this month against Holy Cross, hit 8-of-12 shots, including three 3-pointers.

Minnesota 68, Chicago St. 58


We have long maintained ambivalence toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the one hand, he is trying to pull his backward nation out of decades of communism-spawned doldrums to a take a leading place in the democratic world.

Putin #39;s power grab


OLYMPIC pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva said today she cleared five metres in training earlier this year under competition conditions, nine centimetres more than the world record she set in winning gold in Athens.

Isinbayeva cleared high five


Peru recently made a decision that appears destined to result in the equivalent of a global  quot;no smoking quot; sign, a development that spells yet more trouble for tobacco companies.

Are Tobacco #39;s Days Numbered?


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

Atlanta rallies to top Dodgers


NEW YORK Oct. 4, 2004 - American International Group Inc., one of the world #39;s largest insurance firms, said Monday that the Securities and Exchange Commission may bring a civil action against the company

SEC Mulls Civil Action Against AIG


HOUSTON (Reuters) - Halliburton Co. <A HREF=

Halliburton Posts Loss on Asbestos Charge


BANGKOK : Andy Roddick laid on a 21-ace performance to crush Thomas Johansson 6-3, 6-4, moving past jet-lag and into the semi-finals of the 550,000-dollar Thailand Open.

Tennis: Roddick joins Federer in Bangkok semi-finals


California football coach Jeff Tedford looks up at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter as their game against Southern Mississippi winds up in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Cal Coach Gets Five-Year Contract Deal


LOS ANGELES - A video game fan upset over a failed disc drive in his Xbox video game console has sued Microsoft Corp. on behalf of all Xbox owners across the United States.

Xbox owner sues over defective disk drives


Russian oil company Yukos's crippling tax debts finally forced a much-feared production cut yesterday, but its exports to Europe looked safe after it made a barter deal with the pipeline monopoly.

Yukos cuts output, seals shipping deal


Search junkies can be psyched for a cool site, but will some features backfire?

Is Amazon's A9 Benign?


LYON, France (Reuters) - Seventh seed Vincent Spadea came  back from the brink to defeat Jurgen Melzer 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 at  the Lyon Grand Prix Friday.

Spadea Returns from the Brink


MOSCOW -- Investigators searched through heaps of mangled bodies and metal strewn over dozens of miles of fields and birch groves in two Russian regions yesterday to try to determine why two passenger jets crashed almost simultaneously.

Russia probes 2 deadly air crashes


TOKYO (Reuters) - An earthquake with a preliminary  magnitude of 5.6 shook northern Japan on Monday in the same  area where the country's deadliest quake in nine years killed  23 people and injured more than 2,000 two days ago, media  reported.

Strong Quake Shakes Northern Japan, Felt in Tokyo


The Chicago White Sox claimed right-hander Bobby Jenks off waivers from Anaheim on Friday and designated righty Eduardo Villacis for assignment.

White Sox claim Jenks off waivers


Madrid, Spain (Sports Network) - The United States and Spain will play their 2004 Davis Cup final on a clay court at Olympic Stadium in Seville, from December 3-5.

US will battle host Spaniards in Seville


Voters tend to forget most of what is said during U.S. presidential debates, but a few memorable moments endure.

U.S. Presidential Debate Trivia: Gaffes, Zingers, More


Freescale Semiconductor Inc. has won a long-term contract worth more than 200 million euros (\$246 million) to supply car components to Siemens, the companies said on Monday.

Freescale Wins 200 Mln Euro Siemens Supply Deal


All-in-one machine at Intel confab bears resemblance to new Apple PC. Also: High-tech sandwich boards?

At IDF: iMac look-alikes and monitors as hats


Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is not brain dead but is critically ill in a coma, between life and death, Palestinian envoy to Paris Leila Shahid said on Friday.

Arafat in Coma, Critical State -Palestinian Envoy


African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto #39;o Fils has found his scoring touch with two goals in Barcelona #39;s 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza on Thursday.

Eto #39;o on target


As the winner of the Funai Classic at Walt Disney World Resorts walked up to the 18th green, a member of the gallery shouted Way to go Arnie!

Ryan Palmer Triumphs At Disney


Cragg Hines welcomes the departure of NASA #39;s chief but worries about the list of potential successors, especially Gen. Missileman.

Current stories in Viewpoints, Outlook:


AP - Edgerrin James is back to his old ways. Eluding tacklers with knee-buckling cuts and spins, dropping his shoulder to finish runs, he's giving the Indianapolis Colts the runner they need to keep defenses honest.

Passing Colts Have Edge in Ground Game (AP)


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

Scientists pinpoint Yushchenko poison


A lawyer and two ex-convicts remained in jail Wednesday after being arraigned on charges of trying to use a videotape of a fistfight to blackmail Denver Nuggets basketball star Carmelo Anthony for \$3 million.

Three arraigned in \$3 million extortion scheme involving NBA star <b>...</b>


Deutsche Bank AG said it #39;s not in talks with US billionaire Malcolm Glazer about financing a possible bid for Manchester United Plc, denying a newspaper report earlier today.

Deutsche Bank Says It #39;s Not in Talks With Glazer, Denies Report


The Houston Astros, down 0-1, put their hopes in a pitcher untested in the postseason when they give Pete Munro the ball (8:19 p.m., Fox).

Untested Munro Gets Ball


BAGHDAD -- Ayad Allawi, Iraq #39;s interim prime minister announced plans yesterday to extend a cash-for-weapons program for Shiite fighters in Baghdad #39;s Sadr City to cities countrywide in an attempt to disarm the country.

Iraqi government to extend cash-for-weapons program


LONDON - The controversial Brian Clough, who led Nottingham Forest to two European Cups, died aged 69 yesterday. A great motivator and tactician who managed Forest to the 1979 and 1980 wins, he was universally

Forest legend Brian Clough dies at 69


CHICAGO -- Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra missed yesterday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers because of a strained left wrist and his status is day to day.

Strained left wrist sidelines Garciaparra


LONDON (Reuters) - European shares opened weaker on  Tuesday, tracking a late dip on Wall Street as Colgate sparked  fresh earnings fears and on strong oil prices, but Tesco rose  after thumping first-half profit expectations.

European Stocks Subdued Ahead of Fed


The head coach is revved up and ready to go. Is his Penn State team? By FRANK BODANI. If nothing else, at least 77-year-old Joe Paterno is still breathing fire to try and work his team out of it #39;s three-game slide.

Paterno tries to light fire under Nittany Lions


TORONTO - Beer, a health food? That's what some Canadian researchers report. A study from the University of Western Ontario finds a brew could be good for you...

Beer in Moderation Could Be Good for You


IBM Monday introduced a security service that offers a concise, monthly global-network threat report designed to help organizations assess security needs and vulnerabilities from a business perspective.

IBM offers companies monthly security report


Rule might or might not exist. But then it'd be secret

Feds go for hypothetical defence in airline ID case


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents penetrated Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone and set off bombs at a market and a popular cafe Thursday, killing five people, including three Americans, the U.S. military said, in a bold attack on the compound housing the U.S...

Blasts Kill Five in Baghdad's Green Zone


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - SBC Communications Inc. <A HREF=

SBC Offers Wi-Fi Service to DSL Users for \$1.99/mo


The first Halo game sold quite a few Xboxes (we know a few Xbox owners who don #39;t appear to play any other titles on their consoles), and Halo 2 clocked \$125 million in sales on its first day in stores.

Improved  #39;Halo 2 #39; has multiplayer mode


Ray Whitney scored for the second straight game and added an assist, helping the World Stars rebound from a lopsided loss and beat Swedish champion HV71 5-1 on Friday.

Locked-out NHLers defeat Swedish champs


BAGHDAD, 19 November 2004 - A wave of violence engulfed Iraq as a US Marine and an Iraqi soldier were killed in Fallujah yesterday.

Wave of Violence in Iraq as Marine Is Killed in Fallujah


A member or members of the USC football team is being investigated for alleged sexual assault, the Los Angeles police department said last night.

Southern Cal faces sex assault probe


Production Suite, essential software suite for film and video that delivers real-time production tools in one comprehensive and integrated package, combines Final Cut Pro HD, Motion and DVD Studio Pro 3. Production Suite is available now for a suggested retail price of \$1,299. Aug 10

Apple Introduces Production Suite


United Airlines, the bankrupt carrier, on Tuesday made its first progress in efforts to achieve a second round of labour cost cuts when it said it had reached a tentative agreement

United reaches tentative deal with pilots


FALLUJAH, Sept 26: At least 25 people were killed in US air strikes on Fallujah and an insurgent attack on a petrol convoy in the nearby town of Latifiya on Sunday.

Air raids, attack kill 25 in Iraq towns: Women, children included


com October 15, 2004, 5:11 AM PT. Wood paneling and chrome made your dad #39;s station wagon look like a million bucks, and they might also be just the ticket for Microsoft #39;s fledgling

Microsoft gets a fashion makeover


DUP leader, Ian Paisley has claimed confidential sources have told him the IRA may be about to go ahead and decommission its weapons.

Paisley claims IRA ready to decommission


By LINDSEY TANNER    CHICAGO (AP) -- The number of people hospitalized in the United States because of the flu has climbed substantially over the past two decades to an average of more than 200,000 a year, in large part because of the aging of the population, a government study found.    Severe cases of the flu can result in pneumonia, dehydration or a worsening of chronic medical conditions, and can be life-threatening - especially for the very old or the very young...

Flu Is Sending More and More People to Hospital


Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed a 75th minute winner as Serie A leaders Juventus came from behind to beat Lazio 2-1 at the Delle Alpi stadium on Sunday.

UPDATE 2-Ibrahimovic winner keeps Juve four points clear


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue-chip stocks fell  on  Thursday to nearly a five-week low as crude oil touched \$49 a  barrel, close to the record set last month, and a key gauge of  future economic activity fell for a third straight month.

Stocks Drop on \$49 Oil, Slowing Economy


VIENNA, Austria - A 35-nation meeting of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency on Saturday demanded that Iran suspend all aspects of uranium enrichment, setting an indirect November deadline for Tehran to heed its conditions...

U.N. Tells Iran to Suspend Nuke Program


Fremont Investment Advisors of San Francisco has agreed to pay \$2.1 million in restitution and \$2 million in civil penalties to end a mutual fund timing case, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced Thursday.

Fremont Settles Mutual Fund Timing Case


Reuters - OPEC may resist calls to raise oil\output quotas much, if at all, when it meets this week for fear\of turning a decline from record prices into a rout.

OPEC Eyes Caution, Supply Weighs on Price (Reuters)


FOR Celtic chairman Brian Quinn there is simply no hiding place from reminders of what has to be done. That includes when he is sitting watching his side win 2-0 at Dunfermline to reclaim top spot in the SPL.

Stop the talking and start spending


Scrushy faces fewer counts for role in accounting scandal after grand jury consolidates old charges. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal grand jury Wednesday consolidated charges against HealthSouth Corp.

New charges for HealthSouth ex-CEO


Description: Since 1936, the outcome of the Washington Redskins last home game has predicted the next president. When the Redskins have won their last home game, the incumbent party has retained the White House.

Pigskin Prediction: As Go the Redskins...


AP - The promise of Internet-based video has long been hamstrung by copyright and piracy worries, slow dial-up connections, technical challenges and consumer disdain for watching blotchy videos on their home computers. But a Silicon Valley startup is tackling those obstacles, hoping to become the first major provider of cinema straight from the Internet to the living room boob tube.

Startup Launching Web-To-TV Video Service (AP)


Four Linux vendors have joined together to develop technology that would potentially make it easier for software makers to build products for multiple distributions of the open-source operating system.

Conectiva, Mandrakesoft, Turbolinux, Progeny Form Core Linux Group


THE guy exudes an aura of sure-fire confidence - the confidence that is based on his burning desire to excel. Shaikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum expects to be successful - and he invariably is.

The Ballad of Shaikh Ahmed


Reuters - Satellite television provider\DirecTV Inc. said it may take up to  #36;1.6 billion in charges to\write down the value of satellites it would use for\broadcasting instead of high-speed data services.

DirecTV Sees Up to  #36;1.6 Billion Charge (Reuters)


Company debuts technology that will make it possible to send false information about an incoming call.

Caller ID: Do you really know who's calling?


AP - Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend knows how lonely it can feel when lined up in man-to-man coverage across from a receiver such as the Eagles' Terrell Owens.

Small Steelers DBs Concerned With Owens (AP)


Reuters - U.S. average retail gasoline prices\rose over the last two weeks as storms temporarily shut  down\oil production and refineries along with Gulf Coast, an\industry analyst said on Sunday.

Gasoline Prices Rise with Storm (Reuters)


BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq #39;s landmark January polls looked set to take place as planned although the violence that prompted delay calls remained rife, as an anti-rebel sweep south of Baghdad claimed its first victims and five US troops died in western Iraq.

Iraq vote date maintained despite deadly violence


ACCORDING TO MARKET watchers, iSuppli, in Q1-Q2 2004 Spansion (AMD/Fujitsu) remained Number One mobile phone flash memory supplier, a position it first stole from Intel in 2003.

AMD-Spansion shoves Intel into 2nd place


A lawsuit filed by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer against GlaxoSmithKline over charges that the pharmaceutical company withheld information about the safety and effectiveness of Paxil has been settled.

GlaxoSmithKline settles with NY, will disclose drug study info


AP - Iran's capital is an unlikely place for Iraq's neighbors and Egypt to discuss the infiltration of terrorists into Iraq. Not only does the Persian country have a long history of conflict with Arabs, it is also accused by the United States of supporting the insurgency across the border.

Iraq's Neighbors Prepare to Meet in Iran (AP)


Xine media player takes advantage of video accelerators in Via chipsets.

Via Tunes Open-Source Media Player


As expected, Computer Associates (CA) is now shipping the Ingres r3 database for Linux following last summer #39;s announcement it would be available under an open source license.

CA ships Ingres r3 database for Linux


MADRID (Reuters) - Spain have named an unchanged team for  next month's Davis Cup final against the United States in  Seville as they bid to secure a second title in five years.

Spain Unchanged for Davis Cup Final


Scientists have long known that the Earth rings like a giant bell after large earthquakes - albeit a bell that no one could ever hear - due to slight deformations that leave the planet jiggling like a bowl of Jell-O.

Earth #39;s a real hum-dinger - literally


AP - Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon has a broken vertebra in his neck that will sideline him at least six weeks.

Raiders' Gannon Has Broken Neck Vertebra (AP)


Cisco today unveiled what it claimed is the world #39;s first Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) enabled IP phone, in addition to a raft of enhancements to its Catalyst switching range designed to boost security, availability and performance.

Cisco revamps Catalyst switch range


After surviving the roughest part of their schedule, the Indianapolis Colts look poised to build some momentum. The Colts aim for their fourth straight win on Sunday when they host the Oakland Raiders, who are trying to snap an 11-road-game losing streak.

COLTS LOOK FOR MOMENTUM


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The body of an Egyptian who was  kidnapped in Iraq last month has been found in northern Iraq,  Iraqi police said on Sunday.

Body of Egyptian Hostage Found in Iraq - Police


United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), the world's second-largest contract chip maker, announced Wednesday that strong demand and higher capacity helped its net income for the third quarter more than double from the same period a year ago.

Taiwan's UMC sees higher profit on strong demand


Hitting hero Ichiro Suzuki declined to accept a prestigious award from the Japanese government for a second time. Tokyo wanted to salute Suzuki #39;s achievement for producing the most hits in a season

Seattle #39;s Suzuki declines to accept top Japan government honour


Russian President Vladimir Putin and China #39;s prime minister, Wen Jiabao, have met in Moscow for talks on trade and the fight against terrorism.

Russia, China Hold Trade, Anti-Terrorism Talks


Yes, it #39;s only three games but some things are obvious early on. The Redskins are in serious trouble at quarterback. And trouble at quarterback might as well be a computer virus; it ruins everything, even the defense.

Quarterback is a question mark


JABALYA, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Israeli forces thrust into  Gaza's largest refugee camp on Thursday, killing five  Palestinians including a 9-year-old boy, as the army tightened  its grip on the northern part of the coastal strip.

Israel Kills 5, Including 9-Year-Old, in Gaza


AFP - The workers' union at Taiwan's state-run Chunghwa Telecom, the island's leading telecom operator, threatened to stage an unprecedented strike, demanding the government guarantee their rights while it pushes for the firm's privatization.

Chunghwa Telecom union threatens strike amid privatization concerns (AFP)


WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (AFP) - The discovery of life in the American jobs market may keep the Federal Reserve raising interest rates until the end of 2004, analysts said.

October jobs boom may keep US rates rising to the end of 2004


JD Wetherspoon, the pubs chain renowned for converting banks into boozers throughout the 90s, has posted its first profit decline since it floated 12 years ago, and warned that 2005 will be another  quot;difficult year quot;.

Wetherspoon ends run of profit rises


NEW YORK - Alcoa (AA) shares plunged more than 5 in early Friday trading after the world #39;s largest aluminum producer warned that third-quarter results would fall far short of Wall Street expectations, hurt by plant shutdowns, restructuring costs and

Alcoa shares plunge on profit warning


Families who are approved will receive a Christmas food box and gifts for their children through the Angel Tree program. Those applying need to appear in person at The Salvation Army, 200 E. Ninth in Shawnee.

Christmas assistance


AP - Bob Whitfield's 12-year career with the Atlanta Falcons ended Sunday afternoon when he was released.

Atlanta Cuts 12-Year Veteran Whitfield (AP)


Founders of Dreamworks film studio  feature on Forbes' 2004 list of the richest 400 people in America.

Dreamworks trio in US wealth list


On a recent campaign stop, President Bush dropped in to visit the Cleveland Browns before one of their training camp practices.

Browns ready to rebound


Markel Corp. said yesterday that state insurance departments had issued document requests or administrative subpoenas to several of its subsidiaries related to producer compensation arrangements.

Business Briefs


The Government is considering tough new anti-terrorism laws amid fears of an al-Qaida attack on Britain. Home Secretary David Blunkett will unveil the new proposals in an interview to be aired today on ITV1 #39;s Jonathan Dimbleby programme.

New anti-terror plans


Paris - Swiss bank UBS is expected to purchase Charles Schwab Corporation #39;s capital markets business and its SoundView Technology stock-research operation for \$265 million (R1.

UBS bank to snap up Schwab research unit


Television: ESPN2. Dave O #39;Brien (play-by-play), Len Elmore (color analysis) and Stacey Dales-Schuman (sidelines) call the action.

No. 1 Deacons Take On Providence Wednesday Night


AFP - New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said he was alarmed at the scale of planning Australia had put in to conquer their final cricket frontier in India.

Fleming 'alarmed' by Aussies' thorough planning (AFP)


More than one million UK households now have two or more Freeview boxes for different television sets.

Freeview fans buy second boxes


The US House of Representatives Tuesday passed by voice vote a bill that would boost prison time for scammers who register Web sites under false pretenses.

House Ups Prison Time For Domain Fraudsters


The Barracuda 7200.8 series packs more data on the hard-drive platters.

Seagate drive joins 400GB club


Online search engine leader Google introduced a new software program today that promises to scour through the clutter of files on hard drives.

Google Introduces Search Program for Hard Drives


Reuters - Indian soldiers killed two militants after a fierce gunbattle in Srinagar on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in the city to promote peace in the disputed region.

Two dead in Srinagar gunbattle as Manmohan Singh arrives (Reuters)


The Mets stayed well under the radar for a good while with their stealth pursuit of Pedro Martinez, and it looks like they will try to take that approach again.

Mets set sights (quietly) on Beltran


The European Union challenged the US to show how a new American tax law complies with international trade rules, prolonging an eight-year-old dispute over breaks worth more than \$4 billion for US companies.

EU Challenges New US Tax Law at WTO, Extending Trade Dispute


Venus Williams came through a stiff test against Serbian schoolgirl Ana Ivanovic on Thursday to book her place in the Zurich Challenge quarter-finals.

Williams Survives to Set Up Sharapova Clash


BAGHDAD -- Iraq's interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, is dispatching envoys to neighboring Arab states to win support for his handling of the insurgency in his homeland, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Envoys dispatched to explain emergency


Internet engineers working on a standard for identifying the source of e-mail messages voted down a proposal by Microsoft to include some of that company #39;s intellectual property in the specification.

Standards group scuttles Microsoft e-mail proposal


Online brokerage firm Ameritrade Holding Corp. said Thursday that chief executive officer Joe Moglia has agreed to extend his contract at least through the current fiscal year, which ends Sept.

Ameritrade CEO Moglia Extends Contract


San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - San Jose State head football coach Fitz Hill announced his resignation, effective at season #39;s end.

San Jose State football coach resigns


Reuters - A car bomb killed three members of the\Iraqi National Guard in the northern city of Mosul and\insurgents fired mortar bombs at a police academy in eastern\Baghdad Monday.

Car Bomb in Mosul, Mortar Attack in Baghdad (Reuters)


The plaintive plea to the traffic cop is the same the world over: Sorry officer, I didnt know I was speeding. But drivers may soon have to come up with a better excuse.

Clever cars can read road signs


MARION -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its proposal to improve water quality of the Sandusky River. The agency, whose plan was approved by the US EPA, is working with the Sandusky

EPA finalizes proposal for Sandusky River


AP - Coco Crisp caused more commotion than a runaway squirrel, diving headfirst for a go-ahead bunt single in the eighth inning that sent Cleveland over the New York Yankees 4-3 Wednesday night, ending the Indians' nine-game losing streak.

Indians Squirrel Away 4-3 Win Over Yanks (AP)


It was no ordinary baseball, but the baseball that Barry Bonds hit over the left-field fence last month at SBC Park in San Francisco for his 700th career homer and promptly was put on the online auction block.

Bonds #39; 700th home run ball: It #39;s going, going, gone for \$804,129


By Julia Kollewe in London and Renee Bonorchis in Johannesburg. Barclays, the bank that pulled out of South Africa in 1986 after protests during the apartheid era, said yesterday it was in talks to buy a majority

Barclays targets South Africa bank


PARIS (Reuters) - French carmaker Renault is thinking about  making a compact sports car based on its Clio city runabout, a  top company executive said on Thursday.

Renault Says May Make Compact Sports Car


FIFA president Sepp Blatter will today urge Sven-Goran Eriksson and the Football Association to take action against England #39;s players for refusing to talk to the media last week.

Blatter in blast over media ban


Millions of tons of sediment-heavy water are being sent through the Grand Canyon in a bid to help local wildlife.

Scientists 'rebuild' Grand Canyon


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an emergency loan of \$436m (232m) to Iraq, the first from an international organisation.

Iraq to get \$436m emergency loan


Blaring disconnection melody in some Siemens phones could potentially cause ear damage.

Phone defect could affect hearing


For months, analysts speculated that Delta Air Lines might spin off its wholly owned subsidiaries -- locally based Comair Inc. and Atlantic Southeast Airlines -- to infuse cash into the ailing carrier.

Comair #39;s fate up in air


Woody Williams has the fewest victories of any Cardinals starter. But he, and not Matt Morris, will get the honor of starting their playoff opener.

Williams to start Game 1 of playoffs


The threat of a strike by bellmen, housekeepers, and other Southern California hotel employees loomed larger yesterday, as an overwhelming majority of the workers gave their leaders a green light to call a walkout.

Three-city hotel workers strike looms


With two reputations on the linehis teams and his ownChad got the best of Champ and turned the Bengals into a prime-time success.

Bengals win in Monday night return


The leader of Afghanistan #39;s interim government, Hamid Karzai, has been officially declared the winner of last month #39;s presidential election.

Karzai officially declared election winner


They show up at prom with the prettiest girl in school, then get your date #39;s phone number and wink at you on the way out the door.

Gardenhire #39;s instincts are unreliable


Groundbreaking new research by Professor of Anthropology Daniel E. Lieberman 86 validates what Bruce Springsteen has been saying for yearshuman beings are, indeed, born to run.

Scientist: Early Humans Ran Wild


Shanghai, China (Sports Network) - Third-seeded Argentine Guillermo Canas recorded an easy straight-set win over second-seeded Czech Jiri Novak in Saturday #39;s semifinals at the \$380,000 Heineken Open Shanghai.

Canas tops Novak in Shanghai semis


Reuters - Chinadotcom (CHINA.O) said on Friday\that its Go2joy mobile messaging unit has been sanctioned by\China Mobile (CHL.N), as part of a broad crackdown on\aggressive marketing by it and 21 other companies.

China Mobile Suspends Chinadotcom Mobile Services (Reuters)


Four Linux companies start a global effort to homogenize one version of the open-source operating system.

Group aims to smooth kinks out of Linux


roundup Plus: Hyperion targets broader base...JBoss ships J2EE app server...Firms bundle Web services wares...PMC-Sierra lowers forecast.

Briefly: Corel updates Painter


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will stop converting uranium from  Nov. 22 to dispel fears Tehran is seeking atomic arms, Iran's  chief nuclear negotiator said Monday.

Iran Pledges to End Uranium Conversion from Nov. 22


Unlike the problems in recent financial scandals, issues raised by Fannie Mae's regulators pertain to unwieldy accounting rules that are open to widely divergent interpretations.

A Seismic Shift Under the House of Fannie Mae


It's a mixed bag, with some welcoming the early arrival of key features and others unhappy with the fragmenting of Windows.

Developers react to Longhorn delay


Do-it-yourself projects won't disappear, even with Martha in jail. Make, a new magazine that centers around unique technology projects -- like how to build a mesh network in your house -- launches early next year. By Katie Dean.

Magazine Makes Gadget-Making Fun


ARLINGTON, VA - Members of three state public utilities promised a light regulatory touch on broadband over power line (BPL) service as electric companies begin to experiment with the alternative to traditional high-speed Internet service.

Regulators promise 'light touch' on BPL


Customer losses at Cingular Wireless, which is set to buy Redmond #39;s AT amp;T Wireless for \$41 billion, may rise after that purchase, said Ed Whitacre, chief executive of Cingular parent SBC Communications Inc.

Cingular #39;s CEO says  #39;poaching #39; to cost it customers


European scientists have discovered what they describe as the smallest Earth-like planet orbiting a star outside our Solar System.

Smallest  #39;Earth-like #39; planet seen


One of the standard security tactics enterprises apply won #39;t work when defending PCs against threats posed by the image processing flaw found last week in Windows and numerous applications, according to security experts.

Blocking JPEGs no defence against Windows vulnerability


Eli Manning remains the New York Giants' quarterback of the future. For now, the job belongs to Kurt Warner . Briefly citing Warner's experience and recent play, coach Tom Coughlin announced yesterday that the two-time MVP had beaten out the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft for the starting job in the season opener at Philadelphia Sept. 12.

Coughlin goes with Warner


com. Among 18-54 years olds, 45.6 percent chose the Internet as their preferred media according to a new study released by the Online Publishers Association (OPA) comparing consumer attitudes toward different media.

Internet Ranks Ahead Of Other Media


TOKYO (Reuters) - The yen rose on Friday after the Bank of  Japan's closely watched

Yen Rises on Corporate Sentiment Poll


US Airways Group Inc., struggling to avoid a second bankruptcy since 2002, gave its pilots #39; union a new plan for \$295 million in pay and benefit cuts three days after the group rejected a prior offer.

US Airways Gives Pilots, Flight Attendants New Offer (Update2)


AP - Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis hurt his left ankle in the first quarter Sunday, and backup Musa Smith broke his leg later in the period.

Ravens' Lewis, Smith Injured Vs. Cowboys (AP)


TEHRAN -- After eight years of a bold but bungled experiment with reform, Iran's government is in the throes of a takeover by conservatives determined to restore the revolution's Islamic purity, according to Iranian politicians and analysts.

Iran's conservatives seen tightening power in republic


PARIS (AFP) - The International Energy Agency trimmed its forecast for growth in global oil demand next year but warned that prices were likely to remain high and dismissed producer fears of a sharp fall as  quot;overstated.

IEA trims 2005 world oil demand growth forecast


A panel of leading computer scientists warned in a report issued Monday that unless the federal government significantly increases support for advanced research on supercomputing, the United

Panel urges Washington to finance fast computer


All-rounder Jacques Kallis will play in the first test against India starting on Saturday after recovering from a side strain, but is unlikely to bowl.

Fit-again Kallis to play in first India test


Reuters - Trees bent over sharply in angry winds,\rain lashing empty streets, and mammoth waves battering\breakwaters -- all scenes that have been commonplace in Japan\this summer, the worst typhoon season on record.

Japan Battered as Asian Typhoons Take Unusual Turn (Reuters)


Bologna, Italy (Sports Network) - Czech striker Pavel Nedved scored off a free kick in the 86th minute Sunday to give Juventus a 1-0 win at Bologna.

Nedved gives Juventus late win


KUALA LUMPUR : Shares in Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia rose sharply on their listing, doing well against a weaker broader market as investors bought into the low-cost concept, dealers said.

Malaysia #39;s AirAsia rises sharply on debut


Preliminary results of a recount in New Hampshire verify that optical-scan voting machines recorded votes accurately. A Nader spokesman calls on Democrats to do some soul-searching. By Kim Zetter.

So Far, Recount Shows No Problem


Fingerprints may soon replace passwords to log on to computers and Web sites, thanks to gadgets like Microsoft's Fingerprint Reader and Lexar Media's JumpDrive TouchGuard Pro. For those with cash on hand, Rollei's throwback MiniDigi digital camera could be a collector's delight, but Sony Electronics' Cyber-shot L1 is a better investment for performance and features. And CD labeling just became easy with Primera Technology's Signature Z1 CD/DVD.

Digital gear: Biometrics ease password security


Airbus SAS on Thursday attacked a US decision to file a World Trade Organization complaint against subsidies received by the European aircraft maker.

Airbus Attacks Washington #39;s WTO Challenge


FIFA has extended the seven-month ban on ex-Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu for drug abuse worldwide. The Romanian international was banned by the English Football Association (FA

UPDATE 1-FIFA bans Mutu worldwide after cocaine positive test


WANA, Aug 21: Fighter planes and helicopter gunships carried out strikes on militants #39; positions in South Waziristan on Saturday.

Militants #39; positions bombed


Final Score: Connecticut 61, New York 51 New York, NY (Sports Network) - Nykesha Sales scored 15 points to lead Connecticut to a 61-51 win over New York in Game 1 of their best-of-three Eastern Conference Finals series at Madison Square Garden.

***** WNBA Playoff Game Capsules - Friday, October 1st *****


AP - Legislation to regulate the infant space tourism industry  #151; invigorated by the successful flights of a privately financed manned rocket  #151; has been stalled by disagreements over how much protection to offer potential space travelers.

Dispute May Scuttle Space Tourism Bill (AP)


Ronaldo scored less than a minute into the game, and Brazil rolled over Bolivia 3-1 in World Cup qualifying Sunday. Ronaldo volleyed in a rebound just 50 seconds in, and Ronaldinho and Adriano followed with

Ronaldo #39;s early goal sparks Brazil


GENEVA: International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Rodrigo Rato on Friday called on oil-producing nations to boost investment in production facilities in response to ever rising oil prices.

IMF chief asks oil producing nations to boost investment


Trump Hotels has reached a preliminary agreement with its investors to restructure \$1.8 billion in debt, fending off a possible bankruptcy filing.

Trump Hotels Said to Reach Deal to Avoid Bankruptcy


Company's MIMO wireless networking technology gets approval from standards bodies in U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia and EU.

Airgo next-generation Wi-Fi gets global approval


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Those who wrote off the Texas Rangers in recent weeks soon may be forced to adjust their thinking.

SI.com


AP - Crystal Erwin scored a career-high 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting and Jacqueline Batteast had 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading seventh-ranked Notre Dame to a 72-58 victory over Washington on Saturday.

No. 7 Notre Dame Women Beat Washington (AP)


CHARLOTTE, NC, Oct. 14 (Ticker) -- The Charlotte Bobcats fell short in a wild franchise debut at home. Antawn Jamison hit a turnaround jumper in the lane with 6.8 seconds remaining to lift the Washington Wizards

Wizards Late Magic Stops Bobcats


On a clear day in Los Angeles last August there was a close call that almost ended in disaster. Tuesday, the NTSB released animation and radio transmissions, revealing a Southwest 737 cleared

NTSB warns of near airplane collisions


Kyle Orton throws four touchdowns, including a 97 yarder to Taylor Stubblefield, to lead the No. 15 Purdue Boilermakers to a 41-16 victory over Notre Dame.

Purdue's Orton Shines


SAN DIEGO - Shares of Maxim Pharmaceuticals Inc. nearly halved in value Monday, following news that its Ceplene drug failed to improve survival in a trial of patients with malignant melanoma where the cancer had spread to the liver.

Maxim Pharmaceuticals cancer drug disappoints in trials


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. envoys told the Security  Council on Thursday that war crimes had probably occurred on

UN Rights Officials Talks of War Crimes in Darfur


Colin Montgomerie, who has had a tough year, took a turn for the better Sunday, when he was chosen to play in his seventh Ryder Cup by the European team's captain, Bernhard Langer.

Europe's Ryder Team Is Set


Shares of SM amp;A (WINS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) tumbled more than 20 percent on Tuesday, a day after the consultant to defense companies warned that its third-quarter and 2004 revenue would fall short as political events in

SM amp;A shares tumble after revenue warning


Egypt and Israel sign a trade protocol with the US, allowing Egyptian goods made with the support of Israel free access to American markets.

Egypt and Israel seal trade deal


Hijackers have released two more of the around 24 hostages they are holding after seizing a bus in an Athens suburb, bringing the total freed to 12.

More Athens bus hostages freed


SUN ANNOUNCED THE UltraSPARC IV this morning, most probably the last of its line. Sun will be taking a new direction from this point on, with the new Fujitsu co-developed chips being a definite step sideways

Sun #39;s UltraSPARC IV is go


The government has thrown US Airways (UAIRQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) a lifeline until the middle of January, agreeing with key lenders to extend financing the

US Airways, Lenders File Cash Pact


Technologies that let people record satellite and Internet radio broadcasts digitally are opening a new front in the recording industry's war on music piracy.

New Front: Recording of Digital Broadcasts


UN peacekeepers in Haiti have struggled for a second day to control protests by supporters of deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

UN struggles with Haiti violence


Grace Park, coming off her win last week on home soil, was battling for another big finish at the Mizuno Classic in Japan, but basically lost touch with run-away leader Annika Sorenstam of

Park Loses Sight of Sorenstam at Mizuno Classic


AP - Tens of thousands of protesters made a sweaty but jubilant five-hour march through the streets of Manhattan on the eve of the Republican National Convention for a demonstration that wound up being largely peaceful despite fears of violent skirmishes with police.

GOP Convention Protests Mostly Peaceful (AP)


A grand festival marking 350th year of Taj Mahal, beginning on Monday, ran into rough weather as the Supreme Court said that it cannot permit the UP Government to go ahead with the celebrations near the World Heritage Monument.

SC declines consent for Taj Mahotsav


When software projects go bad, the results can be disastrous. Every few months, a new horror story pops into the headlines -- like Hewlett-Packard Co.'s recent, flawed SAP deployment. The company had done dozens of smooth ERP (enterprise resource planning) migration projects, but when its latest ran into problems, the cascading disruptions contributed to HP missing its third-quarter financial projections.

Study: Companies struggle to capture business processes


Prudential, the UK #39;s second largest insurer, shocked its shareholders today by asking them to fund a 1bn expansion plan. The company has invited investors to buy one new share for every six they own at a reduced price of 308p.

Pru rights issue fails to impress City


A Dallas judge blocked the settlement of a shareholder lawsuit against Halliburton, saying the deal does not appear to be fair and reasonable.

Settlement by Halliburton short of standard


Federal regulators are investigating whether traders at Fidelity Investments improperly steered business to their brothers who work for brokerage firms that execute trades for the mutual fund giant, according to attorneys and others involved in the case.

Fidelity family deals probed


French Economy Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said late Wednesday that there was no need to lower the 2005 economic growth forecast for France because of surging oil prices, saying such a move would dent confidence.

No need to cut French GDP growth forecast over oil price: Sarkozy


ProKras writes  quot;German magazine PC-Welt has discovered a major security flaw in Windows XP SP2 when installing over SP1. The article says that  #39;with a certain configuration, your file and printer sharing data

File and Printer Sharing Insecure in XP SP2


LOS ANGELES - Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. and aerospace giant Boeing Co. said Tuesday that theyll bid as a team to compete for NASAs planned manned and robotic space-exploration program.

Northrop Grumman, Boeing team up on a space contract


ATHENS, Greece - Womens World Cup champion Germany settled for bronze at the Olympics, beating Sweden 1-0 Thursday on Renate Lingors goal and a spectacular game from goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg in her 100th international appearance.

Germany wins bronze


AP - The NFL fined Broncos safety John Lynch  #36;7,500 on Wednesday for a hit he made against Chiefs receiver Dante Hall in the season opener.

NFL Fines Broncos' Lynch for Hit on Hall (AP)


Carlos Beltran, Jeff Bagwell and the Astros slugged their way into the postseason record book at Turner Field on Monday night. Powering the Astros to their first-ever postseason

Astros short hops


Liverpool seem to have been handed one of the easier last-16 draws after the group phase of the Champions League. But Rafael Benitez will be careful not to under-estimate the experienced

Liverpool V Bayer Leverkusen Key Battles


AP - Armed clashes broke out Sunday between Palestinian supporters of Yasser Arafat and Islamic extremists in Lebanon's largest refugee camp, and officials said two people were killed, including a teenage girl on a balcony outside the camp who was hit by a stray bullet.

Clashes Break Out in Lebanon Refugee Camp (AP)


AP - A women's soccer tournament resumed Saturday despite protests from Islamic groups to stop the

Bangladeshi Women Play Soccer Tournament (AP)


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- EBay said late Tuesday it has agreed to buy 3 million shares of Korea #39;s Internet Auction for \$325 million in cash.

EBay ups Internet Auction stake


VAN, Turkey After suffering a wave of criticism from European Union officials, women #39;s groups, newspaper columnists and finally from its own members, Turkey #39;s governing party abandoned a proposal on Tuesday to criminalize adultery.

Ankara, chastened, steps away from adultery law


Reuters - Colgate-Palmolive Co.  on Monday\warned that second-half earnings will fall well short of Wall\Street forecasts due to higher marketing spending.

Colgate Sees Profit Well Short of Targets (Reuters)


PASADENA, Calif. The Cassini spacecraft is expected to reach its closest approach to Saturn #39;s giant moon Titan this morning. The international spacecraft entered orbit around Saturn in June and is expected

Cassini takes a close-up look at Saturn #39;s giant moon Titan


Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia 76ers guard Aaron McKie was activated from the injured list prior to Friday afternoon #39;s contest against the Washington Wizards.

Sixers activate McKie from injured list


AP - Evans Rutto of Kenya won his second straight Chicago Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 16 seconds, and making him 3-for-3 at the 26.2-mile distance.

Rutto Wins 2nd Straight Chicago Marathon (AP)


ROME, Italy -- An EU committee #39;s rejection of an Italian nominee with conservative views on homosexuality has drawn a sharp condemnation by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Berlusconi blasts EU rejection


Finn Kydland and Edward Prescott have won the Nobel prize for economics for their work in showing how business cycles affect international trade.

Norway and US share Nobel prize


AP - Gary Sheffield hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees sent the fading Cleveland Indians to their eighth straight loss, 6-4 Monday night.

Sheffield Powers Yankees Past Indians 6-4 (AP)


America Online and WebEx Communications are evaluating ways to adapt some of the online meeting services they currently offer to business users of AOL #39;s AIM instant messaging network to make these services appealing to other AIM consumers.

AOL to Adapt WebEx Services for AIM Consumers


The application server space is heating up once again as both IBM and BEA Systems tout new versions of their platforms. With its Liquid Computing strategy, San Jose, Calif.

BEA, IBM Heat Up App Server Space


Relief efforts in Indonesia hit a setback when Banda Aceh airport is closed to flights after an accident.

Runway accident hampers aid bid


LONDON (Reuters) - World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick  Pound has called for a hearing into allegations former Olympic  sprint champion Marion Jones used steroids.

WADA Chief Calls for Hearing Into Jones Doping


German computer chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG has agreed to plead guilty to price fixing and will pay a \$160 million fine, the Justice Department announced yesterday.

German Chipmaker Admits Price Fixing


US Secretary of State Colin Powell calls off a planned trip to the Olympic Games amid anti-war protests in Athens.

Powell cancels trip to Olympics


The US government budget has become a cookie jar #39; #39; for lawmakers over the past four years, with taxpayer funds spent in some cases for political reasons, #39; #39; Federal Reserve Governor Susan Bies said.

Fed #39;s Bies Criticizes Lawmakers #39; Lack of Spending Discipline


IBM (IBM:NYSE - news - research) is reportedly ready to exit the PC business, having long lost its dominance in the arena. The report said Lenovo Group, China #39;s top PC company, is among the interested bidders.

Report: IBM Exiting PC Business


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Department store operator Saks Inc.  <A HREF=

Saks Slips Into Loss in Third Quarter


American rider Chris Kappler won a bronze medal in show jumping yesterday in Athens, and was even happier when he learned his horse wasn't seriously hurt following a breakdown during a timed jumpoff.

Jumping for joy over bronze


By MATT MOORE     STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- A new Swedish study suggests that people who use a mobile phone for at least 10 years might increase their risk of developing a rare benign tumor along a nerve on the side of the head where they hold the phone.    In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, one of the researchers behind the preliminary study, Anders Ahlbom, said the results were surprising and need to be confirmed by more research...

New Study Links Mobile Phones With Benign Tumors


BIRMINGHAM, Sep 15: Pakistan sent a stern signal to the Indian camp as they thrashed Kenya by seven wickets in their first league match here on Wednesday.

Beware India, Pakistan are on fire


On Monday, Fox will announce a four-year deal to carry four Bowl Championship Series games, according to an executive familiar with the negotiations, starting with bowls after the 2006 regular season.

Fox to announce deal to air Fiesta, Orange, Sugar bowls in  #39;06


The Supreme Court is expected to review a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that ruled cable modem services should be regulated as a telecommunications service.

FCC Appeals Cable Broadband Decision


Nokia (NYSE: NOK) announced that it has shipped its one millionth game deck globally since the sales of the N-Gage platform started eleven months ago.

Nokia Ships One Million N-Gage Game Decks


BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- It #39;s not a Ryder Cup until there #39;s a controversy, invented or otherwise. On Wednesday the stage belonged to Phil Mickelson, who became a cause celebre by skipping a Ryder Cup

Where #39;s Phil?


THE National Football League became \$US8 billion (\$10.57b) richer today after signing a six-year extension to its TV contract with American channels Fox and CBS.

\$10b NFL TV deal


Champion Tiger Woods battled through back pain to stay in touch with the lead as fellow American Todd Hamilton set the pace in the WGC-American Express Championship first round on Thursday.

UPDATE 3-Battling Woods in touch with Mount Juliet lead


Electricity Commissioner Roy Hemmingway has finally been issued with the weapons needed to fulfil his role as New Zealand #39;s top energy regulator.

Power tools for the electricity regulator