Insurers breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as Hurricane Ivan skirted New Orleans as well as the heart of the Gulf of Mexico #39;s oil region, saving the companies billions of dollars in claims.

Insurers spared direct hit by Ivan


Reuters - The Cardinals may be heading to their\first World Series since 1987 but there is nothing new about\post-season baseball in St. Louis.

10th World Series Title Beckoning for St. Louis (Reuters)


A new worm, W32/Funner, is spread over the MSN Messenger instant messaging networks. Experts say it has caused minimal damage, but they say IM networks are ripe for more virus attacks.

MSN Messenger Worm is No Fun


Defending champion Ernie Els beat Padraig Harrington, 5 and 4, Saturday to move into the final of the World Match Play Championship in Wentworth, England, and stay on course for a record sixth title.

Record sixth title in Els #39; reach


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Militants killed a second American  captive in Iraq after a 24-hour deadline passed on Tuesday, a  Web site statement and Arab television said.

Iraq Group Says Kills Second U.S. Hostage-TV


LONDON (Reuters) - An undercover reporter smuggled fake  bomb-making equipment into the British parliament, a day after  fox hunting protesters made a mockery of security by bursting  onto the floor of the debating chamber.

Reporter Smuggles Fake Bomb Into British Parliament


MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Swiss-based Xstrata Plc (XTA.LN) Thursday put WMC Resources Ltd. (WMR.AU) in play, offering A\$7.4 billion for the Australian miner that represents the start of a long bidding war.

2nd UPDATE: Xstrata Bids A\$7.4B For WMC, Rivals Circle


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar shuffled in tight ranges on  Tuesday as the market looked to U.S. economic indicators due  later in the day for clues about the pace of monetary  tightening.

Dollar Stuck in Well-Worn Ranges


FALLUJAH, Iraq : Hundreds of people fled the Iraqi rebel-held Fallujah after a heavy night of US air strikes, while an Iraqi cameraman working for Reuters was killed during clashes in the nearby hotspot of Ramadi.

Hundreds flee Fallujah after night of US air strikes


Crude oil prices will top \$US50 (\$A69) a barrel for the first time this week, despite a slight fall in New York on Friday night, some analysts have predicted.

Oil prices hit new high - and more to come


America Online Inc. Monday put new leaders in senior posts and revamped its corporate structure in a sweeping overhaul.
<FONT face=

AOL to Be Split Into Four


TEHRAN, OCTOBER 24 : Iran on Sunday rejected a European Union proposal that it scrap uranium enrichment in return for nuclear technology, increasing the likelihood it will be reported to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

Iran rejects EU nuke proposals, wants talks


Organisers of the 4.5-million-US-dollar Tennis Masters Cup have announced the round robin draw for the event. World number one and defending champion Roger Federer is to group

Federer to clash with Hewitt


8 Sep 2004, 18:44 GMT - Hitachi this week laid a unique bet on storage virtualization with the launch of the latest version of its flagship Lightning disk array.

Hitachi strikes new direction with Lightning


Yankees SS Derek Jeter his first AL Gold Glove yesterday, taking over from teammate Alex Rodriguez, who had won it two straight years before moving to third base this year.

Jeter Earns Gold Glove Award for the First Time


ITunes users must upgrade starting today if they wish to purchase or download songs from the ITunes Music Store, according to Apple.

Apple Asks ITunes Users to Upgrade


A French soldier from International Security Assistance Force keeps the guard at a checkpoint in a residential area of Kabul, Afghanistan #39;s capital, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004.

UN Hostages Plead for Their Release


PARIS (Reuters) - The fate of Palestinian President Yasser  Arafat was mired in confusion on Tuesday as French medical  sources contradicted reports by senior Palestinian officials  that he had died at a Paris hospital.

Arafat Fate Mired in Confusion


Russia will launch a three-man crew to the International Space Station on Oct. 11, two days later than initially scheduled due to problems with the docking system, Itar-Tass news agency reported on Wednesday.

Russia Plans Space Station Launch on Oct. 11


SIXTH seed Andre Agassi defeated Armenia #39;s Sargis Sargsian 6-3 6-2 6-2 in the fourth round of the US Open today. Agassi advances to the quarter-finals to face well-rested top seed Roger Federer, of Switzerland, who won today in a walkover.

Federer next for Agassi


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

Microsoft, Swatch Offer New Wireless Watches


The decades-old design of the Internet is in need of a fundamental overhaul, and Intel and Hewlett-Packard believe they can make it more adaptable and intelligent.

Intel, Hewlett-Packard Work on Giving Internet a Fundamental <b>...</b>


Reuters - Global warming could lead to a big\chill in the North Atlantic, at least if history is anything to\go by, researchers reported on Friday.

How Global Warming Can Lead to a Big Chill (Reuters)


In the quest for a cheaper route to space, astronauts competing for the X Prize are willing to take risks. But some wonder if blasting off in an untested rocket ship suspended from a giant balloon is taking things too far. By Dan Brekke.

Astronauts Weigh Acceptable Risk


HOUSTON  As the Rockets approached Sunday #39;s exhibition against the Heat at Toyota Center, Houston center Yao Ming was asked about yet another matchup against Shaquille O #39;Neal.

To Yao, Shaq looms large


AFP - Internet research engine giant Google Incorporated slashed billions of dollars from the target launch valuation of its stock in a major upset for the biggest technology flotation since the dot.com bubble burst four years ago.

Google slashes target stock launch value (AFP)


Sometimes shopping on EBay is like being trapped in the world #39;s largest mall, but one in which every store looks the same. The page #39;s color scheme may be different (for better or worse), but otherwise you

Enter your e-mail:


warplanes criss-crossed the skies. Troops took up positions in empty buildings on the Sunni Muslim city #39;s southern perimeter. A civilian driver was shot dead near a US checkpoint on the highway, witnesses said.

US troops reinforce after Falluja strike


Just an extra hour of exercise a week could significantly cut obesity among young overweight girls, according to a study that researchers say could lead to major changes in the way schools fight obesity.    The study - the largest look yet at obesity among young children - did not show the same results for boys, possibly because they generally get more exercise than girls...

More PE Time May Fight Child Obesity


South Korean company sold materials that can be used in chemical weapons to North Korea. Vienna (AsiaNews/Agencies) - By a unanimous resolution of its 137-member general conference in Vienna today, the International

Atomic Agency calls on Pyongyang to again allow inspections


Legislation introduced in the Senate to implement 9/11 Commission recommendations would create an executive-level board to investigate and advise on civil liberties and privacy issues. President Bush recently created a similar board with fewer powers. By Ryan Singel.

Bill Seeks Civil Liberties Board


 By Jude Webber

 LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - Peru on Monday appointed a top legalofficial to bolster the government's side in terrorism casesafter Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman made a mockery of aretrial last week in a publicity coup for the Marxist group.

Peru Names Official to Clear Up Guzman Trial Mess


Former British Open champion Tom Lehman will be the next US Ryder Cup captain, it was reported Tuesday. The Palm Beach Post said Lehman will lead the team at the 2006 matches in Kildare, Ireland.

Lehman said to be next US Ryder captain


MOSCOW -- A half-dozen executives of Yukos, the embattled oil giant, have left Russia and the company's chief financial officer said he won't return until he learns whether the government plans to charge him.

Yukos executives leave Russia, speculation deepens


George W. Bush and John McCain's bearhug and smooch on the campaign trail last week was one of the odder embraces in politics in a long while.

Bearhug Politics: Careful Steps to a New Bush-McCain Alliance


UN refugees agency chief Ruud Lubbers said on Tuesday that the United Nations will work together with the Sudanese government to help Darfur refugees return home while

UN pledges help for Darfur refugees, Sudan wants \$300 mln


MLB officials and Orioles owner Peter Angelos are set to continue negotiations that would bring the Expos to Washington in 2005.

MLB, Angelos Talk


AP - A presidential commission has modified its proposal for a trust fund that would use up to  #36;4 billion in annual offshore oil and gas royalties to safeguard oceans and coastal areas. The change was to answer governors' fears the idea might spur more drilling off their coasts.

Governors Worry About Offshore Drilling (AP)


HOUSTON Former Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow isn #39;ta defendant or a prosecution witness in the first criminal trial to emerge from the energy company #39;s crash -- but he could be called to testify.

Fastow may appear in barge trial


AFP - Pakistan continues to support Islamic insurgency in Kashmir and will use militant attacks to influence ongoing peace talks with rival India, India's Home Ministry said in its annual report.

Pakistan still supporting Kashmiri rebels: Indian Home Ministry (AFP)


Global smart phone shipments are set to rise dramatically over the next five years, as better devices and lower prices combine with other factors to fuel growthand meet

Smart phones to see fast growth over next five years


Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. said Friday it agreed to sell an automotive parts business to two buyout firms for about \$1.17 billion, the latest private equity purchase in the sector.

Cooper sells auto parts business


The horrific day of carnage demonstrated the effortlessness with which insurgents are striking in the hearts of major cities.

Three Car Bombs Explode Across Iraq, Killing at Least 26


Company set to announce plan to build stateside factory, CEO Kevin Rollins says in wide-ranging interview with CNET News.com.

Dell to open new PC plant in United States


LOS ANGELES An audit has concluded that a public relations firm overbilled the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power by more than four (m) million dollars.

Audit concludes firm overbilled LA by \$4 million


In an attempt to broaden its reach, PC maker Alienware has uneviled a stylishly chic, compact PC for home users. The Miami-based PC maker is best known for building extreme desktops--machines that cost thousands--for gamers.

Alienware tames prices for home PC users


Anastasia Myskina trounced Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-0 in the Kremlin Cup final on Sunday to retain her Moscow title in a rematch of their all-Russian French Open final earlier this year.

UPDATE 1-Myskina beats Dementieva again to win in Moscow


DETROIT The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked General Motors and Ford to provide information on their pension and retiree health care plans.

GM, Ford among firms being examined for pension-cost accounting


With 24-hour-a-day talk on all things political, the web is the ultimate gauge of public thinking. A new site seeks to capture up-to-the-minute buzz with an index of the most authoritative political bloggers. Commentary by Adam L. Penenberg.

Site Tracks Political Zeitgeist


AP - Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded guilty Thursday to using a cell phone to try to set up a drug deal and will be sentenced to four months in prison, to be served after the regular season ends in January.

Ravens' Lewis Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge (AP)


Competition at the 12th Paralympic Games for disabled athletes gets under way Saturday in Athens, Greece. Nearly 4,000 athletes from 136 countries are competing in 19 disciplines over 11 days.

Paralympics Competition Begins in Athens


Hewlett-Packard Co. is planning to spend \$3 billion over the next three years to grow the server product line that runs on Intel Corp.

HP to Invest \$3 Billion in Itanium-Powered Servers


A decade ago, geeks greeted the release of Netscape #39;s new web browser with great anticipation. A similar sense of expectation surrounded each subsequent version of Netscape Navigator and, to a much lesser

Firefox 1.0 Makes Flashy Debut


US scientists warn that Mount St Helens volcano in Washington state is likely to erupt again at any time.

Warning over US volcano eruption


United States Steel Corp. will return to the former site of the historic Homestead Works steel plant, once the epicenter of labor-management relations that exploded more than a century ago when Pinkerton agents

US Steel Returns to Homestead Works


THREE weeks ago, photographs of an unconscious Elisabeth Musu bleeding from her wounds were flashed around the world. Yesterday afternoon, the survivor of last month #39;s Jakarta bomb blast smiled for the camera

Jakarta blast: Manny #39;s amazing recovery


(New Haven-AP, Aug. 23, 2004 1:20 PM) _ The family of an American journalists freed by his Iraqi kidnappers is keeping a low profile in New Haven.

Family has few comments on freed US journalist


Perth: Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar feels that if something is not done about the packed playing schedule and the standard of wickets around the world, express pacemen will become extinct.

Shoaib hits out at too much cricket


NINGI, Nigeria (Reuters) - A young Nigerian mother  sentenced to death by stoning for having sex outside marriage  was acquitted and discharged by an Islamic appeals court on  Thursday.

Court Overturns Nigerian Woman's Stoning Sentence


President Vladimir Putin backed a government proposal Tuesday to swap state-owned oil company Rosneft for shares in Gazprom - a major step toward removing restrictions on foreign investors #39; access to shares in the natural gas giant.

Update 1: Kremlin Backs Gazprom Deal


A Houston jury Friday requested an index to dozens of exhibits in the first Enron criminal trial. US District Judge Ewing Werlein asked lawyers to prepare evidence indexes to

Enron jury asks for index to evidence


AP - Dollar General Corp. said Wednesday that its third-quarter profits dropped nearly 9 percent amid high gas prices and reduced spending by its core, low-income customers. The discount retailer also lowered its forecast for the rest of the year.

Dollar General's 3Q Profit Drops 9 Percent (AP)


Marty Ciresa and his horse Presidentialaffair came close last year at the Maryland Million Classic at Pimlico, getting nosed out at the finish. This time, Ciresa wants the win.

Ciresa Itches for Purse


AP - The results of an audit support the official vote count showing that President Hugo Chavez won this month's recall referendum in Venezuela, the head of the Organization of American States said Saturday.

Venezuela Audit Results Support Vote Count (AP)


Rangers joined the European scrapheap after a Bonaventure Kalou double fired Auxerre to a 2-0 victory at Ibrox. The home side had only to avoid defeat to progress to the knockout stage but were out-classed by the visitors.

Rangers crash out of Europe


BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) today announced it has agreed to sell its interests in the Laminaria and Corallina oil fields to Paladin Oil  amp; Gas (Australia) Pty Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Paladin Resources plc, an independent oil and gas company

BHP to sell interests in Laminaria and Corallina oil fields


LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was expected to rise on  Tuesday as easing crude oil prices soothed fears of a squeeze  on earnings and on a thin corporate menu investors will be able  to chew over results from food group H.J. Heinz Co <A HREF=

Wall Street Seen Climbing


Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Ordinary individual taxpayers are the ones who should pay the province's controversial new health premium, not employers, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Monday.

Taxpayers should pay new health premium, not employers, McGuinty says (Canadian Press)


SIR ALEX FERGUSON has accused Arsene Wenger of having a  quot;mental problem quot; with Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Arsenal boss branded the United striker a cheat.

NOW IT #39;S SUED VAN NISTELROOY


A senior United States drug official last night said he believed at least another five medicines at present on sale needed further scrutiny in the wake of recent health scares.

Fears over five more big-selling medicines in US


A federal judge slammed former Wall Street banking star Frank P. Quattrone Wednesday with an 18-month prison sentence for obstructing a federal securities investigation, ruling that the investment banker lied on the stand during his trial.

Quattrone Gets 18-Month Sentence


U.S. and Iraqi troops pushed into insurgent-heavy neighborhoods and stormed police stations in Mosul on Tuesday, launching an offensive to retake parts of this northern Iraqi city where militants staged a mass uprising last week in support of insurgents in Fallujah.

U.S., Iraqi Troops Launch Mosul Offensive


Goliath and his like have had a bad press over the years. But the Champions Trophy is doing all it can to leave us feeling sorry for the big fella and looking forward to the day when David slings his hook.

Trophy #39;s minnows sink without trace


China has been denied a second straight trip to the World Cup finals despite a 7-0 victory over Hong Kong, failing to advance in qualifying when Kuwait won Asia #39;s Group Four by one goal.

No World Cup for China


US Olympic cyclist Tyler Hamilton owes someone in an Athens, Greece, laboratory a huge thank you. Hamilton, who was under suspicion by the International Olympic Committee for blood doping, will be able to

Devil Dish: This blood #39;s for you


Russia is expected to formally agree to the Kyoto Protocol on global warming today, following its signing into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.

Russia Formally Commits to Climate Pact


PULA, Mallorca, Spain (Reuters) - Britain's Simon Khan is  on course for a second win of the season after taking the lead  in the Mallorca Classic second round Friday.

Britain's Khan on Course to Win Mallorca Classic


Britain last won the Davis Cup in 1936. You can account for the paucity of confidence in the British team last weekend when you realise their last victory predates rationing.

Shadow of Perry still looms over British game


The meltdown of my home computer was my fault, the result of having switched to a high-speed Internet connection without installing a firewall or heeding those pesky warnings to download critical updates for Windows and anti-virus software. <FONT face=

Computer Naivete Costs A Bundle


The tough Russian women #39;s field suffered its first loss early Wednesday when Italy #39;s Francesca Schiavone came back from a set down to upset eighth-seeded Nadia Petrova 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the \$2.

Kremlin Cup Upset for Nadia Petrova


Mittal Steel, the new company to be formed by a merger of British billionaire Lakshmi Mittal #39;s considerable steel holdings with the International Steel Group, will ship about 57 million tons

Deal Creates World #39;s Largest Steel Producer


SpaceShipOne has completed its second suborbital flight in five days, securing the \$10 million Ansari X Prize. SpaceShipOne is the first privately built, manned vehicle to reach space.

SpaceShipOne wins \$10MX Prize


During last season #39;s NBA Finals, Doc Rivers slid a note to his broadcast partner, Al Michaels, during a timeout.  quot;It just said Gary (Payton) can still play, quot; the Boston coach recalled the other day.

Celtics give Seattle first loss at home


NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Saturday began talks to prepare the ground for two days of ministerial dialogue from Sunday aimed at normalising ties between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

India, Pakistan prepare for talks


Speaking to about 2,500 supporters today at the SeaGate convention center in Toledo, John Edwards said President Bushs administration is reckless and irresponsible for failing to secure a huge weapons site in Iraq.

NEW John Edwards speaks in Toledo


OTTAWA -- About 8,000 employees of the federal tax agency walked off the job yesterday in Ontario and BC, including 280 in London, leaving public phone queries unanswered and federal revenue cheques uncashed.

Federal tax staff strike over wages


SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Formula One goes back to the future on  Sunday with former champion Jacques Villeneuve making his race  return in the first grand prix held in China.

China Makes Debut as Villeneuve Returns


Friday -- The 4-mile Charles River Fun Run will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cambridge Fitness and Racquet Club at 215 First St. in Cambridge. The run is free and open to runners of all ability levels. For more information, call Steve Pepe at 781-275-1584.

Weekend Highlights


It has outgrown mere storage. Now it wants to manage every part of the corporate data flow. Has any computer company had a more dramatic reversal of fortune in the past three years than EMC Corp.

Can EMC Find Growth Beyond Hardware?


US stock futures pointed to a higher market open on Wednesday, with oil dipping below \$50 a barrel and a batch of economic data on tap.

Stocks Seen Higher as Oil Slips Below \$50


Art Howe #39;s future as the Mets manager has been the subject of scrutiny for weeks. The idea that Howe might not survive the season, let alone the remaining two years

Report: Howe won #39;t be back in  #39;05


In the first major public demonstration since the start of the Olympics, thousands of protesters clashed with police who stopped them from marching

Thousands protest Iraq war, Powell visit


AYEAR ago Porto were champions of Europe and Jose Mourinho was their hero. Their champion. This morning, many of those fans were at Stamford Bridge.

Spat at, criticised, but Jose Mourinho has th last laugh


The theme of the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) leaders #39; meeting -  quot;One Community, Our Future quot; - is a reflection of the members #39; strong will to promote regional economic dynamism and a sense of unity.

APEC #39;s importance never greater


AFP - Slobodan Milosevic called on a UN appeals court to overturn a decision order imposing lawyers on the former Yugoslav president in his war crimes trial, a move supported by his reluctant defence team.

Give me back my rights, Milosevic tells appeals court (AFP)


DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah, Sept. 8  #0151; A NASA capsule bearing precious atomic specimens that Hollywood stunt pilots were prepared to catch as it came into earth's atmosphere crashed into the desert this morning after a parachute that was to slow its fall failed to deploy.

Space Capsule Crashes in Utah


AP - The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to terms with restricted free agent Darius Miles on Tuesday.

Trail Blazers Agree to Terms With Miles (AP)


Southern California took the top spot Monday in the season's first Bowl Championship Series standings.

U.S.C., Miami Top B.C.S. Standings, Not Oklahoma


US health titan Johnson and Johnson has reached a deal to acquire US heart device manufacturer Guidant Corporation, in a stock-and-cash deal valued at \$23.9 billion, based on \$76 a share, the companies said in a statement early this morning.

Johnson  amp; Johnson buys Guidant for \$24 billion


In this artist #39;s conception, a plasma station, lower left, applies a magnetized beam of ionized plasma to the sails of a spacecraft bound for Jupiter.

Devising a Way to  #39;Sail #39; to Mars


AOL are working on a new own-brand web browser just as the browser wars enter a new phase. Recently, Microsoft really has shot itself in the foot - it looked like the once-bitter war was over and that just

AOL #39;s New Stand-alone Browser


The release schedule includes a new free Acrobat Reader, now with reviewing capabilities, the company said. Adobe is highlighting its focus on workgroups and document management.

Adobe Acrobat 7 unveiled


Roger Clemens strained his right calf in the Houston Astros #39; 9-8 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, but the injury isn #39;t considered serious.

Clemens #39; leg injury isn #39;t serious


NEW YORK, USA (AFP) - Delta Air Lines announced an aggressive restructuring plan yesterday that would cut 6,000 to 7,000 jobs and slash costs, while warning that bankruptcy remains  quot;a real possibility quot;.

Delta Air Lines to cut 7,000 jobs


The most brilliant American racehorse in years has labored in relative obscurity until now. But when he runs Saturday in the Breeders #39; Cup Classic at Lone Star Park, Ghostzapper can demonstrate

Ghostzapper Has Speed to Burn


Getting Serena Williamss attention with two early service breaks, Tatiana Golovin jumped ahead in the first set before Williams rallied to win at the U.S. Open.

Serena Williams, Fashion Queen, Rules the Court


government forces and will soon unveil plans to pursue his goals through politics rather than conflict, aides say. this year, to renounce violence and to enter the political arena ahead of elections due to be held in January.

Sadr calls for ceasefire


USATODAY.com - Colorado, New Mexico and Florida are three of the most competitive states in the presidential election. USA TODAY reporters and photographers followed President Bush and Sen. John Kerry as they bounced around those states - and three time zones - Saturday, 10 days before Election Day. Here is a look at their day on the road.

Rivals run a relay race for president (USATODAY.com)


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

Blockbuster Offers to Buy Hollywood Chain


A THAI woman was yesterday diagnosed with bird flu after her sister and niece died with symptoms of the virus, raising the possibility that the illness had passed from human-to-human for the first time.

Thai woman #39;s bird flu raises fears virus is passed between humans


Reuters - Safeway Inc. , the\third-largest U.S. grocer, on Tuesday reported a lower\quarterly profit as it grappled with lingering costs from a\labor strike in California earlier this year.

Safeway Profit Falls on Strike Costs (Reuters)


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intel Corp. <A HREF=

Intel Seen Readying New Wi-Fi Chips


The IETF MARID working group has been slogging away all summer trying to produce a draft standard about e-mail sender verification.

An Analysis of Microsoft #39;s MARID Patent Applications


Like the woolly mammoth, a giant, prehistoric deer survived the last ice age, a new study shows. So what caused the Irish elk's eventual extinction?

Extinct Giant Deer Survived Ice Age, Study Says


A Connecticut man was arrested Tuesday by the FBI and charged with selling stolen source code of Windows NT and Windows 2000. William P. Genovese, 27, of Meriden, Conn.

FBI Charges Hacker With Selling Stolen Windows Source Code


America Online is planning to release its own standalone Web browser based on Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer technology, according to sources familiar with the company #39;s plans.

AOL prepares its own browser


The Securities and Exchange Commission said in its complaint that during the years Charles Wang was in charge of Computer Associates between January 1, 1998, and September

SEC Probe of Computer Associates Eyeing Ex-Chief Wang


German, French and Turkish leaders meet, with Ankara's EU bid expected to be high on the agenda.

Summit to discuss Turkey EU bid


Elpida Memory Inc., Japan #39;s largest manufacturer of memory chips, plans to raise as much as 102 billion yen (\$954 million) in an initial public offering to help finance the construction of a new plant.

Elpida May Raise as Much as 102 Bln Yen in Initial Share Sale


AP - The last probable common ancestor to humans and great apes had a body like an ape, fingers like a chimp and the upright posture of humans, according to researchers who unearthed a fossil of the animal in Spain.

Ancient Animal Could Be Human-Ape Ancestor (AP)


The company said today that the United States Army had decided not to grant it additional time to substantiate its costs in Iraq and Kuwait.

Halliburton Now Says It Will Not Get Extension From Army


Conditions in developing nations could hamper the spread of digital TV, a broadcast conference is told.

Hurdles for digital TV's global reach


As the military stabilizes Fallujah, fresh violence erupts in other Sunni-dominated areas of Iraq.

As smoke clears, next battles are political


Glenn Hoddle will not be returning to Southampton Football Club, according to chairman Rupert Lowe. It had been suggested that the former England coach was set to make a controversial return to the Saints

Southampton Football Club deny Hoddle link


A review of electronic tagging argues the system may be undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Tagging criminals 'damages trust'


MANATEE - Expect airports and roads to be even more crowded than usual this holiday season. That #39;s the word from AAA, which predicted Wednesday that a record number of Americans and Floridians will travel during the Christmas and New Year #39;s holidays.

Holiday traveler outlook: no gifts


Apple's music player now has a color screen--and shows photos. Also: U2 edition comes in basic black.

Photos: iPod gets the picture


MANILA (Dow Jones)--Improved revenue collection and tighter controls on government spending kept the Philippines #39; budget deficit well below the administration #39;s ceiling in the 10 months to October, spurring confidence in the market about the government #39;s

UPDATE:Philippines Budget Data Boost Fiscal Reform Hopes


Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. on Thursday said its quarterly profit tumbled by more than half and slashed its sales growth outlook for the rest of the year, wiping 17 percent off the value of its stock.

Earnings Not So Sweet for Krispy Kreme


AFP - Just two years ago the Royal Mail was losing over one million pounds (1.4 million euros, 1.9 million dollars) every day.

Modernisation plan transforms Britain's Royal Mail (AFP)


SiliconValley.com - Apple Computer Chief Executive Steve Jobs has quietly returned to work full time after taking a leave of absence to recover from cancer surgery.

Jobs back to work as Apple chief executive (SiliconValley.com)


ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - The government has thrown US  Airways <A HREF=

US Airways, Lenders File Cash Pact


Adobe has issued a patch for Acrobat Reader to correct a vulnerability that could allow an atacker to take over a user #39;s system with an infected PDF file.

Enterprise Security Adobe Patches Acrobat Vulnerabilities


Borders Group Inc. said Tuesday that it swung to a loss in the fiscal third quarter as fewer customers came to stores and best seller sales declined.

Borders Posts \$1.5M Loss in 3rd Quarter


04.10.04 - By Ben Cohen: Felix Trinidad is back. After pulverising Ricardo Mayorga in eight of the most dramatic rounds in recent boxing history, he is now looking to revenge the sole blemish on his spectacular

Trinidad is back!


Research shows consumers know very little about their credit score, yet that tally goes a long way to determining credit eligibility, the rate someone gets on loans and much more.

Estimating credit score is easy


TOKYO -- The paper chase starts in the blackness of early morning, a cat-and-mouse game played on Tokyo's almost empty backstreets in the hours before businessmen shake off their hangovers and commuters emerge to flood the city.

Companies, scavengers scrap over recycled paper in Japan


Security company Internet Security Systems is warning of a critical security hole in a commonly used technology from the Mozilla Foundation called the Netscape Network Security Services library that could leave Web servers vulnerable to remote attack.

ISS: Critical Netscape flaw could be widespread


ChevronTexaco, America's second-biggest oil company,  is to appeal a court ruling ordering it to pay damages from a pipeline leak, reports say.

Chevron to appeal pipeline ruling


A Utah professor finds himself the target of an unexpected flood of hate mail after posting a report defending the disputed Bush National Guard memos. The incident is one of many examples of the power of bloggers acting in unison. By Staci D. Kramer.

Prof Pursued by Mob of Bloggers


Reuters - China has executed a 25-year-old\university dropout for killing six men, four of whom had raped\him after getting him drunk, the Beijing Youth Daily said on\Sunday.

China Executes Man for Killing Rapists (Reuters)


GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian militants killed an Israeli  soldier and wounded four others in an ambush in the central  Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.

Israeli Soldier, Militant Killed in Gaza


U.S. law enforcement closed down the thriving criminal marketplace Shadowcrew.com last week, but left its database of forbidden knowledge open to the public. \

News: Online fraud tutorials... from the Secret Service?


HAMPTON - Even as teams prepared for Sunday #39;s Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the NASCAR community continued to focus on last week #39;s plane crash.

Notebook: Hendrick drivers to speak about plane crash


General Motors Corp., the world #39;s largest automaker, announced Tuesday that the 1,100 remaining workers at its Baltimore assembly plant will lose their jobs next year when

GM to Close Baltimore Plant


On the first day of the rest of her life, American Mia Hamm said she was relieved to be retiring unhurt after being the dominant women #39;s soccer player of her generation.

Mia Hamm Happy to Be Retiring Unhurt


VIENNA -- Raising doubts about its commitment to dispel international distrust, Iran is producing significant quantities of a gas that can be used to make nuclear arms just days before it must stop all work related to uranium enrichment, diplomats said yesterday.

Iran continues work despite deadline, diplomats say


Indian-born billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, who made a fortune buying mills from Algeria to Mexico, agreed to acquire Wilbur Ross #39;s International Steel Group Inc.

Mittal to Buy ISG, Create World #39;s Largest Steelmaker (Update1)


AP - St. Louis defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson is doubtful for the Monday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for whom he played for five seasons, because of a pulled left hamstring. By his count he'd missed only one practice in his career before getting hurt.

Rams' Jackson Probably Out Against Bucs (AP)


Just hours after winning approval from Georgia, Anthem Inc. and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. announced the completion of a \$16.5 billion merger creating the nation #39;s largest health insurance company.

Update 6: Anthem, WellPoint Complete Merger


FORT WORTH, United States : World number one American Airlines has announced plans to lay off as many as 1,100 pilots, mechanics and other ground staff in coming months, with more cuts in the future as it struggles to pare costs amid falling revenue.

American Airlines to lay off 1,100 pilots and ground staff


Despite 33 victories in the last four years, Annika Sorenstam keeps saying that winning is not as easy as she makes it look. Not many could argue with her at the season-ending ADT Championship.

Sorenstam ends the year with another trophy


Aerospace giant Boeing Co. on Thursday said it finalized a \$4.1 billion order from Singapore Airlines Ltd. for 18 of its 777-300 extended-range jetliners, following through on an initial agreement between the two companies in August.

Boeing Gets \$4.1B Order From Singapore


England #39;s World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a miserable start yesterday when it squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Austria in Group Six.

England held by Austria, Greece stunned in Albania


Manchester United says player transfers and a weaker performance on the pitch cut its full-year profits by nearly a third.

Man Utd unveils dip in profits


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

Feds OK Taser Stun Guns for Airlines


BEIJING: Chinas basketball hopeful Liu Wei improved his chances of becoming the first Asian point guard to make the NBA after putting in a spirited performance with the Sacramento Kings in the defeat by the Yao Ming-led Houston Rockets.

Strong performance by Liu improves NBA hopes


LONDON - A prehistoric reptile gave birth to live young rather than laying eggs, fossil evidence suggests. Scientists weren #39;t sure if the ancient reptiles, called sauropterygians, hatched from eggs on land like sea turtles or were born alive in the water.

Prehistoric reptile didn #39;t lay eggs: study


ST. LOUIS -- Mike Martz #39;s week of anger was no empty display. He saw the season slipping away for the defending NFC West champions and thought taking potshots at his players might be his best shot at turning things around.

Martz gets mad and Rams get even


Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has launched a strong defence of the sacking of Romanian striker Adrian Muti for testing positive for cocaine.

Sacking Mutu was right insists Chelsea boss Mourinho


AP - Rich countries should do more to control global warming and help poorer nations cope with the effects of climate change, a coalition of aid and environmental groups said Wednesday.

Groups Call for Global Warming Control (AP)


Next! A week removed from dispatching a previously undefeated team with haughty intentions, the rocking and rolling and seemingly unbeatable New England Patriots meet a second consecutive

Steelers set to give Patriots a challenge


Internet whiz kids Marc Andreessen, Josh Kopelman and Joe Kraus share something in common besides reaping huge jackpots during the dot-com boom.

Investors Flock to Web Networking Sites


AP - As both Democrats and Republicans sought their support, American Muslim leaders wrapped up their community's largest convention Sunday still debating whether to endorse a presidential candidate.

U.S. Muslim Leaders Undecided on Candidate (AP)


A founder of a Colombian drug cartel that became the world's chief supplier of cocaine in the 1990s was transported to a Florida jail Saturday after being extradited from Colombia.

Colombian Drug Kingpin Transported to U.S.


NOVEMBER 12, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - A new transfer policy for inter-registrar domain names went into effect today, according to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

ICANN domain transfer policy takes effect


JERUSALEM Almost at the very moment that the Jordanian helicopter took off, lifting Yasser Arafat away from his prolonged siege in Ramallah, the heavens opened with a downpour.

The post-Arafat era began long ago


AP - President Bush and John Kerry switched places Sunday, the president campaigning in New Mexico where Kerry was the day before and the Democratic senator taking Bush's place in Florida.

Bush, Kerry to Campaign in N.M., Fla. (AP)


United Airlines is mulling plans to cut 6,000 jobs -- or 10 percent of its work force, according to the Financial Times. The move would allow the bankrupt carrier to cut annual operating costs by \$655 million.

United may cut 6,000 employees


Microsoft Corp. on Friday said it will release previews of the next version of SQL Server leading up to the release of the next beta of the technology, expected in the first quarter of next year.

Microsoft Preps Previews of SQL Server 2005


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks may come under pressure next  week as investors sell shares at year's end to prepare for tax  season. But crude oil prices, earnings outlooks and moves in  the dollar will also be closely watched.

The Tax Man May Take a Bite


Q: My wife and I bought \$60,000 worth of Lehman Brothers First Trust Opportunity Fund (ticker: LBC) in March 2004. This represents 25 percent of our investments.

Junk-bond funds are OK  in small amounts


Canada said on Tuesday it was considering whether to slap trade sanctions on a wide range of US imports to retaliate for Washington #39;s refusal to abandon a controversial anti-dumping law.

Canada Mulls Trade Sanctions Against US


Assailants set off a powerful time bomb next to an army truck parked in a teeming outdoor market in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 11 people and injuring

Bike Bomb Kills at Least 11 in Pakistan


Reuters - Oil prices jumped to a new record\high near  #36;47 on Monday with traders on tenterhooks for the\result of Venezuela's weekend referendum and Iraq's exports\again disrupted by a Shi'ite uprising in the south.

Oil Prices Hit Record (Reuters)


WOOLWORTHS has cemented its advantage in the tussle for Australian Leisure and Hospitality, less than an hour before it would have ceded victory to Coles Myer.

Bruandwo back with higher bid


Sales of previously owned homes in Louisville bucked the national trend in September, falling 4 percent from the month before while sales nationwide rose to the third highest level on record.

Louisville home sales fall in Sept.


The NHL plans to reject the players #39; association #39;s latest collective bargaining agreement proposal today in Toronto, and the 2004-05 season appears destined for cancellation.

NHL plans to reject the players #39; latest proposal


WASHINGTON An internal audit found the Transportation Security Administration overpaid Boeing on a contract to install explosive detection equipment at commercial airports.

Watchdog: TSA overpaying Boeing for airport security contract


Airbus inflamed the transatlantic trade dispute with Boeing yesterday by declaring that it would apply for up to 1bn (690m) in launch aid for its proposed

Unrepentant Airbus seeks further launch aid


In response to a gloomy assessment of the state of the nation's coastal waters, President Bush ordered the creation of a new federal panel to coordinate oceanic policy.

Bush Forms Panel to Coordinate Ocean Policy


A competition tries to elevate the dreaded PowerPoint presentation to an artful endeavor, but many participants poke fun at the program instead of exploiting its features. By Daniel Terdiman.

PowerPoint Message Is the Medium


\

 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Contract electronics manufacturer\Jabil Circuit Inc. <JBL.N> on Tuesday posted a quarterly profit\that more than doubled on stronger demand for computers,\cellphones and other electronic products.

Jabil Posts Profit on Stronger Demand


ATI Technologies Inc., the world #39;s No. 2 maker of computer-graphics chips, said fourth-quarter profit more than doubled on surging demand for components used in digital televisions and mobile phones with color screens.

ATI Technologies 4th-Qtr Profit Doubles as Sales Rise (Update4)


The restoration of a blind woman's sight using foetal tissues is likely to spark ethical debate, say scientists.

Abortion row fears over eye cure


AP - Rescue crews were searching for survivors Monday after a large wooden canoe capsized on a lake in eastern Congo, killing at least 23 people, a spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping force said.

Canoe Capsizes in East Congo, Killing 23 (AP)


DEWITT, NY -- Fred Hale Sr., a Maine native recognized as the world #39;s oldest man, died Friday. He was 113 years old. Hale died in his sleep at The Nottingham in suburban Syracuse, while trying to recover from

World #39;s Oldest Man Dies After Red Sox Dream Comes True


An international team of astronomers is announcing today that they have identified the probable surviving companion star to a titanic supernova explosion witnessed in the year 1572 by the great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe and other astronomers of that

Stellar Survivor From 1572 AD Explosion Supports Supernova Theory


BAGHDAD -- Iraq's future political landscape began taking shape yesterday, as a coalition led by powerful Shi'ite Muslim groups revealed a few of its candidates in next month's parliamentary election. They include former exiles, a prominent cleric, and members of the interim government.

Candidate list hints at Iraq's political future


Yahoo will host the official Web site for the reality show,  quot;The Apprentice, quot; featuring show recaps, exclusive video clips, contestant bios, and a weekly column by last season #39;s contestant-you-love-to-hate, San Solovey.

Yahoo Hired for  #39;The Apprentice #39;


NEW DELHI: Pakistan is continuing to send militants into Kashmir to support an insurgency there, but at lower levels than in the past, Indian intelligence sources and military officials said yesterday.

India raps backing for rebels


US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer has raised his stake in Manchester United for the second time in three days. Mr Glazer spent 17m (\$31m) on another six million shares on Monday to lift his holding in the club to 27.

Glazer raises stake in Man United


MIAMI -- Progress takes many forms. Last night at American Airlines Arena, it was a last-second 17-footer by Ricky Davis that skipped across the rim. Without the buzzer-beater, Boston failed to force overtime and came up short in its fourth-quarter comeback attempt against Miami, losing, 106-104.

Celtics getting warmer, but they still fall to Heat


Given nearly a week to examine the security issues raised by the now-infamous brawl between players and fans in Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov. 19, the Celtics returned to the FleetCenter last night with two losses and few concerns about their on-court safety.

Players dismiss security worries


Google, the giant Internet search engine, is launching a British version of its shopping comparison site Froogle, the Guardian reported Wednesday.

Google launches UK version of Froogle


A bankruptcy judge gave US Airways Group Inc. permission Monday to tap a government loan to fund daily operations - a move expected to allow the airline to continue normal operations while it searchs for alternative financing.

Update 15: US Airways Gets Permission for Gov #39;t Loan


The Angels agreed to a one-year, \$4.5 million contract with RHP Paul Byrd yesterday and traded RHP Ramon Ortiz to the Reds for a minor league pitcher.

Angels, Byrd Agree to 1-Year Deal


Lucas was released from a San Francisco hospital, where he was kept overnight, and was scheduled to fly back to Seattle, coach Mike Holmgren said.

Seahawks CB Lucas suffers bruised lung


New York Yankees acting manager Willie Randolph, filling in for manager Joe Torre serving a game suspension, gestures as he yells to the bench during the Yankees 4-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, in this Oct. 2, 2004 file photo.

Mets, Phillies, Astros Name New Managers


Reuters - The European Commission was set to\recommend on Wednesday that Turkey start accession talks with\the European Union, finally unveiling its watershed decision\after 40 years of on-again, off-again talks.

EU Commission to Bless Turkish Membership Bid (Reuters)


The United States will need years to finish the war crimes tribunals of al-Qaeda and Taliban detainees it started this week, according to US officials.

War crimes hearings may take years


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar weakened against major  currencies on Friday in thin holiday-season volume, as traders  took profits after early-session gains.

Dollar Weakens in Thin Trading


The president asks Congress for \$126 million to help NASA recover from hurricane damage. The money could help the agency get its space shuttle overhaul back on track. By Amit Asaravala.

Bush Requests NASA Storm Aid


Reuters - Online broker E*Trade Financial Corp.\ said on Monday its retail customer stock trading for\October jumped 21 percent from the prior month, helped by less\uncertainty in financial markets.

E*Trade Says Trading Jumped in October (Reuters)


LOS ANGELES Without Michael Eisner at the helm of Walt Disney, will Harvey Weinstein and Steve Jobs stay as partners? That is the question on the minds of analysts and Hollywood executives after Eisner, the

Will Disney keep key partnerships?


FOXBOROUGH -- After Bill Belichick won his 20th consecutive game, he told the world how lousy he coached in yesterday's 30-20 win over the Seahawks, which ran his record this season to 5-0.

The top banana, Belichick, slips up


Like most parking lot attendants, Juan Rodriguez knows how tantalizing and frustrating it can be to drive a luxury car, only to have to surrender it all too quickly for a pair of crumpled dollars.

New York man wins \$149M lottery


Free agent Troy Percival and Detroit agreed Wednesday on a two-year contract, giving the Tigers two closers for their bullpen. Percival, 35, was 2-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 33 saves last season with the Anaheim Angels, who made no attempt to re-sign him.

Percival agrees to two-year deal with Tigers


Saga, the holidays and financial services group for the over-50s, has put an end to the near year-long saga over its future by agreeing a 1.

Tussauds owner buys Saga group


KUOW Seattle #39;s Tuesday evening business/politics program,  quot;The Works, quot; had an entertaining interview last night with Steven L. Kent, author of  quot;The Ultimate History of Video Games quot; and a video-game reviewer for newspapers including this one.

Mario #39;s worst nightmare


Kerr-McGee Corp. on Wednesday said its third-quarter profit slid on a charge related to the shutdown of a pigment plant and higher environmental and capital expenses.

Kerr-McGee 3Q Profit Down on Charge


For the first time, Tiger Woods will not be the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year when the Target World Challenge begins on Thursday at Sherwood Country Club in California.

Singh showdown for Tiger


Artisoft Inc. has agreed to acquire Vertical Networks Inc. for as much as \$19 million in cash in a deal that will create a vendor of IP (Internet Protocol) telephony software for call centers, medium-sized businesses and large enterprises.

Artisoft to buy IP telephony vendor Vertical


Forty-nine soldiers in Iraq #39;s new army have been found shot to death, police said Sunday. Gen. Walid al-Azzawi, commander of the Diyala provincial police, said the bodies

49 New Iraqi Army Soldiers Shot to Death


AFP - Republican President George W. Bush leads Democrat John Kerry by two point margin, according to a Time magazine poll out -- well within the poll's margin for error and similar to surveys released earlier.

Bush ahead in latest Time voter poll (AFP)


Reuters - Tragic, despicable, inhumane, cowardly,\barbaric, evil, and astonishing -- the deaths of a hundred or\more people including children in a siege in Russia sparked\strong words for the hostage-takers from world leaders.

Martin, World Leaders, Condemn Russian Siege (Reuters)


J.P. Sniezek makes the first catch of his career, a 39-yard completion, and then boots a field goal to lift Gonzaga over Georgetown Prep.

Sniezek Spurs Gonzaga


As I was having a romp with my 8-month-old grandson the other day, simultaneously being head-butted, drooled upon, and having tiny but sure-grip fingers working to rip out my eyeball, I had the sudden thought that in another winter -- oh, maybe two -- with any luck at all I'll have a hand in starting another little boy in a ...

First lessons leave lasting impressions


USC quarterback Matt Leinart scrambles out of the pocket against UCLA during the game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004.

USC #39;s Matt Leinart Wins Heisman Trophy


France's Catholic Church posts a huge deficit after a weekend visit by the Pope to the southern shrine of Lourdes.

Pope's French visit leaves debt


Unmanned aerial vehicles and other so-called

Remote Control Could Save Soldiers' Lives


Pic: Ring-tailed lemurs, like all 20 species of lemur, are unique to Madagascar, but their long-term future is now under threat by the destruction of their rainforest habitat.

On the brink


A new and perhaps final report from the international consortium of laboratories that decoded the human genome has revised the estimated number of human genes sharply downward.

Human genes estimate falls to 20,000-30,000


The packaged food outfit is taking some important steps that should contribute to improved results down the road.

General Mills' Latest Trix


Serbia yesterday signalled the start of greater co-operation with the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague, surrendering a former Bosnian Serb general whose troops held Sarajevo under siege during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.

Serbia sends general for war crimes trial


On the eve of a crucial hearing in its European antitrust case, Microsoft #39;s chief lawyer still hopes the case can be settled. That #39;s one of several paths that Brad Smith is taking to get Microsoft through

Microsoft prefers settlement option


The elderly are being eyed as a potential market for personal assistant robots that could help them live independently longer.

Robot promoters look to Social Security set


Indiana is a standout nationally -- known all over for its refusal to adopt daylight-saving time.  quot;And then there is Indiana, quot; the publisher of the Information Please almanac notes on its Web site (www.

Indiana 1 of 3 holdouts in nation


The global financial system is at its most resilient since the equity bubble burst in 2001, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday, despite rising

UPDATE 1-IMF says markets resilient, calm after rate rises


An index of Silicon Valley stocks declined for the week, paced by Altera Corp., KLA-Tencor Corp. and Xilinx Inc. The Bloomberg Silicon Valley Index shed 10.01 in the past five days, or 2.1 percent, to 469.95.

Altera, KLA drag down SVI


Tour operator Thomas Cook makes a         196m (286.7m euro) loss in the first nine months of the year but says its overall financial position has improved.

Losses continue for Thomas Cook


NEW YORK (Reuters) - A top executive for Web marketing  company DoubleClick <A HREF=

DoubleClick Signs on MSN to Use Its Rich Media Ads


Tyrone Willingham, who was the first African-American head coach at Notre Dame in any sport, compiled a record of 21-15 in three seasons.

Citing a Lack of Progress, Notre Dame Fires Willingham


I smashed up my room the other day. I pulled open my cupboard, throwing clean clothes all over my carpet, cracking clothes hangers over my knee and tossing them aside. I threw my ornaments off the shelf, spraying fragments of pottery, glass and wood everywhere. I upended the dirty washing from my basket. I smashed up furniture, throwing splinters among the mess.

My room


Bob Stoops grinned. Because that #39;s what you do when you #39;re holding all the aces. His No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners survived a gripping 38-35 decision over Oklahoma State on Saturday

No. 2 Sooners survive scare, top Oklahoma St.


After 14 months of work and a \$100 million investment, Microsoft rolled out a test version of its new search engine late Wednesday night.

Microsoft Debuts Search Engine, But Skeptics Remain


Ethnic Ingush in Kartsa, Russia, wait in fear for possible reprisals after the mass killings in Beslan.

In Ethnic Tinderbox, Fear of Revenge for School Killings


Forgotten man Darren Fletcher insists he still has a big part to play at Manchester United. With all the chopping and changing Sir Alex Ferguson has been forced into this season, most United fans are scratching

FLETCHER PREPARED TO BIDE TIME


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Serena Williams fashion show will  take center stage at the U.S. Open Friday as the former  champion takes on French teen-ager Tatiana Golovin for a place  in the fourth round.

U.S. Open: Serena Set to Steal Spotlight


The initial public offering once touted as the hottest Internet IPO in years may have lost some of its momentum. Google Inc. announced Wednesday it has slashed the size of its IPO nearly in half and lowered its estimated price range.

SEC gives Google approval for public offering


IT job exports are forecast to increase by a compound annual growth rate of 5.9 between 2002 and the end of 2004, said Frost  amp; Sullivan.

Outsourcing growth predicted at 5.9 a year


Ohio State matched the record for the most lopsided victory in the women #39;s program when the 11th-ranked Buckeyes defeated Ohio 107-37 Wednesday night.

No. 11 Ohio St. 107, Ohio 37


Ziff Davis - The enterprise makes way for mobile video as WiMax advances, Palm's new Treo 650 and Windows mobile productivity all share the stage at the CTIA Wireless show in San Francisco.

Vendors Address Productivity, Convergence at Wireless Expo (Ziff Davis)


Reuters - OPEC President Purnomo Yusgiantoro said\on Friday he was concerned with the continuing rise in global\oil prices, but the cartel had not yet seen a cost-driven\increase in inflation.

OPEC Chief: Concerned with Oil Price Rise (Reuters)


Sudan #39;s government and southern rebels have crossed the last bridge in efforts to end 21 years of war and peace is now inevitable, UN envoy for Sudan Jan Pronk said on Sunday.

UN envoy says peace in south Sudan inevitable


INDONESIAN EDITOR SENTENCED. An Indonesian court sentenced a leading magazine editor to 1 year in prison yesterday for defamation and  quot;inciting unrest quot; in a story published last year in Tempo, the nation #39;s top news magazine.

WORLD BRIEFS


Election 2004 Why dodgy metaphors don't help

Circling the wagons: the net politics of exclusion


A Republican plan to break up the CIA as a result of  9/11 is attacked by top Democrats and agency's chief.

CIA break-up plan draws criticism


The Athens Paralympics canceled celebrations at its closing ceremony after seven schoolchildren traveling to watch the event died in a bus crash on Monday.

Paralympics Scrap Closing Celebrations After Crash


Police in the U.K. have arrested a man in connection with the theft of source code from networking equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. in May, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed Friday.

Update: Arrest made in Cisco source code theft


t may be known as caller ID spoofing, but it is evidently no laughing matter. Three days after the start-up company Star38 began offering a service that fools caller ID systems, the founder, Jason Jepson, has decided to sell the business.

Citing Threats, Entrepreneur Wants to Quit Caller ID Venture


PeopleSoft Inc.'s board is prepared to drop its ferocious resistance to Oracle Corp.'s hostile takeover bid and negotiate a price above the current \$7.7 billion offer if there's ''high certainty quot; a deal can be done quickly, a company director said in court yesterday.

Director: PeopleSoft open to an Oracle deal


Arizona at Atlanta, 11 am Philadelphia at Detroit, 11 am Cleveland at NY Giants, 11 am Houston at Kansas City, 11 am New Orleans at St.

Hurricane Jeanne forces rescheduling


Shares of FLYi Inc., operator of fledgling low-cost carrier Independence Air, dove as much as 36 percent in Wednesday trading after the company confirmed it may file for bankruptcy if it is unable to make \$83 million aircraft lease payments in January.

FLYi Says Bankruptcy Possible; Airline Shares Lose Altitude


JAKARTA (JP): Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was on Wednesday sworn in as Indonesia #39;s sixth president and the first to be directly elected, replacing Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Susilo sworn in as Indonesia #39;s sixth president


AFP - Holger Apfel cuts a clean look in his Miami Vice-style white suit and black T-shirt and is the new image of a German far-right that is likely to cause an upset in Sunday's state elections.

Germany's neo-Nazis change look to attract disgruntled voters (AFP)


AP - Best Buy Co. has lost another executive closely involved with its effort to focus on its most profitable customers.

Best Buy Co. Retail President Steps Down (AP)


Acquiring wealth is like a caffeine buzz: a fleeting high that leaves you wanting more.

Rich and Happy? No Guarantees


Reuters - France and Spain were hit on Tuesday\by a dioxin contamination scare that has forced the closure of\almost 200 Dutch farms after the cancer-causing toxin was found\in animal feed.

Dutch Dioxin Scare Spreads to France and Spain (Reuters)


Pakistani Security Forces say they have killed a major al-Qaeda millitant on Monday, September 27. Amjad Farooqi was killed after a shootout with Pakistani Security Forces.

Key Al Qaeda suspect killed in shootout in Pakistan


BRUSSELS - European researchers lead the field in a number of key areas for the future development of computer science and play a crucial role in Microsoft Corp.'s research activities, according to senior company staff speaking at an innovation fair here on Thursday.

Microsoft taps European expertise in research


Graeme Souness, the Newcastle manager, has said he will view video footage of Craig Bellamy apparently verbally abusing him before taking any action against the Wales striker.

Souness to review Bellamy  #39;abuse #39;


In a historic move that could extend Europe #39;s borders to the edge of the volatile Middle East, the European Union recommended Wednesday setting mostly Muslim Turkey

Turkey gets conditional OK for EU talks


Hollywood film studios file their first wave of lawsuits against people in the US who trade pirated films online.

Studios sue internet film pirates


Microsoft is stopping people getting hold of a key security update via net-based file- sharing systems.

Microsoft takes down SP2 swappers


ATLANTA - Lawyers for Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis are negotiating a plea deal in his drug conspiracy case that would allow him to serve jail time in the offseason, a source close to the case told The Associated Press on Saturday.    Under a deal being discussed with federal prosecutors, the pro football player would serve four to six months - possibly split between jail and a halfway house - when the season concludes, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity...

Jamal Lewis Deal Would Include Jail Time


wilmington, del.Oracle Corp. director Joseph Grundfest testified yesterday that the company #39;s \$21 (US) per-share hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc.

Oracle could offer more for PeopleSoft


Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals have signed free-agent first baseman Wil Cordero to a one-year contract, and also agreed to terms with outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Nationals sign Cordero to one-year contact


New measures to fight crime and drugs are expected to be at the heart of the Queen #39;s Speech on Tuesday. The creation of national ID cards, new measures against  quot;yobs quot; and drug tests for minor offenders are set to feature.

Crime tops Queen #39;s Speech agenda


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marsh   McLennan Cos. <A HREF=

Marsh   McLennan CEO Greenberg Resigns


Sony Ericsson, the Swedish-Japanese maker of cellphones, posted a 45 percent rise in net profit in the third quarter as a broadened product mix and the success of its camera phones bolstered sales.

Sony Ericsson posts 45 rise in profit


Kelly Holmes #39; lastminute gamble was rewarded with a glorious gold medal tonight as she stormed to the Olympic 800 metres title in Athens.

Holmes double?up gamble pays off


Australia captain Ricky Ponting questioned the US team #39;s place in cricket #39;s second-biggest event after his players bowled the Americans out for the lowest total in the tournament #39;s history to win by nine wickets.

US Cricketers Exit Champions Trophy With Tournament-Low Score


AP - International Business Machines Corp. said Monday it will provide voice and data services to British financial-services company Lloyds TSB Group PLC for seven years in a deal worth  #36;971.6 million.

IBM in Voice Services Deal With Lloyds (AP)


There is a disagreement concerning the future of two elephants at the Detroit Zoo: a sanctuary or the Columbus Zoo. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Washington has

Disagreement rages over Detroit elephant


Google Books and GMail Plans\\Google has not had anything big for us since it went public some time ago. Now, it is back with some news that could worry biggies like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It has decided to get into book selling business. The service is called Google ...

Google Books and GMail Plans


LONDON: Scientists at the University of Durham in UK have created the world #39;s first plastic magnet to work at room temperature.

World #39;s first plastic magnet created


PalmSource Inc. on Tuesday launched the latest version of its operating system, which targets manufacturers of the increasing number of advanced cellular phones in the market.

PalmSource Introduces Latest Version Of Palm OS


Aftershocks shook central Japan Monday as the death toll from Saturday #39;s earthquakes rose to 25, with more than 21,000 injured.

Aftershocks continue to rattle Japan


MOSCOW -- Gunmen attacked a police station and polling sites in the Chechen capital Saturday night, killing several people eight days before a special election to replace the region #39;s assassinated president, according to Russian news agencies.

Gunmen attack police station Chechnya


Floridians will be able to deduct state sales tax payments from their federal income tax returns for the next two years, under one part of a wide-ranging bill the US Senate passed today.

Floridians would get Tax Relief Under Bill Passed by US Senate


The drama of Kobe Bryant and the woman who accused him of rape in a little Colorado mountain town 14 months ago has moved to new terrain.

Moving Beyond Naming Names


STEYR, Austria - A medical intern at a western Austria hospital mistakenly injected an elderly patient with olive oil instead of antibiotics after mixing up bedside vials, officials said Wednesday.    The patient, a 79-year-old woman in the hospital for an appendectomy, was not in life-threatening condition, hospital director Harald Geck told the Austria Press Agency...

Intern MD Injects Patient With Olive Oil


The judge considering Microsoft Corp. #39;s appeal against European Union sanctions has convened a closed meeting for Thursday after two more major opponents of the US software giant withdrew from the case, a court spokesman said on

Hearing Set After Microsoft Rivals Quit


John Gibson said Friday that he decided to resign as chief executive officer of Halliburton Energy Services when it became apparent he couldn #39;t become the CEO of the entire corporation, after getting a taste of the No.

Chief of Halliburton unit wanted top spot


The killings of Iraqis who work on U.S. military bases send a chilling message not to cooperate with the Americans.

Caught in Rebels' Cross Hairs: Iraqis Working for Americans


PC World - StarBand is hoping to provide temporary dial-up access to affected customers.

Satellite Failure Hits Broadband Users (PC World)


Microsoft has unveiled its security bulletin for December, including a critical patch for Windows XP with SP1, and fixes rated as important for SP2.

Critical patches highlighted in Microsoft #39;s December Security <b>...</b>


The controversy rages on. Which offers a better  quot;value proposition quot; -- Windows or Linux? Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has issued an executive email outlining case studies and analyses making the case for Windows over Open Source Linux or proprietary Unix.

Ballmer weighs in on Windows vs. Linux


Iraq war blogs are as varied as the soldiers who write them. Some sites feature practical news, war pictures and advice. Some are overtly political, with more slanting to the right than to the left. Some question the war, some cheer it. While some military bloggers (or milbloggers) say their commanders have encouraged their online literary ventures, a few say their commanders have shut them down.

Soldiers' War Blogs Detail Life in Iraq


BOSTON (CBS.MW) - The Vanguard Group #39;s full-scale entry into the exchange-traded fund business has been viewed as a departure from its conservative roots.

ETF INVESTING


AP - Two employees at the Egyptian Embassy were treated for breathing problems and irritated skin after they opened a suspicious package Tuesday, police said.

Embassy Workers Suffer Breathing Ailment (AP)


Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  is making a\renewed push this week to get its software into living rooms\with the launch of a new version of its Windows XP Media\Center, a personal computer designed for viewing movies,\listening to music and scrolling through digital pictures.

Microsoft Renews Push for Living Room PC (Reuters)


THE sheer bastardry displayed by militants who kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan and who are now widely believed to have killed her has stunned the world.

Futile death of innocent


Six people are missing after a US Coast Guard helicopter crashes off Alaska during a ship rescue.

Rescue chopper down off Alaska


Shares of Radiation Therapy (RTSX:Nasdaq - news - research) were among the worst-performing health and pharmaceutical stocks Thursday after Banc of America Securities initiated coverage with a sell rating.

Health Stocks in Motion


Online consumers in the United States spent \$8.8 billion, excluding travel purchases, in November, a 19 percent jump over the \$7.4 billion spent online a year earlier, a report released Monday said.

Online Sales Jump in November


washingtonpost.com - The federal government said yesterday that it will order airlines to turn over millions of passenger records by November so it can begin testing a vast computer program that will hunt for suspected terrorists seeking to board commercial aircraft.

U.S. Orders Airlines To Release Fliers' Data (washingtonpost.com)


A US court martial in Baghdad has sentenced a soldier to eight months in jail for maltreating and conspiring to maltreat Iraqi detainees.

US soldier jailed for Iraq abuses


LISBON - Leaving no doubt of Microsoft Corp.'s determination to win the markets and minds of European governments, the company unveiled results of a survey Tuesday claiming that software is the main driver of IT job creation and revenue in the region.

Microsoft: Software drives Europe's IT economy


BOSTON -- With a balky ankle and tight shoes, Curt Schilling took the mound on Friday, throwing batting practice speed in the bullpen during a steady rain.

Schilling still may pitch for Boston against New York


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intel Corp. <A HREF=

Intel Seen Readying New Wi-Fi Chips This Week


Orbitz Inc., the Internet travel agency that is being bought by Cendant Corp., Wednesday posted a 30 percent jump in third-quarter profit, aided by a surge in hotel business.

Update 1: Orbitz Profit Soars on Revenue Surge


Poland striker Emmanuel Olisadebe came off the bench to earn Panathinaikos a 2-2 draw with Arsenal with a late equaliser in their Champions League Group E match.

Arsenal draw 2-2 with Panathinaikos


Struggling automotive supplier Visteon Corp. told its 8,300 white-collar workers that it plans to offer buyouts to a  quot;significant quot; number of employees by year #39;s end.

Struggling auto parts maker offering buyouts to salaried employees


BANGALORE (AFP) - India #39;s space agency is ready to send a man to space within seven years if the government gives the nod, while preparations have already begun for the launch of an unmanned lunar mission, a top official said.

India debates manned space flight


BALTIMORE - Health care organizations not considering offshore outsourcing are missing out on significant cost savings, but administrators need to be aware of potential risks, including lax handling of data security by some vendors and the effect on employee morale, a health care IT analyst said Tuesday.

Analyst: Outsourcing can save costs in health care


Green Bay, WI (Sports Network) - The Green Bay Packers will be without the services of Pro Bowl center Mike Flanagan for the remainder of the season, as he will undergo left knee surgery.

Packers lose Flanagan for season


NEW YORK (Reuters) - 3M Co. <A HREF=

Energy, Material Prices Hurt U.S. Profits


England #39;s controversial cricket tour of Zimbabwe looks set to be cancelled after Michael Vaughan #39;s squad were last night instructed not to travel to Harare.

ECB set to call off tour to Zimbabwe over media ban


washingtonpost.com - Federal regulators are stepping up their pressure on television stations to give up billions of dollars worth of airwaves in major markets around the country, saying the spectrum is urgently needed by local public safety officials.

Government Hungry for TV's Airwaves (washingtonpost.com)


US Airways announced plans Tuesday to cut \$45 million a year in pay and benefits to roughly 3,700 management employees, a move the airline hopes will convince its union employees to collectively accept \$950 million in annual cost cuts.

US Airways to Cut Management Pay, Benefit


AP - Mike Wilkinson scored all but two of his 19 points in the second half and Brian Butch had a memorable debut in No. 21 Wisconsin's 77-44 rout of Penn on Saturday night.

No. 21 Wisconsin Trounces Penn 77-44 (AP)


Linux distributor Red Hat Inc has established a new presence in China to promote the use of open source software in the country, following up on plans announced back in January.

Red Hat establishes Chinese operation


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. chain store sales were up,  posting a gain in the latest week compared with the same time  last year, but hurricanes Bonnie and Charley still left a  negative impact, a report said on Tuesday.

U.S. Chain Store Sales Slow


US investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is in talks to buy leading British hedge fund

UPDATE 5-Lehman in talks to buy UK hedge fund-source


NEW YORK (AP) -- Randy Johnson took a four-hitter into the ninth inning to help the Arizona Diamondbacks end a nine-game losing streak Sunday, beating Steve Trachsel and the New York Mets 2-0.

Johnson Helps D - Backs End Nine - Game Slide


After a months-long sting operation, FBI agents raided residences in Texas, Wisconsin and New York, bringing the Justice Department into campaign against illegal downloads. <FONT face=

Suspected File-Sharing 'Hubs' Raided


Miami, Florida (Sports Network) - Due to the possible  threat of Hurricane Ivan, the NFL has rescheduled the  Titans/Dolphins game up a day to Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (et).

Hurricane Ivan Reschedules Titans and Dolphins Game


Halliburton Co., the world #39;s largest oilfield-services company, said a bankruptcy judge approved a \$1.5 billion settlement of asbestos claims between two of its subsidiaries and insurers.

Halliburton Units Win Approval of Asbestos Settlement (Update1)


Georgian military officials say at least six Georgian soldiers have been killed and at least seven others wounded in overnight clashes in Georgia #39;s breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Georgia Says 6 Soldiers Killed in Latest Clashes in South Ossetia


CHICAGO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Shares of Synovis Life Technologies Inc.(SYNO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) tumbled 13 percent on Wednesday after the company reported a drop in quarterly net income and withdrew its annual and fourth-quarter outlook, citing ...

Synovis shares tumble as profit, revenue fall


SINGAPORE : The US dollar moved in a narrow range against the yen and euro in Asia on Monday as investors awaited US economic data and a speech by Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan later this week.

US dollar moves in tight range against major currencies in Asian <b>...</b>


AFP - Communist North Korea's claim that a huge and mysterious explosion was caused by a civil engineering project might be true, according to South Korea's intelligence agency.

North Korea's claim about mysterious blast might be true: Seoul (AFP)


SAN FRANCISCO -- Bolstered by investors, Oracle Corp. appears destined to complete its long-sought takeover of PeopleSoft Inc. unless its rival becomes more profitable and proves it's worth more than the \$9.2 billion bid currently on the table.

Oracle seen closer in PeopleSoft bid


Delta Air Lines Inc., struggling to avoid bankruptcy, has hired an international marketing firm to help reshape its image. Terms of the deal between Atlanta-based Delta and New York-based Ogilvy

Delta Hires International Marketing Firm


As Ken Solomon read the letter last month from a company whose software he had bought, one sentence set off alarms:

Your Personal Data Is Often at Risk


With spectacular performances on his final two events, American Paul Hamm pulled out one of the biggest comebacks in Olympic gymnastic history.

U.S. Gymnast Goes From Oops to a Gold Medal


European Commission President- designate Jose Barroso came a step closer to ending the stalemate over his leadership team when Latvia bowed to pressure to replace its commissioner.

Barroso Nears EU Revamp as Latvia Replaces Nominee (Update1)


CHICAGO : The judge overseeing United Airlines #39; bankruptcy case struck a controversial pension-related brief from the record, in the latest development in the row over United #39;s underfunded pension plans.

Judge strikes UAL #39;s pension assessment from record


The government in Nigeria's north-eastern Borno state holds an emergency meeting after raids by the

Nigeria's 'Taleban' attack police


British scientists were backing Sunday a campaign to stop the United States from creating a worldwide ban on all types of human cloning.

British scientists oppose clone ban


EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Sports Network) - Minnesota Vikings  wide receiver Randy Moss will not play at full speed for a few  weeks after an MRI Thursday revealed a slight tear in his  injured right hamstring.

Moss Has Slight Tear in Hamstring


Hong Kongs Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (Hong Kong: 0013 - message board) could raise up to \$1.5 billion from an IPO of mobile and fixed-line assets in India, Hong Kong, Israel, and other markets before the end

Hutch Plots \$1.5B IPO


The European Central Bank (ECB) will keep borrowing costs at a six-decade low for an 18th month as a surge in oil costs curbs economic growth in the dozen nations sharing the euro, a survey of economists showed.

European Central Bank to maintain rates as costs surge


SAN FRANCISCO - Logitech Inc. was set Wednesday to introduce a new mouse that uses a laser beam to track the movements of the device. The mouse, which Logitech claims will be the first such laser-tracking device, provides end users with better click-and-point capabilities than traditional LED- (light-emitting diode) based optical mice, according to company officials.

Logitech launches laser-tracking mouse


The International Monetary Fund is worrying about the UK housing market again. It #39;s been doing this for an awfully long time now, yet so far none of its doom laden warnings have come to pass.

Jeremy Warner #39;s Outlook: No hurricane yet as IMF warns on house <b>...</b>


Hurt by erratic advertising demand, many of the nation #39;s newspaper companies will fail to deliver the profits they had hoped for in the latest quarter.

Newspaper Companies #39; Profit Seen Rising


Reuters - Britain's BT Group Plc  is hoping\to make a dramatic return to the United States with a  #36;1\billion acquisition of Californian telecoms group Infonet\Services Corp. , the Sunday Times newspaper reported.

Report: BT Poised to Buy Infonet (Reuters)


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Despite a recent series of product missteps, Intel Corp.'s board yesterday selected the semiconductor giant's day-to-day operations chief to replace chief executive Craig Barrett, who is stepping aside to become chairman in May.

Seeking to refocus, Intel names nonengineer CEO


Pleading for her life between terrified sobs, kidnapped aid official Margaret Hassan appeared on a videotape Friday urging British Prime Minister Tony Blair to abandon Iraq

Kidnapped Aid Official Begs Blair To Save Her


The Toyota Prius has been voted 2005 Car of the Year by the 58 members of the European Car of the Year Jury, it was announced last Monday.

Toyota Prius is 2005 European Car of the Year


Brown-Forman #39;s whiskey sales are strong but Wall Street sees cracks in the company #39;s china sales. By Parija Bhatnagar, CNN/Money staff writer.

Last call for Jack Daniel #39;s?


AP - CD Chivas USA made Los Angeles Galaxy forward Arturo Torres the first player chosen Friday in the Major League Soccer Expansion draft.

Torres Chosen First in MLS Expansion Draft (AP)


or whatever amount for which it is written. Under the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, commonly known

Checking out


Jessica Beltran served two ham and cheese sandwiches and four pieces of bacon before her husband tied a major league record Sunday with his eighth home run of the postseason.

Riches, fancy repasts on deck for Beltran


US consumers are still worried about their jobs and income, the University of Michigan's index of consumer confidence indicates.

US consumer confidence dips


Six-time WNBA all-star Nykesha Sales and the Connecticut Sun are heading to the WNBA championship finals after beating the New York Liberty last Friday and last Saturday in the best two out of three games for the WNBA Eastern Conference Championship.

Sales provides knockout punch for Sun


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar softened on Thursday after  Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sounded more cautious  on the U.S. economic recovery than many investors had expected.

Dollar Slips on Greenspan, Japan Data


The Yankees declined their 2005 option on first baseman Travis Lee on Friday and their 2006 option on reliever Paul Quantrill. Quantrill, who struggled late last season, agreed last December to a \$7 million

Yankees decline options on Quantrill, Lee


Struggling German department store owner KarstadtQuelle says it must cut staff wages by up to 10 in an effort to avoid job cuts.

Karstadt calls for staff pay cuts


Is the country better prepared to prevent a repeat of last August's deadly crisis?

France: A year after the heatwave


GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli leader Ariel Sharon vowed on  Sunday to widen an offensive into Gaza which has killed over 50  Palestinians until militants stop firing rockets that have  fueled criticism of his plan to quit the occupied strip.

Sharon Vows to Expand Gaza Raid, Toll Tops 50


No, not by hopping the next flight out of Athens, which was what all the US men #39;s basketball players no doubt felt like doing after shooting bricks and playing like strangers in their miserable first week of the Olympics.

Practice makes Marbury near perfect


The US Congress is ready to vote on sweeping changes to the country's intelligence agencies.

US to vote on intelligence reform


Forbes.com - At 42, Nicholas Gerber is a little too young to retire, but he is already thinking about how to sell the business he started nine years ago. It's the management company for Ameristock Mutual Fund, which has attracted  #36;1.8 billion with a stellar record: up 14 a year since 1995, five points more than the market average. His style is to buy out-of-favor blue chips like Sara Lee, Merck and Bank of America, and hold. Turnover is tiny at 5 a year.

Looking for the Exit Sign (Forbes.com)


GAZA - A militant leader survived an Israeli missile strike on his car in Gaza on Thursday in Israel #39;s first assassination attempt in the Palestinian territories since Yasser Arafat died in a Paris hospital.

Militant chief wounded in Israeli strike in Gaza


Southern California #39;s quarterback Matt Leinart celebrates as he leaves the field after their 45-7 win against Arizona State in Los Angles on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004.

USC and Miami Atop First BCS Standings


A comprehensive four-year study of warming in the Arctic shows that heat-trapping gases from tailpipes and smokestacks around the world are contributing to profound environmental changes

Big Arctic Perils Seen in Warming


Reuters - To gaze across Hong Kong's harbor at\the city's glittering skyscrapers and soaring peaks is to take\in one of the world's most spectacular urban vistas.

China's Energy Crisis Blankets Hong Kong in Smog (Reuters)


Los Angeles Times - BAMIAN, Afghanistan  #8212; Archeologist Zemaryalai Tarzi can barely bring himself to look at the ravaged cliff face where two ancient Buddhas towered until the Taliban infamously blasted them to bits.

Seeking a Sleeping Giant (Los Angeles Times)


When it comes to Microsoft, IT pros still want to hear more about security, Linux and product futures. CEO Steve Ballmer did his best to accommodate them Wednesday morning in a keynote speech at the Gartner Symposium ITXpo in Orlando, Fla.

Ballmer Calls Linux Threat Overblown, Touts Progress With Office <b>...</b>


A former Irish priest who disrupted the men #39;s Olympic marathon in Athens has appeared in court on two counts of indecently assaulting a child.

Olympics man on indecency charges


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

NL Wrap: Cubs Rally to Beat Marlins (Reuters)


citanon writes  quot; The Washington Post reports that House Majority Leader Tom Delay has delivered, via the omnibus spending bill passed Nov. 20, the President #39;s full budgetary request of \$16.2 billion dollars

President Bush #39;s Money For Space Cometh


EL GENEINA, Sudan Sept. 26, 2004 - West Darfur #39;s governor on Sunday linked an alleged coup attempt against the national government to a rebellion in western Sudan, saying the same group was behind both insurrections.

Darfur Governor Says Rebels Attempted Coup


Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- AMP Ltd., Australia #39;s largest life insurer, posted its first half of profit in four after Chief Executive Andrew Mohl reduced debt, cut costs and sold more equity investment products. The stock fell as much as 3.7 percent.

AMP Turns to 1st-Half Profit After It Cut Debt, Costs (Update4)


LONDON (Reuters) - The mother of a young British soldier  killed in Iraq said on Monday she intended to sue the Ministry  of Defense for negligence because it failed to supply him with  hi-tech defensive equipment.

Mother of Dead UK Soldier to Sue Government


AP - Software giant Microsoft Corp. hopes an impending court ruling on its five-year antitrust battle with the European Union will bring both sides back to the negotiating table, but EU regulators still balk at resuming direct negotiations, officials said Thursday.

Microsoft Wants to Resume Talks With EU (AP)


Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - American Paul Hamm will get to keep his gold medal for the all-around competition, even though the International Gymnastics Federation announced the suspension of three judges for a scoring error that would have given

Judges suspended for scoring error, but Hamm keeps gold


Working Mother magazine has named three Cincinnati-based companies among its 100 best to work for in 2004. Health care provider TriHealth made the list for the first time, joining Procter

3 firms here are best for mothers


Pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong have expressed disappointment at the outcome of Sunday #39;s parliamentary elections. The pro-democracy camp secured 25 seats on the

Dashed hopes in Hong Kong


Davie, FL (Sports Network) - The Miami Dolphins learned Monday that they could be without quarterbacks Jay Fiedler and AJ Feeley for this Sunday #39;s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Injuries, frustration continue to mount in Miami


The US Airways pilots #39; deal extends through 2009. Along with an 18 percent pay cut, pilots will have to fly more hours each month, likely resulting in more furloughs.

US Airways Pilots Accept 18 Percent Cut


Eagles coach Andy Reid was just 10 seconds into his postgame press conference, and he had already said the word  quot;tough quot; four times.

Eagles tough out a win


The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas is accusing Israel of responsibility for the bombing attack on one of its members in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Hamas: Israel behind Damascus bombing


Shawn Green can sit out Saturday knowing he was a huge help to the Dodgers during their crucial series against San Francisco. Green hit a two-run homer in Los Angeles #39; 3-2 victory over the Giants on Friday

Dodgers 3, Giants 2


GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian militants blew up an Israeli  army post on the Gaza-Egypt border on Sunday and at least four  Israeli troops were reported killed in the deadliest attack  since Yasser Arafat died a month ago.

Blasts Near Gaza-Egypt Border, Several Casualties


The U.S. Securities and Exchange\Commission on Wednesday proposed stricter rules to halt\underwriting practices that artificially boost demand for\shares in initial public offerings.

U.S. SEC Proposes Stricter Rules for IPOs


SAMARRA, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a major assault Friday to regain control of the insurgent stronghold of Samarra, and hospital officials said at least 21 people were killed and 35 wounded...

U.S. and Iraqi Forces Attack Insurgents


Green Bay Packers receiver Javon Walker pulls Indianapolis Colts defender Idrees Bashir into the end zone as he scores in the first quarter in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept.

Javon Walker Has Arrived for Packers


MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Vicente Fox said  on Monday he hoped President Bush's re-election meant a  bilateral accord on migration would be reached before his own  term runs out at the end of 2006.

Mexico's Fox Says U.S. Migration Deal a Priority


MARKHAM, Ont. (CP) - Graphics chip maker ATI Technologies Inc. is boosting its outlook after fourth-quarter profit almost tripled to \$61.

ATI Technologies boosts outlook


The search for a new coach at the University of Florida should and will be a short one. Former Gators coach Steve Spurrier soon will be back in Gainesville. Spurrier's season of self-imposed inactivity -- after resigning from the Washington Redskins following last season -- is almost over, and word has it he was starting to look around for new ...

Gators are looking to past -- for future


Kaka and Andrea Pirlo both scored in the last eight minutes to rally AC Milan to a 2-1 victory at rainy Parma on Saturday and move it within a point of Serie A leader Juventus.

Late goals boost Milan title hopes


Rain and the Red Sox have not been good partners in October. In the three most dramatic and disappointing Boston baseball finishes of the last 30 years, a rain delay halted action just when things started to get interesting.

There's been no reign after delays


Reuters - Two French journalists are missing in\Iraq and have not been heard from since Thursday, the Foreign\Ministry in Paris said Saturday.

Two French Journalists Missing in Iraq - Ministry (Reuters)


Reuters - Euro zone finance ministers on Tuesday\stepped up pressure on the United States to show its strong\dollar policy was more than just rhetoric, asking it to slash\budget and trade deficits that undermine the dollar.

Euro Zone Presses U.S. on Weak Dollar (Reuters)


Search Engine Optimization For Blogs  \\Blogging software is really a simple Content Management System (CMS) that easily adds new pages and integrates them into your site's navigational structure and linkage. Blogs and blog posts are naturally search engine friendly because they are text-rich, link-rich, frequently-updated webpages that use stylesheets ...

Search Engine Optimization For Blogs


Last week, for example, the Rainier Valley mother mailed her payment check to the bank before Sept. 1, knowing that the Postal Service probably would deliver it in a couple of days.

Under new law, floating checks no longer float


A flat screen TV started broadcasting a distress signal, drawing the attention of emergency and law enforcement officials.

Cops track emergency call to malfunctioning TV


Sir Alex Ferguson is confident he can keep Wayne Rooneys feet firmly on the ground despite his sensational Champions League debut.

Ferguson Offers Rooney Helping Hand


At least 18 people were killed in a suicide bombing on Saturday, capping a week of horrific violence in Iraq as al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to kill two American and a British hostage in 48 hours.

Iraq blast death toll rises to 18


Canadian wireless operator Rogers Wireless Communications has launched a takeover of competitor Microcell. The combined company would have more than 5.1 million voice and data subscribers in Canada.

Rogers Wireless Makes Bid for Microcell


Jeff Kent went two for four with four RBI Thursday night to give Houston an 8-3 victory over St. Louis. Mike Lamb added a home run as Houston remained two games behind San Francisco in the National League wild card race.

MLB: Houston 8, St. Louis 3


ATHENS : The United States defeated Lithuania 104-96 here to win the Olympic men #39;s basketball bronze medal game. The US team of National Basketball Association stars had been seeking a fourth consecutive gold

US NBA stars beat Lithuania to win Olympic men #39;s basketball bronze


SBC Communications Inc., the second-largest local phone company in the United States, said Wednesday it signed a 10-year, \$400 million agreement with Microsoft Corp. to provide next-generation television services using Microsoft's TV Internet protocol television edition software platform.

SBC, Microsoft in \$400 Million Deal


AP - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Sunday he is not ruling out a run for the 2008 presidential nomination, but that he is not a candidate now.

McCain Not Ruling Out Run for President (AP)


IBM IS to share the designs of its blade servers in a bid to boost their popularity among developers. It follows moves to open up the companys microprocessor business and give partners more access to its

IBM loosens its blade


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - A chaotic crush of mourners  filling the air with gunfire forced a hasty burial of Yasser  Arafat on Friday in the finale to a tumultuous life as the  trailblazer of Palestinian nationalism.

Wild Crowds, Gunfire Force Hasty Arafat Burial


AP - Driven by record sales of server and mobile microprocessors and a bigger slice of the flash memory market, Intel Corp.'s third-quarter profits rose 15 percent even as it struggled with lackluster PC sales, excess inventory and stiff competition.

Intel's 3Q Profits Rise 15 Percent (AP)


AFP - European Union (EU) officials agreed in principle to lift an arms embargo on Libya after pressure from Italy.

EU tentatively agrees to lift embargo on Libya (AFP)


Bayer AG, Germany #39;s second-biggest drug and chemical maker, formed a marketing partnership with US rival Schering-Plough Corp.

Bayer to Cooperate With Schering-Plough on Sales in US, Japan


AP - Annika Sorenstam felt as if she had hit a wall in the ADT championship.

Sorenstam Leads ADT Championship by Three (AP)


Hurricane Ivan neared Jamaica Friday night packing sustained winds of 155 mph, all but promising life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

Powerful Ivan nears Jamaica


Brad Radke pitched seven strong innings while Torii Hunter had three hits and three RBIs as the Twins knocked down the Indians again with a 7-3 victory Sunday.

Twins finish homestand with sweep


The new iMac G5 is completely user serviceable. If something goes wrong, Apple ships you the spare parts and you do the work. It's the wave of the future: Soon most PC repairs will be done at home. By Leander Kahney.

You Broke It, You Fix It


Control of the UK's radio spectrum is being handed to the business community to promote wireless services.

New rules for Britain's airwaves


The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved rules for transmitting broadband communications signals over electric power lines, clearing the way for the expansion of high-speed Internet access through home electrical outlets.

Rules OK #39;d for broadband on power lines


The NHL players #39; association offered an immediate 24 percent salary rollback Thursday in Toronto as the centerpiece of a proposal handed to the league in an effort to end the season-long lockout.

Sport scene


There's no escaping advertising. Show even a modicum of success, and marketers start looking for a way in. Really Simple Syndication feeds are the latest target. By Daniel Terdiman.

Advertisers Muscle Into RSS


Anti-terrorist training received by Greek police ahead of this year #39;s Olympic Games helped resolve the Athens bus hijacking, the government has said.

Olympic training helped end siege


Hu Jintao became China #39;s undisputed leader yesterday as the world #39;s most populous nation completed its first orderly transfer of power in the communist era.

Last of Chinas old guard cedes military


IN SPACE no one can hear you raid the fridge. So the astronauts on the International Space Station orbiting the Earth have found that, despite careful calorie counting, they are running out of food.

So who ate all the pies in space?


San Francisco investment bank Thomas Weisel Partners on Thursday agreed to pay \$12.5 million to settle allegations that some of the stock research the bank published during the Internet boom was tainted by conflicts of interest.

Weisel settles charges


ST. LOUIS The newspaper publisher Pulitzer Inc. has said that company officials are considering a possible sale of the firm to improve shareholder value.

Pulitzer Inc. for sale?


Tasman Networks has introduced a new entry-level WAN access router and security device. The Tasman 1001 also includes new features added to a new version of the company's operating system, including multicast routing, IPSec VPN, firewall, and an integrated Web-based GUI.

Tasman adds new router to lineup


ALAN Shearer and Patrick Kluivert teamed up to fire Newcastle into the group stage of the Uefa Cup. It was a striking master-class in Tel Aviv.

CLASS ACT


The US Senate on Monday passed a corporate tax bill that would dole out 136 billion dollars in new tax breaks to a wide array of US companies.

US Senate passes corporate tax bill


NEW YORK (Dow Jones/AP) -- Altria Group Inc. is beginning to make the needed preparations to possibly split up into several parts in order to maximize shareholder value, chairman and chief executive Louis Camilleri said Thursday.

CEO: Altria preparing to break up company


The Renault F1 Team Roadshow will touch down in Lyon on Sunday 5 September 2004 for a festival celebration of Renaults rich motorsport heritage.

Renault F1 Team prepares for Lyon spectacle


com. An Auburn touchdown with 52 seconds left in the first half Saturday night brought a smile to celebrity Tiger fan Charles Barkley pacing the sideline.

ALL AUBURN, ALL NIGHT


CanWest Global Communications Corp. has hired five top executives of US media companies including former vice-presidents of Time Warner, the New York Times and Playboy magazine in an apparent bid to boost its convergence play.

CanWest restructures in convergence push


TOKYO (Reuters) - Holograms and kaleidoscopes of shimmering  colors will be part of Japan's latest hi-tech response to the  growing number of banknote counterfeiting cases troubling  authorities.

High-Tech Japan Aims to Stop Counterfeit Banknotes


The Communist Party of China (CPC) Sunday published a major policy document on enhancing the Party #39;s governance capability, stressing it is  quot;a major strategic subject with a bearing on the success of China #39;s socialist cause, the future and destiny of the

Document on CPC governance capability issued