Tough anti-smoking measures were introduced yesterday in the publication of the Government #39;s Public Health White Paper. Jamie Diffley takes a look at who it affects.

Will you be fuming?


LONDON, England (AFP) - Andrew Symonds blasted a quickfire 71 not out as Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy here at the Oval yesterday.

Symonds leads Aussies into last four


The fate of kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan hung in the balance as a deadline approached to hand her over to a group led by Islamic militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi unless British troops left Iraq.

Fate of aid worker in the balance as date with Zarqawi looms


NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are seen slightly lower at the open Thursday as investors take some cash off the table after Wednesday's sharp rally...

Stocks Set to Open Slightly Lower at Open


The chief negotiator for the city of Fallujah said Monday that he had called off peace talks with the Iraqi government on the orders of guerrillas who control the city

Fallujah #39;s negotiator obeying insurgents


Lockheed Martin Corp., the top US defense contractor, won a US Navy contract worth as much as \$3.3 billion to develop and build a group of satellites to provide communications for ground troops.

Lockheed Wins Navy Satellite Contract Worth \$3.3 Bln (Update2)


NEW DELHI, OCT 31: No increases in petrol and diesel prices are expected this fortnight. According to official sources, the government has decided to wait till after the US presidential polls before initiating any hikes.

No petrol, diesel price hike for now


US and Iraqi forces begin a major operation against rebels in Iraq's northern city of Samarra, reports say.

US launches Samarra offensive


The European Union #39;s decision to begin entry talks with Turkey has received a widespread welcome. But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face tough questions at home about what he has signed up to.

Historic Turkey-EU deal welcomed


US mortgage delinquencies rose in the second quarter of 2004 from the first quarter, but an improving US economy and strong home price appreciation should keep the downward trend in delinquencies intact, a US mortgage industry

UPDATE 1-US mortgage delinquencies up, foreclosures down


Fiserv Inc., a provider of information technology services to the financial industry, on Friday said it is negotiating a deal to manage a proposed check-processing joint venture with three of Australia #39;s largest banks.

Fiserv in Talks for Australian Pact


World News Baghdad, Sep 26 : An American soldier has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing a soldier of the Iraqi National Guard, Xinhua reported Sunday quoting US military sources.

US soldier sentenced for murdering Iraqi:


Nintendo DS will hit the US market in late November with a price tag of \$150, and will have 14 game titles by the end of the year.

Nintendo Aims To Dominate Portable Gaming


SAN FRANCISCO - Intel is planning for a happy holiday season this month, as it expects to exceed its previous revenue guidance and has made progress in reducing its inventory, the company said Thursday.

Intel will exceed previous Q4 revenue expectations


Surprise and shock from a top kiwi cyclist at the doping allegations against American Tyler Hamilton. Heath Blackgrove raced against Hamilton in the Olympic time trial in Athens.

Doping allegations shock kiwi cyclist


New York police have developed a pre-emptive strike policy, cutting off demonstrations before they grow large.

Tactics by Police Mute the Protesters, and Their Messages


p2pnet.net News:- Sony Computer Entertainment and its US subsidiary may have to pay touch feedback technology firm Immersion Corp - which says it  quot; brings feeling to Microsoft Windows and the Internet quot; - \$82 million for patent infringement.

Sony fined \$82 million


The Anaheim Angels, who had preliminary conversations with the Mets about trading Jose Guillen for Mike Piazza, dealt him to the Washington-bound Expos.

No Surprise, the Angels Send Guillen On His Way


NICOSIA MENL -- Iran has claimed the successful test of an unidentified strategic missile believed to be the Shihab-3. Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said the missile was fired during the Ashura-5 exercise in mid-September.

IRAN CLAIMS SUCCESSFUL TEST OF STRATEGIC MISSILE


Spanish international Vicente Rodriguez struck from a 62nd-minute free kick Saturday to earn Valencia a 1-0 victory over Zaragoza in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup.

Valencia downs Zaragoza in Spanish Supercup


Iran #39;s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Pirooz Hosseini leaves in a car after a second round of talks with EU negotiators failed to produce an agreement for a total suspension of uranium enrichment in Iran, on Wednesday, Oct.

Iran Threatens to End Nuclear Talks


Jodrell Bank Observatory -- European and US radio astronomers have demonstrated a new way of observing the Universe -- through the Internet!     Using cutting-edge technology, the researchers have managed to observe a distant star by using the world's research networks to create a giant virtual telescope. The process has allowed them to image the object with unprecedented detail, in real-time; something which only a few years ago would have been impossible...

Astronomers Demonstrate a Global Internet Telescope


Even before the polling booths closed in Afghanistans first-ever direct presidential election, all 15 candidates running against incumbent Hamid Karzai denounced

We dont recognize the results


Reuters - New York Giants\safety Shaun Williams was placed on injured reserve Wednesday\due to a left knee injury.

Giants Place Shaun Williams on IR (Reuters)


Tottenham coach Martin Jol felt his side were denied a clear-cut penalty as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa.  quot;I was maybe 80 yards away but to me it looked a definite penalty after the challenge

Jol unhappy with penalty decision


Australia #39;s Olympic 1,500 metres champion Grant Hackett says long-distance swimmers are being robbed of their chance to shine at the Athens Games.

Endurance swimmers short-changed at Olympics: Hackett


Reuters - Scientists have found\well-preserved fossils of a new dinosaur species that lived 225\million years ago in southern Brazil but had its closest\relatives in what is now Europe, Brazilian paleontologists said\on Thursday.

Brazil Finds New Europe-Related Dinosaur Species (Reuters)


Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari talks to the public after unveiling the new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti at the 23rd International Auto Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Barrichello delights home crowd in practice


Bad news for Shrek fans--a certain green ogre will not be emerging from his swamp anytime in the near future. On the heels of Pixar and Disney #39;s decision to push back the release of Cars from

quot;Shrek 3 quot; Swamped Until 2007


While inheriting the basic functions and design philosophy of the current PlayStation 2, the internal design architecture of the new PS2 model has been completely overhauled, resulting in a slimmer and more lightweight form.

Sony Announces Slim PS2 Console


School districts are following the lead of the rapid escalation of commercialism at college and professional arenas and stadiums.

Reading, Writing and Corporate Sponsorships


AP - A collection of drunken rats is helping University of North Carolina researchers understand how brains repair themselves after chronic drinking  #151; and possibly find new ways to help alcoholics recover full mental capacity.

Researchers Study Drunken Rats (AP)


Coding community gets early look at new graphics engine set to accompany Longhorn, the next version of Windows.

Microsoft gives developers a glimpse of Avalon


Communist Cuba on Monday signed contracts to buy 100 head of American dairy cattle worth \$300,000 and \$10 million of wheat and meat products from the southern United States, launching

Cuba signs more food deals in days before critical US election


Boss Iain Dowie admitted his relief after Crystal Palace grabbed their first Premiership win of the season. Dowie also singled out Andy Johnson for special praise after the striker scored to set Palace on their way to a 2-0 win over London rivals Fulham.

Dowie relieved by victory


String theorists agree that it has been a long, strange trip, but they still have faith that they will complete the journey.

String Theory, at 20, Explains It All (or Not)


In a long awaited move, Dell has finally re-entered the blade server market with the release of the Dell PowerEdge 1855 server system.

Dell Takes Aim at Blade Server Market


Although the next version of Windows is still about two years from release, Microsoft on Friday offered developers an early look at the new graphics engine that will accompany it.


The World Wide Web is the perfect Petri dish for memes, infectious ideas or any other things that spread by imitation from person to person.

Buzzing the Web on a Meme Machine


International Boxing Federation super lightweight champion Kostya Tszyu says he only wants  #39;big fights #39; in the future. Speaking after he had claimed a third-round TKO of American Sharmba Mitchell in Phoenix

Tszyu #39;s big fight aim


Reuters - Online party planning site Evite\plans on Thursday to launch a service to let users get\restaurant and entertainment recommendations from friends and\acquaintances, Evite President John Foley said.

Evite Plans Web Network of Friends' Food Reviews (Reuters)


Andrew Cole and Papa Bouba Diop will begin their three-match suspensions when Fulham face Boston at York Street on Wednesday night, following their dismissals against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Fulham without banned pair


Labour conflict looks set to boil over in the German automobile sector in the coming weeks as car makers such as Volkswagen and Opel seek to impose rigorous belt-tightening measures as an answer to chronically weak demand.

German car sector faces autumn of discontent


Top News News, Amman,Jordan #39;s King Abdullah II has stripped his half-brother, Prince Hamzah, of his title as crown prince and heir to the Hashemite throne in an unexpected move that surprised many Jordanians.

Top News ; Jordan #39;s king removes crown prince


Second-seed Lleyton Hewitt moved into the quarterfinals of the Washington Open tennis tournament with a routine 6-3 6-2 win over Colombian Alejandro Falla today.

Tennis: Hewitt cruises into Washington quarter-finals


When Alonzo Jackson had his much-publicized finger-pointing episode after a loss to Notre Dame two years ago, it became the impetus for Bobby Bowden #39;s decisions to close the locker-room doors

Seminoles may have finally solved leadership puzzle


Australian hockey officials have defended their decision to withdraw the Kookaburras from December #39;s prestigious Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.

Kookaburras defend Pakistan pull-out


Nykesha Sales scores 13 of her 15 points in the first half and the Sun beat the Liberty 61-51 on Friday night in Game 1 of the WNBA's Eastern Conference finals.

Sun Scorches Liberty


BESLAN: Flags are flying at half-mast across Russia today as the nation begins mourning for 338 people killed when Chechen rebels seized a school.

Russia mourns as questions mount for Putin


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Families of the 35 children who died in a string of bombings in Baghdad blamed American troops for the tragedy, accusing them of attracting insurgents to a ceremony where the attacks occurred.    By Friday, tents had sprung up in the el-Amel neighborhood in Baghdad to accommodate mourners who gathered to share their grief from the Thursday attack...

Iraqis Blame U.S. for Massacre of Children


BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co. <A HREF=

GE Posts Higher Quarterly Profit


LOS ANGELES - The state attorney general's office has concluded that Michael Jackson was not

Report: Michael Jackson Not 'Manhandled'


Discount brokerage Charles Schwab Corp. suffered a \$41 million loss during its fiscal third quarter as it absorbed costs from job cuts and other restructuring steps it hopes will reverse a protracted slump.

Schwab posts loss in quarter


mithridate writes  quot;Microsoft has posted the Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate. eWeek has a short review of the service pack.

Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003


New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) may consider slashing customs duty on petrol and diesel from 15 per cent to 10 per cent besides exempting kerosene and LPG from excise levy as part of efforts to spare consumers from the impact

Govt may slash duty on petrol, diesel


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar hovered near a one-month low  against the euro on Tuesday as investors awaited U.S. inflation  data later in the day for clues on the future path of interest  rates.

Dollar Mired Near Lows Before U.S. Data


an Diego Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie participated yesterday in his first full practice since having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Aug. 5.

NFL ROUNDUP Flutie Eases Back in After Knee Surgery


Microsoft plans to ship the first release candidate of Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 by year's end and will release a developer's kit for the high-performance computing version of Windows Server next month.

Microsoft to deliver SP1 for Windows Server by year's end


AP - Belarusian voters approved a referendum to scrap presidential term limits, the Central Elections Commission chief said Monday, citing partial results. Ending the limits would allow authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko to seek a new term in 2006.

Belarusians OK Scrapping Term Limits (AP)


US IT giant IBM and a number of research organisations have launched the World Community Grid, a global humanitarian effort that applies the unused computing power of individual and business computers to help address the world #39;s most difficult health and

IBM launches global research grid


KABUL, Afghanistan The Afghan government is blaming drug smugglers for yesterday #39;s attack on the leading vice presidential candidate .

Afghan government says drug smugglers were behind political attack <b>...</b>


JERUSALEM (AFP)- Israel #39;s prime minister stepped up efforts yesterday to overcome resistance within his right-wing Likud party to include Labour in an enlarged government coalition, ahead of a decisive party meeting next week.

Sharon faces uphill battle to form new coalition


Only 13 per cent of Europeans are interested in portable video players, according to a survey from Jupiter Research. The market research group surveyed 5,000 consumers in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden

Europeans want portable music, not video - survey


LAGOS (Reuters) - Dozens of people were killed in a  petroleum pipeline explosion in Nigeria's commercial capital  Lagos, police said Friday.

Nigerian Police Say Dozens Killed in Pipeline Blast


Global semiconductor sales growth slowed to 1 percent in August as electronics makers reacted to growing inventories in Asia by limiting orders of chips, an industry trade group said on Thursday.

Chip sales slow in August


NARATHIWAT, Thailand - Hundreds of Muslim men were freed in southern Thailand on Saturday after being detained last week in the wake of protests that left 85 dead and outraged Muslims worldwide.

Thailand frees Muslims detained in protest


People who illegally share copyrighted music and movies over the Internet could be jailed for up to five years under a bill approved by a powerful congressional panel today.

House Panel Moves to Criminalize Spyware, Net Piracy


AP - Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress suggests there are two sets of pass coverage rules in the NFL these days  #151; one for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, another for the rest of the league.

Burress: Pats Still Roughing Up Receivers (AP)


Nortel Networks Corp. (NT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it will again delay filing results, predicting it will not release reports for 2003 and the first half of 2004 until the end of October.

Nortel to Delay Filing Results Yet Again


National Foods is using a strategy of new product releases to reinvigorate a stagnating dairy sector. Picture:Michele Mossop. National Foods, fresh from posting a 14 per cent rise in profit

NatFoods looks at opportunities in new products


MOSCOW Sept. 16, 2004 - Some of the weapons used by militants in the deadly Russian school siege were pilfered from police posts in armed raids allegedly led by one of Chechnya #39;s most notorious warlords, Russia #39;s

Some Weapons at Russia School Were Stolen


brothers in fighting terror

Karzai declares Afghanistan and Pakistan


\Burma sets a new date for a constitutional conference seen as a first step towards democracy.

Burma to relaunch democracy talks


Boston College football coach Tom O'Brien yesterday emerged as one of two strong candidates for the University of Washington's vacancy after Louisville coach Bobby Petrino and Boise State coach Dan Hawkins, both thought to be on Pac-10 school's short list, removed themselves from consideration.

Washington list shrinks


Deutsche Bank AG was the target of a renewed phishing attack late Tuesday extending into Wednesday, after facing its first-ever reported assault last week, according to a bank spokesman.

Deutsche Bank hit again by phishing attack


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Two UN peacekeepers were wounded in shootouts with supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Port-au-Prince and civilians believed to be Aristide opponents in flood-ravaged Gonaives - the first casualties of the

2 UN peacekeepers wounded in Haiti shootouts


Reuters - Syria and Lebanon rejected any outside\role in shaping their relations Sunday, a day after a top State\Department official said Damascus should pull its troops from\its small neighbor.

Syria, Lebanon Reject Foreign Criticism of Ties (Reuters)


Malelane - For the third successive year the Dunhill Championship had to be decided by a playoff, but for the first time, it went to a South African.

Rookie wins Dunhill in playoff


LOURDES, France - A sick man among the sick, Pope John Paul II struggled through Sunday Mass at a French shrine that draws desperate people seeking miracle cures. The 84-year-old pontiff gasped, trembled and asked aides for help during the 2 1/2 hour service in sizzling heat...

Pope Struggles Through Mass at Lourdes


Intel Corp. is slashing the prices on many of its Pentium 4 chips by as much as one-third, as well as other desktop, mobile and server processors.

Intel Slashes Processor Prices


House and Senate negotiators were close to a deal to enact the major recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.

Agreement May Be Near on 9/11 Bill


Sun Microsystems #39; latest edition of its Java platform offers improved performance and scalability, better system monitoring and management, and an updated look and feel for the desktop client

Sun Jumpstarts Java Platform


US Airways lawyers told a federal bankruptcy judge here Thursday that the carrier can #39;t afford to maintain its current pension plans.

US Airways: Workers should not count on pension


A report due out today from the chief U.S. weapons inspector for Iraq is expected to undercut a key part of the rationale for war.

Report Expected to Say Iraq Posed Little Immediate Threat


Separatist militants kill four members of a Muslim family while police shoot dead a senior militant leader in Kashmir.

Five killed in Kashmir violence


Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - Israel picked up its first-ever gold medal at the Olympics on Wednesday when windsurfer Gal Fridman won the men #39;s mistral.

Fridman gives Israel first-ever gold medal


Jiri Novak won his second title in three weeks with a battling performance against David Nalbandian in the final of the Swiss Indoors on Sunday.

Novak takes Swiss Indoors crown


This month I turn my attention back to Linux for newbies. Xandros Desktop and Lycoris Desktop/LX are two Linux distributions geared toward folks who aren #39;t gearheads.

Two Linuxes for Newcomers


Some here might remember a time when Kuro5hin was full of (arguably) interesting commentary, articles, and diaries. Today, by contrast, it is about half crapflooding and other inane drivel and half (arguably) interesting commentary, or at least commentary written with an earnest intent to be interesting. How can that situation be rectified? And why should we care? Within, I discuss these two questions drawing from observation of the Daily Kos (ignoring its political nature if we can).

A Simple Plan


Scientists with the US space agency NASA have begun investigating the crash landing Wednesday of the Genesis space capsule in Utah.

Capsule from Genesis Space Probe Crashes in Utah Desert


Reuters - A journalist who commanded a boat\alongside John Kerry in Vietnam broke a 35-year silence on\Saturday and defended the Democratic presidential candidate\against Republican critics of his military service and\integrity.

Former Swift Boat Commander Backs Kerry on Vietnam (Reuters)


Remains after explosion are seen at the place where a suicide attacker hit Chicken street in downtown Kabul on Saturday, Oct. 23. 2004.

Man Kills Self in Afghan Grenade Attack


The United States is increasingly worried about attacks by rebel groups in Darfur even as Sudan seems to be reining in militias on the other side of the conflict, a senior US official said on Friday.

US warns rebels to curb attacks in Darfur


Shopping Cart Abandonment\\A thread at Search Engine Watch forums named Let's talk about shopping cart conversion discusses real people's experience with shopping cart abandonment rates. As mentioned in the thread, on average, the

Shopping Cart Abandonment


Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers pays a visit to troops in Iraq, but model Leeann Tweeden steals the show.

Head of the Chiefs Plays Second Fiddle


Inter Milan came from behind to beat Bologna 3-1 in an Italian Cup third round, first leg match at the San Siro stadium on Sunday.

UPDATE 1-Inter make hard work of Cup win over Bologna


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said  on Monday Iraq's interim government risked losing popular  support because of its backing for military operations against  Shi'ite Muslim rebels in the holy city of Najaf.

Iran Says Iraqi Government Risks Losing Support


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rallied further on Monday,  clawing back toward \$50 a barrel on heightened concerns over  low supplies of winter heating fuels.

Oil Above \$49 on Heating Fuel


AP - Roy Oswalt became the NL's first 19-game winner, and the Houston Astros stayed close in the wild-card race with a 10-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.

Oswalt Wins 19th As Astros Beat Cardinals (AP)


Nearly \$10 billion was wiped off Russian stocks Thursday, the Moscow Times reported. The huge fall was caused by investors #39; fears that a surprise \$158 million tax claim against Russia #39;s No.

Russian stocks lose \$10 billion in value


Reuters - The Nikkei average sank 2 percent on\Monday morning after a fall in the dollar rattled exporters,\while a strong earthquake that hit northern Japan at the\weekend lifted builders but dented firms whose operations it\affected.

Nikkei Dips 2 Percent on Exporters (Reuters)


Irish showjumper Cian OConnor was facing the prospect of losing his Olympics gold medal tonight after a second positive drugs test on his horse.

Showjumper Faces Losing Gold Medal


In a move to retain employees, PeopleSoft quadruples the size of the minimum severance package for employees.

PeopleSoft sweetens severance packages


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar recovered from a two-month  low on the euro and a one-week low on the yen on Friday as the  market waited to see if a G7 meeting and key U.S. data could  break the U.S. currency out of a half-year range.

Dollar Edges Off Lows Before G7


NASA confirmed Friday that space shuttle missions will resume as early as May, but agency officials said they will study how to cut future missions that would hasten the spacecraft #39;s retirement.

Shuttle missions could be reduced


LONDON (Reuters) - It changed the lifestyles of a  generation but after a lingering death, the last rites have  been sounded for the revolutionary VHS home video format.

Last Rites Sounded for Life-Changing Video Format


Singapore: Crude futures stayed close to the US\$49 mark in Asia today, amid renewed fears that heating oil supplies may not meet demand for the coming Northern Hemisphere winter.

Crude futures hover around \$49 mark


Phil Mickelson took cash over country. Lefty rolled the dice. It may prove the worst gamble of his risk-taking career. Of course, with about \$80 million of Callaway Golf #39;s money under his pillow, maybe Phil will sleep like a baby.

Thomas Boswell


TOKYO (AFP) - Debt-ridden Japanese retailer Daiei decided to seek help from a state-backed corporate body, reversing an earlier decision after repeated heavy pressure from its creditors.

Japan #39;s troubled Daiei decides to seek aid from government body


quot;If you got to play in Comiskey or if we got to play in Alaska, it doesn #39;t matter, quot; starting pitcher Josh Beckett said.

Marlins rally past Expos as home team _ in Chicago


The Beijing municipal government may be reconsidering its controversial decision to sign a sweeping deal with Microsoft. Microsoft beat domestic software developers out of a 3.6M dollar contract on November

Beijing Cancels Microsoft Deal


LOS ANGELES/TOKYO (Reuters) - A group headed by Sony Corp.  of America has agreed to buy Hollywood film studio  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for about \$2.85 billion in cash to mine  MGM's lucrative library for the booming DVD market.

Sony Group to Buy MGM


Japan #39;s No. 1 automaker is no longer content to take a back seat to foreign rivals in China. On Monday, Toyota Motor Corp. announced the launch of Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co.

Toyota in quest for pole position in China


Regulators are wielding a new weapon against Wall Street firms instead of multimillion-dollar fines: temporarily shutting down certain business lines.

Wall St. Turns to the Time Out as Punishment


College field hockey: MIT at Wellesley, 3 p.m.; Salem St. at Lasell, 3 p.m.; University of New England at Bridgewater St., 3 p.m.; Wesleyan at Tufts, 3:30 p.m.; Western New England at Babson, 7 p.m.; Clark at Wheaton, 7 p.m.

Today's schedule


Description: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon presents a detailed timetable for Israel #39;s withdrawal from most of the Gaza Strip.

Sharon Presents Gaza Pullout Timetable


A federal appeals court has rejected running back Maurice Clarett #39;s long shot bid to get the court to reconsider his lawsuit challenging the NFL #39;s eligibility rule for the draft.

Clarett #39;s Bid to Have Court Reconsider Lawsuit Is Rejected


EMC Corp. revenue for the third quarter grew 34 percent year-on-year, driven by software and services sales, the company reported Tuesday.

EMC revenue and income rise over 30 percent


Ken Caminiti #39;s power hitting, defensive acrobatics, and a rugged appeal that reached even nonbaseball fans made him one of San Diego #39;s premier athletes, and helped lay groundwork for a \$474

Gone too soon


Lofty figure backs up predictions that game would eclipse even the biggest Hollywood openings.

'Halo 2' clears record \$125 million in first day


Macromedia on Tuesday is announcing a video kit to enable users of its authoring tools suite, Macromedia Studio MX 2004 with Flash Professional, to more easily add video to their Web sites.

Macromedia to bolster video on the Web


SEOUL (Reuters) - The prospects for more six-party talks on  North Korea's nuclear programs are gloomy because the United  States has pushed the negotiations to a stalemate, the North's  official KCNA news agency said on Thursday.

North Korea Says Prospects Gloomy for Nuclear Talks


LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Microsoft asked a European Union  judge Thursday to freeze a European Commission order forcing it  to share technology with competitors, but a rival said the  software giant used to provide such information freely.

Microsoft: Suspend Windows Penalties


PORT LOUIS, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Southern African countries Tuesday pledged better trade and investment relations with China as well as India in the final communique released at the end of their two-day summit.

Southern Africa countries pledge enhanced trade ties with China, India


The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the brokerage firm JB Oxford Holdings and its National Clearing Corporation unit, accusing them of improper mutual fund trading.

SEC Sues JB Oxford in Fund Trading


For three quarters the US Men #39;s Olympic Team (2-1) chased Australia (1-2) and still heading into the final 10 minutes the Americans trailed 67-65. Stepping up its defense, the US reeled off 10 consecutive points to take control of the game and went on to ...

USA beats Australia


Israeli diplomatic and other missions abroad have raised their alert levels in response to threats after the assassination of Hamas terrorist Iz a Din al-Sheikh Khalil in Damascus Sunday.

Assassination Of Hamas Leader In Syria Sparks Calls For Revenge


Ziff Davis - Executives with the Redmond software vendor vow they will deliver the 'R2' Windows Server release in 2005. But to do so, they are pushing back some features.

Microsoft Trims Next Windows Server Release (Ziff Davis)


Jarno Trulli benefited from changeable weather conditions to take pole position for today #39;s Belgian Grand Prix after an inspired tyre choice gave him the edge.

Schumacher stays on course


ATLANTA - Let there be no doubt: The Auburn football team is the undisputed champion of the Southeastern Conference. And let it be written that Jason Campbell made it so.

Campbell delivers win


Bahrainis swelter in 50-degree temperatures without air conditioning as a fault cuts electricity across the island.

Bahrain boils in summer power cut


Reuters - Has the era of hands-free Web surfing\arrived?

Inventor Develops Nose-Steered Web Surfing System (Reuters)


AFP - About 1,100 troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division are being deployed to Afghanistan to beef up security for the October 13 presidential elections, a US defense official said.

US sending extra troops to Afghanistan to been up security for elections (AFP)


AFP - An Islamist group has executed Italian hostage Enzo Baldoni in Iraq, Arabic-language satellite news channel Al-Jazeera reported.

Islamist group executes Italian hostage in Iraq: Al-Jazeera. (AFP)


The Anaheim Angels added depth to their bullpen Monday by agreeing to terms of a two-year contract with right-hander Esteban Yan. Yan had a 3-6 record with seven saves and a 3.83 ERA in a career-high 69 relief

Angels agree to terms with Esteban Yan


Pakistan #39;s Naved-ul-Hasan Rana (left) is dismissed for zero, bowled by the West Indies #39; Corey Collymore (right), during their ICC Champions Trophy semi-final match at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, yesterday.

Windies trounce Pakistan


p2pnet.net News:- Spammer Jeremy Jaynes, aka Gaven Stubberfield, had the distinction of being the first spammer to be charged under Virginia #39;s antispam law.

9 years for spammer Jaynes


A new expression has entered the Scandal lexicon in the last week. The hard-hitting internal report from Hollinger International referring to the way that Conrad Black allegedly ran the company described it as being a corporate kleptocracy.

Hollinger Chronicles: tale of corporate plunder


AP - A judge on Wednesday reduced the time former President Rafael Angel Calderon must spend in jail while being investigated on corruption charges.

Judge Reduces Jail Time for Calderon (AP)


Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, aboard a French hospital plane enroute from Amman, Jordan, to Paris, France, where he will seek medical treatment, in this picture released by the Palestinian Authority Friday Oct. 29, 2004.

Aides Say Arafat Has Taken Turn for Worse


A representative of the Cayman Islands has said that the island nation is getting back on its feet after the weekend onslaught of Hurricane Ivan.

Caymans slowly recovering from Ivan


AP - Corey Patterson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday to give the Cubs a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago's eighth victory in 11 games.

Cubs Nudge Brewers 4-2 on Last-Gasp Homer (AP)


Apples popular iTunes music service, for use with Apples insanely popular iPod music player, will not be today as planned. Company officials are stressing it will be available very soon though

Canadian iTunes Music Store Delayed


HAVANA - In the heart of Old Havana, at a corner of Plaza de Armas, probably the city #39;s most beautiful ancient square, a plaque on a building on a street bearing the unlikely name O #39;Reilly declares an unexpected affinity.

Castro turns screws on his own people


Two primary architects of Congress's last major tax reform say President Bush so far has failed to lay the groundwork for his ambitious tax agenda.

Tax Reform Veterans See Hurdles Ahead


West Brom boss Gary Megson has ended his four-year tenure with the club after a major disagreement with the board. Megson #39;s had told chairman Jeremy Peace he would quit at the end of his contract in June but

Megson, WBA part ways


The call for a six-month postponement of elections planned for Jan. 30 gives a boost to a movement largely led by Sunni Arabs.

15 Iraqi Political Groups Call for Delaying Elections


Kiosks with Sprint Corp. #39;s brand will open at about 500 shopping malls in the next three years through an agreement with longtime partner RadioShack Corp.

Sprint, RadioShack will put kiosks in malls


Reuters - Motorola Inc. , the world's No.\2 maker of cell phones, on Tuesday said its quarterly profit\more than tripled, as sales rose 26 percent, driven in part by\a host of new handset models and cost controls.

Motorola Quarterly Earnings Rise (Reuters)


AP - A new hybrid CD format that offers standard CD audio on one side and the enhanced media capabilities of a DVD on the other made its nationwide debut this week.

Bands Debut Dual-Sided CD/DVD Hybrid (AP)


BRITISH American Tobacco is continuing to make good profits on the strength of its four main cigarette brands: Lucky Strike, Kent, Dunhill and Pall Mall cigarettes.

Earnings at BAT are full of puff


AP - John Kerry boasts of flying an Israeli jet and calls out in Hebrew during Florida campaign stops, trying to keep the state's large Jewish population from straying to President Bush.

Kerry Courts Jews With Hebrew Stickers (AP)


US House members accused IBM Corp. and other IT vendors Wednesday of breaking the rules in a much-criticized program designed to help schools and libraries purchase Internet equipment.

IBM, other vendors accused of cheating E-Rate program


Infosyncworld has a preview of Sony #39;s new CLIE PEG-VZ90 PDA which features an OLED display.  quot; Its first new handheld is the CLIE PEG-VZ90, which also manages to take the crown as the first mainstream handheld

Sony CLIE PEG-VZ90 Preview


Securities regulators are opening up yet another front in their long-running investigation of the mutual fund industry, examining brokerage firms that allegedly gave mutual fund employees

Brokers #39; Gifts Investigated


Fidelity Investments pays its mutual fund managers handsomely to do one thing: outsmart the stock market.

Fidelity slashes index-fund fees


Description: Secretary of State Colin Powell tried to mend fences with Latin America #39;s biggest country at a time when Brazilian popular opinion is adamantly hostile to the United States on issues of trade and foreign policy.

US and Brazil Share Uneasy Relationship


The United States is to resume its space shuttle program next year after the Columbia shuttle tragedy in 2003. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, announced

NASA to relaunch space mission


AP - The board of national carrier Air-India on Wednesday approved the purchase of 50 new aircraft as part of an ambitious expansion program, an airline spokesman said Wednesday.

Air-India Plans to Buy 50 New Aircraft (AP)


One day after ousting its chief executive, the nation's largest insurance broker said it will tell clients exactly how much they are paying for services and renounce back-door payments from carriers.

Marsh to Make Payments More Transparent


Mark Brown has gone from the practice squad to the starting lineup in a little more than a year.

Long Climb Pays Off for Jets' Linebacker


The U.S. needs to overhaul its education system to encourage innovation and focus more federal funding on high-risk research to maintain a competitive edge over other nations, according to a report endorsed by leading U.S. companies and universities.

IBM, others push for greater U.S. innovation


PARIS More than 100,000 civilians have probably died as direct or indirect consequences of the US-led invasion of Iraq, according to a study by a research team at Johns Hopkins University #39;s Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Study puts civilian tollin Iraq at over 100,000


The GNOME Foundation today released the latest evolution of its widely used Linux desktop GNOME version 2.8. The new release adds some significant new features and further expands the usability of the Linux desktop.

New GNOME Released


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt prices cut early  gains but remained narrowly higher after the government said  that new claims for jobless insurance fell in the latest week.

Treasuries Lower on Jobless Drop


Craig Monroe homered and Omar Infante drove in three runs to back Wil Ledezma #39;s six strong innings in the Detroit Tigers #39; 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

Tigers 7, Royals 3


Do you already feel like your mailbox is clogged full of free checks and offers for low introductory rates for new credit cards?

Visa, MasterCard Lose High Court Appeal, Amex and Discover may be <b>...</b>


Doom 3 goes on sale in the UK at a time of renewed concerns over violence in video games.

Long-awaited Doom 3 hits the UK


CARTAGENA, Colombia - President Bush said Monday that he hopes Irans claim that it has suspended uranium enrichment and has no nuclear weapons ambitions is true, but there must be verification.

Bush says Iran nuke claims must be verified


FEW global companies have managed to make themselves as unpopular as Microsoft. Its defence consists of variations on:  quot;The reason nobody loves us is because were so successful.

Explore your browser options


Despite an inevitable hammering by a powerful New Zealand outfit, USA skipper Richard Staple says his team are still positive and looking forward to taking on world champions Australia.

Staple stays positive for USA


NEW YORK - Stocks regained some momentum Thursday as fresh economic data suggested inflation remains well under control, but volatile oil prices gave investors some pause late in the session.    Analysts are closely watching stocks for signs that the market will stabilize in the second half of the year, but choppy trading has made it difficult to build confidence among investors, particularly given recent fluctuations in oil prices...

Volatile Oil Prices Hold Stocks in Check


Reigning Italian champions AC Milan handed out a lesson in quality finishing at the San Siro to hit outclassed Fiorentina for six of the best on Sunday afternoon.

SIX OF THE BEST FOR MILAN


INSPECTOR Hacker of the Yard has fingered the collar of a UK man suspected of stealing source code from Cisco Systems in May. Cyber plods from the Metropolitan Police Computer Crime Unit swooped on houses

British police arrest  #39;Cisco kid #39;


Tom Lehman made two eagles Saturday for a 5-under 67 that left him tied for the lead with Briny Baird in the Funai Classic at Disney.

Golf Capsules


Reuters - Federal Reserve officials are\expected to nudge interest rates up on Tuesday for a fifth time\this year, another small step in a campaign to gradually lift\borrowing costs before inflation rears its head.

Fed Seen Nudging Rates Higher (Reuters)


PC World - Businesses don't have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line.

Open Source Software Goes to Work (PC World)


AP - National security adviser Condoleezza Rice returned home Saturday after a one-night hospital stay where she was treated for noncancerous growths in her uterus.

Rice Returns Home Following Surgery (AP)


By George Chamberlin , Daily Transcript Financial Correspondent. Stock prices rallied on Friday as oil prices continued to seesaw.

Stock markets rally on Fed statement, lower oil prices


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices simmered near \$55 a barrel  on Friday on rising fears of a winter fuel supply crunch and  robust but slowing economic growth in China, the world's number  two oil user.

Oil Bubbles Near \$55, China Supports


America Online Inc. #39;s announcement Wednesday that it would abandon its attempts to support Microsoft #39;s Sender ID e-mail authentication standard are a serious setback for the Redmond, Wash.

AOL Dumps Microsoft #39;s Sender ID


ATHENS, Greece - A botched relay handoff doomed Marion Jones' chances of winning even a single medal at the Athens Olympics, a disastrous ending to her summer of turmoil and disappointment. Hoping to win a pair of golds Friday, Jones was shut out instead...

Botched Relay Leaves Jones 0-For-Athens


The government #39;s cybersecurity chief resigned this week after serving a year with the Homeland Security Department. Amit Yoran, the first director of the National Cyber Security Division, said

Cybersecurity chief calls it quits after a year


Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., maker of Juicy Fruit and Wrigley Spearmint gum, is spending \$1.48 billion to buy Life Savers and Altoids mints from Kraft.

Wrigley buys Life Savers for \$1.5 billion


Canadian Press - (CP) - New antibiotic-resistant pathogens, airborne mercury and urban sprawl are threatening the health of the Great Lakes and millions of people who live around the bodies of fresh water, a report to the Canadian and U.S. governments concludes.

New pathogens, mercury threaten Great Lakes, health of millions of residents (Canadian Press)


An Afghan official said criminals were holding a British woman and two other kidnapped United Nations workers, not the Taliban-linked group that has threatened to kill them unless its jailed comrades are freed.

Afghanistan: Briton  #39;Kidnapped by Thieves, Not Taliban #39;


By James Cusick, Westminster Editor, and Zainab Naji in Baghdad. The British and United States governments are on course for another confrontation with the United Nations over the proposed elections in Iraq.

UK and US defy UN over Iraq election


NEW YORK (Reuters) - LeBron James recorded 33 points to  guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to their fourth straight win, a  99-88 victory over the Golden State Warriors Monday.

NBA-James Inspires Cavaliers to Fourth Straight Win


With the acquisition of Artisan, ARM will be able to deliver a broad portfolio of system-on-chip intellectual property to its customers, says ARM chief executive Warren East.

ARM Buys Artisan


FT.com - Telenor, the Norwegian telecommunications company, on Thursday called for

Telenor urges fair regulatory system in Thailand (FT.com)


The government #39;s cybersecurity chief has abruptly resigned after one year with the Department of Homeland Security, confiding to industry colleagues his frustration over what he considers a lack of attention paid to computer security issues within the

US cybersecurity chief abruptly resigns


Intel is working on a device management technology that could allow IT departments to use existing management software to bring a slew of wireless devices under the IT department umbrella.

Intel eyes remote wireless device management


Opium cultivation in Afghanistan leapt by two-thirds this year, according to a new UN report that warns the countrys economy could be forced to rely on poppy growing largely wiped out under the hardline Taliban militia.

AFGHAN OPIUM GROWING UP TWO THIRDS


America Online said that spammers were starting to give up - at least when it came to sending junk to its subscribers.

America Online Reports Drop in Spam


The beauty, from purely a baseball perspective, is that the New York Yankees stats, schedule made all the mistakes the Red Sox stats, schedule usually do.

Sox flex their arms


The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan prepared to resume talks today after harsh words over the weekend threatened to complicate the wide-ranging discussions that include their decades-old dispute over the Himalayan province of Kashmir.

India and Pakistan Resume Kashmir Talks


Carcasses of dead dolphins and pilot whales strewn on a beach on Australia #39;s King Island, off Tasmania state on Sunday. A total of 80 whales and dolphins died after swimming onto a beach on the island where

115 whales, dolphins die after beaching on Australian islands


NEW YORK, Oct 10 (AFP) - US style guru Martha Stewart was friendly with inmates on her first night in jail and appeared in  quot;good spirits quot; as she began serving a five-month prison sentence in West Virginia, US media reported Sunday.

Martha Stewart  #39;cordial #39; with jailmates: report


AP - Sprint Corp. said Monday it is coming out with a suite of services aimed at helping companies better manage cell phones and PDAs they issue to employees, including a feature to remotely erase sensitive information from devices that are lost or stolen.

Sprint Offering Wireless Tracking Devices (AP)


AP - Mark Redman pitched eight innings of six-hit ball, and the Oakland Athletics used a three-run fifth inning to beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 on Monday night.

Athletics Win to Hang on to AL West Lead (AP)


ABOARD THE USS JOHN F KENNEDY: US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld met 18 of his counterparts on an aircraft carrier in the Gulf yesterday to reassure them on US strategy for Iraq after saying more troops may be sent in for the January elections.

More troops may be sent to Iraq


The FBI (website) has a backlog of hundreds of thousands of hours of untranslated audio recordings from terrorism and espionage investigations, despite large increases in money and personnel for translations since the 2001 terror attacks

Audit Finds Large FBI Translation Backlog


The nationwide public sector strike which began yesterday morning has already affected some 24,000 would-be international travelers.

Histadrut grounds airlines, frustrates passengers


AP - The Houston Texans placed inside linebacker Marcus Bell on injured reserve Wednesday with a shoulder injury he suffered last weekend in a game at Pittsburgh.

Texans LB Bell Placed on Injured Reserve (AP)


A US aircraft dropped a quarter-tonne bomb on the northern Iraqi city of Mosul resulting in an  quot;unknown number of enemy casualties quot; and injuring eight American soldiers.

US soldiers wounded in Mosul fighting


The nation's most notorious junk-fax sender agrees to the terms of a court order forcing it to stop its ink-depleting ways. But that hasn't convinced a longtime Fax.com foe to drop a \$2.2 trillion lawsuit against the firm. By Ryan Singel.

Curtain Call for Junk-Fax Blaster


com. With its pilots back at the negotiating table and one, albeit small, round of givebacks in the bag, US Airways is hoping for continued good news as it navigates its second bankruptcy filing in two years.

US Airways, pilots resume talks


AFP - South Korea admitted that its scientists extracted a small amount of plutonium, a key ingredient for making nuclear bombs, in secret research in the early 1980s.

South Korea admits nuclear experiment in early 1980s (AFP)


Intel Corp.'s 65-nanometer process technology will not be very different from its 90-nanometer process technology, which should help make for a smoother transition between the two manufacturing techniques in 2005, according to a briefing from an Intel manufacturing executive last week.

Power cuts key for Intel at 65 nanometers


Reuters - The U.S. economy kept growing in\September and early October, even as higher prices for energy\put a crimp in consumer and business spending, the Federal\Reserve said on Wednesday.

Fed: High Energy Costs Curbed Spending (Reuters)


NEW YORK - Stocks rose for a second straight session Tuesday as a drop in consumer prices Tuesday allowed investors to put aside worries about inflation, at least for the short term.    With gasoline prices falling to eight-month lows, the Consumer Price Index registered a small drop in July, giving consumers a respite from soaring energy prices...

Stocks Climb on Drop in Consumer Prices


SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a key US ally and supporter of the Iraq war, resoundingly beat centre-left opposition Labour at a national election yesterday to win a fourth straight term in office.

Howard records fourth poll win


NEW YORK (Reuters) - A record number of Americans planning  one last summer road trip this weekend will shell out the  highest Labor Day gasoline prices ever seen, and there's little  relief in sight, experts said on Tuesday.

Highest Labor Day Pump Prices Expected


Reuters - U.S. industrial output leaped 0.7\percent in October as the American economy shook off the\effects of a series of hurricanes that hit in the late summer,\the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

Industrial Production Leaps in October (Reuters)


Video game pioneer Nintendo Co. is no stranger to success, boasting a string of classics ranging from  quot;Donkey Kong quot; and  quot;Super Mario Bros.

Nintendo bets on new hand-held machine


Delta Air Lines said it would eliminate up to 7,000 jobs and US Airways said it would start charging passengers to make reservations by telephone or at an airport ticket counter.

Delta to cut 7,000 jobs


The US Justice Department #39;s crackdown on cyber crime has brought to light illegal activities, including credit-card fraud, to the tune of over US \$215 million and resulted in dozens of arrests, a senior official said in Washington.

Cyber crime #39;s worth? 215 million dollars!


AFP - The holiday shopping season is set to be a shoot-'em-up round in the video game industry, as its top players Nintendo and Sony go head to head by launching new and advanced hand-held machines.

Holiday-season portable games put Nintendo, Sony in shoot-'em-up round (AFP)


The Diamondbacks increased their contract offer to impending free agent Richie Sexson on Tuesday, informing the first baseman #39;s agent they are willing to give the slugger a three-year deal despite some reservations about his health for next season.

D-Backs increase offer to Sexson


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Larry Walker hit a grand slam home run  to key a six-run eighth inning as the Cardinals stayed hot with  a 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds in St Louis on Tuesday.

NL Wrap: Walker Grand Slam Helps Cards Beat Reds Again


A car bomb killed six civilians in Samarra, north of Baghdad, on Sunday when it exploded as a U.S. convoy was passing, police said. South of the capital, U.S. and Iraqi forces killed 17 suspected insurgents in raids.

6 Civilians, 17 Insurgents Killed in Iraq Violence


Oil ministers of the 11-member Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet Wednesday in Vienna to discuss the possibility of raising production, which could lower world oil prices.

OPEC Ministers to Discuss Oil Production


AFP - The Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's biggest publishing event, prepared to welcome more than 200 Arab authors as guests of honor on the eve of the 56th annual event.

World's biggest book fair rolls out red carpet for Arab authors (AFP)


NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are seen in a cautious mood at the open Tuesday as investors weigh up the merits of Monday's oil-inspired rally...

Stocks to Be in a Cautious Mood at Open


CHEMICAL, paint and explosives manufacturer Orica tripled its net profit in 2003-04, booking a bottom-line result of \$327.8 million and forecasting further growth on the back of strong demand from the mining sector.

Orica profit trebles to \$328m net


Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was not on a hunger strike, the US military said Sunday. File video footage released on December 14, 2004 shows Saddam Hussein having his

US military denies Saddam on hunger strike


Reuters - New York State's outlook was switched\to stable from negative on Tuesday by Standard   Poor's Ratings\Services, which said that, despite future budget gaps, the\state economy was showing

S P: N.Y. State's Outlook Now Stable (Reuters)


Tokyo stocks rebounded on Thursday from a nine-day drop, after Wall Street #39;s overnight rise. The US dollar was lower against the Japanese yen.

Update 4: Tokyo Stocks Close Higher, Dollar Up


LONDON Barclays said Wednesday it would buy the US credit card company Juniper Financial for \$293 million as part of its international expansion plan.

Barclays set to purchase credit card company


p2pnet.net News:- W32/Rbot-GR is a Windows worm that lets others access your computer. It steals information, uses its own emailing engine, reduces system security, records keystrokes and installs itself in the registry.

Voyeur Virus


SAN FRANCISCO - Dell Inc. continued to outpace the rest of the IT industry in the company's third quarter with sizzling growth in shipments, revenue, and net income adding up to the best quarter yet for the hardware vendor, the company said Thursday.

Dell's third quarter results break company records


HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Burt Rutan, an aviator whose SpaceShipOne won the \$10 million Ansari X-Prize for making three suborbital space flights, said NASA (news - web sites) needs another Wernher von Braun - and

SpaceShipOne Guru: NASA Needs a Visionary


Former Hearts midfielder Gary Mackay has backed new manager John Robertson to continue the success enjoyed by the departed Craig Levein.

Mackay backs Robertson to succeed


Editor #39;s Note: Published on page A1 of the Nov. 30, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. BEATING most forecasts, the economy -- as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), the

Economy grows by 6.3


Government agency announces 5-step program to improve its ability to assess risks posed by drugs. WASHINGTON (CNN) - In light of the recent recall of Vioxx and the controversy over the connection between antidepressants

Vioxx recall spurs FDA overhaul


The French government sells 17.7 of its stake in Air France-KLM amid reports it may cut its holding in the airline to as little as 18.

State reduces stake in Air France


As part of a protest against proposed course cuts, students at Exeter University in England have put their University up for sale on eBay.

Students Auction University on eBay


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Countrywide Financial Corp. on Tuesday reported September loan funding of \$31 billion, down 6 percent from year-ago levels and steady with August.

Countrywide Fincl loan volume falls


PayPal said functions of the service that enable buyer and seller to exchange shipping information and to process payments immediately upon closing a sale were also affected by the outage.

EBay Scrambles for Answers to PayPal Outage


Seattle-area neighbors Amazon.com and Microsoft today announced the filing of several lawsuits in connection with spoofing and phishing scams that deceive consumers and misuse Amazon #39;s brand name.

Microsoft, Amazon Team Against Phishers


Reuters - Five explosions were reported in\different parts of Spain Monday after the Basque separatist\group ETA threatened to set off a total of seven bombs, Spanish\media reported.

Five Blasts Reported in Spain After ETA Threats (Reuters)


AP - For the first time, scientists have found rings of dust around planet-bearing stars  #151; an important confirmation of theories about how planets form, NASA announced Thursday.

NASA Telescopes Find Dust Rings Around (AP)


China #39;s Wang Xu captured gold in the 72-kilogram category, defeating Russian Gouzel Maniourova in the final Monday. Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan took the bronze.

China, Japan, Ukraine Take Women #39;s Wrestling Golds


Safeway Inc. said third quarter net income fell to 35 cents a share from 45 cents a year ago due to the continued impact of the Southern California strike that was settled in the first quarter of this year.

Safeway Earnings Fall on Strike Impact


The Australians are currently weighing up their choice in the Federal election, and the country #39;s top-order batsmen also looked confused as they decided between two party #39;s policies.

Doing the balancing act


Reuters - Sudanese Darfur rebels arrived in Nigeria\on Sunday ahead of peace talks under the African Union (AU) to\resolve a conflict that has killed up to 50,000 and displaced\more than a million people.

Sudan Delegations in Nigeria for Peace Talks (Reuters)


A Greek soldier guarding an Olympic facility in Athens has been shot dead after apparently playing game of Russian roulette with a policeman, security sources say.

Soldier shot dead at Olympics


n the home clubhouse before the game, Art Howe, the Mets #39; lame-duck manager, spoke about his off-season plans, his aspirations and whether he might work in baseball again.

Young Mets Hurt Cubs in a Game They Needed


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar slumped across the board,  plunging to four-and-a-half-year lows against the yen on  Friday, after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said  demand for U.S. assets could decline at some point given the  size of the current account deficit.

Greenspan Sends Dollar to Multiyear Lows


Andy Roddick, along with Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish and the doubles pair of twins Bob and Mike Bryan will make up the US team to compete with Belarus in the Davis Cup, reported CRIENGLISH.

Roddick to lead US Davis Cup squad


It looks to be all out war. Microsoft has announced the launch date for a test version of desktop search software to rival Google #39;s beta search application released earlier this month.

Microsoft desktop search by end of year


Miami, FL -- Ben Roethlisberger threw for 163 yards and a touchdown in his first career start, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Miami Dolphins 13-3 at a water-logged Pro Player Stadium.

NFL Game Summary - Pittsburgh At Miami


BJ #39;s Wholesale Club Inc. is gearing up for legal battles with credit-card-issuing banks, which are demanding \$16 million to offset fraudulent credit card charges and other costs related to a security breach apparently involving BJ #39;s ...

BJ #39;s will fight banks #39; \$16M claim


MSN Spaces debuted in its test form as Microsoft became the latest company to offer blogging to the masses. MSN Spaces, which allows users without highly technical skills to set up Web journals, is targeted

Microsoft Unveils Blog Service


Human rights activists on Wednesday condemned the detention of a Hong Kong pro-democracy politician for allegedly having sex with a prostitute, and his sentencing without trial to six months of  quot;re-education through labor. quot; ...

Hong Kong pro-Beijing politicians accuse opponents of misleading public over sex scandal


Northrop Grumman Corp. officials announced today that the company received a \$408 million Army contract to provide training and simulation services to service commanders and their staffs.

Northrop lands \$408M Army deal


The failure of the Intelsat Americas-7 communications satellite yesterday knocked out broadband services supplied by StarBand Communications Inc.

Satellite failure hits U.S. broadband services


Pennsylvania may block Philly's Wi-Fi plan. News.com Extra

Researchers say Internet porn is worse than crack


Yoshihide Fujii, president and chief executive officer of Tokyoba Digital Media Network Co., speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, Nov. 29, 2004.

Sony Discloses Details on Computer Chip


The vast majority of worms and other successful cyber attacks are made possible by vulnerabilities in a small number of common operating system services.

The Top 20 Internet Security Flaws of 2004


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Canada may eventually agree to send soldiers to train Iraqi military officers but it won't make any commitments when U.S. President George W. Bush visits the capital on Tuesday.

Canada to boost defence and security commitments during Bush visit (Canadian Press)


LONDON, England -- European shipping giant P amp;O is to close four of its 13 ferry routes with the loss of about 1,200 jobs, the company announced.

P amp;O to axe routes, 1,200 jobs


CHARLOTTE, NC Oct. 7, 2004 - Bank of America Corp. said Thursday that it plans to cut about 2.5 percent of its work force, eliminating about 4,500 jobs as part of a restructuring following its acquisition of FleetBoston Financial Corp.

Bank of America to Slash 4,500 Jobs


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

Henman Battles Into Basel Quarterfinals


New York (Oct. 20, 2004) - A federal judge has granted defense lawyers #39; request to delay the trial of former WorldCom chief executive Bernard Ebbers by two months, according to published reports.

Ebbers #39; Trial Delayed


The touch-screen voting machines used in 15 Florida counties appear to work smoothly during the state's primary election Tuesday.

Florida Says E-Vote Primary A-OK


There were about 40 seconds left. The Finns had pulled their goaltender. Coach Pat Quinn had to put out someone to protect Canada #39;s one-goal lead in the final of the World Cup of Hockey on Tuesday night.

Finland can #39;t stop hockey power from claiming title of world #39;s <b>...</b>


Nextel Communications Inc. is pressing the Federal Communications Commission to revamp its controversial decision giving the cellular company new airwaves, seeking changes that according to

Nextel Wants Better FCC Deal


As millions buy increasingly powerful cell phones, many companies are racing to develop video games to take advantage of the newfound portability. The newest twist is multiplayer: You can face real people in space battles or fishing tournaments.

Multiplayer Games Coming to Mobile Phones


Labor Day is a time to fire up the barbecue pit and hang out at the beach for the last official rite of summer. It #39;s also the day, every four years, when the presidential candidates ramp up their campaigns for the homestretch to Election Day.

Slight gain seen in jobs, but not health care costs


South Africa coach Jake White praised fly-half Jaco van der Westhuyzen after his try-scoring contribution in the 45-10 win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

White salutes Van der Westhuyzen


Brazil's economy expanded 6.1 percent in the third quarter compared to same period a year ago, lifted by exports and rising domestic consumer demand, the government said Tuesday.

Brazil's Economy Expands in 3Q on Exports


NASHVILLE, Tenn. Sept. 9, 2004 - Cracker Barrel has agreed to an \$8.7 million settlement to resolve lawsuits accusing the restaurant chain of mistreating and segregating black customers and discriminating

Cracker Barrel Announces \$8.7M Settlement


A court in Equatorial Guinea has given sentences of up to 34 years to a group of South Africans and Armenians convicted of trying to overthrow the government.

S #39;African sentenced for Guinea coup try


NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - India gave a cool response  Tuesday to fresh proposals by Pakistan's president to end a  decades-old dispute over Kashmir, saying it expected such ideas  to be discussed in an ongoing dialogue, not in the media.

Musharraf's Peace Plea Gets Cool Reception


Citigroup Inc., the world #39;s largest bank, was forced to close its private banking operations in Japan after the nation #39;s financial regulator reported it had found  quot;serious quot; breaches.

Japan Shuts Citigroup Private Bank


AFP - Chinese police have intensified a crackdown on trafficking of women and children as increasing numbers of females are sold into marriage in areas where gender imbalances are growing, state press said.

China to crackdown on human trafficking amid growing gender imbalance (AFP)


The Che are gasping for air in the turbulent waters of La Liga. Now they must fight to ensure their next breath is not their last in the quest to retain the Championship when they travel to new boys Getafe.

La Liga Preview: GetafeValencia


Retail powerhouses such as Wal-Mart gather in Baltimore to push development of controversial tagging technology.

With RFID, corporate might makes right


BRIAN CLOUGH didn #39;t want an epitaph. But the football legend seemed to write his own every time he opened his mouth. Old Big  #39;Ead, who guided the unlikely stars of Nottingham Forest to back-to-back

BRIAN CLOUGH 1935-2004: I WOULDN #39;T SAY I WAS THE BEST BOSS IN THE <b>...</b>


Despite a recent antitrust settlement, Scott McNealy says Sun Microsystems shaking hands with Microsoft is like two boxers tapping gloves.

New Year, New Scraps for Sun's Feisty Chief


NASA (news - web sites) #39;s Mars rover Opportunity will back its way out of a crater it has spent four months exploring after reaching terrain that appears too treacherous to tread.

Opportunity Rover to Pack Up and Leave Crater


Scientists cannot say yet if the object is a new Saturn moon or a temporary clump of ring material. If it is a moon, its diameter is estimated at only 2 to 3 miles, and it is orbiting at a

New Ring Discovered Around Saturn


China and Cuba sign a multi-million dollar nickel deal as the communist nations seek closer ties.

China and Cuba sign trade deals


Ordinary people don't need an economics lecture to get a sense of the big global financial issues of the day.

Successful investing requires economic growth


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks gained on Tuesday after  crude prices fell for a third session, easing investors' fears  that costly oil would squeeze company profits and slow growth.

Stocks Up as Oil Prices Eases


Sources say the two companies will likely dissolve their 8-year-old subsidiary sometime this year.

IBM, LG winding down joint venture


Reuters - The world faces a surge in extreme\weather events because of global warming and governments must\act immediately to avert disaster, Britain's chief scientist\said on Tuesday.

Chief British Scientist Says Act Now on Carbon Dioxide (Reuters)


Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers signed center Theo Ratliff to a five-year contract extension on Tuesday.

Ratliff signs extension with Portland


Hitachi increased the capacity of its Travelstar notebook harddrives. The consumer-targeted 5K100 and E5K100 for enterprise applications offer up to 100 GByte

Hitachi #39;s Travelstar notebook harddrive upgraded to 100 GByte


GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli tanks shelled a town in the in the  northern Gaza Strip early on Wednesday, killing three  Palestinians and wounding 10 children in their houses,  witnesses and medics said.

Israeli Tank Fire Kills 3 in Gaza Town


Travel and real estate conglomerate Cendant Corp. said Wednesday it will buy travel Web site Orbitz Inc. for about \$1.25 billion, making it the No.

Cendant to buy Orbitz for \$1.25B


Russian oil giant Lukoil Holdings is planning a \$1 billion joint investment with Venezuela's state-run oil company, a top Lukoil official said Thursday.

Lukoil Plans Investment With Venezuela


GONAIVES, Haiti (Reuters) - Survivors of devastating  flooding in Haiti wandered mud-clogged streets in search of  food on Tuesday as officials said more than 700 people had been  killed and at least 1,000 were missing.

Haiti Flood Death Toll Passes 700


Chelsea #39;s drive to claim the club #39;s first English title in half a century gathered pace on Saturday as Newcastle were blown away by four memorable late goals at Stamford Bridge.

English Premiership round-up


AFP - The European Central Bank is unhappy with the current level of inflation in the eurozone but expects it to fall below the two percent in the second quarter of next year, its chief economist Otmar Issing said.

ECB sees eurozone inflation falling below two pct in second quarter 2005 (AFP)


The niche doughnuts that rose quickly in popularity are feeling the weight of the low-carb craze and mass marketing. By Deb Kollars and Edie Lau -- Bee Staff Writers.

Krispy Kreme #39;s hot streak cools


AP - A dishwasher-sized spacecraft on Europe's first mission to the moon was set to enter lunar orbit, a key milestone in its 13-month trip into space, the European Space Agency said.

Europe's Mission to Moon Nears Lunar Orbit (AP)


In the past four years, Americans have spent a growing portion of their paychecks on health care and for the most part gotten less for their money, according to government figures and several independent studies.

Higher Costs, Less Care


At 34 and on the rebound from a kidney transplant 11 months ago, Alonzo Mourning still has goals -- on the court and off. But the Nets center also has issues, continuing issues that Jason Kidd

Nets: Unhappy Mourning pledges to play hard


The annual Perseid meteor shower is coming, and forecasters say it could be unusually good. Like bugs streaking down the side window of a moving car, colorful Perseid Earthgrazers could put on a pleasing show after sunset this week.

The Annual Perseid Meteor Shower


The old adage  quot;three steps and a stumble quot; still has fans on Wall Street, but some analysts think it #39;s ready for the glue factory.

Dealing with higher rates


roundup Plus: IBM, Honda team on voice-driven car navigation...Linux seller completes name change...SAP names new VP...Amazon opens floor to political pundits.

Briefly: Verizon opens global phone to consumers


FBI agents are helping investigate an explosion at a Boston-area laboratory specializing in stem-cell research, and a newspaper said on Friday the blast was caused by a pipe bomb.

FBI Helps Probe of Blast at US Stem-Cell Lab


US queries about how Japan and the European Union will sanction American imports were resolved today, paving the way for retaliation against a US law that has handed \$750 million in customs levies to companies since 2001.

EU, Japan to Get WTO #39;s Go-Ahead to Hit Back at US Handouts


Vatican City, Aug. 25--Pope John Paul II on Wednesday kissed a treasured Russian icon and sent it back to Moscow as a sign of his affection for the Russian Orthodox Church and his desire to end

Praying for Christian Unity, Pope Sends Treasured Icon Back to <b>...</b>


Andy Cole will be back in action for Fulham at Aston Villa next weekend after his ban was reduced by the FA. Cole was initially suspended for three matches after being sent off for his part in a brawl at West Bromwich on September 18.

Cole ban is reduced


Asians and Europeans left Hanoi Saturday after a summit that renewed economic coordination, but deadlocked over Myanmar #39;s human rights situation.

Myanmar splits ASEM summit


NEW YORK -- Wearing the traditional black-and-white checked headdress that Yasser Arafat had made his personal trademark, Linda Sarasour, a Palestinian-American who works in a part of Brooklyn with many Arab residents, yesterday described the controversial leader as ''our Martin Luther King. quot;

A sense of loss, but dream of statehood endures


The Supreme Court of Chile stripped former dictator Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution yesterday, a landmark ruling in the decades-long effort by human-rights activists to bring him to justice for the killing of civilians during his rule.

Chile court strips Pinochet of immunity


Short-Media have thrown up a new article which asks does Windows Service Pack 2 slow you down? Microsoft released Service Pack 2 and millions installed it.

Your Daily Tech News Service...


Authorities in Equatorial Guinea suspended indefinitely yesterday the trial in an alleged coup plot here, awaiting information

Equatorial Guinea suspends coup trial


Two decades after it virtually invented the personal computer industry, IBM yesterday sold out to the Chinese government. The deal, which IBM hopes will leave

IBM marks end of an era


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices fell to seven-week lows  near \$47 a barrel on Wednesday as traders braced for another  increase in U.S. oil and gas inventories.

Oil Fades Toward \$47, Awaits U.S. Data


SASKATOON - Scientists in Saskatoon are set to unveil a synchrotron on Friday, a state-of-the-art research facility and Canada #39;s largest science project in 30 years.

Saskatoon #39;s super microscope set to open


Thierry Henry scored his first international goal for four months to help struggling France snatch a badly needed 2-0 victory over Cyprus.

Thierry finds his goal touch


U.S. government announces company's agreement to plead guilty, pay \$160 million fine.

Infineon to admit DRAM price fixing


Arlington, Texas -- The A #39;s didn #39;t request any additional security at Ameriquest Field on Tuesday, but there appeared to be extra security in place, anyway, a precaution after last week #39;s incident at the Coliseum in which Rangers reliever Frank Francisco

A #39;S NOTEBOOK Security makes its presence known


Lots of buzz in the air with so many of boxing #39;s major players on the scene. Here #39;s what we #39;re hearing: Kali Meehan:  quot;When I say the name Rock Rahman to people, they look at me, Oh, Rock #39;s tough.

Exclusive Boxer Quotes: What They #39;re Saying in NYC


Shares of Wet Seal (WTSLA:Nasdaq - news - research) were among the Nasdaq #39;s losers Friday after the company posted a wider-than-expected second-quarter loss, warned that third-quarter results would be weaker than expected, and said that it is considering ...

Stocks in Motion: Wet Seal


US property and casualty insurers paid out \$21.3 billion for hurricane damage, mostly in Florida, during the third-quarter, according an industry group called ISO.

Insurers #39; Losses Top \$21 Bln for Quarter


The world #39;s oil supply is expected to be stretched thin for another two to three years, even as demand tapers off and the industry gears up for an exploration and production spending spree in 2005.

Wall Street:  #39;Cheap oil age #39; may be at end


Children were arriving at the school on Bakhrushina Street in central Moscow: small girls with oversize ribbons festooning their hair, small boys, fidgety and chattering, dwarfed by large satchels.

Russia #39;s grim return to reality


KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Without one World Cup qualifier under his belt and only a pair of appearances for the US National Team to speak of, there stood Brian Ching at midfield waiting to enter the match with his team down 1-0 to Jamaica.

Ching saves best for last


Four years after buying the Nantucket Lightship on eBay , Bill and Kristen Golden want to sell vacationers an interest in a onetime rust bucket that has been transformed into a floating pleasure palace.

Ship owners float a vacation home idea


On September 13, 2001, most Americans were still reeling from the shock of the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon two days before.

Financier was grim reaper: Market-timing crime profited after 9/11


a second day, fuelling fears of a slide into all-out war in the world #39;s top cocoa grower. A UN spokesman said on Friday 18 people, including two rebels, had been killed in the bombings.

War fears rise in Ivory Coast


\\Wednesday we pushed a new build of Rojo  which introduced a few new and\important features:\\* Tags *\\Chris does a good job of explaining  tags so I'll start there:\\

New Rojo Build - Tags, Comments, Photos


Workers at German car maker Opel halted production at a factory in Bochum for a fifth consecutive day yesterday in protest at plans by US parent General Motors (GM) to slash thousands of jobs in Europe.

Politicians enter fray as Opel workers drive wildcat strikes into <b>...</b>


HARRISBURG, Penn. - A former Rite Aid Corp. vice chairman was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison for his part in an accounting scandal that brought the US drug store chain near bankruptcy.

Ex-Rite Aid officer gets 10-year jail term


Arsenal midfielder Edu lifts the lid on events following the game against Man Utd.

Football: Edu gives fracas details


Analysis That antitrust filing in full - with added chocolate

Novell's MS complaint: we wuz robbed


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Jewish settler leaders failed in a  rare meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday  to persuade him to back their proposal to put his planned Gaza  withdrawal to a national referendum.

Settlers Say Gaza Meeting with Sharon a 'Disgrace'


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Auto parts supplier Delphi Corp.  <A HREF=

Delphi Narrows Quarterly Net Loss


AP - The Kansas City Royals recalled left-hander Jimmy Gobble Sunday from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, and placed right-hander Scott Sullivan on the 15-day disabled list with a back strain.

Royals Recall Gobble, Place Sullivan on DL (AP)


Channel partners say the release of enterprise and SMB versions of Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 this week will boost Windows management but they #39;re not sure whether it will boost sales.

Microsoft Releases MOM 2005 To Manufacturing


\\Dali's Metamorphosis of Narcissus is one of my favorite paintings.  I actually\own a print in my bedroom.\\I was amazed at how well Google image search did on this query \\Literally 90 of the images are perfect captures of the painting...\\

Metamorphosis of Narcissus


TORONTO Midway through the third period, with the outcome of the World Cup of Hockey still in doubt, the public-address system played a clap-along song with a chorus about  quot;the good old hockey game.

As an NHL lockout looms, Canada cooly outduels Finland, 3-2


As of yesterday, at least 1,206 members of the US military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003. Below is a list of those killed recently.

Recent American deaths in Iraq


A battle over a hostile takeover bid to create the world #39;s largest gold mining group has spilled over into court, with Gold Fields Limited (GFI) accusing rival Harmony of being in breach of South African criminal laws.

Harmony #39;s hostile takeover bid sparks court challenge in South <b>...</b>


MONTREAL (CP) - Tony Batista #39;s one-out double to the gap in left scored Endy Chavez from first base with the winning run in the 12th inning as the Montreal Expos completed their 13-game homestand with a 4-3 win Sunday over the Atlanta Braves.

Batista double brings home winner in 12th as Expos down Braves 4-3


Blizzard has finally confirmed a launch date for its long-awaited massively multiplayer title World Of Warcraft, with North America, Australia and New Zealand all getting the game on November 23rd.

Blizzard dates World Of Warcraft in US and Down Under


The number of US households using Voice over IP (define) will rocket from 400,000 to 12 million over the next five years, a new report from JupiterResearch predicts.

Report: VoIP to Top 12M Homes by 2009


AP - Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair bruised his sternum on a 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter of Tennessee's 15-12 loss to Jacksonville.

Titans' McNair Injured in Loss to Jaguars (AP)


Ford has made a four-year commitment to the World Rally Championship, ending fears that they could pull out of that series as well as Formula One, reports Reuters.

FORD IN WORLD RALLY PLEDGE


Organizations frequently pick a corporate-grade IM system -- IBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing, Jabber Messenger, or Microsoft LCS (Live Communications Server), for example -- thinking that internal-only IM is immune from threats.

Enterprise IM: Dangerous by default


Skipper Richard Staple insisted the USA had gained valuable experience in their 210-run Champions Trophy defeat by New Zealand at The Oval.

United States remain upbeat


A Russian rocket carrying two cosmonauts and one US astronaut launched successfully Thursday on a mission to the International Space Station.

Crew Blasts Off for Space Station


The 73-year-old former Washington Senators public address announcer was not about to let a protester ruin another big baseball day in the nation #39;s capital.

A baseball rechristening in Washington: Expos to become Nationals


An order for Microsoft software was cancelled by Beijing #39;s municipal government after complaints that local governments do not support software developed domestically.

Beijing Backs Out Of Microsoft Contract


Sven-Goran Eriksson is convinced he is moving in the right direction, although critics believe the England manager is just stuck in a rut.

I #39;ll only resign if we fail to make finals


About 150 American, Australian, Canadian and Spanish nationals gathered at Abidjan #39;s sleek, modern airport. A Spanish air force plane.

French citizens flee chaos in Ivory Coast


DIVIDED down the years by the rawest rivalry in English football, Manchester United and Liverpool found their histories converging at the weekend as both clubs braced themselves for imminent takeover.

Fans offside as tycoons target English clubs


Eleni Ioannou, the Greek judo star hospitalised after falling from her third floor balcony just over two weeks ago, has died. Ioannou had been in intensive care at the The Red Cross hospital since August 7 with multiple fractures to her head and body.

Greek judo star dies


EMOTIONAL Glen Boss admitted he put too much pressure on himself talking up Makybe Diva #39;s chances before the Melbourne Cup yesterday.

Glen proves he #39;s the Boss on magic mare


Lindsay Davenport reached her 12th semi-final of the year on Friday, with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Jelena Jankovic at the WTA Grand Prix event in Filderstadt, Germany.

Tennis: Davenport reaches semis with win over Jankovic


Maybe it was The Trade. Maybe it was The Fight. Maybe it was just the inevitable byproduct of a supremely talented team finding its groove.

Trade, fight put Boston on charge up AL East


In an Internet posting, a Chechen warlord with a \$10 million bounty on his head has apparently claimed responsibility for the Beslan school siege and promised more attacks on Russian civilians if Chechnya is not granted independence.

Chechen Warlord Claims Responsibility for Siege


Ricky Davis wants a do-over. With his Cleveland Cavaliers near the end of a 17-win season and enjoying a rare blowout victory over visiting Utah on March 16, 2003, Davis did the unthinkable for basketball purists. He deliberately missed a shot at his own basket to pad his rebounding statistics in an attempt to record his  #64257; rst career triple-double.

Ricky's world


The World Trade Organization on Monday rejected a US appeal against an earlier finding that supported Canada #39;s wheat trade. The WTO appeals body upheld a February decision by its dispute settlement body, which

WTO Upholds Ruling on Canadian Wheat Board


AP - The government on Friday identified the British engineer who was kidnapped in Baghdad with two American colleagues, and the victim's family urged his captors to free him.

Family of Iraq Hostage Urges Release (AP)


The NHL lockout forced the cancellation of this season #39;s All-Star game, scheduled to be held in Atlanta in February. Wednesday #39;s announcement that the midseason showcase would not be held came on the 49th

NHL cancels All-Star Weekend


Congo #39;s government spokesman denied Tuesday that rival army factions were fighting each other in the east of the country and insisted the clashes were between Congolese and Rwandan forces.

Congo Says Its Troops Are Fighting Rwandan Forces


Hurricane Frances sends commodity prices soaring and depresses insurance stocks as it heads for the Florida coast.

Markets brace for fresh hurricane


Tim Duncan wore a haggard look as he emerged from a locker room of bronze medalists. Hardly an emotional guy, he mumbled that his international basketball career is  quot;95 percent quot; over and that, oh yeah,  quot;FIBA stinks.

For Duncan, No Fun In Games


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK - Sprint will invest more than \$2 billion to upgrade its wireless PCS network, and \$1 billion of that will go to Nortel.

Nortel Wins \$1 Billion Contract for Sprint Upgrades


AP - Iran and Saudi Arabia called Monday for the United Nations to intervene in Iraq to stop the fighting between U.S. forces and Shhite militants hiding in the holy city of Najaf.

Iran Calls for U.N. Intervention in Iraq (AP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - The governing body of world athletics  Friday condemned the behavior of local fans who delayed the  start of the men's 200 meters final with deafening boos and  whistles.

Track Chiefs Scold Local Fans Over Jeers


BRUSSELS, Belgium The incoming European Union trade commissioner is criticizing the United States for failing to work to resolve a dispute over government aid to Boeing and Airbus.

Incoming EU trade chief confident of position on Airbus subsidies


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hurricane Frances threatens to dampen  sales, and possibly earnings, for a slew of companies -- from  insurers to airlines -- as business activity screeches to a  halt only three weeks after Hurricane Charley hit Florida.

Businesses Batten Down for Frances


Have you ever seen that Wendy #39;s commercial with the guy who goes around advertising for Wendy #39;s because he loves their food so much, even though he is not actually a Wendy #39;s employee?

The Homer, by Powell Motors


IRAN said today it was still committed to suspending parts of its sensitive nuclear program and alarm over its last-minute uranium conversion activities was merely US  quot;propaganda quot;.

Iran insists N-deal still on


Sun and Texas Instruments were among the companies saying they could do more with allies during the EPC Global conference. By Elena Malykhina.

Partnerships Abound At RFID Conference


Microsoft and watch maker Swatch are offering a new line of wireless data watches, the companies said Wednesday, bringing the era of Dick Tracy wristwatch radios one step closer.

Microsoft, Swatch offer thinner wireless watches


A Palestinian girl was shot dead late on Friday when Israeli troops shot her dead in Nablus city of the West Bank, witnesses said.

West Bank: Palestinian girl shot dead by Israeli fire


The deal will now include a Super 14 with two new teams from Australia and South Africa, as well as an extra round of the Tri-Nations.

News Ltd considers SANZAR deal


Carlos Beltran hit a pair of homers and drove in four to lead Houston to an easy 15-7 win over the Chicago Cubs in a slugfest Friday.

MLB: Houston 15, Chicago Cubs 7


GUNMEN attacked a car in the Iraq city of Mosul yesterday, killing three foreigners and their Iraqi driver before cutting off the head of one of the victims.

Iraqi gunmen kill foreigners in car and cut head off one of their <b>...</b>


WASHINGTON - Drafts of a report from the top U.S. inspector in Iraq conclude there were no stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, but say there are signs the fallen Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had dormant programs he hoped to revive at a later time, according to people familiar with the findings...

U.S. Weapons Inspector: Iraq Had No WMD


Geneva - The world #39;s major airlines were expected to rack up about \$4.8 billion (R27.3 billion) in losses this year and would climb back to profit next year only if oil prices fell, the top industry body said yesterday.

Airlines #39; losses expected to hit \$4.8bn


roundup Plus: Kinko's debuts Web-based print options...Majoras takes charge of FTC...Business Objects to bundle IBM tools.

Briefly: Gateway says, hold on to your hard drive


In 10-year deal, companies to provide IP television services like video on demand, DV recording. NEW YORK (Reuters) - SBC Communications said Wednesday that it reached a 10-year, \$400 million deal with Microsoft

SBC, Microsoft strike \$400M TV deal


By ELAINE KURTENBACH     SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- China plans ratings systems for online games, books and movies to protect children from violence and sexual content in the nation's latest effort to tighten controls on various media, reports said Friday.    The system for censoring online games will be introduced by the end of October and will come ahead of

Chinese Government to Institute Online Ratings Systems


India test-launched an Agni II surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons yesterday. The trial, on the testing range on Wheeler Island off eastern Orissa state, was the third trial of the

India tests missile before talks


LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- The world's first private manned spacecraft will make its second space flight in five days Monday in the final stage of its attempt to win a 10 million USD prize, organisers said.       SpaceShipOne is scheduled to take off at around 7:00 am (1400 GMT) and blast out of the earth's atmosphere just over an hour later in its quest for the Ansari X Prize purse, aimed at spurring a new era of commercial space travel...

SpaceShipOne Set for Historic 2nd Flight Monday


United Airlines on Friday said it will need about USD\$500 million in annual cost cuts above the USD\$655 million now in the works and also received court approval for more time to develop a reorganization plan without interference from creditors.

United Assessing Further Cost Cuts


KHARTOUM: Britains Prime Minister Tony Blair pressed Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir on Wednesday to end violence in Darfur on the highest-level visit from a Western government official since the crisis erupted.

Blair presses Sudan over Darfur


Continuing its transformation process, EDS (Quote, Chart) sold off one of its wireless software ventures for \$57 million, officials said Thursday.

EDS Sells Wireless Group


Description: A shareholders #39; lawsuit against Walt Disney Co. board members begins Wednesday. The suit concerns the expensive hiring and firing of former Disney President Michael Ovitz.

Hollywood Awaits Start of Ovitz Trial


Frank #39;s Nursery and Crafts announced today it will close all 169 of its stores later this year, including three here in Toledo.

Frank #39;s Nursery and Crafts Closing


Johnson  amp; Johnson, the world #39;s biggest maker of medical devices, may buy defibrillator maker Guidant Corp. for \$24 billion, people familiar with the situation said today.

Johnson  amp; Johnson May Buy Guidant for \$24 Billion, People Say


AP - Both presidential campaigns are looking for a boost at the other's expense Tuesday when Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic rival John Edwards square off for the only vice presidential debate of the 2004 election.

Edwards, Cheney Gear Up for Sole VP Debate (AP)


Canada buried a sailor this week who died in a submarine fire that naval officers say was poorly handled by the vessel #39;s skipper.

Canada buries submariner, probes tragedy


Maurice Greene will be seeking belated revenge after losing his Olympic 100 meters title to Justin Gatlin when the two Americans meet in an international meeting Thursday.

Greene Seeks Revenge for Olympic Defeat


By LINDSEY TANNER    CHICAGO (AP) -- Patients who undergo obesity surgery get far more than cosmetic benefits - many also shed fat-related ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, researchers say.    Their report - an analysis of 136 studies - suggests that in some cases, the drastic operations may alter the patient's body chemistry itself and relieve conditions that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure...

Obesity Surgery May Cure Diabetes


Interviews with Iraqi Shiite clerics reveal that moderates are increasingly supporting Sadr #39;s anti-US campaign. By Scott Baldauf  Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor.

Standoff bolstered Sadr #39;s support


Cincinnati - Quentin Griffin was supposed to salvage his season as a kick returner after losing his starting tailback job. Griffin #39;s season likely has ended on a kick return.

Griffin could miss season because of knee injury


Drinks giant Diageo today raised 2.26 billion US dollars (1.27bn) after selling a further chunk of shares in Cheerios cereal maker General Mills.

Diageo Sells Cereal Maker Shares


BAGHDAD: A suicide car bomber killed 16 people at a National Guard centre in western Iraq yesterday.An Interior Ministry official said the bomber targeted recruits for the paramilitary force in the town of Anah, 260km northwest of Baghdad, near the Syrian

NO END TO THE AGONY


Harrison Frazar (above) shot a bogey-free 64 to take his place among a crowded group at the top of the leader board with an 8 under at the PGA Michelin Championship in Las Vegas.

Frazar among leaders at Michelin tourney


AFP - Some 20,000 people took to the streets in the western German city of Cologne, waving German and Turkish flags, to protest against the use of violence in the name of Islam.

Some 20,000 protest in Cologne against violence in the name of Islam (AFP)


Dubbed AOL 9.0 Security, the latest version of America Online's software will give dial-up and high-speed subscribers free McAfee antivirus software and automatic upgrades. <FONT face=

New AOL Software Focuses on Security


Reuters - Walt Disney Co's  board of\directors said on Tuesday it planned to find a replacement for\Chief Executive Michael Eisner by next June and then search for\a new chairman, setting out a timetable for a change of\leadership at the company after more than a year of shareholder\protests.

Disney Board Aims to Find New CEO by June (Reuters)


JPMorgan Chase announced on Wednesday that it will cancel its multiyear, \$5 billion outsourcing contract with IBM, bucking an industry trend that has seen IT outsourcing grow by dramatic proportions.

JPMorgan Chase cancels IBM outsourcing contract


A notorious poacher and smuggler, Koose Muniswamy Veerappan stands with a gun in his hideout in the jungles of Southern India, in this 1998 photo.

India #39;s Most Wanted Bandit Killed


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Europe on  Wednesday filed tit-for-tat World Trade Organization complaints  over billions of dollars in subsidies for top aircraft  manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.

U.S., EU Spar Over Airbus, Boeing Aid


Liverpools new manager left the Valencia team in fine shape after two championships in three seasons, but insisting he was the victim of internal politics at the Mestalla that undermined his position.

Benitez on Spanish return


British Prime Minister Tony Blair underwent a successful operation today to correct an irregular heartbeat and was recovering at home, a hospital official said.

Blair has surgery to fix heartbeat, resting at home


UK workers' top choice for a new Bank Holiday would be a Monday in late October, an online survey finds.

New autumn Bank Holiday favoured


VIENNA, Va. -- AT amp;T Government Solutions and its team of subcontractors have been chosen by the Treasury Department to build and deploy the largest civilian agency network, serving more than 1,000 domestic

AT amp;T Wins \$1B Treasury Contract


Barry Bonds, the fastidious health and fitness expert, would have us believe he accepted a tube of mystery goo from his personal trainer, followed the instructions, massaged the potion into his skin and didn #39;t know he was using illegal steroids.

We can #39;t place much stock in Bonds #39; credibility


Reuters - International airlines are heading for a\near  #36;5 billion loss this year, largely due to the oil price\rise, the chief economist of the industry's global body IATA\said on Tuesday.

Airlines Expect  #36;5 Bln Loss in '04 --IATA (Reuters)


A former assistant treasurer at Enron Corp. (ENRNQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to committing securities fraud on Tuesday and will cooperate

UPDATE 1-Former Enron asst treasurer strikes plea deal


CHARLOTTE, NC - Kevin Mathis and Jake Delhomme were teammates together in New Orleans before going their NFL careers took turns to different destinations.

Mathis gets the best of Delhomme again


A day after laying off hundreds of Fleet bank workers, Bank of America received a boost of positive publicity from the arts world.

Bank of America puts name on Celebrity Series of Boston


Company delays divestiture of manufacturing assets, as it focuses on its financial restatement.

Nortel pushes back Flextronics deal


ATI Technologies has launched the Radeon Xpress 200 chipset with integrated DirectX 9 graphics for AMD desktop PCs. The latest chipset is aimed at gaming enthusiasts and high definition home entertainment.

ATI Launches Xpress 200 Chipsets


Creative Technology will spend US\$100 million next year to market its portable media devices in a worldwide campaign to grab market share from Apple Computer and its popular iPod player.

Creative Plans MP3 Marketing Blitz Against iPod


IBM and Honda have jointly developed a hands-free and natural sounding in-vehicle speech-recognition system that will be offered as standard equipment on the 2005 Acura RL.

IBM, Honda deliver in-car speech-recognition navigation system


AP - Jamaal Tinsley scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Indiana Pacers to an 89-86 victory over the Toronto Raptors, who traded All Star Vince Carter to New Jersey earlier Friday.

Pacers Edge Raptors, 89-86 (AP)


More Americans know about stem cell research, and more approve of it this year than in 2001, according to a new Harris Poll. By Kristen Philipkoski.

Stem Cells Rise in Public Opinion


Bush  #038; Kerry Battle It Out In Search\\So if it was up to the search engines to decide who would win the Presidential election, would you agree? Found an interesting press release today that I thought could provide some insight into how our favorite candidates are doing in the search ...

Bush   Kerry Battle It Out In Search


SARAJEVO (Reuters) - NATO-led troops injured a Bosnian Serb  war crimes suspect in a shootout Tuesday after he resisted  arrest and opened fire on them, the peace force said.

NATO Troops Wound, Arrest Serb War Crimes Fugitive


Washington Wizards point guard Steve Blake will miss the first month of the season after injuring his ankle in a pickup game. Blake underwent surgery yesterday to remove a chipped bone from his right ankle and is expected to miss 10-12 weeks, which would rule him out of the first 13 games. As a rookie last season, Blake played in ...

Ankle injury sidelines Blake


AP - Amazon.com said Monday that its Web site was experiencing slowdowns, and the company didn't immediately know when the problem would be fixed.

Amazon.com Web Site Experiences Slowdowns (AP)


Japan #39;s Yokogawa Electric said it planned to hire 2,000 engineers in Singapore by 2010, a newspaper report said Friday. The push will be backed by investment of US\$100 million (euro 82.

Yokogawa Electric Said to Hire Engineers


Crude oil futures slid Thursday to their lowest levels in more than two weeks as concerns over supplies ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter eased because of a rise in US inventories.

Update 10: Crude Oil Prices Slide Further