MIAMI Virginia Tech reigns in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The tenth-ranked Huskies won the ACC title outright today with a 16-to-10 victory over ninth-ranked Miami.

(10) Virginia Tech 16 (9) Miami 10


AP - Brent Schaeffer will become the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Tennessee in a season opener when the Vols plays UNLV on Sunday.

Tennessee to Start Freshman Quarterback (AP)


The Food and Drug Administration has told a researcher that he cannot be part of an advisory panel that will meet early next year to review the safety of a class of drugs, COX-2 inhibitors, used to treat arthritis and pain.

Scientist Who Cited Drug #39;s Risks Is Barred From FDA Panel


AP - Dante Brown and nine other players were released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who tried to trade the running back before Sunday's roster cutdown deadline.

Steelers Cut RB Brown After Trade Fails (AP)


TORONTO -- An American war dodger who willingly joined the US army because it would pay for his university education testified yesterday the birth of his son was the final step in his realization that he didn #39;t want to be a killer.

Son #39;s birth convinced war dodger, hearing told


ATHENS -- Did Japan's Kosuke Kitajima break the rules when he beat world record-holder Brendan Hansen by 17-100ths of a second in yesterday's Olympic 100-meter breaststroke? Absolutely, insisted Hansen's US teammates, who claimed Kitajima routinely uses the illegal dolphin kick.

US team kicks over this result


Sprint declined to comment on rumored merger talks with Nextel Communications, first reported yesterday.

Sprint: No comment on reported Nextel merger talks


washingtonpost.com - The Internet may have forever changed the music business, but online downloads will keep playing second fiddle to compact discs for at least the next five years.

Silicon Still Rocks the House (washingtonpost.com)


DECEMBER 03, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - TOKYO -- Blu-ray Disc will take an important step forward next year when Singulus Technologies AG begins selling machines for mass producing read-only versions of the discs, the company said this week.

Singulus to support Blu-ray Disc mass production


Omnicare Inc. (OCR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it extended its \$30 a share all cash offer for all the outstanding shares of NeighborCare Inc.

Omnicare Extends Offer for NeighborCare


Cubs general manager Jim Hendry wasn #39;t down for long Wednesday after learning free-agent closer Troy Percival had signed with the Tigers.

Cubs not out of options for closer


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. <A HREF=

Delta to Cut Up to 7,000 Jobs


Robust demand for military equipment and technology led two arms makers to post higher quarterly profit yesterday, with Boeing reporting a 78 percent jump in earnings despite a decline in commercial airplane revenue.

Boeing and Northrop Say Profits Jumped in Quarter


MFORMA Group and Marvel Enterprises announced that the companies will bring content based on Marvel #39;s brands to mobile phone users.

MFORMA, Marvel, Activision in Mobile Entertainment Alliance


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - For the first time in three weeks, someone other than Saskatchewan running back Kenton Keith has captured CFL offensive player of the week honours.

Reynolds CFL #39;s top performer


PARIS -- Yasser Arafat's wife accused Palestinian leaders hoping to travel to France today to visit her critically ill husband of plotting to ''bury him alive. quot;

Arafat's wife says leaders aim to 'bury him alive'


Ayad Allawi sought to calm anger today over his description of states that opposed the war as

Iraqi Prime Minister Meets With European Union Leaders


Reuters - Treasuries prices slipped on Wednesday\after a survey of regional U.S. manufacturing showed a sharp\recovery in early September, countering signs of softness\elsewhere in the economy.

Treasuries Slip as NY Industry Rebounds (Reuters)


NEW YORK It appears New York Yankees ace relief pitcher Mariano Rivera will be ready for tomorrow night #39;s American League pennant series opener against Boston.

Sports: GM, agent, say Rivera will be available Tuesday


TODAY AUTO RACING 1:30 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Ford 400 qualifying at Homestead, Fla., Speed Channel 3 p.m. -- NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Ford 200 at Homestead, Fla., Speed Channel COLLEGE BASKETBALL/MEN 5 p.m. -- Marist Classic at Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: Northeastern vs. Birmingham Southern, WRBB-FM (104.9) 7 p.m. -- Coaches vs. Cancer Classic third-place game at New York, ESPN2 7:30 ...

This weekend on TV, radio


DreamWorks #39; IPO was expected to raise more than US\$812 million in the first IPO by a major movie studio in seven years. Earlier this month, the company debuted  quot;Shark Tale, quot; and it has become a hit generating

DreamWorks IPO Surges


A bomb threat forced the evacuation of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the 88th minute of a Spanish league game between host Real Madrid and Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Bomb threat mars Real Madrid game


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sports Network) - The New Jersey  Nets Saturday placed guard Ron Mercer on the injured list.  Mercer is scheduled to undergo left knee surgery on Monday and  could be out of action for up to four weeks.

Nets' Mercer Placed on Injured List


Germany's drive for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council threatens EU unity, Italy's foreign minister says.

Italy criticises Germany's UN bid


The Sudanese government welcomed Sunday the UN Security Council #39;s resolution on Sudan. Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said the Sudanese cabinet  quot;considered the resolution

Sudanese cabinet welcomes UN resolution on Sudan


almost a quarter of its workforce - and split itself in two yesterday in last-ditch attempt to avoid bankruptcy. The struggling Italian airline met

Alitalia unions baulk at 5,000 job cuts


Coldplay, Travis, The Darkness and Keane get behind a new version of charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?

Rock stars back new Band Aid song


The Singapore #39;s budget airline, Jetstar Asia, will launch its daily service between Hong Kong and Singapore from Monday. Jetstar Asia will become the fifth budget airline

Singapore #39;s Jetstar Asia becomes 5th budget airline to operate <b>...</b>


Microsoft is poised to deliver a new interim build of its Windows Server 2003 SP1 (Service Pack 1) to testers. Windows Server 2003 SP1 is the server complement to the recently released Windows XP SP2 (Service

Microsoft Set to Deliver New Windows Service Pack Beta


As the 108th Congress scrambles in its final days to address homeland security issues, US Reps. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.

Bill Proposals Call for Cybersecurity Enhancements


A bipartisan commission that includes energy industry executives, environmentalists and academics will issue a report today that calls on the nation to adopt mandatory limits

Bipartisan Panel Seeks Greenhouse Gas Limits


OSLO (Reuters) - Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai  became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize  Friday for aiding the continent's poor with a campaign to plant  millions of trees to slow down deforestation.

Kenyan Environmentalist Wins Nobel Peace Prize


The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and other papers this morning ran a story stating that blog was the most common word visitors to Merriam Webster #39;s online site sought a definition for throughout 2004.

Word of The Year: Blog


A bird species new to science is found by researchers on a remote island in the Philippines.

New bird spotted in Philippines


Balanced discussion of copyright issues begins

Piracy funds terror, <cite>Guardian</cite> lesson tells schools


ISLAMABAD : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf asked Muslim scholars to help curb extremism by isolating religious schools which harbor terrorists as Pakistani security forces arrested a suspected Al-Qaeda linked Arab militant in a raid.

Pakistan #39;s Musharraf seeks Islamic scholars #39; help in terror fight


UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Bush administration on  Friday urged quick U.N. action on a global treaty to ban all  cloning of human embryos, including for medical research, but  diplomats said the measure would go nowhere before the Nov. 2  U.S. elections.

UN Cloning Treaty on Hold Until After U.S. Election


Britain will this week offer a series of concessions to France and Germany to assuage their fears about Turkish membership of the European Union.

Britain offers sweeteners to win allies for Ankara


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips ended lower on Monday  as stock investors shrugged off lower oil prices to focus  instead on a disappointing sales forecast from Wal-Mart Stores,  but the cheaper crude sent bond and gold prices lower.

Blue-Chip Stocks, Bond Prices, Oil Drop


Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - Ilias Iliadis captured Greece #39;s second gold medal of the 2004 Olympics with a thrilling victory over Roman Gontyuk of the Ukraine in the men #39;s under 81kg category in judo on Tuesday.

Greek wins gold in judo


AP - Oracle Corp.'s takeover tug-of-war with rival business software maker PeopleSoft Inc. intensified Tuesday as two shareholders who own nearly 20 percent of PeopleSoft's stock indicated they are prepared to line up on opposite sides of the battle lines.

PeopleSoft Shareholders Clash on Takeover (AP)


CHICAGO (Reuters) - J.M. Smucker Co. <A HREF=

J.M. Smucker Disappoints, Sales Flat


PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 21 (AScribe Newswire) -- As NASA #39;s Spirit and Opportunity rovers resumed reliable contact with Earth, after a period when Mars passed nearly behind the Sun, the space agency extended

Rover Missions Renewed As Mars Emerges From Behind Sun


A stirring defensive effort by the Jets produced 7 points, 4 turnovers, 4 sacks and a victory over the Dolphins in Pro Player Stadium.

Jets Grab, Pick and Sack to Victory


Vince Carter wants out of Toronto, but new Raptors #39; coach Sam Mitchell doesn #39;t think it will be an issue when training camp opens next week.

New Raptors coach doesn #39;t think Carter will be a distraction


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday thanked US Secretary of State Colin Powell for trying to persuade China to resume talks with Taiwan during his visit to Beijing.

MOFA thanks Powell for efforts in China


AP - Fred Funk and tour rookie Zach Johnson had near perfect outings Friday to share a one-stroke lead in the Buick Championship after two rounds.

Funk, Johnson Lead Buick Championship (AP)


In their first response to regulators #39; allegations that the company manipulated its books, executives of mortgage funding giant Fannie Mae plan to defend its accounting and say the actions

Fannie Executives to Defend Accounting Practices


Lancashire police have opened a criminal investigation into allegations that Birmingham #39;s Dwight Yorke suffered racial abuse during Sunday #39;s 3-3 Premiership draw away to Blackburn Rovers.

Police launch Yorke investigation


DALLAS -- Belo Corp. said yesterday that it would cut 250 jobs, more than half of them at its flagship newspaper, The Dallas Morning News, and that an internal investigation into circulation overstatements

KING/5 owner Belo plans to cut jobs


TOKYO (Reuters) - The yen kept most gains against the  dollar on Thursday after rallying to a four-week peak, but  investors saw no reason to push it higher due to growing  uncertainty about the outlook for the Japanese economy.

Yen Keeps Gains, Capped by Murky Outlook


AP - St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger left Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after spraining his right shoulder while getting sacked in the first quarter.

Rams QB Leaves Game With Shoulder Injury (AP)


With the nation facing a vaccine shortage, an uncertain allocation of prevention - who will get a shot and who will not - began in earnest.

For Flu Shots, Smaller Supply, More Concern


AP - Archaeologists have discovered a cache of artifacts near South Padre Island that they say could be up to 5,000 years old, potentially providing new clues about early peoples of the Texas coast.

Artifacts Found Near Texas Coast (AP)


(Sports Network) - The defending world champion Detroit Pistons will try to get back to the .500 mark tonight, when they travel to New Orleans to battle the struggling Hornets.

Detroit Pistons Team Report - December 4


SAN FRANCISCO : EBay announced late it has agreed to buy three million shares of South Korea #39;s Internet Auction for 325 million dollars in cash.

EBay increases stake in South Korea #39;s Internet Auction


The specialty chip maker predicts a lean transition quarter, but it plans a rebound in 2005.

OmniVision's No Flash in the Pan


US Airways Group Inc. met with two unions to try and agree on concessions before an Oct. 7 hearing at which a bankruptcy judge might let the carrier temporarily reduce pay 23 percent to help avoid potential liquidation.

US Airways, unions seek compromise


MOSUL, Iraq - A car bomb struck a US military convoy on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, an Iraqi police officer told AFP.

Car bomb attack on US convoy in Mosul: police


Ziff Davis - Longhorn's woes may open a door for Linux #151;a very tiny door #151;but Linux just isn't a good choice for desktops. Instead, desktop Linux proponents should wake up and switch to the Mac OS.

Linux Doesn't Make Sense for Desktops (Ziff Davis)


SHANGHAI, China -- The death toll from Typhoon Aere climbed to 35 on Thursday after a mudslide killed 15 villagers in Taiwan, while nearly a million people were evacuated as the storm thrashed mainland China.

Typhoon #39;s death toll at 35; nearly 1 million evacuated


USATODAY.com - One TV ad shows a dark-haired

'Tough on terror' platform reigns (USATODAY.com)


The software juggernaut that conquered the desktop is racing to get Windows into your next car.

Photo 4: Microsoft revs car Windows


MORTGAGE lending fell again last month, a further sign that the housing bubble has burst. About 25.4bn was lent by banks and building societies last month, down 4 on August and the second monthly fall in

Mortgage loan fall points to slowdown


Former champion Venus Williams was pushed to two tiebreakers over two hours by 16-year-old qualifier Ana Ivanovic of Serbia-Montenegro before reaching the Swisscom Challenge quarterfinals Thursday.

Venus Williams Edges Teenager at Zurich


In a possible softening of its strict non-deployment policy in Iraq, Germany #39;s defense minister said he could not rule out sending troops there in the future.

Germany Signals Shift on Iraq Policy


Patrick Vieira knows exactly how Francesc Fabregas feels. Just 17 years old, a long way from home in a foreign country with a new culture and language to which he must adapt.

Vieira: I #39;ll be Cesc #39;s minder


The Cox Communications (COX:NYSE - news - research) board formed a special panel to consider a take-private bid from the company #39;s controlling shareholder.

Cox Hires Advisers on Parent Bid


Reuters - Five people were killed and 3 were\missing in the Philippines as heavy rain whipped up by two\typhoons caused floods and landslides in Manila and neighboring\areas, disaster officials said on Thursday.

Five Killed as Heavy Rains Pound Philippines (Reuters)


Noranda Inc., Canada #39;s biggest mining company, began exclusive talks on a takeover proposal from China Minmetals Corp. that would lead to the spinoff of Noranda #39;s aluminum business to shareholders.

China Minmetals Begins Talks to Buy Canada #39;s Noranda (Update2)


AP - Bulldozers and rescue crews on Friday scraped away at the dirt and boulders that officials said buried as many as 15 people in a northern Taiwanese village ravaged by Typhoon Aere before it spun toward China.

Crews Search for Asia Typhoon Victims (AP)


ATHENS (Reuters) - American sprinter Lauryn Williams said  on Monday she would have no problem competing on the same team  as Marion Jones in the Olympic 4x100 meters relay.

Williams Has No Problem Running with Jones


Ireland #39;s Equestrian Federation said its offices were broken into last night, hours after the International Federation for Equestrian Sports said a sample from the horse Waterford Crystal

Irish Equestrian Body #39;s Office Burglarized; Horse Sample Stolen


AP - At least a dozen portable music players are angling to steal sales away from Apple Computer Inc.'s wildly popular line of iPods this holiday season. In the past month alone, five companies have unveiled their iPod challengers  #151; pocket-sized players with hard disks that can store anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 songs.

New Crop of Portable Players Nips at IPod (AP)


Capping a series of stinging audits of the Los Angeles city agency charged with revitalizing troubled neighborhoods, City Controller Laura Chick said Wednesday that she has turned

Audits of CRA call for reforms


AFP - Tibetan activists in India claimed that five films on Tibet have been dropped from the upcoming Asian Film Festival in Bombay under pressure from the Chinese embassy in India.

Tibetans accuse China of meddling in film festival (AFP)


Shock jock Howard Stern's decision to jump ship from traditional radio gives a boost to the emerging technology of blasting tunes, news and other staples of AM and FM radio via satellite. \ <FONT face=

Star-Power Surge for Satellite Radio


Reuters - Overpeer, an anti-piracy technology firm\best known for flooding Internet file-sharing networks with\bogus music and movie files, is expanding into Europe, the\company said on Wednesday.

File-Spoofing Anti-Piracy Firm Expands in Europe (Reuters)


Russia defeated Brazil in five sets in Athens on Thursday to cruise into the final of the women #39;s volleyball in the Athens Olympics.

Women #39;s volleyball: Russia defeats Brazil to reach finals


Fast-food chain Wendy #39;s International Inc. on Thursday posted a 4 percent rise in third-quarter profit and met Wall Street expectations, helped by strong same-store sales growth at its Wendy #39;s and Tim Hortons restaurants.

Wendy #39;s 3Q Profit Rises 4 Percent


MALELANE, South Africa - England #39;s Neil Cheetham had the only bogey-free round Saturday, shooting a 3-under-par 69 that gave him a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Dunhill Championship.

Cheetham Leads Dunhill After 3 Rounds


Self-proclaimed sham Mark Martin vowed to leave racing at the top of his game. A late-season surge has put him there, back in the chase for that elusive NASCAR title.

Finish line is in sight for Martin


It was a bittersweet soccer season for Jocelyn Savastano. The former Plymouth North star and Globe All-Scholastic set school, conference, and national records in the first seven games for Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

Savastano's stellar soccer season interrupted by knee injury


Boeing is prepared to discuss the elimination of billions of dollars in tax breaks it receives from Washington state as part of a deal to end European government loans for its competitor Airbus, the company #39;s chief executive said

Boeing willing to bend on tax breaks


At the time, seven games into the 2003 season, a victory over previously undefeated Minnesota seemed momentous, as if the Giants #39; seesaw season had finally lurched in the right direction.

Giants Look to Repeat Success Against Vikings


NewsFactor - IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced a new ThinkPad notebook line that will use biometrics for added security. Due for release on October 19th, certain models of the ThinkPad T42 will have embedded fingerprint readers that will allow users to sign on using fingerprints rather than passwords.

IBM Adds Biometrics to ThinkPads (NewsFactor)


Kabul, Dec 7 (UNI) Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, sworn-in today as the first democratically elected head of his state, praised India #39;s role in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

Karzai thanks India for aid in reconstruction


MOSCOW - Attackers wearing suicide-bomb belts seized a school in a Russian region bordering Chechnya on Wednesday and were holding hundreds of hostages, including 200 children. The assault came a day after a suicide bomber killed 10 people in Moscow...

Hundreds Held Hostage in Russia School


AP - Tim Duncan had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and began a key third-quarter burst that helped the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 99-81 Tuesday night.

Tim Duncan and Spurs Torch Knicks 99-81 (AP)


COUNTY KILKENNY, Ireland (PA) -- Hurricane Jeanne has led to world No. 1 Vijay Singh pulling out of this week #39;s WGC-American Express Championship at Mount Juliet.

His house damaged by Hurricane Jeanne, Singh pulls out of AmEx


Walt Disney Co. #39;s chief executive Michael Eisner will leave the giant entertainment company in 2006 when his contract expires, a newspaper reported Friday.

Update 3: Paper: Disney CEO to Leave Company in  #39;06


When it comes to open-source issues, companies need a single throat to choke if something goes wrong, said Brad Silverberg of Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm based in Bellevue , Washington .

Closing the gaps in open source


Undoing a technology outsourcing deal set in late 2002, J.P. Morgan Chase yesterday said it would take back 4,000 of IBM's employees who have been providing the Wall Street firm with an array of technology support services.

J.P. Morgan takes on workers as IBM outsourcing deal ends


AP - Brokerage Charles Schwab  amp; Co. has agreed to pay a  #36;350,000 civil fine to settle federal regulators' allegations that it illegally allowed certain customers to change mutual fund trade orders after the market's close.

Schwab Paying  #36;350,000 Fine in Settlement (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices broke into fresh record  territory above \$52 Thursday on heightened concerns that  supplies of heating fuels will prove inadequate during the  northern hemisphere winter.

Concerns About Winter Push Oil to Record


MIAMI (Sports Network) - Shaquille O #39;Neal made his home debut, but once again it was Dwyane Wade stealing the show with 28 points as the Miami Heat downed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 92-86, in front of a record crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena.

NBA Wrap: Heat Downs Cavaliers, 92-86


PITTSBURGH - The Houston Astros came into Pittsburgh as baseball #39;s hottest team. They #39;re threatening to leave town as one of the coldest.

NL: Bucs slow down Astros #39; charge


Canadian Press - KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A tentative deal to ease Ukraine's political crisis foundered Tuesday over the opposition's refusal to endorse constitutional changes and outgoing President Leonid Kuchma's rejection of the call to fire his prime minister.

Agreement among Ukraine's political foes hits snag over presidential powers (Canadian Press)


AFP - Princess Sayako, the only daughter of Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry a 39-year-old official working with Tokyo's metropolitan government, press reports said.

Japan's Princess Sayako to marry government official: reports (AFP)


Slumping stockbroker Charles Schwab Corp. is cutting its online prices for all customers, hoping to lure back bargain-minded investors alienated by the higher fees the company has imposed in recent years.

Charles Schwab to expand online price cuts to include all customers


Reuters - Fewer Americans filed jobless claims\last week and growth in worker productivity slowed sharply in\the third quarter, government data showed on Thursday, hinting\that conditions in the sluggish U.S. labor market have\improved.

Jobless Claims, Productivity Growth Dip (Reuters)


In its global economy outlook the International Monetary Fund predicted worldwide output to lift 5 despite of worries about high oil prices.

Update 1: IMF reflects on global economic growth


The Spaniard didnt quite repeat last years achievement, but his Hungarian podium left him satisfied all the same.

Fernando Alonso: A job well done


ATHENS, Greece - Ill trade you a Micronesia and Cayman Islands for that bobble head pin, said Linda Wade from her trading post at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex.

Pin mania has swept the Games


SINGAPORE/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines Ltd.  <A HREF=

Singapore Air Sets \$7.35 Bln Boeing Order


ATHENS (Reuters) - They will be dancing in the aisles at  the Olympic closing ceremony when Greece throws a giant  Bacchanalian bash for athletes and fans.

Olympics: Party, Party, Party - Greece's Parting Gift


AP - Nearly a week after his death, speculation still swirls around what killed Yasser Arafat. Cirrhosis of the liver, AIDS, a blood disorder and poisoning are frequently mentioned in unconfirmed reports  #151; all consistent with the little that is publicly known about the medical condition that landed the Palestinian leader in a French hospital.

Arafat's Diagnosis May Soon Be Revealed (AP)


AFP - Japan was on edge after powerful earthquakes left 17 people dead or missing, injured hundreds and derailed a bullet train for the first time in history, within days of the country's worst typhoon in a quarter century.

17 dead or missing, hundreds hurt in Japan's deadliest quakes in decade (AFP)


Nestle, the world #39;s biggest food and drink company, on Wednesday posted a first-half net profit of \$2.28 billion, up 0.02 percent on the year-earlier figure of \$2.03 billion.

Nestle Reports First Half Net Profit


Bulgaria #39;s Vice President Anguel Marin will attend the funeral of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died at 3:30 am Paris time on Thursday.

Bulgaria #39;s VP Attends Arafat #39;s Funeral


PRIME Minister Ariel Sharon has narrowly survived three parliamentary no-confidence votes sponsored by opposition parties over deepening poverty in Israel.

Sharon challenged over poverty


NEW YORK Concerned about third-quarter earnings offset a surprise drop in wholesale prices, keeping stocks mixed Friday. Blue chips dropped on profit warnings from Alcoa, a Dow component, and Visteon, while technology shares rose on takeover expectations.

Stocks: Concerns over profits weaken blue chips


Bayern Munich booked a place in the second round of the Champions League by strolling past Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-1 on Tuesday. Claudio Pizarro, Hasan Salihamidzic and Torsten Frings scored in a first half dominated by Bayern.

Champions League: Bayern beats Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-1 to advance


Search Engine Friendly Design and Coding (Especially Flash)\\Its been almost a year since I attended a session of this nature. I was not too impressed last time, so I am hoping things have changed within the year. Brett introduces the panel, by saying its the first time WMW is doing ...


David Gardner launches our Foolanthropy campaign for 2004.

\$2,137,000 and Counting


After nearly three years of jockeying by legions of business groups, the Senate passed a \$137 billion corporate tax bill on Monday that gave something to almost everyone.

A Tax Bill, Full of Breaks, Passes Senate


Phishing scams increased by more than 100 in October causing banks, financial services firms and popular consumer websites until grief.

Phishing Scams Increase Dramatically


French league leaders Monaco held on for a 0-0 draw against Lyon in their top-of-the-table clash at the Gerland stadium although they were down to 10 men for the final half hour.

Ten-man Monaco hold on to keep top spot in France


US-based software developer PalmSource Inc. said Wednesday it had entered agreement to acquire China MobileSoft Ltd. in a bid to extend its market as a software provider for cell phones and mobile devices.

PalmSource set to acquire China MobileSoft


Wal-Mart Stores said Saturday that shopping traffic dropped in the past week as it estimated October same-store sales growth at 2.8 percent.

Wal-Mart same-store sales up 2.8


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amare Stoudemire poured in a career  high 50 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns  cruised to a 117-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on  Sunday, improving their record to an NBA best 26-4.

NBA: Stoudemire Shines as Suns Stop Trailblazers


WITH billions of devices going online, Sun Microsystems expects more opportunities to open up for developers and system integrators who can build new applications on top of these devices.

RP developers urged: Write apps for future online devices


Malaysian rebel politician Anwar Ibrahim failed yesterday in a final court bid to erase his criminal record and to immediately rejoin active politics, leaving a royal pardon as his only way back.

Anwar fails to erase criminal record


The West Indies has won the Champions Trophy one-day cricket tournament in London by two wickets over England. The visitors scored 218 for eight in 48.

Cricket: W. Indies Wins Champions Trophy Over England


AFP - SAP, the world's leading maker of business software, said it was not concerned by the creation of a new number two in the sector via the merger of rivals Oracle and Peoplesoft in the United States.

SAP unfazed by Oracle, Peoplesoft merger (AFP)


Prince Harry has spoken at length to the Prince of Wales and Prince William after being involved in an early morning scuffle with a photographer outside a nightclub.

Harry says sorry to family for embarrassment


GAZA (Reuters) - Yasser Arafat's interim successor escaped  injury in a Gaza gunfight triggered by hostile militants on  Sunday as Palestinian officials set Jan. 9 for elections to  replace the late president and avert a feared power vacuum.

Abbas Escapes Gunfire, Palestinians to Vote Jan. 9


Episode 31 Breaking news from the proxy server

PFY proves self abuse cures male-pattern baldness


Reuters - The U.S. economy has escaped a\recent soft patch and seems to be picking up steam, Federal\Reserve chief Alan Greenspan said on Wednesday in remarks\economists saw as cementing a September rate rise.

Greenspan: Economy Regaining Traction (Reuters)


Australia #39;s competition watchdog has no plan to stop a bid by a consortium including gas retailer Alinta Ltd for Western Australia #39;s biggest natural gas transmission pipeline.

ACCC won #39;t stop pipeline bid


In Short* Jose Lima pitched his first complete game since 2001 to keep the Dodgers alive. l Los Angeles had lost eight postseason games in a row since beating Oakland in the 1988 World Series.

Lima #39;s stellar start keeps LA alive


Sir Alex Ferguson #39;s shirt may have been laundered, and the dressing-room corridor swept clean of rotting sandwiches, but it will take more than a washing machine and a broom to dispel the bad odour which accompanied Manchester United #39;s curtailing of

Van Nistelrooy on FA charge as United cry foul over flying food


Japan's Sony and South Korea's Samsung agree a deal to share patents on new technology.

Sony and Samsung in patent deal


Vikings Pro Bowl center Matt Birk was downgraded from probable to out Thursday morning, while receiver Randy Moss took another step toward returning to action.

Birk won #39;t play Sunday


In order to achieve the speed of one gigabit per second, Siemens combined an  quot;intelligent antenna system quot; consisting of three transmitting and four receiving antennas with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing.

Wireless Internet Siemens Sets Wireless Data Speed Record


It usually comes down to one or two plays each Sunday, and for the last 13 months, the New England Patriots have made them all. Its an incredible feat, but one the Pittsburgh

Steelers set their sights


ETA, the Basque separatist organisation, detonated five small bombs in Madrid last night, signalling that, despite recent setbacks, it was not yet ready to renounce violence.

Eta explodes ceasefire hopes with five bombs in the Spanish <b>...</b>


AP - Jacqueline Batteast scored 18 points and No. 6 Notre Dame survived a scare from unranked Southern California before rallying for a 60-56 victory Friday night.

No. 6 Notre Dame Tops USC 60-56 (AP)


AFP - With little doubt about the Federal Reserve's plans for a quarter-point rate hike, financial markets were focusing on another question: When will the Fed stop?

Markets question when Fed will pause on rate hikes (AFP)


World News London, Sep.15 : Days after father #39;s right campaigner Jason Hatch spent five hours at Buckingham Palace ledge dressed as Batman, he has been dumped by girlfriend Gemma Polson, because he himslef doesn #39;t have time for their daughter.

#39;Batman #39; of Buckingham Palace dumped by his lover!:


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday as a higher  price target for shares of Apple Computer Inc. <A HREF=

Stocks Turn Up as Apple Lifts Technology


AP - Alonzo Mourning knows he's running out of time in the NBA. He just wants to win, and he needs those victories to come quickly. Playing his second regular-season game following a kidney transplant, Mourning made consecutive shots in double overtime to help the visiting New Jersey Nets beat the Chicago Bulls 111-106 on Friday night.

Alonzo Mourning Helps Nets Win _ for Now (AP)


Gary Sheffield, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada homered off an ineffective Pedro Martinez, and Mike Mussina gave the Yankees another excellent outing on Sunday.

Yankees Extend A.L. East Lead


The owner of a dry cleaning shop in Oceanside, Calif., says that two military uniforms that have hung unclaimed for two years will be kept until the Iraq conflict is over.

2 Clean Uniforms, Owners' Fates Unknown


PC makers targeted as list of allegedly infringed patents grows

3D patent suit extended to Dell, HP, IBM, Sony, others


They were outpitched, outhit, outsmarted and outclassed, and soon they were out of the 100th World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals turned out to be just another National League

Boston outclassed Cardinals


European Parliament politicians vowed to support Jose Manuel Barroso #39;s new European Commission cabinet, after he reshuffled his team.

Barroso finds favor with new cabinet members


Dion Harris was an important cog for Michigan #39;s run to the postseason NIT championship last season. Harris is now doing it again for the Wolverines in their push to become to the first

Harris leads Michigan past Buffs, into NIT semis


MAPUTO (Reuters) - Heavy rains and apparent low turnout  cast a shadow over Thursday's second day of Mozambican  elections for a successor to veteran President Joaquim  Chissano.

Heavy Rain, Low Turnout Overshadow Mozambique Poll


GAZA CITY - Two Palestinian militants were shot dead by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian security sources said.

Two Palestinians killed in northern Gaza


Some members of the Paris Club of creditor nations agree to forgive 80 of Iraq's debt at the G20 summit in Berlin.

Deal nears on Iraq debt write-off


TORONTO - A US appeals court ruled Tuesday that Research In Motion, maker of the BlackBerry e-mail device, infringed on another company #39;s patent - but sent the case back to a lower court for some of the claims to be reconsidered.

Court Rules RIM Infringed on NTP Patent


Reuters - David Ortiz drove in three runs,\including the game winner in the bottom of the 14th inning, to\lead Boston to a rallying 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees\which kept the Red Sox's postseason hopes alive Monday.

Baseball-Red Sox Stay Alive with Epic 14th-Inning Win (Reuters)


A distinctly African setting framed the award of this year #39;s Nobel Peace Prize to the first woman from that continent to receive the prestigious honor.

Wangari Muta Maathai receives Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo


AP - The only teenager on the U.S. women's soccer team gave the old vets a chance to leave with one last gold. Minutes after missing a wide-open net, Heather O'Reilly scored in the ninth minute of overtime Monday to give the United States a 2-1 victory over World Cup champion Germany and a place in Thursday's gold-medal game.

Teen's Goal Gives U.S. Shot at Soccer Gold (AP)


The US dollar slid to a new low yesterday against the euro, which rose to an all-time high of \$1.3179 in late New York trading, breaking a day-old record as jittery markets kept up pressure on the US currency.

Dollar hits new low against euro


Greenspan noted that even with the recent surge, energy prices are still only three-fifths as high, after adjusting for inflation, as they were at their all-time peak in February 1981.

Greenspan Says Oil Prices Not Problem for Economy


Outlook:  No other team in the nation has a running back duo like Minnesota's Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney, who have combined for 274.4 rushing yards per game -- and distribute it quite evenly. Michigan freshman QB Chad Henne went 17 for 21 for 316 yards and three touchdowns last week against Indiana and hasn't thrown an interception in the past two games. Plus, the Wolverines' aggressive defense leads the nation with 19 takeaways.

No. 13 Minnesota (5-0) at No. 14 Michigan (4-1)


By MATT MOORE    ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Amid the roar of the crowd, the silence of the phones can be deafening. As thousands of athletes, spectators, journalists, officials and more descend on the Greek capital ahead of the Aug...

Athens Wrestles to Avoid Cell Phone Outages


Ian Botham has urged the Government to step in and instruct the England cricket team to stay away from Zimbabwe this winter. The former England skipper believes the oneday series arranged for late November and early December should be scrapped.

Botham: Zimbabwe tour should be scrapped


General Motors (GM) plans to announce a massive restructuring Thursday that will eliminate as many as 12,000 jobs in Europe in a move to stem the five-year flow of red ink from its auto operations in the region.

GM plans to slash up to 12,000 jobs in Europe


So when he got an e-mail from gangsters threatening to bring his online sports betting operation to its knees, he paid up. Before long, though, the thugs wanted \$40,000.

Online extortionists cripple e-commerce


Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton #39;s professional cycling team has fired him after he failed doping tests. Phonak was refused a racing license by the UCI, prohibiting them from competing in the Tour de France and other elite events.

Hamilton fired by Phonak


SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Josef Mengele, the infamousNazi doctor known as the Angel of Death, died in Brazil 25years ago lonely and cash-strapped but apparently unrepentant,according to documents published this week.

Brazil Documents Detail Nazi Mengele's Last Years


Defending national champion USC begins the 2004 season right where it left off the year before - as the top ranked team in the AP Top 25 poll.

Trojans Open Up No. 1


Microsoft on Friday released a new preview of the presentation subsystem of its upcoming Longhorn version of Windows. The Redmond, Wash.

Microsoft Previews Avalon for Developers


Braylon Edwards caught eight passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the third quarter, to lead No. 17 Michigan past San Diego State 24-21 on Saturday.

No. 17 Michigan 24, San Diego State 21


Kimberly-Clark Corp. said Monday it aims to cut costs by \$400 million to \$500 million over the next three years, and plans to boost its dividend by 12.5 percent and repurchase at least \$1 billion in stock during 2005.

Kimberly-Clark Outlines Cost Savings


From air filters and appliances to sinks and shingles, one could conceivably build an entire house using supplies and tools bought at eBay.

EBay Home Building


The largest voice-over-IP business deployment revealed to date presents new opportunities, for both the bank that #39;s using it and the services provider that #39;s implementing it.

VoIP Gains Ground With Bank Of America Deal


AFP - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be home to the central bank of the six states in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which are working to set up a monetary union next year, the Kuwaiti finance minister said.

UAE to host GCC central bank: Kuwaiti finance minister (AFP)


Algeria takes custody of one of its most wanted terror suspects, handed over by Libya, the government says.

Algeria 'terror leader' arrested


Ziff Davis - Despite significant RFID adoption from the biggest companies, IBM is turning its attention to the midmarket.

IBM Taps RFID Midmarket (Ziff Davis)


AFP - Nestle Waters said it might sell Perrier, the iconic French mineral water, while keeping options including a mooted outsourcing on tap.

Nestle Waters ponders Perrier sale ... or outsourcing (AFP)


Hewlett-Packard, the world #39;s No. 2 PC maker, said Friday it has launched a \$483 (3,999 yuan) computer in China, turning up the heat in the intensely competitive market.

HP rolls out ultra-low-priced PC in China


SEATTLE -- Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson, last season #39;s WNBA most valuable player, will miss the next three games while she visits her seriously ill grandmother in Australia.

Last season #39;s MVP to miss three games


New York - Investors are expected to focus on oil prices and earnings outlooks this week, and the slightest warning about revenues could weigh on stocks.

World markets - 13 September 2004


Desktop Searches are nothing like buses. Not even buses arrive five at a time. But with Ask Jeeves and Microsoft both launching new desktop searches to rival Google #39;s, and with Yahoo!

You can #39;t move for desktop searches out there


Europes biggest cross-border financial services deal in recent years was given a significant boost over the weekend when Mario Monti, European Union competition chief, in effect confirmed that EU regulators would approve the 8.

EU may back Santanders bid for Abbey


Singapore and Sri Lanka concluded an  quot;open skies quot; agreement Tuesday allowing airlines to increase flights between the two nations.

Singapore, Sri Lanka Conclude Agreement


The suspicion that the European members of the Ryder Cup team are in better current form than their American counterparts hardened into a certainty over the weekend.

Europe fly out on the wings of form


NAJAF, Iraq -- Militia fighters began to leave the Shrine of Imam Ali yesterday, taking up positions outside the sacred site or fleeing the city, after rebellious Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr offered to return custody of the complex to moderate clerics.

Militiamen begin to leave Shi #146;te shrine


Vodafone made good on its promise to return more cash to shareholders yesterday with a doubling of its half-year dividend and plans to buy back a further 2.2bn of shares over the next four months.

Vodafone doubles dividend


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It reads like a VIP list of  failures -- Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, Intel, and Philips.

A Video 'Curse' Snares Would-Be TV Pioneers


The fearsome threesome of North Andover , Watertown , and Amesbury will again prove that the Division 2 label doesn't indicate second-rate field hockey.

Tough trio intends to stick it out


The European Commission on Tuesday approved Oracle Corp. #39;s (ORCL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) proposed \$7.7 billion hostile takeover

EU OKs Oracle #39;s Bid for PeopleSoft


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is focused both on life without Ms. Stewart and on life once she returns.

As Stewart Enters Prison, Her Company Refurbishes


The American Secretary of State Colin Powell is in South Korea on the third and final leg of his current Asian tour aimed at revitalising stalled talks on curbing North Korea #39;s nuclear ambitions.

Powell in Seoul for more talks on Pyongyang #39;s nuclear push


The head of the United Nations nuclear agency is in Seoul, South Korea, to discuss the country #39;s past unauthorized nuclear experiments.

IAEA Chief in Seoul for Nuclear Talks


AP - Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday he has ruled out a run for New York governor in 2006 and instead will head the Democratic Party's effort to win seats in the Senate.

Schumer to Drop Governor's Race (AP)


Strong aftershocks continued to rattle Niigata Prefecture on Monday after a series of devastating quakes on Saturday night left 25 people dead and more than 2,500 others injured, the Meteorological Agency and police said.

Aftershocks continue to rattle quake-stricken Niigata


It has become the time of year when everything in college football is relative. Your team has to win its games in order to move up in the BCS poll, or win its conference, or even just to qualify for a bowl bid.

Miami #39;s loss is Utah #39;s gain


AP - Lisa Raymond overcame a loss in the first set and beat Nadia Petrova 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Pilot Pen tournament.

Raymond Advances to Pilot Pen Quarters (AP)


World News, KABUL - Voting began in Afghanistan Saturday for the first direct presidential election in the countrys history. Some 10.

World ; Polling for President starts in war-torn Afghanistan


The Ministry of National Defense said yesterday 2,800 South Korean troops sent to aid the US-led occupation of Iraq have arrived safely in the Kurdish north of the country.

Korean troops arrive safely in north Iraq


Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, whom many analysts had expected to leave his post in a second Bush administration, has shown little sign

Powell gives no hint that he will leave post


Brazilian tennis player Ricardo Mello has upset top seed Vince Spadea to win the hard court event in Delray Beach, Florida. Mello made his first appearance in an ATP final a memorable one, defeating the American 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

Mello breaks through in Florida


GlaxoSmithKline agreed on Thursday to post the results of all clinical trials of its drugs, both positive and negative, on the Internet.

Drug Giant to Release Trial Results on Web


Directors of the Walt Disney Company went on trial Wednesday on shareholder accusations that they rubber-stamped a decision by the chief executive, Michael D. Eisner

Disney Directors on Trial for a Payout


Anaheim Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero claimed the American League MVP award on Tuesday, turning what was supposed to be a tight race into a runaway victory.

Angels Outfielder Guerrero Claims MVP Award


Reuters - Japan's Nikkei stock average fell to a\one-week low by midsession on Thursday after some tech issues\were hit by a bearish outlook from U.S. chip maker Xilinx Inc.

Nikkei Falls as Xilinx Hits Tech Shares (Reuters)


With just a week to go before their launch, the new crew of the International Space Station are preparing for blast-off, CCTV reported Friday.

New ISS crew prepare for lift-off


TAIPEI (Reuters) - Premier Yu Shyi-kun said on Friday that  Taiwan intelligence officers had held secret dealings with a  former senior U.S. diplomat but denied that the government had  committed any wrongdoing.

Taiwan Denies Wrongdoing in Ex-U.S. Diplomat Meetings


The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that employers may post regulations in the workplace that critics contend will discourage workers from organizing bargaining units or engaging in other union activities.

Decision by NLRB on work rules hit


George Soros was handing greater control of his \$12.8 billion (R82.7 billion) money management firm over to his sons and spinning off his property, credit and buyout units, said a memo sent yesterday to investors and staff.

Soros winding down after good innings


Microsoft Corp. next month will release Virtual Server 2005, its first foray into server virtualization and a key element of the broad management platform the company is creating for Windows.

Microsoft set to ship Virtual Server 2005


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing  initial claims for jobless pay fell by much more than expected  last week to 317,000 in the steepest decline in three years,  Labor Department data showed on Thursday.

U.S. Jobless Claims Drop Sharply


Cowboy diplomacy. Unilateralism. Foreign governments have sharply criticized President Bush #39;s foreign policy in many ways. But on one issue, international trade, you could almost hear a collective sigh of relief over his reelection.

On one issue, the world really likes Bush


Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity will spend another six months crawling over the surface of the red planet and sending data back to Earth.

Six more months for Mars rovers


Google unveiled a desktop search agent yesterday that lets users find any information stored on their computer, including visited Web pages, files and e-mail as well as instant messages.

Google Debuts Desktop Search Tool


Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Thursday he hopes to further develop Japanese-US ties through his close personal relationship with President George W. Bush, who was re-elected in a neck and neck race with Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry.

Koizumi hopes US ties deepen


The economy could be headed for slower growth in the next several months, according to a report released Thursday by a private research group.

Index points to steadily slowing economy


No more math required to figure out how many calories are in that 20-ounce bottle of soda. Revised labels will calculate it for you starting next year.

Both Coca-Cola, Pepsi to list calorie counts


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The Air Force is scheduled to launch a new Delta 4 rocket here this afternoon in a test that will help determine whether it can become a  quot;heavy lift quot; vehicle to carry billion-dollar

Air Force ready to test new rocket


Saturday #39;s homecoming game against Vanderbilt will be the final Southeastern Conference home game for Georgia this season. The No.

Georgia will be away from doghouse for 4 games after homecoming


Summary - (Sep 29, 2004) As predicted, Asteroid Toutatis made its closest approach to the Earth today, passing a mere 1.5 million km (930,000 miles) away from our planet - 4 times the distance from the Earth to the Moon.

Toutatis Safely Passes the Earth


washingtonpost.com - Internet photo sites are scrambling to exploit the digital camera boom with new products and -- in some cases -- lower prices.

Photo Sites Put a Sharper Focus on Prices, Products (washingtonpost.com)


San Antonio, TX -- Tim Duncan scored 17 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, while Tony Parker added 18 points as San Antonio routed New York, 99-81, at the SBC Center.

NBA Game Summary - New York At San Antonio


At least seven people are confirmed dead as Typhoon Aere pounded northern Taiwan with high winds and heavy rain. The storm hit the area with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers-an-hour.

Typhoon Aere Pounds Northern Taiwan


Comcast Corp. posted strong growth in high-speed Internet and digital cable customers during the third quarter. The Philadelphia-based cable TV and programming company #39;s profit was slightly below estimates and its revenue was slightly above them.

Comcast Q3 profits about what analysts expected


Norman, OK (Sports Network) - Nebraska offensive lineman Darren DeLone Friday was charged with aggravated assault and battery for injuring a member of the University of Oklahoma #39;s spirit group before last Saturday #39;s game.

Huskers lineman charged with assault against Oklahoma student


Marion Jones and Paula Radcliffe came up empty-handed when their Olympics ended before their races did. Tragic endings in their final events at the Athens Olympics left the two biggest female stars with no

ATHENS OLYMPIC 2004 / 2 star athletes face tragic endings By Ken <b>...</b>


Coach Eddie Jordan and guard Gilbert Arenas continue to work on strengthening their relationship as the team continues to work on mastering the Princeton offense.

Ready for Guard Duty


Their successful siege of Ron Zook over with his firing earlier this week, the glum Florida fans sat in the descending darkness Saturday as Georgia ran out the clock on a 31-24 victory.

As Fans Await Spurrier, Gators Fall Again


GLASGOW, Scotland -- A British company says it #39;s releasing a video game recreating the 1963 assassination of US President John F. Kennedy.

Video Game Recreates JFK Assassination


An Israeli tank fired two shells Thursday morning at a group of Palestinians in the town of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, killing two people, hospital officials said.

Israeli tank fires shells at group in northern Gaza


Houston- Although the index finger on his throwing hand was so stiff Saturday he couldn #39;t bend it, St. Louis Cardinals reliever Steve Kline is still hoping to pitch again this postseason.

Cardinals #39; Kline hopes to return


The outlook for the US economy in the coming quarters is favourable despite a continued fall in personal savings, US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Greenspan tells G20 US outlook favourable-source


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Scotch whisky distiller Glenmorangie (UK:GMGA) said it #39;s in talks with potential acquirers after shareholders controlling over 50 percent of the company said they wanted to sell.

Whiskey distiller Glenmorangie seeking buyer


WASHINGTON - The House pushed nearly \$14.5 billion for hurricane victims and struggling farmers toward passage Saturday as lawmakers sought to shower money on Florida and other pivotal states in the upcoming elections.    After weeks of delay over everything from budget cuts to milk subsidies, House-Senate bargainers added the natural disaster aid to a \$10 billion military construction measure...

House Set to OK \$14.5B in Hurricane Aid


MOSCOW - In the aftermath of a wave of terror attacks, President Vladimir Putin yesterday announced fundamental political changes that will further concentrate power in the Kremlin and erode Russia #39;s fragile democracy.

Russian terrorism prompts power grab


The Public Broadcasting Service said yesterday that it signed a deal to move its headquarters from Alexandria to Crystal City, where Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty has renovated offices and retail space to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and attract non-government tenants.

PBS Selects Crystal City Location for Headquarters


At least 10 people were killed and 70 injured in two separate explosions which rocked central Baghdad Monday, report agencies. In the first attack, a car sped towards an entrance to the Green Zone, which houses

Twin blasts kill 10 in Baghad


PC World - Users of the popular compression tool should upgrade their software, company says.

WinZip Warns of Security Flaws (PC World)


Disney #39;s board of directors didn #39;t get to see all the details of Michael Ovitz #39;s fat employment contract or the deal that let him walk away with a \$140 million severance

NO OVITZ-SIGHT


When the last breath was squeezed out of New Zealand just after lunch yesterday, with it went an appalling test series on virtually all counts.

Where has the Black Caps #39; fighting spirit gone?


It began as one of the Bush administration's most ambitious homeland security efforts, a passenger screening program designed to use commercial records, terrorist watch lists and computer software to assess millions of travelers and target those who might pose a threat.

Data Miner Free From U.S. Law Offshore


US Airways Group Inc. said yesterday that sharply rising fuel costs in recent weeks have made the bankrupt airline's already dismal financial outlook even more acute.

Rising fuel costs worsen outlook, airline says


Following the footsteps of its American counterpart, Britain #39;s British Phonographic Industry announced it was bringing suit to 28 file-swappers.

British File-Sharers Sued


Ziff Davis - Sun's open-source license proposal for Open Solaris will surely be unpopular.

Sun License Thumbs Nose at GPL (Ziff Davis)


Mini games that use a mic and players' voices make Mario Party 6 a raucous game. Just don't expect the novelty to last long. Game review by Chris Kohler.

Fun of Mario Party Doesn't Last


A globally important Turkish wetland for thousands of birds is threatened by development, conservationists say.

Turkish birdlovers fear for delta


Industry experts join government panel to look at what's keeping the old-fashioned bar code around.

FCC delves into radio tag challenges


Prime Minister Tony Blair #39;s call for a new Mideast peace push  quot;was heard loud and clear in Washington, quot; former US President George HW Bush said in comments broadcast Sunday.

Bush senior: US will work with Blair on Mideast


Borders Group Inc. #39;s second-quarter profits rose 89 percent on stronger-than-anticipated book sales and topped Wall Street #39;s estimates. The company also increased its full-year earnings outlook.

Borders 2Q Profits Soar 89 Percent


Wall Street stocks fell Wednesday as a gloomy outlook from Coca-Cola Co. and a weaker reading on industrial production for August pressured on the market.

Wall Street stocks shed on downbeat Coca-Cola outlook <b>...</b>


AFP - One of two rebel movements engaged in peace talks with Sudan's government mediated by the African Union (AU) said the negotiations over the Darfur region had collapsed and could be suspended for weeks.

Sudanese rebel movement says peace talks have collapsed (AFP)


Fisher  amp; Paykel Appliances Holdings Ltd., New Zealand #39;s biggest home appliances maker, agreed to buy Dynamic Cooking Systems Inc.

F amp;P Appliances Buys Dynamic Cooking for \$33 Mln (Correct)


US Airways (UAIRQ.OQ: Quote, Profile, Research) has asked a bankruptcy judge to approve temporary wage and other cost cuts from its unions, saying it only has enough cash to survive through January 2005.

US Airways seeks court OK of wage and cost cuts


Toyota Motor Corp. will start building its Prius hybrid sedans in China next year with FAW Group in a step it hopes will promote the vehicles as the global standard for fuel-efficient cars.

Toyota takes Prius hybrid to China


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says Sunday #39;s win over Arsenal can help galvanise the Reds for a run up the English Premiership table.

Gerrard sets sights on Premiership surge


AP - Jelena Kostanic outlasted Magdalena Maleeva on long rallies and took advantage of her opponent's mistakes to score an upset at the Pilot Pen tennis tournament Monday.

Kostanic Upsets Maleeva at Pilot Pen (AP)


Since March, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) have been running a media campaign to warn users that if they do not stop file sharing, they will have to face the consequences.

Questioning BPI


Reuters - The piracy-battered music industry said\Thursday it will sue British, French and Austrian music fans\for the first time as it intensifies its legal crackdown on\Internet song-swappers.

Music Industry Sues 459 European Net Song-Swappers (Reuters)


Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian () said yesterday a controversial arms deal was part of the government #39;s attempts to deter any attempt by rival China to invade the island.

Chen defends arms package


AP - Shay Doron and Crystal Langhorne had 16 points each to lead No. 22 Maryland to a 76-56 victory over Penn in the consolation game of the Coors Classic Saturday night

No. 22 Maryland Tops Penn 76-56 (AP)


The SFA have tried to play down speculation Smith (right) had been offered the job on Monday but his appointment would come as little surprise.

Smith expected to be unveiled by Scotland


The surging Boston Red Sox have seized control of the AL wild-card race - with an eye on winning their division. Derek Lowe (13-10) pitched effectively into the eighth inning and Boston completed a three-game sweep of the Anaheim Angels with a 4-3 victory Thursday night - the Red Sox's season-high ninth straight win...

Red Sox Take Control of AL Wild-Card Race


update MOJAVE, Calif.--A venture backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen got a jump Wednesday on rivals eyeing a \$10 million prize for the first privately funded junkets into space and back.

SpaceShipOne: A giant leap for high-tech vets?


Liverpool FC supporters said they were sickened today after Millwall fans taunted them with chants about the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.

Liverpool Fans  #39;Sickened #39; by Millwall Taunts


The company releases new applications aimed at amateur photographers and video shooters.

Adobe expands push for video, photo hobbyists


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar held steady against major  currencies on Tuesday as markets waited to see what the Federal  Reserve says about the U.S. economy after an expected interest  rate rise later in the session.

Dollar Holds Fire Ahead of Fed


EUROPEAN Union authorities launched an alert today to find airline passengers who travelled on flights with a Thai man who tried to smuggle two bird flu-infected eagles into Belgium.

Plane passengers in bird flu scare


Saturdays two games in Serie A saw Juventus survive a late scare to call a halt to newly-promoted Messina #39;s unbeaten run, winning 2-1, while Vincenzo Montella underlined his excellent current form with a superb goal for Roma in a storm-interrupted 2-0

Serie A Wrap: Juve Halt Messina As Roma Get Back On Track


Top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia vowed on Sunday to maintain a cushion of spare supplies of up to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) to meet future demand growth.

Saudi Vows to Keep Spare Capacity


A federal judge has denied a request by AMD (Quote, Chart) that Intel (Quote, Chart) turn over internal documents, the latest development in a long-running legal battle.

Judge Denies AMD Access to Intel Documents


AP - A Dutch professor became the first recipient of a new Swedish science prize in the field of medical education research, the awarding body said Monday.

Dutch Professor Gets Swedish Science Prize (AP)


AJAX, Ont. (CP) - Audi Canada is voluntarily recalling 2,432 of its A6 models in Canada from model years 1998 and 1999 over possible freezing of the throttle at low temperatures.

Audi Canada recalling 2,432 vehicles over possible throttle <b>...</b>


AFP - Four Eritreans among a group being forcibly returned home from Libya hijacked their aircraft and forced it to land in Khartoum amid warnings from a human rights watchdog that Eritrean deportees face imprisonment or even torture.

Eritreans being deported from Libya hijack plane to Sudan (AFP)


Franks Nursery Inc., a lawn and garden specialty chain that grew out of a Depression-era produce market in Detroit, filed for bankruptcy Wednesday for a second time and said it would close all 169 of its stores.

Franks Nursery  amp; Crafts files for Chapter 11


China Netcom, the smallest of Chinas four big telecoms carriers, raised US\$1.13 billion from a Hong Kong and New York IPO priced just above the mid-point of its indicated range, sponsor Goldman Sachs said on Wednesday.

China Netcom prices IPO and raises \$1.13bn


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Flight attendants at bankrupt US  Airways Group Inc. <A HREF=

US Air Flight Attendants Ready for Strike


Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury wouldn #39;t use the absence of Lawrence Roberts as an excuse for the 12th-ranked Bulldogs #39; close call against Fairfield on Thursday night in the opening round of the Coaches vs.

No. 12 Mississippi St. 53, Fairfield 49


Burma #39;s military junta has scrapped the office of military intelligence  quot;in the interests of peace and security quot;. As the generals in Rangoon sweep up pockets of resistance to last week #39;s internal

Burma shuts down military intelligence office


The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday kicked off efforts that could reshape the communications services available to airline passengers, deciding to auction off spectrum now set aside for air-to-ground phone service and proposing to relax its ban on the use of cellular phones in flight.

FCC to consider allowing cell phones on planes


Oracle has revealed the identities of the four people it will nominate to the board of PeopleSoft as it pushes ahead with its efforts to take control of the company.

Oracle unveils PeopleSoft board candidates


Public libraries are allowed to review and choose the books that end up on the shelves based on resources and community standards.

Censored Internet Access at Phoenix Public Libraries


WORLEY Group became a true global player in mining services yesterday with the acquisition of an American partner. The \$US245 million (\$A350 million) purchase of US-based Parsons E amp;C will turn Worley into a near billion-dollar business.

Worley buys US partner


Cisco (CSCO:Nasdaq - news - research) disappointed Wall Street Tuesday with a first quarter profit that was merely in line with estimates, rather than the customary penny ahead.

Cisco Slips on In-Line Quarter


At the behest of the open source-loving Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has rejected all of the claims made in one of the four patents that Microsoft holds on the Windows file system.

Open Source Champions Shoot Down Microsoft FAT Patent


Mark Prior #39;s previous appearance against the Florida Marlins at Wrigley Field turned into one of the most agonizing losses in Chicago Cubs #39; history.

Marlins split doubleheader against Cubs aces


Millions face poverty in old age without radical reforms, analysts expect a politically sensitive report on Britain #39;s creaking pensions system to say today.

Radical pension reforms to be urged


Reuters - British scientists said on Wednesday\they had received permission to clone human embryos for medical\research, in what they believe to be the first such license to\be granted in Europe.

UK Scientists Allowed to Clone Human Embryos (Reuters)


Southwest Airlines Inc. (LUV.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest US discount carrier, on Monday said it will eliminate 88 scheduled flights in order to boost revenue by freeing up planes for more lucrative markets.

Southwest Airlines to Cut 88 Flights


Interest rates on US 30-year and 15-year mortgages fell to their lowest levels since early April, spurring more consumers to purchase their own homes, mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said on Thursday.

US 30-,15-yr mortgage rates lowest since early Apr


Gunmen assassinated Baghdad #39;s deputy governor on Monday, and voter registration for vital January elections began as fresh American soldiers arrived in the capital - reinforcements

Fresh US troops arrive in Iraq, ex


Energy regulator Ofgem blames high oil prices and problems with the UK's supply of gas for a steep rise in wholesale gas prices.

Ofgem exposes gas supply problems


ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia -- Hundreds of protesters ransacked and occupied the regional administration building in a southern Russian province Tuesday, demanding the resignation of the region #39;s president, whose former son-in-law has been linked to a multiple

10 World Briefs


Singapore's new PM says he would not back Taiwan if it provoked a war with China over independence.

Singapore 'would not back Taiwan'


NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 3: Thanks to his old hand in oil diplomacy, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar was able to reap as much as possible from a brief 12-minute meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia welcomes oil firms to bid for Yukos


MELVILLE, NY - The Hain Celestial Group #39;s earnings matched analysts #39; estimates for the latest quarter, and the natural food company said it expects improved earnings because of price increases and recent acquisitions.

Hain Celestial #39;s Earnings Meet Estimates


Walt Disney, the US media and entertainment group, yesterday announced its first dividend increase in six years following sharply improved earnings.

Disney gives first dividend rise for six years


Ireland is to block direct dialling to 13 countries, mostly in the South Pacific, to combat the growing menace of rogue autdiallers.

Ireland bars South Pacific in rogue dialler crackdown


Financiers in Europe and Africa were behind a plot to overthrow the government of Africa #39;s No. 3 oil producer, an accused ringleader testified Monday at the

Prosecutors say mercenaries were hired to overthrow the ruler of <b>...</b>


Retailer posts wider operating loss; revenue slips from year earlier, as US same-store sales fall. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Beleaguered toy retailer Toys  #39;R #39; Us, in the midst of a major restructuring of its

Toys  #39;R #39; Us still selling toys


AP - President Bush's choice to head the Republican Party said Monday he hopes to extend the GOP's grip on power in Washington.

Bush Names Campaign Manager to Head GOP (AP)


France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez misses Wednesday #39;s friendly against Poland after suffering a knee injury playing for Olympique Marseille at the weekend.

Keeper Barthez misses French date


Nortel Networks Corp. (NT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) put a specific date, Jan. 10, on when it will start filing its much-delayed restatement of financial results on

Nortel to File Restated Results Jan. 10


Discount retailer Fred #39;s Inc. (FRED.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said second-quarter profit fell, hit by increased markdowns, higher diesel fuel costs and other factors, sending its shares down almost 19 percent.

Fred #39;s profit down after June and July disappoint


ATHENS (Reuters) - Michael Phelps clinched his fifth gold  medal and became the first man since Mark Spitz to hold four  individual Olympic swimming titles when he won the 100 meter  butterfly final Friday.

Swimming: Phelps Wins Fifth Gold, Seventh Medal


THE sharemarket was virtually flat at the open today as losses in the financial sector and News Corp nullified gains in resources and gold stocks.

Market little changed at open


The United States killed with its veto power on Tuesday another Arab draft UN Security Council resolution. Germany, Britain and Romania abstained from the vote on the draft proposed by Algeria, Tunisia and Pakistan.

US vetoes Arab draft demanding Israeli withdrawal from Gaza


Managers of mortgage finance company Fannie Mae will defend themselves before Congress Wednesday amid government findings that they broke accounting rules to deliver steady earnings growth quarter after quarter.

Fannie Mae execs set their defense


The Reds have announced the news following intense speculation that American sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer was ready to significantly increase his stake in the club.

Manchester United Football Club confirm bid


WASHINGTON - After taking a rest in June, the nation's consumers were full of energy last month, boosting their spending by a strong 0.8 percent, a hopeful sign the economy may be emerging from a summer funk.    The over-the-month increase in consumer spending, reported by the Commerce Department on Monday, marked a turnaround from the 0.2 percent decline registered in June, when high energy prices and a sluggish job market made for more cautious buyers...

Consumer Spending Up 0.8 Percent in July


The discovery of a skeleton of a woman barely three feet tall who hunted tiny elephants and huge rats 18,000 years ago could rewrite the story of human evolution, scientists say.

Part of the ECT News Network


SIX British soldiers died yesterday when their low-flying helicopter hit electricity cables and spiralled out of control in the Czech Republic.

Czech helicopter accident kills six British soldiers


ATHENS : Stefano Baldini of Italy won a dramatic men #39;s marathon at the Olympic Gamesafter long-time race leader Vanderlei de Lima of Brazil was attacked by a spectator in the latter stages of the race.

Olympics: Baldini wins Olympic men #39;s marathon marred by <b>...</b>


Alhurra, a network with 150 reporters based in Springfield, is the U.S. government's largest and most expensive effort to sway foreign opinion over the airwaves since the creation of Voice of America in 1942.

U.S.-Backed TV Asserts Independence


Francesca Schiavone, the daughter of a Milan bus driver, was traveling on foot in Flushing. Fast. Desperately. A yellow tennis ball had risen like the sun over her head -- deftly lobbed by lefthander Angela Haynes -- descending at the baseline, and bounding toward the backstop.

These lefties were all right


The purists went berserk back in 1993. They hated the idea. The wild card was bad for baseball. Just wait and see.

System proving a hit


AP - Aiming to put itself in the vanguard of the Internet travel business, America Online will invest an undisclosed amount in an upstart that threatens to lure customers away from the industry's most dominant players, such as Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity.

AOL Aims to Lead Internet Travel Purchases (AP)


Palestinian officials have called on the Bush administration to clarify its position on the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Settling Israeli Settlements


AP - Esteban Loaiza is pitching his way out of the New York Yankees' rotation.

Angels Rattle Loaiza, Blast Yankees 6-1 (AP)


JERUSALEM, Aug. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said Thursday that the Hague ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israeli security fences could lead to sanctions against the country, local newspaper Ha #39;aretz ...

ICJ ruling on Israeli fences may lead to sanctions: Attorney General


ISN SECURITY WATCH (25/10/04) - Insurgents disguised as police killed 43 Iraqi soldiers and five civilians in an ambush in remote eastern Iraq on Saturday, news agencies quoted senior Iraqi officials as saying.

Some 50 Iraqi soldiers executed in ambush


The Great One hit TO yesterday and made it feel a bit more like winter. Wayne Gretzky was a pretty fair player in his day, and his time as an executive has been equally well spent.

Gretzky hasn #39;t said no to coaching


If this were a Hollywood movie, the federal lawman would be played by an A-list actor. But in the real world, the marshal displays only the familiar, everyman face of U.S. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft, while the film might be a bootleg copy swapped illegally online.  <FONT face=

DoJ Cracking Down on P2P


A new worm has been discovered in the wild that #39;s not just settling for invading users #39; PCs - it wants to invade their homes too.

Rbot virus spies on surfers


ROME (Reuters) - Italy's factories, trains, banks and  planes will come to a standstill for hours Tuesday as unions  stage a general strike to protest at plans for tax cuts they  say will help the rich and cost the public sector.

Italy Faces Strike Day Against Tax Cuts 'For Rich'


AP - The Colombian government is winning in its offensive against Marxist rebels in their jungle strongholds, the country's new army chief said Thursday.

Colombia Says It's Winning Vs. Rebels (AP)


VeriSign (Quote, Chart) has come out on the losing end in its breach of contract and antitrust lawsuit against the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

VeriSign Loses Round Against ICANN


Digital video recorder pioneer TiVo sent mixed signals Thursday about the progress of its ambitious effort to win new subscribers and become profitable.

TiVo puts a brave face on subscription numbers


Police in Burundi #39;s capital Bujumbura fired tear gas at crowds today, protesting against the massacre of at least 160 Congolese Tutsis at a UN refugee camp in the west of the country.

Burundi police fire tear gas at massacre protest


AP - President Bush's conservative coattails, geography and campaigns crafted to take advantage of both helped Republicans to a four-seat gain in Senate elections this year.

GOP Rode Bush Coattails to Senate Gains (AP)


US fastfood giant McDonald #39;s says that sales at its three restaurants around Olympic venues in Greece have so far exceeded its expectations, according to CRIENGLISH.

McDonald #39;s salads break Olympic record


Insurgents hand-carried explosives into the most fortified section of Baghdad Thursday and detonated them within seconds of each other, killing 10 people and wounding 20.

Suicide Bombings Kill 10 in Green Zone


StorageTek (Quote, Chart) took another step in filling out its information lifecycle management portfolio this week, acquiring software maker Storability.

StorageTek Snaps Up Storability


VIENNA (Reuters) - The United States said on Saturday that  Iran was

U.S. Accuses Iran of Bomb Plans as UN Nuke Talks Stall


Reuters - UK scientists pronounced some\genetically modified (GMO) crops harmless Monday but European\Union experts demurred, declining to approve another new GMO\product for the eighth time in a row.

Europe's Tug-Of-War on GMO Crops Rages On (Reuters)


AFP - Unable to set aside their differences in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal will now be facing new challenges with teams on either side of the continent.

Shaq and Kobe eager to show who is the better team leader (AFP)


A Department of Defense group tests a new battle simulator to see what it can learn about urban combat. But this ain't no SimCity. By Amit Asaravala.

When War Games Meet Video Games


The official story:  quot;No, this isnt true. Just a wild rumor. quot;--Eidos staffer. Bono was unavailable for comment. What we heard: Though at first it was laughed off as one of the loopiest rumors to hit the

Rumor Control: Bono buys Edios and Metal Gear Solid: The Movie


Two decades ago, when this seaport city was mired in a deep and seemingly endless recession, Mike Byrne, a local musician and businessman, sought public funds to help build an exhibition dedicated to Liverpool's most famous native sons, the Beatles.

A Rousing Comeback For Home of the Beatles


Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian says China's leadership changes are  unlikely to signal a big policy shift.

Chen cautious over China change


Another round of petrol price rises could be looming after crude oil prices hit the \$US50 a barrel mark over the weekend. Oil prices are at their highest in more than 20 years due to supply concerns in Nigeria

More petrol price rises feared


Hamid Karzai is about to win in Afghanistan #39;s first direct presidential election, but the returns show that dangerous ethnic divides could become a major problem if he wins.

Karzais victory shows Afghan ethnic divide


Food and drinks firm C amp;C Group today said profits had risen 6 despite bad weather and the public smoking ban. C amp;C, formerly known as Cantrell  amp; Cochrane, said operating profits had increased to 64.

C amp;C survives smoking ban


AP - Carrie Mason had 16 points for Virginia Tech, which hung on to upset No. 17 Maryland 77-67 in the Hokies' Atlantic Coast Conference debut on Sunday.

Virginia Tech Women Upset No. 17 Maryland (AP)


Seoul, Korea (Sports Network) - Third-seeded German Marlene Weingartner and fourth-seeded American Mashona Washington were a pair of opening-round upset victims Monday at the inaugural Korea Open Tennis Championships.

Weingartner, Washington fall in Seoul


It #39;s got to be the Bobby Bowden, good-ol #39;-boy drawl and the fact that Hal Sutton is now so beefy he looks as if he could have played linebacker at one time for LSU.

Football? No, it #39;s the Ryder Cup


Want to impress your Windows-using friends and colleagues? Start a QuickTime movie, play a DVD, click on the visualizer in iTunes while it plays a song. Then press F9 and watch what happens.  Dec 15

Mac OS X Tip of the Week: Be a Show-off


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Pistons forward Antonio McDyess was fined \$5,000 Wednesday for kicking a basketball into the crowd during Detroit #39;s season-opening win over the Houston Rockets.

Pistons forward McDyess fined \$5,000


AP - Top-seeded Mary Pierce was knocked out of the Bell Challenge in the quarterfinal round Friday, losing 6-4, 7-6 to Russia's Alina Jidkova.

Pierce Knocked Out of Bell Challenge (AP)


Reuters - As President Bush prepares for a\second term, hard-liners are pressing once again for a more\coercive approach if six-party talks make no progress on\resolving the North Korea nuclear issue.

Bush Administration Divide Re-Emerges Over N. Korea (Reuters)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The average U.S. retail price of  gasoline rose slightly over the last two weeks to almost \$1.88  a gallon -- the first increase reported since late May,  according to the nationwide Lundberg survey of about 8,000 gas  stations.

Gas Price Up Near \$1.88 a Gallon -Survey


by Henry Bortman     Jonathan Lunine, professor of planetary science and physics at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona, has long been fascinated by Saturn's largest moon, Titan. In this first part of the interview, Lunine explains what scientists hope to learn from Huygens...

Saturn's Moon Titan: Planet Wannabe


Computers Keep Oklahoma No. 2 in BCS, but Auburn Gains; Both Teams, and No. 1 Trojans, Are 10-0. Oklahoma running back Kejuan Jones, pictured in the first quarter against Nebraska, in Norman, Okla.

Computers Keep Oklahoma No. 2 in the BCS


AP - Another round of playoffs is giving Scott Rolen a chance to get his timing back.

Cardinals Reach Third NLCS in Five Years (AP)


Bosnians are voting in local elections - the first held by the Bosnian authorities since the end of the war in 1995.

Bosnia nationalists in poll test


AP - President Bush is returning to the swing state of Pennsylvania on Thursday to talk about health care.

Bush to Talk Health Care in Pennsylvania (AP)


FALLUJAH, Iraq (AP)  US forces launched two airstrikes today on the troubled Iraqi city of Falluja, hospital officials and witnesses said.

US warplanes strike Falluja: Report


BT Group will buy California-based Infonet Services Corp for \$965 million in cash to expand in the United States and Asia, the UK #39;s dominant fixed-line company said on Monday.

BT in \$965m US network buy


The Chinese government is blocking one of Google #39;s (Quote, Chart) more popular sites, the company confirmed Tuesday. Debbie Frost, a Google spokesperson, told internetnews.

China #39;s Google Block Sparks Media Group #39;s Protest


VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Defending champion  Ernie Els and Briton Lee Westwood built healthy leads at the  halfway point of the World Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth  on Saturday.

Els and Westwood Build Halfway Mach Play Leads


Reports from Federal Reserve districts say economy is growing but energy prices have cut spending. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US economy kept on growing in September and early October, even as higher prices

Fed: High oil constrains spending


Just like cars, home computers need tune-ups. Unfortunately, most of us have never gotten into the habit. Everybody knows to take their cars for routine service, but we often neglect to perform the common-sense maintenance that can keep our home PCs running well.

Revive your PC


NEW YORK-The Iraqi and Afghan leaders both asked Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to continue assisting their war-ravaged countries, Japanese officials said Tuesday.

Iraq, Afghanistan seek continued aid


AP - Svetlana Kuznetsova, fresh off her championship at the U.S. Open, defeated Australian qualifier Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Wismilak International.

Kuznetsova, Petrova Advance at Wismilak (AP)


BRUSSELS : Key European governments turned up the pressure on Iran over its nuclear plans, giving Tehran a November deadline to allay concern it is secretly making atomic weapons.

Europe seeks deadline for Iran to allay nuclear fears


India News, Hyderabad, World #39;s largest software maker Microsoft Corp is hiring more staff at its new India campus - its largest outside the US - near here, the company #39;s chief executive Steve Ballmer said Monday.

India ; Microsoft to recruit more staff in India


The NBA suspended four players indefinitely yesterday for their involvement in one of the worst fights in professional sports history Friday, in which players stormed into the stands and exchanged blows with fans.

NBA smackdown


AP - Florida coach Ron Zook was fired Monday but will be allowed to finish the season, athletic director Jeremy Foley told The Gainesville Sun.

Reports: Gators Football Coach Zook Fired (AP)


A faster-than-expected thaw of the Arctic is likely to open legendary short-cut routes between the Pacific and the Atlantic but experts say icebergs and high costs will prevent any trans-polar shipping boom.

Arctic thaw may open ship lanes, but risks high


Maurice Wilkins, the molecular biologist who died on Tuesday aged 87, was the third and least well-known of the three scientists who in 1962 won the Nobel Prize for medicine for determining the structure of DNA, the molecule which carries the genetic code

Maurice Wilkins


Rolls-Royce and Lloyd's of London are among the 39 UK companies which have been added to the Burma Campaign's annual 'Dirty List'.

Burma List 'shames' UK companies


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top seed Roger Federer survived a  stirring comeback from twice champion Andre Agassi to reach the  semi-finals of the U.S. Open for the first time on Thursday,  squeezing through 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Federer Survives Agassi Comeback to Reach Semifinals


TAIPEI, Taiwan - A man jumped into the lions #39; enclosure at the Taipei Zoo and shouted  quot;Jesus will save you quot; before being bitten Wednesday.

Man jumps into lions #39; den, tries to  #39;save #39; them


Cristie Kerr shot her second straight 9-under-par 63 yesterday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill.

4-shot lead for Kerr


BEIJING -- A small passenger plane carrying 53 people crashed today in a northern lake immediately after takeoff, and the government said there were no survivors. The plane crashed into a frozen lake in Baotou, a city about 330 miles northwest of Beijing, seconds after taking off at about 8:20 a.m., the official Xinhua News Agency said. The China Eastern ...

Air crash into lake kills all 53 on board


In another setback to the prosecution in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case, the court maintains ruling that allows information about the accuser's sex life into court.

Bryant Defense Wins Ruling


Shares in telecoms group Thus drop nearly 25  as worries about stiff competition force the company to issue a profit warning.

Thus shares plunge after warning


Vodafone is targeting the iPod generation with its third-generation cell phones, putting music and video downloading at the heart of its sales push.

Vodafone targets iPod generation


A woman is elected to the board of a major Saudi bank, becoming the first female in the kingdom to occupy such a position.

First woman on Saudi bank board


RAND report examines attack scenarios. One suggestion is eliminating long ticket lines in terminal lobbies. By Ian Gregor and David Zahniser.

Quick action urged on LAX #39;s security fixes


The New York State Athletic Commission wasted no time taking action against Norman Stone, the bombastic manager of World Boxing Association heavyweight

Ruiz #39;s manager Stone suspended


The Bears shored up their defensive problems on the weak side, but the Washington Redskins ran on them just about every other way imaginable.

Redskins #39; Portis finds lots of holes in Bears #39; defense


In the latest change to its product line-up, Intel has cancelled plans to release a 4-gigahertz computer microprocessor, saying it would rely approaches besides faster clock speed to improve the performance of chips.

Intel cancels plans for 4GH P4


China and the United States are close to ending a 15-year-old dispute over nuclear technology transfers that has prevented US companies from selling nuclear reactors

Westinghouse Electric poised to bid two projects


MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Taking the bails off the ESPN-Zee legal wrangle, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suddenly cancelled the bidding process for the four-year domestic cricket telecast rights.

BCCI kills tender, Zee cries foul


Arabic-language news channel Al-Jazeera has reported hostage-takers in Iraq are demanding Indonesia #39;s government release Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba #39;asyir in exchange for two female hostages.

Report: Cleric swap for hostages


IBM and Advanced Micro Devices have come up with a new way of straining silicon in a move that will allow them to make chips with better performance.

IBM, AMD work on straining silicon


PHOENIX Salvation Army bell ringers are accepting more than coins in the kettle this year. The charity is equipping some bell ringers to take donations on credit cards.

Some Salvation Army #39;s bell ringers taking donations via plastic


GREENVILLE, NC Dec 3, 2004 - East Carolina introduced former South Carolina assistant Skip Holtz as its head football coach on Friday, welcoming him as the man to lead the program  quot;into a new era.

Holtz Introduced As East Carolina Coach


The sequel to one of the most lauded computer games ever, Half-Life 2, is to go on sale in mid-November.

Half-Life 2 set for mid-November


Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world #39;s largest retailer, said US sales at stores open at least a year are rising within its forecast after four months of disappointing results.

Wal-Mart Says October US Sales Rise Within 2 to 4 Forecast


Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said it is being hurt by lower wholesale prices and higher grain costs in the

UPDATE 4-Sanderson warns on prices, costs, 3rd-qtr net up


Australian scientists have found a new species of hobbit-sized humans who lived about 18,000 years ago on an Indonesian island. The discovery adds another piece to the complex puzzle of human evolution.

#39;Hobbit #39; joins human family


Servers seized by the FBI from the Indymedia alternative media network have been returned.

FBI returns seized news servers


Greg Rusedski missed out on reaching consecutive Russian finals when he lost 3-6 6-3 6-4 to Mikhail Youzhny in their semi-final at the St Petersburg Open.

Youzhny too hot for Greg


Yahoo on Tuesday said it will provide mobile Internet services to Nextel Communications, a deal that gives Yahoo relationships with all five leading mobile carriers in the United States.

Yahoo announces mobile deal with Nextel


It was only a hundredth of a second but Justin Gatlin said it felt like a hundred miles as he won the closest and possibly greatest 100 metres final in Olympic history on Sunday.

Gatlin wins sprint classic... by 0.01 seconds


Reuters - Digital cameras led retail price\declines in U.S. consumer electronics in October, as\manufacturers looked to clear out older models ahead of the\holiday shopping season, according to an industry study\prepared for Reuters.

Cameras Lead Gadget Price Declines in October -NPD (Reuters)


AMSTERDAM - A UN inquiry has found UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers guilty of sexually harassing a female worker -ut Secretary-General Kofi Annan rejected the charges.

UN report: Lubbers guilty of sexual misconduct


Downing Street has played down reports that the Prime Minister may call an early election in February. Most political commentators expect Mr Blair to seek a new mandate in May 2005 since to go to the polls

quot;February election quot; report played down


Harmony said today it would seek leave from the Competition Appeal Court to appeal the ruling allowing it to acquire Gold Fields #39; shares, but not to exercise the shares #39; voting rights.

Harmony seeks leave to appeal competition ruling


The Red Sox are trying to keep up their momentum tonight at Fenway Park in Game Two of the World Series. Boston scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

World Series resumes at Fenway Park


WASHINGTON -- The draft of a report from the top US inspector in Iraq concludes that Saddam Hussein had no weapons stockpiles, but there were signs of dormant programs he hoped to revive at a later time, according to people familiar with the findings.

Iraq findings: Plans, but no stockpiles


The planned handover of the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon is unlikely to take place by a Sept. 15 deadline, the United Nations said on Monday.

Nigeria handover of Bakassi peninsula delayed-UN


First round of comments from friends of the court

First deadline passes for Supreme Court Grokster case


BULL BAY, Jamaica - Hurricane Ivan strengthened to a rare Category 5 storm capable of catastrophic damage, leaving Jamaica and aiming for the Cayman Islands with winds reaching 165 mph, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Saturday...

With 50 Dead, Ivan Intensifies Off Jamaica


AP - Gold Fields Ltd. lost another round Thursday in its battle to fight off a hostile takeover bid by Harmony Gold Mining Co. when a Johannesburg court dismissed a request to declare the bid unlawful.

Court Dismisses Takeover Bid Challenge (AP)


Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, an excellent venue for soccer, will revert to a less-than-adequate home for baseball next year. So, D.C. United could be playing their last game at the site when they host the Revolution in the MLS Eastern Conference final tonight at 7.

Revived Revolution asking: Why not us?


AFP - New Zealand rode on fast bowler James Franklin's hat-trick to seize the initiative on the second day of the the opening Test against Bangladesh here.

New Zealand gain lead after Franklin hat-trick (AFP)


Hoping to guide policy in President Bush's second term, the Cyber Security Industry Alliance today called for higher-profile leadership within the Dept. of Homeland Security. <FONT face=

Tech Execs Outline 'Net Security Agenda


Bernard Hopkins is experiencing flashbacks before his undisputed middleweight title showdown with Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand tomorrow night.

Oscar #39;s dad in his corner


com Fantasy Extra staff. Before the trading deadline at 5:00 pm ET on Oct. 19, the Cowboys traded No. 3 WR Antonio Bryant to the Browns for WR Quincy Morgan.

Fantasy: Receivers swapped


After at least a year of talk and sneak peeks, Microsoft starts its run at Google. By Gregg Keizer, TechWeb News. Microsoft will push its homegrown search software into beta tests Thursday, its first real move

Beta Version Of Microsoft Search Goes Out Thursday


The Celtics come close again -- but ultimately lose 106-to-104 to the Miami Heat Sunday night. Paul Pierce missed one of two free throws with five seconds left that would have tied it for Boston, which lost its fourth straight.

Celtics lose fourth straight


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Kinross Gold Corp., (KGC) a Toronto gold and silver mining and processing company, reported that it revised third-quarter results to a loss of \$133.

Kinross Gold revises Q3 to loss \$133.6M


palmOne gets a little upset when people call the Treo 650 just an  quot;evolution quot; of the Treo 600. They insist that it is indeed a step up the ladder and not just a leg lift towards that next step.

Does the palmOne Treo 650 Replace Treo 600? Not Exactly.


The anguish of hostage Kenneth Bigley in Iraq hangs over Prime Minister Tony Blair today as he faces the twin test of a local election and a debate by his Labour Party about the divisive war.

Blair faces vote amidst hostage crisis


Despite all the Linux hype, the open-source movement has yet to make a huge splash in the desktop market.  That may be about to change, thanks to chipmaking giant Intel Corp. <FONT face=

Linux Ready for Prime Time, Intel Says


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Thursday that Iraq's Ayad Allawi was sent before Congress to put the

Kerry: Allawi's Take on Iraq Unrealistic


British semiconductor designer ARM Holdings Plc (ARM.L: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed to buy US chip components firm Artisan (ARTI.

UPDATE 4-UK #39;s ARM buys Artisan for \$913 mln, shares fall


WASHINGTON -- A federal initiative to repay investors who lost money because of corporate wrongdoing and other misdeeds has amassed \$2.6 billion in just two years and has played a role in almost 100 cases settled by federal regulators.

Defrauded investors may soon get some payback


Wireless broadband systems should be available next year, WaveSat says.

Company Claims First True WiMax Chip


AFP - Caron Butler scored 18 points as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied for a 105-80 NBA exhibition win over road-weary Sacramento, who were playing their first game since returning from China.

Bryant struggles but Lakers still beat Kings 105-80 (AFP)


Students in Ontario will have to keep their nose in their books until they #39;re at least 18 years old. The province is set to propose new legislation next year that would make students stay in school until they #39;re 18-years-old.

McGuinty Wants Kids in Classroom  Not Malls


The Rev. Billy Graham spoke at the 92,000-seat Rose Bowl, the beginning of a four-day crusade that organizers say is his 416th worldwide and his next-to-last.

In Time of Turmoil, Graham Offers Soothing Words


Demand in both the home and business software markets sees Microsoft's profits rise by 11 over three months.

Microsoft reports profits up 11


The mother of Brazilian football prodigy Robinho has been released following her kidnapping on November 6. Marina De Souzas release will now enable Robinho to play for Santos in a title-decider this weekend in the Brazilian championship.

Kidnapped mother of wonderkid Robinho released


YANGON, Myanmar (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta freed at least  two dozen members of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's  political party Friday during a mass release of 4,000 people  detained

Myanmar Frees Prominent Political Prisoners


BAGHDAD : Britain joined Iraq #39;s US-backed government in facing down a chilling ultimatum to execute a British and two American hostages, as Islamists claimed the gruesome beheading of three Kurds.

Clock ticks down for Iraq hostages


The merger deal between Sprint and Nextel, which reportedly has not been finalized, is being described as a merger of equals that would create the third largest US cellular carrier with nearly 39 million subscribers.

Sprint, Nextel Reportedly Near Merger


The next-generation OS will allow consumers to watch one channel while recording another, CNET News.com has learned.

Microsoft plans tune-up of Media Center PC


ANOTHER haven from annoying ring tones and loud personal conversations is being closed off as researchers work on ways to make mobile phones available on aircraft.

Mobiles take off


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Delta Air Lines and its pilots reached a tentative contract agreement late Wednesday, according to the pilots union, potentially allowing the struggling carrier to avoid declaring bankruptcy.

Delta, pilots reach tentative deal


November 16, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- Software giant Microsoft (microsoft.com) announced on Tuesday that it has released version 3.0 of Microsoft Solutions for Windows-based Hosting, a management platform that includes tools for handling

Microsoft Unveils Management Software


Since ancient times people have marked their bodies as a form of cultural spiritualism. A new book of photographs looks at tattoos, scarification, and other traditional and modern body markings in more than 30 countries. <b>Photo gallery included.</b>

Ancient and Modern Tattoos Celebrated in Photography Book


An extinct ape that lived 13 million years ago has been identified as the leading contender for the title of last common ancestor of humans and all great apes alive today.

Scientists hail ape find as missing link


NAHANT, Mass. - Joseph Ayers was crouched over a laptop computer in a cool cinder-block shed barely big enough to house a riding lawn mower, watching a black lobster through a rectangular acrylic window.

These robots are positively bestial