TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran have given judo world champion  Arash Miresmaeili a \$125,000 reward, saying he sacrificed a  gold medal at the Athens Olympics by refusing to fight an  Israeli, a sports official said on Tuesday.

Iranian Judoka Who Refused to Fight Israeli Handed \$125,000


Accounting standards setters Thursday issued a plan requiring companies to treat stock options as expenses, while lobbyists vowed to derail the initiative.

FASB Orders Options Counted as Expenses


Bank of America Corp. (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , which suffered bad publicity over layoffs at former Fleet branches, on Friday said it will move an additional 300 jobs to Boston next year.

UPDATE 2-Bank of America says moves 300 more jobs to Boston


Texas reliever Frank Francisco needed just one dangerous throw to overshadow an exciting back-and-forth game with a playoff atmosphere.

Things heat up for A #39;s, Rangers


The proposed merger of GWR and Capital comes at a pivotal point for the radio industry as the digital revolution gathers pace. Broadcasters have frequently stated how

Tuning in to Digital Radio


Company is testing Java System Application Server 8--and hoping that it'll boost the company's share of the Java server software market.

Sun readies Java app servers


Reuters - Iran said on Friday it might extend a\partial freeze on uranium enrichment in order to ease Western\fears about its nuclear ambitions, but a senior U.S. official\dismissed this as a ploy to fend off tough U.N. action.

Iran Nuclear Enrichment Freeze Offer a Ploy - U.S. (Reuters)


The company has come up with some on-demand advertising. Will it woo viewers?

Procter   Gamble's On Demand


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Housing starts rebounded sharply in  July, making up almost all the ground lost in a June slump by  posting their largest monthly percentage gain since September  2002, a report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday showed.

Housing Starts Rebound Sharply in July


THE secretive military government of Burma was at the centre of rumours today that the prime minister, the long-powerful General Khin Nyunt, had been removed from office, diplomats in Burma and senior officials in neighbouring Thailand said.

Burma PM  #39;removed #39;


Mike Mussina looked out from the bullpen a half-hour before his start against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and couldn #39;t believe what he saw: more than 50,000 empty seats at Yankee Stadium.

New York 9, Tampa Bay 1 (1st game)


Sony Corp. will begin selling a computer and home-server system in Japan with a 1,000 gigabytes of hard-drive storage - enough to record seven TV channels for a week straight, the company said.

New Sony computer boasts 1,000 gigabytes of storage; can record <b>...</b>


Coach Dick Vermeil of the Kansas City Chiefs apologized for his belittling remark about running back Larry Johnson. Vermeil had said it was time for Johnson  quot;to take the diaper off

Chiefs head coach Vermeil apologizes for remark about running back


IBM, which manages computer operations for the United States Tennis Association, has consolidated Internet scoring, staging and Web publishing applications onto a single eServer i5 system to support the U.S. Open's processing requirements.

USTA nets server savings


Oil futures steadied Thursday after a jump that reflected a drop in US crude and heating oil stocks amid rising demand fueled by cold weather spreading across the US Northeast and Midwest.

Oil futures stabilize after sharp rise on cold North Hemisphere <b>...</b>


WALTHAM -- When asked to describe the Boston offense under new coach Doc Rivers, the players often reply that they have to  quot;just play basketball. quot;

Rivers installs just play basketball' system


Diamonds are forever. And for restitution, too. Martin Frankel, the Greenwich, Conn., financier who swindled millions from insurance companies, converted his ill-gotten gains into diamonds before fleeing the country in 1999.

Diamonds used in swindle to be auctioned


Siemens has claimed a world first for its transmission of data at a rate of 1Gbit/s over a wireless link. To achieve this rate, which is 20 times faster than today #39;s 50Mbit/s wireless LANs, researchers at

Siemens sets up 1Gbit/s wireless link


Intel Corp. will look to a multicore future during the Fall Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco next week as it tries to leave behind a tumultuous year plagued by product delays and road map revisions.

Intel looks to clarify strategy, execution


AP - Troubled grocery chain J Sainsbury PLC, Britain's third-biggest supermarket retailer, said Monday it expected to announce a big drop in profits for the first half of this year.

Sainsbury's Warns of First-Half Profit Dip (AP)


The first trial has begun of one of the suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay US navy base on Cuba. A military tribunal will be hearing the cases against a total of four

First trial at Guantanamo


PalmSource (nasdaq: PSRC - news - people ) said Tuesday that it named Jean-Louis Gassee, 60, as chairman. He #39;ll take the mantle from the retiring Eric Benhamou, 48--who also has the chair at 3Com (nasdaq: COMS - news - people ).

Gassee: PalmSource Names Apple Ex-Exec To Replace Benhamou


Gold Fields may find itself without a board, a chairman, or the approval of its shareholders for its financial statements after a crucial shareholders meeting tomorrow.

Crunch day for Gold Fields


Reuters - U.S. consumer prices dropped in July\for the first time in eight months as a sharp run up in energy\costs reversed, the government said on Tuesday in a report\showing inflation pressures largely in check.

Consumer Prices Drop, Housing Starts Soar (Reuters)


Creating a stir on the day before the 35th Ryder Cup, Hal Sutton paired Tiger Woods with Phil Mickelson for Friday's opening four-ball match.

In Cup Gambit, U.S. Is Pairing Its Aces


Tottenham sporting director Frank Arnesen has denied former head coach Jacques Santinis claim that there was a rift between them at White Hart Lane.

Arnesen denies rift with Santini


AFP - A handful of nail-biter contests could flip control of the US Senate to the Democrats in the November 2 election, while the House of Representatives is expected to remain firmly in the grasp of George W. Bush's Republican Party.

Control of US Senate hinges on handful of hard-fought contests (AFP)


The executive board of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom may discuss making a bid for the main production unit of oil major YUKOS at a meeting today, a Gazprom source says.

Gazprom board may discuss YUKOS bid


AP - David Bush pitched a two-hitter for the first complete game of his major league career, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Orlando Hernandez and the New York Yankees 7-0 Friday night.

Blue Jays Thump Resting Yankees 7-0 (AP)


MILAN (Reuters) - Citigroup on Friday launched a legal  challenge against Parmalat's restructuring plan, hitting back  after the bankrupt food group took the world's biggest bank to  court and rejected its claims for credit repayment.

Citigroup Hits Back at Parmalat


Iran's defence minister says a strategic missile has been successfully tested and delivered to the military.

Iran approves 'strategic missile'


Thomasville - If you #39;ve ever been rear ended in a car wreck, you may of had some of these symptoms:  quot;You end up with tight muscles, sore neck, dizziness, headache, quot; says Chiropractor Dr.

Head Restraint Safety


The defense secretary said today that it was valuable to hear concerns directly from troops, but he offered no changes.

Rumsfeld Says He's Not Surprised by Troops' Complaints


com October 4, 2004, 12:22 PM PT. ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in August kept Wired  amp; Wireless on top for the 18th month in a row.

Cox brings VoIP service to more cities


AP - No bullpen collapse by the Houston Astros this time. Brad Lidge was on the mound. The Astros closer allowed just one hit and struck out five in two innings Saturday, protecting a lead and helping Houston beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game 3 of the NL championship series.

Closer Brad Lidge Delivers for Astros (AP)


GENEVA : A movement to counter the abolition of textile and clothing import quotas at the end of the year is gaining momentum, driven by fears that an unbridled China could wipe out competition because of its sheer production capacity, diplomats said.

Insurgency grows against unbridled global textile trade due in <b>...</b>


Although Linux backers boast of a growing market share on the desktop, especially in booming regions like Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, those numbers are hugely inflated, a research firm said Thursday, because most of the PCs actually

Gartner: Four Out Of Five Linux PCs End Up Running


Former high-flying investment banker Frank P. Quattrone is about to find out just how unlucky he is.

Lawyers predict Quattrone could get tough penalty in his sentencing today


India and Pakistan can make progress on resolving their thorny dispute over Kashmir only if Islamabad delivers on its promise to act against Kashmiri rebels on its soil, India #39;s foreign minister said on Thursday.

Kashmir solution hinges on Pakistan crackdown-India


AP - Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon understands the perception: He has more talent at Miami than any program in the country, which is why nine of his players have been drafted in the NFL's first round over the last three years.

Shannon Keys Miami's Defensive Dominance (AP)


Researchers trying to determine how the online format might increase election participation and help disenfranchised voters say the DNC and other election officials are stingy with the data after a Michigan trial.

Experts Knock E-Vote Data Delay


With his inauguration to a five-year term a month away, the US-backed Karzai already is under pressure to ditch his coalition with powerful warlords and tackle a booming narcotics industry that has become a major economic force in one of the world #39;s

Karzai Victorious in Afghan Elections


update Intel #39;s board, in widely expected move, voted Thursday to elevate Paul Otellini from president to chief executive officer in May.

Intel board backs Otellini as CEO


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Islamic militants holding two Chinese  engineers hostage in Pakistan threatened to kill one on Monday  unless security forces ended a siege of their hideout.

Talks Continue After China Hostage Deadline Passes


A top Islamic cleric rushed from the West Bank to Yasser Arafat's hospital bedside Wednesday in what an aide to the Palestinian leader called the

Cleric at Arafat's Bedside During 'Final Phase'


Gov. Rod Blagojevich has taken an aggressive stand on exposure of Illinoiss minors to violent and sexually explicit video games, by proposing a ban on the sale of the video games.

Governor keeps dirty video games away from minors


Microsoft's  founder is expected to detail the company's plan for computer management software and announce a long-awaited Windows update tool.

Gates to announce Windows update tool


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were flat on Monday as  investors took some profits after a three-day rally last week,  with interest rates and a weakening dollar taking center stage  now that the presidential election is over.

Stocks Almost Flat on Profit-Taking


The most significant comment on yesterday #39;s decision by the formula one contracts recognition board about Jenson Button came in the Williams team #39;s official press release.

Button enjoys the best of both worlds as Williams look to 2006


JAKARTA (AFP) - Worldwide demand for oil is expected to drop by about one million barrels per day by the second quarter of 2005 after the northern hemisphere #39;s winter season ends, OPEC #39;s president said.

OPEC sees 1 million barrels per day demand drop in 2005


In the flood of corporate reform unleashed by recent business scandals, one issue has been largely ignored, shareholder activists say: the stratospheric level of executive pay and the nearly impossible task investors face in trying to figure out who is getting how much.

SEC:  Rules on Executive Pay Could Change


AP - Ronny Turiaf scored 17 points and Adam Morrison added 12 as No. 25 Gonzaga held off Washington State 54-52 on Tuesday night.

No. 25 Gonzaga Edges Washington St. 54-52 (AP)


com staff writers. Rick Hendrick, his family and the Hendrick Motorsports organization are in the process of mourning the loss of their loved ones and friends who were on board the small Beech

John, Kimberly and Jennifer Hendrick


The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will announce a settlement deal it has reached with Time Warnerconcerning accounting issues with its America Online(AOL) Internet division on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter.

US to unveil deal with AOL on fraud charges


Without getting into details of the missiles or their capabilities, Putin links their development to a response to the threat of international terrorism.

Russia researching new missile systems


GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails  Thursday have effectively ended an 18-day-old hunger strike  after most of their demands for better conditions were met, a  Palestinian cabinet minister said.

Palestinian Prisoners End Hunger Strike


THIS past week will go down as one of the most shocking in the annals of modern American history - a once-in-a generation election, when the most powerful and prescient prognosticator known to man, got it all wrong.

MARKET AS UNRELIABLE AS THE POLLS


The FTSE 100 is expected to fall after a sharp sell-off in the US on Friday and amid continued strength in the price of oil. Financial bookmakers forecast the FTSE 100 .

FTSE 100 set to tumble


No. 7 oil exporter turns to court to stop 3-day-old general strike that threatens crude shipments. ABUJA, Nigeria (Reuters) - The Nigerian government sought a court injunction Wednesday to stop a three-day

Nigeria looks for strike injunction


NetContinuum, a leading provider of application firewalls, today announced that it is integrating the leading Web-services firewall, Forum Systems #39; XWall, into its flagship Application Security Gateway product.

NetContinuum Debuts Web-Services And Web-App Firewall


With a burst of speed, Darius Walker sprinted around right end and ran untouched into the south end zone for a 6-yard touchdown Saturday.

After a Sloppy Start, the Irish Upset Michigan


LONDON - British police said on Saturday they had arrested four men under anti-terrorism legislation after a tip-off from a newspaper which said the suspects tried to buy explosives for a  quot;dirty bomb.

4 arrested by antiterrorist police in London


Very few organizations have as many feet on the street as the US Postal Service. To better get a handle on those feet, the Postal Service said Monday it #39;s implementing SAP Human Capital

Postal Service Turns To SAP For HR


LAHORE, Pakistan: August 19, 2004 (PNS) - Current Federal Finance Minister, Mr. Shaukat Aziz won by-election on his way to officially becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan. As a member of ruling Muslim League and finance minister he is credited with ...

Shaukat Aziz Wins By-Election, now Prime Minister-Designate


Tommy Hilfiger, chairman and chief designer of the US fashion company, yesterday bought up clothing brands belonging to the stylist Karl Lagerfeld for an undisclosed sum.

Hilfiger fashions style pact


A suicide attacker drove his bomb-laden car into a US convoy during fighting Wednesday in a northern town, where hospital officials said at least 10 Iraqis were killed amid a wave of violence across Iraq #39;s Sunni Arab heartland.

Suicide car bomb, clashes with insurgents leave at least 10 dead <b>...</b>


AP - The 69-17 roll call by which the Senate voted Monday to approve a  #36;136 billion corporate tax bill.

Senate Roll Call on Corporate Tax Bill (AP)


AFP - The mystery of Silvio Berlusconi's rapper-style bandana was explained when plastic surgeon Piero Rosati told the Milan daily Corriere della Sera that he had performed a hair transplant operation on the Italian prime minister.

Berlusconi hair mystery revealed by Italian surgeon (AFP)


AP - Pau Gasol, the 2002 NBA rookie of the year, has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis Signs Gasol to Multi-Year Deal (AP)


ESPN-Star Sports, who lost the bid to telecast international cricket played in India over the next four years, have challenged the Indian board #39;s decision to award the rights to Zee Network in the Mumbai High Court.

ESPN-Star Sports takes BCCI to court over TV rights


MIAMI Mike Fratello says he had  quot;a nice conversation quot; with the Memphis Grizzlies about the team #39;s vacant coaching position.

Fratello waiting to hear back from Memphis Grizzlies


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The average U.S. retail price of  gasoline fell 2.67 cents in the past two weeks, its first  decline since early September due to increased crude oil  production, a leading industry analyst said on Sunday.

U.S. Gasoline Prices Fall to \$2.01/gallon


AP - World champion pairs skater Tatiana Totmianina said Monday she still doesn't know what caused her to fall and sustain a concussion during a weekend skating program, though she says she doesn't fear going back on the ice.

Skater Totmianina Doesn't Remember Fall (AP)


Asserting that a second quarter improvement has drawn it  quot;closer to the figures of certain of our competitors, quot; Havas Chairman and CEO Alain de Pouzilhac said the company is on pace with the restructuring plan it unveiled last year that the company hoped

Havas Returns To Profitability Amid Takeover Speculation


Technology trade groups cheered parts of a comprehensive intelligence reform bill passed by Congress yesterday, but said the government's chief cybersecurity official should have a more prominent position.

Tech groups praise parts of intelligence bill


Cingular Wireless (Profile, Products, Articles) LLC announced Tuesday that it completed a \$41 billion acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.

Cingular wraps up AT amp;T Wireless acquisition


Knick Coach Lenny Wilkens steered away from predictions Thursday, but he found more to like than not to like as he surveyed the coming season.

Upbeat Wilkens Likes New Pieces to Knicks' Puzzle


Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said Wednesday it will release its PlayStation Portable game console in Japan on Dec. 12 at a price of 20,790 yen, surprising many who had expected it to cost far more.

Sony PSP to cost surprising 20,790 yen, hit shelves Dec. 12


Australia test discard Stuart MacGill completed match figures of 8-109 on Saturday as New Zealand #39;s batting line-up collapsed against New South Wales for a second time in their only warm-up game for next week #39;s first test in

Test discard MacGill puts skids under New Zealand


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Nastech Pharmaceutical Co.  Inc. <A HREF=

Before the Bell - Nastech Soars 23 Pct.


AP - The oldest panda raised in captivity has died at an eastern China zoo at the age of 33, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

Oldest Panda Raised in Captivity Dies (AP)


AP - 1958  #151; Construction began on the new ballpark for the Giants in San Francisco. The rocks in the area resembled candlesticks.

This Date in Baseball for Oct. 28 (AP)


TRANSMETA HAS started shipping limited quantities of its X86 compatible Efficeon TM8800 processor, a low-powered CPU fabbed on 90-nanometre silicon.

Transmeta ships 90 nanometre processor


Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rapids have fired general manager Dan Counce after eight years with the club. The move comes as Colorado remains in search of a new head coach, who will take over

Rapids fire GM


Speculation grows ahead of Friday's announcement of the 2004 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nobel Peace winner to be named


If this humble voter were filling out his ballot today, though, it would look like this: 1. Purdue 2. Minnesota 3. Ohio State, 4. Michigan 5. Iowa 6. Wisconsin 7. Michigan State 8. Northwestern 9. Penn State 10.

Purdue, Minnesota can be Rose runners


They lined up hours before the game's release outside EB Games in San Francisco.

Fans brave long lines, rain for 'Halo 2' debut


in which the hacker gained access to the private information of 600,000 clients and workers in California #39;s In-Home Supportive Services program

UC Berkeley Hack Not Unusual, Analyst Says


WOKHA, India -- The Nagas of northeastern India, warriors for centuries, launched the country's oldest insurgency nearly five decades ago -- a few years before their last tribe gave up headhunting. They have been poor for much longer, but they are in no hurry to tap the oil riches lying roughly a mile beneath their feet. Protecting the land their ...

In remote India, guarding land of ancestors tops lure of oil


Tommy Hilfiger Corp., known for its logo-splashed clothing and baggy jeans, agreed to buy the Karl Lagerfeld label to expand into luxury wear with apparel brands developed by the German-born designer.

Tommy Hilfiger Agrees to Acquire Karl Lagerfeld Label (Update2)


AFP - Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry are battling feverishly for the support of soldiers and veterans, but Bush seems to have gained the upper hand as Kerry's military past comes under attack.

Kerry, Bush battle for crucial military vote (AFP)


VANCOUVER (CP) - How to make a seamless transition from the Olympics to the Paralympics is one of the lessons a five-member team from the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee is learning during a visit to the Athens Paralympic Games, said VANOC CEO John

Making seamless transition to Paralympics will be a challenge <b>...</b>


Device will capture high-resolution still images and video--and it still makes phone calls.

Samsung Shows 5-Megapixel Camera Phone


Manchester United had the better chances but Arsenal defended superbly as a pulsating opening half of their Premier League match ended goalless at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Fiercely-contested Old Trafford game goalless at halftime


DAKAR, Senegal (Reuters) - Residents burned tires and  children took to the streets with sticks in Senegal's capital  on Wednesday to fight an invasion of locusts, as 12 West  African nations agreed on a battle plan.

Senegalese Fight Locusts with Smoke and Sticks


The Israeli military wants to exhume the body of a 13-year-old girl shot dead in Gaza by soldiers last month.

Call to exhume Gaza girl's body


Monaco, France (Sports Network) - Nice had little working in its favor with the score 3-0 in favor of Monaco in the second half on Saturday night, and a derby loss seemed inevitable.

Wild Nice win


Racing to avoid bankruptcy, Alitalia (AZPIa.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) struggled into the early hours of Thursday for a last-minute deal with its powerful unions to roll

Alitalia Talks Stretch Past Deadline


AFP - The World Bank has welcomed Sri Lanka's move to boost tax revenues and pump money into rural areas, but warned a return to war with separatist Tamil rebels could be disastrous for economic stability.

World Bank warns Sri Lanka to watch taxes, peace bid (AFP)


It's ironic that Microsoft could help further cement its dominance in the browser market by joining its largest rival in an effort to support web standards.  nbsp;At the same time, that act would go a long way towards improving the web in general for developers and users alike.

Mozilla To Add Support For XForms, World Yawns


AP - Pierre Pierce hit a 25-foot jumper with 44 seconds left to give Iowa the lead for good, and the Hawkeyes beat No. 15 Texas 82-80 on Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.

Iowa Upends No. 15 Texas 82-80 (AP)


A new feature in WebEx #39;s latest Web conferencing service has reporters and PowerPoint victims of all stripe a little nervous. The service being announced Monday, WebEx Sales Center, includes an Attention Indicator

WebEx plays big brother


Rwanda tells the UN Security Council its plans to disarm rebels across the border in DR Congo will not work.

Rwanda snubs UN forces in DR Congo


Goal-kicker, tackler, distributor, organiser, role-model, conscience, keeper of the flame - Jonny Wilkinson is a man of many parts, all of them fundamental to the immediate well-being of the

Wilkinson convincing as man to  #39;bind side together #39;


Weather permitting, Southwestern Ontario residents will be treated to an enchanting celestial show tonight. Along with most of the rest of North America, the London region will be front-row centre for the

Londoners have great seat for lunar eclipse


Canadian Press - FREDERICTON (CP) - When a 23-year-old university student from New Brunswick decided to go to court to fight a  #36;400 speeding ticket, she knew it was a long shot.

Soaring traffic fines, insurance rates have more Canadians fighting tickets (Canadian Press)


Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has again argued the case that open source is not necessarily cheaper, nor more secure than its proprietary counterpart.

Microsoft #39;s Ballmer questions open source


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops pounded Fallujah with airstrikes and tank fire Sunday, and the Iraqi government appealed to residents to expel

Car Bomb Kills at Least Six in Baghdad


PC World - Number of users with high-speed connections has tripled in the last three years.

Broadband Proves Popular (PC World)


Office Depot Inc., the world #39;s No. 2 office-supplies retailer, ousted Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Nelson after sales declined at its older stores in 14 of 16 quarters.

Office Depot ousts chairman


Nike Inc. (NKE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) co-founder Philip Knight, who helped transform a small-start up business into the world #39;s biggest athletic shoe company

Nike Co-Founder Knight Steps Down as CEO


The USA drop Phil Mickelson for Saturday's fourballs as they bid to peg back Europe's five-point lead.

Ryder Cup: USA bid to bounce back


Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. moved to ward off any hostile bid from Liberty Media with a plan to issue stock options to dilute the stake of any predator.

News Corporation Limited Tries to Fend Off Liberty Media


A Polish woman, who was kidnapped in Iraq last month, has been released and flown back to Poland. Teresa Borcz Khalifa, who was brought to Poland on Friday evening, appeared

Polish hostage released in Iraq back home


Ziff Davis - Enterprise communications systems are no longer used simply as tools of convenience and sound business practice but increasingly as crisis-management programs as well.

Turning Phone Into Broadcaster (Ziff Davis)


A 15-year-old Argentine student opened fire at his classmates on Tuesday in a middle school in the south of the Buenos Aires province, leaving at least four dead and five others wounded, police said.

Argentina teenage shooter slays 4 classmates


VeriSign and a children #39;s safety group unveiled a new technology on Thursday that they said would make it easier for children to avoid child predators online.

VeriSign creates kid credentials


The European Commission has opened an investigation into the planned acquisition of ContentGuard Holdings by Microsoft and Time Warner, a commission spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Europe Opens Another Inquiry Involving Microsoft


NEW YORK -- The IT planners began working 18 months ago, evaluating the buildings that would contain 4,800 delegates and twice as many journalists at this week's Republican National Convention in New York. From the start, they agreed on one major infrastructure issue: No wireless.

Organizers shun wireless for GOP convention network


WalkerInformation, a 65-year-old company that focuses on surveying customer brand loyalty, released its 2004 study of IT vendors this week, entitled, Customer Loyalty Management for Information Technology.

Study reveals decline in IT customer loyalty


AP - Californians voted by a wide margin last month to pass a landmark  #36;3 billion initiative to fund stem-cell research. That may have been the easy part.

New Calif. Agency Begins Stem Cell Project (AP)


The likely death of the video recorder - as reflected in the decision of Dixons not to stock them any more because of the popularity of DVDs - will come as a post-dated relief for millions of adults who claimed never to be able to programme them in the

The sun sets on the VCR


Margaret Hassan, who works for charity Care International, was taken hostage while on her way to work in Baghdad. Here are the main events since her kidnapping.

Timeline: Margaret Hassan


Burmas democracy leader, Nobel laureate and General Secretary of The National League for Democracy (NLD), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the honorary citizen of Paris by its city council in a ceremony held on 10 December.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi awarded Honorary Citizen of Paris


Nokia is adding BlackBerry connectivity to its Series 80 mobile devices, including the Nokia 9500 Communicator, and has unveiled a new business smartphone, the Edge-compatible Nokia 9300.

Nokia adds BlackBerry support to Series 80 handsets


The San Francisco Giants outfielder is the 2004 Most Valuable Player in the National League, an award he has now won four years in a row and seven times overall.

30 Chance of Rain


Forbes.com - BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL (4, BMRN) is the classic biotech, convertible-debt-laden and intensely unprofitable. But Quinterol Mallette, portfolio manager at Mallette Capital Management, argues that Aldurazyme, BioMarin's treatment for a children's enzyme-deficiency disease, is about to take off. What's more, BioMarin acquired Ascent Pediatrics, a profitable biotech with its own pediatrics sales force.

Genetic Code (Forbes.com)


Under the advertising slogan  quot;Digital Joy, quot; Microsoft and Intel plan a national television advertising campaign in the US, with plans to take the campaign to other countries next year.

Microsoft, Intel Plan Joint Campaign for Media Center


AP - Shaquille O'Neal didn't dominate and didn't need to Friday night. Reserve Christian Laettner scored 23 points  #151; making 10 of 13 shots  #151; Eddie Jones added 21 and O'Neal 18 as the Miami Heat moved the ball around the floor, shot 50.6 percent and beat the Chicago Bulls 105-81.

Miami Heat Crush the Bulls 105-81 (AP)


Matt Kenseth was becoming irritated as he leaned against the inside wall of his hauler. Cant we talk about something else? he asked.

Making his Move


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar pared gains on Tuesday  after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the fifth  time this year, as expected, but quashed hopes for more  aggressive rate tightening.

Dollar Trims Gains After Fed Hikes Rates


Reuters - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.  on\Friday reported a lower third-quarter profit as revenue fell\amid intense competition for its products from rivals and\generic drugs.

Bristol-Myers Posts Lower Profit (Reuters)


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

US Air Flight Attendants Ready for Strike


TechWeb - Mandrakesoft releases the latest version of its Linux operating system.

Mandrakesoft Ships Upgrade of Linux OS (TechWeb)


TOKYO (Reuters) - Gains in banks and exporters helped lift  Tokyo's Nikkei 0.84 percent by midday on Tuesday as a fall in  crude oil prices and a rebound in U.S. stocks led buyers to  pick up shares hit by the index's recent sharp losses.

Nikkei Higher by Midday


_December 2002: Jack M. Greenberg retires after four years as chairman and CEO as the company struggles to emerge from a deep, two-year slump.

A timeline of McDonald #39;s CEOs


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two major oil companies and a small  Louisiana refiner are negotiating with the U.S. Department of  Energy to borrow crude from national emergency reserves as  crude production in the Gulf of Mexico only slowly recovers  from Hurricane Ivan, sources said on Friday.

Oil Companies Negotiating for SPR Crude


AFP - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he believed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was alive but that he was unsure where he was hiding.

Pakistan's Musharraf says bin Laden alive, but hide-out unknown (AFP)


Reuters - Internet media and Web search\company Yahoo Inc.  said on Thursday it bought\privately held e-mail search company Stata Labs, jumping into\the nascent market for search-based email programs and\services.

Yahoo Buys Privately Held Stata Labs (Reuters)


Seeking to encourage condo development in a neighborhood of mostly renters and institutions such as Northeastern University and the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Redevelopment Authority is set to vote tomorrow on new zoning rules for most of the Fenway.

BRA plan pushes condos in Fenway


World finance leaders ended their annual meeting yesterday with renewed pledges to promote global prosperity, amid warnings that the battle against poverty had taken a back seat to the war on terrorism.

Poverty poses threat, finance leaders told


Justin Gatlin ran the race of his life, barely holding off the field Sunday night to win the 100 meters in 9.85 seconds. Francis Obikwelu of Portugal got the silver

Gatlin Wins 100 Meters; Greene Third


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Guerrillas in Mosul attacked the  governor's office of Iraq's third city on Thursday and there  was bloodshed elsewhere in the north as U.S. forces wound down  their offensive against the shattered rebel stronghold of  Falluja.

Bloodshed in N.Iraq, Govt. Hails Falluja 'Success'


Reuters - Heat waves like those that have hit\Paris and Chicago in recent years are likely to get worse,\roasting more and more cities with ever-higher temperatures,\climate researchers predicted on Thursday.

Heat Waves to Worsen Across America, Europe - Study (Reuters)


SINGAPORE -- Crude oil futures rose to a record for a third day Monday, surpassing \$55 in New York on speculation US demand for heating oil will deplete inventories this winter.

Crude Passes \$55, Greenspan Unfazed


AP - Last summer, the Seattle Seahawks were a trendy pick to reach the Super Bowl. As they keep reminding themselves, that goal remains attainable. Yet one day after their second loss to NFC West rival St. Louis, everyone from coach Mike Holmgren down was asking the same question.

Seahawks Do Some Soul Searching Over Loss (AP)


Hewlett-Packard #39;s new OpenView software is designed to help companies automate IT responses to business events, such as a jump in order-processing transactions.

HP Links Business Processes And IT Management


INSENSITIVE computer programmers with little knowledge of geography have cost the giant Microsoft company hundreds of millions of dollars in lost business and led hapless company employees to be arrested by offended governments.

Microsoft pays dearly for insults through ignorance


BHP Billiton, the world #39;s biggest mining company, said global growth and economic activity in China are slowing, partly as higher oil prices curb spending.

BHP Billiton Says Global Economic Growth Is Slowing (Update1)


USATODAY.com - Money and mud are flying in the final days of nine close contests that will determine which party controls the Senate next year.

Crucial Senate races costly, caustic (USATODAY.com)


Reuters - Suspected insurgents shot dead a\policeman in Nepal's capital on Saturday as the military said\it could escort food shipments into the city to ease a\rebel-inspired blockade.

Policeman Killed as Nepal Siege Grips Capital (Reuters)


The World Trade Organization gave final approval on Friday to the European Union, Japan and others to hit the United States with an initial \$150 million in trade sanctions

WTO Lets EU, Others Hit US with Trade Sanctions


A judge in Compton, Calif., refused to dismiss the case against a man charged with murdering the half-sister of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

Judge Refuses to Dismiss Case in Yetunde Price Shooting


TOKYO With Japan #39;s banking crisis coming under control, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi shifted his economic repairman on Monday to Japan #39;s next gargantuan task: privatizing the world #39;s largest bank.

Koizumi moves to sell off Japan Post


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks declined on Monday as oil  prices spiked higher and companies like consumer goods giant  Colgate-Palmolive warned on earnings, stirring investor worry  about corporate profits.

Stocks Lower on Oil and Profit Warnings


Martha Stewart was the picture of loneliness Saturday as she explored the grounds of her new home - a federal prison camp in West Virginia.

Stewart in good spirits #39; at prison camp, staffer says


Four years after publishing a draft human genetic sequence, researchers reach the halfway point in producing the

Human genome hits halfway mark


AP - Federal investigators said Thursday that two Mexico City police and 27 other people face homicide charges in the horrific vigilante killings of two federal agents this week.

2 Mexico City Cops Accused in Mob Killing (AP)


AFP - A Kashmiri company with the motto  quot;Dare to Dream quot; is seeking to tap into India's outsourcing boom and give work to jobless youth in the region, scene of one of the world's deadliest revolts.

IT firm blazes trail in revolt-hit Indian Kashmir (AFP)


Johnson Space Center -- It will be drilling for information first, then for resources, though oil is not likely to be among exploration targets.     The futuristic drilling rig, under development at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, is designed for use on the moon or on Mars...

Mars Drill Will Seek Knowledge and Resources


President Bush and John Kerry clashed over the war on terrorism, the loss of jobs overseas and the state of health care.

Sharp Contrasts for Candidates on Domestic and Social Issues


There were no judges, and there was no pressure. Best of all, there was no Olympic-sized controversy at MCI Center on Thursday as the stars of the U.S. gymnastics team tumbled, twirled and gyrated.

Olympians Put On Show


Weeks before Marine and Army units stormed into Fallujah, blowing up buildings and blasting holes in insurgent positions, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Larry Merola was already working on a plan to fix the damage.

Rebuilding What the Assault Turns to Rubble


The Massachusetts attorney general's office is investigating the state's health insurance industry over lucrative commissions offered brokers who are supposed to bring employers the best insurance deals.

AG probes state health insurers


World number six gold miner Harmony Gold on Monday announced that it had secured 10.8 percent of shares in world number four gold miner Gold Fields as a result of its early settlement offer, which closed at 12h00 on Friday.

Offer gives Harmony 11 of Gold Fields


BEIJING (AFP) -- China's space program is expecting government approval this year to build a new and more powerful rocket that will serve as the nation's vehicle to explore the moon, state media said reported.       According to Luan Enjie, director-in-chief of China's lunar exploration program, the new-generation carrier rocket will be developed over the next eight years, Xinhua news agency said...

China Building Next-Generation Space Rocket


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

PepsiCo Says Profit Rises on Tax Benefits


In its ardent desire to be part of Europe, modern Turkey jettisoned its Islamic character in favour of secularism about eight decades back; was in denial of its rich Islamic past and broke ranks with the Muslim world in its quest for a European identity.

VIEW: Islam and Turkeys EU membership Ijaz Hussain


US-LED and Afghan soldiers arrested two senior Taliban commanders and six militants during an operation in south-central Afghanistan, officials said today.

Two Taliban commanders caught


Microsoft promises -- in 2006. The market expected the new desktop operating system in 2004, but the company was distracted with security concerns as it marshaled its forces to finish the Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Microsoft #39;s One-Two Punch: Longhorn in 2006, WinFS Later


Gary Sheffield signed with the Yankees to play in the postseason, and he said he won #39;t be distracted by a controversy stemming from his admission to unknowingly using a steroid two years.

Slugger admits unwitting steroid use


It appears Purdue has a knack for letting games slip away. Literally. For the second week in a row, a Boilermakers fumble sealed their fate.

UM knocks down fumbling Purdue, 16-14


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were slightly higher on  Tuesday, with lower oil prices helping support markets, but  Johnson   Johnson <A HREF=

Stocks Slightly Ahead, Lower Oil Helps


GENEVA: Cross-border investment is set to bounce in 2004 after three years of deep decline, reflecting a stronger world economy and more international merger activity, the United Nations (UN) said overnight.

UN says foreign investment to bounce after 3-year slump


Inter Milan striker Adriano described his stunning second goal in the 3-1 home win over Udinese as a dream come true. The burly Brazil international had already put Inter 1-0 up with a ferocious 25-yard free

Hotshot Adriano steals the show with  #39;dream #39; goal


Powered by its SUSE Linux subsidiary, Linux Desktop 9 includes the usual suspects of the Linux desktop, including Mozilla #39;s Firefox Web browser, the Gaim instant messaging client, the Novell Ximian Evolution Groupware client and the OpenOffice.

Novell Launches Linux on the Desktop


I hate parades. Hate em. I guess I never really got the point. On the excitement scale theyre right up there with walking through your average suburban mall.

Parade of idiots


What happened in the National Assembly on October 22 was unsavoury but expected. Yet there is one good reason for wanting to comment on the proceedings of the house that day: General Pervez Musharrafs constant

EDITORIAL: Another example of true democracy!


AP - Preparations for the crucial January election are

Iraq Vote Preparations Said on Schedule (AP)


The dollar posted modest gains on Wednesday as investors awaited comments from the Federal Reserve chief that are expected to point to further rises in US interest rates this year.

Dollar Edges Higher as Greenspan Awaited


AFP - Japan's Sumitomo Trust and Banking -- the trust arm of a rival suitor for UFJ Holdings -- filed a new lawsuit as part of its effort to secure a deal which could create the world's largest bank.

Sumitomo files new suit in bid to halt UFJ, Mitsubishi Tokyo merger (AFP)


AUSTRALIAN crowds are familiar with the sight of a big-hitting left-hander wandering to the wicket at No.7 and turning a Test match on its head.

Oram puts Australian attack to the sword


His postseason fate now formally sealed, Moises Alou #39;s eyes filled any gaps his words left behind. The disappointment, the confusion, the shock.

Cubs fell apart at wrong time


When Tom Coughlin growled, gritted his teeth and clenched those fists his first day on the job, he vowed these Fasselian free falls were finished.

Giants are now playing for next year


Israeli army officials say soldiers killed Mahmoud Hammad, a member of the militant group Islamic Jihad, as he tried to escape from a house in the village of Raba, close to the West Bank town of Jenin.

Palestinian Militant Shot to Death in West Bank


Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has played down suggestions that there could be further UK troop re-deployments in support of US operations in Iraq.

Black Watch mission  #39;exceptional #39;


A couple of new Killer Bs have the Houston Astros one win away from ending 43 seasons of playoff failure. Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer and Brandon Backe pitched six solid innings in his

Beltran, Backe combine to push Braves to brink as Astros earn 8-5 <b>...</b>


ATHENS (Reuters) - Michael Phelps, one gold won but one of  his eight title chances now lost, takes on Ian Thorpe and  Pieter van den Hoogenband in their long-awaited showdown in the  200 meters freestyle final on Monday.

Phelps, Thorpe Face Dutch Threat


PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani police arrested an  Algerian and one other foreigner suspected of links with al  Qaeda on Thursday in the northern city of Peshawar after a  shoot-out, intelligence officials said.

Pakistan Arrests Two Al Qaeda Suspects


Will the Beslan massacre unify - or divide - the West in the global war on terrorism? The massacre of school children by Islamic terrorists in the North Osettian town of Beslan horrified the civilized world.

Putin #39;s response


Lawmakers approved amending Ivory Coast #39;s constitution Friday to widen the pool of potential presidential candidates, implementing a crucial reform from a French

Ivory Coast overturns candidacy rule


Yahoo Messenger Patches Security Hole\\If you logged into Yahoo Messenger today and was taken a back by an automatic security download - don't be scared, it's no virus. Yahoo was only patching up a few holes.\\Yahoo has posted a security patch for a flaw in its instant messaging software that ...

Yahoo Messenger Patches Security Hole


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's chief nuclear negotiator  acknowledged on Wednesday that Tehran was in talks to renew its  freeze of some sensitive nuclear activities.

Iran Acknowledges Talks on Renewed Nuclear Freeze


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Pilots at US Airways on Thursday  ratified a concession package that includes pay cuts of 18  percent, a decrease in company contributions to their  retirement plan and increased productivity.

US Airways Pilots Ratify 18 Pct Pay Cut


European Space Agency -- Hurricanes are one of those forces of nature that can only fully be captured by satellite imagery. For Hurricane Frances, currently thundering towards the United States coast, ESA's Envisat is going one better, peering through the hurricane from top to bottom, even helping to 'see' under the waves to map hidden forces powering the storm...

Satellite Sees Through Hurricane Frances


AP - Voters in recent surveys are more frequently describing themselves as Republicans, a shift that could affect November elections up and down the ticket if it continues.

Rise in GOP Numbers May Impact Elections (AP)


By George Chamberlin , Daily Transcript Financial Correspondent. Investors once again shrugged off volatility in the oil patch Friday and pushed stock prices modestly higher.

Stocks climb as oil falls


Rebels made major attacks today against a Shiite mosque and a police station in Baghdad, killing up to 30 people, including at least 16 police officers.

Up to 30 Reported Killed in Rebel Attacks in Baghdad


IMlogic and other security vendors announced a consortium Tuesday to fight IM and P-to-P (peer-to-peer) viruses, worms and unwanted spam.

Group will fight IM threats with honeypots


Reuters - It's called the book of life but mice,\and perhaps humans, can still thrive even when chapters are\missing, scientists said Wednesday.

Mice Thrive Without Chapters of the Book of Life (Reuters)


MADRID - It has taken just two months for Michael Owen to question whether his move to Real Madrid has been a big mistake. The England striker has started just one match after trading Anfield for the Bernabeu

Two months of doing nothing


Savvy consumers should skip over the bold print for 0-percent introductory rates for credit cards and head straight to the penalty box.

SUSAN TOMPOR: Credit card issuers raise big penalties


AP - An independent assessor valued Yukos' main production unit at  #36;14.7 billion to  #36;17.3 billion on Thursday, the same day a news agency reported that a controlling stake in the business could be sold for just over  #36;4 billion.

Assessment of Yukos Unit Fluctuates (AP)


IT management is firmly anchored at number six, with outsourcing, cost control, and process improvement the order of the day. Cisco Systems signed an agreement on Wednesday to acquire network management start-up Jahi Networks for \$16 million.

Cisco buys IT management start-up


Seattle, WA -- The Fresno State defense forced five turnovers, three of them being returned for touchdowns, as the Bulldogs defeated the Washington Huskies by a score of 35-16 in the season opener for both schools at Husky Stadium.

NCAA Game Summary - Fresno State At Washington


ATHENS (Reuters) - The swimming judge who disqualified gold medal winner Aaron Peirsol at the Athens Olympics is standing by his claim that the American backstroker broke the rules.

Judge Maintains Peirsol Broke Rules


Reuters - The trial in the Kobe Bryant rape\case looked set to go ahead later this month after the state's\highest court ruled against prosecutors on Monday over a key\piece of evidence in the high-profile case.

Kobe Bryant Rape Trial Looks Set to Go Ahead (Reuters)


Kmart Holding Corp. has finalized the sale of 50 of its stores to Sears, Roebuck and Co. for \$575 million, the retailer said Wednesday.

Kmart finalizes sale of 50 stores to Sears


Software startup hopes there's big money in little improvements to Microsoft products.

A brighter Outlook?


AP - Gunfire erupted as Haitians calling for the return of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched near the presidential palace on Thursday, killing at least three police officers as hundreds scattered to safety in side streets.

Pro-Aristide March Turns Violent in Haiti (AP)


A congressional committee has voted to kill a hotly contested Boeing deal to lease 767 jetliners to the US Air Force as refueling tankers.

Congressional panel votes to kill Boeing Air Force tanker lease


AP - Fiorentina, Atalanta, Messina and Livorno all won their first-round matches of the Italian Cup on Sunday, stepping closer to qualification for the next round.

Fiorentina, Atalanta Win at Italian Cup (AP)


Tariq Ramadan, a Swiss theologian of Egyptian descent, has been chased by allegations that his public face of moderation conceals an extremist core.

Mystery of the Islamic Scholar Who Was Barred by the U.S.


The founders of Google Inc., Sergey Brin and Larry Page, flew to Tokyo this week to set up a research and development center and other projects in Japan.

Google founders tout new projects in Japan


AFP - An American soldier has been killed and three others wounded in an ambush in eastern Afghanistan, in the second fatality suffered by US forces in the country in as many days, the US military said.

US soldier killed, three wounded in Afghanistan ambush (AFP)


AU-sponsored peace talks on Darfur crisis are to be resumed at the Nigerian capital, Abuja, a spokesman for the continental body told reporters.

Peace talks on Darfur crisis to resume


Santander Central Hispano is expected to announce that headcount at Abbey National will not drop by more than 4,500 in the three years after its takeover, a source familiar with the situation says.

Abbey staff loss will be  quot;under 4,500 quot;


June 11: Kamila Vodichkova scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping the Storm to a tough win. Lauren Jackson scored 22 points, but was just 7 of 18 and had just two rebounds.

How they #39;ve fared: teams split games this year


PARIS : Iraq #39;s elections will go ahead as scheduled in January even if some Iraqis are unable to vote due to the security situation in the country, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said in an interview published in the several western daily newspapers.

Iraq elections to go ahead on schedule, says interim premier


If Bernard Hopkins beats Oscar De La Hoya in what should be the richest non-heavyweight fight in history early on Sunday, he will cement his place among the great middleweights of all time.

Boxing: Hopkins fighting for place among greats


That #39;s according to the Lundberg Survey. It cites an increase in crude oil supplies combined with the recovery of US offshore oil production after Hurricane Ivan.

Survey: Gas prices drop as oil production increases


The United States today reclaimed the lead in global supercomputing more than two years after Japans Earth Simulator shook the computing world by claiming the top spot.

IBM reclaims world supercomputing title


Jamal Crawford got his first start in a Knicks uniform Thursday night, showing a glimpse of what, exactly, was not entirely clear.

Knicks See a Little Spark in Opener


The Beijing municipal government has canceled an order for Microsoft computer software following official complaints that local governments are not buying enough software developed domestically.

Beijing cancels purchase of Microsoft software


San Diego Chargers wide receiver Reche Caldwell will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his right knee in Sunday #39;s loss at Atlanta.

Chargers lose Caldwell for year, add McCardell, Shaw


Eastman Kodak Co., poised to ask for more than \$1 billion in damages from Sun Microsystems Inc., has reached an out-of-court settlement in a long-running patent dispute over the Silicon Valley company #39;s Java programming language.

Kodak, Sun Microsystems Settle Java Suit


Sprint (FON) and Nextel (NXTL) are in discussions to merge, with an eye to creating a wireless giant that could rival Cingular and Verizon Wireless in size and scope, according to two people with direct knowledge of the talks.

Sprint, Nextel consider lucrative deal


The nation's 47 million Social Security recipients got a bit of good news yesterday: their checks next year will increase 2.7 percent, or an average of \$25 thanks to the program's annual cost-of-living adjustment. But looking further into the future, the news is less encouraging. A trio of forces -- higher taxes, rising medical costs, and a mandated increase in ...

Social Security checks to rise 2.7 next year


Top Palestinian officials are to meet the French president in the hope of visiting the ailing Yasser Arafat.

Palestinians seek to visit Arafat


A body found in Iraq is probably that of Japanese hostage Shosei Koda, taken captive by an Islamic militant group in Iraq, according to information obtained by the Japanese government.

Japanese hostage probably killed in Iraq


BRUSSELS -- Nearly 2,000 NATO troops, including two  quot;rapid response quot; battalions from Spain and Italy, began arriving in Afghanistan this week to strengthen the international military presence there in time for the Oct. 9 presidential election, NATO officials said.

NATO bolsters presence for Afghan election


Reuters - Apple Computer is planning the next wave\of expansion for its popular iTunes online music store with a\multi-country European launch in October, the services chief\architect said on Wednesday.

Apple Plans EU Expansion of iTunes Next Month (Reuters)


Green Clean

Plants Perform


A British company has released a video game re-creating the assassination of President Kennedy. A spokesperson for the president #39;s brother, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, called the game  quot;despicable.

JFK Assassination Game Defended as  #39;Educational #39;


The judge who must decide whether PeopleSoft Inc.'s corporate takeover defenses will stand up against a hostile takeover attempt by Oracle Corp. said Friday the latest revision of a key defense was

PeopleSoft Director to Testify at Trial


FROM a compulsively neat desk inside a company that routinely jousts with powerful critics from the White House, Congress, the Federal Reserve and Wall Street, J. Timothy Howard has been the financial architect of one of the world #39;s most formidable and

A Seismic Shift Under the House of Fannie Mae


Surface numbers disappoint, but that's as far as Wall Street looks.

Does Kimberly-Clark Have Inner Beauty?


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rose for the second day in  a row on Thursday with an Arctic blast forecast to hit the  United States next week seen ramping up demand for heating  fuels.

Oil Prices Rise for Second Day in a Row


1 November 2004 - Slobodan Miloevic can go back to representing himself in his ongoing genocide trial but must let his court-appointed lawyers assist him if his health threatens to interfere with the case, a United Nations tribunal ruled today.

Miloevic can defend himself but must accept court lawyers, UN <b>...</b>


RIO DE JANEIRO (Dow Jones)--After jumping 9 in 2003 and 19 in 2004, iron ore prices appear likely to rise another 20 or more in 2005 as the world #39;s biggest steelmakers

Brazil #39;s CVRD CEO: Iron Ore Prices Should Rise In 2005


Euro Disney, the French theme park operator, said yesterday it had won agreement from all its creditors on a modified debt restructuring plan, including a 250m (170m) capital increase, designed to haul it back from the brink of bankruptcy.

Euro Disney debt plan agreement


TONY EASTLEY: There #39;s a debate raging within the world of international soccer following last week #39;s racist heckling by Spanish fans of black players in the English team.

FIFA investigates racist heckling at soccer games


NewsFactor - Its cost is low, it delivers enterprise-level functionality, and it spares a company the ordeal of a time-consuming implementation project.

Hidden Costs of Online CRM - Part 2 (NewsFactor)


If the Mets had any problems with the fact that Omar Minaya had hired a career Yankee as the club #39;s new manager, it wasn #39;t obvious Thursday morning.

Players excited to have Randolph


The studied casualness with which Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf presented his big idea on Kashmir this week has not been able to hide its innovative and indeed revolutionary

Resolving Kashmir with a Musharraf model


The Ministry of National Defense (MND) yesterday denied a report in the local media, which claimed that President Chen Shui-bian #39;s (  ) presidential flight had been intercepted by

President #39;s plane not intercepted: MND


England #39;s David Howell holed a 105-yard shot for an eagle and finished with a 7-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Luke Donald yesterday after the second round of the Dunhill Links Championship in St.

Howell Leads Dunhill Links by 1 Shot


A LAB owned by US tobacco giant Philip Morris uncovered evidence in the early 1980s about potential risks from passive smoking but its findings were never made public, a new study charges.

Passive smoking risk  #39;kept secret #39;


AP - The District of Columbia Council delayed a vote on funding a new ballpark for the Expos, with Council Chair Linda Cropp proposing another new plan Tuesday.

D.C. Delays Vote on New Expos Ballpark (AP)


quot;Commissioner Tagliabue, it's Commissioner Stern on Line 1. quot;  quot;Who's Commissioner Stern? quot;

It's clear they know who to call for help


Argentine Guillermo Canas crushed Germany #39;s Lars Burgsmuller 6-1 6-0 to win the Shanghai Open on Sunday. Canas broke his opponent #39;s serve in the third game of the first set and

Canas thrashes Burgsmuller to win Shanghai Open


Reuters - Yields on U.S. Treasuries held near\recent lows on Friday as oil topped  #36;49 a barrel, threatening\the outlook for both the economy and stocks.

Treasuries Yields Near Recent Lows (Reuters)


BOSTON - The U.S. government's Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT) and software security companies have issued warnings about a number of security vulnerabilities in versions of Oracle Corp.'s software.

US government, companies warn of critical Oracle flaws


Australia lost three more wickets as they look to extend their lead against India on the fourth day of the first Test in Bangalore.

Aussies lead by 432 runs


The United States on Monday lodged a formal appeal against a ruling that ordered it to withdraw some of its subsidies for producers of cotton and other commodities, trade officials said.

U.S. Appeals WTO Rule on Cotton Subsidies


Tom Ridge leaves with a record of progress, but his successor faces daunting challenges that critics say were largely ignored.

Under Ridge, Color Alerts and Mixed Security Reviews


ATHENS - As the final leg of the men #39;s 4 x 200 freestyle relay began last night at the Olympic pool, the United States held a lead of at least 1 1/2 body lengths - which, considering the final 200 meters was being swum by 6-foot-6 Klete ...

Back in the swim: Peirsol, Coughlin give Americans much needed splash


LONDON (Reuters) - Ernie Els has pulled out of this week's  Chrysler Championship in Florida due to a finger injury, the  world number two said on his official Web Site.

Els Withdraws from Florida Event with Finger Injury


- CHICAGO -- Chicago aldermen have unanimously endorsed the Chicago Skyway plan which gives the city 1.8-billion dollars while a private company gets to run it and collect the tolls for 99 years.

Daley Gets Top Marks From Council For Skyway Deal


Kenyon Martin said he felt unappreciated because the Nets never made him an offer when he came a free agent this summer.

Martin Says Nets Missed a Chance to Keep Him


Sony Corp., the world #39;s second-largest consumer electronics maker, and Samsung Electronics Co., the world #39;s second-largest chip maker, said Tuesday they have agreed to share about 24,000 patents, fortifying an alliance between two of Asia #39;s biggest

Sony, Samsung bolster alliance, agree to share 24,000 patents


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Front-line U.S. troops often lacked  access to surveillance and intelligence data during the  invasion of Iraq because of computer glitches, Technology  Review magazine reported on Tuesday, citing a classified report  by Rand Corp.

Report Faults Military Technology in Iraq War


Motorola Inc., the second-largest maker of wireless handsets, said Thursday it agreed to purchase Crisnet Inc., a privately-held developer of records management and related systems for criminal justice and public safety customers.

Motorola Agrees to Buy Crisnet Inc.


LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- After Team USA racked up six goals in a 6-3 victory over the Swedes Saturday, coach Ben Smith said he hoped his players saved a few because goals were going to be hard to get yesterday against Canada.

US lacks golden touch


AP - Janus Capital Group Inc. said Wednesday it has finalized a  #36;226.2 million settlement with state and federal regulators over improper trading allegations, part of a scandal sweeping the  #36;7 trillion mutual funds industry.

Janus Finalizes Regulatory Settlement (AP)


AP - About 1,000 Pakistani soldiers backed by helicopter gunships, mortars and artillery Wednesday pounded a mountainous region near the Afghan border where a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who masterminded the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers is believed to be hiding.

Pakistani Forces Pound Alleged Hideout (AP)


That other Los Angeles team is off to its best start in nine years at 5-3. LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Clippers are off to a winning start.

NBA Roundup: Clippers slice through Raptors


Q. It #39;s a slow road back, isn #39;t it? You #39;ve had the illness and injury problems earlier in this year. Did you lose confidence or what? ...

Men #39;s Singles : Interview with JUAN CARLOS FERRERO (ESP)


A videotape posted on a website linked to Iraqi militants shows the beheading of three hostages believed to be members of the Kurdistan Democratic party.

Iraqi militants behead three Kurdish hostages


PHILLIP ISLAND (Melbourne): Italian Valentino Rossi is within a top-two podium finish of claiming his fourth consecutive premier class world title in the Australian MotoGP championship race here on Sunday.

Rossi on verge of fourth premier world title


AP - An American on trial for allegedly torturing Afghan terror suspects in a private jail claimed Saturday in his first interview from custody that he was hot on the heels of Osama bin Laden and other militant leaders when he was arrested on July 5.

American Says He Was on bin Laden's Trail (AP)


The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite stock index rose to a 7-month high on Thursday as crude oil prices tumbled, alleviating worry that high energy costs will erode corporate profits.

Tech Stocks at 7-Month High as Oil Drops


Nike, the US sports footwear and clothing firm, unveils a 26 rise in first quarter income, thanks to the Olympics raising its profile.

Nike sprints to quarterly growth


Tyson Foods Inc., the world #39;s largest meat processor, reduced its forecast of annual profit because of higher costs for feed grain and a drop in beef and chicken prices.

Tyson Cuts Forecast on Chicken Prices, Grain Costs (Update5)


Paul Davis scored 20 points and keyed a first-half surge to lead No. 20 Michigan State to a 78-53 win over Stanford on Saturday. Michigan State (5-2) took control with an

Road-Weary Cardinal Drops Decision To Michigan State, 78-53


The top three seeded players were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the CA Trophy on Friday, and American Robby Ginepri also was ousted.

Top three seeded players ousted in CA Trophy quarterfinals


It has been an extraordinarily eventful month for tycoon Wilbur L Ross. A few weeks ago the 67-year-old money manager turned steel baron married for the third time and friends predicted he would soon be slowing down to enjoy the  #39;finer #39; things of life.

A tale of two tycoons


Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George announced a series of schedule changes Tuesday, including a return to four days of qualifying but with a new format that could give each car potentially 12 attempts to enter the 33-car lineup.

Indy 500 changes aimed at regaining interest


A banker suing Merrill Lynch for 7.5m for sexual discrimination was losing her department 560,000 a week, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

Tribunal told of banker #39;s costly underperformance


KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- The killing in Afghanistan spirals onward, undermining US contentions of success in pacifying the country with less than a week to go before a historic experiment with democracy: direct presidential elections.

957 reported dead in '04 as Afghan election looms


There was irritation among some Texas A amp;M players this week when they learned they were the opponent for the Iowa State homecoming game.

Aggies dim lights on Iowa State #39;s party


The US-led military in Afghanistan has expressed hope that three foreign UN workers being held hostage by suspected Taliban remnants would be freed soon.

US forces  #39;hopeful #39; on release of UN hostages in Afghanistan


BEIJING (Reuters) - About 45 suspected North Koreans  climbed over a wall into the Canadian embassy in Beijing on  Wednesday, the latest in a rash of diplomatic mission break-ins  by people seeking asylum outside the isolated Communist  country.

About 45 N.Koreans Enter Canada Embassy in China -Media


New York state officials say they expect two insurance company executives to plead guilty in a corruption probe into bid-rigging in the insurance brokerage industry.

Spitzer Targets Insurance Brokerage Industry


Only a demonstration which is violently dispersed and therefore provokes the abandonment of this tour, or rain, can prevent England wrapping up the one-day series 4-0 today.

Solanki innings a pure delight


LAFAYETTE, Ga. Prosecutors say several dozen relatives of people whose bodies were among more than 300 found at a northwest Georgia crematory have asked to make statements at a sentencing hearing for the crematory #39;s former operator.

Victims #39; relatives to make voices heard in crematory case


Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is keeping freshman running back Adrian Peterson off limits to the media this week, as the Sooners prepare for the Red River Shootout.

Peterson caught in the middle


BRUSSELS - Low-cost airline Ryanair has finally struck a deal with the Walloon government over the EUR 4 million it owes following the European Commission ruling over Charleroi airport.

Ryanair makes EUR 4m offer over Charleroi


US President George W. Bush on Thursday defended his decision to go to war against the  quot;unique threat quot; of Iraq, despite an official US report that Baghdad did not have weapons of mass destruction, as a Shiite militia pledged to disarm.

Bush defends war despite arms report


Unbidden, Floyd Mayweather Sr. will tell you how good he is as a trainer. It doesn't hurt that he trains Oscar De La Hoya.

It's Styles That Make Fights, Even Among Trainers


AP - Mark McNulty shot a 6-under 65 Sunday to win the SBC Championship by eight strokes over Gary McCord, the largest margin of victory in a 54-hole Champions Tour event this season.

McNulty Runs Away With SBC Championship (AP)


AP - Politicians in the nation's capital have been reluctant to set limits on the carbon dioxide pollution that is expected to warm the planet by 4 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit during the next century, citing uncertainty about the severity of the threat. But that uncertainty may have shrunk somewhat with the release last week of two scientific reports suggesting that global warming is not just a hypothetical possibility, but a real phenomenon that has already started transforming especially sensitive parts of the globe.

Reports Point to Proof of Global Warming (AP)


Switzerland's EndressHauser (International) Holding AG, a global supplier of process control systems, has migrated all its business applications from SAP AG to a mainframe running the open-source Linux operating system.

Linux wins heart of global SAP user


NEW YORK - Stocks rose sharply Wednesday, extending their rally for a second session as investors expressed relief over plummeting oil prices following a government report that showed a buildup in crude inventories.

Stocks extend rally for a second session


Acclaim Entertainment Inc., maker of video games such as  quot;Showdown: Legends of Wrestling, quot; filed for bankruptcy and will liquidate its assets after failing to obtain a loan to pay employees and other expenses.

Acclaim Entertainment to liquidate in bankruptcy


Russia won its first Fed Cup title yesterday by edging defending champion France 3-2 when Anastasia Myskina and Vera Zvonareva beat Marion Bartoli and Emilie Loit 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the deciding doubles match.

Russians finish dominant  #39;04 with Federation Cup victory


The Cardinals got touchdowns from five different players - including two from Eric Shelton - in a 55-7 romp over Conference USA rival Tulane.

Tulane Green Wave


Slovenia coach Brane Oblak said he was delighted with the sensational victory of his team against Italy in Saturday #39;s World Cup Group Five qualifier in Celje.

Oblak Delighted With Slovenias Win


Though the oft-delayed end of support for Windows NT 4.0 will arrive December 31, Microsoft this week detailed the steps its corporate customers can take to continue receiving support for the OS.

Microsoft Extends Olive Branch to Corporate NT 4 Users


Stocks of branded and generic drug makers closed down a bit Tuesday as clinical study results mixed with merger updates. One of the big winners on the day was Nektar Therapeutics, on news that Exubera, the

Drug Movers Tip Balance Lower


A financial industry that had grown comfortable with its regulators is reeling after the New York state attorney general filed charges of wrongdoing and denounced practices that the industry - and its regulators - had viewed as acceptable.

When Spitzer Speaks, Insurers Take Note


MSN Messenger, Microsoft #39;s instant message service, is back up and running this morning after a routine maintenance operation went wrong, rendering the service sporadically unavailable for three days.

Botched maintenance - not worm - blamed for MS IM glitch


A federal court yesterday struck down as unconstitutional a path-breaking Pennsylvania law designed to prevent Internet users from seeing Web sites that contain child pornography.

Court Rejects Child Porn Internet Law


Not to be cowed by string of losses, PC maker enacts sweeping changes designed to quickly return it to profitability.

After loud lows, Gateway hopes to moove into black


Acer #39;s current president, JT Wang, will take over as chairman and chief executive officer, replacing Acer co-founder Stan Shih, who will retire at the end of the year.

Lanci to take over as Acer #39;s president


SMITHFIELD Pork processor Smithfield Foods Inc. said yesterday that net income in the first quarter more than doubled as improved profitability in hog production and strong results in pork offset lower beef earnings.

Smithfield #39;s profit more than doubles


The US Supreme Court on Monday opened a new business frontier for MBNA Corp. by clearing the way for the Wilmington-based credit card giant and American Express to jointly issue a credit card for the first time.

MBNA gets OK for joint card venture


America Online, the largest Internet service provider, said it would stop using Microsoft #39;s Sender ID technology to filter unwanted e-mail being sent to its millions of members, and instead embrace an open-source friendly alternative.

AOL Dumps Microsoft #39;s Spam Filter Standard


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private equity firm Fortress  Investment Group LLC has agreed to buy oil tank operator  Stelmar Shipping Ltd. <A HREF=

Stelmar Being Acquired for \$677 Million


Delta Air Lines #39; jolting move Wednesday to shut down its hub at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will result in fewer flight options for travelers while aiding its competitors.

Delta #39;s downsizing rallies competitors


ATHENS (Reuters) - Japan revived memories of their glorious  gymnastics past when they upstaged favorites China and United  States to snatch the Olympic men's team gold for the first time  in 28 years Monday.

Olympics: Japan Sneak Through to Win Men's Team Gold


The Italian nominee had been heavily criticised for his alleged comments on gays, single parents and the role of men and women, and these led Commission president-designate Jose Manuel Barroso

Buttiglione withdraws from Barroso Commission


NEW YORK (AFP) - World crude oil prices slipped, halting a price spike triggered by fears of tight energy supplies in the northeastern United States.

World crude oil market slips as supply fears ease


WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has hastily reversed a decision to partially withhold payments to Halliburton, the biggest US contractor in Iraq.

Military flipflops, will pay Halliburton fully


Sebastien Sainsbury is back in the running to take over Leeds just over a fortnight after being told by chairman Gerald Krasner his bid was dead in the water.

More Leeds United Stories


Reuters - British scientists are developing a\robot that will generate its own power by eating flies.

Smelly Robot Eats Flies to Generate Its Own Power (Reuters)


JERUSALEM: Israel and Russias foreign ministers inked a deal Monday to step up intelligence cooperation after the Beslan school tragedy, branding terrorism as the biggest challenge facing the international community.

Israel and Russia agree to fight terrorism


United States forces attacked a house in Fallujah leaving three people dead early on Thursday. The target was a suspected safe house for Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

3 killed in Fallujah attack


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - After an absence of a decade, Philips  Electronics is making personal computers again, the company  said on Thursday.  The Netherlands-based electronics  conglomerate, which abandoned the PC business in the early  1990s after suffering big losses, quietly introduced six models  together with British retailer Dixons earlier this week.

After a Decade, Philips Makes PCs Again


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines <A HREF=

Delta Auditor Concerned About Airline


Federal and industry experts grapple with how to apply CALEA wiretap standards to something that lawmakers didn't anticipate 10 years ago -- voice over IP. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.

Law Fights to Keep Pace With Tech


Pakistani security forces have arrested an Islamic militant suspected of involvement in a 2002 bomb attack on the US consulate in Karachi in which 12 Pakistanis were killed, officials said Thursday.

Pakistan Arrests Suspect in US Consulate Blast


I.B.M. said that the personal computer business it was selling to the Lenovo Group of China had not made a profit for three and a half years.

I.B.M. Division Headed to China Has Made No Profit in 3 1/2 Years


DULUTH, Ga. -- With two touches on a computer screen, Dan White chooses a faded pair of five-pocket Calvin Klein jeans in a size 6. Seconds later, a tag on the pair he picked flashes, calling out from stacks of neatly folded jeans.

Future shop


Ziff Davis - Opinion: If the Linux desktop is ever to be more than a niche player, it needs a hand from PC vendors, including real support from the ones that already claim to back it.

Linux Desktop Needs PC Vendor Support (Ziff Davis)


US Marines fired artillery rounds at militants in this Sunni insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad on Friday, the military and witnesses said.

Large Explosions Rock Fallujah


Switchboard.com: The King Of Local Search\\Forget about local search with Google, Yahoo! or MSN. They don't have a clue. When it comes to great local search, Switchboard.com is king! And no matter how hard Google, Yahoo! and MSN try, when it comes to local search, they'll never even be in ...


Iran #39;s heavyweight weightlifting champion Pahlavan Hossein Rezazadeh once again won one of the olympic games #39; most precious gold medals.

Pahlavan Rezazadeh quot; stuns world, set new record


Ashcroft takes federal enforcement action taken against criminal copyright piracy on peer-to-peer networks. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Assistant Attorney General Christopher A. Wray, and US Attorney for

Ashcroft launches actions against P2P users


WASHINGTON (Reuters) -  The Bush administration plans to  give strategic advice, training and polling data to what it  deems as

Bush to Aid 'Moderate' Parties in Iraq Election


He was shot with his boots on -- white, patent leather go-go boots, but, hey, this is 2005. And those boots might have saved Cleveland Indians pitcher Kyle Denney from serious injury when a bullet hit one

Indians pitcher shot in leg


China #39;s investment in construction and factory equipment, a key growth indicator, slowed slightly in November on lower public spending, but local-level investments surged, the government reported Thursday.

China #39;s Investment in Construction Slips


The Israeli national anthem sounded over an Olympic podium Wednesday for the first time in the Jewish state #39;s 56-year history after a young man whose father named him for the sea took the gold medal in windsurfing.

Israel mines first Olympics gold


roundup Large-scale Linux users could find themselves in a costly patent pickle, warns Steve Ballmer.

Putting Linux on notice


UK-based record company EMI has teamed up with British retailer Carphone Warehouse to sell Robbie Williams #39; Greatest Hits album in memory-card format for cell phones and PDAs.

Robbie Williams Album Launched on Memory Card


AP - Even with all the security gains since the Sept. 11 attacks, most airline passengers in the United States aren't screened for explosives before boarding a plane.

Most Air Passengers Not Screened for Bombs (AP)


SYDNEY (Reuters) - The trial of seven Pitcairn Island men,  descendants of the 18th century Bounty mutineers, began on  Wednesday with the mayor the first to face charges of rape and  underage sex, Television New Zealand reported.

Pitcairn Mayor 'Led Rape' on Island -Prosecutor


ROME : A retired Italian teacher has found a new home after offering after-school help for a family with kids in exchange for some human warmth and affection, a newspaper reported here.

Lonely hearts grandpa finds new home as au pair


roundup Plus: More colleges get cheap online music...Glitches hit some EarthLink-hosted sites...More money for fuel cells...Linux release features Windows support.

Briefly: Holiday Inn welcomes Priceline


Following the lead of other major carriers, Tempe-based America West Airlines announced Friday that it will begin charging a \$5 fee for a ticket bought over the phone and a \$10 fee for a ticket bought at an airport counter.

AmWest adds ticket fees


OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Paul Martin joined world leaders and Malaysian opposition figures yesterday in welcoming the surprise release of former Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim after six years in jail.

PM welcomes Anwar #39;s release


The Ford Motor Company raised its third-quarter earnings forecast and announced a restructuring plan for its struggling Jaguar division.

Ford Increases Expectations for Revenue


NEW YORK (Reuters) - SunTrust Banks Inc. <A HREF=

SunTrust Restates Results Over Bad Loans


Private equity firm First Reserve Corp. continued its buying spree on Thursday by announcing its \$1.2 billion purchase of industrial equipment maker Dresser-Rand Co.

Ingersoll-Rand to Sell Dresser Unit


Climate change threatens to undo the world's attempts to eradicate poverty, a coalition of aid agencies warn.

Aid agencies' warning on climate


Turkey #39;s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters in Ankara that the men arrived in Baghdad Tuesday, and that their families have been informed of their release.

Militants in Iraq Free 10 Turkish Hostages


German engineering and manufacturing company Siemens will add more broadband technology to its growing portfolio of new high-speed wireless systems slated for delivery early next year.

Siemens adds Flash-OFDM to broadband wireless family


The Russian Olympic delegation joined the growing list of Olympic malcontents Tuesday, arguing that its two biggest stars got cheated in the gymnastics competition.

Upset Russians ask IOC to take long look at gymnastics


accused of sheltering fighters led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Washington #39;s main foe in Iraq. which involved US air strikes on targets in the city.

Baghdad car bomb kills seven


The Dow Jones Industrial Average failed three times this year to exceed its previous high and fell to about 10,000 each time, most recently a week ago.

Citigroup #39;s Yamada, Top Technical Analyst, Sees Dow Falling


New communications technology could spawn futuristic products. Could your purse tell you to bring an umbrella?<br />\ Photos: Networks of tomorrow\

Cisco, MIT look from lab to market


McDonald #39;s Corp. on Wednesday named female pop trio Destiny #39;s Child as the new face of its  quot;I #39;m Lovin #39; It quot; marketing campaign in a bid to expand its appeal among children and, importantly, their moms.

McDonald #39;s Taps Pop #39;s Destiny #39;s Child for Campaign


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri woman is suing the maker of arthritis drug Vioxx over the 2002 death of her daughter. The suit was filed Friday by Caroline Nevels of Lexington, Mo.

Missouri Mom Sues Vioxx For Maker For Daughter #39;s Death


Even as African Americans and other minorities have made economic progress in the last 40 years, many of those reaching the middle-income rung are finding it a hollow promise.

A Tenuous Hold on Middle Class


The search engine's toolbar is included in new Windows XP Partner Pack.

Google to Help Microsoft Promote Windows


A demonstration by pro-hunt campaigners outside Peter Hain's home in south Wales comes to a peaceful end.

Pro-hunt demo ends at Hain's home


Microsoft is bolstering BI and reporting features in both the existing SQL Server 2000 database and the planned SQL Server 2005 release.

Microsoft boosts BI


Insomniac #39;s cheeky action sequel features online play, 2D side scrolling mini-games, and of course, more weapons. Sony today announced that Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal has shipped to retail outlets nationwide.

Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal ships


AP - When the United States closed its airspace after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, more than 200 airliners were diverted to airports across Canada, where stranded travelers were welcomed into homes.

Bush to Thank Canadians for Post-9/11 Aid (AP)


Microsoft this week released a patch to fix an important vulnerability in Internet Explorer, even as a new worm that took advantage of an as-yet-unpatched hole in the Web browser spread.

Microsoft issues one fix in monthly security update


PHILADELPHIA - John Salmons had the fourth-year option on his contract picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Salmons, a 6-foot-7 guard, has averaged 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per

Salmons has fourth-year option picked up


With crude oil prices drifting down to as low as \$ 41 per barrel, OPEC is expected by many observers to slash production, when it meets on Friday.

Oil worries remain, despite price slide


NASCAR will use a shortened weekend schedule for the Nextel Cup series at most of its events next season in an effort to save money for teams.

NASCAR changes some weekend schedules for 2005


It wasn #39;t  quot;Plastics quot; as Dustin Hoffman was advised in the movie The Graduate, but computers that Bill Gates told a college audience would be the ticket to a good career in the near future.

Two Words from Bill Gates: Computer Science


Apple Computer Corp is charging its British iTunes customers 17 percent more per download than its European customers, a consumer watchdog group has said.

iTunes under fire over UK pricing


September #39;s hurricanes Jeanne, Frances, and Ivan pummeld the Florida coast, but they also took a toll on spam during the month, at least according to vendor FrontBridge.

Hurricanes hinder spam in September, kinda sorta


Oil prices closed above \$50 a barrel for the first time Friday as concerns linger about damage to oil production in the Gulf of Mexico from Hurricane Ivan.

Oil Closes Above \$50


South Africa #39;s arrest of two men for the alleged smuggling of goods that could be used to make nuclear weapons is linked to the so-called Pakistani Khan network, #39; #39; a foreign affairs official said.

S. Africa Links Pakistani Khan Network #39; to Arrests (Update1)


Children #39;s brains are hard-wired to learn languages and, in some cases, to improve upon them. That #39;s the conclusion of a new study that followed several generations of

Kids Give Language Its Shape


AP - Terrell Owens isn't the only once dancing in Pennsylvania these days. The Eagles and Steelers once were so closely tied they briefly shared owners and players during World War II. The paths of these cross-state rivals rarely cross nowadays, but Sunday's matchup offers up two of the NFL's best teams in what many Pennsylvanians hope is the first of two Pittsburgh-Philadelphia games this season.

Eagles, Steelers Have Super Bowl Dreams (AP)


Trot Nixon couldn #39;t wait to see the Red Sox playoff run on the big screen. The Boston outfielder already knew the ending would be great.

Red Sox video debuts during gala party in Boston


JOHANNESBURG - A small group of pro-Palestinian supporters were escorted out of the Sandton Convention Centre here during a protest against a visit by Israeli Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday.

Israelis want peace says visiting minister


FOR Wall Street types reluctantly dragging themselves back from the Hamptons, slightly cheaper crude oil prices gave them something to cheer about this week and an excuse to buy some oversold stocks.

Warning signs at Intel


ATHENS (Reuters) - The red, white and blue U.S. softball  machine are one win away from their third straight gold medal  after rolling over Australia 5-0 in their semi-final on Sunday.

Softball: U.S. Thrashes Australia, Japan Wins


Reuters - France has formally proposed former\European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy as a candidate to\become the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Lamy\said Monday. EU governments backed Frenchman Lamy as Europe's\candidate last week for the post of WTO director-general, which\former Thai deputy premier Supachai Panitchpakdi is due to\leave at the end of August 2005.

Lamy Says France Proposed Him as WTO Chief (Reuters)


A cracked rock called Escher is helping NASA scientists reconstruct the history of water on Mars. They say that the crater currently being explored by the Opportunity rover may have been shaped by a second

Cracked rock points to more martian water


HOUSTON (Reuters) - A new explosion rocked an underground  natural gas storage site early Friday, sending a fireball into  the sky and prompting the evacuation of homes near the blaze,  which has raged since early Thursday.

New Blast Rocks Texas Natural Gas Unit


AP - Police defused a bomb in a town near Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's villa on the island of Sardinia on Wednesday shortly after British Prime Minister Tony Blair finished a visit there with the Italian leader.

Bomb Found in Town Near Berlusconi Villa (AP)


The Sudanese Red Crescent confirmed on Wednesday the release of a group of Sudanese aid workers kidnapped by rebels in Darfur since weekend.

Sudanese aid workers released by Darfur rebels


QUITO, Ecuador (Reuters) - Ecuador has fired the popular  director of Galapagos National Park even as environmentalists  criticized authorities for failing to take better care of the  pristine islands.

Amid Protests, Ecuador Fires Galapagos Park Chief


Angie Daugherty was so eager to take possession of her new-breed Labradoodle pup that she drove up to Lapel to see it at two weeks of age.

Unusual mixed breeds of dogs have their day.


China sought Friday to soothe concerns over a surprise interest rate rise, its first in nearly a decade and one which is expected to kick off a series of increases to cool growth in the world #39;s seventh-biggest economy.

China Seeks to Soothe Markets on Rates


BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - A militant Iraqi group said it  had killed 12 Nepali hostages and showed pictures of one being  beheaded and others being gunned down in the worst violence  against captives since a wave of kidnappings erupted in April.

Iraq Militants Kill 12 Nepali Hostages-Web Site


Iraq #39;s interim government did well to avoid a bloody fight to the finish with Moktada al-Sadr over the Imam Ali Mosque, the country #39;s most sacred Shiite site.

Lessons of Najaf


Reuters - Former hockey powerhouses Pakistan and India notched up their first wins of the Athens Olympics on Tuesday, charming crowds with their trademark running games.

India and Pakistan notch up first hockey wins (Reuters)


PARIS : Italian driver Jarno Trulli, who has signed to drive for Toyota next season, will now be driving for the Japanese constructor in the final two races of this season, Toyota revealed.

Racing: Italian Trulli to race for Toyota in Japan and Brazil


AP - Three times a week, The Associated Press picks an issue and asks Republican President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry a question about it. Today's question and responses:

Bush, Kerry on Issue of National Security (AP)


The dollar has been trading at, or close to, its all-time low in European currency markets, prompting calls for the European Central Bank to intervene to stop the dollar #39;s slide against the euro.

Unilateral action can stop the dollar #39;s slide


By MARK JEWELL     BOSTON (AP) -- A new generation of robotic vacuums is ready to do battle with dirt, dust and dog hair with more cleaning power and cunning than their ancestors could muster.     Faced with the usual obstacles - furniture, stairs, low-hanging bed skirts and stray socks - they intelligently and acrobatically extricate themselves from most tight spots and largely avoid getting stuck or sucking in what they shouldn't...

Review: Robovacs No Match for Normal Vacuum Cleaners


AFP - India announced the creation of a national Internet service hub to connect all service providers and boost web traffic in the country of one billion people.

India unveils policy to help make nation 'Internet superpower' (AFP)


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

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


Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe was fired Wednesday after his first losing season in six years with the Rebels. Ole Miss officials informed Cutcliffe of the decision early Wednesday and Cutcliffe met with the team before an afternoon news conference.

Mississippi fires Cutcliffe after 4-7 season


DAMNING new evidence of fresh atrocities in Sudan has emerged with less than a week to go until the United Nations deadline for a halt to the killing.

New atrocities in Sudan as UN deadline looms


US factory growth stayed strong in September according to reports on Friday, while construction spending in the prior month hit a record high for a seventh month

WRAPUP 2-US factory, construction data show solid growth


North Texas and DFW International Airport will lose \$782 million annually when Delta Air Lines pulls out of the airport next year, economists say.

Report: Delta pullout to cost North Texas


More than two years ago, the New England Patriots #39; offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, was so close to dying after complications from stomach-stapling surgery that a priest offered him last rites twice.

Notre Dame Narrows Its Focus to Weis


AFP - The United Nations renewed an appeal for the safe release of three UN workers taken hostage in Afghanistan by a shadowy group of Islamic militants.

UN reiterates plea for hostages release in Afghanistan (AFP)


Les socits vont concentrer leurs efforts communs en matire de dveloppement, de commercialisation et de marketing en vue de saisir des opportunits d #39;affaires sur les marchs des rseaux de nouvelle gnration et des services de voix aux

MILAN, Italy--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2004--


HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. #39;s (2332.HK) debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Friday paled in comparison to China Power International

2nd UPDATE: Hutchison Telecom Debut Pales Vs China Power


Bill Gates hopes the third time around will be the charm - again. In 1990, Microsoft unveiled Windows 3.0, the first monumentally successful version of the company #39;s flagship software.

EDWARD C. BAIG


Two-and-a-half million people have been told to get out of the way of hurricane Frances. #39; #39;. The storm is aiming at a 480-kilometre stretch of Florida #39;s Atlantic coast.

Millions Flee Hurricane Frances


Officials in Beirut say Marwan Hamadeh was wounded Friday when his car was targeted by a remote-controlled bomb near his home. He suffered only minor injuries, but his driver was killed and a bodyguard was seriously hurt.

Lebanese Politician Hurt in Apparent Suicide Attempt; Driver <b>...</b>


As if to taunt hurricane-weary forecasters, a system between the Azores and Bermuda became Tropical Storm Otto Tuesday afternoon, in the last hours of the hurricane season.

Latecomer storm caps unusual season


Rome, Italy (Sports Network) - AC Milan must improve its play in order to repeat last season #39;s Serie A triumph. So far the Rossoneri have four points after three matches, but have conceded an alarming four goals.

AC Milan need better efforts


The main oxygen generator for the International Space Station has failed, and the two astronauts on board will tap into an attached cargo ship #39;s air supply this weekend, NASA said Thursday.

Oxygen Generator on Space Station Fails


There #39;s a new storm in the ranks of anthropologists who try to understand the long and puzzling history of human evolution by studying fossil evidence from millions of years ago.

Unlike apes, humans were born to run, study says


TORONTO - Signs of national pride were laid out carefully across Finland #39;s dressing room yesterday. A pair of Finnish flags hung from the ceiling and two more were fastened to the walls.

National pride buoys underdog Finns for final


Sure the currency is tumbling, but don #39;t expect the FOMC to do much out of the ordinary today. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - It #39;s pretty clear that another interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve today will not be much of a headline maker.

Dollar dodging at the Fed


Pianist, singer and composer Billy Joel is awarded a star on Hollywood's famous Walk of Fame.

Billy Joel in Walk of Fame honour


Hong Kong is celebrating better than expected economic figures while China has started its first financial bailout of a private company.

Hong Kong Economy Grows 12 Percent in 2nd Quarter


Going with experience, Hal Sutton named Jay Haas and Stewart Cink as captain's selections for this year's United States Ryder Cup team.

U.S. Ryder Cup Team Roster Set


Rupert Murdoch said yesterday he expects to launch his new Fox business channel next summer and that it will be easy to compete against CNBC.

Fox not fazed by CNBC


Noranda, Canada's largest mining company, said on Friday that it may be acquired by the China Minmetals Corporation in a deal worth more than \$4.7 billion.

Noranda Says It Is in Talks With China Minmetals


SAMARRA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces on Sunday  declared victory in Samarra, the first step of a drive to take  back all of Iraq's rebel-held areas before elections due in  January.

U.S.-Led Forces Claim Victory in Samarra


AMD is looking to take market share in the server, corporate desktop and notebook space using its x86 architecture.  quot;We #39;re talking x86 chips down to a buck, quot; said AMD CEO Hector Ruiz at a conference on Friday.

News Bits: AMD, Dell Record Sales, nVidia 6800, Samsung Q30, Half <b>...</b>


RECORD oil prices are likely to depress growth in the 12-nation eurozone next year, the European Commission warned yesterday as crude stayed close to the all-time highs it hit on Monday.

EC trims eurozone growth figures for 2005


On the surface, new announcements from Hewlett-Packard and Intel bode well for the future of the 64-bit Itanium platform, which should be good news for the channel.

HP bullish on Itanium #39;s future


Men's clothing retailer offsets slow same-store sales with tight expense controls.

Dressed for Success


AP - The only NFL franchise to achieve a perfect season now has the league's lone winless team.

'72 Dolphins Dismayed by Winless Team (AP)


Rupert Murdoch #39;s News Corporation is to close its Wapping printing site with the loss of up to 700 jobs and spend more than 600m on three new plants in Enfield, Glasgow and Liverpool.

Murdoch #39;s goodbye to Wapping print


Bryan Robson has warned his players they are in for a long-hard season - but he wants them to work with a smile on their face. That #39;s the formula new manager Robson sees as vital

Hard work ahead, warns Robbo


he Yankees will soon meet to discuss their 25-man postseason roster, and two of the biggest curiosities are the recuperating Jason Giambi and Kevin Brown, the injured pitcher.

Giambi and Brown Could Boost the Bench in October


AP - The reason Brown International got into the business of guarding the president with a sophisticated radar command center is really quite simple, its officers say. Repairing televisions just wasn't paying enough.

Sophisticated Radar System Protects Bush (AP)


AP - Don't be too dazzled by the new-and-improved model of the Bowl Championship Series coming to a newspaper or TV outlet near you. It will have to go back to the dealer soon enough.

Sportsview: BCS a Work Forever in Progess (AP)


POLICE will visit the dressing-rooms of Manchester United and Arsenal to lay down the law before their grudge match tomorrow. Both teams will be warned  quot;in no uncertain terms

POLICE TO WARN ARSENAL  amp; MAN U PLAYERS