WASHINGTON Gordon Cooper, the astronaut who flew the last of the pioneering Mercury space missions and stayed aloft in a Gemini capsule long enough to demonstrate that a trip to the moon was feasible, died at his home in Ventura, California, NASA announced

Gordon Cooper, astronaut on final Mercury mission


Manchester Utd say they have ended talks with the Glazer family regarding a possible takeover.

Manchester Utd drop Glazer talks


VIENNA, Austria -- Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile was beaten 6-4 6-3 by Italian Davide Sanguinetti in the quarter-finals of the CA Trophy.

Second seed Massu slumps to defeat


AP - A federal magistrate has ordered IBM Corp. to reimburse software maker Compuware Corp. for costs relating to evidence that IBM produced only three months before Compuware's lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial.

IBM Ordered to Pay Some of Compuware Costs (AP)


A 27-year-old Connecticut man facing felony economic espionage charges for allegedly selling a copy of Microsoft #39;s leaked source code for \$20 says he #39;s being singled out only because the software giant and law enforcement officials can #39;t find the people

Defendant: Microsoft source code sale was a setup


Laura Bekke moved into her new Amsterdam flat last week and declined to have a fixed phone line installed. Merijn Groenhart, a

Consumers Trade in Home Phones for Mobile and Web


InfoWorld - Conferencing and collaboration equipment provider Polycom on Monday announced a series of offerings designed to bring business-quality conferencing features to personal desktops. The products follow up on a collaborative agreement struck with Microsoft earlier this year to develop rich media services.

Polycom targets high-quality desktop conferencing (InfoWorld)


The next century definitely will not be for the birds as the changing world takes a toll on many species. By 2100, about 10 percent of all bird species probably will be extinct, killed off by habitat loss, hunting

Soaring toward extinction


Developing Asia and the Pacific will grow at 7.0 percent in 2004 on strong exports and buoyant intraregional trade, the Asian Development Bank says.

Asia growth to hit 7, bank says


Two retail giants announced a merger on Wednesday that could mean job loss in Terre Haute and nationally. Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Merger unites retail giants


Google buys a mapquest of its own. Also: Sharp takes us to the future of television in 3-D   hellip;.  PayPal finds a way to make amends for mistakes   hellip;. and more.

I Can See My House From Here


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. employers hired just 96,000  workers in September, the government said on Friday in a weak  jobs snapshot, the final one ahead of presidential elections  that also fueled speculation about a pause in interest-rate  rises.

September Job Growth Weaker Than Expected


AP - The Bush administration chose Thursday to urge change in Fidel Castro's Cuba rather than speculate on the health of its aging leader.

State Department Mum on Castro's Health (AP)


WASHINGTON -- President Bush plans to send Congress a request early next year to finance wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and operations against terrorism that could total \$75 billion, congressional aides said yesterday.

Next year's combat budget could total \$75b


A new round has opened in the European Commission anti-trust battle against Microsoft as the judge hearing its appeal called for a closed meeting.

Urgent meeting in Microsoft case


NEW YORK -- Donald J. Trump #39;s casino empire has filed for bankruptcy protection after months of negotiations with bondholders over restructructuring a crushing debt.

Trump casino business files for bankruptcy


NEW DELHI: Myanmar #39;s military leader Gen Than Shwe has arrived in India on a six-day  quot;historic quot; state visit. This is the first such visit by Myanmar #39;s head of state in over 20 years.

Myanmar leader on historic visit to India


Developers find themselves pushing harder, agreeing to bend more and working patiently through the unique concerns of landowners.

Patience Helps Build Trust in Land Deals


AP - Medical milestone or privacy invasion? A tiny computer chip approved Wednesday for implantation in a patient's arm can speed vital information about a patient's medical history to doctors and hospitals. But critics warn that it could open new ways to imperil the confidentiality of medical records.

FDA Approves Use of Chip in Patients (AP)


Worldwide athletic-goods giant Nike, Inc. announced Thursday that University alumnus and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Philip H. Knight will step down as CEO, effective Dec. 28.

Phil Knight to resign as CEO of Nike


CLAMART, France - A senior Islamic cleric arrived in France on Wednesday to visit the bedside of the ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Palestinian officials said.

Islamic cleric in France to see Arafat


MOSCOW - One of two Russian airliners that crashed nearly simultaneously was brought down by a terrorist act, officials said Friday, after finding traces of explosives in the plane's wreckage. A Web site connected to Islamic militants claimed the action was connected to Russia's fight against Chechen separatists...

Russia Blames Terrorism for Downed Jet


Google Print, Google Print, Argh Argh Argh! Since I got back from Web Search University I have been buried in sites and resources to review.

Getting Into Google Book Search - Google Print


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the army to hunt down Palestinian militants after 16 people were killed in back-to-back suicide bombings by the militant Islamic Hamas group.

Israel Hunts for Militants After Twin Bus Bombings


Nomar Garciaparra enjoyed his brief stay with the Cubs so much he #39;s staying in Chicago. The five-time All-Star shortstop, acquired from the Red Sox in July after spending

Garciaparra remains a Cub


World News  gt; London, Sep.25 : Days after a  #39;batman #39; succeeded in dodging the security at the Buckingham Palace, the guards at the Queen #39;s official residence in Scotland had to face yet another embarrassment, as a journalist posing as a workman managed to

Brit Royals at security threat from hard hats! :


Burma's ruling junta says it is releasing 5,070 prisoners who were arrested

Burmese junta frees 5,070 inmates


AP - An international music industry group said Thursday hundreds of lawsuits were being filed across Europe accusing people of piracy for illegally sharing music on the Internet.

Music Industry Group Launches Piracy Suits (AP)


NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Symantec Corp. <A HREF=

Symantec to Buy Veritas for \$13.5 Billion


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian hard-liners erected a monument  Thursday to commemorate a suicide bombing which killed 241 U.S.  servicemen in Lebanon in 1983, witnesses said.

Iran Hard-liners Mark 1983 Attack on U.S. Marines


Business software giant Oracle Corp. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire rival PeopleSoft Inc. after sweetening its offer by 10 percent to approximately \$10.3 billion. <FONT face=

Oracle to Acquire PeopleSoft


The two French journalists being held hostage in Iraq were still alive a few days ago and are likely to be freed, France #39;s foreign minister said last night.

French hostages  #39;still alive #39;


Former Irish soccer stars to play with Team USA in Monday #39;s semifinals vs. Germany (Aug. 23, 10:00 am South Bend time on MSNBC); Gonzalez and Mexico fall to Brazil in quarterfinals.

Sobrero Markgraf And Boxx One Win Away From Olympic Medals


BEIJING (AFX-ASIA) - Intel Corp said it is delaying the delivery of its first chip for projection television sets, while rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc is moving on schedule to an advanced manufacturing process, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Intel delays delivery of chip for projection TVs - report


AFP - If you've always wanted to own an authentic medieval castle, the country for you is Slovakia, in the heart of central Europe, where less than one euro may be enough to pay for the property of your dreams.

Medieval castle for sale in Slovakia for less than a euro (AFP)


Summer is associated with romance and spammers are trying to cash in by bombarding inboxes with porn.

Sex spam clogs summer in-boxes


AFP - Several NATO countries have voiced reservations about a proposal to expand the alliance's training role in Iraq, blocking an expected final agreement, NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer warned.

NATO still deadlocked on Iraq training role: Scheffer (AFP)


Ayad Allawi #39;s ultimatum yesterday to the rebel Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr - who is holed up with his fighters in the holy city of Najaf - was notable for one thing: the lack of a deadline.

Balancing the risks in holy Najaf


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded from seven-week  lows on Wednesday as U.S. heating oil stocks fell for an eighth  straight week ahead of winter.

Oil Climbing Back Up After Supply Report


Reuters - A huge explosion rocked North Korea near\the border with China three days ago, producing a mushroom\cloud that sparked speculation that Pyongyang might have tested\an atomic weapon, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday.

Big Blast, Mushroom Cloud Reported in N.Korea (Reuters)


All four bolted the University of Miami for the NFL after the 2003 season, supposedly leaving the Hurricanes defense too young and too inexperienced to handle Florida State quarterback Chris Rix and his flotilla of wide receivers.

Will Graves: Hurricanes still get defensive


At least 17 Kurdish militiamen have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. The bombing came hours after two car bomb explosions in the capital, Baghdad, killed at least four policemen and wounded 49 others.

SUICIDE BOMB IN IRAQ


Novar, the UK building supplies group, is today expected to announce that it has agreed to be acquired by the US industrial giant Honeywell in a cash deal worth more than 800m.

Novar close to 800m cash deal with US giant


A Dec. 31 deadline is set for an accord to end the region #39;s 21-year civil war. By EVELYN LEOPOLD. NAIROBI, KENYA - Staking its prestige on Sudan #39;s troubled peace process, the UN Security Council met away from

Before UN, Sudanese pledge peace


Last Thursday #39;s presidential debate was still in progress when the e-mails started trickling in from citizens around the country.

This support for Kerry came at a bad time


Reuters - Uma wanted nothing to do with the\Chechen war and sat out the fighting hundreds of miles from her\homeland. But the war found her anyway.

After 10 Years of War, Chechens Seek Peace Abroad (Reuters)


The European Union decided yesterday to lift heavy punitive tariffs on US goods but said it might renew them if the World Trade Organization confirms suspected loopholes

EU lifts sanctions on US  for now


The Wizards will host a series of dating games this season in a marketing effort to lure people to watch some basketball.

Wizards Court Singles


BOSTON - The company overseeing the construction of the beleaguered Big Dig said yesterday that repairs to fix widespread leaks would take months, not years, and denounced public officials for rushing to judgment on the \$14.6 billion project.

Repairs on  #39;Big Dig #39; not all that big, firm insists


AP - There was no evident pattern of fraud in Venezuela's balloting that left President Hugo Chavez in office but a final judgment depends on what observers report, the State Department said Monday.

U.S. Awaits Judgment on Venezuela Voting (AP)


TruSecure Corp., a Herndon provider of network security systems, agreed to merge with Betrusted Holdings Inc., a New York company that offers similar services.

Herndon, NY Cyber-Security Firms to Merge


Myanmar, also known as Burma, has confirmed the ousting of its prime minister Khin Nyunt. A senior figure in the country #39;s ruling military junta, said he has been replaced by a deputy to one of the top two generals in the country.

Soe Win named new prime minister of Myanmar


Four leading Internet service providers announced yesterday that they had filed a new round of lawsuits against senders of junk e-mail, or spam.

Internet Giants File 7 Suits Aimed at Stopping Spam


Those in charge of baseball's statistics say Barry Bonds's records will remain intact for now.

Stats Likely to Stand


special coverage Oracle prevails in pursuit of PeopleSoft buy, as judge rejects Justice Department's antitrust arguments.

Oracle v. DOJ: Oracle wins


By The Associated Press. Two days after winning the World Series and a day before a parade in Boston to toast the achievement, the Boston Red Sox exercised their option yesterday on

BASEBALL ROUNDUP Red Sox Decide Dropping Mueller Is Not an Option


AP - The U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday rejected environmentalists' appeal of a plan to poison a stream south of Lake Tahoe to aid what wildlife officials call

Appeal Rejected in Trout Restoration Plan (AP)


Preliminary results indicate that interim leader Hamid Karzai has won a majority in Afghanistans election to become its first democratically elected President.

Democratic dawn


Kim and Brian Ursino haven't yet earned enough seniority at US Airways Group to get some major holidays off, forcing an unusual tradition on their family: the three-hour Christmas.

More turbulence ahead


THOUSANDS of pensioners and people on benefits have been hit by a massive computer failure at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Computer crash hits pensions


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Mention

Digital Home to Set Off Next Big Electronics Wave


BT Group PLC is trying for a third time to crack the US market with the purchase of Infonet Services Corp. for a massive US\$965 million.

BT tries to enter US market with Infonet purchase


Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - The image of Vince Coleman frantically pounding on a telegraph key has become the symbol of the Halifax Explosion for a generation of Canadians.

Telegraph used to warn trains on day of Halifax Explosion put on display (Canadian Press)


ElectricNews: Mandrakesoft and several other Linux backers are to work together to build a version of the operating system that will be far more secure than previously available.

Firms aim to tighten Linux security


Sun Microsystems has introduced a pay-for-use pricing model for grid computing, enabling customers to gain access to computing cycles on an on-demand basis.

Sun Offers Pay-for-Use Grid Computing


Rick Majerus will come out of retirement to coach Southern California at the end of the season, according to a report.

Report: Majerus to USC


The Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri submitted the resignation of his government to the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud who accepted it.

Rafic Hariri quits, not to form a new government


CNN will shut down its struggling CNNfn financial news network in mid-December, giving up its attempt after nine years to compete in a market dominated by CNBC.

Update 3: AP: CNNfn Will Shut Down After 9 Years


If you rely on technology to run your small business, you know how easily a virus can destroy your data - and potentially years of hard work.

McAfee Aims to Rid SMBs of Virus and Spam


OAK BROOK, Ill. - Fast food giant McDonalds says earnings this quarter will be better than forecast, thanks to rising sales and a lower tax bill.

McDonald #39;s raises earnings outlook


Darren Clarke had his first tournament victory of 2004 in his sights today as he topped the leaderboard after the opening round of the \$6million Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Clarke eyeing first win


Gerry Adams shook the hand of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde in Tony Blairs Downing Street office today, as the republican leadership and the Reverend

Adams and Paisley Edge Towards Peace Deal


AP - Top-seeded Amy Frazier advanced to the second round of the ASB Women's Classic on Monday with a 6-3, 6-3 win over fellow American Laura Granville.

Frazier Advances at ASB Women's Classic (AP)


NEW YORK Stocks drifted higher yesterday, brushing aside another record high for oil prices amid hopes the impending tide of third-quarter profit reports will override worries about a struggling economic recovery.

Stocks post small gains as investors await earnings


The New York state attorney general accused the world's largest insurance broker of cheating customers by rigging prices in exchange for kickbacks.

Broker Accused of Rigging Bids for Insurance


AP - Vice President Dick Cheney turned Sen. John Kerry's own words against him Tuesday while criticizing the Democrat for calling the war in Iraq

Cheney Blasts Kerry for Dean Comments (AP)


Enbridge Inc., Canada #39;s second- largest pipeline company, agreed to buy Shell Gas Transmission LLC for \$613 million to gain pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time.

Enbridge to Buy Shell #39;s Gulf Pipelines for \$613 Mln (Update4)


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. warplanes, tanks and artillery repeatedly hit at Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's terror network in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah on Saturday, while two British Muslim leaders came to Baghdad to try to convince his followers to release a British hostage...

U.S. Strikes Al-Zarqawi Network; 16 Dead


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Washington's closest ally in Iraq was  horrified by the beheading of a British hostage there and Prime  Minister Tony Blair urged Britons not to let it undermine their  support for continued involvement in the country.

Britain Shocked by Death of Iraq Hostage


A major rewrite of corporate tax law that would end a trade dispute with Europe won congressional negotiators #39; backing yesterday after House Republicans beat back efforts to increase tobacco regulation.

Conferees back bill to resolve trade row


AFP - Yuta Tabuse has signed for the Phoenix Suns, boosting his hopes of becoming the first Japanese to play in the US National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season, the NBA's Tokyo branch said.

Japanese guard signs for NBA's Phoenix Suns (AFP)


At least three people have been killed in a suspected suicide car bomb blast outside Baghdad #39;s main hospital, Iraqi police and medics say.

Baghdad hit by car bomb blasts


ITunes has been a success for a number of reasons. Backed by a respected name (Apple), it offers a massive, ever-expanding library of songs at appealing prices.

Ease of Purchase Makes iTunes Popular


Iran has not abandoned its right to enrich uranium, as the suspension it agreed to with the UN nuclear agency is for several months, Iran #39;s top nuclear official, Hassan Rowhani, said Tuesday.

Iran #39;s top nuclear official says Tehran has not abandoned uranium <b>...</b>


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips rose  on Thursday,  boosted by Johnson   Johnson <A HREF=

J J Helps Boost Blue Chips


Geneva - China is expected to be the world #39;s fastest-growing market for air travel as the world #39;s airlines look for global growth in passenger traffic of 6 percent annually over the next four years, the top industry body said on Wednesday.

China to lead recovey in air travel industry


In a re-run of a media escapade from the Vietnam War, a US soldier was caught on film shooting an injured, unarmed prisoner.

US Troops Investigated


Southerners Lecce and Sicilys Palermo are the surprise pacesetters in Serie A after playing their second matches of the season.

Lecce and Palermo Share Lead in Italy


Reuters - U.S. chain store sales fell in the\latest week mostly because the imperfect nature of adjusting\for seasonality more so than consumers lack of shopping, a\report said on Tuesday.

Chain Store Sales Fell 1.1 Percent (Reuters)


SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - Iraq will ask Iran and  Turkey for border security arrangements to keep foreign  militants out, similar to measures already agreed with Syria,  the Iraqi Foreign Minister said on Monday.

Iraq to Ask Iran, Turkey for Border Help


AP - A suicide attacker detonated grenades on a commercial street in downtown Kabul on Saturday, killing himself and wounding six other people, including two foreign peacekeepers, police said.

Westerners Attacked With Grenade in Kabul (AP)


Australia beat New Zealand by 213 runs in the second cricket Test in Adelaide to clinch a 2-0 series victory and complete a winning record against all nine nations at the sport #39;s elite level.

Australia Beats NZ for Sweep of Test Cricket Wins (Update1)


After weathering the ups and downs of the lame-duck legislative process, legislation that would open the way for suborbital space tourism was cleared by the House and sent on to the Senate for final congressional approval.

Space tourism legislation makes comeback


Psychologists explain how the children involved in the Russian siege will need help to come to terms with the traumatic events they have witnessed.

How will child survivors cope?


When Wall Street #39;s biggest firms settled with regulators in April 2003 over charges of fraudulent stock research, the industry promised a new era of independence.

Wall Street Covers Its Fannie Mae


Tiger Woods finished second at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday in Norton, Mass., and lost his No. 1 spot in the world rankings to tournament winner Vijay Singh.

Talking with ... Tiger Woods, PGA Tour


President Bush tried to mend relations in Latin America with fresh promises of immigration reform Sunday while a new security spat surfaced with Chile after an embarrassing fracas in which Bush intervened.

Bush Seeks to Mend Ties With Latin America


Reuters - Saboteurs blew up an internal oil\pipeline on the edge of Baghdad Monday, the latest in a series\of attacks on the country's internal and export pipeline\network, witnesses said.

Saboteurs Hit Iraq Internal Oil Pipeline (Reuters)


BAGHDAD, Iraq - British hostage Kenneth Bigley, who pleaded tearfully last month for Prime Minister Tony Blair to meet his kidnappers' demands, was beheaded by his captors, his brother said Friday.

Brother Confirms British Hostage Is Dead


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices ended lower on Tuesday on  signs that high energy costs are slowing the economic growth  that has fueled this year's sharp increase in world oil  consumption.

Oil Eases Again as Fuel Costs Hit Economy


ISLAMABAD : India and Pakistan will Tuesday thrash out an agreement to give each other notice of their ballistic missile tests, but analysts say the rivals are still far from being responsible nuclear powers.

Pakistan, India talk missile tests but analysts say could do <b>...</b>


Australia grabbed the initiative on a rain-affected first day #39;s play of the final Test of the series in India. Light rain saw the whole of the morning session washed out, and only four overs were possible in the afternoon before the rain returned.

Australia flex their muscles


The Spaniard has played in two victories in his first three starts - a 3-0 win over Birmingham and a 5-1 triumph over Rosenborg in the Champions League - after replacing Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal in goalkeeper quandry


A sharp drop in oil prices gave Wall Street a small relief rally Monday, with stocks regaining ground after falling earlier in the session.

Stocks rise as oil falls from record high


The board of Reliance Energy Ltd (REL) met on Tuesday and requested its six directors to reconsider their resignations. A Reliance Energy spokesperson told reporters that the  quot;the board reposed full trust

REL wants to know if RIL will play ball


AP - Kelenna Azubuike scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half to lead No. 10 Kentucky past intrastate rival Morehead State 71-40 on Wednesday night, the fewest points scored by the Eagles in 25 years.

No. 10 Kentucky Drubs Morehead St. 71-40 (AP)


Defiant knocks by Manjural Rana and Nasif Iqbal helped Bangladesh survive another day of Test cricket in the first match of the series against India at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.

Tendulkar, Pathan put India on verge of win


The server and software company had planned to release its new version of the Unix operating system by the end of the year -- source code and all.

Solaris source code schedule slips


KABUL (Reuters) - An Afghan militant group repeated a  threat to kill three foreign U.N. workers held hostage since  late last month unless Taliban prisoners were freed, but said  it was willing to be flexible on other demands.

Afghans Repeat Hostage Threat But Show Flexibility


Reuters - U.S. banks should use more than a\single password to identify on-line customers to prevent fraud,\bank regulators said on Tuesday in recommendations that\underscore growing concern about theft over the Internet.

Banks Warned Against On-Line Fraud Dangers (Reuters)


Calls for the deployment of substantial African forces to Sudan to end the slaughter in Darfur were agreed by Liberal Democrats today.

Forces Boost Urged to Halt Darfur Killings


ATHENS -- Adam van Koeverden has a message for his fellow Canadian athletes -- quit whining about circumstances you can #39;t control.  quot;You can #39;t fall into a corner and cry and say the Canadian sports system has let me down. You have to do things for ...

Stop that blame game


quot;Last week #39;s simultaneous outages of GeorgeWBush.com and RNC.org prompted speculation that an electronic attack may have occurred, as the two sites are hosted on separate Web servers, quot; Netcraft analyst Rich Miller said.

Bush Campaign Web Site Blocking Foreign Access


It did not require a degree in clairvoyance to work out that Jason Robinson would bring something new to the union game when he crossed the sporting Rubicon from rugby league, and it did not

Robinson rises to lead new England


PC World - Medical research team believes units could be modified to 'print' new skin.

Your Old Inkjet Printer Could Aid Burn Victims (PC World)


Go ahead, jump on his back. Pile on. Curt Schilling expects it. He wasn't kidding last winter when he all but assigned himself the job of ending the Red Sox' 86-year championship famine.

Schilling ready to carry load


Visitors with a pirated copy of Windows may lose easy access to company #39;s Download Center. As part of its efforts to combat software piracy, Microsoft is testing a new feature on its Download Center Web site that can lock out pirated copies of Windows.

Microsoft Tests Piracy-Check Technology


BRUSSELS -- The European Commission has confirmed that it wants to reach a decision on Oracle Corp.s hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc. before the end of October, prompting speculation that it will approve the merger.

EU chief seen as keen to push Oracle merger through


The request is from Equatorial Africa over alleged ties to a plot to oust the president. CAPE TOWN -- South Africa is considering a request by Equatorial Guinea to question Mark Thatcher about his alleged

South Africa ponders bid to grill Thatcher


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of drugmaker Merck   Co. Inc.  <A HREF=

Merck Rises 1.52 Percent Before Bell


Though oil prices have eased slightly, they remain close to record high points approaching \$55 a barrel. World oil prices have more than doubled from about \$20 a barrel in New York at the start

World Oil Prices Approach \$55 a Barrel


Warren Sapp #39;s presence and legacy linger around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers like something tangible, something that can be felt, heard and feared, say an open-handed slap to the face mask.

Bucs now get to see other side of Sapp


VISITING US secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld sent a strong message on Thursday that the second Bush regime was keen on strengthening strategic ties with India.

Bush II keener on India


Stocks have gained little headway this year but could get a lift over the next couple months from an infusion of cash poised to come into the market from corporations and individuals, Wall Street experts say.

Ready Cash Could Reward Wall Street Bulls


Merck  amp; Co. Inc. has adopted a severance benefits plan aimed at protecting key managers in the event the company is taken over -- a growing possibility since the withdrawal of arthritis drug Vioxx sent shares tumbling.

Merck Execs Protected in Case of Takeover


Seeking to boost its relevance, Sun Microsystems pursues the grid model of computing.

Sun foresees global pool of computing power


We like to think tonight's Patriots-Colts NFL opener (Ch. 5, 9 o'clock) is all about football. That concept will be put to the test when a tsunami of pop culture rolls into our living rooms during the pregame  quot;NFL Opening Kickoff quot; show at 8.

Showtime for ABC


AP - The winners of this year's Right Livelihood Awards  #151; dubbed the

'Alternative Nobels' Awarded in Sweden (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private investor Cerberus Capital  Management LP has agreed to buy real estate investment and  management company LNR Property Corp. <A HREF=

Cerberus to Buy LNR for \$1.9 Billion


OCEANPORT, N.J. -- Sing Me Back Home pulled away in the stretch to win the \$60,000 Decathalon Handicap at Monmouth Park yesterday, equaling the track record for 5 furlongs.

Sing Me Back Home matches track mark


Dave Wannstedt withdrew his name Thursday from the search for a new coach at the University of Pittsburgh, he told ESPN #39;s Chris Mortensen.

Mort: Coach keeps NFL door open, leery of full-time


New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today virtually took a back seat at the AICC session which saw many delegates hailing Rahul Gandhi as the future leader with not so subtle hints.

Rahul the  #39;darling #39; at AICC conclave


The president of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, attempted to restart peace talks with Beijing yesterday, calling for an arms control agreement and a new code of conduct to dispel the  quot;dark forces quot; threatening cross-strait relations.

Taiwanese president tries to restart peace talks


SANTIAGO : US President George W. Bush, bagging support from Asia-Pacific allies at an annual summit in Chile, bluntly warned North Korea and Iran to scrap any nuclear weapon plans.

Bush, backed by Asia-Pacific allies, warns North Korea, Iran over <b>...</b>


Wide receiver Terrell Owens found a vacant corner of the end zone and executed his pattern perfectly, a picture of fluidity with his feet planted firmly on the turf and both hands rising above his head.

Redskins Can #39;t Keep TO From Dancing in End Zone


UNITED STATES SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Prisoners at the US detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been beaten while blindfolded and handcuffed, terrorized by attack dogs, and forced to take drugs, an Australian detainee said in an affidavit released yesterday. David Hicks, 29, was one of the first prisoners to arrive at the camp in eastern Cuba in ...

Detainee cites abuse at Guantanamo Bay


TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian officials said they will not bow to international demands for Tehran to suspend its controversial uranium enrichment activities, saying they were ready for confrontation or negotiation.

Iran rejects IAEA nuclear demands, says ready for confrontation or <b>...</b>


Microsoft (Quote, Chart) has fired another salvo in its ongoing spam battle, this time against porn peddlers who don #39;t keep their smut inside the digital equivalent of a  quot;Brown Paper Wrapper.

Fighting to Keep Smut-Spam in a Brown Wrapper


\\I've been a big fan of Log4J  for a while now but haven't migrated any code\over for one central reason.  The following line of code:\\    final static Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(

Pretty Log4J


US antitrust authorities on Monday approved Cingular Wireless #39; plan to acquire rival AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc. (AWE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) for \$41 billion in cash, creating the nation #39;s biggest wireless carrier.

US Justice Dept approves Cingular-AT amp;T deal


The health and beauty retailer Boots today warned of a difficult outlook for the crucial Christmas period, sending its shares down almost 5 in early trade.

Boots shares dip on lacklustre outlook


AFP - Foreign Secretary Jack Straw left London for Sudan, where he was to discuss the crisis in war-torn Darfur with President Omar al-Beshir and senior officials.

Straw leaves for Darfur visit (AFP)


Reuters - Iran defied the United Nations on\Tuesday by announcing it would go on converting a large amount\of raw uranium to prepare it for enrichment, a process that can\be used to develop atomic bombs.

Iran Defies UN, Says Will Go on Converting Uranium (Reuters)


In its 35th season, ABC's

A Flagship Adrift in the Airwaves


Rowdy, a 4-year-old horse, got sick after splashing through the Santa Ana River on a training ride. He ran a high fever, moved feebly in his stall and just wanted to sleep - all symptoms of West Nile virus.

Back Country Wary of West Nile Virus


KARABAGH<br> The letters that arrive at the three-room studio of Radio Karabagh  are small works of folk art. They come on elaborate stationery, covered with glitter applied by hand, pictures cut from newspapers and small bits of metal foil applied like gold leaf in patterns. A flower seller...

Radio Karabagh, the Station  With Local Identification


Online broker E-Trade Financial Corp. on Monday said its stock trading volume jumped 25.8 percent in October from the prior month on a surge in retail and professional trading activity following a summer-long slump.

E-Trade Trade Volume Surges in October


NEW YORK - Uneasy investors sold stocks mostly lower Tuesday as oil prices climbed above \$51 per barrel, creating new worries that rising energy costs would curb consumer spending and corporate profits.

Dow falls as oil prices rise; Nasdaq gains


Millionaire basketball players want to bounce a Harlem community center where thousands of kids come for after-school help every year, a group charged yesterday.

Cry foul over NBA


HONG KONG (CBS.MW) -- British pest control and office services group Rentokil warned investors Tuesday to expect weaker results next year and said 2004 profit would be hurt by the soft US dollar and one-off costs.

Chairman says weak dollar, one-off costs have hit group


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Bowl Championship Series national championship matchup between No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Oklahoma in Tuesday night's Orange Bowl is rich with tradition.

This one has star quality


BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MICH. - Don #39;t cry for Team USA It would take something a lot more traumatic than this to have made dinner taste bitter last night at the Oakland Hills Country Club.

Euros manage major victory


Among the insurgents fighting in Chechnya #39;s long-running war for independence, Musost Khutiyev is known as a  quot;national traitor.

Resignation and fear pervade today #39;s elections in Chechnya


NEW YORK - Eli Manning is undeniably the Giants #39; quarterback of the future. But the future is going to have wait. After a summer of speculation, Giants coach Tom Coughlin finally made it official on Sunday

It #39;s official: Giants name Warner starter for opening day


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems today announced a new line of integrated services routers, the industrys first routers to deliver secure, wire-speed data, voice, video and other advanced services to

Cisco Intros Service Routers


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mobile service provider Cingular  Wireless, which is buying AT T Wireless Services  Inc. <A HREF=

Cingular Quarterly Operating Profit Falls


NEW YORK - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hurled a ceremonial first pitch at the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, with Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui serving as catcher.

Koizumi takes time out to throw ceremonial pitch at Yankees-Red <b>...</b>


Connecticut Sun point guard Lindsay Whalen drove the baseline and kicked the ball out to Nykesha Sales at the top of the key. Sales let a 3-pointer

Sun finish off Mystics


Mark your calendar. On Tuesday, Dec. 7th, about an hour before sunrise, the crescent Moon will eclipse Jupiter.

The Moon Eclipses Jupiter


AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Stewart Cink maintained his  composure to register an even par final round score of 70 for a  four-shot victory at the \$7 million WGC-NEC Invitational on  Sunday, his second win of the season.

Cink Eases to Four-Shot Win at NEC Invitational


Raja Ramanna, architect of Indias nuclear weapons programme, died early on Friday. He was 79. As director of the government-run research centre in Mumbai, Ramanna headed the team that built and tested Indias first atomic bomb in Pokhran in 1974.

Architect of Indias nuclear bomb dead


Quanta Computer Inc., the world #39;s biggest notebook computer maker, reported an unexpected 7.2 percent decline in second-quarter profit.

Quanta announces 7.2 drop in profit


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sales of existing U.S. homes surged  in September on low mortgage rates, a trade association group  said on Monday, adding that activity would have been even  brisker had hurricanes not hit the South.

Existing Home Sales Surge in September


The US Commerce Department said Thursday personal income posted its biggest increase in three months in August. The government agency also said personal spending was unchanged after rising strongly in July.

Personal income rises


Profit at the Toyota Motor Corporation slipped 1.5 percent in the most recent quarter as damage from a falling dollar offset strong increases in sales around the world.

Weaker Dollar Causes Toyota #39;s Profit to Slip


Coming off an eight-day break for final exams, 14th-ranked Texas had as its first assignment a non-conference match with Texas-Arlington.

Coming off break, Horns less than sharp


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese precision equipment maker  Olympus Corp. <A HREF=

Olympus to Launch Hard Disc Portable Music Player


TEL AVIV -- The war in Iraq did not damage international terror groups, but instead distracted the United States from confronting other hotbeds of Islamic militancy and actually  quot;created momentum quot; for many terrorists, a top Israeli security think tank said in a report released yesterday.

War said to give momentum to terrorists


Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the No. 1 retailer, on Monday said September sales at US stores open at least a year were tracking in line with its forecast for a 2 percent to 4 percent increase

Wal-Mart Sees Sept. Sales Up 2-4 Pct


Eastman Kodak Co., in the midst of its strengthening its position in digital imaging, Wednesday said it now expects sales of digital products and services to increase by about 36 percent between 2003 and 2007.

Update 1: Kodak Sees Digital Expansion in Future


Moody #39;s Investors Service on Friday said it may raise its ratings on global energy company AES Corp.(AES.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , citing lower debt and improved cash flow.

Moody #39;s may raise ratings on AES Corp.


Four hundred fifty miles of Midwestern highway separate Iowa City from Ann Arbor, but the football programs at the University of Michigan and Iowa are much closer than that.

A touch of Michigan Under Kirk Ferentz, Hawkeyes find success with <b>...</b>


weeks after they were snatched from their car on a busy street in central Kabul. Nayan are with a Taliban splinter faction that has threatened to kill them unless Taliban prisoners are freed.

UN appeals for release of Afghan hostages


The No. 18 Louisville Cardinals flummoxed the No. 3 team in the nation Thursday night. They forcibly seized the notice of the college football world.

Miami Battles Back to Edge Louisville


A PALESTINIAN democracy activist who has campaigned for non-violent resistance to Israeli occupation said today he would run for president to succeed Yasser Arafat.

Democracy campaigner enters race


Iraqi security forces moved to within 400 meters (yards) of a holy shrine in Najaf on Tuesday, just hours after the government warned Shi #39;ite rebels inside they would be killed if they did not surrender.

Iraq Forces Advance on Najaf Shrine, Battle Rages


Novell has extended a partnership to sell software for e-mail and other server functions from Netline Internet Service, the companies said Thursday.

Novell tightens Netline partnership


Despite a slight seasonal dip, the software maker surpasses earnings expectations, as year-over-year growth comes in strong.

Adobe beats estimates on strong overall growth


TORONTO -- Doc Halladay and Justin Miller were waiting in the dugout tunnel for fellow Toronto pitcher Ted Lilly to finish his postgame TV interviews last night.  quot;They said to him, Hey, Hollywood, you can smile now,'  quot; said Gil Patterson, the Blue Jays pitching coach.  quot;He said, Don't worry, I'm smiling on the inside.'  quot;

On this night, his promise was fulfilled


AP - The protective netting in place to protect fans from falling concrete at Wrigley Field must be replaced with a permanent solution if the Chicago Cubs want to play at the stadium next spring.

Chicago Orders Cubs to Fix Wrigley Field (AP)


Reuters - VeriSign Inc.  and a\children's safety group unveiled a new technology on Thursday\that they said would make it easier for children to avoid child\predators online.

VeriSign Touts Childrens' Online Identity Token (Reuters)


WEDNESDAY #39;S Carling Cup clash between Manchester United and Arsenal pits together two of the fiercest rivals in the English game.

United v Arsenal: Head to head


Forum Nokia, the global developer support program of mobile giant Nokia, has announced an innovative software application that makes it easy for end-users to discover, try and buy mobile applications, content and services.

Nokia Eases Mobile Movie Buys


Heavy rain and winds have begun to lash Jamaica as Hurricane Ivan roared closer, after ravaging Grenada and killing 27 people on a track that could make it the third big storm in a month to hit Florida.

Ferocious Ivan bears down on Jamaica


Red Bull Racing will launch their 2005 Formula One car at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain on February 7. The Austrian energy drink brand bought the British-based Jaguar team from

Red Bull car to make February debut


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar was a little stronger  against the main European currencies but weaker against the yen  on Wednesday, with the Japanese currency rallying across the  board as dealers adjusted positions.

Dollar Up a Bit Against Europe Currencies


Teenagers are fiends for sending text messages from their phones. Virgin Mobile wants them to feast on other services as well.

Getting teens beyond textin'


John Kerry accuses George W Bush of using a front group to launch attacks on his Vietnam war record.

Kerry attacks 'Vietnam tactics'


MULTAN: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq is confident his revitalised team can win their first home one-day cricket title ahead of their first tri-series match against outsiders Zimbabwe here.

Pakistan confident of winning one-day tri-series


Brown, a senior guard, and Miller, a junior tight end, made Virginia one of four schools with at least two players on the first team.

Two Cavs on AP All-America team


Reuters - Vince Carter drilled a\tiebreaking three- pointer with 4.8 seconds remaining to lift\the Toronto Raptors to a 101-97 victory over the Portland Trail\Blazers at Air Canada Center.

NBA Wrap: Toronto Beats Portland, 101-97 (Reuters)


England captain David Beckham says he may retire from international soccer after the 2006 World Cup, media reported on Sunday. The 29-year-old has been named in Sven-Goran Eriksson #39;s

Beckham may retire from England after World Cup - media


Maxtor Corp. (MXO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said Paul Tufano has resigned as chief executive, president and acting chief financial officer, less than a month after the computer

Disc Drive Maker Maxtor #39;s Top Exec Quits


AP - A luxury hotel is promising some of the finer things in life  #151; fur coat, 18-karat gold watch, plush bathrobes with political party affiliation  #151; to the couple willing to purchase its presidential inauguration package for the over-the-top price of  #36;200,500.

Hotel Offers Inauguration Package (AP)


With operating income down and requests for dividends, Chiquita's conference call was no fun.

Top Banana Gets Called Out


* A suicide bomber killed a US soldier and two Iraqis in the Abu Ghraib area outside of Baghdad early Thursday. The bomb targeted a compound that included the mayor #39;s office and a police station.

Iraq Developments


This week #39;s issue of Nature features the first study to demonstrate a link between greenhouse gas emissions and an extreme weather event - in this case, the unusually high temperatures in Europe during the summer of 2003 that led to 14,000 deaths more

Humans raise odds of extreme weather


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Elena Dementieva broke the heart of  Jennifer Capriati when her spine-tingling 6-0, 2-6, 7-6 victory  over the American on Friday set up an all-Russian U.S. Open  final against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Capriati Loses to Dementieva in U.S. Open Semifinal


Finding people who like the way he has run Merck, the giant drug maker, is much harder. Mr. Gilmartin has been chairman of Merck since November 1994.

Not Everybody Loves Raymond


Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. HOUSTON, Texas, United States of America -- Shaquille O #39;Neal collected 17 points and seven rebounds in his debut

Shaquille O #39;Neal scores 17 points in Heat exhibition debut


FONTANA, Calif. - Elliott Sadler collared the biggest prize, a tidy \$279,398 winner #39;s check for capturing the Pop Secret 500 on Sunday at California Speedway.

Sadler #39;s 1st, but others enjoy Pop Secret win


AP - The Stanley Cup spent Sunday night in luggage limbo.

Stanley Cup Disappears in Airport Mishap (AP)


Michael Jackson's defence teams fails in an attempt to have child abuse charges thrown out of court.

Jackson abuse charges still stand


Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr admitted he was frustrated his side did not score more than one goal in their friendly win over Croatia.

Kerr frustrated at victory margin


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Militants pounded central Baghdad on Sunday with one of their most intense mortar barrages ever, targeting the Green Zone and destroying a U.S. vehicle along a major street...

At Least 25 Killed in Baghdad Violence


AP - Maine's lobstermen have been hauling up phenomenal numbers for almost 15 years. Their 62.3 million pounds in 2002 set a record  #151; triple the typical catch during the 1980s. That's more than  #36;200 million worth of lobster and by far the dominant share of the Northeast's most valuable fishery. But can it last?

Explanation Sought for Lobster Decline (AP)


Israel #39;s Labour Party lashed out Wednesday at a Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s aide who said the Gaza pullout plan was aimed at freezing the peace process.

Israel #39;s Labour Party raps Sharon aide #39;s remarks on pullout plan


Fear of arrest has forced all the top executives at Russian oil giant Yukos to flee the country. The entire management board was in London on Thursday, according to the Financial Times.

Yukos board escapes from Russia


Daniel F. Akerson says the decisions he made as chief executive of Nextel Communications Inc. were all about survival.

Nextel Merger Puts It at Crossroads


Reuters - A U.S. bankruptcy court judge on Friday\approved a 30-day exclusivity extension for United Airlines,\giving the carrier another month to file its own reorganization\plan without competing plans from creditors.

UAL Wins OK for Exclusivity Extension (Reuters)


TORONTO -- When the Bruins embarked on their annual February trip in 2000, prospects for a successful season were grim. They were racked with injuries, and the losing was weighing on everyone. Ray Bourque, who began playing in Boston in 1979, always thought he would finish his career in the black and gold, but he started rethinking that as the ...

After that trip, no going back


Reuters - Being bilingual produces changes in the\anatomy of the brain, scientists said on Wednesday in finding\that could explain why children are so much better than adults\at mastering a second language.

Learning 2nd Language Changes Brain Anatomy -Study (Reuters)


AP - Three straight late-season stumbles have taken the luster off Virginia Tech. Now the Hokies are looking to get it back, and there's no better way to do that than to knock off No. 1 Southern California. The Hokies and Trojans open the season Saturday night in the Black Coaches Association Classic at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins. The game begins at 7:45 p.m.

Va. Tech Gets Big Chance With No. 1 USC (AP)


The Times of London has published its final edition as a broadsheet newspaper. Today, it relaunches as a tabloid. The Times is the second British newspaper to move to a smaller, more commuter-friendly format in a bid to reverse slumping sales.

Compact format sign of Times


The junior varsity girls' soccer team at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody is going to have to do without its coach, Jennifer Walsh Beardsell, for a few weeks. She'll be in Athens working as a massage therapist for the athletes at the Paralympic Games, which begin Sept. 17.

Paralympic team gets hand from area coach


The Federal Aviation Administration must improve oversight of air carriers and passengers who bring hazardous materials onto planes, according to a report

FAA hit on control of hazardous materials


The Australian Rugby Union invited Melbourne and Perth to bid for the country #39;s fourth Super 12 franchise from 2006 when the annual rugby competition expands to 14 teams.

Melbourne, Perth Invited to Apply for Super 14 Rugby Franchise


AP - Golden State forward Mike Dunleavy missed the Warriors' game against the Houston Rockets on Friday night with a bruised lower left leg.

Warriors' Dunleavy Misses Game vs. Rockets (AP)


Steelers broadcaster and Terrible Towel creator Myron Cope may be 75 years old, but he's still quick of wit and has the gumption to go toe-to-toe with Daniel Snyder.

Cope Still Has Spark


Israel #39;s fire chief complained of insufficient cooperation from Egypt on Friday in rescue efforts at an Egyptian Red Sea resort hotel, torn apart by a bomb blast.

Egyptian cooperation insufficient in rescue work: Israeli fire <b>...</b>


US scientists have found new data showing patterns of water and methane on Mars could improve the chances life once existed there.

New data strengthen Mars life evidence


One way to compete with a team whose payroll is more than \$100 million dollars more than yours is to do all you can to make sure you're not going to beat yourself.

No mistaking formula


NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - DaimlerChrysler #39;s Dodge division has released the first official sketch of the upcoming Dodge Charger. The Charger is a four-door sedan planned for the 2006 model year.

Dodge Charger image released


The world #39;s wealthier nations must contribute more money and intellectual power to fighting bird flu or risk a worldwide epidemic that spreads to people, a Vietnam-based official from the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Wednesday.

WHO Official Seeks More Money for Bird Flu


Grace Park won the CJ Nine Bridges Classic yesterday at Jeju, South Korea, shooting a 7-under-par 65 for a five-stroke victory and giving her game a big boost after a collapse in the final round two weeks ago.

Park shoots 65 to win South Korea tourney


Darfur's Janjaweed militia aren't the only ones sowing chaos and death. Meet the two rebel factions threatening yet another civil war

Power Struggle


Saks Inc. announced plans to shut seven Saks Fifth Avenue stores, including one in Garden City, LI, and three Off 5th discount stores.

Saks to close LI store


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - When the San Francisco Giants  play baseball, slugger Barry Bonds and the other players are  far from the only ones thinking about hitting home runs.

Singles Seek Home-Run Date at California Ball Park


Aerospace and high-tech manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. on Wednesday reported an 8 percent increase in third-quarter profits behind double-digit growth in sales

Honeywell #39;s 3Q Earnings Up on Sales Growth


Reuters - Standard   Poor's on Friday said\ratings on about  #36;30 billion of aircraft-backed debt could be\threatened if creditors lost a legal dispute with bankrupt UAL\Corp.  unit United Airlines over the right to\repossess aircraft.

Legal Fight Menaces Aircraft Debt Ratings (Reuters)


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two car bombs shook the capital in quick succession Sunday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 17, including an American soldier, U.S. and Iraqi officials said, as Defense Secretary Donald H...

Baghdad Blasts Kill 10; Rumsfeld Visits


Myanmar #39;s military rulers will keep opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi isolated under house arrest until at least November 27 next year, her opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) has said.

Suu Kyi to be held for another year


China #39;s economy will expand 8.8 per cent in 2004 and eight per cent in 2005, but growth next year may slow to 7.2 per cent if oil prices stay at around \$40 a barrel, the Asian Development Bank said on Wednesday.

China economy seen growing 8.8 in 2004: ADB


Canadian Press - PARIS (AP) - French Premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin signed an order Saturday to extradite a leftist Italian fugitive who has been convicted of murder, an official statement said.

French PM OKs extradition of Italian fugitive and noted author Cesare Battisti (Canadian Press)


FOXBOROUGH -- Nobody knows what lurks in coach Bill Belichick's mind, but it seems safe to say Dan Klecko is going to make the Patriots and get appreciative playing time. Question is, will the former collegiate defensive lineman make a push to be an eventual starter at his new primary position, linebacker?

Klecko positions himself


Notre Dame certainly had its problems Saturday night against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans, facing an opportunistic Notre Dame defense, had more

Irish  #39;D #39; delivers knockout


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Reinsurers may be left with more of the losses from Hurricane Ivan than they faced from hurricanes Charley and Frances because Alabama has no state program to help insurers pay claims, analysts said.

Unlike Florida, Alabama lacks state reinsurance program


AO Smith (NYSE: AOS), North America #39;s largest manufacturer of electric motors, shocked investors this morning by drastically reducing third-quarter earnings guidance to breakeven

Smith Takes a Pounding


Health professionals and families have worked hard to turn Halloween into a day that children with diabetes can take delight in, not simply endure.

Tricks, Treats and Insulin


Chechnya #39;s rebel leader says militant Shamil Basayev will go on trial for masterminding the hostage siege in Beslan after fighting in the breakaway Russian republic comes to an end.

Militant Chechen Rebel Leader to Go on Trial for Masterminding <b>...</b>


Charley, Frances and the specter of Ivan wreak havoc on industry assumptions. One, sure, but two? Three? By JEFF HARRINGTON, Times Staff Writer.

Double-team changes game for insurers


IBM is the first computer maker to ship PCs with a new chip developed by National Semiconductor that protects desktops against hackers and viruses, both companies said this week.

IBM uses chip-based security from National Semiconductor


The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been given some 300 years more of life, Italian experts announced. Reporting on the present conditions of the monument at

Italy #39;s Pisa Tower Declared Stable


Hotel franchisor Cendant Corp. agreed to buy online travel company Orbitz Inc. for about \$1.25 billion. The \$27.50 a share cash offer, which has been approved by boards of both companies but still needs regulatory

Update 1: Cendant to Buy Orbitz for \$1.25B in Cash


New products will include a free Acrobat reader with reviewing capabilities.

Adobe Readies Acrobat 7.0


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : Aug 23 (PNS) - Egypt Ramy Ashour became the newest World Junior Squash Champion following a 3-0 finals victory in the PIA 13th World Junior Squash Championships against Yasir Butt of Pakistan at the Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex

Ashour Conquers World Junior Squash Title


Ian Paisley is a genius. He #39;s being hailed as a peacemaker for possibly agreeing to possibly hold talks with Sinn Fein. But he also demanded Sinn Fein should wear  quot;sackcloth and ashes until they wear out quot;.

Mark Steel


Reuters - Japan has decided to deport former world\chess champion Bobby Fischer, who is wanted in the United\States for defying sanctions on Yugoslavia, an immigration\official said on Tuesday.

Japan to Deport Ex-Chess Champion Bobby Fischer (Reuters)


BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao  ruled out multi-party democracy on Wednesday on the eve of a  key meeting aimed at tightening the party's grip on power.

China Party Chief Rules Out Multi-Party Democracy


AP - On a court that bears his moniker, Mike Krzyzewski became the sixth active coach to reach 700 career victories, watching as Shelden Williams finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds to help No. 9 Duke beat Toledo 82-54 on Sunday night.

Duke's Krzyzewski Earns 700th Career Win (AP)


CHICAGO - Candy and gum maker Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. said Monday that it agreed to buy a number of candy brands, including Life Savers and Altoids, from Kraft Foods for \$1.

Wrigley buys Life Savers, other Kraft candy brands


The Bay Area #39;s super rich had mixed financial results over the past year with the exception of Google #39;s top executives, whose wealth soared thanks to their company #39;s recent initial public offering.

Forbes lists 400 Americans with most billions, millions


Earth is about to gets its closest brush this century with a massive asteroid, a hurtling space rock astronomers say is big enough to cause global devastation if it were to collide with the planet.

Massive Asteroid to Pass Earth


WASHINGTON - Legislation extending three popular middle-class tax cuts for the rest of the decade sailed through Congress by lopsided votes in both the House and Senate, giving President Bush a major legislative victory on his signature economic issue, tax relief.    Many Democrats complained during debate Thursday that the majority Republicans who control Congress should have offset the lost revenue to keep the nation's soaring deficits from getting worse...

Congress Sends Bush Tax Cut Bill, Victory


Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired right- handed pitcher Elmer Dessens and cash considerations from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league outfielder Jereme Milons on Thursday.

Dodgers acquire Dessens for bullpen


In one tsunami-hit Thai town, more than half of the 5,000-strong population are missing, police say.

Thousands missing from Thai town


NEW YORK A lackluster report on US gross domestic product sent stocks lower Friday as Wall Street worried that a lack of jobs and high energy prices were holding back economic growth.

Stocks: US GPD leaves investors lukewarm


A bomb blast killed two people and wounded 10 in northeastern Bangladesh Sunday, coinciding with a visit by a US counter-terrorism official to the country.

Bomb kills two, injures 10 in Bangladesh


Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - David Beckham scored the game-winner for Real Madrid as the  #39;galacticos #39; and Barcelona both won in week two of the Spanish Premier division.

Barcelona, Real Madrid post home wins


Speculation is growing that John OShea could be on his way out of Manchester United if the Old Trafford club complete a multi-million-pound move for Wayne Rooney before Tuesdays midnight transfer deadline.

OShea speculation gathers pace


On one level, horse racing in Britain appears to be on a roll: it is a multi-million pound industry employing 100,000 people. More horses are competing for more prize money at more fixtures and watched by more punters than ever before.

Racing uncertainties


General Motors and Ford Motor Co. continued to lose sales ground in October despite the introduction of several new products. Asian automakers continue to pick up ground as Toyota , Nissan, Honda, and Hyundai all posted sales increases.

Oct. Sales Slow at GM, Ford


Reuters - Online media company Yahoo Inc.\ late on Monday rolled out tests of redesigned start\pages for its popular Yahoo.com and My.Yahoo.com sites.

Yahoo Rolls Out Tests of Redesigned Start Pages (Reuters)


Iran again vowed to continue enriching uranium, in a potential setback to a European plan to ease the nuclear standoff with Tehran by offering sales of nuclear fuel and a trade deal as incentives.

Iran Defiance Threatens Euro Bid to End Nuclear Row


SALVO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Olympic 400 meters relay  gold medallist Alvin Harrison

Harrison 'Accepts Responsibility' for Doping -Lawyer


In a world where enticements and incentives are abundant, it was stunning to hear players at the PGA Championship talk about the latest perk that took them by surprise. How about six free first-class, round-trip tickets to Ireland?

Perk a flight of fancy


AP - Quincy Carter threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Justin McCareins with 5:32 remaining as the New York Jets bounced back from an embarrassing loss with an ugly 10-7 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Jets Bounce Back From Loss to Ravens (AP)


Chad Pennington made some great throws and some ugly ones. He took a few hits, too. While his return from a strained right rotator cuff was far from perfect, Curtis Martin was stellar yet again, and the two

Jets 29, Texans 7


Apple Computer, maker of the iPod music player and online iTunes Music Store, is likely to be forced into a multimillion-pound payout to Apple Corporation, the Beatles #39; management

Apple Computer face further payout to Beatles #39; company


Reuters - Indonesians voted on Monday in a\landmark election expected to remove President Megawati\Sukarnoputri and install an ex-general who has vowed firmer\leadership in fighting terror and boosting the economy.

Millions of Indonesians Vote in Landmark Election (Reuters)


TWO Indonesian women taken hostage by an Islamic militant group in Iraq were released unharmed and handed over to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy today.

Women hostages freed in Iraq


General Electric and EMC have won a \$200 million deal to install electronic image archiving systems in 70 hospitals in the U.K., as part of an effort to centralize communications and modernize technology throughout the national health system.

U.K. deploys electronic image archiving in all hospitals


NAZARETH, Pa. - Dan Wheldon took advantage of a fiery mishap during a pit stop by leader Sam Hornish Jr. and extended Honda #39;s winning streak to 12 races with a record-setting victory Sunday in the last race at Nazareth Speedway.

Andretti drivers earn 1-2-3 sweep


SAN SALVADOR -- Thanks to Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson, the United States can advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a victory over Panama Wednesday.

McBride helps US knock off El Salvador


A car carrying explosives ripped into a US convoy yesterday in northern Iraq, killing at least 10 people, and US troops fought persistent pockets

10 die in attack on US convoy


More flu vaccine, this time from Germany, will be available to help alleviate the US crunch, but that still will leave the country with just two-thirds of what was initially expected.

More flu vaccine available from Germany, but deal with Canada <b>...</b>


Despite Consumer Association accusations that Apple overcharges for iTunes tracks in the UK, its monthly magazine, Which?, continues to celebrate Apple #39;s iPod.

iPod and iPod mini win Which? praise


HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia unveiled a mobile phone for  business users on Thursday that incorporates a camera with a  megapixel resolution, beefing up a patchy handset portfolio  that has cost it market share.

Nokia Launching 6670 Business Phone


WASHINGTON - President Bush's nominee to head the CIA promised Tuesday to shed his political past and provide precise, objective and independent intelligence to the president and Congress. But after a 4 1/2-hour confirmation hearing, some Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee were not convinced...

CIA Nominee Promises to Shed Partisanship


Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc. are planning a joint bid for Adelphia Communications Corp. as part of a deal that could lead to a broad realignment of interests in the cable industry and increase Comcast's already dominant presence in the mid-Atlantic region.

2 Cable Giants Set To Bid for Adelphia


AP - Russia has the right to carry out pre-emptive strikes on militant bases abroad, Russia's defense minister said Sunday, citing the school hostage crisis. He said Moscow and the United States see eye to eye on fighting terrorism.

Russia Says It Can Hit Militants Abroad (AP)


The governor of Baghdad escapes unhurt when a roadside bomb explodes near his convoy.

Baghdad governor escapes attack


Microsoft Corp. said Friday that small companies and their customers would suffer most if it is forced to remove its digital media software from Windows, while the European Union accused it of being  quot;paternalistic

Update 12: EU Accuses Microsoft of Paternal View


Researchers say they could be used to treat burn wounds, skin injuries    HealthDayNews -- Cells in the hair follicles of the skin appear to be stem cells that may offer potential new ways to treat burn wounds and other skin injuries, as well as hair loss.    That's the promising conclusion of a study in the Sept...

Stem Cells Found in Hair Follicles


Ukraine's opposition steps up its campaign to overturn the disputed presidential vote by launching a general strike.

Strike call fuels Ukraine tension


Former Qwest Communications executive Thomas Hall agreed on Friday to plead guilty to an unspecified charge that will wrap up the first criminal case brought as part of the government #39;s

Ex-Qwest exec will alter plea


Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek were offered salary arbitration Tuesday by the Boston Red Sox, giving them until Jan. 8 to re-sign three key players who helped the team win its first World Series since 1918.

Red Sox offer arbitration to Martinez, Lowe, Varitek


The MTA unexpectedly has withdrawn its doomsday plan to raise fares, slash service and pink-slip workers. New Yorkers had been told to prepare for the worst, including a nearly across-the-board hike in discount MetroCard prices.

Backs off drastic fare  amp; service plans


CRUDE oil futures eased below \$US46 a barrel in Asia today as traders awaited the weekly US crude inventory report, which has helped bring down prices in recent weeks by showing a recovery in supplies.

Crude dips below \$US46


\$222.5 million -- in an ongoing securities class action lawsuit against Enron Corp. The settlement, announced Friday and

UC wins \$222.5M in Enron lawsuit


Whatever problems Bayern Munich face in their quest for a European and domestic treble this season, a lack of self-belief is unlikely to figure among them.

Bayern back in confident mood after Maccabi win


For a man whose name hung above the door, James Hanson was remarkably unsentimental about the company he had built from scratch. As a champion of shareholder value, he believed that all assets were up for sale (or at least, should be).

Lord Hanson: a swashbuckling risk-taker


AP - Thrilling visitors and scientists alike, the only great white shark currently on display anywhere in the world marked its 17th day in captivity Friday, setting a record for longevity in an aquarium tank.

Great White Shark Sets Record at Aquarium (AP)


ISLAMABAD: Asian Champions Sri Lanka advanced to the final of triangular one-day international series after their match against Zimbabwe was called off due to heavy overnight rain at the Pindi Cricket Stadium here on Monday.

Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe tri-series match called off due to rain


MUMBAI: Reliance on Monday asserted that there was no violation of law or memorandum of association by its Board in according superior power to Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani.

RIL Borad justifies superior power to CMD


Lockheed Martin Corp. said Monday that the Postal Service selected a team led by the company to provide managed network services across its 37,000 locations under a contract worth up to \$3 billion.

Lockheed Martin Team in Postal Pact


Iran #39;s Intelligence Minister Ali Yunessi said Tuesday  quot;several people quot; have been arrested for spying on the country #39;s nuclear programme, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Iran says it has arrested nuclear spies


St. Louis Cardinals #39; right-hander Julian Tavarez was fined \$10,000 by Major League Baseball for throwing over the head of Astros #39; batter Jeff Bagwell in the seventh inning of Game 4 of the NLCS, the pitcher told ESPN on Tuesday night.

Astros #39; RHP fined for over-the-head pitch in Game 4


AFP - Best-selling Australian author Colleen McCullough has backed the Pitcairn Islanders convicted recently of raping teenage girls, arguing they were merely following the customs of the island community, it was reported here.

Men of Pitcairn were just following island customs, says Australian author (AFP)


AP - Democratic Sen. John Kerry on Monday accused President Bush of ducking his responsibility to protect the country from crime and terrorism by allowing a national assault weapons ban to expire.

Kerry Rips Bush Over Assault Weapons Law (AP)


Winning an unprecedented seventh Cy Young Award, his first in the National League, only makes the question of Roger Clemens's return for the 2005 season even more compelling.\   The answer probably won't be long in coming.

Seventh wonder


A corridor of the wild through the high country of North America - Yellowstone to Yukon - is becoming a reality.

For Wildlife With Wanderlust, Their Own Highway


Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) will integrate its investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston with its private bank and aims to float its Winterthur

UPDATE 2-Credit Suisse to integrate units, float Winterthur


BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Jeff Gordon counted out the five wins he has this season, then his five poles. It was an hour before qualifying, and Gordon set a goal for himself.

Gordon has No. 6 in mind


Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (KKD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday delayed filing its quarterly financial report with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, citing an ongoing analysis of its accounting practices.

Krispy Kreme Delays Filing with SEC


Don #39;t look now, but the Washington Wizards have one of the best records in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association, with 12 wins and 8 losses.

Wizards: A Magical Season or an Illusion?


Disney Interactive has shipped three new Game Boy Advance titles based on hit Disney Channel shows. Info from the press release (because we #39;re too lazy to rewrite this stuff today) ---.

Disney Launches a Trio of Titles


Reuters - Merck   Co.  on Thursday said\its third-quarter profit fell, hurt by negative effects of the\recall last month of its Vioxx arthritis drug.

Merck Profit Falls, Hurt by Vioxx Recall (Reuters)


Hewlett-Packard said Tuesday that it will bring products using Blu-Ray next-generation optical technology to market in late 2005. In January, both HP and Dell announced their support for the Blu-Ray specification

HP PCs To Include Blu-Ray Drives


CHINA Life, China #39;s largest life insurer, might start investing in overseas financial markets before the end of the year, state media reported yesterday.

China eyes Life offshore


In a report, it says the agency #39;s first try at building an enterprise architecture offers a partial foundation, but is lacking in several areas.

GAO: Homeland Security #39;s Enterprise Architecture Lacks Key Elements


Wide receiver Derrick Mason of the Tennessee Titans says the team just is not playing well right now. Fred Taylor ran for a one-yard touchdown with nine seconds left for the victory.

Titans Lose To Jacksonville


Oil supply concerns and broker downgrades of blue-chip companies left stocks mixed yesterday, raising doubts that Wall Street #39;s year-end rally would continue.

Oil Supply Fears Leave Shares Mixed


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Revenues in key sectors of the U.S.  services industry grew in the second quarter, the government  said on Monday in a new survey aimed at measuring growth in the  giant tranche of the economy.

Service-Sector Revenues Rise in Q2


The US supports a strong dollar, #39; #39; Treasury Secretary John Snow said, making his first remarks on the currency since George W. Bush was re-elected president on Nov. 2. We support

Snow Says Strong Dollar #39; Is in America #39;s Interest #39; (Update4)


France #39;s opposition Socialist Party voted in favor of the European Union #39;s new constitution, party leaders said Thursday, boosting the chances of success for a national referendum and drawing jubilant praise from pro-EU forces across the continent.

#39;Yes #39; camp claims victory in French Socialists #39; vote on EU <b>...</b>


The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, have announced the voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Almost a million Dell notebook adapters to be recalled


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

Citigroup Sued Over Enron Securities


California #39;s Public Utilities Commission yesterday fined Cingular Wireless a record \$12 million for violating state law by failing to tell customers that its network was overburdened, then

PUC fines Cingular \$12 million


The Herald-Dispatch. The world is in danger. In just two days, an alien race called The Covenant will attempt to gain control of the most powerful weapon known to man: Halo.

Massive release accompanies highly anticipated video game


Jaded souls might say that Sun Microsystems sold the open source community down the river in its landmark settlement with Microsoft in April.

Microsoft clause puts OpenOffice users on notice


India News: Srinagar, Nov 17 : It was an expression anyone who knows Prime Minister Manmohan Singh #39;s background would understand!

Manmohan nostalgic about the world of academia:


THE Federal Government #39;s plan to boost security at regional airports was inadequate because it did not include permanent passenger screening, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said today.

Premiers differ on air security plan


The company teams up with Sun Microsystems to bring its e-mail application to Java-enabled cell phones.

Start-up Seven addicted to Java


Microsoft said last week that its first-quarter net income rose 11 and revenue 12 because of strong server-software demand and steady sales of PCs that run its products.

Microsoft Does Well On Server-Software Sales


More exchange-traded funds gives your itchy trading finger more reasons to scratch.

New ETFs on the Block


Bank of America Corp. (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday vice chairman James Hance will retire at the end of January 2005.

UPDATE 1-Bank of America vice chairman to retire


AP - China appointed a party official who has never worked in sports to oversee the preparation of athletes for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

China Fills Top Sports Post for Olympics (AP)


Microsoft #39;s Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates will share the stage on Tuesday with nearly 15 system builders in a program to officially launch Microsoft #39;s latest version of its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system.

Custom Channel Gets Media Center OS


AFP - Egyptian state security prosecutors released four members of the banned but normally tolerated Muslim Brotherhood and extended the custody of 52 others, legal sources said.

Egypt frees four Muslim Brothers, extends custody of 52 (AFP)


FOR the first time since his appointment as Newcastle United manager, Graeme Souness has been required to display the strong-arm disciplinary qualities that, to Newcastle directors, made

No-nonsense Souness gets to grips with with sulking Bellamy


The biotechnology revolution is shaking up the pet world. First came a cloned cat. Then came the fish genetically engineered to glow. Now, a Los Angeles company is exploiting the latest in biotechnology to create cats genetically engineered to be nearly free from the allergy-causing proteins that plague millions of people.

Biotech Firm Promises Hypo-Allergenic Cats


AP - In One Day of Prayer, sent in advance for use Oct. 24, The Associated Press misattributed a statement about policy toward the preaching of radical Islam at the London Central Mosque. The official quoted was the deputy director of the mosque, Sheik Anwar Madi, not the director, Ahmed Al-Dubian.

Correction: One-Day-Of-Prayer Story (AP)


Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday outlined its vision of the Internet of the future, one in which millions of computer servers would analyze and direct network

Intel Sees Web Buckling, Invests in New Systems


Sprint and Nextel Communications have signed a merger agreement. The combined company, which will adopt the name Sprint Nextel, will serve nearly 40 million wireless customers.

Sprint and Nextel Announce  quot;Merger of Equals, quot; Spin-Off Of <b>...</b>


A new version of the Pentium 4 aimed at the  #39;desktop replacement #39; market was introduced by Intel this week. The new chip is called the  quot;Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor 548 quot; supports Hyper Threading Technology and runs at 3.33GHz.

News Bits: New Pentium 4 M, New Sharp 64-bit Notebook, OQO Relase <b>...</b>


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

Haiti Flood Death Toll Passes 700 (Reuters)


Weeks after coming under criticism for sitting on patches for multiple holes in its database software, Oracle Corp. has announced that it is moving to a monthly patch release schedule.

Oracle moves to monthly patching schedule


Security experts warn that virus writers could be preparing to create havoc using a bug in the way that Windows handles images.

Virus writers focus on image bug


Oil giant Yukos has its tax bill for 2001 upped by Russia's tax ministry, a move that may push it closer to bankruptcy.

Russia increases Yukos' tax bill


Want to get into the market for DVD players? Intense competition and standardization mean that you might make more as a mime.

DVD player profits down to \$1


Increasing the tension over government subsidies to Airbus and Boeing, yesterday #39;s latest round of talks between the United States and the European Union ended in deadlock.

US and EU plane talks go nowhere


For a guy who last weekend said he wasn't coming and kept tour organizers in suspense until showing up just hours before the team's charter flight was due to depart from Los Angeles, Manny Ramirez acted mighty happy to be in Japan.

Championship tour rolls on


The issue has united readers of all stripes, from the religious to privacy advocates, CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos writes.

RFID tags: The people say no


Opinion Tiemann's diaper must be changed

Red Hat opens losing propaganda offensive against Sun


Yahoo! Inc has bought Stata Labs Inc, maker of email search software, in a move apparently aimed at beefing up its Yahoo! Mail property in the face of competition from Google Inc #39;s Gmail service.

Yahoo! buys email search firm


The fixes come about eight months after a security researcher told the database software maker of the problems.

Oracle delivers delayed patches


Thomas Coughlin, who joined Wal-Mart Stores as head of security and rose to vice chairman, will give up the post early next year after 25 years of service that helped the company become the world #39;s biggest retailer.

Vice chairman quits Wal-Mart


Citing the urgent need to protect its users from online threats, America Online Inc. (AOL) will begin bundling antivirus software from McAfee Inc. with the latest version of its software, AOL 9.0, according to a statement from the company.

AOL to give antivirus software away in Version 9


Nortel Networks is only a shadow of what it was three years ago. It has shed 61,500 workers worldwide, and announced last week another 3,500 are slated to go.

Nortel battles back


Two prominent open-source software groups have rejected a proposed technology standard backed by Microsoft Corp. that would close a loophole used to send unsolicited commercial

Open sourcers revolt against Microsoft antispam plan


SUZUKA (Japan) - Michael Schumacher led the wet Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix with teams casting a wary eye to the skies with a typhoon approaching.

Typhoon bears down on Japanese Grand Prix


With his period of house arrest over, former Parmalat boss Calisto Tanzi took a walk in the garden of his villa Monday, following nine months of detention and questioning over the fraud scandal that engulfed his company.

House Arrest Ends for Ex-Parmalat Chief


NEC Corporation and Panasonic Mobile announced that they have developed a Linux-based software platform for third-generation (3G) mobile phones.

Linux-based Software Platform for 3G Phones


p2pnet.net News:- Britain #39;s Consumers #39; Association wants to know why Apple charges its UK users 17 more for downloads that those in the rest of Europe.

Apple UK rip-off claim


Oil ministers are meeting to consider raising the formal output ceiling as crude prices remain stubbornly high despite OPEC's persistent efforts to lower them.

OPEC to Put Formal Lifting of Output on the Table


By DAISY NGUYEN     RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) -- Since the discovery five years ago that a ravenous insect was spreading grape-killing Pierce's Disease in California, grape growers have contributed millions of dollars to fund research projects they hope can end the scourge...

New Project Shows Promise for Grape Growers


Mortgage giant Freddie Mac announced Monday that it is shutting down some operations of its debt-securities sales division and transferring others - moves that experts said should tighten the company's internal controls after an accounting scandal.

Freddie Mac Announces Changes in Division


Two people were under hospital observation in northern Malaysia with flu-like symptoms yesterday as the country fought to contain the second case of deadly bird flu in two weeks.

Malaysia battle 2nd flu outbreak


Serious doubts are raised on the accuracy of a new identity system being introduced on all new UK passports next year.

Doubts over passport face scans


HARARE : Zimbabwean immigration officials ordered a fact-finding mission from South Africa #39;s biggest trade union movement to leave after they defied a government ban, the leader of the South African team said.

Zimbabwe deports South African trade union fact finders


Baseball is returning to the nation #39;s capital for the first time in 33 years, in the form of the Montreal Expos. Expos president Tony Tavares said Major League Baseball told him Wednesday his team was moving

Baseball returns to Washington; Expos relocated to DC


Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said it will cut 6,000 to 7,000 jobs, or about 10 percent of its work force, over the next 18

UPDATE 2-Delta to cut 6,000 to 7,000 jobs, close Dallas hub


CHARLESTON, SC -- Ben Reed scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Western Michigan beat the College of Charleston, 69-56, on Sunday.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Reed #39;s 23 leads WMU to 5-2


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Target Corporation said earnings rose 78 percent in the third quarter, boosted by one-time gains from the sale of its Mervyn #39;s store chain.

Target Q3 up 78, lifted by Mervyn #39;s sale


SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Bosnia's peace overseer fired six Serb  police officers and three other officials on Thursday to punish  the Serb Republic for failing to arrest war crimes suspects and  obstructing the process of hunting them down.

Bosnia Envoy Sacks Bosnia Serb Officials Over Hague


Ernie Els, unaccustomed as he is to public failure, has rededicated himself to winning, and, in pursuit of that, leads the American Express World Golf Championship at Mount Juliet after the first 36 holes.

Els survives rain as Woods braves pain


Reuters - Demands by the United States and other\wealthy nations to delay the phasing out of a pesticide that\depletes the ozone layer threaten to unravel a key global\environmental treaty, experts said on Thursday.

Rich States' Demands Threaten Environment Treaty (Reuters)


NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. aircraft and tanks pounded  Shi'ite militia positions around a holy shrine and ancient  cemetery in Najaf early on Friday, witnesses said.

U.S. Air, Ground Forces Pound Iraqi Militia Posts


Chinese network equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies is beginning to make inroads into the U.S. mobile telecommunications market about three years after establishing a subsidiary here.

China's Huawei deploys its first U.S. mobile network


For a company that owns two of the most widely used midmarket software packages for sales and contact management, Best Software Inc. has been a fairly low-key competitor in the market over the past few years.

Best Software strategizes for midmarket dominance


Rapid-response Swat police teams will be on standby for terror threats at Australia #39;s small rural airports under the Government #39;s new security plans.

Swat teams at ready at Australia #39;s small rural airports


A funny thing happened as Orlando Cabrera triumphantly rounded the bases after he knocked in Johnny Damon with his walkoff double off the Green Monster in Tuesday's 5-4 thriller over the Blue Jays. In the stands, Cabrera's wife, Eliana, noticed during the celebration her cellphone ringing. And ringing. And ringing.

Message loud and clear


BEIJING -- China warned Hong Kong legislators yesterday to forget the idea of holding a referendum on whether residents should be able to directly elect their leaders.

No direct vote in Hong Kong, China tells legislators


Google's planning to greatly expand the editorial guidelines it publishes online, providing everyone a better idea of what it accepts on the advertising front.

Google Ad Policies To Be Expanded Publicly


Chinese troops have cordoned off villages in central China following fighting between ethnic groups that killed at least seven people.

China Cordons Off Central Villages Following Ethnic Clashes


Frank Lampard expects Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to be back to top form in front of goal soon. The Icelander netted his first club strike since the opening day of the Barclays

Lampard: Eidur Is Gud to Go


ATHENS -- Their best player didn't even last 20 minutes. The shooting eye that had surfaced against Spain -- and only Spain -- was never there. The uphill quest for Olympic gold by the United States came to an abrupt end last night, as Uncle Sam's lads were sliced, diced, dissected, filleted, and ultimately spanked by Argentina, 89-81.

Golden bust


In North Korea, portraits of Kim Jong Il have been taken down in what may signal significant and possibly far-reaching changes in the Stalinist leader #39;s personality cult.

Removal of Kim Jong Il Portraits in North Korea Causes Speculation


A stubby rocket plane touched down safely in the Mojave desert yesterday to claim a dual prize: the first private, crewed spacecraft to fly two successful missions within

Private spaceship wins \$10m for breaking the final frontier?twice


Boston ended its 12-game road trip at 9-3...Lowe fell to 4-4 lifetime against Seattle...Meche is 2-1 in his career versus Boston...The Red Sox took five of nine meetings with the Mariners this season. Seattle

American League Game Summary - Boston at Seattle


by RN Eastern Europe editor Margreet Strijbosch, 25 October 2004. A Russian-born millionaire has turned Lithuanian politics on its head.

Russian tycoon rocks Vilnius


OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian families could soon enjoy a  measure of peace and quiet at dinner time as the result of  legislation introduced on Monday to limit the right of  telemarketers to make unsolicited calls.

Canada to Set Up Do-Not-Call Telemarketing List


Reuters - Oil prices rose on Wednesday as\Hurricane Ivan -- one of the fiercest storms on record --\churned toward the southeastern United States, while the dollar\struggled with worrying economic data.

Hurricane Pushes U.S. Oil Toward  #36;45 (Reuters)


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Eddy Curry scored 20 points, and Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon each added 15 points to lead Chicago past Memphis. Chicago won for the only the second time on the road this season and Memphis

Bulls 96, Grizzlies 88


AP - Keith Langford had 19 of his 24 points in a torrid first half that propelled second-ranked Kansas over Louisiana-Lafayette 96-51 Saturday night.

No. 2 Kan. Trounces La.-Lafayette, 96-51 (AP)


RealNetworks Inc. RNWK.O is ending its 49 cent-per-song music download service but will keep the promotional prices in place for top 10 songs, the Internet media and software company said on Thursday.

RealNetworks Sells 3 Mln Songs, Ends Download Promo


The new search tool from Google matches queries with the content inside a book. If there is a match, Google will show links to that particular book in the search-results page.

Google Tests Book Search


More than a month after sustaining burns in a wreck, Dale Earnhardt Jr. broke out of a six-week slump with a win in the Sharpie 500 in Bristol.

Earnhardt Jr. Snags Win


Coeur d #39;Alene Mines Corp. on Monday formally launched a \$2.1 billion effort to buy all the outstanding common shares of rival Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.

Coeur makes tender offer for all Wheaton River shares


Bankrupt ATA Airlines #39; withdrawal from Chicago #39;s Midway International Airport presents a juicy opportunity for another airline to beef up service in the Midwest

ATA Airlines gives rivals a shot at Chicago market


AP - Barry Bonds hit his 699th home run, and the San Francisco Giants regained the NL wild-card lead with a 5-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Bonds Hits Homer 699, Giants Top D'Backs (AP)


Federal Express raised its earnings forecast, citing strong demand for its international express, ground and less-than-truckload services.

FedEx Hikes Profit Forecast and Cites Demand


ATHENS -- Italy used incredible 3-point shooting to advance to the gold medal men's basketball game for just the second time at the Olympics.

Long-shot Italians advance


LONDON Richard Branson, the adventurous entrepreneur behind the Virgin Group, said Monday that he would form a commercial space travel company that would start carrying passengers by 2007.

Virgin #39;s next destination: space


PAKISTANI PRESIDENT Pervez Musharraf #39;s Kashmir trial balloon has too many holes to float let alone fly, say observers in New Delhi.

Musharrafs new floater leaks, badly


Weird

Rare,


By the time guests arrived at a well-hyped product unveiling by Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL ) on Oct. 26, the big news had leaked: U2 #39;s Bono would be on hand to introduce a special black version of the iPod music player.

Can The iPod Keep Leading The Band?


Richard Branson says the Virgin Global Flyer is looking good for its solo trip around the world without refuelling.

Hopes soar for solo record plane


Reuters - Sammy Sosa grabbed his 568th career\homer and Aramis Ramirez followed up with another third-inning\blast to guide the Chicago Cubs to an 8-3 win over the Houston\Astros in the National League (NL) Thursday.

NL Wrap: Sosa Hits 568th Homer, Cubs Eclipse Astros (Reuters)


Software security companies and US-Cert, the US government #39;s computer monitoring body, have issued warnings about security vulnerabilities in Oracle software.

Security alert identifies Oracle holes


While Chinese athletics were striving for gold at the Athens Olympics, Chinese companies and international firms are competing for the business chances offered by the Games.

Brands fight for Games dollars


The Russian government yesterday night appeared to be preparing to sell the main asset of Yukos, the countrys embattled oil company, for as little as \$4 billion - a fraction of its fair value -n a move analysts branded as daylight robbery

Yukos unit to be sold for knockdown \$4 bn


The PC maker is coming out with its own hard-drive-based MP3 player--a miniature unit that displays color photos. \

Photo 5 of 5: New forms for iPod rivals


World News: Baghdad, Nov 30 : Four people were killed and 20 injured in an attack on a US military convoy in Iraq Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

Four killed in Iraq attack:


AP - Secretary of State Colin Powell, widely viewed as the moderate in an administration dominated by hawks, announced Monday he will step down as America's chief diplomat once a successor is in place.

Powell Vows to Work Hard Until Departure (AP)


POLICE officers are among more than 150 people charged with about 2000 child sex offences resulting from Australia #39;s biggest crackdown on internet child pornography.

Police arrested in child-porn raids


Consumer electronics chain store Dixons is to stop selling video recorders because of the rise in popularity of DVD technology. The store, which has sold VCRs for 26 years, said that DVD sales had damaged

VCRs erased from the High Street


Europe has defeated the United States by a record margin in the 35th Ryder Cup team golf tournament. Lee Westwood of England ensured the Europeans would retain the trophy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, with a 1-up victory Sunday over American Kenny Perry.

Europe Defeats US by Record Margin in Ryder Cup Golf


UK lender Barclays says it is in talks with South Africa's Absa about buying a majority stake in the bank.

Barclays looks to buy Absa stake


Firefox, the alternative Web browser from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, is chipping away at Microsoft Internet Explorer #39;s stranglehold on the market.

Alternative browser chips away market share


IBM said it plans to acquire software vendor Systemcorp for an undisclosed sum. The Montreal company makes project portfolio management software for helping companies manage IT projects.

Brief: IBM buys software vendor


The Nikkei stock average rose 1.02 percent by midsession on Monday as investors were encouraged to seek bargains by a recovery in US stocks after crude oil prices retreated from record highs.

Nikkei Up Over 1 Percent at Midday


AP - The nation's chief media regulator expressed disappointment Wednesday over the steamy locker room opening to ABC's

'Monday Night Football' Rankles FCC (AP)


Companies counting on big back-to-school spending are showing their disappointment.

Back-to-School Woes


Sony's new Cyber-shot P150 raises the bar for high-resolution cameras at affordable prices.

Megapixels Gone Mad?


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Arch Coal Inc. <A HREF=

Arch Coal: Triton Acquisition Completed


Rupert Murdoch won shareholder approval on Tuesday to move the corporate headquarters of his \$48 billion News Corp. Ltd. (NCP.AX: Quote, Profile

UPDATE 2-Murdoch wins vote to shift News Corp. to US


Summary - (Nov 4, 2004) European astronomers have produced the first image of an object using high energy gamma rays - the most penetrating form of radiation known.

First Gamma Ray Image


If the Sun Belt is where the growth is, then Southern Company is a place to be.

Common Sense Investing


SAN JOSE, CALIF. - A keychain device that enables people to turn off TVs just about anywhere is flying off the shelves, its inventor says.

Public TV zapper hot product


Application developers are getting a raft of new options this week with Sun updating J2SE, Borland upping its CORBA ante, and Compuware detailing products that will work with Microsoft's Visual Studio 2005 toolbox.

Sun upgrades J2SE platform


New England captain Jonny Wilkinson looks set to miss his country #39;s autumn games against Canada, South Africa and Australia as a result of his latest injury.

Wilkinson sidelined for England test series


Rob Glaser and his geek pals from Microsoft wanted to revive pro bowling. So they bought the whole damned league. By Tom McNichol from Wired magazine.

Pulling the PBA Out of the Gutter


AFP - Fujitsu-Siemens, Europe's leading manufacturer of personal computers, said pre-tax profit and sales rose strongly in the six months to September and the PC maker was confident about the outlook for the rest of the year.

Fujitsu-Siemens pre-tax profit, sales up strongly in first half (AFP)


King Abdullah II stripped his half brother and heir apparent of his title as crown prince in an abrupt shake-up Sunday aimed at redeeming the full power the king inherited from his late father.

Jordan #39;s king strips half brother #39;s title


PeopleSoft Inc. said it #39;s willing to discuss a bid by Oracle Corp. at the right #39; #39; price, the first time officials have raised the possibility of ending the companies #39; 16-month takeover fight.

PeopleSoft Says Its Board May Consider an Oracle Takeover Offer


CHICAGO  Alonzo Mourning was his old self in his second game since having a kidney transplant 11 months ago, making back-to-back layups in the second overtime to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 111-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

Dominant Mourning leads Nets in 2 OT win


AP - The stone

Mount St. Helens' 'Fin' May Be Splitting (AP)


Austin police are working with overseas officials to bring charges against an English man for sexual assault of a child, a second-degree felony.

Englishman arrested for assaulting child


Rescue operation atthe site of an air crash killing all 53 people aboard a commuter plane and one more on the ground on Sunday morning was declared conclusion Tuesday.

Rescue operation at air crash site ends


Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has won the toss and chosen to field in the delayed ICC Champions Trophy contest with Kenya at Edgbaston.

Pakistan look to strike early


The boy wonder, who #39;s really a man these days, could be The Man by the end of the month in Boston. Theo Epstein, 30, is the youngest general manager in baseball, a kid from suburban Boston who

Boston #39;s  #39;boy wonder #39; could become  #39;The Man #39;


Gary Pilgrim, once a poster boy for the hot-growth mutual fund mania and the cult surrounding their managers, and his partner Harold Baxter agreed yesterday to pay \$80 million each to settle

PBHG funds founders pay \$80M each


AP - The consumer electronics arm of the Virgin Group is introducing a new five-gigabyte hard-disk portable music player, bringing a powerful brand name in music to the increasingly crowded product space.

Virgin Electronics unveils music player


A federal judge Tuesday delayed the trial of former WorldCom chief executive Bernard Ebbers until January, granting his lawyers more time to prepare their defense.

Update 3: Start of Ex-WorldCom Chief #39;s Trial Delayed


Sidearm curveballs, regular fastballs, and even some knuckleballs. No matter the direction or the spin, Jordan Brower was nearly unhittable.

Lincoln's summer run comes to end