ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States lost their first  basketball match at the Olympics since 1988 on Sunday when  Puerto Rico gave them a shock 92-73 trouncing.

U.S. Basketball Team Loses to Puerto Rico


Unilever shares fell sharply after the household products giant issued a warning over its profits for 2004. The Anglo-Dutch food-to-detergents group admitted that its leading brands #39; performance in the third quarter would be below that of the second.

Unilever Profits Caution Hits Shares


TWO Chechen women suspected of blowing up two Russian passenger planes last month were detained but freed -- and then went on to bribe their way aboard.

Chechen bombers slip the net


The European Union #39;s head office said it filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization on Monday against the United States and Canada for not lifting sanctions against the EU over its ban on imports of hormone-treated beef.

EU Files Complaint Against US, Canada


Margaret Hassan, said to be a British-born Iraqi national, the director of CARE International #39;s operation in Iraq is seen in this image made from video footage made on May 20, 2003.

ABC News 4 Die in Attack on Iraqi National Guard HQ


Indonesia #39;s president-elect has finally given his victory speech, almost three weeks after the country #39;s first direct presidential poll.

New Indonesia chief marks victory


ROME -- Police defused a bomb in a town near Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi #39;s villa on the island of Sardinia on Wednesday shortly after British Prime Minister Tony Blair finished a visit there with the Italian leader.

Bomb Found in Town Near Berlusconi Villa


Host Miami and Florida State might have to wait several extra days before playing their season opener. School officials were strongly considering postponing the game five days from Monday to Sept.

Notebook: Hurricane might disrupt Canes


French Finance Minister Herve Gaymard said Monday that  quot;the American and Asian authorities quot; should work together with Europe to deal with the weakness of the US dollar.

French minister expresses concern over US dollar weakness


Columbus Crew #39;s Frankie Hejduk (2) beats New England Revolution #39;s Shalrie Joseph (21) to the ball during the first half of their Eastern Conference playoff semifinal game in Columbus, Ohio Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004.

Revolution Make Eastern Conference Finals


Followers of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr trickled in to police stations in Baghdad #39;s Sadr City district to hand in weapons today under a deal seen as a key step toward ending weeks of fighting with US and Iraqi forces in the Shiite militant stronghold.

Shiite Militia Fighters Start Turning in Weapons in Baghdad


India and Pakistan are believed to have agreed that it would be unrealistic to set any rigid time frame for the resolution of the Kashmir question.

Indo-Pak talks: No time frame for Kashmir


Reuters - The stars of the video\game industry came out in force on Tuesday night to honor their\peers for creative excellence -- taking a page from the\Hollywood playbook with red carpets, glittering gems and a live\nationwide broadcast.

Video Games Go Hollywood at Live Awards Show (Reuters)


The US Labor Department said Thursday first-time applications for unemployment benefits fell last week for the first time in four weeks.

Initial jobless claims fall 37,000


LONDON (Dow Jones/AP) -- Corus Group PLC, one of the world #39;s largest makers of steel, Thursday reported a profit for the first time in its five-year history.

Corus posts first profit


The first test between India and Bangladesh has been postponed by a day to Friday after the Indian team #39;s arrival was delayed because of a threat by an Islamic militant group.

UPDATE 1-First India test postponed to Friday


The European Commission takes the German government to court for maintaining a law which protects car giant VW from takeover.

Germany in the dock over VW law


I have come like a pilgrim to this modest Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, nestled conveniently between the flight path of a major airport and an Indian gaming casino, to witness a miracle - in marketing, if nothing else.

Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese frenzy may spur owner meltdown


LeBron James scored his career-high 43 points to pace the Cleveland Cavaliers for their seventh victory in eight games, a 92-76 home win over defending champions Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Cavaliers beat defending champions Pistons


THE family of President John F Kennedy yesterday blasted a video game that lets players simulate his assassination. Glasgow-based Traffic Games has released JFK Reloaded to coincide with the 41st anniversary of the murder in Dallas.

Kennedys game fury


DAVID Jones has made a solid start to the financial year, yesterday posting a robust 9.3 per cent spike in first-quarter sales - smashing the performance of rival Myer.

Cards no hamper for DJs results


ASTANA, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - Russia curtly told the  United States to stay out of its business Wednesday after U.S.  criticism, echoed by the European Union, of President Vladimir  Putin's plans for radical change that will boost Kremlin power.

Russia Rebuts U.S. Criticism of Putin's Shake-Up


(LAUSANNE, Switzerland) - Paul Hamm will get to keep the gold medal he won two months ago. The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland has rejected an appeal from South Korea #39;s Yang Tae-Young of the Olympic gymnastics all around results.

Hamm keeps Olympic gold


Ask Jeeves Asks Google's AdWords\\Have you ever spoke with an expert in a field and asked them a question about a topic they should have the answer to, but they respond that they need to ask someone else? Well, what about Ask Jeeves? You do a search at Ask Jeeves, ...

Ask Jeeves Asks Googles AdWords


The IAEA decision to accept Iran #39;s suspension of uranium enrichment and not take the matter to the United Nations Security Council wins both hostile and welcome reactions in Iranian newspapers.

Press reveals Iran #39;s nuclear fears


New candidates for the reshuffled European Commission win support from MEPs at nomination hearings.

New commissioners win MEP support


FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. aircraft blasted the rebel  stronghold of Falluja for a third time in 24 hours in a  concerted effort to hit militants loyal to guerrilla chief Abu  Musab al-Zarqawi, Washington's number one enemy in Iraq.

U.S. Air Attacks in Falluja Kill 15 in 24 Hours


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar fell to a 7-1/2 month low  against the euro on Wednesday and a three-month trough on the  Swiss franc as a selloff on the back of recent worries about  the U.S. economy and interest rate outlook gained momentum. The  yen came under pressure briefly as Tokyo stocks fell 1.65  percent. But given the export-oriented economy's reliance on  oil, a recent retreat in oil prices underpinned the currency  near this week's three-month high on the dollar.

Dollar Broadly Weak on Econ Worries


Small businesses were less optimistic about US economic growth last month than in July, and fewer expected sales to increase in the coming months, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.

Small Business Optimism on Economic Growth Drops, Survey Shows


UPDATE 2-Cricket-Warne takes six but India establish handy lead October 16, 2004 09:12:55 MADRAS, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) - World test wicket record holder Shane Warne grabbed six wickets as India established a handy 141-run first innings lead in the

India v Australia second test scoreboard - tea


Notre Dame players will vote on Wednesday whether to play in the Insight Bowl in Phoenix, SportsLine.com has learned. In light of the firing of coach Ty Willingham, the players have yet to determine if they are emotionally ready to play in the Dec.

Notre Dame players to vote on whether to take bowl trip


ATHENS -- Today, Olympians will be in the ancient stadium at Olympia for the shot put competition. Been there, but haven #39;t done that.

A Throwback to Olympia


WASHINGTON : Four former Merrill Lynch bankers and a former Enron executive were convicted by a Texas jury on criminal charges for carrying out a fraudulent deal that helped the notorious energy trader inflate its earnings.

Former Merrill bankers, Enron executive convicted over Nigerian <b>...</b>


Canadian Press - MOSCOW (CP) - A Canadian reported killed in Chechnya was described by Russian defence officials Friday as an explosives expert who was among a group of insurgents involved in fighting there.

Canadian reported killed with rebel group in Chechnya; Ottawa seeks details (Canadian Press)


KUWAIT - The Kuwaiti newspaper that predicted the release of two Italian hostages in Iraq says the captors had originally demanded a US\$5 million (\$7.

Iraq captors wanted US\$5 million ransom


Laksamana.Net - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says terrorism is the enemy of all religions so they must wage war against the violent scourge.

President Declares War on Terror


The withdrawal of painkiller Vioxx means Merck  amp; Co. will miss the already diminished expectations of Wall Street analysts for 2005, the huge drug maker said Wednesday.

Vioxx Withdrawal to Reduce Merck Earnings


When Amit Yoran last week became the third cybersecurity chief to leave his post in less than two years, most folks barely noticed.

Access to Tom Ridge or bust


Saying he #39;s  #39;tired of the censorship, #39; the shock jock announces he #39;s abandoning traditional broadcasting and going over to satellite.

Stern switches to unfiltered


Chelsea have denied rumours that they are planning to try and sign Liverpool #39;s Steven Gerrard this season. Blues boss Jose Mourinho insisted that there would be no big-money bid for the England midfield star when the transfer window opens on 1 January.

Chelsea not planning Gerrard move


AP - North Atlantic right whales are returning to their calving grounds off the coast of Georgia early this year.

Right Whales Return to Georgia Coast Early (AP)


A teacher at the centre of a storm over claims that Prince Harry cheated in A level coursework is due to take his former school to a tribunal today.

Harry  #39;Cheat #39; Claim Teacher #39;s Tribunal Opens


Carl Everett homered and the Chicago White Sox took advantage of Texas #39; season-high five errors in a 7-4 victory over the fading Rangers on Monday.

White Sox 7, Rangers 4


Toronto's da Vinci Project says it has the go-ahead from the Canadian government for a manned space launch. Question is, can the crew catch up to Burt Ratan's SpaceShipOne, which is halfway to winning the \$10 million jackpot? By Dan Brekke.

Canada Still Has Eyes on X Prize


Palestinian gunmen infiltrated a fog-shrouded Israeli army post at dawn Thursday and killed three Israeli soldiers in a fierce gunbattle before two of the attackers were shot dead, the army said.

Palestinian militants infiltrate Gaza Strip outpost, kill three <b>...</b>


Ad agencies were given federally financed slush funds in order to cut through red tape and speed up the awarding of grants, according to the former head of the federal sponsorship program.

Guite defends use of fed slush funds


Aside from scoring public relations points with its latest offer, the players union has forced N.H.L. Commissioner Gary Bettman to make a difficult decision.

N.H.L. Must Determine if It Is Certain About Cost Certainty


In a move that may be seen by some in corporate America as an early lump of coal in many Christmas stockings, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) will require companies to report the cost of stock options in their financial statements beginning next year, it announced Thursday.

U.S. companies ordered to expense options


Manny Ramirez hits in the tiebreaking run in the eighth, and the Red Sox win, 12-5, to cut the Yankees' lead in the AL East to 4 1/2 games.

Red Sox Take Yankees


The low interest rates of the past few years have been particularly frustrating for retirees and others who favor conservative certificates of deposit for income.

Option to bump up CD rate helps those afraid to lock in


Here's a bit of advice for those of you planning IT budgets. For the next five to 10 years, set aside 10 percent to comply with new government regulations, both from the United States and from other governments in your major markets.

Caught in a regulatory cross fire


THREE jockeys and a trainer were arrested today in a probe into alleged fixing of horse races. More than 130 officers raided 19 addresses across Suffolk, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and arrested 12 people for conspiracy to defraud.

Three jockeys held in race fixing probe


KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The Taliban warned Monday of  more deadly attacks in the run-up to Afghanistan's first  presidential election after a car bomb in the heart of the  capital killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more.

Taliban Warns of More Attacks as Kabul Toll Rises


AP - The Cleveland Browns' offense was pretty awful last weekend, just not quite as awful as everyone thought.

Browns Gain 9 Yards With Scoring Change (AP)


MALCOLM Glazers bid to takeover Manchester United was rumoured to be close to collapse following a dramatic fall in the club #39;s share prices.

Glazer #39;s bid  #39;close to collapse #39;


Reuters - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi\Annan named a five-member panel on Thursday led by Italian\judge Antonio Cassese to investigate whether genocide has taken\place in Sudan's Darfur region.

UN Panel to Look Into Genocide in Sudan's Darfur (Reuters)


US lawyers file a criminal complaint against Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over  abuses at Abu Ghraib jail in Iraq.

Rumsfeld in Iraq abuse complaint


ConocoPhillips has bought a major stake in Russia #39;s second largest oil producer OAO Lukoil Holdings. The Houston company, formed by a merger of Conoco and Phillips Petroleum, won

ConocoPhillips buys big Lukoil stake


Nintendo has revealed the companies plans to increase by 40 the number of Nintendo DS portable gaming systems shipping in the US before the end of the year.

Nintendo Ups DS Shipments


SINGAPORE has been one of the earliest countries to make use of RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries use RFID to detect the cars that pass through them.

S #39;pore tuning in to track inventory


British workers will have to save more and retire later to make up for a looming gap in pension savings, said the author of an official report being released Tuesday.

Britain faces pension savings gap, report warns? (updated PM4:26)


FALLEN Press baron Lord Black is offering to buy back his holding company Hollinger Inc from minority shareholders and take the company private.

Black in offer to buy Hollinger Inc


Tetsum Atom is a butt-kicking, pint-sized hero that wants nothing more than peace between humans and robots. More than a half-century after debuting in Japanese comic books,

'Astro Boy' Makes Video Game Debut


German computer chip maker Infineon Technologies AG has agreed to plead guilty to price fixing and will pay a \$160 million fine, the Justice Department said yesterday.

German chip maker pleads guilty in price-fixing case


Dual-core microprocessors won #39;t mean doubled software license fees, according to an announcement by Microsoft and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

No Double Microsoft Pricing For Dual-Core Chips


CHICAGO (Reuters) - The president of the Association of  Flight Attendants on Tuesday urged union leaders to authorize a  nationwide strike and railed against U.S. airlines for slashing  flight attendants' pay and benefits.

Flight Attendants Union Head Urges Strike


MIYAZAKI, Japan -- Tiger Woods overcame soggy conditions to shoot a 5-under-par 65 for a three-stroke lead Thursday at the Dunlop Phoenix.

Woods leads by 3 on a soggy course


Managers with outdated notions are misusing technology to monitor and micromanage employees, according to a new study by the London School of Economics.

Study: Managers misuse tech to control workers


Taiwanese high-tech giant Acer Inc. on Wednesday announced a leadership reshuffle and the retirement of Stan Shih - the company #39;s founder and a major figure in Taiwan #39;s bid to dominate the personal computer industry.

Taiwan #39;s Acer Inc. Reshuffles Leadership


After the Wally Backman fiasco, the Arizona Diamondbacks were fortunate to have a handy and willing backup choice in Bob Melvin. The low-key Melvin so coveted the managing job that he brushed aside any concern about being the team #39;s second choice.

Melvin faces major challenge in rebuilding Arizona


AFP - UN health and agriculture officials in China said they were not informed by the government of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus being found in pigs, the first such discovery in the world.

WHO and FAO kept in dark on bird flu virus found in pigs in China (AFP)


Adrian Mutu #39;s agent has accused Chelsea of failing to offer sufficient support to the shamed striker. Mutu was sacked on Friday by Chelsea who stated:  quot;Any player who takes drugs breaches his contract with the club quot;.

Mutu #39;s agent hits out at Chelsea


AP - A computer crash that forced a pre-election test of electronic voting machines to be postponed was trumpeted by critics as proof of the balloting technology's unreliability.

E-Voting Machine Crash Deepens Concerns (AP)


Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Tajik counterpart raised a Russian flag Sunday at a newly established permanent base for Moscow #39;s forces in this former Soviet republic, staking Russia #39;s claim for continued influence in

Putin opens new military base in Tajikistan


England: West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is confident the West Indies can end a long sequence of failures by winning the ICC Champions Trophy.

West Indies confident of final win


10/21/04- The assembly line began is rolling again at a General Motors plant in western Germany. More than two-thirds of the workers there have decided to end a 6-day walkout protesting the threat of job cuts.

Walkout Ends for GM Workers


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union executive asked the  World Trade Organization on Monday to rule that it was illegal  for the United States and Canada to retain sanctions on EU  exports to counter the bloc's ban on hormone-treated beef.

EU to WTO: U.S., Canada Sanctions Illegal


After the killing of Dutch moviemaker Theo Van Gogh on November 2nd, there have been a spate of retaliations towards Muslims. So far, more than 20 Muslim institutions have been attacked and a mosque in the town of Helden was set on fire yesterday.

Dutch Violence against Muslims Continues


Kodak is returning to court this week to claim \$1bn in damages and unpaid royalties from Sun Microsystems. The court found in favour of the camera company on Friday and ruled that Sun had infringed Kodak #39;s Java patents.

Kodak wins Sun Java patents case, wants \$1bn


It started with a missed drugs test and ended with a stripped gold medal. In between it was dominated by steroids, stimulants and diuretics.

Athens Games a Watershed in War Against Cheats


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If Ichiro Suzuki keeps hitting at his second-half pace, Seattle Mariners manager Bob Melvin believes there may be a new addition for the dictionary.

Mariners 16, Royals 3


COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's government launched a new  all-party forum on Monday to discuss how best to turn a  two-year truce with Tamil Tiger rebels into permanent peace --  but a clutch of opposition parties stayed away in a boycott.

S.Lanka All-Party Peace Forum Opens to Boycott


BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (AFP) - Colin Montgomerie quieted an American crowd and boosted holder Europe #39;s victory hopes with a 2-and-1 triumph over US stars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to open the 35th Ryder Cup.

Europe dominate first day


London - West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and put England in to bat in cool, cloudy conditions in the final of the Champions Trophy one-day tournament at the Oval on Saturday.

West Indies win toss


Hurricane Ivan has left a trail of destroyed homes and wrecked lives across the Caribbean and parts of the United States. Julia Botfield visited the island of Grenada for BBC Breakfast TV to see how the inhabitants

Counting the cost of Hurricane Ivan


EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family are likely to receive a windfall of about 100m from the sale of a New York-quoted shipping business which he established 12 years ago.

Stelios reaps windfall from tanker disposal


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - U.N. troops, backed by  armored vehicles and helicopters, fought their way into a  lawless slum in the Haitian capital on Tuesday in their first  attempt to end a killing spree by warring street gangs.

U.N. Troops Fight Way Into Gang-Held Haitian Slum


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rose, gaining ground from  its fresh all-time lows against the euro on Thursday on profit  taking in the euro after a government report showed that U.S.  jobless claims fell in the latest week.

Dollar Rallies from Record Lows Vs Euro


In a move experts say will level the playing field in the Linear Tape Open technology arena, Quantum Corp. has agreed to purchase Certance, a tape drive and data protection vendor based in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Quantum Makes Leap into Linear Tape Open Field


The job cuts are a part of the company #39;s efforts to shift its focus to business services and cut costs amid the competitive long-distance telephone services market.

AT amp;T to slash about 7,400 jobs


ATHENS was hit by an earthquake named Fani Halkia yesterday and Jana Pittman was left crying in the rubble of her shattered dreams.

Jana vows to rise from the rubble


Reuters - Tennessee Titans\quarterback Steve McNair suffered a bruised sternum late in the\fourth quarter of Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Titans' McNair Bruises Sternum in Loss to Jags (Reuters)


Australia #39;s plans to create a maritime surveillance zone reaching into Indonesian waters is an example of its insensitivity to Asia and will bolster the view of Australia

Australian zone widens  #39;deputy sheriff #39; net


LeBron James has helped Cleveland overcome a 19-point deficit to down Phoenix 114-109 in an overtime NBA thriller. The teenage sensation scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, helping the home side

LeBron leads Cavs back


A group of developing countries proposed yesterday that the World Trade Organization study the global effects of phasing out a textiles and clothing quota system, saying that many countries are losing out because of this trade liberalization.

Nations ask for study of effect of quota end


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Chicago Bears quarterback Craig Krenzel landed on injured reserve Tuesday, effectively ending his season. Krenzel injured an ankle as he scrambled for two yards in the second quarter of a 21-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 25.

Bears #39; Krenzel sidelined for season


An early end to International Business Machines Corp. #39;s contract with JP Morgan Chase  amp; Co. reveals how mega information-technology outsourcing deals are falling out of favor, with both IT services companies and their customers.

Big IT deals apparently losing shine


Former Sunderland and Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson has been appointed temporary first-team coach of Leicester. Bassett told Sky Sports News:  quot;I spoke to Howard about helping Leicester out and he #39;s accepted that situation.

Foxes turn to Wilkinson


Microsoft Corp. is fighting a rejection by US patent authorities of a patent for its FAT (file allocation table) file system, the company said Thursday.

Microsoft loses FAT patent, wins Smart Tag case


Even a big first-day jump in shares of Google (GOOG) couldn #39;t quiet debate over whether the Internet search engine #39;s contentious auction was a hit or a flop.

Google scores first-day bump of 18


President Bush has yet to sign the corporate-tax bill that includes sales-tax relief for Washington state, and there are lots of details to fill in.

No receipts? IRS will provide sales-tax tables


A US astronaut and Russian cosmonaut have taken a spacewalk outside the international space station to work on an aging air conditioner and install communications antennas.

Space Station Crew Takes Maintenance Spacewalk


Drugmaker Pfizer Inc. is in talks with regulators over a likely change to arthritis drug Bextra #39;s label to carry a strict warning alerting doctors of the risk of a potentially deadly skin

Drugmaker Pfizer Under Pressure on Bextra


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - U.S. President George W. Bush will make his first official visit to Canada on Nov. 30, sources say.

Bush to visit Canada on Nov. 30; mad cow expected to be on agenda (Canadian Press)


California, in an act of rebellion against the White House, may be on the verge of spending \$300 million a year in each of the next 10 years on stem cell research.

Californians to Vote on Spending \$3 Billion on Stem Cell Research


The British Racing Drivers Club have set a deadline of the end of October to save the British Grand Prix. The Silverstone race is on the provisional calendar but the BRDC are still to agree staging rights with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

OCTOBER DEADLINE FOR BRITISH GP


LONDON - People in England and Wales can now discover at the click of a mouse whether they are living in areas liable to flooding, the Environment Agency says.

Homeowners can click to check flood risk


PARIS : The captors of two French journalists allegedly put forward new demands for their release, but French officials cast doubt on the authenticity of the demands and remained cautiously optimistic about securing their release.

France skeptical of new conditions for release of hostages


ATHENS, Greece - Bronze is the best the American men's basketball team can do, and the reason is simple: They were beaten by a better team, Argentina. Manu Ginobili scored 29 points to lead his nation to another victory over the country that used to dominate the sport, an 89-81 win in the Olympic semifinals Friday night...

Argentina Completes Dream Team's Downfall


A group of Eritreans being deported from Libya hijacked their aircraft and diverted it to Sudan earlier Friday, before surrendering to authorities.

Eritrean Deportees Surrender After Hijacking, Diverting Plane To <b>...</b>


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks to watch on Tuesday: JOHNSON    JOHNSON <A HREF=

Stocks to Watch Tuesday


Two NHL players were arrested and charged overnight with uttering death threats and were due to appear in court in Toronto this morning, police say.

NHLers charged with threatening bouncer


Israeli Occupation Forces have perpetrated more human rights violations against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations


AP - The GOP's decision to hold its presidential nominating convention a month later than the Democratic gathering is giving President Bush a big financial advantage in the campaign's final weeks.

Bush Campaign Raises  #36;260 Million Total (AP)


A  quot;miracle baby quot; allegedly born to an infertile mother through the power of prayer was a victim of child trafficking motivated by financial greed, a high court judge ruled yesterday.

Miracle baby was victim of trafficking, judge says


MOSCOW -- Hundreds of Kremlin critics gathered yesterday on Constitution Day to denounce what they call a retreat from democracy as President Vladimir V. Putin signed a bill scrapping gubernatorial elections.

Activists, politicians protest Putin policies


Second in a series leading up to this weeks presidential debate, which is to focus on foreign policy. The grinding conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is the foreign policy equivalent of a black hole.

WHERE THEY STAND ON The Mideast


When Cassini reached Saturn On June 30th, it dashed through a gap in Saturn's rings, twice. One of onboard science instruments recorded a flurry of ring-dust harmlessly striking the spacecraft.\\

Saturn Hailstorm


Load up the kids and drive for hours. Fork out money for gas or plane tickets. Keep our cool in traffic jams and airport security lines.

Highways, airports to be busy this week


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Several cable industry pioneers may  bid for parts of bankrupt cable operator Adelphia  Communications Corp. <A HREF=

Cable Veterans to Bid in Adelphia Auction


Now that the second quarter #39;s soft patch in the US economy has been revised up to show growth of 3.3 percent, economists are turning their attention to the post-soft patch, or regaining traction, period.

Soros may regard 4 growth as keeling over, but for most folks <b>...</b>


Jill McGill has dragged a knotted stomach around the LPGA Tour for nine years, turning every double bogey into reason for self-immolation.

McGill tames nerves, Berkleigh


Intel-based PCs are shipping now and AMD systems with the technology are on the way.

GeekTech: Picking Your Perfect PCI Express PC


GONAIVES, Haiti (CP) - Left with almost nothing after tropical storm Jeanne devastated this city, residents buried unclaimed corpses in mud-clogged backyards while mobs attacked aid trucks and even neighbours bringing them food.

Haitians mob food trucks as frustration grows with slow storm <b>...</b>


Approaching Hurricane Ivan has led to postponement of the game Thursday night between 10th-ranked California and Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Cal #39;s athletic director said Monday.

Southern Miss to make decision on Cal game by Tuesday


Kidnappers in Iraq are demanding that the French government rescind a ban on religious head scarves in public schools set to go into effect Thursday.

French Anxious Over Kidnapping


Dan Wheldon is confident he can win the Indy Racing League title next season after coming close this year. The Englishman was a serious challenger all year but finished runner-up to his Andretti Green team-mate Tony Kanaan.

Wheldon targets IRL title


Stewart Cink erased a dreadful record of final-round meltdowns to win the WGC Invitational here on Sunday. The 31-year-old had previously led into the final round six times on the US PGA Tour, and had been beaten every time.

Cink finally gets the monkey off his back


AP - Teemu Selanne's season with the Colorado Avalanche was nothing short of miserable.

Selanne Enjoying Ice Time Again (AP)


Kosuke Kitajima #39;s technique may get a sharper eye from officials today in the 200-meter breaststroke race.

Were the judges by any chance French?


Four security software rivals are have teamed up to set a baseline standard for application security firewalls, challenging others in the industry to join them.

Security group sets baseline standard for firewalls


The spacecraft #39;s test pilots do not wear spacesuits. The craft #39;s space-worthy cockpit is housed within a larger, similarly protective shell.

SpaceShipOne Burns Rubber, Laughing GasMore Fun Facts


Perrigo Co. will acquire one of Israel #39;s top drug companies -- a move expected to greatly increase Perrigo #39;s presence in the generic prescription drug market.

Perrigo says deal vaults it into world market


Beijing. (Interfax-China) - China will speed up economic restructuring and reform and the adoption of market-based systems. Meanwhile, China will continue to maintain its open-door policies and meeting its

China moves closer towards a market economy


An Iranian diplomat who was kidnapped in Iraq has been freed and is in the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, diplomatic sources told Xinhua on Monday.

Iranian diplomat held hostage in Iraq freed: embassy


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - As expected, the Tampa Bay Lightning are bringing back their captain, Dave Andreychuk, for another season. The Lightning on Tuesday announced the 40-year-old Andreychuk,had agreed to a one-year deal.

Lightning, Andreychuk agree on 1-year deal


Don Fehr is always quick to say what #39;s said in baseball union meetings is confidential. That edict didn #39;t change this week when the executive board held what turns out to be a historic session on steroids.

Players speak their minds to union leaders


Japan #39;s Nintendo has struck the first blow in what is set to be an all-out war with Sony for the lucrative handheld game console market, aggressively pricing its new dual

Handheld battle begins


MacCentral - Later this week Intuit Inc. will officially announce QuickBooks: Pro 2005 for Mac, the latest release of its small business accounting software -- although the company has already posted details of the new release to its Web site. Major changes in this new release include integrated iCal support, the ability to back up data files to .Mac, easier file sharing with the Windows version of QuickBooks and the ability to add PDF backgrounds to forms.

QuickBooks 2005 makes Mac-PC transfer easier, more (MacCentral)


Britain #39;s Bradley Wiggins won the gold medal in men #39;s individual pursuit Saturday, finishing the 4,000-meter final in 4:16.

Wiggins adds Britain #39;s 2nd velodrome gold


Rubens Barrichello has sealed second place in the 2004 world drivers championship with an all-the-way success in the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Rubens flies in Shanghai


Staley #39;s generation set the tone for America #39;s dominance of women #39;s basketball. She was hoisted off her feet by a player who represents the future of the sport, a generation that will be charged with keeping the gold medals coming.

Younger players will lead next run for basketball gold


The second hearing in the trial of three Americans accused of torture and running a jail begins in Kabul.

Americans appear in Kabul trial


US Airways Group Inc. plans to eliminate  quot;hundreds quot; of management and nonunion jobs and cut top executives #39; pay by between 5 and 10 percent, the airline told its employees yesterday.

US Airways to Cut Hundreds of Jobs


TheDeal.com - The two agencies are coordinating their reviews of Cingular Wireless' purchase of AT amp;T Wireless Services.

DOJ, FCC concur on wireless deal (TheDeal.com)


Lawyers for file-swapping software firm Kazaa launch their defence in a landmark Australian internet music piracy case.

Kazaa launches file-swap defence


In the latest snapshot of the holiday shopping season, the government reported a better performance than Wall Street had been expecting.

Retail Sales Rose an Unexpected 0.1 Percent in November


The worldwide demand for storage capacity continues to accelerate rapidly, with the latest research from analyst IDC showing a 41.

IT managers still hungry for storage


(CBS/AP) A senior aide to Yasser Arafat said early Sunday that the ailing Palestinian leader was not comatose but still in intensive care.

Aide: Arafat Not In Coma, In ICU


NEW DELHI Aug. 29, 2004 - India test-launched a surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons Sunday, a defense ministry spokesman said.

India Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile


An astonishing new technology allows one set of sensory information to substitute for another in the brain.

New Tools to Help Patients Reclaim Damaged Senses


day shot down a proposal to create a  quot;multiracial quot; box on freshman application forms -- a plan suggested by Regent Ward Connerly that quickly became a flashpoint in lingering debates over affirmative action.

UC regents vote down plan for  #39;multiracial #39; category


Reuters - Chief executives in the United States\are not as pessimistic as the Business Council thought last\week when it issued its economic survey, the group said on\Tuesday, citing a

Business Council: Economic Survey Wrong (Reuters)


Reuters - The government is expected to slash customs and excise duties on petroleum products in a bid to control inflation without hurting the profitability of oil firms, an oil industry official said on Monday.

Govt likely to cut oil product duties - official (Reuters)


AP - The Bush administration said Wednesday it will put off until after the election a final decision on a plan to allow road building and logging on 58 million acres of remote forests where both are now prohibited.

White House Puts Off Logging Decision (AP)


Giancarlo Fisichella will test the Renault R24 for the first time next Wednesday, and hes raring to go!

Fisis ready to go!


Morgan Stanley, the second-biggest US securities firm, said Wednesday its fiscal third-quarter profit tumbled 34 percent, falling short of estimates, as bond trading plunged.

3rd-quarter profit falls 34 at Morgan Stanley


After waiting an entire summer for the snow to fall and Beaver Creek to finally open, skiers from around the planet are coming to check out the Birds of Prey World Cup action Dec. 1 - 5. Although everyones

Off-piste action


LONDON: World oil prices fell strongly yesterday for the second day running as worries over supply disruptions eased with traders claiming overnight pipeline attacks in major producer Iraq were unlikely to affect the country #39;s crude exports.

Crude prices fall despite attacks on Iraq pipeline


Reuters - Shares of U.S. mortgage finance\giant Fannie Mae  tumbled on Thursday after the\Securities and Exchange Commission said the company must\restate earnings because of accounting problems.

Fannie Mae Shares Fall on Accounting Woes (Reuters)


Tight spending controls will allow France to cut its budget deficit by about euro10 billion (US\$12 billion) in 2005 and conform with EU rules, the French prime minister said in an interview.

Update 1: PM: France Will Conform to Deficit Rules


The Oliver Ames girls' soccer team assumed first place in the Hockomock League, edging King Philip, 5-4, yesterday in Easton.

Pitts scores twice to power Oliver Ames


Nucleus Software Exports Ltd today announced the purchase by the company and its nominees of 10,040,000 equity shares of Chennai-based GMAC Financial Services India Ltd, the Indian automotive finance operation of General Motors Acceptance Corporation.

Nucleus Software buys 25.1 in GMAC


Sudan condemned UN threats of sanctions against Khartoum on Thursday, saying they would only undermine efforts to restore security in the devastated western region of Darfur.

Sudan slams UN threats


AP - A company that unveiled the world's first cloned cat nearly three years ago now says it is ready to start filling orders for cloned pets, a newspaper reported Thursday.

Company Said to Be Ready to Clone Pets (AP)


The Iranian parliament has passed the first stage of a bill which would force the government to resume its uranium enrichment programme.

Iranian MPs approve uranium bill


prostoalex writes  quot;The patent dispute between Eastman Kodak and Sun Microsystems in regards to three patents that EK claimed Sun was violating with Java, came to an end.

Sun and Kodak Settle Out of Court


LONDON (Reuters) - Video game giant Electronic Arts expects  to sell 2 million units of the

EA Sees Girl Power Boost with 'Sims 2' Sales


Crude futures sold off sharply for a second day in row Thursday, briefly dipping below \$43 a barrel, as traders focused on rising fuel supplies and the lack of cold weather.

Update 10: Oil Prices Decline for 2nd Straight Day


Southwest Airlines was the apparent winner today in the bidding war for ATA Airlines, a low-fare carrier that sought Chapter 11 protection this fall.

Southwest Airlines Nears \$117 Million Deal for ATA


The infamous black iPod looks set to make a second appearance next month, when Apple ships a special edition digital music device to commemorate the arrival of rock band U2 #39;s newest long-player.

Apple preps  #39;black iPod #39; U2 limited edition promo


Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and NVIDIA Corporation today announced that the companies have been collaborating to develop the graphics processing unit for the Playstation 3. In the future, the experience

Sony and Nvidia Develop


The Federal Government says the big-city mayors request for a share of the federal gas tax revenues is too rich. Over the weekend, the mayors from Canada #39;s 10 biggest cities, including Ottawa, said they #39;re

Feds Say No to Mayor #39;s Gas Tax Request


MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - Retired basketball great  Dennis Rodman is to play two games with a Mexican league side  next month as part of his slow-burn campaign to return to the  NBA.

Rodman to Play in Mexico on NBA Comeback Trail


Nike Inc. (NKE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest athletic shoe company, on Monday reported higher quarterly profit on strong demand for its namesake products in the United States.

Nike Profit Up on Strong US Demand


Slowdown will give big companies more time to hunt down compatibility problems, the company says.

Microsoft delays SP2 auto update


Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc., the flagship of Donald J. Trump's faltering casino holdings, said that a recently announced deal to inject fresh money into the debt-laden concern had fallen apart.

Trump Hotels and Equity Firm Break Off Investment Talks


US mortgage applications climbed 12 percent last week as the lowest mortgage rates in four months prompted consumers to buy homes and refinance loans.

Mortgage applications rise


Rudi Johnson rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown as the Cincinnati Bengals ended a three-game losing streak with a 23-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in their first Monday night game since 1989.

BENGALS END LOSING RUN


The world's second-largest economy is finally adding jobs and fostering consumer spending, but economists wonder how long the upward swing will last.

Japan in Recovery?


The space shuttle will not fly before May 2005, according to NASA officials. This pushes the shuttle #39;s return-to-flight schedule back by two months, and postpones a vital servicing mission to the International Space Station.

Space shuttle delayed again


Perfigo's products will fit into Cisco's security architecture that combines virus scanning with network policing.

Cisco to buy security start-up


Reuters - IBM has signed a seven-year,  #36;969.2\million contract with British bank Lloyds TSB to supply it with\Internet telephony and data services, IBM said on Monday.

IBM Wins Big Contract from Lloyds (Reuters)


Reuters - Internet marketing company DoubleClick\Inc.  on Thursday said quarterly profit more than\doubled with one-time gains, but its shares fell after hours on\a fourth-quarter view that fell short of Wall Street\expectations.

DoubleClick Says Quarterly Profit More Than Doubles (Reuters)


The British government has signaled its opposition to the creation of a European defence industry giant by the merger of the European aerospace group EADS and the French-British defence electronics group Thales, the Observer reported Sunday.

Britain has signaled its opposition to EADS-Thales merger


Palestinian leader Marwan Barghuti, 43, who is serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail, announced yesterday that he would withdraw his candidacy for the Palestinian presidency.

Barghuti Withdraws his Candidacy and Supports Abbas


Oracle (Quote, Chart) has overhauled its security patch policy after a growing number of complaints from customers and even its own executives.

Major Security Patch Overhaul For Oracle


DSSELDORF, GERMANY - Careful -- some mobile phone tunes could be hazardous to your health.

Siemens warns of ear damage from mobile phone tunes


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Friday after an  eight percent rout driven by a surprise interest rate hike in  China that raised doubts about demand from the world's second  largest energy user.

Oil Steadies, China Rate Hike Unsettles


Hewlett-Packard has taken its competition with Sun Microsystems to a new domain: Web logs. Missing Links

HP-Sun war moves to new battlefield


Some Venezuelan television channels began altering their programs Thursday, citing fears of penalties under a new law restricting violence and sexual content over the airwaves.

Some Venezuelan TV Channels Alter Programs


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Andre Agassi returned to his favorite  hunting ground Monday to serve up a traditional late-night  feast on the opening day of the U.S. Open.

Agassi, Serena Sparkle on Opening Night


Google won an important test case in the US yesterday when a federal court judge cleared its practice of selling ads around internet searches conducted for trademarked terms.

Google wins advertising case


The junior point guard ran the offense as he always does, defended the opponent #39;s best backcourt player as he always does and even threw in a couple of highlight-tape moves in the 11th-ranked Tar Heels #39; 106-92 victory over Iowa on Wednesday night.

UNC wins Maui Invitational


Severn Trent said last night it was still investigating alleged wrongdoing by its staff as it reported a 6.5 slump in first-half profits and predicted lower second-half growth from its services side.

Pension hit adds to woes at Severn


Washington taxpayers will be able to deduct their state sales taxes from their federal income taxes if the US Senate votes this weekend to approve a major tax overhaul.

Sales tax deduction revived


Businesses that think their employees aren #39;t using IM or some type of peer-to-peer file sharing application may be living in ignorant bliss.

Detect and Block IM  for Free


NEW YORK, December 15 (newratings.com) - A US appeal court has upheld a lower courts decision that Research in Motion (RIMM.NAS) had infringed on the patents held by NTP, while canceling an injunction preventing the sales of Blackberry email devices

US appeal court gives mixed decision on RIMM-NTP patent case


By JUSTIN POPE    (AP) -- A California company that claims it owns the patents for streaming video over computer networks is lowering its royalty demands of the nation's colleges and universities.    Newport Beach, Calif.-based Acacia Media Technologies Corp...

Acacia Lowers Streaming Video Royalties Demand


Electronic Data Systems, which lost business when customer US Airways filed for bankruptcy protection the first time around, says the carrier #39;s latest filing also will hurt.

EDS stung by US Airways again


Indianapolis, Sept. 14 - Starting in January you won #39;t be able to shop at a Lazarus-Macy #39;s store. Federated Department Stores plans to put all of its regional chains under its Macy #39;s brand name.

Lazarus-Macy #39;s to become Macy #39;s


Offensive tackle Orlando Pace signed a one-year, \$7.02 million contract with the St. Louis Rams on Monday to end his holdout. Pace, a 28-year-old five-time Pro Bowl selection and former No.

Orlando Pace ends holdout, signs with Rams


Southampton head coach Steve Wigley has been granted a stay of execution by the Premier League despite him not holding the necessary qualifications.

Wigley granted licence reprieve


The price of crude oil falls by more than a dollar in New York, as mild weather in northern US states eases demand for heating oil.

Mild weather forces oil price down


A proposed standard to enable integration, automation and better management of data center components this week will begin development under the direction of a new standards

Data Center Markup Language finds home in OASIS


AP - Google Inc. dramatically lowered expectations for the Internet search giant's value Wednesday ahead of its much ballyhooed coming out party in the public markets. The offering is still one of the biggest and highly anticipated for an Internet company, surpassing the hot issues of the dot-com boom.

Google Lowers Expectations for Its Value (AP)


Reuters - The European Commission was wrong to\bar the takeover bid by U.S. telecoms firm WorldCom for rival\Sprint, a European Union court said on Tuesday, annulling the\action taken four years ago.

EU Court Overturns Bar on Merger (Reuters)


Risk is knocking Big Pharma stocks down. They won't be getting up anytime soon.

Rethinking Big Pharma


Spam, the junk mail that clogs the in-box of hundreds of millions of e-mail users, could become a thing of the past in around two years #39; time, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates (news - web sites) said on a visit to Madrid.

Bill Gates sees spam  quot;under control quot; in two years


UNITED NATIONS -- UN envoys told the Security Council yesterday that war crimes had probably taken place on  quot;a large and systematic scale quot; in Sudan's Darfur region and called for foreign police to help stop abuses.

Envoys say war crimes probable in Darfur


TORONTO (CP) - Bruce Chen #39;s last major league victory was so long ago, he can barely remember it. But he won #39;t soon forget his latest win.

Baltimore #39;s Bruce Chen shuts down Blue Jays for first victory <b>...</b>


Advanced Micro Devices(AMD) will implement the strained silicon manufacturing technique on its upcoming 90-nanometer processors as well as 130-nanometer processors released this quarter, an AMD spokesman said Friday.

AMD using strained silicon on 90-nanometer chips


AP - In the latest change to its product lineup, Intel Corp. canceled plans Thursday to release a 4-gigahertz computer microprocessor, saying it would rely approaches besides faster clock speed to improve the performance of chips.

Intel Nixes Plans for 4-Gigahertz Pentium (AP)


Landover, MD (Sports Network) - Clinton Portis ran 64 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball and finished with 149 yards rushing on 29 carries to lead the Washington Redskins to a 16-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedEx Field

NFL Game Summary - Tampa Bay at Washington


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

SuperGen Withdraws Drug Application


aul Hamm was no longer in Athens last night but instead was on the set of  quot;Late Show With David Letterman quot; carrying his three Olympic medals.

Friendly Audience for Hamm


SMART-1, the European Space Agency craft currently in orbit around the moon, makes use of a technology that was pure science fiction until the 1960s - the ion drive.

SMART-1 #39;s Ion Drive: From Fiction to Fact


In a matter of days the European Space Agency #39;s (ESA) SMART-1 spacecraft will enter orbit around the Moon. It will adjust its position and prepare for the scientific investigation of the lunar surface that will begin in January.

ESA #39;s lunar probe closes on target


ATHENS (Reuters) - Amanda Beard, twice an Olympic silver  medallist back in 1996, finally won individual Olympic gold  when she snatched victory from Australia's Leisel Jones in the  200 meter breaststroke Thursday.

American Amanda Beard Snatches the Gold


IN WHAT transpired to be his final programme notes, Joe Kinnear insisted that he would do everything to make this Christmas a happy one for Nottingham Forest supporters.

Forest begin new era in usual style


washingtonpost.com - International Business Machines Corp. said yesterday that it agreed to settle most of the issues in a lawsuit over changes in its pension plans on terms that allow the company to continue to appeal a key question while capping its liability at  #36;1.7 billion.

IBM Settles Some Pension Suit Issues (washingtonpost.com)


The courtship of Boston College football coach Tom O'Brien moved east yesterday when University of Washington athletic director Todd Turner and president Mark Emmert flew east and met with O'Brien.

Washington pursues O'Brien for vacancy


Citigroup Inc. , the financial services giant, said yesterday that it was removing three senior executives in the wake of a banking scandal in Japan.

Citigroup ousts three after banking scandal


A SECOND-HALF Springbok blitz gave South Africa their first Tri-Nations rugby title in six years with a win over Australia at Kings Park.

South Africa win Tri-Nations


India's first low-cost airline, Air Deccan, offers cheap flights between Bangalore and New Delhi.

Indian low-cost airline expands


Hundreds of mourners paid their final respects Tuesday to a college student killed when police fired pepper-spray pellets into a raucous crowd after the Boston Red Sox won the American League pennant.

Hundreds Mourn Fan


Allowing consumers to search the content of books online could shift the balance of power between companies that produce books and those that sell them.

New Google Service May Strain Old Ties in Bookselling


BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (Reuters) - Hungry and filthy,  Indonesians queued for water in their thousands on Tuesday as  aid deliveries to tsunami-ravaged Aceh province hit new snags  and cases of disease and infection among survivors emerged.

Thousands Need Water in Aceh, Disease Emerges


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - An official from the  Palestine Liberation Organization told Reuters on Wednesday  that Yasser Arafat had not lost consciousness, denying media  reports.

Palestinian Official Denies Arafat Lost Consciousness


Michael Schumacher is the only Formula One driver to have ever won pole position and a grand prix within four hours. But the German urged the sport #39;s rule makers to ignore suggestions they should apply the two-day format full time.

Schu prefers three day weekend


By the end of the week, Novell Inc. #39;s new Linux desktop for enterprise customers, Novell Linux Desktop 9, Powered by SuSE Linux, will be available for purchase through Novell channel partners for a suggested price of \$50 per system.

Novell Linux Desktop Arrives


The plan seemed simple Thursday for the Denver Nuggets in their home opener: make someone other than Kevin Garnett beat them. It worked until the fourth quarter.

Nuggets battle past T-wolves in overtime


Just when Vijay Singh thinks he can't play better, he does. Just when it seems he can't do much more during his Tiger Woods-like season, he does that, too.

Familiar refrain as Singh leads


By MARYCLAIRE DALE    PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Three U.S. Cabinet secretaries fanned out across the country Tuesday to promote healthier lifestyles, especially among the nation's snack-filled, exercise-starved youth...

Cabinet Members Promote Healthier Eating Habits


AP - The World Trade Organization imposed penalties Friday on U.S. exports ranging from apples to textiles, escalating a trade dispute the Bush administration has struggled to defuse by unsuccessfully urging Congress to repeal legislation aimed at protecting American steelmakers.

U.S. Goods Face Penalties Oked by WTO (AP)


JERUSALEM - Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave possibly crucial backing on Tuesday for Prime Minister Ariel Sharons plan to invite the opposition Labour Party into a unity government, a Sharon aide said.

Sharon wins key backing for coalition


After finally winning consecutive games, the Texans are a team in search of a challenge.  quot;I knew that was going to come up, quot; Texans coach Dom Capers said with a laugh.

TEXANS STAT CENTER


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States showed some new  flexibility in recent talks with North Korea on the nuclear  issue but Pyongyang was unimpressed and is resisting  participation in a new round of formal six-party negotiations,  U.S. officials and experts said on Friday.

U.S. Said Showing New Flexibility in N.Korea Talks


AP - General Motors Corp.'s European unit Thursday announced a deal that will allow the struggling automaker to cut up to 12,000 jobs  #151; most of them in Germany, where it will offer generous incentives for employees to leave.

GM Europe to Cut 12,000 Jobs in Deal (AP)


Botswana #39;s President Festus Mogae #39;s ruling party won a landslide victory in the country #39;s general elections during the weekends, and took well over two thirds of the 57

Botswana president wins landslide victory in general elections


Toshiba announced plans to include an HD DVD-enabled DVD player in its laptops starting in December next year. The new drives will be limited to the high-end  quot;Qosmio quot; brand, and will sell for around 200,000-300,000 yen (US\$1,845-\$2,770).

HD DVD in Toshiba laptops next year


BASEBALL Chicago (NL): Declined to exercise 2005 options on OF Moises Alou and 2B Mark Grudzielanek. Chicago (AL): DH Frank Thomas and OF Carl Everett exercised their 2005 contract options; exercised 2005 contract option on P Shingo Takatsu; declined to exercise 2005 contract option C Sandy Alomar Jr. Cleveland (AL): Agreed to terms with RHP Scott Elarton on a one-year ...

Transactions


More than 150,000 people took to the streets to protest planned cuts to social benefits in what police described as the largest anti-government demonstrations in the Netherlands in 20 years.

Dutch rally against benefit cuts


NEW YORK - Recent reports on the Delta Air Lines pilots #39; agreement focus on the carrier #39;s pilots being the highest paid in the industry and on the possibility that the company may still declare bankruptcy, despite the \$1 billion cost-cutting deal

Delta Woes Flown In From Saudi Arabia


Serious fun lit up the Olympics last night. A showdown among the swaggering gunslingers who populate the sprint community, celebrated by 72,000 spectators for a full 10 minutes prior

Gatlin #39;s gun fastest in historic shootout


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Micron Technology Inc. edged out Hynix Semiconductor Inc. in the third quarter to regain the number-two position in the worldwide DRAM market, according to a preliminary market-share ranking from iSuppli Corp.

Micron passes Hynix in Q3 DRAM race, says iSuppli


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks looked to open flat on  Wednesday as investors await Friday's job figures and stay  cautious as concerns loom about potential disruptions to the  Republican party's convention in New York this week.

Stocks Seen Flat; Data, NY Protests Eyed


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart said on  Wednesday she wants to serve her prison sentence for lying over  a suspicious stock sale as soon as possible so she can put her

Martha Stewart Asks Judge Jail Me Now


Though Microsoft Corp.'s new security update package is all about protecting systems from worms, viruses and spyware, it can't do much about what's already on computers - and that could pose a problem.

Microsoft Warns on Spyware's Impact


Last Sunday, tens of thousands of Israeli citizens filled the streets of Jerusalem in protest of the long awaited, long overdue Israeli withdrawal of approximately 8,000 Jewish settlers from Gaza.

Sharon government in jeopardy


General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have reported disappointing US sales, prompting the two largest US automakers to cut planned vehicle production in the fourth quarter, which could hurt profits.

GM, Ford, Toyota see sales fall


AP - Erubiel Durazo hit a three-run homer and Eric Chavez also connected for the Oakland Athletics, who completed a four-game sweep of the slumping Baltimore Orioles with a 9-4 victory Thursday.

Durazo's Blast Leads A's Past Orioles 9-4 (AP)


A Chicago developer of regional shopping malls said today it will buy Maryland's The Rouse Co. for about \$7.2 billion.

General Growth to Buy Rouse for \$7.2 Billion


Microsoft and Sun Microsystems on Friday published a specification to leverage Web services for managing a broad range of IT systems including PCs and devices on a network.

Tech companies push IT management via Web services


AP - Felix Trinidad doesn't believe in tuneup fights. His comeback after more than two years of retirement was a doozy, and now he wants the biggest name out there, Bernard Hopkins. After Trinidad knocked out Ricardo Mayorga in the eighth round Saturday night, completing a scintillating performance before a raucous crowd, he turned his attention to the only man who has beaten him.

Trinidad Is Back, and Looking for Hopkins (AP)


Ever vigilant for new frontiers of American life where Congress can dictate the rules of behavior, elected officials in the nation #39;s capital have cast their eye on Major League Baseball.

Let baseball solve its own problems


Eventually, the computing giant will support data center, servers and workstations for all of Fortum's operations worldwide.

HP inks deal with Finnish energy firm


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sports Network) - Jacksonville Jaguars  quarterback Byron Leftwich expects to be back in the starting  lineup this week when his team travels to Minnesota to take on  the Vikings.

Jaguars' Leftwich Expects to Return This Week


AFP - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf travels to the Brazilian capital for talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as he seeks to strengthen his country's international ties and open new markets.

Pakistan's Musharraf starts Brazil visit (AFP)


Kiss those utility bills goodbye. Well, maybe. If you live in a sunny -- but not humid -- area, you may be able to live in a zero-energy home. By John Gartner.

Living Free and Easy


Tim Galligan, a former All-New England soccer goalie at Framingham High School, has made an impressive freshman debut at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

Framinghan goalie shines at Saint Anselm


IBM will launch Friday a new version of its Tivoli transaction-performance monitoring product that greatly expands the range of application transactions it can track.

IBM Enhances Transaction Monitoring Tool


Someday Bill Parcells and Joe Gibbs will both be in the football Hall of Fame. For now, both are locked in the quest to resurrect two of the most storied franchises in history.

NFL Matchups: Two great coaches but two mediocre teams clash


The Swiss-based Phonak team said Wednesday it is contesting the International Cycling Union #39;s decision to refuse it a racing licence amid a doping scandal.

Swiss-based Phonak cycling team appeals UCI licence refusal


Michael Schumacher finished second at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, scoring enough points to clinch an unprecedented seventh Formula One drivers' title.

Schumacher Clinches Season Title


Michael Phelps has proven he is the best swimmer ever -- in and out of the pool. Yesterday, the 6-ft. 5-in. 19-year-old from Baltimore won his sixth gold medal to add to his two bronze, making him the swimmer

Phelps simply a cut above


WPP, the world #39;s second largest advertising company, warned of an uncertain 2005 yesterday as it disclosed that its third-quarter revenues were better than analysts had expected.

Advertising  #39;set for tougher year #39;


India unveils a package of trade incentives, aimed at helping the country grow its exports by 20 a year for the next five years.

India plans to help boost exports


The United States #39; top computer-security official has resigned after a little more than a year on the job, the US Department of Homeland Security said on Friday.

US Cyberchief Resigns After a Year on the Job


Sri Lanka have virtually secured their place in the final of the Paktel Cup against Pakistan after easing to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Sri Lanka cruise to win


Reuters - U.S. planned job cuts soared to an\eight-month high in September while new hiring rose only\slightly, a report said on Tuesday.

U.S. Job Cuts at 8-Month High in Sept. (Reuters)


SYDNEY, NOV 28: New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra said on Sunday it would only raise its A\$1.6 billion (\$1.3 billion) bid for Australias top milk producer, National Foods Ltd, in the unlikely event that a rival suitor emerged.

Fonterra says no need to raise National Foods bid


SpaceShipOne on Monday captured the \$10 million Ansari X prize when it made a second flight in less than a week to the edge of space.

A glimpse of SpaceShipOne #39;s historic flights


BRUSSELS - European Union foreign ministers Monday urged Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities, saying Tehran could face a  quot;serious situation quot; if it continued to defy the international community.

EU warns Iran of  #39;serious situation #39; on nuclear plans


Reuters - Panasonic brand products maker Matsushita\Electric Industrial unveiled five new DVD recorders on\Wednesday and said it was aiming to boost its share of the\domestic market to over 40 percent from around 35 percent.

Matsushita Unveils DVD Recorders, Eyes Higher Share (Reuters)


Scientific tests on a range of traditional remedies have shown they have

Traditional treatments 'do work'


Interest rates on short-term Treasury securities fell in yesterday's auction. The Treasury Department sold \$19 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 1.68 percent, down from 1.69 percent last week. An additional \$17 billion was sold in six-month bills at a rate of 1.96 percent, down from 1.99 percent.

Short-term T-bill rates lower


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek teenager Ilias Iliadis swept up the Olympic host country #39;s second gold medal on Tuesday, winning the men #39;s judo under 81kg category.

Iliadis Takes Greece #39;s Second Gold with Judo Win


The board of the country #39;s largest flight attendants union authorized a national strike Tuesday after its president accused the airline industry of using the bankruptcy process to cut workers #39; pay and eliminate other benefits.

Update 4: Flight Attendants #39; Union Approves Strike


Royal Ahold NV, the food retailer that owns the US Giant chain, agreed to sell its Spanish business to Permira funds for 685 million euros (\$851 million).

Ahold Sells Spanish Business to Permira for 685 Million Euros


The killing of Hamas leader Izz ed-Din al-Sheikh Khalil in Damascus on Sunday marks another step in the struggle between Israel and the radical Islamic Hamas organisation which has been responsible for a recent spate of suicide attacks.

Emblem of radical Palestinian organisation Hamas


FT.com - Russian authorities on Wednesday claimed  #36;158m in back taxes from VimpelCom, the country's second-largest mobile phone company, raising fears of spreading political interference in private business.

Russia's VimpelCom faces  #36;158m tax bill (FT.com)


RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Paulo Wanchope scored a  hat-trick as Costa Rica brought Guatemala down to earth with a  5-0 victory in Saturday's World Cup qualifiers while the United  States picked up a rare win in Central America by beating El  Salvador 2-0.

Soccer: United States Wins in Central America


Oklahoma: The Sooners really miss Antonio Perkins. It #39;s an oversimplification, but one could argue that the absence of their star cornerback/punt returner, who #39;s out with a strained MCL, cost OU 21 points on Saturday.

What we learned


MILLAU, France (AFP) - As air force jets screamed overhead, French President Jacques Chirac inaugurated the world #39;s tallest bridge, a stunning masterpiece of engineering that will carry drivers 270 metres (885 feet) above ground.

Chirac inaugurates world #39;s tallest bridge in France


United Technologies Corp., the maker of Pratt  amp; Whitney jet engines and Otis elevators, said it received clearance under US rules to buy as much as 30 percent of the ordinary shares of Kidde Plc.

United Technologies May Acquire Larger Stake in Kidde (Update2)


HOUSTON -- Halliburton Co. said yesterday that it is restructuring its troubled engineering and construction subsidiary, KBR, and would consider selling or spinning it off should the division's stock performance fail to improve once asbestos litigation is resolved.

Halliburton planning to restructure troubled KBR unit, may look to sell it


NEW YORK, September 3 (New Ratings) - An internal investigation into Halliburton Co (HAL.NYS) reportedly revealed that the company had considered bribing Nigerian officials to win contracts a decade back.

Halliburton considered bribing Nigerian officials to win contracts


CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Charlotte Bobcats won their first meeting with the New Orleans Hornets last night! It was the Hornets first trip back to Charlotte since their bitter departure after the 2001-2002 season.

Bobcats Beat The Hornets


Apple Computer Inc. released this week a security patch for its Mac OS X iChat instant messaging client, which contains a flaw that could a hacker could use to takeover a person #39;s computer.

Apple Ships Security Patch For iChat


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Blockbuster Inc. wants to acquire rival Hollywood Entertainment for \$700 million in a move that would broaden Blockbuster #39;s standing as the world #39;s largest movie rental company.

Blockbuster seeks to buy Hollywood Entertainment


MIAMI - Electronic Data Systems Corp. (EDS) offered voluntary early retirement options to about 9,200, or 17 percent, of its U.S. employees, as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce costs, the company said Tuesday.

EDS offers early retirement to U.S. staffers


Reuters - Maoist rebels kept vehicles off roads leading to Nepal's capital for a second day on Thursday and residents said fuel was being rationed and food prices had begun to rise.

Maoist rebel blockade begins to pinch Nepal capital (Reuters)


AP - Suspected arsonists set an Islamic elementary school on fire Tuesday amid a string of attacks following the killing of a Dutch filmmaker by an alleged Islamic extremist.

Islamic School Set Ablaze in Netherlands (AP)


Lycos Europe has axed the distribution of a controversial screensaver designed to target websites that profit from spam, claiming that the company has made its point.

Lycos pulls anti-spam screensaver after virus scare


NEW YORK (Reuters) - A drop in U.S. jobless claims in the  latest week and an upward spurt in a regional manufacturing  index signaled continued growth for the U.S. economy at the  start of the fourth quarter.

Jobless, Factory Index Signal Growth


Two-thirds of banks around the world have reported an increase in the volume of suspicious activities they report to police, a report by KPMG suggests.

Money laundering on rise, poll finds


MUMBAI India has cut the import tax on steel for a third time this year and canceled customs duty on raw materials to contain prices after they rose to their highest in a decade.

India reduces steel import tax to rein in prices


Conservative predictions by the National Weather Service during Hurricane Isabel, communication breakdowns within the agency and confusing bulletins led DC area officials to underestimate the

Weather Service Praises Its Isabel Response


Palmone has introduced the Treo 650 smartphone, the successor to its Treo 600. The new model includes a brighter screen, Bluetooth connectivity, support for next-generation GSM/GPRS networks

PalmOne Rolls Out New Treo Smartphone


Aviation legend Burt Rutan won the \$10 million Ansari X Prize on Monday with another flight to space for his SpaceShipOne, capping an eight-year quest in the St.

Ship invades space again to claim \$10 million


Deal has Big Blue handling data acquisition and delivery, customer service, financial processes for business information provider.

IBM to manage customer relations for D B


Congress is letting employers hire 20,000 more foreign high-tech workers under a special visa program after businesses reached the annual ceiling on the first day of the government #39;s fiscal year.

More Visas For Foreign Workers


LONDON Banco Santander Central Hispano, Spain #39;s biggest bank, said Thursday that it was selling as much as 1.26 billion of shares in Royal Bank of Scotland Group, scaling back its 16-year partnership with the British bank as it seeks to buy Abbey

Santander cuts UK bank stake


OTTAWA (CP) - Wholesale sales declined for the first time in seven months in September, Statistics Canada says. Sales fell by 1.9 per cent from August, to \$37.6 billion.

Wholesale sales fell in September for the first time in 7 months <b>...</b>


ABUJA (Reuters) - Astronomical quantities of arms and  ammunition have poured into Darfur in the last two weeks and  the government appears to be preparing for a major military  offensive, the African Union (AU) said on Friday.

Darfur a 'Time Bomb' Waiting to Explode - AU


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar rose slightly in the first  trading session of 2005 on Monday, gaining more than a cent  from recent record lows against the euro as investor selling  paused ahead of U.S. economic data this week. However, analysts  said persistent imbalances in the U.S. economy will likely  continue to weigh on the dollar in 2005 after pushing the euro  up about 8 percent to record highs last year.

Dollar Starts 2005 with Slight Gains


AP - Electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. announced a three-year growth plan Wednesday that it said should increase earnings per share up to 21 percent and includes a stock repurchase program up to  #36;250 million.

RadioShack Announces 3-Year Growth Plan (AP)


The European Union will lift sanctions on US imports after President George W. Bush signed a law replacing an illegal export tax subsidy with a \$145 billion package of new corporate tax cuts and a buyout for tobacco farmers.

EU to Lift Sanctions as Bush Signs Law Repealing Tax Breaks


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee lost the second member of its heralded freshman quarterback duo and Notre Dame capitalized with an interception return for a touchdown, then held on to win, 17-13, over the No. 9 Volunteers.

Irish are a pain to Vols


In Major League Baseball playoff action, the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 Wednesday night to take a two games to none lead in the best of seven American League Championship series.

MLB Playoffs: Yankees Take 2-0 Lead in Series Over Red Sox


KABUL (Reuters) - Kidnappers of three U.N. workers in  Afghanistan said on Wednesday the government had agreed to  terms for their release, despite indications from Afghan and  U.S. officials that a compromise was not possible.

Afghan Kidnappers Say Government Agrees Deal


The safe scenario Japan envisioned in Iraq has been shattered, underlined by the slaying of Shosei Koda. In a country where veteran diplomats refuse to go outdoors and armed troops hesitate to leave the confines

The Asahi Shimbun


MANILA, Philippines - A major earthquake shook Manila on Friday night, sending high rises swaying, knocking out power to some areas and sending frightened residents into the streets.

Strong Quake Shakes Philippine Capital


General Motors Europe will chop 12,000 jobs over two years -- around a fifth of its workforce -- to lop 500 million euros (\$673 million

GM Europe Axes 12,000 Jobs


Global sales of servers, powerful computers used by large companies, rose 7.7 percent in the second quarter to \$11.55 billion (6.4 billion pounds) as demand for information technology remained strong after a three-year downturn

Global server sales up in second quarter


LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices held firm on Friday  after pipeline sabotage in northern Iraq kept up supply fears  that have revived a powerful price rally.

Oil Firm as Dealers Digest Iraq Sabotage


Augusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator, was indicted on charges that he took part in a plot by Latin American military regimes to kill opponents in the 1970s.

Chile #39;s Pinochet Charged in Plot to Kill Opponents, Court Says


BAGHDAD In one of the most horrific attacks here since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a pair of car bombs tore through a street celebration Thursday at the opening of a government-built sewer plant, killing 41 Iraqi civilians, at least 34 of them children

35 children killed in Baghdad blasts


Ex-player John Robertson was named manager of Scottish Premier League Hearts on Wednesday. Robertson, who made his name as a striker at Hearts, has left premier league rivals Inverness

Hearts name Robertson as manager


Tackle Lorenzo Alexander left the USC game with an injured elbow. X-rays and an MRI exam didn #39;t reveal any major damage. He was taking part in limited drills Monday, and coach Jeff Tedford said he expected him to be fine by Saturday.

CAL NOTEBOOK Dinged-up defensive line awaits Bruins


US and Iraqi forces have pushed on with their second major offensive in a week, hunting insurgents in a triangle southwest of Baghdad that has become one of Iraq #39;s most notorious hot spots.

US-led forces push to retake rebel zone


AP - The NHL said Wednesday it was imposing a lockout of the players association, effective Thursday  #151; the day after the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement.

NHL Lockout at a Glance (AP)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eddie Johnson came off the bench to  score a hat-trick in 16 minutes as the U.S. thrashed Panama 6-0  in a CONCACAF zone World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Johnson's Quickfire Hat-Trick Leads U.S. Past Panama


COPENHAGEN Predicting a full-year loss, the Danish toy maker Lego said Thursday that its chief executive had resigned as the company had yet to recover from a financial crisis.

Lego CEO resigns after profit warning


Hoping to prevent the loss of children, a few schools have begun monitoring student movements using technology similar to that used to track livestock and retail shipments.

In Texas, 28,000 Students Test an Electronic Eye


Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada urged Haitian leaders on Sunday to allow the political party of the deposed president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to take part in new elections.

Canada Presses Haiti on Role for Aristide


SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - This week #39;s federal grand jury indictment of former Computer Associates International Inc.

Kumar #39;s indictment for fraud may not hurt CA


World champion Petter Solberg has strengthened his lead after winning the final stage in leg one of the Rally of Italy on Friday. Championship leader Sebastien Loeb is improving steadily in third.

UPDATE 1-Solberg maintains lead, Loeb in third


LOS ANGELES : Richard Branson #39;s Virgin Group said it was jumping into online music, with a  quot;Digital Megastore quot; for US customers offering song downloads for 99 cents.

Virgin Group to launch US online music service


(Associated Press) The Securities and Exchange Commission will propose soon a plan to tighten governance at the nation #39;s stock exchanges to ensure they are serving the public interest, SEC Chairman William Donaldson said Friday.

SEC to Propose Tighter Exchange Governance


NEW YORK -- Hurricane Charley will likely cost insurers at least \$7.4 billion, according to the Insurance Institute, an industry trade group that based its estimate on initial claims data from Florida residents and businesses.

Group: Hurricane may cost insurers \$7.4B


Time Warner Inc., the world #39;s largest media company, withdrew its bid for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. after it could not reach agreement on the price of the film studio controlled by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian.

Time Warner Inc. Withdraws Bid for MGM, Citing Price (Update3)


Iraqis inspect some of the burned-out cars near the site of the latest car-bomb blast outside a restaurant in a commercial area of Baghdad.

Suicide bomb targets police recruits


AP - Philadelphia Eagles punt returner/running back Reno Mahe will miss Sunday's game against Washington because of a high ankle sprain.

Eagles' Mahe Out With Ankle Injury (AP)


PHILADELPHIA -- To most teams, Ron Artest would be a distraction. If he is that to the Indiana Pacers, itsa distraction some other teams might like to have, and Jermaine ONeal, for one, wishes people would pay attention to that.

Sixers Scoop/Caryl Kauffman: Pacers want to focus on positive, not <b>...</b>


ABUJA (Reuters) - Peace talks between the Sudan government  and Darfur rebels ended on Wednesday, a day after Khartoum  bowed to international pressure and signed agreements on  security and humanitarian issues with rebels.

Darfur Peace Talks Adjourn After Security, Aid Deal


Insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Ltd. (WSH) on Monday said it hired a top executive from embattled rival Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos.

Willis Hires Top Marsh Exec, Stock Rises


PARIS (Reuters) - Two columns of Second World War tanks,  trucks and cars rumbled through Paris on Wednesday to re-enact  the arrival of French and United States forces 60 years ago to  liberate the city from four years of Nazi occupation.

Paris Fetes 1944 Liberation from Nazi Occupation


One out of every four working American families earns wages so low they struggle to survive financially, according to a report due out today.

Quarter of families struggle to pay their bills, study says


BEIJING (AFP) - China #39;s leaders have wrapped up a key economic meeting pledging to strive for stable economic growth next year with an emphasis on quality and efficiency rather than simply a high growth rate.

China to strive for prudent, stable fiscal, monetary policies in <b>...</b>


AP - Three of every four Palestinians live in poverty and their economy still depends on donors, despite 4.5 percent economic growth last year, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

U.N.: Palestinian Economy Grew 4.5 Pct (AP)


These are the moments you remember. The snapshots that endure. Such as the first time you see a quarterback in uniform. For Joy Sexton, that would have been, what, like 1986?

After a lifetime of waiting, QB embraces 1st chance


The dilemma: Auto manufacturers have been reluctant to build fleets of hydrogen-powered vehicles before the existence of public hydrogen stations in the United States, while fuel

Nation #39;s first hydrogen fuel pump opens


It #39;s been a year since Arnold Schwarzenegger became California #39;s 38th governor, and the Hollywood actor-turned politician remains a phenomenon -- theatrical, unbridled and radiating raw confidence.

The Governator Marks a Year in Office


The rivalry between TechTarget Inc., an upstart Needham technology publisher, and the giant International Data Group intensified as TechTarget hired away two key IDG executives. Maryfran Johnson, longtime editor of the IDG publication Computerworld, and Joseph Levy, who headed the company's CXO Media group, are joining TechTarget to launch publications. ''Right now we're not revealing what we're working on, quot; said ...

TechTarget hires 2 IDG executives


BLUE chips in the United States recovered ground on Friday as falling oil prices offset a profit warning from aluminium-maker Alcoa, while a tech rally was fuelled by software-maker Oracle Corp.

Falling oil prices lift blue chips


The race to find distant new Earths heated up considerably yesterday with the detection of two of the smallest planets ever detected outside the Solar System.

Earths May Not Be Far Behind


PHOENIX (Sports Network) - Randy Johnson became the  all-time major league strikeout leader among left-handed  pitchers on a night he led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-2  win over the Colorado Rockies in the third of a four- game set  at Bank One Ballpark.

Arizona's Johnson Becomes All-Time Lefty Strikeout King


On the worst day of Chad Pennington's career, he threw five interceptions in a loss to the Patriots last year. The Jets face the Patriots again on Sunday.

No Patriots Letup After Pennington's Long Day


Katie Douglas scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half, and Lindsay Whalen scored 5 points in the last two minutes, leading the Sun to a 71-64 win over the Seattle Storm yesterday in Uncasville, Conn.

Douglas, Sun take a share of first


Anti-virus specialist Symantec (Quote, Chart) late Thursday announced a deal to acquire privately held security consulting firm Stake.

Symantec Buys Stake


Australian supermarket group Woolworths has reported a 12 increase in second-half profit despite tough competition from rival Coles Myer.

AUSTRALIA: Woolworths posts higher H2 profit


A military plane crashed into a mountain in central Venezuela, killing 25 people, including five children, the air force rescue team said in a statement Saturday.

25 people killed in Venezuela plane crash


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries climbed on Tuesday  amid a relentless rise in oil costs that hinted at a slowdown  in consumer spending in the coming holiday season.

Treasuries Rise as Oil Spikes to Record


ATLANTA (Reuters) - Home improvement retailer Lowe's Cos.  <A HREF=

Lowe's Forecast Hammers Stock


A battalion of Rwandan peacekeeping troops scheduled to arrive in Sudan #39;s Darfur region this weekend will be delayed by a week because of logistical problems, Rwanda said on Sunday.

Newest Darfur peacekeepers delayed a week-Rwanda


AP - After watching their starting pitchers struggle for much of the season, the New York Yankees would like to bring Jon Lieber back for 2005.

Yankees Seek to Keep Pitcher Jon Lieber (AP)


Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, now 83, sick and dismayed at political infighting in his impoverished country as it tries to recover from the  quot;Killing Fields quot; era, wants to give up his throne.

Cambodian King Delays Return, Wants to Abdicate


Eric Chavez singled in the winning run, the fourth lead change in the final four innings of a crazy game.  quot;It #39;s was almost like a kickoff of a football game, quot; Chavez said.

Skirmish delays A #39;s win


Aircraft maker Boeing Co. on Monday said its board approved a 25 percent dividend boost, raising its quarterly distribution to 25 cents per share from 20 cents and its yearly payout to \$1.

Boeing Board Approves Dividend Increase


Warring parties in Sudan  #39;s Darfur region have come in for severe criticism by a respected human rights organisation. In a report released on Monday, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said security in

UN urged to curb Darfur violence


New Scotland boss Walter Smith has outlined his plans to improve the team - including approaching previously  #39;retired #39; experienced players, continuing Berti Vogts policy of selecting non-Scots born players and reducing the number of friendly matches.

Smith Outlines Scotland Vision


Memory cards are made by a variety of manufacturers, and come in different sizes. Prices among capacities and types of memory cards also vary.

MMCmicro - New Samsung #39;s Tiny Removable Memory Cards for Mobile <b>...</b>


LIBERTY MEDIA, the second-biggest shareholder in The News Corporation, yesterday denied that it had any hostile intentions towards the media group - a week after it raised its voting

Liberty denies News Corp plot


Redefining confronting your weaknesses head-on

Ethical fair trade - you knew it made sense until MS embraced it


ANAHEIM, Calif., (Sports Network) - The Anaheim Angels on  Friday signed veteran free-agent outfielder Steve Finley to a  two-year deal worth \$14 million, with a club option for the  2007 season.

Angels Sign Finley to a Two-Year Deal


AP - The Soyuz spacecraft carrying a U.S.-Russian crew pulled away from the international space station Saturday evening, ending a six-month mission in orbit and starting a fast journey back to Earth.

U.S.-Russia Space Crew Departs for Earth (AP)


IBM #39;s intent to purchase Venetica Corp., which it announced on Thursday, is the latest gambit to prove that the Armonk, NY, company is dead serious about ruling the content integration market.

Mattos: Venetica Buy Makes IBM King of Content


Update to Apple's music player lets you carry around your computer's entire photo library as well as your music collection. <FONT face=

Photos, Music Make an Expensive iPod


After running into opposition to its Sender ID antispam plan, Microsoft has revised and resubmitted it to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for consideration, according to a company spokesperson.

Work on Sender ID goes on


Radio Frequency Identification technology is going to ring in the new year in more ways than one.

RFID Signal Strong in 2005


MacCentral - As first reported by Macintouch last week, there's a new form of malware that specifically targets Mac OS X. Already dubbed

SH/Renepo-A 'Opener' malware targets Mac OS X (MacCentral)


Great Britain has dismissed its ambassador to Uzbekistan after months of the diplomat #39;s speaking out against the Asian nation #39;s poor human rights record.

Britain fires its Uzbek ambassador


THERE has been no sudden and dramatic change in the gold price or the Australian dollar price against the US dollar to account for a deterioration in Sons of Gwalia #39;s gold reserves serious enough to tip the company into administration.

New broom is swept away


Afghan police officers stand guard as a firefighter fights a fire after an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004.

Keep low profile, US citizens urged


General Motors may restructure its European operations as it aims to trim costs in the loss-making division.

GM reviewing European operations


The economy grew at an annual rate of 3.7 percent in the summer as a big rebound in auto sales offset weakness from an exploding trade deficit, soaring oil prices and the Florida hurricanes, the government reported Friday.

Economy Grows at 3.7 Percent Annual Rate


SAN FRANCISCO -- Not to be outdone by rival Oracle's conference being held a block away, BEA Systems on Monday unveiled Version 9.0 of its WebLogic Server application server, code-named Diablo.

BEA hails app server upgrade


Paul Otellini, currently president and COO, will replace outgoing chief Craig Barrett in May. \

Intel board backs Otellini as CEO


There are at least two trainers who think the correct move with Azeri is to run in the Breeders #39; Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr.

Biancone Says Azeri Will Win Classic


Reuters - Delta Airlines has reached a tentative\agreement with its pilots union on wage and benefit cuts aimed\at avoiding a bankruptcy filing, The Wall Street Journal said\in a report late Wednesday on its Web site.

Report: Delta Reaches Deal with Pilots (Reuters)


Movie studio won't commit to a format for releasing its films, however.

Fox Film Trots Towards Blu-ray


Google is making everyone who snubbed its unconventional initial public offering of stock regret their decision. In the latest rebuke to its skeptics, Google wowed Wall Street with its first quarterly earnings

Google Wows Wall Street


AP - Top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt opened his 2005 singles season with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over French qualifier Arnaud Clement in a first-round match Tuesday at the Australian men's hardcourt tennis championships.

Hewitt Rusty but Wins Adelaide Opener (AP)


BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. Marines launched air and ground attacks Thursday on the insurgent bastion Fallujah after city representatives suspended peace talks with the government over Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's demand to hand over terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi...

U.S. Marines Launch Attacks in Fallujah


Reuters - Investigators have determined that\back-to-back coal-dust and gas blasts ripped through a mine in\northern China killing at least 63 workers and leaving 103\trapped and feared dead, state media said on Tuesday.

China Agonizes as Hope Vanishes for Missing Miners (Reuters)


Australia and Pakistan both delayed naming their teams for the first cricket test starting in Perth today as they consider adding extra pacemen to their bowling stocks in anticipation of a speed war.

Australia, Pakistan set to wage speed war


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Open organizers have apologized  to Serena Williams for a controversial line call in her  quarter-final loss to Jennifer Capriati on Tuesday.

U.S. Open Apologizes to Serena After Overrule Error


RS Investment Management agreed to pay \$30 million to settled allegations it allowed  quot;excessive quot; market timing in its mutual funds, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday.

Update 6: Robertson Stevens Settles Timing Case


AP - A consumer advocacy group in New York is objecting to Banknorth Group Inc.'s proposed  #36;3.8 billion merger with Toronto-based TD Bank Financial Group because it says Banknorth underserves minority and low-income consumers.

Group Challenges Banknorth-TD Bank Merger (AP)


Kind of makes you wonder why they had to play those first 166 games, doesn #39;t it? It was always going to be Yankees-Red Sox. The entire season built to this, the same way last season did.

Yankees face Red Sox next as expected


MADISON, Wis. -- Tailback Anthony Davis's return from an eye injury sparked No. 20 Wisconsin's stagnant offense and the Badgers' defense was as stout as ever in a 24-7 victory over Illinois yesterday.

Davis return buoys Badgers


AP - Faced with the largest final-day deficit of any U.S. Ryder Cup captain, Hal Sutton sent out his heavy hitters Sunday to try to turn the momentum of what so far has been a European rout.

Europe Needs Only 3 Points for Ryder Win (AP)


Trump Hotels  amp; Casino Resorts Inc. (DJTC.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) , which has been on the brink of bankruptcy, said on Thursday that bondholders have approved the company #39;s

UPDATE 1-Trump bondholders agree on recapitalization plan


An Islamic court in northern Nigeria acquits a woman who had been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.

Nigeria court overturns stoning


Starbucks Corp. SBUX.O on Wednesday said customers will be able to make custom music CDs at 45 of its US coffee shops by later this month, the first step in a plan to expand the service nationwide.

Starbucks Expanding Custom CD Service to 45 Stores


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Upbeat earnings from U.S. computer  company Hewlett-Packard drove an index of Asian stocks outside  of Japan toward a 5-year high, but the dollar's weakness  against the yen pressured shares in Japanese exporters.

HP Fares Well in Much of Asia


AP - A complete set of 1914 Cracker Jack baseball cards featuring

1914 Baseball Card Set Sells for  #36;800,000 (AP)


Good morning, and welcome to  quot;Name That Apple! quot; Fingers on buzzers? All right, let #39;s begin. For 100 points: It #39;s a compact rectangular slab that plays great-sounding music from a built-in hard drive.

Apple builds on iPod chic


Barry Bonds had better watch out. JT Snow seems to have designs on the slugger #39;s spot in the San Francisco Giants #39; lineup.

Snow, Giants tip Padres


Heavily armored, elite British troops will move closer to Baghdad, allowing US forces to redeploy and ratchet up operations against militants in Falluja and other rebellion-stoked cities.

British troops shift at US request


Less than a month after posting a hefty drop in quarterly earnings, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle agreed yesterday with its regulator on steps to improve its performance.

Seattle bank agrees with feds on changes


YOKOHAMA: Germany started their three-game Asia tour with a 3-0 victory in Japan yesterday to shake off some recent World Cup ghosts.

Germany score easy win over Japan


Consumers feel passwords no longer enough protection for online transactions.

Gartner: Consumers Dissatisfied with Online Security


AP - Congress sent President Bush a  #36;388 billion legislative package Tuesday that covers the spending of every federal agency but the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

Details of Congress'  #36;388B Bill to Bush (AP)


S if the lingering effects of a viral infection and a more recent cold weren #39;t bad enough, Justin Henin-Hardenne couldn #39;t quite shake her Olympic hangover, a 31-year-old Israeli journeywoman

Do You Remember Henin-Hardenne? Didn #39;t Think So


AP - The Cavaliers signed Brazilian rookie forward Anderson Varejao to a three-year contract Thursday.

Cavaliers Sign Varejao to Three-Year Deal (AP)


Formula One tyre makers Michelin believe high-speed blowouts at the last Belgian Grand Prix and in recent Monza tests were due to sharp kerbs and human error.

Michelin sound the all-clear for Monza


A US judge refuses to lower the \$1million bail for a woman accused of stalking Catherine Zeta Jones.

Zeta 'stalker' bail plea refused


AP - Entomologists at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville say a rare breed of hornet known as the European hornet is breeding for the first time in northwest Arkansas.

Rare, Large Hornets Breeding in Arkansas (AP)


AP - General Motors said Monday it will start making Cadillacs in China this year, joining a race by foreign luxury car brands to sell to the country's newly rich elite.

GM to Begin Making Cadillacs in China (AP)


SAN MATEO, Calif.  amp; PLANO, Texas --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 23, 2004 -- Partnership to Create New Opportunities for Business Process Outsourcing Marketplace, with EDS as Charter Member.

EDS Joins Siebel Systems #39; New Global BPO Alliance Program


AP - The radio telescope at Puerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory will begin mapping the known galaxy on Friday, scientists said.

Scientists to Map Known Universe (AP)


The news from Nagpur is not good. And we are not talking just about the on field performance of the Indian cricketers. Reports say there is more than what it meets the eye to the thigh (or is groin?

What #39;s bothering Sourav, injury or something else?


Skip those large music companies that don't care about your music. Doing it yourself is easier and more affordable than ever.

The Human Element: Record and Promote Your Own Music


by our Internet desk, 23 August 2004. Tension remains high in Bangladesh following Saturday #39;s grenade attack on a political rally addressed by the leader of the opposition Awami League, former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajed.

The bane of Bangladesh


MLB owners have voted 29-1 to approve the proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington for the 2005 season. The decision is still subject to the District of Columbia government enacting funding for a new stadium.

Expos move gets owner backing


BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's National Conference refused Wednesday to send a second delegation to the holy city of Najaf to negotiate an end to fighting between U.S. troops and loyalists of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a day after he rebuffed their demand for a meeting...

Iraq Won't Send New Delegation to Najaf


ATHENS Andrei Moiseev of Russia won the men #39;s modern pentathlon on Thursday, finishing so far ahead of his rivals that he was able to stop and collect a flag from a spectator before crossing the line.

Russia wins grueling, endangered pentathlon


Anti-spyware legislation sails through the House of Representatives, with the bill's sponsor pressing to have both houses approve a law to reign in invasive computer programs by the end of the year. By Michael Grebb.

Spyware Bill Gets House Nod


Raytheon Co. , the fifth-largest US defense company, got a \$240.5 million award from the US Air Force to produce training aircraft, extending the company's largest contract for military aircraft. The award covers production of 50 of the T-6A training aircraft for use by the Air Force and Navy under the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program, Raytheon spokeswoman Jackie ...

Air Force awards \$240.5m contract


On Tuesday, Microsoft warned its customers that several of its products are vulnerable to a flaw in the way they handle JPEG graphics images.

New Windows Flaw Targets JPEG Images


Shares of Electrolux tumble after the world's largest maker of consumer electronics says that profit in the second half will be less than forecast.

Electrolux issues profit warning


Tehran,Oct. 25 (NNN):Iran has rejected as  quot;unbalanced quot; a European offer of trade concessions and nuclear technology in return for the suspension of uranium enrichment.

Iran Rejects European Offer On Nukes


Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Maher Arar says two of his in-laws were interrogated by Tunisian secret police and he suspects it was done on behalf of Canadian authorities.

Arar says in-laws interrogated in Tunisia, blames Canadian authorities (Canadian Press)