Iraqi militants take child hostage A seven-year-old Lebanese boy has been kidnapped on his way home from school in Iraq by militants demanding a \$US150,000 (\$A203,693) ransom for his release, Lebanese officials said today.


Powell Prods N. Korea to End Nuclear Programs Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, in Asia to prod North Korea to return to talks on ending its nuclear programs, said Sunday that while there is still time to resolve the impasse, "there is a sense of urgency."


Japan quake victims sleep out Thousands spend a second night in shelters as rescue efforts continue after a series of earthquakes in northern Japan.


Sharapova shocked in SwissCom Challenge Zurich - Australia #39;s Alicia Molik upset match favourite Maria Sharapova, winning Sunday #39;s final of the Swisscom Challenge 4-6 6-2 6-3.


Owenagainlifts Real Madrid from the doldrums MADRID, Spain - Michael Owen scored his first Spanish soccer league goal on Saturday to lead Real Madrid over defending champion Valencia, 1-0.


For many, story of love for baseball hits home During the Astros-Cardinals playoff series last week, I wrote a column about the meaning of baseball for my 7-year-old son and children in general.


Israeli cabinet approves compensation for Gaza settlers JERUSALEM, Oct 24 (AFP) - The Israeli cabinet approved Sunday a compensation package for settlers who are set to be uprooted from their homes on the eve of a crunch debate on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip.


Deadliest attacks on Iraqi security forces since Saddam fell BAGHDAD, Oct 24 (AFP) - The execution of 43 Iraqi army recruits northeast of Baghdad announced on Sunday is one of the deadliest attacks carried out on the country #39;s fledgling security forces.


Wall St. #39;s big week The last full trading week before the presidential election is jam packed with earnings. Get ready. By Alexandra Twin, CNN/Money Staff Writer.


Saudi Arabia seeks stable oil prices Saudi Arabia said Sunday it is seeking stable oil prices in the international market for the sake of consumers and producers. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi said during


Safety concerns may scuttle liquefied gas terminal near Quebec <b>...</b> (CP) - Fears of an explosion and concerns about public safety may lead to the scrapping of a planned natural gas importing terminal near Quebec City despite future fuel supply needs.


21st century firefighting technology on a 19th century budget When Bill Clayton, one of four San Diego County division chiefs of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was asked last week about the use of innovative technologies to fight forest fires, he described his profession #39;s evolution this


Insurers in probe halt use of incentive fees Two major insurance companies named in the New York attorney general #39;s investigation into questionable sales practices have discontinued the use of incentive fees, which are at the center of the probe.


Powell: North Korea is a  #39;terrorist state #39; US Secretary of State Colin Powell pressed North Korea on Sunday to return to nuclear disarmament talks even as he branded the communist country a  quot;terrorist state quot; that has  quot;no respect for human rights.


Tennis: Safin wins Madrid Masters Marat Safin wins the Madrid Masters to edge ahead of Tim Henman in the race for the Masters Cup.


Navy has too much Eckel for Army Not satisfied to be feared solely for its explosive triple-option ground game, Navy added two more successful methods of attack Saturday and rolled to a 42-13 victory over Army at Lincoln Financial


Microsoft Desktop Search To Compete with Google Microsoft Desktop Search To Compete with Google\\Google is doing a heck of a job! It led to market leaders (MSN Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail) increase the web space on webmail with GMail even before it is launched. Now, they have forced Microsoft to step into the desktop searching market sooner than ...


Eagles DE McDougle Out for Browns Game (AP) AP - Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle was inactive for Sunday's game against Cleveland, three days after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.


AFP on trial, not just Garcia President Arroyo, by ordering that a court martial try Army Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia on unexplained wealth charges, has put the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines on trial, Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday.


Relationship begun with mis-addressed telephone text message ends in murder (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - LA ROCHE-SUR-YON, France (AP) - A 16-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped and then murdered by jilted boyfriend 27 years her senior whom he originally met after accidentally sending a text message to his cellphone, a public prosecutor said Sunday.


Browns WR Andre' Davis Out With Toe Injury (AP) AP - Browns wide receiver Andre' Davis sat out Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles because of an injured left big toe.


Safin Crushes Nalbandian in Madrid Final  MADRID (Reuters) - Russian Marat Safin produced another  outstanding performance to beat Argentina's David Nalbandian,  6-2, 6-4, 6-3, and win the Madrid Masters Sunday.


First stop on the hydrogen highway LOS ANGELES - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger dedicated a pioneering hydrogen fuelling station on Friday, calling it the first stop in a  quot;hydrogen highway quot; that would some day stretch across the state as drivers switch to the cleaner-burning fuel


Brazil launches rocket into space Brazil has launched its first rocket into space, a feat that comes just 14 months after its space program was devastated by a deadly launch pad accident.


HD DVD in Toshiba laptops next year 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).


Golf: Lost ball sinks hope of Open win A vanishing ball, thought to have been stolen by a spectator, may yesterday have cost Swede Johan Edfors the chance of winning the Madrid Open and of keeping his tour card.


Cricket: Ponting gives thumbs up Australia captain Ricky Ponting, recovering from a broken thumb, is confident he can improve his poor record in India and help his team win the test series.


Croom's Bulldogs Stun Zook's Gators (AP) AP - The latest low point in Ron Zook's tenure at Florida even has the coach wondering what went wrong. Meanwhile, Sylvester Croom's first big win at Mississippi State has given the Bulldogs and their fans a reason to believe in their first-year leader. Jerious Norwood's 37-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds remaining lifted the Bulldogs to a 38-31 upset of the 20th-ranked Gators on Saturday.


Iraq's Sunni Clerics Threaten Election Boycott  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A powerful group of Sunni Muslim  clerics threatened Sunday to call a boycott of Iraq's first  free elections in decades if U.S. forces launch a  widely-expected assault on the rebel stronghold of Falluja.


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


Lockyer Doubtful for Series Australia captain Darren Lockyer and second rower Craig Fitzgibbon have both been ruled out of Saturdays Gillette Tri-Nations clash with Great Britain.


Against Jets, Pats know they can #39;t let up a minute The rivalry between the New England Patriots and New York Jets may lack the animosity of the Red Sox-Yankees, but it is nonetheless one of the fiercest in the NFL, dating to its AFL ori- gins.


Japan poised to take US beef TOKYO - US beef exports to Japan, valued at more than US\$1.7 billion last year, will resume in a matter of weeks after Tokyo agreed to ease a 10-month ban on the meat brought by a lone case of mad cow disease in Washington state.


British officers lobbied US to send troops to danger zone THE decision to send Black Watch troops into Iraqs triangle of death followed requests by British military chiefs to take over a US-controlled area.


Kroger talks focus on wages Weekly deductions for premiums, higher co-payments and deductibles are all part of the health care package now taking shape for Kroger workers, union officials say.


Bruno #39;s chase for title BRAZILIAN Bruno Junquiera kept his 2004 Champ car title chase alive with a calculated race win on the Gold Coast yesterday. Junqueira, twice a series runner-up, now has a 22-point deficit to claw back on teammate


BCCI okays Sachin #39;s fitness report Thiruvananthapuram: The BCCI on Sunday approved the match fitness report on batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the crucial third cricket Test against Australia at Nagpur from October 26.


Return of an old friend Sure the story of the former New England Patriots running back now starring for the New York Jets has aged, as has Martin. But hesa player who seems to get better with age, and


India to welcome Myanmar military strongman who carried out <b>...</b> NEW DELHI - India was due to roll out the red carpet Sunday for a visit by Myanmars army strongman General Than Shwe, days after he fired the nations premier who was architect of the regimes roadmap to democracy.


Navy man registers as Satanist A Royal Navy non-commissioned officer from Edinburgh has become the first registered Satanist in the British Armed Forces, it has emerged.


Nintendo Says 'Touching Is Good' in Sexed-Up DS Ads  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Japanese game maker Nintendo Co. Ltd.  7974.OS is sexing up its U.S. advertising to launch the DS  handheld device, promising mature players that the gadget is  not their little brother's Game Boy.


Wedding cad comes clean over invite sale (Reuters) Reuters - A wedding guest who sparked a bidding frenzy when he offered for sale a pair of invitations to a wedding he did not\want to attend has admitted that the bride was a former girl friend.


Nintendo Says 'Touching Is Good' in Sexed-Up DS Ads (Reuters) Reuters - Japanese game maker Nintendo Co. Ltd.\(7974.OS) is sexing up its U.S. advertising to launch the DS\handheld device, promising mature players that the gadget is\not their little brother's Game Boy.


Kroger, Union Reach Tentative Cincinnati Pact Grocery retailer Kroger Co. signed a tentative three-year agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1099, the union said.


Schwarzenegger unveils hydrogen Hummer, but not how he planned Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced an environmentally friendly Hummer on Friday - but not exactly the hydrogen-powered car he promised voters he would build when he campaigned for office.


Howard Stern #39;s move The moans emanating from the airwaves these days are coming from AM-FM radio executives stunned by the imminent departure of Howard Stern, the trashy disc jockey who has become fabulously


Brazil Launches First Test Rocket Since Accident Brazil has successfully launched a test rocket, 14 months after a more powerful one exploded before lift-off killing 21 people, Brazilian space officials said on Sunday.


Nestor, Knowles advance to semifinals of Madrid Masters doubles MADRID (CP) - Canadian Daniel Nestor and Bahamian partner Mark Knowles advanced to the semifinals of the \$3-million US Madrid Masters on Thursday.


Kiwis lead Kangaroos 12-8 The Kiwis lead the Kangaroos 12-8 at halftime in their tri-series test at Loftus Road in London. Brent Webb opened the scoring with a try for the Kiwis but Australia came back with a converted try to Luke Rooney.


Widdecombe horror at navy Satanist The Royal Navy #39;s decision to officially recognise a non-commissioned officer as a Satanist - allowing him to practise rituals on board ship - was condemned as  quot;utterly shocking quot;.


Farooq, Omar escape unhurt in Anantnag attack SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his son and National Conference President Omar Abdullah on Sunday escaped unhurt in a terrorist attack in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.


U.N.: Arms Expert Warning Had Bad Premise (AP) AP - Arms hunter Charles Duelfer's report, in concluding Iraq might have resumed weapons-building "after sanctions were removed," left out the crucial fact that the U.N. Security Council had planned controls over Baghdad for years to come, U.N. officials say.


Bush Boosts Presidential Pomp in Election (AP) AP - It starts on the South Lawn, where a white-gloved Marine snaps a morning salute to President Bush as he strides toward his helicopter. Minutes later, the president turns to wave from the doorway of Air Force One.


US Airways #39; pilots vote for 18 salary reduction US Airways #39; pilots voted to approve a new labor agreement yesterday that will reduce their salaries by 18 percent but will save the airline \$300 million a year.


Marsh Stock Jumps on Talk of CEO Change Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. shares were whipsawed on Friday amid conflicting reports that a change in the insurance broker #39;s top management was imminent.


Tennis Roundup  Marat Safin played his best tennis in quite some time, beating Andre Agassi 6-3, 7-6 (4) Saturday to advance to the final of the Madrid Masters.


Soccer: Legend made cockerel crow Bill Nicholson, who died on Saturday at the age of 85 after a long illness, was a legend for what he achieved as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, taking on a struggling team and within 18 months turning them into Double winners.


We got out of jail, admits Lockyer MATCHWINNER Darren Lockyer admitted the Kangaroos got themselves out of trouble after he inspired their 32-12 win against New Zealand in London.


Captain #39;s Corner: Buckeyes Show Improvement vs. IU The Buckeyes were able to get things back on the right track against Indiana. Ex-OSU captain Jerry Rudzinski takes a look at what the Buckeyes were able to get right against the Hoosiers.


Gatherings Tap Into Japan Marriage Market (AP) AP - Tadashi Saito imagines his son leaving the office and trudging home to a lonely bachelor's apartment  #151; with all the lights out and no hot food on the table  #151; after a long day at work.


U.S. to Urge China to Push for More N.Korea Talks  BEIJING (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell will  urge China Monday to exert its influence over North Korea to  resume six-party negotiations on scrapping its suspected  nuclear weapons program.


GTA: San Andreas Preview October 24, 2004 - GameSpot have posted up a final preview of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, hitting the PS2 this week and the PC next year.


Safin wins Madrid Masters; Masters Cup spot beckons MADRID : Marat Safin sent over 14 aces and devastated David Nalbandian with six breaks of serve Sunday to win his second career trophy in Spain with a title at the 2.425-million-euro Madrid Masters.


Sterne saves card with Madrid win South Africa #39;s Richard Sterne claimed his first European Tour title with a two-shot victory at the Madrid Open. Needing a top-20 finish to save his tour card, the 23-year-old carded a final-round 65 to finish on 18 under par and earn a two-year exemption.


Cards pull together; Pujols leads way Plans for this celebration began when the St. Louis Cardinals began distancing themselves from the rest of baseball at midseason, but the party couldn #39;t begin until


Plans for Iraq Arab News Those who thought the interim government of Premier Iyad Allawi was baying for the moon when it invited Shiite militiamen in Baghdads Sadr City neighborhood to hand in their weapons in return for cash appear to have been proved wrong.


Teresa Kerry may bring African roots to the White House (AFP) AFP - In a villa overlooking the Indian Ocean, Teresa Simoes Ferreira grew up in the segregated privilege of Portuguese-ruled Mozambique where she accompanied her father on medical rounds in poor rural areas.


The threat from life on Mars EARTH must take precautions to avoid contamination from lifeforms that must now be presumed to exist on Mars, leading scientists gave warning yesterday.


Bush, Kerry to Campaign in N.M., Fla. (AP) AP - President Bush and John Kerry switched places Sunday, the president campaigning in New Mexico where Kerry was the day before and the Democratic senator taking Bush's place in Florida.


Blair Opponents Renew Attack Over Iraq (AP) AP - Political opponents of Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a renewed attack on his handling of the Iraq conflict Sunday, as British soldiers prepared to move deeper into the country to support U.S. troops.


X-Prize winner says NASA needs another von Braun The man who pierced the barrier of manned commercial spaceflight thinks the problem with space travel today is not so much technology but drive and inspiration.


Penalty  #39;Touch and Go #39; - Rio Manchester United stand-in skipper Rio Ferdinand tonight claimed the controversial penalty given after Wayne Rooney went down in the box against Arsenal at Old Trafford was touch and go.


Safin win puts pressure on Henman Marat Safin defeated David Nalbandian to lift the Madrid Masters trophy and leapfrog Tim Henman in the race to qualify for the Masters Cup.


South African wins Madrid Open by two shots to assure European <b>...</b> Richard Sterne of South Africa shot a 5-under-par 65 and rallied to win the one-million-euro (\$1.5-million Cdn) Madrid Open by two shots Sunday, ensuring the 23-year-old of another year on the European tour.


Japanese sent scrambling as earthquakes inflict heavy toll OJIYA, Japan -- Overturned cars, crumbled homes and shattered roads greeted rescue workers Sunday after Japan #39;s deadliest earthquake in almost a decade stunned residents used to bearing up through the nation #39;s frequent tremors.


Israeli Cabinet OKs compensation law The Israeli Cabinet approved Sunday the Evacuation-Compensation Law to compensate settlers under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s disengagement plan.


WAR ON SPAMMIES MAKE love not spam. That #39;s the offensive that Lycos Europe is launching against spam-spewing servers. The secret weapon: A screensaver program that automatically hits the offenders with data to slow them down.


Quake has thousands sleeping out Thousands of people in northern Japan are spending a second night in emergency shelters or out in the open after a series of earthquakes.


50 killed in ambush on Iraqi army recruits BAQUBA, Iraq -- Forty-nine Iraqi army recruits and their civilian driver were gunned down in a bloody ambush northeast of Baghdad, officials said on Sunday, one of the deadliest attacks ever against the country #39;s fledgling security forces.


Kroger officials head back to negotiating table It #39;s back to the negotiating table today for Kroger and a labor union representing 85-hundred employees in three states, including Indiana.


Molik upsets Sharapova to win Swisscom ZURICH, Switzerland (Ticker) - Unseeded Australian Alicia Molik completed an impressive run to win her first Tier I title. Molik defeated fourth-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, to win the \$1.


Report: Russian pairs skater suffered concussion in fall at Skate <b>...</b> World champion pairs skater Tatiana Totmianina sustained a concussion but no broken bones in a fall during the free skating program at Skate America, the ITAR-Tass news agency quoted the head of Russia #39;s figure skating federation as saying


Japan quake death toll hits 21 Tokyo - Still reeling from a 6.8-level earthquake, Japan #39;s northwestern Niigata prefecture was hit by another strong quake on Sunday afternoon measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale as the death toll from the previous hours rose to at least 22.


Iran rejects EU nuclear proposal TEHRAN: Iran on Sunday described a European proposal aimed at ending a nuclear standoff as unbalanced and rejected its demands that the Islamic republic halt all uranium enrichment activities, a foreign news agency reported.


Gore Urges Blacks to Vote at Fla. Rally (AP) AP - Former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday told blacks embittered by his narrow loss in the 2000 presidential election that "it doesn't have to be this way" and urged them to turn anger into energy at the polls.


McNair Leaves Game After Reinjuring Chest (AP) AP - Oft-injured quarterback Steve McNair left Tennessee's game at Minnesota on Sunday after reaggravating the bruised chest that kept him in the hospital for two nights last month.


Washington Post backs John Kerry for president (AFP) AFP - The Washington Post endorsed John Kerry for president in an editorial, saying the choice was not an easy one but that President George W. Bush had not earned a second term in office.


Montoya says goodbye with a win Juan Pablo Montoya wins his final race for Williams at the Brazilian Grand Prix.


NASA chief wants to continue cooperation with Russia for Mars <b>...</b> ARKALYK, Kazakhstan NASA #39;s top administrator says the agency wants to keep working with the Russians, with the goal of sending missions to Mars.


Tennis: Agassi is mastered by Safin ANDRE Agassi will not be able to repeat the triumph he enjoyed in the Madrid Masters two years ago following his semi-final defeat to Marat Safin.


Clemens teams with his son Roger Clemens lives a double life. On work days, hesa Hall-of-Fame-caliber pitcher, a scowling, intense, driven competitor who is on a short list of all-time baseball greats.


Cabinet approves Gaza pullout Jerusalem - The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved as expected Premier Ariel Sharon #39;s controversial plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip, paying compensation to those leaving but punishing those trying to stay on.


Omar Abdullah survives assassination bid SRINAGAR: The head of held Kashmir #39;s main opposition party, Omar Abdullah, survived an assassination bid Sunday for the second time in a month when rebels exploded a bomb a few steps away from him, police said.


Safin back in form and hungry for Houston A change of coach and a change of attitude have helped Marat Safin return to peak form and the Russian number one is now aiming at the Masters Cup with real optimism.


Motorsport: F1 qualifying to take place on race day Formula One qualifying will take place on the same day as the race next season, after team bosses approved proposals put forward by the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA).


McNair Leaves Game After Reinjuring Chest Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) gets off a pass before Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenny Mixon, left, can reach him during the first quarter in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004.


Poll: Money Managers Bullish on Stocks  NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than 56 percent of U.S. money  managers are "bullish" or "very bullish" about the U.S. stock  market near term, forecasting stocks will move higher in the  next eight months, according to a new Barron's poll.


ISS Crew Makes Safe Landing ARKALYK, Kazakhstan -- A Russian-US crew returned safely to Earth from the international space station, their Soyuz space capsule streaking through the atmosphere and landing on target in the steppes of Kazakhstan early Sunday.


Insurgents Kill About 50 Iraqi Soldiers in Ambush Around 50 Iraqi soldiers were killed execution-style after insurgents intercepted minibuses carrying them home on leave, officials said today.


Suicide bomb kills 22 BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Suicide bombers struck Iraqi security targets yesterday north and west of Baghdad, killing 22 Iraqis, officials said.


Low turnout for Lithuania #39;s elections VILNIUS, Lithuania - Lithuania #39;s main parties formed an alliance to try to keep a Russian-born tycoon and his populist promises out of the government in Sunday #39;s second round of parliamentary elections in this Baltic country.


Match faith with deeds: Kerry turns the Scriptures on Bush (AFP) AFP - Prodded by political logic, Democratic White House hope John Kerry is shedding an inbred reluctance to showcase his faith, and using scripture to malign President George W. Bush, a born-again Methodist.


Little Movement in AP Football Poll (AP) AP - No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Oklahoma have been the top two teams in The Associated Press Top 25 since the preseason, a nine-poll run that is the longest to start a season in nine years.


Bengals' Johnson Mum Before Broncos Game (AP) AP - No teasing with antacids, no take-it-to-the-bank boasts. Leading up to the Bengals' first Monday night game in a dozen years, Chad Johnson  #151; the gifted receiver with an affinity for the spotlight  #151; decided to keep it strictly low-watt.


Poll: Money Managers Bullish on Stocks More than 56 percent of US money managers are  quot;bullish quot; or  quot;very bullish quot; about the US stock market near term, forecasting stocks will move higher in the next eight months, according to a new Barron #39;s poll.


Locate your files WE all love Google. For six years now, Google has been helping us find information from the dark holes of the Internet with utmost devotion.


Zarqawi group claims recruits attack A group led by al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Iraqi army recruits, according to an Internet statement.


Rebels Kill 49 Iraqi Army Recruits, US Diplomat Guerrillas killed 49 unarmed army recruits in one of the bloodiest attacks on Iraq #39;s fledgling security forces, and in other attacks Sunday a US diplomat and a Bulgarian soldier also died.


Iraqi Sunni Clerics Threaten Election Boycott A powerful group of Sunni Muslim clerics threatened Sunday to call a boycott of Iraqi elections planned for January if US forces launch a widely expected full-scale assault on rebel-held Falluja.


Dozens of army recruits  #39;executed #39; in Iraq, first US diplomat <b>...</b> BAQUBA, Iraq : Almost 50 new Iraqi soldiers were gunned down in an execution in a remote area of eastern Iraq, officials said, while a US diplomat was killed in a mortar attack on a military base in Baghdad.


Feds, provinces prepare to reshape the fiscal map in eqaulization talks (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The federal government is promising the most sweeping overhaul to date of the 47-year-old equalization program in an effort to guarantee provinces more stable annual funding.


Iraq Militant Group Kills Arbil Police Chief -Site  DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iraqi militant group said it had  assassinated the chief of police in the northern Iraqi city of  Arbil and threatened to kill Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani,  according to an Internet statement posted on Sunday.


SEC mulls expanding rules on execs #39; pay WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission staff may propose expanding disclosure rules on executive pay to cover lower-paid executives including general counsels, a commission official said.


UM scientist helping explore Saturn moon MISSOULA -- A University of Montana physics professor will be helping scientists explore one of the largest moons in the solar system next week.


Brazilian GP Race Report: Montoya claims first win of 2004 Juan Pablo Montoya held off the charging Kimi Raikkonen to claim Sunday #39;s Brazilian GP, his first win of the season. In wet-dry conditions the Williams driver put in a very impressive performance to win the


Chiefs' Holmes Ties TD Mark, Hurts Ankle (AP) AP - Kansas City's Priest Holmes, after tying an NFL record with four touchdowns rushing in a half, left Sunday with an ankle sprain.


Powell arrives in Beijing for talks Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived Sunday in Beijing for a two-day visit after holding talks in Tokyo. China expects  quot;to have an extensive exchange of views quot; with the


Sharon Wins 1st of 3 Votes on Settlement Plan Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won a key victory today as his cabinet easily approved a plan to compensate Jewish settlers who would be uprooted from the Gaza Strip.


Qwest civil suits loom Qwest executives made hundreds of millions of dollars by selling their shares while the company made what the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday


GCC seeks IMF role JEDDAH: The GCC yesterday sought observer status at meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).


Alien Moon Titan Flyby Coverage Begins Tuesday on Local Cable <b>...</b> It is an encounter that planetary scientists and space science enthusiasts have been waiting for as the Cassini-Huygens Probe darts into the upper atmosphere of the Saturn moon Titan on Tuesday afternoon October 26th.


Fox #39;s Ratings for World Series Opener Are Highest Since 1999 Boston #39;s victory over St. Louis in Game 1 of the World Series last night attracted the best television ratings for the opener of Major League Baseball #39;s championship round since 1999.


PSV beats struggling Ajax An in-form PSV side beat struggling Ajax in Eindhoven Sunday, in one of the most crucial meetings of the season in the Dutch league.


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


Omar escapes bid on life, one killed Srinagar, October 24: National Conference president Omar Abdullah on Sunday escaped an attempt on his life when militants triggered a powerful blast as he reached a graveyard in Anantnag district to attend a ceremony for slain party leader.


Iraq Rebels Kill Nearly 50 Army Recruits, U.S. Envoy  BAQUBA, Iraq (Reuters) - Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi  claimed responsibility on Sunday for the killing of nearly 50  unarmed Iraqi army recruits in one of the bloodiest attacks on  the country's fledgling security forces.


Israeli Missile Wounds 2 Gaza Policemen -Medics  GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli missile fired from a pilotless  aircraft wounded two Palestinian policemen in the southern Gaza  town of Khan Younis on Sunday, witnesses said.


Poll: Money Managers Bullish on Stocks (Reuters) Reuters - More than 56 percent of U.S. money\managers are "bullish" or "very bullish" about the U.S. stock\market near term, forecasting stocks will move higher in the\next eight months, according to a new Barron's poll.


Israeli Missile Wounds 2 Gaza Policemen -Medics (Reuters) Reuters - An Israeli missile fired from a pilotless\aircraft wounded two Palestinian policemen in the southern Gaza\town of Khan Younis on Sunday, witnesses said.


Sacramento Kings Release Liu, Two Others (AP) AP - Liu Wei, a starting guard for the Chinese national team, was among three players released by the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.


Colombia Blows Up Stockpiled Land Mines (AP) AP - Colombia's armed forces blew up 6,800 stockpiled land mines Sunday as President Alvaro Uribe, Queen Noor of Jordan and dozens of mine blast victims watched on large screens, launching an effort to eventually rid the country of the weapons.


UN warns Sudan and rebels on ceasefire violations (AFP) AFP - The United Nations sent a tough message to delegates at peace talks on the civil war in Sudan's western province of Darfur, warning them that the international community would not tolerate mounting ceasefire violations and attacks on civilians.


Clinton to return to campaign trail Monday (AFP) AFP - Bill Clinton will return to the campaign trail on behalf of Democratic candidate John Kerry, party officials said, six weeks after the still-popular former president underwent heart surgery to bypass blocked arteries.


SpaceShipOne Guru: NASA Needs a Visionary (AP) AP - Burt Rutan, an aviator whose SpaceShipOne won the  #36;10 million Ansari X-Prize for making three suborbital space flights, said NASA needs another Wernher von Braun  #151; and chided the space agency for what he called a failed space shuttle program.


Lions Win on Road Again, Beating Giants (AP) AP - Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes, and Chris Cash made a diving interception in the end zone late in the first half to lead the Detroit Lions to a 28-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday.


Gulf monetary union requires political consensus, says IMF The International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, Rodrigo de Rato, said the road to a monetary union could be bumpy at times, as it requires strong political commitment


US 10-Year Treasury Note Yield May Hold Near 4, Survey Shows The benchmark 10-year US Treasury note #39;s yield may hold near 4 percent, the lowest since April, as speculation record high oil prices will slow the economy bolsters demand for government debt.


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


Sox study Cardinals and see themselves The black T-shirt might as well have been a billboard hanging in the Boston Red Sox #39; clubhouse. Curt Schilling paraded around with a shirt that said  quot;Why Not Us?


Marines Destroy Insurgent Post in Fallujah WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2004 - US Marine jets destroyed a known enemy command and control post in Fallujah today, US military officials in Iraq reported.


Israeli Cabinet Agrees to Compensate Settlers Israel's Cabinet approved a compensation plan Sunday for settlers withdrawing from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank, handing Ariel Sharon an important victory two days before a showdown in parliament over the pullout.


Dolphins Top Rams for 1st Win of Season (AP) AP - That noise the crowd made Sunday during the Miami Dolphins' victory at Pro Player Stadium was faintly familiar from seasons past. It's called cheering.


Startup no more, Netflix girds for DVD rental price war The future suddenly looks shaky for online DVD rental pioneer Netflix Inc. - a plucky home entertainment upstart that managed to hold its ground after retailing giants Wal-Mart Stores Inc.


Computer Makers Sign Joint Code of Conduct The three largest computer makers spearheaded a program today designed to standardize working conditions for their non-US workers.


Chargers Hand Panthers 4th Loss in Row (AP) AP - LaDainian Tomlinson ran right, smack into a Carolina defender. He went left and was tackled again. Almost everywhere the San Diego running back went, the Panthers' maligned run defense was there to stop him.


Brazilian GP, Race Fernando finished fourth in Brazil after a masterful drive while Jacques took tenth place.


Struggling Bucs Best Dismal Bears, 19-7 (AP) AP - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found a tonic for their sputtering offense in the Chicago Bears' porous run defense.


Gas Average Tops \$2 Per Gallon -Survey  NEW YORK (Reuters) - The average U.S. retail price of  gasoline rose more than 5 cents in the past two weeks to more  than \$2 a gallon, its highest level since June, a leading  industry analyst said on Sunday.


Democrats Lose Mich. Ballots Court Ruling (AP) AP - A judge's order requiring some provisional ballots in Michigan to be counted even if they are cast in the wrong precinct was put on hold Sunday, the second time in as many days that a federal appeals court dealt a setback to Democrats who wanted to ease voting restrictions.


Zarqawi Claims Killing of Iraqi Army Recruits  BAQUBA, Iraq (Reuters) - Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi  claimed responsibility on Sunday for the killing of nearly 50  unarmed Iraqi army recruits in one of the bloodiest attacks on  the country's fledgling security forces.


Israeli Missiles Kill Gaza Policeman -Medics  GAZA (Reuters) - At least two Israeli missiles fired from a  pilotless aircraft killed one Palestinian policeman and wounded  six on Sunday in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, medics  said.


Chiefs Stun Falcons in 56-10 Rout (AP) AP - Shredding what had been the NFL's leading defense against the rush, Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock each scored four times on the ground Sunday in Kansas City's stunning 56-10 rout of Atlanta.


Tamil Tigers deny rumour of split Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels deny reports of another split in their organisation.


Gas Average Tops  #36;2 Per Gallon -Survey (Reuters) Reuters - The average U.S. retail price of\gasoline rose more than 5 cents in the past two weeks to more\than  #36;2 a gallon, its highest level since June, a leading\industry analyst said on Sunday.


Another Damp Squib for Barrichello Rubens Barrichello was left cursing the Brazilian weather after his hard luck story on home ground continued at Interlagos today. Barrichello had finished just one grand prix in his home city, a fourth place


Vikings 20, Titans 3 With Randy Moss relegated to two snaps of decoy duty, Daunte Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings shifted gears and grinded one out against the Tennessee Titans.


Lions 28, Giants 13 After going three years without winning on the road, the Detroit Lions are unbeatable away from the Motor City. Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes, and Chris Cash made a diving interception in the


Stark times for Zook, Gators There are opportunities, there are missed opportunities, and then there #39;s what Florida did on Saturday. Ron Zook and the Gators fell to 4-3 on Saturday.


Offence comes alive, Dolphins get 1st win Jay Fiedler played an efficient game and the Dolphins became the NFL #39;s last team to win, posting a 31-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams.


Typhoon Lashes Taiwan With Wind, Rain (AP) AP - Strong winds and heavy rains lashed eastern Taiwan as Typhoon Nock-ten began battering the island Sunday night. One fisherman was missing, police said.


Uniform issue may be resolved thru Parliament: Mckinnon ISLAMABAD: Secretary General Common Wealth Don Mckinnon has said that President General Pervez Musharraf #39;s uniform issue could be resolved through Parliament.


Insider Stock Sales Up in Apparel Sector  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Insider stock sales at U.S. apparel  companies jumped in September from a year ago, a sign that  investors should shun clothing companies' stocks as their  prices could drop further, a research firm said on Monday.


Breyer Questions Impartiality on Ruling (AP) AP - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer said he wasn't sure he was being truly impartial when the high court was asked to settle the disputed 2000 presidential vote in Florida.


Wireless San Francisco \\Reuters has a story  about Gavin Newsom finally getting wifi and wanting to\hookup San Francisco:\\"SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has set a goal of\providing free wireless Internet activity in his city that sees itself as a\vanguard of the Internet revolution."\\""We will not stop until every San Franciscan has access to free wireless\Internet service," he said in his annual state of the city address on\Thursday. "These technologies will connect our residents to the skills and the\jobs of the new economy."\\The issue I have is that I'm not sure my tax dollars need to pay for this.  I'm\also pretty sure that the city will screw it up.\\Why not just do this.  Allow ...\\


New Greek Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria enthroned (AFP) AFP - The Greek Orthodox Church's new Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Theodore II, was enthroned in this coastal city in northern Egypt.


Amazon #39;s discount strategy worries analysts Three years ago, the online retailer responded to slowing sales by adopting the strategy of successful retailers such as Costco and Wal-Mart - to deeply discount items and reap a profit by increasing its sales volume.


Wenger:  #39;ManYoo deliberately targeted Reyes #39; Arsene Wenger has accused ManYoo of deliberately targeting Jose Reyes during Sundays controversial clash at Old Trafford. As well as fuming at the penalty awarded by Mike Riley, Wenger was incensed by the


Lockyer, Fitzgibbon ruled out Captain Darren Lockyer and goalkicker Craig Fitzgibbon have been ruled out of Australia #39;s Tri Nations rugby league Test against Great Britain this weekend.


Secretary of State Powell in China for Talks on North Korea Secretary of State Colin Powell is in China as part of a three-nation Asian tour to try to restart multi-party talks on North Korea #39;s nuclear program.


Russian-born tycoon, rightists neck-and-neck in Lithuania poll VILNIUS : The upstart party of a Russian-born tycoon and right-wing opposition parties were neck-and-neck in Lithuania #39;s parliamentary elections, almost complete results showed.


Manchester United Ends Arsenal's Streak (AP) AP - Ruud van Nistelrooy's 73rd-minute penalty kick and Wayne Rooney's injury-time goal gave Manchester United a 2-0 victory Sunday over league-leading Arsenal, ending the Gunners' unbeaten league streak at 49 games and moving the Red Devils back into the league chase.


UK #39;s Black Watch unit redeployed Soldiers in Britain #39;s Black Watch battalion are preparing to move to central Iraq after a United States request for assistance, the BBC reported Sunday.


Bangalore Thrives, Chokes on Outsourcing  BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - When narrow colonial-era  streets get jammed with evening traffic in India's technology  capital, the radio disc jockey turns agony aunt.


Jordan's king speaks out on Iraq conference (AFP) AFP - Jordan's King Abdullah II called for all influential parties to attend an international conference on Iraq which Egypt will host next month, Petra news agency reported.


Bangalore Thrives, Chokes on Outsourcing (Reuters) Reuters - When narrow colonial-era\streets get jammed with evening traffic in India's technology\capital, the radio disc jockey turns agony aunt.


Grandparents form political bloc ahead of Nov. 2 vote (AFP) AFP - Candidates for the White House now have yet another potentially influential bloc of voters to court, with the founding of a political interest group for grandpas and grandmas.


More Haiti Peacekeepers by End Nov, UN Envoy Says (Reuters) Reuters - The U.N. peacekeeping force in\Haiti should reach its full strength of more than 8,000\soldiers and police by the end of November, the United Nations\special envoy to Haiti said on Friday.


Glenn, Sharper Hurt in Dallas-Packers Game (AP) AP - Dallas wide receiver Terry Glenn and Green Bay safety Darren Sharper were injured in the first half Sunday and taken to the locker room.


Two Koreas join hands across the border for business (AFP) AFP - With their khaki People's Army uniforms caked in grime, North Korean soldiers use shovels and picks to pack a railbed with rocks and earth.


Strong Quake Shakes Northern Japan, Felt in Tokyo  TOKYO (Reuters) - An earthquake with a preliminary  magnitude of 5.6 shook northern Japan on Monday in the same  area where the country's deadliest quake in nine years killed  23 people and injured more than 2,000 two days ago, media  reported.


Syria's grip on Lebanon tested The dominance of Damascus in Lebanese politics gives rise to a new opposition leader.


A Liberian's bittersweet journey back home The UN predicts that 100,000 Liberians in West Africa will return home by year's end.


Europe cracks down on illegal exports of toxic trash Proper waste disposal in the EU has become prohibitively expensive, leading to black market dumping.


Ballmer security pitch leaves skeptics unswayed Cyber threats, chiefly viruses like NetSky and Sasser, make security an ongoing concern as it holds steady over software infrastructure as the third top priority.


Bill Nicholson TOUGH, taciturn and the polar opposite of media-friendly, he did not - unlike Bill Shankly -eave as his legacy a string of memorably witty and insightful quips and quotes.


Totmianina discharged after suffering concussion PITTSBURGH - World champion pairs skater Tatiana Totmianina was discharged from a hospital Sunday after suffering a concussion, but no other serious injuries, in a fall during Saturday night #39;s free skating program at a competition in Pittsburgh.


Jaguars edge Colts on the road INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Rookie Josh Scobee put his foot into some more late-game magic for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Scobee kicked a season-high 53-yard field goal with 38 seconds left in the first half to


Vikings #39; Moss starts, exits early Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss was in the starting lineup during Sunday #39;s 20-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans despite having a hamstring injury, but the All-Pro was removed from the game after the team #39;s


Goodbye Gaza Ariel Sharon is often presented outside of Israel as simply a belligerent and uncompromising political hawk and thus an obstacle to the Middle East peace process.


Iran rejects EU nuke proposals, wants talks TEHRAN, OCTOBER 24 : Iran on Sunday rejected a European Union proposal that it scrap uranium enrichment in return for nuclear technology, increasing the likelihood it will be reported to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.


Killers posed as police BAQUBA - The 49 homeward-bound Iraqi Army recruits probably took comfort at the sight of policemen at a roadside checkpoint at night.


Myanmar ruler, key to NE terror fight, arrives to red carpet <b>...</b> NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 24: Senior General Than Shwe, head of the Myanmar regime, arrived in New Delhi today to start a visit that marks a high point in Indias decade-long effort to politically engage Yangons military rulers.


Zarqawi claims killing of Iraqi recruits killing of an American diplomat in Iraq since last year #39;s US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein. militants that it killed 48  quot;apostates quot; in the attack.


Montoya Wins Brazilian Grand Prix Juan Pablo Montoya won in his final race for Williams-BMW on Sunday, beating future McLaren teammate Kimi Raikkonen to capture the Brazilian Grand Prix.


Colombia Blows Up Stockpiled Land Mines Colombia's armed forces blew up 6,800 stockpiled land mines Sunday as President Alvaro Uribe, Queen Noor of Jordan and dozens of mine blast victims watched on large screens, launching an effort to eventually rid the country of the weapons.


Not your father #39;s Microsoft Microsoft #39;s quarterly results released Thursday make clear that the software maker is becoming a much different company than the one Bill Gates started back in 1975.


Revival! Lions Punish Giants, 28-13 Just one week removed from a devastating home loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions responded offensively and defensively in Sunday #39;s 28-13 victory over the previously 4-1 New York Giants.


Chiefs Have Already Played This Card It was not supposed to be this way. Kansas City was supposed to be 4-1 maybe even 5-0 at this juncture of the season. Today the Atlanta Falcons will come into Arrowhead where the Chiefs have yet to win a single game.


NFL Game Summary - Buffalo at Baltimore Sanders has 23 career touchdowns overall...The paid attendance was 69,809...The Ravens have now posted four interceptions in a game six times...Baltimore star offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden left the game with a pulled left hamstring...Williams


Eagles 34, Browns 31, OT The only sign that Terrell Owens didn #39;t have an issue with was the scoreboard. David Akers kicked a 50-yard field goal in overtime and Donovan McNabb matched a career high with four touchdown passes -- two


The dangers of playing hardball The month of November in a US presidential-election year is not supposed to be particularly eventful, but this year may be an exception, in the light of the gathering storm over


Israeli Missile Wounds 2 Gaza Policemen -Medics An Israeli missile fired from a pilotless aircraft wounded two Palestinian policemen in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis on Sunday, witnesses said.


UN force should expand in Haiti by Nov. The UN peacekeeping force in Haiti should reach the planned 8,000 or more by the end of November, Haitian radio reported Saturday.


Netflix Girds for DVD Rental Price War The future suddenly looks shaky for online DVD rental pioneer Netflix Inc. - a plucky home entertainment upstart that managed to hold its ground after retailing giants Wal-Mart Stores Inc.


Ballmer: Microsoft Courting Linux Users, Longhorn Worth Wait Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has made courting Linux users and those considering the open-source option a top priority and said the sheer volume of innovation that Longhorn development efforts


Scoring Summary: Buccaneers 19, Bears 7 Jonathan Quinn might have had his best half of football, but it still resulted in a goose egg on the scoreboard. With a little help from the defense, the Bears avoided a shut out with a Thomas Jones touchdown, but it was nowhere near enough.


Jags Win: Move into First Place in AFC South JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Jaguars out offensed the NFL #39;s best offense and beat the Colts today at the RCA Dome 27-24.  quot;It #39;s not the kind of a game a defensive coach likes to see, quot; but Jack Del Rio will take it after a combined 800 yards of offense.


Tehran rejects  #39;unbalanced #39; European demands over nuclear standoff Iran on Sunday rejected European demands that it halt all uranium enrichment activities and described a proposal aimed at ending Tehran #39;s nuclear standoff with the international community as  quot;unbalanced.


Diplomat, Parma Native, Killed In Iraq BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Officials said a US diplomat originally from Ohio was killed Sunday morning when a rebel #39;s rocket or mortar shell crashed into the trailer where he slept.


Parliament likely to resolve uniform issue, says McKinnon ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharrafs uniform issue might be resolved by parliament, Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon told a private TV channel on Sunday.


Haiti Policeman Killed in Street-Clearing Raid Haitian police and UN troops moved into a slum neighborhood on Sunday and cleared street barricades that paralyzed a part of the capital.


UN delay: a boost for cloning advocates By putting off a vote on banning all human cloning, nations have let embryo research for therapeutic reasons gain momentum. By Gregory M. Lamb  Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor.


Netflix Girds for DVD Rental Price War (AP) AP - The future suddenly looks shaky for online DVD rental pioneer Netflix Inc.  #151; a plucky home entertainment upstart that managed to hold its ground after retailing giants Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Blockbuster Inc. invaded its turf.


High-Tech Buildings May Save Energy (AP) AP - Buildings are getting smarter  #151; and the next generation of building materials is expected to do even more. Windows could trap the sun's energy to heat hot water. Sensors that measure the carbon dioxide exhaled by people in a room could determine whether the air conditioning needs to be turned up.


A Doctor Is Keeping Schilling in Stitches Boston's Curt Schilling will be stitched again to give him the flexibility and the power he needs as he opposes the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the World Series tonight.


Arsenal's Unbeaten Streak Ends at 49 Ruud van Nistelrooy's 73rd-minute penalty kick and Wayne Rooney's injury-time goal gave Manchester United a victory over league-leading Arsenal.


The Interlagos Race Report: Fernandos flawless performance After taking risks at the start, using dry tyres in the wet, Fernando finished fourth behind Montoya, Raikkonen and Barrichello.


Takeover Bid For Struggling Sainsbury #39;s A corporate dealmaker and former Tory Party treasurer is reportedly planning a 5bn takeover bid for struggling supermarket chain Sainsbury #39;s.


Serie A Sunday Wrap: Lecce Move Into Second Place There was more scoring in todays games than usual, and several sides greatly improved their standing with important wins. Parma defended their home pitch against Lazio, with a 3-1 victory.


Fireronzook.com getting some serious traffic In an effort to be fair and balanced, it should be pointed out that Florida coach Ron Zook is just 65 seconds away from being undefeated and being a major player in the Bowl Championship Series ratings.


Israeli forces kill two Palestinians GAZA: Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants in a missile strike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis early on Sunday, Palestinian medics said.


World Follows U.S. Race by Internet, TV (AP) AP - Satellites and telephone wires bring the battle for the White House to an Internet cafe 7,200 miles away in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, where Girma Hagos goes for his daily dose of U.S. election news.


Third Palestinian Killed by Israeli Missiles -Medics  GAZA (Reuters) - Three Palestinians died in missile strikes  launched late Sunday on the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza,  medics said.


#39;Politics, #39; layoffs cited as Coke profits fizzle Atlanta - The Coca-Cola Co. reported a 24 percent drop in third-quarter profit on flat revenue, but beat analysts reduced expectations that were tempered after the beverage giant #39;s previous warnings.


No. 18 Boise St. Keeps Win Streak Going (AP) AP - Boise State impressed Fresno State coach Pat Hill more than any of those big conference teams he has faced the past couple of seasons.


NASCAR: Hendrick plane missing A plane carrying members of the Hendrick Motorsports organization was missing Sunday after losing contact with the Federal Aviation Administration on its way to a NASCAR race, and a search was underway for the aircraft.


Powell, in China, seeks progress on NKorea and Taiwan BEIJING : US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Beijing for talks which he hopes will lead to a quick resumption of stalled talks on the North Korean nuclear impasse amid new bellicose accusations from Pyongyang.


Official warns citizens to leave Iraq after abduction of child BEIRUT: The Lebanese charge d #39;affaires in Iraq warned Lebanese expatriates in Iraq to take extreme cautions or leave the country entirely, following the kidnapping of a 7-year old Lebanese boy there.


Rookie Palmer Wins Funai Classic with Closing 62  ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Rookie Ryan Palmer fired a  final-round 10-under-par 62 to seal his first PGA Tour victory  in the Funai Classic on Sunday.


Ericsson cautious despite growth Mobile communications specialist Ericsson reported strong third-quarter earnings on Friday but said it expected only slight growth in mobile networks in the coming months.


Hendrick airplane was on way to Martinsville race MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- A plane carrying members of the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed Sunday afternoon on its way to NASCAR #39;s Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officials confirmed.


Eagles (5-0) at Browns (3-3) Key stat  Eagles trying to become seventh team to win first six games by 10 points. Players to watch  Eagles #39; Terrell Owens has 30 receptions, 6 for TDs.


Figure Skating: Pairs skater Totmianina released from hospital <b>...</b> PITTSBURGH, United States : Reigning world pairs champion Tatiana Totmianina was released from hospital, a day after she fell head first to the ice during the Skate America Grand Prix event.


Omar escapes attempt on life Militants on Sunday made a bid on the life of former minister of state for external affairs and National Conference president Omar Abdullah when they exploded an improvised explosive device in Anantnag in south Kashmir.


Insurance fees under fire Top insurance brokers in Hong Kong have stopped accepting controversial commissions from insurance companies, reflecting the continuing fallout from a scandal rocking the industry in the US.. Sources within


If your office is cold, take note - chilly environs may lower <b>...</b> If your office is often cold, take note - chilly environs may lower productivity. A study by a Cornell University ergonomics professor found a reverse correlation between temperature and typing mistakes.


Teams unite to cut costs, except Motorsport.com. Nine of the ten Formula One teams have united to propose cost-cutting measures for the future, with the notable exception of Ferrari.


Derby draw pleases Juve LEADERS Juventus were the happiest team in Serie A today after title rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan played out a 0-0 draw at the San Siro.


Tendulkar #39;s recovery sends Indian expectations soaring AS SOON as it was announced on Saturday morning that Sachin Tendulkar was certain to be fit to play in tomorrows third Test against Australia at the VCA Stadium, a stampede for tickets followed, with sales going up by 300 per cent in a day.


INSURGENTS MASSACRE 49 ARMY RECRUITS The group linked to insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for the massacre of 49 unarmed army recruits in one of the bloodiest attacks on Iraq #39;s fledgling security forces.


Will Zook Get the Hook After Gators' Loss? (AP) AP - Ron Zook has taken the Florida Gators to a new low  #151; for the third straight season.


Sharon Wins Cabinet Vote on Gaza, New Raid Mounted  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won  cabinet backing on Sunday for a bill on the nuts and bolts of a  Gaza pullout, and hours later Israel launched a new raid in the  Palestinian territory, killing three and wounding 16.


No Free Launch The United States and Europe are edging toward their biggest trade dispute everand Washington shouldn #39;t blink. The dispute involves competition between Boeing and


Cardinals Kicker Ties Record (AP) AP - Neil Rackers of the Arizona Cardinals tied an NFL record by kicking three field goals of at least 50 yards on Sunday.


A week using the Google Desktop Search Last week when Google came up with its Desktop Search, it promised to make finding files on our desktop a lot less painful. Knowing Google and its other services, I had little doubt that the new tool from their stable would be incredible.


Linux speared by trio of security holes A series of security holes in three common Linux components has led open-source vendors to rush out several updates. Two of them, rated  quot;highly critical quot; by security company Secunia, are in libpng, a library


Army cadets massacred by guerrillas GUERRILLAS in Iraq killed almost 50 army cadets heading home on leave, ambushing the men on a desert road and making them lie face down on the ground before methodically shooting each one in the back of the head, Iraqi officials said yesterday.


Three killed, 20 hurt in strikes TWO Palestinian security service members and a civilian were killed in three Israeli missile strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources said today.


GILLARD DROPS OUT OF TREASURER CONTENTION Labor #39;s health spokeswoman, Julia Gillard, says she will not be standing for the position of shadow treasurer. Ms Gillard says it #39;s her own decision and not a response to weekend newspaper reports that Opposition


Security expert warns Internet pharmacies at risk from terrorists (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - A Canadian-based security expert will tell a panel on Internet pharmacies this week that mail-order drug companies could become targets for terrorists.


Army Studying Halliburton Compromise The US Army is studying a possible compromise with Halliburton Co. that might allow the company to keep several billion dollars in disputed billings for work in Iraq, defense officials said on Friday.


Formula One split widens over budgets TEAM owners last night kick-started a week of intense activity that will help to determine who wins control of one of the richest sports in the world.


NFL: Minnesota 20, Tennessee 3 Daunte Culpepper completed 24 of 30 passes, one for a touchdown, as the Minnesota Vikings topped the Tennessee Titans 20-3 Sunday.


Barca Extend Lead at the Top Barcelona preserved their unbeaten run with a 3-0 win over Osasuna at the Nou Camp to keep the chasing pack in the Primera Liga at arms length.


World News In Brief TOKYO -- American and Japanese negotiators agreed Saturday to ease a 10-month-old ban on American beef exports to Japan, a deal that will reopen the US beef industry #39;s biggest overseas market to at least some products.


Iran Says Uranium Facility Almost Complete TEHRAN, Iran Oct 24, 2004 - A uranium conversion facility in Iran is nearing completion, a top official said Sunday, only days after European countries offered a deal in which Iran would reportedly have to give up all nuclear activities.


Iraqi Army Recruits Massacred The bodies of more than 40 Iraqi army recruits have been found following an ambush near the Iranian border in the country #39;s northeast region.


Gillard out of shadow treasurer race Julia Gillard has reportedly bowed out of the race to become shadow treasurer, taking enormous pressure off Opposition Leader Mark Latham.


Why Can't Wi-Fi Be More Like Star Trek? (Ziff Davis) Ziff Davis - Opinion: This year, all of the big mobile operators are starkly aware that they're in a race. But "Star Trek" taught us never to make the mistake of assuming that people operate rationally.


Kerry turns the Bible, terror comments on Bush (AFP) AFP - Democratic challenger John Kerry turned the Bible against born-again Methodist President George W. Bush, arguing that his policies ran counter to America's moral foundation.


Hendrick Plane Crashes En Route to Nascar Race A plane owned by the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed with 10 people aboard on its way to a race Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.


Patriots Beat Jets, Extend Streak to 21 (AP) AP - Rodney Harrison broke up a fourth-down pass from Chad Pennington with 2:14 remaining, and the New England Patriots held on to extend their NFL victory streak to 21 games in a 13-7 win over the AFC East rival New York Jets.


Tragedy in NASCAR A plane owned by the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashes on its way to a NASCAR race in Martinsville, Va., on Sunday, killing ten people.


As bad as he wants to be With no more FCC at his heels, Howard Stern could get really dirty on satellite radio. But will the fans follow? Would you buy a satellite radio system to listen to Howard Stern?


Baseball: The odds show, better team doesn #39;t always win Series Frederick Mosteller is a lifelong Red Sox fan. This is impressive on its face, particularly considering that his life began in 1916 and that he has survived almost nine decades with no memory of his team #39;s last World Series victory.


Glorious Sterne avoids school trip THERE was both grief and jubilation abroad in the environs of Madrid yesterday, but for nobody was the latter more dramatic than for Richard Sterne.


Nicholson dies; managed Tottenham in glory days LONDON Bill Nicholson, who managed Tottenham Hotspur in its glory days of the 1960s and 70s, died on Saturday after a long illness, family members said.


NFL: Away from lair, Lions claim Giants as latest victim After going three years without winning on the road, the Detroit Lions are unbeatable away from the Motor City. Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes, and Chris Cash made a diving interception in the


49 Iraqi soldiers die in guerrilla ambush BAGHDAD In the single deadliest ambush of the Iraq insurgency, guerrillas dressed as security officers executed 49 freshly trained Iraqi soldiers on Saturday evening on a remote road in eastern Iraq as the unarmed soldiers were going home on leave, Iraqi


Lithuanian PM Predicts He Will Lead Next Govt Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas predicted on Sunday he could form a new coalition, shrugging off a challenge from a party some


Climber who found frozen mummy dies in Alps VIENNA Austrian officials have recovered the body of a missing German climber who won fame when he found a mummified 5,300-year-old human body in the Alps in 1991.


TRADED COMPANIES Publicly traded companies command the most attention from investors and the media, but don #39;t forget that business behemoths start somewhere.


KPMG fined record \$10m over Gemstar KPMG has received the largest audit fine in the history of the US Securities and Exchange Commission for its role in a company that cost Rupert Murdoch #39;s News Corporation \$6billion (3.


Police have no suspects in killings of elderly couple Detectives say they have no witnesses or suspects in the murder of an elderly couple killed in an apparent robbery at their Christian bookstore.


Montoya wins F1 finale in Brazil Sao Paulo, Brazil (Sports Network) - Williams/BMW driver Juan Montoya captured the final event of the 2004 Formula One season - the Grand Prix of Brazil.


Lithuanian vote in second phase Lithuania #39;s second round of general elections got under way on Sunday, with a recent-formed party threatening to force its way into government.


TNK-BP nears Russian top spot TNK-BP, which represents the biggest foreign investment in Russia, is fast emerging as the country #39;s largest oil producer. Its rise to prominence comes amid increasing state involvement


Vancouver Muslim leader denies comments about Jews were anti-Semitic (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - VANCOUVER (CP) - A Muslim leader under attack for calling Jews "brothers of monkeys and swine" says he is no anti-Semite.


Nikkei Seen Opening Weaker  TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo stocks are expected to open weaker  on Monday as investors remain anxious about record-breaking oil  prices, which dampened U.S. shares late last week.


First Post-IPO Google Earnings Deliver Google Inc. 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


Cowboys head to Lambeau Both teams have considerable ground to gain if they want to even think about making the playoffs. Dallas (2-3) is coming off a heart-wrenching loss to Pittsburgh while Green Bay (2-4) hasn #39;t won at home this season.


A DOUBLE-UP GAME Colts.com. If a certain game is important for a certain reasons, the Colts head coach will discuss the matter with his team early in the week.


10 Iraqi Policemen Killed by Car Bomb A car bomb exploded at a police station Saturday near a base in western Iraq used by US Marines, killing 10 Iraqi policemen and wounding 48 other people, officials said.


Bush to star in final ad, assails Kerry (AFP) AFP - Campaigning in a state he lost by the narrowest of margins, US President George W. Bush accused Democratic rival John Kerry of not being serious about taking on Iraq's most wanted man.


Nokia's Preminet aims to chill Qualcomm's BREW The "one-stop shop" lets wireless operators sell ring tones, games, picture messaging and other cell phone paraphernalia.


Trahan Gets First Nationwide Victory (AP) AP - D.J. Trahan shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 on Sunday to capture his first Nationwide Tour victory at the Miccosukee Championship.


Kerry and Bush Take Aim at Key Swing States (Reuters) Reuters - Democratic Sen. John Kerry stressed\his faith and values during a visit to the critical state of\Florida on Sunday, while President Bush scoured New Mexico for\votes and said it was "up in the air" if the United States\could ever be safe from terrorism.


Johnson Wins, Busch Gains in Title Chase (AP) AP - Jimmie Johnson's series-high sixth victory of the season Sunday was overshadowed by word that a plane carrying members of the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed on the way to Martinsville Speedway.


Football; Patriots Day: the Jets; Aiming High; Jets #39; Pennington Is <b>...</b> HEMPSTEAD, NY - He was drafted in the first round in 2000 out of Marshall, at the head of the same quarterback class that yielded Tom Brady, but Chad Pennington #39;s road to success has been more deliberate.


Green Bay Packers GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Ahman Green and Brett Favre once again turned Lambeau Field into a home-field advantage. Green rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns and Favre threw for two scores as the


Suspend Hardie payouts: Carr THERE were grounds to suspend multi-million dollar payouts to departing James Hardie executives, NSW Premier Bob Carr said today. Mr Carr also urged Hugh Morgan, president of the Business Council of Australia


Mobile Operators Seek Higher Sound Quality  TOKYO (Reuters) - Ring tones on mobile phones were once  considered cool if they simply sounded musical. Then phones  starting ringing to the tune of a pop song, giving way to "ring  songs."


United punks have little to sing about This was punk against opera, and punk won. Manchester United against Arsenal now has all the fervour and spite of the Buenos Aires derby, Barcelona against Real Madrid or Fenerbache v Galatasaray.


Podium finish for Barrichello For the first time of his career, Rubens Barrichello finished the Brazilian Grand Prix on the podium. Michael Schumacher started from the back of the field and finished in the points despite spinning in the early stages of the race.


Lockyer #39;s men give Britain food for thought The Gillette Tri-Nations could not have made a much better start to its English section with all 16,750 tickets sold for Saturday #39;s entertaining clash at Loftus Road and the promise that Great


Rebel militias deny holding British aid worker Hassan Confusion surrounded the fate of the Iraq aid worker Margaret Hassan last night after main rebel groups denied being involved with her kidnap.


Cardinals Win, Smith Earns Another Record (AP) AP - Emmitt Smith ran his way to another NFL record and Neil Rackers booted himself into a share of one.


EU to trim 2005 growth forecast BRUSSELS: The European Commission will revise downwards its 2005 economic growth forecast because of soaring oil prices, Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Wednesday.


Kroger, Union Reach Tentative Agreement A Kroger spokesman says the agreement includes wage increases and improvements in health insurance coverage. The contract covers about 8,500 employees in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.


Army Faces Probe on No-Bid Deals With KBR The Army has agreed to a Pentagon investigation into claims by a top contracting official that a Halliburton subsidiary unfairly won no-bid contracts worth billions of dollars for work in Iraq and the Balkans, according to Army documents obtained Sunday.


Options Report: Traders Take Stock Sell-Off In Stride NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Stock selling in the software and semiconductor sectors sent benchmark indexes lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average breaking through to a new


Qwest agrees to pay \$250 million to settle fraud investigation Qwest agreed to pay \$250 million Thursday to settle allegations the telecommunications company falsified the books by at least \$3.


Nortel rivals cool outlook for wireless gear How long can the wireless networking boom last? Not much longer, according to major competitors of Nortel Networks. Ericsson, the giant of the wireless industry, put a damper on stock markets yesterday when


Safin crushes Nalbandian for fourth Masters win Marat Safin barged his way past Britain #39;s Tim Henman into sixth place in the race to qualify for next month #39;s Masters Cup in Houston by overpowering David Nalbandian, of Argentina


Montoya shows his genius This is the circuit where the Montoya brand began to take shape as he swept past Michael Schumacher during the opening laps of only his third grand prix.


NFL Game Summary - Dallas At Green Bay Green Bay, WI -- Ahman Green rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns, as the Green Bay Packers throttled the Dallas Cowboys, 41-20, for their first win at Lambeau Field this season.


Leader Barcelona beats Osasuna 3-0 in Spanish Primera Liga Samuel Eto #39;o scored two goals and Ronaldinho added another from the penalty spot Sunday to help Spanish Primera Liga leader FC Barcelona blank Osasuna 3-0 and maintain its five-point lead at the top of the standings.


Japan #39;s Nikkei 225, Topix Drop; Canon, Honda, Nissan Decline Japan #39;s Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 138.20, or 1.3 percent, to 10,718.93 at 9:02 am in Tokyo. The broader Topix index lost 12.


Magan scans Sainsbury #39;s Supermarkets group J Sainsbury faces fresh takeover speculation today after it emerged that dealmaker George Magan might try to raise financing for an offer.


Rover pins future on China MG Rover will unveil pre-tax losses this week of about 50m as it struggles to survive in the British car market. The losses are down from 95m for the previous year, but sales fell to 144,000 last year, compared


UN report: Domestic robot use growing The use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors, pull guard duty and perform other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007, says a new UN survey, which credits dropping prices for the robot boom.


Junqueira drive his best yet Bruno Junqueira may not end up winning the 2004 Champ Car World Series title. But he might look back on the Surfers Paradise weekend as the point where he came of age as a complete driver.


NFL Game Summary - NY Jets at New England The 18-game win streak for New England broke the old record held by the 1933-34 Chicago Bears... The last time two 5-0 or better teams met this late in the season was on October 28, 1973 when the Minnesota


Warner learning to play it safe Kurt Warner had a gunslinger mentality in St. Louis, where an interception here or there was acceptable, providing it was offset by three or four touchdown passes.


Ice champ injured in fall WORLD pairs champion Tatiana Totmianina was released from hospital today, a day after she fell head first to the ice during the Skate America Grand Prix.


Iran says European nuclear proposal unacceptable Iran on Sunday has refused to accept a European nuclear proposal, terming it as  quot;unbalanced. quot;. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Sunday that the proposal asking Iran to stop uranium enrichment activities


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


Typhoon Nock-ten lashes Taiwan, bringing heavy rain and fierce <b>...</b> Typhoon Nock-ten battered Taiwan on Monday as the storm #39;s eye whirled just off the island #39;s eastern coast, drenching mountainous regions with rain that could trigger deadly mudslides.


James Hardie #39;s Macdonald Quits Amid Asbestos Probe (Update5) James Hardie Industries NV, facing aA\$1.2 billion (\$880 million) bill to compensate asbestos victims, said Chief Executive Officer Peter Macdonald quit, a month after an inquiry found he misled investors about the costs.


Australian Leisure Shares May Gain After Coles Myer Raises Bid Shares of Australian Leisure  amp; Hospitality Group, the nation #39;s biggest pubs owner, may rise after Coles Myer Ltd. increased its takeover offer to A\$1.


Lihir Gold More Confident FY Output Target To Be Met -2- MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Papua New Guinea-based miner Lihir Gold Ltd. (LIHRY) on Monday said production of 155,002 ounces of gold for the third quarter exceeded expectations.


Brazil launches first rocket since accident Brazil has successfully launched a test rocket, 14 months after a more powerful one exploded before lift-off killing 21 people, Brazilian space officials said Sunday.


SF mayor seeks cooling-off period in hotel contract dispute SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has asked labor leaders and the management of fourteen hotels for a ninety-day cooling-off period in their contract dispute.


Wenger:  #39;The referee #39;s decision made the difference #39; Arsene Wenger was predictably fuming at referee Mike Riley following the  #39;homer #39; referees incredible decisions at Old Trafford.


Johnson Wins, Busch Gains in Title Chase MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Jimmie Johnson #39;s series-high sixth victory of the season Sunday was overshadowed by word that a plane carrying members of the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed on the way to Martinsville Speedway.


Juventus joy as Milan derby ends in stalemate Leaders Juventus were the happiest team in Serie A after title rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan played out a 0-0 draw in front of an 80,000 crowd at the San Siro.


Confident Eagles escape unscathed And when David Akers #39; 50-yard field goal cleared the crossbar in overtime, they did just that. They escaped a raucous Cleveland Browns Stadium relieved but not broken, tested but not cracked.


More Aftershocks as Japan Aids Quake Victims Japan resumed rescue efforts at first light on Monday as aftershocks rattled the area where the country #39;s deadliest earthquake in nine years killed at least 23


BoSox Lead Cardinals 2-0 After 1 Inning (AP) AP - The Boston Red Sox led the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 after one inning, as Boston ace Curt Schilling tested his sutured ankle Sunday in Game 2 of the 100th World Series. With Matt Morris on the mound, St. Louis was trying to even the series after Boston took Saturday's opener.


AP: Game 2 May Be Schilling's Only Start (AP) AP - Curt Schilling might not be able to make a second start in the World Series because the unprecedented surgical procedure to stitch together his injured right ankle might be too damaging to keep repeating.


Four Palestinians Killed in Gaza Air Strikes (Reuters) Reuters - Israel killed four Palestinians in air\strikes late on Sunday and early Monday during a raid on a\militant stronghold in southern Gaza, medics and witnesses\said.


More Aftershocks as Japan Aids Quake Victims (Reuters) Reuters - Japan resumed rescue efforts at\first light on Monday as aftershocks rattled the area where the\country's deadliest earthquake in nine years killed at least 23\people and injured more than 2,000 at the weekend.


Cards DH Anderson Gets Postseason Start (AP) AP - Marlon Anderson got his first start of the postseason for the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night, serving as the designated hitter in the second game of the World Series.


Iran Says Uranium Conversion Plant Nearly Finished (Reuters) Reuters - A key Iranian nuclear facility which the\U.N.'s nuclear watchdog has urged Tehran to shut down is\nearing completion, a senior Iranian nuclear official said on\Sunday.


Serb Boycott Confirms Kosovo Still Divided (AP) AP - A Serb boycott of Kosovo's second general election confirmed lingering divisions in the U.N.-run province, and partial results from a monitoring group indicated that the political landscape will likely remain unchanged.


Zarqawi Group Claims Killing of 50 Iraqis (AP) AP - In their boldest and deadliest ambush yet, insurgents waylaid three minibuses carrying U.S.-trained Iraqi soldiers heading home on leave and massacred about 50 of them  #151; forcing many to lie down on the ground and shooting them in the head, officials said Sunday.


Karzai Clinches Majority in Afghan Vote (AP) AP - Hamid Karzai clinched a majority of the votes cast in Afghanistan's first presidential election, near-complete results showed Sunday, leaving him all but certain of becoming his war-wrecked nation's first democratically elected leader.


Investigators Find Deceptive Practices at Aon, Too Investigators for the New York attorney general have discovered evidence of deceptive and coercive practices, at Aon, the world's second-largest broker of insurance.


Approval Expected for Big Cellphone Deal Federal regulators will formally approve Cingular Wireless \$41 billion purchase of AT  T Wireless, according to company officials briefed on the matter.


To Survive the Dance, Marsh Must Follow Spitzer #39;s Lead Jeffrey Greenberg will almost certainly be gone. But his company, Marsh  amp; McLennan, has a good chance of surviving as long as its outside directors understand that Mr.


Delta and Pilots to Resume Talks Delta Air Lines Inc. and its pilots #39; union recessed talks Sunday without reaching an agreement on pay cuts that the company says are crucial to its effort to avoid bankruptcy.


Divided SEC Likely to Ask Hedge Funds for More Data A deeply divided Securities and Exchange Commission is expected on Tuesday to approve rules requiring all but the smallest hedge funds to register with the SEC and make their records available for examination.


SGX, TSE plan cross-membership agreement: report SINGAPORE : The Singapore Exchange (SGX) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) plan to enter into a cross-membership agreement that will allow member securities firms of both exchanges to execute equity transactions in both bourses from fiscal 2005, the


Schilling could miss rest of Series Curt Schilling #39;s start in Game 2 of the World Series at rainy Fenway Park on Sunday night apparently was not yet in jeopardy, but The Associated Press reported that the


Hendrick plane crashes, kills 10 Martinsville, VA (Sports Network) - A plane owned by Hendrick Motorsports crashed Sunday on its way to a NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway, killing all 10 people aboard.


Schwarzenegger Shows Eco-Friendly Hummer (AP) AP - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has introduced an environmentally friendly Hummer  #151; but not the converted hydrogen-powered car he promised voters he would build when he campaigned for office.


Game 2 and Done? Curt Schilling might not be able to make a second start in the World Series because the procedure to stitch together his injured ankle might be too damaging to keep repeating.


Nikkei Sinks Due to Exporters (Reuters) Reuters - Tokyo's Nikkei average fell 2 percent at\the opening on Monday as investors shied away from exporters\including Toyota Motor Corp. after a fall in the dollar below\107 yen stoked concerns about their earnings.


New Quakes Rock Japan #39;s Niigata; Tokyo Buildings Sway (Update2) Japan #39;s northern prefecture of Niigata, struck on Saturday by the country #39;s deadliest temblor since 1995, was today rocked by fresh earthquakes strong enough to sway buildings in Tokyo.


NASCAR Team Plane Crashes, 10 Dead  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A plane owned by NASCAR's Hendrick  Motorsports organization crashed on Sunday near a small airport  in Virginia, killing all 10 people aboard, officials said.


Amazon Rumor Ruffles DVD Rivals Amazon.com hasn't yet entered the DVD rental business, but prices are tumbling even at the prospect.


Clinton Says Stumping for Kerry Not a Risk (AP) AP - Former President Clinton dismissed concerns that his decision to campaign for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry seven weeks after undergoing heart surgery is risky, saying, "I want to do this." In an interview Sunday with ABC News, Clinton said he talked to his doctors about it and "they made some very helpful suggestions."


Tunisia leader set for poll win Early results show President Ben Ali heading for his expected landslide victory in the Tunisian elections.


NFL Wrap: Dillon Helps Patriots Earn 21st Successive Win (Reuters) Reuters - Corey Dillon rushed for 115 yards as\the New England Patriots beat the New York Jets 13-7 at Foxboro\Sunday to take their record winning streak to 21 games.


Press Association Faults U.S. Restrictions (AP) AP - The Inter-American Press Association criticized the U.S. government on Sunday for placing restrictions on foreign journalists' travels and for recent court rulings ordering reporters to reveal secret sources.


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


Dollar Hits Multi-Month Lows Vs Euro, Yen  TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar hit eight-month lows against  the euro and six-month troughs versus the yen on Monday on  continued worries about the U.S. economy and the yawning trade  deficit, and traders say it could fall even further.   Dealers  said the dollar's outlook against the Japanese currency had  worsened because it dropped below the closely watched 107 yen  level -- the lower end of the five-yen range in which it had  moved for the past five months.


Patriots Roll On Rodney Harrison brakes up a fourth-down pass from Chad Pennington with 2:14 remaining as the Patriots extend their NFL victory streak to 21 games in a 13-7 win over the Jets.


The Ultimate Closer Joe Grzenda ended the life of the Washington Senators as a left-handed reliever who threw the last pitch in the franchise's final game in 1971.


McNair Hurt in Loss Daunte Culpepper completes 24 of 30 mostly low-risk passes, and an aggressive Vikings defense knocks Titans quarterback Steve McNair out of the game in a 20-3 win.


The Long and Blinding Show Can you believe these baseball games of late? They are tension-filled, comeback-laden, back-and-forth, down-to-the-last-out sporting gems. And they are unwatchable.


Schwarzenegger Shows Eco-Friendly Hummer California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger laughs during a visit to an after-school program site at PS 129 in New York #39;s Harlem neighborhood in this Wednesday, Sept.


Stocks open: ASX follows US falls The Australian sharemarket dropped sharply at the open after Wall Street set the tone on Friday with one of its lowest closes for 2004.


Montoya signs off in style Jenson Button #39;s hopes of rounding off the season with the first victory of his formula one career ended in an expensive cloud of smoke here yesterday as his BAR-Honda rolled to a halt with a major engine failure only three laps into the race.


NASCAR team plane crashes, 10 dead A plane owned by NASCAR #39;s Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed on Sunday near a small airport in Virginia, killing all 10 people aboard, officials said.


New model Safin rediscovers hot shots One of the best things that could happen to tennis would be for Marat Safin to return consistently to the form that enabled him to capture the 2000 US Open title - and at last there were signs of this yesterday as the charismatic Russian won his first


Sunday #39;s NFL Summaries By The Associated Press Det_Williams 18 pass from Harrington (Hanson kick), 9:25. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:35. Key plays: Harrington 24 pass to S.Alexander; Harrington 19 pass to Bryson on 3rd-and-15; Harrington 10 pass to Swinton on 3rd-and-10 to Giants 22.


Australia 32 - 12 New Zealand Great Britain returned from their Spanish training camp yesterday to the news that Darren Lockyer, their nemesis in last year #39;s Ashes whitewash, may not play again in the Gillette Tri-Nations series.


Australian Stocks Decline, Led by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto Australian #39;s benchmark S amp;P/ASX 200 index had its biggest drop in two months, led by BHP Billiton, on concern that record oil prices will slow economic growth and demand for metals.


Earthquakes Lead Wizards 1-0 in Series San Jose Earthquakes #39; Dwayne De Rosario celebrates after scoring against the Kansas City Wizards in the first half, during the first game of the Western Conference playoffs in San Jose, Calif.


Del Rio has rich tree com senior editor. The family trees of NFL coaching staffs are often fascinating and worthy of deep study that usually reveals a lot about the head coach #39;s fundamental philosophies of offense, defense, drafting, etc.


Citigroup to Revamp Japan Operations -WSJ  PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Citigroup is to revamp its  Japanese private banking unit, creating a local committee to  oversee operations, the Wall Street Journal reported.


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


Moss, McNair Injured Again - in Same Game (AP) AP - Priest Holmes had already scored four touchdowns before an ankle sprain knocked him out of the game. Steve McNair and Randy Moss barely worked up a sweat Sunday before injuries sent them to the sidelines.


Bush, Kerry, Parties Spending  #36;40M on Ads (AP) AP - President Bush, Sen. John Kerry and their political parties are spending nearly  #36;40 million on TV ads in the final week of the presidential campaign as they adjust their strategies in a shrinking battleground.


Rwanda sees 'fast growth' in 2005 Rwanda predicts rapid economic growth, but tension with DR Congo could imperil international assistance on which it relies.


SEC Probes Auto Pensions The federal Securities Exchange Commission has asked General Motors, Ford and Navistar Corp., a maker of trucks and engines, to provide financial information about their pension and post-retirement healthcare plans.


Tokyo Exchange Plans Singapore Bourse Accord, Yomiuri Says Tokyo Stock Exchange Inc. plans a cross-membership agreement with the Singapore Exchange Ltd. to let its 109 member brokerages and Singaporean investors buy and sell equities on both


Vijay turns up the heat ORLANDO (Florida): World number one and defending champion Vijay Singh was stalking joint leaders Tom Lehman and Briny Baird after the third round of the Funai Classic at the Walt Disney Resort on Saturday.


Ice Skating: Poise and protest but Kerrs happy with fifth Scotland #39;s John and Sinead Kerr finished fifth in the prestigious Skate America competition in Pittsburg yesterday. It was the Livingston-based brother and sister combination #39;s best-ever result in an international


Air crash hits NASCAR team A plane owned by leading stock car team Hendrick Motorsports has crashed on its way to a NASCAR race in the United States killing all 10 people on board.


Air Is Knocked From Titans #39; McNair Once Again Quarterback Steve McNair left Tennessee #39;s 20-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings yesterday after aggravating the bruised chest that kept him in the hospital for two nights last month.


Dolphins Break Through, Rip Rams For First Win But that #39;s OK. Because after a 31-14 rout of the St. Louis Rams, they can #39;t be called total losers either. It was a whole team effort, #39; #39; said quarterback Jay Fiedler


Japan in shock after earthquake devastation Thousands of people were facing a second night in emergency shelters or out in the open yesterday after the deadliest earthquake to strike Japan in nine years left at least 21 people dead and more than 1,800 injured.


Israel settlers row at crisis point Israel #39;s parliament will today begin debating bitterly opposed legislation to remove Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip next year ahead of a vote that could force a major realignment of Israeli politics.


Al-Zarqawi militants attack Iraqi Army recruits TONY EASTLEY: The brutality of the violence in Iraq has reached a new low after 49 young Iraqi men were forced to lie on the roadside and each was shot in the back.


Jilted boyfriend shoots teenager A 16-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a jilted and much older boyfriend she met after accidentally sending a text message to his mobile phone, in Normandy, France.


Iran Says Uranium Facility Almost Complete (AP) AP - A uranium conversion facility in Iran is nearing completion, a top official said Sunday, only days after European countries offered a deal in which Iran would reportedly have to give up all nuclear activities.


In Haiti, Peacekeepers Take on Militants (AP) AP - Using armored cars and earth movers, U.N. peacekeepers and Haitian police moved into an area early Sunday controlled by militants loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, protecting workers removing burned out cars used as road blocks.


DirecTV Sees Up to \$1.6 Billion Charge  PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Satellite television provider  DirecTV Inc. said it may take up to \$1.6 billion in charges to  write down the value of satellites it would use for  broadcasting instead of high-speed data services.


Senators Concerned on Treatment of Iraqis (AP) AP - Leading senators expressed concern Sunday about a report that the CIA has secretly moved as many as a dozen unidentified prisoners out of Iraq in the past six months, a possible violation of international treaties.


Powell Presses N. Korea on Weapons Talks (AP) AP - Secretary of State Colin Powell pressed North Korea on Sunday to return to nuclear disarmament talks even as he branded the communist country a "terrorist state" that has "no respect for human rights."


Nikkei Drops 2 Percent on Exporters  TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average slid 2 percent by  midsession on Monday as a fall in the dollar jolted exporters,  while a strong earthquake that hit northern Japan at the  weekend lifted builders but dented firms whose operations it  affected.


Two Miami Linemen Could Be Out for Season (AP) AP - Miami defensive tackle Santonio Thomas and right guard Tyler McMeans both might miss the remainder of the season because of knee injuries.


Huge Cache of Explosives Vanished From Site in Iraq The Iraqi interim government has warned that nearly 380 tons of the world's most powerful conventional explosives are missing from a former military installation.


Ambush Kills 50 Iraq Soldiers Execution Style The soldiers were taken from three buses at a fake checkpoint northeast of Baghdad and killed mostly with bullets to their heads.


Gore and Kerry Unite in Search for Black Votes As polls suggest gains for President Bush among black voters, Democrats are trying to solidify their bloc.


EU set to clear Oracle-PeopleSoft takeover European Union competition authorities are expected Tuesday to clear unconditionally US firm Oracle #39;s hostile takeover of business software rival PeopleSoft, sources say.


Intel Calls Off Development of TV Chip Intel has stopped development of a display chip for large-screen television sets. The cancellation is yet another product setback this year for the world #39;s largest chipmaker, which has struggled with several product delays.


Ten Are Killed in Crash of Hendrick Team Plane A plane owned by the Nascar race team Hendrick Motorsports crashed Sunday en route to the Subway 500 Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway, killing all 10 on board.


Defectors Try to Enter S. Korea Consulate (AP) AP - As many as 19 people believed to be North Korean asylum seekers tried to dash into a South Korean consulate building in Beijing on Monday, but only three succeeded, a diplomat and a news report said.


Karzai Clinches Afghan Poll Win, Rival Concedes  KABUL (Reuters) - President Hamid Karzai clinched victory  in Afghanistan's historic presidential poll as his main rival  conceded defeat even before election workers began counting the  final votes on Monday.


Report: All 10 on NASCAR team plane die in crash All 10 people aboard a twin-engine plane owned by stock car racing team Hendrick Motorsports were killed Sunday when the plane crashed outside Martinsville, Virginia, according to a nearby funeral home.


Montoya wins final F1 race of season Colombia #39;s Juan Pablo Montoya won Sunday #39;s Brazilian Grand Prix, foiling the hopes of native son Rubens Barrichello and his Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher of Germany.


I thought I saw a shove, but I guess I need glasses Nothing happened, Reggie Wayne said. Nothing happened when the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver and Peyton Manning went face mask to face mask on the sideline late in Sunday #39;s game.


Kansas City Chiefs KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Priest Holmes and the Kansas City Chiefs  #39; physcial offensive line shredded the NFL #39;s top-ranked rushing defense.


RIGHT GAINS IN LITHUANIA ELECTIONS Right-wing parties have scored a surprise success in Lithuania #39;s parliamentary elections on the weekend. The right-wing Conservative Party and Liberal Center Union party won 43 seats together in the 141-member parliament.


Pieces Fall in Place Gilbert Arenas, Jarvis Hayes and Anthony Peeler return from minor injuries to play in the Wizards' 97-85 victory over the Bobcats.


Tokyo Stocks Open Lower; US Dollar Down TOKYO - Tokyo stocks opened lower Monday due to economic uncertainties following powerful earthquakes that hit northern Japan over the weekend.


Strong demand lifts Shanghai Petrochemical net Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Chinas top ethylene producer, said Sunday its nine-month net profit almost tripled due to rising demand for petrochemcial products from the countrys booming economy.


Chiefs go on the offensive, 56-10 When they arrived Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs had much more modest goals than setting NFL rushing touchdown records.  quot;I just thought about wanting to be part


Knicks Are Ready, Even if Houston Isn #39;t Opening night is on the horizon, but Allan Houston is still more curiosity than fixture in any discussion of the Knicks #39; rotation, and the remodeled lineup appears ready to take its first steps without him.


Typhoon Lashes Taiwan With Wind, Rain (AP) AP - Typhoon Nock-ten battered Taiwan on Monday as the storm's eye whirled just off the island's eastern coast, drenching mountainous regions with rain that could trigger deadly mudslides.


Crude Oil Prices Hug All-Time High A cyclist rides passed the Teleajen oil refinery, near Ploiesti, Romania, 60 kilometers north of Bucharest, Sunday Oct. 24 2004. Oil producers in Romania have again raised the price of fuels this weekend due


Candidates Preach Oil Independence to Unconverted Public Both major candidates for president want the country to be less dependent on foreign oil. But whoever is elected will face many of the same challenges that defeated


Dollar Hits Multi-Month Lows Vs Euro, Yen The dollar hit eight-month lows against the euro and six-month troughs versus the yen on Monday on continued worries about the US economy and the yawning trade deficit, and traders say it could fall even further.


NASA Puts Hands-Free Linkup to a Test Ever since two Gemini spacecraft met up high above Earth in 1965, the US space program has used astronauts for every rendezvous in orbit -- with other spacecraft, satellites, space stations or the Hubble Space Telescope.


NextWave given another filing extension WASHINGTON-NextWave Telecom Inc. has until Nov. 3 to detail how it plans to emerge from bankruptcy after the bankrupt PCS bidder was given another filing extension.


Brazil has successfully launched its first rocket into space. The rocket was launched from the Alcantara base in northern Brazil to conduct experiments just outside Earth #39;s atmosphere. The launch Saturday came 14 months after a deadly rocket explosion at the Altcantara


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


10 killed in crash of US small plane in Virginia A small plane en route to a NASCAR race crashed Sunday in southern Virginia, killing all 10 people aboard, officials said. The Beech 200 took off from Concord, North Carolina


Giants falter at home against Lions They were home to Detroit this week, coming off a bye, and did nothing to improve on the record. Joey Harrington completed 18 of the 22 passes he threw.


Six Pitcairn islanders found guilty of sex crimes Six of seven men on Pitcairn Island charged with sex crimes have been found guilty. Our correspondent in New Zealand, Gillian Bradford, says the island #39;s mayor, Steve Christian, has been convicted of some of the most serious offences.


U.S. Urges China to Push for More N.Korea Talks  BEIJING (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell urged  China on Monday to exert its influence over North Korea to  resume six-party negotiations on scrapping its suspected  nuclear weapons programs.