N Korea plans more blasts BEIJING - North Korea is planning to carry out further explosions as part of a hydroelectric power plant project after two major blasts last week that prompted worries of accidents and nuclear tests, the German ambassador to Pyongyang, who visited the


Storms Could Cause Delay in Shuttle Flights The battering that this month's hurricanes have inflicted on NASA centers could strain an already tight schedule for resuming shuttle flights, but it is too early to tell how badly.


Internet Cafes Shut in Vietnam for Porn, Politics (Reuters) Reuters - Authorities in southern Vietnam have shut\down 65 Internet cafes and kiosks after finding hundreds of\addresses of pornographic and anti-government Web sites on\their computers, a newspaper reported on Friday.


BP sees no energy supply problem The global oil industry has the capacity to meet future demand, BP's chief executive tells newspapers.


Jaguar plant awaits closure fate US car giant Ford is expected to tell Jaguar workers on Friday that it will close the firm's historic Coventry factory


Nortel stock battered by more bad news Shares in Nortel Networks Corp. dropped 9 per cent yesterday after the telecom equipment giant, the subject of several Canadian and US accounting probes, hinted that rivals are taking a bite out of its market share.


Microsoft to pay Californian briefs \$112 million A JUDGE IS ordering Microsoft to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California #39;s market.


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


Unrelenting rivalry moves into lion #39;s den The last time they saw each other, John Kerry was sitting in the Red Sox owner #39;s box on the eve of the Democratic National Convention and the front


China #39;s communist party must adapt to changing times--media BEIJING, China -- Chinese state media Friday said it was crucial the ruling communist party adapt to social changes but gave few clues about an apparent power struggle as a secretive party plenum entered a second day.


Consumer Prices Climb; Jobless Claims Up WASHINGTON Sept. 16, 2004 - Consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent in August, a sign that inflation poses no immediate risk to the economy.


Nortel shares tumble after growth forecast reduced TORONTO -- Nortel Networks shares fell yesterday after the troubled telecom equipment maker said its growth this year will likely trail the overall industry -- rather than outperforming its peers as the company had been predicting.


Karzai escapes bid on life Gardez (Afghanistan), Sept. 16 (Reuters): Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped an assassination bid today when a rocket was fired at his US military helicopter as it was landing in the southeastern town of Gardez.


Sri Lanka concern over violence (AFP) AFP - Sri Lanka expressed concern over truce violations by Tiger rebels as a top Norwegian envoy prepared to return home empty-handed after failing to end the island's talks deadlock, officials said.


S.Korea Says There Was No Big Blast in N.Korea  SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's latest assessment of a  widely reported explosion in North Korea last week is that  there was no blast at all at the suspected site, a vice  minister said on Friday.


Passenger Screenings to Be More Intrusive WASHINGTON - U.S. officials got a wake-up call last month about the need to screen airline passengers for explosives when two Chechen women apparently carried bombs onto two Russian planes and blew them up...


Ivan raises gas prices far from landfall Carolyn Roberts was ready for heavy wind and rain as the remnants of Hurricane Ivan approached northwest Georgia, but she didn #39;t anticipate storm-driven sticker shock at the gas pump.


Hackers to exploit latest Windows flaw HACKERS ARE swapping information online about the latest hole in Windows in the hope of getting a good exploit onto other people #39;s computers before they install SP2.


Big Blue installs Safekeeper TPM SafeKeeper Trusted I/O devices have a trusted platform module (TPM), which stores passwords, digital certificates, and encryption keys.


Souness Disappointed With Indiscipline Graeme Souness felt his Newcastle United side failed to cope with Bnei Sakhnin #39;s tactics during a 2-0 first leg Uefa Cup victory at St James Park that saw Nicky Butt and Abbass Swan of Bnei Sakhnin sent off and five visiting players booked.


Angels get all the breaks The Angels #39; team bus driver isn #39;t allowed to break the speed limit, but a couple of extra pumps on the gas pedal might have been in order as the big dog meandered toward Sea-Tac Airport on Thursday night.


Patriots not keeping tabs on streak The New England Patriots are so single-minded in pursuing their third Super Bowl triumph in four years that they almost have no room for any other history.


Contenders may be pacing, not chasing The Chase for the Nextel Cup begins Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. The question is, are drivers truly going to chase it, or are they going to sit back and let it come to them?


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


Airbus says bid to join EU case doesn #39;t mean it backs Microsoft Airbus sought to clarify its stance in Microsoft #39;s European antitrust case yesterday, saying it #39;s not taking the software company #39;s side.


Delta and pilots trying to curb impact of early retirements Delta Air Lines managers and pilots will meet again today and likely negotiate through the weekend to find a way to keep the airline staffed with pilots as many opt for early retirement.


Sony to Pay Billions for MGM Film Library Japanese consumer electronic giant Sony is hoping to close a deal that will give it control of the famed MGM studio in the United States.


Sports in brief: Locked-out NHL players look for work NHL players began scattering across the globe Thursday in search of work on Day 1 of the lockout, with no negotiations scheduled between union and management.


Souness rues ill-discipline Newcastle boss Graeme Souness admitted his side failed to adapt to Bnei Sakhnin #39;s tactics as they earned a 2-0 first leg victory at St James Park.


HUGHES TO PICK SOUNESS BRAIN Mark Hughes will pick Graeme Souness brains about his new job as boss of Blackburn - but the Welshman insists he will bring his own brand of management to Ewood Park.


Kevin Roberts: Moss is on everyone #39;s agenda If Monday #39;s game comes down to Lito Sheppard vs. Randy Moss, the Eagles are in trouble. If Monday #39;s game comes down to Sheldon Brown .


French Open champ Myskina tumbles in Bali French Open champion Anastasia Myskina of Russia must face an early exit in the Wismilak International Tennis Tournament in Bali after losing to Maria Elena Camerin of


SI.com ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Jeff Kent is doing his best to try and carry the Houston Astros to the postseason. Kent continued his big September by knocking in four runs as the Astros posted an 8-3 victory over the mistake-prone St.


Comets to miss 1st WNBA playoffs HOUSTON -- For the first time in franchise history, the Houston Comets will not be part of the WNBA postseason. Tangela Smith had 17 points and six rebounds for the Sacramento Monarchs, who used a 12-0 run


UN Secretary-General Annan calls US-led war in Iraq  #39;illegal #39; During the past 18 months, Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations has expressed many reservations about the war in Iraq.


Afghan leader escapes attack rocket exploded near a helicopter carrying President Hamid Karzai yesterday, forcing him to abandon his trip and raising questions about how difficult it will be for him


Radical Chechen Rebel Leader Takes Blame for Terror Attacks Radical Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev has apparently taken responsibility for a recent series of terrorist attacks in Russia.


Profile: Indonesia #39;s pioneering magazine Indonesia #39;s news magazine Tempo is one of Indonesia #39;s most respected publications, but, over its 30 year history, it has never been a stranger to controversy.


Cherie Blair denies quit rumours Cherie Blair, the prime minister #39;s wife, has denied claims that her husband considered standing down earlier this year. Mrs Blair said she would have been  quot;one of the first people to know quot; if the allegations were true.


LA hotel lockout could spur more labor action A major Los Angeles hotel locked out laundry workers yesterday in a move the general manager said could lead to a strike by union employees which, in turn, could spur action in two other major US cities.


Plea Due in MedImmune Stock Case A former executive at the Gaithersburg biotechnology firm MedImmune Inc. is scheduled to plead guilty today to criminal charges related to his allegedly improper stock trades, according to court papers.


Corning: Glass substrate shipments to increase 70 in 2004 The company estimates shipments will grow 5-10 this quarter, with a 10 growth in shipments to Taiwan-based panel makers. Even though panel shipments from Taiwan companies declined in July and August, Corning


Padres shut out Dodgers Adam Eaton allowed five hits over seven innings for his career-high 10th victory, Brian Giles homered for the second straight game, and the San Diego Padres beat the Dodgers, 3-0, last night in Los Angeles.


IRA shutdown hinges on talks As Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern go into the second day of peace talks with the political parties, paramilitary weapons were central to chances of success.


WORLD BRIEFS INDONESIAN EDITOR SENTENCED. An Indonesian court sentenced a leading magazine editor to 1 year in prison yesterday for defamation and  quot;inciting unrest quot; in a story published last year in Tempo, the nation #39;s top news magazine.


Europe, US agree on draft resolution on Iran nuclear program (AFP) AFP - The United States and three major European nations have reached agreement in Vienna on a draft resolution on Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program in a breakthrough that could lead to the text being adopted Friday by the UN nuclear watchdog, a US official told AFP.


Singapore may post double-digit economic growth in 2004 (AFP) AFP - Singapore may post double-digit economic growth this year, above the official forecast of 8.0-9.0 percent, Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said.


Irish Defensive Line Shuts Down Opponents (AP) AP - Linebacker Mike Goolsby knows better than anyone that Notre Dame's defensive line makes it difficult to run.


Open Source Software Goes to Work (PC World) PC World - Businesses don't have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line.


Goldman Sachs offers to buy stakes in Japan's Takefuji (AFP) AFP - US investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has offered to buy stakes in Japan's biggest consumer finance firm Takefuji Corp. for more than 300 billion yen (2.8 billion dollars), a report said.


Indonesia prepares for landmark presidential election (AFP) AFP - Indonesians cast their ballots Monday in the country's first democratic presidential election in a vote which will cap months of polls and finally consign decades of dictatorship to history.


Symantec To Launch Web Console For Managing Macs (TechWeb) TechWeb - Symantec announced it is working on a Web-based console for IT administrators to manage Norton AntiVirus for the Macintosh clients -- the software is expected in two months.


Fertility Clinics Vary on Embryo Disposal (AP) AP - The nation's fertility clinics vary widely when it comes to how they perform one of the most delicate aspects of their jobs: disposing of unused frozen human embryos that were created to help infertile women become pregnant.


STM, Oil Prices Pressure European Shares  PARIS (Reuters) - European shares inched lower on Friday as  a broker downgrade hit STMicroelectronics and volatile oil  prices continued to feed economic worries, offsetting solid  earnings at utility Veolia.


Indonesia Police Make First Embassy Bombing Arrest  JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police have made their first  arrest linked to a car bomb attack outside the Australian  embassy last week, detaining a man in West Java province, the  police chief said on Friday.


Iran May Extend Partial Nuke Enrichment Freeze  VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran's policymakers may decide to extend  its partial freeze on uranium enrichment, a process that can  make fuel for nuclear power plants or weapons, a senior Iranian  official said on Friday.


Reporter Smuggles Fake Bomb Into British Parliament  LONDON (Reuters) - An undercover reporter smuggled fake  bomb-making equipment into the British parliament, a day after  fox hunting protesters made a mockery of security by bursting  onto the floor of the debating chamber.


More than just a pretty face His face was as hard as flint, which is not easy for someone who looks like Oscar De La Hoya.


Zooming into prominence For Tricia Alley, the dilemma was both ecclesiastical and logistical. In short, how to fit in her weekly obligation to the Roman Catholic church so as not to conflict with her weekly avocation -- NASCAR. Living in the Seattle area, that was a tough call, given the races are aired Sunday mornings and last longer than even the most protracted ...


He's no Cup-cake at the event I'm a Montyphile and damn proud of it. Colin Montgomerie is achingly, valiantly, eternally human . If Monty isn't going to speak, well, he isn't going to speak. I was one of the many brushed off when he shot a frustrating 84 in the rain that horrible Saturday at Muirfield two years ago. But when Monty ...


NL notables Aramis Ramirez tied the club record with 14 total bases. His three homers gave the Cubs a franchise-record 213 this season, topping the 1998 club.


Brushing off the buzz So, Bronson Arroyo , will you pitch Alex Rodriguez any differently tonight in Yankee Stadium than you did the last time you faced him at Fenway Park July 24?


Twins win 9th straight Kyle Lohse pitched seven sharp innings, Michael Cuddyer went 3 for 4 with a homer, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox, 10-1, at Minneapolis for their ninth straight victory.


AL notables Rangers' Alfonso Soriano left the game in Oakland in the eighth after injuring his left leg on a headfirst slide, putting the rest of his season in doubt. He will have an MRI exam today.


UK Betting gets Euro 2004 boost Online gaming and sports content firm UK Betting reduces its first-half losses, helped by cost cuts and big events like Euro 2004.


Milloy won't be ready for Patriots Injured Buffalo Bills safety Lawyer Milloy ruled out any chance of returning to face the Patriots next month. That means Milloy, who broke his right forearm in a preseason game Aug. 28, will miss at least another three weeks, including the Oct. 3 game against the Patriots in Buffalo.  quot;Believe me, I would love to come back for that game, quot; ...


Wilfork has a nose for his new position Vince Wilfork came to the Patriots this offseason as a defensive lineman, meaning that in college he was accustomed to working his way to the opponent's backfield when the ball was snapped. But New England's first-round draft pick is now playing nose tackle, which means he must stay put and keep a crease from forming in the middle.


But seriously, folks There are times to go with the strong -- and there are times to go against the weak. In this case, Buffalo, Houston, and Miami. Each looked miserable last week and the hunch is this week will be more of the same.


Revolution hope history repeats itself Based on their finishes in the last two MLS regular seasons, the Revolution could be in a position of strength. Though the Revolution (5-11-9) are in last place in the overall standings, their recent track record in the final five games of the season provides hope.


Sinden: Owners in lockstep on lockout Harry Sinden didn't want to say,  quot;I told you so, quot; because he didn't see there was anything to be gained from it.


QB Santos gets Wildcats running wild When the University of New Hampshire published its 2004 media guide, redshirt freshman Ricky Santos wasn't even one of its featured quarterbacks.


Under Woods, Stonehill making some noise When Stonehill hired Chris Woods as its football coach after last season, the hope was he could once again revive a disappointing program.


This weekend's key New England games WILLIAM  amp; MARY (0-1) vs. UNH (2-0) When and where: Tomorrow at noon in Durham, N.H. Last season: William  amp; Mary won, 38-28. Comments: The 10th-ranked Wildcats have jumped out to a 2-0 start behind the surprising play of redshirt freshman quarterback Ricky Santos. Since stepping in for an injured Mike Granieri, Santos has completed 40-of-51 pass attempts for 531 ...


UConn-BC: Lots of hard feelings You know they have been polishing their knuckles for this one ever since Boston College announced last Oct. 12 it was leaving the Big East to become the Atlantic Coast Conference's 12th member, joining fellow Big East defectors Miami and Virginia Tech.


Inflation inches up in August  Consumer prices rose slightly in August, easing fears that inflation, which surged earlier this year, would rapidly pick up steam.


Langer's pairings apparent Unlike US captain Hal Sutton, who kept his pairings for the opening matches of the 35th Ryder Cup guarded like a state secret, it was easy to read into Bernhard Langer's mind-set. All you had to do was track the way the final practice groups were organized by the European captain.


When steady is sexy American Funds sells mutual funds you could bring home to meet your parents: the funds are always described with words like  quot;steady, quot;  quot;solid, quot; and  quot;dependable. quot;


Spectators didn't get their Phil More than a few fans expressed displeasure that they spent \$40 for practice-round tickets to the 35th Ryder Cup, yet didn't see Phil Mickelson either of the last two days at Oakland Hills Country Club.


Lindquist resigns as Whitehead director The first woman to lead the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge is stepping down as director of one of the nation's leading biological research centers to return full time to her research.


B-R's opening task is not an easy one When the Old Colony League was trimmed to just four teams during the offseason, the spotlight was quickly cast on Bridgewater-Raynham's game at Marshfield Oct. 29.


Museum Towers sells for \$145.7m  Museum Towers, a six-year-old luxury high-rise apartment complex overlooking the Charles River in East Cambridge, sold this week for what is believed to be a record per-unit price in Greater Boston, and will be converted to condominiums ranging from \$350,000 to \$750,000.


This week's schedule TODAY'S GAMES Division 1 NONLEAGUE -- BC High at Bridgewater-Raynham, 4; Malden at Melrose, 6:30; Taunton at Attleboro, 7; Brockton at Barnstable, 7; Lynn Classical at Cambridge, 7; Winchester at Catholic Memorial, 7; Durfee at Falmouth, 7; Peabody at Salem, 7; Medford vs. Woburn at Burlington, 7; Malden Catholic at Revere, 7; Somerville at North Quincy, 7; Xaverian at Waltham, ...


For the record Correction: A correction in Thursday's paper gave incorrect scores for two high school football games. Brockton defeated BC High, 12-8, and Durfee beat Barnstable, 14-13.


Marshfield holds off Billerica Billerica's furious comeback attempt fell short as Jerry Freed intercepted three passes to lead Marshfield to a 27-15 win last night.


Fed calls strategy on rates success WASHINGTON -- The unusual strategy adopted by the Federal Reserve in the summer of 2003 for stoking the US economy without cutting interest rates was a clear success, researchers at the US central bank have concluded in a new study.


Cingular offers handset for blind In a first for the US cellphone industry, Cingular Wireless LLC yesterday began offering a handset specially designed for blind and vision-impaired people, with software that can convert virtually everything on the phone screen -- including text messages -- to synthesized speech.


Airline passengers face tighter security checks WASHINGTON -- Starting next week, all airline passengers must take off their jackets before passing through metal detectors and more will be subjected to pat-down searches and checks for explosives, the Transportation Security Administration said yesterday.


Delta seeks deal to keep pilots NEW YORK -- Delta Air Lines Inc. managers and pilots will meet again today, and likely negotiate through the weekend, to find a way to keep the airline staffed with pilots, as many opt for early retirement.


Stelios enters online music fray The Easyjet founder teams up with UK download service Wippit to enter the online music market.


Annan backs US bidon Sudan resolution UNITED NATIONS Annan backs US bid on Sudan resolution Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday threw his weight behind a US-drafted resolution on Sudan's Darfur region, saying the Security Council should adopt it immediately to stop atrocities.  quot;It is urgent to act now. Civilians are still being attacked and fleeing their villages as we speak, quot; Annan told reporters of the resolution ...


Disputing Annan, allies say Iraq war legal  LONDON -- Britain, Australia, and a former US official, stung by criticism from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, insisted yesterday that their countries' military action in Iraq was legal.


US intelligence assessment on Iraq in line with global reports WASHINGTON -- A highly classified US intelligence assessment that lays out dismal predictions for the future of Iraq -- including the possibility of civil war by 2005 -- mirrors assessments that are being made by analysts around the world, according to diplomats and members of the intelligence community.


Indonesian editor found guilty in libel case JAKARTA, Indonesia -- A court sentenced Tempo magazine editor Bambang Harymurti yesterday to one year in prison for defamation and inciting unrest in a case watched by press freedom advocates.


Sony warning on Christmas sales Sony warns that it does not expect profits at its home electronics business to recover  in the normally busy Christmas season.


Burnout offers thrills aplenty The third outing for the Burnout franchise offers jaw-dropping action that is difficult to fault and perilously addictive.


US inflation rate in check WASHINGTON: New data yesterday showed US inflation in check, with consumer prices up a modest 0.1 per cent in August, giving the Federal Reserve room go slow on boosting interest rates.


Where In The World Is That Job? (CBS/AP) Perhaps it has happened to you or someone you know: a job lost to a faceless competitor continents away, as part of the trend that has seen millions of jobs shift from the US to overseas in the past few years.


Open Source Software Goes to Work Businesses don #39;t have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line. Sometimes the big software vendors act like their customers are locked into the proprietary products they sell.


Florida IT Managers Balance Tech Needs, Workforce Issues in Storms SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Miami-Dade County #39;s IT operations center serves the largest metropolitan area in the state of Florida and is staffed around the clock.


Millennium International Tennis Championships Greg Rusedski, has booked himself a place in the quarter finals at Delray Beach in Florida after his straight sets 6-3, 6-4 win over Matias Boeker.


Upcoming auto races Last race: Jeremy Mayfield won his first race in more than four years and advanced to the championship chase by taking the Chevrolet 400 at Richmond International Raceway.


Open Source Software Goes to Work Businesses don't have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line.


Singapore #39;s Leading Media Firms to Merge Singapore #39;s largest media publisher and the city-state #39;s biggest free-to-air broadcaster will take stakes in each others #39; operations, the two companies said Friday, four years after the industry was deregulated to boost competition.


Oscar #39;s dad in his corner Bernard Hopkins is experiencing flashbacks before his undisputed middleweight title showdown with Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand tomorrow night.


Schilling wins No. 20 BOSTON - Curt Schilling got his 20th win on the eve of the Red Sox #39;s big series with the Yankees. Now he wants much more.  quot;In a couple of weeks, hopefully, it will get a lot better, quot; he said after becoming


Koizumi, Silva Discuss Stronger Ties Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi headed to Mexico to seal a free trade agreement after pledging to push for stronger relations between Japan and Brazil, South America #39;s largest country.


5 EU states agree to set up gendarmerie force Defense ministers from five European states signed here Friday morning a Declaration of intent on set up a European gendarmerie force.


easyMusic picks Wippit for pre-Xmas launch easyJet founder turns to 'easyJet for iPod generation' service


Ferdinand to repay Ferguson debt of honour (AFP) AFP - Rio Ferdinand plans to repay a debt of honour to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for standing by him when he returns from his eight month ban for missing a drugs test against Liverpool on Monday.


Indian inflation falls to 7.81 pct (Reuters) Reuters - India's annual wholesale price inflation rate fell to 7.81 percent in the year to Sept. 4 due to lower prices of oilseeds and poultry and a higher base effect, data showed on Friday.


US Treasuries Up, Cement Overnight Gains  LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries were higher on Friday,  after cementing in Asia their New York data-driven gains  Thursday and awaiting the University of Michigan consumer  sentiment index later in the session.


U.S. Says Kills 60 Foreign Fighters in Iraq Strike  FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes launched fresh air  strikes overnight around the rebel-held city of Falluja,  killing about 60 foreign fighters loyal to Jordanian militant  Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the U.S. military said on Friday.


Afghans Hold Taliban Suspects for Karzai Attack  KABUL (Reuters) - Three suspected Taliban members have been  arrested for trying to kill Afghan President Hamid Karzai by  firing a rocket at his helicopter during his first election  campaign trip outside Kabul, officials said on Friday.


This weekend on TV, radio TODAY AUTO RACING 3 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Sylvania 300 qualifying at N.H. International Speedway, Loudon, N.H., TNT PRO BASEBALL 7 p.m. -- Red Sox at New York Yankees, Ch. 38, WEEI (850) (on cable systems where Ch. 38 is not available, the game will air on NESN); Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, ESPN 6 p.m. -- Eastern League finals: ...


Bid to avert new S Africa strikes South African unions and government officials meet to try and thrash out a pay deal, as more strikes loom next week.


No shortcuts for staying safe As boating goes, it may be summer's version of snowshoeing -- inexpensive and easy to learn. For those reasons, not to mention the beauty and exercise factors, the number of sea kayakers grows by great leaps every season as these little boats -- some costing under \$500 -- proliferate on every New England shore.


It's time to cut to Chase at NHIS Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway (TNT, green flag shortly after 1 p.m.) is going to take some serious 'splainin, especially for those who fall into the category of casual NASCAR viewers.


Johnny Cash auction closes at \$4m Johnny Cash's instruments and possessions raise almost \$4m (2.2) after a three-day auction in New York.


Philippine shares down Friday Philippine shares finished lower Friday for the fourth straight session, led by losses in blue chip Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.


Simulating life, love and the Universe As a boy, Will Wright liked to fiddle with models. The man behind The Sims phenomenon liked to make ships, planes, and most things mechanical.


Japan Orders Citigroup to Close 4 Offices  TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's financial regulator on Friday  ordered the Japanese commercial banking unit of Citigroup Inc.  to close four offices for violating banking laws.


IBM Settles Part of Giant Pension Lawsuit  NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp.  IBM.N has settled for an undisclosed sum part of a  potentially multi-billion-dollar lawsuit over its pension plan,  a Wednesday court filing shows.


Australian Stocks Rise; Metcash Has Biggest Gain Since 2001 Australian stocks rose as Metcash Trading Ltd. had its biggest gain in almost four years after Citigroup Inc. raised the stock #39;s rating, citing an offer to buy Foodland Associated Ltd.


US blue chips fall as oil prices rise, but Apple lifts Nasdaq NEW YORK : US blue chips ended lower on Monday on higher oil prices and an analyst downgrade of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer; but techs managed a small gain, helped by an upgrade for Apple Computer.


Leader Says Rebels Were Responsible for Siege in Russia Radical Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev purportedly took responsibility Friday for a recent series of terrorist attacks in Russia.


Talks with Boeing on Airbus subsidies deadlocked TALKS between the United States and the European Union over subsidies for rival aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing ended last night without agreement.


Reason to beware The death and destruction inflicted by Hurricane Ivan confirms that Southwest Floridians #39; fears of the powerful hurricane were well justified.


Boeker #39;s a wreck - even before he #39;s ousted Delray Beach  Matias Boeker learned a couple of valuable lessons at his first ATP event this week. First, he #39;s done driving himself to tournaments after being involved in a multiple


Chase for the Cup underway These are some of the questions waiting to be answered heading into this weekend #39;s first race of NASCAR #39;s inaugural Chase for the Championship.


Rio says he owes Sir Alex RIO FERDINAND plans to repay Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for standing by him when he returns against Liverpool on Monday after an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.


Chechen Warlord Threatens More Attacks After Beslan Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility on Friday for the Russian school siege in which more than 320 hostages were killed, half of them children, and


Bid to avert new S Africa strikes Unions and government officials are meeting in South Africa on Friday in an attempt to thrash out a pay deal to avert a new wave of strikes next week.


US Says Kills 60 Foreign Fighters in Iraq Strike US forces launched fresh attacks in and near the restive Iraqi city of Falluja overnight, killing about 60 foreign fighters, the US military said on Friday.


Bonds Heads Home Still Looking for No. 700 (AP) AP - Barry Bonds left Milwaukee without No. 700. Aramis Ramirez left the Cincinnati Reds in awe.


Car Bomb Blast in Central Baghdad - Police (Reuters) Reuters - A car bomb exploded near a police\station in central Baghdad on Friday, and a thick column of\smoke was seen rising from the east side of the Tigris river,\Iraqi police and witnesses said.


IBM Settles Part of Giant Pension Lawsuit (Reuters) Reuters - International Business Machines Corp.\ has settled for an undisclosed sum part of a\potentially multi-billion-dollar lawsuit over its pension plan,\a Wednesday court filing shows.


Miners Help European Stocks Turn Around  PARIS (Reuters) - Basic producers helped European shares  turn positive on Friday, but telecoms firm Cable   Wireless  bucked the firmer trend after unveiling a hefty investment and  volatile oil prices kept investors cautious.


Ford to decide UK Jaguar plant #39;s fate LONDON (CBS.MW) - Ford Motor Co. on Friday is expected to announce its plans for its main Jaguar factory in the UK, which could include closing the factory.


UK ITunes Prices Questioned LONDON -- Apple Computer #39;s three-month-old European iTunes service came under attack Wednesday from Britain #39;s Consumers #39; Association, which asked the Office of Fair Trading, a business watchdog, to investigate why the service #39;s prices are higher than


AOL dumps Microsoft #39;s Sender ID America Online (AOL) has ditched Microsoft #39;s Sender ID technology in favour of Sender Policy Framework (SPF). The move follows concerns over Sender ID voiced by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) earlier this week.


Cops seize weapons from home of teenager Police thought it was a case of boneheaded teen bragging when the tip came in. But then they found homemade bombs, school blueprints, an assault rifle and shotguns stashed in his basement and attic.


Symantec backpedals over mislabelled Trojan Symantec has revoked its decision to blacklist a program that allows Web surfers in China to browse government-blocked Web sites. The move follows reports that the firm labelled the Freegate program, which


Greg sails into last eight Greg Rusedski brushed aside American Matias Boeker in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Millennium International tournament in Florida.


Hopkins has done things his way For the fight of his life, undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins chose some music that says something about his life. When he enters the ring Saturday to face Oscar De La Hoya, it won #39;t be to pulsating rap.


AUTO RACING: Fighting-mad Mayfield fired up for the Chase Talk about a roller-coaster ride for the 35-year-old racer from Owensboro, Ky., who made the drive of his life last Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.


Bonds on hold, Giants on roll MILWAUKEE -- Despite all the spotlight and all the hype -- how often does ESPN put a weekday afternoon baseball game on TV? -- Barry Bonds didn #39;t hit his 700th home run Thursday.


Rossi misses provisional pole AMERICAN rider John Hopkins upset pre-race favourites, including world champion Valentino Rossi, to take provisional pole today for the weekend Japan Grand Prix with a record lap time on the first practice day.


First arrest over Jakarta bombing Indonesian police have made their first arrest in connection with last week #39;s bombing at the Australian embassy in Jakarta. Police chief Da #39;i Bachtiar said a man had been arrested for carrying explosives for


Car bomb explodes in Baghdad A car bomb has exploded near a police station in central Baghdad and a thick column of smoke was seen rising from the east side of the Tigris river, Iraqi police and witnesses say.


U.S. Deserter Leaves Army Base for New Life in Japan  TOKYO (Reuters) - A former U.S. army sergeant who deserted  to North Korea nearly four decades ago left a U.S. military  base near Tokyo on Tuesday for a new life with his family in  his Japanese wife's home town.


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


UN, Iran said in talks on military sites VIENNA -- UN nuclear inspectors are negotiating with Iran for access to as many as four military sites that have programs or equipment that could be diverted to development of nuclear weapons, diplomats at the International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday.


Dominican Republic battered SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Tropical Storm Jeanne brought heavy rain and winds to the Dominican Republic yesterday after killing two people in Puerto Rico, as the latest in a stream of Atlantic storms crossed the Caribbean toward the United States.


Party Leader Hopeful on Ulster Talks A deal to dismantle the IRA and revive Northern Irelands power-sharing administration is taking shape, SDLP leader Mark Durkan claimed today.


Indonesian polls point to change Election-eve opinion polls in Indonesia suggest the country is headed for a change of president. Ahead of Monday #39;s vote, incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri is well behind her former security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, polls suggest.


Miners Help European Stocks Turn Around (Reuters) Reuters - Basic producers helped European shares\turn positive on Friday, but telecoms firm Cable   Wireless\bucked the firmer trend after unveiling a hefty investment and\volatile oil prices kept investors cautious.


Oil Rises as Storms Threaten Supply  LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Friday on  worries that the ongoing storm season in the U.S. Gulf would  continue to hamper energy production and imports, delaying  vital pre-winter stock building.


U.S. Treasuries on Firm Footing  LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices were higher on  Friday, cementing gains made the previous day, in the face of  growing speculation that the pace of U.S. interest rate hikes  could slow.


People on Mars Possible in 20 to 30 Years (Reuters) Reuters - People could land on Mars in the\next 20 to 30 years provided scientists can find water on the\red planet, the head of NASA's surface exploration mission said\on Wednesday.


CHRONOLOGY-Events Since North Korean Blast First Reported  SEOUL (Reuters) - A cloud of confusion surrounded a widely  reported explosion in North Korea last week with South Korea  saying on Friday its latest assessment was that no blast at all  occurred at the suspected site.


Jacques Villeneuve: The team and I share a common goal As his position with Renault for the final three races of 2004 was announced today, Jacques Villeneuve spoke positively about the future.


TOM WALSH: Message-free at the tee Peck, golf marketing manager for General Motors Corp. #39;s Buick division, helped remove Woods #39; clubs from his regular golf bag, which features Buick logos and crests on the strap, front, sides and even on the golf umbrella tucked into the bag.


Unions and Car Chiefs in Talks on Jaguar Plant Union leaders today arrived at luxury car-maker Jaguar for crucial talks over the future of the Coventry Browns Lane plant. The factory, which opened in 1951 and currently employs


New format becomes a game of survival The Chase for the Nextel Cup will begin in earnest Sunday with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. It will be the first event of NASCAR #39;s inaugural 10


MLB: Anaheim 6, Seattle 1 Anaheim got help from Seattle errors and scored four runs in the eighth inning Thursday in a 6-1 win over the Mariners. The Angels stayed two games behind first-place Oakland in the American League West.


U.S. Treasuries on Firm Footing (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. Treasury prices were higher on\Friday, cementing gains made the previous day, in the face of\growing speculation that the pace of U.S. interest rate hikes\could slow.


Wall Street Seen Flat; TI Buyback to Buoy (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. stocks were set for a steady start\on Friday with a billion dollar share buyback plan at Texas\Instruments  lending some backbone to the technology\sector.


EIA Says Heating Oil Bills to Rise (Reuters) Reuters - The United States has plenty of fuel in\storage for winter heating thanks to near full-throttle\refinery production, but household energy bills are still\likely to be up sharply, the head of the U.S. Energy\Information Administration (EIA) said on Friday.


HSBC, Shanxi Trust to form joint venture in China (AFP) AFP - British-based banking giant HSBC Holdings is to team up with Shanxi Trust and Investment Corp to form a joint venture fund management company in China, HSBC announced.


Alcatel Bolsters U.S. Presence (Reuters) Reuters - Alcatel  has expanded its\foothold in the key North American market with the acquisition\of a mobile software provider and a conference technology\business for  #36;277 million.


Australia investigating if Iraq body could be rumored hostage (AFP) AFP - Australia was investigating whether a foreigner found dead in central Iraq could be one of two Australians allegedly kidnapped in the country earlier this week.


Wall Street Seen Flat; TI Buyback to Buoy  LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set for a steady start  on Friday with a billion dollar share buyback plan at Texas  Instruments TXN.N lending some backbone to the technology  sector.


EIA Says Heating Oil Bills to Rise  VIENNA (Reuters) - The United States has plenty of fuel in  storage for winter heating thanks to near full-throttle  refinery production, but household energy bills are still  likely to be up sharply, the head of the U.S. Energy  Information Administration (EIA) said on Friday.


Alcatel Bolsters U.S. Presence  PARIS (Reuters) - Alcatel CGEP.PA has expanded its  foothold in the key North American market with the acquisition  of a mobile software provider and a conference technology  business for \$277 million.


UNLV Names Sanford Head Football Coach  LAS VEGAS (Sports Network) - Mike Sanford has been hired as  the ninth head football coach at UNLV. The former Utah  offensive coach takes over for the retired John Robinson.


Baghdad Car Bomb Death Toll Rises to 13 - Ministry  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 13 Iraqis were killed in a  suicide car bomb attack on a major police checkpoint in central  Baghdad on Friday, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.


Indonesia Police Make First Embassy Bombing Arrest  JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police have made their first  arrest over a car bombing outside the Australian embassy last  week, detaining a man they said on Friday had helped their top  suspect prepare the attack.


Jaguar's Coventry plant to close Jaguar's historic Brown's Lane factory in Coventry is to close, Ford has confirmed, with 400 jobs expected to be lost.


Woods, Mickelson to Start in Ryder Cup BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Always rivals, barely friends, finally partners...


Mobiles track down wi-fi hotspots Fans of wireless internet access can now find their nearest wi-fi hotspot using their mobile phone.


Jaguar workers resigned to closure Business leaders in the West Midlands are bracing themselves for the potentially disastrous impact of any decision to close the local Jaguar factory.


Wall Street Seen Flat; TI Buyback to Buoy US stocks were set for a steady start on Friday with a billion dollar share buyback plan at Texas Instruments (TXN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) lending some backbone to the technology sector.


NeoPharm regains control of cancer drugs from Pfizer NeoPharm Inc., a biotechnology company developing cancer treatments, said it regained ownership of two cancer compounds after Pfizer Inc.


Choose Your Camera Shopping for a digital camera is stressful. Most stores carry a fraction of the 200-plus cameras on the market, and except at specialty stores, salespeople aren #39;t much help.


Cricket-Cricket Australia keeps fingers crossed over India TV <b>...</b> MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) - Cricket Australia said it is powerless to intervene in the wrangle over television rights for the much-awaited tour of India later this month.


Israeli Arab team enter big league An Israeli football team which includes both Arab and Jewish players is to kick off its first big international match on Thursday evening in the UEFA cup.


Cubs Keep Pace: Ramirez fuels 5-4 victory CINCINNATI, Ohio - While there were 32 active players on the Chicago Cubs roster Thursday night at Great American Ball Park, it was the Aramis Ramirez show with which folks were treated to in the Queen City.


5 EU states sign declaration on gendarmerie force Five European Union (EU) member states signed a declaration of intent here Friday for a European gendarmerie force, marking a new milestone in the bloc #39;s road to independent defense building.


Consumer Prices Inch Up; Inflation Fears Continue to Fade September 17, 2004 -- Consumer prices rose only 0.1 percent in August, led by a decline in gas and car prices, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.


Chip tool orders fall in August SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Orders for chip-equipment placed with North American manufacturers declined in August and could decline further in coming months, an industry trade group said late Thursday.


Attack of the Radio Clones Microsoft's new internet streaming service attempts to replicate terrestrial stations, without all the annoying chatter -- and without permission. By Randy Dotinga.


Farewell to Gravity What once was the exclusive state of astronauts -- weightlessness -- is now available to anyone with a few grand to spare. Xeni Jardin goes for a ride on a commercial zero-gravity flight.


Bush, Lawmakers Discuss Social Security (AP) AP - President Bush sought support from congressional leaders of both parties Monday for his proposal to overhaul Social Security, which promises to be a hotly contested political issue during his second term.


Sky Captain Barely Stays Aloft The first film to be shot entirely against a blue screen boasts a striking visual style and deft references to adventure classics. But ultimately it's a bland tale. Jason Silverman reviews Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.


Twist a Pen, Open a Lock Kryptonite's near-indestructible bike locks can be opened in seconds with a cheap plastic pen. This is pretty bad for Kryptonite: The same lock is widely used in vending machines, security panels and vehicle security products. By Leander Kahney.


Freak Rock to Buzz Earth An asteroid with a wild orbit is about to zoom by our planet. Plus: Solving the mystery of the Pioneer anomaly could take decades.... A biologist finds a chunk of space shuttle Columbia. By Amit Asaravala.


U.K. ITunes Prices Questioned A watchdog group asks a consumer-protection agency to look into the higher price of songs on Apple's British version of its iTunes service. Wendy M. Grossman reports from London.


Spam-Busting Plan Can't Buy a Pal Microsoft's antispam Sender ID technology continues to get the cold shoulder. Now AOL adds its voice to a growing chorus of businesses and organizations shunning the proprietary e-mail authentication system.


Ford to end Jaguar production at plant in Coventry (AFP) AFP - Jaguar car production is to end at a plant in Coventry, Warwickshire, with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs because of weak demand for the luxury brand, US parent company Ford announced.


XP price cut may be just the beginning (SiliconValley.com) SiliconValley.com - A tiny yet important crack has opened, with little notice, in the great Windows monopoly that surrounds personal computing.


Villeneuve to Race for Renault to End of Season  LONDON (Reuters) - Canadian Jacques Villeneuve will race  the last three grands prix of the season for Renault, the  Formula One team said on Friday.


Chechen Warlord Threatens More Attacks After Beslan  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed  responsibility on Friday for the Russian school siege in which  more than 320 hostages were killed, half of them children, and  threatened more attacks by any means he saw fit.


Pakistan Army Pounds Militants' Mountain Hideouts  WANA, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Pakistani army fired mortar  bombs and artillery shells at suspected mountain hideouts of al  Qaeda-linked militants in a remote tribal region on Friday, but  there were no details of casualties, witnesses said.


Pipeline blast kills 12 in Lagos At least 12 people die in an explosion at a fuel pipeline on the outskirts of Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos.


India withdraws anti-terror law The Indian cabinet agrees to repeal a controversial anti-terrorism law which it says has been misused.


'Water factory' aims to filter tensions The solution to one of the thorniest problems in the Middle East may be taking shape on an anonymous-looking building site in south-west Israel.


EDS hit by US Airways #39; Chapter 11 EDS (Electronic Data Systems) warned yesterday that its third quarter earnings would take a significant hit from US Airways #39; Chapter 11 filing on Sunday.


Canada #39;s Top Central Banker Says Economy Looking Best in Years Canadian central bank chief David Dodge told Finance Minister Ralph Goodale in July the country #39;s chances of steady economic and job growth are the best in years, a rosier assessment than his public statements on the matter.


Kodak, IBM See Eye to Eye on New Image Sensors Eastman Kodak Company and IBM will work together to develop and manufacture image sensors used in such consumer products as digital still cameras and camera phones.


Insurers spared direct hit by Ivan Insurers breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as Hurricane Ivan skirted New Orleans as well as the heart of the Gulf of Mexico #39;s oil region, saving the companies billions of dollars in claims.


AFL-CIO pounds job loss Washington -- The AFL-CIO cranked up its campaign to stop the export of US jobs on Thursday by starting a database designed to track companies that outsource jobs overseas.


Dyer out for several weeks Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer will be out for several weeks following a hamstring injury sustained in Thursday #39;s UEFA Cup match.


Home runs, errors and Cubs, oh my The Cubs third baseman homered, doubled and homered in his first three at-bats against Reds starting pitcher Josh Hancock at Great American Ball Park.


49ERS NOTEBOOK McAllister: the star running back that got away It could have been the Candlestick crowds crooning  quot;Deuuuce quot; instead of those in New Orleans. The 49ers were enamored with Saints running back Deuce McAllister before the 2001 draft, when McAllister went to the Saints with the 23rd overall pick.


Suspects Arrested in Rocket Attack On Afghan President #39;s <b>...</b> Afghan officials say they have arrested three suspects in connection with a rocket attack on a helicopter carrying President Hamid Karzai.


Suicide car bomb kills five in Baghdad A government source told Reuters he expected  quot;huge quot; casualties from Friday #39;s explosion, adding police officers were among the dead.


U.S. Stocks Set for Slightly Firmer Open  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set to move slightly  higher at the open on Friday with a \$1 billion share buyback at  Texas Instruments Inc. TXN.N supporting technology stocks,  although rising oil prices could limit gains.


European Stocks Hit 10-Week Peak  LONDON (Reuters) - European shares hit a fresh 10-week high  on Friday as a positive report on Chinese steel demand boosted  ore producers such as Anglo-American, while French utility  Veolia rose after posting solid first-half earnings.


Jaguar to Pull Out of Formula One  LONDON (Reuters) - Ford said on Friday its Jaguar Formula  One team would pull out of the sport at the end of the 2004  season.


More men charging harassment NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Sexual harassment complaints by men are becoming more common, according to a published report. Follow the news that matters to you.


US Stocks Set for Slightly Firmer Open US stocks were set to move slightly higher at the open on Friday with a \$1 billion share buyback at Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) supporting


Marketing agreement between Delta, Alaska airlines SEATTLE - The Alaska Air Group has a marketing agreement with Delta Air Lines that will give passengers a wider choice of destinations.


3Com narrows Q1 loss 3Com (COMS: news, chart, profile) reported a loss of \$35.5 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with a loss of \$106 million, or 29 cents a share, in the same period a year ago.


British Music Fans Decry ITunes Pricing Instead of  quot;Think Different, quot; perhaps Apple Computer #39;s slogan should be  quot;Price Different, quot; says a group of disgruntled UK music fans.


Symantec acquires At Stake Symantec Corp., the world #39;s largest maker of antivirus software, agreed to acquire closely held consultant At Stake Inc., which identifies programming faults in software, for an undisclosed sum.


FTC recommends \$100,000 bounty for spammers #39; heads THE US Federal Trade Commission said that it had released a report which assessed whether offering bounties to turn in spammers would help stem the flood.


EasyJet Founder to Start Music Download Service EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou said on Friday he would launch a music download service in the coming weeks, a year after he lost a music copyright infringement lawsuit to the British music industry.


SMS and surfing go sky high! Boarding a flight would no longer mean doing away with your communication on your cell phone, with Airbus having developed technology that enables passengers to use their mobiles without interrupting navigational systems.


IBM expands radio frequency ID range IBM has extended its range of radio frequency identification (RFID) offerings with a suite of services targeting industrial companies and mid-market businesses.


On deck: Padres (79-68) at Giants (82-65) Tonight #39;s game: In their only outing against Lowry this season, coming after the rookie relieved Schmidt, the Padres amassed nine hits and four runs in three innings.


ENGLAND CONTRIBUTE TO STRUGGLING START England #39;s kamikaze approach undermined the start of their ICC Champions Trophy showdown with Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl. Both captain Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss brought about their own downfalls with


Chechens #39; Basayev Takes Responsibility for Russian School Siege Chechen rebel Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility for this month #39;s hostage-taking at a Russian school, in which at least 339 died, and for four other terrorist attacks in recent weeks, according to a rebel Web site.


Suicide Car Bomber Kills at Least 13 in Baghdad A suicide car bomber killed at least 13 people in an attack on a police checkpoint in Baghdad on Friday, after a night of US air strikes around rebel-held Falluja that killed scores.


Williams Ends Bid to Sell Power Business Williams Cos. Inc. has scrapped efforts to sell its power business as the depressed wholesale market has damaged prospects for selling the unit, the natural gas company said on Thursday.


Champions Trophy: Lankans gain ground Sri Lanka gained ground in the opening stages of the Champions Trophy game against England at the Rose Bowl. England made a steady start before losing Vikram Solanki and captain Michael Vaughan as they reached 54-2 off 15.


Jackson maid 'acted suspiciously' Michael Jackson's maid acted suspiciously during a raid at his ranch, a sheriff's deputy tells a court.


Jaguar to cut 1,100 jobs at plant in central England Luxury carmaker Jaguar said Friday it was stopping production at a factory in central England, resulting in a loss of 1,100 jobs, following poor sales in the key US market.


Ottawa dumping petro-can The federal government #39;s sale of its remaining 19 stake in Petro-Canada is imminent, ending Ottawa #39;s 29-year presence in the oilpatch, say sources in the investment community and the oil producer.


Williams offers to swap securities to cut debt Williams Cos. Inc. (WMB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is offering to exchange up to 43.9 million of its Feline PACS securities in a bid to reduce its overall debt, the natural gas company said on Friday.


MICROSOFT IE LOSING THE EDGE The Mozilla Foundation, which develops both the Mozilla and Firefox browsers and their underlying Gecko browsing engine, has noted that downloads of the Firefox browser have doubled from 3 million for version 0.8 to 6 million for version 0.9.


IBM to ship desktops with security chip IBM has offered a security chip on some of its ThinkPad laptops, and the company will now be offering a similar technology on select desktop models.


Iomega preps WiFi storage solution Iomega is soon expected to ship its first network-attached storage (NAS) device based on wireless networking technology. Called the NAS 100d, the product will be marketed as an entry-level


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


HOPKINS SETS THE PACE John Hopkins caused a surprise by claiming provisional pole position this morning for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. The Suzuki rider, who has endured a mediocre season so far, stole the limelight from


London 'call girl' gives up blog The writer of an online journal describing her life as a London call girl has signed off.


Ford Boosts Profit Outlook (Reuters) Reuters - Ford Motor Co.  on Friday raised\its third-quarter and 2004 profit forecasts because of strength\in its financial services business and cost improvements in its\car operations.


Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report  TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp is expected to unveil a  smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on  October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing  retailers and industry analysts.


Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report (Reuters) Reuters - Japan's Sony Corp is expected to unveil a\smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on\October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing\retailers and industry analysts.


French director shows film for free to defy critics (Reuters) Reuters - French director Claude Lelouch has decided to show his new film "Les Parisiens" free across France to try to prove\wrong the critics who have panned it.


Judge Orders Microsoft to Pay \$112 Million A judge is ordering Microsoft Corp. to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California's market.


Nortel Warns on 2004 Revenue Growth Nortel Networks Corp. warned Thursday that its full-year growth is expected to trail the industry, rather than lead it as the company had predicted as recently as a month ago.


Texas Instruments Plans Buyback
\

 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Texas Instruments Inc., the\largest maker of chips for cellular phones, on Thursday said it\plans to buy back \$1 billion in stock and boost its quarterly\dividend by more than 17 percent, becoming the latest\technology company to return extra cash to investors.


Labor Web Site Tracks Jobs Sent Overseas Organized labor is starting to track companies that ship U.S. jobs overseas and will make the information available to the public in a database.


Genesis Team Hopeful About Samples Jet Propulsion Lab -- Genesis team scientists and engineers continue their work on the mission's sample return canister in a specially constructed clean room at the U.S. Army Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah...


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


Hurricanes May Have Upset NASA's Return-to-Flight Schedule Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan have cost NASA a least a week's worth of work and upset its tight schedule for resuming shuttle flights, throwing into doubt the space agency's plans to launch Discovery in early spring.


What ails Oracle? The fiesty software giant calls its recent slowdown in application sales a one-time fluke. Some say it's symptomatic of bigger problems


Catching the nano wave CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says getting funding for the nanotechnology Manhattan Project is the right idea. But is anybody listening?


Cisco, Microsoft in security showdown "End-to-end" systems seen as next evolution in network defense, but incompatible products could hurt customers.


FBI Seizes Counterfeit Software Eleven charged in 'Digital Marauder' case that could hit \$87 million.


PFY proves self abuse cures male-pattern baldness Episode 31 Breaking news from the proxy server


Ford lifts profit forecasts Ford has raised its third-quarter and 2004 profit forecasts because of strength in its financial services business and cost improvements in its car operations.


EasyMusic enters UK music download frame EasyJet owners the EasyGroup has entered the digital music business in tandem with UK operator, Wippit. The partners aim to launch the easyMusic.


Pulsating red giants hide inside deceptive shells An optical illusion has caused astronomers to overestimate the size of a class of giant stars by a factor of two, according to new observations.


They #39;re robots? Those beasts! NAHANT, Mass.--Joseph Ayers was crouched over a laptop in a cool cinder block shed barely big enough to house a ride-on lawn mower, watching a boxy-shelled black lobster through a rectangular acrylic window.


Jaguar leave the paddock Jaguar have announced that they will pull out of Formula One at the end of the year. Joe Greenwell, company chairman and chief executive, said that revealed financial reasons were behind the company #39;s decision to end interest in the sport.


Sri Lanka peace process remains at standstill A Norwegian peace envoy is wrapping up a visit to Sri Lanka, with no sign of any breakthrough in re-starting the country #39;s stalled peace process.


Suspected Muslim insurgents kill judge in Pattani? Gunmen riding a motorcycle fatally shot a judge Friday when his car stopped at a traffic light, the most senior government figure to be killed in a Muslim separatist movement in southern Thailand, officials said.


Britain Could Send More Troops to Iraq-Minister (Reuters) Reuters - Britain is prepared to\send more troops to Iraq if necessary to safeguard elections\planned for next year, Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said on\Friday.


British Music Fans Decry ITunes Pricing (PC World) PC World - Consumer group complains of higher prices in U.K. than elsewhere in Europe.


Nazi Suspect Speaks on Role in Capture (AP) AP - An 86-year-old Nazi war crimes suspect testified Wednesday that he played only a subordinate role in the 1944 capture in Slovakia of U.S. agents and an American war correspondent who were later executed.


Alcatel Ups U.S. Business with Acquisitions  PARIS (Reuters) - Alcatel has expanded its foothold in the  key North American market with the acquisition of a mobile  software provider and a conference technology business for \$277  million.


Maldives regrets EU block on aid The Maldives expresses regret over a  European parliament resolution to block a \$2m aid package.


Live: Ryder Cup The 35th Ryder Cup starts at 1310 BST on Friday, when the opening fourball match between the USA and Europe is set to tee off at Oakland Hills, Detroit.


Judge killed in latest southern Thai violence A Buddhist judge was killed by a gunman on motorcycle in Thailand #39;s largely Muslim south on Friday as security officials and militants put bounties on their enemies, police officials said.


Sunny Fed leaves no doubt about another rate increase Another Fed meeting looms with another quarter-point interest rate hike virtually assured. It may seem strange that the Fed continues to raise interest rates on the heels of a summer-long economic soft patch.


Jaguar puts brakes on at historic plant Production is to cease at a Midlands factory where some of the world #39;s most iconic cars were made. Mark Tran looks at its history.


Manager at Edwards AFB harassed male employees, suit says EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A manager for a company that provides security for the space shuttle sexually harassed male employees over a period of two years, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a lawsuit filed Thursday.


Nortel Warns of Weaker Sales Retreating from an upbeat forecast it made just last month, Nortel Networks Corp. on Thursday warned that third-quarter sales will fall below its second quarter and 2004 revenue growth at


Price tag mounts for storm damage Even before Ivan #39;s impact on the Panhandle, estimates in Florida top \$30-billion as the result of Charley and Frances. By JEFF HARRINGTON, Times Staff Writer.


Japan shuts Citigroup private bank operations Japan has ordered the commercial banking unit of Citigroup to close its Japanese private banking offices, shutting it out of the lucrative business and


11 charged over  #39;biggest-ever #39; MS piracy bust Eleven people from across the US were indicted on Wednesday over alleged software piracy offences following the largest seizure of counterfeit Microsoft software to date.


Union sets up database to track job outsourcing The AFL-CIO cranked up its campaign to stop the export of US jobs yesterday by launching a new database designed to track companies that outsource jobs overseas.


US takes aim at e-mail spammers FTC says tracking them down won #39;t be cheap; rewards of up to \$250,000 needed, commission says. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Members of Congress have backed a program encouraging  quot;bounty hunters quot; to track down e-mail spammers.


HUGHES: I SAID NO TO UNITED MARK HUGHES last night revealed he turned down a cushy number with Manchester United because he wanted to be his own man - and his own manager.


Cricket telecast back-up poser Sept 16: Cricket authorities will seek a clarification from the court whether they can prepare a contingency plan if the dispute between Zee Telefilms and ESPN-STAR is not resolved soon.


Huge car bomb explodes in central Baghdad, causing casualties A huge car bomb explosion in Rashid Street in central Baghdad resonated throughout the capital on Friday, causing several casualties, Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.


Circuit City Posts Narrower Loss (Reuters) Reuters - Circuit City Stores Inc. , on\Friday reported a smaller quarterly loss as it kept a tight\rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions,\notebook computers and other popular products.


Blair, Ahern press Northern Ireland rivals in talks grind (AFP) AFP - Prime Ministers Tony Blair of Britain and Bertie Ahern of Ireland dug in with Northern Ireland's rival Catholic and Protestant parties for a second day of talks aimed at restoring the province's power-sharing government.


Explosions Rock Central Baghdad (AP) AP - A series of explosions rocked central Baghdad on Friday afternoon during a day of violence in the capital. The cause or exact location of the blasts was not immediately clear. The blasts came only hours after a suicide car bomb detonated near a row of parked police cars, killing at least five people and wounding 20.


Italy to stop applying EU sanctions against Libya: Interior Minister (AFP) AFP - Italy will stop applying EU sanctions against Libya next week even if the measures are not lifted by the European Union, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu revealed.


Civil Aviation Minister fights foreign stakes in Indian airlines (Reuters) Reuters - India's aviation ministry is fighting a push to allow foreign airlines to buy into domestic carriers, pressing instead for local companies to expand overseas.


FBI Seizes Counterfeit Software (PC World) PC World - Eleven charged in 'Digital Marauder' case that could hit  #36;87 million.


Ford Boosts Profit Outlook  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. on Friday raised its  third-quarter and 2004 profit forecasts because of strength in  its financial services business and cost improvements in its  car operations.


Circuit City Posts Narrower Loss  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. CC.N, on  Friday reported a smaller quarterly loss as it kept a tight  rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions,  notebook computers and other popular products.


Mexico's Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Make a Comeback (Reuters) Reuters - Sea turtles are spawning in record\numbers along Mexico's Pacific coast this year, thanks largely\to stepped up protection against poachers, the nation's\environmental watchdog said on Wednesday.


Jaguar and Ford Pull Out of Formula One  LONDON (Reuters) - Jaguar will pull out of Formula One at  the end of 2004, with parent company Ford's engine maker  Cosworth also up for sale.


#36;1.3M Plan Aims to Save Calif. State Fish (AP) AP - Federal and state officials plan to announce Friday an agreement to spend  #36;1.3 million over the next five years to save California's state fish.


Study Eyes Salmonella, Typhoid, Monkeypox (AP) AP - Oregon researchers have started work on a new five-year,  #36;10.3 million biodefense contract to find the proteins associated with bacteria that cause salmonella poisoning and typhoid fever, and the virus that causes monkeypox.


In a Battered Pensacola, 'It Was Bad Everywhere' People in the Gulf Coast city of Pensacola, Fla., emerged to find backyards flooded and light posts bent at right angles. Still, many said it could have been worse.


Fla. Bears Brunt of Ivan; 24 Dead in U.S. PENSACOLA, Fla. - Hurricane Ivan was the deadliest hurricane to hit the United States since Floyd in 1999, but it could have been worse...


Putin Threatens Preventive Terror Actions MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia was preparing to take preventive action against terrorists, the Interfax news agency reported.    Putin said that "now in Russia, we are seriously preparing to act preventively against terrorists," Interfax reported...


Mobiles in aircraft edge closer The European plane maker Airbus says it foresees the use of mobile phones on aircraft by 2006.


Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report Japan #39;s Sony Corp is expected to unveil a smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing retailers and industry analysts.


IBM fits PCs with new hardware-based security chip SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - IBM Corp. has begun using new security hardware from National Semiconductor Corp. in its desktop PCs in an effort to fend off viruses and hackers.


MyDoom Variant Describes Itself A new variant of the Internet worm MyDoom - Mydoom.Y - has anti-virus vendors puzzled. Not because they can #39;t do anything about it but because it comes along with a description of itself.


Problema Violencia A Roma Continua (Pardo Duo) The abandoned Roma v Dynamo Kiev game cannot be awarded to the Ukranians, as the two teams are involved in a group, rather than a knock-out between the two of them.


Huygens Probe Test Successful European Space Agency -- ESAs Huygens probe, now orbiting Saturn on board the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini spacecraft, is in good health and successfully passed its fifteenth In-Flight Checkout on 14 September 2004.     This in-flight checkout procedure was the last but one planned before separation of the Huygens probe from Cassini in December this year, and it included some specific activities that were intended to prepare for the separation...


Strings of Shadowy Rings Drape Saturn Jet Propulsion Lab -- Saturn's ring shadows appear wrapped in a harmonious symphony with the planet in this color view from the Cassini spacecraft.     Saturn and its rings would nearly fill the space between Earth and the Moon...


Kids Give Language Its Shape Children's brains are hard-wired to learn languages and, in some cases, to improve upon them. That's the conclusion of a new study that followed several generations of deaf Nicaraguan children as they created their own sign language and then continuously tinkered it with each new group of signers.


Vegetables Help Fight Breast Cancer Compound in broccoli and other greens stops malignant cell growth    HealthDayNews -- The anticancer compound sulforaphane, found in vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale, blocks the growth of late-stage breast cancer cells, a new study says.    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers say their finding, which appears in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition, could help improve prevention and treatment of breast cancer...


Fertility Clinics Vary on Embryo Disposal Techniques By DAVID B. CARUSO    PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The nation's fertility clinics vary widely when it comes to how they perform one of the most delicate aspects of their jobs: disposing of unused frozen human embryos that were created to help infertile women become pregnant...


FDA Approves Defibrillator Without Prescription By DIEDTRA HENDERSON     WASHINGTON (AP) -- People worried about sudden cardiac arrest no longer need a doctor's prescription to buy devices that jump-start the heart.     The Food and Drug Administration for the first time agreed Thursday to let consumers go online and purchase the \$2,000 devices for home use...


Police nab German lawyer in piracy raid Continuing its crackdown on software pirates, German police arrested a 46-year-old lawyer, two brothers, and a teenager on Thursday for allegedly selling illegal software, movies, games, and music through a commercial online service, according to the German Federation Against Copyright Theft (GVU).


Alcatel buys conferencing software developer eDial PARIS - French telecommunications equipment specialist Alcatel SA has acquired a U.S. manufacturer of conferencing and collaboration products, eDial Inc., Alcatel said Friday.


SAP acquires U.S., Swiss units of SAP SI SAP AG has agreed to acquire the Swiss and U.S. business units of SAP Systems Integration AG (SAP SI), bringing its absorption of the company nearer to completion.


Via's upcoming processor to be called C7 Via Technologies Inc.'s next generation of desktop microprocessors, based on the Esther processor core, will be called C7, the company said Thursday. Mobile versions of the chip will be called C7-M.


Daily Briefing EUGENE -- Recreational vehicle maker Country Coach has announced plans to hire 150 to 175 workers by the end of the year, the latest sign of the red-hot RV market.


FBI Seizes Counterfeit Software A two-year investigation by US law enforcement authorities has resulted in one of the largest seizures of fake software ever in the US and charges against 11 individuals, government officials say.


Report Recommends Bounty for Spammers By JENNIFER C. KERR    WASHINGTON (AP) -- What would it take to get someone to turn in one of those spammers who send millions of unwanted e-mails? At least \$100,000, the Federal Trade Commission figures...


Microsoft to Pay \$113 Million to California Lawyers SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A judge is ordering the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California's market...


Infineon to Pay \$160 Million Price Fixing Fine By CURT ANDERSON    WASHINGTON (AP) -- German computer chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG (IFX) has agreed to plead guilty to price fixing and will pay a \$160 million fine, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.    In a plea agreement filed in U.S...


European Group Seeks Ways to Prosecute Cybercrime By ROBERT WIELAARD    STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- Governments and private sector officials from around the world sought ways Thursday to jointly combat cybercrime, whose growth mirrors the phenomenal rise of the Internet's popularity.    At a conference organized by the Council of Europe, delegates from Europe, the United States, Australia and China digested new data pointing to an increasing problem of global proportions: How can national law stop those who commit fraud, spread racism, steal credit card numbers or sell child pornography worldwide, nonstop and just about anonymously?    On top of that, while fraud and copyright infringements remain the lion's share of cybercrime, there is rising concern about terrorists going online to spread more than just propaganda...


Microsoft #39;s Chief Linux Strategist Interviewed sl0wp0is0n writes  quot;Computerworld has published an interview with Microsoft #39;s chief Linux strategist, Martin Taylor. It #39;s interesting to find out that Microsoft thinks and predicts Novell (SuSE) will be the


Will favorites finally win one? Just why the United States team is considered the favorite in the Ryder Cup is a bit of a mystery, given the simple fact that the European team is 5-3-1 in the last nine matches.


Jaguar and Ford Pull Out of Formula One Jaguar will pull out of Formula One at the end of 2004, with parent company Ford #39;s engine maker Cosworth also up for sale. Ford #39;s bombshell announcement on Friday has huge


Monty Gives Europe Early Advantage at Oakland Hills  BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie  drew first blood for holders Europe with a birdie-three at the  first hole as the 35th Ryder Cup began at Oakland Hills under  cloudy skies on Friday.


Circuit City Posts Smaller Quarterly Loss  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. CC.N on  Friday reported a smaller quarterly loss as it kept a tight  rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions,  notebook computers and other popular products.


Bush overcomes bin Laden in battle for Britain's Turner Prize (AFP) AFP - An exhibit featuring a film about US President George W. Bush's home town in Texas won the Turner Prize, Britain's most prestigious art award, pipping a digital recreation of Osama bin Laden's house.


U.S. Says Iran Nuke Freeze Offer a Ploy  VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday it might extend its  partial freeze of uranium enrichment in order to ease Western  fears about its nuclear ambitions but a U.S. official dismissed  this as a ploy to fend off tough U.N. action.


Report: Zook accepts Illinois job BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - It appears as though Ron Zook did not have to wait too long to find another job. According to an ESPN.


Live: Action from the Ryder Cup All the action from Friday's fourballs as the USA and Europe lock horns at Oakland Hills.


Kenyan sues over 'HIV sacking' A woman is allowed to bring Kenya's first lawsuit for alleged discrimination for being HIV positive.


Ivan #39;s wrath keeps oil prices up Reports of damage to several oil facilities and more storms on the way raise crude prices. LONDON (Reuters) - Crude prices climbed Friday as oil companies surveyed the damage wreaked by Hurricane Ivan after the storm pounded the key oil producing region.


Talks on Airbus subsidies hit snags Bee Washington Bureau. WASHINGTON - Trying to avert a trans-Atlantic trade war over government subsidies to Airbus, US and European negotiators found little to agree on Thursday during a five-hour meeting in Brussels, Belgium.


Ford Raises Profit Forecast, Makes Cuts at Jaguar (Update3) Ford Motor Co. raised its forecast for third-quarter earnings by 10 cents a share and said it would end unprofitable Jaguar car production at a Coventry, England, plant and pull out of Formula One racing.


Canadian Bonds Rise, Dollar Drops After Core Inflation Declines Canadian bonds rose and the dollar dropped after the government said so-called core inflation unexpectedly fell in August. The figures suggested policy makers may lift their key interest rate less than predicted this year.


United Airlines says it needs to cut \$500 million more in costs CHICAGO United Airlines officials say they need to cut an additional 500 (m) million dollars in costs to help the carrier fly out of bankruptcy.


Circuit City Second-Quarter Loss Narrows to 6 Cents a Share Circuit City Stores Inc., the No. 2 US electronics chain, said its second-quarter loss narrowed to \$11.9 million as the company sold more plasma-screen televisions and benefited from the acquisition of a Canadian retailer.


Petro-Can sale ends Ottawa #39;s oilpatch era The federal government closed its window on the oil industry Thursday, saying that it is selling its last 19 per cent stake in Calgary-based Petro-Canada.


New blow for Sender ID as AOL joins disbelievers AOL is the latest and largest company to back away from Microsoft #39;s Sender ID software, designed to cut spam by identifying the source of the email.


Easy Listening from New Download Service Greek entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Iouannou said today he was expanding his Easy business empire with a new online music download service.


Mobiles in aircraft edge closer Soon you could be using your mobile phone on flights as easily as you do on the High Street. A two-year investigation has shown that mobiles can be used on planes without interfering with navigation systems.


Ryder-Monty gives Europe early advantage at Oakland Hills Colin Montgomerie drew first blood for holders Europe with a birdie-three at the first hole as the 35th Ryder Cup began at Oakland Hills under cloudy skies on Friday.


C Palace v Man City (Sat) Trevor Sinclair is Manchester City #39;s only doubt after picking up a knock in the game against Everton. Antoine Sibierski stands by to replace him, but Steve McManaman is still out with an Achilles problem.


44 die as violence in Iraq escalates Baghdad - United States forces pounded suspected hideouts of an al-Qaeda-linked group in and around the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah and battled insurgents in Baghdad on Friday, killing at least 44 people, the military and the health ministry


2 Americans, Briton seized in Iraq Civilian foreigners appear new <b>...</b> Baghdad -- Masked gunmen kidnapped two Americans and a Briton from their Baghdad residence on Thursday in an attack that appeared to herald a new level of danger for foreign civilians in Iraq.


Russia considers terror strikes President Vladimir Putin says Russia is  quot;seriously preparing to act preventively against terrorists, quot; the Interfax news agency reported.


Explosions rock central Baghdad A series of explosions rocked central Baghdad on Friday afternoon during a day of violence in the capital. The cause or exact location of the blasts was not immediately clear.


Dismay and Sadness at Jaguar Decision News that the assembly of Jaguar cars in Coventry will stop was greeted with dismay locally today. Residents in the village of Allesley, where the Browns Lane factory is based, expressed


USA : IBM announces integration of RFID capabilities in middleware Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is in news these days. And it is the middleware that gives meaning to the collection activity of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, turning the data for usable purposes.


The iPod Year in Review Neither pundits nor the general population in 2003 would ever have predicted just how strong of a year 2004 would be for Apple Computer.


Oil Up, U.S. Storm Season Fuels Worries  LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices surged almost a dollar  on Friday on worries that the ongoing storm season in the U.S.  Gulf would continue to hamper energy production and imports,  delaying vital pre-winter stock building.


Stocks Seen Higher, Ford Ups Forecast  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were set to open higher on  Friday after Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its earnings  forecasts, while a \$1 billion share buyback at Texas  Instruments Inc. TXN.N could support technology stocks.


Treasury Yields Hold at Lows Before Data  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury yields held near five-months  lows on Friday as the market digested recent hefty gains while  awaiting a key reading on the U.S. consumer.


Germans flock to see Hitler film More than 100,000 German filmgoers see a controversial movie about Adolf Hitler on its opening night.


For Some Beslan Families, Hope Itself Dies Agonizingly By the families' own count, there are 122 victims of the school siege in Beslan, Russia, not yet identified or found.


Woods, Mickelson Off to Shaky Ryder Start BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were paired for the first time in Friday's opening match of the Ryder Cup, a dynamic twosome that hoped to get the United States rolling toward bringing the chalice back to this side of the Atlantic...


Baghdad Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 5 A suicide attacker detonated a car packed with explosives in front of a row of parked police cars in central Baghdad on Friday, killing at least five people and wounding 20, officials said.


Circuit City loss below forecasts Circuit City Stores Inc. reported a smaller quarterly loss Friday as it kept a tight rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions, notebook computers and other popular products.


Rossi: Well go for it Rossi heads to Japan with a 29-point lead over Sete Gibernau thanks to a stunning victory et Estoril two weeks ago, but for all his six success this season, you can bet your house that The Doctor will be giving it everything he #39;s got to deny Honda victory


Loeb leads the way in Rally of Britain Citroen #39;s championship leader Sebastien Loeb made a flying start to the Rally of Britain on Friday to seize the lead from Ford #39;s overnight front-runner Francois Duval.


US strike on Falluja  #39;kills 60 #39; A US air strike on a  quot;terrorist meeting site quot; in Falluja Thursday night killed approximately 60 foreign fighters with ties to known terrorist leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the Coalition Press Information Center said.


Women in science get centre boost The UK opens a national centre for women scientists, engineers and technologists to combat under-representation in the field.


Challenges are great - in moderation San Diego State is going to the Big House to convene with a Forbes 500 athletic corporation, the dynamic octopus known as the University of Michigan.


AOL Shuns Microsoft's Anti-Spam Technology By ANICK JESDANUN     NEW YORK (AP) -- Add America Online Inc. to the growing list of companies and organizations shunning a spam-fighting proposal from Microsoft Corp...


Kimono-Makers Now Employ Computer Graphics For centuries, Japan's kimono-makers have relied on stencils, paintbrushes and hours of labor to turn out their elaborate and graceful creations. Kimono designer Yuko Iwakuma uses some more up-to-date tools: a computer and an ink-jet printer.


American Red Cross and Ask Jeeves Help Hurricane Victims American Red Cross and Ask Jeeves Help Hurricane Victims\\Ask Jeeves today announced that the Company has teamed with the American Red Cross to aid victims of the recent hurricanes and other disasters. Ask Jeeves has launched redcross.ask.com to offer people an easy way to help the Red Cross. Ask Jeeves ...


How many planets are there, Indian president asks South African students (AFP) AFP - South African students at a high school in a township outside Durban were treated to a special science lesson delivered by Indian President Abdul Kalam.


IBM registers grid computing wins Claiming grid technology continues to expand outside its traditional scientific and research markets, IBM on Friday is announcing that several grid-based commercial projects built on IBM platforms have been launched, including one at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


Airbus questions EU's decision on Microsoft European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS has taken issue with part of the European Union's (E.U.'s) antitrust decision against Microsoft Corp. and has filed a petition with the court handling the software maker's appeal.


Jaguar to Eliminate 1,150 Jobs Luxury carmaker Jaguar said Friday it was stopping assembly work at its headquarters and cutting 1,150 jobs as a result of overproduction and poor sales in the key US market.


Economy: Unctad Warns of Threats to Global Recovery The current recovery of the global economy is dampened by risks that could give rise to financial and exchange-rate instability and to a slowdown in growth, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned Thursday.


Voq Professional Phone Now Available from TigerDirect and Tech <b>...</b> Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR) (TSX:SW) announced today that the Voq Professional Phone(TM) is now available in North America through members of Intel #39;s Product Dealer (IPD) program.


Myskina Upset, Kuznetsova Still Winning at WTA Bali US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova extended her streak to eight wins in a row on tour at the WTA stop in Bali Thursday, defeating Aussie qualifier Sam Stosur in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.


Japan baseball players go on strike Tokyo, Japan (Sports Network) - Japan #39;s baseball players have decided to go on strike for the first time in the 70-year history of the sport in that nation.


Carter wants out of Canada  quot;It #39;s time to resurrect my career. quot; Those were Vince Carter #39;s words to the Toronto Star yesterday, making public his demands to be traded.


Nigerian Police Say Dozens Killed in Pipeline Blast Dozens of people were killed in a petroleum pipeline explosion in the commercial capital Lagos early on Thursday morning, Nigerian police said on Friday .


US Sept Consumer Sentiment Barely Budges (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. consumer sentiment stagnated in\early September, according to a survey released on Friday, as\doubts about the economy and the job market persisted.


NHL on Ice, Maybe for Whole 2004-05 Season (AP) AP - No shots, no saves, no goals. The National Hockey League locked out its players, threatening to keep the sport off the ice for the entire 2004-05 season and perhaps beyond in an effort by management to gain massive economic change.


US Stocks Higher, Helped by Ford Outlook (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday\after Ford Motor Co.  raised its earnings forecasts, but\Qualcomm Inc.  weighed on the Nasdaq index after the\wireless technology company said it would review how it\accounts for technology royalties.


Diplomat Says N. Korea Blast Not Nukes (AP) AP - A diplomat who visited the site of a huge explosion in North Korea said Friday he saw no evidence it was caused by a nuclear test, and South Korean officials said mushroom-shaped plume thought to be from the blast may have instead been a natural cloud formation.


Cooper Tire to Sell Unit for \$1.165 Bln  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. CTB.N on  Friday said it agreed to sell an automotive parts  business to  buyout firms Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners  for about \$1.165 billion, the latest private equity purchase in  the sector.


Expensing Options: A Reprieve? (BusinessWeek Online) BusinessWeek Online - On weekdays, Jeff Solof is director of Sun Microsystems'  Web site. On weekends, he's a deacon at an Eastern Orthodox church in Worcester, Mass. But the 44-year-old father of two has a dream: When he hits his 50s, he'll cash in his 40,000 Sun stock options and become a full-time minister. Stock options "are a long- term incentive" to stick with Sun, he says.


Ford Raises Quarter and Full-Year Outlook Ford raised its earnings guidance for 2004 today in part on the back of continued strong performance by its financial services business.


The Next Big Cheese Will the next person to fill Michael Eisner's shoes ask for glass slipper shoehorns or odor eaters?


Qualcomm #39;s Royalty Pain Qualcomm (QCOM:Nasdaq - news - research) raised its current-quarter earnings estimate but saw its shares tank because of uncertainty about the accounting for its huge royalty franchise.


Calif. judge cuts Microsoft legal fees This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half. A San Francisco judge ordered Microsoft to pay lawyers involved in its \$1.


Voq smartphone arrives in US With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.


The political implications of the Jaguar decision The Ford Motor Company #39;s decision to quit Formula 1 and sell its F1-related operations is a setback for the whole sport. It paints F1 in a negative light: Formula 1, Richard Parry-Jones said, was too expensive and was too slow to change.


Red Sox Ready For Yankees After Schilling Wins 20th _ Curt Schilling #39;s 20th victory of the season was just a start for the Boston Red Sox. Schilling and the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay 11-4 Thursday night, moving within 3 1/2 games of the Yankees in


Japan Players to Go on First-Ever Strike Japanese baseball players decided to go on strike for the first time in the 70 year history of the local game after last minute talks with the representatives


Ford Boosts Profit Outlook, Closes Plant  DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its  earnings outlook on Friday, due to strength from its financial  services sector, even as it announced the end of car production  at a Jaguar plant in Britain and its withdrawal from Formula  One racing.


US Sept Consumer Sentiment Stagnates  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment stagnated in  early September, according to a survey released on Friday, as  doubts about the economy and the job market persisted.


Qualcomm May Change Royalty Recognition  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc. QCOM.O may change the  way it recognizes royalties from its licensees, which would  reduce fourth-quarter pre-tax income by \$298 million, the  company said on Friday.


Alpharma Says Pfizer Drug Generic Cleared  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alpharma Inc. ALO.N on Friday said a  federal appellate court has set aside its earlier order that  had prevented the company from launching a generic form of  Pfizer Inc's PFE.N Neurontin capsules to treat epilepsy,  sending Alpharma shares higher.


Suicide Bomber Targets Baghdad Police BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attacker detonated an explosives-packed vehicle near a row of police cars blocking off a bridge in central Baghdad, killing at least five people and wounding 20, officials said. The attack came hours after U.S...


Ivan Batters Gulf Coast, Leaves 28 Dead PENSACOLA, Fla. - Hurricane Ivan extended its deadly march across the South on Friday, destroying homes, swamping streets and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas...


Michigan consumer report flat US consumer sentiment stagnated in early September, according to a survey released Friday, as doubts about the economy and the job market persisted.


Carnival Profit Up Sharply After Merger Carnival Corp. (CCL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s biggest cruise group, on Friday said quarterly earnings rose sharply, citing the merger with P amp;O Princess Cruises last year.


Dollar tumbles on inflation report The Canadian dollar dropped two-thirds of a US cent in early trading Friday after a tame inflation report eased pressure on the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates in coming months.


Murdoch #39;s American dream bad for investors The proposed transfer of News Corporation #39;s domicile to Delaware will probably occur after this week #39;s lukewarm endorsement from News #39; independent expert, Grant Samuel.


Goldman Group to Buy Cooper Tire Unit for \$1.17 Bln (Update1) A group led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. agreed to buy the Cooper Tire  amp; Rubber Co. business that makes automotive fluid-handling systems and other components for \$1.


Number Of Men Alleging Harassment On Job Up, Report Says The number of men claiming they #39;re victims of sexual harassment at work is increasing, according to a published report. Have you witnessed or have you been a victim of sexual harassment of men at work?


FTC Considers Bounties For Catching Spammers The federal government is proposing money as an incentive to turn in those who send millions of unwanted e-mails. Would you turn in a friend or co-worker who was sending spam?


Leading indicator of economic performance moderated again in <b>...</b> OTTAWA (CP) - The composite leading index, an early measurement of economic performance, moderated again in August, to 0.5 per cent from 0.6 per cent in July, Statistics Canada reported Friday.


More web surfers abandoning the good ship Internet Explorer Microsoft #39;s web browser, Internet Explorer, is continuing its slow but steady slide in market share. According to fresh numbers from web metrics firm Websidestory, IE #39;s share has slipped 1.8 per cent in the last three months.


easyGroup enters online music market with 25p downloads Stelios is tapping his feet to the rhythm of a new venture in the form of easyMusic, to be launched in time for Christmas. The easyGroup company has teamed up with London-based music service Wippit to launch


ATI develops PCI Express-based HyperMemory ATI takes the concept of  quot;shared memory quot; and utilizes next-generation technology to produce HyperMemory. Using PCI Express, this new technology reduces PC system costs by allowing its visual processors to use system memory for graphics processing.


Microsoft clause puts OpenOffice users on notice Jaded souls might say that Sun Microsystems sold the open source community down the river in its landmark settlement with Microsoft in April.


Kerio MailServer 6 Server: requires Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Red Hat Linux 9.0 or later, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3, SuSE Linux 9.x, or Mac OS X 10.


MyDoom Variant Packs Photo of Netsky Author A new variant of the MyDoom Internet worm contains some puzzling add-ins: a photo that bears a likeness of Sven Jaschan, whom police in Berlin last week charged with computer sabotage after he admitted to authoring the Sasser worm, and a high-level


Kuznetsova forced to fight to reach Bali semis US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova overcame a tough first-set challenge from wild card Angelique Widjaja to reach the semi-finals of the Wismilak International with a 7-5 6-1 victory on Friday.


More Blackburn Rovers Stories Mark Hughes has been warned that Blackburn are no longer the bottomless pit of cash that they were a decade ago - but the new Rovers manager will have some money to spend when the transfer window reopens in January.


Japan #39;s players go on strike, weekend games called off TOKYO Baseball players in Japan are going on strike for the first time in the sport #39;s history there. Games this weekend are being called off after extended negotiations with team officials failed to bear fruit.


Racing to beat the next bomb As Indonesia #39;s police investigate the embassy bombing the fear is the attackers will strike again. Mark Coultan and Catharine Munro report from Jakarta.


China admits communist cadres  #39;lose their heads #39; An internal survey by the Chinese Communist Party has found that more than half its higher-echelon cadres are incompetent and many  quot;lost their heads quot; when faced with difficult situations.


Keeping Tony Blair #39;s secret all in the family For some sections of the British press, nothing succeeds like excess - but London #39;s editors are steering well clear of one story, writes Peter Fray in London.


Danes find a bridge to love (Chicago Tribune) Chicago Tribune - The train is sleek and fast that each night carries Christina Reves away from her country and toward her husband. It races through Denmark's scattered marshes and clicks over a bridge and across the water, stopping 35 minutes later in Sweden.