Israel ends Gaza Strip offensive It followed the killing of two toddlers in an Israeli town on September 29 by a rocket fired from Gaza. Witnesses said all 200 tanks and armoured vehicles in northern Gaza had withdrawn.


Explosions rock Baghdad, mortar kills hospital worker Mortar attacks hit a central Baghdad hospital Saturday, killing an employee and injuring three others, officials said. A mortar round exploded in the garden of the Ibn al-Betar hospital


#39;Radical Muslim cleric Hamza to be charged #39; Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza is set to be charged under the Terrorism Act, legal sources have said. Hamza is facing separate extradition proceedings to the US, where officials have accused him of playing


Pakistan hunting for Chinese-abduction mastermind Pakistani security forces are undertaking the hunting for Abdullah Mehsud, the brain behind the scene of the abduction of two Chinese engineers, Interior Minister Ahmad Sherpao told Xinhua Saturday.


Officer is suspended The Israeli army suspended a company commander who was accused of repeatedly shooting a 13-year-old Palestinian girl, but officials said yesterday the punishment wasn #39;t because of the shooting.


UNC Starts Pilot File-Sharing Program (AP) AP - Four schools in the University of North Carolina system will participate in a pilot program that allows students to download music, movies and other copyrighted material on the Internet for free.


Mount St. Helens' 'Fin' May Be Splitting (AP) AP - The stone "fin" on the new lava lobe inside the crater at Mount St. Helens seems to be starting to split.


Minor Glitch in Spacecraft Docking (AP) AP - THE GLITCH: An unexplained problem sent a Russian-made Soyuz spacecraft speeding toward the international space station too quickly and officials decided it should be docked manually.


They like them apples As thousands of apple pickers milled about his farm last Sunday, Michael Smolak gave thanks for the postcard-perfect autumn weather that brought them there.


Chiofaro's partner relents International Place developer Donald J. Chiofaro's majority partner in two Boston office towers this week took a more conciliatory tone toward proposed changes in the reorganization plan that he submitted in US Bankruptcy Court. Last week Chiofaro's partner, Hillman Properties Inc., said in court it would never agree to his plan to fend off New York's Tishman Speyer Properties's takeover ...


US Airways gets OK to slash pay A US Bankruptcy Court judge, in a harsh decision he called critical to US Airways Group's survival, said yesterday the airline could slash pay by 21 percent for its unionized workforce of 25,000.


Red Sox owners fielding more nongame revenue Keeping the faith, Susan Forbes called the Red Sox a month ago to book Fenway Park for a postseason party.


Marsh  amp; McLennan halts fees at center of probe Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. said yesterday it was suspending its practice of using  quot;market services agreements quot; with insurance carriers, which the New York attorney general has alleged were used to rig bids, cheating customers.


Nigerian unions end strike but threaten more action Nigerian unions called off a general strike which had jeopardized oil supplies from the world's seventh-largest exporter for four days, but threatened more action within weeks unless the government cut fuel prices.


Retail sales post strong rebound in September Shoppers rediscovered their urge to splurge in September, catapulting retail sales by the largest percentage gain in six months. Industrial activity was restrained, meanwhile, partly because of hurricanes.


Sprint to cut 700 jobs as it trims back service Sprint Corp., the telecommunications giant, said yesterday it will cut 700 jobs in its business solutions division as it stops selling business long distance services outside of package deals. The cuts represent 7.8 percent of the division's workforce.


Price of oil eases off record highs LONDON - World oil prices eased slightly yesterday but remained close to record high points near 55 dollars a barrel as traders fretted about low inventories of US heating fuel heading into the northern winter.


Donovan shines as team #39;s leader After scoring four goals in his first two games for the US national team, 20-year-old striker Eddie Johnson is garnering headlines.


Israel pulls out of northern Gaza JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP (Gaza Strip) - Israel withdrew tanks and ground forces from populated areas in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, wrapping up its bloodiest offensive in the area in more than four years of fighting.


One failure led to another on Genesis craft Genesis project officials failed to catch the flaw that doomed the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft despite extra layers of scrutiny added after two of the company #39;s other NASA probes failed.


Al Qaeda Using Militants Against Musharraf  KARACHI (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda appears to  be using established militant groups and small cells for bloody  attacks in Pakistan aimed at destabilizing President Pervez  Musharraf and thus the wider war on terror, analysts say.


Geiberger battles hip, field while trying to avoid trip to Q <b>...</b> GREENSBORO, NC - A heat wrap kept Brent Geiberger #39;s ailing hip from hurting, and his best consecutive rounds of the season took care of the rest.


Today #39;s top matchups at a glance Analysis: The Midshipmen have grown all too used to agonizing losses during Notre Dame #39;s 40-year streak. But Navy #39;s offense will present a unique challenge for the Irish.


UN concern after Baghdad blast The United Nations says Thursday's bombings in the Green Zone in Baghdad underline security concerns.


Dementia diagnosis for Pinochet Former Chilean President Pinochet has "moderate dementia", according to a court-appointed doctor.


US citizen jailed for Libya ties A US citizen is jailed for 23 years for illegal financial dealings linked to an alleged plot by Libya to kill the Saudi Crown Prince.


Warsaw official vowstroop cuts in Iraq POLAND WASHINGTON -- The prime minister of Poland told his Parliament yesterday that he would begin reducing the number of Polish troops in Iraq in January, another blow to the US-led coalition that has lost nearly a third of its members this year. Addressing legislators before a vote of confidence, Prime Minister Marek Belka promised, ''We will not remain in ...


Cleric charged with ordering attack on Indonesian hotel JAKARTA, Indonesia -- An Islamic cleric believed to lead a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda was charged yesterday with ordering a deadly attack on an Indonesian hotel last year -- a legal move that is expected to please the United States, which has long demanded action against Abu Bakar Bashir.


Radical Muslim cleric wanted in US to be charged in Britain  LONDON -- Britain will charge radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri with terrorism offenses, sources said yesterday, stalling US attempts to extradite him over a 1998 hostage-taking in Yemen and links to Al Qaeda.


US deaths in Iraq The Defense Department has released the names of the following service members who recently died in Iraq. As of Thursday, 1,086 members of the US military have died since the war began in March 2003.


UN counts 70,000 dead in Darfur crisis  GENEVA -- At least 70,000 refugees have died since March because of poor conditions in camps in Sudan's Darfur region, and more will die at the same rate unless countries contribute the \$300 million in aid they promised, the UN health agency said yesterday.


Doctors split on Pinochet's mental state SANTIAGO, Chile -- Court-appointed doctors who examined retired General Augusto Pinochet are split on whether the former dictator's health allows him to stand trial on human rights charges, according to reports made public yesterday.


Moore's Pre-Election TV Special Nixed NEW YORK - A cable pay-per-view company has decided not to show a three-hour election eve special with filmmaker Michael Moore that included a showing of his documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which is sharply critical of President Bush.    The company, iN DEMAND, said Friday that its decision is due to "legitimate business and legal concerns." A spokesman would not elaborate...


Unit Refused Iraq Mission, Military Says WASHINGTON - Relatives of soldiers who refused to deliver supplies in Iraq say the troops considered the mission too dangerous, in part because their vehicles were in poor shape.    The Army is investigating up to 19 reservist members of a platoon that is part of the 343rd Quartermaster Company, based in Rock Hill, S.C...


Buccaneers Shut Down Falcons, 27-0 (AP) AP - Making Michael Vick  #151; one of the NFL's most exciting players  #151; look ordinary for much of the day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated Atlanta 27-0 Sunday to keep the first-place Falcons from clinching the NFC South championship.


Probe of No-Show Reservists Underway A platoon in Iraq is being investigated for allegedly refusing to carry out a convoy mission its members deemed too dangerous, Army officials said Friday.


Greenspan Minimizes Impact of Costly Oil Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said yesterday that higher oil prices have had a  quot;noticeable quot; affect on the US economy this year but are not likely to cause serious damage unless they move significantly higher.


Airbus raises projection of deliveries to 320 Boeing archrival Airbus expects to deliver as many as 320 aircraft this year, or 5 percent more than it forecast earlier, as demand from airlines picks up.


Genesis mishap probe focuses on backward design drawing A board investigating the crash of NASA #39;s Genesis spacecraft has found the design for a key system was drawn backward. The result: improper orientation of switches that were supposed to detect its entry into


Microsoft unveils  #39;PlaysForSure #39; logo which signifies <b>...</b>  quot;Software giant Microsoft is casting its sights on the digital media marketplace by positioning itself as pro-consumer-choice.


Rain may have fallout BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox still trail. The good news for the Red Sox Nation was there was no loss to mourn last night as Game 3 of the American League championship Series was rained out at Fenway Park.


Coach #39;s suggestion to Beckham: Zip it England national team coach Sven-Goran Eriksson wants his beleaguered captain David Beckham to keep his mouth shut. That won #39;t satisfy the English Football Association, which


Polish PM wins confidence vote in parliament Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka won a parliamentary confidence vote Friday, a result that thwarted the opposition #39;s bid to force a snap election and enabled the ruling Democratic


Argentina replaces Chile in UN Security Council. Argentina, Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania won this week seats as non permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.


General Motors Posts Weak Earnings General Motors Corp. reported third-quarter earnings Thursday that were at the low end of the company #39;s July guidance. Quarterly earnings rose to \$440 million, or 78 cents per share, from \$425 million, or 79 cents per share, a year ago.


Belarusians Vote in Term Limit Referendum (AP) AP - Belarusians' decision whether to scrap presidential term limits in a referendum this weekend could determine if this East European nation will remain an isolated Soviet-style throwback or slowly turn toward the West.


Israel Ends Deadly Gaza Offensive (AP) AP - Palestinians retrieved belongings from the rubble of dozens of homes and work crews patched up roads and water pipes Saturday  #151; the aftermath of Israel's 17-day military offensive, the deadliest in the Gaza Strip in four years of fighting.


Australia 53-0 after conceding 141-run lead against India (AFP) AFP - Australia, trailing India by 141 runs on the first innings, were 53 for no loss in their second knock at tea on the third day of the second cricket Test here.


Haslem, Wade power Miami Heat TAMPA  Ever since Alonzo Mourning #39;s devastating revelation of kidney illness in September 2000, the Heat has been more than aware of life without a dominant big man.


Impact of soaring oil prices less consequential than in 1970s <b>...</b> The impact of the current surgein oil prices, though noticeable, is likely to prove less consequential to economic growth and inflation than in the 1970s, US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Friday.


Delta warns of bigger losses No. 3 airline says loss to be worse than forecasts; gives new warning of bankruptcy threat. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc.


Bayliss tips Rossi for big race World champion Valentino Rossi will be unbeatable in Sunday #39;s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, according to Australian Troy Bayliss.


Two educators are among year #39;s Milken recipients; each gets <b>...</b> Lesa Martin and Jaunee Perry work for different school districts, but they have two things in common. Both women are dedicated teachers who strive to inspire and enrich the lives


Palestinians Pick Up Pieces After Israeli Offensive Palestinians picked over the rubble of more than two weeks of fighting in a refugee camp on Saturday after Israeli tanks quit northern Gaza to end a crushing offensive.


Rain is a gain for Boston Skies here were overcast by day, rainy by night. An uninitiated visitor might expect around-the-clock gloom to deepen despair over the local nine and their two-game


Tavarez says Cards are better HOUSTON - A 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series reinforced Julian Tavarez #39;s belief that St. Louis is better than Houston despite not having faced aces Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt.


Bungie on Halo 2 Leak October 15, 2004 - Thanks to Eurogamer for the head #39;s up that Bungie posted a FAQ on Bungie.net regarding the Halo 2 leak: Is it true?


#39;Loser #39; T-shirt pulled from stores By wire services. On Thursday, the clothing retailer recalled the shirt, which had the slogan  quot;L is for Loser quot; next to a picture of a gymnast on the still rings.


Muslims Asked to Concentrate on Righteous Deeds JEDDAH, 16 October 2004 - Sheikh Saleh Al-Taleb, one of the imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday called upon Muslims to outdo each other in righteous deeds to win rewards during Ramadan.


NBA Brings Its Game to Beijing (AP) AP - The NBA has come to booming, basketball-crazy China  #151; but it doesn't expect to make any money soon. The league flew more than 100 people halfway around the world for its first games in China, featuring the Houston Rockets  #151; with Chinese-born star Yao Ming  #151; and the Sacramento Kings.


Geiberger Avoids Bogeys, Leads Greensboro (AP) AP - Brent Geiberger stayed out of trouble for a change. "That was probably one of the things holding me back," he said. "I might have three or four birdies and then three or four bogeys. Instead of having a nice round, you have a little sub-par round when everybody else is shooting 3 or 4 under."


The thrill isn't gone just yet Apres le deluge , now what? Well, a possible Miracle of the Shoe, if Terry Francona is to be believed, and that comes with a parental warning, given the tardiness with which the Red Sox disclosed the severity of Curt Schilling's right ankle injury.


There's been no reign after delays Rain and the Red Sox have not been good partners in October. In the three most dramatic and disappointing Boston baseball finishes of the last 30 years, a rain delay halted action just when things started to get interesting.


Changeups can't cross up Varitek The Red Sox pitching rotation is suddenly a shell game. It started out as Curt, Pedro, Bronson, and Wake, with Derek as the odd man out. But then Curt's ankle made headlines, and that's why Derek will pitch for Curt in Game 5. No, wait. Now it's raining, and everyone gets an extra day off, so Pedro might pitch for ...


Gloom was in forecast As badly as the Red Sox wanted to post their first win in the American League Championship Series, they were no match last night for the rain, which washed out Game 3 of their showdown with the Yankees at Fenway Park. Game 3 will be played tonight at 8:19, though customers with tickets to last night's rainout (marked  quot;Home Game ...


Field of dreams turned out all wet On a night when there would be no playoff baseball, there was a desperate need for any sort of show. Curt Schilling merely walking to the bullpen served the purpose.


Report: Caminiti died from overdose Preliminary results of the autopsy performed on Ken Caminiti show that the former National League MVP died of a drug overdose, a New York City police source told ESPN.


Hill's goal to play active role They are 22 years old, rookies barely out of their junior years at Miami and Louisiana State, but one is already starting for the defending Super Bowl champions, while the other is trying to break through the group of young defensive ends in front of him.


Injuries leave Jaguars with no end in sight The Jacksonville Jaguars now have lost both starting defensive ends for the season. The Jags placed Lionel Barnes on injured reserve yesterday with a shoulder injury. Barnes hurt his shoulder Sept. 19 against Denver. He missed one game but returned to the starting lineup two weeks ago against Indianapolis. He did not play last week at San Diego.


Coach: It's no big deal With the NFL trading deadline set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said there didn't seem to be much happening on the trade front around the league.


Today's top 25 games Matchup Comment 1. USC (5-0) vs. No. 15 Arizona St. (5-0) Trojans' Leinart has thrown for 1,187 yards and 10 TDs.


Ciocco's two goals give UNH tie Josh Ciocco scored two goals to lead the No. 8-ranked University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to a 4-4 tie with the No. 3 University of Michigan last night in Ann Arbor , Mich.


BC starts fast, finishes strong It was the first game of the year, but Boston College was in midseason form. The Eagles came out flying in the first period last night, established a 3-0 lead, and never looked back, defeating defending national champion Denver, 6-2, at Conte Forum.


Match pair for Els Ernie Els scored close victories over Scott Drummond and Angel Cabrera yesterday to move into the semifinals of the World Match Play Championship at Virginia Water, England, and stay on course for a record sixth title.


Barnstable dominates Chelmsford in deciding game New year, same result. In a rematch of last year's Division 1 state championship, the Barnstable girls' volleyball team again upended Chelmsford in a 2-1 victory yesterday at Barnstable High School.


Walsh in charge for Masconomet Myles Walsh stole the spolight in what is normally hailed as the Drew Carey show in Masconomet, as the Chieftains claimed a 28-7 victory over visiting Newburyport (1-5).


Finish line is in sight for Martin Self-proclaimed sham Mark Martin vowed to leave racing at the top of his game. A late-season surge has put him there, back in the chase for that elusive NASCAR title.


Transactions BASEBALL Atlanta (NL): Assigned Ps Tim Drew and Travis Smith outright to their minor league camp and announced they will become free agents; activated INF Carlos Guzman from the 15-day DL and released him. Baltimore (AL): Assigned OF Darnell McDonald outright to Ottawa (IL); purchased the contract of P Jacobo Sequea from Bowie (EL) and added him to the 40-man ...


Tizbud seeks second California Classic in row Tizbud returns to the races today for the first time since winning last year's California Cup Classic, and Excess Summer has run only once in almost eight months.


Venus Williams misses out as Davenport advances to Kremlin Cup semifinals Venus Williams was upset yesterday in a Kremlin Cup quarterfinal for a number of reasons, her 10 double faults and 29 unforced errors the most significant ones. Playing her first tournament since losing to Lindsay Davenport in the US Open, Williams was routed by Elena Bovina , 6-3, 6-2, in Moscow in a little more than an hour. The 19-year-old ...


India's Congress Set to Form Govt in Key State  BOMBAY (Reuters) - India's ruling Congress party won power  in a key state on Saturday after it emerged as the largest  group in elections, the first major political test since its  victory in national polls in May.


Racers Rely on High-Octane Data For today's IndyCar drivers, risking their lives on over 200-mph turns isn't enough to guarantee a shot at victory. Racers also rely on sophisticated data-analysis software to constantly monitor their car's inner workings. By Patrick Karle.


Drawings Blamed for Genesis Crash An investigating board says the capsule was doomed by faulty engineering drawings that were done backward. The drawings led to incorrect placement of switches that were supposed to detect Genesis' re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.


Antidepressants and Suicidal Kids Because some antidepressant drugs have been shown to lead to suicidal thoughts among children and teens, the FDA decrees that all manufacturers must carry a warning on their labels.


New Crew Arrives at the Space Station A Soyuz spacecraft with a replacement crew for the International Space Station docked with the orbiting complex early on Saturday, becoming its fresh lifeboat.


NASA Reviews Mix-Up That Doomed Capsule The agency is trying to figure out how an embarrassing error eluded the review process, apparently resulting in the crash of the Genesis space capsule in Utah last month.


Tsvangirai cleared but 20 MDC held JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwean police yesterday arrested 20 supporters of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after he was cleared of plotting to kill President Robert Mugabe, although most were later released, an opposition party official said.


Israel ends Gaza Strip raid leaving 123 Palestinian dead, heavy <b>...</b> Israel withdrew its tanks and ground forces from populated areas in the northern Gaza Strip on late Friday, ending its bloody operation in the area.


Greenspan #39;s act will be difficult to follow WASHINGTON When Alan Greenspan finally retires from the Federal Reserve, will he leave behind any of his DNA? After more than 18 remarkable years as Fed chairman, the owlish and idiosyncratic Greenspan will be required by law to step down in January 2006.


Greenspan allays fears of oil impact WASHINGTON - Record global oil prices should have little long-term impact on the US recovery, nor should it even spark a new round of inflation, says Alan Greenspan, the US Federal Reserve chairman.


US Airways to cut pay by 21 percent; Delta warns it #39;s near <b>...</b> A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority yesterday to temporarily cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent, comparing the airline #39;s financial outlook to  quot;a ticking fiscal time bomb.


Investors fear no fix for Netflix Shares of Netflix, which pioneered renting movies by mail, plunged as much as 43 percent after the company cut its subscription price and said Amazon.


NASA Reviews Mix-Up That Doomed Capsule Five years ago, after two NASA missions to Mars were doomed by elementary mistakes - a software glitch and a mix-up between English and metric units - the space agency devised more elaborate


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


O #39;Neal out with tight hamstring Shaquille O #39;Neal missed the Miami Heat #39;s preseason game against the Orlando Magic on Friday because of a tight left hamstring.


Teacher: On tape, prince says he cheated READING, England -- A teacher #39;s tape recording of Prince Harry purportedly admitting he cheated on an art exam is insufficient to warrant a renewed investigation into the incident, an examination board said Friday.


Gas Prices Continue Slide US average retail gasoline prices fell over the last two weeks and are poised to slip even further as crude oil prices continue to tumble, an industry analyst said on Sunday.


Pressure over Iraq troop movement The government faces pressure over plans to send UK troops to an area south of Baghdad, to assist US forces.


De Niro no-show for Italian award Robert De Niro fails to show up at an awards ceremony in Milan and a press conference in Rome.


Delta at bankruptcy  #39;finish line #39; Financially troubled Delta Air Lines said Friday that it is burning through cash much faster than expected and its third-quarter loss will be far greater than expected.


Pepsi, Coke updating labels with more nutritional data No more math required to figure out how many calories are in that 20-ounce bottle of pop. Revised labels will calculate it for you starting next year.


Park continues to set torrid pace PALM DESERT -- For the second consecutive day, Grace Park turned Bighorn Golf Club into her personal shooting gallery, bagging six more birdies during Friday #39;s second round of the Samsung World Championship.


Dr. Kashnikow Wins Meadowlands Feature Dr. Kashnikow (7), ridden by Richard Migliore, beats out Tam #39;s Terms (8) to win the \$200,000 Grade III Cliff Hanger Handicap at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ, Friday, Oct. 15, 2004.


Greece gets onto Security Council For only the second time in its history, Greece has been awarded a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council after a vote in New York yesterday.


Maoists will halt attacks during gala KATHMANDU: Maoist rebels fighting for a Communist state in Nepal said yesterday they will suspend military operations during a popular festival.


U.S. Image Slides, but Americans Popular (AP) AP - America's popularity around the world has taken a beating in recent years, according to a set of coordinated polls conducted in 10 different countries. But the survey also found that despite widespread animosity toward President Bush, huge majorities said they have a good opinion of Americans.


Policeman, Three Afghan Children Killed (AP) AP - A bomb attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the government said Saturday.


Oil breaks through US\$55 a barrel The Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, says he believes the current surge in global oil prices will not have the same impact on economic growth and inflation as the energy crisis of the 1970s.


Stock option rule delay provides chance for fix That #39;s what corporations great and small will begin telling rank-and-file employees when they stop issuing them stock options.


PayPal: Service Fully Restored PayPal on Thursday reported that it had restored its online payment services after facing intermittent outages for more than five days.


Beckham prepares his defence ENGLAND captain David Beckham was today starting to compile the defence of his self-confessed deliberate booking against Wales to try to avoid a disciplinary charge.


SEEDED TRIO BOW OUT David Nalbandian, Nicolas Massu and Rainer Schuettler - the top three seeds - all lost on Friday in the quarter-finals of the indoor hardcourt event in Vienna.


Astros #39; hopes ride on aging Clemens The guy the Houston Astros are counting on today probably could fool a teenage movie clerk into thinking he qualifies for the senior discount.


Martin Back in Chase for NASCAR Title Dale Earnhardt Jr, right, talks with Matt Kenseth, left, during a break in practice at Lowe #39;s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, Thursday Oct. 14, 2004 before qualifying for Saturday #39;s UAW-GM Quality 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race.


Jimenez Ends Langer's Challenge at 35th (AP) AP - Miguel Angel Jimenez ended the strong challenge of his Ryder Cup captain, Bernhard Langer, on the 35th hole Saturday to earn a semifinal place in the World Match Play Championship.


Judge lets US Airways cut workers #39; pay by 21 ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority yesterday to immediately cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent through mid-February, saying the airline #39;s situation is so dire that urgent action must be taken.


Things better without Conway? PeopleSoft Inc., in the midst of fighting a takeover bid from Oracle Corp., is  quot;in better shape quot; because of the departures of Chief Executive Craig Conway and a senior technology official, a director testified.


Royal Group Executives Accused in Fraud Investigation (Update2) Royal Group Technologies Ltd., the Canadian maker of plastic building products, said three executives, including its chairman and founder, are accused of fraud in company dealings with a Caribbean resort.


Companies given more time meet new rules on stock options The Federal Accounting Standards Board has voted to give companies six more months to meet new rules that would require companies to consider employee stock options an expense.


Russian Spacecraft Avoids Collision, Docks with International <b>...</b> A three-man crew has arrived at the International Space Station, after a two-day trip in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Two of the men will replace the crew now on the station as part of the normal six-month rotation.


iTunes Downloads Hit 150-Million Mark Apple #39;s iTunes music-download service sold its 150 millionth song on Thursday. The service, launched in April 2003, now is selling more than 4 million tracks a week, Apple says.


Music chiefs track down pirates The music industry has fired the first shot in its legal battle with internet file sharers after winning a court order forcing internet service providers to hand over


Kumble raises Indian hopes of win MADRAS, India -- Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble achieved his sixth 10-wicket haul in tests to raise his side #39;s hopes of a series-equaling win in the second test against Australia in Madras.


Els edges away from Harrington Ernie Els took a three shot lead against Padraig Harrington at the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth today. The South African is three up on the Irishman after 17 holes of their semi-final this afternoon.


Golf Roundup: Geiberger battles ailing hip, weather for lead at <b>...</b> At Greensboro, NC, A heat wrap kept Brent Geiberger #39;s ailing hip from hurting, and his best consecutive rounds of the season took care of the rest.


MOTOGP NEWS Gibernau, Rossi to fight title from the front. The scene is set for a thrilling Australian Grand Prix after title rivals Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi qualified first and second for Sunday #39;s race, in which Rossi could be crowned the 2004 world champion.


Navy on a mission against Notre Dame Two score and one year ago, Navy defeated Notre Dame on the football field. It hasn #39;t happened since. Today at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, an undefeated Navy squad seeks to break that


Palestinians Pick Up Pieces After Israeli Offensive Palestinians picked through the rubble of dozens of homes in a sprawling refugee camp on Saturday after Israel ended its most powerful assault in the Gaza Strip in four years of bloodshed.


Living to the sound of gunfire On Thursday, two bomb attacks killed up to six people in Baghdad #39;s heavily fortified Green Zone. It was believed to be the most secure part of the city, housing the Iraqi interim government and the American and British embassies.


Churches Bombed in Baghdad A series of bombings damaged five churches in the capital early Saturday, and mortars later struck near a hospital and a hotel used by foreign news organizations and diplomats, Iraqi officials said.


UN urges bigger Darfur deployment The UN special envoy to Sudan has welcomed an African Union announcement that it will begin deploying armed peacekeepers to Darfur on Sunday.


Man Remanded over Danielle Murder A 20-year-old man appeared in court today charged with the murder of schoolgirl Danielle Beccan. Mark Ontonio (cor) Kelly is accused of killing the 14-year-old in the early hours


Human Lie Detectors Almost Never Miss, Study Finds (Reuters) Reuters - As he lies, the young man shrugs,\flutters his eyelids and shakes his head. Another, on a witness\stand, grimaces for a millisecond as he answers a question.


India's Congress Wins Polls in Key Industrial State  BOMBAY (Reuters) - India's ruling Congress party won power  in a giant state on Saturday, a victory that would boost the  fortunes of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi's party and strengthen  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's minority national coalition.


Single Mothers 'Not Very Good,' EU Candidate Says  ROME (Reuters) - Italy's disputed candidate for EU justice  and security commissioner, under fire for calling homosexuality  a sin, has said single mothers are "not very good."


Moore election special is dropped A three-hour election show from film-maker Michael Moore has been dropped by a US cable TV company.


Five Churches, Hospital Bombed in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bombs exploded outside five churches in Baghdad and mortar rounds hit near a hospital and a hotel frequented by foreigners, as U.S. forces loosened a cordon around the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah after several days of clashes with rebels there...


Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan - A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...


Fresh Wave of Violence in Baghdad Explosions damaged churches and hit a hospital and hotel in Baghdad on Saturday in fresh challenges to Iraq's U.S.-backed interim government.


LiveWire: Web Sites Serve Up Array of Dining Options (Reuters) Reuters - In the mood for an Italian, Thai or\maybe an Indian meal? Web sites that specialize in restaurant\reservations can help diners decide, though they may not make\it any easier to snag a table at a popular spot.


Google's Desktop Search is valuable, yet creepy (SiliconValley.com) SiliconValley.com - Google's new Desktop Search software is a muscle car among search engines, racing through personal data stored inside your computer to instantly find things you can't easily locate.


Wall Street Faces 2 Elections, Not Just 1 (Reuters) Reuters - The waiting game for the U.S.\presidential election ends two weeks from Tuesday -- but then\investors can turn over the timer and start again.


Holiday Sales Forecasted in New Ways (Reuters) Reuters - There's nothing like a picture of a\child with Santa Claus -- especially since the number of\parents who line up in stores to get these photos taken could\indicate the health of the holiday shopping season.


India's Congress Wins Polls in Key Industrial State (Reuters) Reuters - India's ruling Congress party won power\in a giant state on Saturday, a victory that would boost the\fortunes of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi's party and strengthen\Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's minority national coalition.


Away on Business: Recipe for Success (Reuters) Reuters - Cancel the limo. Put down the dining\guides and leave your overcoat in the closet. A power breakfast\or lavish business dinner is just an elevator ride away.


British tennis set for grass cutter (AFP) AFP - Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) could break with a century-old tradition by dropping the word 'lawn' from the governing body's name, it was reported.


Murali will take back world record from Warne: Ranatunga (AFP) AFP - Sri Lanka's World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has congratulated his old foe Shane Warne on becoming the world's highest Test wicket-taker, but predicted his glory will be short-lived.


Programs: New 'Sandiego' Has Better Graphics, Less Learning  PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Reuters) - Although the "Carmen Sandiego"  series is synonymous with learning, the latest game has been  drained of virtually all educational content.


AP: Memo Warned About Medicare Cards (AP) AP - Some seniors are confused by Medicare's new prescription discount card system because early information mailed to them was unclear or incomplete, according to a report by the government's health policy watchdog.


Russian spacecraft docks with space station Russian spacecraft carrying a Russian-US crew successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday morning. The Soyuz TMA-5, which was launched Thursday


#39;Sharon is a butcher #39; Jabaliya - Palestinians on Saturday surveyed the widespread devastation inflicted by Israeli troops during an 18-day military operation in the northern Gaza Strip, after the troops redeployed overnight - comparing the scene to the aftermath of an


Explosions Rock Baghdad, Saturday Explosions have rocked the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, leaving at least one person dead and several others wounded. Officials say a hospital worker was killed Saturday, when a mortar round exploded outside a Baghdad hospital.


New crew arrive at space station Three new crew members have reached the International Space Station after a Russian spacecraft docked successfully. Salizhan Sharipov and Yuri Shargin and US astronaut Leroy Chiao are all now on board the


Park in overdrive at Samsung Championship Palm Desert, CA (Sports Network) - Grace Park fired a 10-under-par 62 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the Samsung World Championship at Bighorn.


Beckham plans his defence England captain David Beckham is starting to compile the defence of his self-confessed deliberate booking against Wales to try to avoid a disciplinary charge.


Nalbandian, Massu in CA Trophy quarterfinals Top-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina and Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile advanced to the quarterfinals of the CA Trophy Thursday with straight-set victories while American Robby Ginepri upset No.


Sadler hopes to sneak up on title Elliott Sadler knelt beside the wheelchair of 9-year-old Taylor Downard behind his hauler before Fridays final practice for tonights race at Lowes Motor Speedway.


One man #39;s leg could be pivotal Everyone who follows Virginia football has a particular memory of the Cavaliers #39; epic victory over Florida State in 1995. Adrian Burnim and Anthony Poindexter teaming to stop Warrick Dunn inches short of the goal line on the game #39;s final play.


Top-three seeds waltz out of Vienna Vienna, Austria (Sports Network) - Top seeds David Nalbandian, Nicolas Massu and Rainer Schuettler were all quarterfinal losers Friday at the indoor BA-CA Tennis Trophy.


Mark Kreidler: Yao Ming epitomizes the Chinese athlete who is <b>...</b> Bee Columnist. BEIJING - The stories of Yao Ming and Liu Wei are told here, of course. They tell the stories here just as they do in Shanghai, if with a bit less of the obvious pride that


Sadler #39;s game plan: Beat Gordon Driver figures if he can finish ahead of 4-time series champion, he has good shot at 2004 title. By Steve Ballard. CONCORD, NC -- Elliott Sadler has looked at the field in the 10-man Chase for the Nextel Cup and worked out a simple formula for winning it.


Afghans need time, world #39;s continued help Wherever people are given the opportunity to select their leaders for the first time, they will embrace it. They defy all odds - violence, threats, the elements, logistical problems - to have their say.


Schilling still may pitch for Boston against New York BOSTON -- With a balky ankle and tight shoes, Curt Schilling took the mound on Friday, throwing batting practice speed in the bullpen during a steady rain.


India #39;s Congress Wins Polls in Key Industrial State India #39;s ruling Congress party won power in a giant state on Saturday, a victory that would boost the fortunes of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi #39;s party


Schwab posts loss in quarter Discount brokerage Charles Schwab Corp. suffered a \$41 million loss during its fiscal third quarter as it absorbed costs from job cuts and other restructuring steps it hopes will reverse a protracted slump.


Federer, Roddick, Hewitt pull out of Madrid Masters Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt -- the world #39;s top three ranked players -- pulled out of next week #39;s Madrid Masters in another wave of withdrawals from the hard-court tournament.


Israeli cleared after gunning down girl The Israeli army has cleared a commander serving in the southern Gaza town of Rafah of any wrongdoing a few days after he riddled a Palestinian girl #39;s body with bullets.


Astros' Lidge Ready to Be Called Upon (AP) AP - Brad Lidge is starting to get antsy. The Houston Astros' closer has warmed in the first two games of the NLCS, but has remained in the bullpen. He wasn't needed in Game 5 of the division series, either, so his last appearance was Sunday  #151; when he blew a save against Atlanta.


Venus Williams Upset in Kremlin Cup Play (AP) AP - A weakened Lindsay Davenport lost to defending champion Anastasia Myskina 6-4, 7-6 (1) Saturday in the Kremlin Cup semifinals but will still regain the No. 1 ranking next week.


Both Coca-Cola, Pepsi to list calorie counts No more math required to figure out how many calories are in that 20-ounce bottle of soda. Revised labels will calculate it for you starting next year.


Karzai takes lead in Afghan presidential polls The incumbent Afghan president HamidKarzai has taken lead in the presidential polls as he had secured 77 percent of the votes counted so far, a spokesman of the joint UN-Afghan election commission said Saturday.


Darfur refugee death toll at 70,000 GENEVA - The World Health Organization says that since March, at least 70,000 people in Sudan #39;s western Darfur province have died because of poor conditions in camps for internally displaced people.


Man appears in court over Danielle murder A man is due in court accused of the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Danielle Beccan in a drive-by shooting. The teenager died after being shot yards from her home in the St Ann #39;s district of Nottingham as


Peru President's Kin Create Headaches (AP) AP - If U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton ever thought their brothers caused them public relations headaches, they might feel lucky compared to Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo.


Deluge of Big Earnings to Dominate  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock investors face a  mind-numbing pile of information next week as corporate  earnings and economic data pour in, Alan Greenspan speaks and  the presidential election heads toward the homestretch.


Holiday Sales Forecasted in New Ways  NEW YORK (Reuters) - There's nothing like a picture of a  child with Santa Claus -- especially since the number of  parents who line up in stores to get these photos taken could  indicate the health of the holiday shopping season.


Away on Business: Recipe for Success  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cancel the limo. Put down the dining  guides and leave your overcoat in the closet. A power breakfast  or lavish business dinner is just an elevator ride away.


Car Bombs Kill Five Troops in Iraq BAGHDAD, Iraq - Car bombs killed five U.S. troops in Iraq, the U.S...


The day on Wall Street: Stocks up for day, down for week Stocks fell for the second straight week as investors recoiled from a major insurance industry scandal, record high oil prices, a worsening trade deficit and a mixed bag of corporate earnings.


Intel having a hard time competing with AMD Recent months have seen AMD taking an upper hand over Intel in the chip market. And the latest news is another new indication that Intel is struggling to keep up with the pace they once spearheaded.


Rockstar Games turns on the radio; GTA soundtrack details emerge Rockstar updates official Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas site with info on the game #39;s soundtrack. Rockstar Games updated the official Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas site with information on the ten radio stations


Fans Flock to See Shaq, but He Sits Friday night #39;s game between the Magic and the Miami Heat drew an announced 20,454 to the St. Pete Times Forum. For an NBA exhibition game, that #39;s not bad.


Gotta Love This Time Of Year This has been one heck of a season thus far. Every week, there have been games that have been dynamite. I can understand the proponents of keeping the bowl system the way it is.


UK opposition figure seeks troop info British opposition politicians are demanding the government clarify plans for the nation #39;s troops in Iraq, Sky News reported Saturday.


US Airways gets OK to cut workers #39; pay ALEXANDRIA, Va.  A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority Friday to immediately cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent through mid-February, saying the airline #39;s situation is so dire that urgent action must be taken.


RBC Centura announces leadership change Scott Custer has been named RBC Centura Banks Inc. #39;s chief executive officer, succeeding Kel Landis, who is retiring from the Rocky Mount-based regional bank.


A New Crew Arrives At the Space Station A Soyuz spacecraft with a replacement crew for the International Space Station docked safely with the orbiting complex early today.


Starbucks Spreading Its CD  #39;Bars #39; Starbucks is pushing its new digital music offering into Seattle and Austin in the next month. The Hear Music media bar is an in-store kiosk that allows consumers to buy customizable CDs.


EarthLink to share Con Ed #39;s lines EarthLink will begin providing Internet connections over Consolidated Edison #39;s power lines in Manhattan in the next several months, following an FCC vote last week to establish new ground rules for commercial deployment of the service.


Fossil of dinosaurs in sleeping posture found in China Chinese and American scientists have discovered a fossil in northeast China which has provided a first look at dinosaurs #39; bird-like sleep.


Els, Westwood lead World Match Play s-finals VIRGINIA WATER (England) - Titleholder Ernie Els overcame a dismal putting performance to forge a 3-up lead over an injured Padraig Harrington on Saturday after 18 holes of their World Match Play semi-final.


UPDATE 1-Canas to meet Lopez in second final in two weeks Guillermo Canas followed up his defeat of top seed David Nalbandian by beating unseeded German Tommy Haas 6-4 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Vienna Trophy.


Stuttgart Claim Top Spot with Win over BVB Matthias Sammer #39;s Stuttgart went top of the Bundesliga on Saturday after a 2-0 win over the coach #39;s former team. At times efficient, at others exciting, VfB looked the complete package and deserving league leaders.


Check Fridays and Mondays for weekly team updates and match <b>...</b> It was quite simply the performance of the year for the Americans. In a perfect storm of what could go right for the US mens national team, Panama


Illinois Fighting Illini CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- No. 13 Michigan tries to avoid its first road loss to Illinois in 21 years when the Big Ten Conference foes meet Saturday.


Forgive and forget The most surprising part of last night #39;s pre-season Raptors game was the indifference displayed by the Air Canada Centre crowd toward Vince Carter.


Car Bombs Kill 5 US Troops In Iraq BAGHDAD (CBS) Five US servicemen lost their lives to car bombs in Iraq, the US military said Saturday, the latest in a string of such attacks at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.


Butcher of Bali faces execution RADICAL Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir could face the death penalty if convicted of charges over the Bali bombings, which killed 88 Australians.


Attacks Kill Two US GIs in Afghanistan An Afghan election worker puts ballot papers next to Hamid Karzai #39;s name at Kabul #39;s counting center on Thursday Oct. 14, 2004.


Rwanda to delay deploying extra troops to Darfur by one week <b>...</b> Rwanda will delay sending troops to Sudan #39;s troubled Darfur region by about a week because preparations have not been made to quarter the soldiers, an official said Saturday.


Danielle murder accused remanded The family of drive-by shooting victim Danielle Beccan were in court to see the man accused of her murder in the dock. Mark Ontonio Kelly ,20, is accused of killing the 14-year-old as she walked home with


DRC will not accept further  #39;aggression #39;: Kabila KISANGANI, DR Congo (AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo, which is emerging from five years of bloody warfare,  quot;will allow no further aggression, quot; warned President Joseph Kabila on his first visit to the restive east of this vast central African


Man sentenced to life for backpacker murder Ian Previte, a drifter, has been found guilty of murdering 19-year-old British backpacker Caroline Stuttle in Bundaberg, Australia, April 10, 2002.


India #39;s Ruling Congress Party Wins Key State Election India #39;s ruling Congress Party has retained power in legislative elections in the country #39;s second largest state of Maharashtra.


More GIs, Families Trust Bush, Poll Finds (AP) AP - When asked whom they would trust as commander in chief, people in military service and their families chose President Bush over Sen. John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, by almost a 3-to-1 margin.


250 Leaders, But Not US, Back UN Population Plan (Reuters) Reuters - More than 250 world figures --\but not the Bush administration -- have urged the United


UCLA 70, Purdue 64 Sophomore guard Noelle Quinn scored 23 points, and three teammates also finished in double figures as No. 25 UCLA defeated No. 14 Purdue, 70-64, in a nonconference game Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.


Sudan Questions WHO Darfur Deaths Figures  KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan on Saturday questioned U.N.  estimates that up to 70,000 people had died from hunger and  disease in its remote Darfur region since a rebellion began 20  months ago.


Beirut Protests Over U.S. Plan to Freeze Assets  BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon protested to the United States  on Saturday over a proposal to freeze the assets of senior  officials to put pressure on Syria to withdraw its troops from  Lebanon and crack down on terrorism.


Iraq blasts mar Muslim holy feast Insurgents in Iraq carry out a series of bomb attacks to coincide with the start of the holy month of Ramadan.


EU nominee in single mothers row A controversial EU commission nominee sparks a new row by allegedly saying single mums are "not so good".


Madrid attack suspect identified Police in Spain identify the body of an alleged ringleader of the March train bombings in Madrid.


Santomero Says Rates 'Still Stimulative' (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. interest rates are still\stimulative but should return to "more normal levels" as\expansion continues, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President\Anthony Santomero said on Saturday.


Santomero Says Rates 'Still Stimulative'  MADRID (Reuters) - U.S. interest rates are still  stimulative but should return to "more normal levels" as  expansion continues, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President  Anthony Santomero said on Saturday.


Senior House Repulican in Re-Election War (AP) AP - Having served 17 terms, Illinois Rep. Phil Crane is the most senior Republican in the House. His quest for an 18th is proving difficult and has party strategists scrambling to fend off a challenge from Democrat Melissa Bean.


Indonesian cleric charged over Bali bombings  quot;He is charged for having a part in the Bali incident, quot; state prosecutor Andi Herman told Reuters on Saturday. bombing attack at the US-run JW.


Bangladesh v New Zealand scoreboard  Cricket-Buchanan looking for middle-order defiance October 16, 2004 13:39:32 MADRAS, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Coach John Buchanan said he was hoping his middle order could dig in to give Australia a chance of saving the second test after India took


Bush Uses Radio Address to Pan Kerry WASHINGTON - President Bush used his weekly radio address as a campaign tool Saturday, mentioning his unnamed "opponent" five times to plead the case that he, not Democrat John Kerry, has a better slate of domestic policy ideas.    Bush credited his tax cuts for stimulating the economy and said Kerry voted in the Senate to raise taxes...


Greenspan Not Too Worried by the Rise in Energy Prices Alan Greenspan, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said on Friday that the long-term outlook for global oil supplies is reassuring even though anxiety about dwindling


Judge rules in favor of Tyco stockholders #39; lawsuit _ A federal judge in New Hampshire says shareholders can go ahead with a class action suit against Tyco International. The suit alleges accounting fraud and looting by former top executives.


Soyuz docks with space station A Russian Soyuz spacecraft brought a new crew to the International Space Station Saturday morning, the Interfax news agency reported.


Google Gets Froogle with UK Shoppers Cosmos Nicolaou said Froogle #39;s UK intro is part of the company #39;s plan to actively pursue overseas expansion.  quot;As Google continues to explore opportunities to bring more of the world #39;s information


ELS CHASING 1MILLION BIRTHDAY PRESENT Ernie Els will try to mark his 35th birthday tomorrow by winning the World Match Play title at Wentworth for a record-breaking sixth time, and with it collect golf #39;s biggest cheque of 1million yet again.


Davenport loses in Kremlin Cup semis A weakened Lindsay Davenport lost to defending champion Anastasia Myskina 6-4, 7-6 (1) Saturday in the Kremlin Cup semifinals in Moscow but will still regain the No.


Body of slain Chinese hostage flown home from Pakistan ISLAMABAD : The body of a Chinese engineer killed in an army operation to rescue him from his kidnappers was flown to China aboard a Pakistan military plane, officials said.


Black Watch head for Baghdad Opposition parties are demanding an urgent government statement on Iraq, with speculation that the Black Watch are about to start patrolling some of the most dangerous areas of the country.


Another round for the great survivor All of the downfalls and the resurgences of Ariel Sharon pale in comparison to the battle awaiting him on Thursday, when the Likud conference votes on whether to hold coalition talks with Labor.


Soyuz spacecraft docks with ISS MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) - The Russian manned spacecraft Soyuz- TMA-5 docked with the International Space Station at 8:15 am Moscow time Saturday, an Interfax correspondent reported from the Space Mission Control.


Where to get cheap socks? Go to Froogle IF YOU are planning to head to London for holiday, don #39;t forget to stop by at Google first. The Internet search firm has launched its Froogle price comparison website in Britain, expanding the company #39;s e-commerce


Soyuz Spacecraft Docks With Space Station KOROLYOV, Russia Oct. 16, 2004 - A Russian spacecraft ferrying a fresh crew to the international space station had to be docked manually Saturday after an unexplained glitch sent it toward the outpost too quickly.


UPDATE 4-Kumble puts India in sight of victory Leg spinner Anil Kumble completed his sixth 10-wicket test haul on Saturday to give India a wonderful opportunity to square their four-match series against Australia.


Park #39;s confidence evident in her game After opening the Samsung World Championship with a 10-under 62, she felt she might go just as low in the second round Friday. She left a few birdie putts short, but finished with a 67 to open a four-shot


Egypt frees Azzam Azzam after 8 years Egypt yesterday released Azzam Azzam, an Israeli arrested and jailed in Egypt eight years ago on charges of espionage. In exchange, Israel freed six Egyptian students who were captured in August this year


On Baseball: Rain dulls pain You #39;re angry. You want to lash out. The Red Sox are doing it to you again. They #39;re blowing a playoff series, and to the Yankees no less.


Attacks Kill Two US GIs in Afghanistan A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the US military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan


Broadband Duopoly Calms Cable, Telecom Battles  LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - The long-promised battle between U.S.  cable and telephone companies has so far been more of an uneasy  peace. Thanks to their duopoly over broadband Internet access,  it may stay that way.


UN agency marks World Food Day The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is celebrating world food day.


NASA Celebrates Life of Astronaut Gordon Cooper By PAM EASTON    HOUSTON (AP) -- Mercury program astronaut Gordon Cooper was remembered Friday by NASA officials and fellow space pioneers as "not too bad of a pilot, but a heck of a good astronaut."    Cooper, who on the final flight of the Mercury program became the first American to spend more than 24 hours in space, died of natural causes Oct. 4 at his home in Ventura, Calif...


New Telescope Being Dedicated in Arizona By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN     PHOENIX (AP) -- A troubled, 20-year journey to create the world's most powerful optical telescope is nearing an end, with astronomers hoping to begin using the instrument to look for heavenly breakthroughs early next year...


Soyuz Spacecraft Docks With International Space Station A Russian spacecraft ferrying a fresh crew to the international space station had to be docked manually Saturday after an unexplained glitch sent it toward the outpost too quickly.


Fines and Jail Used to Enforce Flu Shot Rules As the flu vaccine shortage hits home and long lines queue around the supermarket, a handful of states and the nation's capital are threatening doctors and nurses with fines or even jail if they give flu shots to healthy, low-risk people.


Mount St. Helens''Fin' May Be Splitting The stone "fin" on the new lava lobe inside the crater at Mount St. Helens seems to be starting to split. The fin, which is about 200 feet tall and 300 feet wide, is building on the new lava dome, which is about 1,600 feet in diameter and 400 feet high.


Els and Westwood Build Halfway Mach Play Leads  VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Defending champion  Ernie Els and Briton Lee Westwood built healthy leads at the  halfway point of the World Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth  on Saturday.


Myskina to Face Dementiva in French Open Rematch  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Anastasia Myskina will take on Elena  Dementieva in the Kremlin Cup final in a repeat of their  all-Russian French Open final after the pair won their  semi-finals in similar fashion on Saturday.


Canas to Meet Lopez in Second Final in Two Weeks  VIENNA (Reuters) - Guillermo Canas followed up his defeat  of top seed David Nalbandian by beating unseeded German Tommy  Haas 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Vienna  Trophy.


Broadband Duopoly Calms Cable, Telecom Battles (Reuters) Reuters - The long-promised battle between U.S.\cable and telephone companies has so far been more of an uneasy\peace. Thanks to their duopoly over broadband Internet access,\it may stay that way.


New FCC Rule Will Bring High-Speed Internet to More Americans By JENNIFER C. KERR    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators approved new rules Thursday aimed at making high-speed Internet available to more Americans...


All-Girl Swedish Team Tackles Video Gaming At first glance, Les Seules might look like an all-girl rock band - complete with sassy attitudes and fawning male groupies - but the Swedish septuplet doesn't play instruments. They play competitive video games.


Henry shines right on cue IN THAT FAMOUSLY irritating advert, Thierry Henry smiles smugly as he struggles to explain to his audience what he means by Va va voom.


No. 25 UCLA beats Pepperdine 74-61 MALIBU, Calif. -- Lindsey Pluimer scored 22 points and Noelle Quinn poured in 20 to lead No. 25 UCLA past Pepperdine 74-61 on Thursday.


Auburn Headed To Sugar Bowl Auburn #39;s 38-28 win in the SEC championship game Saturday gave the Tigers a perfect 12-0 regular season. It was the first Auburn football team to accomplish that feat.


Last of Mercury Astronauts Remember  #39;Gordo #39; Cooper The last of the seven Project Mercury astronauts who pioneered US space exploration in the 1960s remembered one of their own as a fearless pilot with the  quot;right stuff quot; in


Canada buries submariner, probes tragedy Canada buried a sailor this week who died in a submarine fire that naval officers say was poorly handled by the vessel #39;s skipper.


EU nominee in single mothers row The Italian minister nominated as EU justice and home affairs commissioner has denied criticising single mothers. Rocco Buttiglione is already at the centre of a row after being rejected by the European Parliament


With Few Suppliers of Flu Shots, Shortage Was Long in Making Health experts had warned that the nation's system for vaccine supply and distribution was growing increasingly fragile.


Red Sox, Astros Hunt for Their First Wins After Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez failed to get the Boston Red Sox a win against the New York Yankees in the first two games of the AL championship series, Bronson Arroyo will take the hill for Game 3 at Fenway Park on Saturday.    In Houston, the winless Astros face a similar challenge as they return home and put their hopes in Roger Clemens for NLCS Game 3 against the St...


Stuttgart tops table as Bayern, Bremen lose VfB Stuttgart moved into top spot in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, while Bayern Munich suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Schalke.


Sri Lanka crush Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan - Sanath Jayasuriya defied the dew factor with a five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka crushed Pakistan by a massive 119 runs in the day-night final of the triangular series on Saturday.


Myskinia heads all-Russian final Moscow - The Kremlin Cup final will be an all-Russian affair for the first time after defending champion Anastasia Myskina beat new world No.


Pires inspires Arsenal #39;s fightback Robert Pires scored twice and Thierry Henry once as Arsenal hit back to beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Highbury, taking their unbeaten league run to one short of a half-century.


Judge Clears Way for Pay Cuts at US Airways US Airways employees are earning less. A federal bankruptcy judge has given the troubled airline permission to cut the pay off its union employees by 21 percent immediately.


Bolton v Crystal P Bolton expect Jay-Jay Okocha to shake off a groin injury suffered in the defeat at West Brom a fortnight ago. Khalilou Fadiga will be in the Bolton squad for the first time after recovery from a heart complaint.


UPDATE 1-Sri Lanka #39;s Jayasuriya foils Pakistan in final Sanath Jayasuriya took five for 17 to lead Sri Lanka to an emphatic 119-run win the triangular tournament final on Saturday and keep Pakistan waiting for their first one-day title at home.


Kabila Visits Eastern Congo Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has arrived in the eastern city of Kisangani - his first visit to former rebel-held territories since the end of a devastating four-year war.


Look for lower prices on thin TVs While hanging a television on the living-room wall may have captured the imagination of American consumers, it has yet to empty many pocketbooks.


Crazy Horse Kin Want Strip Club Renamed (AP) AP - Descendants of the native American warrior Crazy Horse want a change in the famed Paris strip club named after him.


Philips Signs Services Deal With Dell Royal Philips Electronics has signed a services contract with computer maker Dell Inc., which will manage the electronics company #39;s desktop environment.


Red Sox, Astros Hunt for Their First Wins (AP) AP - After Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez failed to get the Boston Red Sox a win against the New York Yankees in the first two games of the AL championship series, Bronson Arroyo will take the hill for Game 3 at Fenway Park on Saturday.


Sleek computer moves from den to living room For the past five years, Bill Gates and the people at Microsoft have been trying to turn that boring gray computer box on your desk into a sexy entertainment gadget that you would welcome into your living room or media room.


Arsenal Streak Reaches 49 Games (AP) AP - Defending champion Arsenal stretched its unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 49 games Saturday, beating Aston Villa 3-1 behind two goals by Robert Pires.


Australia #39;s Metcash Unveils A\$846M Bid For Foodland -2- SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Australian grocery and liquor wholesaler Metcash Trading Ltd. (MTT.AU) Monday launched aA\$846 million takeover bid for the Australian assets of Perth-based Foodland Associated Ltd.


Mini-summit in Libya to seek progress on Darfur crisis CAIRO - Sudans president, threatened with UN sanctions over the Darfur crisis, is due to meet Sunday in Libya with leaders of neighbouring powers to lay down the basis for direct talks with the rebels a few days later.


Canas, Lopez Advance to CA Trophy Final (AP) AP - Argentina's Guillermo Canas beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the final of the CA Trophy.


Els and Westwood Set Up Final Showdown  VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Defending champion  Ernie Els beat Padraig Harrington 5 4 and Lee Westwood held off  a brave fightback by Miguel Angel Jimenez to win their World  Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth on Saturday.


Kerry Unfit to Lead Amid 'Great Threats', Bush Says (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush labeled Sen. John\Kerry on Saturday a political opportunist who is unfit to lead\amid "great threats" to America.


Two U.S. Soldiers Die in Afghan Attacks A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.


Canas, Lopez Advance to CA Trophy Final Argentina's Guillermo Canas beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the final of the CA Trophy.


Colombian Indians Want Time to Forget Their Land

 By Jason Webb

 SABANA CRESPO, Colombia (Reuters) - Coca leaves, the rawmaterial of cocaine, should speed you up and give you a buzz.But you'd never know it to look at the Arhuaco Indians ofColombia's Sierra Nevada, who must be strong contenders for thetitle of World's Most Laid-Back People.


Nordic Nations Prevail in Surveys of World #39;s Hot Economies Forget the stereotypes about Scandinavian socialism and how its high taxes and expensive public health care system are destroying private enterprise.


PayPal Back To Normal PayPal, the popular payment method on auction site eBay Inc., has fixed the technical problems that had plagued the systems for almost a week, leaving many users unable to access their accounts or conduct business.


Canas, Lopez advance to CA Trophy final Guillermo Canas of Argentina will play Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the final of the CA Trophy after straight sets victories Saturday.


UPDATE 2-Arsenal vanquish Villa, Man United lose ground French maestros Robert Pires and Thierry Henry combined to give champions Arsenal a classy 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Highbury on Saturday.


SPORTSTICKER MLS PREVIEW (SAN JOSE-DALLAS) SOUTHLAKE, Texas (Ticker) -- The battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference comes down to 90 minutes of action as the Dallas Burn host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.


Soyuz docks after space ride A Soyuz spacecraft carrying two cosmonauts and an American astronaut arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday after approaching so quickly that a danger signal was activated, causing the crew to switch from autopilot to manual control.


And Then There Were Three America #39;s earliest space explorers bid farewell Friday to fellow Mercury 7 astronaut L. Gordon Cooper, whose toothy grin became a symbol of confidence and graceful daring as his country struggled to open a new frontier.


Tech Digest Dell Inc. said yesterday that it plans to let people who buy its personal computers upgrade for \$39 from a traditional Microsoft Corp.


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


Four bidders court Boeing Speculation runs high over which of these companies might buy the Wichita plant -- perhaps by the end of the year. BY MOLLY MCMILLIN.


Apple on a Roll in Q4 Apple Computer saw its shares jump 13 percent after it delivered a strong quarterly earnings report. Sales were propelled by burgeoning demand for the iPod digital-music player.


Els, Westwood win Match Play semifinals Titleholder Ernie Els moved within sight of a record sixth World Match Play title on Saturday by solving a putting problem to overcome injured Irishman Padraig Harrington 5 and 4.


Garcia and Khan lead in Mallorca Sergio Garcia waltzed into a share of the lead at nine under after a third-round 68 in the Mallorca Classic. The Spaniard holed from a bunker for birdie on 13 and chipped in for birdie on 17 to join England #39;s Simon Khan.


Report: Trainer says Bonds used steroids in  #39;03 According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, Bonds #39; personal weight trainer, Greg Anderson, claimed in a recorded conversation last year that the slugger used an undetectable performance-enhancing drug during the 2003 season.


Sun setback for City Kevin Keegan has revealed that Manchester City would be without Sun Jihai will be out of action for a year with a serious leg injury.


Kiwis earn draw in Auckland AUCKLAND: New Zealand produced a superb fight back to hold Australia to a 16-16 draw in the opening game of the Tri-Nations series in Auckland.


Crude oil touches \$55 US a barrel NEW YORKCrude oil hit \$55 (US) a barrel yesterday as traders worried over thin heating oil inventories ahead of winter and Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan predicted the soaring costs would not crimp economic growth like in the 1970s.


Seven dead in Afghan attacks as vote count resumes KABUL : Seven people including two US soldiers died in explosions in Afghanistan, officials said, as early results from historic elections gave President Hamid Karzai a strong lead over his rivals.


Robert Di Niro loves Italy!: Hollywood News: Washington, Oct 16: Italians might think otherwise, but Robert De Niro definitely has no bad intentions towards Italy even though his recent actions seem to suggest otherwise.


DRCongo president makes first trip to east: warns against <b>...</b> KISANGANI, DRCongo : President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began a historic visit to the unstable and war-weary east of his country with a warning that the nation would not accept any further  quot;aggression quot;.


Aussie tips Rossi to conquer lsland AUSSIE Troy Bayliss says world champion Valentino Rossi will be unbeatable in today #39;s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix even though Spain #39;s Sete Gibernau has pole position.


Kiwis hold Aussies 16-16 in Tri Nations opener Winger Luke Rooney scored two tries on debut as Australia drew 16-16 with New Zealand in Saturday #39;s series-opening Tri Nations rugby league test.


UPI NewsTrack TopNews A UN official calls for more aid for Sudan #39;s Darfur region, saying that 70,000 people have died there since March and the toll is rising by 10,000 every month.


#39;70,000 Darfur dead #39; since March About 70,000 displaced people are thought to have died in Sudan #39;s Darfur region since March, mainly from disease and malnutrition, a UN official says.


Judge OKs US Airways #39; plan to cut pay by 21 The unraveling of the ailing airline industry picked up speed Friday as a bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority to temporarily cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent, comparing the airline #39;s financial outlook to  quot;a ticking fiscal time bomb


Two US soldiers killed, three wounded in Afghanistan KABUL (AFP) - Two US troops were killed and three wounded by a mine detonated by remote control in Afghanistan #39;s southcentral province of Uruzgan, the US military said.


Congo prepares to retake Kilwa A town in the mineral rich Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has fallen to a mysterious group of militants. Going by the name of the Liberation Movement for


Lindsay Davenport Upset at Kremlin Cup Lindsay Davenport of the US returns a shot during a match against Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the Kremlin Cup tennis tournament in Moscow #39;s Olympic Indoor stadium on Friday, Oct. 15, 2004.


Manchester United held, Arsenal rolls again Birmingham, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United was held to a scoreless draw at Birmingham City Saturday while Arsenal extended its league unbeaten streak to 49 games by beating Aston Villa, 3-1.


Gasquet reaches first ATP Tour final in Metz France #39;s Richard Gasquet brushed aside American Jeff Morrison 6-1 6-4 in the Metz Open on Saturday to reach his first final of an ATP Tour tournament -- an all-French affair against Jerome Haehnel.


US Airways Says Not Selling Aircraft (Reuters) Reuters - US Airways  said on\Saturday it has no current plans to reduce its fleet of\aircraft, disputing postings on the Internet that the bankrupt\carrier has put planes up for sale.


Els and Westwood clash for million pound Match Play title (AFP) AFP - Defending champion Ernie Els and European Ryder Cup hero Lee Westwood clash for the one million pounds first prize in Sunday's final of the World Match Play Championship after winning their semi-final matches.


US Airways Says Not Selling Aircraft  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - US Airways UAIRQ.OB said on  Saturday it has no current plans to reduce its fleet of  aircraft, disputing postings on the Internet that the bankrupt  carrier has put planes up for sale.


Colo. Voting Woes Rise As Election Nears (AP) AP - Colorado could end up writing an ugly sequel to the Florida election nightmare of four years ago.


Senior House Republican in Re-Election War (AP) AP - Having served 17 terms, Illinois Rep. Phil Crane is the most senior Republican in the House. His quest for an 18th is proving difficult and has party strategists scrambling to fend off a challenge from Democrat Melissa Bean.


Reports Zarqawi Seized in Iraq Untrue--U.S. Army  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Saturday that  reports that Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been  detained in Iraq were not credible.


Sudan Questions WHO Darfur Deaths Figures  KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan on Saturday questioned U.N.  estimates that up to 70,000 people have died from hunger and  disease in its remote Darfur region since a rebellion began 20  months ago.


Russia Wins Permanent Military Base in Tajikistan  DUSHANBE (Reuters) - Tajikistan on Saturday formally  granted Russian forces in the Central Asian state a permanent  military base in a move Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed  as a guarantee of regional security.


Cuba Expels Spanish, Dutch Legislators in EU Spat  HAVANA/MADRID (Reuters) - Cuba said on Saturday it barred  entry to three European lawmakers on a trip to support  dissidents, setting back Spain's campaign to mend frosty ties  between the EU bloc and the communist-ruled island.


Landmark deal: IBM #39;s planned selloff would signal end of an era IBM #39;s expected decision to sell its US\$11.5 billion PC business would mark the end of an era and dramatically reshape the systems landscape, posing both opportunities and pitfalls for solution providers.


Annan rejects Iraq oil bribe claim Kofi Annan rejects claims that France and Russia might have been willing to ease sanctions on Iraq in return for oil.


Pickers to Vintners: A Mexican-American Saga Over the past few years the first fine wines made by former migrant workers, the children of those workers and other Mexican-Americans have been released, winning good reviews.


Clubs to Be Named for Socialite Hilton ORLANDO, Fla. - Paris Hilton knows something about nightclubs, so it makes sense the hotel heiress is the inspiration for a handful of clubs that will bear her name...


Israel Calls Gaza Incursion Successful JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Israel's military said Saturday that its 17-day incursion into the northern Gaza Strip struck a heavy blow to Palestinian militants routinely firing makeshift rockets into the country's southern region.    Palestinian residents, however, accused the army of wanton destruction, saying the broad military offensive targeted densely populated areas never used to launch rockets...


Two American GIs Die in Afghanistan Blast KABUL, Afghanistan - A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, and an attack in an eastern province killed three children and two others on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...


AP Poll: Security Top Issue for Americans WASHINGTON - National security issues such as the war in Iraq and terrorism are dominating voters' attention in the final weeks before Election Day, Associated Press polling found.    Along with security issues like war and terrorism, the economy and health care were near the top of the list of the nation's most important problems in an AP-Ipsos poll...


Thousands Queue for Dwindling Flu Shots SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Seventy-year-old Homer Fink spent eight hours sitting next to a supermarket Halloween display for a flu shot that he wasn't able to get at five other places...


Thousands Queue for Dwindling Flu Shots SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Seventy-year-old Homer Fink spent eight hours sitting next to a supermarket Halloween display to get a flu shot that he wasn't able to get at five other places...


NatFoods steps up defence Stepping up its takeover defense from predator New Zealand Fonterra Co-operative Group, dairy target National Foods said today its shares were worth between \$6.11 and \$6.65 a share.


Barry Bonds Said to Use Illegal Steroids in 2003 San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds reportedly used undetectable steroids during the 2003 season, the first in which Major League Baseball banned the substance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.


Baghdad blasts rock churches as car bombs kill four US troops BAGHDAD : Bomb blasts rocked five churches in Baghdad and a medic died when a mortar round exploded at a hospital, while the US military said twin car bombs killed four US troops and a translator elsewhere in Iraq.


Churches Installing Cell Phone Jammers (AP) AP - It was the reporters who noticed first. Unable to call their editors while covering the weddings of the rich and famous, they asked the priest why their cell phones never worked at Sacred Heart. His reply: Israeli counterintelligence.


Crude Oil May Rise on Supply Concern, Survey Shows (Update2) Crude oil may rise for a sixth week, after reaching a record \$55 a barrel in New York, on concern supply cuts from Norway, Nigeria or Iraq may deter refiners from building winter fuel inventories, a Bloomberg survey shows.


Cards' Kline Could Return in Postseason (AP) AP - Ailing St. Louis reliever Steve Kline was unavailable for Game 3 of the NL championship series on Saturday, but Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa hopes the left-hander will pitch later this postseason.


Microsoft, HP pleased with results of .Net partnership OCTOBER 15, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Hewlett-Packard Co. and Microsoft Corp. said yesterday that their 2-year-old .Net joint initiative has led to more than 1,000 projects with 700 customers in 39 countries, resulting in \$600 million in revenue.


No. 2 Oklahoma Defeats Kansas State 31-21 (AP) AP - Jason White threw for four touchdowns, two each to Travis Wilson and Mark Clayton, and No. 2 Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State 31-21 Saturday.


Notre Dame 27, Navy 9 Notre Dame #39;s size and speed took all the drama out of its 41st straight victory over Navy. Ryan Grant ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns for the Fighting Irish, who had little trouble extending their NCAA


Michigan State Blows Out No. 19 Minnesota (AP) AP - Drew Stanton passed for 308 yards and ran for 102 more, setting a school record for total offense, to lead Michigan State to a 51-17 victory over No. 19 Minnesota on Saturday.


Three rockets fired in Afghan capital, at least one injured KABUL - Three rockets were fired in the Afghan capital Kabul late Saturday injuring at least one person in the latest of a string of attacks following landmark elections.


Single mother remarks incense civil libertarians A controversial Italian politician has created a furore by making remarks critical of single mothers. Rocco Buttiglione, who has been proposed as the European Union #39;s new Justice Commissioner, has been quoted


Russia Wins Permanent Military Base in Tajikistan Tajikistan on Saturday formally granted Russian forces in the Central Asian state a permanent military base in a move Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed as a guarantee of regional security.


Redskins' Arrington Out for Sunday (Reuters) Reuters - Washington Redskins star\linebacker LaVar Arrington will miss his fourth straight game\after having right knee surgery last month.


Trainer Says Bonds Took Undetectable Drug: Report  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Baseball star Barry Bonds took an  undetectable performance-enhancing drug during the 2003 season,  his weight trainer said on a secretly recorded tape, The San  Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.


Dillon Remains Questionable for Sunday  FOXBORO, Mass. (Sports Network) - New England Patriots  running back Corey Dillon is still listed as questionable for  Sunday's game against Seattle with a foot injury.


Westwood Pays Tribute to Battling Jimenez  VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Lee Westwood paid  tribute to Miguel Angel Jimenez following his one-hole victory  over the Spaniard in a dramatic World Match Play semi-final at  Wentworth on Saturday.


Germany Awaits Spain Extradition Request (AP) AP - German authorities on Saturday said they were awaiting a formal request from Spain to extradite a Syrian-German businessman suspected of being a key al-Qaida figure.


Ferguson tells United --  #39;You must beat Arsenal #39; Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson says next week #39;s game against Premier League champions Arsenal is a  #39;must win #39; affair for his struggling side.


No. 2 Oklahoma 31, Kansas St. 21 Jason White threw for four touchdowns, two each to Travis Wilson and Mark Clayton, and No. 2 Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State 31-21 Saturday.


Violence returns to Afghanistan Six people, including three children and two US soldiers, have been reported killed in Afghanistan, a week after millions voted in a landmark election meant to help bring peace back to their war-ravaged nation.


Spills apart, India hold edge in thriller The Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday was like a cauldron in which about 40,000 people were sweating profusely but their eyes were still glued to the ground.


No. 14 Michigan 30, Illinois 19 Michael Hart rushed for 234 yards and No. 14 Michigan rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Illinois 30-19 Saturday, sending the Illini to their 12th consecutive conference loss.


Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Betis in Spanish league Ronaldo scored a second-half equalizer Saturday to earn struggling Real Madrid a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in the seventh round of the Spanish league.


U.S. Bioterror Plan Frustrates Industry (AP) AP - When President Bush signed Project BioShield into law in July, he said he was immediately making  #36;5.6 billion available to counter such anticipated threats as smallpox genetically engineered to render current vaccines useless.


Two U.S. Helicopters Crash in Iraq, Killing Two (Reuters) Reuters - Two U.S. military transport helicopters\crashed near Baghdad on Saturday, killing two U.S. soldiers and\wounding two others, the U.S. military said.


Peru tells Japan Fujimori headed criminal group (AFP) AFP - Former president Alberto Fujimori, who is in exile in Japan, headed a  quot;criminal organization quot; that murdered 25 people in the early 1990s, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry told Japan in support of an extradition request against Fujimori.


US choppers crash near Baghdad Two American helicopters crash southwest of Baghdad, with two soldiers killed and two injured.


Soyuz Capsule Docks in Tricky Maneuver KOROLYOV, Russia - The Soyuz spacecraft closed in on the international space station at dangerously high speed Saturday, forcing the U.S.-Russian crew to put on the brakes, abandon autopilot and manually dock the Soviet-era capsule in an unplanned and tricky maneuver.    It was a last-minute wrinkle for a crew that had never piloted a Soyuz before...


Oil prices hit another high on Friday Crude oil futures continued to climb Friday, reaching a record high as decline in the US inventory of heating oil and tight supplies still overshadowed the energy markets.


UPDATE 1-Ronaldo strikes to give Real 1-1 draw at Betis Ronaldo scored only his second league goal of the season to scrape a 1-1 draw for Real Madrid away to Real Betis on Saturday. Real, beaten in their two previous league games, fell


Italy #39;s under-fire EU candidate denies single mothers slur ROME : Italy #39;s disputed nominee for the EU justice and security commissioner #39;s post denied having made new comments denigrating the role of women and said he was being victimized by the media.


Stuttgart stays unbeaten FRANKFURT, Germany -- Stuttgart stretched its unbeaten record and defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to go to the top of the German league while newcomer Mainz stunned defending champion Werder Bremen 2-1 to jump to third place.


Juventus takes control with win over Messina Turin, Italy (Sports Network) - Juventus stretched its Serie A lead to five points Saturday with a 2-1 win over second-place Messina in Turin.


No. 2 Oklahoma 31, Kansas St. 21 _ Jason White threw for four touchdowns as Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State 31-to-21 today. Freshman star Adrian Peterson added 130 yards rushing, with all 26 of those coming in the second half.


Heerenveen beats Ajax PSV Eindhoven was leading host ADO The Hague 2-0 Saturday when the Dutch league match was suspended in the 80th minute because of racist chants from the home fans.


Irish no longer under contruction The most remarkable characteristic of Notre Dame #39;s 27-9 victory over Navy was the utter unremarkability of it. Dog bites man. Hare beats tortoise.


Iraq Insurgency Seen With British Eyes They came with their regimental colors, embroidered flags recording battles in 18th-century India, in the Napoleonic wars, against Ottoman legions in Iraq in World War I, on


Man remanded over Danielle murder A 20-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the murder of Nottingham schoolgirl Danielle Beccan.


Powell on a three nation tour Powell will  quot;hold discussions with senior officials in the three countries on bilateral matters, regional security and stability, and issues such as the global war on terrorism, Iraq, North Korea and the six-party talks, quot; it said.


Teacher calls prince a cheat PRINCE Harry has been cleared of cheating to obtain his art A-level pass, despite a secret tape recording in which he allegedly admitted he did only  #39;a tiny, tiny bit #39; of the course work he submitted for the examination.


Jordan cancels Afghanistan soap opera AP - After a week-long advertising blitz, Jordan has abruptly cancelled plans to broadcast a soap opera about Afghanistan after an internet threat to  quot;strike quot; everyone from actors to TV executives if the show portrayed the Taliban in a negative light.


Clash of the Titans THE United States looks set on a collision course with the European Union (EU) over their aircraft industries. In recent months, the two giants have been unable to agree on how best to replace a 1992 bilateral


Kerry Churns Up Enthusiasm in Former Bush Bastion in Ohio This part of Ohio went for George W. Bush four years ago in a 20-point landslide. But the 2,500 screaming, arm-waving supports of Senator John Kerry who jammed


Goldman Sachs Goes Green When some distressed debt owned by Goldman Sachs finally flat-lined not long ago, the investment bank found itself in possession of some unusual collateral: 800,000 acres of undeveloped land in Tierra del Fuego.


Military Families Express Some Iraq Doubts (AP) AP - Members of the military and their families say the Bush administration underestimated the number of troops needed in Iraq and put too much pressure on inadequately trained National Guard and reserve forces, according to a poll released Saturday.


U.S. Planes Strike Falluja, Zarqawi Arrest Denied  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes struck suspected rebel  targets in the western city of Falluja late on Saturday,  killing three people, but officials denied a report that  Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been captured  there.


Former OAS Chief Under House Arrest in Bribe Probe  SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - A Costa Rican judge on  Saturday put the former head of the Organization of American  States under house arrest for six months while he is  investigated for bribery claims, judicial officials said.


Els and Westwood in Match Play final Ernie Els and Lee Westwood will meet Sunday in the finals of the HSBC World Match Play Championship. Els, looking for a sixth win in this event, posted a 5  amp; 4 victory over Padraig Harrington on Saturday.


Lehman and Geiberger share lead at Greensboro classic British Open winner Tom Lehman and Brent Geiberger shared the lead after the third round of the Greensboro Classic on Saturday. Lehman continued


Ferdinand can benefit from winds of change The gale that engulfed England #39;s footballers against Azerbaijan in Baku on Wednesday night would have had ominous significance in the times of Samuel Pepys, when a superstitious populace believed


Marquis focused on Game 4 start St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Marquis could be miffed at what could be considered a demotion, being  quot;bumped quot; to Sunday #39;s Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.


The Incredible Shrinking Investment Bank Once Wall Street stalwarts, the future of Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are now being questioned - a sign of the broad changes in the financial landscape in recent years.


Sudan refutes Darfur death figures Darfur was about 10,000, blaming malnutrition and disease. He said the figure of 70,000 did not take into account deaths from violence.


Exam board clears Harry London, Oct. 16: Prince Harry was cleared yesterday of cheating in his art A-level by the examination board that set and marked his papers.


Lower Your Window Shades. Today's Film Is 'The Rookie.' At a time when the airlines are facing their most difficult challenges in recent history, they are running through one chief executive after another.


What If a Sales Tax Were the Only Tax? Does replacing personal income and payroll taxes with a national sales tax, an idea President Bush has shown interest in, help the U.S. tax system?


The Dollar Is Defying Both Expectations and Gravity The dollar's strength is surprising, given the record current account deficit, but some forecasters say that strength will continue into next year.


Thousands Line Up for Dwindling Flu Shots SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Seventy-year-old Homer Fink spent eight hours sitting next to a supermarket Halloween display for a flu shot that he wasn't able to get at five other places...


Apple: 150M songs sold via iTunes Apple celebrated yesterday when it announced that they have sold now more than 150 million songs via their iTunes Music Store. Despite some reports that overall traffic to online music stores has dropped, Apple #39;s


Sooners Survive Oklahoma wide receiver Mark Clayton scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Sooners #39; 31-21 come-from-behind win over Kansas State Saturday in Manhattan.


Referee halts Dutch league match over crowd insults Referee Rene Temmink ended the Dutch first division match between ADO Den Haag and PSV Eindhoven 10 minutes early on Saturday after taking exception to insulting chants aimed at him by the home fans.


Celtic leave Hearts broken CELTIC enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Hearts overnight as the visitors paid a heavy price for trying to frustrate the Scottish Premier League leaders.


Violence in Afghanistan claims seven lives In Afghanistan, seven people including two US soldiers died in explosions as early results from historic elections gave President Hamid Karzai a strong lead over his rivals.


Arab channels scrap soap on Taliban after Islamist threat DOHA: State television channels of Qatar and Jordan announced on Saturday that they would not broadcast a series on a love story set in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan for technical reasons, a day after Islamists issued threats against the Jordanian


Row erupts as Cuba refuses entry to Spanish, Dutch lawmakers MADRID : A political row erupted after Spain and the Netherlands vehemently protested Cuba #39;s refusal to grant entry to three parliamentary deputies who had arrived in Havana to meet Cuban dissidents.


Oklahoma Astronaut Remembered _ One of NASA #39;s first astronauts, Oklahoma native L. Gordon Cooper Jr., was remembered at the Johnson Space Center as not too bad of a water skier, not too bad of a pilot, but a heck of a good astronaut.


Els moves in on record sixth title Ernie Els will attempt to win a record sixth World Match Play Championship today after overwhelming Padraig Harrington 5  amp; 4 in the semi-final yesterday.


Ferguson admits United deserve to be written off Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that his expensively restructured squad deserves to be written off as serious Premiership title challengers.


Report: Trainer says on tape he gave Bonds steroids Giants slugger Barry Bonds is at the center of another steroids controversy after statements made by his trainer. In Saturday #39;s San Francisco Chronicle, Bonds #39; personal trainer Greg Anderson claimed on tape


Instant Analysis: Oklahoma at Kansas State Kansas State had Oklahoma on the run for a brief portion of the first half in Saturday #39;s game in Manhattan. But the Cats literally and figuratively dropped the ball, and Oklahoma - on offense and defense - proceeded


Memorial honors astronaut Cooper The surviving astronauts of the Mercury 7 offered tribute Friday to compatriot Gordon  quot;Gordo quot; Cooper, who died Oct. 4. At a memorial gathering at Johnson Space Center in Houston, former US Sen.


From Baidu in China to Yahoo in America, Search Engine Sales Soar Yesterday, China #39;s #1 search giant, Baidu reported a quadrupling of sales. And on Tuesday, Yahoo! announced that their profits have tripled thanks to online advertising.


UPDATE 2-National City 3rd-quarter profit rises 72 pct National City Corp. (NCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose a greater-than-expected 72 percent, helped by a recent acquisition and its consumer and corporate banking businesses.


Stifling Blues add to United worries Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson flooded the pitch with strikers in a bid to steal a victory that he hoped would prevent Arsenal and Chelsea disappearing over the Premiership horizon.


Enron accused: Im being used to test anti-terror laws A Scottish banker who was told last week he will be extradited to America under new anti-terror legislation to face fraud charges and a possible 35 years in jail, has said his human rights were ignored.


Astros Lead Cards 5-2 After Eight Innings Houston Astros #39; Jeff Kent homers in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series in Houston, Saturday Oct. 16, 2004.


COL FB: Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 21 Jason White passed for 256 yards and four touchdowns Saturday as second-ranked Oklahoma overcame Kansas State, 31-21. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was completed 20-of-31 passes and had one intercepted.


No. 1 USC 45, No. 15 Arizona St. 7 A week after getting past California despite being badly beaten statistically, No. 1 Southern Cal took command early against Arizona State and routed the 15th-ranked Sun Devils 45-7 Saturday.


PSV match abandoned Eredivisie leader PSV Eindhoven #39;s match at ADO Den Haag was abandoned late in the second half due to crowd trouble while Ajax suffered a shock home defeat on Saturday.


Top military analyst: Putting Black Watch on front line makes <b>...</b> One of Britains top military analysts has described the plan to send the Black Watch regiment to back up American troops in Iraqs most dangerous areas as a critical, serious and ultimately unnecessary decision that makes no logistical sense


Hadash to petition AG over Gaza girl #39;s death Chief of General Staff Lt.- Gen. Moshe Ya #39;alon has decided there are no grounds to oust the Givati company commander who allegedly shot schoolgirl Iman al-Hams, 13, at close range and reportedly  quot;verified the kill quot; on October 5 near Rafah.


Astros Defeat Cardinals 5-2 in NLCS Game 3 (AP) AP - Roger Clemens hopped off the mound, pumped his right fist and muttered to himself all the way to the dugout. His work was done and the Houston Astros were exactly where they wanted to be  #151; right back in the NL championship series. Pitching to save the Astros' season, Clemens came through. He slowed down St. Louis for seven innings, closer Brad Lidge finished off the Cardinals and Houston went on to win 5-2 Saturday, cutting its deficit to 2-1.


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


No. 1 USC Routs No. 15 Arizona St. 45-7 (AP) AP - Nobody could call Southern California lucky after this game. Dominant would be a better description. A week after getting past California despite being badly beaten statistically, No. 1 Southern Cal took command early against Arizona State and routed the 15th-ranked Sun Devils 45-7 Saturday.


No. 4 Auburn Passes by Arkansas 38-20 (AP) AP - Jason Campbell passed for a career-high 297 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 4 Auburn to a 38-20 rout of Arkansas on Saturday.


Redskins Sign Kicker for Bears Game (AP) AP - The Washington Redskins signed Ola Kimrin on Saturday to replace injured kicker John Hall.


No. 9 Texas Holds Off Missouri 28-20 (AP) AP - Cedric Benson rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns and No. 9 Texas shook off a post-Oklahoma hangover Saturday with a 28-20 win over Missouri.


Clemens Pitches Astros Back Into NLCS Series  HOUSTON (Reuters) - Roger Clemens pitched seven gritty  innings and Houston batters belted three home runs as the  Astros beat the St Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game Three of the  National League Championship Series Saturday.


Lehman and Geiberger Share Lead at Greensboro Classic  GREENSBORO, North Carolina, Oct 16 (Reuters) - British Open  winner Tom Lehman and Brent Geiberger shared the lead after the  third round of the Greensboro Classic Saturday.