Four killed in Pakistan blast A bomb exploded Sunday at a Shiite mosque in the city of Lahore, killing at least four people and injuring others, officials said.


Plumtree upgrades portal package Plumtree Software further extended its portal-based, Web applications building and management platform Monday, announcing upgrades to its Content and Collaboration servers, APIs for search and collaboration, and support and services for J2EE and .Net platforms.


Microsoft still hopes to settle with EC, exec says CANNES, FRANCE -- Microsoft Corp. still hopes to settle with the European Commission over the sanctions ordered against it to correct its anticompetitive behavior, even as its appeal of the case winds its way through the legal channels, a senior company executive said Monday.


Former CA chief Kumar appears Cannes technology show CANNES, FRANCE-- Former Computer Associates International Inc. (CA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sanjay Kumar made a surprise appearance at the Etre technology conference in Cannes on Monday, three weeks after his indictment for securities fraud and obstruction of justice.


SGI launches Linux-based visual computer line Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) on Monday will launch the successor line to its Onyx visualization systems. Called Prism, the systems will be based on Intel Corp.'s Itanium 2 processor and the Linux operating system.


Oracle-PeopleSoft battle is good for SAP, exec says CANNES, FRANCE-- Regardless of whether Oracle Corp. succeeds in its hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft Inc., market leader SAP AG will be the one to reap the benefits, an executive for the German company said on Sunday.
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SBC Case Study: Crate   Barrel
What sold them on improving their network? A system that could cut management costs from the get-go. Find out more.


Poles line up for shares Poles signed waiting lists Sunday for a chance to buy shares in their largest bank, using a signup system from communist times to impose order on the crush of interested investors.


Oil prices raise cost of gasoline LOS ANGELES - Gasoline prices have climbed nearly 8 cents a gallon in the last two weeks because of record-high crude oil prices, and they are likely to continue rising, an industry analyst said Sunday.


Three cleared in Rooney agent case Three men have been cleared of blackmailing Wayne Rooney #39;s former football agent after it emerged he had misled the court. John Hyland, Christopher Bacon and Anthony Bacon were on trial at Warrington Crown


Johnson fights off pain, grabs league lead in receptions Bee Staff Writers. SAN FRANCISCO - As Eric Johnson drove to the stadium Sunday morning, his bruised ribs were so sore, he wasn #39;t sure he #39;d be able to suit up for the game.


Supreme Court stays Dalmiya #39;s election The Supreme Court has stayed the election and appointment of Jagmohan Dalmiya as Patron-in-Chief of the BCCI. The court has also stayed the appointment of Justice S Mohan as BCCI administrator and restored


Burger king is hard act to swallow A TEENAGER has set a wacky new world record ... by stuffing more than three McDonald #39;s burgers into his mouth without swallowing.


When Beethoven plays, it #39;s time to take note of the BIOS Whether I #39;m on the Internet or not, there is a noise that comes out of my computer like a cat crying. That #39;s not a cat. It #39;s supposed to be Beethoven.


Plumtree upgrades portal package (InfoWorld) InfoWorld - Plumtree Software further extended its portal-based, Web applications building and management platform Monday, announcing upgrades to its Content and Collaboration servers, APIs for search and collaboration, and support and services for J2EE and .Net platforms.


Partisan Arguing and Fine Print Seen as Hindering Medicare Law The Bush administration's efforts to carry out the first phase of the law have been plagued with difficulties.


Briefly: Novell to release Open Enterprise Server roundup Plus: Blizzard wins online game suit...CA adds utility-like mainframe pricing, expects...Salesforce.com reports subscriber surge.


Baghdad Rocket Attack Kills Two U.S. Soldiers Two American soldiers were killed and five injured Monday in a rocket attack in Baghdad. The military said the incident occurred in the southern part of the city but provided no other details.


DirecTV Reorganizes L. America Operations Satellite television broadcast company DirecTV Group Inc. said Monday that it plans to purchase stakes in Sky Brasil, Sky Mexico and Sky Multi-Country Partners from News Corp., Liberty Media Corp. and others for \$579 million in cash, as part of a reorganization of the company's Latin American operations.


Sun Alliance to move 1100 jobs to India Britains leading insurance firm Royal and Sun Alliance today announced it would shift 1,100 of its jobs to India, saving the company 18 million dollars annually.


Former MVP Caminiti Dies of Heart Attack at 41 (Reuters) Reuters - Former National League Most Valuable\Player Ken Caminiti, who in 2002 admitted he used steroids,\died of a heart attack in New York on Sunday, Major League\Baseball reported on its Web Site.


Ailing Henin-Hardenne Ends Season (AP) AP - Former No. 1 player Justine Henin-Hardenne ended her Monday season because of continued problems with an energy-sapping virus. The blood disorder weakened her since April although she won the singles gold medal at the Olympics.


Diebold Cuts Forecast (Reuters) Reuters - Diebold Inc. , the leading\maker of automated teller machines, on Monday reduced its\third-quarter and full-year earnings forecasts as it absorbs\costs for recertifying its electronic voting machines in\California and for expenses related to a pending civil action\in that state.


Germany Cuts D.Telekom Stake  FRANKFURT/LONDON Oct 11 (Reuters) - Germany sold a 6.3  percent stake in phone operator Deutsche Telekom on Monday,  raising up to 4.5 billion euros (\$5.6 billion) to help it curb  a burgeoning budget deficit.


Google Update? Dont Panic! Google Update? Don't Panic!\\There has been a great deal of speculation about a shift coming in Google's ranking algorithms over the past few weeks. Several recent pieces of evidence point to a coming shift however it is very difficult to predict what, if anything will happen. It's pretty much a ...


AOL Building a Browser AOL Building a Browser\\Firefox seems to have reignited the browser war. First, Google made headlines when it got hold of the domain name GBrowser.com pointing towards a possible browser release from them. Now, reports are out on a possible standalone browser from the AOL stable to be simply called AOL ...


SunTrust Will Restate First and Second Quarter Earnings The company has placed chief credit officer Sandra W. Jansky and controller Jorge Arrieta on paid administrative leave until the review is completed.


SunTrust Puts Executives on Leave SunTrust Banks Inc. (STI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said it put two senior finance executives on paid leave, and expects to restate first- and second-quarter


Sainsbury #39;s Issues New Profits Warning Sainsburys showed further evidence it was suffering at the hands of price-cutting rivals today as it warned that first half profits would slump by nearly two-thirds.


C amp;C survives smoking ban Food and drinks firm C amp;C Group today said profits had risen 6 despite bad weather and the public smoking ban. C amp;C, formerly known as Cantrell  amp; Cochrane, said operating profits had increased to 64.


Stocks to Open Lower Stocks were headed for a mixed-to-lower opening on Monday after oil prices spiked to new record highs, raising fears that soaring energy costs could crimp corporate profits.


Poles Line Up to Buy Shares in Bank Poles signed waiting lists for a chance to buy shares in their largest bank, using a signup system from communist times to impose order on the crush of interested investors.


IT #39;S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN A PENSION and it has caught the government on the hop. Tony Blair will be told this week that a staggering 10 million pensioners could end up in chronic


Sony: PSP will ship by year #39;s end Sony has once again reiterated its plan to ship PlayStation Portable (PSP) in Japan by the end of the year and in Europe and the US during Q1 2005.


Virus ends season for former number one BRUSSELS, Belgium Former top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne (EH #39;-nah ar-DEHN #39;) has ended her competitive tennis season because of an energy-draining virus.


49ers savor a bittersweet win STAFF WRITER. Peterson joined several fellow defensive starters on the sidelines: linebacker Derek Smith (leg), defensive end Andre Carter (back) and cornerback Mike Rumph (broken arm).


No room for errors for USC, Oklahoma So what now? USC and Oklahoma, having just survived their high-profile weekends, in the fast lanes to the Orange Bowl? Yes, USC has a relentless nature that wears opponents down -- outscoring


As Nationwide Strike Begins Today... President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday made his first public appearance after his arrest on Saturday by men of the State Security Service (SSS) and vowed that today #39;s nationwide strike would continue as scheduled.


Wacky Records Set In Eating Contest SINGAPORE -- Don Ezra Nicholas is proclaiming himself to be the Burger King -- even though he was stuffing McDonald #39;s hamburgers into his mouth.


New spec uses Web services to manage remote data center <b>...</b> Microsoft, Sun and a trio of other leading hardware vendors today published the WS-Management specification, which spells out how data centers can use Web services


Danish keeper Sorensen ruled out of Turkey match Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has pulled out of Denmark #39;s squad for Wednesday #39;s World Cup qualifier against Turkey because of a back injury, the Danish football association (DBU) said on Monday.


Baghdad Rocket Attack Kills Two US Soldiers Two American soldiers were killed and five injured Monday in a rocket attack in Baghdad. The military said the incident occurred in the southern part of the city but provided no other details.


US Stocks Open Up as Oil Hits New High  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened slightly higher on  Monday ahead of a busy week of corporate earnings. Oil prices  climbed to new highs in London and New York.


Bosnian Serb War-Crimes Suspect Surrenders (AP) AP - A Bosnian Serb war-crimes suspect accused of genocide in the 1995 massacre of up to 8,000 Muslim men and boys surrendered Saturday, the government said.


Qanuni Says Candidates to Accept Afghan Election  KABUL (Reuters) - The chief rival to Afghan President Hamid  Karzai in last week's historic presidential election said on  Monday he and several other candidates had dropped a plan to  boycott the election process.


Crude Oil Prices Surge to New Highs The price of crude oil futures surged to new highs Monday despite assurances from Middle East oil producers that they were committed to bringing the price down as a strike began in Africa's largest exporter.


Mubarak Calls for U.N. Conference on Terror  ROME (Reuters) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in his  first public comments since bombs killed at least 32 people at  Red Sea resorts, said on Monday the world needed a  U.N.-sponsored conference to deal with international terrorism.


Turkey to Seek Changes in EU Commission Report  ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey said on Monday it would seek  changes in the European Commission's report on its candidacy  before EU leaders meet on Dec. 17 to decide whether to open  entry talks with Ankara.


Bush camp in new attack on Kerry The Bush campaign runs a new attack ad against John Kerry, saying he fails to understand the war on terror.


London oil prices breach 50 US dollar level for first time Oil prices on the London market broke through the 50 US dollars per barrel level for the first time during Monday morning trading.


BCCI administrator Mohan reports to Madras High Court: Sports India, Cricket: Chennai, Oct 11 : Former Supreme Court judge S. Mohan, appointed interim administrator of the Indian cricket board by the Madras High Court, Monday reported to the court about his being locked out of the board #39;s office in Mumbai.


Editor #39;s note: Our scouts roll back the tape on Week 5 in the NFL: Michael Vick continues to look very uncomfortable in the West Coast offense. He is not natural in his movements and is trying to be the  quot;perfect quot; quarterback.


SunTrust Restates Profit, Postpones Earnings Report (Update4) SunTrust Banks Inc., the seventh- largest US bank, said it will restate results for the first and second quarters of this year because the company incorrectly calculated loan losses.


Tories unveil pensions crisis plan The Conservatives today unveiled an eight-point plan to  quot;restore our saving culture quot; ahead of the publication tomorrow of the government #39;s long-awaited Turner report on pensions.


Price wars in toyland: Part 2 Making toys is a fun business to be in and some toy manufacturers say they #39;re trying to keep it that way -- even if it means taking on the  quot;playground bully quot; Wal-Mart.


Stocks Open Up After Poor Jobs Report Stocks bobbed higher at Monday #39;s open after two sessions of heavy selling driven by surging oil prices and a disappointing employment report.


Dell recalls laptop power adapters Dell and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a wide reaching recall of about 990,000 power adapters. The power adapters are being recalled because they can overheat and pose a risk of fire and electrical shock.


Keith Miller, last of the cavaliers, dead at 84 The dashing Keith Miller, aged 26, after making 188 for Victoria at the Adelaide Oval in 1946. Photo: File. Mere life was not enough to contain Keith Miller, who died yesterday, aged 84.


MLB: Former MVP Caminiti Dies Caminiti #39;s career spanned 15 years, during which he played with four different teams (Houston, San Diego, Texas, Atlanta) before retiring three years ago.


Troops to Iraq may be cut US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday the number of troops in Iraq could be cut after the January elections in that country.


Egypt urges troops for buffer zone Egypt wants to send troops into the demilitarised buffer zone along the border with Israel. The move is in response to last week #39;s triple suicide bombing targeting Israeli tourists in Sinai.


Jiang pushes increased China-France contacts in Shanghai, meets <b>...</b> SHANGHAI, China - French President Jacques Chirac pushed for expanded economic and academic ties in Shanghai on Monday, speaking before students at a leading university and lunching with former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin.


Cambodia moves closer to electing new monarch as Senate passes key <b>...</b> PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has moved closer towards selecting a new monarch to replace abdicated King Norodom Sihanouk, with the country #39;s Senate approving a bill needed to appoint his successor.


Experts Urge Action as U.S. Lines Up for Flu Shots (Reuters) Reuters - Concerned health officials began\investigating what went wrong at a British vaccine plant where\half the U.S. flu shots were made, while Americans jostled for\now-scarce immunizations on Friday.


May restate Q1, Q2 net income NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - SunTrust Banks said Monday it expects to restate its first and second quarter 2004 earnings after finding accounting irregularities in the way it recorded loan loss allowances for some auto loans.


Diebold Cuts Forecasts on Legal Costs Diebold Inc., a maker of automated teller machines, on Monday cut its third-quarter and yearly profit views, citing legal and other costs from the controversy over security and certification of its electronic voting machines in California.


High LCD supplies pressured prices and cut into margins LG.Philips LCD said Monday its third-quarter net income dropped on year and fell short of forecasts, as high supplies led to lower prices of its liquid crystal display panels.


Around Asia #39;s Markets: Watching Southeast Asia take the lead Southeast Asia #39;s stock markets were among the world #39;s best performers as the fourth quarter began. Christopher Wood, the top Asia strategist in Institutional Investor #39;s fund-manager survey last year, is betting the gains are just starting.


ECB sees gradual recovery in eurozone area The European Central Bank (ECB) is confident of a continuing gradual recovery in the eurozone area despite rising oil prices, ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said in an interview with French magazine L #39;Express on Monday.


Microsoft renews its push into TV with Windows XP Media Center Television has been something of a great white whale for Microsoft. The company has tried to sell WebTV and build software for TVs and cable boxes.


The IT security vuln league table of fear A list of the worst 20 security vulnerabilities bedevilling Windows and *Nix systems was unveiled last Friday by the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute.


Mars rovers getting old, but they keep on rolling NEW YORK Aging but still on the go, climbing in and around craters, tapping into the mysteries of strangely cracked rocks, the two roving vehicles Spirit and Opportunity have explored Mars about three times as long as originally scheduled and keep finding


Socceroos #39; Kewell edge SOCCEROOS coach Frank Farina believes the return of Harry Kewell has re-invigorated his side for tonight #39;s dead rubber with the Solomon Islands.


Davenport Could Steal No. 1 Ranking This Week at WTA Moscow Five of the Top 6-ranked players on the WTA Tour compete this week at the Tier I stop in Moscow, though that could change with the possible withdrawal of top seed Amelie Mauresmo, who sustained a muscle pull in her leg Sunday, forcing her to pull from the


Fatigue from virus still dogging former No. 1 BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Former No. 1 player Justine Henin-Hardenne ended her season Monday because of continued problems with an energy-sapping virus.


Former NL MVP Ken Caminiti Dead at 41 Former National League Most Valuable Player Ken Caminiti died of a heart attack at age 41 in New York, the New York Times reported Monday.


SC stays appointment of Mohan as interim administrator of BCCI : Sports India  gt; New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court today stayed the Madras High Court order appointing Justice (retd) S Mohan as the Interim Administrator of BCCI.


Scotland captain Ferguson doubtful for Moldova qualifier Scotland captain Barry Ferguson and defender Russell Anderson missed training on Monday and are struggling to be fit for the World Cup qualifier in Moldova.


DNA Pioneer Defends Stem Cell Research (AP) AP - Nobel laureate James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, on Monday defended stem cell research, saying researchers must be able to search for ways to improve quality of life despite the field's uncertainties.


South Africa to Take Pulse of Its Environment (Reuters) Reuters - They may share a\border but South Africa's Kruger National Park and the copper\mines around the town of Phalaborwa are worlds apart.


Bangladesh Sees Tiger Numbers Up in Mangrove Swamps (Reuters) Reuters - The number of tigers in Bangladesh's\mangrove swamps has risen by more than 50 to 419 in the last\decade, thanks to the government's steps to save the endangered\species, the Environment and Forest Minister said on Saturday.


EU Lifts Arms Embargo on Libya  BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers  agreed to lift an arms embargo on Libya on Monday, recognizing  Tripoli's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction and its  wish to move closer to the bloc.


Hague Prosecutor 'Set Warcrimes Test' for Serbia  BELGRADE (Reuters) - The handover of a Bosnian Serb war  crimes suspect to The Hague at the weekend was a deliberate  cooperation test for Serbia arranged by U.N. chief prosecutor  Carla del Ponte, Belgrade radio reported on Monday.


Cambodian Royal Succession Clears Last Legal Hurdle  PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's efforts to choose a  successor to King Norodom Sihanouk after his surprise  abdication cleared a last legal hurdle on Monday when the  country's top constitutional body ruled the process valid.


Call for global action on spam More international co-operation is needed if spam is to be stopped, a conference is told.


Stocks Open Up After Poor Jobs Report Stocks bobbed higher Monday morning after two sessions of heavy selling driven by surging oil prices and a disappointing employment report.


Flat screen prices hurt LG.Philips LG.Philips LCD Co. Ltd. reported a worse-than-expected 15 percent drop in quarterly profits on tumbling flat-screen prices and warned a global supply surplus could push prices down by a further third.


Asset-manager Gabelli subpoenaed by SEC NEW YORK -- Gabelli Asset Management Inc., run by star money manager Mario Gabelli, received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission related to its investigation of improper fund-share trading, the firm said in a regulatory filing.


The Great Write-In Vote Protest That Never Was What if, on election day, you wrote in your presidential vote? I'm not trying to persuade you to vote for one or the other, or even for a third party. It's not a trick, My real name isn't George M. Bush, and I'm not going to go to court and claim you were really voting for me. Just write it in. Make a statement that you vote for whom you choose and that it has nothing to do with whichever they feel like printing on the ballot.


New X prize sets sights on science, technology and social <b>...</b> The X Prize Foundation and the World Technology Network announced today the formation of a joint venture to launch a series of technology incentive prizes to help spur innovation


Gallacher lives up to uncle #39;s legacy There are hundreds of wannabe Hollywood star names who could attest to it. That is, inheriting a famous name does not always mean that the path to global acclaim will be easy.


MEN AGAINST BOYOS IT DOESN #39;T matter if it was his goal or not. As far as Michael Owen was concerned, there were no doubts, just a surge in self-belief as he reclaimed the crown that had been slipping.


SC stays appointments of Mohan, Dalmiya NEW DELHI: In an attempt to create a level playing field for smooth administration of cricket in India, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras high court order appointing a former SC judge S Mohan as administrator of the Board of Control for


Terror Bombings Hit Egypt A total of 32 people were killed in Thursday night #39;s (Oct 7) terror attacks on two Sinai holiday resorts frequented by Israelis: 29 at the Taba Hilton and three at Ras a-Satan.


Nigeria tackles fuel subsidies Subsidising cheap fuel costs the government in Abuja more than \$2bn (1.25bn) a year - and President Olusegun Obasanjo has spent much of his second term in power trying to get rid of that subsidy.


Over a dozen detained after suicide bomb attack on Pakistan mosque LAHORE, Pakistan - Pakistani police have detained more than a dozen people after a suicide bomber attacked a Shiite Muslim mosque in eastern city Lahore killing three people plus himself, a security official said Monday.


EU Lifts Sanctions Against Libya The European Union on Monday ended 11 years of sanctions against Libya and eased an arms embargo to reward the North African country for giving up plans to develop weapons of mass destruction.


Shaun #39;s ready The Manchester City flier is hoping to win his second cap in Azerbaijan on Wednesday night while the injured and suspended England skipper is forced to sit the game out.


SportsNetwork Game Preview (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros have never won a playoff series in franchise history. Winners of 13 straight division titles, the Atlanta Braves are also hoping to break a Division Series jinx.


DirecTV Consolidates LatAm Satellite Ops (Reuters) Reuters - DirecTV Group  the largest U.S.\satellite television service, will buy its controlling\shareholder News Corp Ltd.'s  stakes in Sky Latin\America for  #36;579 million and combine its operations with\DirecTV Latin America, the companies said on Monday.


Kerry saddened at death of 'Superman' Christopher Reeve (AFP) AFP - Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry hailed actor Christopher Reeve  quot;America's hero, quot; and vowed to keep up the campaign for stem cell research championed by the man known best as  quot;Superman. quot;


DirecTV Consolidates LatAm Satellite Ops  NEW YORK (Reuters) - DirecTV Group DTV.N the largest U.S.  satellite television service, will buy its controlling  shareholder News Corp Ltd.'s NCP.AX stakes in Sky Latin  America for \$579 million and combine its operations with  DirecTV Latin America, the companies said on Monday.


Dollar Up Vs Euro; Yen Lifted; Trade Thin  NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rose against the euro in  thin trading on Monday as investors took profits on the single  European currency, which gained on Friday after a surprisingly  weaker U.S. employment report.


Yukos Ordered to Pay Portion of Tax Claim The Moscow Arbitration Court ruled Monday that the embattled oil giant Yukos must pay some \$1.4 billion in fines and penalties as part of a \$4.1 billion back-tax claim for 2001, the Interfax news agency reported.


Only Weeks Left to End N.Irish Deadlock -McGuinness  BELFAST (Reuters) - Northern Ireland's bitterly divided  politicians have only a few weeks left to agree a new peace  settlement for the province, a leading member of the Irish  Republican Army's political ally Sinn Fein said on Monday.


FTC files suit against alleged spyware distributor The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a legal complaint against two companies that allegedly infected computers with spyware and pop-up advertising, then tried to sell spyware-blocking software.


Maxime Faget, Mercury Spacecraft Designer, Dead at 83 Maxime Faget conceived and proposed the development of the one-man spacecraft used in Project Mercury, which put the first American astronauts into suborbital flight, then orbital flight


Vodafone UK launches SMS-from-PC software Mobile operator Vodafone UK has launched Vodafone Text Centre, a service that allows users to send and receive text messages from PCs.


IBM upgrades blade servers IBM will soon begin shipping upgraded models of its HS20 and JS20 blade servers, including a new SCSI option for the HS20 that will double the number of SCSI blades that users can fit into a single chassis.


Siemens adds Flash-OFDM to broadband wireless family German engineering and manufacturing company Siemens will add more broadband technology to its growing portfolio of new high-speed wireless systems slated for delivery early next year.


Rangers #39; Moore out two months Glasgow, Scotland (Sports Network) - Rangers defender Craig Moore is expected to be out eight weeks as he will have hernia surgery Monday.


Australian star Kewell back to face Solomons in Oceania final The news got worse for the Solomon Islands when it was confirmed Australia #39;s leading player Harry Kewell was passed fit to play in the second leg of the Oceania Nations Cup final.


Tributes flow for Keith Miller Tributes have continued to flow for Australian all-rounder Keith Miller, who died at the age of 84. Cricket Victoria #39;s Kevin Jacobs says Miller was admired around the world.


Eriksson seems to have strength in depth in all positions England are sitting pretty and well on the way to World Cup qualification after beating Wales - and with the added bonus of new options opening up for Sven-Goran Eriksson all the time.


Gibernau, Rossi right behind Tamada KUALA LUMPUR -- Japan #39;s Makoto Tamada took provisional pole position for Sunday #39;s Malaysian Grand Prix after lapping inside the track record in Friday #39;s first qualifying.


Dodgers Season Comes To End LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their pennant hopes Sunday, with a 6-2 National League Division Series loss to the St.


Monster Says It Could Enter Japan by Mid-2005 (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. Internet job search company\Monster Worldwide Inc.  could enter the Japanese market\next year as strength in its European businesses allows it to\look further afield, the company's founder said on Monday.


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


FTC Sues Alleged Spyware Distributors (PC World) PC World - Companies are accused of infecting PCs, and then selling spyware-blocking software.


Finnish Watchdog Raps TV Game Operators  HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's consumer watchdog said on  Monday it had reprimanded broadcasters for causing children to  run up huge mobile phone bills with interactive television game  and chat programs.


All Political Roads Lead to Florida's I-4 Corridor (Reuters) Reuters - Every day, an army of campaigners\fans out across central Florida's "I-4 corridor" in search of\suburban moms, transplanted Puerto Ricans, teenagers and any\other potential voter wavering between John Kerry and George W.\Bush.


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


Government, Microsoft haggle over documentation Microsoft Corp. is behind schedule in complying with a court order to document its proprietary communications protocols, according to U.S. authorities monitoring its behavior. It also plans to release the documents in a file format that cannot be annotated, and can only be used with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, they said in a report published Friday.


Parker Hannifin completes Sporlan Valve acquisition Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corp. has completed its acquisition of Sporlan Valve of Washington, Mo., the companies said Monday.


Arbitration court rejects YUKOS statement challenging judge MOSCOW, October 11 (Itar-Tass) -- Moscows Arbitration Court on Monday rejected the oil major YUKOS statement challenging the judge who is hearing the Tax Ministrys 40.


Update 3: Oil Prices Rise As Nigeria Strike Starts Oil futures prices rose slightly Monday despite assurances from Middle East countries that they were committed to keeping the market well supplied as a strike began in Africa #39;s largest exporter of crude.


Poles Line Up for Shares in Bank Poles signed waiting lists Sunday for a chance to buy shares in their largest bank, using a signup system from communist times to impose order on the crush of interested investors.


Vector lights up at AGL #39;s NGC sale TROUBLED New Zealand electricity distributor Vector has agreed to buy Australian Gas Light #39;s 66.05 per cent stake in New Zealand gas pipelines operator NGC Holdings.


Computer Sciences Wins \$1.35 Bln Ascension Contract (Update1) Computer Sciences Corp. won a \$1.35 billion contract to manage phone and computer networks for Ascension Health, the biggest US nonprofit health care system.


US takes first steps to shut down spyware peddler The Federal Trade Commission has taken the first step to crack down on the wave of spyware that is being installed on user #39;s machines without their knowledge.


General Wireless #39; Technology Opens up New Ways for PC Users to <b>...</b> STOCKHOLM, Sweden, October 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an agreement between Vodafone UK, Starhome and General Wireless, Vodafone #39;s business customers can now send and receive text messages (SMS) in their MS-Outlook and Lotus Notes.


Siemens To Develop Pre-802.20 Wireless Broadband Products Siemens Communications said Friday that it will develop wireless broadband products using FLASH-OFDM technology from Flarion Technologies.


Nintendo DS to go wireless NINTENDO will defend its dominance of the portable games market with the launch of the wireless Nintendo DS, a handheld double-screen console, the video game maker says.


Dell, Intel, Microsoft Launch Web Services Standard Web Services Management supports a full spectrum of usage models, including the management of everything from silicon components and handheld devices to PCs, servers and large-scale data centers.


Wireless Data In A Flash The technology promises download speeds of 1 to 1.5 MB per second, reaching peaks of up to 3.2 MBps. So far, Cisco, IBM and Nortel, all major sources of equipment to telecom service providers worldwide, have


Kewell named in squad THE second leg is a dead rubber, but Frank Farina has refused to ease off naming an even stronger Socceroos side, including Harry Kewell, for tonight #39;s match against the Solomon Islands.


Comeback part of Braves #39; makeup The Atlanta Braves don #39;t have the dominating pitching or explosive hitting of previous years, but they do have a penchant for scratching out wins, as they did Sunday, beating


ADAMS QUITS AS FOXES BOSS He walked out on the Foxes despite the club #39;s efforts to persuade him to stay. Director of football Dave Bassett has been placed in temporary charge of team affairs while the club consider their next move.


CORRECTED: Manila Says Abu Sayyaf Bomb Caused Ferry Sinking A bomb planted by the Muslim militant group Abu Sayyaf led to the sinking of a Philippine ferry and the death of more than 100 people in February, the government said on Monday.


Planting for Nobel peace The question comes up every year: Does the Nobel Peace Prize matter? This year #39;s winner, Wangari Maathai of Kenya, is living proof the 103-year-old prize is an honour some people richly deserve.


Lithuania Poll Won by Russia-Born Millionaire #39;s Party (Update2) Lithuania #39;s Labor Party, led by Russian-born millionaire Viktor Uspaskich, won a general election after promising to boost social welfare in the Baltic nation that joined the European Union in May.


FTC Sues Alleged Spyware Distributors Companies are accused of infecting PCs, and then selling spyware-blocking software.


Singh Drawn Against Langer in World Match Play Opener  LONDON (Reuters) - World number one Vijay Singh faces a  first-round encounter with victorious European Ryder Cup  captain Bernhard Langer in the World Match Play Championship at  Wentworth Thursday.


MPAA Revives P-to-P Lawsuit Group is asking the Supreme Court to overturn decision in favor of file-swapping networks.


Pressure Grows for CONCACAF World Cup Hopefuls  RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Guatemala coach Ramon Maradiaga  believes his players were too individualistic in Saturday's 5-0  drubbing by Costa Rica and urged them not to repeat their  mistakes in Wednesday's qualifier against Honduras.


Shi'ite Fighters Hand Over Arms for Cash in Baghdad  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A Shi'ite militia disarmament plan that  could end weeks of fighting in Baghdad got slowly under way on  Monday as Iraq's interim government pursued peace talks with  the rebel-held Sunni Muslim city of Falluja.


Royal  amp; Sun moves 1,100 jobs to India Royal  amp; Sun Alliance, the UK #39;s second biggest insurer, today incurred the wrath of unions by announcing plans to move more than 1,000 jobs to India.


NatFoods makes its pitch for SPC PERENNIAL takeover target and suitor National Foods has identified SPC Ardmona as a merger partner in a deal that would add packaged fruit to its own dairy operations and build a major Australian food company.


Parker Hannifin Closes Sporlan Buy Parker Hannifin Corp., a maker of motion-control equipment, said Monday it completed its acquisition of refrigeration and air conditioning company Sporlan Valve Co.


Hackers use old tricks to sting business More than half of the latest vulnerabilities to IT systems are commonly identified loopholes that organisations have failed to fix, since discovering them last year.


OPEC Producers Vow To Raise Oil Production Saudi Arabia #39;s Oil Minister Ali Naimi said the kingdom has raised its capacity to 11 million barrels per day. Kuwait #39;s Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al Sabah called on OPEC


9:31 am: Senate reaches agreement to allow votes on corporate tax <b>...</b> The US Senate, after a weekend of behind-the-scenes negotiations, struck a deal to allow passage of a sweeping bill to provide \$136 billion (?110 billion) in corporate


Blair: Don #39;t write people off at 65 The Prime Minister has waded into the pensions crisis by calling for people not to be  quot;written off quot; at the age of 65. He was speaking ahead of a long-awaited official report which is expected to show a multi


Court orders Yukos to pay part of 2001 tax claim MOSCOW The Russian oil company Yukos will have to pay a heavy price for not paying its taxes on time. The Moscow Arbitration Court ruled today it must pay some one-point-four (b) billion dollars in fines and


FTC Goes After Spyware Operations The FTC has taken legal action in an effort to shut down Seismic Entertainment Productions and SmartBot.Net -- two companies that have become notorious as distributors of spyware.


Equestrian gold medallist denies cheating Irish show jumper Cian O #39;Connor says he is not a cheat after it emerged that a second horse owned and ridden by the Olympic gold medallist tested positive in a drugs test.


Lions hand Falcons first loss CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Joey Harrington threw for a touchdown and Artose Pinner ran for another as the Detroit Lions upset Atlanta 17-10 at the Georgia Dome.


Argonauts aim to tame Lions CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Quarterback Michael Bishop has helped keep the Toronto Argonauts entrenched in second place in the CFL #39;s East Division, but his hold on the starting job likely is about to expire.


EU Agrees to Lift Sanctions on Libya The vote by EU foreign ministers in Brussels Monday came after lobbying by Italy to lift the ban, so Libya can strengthen its borders against illegal immigration.


SuperFerry sinking a terrorist attack A bomb probably planted by the Abu Sayyaf caused the fire that sank the SuperFerry 14 and killed over 100 people last Feb. 27 in what could have been the countrys worst terrorist attack


Iraq Militants Behead Turk, Iraqi -Jazeera TV (Reuters) Reuters - An Islamic militant group said it had\beheaded a Turkish contractor and his Iraqi translator in Iraq\for working with U.S. forces there, Al Jazeera television\reported on Monday.


Romanians Pitch Rumsfeld on Base Location (AP) AP - One day after visiting Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld toured a spruced-up military base here Monday and heard a Romanian government sales pitch for making it a new American outpost within easy reach of potential hot spots in the Middle East and Central Asia.


Canoe Capsizes in East Congo, Killing 23 (AP) AP - Rescue crews were searching for survivors Monday after a large wooden canoe capsized on a lake in eastern Congo, killing at least 23 people, a spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping force said.


Iraq group beheads Turkish contractor, Kurdish translator: website (AFP) AFP - An Al-Qaeda-linked group said it had beheaded a Turkish contractor and an Iraqi Kurd who worked with US forces in Iraq, in statements posted on an Islamist website and a video showing the killings.


Cheney: New Jersey 'Moving Toward' GOP (AP) AP - Vice President Dick Cheney hammered away at familiar themes in a visit to New Jersey Monday, portraying Democrat Sen. John Kerry as indecisive in a speech to a couple of thousand Republican faithful.


The Perils of Pensions Guaranteed pension benefits hang like the Sword of Damocles over corporate earnings.


Insurance giant to  #39;export #39; 1,100 jobs to India One of the country #39;s biggest insurance firms today announced plans to transfer more than 1,100 jobs to India over the next few years, sparking fears of a  quot;crisis quot; in the UK.


Vendor hit with costs for recertifying electronic voting machines <b>...</b> OCTOBER 11, 2004 (REUTERS) - NEW YORK -- Diebold Inc., the leading maker of automated teller machines, today reduced its third-quarter and full-year earnings forecasts as it absorbs costs for recertifying its electronic voting machines in California and


MAKING PEPTIDES ON EARLY EARTH Whether formed on Earth or brought here by meteorites, -amino acids are widely assumed to have been present in the prebiotic chemical soup.


Yanks #39; Rivera Intends to Be Back for ALCS PANAMA CITY, Panama -- A grieving Mariano Rivera returned to Panama after two family members were electrocuted in his pool, but the star reliever intends to be in New York when the Yankees open their playoff series with the Boston Red Sox.


EU decides to lift arms embargo on Libya The foreign ministers #39; meeting of the European Union (EU) decided in Luxembourg Monday to lift the arms ban against Libya, which the bloc imposed 18 years ago.


FTC swoops on spyware bloke SPYWARE COMPANY executive Sanford Wallace and his two companies, Seismic Entertainment Productions and SmartBot.Net will be the first to have the dubious honour of being charged by the FTC.


Lampard warning for tricky #39; quest FRANK LAMPARD has warned England they need to be  quot;spot on quot; in terms of their approach to avoid a potential banana skin in Wednesday #39;s World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan.


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


Sharon sets date for Gaza pull-out debate Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, has said he will put his Gaza settlement withdrawal plan before parliament at the end of the month.


Car bomb blast hits US convoy in Mosul A car bomb exploded at a US military convoy in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, causing several casualties, the army and Iraqi officials said.


7-Eleven Adopting Wireless Technology (AP) AP - Sherry Neal checked the refrigerated shelves of her 7-Eleven store, touched the screen of a small handheld computer and got an instant four-week sales history on turkey sandwiches.


Product Previews (InfoWorld) InfoWorld - F5 bolsters firewall family\The latest additions to F5 Networks #8217; lineup are two new security products announced Monday that are designed for enterprise networks. FirePass 4100 is the latest version of F5 #8217;s firewall product line designed to provide secure remote access to corporate applications and data using a standard Web browser. The firewall secures Web-based remote access to corporate applications and desktops. TrafficShield 4100 is a Web application firewall designed for the application layer of networks that enforces granular security policies to protect Web applications, as well as database information from both random and targeted application security attacks. Prices for FirePass begin at  #36;24,990 for 100 concurrent users, and TrafficShield prices begin at  #36;39,990. FirePass 4100 and TrafficShield 4100 are available this week.\FirePass 4100, TrafficShield 4100, F5 Networks


Monarch Butterflies Go Missing in Vt. (AP) AP - Experts say few migrating monarch butterflies are being spotted in Vermont this year where once they were common autumn sights.


Sea Turtle Population Still Declining (AP) AP - Despite a federal rule changing the type of hooks that longline fishermen may use, the sea turtle population is declining, officials say.


Namibia Loses Ivory Export Bid at CITES Meeting (Reuters) Reuters - Namibia lost a bid on Monday for\permission to export 4,400 pounds of ivory annually at a United


Kenya Withdraws Lion Protection Plan at CITES (Reuters) Reuters - Kenya withdrew Monday a proposal to\give lions more protection by clamping a lid on global trade in\the big cat and its body parts, deferring to suggestions to\give the matter more study.


Yukos suffers further tax setback Russian oil and gas company Yukos has suffered another setback in its battle to avoid paying billions of dollars in back taxes and avoid bankruptcy.


Boeing: Pact Battle Not Linked to Vote Boeing Co. #39;s chief executive on Monday said his call for Washington to end a pact with Europe on aircraft development funding was not aimed at garnering political support ahead of the US presidential election.


Airline crisis imperils pension insurer Financial problems in the airline industry are imperiling the federal fund that backs pension plans for 44 million Americans. Two senior government officials have delivered that


National Foods in SPC takeover talks MELBOURNE - Australian dairy group National Foods says it is in talks to take over food processing company SPC Ardmona, which has a market value of A\$380 million (\$408 million).


Abbott to Buy Nutrition Company EAS Medical products company Abbott Laboratories said Monday it agreed to buy nutrition products company EAS Inc. in a cash-for-stock deal worth about \$320 million.


Maverick Increases 3Q Earnings Outlook Maverick Tube Corp., a maker of welded tubular steel products, on Monday said it expects to exceed previously announced third-quarter earnings guidance of \$1.


Dell recalls nearly a million laptop AC adapters Washington, DC - If you own a Dell laptop, you might want to check out the type of AC adapter that it uses. That is because the company has decided to recall nearly a million AC adapters because of a potential fire and electrical shock hazard.


Vodafone UK Debuts SMS-from-PC Software Vodafone #39;s new Text Centre service allows users to send text messages from PCs, just like sending an e-mail. Text messages can be sent to a single recipient or to a broader list, and the sender


Top 20 Security Flaws Revealed Although companies need to protect against the flaws, many of the related information security risks and costs could be removed if businesses forced vendors to test systems before rollout, according


Novell sets Open Enterprise Server release With most organizations that planned to move already moved to Microsoft Server 2003, OS migration has dropped to the bottom ranks after making its mark on IT Professional #39;s top five priority last year.


Dell Lowers DJ Price, Takes On Apple iPod Dell has slashed the price of its 15-GB Dell DJ to \$149, down from its normal list price of \$199, and \$100 less than the price of Apple #39;s iPod mini.


IT Heavyweights Drive New Web-Services Spec AMD, Dell, Intel, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems have joined forces on Web Services Management, a new specification that promises to simplify systems management.


As Sun Settles Kodak #39;s Java Patents Suit, What #39;s Microsoft <b>...</b> Right before what promised to be a seven-day trial to decide whether it would have to pay Eastman Kodak a possible \$3 billion for trespassing on three of its patents, Sun decided to settle out-of-court and pay Kodak \$92 million in cash to get out from


AOL Working on Standalone Browser; Fate of Mac Version Unknown America Online, Inc. is reported to be developing a Web browser based on Microsoft Internet Explorer technology. It is not known when the browser will be released


Aussie rookie hits jackpot ANDRE Stolz took the giant step from struggling rookie to season millionaire with a future secured by a two-year exemption when he won the US PGA Tour #39;s Michelin Championship in Las Vegas yesterday.


Mauresmo Withdraws From Kremlin Cup Amelie Mauresmo from France touches her taped leg in the final against Lindsay Davenport of the US at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix at Filderstadt near Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004.


Safin survives first-round scare in Moscow Top seed Marat Safin survived a first-round scare before prevailing over his doubles partner Max Mirnyi 6-7 7-6 7-6 in the Kremlin Cup on Monday.


Manchester United shares rise on report duo may sell Shares in Manchester United Plc rose 3.1 percent after a newspaper report yesterday said the soccer club #39;s two biggest investors may sell their stake to billionaire Malcolm Glazer for 310 pence (\$5.


#39;Tremendous cricketer and a good bloke #39; RICHIE BENAUD, the man regarded by a generation of television watchers as the doyen of Australian cricket, best summed up what Keith Miller meant to the game in Australia.


Pats are now bully in rivalry Late in the third quarter, Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael flinched, and Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin pushed him to the Gillette Stadium turf.


Vick, Falcons thrown to the Lions For all the highlights he #39;s provided in a 33-game career, Michael Vick reminded the Atlanta Falcons that he can lay an occasional egg, too.


Vector share float looms Vector #39;s \$1.3 billion bid for NGC promises a public offering of shares in a new local energy giant within 12 months. Vector put up \$3 a share to win the bidding war for the 66 per cent stake in NGC owned by Australian Gas Light (AGL).


FTC Sues Alleged Spyware Distributors The US Federal Trade Commission last week filed a legal complaint against two companies that allegedly infected computers with spyware and pop-up advertising, then tried to sell their owners spyware-blocking software.


Scotland, Vogts in hot water Glasgow, Scotland (Sports Network) - Scotland coach Berti Vogts #39; concerns mounted Monday as he learned captain Barry Ferguson and defender Russell Anderson remained questionable for Wednesday #39;s World Cup qualifier at Moldova.


Blue-eyed boy like that elegant strike against Wales on Saturday - he has a tempestuous streak running through that hot head of his. A streak of recklessness which - once again - has landed him in trouble.


Nickelodeon Expands Beyond Its TV Roots (Reuters) Reuters - Nickelodeon, the Viacom Inc.\childrens' cable network known for Dora the Explorer and Blue's\Clues, said it will test a new strategy with video games, a\clothing line and baby videos that are not tied to its popular\television shows,


Honour guard greets body of Lieut. Saunders HALIFAX - Family members, politicians and military brass held a ceremony for Lieut. Chris Saunders in Halifax Sunday afternoon, after the submariner #39;s body arrived from Ireland.


Sharon Vows Parliament Vote on Gaza Plan on Oct. 25 Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed on Monday to put his Gaza withdrawal plan to a parliamentary vote on Oct. 25, despite persistent violence in the coastal strip


PA: It #39;s  #39;peculiar #39; Israel didn #39;t inform us of Sinai warnings Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat on Monday hinted that Israel was behind the suicide attacks in Sinai and said the PA was holding contacts with the Egyptian government on the issue.


Oracle May Drop Its PeopleSoft Bid Lower (AP) AP - Oracle Corp.'s hostile  #36;7.7 billion bid for rival software maker PeopleSoft Inc. could drop by one-third to one-fourth, Oracle co-president Safra Catz said Monday.


Grandmother saves man from crocodile A 60-year-old women has become an unlikely Australian hero after jumping on the back of a 4m-long crocodile when it attacked a man asleep in a tent.


Brazilian Industrial Output Goes Up (AP) AP - Brazil's industrial output grew 1.1 percent in August compared to July, the sixth straight month-to-month rise as the economy gathers steam following a recession last year and a slow start in 2004.


Web Site Shows Two Beheadings in Iraq (AP) AP - An Islamist Web site on Monday showed the beheading of two hostages  #151; one a Kurdish translator and the other a Turkish contractor wearing a badge of the Titan security company.


EU Ends Libya Sanctions Despite Bulgaria Worries (Reuters) Reuters - EU foreign ministers agreed to lift\an arms embargo on Libya on Monday, despite fears for Bulgarian\and Palestinian medical workers sentenced to death there, but\imposed a visa ban on senior officials from Myanmar.


US Stocks Hold Small Gains  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose slightly on Monday,  as optimism that corporate earnings reports this week may come  in better than expected lent support, but record crude oil  prices reined in the advances.


DirecTV Consolidates LatAm Satellite Ops  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd.  NCP.AX will sell its stake in Sky Latin America to DirecTV  Group DTV.N, another company which it controls, for \$579  million in order to consolidate operations of the two satellite  broadcasters, the companies said on Monday.


Congress Sends Bush Corporate Tax Bill  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate easily gave final  congressional approval on Monday to a huge corporate tax bill  that aims to end a trade fight with the European Union by  repealing U.S. export tax subsidies that violate global trade  rules.


Diebold Cuts Forecast  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Diebold Inc. DBD.N, the leading  maker of automated teller machines, on Monday warned that  third-quarter and full-year profits will fall below  expectations due to problems at its electronic voting machine  business.


CSC inks \$1.35 billion deal The tech consultant signs a 10-year contract to manage Ascension Health's IT infrastructure.


Corporate Tax Measure Passes Senate The Senate passed a far-reaching, \$136 billion corporate tax package Monday that cuts taxes for businesses ranging from film companies to bow and arrow makers while closing tax loopholes and bringing U.S. exporters in line with international trade rules.


Yukos suffers further tax setback Russian oil giant Yukos suffers another blow in its tax battle after a Moscow court rules it must pay \$1.4bn (778m) in fines.


Norway and US share Nobel prize Finn Kydland and Edward Prescott have won the Nobel prize for economics for their work in showing how business cycles affect international trade.


Moscow children to wear dog tags Moscow schoolchildren are to wear army-style dog tags as Russia tightens security after the Beslan school siege.


Senate Approves Corporate Tax Bill The bill's tax breaks, while worth about \$140 billion over 10 years, is also designed save that much by closing shelters and raising customs fees.


When a MetroCard Led Far Out of Town Foreign-born New Yorkers who plead guilty to misdemeanors are increasingly being turned over to immigration authorities for deportation.


DirecTV Consolidates LatAm Satellite Ops

 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd.<NCP.AX> will sell its stake in Sky Latin America to DirecTVGroup <DTV.N>, another company which it controls, for \$579million in order to consolidate operations of the two satellitebroadcasters, the companies said on Monday.


Product Previews F5 bolsters firewall family\The latest additions to F5 Networks lineup are two new security products announced Monday that are designed for enterprise networks. FirePass 4100 is the latest version of F5s firewall product line designed to provide secure remote access to corporate applications and data using a standard Web browser. The firewall secures Web-based remote access to corporate applications and desktops. TrafficShield 4100 is a Web application firewall designed for the application layer of networks that enforces granular security policies to protect Web applications, as well as database information from both random and targeted application security attacks. Prices for FirePass begin at \$24,990 for 100 concurrent users, and TrafficShield prices begin at \$39,990. FirePass 4100 and TrafficShield 4100 are available this week.\FirePass 4100, TrafficShield 4100, F5 Networks


Abbott acquires nutrition firm EAS for 320 million dollars NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. Abbott Laboratories has agreed to buy Colorado-based nutrition firm EAS for 320 (m) million dollars. The deal expands Abbott #39;s growing stable of nutritional products.


A Truce in the Toy Wars? It looks like Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) may deliver some uncharacteristic slack to some of its competitors. USA Today reported that the discounter giant doesn #39;t plan such deep price cuts on toys this year.


Honda #39;s Perpetual Motion Machines There #39;s something to be said for being the  quot;first mover quot; in an industry trend. Those years of extra experience in tinkering with a new idea can be invaluable in helping the first


Tata signs IT deal with Ferrari Tata Consultancy Services of India has signed a deal to provide information technology to famous Italian Formula One racing team Ferrari.


Sun #39;s Kodak moment: Patent suit settled out of court Sun Microsystems has agreed to pay Eastman Kodak \$92 million to settle an intellectual property dispute between the two companies, Sun disclosed last week.


Patriots #39; careful decision to sign RB Dillon has already paid off FOXBORO, Mass. -- The Patriots knew a day like this would come. The passing game would be taken away, almost totally, and they #39;d need a workhorse back to win the game for them.


Oil boils above \$53 a barrel SINGAPORE: Oil prices stayed on the boil above \$53 a barrel on Monday, bolstered by persistent anxiety over Opec member Nigeria and the nearly month-long loss of a quarter of US Gulf of Mexico production, traders said.


Computer Sciences Gets 10-Year Contract Technology consultant Computer Sciences Corp. on Monday said it received a 10-year, \$1.35 billion contract to manage technology services for Ascension Health, one of the nation #39;s largest nonprofit health systems.


Australia #39;s Westfield, Multiplex join in new offer for Britain #39;s <b>...</b> SYDNEY: Australian shopping center giant Westfield is teaming up with property group Multiplex and Aldersgate Investments to make a cash offer for Duelguide, the company which owns British developer Chelsfield.


Nigerian Unions Launch Strike But Oil Exports Flow Unions began a four-day strike against rising fuel prices in Nigeria on Monday, helping drive world oil prices to record highs even though shipments from Africa #39;s top producer were unaffected.


Traditional schedule for Tempe High TEMPE - For the first time in 10 years, students on all campuses in the Tempe Union High School District will be on the same calendar starting next fall.


Gift card may not be free to use Gift cards are the perfect gift - they always fit and never cost a fortune to send, right? But consumer advocates are cautioning that we need to be slightly more careful when it comes to such gifts.


Pressure Building on U.S. Over WWII Suit (AP) AP - Bipartisan political pressure is building for the Bush administration to settle a lawsuit by Hungarian Jews who claim the United States plundered family riches that had been seized by the Nazis during World War II.


Afghan Poll Crisis Subsides as Karzai Rivals Back Off  KABUL (Reuters) - The crisis surrounding Afghanistan's  historic presidential election appeared to end on Monday as  President Hamid Karzai's chief rival said he and other  candidates were withdrawing their rejection of the weekend  poll.


Deutsche Bank Checked China Aviation Finances Before Share Sale Deutsche Bank AG said it questioned China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp. about its finances before arranging aS\$196 million (\$119 million) share sale in October, a month before company


Mosque on Fire After U.S. Air Strikes in West Iraq  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. marines engaged in heavy clashes  with scores of insurgents near a mosque in western Iraq on  Monday, leading to U.S. air strikes which damaged the shrine  and left it ablaze, the U.S. military said.


EU Ends Libya Sanctions Despite Bulgaria Worries  LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - EU foreign ministers agreed to lift  an arms embargo on Libya on Monday, despite fears for Bulgarian  and Palestinian medical workers sentenced to death there, but  imposed a visa ban on senior officials from Myanmar.


Anxious Turkey Seeks Changes in Key EU Report  ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey, rattled by growing signs of  resistance in the European Union to its entry bid, said on  Monday it would seek changes in the wording of a key report on  its candidacy before EU leaders debate it on Dec. 17.


MySQL to make use of Microsoft code The code, which was open-sourced in April, will be used for the administration tool that connects to the MySQL database.


Cisco continues to court small business Networking giant launches new program for resellers targeting small and midsize customers.


WMC Resources Plans 25 Nickel Expansion In Four Years PERTH (Dow Jones)--WMC Resources Ltd. (WMR.AU) said Monday that expansion of its nickel production will cost up to A\$650 million, with an investment decision in the first half of 2006.


SunTrust Restates Profit, Postpones Earnings Report (Update6) SunTrust Banks Inc., the seventh- largest US bank, said it will restate results for the first and second quarters of this year because the lender mistakenly inflated its reserve for loan losses.


Universal to tap Jay-Z? Vivendi #39;s unit plans to buy out the rap star and his partners from Roc-A-Fella Records, report says. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Universal Music Group is close to a deal to buy out the rapper and producer Jay-Z


Isonics Shares Soar on New Unit News Isonics Corp. shares soared nearly 38 percent on Monday following news late Friday that the company formed a unit to focus on homeland security and defense products and named vice chairman Boris Rubizhevsky as president of the new group.


Abbott to buy nutrition company Abbott Laboratories Monday said it has agreed to pay \$320 million in cash to acquire EAS, a privately held company that sells nutritional products including AdvantEdge low-carbohydrate nutrition bars.


Hybrid industry gaining ground in the US - 11th October 2004 The American automotive industry is anticipating further increases in the sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles in 2005, following the impact of the rising global cost of gasoline on 2004 sales of the eco-friendly cars, according to the Chicago Daily


Oil prices top \$53 LONDON - The price of crude oil futures surged to new highs today despite assurances from Middle East oil producers that they were committed to bringing the price down as a strike began in Africa #39;s largest exporter.


Microsoft Gets Comfy in the Living Room One of the past snags in gaining acceptance of PC components in couch-potato HQ has been the difficulty of integrating them into a home entertainment network.


Sun Dodges A \$2 Billion Bullet Somewhere in the pine bluffs of Washington, a Microsoft (MSFT) exec or two had to have been chuckling. On Oct. 1, a Rochester (NY) jury found that computer giant Sun Microsystems (SUNW), the company that extracted


Realtors to try again to put deals online In the heady days of the dot-com boom, when pet food and groceries were sold on the Internet and venture capitalists seemingly tossed double- digit millions at any business plan with online possibilities, real estate stood waiting to be part of the


Azerbaijan v England SSP1 Kick Off 17.30pm An impressive England win over Wales.a game they looked in complete control..means only one thing for Azerbaijan.defeat. This England side is beginning to look like a formidable outfit.


6 Abu men charged with ferry bombing President Arroyo announced the filing of charges against six Abu Sayyaf members believed behind the SuperFerry bombing and the Dos Palmas kidnapping.


Shaik Trial Due Today Schabir Shaik #39;s trial on two main charges of corruption and a third of fraud is due to start in Durban today. The charges relate to what the State has described as the  quot;general corrupt relationship quot; between


Ventura Hangs Up Spikes  LOS ANGELES (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Dodgers third  baseman Robin Ventura has decided to call it quits following a  16-year Major League Baseball career.


Offensive To Watch The coaches can defend Mark Brunell and the offense all they want, but it's a unit that hasn't yet scored 20 points in a game.


Midway Purchase Was Inevitable Acquisitions such as the one for the development studio are more about people and technology than anything else.


Don't Waste Your Vote Every year, you're given the chance to have a say in how the companies you own are run. Don't blow it. Vote.


Australia #39;s S amp;P/ASX 200 Advances, Led by Foodland Associated Australia #39;s S amp;P/ASX 200 Index rose to a record. Foodland Associated Ltd. surged after Metcash Trading Ltd., the nation #39;s biggest grocery wholesaler, offered A\$846 million (\$660 million) for Foodland #39;s local business.


\$136 billion corporate tax bill OK #39;d WASHINGTON -- The Senate passed a far-reaching, \$136 billion corporate tax package today that cuts taxes for businesses ranging from film companies to bow and arrow makers while closing tax loopholes and bringing US exporters in line with international


Beckham to undergo light training soon: Real Madrid: Sports India: Madrid, Oct 11: England football captain David Beckham is expected back in Madrid Wednesday and resume light training despite fracturing a rib, reports Xinhua.


Two Iraqis, US soldier killed in suicide car bomb attack on US <b>...</b> MOSUL, Iraq, Oct 11 (AFP) - Two Iraqis and a US soldier were killed and 27 others wounded in a suicide car bomb attack Monday against a military convoy in the northern city of Mosul, medics and the US military said.


Target does a lot of good; let bell-ringers move on I don #39;t understand why everyone can #39;t get past Target #39;s deciding against the Salvation Army bell-ringers  quot;Target #39;s ban on red kettles gets a boycott in return, from me!


OPEC unable to influence market as oil prices scale new heights <b>...</b> LONDON, Oct 11 (AFP) - The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says it is doing everything possible to help cool record high oil prices but its inability to meet markets #39; wishes reduces its credibility and influence, analysts said Monday.


Stocks Up Ahead of 3Q Earnings Reports Stocks rose modestly in light holiday trading Monday as investors awaited the impending tide of third-quarter profit reports, hopeful the news would override worries about record oil prices and a sputtering recovery.


Web Servers Lead Top 20 Security Problems List The SANS Institute has issued its latest list of the 20 most critical Internet security vulnerabilties. Web servers top the list for Windows-based systems and fall second on the list of Unix and Linux systems.


IBM Fashions New Blades five new HS20 models and one new JS20 blade server. The company also is rolling out new features designed to improve the performance of BladeCenter systems.


Enter your e-mail: NVidia announced today that it #39;s bringing its GeForce 6 graphics chip to value-minded buyers with its new 6200. The company expects its graphics-board partners to begin shipping PCI-Express cards using the new chip by early November.


Ridings hits 61* He tied the course record at TPC at Summerlin with the best final round this year on the PGA tour, tying the best ever Sunday score in the Michelin Championship.


Gallacher Wins Dunhill Links Editors Note: Stephen Gallacher won for the first time on the European Tour, beating Northern Irelands Graeme McDowell on the first playoff hole at the Dunhill Links Championship in at the Old Course in St.


Former NL MVP Caminiti passes away Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Ken Caminiti, who won the National League MVP in 1996 and later admitted to using steroids during his playing career, passed away on Sunday due to an apparent heart attack.


Katie Hoff Finishes Third In Short Course Worlds INDIANAPOLIS -- Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff finished third in a race Sunday night at the Short Course World Championships in Indianapolis.


A Look at Foreigners Taken Hostage in Iraq (AP) AP - Insurgents in Iraq have kidnapped more than 150 foreigners in their campaign to drive out coalition forces and hamper reconstruction:


Senate Roll Call on Corporate Tax Bill (AP) AP - The 69-17 roll call by which the Senate voted Monday to approve a  #36;136 billion corporate tax bill.


US Congress Sends Bush Corporate Tax Bill The US Senate easily gave final congressional approval on Monday to a huge corporate tax bill that aims to end a trade fight with the European Union by repealing US export


Universal said to weigh senior post for rap star As Universal Music nears a deal to buy out the rap star Jay-Z and his partners from their venture, Roc-A-Fella Records, the company has renewed an unconventional plan to bring the artist into its executive ranks by naming him president of the Def Jam


Sainsbury #39;s Warn of First-Half Profit Fall Troubled grocery chain J Sainsbury PLC, Britain #39;s third-biggest supermarket retailer, said Monday it expected to announce a big drop in profits for the first half of this year.


PeopleSoft board opens up to Oracle While it has so far rejected each of Oracle #39;s takeover offers, PeopleSoft #39;s board of directors is willing to talk about a deal at the right price, a member of PeopleSoft #39;s board said on October 5. On the stand


Honda projects double the US sales of 2005 hybrid models Honda Motor Co. expects the introduction of its new gas-electric version of the Accord to boost its US sales of hybrid vehicles to more than 45,000 next year.


Spinal cord injury In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve fell off a horse and severely damaged his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. From then until his death in October 2004, the silver screen Superman became the most famous face of spinal cord injury.


Tech Giants Back Specification for Web Services The specification builds on the WS-architecture that a vast group of engineers have been working on for more than two years to develop specific standards.


AOL #39;s new brand campaign in the US MUMBAI:  quot;Want a better Internet? quot; That #39;s the question America Online is asking in a new brand campaign in the US. The new ad campaign is intended to reposition America Online as the service that is truly on the side of the online consumer.


Thatcher: It was just handbags with Becks, not aggro BEN THATCHER was last night playing down what appeared to be a running battle between him and David Beckham on Saturday - at least as far as the England captain was concerned.


Patriots finish off 19th straight team with 24-10 victory History the New England Patriots were finally able to acknowledge, despite the fact they didnt look perhaps as crisp offensively as theyve been, in a 24-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.


Henin-Hardenne done for the year Brussels, Belgium (Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne has decided against playing any more tennis for the rest of 2004.


Clinton Morrison sidelined with knee injury Ireland and Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison needs knee surgery and will be sidelined for a month, his Premier League club said Monday.


DLA and Piper Rudnick Combine to Create a Leading Global Legal <b>...</b> Law firms DLA and Piper Rudnick LLP today announce that they will merge. When combined, DLA, which has extensive coverage across Europe and Asia and is ranked seventh in the UK, and Piper Rudnick, one of the


Shifts and shake-ups in open source MySQL developers turn to an unlikely source for database tool: Microsoft. Also: SGI visualizes Linux, and the return of Java veteran Kim Polese.


SGI brings visualization to Linux line Addition of high-end graphics to computers based on open-source platform helps company go beyond its proprietary products.


Goldcorp #39;s McEwen, Seeking Growth, Buys Wheaton to Get Telfer Goldcorp Inc. Chief Executive Robert McEwen says he was always reluctant to expand by acquiring other gold producers. That #39;s why McEwen is making one last purchase before he steps down and handing the reins to Ian Telfer.


DT Wants All of T-Online BONN, Germany -- On Saturday, Deutsche Telekom #39;s Supervisory Board approved a merger plan by the Board of Management. One day later, T-Online #39;s Supervisory Board consented to the offer of merger negotiations.


Diebold Cuts Forecast, Cites Voting Machine Woes Diebold, a manufacturer of automated teller machines, says that the cost of recertifying its electronic voting machines for use in Calfornia is forcing it to cut its quarterly earnings forecast by about 5 cents.


Boeing Willing to Negotiate on Tax Breaks Boeing (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is prepared to discuss the elimination of billions of dollars in tax breaks it receives from Washington


FTC #39;s first spyware case p2pnet.net News:- The US Federal Trade Commission has filed its first spyware case against former self-styled Spam King Sanford Wallace, says the Center for Democracy and Technology, which made the original complaint last February.


Some Dell AC Adapters Recalled Although seven adapters have overheated, no injuries or deaths have been reported. The adapters where shipped with Latitude, Precision and Inspiron laptops sold through Dell #39;s Web site and customer


Spacecraft Design Pioneer Faget Dies Spacecraft design pioneer Maxime Faget has died at the age of 83. Faget is credited for conceiving Project Mercury, which put the first US astronauts into space, and was involved in the design of every US manned spacecraft afterward.


Microsoft Upgrades Windows XP Media Center The latest version of Microsoft #39;s Windows XP Media Center turns a specially configured PC into a photo album, DVD player, music center and TV set.


Big Blue Beefs Up BladeCenter IBM is trying to capitalize on the growing blade server market. Although it generates less revenue than other areas of the server market, the blade segment is increasing in volume and value to vendors, according to IDC analyst Jean Bozman.


Verizon Wireless Vs. Cingular Wireless NEW YORK - Verizon Wireless, the hulking champ of the cellular world, is about to meet a new contender. Any day now, the Federal Communications Commission is expected to recommend the approval of Cingular


Submarine Fire Survivors Tell of Blaze Horror Survivors of a fatal fire on a submarine today spoke of their experience as Canadas defence minister said he could not rule out suing the British Government.


X Prize for Nanotech? Hal Finney writes  quot;The X Prize Foundation, which recently awarded the Ansari X Prize for achieving a milestone in private space flight, is asking for suggestions for new X Prize ventures, under the name of The WTN X PRIZE.


Dolphins may be without Fiedler, Feeley The Miami Dolphins, who are off to their worst start at 0-5 since their inaugural season in 1966, may be without quarterbacks Jay Fiedler and AJ Feeley when they play the Buffalo Bills this weekend.


Computer Sciences inks \$1.35 billion deal This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.


Update 3: Court Rules Yukos Must Pay \$1.34 Billion The Moscow Arbitration Court ruled Monday that the embattled oil giant Yukos must pay \$1.34 billion in fines and penalties as part of a \$4.


Vodafone Launches Desktop Text Messaging Software Vodafone customers are charged for text messages they send on their monthly phone bills. The senders can choose whether replies are sent back to the e-mail inbox or to a mobile phone.


Australia #39;s Andre Stoltz Wins First US PGA Event in Las Vegas Andre Stoltz won the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas by one stroke, the first career US PGA Tour victory for the 34-year-old Australian.


Why Micky Adams Quit Leicester The surprise decision by Micky Adams to resign as Leicester Citys manager after two-and-a-half years in charge of the club was explained by the man himself today during a press conference at the Walkers Stadium.


Sadr fighters disarm, again The rebel cleric #39;s followers began handing in weapons Monday, but some are bent on continuing to fight American forces in Baghdad.


Saudi women will not vote Kuwait - Saudi women will not vote in next month #39;s municipal elections, the first polls to be held in the autocratic kingdom for many years, interior minister Prince Nayef said in remarks published on Monday.


Romanians Pitch Rumsfeld on Base Location MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania - To entice the US military to make a home here, what better symbolic appeal could the Romanian government make than to rename a street here  quot;George Washington Boulevard?


Dollar perks up from Friday's jobs slump (AFP) AFP - The dollar drifted higher against the euro in a modest recovery after Friday's decline following weak US job creation numbers for September.


Downloading Justice Once again, the unintended consequences of the Internet may be heading for a big showdown before the Supreme Court.  This time, it's the war over file sharing and copyrights that the justices are being asked to review. -washingtonpost.com


Computer Users Face New Scourge Millions of consumers have been struggling with a recent surge in what computer experts call spyware or adware -- electronic hitchhikers with hidden programs that hijack hard drives.
-The Washington Post


MSN Music Falls Short Of iTunes' High Marks Microsoft's MSN Music store is by far the most capable rival to Apple's iTunes Music Store, even if it doesn't yet surpass it.
-Rob Pegoraro


Gallup Poll Moves Online With Webcast Free daily eight-minute video featuring pollster-in-chief Frank Newport as a stand-up anchor talking about the firm's latest polling data goes online at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. -Leslie Walker


Exec Says Oracle Lowering PeopleSoft Bid Oracle Corp.'s hostile \$7.7 billion bid for rival software maker PeopleSoft Inc. could drop by one-third to one-fourth, Oracle co-president Safra Catz said Monday.


Global Crossing Announces Restructuring Global Crossing Ltd. shares plummeted Monday after the once bankrupt telecommunications company announced it will cut about 600 jobs and scale down operations to free enough cash to stay fiscally afloat.


Lockheed to Run Post Office Networks Lockheed Martin Corp. won a contract potentially worth \$3 billion to provide managed network services to the U.S. Postal Service.


ThoughtLink's Exercise in Collaboration Communicating can be tricky when a company or a government agency has workers in different locations and even different time zones.


Comcast's Perks to Montgomery Criticized The cable television company has taken an aggressive and, critics say, sometimes heavy-handed, approach to protecting its interests in the Maryland county.


Americans Win Gold at World Cyber Games Amid fanfare fit for actual world-class athletes, five Americans with really quick fingers took home the gold medal in the popular "Counter Strike" competition of the World Cyber Games championships, capping five days of intense gaming by the world's elite.


Painless but Pricey Backups For a lot of people these days, the data they create and store on their computers is worth more than the hardware itself -- especially if you factor in the sentimental value of years of collected e-mail and photos.
-The Washington Post


Mortal Kombat: Deception; Silent Hill 4: The Room; Spinrite 6.0 The sixth title in the seemingly endless Mortal Kombat franchise -- 12 years and counting -- is about much more than blood-soaked, hand-to-hand fighting.


Nigerian Strike to Continue But Oil Exports Flow  LAGOS (Reuters) - Unions vowed to extend a general strike  over fuel prices in Nigeria to a second day on Tuesday, helping  drive world oil prices to record highs even though shipments  from Africa's top producer were unaffected.


UN: Iraqi Nuclear-Related Materials Have Vanished  UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Equipment and materials that  could be used to make nuclear weapons are disappearing from  Iraq but neither Baghdad nor Washington appears to have  noticed, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency reported on Monday.


Cisco, Fujitsu Ally on Routers to Spur Asia Sales (Update1) Cisco Systems Inc., the world #39;s largest maker of computer-networking equipment, formed an alliance with Fujitsu Ltd. to increase sales to Japanese telephone carriers.


Oracle May Drop Its PeopleSoft Bid Lower Oracle co-president Safra Catz said today Oracle's hostile \$7.7 billion bid for PeopleSoft could drop by one-third to one-fourth.


Lone Star Boom and Bust The steel tubing company reports sharply higher earnings, but the stock is falling.


Senate Approves Bill Worth \$140 Billion in Corporate Tax Breaks The bill aims to raise the same amount of money by closing tax shelters, raising customs fees and dropping a tax benefit.


Al-Sadr Loyalists Turning in Weapons BAGHDAD, Iraq - Followers of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr trickled in to police stations in Baghdad's Sadr City district to hand in weapons Monday in a first step toward bringing peace to the Shiite militant stronghold after weeks of fighting with U.S. forces...


Bush, Kerry Court Voters in New Mexico President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry were both campaigning in New Mexico Monday in tandem swings through the Southwest on their way to Wednesday night's final debate in Arizona. Bush shifted his harsh rhetoric to focus on Kerry's record on domestic issues, while Kerry promised to work for the middle class and energy independence...


Candidate Drops Boycott of Afghan Election KABUL, Afghanistan - The main opposition candidate in Afghanistan's first-ever presidential election backed off a boycott of the vote, saying Monday that he would accept the findings of an independent commission to look into alleged cheating.    Ethnic Tajik candidate Yunus Qanooni, considered the likely runner-up to interim President Hamid Karzai, made the announcement at his Kabul home on Monday, a day after two other candidates also peeled away from the boycott...


Hamdi Returned to Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Yaser Esam Hamdi, a Saudi-American citizen who was captured on the Afghanistan battlefield and held without charges for nearly three years, has been freed and returned Monday to Saudi Arabia.    Interior Ministry spokesman Brig...


Stocks Open Up After Poor Jobs Report NEW YORK - Stocks bobbed higher at Monday's open after two sessions of heavy selling driven by surging oil prices and a disappointing employment report.    The Dow Jones industrial average was up 27.36, or 0.3 percent, at 10,082.56...


Bush Rhetoric Becoming More Aggressive CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush is launching a focus on Western battlegrounds with no sign that the biting rhetoric he has aimed at Democratic challenger John Kerry in recent days is as aggressive as it's going to get.    Bush spent one day off the campaign trail, relaxing on Sunday at his central Texas ranch and engaging in informal preparations for the final debate before Election Day - Wednesday in Tempe, Ariz...


Ballots Pour Into Afghan Counting Centers KABUL, Afghanistan - Ballot boxes poured into counting centers Monday for a tally of the troubled presidential election in Afghanistan amid signs an opposition boycott was wavering after at least two candidates agreed to accept the ruling of an independent panel's inquiry.    Election organizers hope their decision, announced late Sunday, to establish a panel of about three foreign election experts to investigate the balloting will end the boycott, which many fear could seriously undermine the winner's ability to rule this war-ravaged nation...


Office Depot hears call for VoIP The office equipment supplier jumps into the growing market of placing cheap calls over the Net.


Venezuelan President Increases Taxes on Foreign Oil Companies Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is ordering foreign oil companies to pay much higher taxes, in a move to tighten state control over his country #39;s vast petroleum resources.


Fines Against Yukos Stand A Russian court has ruled that embattled oil firm Yukos must pay nearly all the fines and penalties connected to its 2001 tax bill.


US Senate passes corporate tax bill The US Senate on Monday passed a corporate tax bill that would dole out 136 billion dollars in new tax breaks to a wide array of US companies.


Senate passes corporate tax bill The bill was approved by a 69-37 vote. It cuts taxes for businesses ranging from film companies to bow-and-arrow makers. It also closes tax loopholes and brings US exporters in line with international trade rules.


Sierra Pacific #39;s Enron Ruling Vacated Electric and natural gas utility Sierra Pacific Resources Co. on Monday said the US District Court for Southern New York vacated a prior summary judgment that called for the company #39;s electric utilities to pay Enron Power Marketing Inc.


Slick Vick struggles The legend of Michael Vick appeared to be on the verge of ballooning yet again as he dropped back to pass in the game #39;s waning moments.


Williams is day-to-day after ankle injury The team said that an ultrasound at Henry Ford Hospital revealed that Williams indeed had suffered a sprained ankle, but not the more severe high ankle sprain.


Arroyo orders arrest of Abu leaders linked in ferry blast MANILA -- President Arroyo ordered Monday the police and the military to intensify the manhunt for two Abu Sayyaf leaders, Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Soliman, being the masterminds in the Superferry 14 bombing last February.


Opposition Party Heads for Win in Lithuanian Election An opposition party led by an ethnic Russian businessman appears headed for victory in Sunday #39;s Lithuanian parliamentary election.


Motorola sinks TV dreams The firm scraps an alliance with Moxell to bring Motorola-branded plasma TVs, LCD TVs and monitors to North America and China.


Nevada utilities win a chance to shed \$336 million Enron bill LAS VEGAS - The parent company of Nevada #39;s two major electric utilities has won a rehearing of a federal bankruptcy court ruling that said it owed more than \$300 million to energy trader Enron Power Marketing.


Procter  amp; Gamble #39;s On Demand Procter  amp; Gamble (NYSE: PG) is the latest company to experiment with new-age advertising techniques to lure the consumer dollar.


EAS changing hands Founded in 1990 by Bill Phillips and then sold in 1999 to a North Castle Partners, EAS is being acquired by Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT).


Saudi Women Won #39;t Vote in Elections Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz speaks during the GCC Interior Ministers meeting in Kuwait, Sunday Oct. 10, 2004.


The Disparate Consensus on Health Care for All Among health care experts there is a surprising consensus that the U.S. must inevitably adopt some kind of universal coverage.


In Eastern Europe, Skepticism Over the Euro Skeptics wonder how the 10 newest members of the European Union will ever meet the economic conditions for adopting the euro.


FTC Goes After Spyware Operations (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - The Federal Trade Committee has filed a complaint in federal court asking that two Internet advertising and software firms be shut down. The FTC made the filing last Thursday and will hold a press conference on the matter tomorrow.


PalmOne in Microsoft E-Mail Pact (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Long-time rivals PalmOne (Nasdaq: PALM) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) have announced a licensing agreement that will enable the next generation of PalmOne's Treo smartphones to work directly with Microsoft's Exchange 2003 e-mail system.


Web Servers Lead Top 20 Security Problems List (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - The SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute has issued its latest list of 20 most critical Internet security vulnerabilities. Web servers top the list of ten vulnerabilities for Windows-based systems, and they fall second on the list for those that are Unix- or Linux-based.


Microsoft Upgrades Windows XP Media Center (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Bill Gates is about to announce a new step in Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) home-entertainment strategy.


IBM Fashions New Blades (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - IBM (NYSE: IBM) is upgrading its blade \server line, taking the wraps off six new products in addition to rolling out features designed to improve the performance of BladeCenter systems.


Israeli MPs Reject Sharon Speech on Gaza Pullout (Reuters) Reuters - Israel's parliament on Monday voted\to reject a session-opening speech by Prime Minister Ariel\Sharon, dealing a symbolic setback to his disputed plan to\withdraw from some occupied territory.


PeopleSoft touts new tools As its battle with Oracle continues, the software maker attempts to offer some good news by unveiling tools designed for manufacturers.


Moscow court upholds fines against Yukos The Moscow Arbitration Court on Monday upheld the tax authorities #39; demand that the embattled oil giant Yukos must pay nearly 1.34 billion US dollars in fines as part of a 4.1-billion-dollar claim for 2001.


Dolphins May Turn to Third-String QB (AP) AP - Jay Fiedler has a cracked rib and A.J. Feeley has a concussion. So the Miami Dolphins may have to turn to third-string quarterback Sage Rosenfels when they play the Buffalo Bills this weekend in a matchup of the NFL's last two winless teams.


Kwan to Skip Grand Prix Season Again COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Oct. 11, 2004 - Michelle Kwan is taking a pass on figure skating #39;s Grand Prix series again. Kwan skipped the Grand Prix series the past two seasons, and said Monday she #39;ll do the same thing this year.


UPDATE 1-Trezeguet ruled out for three months Juventus #39;s French international striker David Trezeguet will be out of action for three months after a scheduled shoulder operation, the Serie A club said on Monday.


Jackson-sparked Storm set for title showdown (AFP) AFP - Australian basketball star Lauren Jackson is hoping she can raise a Storm that can block out the Sun one more time.


Torre Unsure of Rivera's Availability for Tuesday (Reuters) Reuters - New York Yankees manager Joe\Torre said Monday he was unsure if closer Mariano Rivera would\be available for Tuesday's opener of the American League\Championship Series against Boston after a tragic accident at\the reliever's home in Panama over the weekend.


NHL's Hall, Connolly Head to Europe (AP) AP - Nashville Predators right wing Adam Hall and Buffalo Sabres center Tim Connolly signed with European teams, making it 200 NHL players who have headed overseas during the lockout.


Al-Sadr Loyalists Turning in Weapons Soldiers from the Iraqi National Guard show off mortars after militia members delivered sacks of the rounds to Iraqi security forces in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Oct. 11, 2004.


New compromise on ivory trade reached afrol News, 11 October - Two proposals regarding the international ivory trade today failed to secure a two-thirds majority at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference in Bangkok.


The Successor to Greenspan Has a Very Tough Act to Follow Nominating a successor to Fed chairman Alan Greenspan could be President Bush's biggest economic decision next year.


Torre Unsure of Rivera's Availability for Tuesday  NEW YORK (Sports Network) - New York Yankees manager Joe  Torre said Monday he was unsure if closer Mariano Rivera would  be available for Tuesday's opener of the American League  Championship Series against Boston after a tragic accident at  the reliever's home in Panama over the weekend.


Simms Doubtful; Griese to Start for Bucs  TAMPA, Fla. (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay quarterback Brian  Griese will start next Monday's game against St Louis. Chris  Simms is doubtful with a sprained left shoulder.


Euro creation fails to spark growth due to rigid labor market: Almunia (AFP) AFP - The creation of the euro has brought economic stability to Europe but has yet to spark growth, as eurozone governments have failed to implement reforms, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said.


Stocks Rise Before Earnings Blitz  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks advanced on Monday as  investors showed optimism that corporate earnings reports may  come in better than expected, but crude oil prices at a fresh  record near \$54 a barrel curbed gains.


Global Crossing Stock Down 25 Percent  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Global Crossing Ltd.  GLBCE.O fell as much as 25 percent on Monday on concerns it  could face a second bankruptcy after it said it is cutting 600  jobs as it negotiates with lenders for much-needed financing.


Boeing Willing to Negotiate on Tax Breaks  WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Boeing BA.N is prepared to  discuss the elimination of billions of dollars in tax breaks it  receives from Washington state as part of a deal to end  European government loans for its competitor Airbus, the  company's chief executive said on Monday.


Israeli MPs Reject Sharon Speech on Gaza Pullout  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's parliament voted on Monday  to reject a session-opening speech by Prime Minister Ariel  Sharon, dealing a symbolic setback to his disputed plan to  withdraw from some occupied territory.


Germany Cuts Deutsche Telekom Stake  FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) - Germany sold 6.3 percent in  phone operator Deutsche Telekom on Monday, raising up to 4.4  billion euros (\$5.5 billion) as part of a privatization drive  to help it tackle a burgeoning budget deficit.


Here's a Hot Tip... Perhaps the most important question you can ask when receiving a hot tip: "Why are you telling me this?"


Procter   Gamble's On Demand The company has come up with some on-demand advertising. Will it woo viewers?


Abbott agrees to buy nutrition firm EAS for \$320mn NEW YORK, October 11 (newratings.com) - Abbott Laboratories (ABT.NYS) has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a leading US-based nutrition products company, EAS, in a cash and stock deal valued at about \$320 million.


We Pledge Allegiance to the Mall Heavy consumer spending in the United States strains the global economy and also sustains it.


Venezuela jacks up oil royalties Venezuela announced a dramatic increase in royalties for foreign oil companies operating in the petroleum-rich country, El Nacional reported Monday.


US Stocks Ahead as Earnings Awaited US stocks were higher on Monday, as investors were optimistic that corporate earnings reports may come in better than expected, but relentlessly high crude oil prices reined in advances.


PeopleSoft Announces PeopleSoft Demand Flow Manufacturing and <b>...</b> SAN DIEGO --(Business Wire)-- Oct. 11, 2004 -- Breakthrough PeopleSoft EnterpriseOne 8.11 Applications Enable Manufacturers to Become Demand-Driven.


Almost a million Dell notebook adapters to be recalled The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, have announced the voluntary recall of the following consumer product.


Sun shells out US\$92 million to settle Eastman Kodak litigation Without admitting or denying allegations, Sun Microsystems has entered into a formal settlement agreement with the Eastman Kodak Company to settle all claims in pending litigation between the parties.


Tennis: Olympic Champ Justine Henin-Hardenne Takes Year Off Former women #39;s world No. 1 and Olympic tennis champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium says she will not play any more this year because of the continuing effects of an energy-sapping virus.


Truth  amp; Rumors: Oct. 11, 2004 Baltimore #39;s Deion Sanders, recovered from his hamstring injury, made his first interception in four years in last night #39;s 17-10 win over Washington.


Tragedy strikes at World Cup qualifier in Togo Zurich, Switzerland (Sports Network) - Four spectators died at Sunday #39;s World Cup qualifying match between Togo and Mali. Eight fans were also injured, three seriously, at Kegue Stadium in Togo after a power failure led to a wild rush to the exits.


Formula One: Schumacher blows away foes SUZUKA, Japan It #39;s an ill typhoon that does no one any good. After the sellout crowd of 160,000 had been cheated of all of the action the previous day when qualifying was canceled, the capacity crowd at Suzuka


Car bomb attack on US convoy in Mosul: police MOSUL, Iraq - A car bomb struck a US military convoy on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, an Iraqi police officer told AFP.


Chirac tour falls flat for French President Jacques Chirac has been busy talking up the advantages of trade with France on his current Asian tour - but back home the newspapers have been lukewarm on his performance.


EU agrees to lift sanctions on Libya The European Union has agreed to lift its long standing sanctions against trade with Libya. The move was taken today by foreign ministers of the 25 member union.


SuperFerry 14 bombing solved, says Arroyo Editor #39;s Note: Published on page A1 of the Oct. 12, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. POLICE yesterday filed multiple murder charges against six suspected


UN: Iraqi Nuclear-Related Materials Have Vanished (Reuters) Reuters - Equipment and materials that\could be used to make nuclear weapons are disappearing from\Iraq but neither Baghdad nor Washington appears to have\noticed, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency reported on Monday.


Slain Police Officers Buried in Haiti (AP) AP - Hundreds of wailing mourners gathered to bury five slain police officers Monday as gunfire crackled around the capital where clashes between supporters of the U.S.-backed government and ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have plagued peacekeepers.


Commander of sub tells of ordeal; says Saunders was overcome with smoke (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - GLASGOW (CP) - The weary captain and crew of the stricken HMCS Chicoutimi told tales of heroism, fear and survival Monday in their first public recounting of the fire aboard their sub, with some expressing wonderment that they lived to tell of their ordeal.


Oil Extends Record Run, Brent Over \$50  LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose to record highs on  Monday, pushing crude in London above \$50 for the first time  and extending a relentless rise that has added around 65  percent to the cost of crude this year.


Israel's Sharon Survives Two No-Confidence Votes  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon survived  two no-confidence votes in Israel's parliament on Monday,  clinging to power as he seeks to push through a disputed plan  for withdrawal from some occupied territory.


Marchers Attack French, U.N. Troops in Ivory Coast  BOUAKE, Ivory Coast (Reuters) - U.N. peacekeepers in Ivory  Coast fired into the air and French soldiers blasted teargas to  disperse stone-throwing demonstrators in the rebel-held town of  Bouake on Monday, peacekeepers said.


McCain Calls for Tougher Testing Policy Senator John McCain plans to introduce legislation requiring Major League Baseball players to be tested for steroids.


Stocks post gains The Dow Jones industrial average is up 21 points at ten-thousand-75. Gainers on the New York Stock Exchange hold a narrow lead over losers.


Update 1: Defense Begins Case in Enron Barge Trial Unwritten assurances from Enron Corp. to keep trying to sell Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. #39;s \$7 million interest in three power-generating barges wasn #39;ta  quot;legal impediment quot; to making that investment, an in-house lawyer for the brokerage testified Monday.