Mutu begins counselling London - Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu will undergo counselling in a bid to get a reduced ban after testing positive for cocaine. The 25-year-old Romanian international accepted the positive finding on Tuesday


Olympics: Verdict due on scandal ATHENS - Greek prosecutors are expected today to announce the results of an investigation into whether the country #39;s top sprinters faked a road accident in a doping scandal that rocked Greece and plagued the Athens Olympics.


Russian coach is staying in charge Russia coach Georgy Yartsev will stay in charge for at least one more match despite the 7-1 defeat by Portugal in last week #39;s World Cup qualifier.


New EU members face tough euro test The EU's ten newest members must get their economies into shape if they are ever to join the euro, the European Central Bank and Commission warn.


Mariners Hire Hargrove as Manager Mike Hargrove was hired Wednesday to manage the Seattle Mariners and turn around the team after its worst season in 12 years.


XM Satellite Radio, MLB in \$650M, 11-Year Deal XM Satellite Radio, baseball in \$650 million, 11-year deal


Delta Air Lines reports wider loss in third quarter Delta Air Lines Inc., the thirdlargest airline in the United States, reported on Wednesday a wider loss in the third quarter ending on September 30 despite a rise in revenue.


Microsoft Unveils  #39;Istanbul #39; Communications Hub Istanbul, the latest addition to Microsoft #39;s Office Live Communications Server, lets users communicate in real time using e-mail, IM or the phone regardless of application or location.


FBI supplier readies secure Linux Cyber threats, chiefly viruses like NetSky and Sasser, make security an ongoing concern as it holds steady over software infrastructure as the third top priority.


Firefox #39;s Volunteer Launch Brigade John Musarra, a long-time Mozilla fan, is getting ready to help launch the forthcoming release of the Firefox 1.0 browser the old-fashioned way: by throwing a party.


EUROPE LINES UP LONE STAR DOZEN Europe will have a maximum of 12 runners at next week #39;s Breeders #39; Cup meeting at Lone Star Park in Texas. Dual Oaks heroine Ouija Board and last year #39;s Breeders #39; Cup Mile winner Six Perfections were unveiled


US soldier pleads guilty in Iraq abuse case The highest-ranking US Army soldier accused of abusing prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, has pleaded guilty to five charges.


Two Palestinians killed in northern Gaza GAZA CITY - Two Palestinian militants were shot dead by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian security sources said.


Pakistani Forces Pound Alleged Hideout (AP) AP - About 1,000 Pakistani soldiers backed by helicopter gunships, mortars and artillery Wednesday pounded a mountainous region near the Afghan border where a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who masterminded the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers is believed to be hiding.


Screen Sizzlers (washingtonpost.com) washingtonpost.com - The bikini-clad coed draws a blank on the first question: "Which king in a deck of cards has no mustache?"


Is IT hiring picking up? A number of signs point to increasing demand for tech workers, but not all the clouds have been driven away.


Target to sell TiVo DVRs Retail giant will give TiVo wider retail distribution ahead of the holiday season.


Microsoft, Swatch Offer New Wireless Watches  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O and watch  maker Swatch UHR.VX are offering a new line of wireless data  watches, the companies said on Wednesday, bringing the era of  Dick Tracy wristwatch radios one step closer.


American Air Posts Loss, Plans Job Cuts  DALLAS (Reuters) - American Airlines' parent AMR Corp.  AMR.N on Wednesday said record-high fuel costs pushed it to a  hefty third-quarter loss and warned it must cut costs and find  new revenue sources to survive in a world of soaring oil  prices.


Invitation for Pope to visit Serbia-Montenegro in the works, president says (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) - Serbia-Montenegro's president said Wednesday he is preparing an invitation for Pope John Paul to visit the Balkan country.


Microsoft, Swatch Offer New Wireless Watches (Reuters) Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  and watch\maker Swatch  are offering a new line of wireless data\watches, the companies said on Wednesday, bringing the era of\Dick Tracy wristwatch radios one step closer.


Israel, Egypt Swap Prisoners in Sign of Warmer Ties  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Egypt sent a convicted Israeli spy  home after eight years in jail and Israel released six Egyptian  infiltrators on Sunday in a sign that relations strained by the  Palestinian uprising were warming.


Brother's tissue 'cures' sick boy \British doctors believe they have cured a boy of a rare blood disorder after transplanting cells from his baby brother.


Briefly: Target to sell TiVo DVRs roundup Plus: Unisys signs up Linux allies...LookSmart names new CEO...Akamai boosts Web application services...Good Technology supported by HP, Samsung.


Skype, Voiceglo say consumers see the light The two Internet phone services reach customer milestones--a sign to some that VoIP no longer intimidates consumers.


Crude price up slightly as market braces for US oil stockpile data Crude oil prices rose slightly Wednesday after falling for two straight days, as the market braced for a crucial US oil report that could presage a renewed upward move in prices.


Coca-Cola Bottling Down on Weak Sales CHARLOTTE, NC - Coca-Cola Bottling Co., the country #39;s second-largest bottler of Coca-Cola drinks, said third-quarter earnings fell sharply as poor weather hurt results.


UPDATE 4-General Dynamics profit jumps, hikes full-year view Defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. (GD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said its quarterly earnings surged 23 percent helped by a rebound of its


Citigroup Boss Leaves in Wake of Banking Scandal The British boss of Citigroups international division is leaving the company in the wake of a banking scandal in Japan. Sir Deryck Maughan, 56, also a vice chairman


AT amp;T Wireless purchaser sees higher Q3 revenue Cingular Wireless, which plans to acquire Redmond-based AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc. shortly, reported decreased operating income in the third quarter, while it increased revenue on accelerated subscriber growth


Lewis Urry, alkaline battery inventor dies Lewis Urry, the man who put the power in the Energizer Bunny #39;s long-lasting alkaline battery, died in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, after a short illness.


Bostons Torture Can you think of a better way to torture a Red Sox fan than what the Yankees are now doing? A four-game sweep, as New York clearly could have done, would be embarrassing for the Red Sox, shocking and disappointing.


Astros #39; RHP fined for over-the-head pitch in Game 4 St. Louis Cardinals #39; right-hander Julian Tavarez was fined \$10,000 by Major League Baseball for throwing over the head of Astros #39; batter Jeff Bagwell in the seventh inning of Game 4 of the NLCS, the pitcher told ESPN on Tuesday night.


Troubled Mutu sees shrink Adrian Mutu has gone to Rome for two days after seeing a Football Association psychiatrist. Chelsea #39;s Romanian striker, who has flown abroad to clear his head as he attempts


Cricket: Sinclair leads the charge Bangladesh fought back to snare three wickets for 25 runs as New Zealand reached 133 for four at tea on the second day of the opening test yesterday.


Plea to Release Kidnapped Aid Chief Met by Silence CARE Internationals operations in Iraq remained suspended tonight as kidnapped aid chief Margaret Hassans second day in captivity drew to a close with no word on her fate.


Democracy overruled United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed concern about the welfare of democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi after Tuesday #39;s removal of Khin Nyunt as Myanmar Prime Minister.


European powers to offer Iran incentives as last chance to drop <b>...</b> VIENNA, Austria Diplomats say Britain, France and Germany are giving Iran one more chance to halt disputed nuclear activities. Officials say top diplomats will offer Tehran nuclear fuel and economic incentives


Rabbis anger Israeli military leaders Israel #39;s chief of military staff has denounced leading rabbis for urging soldiers to defy orders to forcibly remove settlers from Gaza, The Telegraph reported.


CARE Halts Iraq Operations After Director Kidnapped (Update5) CARE International suspended aid operations in Iraq after its country director Margaret Hassan, who has dual Iraqi and British nationality, was kidnapped, Grant Thomas, a spokesman for the organization said.


Iran #39;s Khatami Rejects European Call to Stop Nuclear Program Iranian President Mohammad Khatami today rejected calls from European nations to halt a nuclear program, raising the odds that the UN Security Council will have to consider the matter as early as next month.


Veerappan #39;s wife wants govt to ensure daughters #39; education COIMBATORE: Muthulakshmi, wife of dreaded forest brigand Veerappan, killed in an encounter with STF on Monday, said on Wednesday, that the government should ensure that the educational needs of her two daughters are fulfilled.


XM, Baseball in \$650M, 11-Year Deal XM Satellite Radio will carry major league baseball games under a \$650 million, 11-year deal announced Wednesday, the latest move in a costly race with rival Sirius Satellite Radio to sign personalities and sports leagues as a way of winning customers. -AP


Despite federal money, no consistency in e-voting BOSTON - Tens of millions of people will cast their votes Nov. 2 in one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in recent U.S. history. But voters across the U.S. will encounter different voting technologies and procedures, with many counties nationwide clinging to punchcard, lever machine and even paper ballots, and the transition to electronic voting moving slowly in many states.


UPDATE 2-American Air #39;s AMR posts loss, plans job cuts American Airlines #39; parent AMR Corp. (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said record-high fuel costs pushed it to a hefty third-quarter loss and warned


Cox family to take cable giant private The family that controls cable giant Cox Communications Inc. (NYSE: COX) will take the company private after raising its offer to buy out shareholders to \$8.


Toshiba To Sell Next-Gen DVD Laptops by 2005 called  quot;HD DVD quot; -- is in competition with the Sony-led Blu-ray disc to become the dominant next generation DVD. Toshiba said the HD DVD #39;s strength against


Democracy hopes dim after PM sacked Myanmar #39;s tough but pragmatic prime minister was sacked Tuesday by his hardline army colleagues, clouding prospects for the freedom of opposition leader Aung San


Blair faces rebellion over troop redeployment in Iraq British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced a revolt on Wednesday from lawmakers who demanded a parliamentary vote on a US request to redeploy British troops in Iraq.


Cambodians Welcome New King Home Cambodia #39;s new King Norodom Sihamoni is greeted at Phnom Penh airport Wednesday Oct 20, 2004. Norodom Sihamoni, returned home from China on Wednesday to ascend the throne vacated by his father, former King Norodom Sihanouk.


Challenges await ex-general Yudhoyono as Indonesia's sixth president (AFP) AFP - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was sworn in as Indonesia's sixth president, promising to revive a precarious economy by personally leading a war on endemic graft while also tackling terrorism.


Go ahead for more Darfur troops The African Union agrees to strenghten its force in Sudan's Darfur region from under 400 to more than 3,000.


Funny Cide Pre-Entered for Breeders' Cup (AP) AP - The  #36;4 million Breeders' Cup Classic is shaping up as a doozy of a race  #151; even without Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones.


UMass Arrests 35 After Game 6 of ALCS (AP) AP - University of Massachusetts police arrested 35 people early Wednesday morning after the Red Sox tied the Yankees in the sixth game of the American League Championship Series.


Delta 3rd quarter losses four times same period 2003 ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines is reporting a much wider third-quarter loss despite a rise in revenue. The Atlanta-based airline warned Wednesday that its financial situation has worsened to the point that it needs


AT amp;T Wireless #39;s Numbers Down, Prepares For Acquisition By Cingular com. AT amp;T Wireless announced a drop in sales and profits, as it moved closer to its planned acquisition by Cingular Wireless. The firm earned \$117 million on revenues of \$4.


Computer glitch delays Air Canada departures After splashing out with Celine Dion concerts and parties for staff, it was as if Air Canada woke with a hangover Wednesday morning, when the reservation computer crashed.


Authorities investigate hacking attack at University of California Authorities are trying to determine how a hacker gained access to a University of California computer that contained personal information for more than 1 million people, many of them recipients of an assistance program for the elderly.


Phishing attacks powered by  #39;just five #39; zombie networks All phishing attacks launched across the Internet come from one of just five networks of zombie PCs, according to research published by security firm CipherTrust this week.


XM Strikes Back Two weeks after its rival Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) grabbed headlines by signing Howard Stern, XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR) disclosed late yesterday that it


Salary 20,421 pa Location London Company Epping Forest District <b>...</b> The takeover battle for Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) is far from over, as Malcolm Glazer has again increased his share in the worlds richest football club.


Hargrove chosen to manage Mariners Hargrove, 54, previously managed at Cleveland and Baltimore. His record in 13 years as a manager is 996-963.  quot;I am very pleased to name Mike Hargrove as our new manager, quot; Mariners


Glenmorangie snapped up for 300m Glenmorangie, one of Scotland's last remaining independent distillers, is to be bought by French drinks firm Moet Hennessy.


CIA Documents Show Struggle Over China (AP) AP - The CIA is offering a rare glimpse into its successes and failures at trying to understand China during its first communist decades in a huge cache of newly declassified documents released this week in Washington.


GOP Leaders Criticize S.C. Organization (AP) AP - A federally funded group that promised flu shots on Election Day in six of South Carolina's poorest counties has drawn criticism from Republican leaders.


Gay US bishop: I will not resign Gay bishop Gene Robinson has told the BBC he regrets the pain caused by his consecration but vows not to resign.


Humans may need fewer genes than thought How many genes does it take to make a human? Only about the same number it takes for a small flowering plant or a tiny worm, says a new estimate that #39;s sharply reduced from just three years ago.


Toshiba Promises Laptops with HD-DVD Next Year Toshiba will market laptops with HD-DVD drives by the end of next year, becoming one of the first manufacturers to commit to a next-generation DVD format.


Space Station #39;s Oxygen Generator Is Repaired With Spare Parts The main oxygen generator aboard the International Space Station, which has been malfunctioning since last month, was partially repaired using spare parts that arrived last week.


Linux wants to earn your trust Trusted Computer Solutions (TCS) Inc. officials are developing Trusted Linux, a highly secure version of Linux that will rival Unix in environments in which security is the highest priority.


Canadian-born scientist who invented small, long-lasting batteries <b>...</b> The man who invented the small, long-lasting alkaline batteries that power Walkmans, Gameboys and other portable devices has died.


Lebanese PM Resigns, Dissolves Cabinet Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri , left, arrives at the the presidential palace to submit his resignation to President Emil Lahoud Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004.


Martin says Canada ready to help train election workers, monitor vote in Iraq (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - The Canadian government is willing to smooth the way toward a national election in Iraq by helping to train officials there and monitor the voting process, say Prime Minister Paul Martin.


Human gene number slashed Human genome researchers have said we have about 10,000 or 20,000 fewer genes than they originally estimated.


Interim Iraqi President Favors Jan. 30 Election  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Interim Iraqi President Ghazi  al-Yawar reaffirmed his support on Sunday for holding elections  on Jan. 30 in Iraq, saying any delay would be a victory for  violent foes and trigger resentment.


Bush, Kerry are ignoring tech debate, says Intel #39;s Barrett SAN JOSE, Calif. - Craig Barrett, Intel Corp. #39;s chief executive, on Tuesday (Oct. 19) blasted the presidential candidates over the lack of attention given on how the United States is losing its competitive edge, according to the Associated Press.


Around the Majors - October 20 Major League Baseball has followed in the footsteps of the NFL and has signed a lucrative deal with a satellite radio company. So, whether you #39;re


British Scientists Develop New Vaccine Technology (Reuters) Reuters - British scientists have taken tips from\Mother Nature to develop a new technology that could deliver\cheaper, life-saving vaccines without refrigeration to millions\of children in remote areas of the world.


Heinz Kerry Separates Self From Mrs. Bush (AP) AP - Teresa Heinz Kerry says she doesn't know if first lady Laura Bush has ever had "a real job" and suggests their different experiences help make them different people.


XM Satellite in \$650 Mln Baseball Deal  NEW YORK (Reuters) - XM Satellite Radio XMSR.O on  Wednesday said it signed a \$650 million deal to broadcast Major  League Baseball games for 11 years, countering a rival's moves  to sign up high-profile programing that will lure listeners to  the new medium.


Russian Workers Rally for Higher Wages (AP) AP - Frustrated with meager salaries that have not kept pace with inflation, teachers, doctors and other state employees rallied Wednesday across Russia to demand higher wages.


Is Marsh Ringing the Value Bell? Marsh  amp; McLennan (NYSE: MMC) has the highest yield this company #39;s share price has offered since 1988. The dividend has risen every year for the past 10 years at a 12 clip.


American Airlines posts big losses in Q3 AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines Inc., on Wednesday said the company lost \$214 million in the third quarter, an announcement that has pilots worried about layoffs.


Update 4: JPMorgan Shares Fall on Poor Earnings JPMorgan Chase  amp; Co. third quarter profits fell 13 percent, mainly because of weakness in trading operations and costs related to its merger with Bank One.


Air Canada glitch causes minor delays A 45-minute outage at Air Canadas reservation computer during a busy period early this morning caused delays in departures from airports across Canada and in the United States.


Astronaut to Meet Baby Daughter on Return to Earth Days away from ending a six-month mission in space, US astronaut Michael Fincke said on Wednesday he is looking forward to meeting his 4-month-old daughter.


Domestic robots to surge to 4.1 million by 2007 GENEVA - The use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors, pull guard duty and perform other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007, says a new survey that credits dropping prices.


FCC seeks power over VOIP Federal Communications Commission officials want to regulate voice-over-IP services, FCC chairman Michael Powell said. In an Oct. 19 speech in Boston, Powell praised voice-over-IP innovators and argued his case for federal oversight of the technology.


Big Day For Browser Vulnerabilities An anonymous reader writes  quot;All browsers have been reported vulnerable to different vulnerabilities today. Starting with: Internet Explorer on XP SP1/SP2, which suffers a new system compromise (of course) vulnerability.


Button vows to stand by decision. Jenson Button has said that he will abide by the ruling handed down by the Contract Recognition Board - despite it saying that he must remain at BAR for at least another season.


Kent, Backe, Lidge offer flair to dramatic 3-0 win All three had huge impacts Monday in a heart-stopping 3-0 victory sending the Astros back to St. Louis with a 3-2 edge in the National League Championship Series.


Black Caps Celebrate Rare Hat-Trick The Black Caps are on top after two days of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, a day highlighted by a hat-trick to James Franklin.


US relay squad bids to keep gold America #39;s US Olympic Committee is contesting a ruling which could cost Michael Johnson and his 4x400m relay colleagues gold medals from the Sydney Olympics.


India Orders Probe Into Taj Mahal Tilt (AP) AP - An Indian state government ordered an urgent investigation Wednesday after reports that one of the four minarets of the 17th century Taj Mahal  #151; the country's fabled monument to love  #151; has tilted slightly.


U.S. Raids Kill Family of 6 in Rebel-Held Iraqi City  FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes killed a family of  six in raids against rebels led by al Qaeda ally Abu Musab  al-Zarqawi, while a top international aid agency suspended Iraq  operations Wednesday after its manager was kidnapped.


Cingular, AT amp;T Wireless Post Results While waiting to clear the final hurdles for their pending \$41 billion merger, Cingular Wireless and AT amp;T Wireless reported their separate third-quarter results.


LVMH #39;s Moet Hennessy to Buy Scotland #39;s Glenmorangie (Update2) LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the world #39;s largest luxury-goods company, agreed to buy Scotland #39;s Glenmorangie Plc for 300 million pounds (\$545 million) to add the company #39;s malt whisky to its stable of brands.


Almunia Warns on Rise of Oil Prices (AP) AP - Persistently high oil prices may force the European Union's head office to lower its forecast of 2.2 percent economic growth in the euro zone next year, EU Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Wednesday.


Tennis: Henman, Safin claim wins at the expense of Spaniards in <b>...</b> MADRID : Top seed Tim Henman and number three Marat Safin set the pace past Spaniards with Paradorn Srichaphan tacking on a third loss for a home hope at the 2.425-million-euro Madrid Masters.


Intel releases new leader of Pentium M pack Chipmaker follows recent price cuts to the Pentium M line with a new top-of-the-range model that runs at 2.10GHz.


XM Satellite in \$650 Million Baseball Deal  NEW YORK (Reuters) - XM Satellite Radio XMSR.O on  Wednesday said it signed a \$650 million deal to broadcast Major  League Baseball games for 11 years, countering a rival's moves  to sign up high-profile programing that will lure listeners to  the new medium.


MGM Mirage Profit Up, Debt to Hit 4th Qtr  LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Casino operator MGM Mirage  MGG.N on Wednesday reported higher third-quarter earnings due  to Las Vegas strength, but said debt financing for its Mandalay  acquisition would hit fourth-quarter profit.


S. Korea Backs U.N. Meeting on Stem Cell Research (Reuters) Reuters - South Korea said on Tuesday it\asked the United States to accept another year's delay in the\drafting of a divisive treaty banning human cloning to allow\time for a U.N. conference on the pros and cons of embryonic\stem cell research.


Enterprises Not Hot for Subscription Software While software makers are planning to move more of their products to a subscription basis, 64 percent of the buyers surveyed still prefer the old way of doing things.


Phishing Attacks Launched from Handful of Networks Fewer than five zombi networks are responsible for all the phishing attcks worldwide, according to security firm CipherTrust. Phishers create fake Web sites and send e-mail messages in


UPDATE 1-BAR win contract tug-of-war over Button Briton Jenson Button will drive for BAR next year but is likely to join Williams in 2006 after Formula One #39;s Contract Recognition Board (CRB) ended a tug-of-war between the teams on Wednesday.


US relayers want to keep Sydney golds CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The US Olympic Committee doesn #39;t think the entire American team that won gold in the 4x100-metre relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics should be stripped of their medals.


Army Reservist Pleads Guilty in Iraq Prison Abuse The highest ranking soldier charged with abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib has pleaded guilty to five charges. US Army reservist Staff Sergeant Ivan  quot;Chip quot; Frederick made the plea as a two-day court-martial opened at a US base in Baghdad.


Iran test-fires advanced version of Shahab-3 missile TEHRAN (MNA) - Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said here Wednesday that Iran has successfully test-fired a more accurate version of its Shahab-3 missile.


Dutch uncover diary of Nazi camp The diary of the dark days a Jewish teenager spent in a Nazi detention camp awaiting deportation has come to light in the Netherlands.


Crew Streaking As MLS Playoffs Begin (AP) AP - The Columbus Crew has four games to prove the last 18 were not a fluke. The team enters the postseason on a league-record 18-game unbeaten streak, playing a defensive style suited for the playoffs.


U.N.: Robots to Surge Sevenfold by 2007 (AP) AP - The use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors and manage other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007 as more consumers snap up smart machines, the United Nations said.


Sharapova Beats Hantuchova to Extend Winning Streak  ZURICH (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova  stretched her winning streak to 10 matches with a 6-4 7-5  victory over Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova in the second round  of the Zurich Challenge Wednesday.


Gas Prices Continue Slide, Down to \$1.93/gallon  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. average retail gasoline prices  fell over the last two weeks and are poised to slip even  further as crude oil prices continue to tumble, an industry  analyst said on Sunday.


J.P. Morgan Chase Reports Sharp Drop in Earnings J.P. Morgan Chase   Company, the nation's second-largest bank, surprised Wall Street today with a sharp drop in third-quarter earnings.


Ireland in bid to find aid worker Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern says "all communication links" are being used to find out who is holding Margaret Hassan.


KPMG to Pay  #36;10 Mln to Settle with SEC (Reuters) Reuters - Accounting firm KPMG will pay  #36;10\million to settle charges of improper professional conduct\while acting as auditor for Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.\, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on\Wednesday.


Eurozone finance ministers debate action on oil as prices surge (AFP) AFP - Eurozone finance ministers expressed disquiet at a new surge in oil prices with France calling for urgent action by the European Union to address the latest threat to the bloc's economic growth.


Venezuela Rejects Criticism of Media Law (AP) AP - Venezuela rejected criticism by a U.S. State Department spokesman of a proposed media law that government legislators are trying to approve in the National Assembly, said an official Wednesday.


Einstein's Warped View of Space Confirmed (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - Earth's spin warps space around the planet, according to a new study that confirms \  a key prediction of Einstein's general theory of relativity.


Rise of the Robots: Segway Platform Gives Mechanoids Motion (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - A military project aimed at building smarter robots has given researchers the wheels they need to make their automatons go.


Get Your Head Out of the Game (The Motley Fool) The Motley Fool - Are you overthinking your investments? We'd never advise you to make money decisions without some careful consideration. But according to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), even the most well-adjusted investors fall victim to mind games.


GM Cutting 900 Jobs at Michigan Plant  DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. GM.N will cut  about 900 jobs early next year at a pickup truck plant in  Pontiac, Michigan, in a move underscoring sagging demand for  some of its most profitable vehicles.


Blue Chips Slip as Earns, Oil Take Toll  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue-chip stocks fell on  Wednesday after Honeywell International Inc. HON.N and J.P.  Morgan Chase   Co. JPM.N disappointed investors with  quarterly reports, and high oil prices rekindled worries about  the impact on profit margins.


JP Morgan Chase Reports Sharp Drop in Earnings JP Morgan Chase  amp; Company, the nation #39;s second-largest bank, surprised Wall Street today with a sharp drop in third-quarter earnings, attributing the weaker performance to poor results in fixed-income trading.


Disney #39;s Board on Trial as Shareholders Launch Case Walt Disney Co. #39;s board of directors went on trial on Wednesday, on shareholder accusations that it merely rubberstamped a decision to hire Michael Ovitz and allowed


Hacker breaks into UC Berkeley US federal and state officials are investigating the hacking of a University of California, Berkeley, computer containing Social Security numbers and other personal data for more than 1 million state residents.


Microsoft, Cisco Team on Network Access Protections 10/19/2004 -- Microsoft and Cisco are teaming up to share security information across products, an effort that should ultimately make offerings from both vendors more secure.


Heartache or history for Red Sox tonight The Boston Red Sox will either make history or go home heartbroken tonight, after a series-ending game against the New York Yankees that Sox fans hope will end the  quot;Curse of the Bambino.


Owen off the mark Owen scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Dynamo Kiev 1-0 at the Bernabeu to move level with Bayer Leverkusen and Kiev with six points.


Thursday #39;s preview Points: The Big East race is barely under way, but the winner of this matchup of teams with 1-0 league records takes sole possession of first place.


Humanitarian Aid Director Is Kidnapped CARE chief, a Briton with dual citizenship, has worked in Iraq for 30 years. Mortar attack kills five Iraqi national guardsmen and hurts 80.


Frederick Pleads Guilty The highest ranking soldier charged in the Abu Ghraib scandal pleads guilty to five charges of abusing Iraqi detainees at the prison.


HP bags \$500 million outsourcing deal European commercial bank WestLB turns to Hewlett-Packard to manage its worldwide tech services.


Lofty Fuel, Low Fares Batter Airlines  CHICAGO (Reuters) - The twin burdens of soaring fuel prices  and slipping airfares clobbered the airline industry again in  the third quarter, leaving three of the top four U.S. carriers  to post quarterly losses on Wednesday.


KPMG Pays \$10 Mln to Settle with SEC  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - KPMG KPMG.UL will pay \$10 million  -- the largest payment ever by an accounting firm in a U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission action -- to settle charges  of improper conduct while auditing Gemstar-TV Guide  International Inc. GMST.O, the SEC said on Wednesday.


Treasuries Rise, Market Tests 4 Pct Yield  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices rose on Wednesday  as technical jostling for positions pushed benchmark yields  below the 4-percent threshold, sparking talk that mortgage  investors might step in and add fuel to the rally.


'Free-to-air' powering growth of satellite TV boxes Survey points to popularity in Europe, the Middle East and Asia of receivers that skip the pay TV and focus on free programming.


Colombian Drug Kingpin Extradited to U.S (AP) AP - Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, the most powerful Colombian drug trafficker ever extradited to the United States, said he was innocent in an interview made shortly before he was flown to Miami over ther weekend.


Disney to sell mall-based stores to Children #39;s Place LOS ANGELES - Walt Disney Co. (DIS) on Wednesday agreed to sell its money-losing Disney store chain to Children #39;s Place Retail Stores (PLCE) in a deal analysts described as positive for Children #39;s Place.


KPMG to Pay \$10 Mln to Settle with SEC Accounting firm KPMG will pay \$10 million to settle charges of improper professional conduct while acting as auditor for Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.


Domestic Robot Boom Raises Quest The United Nations recently predicted that the use of robots around the home by consumers is set to surge sevenfold by 2007 as more and more people get robot-mania, CBSNews.


Silverstones future looks bleak Bernie Ecclestone, the owner of the commercial rights to the Formula 1 (F1) world championship, has reportedly pulled the plug on the British Grand Prix.


Culpepper wins his third NFC honor for 2004 (Oct. 20, 2004) -- Quarterback Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings, cornerback Lito Sheppard of the Philadelphia Eagles and punter Sean Landeta of the St.


Corruption on the rise India has slipped further in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and is ranked 90th on a list of 146 countries, according to Transparency International ratings released today.


Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says his role is to explore new ideas (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says he did not check with his caucus, nor did he have to, before suggesting ways to change how country is run.


FCC Chief Pushes Internet-Phone Regulations (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Citing a need to nurture the emerging, "revolutionary" voice over\Internet protocol (VoIP) industry, FCC chairman Michael Powell is\calling for regulations that would grant the federal government greater\control.


Microsoft Unveils 'Istanbul' Communications Hub (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is adding its considerable weight to the growing\Internet-based communications market, introducing an addition to the\Office Live Communications Server (LCS) that promises to integrate\messaging, telephony and PC-based voice and video applications.


Johnson Still Plugging Away After Accident (AP) AP - After a car accident left him with a broken neck and a tragedy left him with a broken heart, DerMarr Johnson easily could have given up on his dream of playing in the NBA. He just wasn't going to let it happen.


Apple Selling Speedier iBooks, Lower-Priced Power Mac (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL) has announced new, faster iBooks, all of which include wireless networking, along with a new low-end, single-processor Power Mac that retails for US #36;1,500.


French president receives Chinese defence minister (AFP) AFP - French President Jacques Chirac, who has urged an end to an EU arms embargo on China, called for closer defense cooperation between Paris and Beijing at a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan, a spokesman said.


Microsoft Aims Navision at SMBs (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) has released Navision 4.0, a product that integrates financial, manufacturing, distribution, customer-management, supply chain, analytics and e-commerce data. The software is the first major release to come out of Microsoft's acquisition of Danish firm Navision in 2002.


Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Delayed (NewsFactor) NewsFactor - Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) has announced that the shipping date for SQL Server 2005 has been delayed -- a development bound to prompt an outcry from users anticipating what is the pivotal product in Microsoft's server portfolio.


Hungary PM Set for Victory Over Citizenship Vote (Reuters) Reuters - Hungary's new prime minister looked to\have scored a major victory on Sunday when the opposition\failed to garner enough votes to pass a referendum giving\citizenship to millions of Hungarians abroad.


U.S. Won't Back Iran Nuke Incentive Plan (AP) AP - The Bush administration said publicly Wednesday it does not endorse a plan by three European allies to offer Iran incentives to suspend its enrichment of uranium, a key step in producing nuclear weapons.


U.S. to Poison Prairie Dogs in South Dakota (Reuters) Reuters - Wildlife workers have begun a program to\poison thousands of prairie dogs in the grasslands of South\Dakota to stop them from moving onto private ranch land parched\by drought, a federal official said on Tuesday.


Lebanon PM Resigns, Says Will Not Head New Govt  BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri  resigned Wednesday, declining to form a new government that  will face international pressure over Syria's interference in  Lebanese affairs.


History on Their Side? It is the Yankees, not the "cursed" Red Sox, who have a chance for the worst October collapse in history.


Sharp drops handhelds from U.S. retail market The electronics maker will stop retailing its Linux handhelds in the United States, joining a retreat from the once-popular market.


U.N.: Robot Use to Surge Sevenfold by 2007 (AP) AP - The use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors, pull guard duty and perform other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007, says a new U.N. survey, which credits dropping prices for the robot boom.


Cott Drinks' Profit Falls, Cuts Outlook  TORONTO (Reuters) - Shares of Cott Corp. BCB.TO COT.N  sank as much as 16 percent on Wednesday after the world's  largest maker of store-brand soft drinks reported lower  third-quarter earnings and cut its profit outlook.


In U.S. South, Textile Mills Gone but Not Forgotten Since before vice presidential candidate John Edwards brought attention to the South's vanished textile mills, ex-mill workers and historians have been working to save the mills' legacy.


Kenyan's Painful Path to Nobel Peace Prize Wagari Maathai, recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, has long fought #151;and sometimes suffered #151;to protect the environment and human rights in Africa. A journalist recalls an encounter with the Kenyan 13 years ago.


Students Take Veggie-Fueled "BioBus" on Eco Road Trip Thirteen college students are traveling the U.S. by school bus to promote the use of "biodiesel," fuel made from vegetable oil such as that used in fast food restaurants.


Lofty Fuel, Low Fares Batter Airlines (Reuters) Reuters - The twin burdens of soaring fuel prices\and slipping airfares clobbered the airline industry again in\the third quarter, leaving three of the top four U.S. carriers\to post quarterly losses on Wednesday.


Eritrea dismantles 'terrorist network' backed by Sudan: official (AFP) AFP - Eritrea has broken up a  quot;terrorist network quot; backed by Sudan that had plotted to assassinate President Isaias Afwerki and attack civilian targets, the government said in a further escalation of tensions between the two neighbors.


Newmont Considers Suit Over Jailed Execs (AP) AP - Newmont Mining Co. officials said Wednesday they are considering a lawsuit against Indonesian police over the jailing of five company executives during a pollution investigation.


Parties File Suits Over Election Issues (AP) AP - A new political strategy has emerged in this photo-finish presidential race: File a flurry of lawsuits before the first votes are even tallied.


Opel workers end strike Workers at an Opel car-producing factory Wednesday ended their six-day strike aimed at protesting General Motors #39; plan of massive layoffs in Germany.


Lofty Fuel, Low Fares Batter Airlines The twin burdens of soaring fuel prices and slipping airfares clobbered the airline industry again in the third quarter, leaving three of the top four US carriers to post quarterly losses on Wednesday.


JP Morgan posts 3Q profit decline; misses forecasts NEW YORK, October 20 (newratings.com) - JP Morgan Chase  amp; Company (JPM.NYS) reported a 13 decline in its third-quarter profits, driven by high merger-related costs and sluggish trends in its fixed-income trading business.


HP bags \$500 million outsourcing deal Hewlett-Packard on Wednesday said it has received a \$500 million contract to provide global IT services for WestLB, a European commercial bank and financial services firm.


Snow Denies 5th Florida Trip Is for Bush Campaign Treasury Secretary John Snow, in Florida for the fifth time this year, rebuffed suggestions on Wednesday he was using taxpayer dollars to fund trips to hotly contested electoral states.


FBI Investigates UC Berkeley Computer Hack Case The FBI is trying to find whoever hacked into a computer at the University of California at Berkeley. The computer contained personal information -- including social security numbers -- of nearly 1.5 million


#39;Most affordable #39; iBook G4 Anyway, planning to cash in on all the wonderful PR generated by iPod, Apple says starting at \$1,000, its iBook features built-in AirPort Extreme, 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 processors and SuperDrive for burning DVDs, as well as iLife 04 suite  quot;for managing


Group OK With Most Football Coach Searches Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan runs off the field at halftime of the game against Baylor in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004.


Security chief #39;s view on kidnap One of the UK #39;s leading security consultants says the kidnapping of aid co-ordinator Margaret Hassan in Iraq may be the work of a new kidnap group.


Europeans To Make Iran  #39;Last Offer #39; On Nukes 20 October 2004 -- Great Britain, France, and Germany will reportedly offer Iran a last chance to avoid the threat of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program.


Pak assault on Mehsud hideout WANA: Pakistani security forces used helicopter gunships, mortars and artillery on Wednesday to pound a mountainous area near the Afghan border where a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner, blamed for masterminding the kidnapping of two Chinese, is believed


Sun-Times, Union Reach Tentative Deal (AP) AP - The Chicago Sun-Times averted a strike Wednesday with a last-minute contract deal that was reached as union reporters, copy editors and other news staff were prepared to walk out.


Red Sox Look to Reverse the Curse with Game 7 Win  NEW YORK (Reuters) - When the Boston Red Sox and New York  Yankees meet in Game Seven of the American League Championship  Series Wednesday the result could produce the greatest comeback  in Major League history.


Liberty Alliance holdout IBM ends resistance, joins SAN FRANCISCO - IBM Corp. has become the latest company to join the Liberty Alliance, a global consortium aimed at developing standards for managing user identities. IBM joins Oracle Corp. and Intel Corp. as a backer of the effort, which Sun Microsystems Inc. leads.


High-performance computing: Muscle in the middle SAN FRANCISCO - It's easy to get the impression that the midrange Unix server is like a boxer near the end of a career - still packing a wallop, just no longer throwing knockout left hooks. But the truth is, new processor architectures, multi-core systems, and the ascension of x86 chips are giving these systems extra punch, and users plenty to think about as they plan their purchasing for the next few years.


Sun to add JFluid profiling tool to Java Studio SAN FRANCISCO - Sun Microsystems Inc. last week took an important step toward commercializing an experimental Java performance measurement tool called JFluid, moving the two-year-old project from the Sun Labs research and development group into the company's software division. Sun now expects to ship the software as part of an April 2005 release of its Java Studio integrated development environment (IDE), the company said.


Amgen Quarterly Profit Falls (Reuters) Reuters - Amgen Inc. , the world's\biggest biotechnology company, on Wednesday reported a lower\third-quarter profit related to the acquisition of another\biotech company.


Amgen Quarterly Profit Falls  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amgen Inc. AMGN.O, the world's  biggest biotechnology company, on Wednesday reported a lower  third-quarter profit related to the acquisition of another  biotech company.


Oil Returns to \$55 as Winter Stocks Ebb  LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices charged back up to \$55 a  barrel on Wednesday as a fresh fall in U.S. heating oil stocks  stoked worries over winter supplies.


Computer Associates Posts Wider Loss (Reuters) Reuters - Computer Associates International Ltd.\, a business software maker, on Wednesday posted a wider\quarterly net loss, including charges for job cuts and a  #36;225\million payment to settle a long-running accounting probe.


Siebel Systems Posts Quarterly Profit  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Business software maker Siebel  Systems Inc. SEBL.O on Wednesday reported a quarterly profit,  after a year-earlier net loss, driven by a healthy rise in  license revenue.


Computer Associates Posts Wider Loss  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Computer Associates International Ltd.  CA.N, a business software maker, on Wednesday posted a wider  quarterly net loss, including charges for job cuts and a \$225  million payment to settle a long-running accounting probe.


Bush says Kerry misunderstands war on terrorism (AFP) AFP - Wielding the war on terrorism as his main reelection argument, US President George W. Bush said that Democratic rival John Kerry was blind to the  quot;true dangers quot; facing the United States.


Iran Says Ready to Prove Not Pursuing Nuke Weapons  TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran is ready to prove to the world it  is not producing atomic weapons provided the West recognizes  the Islamic Republic's right to peaceful nuclear technology,  President Mohammad Khatami said on Wednesday.


Kodak eyes faster digital growth Kodak enjoys a rise in profits thanks to strong sales of digital cameras but its traditional film business continues to struggle.


UPDATE 3-Cott profit falls, outlook cut, stock plunges Shares of Cott Corp. (BCB.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) (COT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) sank as much as 16 percent on Wednesday after the world #39;s largest


Steelers Defense Takes a Hit; Two Placed on IR (Reuters) Reuters - The Pittsburgh Steelers\defense suffered a major blow on Wednesday when the team placed\Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton and safety Mike Logan on the\reserved/injured list, effectively ending the season for both\players.


NCAA clears Neuheisel, reprimands Washington The NCAA on Wednesday cleared former Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel of wrongdoing related to his gambling on basketball games, but reprimanded the university for failing to monitor the football program.


Newmont considers lawsuit over jailed executives (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - DENVER (AP) - Newmont Mining Co. officials said Wednesday they are considering a lawsuit against Indonesian police over the jailing of five company executives during a pollution investigation.


Walk the reforms road, UN tells Myanmar YANGON, Oct. 20. - A change in Myanmars political leadership brought fresh calls today for the military-ruled south-east Asian country to carry on with promises to restore democracy.


Amgen Net Down, Adjusted Earnings Rise  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amgen Inc. AMGN.O, the world's  biggest biotechnology company, on Wednesday reported a lower  third-quarter net profit as a result of expenses related to the  acquisition of Tularik Inc.


Black vote firmly behind Kerry: Jesse Jackson (AFP) AFP - Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson insisted that polls suggesting lukewarm African American support for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will be proved wrong on election day.


Steelers Defense Takes a Hit; Two Placed on IR  PITTSBURGH (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers  defense suffered a major blow on Wednesday when the team placed  Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton and safety Mike Logan on the  reserved/injured list, effectively ending the season for both  players.


Crew Streaking As MLS Playoffs Begin The Columbus Crew has four games to prove the last 18 were not a fluke. The team enters the postseason on a league-record 18-game unbeaten streak, playing a defensive style suited for the playoffs.


XM Satellite in  #36;650 Million Deal with Pro Baseball (Reuters) Reuters - XM Satellite Radio on Wednesday said\it signed a  #36;650 million deal to broadcast Major League\Baseball games for 11 years, countering a rival's moves to sign\up high-profile programing that will lure listeners to the new\medium.


NCAA Clears Rick Neuheisel of Wrongdoing (AP) AP - Former Washington coach Rick Neuheisel was cleared of wrongdoing by the NCAA Wednesday for gambling in a college basketball pool, but the university had its probation extended two years.


Typhoon Tokage Kills 18 in Japan (AP) AP - A powerful typhoon blasted across Japan on Wednesday, killing 18 people, causing deadly mudslides and flash floods and prompting thousands to flee their homes, officials said. At least 13 people were missing.


Ontario government unveils list of junk foods to be banned in schools (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The Ontario government is banning pop, potato chips and other calorie-laden junk foods from elementary school vending machines in a bid to improve the physical fitness of the province's schoolchildren.


Big 3 Airlines Report Combined \$911M Loss The third-quarter losses loomed largest at Delta Air Lines Inc., which faces bankruptcy unless it can quickly win concessions from its pilots and debt holders.


Major browsers bitten by security bugs What do Internet Explorer, Mozilla's browsers, and Opera all have in common? Bugs.


Y2K windfall for Net phones? The millennial computer glitch is belatedly pushing companies to dump outdated gear for new VoIP systems.


SmartDisk expands hard-drive line The disk drive maker has unveiled three palm-sized portable hard drives.


UN Turns to U.S. Troops to Guard Its Staff in Iraq (Reuters) Reuters - The United Nations no longer\objects to American soldiers to guard its staff in Iraq after\the search for separate contingents from around the world\failed, diplomats and U.N. sources said on Wednesday.


Steelers Put Hampton, Logan on Injury List (AP) AP - Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton and backup safety Mike Logan are out for the season with injuries.


Regina justice of peace on trial denies sexual touching accusations (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - REGINA (CP) - A former justice of the peace on trial for sexual  assault admitted Wednesday to getting a female courthouse worker to touch his penis.


Siebel Systems Posts Quarterly Profit  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Business software maker Siebel  Systems Inc. SEBL.O on Wednesday reported a quarterly profit,  after a year-earlier net loss, helped by sales of new software.


UN Turns to U.S. Troops to Guard Its Staff in Iraq  UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations no longer  objects to American soldiers to guard its staff in Iraq after  the search for separate contingents from around the world  failed, diplomats and U.N. sources said on Wednesday.


Blue Chips Slip as Earnings Disappoint (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. blue chip stocks fell on\Wednesday after Honeywell International Inc.  and J.P.\Morgan Chase   Co.  had quarterly reports that\disappointed investors, while oil prices hovering at  #36;55 per\barrel sparked fresh worry about higher corporate energy costs.


Citigroup culls top ranks following Japan banking scandal WASHINGTON : US banking giant Citigroup Inc has ousted three senior executives after Japanese regulators last month ordered it to shutter its private banking operations in the country for violating banking laws.


Chicago Sun-Times Reaches Labor Deal with Workers Unionized editorial employees at Hollinger International Inc. #39;s Chicago Sun-Times agreed to a tentative new labor contract on Wednesday, averting a threatened strike, a spokeswoman for the employees said.


Robots are taking an increasing number of jobs, new UN report says 20 October 2004 - The chances of having an obedient robot do unwelcome or dangerous jobs have increased tremendously, with orders for industrial robots rising to a record 18 per cent in the first half of this year, a new report co-sponsored by the


FCC Chair Advocates Hands-Off Approach to VoIP US Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell says that after the presidential election he will try to wrest regulatory control of voice over IP from the states because to thrive as a business, the technology needs a single, easy-handed


Intel Debuts Centrino Pentium M 765 with 2MB Cache Intel Pentium M processors, along with Intel 855 chipset family and the Intel PRO/Wireless Network Connection family, are key components of Intel Centrino mobile technology -- Intel #39;s best technology for mobile computing.


Firefox fans take fight to the papers The Mozilla Foundation has called on its supporters to chip in for a new piece of community action - buying a full page advert in the New York Times for the launch of Firefox 1.0 in November.


SquawkBack Poll: Is the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry overrated? Much of the country has seemed riveted by the American League Championship Series matchup of the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees.


The Tufts Daily - Inside the NLCS: Astros storm back to take <b>...</b> Inside the NLCS: Astros storm back to take series lead while St. Louis teeters on edge of elimination. By Jesse Gerner. Move over New York Yankees, there #39;s a new Daddy in town.


Israel #39;s Olmert hails new era of S.Africa ties Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday hailed what he called a new era of stronger ties with South Africa as he began a tour that has outraged pro-Palestinian groups.


Briefly: SmartDisk expands hard-drive line roundup Plus: Target to sell TiVo DVRs...Unisys signs up Linux allies...LookSmart names new CEO...Akamai boosts Web application services.


Tax Cut Shrinks Computer Associates Loss (AP) AP - An income tax benefit narrowed Computer Associates International Inc's loss dramatically in the second quarter.


Canada Hopes New Beef Rules Will Win Over Japan (Reuters) Reuters - Canada has positioned itself ahead of the\United States to regain share in the lucrative Japanese beef\market, thanks to strict new rules aimed at preventing mad cow\disease, Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell said on Wednesday.


Iran 'to unveil new nuclear deal' Iran says it is ready to offer new proposals to meet international concern about its nuclear programme.


Return of Brady Boosts Jaguars' Offense (AP) AP - Jacksonville tight end Kyle Brady feels a little like Frankenstein's monster.


British try to sway Ohio swing voters Exemplified by the Guardian's 'pen pal' campaign, Europeans are seeking a voice in the presidential election.


Mexico's answer to tight school budgets: teaching by TV Cheap and adaptable, pre-recorded lectures are drawing interest from educators in the US and Central America.


Dutch uncover diary of Nazi camp The diary of a teenage Holocaust victim writing to her boyfriend in 1943 has come to light in the Netherlands.


Haiti violence scuppers IMF visit The IMF says unrest in Haiti forces it to postpone talks on an emergency loan for the stricken country.


New Myanmar PM directly behind attack on Aung San Suu Kyi: US (AFP) AFP - The new prime minister of military-ruled Myanmar was directly behind an attack on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy last year, the United States charged.


Six people charged by police after sit-in at lobby of CSIS office in Toronto (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Six people were charged by police Wednesday following a sit-in at the lobby of the Toronto offices of CSIS to protest the detention of five Muslim men.


Blue Chips End Lower, Earnings Disappoint  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue-chips ended slightly lower  on Wednesday after Honeywell International Inc. HON.N and  J.P. Morgan Chase   Co. JPM.N disappointed investors with  quarterly reports, and high oil prices rekindled worries about  the impact on corporate profit margins.


Cheney Got Flu Shot, Aides Say, Citing Heart Issue (Reuters) Reuters - Vice President Dick Cheney has\received a flu shot, aides said on Wednesday, citing his\history of heart disease as a reason to qualify for a shot\during a shortage.


Tax cut shrinks Computer Associates loss NEW YORK -- An income tax benefit narrowed Computer Associates International Inc #39;s loss dramatically in the second quarter. The company reported Wednesday a net loss of \$96 million, or 16 cents per share, but


Amgen 3Q Profit Falls on Acquisition Amgen Inc., the country #39;s largest biotechnology company, said Wednesday that third-quarter profit fell sharply because of charges related to the acquisition of Tularik Inc.


EBay meets estimates as profits jump EBay (EBAY), the world #39;s largest online marketplace, Wednesday posted a quarterly profit that rose 77 from a year ago, fueled by growth in its international and PayPal businesses.


KPMG fined record \$10M Biggest fine for US accounting firm will settle charges it mishandled Gemstar-TV Guide #39;s books. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - KPMG will pay \$10 million -- the largest fine ever against a US accounting firm -- to


Freescale Semiconductor to Cut 1,000 Jobs Freescale Semiconductor Inc. plans to cut at least 1,000 jobs from its worldwide operations, the company said as part of its second earnings report since it went public in July after being spun off from Motorola Inc.


Robo-servants set to sweep into homes com October 20, 2004, 12:46 PM PT. There were over 600,000 household service robots in use worldwide in 2003, and more than 4 million new units should join them over the next three


FCC to regulate more of the Internet BOSTON -- It #39;s likely the federal government will be handing down a set of rules for voice communication over the Internet. FCC Chairman Michael Powell said he will seek a broad set of rules to cover what


Major browsers bitten by security bugs com October 20, 2004, 1:37 PM PT. Cyber threats, chiefly viruses like NetSky and Sasser, make security an ongoing concern as it holds steady over software infrastructure as the third top priority.


Intel Releases Faster 2.10 GHz Pentium M, Prices Dropped on Slower <b>...</b> Intel today released the latest Pentium M chip in the form of the Pentium M model 765. The Pentium M 765 clocks in at 2.10GHz, contains 2MB cache and a 400MHz system bus.


Apple unveils new iBook Apple yesterday unveiled what it calls the  quot;the fastest, most affordable iBook G4 ever. quot; The new iBook features built-in AirPort Extreme 54 Mbps 802.


GM CTO sees more code on future cars OCTOBER 20, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - The relationship between General Motors Corp. and the software industry will experience some major changes over the next few years as software becomes a more important


Depor look to home games for recovery after shaky start Deportivo Coruna believe that with home games against Liverpool and Monaco still to come they can recover from a poor start in the Champions League to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.


CARE halts work in Iraq after abduction CARE today suspended its humanitarian relief efforts in Iraq one day after gunman kidnapped the British-born woman who for decades has led the group #39;s drive to improve living conditions here.


Rampant corruption could wreck postwar Iraq The postwar reconstruction of Iraq could be ruined by rampant corruption, an international survey said on Wednesday. The survey, an annual list of countries held to be the most corrupt in their business dealings


Soldier Pleads Guilty in Iraq Prison Abuse Top-ranking soldier facing charges in prison scandal pleads guilty to five counts of abuse. By Daryl Strickland. The top-ranking soldier facing charges in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison scandal pleaded guilty


Hariri quits as US warns Syria to back off BEIRUT: Prime Minister Rafik Hariri resigned and his Cabinet was annulled Wednesday as expected, but he surprisingly said he will not head the new government due to internal political differences.


Israel Boosts Security for Sharon, Others Israeli soldiers carry the coffin, wrapped by an Israeli flag, of 22-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Yair Turgeman during his funeral in Jerusalem, Wednesday Oct 20, 2004.


Spain busts a suspected Muslim terror ring Eight Muslim terrorists planning to detonate a 1,100-pound bomb near a federal court in Madrid have been arrested, Spanish officials say.


Israeli deputy PM in South Africa for controversial visit JOHANNESBURG: Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert began a four-day visit to South Africa on Wednesday that pro-Palestinian groups denounced as a retreat from the struggle


Singh Wants to Finish Strong This Fall (AP) AP - Ken Griffey Jr. walked down the practice range Wednesday morning and stopped to watch Vijay Singh, two world-class athletes with not much else in common.


Schilling-led Red Sox win again, force Game 7 It seemed inevitable for so long, yet so implausible Sunday night: Yankees vs. Red Sox, winner take all. With blood seeping through his sock, a grimace on his face and pride filling his heart, Curt Schilling


Molik upsets Zvonareva, Sharapova advances in Zurich Olympic bronze medalist Alicia Molik upset sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the Swisscom Challenge quarterfinals Wednesday.


NCAA clears Neuheisel, extends Washington #39;s probation Former Washington coach Rick Neuheisel was cleared of wrongdoing by the NCAA Wednesday for gambling in a college basketball pool, but the university had its probation extended two years.


Inter fire five to rout Valencia VALENCIA, Spain -- Inter Milan continued their perfect start to their Champions League campaign as they blitzed their way to a 5-1 win away to shellshocked Spaniards Valencia.


African Union agrees to send more troops and civilian police to Darfur (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - The African Union's Peace and Security Council voted Wednesday to boost the number of peacekeepers in Sudan's Darfur region and send a contingent of civilian police to monitor efforts to end violence that has driven more than 1.5 million people from their homes.


Amgen Net Down, Adjusted Earnings Rise  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amgen Inc. AMGN.O, the world's  biggest biotechnology company, on Wednesday said quarterly net  profit fell on acquisition charges but adjusted earnings rose  21 percent on strong sales of its drugs for anemia and  arthritis.


Mystery Over Coleman's Car Wreck Deepens (AP) AP - The Atlanta Falcons tried Wednesday to stifle speculation about Rod Coleman's mysterious car wreck.


Fuel Prices, Low Fares Batter Airlines  CHICAGO (Reuters) - The twin burdens of soaring fuel prices  and slipping airfares clobbered the airline industry again in  the third quarter, leaving three of the top four U.S. carriers  to post quarterly losses on Wednesday.


EBay Posts Higher 3Q Earnings, Sales Online auctioneer eBay Inc. said Wednesday that third-quarter earnings rose 77 percent on strong demand and more active users, but guided below expectations for 2005.


Tentative Agreement Reached At Sun-Times CHICAGO -- A tentative contract agreement has been reached between officials of the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Newspaper Guild, averting a possible strike, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.


American Airlines reports large loss in third quarter AMR Corp., parent of American Airlines -- the biggest air carrier in the United States, reportedon Wednesday a big loss of 214 million US dollars in the third quarter of this year and warned of worse scenarios ahead.


EBay rings up higher profit, looks for even better Q4 San Jose-based Internet auction site eBay, Inc., says it had net income of \$182.3 million or 27 cents per diluted share on revenues of \$805.


Disney finds buyer of retail chain SECAUCUS, NJ Disney has a deal to sell its retail chain in North America to Children #39;s Place. The long-sought agreement includes a licensing pact allowing Children #39;s Place to operate the 313 stores under the Disney Store brand name.


Eisner: Trial Begins Re Disney #39;s Ovitz Compensation The board of directors at The Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS - news - people ) went to a less-than-magic kingdom on Wednesday, as a shareholder suit began.


Garcia Wishes Owens Would Let Bygones Go (AP) AP - Someday, Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens may connect again.


Break-In At Berkeley May Have Compromised Data Of 1.4 Million <b>...</b> State officials say it #39;s not clear if names and Social Security numbers were accessed or stolen but urge individuals to take precautions against identity theft.


Firefox: like a rocket p2pnet.net News:- Mozilla #39;s Firefox is still giving Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer grief, scoring heavily against the latter #39;s gaping security holes.


GM CTO Says Software Will Be Part Of Bumper-To-Bumper Warranties GM is facing major changes in the role of information technology, with software a growing component of vehicle cost and performance, and its use of outsourcing changing with the end of its EDS contract.


Cdn-born inventor of long-lasting batteries dies MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - The man who invented the small, long-lasting alkaline batteries that power Walkmans, Gameboys and other portable devices has died.


Molik upsets Zvonareva in Zurich Australia #39;s Alicia Molik has caused an upset in the second round of the WTA tournament in Zurich, beating sixth-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva.


Wenger Satisfied with Draw Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he was not disappointed to only gain a point from his sides Champions League tie with Panathinaikos.


XM Satellite Radio Signs Baseball Deal com. XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. on Wednesday said it has signed an 11-year, \$650 million deal to broadcast Major League Baseball games beginning with the 2005 season.


Delta losses soar in fresh crisis Delta Air Lines makes a \$646m quarterly loss, increasing pressure on the airline as it attempts to ward off insolvency.


EBay Reports Sharply Higher Profit  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - EBay Inc., EBAY.O the world's  largest online marketplace, on Wednesday posted a quarterly  profit that rose 77 percent from a year ago, fueled by growth  in its international and PayPal businesses.


Lawmakers Getting Flu Shot Sparks Debate (AP) AP - President Bush didn't get one. Neither did most of his Cabinet. Same for Democrat John Kerry and running mate John Edwards. The presidential candidates said they passed up a flu shot because of the vaccine shortage.


'72 Dolphins Dismayed by Winless Team (AP) AP - The only NFL franchise to achieve a perfect season now has the league's lone winless team.


Microsoft sets summer delivery of SQL Server Company pushes back third beta program of database to early next year; says final product is on track for next summer.


#39;CPM okay with FDI hike in pvt airlines #39; NEW DELHI: CPI(M) on Wednesday said it has no objection to the Cabinet decision on raising FDI cap to 49 in domestic private airlines, but the partys concerns still remain in other areas of the civil aviation sector.


Amgen Net Down, Adjusted Earnings Rise Amgen Inc. (AMGN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s biggest biotechnology company, on Wednesday said quarterly net profit fell on acquisition charges but adjusted earnings rose


THQ, Jakks comment on WWE suit Late last night, THQ Inc. and Jakks Pacific, Inc. issued separate responses to the lawsuit filed in district court by World Wrestling Entertainment against the two companies, among others.


UNECE Predicts Robot Explosion In a sweeping report that analyzes worldwide robotics industry growth throughout 2003 and compares it with activity in the robotics marked tracked over nearly one-and-a-half decades, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) predicts a


Microsoft and Swatch offer wireless watches Microsoft and watch maker Swatch say they are offering a new line of wireless data watches, bringing the era of Dick Tracy wristwatch radios one step closer.


New IE Bugs Open Up Even XP SP2 To Attack The  quot;highly critical quot; vulnerabilities stem from a flaw in IE #39;s drag-and-drop feature and in the browser #39;s security zone.


Arsenal draw 2-2 with Panathinaikos Poland striker Emmanuel Olisadebe came off the bench to earn Panathinaikos a 2-2 draw with Arsenal with a late equaliser in their Champions League Group E match.


UPDATE 1-Werder come from behind for 2-1 away win Striker Ivan Klasnic scored twice as Werder Bremen came from behind to beat Anderlecht 2-1 away in their Champions League Group G match on Wednesday.


Accused bomber made enemy out of witness he allegedly stole from, taunted (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - VANCOUVER (CP) - A man's claims of constant taunting by a relentless loan shark chipping away at his family's savings set him on a fiery revenge path to tell police damning stories about Ripudaman Singh Malik, implicating Malik in the Air India bombing, a defence lawyer argued.


Little Progress on Sept. 11 Legislation (AP) AP - House and Senate negotiators refused to give ground Wednesday toward a compromise on putting in place the Sept. 11 commission's terror-fighting recommendations. The White House and victims' families appealed for a deal.


Fiji agrees to protect UN in Iraq The UN says Fiji has become the first nation to offer troops specifically to protect its staff in Iraq.


Ebay Reports Sharply Higher Profit EBay, the world's largest online marketplace, today posted a quarterly profit that rose 77 percent from a year ago, fueled by growth in its international and PayPal businesses.


Gold Medal Dispute Set to End Thursday Whether he's talking to family, friends or random people he meets out in public, Paul Hamm hears the same thing over and over: Are you going to be able to keep your Olympic gold medal?


Siebel Systems Meets Street View (AP) AP - After loss last year, business software company Siebel Systems Inc. turned to a profit in its third quarter , helped by smaller restructuring expenses.


EBay Reports Sharply Higher Profit  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - EBay Inc., the world's largest  online marketplace, on Wednesday posted a quarterly profit that  rose 77 percent from a year ago, fueled by strong  back-to-school shopping and growth in its international and  PayPal businesses.


Liberty Alliance holdout IBM ends resistance and joins IBM is the latest company to join the Liberty Alliance, a global consortium led by Sun Microsystems that is working to develop standards for managing user identities.


HP signs five-year, \$500M IT services deal with German bank As part of the deal with German financial services provider WestLB AG, about 450 bank workers will move to HP.


GM CTO sees more code on future cars Cars had approximately 1 million lines of software code in 1990, but that number will jump to 100 million by 2010, according to Anthony Scott, CTO of  GM's Information Systems and Services organization.


Wavelink unveils integrated wireless management, security software Wavelink Managed Security allows a company to centrally deploy WPA client software and policies across multiple devices and supports a range of major authentication standards.


Unisys joins Open Source Development Labs  The decision follows other moves by the IT services and hardware vendor  to embrace LInux.


Does Google desktop search pose risks? If you use shared or public computers, you have a new privacy risk to consider: Google Desktop Search.\


The dual 2.5-GHz Power Mac G5: Unadulterated power The fastest Power Mac yet may still be hard to find in stores, but Online News Editor Ken Mingis finds that if you really need speed, you won't be disappointed.


Standard Bank aims to improve card risk management Company says Triad provides modules for behavior scoring, Champion-Challenger strategy testing, and authorizations, credit limit and delinquent collections management.


No. 24 Villanova 69, Penn 44 Betsy McManus and Courtney Roantree each came off the bench to set career highs with 15 and 14 points, respectively, to lead No. 24 Villanova past Penn 69-44 Sunday.


MessageOne acquires Evergreen Assurance E-mail disaster recovery vendor MessageOne today said it is buying competitor Evergreen Assurance Inc., a deal that brings together two different approaches to restoring e-mail service after a disaster.


Hacker hits California university computer A computer hacker accessed names and Social Security numbers of about 1.4 million Californians after breaking into a computer system at the University of California, Berkeley in August.


FDI hiked for aviation The Congress-led UPA government decided on Wednesday to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in civil aviation from 40 per cent to 49 per cent on the automatic route, ie cutting through the red tape.


THQ, Jakks Respond to Suit October 20, 2004 - Yesterday, World Wrestling Entertainment announced it has filed suit against a number of parties regarding alleged bribery in the attainment of WWE license rights.


Investment in robots reaches record levels A joint UN-industry study says investment in industrial robots has increased by double digits to the highest level ever recorded. The Geneva-based UN Economic Commission


Watch Out! It #39;s all about better connectivity now NEW YORK: Microsoft and watch maker Swatch are offering wireless data watches with faster information updates. And, all this at lower prices, the companies said on Wednesday.


Microsoft Stance on Multicore Licensing Will Help Customers On 19 October 2004, Microsoft announced that its software licensed on a per-processor basis will continue to be licensed on that basis when installed on hardware that contains dual-core and multicore processors.


SBC Selects Alcatel as Primary Supplier for Project Lightspeed in <b>...</b> PARIS, October 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SBC Communications announced today that it has selected Alcatel (PARIS: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) as its primary network infrastructure and services supplier in a deal that is estimated to be worth USD 1.7 billion


Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Delayed Microsoft is putting off the shipping date for SQL Server 2005, also known as  quot;Yukon, quot; and instead will release an incremental beta app called  quot;Community Technical Preview.


PANATHINAIKOS V ARSENAL MIN-BY-MIN 90 mins Arsenal #39;s woes on their travels in Europe continue as they fail to secure the win, settling for a draw against a well organised Panathinaikos.


CELTIC CRASH AGAIN It was another hard luck story for Martin ONeills demoralised Celtic in the Ukraine as an emphatic Francelino Matuzalem double and exquisite Brandao chip in the second half left their European dreams in tatters with Shakhtar Donetsk running out 3-0


Bush Says Kerry Doesn't Understand Terror War (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush charged on\Wednesday that Democrat John Kerry has a "fundamental\misunderstanding" of the war on terrorism because a leader in\the Iraqi insurgency, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has sworn\allegiance to al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.


Bills' Milloy Ready to Make Season Debut (AP) AP - Buffalo Bills safety Lawyer Milloy is prepared to make his season debut at Baltimore this weekend after missing seven weeks with a broken right forearm.


MSN Lets You Blog Hoping to keep more internet users in its branded universe, Microsoft has become the latest company to offer blogging to the masses.


Jets Low Key About Showdown With Patriots (AP) AP - Jets guard Pete Kendall has a unique appreciation for the record streak the New England Patriots are on.


Microsoft To OK One License for Multicore Chips Dual-core processors to be considered single chip, company says.


Schwarzenegger Stumps Against Three Strikes Reform (Reuters) Reuters - California Gov. Arnold\Schwarzenegger campaigned on Wednesday against a ballot measure\that would roll back the state's landmark "Three Strikes"\sentencing law, embarking on what his aides concede could be\one of his toughest election fights.


American Fish Confident About Tough Davis Cup Final  MADRID (Reuters) - The U.S. Davis Cup team is gearing up  for a tough final against strong Spanish opponents on an  unfavorable surface but are optimistic about beating their  hosts, said their semi-final team member Mardy Fish.


Venezuela Activist Faces Imprisonment She hugs strangers, has a ready smile and bubbles with optimism. Don't be fooled by that benign exterior, says the Venezuelan government, which describes Maria Corina Machado as a committed subversive intent on ousting leftist President Hugo Chavez.


Brazil May Reach Deal on Nukes With U.N. Brazilian officials expressed optimism Wednesday that they would reach agreement with United Nations inspectors over the country's contested plans to enrich uranium.


Garcia Marquez's Novel Released Early The first novel in a decade by Nobel Prize author Gabriel Garcia Marquez went on sale across the Spanish-speaking world Wednesday, a launch pushed forward because counterfeiters were already selling copies of "Memories of My Melancholy Whores."


In the E.R., Learning to Love the PC The keyboard is mightier than the whiteboard at an emergency room in the Bronx where the use of computers is now a staple.


When the Price Is a Penny, What Profit? A surprising number of items on eBay are available for just one cent. So where is the profit? (Hint: Watch those shipping charges.)


For an Inventor, IM Opens a Window to a World of Games A California software developer turns instant message windows into a platform for video games.


At a Click, a Clique of the Uncool Two friends created a constellation of 14 Web sites devoted to all fictional things squip: squip news, squip viruses, even squip detractors.


Cull proves Prince has finally taken the throne CHARLES PRINCEs decision to oust three very senior executives demonstrated that the heir to Sandy Weills empire is finally running the show.


Siebel beats Wall Street targets This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.


VoIP Jurisdiction Could Be Settled Soon  quot;If we don #39;t move forward on that pretty soon, we run the risk of have multiple state actions and court rulings to contend with, quot; said Jeffrey Carlisle, chief of the FCC #39;s wireline competition bureau.


No Double Microsoft Pricing For Dual-Core Chips Dual-core microprocessors won #39;t mean doubled software license fees, according to an announcement by Microsoft and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.


New Soyuz rocket launch is delayed Problems with ground equipment are expected to delay a test launch of a new Russian rocket designed to ferry cargo to the International Space Station.


Microsoft sets summer delivery of SQL Server com October 20, 2004, 2:34 PM PT. According ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in October, application development is the last priority, but nonetheless an important one.


Bush and GOP Sites Suffer Outages (AP) AP - Web sites for President Bush's campaign and the Republican National Committee suffered outages for several hours on Wednesday.


And now for the lawsuits Following the Contract Recognition Board #39;s finding in favour of BAR, it is only a matter of time before the various  #39;interested parties #39; begin legal action against those that they feel led them astray.


Inter Thrash Valencia Roberto Mancinis side edged closer to the next stage of the Champions League after crashing Valencia to a humiliating 5-1 result in Spain.


EU to Issue Last Chance to Iran on Nuclear Plans Senior officials from France, Britain and Germany will meet Iranian counterparts Thursday to issue Tehran with an incentive-backed last chance to end uranium enrichment plans or face possible UN sanctions.


France expels more students over hijab French schools have expelled three more students for flouting the controversial ban on Islamic headscarves. The latest expulsions brought to five the total number of girls so far expelled under the new secularity


Cambodia #39;s new king arrives in Phnom Penh Cambodia #39;s new king arrived in the capital of his homeland today to be crowned after the shock abdication of his ageing father, King Norodom Sihanouk.


Siebel's Q3 sales slow Siebel Systems's software license revenue in its just-ended third quarter rose from the grim five-year low hit in Siebel's second quarter, but still fell short of revenue recorded during the same period last year, the company said Tuesday.


CA posts Q2 loss on restitution charges Computer Associates International reported a six percent increase in revenue during its second fiscal quarter, but posted a \$94 million loss after paying to settle government investigations into the company, it said Wednesday.


Report: Dolphins' Boston Faces Suspension (AP) AP - Miami Dolphins receiver David Boston, who has missed the entire season with a knee injury, is appealing a four-game suspension after testing positive for steroids, Fox Sports reported Sunday.


Columnists: Security, 1994-2004: Then And Now Comparing the state of security in 1994 versus 2004, has anything really changed over the course of ten years?


US Consumer Price Index Sees September Bump The 0.2 percent increase in the September consumer price index compares with a 0.1 percent rise in August, according to the Labor Department.


Gregan to tour with Wallabies The Wallabies have gained a massive boost with skipper George Gregan making himself available for the coming European rugby tour. The halfback, however, has left the door open to quit the tour should his son #39;s


Siebel Systems Posts Profit  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Business software maker Siebel  Systems Inc. SEBL.O on Wednesday reported a quarterly profit,  after a year-earlier net loss, helped by sales of new software.


Billick Wants Lewis Practicing With Ravens (AP) AP - Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick wants the NFL to amend the rule that forbids running back Jamal Lewis from appearing at the team's training complex during his two-week suspension.


Former POWs Blame Kerry for Captivity (AP) AP - Former U.S. prisoners of war who blamed their years of captivity in Vietnam on activists such as John Kerry are the only voices in a documentary that Sinclair Broadcasting has decided not to air in its entirety.


Garcia Marquez Has Last Laugh on Book Pirates

 By Alistair Bell

 MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Latin American literary giantGabriel Garcia Marquez has won the last laugh on copyrightpirates by changing the ending of his latest book, the Nobellaureate's first novel in 10 years.


Inter Milan, Chelsea, AC Milan Perfect (AP) AP - Inter Milan, Chelsea and AC Milan stayed perfect on Wednesday as the Champions League group stage reached the halfway mark.


Ex-Baylor Athlete Sent to Mental Hospital (AP) AP - The former Baylor basketball player accused of gunning down a teammate will be sent to a state mental hospital for treatment before he can be tried for murder, a judge said Wednesday.


Milan Clubs, Chelsea Eye Next Champions League Stage  LONDON (Reuters) - Inter Milan, AC Milan and Chelsea all  virtually sealed their places in the knockout phase of the  Champions League on Wednesday by maintaining 100 percent starts  with their third successive victories.


Panel: Let domestic security technology move forward Civil liberties and privacy advocacy groups often have the effect of stopping technological innovation when they protest the use of new technologies for domestic security, a technology expert at a Washington, D.C., think tank said Wednesday.


Humans May Have Fewer Genes Than Thought A new and perhaps final report from the international consortium of laboratories that decoded the human genome has revised the number of expected human genes sharply downward.


Microsoft, Swatch offer thinner wireless watches Microsoft (MSFT) and watch maker Swatch are offering a new line of wireless data watches, the companies said Wednesday, bringing the era of Dick Tracy wristwatch radios one step closer.


Windows XP SP2 Distribution Surpasses 100 Million Microsoft #39;s big Windows patch gets snapped up by consumers, but many businesses are still testing it. By John Foley. Microsoft #39;s Windows XP Service Pack 2 is now in the hands of more than 100 million users, the company disclosed on Wednesday.


Ranieri salutes  #39;incredible #39; Inter Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri said he could do little more than salute opponents Inter Milan after their crushing 5-1 victory over his side at the Mestalla on Wednesday.


Chelsea within sight of next stage Headed goals from skipper John Terry and striker Eidur Gudjohnsen gave Chelsea a 2-0 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow and virtually guaranteed their spot in the knockout round.


Sharapova Beats Hantuchova to Extend Win Streak Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova stretched her winning streak to 10 matches with a 6-4, 7-5, victory over Slovakia #39;s Daniela Hantuchova in the second round of the Zurich Challenge Wednesday.


Indonesia #39;s new president unveils tried and tested professional <b>...</b> JAKARTA: Indonesia #39;s new President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday unveiled his new cabinet, a broad selection of familiar faces and trusted professionals tasked with delivering his promises of tackling graft and reviving the economy.


Haiti #39;s PM a  #39;killer #39; HAITI #39;S former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide lashed out today at his country #39;s interim prime minister, calling him  quot;a killer quot;.


Computer Associates Results Top View (Reuters) Reuters - Computer Associates International Ltd.\, the software maker under government watch after an\accounting scandal, on Wednesday posted better-than-expected\quarterly results and said full-year earnings will exceed Wall\Street estimates, helped by cost-cutting.


Britain may send up to 1,300 extra troops to Iraq: report (AFP) AFP - Britain may send up to 1,300 extra troops to Iraq to help stabilize the country before scheduled elections there in January, The Times newspaper reported.


Colts' Manning Ties Unitas Record (AP) AP - Peyton Manning tied an NFL record set by John Unitas in 1959 with his 12th straight game with at least two touchdowns to open a season.


Kerry Mocks Bush's War Leadership, Says Few Follow (Reuters) Reuters - Democratic challenger John\Kerry, portrayed by Republicans as unfit to be commander in\chief, scoffed at President Bush's own wartime leadership on\Wednesday and urged his rival: "Look behind you, there's hardly\anyone there."


Amgen Net Down, Adjusted Earnings Rise  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amgen Inc. AMGN.O, the world's  biggest biotechnology company, on Wednesday said quarterly net  profit fell on acquisition charges, but adjusted earnings rose  21 percent on strong sales of its drugs for anemia and  arthritis.


Excerpts From the Presidential Campaign (AP) AP - Excerpts of remarks Wednesday by President Bush in Mason City, Iowa, and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in Waterloo, Iowa, as transcribed by e-Media Millworks Inc.


eBay Ups Guidance on Strong Quarter Online auction king eBay (Quote, Chart) reported a better than 50 percent rise in quarterly revenue from last year and profits that jumped by about 77 percent compared to last year, thanks in part to its PayPal unit and growth overseas.


Siebel Systems Swings to 3Q Profit Software maker Siebel Systems Inc. on Wednesday said its third-quarter results swung to a profit on improved licensing revenue, but missed analyst expectations.


Mice Thrive Without Chapters of the Book of Life It #39;s called the book of life but mice, and perhaps humans, can still thrive even when chapters are missing, scientists said Wednesday.


Intel releases new leader of Pentium M pack ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in October kept upgrading hardware at number two on the businesses radar throughout the year.


Ferrero leads Spanish slump in Madrid Holder Juan Carlos Ferrero has suffered a 6-3, 6-1 setback against a Peruvian with a bad ankle, crashing out listlessly in his opening match at the Madrid Masters.


Alcatel wins \$1.7 billion SBC contract SBC Communications taps the French telecom equipment maker to upgrade its network with fiber-optic technology.


Microsoft scales back Passport ambitions Microsoft is recasting ambitions for its .Net Passport identification system, saying the service now will be limited to its own online offerings and those of close partners. Microsoft no longer sees Passport as a single sign-on system for the Web at large, a spokeswoman said.


Systinet CEO sees three phases for Web services Thomas Erickson recently took over as president and CEO of Systinet, one of a growing number of companies focused on the Web services and SOA (service-oriented architecture) management spaces.
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Crossroads to develop intelligent iSCSI storage Crossroads Systems has announced it is collaborating with iVivity to develop new gateway and intelligent iSCSI storage systems. The new products will provide intelligent Crossroads storage routing software in a hardware platform based on iVivity's iDiSXsilicon technology.


Intel Developing Optical Connect for Laptops, Servers Optical links will be cheaper, quieter, and smaller than copper ribbons, company says.


Pentagon to Post Write-In Ballot on Web (AP) AP - The Pentagon will post on its Web site a federal write-in ballot for civilian and military voters overseas who do not get their regular absentee ballot in time, a spokesman said Wednesday.


Records rebounding (Variety) Variety - HOLLYWOOD -- The recorded music industry showed signs of a rebound in the first half of the year, with full-length CD shipments to retail outlets increasing by 10.2 from 2003, according to the RIAA.


Crossroads to develop intelligent iSCSI storage (InfoWorld) InfoWorld - Crossroads Systems has announced it is collaborating with iVivity to develop new gateway and intelligent iSCSI storage systems. The new products will provide intelligent Crossroads storage routing software in a hardware platform based on iVivity's iDiSXsilicon technology.


French girls expelled over veils Three more Muslim girls are expelled from school in France after defying the new law banning headscarves.


BC lowers provincial sales tax to 7 per cent The BC government has decided to reduce the provincial sales tax by one-half of a percentage point. Starting Thursday, the provincial tax rate will fall to 7 per cent from 7.5 per cent.


KPMG to Pay \$10M to Settle SEC Charges Accounting giant KMPG LLP will pay \$10 million to settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges of improper conduct in the firm #39;s audit of the financial statements of Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.


Windows Users Want Results, Not Ballmer Promises ORLANDO, Fla.Windows users said actions speak louder than words when it comes to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer #39;s promise that Microsoft will fix the various security vulnerabilities in his company #39;s computing platform.


Surprise! Sales tax rolled back VICTORIA - A stunning surprise for BC consumers: the provincial sales tax is going back to seven per cent from 7.5 per cent. Finance Minister Gary Collins made the announcement Wednesday in the legislature.


Disney in the dock over 140 million dollar payout to executive A law suit against the Walt Disney Co. over 140 million dollars paid to former president Michael Ovitz started, seven years after shareholders brought the action.


Is the software license dead? SANTA CLARA, Calif.--The business of selling software is due for an extreme makeover, industry executives said at the SoftSummit conference .


Wenger disappointed by Arsenal #39;s frailties Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was disappointed by their failure to hold on to the lead in their 2-2 Champions League draw with Panathinaikos on Wednesday.


Journalist at centre of Kenteris row is stabbed A GREEK journalist, who has been giving evidence in the Konstantinos Kenteris Olympic doping scandal, was yesterday recovering in hospital in Athens after being stabbed and beaten up with iron bars.


Why Satellite Radio? Gavin Reynolds (Rochester, NY) 10/20/04 - Satellite radio was launched just two years go and already 2.5 million people subscribe.


Kostya #39;s glove affair HEAVYWEIGHT contender Mark Latham lost the biggest fight of his life but his ladder of opportunity still lives in the career of Kostya Tszyu.


Online Casinos Await Answer From DOJ (AdWeek.com) AdWeek.com - The U.S. Department of Justice is scheduled to respond this week to a lawsuit claiming restrictions on online gaming ads violate First Amendment protections of free speech.


A Daily Look at U.S. Military Iraq Deaths (AP) AP - As of Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004, at least 1,103 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 846 died as a result of hostile action, according to the Defense Department. The figures include three military civilians.


Intel Developing Optical Connect for Laptops, Servers (PC World) PC World - Optical links will be cheaper, quieter, and smaller than copper ribbons, company says.


India is 90th most corrupt nation NEW DELHI: More than a decade of reforms has not helped India shake off the perception that it #39;s amongst the most corrupt business environments.


New faces and old to rule Jakarta Indonesia #39;s newly elected President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced his Cabinet late Wednesday, installing professionals and several women in key posts but also appointing retired generals and holdovers from past governments


Dialogue only way to solve Irans nuclear case, says Khatami TEHRAN: Talks and negotiations are the only way to resolve Irans nuclear standoff with the West, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said on Wednesday.


Sharon seeking to garner support for Gaza plan JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was seeking to nail down support for his Gaza pullout plan on Wednesday ahead of a crunch vote in parliament as one of his top ministers held talks with the spiritual leader of the main ultra-Orthodox party.


French girls expelled over veils Three more Muslim girls have been expelled from schools in France for defying the new ban on headscarves. They join two girls expelled on Tuesday - one of whom told a French newspaper it had destroyed her life.


Second round of Pakistan-India talks in Nov-Dec ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has conveyed its calendar of meetings on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to India as part of composite dialogue process that will begin from Nov 29 to December 16.


Cambodia #39;s new king returns from China to take up throne Cambodia #39;s newly selected king returned from China on Wednesday to take up the throne after his father, outgoing monarch Norodom Sihanouk, abdicated earlier this month because of poor health.


Briefly: RealNetworks loss widens on litigation roundup Plus: SmartDisk expands hard-drive line...Target to sell TiVo DVRs...Unisys signs up Linux allies...LookSmart names new CEO.


AUSTRALIA PRESS: Coles Myer Finalizing Fresh ALH Offer SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Coles Myer Ltd. (CM) and Macquarie Bank Ltd. (MBL.AU) were Wednesday night close to finalizing a fresh bid for pubs and liquor group Australian Leisure  amp; Hospitality Group Ltd.


Report: Enterprises Favor One-Time Software License Despite a growing software industry revolution in favor of subscription-style pricing arrangements, most enterprise software buyers prefer the traditional approach of buying a one-time license, a newly released report indicates.


Notes: Lamb gets first playoff start Mike Lamb had not started any of the Houston Astros #39; first 10 playoff games, so he was somewhat surprised when he saw his name on the lineup card prior to Game 6 of


Pakistan 15th most corrupt state BERLIN: A global corruption index released by watchdog organisation Transparency International has ranked Pakistan along with Kenya and Iraq 129th in a perceived corruption index of 146 countries.


Blair says no decision yet on redeploying troops in Iraq LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair has come under fire over the way his government is handling a US request to redeploy 650 British troops in Iraq.


For Missing Web Pages, a Department of Lost and Found Could this be an end to broken links? New software replaces and updates links on Web pages.


Where Good Wi-Fi Makes Good Neighbors A New York City group creates a kit so that anyone with an old computer can create a wireless access point.


Nikkei Seen Moving Little  TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo stocks will probably move little on  Thursday amid worries over higher oil prices and their possible  impact on global economies, but the market will be supported by  bargain hunting following recent sharp losses.


Fiji Troops May Grow U.N. Presence in Iraq (AP) AP - The deployment of about 130 Fijian troops to Iraq next month to protect U.N. staff and facilities could lead to an expanded U.N. operation ahead of elections in January, if security conditions permit, the United Nations said Wednesday.


African Union to relaunch peace talks for Sudan's western Darfur region (AFP) AFP - The Sudanese government and the Darfur region's rebel groups are due to meet in the Nigerian capital Abuja as the African Union bids to restart its stalled peace process and prove that the troubled continent can handle its own crises.


NEC Shoots to Regain Supercomputer Title SX-8 system estimated to be almost twice as fast as IBM titleholder.


Walkout ends at GM plant BOCHUM, Germany The General Motors plant here resumed production on Wednesday after workers voted to end a six-day walkout sparked by the threat of thousands of job cuts.


3 major US airlines report losses Three US airlines reported losses on Wednesday as higher jet-fuel prices and stiff competition from low-cost rivals compounded their many difficulties since the 2001 terror attacks.


Update 4: Huffy Files for Chapter 11, Buyer Emerges A competitor to Huffy Corp., which filed Wednesday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, said it was interested in buying Huffy, which makes about a third of the bicycles sold in the United States.


Gucci brand #39;s head abruptly dismissed PARIS Gucci Group, the Italian luxury goods company, said Wednesday that it had dismissed Giacomo Santucci as chief executive of its Gucci brand business.


Toshiba To Offer Laptops With HD-DVD in 2005 LBArrettAnderson writes  quot;Toshiba will release laptops with HD-DVD under its high-end Qosmio brand and plans to ship one million units in the first year to Europe, the US and China, as well as Japan.


Leading scientists to discuss research applications for <b>...</b> PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 20 - As members of the United Nations General Assembly are soon to vote on the future of cloning research, possibly within days, leading scientists will be conducting a symposium discussion


Button staying put after panel blocks move JENSON BUTTON will drive for BAR Honda next year after lawyers last night stopped him from walking out on the team for their rivals, BMW-Williams.