Growth may lose steam, say CEOs IRVING, TEXAS: Top US executives are pessimistic about next years economy, citing high oil prices, geopolitical threats and stuttering consumer confidence, according to a survey released on Wednesday.


Bigley Execution Video Shown on Internet A sickening video of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley being beheaded by his captors was circulating on the internet tonight. In his last desperate moments, Mr


IBM looks to China in mainframe push SAN FRANCISCO--Buoyed by brisk sales of its mainframe computers in recent quarters, IBM is aiming to broaden the use of the powerful machines, particularly in China, the world #39;s fastest-growing large economy.


WC Qualifiers: No surprises in South America MONTEVIDEO, Oct 10 (SW) - There were no real surprises in the South American qualifiers for World Cup 2006 on Saturday as both Argentina and title holders Brazil easily won their matches.


Blast hits Pakistani mosque ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - A suicide attacker detonated a bomb at a Shia mosque in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore Sunday, killing at least four people.


UK hostage #39;s last appeal on Web A video tape posted on the Internet on Sunday shows British hostage Kenneth Bigley making a last appeal to Prime Minister Tony Blair to meet the demands of the militants holding him in Iraq before being beheaded.


Rebel attacks hit Baghdad as Rumsfeld visits  quot;They know they cannot defeat us militarily. But they are hoping they can win the test of wills. It #39;s a battle of morale.


Rooney backs fiercesome threesome (AFP) AFP - Wayne Rooney believes the three-pronged attack of himself, Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe can put England on the fast track to the World Cup finals.


Karzai Hopes Rivals Will Honor Afghan Vote  KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on  Sunday that some of the candidates who had called for a boycott  of a historic presidential election had changed their mind and  were willing to accept its legitimacy.


Cause Sought for Fatal Ark. Tour Bus Crash WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. - Relatives of more than a dozen travelers who were hurt when their tour bus drifted off a highway kept vigil Sunday at hospitals while investigators sought a cause for the crash that killed 15 people...


Candidates on Issues: Medical Malpractice (AP) AP - Three times a week, The Associated Press picks an issue and asks President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry a question about it. Today's question and their responses:


Flood death toll rises in Assam More than 100 people die in flash floods in India's north-eastern state of Assam in recent days.


E-Voting Research Delayed, Experts Say (AP) AP - After nearly 50,000 Michigan Democrats cast ballots over the Internet in February, academics eagerly sought election data that would help them determine what types of people voted online. But scholars around the country complain that they haven't been able to get statistics from the Feb. 7 caucus.


US House approves US\$422 billion arms bill The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a final US\$422 billion (\$631.64 billion) bill for defence programmes that backs next year #39;s round of military base closings and kills a proposed US\$23.


Schumacher Wins Japanese Grand Prix Seven-time Formula One auto racing world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany led from start to finish behind the wheel of his Ferrari to easily win the Japanese Grand Prix.


Rossi brings Yamaha closer to title with Malaysian Grand Prix <b>...</b> SEPANG, Malaysia (AFP) - Valentino Rossi of Italy won the Malaysian motorcycling Grand Prix to extend his overall lead in the world championship here.


Dent proof: Novak victorious in Tokyo Tokyo, Japan (Sports Network) - Fifth-seeded Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic sent seventh-seeded American Taylor Dent packing with a tough victory in Sunday #39;s final at the \$775,000 Japan Open.


Portugal blasted after draw with Liechtenstein _ Portuguese media heaped criticism Sunday on the country #39;s national soccer team, which was held to an embarrassing 2-2 draw by minnow Liechtenstein in World Cup qualifying.


Cricket: Aussie ecstasy Warne #39;s agony BANGALORE - Australia comprehensively beat India on day five of the first cricket test yesterday but Shane Warne remained agonisingly short of Muttiah Muralitharan #39;s world record for the most career wickets.


Italy remains calm after loss to Slovenia Italy was upset, although not altogether distraught, after its first loss in World Cup qualifying. Slovenia beat the Azzurri 1-0 in Celje on substitute Bostjan Cesar #39;s 82nd-minute header.


Cambodia Scrambles to Name New King Cambodia #39;s King Norodom Sihanouk #39;s abdication statement last week stunned the nation and left politicians scrambling to figure out how to choose a new king.


Chen Shui-bian #39;s call for talks discredited Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian was accused Sunday of playing word games in his  quot;national day quot; speech. Mainland researchers described his call for cross-Straits peace talks as  quot;more symbolic than substantial.


Emory: Patient's Disorder Isn't Mad Cow (AP) AP - Emory University Hospital has confirmed that a brain surgery patient does not have the human version of mad cow disease, but does have a rare, fatal disorder that resembles it.


NFL Wrap: Manning Tosses Three TDs as Colts Win  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Peyton Manning threw three touchdown  passes to move closer to the all-time season record as the  Indianapolis Colts routed the visiting Tennessee Titans 51-24  Sunday.


The Flow of Interstellar Helium in the Solar System European Space Agency -- 'Consensus on conditions in the cloud of interstellar gas surrounding the Sun from several in-situ observation methods'     Through coordinated observations with instruments on several ESA and NASA spacecraft and a collaborative analysis effort hosted by the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) an international team of scientists has compiled for the first time a consistent set of the physical parameters of helium in the very local interstellar gas cloud the surrounds the solar system.     Careful analysis of data from three complementary observation methods produced a reliable set of physical parameters for the local cloud which can be used to model the interaction between the Sun and the surrounding interstellar gas and establish dimensions of the solar system...


Saturn's Perfect Storms To see a hurricane grow on Earth, one's best view is from orbit. But on the windiest planet in the solar system, Saturnian clouds can gather to sizes greater than our tiny blue planet...


Popping Opportunity's Escape Hatch The Mars Opportunity site continues to intrigue scientists as they decipher the chemistry deeper in Endurance crater. The rise in chlorine and fall in sulfur may suggest alterations by evaporating water in the crater's past.


Mathematicians Offer Help in Fight Against Terrorists A small group of thinking men and women convened at Rutgers University last month to consider how order theory - a branch of abstract mathematics that deals with hierarchical relationships - could be applied to the war on terror.


Nordstrom and Costco dodge September #39;s retail doldrums Two of the region #39;s best-known retail brands -- Costco Wholesale Corp. and Nordstrom Inc. -- bucked a national trend of lukewarm sales in September and posted significant gains over the same period last year.


IBM looks to China in mainframe push Buoyed by surging sales of its mainframe computers in recent quarters, IBM is aiming to broaden the use of the powerful machines, particularly in China, the world #39;s fastest-growing large economy.


Heavyweight rivals are set to slug it out in ALCS Relaxing for the announcement last night were the Boston Red Sox. And in this corner ... the New York Yankees. Thanks to bouncing back from a 5-1 deficit against the Minnesota Twins last night, the stars are aligned.


Rumsfeld: Troop Reductions Not Likely Until Iraqis Stronger There likely won #39;t be a reduction in US troop strength in Iraq until after the country #39;s national elections in January, Defense Secretary Donald


Crippled sub towed toward safety A crippled Canadian submarine was late Thursday being towed toward Scotland after two days spent adrift near Ireland without power following a fatal fire, an Irish captain participating in the rescue said.


Tape of Bigley #39;s assassination posted on website A videotape of the beheading of British hostage Kenneth Bigley appeared Sunday on an Islamist website, showing the civil engineer pleading that he wanted  quot;to live a simple life quot; moments before he was decapitated.


Egypt Questions Suspects in Red Sea Resort Bombings News agencies quoted unnamed Egyptian security sources as saying more than a dozen Sinai Desert Bedouin were being questioned about smuggling explosives into the resort areas.


Nigeria braces for strike as union leader released by secret <b>...</b> ABUJA (AFP) - Nigeria braced for a nationwide strike as the country #39;s top union leader emerged from secret police custody determined to pursue labour #39;s opposition to President Olusegun Obasanjo #39;s economic reforms.


Bigley execution shown on internet A sickening video of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley being beheaded by his captors is circulating on the internet. In his last desperate moments, Mr Bigley is seen pleading  quot;to live a simple life quot; before being executed.


More Job Cuts Set by AT amp;T; Total to Hit 20 of Staff The AT amp;T Corporation, the nation #39;s largest long-distance provider, said yesterday that it would eliminate more than 20 percent of its work force this year and write off \$11.


He #39;s back SUZUKA, Japan Michael Schumacher returned to the Formula One winner #39;s circle today. The seven-time world champion took the checkered flag at the Japanese Grand Prix, beating his brother Ralf to the finish line by 14 seconds.


Authorities to use info-sharing portal during debate While President Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) square off in their second debate tonight in St. Louis, more than two dozen federal, state and local law enforcement


Gallacher wins Dunhill Links after playoff with McDowell (AFP) AFP - Scotland's Stephen Gallacher stunned a host of favourites to win the Dunhill Links Championship after winning an extra playoff hole against Graeme McDowell.


New Backup Voting System May Pose Problems (AP) AP - Call it the law of unintended consequences. A new national backup system meant to ensure that millions of eligible voters are not mistakenly turned away from the polls this year, as happened in 2000, could wind up causing Election Day problems as infamous as Florida's hanging chads.


Somali Presidential Poll Goes Into 3rd Round  NAIROBI (Reuters) - A presidential election aimed at  restoring national government to lawless Somalia for the first  time in 13 years went into a third round on Sunday after no  outright winner emerged.


Two Car Bombs Kill at Least 11 as Rumsfeld Visits Iraq Two car bombs shook the capital in quick succession, killing at least 11 people, including a U.S. soldier, and wounding 16.


Rutto Wins 2nd Straight Chicago Marathon CHICAGO - Evans Rutto of Kenya won his second straight Chicago Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 16 seconds, and making him 3-for-3 at the 26.2-mile distance.    Daniel Njenga of Kenya was second in 2:07:44 and Toshinari Takaoka of Japan was third in 2:07:50...


Soros may regard 4 growth as keeling over, but for most folks <b>...</b> Now that the second quarter #39;s soft patch in the US economy has been revised up to show growth of 3.3 percent, economists are turning their attention to the post-soft patch, or regaining traction, period.


\$50-plus oil drags on economy Oil prices above \$50 a barrel - and rising - are now starting to adversely affect the economy and consumers in ways that had not been happening only a few months ago.


House passes bill imposing prison time over  #39;spyware #39; The House on Thursday passed the second bill in three days that would outlaw  quot;spyware, quot; irritating software that quietly monitors the activities of Internet users.


Beckham to resume light training soon, say Real England captain David Beckham is expected back in Madrid on Wednesday and will be able to resume light training despite cracking a rib, the Real Madrid website said on Sunday.


Bombers not surprised MINNEAPOLIS - The Yankees, pretty much to a man, agreed on one thing: Meeting the Red Sox stats, schedule was inevitable. It was written in stone long before the Yanks #39; 6-5, ALDS-clinching win yesterday against the Twins.


to Qwest Field. one-and-a-half games better than the defending NFC West champ Rams. St. Louis. home-and-homes in each of the last two seasons. In 2003, Seattle won the home.


Israeli Occupation Forces Wound Children, Raze Lands in Khan <b>...</b> At least two Palestinian children have been reportedly shot and wounded by the Israeli occupation troops in the southern Gaza Strip City of Khan Younis.


Oshiomhole Arrested, Narrates Ordeal By Chris Nwachukwu and Francis Onwudo in Lagos, Chuks Okocha, Andy Ekugo, Juliana Taiwo in Abuja and Tunde Sanni in Ilorin. Organised Labour and civil society organisation were jolted early hours of yesterday


Toll in Assam flash floods rises to 111 Guwahati: The toll in the current wave of flash floods and landslides in Assam has increased to 111. The toll might go up as the rescue operation was continuing in the area.


St. Louis Rams SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Seattle Seahawks finished two games behind the St. Louis Rams in the NFC West last season. But with a victory over the Rams on Sunday at Qwest Field, the Seahawks will take complete control of the division.


Revenge Fears High After Russia's Mourning (AP) AP - Last week, Tanik Kuizev buried a niece who was among hundreds who died after a North Ossetian school was seized by raiders that included members of the rival Ingush ethnic group. After Wednesday, he vows, he will bury an Ingush to be killed in retribution.


Rutto Wins 2nd Straight Chicago Marathon (AP) AP - Evans Rutto of Kenya won his second straight Chicago Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 16 seconds, and making him 3-for-3 at the 26.2-mile distance.


Adware Frustrates Computer Users Chuck Harris remembers when the Internet was fun and he #39;d spend hours reading his favorite news sites, checking the church calendar, browsing the shops.


R. Clemens, P HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros can end their postseason struggles vs. the Atlanta Braves and reach the National League Championship Series for the first time since 1980 with a win at home Sunday.


Australia sets world short course record in 400 medley relay Australia set a world record in winning the 400-meter medley relay at the Short Course World Championships on Saturday night. Sophie Edington, Brooke Hanson, Jessica Schipper and Lisbeth Lenton won in 3 minutes


Prime minister begins planning fourth term after election win in <b>...</b> Prime Minister John Howard, fresh from winning an election mandate to keep Australian troops in Iraq as long as needed, accepted congratulations from President Bush and began planning his fourth term Sunday.


Philosopher of language dies Philosopher Jacques Derrida, founder of deconstructionism, has died aged 74 of pancreatic cancer. Deconstructionism is a kind of critical thinking or mode of analysis.


2 Chinese Engineers Abducted In Pakistan Islamabad, Oct. 10 (NNN): Two engineers have been abducted by armed persons in troubled South Waziristan Agency area of Pakistan. The Chinese engineers were going to the site of Gomal Zam Dam from their homes at Hathala.


Paper: Home Depot Shares Look Undervalued  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Home Depot Inc. HD.N, the  largest U.S. home improvement retailer, may extend gains amid  solid expected growth in sales of homes and home improvement  products, according to the latest edition of Barron's, the  weekly financial newspaper.


New Technology Helping Volcanologists VANCOUVER, Wash. Oct. 7, 2004 - Geologist David Johnston wouldn #39;t have died on Mount St. Helens today. New equipment developed since the 1980 eruption of the volcano has made it possible for volcanologists


Eleven Killed in Baghdad Bombings Car bombers struck twice in rapid succession in the Iraqi capital today, killing at least 11 people including an American soldier and wounding at least 16.


Colts Deactivate Pollard, Vanderjagt (AP) AP - Pro Bowl kicker Mike Vanderjagt and starting tight end Marcus Pollard were inactive for the Colts' game Sunday against Oakland.


Victory for Black in US court Hollinger International #39;s \$US1.25billion (\$1.7 billion) legal action alleging racketeering against former chief executive Conrad Black and businesses he controlled was dismissed by a US federal judge last Friday.


Legislators exploring ways to regulate space tourism While entrepreneurs explore how to put ordinary folks into space, federal officials are pondering how to regulate the emerging commercial space industry.


Gallacher Scores First European Tour Win Scotland #39;s Stephen Gallacher holds the trophy in front of the clubhouse whilst sitting on the Swilcan burn bridge after winning the Dunhill Links golf championship at St.


Venezuela pay price for daring to attack Venezuela #39;s 5-2 home defeat by Brazil in their World Cup qualifier has sent a clear message to any other teams who might be tempted to attack the world champions and play them as equals - don #39;t even think about it.


Davenport wins Porsche GP after injured Mauresmo quits Lindsay Davenport won the Porsche Grand Prix on Sunday when top-ranked Amelie Mauresmo quit after losing the first set because of an injured left thigh.


Activist Groups Hail Nobel Pick Human rights and environmental activists have hailed the award of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize to Wangari Maathai of Kenya as fitting recognition of the growing role of civil society


US Thanks for Bulgarian Troops Expertise The American defence minister has thanked Bulgaria for the work of its contingent in Iraq, and expressed appreciation of Bulgarian troops #39; professionalism.


Israel Pushes Gaza Offensive, Faces Vote on Pullout (Reuters) Reuters - An explosion killed a Palestinian in Gaza\Sunday, the 11th day of an Israeli offensive against militants\Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hopes will defuse internal\resistance to his plan for withdrawing from some occupied land.


Paper: Sirius Pricey Despite Howard Stern (Reuters) Reuters - Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.\ look pricey despite the company's new five-year,  #36;500\million pact with shock jock Howard Stern to air his program\starting in 2006, according to the latest edition of Barron's,\the weekly financial newspaper.


Detroit 'African Town' Plan Stirs Debate (AP) AP - Detroit has a Greektown section that tempts visitors with moussaka and baklava, and a Mexicantown neighborhood with Latin American groceries and restaurants. Now, politicians are pushing for a business district identified with the city's biggest minority group  #151; blacks.


Paper: Sirius Pricey Despite Howard Stern  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.  SIRI.O look pricey despite the company's new five-year, \$500  million pact with shock jock Howard Stern to air his program  starting in 2006, according to the latest edition of Barron's,  the weekly financial newspaper.


Bush plays on isolationist sentiment in tight White House race with Kerry (AFP) AFP - To assure his reelection on November 2, President George W. Bush appears unhesitant about playing the isolationist card, belittling Democratic challenger John Kerry's commitment to greater cooperation with US allies.


Opec  'ready with spare capacity' Oil ministers of Opec countries say they have the capacity to pump more oil after crude prices hit fresh highs last week.


Leaked figures 'show pension gap' Britons are saving 57bn too little for their retirement, according to figures leaked to a Sunday paper.


Observers approve Afghan election International observers say calls to annul  the Afghan presidential  poll on grounds of fraud are unjustified.


Corporate Tax Bill Clears Major Hurdle WASHINGTON - The Senate on Sunday removed the last major hurdle stalling passage of the most sweeping overhaul of corporate taxes in nearly two decades.    By a 66-14 vote, lawmakers agreed to end the delaying tactics used by opponents of the tax bill...


Opec  #39;ready with spare capacity #39; The oil ministers of Opec heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have pledged to maintain output after prices hit new peaks at the end of last week.


Paper: Sirius Pricey Despite Howard Stern Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI.O: Quote, Profile, Research) look pricey despite the company #39;s new five-year, \$500 million pact with shock jock Howard Stern to air his program


Snow Expects Arab Help Against Oil Prices Oil costing roughly \$53 a barrel is a major drag on the US economy, and Arab finance ministers have told the Bush administration they are committed to bringing the price down, Treasury Secretary John Snow said Sunday.


Henry Acknowledges Irish Threat France striker Thierry Henry believes the Republic of Ireland pose a real threat to his nations hopes of reaching the World Cup finals.


Colts deactivate Pollard, Vanderjagt Pro Bowl kicker Mike Vanderjagt and starting tight end Marcus Pollard were inactive for the Colts #39; game Sunday against Oakland.


Movement Seeks Copyright Alternatives (AP) AP - Getting rights OK'd can be frustrating for artists, be they authors seeking to quote an essay or documentary filmmakers who've got snippets of pop songs playing in the background of key scenes. Artists and scholars who believe the current copyright system unduly stifles creativity are pushing a less restrictive alternative that they call the Creative Commons.


4 killed in Lahore mosque bombing LAHORE: A bombing at a Shiite mosque here on Sunday killed at least four people and injured others, officials said. A witness said a man carrying a briefcase tried to enter the Husainia Hall mosque in the


Iran, Russia Nearing Nuclear Fuel Deal Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, left, listens to a question during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharrazi, right, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004.


Taiwan Urges China to Begin Peace Talks President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan, in a conciliatory gesture aimed at China's newly consolidated leadership, proposed a fresh start Sunday on long-suspended talks to improve relations and lower tension across the Taiwan Strait.


Proposed Trinidad Alcoa Plant Expanding The production capacity of Alcoa Inc.'s proposed aluminum plant in Trinidad is being expanded by 29 percent, the prime minister said.


UAE, Kuwait to hike oil production capacity THE UAE and Kuwait plan to increase oil production capacity by nearly 3,00,000 bpd and 2,00,000 bpd respectively in the short term in a bid to stabilise the market, which has been rocked by high oil prices touching \$53 per barrel prior to the week end.


US gets new cyber security chief The US has a new head of cyber security, amid concerns about the Bush administration #39;s commitment to protecting computer networks from attack.


Bill imposes prison time over  #39;spyware #39; The House on Thursday passed the second bill in three days that would outlaw  quot;spyware, quot; irritating software that quietly monitors the activities of Internet users.


After a pause, Schumacher wins again in Formula One Michael Schumacher asserted his authority in Formula One again Sunday with his 13th victory of the season but first since August. The seven-time world champion captured the Japanese Grand Prix, which was run


NFL Game Preview The struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be trying to avoid an 0-5 start in the Superdome this Sunday, when Jon Gruden #39;s team visits the New Orleans Saints in an NFC South duel.


Cal throws scare into USC Almost a special victory gt;  quot;It looked like (Makonnen) was held or bumped or something, quot; Rodgers said.  quot;I #39;m pretty frustrated. We dominated the game.


Flash Floods in Northeastern India Claim More Lives Rescuers in northeastern India have recovered at least 23 more bodies after flash floods, bringing the death toll from new rains in the state of Assam to at least 88.


Thousands Attend Funeral of Slain Islamic Cleric in Karachi In Pakistan, some 10,000 mourners have gathered in Karachi for the funeral services of one of two prominent Sunni Muslim clerics killed Saturday.


Innovation Needed Before Techs Can Grow (AP) AP - Jeffrey Saut doesn't need a minutely detailed analysis to get a read on the technology sector  #151; the chief investment strategist at Raymond James Financial Services can get an idea from just looking around his office. Raymond James isn't buying new technology, and neither are thousands of other companies  #151; because there's nothing that they're really motivated to buy.


Snow Predicts Oil Prices Set to Go Down (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow\predicted on Sunday skyrocketing oil prices were set to  go\down and said Middle Eastern finance ministers had responded\positively to his request to boost output quotas.


Russia against referring Iran nuclear dossier to UN Security Council (AFP) AFP - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow was opposed to seeing Iran referred to the UN Security Council over its nuclear program, warning such a step could be  quot;counter-productive quot;.


Retailers Aim to Excite Holiday Shoppers (AP) AP - With a weak back-to-school season behind them, the nation's retailers are focused on the holidays and what steps they need to take to get consumers excited about shopping again. That could mean some quick merchandise changes and more aggressive discounting than they originally planned.


U.N. Peacekeepers Hurt in Haiti Shootouts (AP) AP - Two U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in shootouts with supporters of Haiti's ousted president in the capital and storm survivors in flood-ravaged Gonaives, the first casualties of the 4-month-old U.N. mission, officials said Sunday.


Nigerian Strike Over Fuel Rates to Go On (AP) AP - The chief of Nigeria's main labor organization vowed that a four-day nationwide strike to protest fuel price hikes will go ahead Monday as planned, and accused President Olusegun Obasanjo of shunning dialogue to resolve union grievances.


Israeli Missile Hits Militants in Gaza Camp, 3 Hurt  GAZA (Reuters) - The Israeli air force struck Palestinian  militants as they planted a bomb intended for use against  Israeli troops in a Gaza Strip refugee camp Sunday, wounding  three of them, witnesses and military sources said.


Ethiopia Ally Wins Somali Presidency - Official  NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian-backed warlord Abdullahi  Yusuf was elected Somali president by lawmakers on Sunday,  officials said, in the 14th attempt in a decade to restore  government to the lawless African country.


Questions About Vote in Afghanistan Fade a Day Later Some candidates moderated their stance in light of a consensus proclaiming the election, while not problem-free, a success.


Cause Sought in Fatal Ark. Tour Bus Crash WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. - Relatives of more than a dozen travelers who were hurt when their tour bus drifted off a highway kept vigil Sunday at hospitals while investigators sought a cause for the crash that killed 15 people...


Woods in No Hurry After His Marriage Tiger Woods always said he had to win a major for it to be considered a great year, but he might have found an exception last week when he got married in Barbados.   "Offseason .....


House Passes Corporate-Tax Bill WASHINGTON -- The House last night passed a massive business-tax bill aimed at settling a trade dispute with the European Union and propping up domestic manufacturers.


Nintendo President Iwata Speaks October 07, 2004 - Nintendo began its NDS press conference in Japan yesterday with a lengthy statement from company head Satoru Iwata.


Second Spyware Bill Gets OK in House Both bills will likely need to be combined into one and then reconciled with similar bills that have originated in the Senate before they can start to make their way through both houses again.


Purdue jumps five spots to fifth Although quarterback Kyle Orton was less than perfect Saturday, he did enough to help Purdue defeat Penn State and climb five more spots to No.


Business as usual for NZ - Howard tells Clark Prime Minister Helen Clark has congratulated Australian Prime Minister John Howard on his fourth straight election victory, and in the process has drawn some not-so-subtle parallels with her own prospects heading into next year #39;s election.


Assam flash floods toll mounts to 70 GUWAHATI: Nine bodies were recovered in Assam #39;s Goalpara district on Sunday morning taking the death toll in the current flash floods in the state to 70, official sources said.


Simms suffers shoulder injury New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms left in the first quarter of Sunday #39;s game against New Orleans with a left shoulder injury.


Group Frees 10 Turks After Company Quits Iraq -TV Iraqi kidnappers have released 10 Turkish hostages they had held for over a month after their Turkish employer said it would leave Iraq, Al Jazeera television said on Sunday.


Ethiopia Ally Elected Somali President  NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian-backed warlord Abdullahi  Yusuf was elected Somali president by lawmakers on Sunday in  the 14th attempt in a decade to restore government to the  lawless African country.


Yugansk Licenses Safe for 3 Months The Natural Resources Ministry on Friday gave Yukos a three-month stay of execution. The company has three months to rectify tax payments at its core production unit, Yuganskneftegaz, or face losing key production licenses.


Woods in No Hurry After His Marriage (AP) AP - Tiger Woods always said he had to win a major for it to be considered a great year, but he might have found an exception last week when he got married in Barbados.


Defense Comes Up Big for No. 5 Purdue (AP) AP - Kyle Orton passed for 275 yards, and Taylor Stubblefield set a Big Ten record for receptions. But this time, it was the defense that kept Purdue undefeated.


Wire Out for Bills; Jets' Strait Sidelined (AP) AP - Bills strong safety Coy Wire and Jets reserve cornerback Derrick Strait were inactive for their game Sunday because of injury.


Oblak Delighted With Slovenias Win Slovenia coach Brane Oblak said he was delighted with the sensational victory of his team against Italy in Saturday #39;s World Cup Group Five qualifier in Celje.


Kenyan Activist Wins Nobel NAIROBI, Kenya -- Staff and directors of the Green Belt Movement founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai danced Saturday to traditional songs to celebrate her win, as Maathai struggled to come to terms with the award.


Taiwan #39;s President calls for peace talks with China In a careful and conciliatory move, Taiwan #39;s President Chen Shui-bian called for wide-ranging peace talks with China in a bid to adopt a system to prevent an outbreak of war in the Taiwan Strait.


Scot Gallacher Wins Maiden European Tour Title  ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - Stephen Gallacher beat  fellow-Briton Graeme McDowell in a sudden-death playoff for the  Dunhill Links Championship title Sunday, his maiden European  Tour victory.


Venezuela Boosts Taxes on Orinoco Deals  CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela on Sunday ordered  foreign oil firms operating in its huge Orinoco heavy crude  belt to pay much higher taxes in what President Hugo Chavez  called a drive to tighten sovereign control over petroleum  resources.


Report: Forstmann to Quit in 2006  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Theodore Forstmann, a pioneer in the  leveraged buyout frenzy of the 1980s and 1990s, plans to leave  the business in 2006, the New York Times said on Sunday.


U.N. Peacekeepers Hurt in Haiti Shootouts Two U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in shootouts with supporters of Haiti's ousted president in the capital and storm survivors in flood-ravaged Gonaives, the first casualties of the 4-month-old U.N. mission, officials said Sunday.


Australia crush India despite late resistance BANGALORE: Australia have crushed India by 217 runs in the first cricket test to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Australia dismissed India for 239 in their second innings 40 minutes after lunch, having


Ex-Army Officer Elected Somalian President Somali presidential candidate Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed, left, stands next to an unidentified election official, just after he had taken an oath on the Quran to abide by the election results, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004


Stricken Canadian submarine arrives in Scotland, five days after <b>...</b> FASLANE, Scotland (CP) - The stricken Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi finally arrived safely to port Sunday, its weary crew heralded as heroes by a British commander five days after a devastating fire killed one of their crewmates and left their vessel


Four dead in blast at Shiite mosque as sectarian violence spikes <b>...</b> A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque Sunday in this eastern city killed four people, including two security guards who lost their lives confronting the attacker and preventing a far greater number of deaths.


Monday Night a Crucial Game for Both Teams (AP) AP - The Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans insist Monday night's matchup between desperate, disappointing 1-3 teams has lost none of its luster.


Michigan Led by Fab Two: Henne and Hart (AP) AP - The Michigan Wolverines knew they would have to replace quarterback John Navarre and running back Chris Perry this season. They had no idea two freshmen, Chad Henne and Michael Hart, would be doing it.


Beckham May Miss 6 Weeks With Cracked Rib David Beckham could be sidelined up to six weeks after cracking a rib during England's 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Wales in which he scored a goal and drew a suspension for the next game.


Retailers Aim to Excite Holiday Shoppers With a weak back-to-school season behind them, the nation #39;s retailers are focused on the holidays and what steps they need to take to get consumers excited about shopping again.


Warne gets Gilchrist #39;s backing Australia #39;s caretaker captain Adam Gilchrist sprang to Shane Warne #39;s defence on Sunday after the leg-spinner fell agonisingly short of becoming #39;s Test cricket #39;s leading bowler.


Rutto Wins 2nd Straight Chicago Marathon A sea of runners race through Millenium Park in downtown during Chicago the annual Chicago Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh).


Bombing claims 4 at Pak mosque LAHORE, Oct. 10 - A bombing at a Shiite mosque in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday killed at least four people and injured four, officials said.


OSCE Dismisses Calls For New Afghan Vote 10 October 2004 -- (NCA) -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said today that Afghan candidates #39; demands to nullify yesterday #39;s presidential election and hold a re-vote are not justified.


India lose first Test by 217 runs Despite some defiant batting by tail-enders Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan, the Aussies proved too good for the Indians and bundled them for 239.


French firms sign big deals with China but lament the ones that got away (AFP) AFP - French companies and farmers have reeled in deals reportedly worth up to five billion euros (dollars) in China during a state visit to the country by President Jacques Chirac, but executives were said to be disappointed that bigger business was not won.


Apparel Retailers Tune in to Latin Beat (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. retailers are spicing up their\fashion lines with a bit of Latin flavor to attract a\long-neglected but increasingly important group of consumers --\Hispanics.


Pakistan's Musharraf says bin Laden alive, but hide-out unknown (AFP) AFP - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he believed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was alive but that he was unsure where he was hiding.


Apparel Retailers Tune in to Latin Beat  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. retailers are spicing up their  fashion lines with a bit of Latin flavor to attract a  long-neglected but increasingly important group of consumers --  Hispanics.


Israel air strikes hit Gaza camp One Palestinian is killed and three were injured in Israeli strikes on the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza, witnesses say.


Bush and Kerry Campaigns Harden Iraq Stances on Talk Shows Both sides hardened their rhetoric today on a central issue, Iraq, and exchanged sharp attacks on the domestic questions.


Venezuela Boosts Taxes on Orinoco Deals

 By Pascal Fletcher

 CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela on Sunday orderedforeign oil firms operating in its huge Orinoco heavy crudebelt to pay much higher taxes in what President Hugo Chavezcalled a drive to tighten sovereign control over petroleumresources.


Kuwait crude cooler : Kuwait, the major Gulf oil producer, will back a hike of 1 million barrels per day in Opecs output ceiling if crude prices remain at record levels, a move that would bring


Martha Stewart  #39;cordial #39; with jailmates: report NEW YORK, Oct 10 (AFP) - US style guru Martha Stewart was friendly with inmates on her first night in jail and appeared in  quot;good spirits quot; as she began serving a five-month prison sentence in West Virginia, US media reported Sunday.


High oil prices create  #39;headwinds #39; for US economy: treasury <b>...</b> WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (AFP) - Record-high oil prices are a drag on the US economy, Treasury Secretary John Snow said Sunday, but predicted that prices would ease because current levels were out of line with market fundamentals.


Earning the People #39;s Trust A few days ago I made a 24-hour visit to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, as part of a group of Russian journalists at the invitation of the Georgian government and President Mikheil Saakashvili.


Venezuela Boosts Taxes on Orinoco Deals Venezuela on Sunday ordered foreign oil firms operating in its huge Orinoco heavy crude belt to pay much higher taxes in what President Hugo Chavez called


Google SMS is good for the Company and the Users I have tested Google search on WAP and it works fine. But considering Google has around 4.2 Billion pages (as per their homepage), finding information on a mobile phone is not fun.


Three Iraq Car Bombs Kill At Least 20 People The most severe attack happened near the Oil Ministry building and a nearby police academy, killing 17 people. Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad said most of the casualties were passersby, including seven women.


Patriots Get Record Win The New England Patriots set an NFL record for consecutive wins, with plenty of help from the winless Miami Dolphins, in a 24-10 victory.


Study: Few Americans Buy Drugs Online (AP) AP - Only 4 percent of Americans have ever used the Internet to buy prescription drugs  #151; and even fewer do so through foreign pharmacies  #151; despite Web sites maintained by a handful of states to help citizens import medicines more cheaply from Canada, a new study finds.


Few Americans Buy Medicines Online, Study Finds (Reuters) Reuters - Few American adults have bought\prescription drugs via the Internet, despite rising drug costs\and increased pressure to import cheaper drugs from abroad,\according to a new study released on Sunday.


Notes: Garner not looking ahead You have to hand it to the Houston Astros -- the starting rotation they #39;ve used in the first round of the playoffs has been not only effective, but interesting, too.


Video of execution of British hostage appears on Internet A video showing British hostage in Iraq, Kenneth Bigley, being beheaded has appeared on the Internet. The news comes amid reports that the engineer made a brief escape, possibly with the help of British intelligence services.


Aussie, UK Scientists Claim Pest Control Breakthrough (Reuters) Reuters - Australian and British scientists have\achieved a technical breakthrough to help control insects that\have developed resistance to common agricultural pesticides,\the New South Wales state government said on Thursday.


Venezuela Hikes Taxes on Foreign Companies Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that taxes on foreign companies extracting heavy crudes from Venezuelan soil would be raised to 16.


State Vioxx users line up to sue over heart ailments Scores of Michigan residents are clamoring to file lawsuits against drug giant Merck  amp; Co. since its arthritis drug Vioxx was found to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.


Loonie trades above 80 cents US for the first time in more than a <b>...</b> OTTAWA (CP) - The Canadian dollar on Friday eclipsed the 80-cent US mark for the first time in more than a decade, as a jump in job-creation last month pushed unemployment down to the lowest rate in three years and built the case for the Bank of Canada to


October retail sales predicted to show strength A Merrill Lynch report out Friday is optimistic about stronger retail sales in October compared to a weak September. The report also singles out as a strong performer Kohl #39;s Department Stores, which entered


National League Playoff Game Summary - Atlanta at Houston Houston, TX (Sports Network) - JD Drew singled home Rafael Furcal with the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth and John Smoltz pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the inning, as the Atlanta Braves forced a decisive fifth game of the National League


Gilchrist leaps to Warne #39;s defence Australia #39;s caretaker captain Adam Gilchrist has sprung to the defence of Shane Warne after the leg-spinner fell agonisingly short of becoming Test cricket #39;s leading bowler.


Family Tragedy for Yankees Pitcher (New York-WABC, October 10, 2004) - The euphoria of Saturday night #39;s win was quickly overshadowed Sunday, when two relatives of Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera died in a swimming pool accident Saturday night at his home in Panama.


Gallacher clinches dunhill title Stephen Gallacher clinched his first win on the European Tour after eding out Graeme McDowell on the first play-off hole in the dunhill links Championship.


Barber leads Giants over Cowboys Irving, TX (Sports Network) - Tiki Barber ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and the New York Giants scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to post a 26-10 victory over Dallas in a showdown between NFC East rivals at Texas Stadium.


Colts 35, Raiders 14 The combination of Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James was too powerful for the Oakland Raiders. Manning completed 16 of 26 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns, while James ran for 136 yards and a score


Flash floods kill 100 in India More than 100 people have died in flash floods in the north-east Indian state of Assan. Officials say the worst affected area is the western district of Goalpara, where more than 80 villagers are still missing.


Gas Hits 4-Month High of  #36;1.99/gallon (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. average retail gasoline prices\are again approaching  #36;2 a gallon, reaching a four-month high\amid record high crude oil prices and the effects of Hurricane\Ivan, a leading industry analyst said on Sunday.


Mexican Migrants Launch Relay to NYC (AP) AP - Mexican migrants launched a two-month relay Sunday from Mexico's capital to New York, calling on lawmakers to grant them the right to cast absentee ballots in 2006 presidential elections and organizing undocumented workers along the way.


Gas Hits 4-Month High of \$1.99/gallon  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. average retail gasoline prices  are again approaching \$2 a gallon, reaching a four-month high  amid record high crude oil prices and the effects of Hurricane  Ivan, a leading industry analyst said on Sunday.


New Backup Voting System May Pose Problems WASHINGTON - Call it the law of unintended consequences. A new national backup system meant to ensure that millions of eligible voters are not mistakenly turned away from the polls this year, as happened in 2000, could wind up causing Election Day problems as infamous as Florida's hanging chads...


Gallacher scores first European Tour AP - Stephen Gallacher has beaten Graeme McDowell with a birdie on the first play-off hole at the Dunhill Links Championship to score his first European Tour victory.


Yankees closer expected to play in ALCS Mariano Rivera #39;s celebration of the Yankees #39; Division Series win was muted on Saturday night, as the closer learned after the game of an accident at his home in Panama.


New Orleans Saints NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- It was supposed to be Chris Simms - not Brian Griese - to stop the bleeding in Tampa Bay. In relief duty of Simms, who was injured in the first quarter of his first NFL start, Griese


Israel air strikes hit Gaza camp A Palestinian man has been killed and six others have been injured in the latest violence in the Gaza Strip. The man - a schoolteacher - died on his way to work after an Israeli missile blew apart a home in the Jabaliya camp, Palestinian witnesses said.


French firms sign big deals with China but lament the ones that <b>...</b> PARIS : French companies and farmers have reeled in deals reportedly worth up to five billion euros (dollars) in China during a state visit to the country by President Jacques Chirac, but executives were said to be disappointed that bigger business was


Al-Jazeera TV station says Iraqi kidnappers claim to have released <b>...</b> An Arab TV station said Sunday it received a statement from Iraqi militants saying they had freed 10 Turkish hostages. An anchor on Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV, citing  #39; #39;special sources, #39; #39; said


Kuwait to Back Quota Hike if Price High Major Gulf producer Kuwait will back a hike of 1 million barrels per day in OPEC #39;s output ceiling if oil prices stay at record levels, a move that


Snow Predicts Oil Prices Set to Go Down US Treasury Secretary John Snow predicted on Sunday skyrocketing oil prices were set to go down and said Middle Eastern finance ministers had responded positively to his request to boost output quotas.


could worsen, study finds WASHINGTON - The US West, already suffering from a long drought, could be in for worse if past patterns hold up, experts said in the latest issue of the journal Science.


Brazil fans invade pitch KAKA and Ronaldo hit two goals each as Brazil held their lead in the South America World Cup qualifiers after a comfortable win at Venezuela during a match twice interrupted by fans running onto the pitch.


Iraqi militants say they freed Turkish hostages An Arab TV station said Sunday it received a statement from Iraqi militants saying they had freed 10 Turkish hostages. An anchor on Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV, citing  quot;special sources, quot; said


Libya Arrests 17 Alleged al-Qaida Members (AP) AP - Police have arrested 17 non-Libyans suspected of being al-Qaida members who entered this North African country illegally, the interior minister said Sunday.


Bush, Kerry Camps Battle Over War on Terror (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush and Democrat\John Kerry battled over who can best make the United States\safer on Sunday, the Bush camp accusing Kerry of wanting to\treat terrorists like gamblers and the Kerry side saying his\Republican opponent was soft on homeland security.


Giants Match 2004 Win Total Tiki Barber ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and Steve Christie kicked four field goals, leading the Giants past the Dallas Cowboys for their fourth victory.


Update 2: Poles Line Up for Shares in Bank Poles signed waiting lists Sunday for a chance to buy shares in their largest bank, using a signup system from communist times to impose order on the crush of interested investors.


Streaking Giants Lasso Cowboys 26-10 (AP) AP - The New York Giants sure are going to enjoy their bye week. After all, five games into the season they've already matched last year's win total.


Braves force fifth game CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Houston Astros blew a 5-2 lead to lose for the first time at home in 20 games, a crucial defeat that forced a fifth game finale in Atlanta on Monday.


Davenport closes on top spot American Lindsay Davenport is another step closer to taking the world number one ranking from France #39;s Amelie Mauresmo, after Mauresmo retired hurt in their final at the Filderstadt Grand Prix in Germany.


Carroll leads Aussie charge in USA Lara Carroll has qualified fastest for the final of the women #39;s 200m individual medley at the World Short Course Championships in Indianapolis.


Patriots Get NFL-Record 19th Straight Win: NFL Week 5 (Update1) Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes to help the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 24-10 for their 19th consecutive victory, a National Football League record.


Braves Beat Astros 6-5 to Set Up Atlanta Finale  HOUSTON (Reuters) - Adam LaRoche crushed a game-tying  three-run homer and J.D. Drew slapped a ninth-inning RBI single  to give the Braves a 6-5 comeback victory over the Houston  Astros on Sunday.


Atlanta Forces Game 5 The Braves prevailed, 6-5, after coming back from a three-run deficit against the Houston Astros after Roger Clemens came out of the game.


Sudan wants non-Western states on expanded UN Security Council (AFP) AFP - The Sudanese government declared its support for proposed reforms to the UN Security Council but said an expanded body should include nations from Africa and Latin America rather than more Western states.


Death Toll in South Asia Floods Hits 177 (AP) AP - Rescuers searching through knee-deep water found 33 more bodies in India's remote northeastern state of Assam on Sunday, bringing the death toll from unseasonably heavy rains in South Asia to 177.


NFL: Tampa Bay 20, New Orleans 17 Brian Griese replaced injured rookie Chris Simms Sunday and threw for 194 yards and a touchdown as Tampa Bay fought off New Orleans, 20-17.


Vikings Sack Texans 34-28 in Overtime (AP) AP - The upstart Houston Texans proved they're never out of any game. The Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Daunte Culpepper showed them what it takes to close one out.


Key oil producers vow to expand production ABU DHABI Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates vowed Sunday to go on expanding their production capacity to deflate record oil prices of above \$53 a barrel, and Saudi Arabia, the biggest exporter, said it could bring on 1.5 million barrels a


Buying back T-Online Deutsche Telekom, the largest European phone company, has offered to buy out investors in T-Online International, its Internet division, for about E3 billion, aiming to revive growth at its fixed-line business.


Crippled Canadian submarine was sea-worthy: skipper (AFP) AFP - The captain of the crippled Canadian submarine Chicoutimi, back in a Scottish port after a fatal onboard fire, said the boat was ready to go to sea when it left harbour eight days ago.


Libyan police arrest 17 alleged al-Qaida members - all foreigners (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - Police have arrested 17 non-Libyans suspected of being al-Qaida members who entered this North African country illegally, the interior minister said Sunday.


Gallacher #39;s wedge shot wraps up  #39;dream #39; title A famous name once more adorns a European Tour trophy after Stephen Gallacher won the Dunhill Links Championship yesterday at St Andrews.


Novak triumphs in Japan Open Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic rallied to beat the American Taylor Dent, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3, on Sunday to win the Japan Open men #39;s final in Tokyo.


Win gives tourists bigger edge Victories in India are precious and to win so emphatically in the opening match of a series of such importance will further buoy an already buoyant Australian team.


USC, Oklahoma in driver #39;s seat After the dust finally settled on Showdown Saturday, the guys flashing the badges were still riding high in their saddles. Worthy contenders took aim at the authority of USC and Oklahoma, but


Pats set NFL record with 19th straight win Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Tom Brady threw for a pair of scores and Corey Dillon ran for 94 yards, as the New England Patriots set an NFL record with their 19th consecutive victory in a 24-10 triumph over the winless Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium


Simms suffers shoulder injury; Griese leads Bucs to win New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms left in the first quarter of Sunday #39;s win against New Orleans with a left shoulder injury.


China Offers Rewards for Reporting Porn (AP) AP - China's police ministry on Sunday handed out rewards of up to  #36;240 to people who reported pornographic Web sites in a campaign to stamp out online smut, the government said.


Martin treads hostile political ground to pay tribute to lost sailor (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - It takes grace, empathy and tact to stand as a country's symbolic pall bearer. National leaders must walk a fine line in times of tragedy, a balance that was especially delicate for Paul Martin here Sunday.


In orbit for profit LONDON - A new space race has begun and this time it has nothing to do with planting flags on the moon - it is all about money. The announcement last month by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson that he was investing


Cingular #39;s Quiet Takeover although they wouldn #39;t know it from watching the company #39;s commercials or shopping in its stores. The cell phone provider is expected


Confidence sags in service sector Services firms are worried that they are vulnerable to a weakening economy, a CBI report warns.


MLB: Atlanta 6, Houston 5 JD Drew extended Atlanta #39;s season Sunday by driving in the go-ahead run in the ninth as the Braves rallied to down Houston, 6-5.


Schumi back to winning at Japanese GP After three races without a win, the world champion cruised to his 13th victory of the season and a record of 146 championship points for the season yesterday.


Real Want Beckham Back in Training Real Madrid believe David Beckham will be able to take part in a gym session on Wednesday despite the England captain suffering a hairline rib fracture in Saturdays 2-0 defeat of Wales.


Culpepper #39;s fifth TD pass lassos Texans in OT Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Daunte Culpepper #39;s fifth touchdown pass of the game -- a 50-yard strike to Marcus Robinson in overtime -- lifted the Minnesota Vikings to a 34-28 win over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium.


No. 2 Oklahoma uses Texas game to show improvement Texas coach Mack Brown thinks this Oklahoma squad might just be better than the one that dominated his team a year ago. The reason wasn #39;t the score -- the second-ranked Sooners beat the Longhorns 12-0 on Saturday


Car-bomb attacks in Baghdad kill 17 BAGHDAD - Two suicide car-bombings killed at least 17 people in Baghdad yesterday as US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld began an unannounced visit to Iraq.


France-China deals awaken Europeans PARIS President Jacques Chirac of France will return from a lavish five-day state visit to China on Tuesday with industrial orders worth more than \$4 billion, a success that is not going unnoticed in neighboring European countries and may intensify


Sihanouk wants dancer son to be next king PHNOM PENH - Cambodia #39;s retired king yesterday for the first time publicly backed his 51-year-old son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, to take over the throne he relinquished last week.


NFL Wrap: Patriots Win Record 19th Straight  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tom Brady threw a pair of touchdown  passes as the New England Patriots set a National Football  League record for consecutive wins by downing the winless Miami  Dolphins 24-10 in Foxboro on Sunday.


Thick skin helps Republican volunteer campaigner in Spain (AFP) AFP - When jewellery designer Cynthia Dillon offered to help galvanize Republican support among Europe-based US voters, she didn't have to wait long to realize her key weapon on the stump in Spain was a skin as thick as her party's elephant symbol.


Canada congratulates Afghanistan on elections (AFP) AFP - Canada's government offered its congratulations to Afghanistan following landmark presidential elections there this weekend.


Kerry courts Florida voters as Bush prepares for upcoming debate (AFP) AFP - Democratic hopeful John Kerry joined singing worshippers at a largely black Baptist church here seeking their support, while his rival, President George W. Bush, prepared at his Texas ranch for their upcoming debate on domestic issues.


August Machine Tool Demand Up Sharply  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. machine tool demand in August  rose sharply from a year earlier as manufacturers ratcheted-up  purchases amid signs the economy is improving, two industry  trade groups said in a report released on Sunday.


The Vioxx warning FOR FOUR years, researchers have been pointing to disturbing signs that the popular painkilling drug Vioxx causes heart attacks and strokes with long-term use.


Schumacher home and dry Like the death of Mark Twain, the demise of the Japanese Grand Prix proved greatly exaggerated. Typhoon Ma-On, due to lay waste to Suzuka mid-afternoon on Saturday, re-routed east to Tokyo, leaving the circuit untouched.


IRAQ VIOLENCE TO SOAR:RUMSFELD On a surprise visit to Iraq US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, has predicted violence will increase ahead of January #39;s elections as rebel attacks killed 11 people including a US soldier.


Pakistan is opposed to UNSC expansion, says Musharraf ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday that Pakistan would not contribute to expanding the UN Security Council. We feel that increasing the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council


Braves Beat Astros 6-5, Set Up Atlanta Finale Adam LaRoche crushed a game-tying three-run homer and JD Drew slapped a ninth-inning RBI single to give the Braves a 6-5 comeback victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.


Wayward Warne delays Australia Australia took the spoils but India took the credit on the last day of the Bangalore Test. Adam Gilchrist #39;s side took a step back in the final hour of play on the fourth evening and thereafter played poor cricket.


Giants already match win total from last season The New York Giants aren #39;t just winning. They #39;re doing the kind of things winning teams do. Like making a stand on fourth-and-1 deep in their own territory, then again at midfield in the fourth quarter.


Rumsfeld Says U.S. Faces Test of Wills in Iraq  ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld,  calling the Iraq war a test of wills with insurgents, told  Iraqi security forces on Sunday protecting their nation's  sovereignty was their duty.


Airbus, Boeing in subsidies battle Late in August, Boeing #39;s top sales execs flew to Singapore for a crucial sales pitch. They were close to persuading Singapore Airlines, one of the world #39;s leading airlines, to buy the American company #39;s new jet, the mid-sized 7E7.


Drier Times Ahead in the West? The five-year drought parching much of the western United States could continue for years and may be just the beginning of a long era of drier times due to global warming, a new study suggests.


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


Fiedler injured in another Miami loss Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler suffered a rib injury during the closing moments of Sunday #39;s 24-10 loss to the New England Patriots.


Chaos Reigns in Ukraine Presidential Race (AP) AP - The apparent front-runner was out of action for weeks with a mysterious illness. His close rival was hospitalized after an attack and was then warned he could be assassinated. With Ukraine's presidential election three weeks away, democracy seems to have gone badly awry as chaos and suspicion overshadow campaign issues in this strategically important country that sways between the West and Russia.


Colo. Senate Candidates Clash Over Terror (AP) AP - The candidates for Colorado's tightly contested open Senate seat  #151; beer heir Peter Coors and state Attorney General Ken Salazar  #151; clashed Sunday over whether Osama bin Laden deserves the death penalty and the legal age for drinking.


Nigeria fuel strike 'to go ahead' Nigeria's union boss vows to go ahead with a four-day strike from Monday against fuel prices rises.


Late Field Goal Keeps Jets Perfect Doug Brien kicked a 38-yard field goal with 58 seconds remaining to lift the Jets to a victory and move them to 4-0 for the second time in franchise history.


Undefeated Jets Thwart Bills on Late Kick (AP) AP - Doug Brien kept the New York Jets perfect. Brien kicked a 38-yard field goal with 58 seconds remaining to lift the Jets to a 16-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, moving the Jets to 4-0 for the second time in franchise history.


Siebel introduces Chapter 2 Siebel unveiled  quot;Chapter 2 quot; of its CRM strategy this week in an effort to revitalise its sagging fortunes. Siebel has seen declining revenue and fierce competition from high-end rivals such as SAP, as well as from smaller companies such as Salesforce.


Chargers Pass by Jaguars 34-21 (AP) AP - The San Diego Chargers looked sharp  #151; and played the same way. Wearing their powder-blue throwback jerseys and white helmets from the 1960s, the Chargers did almost everything right in beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-21 on Sunday.


Gallacher clinches dunhill title Stephen Gallacher clinched his first win on the European Tour after edging out Graeme McDowell on the first play-off hole in the dunhill links Championship.


Red Sox, Yankees Get Wanted Matchup (AP) AP - From the instant Aaron Boone's home run cleared the left-field wall last October, the Yankees and Red Sox have been building to this.


#39;Cheated #39; on the home front AS Coalition strategists enjoyed a cold beer and the warm glow of a fourth term on Saturday night, the  quot;spin quot; over the election result had already begun -- it was about more than just interest rates.


Suspect in Srebrenica massacre arrested One of the most feared members of the Bosnian-Serb army, who was accused of decapitating between 80 and 100 Muslims in 1995 and of carrying out the


Turkish hostages freed, firm says Iraqi militants have freed 10 employees of a Turkish construction company taken captive in Iraq in last month, the company #39;s general manager says.


Eton denies Prince Harry was  #39;helped #39; Eton College and Clarence House joined forces yesterday to deny allegations due to be made at an employment tribunal today by a former art teacher that she improperly helped Prince Harry secure an A-level pass in art two years ago.


Australian Stolz Hits Title Jackpot in Las Vegas  LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Reuters) - Australian Andre Stolz, way  down in 217th place on the PGA Tour money list at the start of  the tournament, scored a surprise victory at the \$4 million Las  Vegas Invitational on Sunday.


Procter   Gamble Makes On-Demand Ad (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. television viewers have begun to\prize the on-demand services that let them choose the programs\they want, when they want them, but will they do the same for\advertising?


Procter   Gamble Makes On-Demand Ad  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. television viewers have begun to  prize the on-demand services that let them choose the programs  they want, when they want them, but will they do the same for  advertising?


Proposed Trinidad Alcoa Plant Expanding The production capacity of Alcoa Inc. #39;s proposed aluminum plant in Trinidad is being expanded by 29 percent, the prime minister said.


Deutsche Telekom to Buy Out T-Online for \$3.6 Billion (Update2) Deutsche Telekom AG, Europe #39;s largest phone company, plans to buy out investors in its T-Online Internet division in a transaction worth about 2.9 billion euros (\$3.


Nintendo says 12 DS games to debut in Japan TOKYO - Nintendo says it will make available 12 software titles for its new  quot;DS quot; handheld game console when the dual-screen machine debuts in Japan on Dec. 2. Nintendo is gearing up to defend its market share


Red Sox and Yankees, the matchup they wanted From the instant Aaron Boone #39;s home run cleared the left-field wall last October, the Yankees and Red Sox have been building to this.


WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Republic of Ireland reaction:  #39;good defending, good organisation and good understanding #39;- in fact a pretty good day, all round!


Gallacher beats McDowell in playoff for first European Tour win Stephen Gallacher beat Graeme McDowell with a birdie on the first playoff hole at the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday to score his first European Tour victory.


Maathais Indian connection... New Delhi, Oct. 10. - Her association with India is nearly two decades old. She is someone who had inspired environmentalists here to think big.


Business deals a highlight of Chirac #39;s Beijing trip BEIJING - Business opportunities in one of the world #39;s fastest-growing economies dominated the agenda yesterday as French President Jacques Chirac met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and top legislator Wu Bangguo - the No.


Nebraska Tries to Forget 70-10 Flogging (AP) AP - One day after the most lopsided loss in the 115 years of Nebraska football, the coaching staff told the Cornhuskers to forget about it.


Guinea-Bissau Standoff Ends as Soldiers Sign Deal  BISSAU (Reuters) - Soldiers who staged a mutiny last week  in Guinea-Bissau agreed on Sunday to return to their barracks  after striking a deal with the government to end a five-day  standoff in the West African country.


UAE Oil Minister Says OPEC Working to Keep Prices in Check Currently, the UAE is  quot;producing almost our full capacity quot; of 2.5 million bpd, Oil Minister Obeid bin Saif al-Nassiri said, commenting on measures to ease the surge in world oil prices.


Fisher  amp; Paykel buys US manufacturer Fisher  amp; Paykel Appliance Holdings Ltd announced the acquisition of US manufacturer Dynamic Cooking Systems Inc (DCS) for a total of \$NZ83.


Vector Agrees to Pay NZ\$877 Million for 66 of NGC (Update2) Vector Ltd., New Zealand #39;s largest electricity distributor, agreed to pay NZ\$877 million (\$601 million) for Australian Gas Light Co.


Deutsche Tele offers 3 bn to buy back T-Online BONN: Deutsche Telekom is bidding 2.9 bn for the 26 it does not own in T-Online International, pulling the internet service back into the fold four years after selling stock to the public.


Thoughts on free speech  quot;Our system is based on freedom of speech, quot; said Nathan Melton of Spanish Fork. Whether people agree with someone #39;s opinions or not, each person has the right to be heard.


Posco Profit Probably Rose for Ninth Quarter, Helping Expansion Posco, South Korea #39;s biggest steelmaker, is likely to report its ninth consecutive quarter of profit growth, helping fund expansion in China, India and Brazil as the company tries to diversify sales and secure raw materials.


Advice on paying off debt and playing with oil prices Q: I need some advice on paying off debt. I am a 52-year-old engineer who was laid off last fall. I have been unable to find another engineering position.


Tech companies push IT management via Web services Microsoft and Sun Microsystems on Friday published a specification to leverage Web services for managing a broad range of IT systems including PCs and devices on a network.


By any means necessary FOXBORO, Mass. -- For more than a year #39;s worth of NFL Sundays, they #39;ve won games as ugly as a bloody nose or as pretty as Tom Brady #39;s cover-boy looks.


Sports: Broncos 20 Panthers 17 DENVER Denver #39;s long line of stellar running backs continues. Backup Reuben Droughns (drohns), filling in for injured Quentin Griffin, ran for 193 yards on 30 carries as the Broncos held off Carolina 20-to-17.


Cosgrove wants Huskers to put loss behind them One day after the most lopsided loss in the 115 years of Nebraska football, the coaching staff told the Cornhuskers to forget about it.


Chirac happy France making most of opportunities in China PARIS, Oct 10 (AFP) - President Jacques Chirac said Sunday that a state visit he was currently making to China was yielding good opportunities for French companies and rejected fears that outsourcing or technology transfers might pose long-term


Delhomme at head of QB Class of  #39;97 CHARLOTTE -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme only remembers one thing about the 1997 draft -- that he wasn #39;t going to be in it.


Gallacher hits big time with perfect timing Stephen Gallacher, at the age of 29 an unconsidered and probably under-rated Scot, leaped from relative obscurity to overnight fame yesterday when he won the Dunhill Links Championship, not just in his native Scotland but here at the home of golf.


Braves Beat Astros 6-5 to Force Fifth Game HOUSTON - John Smoltz, Adam LaRoche and J.D. Drew saved the Atlanta Braves from another quick playoff exit...


AMICUS CALLS ON ADAIR TURNER TO RECOMMEND COMPULSORY PENSION <b>...</b> Amicus Britain #39;s largest private sector union is urging the Government #39;s Pensions Commission headed by Adair Turner to recommend compulsory contributions from employers into staff pension funds.


AGL retreat from NZ energy market The Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) today announced its was ending its 12 year long involvement in the New Zealand energy sector with the \$750 miillion sale of its 66.


Georgian government to announce tax amnesty TBILISI, October 8 (Itar-Tass) -- The Georgian government will announce a tax amnesty. The bill drafted by several ministries and departments bans audit of businessmens tax debts amassed before January


2 captors received  #39;big bribe #39; to help Bigley flee LONDON - Two of slain British hostage Kenneth Bigley #39;s captors accepted a large sum of money to help him escape, The Sunday Times reported yesterday.


Freeze! Drop the Song! File-Swappers Targeted  quot;Our jails are overcrowded, the police are overworked, and we #39;re going to have to make room in the prisons for teenage file-sharers?


#39;Must-win #39; nothing new for Astros com. Win Monday, and the team advances to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Lose, and players will suffer through more of those annoying questions about playoff futility.


Vick looks sick -- in a bad way -- vs. motivated Lions D ATLANTA -- They choked on their eggs. Got heartburn from the orange juice. And don #39;t even ask about the sausage. Breakfast was a tough go Sunday for the Detroit Lions defensive players, but it had nothing to do with the food.


Pakistan #39;s Musharraf says bin Laden alive, but hide-out unknown ISLAMABAD : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he believed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was alive but that he was unsure where he was hiding.


Cambodia king urges nation to find successor King Norodom Sihanouk has urged Cambodians to choose a new king and avoid  quot;any chaos quot; in the impoverished country still struggling to recover from its Khmer Rouge past.


Copyright Bill Dies in Senate as Others Advance A bill that would make it easier to sue online file-trading networks like Kazaa appeared on Friday to have died a quiet death, but other copyright bills sought by the entertainment industry continued to advance.


Homeowners can click to check flood risk LONDON - People in England and Wales can now discover at the click of a mouse whether they are living in areas liable to flooding, the Environment Agency says.


Andre Stolz holds on to win first title at Las Vegas tournament Andre Stolz wondered what his caddie was doing when he took the flag out of the 18th hole and began carrying it off the green. Turns out his caddie was better with numbers than he was.


Broncos 20, Panthers 17 Rumblin #39;, bumblin #39;, stumblin #39;, Julius Peppers looked up and saw nothing but 104 yards of Mile High air between himself and the end zone.


49ers Nudge Cardinals 31-28 in Overtime (AP) AP - Tim Rattay might be a worthy successor to the 49ers' great quarterbacks after all. He just needed the proper motivation  #151; and the right opponent.


Symonds philosophical after tough race in Japan Engineering director Pat Symonds was philosophical after a disappointing result at Suzuka  and is looking forward to Brazil with renewed determination.


Rivera Suffers Losses Two relatives of Mariano Rivera's wife were electrocuted while cleaning the pool at the Panama home of the New York Yankees closer.


Car Bombs Kill 11 As Rumsfeld Visits Iraq (AP) AP - The United States may be able to reduce its troop levels in Iraq after the January elections if security improves and Iraqi government forces continue to expand and improve, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Sunday. Meanwhile, car bombers struck twice in rapid succession in the capital Sunday, killing at least 11 people including an American soldier.


UVSC student officers not backing down OREM - For someone who lit a firecracker of controversy that has sparked across Utah Valley and Utah at large, Joe Vogel is surprisingly demure.


Opportunity rover stumbles upon rocky, maybe watery, find com. Almost by accident, NASA #39;s Mars rover Opportunity has found a rock that may point to a second water event in the red planet #39;s past.


New X Prize Sets Sights on Science, Technology and Social <b>...</b> The X Prize Foundation and the World Technology Network announced today the formation of a joint venture to launch a series of technology incentive prizes to help spur innovation and breakthroughs in a range of scientific arenas.


Stolz wins Michelin Championship LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- In Sin City, 21 was a lucky number for Andre Stolz, who notched his first PGA Tour victory. Stolz fired a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 that including a 10-foot birdie on the 16th hole that


Red Sox out to make history As the Red Sox embark on the American League Championship Series rematch that somehow always seemed fated to happen, they understand that their reward could go even beyond a trip to the World Series.


Will Leftwich coast on Left Coast? SAN DIEGO ---- Byron Leftwich, welcome to the Left Coast. The quarterback who leads the Jacksonville Jaguars into Sunday #39;s game at Qualcomm Stadium is no stranger to the Chargers, however.


Gallacher scores first European Tour win Stephen Gallacher won for the first time on the European tour, beating Northern Ireland #39;s Graeme McDowell on the first playoff hole Sunday at the Dunhill Links Championship.


Lions hand Falcons first loss Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Joey Harrington threw for a touchdown and Artose Pinner ran for another score, as the Detroit Lions handed Atlanta its first loss of the season with a 17-10 victory over the Falcons at the Georgia Dome.


Brees throws two touchdown passes to lead Chargers past Jaguars 34 <b>...</b> Wearing their powder-blue throwback jerseys and white helmets from the 1960s, the Chargers did almost everything right in beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-21 on Sunday.


NFL Game Preview The Indianapolis Colts will be in search of their fourth consecutive win on Sunday, when Tony Dungy #39;s crew welcomes the Oakland Raiders to the RCA Dome.


Populist Labor Party leads Lithuania vote Lithuanians casting ballots in parliamentary elections Sunday rejected the current ruling coalition for the opposition Labor Party, a sign that many voters liked its promises of lower taxes and higher pay.


Oxfam raps rich nations over aid Wealthy countries need to do much more to fight global poverty, the international aid agency Oxfam says.


Bucs Use All They Have For Win The rebirth of Brian Griese couldnt have come at a better time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Griese, the second-string quarterback on game-day was called in to relieve an injured Chris Simms in the first-quarter.


Dollar Steadies After Fall on Jobs (Reuters) Reuters - The U.S. dollar steadied against the\yen and euro on Monday after suffering sharp losses on\weaker-than expected job growth figures that raised questions\about the need for further U.S. rate rises this year.


Canadian defense minister travels to Britain over crippled sub affair (AFP) AFP - Canadian Defense Minister Bill Graham will be in Britain Monday, one day after the British-built Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi was towed to port in Scotland after it was crippled five days earlier by an electrical fire off the coast of Ireland.


Injury forces Mauresmo to forfeit final, Soderling win in Lyon FILDERSTADT (Germany): American Lindsay Davenport won the Filderstadt Grand Prix yesterday after world number one Amelie Mauresmo retired injured after the first set.


San Francisco 49ers SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Tim Rattay authored a much-needed fourth quarter comeback for the San Francisco 49ers. Rattay accounted for 16 points in the last 4:36 of regulation, and directed a drive that led


Dodgers Lead Cardinals 1-0 After One Los Angeles Dodgers #39; Shawn Green watches his home run in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, in Los Angeles.


Rumsfeld gives US troops timetable in Iraq US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld didn #39;t bring much good news to a group of Marines in Iraq. He warned Sunday during a town-hall meeting in at an airbase in the country #39;s west that violence may well


Asia welcomes bon ami Chirac French President Jacques Chirac, on a state visit to China, launch the  quot;Year of France in China quot; yesterday in Beijing. He arrived in China from Singapore where he stopped over on his trip, dubbed his continuing  quot;30-year liaison with Asia.


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


Mount St. Helens Shoots Out More Steam (AP) AP - Mount St. Helens vented a new column of steam Sunday, a lazy plume that rose out of the crater of the snow-dusted volcano.


Scientists Find Deadly Component of 1918 Flu Virus (Reuters) Reuters - Scientists who synthesized two genes\from the virus that caused the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic\said Thursday they have a found new clues about what made it so\deadly.


Australian PM hints he will not be around for another election (AFP) AFP - Australia's re-elected Prime Minister John Howard has hinted he might step aside during his fourth term in office following his latest election win.


Australia PM Gets Down to Work on Fourth Term (Reuters) Reuters - Australia's conservative Prime Minister\John Howard, handed the most powerful mandate in a generation,\got down to work on Monday with reform of telecommunications,\labor and media laws high on his agenda.


Lighter-Hit Fla. Areas Get More From FEMA MIAMI - Local officials agree that hurricane damage to Miami-Dade County this year was light, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than \$20 million in residents' requests for aid.    Four hurricanes hit Florida in the summer, with Frances and Jeanne toppling some trees and causing some isolated power outages...


Car Bombs Kill 11 As Rumsfeld Visits Iraq AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - The United States may be able to reduce its troop levels in Iraq after the January elections if security is strengthened and Iraqi government forces continue to expand and improve, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Sunday...


Mind the gap - time is running out Increased life expectancy, higher taxes, falling investment returns and Government tinkering have all contributed to the mess our pensions system is in today.


Niners LB Peterson Tears Achilles' Tendon (Reuters) Reuters - San Francisco linebacker\Julian Peterson left Sunday's game against Arizona late in the\first quarter with a torn left Achilles' tendon.


Baseball: Smoltz sizzles as Braves force deciding game HOUSTON, United States : JD Drew singled to drive in a run in the top of the ninth inning and lift the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over Houston and force the Astros into a fifth and deciding game.


Stolz hits title jackpot in Las Vegas Andre Stolz of Australia celebrates after winning the Michelin Championship in Las Vegas. Photo: AP. Struggling Australian rookie Andre Stolz secured his future on the US PGA Tour with a surprise victory in


Yankees could be without Rivera early in ALCS New York, NY (Sports Network) - New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is reportedly dealing with a personal issue that could affect his availability early in the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, which begins Tuesday in the


Rossi takes imperative victory at Sepang Motorsport.com. Valentino Rossi took his seventh victory of the season by masterfully winning today #39;s Malaysian GP at the Sepang circuit.


Golf Capsules Andre Stolz played like a veteran instead of a struggling rookie when it counted most Sunday, shooting a 5-under 67 to win the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas by a shot over Tom Lehman and two others.


Yankees Could Be Without Rivera Early in ALCS (Reuters) Reuters - New York Yankees closer Mariano\Rivera is reportedly dealing with a personal issue that could\affect his availability early in the American League\Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, which begins\Tuesday in the Bronx.


Niners LB Peterson Tears Achilles' Tendon  SAN FRANCISCO (Sports Network) - San Francisco linebacker  Julian Peterson left Sunday's game against Arizona late in the  first quarter with a torn left Achilles' tendon.


The Relentless Patriots Reach a Magic Number The Patriots set the N.F.L.'s unofficial record for consecutive victories at 19 (counting playoff games) with another grind-it-out performance.


UPDATE: NZ Vector To Buy NGC Stake For NZ\$877M, Eyes IPO WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--New Zealand #39;s biggest electricity lines network company, Vector Ltd., will launch a NZ\$1.33 billion takeover bid for NGC Holdings Ltd.


High oil prices baffle US economy: treasury chief US Treasury Secretary John W. Snow yesterday said record-high oil prices baffle the development of US economy.  quot;It #39;s creating headwinds for the otherwise very strong economy, quot; Snow told CNN #39;s  quot;Late Edition


State of economy depends on point of view The economy is a political Rorschach test, and Richard McHugh and Claude Carpenter present two of its competing interpretations. McHugh #39;s company in this western Wisconsin city shows an economy on the rebound.


Space trailblazer Max Faget dies The designer of the Mercury space capsules that took the first Americans into orbit has died at age 83, NASA announced Sunday. Maxime Faget led the space agency #39;s engineering and development branch


Playoff Capsules Adam LaRoche hit a tying, three-run homer in the sixth inning and JD Drew singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory Sunday that tied their best-of-five NL series against the Houston Astros at two games apiece.


Taiwanese president tries to restart peace talks The president of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, attempted to restart peace talks with Beijing yesterday, calling for an arms control agreement and a new code of conduct to dispel the  quot;dark forces quot; threatening cross-strait relations.


Kerry Courts Black Voters at Church Stops (AP) AP - With just three Sundays left before Election Day, Sen. John Kerry is asking for all the help he can get from black voters and the Almighty.


Carroll leads Aussie swim charge By the AAP. Olympic finalist Lara Carroll is the fastest qualifier for the 200 metres individual medley final on day four of the world short course swimming championships at Indianapolis.


Lampard strikes as England cruise past Wales MANCHESTER: A stunning goal by captain David Beckham guided England to a convincing 2-0 victory over Wales in their World Cup qualifier at his former Old Trafford home yesterday.


Patriots set unofficial record with win CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The New England Patriots became the first team in NFL history to win 19 straight regular and postseason games, defeating the beleaguered Miami Dolphins 24-10 on Sunday.


Yankees Could Be Without Rivera Early In ALCS New York, NY -- New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is reportedly dealing with a personal issue that could affect his availability early in the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, which begins Tuesday in the Bronx.


Lions improve to 2-0 on the road After going three years without a road victory, the Lions made it two in a row Sunday with a 17-10 victory over Vick and the previously unbeaten Atlanta Falcons.


Quarter-by-quarter updates The Cardinals, however, were driving as the quarter ended with a first down at the 49ers 16. On the last play of the quarter, tookie Larry Fitzgerald made a great leaping catch for a 24-yard gain.


Egyptian group suspected over Taba bombings Egyptian security forces investigating the resort bombings that killed at least 33 people were concentrating their hunt yesterday on a group of previously unknown Egyptian militants.


Car bombs strike in Baghdad, killing 11; Rumsfeld warns violence <b>...</b> Car bombers struck twice in rapid succession in the capital Sunday, killing at least 11 people including an American soldier, as US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned that violence may increase before the January election.


Militants still hold Chinese hostages Islamic militants are still holding two Chinese engineers they kidnapped in Pakistan and have threatened to kill them if attacked by security forces, a member of a team seeking the captives #39; release said on Sunday.


UN peacekeepers wounded in Haiti violence GONAIVES, Haiti - Two United Nations peacekeepers were wounded in shootouts with supporters of Haiti #39;s ousted president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the capital and storm survivors in flood-ravaged Gonaives, officials said today.


Iraq rebels set to surrender arms Shia militias in Baghdad should start handing in weapons on Monday, under a deal with the Iraqi government.


Backup Voting System Woes May Loom Anew WASHINGTON - Call it the law of unintended consequences. A new national backup system meant to ensure that millions of eligible voters are not mistakenly turned away from the polls this year, as happened in 2000, could wind up causing Election Day problems as infamous as Florida's hanging chads...


Brady and Pats do enough to win The Patriots #39; list of inactives for Sunday #39;s game resembled their wide receiver depth chart. Deion Branch, Troy Brown, Bethel Johnson - all out against the Dolphins, who had the league #39;s best pass defense coming in.


F amp;P Appliances Buys Dynamic Cooking for \$33 Mln (Correct) Fisher  amp; Paykel Appliances Holdings Ltd., New Zealand #39;s biggest home appliances maker, agreed to buy Dynamic Cooking Systems Inc.


It #39;s still the economy, stupid According to the polls, the presidential election is now a toss-up. However, there is one historical  quot;iron law quot; that hangs heavy over President George W. Bush #39;s re-election.


Nuclear Plant in New Jersey Draws Censure Experts have identified an array of problems at the Salem nuclear power station, one of the country's largest.


Huge and Proud of It New Enterprise Associates is the biggest stand-alone venture capital operation in the world, and industry critics say the company's girth is a handicap.


Security: End users are your first line of defense My column is dedicated to training and education issues for IT professionals but how much do we think about training for end users, particularly educating users to be security-aware?


Stolz turns it around at Michelin Championship Last week Andre Stolz was considering coming back to Australia from the US early. He was frustrated with his progress, or rather lack of it, in 2004 and with little likelihood of a start at next week #39;s event


Schumacher wins Japanese Grand Prix: Sports India: Tokyo, Oct 10 : Michael Schumacher on his Ferrari breezed to a sixth victory of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka Sunday.


Five Keys to the Game 1. Score early, score often and keep the pressure on. The Rams need to strike early against the Seahawks for many reasons. The crowd will be raucous and an early lead for St.


Nelson tops Irwin for playoff win Spring, TX (Sports Network) - Larry Nelson fired an eight-under 64 Sunday and birdied the first playoff hole to win the inaugural Adminstaff Small Business Classic.


Labor Party leads in early results of Lithuania #39;s elections The central electoral committee of Lithuania said Sunday early results showed that opposition Labor Party held a wide lead over the center-left coalition government in the parliamentary elections.


Family Tragedy Sends Rivera Home to Panama Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera traveled Sunday to his home in Panama, where two members of his wife's family died in an electrical accident on Saturday.


Dollar Steadies After Fall on Jobs  SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar settled near its lows  against the yen and euro on Monday after suffering sharp losses  on weaker-than expected job growth figures that raised  questions about the need for further U.S. rate rises this year.


Playing at the Top of Their Games Many area executives are advocating competitive sports as a tool for networking, relieving stress, and improving job performance.


New Scrutiny of the Flow of Iraqi Oil to American Consumers Almost until the eve of the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, U.S. oil companies, including ExxonMobil and ChevronTexaco, were among the largest purchasers of Iraqi crude oil.


A Senator's Outrage Delays Passage of Corporate Tax Bill The Senate cleared a path for a bill to hand out about \$140 billion in corporate tax breaks, but it was blocked from a final vote by a fight over a provision aimed at helping reserve soldiers on active duty in Iraq.


Cellphone Industry Hits Snag as It Woos Untapped Market Having equipped most adults and half of all teenagers with cellphones, the mobile phone industry is turning its attention to the last untapped demographic - people over 65.


For \$600 a Week, Screen-Side Seats to Lawsuit Involving Disney A Delaware court next Monday will begin considering the shareholder lawsuit over the \$140 million severance that Walt Disney paid its former president Michael S. Ovitz.


Saudis vow to keep spare capacity Top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia vowed on Sunday to maintain a cushion of spare supplies of up to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) to meet future demand growth.


Singapore #39;s economy grows by 7.7 percent in third quarter SINGAPORE: Singapore #39;s economy slowed in the third quarter but still recorded growth of 7.7 percent year-on-year. After posting its fastest quarterly expansion in 10 years in the three months to June, a slowdown


US Files Suit Against Alleged  quot;Spyware quot; Distributor Officials in the US are cracking down on an alleged distributor of Internet  quot;Spyware. quot; In the first suit of its kind, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims Seismic Entertainment and SmartBot, secretly installs programs on a users #39; computer without


X Prize group plans new series of contests The group that awarded US\$10 million this week to the winner of an outer-space travel contest is gearing up to offer cash prizes for technology breakthroughs in medicine, computer science, transportation and a number of other arenas.


Nallen rolls to record win Chandler, AZ (Sports Network) - Chris Nallen closed with a one-under 71 on Sunday, but it was more than enough to win the Gila River Golf Classic.


Australian PM hints he will not be around for another election SYDNEY: Australia #39;s re-elected Prime Minister John Howard has hinted he might step aside during his fourth term in office following his latest election win.


Nigerian authorities release top labour leader, but fuel strike <b>...</b> The chief of Nigeria #39;s main labour organization vowed that a four-day countrywide strike to protest fuel price hikes will go ahead Monday as planned, and accused President Olusegun Obasanjo of shunning dialogue to resolve union


High oil prices baffle US economy US Treasury Secretary John W. Snow on Sunday said record-high oil prices baffle the development of US economy.  quot;It #39;s creating headwinds for the otherwise very strong economy


China Force #39;s HK IPO Retail Tranche 29.6 Times Covered HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--China Force Oil  amp; Grains Industrial Holdings Ltd. (1194.HK) said Monday the retail tranche of its initial public offering was 29.


NASA engineer Faget dead at 83 Faget designed the original spacecraft for Project Mercury and played a role in the design of every US human spacecraft from Mercury to the space shuttle.


Kenneth Bigley #39;s final TV plea THE Iraqi militants who murdered Kenneth Bigley delivered a final affront to his memory yesterday, when they released a videotape of him appealing to the Prime Minister for help moments before he was decapitated.


Former Bush adviser returns to cybersecurity WASHINGTON - Howard Schmidt, a highly regarded technology executive who was former special adviser to US President George W. Bush for cybersecurity, is returning to work with the Homeland Security Department on efforts to protect the nation #39;s computer


NASA Spirit Rover Panorama of Columbia Hills This stunning image mosaic of the  quot;Columbia Hills quot; is the first 360-degree panorama taken since the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit arrived at the hills over a month ago.


Gallacher savours maiden victory STEPHEN Gallacher won a European Tour event at the 188th attempt yesterday. The talented Scot, who turned professional nine years past, birdied the first extra hole of a sudden death play-off at the Old Course


Barrichello wrecks Coulthard #39;s hopes DAVID Coulthard took his early retirement from the Japanese Grand Prix on the chin despite missing out on his best result of the season, as Michael Schumacher collected a record 13th victory of the 2004 campaign.


Howard says Iraq troop commitment stays SYDNEY - Prime Minister John Howard said on Monday that national security and keeping Australia #39;s booming economy strong would be the priorities of his fourth term, and that he had no plans for major changes in the number of troops Australia has in Iraq.


Russia opposes referral of Iran to UN Security Council Russia says it opposes a US proffer to refer Iran #39;s nuclear case to the UN Security Council. Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the remarks in Tehran at a


Harry  #39;Cheat #39; Claim Teacher #39;s Tribunal Opens A teacher at the centre of a storm over claims that Prince Harry cheated in A level coursework is due to take his former school to a tribunal today.


Dollar Steadies After Fall on Jobs (Reuters) Reuters - The U.S. dollar settled near its lows\against the yen and euro on Monday after suffering sharp losses\on weaker-than expected job growth figures that raised\questions about the need for further U.S. rate rises this year.


Asian Shares Track Wall Street Losses (Reuters) Reuters - Asian stocks slid on Monday on gloomy\U.S. jobs data, bleak earnings prospects at tech firms and high\oil prices, while the Australian dollar hit a six-month peak\after the coalition government was swept back to power.


Australia's Westfield, Multiplex join in new offer for Britain's Chelsfield (AFP) AFP - Australian shopping center giant Westfield is teaming up with property group Multiplex and Aldersgate Investments to make a cash offer for Duelguide, the company which owns British developer Chelsfield.


Lighter-Hit Fla. Area Gets  #36;21.5 From FEMA (AP) AP - Local officials agree that hurricane damage to Miami-Dade County this year was light, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than  #36;20 million in residents' requests for aid.


American Deserters Find a Mixed Reception in Canada Despite Canada's opposition to the Iraq war, the government also is opposing the U.S. deserters' refugee applications, saying the soldiers are not persecuted. It is resisting the argument that the Iraq war is illegal.


Venezuela Raises Taxes on Orinoco Deals

 By Pascal Fletcher

 CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela on Sunday slappedhigher taxes on foreign oil companies operating in its hugeOrinoco heavy crude belt in what President Hugo Chavez called adrive to tighten sovereign control over petroleum resources.


Senate moves forward with corporate tax cuts After a day-long attempt to delay action, the Senate moved forward Sunday with debate on a \$136 billion corporate tax cut package.


Millions Must Work Longer to Pay for Pensions Blackhole Millions must work longer or save harder to pay for the pensions blackhole detailed in an official study published tomorrow. At 57 billion the annual savings


NASA spacecraft design pioneer Faget dies HOUSTON -- Maxime A. Faget, a pioneering NASA engineer who designed the original spacecraft for Project Mercury and whose work helped create every human spacecraft the agency has launched since, has died.


Stolz strikes it rich with first victory in Las Vegas AUSTRALIAS Andre Stolz last night edged past Tom Lehman, Tag Ridings and Harrison Frazar to win his first career title on the PGA Tour.


Guinea-Bissau standoff ends as soldiers sign deal Soldiers who staged a mutiny last week in Guinea-Bissau have agreed to return to their barracks after striking a deal with the government to end a five-day standoff in the West African country.


Shi #39;ite militia asked to surrender weapons The Iraqi government has given Shi #39;ite militiamen five days to hand in weapons under a weekend peace agreement. National Security Adviser Kassim Daoud said the Iraqi interim government will commit more than


Saudi Arabia, Gulf States to boost output Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, which account for almost half of OPEC #39;s oil output, said they #39;re committed to boosting capacity to meet soaring demand that has driven prices to a record.


Venezuela raises tax on foreign oil companies Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that his country began on Sunday to levy 16.6 percent of taxes on foreign companies which are extracting crudes from the Orinoco oil field.


Lehman leads at Michelin Championship Tom Lehman takes a one-stroke lead in to Sunday #39;s final round at the \$4 million Michelin Championship. Lehman, Dicky Pride, Andre Stolz and Greg Chalmers - each of whom


Hello, Neumann: It #39;s Been Six Years Neumann, the 1988 US Women #39;s Open champion, had come into the week with few expectations. Even her name on caddie Mark Scott #39;s vest was incorrectly spelled,  quot;Newmann.