Family of Six Found Dead in Iraqi Home Hit by U.S.  FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - Rescuers dug the bodies of six  members of one family -- a couple and their four children --  out of the rubble of an Iraqi house bombed by U.S. warplanes on  Wednesday, witnesses said.


Marsh Says Probe May Hurt Borrowing  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Embattled insurance broker Marsh    McLennan Cos. , the main target of a probe into insurance bid  rigging, said on Wednesday it will have only limited ability to  borrow money through the rest of the year.


Iran Wants to Prove It Has No Nuclear Ambitions  TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran is ready to prove to the world it  is not producing atomic weapons if the West recognizes the  Islamic Republic's right to have peaceful nuclear technology,  President Mohammad Khatami said Wednesday.


Karzai's Big Poll Lead Shows Afghan Ethnic Divide  KABUL (Reuters) - Hamid Karzai was cruising to victory in  Afghanistan's first direct presidential elections, but by  Wednesday the returns so far have underscored the ethnic fault  lines that have often divided the country.


Screen Sizzlers Hot new video game titles aim at Generation XXX, where racy content falls between barely decent and indecently bare. -The Washington Post


Ex-WorldCom CEO's Defense Wins Delay A federal judge agreed Tuesday to delay former WorldCom Inc. chief executive Bernard J. Ebbers's trial until January to give his lawyers more time to prepare his defense.
-The Washington Post


XM Satellite Radio Signs Baseball Deal Washington's XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. plans to announce a deal worth as much as \$650 million with Major League Baseball today that will enable the company to carry most regular and postseason games over the next several years beginning with Opening Day 2005, said a source familiar with the deal.


Pepco Sells Starpower Stake for \$29 Million Pepco Communications said yesterday that it sold its stake in Starpower Communications LLC to RCN Corp., its partner in Starpower, for \$29 million.


Kiln's 'ancestor' found in Greece Archaeologists have discovered the oldest clay "fireplaces" made by humans at a dig in southern Greece.


Radiation risks 'need updating' A UK panel examining radiation risks says official estimates of the dangers to health may be wide of the mark - but not substantially.


Big fall in corruption in Kenya The Kenyan government's campaign to tackle corruption is having an impact, says Transparency International.


A Magical Morning Would you like to see a piece of Halley's Comet streak past a planet that looks like an exploding star? This week you can, on Thursday, Oct. 21st, when the Orionid meteor shower peaks.


Blair denies politics plays role in decisions on troops LONDON -- Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday that British troops would only be redeployed to the more volatile, US-controlled sector of Iraq if it was militarily justified.


Computing pioneers get historical nod Spreadsheet pioneer Dan Bricklin is among the computing innovators honored by the Computer History Museum.


Dell to open new PC plant in United States Company set to announce plan to build stateside factory, CEO Kevin Rollins says in wide-ranging interview with CNET News.com.


Check Point's optimistic pessimist Check Point Software Technology's Gil Shwed weighs in on who's winning the war of attrition between virus writers and the security companies they drive crazy.


Case study: Data crunch in Florida ballots Use of databases to purge voter rolls led to complaints of people being wrongly excluded.


Digital Agenda: Homeland security--A global assault on anonymity (page 3) Cutting-edge data mining and other intelligence tools could redefine privacy as we know it. A News.com special report.


Digital Agenda: Homeland security--A global assault on anonymity (page 2) Cutting-edge data mining and other intelligence tools could redefine privacy as we know it. A News.com special report.


Digital Agenda: Homeland security--A global assault on anonymity Cutting-edge data mining and other intelligence tools could redefine privacy as we know it. A News.com special report.


Strong Demand Pushes Honeywell Profit (Reuters) Reuters - Diversified manufacturer Honeywell\International Inc.  posted a rise in quarterly profit as\strong demand for aerospace equipment and automobile components\boosted revenues, the company said on Wednesday.


Russia Urged to Combat Hazing in Army (AP) AP - Human Rights Watch urged Russian authorities on Wednesday to take action against the vicious hazing that plagues the nation's military, saying the abuse that kills dozens of conscripts every year and traumatizes thousands more can be prevented.


Office Depot 3Q Profit Declines (AP) AP - Office products retailer Office Depot Inc. on Wednesday reported a decline in third-quarter profit due to softening in its European business, disruptions associated with the hurricanes in the southeastern United States, and lower-than-expected back-to-school sales.


Stocks Look to Open Weak as Oil Firms  NEW YORK (Reuters) -  Stock futures slipped on Wednesday,  pointing to a weak market open, as firming oil prices and a  wide-reaching investigation into the insurance and health  industry cast a shadow over Wall Street.


CARE Halts Iraq Operations After Director Kidnapped (Update4) CARE International suspended aid operations in Iraq after its country director Margaret Hassan, who has dual Iraqi and British nationality, was kidnapped, said Grant Thomas, a spokesman for the organization.


Reuters Poll: Bush and Kerry Still in Dead Heat (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush and Democratic Sen.\John Kerry remain tied for the third consecutive day in the\race for the White House, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll\released on Wednesday.


LG Philips lays claim to biggest OLED Prototype 20.1-inch display is the world's largest OLED, the South Korea-based manufacturer says.


ARM's new chip aims beyond cell phones Chip designer announces new processor for wider digital-device market, moving it beyond portable-device niche.


Mortgage Applications Climb Last Week  NEW YORK (Reuters) - New applications for U.S. home loans  climbed last week, as most mortgage rates fell from the  previous week, an industry group said on Wednesday.


Kodak Profits on Discontinued Operations  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co. EK.N, the world's  top maker of photographic film, on Wednesday said its third  quarter profit rose, boosted by discontinued operations. Sales  were boosted by the weaker dollar and its key growth area of  digital photography.


NJ residents plan lawsuit to block e-voting Threatened with a lawsuit to block the use of electronic voting machines, New Jersey's Office of the Attorney General is defending them as secure.


E-voting sceptics use Web to monitor election For technology experts concerned about how electronic voting systems will perform on election day, what better tools to use to monitor the situation than those of their trade: the Web and open source development.


GM CTO sees more code on future cars SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - The relationship between General Motors Corp. (GM) and the software industry is set for some major changes over the next few years as software becomes a more important component of the automobile, said Anthony Scott, the chief technology officer of GM's Information Systems and Services organization, at a conference of software industry executives Tuesday in Santa Clara, California.


Critics, supporters prepare for U.S. e-voting WASHINGTON - Voting security advocates in the U.S. are bracing for a repeat of problems in the upcoming general election that could rival Florida during the 2000 presidential race.


Problems with e-voting? Blame the humans Voters worried that an electronic voting machine might accidentally eat their vote on Nov. 2 would be better off pointing the finger of blame at clueless poll workers than at shiny new touchscreen machines, according to information released by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA).
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SBC Case Study: Crate   Barrel
What sold them on improving their network? A system that could cut management costs from the get-go. Find out more.


ARM's new Cortex cores deliver big punch in small chip SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - Chip designer Arm Ltd.'s new Cortex family of processor cores will help designers of mobile and embedded devices build powerful systems that use less memory, the company said Tuesday at its developer conference.


Microsoft ponders licensing for app virtualization scenarios SANTA CLARA, CALIF. -- Noting two evolving areas of software licensing, Microsoft is pondering how to license when multiple instances of an application are run on a single computer, but is not eyeing a plan for utility-based computing, in which charges are based on individual usage.


Intel dual-core Xeon to ship in 2006 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - Intel Corp. plans to ship its first Xeon processors based on a new dual-core architecture in 2006, company officials said Tuesday, a disclosure that surprised industry observers who had expected the chips to appear in 2005.


enKoo adds higher-end device for securing e-mail and applications Network appliance vendor enKoo has introduced a new remote-access device designed for midsize businesses.


E-Voting States Brace For Problems Nearly 30 percent of U.S. voters will cast their 2004 ballots electronically.


Military ousts Myanmar leader Myanmar #39;s prime minister was sacked Tuesday by his army colleagues, clouding prospects for the freedom of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and for democracy in the military-led Southeast Asian nation.


Search Memories Veterans of AltaVista, Excite and Infoseek reminisce about the early days of web search, and opine about Google, then and now.


Vauxhall Plant Set to Face Parts Shortage Vauxhall car workers were today told to check before arriving for their shift amid expectations that production will be halted because of a shortage of components caused by a strike in Germany.


FDI hike in civil aviation cleared In a move that could boost the aviation sector in India, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to hike Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ceiling in civil aviation from 40 to 49.


Lending keeps Ford profit up; sales sputtering Buoyed again by strong results at its financial-services arm, Ford swung to a profit of \$266 million in the third quarter even though the loss at its worldwide automotive operations widened and its market share in the key US market fell by more than a


Cisco brings IT skills to UK prisoners Cisco Systems is working with the UK government on a pilot program to train prison inmates in information and communications technology (ICT) skills.


New Zealand Cricketer Franklin Takes Test Hat-Trick (Update1) James Franklin became the second New Zealand cricketer to take a Test match hat-trick as he helped restrict Bangladesh to 177 all out in the first Test in Dhaka.


I WANT US TO SHAKH OFF AWAY DAZE in the UkraineJACKIE McNAMARA is fed up with hard luck stories and tales of what might have been. By the end of tonight #39;s match against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, he wants to be able to talk


Henry gets captain #39;s call Arsene Wenger has made Thierry Henry captain for tonight #39;s clash with Panathinaikos. In a surprise move, the French striker will replace Patrick Vieira, who misses the game with an ankle injury.


Aid worker kidnapping: Your reaction The charity Care International has suspended its aid operations in Iraq after the abduction of its regional director in Baghdad. Dublin-born Margaret Hassan was seized on her way to work in Baghdad on Tuesday.


Typhoon Nears Tokyo; Seven Dead, Transport Snarled (Update1) Typhoon Tokage is moving toward Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The storm has been blamed for at least seven deaths, Kyodo News reported.


Ecclestone ready to ditch Silverstone Motorsport.com. Bernie Ecclestone said the British Grand Prix is unlikely to go ahead in 2005, as an agreement cannot be reached with the British Racing Drivers #39; Club (BRDC).


Govt hikes FDI cap in civil aviation to 49 pc Government today hiked Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap for domestic airlines from 40 to 49 per cent through the automatic route but barred foreign airlines from picking up direct or indirect equity.


Bank sages stumped by economic riddles The Bank of England #39;s most prominent sages have admitted to being stumped by apparent paradoxes in the country #39;s economic performance, including inflation #39;s fall to within an ace of missing its target.


Apple Enhances iBook, Cuts Prices Before Holidays Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday announced a faster version of its popular iBook notebook personal computer and a less expensive model of its PowerMac


Q amp;A with Jorge Posada Here is what New York Yankee #39;s catcher, Jorge Posada had to say prior to game six between the Yankees and the Red Sox. PP: Just curious, on the Damon bunt last night, did you think at all about letting it fall and trying to get a double play that way?


Soe Win named new prime minister of Myanmar Myanmar, also known as Burma, has confirmed the ousting of its prime minister Khin Nyunt. A senior figure in the country #39;s ruling military junta, said he has been replaced by a deputy to one of the top two generals in the country.


Pfizer Profit Up on Demand for Key Drugs  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. PFE.N, the world's  biggest drugmaker, on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings  rose on higher sales of key medicines and favorable foreign  exchange factors.


Wyeth Reverses Last Year's Loss  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wyeth WYE.N on Wednesday reported a  third-quarter profit, reversing a loss in the year-ago period,  when it took a \$2 billion charge for liabilities from its  recalled "fen-phen" diet medicines.


News: California reports massive data breach An intruder who cracked a U.C. Berkeley research system in August had access to private data on 1.4 million caregivers and beneficiaries participating in a state social program. \


ADV: LendingTree.com - Find the Perfect Loan! Top lenders compete for your mortgage, refinance, home equity loan and home equity line of credit. Complete one simple form and within minutes receive up to four offers to choose from.


Infocus: Securing Exchange With ISA Server 2004 This article will highlight the security issues involved with providing Outlook Web Access or full Outlook client connections over the Internet, and then discuss how Microsoft's new ISA Server 2004 can be configured to mitigate these threats.


Tiger Early Start Kit for Developers Start developing for Mac OS X v10.4  #147;Tiger, #148; the next release of Apple #146;s powerful UNIX-based operating system, due to ship in the first half of 2005. The Tiger Early Start Kit for Developers provides everything developers need  #151; including pre-release Tiger software, Tiger documentation, access to Tiger support engineers and more  #151; to create revolutionary Tiger products. Oct 19


When War Games Meet Video Games A Department of Defense group tests a new battle simulator to see what it can learn about urban combat. But this ain't no SimCity. By Amit Asaravala.


Midwest Awash in Giant Grottos In the early 20th century, artists and religious leaders in the Midwest outdid each other building vast shrines called grottos. Many of these eccentric constructions remain significant attractions today. Michelle Delio reports from Dickeyville, Wisconsin.


Pharms Take Root in South Africa Researchers have taken to genetically modifying plants to produce medicine for the developing world, but not everyone is keen on the idea. Megan Lindow reports from Cape Town, South Africa.


Chinese Groups Seek to Halt a Dam and Save a Treasured Place Environmentalists in China are fighting plans for a hydropower project that they say would endanger one of the world's deepest gorges.


Microsoft to Debut 'Istanbul' Application Microsoft introduced a desktop computer application that aims to seamlessly integrate e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, traditional phone service and Internet-based calling.


Profit Jumps at Motorola, but Shares Trade Lower The company said it has benefited from growing demand for handsets that work on the new higher-speed networks being introduced by carriers in the U.S., Europe and Asia.


F.C.C. to Seek Net Telephone Oversight Michael Powell, chairman of the F.C.C., said he would seek broad regulatory authority for the federal government over Internet-based telephone services to avoid stifling the emerging market.


Hacker Hits California University Computer A computer hacker accessed names and Social Security numbers of about 1.4 million Californians after breaking into a University of California, Berkeley, computer system.


Jon Stewart 'Crossfire' Feud Ignites Net Frenzy When comedian Jon Stewart blasted the hosts of CNN's "Crossfire" on the cable TV program, he ignited a frenzy of online activity.


Study Finds Dramatic Loss of Tech Jobs Job trimming at technology companies took off during the past three months, according to a new report.


United Technologies Quarter Profit Rises (Reuters) Reuters - Diversified manufacturer United\Technologies Corp.  posted a rise in quarterly profit,\helped by strong infrastructure demand and a recovery in its\aerospace business, the company said on Wednesday.


Wireless Business Helps Lucent Profit (Reuters) Reuters - Lucent Technologies Inc. , among\the world's largest makers of telecommunications equipment, on\Wednesday said quarterly earnings rose, helped by improvement\in its wireless networks business, which makes base stations\and other products.


Mortgage Applications Climb Last Week (Reuters) Reuters - New applications for U.S. home loans\climbed last week, as most mortgage rates fell from the\previous week, an industry group said on Wednesday.


Kerry Wins Fans Abroad with Global Warming Plan (Reuters) Reuters - Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry\has won plaudits abroad for his promises to fight global\warming but could find his hands tied at home if he wins next\month's U.S. elections.


Wireless Business Helps Lucent Profit  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lucent Technologies Inc. LU.N, among  the world's largest makers of telecommunications equipment, on  Wednesday said quarterly earnings rose, helped by improvement  in its wireless networks business, which makes base stations  and other products.


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


Shia leader cuts ties with Sadr A senior Shia leader living in Iran criticises radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr, calling his anti-US rebellion wrong.


Colgate Profit Falls on Higher Costs  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Colgate-Palmolive Co. CL.N on  Wednesday said profit fell in the third quarter because of  increased marketing spending and higher costs for raw  materials.


Pfizer earnings grow Pfizer Inc., the world #39;s biggest drugmaker, said Wednesday third-quarter earnings rose on higher sales of key medicines. The New York based company said it earned \$3.


Strong Demand Pushes Honeywell Profit Diversified manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. (HON.N: Quote, Profile, Research) posted a rise in quarterly profit as strong demand for aerospace equipment and automobile components


Govt tackles Left parties, hikes FDI cap in aviation to 49 New Delhi: The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on Wednesday hiked foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the civil aviation sector from 40 to 49 per cent but barred foreign airlines from holding stakes.


Citigroup loses three executives Three of Citigroup #39;s most senior executives are to leave the Wall Street heavyweight following the closure of its Japanese operations, reports say.


Apple cuts prices and improves products Apple introduced a range of new machines on Tuesday, as it gears up for the annual christmas shopping season. As part of the launch, it cut the price of its entry-level iBook G4 notebook computer and boosted chip speed across the line.


Rallying Red Sox on Verge of Historic Win Boston Red Sox can make baseball history on Wednesday by becoming the first team to overturn a three-game deficit in a best-of-seven series.


Beauty of making history irrelevant The National League Championship Series boils down to one simple fact: The Cardinals must win today and Thursday, while the Astros need win only once, to advance to the World Series.


ONeill not giving up hope Celtic manager Martin ONeill has faith in his side to come away from the Ukraine with all three points after tonights Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.


New oldies approach a boon for WCBS-FM ratings, WCBS-FM (101.1) is convinced that its new, tighter mix of  #39;60s and  #39;70s oldies is the way to go.  quot;As we #39;ve said all along, we don #39;t feel WCBS-FM needs drastic changes, quot; says vice president Chad Brown.


India's Advani confident of a BJP comeback (AFP) AFP - India's opposition leader and Hindu hardliner Lal Krishna Advani vowed his defeated BJP party would return and launched a blistering attack on the new government.


Blair faces Labour troops revolt TONY Blair today faced a revolt by Labour MPs over plans to send British troops into danger zones in Iraq. The prime minister was expecting a grilling at Commons question time this afternoon, with 45 Labour


FCC to Seek Internet-Based Phone Oversight (AP) AP - FCC Chairman Michael Powell said Tuesday that he would seek broad regulatory authority for the federal government over Internet-based telephone services to avoid stifling the emerging market.


Microsoft to Debut 'Istanbul' Application (AP) AP - Microsoft Corp. introduced on Tuesday a desktop computer application that aims to seamlessly integrate e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, traditional phone service and Internet-based calling.


Sony to Add Stores, Worrying Retailers (AP) AP - Few people took notice when Sony Electronics Inc. opened a tiny storefront last year here at South Coast Plaza, a swanky mall south of Los Angeles. As it turns out, the small store would represent a big change in how Sony sells its televisions, DVD players and other gear.


Sprint beats forecasts on strength of wireless (USATODAY.com) USATODAY.com - Bolstered by its fast-growing wireless business, Sprint reported solid third-quarter results Tuesday that beat Wall Street's expectations by 3 cents a share. Sprint also took a  #36;3.5 billion charge to write down network equipment that's been rendered obsolete.


Poor nations on front line of operating-system wars (USATODAY.com) USATODAY.com - Experts say countries from Brazil to Russia to China are shunning Bill Gates' proprietary Windows operating system in favor of open source systems such as Linux, mounting a major challenge to Microsoft's global dominance.


Delta Reports Wider Quarterly Loss (Reuters) Reuters - Delta Air Lines Inc. , which is\racing to cut costs to avoid bankruptcy, on Wednesday reported\a wider quarterly loss amid soaring fuel prices and weak\domestic airfares.


First Students Expelled Over French Law (AP) AP - Two Muslim girls who refused to remove their head scarves in class have been expelled from their schools, and two more risked the same fate Wednesday as officials began taking action against those who defy a new French law banning conspicuous religious symbols from public schools.


Terror Leader Said Plotted Spain Attack (AP) AP - The suspected leader of a Muslim cell plotted to devastate Spain with a suicide bombing that would kill senior judges and destroy case files at a court that serves as a center for investigating Islamic terror, officials said Wednesday.


Red Sox, Yanks Play for Pennant Tonight (AP) AP - The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will play one game tonight for the American League pennant. The Red Sox pulled even in the series last night with a 4-2 win as Boston won its third straight after losing the first three. Derek Lowe (14-12) goes for Boston tonight against either Kevin Brown (10-6) or Javier Vazquez (14-10) for New York. This afternoon, Pete Munro (4-7) pitches for the Houston Astros against Matt Morris (15-10) for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros lead that series 3 games to 2.


New Zealand gain lead after Franklin hat-trick (AFP) AFP - New Zealand rode on fast bowler James Franklin's hat-trick to seize the initiative on the second day of the the opening Test against Bangladesh here.


Stocks Seen Lower; JP Morgan Hits Dow  NEW YORK (Reuters) -  U.S. stock futures weakened on  Wednesday, pointing to a lower market open, as rising oil  prices and a wide-reaching investigation into the insurance  industry soured the mood on Wall Street.


Delta Reports Wider Quarterly Loss  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL.N, which is  racing to cut costs to avoid bankruptcy, on Wednesday reported  a wider quarterly loss amid soaring fuel prices and weak  domestic airfares.


United Technologies Profit Rises 13 Pct  BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer United  Technologies Corp. UTX.N posted a 13 percent rise in  quarterly profit on Wednesday and lifted the low end of its  full-year earnings forecast range, helped by strong demand for  Otis elevators and aerospace equipment.


General Dynamics Profit Jumps 23 Percent  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Defense contractor General Dynamics  Corp. GD.N on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings surged 23  percent, led by a big rebound in its aerospace segment.


J.P. Morgan Chase Misses Target  NEW YORK (Reuters) - J.P. Morgan Chase   Co. JPM.N, the  No. 2 U.S. bank, said  on Wednesday profit fell in the third  quarter, missing analyst expectations, as a result of costs  from its July merger with Bank One Corp. and lower fixed-income  revenues.


Wireless Business Helps Lucent Profit  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lucent Technologies Inc. LU.N, among  the world's largest makers of telecommunications equipment, on  Wednesday said quarterly earnings rose sharply, helped by  improvement in its wireless networks business and lower costs.


Wyeth's Profit Beats Estimates  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wyeth WYE.N on Wednesday reported a  third-quarter profit that exceeded analysts' estimates,  compared with a loss a year earlier, when it took a large  charge relating to its recalled "fen-phen" diet medicines.


Bank of New York Quarterly Profit Rises  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bank of New York Co. BK.N, which  operates the oldest U.S. bank, on Wednesday said third-quarter  profit rose, helped by year-over-year growth in securities  servicing fees.


Analyst Says Flyi Could Go Bankrupt Wall Street puts Independence Air's parent on its bankruptcy watch list after an analyst offered a grim forecast for the local, four-month-old low-cost carrier.


Enron's Lay Gets Two Trials Former Enron chair Ken Lay has been pressing to be tried on his own. A judge may have just given Lay more than he bargained for, as prosecutors ready for what could be one of the biggest corporate crime prosecutions in history.


Insurance Scandal Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein talks about his latest column, which examines kickbacks masquerading as commissions or markups.


Lebanon PM Resigns, Says Will Not Head New Govt.  BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri  submitted his cabinet's resignation Wednesday and said he would  not form a new government.


Pfizer Posts Higher Earnings on Drug Sales Pfizer Inc. said Wednesday that third quarter earnings, excluding charges, beat Wall Street expectations by a penny, on strong sales of Lipitor and Celebrex medicines.


GM strike leads to parts shortage A strike at a General Motors factory in Germany over job cuts starts to affect production at other plants.


Liberia moves against Taylor aides Liberia imposes economic sanctions on two people with connections to exiled president, Charles Taylor.


US rivals blitz Iowa battleground US presidential rivals George W Bush and John Kerry will both campaign in Iowa, a key swing state, on Wednesday.


Video shows Madrid attack horror Video footage of the moment bombs exploded in a Madrid train station is released in Spain.


Pat Symonds explains a key engineering tool: Sector Sensitivities Race engineers arrive at any circuit armed with facts and figures - Pat Symonds explains what these are for ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.


Blair challenged on troops move Tony Blair faces demands for a Commons vote on whether UK forces should provide back-up for the US in Iraq.


Inspired Jimenez opens up two-shot lead HONG KONG: Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez fired a second-round 64 to grab the lead at the halfway stage of the Hong Kong Open yesterday.


J.P. Morgan's Profit Fell 13 Percent The second-largest U.S. bank blames the loss on merger charges related to Bank One, and its weak investment bank performance.


GM workers on strike against 12,000 job cut GERMANY - European factories of General Motors Inc. launched a massive strike protesting against the planned major job cuts. The automaker has recently released its plans to reduce the number of jobs by 12


Pfizer Profit Up on Demand for Key Drugs Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s biggest drugmaker, on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings rose on higher sales of key medicines and favorable foreign exchange factors.


Merger Costs Hit JP Morgan Chase Profit JP Morgan Chase  amp; Co. (JPM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 US bank, said on Wednesday profit fell in the third quarter, missing analyst expectations, as a result of costs from its July merger with Bank One Corp.


Whirlpool 3Q Profit Falls 4 Percent Home appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings fell, hurt by raw material cost increases and high oil prices, and guided its annual earnings estimate lower.


FT gets Collins Stewart claim struck out The Financial Times today won its action to strike out a record 230.5m libel damages claim from City brokers Collins Stewart that could have closed down the pink paper.


India hikes foreign equity cap for aviation: India News: New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Indian government Wednesday cleared a proposal to hike foreign investment limit in the domestic civil aviation sector to 49 percent from the existing cap of 40 percent.


Business Briefing: Oct. 20 Padcom Inc. has new chief executive officer. Scott A. Stone, the Bethlehem company #39;s chief operating officer since last year, has been named CEO.


Microsoft announces Istanbul LCS client Microsoft is developing a front-end application for its upcoming Live Communications Server (LCS) 2005 instant messaging server that links LCS 2005 with end-users #39; telephones.


Symbol unveils new  #39;durable #39; handheld device Symbol Technologies has brought out a durable device designed for mobile workers who dont need a fully ruggedised unit. The MC50 is equipped with integrated wireless Wi-Fi and data-capture options, including


Subscription-based licensing lacking corporate excitement A new study sponsored by Macrovision, the Software and Information Industry Association, and the Centralized Electronic Licensing User Group has found that there is a discrepancy between where software companies think software licensing is heading and


#39;Cooperative #39; Mutu to start counselling, says agent Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu is arranging a programme of daily counselling in London after failing a drugs test, his agent said on Wednesday.


PREVIEW-Lazio and Newcastle look for UEFA Cup boosts Lazio and Newcastle United will look to put a week of setbacks behind them when the two trophy contenders start the UEFA Cup group stage on Thursday.


A view from the Anfield Road A Liverpool performance lacking in confidence and finishing ability spoilt what otherwise could have been a good result. When the Kop sung out You #39;ll Never Walk Alone as the players ran onto the hallowed turf, it felt like a night of old.


Bucs Trade McCardell To Chargers Satisfied that wide receiver Joe Jurevicius will be ready to play this week and Joey Galloway may be ready to return after next week #39;s open date, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided they can now live without holdout Keenan McCardell.


XM Satellite Radio Signs Baseball Deal Baseball isn #39;t only coming to Washington, it #39;s also coming to a Washington-based company. XM Satellite Radio Holdings will pay \$59 million a year to broadcast most regular and post-season


Iraq kidnapping prompts CARE suspension The British-based CARE charity suspended its work in Iraq Wednesday following the kidnapping of its chief of operations by unknown armed militants.


Burma #39;s Power Change Causes Concern About Progress Toward <b>...</b> The dismissal of Burma #39;s Prime Minister Khin Nyunt is causing concern that it may set back efforts to move the country toward democracy after more than 40 years of military dictatorship.


Charity director kidnapped in Iraq Insurgents abducted the local director of CARE International from her car in Baghdad yesterday, targeting a charity worker who has championed ordinary Iraqis for decades.


Fight New Labour's Poll #160;Identity Tax Cash'n'Carrion More campaigning apparel from NO2ID


Oil boosts disappointed Wall Street New York - US stocks edged higher on Friday. Oil prices fell below \$43 a barrel, helping Wall Street withstand a disappointing jobs creation report.


Intel CEO: Candidates Ignore Tech Debate Intel Corp.'s chief executive on Tuesday decried the lack of attention by the presidential nominees to how the United States is losing its competitive edge over other nations on education, technological infrastructure and research and development.


Lucent Post 1st Profitable Year Since 2000 Telecommunications equipment maker Lucent Technologies Inc., rebounding from multibillion dollar losses, reported a larger profit for its fourth fiscal quarter and recorded its first profitable year since 2000.


AT T Wireless Posts Lower Profit
\

 NEW YORK (Reuters) - AT T Wireless Services Inc. <AWE.N>\said on Tuesday its third-quarter profit declined as customers\spent less per month, offsetting a rise in net new customers.


Freescale 1000-worker cull to cost \$65m Savings to be spent caressing customer companies, apparently


Chelsea #39;s Mutu visits Rome shrink Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has left London to spend two days in Rome seeing a Football Association psychiatrist. The Evening Standard says 25-year-old has agreed to seek professional help after confessing


Coach: Game a rite of passage Tennessee offensive lineman Cody Douglas says Phillip Fulmer had a message for his players prior to the Alabama game last season. Last year he told us you #39;re not a man till you #39;ve beaten Alabama, #39; #39; Douglas said.


VOICE MAIL Your brilliant lead article entitled  #39;Of The Bullet, for the bullet, by the bullet #39; clearly sums up the whole truth about the Veerappan drama.


Security Tightened Around Sharon Israels Shin Bet security service has tightened protection of the prime minister, MPs and parliament ahead of next weeks crucial vote on a Gaza withdrawal.


Typhoon kills at least 13 in Japan Typhoon No. 23 is pounding the Japanese archipelago northward, leaving at least 13 people dead asof Wednesday afternoon. Twelve people were missing and more than 100 injured in


Lawmakers request CIA's 9/11 report (Chicago Tribune) Chicago Tribune - The ranking members of the House Intelligence Committee have asked the CIA to turn over an internal report on whether agency employees should be held accountable for intelligence failures leading up to the Sept. 11 attacks, congressional officials said Tuesday.


Hacker Hits California University Computer
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 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A computer hacker accessed names\and Social Security numbers of about 1.4 million Californians\after breaking into a University of California, Berkeley,\computer system in perhaps the worst attack of its kind ever\suffered by the school, officials said on Tuesday.


Whirlpool Profit Falls as Costs Rise Appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. (WHR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said quarterly profit was about flat as it was pressured by higher raw material and oil costs.


Decline hits North American birds The National Audubon Society #39;s State of the Birds report draws on data collected between 1966 and 2003 for 654 American bird species.


Corretja #39;s run ended by Paradorn MADRID, Spain -- Paradorn Srichaphan earned his first victory against Alex Corretja 7-6, 6-3 to end the popular Spanish wildcard #39;s run at the Madrid Masters.


Israel Military, Religious Leaders at Odds over Gaza Withdrawal Israel #39;s top military leader blasted some Jewish religious leaders for urging followers to refuse to follow military orders to evacuate settlements, as part of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s disengagement plans.


Psst...don't tell, but this is Rome (Reuters) Reuters - Swimming is already out for tourists visiting Rome's Trevi\Fountain, but an Italian woman was surprised to discover so was pointing out the\sights at the landmark made famous by screen diva Anita Ekberg.


Ukrainian President Criticizes Court Order for New Vote In his first interview since Ukraine held a disputed election, Leonid D. Kuchma blamed the candidates and external pressure.


Costs Rise, Profit Falls at Cingular (Reuters) Reuters - Mobile service provider Cingular\Wireless, which is buying AT T Wireless Services  Inc. ,\said on Wednesday its third-quarter operating profit fell as\its costs rose.


Children's Place to Buy Disney Stores (Reuters) Reuters - Children's Place Retail Stores Inc.\ on Wednesday said it will buy Walt Disney Co.'s\ chain of North American retail stores and pledged to\invest  #36;100 million in them.


Stocks to Watch Wednesday  Three top Citigroup executives, including Vice Chairman  Deryck Maughan, are leaving the financial services giant in the  wake of a scandal at its Japanese private banking unit.


Fuel Cost, Low Fares Felt at Northwest  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Northwest Airlines Corp. NWAC.O, the  No. 4 U.S. air carrier, posted a quarterly loss on Wednesday as  high fuel prices and low fares weighed on the industry.


Children's Place to Buy Disney Stores  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Children's Place Retail Stores Inc.  PLCE.O on Wednesday said it will buy Walt Disney Co.'s  DIS.N chain of North American retail stores and pledged to  invest \$100 million in them.


New Zealand ignores nuke differences to woo India (Reuters) Reuters - New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark sidestepped differences with India over nuclear disarmament on Wednesday and sought to boost business ties between the two countries during a visit to New Delhi.


Honeywell Third-Quarter Profit Up 8 Pct  BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer Honeywell  International Inc. HON.N posted an 8 percent rise in  third-quarter profit on Wednesday as strong demand for  aerospace equipment and car components boosted sales.


Blair Sees More Iraq Violence, No Ruling on Troops  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Tony Blair forecast an upsurge  in violence in Iraq ahead of planned January elections but said  Wednesday he had not yet decided on a U.S. request for back-up  from UK troops.


XM Satellite Up, Sirius Down Before Bell  NEW YORK (Reuters) - XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.  XMSR.O shares rose nearly 6 percent before the bell on  Wednesday ahead of a news conference the company is holding in  conjunction with Major League Baseball.


ADV: Term Life Insurance with SelectQuote Lower rates, better choice. At SelectQuote, real licensed agents will find you the term life insurance coverage you need.


Plasma beam for 90-day Mars visit Advocates of a propulsion idea for spacecraft claim that it would enable a 90-day round trip to Mars.


XM Satellite Up, Sirius Down Before Bell (Reuters) Reuters - XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.\ shares rose nearly 6 percent before the bell on\Wednesday ahead of a news conference the company is holding in\conjunction with Major League Baseball.


No decision yet on redeployment of troops in Iraq: Blair (AFP) AFP - Britain has not yet decided whether to send 650 troops to relieve US forces in Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday, while rejecting suggestions that such a move would be aimed at boosting US President George W. Bush's electoral campaign.


Bahraini Activist's Jailing Sparks Protest (AP) AP - Supporters of a Bahraini human rights worker scuffled with police and shouted slogans against the prime minister outside the court Wednesday as a judge denied bail to the activist, who is being prosecuted after criticizing the Gulf nation's leadership.


Film Down But Kodak Profit Still Rises  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co. EK.N, the world's  top maker of photographic film, said Wednesday its  third-quarter profit rose, helped by the sale of one of its  businesses and growth in its digital business, but declines in  its traditional film segment held back revenue.


Cingular Quarterly Operating Profit Falls  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mobile service provider Cingular  Wireless, which is buying AT T Wireless Services  Inc. AWE.N,  said on Wednesday third-quarter operating profit fell on merger  expenses and increasing costs for signing up new customers.


MGM Mirage Profit Up on Las Vegas Tourism  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Casino operator MGM Mirage MGG.N on  Wednesday reported higher third-quarter earnings as tourism and  gambling at its Las Vegas resorts boomed.


Opel workers vote to end wildcat strikes BOCHUM, Germany (AFP) - Workers at the Bochum factory of German car maker Opel voted to return to work after paraylsing assembly lines for six days in protest at plans by Opel #39;s US parent, General Motors, to slash 12,000 jobs in Europe.


Delta posts \$646M loss in Q3 In what could be its final quarterly financial update before filing for Chapter 11, Delta Air Lines Inc. has reported a net loss of \$646 million on \$3.


AirAsia to sell shares and warns fares may rise KUALA LUMPUR AirAsia said Wednesday that it aimed to raise as much as 864 million ringgit, or \$227 million, in Malaysia #39;s biggest share sale this year and that it might have to lift fares as fuel costs surge.


Regulator vows to ease way for Net phone use BOSTON The United States #39; top telecommunications regulator plans to protect fledgling Internet telephone services from being taxed and heavily regulated by the 50 state governments.


Several Bird Species #39; Populations Down Sharply, Audubon Society <b>...</b> There #39;s a reason why Arkansans haven #39;t seen as many meadowlarks in recent years. The National Audubon Society says there aren #39;t as many of the birds around as there once were.


S. Korea Backs UN Meeting on Stem Cell Research South Korea said on Tuesday it asked the United States to accept another year #39;s delay in the drafting of a divisive treaty banning human cloning to allow time for


Greed gets the better of Bernie  quot;If I did take away Silverstone and a British Grand Prix, I #39;d be seen as a bad guy but that wouldn #39;t bother me. quot; -- Bernie Ecclestone.


Double relief for Ajax as Van Gaal quits Ajax Amsterdam were doubly relieved on Wednesday following their 3-0 Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv and the resignation of Louis van Gaal as the club #39;s technical director.


NFL notes: Rice officially a Seahawk The trade that sent the greatest receiver in NFL history from the Oakland Raiders to the Seahawks was formally announced after the league trade deadline passed.


Fueling the fires Chattanooga businessman Terry Nida has gone to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to cheer on the University of Alabama football team since 1976.


Video shows Madrid attack horror Video footage of the moment bombs exploded in a Madrid train station have been shown on Spanish television. The 11 March security camera footage shows people leaving Atocha station after one device has already exploded.


Qanooni says he will accept Afghan vote result KABUL (AFP) - Incumbent leader Hamid Karzai #39;s chief rival Yunus Qanooni told AFP he would accept the outcome of Afghanistan #39;s presidential election despite his allegations of fraud.


Lebanese PM and cabinet resign Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and his cabinet have resigned after weeks of political uncertainty. He submitted the resignation to President Emile Lahoud during a brief meeting at the presidential palace.


US: UN statement on Syria  quot;a step forward quot; The United States said on Tuesday that the latest United Nations Security Council #39;s statement, which called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, is  quot;a step forward in the Security Council quot;.


MGM Mirage Profit Up on Las Vegas Tourism (Reuters) Reuters - Casino operator MGM Mirage  on\Wednesday reported higher third-quarter earnings as tourism and\gambling at its Las Vegas resorts boomed.


British public sector deficit swells to record for September (AFP) AFP - Britain's budget deficit ballooned last month, when the public sector net cash requirement (PSNCR) rose to 10.8 billion pounds (15.5 billion euros, 19.5 billion dollars), the biggest September shortfall on record, official figures showed.


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


Aerospace Rebound Good for Gen. Dynamics Defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. on Wednesday posted a higher third-quarter profit led by a big rebound in its aerospace segment.


Kodak benefits from surge in digital sales and a gain for unit #39;s <b>...</b> Eastman Kodak Co., boosted by the sale of a remote sensing business and gains in digital photography, recorded a sharply higher profit in the third quarter and beat Wall Street forecasts by a wide margin.


GM's Bochum Staff Vote to Resume Work (Reuters) Reuters - Workers at a General Motors\plant in Bochum, Germany, swallowed their anger over job cuts\and voted on Wednesday to end a seven-day stoppage that has\disrupted output at three other GM factories.


Digital appliance market heats up over formats TOKYO - Japanese electronics makers are engaged in a battle for shares of the new markets for digital home appliances, such as next-generation DVDs and cutting-edge television displays, aware that the winners in the initial stages will likely remain


-Posted by dan.farber  6:32 am (PDT) For Sun CEO Scott McNealy, subscription-based pricing is the most interesting part of Sun s business moving forward. He claims that the model works.


Morris has high stakes in Game 6 ST. LOUIS  A good outing today potentially could have a two-fold effect for Cardinals starter Matt Morris. Not only will he go a long way toward keeping his team alive in the National


Souness: I #39;m the boss Graeme Souness has emphasised his determination to show his Newcastle players who is in charge after his spat with Craig Bellamy. The pair clashed on the training ground onTuesday over the Welshman #39;s furious


Melbourne, Perth Invited to Apply for Super 14 Rugby Franchise The Australian Rugby Union invited Melbourne and Perth to bid for the country #39;s fourth Super 12 franchise from 2006 when the annual rugby competition expands to 14 teams.


NEC launches world's fastest supercomputer (AFP) AFP - Japanese electronics giant NEC Corp, said it has begun selling the world's fastest supercomputer.


Spain: Terror suspect planned devastating attack MADRID, Spain Spanish authorities say the suspected leader of a Muslim cell plotted to blow up a truck outside the country #39;s National Court in downtown Madrid.


Diaries of another  #39;Anne Frank #39; shed light on camp hell The newly discovered diary of an 18-year-old Jewish girl has offered a haunting insight into life inside a holocaust-era Dutch prison camp in a find archivists are comparing to the Anne Frank diaries.


Bush Spends Half of  #36;75M Grant in Sept. (AP) AP - President Bush burned through more than half of his  #36;75 million government grant to cover his general-election campaign costs in September, leaving him with just under  #36;37 million left for the final month before the Nov. 2 election.


Earnings alert: Lucent's 1st profitable year since 2000 Plus: EMC issues sunny report...IBM net income inches higher, despite legal bill...Nokia sees lower profit but strong sales.


Wireless Networks Business Helps Lucent  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lucent Technologies Inc. LU.N, among  the world's largest makers of telecommunications equipment, on  Wednesday said quarterly earnings rose sharply, helped by  improvement in its wireless networks business and lower costs.


European Powers to Offer Iran Incentives (AP) AP - Britain, France and Germany will offer Iran nuclear fuel and economic incentives Thursday, giving Tehran one last chance to abandon uranium enrichment and avoid the threat of U.N. Security Council sanctions, diplomats said.


KarstadtQuelle's banks agree to keep credit lines open until year-end (AFP) AFP - KarstadtQuelle, the troubled German department store operator, said its creditor banks had agreed to meet its liquidity needs until December 31, but had not yet agreed to its request for a three-year-loan of 1.75 billion euros (2.2 billion dollars).


Google Saves Kidnapped Journalist in Iraq Google Saves Kidnapped Journalist in Iraq\\Google can claim another life saved after a kidnapped Australian journalist was freed by his captors in Iraq earlier today. Freelance journalist John Martinkus was abducted by gunmen on Saturday outside a hotel near the Australian embassy. Apparently Martinkus was able to convince his captors ...


Mbeki Ready to Present Ivory Coast Peace Proposals  ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (Reuters) - South African President  Thabo Mbeki said Sunday he was ready to make concrete proposals  to revive a peace process in Ivory Coast after visiting the  rebel-held north of the country on a mediation mission.


Spitzer widens probe into insurance industry sales practices NEW YORK, October 20 (newratings.com) - The New York Attorney General #39;s Office has widened its investigation into the practices of insurance brokerage fees in the insurance industry, including the practices prevalent among the life and health insurance


Lucent sees first profitable year since 2000 Lucent Technologies #39; quarterly earnings rose sharply, helped by improvement in its wireless networks business and lower costs, the company said Wednesday.


Toshiba preps HD DVD notebook PC Toshiba will release a notebook PC with an HD DVD drive this time next year, the Japanese company said today, returning fire after an initial salvo from Sony in the battle for the future of blue-laser optical media.


Feds probe huge California data breach The FBI is investigating the penetration of a university research system that housed sensitive personal data on a staggering 1.4m Californians who participated in a state social program, officials said on Tuesday.


Lg.PHILIPS, LG Electronics Develop World #39;s Largest Organic Led <b>...</b> SEOUL, Oct 19 Asia Pulse - LG.Philips LCD Co. (KSE:034220), the world #39;s second-largest maker of liquid crystal display (LCD), said Tuesday it has developed the world #39;s largest organic light emitting diode


JBoss moves up to business processes After a series of announcements last month JBoss has announced JBoss jBPM, their first step into business process management. They have taken the Java Business Process Management project (jBPM), founded by


Botnets trawl for phishing victims A small number of zombie networks are responsible for all Internet phishing attacks worldwide, according to CipherTrust, the messaging security appliance firm.


US Soldier Pleads Guilty to Iraqi Prisoner Abuse A US soldier pleaded guilty on Wednesday before a court martial to abusing prisoners in Baghdad #39;s Abu Ghraib prison, including forcing one to masturbate and photographing naked prisoners.


Iran test fires longer-range missile TEHRAN - Iran said Wednesday it had test fired a more accurate version of its Shahab-3 missile, believed capable of hitting American bases in the Persian Gulf and Israel.


Cambodia #39;s new king returns from China to take up throne Cambodia #39;s new king, Norodom Sihamoni, returned from China Wednesday to become his country #39;s first new monarch in decades, thanking his people for giving him the honor and promising to  quot;do my utmost #39; #39; to serve them.


Users face new phishing threats Cyber criminals could soon be mounting sophisticated phishing attacks that are hard to detect warn experts.


Global Markets: Euro Surges vs the Dollar  LONDON (Reuters) - The euro surged to a near 8-month high  against the dollar on growth worries on Wednesday while stock  markets sank as investors dumped metal, technology and  insurance stocks.


General Dynamics Profit Jumps 23 Percent Defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. (GD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings surged 23 percent, led by a big rebound in its aerospace segment.


Brits and Foreigners Are Mad About the Hatter (Reuters) Reuters - What did Lord Nelson, Princess Diana and\Madonna all have in common apart from popularity?


Lebanon PM Resigns, Says Will Not Head New Govt.  BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri  resigned Wednesday after the pro-Syrian president's term was  extended under what lawmakers called pressure from Damascus.


Delta Air Lines Posts a Larger Loss  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL.N on  Wednesday reported a wider quarterly loss on soaring fuel  prices and weak domestic airfares, and said time was running  short as it races to cut costs to avoid bankruptcy.


Spyware spurs Dell to offer protective software The instrusive software accounts for 20 percent of support calls to Dell, an exec tells CNET News.com. That's up from 2 percent in 2003.


Stocks Lower as JP Morgan Weighs on Dow  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday,  with weaker-than-expected earnings from J.P. Morgan Chase   Co.  JPM.N, and an investigation into the insurance industry among  the factors weighing on Wall Street.


Bush   Kerry Battle It Out In Search Bush  #038; Kerry Battle It Out In Search\\So if it was up to the search engines to decide who would win the Presidential election, would you agree? Found an interesting press release today that I thought could provide some insight into how our favorite candidates are doing in the search ...


Knee Injury Puts Slutskaya's Preparations on Ice  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former world champion Irina Slutskaya  has suffered another setback to her preparations for a new  figure skating season after injuring her knee in practice.


ADV: Refinance Rates Just Got Lower \$150,000 mortgage for only \$550/month. Lower your mortgage - free quotes.


J.P. Morgan Chase Profit Falls 13 Percent  NEW YORK (Reuters) - J.P. Morgan Chase   Co. JPM.N posted  lower third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, missing analyst  expectations, as costs from its July merger with Bank One Corp.  and anemic fixed-income trading revenue hurt profits.


Cambodia's New King Returns From China (AP) AP - Cambodia's newly selected king returned from China on Wednesday to take up the throne after his father, outgoing monarch Norodom Sihanouk, abdicated earlier this month because of poor health.


U.N.: Peruvians Relying on Food Aid (AP) AP - Tens of thousands of Peruvians are surviving on international food aid after the harshest weather in decades devastated their harvests, the United Nations said Tuesday.


Wireless contracts aid Lucent's quarterly profit streak Lucent Technologies Inc. reported higher-than-expected fourth quarter sales on Wednesday, boosted in part by several large contracts, especially in its wireless segment, as well as increased demand for VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol), high-speed data and broadband access.


NEC announces speedy supercomputer Less than a month after IBM Corp. claimed the world's fastest computer crown from NEC Corp., the Japanese company is trying to win it back with a new supercomputer that will be available from December, it said Wednesday.


Update 8: Oil Prices Up Slightly Ahead of Data Crude oil prices rose slightly Wednesday, reversing a two-day slide, as the market awaited the US government #39;s weekly petroleum supply report.


Bausch  amp; Lomb #39;s profit jumps 34 percent Bausch  amp; Lomb Inc., propelled once more by a sharp rise in sales of contact lenses, eye-care drugs and vision-correction surgical products, posted a 34 percent jump in third-quarter


Pfizer #39;s Earnings Rise on Lower Costs, Lipitor Sales (Update1) Pfizer Inc., the world #39;s largest drugmaker, said third-quarter earnings jumped 49 percent after merger-related expenses fell and sales of the cholesterol treatment Lipitor rose.


UN Predicts Boom In Robot Labor The use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors and manage other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007 as more consumers snap up smart machines, the United Nations said.


Celts Chris out to Shak up the points Chris Sutton has echoed the words of Martin O #39;Neill by saying Celtic will be going all out to win tonight #39;s Champions League meeting against Shakhtar Donetsk.


Benitez on Deportivo draw But the Reds boss could not argue with the quality of performance from his players, and afterwards claimed that it was the best Liverpool had played under his management.


Disguised cops did Veerappan in PTI Dharmapuri/Chennai Oct 19: One of the countrys longest and expensive manhunts ended midnight last night with the killing of dreaded forest brigand Koose Munisamy Veerappan and three of his close associates in a shootout in a trap laid by the


Delta Air Lines Posts a Larger Loss Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday reported a wider quarterly loss on soaring fuel prices and weak domestic airfares, and said


UPDATE 1-Huffy files for Chapter 11 Huffy Corp. (HUFC.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the bicycle and sporting goods company struggles with mounting losses and a heavy debt load.


Cox Enterprises to buy Cox public stake Cox Enterprises Inc. on Tuesday said it will purchase Cox Communications Inc.s minority public stake for \$8.3 billion, in a move to privatize the publicly traded cable company and insulate it from the short term demands of Wall Street.


INTERVIEW: DVD Format Winner May Be Set This Yr-Toshiba TOKYO (Dow Jones)--The battle over the high-definition successor to the current generation of DVDs is escalating with a winner possibly declared within the year, an executive at Toshiba Corp.


Apple peels wraps off fastest ever iBook G4 Apple has unveiled what it claims is its fastest ever iBook G4 laptop, a \$1,499 1.33GHz PowerPC G4 processor-based device sporting a 14in screen and a DVD burner drive.


Army reservist in Iraq pleads guilty in prisoner abuse court <b>...</b> US Army reservist Staff Sgt. Ivan  #39; #39;Chip #39; #39; Frederick pleaded guilty Wednesday to five charges of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison as a two-day court-martial opened at a US base in Baghdad.


Prime minister #39;s questions Tony Blair kept looking behind him when being challenged over the decision to re-deploy UK troops in Iraq. Was he looking for cheers of support from his backbenchers, or watching for the knives spinning towards his back?


Karzai halfway to victory in Afghan poll, rival to accept result KABUL - Yunus Qanooni, Hamid Karzais chief rival in Afghanistans presidential election, said Wednesday he will accept the outcome, as Karzai swept the countrys south and southeast en route to outright victory.


Abu Hamza accused of inciting hate and murder ABU HAMZA AL-MASRI, the radical Muslim cleric, was charged yesterday with 16 offences of encouraging murder, stirring up race hatred and possessing a terrorist document.


Children's Place to Buy Disney Stores  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Children's Place Retail Stores Inc.  PLCE.O said on Wednesday it will buy 313 retail stores from  Walt Disney Co., and its stock rose more than 14 percent in  early morning trade.


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


Powerful typhoon kills 16 in Japan (AFP) AFP - The biggest typhoon to hit Japan in more than a decade roared over the country's main island, with heavy rain and fierce winds leaving at least 16 people dead and 12 others missing.


Bicycle Maker Huffy Files for Chapter 11  CHICAGO (Reuters) - Huffy Corp. HUFC.PK filed for Chapter  11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday, as the 76-year-old bicycle  and sporting goods company struggles with mounting losses and a  heavy debt load.


The tide is turning... Whilst some may claim that the British are staunch allies of the United States (depite being having clearly different agendas on the World Stage), the recent request made to Britain for additional support, namely 600 troops from Black Watch to be moved North to Baghdad to help out the 130,000 US troops who want to move upto Fallujah, is being met by the British Parliament with what we might politely call some   hostility. As the Honourable member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (yes, it is as grim as it sounds), Geraldine Smith asks:    "I'm concerned about the timing. We've been asked by the Americans two weeks before their election to cover for their troops. Is this a ploy to allow Bush not to send more troops? If we made a decision to send troops tomorrow, it looks like we are stepping in to help out the President."


Google rolls out corporate search Search company Google begins the global roll-out of an enterprise search tool that allows companies to "google" their own networks.


Fuel Costs Contribute to Delta Loss Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), which is racing to cut costs to avoid bankruptcy, on Wednesday reported a wider quarterly loss amid soaring fuel prices and weak domestic airfares.


Rates set to be on hold for rest of year Bank of England policymakers did not even discuss raising interest rates earlier this month, raising the probability that borrowing costs will remain on


Damages claim against FT  #39;too uncertain #39; Collins Stewart was seeking damages against the FT on an unprecedented basis when it claimed it should be compensated for the loss in its share price.


Gucci Replaces Chief Executive Santucci Gucci Group, the luxury goods division of Pinault-Printemps-Redoute SA, said Wednesday that Giacomo Santucci has been replaced as chief executive of the Gucci brand.


Israel Battens Down Hatches for Volatile Gaza Vote (Reuters) Reuters - Stringent security measures were\being implemented for a parliamentary vote next week on a Gaza\pullout plan expected to spark Jewish settler protests and\heighten death threats against Israeli leader Ariel Sharon.


Red Sox tie up the series The Boston Red Sox have evened the American League Championship Series at three games apiece by beating the New York Yankees 4-to-2 in game six.


Cardinals reliever Julian Tavarez fined CBC SPORTS ONLINE - St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Julian Tavarez was fined \$10,000 US by the commissioner #39;s office for throwing a fastball over the head of Jeff Bagwell.


How Greece is perceived by the citizens of five major countries Greece is a safe destination, a modern European Country that organised technically excellent Olympic Games with a human dimension.


Fourth team: players queue up THE Australian Rugby Union has been swamped with inquiries from high-profile players here and overseas interested in joining the new Super 14 franchise in 2006.


Cowboys Trade The Dallas Cowboys today traded Antonio Bryant to the Cleveland Browns for Quincy Morgan. Both former second-round picks have shown flashes of being NFL stars.


Khin Nyunts downfall spells new woes for Suu Kyi BANGKOKThe demise of Myanmar premier Khin Nyunt spells fresh misfortune for detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her prospects for freedom and the country


Franco-Syrian relations stalled by hostility PARIS, Oct 20 (AFP) - France #39;s co-sponsorship of a UN resolution ordering Syria to pull its troops out of Lebanon reveals an accumulation of ill will between the two countries, analysts say.


UN says Darfur ceasefire not holding A ceasefire in Sudan #39;s Darfur region is not holding, with reports of an aerial bombardment and attacks by rebels, the United Nations says.


Karzai Holds Lead Amid Fraud Probe (AP) AP - Hamid Karzai's victory in Afghanistan's first presidential election could be sealed within days, a top election adviser said Wednesday  #151; unless investigators uncover major fraud.


Stocks Fall on J.P. Morgan Chase and Oil  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday as  weaker-than-expected earnings from J.P. Morgan Chase   Co.  JPM.N, the second largest U.S. bank, dampened Wall Street's  mood.


Democratic spirit v. Bush family values: the Latino dilemma in US polls (AFP) AFP - Like most US Latinos, members of the extended Rodriguez family say they will cast their votes for Democrat John Kerry in next month's presidential polls.


Voiceglo says consumers see the light Phone service that's available wherever there's a Net connection is approaching 2 million users.


AMD Unveils Its Fastest Desktop Chip com. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. on Tuesday introduced its fastest desktop processor, heating up competition with rival chip maker Intel Corp.


Toshiba, NEC plan HD DVD notebooks in 2005 TOKYO - Toshiba Corp. and NEC Corp. said they are backing the HD DVD format over the rival Blu-ray Disc scheme, announcing plans here on Wednesday (Oct. 20) to launch new notebook computers in 2005 with HD DVD drives.


Apple Intros New iBook Notebook, G5 Desktop Just in time for holiday shopping, Apple released on Tuesday a new line of its entry-level iBook notebook computers. The latest version of the iBook line packs more processing power than its predecessors and


Strontium Drug Reduces Fractures in Elderly Women Spinal and non-spinal fractures are reduced by almost a third in women age 80 or older who take a drug called strontium ranelate, European investigators announced


McCullum makes the difference The visitors resumed the session with Matthew Sinclair on 73, Jacob Oram on two and the total on 133/4. New Zealand had lost their last three wickets without much gain and needed a partnership to get the innings back on track.


Glazer stockpiles even more United shares Malcolm Glazer will not make an  quot;imminent quot; bid for Manchester United but it is his  quot;unwavering intention quot; to launch a full takeover offer as soon as he can persuade the club #39;s biggest shareholders to sell, according to a City source.


Mariners to name Mike Hargrove manager Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners have reportedly found a replacement for Bob Melvin and are scheduled to name Mike Hargrove manager.


Alvin Harrison accepts four-year suspension He looked me straight in the eye last July at the Olympic Trials for track and field and said,  #39; #39;I #39;m innocent. #39; #39;.


AMD vs Intel Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer is taking painful punches from competition it #39;s never before bothered to acknowledge as competition, and now Intel, having abandoned its quest for speed, has Advanced Micro Devices breathing down its neck.


Kudos to Microsoft for Dual-Core Chip Plans Opinion: The company #39;s decision to keep per-processor licensing for upcoming multicore technology is a win for customers, but of more immediate licensing concern are grid, partitioning and utility computing.


Powell wants VoIP revolution p2pnet.net News:- The hype around Internet phones may be getting dangerously out of hand, worries Vonage co-founder and VoIP pioneer Jeff Pulver.


O #39;NEILL STILL HARBOURS DREAM Celtic manager Martin O #39;Neill believes victory in Ukraine would put his side back on course for a place in the Champions League knock-out stages.


Gregan boost for Wallabies Sydney - George Gregan gave Australian rugby a boost on Wednesday when he confirmed his availability for next month #39;s Wallaby tour to Europe.


Fame then shame for Harrison twins Throughout their lives the 30-year-old twins Calvin and Alvin Harrison have done almost everything together. They were once homeless and lived together in a Ford Mustang coupe.


Russians seek Hamilton #39;s gold MOSCOW The Russian Olympic Committee has asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to strip Tyler Hamilton of his Olympic cycling gold medal and award it to Vyacheslav Ekimov.


US air strikes hit Fallujah, locals claim family of six dead FALLUJAH, Iraq - US air raids destroyed two buildings said to belong to top militant Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi in the restive Iraqi city of Fallujah on Wednesday where residents claimed a family of six were killed.


Coke to alter sales methods in Europe BRUSSELS -- Coca-Cola agreed Tuesday to dramatically change the way it sells soft drinks in Europe, ending a five-year investigation into allegations that Coke abused its power to keep rivals out of the market.


Summary: Delta #39;s financial woes deepen BY THE NUMERS: Delta Air Lines Inc. reported a \$651 million loss in the three months ending Sept. 30, nearly four times its loss compared to a year ago.


Honeywell #39;s 3Q Earnings Up on Sales Growth Aerospace and high-tech manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. on Wednesday reported an 8 percent increase in third-quarter profits behind double-digit growth in sales


General Dynamics Profit Up 23 Percent Defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. (GD) on Wednesday said third-quarter earnings surged 23 percent, led by a rebound in its Gulfstream business jet segment.


Rolling a lucky 7: Schilling wills series to an ultimate game Blood soaked through his sock, but Curt Schilling paid it little attention. He had a game to worry about, and he hadn #39;t even taken the field.


Conservatives call for statement on British Grand Prix The Conservatives have called for the Sports Minister Richard Caborn to make an urgent statement to the Commons on the future of the British Grand Prix.


A second strike of lightning The storms are done and the floodwaters have abated, but lightning still struck for the second time at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today, as New Zealand #39;s James Franklin emulated his idol, Wasim Akram, by claiming cricket #39;s equivalent of the hole-in


Baseball #39;s \$650M satellite radio deal XM Satellite Radio lands 11-year pact to broadcast all major league games starting next season. NEW YORK (Reuters) - XM Satellite Radio announced a \$650 million deal Wednesday with Major League Baseball to broadcast games for 11 years.


Large Explosion Heard in Central Baghdad (AP) AP - A large explosion shook Baghdad at sunset Wednesday, and a large plume of smoke could be seen rising from the western bank of the Tigris river.


Virtual Vote Lets Non-Americans Pick President (Reuters) Reuters - Even non-Americans can cast a vote in\the upcoming U.S. presidential election thanks to a Web site\tracking world opinion on the race for the White House.


Challenges await ex-general Yudhoyono as Indonesia #39;s sixth <b>...</b> JAKARTA, Oct 20 (AFP) - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was Wednesday sworn in as Indonesia #39;s sixth president, promising to revive a precarious economy by personally leading a war on endemic graft while also tackling terrorism.


Cabinet of Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri resigns The office said Hariri would not form the next government. The outgoing prime minister has led Lebanon for most of the time since the end of the civil war in 1990.


Iran says test fired more accurate Shihab-3 Iran said on Wednesday it had conducted tests on a more accurate version of the Shihab-3 missile, which is capable of reaching Israel.


Microsoft, Swatch Offer New Wireless Watches  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O and watch  maker Swatch UHR.VX  are offering wireless data watches with  faster information updates at lower prices than earlier models,  the companies said on Wednesday.


GM Staff Call Off Work Stoppage at Bochum  BOCHUM, Germany (Reuters) - Workers at a General Motors  plant in Bochum, Germany, swallowed their anger over job cuts  and voted on Wednesday to end a seven-day stoppage that has  disrupted output at three other GM car factories.


Intel to Ship Dual-Core Xeon in 2006 Company denies the chip has been delayed, but many had expected it sooner.


Patriots Place Receiver on Injured Reserve (AP) AP - The New England Patriots placed rookie wide receiver P.K. Sam on injured reserve Wednesday because of a groin injury.


Microsoft, Swatch Offer New Wireless Watches (Reuters) Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  and watch\maker Swatch   are offering wireless data watches with\faster information updates at lower prices than earlier models,\the companies said on Wednesday.


Henman Makes It Third Time Lucky in Madrid  MADRID (Reuters) - Top seed Tim Henman finally won a match  at the Madrid Masters Wednesday, producing a classy display to  beat Spain's Albert Costa 6-4, 6-2, and reach the third round.


The missing Middle East: Bush, Kerry sidestep Israeli-Palestinian conflict (AFP) AFP - Locked in a bitter battle for the US presidency, incumbent President George W. Bush and challenger John Kerry have all but ignored one of the most pressing foreign policy issues of the day: the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.


Cott Q3 profit falls 14, 2004 profit target lowered; makes US <b>...</b> TORONTO (CP) - Cott Corp. lowered its 2004 profit target Wednesday as it announced a 14 per cent drop in quarterly profits and two small US acquisitions.


Lift for wine producers Shares in prime takeover target Southcorp jumped after Constellation Brands offered \$US970 million for Californian winemaker Robert Mondavi.


Wholesalers post sixth straight monthly sales increase: StatsCan OTTAWA (CP) - Wholesale sales grew for the sixth consecutive month in August, Statistics Canada says. Sales were up by 0.7 per cent from July in part because of a surge in sales of machinery and electronic equipment.


Leader: Licensing due for a change The long-standing tradition of licences - bought per seat and for a given period of time and version - is wearing out its welcome.


Malaysia Rolls Out The Red Carpet (BusinessWeek Online) BusinessWeek Online - Malaysia has never aspired to be the freewheeling financial hub that Hong Kong and Singapore have become in Asia. For nearly 30 years, the country has been closed to all but a handful of foreign banks -- and they were mostly outfits like HSBC Bank Holdings PLC  and Standard Chartered Bank that had been there since colonial times. During the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98, foreign banks pared back operations even more. ...


GM #39;s deal for McCardell is right move Without saying so, the Chargers seem to be motoring merrily and without copycat-remorse along Patriots Way. You bring in good football players who aren #39;t wigged out or doped up or charter founders of their own fan clubs and let them play.


Burmese generals reinvent dark days HARDLINERS in Burma #39;s military regime were consolidating their control of the country yesterday after ousting the Prime Minister, painting a gloomy prospect for the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.


15 dead as huge typhoon slams Japan TOKYO - As many as 15 people were killed on Wednesday when Typhoon Tokage slammed into western Japan, bringing heavy rains and powerful winds.


Vatican Says Anti-Kerry Lawyer Hoodwinked Them (Reuters) Reuters - A conservative U.S. lawyer's\attempt to enlist the Vatican in his drive to declare Senator\John Kerry a heretic over his abortion views backfired\Wednesday when the Holy See said it had been hoodwinked.


Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect injured in shootout with NATO (AFP) AFP - NATO-led peacekeepers wounded a Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect in a shootout as they tried to arrest him, the peacekeepers said in a statement.


Groups Call for Global Warming Control (AP) AP - Rich countries should do more to control global warming and help poorer nations cope with the effects of climate change, a coalition of aid and environmental groups said Wednesday.


Mortgage Applications Climb, Rates Fall  NEW YORK (Reuters) - New applications for U.S. mortgages  for both refinancing and home purchases climbed last week, as  most mortgage rates fell from the previous week, an industry  group said on Wednesday.


Steroid Raises Pneumonia Risk in RA Patients Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers who take a commonly prescribed steroid known as prednisone run a significantly higher risk of catching pneumonia than people on biologic medications.


Chasing the dream WHO is the most feared regulator in the US today? For investors in US insurance companies, any doubts about the answer were removed in the past week after the entire sector slumped on news New York Attorney


GM Staff Call Off Work Stoppage at Bochum Workers at a General Motors plant in Bochum, Germany, swallowed their anger over job cuts and voted on Wednesday to end a seven-day stoppage that has disrupted output at three other GM car factories.


Corbett hints at bid limit for ALH WOOLWORTHS boss Roger Corbett may have opened his wallet for the last time in the bidding war for Australian Leisure  amp; Hospitality.


Moving on from that old line WHY are Telstra shares yielding about 9 per cent on a gross dividend basis, even though revenue and profits are rising at an annual rate of about 4 per cent?


Cott Q3 earnings slip; company cuts guidance TORONTO - Rising costs at its US operations pulled down third-quarter earnings at Cott Corp., the soft drink company reported Wednesday.


Children #39;s Place to Buy Disney Stores Children #39;s Place Retail Stores Inc. on Wednesday said it agreed to buy Walt Disney Co. #39;s ailing chain of Disney Store in North America, giving Children #39;s Place added presence in the newborn to 10-year-old market.


Oil Makes Fresh Surge, Winter Stocks Ebb Oil prices flew back above \$54 a barrel on Wednesday as a fresh fall in US heating oil stocks stoked worries over winter supplies.


Hacker Hits California University Computer SAN FRANCISCO -- A computer hacker accessed names and Social Security numbers of about 1.4 million Californians after breaking into a University of California, Berkeley, computer system in perhaps the worst attack of its kind ever suffered by the school


Red Sox tie series at three games apiece (New York-AP) Oct. 20, 2004 - For the second straight year, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will go to a seventh game, a winner-take-all battle for the American League pennant.


BRDC bid to save Silverstone The British Racing Drivers Club has called a board meeting in the hope of finding a way to revive talks to save the British Grand Prix.


Aussie cricketer Keith Miller honoured with state funeral Keith Miller was lauded as Australia #39;s greatest all-rounder and a cricket hero in the wake of the Second World War by mourners at his state funeral on Wednesday.


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


CARE suspends operations in Iraq following kidnapping of aid <b>...</b> (Sydney, Australia-AP) Oct. 20, 2004 - Australia #39;s government says it #39;s working with the British and Iraqi governments to help win the release of an aid worker kidnapped in Baghdad.


Corruption costs 200bn a year Corruption costs businesses and governments more than 220 billion a year, with a number of oil producing states among the worst offenders, according to an international anti-graft watchdog.


India #39;s bandit king gunned down in police ambush India #39;s most notorious bandit, sought by police for almost 30 years, has been shot dead in an ambush by officers on his way to hospital.


Karzai leading polls with over 1/3 votes counted Afghan interim President Hamid Karzai has been keeping on leading the ballot counting as he garnered 62.6 percent of the votes counted till Wednesday noon, Afghan election website said.


Coyotes' Boucher to Play in Swedish League (AP) AP - Phoenix Coyotes goalie Brian Boucher signed to play for Swedish champion HV71 on Wednesday while the NHL lockout continues.


U.S. to Enforce Rules for Mail to Canada (AP) AP - Most mail to Canada must bear the complete name and address of both sender and recipient or it won't be allowed into the country, the U.S. Postal Service said Wednesday. The tighter addressing requirements are in response to increased security.


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


US Electoral College withstands critics ... so far (AFP) AFP - Lambasted as antiquated and anti-democratic, the Electoral College that decides the US presidency has survived for centuries as an unmovable albeit creaky pillar of the American political system.


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


American Air Parent Lost \$214 Million  DALLAS (Reuters) - American Airlines' parent AMR Corp.  AMR.N on Wednesday posted a third-quarter loss as record-high  oil prices battered the bottom line of the world's largest  airline.


Figuring Out the Rules for VoIP With Internet-phone upstarts taking business away from traditional companies, the government is looking to step in soon to set up rules for the growing telecom service. -washingtonpost.com


ING Subpoenaed by Spitzer in Insurance Market Probe (Update2) ING Groep NV, the biggest Dutch financial-services company, received a subpoena from New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and said it #39;s cooperating with his insurance market probe.


Rising Costs Cut Cott #39;s Drink Profit Cott Corp. (BCB.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) (COT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest maker of store brand drinks, reported a 14 percent fall in third-quarter earnings and


Grinstein: News Gives Blues As Delta Posts \$646M Loss Blame it on Charlie. And Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. Delta Air Lines (nyse: DAL - news - people ) Wednesday reported that third-quarter losses widened on weak domestic yields and lower passenger revenue.


Spirits Company Makes Bid For Mondavi Wines BERKELEY, Calif. -- The California winemaker Robert Mondavi says it is reviewing an unsolicited offer to buy the company, but it is not rejecting it as yet.


Leading economic indicators slow again in September OTTAWA - An indicator that gives an early look at Canada #39;s economic situation showed more signs of slowing in September, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.


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


UN: Domestic robot use to surge sevenfold by 2007 The United Nations annual World Robotics Survey predicts the use of robots around the home will surge seven-fold by 2007. The boom is expected to be seen in robots that can mow lawns and vacuum floors, among other chores.


Blair undecided on Iraq troop movement British Prime Minister Tony Blair says his Government has made no decision on whether to send 650 troops in Iraq to relieve US forces in potentially more dangerous parts of the country.


British Muslim Charged With Inciting To Kill Jews A Muslim leader in the United Kingdom, Abu Hamza Al-Masri, was charged in a British court yesterday with a variety of crimes, including 10 counts of soliciting murder, specifically, of Jews and other non-Muslims, as well as racist incitement and terrorism


First Students Expelled Over French Law An unidentified Sikh, wearing a head piece instead of a turban, enters his high school in Drancy, outside Paris, early Wednesday Oct. 20, 2004.


Figuring Out the Rules for VoIP (washingtonpost.com) washingtonpost.com - The land of Internet calling may not be free of regulation for much longer.


EU Trade Chief Seeks Tariff Break Overhaul (AP) AP - The European Union's top trade official proposed an overhaul of trade discounts to developing countries Wednesday, a move likely to anger China and India, both of which might no longer qualify for EU trade preferences for such products as clothing and textiles.


Nvidia Puts a Firewall on a Motherboard (PC World) PC World - Upcoming chip set will include built-in security features for your PC.


Will This Takeover Plan Turn Into Gold? (The Motley Fool) The Motley Fool - Here's something you don't see every day -- the continuing brouhaha between Oracle (Nasdaq: ORCL - News) and PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT - News) being a notable exception. South Africa's Harmony Gold Mining Company (NYSE: HMY - News) has announced a hostile takeover bid to acquire fellow South African miner Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: GFI - News). The transaction, if it takes place, would be an all-stock acquisition, with Harmony issuing 1.275 new shares in payment for each share of Gold Fields. The deal would value Gold Fields at more than  #36;8 billion. ...


Bush Rejects Kerry on Terror War, Economy (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush charged on\Wednesday that Democrat John Kerry has a "fundamental\misunderstanding" of the war on terrorism because he does not\see Iraq as a theater of that conflict.


Profit Up 23 Percent at General Dynamics Defense conglomerate General Dynamics Corp. said Wednesday that earnings rose 23 percent in the third quarter to \$322 million, thanks to strong results across all its divisions.


Nigerian bishop's anger at church The leader of the world's second biggest Anglican church attacks a report into the ordaining of gay bishops.


Key West, Suddenly Shy, Puts Pasties on Its Party Long considered beyond the reach of mainland mores, the Florida city is trying to limit blatant displays of sexual behavior.


Enterprise Purchases Sustain PC Sales The numbers suggest a long-expected slowdown in PC sales growth is taking hold, but also that at least modest growth is possible well into the future since businesses, from small firms to large


Update 1: Honeywell Income Grows Again on Orders Aerospace and high-tech manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. on Wednesday reported an 8 percent increase in third-quarter profits behind double-digit growth in sales for three of the conglomerate #39;s four business divisions.


Disney to sell 313 retail stores to Children #39;s Place NEW YORK, October 20 (newratings.com) - The Walt Disney Company (DIS.NYS) has reached a definitive agreement to sell its North American Disney Store retail chain to Children #39;s Place Retail Stores Inc (PLCE) for an undisclosed price.


Pfizer Posts Higher Earnings on Drug Sales NEW YORK - Pfizer Inc. said Wednesday that third quarter earnings, excluding charges, beat Wall Street expectations by a penny, on strong sales of Lipitor and Celebrex medicines.


Constellation sets sight at US wine maker Constellation Brands, Inc. (CBR), today advised that it is to make a \$1.3 billion bid for US listed Wine maker The Robert Mondavi Corporation.


Apple adds fastest, cheapest iBooks Apple has updated the iBook range, with the fastest-ever 1.33GHz model and the cheapest-ever model for 749, and adding built-in AirPort Extreme across the line.


Audubon: Habitat Losses Lower Bird Count The feathered creatures winging across North America have an obvious gift that land-bound humans lack, but their survival is threatened by earthly concerns.


Symbol MC50 Rugged Professional Windows Mobile Pocket PCs A rugged handheld that can withstand everyday use and abuse is sometimes needed among professionals. Symbol today added the new MC50 Windows Mobile 2003 SE devices to their line-up.


World #39;s Largest OLED Unveiled LG.Philips LCD, the world #39;s second-largest liquid crystal display (LCD) maker, said Tuesday that it has developed the world #39;s biggest active-matrix (AM) organic light emitting diode (OLED) display


Planets may take longer to form than previously thought A NASA telescope recently discovered evidence that the most violent part of the process in forming an Earth-sized planet - the collisions between colossal chunks of rock - may last hundreds of millions of years instead of 10 million years, scientists said


Mariners name Hargrove as new manager SEATTLE -- Mike Hargrove has been named manager of the Seattle Mariners, the team said Wednesday. The team said Hargrove had agreed to a three-year contract for 2005 through 2007.


Drugs shame Mutu to undergo counselling (AFP) AFP - Disgraced Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu will undergo counselling in an effort to save his career after he tested positive for cocaine.


Hariri resigns, wont head new Lebanese cabinet ISN SECURITY WATCH (20/10/04) - Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri tendered his cabinets resignation on Wednesday and said he would not head a new government.


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


Countrywide Results Spark Sector Selloff  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Countrywide Financial Corp. CFC.N on  Wednesday posted a 47 percent drop in quarterly earnings and  cut its outlook as mortgage refinancings fell and interest  rates climbed, sparking a broad sell-off in mortgage-company  stocks.


American Air Parent AMR Posts Loss  DALLAS (Reuters) - American Airlines' parent AMR Corp.  AMR.N on Wednesday posted a third-quarter loss as record-high  oil prices battered its bottom line and threatened to make  fourth-quarter losses even larger.


Ballmer: We need a \$100 PC The Microsoft CEO says one way to stem growing piracy of Windows and Office in emerging markets is to offer low-cost computers.


Sophos corrects 'theoretical' flaw Security software maker updates antivirus engine to plug hole that lets virus writers manipulate compressed files and avoid detection.


Update 8: Oil Prices Climb Back to the \$54 Level Crude oil prices climbed back to the \$54 level Wednesday, reversing a two-day slide, after the US government #39;s weekly petroleum supply report showed a fifth straight week of declining inventories of distillate fuel, which includes heating oil and diesel.


Cingular #39;s 3Q User Growth Boosts Revenue Cingular Wireless on Wednesday said record new subscribers drove revenue higher in the third quarter, but blamed a decline in operating profit on increased costs to gain customers and from its pending merger with AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.


Apple Debuts Fastest-Ever iBook G4 The new iBook G4 laptop targets consumers and education customers with its 54Mbps 802.11g wireless networking and an optional internal Bluetooth module for wirelessly connecting peripherals.


Are Liverpool missing Owen? LIVERPOOL, England, Oct. 20 - Rafael Benitez saw his Liverpool side miss several good chances as they draw with Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna at Anfield last night in the Group A UEFA Champions League match.


Syria and Lebanon reject UN  #39;interference #39; Syria and Lebanon have rejected outright a renewed United Nations Security Council call for Damascus to pull its troops out of its tiny neighbour, calling the international body #39;s decision  quot;interference quot;.


Cingular Operating Profits Dip, Revenue Up (AP) AP - Operating profits slipped 5.5 percent at Cingular Wireless LLC despite gains in both subscribers and revenue in what was likely the last full quarter before the company's completes its  #36;41 billion purchase of AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.


Annan has 'great deal to answer for' in oil for food scandal: top US senator (AFP) AFP - US Senator John McCain called for greater UN cooperation with a congressional probe of the Iraqi oil-for-food program, which he said "stinks to high heaven."


Google delves deep within your computer with new desktop tool The good news? Your computer can now have a photographic memory. The bad news? Your computer can now have a photographic memory. This secretly sourced and powerfully protected photographic memory - actually


Fettig: High Costs Put Whirpool Earnings Through Wringer The chill wafting over Whirlpool (nyse: WHR - news - people ) isn #39;t coming from its freezers. The home appliance maker posted lower-than-expected third-quarter earnings, cut its full-year forecast and said


Total turn-off for tiresome TVs Like x-ray specs, the invisibility suit or the ever-lasting doughnut, it sounds too good to be true. But a US electronics expert is selling a tiny remote-control device that he claims can switch off any television at the push of a button.


Intel puts brakes on fast chip HIGH speed is not necessarily all that counts. What #39;s demanded at the end of the day is performance. In the latest change to its product lineup, Intel has cancelled plans to release a 4GHz computer microprocessor.


Nvidia Puts a Firewall on a Motherboard Motherboard chip sets don #39;t normally excite much attention in the security world, but Nvidia #39;s NForce 4 could turn out to be the exception.


Foxy new software to heat up browser war WHAT if you could look at the world through only one window in your home, even though your place had other windows and other views?


Flip-flopping on Google I do a Google vanity search on myself about once a month to get a barometer on how, if at all, readers are reacting to and using my columns.


Countrywide Results Spark Sector Selloff (Reuters) Reuters - Countrywide Financial Corp.  on\Wednesday posted a 47 percent drop in quarterly earnings and\cut its outlook as mortgage refinancings fell and interest\rates climbed, sparking a broad sell-off in mortgage-company\stocks.


GII to Launch Corruption Report Today Ghana Integrity Initiative, a country branch of Transparency International in Berlin- Germany will today launch the 2004 annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI), a document considered within the anti corruption lobby as the best authority in measuring


Yudhoyono sworn in as Indonesian president TONY JONES: Former general and security minister SBY has been sworn in as Indonesia #39;s sixth President at a ceremony at the parliamentary building in Jakarta.


Cambodians welcome their new king Cambodia is celebrating the arrival of its first new monarch in 60 years, as King Norodom Sihamoni returns home to assume the throne abdicated by his ailing father.


Karzai en route to victory in poll; Qanooni pledges to accept result (AFP) AFP - Yunus Qanooni, Hamid Karzai's chief rival in Afghanistan's presidential election, said he will accept the outcome, as Karzai swept the country's south and southeast en route to outright victory.


Children's Place to Buy Disney Stores  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Children's Place Retail Stores Inc.  PLCE.O said on Wednesday it will buy 313 retail stores from  Walt Disney Co. DIS.N., and its stock rose more than 15  percent in late-morning trade.


Office Depot Earns Fall, Blames Weather (Reuters) Reuters - Office Depot Inc.  on Wednesday\unveiled plans to muscle in on rival Staple Inc.'s turf to\boost sales and stem a fall in market share in the increasingly\cutthroat office supply business.


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


Office Depot Earns Fall, Blames Weather  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Office Depot Inc. ODP.N on Wednesday  unveiled plans to muscle in on rival Staple Inc.'s turf to  boost sales and stem a fall in market share in the increasingly  cutthroat office supply business.


U.N. Anti-Terror Head Wants More Intelligence Sharing (Reuters) Reuters - The U.N.'s counterterrorism body said\Wednesday countries may be reluctant to show it all their\intelligence but that was the only way the United Nations could\help prevent future terror attacks.


EU Head Office Orders Izar to Repay Aid (AP) AP - The European Commission on Wednesday ordered Spain's troubled state-owned shipbuilder Izar to repay  #36;702 million in government assistance.


Google Expects to Add 372,050 Advertisers by 2008 (Reuters) Reuters - Google Inc. , the No. 1\Web search company that recently went public and said it will\not issue financial forecasts, expects to add 372,050\advertiser accounts by 2008, the San Francisco Chronicle\reported on Wednesday.


Pakistan Says Holding Yemeni 'Qaeda Leader' (Reuters) Reuters - Pakistan has arrested a Yemeni\national who is an important figure in al Qaeda's new\leadership and another foreign national who is one of the\network's communications specialists, officials said on\Wednesday.


Bush: Kerry Unable to Win War on Terror (AP) AP - President Bush said Wednesday that Sen. John Kerry's views on national security are so misguided that the Democrat would be unable to defeat terrorism.


Pakistan Says Holding Yemeni 'Qaeda Leader'  ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has arrested a Yemeni  national who is an important figure in al Qaeda's new  leadership and another foreign national who is one of the  network's communications specialists, officials said on  Wednesday.


Mariners Hire Mike Hargrove as Manager  SEATTLE (Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners have  scheduled a Wednesday afternoon press conference to announce  Mike Hargrove as their new manager.


FBI supplier readies secure Linux The new version of the operating system was built by Trusted Computer Solutions, which sells software to U.S. intelligence agencies.


Pakistan arrests 'important' Egyptian Al-Qaeda operative (AFP) AFP - Pakistani security forces arrested an Egyptian Al-Qaeda operative in the northwestern city of Peshawar bordering Afghanistan, a security official said.


Kerry Said to Discontinue Terror Alerts (AP) AP - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says he would discontinue the color-coded terror alerts issued by the Department of Homeland Security and find "some more thoughtful way of alerting America," according to an interview in Rolling Stone magazine.


Sainsbury tries to stop the rot LONDON - J Sainsbury will take a 550 million pound (\$1.5 billion) hit to profits this year as it invests to boost sales and reverse falling market share, Britain #39;s third-biggest supermarket chain said on Tuesday.


Delta: \$646M in losses in quarter nearly four times its losses from a year ago -- as the company again warned it needs pilots to take a massive \$1 billion