Business Objects to bundle IBM tools

The analytics and reporting software maker will begin selling IBM's mainframe access software.


N.Y. Atty General Announces Drug-Price Web Site (Reuters)

Reuters - New York Attorney General Eliot\Spitzer on Tuesday said his office has created an interactive\Web site to help New Yorkers comparison shop for prescription\drugs, following a statewide survey showing widely varying\prices at pharmacies.


Swiss slashes first-half net loss but fuel costs hamper turnaround (AFP)

AFP - The airline Swiss said it had managed to cut its first-half net loss by about 90 percent but warned that spiralling fuel costs were hampering a turnaround despite increasing passenger travel.


Google IPO Under Threat Due to Shortage of Bids

Google has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to make its registration statement effective at 4 pm Eastern time on Tuesday. If the company follows the usual IPO pattern, the share price would be set and the offering ...


Halliburton Says Army Can Withold Payments

Halliburton Co. on Tuesday blamed politics for a US Army decision to not grant the company more time to resolve a billing dispute in which the Pentagon contends the company did not adequately account for some \$1.8 billion of work done in the Middle East.


Cantor Fitzgerald spinning off business

Manhattan-based financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald said Tuesday it is spinning off its inter-dealer voice brokerage business and will concentrate on sales and trading, investment banking, asset management and other institutional services.


Housing starts jump 8.3 percent

Washington, DC, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The US Commerce Department said Tuesday a dip in mortgage rates helped boost home-building activity in July 8.3 percent after falling 7.7 percent in June.


Trial date set for ex-HealthSouth CEO Scrushy

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Fired HealthSouth chief executive Richard Scrushy will go on trial January 5th.


WWiSE group proposes 540 Mbps Wi-Fi

A consortium of companies is pushing a new proposal to the IEEE for 802.11n. 135 Mbps in standard mode, 540 Mbps maximum throughput. Fast enough? ...


PalmOne unveils Wi-Fi SD Card

It appears the rumours of Palm creating a Wi-Fi card are true, however before you rush to your local electronics store take note that it won #39;t work on any PDA you can find.


IBM seeks dismissal of SCO claims

IBM has filed a 100-page motion with a US district court in an attempt to have some of the claims made against it by The SCO Group dismissed.


The  #39;i #39; in  #39;Internet #39;

It #39;s not exactly an earth-shaking development but I expect that Wired News #39; very public announcement that it would no longer capitalize  quot;Internet, quot;  quot;Web quot; or  quot;Net quot; will provoke some discussion and debate in online publishing circles.


Medical Examiner Finds No Injuries on Thanou-Source

ATHENS (Reuters) - A medical examiner has found that Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou, who was in hospital with fellow athlete Costas Kenteris, had no injuries, a judicial source said on Tuesday.


Athens ticket sales  #39;improving #39;

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Olympic organizers announced that more than half of available tickets (3.1 million) to the Games have been sold, almost reaching the budget for purchases.


Greek wins gold in judo

Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - Ilias Iliadis captured Greece #39;s second gold medal of the 2004 Olympics with a thrilling victory over Roman Gontyuk of the Ukraine in the men #39;s under 81kg category in judo on Tuesday.


Boston Red Sox Team Report - August 17

(Sports Network) - Pedro Martinez will try to win his fourth consecutive decision, as he takes the hill for the Boston Red Sox in the middle test of a three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays.


Venter back for Boks

ABRASIVE Springbok flanker AJ Venter returns to the field on Saturday for South Africa #39;s crunch encounter against Australia, the only change to the team announced by coach Jake White today.


Stocks Up on Earnings, Data; Oil Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were higher on Tuesday,  boosted by strong earnings from Home Depot Inc. HD.N and two  separate economic reports that showed inflationary pressure was  held in check and U.S. housing starts rebounded sharply in  July.


Briefly: Business Objects to bundle IBM tools

roundup Plus: Linux clusters gear up for simulated combat...Sprint to bake in BlackBerry for businesses...Microsoft ships updated Works...FaceTime pulls in \$16 million.


New Cooperation and New Tensions in Terrorist Hunt

The apprehension of Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan was wrapped up with almost no notice, but it would have enormous global repercussions.


Front-Porch Chat: Birth of a Kerry Campaign Tactic

John Kerry has held 10 "front porch visit" events  an actual front porch is optional  where perhaps 100 people ask questions in a low-key campaigning style.


Beach Volleyball: Brazilians Aim for Podium Again

ATHENS (Reuters) - Brazil have had two women's teams on the  beach volleyball podium at the last two Olympics and moved a  step closer to a hat-trick Tuesday.


Welsh to ban strippers in limousines (Reuters)

Reuters - Strippers and pole dancers should be banned from performing in stretch limousines, according to a\British report.


Google shares could start trading Wednesday

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. - Google?s initial public offering could hit the Nasdaq Stock Market as early as Wednesday if US securities regulators let the Internet search engine close its auction on Tuesday.


US consumer prices decline unexpectedly in July

NEW YORK, August 17 (New Ratings)  The US consumer prices declined for the first time in the past eight months in July this year, driven by the reduced gasoline, clothing and transportation costs during the month.


US industrial production rebounds in July

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Output at US factories, mines and utilities rose by 0.4 percent in July, nearly recovering from a 0.5 percent plunge in June, the Federal Reserve said on Tuesday.


Building permits increase 5.7, reversing June downturn

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- Construction of new homes recovered in July, as US homebuilders started homes at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.978 million, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.


Real to Apple: It #39;s On

An old-fashioned price war is gearing up in the digital music download business, with RealNetworks (Quote, Chart) on the offensive. With rival Apple in its crosshairs, RealNetworks has slashed the price on songs sold from its RealPlayer store by 50 ...


IBM announces eServer i5 550

The eServer i5 550 comes with a feature called the  quot;Solution Edition, quot; which is apparently available with certain Independent Software Vendors. The eServer i5, allegedly, has new ways to handle and optimise multiple operating system sthrough the ...


Molik joins Pratt in last 16

ALICIA Molik joined fellow Australian Nicole Pratt in the last 16 of the Olympic tennis competition overnight with a 7-5 6-4 second round win over Slovenia #39;s Katarina Srebotnik.


Voices: Iranian Judo scandal

Iran #39;s Judo champion, a favourite at the Athens Games, has disqualified himself rather than face an Israeli opponent, apparently on the instruction of Iran #39;s Olympic Committee. So far the International Olympic Committee has been silent. What #39;s your view? ...


Fighting Continues In South Ossetia

Prague, 17 August 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Fresh fighting and further casualties were reported overnight in Georgia #39;s separatist republic of South Ossetia. The violence erupted hours after Georgia and South Ossetia reached an agreement under which all armed units ...


Oil Up on Rosy U.S. Economic Data

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Tuesday on cheery  economic data showing that inflationary pressure was held in  check in July and ahead of weekly inventory due out on  Wednesday forecast to show a draw in crude stocks


Illinois Helps Residents Import Drugs

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois residents will soon gain  access to lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, the United  Kingdom and Ireland, sidestepping U.S. regulators' objections  to imported drugs, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said on Tuesday.


Rebels force Nepal firms to close

One of Nepal's top hotels and a number of other companies close for business after threats from Maoist rebels.


U.S. Broadband Growth Slows - Analyst (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. telephone and cable companies\saw the growth of high-speed Internet services slow in the\second quarter to the lowest rate in a year, an industry\research firm said on Tuesday.


Real Slashes Online Song Prices (PC World)

PC World - Digital music battle continues, as Real undercuts ITunes' prices.


U.S. Broadband Growth Slows - Analyst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. telephone and cable companies  saw the growth of high-speed Internet services slow in the  second quarter to the lowest rate in a year, an industry  research firm said on Tuesday.


Briefly: Majoras steps into FTC chairman role

roundup Plus: Business Objects to bundle IBM tools...Linux clusters gear up for simulated combat...Sprint to bake in BlackBerry for businesses.


Illinois Helps Residents Import Drugs (Reuters)

Reuters - Illinois residents will soon gain\access to lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, the United\Kingdom and Ireland, sidestepping U.S. regulators' objections\to imported drugs, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said on Tuesday.


Court Rejects Yukos' Plea on Tax Bill

A Russian court today rejected the beleaguered oil company's appeal to suspend government efforts to collect \$3.4 billion in back taxes.


Army to Withhold Some Payments From Halliburton

The U.S. Army plans to withhold payment on 15 percent of future invoices of Halliburton's logistics deal in Iraq due to an ongoing billing dispute.


Chavez lambasts fraud allegations

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez rounds on opponents for alleging fraud in a referendum he seems to have won.


Google #39;s auction wrapping up

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Google #39;s long-awaited kickoff as the largest Internet IPO of all time is likely to take place as early as Wednesday after the controversial Dutch auction process wraps up after the bell.


Russian Arbitration Court Rejects Yukos Plea

The giant Russian oil firm Yukos has failed to convince a Moscow arbitration court to suspend the sale by bailiffs of its Siberian subsidiary to satisfy a \$3.4 billion tax debt.


US consumer prices dip 0.1 in July; industrial output and home starts rise

WASHINGTON (AP) - US consumer prices eased down by 0.1 per cent in July as gasoline prices dropped, while factory output rose and home construction rebounded, offering hope the economy has escaped its early-summer  quot;soft patch. quot; ...


JC Penney Posts Operating Profit

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Department store operator JC Penney Co. Inc. (JCP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday posted a quarterly operating profit, reversing a year-earlier loss, on inventory controls and strong sales of jeans, home furnishings and career ...


Nortel shares down following news of RCMP probe

TORONTO - Shares of Nortel Networks dipped on the TSX in the wake of news the RCMP has launched an investigation into accounting practices at the telecommunications company.


Mills buys stakes in 9 GM-owned malls

Virginia-based REIT will pay \$1B, before transaction costs, for a 50 stake in the properties. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Real estate investment trust Mills Corp. said Tuesday it will buy a 50 percent managing stake in nine regional malls from a General Motors ...


Stocks in Motion: Motorola

Shares of Motorola (MOT:NYSE - news - research) rose Tuesday after Geoffrey Frost, senior vice president of Motorola #39;s mobile phone division, told Reuters that the company feels  quot;very good quot; about sales growth during the second half of the year.


Update 1: Swiss Air Lines Posts 1st Quarterly Profit

Switzerland #39;s struggling national airline reported a second-quarter profit of 45 million Swiss francs (\$35.6 million) Tuesday, although its figures were boosted by a legal settlement in France.


IMF says Czech economic outlook  #39;favorable #39;

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday the near-term economic outlook for the Czech Republic, a European Union newcomer, was favorable with growth expected to strengthen.


Newest discoveries puts known number of satellites at 33

A camera aboard the Cassini spacecraft flying in orbit around Saturn has discovered two of the tiniest moons in the solar system -- one barely 2 miles in diameter and the other only a half-mile larger, astronomers reported Monday.


IBM adds midrange server to eServer lineup

AUGUST 17, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - IBM today launched a new one-to-four-way midrange Power5 server that features higher performance and several configurations to meet a wide range of user needs.


Q amp;A: HP #39;s Livermore sees no need for HP-UX on x86

AUGUST 17, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - This can #39;t be an easy time for Ann Livermore. When Hewlett-Packard Co. missed Wall Street #39;s earnings expectations late last week, the blame was placed squarely on the shoulders of the Enterprise Servers and Storage Group, ...


Indian researcher designs revolutionary low cost PC for the poor

Aug 17 - Professor Raj Reddy, an Indian researcher in artificial intelligence and a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Has designed a wirelessly networked personal computer worth just 250 US dollars intended for the four billion people around the ...


That Special Underwater Glow

any coral colonies have a nice healthy glow about them, courtesy of fluorescent proteins produced by the coral animals themselves.


Al-Maktoum wins men #39;s double trap shooting gold

ATHENS : Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum #39;s six-year quest for Olympic glory ended with a historic first ever gold for the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday after he clinched the men #39;s double trap shooting event.


E-mail from Athens

ATHENS, Greece  For people willing to devote an unfathomable \$1.5 billion to  quot;security quot; for the Olympic Games, the Greeks sure are careless. As in, they couldn #39;t care less.


US takes early lead over Australia

THESSALONIKI, Greece - With Abby Wambach out with a suspension after receiving two yellow cards Sunday against Brazil, the US soccer team came together and grabbed the lead early in their game against Australia on Tuesday afternoon.


Oil Up on Rosy U.S. Economic Data

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose close to a record high  on Tuesday on U.S. economic data showing that inflationary  pressure was held in check in July and ahead of weekly  inventory due out on Wednesday and forecast to show a draw in  crude stocks.


Ford Sued in Defective Door Latch Claim

DETROIT (Reuters) - A Canadian law firm on Tuesday said it  had filed a lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. F.N over what it  claims are defective door latches on about 400,000 of the  automaker's popular pickup trucks and SUVs.


Mittal steel firm in Bosnia deal

LNM Group, the steel giant headed by Indian tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, snaps up a Bosnian steelmaker in a \$280m deal.


Google IPO Imminent

The company asks federal regulators to approve the paperwork required for its stock sale. Also: Yahoo starts selling domain names   hellip;. Canadian officials investigate Nortel Networks   hellip;. and more.


PluggedIn: Multifunction Devices Draw Back-To-School Crowd (Reuters)

Reuters - The consumer electronics gizmo\that offers many functions in a small package is what's\compelling back-to-school shoppers to open their wallets.


PluggedIn: Multifunction Devices Draw Back-To-School Crowd

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The consumer electronics gizmo  that offers many functions in a small package is what's  compelling back-to-school shoppers to open their wallets.


Briefly: Kinko's debuts Web-based print options

roundup Plus: Majoras takes charge of FTC...Business Objects to bundle IBM tools...Linux clusters gear up for simulated combat.


Wireless vendors pledge hurricane relief

Cingular and Nextel step in to aid those recovering from Hurricane Charley in Florida.


Microsoft readies Host Integration Server 2004

In a continued effort to compete with IBM Corp. and its WebSphere offerings, Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced imminent availability of Host Integration Server 2004.


WR Berkley Sees Hurricane Losses

Insurance holding company WR Berkley Corp. said Tuesday that it does not expect its losses from damage caused by Hurricane Charley last week to exceed \$5 million.


RealNetwork #39;s 49 cent downloads rile Apple

Seattle, WA, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- RealNetworks Inc., is taking on Apple Computer #39;s wildly successful iTunes Music Store with a half-price sale offering music downloads for 49 cents a song.


Microsoft Delays Windows XP SP2 for Home Users

Microsoft has delayed the rollout of XP Service Pack Two (SP2) for home users, and some customers will not be able to download it until the end of the month. The new code was supposed to go out on Microsoft #39;s Automatic Update service on ...


Olympics-Shooting-loving Rathore promotes Olympic sports

ATHENS, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore loves cricket as much as any Indian, even if the national obsession with ball and bat can make it hard for the country #39;s Olympic athletes to get a look in.


Phelps Wins Second Gold Medal, in 200 Fly (AP)

AP - American Michael Phelps won the gold medal Tuesday in the 200-meter butterfly with an Olympic-record time of 1:54.04.


Redskins Cut Strong Safety Ohalete (AP)

AP - Strong safety Ifeanyi Ohalete was cut by the Washington Redskins on Tuesday after starting 15 games for the team last season.


Wood's Suspension Upheld (Reuters)

Reuters - Major League Baseball\Monday announced a decision on the appeal filed by Chicago Cubs\pitcher Kerry Wood regarding a suspension stemming from an\incident earlier this season.


Parry wins butterfly bronze

Stephen Parry comes a brilliant third behind Michael Phelps in the men's 200m butterfly.


Google IPO Imminent

In a sign that Google #39;s initial public offering is imminent, the company has asked federal regulators to give final approval to the paperwork required for its stock sale.


Banks want BJ #39;s to pay for credit card fraud

CHICAGO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - BJ #39;s Wholesale Club Inc. (BJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said credit card issuers want the retailer to reimburse them for up to \$16 million in fraudulent credit card charges and other costs stemming from a possible ...


Negative sentiment towards US stock market rises

NEW YORK, August 17 (New Ratings)  Analysts at Merrill Lynch say that a recent survey of global fund managers demonstrates continuously increasing negative sentiments towards the US stock market trends.


IBM Seeks Another SCO Dismissal

The current motion is in addition to the request for a summary judgment IBM has been seeking since early July. If the initial request is granted, it could bring the case to a close without trial. Although summary judgment arguments ...


VARs, Vendors Seize Patch Management Opportunity

The delayed arrival of Windows Update Services is giving VARs and patch management vendors a chance to cash in.


Iraq peace mission arrives in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - An Iraqi peace delegation has urged a radical Shi #39;ite cleric to call off his uprising in the city of Najaf, where US troops have been pounding militia positions near the country #39;s holiest Islamic sites.


Downer to begin nuclear talks

FOREIGN Minister Alexander Downer will today begin talks with North Korean officials to try to convince the communist state to drop its nuclear weapons program.


Southern Africa countries pledge enhanced trade ties with China, India

PORT LOUIS, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Southern African countries Tuesday pledged better trade and investment relations with China as well as India in the final communique released at the end of their two-day summit.


Chiron Wins Bird Flu Vaccine Deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chiron Corp. CHIR.O has won a  contract to develop a human vaccine against a strain of bird  flu that can infect people and "has the potential to trigger a  modern-day pandemic," the U.S. government said on Tuesday.


RealNetworks Halves Music Prices, Sees Wider Loss (Reuters)

Reuters - RealNetworks Inc. on Tuesday halved\prices for songs downloaded from its online music store to win\customers for new technology that has rankled rival Apple\Computer Inc.


Benefits Seen in Earth Observation Data (AP)

AP - Better weather forecasts to prepare for storms and planning for energy needs months in advance are among the benefits expected from a planned Earth Observation System.


Michael Phelps Wins Second Gold Medal (AP)

AP - Michael Phelps, denied in his bid to win seven gold medals, picked up his second victory of the Athens Games by winning the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday night in Olympic-record time. Phelps fell just short of his own world record, holding off Takashi Yamamoto to win in 1 minute, 54.01 seconds. The hard-charging Japanese swimmer took silver in 1:54.56, while Great Britain's Stephen Parry won bronze in 1:55.22.


Aussies Battle Americans to 1-1 Tie (AP)

AP - After 17 years, the Matildas finally caught up to the U.S. women's soccer team. Joanne Peters' 12-yard header in the 82nd minute gave Australia a 1-1 tie Tuesday with the United States, breaking a 15-game Aussie losing streak that dates to the teams' first meeting in 1987.


Australia Ties U.S.

Joanne Peters' 12-yard header in the 82nd minute gives Australia a 1-1 tie with the United States, while the Americans already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals.


India boosted as Rathore grabs historic silver (Reuters)

Reuters - India erupted with joy as shooter Rajyavardhan Rathore clinched their first medal at the Athens Olympics on Tuesday and their first ever individual silver.


Ill. Congressman's Son to Be on Ballot (AP)

AP - Democratic Party officials picked U.S. Rep. William Lipinski's son Tuesday to replace his father on the November ballot, a decision engineered by Lipinski after he announced his retirement and withdrew from the race four days earlier.


Najaf Fighting Intensifies Amid Peace Push

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. warplane bombed near Najaf's vast cemetery as fighting with Shiite militants intensified Tuesday...


Michael Phelps Wins Second Gold Medal

ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps, denied in his bid to win seven gold medals, picked up his second victory of the Athens Games by winning the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday night in Olympic-record time. Phelps fell just short of his own world record, holding off Takashi Yamamoto to win in 1 minute, 54.01 seconds...


Top-Seeded Federer Upset in Second Round

ATHENS, Greece - Top-seeded Roger Federer crashed out in the second round of the Olympic tournament Tuesday night, losing 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. Federer, who won Wimbledon the past two years and replaced Andy Roddick atop the rankings in February, was undone by poor serving and a string of unforced errors...


TJX Cos. Earnings Fall 4 Percent

TJX Cos. Inc. #39;s second-quarter earnings fell 4 percent, reflecting higher markdowns on merchandise due to softer sales trends.


US Airways seeks to delay pension payments

Dulles, VA, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- US Airways is seeking permission to delay pension contributions of \$67.5 million, so it can keep operating.


Cantor Fitzgerald to Split Off Voice-Broking Unit (Update5)

Aug. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Cantor Fitzgerald LP, one of the two largest Treasury bond brokers, will split off its original business of person-to-person sales to focus on more profitable activities such as institutional equity sales and trading.


Cassini Spacecraft Discovers 2 New Moons Around Saturn

The US Space Agency #39;s Cassini spacecraft has discovered two new moons around Saturn - bringing the planet #39;s count to 33. NASA said Monday the images of the two, small moons were taken June 1.


Intellisync in Danger

Intellisync #39;s synchronization software will soon be available on Danger Hiptop devices, through select carriers, allowing wireless synchronization to Outlook on the desktop.


Eriksson aims to stick by core of Euro 2004 side

SLALEY, England, Aug 17 (Reuters) - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he is prepared to put his faith in the nucleus of the squad that flopped at Euro 2004 as he tries to plot a successful challenge for the World Cup.


Court Throws Out Challenge to Blimp

The United States is on the verge of winning its first fencing medal in twenty years.  Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou are out of the hospital but not out of the woods.


History beckons for England

It used only to be Australians who suffered from dead-rubber syndrome  that most infuriating of conditions whereby a dominant side could write off a failure to complete a clean-sweep by claiming that the match never mattered anyway. Now, however, it is ...


Redskins cut former starter Ohalete

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- He was demoted to third string a couple weeks ago, didn #39;t do exactly what the coaches wanted and was coming off a bad game. Ifeanyi Ohalete knew what was coming next.


Pittsburgh vs. Arizona

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Jack Wilson lofted a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a wild 8-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the 10th, Jose Castillo drew leadoff walk against Greg Aquino (0-1) and stole ...


Bounty-hunter plays to gallery in Kabul

KABUL - A bounty hunter accused of running a private torture chamber has gone on trial in Kabul claiming he could not get a fair hearing because the FBI had confiscated vital evidence and locked it in the American Embassy.


Demonstrators protest benefit cuts in Berlin

Thousands of demonstrators brought protests against benefit cuts to the German capital yesterday, but the Government insisted it would make no further change to measures it sees as key to a more competitive economy.


Deere Earnings Up, Raises 2004 Forecast

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Deere   Co. DE.N, one of the world's  largest farm equipment makers,  said on Tuesday that quarterly  earnings jumped 62 percent, driven by strength in its  agricultural and construction equipment businesses.


Analysts fear longer than expected G5 delays (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Analysts from Prudential Equity Group and UBS have warned over the past two days that longer than expected G5 delays from IBM Corp. is the near-term "key risk" for Apple Computer Inc. Both firms are concerned the delays could be longer than originally expected.


Federer's Games Dream Shattered

ATHENS (Reuters) - Top seed Roger Federer was bundled out  of the Olympic tennis tournament on Tuesday by unheralded Czech  Tomas Berdych.


Edwards Out of Games

U.S. sprinter Torri Edwards is knocked out of the Olympics for good Tuesday when an arbitration panel upholds her two-year drug suspension.


Son Running for Ill. Rep.'s House Seat (AP)

AP - Democratic Party officials picked U.S. Rep. William Lipinski's son Tuesday to replace his father on the November ballot, a decision engineered by Lipinski after he announced his retirement and withdrew from the race four days earlier.


Interactive Web Sites Provide New Approach to Election Coverage (Editor and Publisher)

Editor and Publisher - NEW YORK While most newspapers are utilizing their Web sites to supplement coverage of the presidential race, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times have taken the frenzy over electoral votes and undecided states to the next level with some unusual interactive options.


Google set to start trading

SAN FRANCISCO - Google looks set to start trading on the Nasdaq today after the web #39;s No 1 search engine asked regulators for final approval to price its closely watched initial public offering.


Florida #39;s fiscal shape helps cushion Charley #39;s hit

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Hurricane Charley may have caused up to \$15 billion in damage in Florida, but that is not seen immediately hurting the state #39;s credit picture thanks to strong finances and funds in reserve, analysts said ...


Oil Prices Rebound Towards Record Highs

Oil prices moved back towards record highs tonight amid continued concerns over soaring demand and tight supplies.


Army Withholding Halliburton Payments

Halliburton (HAL:NYSE - news - research) sank Tuesday after the Army chose not to extend a deadline for the company to explain its billing in Iraq.


Air Canada gets green light from creditors

After more than 16 months of restructuring, Air Canada #39;s creditors overwhelming endorsed the airline #39;s new business plan during a meeting at a Montreal hotel Tuesday.


RealNetworks launches music-download price war

Seattle online media company RealNetworks Inc. on Tuesday said a new campaign to attract subscribers to its music download service will add about a penny per share to its third-quarter net loss.


Second Wi-Fi standards group steps forward

A new battle of technologies may be in the offing in the 802.11n arena as 12 key companies have developed a key proposal to counter another one announced last week that is backed by a group of top wireless players.


DOD labs get Linux clusters

Linux Networx Inc. delivered two more systems to the Defense Department as part of the military #39;s Technology Insertion 2004 initiative to improve defense laboratories #39; high-performance computing.


Livni: Settlement blocs will be strengthened

The Housing and Construction Ministry on Tuesday published tenders for about 1,001 new housing units in West Bank settlements.


Israeli soldiers kill boy in Nablus

A 10-year-old Palestinian boy has been shot dead by Israeli occupation soldiers during an incursion into the centre of the West Bank city of Nablus, according to Palestinian medical sources.


Don't Marry Until March

Plan a big, fat cheap wedding, and start your coupling with extra cash, not debt.


Klochkova Wins 200 IM, Beard Takes Silver (AP)

AP - Yana Klochkova of Ukraine completed an Olympic sweep of the individual medleys, winning gold in the 200-meter IM Tuesday night. Amanda Beard of Irvine, Calif., made a dramatic move from fifth to second on the breaststroke portion and earned the silver in 2:11.70  #151; her fifth career Olympic medal.


Rumsfeld Warns Against Fixing Intelligence in 'Single Stroke'

The secretary of defense signaled he favors a slower, more cautious approach to revamping U.S. intelligence than the Sept. 11 commission does.


Hurricane Charley hits Outback

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Outback Steakhouse Inc. said Tuesday it lost about 130 operating days and up to \$2 million in revenue because it had to close some restaurants in the South due to Hurricane Charley.


Intel TV Chip Is Delayed

Intel said it will delay its highly anticipated television chips, based on Liquid Crystal on Silicon, or LCOS, technology, which promises to deliver large screen TVs at a price point half of what they cost today. The chipmaker said the ...


Federer #39;s Games Dream Shattered

ATHENS (Reuters) - Roger Federer was bundled out of the Olympic tennis tournament Tuesday by unheralded Czech Tomas Berdych.


Ruling bars Edwards from Athens competition

ATHENS, Greece -- US sprinter Torri Edwards #39; suspension was upheld by a panel of three international arbitrators Tuesday, leaving the reigning 100-meter world champion unable to compete at the Olympics.


US soldier killed in eastern Baghdad-military

BAGHDAD, Iraq  One US soldier was killed and several others were wounded in clashes with Iraqi Shi #39;ite militiamen in a Baghdad suburb Monday, the US military said Tuesday.


Army Won't Pay 15 Pct of Halliburton Bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army will withhold payment  on 15 percent of future invoices of Halliburton Co.'s HAL.N  logistics deal in Iraq due to a billing dispute that could cost  the company \$60 million a month, the military said on Tuesday.


Phelps, U.S. Win Men's 4x200 Freestyle Relay

ATHENS (Reuters) - Michael Phelps led the United States to  a narrow victory in the men's 4x200 meters freestyle relay at  the Athens Olympics Tuesday to collect his third gold medal in  four days.


World 100m Champion Torri Edwards Banned from Games

ATHENS (Reuters) - World 100 meters champion Torri Edwards  will miss the Athens Olympics after her appeal against a  two-year drugs ban was dismissed Tuesday.


US-led coalition denies airstrikes in western Afghanistan (AFP)

AFP - The US military denied reports that the coalition in Afghanistan had launched air strikes to quell fighting in the west of the country.


Wal-Mart's Taxing Comps

Wal-Mart sees August same-store revenues up 2 to 4. How should investors view this statistical range?


Last Call for Investors to Bid on Google (Reuters)

Reuters - Time is running out for prospective\investors to submit their offers to buy shares of Google Inc.\(GOOG.O), the Web's No. 1 search company.


GameStop Earnings Up on Software Sales (AP)

AP - Video-game chain GameStop Corp.'s second-quarter earnings rose on strong sales.


IBM adds four-way 550 server to new i5 product line

IBM Corp. bolstered the new eServer i5 server lineup with the i5 550, a new system based on the Power 5 chip that can run multiple operating systems.


Papua New Guinea, the world's next AIDS frontier (AFP)

AFP - The old man lay unattended in the shack which served as a morgue for the General Hospital in Mount Hagen, a busy town in the restive highlands of central Papua New Guinea.


Kerry admits to soft spot for Oscar winner Theron (AFP)

AFP - Democratic presidential contender John Kerry has a soft spot for South African actress Charlize Theron but is adamant that second wife Teresa Heinz-Kerry changed his life, he has told GQ magazine.


Phelps Wins Second Gold Medal

ATHENS, Greece - His quest to surpass Mark Spitz out of the way, Michael Phelps got back to winning gold. The 19-year-old from Baltimore claimed his second gold medal of the Athens Games in the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday night, though he was a bit disappointed at failing to break his own world record...


US Army to withhold portion of Halliburton payments

The billing dispute between the US Army and Houston-based Halliburton Co. continues as the Army on Tuesday said it would withhold paying 15 percent of future invoices from Halliburton.


Microsoft Delays SP2 Auto Update For Enterprises

Although Monday was to be the day when Microsoft began pushing Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) to enterprises, it changed its mind at the last minute and delayed the automatic updating for more than a week.


#39;One in 12 Emails Infected with Virus #39;

The number of attempted attacks by computer viruses rocketed in the first half of the year, according to a report published today.


Detective Caught in Internet Sting Over Child Sex

HITE PLAINS, Aug. 16 - A 16-year veteran of the New York Police Department, who supposedly called himself a  quot;boy hunter #39; #39; in an online profile, was arrested on Monday after the Westchester district attorney, Jeanine Pirro, said he tried to ...


For Wednesday AMs

AP Olympic Digest for Wednesday AMs. The supervisor is Aaron Watson. The phone number for the New York sports desk is (212) 621-1630. Reruns of stories and agate available from http://yourap.org, from the Service Desk (800-838-4616) or your local AP ...


Redskins release Ohalete

Ashburn, VA (Sports Network) - The Washington Redskins have released safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, a starter for 15 games last season.


Eight to Face Court on Terror Murder Plot Charges

Eight men will appear in court tomorrow accused of plotting terrorist outrages in Britain and the United States.


Although Monday was supposed to be the day when Microsoft began pushing Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) to enterprises, it changed its mind at the last minute and delayed the automatic updating for more than a ...


Aftershock: Brown rips team #39;s lack of effort

ATHENS, Greece -- Larry Brown was despondent, the head of the US selection committee was defensive and an irritated Allen Iverson was hanging up on callers who asked what went wrong.


Greece grabs first gold

HOST nation Greece grabbed its first gold medal of the Athens Olympics this morning when Nikolaos Siranidis and Thomas Bimis won the men #39;s three-metre synchronised diving after China #39;s favourites suffered a no-dive.


Were the judges by any chance French?

Kosuke Kitajima #39;s technique may get a sharper eye from officials today in the 200-meter breaststroke race.


Iran #39;s Olympic snub

Iran #39;s transparent decision to boycott head-to-head competitions against Israeli athletes is an assault on the Olympic ideal. It needs to be dealt with swiftly and sternly. Instead, the International Judo Federation could not find enough executive members ...


They built it, but no one comes

quot;It #39;s sad, quot; the British visitor to Athens said, shaking her head.  quot;It #39;s sad that nobody is here, buying tickets to the Olympics. People should be out there telling people that Athens is great. It #39;s a great experience. quot; ...


I #39;ll be No.1 - Owen

Michael Owen is confident that he will be a success at Real Madrid following his 8m move from Liverpool.


Owen gives Sven backing

Michael Owen today insisted that Sven-Goran Eriksson has the full backing of the England squad and warned that the coach should not be underestimated.


Hewitt in sharp form in Washington

WASHINGTON -- Lleyton Hewitt launched his ATP Washington Classic campaign with a 6-1 6-2 first round win over Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark.


Kobe win on sex life of accuser

Prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant case suffered yet another setback yesterday when a court shot down their last-ditch attempt to keep the accuser #39;s sex life out of the looming trial.


Los Angeles loves Lo Duca

LOS ANGELES -- Everywhere you looked before Monday night #39;s game at Dodger Stadium, there he was. Paul Lo Duca, the thirtysomething mother of two. Paul Lo Duca, the dude with the thick beard and the backward Dodgers cap. Paul Lo Duca, the guy with the beer ...


Packers-Seahawks scoring summary

FIRST QUARTER: K Ryan Longwell 47-yard field goal at 9:03. Key plays: QB Brett Favre opened the drive with a 7-yard pass to WR Donald Driver to GB 39. RB Ahman Green 3-yard run, plus 5-yard facemask penalty on Seattle moved ball to GB 47. Favre 11-yard ...


Halliburton Now Says It Will Not Get Extension From Army

The company said today that the United States Army had decided not to grant it additional time to substantiate its costs in Iraq and Kuwait.


Google prepares to wrap up share auction (AFP)

AFP - Google Inc prepared to wrap up an extraordinary share auction, meaning a final price in the multi-billion-dollar listing will be announced within days.


Gateway: hang onto your hard drive

New service plan lets customers keep old drives after replacement to protect data.


RealNetworks Goes After iPod With Price War\\RealNetworks on Tuesday halved the prices for downloaded songs to \$0.49  to win customers away from Apple Computer's iPod craze. RealNetworks has recently launched its "Harmony" technology which makes its song downloads compatible with Apple's iPod technology. Apple currently has a firm grasp ...


Netscape Browser 7.2 Released by AOL

Netscape Browser 7.2 Released by AOL\\America Online has just released Netscape 7.2. Based on Mozilla 1.7, this latest version features better popup blocking, vCard support, an improved junk mail algorithm, better standards support, performance enhancements and several hundred other bug fixes. It also includes patches for recent security vulnerabilities according ...


Jury Rejects Thomas Family's GM Claims (AP)

AP - The family of former Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Thomas is not entitled to any money from General Motors Corp. for the Jan. 2000 crash that killed the nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker, a jury ruled Tuesday.


Last Call for Investors to Bid on Google

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Time is running out for prospective investors to submit their offers to buy shares of Google Inc. (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , the Web #39;s No. 1 search company.


Oil prices climb again tonight

Oil prices moved back towards record highs tonight amid continued concerns over soaring demand and tight supplies.


Toyota is outbid for land But state says developer won #39;t necessarily get site

Toyota has been outbid by a land developer for state-owned property in York Township, but officials say this is one deal that will be decided by more than money.


Edwards banned from Games

ATHENS (Reuters) - World 100 metres champion Torri Edwards will miss the Athens Olympics after her appeal against a two-year drugs ban was dismissed.


Major Rathore is a perfectionist to the core

A man of words, commitment and warmth. Rajyvardhan Singh Rathore combines all these qualities. And he, of course, is one of the most talented shooters of recent times.


Burundi authorizes UN camp for Congolese refugees

GENEVA, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The government of Burundi has authorized the United Nations to set up a camp for newly-arrived Congolese refugees following the horrific attack on the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi last Friday, UN officials said here ...


Germany #39;s Schroeder adopts three-year-old Russian girl

BERLIN: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his wife have adopted a daughter, an official with Schroeder #39;s party said Tuesday. Schroeder and his wife, Doris Schroeder-Koepf, picked up the 3-year-old Russian girl named Victoria several weeks ago from a ...


Sudan: Foreign Troops Run Gauntlet of Government Displeasure

Television footage aired over the weekend showed a group of Rwandan soldiers dancing and clapping their hands. With AK-47 assault rifles firmly strapped across their shoulders, the 150 troops sported green berets adorned with African Union badges as they ...


Cardinal hears farewell in John Paul #39;s remarks

BRUSSELS One of 15 cardinals with Pope John Paul II during a weekend visit to a French shrine was quoted in Belgian news media on Monday as saying the ailing pontiff may have been making his farewells.


Can GameStop Be Stopped?

GameStop's lack of a competitive advantage leaves investors with many questions.


Advertisers Go Digital to Track Ads

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top marketers are going digital to  track the delivery of commercials into U.S. homes with a system  some advocates say will revolutionize advertising the way  product codes changed the selling of sliced bread.


U.S. Advertisers Go Digital to Track Ads


Briefly: Gateway says, hold on to your hard drive

roundup Plus: Kinko's debuts Web-based print options...Majoras takes charge of FTC...Business Objects to bundle IBM tools.


Coyotes Re-Sign Right Wing Mike Johnson (AP)

AP - The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed right wing Mike Johnson on Tuesday to a three-year contract.


Holiday Pals Berlusconi, Blair Cement Ties (AP)

AP - With a bandanna on his head and a grin on his cheeks, Italy's flamboyant Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been playing vacation host to Britain's Tony Blair in Sardinia, an unlikely holiday coupling that highlights an Italian-British alliance bolstered by the Iraq war.


Mobile Boohoo for Sohu

Chinese net stock Sohu.com (Nasdaq: SOHU) dropped by 10 on Friday after the company announced that its multimedia messaging services with China Mobile Communication had been temporarily suspended for a year. The sanctions were ...


AOL releases Netscape update

Netscape Communications upgraded its namesake browser on Tuesday to version 7.2, a rare sign of life at America Online #39;s moribund browser division.


Many similarities, differences between #39;04 US basketball and #39;80 Soviet hockey teams

This was no miracle, but you could not tell by the amount of elation surrounding the Dream Team #39;s trip to the woodshed Sunday.


Top-seeded Federer upset in second round

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Top-seeded Roger Federer was eliminated in the second round of the Olympics Tuesday night, losing 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. Federer, who won Wimbledon the past two years and replaced Andy Roddick atop ...


UN rights chief deeply concerned about refugee camp massacre in Burundi

GENEVA, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations human rights chief expressed her deep concern over the massacre in the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi last Friday, a UN official said here Tuesday.


Public servant backs Scrafton

PRIME Minister John Howard said he would not be swayed by more public servants coming forward in relation to the children overboard scandal.


US troops move gets muted response

BERLIN, Germany (AP) -- Germany #39;s defense minister expressed regret Tuesday about US plans to restructure its forces abroad -- changes expected to hit Germany the hardest with the pullout of two heavy divisions. Japan and Australia embraced the changes.


Stocks Higher on Economic Data, Earnings

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks traded higher on Tuesday,  despite oil prices hitting a new high before falling back, as  U.S. economic reports showed an easing of inflationary pressure  and a sharp rebound in the housing market.


U.S. Public Now Evenly Split on Iraq War (AP)

AP - Nine months of chaos and casualties in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's capture have taken a heavy toll on American opinion of President Bush's decision to go to war. Last December, when Saddam was caught, public support for Bush was 2-to-1 in favor. Now the public is evenly divided on whether the war was the right thing to do or whether it was a mistake.


Rumsfeld warns on spy shake-up

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld urges caution on US intelligence reform, saying it could create new barriers.


Stocks up on positive consumer price report

NEW YORK (AP) - A drop in consumer prices and a decline in crude oil futures Tuesday allowed investors to put aside worries about inflation, at least for the short term, and they sent stocks modestly higher.


RealNetworks Slashes Music-Downloading Prices

With competition heating up in the online music business, RealNetworks Inc. slashed prices Tuesday for downloading music.


New bird species discovered

LONDON - A new species of flightless bird has been discovered on a remote island in the northern Philippines, Filipino and British researchers announced Tuesday.


Symantec Updates SOHO Gear To Battle Against Worms, Phishing

Symantec on Tuesday introduced versions of its consumer and small business security software with updates that protect against network-scanning worms such as Sasser, and keep phishing attacks at bay.


Packers #39; rookie punter struggling

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Tim Couch #39;s troubles grasping the West Coast offense gave rookie punter BJ Sander plenty of opportunities to make a good first impression with the Green Bay Packers.


Holiday Pals Berlusconi, Blair Cement Ties

With a bandanna on his head and a grin on his cheeks, Italy #39;s flamboyant Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been playing vacation host to Britain #39;s Tony Blair in Sardinia, an unlikely holiday coupling that highlights an Italian-British alliance ...


Illinois Helps Residents Import Prescription Drugs

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois residents will soon be able to  buy lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, the United  Kingdom and Ireland, sidestepping U.S. regulators' objections  to imported drugs, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said on Tuesday.


Giants to Start Manning Against Carolina (AP)

AP - Eli Manning is going to get a chance to open the season as the New York Giants' starting quarterback.


World 100m Champion Edwards Banned

ATHENS (Reuters) - World 100 meters champion Torri Edwards  will miss the Athens Olympics after her appeal against a  two-year drugs ban was dismissed on Tuesday.


India to surpass China as world's most populous country in 2050: study (AFP)

AFP - India is projected to outpace China and become the world's most populous country by 2050, growing by 50 percent in the next 46 years to reach more than 1.6 billion people, a US research institute said.


Odumbe handed five-year ban

Former Kenya captain Maurice Odumbe receives a five-year ban for receiving money to fix a match.


Consumer Prices Decline, Housing Rebounds

WASHINGTON - Consumer prices fell by 0.1 percent in July as gasoline prices dropped while output at factories and housing construction posted healthy rebounds, offering hope the economy has escaped this summer's "soft patch."   The Labor Department said Tuesday that the decline in its closely watched Consumer Price Index was the first decrease since a 0.2 percent drop last November. The CPI had been up 0.3 percent in June and an even sharper 0.6 percent in May, reflecting big jumps in energy costs...


Stocks Climb on Drop in Consumer Prices

NEW YORK - Another jump in oil prices pre-empted a rally on Wall Street Tuesday, though stocks managed to post modest gains on the strength of the latest consumer price report, which put many investors' inflation fears to rest for the near term.    Stocks started the session strong after the government's Consumer Price Index registered a small drop in July, giving consumers a respite from soaring energy prices...


Treasuries Gain After Tame Inflation

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury debt prices rose on Tuesday  after July inflation figures proved subdued and soaring oil  prices pointed to slower U.S. consumer spending down the line.


New PC Is Created Just for Teenagers (AP)

AP - This isn't your typical, humdrum, slate-colored computer. Not only is the PC known as the hip-e almost all white, but its screen and keyboard are framed in fuzzy pink fur. Or a leopard skin design. Or a graffiti-themed pattern.


Home Depot raises view as profit tops estimates

ATLANTA, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Home Depot Inc. (HD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday reported a 19 percent rise in second-quarter profit, handily topping estimates, as store renovations and efforts to improve service drove higher ...


Applied Materials Takes on Metron

Applied Materials (Quote, Chart) said it filled a major gap in its services portfolio with its acquisition of Metron Technology (Quote, Chart).


Two new, tiny moons found around Saturn

Paris, France, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft has detected two tiny, previously-unknown moons orbiting Saturn between Mimas and Enceladus, mission scientists said Tuesday.


PalmOne Announces SD WiFi Card

palmOne today announces that it is to provide a second level of wireless connectivity for Tungsten T3 and Zire 72 handheld users with the introduction of its first Wi-Fi card. Developed specifically for handheld owners who want to complement the ...


Cell phone carriers to get Linux option

CHICAGO - Motorola Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. on Monday said they agreed to an expanded deal to help mobile telephone service providers use Linux-based computers to run their core network systems.


Coyotes re-sign RW Johnson to three-year deal

----------------------------------------------- GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - Mike Johnson missed most of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but that didn #39;t stop the Phoenix Coyotes from giving him the veteran right wing a three-year contract ...


Roddick escapes, Federer doesn #39;t at Olympics

Andy Roddick and Roger Federer both found themselves mired in three-set struggles Tuesday night at the Olympics.


Giants will give Eli first start Thursday

No. 1 draft pick Eli Manning will make his first start at quarterback for the New York Giants in their exhibition game Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, coach Tom Coughlin announced Thursday, according to ESPN.


Eight terror suspects charged in Britain

LONDON, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- British police on Tuesday charged eight terrorism suspects with conspiracy to murder.


Consumer Prices Drop, Industry Output Up

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices dropped in July  for the first time in eight months as a sharp run up in  gasoline costs reversed, the government said on Tuesday in a  report suggesting the U.S. Federal Reserve can stick to a plan  of gradual interest-rate rises.


Women Employees Sue Costco

Women employees of Costco Wholesale Corp. filed a sex discrimination class action suit today, alleging that the giant retailer imposes a glass ceiling that prevents women from reaching the top and keeps them in lower paid positions.


Advertisers Go Digital to Track Ads (Reuters)

Reuters - Top marketers are going digital to\track the delivery of commercials into U.S. homes with a system\some advocates say will revolutionize advertising the way\product codes changed the selling of sliced bread.


Study: Unpatched PCs compromised in 20 minutes

The average "survival time" is not even long enough to download patches that would protect a computer from Net threats.


Olympics-Fencing-U.S. and Swiss End Gold Drought

ATHENS (Reuters) - Mariel Zagunis won the first fencing  gold for the United States for 100 years when she beat Xue Tan  of China 15-9 in the inaugural Olympic women's sabre final on  Tuesday.


Slaves' descendants should get tax exemption: US Senate hopeful (AFP)

AFP - American descendants of African slaves should be exempted from US federal taxes for a generation or two to compensate them for the state-sanctioned exploitation of their ancestors, an aspiring US Senate hopeful declared.


Britain Charges 8 in Terror Plot Tied to U.S. Alert

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain charged eight terrorism suspects  Tuesday and said one had plans which could be used in terror  attacks on U.S. financial targets in New York, New Jersey and  Washington.


Apple #39;s Real Rivalry

If you go by the headlines alone, it sounds like RealNetworks (Nasdaq: RNWK) is about to embark on a heady money-losing venture as it halves prices for its music download service Harmony, looking to take a bite out of Apple ...


Olympics: Federer crashes but Roddick survives Olympic scare

ATHENS : World No 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland crashed out of the Olympic tennis tournament when he lost to unseeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.


CU #39;s Bloom Denied Request

University of Colorado wide receiver Jeremy Bloom has lost his bid to continue playing college football while accepting endorsements to support his professional skiing career.


Men #39;s Singles : Interview with JUAN CARLOS FERRERO (ESP)

Q. It #39;s a slow road back, isn #39;t it? You #39;ve had the illness and injury problems earlier in this year. Did you lose confidence or what? ...


Australia envoy in N Korea talks

Australia #39;s foreign minister is in North Korea, urging the Stalinist state to renounce nuclear weapons.


IBM Takes New Tack in SCO Legal Battle (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - In its ongoing war with SCO over Linux and Unix IP, IBM is trying a new tactic: declaring that SCO has no rights over its "homegrown" Unix code.


Today Inca Trail, Tomorrow Inca Road

A consortium of nonprofits aim to restore sections of the Inca Road, the 500-year-old route that linked the Inca Empire from present-day Colombia to central Chile.


Birding Column: Moments of Photographic Rapture

Birdman of Belair Mathew Tekulsky waxes on the serendipitous moments when birds and timing alight together for memorable photographs.


Could Australia's Deadly Snakes Put Bite on Cancer?

Eighty percent of Australia's snake species are venomous, making the continent a paradise for researchers seeking the next generation of miracle drugs for human diseases.


Africa's Penguins Still Reeling From "Guano Craze"

Faced with the lingering effects of a 19th-century trade in seabird excrement and more modern pressures, jackass penguins are struggling to recover, conservationists say.


Spider-Venom Profits to Be Funneled Into Conservation

Pharmaceutical companies have profited from medicines derived from spiders. Now a group called Venom Venture is making sure some of that money goes toward conserving the spiders themselves.


Paradoxically, African Railroad Keeps Habitat Intact

Normally, transportation routes through wilderness are frowned on by conservationists. But a newly restored railroad in Madagascar is persuading locals not to slash and burn the surrounding landscape.


Insect Vibrations Tell of Good Times and Bad

Thornbugs communicate by vibrating the branches they live on. Now scientists are discovering just what the bugs are "saying."


Friday the 13th Phobia Rooted in Ancient History

Fear of Friday the 13th has roots in a Viking myth, ancient Rome, and even the Last Supper.


U.S. Studying Israeli West Bank Home Plan (AP)

AP - The United States withheld judgment Tuesday on whether Israel's plans to build 1,000 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank violate the U.S-led Middle East peace plan.


Sharon Allows 1,000 More Settler Homes in West Bank

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, facing a  party mutiny over his plan to quit the Gaza Strip, has approved  1,000 more Israeli settler homes in the West Bank in a move  that drew a cautious response on Tuesday from Washington.


Iraq's Sadr Snubs Peace Delegation in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq's radical cleric Moqtada  al-Sadr refused on Tuesday to meet a delegation of Iraqi  political and religious leaders seeking to end a rebellion in  the holy city of Najaf and other parts of the country.


Costco Target of Sex Bias Lawsuit (Reuters)

Reuters - Lawyers leading a record-setting\sex discrimination case against Wal-Mart Stores said on Tuesday\they filed a lawsuit against Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST.O),\claiming the company kept women out of top store management\posts.


Stocks End Higher, Lifted by Data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday,  even as oil prices hit another record, as investors  were  encouraged by data showing an easing of inflationary pressure  and a sharp rebound in the housing market.


Oil Up on Rosy U.S. Economic Data

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose to another record high  on Tuesday on U.S. economic data showing inflationary pressure  was held in check in July and ahead of weekly inventory data on  Wednesday expected to show a decline in crude stocks.


HP's order system chaos to continue throughout August

HP World SAP hell lingers


Feature: A New IDEA in Air Quality Monitoring

Combining the assets of NASA and the EPA with NOAA's weather information is at the heart of a new NASA project called IDEA:\ Infusing Satellite Data into Environmental Air Quality Applications. IDEA will improve forecasters' ability to track regional pollution and make air quality forecasts.


Soldering Surprise on the Space Station

There's nothing routine about working in space, as astronaut Mike Fincke found out recently when he did some soldering onboard the International Space Station.    ScienceNASA -- Richard Grugel, a materials scientist at the Marshall Space Flight Center, watched his video monitor in disbelief...


Taking the Pulse of Planet Earth

Scientists are planning to take the pulse of the planet -- and more -- in an effort to improve weather forecasts, predict energy needs months in advance, anticipate disease outbreaks and even tell fishermen where the catch will be abundant.


AMD Ships New Mobile Athlon 64, 90-nm Processors

Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday said it has begun shipping a 3700 mobile Athlon 64 processor. The chip maker also confirmed it has started shipping processors on its 90-nanometer manufacturing process for revenue.


Symantec Updates Home And Small-Office Security Products

The updates are designed to protect against network-scanning worms and keep phishing attacks at bay.


Kinko #39;s Software Connects Windows Apps to Print Centers

Fedex Kinko #39;s Tuesday rolled out free software that connects Windows users to the firm #39;s print centers for ordering printing, binding, and shipping services.


Olympics-Fencing-US and Swiss End Gold Drought

ATHENS (Reuters) - Mariel Zagunis won the first fencing gold for the United States for 100 years when she beat Xue Tan of China 15-9 in the inaugural Olympic women #39;s sabre final on Tuesday.


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, facing a party mutiny over his plan to quit the Gaza Strip, has approved 1,000 more Israeli settler homes in the West Bank in a move that drew a cautious response on Tuesday from ...


Applied Materials Returns to Profit

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Applied Materials Inc.  AMAT.O,  the largest maker of chip-making tools, on Tuesday said healthy  spending on new semiconductor factories more than doubled  revenue and returned it to a quarterly profit.


AMD enters the 90-nanometer zone

Chipmaker becomes the last of several well-known chip companies to begin making 90-nanometer processors.


Cops Test Handheld Fingerprint Readers

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) -- Several Minnesota police departments are field testing a handheld device that scans a suspect's fingerprint and digitally checks it against Minnesota's criminal history and fingerprint database...


wheat (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Field trials of genetically modified wheat are still being conducted in Canada by multinational biotech giant Monsanto despite a pledge earlier this year that the testing would be abandoned, critics said Tuesday.


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, facing a  party mutiny over his plan to quit the Gaza Strip, has approved  1,000 more Israeli settler homes in the West Bank in a move  that drew a cautious response Tuesday from Washington.


Americans Settle for 1-1 Tie With Aussies

THESSALONIKI, Greece - The U.S. women's soccer team needed only a tie Tuesday and that's all it got - settling for a draw against a team it had always beaten...


Ill. Plans Online Network to Import Drugs

CHICAGO - Ignoring a federal ban on prescription drug imports, Illinois' governor announced Tuesday that the state would have an online clearinghouse running within a month to help residents purchase drugs from Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.    The state won't import the drugs itself, but plans to contract with a Canadian company to connect state residents with foreign pharmacies that have been approved by state health inspectors...


Britain Charges 8 Terrorist Suspects

LONDON - British police charged eight terrorist suspects Tuesday of conspiring to commit murder and use radioactive materials, toxic gases, chemicals or explosives to cause "fear or injury" in a case involving an alleged top al-Qaida operative at the center of a U.S. terror alert this month...


Mobile Boohoo for Sohu (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Chinese net stock Sohu.com (Nasdaq: SOHU - News) dropped by 10 on Friday after the company announced that its multimedia messaging services with China Mobile Communication had been temporarily suspended for a year. The sanctions were imposed after Sohu sent solicitations for phone messaging services without China Mobile's approval. Sohu is now down 25 after its high-flying start to this calendar year.


McAfee Finds Security in Foundstone (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Shortly after we came back from our big vacation overseas in May, my Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL - News) PowerBook was hit with a computer virus. I can't tell you which one, but it was enough to cripple my Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) Office for the Mac software. Symantec's (Nasdaq: SYMC - News) Norton Anti-Virus found the bug, and then eradicated it by exterminating my entire in-box. (Thanks, guys.)


Fencing: U.S. and Swiss End Gold Drought

ATHENS (Reuters) - Mariel Zagunis won the first fencing  gold for the United States for 100 years when she beat Xue Tan  of China 15-9 in the inaugural Olympic women's sabre final on  Tuesday.


Iraq's Sadr Declines to Meet Najaf Peace Delegation

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq's radical cleric Moqtada  al-Sadr refused on Tuesday to meet a delegation of Iraqi  political and religious leaders who want him to call off his  uprising in the holy city of Najaf and other areas.


Court Rejects Yukos #39; Appeals About Tax Claim

Yukos suffered a double blow Tuesday when the Moscow Arbitration Court rejected attempts by the oil major to cover part of a \$3.4 billion bill in back taxes and postpone collection of the claim.


Costco Target of Sex Bias Lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Lawyers leading a record-setting sex discrimination case against Wal-Mart Stores said on Tuesday they filed a lawsuit against Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , claiming the company kept women out of top ...


Investors: Nortel may axe 5,000 jobs

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp. investors predicted Tuesday the telecom equipment giant will again slash jobs when it reports long-overdue results this week, and shrugged off news of another criminal probe into its high-profile accounting woes.


Stocks End Higher, Lifted by Data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - US stocks ended higher on Tuesday, even as oil prices hit another record, as investors were encouraged by data showing an easing of inflationary pressure and a sharp rebound in the housing market.


Air Canada Creditors Clear Carrier #39;s Bankruptcy Plan (Update2)

Aug. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Air Canada creditors including a General Electric Co. unit and Deutsche Bank AG cleared a plan that gives them most of the company #39;s equity when the carrier emerges from bankruptcy protection at the end of September.


AMD enters the 90-nanometer zone

Advanced Micro Devices says it has reached a chip manufacturing milestone that will lead to improvements across its range of processor offerings for PCs and servers.


Flash Video Takes a Front Seat

Macromedia announced a new kit that simplifies the way professional developers add video to their Web sites.


Microsoft Integration Server on Deck

Microsoft (Quote, Chart) is ready to ship Host Integration Server 2004, offering a Windows interface to mainframes and legacy applications.


Phelps Pushes Gold-Medal Haul to Three

ATHENS, Greece - With the quest to surpass Mark Spitz out of the way, Michael Phelps could savor one of the greatest races in swimming history. Phelps claimed his second and third gold medals of the Athens Games on Tuesday, winning the ...


Canadian poolcrasher prompts tighter security

ATHENS - Olympic organizers have increased security inside all sports venues today after a Canadian, whose body was emblazoned with the name of an Internet casino, climbed out of the stands and jumped off one of the boards into the pool.


THESSALONIKI, Greece - The US women #39;s soccer team only needed a tie Tuesday, and that #39;s all it got - settling for a draw against a team it had always beaten. The Americans tied Australia 1-1, ending a perfect record against the Matildas ...


Southern African Development Community Agrees on New Election Guidelines

Southern African leaders have agreed to a set of rules aimed at enhancing the transparency of elections and democratic rule in the region.


Army: May Not Withhold Halliburton Money

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army on Tuesday appeared to  reverse a decision to stop paying a portion of Halliburton  Co.'s HAL.N bills in Iraq and gave the company more time to  resolve a billing dispute.


Lions' Porcher Accepting Diminished Role (AP)

AP - Robert Porcher knows his NFL career is heading toward the end.


Romania Wins Women's Gymnastics Gold, U.S. Takes Silver

ATHENS (Reuters) - Romania underlined their superiority  over the rest of the field by storming to the women's  gymnastics team gold at the Olympic Games Tuesday.


Japan Powers Past Cuba in Baseball

ATHENS (Reuters) - In a baseball battle of gold-medal  contenders, Japan banged three home runs to defeat Cuba 6-3  Tuesday, as starter Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched into the ninth.


Stocks Up on Data, Despite Oil's Rise

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher for a third  successive day on Tuesday, even as oil prices rose to another  record, after investors were encouraged by data showing an  easing of inflationary pressure and a sharp rebound in the  housing market.


Restoration Hardware Names Tate COO

Tate, who will also become executive vice president of the Corte Madera-based home furnishings chain, was most recently the operating chief at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.


Can RealNetworks Play Losses For Gain?

NEW YORK - This is how serious the competition for digital music customers has become: RealNetworks will widen its losses in the hope of upgrading users to its premium subscription service.


CA Strengthens Security Investment

CA (Quote, Chart) has taken a renewed interest this week in network security with two additions to its eTrust portfolio. The company acquired spyware killer PestPatrol and launched a consulting practice to assist partners with Vulnerability Manager ...


New Wi-Fi Spec Pushes for 100 Mbps

A consortium of companies collaborating under the moniker  quot;WWiSE quot; today announced their intended submission of a complete joint proposal to the IEEE 802.11 Task Group N (TGn), which is chartered with developing a next-generation ...


DOD Chooses Linux Clusters

Linux Networx has announced that two Department of Defense centers will be using Linux cluster supercomputers from the company to conduct battlefield simulations. The clusters are part of an initiative to modernize the DOD #39;s ...


RVS Rathore: The silver lining

Waiting for the bus to the Markopoulos shooting range this afternoon, a question from a Chinese journalist rattled me.  quot;From India? How many medals have you won? quot; ...


Overrated NBA athletes losing to better teams

For the purist, watching basketball played at the Olympic level is a nice break from what #39;s become of the game in this country.


Olympics-Federer #39;s Games dream shattered

ATHENS, Aug 17 (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer was bundled out of the Olympic tennis tournament on Tuesday by unheralded Czech Tomas Berdych.


Montreal at San Francisco, 7:05 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants will look for their sixth straight win Tuesday when they continue a four-game series against the Montreal Expos at SBC Park.


Arrested Qaida terrorist an India-born

WASHINGTON: Abu Musa al-Hindi, one of the principle terror suspects charged with plotting to attack US financial institutions, has been identified as India-born Dhiren Barot. British police on Tuesday charged Barot, 32, of gathering surveillance plans of ...


Media giant BSkyB sues EDS over troubled CRM system

London-based media giant British Sky Broadcasting Group has filed a legal claim against Electronic Data Services over a problematic CRM system designed to support the media company's customer support call centers.


Microsoft readies Host Integration Server 2004

The newest edition of Host Integration Server, which replaces the 2000 version, is designed to make it easier for users to link Windows systems with IBM mainframes and midrange iSeries servers.


Q A: HP's Livermore sees no need for HP-UX on x86

Ann Livermore, executive vice president of HP's Technology Solutions Group, discussed the company's recent earnings report and talked about its hardware plans.


Pentagon turns to Linux for high-end battlefield simulations

As part of its technology update program, the Defense Department has turned to two 256-processor Linux Networx Evolocity cluster supercomputers to improve complex computerized battlefield simulations.


Gartner revises PC market forecast, warns of downside

Although the PC market won't grow as fast this year as originally envisioned by Gartner analysts, the industry is still expected to sell 12.6 more units this year than in 2003.


IBM seeks dismissal in second part of SCO case

In documents filed Friday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, IBM sought the dismissal of a major component of the lawsuit filed against it last year by The SCO Group.


Analysts concerned about longer-than-expected G5 delays

Analysts from Prudential Equity Group and UBS are warning that delayed shipments of G5 chips from IBM could affect Apple Computer's bottom line


Making Slideshows

Comparing photo slideshow computer applications, Thomas E. Weber writes for the Wall Street Journal,  #147;Those using an Apple computer won #146;t need to agonize over which slideshow program to choose. Apple #146;s excellent iLife package (\$49; included with new Macs) is all they #146;ll need. Users can construct slideshows in the package #146;s easy-to-use iDVD program or move slideshows from iPhoto into iDVD for burning onto a disc. For more effects, the iMovie video-editing software can add panning and zooming motion. #148; Aug 17


New Europe Coaches Make Mark in World Cup (AP)

AP - It didn't take long for the new coaches of three soccer powers to make their marks.


U.S. Rebounds with Narrow Basketball Win Over Greece

ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States rebounded from a shock  opening game loss to narrowly beat Greece 77-71 at the men's  Olympic basketball tournament on Tuesday.


Google IPO imminent

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- After months of unprecedented hype, Google took a final step toward its long-awaited public stock sale, asking regulators to finalize paperwork that could start trading as early as Wednesday.


Woman claims Costco discriminates against female managers

SAN FRANCISCO An assistant store manager at Costco filed a federal civil rights suit today in San Francisco. Shirley  quot;Rae quot; Ellis alleges she was passed over for a promotion because the retail chain #39;s policies discriminate against women.


Ford, Magna face class-action suit

TORONTO (CP) -- Up to 400,000 Canadians might be driving Ford vehicles with faulty door latches that could lead to serious injury or death, according to a \$527-million class-action lawsuit commenced Tuesday against Ford Motor Co., Magna ...


Air Canada gets lease on life

Creditors approve plan, get 10 cents on the dollar and allow airline to emerge from bankruptcy. MONTREAL (Reuters) - Air Canada creditors approved a recapitalization plan Tuesday that will allow the world #39;s 11th largest airline to emerge from bankruptcy ...


RealNetworks Slashes Prices For Music Downloads

For three weeks, it will sell songs for 49 cents and albums for \$4.99--a move that could spark a price war.


Shot-Put Returns to Ancient Stadium

THENS, Aug. 17  American shot-putter John Godina walked into the ancient Olympic stadium at Olympia when he arrived there earlier this week and the history he had studied in college came to life before his eyes.


No deaths  #39;miraculous #39; in English flash flooding

LONDON  British police said today they believed no one had died in flash flooding that struck seaside communities in southwest England, but rescue operations were continuing.


Home Depot Profit Tops Estimates on Sales

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Home Depot Inc. on Tuesday reported a  19 percent rise in second-quarter profit, handily topping  estimates, as store renovations and efforts to improve service  drove higher average sales in every category.


Dollar Up Slightly Vs. Euro

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar eked out marginal gains  against the euro on Tuesday as the market digested a  slew of  U.S. economic data that failed to substantially alter the  outlook for gradual increases in U.S. interest rates.


Violence Tackled at Online Gaming Parlors (AP)

AP - Six days a week, teens crowd the Blue Screen Gaming cybercafe to hunt each other down with assault rifles inside virtual computer worlds. In these video game halls, nobody gets hurt. But real-life violence has flared around some of these businesses, prompting municipal crackdowns.


HP's Fiorina stood up by Argentina's President

HP World Belly bands and three-legged stools


News: TRMM Sees Rain from Hurricanes Fall Around the World

Since rain and freshwater flooding are the number one causes of death from hurricanes in the United States over the last 30 years, better understanding of these storms is vital for insuring public safety.


Desert hospitality, honor, and the war outside the door

One Najaf family's shifting view of the fierce fighting that surrounds them.


Marked men with no place to hide

The Honduran government's crackdown on street gangs has been swift, severe, and apparently successful.


Greek baseball team, made in the USA

Success at the Games could boost the popularity of a sport unfamiliar to Greeks.


Tired of post-9/11 hassles, Arab tourists head east

Saudi visitors to Malaysia were up 53 percent in 2004.


Sun-shy female commuters fuel an Asian fad

Part hat, part mask, part visor, it's a new piece of bicycle headgear.


Nepal braced for rebel 'blockade'

Nepalese forces are on alert ahead a deadline set by rebels, who have threatened to blockade the capital.


J.C. Penney Posts Profit, Sales Strong

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Department store operator J.C. Penney  Co. Inc. JCP.N on Tuesday posted a quarterly operating  profit, reversing a year-earlier loss, on inventory controls  and strong sales of jeans, home furnishings and career clothes.


Treasuries, Oil Up, Inflation in Check

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury debt prices rallied on  Tuesday, dragging yields to four-month lows as July inflation  figures proved subdued and soaring oil prices pointed to slower  U.S. consumer spending down the line.


Windows XP Security Update Delayed (AP)

AP - Microsoft Corp. has delayed automated distribution of a major security upgrade to its Windows XP Professional operating system, citing a desire to give companies more time to test it.


Network Solutions is Pathetic

\\We have a few domains hosted on Network Solutions.  For one reason or another we\were in a hurry and just used NetSol as our registrar.  BIG mistake!\\They are one *pathetic* organization!\\They are a DNS company.  That's what they DO!  Their DNS admin only allows 10\IPs. Of course they don't tell you this when you signup.  You only find out that\the UI doesn't allow for additional IPs until try to add them.\\To add insult to injury when you try to move AWAY from NetSol by changing your\primary and secondary they drop your IP configuration immediately.  You're just\out of luck if there are clients which have cached your primary and secondary\DNS servers.\


Eagles Defensive End Kalu Out for Year (AP)

AP - Defensive end N.D. Kalu will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during in Tuesday's practice.


US NBA stars pushed to the brink before edging Greece (AFP)

AFP - Allen Iverson scored 17 points despite a fractured right thumb and the reeling United States team was pushed to the brink before beating Greece 77-71 in an Olympic preliminary round basketball game.


A Big Perk for 84 Lumber Golfers (AP)

AP - David Toms was going through his PGA Tour schedule for the remainder of the year when he mentioned the 84 Lumber Classic, which is squeezed between the Ryder Cup and a World Golf Championship in Ireland.


Blast in Gaza House Kills at Least Two (AP)

AP - An explosion in a house in Gaza City early Wednesday killed at least two people, Palestinian witnesses said. It was not immediately known what caused the blast.


Blast in Gaza Home of Hamas Man Kills 4 - Medics

GAZA (Reuters) - An explosion tore through the home of a  senior Hamas militant in Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least  four people and wounding him and about a dozen other  Palestinians, medics said.


Sudan Says More Police to Shield Darfur Refugees

ABUJA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Sudan plans to double the number  of police in Darfur to 20,000, the country's foreign minister  said on Tuesday in the face of fresh reports that marauding  Arab militiamen were still preying on stricken refugees.


Report: Japan, Russia to Lose Population

WASHINGTON - Japan, Germany and many other large industrialized countries face long-term population slowdowns or declines as more young adults have fewer children or delay child-rearing, demographers say.    While the world's population is expected to increase by almost 50 percent by 2050, Japan could lose 20 percent of its population over the next half-century, according to data released Tuesday by the private Population Reference Bureau...


Thrilling Relay Win Gets Phelps Third Gold

ATHENS, Greece - Now this was a duel in the pool. With Michael Phelps leading off Tuesday night, the United States bested its rival from Down Under in the most thrilling race of the Athens Games...


Microsoft Updates Its IBM Connectivity Server

On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled the 2004 version of its Host Integration Server (HIS) product, which is designed to integrate IBM mainframes and servers with Windows systems.


Official backs Scrafton #39;s version

A former federal official has backed Mike Scrafton #39;s story that he told John Howard three days before the 2001 election that the children overboard story was wrong.


Japan Turns to 'Dream Team' to Restore Baseball Pride

ATHENS (Reuters) - Japan's own baseball "Dream Team"  hammered arch-rivals Cuba 6-3 and set themselves up as  favorites for gold in the Athens Olympics Tuesday.


After the Bell-Applied Materials rises after earnings

NEW YORK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Shares of Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest maker of chip-making tools, rose after the bell on Tuesday after the company said healthy spending on new semiconductor factories more than ...


Alcoa closing Ohio plant, cutting 140 jobs

Alcoa Inc. will close an automotive components factory in Ohio and lay off its staff in a bid to cut excess capacity, the Pittsburgh-based company said Tuesday.


Berkshire Takes Stake in Pier 1

Fellow Fool Alyce Lomax and I need to debate Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR). Between Alyce covering the company warnings and me advising not to jump off the pier, there has been little good news to report. Is Pier 1 ready to get ...


Microsoft delays security update for Windows XP Professional

REDMOND, Wash. -- Microsoft has delayed distribution of a security update for users of its Windows XP Professional operating system to give some companies more time to test it, the software company said Tuesday.


Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the 2004 version of its Host Integration Server (HIS) product, which is designed to integrate IBM mainframes and servers with Windows systems.


Motorola rolls out database management software

AUGUST 17, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Motorola Inc. announced today it has completed the second phase of a four-phase rollout of information life-cycle management (ILM) software that cut its production database size by as much as 50 in some business ...


Greek Soccer Out of Olympic Running

The recently crowned European Champions are out of the running for a medal in men #39;s soccer. In the group rounds, Greece lost to Mexico 2:3 and watched as its favorite sons had to give up a chance for a gold to teams like Mali, South Korea, Iraq and ...


Kalu out for the year with torn ACL

Defensive end ND Kalu will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during in Tuesday #39;s practice.


Google IPO Paper Not Declared Effective (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange\Commission did not declare effective Google Inc.'s registration\statement for its multibillion-dollar initial public offering\by the close of the agency's business day on Tuesday, an SEC\official said.


SEC Delays Google Stock Offering

Google Inc.'s long-awaited initial stock sale, which appeared imminent Tuesday, has been delayed while the company awaits final approval of its paperwork by the Securities and Exchange Commission. -Associated Press


Britain scratching about for medals (AFP)

AFP - Britain were neck and neck with Olympic minnows Slovakia and Zimbabwe and desperately hoping for an elusive gold medal later in the week.


Mobile Homes a Danger in Hurricane Zones, Owners Say

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (Reuters) - Rita Weston survived Hurricane Charley huddled under a mattress with her husband and mother in a mobile home she bought 35 years ago. But before the storm passed, the home was reduced to scrap wood and metal.


Alcoa to Close Ohio Plant, Cut 140 Jobs

Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. said Tuesday it is closing its Northwood, Ohio, automotive components factory by year-end to trim excess capacity, which will impact about 140 employees.


Cendant breaks off mortgage unit talks

The real estate and travel company says it will continue to look for a buyer of its mortgage business.


Windows XP Security Update Delayed

Microsoft Corp. has delayed automated distribution of a major security upgrade to its Windows XP operating system, citing a desire to give companies more time to test it.


New bird species discovered in Babuyan Island

A NEW bird species, which is believed to be found nowhere else in the world, has been discovered on the remote island of Calayan, 70 km north of Luzon.


IBM Unwraps Middle Tier i5 Server

IBM on Tuesday unveiled the eServer i5 550, a new addition to its Power 5-based lineup that it #39;s aiming at mid-sized business.


AOL Releases Netscape 7.2

Also included with 7.2 is an improved pop-up blocker which now stops more pop-ups than any previous version of Netscape, something only just apparent in some more widely used browsers, Netscape will even block mouse over pop-ups.


Analysts concerned about longer-than-expected G5 delays

AUGUST 17, 2004 (MACCENTRAL) - Analysts from Prudential Equity Group and UBS have warned over the past two days that longer than expected G5 delays from IBM Corp. is the near-term  quot;key risk quot; for Apple Computer Inc.


Japan lifts men #39;s gymnastics team gold (updated)

ATHENS, Aug. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- World championships third-placers Japan took a sweet revenge on Monday to claim the men #39;s gymnasticsteam title at the Athens Olympics with a total score of 173.821 points.


Geogia woman wins medal in fencing

ATHENS - The United States won its first fencing medals in 20 years Tuesday, a bronze by an Atlanta-area competitor and a gold by Mariel Zagunis in the saber competition.


Iraqi Peace Mission Snubbed by Rebel Cleric Sadr

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Tuesday refused to meet an Iraqi peace delegation because of  quot;American aggression quot; as US troops pounded militia positions in Najaf near the country #39;s holiest Islamic sites.


Israel invites bids for construction of 1,000 more homes in West Bank

JERUSALEM (AP) - The Israeli government on Tuesday issued bids for 1,000 new homes in Jewish West Bank settlements, in a violation of an internationally backed peace plan, but insisted the construction has the tacit approval of one of the backers, the US ...


Blast in Gaza Home of Hamas Man Kills 4 - Medics

GAZA (Reuters) - An explosion tore through the home of a senior Hamas militant in Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least four people and wounding him and about a dozen other Palestinians, medics said.


US to withhold Halliburton money

The Pentagon is to withhold a proportion of payments to US firm Halliburton which supplies meals to US troops in Iraq.


Product Review: HP d530 Business Desktop (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - I.T. managers will appreciate the versatility of the HP (NYSE: HPQ) d530 Business Desktop, equipped with a 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 with hyperthreading technology. The small form-factor desktop targets business consumers seeking a reasonably priced, high-end PC. HP has produced a business machine that will fulfill any office task without draining your entire PC budget.


Aberdeen: CRM To Lead SMB Enterprise Software Spending (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) still view cost-cutting as their primary reason for making enterprise software purchases. But customer acquisition and retention ranks second, and for that reason they will spend more on CRM functionality than any other enterprise software area this year, according to data gathered by Aberdeen Research.


Group Urges EPA for More Pollution Cuts (AP)

AP - If the government required deeper cuts in air pollution from power plants, at least 3,000 lives would be saved and 140,000 children would avoid asthma and other respiratory ailments, an environmental group said Tuesday.


N.Y. Orders Power Plants to Cut Emissions (AP)

AP - Citing what they called a public health emergency, New York officials on Tuesday ordered power plants to reduce emissions blamed for acid rain.


Crypto researchers abuzz over flaws

Presenters at the Crypto 2004 conference identify faster ways to forge digital signatures with common security algorithms.


HP WORLD - HP: ProLiant delays to continue through August

CHICAGO - Hewlett-Packard Co. customers will continue to have difficulties ordering custom configurations of HP's ProLiant servers though the end of August, company executives told attendees at the HP World conference in Chicago Tuesday. The problems are due to continuing problems with an SAP AG order processing and supply-chain deployment rolled out last month, they said.


Venezuelan Officials Agree to Audit Sample (AP)

AP - Venezuelan election officials agreed Tuesday to conduct a partial audit of the results of a recall referendum won by President Hugo Chavez, amid opposition charges of election fraud, officials told The Associated Press.


Explosion in Hamas Man's Home in Gaza Kills 4

GAZA (Reuters) - An explosion tore through the home of a  senior Hamas leader in Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least four  people and wounding him and about a dozen other Palestinians,  medics said.


7 Texas Kids Found in Nigeria Orphanage

HOUSTON - Seven Texas children were discovered abandoned at a Nigerian orphanage, suffering from disease and malnutrition, and have been brought back to the United States.    Child Protective Services, which received emergency custody of the children Monday, is investigating accusations that the children's adoptive mother abandoned them in Nigeria in October and later went to work in Iraq as a private contractor...


U.S. Bounces Back to Beat Greece 77-71

ATHENS, Greece - Lamar Odom made a key defensive play on Greece's Dimitris Pipanikoulaou, preventing him from getting a clean layup attempt that could have cut the United States' lead to two points, and the Americans won 77-71 Tuesday night in the second round of the Olympic men's basketball tournament.    In a much closer game than expected, the Americans bounced back from their embarrassing loss to Puerto Rico in their opener and avoided dropping to 0-2, which would have matched their loss total from the previous 68 years...


Thrilling Relay Win Gets Phelps Third Gold

ATHENS, Greece - Now this was a duel in the pool. With Michael Phelps leading off Tuesday night, the United States bested its top rival in the most thrilling race of the Athens Games...


ING Withdrawing  #36;5 Billion From Janus (AP)

AP - Janus Capital Group Inc. on Tuesday identified ING US Financial Services as the client planning to withdraw  #36;5 billion from the Denver-based mutual funds giant.


SEC Leaves Google Waiting on IPO Go Ahead

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. securities regulators  on Tuesday did not give Google Inc. the green light it needs to  price its initial public offering, extending the wait for its  highly anticipated market debut.


Hoops Team Rebounds

The Americans survive a poor shooting night to beat Greece 77-71 at the men's Olympic basketball tournament on Tuesday.


Google IPO document not declared

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Securities and Exchange Commission has not declared effective Google #39;s registration statement for its multibillion-dollar initial public offering by the close of the agency #39;s business day on Tuesday, an SEC official says.


Yukos woes flare up again, offsetting Venezuela vote

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Crude futures headed higher Tuesday to close at a new historic level near \$47 a barrel, following news that a Russian court has rejected a plea from oil giant Yukos to suspend government efforts to collect a \$3.4 billion tax ...


Borders 2Q Profits Soar 89 Percent

Borders Group Inc. #39;s second-quarter profits rose 89 percent on stronger-than-anticipated book sales and topped Wall Street #39;s estimates. The company also increased its full-year earnings outlook.


FTC Seeks to Delay Arch-Triton Merger

Antitrust regulators have asked a federal appeals court to temporarily block Arch Coal Inc. #39;s \$364 million acquisition of Triton Coal Co. Ltd., pending court appeal.


Another dodo? Flightless bird found in Philippines

SCIENTISTS have discovered a new species of flightless bird on a remote island in the Philippines, the conservation group BirdLife International said yesterday.


AOL Releases Netscape Browser Update

America Online Inc. on Tuesday opened the curtain on its update to the Netscape Web browser. Netscape 7.2 became available for download from the Netscape site. As previously reported, AOL had planned to unveil its first browser update in a year by the ...


Gloom amid the boom

BANGALORE - The success of India #39;s high-tech and outsourcing industry was built on Bangalore but the southern city where the boom began has now become a victim of its own success.


Unobstructed Views: Olympic-sized fools

For all their troubles, the Olympic Games remain the greatest unifying force in the world. Every four years, they draw a diverse international audience, bridging cultural gaps, transcending ethnic divisions, and uniting us all in a single, harmonious ...


US Wins First Fencing Gold Since 1904

THENS, Aug. 17  As the American fencer Mariel Zagunis yelled in triumph, her teammates rushed her and hurled her into the air. What made their celebratory gesture especially notable was that Zagunis was still holding, and waving, her ...


Colombian golfer leads US Amateur qualifying

MAMARONECK, NY (AP)  Oscar Alvarez of Colombia shot a 3-under-par 67 for the first-round lead at the US Amateur on Monday. Alvarez, a junior at BYU, had five birdies and two bogeys on the 6,775-yard East course at Winged Foot Golf Club, and was the ...


North Korea  #39;won #39;t pull out of 6-way talks #39;

BEIJING - China said yesterday that its close ally North Korea will not be pulling out of six-party talks, despite Pyongyang hinting that Washington #39;s hardline policy made the negotiations unworkable.


Annan urges Myanmar to free Suu Kyi

NEW YORK  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday raised doubts about Myanmar #39;s resolve to implement a road map for democracy and urged the nation #39;s military leaders to immediately release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.


Borders Profits Rise, Raises Outlook

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Borders Group Inc. BGP.N, the No. 2  U.S. bookseller, on Tuesday said quarterly earnings rose,  beating estimates by the company and Wall Street, largely  because of stronger-than-expected book sales.


Army May Not Withhold Halliburton Money

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army reversed a decision  late Tuesday to withhold payment on 15 percent of future  invoices of Halliburton Co.'s HAL.N logistics deal in Iraq  and gave the company more time to resolve a billing dispute.


Google Interview Is Draw for Latest Playboy Issue (Reuters)

Reuters - The new issue of Playboy magazine\isn't drawing attention in some circles for its trademark\centerfold but for an interview with the founders of Web search\engine Google Inc. that raised regulatory eyebrows.


Williamson Gets Third Opinion on Elbow (AP)

AP - Red Sox reliever Scott Williamson sought a third opinion on his ailing right elbow Tuesday before deciding whether to have major reconstructive surgery.


Iran Threatens Israel on Nuclear Reactor (AP)

AP - Accompanied by a warning that its missiles have the range, Iran on Tuesday said it would destroy Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor if the Jewish state were to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.


Grim funeral service held for Burundi massacre victims (AFP)

AFP - Thousands of grieving people and top politicians attended a grim funeral service held to bury some 160 Congolese Tutsis slaughtered in a refugee camp in Burundi.


Borders Profits Rise, Raises Outlook

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Borders Group Inc. (BGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 US bookseller, on Tuesday said quarterly earnings rose, beating estimates by the company and Wall Street, largely because of stronger-than-expected book sales.


Applied Materials Reports Profit in 3Q

Applied Materials Inc., the world #39;s largest supplier of machines that make computer chips, Tuesday said surging sales in its latest quarter surpassed its own and Wall Street estimates.


NZ PRESS: NGC Seeks LPG, Network Businesses To Grow

WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--NGC Holdings (NGC.NZ), a New Zealand-based gas distribution and metering concern, is seeking liquified petroleum gas and electricity network businesses in its quest for growth, the Dominion Post reported on its Web site Wednesday.


New bird species discovered in Philippines

Cambridge, England, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- British and Filipino researchers have found a new bird species on a remote island in the northern Philippines, which is a relative to the familiar Moorhen.


AOL adopts Girafa #39;s thumbnail search technology

Girafa.com, which develops and providers data visualization solutions and services, announced yesterday that CompuServe, Netscape, AIM and ICQ - properties of America Online (AOL) - have signed an agreement with Girafa to use its thumbnail ...


HHS spends \$228M on IT programs

A preliminary accounting of efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that the agency has about 19 major health information technology initiatives, totaling about \$228 million.


Palm adds an SD Wi-Fi card

PalmOne has at long last released an SD Wi-Fi card, enabling PDA users to connect to both office WLANs and public hotspots. However, difficulties with implementing wireless Ethernet on PalmOS mean that the US\$129 card will only work on the Tungsten T3 and ...


UAE, India hit Olympic firsts

ATHENS  The United Arab Emirates and India scored Olympic firsts on day four of the Athens Games on Tuesday and there was good news also for host Greece, which landed its second gold of the competition.


Olympics: US NBA stars pushed to the brink before edging Greece

ATHENS : Allen Iverson scored 17 points despite a fractured right thumb and the reeling United States team was pushed to the brink before beating Greece 77-71 in an Olympic preliminary round basketball game.


Matildas #39;salvage late draw with US

ATHENS: Australia #39;s Matildas salvaged a 1-1 draw against the United States at the Athens Olympics on Tuesday to join the Americans in the last eight of the women #39;s soccer tournament.


Olympics-Federer #39;s Olympic dream shattered twice over

ATHENS, Aug 17 (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer #39;s top target for the year -- an Olympic tennis gold medal -- was taken away from him in a  quot;terrible day quot; on Tuesday.


Karzai likely to visit Pakistan next week

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is likely to visit Pakistan from August 23 (Monday), sources said on Tuesday.