OAUG pushes on collaboration with Oracle, other users groups

SEPTEMBER 09, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - The Oracle Application User Group (OAUG) plans to hold its Connection Point 2004 annual user conference next week in Orlando, with an emphasis on educating members about the 10g database and 11i.


Yankees Sweep Devil Rays in Doubleheader (AP)

AP - Gary Sheffield and Tony Clark each drove in two runs during a seven-run second inning, and the New York Yankees completed a doubleheader sweep of the sinking Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a 10-5 victory Thursday night.


Jakarta Embassy Blast Kills 9, Hurts 173 (AP)

AP - Suspected Muslim militants detonated a car bomb Thursday outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, killing nine people and wounding 173 in a bloody strike at a key U.S. ally in the war in Iraq.


Bush Warns of 'Hidden Kerry Tax Plan' (AP)

AP - President Bush on Thursday blamed the Clinton administration for the loss of hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs and warned against backing the Democratic ticket in November because of a "hidden Kerry tax plan."


S.Korea FM: No Optimism on Nuclear Talks with North

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea is working with its  diplomatic partners to try to hold nuclear talks with North  Korea this month, but recent North Korean comments suggested no  grounds for optimism, the South's foreign minister said on  Friday. There are plans to hold a fourth round of nuclear  negotiations among the two Koreas, the United States, China,  Japan and Russia by the end of September as the countries  agreed at the previous session in June.


Ritter Family Files Wrongful Death Suit

LOS ANGELES - The family of John Ritter has sued a Burbank hospital, accusing it of negligence in the death of the 54-year-old actor. Ritter's wife Amy Yasbeck and his four children, including actor Jason Ritter, filed the wrongful death suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Sept...


Nets 88 Raptors 86

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ Jason Kidd scored ten points in his season debut to help the New Jersey Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 88-to-86.


EBay to Tender for South Korea's Internet Auction (Reuters)

Reuters - EBay Inc.  on Thursday\said it will soon launch a tender offer to buy the remaining\outstanding shares of South Korea's Internet Auction Co. Ltd.\for about  #36;41.1 million in cash.


Judge Clears Oracle's Bid For Rival (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - A federal judge ruled yesterday that the Justice Department erred in seeking to block Oracle Corp.'s proposed hostile takeover of PeopleSoft Inc., giving a boost to Oracle's efforts to snare its smaller software rival.


Genesis  #39;faulty battery #39; probed

A faulty battery has emerged as one of the likeliest causes for the crash-landing of the Genesis space probe. Scientists have been removing pieces of dirt and mud that lodged in the damaged canister after it smashed at high speed into the Utah desert.


Oxygen problems plague space station

In what should have been the  quot;home stretch quot; of their six-month orbital expedition, the crew of the international space station is struggling with new problems in their critical oxygen production system.


Real Networks sale ends

The company ended its temporary promotion that saw it slash the price of its downloadable songs to 49 cents. The company launched the promotion last month to compete with Apple #39;s iTunes service, the market leader.


FCC Splits on US Broadband Rollout Success

Despite being ranked eleventh in the world in broadband penetration, the United States is rolling out high-speed services on a  quot;reasonable and timely basis to all Americans, quot; according to a new report narrowly approved today by the Federal Communications


NASA securing space center for possible strike by Ivan

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA is still picking up the pieces after Hurricane Frances, and now the space port is bracing for the even more menacing Ivan.


Roddick rolls on

quot;I #39;m serving well, I #39;m breaking (serve) a lot. I #39;m returning well and moving well. I think I #39;m up to 50 percent for breaking this tournament, which is extremely high for me.


No reservations about Zimbabwe tour, says Vaughan

Michael Vaughan has insisted that no member of his side has reservations about the decision to tour Zimbabwe for five one-day internationals later this year.


NL Wrap: Perez Strikes Out 14 as Pirates End Astros Run

Oliver Perez tossed a three-hitter over eight innings and struck out 14 batters to help host Pittsburgh end Houston #39;s 12-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory in game one of a National League (NL) doubleheader Thursday.


US overcomes inconsistent play by following simple qualifying <b>...</b>

Qualifying for the World Cup isn #39;t all that complicated. Get three points from every home game and one from every road match and you #39;ll make it every time.


Kazmir Is Impressive in Long-Awaited New York Debut

t was a moment some local fans had longed for: Scott Kazmir, pitching in New York. The results met expectations, but the setting did not.


US, Iraqi forces seek to reclaim control of 3 cities

Airstrikes are used in Tal Afar and Fallujah with more than 60 killed in  quot;no-go quot; zones. An Iraqi soldier guards the road near radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr #39;s office.


S. Korea Admits Extracting Plutonium

The South Korean government acknowledged Thursday that it extracted a small amount of plutonium during a 1982 research experiment, a declaration that came


Six Palestinians Killed in New Fighting in Gaza, West Bank

Six Palestinians died in renewed violence across the Gaza Strip and West Bank on Thursday, according to Palestinian officials, as a private group


Teen first in Thailand to die of avian flu since disease re <b>...</b>

A man in Thailand has died of avian flu, the first human casualty in the country since the disease re-emerged in Asia in July, officials said Thursday.


Japan #39;s GDP growth revised down to 0.3 pct in 2nd quarter

Japan #39;s economic growth in the April-June period was revised down to 0.3 percent in real terms, dropping 0.1 percentage points from the previously released figure,the government said Friday.


DNA fingerprinting not foolproof, research pioneer says

The genetic profiles held by police for criminal investigations are not sophisticated enough to prevent false identifications, according to the father of DNA fingerprinting.


-Posted by dan.farber  10:16 pm (PDT)

Intel CTO Pat Gelsinger says the Internet must be upgraded with a new layer of capabilities to deal with imminent problems of capacity, security and reliability.


Astronauts will try to fix space station air generator

Astronauts will attempt to repair the primary oxygen generator on the international space station, and plenty of backup oxygen sources mean Russian Gennady Padalka and American Mike Fincke are in no danger, NASA said Thursday.


Oracle wins antitrust suit in bid for rival Ruling lifts major <b>...</b>

A federal judge handed Oracle Corp. a major victory Thursday when he ruled that the software giant #39;s \$7.7 billion hostile bid to gobble up rival PeopleSoft Inc.


Chinese currency policy targeted

A coalition of organized labor and industrial groups yesterday asked the Bush administration to attack China #39;s currency policy at the World Trade Organization.


Jobless Claims Drop; Imports and Inventories Rise

Far fewer Americans than expected applied for first-time unemployment benefits last week as the effects of Hurricane Charley faded, the Labor Department reported Thursday.


Fed speakers reinforce view for rising US interest rates

CHICAGO (CBS.MW) - The dollar turned mixed, paring broad gains earned Thursday in the wake of US jobless claims data that reinforced expectations for rising US interest rates.


Delta Reduces Expenses by Cutting Jobs, Closing Hub

Delta Air Lines will cut up to 7,000 jobs, reduce pay for other workers and close its Dallas hub as part of an effort to slash nearly \$3 billion more in annual costs and chart a course toward financial recovery.


National Semiconductor posts robust quarterly profit

SAN FRANCISCOAnalog chip maker National Semiconductor Corp. yesterday posted a higher quarterly profit, with sales in line with its reduced forecast on lower-than-expected demand for flat-panel displays and from Chinese wireless handset makers.


BA sells Qantas stake to pay debt

British Airways is selling off its 18.25 per cent stake in Australian flag carrier Qantas to repay off some of its huge debts and build up its cash war chest for new deals in Europe.


TSX chief will lead Royal shake-up

Barbara Stymiest, head of the Toronto Stock Exchange for the last five years, is leaving to become chief operating officer of the Royal Bank of Canada as part of a major executive and organizational shake-up.


Alcan okays plan for Australian expansion

MONTREALAlcan Inc. has given the green light to a \$1.3 billion (US) expansion of an alumina refinery in Australia #39;s Northern Territory.


Housing starts increase in August

TORONTO -- Housing starts in Canada were up in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 241,500 according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.


Melinda Gates Joins Washington Post Co. as Director

a former Microsoft Corp. executive and wife of founder Bill Gates -- to its board yesterday, adding the spouse of the world #39;s richest


Charlotte ranks 19th in traffic congestion

Local commuters waited an average of 45 hours in traffic in 2002, making Charlotte the 19th-most congested city in the nation, according to a study by the Texas Transportation Institute.


DuPont will settle C-8 lawsuit

The DuPont Co. has agreed to pay up to \$340 million to settle a lawsuit that it contaminated water supplies in West Virginia and Ohio with a chemical used to make Teflon, one of its best-known brands.


Sudan rejects US genocide declaration as politics

The Sudanese Foreign Minister has rejected a United States declaration of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, saying the US is using a humanitarian crisis for political purposes.


With six spots secure, only four openings remain in the chase

For the six drivers who already are guaranteed a spot in NASCAR #39;s 10-race championship chase, Saturday night #39;s Chevy Rock and Roll 400 amounts to nothing more than just another race.


Motorola to Invest  #36;90 Million in China R D Center (Reuters)

Reuters - Motorola Inc. said on Friday it plans\to invest  #36;90 million in a new research facility in Beijing as\the U.S. mobile phone maker fights to wrest back top position\in the domestic handset market.


U.S. Growth Outlook Cut -Blue Chip (Reuters)

Reuters - Top forecasters cut their outlooks\for U.S. growth this year and next but said inflation seems to\be leveling off and consumer spending should strengthen in the\months ahead, a survey out on Friday showed.


Astros Split Doubleheader With Pirates (AP)

AP - Jeff Bagwell, Brad Ausmus and Lance Berkman drove in two runs each and the Houston Astros shook off Pirates starter Oliver Perez's dominance in the opener, beating Pittsburgh 9-2 for their 13th victory in 14 games and a doubleheader split.


Fallujah May Be Toughest City to Retake (AP)

AP - Searching for victims or survivors, the young man in a black T-shirt swung a sledgehammer into a slab of concrete perched atop debris  #151; all that was left of a house blasted by U.S. warplanes. Nine people, two of them children, died in the ruins.


Japan Lowers April-June Economic Data (AP)

AP - Japan revised its economic growth numbers for the April-June quarter downward Friday, but analysts shrugged off the report and said recovery was on solid footing for the world's second largest economy.


Patriots Begin Title Defense with Narrow Win Over Colts (Reuters)

Reuters - The New England Patriots began their\quest for successive Super Bowl titles with a tight 27-24 win\over the Indianapolis Colts in the opening game of the NFL\season in Foxboro Thursday.


Sudan Says U.S. Genocide Declaration Political (Reuters)

Reuters - The Sudanese foreign minister rejected on\Friday a U.S. declaration of genocide in the Darfur region of\Sudan and said the United States was using a humanitarian\crisis for political purposes.


NL Wrap: Perez Strikes Out 14 as Pirates End Astros Run (Reuters)

Reuters - Oliver Perez tossed a three-hitter\over eight innings and struck out 14 batters to help host\Pittsburgh end Houston's 12-game winning streak with a 3-1\victory in game one of a National League (NL) doubleheader\Thursday.


U.S. Open: American Agony as Roddick, Agassi Go Out

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sweden's Joachim Johannson left Andy  Roddick shellshocked after beating the defending champion in  five sets on Thursday to reach the U.S. Open semi-finals.


Patriots Begin Title Defense with Narrow Win Over Colts

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New England Patriots began their  quest for successive Super Bowl titles with a tight 27-24 win  over the Indianapolis Colts in the opening game of the NFL  season in Foxboro Thursday.


Oil Firm After 4 Percent Jump

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices held firm on Friday after  leaping almost \$2 a day earlier on news U.S. crude stocks sank  to a five-month low last week and distillate fuels barely grew  ahead of winter.


Dollar Up Vs Yen, Hits 3-Week Low Vs Euro

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar rose against the yen on Friday  following a surprising downward revision to Japanese growth  data, but it lost ground against other currencies on worries  about the huge U.S. trade deficit.


Suicide Bomber Carried Out Jakarta Attack-Police

JAKARTA (Reuters) - A suicide bomber in a Daihatsu minivan  packed with explosives was responsible for an attack at the  Australian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday that killed nine  people, Indonesian police said on Friday.


National Airport Tests Boarding Pass Screens

Passengers identified for additional security screening will now have their passes checked for explosives using document-scanning machines.


Roddick's Comeback Falls Short

Fighting power with power Thursday night, Joachim Johansson ended Andy Roddick's bid to repeat as United States Open champion.


Patriots Get Help From Colts in Opener

The New England Patriots held off the Indianapolis Colts to extend their winning streak to 16 games and begin their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions.


Halliburton Unit Gets a Positive Review From Pentagon

The giant oil services company announced that a Pentagon review found that its purchasing-system practices "are effective and efficient and provide adequate protection of the Government's interest."


Yankees Sweep to Widen Lead

With two easy victories, the Yankees did something they had not done in the previous 16 days. They gained ground on the Boston Red Sox.


Melinda Gates Joins Washington Post Co. as Director

The firm elects Bill Gates's wife to its board, adding her to a 10-member board that already includes the world's second-richest person, Warren E. Buffett. -Leslie Walker


HK Plays Down Talk of Smear Campaign Ahead of Vote

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A survey two days before Hong Kong  legislative elections showed pro-democracy forces, tainted by a  sex scandal, may fare less well than expected, but the election  chief dismissed talk of dirty tricks by China.


Slower growth for Japan's economy

Japan's rate of economic expansion is revised downwards for the three months to June amid falling government investment.


Diplomatic push on N Korea talks

Intense diplomatic efforts are under way to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme.


Genesis 'faulty battery' probed

Scientists believe a faulty battery may have led to the high-speed crash to Earth of Nasa's Genesis space capsule.


Tennis: Johansson stuns Roddick

Sweden's Joachim Johansson beats defending champion Andy Roddick in five sets.


Judge Allows Oracle to Bid for PeopleSoft

The ruling handed the Justice Department a rare defeat in a legal challenge to a corporate merger.


US Airways Seen as Likely to Declare Bankruptcy

Barring a last-minute change of heart by its recalcitrant unions, US Airways appears all but certain to seek bankruptcy protection on Sunday.


Thai killer of UK couple hunted

Police in Thailand are hunting a colleague who they say is their main suspect for the murder of a British couple.


Shakespearean text lives online

The British Library is putting high-resolution copies of Shakespeare's plays on the internet.


Zeta 'stalker kept signed book'

A woman accused of stalking Catherine Zeta Jones owned a book signed by the actress, a court hears.


Patriots Open With Win

Mike Vanderjagt misses a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds as defending champion New England holds on for a 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday.


Trojans Trip Up Tigers

Jason Samples throws one touchdown pass and catches another and offensive lineman Junior Louissaint scores on a 63-yard fumble recovery as Troy upsets No. 19 Missouri, 24-14, Thursday night.


Sindelar Is Early Leader

Joey Sindelar shoots a 5-under 66 and holds a two-stroke lead in the rain-delayed opening round of the Canadian Open.


Mets End Losing Skid

The Mets snap an 11-game losing streak while stopping the Marlins' franchise record-tying nine-game winning streak with a 4-0 victory.


Johansson Upsets Roddick at U.S. Open

NEW YORK - Andy Roddick ran into a bold, bigger version of himself at the U.S. Open, and 6-foot-6 Joachim Johansson sent the defending champion home...


Patriots Beat Colts 27-24 in NFL Opener

FOXBORO, Mass. - As usual, Tom Brady was uncannily accurate as the New England Patriots moved within three games of the NFL record for consecutive victories...


Engineer Builds Robot That Walks on Water

PITTSBURGH - It could be called a mechanical miracle - a robot that walks on water. With inspiration from nature and some help from research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a research team led by Carnegie Mellon engineering assistant professor Metin Sitti has built a tiny robot that can walk on water, much like insects known as water skimmers, water skaters, pond skaters or Jesus bugs...


Motorola to Invest \$90 Million in China R D Center

BEIJING (Reuters) - Motorola Inc. said on Friday it plans  to invest \$90 million in a new research facility in Beijing as  the U.S. mobile phone maker fights to wrest back top position  in the domestic handset market.


Federal Judge Clears Oracle's Bid for Rival

Judge ruled that the Justice Department erred in seeking to block Oracle's proposed takeover of PeopleSoft, giving a boost to Oracle's efforts to snare its rival.
-The Washington Post


Government Hungry for TV's Airwaves

Regulators are stepping up their pressure on TV stations to give up billions of dollars worth of airwaves in major markets around the country.-The Washington Post


A day for patience at wet Glen Abbey

The Canadian Open is his sixth consecutive tournament, and he hasn #39;t played any of them particularly well. Then, he had to wait through five hours of rain delays before he could tee it up Thursday at Glen


Text from NHLPA #39;s summary of proposal

TORONTO (Sept. 9, 2004) - The National Hockey League Players #39; Association (NHLPA) today reviewed its proposed framework for a new collective bargaining agreement with league officials and owners.


Richmond race difficult to predict

Matt Kenseth says that Saturday night #39;s Chevy Rock and Roll 400  quot;is going to be a little bit wilder than we #39;re used to seeing - and Richmond is usually pretty wild as it is.


Taurasi has 21, Mercury beat Sparks 72-58

PHOENIX -- Rookie Diana Taurasi had 21 points and eight assists to lead Phoenix to a 72-58 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night, snapping the Sparks #39; 18-game winning streak over the Mercury.


Troy trounces tigers

DeWhitt Betterson lost his shoe, then the football and in a matter of seconds the 19th-ranked Missouri Tigers had lost control of tonights nationally televised game to Troy.


The \$5m royal wedding

Three weeks of celebrations, a guest list that included princes and world leaders, and a 21-gun salute. Jonathan Este reports on the marriage of the Crown Prince of Brunei.


Sox have off-night in Seattle

Much to their chagrin, the Red Sox were long overdue for a game like this. All the elements that had been so reliable during this riveting stretch of baseball decided to


The  #39;Marshall pass #39; sparks Trojan rally

A single play changed the entire scope of the biggest game in Troy University football history. With 6:49 remaining in the second quarter and the Trojans trailing the No.


Season may hinge on tonight

Take one part hype, two parts anticipation and a pinch of trepidation. Sprinkle with salt and stir in bad blood. Chill for five days as a hurricane blows through.


Ruling turns up heat on PeopleSoft

Takeover battle likely to drag on as Oracle faces other obstacles in merger quest.


Nikkei Tumbles Below 11,000 on GDP Data

Japan #39;s Nikkei average sank 1.69 percent to below the key 11,000 mark by mid afternoon on Friday with stocks across the board losing ground after the government surprised the market by revising down economic growth figures.


IBM pushes out new Stinger database

SEPTEMBER 09, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - IBM said today that it #39;s about to ship the next generation of its DB2 Universal Database, which it said offers self-tuning capabilities that will result in less management overhead even as databases grow bigger and


Thursday #39;s Baseball Roundup

(CP) - Somehow, in the span of half an hour, the Detroit Tigers #39; pitching went from brutal to brilliant. Shortly after being on the wrong end of several records in a 26-5 thrashing from to the Kansas City


UNDATED: third straight.

Lisa Leslie recorded the third triple-double in WNBA history, finishing with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks in Los Angeles #39; win over defending league champion Detroit.


Britons flee Jamaica ahead of hurricane

The deadliest hurricane to hit the Caribbean in a decade is on course to slam into Jamaica where around 800 Britons are being evacuated.


Albert Cheng to be the voice of HK citizens if elected a <b>...</b>

By Channel NewsAsia #39;s Hong Kong Correspondent Roland Lim. HONG KONG : Many eyes will be on Albert Cheng in the race for Hong Kong #39;s Legislative Council Elections on September 12.


Prosecutors ID Only 143 Victims of Sasser Worm

Sasser #39;s damage was extensive, affecting 18 million computers around the world ranging from millions of at home users to thousands of companies.


With lockout on horizon, NHL labor talks break off

After failing to make any progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement, the NHL owners and players agreed on one point: A lockout seems inevitable.


Q and A: Wild night in Richmond on tap

Question: After setting the stage for ultra-aggressive racing at Richmond, how will NASCAR officials police rough driving Saturday?


AL roundup: Royals #39; 26 runs good only for split

After being on the wrong end of several records in a 26-5 loss to the visiting Kansas City Royals, the Detroit Tigers went out and won 8-0 in the second game of the doubleheader.


Irish, fans rave over mighty Quinn

His friends know why:  quot;He #39;s the Brad Pitt at Notre Dame, quot; said Adam Graessle, one of Quinn #39;s former teammates at Coffman High in Dublin, Ohio.


Japan Cuts Second-Quarter GDP Estimate to 1.3 Pace (Update9)

Japan unexpectedly cut its estimate for second-quarter economic growth to a 1.3 percent annual pace, the slowest in more than a year, as manufacturers slashed inventories.


After Cutting Its Phone Prices, Nokia Raises Its Outlook

Nokia raised its outlook for third-quarter sales and earnings, apparently benefiting from an unusual decision to cut its handset prices.


No Fears: Laptop D.J.'s Have a Feast

Plenty of music available online is not just free but also easily available, legal and  most important  worth hearing.


US calls Sudan atrocities genocide (AFP)

AFP - US Secretary of State Colin Powell called atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region genocide and demanded a UN probe into the crisis, hastening moves toward sanctions on Khartoum.


More Smaller Groups Airing Political Ads (AP)

AP - Just about everybody wants to have their say in this presidential election. From evangelical preachers who claim "God is not a Republican or a Democrat" to the anti-abortion Catholics Against Kerry, political advertising by smaller groups, and individuals in some cases, is popping up across the country.


Bush, Kerry feud over Vietnam, economy, Iraq, Darfur (AFP)

AFP - US President George W. Bush and Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry sparred on the economy, the Iraq war and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, and continued their war of words over Bush's national guard stint to avoid the Vietnam War.


Tight US supplies boost oil price

Crude oil stockpiles in the US are at their lowest level since March, helping drive up the cost of a barrel of oil by almost \$2.


INDUSTRY REPORT: Aviation -- Metro to hold auction

Detroit Metropolitan Airport has gathered its leftovers, such as watches, bracelets and cell phones, left at the airport and will put them up for auction Saturday.


INTERVIEW: New NZ Warehouse CEO Sees Room To Grow

WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--The new chief executive of discount retailer The Warehouse Group Ltd. (WHS.NZ) Friday said the company has significant room to grow, and his experience


US Airways Seen as Likely to Declare Bankruptcy

arring a last-minute change of heart by its recalcitrant unions, US Airways appears all but certain to seek bankruptcy protection on Sunday, people briefed on the situation said yesterday.


In the beginning ...

The crash of the Genesis spacecraft is a loss for NASA and for science. Once again, the potential of robotic space exploration is called into question.


FCC Insists Broadband Deployment Improving

US communications regulators on Thursday insisted the United States was making progress in rolling out high-speed Internet service, despite falling further behind other countries.


Hurricane Ivan heads for Jamaica

The deadliest hurricane to hit the Caribbean in a decade is on course to slam into Jamaica, where about 800 Britons were being evacuated.


Around the world

Israeli forces continued a major operation in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, using tanks and armored vehicles to suppress rocket fire into Israel, and in the process killing seven Palestinians.


Space Capsule Expected to Yield Some Useful Data Despite Crash

Scientists are optimistic that they will retrieve useful information from the smashed capsule that fell to earth in the Utah desert after three years in space.


R.E. Lapp, 87, Physicist in Cold-War Debate on Civil Defense, Dies

Ralph E. Lapp was involved in atomic weapons from the earliest days of the Manhattan Project, and spoke out about the health effects of radiation into the 1990's.


Update 1: ID Biomedical Stock Up on Vaccine Pacts

Shares of ID Biomedical jumped after the Canadian drug maker reported Monday that it signed long-term agreements with the three largest flu vaccine wholesalers in the United States following the current flu season #39;s vaccine shortage.


Report Seeks Open Access Research Policy (AP)

AP - Restricting access to scientific information about dangerous germs is more likely to hamper legitimate researchers than to prevent terrorists from using the data for attacks, a leading scientist warned.


Coming soon: the eight-hour notebook battery

IDF Fall '04 Well, soon-ish


Government agencies hit slump in recent efforts to block mergers

Like the New York Yankees in a midsummer slump, the federal government is on a rare losing streak - at least in its efforts to block mergers.


Concern over inventories drives up oil price

NEW YORKOil prices jumped nearly \$2 (US) yesterday after the US government said crude stocks fell to a fresh five-month low last week and distillate fuel inventories barely grew ahead of winter.


Japanese growth revised down

Japan has revised down second-quarter economic growth to 0.3 percent from an initial estimate of 0.4 percent, defying widespread expectations for an upward revision and sending the yen and stocks lower.


FDA questions Exanta safety

AstraZeneca will defend its new prescription drug Exanta before a federal panel today after new questions were raised about the safety and effectiveness of the stroke prevention medication.


Federer, Frances blow out Agassi

NEW YORK - Did Frances huff and puff and blow Andre Agassi off the professional tour? Hasn #39;t she done enough damage without hammering tennis, too?


Madritsch runs Sox through wringer

Seattle, working on a seven-game losing streak and matched up with a Red Sox team that had won 20 of its past 22 games, put together its single best game of the season.


Phillies win again despite Michaels #39; homer gaffe

The Philadelphia Phillies are clinging to their slim playoff hopes even if they #39;re having trouble hanging onto fly balls. Center fielder Jason Michaels accidentally knocked Charles Thomas #39; drive over the fence


Indonesian Police  #39;Received Text Message Warning of Blast #39;

Police received a cell phone text message before the Australian Embassy bombing, warning that foreign missions in Jakarta would be attacked unless the alleged head of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror group was freed, Australias foreign minister said today.


New Concerns About Bird Flu Take Flight

New scientific findings show that avian influenza H5N1, or bird flu, can be spread to other species such as cats. It was first reported in February that cats in Thailand were infected and three died.


Japan to Continue Demand That US Apply Its Cattle Standards

Japan #39;s farm minister, Yoshiyuki Kamei, said his nation will continue to demand that the US apply the same standards of testing cattle for mad cow disease that Japan does.


Israeli Missile Strike in Gaza Wounds at Least 3 (Reuters)

Reuters - An Israeli helicopter gunship fired a\missile into the Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza\Strip on Friday, wounding at least three Palestinians,\witnesses and medics said.


Blair Reasserts Control After Rocky Summer (AP)

AP - Prime Minister Tony Blair has been dogged for months by speculation that his grip on power was weakening because of smoldering public anger over the Iraq war. But the pundits apparently underestimated his instinct for survival.


Japan Revises April-June Economic Data (AP)

AP - Japan revised its economic growth numbers for the April-June quarter downward Friday, but analysts shrugged off the report and said recovery was on solid footing for the world's second largest economy.


Troy Shocks No. 19 Missouri 24-14 (AP)

AP - Jason Samples threw one touchdown pass and caught another and offensive lineman Junior Louissaint scored on a 63-yard fumble recovery as Troy upset No. 19 Missouri 24-14 Thursday night.


Sportsview: Roddick, Agassi Blown Out Open (AP)

AP - Tennis in gale force gusts is closer to a farce than a sport.


Tech Stocks Withstand Downgrades as Blue Chips Wilt

US stocks ended mixed today as only the tech-heavy Nasdaq managed to make gains in the face of higher crude oil prices and a rash of broker downgrades targeting some high-profile Dow shares.


Lawmakers Troubled by 'Ghost Detainees'

WASHINGTON - Congress may keep up the focus on the prison abuse scandal following the disclosure that the military has concealed as many as 100 "ghost detainees" from the Red Cross.    The presence of prisoners held by the CIA outside of the military's usual system of registration and care was an important finding of an Army investigation completed last month...


Woman #39;s loss of dreams helps brain researchers make gains

Swiss doctors may not yet know what makes us dream, but they #39;re closer to understanding where they unfold in the brain by studying an elderly patient who lost her ability to dream following a stroke.


New England turns back Colts

Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes, and the New England Patriots opened defense of their second NFL title in three years with a 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night.


Swede wins date with other Hewitt

LLEYTON HEWITT was supposed to be playing defending champion Andy Roddick in the US Open semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, not the longtime boyfriend of his little sister.


Troy #39;s epic battle shocks Missouri

Troy, formerly Troy State, used gadgets, luck and guts to rally from a horrible start and upset No. 19 Missouri 24-14 on Thursday night.


Season #39;s greetings for UM, FSU

In one of college football #39;s most important games of the year, delayed four nights because of Hurricane Frances, the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes will meet the fourth-ranked Florida


Randa propels Royals #39; rout, but Tigers rebound in rematch

Alan Trammell has seen a lot of crazy things during almost three decades in the major leagues. Nothing, however, prepared him for what he saw yesterday.


Basketball hall of fame adds Kansas standout

Lynette Woodard will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 8 pm tonight in Springfield, Mass. Woodard, a four-time University of Kansas All-American and former assistant coach, played at the University 1978 to 1981.


US, Nigeria to hold joint military training next week

The US navy will hold a joint training with the Nigerian army in the African giant #39;s oil producing Niger Delta region next week, Nigerian defense ministry said Thursday.


Eisner to Step Down as CEO in 2006 -WSJ

Michael Eisner plans to step down as Walt Disney Co. #39;s chief executive when his contract expires in September 2006, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday.


Punch buys another 1,000 pubs

Punch Taverns has reinforced its position as Britain #39;s second-largest pubs operator, adding another 1,000 outlets in a deal worth 335 million pounds including debt.


Alaska Air Group to cut 900 jobs

Succumbing to the heavy financial and competitive pressures buffeting the airline industry, Alaska Air Group yesterday announced it will cut 900 jobs, eliminating about 8 percent of its work force.


Stymiest quits TSX for Royal

Barbara Stymiest has resigned as chief executive of TSX Group Inc. to assume the newly created role of chief operating officer at Royal Bank of Canada.


EDS expected to slash 20,000 jobs

Electronic Data Systems (EDS), one of the world #39;s biggest computer services companies, is likely to cut up to 20,000 jobs over the next two years, the company #39;s chief executive said.


Qualcomm to pay \$170 million to acquire Iridigm

Qualcomm said yesterday that it would pay \$170 million to acquire Iridigm Display Corp., a small company that has patented technology used in screens on wireless devices.


Genesis capsule now a \$264M muddy mess

In NASA #39;s ideal scenario for cleaning the science payload containing solar particles from the Genesis capsule, the biggest worry had been about contamination from gases in the atmosphere, not from dirt in Utah #39;s west desert.


Broadband Proves Popular

The number of broadband users in the US nearly tripled in the past two and a half years to more than 48 million subscribers, according to a report released this week by the US Federal Communications Commission.


Intel shows chip roadmap

Intel has disclosed new technologies that will feature in its chips in the next few years. The firm demonstrated a dual-core version of its Itanium 64bit processor, and announced plans for a new management


Oxygen Generator on Space Station Fails

The main oxygen generator for the International Space Station has failed, and the two astronauts on board will tap into an attached cargo ship #39;s air supply this weekend, NASA said Thursday.


Teenager charged over Sasser worm

The German teenager who allegedly wrote the Sasser and Netsky computer worms has been charged. Sven Jaschan, now 18, was arrested in May this year at his parents #39; home in Waffensen, North Germany.


EBay closes in on South Korean auction house

EBay looks set to complete the purchase of an online auction business in South Korea. On Thursday it filed a tender offer to acquire the remaining shares of Internet Auction (IAC) that it does not already own, in a deal valued at about \$4m (2.


Scientists Invent Fly Eating Robot

Scientists from the University of the West of England (UWE) have invented a robot that can generate its own energy by catching flies.


P2P outfit sues RIAA for copyright theft

SUING MACHINE, the RIAA is on the legal defensive after a P2P software company has accused it of nicking its technology. Altnet is suing the RIAA and several of its partners of pirating its patent covering


Judiciary Committee Votes Custodial Sentences for File Swappers <b>...</b>

The US House Judiciary Committee has voted for criminal penalties for individuals that install spyware on PCs and for movie pirates.


Another Indy effort bites the dust

So confident was Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt that he would make a tying, 48-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining in Thursday night #39;s league opener against the Patriots


Johansson splits Hewitts

Joachim Johansson is threatening to drive a wedge through the Hewitt family after he beat Andy Roddick to reach the semi-finals of the US Open on Thursday.


LAWRO: SKIPPER #39;S NOT WORTH HIS PLACE

SVEN GORAN Eriksson has such a myopic view of David Beckham he must be the only person in the whole country who can #39;t see that the time has come to drop his captain.


Allardyce swipe at Man Utd

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce believes Manchester United #39;s hopes of winning back the Premiership title are fading. United are already seven points behind Arsenal after four games and Allardyce said:  quot;You are talking about Arsenal losing three games.


MOTORRACING: SCHUMI: SMASH WON #39;T STOP ME

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER will shrug off his high-speed test crash at Monza and try to give Ferrari fanatics yet another reason to celebrate in this weekend #39;s Italian Grand Prix.


NHL talks break off, lockout all but certain

The NHL and the players association appeared headed toward a lockout when talks broke off Thursday after the union #39;s first new proposal in nearly a year.


Sloppy Sox are sunk in Seattle

Forget about the curse and the Sports Illustrated jinx. The Red Sox last night fell victim to a brief revival of their first-half defensive woes and


New York #39;s Benson Is Worth His Wait

Kris Benson looked like a money pitcher yesterday, helping the New York Mets put an end to three streaks. Rejuvenated after skipping one turn in the rotation, Benson gained some leverage in ongoing contract


United no longer have fear factor, says Keane

Once-dominant Manchester United no longer inspire fear in their opponents, according to club captain Roy Keane. United, English champions eight times in the last dozen seasons, already


Ivan could put Marlins vs. Expos at The Cell

ARLINGTON, Texas -- While the White Sox are in the midst of their last off day of the season Monday, their stadium might get a full workout.


Ivan batters tropics; 23 are reported dead

Tourists and residents throughout the Florida Keys were sent packing Thursday to avoid the wrath of Hurricane Ivan, even as millions of people in disaster-stricken Florida struggled to pick up the pieces from Hurricanes Frances and Charley.


US, Key Allies Want N. Korea Nuke Talks in Sept.

The United States, Japan and South Korea agreed on Friday to try to arrange a fresh round of six-party talks this month on dismantling North Korea #39;s nuclear


Avian flu claimed its 9th victim in Thailand

Our gratitude goes to you for the interest and enthusiasm you have shown in visiting the AsiaNews.it website. AsiaNews is also a monthly magazine (only in Italian).


Thai killer shot Britons five times

Horrific details of how two British backpackers were gunned down in cold blood near the bridge on the River Kwai were released today.


Indian foreign minister says Kashmir  #39;not a nuclear flashpoint #39;

NEW DELHI : Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said that the dispute over Kashmir was not a nuclear flashpoint and that there had been progress in recent talks with his Pakistani counterpart.


Brunei #39;s sultan hosts royalty at lavish wedding banquet? (updated <b>...</b>

Brunei was laying out a lavish table Friday for 5,000 high-powered guests to celebrate the marriage of its crown prince to a half-Swiss teenage commoner, in the biggest wedding that Asia has seen this year.


Man hammering gates of Downing Street arrested

British police said they have arrested a man who launched a sledgehammer attack on the security gates at the entrance of Downing Street early Friday morning.


Japan Approves Plan to Split Up, Sell Postal Services (Update1)

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi won Cabinet approval to split up and sell the state-run postal service amid disputes within the ruling party over the future of its \$3 trillion in financial assets and 400,000 workers.


US stars eye home final

The US Open plays host to two Russia v America clashes when the women #39;s semi-finals get underway on Friday. Fifth seed Lindsay Davenport, the highest-ranked player still in the tournament, takes on Russia #39;s ninth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.


A dash of novelty to add to excitement

LONDON, SEPTEMBER 9: A dash of novelty would mark the exciting Champions Trophy. The tournament will feature new technology trials which could have far-reaching effects on the game.


ALL EYES ON BOWDEN AFTER FAMILY TRAGEDY

MIAMI - Who would have thought that one of the greatest rivalries in college football over the last 20 years, a game that often has decided who will play for the national championship, would become an afterthought?


Bank accepts slowdown by pegging rates at 4.75

MILLIONS of homeowners were given a boost yesterday after the Bank of England opted to keep interest rates at 4.75. Economists had predicted the move after a string of surveys


Cisco snaffles network monitoring firm

Cisco yesterday announced a deal to buy network monitoring firm NetSolve for \$11 per share or approximately \$128m. The acquisition of NetSolve, which is subject to stockholder and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in Cisco #39;s Q2  #39;05.


Censored Internet Access at Phoenix Public Libraries

Public libraries are allowed to review and choose the books that end up on the shelves based on resources and community standards.


Oracle wins antitrust lawsuit for PeopleSoft takeover

NEW YORK, September 10 (New Ratings) - Oracle Corp (ORCL.NAS) won the antitrust suit yesterday for its hostile takeover bid for rival PeopleSoft Inc (PSFT), the world #39;s second largest provider of enterprise application software.


Intel, HP to Commercialize PlanetLab

SAN FRANCISCO -- A high-tech consortium led by Intel (Quote, Chart) and HP (Quote, Chart) is looking to capitalize on an additional layer of protocol services they claim will streamline Internet traffic.


DNA FINGERPRINTING CAN DODGE THE RESULTS?

Keeping in mind the above research, the genetic profiles held by police for criminal investigations cannot always be considered sophisticated since there are chances of false identification, at least one in a billion.


Next step: Anti-porn filters

Although the Phoenix City Council banned the downloading of Internet pornography Wednesday, officials aren #39;t sure when filters would be installed on library computers.


ncaa football Coaching with heavy heart

There #39;s a whole new perspective on one of America #39;s most intense college football rivalries tonight. Oh, sure. Florida State is greeting hated Miami into the Atlantic Coast Conference.


Syria hands Turkey senior Kurdish militant

Syria has turned over a senior Kurdish militant and six other rebels to Turkey in a sign of closer security cooperation between the former rivals, a Turkish security official says.


House Approves  #36;142 Billion Spending Bill (AP)

AP - With the new budget year only weeks away, the House has passed a  #36;142.5 billion spending bill that funds some 500 education, health and job training programs.


Raikkonen Can Be Schumacher's Heir, Says Brawn

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - Finland's Kimi Raikkonen can be  Michael Schumacher's heir as Formula One champion, according to  Ferrari's Ross Brawn.


Taliban Say Attack Shows They Can Strike at Will

KABUL (Reuters) - A rocket attack aimed at Kabul's  international airport showed the Taliban have the ability to  target anywhere in Afghanistan, the group said on Friday,  warning the Americans the country would become their "burial  ground."


Ways to pass time between TD passes

What's it been, something like 222 days between meaningful NFL games? What a stretch of misery, so totally demoralizing, each and every day without a pigskin party to attend.


But seriously folks

You want answers and you want them now. The only thing is, four weeks of ludicrous exhibition games haven't told you anything. So here's some advice: Take it slow, real slow.


The Pride are back for more

Springfield College begins this season with lofty expectations and a No. 4 preseason ranking from d3football.com. That doesn't impress coach Mike DeLong, whose team opens at home tomorrow night with a tough test against Union College.


Army's allure has brought Ross back to sideline

Retirement hasn't changed Bobby Ross much. He's waiting for the same pregame goose bumps he always felt in his years of coaching college and pro football. He's reverted to his old coaching habits and is relishing the time spent with his new players, starting at 5:45 a.m. and often putting in 16 or 17 hour days.


Independents

WESTON Coach : Rich Brissette (fourth year, 11-22). Last year's record: 5-6. Returning starters (7): John Lord, QB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Aaron Levine, OT/LB, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Jon Dryden, TE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Henry Lieber, FB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Jason Stewart, WR, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Matt Howard, S, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Tim Wells, CB, 5-6, 155, Jr. Returning lettermen (3): ...


This week's picks

Everett over Leominster -- Can you believe the Globe's high school staff picked A-B No. 1? I told them it was outrageous but they wouldn't listen. They claim Pope John has a tougher schedule than Everett.


This week's schedule

TODAY'S GAMES Division 1 GREATER BOSTON -- Arlington at Malden, 6:30; Waltham at Cambridge, 7.


Transactions

BASEBALL Boston (AL): Activated P Scott Williamson from the 60-day disabled list; designated INF Earl Snyder for assignment. Houston (NL): Activated P Dan Miceli from the 15-day DL.


Ghostzapper an eye-opener

Just how good is Ghostzapper? Considered an outstanding sprinter, Ghostzapper opened the eyes of racing fans when he won the Iselin Handicap at Monmouth by more than 10 lengths Aug. 21.


Notables

Plate umpire Jerry Crawford was hit in the side of the head by a deflected pitch, forcing him to leave after the second inning of the first game between the Yankees and Devil Rays. He was taken to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, where a CT scan was negative. He was diagnosed with a concussion.


NHLPA proposal rejected

The NHL and the players' association appeared headed toward a lockout when talks broke off yesterday after the union's first new proposal in nearly a year.


Astros earn split after streak ends

Jeff Bagwell, Brad Ausmus, and Lance Berkman drove in two runs each and the Houston Astros shook off Pirates starter Oliver Perez's dominance in the opener, beating the Pirates, 9-2, for their 13th victory in 14 games and a doubleheader split last night in Pittsburgh.


Open's wild weather no windfall for Agassi

Scarlett O'Hara, the onetime Georgia peach who refused to be gone with the wind, played defense by declaring,  quot;Tomorrow is another day. quot; But for the venerable Andre Agassi, gusted and busted by the winds of Flushing Meadow, there is no another day at the US Open.


Samsung pumps \$31bn into chip plants

SOUTH Korea  #39;s Samsung Electronics, the world #39;s largest memory chipmaker, is to invest \$US24 billion (\$31 billion) in new chip production lines over the next six years.


Ugandan refugees 'heading home'

Thousands of people who have fled their homes in northern Uganda are preparing to go home, officials say.


Today's schedule

College field hockey: Quinnipiac at Northeastern, 2 p.m.; Maine at Fairfield, 2 p.m.; Lasell at MIT, 6 p.m.; Virginia vs. BC at Bentley College, 7 p.m.; Vermont at UConn, 7 p.m.


Paraguay seeks Stroessner return

A Paraguay judge calls for the extradition of the country's former military ruler Alfredo Stroessner from Brazil.


Stoppers earn save

This is why the NFL doesn't need Elton John, Lenny Kravitz, Jessica Simpson, or even the Boston Pops. There is no better show than the game, and though Patriots defensive players were criticizing themselves for a poorly played game, it was two magnificent plays in the fourth quarter -- by Eugene Wilson and Willie McGinest -- that enabled ...


Feaster stings Monarchs

Allison Feaster responded to a challenge from Charlotte Sting coach Trudi Lacey. Feaster converted two free throws in the final seconds and finished with 23 points as the host Sting moved into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference with a 74-69 victory over the Sacramento Monarchs last night.


Yankees gain some breathing room with sweep

The New York Yankees turned a long day into a productive one -- at the plate and in the AL East standings.


He's set up to pitch in

Everyone figured he was done for the season. So Scott Williamson joined the ranks of medical marvels last night when the Red Sox activated him from the disabled list with the hope the once-dominating setup man can help them win the American League East and much more.


Sweden honours slain Anna Lindh

Sweden remembers its hugely popular foreign minister Anna Lindh, who was stabbed to death a year ago.


Texas LB Johnson Captures Bronco Nagurski Trophy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sports Network) - Texas linebacker Derrick  Johnson was named the Bronco Nagurski Trophy winner Monday. The  award is presented annually to the best defensive player in  college football


Sloppy Sox are sunk in Seattle

Forget about the curse and the Sports Illustrated jinx. The Red Sox last night fell victim to a brief revival of their first-half defensive woes and a Native American pitcher who invokes the spirit of his Lakota Sioux ancestors -- the same tribe that helped annihilate General Custer at Little Big Horn.


New tape features bin Laden lieutenant

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Ayman al-Zawahri, the number two figure in Al Qaeda, appeared in a new videotape aired on Al-Jazeera yesterday, ridiculing US forces as stuck in a quagmire in Iraq and Afghanistan.


In new rift, Russia accuses US, Britain of coddling Chechens

MOSCOW -- Last week's attack on a Russian school has driven new wedges between Russia and the West in the fight against terrorism, as Moscow continues to accuse the United States and European countries of coddling Chechen separatists.


Luck, pluck helped 10-year-old survive attack in Russian school

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia -- In a terrifying videotape, 10-year-old Georgy Farniyev sat near a bomb, his hands behind his head and his face a mask of misery. He looked certain to die, but survived through luck, self-possession beyond his years, and enough grit to pull shrapnel out of his own arm.


P. Diddy Talks About Child Support Lawsuit

NEW YORK - The baby mama drama just won't stop for P. Diddy...


Wall St. Seen Mixed; PeopleSoft Seen Up

LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street stocks were expected to open  mixed on Friday, with technology stocks gaining ground led by  PeopleSoft Inc PSFT.O but blue chips held back by a profit  warning from Alcoa Inc. AA.N.


Deficit Weighs on Dollar; GDP Hits Yen

LONDON (Reuters) - The yen fell half a percent against  major currencies on Friday on a surprising downward revision to  Japanese growth, while the dollar hit three-week lows against  the euro on worries about the U.S. trade deficit.


Oil Steady After 4 Pct Jump on Low Stocks

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices held firm on Friday after  leaping almost \$2 a day earlier as the U.S. government said  crude stocks sank for the sixth straight week and distillate  fuels barely grew ahead of winter.


Slowing H2 chip sales to hit 2005's growth - report

Cause: softening in notebook PC and mobile phone demand


Health premiums jump 11.2

Employers' health premiums rose 11.2 percent this year, according to a benchmark study released yesterday that reinforces voter concerns about the US healthcare system.


Capitalizing on Fleet exodus

William B. Maag spent weeks meeting Sovereign Bancorp executives at obscure suburban restaurants, taking phone calls on the sly, and hashing out a business proposal at a country club near the New Hampshire border. While his colleagues at FleetBoston Financial Corp. vied for new jobs at Bank of America Corp. after the banks' merger, Maag realized early on that the ...


Harvard's PR problem

The board of Harvard Management Corp., which oversees the billions at the world's richest university, met yesterday on the 13th floor of the Federal Reserve tower in Boston with a new chairman sitting at the head of the table for the first time in 15 years. Next week, annual returns for the \$19.3 billion endowment are due, and they will ...


House blocks overtime rules

In a sharp rebuke of a new administration policy, the House moved yesterday to block the Labor Department from carrying out overtime rules critics argued could deprive millions of workers of overtime pay.


Oracle bid gets green light

Oracle Corp. won permission yesterday from a federal judge to proceed with its \$7.7 billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc. , reviving a battle that PeopleSoft said drove customers to competitors.


Oil prices surge on fears over hurricane

NEW YORK -- Oil prices surged yesterday on fears of hurricane damage and lower-than-expected crude oil and gasoline inventory data released by the government.


China trade complaint rejected

WASHINGTON  #151; A business and labor coalition, seeking to apply political pressure before the presidential election, yesterday asked the Bush administration to bring a trade case accusing China of manipulating its currency to gain unfair trade advantages.


Wall St. Seen Mixed; PeopleSoft Seen Up (Reuters)

Reuters - Wall Street stocks were expected to open\mixed on Friday, with technology stocks gaining ground led by\PeopleSoft Inc  but blue chips held back by a profit\warning from Alcoa Inc. .


CEO Eisner to Step Down in Sept 2006 -WSJ (Reuters)

Reuters - Michael Eisner plans to step down as\Walt Disney Co.'s chief executive when his contract expires in\September 2006, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday.


Royals Score 26, Shut Out in Same Day (AP)

AP - Jeremy Bonderman brought the Kansas City Royals back to earth in a hurry. After Kansas City set a team record for runs in a 26-5 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday, the Detroit right-hander shut down the Royals in the nightcap, allowing six hits in eight innings in the Tigers' 8-0 victory.


Phillies Win Again, Cling to Playoff Hopes (AP)

AP - The Philadelphia Phillies are clinging to their slim playoff hopes even if they're having trouble hanging onto fly balls.


Deficit Weighs on Dollar; GDP Hits Yen (Reuters)

Reuters - The yen fell half a percent against\major currencies on Friday on a surprising downward revision to\Japanese growth, while the dollar hit three-week lows against\the euro on worries about the U.S. trade deficit.


Broadband Proves Popular (PC World)

PC World - Number of users with high-speed connections has tripled in the last three years.


China's August industrial output up 15.9 percent, quickens on July (AFP)

AFP - China's industrial output for August rose 15.9 percent year-on-year after a 15.5 percent gain in July, with demand for coal, steel and natural gas driving growth, official data showed.


'Cellular' answers action call (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - You've got to like a movie in which William H. Macy dispatches several villains with brute force and also dons an avocado facial mask. And you can't help but admire a film in which a cell phone is put to the use for which it was intended: assistance during an emergency.


Spammers Hijack Sender ID (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Microsoft's E-mail-filter technology, Sender ID, is unpopular with open-source advocates but popular with spammers, who are using it to bypass other filters.


Oracle wins right to pursue rival (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - A federal judge Thursday rejected the federal government's request to block Oracle's  (ORCL)  #36;7.7 billion hostile takeover bid for software rival PeopleSoft (PSFT), removing a major hurdle to one of the biggest mergers in Silicon Valley history.


US genocide charge is Bush election ploy - Sudan FM (AFP)

AFP - Sudan's foreign minister rejected US charges of genocide in the western region of Darfur as a reelection ploy by US President George W. Bush.


Court clears Oracle-PeopleSoft (TheDeal.com)

TheDeal.com - The ruling is major blow to the Department of Justice, which argued that the hostile takeover weakens competition.


Paper: Disney CEO to Leave Company in '06

NEW YORK - Walt Disney Co.'s chief executive Michael Eisner will leave the giant entertainment company in 2006 when his contract expires, a newspaper reported Friday.    Eisner's departure was expected to be announced Friday, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal's Friday editions...


Hi-tech phones sent TV channels

Digital television channels are to be transmitted straight to hi-tech mobile telephones in a UK first.


Tight US supplies boost oil price

Oil prices have surged to two-week highs following news that supplies in the US are tightening. In New York on Thursday, the cost of a barrel of oil rose almost \$2 to \$44.


Update 3: Paper: Disney CEO to Leave Company in  #39;06

Walt Disney Co. #39;s chief executive Michael Eisner will leave the giant entertainment company in 2006 when his contract expires, a newspaper reported Friday.


Local Enron cases get help

A federal-court decision in a California utility case boosts arguments made by local utilities clamoring for refunds from the defunct energy trader Enron.


Alaska to slash 900 jobs

Alaska Airlines announced major expense-reduction surgery Thursday, trimming 900 workers from its payroll and closing its maintenance base.


Space Capsule Expected to Yield Some Useful Data Despite Crash

Scientists are optimistic that they will retrieve useful information from the smashed capsule that fell to earth in the Utah desert after three years in space, officials said Thursday.


Spammers love Sender ID

ALTHOUGH Microsoft #39;s anti-spam sender-ID is disliked by Open Sources, it is providing popular with the very people it is targeted against.


SCHUMACHER GRABS TOP SPOT

Michael Schumacher returned to top spot in today #39;s first practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Ferrari driver suffered a rare defeat two weeks ago in Belgium, although second place was enough to clinch a seventh world championship.


Final Opportunity

Brock Berlin and Chris Rix have known each other since 1999. One is from Louisiana, the other is from California. Yet, their story is the same.


Operation in Wana: Terrorists Hideouts Smashed, Dozens Killed

Pakistan Times Special Correspondent. WANA (South Waziristan): With fortitude to make vanish the clusters of terrorists, Pakistan Thursday gave a significant jerk and jolt to the menace


Waging war on the super rats

Scientists go back to the drawing board in their battle against poison resistant rats.


Beauty spot given a green boost

\A turf roof and solar slates are just two of the green innovations used to revamp buildings at one of Cornwall's most spectacular locations.


Broadband Proves Popular

Number of users with high-speed connections has tripled in the last three years.


CEO Eisner to Step Down in Sept 2006 -WSJ

Michael Eisner plans to step down as Walt Disney Co. #39;s chief executive when his contract expires in September 2006, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday.


Cassini reveals new ring around Saturn

A delicate new ring and possibly two new moons have been spotted around Saturn by the US-European Cassini mission, astronomers announced Thursday.


EBay to Tender for South Korea #39;s Internet Auction

EBay Inc. (EBAY.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said it will soon launch a tender offer to buy the remaining outstanding shares of South Korea #39;s Internet Auction Co.


OAKLAND AIM TO BOUNCE BACK

The Oakland Raiders became the latest team to appear in a Super Bowl and collapse the following season. After a nightmarish 2003 campaign, the Raiders once again have high hopes as they meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener for both teams.


Text message warned of Jakarta bombing

Police were sent a text message warning of yesterday #39;s suicide bombing in Jakarta that killed at least nine people 45 minutes before the explosion outside the Australian embassy.


Protestors rally against Sadr

ABOUT 1000 protesters marched through Najaf #39;s old quarter today to demand that Moqtada Sadr and his aides leave this holy city ravaged by fighting between the radical cleric #39;s followers and US and Iraqi troops.


Ghana Gets a Fab Lab

Fab Labs -- facilities built by MIT researchers to provide technology to make just about anything -- are springing up worldwide. At the newest one, in Ghana, newcomers were most enthused by the ability to make pink plastic key chains. By Michelle Delio.


People's Republic of Mac

China is booming and Beijing is its cosmopolitan heart. What's the platform of choice for the city's new tech and media elite? Well, it's not the Mac. But China's Macophiles are banding together. Hector Mackenzie reports from the Chinese capital.


Kaiju Monsters Invade Hollywood

Creatures gather to decide the fate of the world by -- what else? -- wrestling. Anything goes, including pizza tossing and porn. Xeni Jardin reports from Hollywood.


Beware of Bots Bearing Messages

Next time a stranger sends you an instant message, don't be sure there's a real person behind the exchange. You may be conversing with Chatting AIM Bot, a free service for pranksters that spews out computer-generated conversation. By Daniel Terdiman.


U.S. Open Puts Serve in Server

Sure, the players get all the attention at the U.S. Open championship. But hidden in the depths of the tournament stadium, a team of techies and their servers keep the whole event running. Michael Myser reports from New York.


NASA Searches Genesis Wreckage

The day after the Genesis space capsule crashes in the Utah desert, NASA technicians comb through the wreckage hoping to salvage something from the \$264 million mission. Amit Asaravala reports from Salt Lake City.


Space Station Oxygen Maker Broken

The oxygen generator for the International Space Station craps out, leaving the two astronauts on board weighing alternative sources for breathable air.


Japan revises down April-June GDP, sending stock prices lower (AFP)

AFP - The Japanese economy grew at a much slower pace than expected in the three months to June, confounding hopes the figures would be revised up sharply and sending already weak local stock prices lower.


European stock markets higher in early deals (AFP)

AFP - European stock markets climbed in early trading, shaking off a mixed showing on Wall Street overnight in the wake of surging oil prices.


China Attacks Human Rights Report (AP)

AP - Pro-Beijing media launched a scathing attack Friday on a report alleging human rights violations ahead of Hong Kong's weekend election, and a Chinese official lashed out at the "wicked" watchdog group that prepared it.


Disney Says CEO Eisner to Retire in 2006

LONDON (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Michael  Eisner will retire in September 2006, when his contract  expires, the company said on Friday.


Sudan, West in War of Words Over Genocide Charge

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Sudan and Western powers plunged into a  war of words over Darfur on Friday, with Khartoum countering  U.S. charges of genocide by saying Washington was playing  electoral politics with a humanitarian crisis.


Tech Firms Announce Video Anti-Piracy Technology

LONDON (Reuters) - NDS, STMicroelectronics and Thomson said  on Friday they will develop new encryption technology to foil  video piracy, a \$3.5 billion problem for broadcasters and movie  studios.


Hypnosis 'reduces cancer pain'

\Childhood cancer patients suffer less pain when placed under hypnosis, scientists have claimed.


Malaysia sees future in region

Malaysia #39;s Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has sketched out his vision of a regional body that could one day become the Asian equivalent of the EU.


Oracle #39;s 4bn PeopleSoft bid gets OK

SOFTWARE giant Oracle #39;s stalled \$7.7bn (4.2bn) bid to take over competitor PeopleSoft has received a huge boost after a US judge threw out an anti-trust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice to block the acquisition.


Alaska Air shuts Oakland base

Alaska Airlines closed its Oakland maintenance base Thursday and fired the facility #39;s 340 employees, as the troubled carrier announced cost- cutting moves to save up to \$35 million per year.


Royal Bank Hires Stymiest From TSX in Executive Shakeup

Royal Bank of Canada Chief Executive Officer Gordon Nixon replaced three senior bankers and hired the head of the Toronto Stock Exchange, overhauling senior management at Canada #39;s largest bank after a slump in the US eroded profit.


Aga upbeat as profits rise

Upmarket stove maker Aga Foodservice has posted a 6.4 percent rise in underlying first-half profit and says it expects a good full year on strong autumn orders in Europe and the UK.


Qualcomm pays \$170 million for wireless screen designer Iridigm

Qualcomm Inc. is paying \$170 million in cash for the 86 of shares it does not own in start-up Iridium Display Corp, which develops color screens for wireless devices.


Intel plans to fix internet

Intel Corp has proposed an overhaul of what it says is an increasingly creaky internet that would result in servers running its chips taking as central role in the network as Cisco #39;s routers do today.


Lexmark recalls 40,000 laser printers

An electrical-shock hazard is prompting the recall of nearly 40,000 laser printers made by Lexmark International Inc. and sold in the United States.


US OPEN NOTEBOOK Hewitt, Henman reach the spotlight

New York -- The quarterfinals #39; forgotten men Thursday were Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman, but they will toil in relative obscurity no longer.


Rain, wind inflate scores

Sindelar takes canadian open lead. Remnants of Frances force lengthy delay, with several golfers unable to finish rounds. Masters champion Phil Mickelson peers from behind a tree to learn the fate of his shot


Baseball world, and Bonds, expect more than 700

Phoenix -- It #39;s time to call a private investigator, Scotland Yard, the FBI, anybody who can go undercover and find out who stole the buzz around Barry Bonds #39; 700th home run.


Jauron treating return to Chicago as he would any other game

Dick Jauron is going back to Chicago and if there is any bitterness in his heart, he #39;s not showing it. Jauron was fired as head coach by the Bears last year after the team finished


Tech Firms Announce Video Anti-Piracy Technology (Reuters)

Reuters - NDS, STMicroelectronics and Thomson said\on Friday they will develop new encryption technology to foil\video piracy, a  #36;3.5 billion problem for broadcasters and movie\studios.


Cheney Meets With Troops in Afghanistan

Vice President Dick Cheney (website - news - bio) congratulated US troops for helping give democracy a chance to take root in Afghanistan.


Punch Taverns buys another 1,000 pubs (AFP)

AFP - Pubs owner Punch Taverns said it had bought InnSpired Group, which operates more than 1,000 pubs, in a deal worth 335 million pounds (490 million euros, 599 million dollars) including debt.


Disney Says CEO Eisner to Retire

Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Michael\Eisner will retire in September 2006, when his contract expires, the company said on Friday.


Court sides with state in case against FERC

Federal energy regulators improperly calculated how much money energy companies should refund to California consumers, and the state should get another


Profit could miss Wall St. forecast by as much as 42

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Alcoa fell more than 5 percent in late trade Thursday after the company said it expects third-quarter earnings to fall short of Wall Street forecasts, citing a strike, a fire and restructuring costs.


FAA chief urges approval of O #39;Hare expansion plan

The head of the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday urged approval of the O #39;Hare Airport expansion, saying it #39;s the only long-term way to battle chronic flight delays.


Cracker Barrel to pay \$8.7 million to settle lawsuits

Restaurant chain Cracker Barrel Old Country Store announced yesterday it will pay \$8.7 million to settle multiple lawsuits involving both racial discrimination allegations against customers


Schumacher grabs top spot

Michael Schumacher returned to top spot in Friday #39;s first practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Ferrari driver suffered a rare defeat two weeks ago in Belgium, although second place was enough to clinch a seventh world title.


Police probe Jakarta suicide role

At least one suicide bomber was responsible for carrying out Thursday #39;s attack near the Australian Embassy in central Jakarta that killed nine people and injured more than 180 others, police officials said Friday.


Thai man dies of bird flu

Bangkok (VNA) - A young Thai man in eastern Prachinburi province died of bird flu on Wednesday, Thai Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said.


EDS Ready to Trim Payroll Over 2 Years

DALLAS, Sept. 9 -- Electronic Data Systems Corp. could cut 15,000 to 20,000 jobs -- more than 10 percent of its workforce -- over about two years to help reduce costs by about \$3 billion, chief executive Michael H. Jordan said Thursday.


Acquisition Nets Big Clients

PEC Solutions Inc. said yesterday it had acquired AC Technologies Inc. for \$46.7 million in cash plus \$3 million in employee bonuses and payouts. Both companies are government contractors based in Fairfax.


NASA Hopes Data Can Be Salvaged From Crashed Craft

A top NASA official said Thursday that scientists examining the remains of the crashed Genesis space capsule have peeked inside a broken canister containing atoms from the sun and seen some intact collection plates, although others have probably been pureed to dust.


Secrets of a Salty Survivor

A microbe from the Dead Sea may hold the key to protecting astronauts from one of the greatest threats they would face during a mission to Mars: space radiation.


U.S. Air Strike Kills One Iraqi in Falluja (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. warplanes launched air\strikes in Falluja for the fourth straight day on Friday,\attacking an area in the southeast of the rebel-held city and\killing at least one Iraqi, witnesses and doctors said.


Israeli Troops Catch Palestinian With Bomb (AP)

AP - Israeli troops arrested a Palestinian man carrying a 22-pound bomb in his taxi after he fled and threw the explosives out of the cab's window, a security official said Friday.


Shopping.com Holders Cut IPO Shares (Reuters)

Reuters - Shopping.com Ltd., an online\comparison shopping service, on Friday lowered the number of\shares to be sold by shareholders in the company's planned\initial public offering.


Dean Foods Exits Nutritional Beverages

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dean Foods Co. DF.N, the largest  U.S. dairy company, on Friday said it expects to take \$10.2  million of charges as it exits the nutritional beverage  business and closes a Michigan plant.


Oracle #39;s Wish Comes True

Oracle is one step closer to taking over rival PeopleSoft now that a federal judge has ruled against the federal government #39;s effort to thwart the \$7.


US official backs producers on China apparel curbs

HONG KONG Brushing aside Chinese warnings of a possible challenge at the World Trade Organization, a senior US trade official said here on Friday that the United States would limit apparel imports if American manufacturers provided evidence that such


Delta needs pilot deal

Analysts say Delta Air Lines chief executive Gerald Grinstein needs to cut a deal soon with his pilots union to buy enough time to implement his initiatives.


Alcoa shares plunge on profit warning

NEW YORK - Alcoa (AA) shares plunged more than 5 in early Friday trading after the world #39;s largest aluminum producer warned that third-quarter results would fall far short of Wall Street expectations, hurt by plant shutdowns, restructuring costs and


US Trade Deficit Narrowed to \$50.1 Billion in July (Update1)

The US trade deficit narrowed in July from the prior month #39;s record as exports rose and a decline in oil shipments contributed to the first drop in imports in 11 months, the Commerce Department said in Washington.


Tribune Revises Circulation Figures

Tribune Co. (TRB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the publisher of Newsday and Hoy which has been embroiled in a circulation scandal, said on Friday it would make more revisions to circulation


Nat Semi triples its net profit

Shares for National Semiconductor Corp. rose more than 12 percent Thursday after the Santa Clara chipmaker said its net profit tripled despite a decline in demand during the summer months.


Alaska Airlines slashing 8 percent of work force

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines Inc. said it will trim about 900 of its 11,000 employees and close its heavy-maintenance facility in Oakland in a bid to save \$30 million to \$35 million in annual operating expenses.


More Warehouse woes

WAREHOUSE Australia #39;s struggles in the \$4 billion discount sector were highlighted yesterday when its New Zealand parent, The Warehouse Group, revealed deeper than expected losses from the Australian business.


Nasa tries to salvage Genesis solar dust

Washington - The Genesis space probe, consigned to an ignominious end by a failed parachute, risks tarnishing Nasa #39;s image as the agency seeks to restart its space shuttle programme after the Columbia shuttle disaster.


RealPlayer Music Store promotion leads to 3 million songs sold

RealNetworks seems to have had a very popular promotion in celebration of its new Harmony technology, which allows consumers to download songs bought at the RealPlayer Music Store and transfer them to popular portable devices, including iPods.


Stroke victim robbed of her dreams

The stuff that dreams are made of is a chunk of grey matter deep down at the back of the human brain, reveals a study of a rare form of brain damage.


Cell phone vendors to work on mobile TV

A group of leading mobile phone vendors said Friday (Sept. 10) they will work together to bring about widespread delivery of broadcast television to mobile devices.


Space Station Tinkering Works

(CBS/AP) Space station commander Gennady Padalka and flight engineer Michael Fincke completed a five-hour 21-minute spacewalk, successfully installing a new coolant system component and three antennas that an unmanned European cargo craft will use for


Intel sees big changes to the net

The net must be changed to help it cope with what the future holds for it, according to chip maker Intel. In a keynote speech at an Intel conference, chief technology officer Pat Gelsinger said new uses for


IBM adds extra Linux and automation to DB2

IBM will next week release editions of version 8.2 of its DB2 database software, featuring support for Linux clustering in addition to self-managing and tuning capabilities.


Photo may be first of extrasolar planet

A group of European-led astronomers has made a photograph of what appears to be a planet orbiting another star. If so, it would be the first confirmed picture of a world beyond our solar system.


Microsoft #39;s New Mice Get Touchy

Microsoft is introducing a new line of keyboards and mice this week, including some with fingerprint readers that lets users scan a finger instead of having to enter a log-in name and password when accessing online services or logging on to the PC.


The Apprentice Says  quot;You #39;re Hired quot; To Yahoo

com. Yahoo is hosting the official Web site for the second and third seasons of the reality television program  quot;The Apprentice.


BlackBerry handset gets shirty with qwerty

Research in Motion has unveiled a new BlackBerry mobile-style communicator featuring a multi-tap keypad to replace its usual qwerty keypad.


Review: Horror comes home in  #39;Silent Hill 4 #39;

Editor #39;s Note: The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of Marc Saltzman, a freelance technology journalist whose reviews also appear on the Gannett News Service.


O2 announces two new xda devices

O2 has unveiled two new devices that aim to build on the success of the popular xda II handheld/mobile phone. O2 #39;s new xda IIs will be available in the UK and Ireland on 1 November at a cost of around 449 (inc.


Skype launches Pocket PC software

Peer-to-peer IP telephony startup Skype yesterday released a version of its software designed for mobile devices running Microsoft #39;s PocketPC operating system.


FARINELLA: McGinest saves win

Two years in a row, the Patriots #39; veteran outside linebacker has made the biggest play at exactly the right moment to maintain the separation between the Colts and true greatness.


Zimbabwe #39;s Panyangara bowls seven wides in first over

UPDATE 1-Cricket-India call up Bhandari for injured Balaji September 10, 2004 13:29:44 NEW DELHI, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Indian medium-pacer Amit Bhandari will replace seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy with an


US soccer battling through qualifying

Winning at home and tying on the road is the proven formula for success in World Cup qualifying, but the manner by which the US team has compiled two ties and a victory


Liu, Jones pull out of Berlin meeting

Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion Liu Xiang of China and American Marion Jones have pulled out of Sunday #39;s Golden League meeting in Berlin, organisers said on Friday.


Baseball: Have a seat - sitting in the lap of Chicago Cubs #39; <b>...</b>

CHICAGO It was a birthday gift from his girlfriend and brother, a box-seat ticket to a Chicago Cubs game against Montreal at Wrigley Field.


Bayern striker Santa Cruz ruled out with knee injury

Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz will be out of action for up to six weeks because of a knee injury, the Bundesliga club said on Friday.


ANDY CAGLE on NASCAR: The Chase Comes Down To One Race

Not to sound like anybody from the Fox racing broadcast, but its time to reach up and pull those belts tight - its time to go racing.


Goofball #39; storms over Abbey

When they were growing up, Joey Sindelar #39;s kids used to tease him about the six PGA trophies that lined the family mantle.  quot;C #39;mon, Dad, quot; they #39;d say.


NHL Rejects Players Union #39;s Latest Labor Agreement Proposal

The National Hockey League, facing a possible work stoppage in less than a week, received the first new labor proposal from its players union in almost a year today in Toronto.


Mariners snap Red Sox win streak

Seattle #39;s Bobby Madritsch pitched eight shutout innings as the Mariners clubbed Boston 7-to-1 Thursday night on the West Coast.


Willingham Determined on Thursday

It was all business on Thursday night after Notre Dames final practice of the week in preparation for their game against Michigan on Saturday.


Zimbabwe jails Briton in mercenary case

A Zimbabwe court has jailed British former special services officer Simon Mann for a total of seven years for trying to buy dangerous weapons in a case linked to an alleged coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.


S. Africa Links Pakistani Khan Network #39; to Arrests (Update1)

South Africa #39;s arrest of two men for the alleged smuggling of goods that could be used to make nuclear weapons is linked to the so-called Pakistani Khan network, #39; #39; a foreign affairs official said.


Blair meets Ahern ahead of crunch talks

Tony Blair is holding talks with his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern in a bid to inject renewed pace into the peace process. The informal discussions, which will take place at the prime minister #39;s Sedgefield


Oxygen generator fails on space station

The main oxygen generator on the International Space Station has failed, but NASA said Thursday there is plenty of oxygen on board to sustain the station #39;s inhabitants for the foreseeable future.


Savage Is A  #39;Drama Queen #39; - Sanchez

The Wales midfielder claimed that a challenge by Michael Hughes in the World Cup qualifier on Wednesday was career-threatening.


Verheugen Reminds Turkey to Finish its Homework

European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen completed his five day fact-finding mission to Turkey and his generally positive messages left Turkey feeling  #39;hopeful #39; prior to the release of the EU Commission #39;s Progress Report on


Blair Demands Complete End to Ulster Violence

Prime Minister Tony Blair insisted today that there must be a complete and unequivocal end to violence by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland if the power-sharing executive is to be restored.


Ballack set to miss Bielefeld clash

MUNICH, Sep 10 (SW) - Bayern Munich playmaker Michael Ballack is likely to miss Saturdays home game against Arminia Bielefeld after returning from international duties with an angina.


Perez stops Astros; streak ends at 12

Oliver Perez ended Houstons 12-game winning streak with the most dominating start of his short career, striking out 14 in Pittsburghs 3-1 victory Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader.


Bush Support Strong After Convention (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - President Bush emerged from his New York convention with a solid lead over Democratic challenger John F. Kerry, strengthening his position on virtually every important issue in the campaign and opening up a clear advantage on many of the personal characteristics that influence voters in presidential elections, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.


Russia Launches Inquiry Into School Siege

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's parliament will launch an  inquiry into a school siege that killed over 300 hostages,  President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, but analysts doubt it  will satisfy those who blame the carnage on security services.


Jakarta Hunts Islamic Militants After Embassy Attack

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police launched a nationwide  manhunt on Friday for al Qaeda-linked militants blamed for a  suicide car bomb attack outside the Australian embassy that  jolted both countries ahead of elections.


Eisner plans to leave Disney in 2006

Disney confirms that Michael Eisner has informed the entertainment giant #39;s board of his intention to retire when his current agreement ends in just over two years.


Goodyear to Cut 340 Jobs Over Next Year

Goodyear Tire  amp; Rubber Co. on Friday said it plans to cut about 340 jobs over the next year, and will take rationalization charges during the third quarter in an effort to reduce costs in its engineered products and chemical divisions.


Energy refund push is backed

Bee Staff Writers. Federal regulators were too timid in taking control of California #39;s runaway energy market, and now the state should have another chance to push


RealNetworks ends download 49c promo

Seattle  Reuters News Service, 10 September 2004 - RealNetworks is ending its 49c-per-song music download service but will keep the promotional prices in place for top 10 songs, the Internet media and software company said yesterday.


Nokia, Motorola, NEC, Siemens, Sony Ericsson work on mobile <b>...</b>

HELSINKI (AFX) - Nokia Corp said it and Motorola Corp, NEC Corp, Siemens AG, and Sony Ericsson have started an Open Mobile Alliance to enable broadcast services to mobile devices.


Brilliant Digital, Altnet Sue RIAA

Woodland Hills-based Brilliant Digital Entertainment and its subsidiary Altnet announced yesterday that they have filed a patent infringement suit against the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).


Pats kick off season with win

The NFL champion New England Patriots escape with a season-opening victory, keeping their winning streak alive and again frustrating Peyton Manning.


Potential All-American Dream or All-Russian Nightmare for USTA at <b>...</b>

The US Open will either get its dream all-American final, a nightmare all-Russian final, or something in between today when No. 5 Lindsay Davenport faces No.


Shortstop pulled over early Friday morning

ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal has had his first court appearance after being arrested on charges of driving under the influence.


Las Vegas casino offering full season of action

NFL fans spending time in Las Vegas always can place a bet on their favourite team for that week #39;s game. Now, the Plaza Hotel is offering something more long-range.


Troy shows #39;em

TROY - The Troy University Trojans put their new-fangled marketing bells and whistles on display for a national television audience Thursday night, but it was old-fashioned football that secured the 24-14 upset over No.


Hopes Fading for Fourth Round of Talks on Pyongyang #39;s Nuclear <b>...</b>

Hopes are fading that Pyongyang will attend a fourth round of talks on ending its nuclear weapons programs, following revelations about South Korean nuclear tests.


WHO Warns Of More Human Deaths After Bird Flu #39;s Latest Victim In <b>...</b>

A World Health Organization official has warned of the likelihood of more human deaths from the bird flu virus, after the death of a teenage boy in Thailand this week.


Marion Jones pulls out of Berlin Golden League meet

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Marion Jones pulled out of Sunday #39;s Golden League track and field meet in Berlin because of back pain, and organizers said she wouldn #39;t compete again this year.


Somali warlord 'to rejoin talks'

A Somali warlord, whose advance had raised fears of renewed violence, agrees to rejoin peace talks in Kenya.


US aircraft keep up Falluja raids

US planes fire a missile into rebel positions in the Iraqi city of Falluja for the fourth day, killing a civilian.


Police chief's suspension lifted

Police chief David Westwood, criticised after the Soham murders, has his suspension lifted, but is to retire early.


Anti-Moore movies to be screened

Two films attacking Fahrenheit 9/11 director Michael Moore will debut at a conservative US film festival.


Putin Agrees to Inquiry Into Russian School Siege

Apparently bending to widespread public pressure, President Vladimir V. Putin agreed today to a parliamentary inquiry.


Jamaicans Flee as Powerful Hurricane Approaches

Hurricane Ivan, the third powerful storm to boil up out of the Atlantic this year, bore down on Jamaica today after devastating Grenada.


Disney Confirms Eisner to Leave in 2006

LONDON - Michael Eisner, who led the Walt Disney Co. to huge success in the 1980s but more recently clashed with dissident stockholders including the founder's family, will leave the company in 2006 when his contract expires, the company said Friday...


Microsoft Sees Music Opportunity in Cell Phones (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. software giant Microsoft  is\aiming to get its audio and video software into mobile phones\before it is beaten to the 650-million-handsets-a-year market\by rivals like Apple.


Phone Firms Rush to Get TV on Mobile Phones (Reuters)

Reuters - Europeans came a step closer to\having television on their mobile phones on Friday when two\groups of companies announced plans to push forward with\consumer trials and establish a standard for the technology.


Treasuries Rally on Drop in August PPI (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Treasuries rallied on Friday\after a surprise drop in U.S. producer prices in August fueled\the view that the Federal Reserve might pause on its rate-hike\path after an expected rate boost later this month.


Just don #39;t do it: China bans Nike #39;s basketball advert

A Nike television advert showing US basketball star LeBron James in battle with a cartoon kung fu master has been banned in China.


Clyde Drexler Tops Hall of Fame Inductees (AP)

AP - As a kid alone on the Houston playgrounds, Clyde Drexler would imagine he was Dr. J with a championship on the line. But Drexler never dreamed he would be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Or that the Hall of Famer who would present him at the ceremonies Friday would be good friend Julius Erving.


U.S. Calls Killings In Sudan Genocide (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said for the first time yesterday that genocide has taken place in Sudan and that the government in Khartoum and government-sponsored Arab militias known as Janjaweed "bear responsibility" for rapes, killings and other abuses that have left 1.2 million black Africans homeless.


Virus Writer Hides Job Ad in MyDoom Net Worm (Reuters)

Reuters - Times must be getting tough for computer\virus writers.


ViewSonic Delves Into Video Networking (PC World)

PC World - Send your video throughout your house--wirelessly--with new gateways and media adapters.


Price of cards to be shuffled

At a charity auction in New Jersey last weekend, baseball memorabilia dealer Warren Heller was approached by a man with an unusual but topical request.


Braves Shortstop Furcal Arrested for DUI (AP)

AP - Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal was arrested early Friday on charges of driving under the influence, speeding and reckless driving, police said.


Chicago Mayor Unveils Surveillance Plan (AP)

AP - More than 2,000 surveillance cameras in public places would be tied in to a network that would use sophisticated software to spot emergencies or suspicious behavior under a plan announced Thursday by Mayor Richard Daley.


Indian artist Husain to paint 100 pieces in one year for 22 million dollars (AFP)

AFP - India's best known artist Maqbool Fida Husain has struck a deal with a millionaire businessman to give him 100 paintings for one billion rupees (21.73 million dollars) in a year's time.


Lacklustre job creation keeps August unemployment rate steady at 7.2 per cent (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Despite growing evidence of a strengthening economy, the job market remained sluggish in August, holding the unemployment rate at 7.2 per cent - unchanged from July.


Oracle wins antitrust case, can pursue PeopleSoft (AFP)

AFP - Oracle can pursue its 7.7 billion hostile takeover bid for rival business software maker PeopleSoft, a federal judge has ruled in a stunning setback for the US Justice Department.


Treasuries Rally on Drop in August PPI

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries rallied on Friday  after a surprise drop in U.S. producer prices in August fueled  the view that the Federal Reserve might pause on its rate-hike  path after an expected rate boost later this month.


Chelsea warning to champions

CHELSEA assistant manager Steve Clark today fired out a warning to champions Porto ahead of tomorow #39;s (Australian time) Champions League Group H game.


Stocks Open Lower, Alcoa Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Friday,  weighed down by profit warnings from companies such as Alcoa  Inc. AA.N, the world's No. 1 aluminum maker, which raised  concerns about U.S. corporate earnings strength.


Dollar Falls as Trade, PPI Data Weigh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar dropped against most major  currencies on Friday, as analysts raised concerns about the  U.S. trade deficit number for July, which came in narrower than  expected, but was still fairly sizable.


Hypnosis Effective in Relieving Cancer Pain (Reuters)

Reuters - Hypnosis can relieve suffering\and improve the quality of life of cancer patients, researchers\said on Thursday.


Cannabis May Have Long-Term Benefit for MS (Reuters)

Reuters - Cannabis-based treatments may\have longer-term benefits for multiple sclerosis patients,\scientists said on Friday.


Delta Fails to Get OK from Bond Holders

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL.N on Friday  said it hit another bump in its effort to avoid bankruptcy as  bond holders refused to give it permission to buy back certain  debt it needs restructured, sending its shares down about 3  percent.


Golf: O'Hern and Jacquelin Vie for Breakthrough Win

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - Nick O'Hern and Raphael  Jacquelin made their latest bids to break their European Tour  ducks when they shared the early lead in the second round of  the German Masters Friday.


Goodyear to Cut 340 Jobs, Take Charge

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Goodyear Tire   Rubber Co. GT.N said  on Friday it will cut 340 jobs in its engineered products and  chemical units as part of its cost-reduction efforts, resulting  in a third-quarter charge.


Nokia: Caution Replaces Euphoria

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Analysts differed over whether  improved third-quarter guidance from top mobile phone maker  Nokia was the start of a turnaround or a brief reprieve in a  grim year and the share's rally cooled on Friday.


Tribune Revises Circulation Figures

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tribune Co. TRB.N, the publisher of  Newsday and Hoy which has been embroiled in a circulation  scandal, said on Friday it would make more revisions to  circulation figures for the newspapers and plans to take a  related third-quarter charge.


Disney boss to step down

Six months after he survived a shareholder coup, Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner announces he will step down in 2006.


Go-ahead for postal savings sale

Japan's cabinet agrees the controversial privatisation of its multi-trillion dollar postal savings system.


Musicians Sing Different Tune on File Sharing

We know what piracy debaters Lars Ulrich and Chuck D think of file sharing. But aside from the few who speak out publicly, musical artists typically sit out the rhetorical crossfire over copyright protection.


M S in talks to offload website

Marks   Spencer is poised to farm out its online retail business and is talking to a number of interested parties, the High Street retailer says.


Dillon experiences a whole new feeling

There weren't many times during the course of his Cincinnati Bengals career when Corey Dillon left the locker room satisfied after a game.


Last team standing

They were like two great heavyweights slugging away, neither willing to take a backward step or bend to the other's demands.


It's no tossup, nod goes to Brady

Who's better, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? That was one question prior to last night's game between the Patriots and Colts at Gillette Stadium. The proof was provided on the field, and Brady was the answer.


Forces secure area

While Toby Keith wailed country and western, and Gillette Stadium sizzled with excitement, Captain Rick Maloney stood at his post, a machine gun hanging from his neck.


Ali: Boxing needs US commission

Muhammad Ali asked Congress yesterday to create a US Boxing Commission, saying oversight by the federal government is needed to protect boxers from exploitation and injury. Ali's testimony before a congressional panel was read by his wife, Lonnie Ali , because he suffers from Parkinson's disease.  quot;Reform measures are unlikely to succeed, quot; Ali said,  quot;unless a US Boxing Commission is ...


Disney Confirms Eisner to Leave in 2006

Michael Eisner will leave the Walt Disney company in 2006 when his contract expires, the company said today.


Where Are the Superinvestors?

Whitney Tilson argues that the exceptional money managers are in hedge funds.


No Warning for Procter   Gamble

The company is reasonably certain that it can maintain previously issued earnings guidance.


Were You Ready for Some Football?

Disney kicks off another season of Monday Night Football -- on a Thursday.


Stocks Fall on Alcoa, Visteon Warnings

NEW YORK - Investors worried about third quarter earnings looked past a surprise drop in wholesale prices, keeping stocks mixed Friday. Blue-chips dropped on profit warnings from Dow component Alcoa Inc...


Jamaicans Flee As Ivan Approaches; 23 Dead

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - Hurricane Ivan bore down on Jamaica on Friday with deadly winds and monstrous waves, after leaving Grenada a wasteland of flattened houses and twisted metal and setting off a frenzy of looting...


Questions Surface About Bush Memos

WASHINGTON - Questions are being raised about the authenticity of newly unearthed memos which asserted that George W. Bush ignored a direct order from a superior officer in the Texas Air National Guard and lost his status as a pilot because he failed to meet military performance standards and undergo a required physical exam...


Stocks Expected to Fall on Alcoa Report

NEW YORK - Stock prices were expected to drop after the opening bell Friday as investors stay cautious on the corporate earnings picture, with Alcoa Inc. likely casting a shadow in early trading...


Man Gets 6 Months for Swinging Alligator

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A man who swung an alligator at his girlfriend during an argument was sentenced to six months in jail...


Cisco and Fujitsu team up

TOKYO: Fujitsu Ltd and Cisco Systems Inc have agreed to form a strategic alliance, focusing on routers and switches that will enable businesses to build advanced Internet Protocol (IP) networks.


Metcash bids for Foodland

SYDNEY: Metcash Trading Ltd has launched an A\$846mil bid for the Australian local arm of rival Foodland Associated with the aim of cementing its position as the country #39;s third food and liquor chain.


Linux poised for move from data centre to desktop - report

Clearly viable on server, client to follow within two years


Orange to ship Wi-Fi Pocket 'in October'

Update M2000 same as XDA IIs, VPA III, MDA III


M S in talks to offload website

Marks   Spencer is poised to farm out its online retail business, the High Street retailer says.


Ivan Bears Down on Jamaica with 150 Mph Winds Strengthening

More than half a million Jamaicans fled their homes today as Hurricane Ivan bore down on the island with 150 mph winds. It left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean and the death toll of 23 was expected to rise.


Propects for NKorea nuclear talks clouded: South Korean FM

SEOUL : South Korea #39;s foreign minister indicated Friday that prospects had diminished for proposed six-way talks later this month to end North Korea #39;s nuclear weapons drive.


Israel Locks Down Palestinians

JERUSALEM Sept. 10, 2004 - Settler leaders accused Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Friday of bringing the country to the brink of civil war with his plans to evacuate Jewish settlements.


Aid workers ready to quit after Baghdad kidnapping

BAGHDAD - Foreign aid workers have bolted their doors, hired more guards and installed spy cameras outside their offices here, and are considering whether to quit Iraq altogether following the kidnapping of two relief workers.