Howell Altered Swing Just Hours Before Ryder Cup

WOBURN, England (Reuters) - Britain's Ryder Cup debutant  David Howell, lauded for his fine performance with Paul Casey  in the morning fourballs Saturday, altered his swing just hours  before the start of the match against the United States.


Will Putin's Power Play Make Russia Safer?

Not if you believe his critics, who say the new measures are all about politics


FedEx Quarterly Earnings More Than Double

NEW YORK (Reuters) - FedEx Corp. FDX.N, the world's top  air-express shipper, on Wednesday said quarterly earnings more  than doubled on strong growth in its international, ground and  freight services.


Cozying up to Syria

Despite Bush Administration rhetoric, the U.S. sits down with Syria's leadership


Cisco Targets Triple Play on the Move Capabilities With <b>...</b>

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK - Cisco Systems is targeting a so-called triple play of the move strategy as part of its strategy to drive sales to service providers.


PeopleSoft's Knightly Quest

Oracle may be breathing fire down its neck with an ongoing hostile takeover effort, but PeopleSoft is trying to withstand the siege by striking a deal with IBM. -washingtonpost.com


How They Would Fix It

Bush and Kerry both talk about providing health care for the uninsured. Here's how they would do it


EMC debuts e-mail consolidation

ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in August kept Data Management as the seventh in rank for the past two months. EMC announced on Wednesday e-mail management and storage targeted at midsized companies.


Royal Dutch-Shell to boost spending

Anglo-Dutch energy company Royal Dutch-Shell will boost capital spending to \$15 billion a year during 2004-06 to build proven reserves.


PeopleSoft  amp; IBM Sign Landmark Pact

PeopleSoft Inc. and IBM announced recently that they will establish the most significant enterprise applications alliance in the history of the two companies.


Quattrone asks to stay out of prison pending appeal

_ Former star investment banker Frank Quattrone asked a federal appeals court Wednesday to let him stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction on obstruction-of-justice charges.


Coles hits a record \$576.5m

COLES Myer chief John Fletcher yesterday declared the company on track to reach \$800 million in annual profit by 2006 after handing down the highest result in the company #39;s history, with all key divisions firing.


Update 1: ConAgra Reports Drop in 1Q Earnings

ConAgra Foods Inc. reported a 30 percent drop in first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, citing sales lost from discontinued operations and higher costs for materials.


Broken oxygen generator threatens space station

A UK space scientist has warned that a broken oxygen generator could spell disaster for the International Space Station (ISS). The Elecktron unit, which converts waste water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, broke


Tennis: Muster rolls out clay carpet for Britain

VIENNA : Austrian Davis Cup captain Thomas Muster has warned Britain not to underestimate them in this weekend #39;s World Group play-off on the slowest clay courts the Austrians have found.


El Duque seeks to stay unbeaten for Yanks

NEW YORK - Orlando Hernandez will try to continue his unbeaten season when the AL East-leading New York Yankees close out a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.


Putin #39;s Chechnya envoy urges end to corruption

President Vladimir Putin #39;s new envoy to Chechnya on Wednesday urged local officials to end corruption, while troops swept towns and villages hunting for rebels.


West Indies survive Lara scare to book final place (AFP)

AFP - The West Indies survived an injury scare to captain Brian Lara to beat Pakistan by seven wickets and earn a place in the ICC Champions Trophy Final.


Oil Tops \$48 After U.S. Inventories Dive

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices jumped more than a dollar,  climbing above \$48 a barrel on Wednesday after U.S. data showed  the disruption caused by Hurricane Ivan had eaten into fuel  stocks.


Stocks Fall Sharply, Fannie Mae Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were knocked lower on Wednesday  after a U.S. government review questioned home finance company  Fannie Mae's FNM.N accounting methods, while  investment bank  Morgan Stanley MWD.N reported a drop in quarterly profit.


Tobacco Firms: No Conspiracy Over Smoking

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A lawyer for the tobacco industry  told a federal court on Wednesday that cigarette companies have  never engaged in a conspiracy to mislead the public about the  dangers of smoking.


Woman Suicide Bomber Kills 2 in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian woman suicide bomber  blew herself up near a hitch-hiking post in Jerusalem on  Wednesday, killing two people and wounding 15 in the first such  attack in the city in seven months.


After U.S., EU Agrees to Lift Sanctions on Libya

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Libya took another big stride out of  diplomatic isolation on Wednesday when the European Union  agreed to lift all sanctions on the North African country.


US rates won #39;t hit home

THE decision by the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates for the third month in a row would have little effect on the Reserve Bank of Australia #39;s deliberations on monetary policy, economists said yesterday.


JP Morgan Loses a Veteran

Dina Dublon, chief financial officer of JP Morgan Chase (JPM ), announced on Sept. 21 that she would be leaving by yearend. Considered one of the most powerful women on Wall Street, Dublon #39;s departure is a


Antarctic Glacier-Melt Increasing Dramatically

As early as the 1970s, several theorists and climate modelers predicted that global warming would cause ice shelves in the oceans around Antarctica to melt and release glaciers.


Senate Panel Backs Subsidies for Digital TV

The US Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved a measure that would provide up to \$1 billion to ensure consumers can still watch television when broadcasters switch to new, crisp digital signals.


Apple iMac G5

It has been a good year for Apple. Since the beginning of 2004, I #39;ve discussed GarageBand, AirPort Express and the latest iPod.


English star David Beckham enjoys free-kick revival in soccer

David Beckham thanks better enforcement of the 10-metre rule and a slice of good fortune for the recent return of his free-kick prowess.


Cricket-Lara forced off after being hit by Shoaib

Cricket-Pakistan crumble to West Indies 09-22-2004, 13:18 SOUTHAMPTON, England (AFP) - Pakistan had a morning to regret after Inzamam-Ul-Haq had won the toss, chosen to bat in overcast conditions and then seen his side shot out by the West Indies for


Oakland Athletics Team Report - September 22

(Sports Network) - Barry Zito has been in excellent form over his last few starts, and the Oakland Athletics need him to continue in that direction tonight when they battle the Texas Rangers in the middle test of an important three-game series at


Israel urges sanctions again Iran for nuclear program

Israel urged the United Nations on Wednesday to move toward sanctions against Iran because Tehran is never going to abandon its alleged quest for nuclear weapons.


US says won #39;t bow to kidnappers

and  quot;Mrs Anthrax quot; by US forces, would not be released soon.  quot;The two women are in legal and. including the two women, remained in US legal custody.


EMC debuts e-mail consolidation

The product is designed to let companies manage years of e-mail messages on a single networked storage system.


Ireland launches phone fraud crackdown

Regulators are trying to prevent scams caused by software that computer users may not even know is on their PCs.


AT T woos international markets with VOIP projects

AT T Corp. Wednesday announced a number of VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) initiatives, such as a program to develop common standards for the technology and an expansion of its international VOIP remote worker pilot project. But as the company tries to draw more corporate users to VOIP, its own research, also published Wednesday, showed that concerns about the quality of service continue to dog the market as a whole.


US baking giant Interstate files to restructure

The innocuous Twinkie is one of many high-carb treats that has proved the downfall of US wholesale baking giant Interstate Bakeries Corp.


GM Likely to Cut Jobs in Europe

General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , in the midst of reassessing its unprofitable European operations, is not ruling out closing a plant there and is likely to cut some jobs, a GM spokesman said on Wednesday.


Lara floored as Windies make final

SOUTHAMPTON, England -- West Indies captain Brian Lara had to quit after being struck on the neck by a bouncer as his side beat Pakistan by seven wickets to reach the Champions Trophy final.


Jerusalem Suicide Bomber Kills Two, Injures 14 (Update1)

At least two bystanders were killed and 14 injured in an explosion set off by a female suicide bomber at an intersection in northern Jerusalem, police said.


Suicide bomb targets police recruits

Iraqis inspect some of the burned-out cars near the site of the latest car-bomb blast outside a restaurant in a commercial area of Baghdad.


Israeli Labor Union announces end to public sector strike

The Israeli Labor Federation Histadrut announced an end to the nationwide public sector strike Wednesday noon and ordered strikers to return to work.


Politicans Killed in Indian Chopper Crash

Ten people, including a state government minister and two lawmakers, were killed in a helicopter crash in India #39;s mountainous northeast on Wednesday, officials said.


LookSmart Adds Porn Free Search to Net Nanny\\LookSmart today announced the release of Net Nanny 5.1, an updated version of its Internet filtering software, and the first version to include family-safe Web search. Net Nanny 5.1 has a suggested retail price of \$39.95 for new buyers of Net Nanny and ...


Morgan Stanley Profit Falls, Shares Drop

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley  MWD.N on Wednesday said quarterly profit dropped by a third  on lower bond trading revenue and higher expenses, falling  short of Wall Street's low expectations and pushing its shares  down as much as 8 percent.


RSC unveils Stratford revamp plan

The Royal Shakespeare Company reveals plans to refurbish its main theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.


Corning's Crystal-Clear Future

The company will continue to capitalize on the growth in LCD TV sales.


Big Tobacco Disputes Conspiracy Claim

WASHINGTON - A lawyer for the tobacco industry on Wednesday rejected the government's claim that cigarette companies conspired for decades to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking and should forfeit \$280 billion generated by the alleged fraud.    To win the case, the government must prove the scheme existed and is likely to continue...


Passenger Cat Stevens to Be Deported

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security officials said Yusuf Islam - formerly known as singer Cat Stevens - will be deported Wednesday after being denied entry to the U.S. for being on a government watch list...


CBS Names Panel to Probe Bush Guard Story

NEW YORK - CBS News appointed former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press chief executive Louis Boccardi to investigate what went wrong with its story on President Bush's service in the National Guard...


Computer Associates Will Account

The IT vendor agrees to pay more than \$200 million to avoid criminal prosecution in an accounting scandal. Also: PeopleSoft strengthens ties with IBM   hellip;. eMusic gets a facelift   hellip;. and more.


Stocks drop; Dow off more than 100 points

Disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley (MWD) and oil prices topping \$48 per barrel sent stocks sharply lower Wednesday as investors moved to protect their recent gains.


Update 6: Prosecutor Says Enron Cheated, Lied

An alleged side deal that wiped out the legitimacy of Enron Corp. #39;s sale of equity in three barges to Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. in late 1999 lies at the heart of the first criminal trial to emerge from the bankrupt energy company #39;s scandal.


Wonder Bread maker files Chapter 11

Interstate Bakeries Corp., parent company of the Wonder Bread plant in downtown Columbus, on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.


CA, DOJ Reach Settlement

Embattled management software vendor Computer Associates (Quote, Chart) has struck a deal with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to avoid a court appearance over its accounting problems, reports indicated Wednesday morning.


Eastman Kodak raises annual sales forecasts for digital products

Eastman Kodak Co., in the midst of its strengthening its position in digital imaging, said Wednesday it expects sales of digital products and services to increase by about 36 per cent between 2003 and 2007.


Serious problems found by regulators at Fannie Mae, prompting SEC <b>...</b>

Regulators have discovered serious accounting problems at mortgage giant Fannie Mae, prompting an inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Commission and calling into question its


Ireland modem hijack fraud

p2pnet.net News:- A business in Ireland found it had unknowingly racked up nearly \$15,000 in calls. Other modem users found they had charges for calls to the South Pacific.


House Approves Penalties for False Web Records

The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would increase jail time for identity thieves and other fraudulent Web users who register sites under false identities.


#39;He #39;s not Real bound #39;

ENGLAND captain and Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham has played down speculation that his club are moving for England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.


NHLers get Original again

Locked-out players can keep playing by joining Original Six teams in the new Original Stars Hockey League. The brainchild of Mississauga, Ont.


Boston Red Sox Team Report - September 22

(Sports Network) - Bronson Arroyo tries to win his fifth straight decision, as the Boston Red Sox continue a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Fenway Park.


Female Suicide Bomber Strikes Jerusalem Neighborhood

A female suicide bomber blew herself up in a Jerusalem neighborhood where hitchhikers gather, killing at least two and injuring more than a dozen others.


Amnesty calls for Sudan weapons embargo

CHRIS CLARK: Amnesty International has called for an arms embargo to pressure the Sudanese Government to stop the violence against the people of Darfur.


CBS Fined  #36;550,000 for Jackson Stunt (AP)

AP - Federal regulators on Wednesday fined CBS a record  #36;550,000 for Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," which exposed the singer's breast during this year's Super Bowl halftime show.


Israeli Unions End Crippling General Strike (Reuters)

Reuters - Israel's labor unions ended a\paralyzing two-day general strike on Wednesday that grounded\international air traffic, shut financial markets and halted\public services in a dispute over unpaid wages.


Russia Protest Seeks Leader's Resignation (AP)

AP - Hundreds of protesters demanding that a local leader step down clashed with riot police Wednesday in an impoverished region of southern Russia, authorities said.


Stocks Slump on Higher Oil, Fannie Mae

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell sharply  on Wednesday  after oil prices jumped more than a dollar and a U.S.  government review questioned home finance company Fannie Mae's  FNM.N accounting methods.


Kerry campaign blasts Bush on Iran (AFP)

AFP - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's campaign blasted the Bush administration for  quot;another national security failure quot; on Iran's nuclear program and urged that Tehran be threatened with tougher sanctions.


Tobacco Companies Deny Conspiracy to Push Smoking

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tobacco industry lawyer  acknowledged on Wednesday that some executives may have acted  wrongly, but said cigarette companies have never engaged in a  conspiracy to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking.


U.S. Says Won't Bow to Demand of Kidnappers in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - With time running out to save a British  hostage in Iraq, U.S. officials said on Wednesday they were not  about to free female Iraqi prisoners as demanded by an al Qaeda  ally whose group has already beheaded two Americans.


Israeli Unions End Crippling General Strike

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's labor unions ended a  paralyzing two-day general strike on Wednesday that grounded  international air traffic, shut financial markets and halted  public services in a dispute over unpaid wages.


\$550,000 fine for Janet exposure

US TV network CBS is fined a record \$550,000 for Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction".


Musharraf warns of 'iron curtain'

President Musharraf tells the UN the world must act to avoid an iron curtain between the West and Muslim nations.


The deafening sound of the seas

The  crescendo of noise in the oceans is interfering with marine mammal communication, campaigners say.


Stocks Slump on Higher Oil, Fannie Mae

Stocks fell sharply on Wednesday after oil prices jumped more than a dollar and a US government review questioned home finance company Fannie Mae #39;s (FNM.


Update 1: CA to Pay \$225M to Avoid Prosecution

Computer Associates agreed Wednesday to pay \$225 million to avoid criminal prosecution in a multibillion-dollar accounting scandal that has brought down several of its top executives.


Iconic US bakery giant files for bankruptcy

CHICAGO : Interstate Bakeries Corp., the maker of popular, old-style snacks Twinkies and Hostess Cakes, filed for bankruptcy, citing rising costs and falling sales.


Russia Sets Space Station Crew Launch for October 11

Russia #39;s space agency says it will send a three-man replacement crew to the International Space Station on October 11, two days later than originally planned.


Vodafone sets November for 3G

Vodafone has confirmed that it will launch its 3G service in the UK in November. The announcement came hot on the heals of the operators announcement of the handsets it will be making available for the launch.


Cricket: West Indies Defeats Pakistan, Advances to Champions #39; <b>...</b>

The West Indies cricket team has defeated Pakistan by seven wickets at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, and reached the finals of the International Cricket Council #39;s Champions #39; Trophy tournament.


Cards, Dolphins in store for long season

In his 14th year as an NFL head coach, Dick Vermeil has now started a season with two straight losses four times, the latest with the current edition of the Kansas City Chiefs.


Emphasis on turnover margin pays off big for teams such as USC

USC is the country #39;s top-ranked team, in no small part due to its fetish for the football. It #39;s apparent in everything from T-shirts the program special ordered for players -- which read  quot;It #39;s All About the


Golf, four other sports in running for Olympic inclusion

Golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports are in the running for possible inclusion at the 2012 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee said Wednesday it notified those five sports #39; governing bodies


OSHL denies it has suspended play

The Original Stars Hockey League is denying it has suspended play, saying a statement released Wednesday with league letter-head was not legitimate.


In Pursuit of Happiness

One Fool experiences more than two hours of lost pre-party productivity in a Barnes   Noble quest.


Suicide bombing, fierce fighting rock Baghdad

Insurgent attacks and heavy fighting rocked the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, as a suicide bomber killed at least six Iraqi civilians and wounded 54 others and US aircraft and tanks raked rebel positions in the Sadr City slum.


House Could Vote on Spyware Bill Next Week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives  will vote as soon as next week on a measure to crack down on  deceptive "spyware" that hides in users' computers and secretly  monitors their activities, key lawmakers said on Wednesday.


Alarm sounded for Caribbean coral

US conservationists say nearly two-thirds of the Caribbean's coral reefs are threatened by human activities.


Rock bugs resist polar extremes

Microbe colonies discovered living under rocks in the Arctic and Antarctic are just the latest example of life's ability to cope with extremes.


Jury slaps Sony with \$82 million verdict

A jury finds that Sony's PlayStation unit infringed on two patents owned by force-feedback specialist Immersion.


Sony shrinks PlayStation 2

TOKYO - Sony Corp. showed Tuesday a smaller book-size PlayStation 2 going on sale worldwide next month that will help the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant cut costs as video-game consoles continue to drop in price.


Cellphone That Detects Bad Breath

Siemens Mobile, the German telecommunications company, has announced that it is working on a mobile phone that makes users aware when they have bad breath.


10-Year Treasury Yield Flirts with 4 Pct (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Treasury yields hovered near\five-month lows on Wednesday as weaker stocks and higher oil\prices helped drive 10-year yields down to 4 percent.


U.S. Orders Airlines To Release Fliers' Data (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The federal government said yesterday that it will order airlines to turn over millions of passenger records by November so it can begin testing a vast computer program that will hunt for suspected terrorists seeking to board commercial aircraft.


Pakistan v West Indies scoreboard

Cricket-Inzamam gamble fails as West Indies rout Pakistan September 22, 2004 12:32:48 SOUTHAMPTON, England, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq gambled and lost on Wednesday as his team were routed by West Indies for 131 from 38.


Barrichello ready to finish F1 season on high note

Rubens Barrichello has warned Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher that he is out to steal the world champion #39;s thunder in Sunday #39;s inaugural Chinese Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai.


Catching West Coast action can be tough, but it #39;s worth the effort

Vin Scully, if you haven #39;t heard, has a tendency to go on a bit. It #39;s more than a tendency, really. It #39;s practically a trademark.


Indonesia Prospective Leader on Hunt for Ministers

Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discussed presidential plans and a cabinet with visitors to his home on Wednesday, even though he has yet to declare victory


Treasury Yields Hit 5-Month Lows

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. benchmark Treasuries yields broke  beneath 4.0 percent on Wednesday for the first time in  five-months, driven in part by a jump in oil prices and a slide  in equities.


Tobacco Cos. Deny Smoking Conspiracy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tobacco industry lawyer  acknowledged on Wednesday that some executives may have acted  wrongly, but said cigarette companies have never engaged in a  conspiracy to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking.


British Energy Falls After Action Against Investors (Udpate1)

British Energy Plc shares plunged for a second day after the UK electricity producer took action to fend off investors who are trying to get more money out of the company #39;s debt-restructuring plan.


Quattrone asks to remain free pending appeal

Former Credit Suisse First Boston banker Frank Quattrone asked a federal judge Tuesday to allow him to remain free while he appeals his conviction for obstructing justice.


Sony Announces Slim PS2 Console

While inheriting the basic functions and design philosophy of the current PlayStation 2, the internal design architecture of the new PS2 model has been completely overhauled, resulting in a slimmer and more lightweight form.


Astros turn to Oswalt for crucial game

SAN FRANCISCO - Roy Oswalt will have to overcome a rib injury and Barry Bonds to become the first 19-game winner in the National League.


Storylines for Sept. 25 weekend

What a weekend of college football! It was puzzling, exciting, dramatic, thrilling, crushing, and suspenseful. But there was one thing it never was.


Woman Palestinian Suicide Bomber Kills Two Israelis In Jerusalem <b>...</b>

JERUSALEM, Sept 22 (AFP) - Two Israelis, including a policeman, were killed and 16 other people wounded Wednesday when a teenage Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up at a police checkpoint next to a group of bus stops in Jerusalem.


Baghdad Violence Kills at Least 17

Car bombs and clashes have shaken the Iraqi capital Wednesday, killing at least 17 people and wounding dozens more. A suicide car bomber killed seven people and wounded more than 50 outside a photocopy shop


Belgian PM injured in traffic accident

Brussels - Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt was in hospital on Tuesday after being involved in a traffic accident in which his vehicle overturned, Belga news agency reported.


Australia gave visa to lead terrorist

The Australian Government has confirmed that its embassy in Pakistan issued a visa to al Qaeda #39;s former military commander a month before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States.


The China Post

President Chen Shui bian said yesterday he does not expect China to ease its military threat against the island after Chinese President Hu Jintao took over as the country #39;s top military chief.


News: Click here to become infected

Users should be wary of pressing the 'click here to remove' link on spam messages because it serves to confirm to spammers that junk mail messages are being read.


Update 5: Oil Prices Rise After Government Report

Oil prices rose in early trading Wednesday after the government reported that supplies shrank more than expected following production and shipping disruptions caused by Hurricane Ivan.


Coles Myer smashes profit forecasts

Australia #39;s biggest retailer, Coles Myer, beat its forecasts with a 26.5 per cent rise to record annual profits and said it was on track to meet profit growth forecasts for the next two years.


Lebanon: Terror Suspects Linked to Bombing Plot Arrested

Lebanon says it has arrested 10 members of a suspected terror cell who allegedly were planning to bomb foreign diplomatic missions in Beirut and to attack coalition forces in Iraq.


Treasury Yields Hit 5-Month Lows (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. benchmark Treasuries yields broke\beneath 4.0 percent on Wednesday for the first time in\five-months, driven in part by a jump in oil prices and a slide\in equities.


FedEx Earnings More Than Double (Reuters)

Reuters - FedEx Corp. , the world's top\air-express shipper, on Wednesday said quarterly earnings more\than doubled on strong growth in its international, ground and\freight services.


Antarctic Glaciers Melting Faster -Study (Reuters)

Reuters - Glaciers once held up by a floating\ice shelf off Antarctica are now sliding off into the sea --\and they are going fast, scientists said on Tuesday.


Coming Soon -- Gene-Engineered Insects (Reuters)

Reuters - Coming soon to a jungle near you --\mosquitoes genetically engineered so they cannot give people\malaria. But this time scientists want to do it right.


Morgan Stanley Profit Drops, Shares Fall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley  MWD.N on Wednesday said quarterly profit dropped by a third  on lower bond trading revenue and higher expenses, falling  short of Wall Street's low expectations and pushing its shares  down as much as 8 percent.


European stocks end down

EUROPEAN stocks ended lower today after a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia sent crude prices higher and a weak start to trading on Wall Street prompted selling.


Commodities Rise, ConAgra Profit Falls

CHICAGO (Reuters) - ConAgra Foods Inc. CAG.N on Wednesday  posted lower quarterly profits due to higher ingredient costs  and the sale of its chicken and agricultural products  businesses.


Kimberly-Clark seeks cut of 400-500 million dollars

DALLAS, United States (AFP) - Kimberly-Clark, maker of Kleenex tissues and other consumer goods, announced a cost-cutting plan aimed at saving 400 to 500 million dollars over three years, as well as a share buyback plan.


Computer Associates to Pay \$225 Million to Avoid Prosecution

The software giant agreed to pay \$225 million to avoid criminal prosecution in an accounting scandal that has brought down several of its top executives.


Oil prices rocket to new one-month highs after stocks plunge

LONDON : World oil prices sprinted up to new one-month high points as traders showed alarm at a steep fall in US crude oil inventories in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.


Hogwarts and All for Scholastic #39;s Q1

Shareholders of Scholastic (NYSE: SCHL), the world #39;s largest publisher of children #39;s books and related educational materials, have grown accustomed to disappointing first-quarter results.


Ireland Launches Crackdown on Internet Scams

Ireland #39;s crackdown is an effort to tackle rogue autodialler programs and modem hi-jacking.  quot;In many cases, the consumer will only realize they have fallen victim when they receive their phone


Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Samsung, Sharp, Sony Ericsson phones <b>...</b>

Vodafone announced plans for 10 new third-generation handsets expected to hit the European and Japanese markets in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season.


Hostage Drama Continues As Another Beheaded Body Is Found

An Iraqi militant group claims to have beheaded a second American hostage, two days after killing a US civil engineer. The group -- Al-Tawhid wa Al-Jihad, led by Al-Qaeda ally Abu Mus #39;ab al-Zarqawi -- is threatening


Musharraf Says Victory in War on Terrorism Requires New Tactics

Pakistan #39;s President Pervez Musharraf said not enough is being done to win the war on terrorism, and that an iron curtain #39; #39; could descend between the US and other western nations and the Islamic world.


Commodities Rise, ConAgra Profit Falls (Reuters)

Reuters - ConAgra Foods Inc.  on Wednesday\posted lower quarterly profits due to higher ingredient costs\and the sale of its chicken and agricultural products\businesses.


China overtakes United States as top destination for foreign investment (AFP)

AFP - China overtook the United States as a top global destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2003 while the Asia-Pacific region attracted more investment than any other developing region, a UN report said.


Oil prices rise above \$43 per barrel ahead of OPEC meeting

NEW YORK, December 6 (newratings.com) - Oil prices increased today on fears of the announcement of an output cut by the OPEC during its meeting scheduled for later this week.


Morgan Stanley Profit Down, Shares Drop

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley  MWD.N on Wednesday said quarterly profit dropped by a third  on lower bond trading revenue, weak equities results and higher  expenses, falling short of Wall Street's low expectations and  pushing its shares down as much as 8 percent.


Oil Reserves Drop for 1st Time in 5 Years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. proven crude oil reserves fell  last year for the first time in five years, as energy companies  replaced just over half the oil they took out of the ground,  the U.S. government said on Wednesday.


'Clintonistas' rally behind Kerry's presidential bid (AFP)

AFP - Democratic Senator John Kerry's White House bid has become more combative, more open to reporters and delivered a more focused message recently which observers have attributed to the influence of former Bill Clinton administration staffers.


Stocks Fall on Oil, Fannie Mae Probe

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Wednesday after oil  prices jumped more than a dollar to over \$48 a barrel and a  U.S. government review questioned home finance company Fannie  Mae's FNM.N accounting methods.


U.S.: Iraqi Prisoners Won't Be Released

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's leader and U.S. officials moved quickly Wednesday to squelch the idea a top female germ-warfare scientist for Saddam Hussein would be freed soon, after a senior Iraqi official said the decision had been made to release her...


RP, Thailand to be worst affected by oil price surge  ADB

Asia will be able to weather the rising prices of oil but economic growth will slow down, with Thailand and the Philippines being the worst affected in a group of 10 countries, a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said .


Kodak #39;s Digital Sales Outlook

(Rochester, NY) 09/22/04 -- Bold statements came from the Eastman Kodak company today. Investors learned digital sales are soaring beyond the company #39;s expectations.


UNCTAD stresses importance of policies in attracting FDI in <b>...</b>

Caution is necessary when attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in services and it #39;s important to have the right mix of policies, the United Nations Conference on Trade


Cingular, Triton Finalize Market Exchange Pact

Cingular Wireless, AT amp;T Wireless and Triton PCS have signed a definitive agreement that will enable Cingular to expand its coverage reach into key Virginia markets and give Triton entry into Puerto Rico.


Mars rovers roll on with new funding

NASA has agreed to fund the Mars rover project for six more months, allowing two robotic vehicles to continue to study the red planet.


Sony to support MP3

Sony confirmed on Wednesday that it is working to add native MP3 support to its portable music players--a major strategy reversal that could help it compete more effectively with rivals such as Apple Computer.


German virus-boy gets job before trial

The German teenager awaiting trial for crippling computers worldwide this year with two viruses has been hired by a software security company.


Four Euro Ryder Cup players are back in action

Colin Montgomerie and three Ryder Cup teammates - David Howell, Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter - hope to shrug off fatigue when The Heritage opens Thursday.


Nato agrees to expand Iraq role

The Nato alliance has agreed to take on a larger role in the training of Iraqi security forces, a spokesman said. The organisation will now work towards creating a large military training academy to expand


African Leaders Seek More Cell Phones, Computers

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - African leaders will launch a  global fund to help people in poor countries buy mobile phones  and Internet access as a step out of poverty and into economic  growth, the president of Senegal said on Wednesday.


Mars rovers roll on with new funding

NASA agrees to fund the Mars rover project for six more months, allowing further study.


Nokia lets parents filter out mobile smut

Phone maker debuts software that gives parents more control over content that children access on cellular devices.


PC makers eye consumer electronics all over again

Dell, Gateway and HP are making another run at consumer electronics for the 2004 holiday season.


Philips Semi chief steps down

Philips' chip chief to return to U.S. in move that makes some analysts jumpy.\


Sony to support MP3

Major strategy shift aims to help consumer electronics giant compete with Apple Computer and other rivals.


Growth forecast revised up to 7.5pc

The Asian Development Bank has revised up its economic growth forecast for Hong Kong this year to 7.5 per cent from the 6 per cent it projected in April, due to stronger than expected retail sales and the surge in tourist arrivals.


Morgan Stanley Profit Down, Shares Drop

US investment bank Morgan Stanley on Wednesday said quarterly profit dropped by a third on lower bond trading revenue, weak equities results and higher expenses, falling


UN: Foreign Investment Falls Again

Investment by businesses in foreign markets fell 18 percent in 2003 to \$560 billion as the global economy continued to struggle, but should improve this year as growth speeds up, the United Nations said Wednesday.


UPDATE 2-US mortgage applications rise in latest week-MBA

Overall applications for US home loans rose last week, spurred by a rise in mortgage refinancings, as 30-year mortgage rates eased to their lowest since early April, an industry group said on Wednesday.


Vodafone misses out on lucky 3G phone

THE SELECTIONS MADE by Vodafone for its 3G handset range due for launch in November have been announced. Surprisingly LG (formerly Lucky Goldstar) isn #39;t included as one of the six chosen suppliers.


New Way to Help Find Quake Survivors -Sniffer Rats

Sniffer rescue dogs trained to find explosives or earthquake survivors buried in rubble may soon have some competition -- rats. The rodents can crawl into the tiniest spaces and have a strong sense of smell.


Verizon Wireless Expands Broadband to 17 Cities

Verizon Wireless, the largest US wireless company, said on Wednesday it was expanding its high-speed data service to all or part of 17 cities, under a \$1 billion upgrade aimed at increasing customer spending on its services.


Sun Microsystems Pushes Computing-as-Commodity

taking our intellectual property and turning it into pay-for-use network services, quot; Sun President Jonathan Schwartz said. The company envisions businesses that


Beckham pleased to see Eriksson rule out Real job

David Beckham says that he is delighted that England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has ruled himself out of the running as a possible future coach of Real Madrid.


Cycling: Cardenas Wins 17th Stage of Tour of Spain

Colombian cyclist Felix Cardenas has won the 17th stage of the Tour of Spain, but Spain #39;s Roberto Heras remains the overall leader heading into the race #39;s final days.


Fierce clashes kill three US soldiers, injure 14 in Afghanistan

KABUL, Sept 22 (AFP): Three US soldiers were killed and 14 wounded in a series of fierce clashes with suspected Taliban fighters in south and eastern Afghanistan this week, the US military said Wednesday.


Japan confirms 13th mad cow case

Japan confirmed its 13th mad cow disease on Wednesday, said the health ministry, as the nation is in short of beef supply for the ban of imports from the United States.


Computer Associates to pay fine to DoJ

The US Justice Department will defer prosecution of Computer Associates in its long-running probe of accounting fraud at the software maker, a source close to the company said.


Wendy #39;s, Interstate Bakeries Stock Falls

Investors weren #39;t hungry for food-related stocks Wednesday after Wendy #39;s International Corp. served Wall Street a profit warning and Interstate Bakeries Inc.


Financial Warning Sounded on Fannie Mae

A long running regulatory examination of Fannie Mae has found accounting and other problems at the giant government-chartered mortgage company that raise doubts about  quot;the quality of


World Airways soars on raised forecast

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - The stock of World Airways Inc., which flies charter aircraft, took off Wednesday after the company raised its profit forecast citing strong revenue from an Air Force contract and additional commercial bookings.


Head of Philips Chip Unit Resigns

The head of the chip division of electronics group Philips unexpectedly stepped down on Wednesday, raising worries that the key division is performing below expectations.


Oil Reserves Drop for 1st Time in 5 Years (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. proven crude oil reserves fell\last year for the first time in five years, as energy companies\replaced just over half the oil they took out of the ground,\the U.S. government said on Wednesday.


Colombia #39;s Cardenas wins 17th stage; Heras overall leader

Felix Cardenas of Colombia won the 17th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, and defending champion Roberto Heras held onto the overall leader #39;s jersey for the sixth straight day.


Roddick leads US charge

ANDY Roddick is no longer the US Open champion or the world #39;s top-ranked tennis player, but he can salvage some wounded pride by leading the US into the Davis Cup final.


Iranian Leader Says It Has Nuclear Rights (AP)

AP - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami called on the international community Wednesday to recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium, again insisting Tehran will pursue a nuclear program that some  #151; including the United States  #151; suspect is aimed at developing weapons.


Venezuelan Prison Riot Kills at Least 30 (AP)

AP - Inmates armed with hand grenades and guns rioted at a western Venezuela prison, killing at least 30 fellow inmates before hundreds of national guardsmen restored order, authorities said Wednesday.


Study: MP3 Player Market Booming (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Sales of portable MP3 digital-audio players are booming and are set to generate US #36;58 billion in revenue worldwide by 2008, according to a new study from research firm IDC.


Sun Offers Pay-for-Use Grid Computing (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Taking an innovative approach to the marketing of high-performance \computing, Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) is offering its N1 Grid program in a pay-for-use pricing model that mimics the way such commodities as electricity and wireless phone plans are sold.


Ex-Computer Associates CEO Kumar Indicted (AP)

AP - Former Computer Associates International Inc. chairman and chief executive Sanjay Kumar has been charged with securities fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice in connection with a multibillion dollar accounting scandal at the software company.


PeopleSoft Updates HR Suite (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT) has announced a suite-wide upgrade of its human resources management applications, the first such revision in two years. The new release, version 8.9, includes over 250 individual changes and improvements, according to the company.


Morgan Stanley, Bear Stearns Profits Fall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns  Companies posted a drop in quarterly profits on Wednesday,  surprising some investors one day after two other big  investment banks reported a rise in earnings.


Genesis Capsule to Be Sent to Colorado (AP)

AP - NASA will soon send its damaged Genesis space capsule back to Colorado, where builders at Lockheed Martin will join other experts in trying to figure out why it crashed in Utah earlier this month.


Oil Surges Over \$48 After Supply Drop

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed to within a dollar  of a new record on Wednesday after the U.S. government reported  a big decline in oil stockpiles because of disruptions from  Hurricane Ivan.


Notes, Quotes From 2004 Campaign in Wis. (AP)

AP - The last Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin was Ronald Reagan in 1984, but the state grows more GOP-friendly every year.


Fannie Mae Used Improper Accounting-Probe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fannie Mae used improper accounting  to steady its earnings from quarter to quarter, federal  regulators have told the top mortgage finance company, setting  the stage for the industry's second bookkeeping drama in less  than 18 months.


Putin Tells Ministries to Salvage Kyoto -- Lobbyists (Reuters)

Reuters - Russian President Vladimir Putin has told\key ministries to sign the Kyoto protocol on global warming in\a step toward salvaging the U.N. plan, international\environmentalists said Wednesday.


Interstate Bakeries Files for Bankruptcy

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Interstate Bakeries Corp. IBC.N,  maker of Hostess Twinkies and Wonder Bread, filed for  bankruptcy on Wednesday after struggling with more than \$1.3  billion in debt and high costs.


GM reviewing European operations

General Motors may restructure its European operations as it aims to trim costs in the loss-making division.


Haiti Begins Mass Burials of Flood Victims

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (Reuters) - Haiti began burying hundreds of flood victims in mass graves on Wednesday while emergency food was distributed to some of the thousands of people made homeless by Tropical Storm Jeanne.


The Bank of Mum and Dad

Lovers' quarrels, family conflicts, and money. It's Britain's latest reality TV series.


Earnings, Oil Prices Drive Stocks Lower

NEW YORK - Investors saw a major surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a chance to collect profits Wednesday, sending stocks substantially lower. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped nearly 130 points...


Microsoft issues SP2 patch

com September 22, 2004, 12:09 PM PT. OS Migration has moved to the bottom ranks after making its mark on IT Professional #39;s top five priority last year.


Special to ESPN.com

This week #39;s 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania is in golf #39;s dead zone, a time when tournaments on the PGA Tour scramble to find relevance.


Jordan hand Glock China drive

GERMAN driver Timo Glock will drive for Jordan in the final three races of the Formula One season after the contract of Giorgio Pantano was terminated, the team said today.


EU agrees to lift arms embargo on Libya

The ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member states agreed here Wednesday to lift the bloc #39;s 18-year-long arms embargo on Libya.


Musharraf: Political Steps Needed to Win War on Terror

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says the global war against terrorism cannot be won without resolving the major political disputes in the Muslim world.


Computer Associates to Pay \$225 Over Accounting Scandal

Former Computer Associates International Inc. chairman and chief executive Sanjay Kumar has been charged with securities fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice in connection with a multibillion dollar accounting scandal at the software company.


Mars Had Acidic Ocean, Study Says

A controversial new study suggests Mars had an acidic ocean. The strange brew spiked with sulfates and iron could still have harbored life, scientists say.


Voles Use Their Noses To Win Sperm Wars

The male meadow vole faces a big problem: How can it become a father when a female is likely to mate with every other male in the neighborhood?


Slow going for networking sector

Corporate customers are still tight-fisted with their budgets as they put off needed upgrades, analysts say.


Telecom Italia CEO sees innovation in design and features of wireless devices

VENICE - One of Europe's biggest fixed-network operators is following the lead of its wireless counterparts in demanding a greater say in the design and service features of cordless phones and other wireless devices used in the home.


We will take confidence into final: Sarwan

Southampton, Sep 22 (UNI) West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan today said his team was very surprised when Pakistan chose to bat first in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal at the Rose Bowl here.


Critical Communiqu From Brussels

STAR- The reason why Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to Brussels one day earlier than expected is a communiqu recently sent to Ankara from Brussels.


Three U.S. Soldiers Die in Iraq (AP)

AP - Three U.S. Army soldiers were killed in separate incidents in northern Iraq on Wednesday, officials said.


Treasuries Drive Higher on Oil Prices

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices rallied on  Wednesday in response to rising oil prices, weak equities and  lower inflation prospects.


UK hostage 'pleads for his life'

A video posted on an Islamist website purportedly shows a Briton being held hostage in Iraq pleading for his life.


Dealing with higher rates

The old adage  quot;three steps and a stumble quot; still has fans on Wall Street, but some analysts think it #39;s ready for the glue factory.


Shell to spend \$45B US to replace reserves while selling non-core <b>...</b>

LONDON (CP) - Royal Dutch/Shell Group said Wednesday it will spend \$45 billion US and sell up to \$12 billion worth of assets to reinvigorate its underperforming oil and natural gas business.


Earnings, Oil Prices Drive Stocks Lower

Investors saw a major surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a chance to collect profits Wednesday, sending stocks substantially lower.


China to Make Debut at G-7 Finance Talks Next Week, US Says

China will attend talks of the Group of Seven industrialized countries for the first time next week, reflecting the emerging importance of the world #39;s biggest developing nation to the global economy, the US Treasury said.


Tibco #39;s Revenue, Profit Jump

The business-integration-software vendor also revealed plans to buy back as much as \$50 million of its stock over the next two years.


Ireland battles internet scam

Ireland will block calls to 13 countries, most of them tiny islands in the Pacific, to crack down on a new scam in which internet users #39; log-on connections are secretly diverted through rip-off telephone numbers.


Laptop swiped at security show

The laptop of a security firm salesman was stolen yesterday at a major IT security conference in London. The portable computer belongs to identity management firm -- and sponsor for the event -- Netegrity, and


Microsoft Fixes VPN Flaw in XP SP2

Microsoft has issued a formal fix for a problem in Windows XP Service Pack 2 that appeared almost immediately after the update #39;s release.


IETF Shuts MARID Down

With Sender ID going nowhere fast, Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) officials Wednesday shut down the working group charged with finding a standard for e-mail authentication.


Cardenas wins 17th stage of Spanish Vuelta; Heras still overall <b>...</b>

Felix Cardenas of Colombia won the 17th stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race Wednesday, while defending champion Roberto Heras held onto the overall leader #39;s jersey for the sixth day in a row.


Bigley Pleads for his Life

British hostage Kenneth Bigley was reportedly made to plead for his life tonight in the latest sick video from his ruthless abductors.


Analysis: Bombing is a reminder that calm is artificial

Exactly four years ago, a few days before Yom Kippur, then deputy chief of general staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Ya #39;alon appeared before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.


Court order ends Israeli strike

Jerusalem - Israel #39;s main unions ended a paralysing two-day-old general strike on Wednesday after a labour court ordered 400 000 public-sector employees to return to work and told the government to pay months of back wages.


Budanov Drops Bid for Pardon

GROZNY -- Former colonel Yury Budanov, who was convicted last year of kidnapping and murdering a Chechen woman, on Tuesday withdrew his request for a pardon after it drew outrage and protests in Chechnya and opposition from prosecutors and human rights


Syria Open to Cooperating with U.S. on Iraq -Powell (Reuters)

Reuters - Syria has shown a new readiness\to work with U.S.-led forces to stop arms, militants and money\from crossing into Iraq and fueling insurgency, Secretary of\State Colin Powell said on Wednesday.


Ukraine Candidate Poisoning Investigated (AP)

AP - Ukrainian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into the alleged poisoning of a leading candidate in a crucial presidential election scheduled for next month, officials said.


Interest Rate Changes Can Affect 401(k)s (AP)

AP - With the stock market just sputtering along this year and the Federal Reserve raising interest rates, it may be time to review the holdings in your 401(k) retirement account.


Bush thanks Musharraf for anti-extremist offensive (AFP)

AFP - President George W. Bush thanked Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for pursuing a military offensive in a remote area where Osama bin Laden may be hiding, senior US officials said.


Shared Office Code Unlikely to Sway Governments (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Government officials say Microsoft's move to share the source code for Office 2003 won't change anyone's mind about Microsoft or open source.


Stocks Fall Sharply on Oil, Fannie Mae

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell sharply on Wednesday after  oil prices climbed above \$48 a barrel and investment bank  Morgan Stanley MWD.N reported a decline in quarterly profit,  stirring concern about corporate earnings.


House Democrats Set Goals, Seek Return to Power (Reuters)

Reuters - In a scene reminiscent of the 1994\"Republican Revolution" that turned the U.S. Congress upside\down, Democrats on Wednesday set ambitious goals for the nation\and urged voters to finally put them back in charge.


Syria Open to Cooperating with U.S. on Iraq -Powell

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Syria has shown a new readiness  to work with U.S.-led forces to stop arms, militants and money  from crossing into Iraq and fueling insurgency, Secretary of  State Colin Powell said on Wednesday.


U.S. Agrees to Send Terror Detainee to Saudi Arabia

The agreement clears the way for Yaser Esam Hamdi, who was born in the U.S. and raised in Saudi Arabia, to return there.


India need not worry over oil price rise for now: ADB

ALTHOUGH the Asian Development Bank projected a slow-down of India #39;s economic growth to 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2004 and six per cent in 2005, due to current high oil prices among other factors, an ADB official told Business Line that the issues relating


Toyota: Some security firms promise too much

The head of information security at Toyota spoke candidly this week to an audience of press, analysts and IT bosses about his concerns over claims made by some security vendors and resellers.


Video shows UK hostage #39;s plea for life

CAIRO, Egypt -- A videotape posted on Islamic Web site purportedly showed a man who identified himself as himself as British hostage Kenneth Bigley pleading for British Prime Minister Tony Blair to help save his life.


Update 4: Oil Tops \$48 a Barrel on Supply Worries

Crude futures prices surged above \$48 per barrel Wednesday as oil production and shipping disruptions caused by Hurricane Ivan caused domestic supplies to shrink more than expected.


Company to escape charges as feds target key execs

The US Justice Department will defer prosecution of Computer Associates for accounting fraud in hopes of getting the software maker to reform, but two former executives


Digital Driving Kodak, Shares Up

Eastman Kodak Co. (EK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday raised its growth forecast on digital products and services, the areas the photography company is depending


Soccer: Frei winner plunges Marseille into more gloom

PARIS : Swiss striker Alexander Frei returned to haunt Marseille on when he scored the winner in Rennes #39; 1-0 win which sent the French giants tumbling into midtable and their fans calling for the resignation of president Christophe Bouchet.


LPGA on new terrain for California tourney

quot;I think it #39;s kind of fun to play new courses, quot; she said.  quot;During the year we don #39;t get to see very many courses other than the ones we play on the tour.


IBM, AMD Work to Shrink Chips (PC World)

PC World - Extended collaboration could result in chips built on 32-nanometer technology.


Tobacco firms deny public misled

Cigarette companies have been honest in highlighting the "dangerous" risks of smoking, a lawyer for the tobacco industry has told a US court.


CBS Fined \$550,000 for Janet Jackson Incident

Federal regulators fined CBS today a record \$550,000 for Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during this year's Super Bowl halftime show.


U.S. Stocks Fall Sharply

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell sharply  on Wednesday  after oil prices jumped more than a dollar to over \$48 a barrel  and investment bank Morgan Stanley MWD.N and brokerage Bear  Stearns Cos. Inc. BSC.N reported declines in quarterly  profits.


Former CA CEO Charged with Fraud

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Computer Associates  International Inc. on  chief executive Sanjay Kumar was charged  on Wednesday with securities fraud and obstruction of justice  stemming from a two-year investigation of improper accounting  at the software maker.


Former software executive charged

The former chairman of US software firm Computer Associates is charged with securities fraud in connection with a \$2.2bn accounting scandal.


Foreign investors eye poorer nations

Foreign investment declined in 2003 for the third year in a row, a United Nations report has revealed. Last year, total inward flows of foreign direct investment were worth \$560bn (312bn


Former CA chief indicted, company reaches accord

Computer Associates International #39;s former chief executive was indicted on criminal charges related to fraudulent accounting practices, and the company on Wednesday agreed to pay \$225 million to settle with federal prosecutors.


UPDATE 1-US says G7 to discuss forex flexibility with China

A meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the world #39;s wealthy nations with Chinese counterparts on Oct. 1 will be a key opportunity to discuss


Fannie Mae Says Regulator Finds Accounting Missteps (Update10)

Fannie Mae #39;s federal regulator found the largest US mortgage finance company violated accounting rules, raising doubts #39; #39; about the validity of earnings.


Verizon Wireless debuts new Internet service

The service, called BroadbandAccess, allows Verizon Wireless customers to download data to mobile devices at the same speed provided by a broadband connection at a work or home computer.


IBM, AMD Work to Shrink Chips

IBM and Advanced Micro Devices have tacked a three-year extension onto their December 2002 collaboration agreement that could see the two companies work on chip-making technologies based on a 32-nanometer process.


NASA Announces Space Station News Media Update

Bill Gerstenmaier, manager of NASA #39;s International Space Station Program, will update media on the status of Station activities in a teleconference at 4 pm EDT Friday.


IETF Shuts Down Anti-Spam Working Group

Citing a lack of agreement on basic issues in the discussions of the working group, the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) has disbanded the MARID (MTA Authorization Records In DNS) working group.


Microsoft eyes larger acquisitions

Microsoft #39;s financial chief said this week that the software giant is more likely to make big acquisitions than it has been in the past.


Doping allegations shock kiwi cyclist

Surprise and shock from a top kiwi cyclist at the doping allegations against American Tyler Hamilton. Heath Blackgrove raced against Hamilton in the Olympic time trial in Athens.


Serena moves into China Open quarterfinals

Top-seeded Serena Williams of the United States rallied in the final set Wednesday to beat Dinara Safina and reach the quarterfinals of the China Open.


Hawks bring back Kevin Willis

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks signed free agent Kevin Willis on Wednesday, nearly a decade after the veteran big man ended an 11- year stint with the team.


Frei piles the agony on Marseille

PARIS, France -- Swiss striker Alexander Frei left Marseille fans calling for the resignation of president Christophe Bouchet with the only goal as Stade Rennes won 1-0.


British hostage pleads for life

Facing a death threat from his Iraqi captors, British hostage Kenneth Bigley appeared in a video on an Islamist Web site Wednesday and tearfully pleaded to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to help spare his life, saying,  quot;Please


AutoZone Needs an Oil Change

The auto parts retailer remains strong despite slower than expected growth.


Republicans Push Ahead to Extend Tax Cuts

A House-Senate conference is expected to agree today to extend a package of tax cuts set to expire at the end of this year.


U.S. Agrees to Release Terror Suspect

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department has agreed to release a U.S. citizen held as an enemy combatant for more than two years, clearing the way for him to return to Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday...


Pentagon Expands Outposts in Middle East

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is quietly expanding its network of small outposts worldwide to help fight terrorism in Middle Eastern and African hotspots, even as it prepares to send home tens of thousands of troops from Cold War bases in Germany and South Korea...


U.S. Won't Release Iraqi Women Prisoners

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A senior Iraqi official said Wednesday that a decision had been made to release a top female germ-warfare scientist for Saddam Hussein, but Iraq's leader and U.S. officials moved quickly to squelch the idea that she would be freed soon...


Stocks Dive on Morgan Stanley, Oil Reports

NEW YORK - Stocks tumbled Wednesday as investors saw a surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a reason to collect profits from gains of the last month. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped nearly 130 points, and all three major indexes saw their biggest losses since early August...


FDI: India Among Top 4 In Asia

NEW DELHI, SEPT 22 : India is among the top four destinations attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia. This was highlighted in the World Investment Report, 2004 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).


Morgan Stanley cracks in 3Q

Investment bank misses estimates as trading income plunges, other units fail to pick up the slack. By Rob Cox, Breakingviews. LONDON (Breakingviews) - Morgan Stanley is the first to slip.


Mideast Quartet Backs Bush on Settlement Freeze (Reuters)

Reuters - The quartet of Middle East\advisers, backing up a plea from President Bush, called on\Israel on Wednesday to impose a freeze on Jewish settlements in\the West Bank and Gaza.


Verizon Wireless launches CDMA EV-DO services in the US

Based on a CDMA EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G network, Verizon #39;s BroadbandAccess promisses speeds of 300-500kbps. The company announced BroadbandAccess will be available in 13 major metropolitan markets


Markets sink amid warnings, rising oil prices

Stock markets traded lower this afternoon as the price of crude oil shot up on the latest US supply report while investors were frustrated at a series of corporate earnings disappointments, warnings and downgrades.


Bears Secondary Suffers Another Blow (AP)

AP - Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman will miss seven to 10 weeks with a right knee injury, a blow to a secondary already stretched thin by injuries to Mike Brown and Jerry Azumah.


Cell Phone Provides Breath Alert

German telecommunications company Siemens Mobile says it is developing the first cell phone that will alert users when their breath is bad.


Shockey Struggling With New Giants Offense (AP)

AP - Playing tight end for Tom Coughlin has taken the fun and the big play out of football for two-time Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants.


Keane charged with assault

Controversial Ireland and Manchester United star Roy Keane has been charged with assault and criminal damage, English police said on Tuesday.


Former Raptor Kevin Willis, 42, returns to Atlanta Hawks

Former Toronto Raptor Kevin Willis joined his original NBA team Wednesday after a 10-year absence, looking to give the Atlanta Hawks inside depth at age 42.


Todd MacCulloch Retires

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced today that center Todd MacCulloch will retire from the game of basketball.


Perez wins Vuelta stage

Santiago Perez won his second consecutive stage in the Spanish Vuelta cycling tour Sunday, taking the mountain time trial. Spanish compatriot Roberto Heras #39; overall


Frei gives Rennes win over Marseille

Alexander Frei #39;s header just before the hour mark gave Stade Rennes a 1-0 win at home to Olympique Marseille after Steve Marlet had missed a first-half penalty for the visitors in Ligue 1 action on Wednesday.


Anti-Spyware Legislation Could Pass This Year (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - Measures to curb the use of "spyware" -- the computer programs that surreptitiously track people's online movements -- are steamrolling their way through Congress and a combined proposal could reach the President's desk before lawmakers break for the November election.


Pakistan, Britain push for uprooting cause of terror (AFP)

AFP - The leaders of Britain and Pakistan agreed that the world could not defeat terrorism by force alone, and that it must move quickly to remove its "root causes" such as poverty and political grievances.


Pak for strategic stability with India: Pervez

Gen Musharraf regretted that while the Islamic world was moving towards reforms, the West was not trying to resolve disputes affecting the Muslim world.


Campaign Finance Legislation Introduced (AP)

AP - The sponsors of the nation's campaign finance law introduced legislation Wednesday that they said would end the millions spent by outside groups in the presidential race.


Former coach Goethals dies aged 83

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Raymond Goethals, the Belgian coach who steered Marseille to the European Cup in 1993, has died aged 83. Goethals was taken to hospital at the weekend, but media reports did not give the cause of death.


Sixers center hasn #39;t played since  #39;03

Philadelphia 76ers: Philadelphia 76ers center Todd MacCulloch retired Wednesday, ending an attempted comeback from foot problems that sidelined him the last 1 seasons.


Former CA CEO Charged with Fraud

Former Computer Associates International Inc. on chief executive Sanjay Kumar was charged on Wednesday with securities fraud and obstruction of justice stemming from a


Mickelson, Els, Goosen, Hamilton all very close

By now, you know the story. Vijay Singh grew up poor in Fiji. Took up golf because of his father. Quit school to turn pro as a teenager but was kicked off the Asian Tour.


Pound says Jones case pivotal in doping fight

If the drug allegations surrounding US track star Marion Jones are true, not only could she be stripped of her Olympic medals but American sprinters may also face tougher restrictions in the future, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency said Monday.


Wizards Guard Blake Out 10-12 Week (AP)

AP - Washington Wizards point guard Steve Blake will miss the first month of the season after injuring his ankle in a pickup game.


Canada Offers Darfur Aid, Eschews 'Genocide' Label (Reuters)

Reuters - Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin\promised on Wednesday to help fund an African Union mission in\Sudan's troubled Darfur region but he skirted the issue of whether\what was happening there was genocide.


Ireland Cracks Down on Internet Scams (PC World)

PC World - Calls to 13 other countries will be blocked to thwart auto-dialer software.


Bed Bath   Beyond Profit Up, Shares Fall (Reuters)

Reuters - Bed Bath   Beyond Inc.  on\Wednesday posted a 24 percent rise in its quarterly earnings as\demand for its household goods remained strong.


Bed Bath   Beyond Profit Up, Shares Fall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bed Bath   Beyond Inc. BBBY.O on  Wednesday posted a 24 percent rise in its quarterly earnings as  demand for its household goods remained strong.


S. Asia struts on UN catwalk

Blue turbans. Dark suits. Cropped beards. Each is designed to send important signals.


Russia cracks down on beer ads

Beer consumption has doubled over the past five years, prompting legislators to implement new rules.


PeopleSoft CEO:  #39;Have you ever had a bad dream? #39;

PeopleSoft chief executive Craig Conway wasted no time during his keynote address at the companys annual user conference reassuring customers that an Oracle takeover is not in its future.


Former CA Chief Kumar indicted as firm coughs up \$225m

Former Computer Associates Chief Sanjay Kumar has been hit with charges of securities fraud, obstruction of justice and conspiracy by the US DoJ (Department of Justice) - a result of the company #39;s long-running accounting scandal.


Cognos 2Q Profit Rises Sharply

Software developer Cognos Inc. on Wednesday posted a 52 percent rise in second-quarter profit, topping Wall Street expectations on a surge in license revenue across all of its regions, the company said.


Pilots at US Airways agree to resume giveback talks

Executives of the pilots #39; union at US Airways (UAIRQ.O: Quote, Profile, Research) ordered their negotiating team on Wednesday to resume talks with the company with the goal of reaching an agreement on concessions.


Intellectual property rights still a problem

US companies in China said yesterday that Beijing had made dramatic progress in ratifying the commitments it made when it joined the World Trade Organisation three years ago.


Ireland Cracks Down on Net Scams

Ireland is taking  quot;extraordinary quot; measures to protect Internet users from rogue auto-dialer programs that hijack their modems and run up long-distance phone charges, the country #39;s telecom regulator says.


Anti-Spyware Legislation Could Pass This Year

the computer programs that surreptitiously track people #39;s online movements -- are steamrolling their way through Congress and a combined proposal could


Hire a hacker?

com September 22, 2004, 12:17 PM PT. Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.


Electronic-Vote Critics Urge Changes to System

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Voting activists on Wednesday  enlisted computer experts, a trained monkey and a man on a  hunger strike in a last-minute pitch to convince officials to  improve the security of electronic vote-counting systems.


Measures to curb the surreptitious tracking of people's online movements through "spyware"  could reach the president's desk before lawmakers break for the November election.\-washingtonpost.com


Iran denies reported handover of wanted Islamist to Egypt (AFP)

AFP - Iran fiercely denied a report that the Islamic republic has secretly handed over a wanted Egyptian Islamist to Cairo, saying the man in question had never even been in the country.


Briefly: Spyware bill moves to Senate

roundup Plus: Supercomputer center gets new No. 2...MIT, Caltech offer low-tech voting advice...Siemens builds phone to detect bad breath.


Microsoft eyes larger acquisitions

The software giant's CFO says a target as big as SAP is less likely, but some big buys could be in Microsoft's future.


Supercomputer center gets new No. 2

Vijay Samalam has taken over as second-in-command at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, replacing Alan Blatecky.


Intel pushes desktops with more spunk, lower prices

A new chipset offers high-end features for less cash, an effort to spark PC makers to update their low-price offerings.


MIT, Caltech offer low-tech voting advice

The universities suggest taking along a sample ballot, among other election tips.


Users struggle to cope with mounting backup dilemmas

IT managers on hand for this week's Storage Decisions conference said they are working ever harder to consolidate storage-area networks, attain a single view of their infrastructure and increase the amount of online disk storage.


Former CA chief Sanjay Kumar indicted on fraud charges

Former Computer Associates International executives Sanjay Kumar and Stephen Richards have been indicted for their role in a companywide accounting fraud scheme. At the same time, the company agreed to pay \$225 million in restitution to victims of the fraud.


Virus knocks out Colorado DMV systems

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles won't be able to issue driver's licenses or ID cards until at least Monday while its IT staff works to clean up problems caused by a computer virus.


UMass-Amherst bedeviled by PeopleSoft portal crash

The crash of a PeopleSoft Inc. student information system two weeks ago caused a serious disruption for students at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and IT staff are still troubleshooting the problems.


Siemens embarks on 350,000-user Exchange 2003 migration

Siemens AG has begun a major migration of 350,000 users in more than 100 business units from Microsoft Exchange Version 5.5 to Exchange 2003, and is using a software tool from Quest to make the switch.


PeopleSoft, IBM strike middleware alliance

PeopleSoft said it will work with IBM to optimize its apps for use with IBM's WebSphere middleware and development tools, and plans to begin selling WebSphere products directly through its own sales force.


Exploit posted for Microsoft JPEG flaw

Computer code that exploits a flaw in the way many Microsoft applications process JPEG images has been published on the Internet and could indicate coming attacks on vulnerable PCs, experts said.


Reports: CA may escape charges in DOJ deal

Accounting fraud charges against CA will be dropped if the company meets certain conditions, including paying compensation and appointing an independent overseer of its accounts, according to reports in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.


Enterprises shift from hardware leasing to purchasing

As interest rates continue to climb, an increasing number of enterprise IT customers are shifting away from leasing to purchasing equipment such as laptops and PCs.


Computer Associates International Inc. CEO Sanjay Kumar and CA's former head of worldwide sales, Stephen Richards, have been indicted on charges of securities fraud conspiracy and obstruction of justice, federal prosecutors announced this afternoon.


IBM, AMD extend partnership to 32 nanometer technology

IBM Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) have tacked a three-year extension onto their December 2002 collaboration agreement that could see the two companies work on chip-making technologies based on a 32 nanometer process. The agreement was set to expire at the end of 2005, but now extends until Dec. 31, 2008.


AMD improved Opterons with PowerNow feature

AMD #39;s Opteron processors will soon be able to take advantage of the same powermanagement technology the company has already built into its desktop and laptop processors.


IT Product Guide goes beta

InfoWorld and Open Source Technology Group (OSTG), the parent company of such popular sites as Slashdot and SourceForge, are pleased to announce the public beta of a new resource for IT buyers.


Ireland Cracks Down on Internet Scams

Calls to 13 other countries will be blocked to thwart auto-dialer software.


IBM, AMD Work to Shrink Chips

Extended collaboration could result in chips built on 32-nanometer technology.


Kremlin Oil  amp; Gas Corp

In one huge move, the Kremlin has created a global giant, may have resolved the question of Yukos #39; fate, and has undone another part of Yeltsin #39;s legacy.


US Businesses Urge China to Rein in Piracy

BEIJING -- Seeking to bring renewed focus on a perennial trouble spot with China, US business groups are calling the country #39;s rampant infringement of intellectual property a huge pitfall to doing business in an ever-more crucial market.


The chipmaker unveiled on Wednesday its Intel Express 910GL, a chipset that offers PC makers the ability to add more-advanced features, such as Intel High Definition Audio, to their low-end PCs.


House may vote on spyware bill next week

WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives will vote as soon as next week on a measure to crack down on deceptive spyware that hides in users computers and secretly monitors their activities, key lawmakers said on Wednesday.


On the horizon

NASA has selected Northrop Grumman Space Technology to help design a nuclear-powered spacecraft to orbit and explore three moons of Jupiter that may have oceans beneath their icy surfaces.


Avoid Security Tools You Don #39;t Need

The plethora of security technologies on the market is enough to overwhelm even the most knowledgeable IT managers, but in sorting through all of the options, it may be helpful to look at what is not needed.


Welsh to miss Savage touch

WALES suffered a blow ahead of October #39;s crucial 2006 World Cup qualifier with England next month as their tough tackling midfielder Robbie Savage received a one match suspension from FIFA for his red card against Northern Ireland earlier this month.


England profit from waiting game

Michael Vaughan and his fellow batsmen can take great credit for transforming England #39;s one-day side from no-hopers into potential Champions #39; Trophy winners.


Dubya UN-deterred

A stern President Bush told the UN yesterday that his policies on Iraq are good for world peace, and scornfully attacked John Kerry for criticizing the war.


PeopleSoft, IBM tie up, thumb nose at Oracle

SAN FRANCISCO, SEPTEMBER 22: Peoplesoft Inc will push ahead with a new marketing alliance and other initiatives in the face of a court ruling that raises the chance that Oracle Corps \$7.


Unctad gives India No. 4 ranking in FDI in Asia

NEW DELHI SEPTEMBER 22 : The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) said on Wednesday that India is among the dominant host countries for foreign direct investments (FDI) in Asia and the Pacific (APAC), which witnessed


CA Settles Accounting Scandal; Kumar Indicted

Computer Associates International channel partners Wednesday said the company #39;s settlement with federal prosecutors and the indictment of former CEO Sanjay Kumar was little more than the latest curiosity in the ongoing saga of CA #39;s legal woes.


Verizon Spreads Its 3G Coverage

Verizon Wireless this week said its 3G service will be available in 14 US markets and 20 airports on September 27. Next Monday, it will also be offered in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Kansas City, Missouri


Vodafone Throws Down 3G Gauntlet

Forget sticking a toe in the water, Vodafone #39;s done a cannonball -- unveiling 10 handsets it #39;s got lined up for the November launch of its 3G consumer services in the UK.


Philips Shares Fall on News of CEO #39;s Departure

currently CEO of Philips #39; consumer electronics business groups -- will succeed the unit #39;s CEO Scott McGregor. The company is scheduled to hold a Semiconductors and Technology analysts day in Holland on Friday.


Don #39;t Touch My Internet!

Cut off their connection to the Web and people have moments of  quot;withdrawal and feelings of loss, frustration, and disconnectedness quot; according to a report released Wednesday by Yahoo.


Would You Hire A Hacker?

theodp writes  quot;A German security company has divided opinion in the IT industry by offering a job to the teen charged with creating Sasser.


Attack on referee costs Roma dear

UEFA, footballs European governing body, can work in mysterious ways, but there was no mistaking the speed and clarity of its decision-making on Tuesday.


Werder Bremen beats Leverkusen 3-2 to advance in German Cup

Nelson Valdez scored two goals to help holder Werder Bremen beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 on Wednesday to advance to the third round of the German Cup.


Blake Undergoes Surgery

Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard Steve Blake underwent successful surgery to remove a chipped bone from his right ankle.


Bears #39; defense takes another hit

Lake Forest, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bears, already without safety Mike Brown for the rest of the season because of an Achilles injury, will be without two more starters on defense for awhile.


Another American beheaded

BAGHDAD, Sept. 22. - Iraqi officials recovered a decapitated corpse in western Baghdad today and turned it over to US officials, who were investigating if it was the body of Jack Hensley -he second American


Defiant Bush defends war in UN

New York, Sept.23. (Guardian News Service): President George Bush on Tuesday delivered an unrepentant speech to the United Nations defending the war in Iraq and calling on the world to help rebuild the country.


Peruvian President: Japan Should Extradite Fugitive Fujimori

Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo has called on Japan to extradite fugitive ex-President, Alberto Fujimori. Mr. Toledo made the demand Wednesday during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in


British hostage pleads for his life as US officials rule out <b>...</b>

A British hostage appeared on a video posted on an Islamic Web site Wednesday weeping and pleading for his life as Iraq #39;s leader and US


UN says foreign investment to bounce after 3-year slump

GENEVA: Cross-border investment is set to bounce in 2004 after three years of deep decline, reflecting a stronger world economy and more international merger activity, the United Nations (UN) said overnight.


Shell to spend \$45B (US) to replace reserves

LONDON (AP-CP) - Royal Dutch/Shell Group said today it will spend \$45 billion (US) and sell up to \$12 billion worth of assets to reinvigorate its underperforming oil and natural gas business.


CA #39;s ex-CEO is indicted on fraud

The former Chief Executive Officer of Computer Associates was indicted by a federal grand jury in New York Wednesday for allegedly participating in a massive fraud conspiracy and an elaborate cover up of a scheme that cost investors


Vodafone Fires Opening Salvo in 3G War

Vodafone spent billions on acquiring 3G licenses throughout Europe and in Japan four years ago, but as it repeatedly delayed the launch date of high-speed services, investors started to wonder


House Ups Prison Time For Domain Fraudsters

The US House of Representatives Tuesday passed by voice vote a bill that would boost prison time for scammers who register Web sites under false pretenses.


Peruvian president presses for trial of predecessor

Peru #39;s president urged world leaders on Wednesday to pressure Japan to extradite former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori to face corruption charges and allegations he authorized death squad massacres a decade ago.


Musicians Not Worried About P2P

The music business has been aggressive in fighting peer-to-peer file sharing over the Internet, but most musicians do not think illegal file sharing hurts them, according to a recent survey.


Verizon Expands Into New Wireless Markets (AP)

AP - Verizon Wireless plans next week to expand its high-speed mobile data service to 11 more markets, including New York and Los Angeles, as well as 19 more airports.


Israeli Helicopter Fires Missile in Gaza -Witnesses (Reuters)

Reuters - An Israeli helicopter fired a missile into\a town in the southern Gaza Strip late on Wednesday, witnesses\said, hours after a Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up\in Jerusalem, killing two Israeli border policemen.


Foot Ailment Forces MacCulloch to Retire (AP)

AP - Todd MacCulloch always knew his career would end. He just never expected it to come to such a sudden and mysterious stop.


Marlins Fading in Chase for Playoff Spot (AP)

AP - Much to the Florida Marlins' regret, Josh Beckett was right.


Trend Micro offers new mobile security for PDA and smartphones

Trend Micro, Inc. has announced the Trend Micro Mobile Security, an antivirus and anti-spam protection for SMS messaging customers using smartphones and PDAs.


Courtney Brown Tells Browns He'll Be Back (AP)

AP - Courtney Brown refuses to surrender to injuries. He's already planning another comeback.


Cisco and Fujitsu Team on High-End Routers

Cisco Systems and Fujitsu will partner to develop high-end routers and switches for use in advanced IP networks. Initally, Fujitsu will offer co-branded products running Cisco #39;s IOS-XR operating


Stocks Sink on Oil Prices, Morgan Stanley

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell sharply on Wednesday after  oil prices jumped more than a dollar to over \$48 a barrel and  investment bank Morgan Stanley MWD.N reported a drop in its  quarterly profit.


Canadian Geologists Make Key Dinosaur Discovery (Reuters)

Reuters - Geologists unveiled\a fossil discovery on Tuesday they believe will help resolve a\long-standing mystery over whether dinosaurs ever roamed to\what is now Canada's Pacific coast.


'Prime Time' May Not Be Ready for Sunday

BALTIMORE (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens cornerback  Deion Sanders is listed as questionable on the team's injury  report for Sunday's game against Cincinnati.


Hawks Bring Back Kevin Willis

ATLANTA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks signed free  agent Kevin Willis on Wednesday, nearly a decade after the  veteran big man ended an 11- year stint with the team.


Acid Rain Pollution Up 4 Percent in 2003 (AP)

AP - Emissions of sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain, rose 4 percent in 2003, but probably will not compromise long-term air quality goals, the government reported Wednesday.


Israeli Helicopter Fires Missile in Gaza -Witnesses

GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli helicopter fired a missile into  a town in the southern Gaza Strip late on Wednesday, witnesses  said, hours after a Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up  in Jerusalem, killing two Israeli border policemen.


EU  #39;opens the door #39; to a longer workday

BRUSSELS The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to water down the rules that govern maximum working hours for employees, bowing to pressure from business and from Eastern European members of the EU seeking to catch up with their richer western


SingTel kicks off first 3G trial

THE first public trial of third-generation or 3G mobile phones will start in Singapore tomorrow, ahead of a nationwide rollout due by year #39;s end.


Bed Bath  amp; Beyond Profit Up, Shares Fall

Bed Bath  amp; Beyond Inc. (BBBY.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday posted a 24 percent rise in its quarterly earnings as demand for its household goods remained strong.


Stent Maker Conor Files to Go Public

Conor MedSystems Inc., a maker of drug-coated coronary stents, on Wednesday filed to sell \$70 million worth of common shares in its initial public offering, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission statement.


House approves tax shift to offset revenue sharing cut

The state House on Wednesday approved a bill to move up the due date of county property taxes to offset lost state revenue sharing dollars.


Video game makers play it safe

The video game industry has a lot in common with the movie business, in that both industries bank heavily on special effects, big releases and even glamour.


Inzamam admits blunder

PAKISTAN captain Inzamam-ul-Haq admitted he had made a mistake in choosing to bowl first at the Rose Bowl as the West Indies inflicted a seven-wicket defeat in their Champions Trophy semi-final.


Messina upsets AC Milan; Juventus leads Serie A

Messina upset defending champion AC Milan 2-1 Wednesday, while Juventus won its third straight game to stay alone atop the Italian league standings.


Car bombs, US raids kill 21 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi capital was engulfed in violence yesterday as 21 people were killed and more than 100 wounded from two car bomb attacks and from United States-led offensives on Shi #39;ite and Sunni rebel pockets in the city.


Europe to restart Oracle clock?

European regulators may be getting ready to let the countdown to their decision begin, a source tells CNET News.com.


Intel seeks higher performance from cheap desktops

A new chipset offers high-end features for less cash, an effort to spark PC makers to update their low-price offerings.


Verizon Wireless brings 3G to more cities

Nation's largest wireless carrier says it's leading the race to cover the United States with a third-generation network.


T-Mobile begins selling Sidekick II

New version of Danger's mobile device is 25 percent thinner than its predecessor. \


Big challenges for small drives

Miniature drives can continue their success in consumer devices but must get roomier, more rugged and more efficient, industry observers say.


Update: Credit card firm hit by DDoS attack

Credit card processing firm Authorize.Net said today that it was the target of a large-scale distributed denial-of-service attack that had caused disruptions for customers.


Another hike will follow Tuesday #39;s

Federal Reserve officials, citing recent signs of economic improvement, raised a key short-term interest rate Tuesday for a third time this year and signaled that they are


Computer Associates Settles Charges, Kumar Indicted (Update4)

Former Computer Associates International Inc. Chief Executive Sanjay Kumar was charged with directing a \$2.2 billion accounting fraud, and the company agreed to pay \$225 million to avoid prosecution and settle a regulatory suit.


US Airways reaches deal with union

US Airways Group Inc. and the dispatchers #39; union reached a tentative agreement yesterday on a contract that supports the bankrupt airline #39;s transformation to a low-cost carrier.


Struggling Tiger to lead last-ditch effort

A BEATEN and dejected Tiger Woods walked alone up the 16th fairway here on Saturday, no teammates in sight with only security guards as companions to share his misery.


Tampa Bay Devil Rays Team Report - September 22

(Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are trying to close out what could be the most successful season in franchise history, as they host the Kansas City Royals in the rubber match of a three-game series today at Tropicana Field.


Dale Earnhardt Jr. on top after first round of Chase

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back on top of the points standings for the first time in three months. How long he can stay there remains to be seen.


A Cautious Reformer as Indonesia #39;s Next President

Indonesia #39;s next president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, moved swiftly up the military ranks during the authoritarian rule of Gen.


Lack of action in freezing settlement  quot;cause of concern quot;: Quartet

The Middle East  quot;Quartet quot; on Wednesday urged Israel to honor its obligations under the Roadmap and freeze its settlement outposts, saying the lack of action in this regard is a  quot;cause of concern.


Britain complains to US over Cat Stevens deportation (AFP)

AFP - Britain complained to the United States over the deportation of pop singer turned Islamic activist Cat Stevens, who was denied entry on national security grounds.


House Defies Bush on Mexican Trucks (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. House of Representatives\defied the White House on Wednesday by easily backing a measure\that supporters say will make Mexican trucks operating on U.S.\roads safer.


Desperate flood victims await aid

At least 175,000 Haitians have been affected by flooding caused by a tropical storm, relief workers say.


'Armies of Darkness' Won't Stop Vote, Iraq's Yawar Says (Reuters)

Reuters - Iraq's interim president told George W.\Bush at the White House Monday that the "armies of darkness"\would not stop Iraqis voting next month, even though there is\no let up in insurgents' efforts to wreck the election.


Report: No Spears Marriage License on File

LOS ANGELES - So, did she or didn't? Britney Spears most definitely got married last week, People magazine reports in its Oct. 4 issue filled with pictures of the pop star and her fiance, Kevin Federline, in wedding apparel and surrounded by family and friends...


Stocks Dive on Morgan Stanley, Oil Reports

NEW YORK - Stocks tumbled Wednesday as investors saw a surge in oil prices and disappointing earnings from Morgan Stanley as a reason to collect profits from gains of the last month. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 135 points, and all three major indexes saw their biggest losses since early August...


Currencies: The ECB #39;s reluctance to lift rates aids dollar

NEW YORK The dollar rose Wednesday as the European Central Bank signaled that the region #39;s benchmark rate would stay at a half-century low amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will lift its rate target at least once more this year.


UN report: Foreign direct investment on rise in Lebanon

BEIRUT: Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Lebanon rose to \$358 million in 2003 compared to \$257 million in 2002, a jump of 12.1 percent, according to a World Investment Report issued Wednesday


Martha Stewart Co. Hires Burnett to Create TV Show

Mark Burnett, creator of the hit reality TV shows  quot;Survivor quot; and  quot;The Apprentice, quot; will develop a new prime-time television series featuring Martha Stewart, her company said on Tuesday.


PeopleSoft, IBM Deal Adds to Oracle Mix

PeopleSoft has no desires to get into making its own middleware, and IBM doesn #39;t want to get into the applications business, according to analyst Tad Piper of Piper Jaffray.


US Airways Pilots Resume Negotiations

US Airways pilots resumed negotiations Wednesday with management on a new labor contract with the bankrupt airline, even as the company made clear that it will now be seeking greater concessions.


Ford matches GM deals

Ford Motor Co said on Wednesday it will match rival General Motors Corp. #39;s offer of interest-free car loans for up to six years on 2004 model-year vehicles.


Wheeling-Pittsburgh Closes Stock Offer

Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corp., a metal products company, on Wednesday it has closed a public offering of 3.65 million common shares that helped raise \$100 million to be used to pay down debt.


Nov launch for dual-screen Game Boy

SEEKING to head off a challenge from video-game rival Sony Corp, Nintendo said on Tuesday that its dual-screen (DS) Game Boy player will hit stores in the United States just in time for the crucial holiday shopping season.


Microsoft Speeds Up SP2

Microsoft will accelerate the rollout of Windows XP Service Pack 2 over the next month and has released the first official update for SP2 to fix a problem some users had with virtual private networks.


Big Demand for Digital Music Players

An anonymous reader writes  quot;Market research company IDC is predicting a rosy future for MP3 player sales. They predict that by 2008 it will grow into a \$58 billion industry - four times bigger than the US record industry.


Attacks disrupt some credit card transactions

Online credit card processor Authorize.net on Wednesday acknowledged that large-scale data attacks have disrupted credit card processing for its Internet merchants over the last week.


IBM, AMD Extend Alliance

which had been due to expire next year -- will see AMD pay IBM fees from \$250 million to \$280 million through December 2008, while


Are LCD screens a clear-cut choice?

ATLANTA - There #39;s a lot to like about flat-panel screens. They are lighter than the conventional cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors, take up less desk space, look more attractive and tend to draw about half the power needed to run boxy monitors.


Juventus Stays Top in Italian Soccer; Monaco Leads in France

Juventus won 3-0 at Sampdoria in Italian soccer #39;s Serie A to record a third straight victory and maintain a two-point lead at the top of the 20-team standings.


Philadelphia 76ers centre Todd MacCulloch of Winnipeg retires

PHILADELPHIA (CP) - Todd MacCulloch always knew his career would end. The Winnipeg native just never expected it to come to such a sudden and mysterious stop.


Bournemouth shock Blackburn in League Cup

New Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes got a foretaste of the task facing him after the Premier League strugglers went out on penalties to third division Bournemouth in the League Cup on Wednesday.


Family Confirms Body Found Is Hostage

MARIETTA, Ga. Sept. 22, 2004 - The family of hostage Jack Hensley received confirmation of his death Wednesday, on what would have been his 49th birthday, a family spokesman said.


Arms embargo on Libya should be lifted, says EU

Libya took another big step towards respectability yesterday when the European Union #39;s most senior diplomats agreed that an arms embargo against Tripoli should be lifted.


Belgian PM hurt in crash as flights row divides country

The Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt, was recovering yesterday after a road accident in which his car hit a concrete pillar and rolled over three times.


Cambodia is 6th Asian nation to detect bird flu

PHNOM PENH Cambodia has detected its first outbreak of bird flu in chickens in recent months to become the sixth Asian nation to report a resurgence of the potentially fatal virus, officials said Wednesday.


African Union Ready to Send GIs to Darfur (AP)

AP - A top African Union official said Wednesday the 53-nation group is ready to move thousands of troops to Sudan's western region of Darfur within days if it gets logistical support from Western nations and the United Nations "especially."


Explosive device found in cargo hold of Australian jet: report (AFP)

AFP - A potentially explosive device has been found in the cargo hold of a jet of Australian domestic airline Virgin Blue, a report said.


Microsoft Speeds Up SP2 (PC World)

PC World - With VPN bug resolved, distribution of Windows XP update will increase.


U.S. Gets New Spy Chief as Senate Confirms Goss (Reuters)

Reuters - The Senate confirmed Porter Goss as\the new CIA director on Wednesday amid growing momentum for\intelligence reform, terrorism threats and a persistent\insurgency in Iraq.


Suicide Attack Kills 2 in Israel; 16 Hurt

JERUSALEM - A Palestinian teenager blew herself up at a busy Jerusalem bus station Wednesday, killing two Israeli policemen who stopped her for a security check and wounding 16 bystanders in an attack that evaded Israel's clampdown on the West Bank for the Jewish holidays.    Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, meanwhile, dropped a plan to evacuate 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip simultaneously at the beginning of next year, reverting to an earlier formula - a staged pullout in the summer of 2005...


Bush Mocks Kerry's Leadership Credentials

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - President Bush mocked John Kerry's fitness to be commander in chief Wednesday, saying the way to bring U.S...


Formula One stars arrive in Shanghai

SHANGHAI (AP-CP) - World champion Michael Schumacher arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday, along with a host of other Formula One stars, saying he looked forward to evaluating the challenges of the city #39;s brand new circuit.


Els faces goose chase in England

WOBURN - Retief Goosen will have friend and rival Ernie Els firmly in his sights when he tees off in the E2 million Heritage tournament tomorrow.


Windies crush Pakistan to reach Trophy final

Inzamam-ul-Haq gambled and lost today as West Indies thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets to book their place in the Champions Trophy final today.


Tiger out of tourney line-up

Changes over the past 11 months should also force golfers to deal with a bear of a course. But to the sure lament of golf fans, a once-promised Tiger will no longer be part of the show.


US won #39;t free Iraqi women prisoners

BAGHDAD - American officials yesterday said they were not about to free Iraqi women prisoners as demanded by an Al Qaeda-linked group which has already beheaded two Americans and is threatening to kill a British man.


Iraq, Middle East Troubles Overshadow UN Meeting

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (AFP) - Gloomy news about Iraq and the Middle East peace process on Wednesday overshadowed the second day of the UN #39;s annual gathering of world leaders.


Golf: No Tiger lumbering in Singh #39;s path to third win in a row

FARMINGTON, United States : World golf number one Vijay Singh, a seven-time winner this year, will not have second-ranked Tiger Woods to overcome here this weekend when he goes for his third PGA victory in a row.


24 killed in Iraq violence

BAGHDAD: Twenty-four people were killed and more than 100 wounded in a car bomb attack and other violence in Iraq on Wednesday. Naim al-Qaabi, an official from Moqtada Sadrs movement, said 15 people were