Henin-Hardenne beats Mauresmo; Gonzalez #39;s long day yields gold <b>...</b>

Healthy at last, Justine Henin-Hardenne is back at the top of her game. And she has a gold medal to prove it. In a No. 1 vs. No. 2 final that wasn #39;t really close, the top-ranked Henin-Hardenne overwhelmed


Dodgers 7, Braves 4

Los Angeles, Ca. -- Shawn Green belted a grand slam and a solo homer as Los Angeles beat Mike Hampton and the Atlanta Braves 7-to-4 Saturday afternoon.


Pak in fresh assault on terror hideouts

Islamabad, Aug. 21: Pakistani security forces today attacked suspected terrorist hideouts in the border regions of South Waziristan after rocket attacks on military positions from different areas of Shakai valley.


US swimmer Phelps puts on show for the ages

As of Saturday, the end of the swimming competitions, he had eight medals: Six gold and two bronze. In comparison, Canada has won two silver and a bronze.


Golf: Cink seizes five-shot lead at Akron golf

AKRON : American Stewart Cink carded a two-under-par 68 on Saturday to seize a five-stroke lead after the third round at the seven million dollar World Golf Championship Invitational tournament.


Australia #39;s Molik wins women #39;s singles tennis bronze

Unseeded Alicia Molik of Australia upset No. 3 Anastasia Myskina of Russia 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to win the Olympic women #39;s singles tennis bronze medal.


Tigers Edge Mariners in 11 Wild Innings (AP)

AP - Craig Monroe hit an RBI single with one out in the 11th inning, leading the Detroit Tigers to a wild 11-10 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.


Kerry Raises  #36;2M for Democrats in N.Y. (AP)

AP - John Kerry raised  #36;2 million for Democrats in just a few hours Saturday, making two stops in this understated and elegant vacation destination for the Northeastern well-to-do.


Green's Slam Lifts L.A.

Shawn Green connects on a grand slam and a solo homer to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers past the Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Saturday.


Stranded Afghan Refugees Find a Home in Canada

TORONTO -- Habibullah Abdul Ghafar is drinking black tea and resting after arriving in Canada from Kyrgyzstan, the Central Asian country where he and his family were stranded as refugees. Inside his one-bedroom apartment on the east side of Toronto, the furniture is sparse. A sofa, chair and kitchen table the Canadian government gave them line the room.


Wells of Life Run Dry for Sudanese

Trauma and malnutrition leave many refugee mothers unable to breast-feed.


Tigers Call Up Dingman, Option Novoa (AP)

AP - The Detroit Tigers optioned reliever Roberto Novoa to Double-A Erie and called up relief pitcher Craig Dingman from Triple-A Toledo.


Australian Taliban and bin Laden bodyguards to face US military justice (AFP)

AFP - The United States will this week start controversial military proceedings against an Australian Taliban fighter and three bodyguards for Osama bin Laden.


British give shrink an Olympian job

LONDON (AFP) - British athletics chiefs have named sports psychologist David Collins as the new Performance Director with the job of producing medal winners at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.


Insurers Object to New Provision in Medicare Law

Private insurers have told the Bush administration that they will not expand their role in Medicare if they have to serve large multistate regions.


Overtime rules go in effect Monday

Whether they #39;ve been ready for months or are frantically working overtime to catch up, employers of all stripes have until Monday to conform to new labor regulations.


Dollar Mainly Gains, Shrugs Off Oil, Gold

The dollar strengthened against most major currencies on Friday as dealers shrugged off soaring gold and oil prices and bought the currency largely on technical and positioning grounds.


Cink increases lead in Ohio

USA Ryder Cup wildcard Stewart Cink increased his lead to five shots after three rounds of the WGC Invitational at the Firestone Country Club in Ohio.


US runners display dashing look on oval: Williams finds silver <b>...</b>

Lauryn Williams #39; magical summer began with her winning the NCAA 100-meter championship in June in Austin, Texas. It continued at the US Trials in July, where


Tennis: Hewitt cruises into Washington quarter-finals

Second-seed Lleyton Hewitt moved into the quarterfinals of the Washington Open tennis tournament with a routine 6-3 6-2 win over Colombian Alejandro Falla today.


World champion Rossi set to dent Honda morale in Brno

BRNO (Czech Republic): World champion Valentino Rossi is 22 points clear in the title race but the Yamaha rider will not be taking it easy at this weekends Czech Grand Prix.


Crude oil may rise on supply threats

Crude oil futures in New York, after passing US\$49 a barrel, may rise further next week on increasing concern that shipments will be curtailed just as demand accelerates, a Bloomberg survey of traders and analysts showed.


Greenback gains on euro even as US economy slips

The US dollar climbed against the euro after some traders abandoned bets that a slowdown in growth reflected in economic reports this week would push the US currency to a one-month low.


Pinsent and crew take rowing honors

Matthew Pinsent won his fourth successive Olympic gold medal amid tears of joy and relief yesterday as the British coxless four beat Canada in one of the closest rowing finals ever.


Jets 31, Colts 7

The New York Jets found a winning combination Saturday night -- a near-perfect game from Chad Pennington and an opportunistic defense.


Rookie has become  #39;the man #39;

Any lingering doubts as to whether rookie Julius Jones possesses the necessary toughness to be the Cowboys #39; carry-the-mail back now, and in years to come, were disposed of Monday night in Seattle.


Springboks win Tri-Nations title to complete amazing recovery (AFP)

AFP - South Africa completed one of the great u-turns in rugby union history by beating Australia 23-19 to lift the Tri-Nations trophy a second time.


South Africa Win Second Tri-Nations Title

DURBAN (Reuters) - South Africa survived two late yellow  cards to win their second Tri-nations title with a rousing  23-19 triumph over Australia in Durban on Saturday.


Kerry comrade breaks war silence

A US officer who fought alongside presidential candidate John Kerry in  Vietnam condemns his critics.


UK teacher wins US ultra-marathon

\A Cornish teacher claims one of sport's endurance crowns by winning a 3,100-mile race across the US.


Palmer Passes Test

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer enjoyed his breakthrough game at the expense of the Super Bowl champion Patriots, racking up 179 yards on 12-of-19 passing in a 31-3 triumph on Saturday night.


Lost Votes in N.M. a Cautionary Tale

Four years ago, about 2,300 voters cast their ballots before Election Day on state-of-the-art, push-button electronic voting machines. For 678 of them, their votes were never recorded.
-The Washington Post


Online Ticketing

The percentage of online sales for movie tickets tripled in the past three years, and growth should continue at least through 2008, the most recent data from Jupiter Research show.
-The Washington Post


T-Mobile's Sidekick II Strikes a Functional Balance of Voice, Data Uses

Wireless-industry types like to talk about "smart phones" as if these souped-up, Internet-capable, multifunction cell phones all have the same IQ. But they don't.
-The Washington Post


Prices Fluctuate in a Flash

Prices for flash memory cards -- the little modules used by digital cameras, handheld organizers, MP3 players and cell phones to store pictures, music and other data -- are headed down -- way down. Past trends suggest that prices will drop 35 percent a year, but industry analysts think that rate will be more like 40 or 50 percent this year and next, due to more manufacturers entering the market.


Int #39;l observers #39; audit backs Venezuelan referendum results

An audit by the international observers supported the official results of the recall referendum on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cesar Gaviria, the secretary general of


Workers face new overtime rules

Salaried workers who have been getting overtime pay should take notice: The rules are about to change. Under new federal regulations that go into effect tomorrow, some white-collar workers


Unheralded Nesterenko captures 100m gold glory

Athens -- If there is a more obscure Olympic 100-meter champion than Yuliya Nesterenko, let her step forward and identify herself.


Golf Roundup Han leads by two in Wendy #39;s tourney

Han, the 2003 champion and 2002 runner-up, shot an even-par 72 in the third round yesterday to take a two-shot lead. Han had earlier rounds of 66 and 70 at the rain-soaked and muddy Tartan Fields Golf Club and was at 8-under-par 208.


Sox slap a high-five for beating ChiSox

After tiptoeing through a minefield of controversy, upheaval and unexpected mediocrity for more than three months, the Red Sox stats, schedule finally have their strut back.


Pakistan: Arrests spoil major al-Qaida plot

Pakistan has arrested at least five al-Qaida-linked terrorists who were plotting suicide attacks on government leaders and the US Embassy, officials announced Saturday.


Hungary #39;s ruling Socialist Party names 2 candidates for PM

Hungary #39;s ruling Socialist Party named Peter Kiss and Ferenc Gyurcsany as candidates for prime minister on Saturday, two days after the party accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy.


Cowboys Rally to Beat Raiders, 21-20 (AP)

AP - Kerry Collins' one completion covered almost as many yards as Rich Gannon's seven. That's one reason why he might be a better fit in the Oakland Raiders' new offense. Collins' 89-yard scoring strike to Doug Gabriel in the third quarter was the biggest play of the game before the Dallas Cowboys rallied to beat Oakland 21-20 on Tony Romo's 1-yard keeper with six seconds left Saturday night.


Earthquakes Rattle Burn 3-0 (AP)

AP - Brian Ching scored a team-best 11th goal of season to lead the San Jose Earthquakes past the Dallas Burn 3-0 on Saturday night.


Heed Those Wary Instincts

When it comes to your money (or anything else, for that matter), I believe you should trust your gut.


Learning  Is a Dangerous Thing to Deduct

Tax law has long allowed a taxpayer to deduct the cost of work-related education if it maintains or improves skills needed in his or her present job or business, or if it is required by an  employer.


Coming Soon, a 24-Plex  Not So Near You

There's something special about a night at the movies -- it's all about friends, American pop culture and escape. And it's accessible to just about everyone.


Nepal rebels storm mountain town

Hundreds of Maoist rebels swoop on the Nepalese town of Khalanga, killing at least one soldier.


Bills RB Henry Knocked Out in Preseason (AP)

AP - Bills running back Travis Henry bruised his ribs in Saturday night's preseason game against Tennessee.


Audit Finds No Fraud In Venezuelan Election

The referendum on Aug. 15, 2004 rejected the petition to revoke the mandate of President Hugo Chavez. The observation of The Carter Center mission confirms the results announced by the National Election Council


China lures Amazon.com, other online e-commerce giants

Going store-to-store hunting for bargains holds no appeal for Wang Qin, a busy securities industry employee who says he would rather spend his time and energy on work.


Michael Phelps: A very nice guy finishes first

At 8:41 pm Thursday, Greek time, Michael Phelps was on the medal stand, the champion of the 200-meter individual medley. He was wearing his official


Getting Greene #39;s GOAT a chore worthy of an Olympic medal

The tattoo on Maurice Greene #39;s right shoulder succinctly sums up where he feels he ranks in the world of sprinting.  quot;Greatest of all time, quot; he will shout after a victory while thumping it.


Profile: Chen Qi/Ma Lin, China #39;s new  amp;quotgolden pair quot;

From Seoul 1988 to Athens 2004, China has pocketed every gold for men #39;s doubles in the Olympic table tennis tournament and, more amazingly, each time the gold has gone to a different pair of players.


GAME DAY RECAP Saturday, August 21

But Desi Relaford #39;s ninth-inning drive with two runners on and two out settled into the glove of right fielder Gary Matthews Jr.


Grenades kill 18 at Dhaka rally

Police and paramilitary are patrolling the streets of the Bangladeshi capital after several grenades exploded near former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she spoke at a party rally Saturday, killing at least 18 people and


Calf Problem Rules Ruud Out Of Turkish Trip

Ruud van Nistelrooy will not travel to Turkey for United #39;s Champions League group D finale against Fenerbahce. The Dutch striker missed out on Saturday #39;s 3-0 win over Southampton at Old Trafford, and Sir Alex


Mars Hills, Crater Yield Evidence of Flowing Water

The hills of Mars yielded more tantalizing clues about how water shaped the Red Planet in tests by NASA (news - web sites) #39;s robotic geologist, Spirit, while its twin


PAULA HOLDS MEDAL HOPES

Long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe is tipped to add to Britain #39;s Olympic gold medal tally when she competes in the women #39;s marathon today.


Muller upsets Agassi in semis

Luxembourg #39;s Gilles Muller is ranked so low he has to qualify next week just to see if he can even get into the US Open in less than two weeks.


Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Darren Sharper returned one his team #39;s three interceptions 90 yards for a touchdown, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 19-14 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints .


Game On For Classic Gaming Expo 2004

jm writes  quot;The Classic Gaming Expo 2004 kicks off this weekend, with over 60 industry guests. This year the CGE is being held at San Jose #39;s McEnery Convention Center, August 21st  amp; 22nd.


Tremendous Victory In Venezuela

WHILE India was celebrating its Independence Day, another important event was taking place on the other side of the world, in Venezuela.


Olympic gold provides inspiration

Britain #39;s Olympic success and gold medal tally gives the papers an excuse to wax lyrical on Sunday. Matthew Pinsent #39;s fourth rowing gold and his team #39;s success in the coxless four is the cause of many  quot;oar-some quot; puns.


SI.com

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Josh Beckett helped himself to his first win in over three months. Beckett doubled in the sixth inning to tie the game and scored the go-ahead run on Juan Pierre  #39;s home run one batter


Lights-out putting ends Overton run

By STEVE FORD Courier  amp; Press staff writer 464-7511 or sfordevansville.net. Jeff Overton #39;s run in the 104th US Amateur at Winged Foot Golf Club near New York City ended one day too soon.


Mohr is less in loss to Mets

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Dustan Mohr dropped a fly ball with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 12th inning to allow two runs to score, and the New York Mets went on to defeat the San Francisco Giants 11-9 in the see-saw middle


Brees Passes Chargers Past Cardinals 38-13 (AP)

AP - Drew Brees continued his strong exhibition season, passing the San Diego Chargers to a big halftime lead and a 38-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.


In Op-Ed Piece, McGreevey Defends Choice (AP)

AP - In a newspaper opinion piece published Sunday, New Jersey's embattled governor says his decision not to leave office immediately because of a sex scandal was "difficult" to make but one he will not change.


Sportsview: Manning Assaults NFL Records (AP)

AP - There are traces of Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino, Joe Montana and Steve Young in Peyton Manning, not to mention the DNA of dear old dad, Archie. They're all there in his arm, his accuracy, his eyes, his brains.


Lavish times in oil patch? Not a chance

Dude, where #39;s my boom? That #39;s a question a lot of Hous- tonians are asking as oil crowds the \$50-a-barrel mark. Where #39;s the frenetic hiring as oil companies staff up for the good times?


New hospital design aids healing, cuts errors

Greeters direct new arrivals at the elevators. Wireless telephone systems and Internet access are available. And every guest room is private, cheerful and has a fold-out chairbed.


EIGHTH IS EASIEST

Swimmer Michael Phelps might have turned in his most wonderfully uplifting performance of the Olympics last night. And he didn #39;t even get wet.


Scoring goof taints gold

One of the feel-good stories of the Olympics turned sour Saturday, becoming the latest in a long line of scoring controversies that seem to show up in every Games.


De Bruijn, Hall retain 50m titles

DEFENDING champion Inge de Bruijn of Holland won the women #39;s 50m swim final in 24.58 seconds last night. It was the 30-year-old #39;s first gold in Athens and the fourth of her career.


Bobble by Mohr costs Giants game

SAN FRANCISCO - Dustan Mohr of the San Francisco Giants sat in front of his locker with his head buried in his hands. Even in a new ballpark, right field in San Francisco remains treacherous territory.


18 killed in grenade attacks in Bangladesh

At least 18 people were confirmed killed, and some 300 were injured as unidentified assailants hurled over ten grenades toward a rally organized by the main opposition


Pakistan foils Al-Qaeda linked plot for assassinations, attacks

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan has busted an Al-Qaeda linked plot to kill high profile civil and military officials and attack key sites including the US embassy and the military headquarters, officials said.


Chua: Three free from bird flu

KUALA LUMPUR: The three people warded at the Kota Baru Hospital on Thursday are confirmed to be free from bird flu. Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said tests conducted by Institute of Medical Research


Militants #39; positions bombed

WANA, Aug 21: Fighter planes and helicopter gunships carried out strikes on militants #39; positions in South Waziristan on Saturday.


Pakistan awaiting formal US consent for new envoy: Kasuri

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Saturday said the government was awaiting a formal consent from the US government over the nomination of General (retd) Jehangir Karamat as Pakistans new ambassador.


Pakistan spin India to defeat (AFP)

AFP - Pakistan spinners Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik took seven wickets between them to bowl their side to a 66-run win over arch-rivals India in the opening match of the triangular event here.


Williams stunned by Belarus runner

Lauryn Williams never saw her coming. Not as a contender in the weeks and months leading up to the Olympics. Not as a blur whooshing up on her right.


Athens Games halfway home free

Staggering traffic problems, nightmarish security concerns and incomplete construction of sports venues that would cause an embarrassment to the host country.


Padres doomed by big innings

The Marlins used a pair of three-run innings to ease past the Padres for an 8-2 victory Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 44,149 at PETCO Park.


Nallen Loses in Playoff

TUCSON, Ariz. (ussid) Former University of Arizona men #39;s golfer Chris Nallen lost in 19 holes in the semifinals of match play at the 2004 United States Amateur Championship Saturday at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY.


Rolen #39;s 31st HR gives Cards 3-0 lead

Despite piling up impressive offensive numbers, the St. Louis Cardinals aren #39;t ready to bask in their success just yet. The Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-6 on Saturday night, moving


Putin lays wreath at Akhmad Kadyrov #39;s grave

TSENTOROI, Chechnya. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Chechen village of Tsentoroi on Sunday morning and laid a wreath at the grave of former Chechen president Akhmad Kadyrov.


Cisco sees momentum in CRS-1 sales

Executives at networking giant Cisco Systems say the company #39;s new CRS-1 core Internet router is ahead of revenue targets, just as the company announced on Sunday a smaller version of the product.


Nortel battles back

Nortel Networks is only a shadow of what it was three years ago. It has shed 61,500 workers worldwide, and announced last week another 3,500 are slated to go.


Qantas points to upbeat outlook

Barring negative impacts on the aviation industry, such as global terrorism, Australia #39;s flagship carrier had an upbeat future, Qantas #39; chief executive Geoff Dixon said.


Red Cross Calls For More Help For Hurricane Victims

MANCHESTER, NH -- More victims of Hurricane Charley returned to the devastation Friday, Red Cross officials said more help is needed.


Internet phone service seen as growth industry

Rising broadband penetration is keeping equipment makers for Internet phone service on their toes in light of their aggression participation in the upcoming Taipei telecom show, event organizers said yesterday.


Lindows Delays IPO

In the latest setback for IPO hopeful tech companies, San Diego-based Lindows (www.lindows.com) has indefinately postponed its IPO.


Campbell takes bronze

ATHENS, Greece - Veronica Campbell snatched Jamaica #39;s first Olympic medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games with a third-place finish in the women #39;s 100-metre final last night.


On deck: Marlins (60-60) at Padres (65-56), 7:05 tonight

The Skinny: Beckett is facing the Padres for the first time in San Diego. In two career starts in Florida, Beckett is 2-0 against the Padres with a 1.93 ERA.


A wary sense of relief in Athens

ATHENS At the end of the first week of the Olympic Games, security officials are generally pleased, even surprised, by the calm so far, though they caution that a safe opening ceremony and first week may encourage a laxness that could yet give terrorists


French reporters vanish in Iraq

Two veteran French journalists have gone missing in Iraq as concern mounts over the fate of an Italian reporter. George Malbrunot of Le Figaro newspaper and Christian Chesnot of French radio have not been


Tibetans say Dalai Lama may not return in this life

It is 45 years since Tibet #39;s god-king, the Dalai Lama, fled his homeland on horseback as Chinese shells rained down on his capital.


Burundian rebels: we #39;re ready to defend ourselves in court in <b>...</b>

Leaders of a Burundian rebel group said Friday they were ready to defend themselves in an international court against war crimes charges after they took responsibility for the massacre of 163 refugees, their spokesman said.


Aziz calls for resolution of Kashmir issue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan #39;s prime minister-designate said he wants the dispute over Kashmir to be resolved according to the wishes of people living in the region.


U.S. Would Allow 720 Snowmobiles Daily at Yellowstone

With federal courts in disagreement over how many snowmobiles should be permitted in Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Service proposed a temporary option.


Antidepressant Study Seen to Back Expert

A government scientist had concluded last year that most antidepressants are too dangerous for children because of a suicide risk and a new study appears to confirm his findings.


Sir Godfrey Hounsfield, Who Helped Develop the CAT Scanner, Dies at 84

Sir Godfrey Hounsfield was a British electrical engineer whose work in creating the CAT scan won him a Nobel Prize.


Mars Rover Finds Mysterious Rocks and More Signs of Water

Both rovers, the Spirit and the Opportunity, have more than doubled their intended lifetimes of three months.


Facing Middle Age and AIDS

Although AIDS is thought of as a disease of the young, in the United States it is rapidly becoming one of the middle-aged and even the old.


The Making of an X Box Warrior

The military has quietly become an industry leader in video-game design, creating games to train and even recruit the soldiers of the PlayStation generation. Will virtual boot camp make combat more real or more surreal?


When the Computer Opens the Closet

For many women who marry gay men, the truth comes out late at night, not in the bedroom but in front of the family's computer screen.


Entrepreneurial Success via the Internet

It took the death of his business partner at 21 for Josh Mohrer to get serious about trying to make their fledgling internet business a success.


Bangladesh in Shock as Blast Toll Hits 17 (Reuters)

Reuters - Extra armed police patrolled the streets\of the Bangladeshi capital and traffic was light on Sunday, a\working day, as shocked Bangladeshis woke up to the aftermath\of grenade blasts that killed at least 17 people.


Nepal Seeks to Break Rebel Siege with Air Patrols (Reuters)

Reuters - Military helicopters provided air\cover to vehicles ferrying crucial supplies to the Nepali\capital on Sunday, as a blockade called by Maoist rebels\stretched into its fifth day, a senior army officer said.


Pakistan PM shrugs off Indian allegations of cross-border infiltration (AFP)

AFP - Pakistani Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain played down accusations by India's ruling party that Islamabad had not stopped militants from infiltrating Indian-controlled Kashmir.


Bangladesh in Shock as Blast Toll Hits 17

DHAKA (Reuters) - Extra armed police patrolled the streets  of the Bangladeshi capital and traffic was light on Sunday, a  working day, as shocked Bangladeshis woke up to the aftermath  of grenade blasts that killed at least 17 people.


Car bomb explodes in north Iraq

Two people die in a car bombing apparently targeting a provincial official in the Iraqi town of Baquba.


Qantas Doesn #39;t Need an Airline Replacement for BA, Dixon Says

Qantas Airways Ltd. should not seek another airline to replace British Airways Plc if the UK carrier sells its stake in the business, Qantas Chief Executive Geoff Dixon said.


World #39;s Fastest Men Take Center Stage at Games

For 10 pulsating seconds, the fastest men on earth take center stage on Sunday at the Olympics to run for the ultimate prize -- the 100 meters gold medal.


Vandy #39;s List gets in final of Amateur

MAMARONECK, NY - Luke List has already made it further than he ever thought, so why stop now? That #39;s the attitude of the 19-year-old Vanderbilt sophomore, who continued his string of US Amateur upsets with


BEARS CAPTURE BOOKER

The Chicago Bears have acquired hold-out Pro Bowl defensive end Adewale Ogunleye from the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Marty Booker and a 2005 third-round pick.


Boks snatch Tri-Nations

The Springboks have won the Tri-Nations title with a 23-19 win against the Wallabies in Durban. In a tense finish, the Wallabies scored twice in the final 10 minutes with the Springboks reduced to 13 men, but the home side held on for a deserved victory.


Pakistan sweep nets bomb suspects

Pakistan has arrested more than five suspects in a plot to bomb several high-profile targets in Islamabad, including the US Embassy and the official residences of Pakistan #39;s president, Gen.


China celebrates Deng centenary

China is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Deng Xiaoping, its late supreme leader. For most Chinese the diminutive figure was the man who set the country on a pragmatic reformist


Religion Feeds Sudan's Fire

Political rivalries, ethnic strife and poverty have fueled the clashes, but that has not stopped combatants from invoking religion and challenging the devotion of their rivals.


Venezuela audit reveals no fraud - observers

International observers in Venezuela say an audit of the referendum results which confirmed President Hugo Chavez #39;s mandate in office has revealed no evidence of fraud.


THE WEEK ON THE STREET

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- It sure isn #39;t the Goldilocks Economy of yesteryear -- you know, not too hot, not too cold, but just right.


After Storm, a New Look at Stiffer Building Codes

When structural engineers from Miami pushed the rest of Florida to adopt much stricter building codes after Hurricane Andrew, the response was generally blas.


Wal-Mart plaintiff tells story

Melissa Howard hated the trips to Hooters for Wal-Mart management meetings. But the strip clubs were even worse, she said. While the store manager of a Wal-Mart in Bluffton, Howard traveled


Amazon \$75m purchases Chinese Joyo

After quite a few of negotiations, China #39;s non-state-run Joyo.com Ltd. has finally reached a deal with Amazon.com Inc., the US E-commerce giant, which possibly meant a beginning


AT amp;T strikes VoIP deals with cable

In an attempt to spark growth in its Net phone service, AT amp;T has turned to cable companies to pitch the technology to more consumers.


Cink still afloat

AKRON -- What #39;s already been a great week for Stewart Cink could get even better today if he can finish the job he started Thursday in the \$7 million NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club.


Woodgate Windfall Will Be Well Spent - Shepherd

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has sought to reassure the Magpies fans that the money brought in by the sale of Jonathan Woodgate will be spent wisely.


Dhaka tense after grenade blasts kill 16

Police are patrolling the streets of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, after a series of grenade blasts killed at least 16 people. At least seven grenades were thrown at a rally yesterday of more than 3,000 supporters of the main opposition Awami League.


Car Bomb Explodes North of Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Police say a car bomb has exploded north of the Iraqi capital, killing two people and injuring four others, including a deputy provincial governor.


18 Killed by Bombs at Bangladesh Rally (AP)

AP - Soldiers and armed police patrolled the Bangladeshi capital on Sunday, a day after more than a dozen grenades were thrown at an opposition rally, killing at least 18 people and injuring hundreds.


Chavez urges opposition to recognize results of referendum

CARACAS, August 22 (Itar-Tass) -- President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez has called on the opposition to recognize the results of a referendum on confidence in the president held on August 15.


IPO thrusts Google into new direction

There #39;s the multibillion-dollar auction that snubs Wall Street #39;s powerful investment banks. There #39;s the IPO manifesto with the pledge to change the world.


Overtime changes create potential minefield

Labor unions say 6 million workers could lose overtime pay when a redefinition of overtime regulations -he most sweeping change to wage-and-hour laws in half a century  -es effect tomorrow.


Truckers strike, prices to soar

NEW DELHi, AUGUST 21: Truckers went on a nation-wide strike from Saturday to protest against the imposition of the 10 per cent service tax in the Budget.


Make all mobile homes safer during hurricanes

While the complete post-mortem about Hurricane Charley will take months to complete, some conclusions already are apparent. For one, houses fared much better in the Category 4 winds than mobile homes.


Brazil Tribe Has Great Excuse for Poor Math Skills

Some people have a great excuse for being bad at math -- their language lacks the words for most numbers, US-based researchers reported on Thursday.


Judges suspended in gymnastics scandal

The International Gymnastics Federation suspended three judges Saturday for a mistake in scoring the men #39;s all-around final but said results won #39;t be changed and American Paul Hamm will keep his gold medal.


Belgian makes golden comeback

ATHENS, GREECE - Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium won the singles gold medal in tennis, beating Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-3, 6-3 in the final.


Listen to Greene roar

ATHENS -- Maurice Greene flexed his arms, thumped his chest and gathered the media for a post-race announcement.  quot;We #39;re going to have a party tomorrow and everybody #39;s invited -- I #39;m buying, quot; said the defending


Sluggish Seahawks buried by Broncos

If last night #39;s Seahawks-Broncos exhibition game was a Super Bowl preview, as some have predicted, the Seahawks are in trouble.


Glavine shaky in first start since taxi crash

SAN FRANCISCO - Mets left-hander Tom Glavine endured a shaky return in his first pitching appearance since he lost two front teeth in a taxi accident, as New York beat San Francisco 11-9 in 12 innings yesterday.


Angels win tale of 2 games

They played a day-night singleheader at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, one game that felt like two, each with their own distinct heroes for the Angels.


Pakistan in  #39;al-Qaeda #39; arrests

At least five suspected terrorists, with alleged links to al Qaeda, have been arrested in Pakistan. It is claimed they had been plotting to launch suicide attacks on government leaders and the US Embassy.


2 killed in car bomb explosion north of Baghdad

Two people were killed and four others injured when a car bomb went off on Sunday near Baquba, 65 km north of Baghdad, police sources said.


Over 100 undocumented asylum seekers rescued in Italy

More than 100 undocumented asylum seekers claiming to be Palestinians rest after being rescued by the Italian Coast Guard off Sicily 21 August 2004 in the harbour of the Italian island of Lampedusa.


China college for Internet game industry

A college to provide training for the Internet games industry has been opened in Beijing. Xinhua, China #39;s main government-run news agency, reported Saturday that China #39;s Ministry


Quite a spread

JAY, Vt. -- From the top of the gondola building, 4,000 feet up on the summit of Jay Peak, the rolling hills of the Northeast Kingdom fade into the distance of hazy summer air. The forestland of this mountain gives way to a patchwork of fields, barns, and silos, with white steeples marking a village green. At the base, brown ...


Maine's Crocker part of record-setting team

ATHENS -- Michael Phelps was sitting in the bleachers in his team shirt and shorts last night, waving a small American flag and exulting in every gold medal. Especially the one he got without swimming a stroke.


No gain on this return

CINCINNATI -- At the height of his efforts to get out of this town, Corey Dillon declared,  quot;Rudi ain't no C.D. quot; Dillon, now a Patriot, genuinely liked his former backup with the Bengals -- Rudi Johnson -- and really didn't mean it the way it sounded.


If this keeps up, they just may be able to swing it

CHICAGO -- This national TV stuff, Terry Francona still has some work to do.  quot;I showed up for the wrong inning, quot; said the Red Sox manager, who had been lined up to do a between-innings interview by Fox yesterday and eventually got on, but just a little later than he thought he would.


Costantino leads R.I. to win

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Chris Costantino struck out Jacob Maxwell with the bases loaded to end the game as Lincoln, R.I., held on to beat Davenport, Iowa, 3-2, last night in Little League World Series action. Costantino finished with 15 strikeouts and allowed just four hits in picking up the win.


Lakewood company in \$3B deal

The Swedish company Gambro AB will sell its Lakewood-based division to a California company for \$3.05 billion in cash. The division, Gambro Healthcare US, operates clinics for patients undergoing kidney dialysis and has 565 clinics and 43,200 patients.


Loaiza elicits boos

Esteban Loaiza is pitching his way out of the New York Yankees' rotation. Jose Guillen and Jeff DaVanon homered off the newest target of booing at Yankee Stadium, and Loaiza failed to make it out of the fourth inning yesterday in the Angels' storm-interrupted 6-1 win over New York.


Revolution lack magic touches

FOXBOROUGH -- Taylor Twellman regained his scoring touch last night, but the Revolution squandered the lead in falling, 2-1, to the Kansas City Wizards, their first loss since July 4.


Footing shaky in San Jose

The San Jose Earthquakes, winners of two of the last three MLS Cups, could be leaving the Bay Area after this season.


A breath of fresh heir at BU

Incoming Boston University freshman Chris Bourque recently filled out the Terriers' standard player form that is kept on file at the school's sports information office.  quot;It's all the usual stuff -- date of birth, height, weight, and all that, quot; said Ed Carpenter, who has headed up the sports information department for some 30 years.  quot;But the part I liked best ...


State regulators, in a bid to ensure accurate auction ads, target firms

Three companies accused of falsely advertising multimillion-dollar estate sales and auctions of property seized by the federal government or county sheriffs have signed settlement agreements with Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly.


Payton profile? Let George do it

For the benefit of those who believe Gary Payton will arrive in Boston sometime before the start of training camp Oct. 4 (read: Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers), here is a primer of sorts on the veteran point guard. Everyone knows what Payton has done over a 14-year career that includes just about everything except an NBA championship. Everyone knows ...


Coming: IT that adapts to users' requirements

The march of information technology into the workplace has been greeted with a mix of awe and resistance. For all their promise of productivity gains, computers, business software, and telecommunications gear have disrupted processes at the core of a company's identity.


La Salle selects Giannini

PHILADELPHIA -- La Salle's monthlong search for a head men's basketball coach is over. Maine coach John Giannini will be named the coach at La Salle tomorrow, according to a source familiar with the school's coaching search.


Cink putts his way to 5-shot lead

Stewart Cink seized control of the NEC Invitational with six straight one-putt greens and a chip-in from 50 feet for birdie on the 18th hole yesterday for a 2-under-par 68, giving him a five-shot lead over a trio of Ryder Cup teammates.


The Bush team's stealthy assault on tax policy

You have to say this for President Bush and his advisers: They are not a timid bunch.


Modern technology for an ancient sport

One sport that relies increasingly on GPS technology is horseback riding ( quot;Space-age sport, quot; Aug. 16). Horseback riders who practice trail riding for pleasure, or the more demanding cross country sports, are beginning to use GPS in large numbers.


Lawsuits hold good news for investors

If you are looking for the most interesting fallout from the mutual fund scandals of the past year, don't go looking in old headlines. Look instead at some fairly new court cases.


Via a grave site, Spain relives harsh divisions

GRANADA, Spain -- On a hillside overlooking the Sierra Nevada mountains, a gnarled olive tree and a simple granite marker stand where historians believe Spain's most celebrated 20th-century poet, Federico Garcia Lorca, was summarily executed and dumped in a communal grave.


Clashes in Najaf threaten peace bid

NAJAF, Iraq -- Loyalists to Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr remained in control of the gold-domed Imam Ali shrine yesterday after failing to reach an agreement with representatives of Iraq's most senior Shi'ite leader on how to hand over the holy site.


Pakistan says suicide-attack plot on leaders, embassy foiled

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- At least five Al Qaeda-linked terrorists suspected of plotting suicide attacks on government leaders and the US Embassy have been arrested by Pakistan, officials announced yesterday.


Mideast, N. Africa terror warning set

On the heels of a US indictment of Hamas figures, the State Department issued an updated warning yesterday that Americans in the Middle East and North Africa could be targets of terrorist attacks.  quot;Anti-American violence could include possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation, and maritime interests, quot; the department said. The indictment was unsealed Friday in Chicago against a political ...


Bombings kill 14 at a rally by Bangladesh opposition

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- A series of bombs exploded yesterday as a Bangladeshi opposition leader was speaking at a rally. At least 14 people were killed and hundreds were wounded, witnesses and news reports said.


US shows flexibility on Israeli settlements

CRAWFORD, Texas -- The Bush administration confirmed yesterday that it may accept limited growth within existing Israeli settlements in the West Bank in a shift that could help embattled Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.


China hails 100th anniversary of birth of nation #146;s modernizer

GUANGAN, China -- Deng Xianyan ran his fingers over a bottle of Deng family liquor as he mulled the legacy of his famous cousin, the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, on the 100th anniversary of his birth.


Rolling through rural China, train of doctors restores sight

KASHGAR, China -- Impatiently, Gopur Samat stood at the ready as a nurse stripped the bandage from his right eye and steered his attention toward a chart 20 feet away. Smiling, Gopur pointed up. Still smiling as the nurse gestured toward another symbol, he pointed down. Then left, then right. Gopur, 68, suddenly could see clearly again.


Sampanis stripped of bronze

Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis is stripped of his bronze medal after testing positive for drugs.


Unclear on overtime rules

In a landmark overhaul of pay eligibility, the Labor Department and unions clash over how much clarity has really been attained. By JEFF HARRINGTON, Times Staff Writer.


Big deals alter face of mall industry

In the late 1980s, developers were breaking ground for new shopping centers in the United States at the rate of four a day. In 2004, only three regional malls are expected to open the whole year.


... we #39;d better get ready

The argument against strengthening building requirements is simple: It would cost too much. And poor people couldn #39;t afford it.


Indian PM pledges to check spiraling inflation rate

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said that controlling record-high inflation, which has soared in recent weeks to touch a new three-and-a-half year high, was


Sports:Greek weightlifter stripped of medal

ATHENS, Greece Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis has been stripped of his bronze medal for a doping offense. It was the first medal to be stripped from an athlete in Athens because of doping.


Our performance was 100 per cent #39;

SCHINIAS, GreeceFor a few anxious moments, not knowing the colour of the Olympic medal he had just won was the best part of these Games for Canadian rowing star Barney Williams.


Moore ousts Overton in US Amateur

Moore, a senior at UNLV who has already won the NCAA Division I, US Amateur Public Links and Western Amateur titles, will face Luke List, who beat Chris Nallen in 19 holes, in today #39;s 36-hole final.


Nepal capital at mercy of unseen menace in the mountains

NAUBISE, Nepal : Somewhere on the other side of the mist-covered green hills that guard Nepal #39;s ancient capital Kathmandu, Maoist rebels are grinning.


Bird Flu Believed Endemic in Asia, Spreads to Pigs

The discovery of a deadly bird flu strain in Malaysia after cases elsewhere in Southeast Asia signaled a major winter outbreak was likely, international health experts said on Friday.


Impatiently, Gopur Samat stood at the ready as a nurse stripped the bandage from his right eye and steered his attention toward a chart 20 feet away.


J amp;J Reportedly Eyes Guidant

Johnson  amp; Johnson (JNJ:NYSE - news - research) reportedly is negotiating to buy Guidant (GDT:NYSE - news - research) for \$24 billion, a transaction that would unite two big manufacturers of coronary devices.


The Rovers

The Issue: Two vehicles are still puttering around the surface of Mars. Our View: Their mission is paying off in knowledge. While we go about our days, rather amazingly 34 million or so miles away, our pair


Surviving the IPO From Hell

Months ago, when the idea of Google #39;s inevitable IPO could be discussed by its leaders only in hypothetical terms, cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were trying to explain


Overtime law clarification is hard to figure

Depending on who is doing the analysis, either an additional 1.3 million American workers will be eligible for overtime beginning tomorrow, or 6 million will be stripped of that right.


World #39;s lightest flying micro-robot unveiled

The world #39;s lightest flying micro-robot has been developed by Japan #39;s Seiko Epson Corporation. The 12-gram robot resembles a small helicopter and is about 136 millimetres wide


IOC Bans Greek Medallist From Games

The Olympics are less than a week away and organizers are pulling the pieces together for the Aug. 13 opening.  Dana Vollmer will be one of those tales of courage that come up during the Olympics.


Bangladesh paralysed by strikes

Opposition activists have brought many towns and cities in Bangladesh to a halt, the day after 18 people died in explosions at a political rally.


India withdraws patronage to EU visits in J amp;K

Furious with a  quot;biased quot; and interventionist report by a European parliamentary delegation, whose leader called Jammu and Kashmir  quot;the world #39;s most beautiful prison, quot; India has withdrawn official patronage to such visits.


Zito Silences D-Rays' Bats in A's 5-0 Win (AP)

AP - Barry Zito scattered four hits over eight shutout innings, leading the AL West-leading Oakland Athletics past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-0 on Saturday night.


U.S. Aircraft Make New Attack on Rebels in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. aircraft launched a fresh  assault on Shi'ite rebels in the Iraqi city of Najaf early on  Sunday after talks on surrendering control of the gold-domed  mosque at the center of an 18-day siege ran into trouble.


Tigers Edge Mariners in 11 Wild Innings

DETROIT - Craig Monroe hit an RBI single with one out in the 11th inning, leading the Detroit Tigers to a wild 11-10 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.    The teams combined for a Comerica Park-record 36 hits, including 21 by Seattle...


Militants Hold Najaf Shrine; Bombing Heard

NAJAF, Iraq - Militants loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr kept their hold on a revered shrine as clashes flared in Najaf on Sunday, raising fears a resolution to the crisis in the holy city could collapse amid bickering between Shiite leaders.    An unofficial mediator and distant relative of the cleric pleaded with al-Sadr to disarm his militants, pull them out of the shrine and disband his militia immediately...


U.S. Men End 40-Year Rowing Drought

ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States stormed to their first  Olympic men's eights title in 40 years on Sunday.


Greece Shamed Again at Their Own Games

ATHENS (Reuters) - The Greeks were shamed again at their  own Olympics on Sunday when bronze medal weightlifter Leonidas  Sampanis was kicked out after failing a dope test.


Venezuela Audit Results Support Vote Count (AP)

AP - The results of an audit support the official vote count showing that President Hugo Chavez won this month's recall referendum in Venezuela, the head of the Organization of American States said Saturday.


China Executes Man for Killing Rapists (Reuters)

Reuters - China has executed a 25-year-old\university dropout for killing six men, four of whom had raped\him after getting him drunk, the Beijing Youth Daily said on\Sunday.


Nepal Seeks to Break Rebel Siege with Air Patrols

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Military helicopters provided air  cover to vehicles ferrying crucial supplies to the Nepali  capital on Sunday, a senior army officer said, as a blockade  called by Maoist rebels stretched into its fifth day.


N.Korea Dubs South 'Wicked Terrorist' Over Refugees

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has denounced South Korean  authorities as "wicked terrorists" who orchestrated the airlift  of 468 North Korean refugees as part of a plot to bring down  the communist system.


Residents Return to Darfur After Fleeing Attack

SANI DELAIBA, Sudan (Reuters) - "Only God saved us when the  Janjaweed attacked. We had to walk to safety and 12 men were  killed," said Khultoum Eissa Abdallah, now back in her hometown  in Sudan's troubled Darfur region.


Palestinians Denounce U.S. Over Settlement Shift

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinians accused the  United States on Sunday of destroying hopes of negotiations  with Israel for a Palestinian state, after Washington signaled  it could accept some growth of settlements in the West Bank.


Charley hurts Disney workers

Walt Disney World escaped serious storm damage from Hurricane Charley last weekend, but many central Florida residents, including employees of the Magic Kingdom and other Orlando theme parks, weren #39;t so lucky.


Tooele grapples with Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart didn #39;t completely kill downtown Tooele - but it came pretty darn close. Today, 14 years after the giant retailer opened one of its first Utah stores here, Tooele #39;s old


Utah a Clean Air Act offender, study says

A new national study identifies Utah as one of at least 29 states that have loopholes in their laws allowing for  quot;accidental quot; pollution emissions beyond the limits of the federal Clean Air Act.


Apple Recalls 28,000 Faulty Batteries Sold with 15-inch PowerBook

Apple has had to recall up to 28,000 notebook batteries that were sold for use with their 15-inch PowerBook. Apple reports that faulty batteries sold between January 2004 and August 2004 can overheat and pose a fire hazard.


Sampanis confirmed positive

The IOC executive board met early on Sunday to rule on the case, which shocked the host nation days after its top sprint pair withdrew after missing an eve-of-Games dope test.


Olympic Soccer: Euphoric Iraq Reaches Semifinals

Iraq #39;s footballers beat Australia 1-0 Saturday to reach the semifinals of the Olympic men #39;s tournament, triggering celebratory gunfire in their violence-racked country.


Roundup: Chelsea #39;s tactics yield another shutout win

Chelsea beat Birmingham 1-0 yesterday on Joe Cole #39;s 68th-minute goal for its second straight shutout in the English Premier League.


Maoist rebels bomb government buildings

Police in Nepal say more than 1,000 Maoist rebels have stormed a district headquarters in the country #39;s northwest, bombing government buildings and killing at least one soldier.


Police: Car Bomb Expodes North of Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb exploded north of the Iraqi capital on Sunday, killing two people and injuring four others, including a deputy provincial governor, police said.


Preparing your business for the unexpected

That #39;s the estimate of how much damage Hurricane Charley has wracked upon Florida. Much of that has been done to small businesses.


Phelps simply a cut above

Michael Phelps has proven he is the best swimmer ever -- in and out of the pool. Yesterday, the 6-ft. 5-in. 19-year-old from Baltimore won his sixth gold medal to add to his two bronze, making him the swimmer


South Korea to File Petition With CAS on Gymnast #39;s Case

The South Korean delegation to the Athens Olympics will file a petition on the case of Yang Tae-young, bronze medallist in gymnastics mens individual all-around event, with the Court of


One gamble Bears really had to take

The Bears traded Marty Booker to Miami for Adewale Ogunleye because they had no choice but to do so. Talent levels being equal, a defensive end is more valuable than a wide receiver.


Five terrorists arrested in Pak.

Islamabad, Aug. 22. (PTI): Pakistan #39;s security agencies have arrested five al Qaeda-linked terrorists who were plotting suicide attacks on senior leaders and key installations in the country, including the


Shell shuts 30,000 bpd more due to Nigeria protest

Royal Dutch/Shell has shut in another 30,000 barrels per day of oil output in Nigeria due to a protest by villagers over jobs, bringing its total cut to 100,000 bpd, a spokesman said on Tuesday.


He's running with it

When NBC first called Bob Neumeier, he was asked if he'd be willing to work on Olympics wrestling and rowing coverage in Athens.  quot;I was flattered and grateful for the opportunity, quot; he said. He was willing to learn the nuances of those sports at the Olympic level and start mastering the pronunciation of hundreds of new names.


Today's schedule

Pro baseball: Eastern League -- Trenton vs. Portland (2) at Hadlock Field, Portland, Maine, 1 p.m.; New Hampshire vs. New Britain at New Britain (Conn.) Stadium, 1:30 p.m.; Northeast League -- North Shore vs. New Haven at Yale Field, New Haven, 2 p.m.; Elmira vs. Brockton (2) at Campanelli Stadium, Brockton, 5 p.m.


Santana exception to rule

The next time you're inclined to dismiss baseball's Rule 5 draft in December as an exercise of little consequence, remember that Johan Santana, the pitcher Pedro Martinez said reminded him of a younger version of himself, only with better stuff, was a Rule 5 pick five years ago.


Transactions

BASEBALL Kansas City (AL): Activated P Jeremy Affeldt from the 15-day DL; optioned P Jorge Vasquez to Wichita (Texas League).


Notables

The Twins were 3 for 4 on stolen bases and lead the majors with 39 steals in 49 attempts since the All-Star break.


Green lifts Dodgers past Braves

Shawn Green hit a grand slam and a solo homer to lead the host Los Angeles Dodgers past the Atlanta Braves, 7-4, yesterday, snapping Mike Hampton's string of seven straight wins.


The Missing Shoppers

Something odd happened on the way to global recovery. The shoppers are not turning out the way they normally do when things start to look up.


Greek weightlifter stripped of medal for drugs

Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis, Greece #39;s first medal winner at the Athens Olympics, was stripped of his bronze medal and excluded from the Games Sunday for a doping offense, another big blow for the host nation which is welcoming the homecoming


DAVENPORT HANDED FINAL PLACE

Lindsay Davenport will face Vera Zvonareva in the final of the Cincinnati Open, after Marion Bartoli was forced to withdraw with a hand injury.


Three tested for bird flu discharged from Malaysian hospital

KUALA LUMPUR : Three Malaysians who fell ill in a village hit by the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain have been discharged from a hospital after tests showed no sign of the virus, a senior official said.


Rate hikes by Fed work in two ways

If you #39;ve noticed that the price of everything from milk to gasoline to automobiles seems to be going up, you #39;re as observant as Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan.


Santander May Drop Abbey on Competition Inquiry, Telegraph Says

Santander Central Hispano SA, the biggest bank in Spain and Latin America, may drop its 8.2 billion (\$14.9 billion) offer to buy Abbey National Plc if rival bids lead to a long competition


Smart little suckers

A new generation of robotic vacuums is ready to do battle with dirt, dust and dog hair with more cleaning power and cunning than their ancestors could muster.


Relaxed atmosphere lifts Moore, List into final

At the US Amateur, players wear shorts and spectators get to walk right down the fairways. So compared with the US Open, which is run by the same outfit, everything about this championship is decidedly relaxed.


Pakistan cuffs Al-Qaida-linked terrorists

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Military forces arrested at least five al-Qaida-linked terrorists plotting to launch suicide attacks on the US Embassy and Pakistani leaders, the government said yesterday.


Law: No feud with coach

CINCINNATI -- Ty Law responded last night to reports published last week that he and coach Bill Belichick were feuding over a bonus for showing up at training camp in shape.


Cleaning up Washington #39;s  #39;Iraqi problem #39;: invest authority in <b>...</b>

Is there a  quot;Sunni problem quot; in Iraq, as the United States would like us to believe? If there is, it is entirely of Washington #39;s making.


French victim's family come to UK

The family of a French woman murdered in south-west London are travelling to the UK to meet detectives.


Pinsent considers future

British rower Matthew Pinsent is undecided whether to go for a fifth gold medal in Beijing.


Volkswagen #39;s Mexican Workers Accept Pay Increase, Reforma Says

Mexican union workers for Volkswagen AG, Europe #39;s largest carmaker, accepted the company #39;s offer for a 6.1 percent pay increase and will return to work today after going on strike Wednesday, Reforma newspaper said.


Bad news? It #39;s good news for Bush

It is now official: The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. Last week #39;s Congressional Budget Office tax-burden study confirms what the eye can see: John Edwards #39;  quot;two Americas quot; continues to grow.


US men hot-foot it in heats

On target and on fire, the US men #39;s 100-meter sprinters scorched the Olympic Stadium #39;s fast track through two rounds yesterday to advance to today #39;s


Agassi knocked out in surprising semifinal

The top-seeded Agassi was eliminated in the semifinals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on Saturday in Washington by unseeded Gilles Muller.


Spain #39;s win puts Serbia on brink

Spain clinched first place in Group A with a 76-68 victory yesterday in Athens, leaving Serbia-Montenegro in danger of failing to reach the quarterfinals.


Canada losing swagger

In 1904 at the St. Louis Olympic Games, Canada won gold in soccer. In 1936 in Berlin, our nation won silver in basketball. That #39;s it for traditional team sports.


People flee storm-ravaged Philippine towns as rescuers search for <b>...</b>

Panicked residents scrambled to flee three storm-ravaged coastal Philippine towns on Sunday while rescuers made last-ditch attempts to find survivors of the powerful storm that left more than 1,100 dead and missing.


In Mars rock, telltale ripples and mysteries

NEW YORK With one Mars rover climbing into the hills and the other descending deep into a crater, scientists reported the discovery of several mysterious rock structures, along with yet more signs that Mars was once awash in water.


PINSENT WEIGHS UP FUTURE

British rowing hero Matthew Pinsent is in no hurry make a decision over whether he will compete at the next Olympics in Beijing. Pinsent guided Britain to first place in the coxless fours at the Athens games


Some 50 rebels killed in Chechnya: spokesman

Russian troops killed some 50 rebels in a recent operation in Russia #39;s breakaway republic of Chechnya, the Interfax news agency reported Sunday, quoting.


Sporadic Violence in Bangladesh After Rally Attack

DHAKA (Reuters) - Angry mobs ransacked a railway station  and burned train coaches in Bangladesh on Sunday, officials  said, as sporadic violence erupted after grenade attacks on an  opposition party rally killed at least 17 people.


Nesterenko of Belarus wins women #39;s 100m Olympic gold

Belarus #39; Yuliya Nesterenko became the fastest woman in the world, winning the 100m gold medal at the Olympic Games here Saturday evening.


News Briefs

Stewart Cink seized control of the NEC Invitational at Akron, Ohio, with six straight one-putt greens and a chip-in from 50 feet for birdie on the 18th hole Saturday for a 2-under 68, giving him a five-shot lead over a trio of Ryder Cup teammates.


HK wins first Olympic medal since 1997

Table tennis players Li Ching and Ko Lai Chak won here Saturday the first Olympic medal for Chinese Hong Kong since the former British-occupied territory returned to China on July 1, 1997.


Young French woman murdered in London park

LONDON, Aug 21 (AFP) - A young Frenchwoman has been bludgeoned to death with a blunt instrument in a park on the outskirts of London and police do not rule out that she was the victim of an unknown serial killer, they said Saturday.


Three more Malaysians face bird flu checks

Three children of a Malaysian vet have joined her in hospital for checks to see if they have bird flu, state media reported on Sunday.


Israel Bus Blast Said Mechanical Problem (AP)

AP - An Israeli bus exploded in a Jerusalem neighborhood early Sunday, but officials said the blast had been caused by a mechanical problem. There were no injuries.


China's President Hails Deng Xiaoping (AP)

AP - Speaking to hundreds of top leaders and ordinary citizens, China's President Hu Jintao hailed Deng Xiaoping as the architect of China's economic reforms on Sunday, the 100-year anniversary of the late supreme leader's birth.


Rivals: Cisco's tactics unfair (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - Cisco Systems' substantial influence over the  #36;8 million technology plan for San Jose's new City Hall reflects a deliberate strategy by the networking giant: get involved in the planning process early to win more business down the road.


Workplace beware

THE Labor Department #39;s trumpeting of its new regulations governing overtime, which go into effect this week, sounds a little tinny.


Metro briefs

A Bolingbrook firm is recalling 406,000 pounds of frozen beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, officials said. The Quantum Foods beef, including frozen patties and steaks, were produced June 23 and 24 and distributed nationwide.


The world is Borders #39; oyster

Borders Group Inc. made \$120 million in profits in 2003, hauling in most of that money from its 450 Borders superstores in the United States.


Competition Probe Threatens Abbey Deal

The Spanish bank poised to take over Abbey National will walk away if the 8.2 billion deal is stalled by competition concerns, it was reported today.


Greek weightlifter stripped of bronze

Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis on Sunday was stripped of the bronze medal he won last week and banished from the Athens Games for failing an antidoping test.


Baffling day in baffling race

It was another glorious opportunity for the Giants to provide an answer to the burning question of the day, namely,  quot;How the hell are these guys in the wild-card race?


WOMENS POLE VAULT A huge comedown for defending champ Dragila

Athens -- Stacy Dragila, the first great woman pole vaulter and 2000 Olympic champion, will not be defending her gold medal in Athens.


US military launches attack outside Najaf shrine

US troops and warplanes pounded Mehdi Army positions outside the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf early Sunday, US military officials said.


Prime Minister says he #39;s satisfied Guantanamo Bay offers <b>...</b>

Prime Minister John Howard said Sunday he remains satisfied that the US military trial awaiting Australian terror suspect David Hicks at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be consistent with Australian criminal justice.


EA game  #39;Madden #39; tops 1.3 million first week

quot;Madden NFL 2005, quot; the latest version of Electronic Arts #39; pro football video game franchise, sold more than 1.3 million copies in its first week of release, the company said Thursday, citing internal figures.


Germany #39;s Schumann wins pistol gold :

Germany #39;s Ralf Schumann Saturday claimed his third Olympic gold when he won the men #39;s 25 metres rapid pistol event scoring 694.


Critical penalty costs Raiders

quot;There have been a lot of BS calls, just like that one, quot; Scott said, referring to the new interpretation of the 5-yard rule.


World News  gt; US launches fresh offensive against Iraqi rebels:

US aircrafts Sunday pounded positions held by militants loyal to Iraq #39;s radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the besieged sacred city of Najaf, Xinhua reports.


BA staff call off holiday strikes

A planned strike by British Airways staff that threatened to disrupt the travel plans of half a million people was halted yesterday after management and workers reached an agreement.


Taking stock

During the salad days of the Internet frenzy, it was common to hear murmurings like this in Silicon Valley:  quot;That house on the corner was listed for \$1.


Hamid Karzai to arrive Islamabad on Monday

ISLAMABAD : Afghan President Hamid Karzai is arriving in Islamabad on Monday on a two day visit to Pakistan. He will have talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Ch.


Gary airport development vital to entire state

The US government made this clear in recent weeks as the Federal Aviation Administration held meetings to get the big airlines to reduce the number of flights they put through O #39;Hare.


Seiko Epson Develops Micro Flying Robot

Seiko Epson Corp. is developing a flying robot that looks like a miniature helicopter and is about the size of a giant bug. The company hopes it #39;ll prove handy for security, disaster rescue and space exploration.


Phelps watches and wins

Phelps tied the record for most medals by an athlete at a single Olympics, matching the achievement of Soviet gymnast Aleksandr Dityatin in the boycotted 1980 Moscow Games.


Williams happy with silver in 100

Nesterenko, a Belarusian who had never broken 11 seconds before the Olympics but did it in all four rounds here, won gold in 10.93 seconds.


Raiders #39; revamped defense still needs tinkering

An online scouting service recently rated the Dallas Cowboys in a tie with the 49ers as the second least-talented offense in the NFL.


Everton to meet on Monday to discuss new funding

Everton #39;s board of directors will meet on Monday to discuss new investment in the hard-up English Premier League side, the club said on Sunday.


Ten al-Qaeda suspects arrested in Pakistan for planned attacks

Islamabad, Aug 22 (DPA) Pakistan #39;s Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said today that the security agencies have arrested at least ten suspected al-Qaeda operatives who were planning to attack important government and US targets in Islamabad last week.


Greenspan in Focus This Week

LONDON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan  will hog the limelight in financial markets this week as  investors seek clues on how quickly U.S. interest rates will  rise as soaring oil prices start to affect economic activity.


Google Roadshows Left Small Investors Out

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The initial public offering of  Internet search engine Google Inc. GOOG.O was billed as a  bonanza for millions of U.S. investors -- but the little guy,  with check in hand, was left out of the party.


U.S. OKs Status of 10 Guantanamo Prisoners

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - U.S. military review panels have decided not to release 10 Guantanamo Bay detainees, concluding they were properly classified as "enemy combatants," a military official said Saturday...


Oil Falls from Highs After Missing \$50

Oil prices eased from new highs on Friday as dealers pocketed profits from a long record-breaking run after escalating violence in Iraq took US crude close to \$50 a barrel.


Business View: It #39;s looking like Madrid or bust for Abbey No Mates

Are cracks appearing in the Abbey-Santander romance? Certainly, the engaged couple do not seem as close as they were a few days ago.


Judges rule file-sharing software legal

update A federal appeals court has upheld a controversial court decision that said file-sharing software programs such as Grokster or Morpheus are legal.


Maine #39;s new gold standard

Michael Phelps gave Ian Crocker a gift and Crocker made the most of it Saturday. As Phelps watched from the stands, cheering and waving a small American flag, Crocker


Profile: Chen Qi/Ma Lin, China #39;s new  quot;golden pair quot;

This time in Athens, the  quot;golden pair quot; China had prepared for its rivals was Chen Qi and Ma Lin, two Olympic rookies. In the final match played in the Galatsi Olympic Hall in northwest Athens Saturday afternoon


Dhaka Rally Attack Kills 14, Injures Hundreds

A grenade attack at a rally for the Awami Union Party in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka left 14 people dead and more than 300 injured.


As countdown goes on, so does the killing

SO, JUST the nine days to go. Nine days for the Sudanese government to clean up its act, disarm the Janjaweed militia and make Darfur safe for the 1.2 million people driven from their homes by the campaign


Peres demands early Israeli elections

Israel #39;s opposition leader, Shimon Peres, today called for early elections that would effectively rule his party out of joining a coalition to prop up the prime minister, Ariel Sharon.


Competition rules could scupper Abbey deal

The Spanish bank poised to take over Britain #39;s Abbey National will walk away if the 8.2bn (12.1bn) deal is stalled by competition concerns, it was reported today.


US court: Software can #39;t commit piracy

Truly decentralised peer-to-peer (P2P) software can #39;t be held accountable for its misuse, according to a US federal appeals court.


Pinsent victory sparks gold rush

Rower Matthew Pinsent has won a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the coxless four, while Britain picked up further gold medals in the sailing, cycling and three-day eventing.


Cubs face music after suffering heartbreak

Usually after a heartbreaking loss, the losing team #39;s locker room is as quiet as a tomb. Cubs closer LaTroy Hawkins, who allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth and suffered the


US tanks advance toward Najaf shrine: Arabiya TV

US military tanks advanced to a few hundred meters away from Imam Ali shrine for the first time during Najaf crisis, al-Arabiya TV channel reported on Sunday.


Straw to urge Sudan to end Darfur crisis and reach settlement with <b>...</b>

Britain #39;s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw flies to Sudan on Monday to press the government to end the humanitarian crisis engulfing the western region of Darfur.


Washington Post Details Ex-Uri Party Head #39;s Downfall

The resignation of Uri Party chairman Shin Ki-nam after disclosures that his father was a Japanese collaborator is an example showing that the memory of Japanese imperialism is still alive in China and South Korea, the Washington Post reported on Friday.


Greenspan in Focus This Week (Reuters)

Reuters - Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan\will hog the limelight in financial markets this week as\investors seek clues on how quickly U.S. interest rates will\rise as soaring oil prices start to affect economic activity.


Google Roadshows Left Small Investors Out (Reuters)

Reuters - The initial public offering of\Internet search engine Google Inc. (GOOG.O) was billed as a\bonanza for millions of U.S. investors -- but the little guy,\with check in hand, was left out of the party.


Uma Bharti to quit over rioting charges (Reuters)

Reuters - The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh has sought to resign after a court ordered her arrest in connection with a 10-year-old rioting case, the head of her Hindu nationalist party said on Sunday.


Softball: U.S. Thrashes Australia, Japan Wins

ATHENS (Reuters) - The red, white and blue U.S. softball  machine are one win away from their third straight gold medal  after rolling over Australia 5-0 in their semi-final on Sunday.


Palestinian Carries Tune and His People's Dreams

Palestinians are utterly consumed by the fate of the 26-year-old man who will compete in Lebanon in the final of the televised contest to be named the Arab worlds finest singer.


Please hand the opposition the silver bullet ... so it may finally <b>...</b>

University de Los Andes (ULA) lecturer Jutta Schmitt writes: In the wake of the Presidential recall referendum and as soon as the preliminary results had been announced by the National Elections Council (CNE) in the early morning hours of Monday, August 16


Pinsent will retire ... and then return: Redgrave

Matthew Pinsent is to announce his retirement, according to Sir Steven Redgrave, but is likely to follow in his footsteps by changing his mind and returning to the sport.


Duvall rider, teammates awarded bronze medal

ATHENS, Greece -- Duvall #39;s Amy Tryon will return home from the 2004 Olympics with a medal after all. Tryon and the other members of the US equestrian team earned the bronze medal in the team-eventing competition


Mob sets train on fire in Bangladesh

DHAKA: An angry mob set fire to a passenger train in central Bangladesh Sunday, injuring at least 20 people after a grenade attack on an opposition rally that killed 18 people and wounded hundreds, police said.


Munch #39;s  quot;The Scream quot; stolen

Armed robbers have stolen masterpieces by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch from a museum in Oslo and national radio said a version of  quot;The Scream quot; was part of the haul.


22 killed, several injured in Chechen separatist attack in Grozny

MOSCOW: Attacks by Chechen militants in Grozny, left 22 people dead including policemen and injured several others. Several Chechen guerrillas attacked a police station and polling station in the north of


Palestinians Say U.S. Destroys Hope Over Settlements (Reuters)

Reuters - Palestinians accused the\United States on Sunday of destroying the Middle East peace\process after Washington signaled it could accept some growth\of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.


Arsenal gunning to equal unbeaten record and take on Europe (AFP)

AFP - English Premiership champions Arsenal play their first home game of the new season against Middlesbrough hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 42 league games, equalling a 26-year-old record.


Clashes Near Iraq's Najaf Kill 40 People-Govt.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 40 Iraqis were killed on  Saturday in fierce clashes near the southern city of Najaf,  where Shi'ite militias are involved in a standoff with U.S.-led  forces, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.


Iran's Bushehr Atomic Power Plant Faces More Delays

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran on Sunday announced a further  substantial delay in the long overdue project to complete its  first nuclear power plant, part of a program which Washington  says could be used to make atomic arms.


Arsonists Set Fire to Parisian Jewish Soup Kitchen

PARIS (Reuters) - Arsonists set fire to a Jewish soup  kitchen in central Paris early on Sunday morning and daubed  Nazi symbols on the building, police said, in the latest  anti-Semitic act in France.


You Say You Wanna Revolution

Do you hate the government?  Do you want to smash the corporate slave state?  Are you an     anarchist, punk, eco-freak with a bad haircut and attitude?      Is your idea of a fun hobby sitting in your basement practicing your bomb-making skills?      Do you listen to Rage Against the Machine all the time and have     your walls lined with posters of Che     Guevara?  Do you actually want to do something to bring about the Revolution instead of getting stoned and rambling about the     Zapatistas?  Well here's something easy and powerful you can do     to help bring the walls down:    Vote for Bush.


GB boss defends swimmers

Britain's swimming coach Bill Sweetenham defends his team's record in Athens.


A Bridge Suspended in Controversy

In the history of ambitious bridge projects, doubt -- and the controversy that stems from it -- tends to make regular appearances.


British Wiggins wins men #39;s individual pursuit at Athens Olympics

New Olympic record holder British cyclist Bradley Wiggins won the men #39;s individual pursuit at the Athens Olympics with a time of 4:16.


#39;The Scream #39; stolen from museum

Armed men stormed into an art museum Sunday, threatened staff at gunpoint and stole Edvard Munch #39;s famous paintings  quot;The Scream quot; and  quot;Madonna quot; before the eyes of stunned museum-goers.


Palestinians criticize US shift on settlements

Palestinian officials on Sunday accused the United States of harming prospects for Mideast peace after the latest indications that Washington is ready to accept some Israeli expansion of West Bank settlements.


Programs: Turbine Builds the Buzz for 'Middle-Earth Online' (Reuters)

Reuters - The people crammed into a\meeting room at the Providence Convention Center were\contemplating a long visit to an exotic land. They wanted to\know about the shape of the mountains and what the weather\would be like. They asked if the natives would be approachable.


Google Roadshows Left Small Investors Out

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The initial public offering of  Internet search engine Google Inc. was billed as a bonanza for  millions of U.S. investors -- but the little guy, with check in  hand, was left out of the party.


Wiggins Overcomes Mcgee Fear

Bradley Wiggins had dreamed of winning an Olympic gold since he was 12, but the Londoner got the fright of his life when Brad McGee returned to track racing two years ago.


Attack On Israeli Army Backfires

Militants attacking an Israeli armored bulldozer inadvertently killed three other Palestinians Tuesday during an Israeli operation to destroy weapons-smuggling tunnels from Egypt.


Report: Arafat seeking Abbas #39; return to activity

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is interested in returning former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to activity, according to Fatah central committee member Sacher Habash.


Car Bomb in Iraq Kills 2, Wounds 4

Two Iraqis have been killed and at least four others wounded in a car bomb explosion north of the capital, Baghdad. The attack occurred in al-Khalis, a town just north of the volatile city of Baquba.


Tom Plate The Latest China Syndrome

You can bet they have been salivating, waiting patiently for the delicious, divisive moment: for Cultural Revolution Two or Tiananmen Square Two.


U.S. Beats Australia, 5-0

Lisa Fernandez pitches a three-hitter Sunday and as the Americans roll to their eighth shutout in eight days, 5-0 over Australia, putting them into the gold medal game.


Munch's Famous 'Scream,' 'Madonna' Stolen

OSLO, Norway - Armed men stormed into an art museum Sunday, threatened staff at gunpoint and stole Edvard Munch's famous paintings "The Scream" and "Madonna" before the eyes of stunned museum-goers.    The thieves yanked the paintings off the walls of Oslo's Munch museum and loaded them into a waiting car outside, said a witness, French radio producer Francois Castang...


Hamm Goes for More Gold Amid Controversy

ATHENS, Greece - Despite the controversy surrounding his gold medal in the all-around, Paul Hamm has a chance to win two more golds Sunday. The American will compete in the finals of the pommel horse and the floor exercise - the latter against his twin brother, Morgan...


U.S. Wins Rowing Gold

The American men's elite eight crew ends a four-decade drought in rowing gold medals Sunday, pulling out to a big lead and fending off a late charge by the Netherlands.


Word Champion

ATHENS -- With his big, thick right hand, Pete Clentzos slaps his belly. The hand bounces off.


Programs: Turbine Builds the Buzz for 'Middle-Earth Online'

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Reuters) - The people crammed into a  meeting room at the Providence Convention Center were  contemplating a long visit to an exotic land. They wanted to  know about the shape of the mountains and what the weather  would be like. They asked if the natives would be approachable.


It's a Bird, It's a Planet, It's the Space Station

When the space station passes across the Sun or moon, the scene offers an interesting demonstration of how planet hunter's look for new candidates by measuring the periodic dimming of a parent star.


Water on Mars: More Evidences

The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA #39;s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet.


U.S. Softball Team Wins, Closes in on Gold (AP)

AP - One more victory and U.S. softball team will have its goal: a third Olympic gold. Right now, the Americans aren't just a Dream Team  #151; they're more like the Perfect Team. Lisa Fernandez pitched a three-hitter Sunday and Crystl Bustos drove in two runs as the Americans rolled to their eighth shutout in eight days, 5-0 over Australia, putting them into the gold medal game.


Athens Track Set for Sizzling Men's 100 (AP)

AP - The preliminaries in the 100 meters were perhaps just a sample of what's to come Sunday, when a talented group of qualifiers  #151; including Americans Shawn Crawford, Justin Gatlin and defending champion Maurice Greene  #151; will try to turn their competition into the fastest show at the Athens Games.


Airline, pilots trying for deal

US Airways and its pilots #39; union failed to announce a tentative labor agreement on Friday, but both sides said they remained optimistic that a bargain would be struck soon.


Big week ahead for Bay Area in Legislature

In an 11th-hour twist, the Bay Area is at the epicenter of political quakes that jolted lawmakers over the weekend and will rock the Legislature #39;s annual frenzied wrap-up this week.


Tech pros on what Google IPO means for Silicon Valley

The initial public offering of Internet search leader Google riveted the attention of the technology world and served as a reminder that Silicon Valley remains a unique place in the business world.


US men fall again

A stake in the heart of USA mens basketball was delivered Saturday by a player who was inches from doing it four years ago in Sydney, Australia.


Despite the controversy surrounding his gold medal in the all-around, Paul Hamm has a chance to win two more golds Sunday. The American will compete in the finals of the pommel


Victor victorious led from the front

They drank the champagne, bore smiles the width of the Vaal River and took the plaudits of a nation. And they deserved every single moment of the adulation.


Ogunleye traded for Bear receiver

A messy contract holdout and the need for a top-flight wide receiver prompted the Dolphins to agree on a trade Saturday that will send defensive end Adewale Ogunleye to the Chicago Bears for Marty Booker and a 2005 third-round draft pick.


Fightings Continue in Najaf

Militant supporters of radical Iraqi Shi #39;ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr kept their hold on a sacred religious shrine Sunday as fighting flared around the holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad.


Al Qaeda plot to blow up key installations in Pak foiled: Rashid :

With the arrest of six Al Qaeda suspects, law enforcement agencies here claimed to have foiled a plot to blow up key sites, including President #39;s House, military headquarters, the US embassy and parliament, the country #39;s Information Minister Sheikh Rashid


BA plane makes emergency landing in Canada (AFP)

AFP - A London-bound British Airways plane carrying 302 passengers from Phoenix, Arizona was diverted to Montreal for technical reasons, a spokesman for the airline told AFP.


Error Helps Mets Defeat Giants in 12 (AP)

AP - Dustan Mohr allowed two runs to score when he dropped a fly ball in the 12th inning, and the New York Mets overcame a shaky return by Tom Glavine and a team-record six double plays to beat the San Francisco Giants 11-9 Saturday.


Angels Rough Up Loaiza in Win Over Yanks (AP)

AP - Jose Guillen and Jeff DaVanon homer off Esteban Loaiza, who failed to make it out of the fourth inning Saturday, as the Anaheim Angels defeated the New York Yankees 6-1 in a storm-interrupted game.


Wrong target drama costs US shooting gold

China #39;s Jia Zhanbo claimed the gold medal in the men #39;s 50-metre rifle three-position target event at the Athens Olympics, after American Matthew Emmons was ruled to have fired at the wrong target on the verge of victory.


U.S. Tanks Move Toward Najaf Shrine, Clashes Kill 40

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. tanks rumbled to within 800  meters (yards) of a holy shrine in the Iraqi city of Najaf on  Sunday as fierce clashes with Shi'ite rebels in a nearby town  killed at least 40 Iraqis, officials said.


Table tennis: Gold for China

Zhang Yining beats North Korea's Kim Hyang-Mi to win the table tennis women's singles.


Ciena Posts Wider 3Q Loss on Charges

Ciena Corp., a maker of fiber optic products and services, posted a wider third-quarter loss Thursday on restructuring and acquisition charges, and warned that fourth-quarter revenue would be flat with third-quarter results due to  quot;ongoing customer


Rampant England eye top spot after seven wins in a row

Despite having won 10 out of 11 tests so far this year, England are still a long way from being the best team in the world. Arch-rivals Australia hold sway at the


Berlusconi to visit Libya

ITALY #39;S Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said this weekend he would meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Wednesday to discuss clandestine immigration and also reparation claims covering nearly two decades of Italian occupation of Libya.


Koch: I Support Bush, His Stance on Iraq (AP)

AP - Calling himself a "liberal with sanity," former mayor Ed Koch  #151; a lifelong Democrat  #151; said he decided to support President Bush in the 2004 election because of Bush's stance on Iraq.


Shooting: 'Wrong Target' Drama Costs U.S. Gold

ATHENS (Reuters) - American Matthew Emmons fired at the  wrong target on the verge of victory in the Olympics men's  50-meter rife three-position target event to surrender an  almost certain gold medal to China's Jia Zhanbo on Sunday.


Clashes Across Bangladesh After Rally Attack

DHAKA (Reuters) - Clashes between police and opposition  supporters erupted across Bangladesh on Sunday in the aftermath  of grenade attacks on a rally that killed 17.


Iconic Munch Painting Stolen from Museum in Norway

Edvard Munch's paintings "The Scream" and "Madonna" were stolen from an art museum Sunday while armed men threatened the staff at gunpoint.


Athens Track Set for Sizzling Men's 100

ATHENS, Greece - The preliminaries in the 100 meters were perhaps just a sample of what's to come Sunday, when a talented group of qualifiers - including Americans Shawn Crawford, Justin Gatlin and defending champion Maurice Greene - will try to turn their competition into the fastest show at the Athens Games.    Five men broke 10 seconds in qualifying Saturday, led by Crawford's time of 9.89...


U.S. Warplanes Bomb Najaf's Old City

NAJAF, Iraq - U.S. warplanes bombed Najaf's Old City and gunfire rattled on Sunday amid fears a plan to end the standoff with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr could collapse...


Seiko Epson develops tiny flying robot

Seiko Epson is developing a flying robot that looks like a miniature helicopter and is about the size of a giant bug. The company hopes it #39;ll prove handy for security, disaster rescue and space exploration.


US wins silver in 50m rifle; China gets gold

Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - Michael Anti of the United States won the silver on Sunday in the men #39;s 50m rifle 3-position event at the Summer Olympics in Athens.


Pakistan: Al-Qaida Plot Intercepted

Pakistani authorities say they have intercepted a plot by the al-Qaida terror network to kill high profile civil and military officials and attack key sites, including military headquarters and the US embassy in Islamabad.


The aftermath of the Grozny bomb

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to wartorn Chechnya ahead of presidential elections next week. He laid a wreath at the grave of the province #39;s recently assassinated Russian-backed leader.


Amelie killer  #39;may be local #39;

The killer of French woman Amelie Delagrange may be a local man with knowledge of the area, police said today. Detectives are examining the possibility based on the advice of an offender profiler who has been called in on the murder hunt.


NAM boycott stirs sanctions fears in Israel

Measures adopted by the Non-Aligned Movement to boycott Israeli settlers and firms building the West Bank barrier have stirred real worries in the Jewish state of a broader sanctions campaign.


Cheney Is a Quiet Force Behind Bush Presidency (Reuters)

Reuters - Dick Cheney is one of the most\powerful vice presidents in U.S. history, regarded as a driving\force behind the Iraq war and the Bush administration's\industry-friendly energy policy.


Building code back in hot seat

With insurance claim projections from Hurricane Charley climbing above \$11 billion, some in the building industry believe the hurricane standards in the uniform Florida Building Code may


UPDATE 1-Gibernau cruises to victory at Czech GP

Spaniard Sete Gibernau cruised to his third win of the season in the Czech MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off a tough challenge from championship leader Valentino Rossi.


Singapore #39;s new PM delivers national day rally speech

Singapore #39;s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday night delivered his first National Day Rally speech since he was sworn in as the country #39;s third Prime Minister.


Marks and Spencer loses crown as Britain's top clothing retailer (AFP)

AFP - Marks and Spencer has been overtaken as Britain's biggest clothing retailer by supermarket giant Asda, which is owned by the world's largest retail store Wal-Mart, industry figures showed.


Gymnast Khorkina Says 'Judges Robbed Me'

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Svetlana Khorkina, who was  second to American Carly Patterson in the women's all-round  gymnastics competition, has accused the judges of robbing her  of the gold medal and said "everything was decided in advance."


Stocks May Rally if Oil Eases

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors will watch for oil news from  Russia and Iraq this week, but skepticism that crude prices  will stay sky-high is growing and a break in the energy market  would fuel a rally in the U.S. stock market.


COTE D IVOIRE: All sides pledge commitment to peace process again <b>...</b>

ABIDJAN, 7 December (IRIN) - South African President Thabo Mbeki ended his mediation in Cote d #39;Ivoire having wrangled promises from all sides to revive the flagging peace process.


Palestinians Chide U.S. Over Settlements

JERUSALEM - Palestinian leaders on Sunday accused the United States of harming prospects for Mideast peace after the latest indications that Washington is ready to accept some Israeli expansion of West Bank settlements.    The New York Times reported Saturday that the United States will now tacitly support construction in built-up areas of major Jewish settlements, while remaining opposed to housing activity in undeveloped areas...


Greek Weightlifter Stripped of Olympic Medal, Ejected From Athens <b>...</b>

The International Olympic Committee has stripped a Greek weightlifter of his bronze medal and expelled him from the Athens Games for a doping offense.


England humble Windies

ONCE the tailenders of world cricket, England thumped the West Indies by 10 wickets at the Oval to complete a 4-0 whitewash yesterday and are now snapping at Australia #39;s heels for world dominance.


Iraq clashes kill 40, handover talks stall

US tanks rumbled to within 800 metres of a holy shrine in the Iraqi city of Najaf today as fierce clashes with Shiite rebels in a nearby town killed at least 40 Iraqis, officials said.


Train set ablaze as violence spreads in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Aug 22. (PTI, UNI, AP): Angry opposition protestors set fire to a passenger train and clashed with police in southern Bangladesh today amid general strikes in several cities to protest the series of


North Korea Denounces Mass Defection

North Korea has denounced as  quot;wicked terrorists quot; the South Korean officials who orchestrated last month #39;s airlift to Seoul of 468 North Korean defectors.


Judge gives United temporary reprieve

A federal bankruptcy judge has given United Airlines a 30-day  quot;test period quot; to show it can cooperate with its unions on a restructuring plan, rejecting union calls to open the process up to rival proposals immediately because United has not


UPDATE 1-Gibernau storms to pole for Czech GP

Spaniard Sete Gibernau stormed into pole position for Sunday #39;s Czech MotoGP Grand Prix, edging out Brazilian Alex Barros at the end of the rain-affected second qualifying session.


Swiss pair eliminates Holdren, Metzger

Stein Metzger screamed, as if the noise would somehow keep the ball off the sand for an extra split second. He threw his body parallel to the ground, but the ball bounced inches out of his reach, as partner Dax Holdren looked on.


Mob sets fire to train in protest at attack

An angry mob set fire to a passenger train in central Bangladesh yesterday, injuring at least 20 people, in retaliation for a grenade attack on an opposition rally that killed 22 people and wounded hundreds, police said.


BA prepares new sick leave deal

British Airways says it will introduce a company-wide sick leave policy giving managers greater powers to monitor employees #39; absence under a deal hammered out with unions to avert a 24-hour strike.


Asda clothing overtakes M amp;S

Marks  amp; Spencer is no longer the UK #39;s largest clothing retailer after losing its crown to supermarket chain Asda. Industry figures for the 12 weeks to July 25 are understood to show that Asda now has a leading


India News  gt; Trucker #39;s strike enters second day:

The Delhi government Sunday braced to tackle a rise in prices of essential commodities and vegetables as an indefinite nationwide truckers #39; strike entered its second day.


Amazon.com to Acquire Retailer Joyo.com

Internet retail giant Amazon.com Inc. said Thursday that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Joyo.com Ltd., China #39;s largest online retailer of books, music and videos, in a deal worth about \$75 million.


EPA must close loopholes in emissions law

Loopholes in state laws that regulate hazardous emissions pose a serious risk to the health of millions of Americans and need to be revised, according to a report published this week.


Korea #39;s chances for duplicate gold appear slim

The satisfaction of knowing they should have won gymnastics gold might be all the South Koreans get. While the country #39;s Olympic team met with lawyers Sunday to plan its appeal over the medal given to American


Baseball Today

Minnesota at Texas (8:05 pm EDT). Kenny Rogers (15-5) goes for his 16th win as Texas resumes its AL West title chase. * Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek, Red Sox.


Russian President Visits Chechnya

Russian President Vladimir Putrin has made an unannounced trip to Chechnya to honor the memory of the assassinated leader of the restive southern republic, one week before a scheduled vote to replace him.


China executes man who killed his rapists

Beijing - China has executed a university dropout for killing six men - four of whom had raped him, state media reported on Sunday.


Malaysia Teenager in Hospital for Bird Flu Checks

A teenager from the village at the center of a bird flu outbreak has been hospitalized with cold symptoms, Malaysia #39;s health minister said on Friday, as poultry farmers counted their losses.


Iraq Keeps South Oil Pipeline Shut

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Authorities kept a main oil pipeline in  southern Iraq shut on Sunday rather than risk it being  attacked, restricting the country's exports to half normal  levels, a South Oil Official said.


Volleyball: China Clinches Top Spot, U.S. Faces Crunch

ATHENS (Reuters) - China underlined their gold medal  ambitions in Olympic women's volleyball on Sunday, clinching  top spot in Pool B with a straight sets win over Russia.


Schwarzenegger wins car ad case

Arnold Schwarzenegger has settled a dispute with an Ohio car company which used photos of him in an advertising campaign without his permission.


JK gaffe costs Microsoft dear

LONDON: It was a tiny software slip up - just eight pixels symbolising Jammu and Kashmir, which were coloured a different shade of green from the rest of India.


Athens champion album - Aug. 21 (1)

Britain #39;s Yngling crew Shirley Robertson (M), Sarah Webb (R) and Sarah Ayton celebrate at award ceremony after winning the first title at the Athens Olympic Games on August 21, 2004.


New York Mets Team Report - August 22

(Sports Network) - Matt Ginter will get the start for an injured Victor Zambrano this afternoon when the New York Mets conclude their three-game series with the San Francisco Giants at SBC Park.


British Air to monitor sick leave

British Airways PLC said Sunday it would introduce a company-wide sick leave policy giving managers greater powers to monitor employees #39; absence under a deal hammered out with unions to avert a 24-hour strike.


Marks and Spencer loses crown as Britain #39;s top clothing retailer

LONDON : Marks and Spencer has been overtaken as Britain #39;s biggest clothing retailer by supermarket giant Asda, which is owned by the world #39;s largest retail store Wal-Mart, industry figures showed.


Inside the Yukos Endgame

As in so many murder mysteries, the killing of the Russian oil giant Yukos - which began last fall with the arrest of its CEO, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and could climax at any time with the firm #39;s bankruptcy or forced sale of assets -s being committed


Stumbling over SP2

People have Bill Gates all wrong. He doesn #39;t want to rule the world (or at least the computerized portion of it). And although he may secretly hope that all Linux source code spontaneously combusts, that isn #39;t his biggest wish.


AT amp;T will offer VoIP service in Hampton Roads

The firm #39;s new Internet calling plan is cheaper than traditional phone service and has more features. AT amp;T has followed its recent announcement that it #39;s not marketing new residential telephone service by


EA Video Game  #39;Madden #39; Tops 1.3 Million First Week

quot;Madden NFL 2005, quot; the latest version of Electronic Arts Inc. #39;s ERTS.O pro football video game franchise, sold more than 1.3 million copies in its first week of release, the company said on Thursday, citing internal figures.


China college for Internet game industry

A college to provide training for the Internet games industry has been opened in Beijing. Xinhua, China #39;s main government-run news agency, reported Saturday that China #39;s Ministry of Information Technology, the


Youth Movement for the US Begins

The tattoo on Lauryn Williams #39;s right hip is new this year, but it is already dated. It is Mickey Mouse, baton in hand, dashing through the University of Miami logo.


Hewitt to face the unexpected

Lleyton Hewitt has an unexpected rival in the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic after Andre Agassi was beaten in straight sets by unheralded Luxembourg player Gilles Muller on Saturday.


Gymnast Khorkina Says  #39;Judges Robbed Me #39;

Russia #39;s Svetlana Khorkina, who was second to American Carly Patterson in the women #39;s all-round gymnastics competition, has accused the judges of robbing her of the gold


Springboks prove passion is back

SOUTH AFRICA completed their resurrection from international disgrace to rugby power with their most important win since the World Cup final in 1995, which briefly united the Rainbow Nation.


Venezuela plane crash  #39;kills 25 #39;

A Venezuelan air force plane has crashed, killing all 25 passengers and crew, aviation officials say. The aircraft came down in bad weather in a mountainous region in Carabobo state, west of the capital, Caracas, Reuters quoted an official as saying.


Google Roadshows Left Small Investors Out (Reuters)

Reuters - The initial public offering of\Internet search engine Google Inc. was billed as a bonanza for\millions of U.S. investors -- but the little guy, with check in\hand, was left out of the party.


Iraq Keeps South Oil Pipeline Shut (Reuters)

Reuters - Authorities kept a main oil pipeline in\southern Iraq shut on Sunday rather than risk it being\attacked, restricting the country's exports to half normal\levels, a South Oil Official said.