Brazilian Police Raid Kroll, Make Arrests

Police raided the Brazilian offices of international security consultant Kroll Inc., seizing evidence and arresting five employees amid allegations Kroll illegally spied in a probe of a bitter corporate dispute.


Band Aid single poised for No 1

The new Band Aid version of  Do They Know It's Christmas? looks set to go straight to the top of the UK singles chart.


Love must stand trial for assault

Courtney Love must stand trial for assault for assault after a court hears testimony from her alleged victim.


A wake-up call

Dr. David Andorsky, a resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital, woke up from a two-hour nap in the on-call room at 6:30 a.m. last Tuesday. Andorsky had been on duty since 7 a.m. the previous day and still had a few hours to go caring for patients in the intensive care unit.


Marsh Mac's \$845m hole

Talk about a tough sales call. Marsh  amp; McLennan Co.'s top managers, led by new chief executive Michael Cherkasky, took their corporate rehabilitation story to Wall Street yesterday in a conference call with stock analysts. The gist of the plans had been publicly revealed the day before.


Novartis to share diabetes research

Swiss drug giant Novartis SA said yesterday it is spending \$4 million to fund scientists performing diabetes research at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Broad Institute, and will make the findings public for other scientists to use.


Stocks rally, end above 10,000

Stocks rose sharply yesterday, extending their rally for a second session as investors expressed relief over plummeting oil prices following a government report that showed an increase in crude inventories. The Dow Jones industrial average had its second straight triple-digit gain, pushing back above the 10,000 mark.


Hurricanes fail to dampen economy

The US economy continued to grow in the early fall despite being buffeted by rising energy costs and hurricanes, the Federal Reserve said yesterday, providing its last snapshot of business conditions before Election Day.


Oil prices fall nearly 5 to below \$53 a barrel

Oil futures prices sank nearly 5 percent yesterday, dropping below \$53 a barrel, as concerns about tight winter-fuel supplies eased, at least temporarily, and traders turned their attention to rising US inventories of crude.


Delta, pilots union agree to concessions package

Delta Air Lines' pilots union said last night it had reached a tentative pact on concessions that could save the struggling carrier from bankruptcy.


Software firm to expand, add jobs

The MathWorks, a Natick software firm, plans to expand its Route 9 location and add hundreds of jobs in the coming years following a deal with state and local officials granting the company a tax break.


High-tech CEO is bullish on region's economic future

Last month , IntelliCorp, a software company with offices in the United Kingdom and Silicon Valley, celebrated the opening of its new East Coast office in Westborough. The expansion was welcomed by officials in the administration of Governor Romney, who have trumpeted state government's role in attracting high-tech companies. Massachusetts seems like a logical base for IntelliCorp's East Coast operations ...


Voters OK tax break for technology park

Town Meeting on Monday decided that Maynard has more to gain than to lose by granting a tax break for a vacant technology park.


Two tech firms grow by acquisitions

Two local corporations, Zoll Medical Corp. of Chelmsford and Viisage Technology Inc. of Billerica, recently acquired companies in an effort to gain further market share in their respective industries.


Rise in oil stocks drives prices down

Singapore - Crude oil futures slid further on Thursday, as concerns over heating oil supplies ahead of a cold Northern Hemisphere winter eased because of a rise in US crude stocks.


Royal Dutch/Shell merges companies

Royal Dutch/Shell will merge its Dutch and British holding companies, the oil giant said on Thursday, as it seeks to address the failings that led to a shock downgrade in proven oil reserves in January.


Elan Corp. Reports Widening 3Q Loss

Elan Corp. PLC, Ireland #39;s largest pharmaceutical firm, reported widening third-quarter losses Thursday but predicted a return to profit in 2006.


Quarter of Bulgarians Ignorant of Internet-Report (Reuters)

Reuters - Over three quarters of Bulgarians have\never used the Internet, and 23 percent do not know what the\word means, a survey published in daily newspaper Sega said on\Thursday. Citing data from polling agency Alpha Research, Sega\said 77 percent of the EU candidate country's eight million\people had never been on line.


UMC posts 160 surge in earnings

TAIPEI United Microelectronics Corp., the world #39;s second-largest supplier of made-to-order semiconductors, said on Wednesday that its third-quarter profit rose 160 percent from a year earlier.


Kezman nearly blinded by thugs

Chelsea star Mateja Kezman was almost blinded when a coin was thrown at him as another London football match was plunged into violence.


Haywood suspended 3 games

Brendan Haywood of the Wizards was suspended for three games by the league for fighting during a preseason game against the Bulls.


MINNESOTA SPLATS

Each week it #39;s about numbers. Numbers, numbers, numbers. Look at the opponent, analyze the numbers. This week is no different, but perhaps it should be.


Yasser Arafat  #39;very sick #39;

RAMALLAH: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is  quot;very, very sick quot; and the ex-guerrilla who for decades symbolised a struggle for statehood is slipping in and out of consciousness, officials and medics said today.


Report: Iraqs Ramadi province near chaos

NEW YORK - The US military and the interim government of Iraq are rapidly losing control of Ramadi, a provincial capital in Iraq located near sister city Fallujah, the New York Times reported on Thursday.


Russia #39;s Parliament ratifies Kyoto

MOSCOW - Russia #39;s upper house of Parliament on Wednesday ratified the Kyoto Protocol, sending it to President Vladimir Putin for the final stamp of approval.


New Bush administration may tilt in Beijing #39;s favor

US President George W. Bush, if he wins re-election in the Nov. 2 poll, is likely to tilt greatly in favor of Beijing over the issue of Taiwan.


In Slovakia, the Roma stir change

KOSICE, Slovakia -- When Ivan Hriczko strode casually into the Twelve Apostles, a fashionable restaurant in this steel city, diners idled their forks and turned their heads.


With its cellphones, 3d World shrinking

IQUITOS, Peru -- A few miles downriver from this city in the western Amazon jungle, Andres Alvarado hops off a boat and walks up a muddy path to a hollowed-out log resting on a wooden stand. He beats the log with a stick, sending a series of low-pitched tones into the rain forest.


Advice, facts a call away in Vietnam

HANOI -- What's the best way to sue my neighbor? How big is Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum? Is surgery necessary to remove a bunion? Am I pregnant?


EU's Barroso pulls commission

STRASBOURG, France -- The president-elect of the European Commission withdrew his proposed EU executive team yesterday to avoid an unprecedented European Parliament defeat, plunging the 25-nation bloc into political turmoil.


Health of Arafat said to deteriorate

JERUSALEM -- The health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat deteriorated yesterday, and Palestinian doctors were rushed to his Ramallah compound in the West Bank to treat what has so far been diagnosed as a stomach disorder, according to senior Palestinian officials.


On island, scientists unearth modern humans' tiny cousin

Scientists have unearthed a new species of hobbit-sized humans that may have lived as recently as 12,000 years ago, sharing the earth alongside modern-day man.


Japan urges Iraq hostage's release

TOKYO -- Japan scrambled yesterday to win the release of a 24-year-old Japanese man taken hostage by Islamic militants in Iraq, dispatching high-level diplomats to the Middle East and launching an appeal for his freedom on Arabic television.


British troops in Iraq begin redeployment

BAGHDAD -- British troops and armory rolled north from Basra yesterday to take over a deadly area near Baghdad and free up US troops for an expected attack on the rebel-held city of Fallujah.


Gunmen kill Iraqis working for US

Insurgents kill 21 Iraqis, mostly civilians working for the US military, in separate attacks across the country.


YES!!!

ST. LOUIS -- They did it for the old folks in Presque Isle, Maine, and White River Junction, Vt. They did it for the baby boomers in North Conway, N.H., and Groton, Mass. They did it for the kids in Central Falls, R.I., and Putnam, Conn.


ON TOP OF THE WORLD

They did it for the old folks in Presque Isle, Maine, and White River Junction, Vt. They did it for the baby boomers in North Conway, N.H., and Groton, Mass. They did it for the kids in Central Falls, R.I., and Putnam, Conn.


From foremost to footnote

They came into the World Series riding a wave of superlatives -- the best record in baseball during the regular season, anchored by a lineup with three MVP candidates, all capable of turning around a game in a heartbeat, unbeaten at home in the postseason.


Global attraction

All over the world, legions of otherwise productive and healthy people found themselves unable to sleep for almost two weeks. Some have been staying up in loud bars until the wee hours of the morning; parents are waking up children before dawn to engage in strange, nocturnal rituals that involve howling and dancing in the living room. Neighbors ...


Schilling checks in with some heaters

He wasn't  quot;Curt on the car phone quot; yesterday. He was  quot;Curt in the hotel room, quot; taking part in an online chat with the Boston Dirt Dogs and calling WEEI to chat on  quot;The Big Show quot; before last night's Game 4.


Heart of order had no pulse

The Cardinals' trio of MVP candidates -- affectionately called MV3 -- is the heart, if not the soul, of the team's batting order. Officially, first baseman Albert Pujols , third baseman Scott Rolen , and center fielder Jim Edmonds combined to produce 122 home runs and 358 RBIs during the regular season. Unofficially they may go down ...


Big brother was Brett's inspiration

They are young and strong and vibrant, their hair blowing in the wind, their smiles incandescent, their eyes awash with confidence in their own specialness. We call them larger than life. We call them immortal.


The possible dream

Hail the lovable idiots. Bless the baseball gods. Raise a cup to the good souls in Red Sox lore -- from Ted Williams and Joe Cronin to Gary Waslewski and Pumpsie Green -- who chased but never captured the game's greatest prize.


Nixon's gamers end frustration

An uncorked champagne bottle in his right hand, held hip-high as if he were waiting to slip it into a toolbelt, Trot Nixon repeatedly slipped back to his first days in a Red Sox uniform.


For Epstein, actions speak just as loud as words

His torment lasted only 30 years, much less than most Red Sox fans', but unlike most, Theo Epstein actually did something about it.


Now the tears are of joy

In a matter of 11 days, they turned the baseball world upside down. The Boston Red Sox, a franchise that had cornered the market on hardball heartache, that had shed too many tears and endured too many disappointments, vowed this time to alter history.


End of Series will bring a lot of questions

Now what? Was winning the World Series truly the last hurrah for franchise players Pedro Martinez and Jason Varitek and more than a dozen teammates, including Derek Lowe and Orlando Cabrera , who are eligible for free agency?


Again, the winners were happy followers of Damon

It would be the grandest finish to any of the 104 seasons of Boston Red Sox baseball, and Johnny Damon had a most electric way to start it off last night -- a rope into the Cardinals' bullpen on the game's fourth pitch from Jason Marquis.


Time to say thanks for job well done

The manager is an afterthought, buried under the avalanche of publicity generated by his courageous, gimpy pitcher; his charming, devastating designated hitter; his forthright, charismatic, long-haired center fielder. Every day this march to the World Series has produced a new story or a new hero. There's Manny Ramirez, finally hitting a home run. There's Pedro Martinez, spinning ...


Punter Miller a return man this week

For a guy about to play his former team for the first time since being let go during the offseason after eight years of quality service, Josh Miller shows no signs of reticence or resentment.


Rehabbing receivers are catching up

Wide receiver Troy Brown , who injured his right shoulder Oct. 3 against Buffalo, practiced yesterday in a red (no contact) jersey, and is still listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.


Broken thumb sidelines Payton

Results of X-rays on Gary Payton's right hand revealed a non-displaced fracture in the point guard's right thumb. Payton did not play last night against the Pistons and had the top of his thumb bandaged, but the Celtics expect him to play in the season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night at the FleetCenter. It could be his first ...


College football game on TV

VIRGINIA TECH (5-2) vs. GEORGIA TECH (4-2) When and where: Tonight, 7:30, at Atlanta. TV: ESPN. Last meeting: Georgia Tech won, 6-3, in 1990. AP ranking: Virginia Tech is No. 22. At a glance: The Hokies will try to win their fourth straight game and second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference contest when they take on the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech ...


Gold Helmet winners

Anthony Vita, Brown In his first career start, the sophomore quarterback passed for 219 yards and three touchdowns, two in the fourth quarter, in a come-from-behind 21-17 victory over Cornell. Vita completed touchdown passes of 19, 11, and 24 yards.


Smith still feels sting

Boston College junior forward Craig Smith , who slimmed down to a svelte 255 pounds during the offseason, yesterday earned preseason All-Big East first-team honors. Smith, who averaged 16.9 points and 8.3 rebounds last season, said he was driven in part by the nightmarish memory of his subpar performance in Boston College's 57-54 loss to Georgia Tech ...


They've hit a rough patch

Two young talents. Two dreams on hold. Jim Salinetti and Justin Peters were dominant players on the local golf scene not long ago, Massachusetts Golf Association Players of the Year in 1997 (Salinetti), 1998 (Peters), and 1999-2000 (Salinetti). Collegiate standouts at the University of Rhode Island (Salinetti) and the University of Nevada-Reno (Peters), they chose to pursue professional golf, knowing ...


Madison Park snags a deadlock with Jets

The Madison Park boys' soccer team had one goal in mind yesterday: spoiling No. 14 East Boston's perfect record of 14-0. It couldn't hand East Boston a loss, but earned a 2-2 tie.


Boeing earnings jump 78

Strong performances across the Boeing Co. quot;s defense systems businesses including the C-17 and X-45 programs based in Long Beach and future combat systems in Huntington Beach helped boost third


Red Sox Fans Exult at End of World Series 'Curse' (Reuters)

Reuters - Tens of thousands of stunned, giddy Red\Sox fans stumbled through the streets of New England on\Thursday morning to celebrate something many thought\impossible: a World Series victory for baseball's perennial\also-rans that put an end to an 86-year-old curse.


Russia postpones launch of new space booster

MOSCOW - Russias military has postponed the launch of a new-generation space booster rocket scheduled for this week, the defence ministry said on Thursday.


Arsenal Football Club and Manchester United Football Club hold <b>...</b>

The top brass at Arsenal Football Club and Manchester United Football Club have met in the wake of Sundays game at Old Trafford.


Ailing Arafat joins Ramadan prayers

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat joined morning prayers for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan on Thursday despite his poor health, Palestinian officials said.


China Plans Renovation of Forbidden City (AP)

AP - China plans to tear down a museum to restore the original appearance of its imperial palace in a sweeping renovation of the Forbidden City that will last until 2020, officials said on Thursday.


Cyclocross is making inroads

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Roxy Cate has just finished a 45-minute cyclocross race: furiously pedaling through mucky turns and along rain-soaked grassy straightaways, running several times up a nearly vertical hill with her bike slung over her shoulder, and leaping with it over wooden barriers.


Sports Calendar

Newton KID AND TEEN FITNESS. Fitness programs are taught by certified professionals at the West Suburban YMCA and are open to kids ages 7-14. Provides a fun environment for kids to increase their overall fitness and learn the basics of exercise. Classes run Monday and Wednesday. For more information, visit the YMCA website at www.YMCAinNewton.org.


NASCAR driver Spencer is fired

Morgan McClure Motorsports fired NASCAR driver Jimmy Spencer yesterday. Spencer, who finished 29th in Sunday's Subway 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, was arrested and accused of interfering with police officers that night as they attempted to serve a warrant on his son. Police went to Spencer's home in Cornelius, N.C. Sunday night to arrest James Jonathan Spencer Jr. ,18, on ...


Zito taking shot at triple crowning

Trainer Nick Zito has come to Lone Star Park with Birdstone, an outstanding 3-year-old who has a shot in Saturday's \$4 million Breeders' Cup Classic. It is less known that Zito also brought two good 2-year-olds, a colt, Sun King, and a filly, In The Gold, but they are legitimate contenders in the juvenile divisions.


At odds with oddsmaker

Making the morning line is a difficult job, and Lone Star Park oddsmaker Rick Lee did not escape the wrath of trainer D. Wayne Lukas when Lee established the mare Azeri at 15-1 for the Classic during yesterday's post position draw for Saturday's Breeders' Cup. Pleasantly Perfect, the leading candidate to be Horse of the Year, ...


Digital sales honour for OutKast

OutKast become the first act to be awarded a multi-platinum award for paid-for music downloads.


Stox #39; surge fueled by dip in oil prices

by dip in oil prices. BY TOM VAN RIPER. A plunge in oil prices propelled stocks to big gains yesterday, with the Dow closing above 10,000 for the first time in two weeks.


DreamWorks #39; initial offering pulls in 812M

DreamWorks Animation creator of  quot;Shrek quot; and  quot;Shark Tale, quot; raised \$812 million in an initial public offering to fund more moviemaking.


Shell and ICI lead FTSE charge

The FTSE 100 has raced higher, led by ICI after it issued an upbeat outlook and Shell as investors welcome its streamlined structure and robust results.


Nortel: Once More, with Filing

After having promised to file its revisions by the end of October, Nortel Networks Corp. said it would delay its long-awaited restatement for the second time.


AMD Geode Personal Internet Communicator launched

CHIP FIRM AMD said it has introduced its Geode based Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) in a cooperative deal with Indian giant Tata Indicom Broadband.


The Countdown Begins

Wednesday was a big day in the countdown to Super Bowl 2006, as the NFL came to Dearborn Wednesday to unveil the official logo for Detroits big event.


Arafat Prays as Israel Prepares for his Death

Ailing Yasser Arafat performed Muslim prayers before dawn today, but his condition remains serious and a team of doctors flying in from Arab countries will decide whether he needs to be transferred from his compound to a hospital.


Barroso opts for last minute  #39;face saver #39;

An eleventh hour face saving move by the President-Designate of the European Commission Jos Manuel Durao Barroso managed to diffuse an institutional crisis in the European Union yesterday.


French Soldier Threatens to Blow Up Explosives

PARIS (Reuters) - About 400 inhabitants of three villages  in France's eastern region of Marne were evacuated on Sunday  after a soldier threatened to blow up a site storing  explosives.


Car Bomb Hits U.S. Patrol in Iraq; 2 Dead (AP)

AP - A car bomb exploded Thursday in southern Baghdad, killing a U.S. soldier and at least one Iraqi civilian, the U.S. military said.


Report: 'Huge Fortune' Spent on Media Influence (Reuters)

Reuters - Unions and big\communications companies spent more than  #36;1.1 billion in their\efforts to elect lawmakers and influence the government over\the past half-decade, according to a report released Wednesday.


Kurdish Rebels Ambush Turkish Troops, One Dead

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Kurdish guerrillas ambushed  a Turkish military convoy in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday  evening, killing one soldier and injuring another three,  military sources said.


Cursed No More

Hordes of Bostonians, who can no longer be described as "long-suffering," celebrate the first World Series title in 86 years.


Simulating Psychosis II: Virtual Unreality

Psychologists and neuroscientists have spent several decades producing theoretical models of the mental processes and neural networks that might  be involved in the kaleidoscopic state of psychosis. Largely concerned with simulating the nuts-and-bolts of the mind and brain, these  computer models generate results that tend only to be of interest to researchers and their scientific colleagues. More recently, scientists have decided to harness the power of virtual reality, in an attempt to move beyond the confines of theory, to simulate the experience of psychosis itself.


Hosts Germany to kick off 2006 World Cup

Frankfurt - Tournament hosts Germany will kick off the 2006 World Cup finals, Fifa said on Wednesday. Germany will play the opening match on 9 June 2006, in Munich, although Germany coach Jrgen Klinsmann


Al Qaida suspect goes on trial

The Indonesian cleric accused of heading the al Qaida-linked terror group behind the 2002 Bali bombings proclaimed his innocence as he went on trial today, while prosecutors alleged he spurred followers in  quot;the waging of war quot; against America and its allies


13 killed in Siberian mine explosion

At least 13 people were killed and up to 23 injured in an explosion in a Siberian mine. The blast, which was caused by methane, happened as a repair team was fixing a section of the mine near Russia #39;s border with Mongolia.


THE MYTH OF THE  #39;MISSING EXPLOSIVES #39;: A SHAMELESS LIE

SHOULD the United Na tions decide who be comes our president? Sen. John Kerry wouldn #39;t mind. He #39;s shamelessly promoting the lies that the UN #39;s International Atomic Energy Agency is telling about Iraq.


Royal Dutch/Shell Reports Earnings Double

The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Cos. said Thursday third quarter earnings doubled, and it unveiled plans for its two holding companies to merge.


Update 5: Volkswagen, Workers Head Into More Talks

Negotiators from Volkswagen and the IG Metall industrial union headed into a fifth round of wage talks Thursday, with the union threatening to launch a flurry of short warning strikes if it doesn #39;t get the job guarantees and wage increases it #39;s demanding.


Cassini flyby gives little news on Titan

Saturn #39;s mysterious moon Titan remained much of a mystery despite a close reconnaissance by the Cassini spacecraft. Pictures taken through the thick, hazy atmosphere as Cassini


Google vs Yahoo: Battle moves to the mobile

While Google SMS uses text-only messages to deliver its results, Yahoo #39;s new mobile service offers localised search results, maps and website icons that let people point, click and make a call.


That Steve Ballmer Linux memo in full

BELOW surely bellow, Ed. is the full text of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer #39;s letter to his customers - we #39;re one by the way.


Report lauds locals #39; help in disasters

Local communities are often better at dealing with the effects of natural disasters than international aid agencies, a new report says.


AGASSI BACK ON TRACK

Top seed Andre Agassi began the quest for his second title of year with a comfortable victory in the first round of the Stockholm Open.


Germany to play the 2006 WC opener match

Hosts Germany will open the 2006 World Cup in Munich on June 9, it was confirmed on Wednesday following a FIFA meeting in Zurich. German national coach Jurgen Klinsmann initially


Royal Dutch/Shell Unifies

LONDON/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Oil major Royal Dutch/Shell  Group said it was merging its Dutch and British holding  companies as it seeks to address failings that led to a shock  downgrade in proven oil reserves.


Indonesia indicts Ba #39;asyir with Bali, Marriott bombings

Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba #39;asyir Thursday was accused of having incited others to carry out last year #39;s Jakarta Marriott Hotel bombing that killed 12 people.


Turkey is the 113rd in RSFs Freedom List

RSFs third annual worlwide press freedom index says East Asia and Middle East have worst press freedom records EU members among the first 40; Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia lag behind.


Sudanese governor accuses rebels of rape

Khartoum - A top official in Sudan #39;s war-torn Darfur region accused rebels of attacking villages and raping women in what he said was a new violation of a fragile ceasefire, a newspaper reported on Sunday.


Honda profits drop as sales start to sag

However, the decline is not as bad as analysts had expected, and the company raises its profit outlook. By Todd Zaun. TOKYO -- The Honda Motor Co.


Nigerian Protection Force Leaves for Darfur (Reuters)

Reuters - An elite contingent of 50 Nigerian\soldiers left Nigeria on Thursday for Darfur, the first stage\in the deployment of 3,000 extra African Union (AU) troops to\monitor a shaky cease-fire in the western Sudanese region.


U.S. Bombs Suspected Rebel Site in Iraq (AP)

AP - U.S. aircraft bombed a suspected rebel safehouse Thursday in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, killing two people, the U.S. military and witnesses said.


Heat may have killed Briton found dead in Australian outback: police (AFP)

AFP - A British tourist found dead in the Australian outback near its famed Ayers Rock may have died of heat exhaustion and exposure, police said.


Macs under attack ... kind of

PETALING JAYA: Sophos Plc is urging Mac OS X administrators to arm themselves against an  quot;anti-security quot; worm known as  quot;Renepo.


Kaneira strikes twice against Sri Lanka

Karachi - Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria dismissed Sri Lanka #39;s opening batsmen in the first session on Thursday to give Pakistan an early break in the second cricket Test.


Judge adjourns Ba #39;asyir #39;s trial until Nov. 4

: The trial of Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba #39;asyir, the alleged spiritual leader of Southeast Asian terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah, has been adjourned for a week until Nov. 4, the presiding judge Soedarto said on Thursday.


Moving toward peace in the Middle East

With news of politics, war and baseball dominating the headlines, it is easy to overlook events in faraway lands. But people interested in long-term peace in the Middle East should be encouraged by the historic


IRAQ U.S. Air Strike Kills Two in Iraq's Falluja

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. planes bombed the Iraqi city of  Falluja overnight, killing two people, in a new strike on  rebels digging in for an expected U.S.-led offensive.


Nigerian Protection Force Leaves for Darfur

ABUJA (Reuters) - An elite contingent of 50 Nigerian  soldiers left Nigeria on Thursday for Darfur, the first stage  in the deployment of 3,000 extra African Union (AU) troops to  monitor a shaky cease-fire in the western Sudanese region.


Ivorian paper vendors 'attacked'

A Paris-based pressure group condemns the intimidation of newspaper vendors in Ivory Coast.


IRAQ U.S. Air Strike Kills Two in Iraq's Falluja (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. planes bombed the Iraqi city of\Falluja overnight, killing two people, in a new strike on\rebels digging in for an expected U.S.-led offensive.


Xstrata Offers A\$7.4 Billion for WMC to Add Nickel (Update4)

Xstrata Plc, the world #39;s biggest exporter of coal for power plants, offered to buy WMC Resources Ltd. for A\$7.4 billion (\$5.5 billion) in cash to add nickel and copper mines as China #39;s demand for metals grows.


Nortel Networks fait le point sur sa situation

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 27, 2004--Nortel Networks Corporation (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT) et sa principale filiale oprationnelle Nortel Networks Limited (NNL #39;) ont fait le point ce jour  la suite de l #39;mission de directives de communication


Panda playground in Wolong unwired

China #39;s Wolong Nature Reserve is unwired to aid researchers in the study of the endangered giant panda. A broadband and wireless communications network within China #39;s Wolong


FA investigate Stanford Bridge crowd chaos

The Football Association has started an investigation into crowd trouble at Chelsea #39;s League Cup match with West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.


SCOTS IN THE FIRING LINE: PIN-UP AND A AT  #39;EM BOYS

THE brave lads of the Black Watch yesterday began their treacherous journey north through Iraq. Scores of troops left their temporary home in Basra - one of Saddam Hussein #39;s old palaces, now


The Force is strong in Battlefront

Star Wars: Battlefront is an absolute blast and one of the most immediately satisfying game offerings yet from George Lucas' stable.


Mideast lull presents new chance for peace

It has been almost a month since Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat #39;s death and, as many had hoped, there are already some hopeful signs that his passing could lead to renewed peace initiatives between Israel and the Palestinians.


Oil Extends Slide After Crude Build Slump

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil extended its retreat on Thursday,  taking two-day losses to 6 percent after an unexpectedly large  rise in U.S. crude inventories spurred speculative funds to  take profits out of record high prices.


Royal Dutch/Shell Unifies (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil major Royal Dutch/Shell\Group said it was merging its Dutch and British holding\companies as it seeks to address failings that led to a shock\downgrade in proven oil reserves.


Blast at Russian mine kills 13 in industry's latest disaster (AFP)

AFP - A blast at a Siberian mine killed 13 men in the latest disaster to strike Russia's accident-prone industry that has been chronically short of funds following the Soviet collapse.


Eurozone economy awash with liquidity, M3 money supply data show (AFP)

AFP - The eurozone economy is awash with excess liquidity and that could signal inflationary dangers ahead for the 12 countries that share the euro, official data showed.


Mining firm rejects Xstrata bid

WMC, the Australian mining firm, turns down a \$5.5bn bid from Swiss company Xstrata but says it is willing to hold talks on a deal.


Three Foreign Poll Workers Kidnapped in Kabul (Reuters)

Reuters - Three foreign election workers were\kidnapped by armed men in the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday,\government sources and election commission officials said.


NEC posts higher net profit in first half but lowers forecast (AFP)

AFP - Japanese computer giant NEC said its interim net profit rose 62.6 percent to 25.2 billion yen (240 million dollars) but it cut its forecasts, citing slower mobile handset and semiconductor markets.


Australian Govt. in Control of Both Houses (AP)

AP - Final election results Thursday showed John Howard becoming Australia's first prime minister in 24 years to control both houses of parliament, clearing the way for the conservative leader to push through reforms including relaxing media ownership laws.


Three Foreigners Kidnapped in Afghanistan

KABUL (Reuters) - Three foreign election workers were  kidnapped by armed men in the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday,  government officials said.


Pakistan Court Again Delays Pearl Case Hearing

KARACHI (Reuters) - A Pakistani court on Thursday again  adjourned an appeal hearing for four Islamic militants  convicted of the abduction and murder of U.S. reporter Daniel  Pearl because a key defense lawyer failed to show up.


Cycling: Tour de France changes

Changes are likely when the Tour de France route for 2005 is announced on Thursday.


Fewer Pledge to Swap Votes

Thousands plan to take part this year in an online effort that lets backers of third-party candidates in swing states trade votes with people in less critical locations. But overall participation is lower than in 2000. By Joanna Glasner.


Shell to scrap twin board structure

Oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell today said it would to scrap its twin board structure as it battles to restore confidence in the wake of its reserves crisis.


Faster check-clearing benefits all of us

A new law takes effect today that #39;s sure to have a positive impact on the nation #39;s payment system. It #39;s also likely to have an impact on those who pull out a checkbook when it #39;s time to pay the bills.


Boeing net surges 78 to \$456 mil.

Boeing Co. reported a 78-percent surge in third-quarter net income to \$456 million as it benefitted from strength in its defense business, and tax settlements that helped offset drop-offs in commercial airplane and satellite and launch operations.


Volkswagen Reports Seventh Quarterly Profit Decline (Update1)

Volkswagen AG, Europe #39;s largest carmaker, reported a seventh consecutive decline in quarterly profit as domestic demand weakened and sales growth in China slowed, making the full-year profit target harder to reach.


Gold Fields cheers  #39;solid #39; performance

However, the gold miner said earnings were down compared to September last year when a sum of R421 million was posted. - An operating profit of R456 million was achieved despite a lower rand gold price and a small planned reduction in gold produced.


Google Improves Local Search With Map Company Buy

Google announced its purchase yesterday of Keyhole, a mapping company that uses satellite photographs to produce three-dimensional maps, in a move that could bolster Google #39;s local search capabilities.


Apple stock hits four-year high

The action continued in after hours trading, where the company gained another US cent. The company saw stocks climb \$2.33 during the day, a 4.86 per cent increase.


Moon #39;s eclipse like a  #39;rusty ball #39;

Stargazers were able to catch a fleeting glimpse of a total eclipse of the moon in the early hours today. The clouds cleared to allow a rusty ball to be seen, despite bad weather, between 3.23am and 4.44am.


Denver will do the Dew - Action Sports Tour, that is

Denver will host hordes of skaters, motocross riders and bikers next summer as one of five cities presenting the first Dew Action Sports Tour.


Taiwan  #39;Traditionally Benefits #39; With Republicans in White House

Secretary of State Colin Powell #39;s comments this week on Taiwan have upset many on the island, but analysts believe he likely misspoke, and they note


The Economist favours Kerry in US presidential vote (AFP)

AFP - The Economist, the weekly bible of the world's top movers and shakers, said it is throwing its support behind Democratic challenger John Kerry in the upcoming US presidential election.


Coronation Begins for Cambodia's New King (AP)

AP - Cambodia began three days of celebrations Thursday as its new king, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni, prepared to take over the throne from his father, who was adored by his people for more than 60 years.


Arafat in Serious Condition, Foreign Medics Arrive

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Foreign doctors rushed to  Yasser Arafat's side on Thursday to tend to the seriously ill  Palestinian leader, who for decades has symbolized his people's  struggle for statehood.


You Broke It, You Fix It

The new iMac G5 is completely user serviceable. If something goes wrong, Apple ships you the spare parts and you do the work. It's the wave of the future: Soon most PC repairs will be done at home. By Leander Kahney.


Bio Data-Cruncher Hits Jackpot

A Harvard biologist scores on three fronts with a genetic discovery in diabetes, an advance toward curing a rare children's disease and a \$500,000 award for scientific creativity. Fifth in a series profiling the MacArthur Foundation 'genius award' winners. By Kari Lynn Dean.


When Hilary Met Larry

She was the champion of the music industry. He was the voice of the people. It was a death match made in heaven -- but they found common ground. By Hilary Rosen and Lawrence Lessig from Wired magazine.


Titan Surface Still a Mystery

NASA investigators now have the most detailed pictures ever taken of Titan. But the images can't penetrate the mystery that surrounds the Saturnian moon. By Amit Asaravala.


Lexmark Loss Good for Consumers

The printer maker's courtroom setback may mean consumer electronics companies won't try to use the Digital Millennium Copyright Act as an all-purpose competition shield anymore. By Katie Dean.


Internet Users Want a Voice

About a quarter of Americans have rated products, services or people online, according to the latest Pew Internet    #038; American Life Project survey. The results point to the growing significance of online rating systems. By Daniel Terdiman.


Lost Tribe of Little People

On a remote Indonesian island, archeologists were astonished to discover a new, small human species that walked the earth just 18,000 years ago. By Kristen Philipkoski.


Foreigners Blocked From Bush Site

Surfers trying to view President Bush's official campaign website are finding it a tad difficult to get in. No explanation has been given, even though the site works just fine in the United States.


English elm 'brought by Romans'

English elms could be descended from one tree brought here by Romans 2,000 years ago, scientists say.


Astronomers chart asteroid threat

\A team of astronomers steps up a project which one day could preserve the Earth from annihilation.


Abortion row fears over eye cure

The restoration of a blind woman's sight using foetal tissues is likely to spark ethical debate, say scientists.


Shell buoyed by hopes for heftier index weighting

Shares in Royal Dutch/Shell have risen in Amsterdam and London, lifted by speculation that investors will increase their holdings in the stock to reflect its unified structure.


2nd UPDATE: Xstrata Bids A\$7.4B For WMC, Rivals Circle

MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Swiss-based Xstrata Plc (XTA.LN) Thursday put WMC Resources Ltd. (WMR.AU) in play, offering A\$7.4 billion for the Australian miner that represents the start of a long bidding war.


Google buys online map provider

Acquires Keyhole Corp., for an undisclosed amount and cuts the product price by \$40 and further fueling its rivalry with Microsoft and Yahoo.


New German business wave in Asia takes shape

BERLIN - Volkswagen AG #39;s announcement this week that it has forged a new partnership deal with Malaysian carmaker Proton comes as a strong euro and Europe #39;s weak economic performance triggers a fresh wave of German investment in Asia.


Election Workers Kidnapped in Afghanistan (AP)

AP - Three foreign election workers were kidnapped Thursday in the Afghan capital, police and Western officials said.


NY Seen Steady as Oil Prices Slip Further

LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was set for a steady start  on Thursday, bolstered by fresh falls in crude oil prices to  their lowest level in over three weeks to ease investor  concerns about prospects for economic growth and corporate  profits.


Titan close-up only adds to mystery

The first close-up pictures of Titan, one of the most enigmatic bodies in the solar system, parted the veil of its smoggy atmosphere Wednesday but managed to deepen questions about the Saturnian moon #39;s icy surface.


PSP SCE MMO - OMG!

October 27, 2004 - While Sony has not outlined exactly how it plans to use that cool WiFi online functionality of the PSP (currently, games only support local peer-to-peer gameplay), the company is charging ahead into the online space with its games.


Bush can #39;t hide from UK surfers

Surfers that have been unable to visit the official re-election site of President George W Bush all week can access the site through an alternative address.


Microsoft #39;s Ballmer tells customers to stick with Windows

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft #39;s CEO has emailed management and IT professionals in a fierce defence of Windows against Linux and Unix in the Enterprise.


AMD, Tata launch Internet Communicator

AMD launches the \$185 Personal Internet Communicator(PIC) in partnership with Tata Indicom to tap the Indian market. MUMBAI: The Austin, TX-based chip vendor AMD calls it the 50x15 initiative : the move towards


KLINSMANN HAPPY WITH FIFA

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann is  quot;thrilled quot; by the news that his team will kick-off the 2006 World Cup at Munich #39;s new Allianz Arena.


Singh gears up for big finish

Vijay Singh does not recall the PGA Tour being this strong, with a record five rookies winning this year. One of them, Ryan Palmer, held off the No.


Blast at Russian mine kills 13 in industry #39;s latest disaster

MOSCOW : A blast at a Siberian mine killed 13 men in the latest disaster to strike Russia #39;s accident-prone industry that has been chronically short of funds following the Soviet collapse.


China welcomes Russian approval of Kyoto Protocol

China welcomed on Thursday Russia #39;s ratification of the Kyoto climate change protocol and urged countries that have not done so to follow suit.


Powell clarifies no change in US cross-strait policy after <b>...</b>

WASHINGTON : Secretary of State Colin Powell clarified that US policy on China and Taiwan has not changed, in an apparent bid to assuage Taipei #39;s concerns over remarks he made in a visit to Beijing.


People want to see a resolution of the Kashmir issue: Musharraf

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has categorically stated that Pakistan #39;s Kashmir policy has not been changed and whatever options he presents, should be seen as various ways to resolve this outstanding imbroglio.


European Stocks Rise as Oil Slips (Reuters)

Reuters - A sharp fall in oil prices boosted\European stock markets and energy import-dependent Japan's yen\on Thursday, but depressed government bonds as investors\factored in a rosier economic outlook.


Commonwealth chief meets Indian foreign minister (AFP)

AFP - Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon held talks with Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh on the first day of his two-day visit to New Delhi, an Indian official said.


Red Cross slams 'misguided aid'

Wrongheaded relief work may worsen the situation of disaster victims, warns the international Red Cross.


Jones #39; Sydney medals safe

MARION JONES will be able to keep the three gold and two bronze medals she won at the Sydney 2000 Olympics even if it is proved she was taking banned drugs at the time.


Pesky's patience rewarded

Those were tears of joy he didn't even try to hide amid the wild celebration in the Red Sox' locker room last night. Sure, some champagne had been poured on him, but those were Johnny Pesky's emotions on display as he witnessed a scene that he never had a doubt he'd see.


Update 10: Crude Oil Prices Slide Further

Crude oil futures slid Thursday to their lowest levels in more than two weeks as concerns over supplies ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter eased because of a rise in US inventories.


DreamWorks Animation sets IPO at \$28

The generally jovial ogre Shrek might have enchanted moviegoers, but investors are even more interested in shares of the character #39;s creator: DreamWorks Animation (DWA).


German automaker Volkswagen reports drop in net profit (Updated <b>...</b>

Automaker Volkswagen on Thursday reported a 65 percent drop in net profit from the same period a year ago amid fiercely competitive markets and difficult


Telefnica rejects bid for maker of Big Brother

TELEFNICA, the Spanish telecoms group, is understood to have rejected a bid of at least 2 billion (1.4 billion) for its Endemol television production company, which is behind Big Brother.


Payments rule is one small step in automating banks

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - The Check Clearing Act for the 21st Century, or Check 21, goes into effect this Thursday without a visible hitch.


Sony profits down as rivals up

Electronics giant Sony has reported a fall in profits, in contrast to strong gains seen by Matsushita and Canon. Sony, which blamed a fall in sales of televisions and portable audio players, saw half-year


Ballmer launches selective attack on Linux IP protection

Steve Ballmer has attacked Linux vendors for failing to adequately indemnify customers against potential intellectual property legal actions.


SGI and Nasa Claim Supercomputer World Record

Silicon Graphics Inc and Nasa can claim to have created the world #39;s most powerful supercomputer with the installation of the new Linux and Intel Corp Itanium 2-based  #39;Columbia #39; supercomputer.


Boston baying at moon

A cloud of anticipation hung over Beantown last night and it had nothing to do with people waiting for the total eclipse of the moon.


Megson drafts in lawyers to settle contract

Gary Megson is preparing to take legal action against West Bromwich Albion to end his contractual dispute with the club and clear the way for a new job.


Davidoff Swiss Indoors, Basel

British number one Tim Henman felt more energetic as he looked ahead to his second round encounter against South Africa #39;s Wesley Moodie today at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors event in Basel with the match not scheduled to start before 16:00 local time.


A Classic NY battle

At the conclusion of yesterday #39;s post-position draw at Lone Star Park, handicapper Rick Lee announced that the track would entertain a number of head-to-head proposition #39; #39; bets on Saturday #39;s Breeders #39; Cup races.


Russian Coal Mine Explosion Kills 13, Injures 23, Ministry Says

A gas explosion in a central Siberian coal mine killed 13 people and injured 23 others, Russia #39;s Emergency Ministry said. The explosion happened at 5:45 am local time in the Listvyazhna


US Airstrike on Fallujah Kills 2

The US military says warplanes bombed a suspected rebel safehouse in the city of Fallujah Thursday, killing two people. A statement says the target was a  quot;meeting site quot; used by allies of wanted terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.


MARGARET IN NEW TAPE PLEA

KIDNAPPED aid worker Margaret Hassan was shown on videotape last night pleading for Britain to withdraw its troops from Iraq. The tape, broadcast on Arab TV network alJazeera, also showed her demanding the


DaimlerChrysler Posts  #36;1.27B Net Profit (AP)

AP - DaimlerChrysler AG said Thursday it earned euro1.0 billion ( #36;1.27 billion) in the third quarter on good performances from its commercial vehicles division and its U.S. Chrysler arm, rebounding from a large loss a year ago.


FA launches investigation after Stamford Bridge trouble

LONDON, Oct 28 (SW) - The English Football Association has officially confirmed an investigation had been launched following incidents at Stamford Bride last night.


Sri Lanka in trouble against Pakistan in Karachi Test (AFP)

AFP - Pakistan pacers Abdul Razzaq and debutant Riaz Afridi took two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka struggled to 150-6 at tea on the first day of the second and final Test at National Stadium here.


Israeli Troops Kill Palestinian Girl -- Witnesses (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli soldiers shot dead a 10-year-old\Palestinian girl on Thursday as she was walking to school in a\refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, witnesses said.


Shell Scraps Dual Ownership

LONDON/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Oil major Royal Dutch/Shell  Group RD.AS<SHEL.L> plans to move to a unified corporate  structure, ditching a century-old dual-ownership system blamed  for contributing to a reserves overbooking scandal.


Mideast May Again Become Major U.S. Issue (AP)

AP - When President Bush and John Kerry talk about Mideast policy, they say little except to commit themselves to Israel's security. The rivals seem likely to say little more until one of them occupies the White House next year.


MicroStrategy Profit Lights Fire Under Stock

MicroStrategy Inc.'s share price  soared 31 percent yesterday, the day after the McLean software company posted better-than-expected third-quarter earnings.


Former cybersecurity czar: Code-checking tools needed

DECEMBER 02, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - WASHINGTON -- Software vendors need automated tools that look for bugs in their code, but it may be a decade before many of those tools are mature and widely used, said the former director of cybersecurity for the US


Delta pilots agreed on cost saving package

On Wednesday, Delta pilots agreed on cost saving plan of the company as Delta Air Lines is trying to avoid possible filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.


Fed finds economy growing in survey

The US economy grew in September and early October despite being restrained by rising energy costs and increased uncertainty over the presidential campaign, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.


WMC turns down \$5.5bn Xstrata bid

Australian nickel and copper miner WMC Resources has turned down an offer from Swiss-based Xstrata that valued the company at Aust.


Upbeat Boeing lifts profit forecasts

Plane maker Boeing has said its third quarter profits shot up 78 from a year ago to \$456m. The company also gave an upbeat forecast for the rest of 2004 and into 2005.


New U2 iPod Released

Apple and U2 have announced the release of a special U2-branded iPod to coincide with the release of the band #39;s new album  #39;How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb #39;.


Sony PSP: December 12th 2004 \$185

Thats when you can get yours and how much you would pay. That is if you live in Japan. Sony today announced the release date and price for its new portable game system.


An Unearthly Ball of Rust in the Sky

Amateur stargazers who stayed up late into the early hours today were rewarded with fleeting glimpses of a total eclipse of the moon.


OutKast tops first digital-music sales awards

Hip-hip duo OutKast have taken top honours as the recording industry handed out its first awards for music sold through Internet-music services like Apple Computer Inc.


Temps de lecture estim

AMD : ERRATUM - Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited et AMD lance le communicateur Internet personnel. Les services haut dbit de TATA Indicom facilitent l #39;accs bon march  Internet en Inde.


Langer goes after tea

Opener Justin Langer has been dismissed after the tea break but Australia have already built a big lead over India on day three of the third Test in Nagpur.


Magic send Shaq message, 109-103

When the NBA preseason mercifully came to a conclusion Wednesday night for the Orlando Magic, fiery point guard Steve Francis had a pointed message for the rival Miami Heat: The Magic


Federation Council ratifies Kyoto treaty

The Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, has ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was signed by Russia in 1997.


Encouraging news on economy

A Federal Reserve report painted a generally positive picture of an expanding economy Wednesday, while noting that in some regions, including California and neighboring states,  quot;growth had moderated somewhat.


European Stocks Rise as Oil Slips

A sharp fall in oil prices boosted European stock markets and energy import-dependent Japan #39;s yen on Thursday, but depressed government bonds as investors factored in a rosier economic outlook.


Yahoo launches mobile web search

Web portal Yahoo has launched a web search service for mobile phone users in the US, according to a report from Reuters today. Its rival, internet search company Google, had introduced an SMS service to access


OutKast take digi-download crown

OutKast topped the first US digital music awards, presented by the Recording industry Association of America (RIAA). They took a multi-platinum award yesterday in recognition of 400,000 downloads for  #39;Hey Ya!


Japan appeals for hostage #39;s release

Japanese officials tried Thursday to contact the Iraqi militants holding a Japanese hostage, as the 48-hour deadline for his threatened execution approached.


Alleged Terror Leader Goes On Trial In Indonesia

The alleged leader of Southeast Asia #39;s most dangerous Islamic militant group has gone on trial in Indonesia charged with terrorist offenses that carry the death penalty.


UK student fraud hits record level

A record number of university applications have been cancelled because students presented fake qualifications.


Ramirez MVP of Red Sox Team Full of Valuable Players (Reuters)

Reuters - Manny Ramirez completed a perfect day\Wednesday by being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2004\World Series.


Gridlock at ports may dock retailers (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - This could be the year that gridlock steals Christmas.


Red Sox Fans Finally See Team Win Title (AP)

AP - Red Sox fans waited 85 years to celebrate this moment. After so many disappointing Octobers, it was finally Boston's turn to enjoy a World Series victory.


Harmony #39;s hostile takeover bid sparks court challenge in South <b>...</b>

JOHANNESBURG : A battle over a hostile takeover bid to create the world #39;s largest gold mining group has spilled over into court, with Gold Fields Limited (GFI) accusing rival Harmony of being in breach of South African criminal laws.


Linux Cauldron Gets Another Stir

The already-bruising battle for control of the fast-growing Linux market has become even tougher after Dell (DELL:Nasdaq - news - research) announced Wednesday that it will distribute Novell #39;s (NOVL:Nasdaq - news - research) version of the upstart


Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The violent video game  quot;Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas quot; could eclipse Hollywood #39;s most successful films, even as it draws the ire of critics.


Australia Leads by 300 in Test After Dismissing India for 185

Australia reached 87-1 after dismissing India for 185 to lead by 300 runs at tea on day three of the third cricket Test at Nagpur, edging the top-ranked team closer to a first series win in India in 35 years.


Anglo-American hope for Leeds

Leeds United, forced to sell their best players to stay afloat financially in last season #39;s doomed relegation fight, could have new owners in the next 24 hours.


Google Buys Digital Mapping Company

Google Inc. has bought digital map maker Keyhole Corp., extending the search engine leader's bid to fend off rivals with a toolbox that can catalog almost anything in the world.


New Web Domain Names Get Preliminary Nod

Two new Internet domain names - ".post" and ".travel" - could appear online as early as next year as the Internet's key oversight board announced preliminary approval on Wednesday.


Digital Assistants Continue to Lose Ground

Shipments of personal digital assistants declined for the third consecutive quarter as large vendors continued ceding the depressed market to smaller electronics makers, the research firm IDC said Wednesday.


OutKast Tops Digital-Music  Awards

The hip-hip duo took top honors Wednesday as the recording industry handed out its first awards for music sold through Internet-music services like Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.


Crisis in new EU member Latvia after government resigns (AFP)

AFP - Five months after entering the European Union, the small Baltic state of Latvia was plunged into political turmoil as its minority coalition government was forced to resign after parliament rejected the draft 2005 budget.


Raytheon Posts Third-Quarter Net Profit

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Raytheon Co. reported a third-quarter  net profit on Thursday after a loss in the year-ago quarter.


Dow Chemical Third-Quarter Profit Surges

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dow Chemical Co.'s DOW.N  third-quarter profit surged 86 percent on increased plastics  sales, but demand remains vulnerable to soaring energy costs,  the No. 1 U.S. chemicals maker said on Thursday.


Viacom Posts Third-Quarter Net Loss

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Viacom Inc. VIAb.N<VIA.N> on  Thursday posted a third-quarter loss as a result of charges  from discontinued operations and a writedown of its assets, but  revenue rose on advertising sales growth at MTV and Nickelodeon  cable networks and the CBS television network.


ImClone Posts Profit on Erbitux Sales

CHICAGO (Reuters) - ImClone Systems Inc. IMCL.O on  Thursday posted its third successive quarterly profit helped by  strong sales of its new colon cancer drug Erbitux.


Stocks to Watch on October 28

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks to watch on Thursday:  DELTA AIR LINES DAL.N: The air carrier's pilots union said  late Wednesday it reached a tentative agreement with the  airline on cost savings.


Black in windfall compromise deal

Former Hollinger International boss Lord Black reaches a deal with the media group over windfalls from the sale of Telegraph newspapers.


Dow Chemical Third-Quarter Profit Surges (Reuters)

Reuters - Dow Chemical Co.'s \third-quarter profit surged 86 percent on increased plastics\sales, but demand remains vulnerable to soaring energy costs,\the No. 1 U.S. chemicals maker said on Thursday.


JetBlue Profit Down 71 Percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways Corp.\ on Thursday said third-quarter earnings fell 71\percent as it struggled with skyrocketing fuel prices and tough\competition.


JetBlue Profit Down 71 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways Corp.  JBLU.O on Thursday said third-quarter earnings fell 71  percent as it struggled with skyrocketing fuel prices and tough  competition.


Sri Lanka upset over monk search

Sri Lanka complains after monks were made to disrobe during an anthrax scare at the Canadian High Commission.


Armed Group Claims to Have Iraq Explosives (AP)

AP - An armed group claimed in a video Thursday to have obtained a large amount of explosives missing from a munitions depot facility in Iraq and threatened to use them against foreign troops.


Verizon Third-Quarter Profit Flat (AP)

AP - Verizon Communications Inc.'s third-quarter profit held steady at about  #36;1.80 billion as declining revenues from traditional phone services at the nation's biggest telephone company were offset by another blockbuster quarter for Verizon Wireless, which added a record 1.7 million subscribers.


Verizon Posts Flat Third-Quarter Earnings (Reuters)

Reuters - Verizon Communications Inc. ,\the largest U.S. telecommunications company, on Thursday\reported third-quarter earnings virtually unchanged from the\year before as wireless and high-speed Internet sales offset\losses of local phone lines.


Ovitz, Eisner Relationship Spotlighted in Disney Suit

AccountingWEB.com - Oct-28-2004 - A shareholder suit brought about by outrage over the severance package paid to former President Michael Ovitz is unveiling some deep dissention in the House of Mouse, the Wall Street Journal reported.


Big-ticket orders edge up 0.2 as sales of new homes surge

Orders to US factories for big-ticket durable goods edged up in September while sales of new homes raced to the third-highest monthly level on record.


Imclone Posts 3Q Profit on Erbitux Sales

Biopharmaceutical company ImClone Systems Inc. said Thursday that it swung to a profit in the third-quarter from a year-ago loss due to sales of colorectal cancer drug Erbitux.


Update 1: Volkswagen Reports Drop in Net Profit

Automaker Volkswagen on Thursday reported a 65 percent drop in third-quarter net profit from the same period a year ago amid fiercely competitive markets and difficult economic conditions such as a strong euro and high oil prices.


Group backs anti-rollover device

An electronic device that senses when a vehicle is about to tip and automatically corrects steering, acceleration and braking can reduce single-vehicle crashes that include deadly rollovers, a safety group said Thursday.


JC Penney names new chairman, CEO

JC Penney Co. Inc. named Myron Ullman, a former executive at French luxury goods retailer LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton as its next chairman and chief executive Wednesday, reaching


Bush site restricted to foreigners

Web-surfers outside the US have been blocked from visiting the official George W. Bush campaign website. UK-based internet monitoring firm Netcraft first noticed the blockage Monday morning.


Now, Yahoo search on mobile

Yahoo has sprung a surprise in the Internet world with its new offering: Yahoo search engine on mobile. With this mobile users can access yahoo search with their mobile phones.


Stargazers enjoy eclipse

Amateur stargazers who stayed up into the early hours today were rewarded with fleeting glimpses of a total eclipse of the moon. Bad weather had threatened to obscure


AMD Personal Internet Communicator Launched

AMD today unveiled a business strategy with initial participants in India, Mexico and the Caribbean to enable 50 percent of the world #39;s population with Internet connectivity and computing capabilities by 2015 (called 50x15).


ICANN moves closer to approving .post and .travel suffixes

Internet users may soon see two new domain name suffixes in their browser window:  quot;.post quot; to identify the postal community and  quot;.


NTT DoCOMo, IBM and Intel team up to secure mobile devices

NTT DoCoMo, Intel and IBM have published a jointly developed security specification called the Trusted Mobile Platform. It aims to provide an end-to-end security architecture for mobile wireless devices, including


SAP and HP to offer hosted ERP

German software giant SAP is teaming with Hewlett-Packard (HP) to offer midmarket companies in the US a hosted software offering that includes applications, maintenance, services and support for a monthly fee.


MoD to save 600m with EDS #39; admin system

The Ministry of Defence said it will save 600m over 10 years with a joint personnel administration system to serve all UK armed forces to be built by global IT services giant EDS.


Sumitomo files new suit in bid to halt UFJ, Mitsubishi Tokyo merger (AFP)

AFP - Japan's Sumitomo Trust and Banking -- the trust arm of a rival suitor for UFJ Holdings -- filed a new lawsuit as part of its effort to secure a deal which could create the world's largest bank.


Henman proves he #39;s far from deficient in Basel

TIM HENMAN confirmed his well-being despite recently being diagnosed as suffering from magnesium deficiency with a straight-sets win over Antony Dupuis in the first round of the Davidoff Swiss Masters.


Pak #39;s second string seamers restrict Sri Lanka

: Rookie bowler Riaz Afridi, grabbed two wickets as Pakistan made Sri Lanka struggle for runs on the first day of the second cricket Test today.


Arafat Seriously Ill but in Stable Condition

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was said to be seriously ill but in stable condition Thursday as a team of international doctors prepared


Sharon wins Gaza test

JERUSALEMWith his political life in the balance, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon took the first tentative steps on the path to peace last night, winning parliamentary consent for a plan to uproot Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip and parts of


Iran stays firm on nuclear curbs

Top Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian has ruled out a long-term suspension of uranium enrichment. Mr Mousavian told the BBC it was completely illogical for the international


UK troops on way to Baghdad: Japan rejects militants #39; threat

BASRA, Oct 27: Hundreds of British soldiers left southern Iraq on a risky mission closer to Baghdad on Wednesday to free up US forces for a possible assault on Fallujah , as Tokyo stood firm after militants threatened to behead a Japanese hostage.


Viewpoint:  #39;Margaret Hassan must be released #39;

Kirsten Zaat, a long-time humanitarian aid worker, makes a personal plea for the release of kidnapped colleague Margaret Hassan. When I began my career, Margaret Hassan had already been living in Baghdad for 15 years.


(196) 28-October-2004 - President challenges bishops on morality <b>...</b>

President Olusegun Obasajo of Nigeria has challenged Anglican bishops meeting in Nigeria to provide courageous and godly leadership in matters of faith and moral conduct.


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Has Loss

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia  Inc.MSO.N reported a much wider quarterly loss on Thursday as  its founder's criminal conviction on charges of lying to  investigators continued to weigh on the business.


Aetna Earnings Rise as Membership Rises

CHICAGO  (Reuters) - Health insurer Aetna Inc. AET.N on  Thursday posted a sharp rise in third-quarter profit as it  boosted membership and benefited from a big tax refund from  discontinued operations.


PayPal Makes Amends for Recent Outage

Online payment service PayPal said it will essentially waive transaction fees for some customers on Thursday to make amends for the inconvenience caused by about five days of intermittent service outages earlier this month.


Europe likely to opt for biometric passports

If current plans succeed, travelers' facial and fingerprint data will be stored on embedded chips.


ImClone Posts Profit on Erbitux Sales

ImClone Systems Inc. (IMCL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday posted its third successive quarterly profit helped by strong sales of its new colon cancer drug Erbitux.


Astonomers finger culprit in 1572 supernova

An international team of astronomers has identified the surviving companion star to the 1572 supernova explosion witnessed by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe.


DaimlerChrysler Operating Profit Rises

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler's DCXGn.DE  third-quarter operating profit rose 7 percent, just below  analyst expectations, as gains at U.S. arm Chrysler helped  offset weaker earnings at premium carmaker Mercedes.


Fort Lauderdale boat show provides a boost to hotels

For South Florida hotels, October #39;s end brings more than a change in the weather. It also ushers in the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, an annual highlight for many hospitality firms.


Smaller, more powerful PC fuel cell is on the way

A new fuel cell for notebook PCs, more compact and powerful than competing technologies, could be on the market in early 2006 at a price of around \$90, its Japanese inventors said Tuesday.


DaimlerChrysler Operating Profit Rises (Reuters)

Reuters - DaimlerChrysler's (DCXGn.DE)\third-quarter operating profit rose 7 percent, just below\analyst expectations, as gains at U.S. arm Chrysler helped\offset weaker earnings at premium carmaker Mercedes.


Bush Web Site Bars Overseas Visitors (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The Bush-Cheney reelection campaign has barred people outside the United States from viewing its Web site following an electronic attack that took down the campaign's Internet address for six hours last week, according\\to computer security experts.


Africa Power Firms Join to Light Up Dark Continent (Reuters)

Reuters - The latest scheme to spread\electric light in Africa may sound familiar, but this time\African leaders say they have the will, and financial backing,\to succeed.


Dow Chemical Third-Quarter Profit Surges

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dow Chemical Co.'s DOW.N  third-quarter profit surged 86 percent on increased plastics  sales, but demand remains vulnerable to soaring energy costs,  the No. 1 U.S. chemicals maker said Thursday.


JetBlue Profit Tumbles, Misses Estimates

NEW YORK (Reuters) - JetBlue Airways Corp. JBLU.O on  Thursday said third-quarter earnings fell 71 percent, missing  analysts' lowered estimates, as it struggled with skyrocketing  fuel prices, storm disruptions and competition.


Exxon Profit Soars on Record Oil Prices

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM.N, the world's  largest publicly traded oil company, on Thursday reported a 56  percent rise in quarterly profit, driven by soaring oil and gas  prices in the quarter.


ICANN moves closer to approving .post, .travel domains

Internet users may soon see two new domain name suffixes in their browser window: ".post" to identify the postal community and ".travel" for travel industry associations and organizations.


Taking in AT amp;T, Cingular is largest wireless provider

Cingular Wireless #39;s dream of becoming the nation #39;s largest mobile phone provider came true yesterday, with final regulatory approval of its \$41 billion purchase of AT amp;T Wireless Services.


Verizon Third-Quarter Profit Flat

Verizon Communications Inc. #39;s third-quarter profit held steady at about \$1.80 billion as declining revenues from traditional phone services at the nation #39;s biggest telephone company were offset by another blockbuster quarter for Verizon Wireless, which


Update 1: Sony Profits Surge for Quarter

Sony Corp., the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant. said Thursday that its profit jumped 61.6 percent in the latest quarter on improved profitability in its mobile phone joint venture and gains in its movie business, led by  quot;Spider-Man 2. quot;.


New Law Could Sink Check Writers

ATLANTA -- New federal laws take effect Thursday that could dramatically shorten the time it takes for a check to clear the bank because the information will now be transmitted electronically.


Neptune Orient Lines Profit Up 13 Percent

Neptune Orient Lines Ltd., the world #39;s seventh biggest container shipping company, on Thursday reported a 13 percent rise in third quarter net profit from a year earlier due to growing shipping volume and higher freight rates.


Algeria's Most-Wanted Militant Taken Into Custody (Reuters)

Reuters - One of North Africa's most wanted\Islamic militant leaders, accused in the kidnapping of 32\European tourists last year, has been taken into custody in\Algeria, authorities said on Thursday.


Classes turn lunar eclipse into a lesson

Huddled around telescopes and bundled up in sweatshirts and stocking caps, Salinas High School students moon-gazed Wednesday night.


SAP, HP Offer Hosted ERP for Midsize Companies

SAP America Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. are collaborating on a hosted enterprise resource planning software service for midsize companies in specific vertical markets.


Red Sox win World Series with 3-0 win Weds. to sweep St. Louis

(St. Louis-AP) Oct. 27, 2004 - Curse? What curse? The Boston Red Sox have lifted the Curse of the Bambino by completing a four-game sweep in the World Series, beating the St.


Magic Defeat Heat In Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Steve Francis poured in a team-high 22 points and rookie Dwight Howard added 14 with 13 rebounds as the Orlando Magic downed the Miami Heat, 109-103, in preseason action at TD Waterhouse Centre.


US Air Strikes Hit Al-Fallujah

28 October 2004 -- US warplanes today destroyed a house in Al-Fallujah suspected of being used by the guerrilla group of Al-Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.


DaimlerChrysler Posts \$1.18B Quarterly Profit

Automaking giant DaimlerChrysler AG said Thursday it earned 951 million euros (\$1.18 billion) in the third quarter on good performances from its financial services division and its U.S. Chrysler arm, rebounding from a 1.7 billion euro loss a year ago when it had a large one-time write-off.


Experts warn of Internet flu vaccine scam

Although the United States is experiencing a shortage of flu vaccines this fall, don't be so eager for one that you're duped into purchasing it online.


Sony net profit more than doubles; Spider-Man 2 a boost (AFP)

AFP - Global consumer electronics giant Sony said its interim net profit more than doubled to 76.5 billion yen (720 million dollars), thanks in part to its popular movie Spider-Man 2.


IRAQ Kidnappers Tighten Screw on U.S. Allies in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Militants piled more pressure on the  United States' military allies in Iraq on Thursday, seizing a  Polish woman and holding a Japanese man under death threat.


Nigerian Protection Force En Route to Darfur

ABUJA (Reuters) - An elite contingent of 50 Nigerian  soldiers flew to Darfur on Thursday aboard a U.S. military  plane, the first of 3,000 extra African Union troops deployed  to monitor a shaky cease-fire in Sudan's vast western region.


Algeria's Most-Wanted Militant Taken Into Custody

ALGIERS (Reuters) - One of North Africa's most wanted  Islamic militant leaders, accused in the kidnapping of 32  European tourists last year, has been taken into custody in  Algeria, authorities said on Thursday.


Moving Ideas Off Campus

The transfer of technological innovations from the campus to the capitalist marketplace has been a financial windfall for many schools.


Verizon 3Q Profit Flat

Verizon Communications Inc.'s third-quarter profit held steady at about \$1.80 billion as declining revenues from traditional phone services at the nation's biggest telephone company were offset by another blockbuster quarter for Verizon Wireless, which added a record 1.7 million subscribers.


Shell Fuels Gains in European Shares (Reuters)

Reuters - European shares posted their best levels\in nearly two weeks, led by pleasing restructuring and earnings\news from oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell, but sharp losses among\basic producers capped market gains.


When two become one

Rivalry between the Dutch and British has a long history. Between 1652 and 1672, three wars broke out between two seafaring nations separated by trading interests as well as a few miles of North Sea.


Whitbread unveils sell-offs and savings

Pubs and hotels group Whitbread today unveiled an 800 million asset disposal programme and plans to quit its London head office.


Update 4: DaimlerChrysler Posts \$1.27B Net Profit

Automaking giant DaimlerChrysler AG said Thursday it earned 951 million euros (\$1.18 billion) in the third quarter on good performances from its financial services division and its US Chrysler arm, rebounding from a 1.7 billion euro loss a year ago when


Marvel 3Q Profit Falls but Sales Surge

Toy company Marvel Enterprises Inc. on Thursday blamed a sharp drop in third-quarter profit on a tax swing in the period, but the company still beat Wall Street expectations as sales and license fees soared from sales of Spider-Man merchandise.


China raises lending rate for first time in nearly a decade

BEIJING : China has decided to raise its benchmark one-year lending rate to 5.58 percent from 5.31 percent with effect Friday, the first such move in nearly a decade, the central bank said on its website.


Licensing Plan Makes Microsoft a Utility Player

Opinion: A decision to continue charging for server software based on CPUs and not cores will make Microsoft server software a much more attractive alternative to utility computing providers.


KHAN-AGE

England #39;s Simon Khan, runner-up to Sergio Garcia in Majorca two weeks ago, made a horror start to his first Volvo Masters at Valderrama today.


Barroso sees clutch of changes

Jos Manuel Duro Barroso, the incoming president of the European Commission, is expecting to have to make a clutch of changes to the line-up of his executive if he is to get it past a rebellious European Parliament.


Japan Seeks Iraq Hostage Release as Deadline Nears

Japan sought international help on Thursday for a Japanese man held hostage in Iraq, with less than 24 hours to go for a deadline set by his captors to behead him unless Tokyo withdraws its troops.


The Gaza gamble

MONTHS of terrorist bombings and Israeli army attacks aren #39;t the usual buildup for a major peace initiative. But the Israeli parliament #39;s vote to withdraw from the heavily Palestinian Gaza Strip is a huge breakthrough.


Russian Coal Mine Blast Kills 13, Rescue Efforts Over

Rescue efforts at a Siberian mine after an explosion Thursday morning are over, and the bodies of all the 13 dead have been recovered.


A Blog as Big as Texas

The  quot;Missing Iraq Explosives quot; pseudo-scandal appears to be falling apart by the hour. Most recent developments are as follows: Russian special forces troops moved many of Saddam Hussein #39;s weapons and related


China welcomes Russia #39;s ratification of Kyoto Protocol

China says it welcomes Russia #39;s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol that aims to stem global warming by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.


Resolving Kashmir with a Musharraf model

The studied casualness with which Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf presented his big idea on Kashmir this week has not been able to hide its innovative and indeed revolutionary


Tour De France Unveils Route for 2005 (AP)

AP - The 2005 Tour de France may give other riders a chance to test Lance Armstrong. The mountaintop finishes are less intense and the time trials shorter, possibly cutting into the strength of the six-time winner. Organizers on Thursday unveiled the 2005 Tour route, which runs from July 2-24, passes through Germany and features 21 stages over 2,222 miles.


Verizon Wireless Plows Ahead

Verizon (VZ:NYSE - news - research) Thursday posted a solid quarter as its wireless operation continues to pick up steam. For its third quarter ended Sept.


DaimlerChrysler Operating Profit Rises

DaimlerChrysler #39;s (DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) third-quarter operating profit rose 7 percent, just below analyst expectations, as


Glaxo Sees Dip in Third-Quarter Profits

British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline PLC reported a 9 percent drop in third-quarter earnings Thursday, citing stiff competition from generic drug makers.


Coca-Cola Enterprises 3Q Falls

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., the world #39;s largest bottler of Coke products, on Thursday said profits fell in the third quarter as the company wrestled with a soft retail environment and a decline in soft drink consumption.


Sony, Matsushita post Q2 gains

Sony cuts full-year forecast by 3, Matsushita warns on effects of high oil prices and competition. TOKYO (Reuters) - Sony Corp. Thursday reported a quarterly profit gain thanks to the  quot;Spider-Man 2 quot; hit movie


China Hikes Rates to Cool the Economy (Reuters)

Reuters - China's central bank on Thursday raised\interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade in its\boldest move yet to guide its heated economy to a path of\slower growth.


Titan #39;s Big Surprise

The Cassini flyby of Titan sent back the most detailed surface images, but the 1000 kilometer cloud formation near the south pole has scientists stumped.


Apple boasts 70 of the music market, analyst asks: can it keep it <b>...</b>

The expansion of the iTunes Music Store to nine more countries in Europe means that Apple now reaches almost 70 per cent of the global music market, according to Apple VP Eddy Cue, but Apple


Keyhole bought by Google for 3D mapping

Moving ever closer to its dream of being able to catalogue almost everything in the world, Google Inc. has just bought digital map-maker, Keyhole Corp.


Microsoft #39;s Ballmer questions open source

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has again argued the case that open source is not necessarily cheaper, nor more secure than its proprietary counterpart.


Lunar Eclipse won #39;t happen again for four years

If you didn #39;t get a chance to see it Wednesday night, you #39;ll have to wait another four years. People all over world had a chance to see a lunar eclipse Wednesday night.


Garcia full of confidence

All 12 members of Europe #39;s victorious Ryder Cup team were due to be in action at the Volvo Masters which started in Valderrama, Spain, today.


Faure:  #39;Jacques was a mistake #39;

Determined to finish second in the 2004 Constructors #39; Championship, the French team replaced Jarno Trulli with Villeneuve prior to the Chinese GP.


Mainers celebrate Red Sox victory

Like others through New England, Boston Red Sox fans in Maine erupted in celebration following their team #39;s first World Series championship in 86 years.


Loss of teams, but not power

Jay Wright has heard this before. The Villanova coach is in his third season at the Wildcats #39; helm, and this is the third time he #39;s heard that the Big East is in decline.


Tour De France  #39;05 Should Suit Armstrong #39;s Rivals

With his record six victories, Lance Armstrong has proved he can win the Tour de France over any course. Thursday organizers unveiled a 2005 route that suits his rivals rather than the American.


Fla. County to Replace Absentee Ballots (AP)

AP - With voters jamming phone lines saying they haven't received absentee ballots in the mail, elections officials planned to mail out thousands of replacement ballots.


Royal Dutch/Shell to Unify

The new group, to be called Royal Dutch Shell, will be headquartered in the Netherlands with a single board, chairman and chief executive.


ADV: Free Anti-Virus Scan

If your computer is slowing down or crashing, you may have a virus. Scan now to find out!  Detects viruses, spyware and worms. Includes free spam and popup blockers.


China raises rates to cool growth

China increases its interest rates for the first time since 1995, a move widely seen as a further attempt to prevent its economy from over-heating.


Loews Posts Profit vs Year-Earlier Loss (Reuters)

Reuters - Loews Corp. , the conglomerate\controlled by the Tisch family, on Thursday posted a\third-quarter profit compared with a year-earlier loss, when\its CNA Financial affiliate increased its reserves for\asbestos, lawsuits and other matters.


Irish Priest Who Disrupted Games Acquitted of Abuse

LONDON (Reuters) - A former Irish priest who disrupted the  Athens Olympics and the British Grand Prix was acquitted  Thursday of indecency with a seven-year-old girl.


S Africans 'armed to the hilt'

South African civilians own more guns than the police and military combined, a study finds.


Algeria 'terror leader' arrested

Algeria takes custody of one of its most wanted terror suspects, handed over by Libya, the government says.


Aid rushed to storm victims

Food and supplies arrive in the Philippines, hit hard by back-to-back storms. More than 600 are dead, and nearly 400 are missing. BY OLIVER TEVES.


Blogs Are Great for Search Engine Ranking\\Blogs have had a profound effect on communications and marketing since their development and early adoption but are still a mystery to many. According to Google Definitions (enter: define:Blog into Google search window), Blogs can be several things to different people but the simplest ...


Shell to become one company, scrap dual boards

LONDON : Royal Dutch/Shell announced radical plans to merge its separate holding companies in an overhaul of its corporate governance structures after a review triggered by its oil reserves scandal.


Tribune Profit Stumbles on Scandal Costs

Tribune Co. (TRB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said quarterly profit slumped 32 percent, hurt by costs to reimburse advertisers after a circulation scandal


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Has Loss

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.(MSO) reported a much wider quarterly loss on Thursday as its founder #39;s criminal conviction on charges of lying to investigators continued to weigh on the business.


Viacom Posts a Loss on Charges

Viacom Inc. (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (VIA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday posted a quarterly loss on charges related to the spinoff of video rental chain Blockbuster


Check 21 will sink the float on checking accounts

A new law that takes effect today will shorten the time a check takes to clear -- and muddy the finances of check writers who rely on the  quot;float.


Fiat third-quarter net loss rises, operating loss is slashed

MILAN : Troubled Italian automaker Fiat Auto reported an 11 percent increase in third quarter sales to 4.5 billion euros (5.7 billion dollars) compared with the same period last year and cut its operating loss 18 percent to 270 million euros.


CEE profits fall 20

Coca-Cola Enterprises said its profits fell more than 20 percent in the third quarter, thanks in part to soft retail sales in North America.


China Hikes Interest Rates

China on Thursday announced it would hike interest rates for most deposits and loans by 0.27 percentage points, the first rise in nine years.


Mobile Phone Gaming to Top  #36;1 Billion in '04 (Reuters)

Reuters - Video game and mobile phone companies\are set to make money this year as customers use phones to zap\space invaders or sink game-winning golf putts, pushing the\mobile gaming market over  #36;1 billion, a study said.


Group Claims to Kill Kidnapped Iraq Troops (AP)

AP - An Iraqi extremist group said on its Web site Thursday that it had killed 11 Iraqi troops taken hostage south of Baghdad and posted video of the bound men being shot or beheaded.


Google Acquires Satellite Map Company

In a deal that could give a boost to local search marketing, search engine giant Google said yesterday it acquired Keyhole Corp., which sells online satellite maps.


Photographs of the  #39;World Series #39; Eclipse

Earth cast an eerie shadow on the Moon Wednesday during a total lunar eclipse that delighted skywatchers on several continents. It was the first total lunar eclipse ever to coincide with a World Series game.


Samsung claims DRAM design-win in AMD low-cost  #39;PIC #39;

SAN JOSE, Calif. - South Korean DRAM maker Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., said Thursday (Oct. 28) that it  quot;played an integral role in the development and manufacturing quot; of the Personal Internet Communicator (PIC), announced by Advanced Micro Devices Inc.


BYTE OF THE APPLE

Every time I write a column about Apple, I get e-mail from people telling me they don #39;t have antivirus software and don #39;t run a firewall because Macs are inherently safer than PCs.


Cole fires Chelsea victory

It is a pity that violence during and after Chelsea #39;s 1-0 Carling Cup third-round victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge overshadowed yet another out-standing performance from Joe Cole.


Double the delight for Fleming

CHITTAGONG: A double century from Stephen Fleming placed New Zealand in a prime position heading into the third day of the second cricket test against Bangladesh tonight.


Aussies pile on the runs in Nagpur

Led by Simon Katich, Aussies piled on the runs against a hapless Indian bowling attack taking a firm step to conquer the Final Frontier on the third day of the third Test at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur on October 28.


PIZZA IN OUR TIME

ARSENAL AND Manchester United held boardroom  quot;peace talks quot; last night in a bid to calm the war between the two Premiership giants.


Sauber has no regrets signing Villeneuve

Peter Sauber says he has no regrets signing former world champion Jacques Villeneuve for next season. The Canadian was asked to fill in for Jarno Trulli in the final three races of the season by Renault, who


Lecce sparkle thanks to teenager Bojinov

Teenage striker Valeri Bojinov reaffirmed his growing reputation on Wednesday with two goals as Lecce snatched a 2-2 draw with Inter Milan.


For openers, Curry, Davis will be on bench

The NBA mandate to crack down on malicious attempts to injure didn #39;t last until even the start of the regular season. At least that was one conclusion that could be drawn from the punishments


Intelligence reform stalls in US Congress (AFP)

AFP - Legislation to reform the US intelligence system after the September 11 attacks and failures in Iraq has fallen victim to partisan wrangling, endangering lawmakers' goal of sending a bill to the White House before the November 2 election.


US soldier and at least three Iraqis killed in clashes, blasts

RAMADI, Iraq - At least two Iraqis were killed and eight people wounded, including three US marines, in clashes Thursday between rebels and US troops in the restive Iraqi city of Ramadi, hospital and military sources said.


Girl trapped 5 days after quake

TOKYO, Japan -- Rescuers are trying to free a young girl trapped in a van beneath a landslide following Japan #39;s deadliest earthquake in a decade.


Iraq ; Russia smuggled Saddam #39;s weapons: Report

The Russian involvement in helping disperse Saddams weapons, including some 380 tons of RDX and HMX is still being investigated, Shaw said.


Russia ratifies Kyoto protocol.

MOSCOW, October 27 (Itar-Tass) - The Federation Council, or Russian parliaments upper house, ratified on Wednesday the Kyoto protocol to the UN frame convention on change of climate.


Mobile Phone Gaming to Top \$1 Billion in '04

LONDON (Reuters) - Video game and mobile phone companies  are set to make money this year as customers use phones to zap  space invaders or sink game-winning golf putts, pushing the  mobile gaming market over \$1 billion, a study said.


AMD Rolls Out Low-Cost Net Access Device in India

BOMBAY (Reuters) - U.S. chip maker Advanced Micro Devices  AMD.N has unveiled a low-cost Internet access device that  could cost just a few hundred dollars, aimed at first-time  technology users in the developing world.


Jobless Claims Up More Than Expected

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new  claims for unemployment benefits rose 20,000 last week, the  government said on Thursday in a report that continued to be  somewhat inflated by hurricane-related claims.


China's Central Bank Hikes Interest Rate

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's central bank on Thursday raised  interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade in its  boldest move yet to guide its heated economy to a path of  slower growth.


Oil Extends Its Retreat from Record Highs

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil extended its retreat from record  highs on Thursday, taking two-day losses to 6 percent after an  unexpectedly large rise in U.S. crude inventories spurred  speculative funds to take profits.


Viacom Posts a Loss on Charges

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Viacom Inc. VIAb.N<VIA.N> on  Thursday posted a quarterly loss on charges related to the  spinoff of video rental chain Blockbuster Inc.BBI.N, but  cable network advertising sales and profits rose strongly.


Shell stuns City with revamp

ANGLO-DUTCH giant Shell stunned the City today by unveiling plans to scrap its century old corporate structure and create  #39;one company, one board and one chief executive.


Update 1: Viacom Posts Loss on Blockbuster Charge

Viacom Inc., the media conglomerate that owns CBS and MTV, posted a third-quarter loss of \$487.6 million Thursday as its earnings were hit by a \$1.


New Check Regulations Go Into Effect Today

Some consumer advocates are worried new check regulations that go into effect today will catch consumers by surprise. Checks will now be cleared electronically, reducing the amount of time


Russia Denies Involvement in Iraq Weapons (AP)

AP - Russia angrily denied allegations Thursday that Russian forces had smuggled a cache of high explosives out of Iraq prior to the U.S. invasion in March 2003.


AMD Rolls Out Low-Cost Net Access Device in India (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. chip maker Advanced Micro Devices\ has unveiled a low-cost Internet access device that\could cost just a few hundred dollars, aimed at first-time\technology users in the developing world.


Vettori destroys Bangladesh

Chittagong - Spin bowler Daniel Vettori claimed 10 wickets to guide New Zealand to the verge of victory on Thursday in the second Test against Bangladesh.


Dons seal back-to-back Parkhead wins

Celtics lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League table was cut to four points on Wednesday night when an injury time goal from John Stewart gave plucky Aberdeen their second successive victory at Parkhead.


Lawyer: Cop Not Responsible For Snelgrove Death

BOSTON -- A police commander working to control the rowdy crowd around Fenway Park after the Red Sox won the American League pennant last week was not responsible for the death of a college student.


DreamWorks Animation Seeks Splashy Debut

DreamWorks Animation Inc., riding on a wave of recent hit films including "Shrek 2" and "Shark Tales" was looking for friendly waters on Wall Street Thursday with its highly anticipated initial public offering.


Alcatel Swings to Profit (AP)

AP - French telecommunications equipment maker Alcatel SA swung to a profit in the third quarter, helped by cost-cutting and a rebound in the mobile communications industry, the company said Thursday.


Stocks Open Lower; China Rate Hike Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday  on the heels of a two-day rally, with Wall Street looking  poised for a pull back, while China's interest rate hike adds  concerns that global economic growth may slow.


Dow Chemical Profit Surges 86 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dow Chemical Co.'s DOW.N  third-quarter profit surged 86 percent on increased plastics  sales, but demand remains vulnerable to soaring energy costs,  the No. 1 U.S. chemicals maker said Thursday.


Stocks surge for second day on falling oil prices

By George Chamberlin , Daily Transcript Financial Correspondent. Stocks rallied sharply Wednesday for the second consecutive session.


China hikes interest rates for first time in nine years

China on Thursday announced it will raise interest rates for one-year loans by 0.27 percentage points to 5.58, the first increase in more than nine years.


Aetna Third-Quarter Profits Up

HARTFORD, Conn. - Aetna Inc. Thursday reported a huge surge in third quarter profits from a one-time tax refund and increased revenue from higher membership.


Weak Sales Hurt Coke Enterprises Earnings

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest bottler of Coca-Cola drinks, reported on Thursday a 20-percent drop in quarterly profit


Unemployment Claims Jump by 20,000

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week by 20,000, the largest jump in a month, the Labor Department reported Thursday.


Canon posts record profit as digital camera boom continues (AFP)

AFP - Japan's Canon Inc. said it posted a record profit for the three months to September due to strong overseas demand for digital cameras, especially in Europe, and revised up its full-year earnings forecast.


Iraq carnage kills 21 as UN official warns time not ripe for polls

BAGHDAD (AFP) - At least 21 people were killed in the latest in a renewed spree of attacks to hit Iraq , as a top UN official issued a stark warning that elections could not be held in the current climate of violence.


New .travel, .post domains get preliminary nod

Two new Internet domain names -quot;.post quot; and  quot;.travel quot;  -ld appear online as early as next year as the Internet #39;s key oversight board announced preliminary approval on Wednesday.


Hero Kezman plays down missile strike

ONCE again today the talk in football circles south of the border is all about mayhem among fans as English football suffered another night of shame.


Aussies turn screws on India

NAGPUR - World champions Australia have marched boldly towards their first series win in India in 35 years after taking an imposing 415-run lead with seven wickets in hand in the third Test.


Texas not popular choice

The Breeders #39; Cup is making its first visit to Texas and not everyone thinks the world of it. There has been grumbling about the tight-turned turf course that has scared away many European runners.


SAP, HP Offer Hosted ERP for Midsize Companies (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - SAP and HP are offering a hosted enterprise resource planning application service to go after midsize companies that are taking their business to competing applications subcription services.


Another woman kidnapped in Iraq

A POLISH-Iraqi woman has been kidnapped in Baghdad, the Iraqi interior ministry confirmed after Arab television station Al-Jazeera broadcast a videotape of the hostage.


Australia #39;s conservative government wins control of both houses of <b>...</b>

Prime Minister John Howard has won control of both the upper and lower houses of parliament, clearing the way for the conservative leader to push through reforms including relaxing media ownership laws.


Control of US Senate hinges on handful of hard-fought contests (AFP)

AFP - A handful of nail-biter contests could flip control of the US Senate to the Democrats in the November 2 election, while the House of Representatives is expected to remain firmly in the grasp of George W. Bush's Republican Party.


Kidnappers Tighten Screw on U.S. Allies in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Militants piled more pressure on  Washington's military allies in Iraq on Thursday, seizing a  Polish woman and holding a Japanese man under death threat.


4 Iraqis Tell of Looting at Munitions Site in '03

Three Iraqi witnesses and a security chief said that looters stormed Al Qaqaa just days after U.S. troops swept through on their way to Baghdad in early April 2003.


Crude Drops for Second Day as China Increases Interest Rates

Crude oil futures fell, posting their biggest two-day decline in London in two months, after China #39;s central bank raised interest rates for the first time in nine years in an attempt to stem inflation.


AirTran CEO Sees Another Airline Liquidation Soon

The US airline industry, riddled with excess supply, will see a significant drop in capacity, or far fewer seats, as a result of at least one airline liquidating in the next year, according to AirTran Airways Chief Executive Joe Leonard.


Whitbread to sell historic brewery

WHITBREAD #39;S new chief executive Alan Parker today made his first mark on the leisure giant, unveiling 800m of disposals and plans to sell its historic brewery on Chiswell Street.


Volkswagen Reports Seventh Quarterly Profit Decline (Update4)

Volkswagen AG, Europe #39;s largest carmaker, had a seventh consecutive decline in quarterly profit on higher sales incentives and the strength of the euro versus the dollar.


Google acquires digital mapping firm

With an internet connection, users enter an address or other location information and Keyhole #39;s software accesses the database and takes them to a digital image of that location on their computer screen.


49ers notes: Rattay #39;s forearm is sore again

Bee Staff Writer. SANTA CLARA - The 49ers were hoping to return from their week off with a roster full of healthy bodies. Instead, they went through Wednesday #39;s practice with their most


Romanian Earthquake Felt in Turkey

The earthquake, which occurred in Romania last night, measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale, was also felt in Turkey. First reports say nobody was killed or injured in the earthquake.


COSATU deportations illegal

IN a dramatic turn of events to the ill-fated Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) #39;s fact-finding mission, the government on Tuesday night dumped the delegation at the Beitbridge border post, in defiance of a High Court order barring the


Dollar Falls, Market Ponders China's Move

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar fell in choppy trade on  Thursday as traders tried to sort out what a surprise interest  rate hike from China meant for currencies.