Pilot Talks Continue As Delta Shares Fall

Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. fell Monday on the fear among some analysts that the struggling carrier will be forced into bankruptcy if it doesn #39;t get significant wage concessions from its pilots in the next three weeks.


IBM announces high capacity storage servers

IBM, one of the key leaders in the enterprise server market, annouced two additions to its family of high storage products yesterday.


History promises memorable Chennai encounter

Over the years, the ground has produced some of the most endearing moments between the two countries. In the 1969-70 series, the match produced a shoot-out between two of the best post-war


Minaya #39;s First Move With the Mets Is to Clean House

The regular season that cost Art Howe and Jim Duquette their titles ended nearly two weeks ago, but jobs are still being lost. Having just started their search for a new


SEC enters paper circulation probe

Federal and local authorities, under the auspices of the New York Asset Forfeiture Task Force, have recently served grand-jury subpoenas seeking testimony in the circulationscandals


Jjb has 448 Stores Across the Country and Is the UK #39;s Biggest <b>...</b>

The group, which issued a profits warning in July and floated on the stock market a decade ago, revealed the approach in a statement last Friday.


NATO to send training staff to Iraq before year #39;s end: US <b>...</b>

NATO will send military trainers to Iraq before the end of the year in response to appeals by Iraqi leaders for speedy action, US ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns said Wednesday.


PA: Gaza to remain occupied land even after disengagement

Israel will remain an occupying power in the Gaza Strip even if it carries out the disengagement plan, and should be treated as such, according to a legal document prepared by the Palestinian Authority.


Mass grave reveals remains of Iraqi women and children

The horrific secrets of a mass grave in northern Iraq emerged yesterday as American officials accused Europeans of failing to help in the search to uncover Saddam Hussein #39;s atrocities.


Officer suspended over Gaza shooting

The Israeli army yesterday suspended an officer who is accused of firing up to 20 bullets into a 13-year-old Palestinian as she lay on the ground after having been shot from an army outpost.


Security forces  #39;can #39;t stop chaos #39;

PALESTINIAN security forces are unable to stop the spreading chaos in the West Bank and Gaza, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie said today, a day after a failed attempt to kill a Gaza security commander.


UPDATE 1-Late goal gives N.Ireland 3-3 draw with Austria

A goal deep into injury time by Stuart Elliott salvaged a 3-3 draw for Northern Ireland in a pulsating World Cup qualifier against Austria on Wednesday.


Pitiful draw leaves Vogts in dire straits

THE remainder of Berti Vogtss contract surely became as unfulfillable as the dream of World Cup qualification when Scotland failed to secure the victory that had been considered imperative here in Chisinau last night.


Hackers baiting Internet users with Beckham pix

PETALING JAYA: Computer hackers are taking advantage of the frenzy surrounding David Beckhams latest alleged bout of infidelity.


Novell to defend open source software with patents

Novell is prepared to use its portfolio of US software patents to protect against patent lawsuits the open source software it ships, the company said in statements posted to the Novell.


Sun releases Solaris-based desktop software

com October 13, 2004, 5:06 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories as organizations spawn projects around identity infrastructure.


Google launches UK Froogle shopping site

Internet search firm Google has launched its Froogle price comparison Web site in Britain, expanding the company #39;s e-commerce business and putting it head to head with partners such as Kelkoo.


Background to the Sudan conflict

Sudan is the largest country in Africa and has a population of almost 28 million. About 60 per cent are Muslim, a quarter are animist and 15 per cent Christian.


Disney Launches a Trio of Titles

Disney Interactive has shipped three new Game Boy Advance titles based on hit Disney Channel shows. Info from the press release (because we #39;re too lazy to rewrite this stuff today) ---.


Sask. town keen but skeptical of space launch

KINDERSLEY, Sask. - A representative from a team of Canadian engineers trying to send a privately funded rocket ship into space was in Saskatchewan on Wednesday to set up logistics for a launch that he hopes will happen within the next month.


FCC to Act on Fiber-Optic Networks

The Federal Communications Commission is planning to approve  a proposal to give the major telephone companies more leeway in the design of new fiber-optic networks, sparing them from the regulation that governs traditional phone lines. -The Washington Post


Start-Up Builds Less Demanding Machines

So far, three-year-old Ambient Devices has sold fewer than 60,000 of its products. Yet the company fascinates me because it is working on the frontier of making computers more intuitive.\
-The Washington Post


Visa Issues  Vex Tech Workers, Their Employers

Dawn M. Lurie knows how to wake up her audiences when she briefs personnel managers on immigration law: She points out that in some cases executives could face criminal penalties for hiring immigrants without the right visas.


Coverage of PET Scans

The first call Sheldon Goldberg got on his first day as president of the Alzheimer's Association was not from a patient or a doctor but from Michael D. Bromberg, chairman of the Capitol Health Group, a well-connected Washington lobbying firm.


US textile firms want curbs on Chinese imports

WASHINGTON - On the eve of a presidential debate on domestic issues with employment a crucial concern, American textile companies and workers have asked President George W. Bush to help save their jobs by limiting Chinese imports, which may surge once a


Israel Kills Two Hamas Militants After Renewed Threat

GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli air strikes killed two Hamas  militants in Gaza on Thursday just after the Islamic group  renewed its threats to continue rocket attacks against Israelis  despite a massive army offensive aimed at stopping them.


Panel Probes Afghan Poll Fraud, Counting Delayed

KABUL (Reuters) - A panel was investigating complaints of  Afghan election irregularities on Thursday, further delaying  the start of counting in a historic poll overshadowed by  concerns over multiple voting.


250 Leaders, But Not US, Back UN Population Plan

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - More than 250 world figures --  but not the Bush administration -- have urged the United  Nations to promote a population agenda that seeks women's  education, health care and family planning.


Haiti ex-troops 'to impose order'

Leaders of the rebel army that ousted Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide vow to end violence in the capital.


Apple Profit Doubles; Outlook Tops Views

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. AAPL.O on  Wednesday reported its quarterly profit more than doubled as it  sold more than 2 million iPod digital music players and said  results for the current quarter would top Wall Street  estimates.


PeopleSoft Execs Defend Program

WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - PeopleSoft Inc.'s PSFT.O  chief financial officer on Wednesday said the company's  controversial customer assurance program, now being challenged  in court, might not force liabilities on Oracle Corp. ORCL.O  if its \$7.7 billion takeover bid succeeds.


Nikkei Falls 1 Pct at Midday

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average fell 1 percent by  midsession on Thursday after sharp declines in metals prices  pushed down shares of steel makers and mining companies, which  had been big gainers over the past three months.


Scientists 'find key to hearing'

A protein deep in the ear is essential for normal hearing and could help develop treatments for deafness, researchers believe.


E-Voting Machine Crash Deepens Concerns (AP)

AP - A computer crash that forced a pre-election test of electronic voting machines to be postponed was trumpeted by critics as proof of the balloting technology's unreliability.


FDA Approves Use of Chip in Patients (AP)

AP - Medical milestone or privacy invasion? A tiny computer chip approved Wednesday for implantation in a patient's arm can speed vital information about a patient's medical history to doctors and hospitals. But critics warn that it could open new ways to imperil the confidentiality of medical records.


Review: Hi-Def TV May Be PCs' Killer App (AP)

AP - It's been possible for years to watch television on a personal computer, but not many people do. The reasons are simple: mediocre picture and sound quality and the ergonomics of it all. TVs don't need to boot up.


Glickman to Film Industry: Nurture New Technology (Reuters)

Reuters - In his first major speech to\Hollywood executives Dan Glickman, the new head of the Motion\Picture Association of America, said the industry must embrace\new digital and Internet technologies while continuing to\battle copyright pirates.


Fewer women in computer jobs these days

But women have increased their representation in all the natural science professions, especially medical science, a study says.


Mac Takes Honors as Best Unix Desktop (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Opinion: GNOME is nice, KDE is fine and the forthcoming Looking Glass may be wonderful, but the best Unix desktop is the one in the Macintosh.


Java Desktop System version 2 sneaks onto the market only two months ahead of version 3's due date.


PeopleSoft Execs Defend Program (Reuters)

Reuters - PeopleSoft Inc.'s \chief financial officer on Wednesday said the company's\controversial customer assurance program, now being challenged\in court, might not force liabilities on Oracle Corp. \if its  #36;7.7 billion takeover bid succeeds.


Briefly: Hitachi cuts 10 percent of U.S. work force

roundup Plus: Evite goes local with invitations...Westinghouse cuts price of LCD TVs...Adobe debuts hobbyist Photoshop package.


Bush, Kerry Duel Over Health Care Plans (AP)

AP - Sen. John Kerry said Wednesday night that President Bush bears responsibility for a misguided war in Iraq, lost jobs at home and mounting millions without health care. The Republican incumbent tagged his rival in campaign debate as a lifelong liberal bent on raising taxes and government spending.


Lava Gives Mount St. Helens Eerie Glow (AP)

AP - The molten rock rising inside Mount St. Helens is giving the peak an eerie red glow at night.


Crew Prepares for Launch to Space Station (AP)

AP - Smiling and confident, two Russians and an American prepared for their first mission in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft  #151; breaking the nearly 30-year tradition of having at least one crewman with previous experience in piloting the capsule.


Harvard Wants to Clone Human Embryos (AP)

AP - Harvard researchers want to be the first in the United States to produce cloned human embryos for disease research.


Audit Board Delays Rule on Options as Expenses

The move will delay the reduction in reported profits for many companies, and may give them more time to lobby Congress to stop the rule from taking effect at all.


A Hard-to-Swallow Lesson on Pensions

Tens of thousands of Americans are discovering, as they approach retirement, that money they were promised is not forthcoming.


Ahold Reaches A Settlement With the S.E.C.

Royal Ahold and its two former top executives reached a settlement on Wednesday with the S.E.C. in connection with a multibillion-dollar accounting scandal.


Apple's 4th-Quarter Profit More Than Doubled

Apple announced on Wednesday that its quarterly profit more than doubled because of continued strong sales of iPod music players, beating Wall Street estimates by a wide margin


H M Keeps Up the Expansion, but Some Analysts See Weak Links

H M, the 57-year-old cheap-and-trendy clothing giant, has been moving into new areas of Europe, while it is still striving to meet its financial goals in the U.S.


Bush and Kerry Clash on Taxes, Health Care (Reuters)

Reuters - President Bush and Democratic Sen.\John Kerry battled over health care, jobs and taxes in their\final debate on Wednesday, with Bush criticizing Kerry's\"far-left" Senate record and Kerry arguing the middle class had\lost ground under the president.


Hitachi cuts 10 percent of U.S. work force

The company axes 400 jobs, joining other hard drive makers in eliminating staff.


Big Blue's chip chief takes up IP helm

High rate of patents, open-source age increase importance of intellectual property issues.


AP: Report Finds Lavish Spending at TSA

WASHINGTON - The government agency in charge of airport security spent nearly a half-million dollars on an awards ceremony at a lavish hotel, including \$81,000 for plaques and \$500 for cheese displays, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.    Awards were presented to 543 Transportation Security Administration employees and 30 organizations, including a "lifetime achievement award" for one worker with the 2-year-old agency...


Yankees Lead BoSox 1-0 in Game 2 of ALCS

NEW YORK - Gary Sheffield hit an RBI single, and the New York Yankees took a 1-0 lead over Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the AL championship series Wednesday night.    New York starter Jon Lieber allowed only one hit and a walk, stifling Boston's sluggers just as Mike Mussina did the night before...


E-Voting Machine Crash Deepens Concerns

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A computer crash that forced a pre-election test of electronic voting machines to be postponed was trumpeted by critics as proof of the balloting technology's unreliability...


Producer Sues O'Reilly for Harassment

NEW YORK - Fox News Channel traded accusations Wednesday with one of the producers of Bill O'Reilly's show, with the woman alleging that the commentator had phone sex with her against her wishes three times. Fox in a claim of its own dismissed the sexual harassment complaint as a politically motivated extortion attempt...


Bush, Kerry Open Final Debate in Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. - President Bush and challenger John Kerry opened their third and final debate on Wednesday as each candidate hoped to stamp a last favorable impression on millions of voters before Elecion day...


Bush and Kerry Get Ready for Last TV Duel

TEMPE, Ariz. - Jobs, health care and other concerns of daily life will likely be focal points as President Bush and challenger John Kerry meet Wednesday for their third and final debate...


6 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq Attacks

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attack and roadside bombings killed six American soldiers, and Iraq's prime minister warned residents of insurgent bastion Fallujah on Wednesday to hand over terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi or face military action.    Al-Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad group has claimed responsibility for beheading several foreign hostages and for car bombings throughout the country, and a videotape posted Wednesday on an Islamic Web site showed militants linked to al-Zarqawi beheading two Iraqis they accused of being intelligence officers...


Vonage talks about 911 advancements

Does Rhode Island have the answer to a major problem facing the Internet phone industry?


Sony retuning to pick up MP3s

Hammered by iPod, Sony will retool, adding native MP3 support to some digital music players by next summer.


Google launches Froogle in time for Christmas shopping

LONDON - Google is targeting the UK online shopping market, said to be worth 17bn annually, with the launch of dedicated shopping service, Froogle, in the UK, in time for the Christmas sales period.


Apple posts highest Q4 revenue in almost a decade

Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod music player continues to help the company grow revenue at dizzying rates, leading Apple to its highest fourth-quarter revenue in nine years, the company said Wednesday.


FCC chiefs to work through outdated rules

LAS VEGAS - Three U.S. Federal Communications Commissioners on Wednesday said laws governing telecommunications need to be revamped, but said the agency will do all it can under the current rules to encourage deployment of new technologies and services.


Goldsmith faces calls to resign over Iraq

The attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, faced calls to resign last night as Tony Blair #39;s legal justification for going to war against Iraq began to unravel.


News: Computer crash linked to excessive heat deepens concerns about electronic voting

The Associated Press By Rachel Konrad


Apple Reports Fourth Quarter Results

For its fiscal 2004 fourth quarter, Apple posted a net profit of \$106 million, or \$.26 per diluted share. These results compare to a profit of \$44 million, or \$.12 per share, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter was \$2.35 billion, up 37 from a year ago. Gross margin was 27, up from 26.6 last year. International sales accounted for 37 of revenue. Oct 13


Smaller Can Be Better (Except When It's Not)

Stores are stocked with an abundance of featherweight gadgets. But some of these tiny gadgets raise a new question: how small is too small?


What Do Women Game Designers Want?

Video game makers are showing new interest in creating games that appeal to women. But women who might design those games are still finding it hard to break into an industry that considers gaming a "boy thing."


Is It Really You? A Scanner Delves Beneath Fingerprints

For all their electronic sophistication, fingerprint scanners have a major shortcoming. So some new models are going beyond skin deep.


Satellite TV Spreads Its Signals Across the Landscape

In the last 10 years, pizza-sized dishes have sprouted on homes all over the country. But how does satellite TV actually work?


Dell signs \$20M managed services deal with Honeywell

Round Rock-based Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL) has landed a three-year \$20 million contract with Morris Township, NJ-based Honeywell International Inc.


Fossil Hunters Find Sleeping Dinosaur in China

Scientists have unearthed the remains of a perfectly preserved 130 million-year-old new species of dinosaur which provide a first-ever look at how the prehistoric creatures slept.


Johnson #39;s Quickfire Hat-Trick Leads US Past Panama

Eddie Johnson came off the bench to score a hat-trick in 16 minutes as the US thrashed Panama 6-0 in a CONCACAF zone World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.


Stewart hails Silverstone progress

SIR Jackie Stewart remains cautiously optimistic that the British Grand Prix will go ahead next year after it was included yesterday on the Formula 1 draft calendar for 2005.


UPDATE 1-Paradorn powers past struggling Costa

Fifth seed Paradorn Srichaphan added to Albert Costa #39;s woes at the Vienna Trophy on Wednesday, winning 6-4 6-4 to reach the second round.


Once again, Warnes bowling the wrong line

Who would have believed it? That Shane Warne would act like a dumb blond and forget that he had a role to play in Australias Bangalore victory.


Scotland player ratings

Craig Gordon: Could not be faulted for the loss of the goal and made a tremendous save at the beginning of the second half to deny Serghei Dadu.


Apple Profits Surge on IPod, Laptop Sales (AP)

AP - Apple Computer Inc.'s fourth quarter earnings soared on strong sales of laptop computers and its popular iPod music players, helping the company notch its highest revenue for the quarter in nine years.


Novellus Posts Profit, Plans Cost Cuts (Reuters)

Reuters - Novellus Systems Inc. , a\maker of semiconductor production equipment, on Wednesday\warned of a sharp business decline in the current quarter that\some analysts fear could turn into a long-term slump.


Putin, on eve of visit to China, says Russia will pursue national interest (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - MOSCOW (AP) - On the eve of a three-day visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would take its foreign partners' needs into account when building energy pipelines in the Far East but would proceed on the basis of its own national interests.


Customer Surge at Hawaii Wal-Mart Opening (AP)

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. opened a store in Hawaii on Wednesday with hundreds of eager shoppers rushing past a handful of protesters who accuse the giant retailer of desecrating ancient gravesites.


Large parts of Sydney without power overnight in blackout (AFP)

AFP - Large parts of Sydney were left without power for a night after a substation overheated in an unseasonal heatwave, the electricity supply firm said.


Voters Offer Views on Bush-Kerry Debate (AP)

AP - Voter reaction to Wednesday's debate between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry.


Dispute May Scuttle Space Tourism Bill (AP)

AP - Legislation to regulate the infant space tourism industry  #151; invigorated by the successful flights of a privately financed manned rocket  #151; has been stalled by disagreements over how much protection to offer potential space travelers.


Carlyle Group:  It Never Joined Consortium

The Carlyle Group Wednesday said it was not part of a consortium that touted the Washington merchant bank's political ties in an attempt to win business collecting and managing billions of dollars owed to Kuwait by Iraq.


Lost to the Flu: Paydays

The shortage of flu vaccine this fall poses serious challenges for employers concerned about productivity, and for low-wage workers who don't have paid sick leave and can't afford to miss a day.


Stock Options Expensing Postponed

Accounting standards setters yesterday agreed to give companies six more months to comply with a plan that would require them to treat stock options as an expense, cheering both overburdened businesses and lobbyists trying to scuttle the plan.


Report on Fannie Mae Regulator a Secret

The inspector general's office at the Department of Housing and Urban Development yesterday declined to release the results of an investigation of the HUD agency that regulates mortgage-funding giant Fannie Mae, saying that such disclosure could "interfere with enforcement proceedings."


Soaring crude oil prices send stocks lower

By George Chamberlin , Daily Transcript Financial Correspondent. Concerns about oil production leading into the winter months sent shivers through the stock market Wednesday.


Mac sees blue skies over ALH

MACQUARIE Bank has had 55 people furiously working to stitch together the ALH deal -- underlining how significant an opportunity the bank regards securing a slice of the gaming and hotel businesses.


A amp;M names finalist for chancellor

The Texas A amp;M University System Board of Regents in a special meeting Wednesday named Robert D.  quot;Bob quot; McTeer, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the sole finalist the chancellor position, the university system said Wednesday.


Oil rebounds on Mexico blast

Crude oil futures have jumped back above \$53 on speculation and panic sparked by an oil line explosion in Mexico. Traders are also nervously monitoring developments in Nigeria #39;s national strike and recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.


Soaring Oil Prices Send Stocks Skidding

Soaring oil prices trumped positive earnings news Wednesday, sending stocks skidding as investors rushed to take profits on new fears that the market is in the midst of a commodities bubble.


PayPal Battles Glitches

Online-payment service PayPal on Tuesday sought to reassure customers that outages that had plagued the service since Friday finally had been resolved.


Red Sox Could Lose Schilling for Game Five

The Boston Red Sox could be without starter Curt Schilling for the remainder of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees after their ace aggravated an ankle injury in a Game One loss.


Haitian ex-soldiers head for capital in confrontation with <b>...</b>

Ex-soldiers who ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in a deadly revolt said reinforcements are advancing on the capital to halt violence that has killed at least 48 people - a move that threatens conflict with


Australian PM to visit Indonesia for presidential inauguration

Australia #39;s Prime Minister, John Howard, has personally congratulated Indonesia #39;s President-elect, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on his recent victory.


Tokyo Stocks Weaker as Yen Weighs (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan's Nikkei share average slipped 0.55\percent in early trade on Monday after a weak U.S. jobs report\pushed the dollar down against the yen, hurting the shares of\Japanese exporters.


Ecuador Seen Losing Glaciers to Global Warming (Reuters)

Reuters - Global warming is melting\Ecuador's cherished mountain glaciers and could cause several\of them to disappear over the next two decades, Ecuadorean and\French scientists said on Wednesday.


A Daily Look at U.S. Iraq Military Deaths (AP)

AP - As of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, 1,081 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to the Defense Department. Of those, 825 died as a result of hostile action and 256 died of non-hostile causes. The figures include three military civilians.


Bush Defends Presidency Against Kerry (AP)

AP - On the defensive over job losses and health care woes, President Bush sought Wednesday night to make the campaign a referendum on his rival  #151; casting Democratic Sen. John Kerry as out of the mainstream, a liberal whose rhetoric doesn't match his record.


Bush, Kerry Say Women Keep Them in Line (AP)

AP - The final presidential debate brought together two candidates and a moderator who have something in common  #151; strong wives and two daughters.


Topics During the Presidential Debate (AP)

AP - President Bush and Sen. John Kerry on the issues at Wednesday's debate:


Security Still Big Topic in Session Aimed at Domestic Issues

President Bush and John Kerry clashed over the war on terrorism, the loss of jobs overseas and the state of health care.


In '04 Florida, Lawsuits Begin Before Election

Florida is already teeming with lawsuits charging the state and its county elections supervisors with voter disenfranchisement.


Identity Badge Worn Under Skin Approved for Use in Health Care

The F.D.A. cleared the way for a company to market implantable microchips that would provide easy access to medical records.


Crude-oil futures surge to over \$53

NEW YORK - Crude-oil futures rallied back above \$53 late on Wednesday on speculation and panic sparked by an oil-line explosion in Mexico.


Microsoft selling new Windows at cut-rate price

Despite all the changes Microsoft is touting with the new version of Media Centre, the biggest change may be one that the company barely mentions: the price drop.


Sarin asserts control in shake-up of Vodafone management team

Arun Sarin, the chief executive of Vodafone, moved to grab more day-to-day control of the world #39;s biggest mobile phone company yesterday by announcing a management shake-up which


Dinosaur slept in bird-like pose

LONDON - Fossil hunters have gained a glimpse of a new species of dinosaur catching some zzz #39;s. The 130-million-year old Mei long, which means  quot;soundly sleeping dragon, quot; was found near Beipiao City in Liaoning province, northeastern China.


EMC buys Danz Development for less than \$50m

The company produces Retrospect software, also included in Maxtor #39;s One Touch external back up disc, and has a vital hold on the small and medium-sized enterprise market.


Texas Police Want Briton over Internet Sex Claims

Police in America have issued an arrest warrant for a British man who allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old girl he met in an internet chat room, it was revealed today.


Dollar Holds Near Lows (Reuters)

Reuters - The dollar stayed in striking distance of\record lows against the euro and a 12-year low versus sterling\on Monday in the wake of disappointing U.S. jobs data.


UPDATE 4-Beckham apologises over deliberate booking

England captain David Beckham has apologised to the Football Association (FA), his team mates and supporters after deliberately getting booked against Wales.


Cardinals 2, Astros 2

Woody Williams and Brandon Backe had shaky starts in Game 1 of the NLCS, each pitcher allowing a two-run homer in the first inning to the opposing team #39;s star.


Ganguly feeling the pressure

Sourav Ganguly appears to be travelling incognito when he is blinking boyishly behind his Harry Potter specs, unrecognisable from the gnarled and uncompromising cricketer and captain who stared out Steve Waugh in India three years ago.


NHL Network programming: Lockout style

Although the world seems more out of control than ever, it #39;s reassuring to know one thing has retained its original essence: the soul-sucking, creativity-crushing, black hole of brain cells we call TV programming.


Yankees Lead BoSox 1-0 in Game 2 of ALCS

New York Yankees fans snatch up  quot;who #39;s your daddy quot; posters before game 2 of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in New York Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004.


Becks sorry, may still be punished

England captain David Beckham has apologised for deliberately getting himself booked, and while coach Sven-Goran Eriksson wants the matter put to bed, FIFA president Sepp Blatter says disciplinary action may be taken against the midfielder.


Championship season

For the city, the team #39;s WNBA championship was the first major professional title for a local franchise in a generation. It #39;s time tomorrow for a downtown civic celebration -- much like the one with the Sonics in 1979.


Jerry Rice Reiterates Call for Trade (AP)

AP - Jerry Rice was scheduled to meet with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis on Wednesday night to discuss the receiver's future after he said he wants to be traded.


Iraqi prime minister warns Fallujah to give up al-Zarqawi or face <b>...</b>

A suicide attack and roadside bombings killed six American soldiers, and Iraq #39;s prime minister Wednesday warned the people of major insurgent bastion Fallujah to hand over terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi or face military action.


Iraq donors wrap up meeting with vows to speed funds for <b>...</b>

Donor nations wrapped up a two-day meeting Thursday that Iraqi leaders hope will free up much-needed reconstruction funds that were pledged a


Finds  #39;show we were right to fight #39;

Tony Blair yesterday seized on the discovery of the mass grave in northern Iraq as justification for removing Saddam despite the absence of WMD.


Bryant Shrugs Off Criticism From Ex-Coach (AP)

AP - Kobe Bryant is shrugging off criticism of him by former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson.


Red Sox Could Lose Schilling for Game Five (Reuters)

Reuters - The Boston Red Sox could be without\starter Curt Schilling for the remainder of the American League\Championship Series against the New York Yankees after their\ace aggravated an ankle injury in a Game One loss.


Chris Chelios Goes Bobsledding in Lockout (AP)

AP - Chris Chelios grabbed his red helmet, listened to some last-minute instructions, and then hit the ice  #151; running.


Strong Field Ready for World Championship (AP)

AP - Annika Sorenstam realizes winning her fourth Samsung World Championship won't be easy since the other 19 players are also among the elite of women's golf.


Red Sox Could Lose Schilling for Game Five

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Boston Red Sox could be without  starter Curt Schilling for the remainder of the American League  Championship Series against the New York Yankees after their  ace aggravated an ankle injury in a Game One loss.


Johnson's Quickfire Hat-Trick Leads U.S. Past Panama

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eddie Johnson came off the bench to  score a hat-trick in 16 minutes as the U.S. thrashed Panama 6-0  in a CONCACAF zone World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.


Minaya's First Move With the Mets Is to Clean House

Omar Minaya, the Mets' new general manager, fired or reassigned every coach on Wednesday except for Rick Peterson, the club's highly touted pitching coach.


Bryants Anger Hurt the Lakers, Jackson Says in a New Book

In his new book, Phil Jackson, the former Los Angeles Lakers coach, describes a dysfunctional team hurt by Kobe Bryants petulant anger and his pending rape trial.


New Captain America Helps U.S. Move On

The United States defeated Panama on two goals by Landon Donovan, advancing to the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.


Loaded for Bears

Defensive coordinator Greg Blache spent the last five seasons in the same position in Chicago and has Washington prepared for Sunday.


Early Elimination Round

For the loser of this Saturday's Maryland-North Carolina State game, both at 3-2, the bowl season may be an unreachable destination.


Race Is Wide Open

As Howard prepares to play its final six games, all against MEAC opponents, the Bison find themselves in the thick of the conference race.


Jackson Is on a Mission

Two days after senior Lane Jackson will be counted on heavily to lead Navy to its first victory over Notre Dame since 1963, the inside linebacker be interviewed by a panel of SEALs.


Game Day Is Mom's Day

For senior guard Elton Brown, his Mom and late uncle are never more than an arm's length away.


Elite Field Hits Desert

With only the game's top 20 women fending for the Samsung World Championship, Annika Sorenstam knows that in Palm Desert, the event truly is a survival of the fittest.


Mexican Rebels Withdraw From Reserve (AP)

AP - Leftist Zapatista rebels announced Wednesday they will voluntarily withdraw seven squatter settlements from an endangered jungle nature reserve, a move that may mark the end a decade-long standoff with authorities.


Delta Amends  #36;680 Mln Debt Exchange Offer (Reuters)

Reuters - Delta Air Lines Inc., struggling to\cut costs to avert bankruptcy, said on Thursday it was amending\its offer to exchange up to  #36;680 million worth of its\outstanding  #36;2.6 billion of unsecured debt, asking holders to\submit tenders by Oct. 26.


Oil Firm Near  #36;54 on Heating Fuel Worries (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil prices rebounded to  #36;54 a barrel\on Thursday ahead of U.S. inventory data expected to show tight\heating fuel stocks ahead of winter.


Kerry rebukes Bush over 'Sopranos' tax lecture (AFP)

AFP - President George W. Bush and Democratic rival John Kerry fought over who is the most wasteful spender in their televised election debate here.


Distributed Social Whitelists

\\Sam blogs about his wiki spam problems  and implements a posting throttle.\\With new spam-capable zombie PCs and with wikis that aren't updated very often\this isn't a solution.  If I were to go back to my wiki after a month it would\be covered with spam links.\\One strong solution is emergent and distributed social whitelists (AKA my\FOAFKey  proposal).\\With a FOAFKey enabled wiki/weblog you could allow a whitelist of a few hundred\thousand users to post to the wiki without any problems.  All they would need to\enter is their email address for confirmation (or the SHA1 hash of their email).\\For the rare times when the user isn't within the original whitelist we can just\have the user uplo ...\\


Asian Shares Hit by Metals Tumble, Oil

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A sharp slide in global metals  markets hammered industrial and mining stocks such as JFE  Holdings and BHP Billiton Thursday, while oil prices crawled  back toward record highs.


Oil Firm Near \$54 on Heating Fuel Worries

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded to \$54 a barrel  on Thursday ahead of U.S. inventory data expected to show tight  heating fuel stocks ahead of winter.


Canada #39;s competitiveness score mixed

Canada #39;s rank has fallen in one competitiveness measure and improved in another, according to a Global Competitiveness Report from the World Economic Forum.


Final face-off is 20 days before voters head to polls

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry squared off in Arizona Wednesday for their third and final debate before the election, book-ending their remarks on domestic issues with pledges to keep the nation safer.


Try over-the-counter drug for arthritis

People taking Vioxx may feel betrayed now that the popular painkiller and arthritis medicine has been pulled from the market. Merck, the manufacturer of the drug, and the US Food and Drug Administration knew


Stewart Company to Expand Furniture Line

Martha Stewart #39;s media and merchandising company said Wednesday it plans to expand its furniture line amid strong demand from consumers.


Make that \$9.1 billion

Only a few months after crying poverty, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale says last year #39;s surplus topped \$9.1 billion -- almost five times more than originally predicted.


Russian Rocket Takes New Russian-US Crew to ISS

A Russian-US space crew set off for the International Space Station (ISS) on a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on Thursday morning.


Hackers use Beckham bait

SOFTWARE HACKERS are using snaps which they claim show David Beckham in a compromising position to infect people #39;s computers. Beckham, who apparently plays football, and is married to a member of a popular


Credit cards go mobile

MOBILE PHONE giant Motorola is experimenting with putting credit cards and payment functions on their line of mobiles. Under the bonnet of the cunning plan is Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology which is a short-range wireless system.


Study finds technology could support mountain monorail

New technology would make it possible to build a monorail connecting Denver to the state #39;s ski resorts and such a railway could carry six to eight times more people than two additional


BYTE OF THE APPLE

Apple lost one war to Microsoft by not licensing its Mac operating system. It may repeat the error with its iPod and music software.


Child porn fight gets \$5M

Ontario police forces will get \$5 million to develop a co-ordinated strategy to fight Internet child pornography, Attorney General Michael Bryant said yesterday.


SpaceShipOne a flight away from claiming \$10 million X Prize

MOJAVE, Calif. -- SpaceShipOne is one flight away from clinching the Ansari X Prize, a \$10 million award for the first privately developed manned rocket to reach space twice within 14 days.


Arrest over internet sex claims

Police in America have issued an arrest warrant for a North Yorkshire man who allegedly had sex with a teenager he met in an internet chat room.


Ultima Online: Samurai Empire is Golden

October 13, 2004 - Electronic Arts announced that Ultima Online: Samurai Empire went gold today. The highly-anticipated expansion pack for Ultima Online is on schedule to release on November 2, 2004.


Frances ST to develop digital TV software in China

FRENCH technology group STMicroelectronics (ST) had signed an agreement to create a joint venture in China to develop software for digital TV, the company announced Tuesday.


Els won #39;t bow to USPGA

World no. 2 Ernie Els is fuming after receiving demands from the American Tour that he must play more tournaments in the US. Els has received a letter from USPGA Commissioner Tim Finchem regarding his commitment


Sub hits US hat-trick

UNITED STATES, Mexico and Guatemala advanced to next year #39;s North American final round World Cup 2006 qualifying with shutout triumphs today, leaving seven nations to fight over three remaining spots.


Teenager joins the race for future NASCAR success

Next October, Chase Austin will finally be old enough to drive to the grocery store by himself. By then, though, he #39;ll also have a full season of stock car racing under his belt.


No. 18 Louisville at No. 3 Miami

TV - tvelwtvscwtvpcwtvnrw. Radio - WQAM (560 AM) WSUA-Spanish (1260 AM), WVUM (90.5 FM), WEFL (760 AM). Coaches: UM #39;s Larry Coker is 39-3 in his fourth season; Louisville #39;s Bobby Petrino is 13-4 in his second season.


Donors examine billions of dollars in aid for Iraq

TOKYO: Donors to Iraq #39;s reconstruction are examining billions of dollars in aid pledges that have gone mostly unused amid an insurgency, as the interim government appealed for firmer world support.


Prince Sihamoni to be named new king of Cambodia

Prince Norodom Sihamoni will be named king of Cambodia later on Thursday by the nine-member Throne Council, said the national assembly president in Phnom Penh.


Tata to invest \$2bn in Bangladesh

Indian industrial group Tata agrees to invest \$2bn in Bangladesh, the biggest single deal agreed by a firm in the south Asian country.


Space Station Crew Blast Off from Kazakh Steppe

A Russian rocket carrying a US-Russian space crew on a two-day flight to the International Space Station blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan early Thursday.


Ontario Pledges New Actions Against Child Pornography And Child <b>...</b>

The Ontario government has announced new measures today to tackle child pornography online and Internet luring. Research shows 40 percent of Canadian youth report that someone they met on the Internet, requested personal information.


OFFICER PROBE AS GIRL SHOT DEAD IN GAZA

THE Israeli army has suspended a platoon commander accused by his soldiers of emptying an ammunition clip into a Palestinian girl of 13.


Election monitors weigh complaints in Afghanistan

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- Foreign election experts on Wednesday studied complaints from candidates in Afghanistan #39;s first-ever presidential election, setting aside suspect ballot boxes and further delaying the vote count.


GUS says Argos outperforms

Retail group GUS says like-for-like sales at its key Argos chain outstripped the market in the first half as sales of consumer electronics and leisure goods shone.


Google gets Bangalored

Google isn #39;t conventional and so aren #39;t its co-founders. Meeting them is pure fun. Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded this search engine and have been applying some really unconventional approaches to constantly


Topics during the presidential debate _ at a glance

Kerry said he would not appoint judges who would overturn the Supreme Court #39;s 1973 abortion rights decision of Roe v. Wade. Bush said he had no litmus test for judges and reiterated his support for the ban on so-called partial birth abortion.


Martha Stewart Adds to Furniture Line, Including Turkey Hill

She may be in a West Virginia prison, but Westport #39;s Martha Stewart is growing her business by adding to her furniture line, including new items to a collection based on her Westport home.


Bank says it #39;s gaining customers since merger

Thousands of new customers across the Northeast are flocking to Bank of America Corp., chief executive Kenneth D. Lewis said yesterday, despite a wave of bad


Ottawa surplus swells to \$9.1 billion

The federal government raked in billions more than it expected last year in personal and corporate income taxes, and slapped down all \$9.


Panthers #39; defense takes big hit before game with Eagles

PHILADELPHIA  The Carolina Panthers #39; hopes of relying on their defense to help their injury-plagued offense took a big hit Wednesday when coach Jon Fox announced that defensive tackle Kris


State Street's lost shirt

Investors losing their shirts in Hollywood is an old story. Stars get in their eyes and, before you know it, the money is gone.


Boston Scientific to skirt sanctions

The Food and Drug Administration is unlikely to sanction Boston Scientific Corp. after reviewing its handling of safety recalls of its new cardiac stent system, an agency official said yesterday.


Rheumatoid arthritis drug market heats up

The fight over the lucrative market for rheumatoid arthritis drugs is heating up. In the last five years, three similar drugs have been introduced that offer patients the promise of getting back on their feet. Now the manufacturers of all three are jockeying for market share so they can be the leader when Medicare's full prescription drug benefit takes effect ...


Bank says it's gaining customers since merger

Thousands of new customers across the Northeast are flocking to Bank of America Corp. , chief executive Kenneth D. Lewis said yesterday, despite a wave of bad publicity over layoffs and other business decisions.


Profiteering seen with flu vaccine

Amid an unprecedented shortage of flu vaccine, pharmacists at several Massachusetts hospitals say that suppliers have offered to sell them shots in recent days for as much as \$90 a dose, more than 10 times the normal price.


Crude futures rally over \$53

Crude oil futures rallied back above \$53 late yesterday on speculation and panic sparked by an oil line explosion in Mexico.


Finland, US ranked top economies

Northern Europe and key Asian countries remained home to the most competitive economies worldwide, cementing their ranks among the top 10 in an annual survey of business leaders by the World Economic Forum. Finland retained the top spot for the third time in the last four years, followed by the United States.


Yawkey Center building dedicated

Officials dedicated the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, a 10-story, 400,000-square-foot addition to Massachusetts General Hospital that opened Tuesday with 1,200 patients being seen on the first day. The \$219 million glass and steel building on Cambridge Street, with underground parking for 725 cars, is the largest ambulatory care facility in New England. The project began more than two years ...


Ahold, executives settle fraud charges

Global grocery retailer Ahold NV has agreed to a settlement of civil fraud charges over an alleged \$1 billion overstatement of earnings in a deal with US regulators that does not fine the company.


Analysts say debt is Delta's top woe

As Delta Air Lines Inc. struggles to turn itself around, much of the focus has been on its call for concessions from pilots. But some analysts say Delta's massive debt is a bigger challenge -- and one that's more difficult to resolve outside of bankruptcy.


SEC proposes tighter IPO regulations

Artificially boosting demand for initial public stock offerings and ramping up related commissions would be restricted under rules proposed yesterday by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.


Japan Fumes Over Whales as U.N. Meeting Winds Up

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Japan was fuming over the failure of  its bid to expand trade in whale products and Africa swapped  blows over ivory Thursday as a U.N. meeting on trade in wild  plants and animals wrapped up.


Merck: Successor pill safer than Vioxx

#151; Merck   Co., the US drug maker that recalled its Vioxx painkiller because of a link to heart disease, said short-term studies show the company's planned successor pill, Arcoxia, is safer.


Officials defend safety of mall

Natick Mall officials are standing by their safety record, despite a recent reported rape of a teenager there.


Waltham sex boutique aims to attract couples

On a recent Wednesday night at the Lifestyles shop on Moody Street, owner Gary Stone gestured toward a couple in their 40s who were perusing the store's lengthy wall of sex toys. They were dressed smartly, as if they had just dined at one of Waltham's fancier downtown restaurants.


Lawsuits filed by wait staff over tips

A former waiter has filed a class-action lawsuit against a prestigious West Newton country club, contending that his employer illegally withheld thousands of dollars in tips from him and other servers.


Town presses state for sewer funds

Town officials are hoping the state can unearth \$1.4 million to help bring sewers to the Medway 495 Business Park. Otherwise, they say, some 250 area jobs may be lost -- not to mention thousands of dollars in annual tax revenue.


Lock-in rates for heating oil a gamble for local suppliers

LAWRENCE -- The 6,000 letters offering to lock in prices for a season's worth of heating oil were mailed a couple of weeks ago to customers of Haffner's Service Station Inc. But even though the prices being charged are about a third higher than last year, the contracts are a crapshoot for Peggy Willett.


Child-porn strategy pressures Web firms

Ontario is prepared to force Internet service providers to blow the whistle on child pornography sites, Attorney-General Michael Bryant announced yesterday.


Mobile Phones Increase Tumor Risk, Study Says

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Ten or more years of mobile phone use  increases the risk of developing acoustic neuroma, a benign  tumor on the auditory nerve, according to a study released on  Wednesday by Sweden's Karolinska Institute.


Armitage: US Not Yet Seeking Sanctions on Iran

Iran should be  quot;brought to account quot; on its nuclear program, but Washington is open to ideas other than taking it to the UN Security Council for sanctions, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Wednesday.


Huge Explosion Rocks Gaza City

A Palestinian schoolgirl runs past the rubble of a destroyed building next to a United Nations school in the Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004.


China sports star in Aids campaign

Aids activists get help from Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, back in Shanghai for a promotional game.


Plane diverted in security alert

A plane flying from Hong Kong to London's Heathrow airport is diverted to Stansted following a security alert.


New Crew Sets Off for Space Station

American NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, bottom, Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov, center, and Russian Yuri Shargin, top, wave just before their launch at the cosmodrome Baikonur in Kazakstan, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004.


Zook, Gators Get Involved In Brouhaha With Fraternity

Florida football coach Ron Zook, right, couldn #39;t take down Tennessee or LSU this season. But, according to published reports, Zook threatened to  quot;take down quot; a University of Florida fraternity house, where


HAMAS FIEND SURRENDERS IN HIS SKIVVIES

JERUSALEM - A terrorist commander who had sent homicide bombers to blow themselves up surrendered meekly in his underwear yesterday after Israeli paratroopers surrounded his West Bank hideout.


Taiwan said to conduct plutonium tests in '80s

VIENNA -- The UN nuclear watchdog agency has found that Taiwan's experiments with plutonium extended to the mid-1980s, diplomats said yesterday, uncovering a key detail about the country's now-abandoned nuclear weapons program.


Worker rights, welfare demands fail

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's newly elected lawmakers, who promised last month to listen closely and fight for the less fortunate, threw out two motions calling for more workers' rights and welfare yesterday.


Narrow rule feared after Russia lifts leader limits

MOSCOW -- The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, voted yesterday to overturn a ban on political party leaders becoming ministers, raising fears that Soviet-style one-party rule could make a comeback.


China dismisses Taiwan overture

BEIJING -- The Chinese government declared yesterday that a conciliatory proposal made Sunday by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan was fraudulent, intended only to fool Taiwanese voters and international opinion.


Egypt eyes possible link of 17 arrests to Sinai bombings

CAIRO -- Egyptian authorities are investigating whether 17 suspected Al Qaeda members arrested while illegally entering Libya have any connection with last week's coordinated bombings at Sinai tourist resorts that killed 34 people, an Egyptian official said yesterday.


Russian rocket blasts off for station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan -- A Russian rocket carrying a new Russian-US crew to the international space station lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome early today.


Officials target support for foreign fighters

BAGHDAD -- Six US soldiers were reported killed in Iraq yesterday, while the country's interim prime minister threatened a major offensive against the city of Fallujah unless its residents hand over Abu Musab Zarqawi, a Jordanian guerrilla leader thought to be hiding there.


Blair says he won't apologize for Iraq war

LONDON -- Prime Minister Tony Blair weathered yet another storm over the Iraq conflict yesterday, vigorously denying he misled Britain over Iraqi weapons and refusing to apologize for the war.


Sharp Contrasts for Candidates on Domestic and Social Issues

President Bush and John Kerry clashed over the war on terrorism, the loss of jobs overseas and the state of health care.


A Crucial Test, but Not Final

George W. Bush and John Kerry ended the debates as they began them, with starkly defined differences on most issues.


Justices Consider Executions of Young Killers

The court appeared deeply divided over whether the death penalty for acts committed while a juvenile should be seen as "cruel and unusual punishment."


FDA Approves Use of Chip in Patients

WASHINGTON - Privacy advocates are concerned that an implantable microchip designed to help doctors tap into a patient's medical records could undermine confidentiality or could even be used to track the patient's movements.   "If privacy protections aren't built in at the outset, there could be harmful consequences for patients," said Emily Stewart, a policy analyst at the Health Privacy Project...


Funding cuts threaten bee health

Funding cuts to Britain's bee inspectors could worsen the effects of hive diseases, a lobby group says.


New Crew Sets Off for Space Station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - A Russian rocket carrying two cosmonauts and an American astronaut to the international space station lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome on Thursday.    For Russians Salizhan Sharipov and Yuri Shargin and American Leroy Chiao, it was the first mission in a Soyuz spacecraft - breaking the nearly 30-year tradition of having at least one crewman with previous experience in piloting the capsule...


Australia elect to bat in second test v India

Australia #39;s stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist elected to bat in the second test against India on Thursday. Australia, 1-0 up in the four-match series, retained the same eleven


Open Source: Balancing Innovation and Risk

The world of software development traditionally was a clandestine one, where developers in the bowels of their institution were entrenched in writing thousands of lines of code to meet ever-changing business requirements.


Man arrested in England in sex assault on Austin teen

AUSTIN, Texas A 36-year-old man has been arrested in England for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old Austin girl he met in an Internet chat room.


Beckham out for up to a month

Following his idea of being  #39;clever #39; last weekend, David Beckham will be out of action for up to a month with the rib injury he suffered following his foul on Wales #39; Ben Thatcher.


Focus on SpaceShipOne #39;s creator

Burt Rutan, creator of the first privately-owned manned spaceship, is a dentist #39;s son who tested model airplanes from the window of his mother #39;s car as a child.


English man accused of sex with Texas minor he met on the Web

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in England and charged with having sex with a 15-year-old Texas girl he met in an Internet chat room.


Gates: Broadcast model faces irrelevancy

Bill Gates, head of the world #39;s largest software company, predicts a future for the entertainment industry in which traditional broadcast television is rendered irrelevant.


Merck defends itself on Vioxx

Faced with credibility questions about the Vioxx recall, Merck executives yesterday insisted the first clear signs linking the painkiller to heart problems emerged only last month.


Becks row rumbles on

David Beckham is still in danger of facing disciplinary action for admitting he got booked on purpose - despite Sven-Goran Eriksson #39;s attempts to draw a line under the controversy.


Australia Chooses to Bat in Second Cricket Test Against India

Australia captain Adam Gilchrist won the toss and chose to bat first against India in the second cricket Test in Chennai. Australia, which won the first Test by 217 runs after Gilchrist


Around Asia #39;s Markets: JPMorgan says shift in yuan is likely

China may adjust its currency #39;s peg to the dollar within a year by fixing the yuan against a basket of currencies rather than adopting a floating exchange-rate regime, according to JPMorgan Private Bank.


US pushes Nato over Afghanistan

The US is calling on Nato to take overall responsibility for peacekeeping and reconstruction in Afghanistan. US officials are proposing the separate US and Nato missions there should merge under Nato command


Israeli soldier suspended in girl #39;s death

GAZA CITY, Gaza StripThe Israeli army yesterday suspended a platoon commander suspected of emptying an ammunition clip into a 13-year-old Palestinian girl from close range after she had collapsed under fire.


Goldcorp Agrees to Buy Wheaton River for \$1.8 Bln (Update3)

Goldcorp Inc., Canada #39;s fourth-largest gold producer, has agreed to buy Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. for \$1.8 billion in stock, giving Goldcorp its first assets outside of North America, Chief Executive Robert R. McEwen said.


Apple posts highest Q4 revenue in almost a decade

Apple reported revenue for the quarter of \$2.35 billion, up 37 from the \$1.72 billion recorded during last year's fourth quarter.


Pujols Gets Cardinals Off to Fast Start (AP)

AP - Albert Pujols made sure the St. Louis Cardinals got off to another fast start.


Trail Blazers Clobber SuperSonics 92-73 (AP)

AP - After a camp marred by trouble involving reserve forward Qyntel Woods, the Portland Trail Blazers opened preseason play Wednesday night with a 92-73 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.


Boston Sluggers Fall Silent for 2nd Game (AP)

AP - Red Sox bats that knocked balls over fences all season flailed wildly at them in the first two games of the AL championship series.


Soccer World Cup: U.S. Beats Panama 6-0 (AP)

AP - There'll be no last-minute pressure this time. The United States advanced to the next round of World Cup qualifying with a game to spare.


Win Over Miami Would Be Big for Louisville (AP)

AP - The spectator with the brusque baritone, push-broom mustache and divided loyalties at Thursday night's game between the Miami Hurricanes and Louisville Cardinals will be Howard Schnellenberger.


Yankees Edge Red Sox to Take Command of Series

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jon Lieber pitched seven shutout  innings and John Olerud cracked a two-run homer as the New York  Yankees dumped the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Wednesday to take  command of the American League championship series.


Johnson's Sudden Hat Trick Leads U.S. Past Panama

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eddie Johnson came off the bench to  score a hat-trick in 16 minutes as the U.S. thrashed Panama 6-0  in a CONCACAF zone World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.


Lieber Tucks In Red Sox for the Night

Jon Lieber subdued Pedro Martnez and the mighty offense of the Boston Red Sox, leading the Yankees to a 3-1 victory.


Down again in N.Y.

NEW YORK -- Hold off on the traditional postseason, red, white and blue bunting draped over the rails at Fenway for the upcoming weekend series with the Yankees. After wicked Wednesday's double-barrel blast of bad news from the Bronx, Red Sox management might want to decorate with black crepe when the American League Championship Series resumes tomorrow night at the ...


Experience big in Phillies' search

Former Red Sox manager Grady Little is among five former major league managers lining up to interview for the vacant manager's job with the Phillies. Former Cleveland Indians skipper Charlie Manuel, who has been serving as a special assistant and advisor with the Phillies, had his turn yesterday as the Phillies look for a replacement for Larry Bowa , who ...


They're holding all the aces now

NEW YORK -- Mariano Rivera picked up the save, the 32d of his illustrious postseason career. But you already knew that. You knew that back in March.


Johnson receives a message with benching

Bethel Johnson remains in the dark on why Patriots coach Bill Belichick decided the second-year wide receiver out of Texas A amp;M should have been kept off the 45-man active roster for last Sunday's win over the Dolphins.


Disgruntled Rice keeps up pressure for a trade

Jerry Rice was scheduled to meet with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis on last night to discuss the receiver's future after he said he wants to be traded.


European powers get back on track

Order was restored in Europe, but South American leaders Brazil and Argentina couldn't find the net yesterday as both were held to 0-0 draws in World Cup qualifying.


Celtics learn a lot in loss to Pistons

The Pistons returned to the scene of their most recent triumph last night, taking the floor at The Palace of Auburn Hills for the first time since capturing the 2003-04 NBA championship.


Gold helmet winners

Shawn Brady, QB, Northeastern With four touchdown passes in Northeastern's 34-30 win over No. 14 Villanova, the Huskies' senior quarterback was awarded this week's Division 1-AA Gold Helmet Award. Brady connected on TD strikes of 26, 24, 13, and 9 yards as the Huskies edged the Wildcats. The winningest quarterback in NU history, Brady was 17 of 24 for 299 ...


BC stays in running

When it comes to inexperienced, talented running backs, Boston College is suffering from an embarrassment of riches.


Former Framingham QB catching on as BC receiver

Tony Gonzalez, a former Globe All-Scholastic quarterback from Framingham High School and the Globe's Division 2 high school Player of the Year in 2000, is now a sophomore on the Boston College football team that is off to a 4-1 start.


BC High shuts down the Prep

Defense has been the theme for No. 13 BC High and 14th-ranked St. John's Prep for most of this soccer season. Yesterday, BC High was just a little bit better in a 1-0 win that assured the host Eagles at least a share of the Catholic Conference title.  quot;That's a top defensive battle, quot; said BC coach Billy Ryan.  quot;The players ...


With Help, Sea Turtles Rally to Escape Oblivion

Olive ridley sea turtles are making a comeback, largely because of Mexican conservation efforts.


Yankees Take Lead

Jon Lieber outduels Pedro Martinez as the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 3-1, Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in their ALCS rematch.


Cardinals Win Opener

Larry Walker delivers three key hits as the Cardinals slug their way past the Astros, 10-7, Wednesday in Game 1 of a NLCS many feel is being unjustly overlooked.


WVU Clips Huskies

Rasheed Marshall rushes for 110 yards and throws a touchdown pass Wednesday night to lead No. 17 West Virginia to a 31-19 victory over Connecticut.


Relief Crew Is on Its Way to Space Station

A replacement crew for the International Space Station blasted off aboard a Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Russia.


Japan #39;s Nikkei, Topix Fall, Paced by Canon on US Jobs Report

Japanese stocks fell, paced by exporters such as Canon Inc. and Nissan Motor Co., after a US government report showed that the world #39;s largest economy added fewer jobs in November than some economists had expected.


Religious Meeting in Indonesia Aims to Blunt Radicals

Indonesia #39;s president will open an international religious conference in the world #39;s most populous Muslim nation on Monday aimed at sending a message of moderation


Fitting Your PC in a Pocket

OQO, a tiny 14-ounce Windows XP computer, may just be the most elegant and versatile miniature PC possible with current technology.


Smaller Can Be Better (Except When It's Not)

Stores are stocked with an abundance of featherweight gadgets. But some of these tiny gadgets raise a new question: How small is too small?


4 European Nations Accused of Unfairly Favoring Intel

The European Commission said on Wednesday that France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland had unfairly favored Intel in public contracts for computer equipment.


Merck: Successor pill safer than Vioxx

Merck  amp; Co., the US drug maker that recalled its Vioxx painkiller because of a link to heart disease, said short-term studies show the companys planned successor pill, Arcoxia, is safer.


SEC Settles with Ahold, Execs

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed enforcement actions against Royal Ahold NV and three former executives, alleging fraud and other violations stemming from the Dutch food giant #39;s massive accounting scandal.


SEC probes papers #39; circulation figures

The Securities and Exchange Commission has started an investigation into newspaper circulation reporting after several publications acknowledged exaggerating their sales.


Dallas Fed chief set to leave

Dallas Federal Reserve Bank president Robert McTeer, the self-styled inflation  quot;lonesome dove, quot; yesterday said he would step down to lead the Texas A amp;M University


#39;Saucy Beckham pics #39; used as virus bait

Virus writers have latched onto the publicity surrounding football star David Beckham and his sexual escapades and are luring unsuspecting web users to a site that offers a whole lot more than just a couple of Photoshopped pics of David Beckham and his


Soccer World Cup: US Beats Panama 6-0

The United States #39; DaMarcus Beasley (17), who plays for PSV Einhoven in the Netherlands, battles for the ball against Panama #39;s Jose Anthony Torres, left, during the second half of their World Cup qualifying match Wednesday, Oct.


Skipper Ponting blow for Aussies

Australia could be without skipper Ricky Ponting for the whole of the Test series in India. Having missed the First Test victory in Bangalore and the Second Test, which started today in Chennai, Ponting has


He owns Manuel on managing

The Phillies have decided to bring all of their managerial candidates in front of the media, where they undergo a quasi second job interview.


Costa Rica beat Canada 3-1 in WC qualifier

Costa Rica overcame an early goal down to beat Canada 3-1 in Vancouver on Wednesday, ending the hometeam #39;s hopes of advancing to the next round of World Cup qualification.


Michigan #39;s focus strictly on Illinois

Q. Are the Wolverines looking ahead to their game at Purdue in less than two weeks? A. It wouldnt be surprising if the Wolverines are sneaking a peek at the


Virgin Flight From Hong Kong Diverted (AP)

AP - A Virgin Atlantic plane was diverted to land at Stansted airport north of London Thursday after receiving a bomb threat, police said.


Israel Presses Offensive in Northern Gaza (AP)

AP - Israel's largest and bloodiest offensive in Gaza in four years of conflict moved into its third week, with missile strikes killing six Palestinians and Israeli troops digging into the northern end of the crowded territory.


Australian govt says pre-election economic forecasts too optimistic (AFP)

AFP - Treasurer Peter Costello has been accused of preparing to break big-spending election promises by playing down official predictions of strong economic growth as the government moved towards outright control of both houses of Parliament.


Musharraf dual role backed by MPs

Pakistan's parliament passes a bill allowing Gen Pervez Musharraf to remain as both president and head of the army.


Bush, Kerry Duel Over Domestic Policy

TEMPE, Ariz. - President Bush and rival John Kerry vaulted into the home stretch of the race for the White House by trading blows on taxes, gun control, abortion and jobs, striving in their final debate to cement impressions in voters' minds...


Crude prices rise above US\$54 on supply fears

Crude oil prices rose above US\$54 Thursday on speculation sparked by a pipeline explosion in Mexico and a continued work stoppage in Nigeria.


Silent night

The New York Yankees are starting to rummage through their closet, looking for those brooms, just in case. The Boston Red Sox are trying to keep their closet door locked, before all those infernal ghosts get out again.


F1: Grand Prix hopes splutter into life

The British Grand Prix has been given a stay of execution after being included on Formula One #39;s draft 2005 calendar. Silverstone owners the British Racing Drivers #39; Club have


Russian favourite Safin stumbles in Kremlin Cup

Top seed and home favourite Marat Safin was bundled out of the Kremlin Cup in the second round 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 by unseeded Czech Radek Stepanek.


Israel kills five after renewed Hamas threat

quot;disengage quot; from conflict with Palestinians by evacuating all Jewish settlers from Gaza and a few from the West Bank in 2005.


Singapore govt fund may offer \$110 million -report

TOKYO (CBS.MW) - Singapore #39;s state investment arm Temasek Holdings Pte may buy a stake in China Minsheng Banking Corp., according to a published report.


Bank of Montreal to acquire Indiana-based institution

Toronto (Dow Jones) -- Bank of Montreal on Wednesday said it agreed to acquire Mercantile Bancorp Inc. for \$156.5 million as it moves to expand in the Midwest region of the United States.


Bryant shrugs off Jackson #39;s criticism

Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss issued a four-point written statement. Rudy Tomjanovich offered words of praise outside the locker room.


FIA issue 19-race draft calendar

The British Grand Prix is one of 19 races listed on the provisional calendar for the 2005 Formula One season, as released by the sport #39;s governing body, the FIA, on Wednesday.


Heatley approves Swiss-league deal

Atlanta Thrashers forward Dany Heatley agreed to contract terms Wednesday with Bern in Switzerland to play with the club during the NHL lockout.


Falluja negotiator dismisses threat

negotiator for the rebel-held city says its people are being asked to chase shadows. top enemy in Iraq, or face military action. told Arabic Al Jazeera television on Thursday, adding that the government had now halted peace talks.


I bankrolled Zuma - Shaik

DURBAN - Businessman Schabir Shaik has acknowledged he bankrolled Deputy President Jacob Zuma, claiming that he did so to enable Zuma to stay in politics.


Program Links Diabetic Kids With Doctors (AP)

AP - Diabetic 9-year-old Gabe Mathews had very low blood sugar before a test, but hours later at home his mother found it to be far too high.


First Look: OQO Handheld PC Fails to Excite (PC World)

PC World - Design and performance issues hold back this very cool idea.


Adobe Ships Upgrade of Photoshop For Non-Professionals (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Adobe releases an upgrade of its consumer-focused photo-editing software, which has been enhanced with new features for improving photo quality.


IPod Helps Lift Apple's Fourth-Quarter Profit (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The iPod helped Apple's profit get up and dance.


FDA Approves Use of Chip in Patients (AP)

AP - Privacy advocates are concerned that an implantable microchip designed to help doctors tap into a patient's medical records could undermine confidentiality or could even be used to track the patient's movements.


Spy freed as part of prisoner exchange

An ecstatic Azzam Azzam, the Israeli Druze businessman held in an Egyptian jail for seven years on spying charges, was released yesterday in a prisoner swap seen as signalling a thaw in relations between the two countries.


US reveals anti-piracy proposals

A new report calls for the creation of new anti-piracy offices across the US, Europe and Asia.


Sony Ericsson sees profits triple

Japanese-Swedish mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson reports a tripling of its third quarter profit, driven by sales of new camera phones.


U.S. Forces, Insurgents Battle in Ramadi (AP)

AP - U.S. forces traded fire with insurgents in the Sunni stronghold of Ramadi following a series of raids, residents said Thursday, and at least eight people were reported killed.


Putin Sets Veto Outcry at Rest

NEW DELHI, 5 December 2004 - Russian President Vladimir Putin clarified his stand yesterday on Moscow favoring Indias membership of the UN Security Council.


New Somali leader to be sworn in

Somalia's president-elect, tasked with setting up the first national government in 13 years, is due to take the oath of office in Kenya.


FACT CHECK

As they traded charges and countercharges on the economy, health care and other domestic issues, President Bush mischaracterized who received the tax cuts that have been the centerpiece


Death of Bx. mom cited in 1st round of Vioxx suits

A Brooklyn lawyer announced plans yesterday to file the first federal lawsuits against Merck  amp; Co. on behalf of New Yorkers who developed heart troubles using the arthritis drug Vioxx.


Federal surplus is good news

The shouts of astonishment and outrage echoed from every part of the country yesterday as Canadians contemplated the newly announced federal government budget surplus: \$9.


Russia launches manned space mission to ISS

MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax) - A Soyuz TMA-5 spaceship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station (ISS) was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome with a Soyuz-FG rocket at 7:06 am on Thursday, an


Microsoft Ups Ante Vs. iTunes

NEW YORK - Microsoft #39;s new offensive in the digital music industry will seek to significantly alter the competitive landscape in a new market that until now has largely been dominated by Apple Computer and its powerful combination of the iPod portable


Ultima Online: Samurai Empire Gone Gold

October 13, 2004 - EA sent word that Ultima Online: Samurai Empire has gone gold today and will be in stores Nov. 2nd.  quot;We are right on track to deliver this exciting new experience to our fans next month, quot; said


Solaris critically flawed

TIM FIRM Sun has released details of a critical bug in both its Solaris operating system and the Java Desktop System. Affected systems are Solaris 7, 8 and 9 on both the Sparc and x86 platforms, and the JDS


Weary Rivera saves day for Yankees again

Mariano Rivera smiled easily and talked about how yesterday was better, how the  quot;sun came up today. quot; But his eyes were still weary when he stopped to talk during batting practice before Game 2 of the ALCS last night.


Cards offense switches into gear it needs to win

The constant pattering of the Thunderstixx and the Budweiser jingle further fueled the migraine-like misery sustained Wednesday night by the Houston Astros.


Kuznetsova wins, Safin loses at Kremlin Cup

On the men #39;s side, top-seeded Marat Safin was upset by Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (10-8), 4-6, 6-3. Stepanek, No.


Microsoft patent-infringement case to go to trial

A federal judge ruled against Microsoft on Wednesday in a patent suit challenging  quot;AutoPlay quot; technology included in recent versions of Microsoft Windows.


Study: Denver-to-Vail plan would cost less than I-70 growth

Supporters of building a monorail from Denver to Vail released a study Monday that shows the project is technically feasible and can be done for less cost per mile than a planned highway expansion.


Falluja negotiator dismisses threat

Iraq #39;s interim prime minister has threatened to attack Falluja unless it turns in foreign militants, but a negotiator for the rebel-held city says its people are being asked to chase shadows.


Afghanistan vote count gets go-ahead

Afghanistan #39;s electoral commission gave the go-ahead for counting to begin today in the disputed presidential election after charges of fraudulent multiple voting forced a delay.


First Look: OQO Handheld PC Fails to Excite

Design and performance issues hold back this very cool idea.


Israel, Europe Could Be on Collision Course-Report (Reuters)

Reuters - Israel could end up on a collision\course with the European Union and face sanctions like\apartheid-era South Africa unless the Israeli-Palestinian\conflict is resolved, a confidential government report warns.


Bomb alert forces Virgin Atlantic plane to land at Stansted airport (AFP)

AFP - A bomb alert forced a Virgin Atlantic flight from Hong Kong to London's Heathrow airport to land at Stansted airport, north of the British capital, as a  quot;precautionary measure quot;, officials said.


Israel, Europe Could Be on Collision Course-Report

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel could end up on a collision  course with the European Union and face sanctions like  apartheid-era South Africa unless the Israeli-Palestinian  conflict is resolved, a confidential government report warns.


Martha #39;s furniture line about to grow

Martha Stewart may be living in prison cell basics, but outside her company soldiers on. Now, it sees a future in furniture. The jailed diva #39;s company rolled out additions to its Signature furniture


Sony Ericsson Profit Rises 45 on Camera Phone Demand (Update2)

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ltd., the mobile-phone venture owned by Sony Corp. and Ericsson AB, said third-quarter profit rose 45 percent on camera phone demand and forecast this quarter will be its strongest.


Vonage talks of 911 advancements

Vonage, an Internet phone service provider, and emergency telecom specialist Intrado say together they #39;ve conducted successful trials of an advanced means of making emergency phone calls using the Internet.


Thierry finds his goal touch

Thierry Henry scored his first international goal for four months to help struggling France snatch a badly needed 2-0 victory over Cyprus.


Tim has Nets in sights

Tim Thomas was airborne one second and a chalk outline the next. That #39;s how quickly Jason Collins, the Nets #39; center, knocked Thomas out of last year #39;s playoffs and revealed a softer, gentler


Finland leads in economic competition for the second straight year

According to the World Economic Forums ranking, for the second straight year the most competitive economy is Finlands one. Finland hit the top for the quality of its public institutions and the high


Evesham e-box Media Center 2005 PC

Review Evesham #39;s first attempt at a Media Center PC, the eMedia, was, to be honest, far from perfect. But the UK PC maker learned from the mistakes it made, and went back to the drawing board.


BoA Profit Up 29 Percent on Lending

Bank of America Corp. (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 3 US bank, on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose 29 percent, helped by its purchase of FleetBoston Financial Corp.


National City #39;s 3Q Profit Soars 72 Percent

National City Corp. on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose 72 percent as the financial holding company benefited from its corporate and consumer businesses and recent acquisitions.


Sony Ericsson triples 3Q profits

LONDON, October 14 (newratings.com) - Sony Ericsson posted robust profit growth for 3Q04, with the company #39;s quarterly pre-tax profits more than tripling from the one year ago levels.


EU charges countries favouring Intel over AMD

France, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden are violating European Union law by favouring chips made by Intel over rival AMD when they buy computers, the European Commission has said in formal charges.


No receipts? IRS will provide sales-tax tables

President Bush has yet to sign the corporate-tax bill that includes sales-tax relief for Washington state, and there are lots of details to fill in.


Halo 2 leaked onto the internet

Microsoft has said it is trying to track down the people behind a pirated copy of the forthcoming Halo 2 game. A version of the eagerly awaited Xbox game has appeared on net piracy sites and newsgroups, almost a month before making it into the shops.


PayPal Getting Back to Normal after Outage

PayPal began getting back to normal Tuesday afternoon and improved significantly on Wednesday after a 4-day intermittent problem left many users unable to access their accounts.


Sony execs -  #39;we fell asleep in portable music #39;

Sony executives yesterday said they  quot;fell asleep quot; in the portable music market - but the company is awake now. Sony plans to improve its position in the market by next year, promising a range of products that aim at Apple #39;s iPod.


IBM unveils new Shark and midrange array

IBM has unveiled two new enterprise-class storage arrays which, despite being aimed at different markets, can be managed through a single interface and data can be replicated between them.


Dell rides the wave to consumer gadgets

Dell (DELL) will set out Thursday to conquer markets dominated by Apple (APPL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and others with products that include its first small digital music player, photo printer and plasma TV.


Microsoft security updates

Microsoft has released fresh security updates for Office, and an update to its MSN messenger application. The MSN Messenger update brings the product to version 4.0.


Yanks Go Up 2-0; Cardinals Win Opener

New York Yankees starter Jon Lieber, center, hands off the ball to manager Joe torre, left, as he leaves the game against the Boston Red Sox in the in the 8th inning of the game 2 of the American League championship series at Yankee Stadium in New York


UPDATE 3-Kumble fells Australia, Warne equals record

Leg spinner Anil Kumble captured seven wickets for 48 runs as Australia were dismissed for 235 on the first day of the second test on Thursday.


No room for complacency from table-topping England

England head into a five-month World Cup qualifying break with top slot in Group Six and the knowledge they can ill-afford to be complacent next year.


Victory in Moldova Vogts pledges

and predicted the victory would be more impressive than Italy #39;s. The German knows he could be sacked if Scotland


Nokia Says Profit Will Keep Falling as Prices Drop (Update2)

Nokia Oyj, the world #39;s largest mobile- phone maker, said profit may drop for a second straight quarter after reporting a 20 percent decline in third-quarter earnings as it cut prices in a bid to regain market share.


\$9-billion surplus puts tax cuts on gov #39;t agenda

OTTAWA -- Finance Minister Ralph Goodale says he #39;s looking at another round of tax cuts after revealing the federal government posted a \$9.


Cricket: Harbhajan #39;s dual strike halts Australia in second Test

MADRAS, India : Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh grabbed two wickets in three balls to lead India #39;s fightback in the second cricket Test against Australia here.


Montoya  #39;poised for FIA summons #39;

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya could be summoned to a meeting of Formula One #39;s governing body, the FIA, to explain his conduct, according to reports.


Mets coaches axed

The Mets made the expected changes to Art Howe #39;s former staff in announcing yesterday that only pitching coach Rick Peterson would be retained.


Wie is older, but still just 15

If we #39;re talking about 15-year-old kids and Game Boy video games, well, then, it must be time for another On Golf column. Michelle Wie is back in the news, fresh off her latest birthday last week, meaning


UPDATE 1-Davenport takes over top spot from Mauresmo

Lindsay Davenport will take over the number one spot from Amelie Mauresmo when the rankings are released next week after reaching the Kremlin Cup quarter-finals


No. 17 West Virginia 31, Connecticut 19

West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez was more concerned about the 89 yards in penalties than the 300-plus yards of rushing offense piled up by his Mountaineers.


Baghdad Blasts in Green Zone Kill 8 Civilians, Military Says

Eight civilians were killed and at least three were wounded in two blasts in Baghdad #39;s fortified Green Zone, which houses government offices, Lieutenant Colonel James Hutton, a US military


General Motors to cut 12,000 jobs in Europe

General Motors Europe is to slash its workforce by around a fifth, cutting as many as 12,000 jobs in a bid to halt chronic losses in the region.


World ; Death Toll from Israel #39;s Gaza Offensive Rises to 100

World News, GAZA - Israeli air strikes killed five Palestinians in Gaza Thursday as the Palestinian death toll rose to 100 in a 16-day-old army offensive aimed at crushing militants behind rocket salvoes into Israel.


Germany Reiterates Opposition to Sending Troops to Iraq

The German government has reiterated its opposition to sending troops to Iraq, after a top German official suggested otherwise. A spokesman for German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the German leader told


Afghan Officials Start Counting Presidential Ballots (Update2)

The counting of ballots from Afghanistan #39;s Oct. 9 presidential election began after a delay caused by allegations of voting irregularities, the country #39;s electoral commission said.


EU Court Annuls EU100.8 Mln in Fines on German Banks (Update1)

A European court struck down fines totaling 100.8 million euros (\$125 million) on HVB Group, Dresdner Bank AG and three German competitors for fixing European currency- conversion rates.


Southwest Airlines 3Q Profit Increases

Low-fare carrier Southwest Airlines Co. said Thursday that its third-quarter profit rose 12.3 percent to beat Wall Street expectations despite higher fuel costs.


Microsoft Issues Flurry of Fixes on Busy Patch Day

Microsoft released a  quot;cumulative security update quot; for Internet Explorer (MS04-38) that plugs eight holes in the popular browser, as well as six other unique patches for vulnerabilities that the company rated as critical.


Fake Beckham pix in new virus scare

Virus writers are attempting to take over computer users #39; PCs by enticing them to click on a malicious programme masquerading as lurid photos of England soccer captain David Beckham, according to a security firm.


Novell patents to protect more than open source

Novell Inc has taken its new stance on software patents in order to protect innovation in the industry as a whole, not just the open source community, according to a European regulator.


Kumble claims seven, Australia collapse at 235

Chennai, Oct 14 (UNI) Leg spinner Anil Kumble #39;s devastating spell of seven for 48 helped India skittle out Australia for 235 runs in their first essay on the opening day of the second TVS cup series Test at the MA Chidambaram stadium here today.


Italy slips down competitive list while Nordic countries remain <b>...</b>

Italy has sunk down the list of the world #39;s most competitive countries because of bureaucracy, infrastructures and high taxes, a report by the World Economic Forum has revealed.


Citigroup Profit Rises 13 Percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Citigroup Inc.  on Thursday said\third-quarter profit rose 13 percent, topping most Wall Street\forecasts, as growth in consumer businesses offset declining\stock and bond market revenue.


GM Earnings at the Low End of Forecast (Reuters)

Reuters - General Motors Corp.  on Thursday\posted slightly stronger quarterly earnings, but the results\were at the low end of its own forecast and the company cut its\earnings outlook for the year due to slower growth in\Asia-Pacific and mounting losses in Europe.


Import Prices Rise Less Than Expected (Reuters)

Reuters - The cost of goods imported into the\United States rose by a smaller-than-expected 0.2 percent in\September, a government report showed on Thursday, as petroleum\import costs rose a modest 0.6 percent.


Bank of America Profit Up 29 Percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Bank of America Corp. , the No.\3 U.S. bank, on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose 29\percent, helped by its purchase of FleetBoston Financial Corp.\and growth in deposits and credit card issuance.


Six Killed in Ghanaian Cargo Plane Crash - Company (Reuters)

Reuters - Freight company MK Airlines confirmed on\Thursday that one of its Ghanaian-registered Boeing 747 cargo\planes crashed in Halifax, Canada, killing all six crew members\aboard.


Oil, China Push U.S. Trade Gap Near Record (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. trade deficit widened more\than expected in August to its second-highest level on record,\fueled by the highest oil import prices in 23 years and record\imports from China, the U.S. government said on Thursday.


Explosions in Baghdad's Green Zone Kill 8 (AP)

AP - Two bombs apparently carried in by insurgents exploded at an outdoor market and a popular cafe in Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone on Thursday, killing eight civilians and wounding a number of others, a U.S. military spokesman said.


GM Europe to Slash 12,000 Jobs by 2006 (AP)

AP - General Motors Europe announced Thursday that it plans to cut 12,000 jobs on the continent by the end of 2006 in a plan aimed at saving  #36;617 million per year.


UN warns Africa of bleak future, telling it to brace for AIDS time bomb (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Africa must brace itself for an AIDS time bomb as 8,000 people are infected with HIV a day in the region worst hit by the pandemic, the United Nations warned Thursday.


Bush, Kerry trade shots on bin Laden, economy, health care (AFP)

AFP - US President George W. Bush and Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry battled over Iraq, terrorism, health care, and jobs, hoping their final debate would break their deadlocked race.


GM to cut 12,000 jobs in Europe

US car giant General Motors says it is to shed 12,000 jobs in Europe, with Germany bearing the brunt of the losses.


Sony Ericsson sees profits triple

Japanese-Swedish mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson reports a tripling of its third-quarter profit, driven by sales of new camera phones.


Nigerian strike draws to a close

A four-day general strike in Nigeria is expected to end shortly, with neither the unions nor government giving ground.


Eight dead in Iraq's Green Zone

Eight people have been killed in two blasts in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, the US military says.


Hostage killed in Pakistan rescue

One Chinese hostage held by Islamic militants dies and one is freed in a rescue mission by Pakistan's army.


Mobile phone 'ear tumours risk'

Scientists have found using a mobile phone for at least 10 years increased the risk of ear tumours.


Sacked EU whistleblower defiant

The European Commission's former chief accountant, who said the EU budget was open to fraud, will fight her dismissal.


Sierra Leone nabs S Korean boats

The Sierra Leone navy seizes six South Korean trawlers after catching them fishing in their waters.


US diplomats baulk at Jewish bill

The US State Department objects to a bill that would require it to set up an office on anti-Semitism.


Sacked India censor files lawsuit

A sacked Indian film censor who refused to approve a movie on Gujarat riots sues a politician for defamation.


Barbarians 19 - 47 New Zealand

Not since Australia beat South Africa in the 1999 World Cup semi-finals has there been such a southern hemisphere takeover of this stadium and the All Blacks took the opportunity to throw down a gauntlet to next year #39;s Lions.


FBI returns seized news servers

Servers seized by the FBI from the Indymedia alternative media network have been returned.


Keep your eye on those surging Bills; Vick #39;s tough to figure out

Well, well, well. The Redskins topped 20 points for the first time since The Restoration. Will wonders ever cease? Quickly now, who had Week 13 in the office pool?


Zeta 'stalker' bail plea refused

A US judge refuses to lower the \$1million bail for a woman accused of stalking Catherine Zeta Jones.


MS PlaysForSure #8482; - GoneForNow #8482;?

Those the gods wish to destroy, they first make really dumb


Nokia Reports 20 Percent Drop in Profit

Nokia lost market share in the United States, its biggest market, but said it made "substantial gains" in Western Europe.


<cite>Reg</cite> online training offers 'try before you buy'

Site offer Plus 10 off membership - while stocks last


Citigroup Profit Rises 13 Percent

The \$1.02 per share reported was in line with estimates, as growth in consumer businesses offset declining stock and bond market revenue.


Devastating locusts spreading in Africa

ROME -- Swarms of locusts that have devastated crops and pastures across West Africa may hit countries as far away as Pakistan, a UN agency said yesterday as it announced an intensified control campaign. The desert locusts are moving into southwest Libya, southern Algeria, and the borders of Morocco, the Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organization said. Other swarms were ...


IT under threat, says Veritas

Storage Expo It's 10pm, do you know where your DR plan is?


Europe's SAN avoidance strategy

Storage Expo Do you want a SAN or a SANity check?


Removable disks back from the dead

Storage Expo Iomega punts a hard disk autoloader


'Embrace digital' says film boss

Hollywood must embrace digital technologies but also fight film piracy, says new US movie industry supremo.


Supreme Court Internet Privacy Decision

Verizon attorney Sarah Deutsch and washingtonpost.com's David McGuire discuss the Supreme Court case allowing Internet service providers to keep their customers' identities secret, even if the recording industry suspects them of illegally sharing music online.


GM Europe to Slash 12,000 Jobs by 2006

RUESSELSHEIM, Germany - General Motors Europe announced Thursday that it plans to cut 12,000 jobs on the continent by the end of 2006 in a plan aimed at saving \$617 million per year.    The company said that 90 percent of the cuts would be made in 2005...


Israel Presses Offensive in Northern Gaza

BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip - Israeli tanks and bulldozers pulled back from this Palestinian town Thursday, after tearing up roads, flattening strawberry greenhouses and knocking down walls of dozens of houses in what residents said was the most devastating raid in four years of fighting.    The two-day foray into Beit Lahiya was part of a major Israeli military offensive in the northern Gaza Strip, now in its third week...


Chicken Soup Replaces Flu Vaccine

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. - People who went to a local clinic to get a flu shot didn't receive the vaccine they wanted...


Yanks Go Up 2-0; Cardinals Win Opener

NEW YORK - Jon Lieber took a shutout into the eighth inning and John Olerud backed him with a two-run homer in the sixth off Pedro Martinez as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 3-1 Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in their AL championship series rematch. In the National League series opener Wednesday night, Albert Pujols homered early, Larry Walker delivered three key hits and the St...


Explosions in Baghdad's Green Zone Kill 8

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two bombs apparently carried in by insurgents exploded at an outdoor market and a popular cafe in Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone on Thursday, killing eight civilians and wounding a number of others, a U.S. military spokesman said...


U.S. Pre-Ramadan Raids Net Insurgents

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Stepping up raids before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, U.S. forces traded fire with insurgents in the Sunni stronghold of Ramadi, officials said Thursday, while troops detained 10 people, including two suspected insurgent leaders, in a sweep of Baqouba...


GM Europe to Cut 12,000 Jobs by the End


Hi-Def TV May Be PCs' Killer App

It's been possible for years to watch television on a personal computer, but not many people do. The reasons are simple: mediocre picture and sound quality and the ergonomics of it all. TVs don't need to boot up.


TV Host O'Reilly Accused of Harassment

NEW YORK - Bill O'Reilly, whose Fox News Channel show is the highest-rated cable news program, has been accused of sexual harassment by one of his producers. O'Reilly says the complaint is a politically motivated extortion attempt...


Scientists 'find key to hearing'

Scientists pinpoint a protein they believe holds the key to hearing, and maybe new treatments for deafness.


Marine life booms in fishing ban

A scheme which bans fishing east of Lundy Island is having a very beneficial effect on marine wildlife, says English Nature.


New Crew Sets Off for International Space Station

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV     BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) -- A rocket carrying two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut to the international space station streaked into orbit on Thursday, the latest flight of a Russian space vehicle to fill in for grounded U.S. shuttles...


Debating the Dinosaur Extinction

At least 50 percent of the world's species, including the dinosaurs, went extinct 65 million years ago. While most scientists now blame this catastrophe on a large meteorite impact, others wonder if there is more to the story.


U.S. Making Flu Shots Priority for the Elderly

By MICHELLE SPITZER     JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) -- Health officials are scurrying to secure flu vaccines so the elderly, who are most vulnerable to influenza, have first access to shots after the nation's supply was cut in half.    "We're begging, borrowing and stealing from every source we can come up with," said Paula Frank, a clinical consulting nurse for the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center...


Urban Smog: State of the World

Based on 18 months of Envisat observations, this high-resolution global atmospheric map of nitrogen dioxide pollution makes clear just how human activities impact air quality.


Week in review: BCS fails again

The BCS tried to spread joy and big bucks around the country Sunday and had its typical result. USC and Oklahoma came out the big winners and will play for the national champion in the Orange Bowl.


Vaughan and Jones to fore in another mismatch

THE sight of Andrew Strauss delivering the penultimate over of this mismatch said more about the state of Zimbabwe cricket than any number of words.


Transit alternative would be costly

SUMMIT COUNTY - The Colorado Intermountain Fixed Guideway Authority (CIFGA) has released its final report saying magnetic levitation could be a viable transit alternative from Denver to Eagle County.


McNair inactive; Volek starts against Colts

Billy Volek made his fourth start of the season for the Titans and threw for 269 yards with three scores on 21-of-35 passing in a 51-24 loss to the Colts.


Henry helps Arsenal put faulty run behind them

To paraphrase Basil Fawlty in the memorable sketch about Germans, Arsne Wenger did it once and got away with it. The Arsenal manager dropped Jens Lehmann for the


Gizmo shopping in Japan

CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos travels to Tokyo to find out what might be winding up on U.S. shelves in the not-too-distant future.


Photo 5 of 5: Gadgets galore in old Tokyo

CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos travels to Tokyo to find out what may soon be on U.S. shelves.


Photo 2 of 5: Gadgets galore in old Tokyo


U.S. Finally Holds Line on Weight Gain

By MICHAEL HILL    (AP) -- Americans are more calorie-conscious and holding the line on weight gain after years of expanding waistlines, according to a market survey released Wednesday, but nutrition experts were wary of the findings.    The NPD Group's annual survey on eating habits found the portion of overweight Americans holding at 62 percent for a second year...


Update: EU asks four countries to justify call for Intel chips

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission has asked four European Union (E.U.) countries to justify why they favor Intel Corp. processors in computers for public authorities, it announced Wednesday.


Real lose more ground to Barcelona after stalemate

A lacklustre Real Madrid lost further ground to Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga table after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Villarreal last night.


Bank seeing unexpected customer gains

The head of Bank of America says the banking giant is unexpectedly gaining northeastern customers just six months after its acquisition of FleetBoston.