United says it will ask workers for more cost cuts

CHICAGO _ Calling its financial condition  quot;sobering, quot; United Airlines said Friday that it will seek substantially more cost cuts than previously announced to help the carrier emerge from bankruptcy.


FCC okays powerline Internet access

The Federal Communications Commission has approved rules which it claims will encourage development of broadband access over power lines, a new technology that provides access to high speed broadband services using the nation #39;s power grid instead of phone


Netflix Braces for Amazon

In just five years, Netflix Inc. shot out of nowhere to create a new segment in the movie rental business with a simple business model that allows people to rent popular DVDs online and


Government proposes to catalogue DNA of those convicted of making <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - The federal government is proposing that DNA samples be collected from people convicted of making child pornography.


NBA Game Summary - Philadelphia at Toronto

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Allen Iverson had 32 points, six rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes of action, as the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Toronto Raptors, 99-97.


EDWARD C. BAIG

Bill Gates hopes the third time around will be the charm - again. In 1990, Microsoft unveiled Windows 3.0, the first monumentally successful version of the company #39;s flagship software.


Zimbabwe condemns Tsvangirai acquittal

Zimbabwe #39;s government has condemned the acquittal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on charges of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe, saying a guilty man had been allowed to walk free.


Crude, Heating Oil Set Records on Storage Draw

November light, sweet crude oil futures rose as much as 96 cents on the New York Mercantile Exchange to US\$54.60 a barrel, the highest price in 21 years of trading.


Sprint to cut 700 jobs, devalue assets

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) - Sprint Corp. said Friday it will cut up to 700 jobs, write down the value of its traditional phone network and spend less money marketing standalone long-distance service.


WOODWARD:  #39;...AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT #39;

Sir Clive Woodward has confirmed that he will be pursuing a career outside of rugby union, but he refuses to be drawn on whether it will be at Southampton football club.


Bombardier being wooed to move to US

MONTREAL - There are reports Bombardier Aerospace is being courted by at least three midwest American states that want to see the Montreal-based company transferred to the United States.


Broadband by power lines moves forward

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) changed its rules on Friday in hopes of promoting wider broadband access throughout the nation by offering the service over power lines.


Microsoft in Tune with Digital Music

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Software giant Microsoft is  casting its sights on the digital media marketplace by  positioning itself as pro-consumer-choice.


Simons resigns as South Africa coach

Durban, Oct. 15. - The recent poor performances by the South African cricket team has found its first casualty in coach Eric Simons, who resigned from his post today.


UN Says Sudan Death Toll Reaches 70,000

The United Nations health agency said Friday that the death toll in refugee camps in the Darfur region of Sudan had reached 70,000, and that people would continue dying


Insurance Probe Drives Down Stocks (Reuters)

Reuters - Top U.S. life insurer MetLife Inc.\ said on Friday it had received several subpoenas from


Bush Considering Tougher Syria Sanctions-Officials (Reuters)

Reuters - The Bush administration is\considering tightening U.S. economic sanctions on Syria to put\pressure on Damascus to pull its troops out of Lebanon and\crack down on terrorism, administration officials said on\Friday.


Madrid Bomb Suspect's Remains Identified (Reuters)

Reuters - An Algerian suspected of being a leader\of the Madrid train bombers has been identified as one of seven\people who blew themselves up in April to avoid arrest, Spain's\Interior Ministry said on Friday.


WTO rules against EU sugar subsidies, bloc to appeal (AFP)

AFP - The European Union has confirmed that the World Trade Organization has ruled its subsidies for sugar production are illegal, but said it would appeal.


British Flu Vaccine Is Unusable, FDA Says

The announcement was a blow to U.S. health officials, who are scrambling to calm growing public alarm about vaccine shortages because of the loss of about half of the 100 million doses of flu vaccine the nation was expecting.


Netflix Braces for  Amazon Threat

Netflix executives told analysts during a conference call Thursday that it was slashing its monthly fees by 18 percent and postponing its plans to expand in Europe so it could focus on meeting the threat from Amazon.


Counting of votes begins in Maharashtra election (Reuters)

Reuters - Election officials began counting votes in Maharashtra on Saturday in a poll that is crucial to the political fortunes of the ruling Congress party and the opposition Hindu nationalists.


Sailors from stricken Canadian submarine return home to Halifax (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - After a harrowing ordeal on the North Atlantic, about half the crew of HMCS Chicoutimi returned home Friday night, 10 days after a fire aboard their second-hand submarine claimed the life of a crew member.


Insurance Probe Drives Down Stocks

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top U.S. life insurer MetLife Inc.  MET.N said on Friday it had received several subpoenas from  New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, in a sign that a probe  into alleged rigging of bids in exchange for fat fees in the  insurance industry is widening.


High Gas Prices Force Lifestyle Changes

For some workers, businesses and organizations, the spike in energy prices -- for gas, diesel fuel or heating oil -- is changing the way they live, work and think about the future.


Kerry Warns Draft Possible if Bush Wins (AP)

AP - John Kerry said Friday there is a "great potential" for a new military draft to replace overextended U.S. troops in Iraq if President Bush wins a second term, despite Bush's repeated pledges to maintain the all-volunteer service. Republicans rejected the suggestion as "fear mongering."


Guilty Plea in Insurance Inquiry as Stocks Fall

Spitzer said other insurance companies are being investigated.


Heinz Kerry Reports Nearly  #36;2.3M in 2003 (AP)

AP - Teresa Heinz Kerry made nearly  #36;2.3 million in 2003 and had a federal and state tax bill of close to  #36;800,000, according to tax forms filed Friday.


Salvadoran Companies Export Promise to D.C. Trade Show

Small Salvadoran companies are sponsored by Expro at the D.C. Trade Show as part of a \$6 million project by the U.S. Agency for International Development.


Florida Sets Touch-Screen Recounts Rule (AP)

AP - The state set a court-ordered rule for recounting touch-screen ballots in close elections Friday, but voter-rights groups complained the changes fell far short of what is needed to ensure a fair vote.


Colorado Redistricting Dispute Revived (AP)

AP - A panel of federal judges Friday revived the last remaining lawsuit stemming from disputes over congressional redistricting after the 2000 census.


Pfizer Warns of Risks From Its Painkiller

Pfizer warned doctors that one of its best-selling painkillers, Bextra, might increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in coronary artery bypass surgery patients.


Under Fire, Marsh Stops Taking Fees From Insurers

A day after coming under regulatory fire for taking incentive fees from insurers, the Marsh   McLennan Companies said that it would halt the practice.


Unit Refused Iraq Mission, Military Says

WASHINGTON - The Army is investigating up to 19 members of a supply platoon in Iraq who refused to go on a convoy mission, the military said Friday. Relatives of the soldiers said the troops considered the mission too dangerous, in part because their vehicles were in such poor shape...


SalesLogix closes in on full-service CRM

Best Software's SalesLogix is a Windows-based sales, marketing, and support application that gives SMBs a universal view of the customer, from identifying initial leads to managing ongoing service contracts.


Join the CTO club

In my years writing this column for CTOs, the positive e-mail Ive received often boils down to a simple message: At last, someone out there understands what Im going through professionally each day. Most CTOs dont have others in their companies who can relate to the unique demands of their work.


Barca go clear as Real Madrid held at Villarreal

MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona stretched their lead over Real Madrid in the Spanish title chase this weekend as African Player of the Year Samuel Eto #39;o scored twice in a 4-0 win against Malaga.


Oracle Pushes Users to Patch

New exploits could affect customers who never applied patches for known database flaws.


Rangers held by Inverness

Inverness, Scotland (Sports Network) - Rangers squandered a chance to return to the top of the table Sunday as it was held at Inverness, 1-1.


Deserter regrets 40 years in NKorea (AFP)

AFP - A US Army deserter said the one thing he did right during his 40 years in North Korea was to leave the country, which was training his daughters as spies, in an interview published.


Judge Is Set to Decide Oracle-PeopleSoft Battle

The judge who will decide whether to block defenses by PeopleSoft against Oracle's hostile offer urged both sides to agree on what issues remain in contention.


F.C.C. Clears Internet Access by Power Lines

The F.C.C. adopted rules that will enable utility companies to offer an alternative to broadband services provided by cable and phone companies.


Data Miner Free From U.S. Law Offshore

It began as one of the Bush administration's most ambitious homeland security efforts, a passenger screening program designed to use commercial records, terrorist watch lists and computer software to assess millions of travelers and target those who might pose a threat.


Bush triumphalism masks mission unaccomplished in Afghanistan: analysts (AFP)

AFP - Three years after the US-led invasion, Afghanistan is flooding the world with heroin, warlords reign in the provinces, women are scared and the new security forces are underarmed and undersized, analysts say.


Beltran's Hot Bat Leading Astros' Offense (AP)

AP - When Carlos Beltran was traded to the Houston Astros, he already was considered among baseball's top all-around players, one of those rare breeds who can hit, run and play great defense.


Infineon execs to get prison terms

While taking a back seat to software and security efforts, hardware is still a big time concern according to our survey. Organizations are taking the opportunity to consolidate their environments as they replace


Switches Failed In Crash Of Genesis

The Genesis space capsule that crashed into the Utah desert last month failed because four pencil stub-size gravity switches designed to trigger the release of the spacecraft #39;s parachutes


Door Open on Schilling Pitching in ALCS (AP)

AP - With a balky ankle and tight shoes, Curt Schilling took the mound on Friday, throwing batting practice speed in the bullpen during a steady rain.


Westwood Expected Tough Route to Success

Lee Westwood looked at the draw at the start of the HSBC World Match Play Championship this week and knew it could hardly be tougher.


Unbeaten Cavaliers a big test for  #39;Noles

TALLAHASSEE - Since Florida State joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1992, rarely have the Seminoles lined up without a decided advantage in talent over their conference opponent -t least until Miami showed up this year.


Chants of Red Sox Fans Don't Faze Yankees (AP)

AP - Led by police, Jorge Posada and the Yankees calmly walked through a throng of Red Sox fans, taunted with one angry chant after another while heading from the clubhouse to their buses outside Fenway Park.


US Intensifying Bombing Attacks on Falluja Sites

American forces stepped up their pressure on the insurgent-controlled city of Falluja on Friday, unleashing an aerial and artillery bombardment of


Indonesian Cleric Faces New Charges

Indonesian prosecutors on Friday charged the militant Muslim cleric Abubakar Baasyir under a new anti-terror law, accusing him of leading a terrorist organization


Nowak Will Return

D.C. United decides Friday to exercise the option on coach Peter Nowak's contract and bring him back for a second season next year.


Wizards Get a Break

With several players suffering from minor injuries, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan decides to give the team a day off on Friday.


Fiedler Expects to Start

Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler said he will start Sunday at Buffalo despite missing practice time this week with a cracked rib.


Patriots' Running Man

Both Corey Dillon and the Patriots are quite happy with the offseason trade that brought the running back from Cincinnati to New England.


OTHER NEWS

What does  quot;blog quot; mean? If you #39;ve wondered, you #39;re not alone. It is the most looked-up word this year. Blog, which is short for Web log and means an online journal, wasn #39;t even in the dictionary at the


The Rundown

15 Arizona State at 1 USC  3:30 p.m., pay-per-view
If you need proof that the Pacific-10 is loaded with quarterbacks, get your eyes on this game, because it may be your best opportunity to see ASU's Andrew Walter, who has the talent and experience to remain poised against USC. After throwing for 428 yards against Iowa, Walter completed just 47.6 percent of his passes and averaged 144 yards in wins over Oregon State and Oregon. Still, compare Walter (249.8 yards per game, 15 touchdown passes, 1 interception) to USC's Matt Leinart (237.4 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs). Throw in ASU's excellent pass defense, and the Sun Devils have a chance.


Google Revolutionizes Desktop Searching

We #39;re all used to searching the web at blazing fast speeds: picking out the right webpages among the five billion choices takes only a few hundredths of a second.


Bankers to face trial in US

Three former NatWest investment bankers can be extradited to the United States to face charges of conspiring in an Enron-related fraud, a judge in London ruled yesterday.


Stocks Up on Retail Sales, Greenspan Talk

NEW YORK, Oct. 15 -- Stocks rebounded moderately Friday as a government report showed that higher oil prices aren #39;t reducing retail sales.


World Oil Prices Approach \$55 a Barrel

Though oil prices have eased slightly, they remain close to record high points approaching \$55 a barrel. World oil prices have more than doubled from about \$20 a barrel in New York at the start


Australia lauds bowler #39;s wicket achievement

Australia #39;s cricket board praised Shane Warne #39;s smashing of the Test cricket bowling record yesterday as a  quot;monumental achievement quot; which underlined his status as one of the greatest bowlers in history.


Does Tsvangirai outcome suit Mugabe?

On hearing the verdict there was a broad smile from Morgan Tsvangirai, applause from his supporters and tears of relief from his veteran attorney.


Army pulls back from Gaza leaving 100 Palestinians dead

The Israeli army last night began withdrawing from Palestinian areas of the northern Gaza strip, winding down the largest assault on the territory in recent years and leaving more than 100 Palestinians dead and widespread destruction of homes.


Al-Qaeda suspect detained in Germany

German authorities on Friday detained a Syrian-born German businessman who is wanted by Spain for allegedly supporting the al-Qaeda terrorist network.


Sacked envoy accuses FO of sex slurs

A British ambassador today accused the Foreign Office of mounting an extraordinary sex smear to drive him from his job. Craig Murray, 45, the former


Stelco says losing biggest customer General Motors

Stelco Inc. (STEa.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday that it would be losing General Motors (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , its biggest customer


Data Miner Free From U.S. Law (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - It began as one of the Bush administration's most ambitious homeland security efforts, a passenger screening program designed to use commercial records, terrorist watch lists and computer software to assess millions of travelers and target those who might pose a threat.


Retail Sales Up; Industrial Production Lags (AP)

AP - Shoppers rediscovered their urge to splurge in September, catapulting retail sales up by the largest percentage gain in six months. Industrial activity was restrained, meanwhile, partly because of hurricanes.


U.S. Strikes Fallujah; Car Bomb Kills 10 (AP)

AP - U.S. jets struck targets in the insurgent bastion Fallujah on Friday, and U.S. officials said 10 people  #151; including a family of four  #151; were killed when a car bomb exploded near a Baghdad police station in a bloody start to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.


Muslim activist sentenced to jail for illegal business dealings with Libya (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A prominent Muslim activist who admitted participating in a Libyan plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's crown prince was sentenced Friday to the maximum 23 years in prison for illegal business dealings with Libya.


Bush triumphalism masks mission unaccomplished in Afghanistan (AFP)

AFP - Three years after the US-led invasion, Afghanistan is flooding the world with heroin, warlords reign in the provinces, women are scared and the new security forces are underarmed and undersized, analysts say.


Moore's Pre-Election TV Special Nixed (AP)

AP - The cable pay-per-view company iN DEMAND has backed away from a plan to show a three-hour election eve special with filmmaker Michael Moore that included the first television showing of his documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11."


Russian Capsule Docks With Space Station

KOROLYOV, Russia - A Soyu z spacecraft carrying two cosmonauts and an American astronaut docked smoothly Saturday at the international space station, where another Russian-U.S. team has spent the last six months...


Greenspan predicts years of oil uncertainty

The world will be living with volatile oil prices for years to come, but this years price spike should not be serious enough to push the US into a recession, US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said yesterday.


Airbus #39; new rival to 7E7 may utilize subsidies

Airbus might tap up to 1 billion euros (\$1.25 billion) in controversial government loans to build a new A350 airplane model, which would be a rival to Boeing #39;s new 7E7 jetliner.


Netflix nightmare negative for stock

It was  quot;Nightmare on on Elm Street quot; for Netflix yesterday as investors bludgeoned the online movie rental company #39;s stock.


Sprint to cut 700 jobs as it trims back service

Sprint Corp., the telecommunications giant, said yesterday it will cut 700 jobs in its business solutions division as it stops selling business long distance services outside of package deals.


Delta expects net loss up to \$675M

Delta Air Lines world headquarters in Atlanta is shown in this Sept. 8 file photo. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the airline reported that it expects its quarterly report to be released


Sun Microsystems #39; Revenue Growth Seen Pressured

Credit Suisse First Boston raised estimates and the target price on Sun Microsystems (nasdaq: SUNW - news - people ) after the company broke even on per-share, pro forma basis for the fiscal first quarter.


In Another Reversal, Intel Kills 4 Gig Chip

Leading chipmaker Intel revealed Thursday that it will not manufacture a much-ballyhooed 4 GHz version of the Pentium 4 PC processor.


3 state utilities may offer Internet via power lines

Clearing the way for homes and businesses to receive high-speed Internet services through their electrical outlets, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules this week that would enable the utility companies to offer an alternative to the


Perverts face DNA order

OTTAWA -- More convicted criminals will have to submit DNA samples to the national data bank - including those convicted of possession of child pornography - under newly proposed legislation tabled in the House of Commons yesterday.


Indymedia Servers Returned to Rackspace

October 15, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- The Web servers that were seized late last week from Web hosting provider Rackspace Managed Hosting (rackspace.


Park has 4-stroke margin

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Grace Park followed her sensational first round with a steady, 5-under 67 Friday and opened a four-shot lead midway through the Samsung World Championship.


Stupples Shoots into Second

Britains Karen Stupples shot 65 to claim a share of second place at the halfway stage of the Samsung World Championship in Palm Desert, California.


Gibernau grabs pole at Phillip Island

Spain #39;s Sete Gibernau has put in a storming qualifying lap to snatch pole position for Sunday #39;s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island from title rival and defending world champion Valentino Rossi.


Shut yer yap!

LONDON -- England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson wants his embattled captain David Beckham to keep his mouth shut. That won #39;t satisfy the English Football Association, which asked Beckham yesterday to explain his


NBA Notebook column

The NBA has come to basketball-crazy China -- but it doesn #39;t expect to make any money soon. The league flew more than 100 people halfway around the world for its first games


Kaif, Patel put India on top

Shane Warne ran through the Indian tail as the hosts were dismissed for 376 with a lead of 141 runs in the first innings of the second Test in Chennai on Saturday.


Non-Chase drivers show they #39;re here for the party

They threw a surprise party for Joe Nemechek in Dover a few weeks ago. There were balloons and cake with strawberry custard filling and soldiers at the back


Wishbone will test Irish #39;s defense

It #39;s not the embarrassment Notre Dame fears if it loses to Navy for the first time since 1963. It #39;s the intensity of the Navy players and the style of offense they employ


Geiberger overcomes odds to lead

Brent Geiberger overcame strong winds and a bad hip to earn a one-stroke lead after the second round at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro on Friday.


Mets talk to Rudy

Omar Minaya is getting down to business in determining Art Howe #39;s successor. The Mets #39; GM interviewed Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo yesterday, and intends to meet with Yankees


Israel ends Gaza Strip offensive

It followed the killing of two toddlers in an Israeli town on September 29 by a rocket fired from Gaza. Witnesses said all 200 tanks and armoured vehicles in northern Gaza had withdrawn.


Explosions rock Baghdad, mortar kills hospital worker

Mortar attacks hit a central Baghdad hospital Saturday, killing an employee and injuring three others, officials said. A mortar round exploded in the garden of the Ibn al-Betar hospital


#39;Radical Muslim cleric Hamza to be charged #39;

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza is set to be charged under the Terrorism Act, legal sources have said. Hamza is facing separate extradition proceedings to the US, where officials have accused him of playing


Pakistan hunting for Chinese-abduction mastermind

Pakistani security forces are undertaking the hunting for Abdullah Mehsud, the brain behind the scene of the abduction of two Chinese engineers, Interior Minister Ahmad Sherpao told Xinhua Saturday.


Officer is suspended

The Israeli army suspended a company commander who was accused of repeatedly shooting a 13-year-old Palestinian girl, but officials said yesterday the punishment wasn #39;t because of the shooting.


UNC Starts Pilot File-Sharing Program (AP)

AP - Four schools in the University of North Carolina system will participate in a pilot program that allows students to download music, movies and other copyrighted material on the Internet for free.


Mount St. Helens' 'Fin' May Be Splitting (AP)

AP - The stone "fin" on the new lava lobe inside the crater at Mount St. Helens seems to be starting to split.


Minor Glitch in Spacecraft Docking (AP)

AP - THE GLITCH: An unexplained problem sent a Russian-made Soyuz spacecraft speeding toward the international space station too quickly and officials decided it should be docked manually.


They like them apples

As thousands of apple pickers milled about his farm last Sunday, Michael Smolak gave thanks for the postcard-perfect autumn weather that brought them there.


Chiofaro's partner relents

International Place developer Donald J. Chiofaro's majority partner in two Boston office towers this week took a more conciliatory tone toward proposed changes in the reorganization plan that he submitted in US Bankruptcy Court. Last week Chiofaro's partner, Hillman Properties Inc., said in court it would never agree to his plan to fend off New York's Tishman Speyer Properties's takeover ...


US Airways gets OK to slash pay

A US Bankruptcy Court judge, in a harsh decision he called critical to US Airways Group's survival, said yesterday the airline could slash pay by 21 percent for its unionized workforce of 25,000.


Red Sox owners fielding more nongame revenue

Keeping the faith, Susan Forbes called the Red Sox a month ago to book Fenway Park for a postseason party.


Marsh  amp; McLennan halts fees at center of probe

Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos. said yesterday it was suspending its practice of using  quot;market services agreements quot; with insurance carriers, which the New York attorney general has alleged were used to rig bids, cheating customers.


Nigerian unions end strike but threaten more action

Nigerian unions called off a general strike which had jeopardized oil supplies from the world's seventh-largest exporter for four days, but threatened more action within weeks unless the government cut fuel prices.


Retail sales post strong rebound in September

Shoppers rediscovered their urge to splurge in September, catapulting retail sales by the largest percentage gain in six months. Industrial activity was restrained, meanwhile, partly because of hurricanes.


Sprint Corp., the telecommunications giant, said yesterday it will cut 700 jobs in its business solutions division as it stops selling business long distance services outside of package deals. The cuts represent 7.8 percent of the division's workforce.


Price of oil eases off record highs

LONDON - World oil prices eased slightly yesterday but remained close to record high points near 55 dollars a barrel as traders fretted about low inventories of US heating fuel heading into the northern winter.


Donovan shines as team #39;s leader

After scoring four goals in his first two games for the US national team, 20-year-old striker Eddie Johnson is garnering headlines.


Israel pulls out of northern Gaza

JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP (Gaza Strip) - Israel withdrew tanks and ground forces from populated areas in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, wrapping up its bloodiest offensive in the area in more than four years of fighting.


One failure led to another on Genesis craft

Genesis project officials failed to catch the flaw that doomed the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft despite extra layers of scrutiny added after two of the company #39;s other NASA probes failed.


Al Qaeda Using Militants Against Musharraf

KARACHI (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda appears to  be using established militant groups and small cells for bloody  attacks in Pakistan aimed at destabilizing President Pervez  Musharraf and thus the wider war on terror, analysts say.


Geiberger battles hip, field while trying to avoid trip to Q <b>...</b>

GREENSBORO, NC - A heat wrap kept Brent Geiberger #39;s ailing hip from hurting, and his best consecutive rounds of the season took care of the rest.


Today #39;s top matchups at a glance

Analysis: The Midshipmen have grown all too used to agonizing losses during Notre Dame #39;s 40-year streak. But Navy #39;s offense will present a unique challenge for the Irish.


UN concern after Baghdad blast

The United Nations says Thursday's bombings in the Green Zone in Baghdad underline security concerns.


Dementia diagnosis for Pinochet

Former Chilean President Pinochet has "moderate dementia", according to a court-appointed doctor.


US citizen jailed for Libya ties

A US citizen is jailed for 23 years for illegal financial dealings linked to an alleged plot by Libya to kill the Saudi Crown Prince.


Warsaw official vowstroop cuts in Iraq

POLAND WASHINGTON -- The prime minister of Poland told his Parliament yesterday that he would begin reducing the number of Polish troops in Iraq in January, another blow to the US-led coalition that has lost nearly a third of its members this year. Addressing legislators before a vote of confidence, Prime Minister Marek Belka promised, ''We will not remain in ...


Cleric charged with ordering attack on Indonesian hotel

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- An Islamic cleric believed to lead a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda was charged yesterday with ordering a deadly attack on an Indonesian hotel last year -- a legal move that is expected to please the United States, which has long demanded action against Abu Bakar Bashir.


Radical Muslim cleric wanted in US to be charged in Britain

LONDON -- Britain will charge radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri with terrorism offenses, sources said yesterday, stalling US attempts to extradite him over a 1998 hostage-taking in Yemen and links to Al Qaeda.


US deaths in Iraq

The Defense Department has released the names of the following service members who recently died in Iraq. As of Thursday, 1,086 members of the US military have died since the war began in March 2003.


UN counts 70,000 dead in Darfur crisis

GENEVA -- At least 70,000 refugees have died since March because of poor conditions in camps in Sudan's Darfur region, and more will die at the same rate unless countries contribute the \$300 million in aid they promised, the UN health agency said yesterday.


Doctors split on Pinochet's mental state

SANTIAGO, Chile -- Court-appointed doctors who examined retired General Augusto Pinochet are split on whether the former dictator's health allows him to stand trial on human rights charges, according to reports made public yesterday.


Moore's Pre-Election TV Special Nixed

NEW YORK - A cable pay-per-view company has decided not to show a three-hour election eve special with filmmaker Michael Moore that included a showing of his documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which is sharply critical of President Bush.    The company, iN DEMAND, said Friday that its decision is due to "legitimate business and legal concerns." A spokesman would not elaborate...


Unit Refused Iraq Mission, Military Says

WASHINGTON - Relatives of soldiers who refused to deliver supplies in Iraq say the troops considered the mission too dangerous, in part because their vehicles were in poor shape.    The Army is investigating up to 19 reservist members of a platoon that is part of the 343rd Quartermaster Company, based in Rock Hill, S.C...


Buccaneers Shut Down Falcons, 27-0 (AP)

AP - Making Michael Vick  #151; one of the NFL's most exciting players  #151; look ordinary for much of the day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated Atlanta 27-0 Sunday to keep the first-place Falcons from clinching the NFC South championship.


Probe of No-Show Reservists Underway

A platoon in Iraq is being investigated for allegedly refusing to carry out a convoy mission its members deemed too dangerous, Army officials said Friday.


Greenspan Minimizes Impact of Costly Oil

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said yesterday that higher oil prices have had a  quot;noticeable quot; affect on the US economy this year but are not likely to cause serious damage unless they move significantly higher.


Airbus raises projection of deliveries to 320

Boeing archrival Airbus expects to deliver as many as 320 aircraft this year, or 5 percent more than it forecast earlier, as demand from airlines picks up.


Genesis mishap probe focuses on backward design drawing

A board investigating the crash of NASA #39;s Genesis spacecraft has found the design for a key system was drawn backward. The result: improper orientation of switches that were supposed to detect its entry into


Microsoft unveils  #39;PlaysForSure #39; logo which signifies <b>...</b>

quot;Software giant Microsoft is casting its sights on the digital media marketplace by positioning itself as pro-consumer-choice.


Rain may have fallout

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox still trail. The good news for the Red Sox Nation was there was no loss to mourn last night as Game 3 of the American League championship Series was rained out at Fenway Park.


Coach #39;s suggestion to Beckham: Zip it

England national team coach Sven-Goran Eriksson wants his beleaguered captain David Beckham to keep his mouth shut. That won #39;t satisfy the English Football Association, which


Polish PM wins confidence vote in parliament

Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka won a parliamentary confidence vote Friday, a result that thwarted the opposition #39;s bid to force a snap election and enabled the ruling Democratic


Argentina replaces Chile in UN Security Council.

Argentina, Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania won this week seats as non permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.


General Motors Posts Weak Earnings

General Motors Corp. reported third-quarter earnings Thursday that were at the low end of the company #39;s July guidance. Quarterly earnings rose to \$440 million, or 78 cents per share, from \$425 million, or 79 cents per share, a year ago.


Belarusians Vote in Term Limit Referendum (AP)

AP - Belarusians' decision whether to scrap presidential term limits in a referendum this weekend could determine if this East European nation will remain an isolated Soviet-style throwback or slowly turn toward the West.


Israel Ends Deadly Gaza Offensive (AP)

AP - Palestinians retrieved belongings from the rubble of dozens of homes and work crews patched up roads and water pipes Saturday  #151; the aftermath of Israel's 17-day military offensive, the deadliest in the Gaza Strip in four years of fighting.


Australia 53-0 after conceding 141-run lead against India (AFP)

AFP - Australia, trailing India by 141 runs on the first innings, were 53 for no loss in their second knock at tea on the third day of the second cricket Test here.


Haslem, Wade power Miami Heat

TAMPA  Ever since Alonzo Mourning #39;s devastating revelation of kidney illness in September 2000, the Heat has been more than aware of life without a dominant big man.


Impact of soaring oil prices less consequential than in 1970s <b>...</b>

The impact of the current surgein oil prices, though noticeable, is likely to prove less consequential to economic growth and inflation than in the 1970s, US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Friday.


Delta warns of bigger losses

No. 3 airline says loss to be worse than forecasts; gives new warning of bankruptcy threat. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc.


Bayliss tips Rossi for big race

World champion Valentino Rossi will be unbeatable in Sunday #39;s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, according to Australian Troy Bayliss.


Two educators are among year #39;s Milken recipients; each gets <b>...</b>

Lesa Martin and Jaunee Perry work for different school districts, but they have two things in common. Both women are dedicated teachers who strive to inspire and enrich the lives


Palestinians Pick Up Pieces After Israeli Offensive

Palestinians picked over the rubble of more than two weeks of fighting in a refugee camp on Saturday after Israeli tanks quit northern Gaza to end a crushing offensive.


Rain is a gain for Boston

Skies here were overcast by day, rainy by night. An uninitiated visitor might expect around-the-clock gloom to deepen despair over the local nine and their two-game


Tavarez says Cards are better

HOUSTON - A 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series reinforced Julian Tavarez #39;s belief that St. Louis is better than Houston despite not having faced aces Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt.


Bungie on Halo 2 Leak

October 15, 2004 - Thanks to Eurogamer for the head #39;s up that Bungie posted a FAQ on Bungie.net regarding the Halo 2 leak: Is it true?


#39;Loser #39; T-shirt pulled from stores

By wire services. On Thursday, the clothing retailer recalled the shirt, which had the slogan  quot;L is for Loser quot; next to a picture of a gymnast on the still rings.


Muslims Asked to Concentrate on Righteous Deeds

JEDDAH, 16 October 2004 - Sheikh Saleh Al-Taleb, one of the imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday called upon Muslims to outdo each other in righteous deeds to win rewards during Ramadan.


NBA Brings Its Game to Beijing (AP)

AP - The NBA has come to booming, basketball-crazy China  #151; but it doesn't expect to make any money soon. The league flew more than 100 people halfway around the world for its first games in China, featuring the Houston Rockets  #151; with Chinese-born star Yao Ming  #151; and the Sacramento Kings.


Geiberger Avoids Bogeys, Leads Greensboro (AP)

AP - Brent Geiberger stayed out of trouble for a change. "That was probably one of the things holding me back," he said. "I might have three or four birdies and then three or four bogeys. Instead of having a nice round, you have a little sub-par round when everybody else is shooting 3 or 4 under."


The thrill isn't gone just yet

Apres le deluge , now what? Well, a possible Miracle of the Shoe, if Terry Francona is to be believed, and that comes with a parental warning, given the tardiness with which the Red Sox disclosed the severity of Curt Schilling's right ankle injury.


There's been no reign after delays

Rain and the Red Sox have not been good partners in October. In the three most dramatic and disappointing Boston baseball finishes of the last 30 years, a rain delay halted action just when things started to get interesting.


Changeups can't cross up Varitek

The Red Sox pitching rotation is suddenly a shell game. It started out as Curt, Pedro, Bronson, and Wake, with Derek as the odd man out. But then Curt's ankle made headlines, and that's why Derek will pitch for Curt in Game 5. No, wait. Now it's raining, and everyone gets an extra day off, so Pedro might pitch for ...


Gloom was in forecast

As badly as the Red Sox wanted to post their first win in the American League Championship Series, they were no match last night for the rain, which washed out Game 3 of their showdown with the Yankees at Fenway Park. Game 3 will be played tonight at 8:19, though customers with tickets to last night's rainout (marked  quot;Home Game ...


Field of dreams turned out all wet

On a night when there would be no playoff baseball, there was a desperate need for any sort of show. Curt Schilling merely walking to the bullpen served the purpose.


Report: Caminiti died from overdose

Preliminary results of the autopsy performed on Ken Caminiti show that the former National League MVP died of a drug overdose, a New York City police source told ESPN.


Hill's goal to play active role

They are 22 years old, rookies barely out of their junior years at Miami and Louisiana State, but one is already starting for the defending Super Bowl champions, while the other is trying to break through the group of young defensive ends in front of him.


Injuries leave Jaguars with no end in sight

The Jacksonville Jaguars now have lost both starting defensive ends for the season. The Jags placed Lionel Barnes on injured reserve yesterday with a shoulder injury. Barnes hurt his shoulder Sept. 19 against Denver. He missed one game but returned to the starting lineup two weeks ago against Indianapolis. He did not play last week at San Diego.


Coach: It's no big deal

With the NFL trading deadline set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said there didn't seem to be much happening on the trade front around the league.


Today's top 25 games

Matchup Comment 1. USC (5-0) vs. No. 15 Arizona St. (5-0) Trojans' Leinart has thrown for 1,187 yards and 10 TDs.


Ciocco's two goals give UNH tie

Josh Ciocco scored two goals to lead the No. 8-ranked University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to a 4-4 tie with the No. 3 University of Michigan last night in Ann Arbor , Mich.


BC starts fast, finishes strong

It was the first game of the year, but Boston College was in midseason form. The Eagles came out flying in the first period last night, established a 3-0 lead, and never looked back, defeating defending national champion Denver, 6-2, at Conte Forum.


Match pair for Els

Ernie Els scored close victories over Scott Drummond and Angel Cabrera yesterday to move into the semifinals of the World Match Play Championship at Virginia Water, England, and stay on course for a record sixth title.


Barnstable dominates Chelmsford in deciding game

New year, same result. In a rematch of last year's Division 1 state championship, the Barnstable girls' volleyball team again upended Chelmsford in a 2-1 victory yesterday at Barnstable High School.


Walsh in charge for Masconomet

Myles Walsh stole the spolight in what is normally hailed as the Drew Carey show in Masconomet, as the Chieftains claimed a 28-7 victory over visiting Newburyport (1-5).


Finish line is in sight for Martin

Self-proclaimed sham Mark Martin vowed to leave racing at the top of his game. A late-season surge has put him there, back in the chase for that elusive NASCAR title.


Transactions

BASEBALL Atlanta (NL): Assigned Ps Tim Drew and Travis Smith outright to their minor league camp and announced they will become free agents; activated INF Carlos Guzman from the 15-day DL and released him. Baltimore (AL): Assigned OF Darnell McDonald outright to Ottawa (IL); purchased the contract of P Jacobo Sequea from Bowie (EL) and added him to the 40-man ...


Tizbud seeks second California Classic in row

Tizbud returns to the races today for the first time since winning last year's California Cup Classic, and Excess Summer has run only once in almost eight months.


Venus Williams misses out as Davenport advances to Kremlin Cup semifinals

Venus Williams was upset yesterday in a Kremlin Cup quarterfinal for a number of reasons, her 10 double faults and 29 unforced errors the most significant ones. Playing her first tournament since losing to Lindsay Davenport in the US Open, Williams was routed by Elena Bovina , 6-3, 6-2, in Moscow in a little more than an hour. The 19-year-old ...


India's Congress Set to Form Govt in Key State

BOMBAY (Reuters) - India's ruling Congress party won power  in a key state on Saturday after it emerged as the largest  group in elections, the first major political test since its  victory in national polls in May.


Racers Rely on High-Octane Data

For today's IndyCar drivers, risking their lives on over 200-mph turns isn't enough to guarantee a shot at victory. Racers also rely on sophisticated data-analysis software to constantly monitor their car's inner workings. By Patrick Karle.


Drawings Blamed for Genesis Crash

An investigating board says the capsule was doomed by faulty engineering drawings that were done backward. The drawings led to incorrect placement of switches that were supposed to detect Genesis' re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.


Antidepressants and Suicidal Kids

Because some antidepressant drugs have been shown to lead to suicidal thoughts among children and teens, the FDA decrees that all manufacturers must carry a warning on their labels.


New Crew Arrives at the Space Station

A Soyuz spacecraft with a replacement crew for the International Space Station docked with the orbiting complex early on Saturday, becoming its fresh lifeboat.


NASA Reviews Mix-Up That Doomed Capsule

The agency is trying to figure out how an embarrassing error eluded the review process, apparently resulting in the crash of the Genesis space capsule in Utah last month.


Tsvangirai cleared but 20 MDC held

JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwean police yesterday arrested 20 supporters of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after he was cleared of plotting to kill President Robert Mugabe, although most were later released, an opposition party official said.


Israel ends Gaza Strip raid leaving 123 Palestinian dead, heavy <b>...</b>

Israel withdrew its tanks and ground forces from populated areas in the northern Gaza Strip on late Friday, ending its bloody operation in the area.


Greenspan #39;s act will be difficult to follow

WASHINGTON When Alan Greenspan finally retires from the Federal Reserve, will he leave behind any of his DNA? After more than 18 remarkable years as Fed chairman, the owlish and idiosyncratic Greenspan will be required by law to step down in January 2006.


Greenspan allays fears of oil impact

WASHINGTON - Record global oil prices should have little long-term impact on the US recovery, nor should it even spark a new round of inflation, says Alan Greenspan, the US Federal Reserve chairman.


US Airways to cut pay by 21 percent; Delta warns it #39;s near <b>...</b>

A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority yesterday to temporarily cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent, comparing the airline #39;s financial outlook to  quot;a ticking fiscal time bomb.


Investors fear no fix for Netflix

Shares of Netflix, which pioneered renting movies by mail, plunged as much as 43 percent after the company cut its subscription price and said Amazon.


NASA Reviews Mix-Up That Doomed Capsule

Five years ago, after two NASA missions to Mars were doomed by elementary mistakes - a software glitch and a mix-up between English and metric units - the space agency devised more elaborate


India v Australia second test scoreboard - tea

UPDATE 2-Cricket-Warne takes six but India establish handy lead October 16, 2004 09:12:55 MADRAS, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) - World test wicket record holder Shane Warne grabbed six wickets as India established a handy 141-run first innings lead in the


O #39;Neal out with tight hamstring

Shaquille O #39;Neal missed the Miami Heat #39;s preseason game against the Orlando Magic on Friday because of a tight left hamstring.


Teacher: On tape, prince says he cheated

READING, England -- A teacher #39;s tape recording of Prince Harry purportedly admitting he cheated on an art exam is insufficient to warrant a renewed investigation into the incident, an examination board said Friday.


Gas Prices Continue Slide

US average retail gasoline prices fell over the last two weeks and are poised to slip even further as crude oil prices continue to tumble, an industry analyst said on Sunday.


Pressure over Iraq troop movement

The government faces pressure over plans to send UK troops to an area south of Baghdad, to assist US forces.


De Niro no-show for Italian award

Robert De Niro fails to show up at an awards ceremony in Milan and a press conference in Rome.


Delta at bankruptcy  #39;finish line #39;

Financially troubled Delta Air Lines said Friday that it is burning through cash much faster than expected and its third-quarter loss will be far greater than expected.


Pepsi, Coke updating labels with more nutritional data

No more math required to figure out how many calories are in that 20-ounce bottle of pop. Revised labels will calculate it for you starting next year.


Park continues to set torrid pace

PALM DESERT -- For the second consecutive day, Grace Park turned Bighorn Golf Club into her personal shooting gallery, bagging six more birdies during Friday #39;s second round of the Samsung World Championship.


Dr. Kashnikow Wins Meadowlands Feature

Dr. Kashnikow (7), ridden by Richard Migliore, beats out Tam #39;s Terms (8) to win the \$200,000 Grade III Cliff Hanger Handicap at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ, Friday, Oct. 15, 2004.


Greece gets onto Security Council

For only the second time in its history, Greece has been awarded a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council after a vote in New York yesterday.


Maoists will halt attacks during gala

KATHMANDU: Maoist rebels fighting for a Communist state in Nepal said yesterday they will suspend military operations during a popular festival.


U.S. Image Slides, but Americans Popular (AP)

AP - America's popularity around the world has taken a beating in recent years, according to a set of coordinated polls conducted in 10 different countries. But the survey also found that despite widespread animosity toward President Bush, huge majorities said they have a good opinion of Americans.


Policeman, Three Afghan Children Killed (AP)

AP - A bomb attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the government said Saturday.


Oil breaks through US\$55 a barrel

The Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, says he believes the current surge in global oil prices will not have the same impact on economic growth and inflation as the energy crisis of the 1970s.


Stock option rule delay provides chance for fix

That #39;s what corporations great and small will begin telling rank-and-file employees when they stop issuing them stock options.


PayPal: Service Fully Restored

PayPal on Thursday reported that it had restored its online payment services after facing intermittent outages for more than five days.


Beckham prepares his defence

ENGLAND captain David Beckham was today starting to compile the defence of his self-confessed deliberate booking against Wales to try to avoid a disciplinary charge.


SEEDED TRIO BOW OUT

David Nalbandian, Nicolas Massu and Rainer Schuettler - the top three seeds - all lost on Friday in the quarter-finals of the indoor hardcourt event in Vienna.


Astros #39; hopes ride on aging Clemens

The guy the Houston Astros are counting on today probably could fool a teenage movie clerk into thinking he qualifies for the senior discount.


Martin Back in Chase for NASCAR Title

Dale Earnhardt Jr, right, talks with Matt Kenseth, left, during a break in practice at Lowe #39;s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, Thursday Oct. 14, 2004 before qualifying for Saturday #39;s UAW-GM Quality 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race.


Jimenez Ends Langer's Challenge at 35th (AP)

AP - Miguel Angel Jimenez ended the strong challenge of his Ryder Cup captain, Bernhard Langer, on the 35th hole Saturday to earn a semifinal place in the World Match Play Championship.


Judge lets US Airways cut workers #39; pay by 21

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority yesterday to immediately cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent through mid-February, saying the airline #39;s situation is so dire that urgent action must be taken.


Things better without Conway?

PeopleSoft Inc., in the midst of fighting a takeover bid from Oracle Corp., is  quot;in better shape quot; because of the departures of Chief Executive Craig Conway and a senior technology official, a director testified.


Royal Group Executives Accused in Fraud Investigation (Update2)

Royal Group Technologies Ltd., the Canadian maker of plastic building products, said three executives, including its chairman and founder, are accused of fraud in company dealings with a Caribbean resort.


Companies given more time meet new rules on stock options

The Federal Accounting Standards Board has voted to give companies six more months to meet new rules that would require companies to consider employee stock options an expense.


Russian Spacecraft Avoids Collision, Docks with International <b>...</b>

A three-man crew has arrived at the International Space Station, after a two-day trip in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Two of the men will replace the crew now on the station as part of the normal six-month rotation.


iTunes Downloads Hit 150-Million Mark

Apple #39;s iTunes music-download service sold its 150 millionth song on Thursday. The service, launched in April 2003, now is selling more than 4 million tracks a week, Apple says.


Music chiefs track down pirates

The music industry has fired the first shot in its legal battle with internet file sharers after winning a court order forcing internet service providers to hand over


Kumble raises Indian hopes of win

MADRAS, India -- Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble achieved his sixth 10-wicket haul in tests to raise his side #39;s hopes of a series-equaling win in the second test against Australia in Madras.


Els edges away from Harrington

Ernie Els took a three shot lead against Padraig Harrington at the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth today. The South African is three up on the Irishman after 17 holes of their semi-final this afternoon.


Golf Roundup: Geiberger battles ailing hip, weather for lead at <b>...</b>

At Greensboro, NC, A heat wrap kept Brent Geiberger #39;s ailing hip from hurting, and his best consecutive rounds of the season took care of the rest.


MOTOGP NEWS Gibernau, Rossi to fight title from the front.

The scene is set for a thrilling Australian Grand Prix after title rivals Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi qualified first and second for Sunday #39;s race, in which Rossi could be crowned the 2004 world champion.


Navy on a mission against Notre Dame

Two score and one year ago, Navy defeated Notre Dame on the football field. It hasn #39;t happened since. Today at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, an undefeated Navy squad seeks to break that


Palestinians Pick Up Pieces After Israeli Offensive

Palestinians picked through the rubble of dozens of homes in a sprawling refugee camp on Saturday after Israel ended its most powerful assault in the Gaza Strip in four years of bloodshed.


Living to the sound of gunfire

On Thursday, two bomb attacks killed up to six people in Baghdad #39;s heavily fortified Green Zone. It was believed to be the most secure part of the city, housing the Iraqi interim government and the American and British embassies.


Churches Bombed in Baghdad

A series of bombings damaged five churches in the capital early Saturday, and mortars later struck near a hospital and a hotel used by foreign news organizations and diplomats, Iraqi officials said.


UN urges bigger Darfur deployment

The UN special envoy to Sudan has welcomed an African Union announcement that it will begin deploying armed peacekeepers to Darfur on Sunday.


Man Remanded over Danielle Murder

A 20-year-old man appeared in court today charged with the murder of schoolgirl Danielle Beccan. Mark Ontonio (cor) Kelly is accused of killing the 14-year-old in the early hours


Human Lie Detectors Almost Never Miss, Study Finds (Reuters)

Reuters - As he lies, the young man shrugs,\flutters his eyelids and shakes his head. Another, on a witness\stand, grimaces for a millisecond as he answers a question.


India's Congress Wins Polls in Key Industrial State

BOMBAY (Reuters) - India's ruling Congress party won power  in a giant state on Saturday, a victory that would boost the  fortunes of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi's party and strengthen  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's minority national coalition.


Single Mothers 'Not Very Good,' EU Candidate Says

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's disputed candidate for EU justice  and security commissioner, under fire for calling homosexuality  a sin, has said single mothers are "not very good."


Moore election special is dropped

A three-hour election show from film-maker Michael Moore has been dropped by a US cable TV company.


Five Churches, Hospital Bombed in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bombs exploded outside five churches in Baghdad and mortar rounds hit near a hospital and a hotel frequented by foreigners, as U.S. forces loosened a cordon around the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah after several days of clashes with rebels there...


Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...


Fresh Wave of Violence in Baghdad

Explosions damaged churches and hit a hospital and hotel in Baghdad on Saturday in fresh challenges to Iraq's U.S.-backed interim government.


LiveWire: Web Sites Serve Up Array of Dining Options (Reuters)

Reuters - In the mood for an Italian, Thai or\maybe an Indian meal? Web sites that specialize in restaurant\reservations can help diners decide, though they may not make\it any easier to snag a table at a popular spot.


Google's Desktop Search is valuable, yet creepy (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - Google's new Desktop Search software is a muscle car among search engines, racing through personal data stored inside your computer to instantly find things you can't easily locate.


Wall Street Faces 2 Elections, Not Just 1 (Reuters)

Reuters - The waiting game for the U.S.\presidential election ends two weeks from Tuesday -- but then\investors can turn over the timer and start again.


Holiday Sales Forecasted in New Ways (Reuters)

Reuters - There's nothing like a picture of a\child with Santa Claus -- especially since the number of\parents who line up in stores to get these photos taken could\indicate the health of the holiday shopping season.


India's Congress Wins Polls in Key Industrial State (Reuters)

Reuters - India's ruling Congress party won power\in a giant state on Saturday, a victory that would boost the\fortunes of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi's party and strengthen\Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's minority national coalition.


Away on Business: Recipe for Success (Reuters)

Reuters - Cancel the limo. Put down the dining\guides and leave your overcoat in the closet. A power breakfast\or lavish business dinner is just an elevator ride away.


British tennis set for grass cutter (AFP)

AFP - Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) could break with a century-old tradition by dropping the word 'lawn' from the governing body's name, it was reported.


Murali will take back world record from Warne: Ranatunga (AFP)

AFP - Sri Lanka's World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has congratulated his old foe Shane Warne on becoming the world's highest Test wicket-taker, but predicted his glory will be short-lived.


Programs: New 'Sandiego' Has Better Graphics, Less Learning

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Reuters) - Although the "Carmen Sandiego"  series is synonymous with learning, the latest game has been  drained of virtually all educational content.


AP: Memo Warned About Medicare Cards (AP)

AP - Some seniors are confused by Medicare's new prescription discount card system because early information mailed to them was unclear or incomplete, according to a report by the government's health policy watchdog.


Russian spacecraft docks with space station

Russian spacecraft carrying a Russian-US crew successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday morning. The Soyuz TMA-5, which was launched Thursday


#39;Sharon is a butcher #39;

Jabaliya - Palestinians on Saturday surveyed the widespread devastation inflicted by Israeli troops during an 18-day military operation in the northern Gaza Strip, after the troops redeployed overnight - comparing the scene to the aftermath of an


Explosions Rock Baghdad, Saturday

Explosions have rocked the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, leaving at least one person dead and several others wounded. Officials say a hospital worker was killed Saturday, when a mortar round exploded outside a Baghdad hospital.


New crew arrive at space station

Three new crew members have reached the International Space Station after a Russian spacecraft docked successfully. Salizhan Sharipov and Yuri Shargin and US astronaut Leroy Chiao are all now on board the


Park in overdrive at Samsung Championship

Palm Desert, CA (Sports Network) - Grace Park fired a 10-under-par 62 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the Samsung World Championship at Bighorn.


Beckham plans his defence

England captain David Beckham is starting to compile the defence of his self-confessed deliberate booking against Wales to try to avoid a disciplinary charge.


Nalbandian, Massu in CA Trophy quarterfinals

Top-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina and Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile advanced to the quarterfinals of the CA Trophy Thursday with straight-set victories while American Robby Ginepri upset No.


Sadler hopes to sneak up on title

Elliott Sadler knelt beside the wheelchair of 9-year-old Taylor Downard behind his hauler before Fridays final practice for tonights race at Lowes Motor Speedway.


One man #39;s leg could be pivotal

Everyone who follows Virginia football has a particular memory of the Cavaliers #39; epic victory over Florida State in 1995. Adrian Burnim and Anthony Poindexter teaming to stop Warrick Dunn inches short of the goal line on the game #39;s final play.


Top-three seeds waltz out of Vienna

Vienna, Austria (Sports Network) - Top seeds David Nalbandian, Nicolas Massu and Rainer Schuettler were all quarterfinal losers Friday at the indoor BA-CA Tennis Trophy.


Mark Kreidler: Yao Ming epitomizes the Chinese athlete who is <b>...</b>

Bee Columnist. BEIJING - The stories of Yao Ming and Liu Wei are told here, of course. They tell the stories here just as they do in Shanghai, if with a bit less of the obvious pride that


Sadler #39;s game plan: Beat Gordon

Driver figures if he can finish ahead of 4-time series champion, he has good shot at 2004 title. By Steve Ballard. CONCORD, NC -- Elliott Sadler has looked at the field in the 10-man Chase for the Nextel Cup and worked out a simple formula for winning it.


Afghans need time, world #39;s continued help

Wherever people are given the opportunity to select their leaders for the first time, they will embrace it. They defy all odds - violence, threats, the elements, logistical problems - to have their say.


Schilling still may pitch for Boston against New York

BOSTON -- With a balky ankle and tight shoes, Curt Schilling took the mound on Friday, throwing batting practice speed in the bullpen during a steady rain.


India #39;s Congress Wins Polls in Key Industrial State

India #39;s ruling Congress party won power in a giant state on Saturday, a victory that would boost the fortunes of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi #39;s party


Schwab posts loss in quarter

Discount brokerage Charles Schwab Corp. suffered a \$41 million loss during its fiscal third quarter as it absorbed costs from job cuts and other restructuring steps it hopes will reverse a protracted slump.


Federer, Roddick, Hewitt pull out of Madrid Masters

Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt -- the world #39;s top three ranked players -- pulled out of next week #39;s Madrid Masters in another wave of withdrawals from the hard-court tournament.


Israeli cleared after gunning down girl

The Israeli army has cleared a commander serving in the southern Gaza town of Rafah of any wrongdoing a few days after he riddled a Palestinian girl #39;s body with bullets.


Astros' Lidge Ready to Be Called Upon (AP)

AP - Brad Lidge is starting to get antsy. The Houston Astros' closer has warmed in the first two games of the NLCS, but has remained in the bullpen. He wasn't needed in Game 5 of the division series, either, so his last appearance was Sunday  #151; when he blew a save against Atlanta.


Venus Williams Upset in Kremlin Cup Play (AP)

AP - A weakened Lindsay Davenport lost to defending champion Anastasia Myskina 6-4, 7-6 (1) Saturday in the Kremlin Cup semifinals but will still regain the No. 1 ranking next week.


Both Coca-Cola, Pepsi to list calorie counts

No more math required to figure out how many calories are in that 20-ounce bottle of soda. Revised labels will calculate it for you starting next year.


Karzai takes lead in Afghan presidential polls

The incumbent Afghan president HamidKarzai has taken lead in the presidential polls as he had secured 77 percent of the votes counted so far, a spokesman of the joint UN-Afghan election commission said Saturday.


Darfur refugee death toll at 70,000

GENEVA - The World Health Organization says that since March, at least 70,000 people in Sudan #39;s western Darfur province have died because of poor conditions in camps for internally displaced people.


Man appears in court over Danielle murder

A man is due in court accused of the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Danielle Beccan in a drive-by shooting. The teenager died after being shot yards from her home in the St Ann #39;s district of Nottingham as


Peru President's Kin Create Headaches (AP)

AP - If U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton ever thought their brothers caused them public relations headaches, they might feel lucky compared to Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo.


Deluge of Big Earnings to Dominate

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock investors face a  mind-numbing pile of information next week as corporate  earnings and economic data pour in, Alan Greenspan speaks and  the presidential election heads toward the homestretch.


Holiday Sales Forecasted in New Ways

NEW YORK (Reuters) - There's nothing like a picture of a  child with Santa Claus -- especially since the number of  parents who line up in stores to get these photos taken could  indicate the health of the holiday shopping season.


Away on Business: Recipe for Success

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cancel the limo. Put down the dining  guides and leave your overcoat in the closet. A power breakfast  or lavish business dinner is just an elevator ride away.


Car Bombs Kill Five Troops in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Car bombs killed five U.S. troops in Iraq, the U.S...


The day on Wall Street: Stocks up for day, down for week

Stocks fell for the second straight week as investors recoiled from a major insurance industry scandal, record high oil prices, a worsening trade deficit and a mixed bag of corporate earnings.


Intel having a hard time competing with AMD

Recent months have seen AMD taking an upper hand over Intel in the chip market. And the latest news is another new indication that Intel is struggling to keep up with the pace they once spearheaded.


Rockstar Games turns on the radio; GTA soundtrack details emerge

Rockstar updates official Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas site with info on the game #39;s soundtrack. Rockstar Games updated the official Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas site with information on the ten radio stations


Fans Flock to See Shaq, but He Sits

Friday night #39;s game between the Magic and the Miami Heat drew an announced 20,454 to the St. Pete Times Forum. For an NBA exhibition game, that #39;s not bad.


Gotta Love This Time Of Year

This has been one heck of a season thus far. Every week, there have been games that have been dynamite. I can understand the proponents of keeping the bowl system the way it is.


UK opposition figure seeks troop info

British opposition politicians are demanding the government clarify plans for the nation #39;s troops in Iraq, Sky News reported Saturday.


US Airways gets OK to cut workers #39; pay

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  A bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority Friday to immediately cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent through mid-February, saying the airline #39;s situation is so dire that urgent action must be taken.


RBC Centura announces leadership change

Scott Custer has been named RBC Centura Banks Inc. #39;s chief executive officer, succeeding Kel Landis, who is retiring from the Rocky Mount-based regional bank.


A New Crew Arrives At the Space Station

A Soyuz spacecraft with a replacement crew for the International Space Station docked safely with the orbiting complex early today.


Starbucks Spreading Its CD  #39;Bars #39;

Starbucks is pushing its new digital music offering into Seattle and Austin in the next month. The Hear Music media bar is an in-store kiosk that allows consumers to buy customizable CDs.


EarthLink to share Con Ed #39;s lines

EarthLink will begin providing Internet connections over Consolidated Edison #39;s power lines in Manhattan in the next several months, following an FCC vote last week to establish new ground rules for commercial deployment of the service.


Fossil of dinosaurs in sleeping posture found in China

Chinese and American scientists have discovered a fossil in northeast China which has provided a first look at dinosaurs #39; bird-like sleep.


Els, Westwood lead World Match Play s-finals

VIRGINIA WATER (England) - Titleholder Ernie Els overcame a dismal putting performance to forge a 3-up lead over an injured Padraig Harrington on Saturday after 18 holes of their World Match Play semi-final.


UPDATE 1-Canas to meet Lopez in second final in two weeks

Guillermo Canas followed up his defeat of top seed David Nalbandian by beating unseeded German Tommy Haas 6-4 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Vienna Trophy.


Stuttgart Claim Top Spot with Win over BVB

Matthias Sammer #39;s Stuttgart went top of the Bundesliga on Saturday after a 2-0 win over the coach #39;s former team. At times efficient, at others exciting, VfB looked the complete package and deserving league leaders.


Check Fridays and Mondays for weekly team updates and match <b>...</b>

It was quite simply the performance of the year for the Americans. In a perfect storm of what could go right for the US mens national team, Panama


Illinois Fighting Illini

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- No. 13 Michigan tries to avoid its first road loss to Illinois in 21 years when the Big Ten Conference foes meet Saturday.


Forgive and forget

The most surprising part of last night #39;s pre-season Raptors game was the indifference displayed by the Air Canada Centre crowd toward Vince Carter.


Car Bombs Kill 5 US Troops In Iraq

BAGHDAD (CBS) Five US servicemen lost their lives to car bombs in Iraq, the US military said Saturday, the latest in a string of such attacks at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.


Butcher of Bali faces execution

RADICAL Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir could face the death penalty if convicted of charges over the Bali bombings, which killed 88 Australians.


Attacks Kill Two US GIs in Afghanistan

An Afghan election worker puts ballot papers next to Hamid Karzai #39;s name at Kabul #39;s counting center on Thursday Oct. 14, 2004.


Rwanda to delay deploying extra troops to Darfur by one week <b>...</b>

Rwanda will delay sending troops to Sudan #39;s troubled Darfur region by about a week because preparations have not been made to quarter the soldiers, an official said Saturday.


Danielle murder accused remanded

The family of drive-by shooting victim Danielle Beccan were in court to see the man accused of her murder in the dock. Mark Ontonio Kelly ,20, is accused of killing the 14-year-old as she walked home with


DRC will not accept further  #39;aggression #39;: Kabila

KISANGANI, DR Congo (AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo, which is emerging from five years of bloody warfare,  quot;will allow no further aggression, quot; warned President Joseph Kabila on his first visit to the restive east of this vast central African


Man sentenced to life for backpacker murder

Ian Previte, a drifter, has been found guilty of murdering 19-year-old British backpacker Caroline Stuttle in Bundaberg, Australia, April 10, 2002.


India #39;s Ruling Congress Party Wins Key State Election

India #39;s ruling Congress Party has retained power in legislative elections in the country #39;s second largest state of Maharashtra.


More GIs, Families Trust Bush, Poll Finds (AP)

AP - When asked whom they would trust as commander in chief, people in military service and their families chose President Bush over Sen. John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, by almost a 3-to-1 margin.


250 Leaders, But Not US, Back UN Population Plan (Reuters)

Reuters - More than 250 world figures --\but not the Bush administration -- have urged the United


UCLA 70, Purdue 64

Sophomore guard Noelle Quinn scored 23 points, and three teammates also finished in double figures as No. 25 UCLA defeated No. 14 Purdue, 70-64, in a nonconference game Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.


Sudan Questions WHO Darfur Deaths Figures

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan on Saturday questioned U.N.  estimates that up to 70,000 people had died from hunger and  disease in its remote Darfur region since a rebellion began 20  months ago.


Beirut Protests Over U.S. Plan to Freeze Assets

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon protested to the United States  on Saturday over a proposal to freeze the assets of senior  officials to put pressure on Syria to withdraw its troops from  Lebanon and crack down on terrorism.


Iraq blasts mar Muslim holy feast

Insurgents in Iraq carry out a series of bomb attacks to coincide with the start of the holy month of Ramadan.


EU nominee in single mothers row

A controversial EU commission nominee sparks a new row by allegedly saying single mums are "not so good".


Madrid attack suspect identified

Police in Spain identify the body of an alleged ringleader of the March train bombings in Madrid.


Santomero Says Rates 'Still Stimulative' (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. interest rates are still\stimulative but should return to "more normal levels" as\expansion continues, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President\Anthony Santomero said on Saturday.


Santomero Says Rates 'Still Stimulative'

MADRID (Reuters) - U.S. interest rates are still  stimulative but should return to "more normal levels" as  expansion continues, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President  Anthony Santomero said on Saturday.


Senior House Repulican in Re-Election War (AP)

AP - Having served 17 terms, Illinois Rep. Phil Crane is the most senior Republican in the House. His quest for an 18th is proving difficult and has party strategists scrambling to fend off a challenge from Democrat Melissa Bean.


Indonesian cleric charged over Bali bombings

quot;He is charged for having a part in the Bali incident, quot; state prosecutor Andi Herman told Reuters on Saturday. bombing attack at the US-run JW.


Bangladesh v New Zealand scoreboard

Cricket-Buchanan looking for middle-order defiance October 16, 2004 13:39:32 MADRAS, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Coach John Buchanan said he was hoping his middle order could dig in to give Australia a chance of saving the second test after India took


Bush Uses Radio Address to Pan Kerry

WASHINGTON - President Bush used his weekly radio address as a campaign tool Saturday, mentioning his unnamed "opponent" five times to plead the case that he, not Democrat John Kerry, has a better slate of domestic policy ideas.    Bush credited his tax cuts for stimulating the economy and said Kerry voted in the Senate to raise taxes...


Greenspan Not Too Worried by the Rise in Energy Prices

Alan Greenspan, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said on Friday that the long-term outlook for global oil supplies is reassuring even though anxiety about dwindling


Judge rules in favor of Tyco stockholders #39; lawsuit

_ A federal judge in New Hampshire says shareholders can go ahead with a class action suit against Tyco International. The suit alleges accounting fraud and looting by former top executives.


Soyuz docks with space station

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft brought a new crew to the International Space Station Saturday morning, the Interfax news agency reported.


Google Gets Froogle with UK Shoppers

Cosmos Nicolaou said Froogle #39;s UK intro is part of the company #39;s plan to actively pursue overseas expansion.  quot;As Google continues to explore opportunities to bring more of the world #39;s information


ELS CHASING 1MILLION BIRTHDAY PRESENT

Ernie Els will try to mark his 35th birthday tomorrow by winning the World Match Play title at Wentworth for a record-breaking sixth time, and with it collect golf #39;s biggest cheque of 1million yet again.


Davenport loses in Kremlin Cup semis

A weakened Lindsay Davenport lost to defending champion Anastasia Myskina 6-4, 7-6 (1) Saturday in the Kremlin Cup semifinals in Moscow but will still regain the No.


Body of slain Chinese hostage flown home from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD : The body of a Chinese engineer killed in an army operation to rescue him from his kidnappers was flown to China aboard a Pakistan military plane, officials said.


Black Watch head for Baghdad

Opposition parties are demanding an urgent government statement on Iraq, with speculation that the Black Watch are about to start patrolling some of the most dangerous areas of the country.


Another round for the great survivor

All of the downfalls and the resurgences of Ariel Sharon pale in comparison to the battle awaiting him on Thursday, when the Likud conference votes on whether to hold coalition talks with Labor.


Soyuz spacecraft docks with ISS

MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) - The Russian manned spacecraft Soyuz- TMA-5 docked with the International Space Station at 8:15 am Moscow time Saturday, an Interfax correspondent reported from the Space Mission Control.


Where to get cheap socks? Go to Froogle

IF YOU are planning to head to London for holiday, don #39;t forget to stop by at Google first. The Internet search firm has launched its Froogle price comparison website in Britain, expanding the company #39;s e-commerce


Soyuz Spacecraft Docks With Space Station

KOROLYOV, Russia Oct. 16, 2004 - A Russian spacecraft ferrying a fresh crew to the international space station had to be docked manually Saturday after an unexplained glitch sent it toward the outpost too quickly.


UPDATE 4-Kumble puts India in sight of victory

Leg spinner Anil Kumble completed his sixth 10-wicket test haul on Saturday to give India a wonderful opportunity to square their four-match series against Australia.


Park #39;s confidence evident in her game

After opening the Samsung World Championship with a 10-under 62, she felt she might go just as low in the second round Friday. She left a few birdie putts short, but finished with a 67 to open a four-shot


Egypt frees Azzam Azzam after 8 years

Egypt yesterday released Azzam Azzam, an Israeli arrested and jailed in Egypt eight years ago on charges of espionage. In exchange, Israel freed six Egyptian students who were captured in August this year


On Baseball: Rain dulls pain

You #39;re angry. You want to lash out. The Red Sox are doing it to you again. They #39;re blowing a playoff series, and to the Yankees no less.


Attacks Kill Two US GIs in Afghanistan

A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the US military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan


Broadband Duopoly Calms Cable, Telecom Battles

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - The long-promised battle between U.S.  cable and telephone companies has so far been more of an uneasy  peace. Thanks to their duopoly over broadband Internet access,  it may stay that way.


UN agency marks World Food Day

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is celebrating world food day.


NASA Celebrates Life of Astronaut Gordon Cooper

By PAM EASTON    HOUSTON (AP) -- Mercury program astronaut Gordon Cooper was remembered Friday by NASA officials and fellow space pioneers as "not too bad of a pilot, but a heck of a good astronaut."    Cooper, who on the final flight of the Mercury program became the first American to spend more than 24 hours in space, died of natural causes Oct. 4 at his home in Ventura, Calif...


New Telescope Being Dedicated in Arizona

By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN     PHOENIX (AP) -- A troubled, 20-year journey to create the world's most powerful optical telescope is nearing an end, with astronomers hoping to begin using the instrument to look for heavenly breakthroughs early next year...


Soyuz Spacecraft Docks With International Space Station

A Russian spacecraft ferrying a fresh crew to the international space station had to be docked manually Saturday after an unexplained glitch sent it toward the outpost too quickly.


Fines and Jail Used to Enforce Flu Shot Rules

As the flu vaccine shortage hits home and long lines queue around the supermarket, a handful of states and the nation's capital are threatening doctors and nurses with fines or even jail if they give flu shots to healthy, low-risk people.


Mount St. Helens''Fin' May Be Splitting

The stone "fin" on the new lava lobe inside the crater at Mount St. Helens seems to be starting to split. The fin, which is about 200 feet tall and 300 feet wide, is building on the new lava dome, which is about 1,600 feet in diameter and 400 feet high.


Els and Westwood Build Halfway Mach Play Leads

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Defending champion  Ernie Els and Briton Lee Westwood built healthy leads at the  halfway point of the World Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth  on Saturday.


Myskina to Face Dementiva in French Open Rematch

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Anastasia Myskina will take on Elena  Dementieva in the Kremlin Cup final in a repeat of their  all-Russian French Open final after the pair won their  semi-finals in similar fashion on Saturday.


Canas to Meet Lopez in Second Final in Two Weeks

VIENNA (Reuters) - Guillermo Canas followed up his defeat  of top seed David Nalbandian by beating unseeded German Tommy  Haas 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Vienna  Trophy.


Broadband Duopoly Calms Cable, Telecom Battles (Reuters)

Reuters - The long-promised battle between U.S.\cable and telephone companies has so far been more of an uneasy\peace. Thanks to their duopoly over broadband Internet access,\it may stay that way.


New FCC Rule Will Bring High-Speed Internet to More Americans

By JENNIFER C. KERR    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators approved new rules Thursday aimed at making high-speed Internet available to more Americans...


All-Girl Swedish Team Tackles Video Gaming

At first glance, Les Seules might look like an all-girl rock band - complete with sassy attitudes and fawning male groupies - but the Swedish septuplet doesn't play instruments. They play competitive video games.


Henry shines right on cue

IN THAT FAMOUSLY irritating advert, Thierry Henry smiles smugly as he struggles to explain to his audience what he means by Va va voom.


No. 25 UCLA beats Pepperdine 74-61

MALIBU, Calif. -- Lindsey Pluimer scored 22 points and Noelle Quinn poured in 20 to lead No. 25 UCLA past Pepperdine 74-61 on Thursday.


Auburn Headed To Sugar Bowl

Auburn #39;s 38-28 win in the SEC championship game Saturday gave the Tigers a perfect 12-0 regular season. It was the first Auburn football team to accomplish that feat.


Last of Mercury Astronauts Remember  #39;Gordo #39; Cooper

The last of the seven Project Mercury astronauts who pioneered US space exploration in the 1960s remembered one of their own as a fearless pilot with the  quot;right stuff quot; in


Canada buries submariner, probes tragedy

Canada buried a sailor this week who died in a submarine fire that naval officers say was poorly handled by the vessel #39;s skipper.


EU nominee in single mothers row

The Italian minister nominated as EU justice and home affairs commissioner has denied criticising single mothers. Rocco Buttiglione is already at the centre of a row after being rejected by the European Parliament


With Few Suppliers of Flu Shots, Shortage Was Long in Making

Health experts had warned that the nation's system for vaccine supply and distribution was growing increasingly fragile.


Red Sox, Astros Hunt for Their First Wins

After Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez failed to get the Boston Red Sox a win against the New York Yankees in the first two games of the AL championship series, Bronson Arroyo will take the hill for Game 3 at Fenway Park on Saturday.    In Houston, the winless Astros face a similar challenge as they return home and put their hopes in Roger Clemens for NLCS Game 3 against the St...


Stuttgart tops table as Bayern, Bremen lose

VfB Stuttgart moved into top spot in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, while Bayern Munich suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Schalke.


Sri Lanka crush Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan - Sanath Jayasuriya defied the dew factor with a five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka crushed Pakistan by a massive 119 runs in the day-night final of the triangular series on Saturday.


Myskinia heads all-Russian final

Moscow - The Kremlin Cup final will be an all-Russian affair for the first time after defending champion Anastasia Myskina beat new world No.


Pires inspires Arsenal #39;s fightback

Robert Pires scored twice and Thierry Henry once as Arsenal hit back to beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Highbury, taking their unbeaten league run to one short of a half-century.


Judge Clears Way for Pay Cuts at US Airways

US Airways employees are earning less. A federal bankruptcy judge has given the troubled airline permission to cut the pay off its union employees by 21 percent immediately.


Bolton v Crystal P

Bolton expect Jay-Jay Okocha to shake off a groin injury suffered in the defeat at West Brom a fortnight ago. Khalilou Fadiga will be in the Bolton squad for the first time after recovery from a heart complaint.


UPDATE 1-Sri Lanka #39;s Jayasuriya foils Pakistan in final

Sanath Jayasuriya took five for 17 to lead Sri Lanka to an emphatic 119-run win the triangular tournament final on Saturday and keep Pakistan waiting for their first one-day title at home.


Kabila Visits Eastern Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has arrived in the eastern city of Kisangani - his first visit to former rebel-held territories since the end of a devastating four-year war.


Look for lower prices on thin TVs

While hanging a television on the living-room wall may have captured the imagination of American consumers, it has yet to empty many pocketbooks.


Crazy Horse Kin Want Strip Club Renamed (AP)

AP - Descendants of the native American warrior Crazy Horse want a change in the famed Paris strip club named after him.


Philips Signs Services Deal With Dell

Royal Philips Electronics has signed a services contract with computer maker Dell Inc., which will manage the electronics company #39;s desktop environment.


Red Sox, Astros Hunt for Their First Wins (AP)

AP - After Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez failed to get the Boston Red Sox a win against the New York Yankees in the first two games of the AL championship series, Bronson Arroyo will take the hill for Game 3 at Fenway Park on Saturday.


Sleek computer moves from den to living room

For the past five years, Bill Gates and the people at Microsoft have been trying to turn that boring gray computer box on your desk into a sexy entertainment gadget that you would welcome into your living room or media room.


Arsenal Streak Reaches 49 Games (AP)

AP - Defending champion Arsenal stretched its unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 49 games Saturday, beating Aston Villa 3-1 behind two goals by Robert Pires.


Australia #39;s Metcash Unveils A\$846M Bid For Foodland -2-

SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Australian grocery and liquor wholesaler Metcash Trading Ltd. (MTT.AU) Monday launched aA\$846 million takeover bid for the Australian assets of Perth-based Foodland Associated Ltd.


Mini-summit in Libya to seek progress on Darfur crisis

CAIRO - Sudans president, threatened with UN sanctions over the Darfur crisis, is due to meet Sunday in Libya with leaders of neighbouring powers to lay down the basis for direct talks with the rebels a few days later.


Canas, Lopez Advance to CA Trophy Final (AP)

AP - Argentina's Guillermo Canas beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the final of the CA Trophy.


Els and Westwood Set Up Final Showdown

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Defending champion  Ernie Els beat Padraig Harrington 5 4 and Lee Westwood held off  a brave fightback by Miguel Angel Jimenez to win their World  Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth on Saturday.


Kerry Unfit to Lead Amid 'Great Threats', Bush Says (Reuters)

Reuters - President Bush labeled Sen. John\Kerry on Saturday a political opportunist who is unfit to lead\amid "great threats" to America.


Two U.S. Soldiers Die in Afghan Attacks

A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, while a separate attack in an eastern Afghan province killed at least three children and a policeman on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.


Canas, Lopez Advance to CA Trophy Final

Argentina's Guillermo Canas beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the final of the CA Trophy.


Colombian Indians Want Time to Forget Their Land

 By Jason Webb

 SABANA CRESPO, Colombia (Reuters) - Coca leaves, the rawmaterial of cocaine, should speed you up and give you a buzz.But you'd never know it to look at the Arhuaco Indians ofColombia's Sierra Nevada, who must be strong contenders for thetitle of World's Most Laid-Back People.


Nordic Nations Prevail in Surveys of World #39;s Hot Economies

Forget the stereotypes about Scandinavian socialism and how its high taxes and expensive public health care system are destroying private enterprise.


PayPal Back To Normal

PayPal, the popular payment method on auction site eBay Inc., has fixed the technical problems that had plagued the systems for almost a week, leaving many users unable to access their accounts or conduct business.


Canas, Lopez advance to CA Trophy final

Guillermo Canas of Argentina will play Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the final of the CA Trophy after straight sets victories Saturday.


UPDATE 2-Arsenal vanquish Villa, Man United lose ground

French maestros Robert Pires and Thierry Henry combined to give champions Arsenal a classy 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Highbury on Saturday.


SPORTSTICKER MLS PREVIEW (SAN JOSE-DALLAS)

SOUTHLAKE, Texas (Ticker) -- The battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference comes down to 90 minutes of action as the Dallas Burn host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.


Soyuz docks after space ride

A Soyuz spacecraft carrying two cosmonauts and an American astronaut arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday after approaching so quickly that a danger signal was activated, causing the crew to switch from autopilot to manual control.


And Then There Were Three

America #39;s earliest space explorers bid farewell Friday to fellow Mercury 7 astronaut L. Gordon Cooper, whose toothy grin became a symbol of confidence and graceful daring as his country struggled to open a new frontier.


Tech Digest

Dell Inc. said yesterday that it plans to let people who buy its personal computers upgrade for \$39 from a traditional Microsoft Corp.


When Spitzer Speaks, Insurers Take Note

A financial industry that had grown comfortable with its regulators is reeling after the New York state attorney general filed charges of wrongdoing and denounced practices that the industry - and its regulators - had viewed as acceptable.


Four bidders court Boeing

Speculation runs high over which of these companies might buy the Wichita plant -- perhaps by the end of the year. BY MOLLY MCMILLIN.


Apple on a Roll in Q4

Apple Computer saw its shares jump 13 percent after it delivered a strong quarterly earnings report. Sales were propelled by burgeoning demand for the iPod digital-music player.


Els, Westwood win Match Play semifinals

Titleholder Ernie Els moved within sight of a record sixth World Match Play title on Saturday by solving a putting problem to overcome injured Irishman Padraig Harrington 5 and 4.


Garcia and Khan lead in Mallorca

Sergio Garcia waltzed into a share of the lead at nine under after a third-round 68 in the Mallorca Classic. The Spaniard holed from a bunker for birdie on 13 and chipped in for birdie on 17 to join England #39;s Simon Khan.


Report: Trainer says Bonds used steroids in  #39;03

According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, Bonds #39; personal weight trainer, Greg Anderson, claimed in a recorded conversation last year that the slugger used an undetectable performance-enhancing drug during the 2003 season.


Sun setback for City

Kevin Keegan has revealed that Manchester City would be without Sun Jihai will be out of action for a year with a serious leg injury.


Kiwis earn draw in Auckland

AUCKLAND: New Zealand produced a superb fight back to hold Australia to a 16-16 draw in the opening game of the Tri-Nations series in Auckland.


Crude oil touches \$55 US a barrel

NEW YORKCrude oil hit \$55 (US) a barrel yesterday as traders worried over thin heating oil inventories ahead of winter and Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan predicted the soaring costs would not crimp economic growth like in the 1970s.


Seven dead in Afghan attacks as vote count resumes

KABUL : Seven people including two US soldiers died in explosions in Afghanistan, officials said, as early results from historic elections gave President Hamid Karzai a strong lead over his rivals.


Robert Di Niro loves Italy!:

Hollywood News: Washington, Oct 16: Italians might think otherwise, but Robert De Niro definitely has no bad intentions towards Italy even though his recent actions seem to suggest otherwise.


DRCongo president makes first trip to east: warns against <b>...</b>

KISANGANI, DRCongo : President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began a historic visit to the unstable and war-weary east of his country with a warning that the nation would not accept any further  quot;aggression quot;.


Aussie tips Rossi to conquer lsland

AUSSIE Troy Bayliss says world champion Valentino Rossi will be unbeatable in today #39;s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix even though Spain #39;s Sete Gibernau has pole position.


Kiwis hold Aussies 16-16 in Tri Nations opener

Winger Luke Rooney scored two tries on debut as Australia drew 16-16 with New Zealand in Saturday #39;s series-opening Tri Nations rugby league test.


UPI NewsTrack TopNews

A UN official calls for more aid for Sudan #39;s Darfur region, saying that 70,000 people have died there since March and the toll is rising by 10,000 every month.


#39;70,000 Darfur dead #39; since March

About 70,000 displaced people are thought to have died in Sudan #39;s Darfur region since March, mainly from disease and malnutrition, a UN official says.


Judge OKs US Airways #39; plan to cut pay by 21

The unraveling of the ailing airline industry picked up speed Friday as a bankruptcy judge granted US Airways authority to temporarily cut the pay of its union workers by 21 percent, comparing the airline #39;s financial outlook to  quot;a ticking fiscal time bomb


Two US soldiers killed, three wounded in Afghanistan

KABUL (AFP) - Two US troops were killed and three wounded by a mine detonated by remote control in Afghanistan #39;s southcentral province of Uruzgan, the US military said.


Congo prepares to retake Kilwa

A town in the mineral rich Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has fallen to a mysterious group of militants. Going by the name of the Liberation Movement for


Lindsay Davenport Upset at Kremlin Cup

Lindsay Davenport of the US returns a shot during a match against Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the Kremlin Cup tennis tournament in Moscow #39;s Olympic Indoor stadium on Friday, Oct. 15, 2004.


Manchester United held, Arsenal rolls again

Birmingham, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United was held to a scoreless draw at Birmingham City Saturday while Arsenal extended its league unbeaten streak to 49 games by beating Aston Villa, 3-1.


Gasquet reaches first ATP Tour final in Metz

France #39;s Richard Gasquet brushed aside American Jeff Morrison 6-1 6-4 in the Metz Open on Saturday to reach his first final of an ATP Tour tournament -- an all-French affair against Jerome Haehnel.


US Airways Says Not Selling Aircraft (Reuters)

Reuters - US Airways  said on\Saturday it has no current plans to reduce its fleet of\aircraft, disputing postings on the Internet that the bankrupt\carrier has put planes up for sale.


Els and Westwood clash for million pound Match Play title (AFP)

AFP - Defending champion Ernie Els and European Ryder Cup hero Lee Westwood clash for the one million pounds first prize in Sunday's final of the World Match Play Championship after winning their semi-final matches.


US Airways Says Not Selling Aircraft

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - US Airways UAIRQ.OB said on  Saturday it has no current plans to reduce its fleet of  aircraft, disputing postings on the Internet that the bankrupt  carrier has put planes up for sale.


Colo. Voting Woes Rise As Election Nears (AP)

AP - Colorado could end up writing an ugly sequel to the Florida election nightmare of four years ago.


Senior House Republican in Re-Election War (AP)

AP - Having served 17 terms, Illinois Rep. Phil Crane is the most senior Republican in the House. His quest for an 18th is proving difficult and has party strategists scrambling to fend off a challenge from Democrat Melissa Bean.


Reports Zarqawi Seized in Iraq Untrue--U.S. Army

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Saturday that  reports that Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been  detained in Iraq were not credible.


Sudan Questions WHO Darfur Deaths Figures

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan on Saturday questioned U.N.  estimates that up to 70,000 people have died from hunger and  disease in its remote Darfur region since a rebellion began 20  months ago.


Russia Wins Permanent Military Base in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE (Reuters) - Tajikistan on Saturday formally  granted Russian forces in the Central Asian state a permanent  military base in a move Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed  as a guarantee of regional security.


Cuba Expels Spanish, Dutch Legislators in EU Spat

HAVANA/MADRID (Reuters) - Cuba said on Saturday it barred  entry to three European lawmakers on a trip to support  dissidents, setting back Spain's campaign to mend frosty ties  between the EU bloc and the communist-ruled island.


Landmark deal: IBM #39;s planned selloff would signal end of an era

IBM #39;s expected decision to sell its US\$11.5 billion PC business would mark the end of an era and dramatically reshape the systems landscape, posing both opportunities and pitfalls for solution providers.


Annan rejects Iraq oil bribe claim

Kofi Annan rejects claims that France and Russia might have been willing to ease sanctions on Iraq in return for oil.


Pickers to Vintners: A Mexican-American Saga

Over the past few years the first fine wines made by former migrant workers, the children of those workers and other Mexican-Americans have been released, winning good reviews.


Clubs to Be Named for Socialite Hilton

ORLANDO, Fla. - Paris Hilton knows something about nightclubs, so it makes sense the hotel heiress is the inspiration for a handful of clubs that will bear her name...


Israel Calls Gaza Incursion Successful

JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Israel's military said Saturday that its 17-day incursion into the northern Gaza Strip struck a heavy blow to Palestinian militants routinely firing makeshift rockets into the country's southern region.    Palestinian residents, however, accused the army of wanton destruction, saying the broad military offensive targeted densely populated areas never used to launch rockets...