Phelps makes winning return at world championships

INDIANAPOLIS: Michael Phelps made a winning return to the pool at the world short course championships today, capturing the 200m freestyle title and the first of a possible six gold medals.


Australia takes charge in opening test against India

Michael Clarke notched a century on his test debut and skipper Adam Gilchrist hit a blazing hundred yesterday as Australia took charge of the opening test against India.


Canadian sailor dies of submarine fire injuries

FIRE AT SEA: The man died while being airlifted to hospital. Bad weather has delayed rescue of the remainder of the crew, who are adrift in waters northeast of Ireland.


Car bombing kills 40 Pakistanis, raises fears of sectarian <b>...</b>

The authorities announced a nationwide ban on all political and religious meetings except Friday prayers after a car bombing early yesterday in the central city of Multan killed 40 people and wounded at least 100.


Strike, Hurricane Ivan cause flat quarterly earnings at Alcoa

Alcoa yesterday reported third-quarter net income of \$283 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, unchanged from the aluminum maker #39;s results in the year-ago quarter.


China to Institute Online Ratings Systems (AP)

AP - China plans ratings systems for online games, books and movies to protect children from violence and sexual content in the nation's latest effort to tighten controls on various media, reports said Friday.


Yanks look dashing again  to rest of league #39;s chagrin

Here it comes. You can feel the rumbling of anticipation now. Just two games into the American League playoffs, we already have a colossal collision coming into focus.


Eugene Melnyk stepping down as Biovail CEO, will remain chairman

TORONTO (CP) - Eugene Melnyk, who used his personal fortune to buy the Ottawa Senators last year, is stepping down as chief executive of Biovail Corp.


Oil Prices and Drug Safety Comments Send Shares Lower

Investors sent stocks markedly lower yesterday as oil prices reached \$53 a barrel during the trading session and new questions were raised about the safety of arthritis drugs, putting pressure on pharmaceutical shares.


British File-Sharers Sued

Following the footsteps of its American counterpart, Britain #39;s British Phonographic Industry announced it was bringing suit to 28 file-swappers.


Mars rover finds more proof of water

The Mars rover Opportunity has found new evidence of past existence of water on the Red Planet, NASA said. Opportunity keeps finding new clues of past water as it continues probing Mars, said mission scientists


Typhoon bears down on Japanese Grand Prix

SUZUKA (Japan) - Michael Schumacher led the wet Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix with teams casting a wary eye to the skies with a typhoon approaching.


For once, a U.Va. sparring partner that punches back

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Dragging into town with but a single victory to show for its season, Clemson was supposed to represent just another sparring partner for Virginia as the Cavaliers trained for their featured bout at Florida State two Saturdays from now.


Izenberg: Twins shouldn #39;t be fooled by near miss

It #39;s a morality play as old as Ruth, Joe D. and the Mick. Who among the bit players has not come to the moment adrift in an ocean of clichs and platitudes:  quot;They pull their


With commanding lead, Red Sox look to close deal

They are the team of which the Boston Red Sox dare not speak. At least, not yet anyway. The Yankees may be somewhere on their minds, maybe even stuck in their craws.


Frazar fires 64 to share Vegas lead

Harrison Frazar shot a bogey-free 64 to take his place among a crowded group at the top of the leaderboard with an 8 under at the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas.


Clarke and Gilchrist lead Aussie run spree

Michael Clarke smashed a superb debut century to help Australia into a formidable position on the second day of the opening Test against India in Bangalore.


Polls point to Howard victory

Australians vote in less than 24 hours to choose a new government with most key pointers suggesting the incumbent conservative coalition of Prime Minister John Howard will be returned.


Shoppers still frugal lot

The quartet, of course, represents the four hurricanes that raked across Florida in late August and the first half of September -- storms blamed for death, destruction and a dampening of retail sales as well.


Spyware case hits US court

THE US Federal Trade Commission has filed America #39;s first case against software companies accused of infecting computers with intrusive spyware and then trying to sell people the solution.


Phelps Opens Big

Michael Phelps led all the way in winning the 200-meter freestyle at the World Short Course Championships on opening night Thursday.


Egypt Resort Bombs Target Israelis; at Least 15 Dead

TABA, Egypt/EILAT (Reuters) - Bomb blasts hit Egyptian Red  Sea resorts crowded with vacationing Israelis, killing at least  15 people in back-to-back attacks which Israeli officials said  appeared to be the handiwork of al Qaeda.


Bomb blast hits embassy in Paris

A bomb explodes at the Indonesian embassy in Paris injuring up to 10 people including embassy staff.


Oil Holds Over \$52 as Rally Pauses

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices took time out on Friday  from this week's succession of record highs but anxiety over  outages in the U.S. Gulf, Nigeria and Norway in the run-up to  winter left little hope of relief for consumers.


Conferees Ban Lease of Boeing Tankers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House and Senate conferees agreed  late on Thursday to ban the leasing of aerial refueling  aircraft as part of a final deal on a \$422 billion defense  authorization bill, killing a proposed \$23.5 billion Air Force  deal with Boeing Co. BA.N, congressional sources said.


Blast at Indonesian Embassy in Paris Hurts 9

An explosion struck the Indonesian Embassy in Paris on Friday, slightly wounding nine people, a French radio station reported.


Cards Go 2-0 With Small Ball #39;

Mike Matheny, Edgar Renteria and the St. Louis Cardinals can win with singles, doubles and triples, too. After tying a postseason record with five home runs


Blast at Paris Indonesian embassy

PARIS, France -- An explosion outside the Indonesian Embassy in Paris has wounded nine people, a fire commander has said. The cause of the blast early Friday morning is unclear but French radio station Europe


Oracle Director Says Bid May Not Be Final

A director of the Oracle Corporation testified that the company's \$7.7 billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft might not be the final offer.


Crude oil close to record

OIL retreated further from its \$US53 a barrel threshold in early Asian trade today, but players in the market remained edgy about tight supplies heading into North America #39;s winter heating season.


Oracle could offer more for PeopleSoft

wilmington, del.Oracle Corp. director Joseph Grundfest testified yesterday that the company #39;s \$21 (US) per-share hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc.


Reuters to make B #39;lore biggest employment hub

BANGALORE: Reuters, the global news and information provider, on Thursday announced that it plans to make Bangalore its biggest information-gathering hub, employing up to 1,500 people, or 10 of its total workforce.


SEC probing three exchanges - report

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing enforcement actions against the American, Philadelphia and National stock exchanges for failing to protect


Small businesses find they can live with big-box stores

Fears that big-box stores would devastate independent retailers and suck the life out of Canada #39;s downtown main streets appear overblown.


Word flaw could lead to denial of service

A highly critical vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft Word 2000 and 2002, an advisory from security advisory service Secunia says.


CITES tightens ramin controls, may save orang-utan

A United Nations conference adopted a proposal on Friday to tighten controls on the trade of a commercially valuable hardwood known as ramin, which could help save the endangered orang-utan ape.


NASA will cover only a fraction of cost of module lost on shuttle

NASA has turned back an \$87.7 million claim by Spacehab for equipment lost on the shuttle Columbia, but the company may appeal. Spacehab officials said Thursday that NASA #39;s rejection was


Cavs #39; ground game grinds up Tigers

Theresa special bookcase in Al Grohs office completely full of game plans from his days in the NFL. Green ones are from the Jets.


Park Is Locked In a Three-Way Tie

Park was 4 under after just six holes in the LPGA #39;s final full-field event of the year. She was even sharper during a stretch coming in, using strong approach shots for the birdie run that started on No.


US Releases Senior Aide to Sadr

The US military released a senior aide to the rebellious Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr on Thursday, and Sadr aides said momentum was growing toward an agreement to disband the


Constitutional Court confirms Yudhoyono #39;s victory

The Indonesian Constitutional Court has confirmed Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono #39;s election victory asincumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri left the public guessing whether she would accept the result.


Update 1: Oil Retreats From \$53 Per Barrel in Asia

Oil retreated further from its \$53 per barrel threshold in early Asian trade Friday, but players in the market remained edgy about tight supplies heading into North America #39;s winter heating season.


Retailers fear more soft sales

The outlook for the holiday shopping season grew more uncertain Thursday as the nation #39;s largest retailers reported they had a fourth straight month of tepid sales in September.


Google Announces New Book Text Search

Search engine giant Google is going to make it easy for book lovers to search though pages of books online and read a few pages too.


Pires slams Aragones

Robert Pires and Sol Campbell have expressed their concern over alleged racist comments by Spain national team boss Luis Aragones about their Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry.


Takeover Protesters Hold Up Manchester United Reserve Team Game

Manchester United #39;s reserve team match against Birmingham yesterday was held up for three minutes when 30 protesters entered the field holding a Not for Sale #39; #39; banner, the English Premiership team said on its Web site.


#2 Oklahoma (4-0) vs. #5 Texas (4-0)

Kick-off for the 99th edition of the Red River Shootout is set for 11 am Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The game will be broadcast nationally by ABC.


Explosions rock Red Sea resorts in Egypt

An explosion rocked the Hilton Hotel in Egypt #39;s Red Sea resort of Taba Thursday night, killing at least 35 people and injuring more than 160 others, Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite TV channel reported.


Bomb rocks Indonesia #39;s Paris embassy

A bomb has exploded in front of the Indonesian embassy in Paris before dawn today, injuring about 10 people lightly, French radio station Europe 1 reports.


US condemns Pak blast, calls it  #39;despicable #39;

United States has strongly condemned a car bomb attack in Multan city of Pakistan that killed more than 41 people and wounded 100 at a prayer vigil.


ElBaradei, Environmentalist Favored for Nobel (Reuters)

Reuters - Among those tipped to win the 2004 Nobel\Peace Prize on Friday are the U.N. nuclear watchdog and its\leader Mohamed ElBaradei, a Kenyan environmentalist and a\Russian anti-nuclear activist.


ElBaradei, Environmentalist Favored for Nobel

OSLO (Reuters) - Among those tipped to win the 2004 Nobel  Peace Prize on Friday are the U.N. nuclear watchdog and its  leader Mohamed ElBaradei, a Kenyan environmentalist and a  Russian anti-nuclear activist.


Japan Defense Chief: Talks on U.S. Troops 'Grueling'

TOKYO (Reuters) - Negotiations between Washington and Tokyo  over the impact of a global realignment of U.S. military forces  are "grueling" because of sensitive issues involved for Japan,  Defense Minister Yoshinori Ohno said Friday.


Burma overshadows Asem

Asian and European leaders open their biennial summit with the EU promising new sanctions against Burma.


Death Toll Varies in Blast at Sinai Resort

TABA, Egypt - A car bomb and a suicide bomber tore through a resort hotel in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where Israelis were vacationing at the end of a Jewish holiday Thursday night. Estimates of the death toll ranged from 19 to about 60...


For Kerry, Thinking Globally Began at a Young Age

From the beginning, John F. Kerry has formed his presidential campaign around his service in the Vietnam War. But it is another war, World War II, that shaped his belief that the United States is more effective on the global stage when it works closely with other countries.


Push Against Polio Launched in Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 7 -- Teams were to spread out across 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa on Friday to begin what global health officials hope is the final push against the crippling polio virus, with the goal of vaccinating 80 million children, including those in northern Nigeria, where opposition had derailed the eradication effort.


An Afghan Woman's Patience Nears Its Reward

F   atima     Gailani  is used to waiting. After living in exile for 24 years, working for her embattled country out of a suitcase, the 50-year-old Afghan has mastered the virtue of patience by never losing hope. Saturday's presidential election in Afghanistan is an important milestone along that journey, she explained, though she knows steep obstacles remain.


Radio Karabagh, the Station  With Local Identification

KARABAGH<br> The letters that arrive at the three-room studio of Radio Karabagh  are small works of folk art. They come on elaborate stationery, covered with glitter applied by hand, pictures cut from newspapers and small bits of metal foil applied like gold leaf in patterns. A flower seller...


US House of Representatives passes new corporate tax bill

The US House of representatives on Thursday passed a new corporate tax bill designed to end the trade war with Europe but the bill gives more tax cuts for some business including farmers and big companies.


BANKRUPTCIES ARE SINKING PENSION AGENCY

October 8, 2004 -- The longer-term solvency of the US agency that insures pensions is at risk, threatened by troubled airlines and other companies failing to fund their retirement plans, the agency #39;s director said yesterday.


Attorneys demand that government hand over documents

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- One day before Martha Stewart is to begin serving her five-month prison sentence, attorneys for the lifestyle maven reiterated her desire to continue with her appeal by demanding that the government hand over documents.


RV, trailer maker announces \$20 million Goshen expansion

Goshen (Associated Press) -- Forest River, a recreational vehicle and cargo trailer maker, plans to build seven new buildings at its Goshen complex and add more than 600 workers by April.


B of A blindsides Mass.: Huge job-cut roster includes surprise 140 <b>...</b>

That was the verdict of Massachusetts lawmakers yesterday after BofA announced a fresh wave of 4,500 job cuts, including an estimated 140 in the Bay State.


Linx Printing backs Danaher takeover

Linx Printing Technologies says it is backing a 86 million pound takeover offer by US firm Danaher after a rival, lower, bidder withdrew.


Jobs report dominates pre-debate spin

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- The final monthly jobs report before the Nov. 2 presidential election will be released Friday at 8:30 am Eastern.


Hutchison Telecom prices IPO at bottom of range

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, the flagship of Asia #39;s richest tycoon, Li Ka-shing, raised \$890 million from the flotation of its emerging markets phone arm after pricing it at the bottom of an indicated range.


US, Europe clash over subsidy for Boeing  amp; Airbus

Fierce competition between giant aircraft makers, Boeing and Airbus, has been heating up. The US government and the European Union have both stepped in to boost their prospects.


Now what?

It was an event more than eight years in the making. For the second time in less than a week, a piloted reusable suborbital spacecraftSpaceShipOnesoared into the outskirts of space, more


Indymedia Server Raided by FBI

The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Nobody #39;s exactly sure why or how the FBI got warrants to take Indymedia #39;s HDs, but their


GARDEN PLOT: Naturalist to lecture

Diana Beresford-Koeger, an Ontario horticulturist, naturalist and author, will appear at two events in Ann Arbor next weekend. She will lead a walking tour of trees in the Nichols Arboretum at 1 pm Oct. 16.


New light technology promises longer life and lower costs

It #39;s a problem that confronts every homeowner: There #39;s always at least one lightbulb around the house that needs to be replaced -- often in places that require a ladder.


Schumacher wins first practice at rain-soaked Suzuka

World champion Michael Schumacher drove the quickest time in the first practice on Friday for Sunday #39;s Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka.


Jeter, Yankees look to take control of unshaken Twins

Derek Jeter turned a season that started with a terrible slump into one of the best in his accomplished 10-year career.  quot;I don #39;t think there is any question, quot; the New York Yankees manager said.


Golf: Bohn, Ellis open with 63s at Michelin Championship

LAS VEGAS, United States : Danny Ellis and Jason Bohn fired rounds of 63 to lead after the first round of the four million dollar PGA Michelin Championship.


NEXTEL CUP: Dale Jr. penalty too harsh

Roush Racing driver Matt Kenseth, the defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, will share his views with Free Press readers through the final race in the Chase for the Championship, which ends Nov. 21 at Homestead, Fla.


It #39;s the Occupation, Stupid

Four years ago on Sept. 28, 2000, when Ariel Sharon made his operatic visit to the Temple Mount, no one could have predicted how dire the situation would become so quickly: close to 6,000 dead; the building


France to install 1,000 businesses in China

The French government plans to install 1,000 businesses next year in China, declared French Junior Minister of Foreign Trade Francois Loos on Tuesday.


Iraq car bombs wreaking havoc

As US military officials and Samarra residents assessed the damage from a major weekend offensive to rid that city of guerrillas, insurgents took their campaign into the heart


Reuters data centre to house half of global staff by next year

Reuters, the UK-based global information company for financial services, media and corporate markets, formally opened its new data centre in Bangalore on Thursday.


Bush to Replace Treasury's Snow -NY Times

NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Bush plans to replace John  Snow as U.S. Treasury Secretary and possible successors include  Andrew Card, currently the White House chief of staff, the New  York Times reported Monday.


Tiger needs focus

It #39;s doubtful that Elin Nordegren, retired swimsuit model and nanny, ever aspired to the title  quot;Most Powerful Person in Golf.


Controversy may be just what NASCAR needs

The tornado that was Talladega has swept up the NASCAR nation and dropped it in, of all places, the land of Oz. With the tumult of Talladega fresh in its psyche, NASCAR is hoping on one hand


Decision Day: 2004 Referendum

For a long, long time, November 2nd has been promoted as the biggest day of 2004. But that #39;s before October 9 fully came into focus.


Dollar Edges Up from Lows

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar clung to slim gains Monday but  stayed close to a record low against the euro and a five-year  low vs the yen, with traders saying it was just a matter of  time before the market dumps the U.S. currency again.


Explosives lost during security drill at French airport

French police on Sunday ended their practice of hiding plastic explosives in air passengers #39; luggage to train bomb-sniffing dogs after one such bag got lost, possibly ending up on a flight out of Paris #39; Charles de Gaulle airport.


Iran sites  #39;off limits for UN checks #39;

TEHRAN: Iran yesterday said it was not obliged to allow UN inspectors to visit military sites alleged to be involved in secret nuclear weapons work, but that it was willing to discuss the issue.


UN Council Ready to Adopt New Anti-Terror Measure (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.N. Security Council was\set Friday to adopt a Russian-drafted resolution that seeks to\expand the prosecution and extradition of terrorist groups and\individuals, such as Chechen separatist leaders.


Results of AP Poll on Presidential Race (AP)

AP - The Associated Press-Ipsos poll on the presidential race is based on telephone interviews with 1,541 adults, including 1,273 registered voters and 944 likely voters, from all states except Alaska and Hawaii. The interviews were conducted Oct. 4-6 by Ipsos-Public Affairs.


U.S. Base Attacked as Afghans Prepare to Vote

KABUL (Reuters) - Sporadic violence erupted in pockets of  Afghanistan on the eve of a historic presidential election in  the rugged war-torn land, highlighting the risks posed by  Taliban militants who have vowed to disrupt the vote.


ElBaradei: Iran Should Comply with IAEA by Nov. 25

TOKYO (Reuters) - Iran should freeze all its uranium  enrichment-related activities by a Nov. 25 board of governors  meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the  head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, said on  Friday.


N.Korea Says It Will Resume Talks if U.S. Ends Hostility

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea wants bilateral nuclear talks  with the United States but would rejoin stalled six-party  immediately if Washington dropped what it called its "hostile  policy" toward Pyongyang, the communist state said on Friday.


Second Pitcairn man pleads guilty

A second man pleads guilty to sex offence charges against young girls on the Pacific island of Pitcairn.


Cambodia rush to solve succession

Cambodia races to pass laws to decide the sucession after King Sihanouk's abdication announcement.


Pakistan bans religious meetings

Public religious meetings are banned in Pakistan after Thursday's bomb explosion in Multan kills at least 40 people.


Blasts at Egypt Resort Kill at Least 19

TABA, Egypt - Blasts from a car bomb and a suicide bomber tore through a resort hotel in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where Israelis were vacationing at the end of a Jewish holiday Thursday night, officials said. There were at least 19 dead and the toll was likely to rise...


Kerry Takes Lead Over Bush in AP Poll

WASHINGTON - Democrat John Kerry has taken a slight lead over President Bush, according to an Associated Press poll that found him gaining ground with women, boosting his overall popularity and cutting into the president's advantage on national security.    The two candidates remain in a very close race ahead of a second debate Friday night in St...


Cheney Once Pushed to Lift Iran Sanctions

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney, who has called Iran "the world's leading exporter of terror," pushed to lift U.S. trade sanctions against Tehran while chairman of Halliburton Co...


Concern over drug stocks hurts Dow

Investors sent stocks sharply lower yesterday as oil prices continued their climb higher and new questions about the safety of arthritis drugs pressured pharmaceutical stocks.


September sales at Target stores beat retail average

MINNEAPOLIS - While other retailers struggled with a sluggish back-to-school season, Target Corp. reported same-store sales well above the industry average.


Jeter, Yankees Look to Take Control (AP)

AP - Derek Jeter turned a season that started with a terrible slump into one of the best in his accomplished 10-year career.


Red Sox Manager Francona in Familiar Spot (AP)

AP - This isn't the first time Terry Francona has come back to Fenway Park with a two-game lead in a playoff series.


Steelers rally for victory

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Now, Ben Roethlisberger has done it all, at least in the confines of the regular season. Staring at a 16-14 deficit with 1:50 left in the game, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to the


Record high tornadoes for September, August

The US National Weather Service #39;s Storm Prediction Center said Thursday that 173 tornadoes were reported in August and 247 in September.


Patel, Pathan defy Australia

Bangalore - Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan put on 60 for the seventh wicket to prop up India on the third morning of the first Test against Australia here on Friday.


Measure of success

The numbers keep coming up. Impressive numbers that should draw praise. Numbers like nine or more wins for eight straight seasons.


Johnny Kelley

JOHNNY KELLEY, who died yesterday at age 97, had a modest way of living that belied his extraordinary athletic feats. His participation in 61 Boston Marathons, despite the demands of a regular job and without


Jenkins court martial to begin Nov 3

TOKYO (AFP) - The court martial of US Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins, accused of deserting to North Korea nearly four decades ago, will begin in Japan on November 3, the US Army said Thursday.


Source: Samsung Profit Below Forecast

SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s  third-quarter operating profit has fallen around 10 percent  short of market forecasts due to weak sales of flat screens, a  source familiar with the company's business said on Friday.


House OK's \$136b in tax breaks

The House last night passed a sweeping rewrite of corporate tax law, a measure designed to end a trade war with Europe and shower \$136 billion in new tax breaks on businesses, farmers, and other groups.


Cyberkinetics gets public stock listing

Cyberkinetics Inc. of Foxborough, a pioneering company developing a medical device that could one day enable paralyzed people to control computers and even their own limbs just using thoughts, went public yesterday by merging into the shell of an unsuccessful Canadian mining company.


Oil Sets New Highs on Winter Fuel Worries

Oil prices broke into fresh record territory above \$52 on Thursday on heightened concerns over tight winter heating fuel supplies.


SEC may backtrack on fund regulation

The Securities and Exchange Commission is considering whether to abandon an unpopular proposal that was designed in part to curtail improper mutual fund trading, according to a published report Thursday.


Gov #39;s plan to add 18 inspectors greatly inadequate

The Romney administration is planning a \$1.7 million, 18-job boost for the beleaguered agency that inspects amusement park rides, boilers and elevators, but a union official says at least


Illinois Tool Won #39;t Pursue Linx After Danaher Offers More Money

Illinois Tool Works Inc. said it won #39;t proceed with its bid for UK-based Linx Printing Technologies Plc after Danaher Corp. said it may offer 15 percent more for the company.


Melnyk steps aside at Biovail

Billionaire Eugene Melnyk said yesterday he is stepping down as chief executive of Biovail Corp. The company said Doug Squires, the former CEO of New York-based MDS Pharma Services, a division of Toronto-based


SpaceShipOne rockets in NEW ERA

A red, white and blue rocket plane zoomed into space Monday, winning a \$10 million prize as the world #39;s first privately built reusable spacecraft and heralding the future of commercial space travel.


Phelps gets started with gold in 200 free

He will have to do something spectacular like that at Conseco Fieldhouse to keep pace with US teammate Kaitlin Sandeno. Phelps won the 200-meter freestyle Thursday night to open the World Swimming


Veteran guard Black bugs opponents

The Connecticut Sun have the  quot;Tasmanian Devil quot; on their side as they enter the WNBA Finals tonight.  quot;Well, you know, I play a lot like that; I #39;m kind of


Minnesota is back in a familiar place

Last year, in the American League Division Series, the Minnesota Twins beat the New York Yankees in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium, then lost Game 2. The series shifted


Paris blast terrorist act - Indonesia #39;s Yudhoyono

Indonesian president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said a blast on Friday near Jakarta #39;s embassy in Paris was a terrorist act, and called on France and Indonesia #39;s outgoing president to take appropriate action.


Pesticide Persisting Beyond Scheduled Elimination Date

Under a treaty known as the Montreal Protocol, methyl bromide was to be banned for most uses by the end of this year.


Thankfully, the BCS got it right this time

BCS critics often vent frustration by omitting that middle letter. Not this time. It is needed. After Sunday, it #39;s clear what the C really signifies.


New Breed of Cat: Clones to Make Debut at Annual Show

The annual cat show at Madison Square Garden, which begins on Friday, will include cloned kittens for the first time.


Update 2: Corporate Tax Law Overhaul Passage Likely

The Senate is expected to follow the lead of the House and pass a major overhaul of corporate tax law that would dole out \$136 billion in new tax breaks to a wide array of US companies and provide a \$10.


Bombardier lays off 2,000 workers

MontrealWith its stock in a tailspin and the prospect of cash-strapped US airlines bailing out on future jet orders, aerospace giant Bombardier Inc.


Marriott earnings up 45 percent on growing demand for rooms

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Hotel operator Marriott International Inc. said its third-quarter earnings rose 45 percent as growing demand for rooms helped drive revenue up 9 percent.


Rovers find more signs of liquid water on Mars

Aging but still on the go, climbing in and around craters, tapping into the mysteries of strangely cracked rocks, the two roving vehicles Spirit and Opportunity have explored Mars about three times as long as originally scheduled.


TSMC Shows Signs of Tech Sector Slowdown

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world #39;s biggest producer of custom-made chips, on Thursday reported record-breaking revenue for the third quarter, but signaled that the global technology sector might be heading for a slowdown in the fourth


Security concerns put MSN Messenger beta on hold

Microsoft Corp. has suspended the beta testing of the next version of its MSN Messenger client because of a potential security problem, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.


CA Introduces Mainframe Usage Based Pricing

It has been a busy few days at Computer Associates (CA) as the company first announced the acquisition of Netegrity and has now released details of a new licensing schema available on the company #39;s large portfolio of mainframe software products.


Gordo Cooper, American hero and astronaut

But on that glorious day in May, 1963, Gordo Cooper went higher, farther, and faster than any other American. Twenty-two complete orbits around the world.


Old Course humbled

Graeme McDowell matched a course record with a 10-under-par 62 on the famed Old Course yesterday to take the first-round lead in the Dunhill Links Championship at St.


Sox want to end series before Angels wake up

Boston couldn #39;t be more confident heading back to Fenway Park, looking to close out the once-hot Angels. By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer.


How they #39;ve fared: teams split games this year

June 11: Kamila Vodichkova scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping the Storm to a tough win. Lauren Jackson scored 22 points, but was just 7 of 18 and had just two rebounds.


Malicious Trojan Pretends To Be Good (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Symantec is warning PC users about a new Trojan horse that terminates adware on a person's computer, but also plays dirty tricks.


Earnhardt sets sights on CNS

Kerry Earnhardt, a son of late legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt #39;s, is scheduled to compete in Saturday #39;s NAPA 150 at Colorado National Speedway.


Man U fans in uproar

LONDONFans of the self-styled biggest soccer team in the world are outraged this week following news that Manchester United is subject to a reported takeover bid by Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer.


J. Lewis pleads guilty in drug case

Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl running back Jamal Lewis pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Atlanta to trying to set up a drug deal.


NFL games on TV

Comments: The Seahawks are going for the first 4-0 start in franchise history. They lead the league in defense (242.3 ypg), having yielded only 13 points so far this season.


Gluecode Contributes Open-Source BPM Engine (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Gluecode Software is contributing what it says is the first open-source business process management engine to the Apache Software Foundation.


Unknown group claims responsibility for Egypt bombings

A previously unknown group calling itself the  quot;Islamic Unity Brigades quot; has claimed responsibility for a series of bombings in Egypt #39;s Sinai peninsula targeting Israeli tourists.


Embassy blast hurts nine

A SMALL device planted outside the Indonesian Embassy in Paris exploded early today, slightly injuring nine people, including four embassy workers, authorities said.


ASEM Summit Starts amid Myanmar Discord

Friday marks the beginning of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi, where themes such as terrorism and trade will be discussed.


Militants fire rockets at Baghdad hotel

Militants fired rockets at a hotel housing foreigners in the heart of Baghdad last night, causing minor damage, while US officials said two American soldiers


Haiti: Beheaded corpses found

Port-Au-Prince - A man #39;s beheaded body lay in the street in a seaside slum on Thursday near the smouldering remains of another beheaded corpse that was wrapped in tires and set ablaze, as leaders of the uprising that ousted President Jean-Bertrand


BABY CHARLOTTE: VERDICT:  #39;SHE CAN MEET HER END IN THE TLC OF THOSE <b>...</b>

THE judge who ruled sick baby Charlotte Wyatt must be allowed to die said she should do so with dignity in her parents #39; arms. Mr Justice Hedley told the anguished couple it was in their 11-month


IBM Outlines Mainframe Integration Roadmap (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Among the new features is support for IBM's Virtualization Engine, a slice-and-dice technology that splits processors into as many as 10 virtual CPUs.


Migo Transforms iPod Into Backup Device (TechWeb)

TechWeb - The  #36;99.95 software stores Outlook e-mail, calendar and contacts, Internet Explorer favorites and browsing history, among other data.


Closer's role

He was the insurance policy, neatly tucked away in a file cabinet in the basement, maybe destined to languish there until he was rendered irrelevant or forgotten. And Bronson Arroyo's potential beneficiaries -- his Red Sox teammates -- wondered why.


LaFrentz is on the rebound

When training camp competition demanded Raef LaFrentz jump repeatedly in pursuit of a rebound, and when doing so did not give him pause, the power forward knew he could once again compete in the NBA. That was the best news on Day 1 of preseason.


No longer wrestling with job

FOXBOROUGH -- Physically, Stephen Neal has seldom been overmatched in his athletic endeavors. A 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound offensive lineman with the Patriots, Neal has held his own grappling with NFL defensive linemen, much the way he did with opponents on the wrestling mat at Cal State-Bakersfield, winning a pair of NCAA Division 1 titles. But ask Neal about the most daunting ...


Airbus hits back at Boeing over aid

AIRBUS said last night that the move by the United States to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation reveals Boeing #39;s unwillingness to enter talks to end massive federal and state support for its new 7E7 Dreamliner.


Stern show ruling  #39;a long way off #39;

TORONTO -- No decision has yet been made on what to do with American radio shock-jock Howard Stern if an application to bring the US subscription service Sirius to Canada is successful, says the CBC, which is involved in the application.


Bombardier axes 2,000; another 1,200 jobs at risk

1,440 of them in Montreal -- as it slows the production rate of its 50-seat Canadair regional jet to face the realities of the struggling US airline industry.


ATI gains on Nvidia, revenue leaps 50

ATI Technologies Inc. saw revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter jump 50 as the Canadian computer graphics chip maker inched closer to eclipsing chief rival Nvidia Corp.


Nixon is eager to hit his stride

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In the immediate moments after Wednesday night's win over the Anaheim Angels, reporters gathered three-deep around the locker of catcher Jason Varitek, who clubbed a two-run homer to tie the game in the sixth, and helped navigate the heartening performance of Pedro Martinez, who notched a convincing playoff win, demonstrating high heat and the kind of location ...


Low payroll comes at a price

Followers of the Yankees and Red Sox, do not delude yourselves: money does matter. Imagine, please, being Ron Gardenhire, manager of the Minnesota Twins, as opposed to either Joe Torre or Terry Francona. It's Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Your team has a chance to go up, two games to none, in Yankee Stadium. And who is ...


Down to their last prayer

They haven't hit the way they can, or pitched the way they should, or executed fundamentals the way good teams are expected to in October.


They'll come out swinging

There's a common determination between the Red Sox and Angels entering today's Game 3 of the best-of-five American League Division Series at Fenway Park, albeit for different reasons.


Sosa fined for untimely departure

Sammy Sosa was fined \$87,400 -- one day's salary -- for arriving late to the Cubs' regular-season finale at Wrigley Field and leaving the game early. The slugger's agent, Adam Katz , said yesterday Sosa most likely will file a grievance. Sosa arrived 70 minutes before Sunday's first pitch, and he apparently left 15 minutes after the game started without ...


Lewis pleads guilty; will serve 4 months

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded guilty yesterday to using a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal and will be sentenced to four months in prison, to be served after the regular season ends in January.


NFL games on TV

ST. LOUIS (2-2) vs. SEATTLE (3-0) When, where: Sunday, 4 p.m., at Seattle. TV: Ch. 25. Last season: Seattle won, 24-23, and St. Louis won, 27-22. Comments: The Seahawks are going for the first 4-0 start in franchise history. They lead the league in defense (242.3 ypg), having yielded only 13 points so far this season. They also lead in ...


Inglorious days are history for Patriots

quot;Who are the Patriots going to beat this week? quot; my son asked, and because he does not believe in answers, only a string of questions, he barely took a breath before adding,  quot;And where will the Patriots be playing this year's Super Bowl? quot;


But seriously folks

Then there are those weeks when nothing on the menu appeals to you, for whatever reason. Maybe it's too many games between bad teams (Tampa Bay at New Orleans, Arizona at San Francisco) or too many games that involve teams that can't seem to get out of their own way (Carolina, Oakland, St. Louis, Washington come to mind), but you ...


Veteran guard Black bugs opponents

The Connecticut Sun have the  quot;Tasmanian Devil quot; on their side as they enter the WNBA Finals tonight.


Kidd passes on night practices

Jason Kidd is refusing to attend night sessions during the New Jersey Nets' two-a-day practices at training camp, and he doesn't care if the team fines him for it.


Conley making field hockey mark at Babson

Babson College field hockey player Elise Conley of Shrewsbury, who suffered a facial injury last season that required her to wear a protective mask, has come back in a big way this fall.


Bentley hoping to avoid getting tripped up by Post

A year ago, the Bentley Falcons ended C.W. Post's two-year reign as Northeast-10 Conference football champions. Now the Pioneers have a chance to return the favor. Sitting atop the conference standings, C.W. Post (4-1, 4-0) hosts Bentley tomorrow and can inflict serious damage on any hopes the Falcons have of repeating.


All of a sudden, Cal is loaded for bear

Call them the  quot;almost ready for prime-time quot; Bears. Or maybe you can call them more than that after tomorrow. For the University of California, the time is now. Or, more specifically, tomorrow afternoon, when they take on top-ranked Southern Cal.


Frazar finds fun at top

Harrison Frazar took some time off to rest and find a way to make golf fun again. For the second week in a row it paid off with a share of the first-round lead, though he had to share it with six others in the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas.


Andover now a target

The tricky thing about being the team to watch is it's impossible to stay that way for long. Either you become an also-ran or you turn into the team to beat.


MacCallum boosts Hingham

The Hingham boys' soccer team remembers the last time it lost a game. Since losing to Middleboro in last year's state quarterfinals, the Harbormen have been aching for revenge.


Weekend Highlights

Friday -- The 4-mile Charles River Fun Run will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cambridge Fitness and Racquet Club at 215 First St. in Cambridge. The run is free and open to runners of all ability levels. For more information, call Steve Pepe at 781-275-1584.


This weekend on TV, radio

TODAY AUTO RACING 2:30 p.m. -- NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 qualifying at Kansas City, Kan., Speed Channel 4:10 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Banquet 400 qualifying at Kansas City, Kan., Speed Channel 1 a.m. -- Japanese Grand Prix qualifying at Suzuka, Speed Channel PRO BASEBALL 4 p.m. -- AL Division Series: Red Sox vs. Anaheim at Fenway Park ...


Transactions

BASEBALL Chicago (AL): Assigned Ps Enemencio Pacheco, David Sanders, and Josh Stewart outright to Charlotte (IL). Chicago (NL): Fined OF Sammy Sosa \$87,400 for arriving late and leaving early for regular-season finale Oct. 3. Cincinnati (NL): Announced 1B Jacob Cruz declined an outright assignment and elected free agency. San Diego (NL): Released P Jay Witasick; assigned OF Kerry Robinson, and ...


Time for 2-year-olds to be in the spotlight

This is the last big weekend for prep races before the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park Oct. 30, and the 2-year-olds will take center stage.


Latest bluefish battle well worth the fight

Of The Doctor and the Great Fish, Part II. Dr. Anthony is a surgeon whose deft fingers have found their way into human hearts and back many thousands of times in his career, which makes his misadventures with fish somewhat enigmatic.


GenVec to suspend TNFerade trials

Gaithersburg-based GenVec has run into a problem with its top drug candidate, and investors have had an adverse reaction. GenVec says the US Food and Drug Administration has requested that clinical trials


HP Building Portfolio of Products For Telecom Carriers, Equipment <b>...</b>

Vendor says it #39;s developing standards-based servers in various form factors for the telecom market. By Darrell Dunn. Hewlett-Packard on Thursday unveiled plans to create a portfolio of products and services


Telcove Launches Managed VPN

Telecommunications services provider TelCove has launched a managed VPN to give its customers #39; telecommuter and mobile employees secure, remote access to resources on their corporate networks from any location.


UMC continues to grow faster than TSMC

Growth at foundry United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) continues to outpace that at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which ended its record-sales streak in September.


Weaver wild as Cards deck LA

Jeff Weaver supposedly was a changed man since leaving the Bronx, but New Yorkers surely recognized who was on the mound for the Dodgers last night: good ol #39; Mr.


GOLF: MCDOWELL:MY 62 WAS BLASPHEMY

and admitted it felt like  quot;blasphemy quot;. Just like Tiger Woods at the 2000 Open, the Ulsterman kept out of every


Potty mouth could cost Earnhardt Jr. more than \$3 million

If you believe Dale Earnhardt Jr. is hurting now, wait until late next month, should he fail to recoup the 25 points he lost for uttering a naughty word on national television following last week #39;s emotional victory at Talladega (Ala.


SVEN CONSIDERING NEW-LOOK ATTACK

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering using a three-man attack in Saturday #39;s World Cup qualifier against Wales. With Eriksson having confirmed at the start of the week that a fit-again Wayne Rooney


Egypt bomb blasts kill 22

At least 22 people have been killed in back-to-back bombings in Egyptian resorts packed with Israeli tourists, and Israel says it appears to be the work of al Qaeda.


Security Tightened in Paris Following Embassy Bombing

Security was tightened around Paris today after a bomb exploded outside the Indonesian Embassy, slightly injuring nine people. French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin said a rigged package exploded


Explosions rock Red Sea resorts

At least 21 people are killed after a series of explosions at Egyptian resorts popular with Israeli tourists.


Blasts kill at least 30 at Egypt hotel

TEL AVIV -- Massive explosions ripped through a hotel last night on the Red Sea in Egypt, near the southern tip of Israel, killing at least 30 and injuring more than 160, many of them Israeli tourists, according to Israeli media reports and Egyptian officials.


Militants fire rockets at Baghdad hotel

BAGHDAD -- Militants fired rockets at a hotel housing foreigners in the heart of Baghdad last night, causing minor damage, while US officials said two American soldiers were killed by roadside bombs outside the capital and authorities arrested 20 Iraqis suspected of planting homemade explosives.


US troops strike site in Fallujah; 11 said dead

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- A US air strike on the rebel-held city of Fallujah in western Iraq last night killed 11 people and wounded 17 at a wedding party, with women and children among the casualties, a hospital doctor said today.


Beheadings Mark Haiti's Latest Misery

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Oct. 7 -- At first it looked like an old glove, black and rubbery and flattened in traffic. But a closer look revealed toenails.


Privacy Act, Order Shielded U.S. Names on List

CIA analyst Charles A. Duelfer's report on Iraq's weapons programs included lists of governments, political parties, companies and individuals from at least 44 nations who received vouchers to buy oil -- both legally and otherwise -- from the Iraqi government during Saddam Hussein's reign.


Iraq #39;s interim president, Jordan #39;s king visit White House

Welcoming Iraq #39;s interim president to the White House offers President Bush a chance to persuade Iraqi minority groups to participate in next month #39;s election - pivotal step toward a democracy still threatened by a violent


Wildlife treaty moves to protect Asian hardwood

BANGKOK: The global treaty regulating trade in threatened wildlife moved to protect ramin, the Asian hardwood whose forests and their inhabitants have been devastated by rampant commercial logging.


UN to investigate Darfur genocide

A UN panel is given three months to establish whether genocide is taking place in Darfur in western Sudan.


Fable creator explains online apology

Games guru Peter Molyneux says he felt a duty to explain why some features are missing in his latest title.


Chiefs 34, Raiders 27

OAKLAND, Calif. - Trent Green nearly played a perfect half, tender ribs and all, to lead the Chiefs to an important comeback win. Green completed 14 of 15 passes after halftime for 229 of his 340 yards and


Hollywood majors back Toshiba DVD

Toshiba Corp says it has won support for the HD DVD optical disc standard from Warner Bros Studios, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and New Line Cinema, advancing its cause in the battle for the next-generation DVD.


Modalities for hiking foreign stake in banking sector soon

UNI, New Delhi, Dec 5: The Finance Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, today announced further opening up of the banking sector, saying the modalities for foreign banks acquiring upto 74 per cent stake in Indian private banks will be announced by the year-end.


Standard Chartered Is Chosen as Preferred Bidder for Permata

Standard Chartered Plc, a UK bank that makes two-thirds of its profit in Asia, will start talks to buy a 51 percent stake in PT Bank Permata, Indonesia #39;s seventh- largest lender, after being named the preferred bidder.


Holiday shopping outlook dimming

Report finds retailers suffer fourth month of tepid sales as job security issues, gas prices and food bills scare consumers. By Anne D #39;Innocenzio.


Ohio Candidate Seeks Advice of Web Surfers (AP)

AP - An Ohio candidate in a long-shot bid to unseat a 16-term House veteran has an unusual approach in deciding how to spend his campaign. He asks Web surfers: Should he sleep in? Prepare for his debate? Campaign door to door?


GeekTech: Picking Your Perfect PCI Express PC (PC World)

PC World - Intel-based PCs are shipping now and AMD systems with the technology are on the way.


Sun and Kodak settle out of court

In an out of court settlement, Sun Microsystems has agreed to pay Kodak \$92 million to settle the long running patent case involving Java technology.


Google Tests Short Message Service

Google on Thursday, October 5, announced a new test service. People will need only mobile phones or handheld devices and they should tap Google #39;s Web search via text messages, or short message service.


Flaw in Office has DoS attack potential

A security company warned on Thursday that a flaw in Microsoft Office could allow a denial-of-service attack to be executed on systems running somewhat older versions of the popular productivity suite.


Sprint PCS introduces Picture Mail developing

Sprint PCS today made the first moves toward turning its popular Picture Mail service from a mere novelty to a full-fledged digital photography solution.


Furcals walkoff homer saves Braves

Atlantas Rafael Furcal, at left with hand raised, is greeted by teammates including Chipper Jones, right, after hitting the game-winning home run against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the


Perfect day sees 7 lead Michelin

LAS VEGAS - Harrison Frazar shares the lead with six others in the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas. Frazar shot a bogey-free 64 Thursday to take his place among a crowded group at the top of the leader board at 8 under.


FTC Files Case Against Spyware Suspects (AP)

AP - The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday filed the first case in the country against software companies accused of infecting computers with intrusive "spyware" and then trying to sell people the solution.


Egyptian Resort Bombs Leave at Least 21 Dead (Correct)

At least 21 people were killed and 122 injured at a series of bombings at two Egyptian resorts on the Sinai Peninsula coast that caused a 10-storey segment of a Hilton hotel to collapse.


Indonesia #39;s president-elect condemns bombing outside Paris embassy

JAKARTA: Indonesia #39;s president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned as  quot;an act of violence quot; a bombing outside his country #39;s embassy in Paris.


Possible Blackbeard Ship Cannon Found (AP)

AP - Underwater archaeologists have found another cannon from the wreckage of what they believe was the flagship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard.


Extra cash for 'super-microscope'

The giant Diamond synchrotron being built in England is to receive a further 120m of funding.


Shock treatment for coral restoration

Electro-shock therapy is being tested as a way of saving some of the world's endangered corals.


Conway acknowledges slamming Oracle

Ousted PeopleSoft (PSFT) CEO Craig Conway acknowledged in court Wednesday that he countered rival Oracle #39;s (ORCL) hostile takeover bid with a crusade to vilify the company and its CEO, Larry Ellison.


Bradley won #39;t be disciplined for slur

Dodgers owner says he #39;s not upset about player #39;s heated exchange with Times writer nor does he consider it a serious blowup.


GeekTech: Picking Your Perfect PCI Express PC

Intel-based PCs are shipping now and AMD systems with the technology are on the way.


Oracle extends Peoplesoft offer deadline

The company #39;s initial offer of \$7.7bn or \$21 per share, was due to expire at midnight tonight but Peoplesoft will now have another two weeks, until 22 October, to make their decision.


Standard Chartered wins bid for Permata

Standard Chartered has won a bid for a controlling stake in Indonesia #39;s seventh-largest bank for about \$278 million (155 million pounds), the British bank #39;s third attempt to buy an Indonesian financial institution, a source says.


Sun and Kodak settle out of court

Sun Microsystems has settled a patent suit brought by Eastman Kodak relating to Java software, agreeing to license Kodak #39;s patents for \$92m.


Midland Group Plans to Start Formula One Team for 2006 Season

A new British-based Formula One team is planned for the start of the 2006 season and may include Russia #39;s first-ever driver, the team #39;s co-founder said.


Escobar is no pushover

A wolf in Angels wings? Or a sacrificial lamb to be served up on the Fenway mound this afternoon? Kelvim Escobar went 11-12 this season and was beaten by the Red Sox stats, schedule, 4


No homers, no problem

ST. LOUIS - Mike Matheny, Edgar Renteria and St. Louis can win with singles, doubles and triples, too. After tying a postseason record with five home runs in the opener, the Cardinals stayed in the ballpark for Game 2 Thursday night.


Pakistan on high alert after car bomb massacre

MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistan security forces were on high alert with troops deployed to the city of Multan after a car bomb killed 41 people and wounded more than 100 in the latest attack blamed on sectarian tensions.


Ahead of announcement for Nobel Peace Prize, odds favour fight <b>...</b>

Speculation on who will win the Nobel Peace Prize has been hotly focused on the battle against one of the great threats to world peace: weapons of mass destruction.


UN to investigate Darfur genocide

A five-member panel to investigate whether genocide has taken place in Darfur has been appointed by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.


DOJ, FCC concur on wireless deal (TheDeal.com)

TheDeal.com - The two agencies are coordinating their reviews of Cingular Wireless' purchase of AT amp;T Wireless Services.


Situational ethics meets PeopleSoft (TheDeal.com)

TheDeal.com - A long and winding road runs from Joseph Fletcher to Craig Conway.


U.S. Air Strike Kills 11 in Iraq's Falluja (Reuters)

Reuters - A U.S. air raid, aimed at foreign\fighters led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, killed 11 people and\wounded 17 after a wedding party in the rebel-held Iraqi city\of Falluja Friday, residents and doctors said.


Report: Russia May Give Yukos Unit Warning (AP)

AP - Russia's natural resources minister said Friday that he thought his ministry would give the main production unit of the battered Yukos oil company a three-month warning before pulling its drilling licenses, the Interfax news agency reported.


Cubans Force Dissident Protest From Park (AP)

AP - Cuban authorities forced a group of protesters to leave a Havana park where they planted themselves two days earlier to demand the transfer of a jailed dissident to the capital for medical treatment, one of the protesters said.


Australia turn the screw against India (Reuters)

Reuters - Glenn McGrath finished with four wickets as Australia quashed Indian hopes of a fightback by establishing a big first-innings lead in the first test on Friday.


Kenyan Environmentalist Wins Nobel Peace Prize

OSLO (Reuters) - Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai  became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize  Friday for leading a campaign to plant tens of millions of  trees across Africa to slow deforestation.


Kenyan activist wins Nobel prize

Kenya's Wangari Maathai wins this year Nobel Peace Prize, the first African woman to do so.


House clears huge business tax revamp to end trade war

The House last night passed the most sweeping rewrite of corporate tax law in nearly two decades, a measure designed to end a nasty trade war with Europe and shower \$136


Government confirms Stanchart wins Bank Permata sale

JAKARTA (Dow Jones): A consortium led by Standard Chartered PLC has won the bidding for a 51 percent stake in PT Bank Permata, Indonesia #39;s seventh-largest lender, Minister of Finance Boediono said on Friday.


Marriott International Profit Rises

Marriott International Inc. (MAR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest US hotel operator, on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose 45 percent as business travel continued to perk up after three years of stagnation.


Titans Can Move Ball, but Can't Score (AP)

AP - The Tennessee Titans are doing a great job of holding onto the ball. Now, they have to find a way to get into the end zone.


Sportsview: Best Playoff Stuff Off Field (AP)

AP - Ah, October, a time when leaves start turning, the carpet in the Metrodome gets a thorough vacuuming and Dodgers fans usually don't even get a chance to leave games early.


Virginia runs to victory over Clemson

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Facing the first real test to its dominance this season, Virginia showed Clemson - and the nation - that its numbers haven #39;t just been built against inferior competition.


Key college games on TV

TEXAS (4-0) vs. OKLAHOMA (4-0) When, where: Tomorrow, noon, at Dallas. TV: Ch. 5. AP rankings: Oklahoma is No. 2, Texas No. 5. Last season: Oklahoma won, 65-13.


Excerpts From Citation for Peace Prize

Excerpts from the citation awarding the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize to Kenyan Wangari Maathai for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy and peace.


BLAIR CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF AFRICA

The Africa Commissions motto is to find out means to develop Africa and explain the cause of continents poor growth in the past.


Crude Oil Falls From Record \$53; Supplies May Meet Winter Needs

Crude oil fell after reaching a record \$53 a barrel in New York yesterday on speculation global output may provide US refiners with enough supply to meet winter needs.


Parmalat files lawsuit against Bank of America

MILAN - The bankrupt Italian food group Parmalat said its special administrator Enrico Bondi has filed a US lawsuit against Bank of America.


Bank of America to cut more jobs

The decision comes on top of 12,500 job cuts that the bank initially said it would eliminate during the merger. The bank #39;s move drew fire from two Massachusetts


ATI Q4 sales, income rocket

ATI saw its income almost triple during its most recently completed fiscal quarter, Q4 2004, the company said yesterday after announcing record results.


Indonesia Govt Confirms Stanchart Wins Bk Permata Sale

JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--A consortium led by Standard Chartered PLC (STAN.LN) has won the bidding for a 51 stake in PT Bank Permata (BNLI.


Bush #39;s campaign of distortion

IN THE FIRST presidential debate, George W. Bush asserted that he #39;ll win reelection because he knows how to lead -- and but for an absent prefix, the president might have been revealing his closing-stretch strategy.


Kodak, Sun settle Java dispute

MANHASSET, NY - Sun Microsystems has reached an out-of-court settlement with Eastman Kodak Co. in a two-year patent dispute over its Java programming language, agreeing to pay the imaging products company


Google goes ga-ga for SMS

The new product, dubbed Google SMS, will see mobile phone users send simple queries to the US-only SMS shortcode 46645, which spells  quot;GOOGL quot; on most phones.


Microsoft to offer XP Special Edition to huge impoverished group

EARLIER WE TOLD YOU about Microsoft #39;s launch of Media Center 2005 at retail, but there is another surprise MS announcement coming a little later on.


Phelps wins first medal after Athens

Michael Phelps led all the way in winning the 200-metre freestyle at the World Short Course Championships on opening night on Thursday, giving the world #39;s best swimmer a chance to equal the six gold medals he won at the Athens Olympics.


USC, Oklahoma wary of weekend 1-2 punch

Going in, this looks like a big weekend for the nation #39;s best two teams. The question is, will it look that way by Saturday night?


Kenyan environmentalist wins Nobel Peace Prize

Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for leading a campaign to plant tens of millions of trees across Africa to slow deforestation.


Blast at Indonesian Embassy in Paris

A bomb went off outside the Indonesian embassy in Paris early Friday, injuring nine people. The blast came on the heels of a deadly bombing at an Egyptian resort hotel.


US House passes repeal of tax law at centre of WTO sanctions case

WASHINGTON : The US House of Representatives repealed a controversial tax break for US corporations in a bid to end hefty European Union trade sanctions more than a year after the World Trade Organization ruled against the practice.


SpaceShipOne propels space travel future

Monday #39;s triumphant second flight of SpaceShipOne is a perfect example of private business taking up where government left off and improving an idea.


Web Snap(s) Search and Rebounds

The Web glitterati came out for the Web 2.0 conference at San Francisco #39;s swanky Nikko hotel this week. In attendance were Amazon #39;s Jeff Bezos, Netscape cofounder Marc Andreessen, Bill


Pedro aces a big test

No matter where he happens to fall in the rotation, and he admits he has slipped a spot, Pedro Martinez insists he still is No. 1 on the day he pitches.


As usual, Jeter does whatever it takes to get  #39;W #39;

You can #39;t rely on the boxscore to quantify the type of impact Derek Jeter had on Game 2 of the Yankees-Twins series. Or the influence he has on his team.


Egyptian cooperation insufficient in rescue work: Israeli fire <b>...</b>

Israel #39;s fire chief complained of insufficient cooperation from Egypt on Friday in rescue efforts at an Egyptian Red Sea resort hotel, torn apart by a bomb blast.


Schrder #39;s Afghan Visit on Track

German Chancellor Schrder will travel to Afghanistan next week despite a rocket attack near the German embassy in Kabul. The attack came a day before the country #39;s first free presidential elections.


Afghan security forces on alert ahead of landmark election

KABUL, Afghanistan More than 100-thousand Afghan and foreign security forces are on high alert the day before the country #39;s first direct presidential election.


Palestinian state off the agenda, says senior Sharon aide

The language used by Mr Weisglass can hardly fail to embarrass even a US President as friendly to Israel as George Bush, who remains at least theoretically committed to the road


US pressures EU on China arms ban

Chinas human rights record does not warrant the lifting of a 15 year old EU arms embargo, said a senior US official. Gregory Suchan, US Deputy assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs


SMS Google to Search

Google has launched a beta test version of a text service that allows people to use mobile phones to search the Web via text messages.


Visionaries outline web #39;s future

Universal access to all human knowledge could be had for around \$260m, a conference about the web #39;s future has been told. The idea of access for all was put forward by visionary Brewster Kahle, who suggested


Aragones Apology for Racist Remark

Spain coach Luis Aragones has issued an apology for his racist slur towards Arsenals French international Thierry Henry. Aragones claims he was trying to motivate Henrys Arsenal team-mate Jose Antonio


McGrath keeps the pressure on

Australia #39;s bowlers completed their rout of the Indian batting lineup on the third day of the first Test in Bangalore, after a brief but determined resistance from teenagers Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan that restored some pride to the hosts.


Indian economy to grow at 7: FM

Speaking at the India Economic Summit in New Delhi, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the Indian economy will grow at 7 annually, for the next ten years, reports CNBC-TV18.


Opec in no hurry to cut quota

LONDON - Despite a recent plunge in oil prices, Opec producers appear to be in no rush to cut output quotas and markets expect the taps to be left wide open when ministers meet in Cairo this week.


List of 10 Endangered Wildlife Refuges (AP)

AP - The 10 most endangered national wildlife refuges as chosen by the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife, and reasons cited by the group:


BOFH: A ringside seat at the Boss-baiting pit

Episode 34 Place your bets


AT #38;T culls another 7,400 staff

'Significantly exceeds previously estimated workforce-reduction target'


Visionaries outline web's future

The web will be more interactive and will use tools to mine its vast pool of data, say experts.


Previous Peace Prize Winners From Africa (AP)

AP - Previous winners of the Nobel Peace Prize who were from Africa.


Rockets rain on Afghanistan ahead of vote (AFP)

AFP - Rockets rained on cities and military outposts across Afghanistan as the war-weary nation prepared to go to the polls in Saturday's historic presidential elections.


Kenyan Environmentalist Wins Nobel Peace Prize

OSLO (Reuters) - Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai  became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize  Friday for aiding the continent's poor with a campaign to plant  millions of trees to slow down deforestation.


Drug hope in prostate cancer care

A drug now used to treat breast cancer could help men with advanced prostate cancer live longer, say scientists.


Oracle extends tender offer for PeopleSoft; price unchanged

NEW YORK, October 8 (newratings.com) - Oracle Corporation (ORCL.NAS) has extended its \$7.7 billion tender offer for PeopleSoft (PSFT) until the midnight of October 22 this year, leaving the terms of its hostile takeover proposal unchanged at \$21 per


AT amp;T to slash about 7,400 jobs

The job cuts are a part of the company #39;s efforts to shift its focus to business services and cut costs amid the competitive long-distance telephone services market.


Linx Printing Tech. recommends Danaher 550p/shr offer

LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Linx Printing Technology (UK:LPT) said its board has agreed to recommend Danaher Corp. #39;s (DHR) 550p per share cash offer, valuing the British company at approximately 86 million pounds.


US consumer confidence dips

US consumer confidence hasdropped to its lowest levels since the middle of the northern summer amid worries about high energy prices, uncertainty about the labor market and anxiety


Siemens to Integrate Flarion #39;s FLASH-OFDM

Siemens Communications has agreed to integrate Flarion Technologies #39; FLASH-OFDM technology into its portfolio of mobile broadband solutions.


SiS readies November AMD PCIE chipset launch

SiS will next month join ATI, Nvidia and VIA in becoming a supplier of PCI Express chipsets for AMD processors. November will see the company commence volume production of its SiS761 North Bridge, which will


Hewitt through to semis

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt will take on Jiri Novak in the semi-finals of the Japan Open after sealing a 7-5 6-1 victory over Cyril Saulnier.


Players, teams ready to emerge

All Cedric Benson did three weeks ago was be honest. Texas #39; star senior running back said he would like to win the Heisman Trophy, maybe more than he #39;d like to beat second-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday.


Pakistanis ban religious meetings

Authorities here announced a nationwide ban on all political and religious meetings except Friday prayers after a car bombing early Thursday in the central city of Multan killed 40 people and wounded at least 100.


Chirac hopes visit strengthens partnership

President Jacques Chirac has expressed the hope that his upcoming visit to China would further boost the Sino-French partnership.  quot;Our partnership is built on a shared view of the world, which is multipolar


FDA Official Alleges Pressure to Suppress Vioxx Findings

A Food and Drug Administration official who sought to estimate the harm done to patients by side effects of the painkiller Vioxx said yesterday that his supervisors tried to suppress his conclusions, according to Sen.


UPDATE:Stanchart To Buy 51 Stake In Indonesia Bk Permata

JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--A consortium led by Standard Chartered PLC (STAN.LN) won the bidding for a majority stake in PT Bank Permata (BNLI.


Presse conomique / Telecoms

BEDMINSTER, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)8 Octobre 2004--Siemens Communications va intgrer la technologie FLASHOFDM (R) (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)  son portefeuille de solutions mobiles haut dbit.


Catching A Good Break

The WNBA #39;S month-long break during August, which accommodated players that took part in the Summer Olympics, had a vastly different effect on the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm.


Footage of Bradley confrontation erased

Milton Bradley was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers #39; lineup Thursday, going 2 for 3 with a home run, double and walk in an 8-3 loss to St.


Podcasts: New Twist on Net Audio

A technology that delivers internet audio programs directly to iPods and other MP3 players, podcasting is gaining a following among people who can't listen to their favorite shows when they're live. By Daniel Terdiman.


Gamers Spar for National Honor

At the World Cyber Games 2004, the competition is about more than just who wins at Counter-Strike or WarCraft III. Gamers are competing to bring glory to their home countries. Daniel Terdiman reports from San Francisco.


Minniapple's Mini Radio Stations

The Walker Art Center wants to put the 'public' back in the public airwaves. It's distributing tiny radio-transmitter kits so people can broadcast from their own personal radio stations. Michelle Delio reports from Minneapolis.


Makin' Woohoo

Attempting an 'alternative lifestyle' in a game of The Sims 2 turns out to be an awful lot like plain ol' life. Go figure. Commentary by Gina Lynn.


NASA to Test Automated Mission

Look, Ma, no hands! The U.S. space agency's latest spacecraft can run an entire mission by itself. By Amit Asaravala.


Drier Times Ahead in the West?

Scientists unlock the rainfall history stored in tree rings and find evidence of long dry periods in the past that dwarf the current drought in the western United States. The research hints at another monster drought to come. By Stephen Leahy.


We've Created a Monster!

Three programming geeks use monsters and metaphors to turn the Sci Fi Channel into the best little horror house in the movie business. By Gary Wolf from Wired magazine.


Stem Cells to the Rescue

A new study shows that embryonic stem cells can heal defective heart cells in mice. It could be a new way to look at the potential healing power of these controversial cells. By Kristen Philipkoski.


Oracle bid has wiggle room

Two days after a PeopleSoft Inc. board member suggested the company may be willing to sell to Oracle Corp. for the right price, an Oracle director said his firm #39;s offer to buy its Pleasanton rival for \$21 per share may not be final.


Kodak lawsuit cost Sun USD 92 millions

Eastman Kodak Co. sued Sun Microsystems Inc. and claimed damages worth USD 1 Billion over long running patent disputes related to object management procedures implemented by Sun in the very popular Java programming language.


Google adds books to its epic search story

Internet search engine Google has announced Google Print, a new book search service at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Google has already secured deals with major publishers, including Oxford University Press.


Internet bigwigs upbeat

Some of the high-technology industry #39;s biggest executives, pontificators and bloggers assembled over three days this week in San Francisco, ending Thursday, to opine about the Web #39;s future.


Google Used to Identify 1993 Victim (AP)

AP - Google, the Internet search engine, has done something that law enforcement officials and their computer tools could not: Identify a man who died in an apparent hit-and-run accident 11 years ago in this small town outside Yakima.


Saturday qualifying at Japanese GP postponed due to typhoon

Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix scheduled for Saturday was postponed Friday because a typhoon was approaching the area. Race organizers and Formula One moved pre-qualifying and


The game Mack Brown can #39;t win

While people out here debate the importance of Saturday #39;s Cal-USC game -- Biggest West Coast game in a decade? Biggest Cal game in school history?


Smith just keeps on churning out the yards

Somewhere in Jeff Ulbrich #39;s house lies a Kodak moment worth savoring. The 49ers #39; linebacker is shown bringing down Emmitt Smith in a manner so forceful, it bore reenactment Thursday.


In employees she trusts (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - Trust and freedom are words that come up over and over when you ask employees at the little Menlo Park marketing and communications company Tajima Creative to explain why they like their boss.


IBM Chief Sees Global Tech Spending Rise (Reuters)

Reuters - Companies will spend more money next year\on information technology and other capital investments\compared with 2004, the chief executive of the world's biggest\computer company, IBM Corp, said on Friday.


U.S. Wildlife Refuges Facing Threats (AP)

AP - A sweeping wildlife preserve in southwestern Arizona is among the nation's 10 most endangered refuges, due in large part to illegal drug and immigrant traffic and Border Patrol operations, a conservation group said Friday.


Second chance scammers and the meaning of 'Va va voom'

Letters Reg readers to the rescue


IBM Chief Sees Global Tech Spending Rise

PARIS (Reuters) - Companies will spend more money next year  on information technology and other capital investments  compared with 2004, the chief executive of the world's biggest  computer company, IBM Corp, said on Friday.


Stocks Seen Up After GE; Jobs Data Next

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher  market open on Friday, snapping back from the previous day's  losses, as oil prices eased below \$53 a barrel and General  Electric Co. GE.N reported earnings in line with Wall  Street's expectations.


Legislation Increasing Indecency Fines Dropped

Lawmakers last night derailed legislation that would have substantially increased the amount the Federal Communications Commission can fine broadcasters for airing indecent material, giving media companies at least a temporary reprieve after months of scrutiny and public outrage.


Dollar Under Pressure Ahead of Jobs Data

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar slid across the board on  Friday as cautious comments from Federal Reserve officials  raised doubts over the health of the U.S. economy before key  U.S. jobs data.


Stewart Attorney Asks For Prosecution's Papers

One day before Martha Stewart is slated to enter prison, lawyers for the multimillionaire businesswoman continued to press her appeal, accusing the government of withholding material that might have led to her acquittal.


Fierce T. rex's 'fluffy' history

Chinese scientists unearth the earliest known relative of the mighty <I>Tyrannosaurus rex</I> - and it seems it was covered in fluffy feathers.


Caviar producers cut export quota

Caviar prices are set to rise after major producers of the luxury sturgeon roe delicacy agree to slash exports.


Steroids Harmful for Head Injury Patients

By Ed Edelson, HealthDay Reporter    HealthDayNews -- Giving steroids to reduce brain swelling can be deadly for patients with severe head injuries, according to the largest study ever done on the subject.    The research, which included more than 10,000 patients treated at 239 hospitals in 49 countries, found that 21 percent of those who were given steroids died within two weeks, compared to 18 percent of those given a placebo...


GE meets 3Q, ups guidance

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - General Electric posted relatively flat third-quarter earnings Friday on improved revenue, as the diversified conglomerate met Wall Street profit expectations and edged future guidance higher.


Stocks to Open Up Ahead of Payroll Data

NEW YORK Oct. 8, 2004 - US stocks are seen higher at the open Friday although the release of non-farm payroll data due later will most likely dictate overall sentiment and direction.


OneChicago CEO and Chairman Rainer announces resignation

William Rainer, recruited in 2001 to lead the Chicago financial markets #39; venture into the trading of single-stock futures, said Thursday he #39;s resigning to spend more time on family-owned enterprises.


Sun, Kodak settle patent dispute

Sun Microsystems Inc. said it agreed to pay \$92 million to Eastman Kodak Co. to settle a patent-infringement lawsuit over Sun #39;s Java programming language.


Shopping.com: A Bad Long-Term Investment

NEW YORK - Shopping.com is the latest meteor to streak across the new-issues market. The company #39;s planned initial public offering will generate intense interest, but bigger companies are lining up to enter


Google searches go mobile in US

INTERNET search firm Google is testing a new service in the US which allows people to use mobile phones to tap into its web search engine via text messages.


Fierce T. rex #39;s  #39;fluffy #39; history

What is more, the creature, which lived 60 to 70 million years before T. rex, had fluffy feathers covering its body. Xing Xu and colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing found their tyrannosauroid


Errors stretch Mauresmo

New world No1 Amelie Mauresmo beat Swiss Patty Schnyder 7-5, 6-4 in the second round of tennis #39;s Filderstadt Grand Prix in Germany.


Lucky seven share lead after 18 holes

Jason Bohn wasn #39;t having much success in Las Vegas --  quot;Been getting killed, quot; he said with a laugh -- until he picked up his golf clubs.


Many loyal Cal fans still afraid to believe

BERKELEY -- Because a season unfolding as this one comes so seldom to Cal football, many who have spent years loyal to the program await not the immortal victory but the inevitable heartbreak.


Blasts Strike Sinai Resort in Egypt

A string of bombs hit a resort and a campground popular with Israelis in Egypt #39;s Sinai Peninsula at the end of a Jewish holiday killing at least 19 people.


Kenyan in surprise Nobel peace win

Kenyan Deputy Environment Minister Wangari Muta Maathai has been named winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, beating a number of much better known world names to the prestigious award.


US Jets Hit Suspected Terrorist Safe House in Fallujah

US military officials in Iraq say US warplanes carried an air strike early Friday against a suspected insurgent hideout in Fallujah, an insurgent stonghold west of Baghdad.


No casualties in Kabul bomb blast

A rocket attack caused a loud blast near the US Embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul early Friday, but no casualties were reported.


Your view: Should baby Charlotte be allowed to die?

A High Court judge has ruled that doctors can allow to let a seriously ill baby to die if she stops breathing again. The parents of 11-month-old Charlotte Wyatt, who was born three months premature, asked


Google Used to Identify 1993 Victim

Google, the Internet search engine, has done something that law enforcement officials and their computer tools could not: Identify a man who died in an apparent hit-and-run accident 11 years ago in this small town outside Yakima.


Wal-Mart sees sales up 2.4

WAL-MART Stores, the worlds largest retailer and owner of Asda supermarkets, said sales at stores open at least a year rose 2.4 per cent in September, slightly higher than its preliminary report but still towards the low end of its forecast range.


SEC may act against exchanges

The Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing enforcement actions against three US stock exchanges -- and possibly the head of one of them -- over charges that in-house regulators failed to adequately enforce their own rules


Pension agency chief fears insolvency

The longer-term solvency of the US fund that insures traditional pensions is at risk, the director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.


Drug-industry veteran to be Biovail #39;s new CEO; Melnyk remains <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Eugene Melnyk, who used his personal fortune to buy the Ottawa Senators last year, stepped aside Thursday as chief executive of Biovail Corp.


Music industry clamps down on song-swapping

London - The piracy-battered music industry said on Thursday it will sue British, French and Austrian music fans as it intensifies its legal crackdown on Internet song-swappers.


First Edinburgh man in space

THE year is 2007. A five-seater spacecraft powers away from an aeroplane  quot;mother ship quot; ten miles above the Mojave Desert in the United States and shoots into the stratosphere.


Critical Flaw Discovered In MS Word

According to an advisory published on security firm Secunias website, a critical vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word, which can be exploited by a malicious code to cause a DoS (Denial of Service) and potentially compromise a user #39;s system.


CA intros usage pricing for mainframes

It has been a busy few days at Computer Associates (CA) as the company first announced the acquisition of Netegrity and has now released details of a new licensing schema for its large portfolio of mainframe software.


NASCAR #39;s caution flag

It #39;s impossible to know how many of the stock-car-racing fans who heard Dale Earnhardt Jr. use a naughty word on television after winning a 500 at Talladega were offended -- or even noticed.


Bomb rocks Indonesia #39;s Paris embassy

A small package bomb has exploded outside the Indonesian embassy in Paris before dawn, slightly injuring 10 people and shattering nearby windows, but officials said they had no leads about the motive.


Issues related to war in Iraq help define election in Australia

SYDNEY -- On one side is the incumbent, a conservative career politician who steadfastly defends his decision to send troops to Iraq.


#39;We #39;ll let Charlotte die in our arms #39;

THE parents of a tiny premature baby clinging to life in a hospital oxygen box are preparing to let her die in their arms. A High Court judge yesterday ruled that Charlotte Wyatt should be allowed to die in


GE Posts Higher Quarterly Profit (Reuters)

Reuters - General Electric Co.  on Friday\reported higher third-quarter earnings as strength across many\of its financial and industrial businesses outweighed\hurricane-related insurance losses.


Before the Bell: GE, Sirius Slip (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares of General Electric Co. \fell slightly before the bell on Friday after the industrial\conglomerate said quarterly earnings rose.


Export Support for German Recovery Slips (AP)

AP - German exports fell slightly in August, the government's statistics agency said Friday, in a sign that the strong support from exports for the country's budding recovery is beginning to ease.


GE Posts Higher Quarterly Profit

BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co. GE.N on Friday  reported higher third-quarter earnings as strength across many  of its financial and industrial businesses outweighed  hurricane-related insurance losses.


SEC Steps Up Probe of Krispy Kreme

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. securities regulators have  ratcheted up their probe of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.  KKD.N, looking at how it repurchased some of its doughnut  franchises, the company said on Friday.


Dollar Weakens Ahead of Payrolls Release

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar fell broadly on Friday as  dovish comments from several U.S. central bankers raised doubts  over the health of the world's biggest economy ahead of a  crucial U.S. jobs report.


Before the Bell: GE, Sirius Slip

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of General Electric Co. GE.N  fell slightly before the bell on Friday after the industrial  conglomerate said quarterly earnings rose.


Johnson Controls Sees Revenue, Earns Up

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Auto parts supplier Johnson Controls  Inc. JCI.N said on Friday it expects higher sales and  earnings in fiscal 2005, driven by strength in both its  automotive group and controls business.


Bank of America to cut more jobs

Bank of America Corp. said yesterday it will eliminate 4,500 more jobs as it absorbs the operations of FleetBoston Financial Corp.


High-risk driver plan hit by senators

Eighteen Democratic state senators say the Romney administration must gain legislative approval before moving ahead with a proposal to change the way high-risk drivers are apportioned among auto insurance companies in Massachusetts.


Spammer to pay \$25,000 settlement

Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly declared a victory in the war on unwanted e-mail yesterday, as a Florida spammer agreed to pay \$25,000 to settle a state lawsuit alleging violations of a new federal antispam law.


Holiday retail outlook cloudy

The outlook for the holiday shopping season grew more uncertain yesterday as the nationrsquos largest retailers reported they had a fourth straight month of tepid sales in September.


Output worries drive up oil prices

Oil prices reached \$53 a barrel yesterday and have advanced more than 20 percent in a month, in large part because output in the Gulf of Mexico was hobbled by a hurricane and has not been restored as quickly as expected.


US Airways, unions clash over proposed pay cut

US Airways' unions say the bankrupt airline is ''barking up the wrong tree quot; as it seeks to ensure its solvency by imposing a 23 percent pay cut on its workers.


JetBlue, Northwest to expand at Logan

Two airlines plan to expand service at Logan International Airport. Airport officials say JetBlue Airways tomorrow will add a third daily nonstop flight to Fort Lauderdale and a new daily nonstop flight to Fort Myers, both in Florida. Northwest Airlines is planning nonstop daily service to Indianapolis starting Oct. 31, using 50-seat jets, with three flights a day on weekdays ...


Parmalat sues in US for \$10b to recoup losses

Parmalat's government-appointed administrator filed a suit yesterday against Bank of America in a federal court in North Carolina in the latest attempt by the collapsed dairy giant to recoup money from financial institutions with which it dealt.


Update 3: Tokyo Stocks End Lower on UFJ Probe

Tokyo stocks dipped Friday as investors sold bank shares after Japanese authorities began a criminal investigation into UFJ Holding Inc.


No  quot;Abramovich route quot; to top in F1 - Minardi boss

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has warned prospective Formula One team Midland F1 that there is no  quot;Abramovich route quot; to the top in the glamour sport.


Tennis Roundup

Second-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina lost at the Japan Open Thursday at Toyko, beaten by Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4 in the third round.


Nine hurt in Paris bomb blast

A bomb explosion outside the Indonesian embassy in Paris slightly injured nine people today, authorities said, in the first terror attack to strike the French capital in years.


Japan's mobile operators target elderly (FT.com)

FT.com - Mobile phones have become a must-have item for every high-powered Japanese businessman, multi-tasking mum and self-respecting teenager. Even schoolchildren often carry a mobile phone to call home on their way back from late-night cram school.


US gets new cyber security chief

The US has a new head of cyber security, a week after his predecessor suddenly resigned.


Abu Dhabi TV reports British hostage Kenneth Bigley killed by captors in Iraq (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - British hostage Kenneth Bigley has been killed by his captors in Iraq, Abu Dhabi television reported Friday. The British Foreign Office said it could not confirm the report.


Kenyan Green Activist Wins Nobel Peace Prize

OSLO (Reuters) - Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai  became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize on  Friday, honored for her work planting tens of millions of trees  to save the environment. The award marks a new theme in  interpreting the 1895 will of Sweden's Alfred Nobel, who  founded the prize.


Israel's Sharon Vows to Fight Those Behind Bombings

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon  said on Friday he and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had  agreed to "focus efforts and forces to fight terror," after  bombings at Egyptian resorts killed at least 31 people.


Bomb Hits Jakarta's Paris Embassy, Motive Unclear

PARIS (Reuters) - A small package bomb exploded outside the  Indonesian embassy in Paris before dawn Friday, slightly  injuring 10 people and shattering nearby windows, but officials  said they had no leads about the motive.


N.Korea Says to Resume Talks if U.S. Ends Hostility

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea wants bilateral nuclear talks  with the United States but would rejoin stalled six-party  meetings at once if Washington dropped its "hostile policy"  toward Pyongyang, the communist state said on Friday.


Hostage Bigley reported killed

The UK government is checking unconfirmed reports that British hostage Kenneth Bigley has been killed in Iraq.


F1: Storm disrupts Japan GP

Saturday's qualifying session for the Japan GP is postponed because of a typhoon.


Blair back after Africa troop vow

Tony Blair arrives back in Britain from Africa after saying the continent should be the top priority for a new EU battle force.


Last push for votes in Australia

The two main contenders in Australia's federal election make their final pitches before Saturday's poll.


IBM Chief Sees Global Tech Spending Rise

\

 PARIS (Reuters) - Companies will spend more money next year\on information technology and other capital investments\compared with 2004, the chief executive of the world's biggest\computer company, IBM Corp, said on Friday.


Microsoft Looks to Expand Windows at Home

Efforts by Microsoft Corp. and the PC industry to expand into to the living room will get a boost next week as they show off technologies that try to balance Hollywood's piracy fears with the appeal of digital media.


'The Sims 2' Draws Users Way In

I didn't plan the party right: By the time it was underway, I had to get to work. That's when the breakfast I left on the stove caught fire and the guests fled. No one bothered to call the fire department. When I got home at 6 p.m., my kitchen was a pile of ash.


Shy flower causes stink in Sydney

\A plant whose bloom produces an incredible smell has finally flowered in Sydney.


Report on Day Care Death Finds Flaws in System

New York's Health Department called its oversight of day care centers a bureaucratic maze riddled with problems that spell potential dangers for children.


Bush, Kerry Set for 'Town Hall' Debate

ST. LOUIS - Democratic candidate John Kerry will likely try to shed any appearance of aloofness and President Bush will probably avoid the grimacing that marked their previous face-to-face encounter when they answer questions from undecided voters Friday night...


Blasts at Egypt Resort Kill at Least 27

TABA, Egypt - A string of bombs hit resorts popular with Israelis in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, collapsing a 10-story wing of a luxury hotel and sending thousands of terrified people streaming back into Israel on Friday. At least 27 people were killed, and the death toll appeared likely to rise as rescuers searched through the rubble...


Kenyan Environmentalist Wins Peace Prize

OSLO, Norway - Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her work as leader of the Green Belt Movement, which has sought to empower women, improve the environment and fight corruption in Africa for almost 30 years.    Maathai, Kenya's deputy environment minister, is the first African woman to win the prize, first awarded in 1901...


John Kerry Takes Lead Over Bush in AP Poll

Democrat John Kerry has taken a slight lead over President Bush, according to an Associated Press poll that found him gaining ground with women, boosting his overall popularity and cutting into the president's advantage on national security.


Kenyan  Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan firebrand who mobilized the women of Africa in a powerful crusade against deforestation called the "Green Belt Movement," will receive the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004.


Blast at Egyptian Resort Kills at Least 20

A massive explosion tore off the front of a seaside hotel in the Egyptian resort of Taba late Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 100 in what appeared to be a terrorist attack aimed at Israeli tourists, officials said.


Indonesian Embassy Bomb Wounds at Least 9

A package filled with explosives blew up outside the Indonesian Embassy in Paris on Friday, slightly wounding nine people in the first terror attack in the French capital in years. The motive was not clear.


UPDATE 1-SEC steps up probe of Krispy Kreme

US securities regulators have ratcheted up their probe of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (KKD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , looking at how it repurchased some of its doughnut franchises, the company said on Friday.


Stock market signals positive on GE profit report, job news, oil <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Early stock market indicators turned positive Friday as oil-price pressure eased, General Electric posted robust earnings and Canada reported employment growth.


Computer Associates intros usage-based pricing

Computer Associates (CA) has introduced a usage-based pricing and licensing model for its mainframe management products. The model bases licensing costs on measured system usage rather than total potential


Manchester United condemn takeover protest

Manchester United have condemned the disruption of a reserve team match on Thursday by protestors opposed to the potential takeover of the club by American businessman Malcolm Glazer.


Zidane - enjoying new found freedom (Getty Images)

Former France playmaker Zinedine Zidane has been making the most of his new-found freedom since retiring from international football.


Chill deepens for Clemsons year

Clemson football coaches spent the off-season down-playing the unexpected departures of Donnell Washington and Derrick Hamilton, a couple of playmakers who bolted to the pros after their junior seasons.


Twins intimidated by Yanks? No way (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Too tired to take batting practice, the bleary-eyed Minnesota Twins milled around the Metrodome just hours after another postseason rally by the New York Yankees evened their American League Division Series at one game each.


Israel accuses al-Qaida of masterminding Sinai blasts

Israel said Friday that the chain of blasts targeting Israeli tourists in Egypt #39;s Red Sea resorts which left some 150 people killed or injured bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida terror network.


Access to Tom Ridge or bust

Another cyberczar has resigned, and CNET News.com's Charles Cooper wonders why nobody in government seems particularly concerned.


Siemens adds Flash-OFDM to broadband wireless family

German engineering and manufacturing giant Siemens AG is adding another broadband technology to its growing portfolio of new high-speed wireless systems slated for delivery early next year.


NFL Wrap: Manning Tosses Three TDs as Colts Win (Reuters)

Reuters - Peyton Manning threw three touchdown\passes to move closer to the all-time season record as the\Indianapolis Colts routed the visiting Tennessee Titans 51-24\Sunday.


SANS unveils Top 20 security vulnerabilities

IT security and research organization The SANS Institute is set to release its annual Top 20 list of Internet security vulnerabilities on Friday, with the intention of offering organizations at least a starting point for addressing critical issues.


Update: AMD's Q3 led by strong Opteron, Athlon 64 sales

As expected, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s (AMD's) third-quarter revenue came in a little under the company's earlier predictions, but strong increases in sales of its 64-bit desktop and server processors led to the company's fourth straight profitable quarter.


Job Growth Weaker Than Expected

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. businesses added 96,000 jobs to  payrolls in September, the government reported on Friday, a  weaker-than-expected total that was expected to sharpen a  presidential debate later in the day over the economy's  direction.


Oil Near Highs, Nigeria Threat Eases

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices held near record highs on  Friday even though oil unions in OPEC member Nigeria said a  two-day wildcat strike would pass without any impact on  exports.


Before the Bell: CMS, Krispy Kreme Fall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of CMS Energy Corp. CMS.N  fell before the bell on Friday after it priced a public  offering of 28.5 million shares at \$9.10 per share.


Johnson Controls Sees Revenue, Earns Up

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Auto parts supplier Johnson Controls  Inc. JCI.N said on Friday that it expects higher sales and  earnings in fiscal 2005, driven by strength in both its  automotive group and controls businesses.


Citigroup Hits Back at Parmalat

MILAN (Reuters) - Citigroup on Friday launched a legal  challenge against Parmalat's restructuring plan, hitting back  after the bankrupt food group took the world's biggest bank to  court and rejected its claims for credit repayment.


Nintendo Unveils Lineup for New DS Handheld

By MATT SLAGLE     (AP) -- Madden NFL 2005 and Spider-Man 2 are among the dozen video games Nintendo Co. says it plans to offer for is new DS handheld system within a month of the product's November launch...


Microsoft Looks to Expand Windows Brand at Home

Efforts by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and the PC industry to expand into to the living room will get a boost next week as they show off technologies that try to balance Hollywood's piracy fears with the appeal of digital media.


Kodak and Sun Microsystems Settle Java Suit

By BEN DOBBIN    ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- Eastman Kodak Co...


Chinese Government to Institute Online Ratings Systems

By ELAINE KURTENBACH     SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- China plans ratings systems for online games, books and movies to protect children from violence and sexual content in the nation's latest effort to tighten controls on various media, reports said Friday.    The system for censoring online games will be introduced by the end of October and will come ahead of "any similar actions on books and movies," the state-run newspaper Shanghai Daily said, citing officials attending a conference in Shanghai...


Political Spotlight Is on Jobs Report

U.S. employers probably increased their hiring slightly in September, economists said in advance of jobs figures being released this morning.


General Electric Posts Higher 3rd-Quarter Profit

The results matched the consensus estimate of 38 cents per share with health care and transportation among the businesses with a jump in orders.