Oil prices open lower in London as supply jitters diminish

LONDON : Oil prices declined in opening deals as supply fears receded after Iraq resumed oil exports through its southern pipelines and speculative activity dwindled, analysts said.


Santander Says Abbey Bid Probe Wouldn #39;t Deter Offer (Update1)

Santander Central Hispano SA, the biggest bank in Spain and Latin America, denied a press report that it may withdraw its 8.2 billion-pound (\$14.


Distiller Glenmorangie holds takeover talks

Glenmorangie, one of the largest remaining independent companies in the Scotch whisky industry, today said it was in talks about a possible sale.


Chief Says Time Running Out for Alitalia

State carrier Alitalia could be faced with collapse within 20 days without the approval a restructuring plan that would allow the airline to tap into a euro400 million (US\$488 million) loan, the company #39;s head was quoted as saying in Italian news reports


Cingular, AT amp;T Wireless, AT amp;T Agree on Services, Branding

ATLANTA - Preparing for the acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless, Cingular has committed to a \$100 million deal to buy network services from AT amp;T, Cingular said Monday.


New hire amounts to Sears shakeup

The Sears Roebuck and Co. PR team had its cue cards close at hand on Monday, ready to read off rote answers to some of the more delicate but obvious concerns related to the arrival of Luis Padilla as the retailing giant #39;s new president of merchandising.


Online music at UC

UC Berkeley, hoping to wean students away from free file-sharing programs like Kazaa, will offer subscriptions to a licensed online music service for \$2 per month starting this school year.


SpyWare That Actually Spies On You

Amid groans of  quot;I wonder why it took so long? quot; a new worm has been discovered that can access a webcam and microphone attached to an infected PC.


At Big Blue, there are no small bets

The Palmisano era is gaining speed with renewed emphasis on growth, and the culture at IBM is changing, Brian Bergstein reports from New York.


Greek judo star dies

Eleni Ioannou, the Greek judo star hospitalised after falling from her third floor balcony just over two weeks ago, has died. Ioannou had been in intensive care at the The Red Cross hospital since August 7 with multiple fractures to her head and body.


Ichiro 2 hits from historic major league record

SEATTLE - Ichiro went 1-for-4 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday, moving within two hits of becoming the first player in major league history to record 200 hits in four consecutive years from his rookie season.


Prisoner scandal soldier: I lied

One of the US Army reservists charged with abusing inmates at Abu Ghraib prison admitted at a pre-trial hearing today that he initially lied to a military investigator by saying he did not take part in the maltreatment.


Japan Issues Order to Deport Ex-Chess Champ Fischer

Japan issued a deportation order on Tuesday against former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, who is wanted in the United States for defying sanctions, but his lawyer immediately filed an appeal, blocking the move.


Sudan makes progress over Darfur: Straw

The Sudanese government has made progress in meeting UN demands to end the Darfur crisis, Britain #39;s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Tuesday during a trip to the Abu Shouk refugee camp in northern Darfur.


N. Korea calls Bush  quot;human trash quot;

North Korea has hurled invective at US President George W. Bush for a second day, calling him a political idiot and human trash, and has said six-party talks on Pyongyang #39;s nuclear ambitions appear doomed.


Russia reports battle for Grozny

Russia says about 250 rebels launched a coordinated attack on the Chechen capital Grozny just before President Vladimir Putin #39;s visit at the weekend.


Gymnastics competition marked by sound, fury

The final night of gymnastics competition at the 2004 Games ended with another black eye for the beleaguered sport as spectators at Olympic Indoor Hall turned their rage against a panel


Barghouthi Mulls Pulling Out of Palestinian Election

BEERSHEBA, Israel (Reuters) - Palestinian leader Marwan  Barghouthi is considering pulling out of a presidential race to  avoid splitting his mainstream Fatah faction, an Israeli-Arab  lawmaker said after visiting him in jail.


Wall Street Seen Climbing

LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was expected to rise on  Tuesday as easing crude oil prices soothed fears of a squeeze  on earnings and on a thin corporate menu investors will be able  to chew over results from food group H.J. Heinz Co HNZ.N.


Heinz Quarterly Profit Meets Forecasts

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co. HNZ.N on  Tuesday reported a 9 percent drop in quarterly profit after  spinning off some brands, but demand for new items like Ore-Ida  Extra Crispy fries helped to boost sales.


Stocks to Watch on August 24

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks to watch: CISCO SYSTEMS  INC. CSCO.O Cisco, the world's largest maker of gear for  directing Internet traffic, on Monday distributed 162 million  merit-based common stock options to employees, including 1.5  million to Chief Executive John Chambers. Its shares ended at  \$19.18 on Nasdaq.


Nearly 50 Hurt in Bangladesh Strike Violence

DHAKA (Reuters) - Opposition activists in Bangladesh  attacked railway stations and battled police in several parts  of the country on Tuesday as a two-day strike called to protest  a deadly grenade attack at the weekend got underway.


Abu Ghraib report set for release

A US government commission looking into the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal in Iraq is set to  publish its findings.


Russia reports battle for Grozny

Chechen rebels launched a major assault on Grozny just before President Putin's visit, Russia says.


Russia plan IOC  protest

The Russian Olympic Committee is to appeal against several results in the  gymnastics compeititons.


Bashar out of Trophy

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar is ruled out of next month's ICC Champions Trophy tournament.


Stocks Set to Open Modestly Higher

NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are expected to open modestly higher Tuesday as investors use a slight let-up in the rise in oil prices to add to portfolios...


Peterson Defense Cross-Examines Mistress

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Defense attorneys prodded Scott Peterson's one-time mistress about wiretapped calls between her and the former fertilizer salesman accused of murder, implying she did not fully cooperate with police...


Ted Lilly Throws One of Three AL Shutouts

Ted Lilly's three-hit shutout against the surging Boston Red Sox was barely the best pitching performance in the American League.    Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman struck out a career-high 14 Monday night in a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox, and Scott Kazmir pitched five scoreless innings to win his major league debut for Tampa Bay...


Injected Contraceptive Raises STD Risk - Study (Reuters)

Reuters - Women who use the injected\contraceptive Depo-Provera have a higher rate of sexually\transmitted diseases, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.


BOFH: How do you deal with authority?

Episode 27 The Bastard wants to know


Clueless about networking? Click here

Site Offer 30 off 'First-Step' guides


Price cut fuels broadband battle

Internet service provider Wanadoo has launched the latest salvo in the broadband price wars in the UK.


Google at Bottom of ISS Governance Ranking

Google Inc. tried to democratize the IPO process through its unusual auction, but its corporate governance is anything but shareholder-friendly, according to an influential proxy adviser.


Intel Seen Readying New Wi-Fi Chips

Intel Corp. this week is\expected to introduce a chip that adds support for a relatively\obscure version of Wi-Fi, analysts said on Monday, in a move\that could help ease congestion on wireless networks.


RealNetworks to Offer Discounted Music

RealNetworks Inc. will begin offering some university students its digital music subscription service at a steep discount in an effort to stem illegal downloads and attract long-term customers.


Japan fires up its semiconductor industry

Chipmakers are again investing heavily to avoid the mistakes of the 1990s. But can they compete with overseas rivals and avoid a glut?\


Internet2: 2004 and beyond

Experimental network excels at long-distance collaboration; researchers hope to up ante with hybrid optical packet infrastructure.


Wall Street Seen Climbing (Reuters)

Reuters - Wall Street was expected to rise on\Tuesday as easing crude oil prices soothed fears of a squeeze\on earnings and on a thin corporate menu investors will be able\to chew over results from food group H.J. Heinz Co (HNZ.N).


Heinz Quarterly Profit Meets Forecasts (Reuters)

Reuters - Ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co. (HNZ.N) on\Tuesday reported a 9 percent drop in quarterly profit after\spinning off some brands, but demand for new items like Ore-Ida\Extra Crispy fries helped to boost sales.


Stocks to Watch on August 24 (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks to watch: CISCO SYSTEMS\INC. (CSCO.O) Cisco, the world's largest maker of gear for\directing Internet traffic, on Monday distributed 162 million\merit-based common stock options to employees, including 1.5\million to Chief Executive John Chambers. Its shares ended at\ #36;19.18 on Nasdaq.


Nepali Rebels Kill 4 Soldiers, Tighten Blockade (Reuters)

Reuters - Maoist rebels blockading the Nepali\capital killed four soldiers on Tuesday in an attack on a\patrol trying to keep the main highway to Tibet open for\traffic, an army spokesman said.


German Budget Deficit Widens in First Half (AP)

AP - Germany's budget deficit widened in the first half of this year, figures released Tuesday showed, but the government renewed its commitment to get the shortfall back within a European Union-imposed limit next year.


Chain Store Sales Up 0.1 Percent - Report

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. chain store sales rose in the  latest week, but business continued to fluctuate from the  effects of Hurricane Charley and high gasoline prices, a report  said on Tuesday.


WS-I tackles Web services attachments

The Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I) on Tuesday is releasing three profiles intended to make it easier to send attachments using Web services technologies.


Wine spikes Foster #39;s result

SALVATION for Foster #39;s shareholders is at least another year away as management continues to gaze inward for the means to kick-start the company #39;s growth.


Now, Google changes rules of international game

Despite Wall Streets carping in recent weeks and having landed in trouble (for failing to register as many as \$3 billion worth of shares), Googles young founders have landed on their feet.


Arm reaches out to buy Artisan

ARM Holdings, the UK microchip designer, has agreed to buy American technology firm Artisan Components in a cash and shares deal worth 500 million, although some analysts fear it may have dug too deep.


Sumitomo Mitsui launches hostile bid of \$29.2 billion for UFJ <b>...</b>

NEW YORK, August 24 (New Ratings) - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group announced a hostile takeover bid today of \$29.2 billion (3.2 trillion) for UFJ Holdings Inc (ticker: UFJ).


Microsoft #39;s  #39;patch #39; of worry

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Some colleges are fretting the release of Microsoft #39;s upgrade to its XP operating system -- whose release coincides with the opening of campuses around the country -- saying that multiple downloads of the patch could significantly


#39;Marathon #39; mice bred in genetic first in US

AMERICAN researchers have unveiled genetically engineered mice that they say can run further and longer than their naturally-bred brethren, bringing the  quot;genetic doping quot; of elite athletes a small step closer to reality.


Intel cuts prices across Pentium 4 range

Intel has rejigged its Pentium 4 processor pricing - hyper-threading desktop models, mobile models and the new Pentium 4 chips with 64-bit extensions have all been cut.


Cisco and Microsoft target smaller firms

Cisco Systems and Microsoft #39;s partnership in the small- and midsized-business market is bearing fruit. On Monday, Cisco announced a new software product that will link its voice over Internet protocol products


iPass Wi-Fi Network Access in the Sky

Connexion by Boeing, the only real-time, high-speed connectivity service available to commercial airline passengers and iPass, which operates the world #39;s largest Wi-Fi roaming network with over 11,000 active hotspots in 33 countries, complement each other


Holdout QB Rivers gets \$40.5M deal

Rookie quarterback Philip Rivers ended his lengthy holdout, agreeing to terms Monday on a six-year, \$40.5 million contract with the San Diego Chargers that includes a \$14.


US games outfit catches rebranding cold

LogoWatch Unpleasant, but not fatal


Cool, Calm Wariner Races to 400 Gold (AP)

AP - Jeremy Wariner is just 20 years old. He just led a U.S. sweep in the 400 meters at the Olympic Games. So c'mon kid, get excited! Cool, calm and with a fluid running style all his own, the lean Baylor University student raced to the gold medal Monday night wearing sunglasses, two earrings and a jingling necklace.


British Theater Reaches Out to Autistic Children (Reuters)

Reuters - For children with autism, theater can\rank among the worst of experiences.


Tibetans Say Dalai Lama May Not Return in This Life (Reuters)

Reuters - It is 45 years since Tibet's\god-king, the Dalai Lama, fled his homeland on horseback as\Chinese shells rained down on his capital. Many Tibetans do not\expect to see him again, or not in his current incarnation.


Hair Salon Operator Regis Profit Rises (Reuters)

Reuters - Regis Corp. (RGS.N), the world's\largest hair salon owner and franchiser, on Tuesday reported a\21 percent rise in quarterly profit, helped by strong sales\growth in its outlets, such as in Wal-Mart stores.


Dollar Rebound Fades as Data Test Looms

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar paused on Tuesday after a  broad-based rally in the previous session as investors waited  to see if forthcoming data would reinforce the Federal  Reserve's optimism in the U.S. recovery.  Upbeat comments on  the U.S. economy from central bankers Robert McTeer and Ben  Bernanke on Monday bolstered the greenback across the board,  lifting it a two-week high against the euro and a one-week high  against the yen in early trade.


NASA Engineers Free Robonaut with Wheels, Leg (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - Not content to simply stand in one place, NASA's mechanical astronaut has found not one, but two new bodies that will allow it nbsp;to move across land and space.


Exploded Star Detailed in New X-ray Image (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - The Chandra X-ray Observatory has re-imaged a familiar scene of a relatively nearby exploded star, revealing new details of the chaotic aftermath.


Burma List 'shames' UK companies

Rolls-Royce and Lloyd's of London are among the 39 UK companies which have been added to the Burma Campaign's annual 'Dirty List'.


BA flight chaos enters second day

British Airways passengers face further misery as the airline cancels 30 flights on Tuesday because of staff shortages.


Justice -- Guantanamo Style

The USA has been keeping approximately 600 detainees at Guantanamo Bay.  Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has called them "the worst of the worst".  Other sources have described them otherwise.    Abdurahman Khadr, who the CIA placed, as a mole, within the detainee population, said most of the detainees were innocent, or were merely local Taliban militia-men, with no intelligence value.    Well, after no public review of their status, the Guantanamo detainees are finally getting   their day in court -- kind of.  There are actually three separate kinds of reviews slowly underway.


Portals, news sites, must improve customer satisfaction

As far as keeping their customers satisfied, Web portals, search engines, and news and information sites in the U.S. continue to improve but still have work to do, according to a report released Tuesday.


Hair Salon Operator Regis Profit Rises

Regis Corp. (RGS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s largest hair salon owner and franchiser, on Tuesday reported a 21 percent rise in quarterly profit, helped by strong sales growth in its outlets, such as in Wal-Mart stores.


Iranian authorities block reformist websites

TEHRAN: Internet access to three websites close to Iranian #39;s leading reformist party has been blocked by the authorities, prompting a protest by the party leader.


German bank customers victims of phishing

FRANKFURT: German banks Postbank and Deutsche Bank said Monday that their customers had been recent victims of Internet fraud via copycat websites.


As far as keeping their customers satisfied, Web portals, search engines, and news and information sites in the US continue to improve but still have work to do, according to a report released Tuesday.


Gymnastics takes a tumble - Hamm and egg on judges #39; faces

ATHENS : If they gave out medals for unhappiness and misery, Olympic gymnastics would provide a podium sweep. It seems everyone involved is peeved at someone, feeling slighted or robbed, and not even gold


Chargers sign Rivers for 6 years

CARSON, Calif. - Rookie quarterback Phillip Rivers ended his lengthy holdout, signing a six-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.


Zarqawi Group Says It Tried to Kill Iraqi Minister

A group linked to al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said it had tried to kill Iraq #39;s environment minister on Tuesday and warned it would not miss next time, according to an Internet statement.


Family waits for reunion

After nine days of being held by kidnappers in Iraq, New York-based freelance journalist Micah Garen will reunite with his family this week, his father said yesterday.


Samsung unveils new display technologies

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has developed a new LCD (liquid crystal display) technology that builds a touch screen into the display, a development that could lead to thinner and cheaper display panels for mobile phones, the company said Tuesday.


Despite wine losses, Foster #39;s net rises

SYDNEY Foster #39;s Group, Australia #39;s biggest maker of beer and wine, said Tuesday that full-year earnings rose 73 percent after the company sold its pubs unit.


Japan #39;s Sumitomo tables UFJ bid

The battle to form the world #39;s biggest bank has intensified after Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group tabled an offer to buy Japanese rival UFJ Holdings.


Online Consumers Happiest With Google

In a study, the now-public search engine out-ranks Yahoo, others in customer satisfaction. August 23, 2004 -- A new study says that Americans are increasingly satisfied by the results hauled in by their online


Hamm ignores boos to latch onto silver

The Russians were angry. The South Koreans were angry. The Greeks were angry. Nobody paid for it more than Paul Hamm. For 10 solid minutes, the crowd booed and whistled, creating a deafening roar.


US goes distance in softball

ATHENS, Greece -- He told them to play for themselves and for their country, and they did. But the US softball team was playing for coach Mike Candrea, too.


Olympics: China reaffirms status as most powerful force in table <b>...</b>

ATHENS : China reaffirmed its status as the most powerful force in world table tennis with three golds at the Athens Olympics, but South Korean Ryu Seung-Min ruined the Asian giant #39;s campaign for total dominance.


Russian #39;s Toffees interest denied

Everton #39;s hopes of seeing some new players arrive at Goodison Park before the closure of the transfer window looked to have been dashed.


Tottenham Sign Carrick

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of midfielder Michael Carrick this morning as the former West Ham star was given the green light following yesterdays medical.


Inside the Imam Ali shrine, as US closes in

The pigeons in the Imam Ali shrine on Monday were flying out of the vast courtyard into a sky filled with the smell of blood and the echoes of urban warfare.


Abu Ghraib Report Cites Military Leadership Failures, NBC Says

A Pentagon commission found that top US military commanders bear some responsibility for abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq because they failed to recognize deteriorating performance


Normal life resumes in Kathmandu Valley

With the passage of one week, the effect of the  quot;Kathmandu Valley blockade quot; imposed by the Nepalese anti-government guerrillas has waned with the government #39;s move to step up security in order to foil the embargo.


Iraqi soccer team prepares for Olympics semis

Iraqs successful Olympic soccer team is preparing itself for its biggest sporting challenge at the Athens 2004 Olympics. On Tuesday night, Iraqi players will play against Paraguay in the Olympics football semi-finals.


LINK TO PIGS EDGES BIRDFLU CLOSER TO PANDEMIC

The specter of a global influenza pandemic has loomed a little larger in recent weeks with revelations that Chinese researchers found the deadly H5N1 virus strain last year in pigs, a crucial link in the mutation of the disease to a form that can infect


Intel pledges to bring Itanic down to Xeon price-point

EM64T a stand-in until the real anti-AMD64 kit arrives


Alitalia Chief Says Time Is Running Out (AP)

AP - State carrier Alitalia could be faced with collapse within 20 days without the approval of a restructuring plan that would allow the airline to tap into a loan of 400 million euros ( #36;488 million), the company's chairman was quoted as saying in Italian news reports Tuesday.


Stocks Seen Higher as Oil Eases Its Grip

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock futures pointed to a slightly  higher market open on Tuesday as crude oil prices eased for a  third day, giving hope to investors that costly oil was  loosening its grip on the stock market.


Oil Dips Below \$46 as Iraq Flow Rises

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped below \$46 on Tuesday  in a third day of falls as a more optimistic Iraq export  picture helped unwind some of the supply worries that have  lifted the market to historic levels.


Before-the-Bell: Biocryst Shares Higher

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Biocryst Pharmaceuticals  Inc. BCRX.O rose on Tuesday after the company received  "orphan drug" status for an anti-cancer compound.


Iraqi Forces Move Close to Najaf Shrine - Witness

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces advanced to  within 400 meters (yards) of Najaf's Imam Ali shrine on  Tuesday, a Reuters witness said.


Japan's SMFG Bids  #36;29 Billion for UFJ (Reuters)

Reuters - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.\(8316.T) laid out a  #36;29 billion bid for UFJ Holdings (8307.T)\on Tuesday, challenging a rival offer by Mitsubishi Tokyo\Financial Group (8306.T) to form the world's biggest bank.


American Forces Press Into the Inner Ring of Najaf's Old City

The poorly armed insurgents loyal to Moktada al-Sadr were overwhelmed by American tanks, attack helicopters and AC-130 gunships overnight.


Lilly Throws One of Three Shutouts in AL

Ted Lilly's three-hit shutout against the surging Boston Red Sox was barely the best pitching performance in the American League. Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman struck out a career-high 14 Monday night in a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox, and Scott Kazmir pitched five scoreless innings to win his major league debut for Tampa Bay...


Japan Rejects Fischer's Refugee Bid

TOKYO - Japan's Justice Ministry rejected former chess champion Bobby Fischer's demand for protection as a political refugee on Tuesday and issued an order to deport him.    Fischer, in custody since he was detained by Japanese airport authorities on July 13 with an invalid U.S...


Oil Dips Below \$46 as Iraq Flow Rises

Oil prices dipped below \$46 on Tuesday in a third day of falls as a more optimistic Iraq export picture helped unwind some of the supply worries that have lifted the market to historic levels.


DAILY DIGEST

With time running out and its future on the line, US Airways will look to the leaders of the pilots union to do Wednesday what the union #39;s negotiators refused to do over the weekend: accept the airline #39;s demand for \$295 million in pay and benefit cuts.


HJ Heinz reports drop in quarterly profit

CHICAGO - Ketchup maker HJ Heinz Co. Tuesday reported a 9 percent drop in quarterly profit after spinning off some brands, but demand for new items like Ore-Ida Extra Crispy fries helped to boost sales.


They #39;ll hear a Rhapsody on campus

Berkeley, U. of Minn. students get download discounts; aim is to provide legal music alternatives. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - As an added bonus to returning to campus this fall, more than 80,000 college students


Vonage Calls on Linksys for VoIP

Cisco Systems #39; Linksys division is set to enter the consumer VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) space this week through a deal with Vonage Holdings to provide customer equipment for that company #39;s Internet-based telephone service.


Olympic notebook: Beach volleyball duo downs countrywomen

ATHENS Misty May and Kerri Walsh, the worlds top-ranked team, made fellow Americans and rivals Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs scramble for every point and pulled away for a 21-18, 21-15 victory.


Equatorial Guinea  quot;mercenary quot; not mastermind-lawyer

A suspected South African mercenary on trial in Equatorial Guinea agreed to take part in a plot to oust the country #39;s president but was not responsible for masterminding it, his lawyer said on Tuesday.


Before-the-Bell: Biocryst Shares Higher (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares of Biocryst Pharmaceuticals\Inc. (BCRX.O) rose on Tuesday after the company received\"orphan drug" status for an anti-cancer compound.


Japan's SMFG Bids \$29 Billion for UFJ

TOKYO (Reuters) - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.  8316.T laid out a \$29 billion bid for UFJ Holdings 8307.T  on Tuesday, challenging a rival offer by Mitsubishi Tokyo  Financial Group 8306.T to form the world's biggest bank.


Global Markets: Oil Prices Ease

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices eased again on Tuesday with  the re-opening of two Iraqi pipelines, helping lift shares but  leaving most financial markets trading in narrow ranges after  sharp reactions in previous sessions.


Gymnastics: Russia Plans Top-Level Protest

ATHENS (Reuters) - Russia are to lodge a forceful protest  with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over what they  say was biased judging throughout the Athens gymnastics  competition, the team spokesman said Tuesday.


Update 1: Heinz 1Q Profits Are Down, but Sales Climb

HJ Heinz Co., the maker of ketchup and other foods, reported its first-quarter earnings fell 9 percent from results a year ago when its profits were boosted by the sale of some of its businesses to Del Monte.


Japan #39;s SMFG Bids \$29 Billion for UFJ

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. (8316.T: Quote, Profile, Research) laid out a \$29 billion bid for UFJ Holdings (8307.T: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday, challenging


Washington, DC Workers protest the changes to overtime

A couple hundred people rallied outside the US Department of Labor here yesterday to protest the Bush administration #39;s sweeping changes to overtime rules that opponents say could


Samsung unveils new display technologies

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has developed a new LCD (liquid crystal display) technology that builds a touch screen into the display, a development that could lead to thinner


False comfort in latest Chinese figures?

THE LATEST FIGURES from GfK Asia, reported in the FT show that the leading handset manufacturers have temporarily curbed the rot. Local manufacturers #39; share of the Chinese market dropped from 49 per cent to 46 per cent says GfK.


Singles Seek Home-Run Date at California Ball Park (Reuters)

Reuters - When the San Francisco Giants\play baseball, slugger Barry Bonds and the other players are\far from the only ones thinking about hitting home runs.


Real cites success of song sale; signs university deals (MacCentral)

MacCentral - RealNetworks Inc. said on Tuesday that it has sold more than a million songs at its online music store since slashing prices last week as part of a limited-time sale aimed at growing the user base of its new digital media software.


Before-the-Bell: Sanderson Farms Falls

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Sanderson Farms Inc.  SAFM.O sunk nearly 16 percent before the bell on Tuesday,  after the chicken producer's quarterly earnings fell short of  Wall Street estimates.


U.S. Chain Store Sales Slow

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. chain store sales were up,  posting a gain in the latest week compared with the same time  last year, but hurricanes Bonnie and Charley still left a  negative impact, a report said on Tuesday.


Singles Seek Home-Run Date at California Ball Park

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - When the San Francisco Giants  play baseball, slugger Barry Bonds and the other players are  far from the only ones thinking about hitting home runs.


Sanderson Farms Profit Below Estimates

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc.  SAFM.O said on Tuesday its quarterly earnings more than  doubled on strong consumer demand for chicken, but its profit  was sharply below analysts' estimates.


Japan Issues Order to Deport Ex-Chess Champ Fischer

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan on Tuesday ordered the deportation  of former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, wanted at home in  the United States for breaking sanctions, rejecting his demand  for protection as a political refugee.


Satellite pinpoints lost children

A new satellite tracking device, which could cost less than 100, aims to reunite parents with their lost children.


Fosters counts cost of poor wine market

Brewing giant Fosters today said that higher annual profits from sales of beer overseas had been eroded by a sharp drop in US wine trade.


Cognos Offers SK390.8 Mln for Frango; Stock Surges (Update3)

Cognos Inc., the largest Canadian software maker, offered to buy Sweden #39;s Frango AB for 390.8 million kronor (\$51.7 million) to expand in corporate performance management software.


Microsoft Singapore releases Windows XP SP 2, free CD available

The free service pack is a major overhaul aimed at defeating a wide variety of security weaknesses that hackers have exploited. Microsoft says the easiest way to obtain


Marathon Mice Created to Run Farther

Researchers have unveiled genetically engineered mice that can run farther and longer than their naturally bred brethren, bringing the genetic doping of elite athletes a small step closer to reality.


Fans rush to create mods for  #39;Doom 3 #39;

Activisions Doom 3 ( www.doom3.com ), the hot computer game that launched earlier this month, wasnt on store shelves for three days before players started


Italy #39;s Pisa Tower Declared Stable

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been given some 300 years more of life, Italian experts announced. Reporting on the present conditions of the monument at


Japan to deport ex-champ

Fischer has been in custody since he was detained by Japanese airport authorities on July 13 with an invalid American passport. He is wanted in the US for violating international sanctions against the former Yugoslavia in 1992.


Idris in clear on Bali bombs

SELF-CONFESSED Bali bomber Idris burst into laughter in the minutes after he was cleared of a central role in the blasts that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.


Shalom to embark on visit to France

Trip comes two days after Paris JCC torched by anti-Semites. Will meet senior government officials and Jewish leaders. Shalom will arrive in France only two days after a Jewish Community Center was torched in eastern Paris.


Iran denies secret nuclear activities

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Tuesday his country does not plan any secret nuclear programs or activities. The Iranian News Agency, IRNA, quoted Kharrazi as saying during a visit to New Zealand


Inquiry Fails to Find Reason for Failure of Beagle 2 Mars Mission

LONDON (AFP) -- Any one of a number of technical malfunctions might have caused the loss of Beagle 2, the ill-fated British space probe that vanished while attempting to land on Mars, an investigation found.      A six-month inquiry by project organisers, their second attempt to discover what went wrong with the mission, was unable to pinpoint why the tiny craft vanished shortly before it landed on Mars on Christmas Day last year...


Connexion by Boeing partners with iPass

This week Connexion by Boeing, a Boeing subsidiary, announced a deal with Wi-Fi hot spot aggregator iPass.


Chain Store Sales Slip in Latest Week

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chain store retail sales continue to  fall during the week following the Thanksgiving holiday, a  retail report said on Tuesday.


Linksys, Vonage team up on VOIP

Cisco Systems Inc.'s Linksys division is set to enter the consumer VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) space on Tuesday through a deal with Vonage Holdings Corp. to provide customer equipment for that company's Internet-based telephone service.


Cognos offers \$52M for Swedish firm

OTTAWA (CP) - Business software firm Cognos Inc. is offering \$52.2 million US for Frango, a Stockholm-based company specializing in financial reporting.


Mods for Doom III out and aboot

THE WRAPPER IS only just off Activision #39;s Doom III and there are already a list of mods and cheats for the game. The mods are already top hits at Gamespot, including one which makes it possible to shine a


Firms to seek more security help from outsiders

Unable to keep up with security holes, attacks and government regulations, enterprises will turn to outside firms for 90 of their security by 2010, according to Yankee Group.


Second gold medal won #39;t be awarded

ATHENS, Greece -- The International Gymnastics Federation said it won #39;t request a duplicate gold medal or change the results in American Paul Hamm #39;s disputed victory in the all- around event at the Olympics.


Injured Foudy May Not Play in Soccer Final

Julie Foudy left the game with a limp, and then the stadium on crutches, her spunky attitude nearly as big as the bandage wrapped around her sprained right ankle.


Brunet advances to K-1 final

Schinias, Greece - Two-time Olympic silver medalist Caroline Brunet of Lac Beauport, Que., advanced directly to the 500-metre K-1 Olympic final by winning her heat during Tuesday #39;s canoe-kayak flatwater qualifying.


Japan Rejects Fischer Appeal, Issues Deportation Order

Japan has rejected former world chess champion Bobby Fischer #39;s demand for protection as a political refugee, and has issued an order to deport him.


Indonesian militant gets 10 years for hotel attack, cleared of <b>...</b>

By Channel NewsAsia #39;s Indonesia Bureau Chief Haseenah Koyakutty. JAKARTA : Two high-profiled terrorism cases were heard in Indonesia on Tuesday and a key Jemaah Islamiyah operative, who is involved in both


Iran will never hide nuclear activities: FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said on Tuesday that Iran would never conduct nuclear activities in hiding, the official IRNA news agency reported.


Wall St. Seen Rising as Oil Prices Slip (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stock futures pointed toward a\higher Wall Street open on Tuesday after crude oil prices fell\for a third day, easing investors' fears that costly oil would\squeeze company profits and slow growth.


Yahoo must face French legal action (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - In a decision that could expose U.S.-based Web sites to free speech laws of other nations, a federal appeals court on Monday found that Yahoo could not escape legal action in France for violating a French ban on the sale of Nazi-related items.


Kraft Hikes Dividend Almost 14 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kraft Foods Inc. KFT.N, the top U.S.  food maker, said on Tuesday its board increased the company's  dividend by about 13.9 percent.


Treasuries Pressured by Oil, Upbeat Fed

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries prices eased for a  third straight session on Tuesday, unnerved by a mix of softer  oil, firmer stocks and an upbeat economic outlook from Federal  Reserve officials.


Still No Answers From Mars on Beagle 2 (AP)

AP - The British team that built the space probe for Europe's doomed mission to Mars conceded Tuesday that any future ventures to the Red Planet should have better funding and detection systems for potential problems.


Iraqi Guardsmen Ring Najaf Shrine

NAJAF, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces battled militants Tuesday in Najaf, sending plumes of black smoke over the holy city, as Iraq's government warned fighters loyal to a radical cleric to abandon their weekslong standoff inside the Imam Ali Shrine or face attack...


Iraqi Guardsmen Close in on Najaf Shrine

U.S. and Iraqi forces battled militants Tuesday in Najaf, sending plumes of black smoke over the holy city, as Iraq's government warned fighters loyal to a radical cleric to abandon their weekslong standoff inside the Imam Ali Shrine or face attack.


US Airways talks with pilots collapse

Negotiations between US Airways Group Inc. and its pilots union over labor concessions collapsed Monday. The airline is seeking \$295 million in annual concessions from pilots.


VoIP Support Added To Wireless-Wired SMB Routers

WLAN equipment vendors Linksys and Netgear Tuesday announced wireless and wired routers with built-in voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities aimed at home uses and small offices.


Little is to be gained, much lost if Hamm is forced to share gold

ATHENS - The game is poker. The stakes are gold. The US Olympic Committee plainly holds the stronger hand in the Paul Hamm case. So why is it willing to split the pot?


Australia beats Japan 1-0, plays for gold

Brendan Kingman #39;s sixth-inning single sent Australia to a 1-0 victory Tuesday over stunned Japan, putting the Aussies in the gold medal game.


Stern likes what he sees

They have been criticized roundly, at home and here in Europe, sometimes by their own coach. What the team lacks is to some observers more obvious than its attributes.


Olympics: Aussie women #39;s eight apologise for slamming teammate

ATHENS : Members of Australia #39;s women #39;s eight rowing crew apologised for publicly lambasting teammate Sally Robbins over her mid-race collapse in the Olympic gold medal final.


Despatie heads into final

Athens - Alexandre Despatie of Laval, Que., is in third place heading into Tuesday afternoon #39;s three-metre springboard diving final, advancing easily out of the morning semi-final, although teammate Philippe Comtois of Montreal failed to qualify.


Cassini on Course for Titan Flyby

The Cassini spacecraft successfully completed a 51-minute engine burn that will raise its next closest approach distance to Saturn by nearly 300,000 kilometers (186,000 miles).


Mission Fantastic to Mars (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of a five-part series covering the experiences of key participants in the Mars Exploration Rover mission. JPL and NASA have developed a structured way of doing business over the years. When you have a schedule crunch like we had, it puts a lot of pressure on that approach and it's almost impossible to do.


Google Ranks at Bottom of ISS Governance System

Google Inc. (GOOG) tried to democratize the IPO process through its unusual auction, but its corporate governance is anything but shareholder-friendly, according to an influential proxy adviser.


Tough for Courts to Intervene in Offensive Internet Auctions

By RACHEL KONRAD    SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Yahoo Inc...


Most Red Roof Inns to Get Wi-Fi Hotspots

ARROLLTON, Texas (AP) -- Accor North America has reached an agreement with T-Mobile USA Inc. to install wireless Internet access throughout all of its Red Roof Inns over the next year, officials said...


RealNetworks to Offer Deeply Discounted Music Deals

SEATTLE (AP) -- RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK) will begin offering some university students its digital music subscription service at a steep discount in an effort to stem illegal downloads and attract long-term customers...


Pool Queen Celebrates with a Beach Party

ATHENS (Reuters) - Her tumble-turn mightn't be as fast as  it once was but when it comes to turning heads, Inge de Bruijn  is still queen of the pool.


Africa 'faces new polio threat'

Africa could be on the verge of a major polio outbreak, the World Health Organization warns.


Three Americans in 200

Shawn Crawford speeds to victory in 20.55 seconds in his first-round heat of the 200, and is joined in the second round by U.S. teammates Bernard Williams and Justin Gatlin.


Injured Pappas Pulls Out

World champion Tom Pappas pulls out of the decathlon Tuesday after injuring his left foot while attempting a pole vault.


O #39;Hoy #39;s complacency masks activity

When Trevor O #39;Hoy paints a gloomy picture of the outlook for Foster #39;s Group this year and describes the 2004-05 year as one of consolidation, it would be easy to think that he is sitting


Heinz meets forecasts in 1Q

Ketchup maker saw its profit fall 9 as it spun off units to Del Monte, but new items boosted sales. CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ketchup manufacturer HJ Heinz Co.


BMO enjoys big profit jump, softens economic forecast

Bank of Montreal kicked off earnings season for Canada #39;s big banks on Tuesday with a 30-per-cent jump in profits driven by strong gains at both its retail and investment banking operations.


Citigroup buys First American Bank, expands Citibank into Texas

BRYAN, Texas Citibank said today that it #39;s expanding into the Texas retail banking market in a big way. New York-based parent company Citigroup says it #39;s buying Bryan-based First American Bank, which has 102 full-service branches throughout Texas.


Russian beer advertisements canned

Putin signs law restricting airtime and content in effort to curb his country #39;s alcohol intake. MOSCOW (Reuters) - A sweeping ban on beer advertising in Russia became law Tuesday in a move to curb the country #39;s


Top resale value cars

If you want a car that keeps its value, buy one of these. And don #39;t buy it in orange. By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN/Money staff writer.


Unions protest overtime changes

LABOR: Members march outside the Labor Department in Washington, DC, to protest the regulations that took effect Monday. BY LEIGH STROPE.


Granite Gets Two Highway Repair Deals

Granite Construction Inc. said Tuesday that it received two contracts, with a total value of about \$274 million, for maintenance and improvement work on roadways in Orange County, Calif.


U.S. Existing Home Sales Fall in July (Reuters)

Reuters - Sales of existing U.S. homes fell\more than expected in July, as the housing market took a\breather from its record-toppling run, a trade association\report showed on Tuesday.


Cisco buys IP application vendor P-Cube

Cisco has bought IP service control vendor P-Cube of Sunnyvale, California, in a cash deal worth about \$200m. The company says the deal should allow its customers to run advanced IP services such as voice


Microsoft Windows XP SP2 ready to auto-roll

NEOWIN TELLS us that Windows XP Service Pack 2 automatic delivery service is now to be launched on the 25th of August - that #39;s tomorrow.


Scientists Seek Scent of Life in Methane at Mars

Sniffing out any whiff of biology on Mars has become a scientific battle of the bands - spectral bands that is. The purported detection of methane in the martian atmosphere by Mars Express, the European


Geneticists rewire muscles to create a  #39;marathon mouse #39;

California geneticists have created a  quot;marathon mouse quot; that can run twice as far nongenetically altered mice, and eat ravenously without growing fat.


Hackers Turn Webcams Into Spy Cams

Sophos released a warning yesterday about a worm that has the capability to use webcams to spy on computer users in their home or workplace.


Hi honey, I #39;m virtually home alone

Australian mobile telephone users may be able to buy and woo virtual dates this year after the release of a Virtual Girlfriend game for 3G mobile telephones.


Lactic acid is a boon, not a bane

It is common wisdom among runners and other sports enthusiasts that lactic acid is the enemy of endurance. The chemical is a byproduct of metabolism during periods of intense exercise, when oxygen supplies cannot keep up with energy output.


Solidarity sit-ins held in West Bank

People in many West Bank cities and towns have staged a general sit-in to express solidarity with fellow Palestinians held in Israeli jails, Aljazeera #39;s correspondent reports.


Soldier at Abu Ghraib Makes Plea Deal (AP)

AP - The lawyer of one of the U.S. Army reservists accused of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison said Tuesday that military prosecutors have agreed to drop some of their charges after the soldier agreed to plead guilty to the rest.


Golden goal for NBA stars as they face formidable challengers (AFP)

AFP - Winning a gold medal would ease the sting of two Olympic qualifying defeats for the United States team of National Basketball Association stars.


Martino earns second Player of the Week honor

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Kyle Martino has earned Major League Soccer #39;s Player of the Week honor for Week 21 of the 2004 season.


Guantanamo trails set to begin

Military court proceedings for four detainees from the US-led war in Afghanistan are due to start on Tuesday at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.


Why Japan deserves a seat

by our Internet desk, 24 August 2004. Japan #39;s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says he will press his country #39;s case for a permanent UN Security Council seat when he addresses the annual session of the General Assembly next month.


U.S. Existing Home Sales Fall in July

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sales of existing U.S. homes fell  more than expected in July, as the housing market took a  breather from its record-toppling run, a trade association  report showed on Tuesday.


Experts to Breed Sheep to Study Disease (AP)

AP - New Zealand researchers said Tuesday they will breed a flock of sheep in Australia that is genetically engineered to suffer Huntingdon's disease, so scientists can study the onset of the debilitating brain disease.


Russia Growls as Olympics Crowd Judges the Judges

ATHENS (Reuters) - Judges were in the firing line at the  Athens Games Tuesday after angry gymnastics fans mutinied and  Russia drafted a fierce protest to Olympics bosses.


Stocks Up as Oil Prices Eases

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks gained on Tuesday after  crude prices fell for a third session, easing investors' fears  that costly oil would squeeze company profits and slow growth.


CORRECTED: Cheney Is a Quiet Force Behind Bush Presidency (Reuters)

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


Heinz Profit Meets Forecasts; Shares Rise

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co. HNZ.N on  Tuesday said quarterly profit rose 7.8 percent, excluding a  year-earlier tax benefit, as demand for new products such as  Ore-Ida Extra Crispy fries boosted sales.


Nepal's Maoists Suspend Kathmandu Blockade

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's Maoist rebels have  temporarily suspended a crippling economic blockade of the  capital from Wednesday, saying the move was in response to  popular appeals.


Citigroup to Buy Texas Bank

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc. C.N the world's  largest financial services company, said on Tuesday it will  acquire Texas-based First American Bank.


Over 80 Hurt on First Day of Bangladesh Strike

DHAKA (Reuters) - Opposition activists in Bangladesh  attacked railway stations and battled police across the country  on Tuesday on the first day of a two-day strike called to  protest against a deadly grenade attack at the weekend.


Bonderman goes blank, shuts out Sox

The Detroit Tigers #39; young right-hander has been going through a rough stretch. His 21-year-old brain was being overloaded with too many thoughts about mechanics.


Sirius Fumbling

Sirius is looking to score with its NFL deal, but it is looking more like an incomplete pass.


Japan to deport Fischer

Japan issued a deportation order today against former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, who is wanted in the United States for defying sanctions, but his lawyer immediately filed an appeal, blocking the move.


Bin Laden Driver Arraigned in Guantanamo

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - Osama bin Laden's chauffeur was arraigned Tuesday at the first U.S. military commission hearings since World War II, appearing at a pretrial session as defense lawyers sought to challenge the process...


Rwandan troop presence in DR Congo 'almost certain': UN (AFP)

AFP - The United Nations said it had established "almost with certainty" that Rwandan soldiers had entered neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past two weeks.


WWI bodies are found on glacier

The preserved remains of three Austrian soldiers are found on an Italian glacier, 86 years after they died.


Blueberries May Be Cholesterol Busters

Blueberries, already the darlings of the fruit world for their potential disease-fighting ability, may have yet another compound to help lower cholesterol. A compound called pterostilbene performed better, at least in a lab study with rats, than a common cholesterol-lowering drug.


Scientists Create Engineered 'Marathon Mice'

Researchers on Monday unveiled genetically engineered mice that can run farther and longer than their naturally bred brethren, bringing the "genetic doping" of elite athletes a small step closer to reality.


Researchers Work on Method to Predict Rainfall

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- University of Arizona researchers are trying to determine how much rain to expect based on how often lightning strikes...


Executive flight continues at BEA

The exit of Chief Marketing Officer Tod Nielsen is the sixth confirmed executive departure from the company in the past two months.


Citigroup Acquiring Texas Bank

Citigroup Inc., which long has sought to expand its retail banking operations to Texas, said Tuesday that it is acquiring the First American Bank of Bryan, Texas.


National Semiconductor Sells Imaging Unit

Integrated circuit maker National Semiconductor Corp. said Tuesday that it will sell its imaging unit to photo equipment maker Eastman Kodak Co.


Stocks Open Higher as Oil Slips

US stocks opened higher on Tuesday after crude oil prices fell for a third day, easing investors #39; concerns of costly oil squeezing company profits and slowing growth.


Chip downturn fears overblown?

Gartner strengthened its forecast for 2004 global semiconductor sales Tuesday, saying it saw the market growing by 27 percent to \$226 billion, a 25 percent increase from an earlier prediction.


The hunger strike #39;s resonance

The hunger strike by thousands of security prisoners (called  quot;prisoners of war quot; by the Palestinians) could become a difficult, complex affair.


This medal is for you, sweet Sue

ATHENS, Greece -- The Americans were staggered by emotions, never by opponents. It took a gold medal to knock them down. Laura Berg got a head start.


SOCCER: Teen keeps an old dream alive

Her heroes gave her a gift four years ago, and Heather O #39;Reilly repaid them handsomely Monday at Pankritio Stadium on the island of Crete.


Tremor shakes Athens, no damage

ATHENS - An earthquake rattled Athens on Tuesday, including the Olympic venues in the Greek capital. The Athens Geodynamic Institute said that there was a tremor, but few other details were known, such as the magnitude or epicentre of the quake.


Medal Hopes Take A Dive

Mark Shipman and Tony Ally both failed to progress beyond the semi-final stages of the three-metre springboard diving this afternoon.


Bobby Fischer hangs on in Japan

Bobby Fischer remains in Japan Tuesday night thanks to a last-minute appeal by his lawyers against a deportation order issued just hours earlier.


Agreement among Ukraine's political foes hits snag over presidential powers (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A tentative deal to ease Ukraine's political crisis foundered Tuesday over the opposition's refusal to endorse constitutional changes and outgoing President Leonid Kuchma's rejection of the call to fire his prime minister.


Yukos Appeal of Tax Claim Is Postponed (AP)

AP - The Yukos oil company's appeal of its crushing 2000 back-taxes bill was put off until next month, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.


For online singles, Web romance can be a bit too public (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Karina Longworth lives in New York City, where it shouldn't be that hard to avoid an ex-lover.


Black athletes loom large in world of sports movies (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - With the longer and better theatrical version of Spike Lee's Jim Brown - All American out today, I've been thinking about the DVD pleasure I've gotten from other portraits of African-American sports figures. Three to check out:


Over 80 hurt on first day of Bangladesh strike (Reuters)

Reuters - Opposition activists in Bangladesh attacked railway stations and battled police across the country on Tuesday on the first day of a two-day strike called to protest against a deadly grenade attack at the weekend.


Olympic Discus Champion Thrown Out of Games

ATHENS (Reuters) - Hungarian Olympic discus champion Robert  Fazekas will lose his gold medal and be expelled from the Games  after being caught trying to tamper with a urine sample, an  International Olympic Committee source said Tuesday.


Dollar Rallies, But Real Money Sidelined

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar extended gains early in New  York on Tuesday as dealers continued to pare back bets against  the dollar in predominantly technical trading.


South African growth accelerates

Economic growth in South Africa is reviving, helped by high commodity prices and low interest rates, the country's central bank says.


Update 2: Yukos Appeal of Tax Claim Is Postponed

The Yukos oil company #39;s appeal of its crushing 2000 back-taxes bill was put off until next month, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.


Ketchup maker HJ Heinz Co. (HNZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said quarterly profit rose 7.8 percent, excluding a year-earlier tax benefit, as demand for new products


Update 1: Sanderson 3Q Profit Rises, Cuts Outlook

Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc. said Tuesday that it more than doubled its third-quarter profit on sharply higher prices for poultry products during the period, but trimmed its full-year forecast in


Before-the-Bell: Sanderson Farms Falls

Shares of Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) sunk nearly 16 percent before the bell on Tuesday, after the chicken producer #39;s quarterly earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates.


UPDATE 1-Amex, CBOE face antitrust probe, NASD says

US antitrust regulators are investigating possible anti-competitive practices at the American Stock Exchange and Chicago Board Options Exchange, according to the annual report of the National Association of Securities Dealers.


Inflation slips to 2.3 per cent; but some still predict higher <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - Despite a rise in the price of gasoline last month, the annual inflation rate dipped slightly to 2.3 per cent. However, the core rate of inflation rose a bit more than analysts had expected, fuelling


Whiskey distiller Glenmorangie seeking buyer

LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Scotch whisky distiller Glenmorangie (UK:GMGA) said it #39;s in talks with potential acquirers after shareholders controlling over 50 percent of the company said they wanted to sell.


Cognos buys Sweden #39;s Frango for US\$52.2M

Ottawa #39;s Cognos Inc. announced a US\$52.2-million deal on Tuesday to acquire a Swedish maker of financial reporting software. Cognos said it will acquire Stockholm


HK firm develops cyber girlfriend

in the form of a virtual girlfriend. The Hong Kong company Artificial Life, which developed the new game, says the girl will appear


Wi-Fi tops \$1 billion quarterly revenues

The worldwide market for Wi-Fi network infrastructure and adapters surpassed \$1.0 billion in quarterly revenues for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to market research firm In-Stat/MDR.


US makes it three-for-all in men #39;s 400

Monday night, 20-year-old Jeremy Wariner and 21-year-old Otis Harris led an American contingent up the center of the track to claim gold and silver in the 400.


Detroit Tigers Team Report - August 24

(Sports Network) - Winners in four of their last five games, the Detroit Tigers hand the ball to 23-year-old lefthander Wilfredo Ledezma tonight for the middle portion of a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.


Pentagon leaders faulted in prisoner abuse - officials

A high-level panel investigating US military detention operations has concluded that top Pentagon officials and the military command in Iraq contributed to an environment in which detainees were abused at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, a defense official said


Coup trial of  #39;mercenaries #39; opens

A South African arms dealer accused of a key role in a planned coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea today sought to clear 18 imprisoned co-defendants.


Explosion Rocks Baghdad Neighborhood

BAGHDAD, Iraq, August 24 -- A car bomb exploded near the gate of a US-funded Iraqi television network in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least two people and wounding two others, authorities and witnesses said.


Kathmandu blockade by Maoists, we have reasons to be worried

The once quiet Himalayan Hindu kingdom Nepal has turned unsettled since 1996 when members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) went violent on some of their demands.


US Looking for Reason to Act Against Iran -Kharrazi

The United States is looking for a reason to act against Iran amid accusations Tehran is secretly developing atomic weapons, Iran #39;s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said in remarks published on Tuesday.


Domain Names Still Important Despite Search Engine Popularity\\A common belief is that search engines like Google make specific web addresses, that is, Internet domain names, relatively unimportant.  #8220;That is not true, #8221; asserts psychologist Susan D. Griffith, Ph.D.  #8220;As in other areas of branding, names are everything, and memorable names on ...


Google IPO and Effect on Venture Capital Industry\\Will the Google IPO have any impact on the Venture Capital market?  FundingPost surveyed 32 Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors for their opinions.  FundingPost is happy to share these responses from leading venture investors as it should help guide CEOs of ...


Reg readers name BSA antipiracy weasel

Poll result The people have spoken


U.S. Exchanges Face Antitrust Probe (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. antitrust regulators are\investigating possible anti-competitive practices at the\American Stock Exchange and Chicago Board Options Exchange,\according to the annual report of the National Association of\Securities Dealers.


KDG to Up Broadband Spend to Save German Cable Deal (Reuters)

Reuters - German cable operator Kabel\Deutschland (KDG) will massively increase its proposed spending\for broadband Internet to appease cartel office concerns over\its plans to buy three smaller rivals, it said on Tuesday.


Movie Industry Sues More DVD Chip Makers on Piracy (Reuters)

Reuters - The representative for Hollywood's\major movie studios on Monday said its members have sued two\microchip makers, alleging they sold their products to makers\of equipment that can be used to illegally copy DVDs.


Oil Falls Further from \$46 Iraq Oil Flows

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices extended losses below \$46 on  Tuesday in a third day of falls as a more optimistic Iraq  export picture helped unwind some of the supply worries that  have lifted the market to historic levels.


Study: Misdiagnosis Led to Birds' Deaths (AP)

AP - When several birds fell ill last year at Auburn University's respected raptor center, experts were shocked and puzzled by the explanation that the culprit was a lethal disease never seen before in birds of prey.


U.S. Exchanges Face Antitrust Probe

CHICAGO (Reuters) -  U.S. antitrust regulators are  investigating possible anti-competitive practices at the  American Stock Exchange and Chicago Board Options Exchange,  according to the annual report of the National Association of  Securities Dealers.


Global warming:  #39;Millions at risk #39;

Buenos Aires - Environmental activists called attention on Monday to the perils of global warming, erecting an enormous  quot;Noah #39;s Ark quot; in downtown Buenos Aires, in a protest action providing  quot;shelter quot; to dozens of  quot;environmental refugees.


Thousands Left Homeless by Storm Face Housing Shortage

Disaster relief agencies in Florida are beginning to confront one of their most difficult problems: finding long-term housing for thousands of displaced residents.


World ; Afghan leader Karzai sworn in under US smiles

quot;This is Afghanistan #39;s best opportunity to establish a reform-oriented government, quot; said Andrew Wilder of the Afghan Research and Evaluation Unit think tank.


Movie Industry Sues More DVD Chip Makers on Piracy

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The representative for Hollywood's  major movie studios on Monday said its members have sued two  microchip makers, alleging they sold their products to makers  of equipment that can be used to illegally copy DVDs.


July Home Sales Dip, but Still 3rd Highest

A trade group reports sales of existing homes dipped 2.9 percent in July. But the National Association of Realtors says it was still the third-highest level on record.


Bank of Montreal #39;s 3Q Profit Jumps

Bank of Montreal shot out of the starting gate Tuesday, reporting that third-quarter earnings jumped 30 percent to Canadian \$654 million - prompting the bank to boost its dividends and full-year outlook.


Putin To Visit Monks Instead of Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics, as initially planned, but will visit a Russian monastery in the Mount Athos monk community in northern Greece a few days later instead, according to a report.


Still No Answers From Mars on Beagle 2

The British team that built the space probe for Europe #39;s doomed mission to Mars conceded Tuesday that any future ventures to the Red Planet should have better


Wi-Fi undergoing  #39;fundamental shift #39;

Wireless local area network (Lan) - or Wi-Fi - technology is undergoing a  quot;fundamental shift quot; as embedded Mini PCI card adaptors take over from PC card adaptors as the dominant access devices, new research has claimed.


Greek Judoka Dies In Hospital After Balcony Suicide Leap

ATHENS, Aug 24 (AFP) - A member of Greece #39;s Olympic judo squad who leapt from a third-storey apartment after an argument with her boyfriend just days before the Athens Games has died, a hospital source said Tuesday.


Girls row into calm waters

IN an unconvincing display Australia #39;s troubled women #39;s rowing crew last night welcomed back Sally Robbins, but doubts remain about her involvement in future team events.


Seattle Mariners Team Report - August 24

(Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners host the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight in the the middle contest of a three-game set at Safeco Field.


Cleveland Indians Team Report - August 24

(Sports Network) - The struggling Cleveland Indians try to halt a season-high eight-game losing streak tonight, as they host the New York Yankees in the second of a three-game series at Jacobs Field.


Japan to deport ex-chess champ Fischer

home in the United States for breaking sanctions, rejecting his demand for protection as a political refugee. His lawyers responded on Tuesday by appealing against the decision, which they described as  quot;very regrettable quot;.


Foster #39;s swallows wine loss

FOSTER #39;S Group expressed renewed faith yesterday in its troubled US wine strategy despite an  quot;unacceptable quot; one-third drop in earnings from the wine division and confirmation it would be another two years until profit growth picked up.


End of line for Buffalo bakery

Interstate Bakeries Corp. said it plans to shut down its bakery operation in Buffalo effective Oct. 23, a closing the Kansas City-based company said will affect approximately 200 employees.


Microsoft Tests Broadband TV

Microsoft has turned to a Swiss telecommunication operator for the first commercial trial of its system that delivers television signals to consumers over a broadband telecommunications network, it announced this week.


Your webcam #39;s spying on you

The next time you are in your bedroom with your PC plus Webcam switched on, don #39;t think that your privacy is all intact. If you have a Webcam plugged into an infected computer, there is a possibility that


Datatec Bulks Up US Operation

DATATEC #39;s international arm has announced its second acquisition in as many weeks , with a 15,7m buyout of US based Solution Technology Incorporated (STI).


Sweep fulfills trios expectations

ATHENS - Around the final curve they came, into the homestretch, and it was unfolding just how they had predicted: One, two, three.


Bin Laden driver arraigned in first Guantanamo hearing

Osama bin Laden #39;s chauffeur was arraigned Tuesday at the first US military tribunal since World War II, appearing at a pretrial session as defense lawyers sought to challenge the process.


Taiwan to Close Its Markets a Second Day for Typhoon (Update1)

Taiwan #39;s stock market, the fifth- biggest in Asia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. the largest contract chipmaker in the world, will close a second day tomorrow as Typhoon


Ask Jeeves Goes to Japan

Ask Jeeves Goes to Japan\\Ask Jeeves today announced the launch of a beta version of Ask.jp, a new Japanese language Web search engine. Based on the company rsquo;s flagship Ask Jeeves search destination, Ask.jp is developed by Ask Jeeves Japan Co., Ltd, a joint venture between Ask Jeeves, Inc. and Japan-based ...


Poultry Producer's Stock Falls 23 Percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc.\(SAFM.O) said on Tuesday its quarterly profit doubled on strong\demand, but warned of lower wholesale prices and higher grain\costs, sparking a 23 percent drop in its shares.


Design for Living (Forbes.com)

Forbes.com - Patrick Whitney's cell phone drives him crazy. Its speed-dial settings do not change when he travels to another city. He can't send a message to his online calendar. It makes random calls when it gets squashed in his briefcase. Fixing these problems doesn't take new technology, he says, just better design. Whitney, 53, is the director of the Illinois Institute of Technology's Institute of Design, the largest full-time graduate school of design in the U.S.


White House Shrugs Off N. Korea Comments (AP)

AP - The White House said Tuesday that North Korea's Kim Jong Il is engaging in "more bluster" by criticizing President Bush as a leader who is fomenting world unrest.


Grains Found in Ga. Traced to Asteroid (AP)

AP - A layer of quartz grains found in an east Georgia kaolin mine have been traced to the impact of a giant asteroid that crashed near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay 35 million years ago.


NASA to Use Sweden Balloon Launch Area (AP)

AP - Already a leading launch area for scientific balloons in northern Europe, operations at Sweden's Esrange launch facility will expand next year with NASA's decision to use it for launches of its largest scientific balloons, a spokesman said Tuesday.


Poultry Producer's Stock Falls 23 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc.  SAFM.O said on Tuesday its quarterly profit doubled on strong  demand, but warned of lower wholesale prices and higher grain  costs, sparking a 23 percent drop in its shares.


U.S. Treasuries Slip, Test Recent Range

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries prices turned lower  for a third straight session on Tuesday, unnerved by a mix of  softer oil, firmer stocks and economic optimism from Federal  Reserve officials.


Renault F1 Team prepares for Lyon spectacle

The Renault F1 Team Roadshow will touch down in Lyon on Sunday 5 September 2004 for a festival celebration of Renaults rich motorsport heritage.


Rob White acknowledges Spa is a tough test for the V10

Spa is among the most demanding circuits for the engine, and Rob White explains the challenge of this unusual circuit.


Shell Settles Oil Reserve Case for \$120 Million

Royal Dutch/Shell has agreed to pay \$120 million to settle fraud charges with the S.E.C. involving overstated oil reserves, the U.S. securities regulator said today.


Crawford, Gatlin Back to Business in 200M

ATHENS, Greece - Shawn Crawford was all business Tuesday morning, speeding to victory in 20.55 seconds in his first-round heat of the 200 - a sharp contrast to his antics in the early rounds of the 100. Crawford, who finished fourth in the 100 after dominating the early rounds, was joined in the second round by U.S...


Abu Ghraib Report Faults Top Officials

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon's most senior civilian and military officials share a portion of blame for creating conditions that led to the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq, according to a new report.    The report, by a commission appointed by Defense Secretary Donald H...


Soldier at Abu Ghraib Makes Plea Deal

MANNHEIM, Germany - The lawyer of one of the U.S. Army reservists accused of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison said Tuesday that military prosecutors have agreed to drop some of their charges after the soldier agreed to plead guilty to the rest...


Straw Says Sudan Making Progress on Darfur

ABU SHOUK CAMP, Sudan (Reuters) - The Sudanese government  is trying to meet U.N. demands to end the conflict in Darfur  that has killed up to 50,000 people but needs to do more,  British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Tuesday.


Abu Ghraib accused in plea deal

One of the soldiers in the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal has agreed a guilty plea with prosecutors, his lawyer says.


O #39;Leary: I won #39;t quit

The Villa manager was said to be ready to leave the midlands club unless his assistants Roy Aitken and Steve McGregor were also given new three-and-a-half year deals.


Euro Disney Eyes \$180 Mln 'Tower of Terror'-Source

PARIS (Reuters) - Euro Disney wants to use part of a  planned rights issue to build a gut-wrenching new "Tower of  Terror" ride that could cost some 150 million euros (\$182.2  million), sources familiar with the situation said.


UPDATE 3-Sanderson profit jumps, but shrs fall on costs

Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday its quarterly profit doubled on strong demand, but warned of lower wholesale


Kodak to buy imaging business of Natl Semi; no terms

NEW YORK (AFX)--Eastman Kodak Tuesday said it agreed to buy the imaging business of National Semiconductor for undisclosed terms. The business develops and makes metal oxide semiconductor image sensor devices.


UPDATE 3-Possis tumbles after disappointing heart trial

Shares of Possis Medical Inc. (POSS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) tumbled as much as 41 percent on Tuesday after the company cut its earnings outlook due to the failure of its AngioJet


Citigroup buying First American Bank

One of the largest financial institutions in Texas has drawn the attention of a New York banking giant. Bryan-based First American Bank SSB will be acquired by New York-based Citigroup Inc.


National Semiconductor to Sell Unit

National Semiconductor Corp. said Monday it agreed to sell its imaging business, which makes chips used in small cameras and cell phones, to camera giant Eastman Kodak Co.


Putin Signs Law on Restricting Beer Ads

President Vladimir Putin signed into law a series of tough new restrictions on beer ads, a measure that lawmakers said should help reduce youth drinking and hooliganism.


US Airways Falls on Labor Talks

Talks have broken down between US Airways (UAIR:Nasdaq - news - research) and its pilots, putting the carrier another step closer to filing for bankruptcy protection again.


Citigroup to buy First American Bank in Texas

NEW YORK : Citigroup, the world #39;s biggest financial firm, said it has agreed to buy Texas-based First American Bank for an undisclosed sum.


Intel takes ax to Pentium 4, Itanium prices

Intel Corp. slashed prices across its Pentium 4 and Itanium product lines Sunday as it prepares for its biannual developer conference in San Francisco at the beginning of September.


Poland Based Pirate Ring Collared

A world wide ring of pirates based around five Poles has been penetrated by police. A spokesperson for the Polish cyber cops have told Reuters that it had wound up an organised group, involving more than 100


Microsoft Quits a UN Standards Group

Microsoft on Monday withdrew from a United Nations software standards group for commerce, citing  quot;business reasons. quot;. Earlier this year, Microsoft #39;s participation had


NTT DoCoMo Rises on TSE on Reported Deal with Motorola

Tokyo, Aug. 23 (Jiji Press)--NTT DoCoMo firmed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Monday morning following a media report that it will start procuring mobile phone handsets made by Motorola Inc.


Men #39;s Basketball: No medal for favorite after upset

ATHENS Serbia-Montenegro is shockingly out of medal contention in Olympic men #39;s basketball, and the team #39;s head coach doesn #39;t have many admirers left at home.


Muenzer races for gold

Athens - Edmonton #39;s Lori-Ann Muenzer moved to within one win of Olympic gold Tuesday, defeating Australian Anna Meares in the semi-final of the sprint cycling.


Small earthquake tremor felt in Greek capital

The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 4.5 and occurred at 3:38 pm, about 70 kilometres northeast of Athens on the island of Evia.


Maoists lift Kathmandu blockade

Maoists in Nepal on Tuesday lifted the weeklong economic blockade that had virtually paralysed Kathmandu. A joint statement issued by the six organisations affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist


First trial at Guantanamo

The first trial has begun of one of the suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay US navy base on Cuba. A military tribunal will be hearing the cases against a total of four


Judge Rules Rumsfeld Cannot be Forced to Testify on Abu Ghraib <b>...</b>

A US military judge has ruled that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld cannot be forced to testify in the court-martial of an Army reservist charged with abusing inmates at Iraq #39;s Abu Ghraib prison.


Iran will never conduct nuclear activities in hiding: FM

Tehran, Aug 24, IRNA -- The visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi stressed that Iran #39;s nuclear activities will never be conducted in hiding.


Tiny 'David' Telescope Finds 'Goliath' Planet

A newfound planet detected by a small, 4-inch-diameter telescope demonstrates that we are at the cusp of a new age of planet discovery. Soon, new worlds may be located at an accelerating pace, bringing the detection of the first Earth-sized world one step closer.


US existing home sales slip in July, pace still robust

WASHINGTON : US existing home sales tumbled 2.9 percent in July but the pace was still the third-fastest on record, boosted by cheap mortgages, an industry survey showed.


Contact Center Today Cisco Strengthens IP-Service Offerings with P <b>...</b>

Cisco Systems is buying IP-service control vendor P-Cube in a deal valued at \$200 million. P-Cube #39;s products help service providers identify subscribers, classify applications, improve service performance and charge for multiple IP services.


MS Releases XP SP2 App Testing Guide

Enterprise developers looking for a guide to test applications against the new Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) are getting some help from Microsoft (Quote, Chart).


Polish Cops Bust 100-Member Computer Piracy Gang

Polish police have broken up a gang of more than 100 hackers who sold pirated music and films, using academic computer systems around the world to store their wares, a police spokeswoman said on Tuesday.


Rowing row simmers

AUSTRALIA #39;S troubled women #39;s rowing crew last night publicly welcomed back Sally Robbins, but it was an unconvincing display.


EDS extends Opsware contract

Opsware, a data-center automation software company, and EDS renew a contract worth \$50 million.


Linux guide designed for developing nations

The manual is intended to increase open-source usage among the 800 IT projects sponsored by the United Nations.


On Mars, no life yet, but many blue screens of death

Evidence from busy rovers suggests one-time presence of water, but system reboots almost dried up the sea of data.


Cisco doles out 162 million stock options

Company's distribution includes 1.5 million shares for Chief Executive John Chambers.


Arm offers \$913 million for chip component firm

U.K. semiconductor design company Arm Holdings PLC has agreed to acquire a Sunnyvale, California, provider of components for chip manufacturing in a deal valued at around \$913 million in cash and stock.


Euro Disney Eyes  #36;180 Mln 'Tower of Terror'-Source (Reuters)

Reuters - Euro Disney wants to use part of a\planned rights issue to build a gut-wrenching new "Tower of\Terror" ride that could cost some 150 million euros ( #36;182.2\million), sources familiar with the situation said.


Baseball outlines tougher policy

An official involved with negotiations between Major League Baseball and the players #39; association said leaders of the two sides had outlined a new and significantly more stringent drug-testing program.


U.S. to Face Gasol, Spain in Men's Hoops (AP)

AP - When a day of drama had ended and the quarterfinal pairings were set, the news was not great for the United States. In order to get to the semifinals and possibly the gold medal game, first the Americans will have to defeat Spain  #151; the team that left the widest wake of impressed and defeated opponents during the preliminary round.


Minnesota Vikings Sign Derek Ross (AP)

AP - Cornerback Derek Ross, who tied for the NFL rookie lead in interceptions two years ago, was signed on Tuesday by the Minnesota Vikings.


National Semiconductor to Sell Unit (AP)

AP - National Semiconductor Corp. said Monday it agreed to sell its imaging business, which makes chips used in small cameras and cell phones, to camera giant Eastman Kodak Co., as it focuses on its main business of making analog chips.


Hoddle confirmed as Wolves boss

The 47-year-old former England coach was unveiled today, bringing to an end Wolves month-long search for a successor to Dave Jones.


Shell Settles with SEC, UK for \$151 Mln

LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch/Shell Group agreed on  Tuesday to finalized settlements with U.S. and UK regulators  which will cost the oil giant \$150.7 million over its  mis-statement of proven oil reserves.


EU to Probe of Microsoft/Time Warner

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission plans to open  an in-depth, four-month probe of plans by Microsoft Corp. and  Time Warner Inc. to acquire joint control of U.S. ContentGuard  Holdings Inc., a source close to the situation said on Tuesday.


Ecclestone shrugs off challenge

London - Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has shrugged off a High Court ruling that challenged the businessman #39;s control of the firm behind Grand Prix racing.


Italy set for Libya migrant talks

More migrants arrive on Italy's Lampedusa island as PM Berlusconi prepares for migration talks in Libya.


Jets Sign Q. Carter

Quarterback Quincy Carter signs with the New York Jets on Tuesday, three weeks after his surprising release by Dallas.


Russian Wins Points Race

America's struggles on the cycling track continued Tuesday, when Colby Pearce managed only a tie for 13th place in the points race.


Existing home sales decline

The National Association of Realtors reports sales of previously owned US homes fell 2.9 percent in July. The Realtors said resales in July fell to 6.72 million single-family


Iraq Forces Advance on Najaf Shrine, Battle Rages

Iraqi security forces moved to within 400 meters (yards) of a holy shrine in Najaf on Tuesday, just hours after the government warned Shi #39;ite rebels inside they would be killed if they did not surrender.


Online Music Goes Back To School

The music industry wants to get a sales bounce by wooing students with steep price cuts, while universities are eager to strike deals to cut down on illegal downloading. -washingtonpost.com


UK Regulators Criticize Shell in Settlements (Update1)

UK regulators criticized Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Europe #39;s second-largest oil company, for unprecedented misconduct #39; #39; in the overstatement of reserves that led to fines of \$151.


Citibank to enter Texas markets

The nation #39;s largest bank will be setting up shop in Texas by acquiring Bryan-based First American Bank. The parent operation of Citibank said Tuesday that it will acquire First American, which has \$3.


Cingular, AT amp;T Wireless Launch Service

Cingular Wireless LLC began offering a multimedia messaging service on Tuesday that is compatible with that of its future unit, AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.


Wi-Fi inside: new trend

In 2003, removable Wi-Fi PC card adapters were displaced by embedded Mini PCI card adapters, representing a fundamental shift, says a new report.


Scoring dispute won #39;t hurt sport

When Paul Hamm won the Olympic gold medal for Olympic all-around gymnastics, NBC analyst Tim Daggett proclaimed it the greatest sports moment he #39;d ever witnessed.


All hail the invincibles

There have been a handful of sporting greats who have built up an aura of invincibility over the years. Arsenal #39;s players huddle up after equalling Nottingham Forest #39;s 42-game record.


Rebels withdraw blockade of Kathmandu

Nepalese rebels said today they were removing a blockade of the capital that had cut Kathmandu off from the rest of the country for a week.


Typhoon Aere Pounds Northern Taiwan

At least seven people are confirmed dead as Typhoon Aere pounded northern Taiwan with high winds and heavy rain. The storm hit the area with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers-an-hour.


Greenpeace Protests Ford's Plans for Cars (AP)

AP - Greenpeace activists scaled the walls of Ford Motor Co.'s Norwegian headquarters Tuesday to protest plans to destroy hundreds of non-polluting electric cars.


Online Music Goes Back to School (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - In this era of high-speed Internet access, the back-to-school season features college students streaming back into their broadband-wired dormitory rooms, booting up their computers and letting gigabytes of digital tunes flow like a waterfall -- and for many students, the question of whether the downloading violates copyright laws plays second fiddle. However, a legal, affordable alternative has a chance to thrive in this potentially huge market, or at least that's what the digital music business and the universities are hoping.


EDS to Pay  #36;50M to Extend Opsware Deal (AP)

AP - Electronic Data Systems Corp. said Tuesday it has agreed to pay  #36;50 million to extend an agreement with Opsware Inc. for software used in running data centers.


National Commerce, Stockholders Settle

NEW YORK (Reuters) - National Commerce Financial  Corp.NCF.N said on Tuesday it agreed to settle previously  disclosed shareholder class-action lawsuits challenging its  proposed merger with SunTrust Banks, Inc.STI.N.


New York Jets Sign Quincy Carter

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Quarterback Quincy Carter signed with the New York Jets on Tuesday, three weeks after his surprising release by Dallas...


Abuse Judge Forcing Intelligence Testimony

MANNHEIM, Germany - The U.S. military judge hearing the Abu Ghraib abuse said Tuesday that prosecutors have until Sept...


Kodak buying National Semi #39;s image sensor business

Eastman Kodak Co. says it #39;s agreed to buy the Imaging business of National Semiconductor Corp., which develops and manufactures complimentary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor devices.


National Semiconductor to Sell Imaging Unit

National Semiconductor Corp. said Monday it agreed to sell its imaging business, which makes chips used in small cameras and cell phones, to camera giant Eastman Kodak Co., as it focuses on its main business of making analog chips.


Briefly: EDS extends Opsware contract

roundup Plus: AOL signs up for Omniture traffic tool...Friendster hires ex-AOL ad exec...HP inks deal with energy firm.


Shell settles with SEC for \$120 mln

DALLAS (CBS.MW) -- Royal Dutch/Shell Group will pay a \$120 million penalty to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of its overstatement of nearly 4.5 billion barrels of proven reserves, the federal agency said Tuesday.


US Airways: More Turbulence Ahead?

Attempting to ward off a second bankruptcy filing, management and pilots of US Airways (Nasdaq: UAIR) took discussions of concessions that might keep the airline afloat through this past weekend.


Citigroup to buy First American Bank

Citigroup of New York said Tuesday it will acquire First American Bank of Bryan, Texas. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Citigroup #39;s earnings.


Heinz Profit Rises, Shares Higher

Ketchup maker HJ Heinz Co. (HNZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said quarterly profit rose 7.8 percent, excluding a year-earlier tax benefit, as demand for new products


Northern Ireland #39;s only brewery to close

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Northern Ireland #39;s only brewery must close after a suitable buyer failed to come forward, its Belgian owner Interbew announced Tuesday.


Adelphia seeks \$3.2B from Rigases

Bankrupt cable operator asks court to force payments, says family already admitted they owe money. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Adelphia Communications Corp.


British Gas bills to rise

The energy provider said household gas bills would rise by 12.4 per cent and electricity by 9.4 per cent from September 20. The company blamed the increases on the record price of wholesale gas, which also impacts on the cost of producing electricity.


Cisco to acquire software developer P-Cube for \$200M

AUGUST 24, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Cisco Systems Inc. said yesterday that it has agreed to acquire Sunnyvale, Calif., software developer P-Cube Inc.


Windows XP SP2 Automatic Update due tomorrow

Windows XP users with Automatic Update enabled will have a rather hefty download tomorrow (August 25), as Microsoft plans to release Service Pack 2 for Windows XP via Automatic Update.


Indiana man charged with hacking into former employer #39;s systems

AUGUST 24, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - A Columbus, Ind., man was charged yesterday in federal court with hacking into the systems of his Gloucester, Mass.


Russian teenager wins cycling gold

Russian teenager Mikhail Ignatyev gave his nation their first medal of the Olympic track cycling competition on Tuesday, winning gold in the men #39;s points race.


Newcastle United Football Club back in for Rooney?

Everton Football Club have rejected an offer of 20million from Newcastle United Football Club for Wayne Rooney - although they may return with an improved offer.


The first Guantanamo trials are set to take place

The historic military trials of four al Qaeda suspects are set to get under way at the US military base in Cuba. The Guantanamo Bay cases mark the first time military commissions have been held for more than 50 years.


Eastern provinces prepare for typhoon

The eye of typhoon Aere will move northwestward after sweeping past a sea area off Taipei and will hit East China coastal areas between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.


Tehran Threatens To Retaliate If Israel Strikes Nuclear Facilities

Iran has reiterated that it will retaliate if Israel carries out a preemptive strike against its nuclear program. The escalating war of words comes as a top US arms-control official has charged that Tehran


Luddite Reg readers want flat weather, please

Letters Oh, and don't be mean to spamvertised sites


Russians Complain About Gymnastics Scoring (AP)

AP - The Russian Olympic delegation joined the growing list of Olympic malcontents Tuesday, arguing that its two biggest stars got cheated in the gymnastics competition.


Verizon, Qwest Ask Court to Block New FCC Rules (Reuters)

Reuters - Verizon Communications Inc. and\Qwest Communications International Inc. asked a federal court\on Tuesday to block temporary rules by the U.S. Federal\Communications Commission forcing the companies to lease phone\lines to rivals for at least another six months.


Quincy Carter Finds a Home with the Jets (Reuters)

Reuters - The New York Jets\solved their backup quarterback problems by signing Quincy\Carter, who was recently released by the Dallas Cowboys. Terms\of the deal were not announced.


Verizon, Qwest Ask Court to Block FCC

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc. VZ.N  and Qwest Communications International Inc. Q.N asked a  federal appeals court Tuesday to block temporary rules by the  U.S. Federal Communications Commission forcing the companies to  lease phone lines to rivals for at least another six months.


U.S. Blue Chips Near Flat; Verizon Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips were lower on Tuesday,  as a drop in phone company Verizon Communications Inc. VZ.N  overshadowed a brokerage upgrade on Caterpillar Inc. CAT.N  and a three-session drop in oil prices.


US Airways: More Turbulence Ahead?

Management and pilots break off talks, making liquidation more likely.


Typhoon Aere Menaces Taiwan, Markets Close (Reuters)

Reuters - Strong winds and heavy rain from Typhoon\Aere pounded Taiwan on Tuesday, disrupting air and sea traffic\and forcing financial markets, schools and businesses in Taipei\and nearby counties to close.


Heinz Squeezes Out Results

Heinz (NYSE: HNZ) is probably one of the most efficiently run public companies and continues to  quot;remove clutter quot; and  quot;squeeze out cost quot; to improve cash management and balance sheet performance.


DBCC says Philippines not in a fiscal crisis situation

Malacaang allayed fears yesterday that the Philippines is on the brink of a financial crisis as it assured that the government is exerting its best efforts to bring down the widening


UPDATE 1-Citigroup to acquire First American Bank of Texas

Citigroup Inc. (CN: Quote, Profile, Research) the world #39;s largest financial services company, said on Tuesday it will acquire First American Bank in the quickly-growing Texas market.


Belfast brewery to close after 107 years

Northern Ireland #39;s only brewery is to close with the loss of up to 85 jobs after failing to find a buyer, its Belgian owner Interbrew says.


National Commerce to Settle Suits

National Commerce Financial Corp. said Tuesday that it agreed to settle shareholder lawsuits challenging SunTrust Banks Inc. #39;s proposed purchase of the financial services company.


Kodak buys National Semis imaging business

ROCHESTER, NYEastman Kodak will acquire the imaging business of National Semiconductor Corp., which develops and manufactures metal oxide semiconductor image sensor devices.


Verizon, Qwest Ask Court to Block FCC

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Qwest Communications International Inc. (QN: Quote, Profile, Research) asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to block


Paying an ARM and a Leg

Shares of Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation ARM Holdings (Nasdaq: ARMHY) tumbled 19 on Monday in response to the company #39;s buyout offer initially valued at \$913 million


Microsoft To Resume SP2 Auto Updating Wednesday

Microsoft will resume rolling out Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Wednesday when it starts pushing the massive update to business users via Windows Automatic Update and the Windows Update Web site.


Cingular to use AT amp;T brand six months after merger

Cingular Wireless LLC, AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc. and AT amp;T Corp. reported an agreement resolving issues related to the use of the AT amp;T brand in connection with Cingulars pending acquisition of AWS, as


Intel Cuts Prices in Preparation for New Product Line

Intel is moving to reduce its chip inventory and make way for new products by deeply discounting some of its Pentium 4 and Itanium processors.


T-Mobile Checks in at Red Roof

T-Mobile Hotspot #39;s network of public venues with Wi-Fi is extensive and its partners are big names you #39;ve heard of(Starbucks, FedEx Kinko #39;s, Borders Books).


Virtual Girlfriend

Sven-Erik writes  quot; BBC News reports about a Hong Kong based company called Artificial Life that has developed a solution for men without a partner, in the form of a virtual girlfriend that appear as an animated figure on the video screen of a mobile phone


Gartner optimistic about chip numbers

But that optimism isn #39;t matched by Infineon, which said that while the market worldwide remains buoyant, the US is a special case and cautioned that growth might not be as strong as it expected.


Study: Apple, Dell lead PC customer satisfaction index

The PC industry is doing a better job of satisfying its US customers than in recent years, and improvements to technical support seem to have done the trick, according to the


SAP To Build New Human Resources System for US Postal Service

The US Postal Service has awarded SAP a \$35 million contract to supply a new human-resources system. SAP has benefited from a series of big customer wins this year, showing strong revenue growth


Backyard telescope helps find new planet

With the help of a modified backyard telescope, astronomers have discovered a giant planet orbiting another star. It is the first extrasolar world found with such modest equipment.


Upset Russians ask IOC to take long look at gymnastics

The Russian Olympic delegation joined the growing list of Olympic malcontents Tuesday, arguing that its two biggest stars got cheated in the gymnastics competition.


Italians brush off kidnapping threat

Italy #39;s government insisted Tuesday it will keep its troops in Iraq despite a demand by militants holding an Italian journalist hostage that Italian forces pull out within 48 hours.


Nepal rebels suspend blockade for a month

Nepal #39;s Maoist rebels have temporarily called off a crippling economic blockade of the capital effective on Wednesday, saying the move was in response to popular appeals.


Consumers set for huge bill rises

British Gas have announced a large bill increase for its millions of customers. The energy giant said household gas bills would rise by 12.


Briefly: Real touts one week, 1 million songs

roundup Plus: Chipmaker Fujitsu prepares WiMax chip...EDS extends Opsware contract...AOL signs up for Omniture traffic tool.


Minor Earthquake Shakes Athens; No Damage or Injuries

A minor earthquake rattled Olympic venues in Athens Tuesday, but there were no reports of injuries or damage. The tremor was measured at 4.5 on the Richter scale, with an epicenter about 70 kilometers northeast of the Greek capital, under the Aegean Sea.


Carter - joined the Jets. (Getty Images)

Less than three weeks after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, quarterback Quincy Carter has landed with the New York Jets. Carter arrived in New York on Tuesday and signed a one-year contract.


Uncle Bobby speaks out on Rooney

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has insisted his club #39;s interest in Wayne Rooney is genuine amid talk of conspiracy theories. The 71-year-old confirmed for the first time that United are chasing the teenager #39;s


Chipmaker Fujitsu prepares WiMax chip

Company preps single chip WiMax compliant part for use in wireless broadband gear.


HP puts choke hold on virus throttling product

After unveiling cutting-edge technology for choking off the spread of viruses in March, Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) is quietly shelving the project, citing conflicts with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system, a company executive said.


The PC industry is doing a better job of satisfying its U.S. customers than in recent years, and improvements to technical support seem to have done the trick, according to the results of a study released Tuesday by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.


Calif. Wins at Little League World Series (AP)

AP - Jordan Brower struck out eight batters and knocked in the winning run to lead Thousand Oaks, Calif., into the United States semifinals with a 3-1 win over Lincoln, R.I., at the Little League World Series on Tuesday.


Oil Prices Fall to \$45 as Iraq Oil Flows

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell sharply to \$45 on  Tuesday, extending losses to a third day as a more optimistic  Iraq export picture helped unwind some of the supply worries  that have lifted the market to historic levels.


Verizon, Qwest Ask Court to Block New FCC Rules

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc. and  Qwest Communications International Inc. asked a federal court  on Tuesday to block temporary rules by the U.S. Federal  Communications Commission forcing the companies to lease phone  lines to rivals for at least another six months.


Blue Chips Near Flat; Verizon Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips were lower on Tuesday,  as a drop in phone company Verizon Communications Inc. VZ.N  overshadowed a brokerage upgrade on Caterpillar Inc. CAT.N  and a three-session drop in oil prices.


Check Ears Before You Pick a Fight, Study Advises (Reuters)

Reuters - It may be wise to check out a\stranger's ears before picking a fight, U.S. researchers\advised on Monday.


Scientists to Flesh Out George Washington's Appearance (Reuters)

Reuters - Americans know George\Washington as the dour founding father with white hair and\ponytail depicted on U.S. currency, but most people have little\idea what the nation's first president really looked like\beyond this stock image.


Poultry Producer's Stock Falls 23 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc.  SAFM.O on Tuesday said it is being hurt by lower wholesale  prices and higher grain costs in the current quarter, sparking  a 23 percent drop in its stock and pulling down shares of its  rivals.


Dollar Climbs, But Real Money on Sideline

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar was mostly stronger across  the board on Tuesday as dealers pared back bets against the  currency in predominantly technical trading.


Botswana firm 'dismisses' workers

Botswanan diamond mining firm Debswana dismisses workers who took part in an illegal strike, agency reports say.


Italian troops 'to stay in Iraq'

Italy says it has no intention of withdrawing its troops from Iraq despite the demands of kidnappers who seized an Italian journalist.


Shell Settles Oil Reserve Fraud Case for \$150.7 Million

Shell agreed today to finalized settlements with U.S. and UK regulators over its mis-statement of proven oil reserves.


U.S. Sprinters Take Aim at 200M Semifinals

ATHENS, Greece - Three Americans, including 100-meter gold medalist Justin Gatlin, will attempt to advance to the semifinals in the 200 meters Tuesday when action resumes on the Olympic Stadium track at 1 p.m. EDT...