NASA aims to launch shuttle nine-day window in March

CAPE CANAVERAL-- NASA aims to launch its first post-Columbia shuttle mission during a shortened nine-day window March, and failure to do so likely would delay a planned return to flight until at least May.


China #39;s Consumer Electronics Market Grows

China #39;s consumer electronics market will grow by almost 90 percent to \$94 billion by 2007 as manufacturers shift to high-end digital products and away from more basic items like toys and watches, an industry publication forecasts.


UK standards authority tells MS to drop  #39;misleading #39; Linux ads

An ad running in the UK that implied running a Linux operating system is ten times more expensive than running a Windows operating system has been oficially condemned as misleading by the UK #39;s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), after public complaints


Manchester United confirms Rooney bid

Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United confirmed on its website Wednesday that is has made an offer to Everton for young striker Wayne Rooney.


Cubs Team Report

Manager Dusty Baker took RF Sammy Sosa up on his offer to bat fifth, marking the first time Sosa hit in that slot since 1994. Of the 56 players with at least 100 at-bats in the cleanup spot, Sosa was second-to-last in batting average.


Listen to the show

Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet has lost his immunity by order of the countrys Supreme Court. Pinochet overthrew democratically elected socialist President Salvadore Allende and ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990.


Still no fix for US space shuttle

a large hole, quot; said Parsons.  quot;Our expectation is that we #39;ll fix the tank and there won #39;t be anything like that we #39;ll have to deal with.


Verizon #39;s Wireless Wonder

The phone giant #39;s mobile unit is not just a great telecom operation. It may be one of the best companies in the world. Verizon Communications (VZ ) Chief Executive Ivan Seidenberg is a fan of management guru


WORLD IN BRIEF

GAZA CITY -- An explosion wounded a senior Islamic Jihad field commander, Mohammed Khalil, in a Gaza refugee camp Thursday in what the Palestinian militant group said was an assassination attempt by Israel.


Taiwan Rescuers Dig Out 7 Bodies Buried in Landslide (Reuters)

Reuters - Taiwan rescue workers dug out seven\bodies from mud and rock in a mountain village that was hit by\a devastating landslide triggered by Typhoon Aere, but eight\still remained buried, officials said on Friday.


Live: Olympics day 14

Britain's Tim Brabants is set to go for gold in the men's K1 kayak final at 0630 BST.


LATEST FUTURES NEWS

US oil prices rose on Friday, stemming five days of losses, but dealers expected a further slide towards \$40 a barrel as worries of potential supply disruptions ease.


HP unveils 25 fresh consumer electronics products

Hewlett-Packard on Friday will launch 25 consumer products, part of its push toward digital entertainment as some of its other units struggle.


Union leader held, truckers threaten to intensify stir

The crisis caused by the truckers strike deepened today after the Delhi Police arrested OP Agarwal, the chairman of the All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA).


National Foods 2nd-Half Net Rises 12 on Milk Sales (Update2)

National Foods Ltd. increased second- half profit by 12 percent as Australia #39;s biggest fresh milk supplier expanded its range of gourmet foods and sold more Pura Classic and other flavored milk drinks in convenience stores.


A big night for American track _ five medals and a countryman wins <b>...</b>

What a night for US athletes in Olympic track and field. Even in the event that went to another country, an American won. Shawn Crawford, Bernard Williams and Justin Gatlin swept the 200.


NCAA Denies Reinstatement of USC Star

The NCAA yesterday denied the University of Southern California #39;s request to restore the college football eligibility of all-American wide receiver Mike Williams.


Kidnappers Claim to Kill Journalist

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 26 -- The kidnappers of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, taken hostage in Iraq, said they had killed him, al-Jazeera television reported Thursday.


Australian cruise missile plan slammed

SYDNEY: Australia announced on Thursday a cruise missile programme to acquire the regions  quot;most lethal quot; air combat capacity, but critics quickly denounced the plan as a foolish provocation to its neighbours.


PML, allies hail Shujaat

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary party of the Pakistan Muslim League and its allies on Thursday lauded the political wisdom and acumen of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain during his short tenure as the prime minister.


EU opens in-depth investigation into Microsoft/Time Warner <b>...</b>

The European Commission has decided to open an in-depth investigation into the proposed joint acquisition by Microsoft and Time Warner of a US company called ContentGuard.


Drug firm agrees to disclose all data

ALBANY, NYGlaxoSmithKline PLC agreed yesterday to release negative data on the safety and effectiveness of its drugs to settle a lawsuit by New York #39;s attorney general that accused the pharmaceutical maker of misrepresenting data on prescribing its


TiVo puts a brave face on subscription numbers

Digital video recorder pioneer TiVo sent mixed signals Thursday about the progress of its ambitious effort to win new subscribers and become profitable.


Boeing wins Air Force contract to launch satellites

WASHINGTON -- The Boeing Co., the second-biggest US defense contractor, won a \$54 million contract to launch four navigation satellites for the Air Force in the second exception to a ban imposed on the company last year.


NASA making recovery following shuttle disaster

A year after a scathing report on the shuttle Columbia tragedy criticized NASA #39;s safety and management culture, a consultant hired to make changes said Thursday the space agency is showing signs of recovery.


Go ahead, make my day: Revenge feels, oh, so good

It #39;s a scenario only too familiar to those of us who drive the mean streets and main thoroughfares of this city - except that, in this case, it #39;s the start of an editorial by Stanford University psychology professor Brian Knutson published today in


Women #39;s Soccer:  quot;Fab Five quot; capture Olympic gold

ATHENS, Greece - When the first whistle chirped, US women #39;s soccer icon Mia Hamm thought it was merely a foul call. She wondered when the endless, harrowing gold medal match against Brazil would finally end.


8/27/2004 LETTER: No guilt required

Once again the elitist left-wing media is attempting to make Americans feel guilty for achieving excellence. Paul Hamm followed the rules, performed a brilliant high-bar routine and won the gold medal fair and square.


Election of the new Prime Minister takes place today afternoon

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly will meet in a special session at the Parliament House in Islamabad Friday at 4:00 pm (PST) to ascertain the new leader of the house.


South Korea Plays Down Talk of North Summit

A North-South summit could provide a breakthrough in the crisis over Pyongyang #39;s nuclear ambitions, South Korea #39;s prime minister was quoted as saying on Friday, but the


Howard tipped to finally call Australian elections this weekend (AFP)

AFP - Australian Prime Minister John Howard is widely expected to announce an election date this weekend, setting off a tight race between his conservative coalition and a resurgent Labor Party.


SEOUL (Reuters) - A North-South summit could provide a  breakthrough in the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions,  South Korea's prime minister was quoted as saying on Friday,  but the government made clear no such meeting was planned for  now.


Brabants takes fifth spot

Britain's Tim Brabants finishes fifth in the final of the men's K1 1000m singles.


HP Moves Deeper Into Consumer Electronics

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Personal computer giant Hewlett-Packard Co. is stepping deeper than ever into the consumer electronics arena with its fall product lineup - so don #39;t be surprised if you hear about  quot;HP TV


Government to Begin Passenger Screening

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security formalized plans on Thursday to begin screening airline passengers against a list of potential terror suspects


Cyber crime #39;s worth? 215 million dollars!

The US Justice Department #39;s crackdown on cyber crime has brought to light illegal activities, including credit-card fraud, to the tune of over US \$215 million and resulted in dozens of arrests, a senior official said in Washington.


Gold medal sendoff for US soccer veterans

As television cameras gathered in front of the US women #39;s soccer team after it defeated Brazil 2-1 in overtime for the gold medal yesterday, the woman who scored the game


UK Launches Own Case Against Cleric Sought by US

British police launched their own terrorism case Thursday against radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, already jailed in London under a US arrest warrant.


Stem cells used to grow man a new jaw

A German whose lower jaw was cut out because of cancer has eaten his first solid meal in nine years - bratwurst sandwich  -er surgeons grew a new jaw bone in his back muscle


Italy maintains commitment to Iraq despite killing of hostage

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he is determined to keep up Italy #39;s efforts in Iraq despite the execution of an Italian hostage.


Around The Region

Fort Worth-based American Airlines said its cost for jet fuel will be \$1 billion higher than last year because of rising prices. Fuel costs will rise 43 percent from the previous estimate for \$700 million in additional expenses.


Around The Nation

WASHINGTON - Deutsche Bank Securities has agreed to pay \$87.5 million to settle allegations that it issued stock research that was biased by its investment banking business, regulators announced Thursday as part of a crackdown on conflicts of interest on


Marion Jones Seeks 2 Golds, US Plays Argentina in Basketball

Five-time Olympic medalist Marion Jones goes for gold medals in the long jump and 400-meter relay at the Athens Games, while the US basketball team plays Argentina for a spot in the men #39;s basketball final.


Anti-terror police arrest Abu Hamza

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza is being questioned at Paddington Green police station in London after being arrested over alleged terrorism offences.


News: FBI busts alleged DDoS Mafia

A corporate executive goes on the lam after being charged with paying hackers to virtually rub out the competition.


Militant Group Says It Downed Russian Jets (AP)

AP - A claim of responsibility for the downing of two Russian planes appeared on a Web site known for militant Muslim comment Friday.


Royals Clobber Mariners 7-3 (AP)

AP - Ichiro Suzuki homered for his 200th hit of the season, but Abraham Nunez hit his second grand slam in two weeks to lead the Kansas City Royals over the Seattle Mariners 7-3 Thursday night.


Gritty return for Prince of Persia

The dashing Prince of Persia is back in Warrior Within, and in a more bellicose mood than last time.


Olympics: Unforgiving Greeks Boo as Games Turn Ugly

ATHENS (Reuters) - The Olympics turned ugly when  unforgiving Greeks, incensed that fallen hero Costas Kenteris  was missing from the 200 meters, delayed the final by booing  and chanting for five minutes.


U.S. Takes Action Against 2 Foreign Banks (AP)

AP - The Treasury Department took action Tuesday against two foreign banks it suspects of money laundering, including one it accused of helping Saddam Hussein use funds from the United Nations' oil-for-food program.


Huge Crowds at Najaf Shrine, Some Rebels Hand in Arms

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of chanting Iraqi  Shi'ites converged on a holy shrine in Najaf on Friday, where  some rebels began handing in weapons after a peace deal was  reached overnight to end a three-week uprising.


Business briefs - BHP Billiton forms Japanese joint venture

Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton was forming a joint venture with Japanese steel maker JFE that would underpin iron ore sales worth \$3.


Capitol unwilling to pay bill on bridge Bay Area lawmakers reject <b>...</b>

Sacramento -- The Schwarzenegger administration offered a counterproposal on how to pay for the Bay Bridge #39;s \$2.3 billion cost overruns Thursday, but local lawmakers immediately rejected the plan as time was running out for a solution.


Dynamic duo grab double glory

Athens: New Zealand doubled its Olympic medal tally in sensational style yesterday as Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty blitzed the men #39;s triathlon to plunder gold and silver on the Athens waterfront.


Russia wins grueling, endangered pentathlon

ATHENS Andrei Moiseev of Russia won the men #39;s modern pentathlon on Thursday, finishing so far ahead of his rivals that he was able to stop and collect a flag from a spectator before crossing the line.


Soccer veterans grab gold in finale

ATHENS, Greece -- The decisive move in the Olympic women #39;s soccer tournament was soaring toward the head of Abby Wambach when the ball and a thought arrived at her noggin about the same time.


TRACK AND FIELD Disgruntled Crowd Sees a US Sweep

For eight minutes, 56,000 Greek fans protested the absence of their disgraced champion sprinter and hurled their resentment at three United States sprinters when their names


The first to go

THE wheels of the managerial merry-go-around have been well and truly greased with the swift sacking of Paul Sturrock at Southampton.


Grand ayatollah brokers deal

The senior Shiite cleric #39;s spokesman says that Muqtada al-Sadr #39;s army will abandon the Imam Ali shrine today. BY HANNAH ALLAM.


Texans, Broncos Looking for Answers (AP)

AP - The Denver Broncos have struggled through three preseason games, unable to get much going on offense.


Gagne Pitches in Montreal One Last Time (AP)

AP - Even with a big lead, Eric Gagne wanted to pitch in front of his hometown fans one last time.


Yen Hits 1-Wk High Vs Dollar, Shuns Data

TOKYO (Reuters) - The yen hit a one-week high against the  dollar on Friday as traders took their cue from a rise in  Japanese shares on weak oil prices and shrugged off a surprise  rise in Japan's unemployment rate.


Republicans Might Be Yankees of Politics (AP)

AP - Republicans hold their convention next week in New York, home to the GOP-like Yankees. The Democrats chose Boston, whose Red Sox resemble that party.


Sears fires chief

TORONTO -- Sears Canada Inc. has dismissed Mark Cohen as chair and chief executive, citing  quot;strategic differences quot; between him and the board of directors.


Stocks off slightly despite oil news

A brokerage firm #39;s negative outlook for the semiconductor industry pushed down tech shares yesterday, while the broader market was little changed as a jump in jobless claims offset investors #39; relief over declining oil prices.


BT told to cut cost of lines to rivals

Telecoms watchdog Ofcom yesterday tried to relax BT #39;s hold on the nation #39;s network of phone lines by ordering a reduction of more than 70 in the price the company can charge its rivals to use them.


Brown becomes ugly American

Larry Brown couldn #39;t help himself, or the reputation of his country. He could have watched the clock wind down, accept the victory, but instead he had to be so very American.


Olympics 2004: Canoeing: Veraas Larsen ready for K-1 500m finals

Eirik Veraas Larsen had no problem winning his heat in the K-1 500m semifinals on Thursday morning, and is now favourite to win the Saturday final.


NCAA ruling makes Mike Williams a football star without a team

Mike Williams is a terrific wide receiver -- an All-American at Southern California last season who will probably be a star in the NFL someday.


Italy to Stay in Iraq After Reporter Murdered, Berlusconi Says

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called the killing of an Italian journalist by his Iraqi captors barbaric #39; #39; and said he #39;ll keep his nation #39;s 3,000 soldiers in the Middle Eastern country.


2 more US brokers fined for hyping stock

Two big US brokers have agreed to pay fines of USD100m to the market #39;s watchdog for hyping stock. They have agreed the fines with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for  quot;inappropriate analysis of stocks quot;.


Lukoil stake on sale for \$1.9bn

Russian officials handling the sale of a stake in oil giant Lukoil have set a opening price of \$1.9bn (1bn) for 7.6 of the company.


Cybercrime crackdown has nabbed 150 in USA

A summerlong crackdown on cybercrime has resulted in arrests or convictions of more than 150 individuals, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Thursday.


IBM to acquire content management firm Venetica

New York, August 27: International Business Machines Corp. on Thursday said it will acquire Venetica, whose software allows users to view and process files in a variety of software formats.


US beats Brazil for Olympic gold in womens football

ATHENS, Greece -- American superstar Mia Hamm was given the perfect sendoff as the United States rode their luck to beat Brazil in extra-time and win the Olympic women #39;s football gold medal for the second time in eight years.


Pavin in Buick driver #39;s seat

Corey Pavin finished with a flourish for one of the best rounds of his career and a three-stroke lead at the inaugural Buick Championship on Thursday at Cromwell, Conn.


Horror at execution of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni

Reporters Without Borders expressed revulsion today at the  quot;barbaric quot; death of Italian freelance journalist Enzo Baldoni, 56, who was executed in Iraq last night by his kidnappers, according to the pan-Arab TV news station Al-Jazeera and the Italian news


#39;Black boxes failed before planes went down #39;

Moscow - Recorders from the two planes that crashed nearly simultaneously in Russia have not yielded reliable information, a top official says.


Opel plans to reintroduce 40-hour week (AFP)

AFP - Troubled German car maker Opel, a unit of General Motors, is planning to extend the working week for employees from 35 to 40 hours without any corresponding rise in pay, the mass-circulation daily Bild reported.


Europe backs digital TV lifestyle

A European project aims to change how people receive their digital entertainment in the future.


Japan July jobless rate 4.9 percent, analysts see no economic stumble (AFP)

AFP - Japan's jobless rate rose to a worse-than-expected 4.9 percent in July but the government said the uptick in unemployment was mainly caused by young people leaving positions to search for new jobs.


Kerry Promises Protection for Consumers (AP)

AP - With promises to curb credit card fees and protect home buyers and military families from unfair lending practices, Democratic candidate John Kerry is making a pitch aimed squarely at voters' checkbooks.


Expedition Seeks Record of Earth Climate (AP)

AP - Scientists believe a 50-million-year record of the Earth's climate lies in an underwater mountain chain in the ice-clogged waters near the North Pole.


O Romeo, art thou a good Republican? Romance follows the party line in US (AFP)

AFP - She was pretty and smart; he was educated and charmingly polite. They could have been headed for "happily ever after" if it had not been for ... the faith-based initiative.


Astronauts Practice Survival Skills (AP)

AP - Astronauts spend years training before they can lift off into space. They learn to operate shuttles, perform experiments in zero-gravity, and eat bugs if they must.


New autumn Bank Holiday favoured

UK workers' top choice for a new Bank Holiday would be a Monday in late October, an online survey finds.


'Brainwave' cap controls computer

US researchers show that a computer can be controlled by the brain without the need for implants.


White House Proposes Intelligence Changes

WASHINGTON - Amid a heated election-year debate on intelligence reform, the White House is expected to move soon on executive orders aimed at implementing a more powerful intelligence director and a new national counterterrorism center.    Bush administration and congressional officials said Thursday drafts of executive orders are circulating among relevant agencies for approval...


Thousands March to Holy Shrine in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his fighters to lay down their arms and leave the area as thousands of Iraqis thronged the revered Imam Ali shrine Friday after he and the Iraqi government agreed to a peace proposal by Iraq's top Shiite cleric to end three weeks of fighting in Najaf.    Al-Sadr issued the order in a statement to his Mahdi Army militia from his office in Najaf that also was broadcast through loudspeakers at the shrine, which militants have used as a stronghold and refuge throughout their standoff with a combined U.S.-Iraqi force...


HP Unveils Cavalcade of Consumer Products

First TVs, new printers, long-lasting inks, and projectors are targeted at living room and office.


First Look: HP's Hot New DV1000 Notebook

Well-designed notebook lets you play movies and music sans Windows.


Bush shuns Hollywood, opts for "wholesome" country acts at convention (AFP)

AFP - US President George W. Bush goes into the Republican convention next week mocking Democrat John Kerry's glamorous Hollywood support base and pitching instead to America's rural heartland.


Free Agent: Where the Geeks Are Taking Us (PC World)

PC World - LinuxWorld Expo came to San Francisco, and our columnist managed to ignore most of the show. Read on to see what did catch his eye.


S.Africa Says No Extradition Request for Thatcher

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa has not received an  official request from Equatorial Guinea for the extradition of  Mark Thatcher, who is suspected of involvement in a coup bid in  the oil-rich country, officials said on Friday.


Russia finds air crash explosive

Russian officials say traces of explosive have been found in the debris of one of two crashed airliners.


Progress of Rule Reviews Difficult to Track

Three years ago, the regulatory overseers at the new Bush administration's    Office of Management and Budget  invited suggestions on which federal rules needed some work -- a tuneup, elimination, or maybe a new rule altogether. The effort was directed by Congress, which wanted the OMB to report to it annually on the costs and benefits of regulation and send along an inventory of ineffective or inefficient rules that should be reformed or killed.


Big Four rapped for auditing errors

THE Big Four accounting firms - Ernst  amp; Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG and Deloitte - made repeated mistakes in their auditing of US companies, a new watchdog has reported.


FTSE extends jump

The FTSE 100 share index has pushed to its highest level for eight weeks as its longest winning streak since January is extended by strong major drugs and oils stocks.


Initial jobless claims up 10,000 in a week

WASHINGTON - Initial unemployment claims rose last week for the first time in four weeks, boosted by more filings related to Hurricane Charley, a government report showed yesterday.


Business Topics by Industry

gt;Citigroup Inc. was sued by a group of institutional investors who contend the bank defrauded them in selling \$2.4 billion of notes linked to the creditworthiness of Enron Corp.


Teck Cominco asks US court to dismiss lawsuit

Canadian mining company Teck Cominco Ltd. asked a US court yesterday to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by a US native group whose land borders Lake Roosevelt, just over the border in Washington state.


State Street Research acquired

A historic name in mutual funds will soon vanish from Boston #39;s investing scene, with BlackRock Inc. #39;s agreement yesterday to acquire State Street Research  amp; Management


Tweak Windows XP SP2 Security to Your Advantage

Windows XP is a safe and secure operating system. Really, it is--as long as you don #39;t connect it to the Internet. To be fair, other operating systems, including Linux and Mac OS X, are vulnerable to online attacks, too.


Nokia, Vodafone tie up for Java apps

This step towards easy portability of software from one Java-enabled mobile device to another, which is currently not the case because there is no standard specification, would ultimately provide mobile customers with a wide choice of feature rich Java


Sport fishing a threat to saltwater species?

New research indicates that sport fishermen are taking an unexpectedly big toll on saltwater fish populations, in some cases landing more fish than their commercial counterparts.


NASA says foam peril removed from shuttle

NASA #39;s redesigned space-shuttle fuel tanks no longer should shed dangerous pieces of foam when launches resume next spring, officials said yesterday.


Tri-Mode Wi-Fi Module from Intel

Its short for wireless fidelity, and it is used to describe products that follow the 802.11 set of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).


UK broadband charges  #39;still too high #39;

Broadband access charges are still too high and need to be slashed further to bring them in line with other nations, the UK #39;s media and telecoms regulator says.


Why Are Killer Bees So Slow?

The dreaded Africanized honey beebetter known as the  quot;killer bee quot;may be buzzing slightly northward. Entomologists believe that an Africanized swarm was responsible for an attack in Tipton, Okla.


Blogs may be good for business

If you #39;re the tech-savvy sort, you may already know about blogs. If not, blog is short for Web log, a sort of online journal. They #39;re the hottest thing to hit the Internet since Anna Kournikova.


Even in victory, US loses face

ATHENS - The US might have found its shooting touch in time to retain gold in Olympic basketball, but American attempts at diplomacy continue to miss badly.


Jeers turn to cheers

Shrugging off the boos and jeers that delayed the start, Shawn Crawford led an American sweep of the medals in the men #39;s 200-metre race yesterday at the Summer Games.


New Zealand goes 1-2 in triathlon

Hamish Carter knew what he was up against when he and Bevan Docherty ran down the stretch together in the Olympic triathlon in Athens.


Felix Sanchez of Dominican Republic wins men #39;s 400m hurdles gold

Twice world champion Felix Sanchez of Dominican Republic won the men #39;s 400m hurdles gold medal at the Olympic Games here on Thursday.


It #39;s back to the future for Mourinho and Larsson

The Champions League group stages will take two of European football #39;s biggest personalities - Jose Mourinho and Henrik Larsson - back to their old stomping grounds quicker than either might have expected.


Hamm judges self as worthy

American gymnast Paul Hamm has a message for all his detractors: Don #39;t disparage his gold. Speaking at Chelsea Piers yesterday, Hamm remained defiant against growing criticism over his controversial gold medal


NCAA #39;s decision on Southern Cal receiver draws criticism

Thursday #39;s decision by the NCAA not to reinstate Southern California star wide receiver Mike Williams drew particularly strident and pointed criticism from a high-ranking school


Williams contacts Dolphins; no desire to rejoin team

Retired running back Ricky Williams says he contacted the Miami Dolphins this week at the request of his agent but has no plans to rejoin the team anytime soon.


Berlusconi condemns reported killing of Italian hostage in Iraq

Premier Silvio Berlusconi vowed Italian troops would not leave Iraq even and condemned the reported killing of an Italian hostage as an act


Sudan criticised over Janjaweed

Sudan is allowing armed pro-government groups to operate at least 16 militia camps in the western region of Darfur, a human rights group claims.


Chile: Pinochet stripped of immunity

This has revived the hopes of his foes who want him to stand trial on charges of human rights abuses for atrocities under his 1973-1990 regime.


Assam bombings designed to  #39;trigger panic #39;

A spate of bombings that has killed six people and injured scores in the past two days is aimed at triggering panic in the revolt-hit Indian state of Assam, an official says.


Typhoon #39;s death toll at 35; nearly 1 million evacuated

SHANGHAI, China -- The death toll from Typhoon Aere climbed to 35 on Thursday after a mudslide killed 15 villagers in Taiwan, while nearly a million people were evacuated as the storm thrashed mainland China.


Australia  #39;Lethal #39; Missile Plans Ruffle Feathers

Australia is moving toward having the region #39;s most advanced missile strike capability, but the plan has prompted concerns in a region where the country


Why we enjoy telling people off

Telling people off activates a part of the brain linked to enjoyment and satisfaction, say scientists.


Boom times ahead for smartphones

The popularity of mobiles packed with features is set to explode as they get better and cheaper, say analysts.


A Gandhi preaches peace in Mideast

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- A grandson of Mohandas Gandhi took the Indian leader's doctrine of nonviolent resistance yesterday to Yasser Arafat's bullet-riddled headquarters in the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


Explosives Found in Russian Jet Wreckage

MOSCOW - Traces of explosives have been found in the wreckage of one of two airliners that crashed nearly simultaneously earlier this week, the Federal Security Service said Friday, a day after a top official acknowledged that terrorism was the most likely cause of the crashes.    A duty officer at the agency, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, confirmed reports on Russian news agencies that cited agency spokesman Sergei Ignatchenko as saying that "preliminary analysis indicates it was hexogen."   The announcement came several hours after a Web site known for militant Muslim published a claim of responsibility for the twin crashes, connecting the action to Russia's fight against separatists in Chechnya...


S.Africa Says No Extradition Request for Thatcher (Reuters)

Reuters - South Africa has not received an\official request from Equatorial Guinea for the extradition of\Mark Thatcher, who is suspected of involvement in a coup bid in\the oil-rich country, officials said on Friday.


Dollar Eases Before GDP Data, Greenspan

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar turned tail from recent  three-week highs against the euro and Swiss franc on Friday as  investors grew cautious ahead of U.S. growth data and a speech  by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.


Old glory

ATHENS -- There was an elegant symmetry to it -- from Athens to Athens, from glory back to glory. The US women's soccer team won its first Olympic gold medal eight years ago in Athens, Ga., beginning its four-year reign on top of the world. Last night, after a mighty struggle, the Americans returned there, holding off relentless Brazil, 2-1, ...


NL notables

Chicago's Sammy Sosa was in a 14-for-75 slump when he connected. He needs one homer to reach 30 for a 10th straight season. Houston's Carlos Beltran homered for the fourth straight game, giving him 33, 18 since being acquired from Kansas City June 24. Astro Jeff Bagwell's homer was his first in 12 days. He needs one homer to reach ...


By homing in, Arroyo gets the fans' support

Wondering just how much it meant to Bronson Arroyo when a standing ovation from a soldout Fenway Park punctuated his winning effort last night? Perhaps, more than you can imagine.


Yankees top Toronto

Alex Rodriguez finally came through in the clutch, hitting a go-ahead single in the ninth inning to help the New York Yankees rally past the Blue Jays, 7-4, last night in Toronto. After the Yankees came back from a 4-0 deficit to tie it, Derek Jeter drew a leadoff walk from Jason Frasor (4-4) in the ninth. Gary Sheffield doubled ...


AL notables

Baltimore's Miguel Tejada was hitless in three straight games for the first time all season. He'd gone without a hit in back-to-back games six times. The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez entered his final at-bat hitting just .197 (23 for 117) with runners in scoring position. He grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the fifth, falling to ...


Homestretch for Pena

Carlos Pena was all hellos, handshakes, and hugs before facing the Red Sox last night at Fenway Park. Leaning over the waist-high wall by the visitors' dugout, he greeted friends and family members. All the early arrivals seemed to have some connection to the Detroit Tigers' first baseman through either his hometown of Haverhill or his alma mater, Northeastern.


Nixon is back in the swing

Forget September call-ups. The Red Sox may tap their minor league system for an extra player or two when the rules allow them to expand their 25-man roster Wednesday, but any help from the farm is likely to pale against the abundance of talent they gain from the return of numerous players, including Trot Nixon , from the disabled list.


California, Mexico advance to next level

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Looking ahead to the US championship game almost cost Conejo Valley in the semifinals of the Little League World Series.


Gill breaks foot in US loss

Defenseman Hal Gill is the latest veteran to drop off the Bruins roster after breaking his left foot during the US team's 3-1 World Cup of Hockey exhibition loss to Canada in Ottawa Wednesday night.


NU coach's credentials rock-solid

The people at Northeastern did their homework when they named Rocky Hager the 10th head coach in school history March 10. He takes over a program that has known both success and frustration -- and both during the last year. Hager was one of the cornerstones of a North Dakota State powerhouse that won four national championships from 1985-90 -- ...


This year, the computers can be outvoted

It's over. For now. At least that's the hope of the people who have tried to make the Bowl Championship Series run the right way the past few years. Six BCS title games have been played, and three times they matched up the wrong teams. Last season was the ultimate fiasco when Southern Cal, ranked No. 1 in both the ...


Sky's the limit for Falcons

This season will likely be the most successful yet for the Northeast-10 Conference, thanks to a change in the Division 2 playoff format.The NCAA tournament expands from 16 to 24 teams, adding two to each of the four regionals. Even better for the NE-10, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference -- home of last year's Division 2 national champion, Grand Valley ...


Harvard boasts big-time talent

Clifton Dawson had been on the Harvard campus exactly one day before preseason practice began for the 2003 season. There was little time to introduce himself to his teammates.  quot;I wondered what was expected of me and I felt I had something to prove, quot; said Dawson, who had withdrawn from Northwestern -- where he was on a football scholarship -- ...


He's in position to help UMass

AMHERST -- University of Massachusetts wide receiver Nathanael Hasselbeck did his best to make the high-degree-of-difficulty catch, but the ball slipped from his hands and fell to the grass. For the next few moments of practice, the Boston College transfer gave himself a harsh tongue-lashing that continued even as teammates patted him on the back. You wouldn't think this was ...


Sweeping giants: US dominates 200

ATHENS -- A disruptive Greek chorus of whistles, chanting, and catcalls could not derail a crowd-silencing American sweep in the men's 200-meter dash at the Olympic Games last night.


Champs will take their show on the road

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The US women's soccer team will begin its 10-game Olympic gold medal celebration tour Sept. 25 at Frontier Field against Ireland.


Semi heat breeze for Jones, US

ATHENS -- Marion Jones returned to the Olympic track last night to do what she does best -- sprint.


Cayard's hopes stalled; Tornado duo eyes medal

ATHENS -- A disappointed Paul Cayard embraced the Star Class gold medalist, Brazil's Torben Grael, yesterday as they came off the water and assessed his own chances to leave Athens with a medal.


Numbers of poor, uninsured rise

The US poverty rate rose, incomes stagnated, and more Americans went without health insurance last year, even though economic growth surged, according to Census Bureau data released yesterday.


Greeks under fire for drug policing

ATHENS -- On the day the world track federation (IAAF) opened an investigation into alleged drug violations by two Greek sprinters and their coach, IAAF Doping Commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said the organization had long been unhappy with Greece's approach to anti-doping rules.


Bank of America details Conn. jobs

Connecticut's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, said yesterday that Bank of America Corp. told him it would cut 100 jobs in Connecticut but add about the same number, marking the first time the bank has given any state an account of how many employees would be affected by its merger with FleetBoston Financial Corp.


Not enough room

Despite a new study indicating nearly 16,000 dormitory beds have been created over the past 14 years, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday that colleges and universities will have to consider freezing enrollments to avoid adding to Boston's housing shortage.


N.Y. nervous? Fugedaboutit

NEW YORK -- In a city where terror attacks and a massive blackout have come, gone, and failed to stop business as usual, a few thousand Republicans are unlikely to slow things down.


A far cry from smoke-filled reporters' havens of past

Reporters who tire of searching for real news at New York's Republican National Convention next week -- or who just want a safe haven from their editors -- can look forward to some downtime in a private hideaway just for them.


Guo tucks away gold for China

China's Guo Jingjing easily won the women's 3-meter springboard last night, and Wu Minxia made it a 1-2 finish for the world's diving superpower, taking the silver.


Fleet's turn

Back in the days when Fleet Financial was riding high, rolling up the New England banking industry, Michael Zucchini was the man CEO Terry Murray turned to right after he was done with his latest press conference regarding his latest acquisition.


Cypher market share climbs

Guidant Corp. said yesterday that the Cypher cardiac stent regained some market share after rival Boston Scientific Corp. conducted three recalls of its competing device.


Problems found in auditing industry

WASHINGTON -- The first inspections of the Big Four accounting firms by the board overseeing the industry turned up significant problems in their audits of companies' books and quality control, but the findings don't constitute a  quot;broad negative assessment, quot; an official said yesterday. .


State Street Research acquired

A historic name in mutual funds will soon vanish from Boston's investing scene, with BlackRock Inc.'s agreement yesterday to acquire State Street Research  amp; Management Co., an 80-year-old money manager with Brahmin roots, for \$375 million.


US success will hinge on philosophy change

ATHENS -- Unfortunately for the United States, the Olympic boxing tournament has gone just about as expected.


Club titles on the line in Newton

Don't expect to see Lance Armstong or Tyler Hamilton at Wells Avenue in Newton Sunday; just expect to see a lot of cyclists who aspire to be like the Tour de France veterans.


TD acquires Banknorth stake

Banknorth branches across New England will become TD Banknorth under an agreement yesterday that gives Canada's TD Bank Financial Group a controlling stake in New England's largest independent bank.


Quite a stable

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Trainer Nick Zito has hit the trifecta before tomorrow's Travers Stakes at Saratoga is even run. The personable conditioner has such a deep team of 3-year-olds that he will send out three of the seven competitors in the \$1 million event, led by Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone.


Kuwait kidnap firm to leave Iraq

A Kuwaiti company bows to demands of kidnappers in Iraq holding seven of its employees, saying it will halt operations there.


Torre's filly packs a Punch' in win

Sugar Punch, a 3-year-old filly owned in part by New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, held off Beautiful America by a neck yesterday afternoon to win the inaugural running of the \$66,500 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies and mares at 6 furlongs.


There's no beating three of a kind

ATHENS -- Hey, world, BALCO this . There were, shall we say, somewhat lowered expectations for the US in the sprints, were there not? Guess again. Justin Gatlin won the 100-meter dash Sunday, but that was just the appetizer for last night's main course, when America went 1-2-3 in the 200.


Kobe Trial Begins

EAGLE, Colo. (CBS) Justice, a woman #39;s honor, and an NBA superstar #39;s career and freedom. There is much at stake as jury selection begins Friday in the rape trial of Kobe Bryant.


Council apology over phone mast

Sheffield City Council apologises to residents after giving permission for a mobile phone mast by mistake.


Rebel cleric orders his men to lay down arms

Guns were largely silent in Najaf today for the first time in weeks, after Iraq #39;s top Shiite cleric made a dramatic return to the holy city and swiftly won agreement from a rebel cleric and the government to end three weeks of fighting between his militia


Ghost towns bear witness to Sudanese violence

Ahmed Arajah can #39;t help coming down from the hills to his crumbled house to rummage through its charred remains, the cracked plates, the girls #39; shoes and broken oil


ConAgra Recalls Chicken Breast Strips Across US

ConAgra Foods Inc. is recalling voluntarily 85,600 pounds of chicken breast strips that may contain pieces of metal, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service said on Thursday.


Feds snare 103 in Internet crime fight

WASHINGTON - A summerlong effort targeting Internet crime has resulted in 103 arrests and 53 convictions on charges including use of  quot;spam quot; e-mail to steal credit card numbers, computer hacking and online fraud, Justice Department officials said Thursday.


Big Blue Absorbs Venetica in Move To Strengthen Information <b>...</b>

CHARLOTTE - In a move it says will strengthen its bid to dominate information integration markets, IBM announced Thursday that it was acquiring Venetica, a Charlotte-based developer of database integration tools.


Shearer: Toon have to go out and sign Rooney

ALAN SHEARER last night stepped into the ward of words between Craig Bellamy and Newcastle over Wayne Rooney by saying,  quot;Let #39;s go out and sign him.


DAVE BARRY: Thanks, Athens, for great Games

I #39;m leaving the Olympics and heading home, assuming the plane can lift me. This is a concern because I #39;ve gained many kilometers of mass from eating Greek food, especially  quot;baklava


Kobe Bryant Jury Selection Begins Today

About 500 prospective jurors will be in an Eagle, Colorado, courtroom Friday, answering an 82-item questionnaire in preparation for the Kobe Bryant sexual assault trial.


Car bomb blasts near US convoy in Mosul

A car bomb blasted near a US military convoy in the Iraqi city of Mosul on Friday, wounding at least 10 civilians, Qatar-based al-Jazeera television reported.


Why we enjoy telling people off

Telling people off activates a part of the brain linked to enjoyment and satisfaction, researchers report in Science magazine.


Free Agent: Where the Geeks Are Taking Us

LinuxWorld Expo came to San Francisco, and our columnist managed to ignore most of the show. Read on to see what did catch his eye.


HP moving deeper into consumer electronics arena

Personal computer giant Hewlett-Packard is stepping deeper than ever into the consumer electronics arena with its fall product lineup -o don #39;t be surprised if you hear


Howell maintains Cup bid

Ryder Cup hopeful David Howell picked up where he left off when the BMW International Open - the final qualifying event for Europes side -esumed in Munich today.


Everton stand firm over striker bids

EVERTON showed they would not be bullied into selling Wayne Rooney last night by rejecting a 23.5million bid from Newcastle - as Manchester United gamble on Goodison #39;s resolve to keep the striker.


ROCHELLE RILEY: Whining is worst call at the Olympics

You know the line. If you saw  quot;A League of Their Own, quot; the film about the first women #39;s baseball league, you can still hear Tom Hanks saying it.


Baseball Today

* Abraham Nunez, Royals, hit his second grand slam in two weeks to lead Kansas City over Seattle 7-3. * Aaron Harang, Reds, limited St.


A peace deal is reached in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq -- Iraq #39;s top Shi #39;ite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, made a dramatic return to Najaf on Thursday and won agreement from a rebel cleric and the government to end three weeks of fighting between his militia and US-Iraqi forces.


NASA Notes Some Progress in Making Shuttles Safer

NASA officials said Thursday that they had made significant progress in making shuttles safer and changing the way they do business.


M.I.T. Makes Yale Provost First Woman to Be Its Chief

Susan Hockfield, a 53-year-old neuroscientist, is the first woman and the first person from the life sciences to achieve the presidency.


Sport Anglers Said to Catch More Fish Than Thought

Casual fishermen reel in nearly a quarter of the catch of overfished saltwater species, a much higher share than previously thought, researchers report in a new study.


U.S. Report Turns Focus to Greenhouse Gases

Previously, the Bush administration stressed uncertainties in understanding the causes and consequences of global warming.


Oil Losses Ease on Iraq Pipeline Attack

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday, stemming five  days of heavy losses as fresh sabotage attacks on Iraqi oil  infrastructure renewed concern over the country's supplies,  despite a peace deal in Najaf


Russia Prices Its Lukoil Stake; Conoco Is Expected Top Bidder

The Russian government set a starting price of \$1.93 billion (1.6 billion euros) for its 7.6 stake in oil giant OAO Lukoil at an auction set for next month at which ConocoPhillips Corp.


Industry report

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire launched a voluntary safety campaign Thursday to replace 27,000 tires, the same model as those involved in accidents that injured more than a dozen people and killed one.


Ofcom publishes proposals for local loop unbundling

Converged communications watchdog Ofcom is proposing BT more than halve its prices for making its last-mile copper telephone network available to competing broadband providers.


Spanish coach bitter after team #39;s only loss

ATHENS -- Spain did not go quietly in basketball. At least, its basketball coach, Mario Pesquera, did not. Pesquera was upset and outspoken following the 102-94 loss to the Americans that took the previously


Sports briefs for August 26, 2004

Arsenal beat Blackburn 3-0 for its 43rd consecutive English Premiership match without a loss, breaking a record for England #39;s top soccer league set in 1978 by Nottingham Forest, which went without a loss from November 1977 to December the following year.


Chile court strips Pinochet of immunity

The Supreme Court of Chile stripped former dictator Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution yesterday, a landmark ruling in the decades-long effort by human-rights activists to bring him to justice for the killing of civilians during his rule.


BA boss to work in departures as airline battles staff shortages

Rod Eddington, the head of British Airways, and his boardroom colleagues will work alongside terminal employees at Heathrow this weekend as the airline pulls out all the stops to cope with a chronic shortage of ground staff.


Feds launches new offensive against Internet crime

More than 100 people have been arrested following the US law enforcement agencies #39; latest offensive against Internet related crime.


American Phillips wins men #39;s long jump gold (with results)

Dwight Phillips of the United States proved he is the best long jumper in the world this year, winning the men #39;s final tonight with a massive first leap of 8.59 meters at the Olympic Games here on Thursday.


All That Secrecy Is Expensive

Not only is the U.S. government keeping too many secrets, it's spending too much money to do it. That's the conclusion of a government watchdog group, which estimates more than \$6.5 billion was spent last year keeping data under wraps. By Noah Shachtman.


New Nukes at U.S. Border

U.S. agents next week will start scanning trucks crossing the Mexico border with a device that shoots neutrons to detect what exactly is hidden in the cargo. By Ryan Singel.


Tech and Art Mix at RNC Protest

Artist Natalie Jeremijenko is unleashing a series of unique works at the Republican National Convention that combine art, engineering and old-fashioned protesting. Noah Shachtman reports from New York.


Exhibit Features Viruses as Art

Computer viruses aren't just for wreaking havoc on global networks. They're also an art form. That's the take of an upcoming exhibit that focuses on malicious scripts, hacker films and the aesthetic charms of programming code. By Michelle Delio.


Loser Delivers Laughs

Don't be fooled by the title. Dear Valued Customer, You Are a Loser is not just hilarious. The book also brings up an interesting question about the relationship between humans and technology. A review by Amit Asaravala.


The Dean Machine Marches On

The doctor is out, but his tactics drive campaigns from Florida to Alaska. By Samantha M. Shapiro from Wired magazine.


Feds Wrap Up Online-Crime Dragnet

The Department of Justice says dozens of people have been arrested or convicted for online crimes this summer, as part of its effort to show that the internet is not 'off-base for law enforcement,' according to Attorney General John Ashcroft.


'Secure Flight' Replaces CAPPS II

The Transportation Security Administration shifts responsibility for screening travelers from the airlines to the government. The new system, dubbed Secure Flight, seeks to target fewer people and to do so more accurately.


Baseball Today (AP)

AP - San Francisco at Atlanta (7:35 p.m. EDT). Kirk Rueter faces Jaret Wright and the Braves.


U.S., Militants Battle in Central Baghdad (AP)

AP - A gunbattle between U.S. forces and militants erupted in central Baghdad on Friday, witnesses said.


Donkeys and satellite phones pave the way for Afghan elections (AFP)

AFP - Organising the first presidential election in Afghanistan, a country largely without power, roads or literacy, has required a leap of imagination that has encompassed everything from donkeys to satellite phones.


Oil Steadies, Investors Wary Ahead of GDP

LONDON (Reuters) - European equities clung to three-week  highs on Friday as oil steadied around the \$43 a barrel mark.


'Distressed' Thatcher flies home

Baroness Thatcher returns home as it emerges her son Sir Mark could face extradition proceedings.


Bank Holiday Pledge as BA Cancels More Flights

British Airways had to cancel six more flights today but promised to cope with the Bank Holiday rush over the weekend. The airline, which has suffered with plane


Dairy creams off Tesco milk deal

East Kilbride-based dairy group Robert Wiseman is celebrating its second major milk contract after sealing a new deal with supermarket giant Tesco.


GUS seeks partial Lewis IPO

Retailer GUS will float part of its South African business, the Lewis Group, it says, against a backdrop of investor pressure to release more cash through demergers.


Sears Canada fires top exec -- parent #39;s CFO takes over as chair

Sears Canada fired its top executive Thursday over what it characterized as  #39; #39;strategic differences #39; #39; and enlisted the chief financial officer of parent company Sears, Roebuck Co.


HP iPod launches today

The announcement will be made at a news conference led by company CEO Carly Fiorina in Miami. The company will also unveil a range of products aimed at the consumer markets, including a 42-inch


China #39;s consumer electronic industry to hit \$94 billion

HONG KONG - China #39;s consumer electronics industry is projected to reach \$49.6 billion in sales this year, growing by more than 20 percent annually to reach \$94 billion in 2007, according to a report from Global Sources Ltd.


Marbury #39;s groove puts Americans on track

ATHENS, Greece -- It took one innocent 30-second comment from Stephon Marbury to sum up the American basketball problem and show how easy it would be to fix it.


Radcliffe confirms bid for 10,000m

World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe will run in Friday evening #39;s women #39;s 10,000 meters final. British athletics team spokeswoman Emily Lewis said Radcliffe had confirmed


Down To Business For Kobe Case

You are going to hear a lot over the next few days from jury consultants who are going to opine about what sort of jurors each side wants to select in the Kobe Bryant rape case.


NHL blasts players #39; union for contract talks stalemate

OTTAWAThe NHL turned up the heat in its ongoing stalemate with its players #39; association counterparts here yesterday. And as the two parties - two solitudes, actually -xited the latest round of inertia


Supreme Court confirms decision to strip Pinochet of immunity

The Chilean Supreme Court yesterday confirmed the decision taken last May by the Appeal Court to strip Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution.


Oil Losses Ease on Iraq Pipeline Attack (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil prices rose on Friday, stemming five\days of heavy losses as fresh sabotage attacks on Iraqi oil\infrastructure renewed concern over the country's supplies,\despite a peace deal in Najaf


Mass grave unearthed in DR Congo

A grave containing "numerous" bodies is found in north-eastern DR Congo, UN peacekeepers say.


Tarantino to star in Muppets film

Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino is to appear in a Muppets film based on The Wizard of Oz.


Investors in Google search for strategy (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Google's stock has now traded for its first full week, inviting stock jocks to start handicapping whether or not it will hold onto its early gains or get the goo knocked out of it.


TiVo puts a brave face on subscription numbers (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Digital video recorder pioneer TiVo sent mixed signals Thursday about the progress of its ambitious effort to win new subscribers and become profitable.


Does your tech stuff need extra protection? (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Every day, consumers plunk down millions of dollars for cell phones, computers and high-end electronics that are supposed to make their lives better. And every night, they lie awake worrying that their new PCs or plasma TVs will spontaneously combust the day their warranty expires.


Kuwaiti firm bows to kidnappers' demands, stops work in Iraq (AFP)

AFP - The Kuwaiti firm which has seven truck drivers held hostage in Iraq has decided to halt operations in the troubled country, bowing to the kidnappers' condition for their release, it said.


Oil Rebounds After Iraq Pipeline Attack

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday, stemming five  days of heavy losses as fresh sabotage attacks on Iraqi oil  infrastructure despite a peace deal in Najaf renewed concern  over the country's supplies.


Croatia Removes Nazi-Era Leaders' Plaques

ZAGREB (Reuters) - Under heavy police security, Croatia  removed two plaques commemorating Nazi-era officials on Friday  in the first such action since independence in 1991.


Director pay deals 'surge 12.8'

UK director pay rose 12.8 to an average of almost 600,000 during 2003 - three times faster than average staff earnings, a survey says.


US Presley festival under threat

Poor ticket sales are threatening the future of the annual Elvis Presley Festival in the late star's home town.


Players prepare for Half-Life 2

Gamers are getting their hands on encrypted copies of the eagerly awaited Half-Life 2 game.


Contractors and the Law

Details of the role civilian contractors played in the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq sparked fresh debate yesterday about the effectiveness of laws and rules meant to govern workers hired to support the military. -The Washington Post


U.S. Technologies Stock Delisted After Fraud

U.S. Technologies Inc., a once high-flying Washington firm, ceased to exist as a publicly traded company when its stock was de-registered yesterday, four months after chief executive C. Gregory Earls was convicted of defrauding investors of \$13.8 million. -The Washington Post


Glaxo settles fraud suit

The pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to settle consumer fraud charges by posting online both negative and positive results from its clinical drug trials, a practice that New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said should have been made


Update 1: Interbrew Shareholders Back Ambev Linkup

Shareholders of Belgian brewer Interbrew SA gave unanimous backing Friday to the linkup of their family company with Brazil #39;s Ambev to form the world #39;s largest brewer by volume.


AA passengers can chew on this offer

Got the munchies at 30,000 feet but don #39;t care for the typical  quot;complimentary quot; airline food? You don #39;t need to bail out on the eats much longer - more and more airlines are grounding such chow.


Asian Stock Markets Close Mostly Higher

Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday, with the key indexes edging higher both in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Tokyo #39;s Nikkei Stock Average of 225 issues rose 80.


Agencies crack down on cyberfraud

Hoping to clean up the Internet #39;s reputation as a haven for scam artists, federal officials unveiled a series of arrests, indictments and convictions Thursday involving a range of cyberfraud.


Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft #39;s OS Update

The service pack is notable mostly for a variety of new security features, including fixes to many known problems, a new version of the Windows Firewall that is turned on by default, and a new security center.


Intel and Linksys deliver  quot;simpler quot; Wi-Fi software

Intel Corp. and Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems Inc., yesterday announced the delivery of software that the companies hope will simplify the deployment of Wi-Fi networks for residential and small business users.


Ofcom acts tough on Local Loop Unbundling

The communications watchdog is looking to create an independent pricing structure for broadband operators to offer connections directly to customers through Local Loop Unbundling (LLU), instead of renting them from major network owner BT.


IBM buys content integration provider

IBM Corp. #39;s software division notched up its 18th acquisition in three years yesterday, announcing the purchase of content integration specialist Venetica Corp.


Aussie PM caught in spam row

THE AUSTRALIAM Prime Minister, a man called John Howard, is at the centre of a spam row. When Howards party steered through an anti-spam law late last year it came with a couple of loopholes that were opposed by the opposition.


Government fires workers over Web porn

The government has fired 19 civil servants and disciplined more than 200 in an unprecedented crackdown on viewing Internet porn at work, officials say.


VeriSign to fight on after ICANN suit dismissed

A US federal judge yesterday tossed a crucial lawsuit between VeriSign Inc. and the Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers, but VeriSign vowed to continue the legal battle in a different jurisdiction.


Canon CP-330 Compact Photo Printer

The combination of the size (2.2 by 6.7 by 4.8 inches, HWD), weight (2.5 pounds with the battery), and battery lets you bring the printer and a PictBridge camera anywhere and print photos on the spot.


Phishing lures first German victims

Two clients of Germany #39;s Postbank have fallen for an email fraud that led them to reveal money transfer codes to a bogus Web site -- the first case of this scam in German, prosecutors say.


Virtual Girl

For guys who have been striking out in the love department, a Hong Kong company has developed a virtual girlfriend for new cell phones with video screens.


MIKE WENDLAND: Instant-messaging trend spreads among adults

Instant messaging has become a key way in which Americans communicate. And Detroit-area residents are right up there with IMers anywhere, with 58 percent of all Internet users in southeastern Michigan using IM regularly.


Olympics: Radcliffe to run 10,000 metres after Olympic marathon <b>...</b>

ATHENS : British marathon flop Paula Radcliffe will run the Olympic 10,000 metres final, British athletics team officials said.  quot;Paula has decided to run the 10,000 metres, quot; a British athletics team spokeswoman said.


China soars in springboard, takes 3-meter gold for 5th straight <b>...</b>

Athens -- They might as well paint the diving board red. The gold medal for women #39;s 3-meter springboard diving went to the Chinese -- for the fifth Olympics in a row.


Athletics: Aarrett 29th in 50km walk

Craig Barrett couldn #39;t improve on his efforts of four years ago as he ended more than four hours of hot toil with a 29th placing in the Olympic Games 50km walk here today.


GILL ON ROONEY

quot;All I can tell you is to reiterate what we put out to the stock exchange this morning. We confirmed, following media speculation, that we had made a bid for Wayne.


Schumacher tipped to win seventh championship

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS - Although Michael Schumacher could still see his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello take the world title from him, few doubt that he will finalise his seventh championship at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.


49er #39;s last race

A royal reception awaited the new 49er Olympic Champions as Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez stepped ashore after the last race of the regatta yestrday.


Najaf Peace Accord Reported

(CBS/AP) Iraq #39;s interim government and rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have both agreed to a peace deal presented by top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al-Sistani to end three weeks of fighting in the holy city of Najaf.


Mother of Kim Jong-il #39;s Sons Reported Dead

South Korean officials say they have been unable to confirm news reports that the wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died after a long illness.


Thai Prime Minister continues with visit to the South despite bomb <b>...</b>

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says that his visit to the South will not be deterred by yesterdays bomb blasts. Mr Thaksin arrived in the Pattani province today, as part of his scheduled trip to Southern Thailand.


Car Bomb Explodes Near US Convoy in Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq, Aug 27 - A car bomb exploded near a US military convoy in the Iraqi city of Mosul on Friday, wounding at least 10 civilians, police and hospital officials said.


Boardroom fight snags RedEnvelope (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - RedEnvelope, a San Francisco online retailer that survived the Internet downturn to become a public company last year, is caught in the middle of a boardroom fight between dissident shareholders and one of Silicon Valley's most successful venture capitalists.


Bangladesh calls in Interpol over bombing of political rally (AFP)

AFP - Bangladesh has called in Interpol to assist investigations into the August 21 grenade attack on an opposition rally which killed 20 people, a senior police officer said.


Stocks to Watch Friday

U.S. oil major ConocoPhillips is seeking to buy up to 25  percent in Russian oil giant LUKOIL LKOH.RTS, booking  billions of barrels of new reserves, an industry source  familiar with the matter said on Friday. ConocoPhillips shares  closed at \$72.70 on the New York Stock Exchange.


Investigators Find Explosives in Russia Plane Wreck

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Explosive of a kind used by Chechen  rebels has been found in one of two airliners that crashed  simultaneously, Russian investigators said, making it look ever  likelier that the disaster was a political attack.


Managers Move Some Funds to Europe, Asia (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. fund managers seem inclined not\to make any big shifts in allocations among the major asset\classes, but a new Reuters poll shows money moving into Europe\outside of the Eurozone and into non-Japan Asia.


Census: Poverty up in 2003

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans in poverty and those without health insurance each rose by more than 1 million in 2003, the Census Bureau reported Thursday.


Canadian group gets Banknorth foothold

Banknorth Group Inc. of Portland and TD Bank Financial Group of Toronto announced a merger Thursday that gives Banknorth money to expand while setting the stage


Tesco drops Dairy Crest

Shares in dairy giant Dairy Crest Group have fallen more than 18 percent after supermarket chain Tesco said it no longer wants its fresh milk.


July profit of \$6 million disappoints, United says

United Airlines said in a bankruptcy-court filing yesterday that it eked out a \$6 million net profit last month during the middle of the busy summer travel season.


Operation Web Snare targets online crime

The action, dubbed Operation Web Snare, entailed more than 160 investigations over a three month period between June and August. Investigators say they have identified more than 150,000 victims with estimated losses of more than \$215 million.


Science calls for anglers to cut line

All those recreational anglers who dangle bait off US coasts are catching a much bigger share of fish -- especially some threatened species -- than commonly thought, researchers report in a new study.


Oracle extends offer for PeopleSoft again

Oracle #39;s hostile bid to acquire rival enterprise software maker PeopleSoft for \$7.7bn (4.3bn) is set to continue for a bit longer.


Korzeniowski retains men #39;s 50km walk gold

Poland #39;s Robert Korzeniowski retained his 50km walk title at the Olympic Games here on Friday. The 36-year-old, who swept both walk gold medals in the Sydney Olympics four years


Russian and China Reach Women #39;s Volleyball Final

esilient Russia is going to another gold-medal game in women #39;s volleyball, and it will take on China, which ended Cuba #39;s streak of three straight Olympic championships.


Bryant Rape Trial to Begin Today

On one point, both sides agree: The sexual encounter in Kobe Bryant #39;s hotel suite was over in a matter of minutes. But that episode on a summer night in the Colorado mountains


Explosive of a kind used by Chechen rebels has been found in one of two airliners that crashed simultaneously, Russian investigators said, making it look ever likelier that the disaster was a political attack.


Tearing up the road map

In 2002, President Bush laid down a  quot;road map for peace quot; between Israel and the Palestinians. That road map, to which Israel agreed, called flatly for Israelis to immediately freeze all settlement activity on the occupied West Bank.


Can Khartoum disarm the janjaweed militia?

DARFUR, Sudan: Khadijah Mohammed Ali Ardamatta, a resident of the Ardamatta camp in West Darfur, removed her shawl to show a deep wound in her chest sustained when Arab militias attacked her in February in her village of Noury.


Oil Losses Ease on Iraq Pipeline Attack

US crude climbed 40 cents to \$43.50 a barrel, around \$6 below a record peak struck last Friday at \$49.40. London #39;s Brent crude gained 42 cents to \$40.


Mother of North Korean President #39;s Sons Reported Dead

South Korean officials are trying to confirm reports that the most influential woman in North Korea has died. Ko Young Hee, is sometimes referred to as the wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.


UN Report: Effect of Sanctions On Terrorist Groups Unclear

A United Nations (UN) report states that although the assets of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda have been frozen, it is hard to tell what this means.


Cypriot govt condemns bomb attack on church

The Cypriot government on Friday denounced a bomb attack that rattled the Church of Agios Mamas Friday morning in the town of Morphou in Turkey-controlled northern Cyprus.


Before-the-Bell: Chiron Shares Stumble

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Chiron Corp. CHIR.O fell 7  percent before the market open on Friday, a day after the  biopharmaceutical company said it is delaying shipment of its  flu vaccine, Fluvirin, because lots containing 4 million  vaccines do not meet product sterility standards.


Mia Hamm Happy to Be Retiring Unhurt

ATHENS (Reuters) - On the first day of the rest of her  life, American Mia Hamm said she was relieved to be retiring  unhurt after being the dominant women's soccer player of her  generation.


Karzai sworn in before Cheney and Rumsfeld

Hamid Karzai warned world leaders of the threat from terrorism and drugs after being sworn as Afghanistans first popularly-elected president today.


Caution: Angry Artists at Work

Political fervor stemming from the Republican National Convention is being translated into art in mediums that range from painting and sculpture to Web art to political ephemera.


Jury Selection Begins in Kobe Bryant Case

EAGLE, Colo. - After 14 months of sordid headlines and days of hearings that left unanswered questions, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault trial was to begin with hundreds of people scheduled to arrive for the first wave of jury selection...


Explosives Found in Russian Plane Wreckage

Russian investigators said Friday that they found traces of explosives in the wreckage of one of the two planes that crashed almost simultaneously earlier this week killing 89 people. It was the strongest indication yet that terrorists were behind the twin tragedies.


Dozens of Internet Crime Suspects Nabbed

A summer-long effort targeting Internet crime has resulted in dozens of arrests and convictions on charges including use of "spam" e-mail to steal credit card numbers, computer hacking and online fraud, Justice Department officials said Thursday. -AP


Screening System Touted as Improvement

For months, homeland security officials have privately debated how to blunt criticism of their planned aviation screening system that passengers and airlines complained was overly intrusive.
-The Washington Post


Apple Jumps Ahead of HP iPod, iMac Launch

\

 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shares of Apple Computer Inc.\<AAPL.O> rose to an almost four-year high on Thursday ahead of\the launch of Hewlett-Packard Co.'s <HPQ.N> version of the iPod\digital music player and Apple's revamped iMac computer.


FUTURES MOVERS

Crude-oil futures stabilized Friday, moving narrowly higher as traders digested developments out of Najaf, Iraq, and assessed what the possibility of restoring peace


No Shortage Of Poverty

The increase seems small enough: two-fifths of 1 percent. The percentage of Americans living in poverty rose to 12.5 percent in 2003, up from 12.


Hobbyist anglers take big catch

Millions of casual US anglers are having are larger than appreciated impact on sea fish stocks, scientists claim.


Germany expels Jordanian allegedly linked to Zarqawi group (AFP)

AFP - Germany has expelled a Jordanian suspected of links to a terrorist group run by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is wanted for launching several attacks in Iraq, the Bavarian state interior ministry said.


Sharp jump in hepatitis E cases in Darfur: WHO (AFP)

AFP - A deadly outbreak of hepatitis E in Sudan's Darfur region has spread rapidly, with the number of cases almost tripling in less than a month, the World Health Organization said.


Oracle again extends offer for PeopleSoft

Oracle Corp.'s hostile bid to acquire rival enterprise software maker PeopleSoft Inc. for \$7.7 billion is set to continue for a bit longer.


U.N.: N. Korean Environment in Poor Shape (AP)

AP - North Korea's forests are depleted, its rivers and streams are filled with runoff from factories and a reliance on coal energy has created severe urban air pollution, the United Nations said Friday in its first report on the communist nation's environment.


Agriculture Dept. Offers Grouse Funding (AP)

AP - The Agriculture Department offered  #36;2 million Thursday to help private land owners in four Western states protect the habitat of the sage grouse.


Iraq Rebels Leave Najaf Shrine, Hand in Weapons

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Shi'ite fighters left the holiest  shrine in the Iraqi city of Najaf Friday and began turning in  their weapons, after tens of thousands of pilgrims celebrated a  peace agreement that ended a bloody rebellion.


Dollar Indecisive Ahead of U.S. Data

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar erased earlier losses to  stand steady near recent three-week highs against the euro on  Friday as investors became reluctant to take big bets ahead of  U.S. data and a speech by Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan.


'Mercenary leader' found guilty

Former British SAS officer Simon Mann is convicted of attempting to buy arms for an alleged Equatorial Guinea coup plot.


Tentative Accord Reached in Najaf to Halt Fighting

Thousands of Shiites marched in celebration of an accord reached to end fighting between U.S. forces and a rebel cleric's militia.


Banks settle in conflict probe

Bee Staff Writer. In the latest crackdown on conflicts of interest on Wall Street, federal and state regulators said Thursday that they #39;ve obtained a \$100 million settlement from two investment


Vivendi in line for 2.5bn tax savings

VIVENDI, whose Universal Music arm is the worlds biggest music group, has been given the go-ahead by the French government to file returns under a new tax regime that will save it roughly 2.


Hobbyist anglers take big catch

Amateur anglers have a significant and possibly damaging impact on certain sea-fish populations, scientists claim. The Science magazine study says the US #39;s 10 million saltwater recreational anglers may need better regulation.


Slash UK broadband costs, says watchdog

BROADBAND access prices in Britain are still too high and need to be cut further to bring the country into line with other nations, according to Ofcom, Britains media and telecoms regulator.


Crunchtime Arrives for Oracle and PeopleSoft

The Wall Street rumor mill is working overtime, spinning off speculation about how soon a decision will be announced in the US government lawsuit aimed at blocking Oracle #39;s (ORCL:Nasdaq - news - research) proposed takeover of PeopleSoft (PSFT:Nasdaq


Mia Hamm Happy to Be Retiring Unhurt

On the first day of the rest of her life, American Mia Hamm said she was relieved to be retiring unhurt after being the dominant women #39;s soccer player of her generation.


UPDATE 1-Everton #39;s Rooney hands in transfer request

Everton #39;s teenage England striker Wayne Rooney has handed in a transfer request, the Premier League club announced on Friday. Everton have turned down two bids estimated at 20 million


Davidson steals limelight

Briton Anthony Davidson enhanced his claims for a place in the BAR team next season by going fastest in free practice for Sunday #39;s Belgian GP.


UN: Effort to cripple al-Qaeda not working

UN report says threat from Al-Qaeda related terrorism remains as great as ever, UN-led sanctions are not working. By Marc Carnegie - UNITED NATIONS.


Six Injured in Bomb Blasts at Two Indian Mosques

Unidentified men threw crude bombs at two mosques as worshippers ended Friday prayers in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, wounding at least six people, police said.


Small Asteroid Gives Earth its Closest Shave Yet

PARIS (AFP) -- A rock measuring less than 10 metres (33 feet) across zipped past the Earth at the closest distance ever detected, but it would not have posed any threat if it had struck our planet, astronomers said.      The "very small" asteroid missed the Earth on March 31 by the wafer-thin gap of 6,500 kilometers (4,000 miles), according to an email circulated by the international network NEO News (NEO stands for Near-Earth Object)...


Canada #39;s TD to buy Banknorth for 3.8 billion dollars

NEW YORK : Toronto-Dominion Bank said it would pay 3.8 billion dollars for a controlling stake in Maine-based Banknorth Group as the Canadian lender moved to take its first foothold in US branch banking.


Nothing like a perfect finish for Mia

ATHENS, Greece -- She had bruises on her legs, scars on her arms and the weary look of a future soccer mom. Mia Hamm ached more Thursday night than even her husband, the shortstop with the perpetual nagging pains.


Andres the giants of US boxing team

ATHENS - Calling all Andres. Maybe that #39;s what #39;s wrong with the US boxing team. Not enough Andres. Only two US boxers reached today #39;s medal round, middleweight Andre Dirrell and light heavyweight Andre Ward.


India take seventh place in Olympic hockey (Reuters)

Reuters - Former hockey force Pakistan finished the Olympics in fifth place on Friday while Egypt slumped out of the tournament 12th.


Oil Rebounds After Iraq Pipeline Attack

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday as a sabotage  attack on Iraqi oil infrastructure reignited concern about the  reliability of crude exports from the country despite a peace  deal to end an uprising in Najaf.


Tampa Radar Failed Before Charley Hit (AP)

AP - As Hurricane Charley bore down on Florida this month, the principal radar covering the landfall area went down due to mechanical failure  #151; and wasn't restored until 14 hours before the storm smashed into the state, according to documents and officials.


Interbrew Wins Shareholder OK for AmBev

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium's Interbrew won approval from  shareholders on Friday to buy Brazil's AmBev in a deal valued  at about 8 billion euros (\$9.7 billion), surpassing  Anheuser-Busch as the world's biggest brewer.


Iraq Cleric Urges Fighters to Drop Arms

NAJAF, Iraq - Thousands of pilgrims streamed into the Imam Ali Shrine on Friday and filed out mixed with militants who had been holed up inside, leaving the holy site nearly empty after Iraq's top Shiite cleric brokered a peace deal to end three weeks of fighting in this holy city.    Hours earlier, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr issued a statement broadcast over the shrine's loudspeakers, ordering his fighters to lay down their arms and leave Najaf and neighboring Kufa...


U.S. Men Play Argentina for Shot at Gold

ATHENS, Greece - The United States and Argentina will go after each other again in the Olympic men's basketball semifinals, and if their latest performances carry over, it'll be difficult for the South American rivals to win.    The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m...


Poverty grips more in nation

WASHINGTON -- The number of poor Americans grew by 1.3 million last year, according to a sobering and politically sensitive Census Bureau report issued Thursday.


Gus plans float for Lewis Group

GREAT Universal Stores, the owner of Argos, revealed today that it was seeking a partial flotation of its South African business the Lewis Group.


Scottish  amp; Southern, Talisman Plan Offshore Wind Farm (Update1)

Scottish  amp; Southern Energy Plc, the UK #39;s fourth-largest energy supplier, and Canada #39;s Talisman Energy Inc. plan a wind farm 25 kilometres (16 miles) off the coast of Scotland to test deepwater windmills.


Nokia and Vodafone link on mobile Java standards

Nokia and Vodafone have begun a mobile service architecture initiative to help define the next generation of mobile Java standards.


Oracle Corp. #39;s hostile bid to acquire rival enterprise software maker PeopleSoft Inc. for \$7.7 billion is set to continue for a bit longer.


Verisign loses legal battle with ICANN, again

Verisign has lost the latest round of its legal battle against the Internet #39;s technical regulator ICANN. Judge Howard Matz of the District Court in Central California threw out Verisign #39;s allegations that


Ooohs follow boos

This was supposed to be a night to remember. For Greeks all over, this was going to be the highlight of the Olympics in Athens. Because this would have been the night that belonged to Kostas Kenteris.


Schumacher takes second best in opening session

World champion Michael Schumacher had to take second best to Anthony Davidson when Formula One returned to his favourite track on Friday in practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.


HP tips its hand on new iPod

Hewlett-Packard reveals the pricing and storage capacity for its clone of Apple's music player.


Crude oil price declines for fifth session

Crude oil futures declined for a fifth session Thursday as a cease-fire in Najaf eased concern that shipments from Iraq would be disrupted.


Interbrew Wins Shareholder OK for AmBev

Belgium #39;s Interbrew won approval from shareholders on Friday to buy Brazil #39;s AmBev in a deal valued at about 8 billion euros (\$9.


Airbus gets 8 orders

PARIS - Thai Airways has ordered six of Airbus #39; new 555-seater A380 jumbo jets and two smaller A340 wide-bodied jets, the European aircraft maker said Friday.


Union ratifies new BF Goodrich contract

PITTSBURGH The United Steelworkers of America say about 34-hundred workers at BF Goodrich plants in Indiana and Alabama have approved a new contract.


GSK to go public on trials

BRITISH drugs company GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to make public information about its clinical drug trials following accusations it misled doctors about the safety of an anti-depressant for children.


Conoco may seek stake in Lukoil

US oil company is looking to buy up to 25 stake in the Russian oil giant, source says. MOSCOW (Reuters) - US oil major ConocoPhillips is seeking to buy up to 25 percent in Russian oil giant Lukoil, booking


Schrager eyes London hotels sale

Ian Schrager, known for his luxury boutique hotels, has hung for sale signs over two of his London hotels, the St Martins Lane and the Sanderson.


N. Korea killing forests, waterways, UN finds

SEOUL, South Korea - North Koreas forests are depleted, its rivers and streams are filled with runoff from factories and a reliance on coal energy has created severe urban air pollution, the United Nations said Friday in its first report on the


Amid hostilities, Americans take over

The noise was deafening and potentially unsettling in the minutes before the start of the men #39;s Olympic 200-meter final. The Olympic Stadium crowd chanted  quot;Hellas!


Iraqi Cleric Sadr Renounces Control Of Shrine Stronghold

Rebel cleric Moqtada Sadr on Friday renounced control of his shrine stronghold to Iraq #39;s top Shiite cleric following a deal with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to end three weeks of fighting in Najaf.


Italy shocked by hostage killing, but won #39;t bow to Iraq  #39; <b>...</b>

ROME : Italy was in shock at the killing of a kidnapped journalist in Iraq, described by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as a return  quot;to the dark times of barbarism, quot; but he pledged Italian troops would stay.


Online Extra: "I Give So They Can Give Back" (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - Chris Aque, a 17-year-old high school senior in Chicago, is big on the new band Tilly and the Wall. Tilly is the first group to be signed by new indie label Team Love, which was co-founded by Conor Oberst of the band Bright Eyes and Nate Krenkel, and offers free downloads as a way to promote its bands. Aque loves music and talking about the bands he likes with other music fans online at sites including the social networking service LiveJournal.


Second-Quarter GDP Is Downgraded

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy grew more slowly in  the second quarter than first thought amid shrinking corporate  profits and higher imports, the government said on Friday in a  report that confirmed momentum faltered in the spring.


Economy Grows at 2.8 Rate in the Spring

The U.S. economy, struggling under the weight of a bloated trade deficit, grew at a relatively modest 2.8 percent annual rate in the second quarter, a slower pace of expansion than previously thought.


Eritreans in plane hijack drama

\Hijackers force a plane carrying at least 70 Eritreans to land in the Sudanese capital, the UN says.


Oracle Extends Offer for PeopleSoft

\

 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Business software maker  Oracle\Corp. <ORCL.O> said on Thursday it extended again its \$7.7\billion hostile tender offer for PeopleSoft Inc. <PSFT.O>, to\Sept. 10, as it awaits a U.S. District Court judge's ruling on\whether the takeover attempt can move forward.


Mission Fantastic to Mars (Part 3)

At times during the Mars rover mission, the tension was palpable even as far away as NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. This was especially true about 18 months before launch, when the airbags and parachutes that cushioned the landers began tearing apart during testing. This is part 3 in our series.


Health Care Costs Continue to Rise

By ADAM GELLER    NEW YORK (AP) -- Employers are facing continued double-digit increases in health care costs in 2005 and likely will require their workers to pay an even greater share of the bill, according to a new survey of more than 900 firms.    The survey, released Thursday by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, found that employers expect health care costs to rise 12.9 percent on average next year if they leave benefits unchanged...


California to Vote on \$3 Billion Stem Cell Project

By PAUL ELIAS     SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Silicon Valley tycoons, Nobel laureates and Hollywood celebrities are backing a measure on California's Nov. 2 ballot to devote \$3 billion to human embryonic stem cell experiments in what would be the biggest-ever state-supported scientific research program in the country...


HP cues up its iPod early

Tech giant posts details of its music player to its Web site, upstaging Friday's "big bang" product unveilings.


Treasuries Trim Gains After GDP Data (Reuters)

Reuters - Treasury debt prices trimmed early\gains on Friday after U.S. economic data proved to be not quite\as weak as some bulls had been betting.


Treasuries Trim Gains After GDP Data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury debt prices trimmed early  gains on Friday after U.S. economic data proved to be not quite  as weak as some bulls had been betting.


Stock Futures Near Unchanged After GDP

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock futures were little changed on  Friday after the Commerce Department released preliminary  figures showing gross domestic product rose 2.8 percent in the  second quarter, which was in line with Wall Street  expectations.


Before-the-Bell: Decode Genetics Falls

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Decode Genetics Inc.  DCGN.O fell 19 percent before the market open on Friday, a  day after the company said PriceWaterhouseCoopers resigned as  its accounting firm.


Barr Wins Tentative OK for Generic Zofran

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. BRL.N on  Friday said U.S. regulators had granted tentative approval to  the company's quickly-dissolving generic form of  GlaxoSmithKline Plc's GSK.L Zofran antinausea tablet.


Jaguar to Cut Output Amid Slack Demand

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - British carmaker Jaguar will cut  production by some 15,000 units over the rest of 2004 amid  slack demand, a Jaguar spokesman said on Friday.


U.S. Women Opens Up 51-44 Lead on Russia (AP)

AP - Shannon Johnson's mid-range jumper in the closing seconds of the third quarter helped the United States open up a 51-44 lead over Russia in the semifinals of the Olympic women's basketball tournament Friday.


U.S. Second-Quarter GDP Downgraded


Stocks Set to Open Flat, GDP Data in Line

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks are seen opening flat on  Friday after a government report showed that the U.S. economy  grew more slowly in the second quarter but at a rate that  matched economists' forecasts.


Hewlett-Packard debuts 'Apple iPod from HP' (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Hewlett-Packard's online store, HPshopping.com, on Friday introduced "Apple iPod from HP," the company's long-awaited version of the iPod. HP is selling 20GB and 40GB versions of the iPod for US #36;299.99 and  #36;399.99 respectively, the same price as Apple. HP's Web site indicates the device will begin shipping on September 15.


US Economy Grew at a 2.8 Rate in Second Quarter (Update1)

The US economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate from April through June, slower than the government estimated last month as higher oil prices limited consumer spending and the trade deficit widened to a record.


Interbrew, AmBev Complete Combination to Create InBev (Update2)

Interbrew SA, the maker of Beck #39;s and Stella Artois beer, and Brazil #39;s Cia. de Bebidas das Americas completed their combination today after winning joint shareholder approval.


Henry Schein to Ship Flu Vaccine in Oct.

Henry Schein Inc. (HSIC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday said it expects to begin shipping a flu vaccine on time in early October and reaffirmed its forecast for 2004.


ConocoPhillips seeks 25 stake in Russia #39;s Lukoil

NEW YORK, August 27 (New Ratings) - ConocoPhillips (COP.NYS) is reportedly seeking to buy up to a 25 stake in the Russian oil company, Lukoil, which contributes 19 each to the country #39;s crude oil output and reserves.


KPMG reveals US critiques of itself

One of the biggest US accounting firms has disclosed voluntarily a possible violation of conflict-of-interest rules. KPMG, one of the four largest US accounting firms, said


Intel improves Centrino wireless security

CHIP FIRM Intel said it had released support for 802.11a, b and g in the same Calexico wireless chipset. It said it has also built fresh software for its Pro Wireless 2915 ABG connection, which includes a


Mesh cage in shoulder blade used to grow new jaw bone

A German whose lower jaw was cut out because of cancer has enjoyed his first meal in nine years - bratwurst sandwich  -er surgeons grew a new jaw bone in his back muscle and


UK regulator pushing for more, cheaper broadband access

LONDON - The UK took another step towards greater competition in and cheaper access to broadband technology as telecoms regulator Ofcom published its final proposals for local loop unbundling and ordered BT Group to cut the wholesale prices it charges


Distrusted systems

THE NEWS this week that the European Commission is investigating Microsoft #39;s and Time-Warner #39;s April acquisition of ContentGuard is not trivial, and it #39;s not just another case of  quot;Oh, let #39;s Get Microsoft quot;.


VeriSign dealt another legal blow in ICANN suit

VeriSign Inc. lost another round in its battle against the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) on Thursday when a US federal judge dismissed the


Siemens warns of ear damage from mobile phone tunes

After last year #39;s reports of exploding batteries in Nokia Corp. phones and amid growing concern about electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices in general, Siemens AG warned


Research Firms Can #39;t Get Enough Of AAPL

While shares of Apple have climbed more than 10 percent this week, reaching 52-week highs, two research firms told investors Friday they continue to remain highly bullish about the stock.


Moyes Wants Right Price for Rooney

David Moyes insists he will block a transfer for Wayne Rooney before the deadline if he does not get the valuation he wants. The Everton boss was reacting in the wake of Rooneys


Radcliffe #39;s ultimate test

She has the chance to banish the ghosts of last weekend #39;s marathon failure and finally claim the Olympic medal she has sought for so long.


Polish walker earns fourth Olympic gold

Robert Korzeniowski of Poland added to his record collection of gold medals in race walking with his unprecedented third consecutive Olympic victory Friday in the 50-kilometer walk.


Alternative Athens

All eyes will be on Paula Radcliffe and her possible tilt at the women #39;s 10,000m title. The  #39;will she, won #39;t she #39; saga could be drawn out until the race is due to start.


Dirrell tattoos Cuban for medal

Andre Dirrell already honored his grandfather by getting a tattoo of his face on his back. Pretty soon he #39;ll be able to share an Olympic medal with him, too.


Italy reacts with horror at hostage killing in Iraq

ROME - Italy reacted with horror Friday at the killing of an Italian hostage in Iraq, while the Italian government insisted it would stay the course in the Middle Eastern country.


Pakistan elects new prime minister

Pakistan #39;s National Assembly elected Shaukat Aziz as the nation #39;s new prime minister Friday. Aziz won 191 votes to none for rival candidate Javed Hashmi.


Al-Qaida spending little on terror attacks: Report

The Al-Qaida terror network spent less than 44,600 on each of its major attacks except the September 11 suicide hijackings and one of its hallmarks is using readily-available items like mobile phones and knives as weapons, a new United Nations report


Madrid attack cost only \$14,000

THE al-Qaeda terror network spent less than \$US50,000 (\$71,000) on each of its main attacks except the September 11 suicide hijackings, a UN report says.


Polish walker wins fourth Olympic gold


Canoeing champ looking to Beijing

German canoeist Birgit Fischer at 42, is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest Olympians of all time - and she has not rule out competing again at Beijing.


Dirrell loses bout, settles for bronze

Athens, Greece (Sports Network) - American middleweight Andre Dirrell lost his semifinal bout to Kazakhstan #39;s Gennadiy Golovkin on Friday, missing an opportunity to advance to the gold medal match.


Militants Free Relative of Iraqi Minister-Jazeera

DUBAI (Reuters) - Militants who had kidnapped two relatives  of Iraqi Defense Minister Hazim al-Shalaan have released one of  them, Al Jazeera television reported Friday.


Israelis defend missile failure

Israeli military officials defend a new anti-missile system they are developing with the US, despite its failure in tests.


Militants Turn Over Keys to Najaf Shrine

NAJAF, Iraq - Thousands of pilgrims streamed into the Imam Ali Shrine on Friday, and militants who had been holed up in the site left it, handing the keys to Shiite religious authorities after Iraq's top Shiite cleric brokered a peace deal to end three weeks of fighting in this holy city.    Dozens of militants piled Kalashnikov rifles in front of the offices of their leader, radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr...


U.S. Women Top Russia to Make Hoops Final

ATHENS, Greece - Frustrated by fouls, turnovers and a feisty opponent, the United States desperately looked for help.    Then along came Sheryl Swoopes to set things right...


Spike Lee Wins Cybersquatting Case Vs. Porn Site (Reuters)

Reuters - Movie director Spike Lee has won his\cybersquatting case against a Philippines-based operator who\misused the domain name, spikelee.com, to redirect surfers to a\pornographic Web site, arbitrators ruled Friday.


Siemens warns fourth-quarter earnings to be hit by mobile phone fault (AFP)

AFP - German electronics giant Siemens said that financial burdens connected with a technical fault in its new mobile phone handsets were likely to reduce earnings in the final quarter of its business year ending in September.


2 Area Students Win National Science Competition

WASHINGTON -- Two area high school students who have discovered a new way to detect breast cancer have won a national science competition.


Motive Tools Trio Troubleshoots App Performance Problems (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Motive has introduced three application management and configuration products designed to automate and speed up the process of fixing software performance glitches.


Zimbabwe court finds Mann guilty over coup plot arms deal, absolves others (AFP)

AFP - A Zimbabwean court found Briton Simon Mann guilty of attempting to illegally buy arms for an alleged coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea but absolved 66 other suspected mercenaries.


Major Tokyo Quake Expected Within 50 Years (AP)

AP - Japan's capital has a 90 percent chance of being devastated by a major earthquake some time in the next 50 years, according to a study by a government panel.


3,000-Year-Old Bodies Studied in Australia (AP)

AP - Headless bodies buried 3,000 years ago in the oldest cemetery in the Pacific could reveal much about the earliest settlers of Vanuatu, Fiji and Polynesia, Australian archeologists said on Friday.


Lycos Europe  #39;spam #39; screensaver offline

Lycos Europe #39;s Make Love Not Spam screensaver was unavailable Saturday following a string of bad publicity, Cnet News.com reported.


U.S. Women Edge Russia, Advance to Basketball Final

ATHENS (Reuters) - Olympic champions the United States  narrowly edged Russia 66-62 to reach the final of the women's  Olympic basketball Friday.


US Consumer Index Up from Early August

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment picked up  above expectations in late August after declining earlier in  the month as oil prices eased from record highs and security  fears abated, according to sources who saw a survey on Friday.


Sour Grapes as Another U.S. Boxer Bites the Dust

ATHENS (Reuters) - The U.S. boxing team sucked on sour  grapes after being left with just one gold medal prospect in  the Olympic boxing tournament Friday.


U.S. Stocks Flat After GDP Data in Line

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened flat on Friday  after a government report showed that the U.S. economy grew  more slowly in the second quarter but at a rate that matched  economists' forecasts.


Olympic Wrap: Golden Oldies Take Center Stage

ATHENS (Reuters) - Golden oldies struck gold at the  Olympics Friday with German canoeist Birgit Fischer and Polish  walker Robert Korzeniowski showing a clean pair of heels to  younger rivals.


U.S. Sees Possible Attacks in Uzbekistan (Reuters)

Reuters - The State Department said on Tuesday\it had information that "terrorists may be planning to launch\new attacks" in Uzbekistan around the time of Uzbek\Independence Day celebrations in early September.


Americans Practice Accidental Tourism at Olympics

ATHENS (Reuters) - They scoff down Big Macs, drink Cokes,  call home on their cell phones and crowd around the open-air  set of American television's biggest morning show being  broadcast live just a stone's throw from the Olympic stadium.


U.S. Economy Grows at Slower Pace Than Expected

Struggling under the weight of a bloated trade deficit, the U.S. economy grew at a relatively modest 2.8 percent annual rate in the second quarter.


Put Me in, Coach!

Coach joins the S P 500, and others stand to benefit from the leather in the weather.


Bananas could power homes

Australian engineers generate electricity from  rotting bananas and now plan a full scale power station.


Big shuttle repairs not possible

Space shuttle astronauts will fly next year without the ability to repair in orbit the type of damage that destroyed the Columbia vehicle in 2003.


Fuel costs may not rise during holiday

Falling crude oil prices this week suggest that Americans might dodge the surge in gasoline prices that experts had predicted for the weeks leading up to the Labor Day weekend.