New Induce Act Alarms Foes

The latest version of the Induce Act, headed for markup this week, is basically the same as the first version, critics say. It could mean trouble for companies that had no intention of inducing copyright infringement. By Katie Dean.


Phone Lines Deliver Next-Gen TV

On-demand viewing isn't just for TiVo owners anymore. Television over internet protocol, or TVIP, offers custom programming over standard copper wires.


Fannie Mae gets a shake-up

The accounting irregularities at home loan giant Fannie Mae could end up raising mortgage rates, but the impact, if any, will be difficult to measure given the enormous size and dynamic nature of the market.


LA Firm agrees to buy Harrah #39;s, Caesars properties

An affiliate of Colony Capital has agreed to buy four properties from Caesars Entertainment Inc. and Harrah #39;s Entertainment Inc.


British tycoon wants to fly you to space

Richard Branson, the British tycoon known for daredevil exploits in a speedboat, a hot-air balloon and an amphibious car, wants to take a giant leap into the final frontier -- and to give a lift out of this world to similarly intrepid paying passengers.


NASA says Jeanne caused little damage, but shuttle work more <b>...</b>

It says the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, lost some external panels from its vehicle assembly building in the storm, but overall damage was minimal.


Dolly creator applies for human cloning licence

LONDON - One of the creators of Dolly the sheep, the world #39;s first mammal cloned from an adult, said Tuesday he was seeking permission to create cloned human embryos for medical research.


One-Game Lead: Cubs Clobber Reds

CHICAGO - Welcome home, Cubbies. Former Beantowners Nomar Garciaparra and Todd Walker added three hits and combined to drive in six runs as the Chicago Cubs hammered the Cincinnati Reds Monday night at Wrigley Field, 12-5.


A #39;S NOTEBOOK Mulder will start Friday as planned

After Mulder lasted 3 2/3 innings in Sunday #39;s 6-2 loss in Anaheim, manager Ken Macha said there would be a  quot;discussion quot; on whether the left- hander would make his next start, Friday against the Angels.


N. Korean Official Dismisses Claims of Possible Missile Test

A senior North Korean official is dismissing claims that Pyongyang is preparing for a missile test. North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Su Hon told reporters at the United Nations that reports that North


Iraqi elections impossible: Jordan king

PARIS - Elections in Iraq are impossible to organize under the current violence, Jordan #39;s King Abdullah II warned in an interview published Tuesday.


France to Punish Police for Bungled Bomb Exercise (Reuters)

Reuters - France's police minister vowed on Monday\to punish officers who planted explosives in an unwitting plane\passenger's luggage to test their sniffer dogs but then lost\the "bomb," which remains missing after a three-day hunt.


Crude oil sets new mark by topping

Crude oil topped \$50 per barrel during Asian trading today, pushing past the psychological milestone for the first time then surging further to new record levels likely to unsettle oil-consuming nations.


High fuel prices to cost airline industry up to \$4 bn this year

NEW YORK, September 28 (newratings.com) - The airline industry is expected to lose as much as \$4 billion in 2004 due to the high fuel costs, despite an increase of about 19 in international passenger traffic so far this year.


Gene test to track illegal ivory

A genetic test that can be used to determine the origin of poached ivory could help combat the illegal trade in elephant tusks and their products.


Microsoft ends free Hotmail access from Outlook

Hotmail users who use Microsoft #39;s Outlook and Outlook Express clients will now have to pay for the privilege. Users must sign up to either a Hotmail Plus account for \$19.


Cisco expands Catalyst switching range

Cisco Systems has expanded its range of Catalyst switching products and services with the launch of offerings specifically targeted at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).


Dolly scientist in clone bid

The scientist who created Dolly the Sheep at Edinburgh #39;s Roslin Institute wants to clone human embryos to help find a cure for motor neurone disease.


AT T Wireless Sells Dedicated Messaging Device (Reuters)

Reuters - AT T Wireless Services Inc. \launches a mobile e-mail and messaging device without voice\service on Monday, aiming to use a low price to tempt young\consumers.


Bird flu transmitted between humans in Thailand

A 26-year-old Thai woman who died of acute pneumonia on 20 September was a probable case of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus, the Thai Ministry of Public Health confirmed on Tuesday.


Two British soldiers killed in Iraq

According to a British Army spokesman, two armoured Land Rovers were attacked this morning near the southern city of Basra. The first vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and when soldiers from the


Shell could quit Niger Delta

ENVIRONMENTAL activists claim the latest outbreak of violence in Nigeria is simply the beginning of a civil war that could force Shell into a huge shake-up of its activities in the oil-rich country.


'Return of the King' extended DVD may miss some holiday shoppers (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - There may be more rarified DVD treatments of TheLord of the Rings coming in the future, but for now, fans will have to be satisfied with The Return of the King Special Extended DVD Edition, due in stores Dec. 14.


New Power Mac G5 Uniprocessor firmware update posted (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Apple has released Power Mac G5 Uniprocessor Firmware Update 5.1.5f2, a new release aimed at Power Mac G5s that have only a single processor. The update apparently corrects "unexpected issues" that have appeared on some Power Mac G5s after applying the first uniprocessor update, released earlier this month.


E-mail turns to P2P technology

Peer-to-peer technology has been used to create an e-mail network said to be free of spam, viruses and snoopers.


Sony Chases Rivals in Image Chip Race

TOKYO (Reuters) - Sony Corp., the world leader in video  equipment, finds itself in the unusual position of playing  catch-up in the next battleground for technology used in  cameras, video recorders and phones.


Oil Fears to Weigh on Stocks; Dell Eyed (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil's rise to new record highs above  #36;50\a barrel will put pressure on Wall Street on Tuesday as\investors fret over the impact on corporate profits, while Dell\Inc  will grab focus after it stuck by its outlook.


Contractors Form Standards Group

Some of the Pentagon's largest contractors, including Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp., will begin a joint effort today to encourage development of technology standards that will ensure weapons systems of the future can communicate with each other. -The Washington Post


Declared Suitor Sells Its Stake In MCI

A private buyout firm that had said it was seeking to take control of MCI Inc. has sold its 5 percent stake in the long-distance giant for a \$20 million pretax profit.
-The Washington Post


Personal Tech: The Sims 2

Greg Kramer, author of The Sims 2: Prima Official Game Guide, will be online to talk about the latest release of the video game.


2 Cable Giants Set To Bid for Adelphia

Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc. are planning a joint bid for Adelphia Communications Corp. as part of a deal that could lead to a broad realignment of interests in the cable industry and increase Comcast's already dominant presence in the mid-Atlantic region.


Technology Secretary For Virginia Steps Down

Virginia's secretary of technology, George C. Newstrom, said yesterday that he is stepping down from the post after more than two years on the job. He will be replaced by his deputy, Eugene J. Huang.


Senate Bill Proposes  Anti-Terror Database

Counterterrorism authorities would be granted unprecedented access to law enforcement and commercial databases containing billions of records about private citizens under a bipartisan bill to restructure the intelligence system that the Senate began debating yesterday.


Stocks Seen Up as Value Hunters Step In

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were poised for a bounce  at the open on Tuesday as investors hunt bargains a day after  surging oil prices sent the major U.S. stock indexes to their  lowest levels in weeks.


Pepsi Bottling Profit Rises

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. PBG.N, the  largest bottler of Pepsi drinks, on Tuesday said quarterly  profit rose on volume growth in the United States and Europe.


Oil Charges Over \$50 on Nigeria Threat

\

 By Andrew MItchell

 LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices raced to new record highs\above \$50 on Tuesday as rebel threats against Nigerian oil\facilities threatened to inflict further strain on global\supplies.


Shields Up!

A stream of interstellar helium atoms almost as hot as the surface of the Sun is blowing through the solar system.


Microsoft hopeful of settlement in EU case

The California-based group has challenged the European Commissions finding from March that Microsoft abused its dominance of PC operating systems, but its top counsel said negotiations remained the preferred course.


P amp;O set to cut 1,200 jobs

The shipping giant P amp;O, under increasing pressure from low-cost airlines and the Channel tunnel, today revealed plans to cut four ferry routes and slash its workforce by 1,200.


STOCKS TO WATCH

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trading in Tuesday #39;s session are Pepsi Bottling Group and Emmis Communications, as the companies are scheduled to report their quarterly financial results.


GAMING DEAL: Colony gets casinos for \$1.2 billion

Colony Capital is poised to become a major competitor in the gaming industry nationwide after reaching a final agreement to buy four casinos from Harrah #39;s Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment, analysts said Monday.


Enron-linked UK bankers in court

Three British bankers indicted in Texas on fraud charges involving Enron Corp. appeared in a London court Tuesday for an extradition hearing.


Rooney eyes Champions League dream

England teenage star Wayne Rooney looks set to make his eagerly-awaited Manchester United debut in Champions League action against Fenerbahce though England teammates at Real Madrid David Beckham and Michael Owen are doubts for the Spanish giants #39; clash


Hendry dismisses talk of grudge-carrying umps

Baseball #39;s executive vice president Sandy Alderson insisted last month that the Cubs, disciplined for an assortment of run-ins with umpires, would not be targeted the rest of the season by umpires who might hold a grudge.


King Abdullah pessimistic on Iraqi elections

Jordanian monarch warns elections in violence-ravaged Iraq are impossible in current state of insecurity. By Hugh Schofield - PARIS.


Hamas vows to keep up armed struggle

Palestinian militant group Hamas vowed Tuesday to keep up its armed resistance against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.


Stocks to Watch on Sept. 28 (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks to watch on Tuesday: DELL\INC. : The world's largest personal computer maker said\the rate of market growth had not changed significantly and it\saw no reason to alter its guidance for the third quarter.


Starbucks price hike seen Oct. 6

Newspaper reports the coffee giant will raise the average drink price by 11 cents a cup. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Coffee shop giant Starbucks Corp.


Commercial PC demand boosts market forecast

Business demand for PCs will result in higher than anticipated growth of the sector for the second half of the year. Analyst IDC has revised its predictions having witnessed strong commercial demand for PCs


Celeron 335D, the disguised Willamette

Celerons form the basis of Intel #39;s entry-level platform which includes integrated/value motherboards as well. The Celeron 335D is the fastest - until the Celeron 340D - 2.93GHz - becomes mainstream - of the


Redskins Lose To Dallas, Again

LANDOVER, Md. -- In a matchup between two of the National Football League #39;s legendary minds, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells came out a winner over Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.


Arsenal eye six-point start in Europe

Arsenal take their Champions League hopes to Norway on Wednesday, looking for another three points from Rosenborg Trondheim that would put them firmly on track to reach the knockout phase.


Ponson, O #39;s Unable to Catch Up

There were countless outings for Sidney Ponson earlier in the year when a slow start roiled into a disastrous outing. He would simply feel the game slipping from


Pawar keeps options open on eve of BCCI polls

Kolkata: Keeping his options open amidst intense lobbying for the president #39;s post of the cricket board, Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said that he would take the plunge only if he was sure of victory.


Americans Forces Strike Fallujah

BAGHDAD, Iraq Sept. 28, 2004 - American forces bombed a suspected hide-out used by associates of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Fallujah on Tuesday, part of a campaign of airstrikes the US military said has taken


Pyongyang already  #39;weaponized #39; spent nuclear fuel: N. Korean envoy

Astana - New York, September 28 KAZINFORM -- A senior North Korean official claimed at the United Nations Monday that his country has already produced atomic weapons with reprocessed nuclear fuel rods.


Arafat offers to help seek UK hostage #39;s release: Irish politician

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has promised to offer help to win the release of British hostage Kenneth Bigley held by militants in Iraq, the BBC quoted a senior Irish politician as reporting on Tuesday.


Indian court sours Taj Mahal festivities

India #39;s Supreme Court has disappointed visitors by banning night celebrations at the Taj Mahal to mark its 350th anniversary, citing security concerns.


Wish you were atmosp-here

Sir Richard Branson has kick-started a new space race, with plans to start tourist trips to the edge of the atmosphere. But are we ready for holidays at the final frontier?


Baseball: Oakland beats Mariners, Suzuki nears hit mark

OAKLAND, United States : Bobby Crosby belted a game-winning sacrifice fly as Oakland beat Seattle 6-5 but they couldn #39;t prevent Japan #39;s Ichiro Suzuki from posting his 252nd hit of the season.


CAMPBELL SET FOR NORWAY TRIP

Sol Campbell is ready to take his place in the Arsenal defence for Wednesdays Champions League clash with Rosenborg in Norway. The England centre-back showed no ill effects after returning from an Achilles


Halladay wants to go full out

If he is removed he wants it to be based on the game situation, not the number of pitches he has thrown. The staff ace reached his imposed pitch count of 70 here in Baltimore after three innings last night.


Thai hospitals on alert for more bird flu cases

Hospitals and health officials across Thailand have been placed on high alert to monitor for any cases of human-to-human transmission of the deadly bird flu virus.


In Paris for talks, King Abdullah pessimistic on Iraqi elections

PARIS : King Abdullah of Jordan held talks on the Middle East with President Jacques Chirac after warning in a newspaper interview that elections in Iraq are impossible in the current state of insecurity.


Microsoft To Sell Win XP Starter Edition In Russia

Garabito writes  quot;Cnet reports that Microsoft plans to distribute in Russia the low-cost, stripped-down version of Windows XP, called  #39;Starter Edition.


<cite>Reg</cite> Readers hail NTL abusive message

Letters Not so keen on 'spam-free' email plans


Learn how to Integrate Cisco and UNIX Network Architectures

Site offer Save 30 on thousands of other great titles


Chain Store Sales Mixed in Latest Week (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. chain store retail sales saw a\slight decline of 0.3 percent on a week-over-week basis. \However, on a year-over-year basis, the sales momentum remained\strong at 3.5 percent, a report said on Tuesday.


Before the Bell: Atherogenics Up 82 Pct.

NEW YORK (Reuters) -  Shares of AtheroGenics Inc. AGIX.O  soared 82 percent before the bell on Tuesday, a day after the  pharmaceutical company announced positive interim results from  a study on an anti-inflammatory agent.


Lawmakers Want Paper Records of E-Ballots

Just five weeks before election day, federal legislators are increasingly casting doubt on electronic voting terminals and demanding that touchscreen computers produce paper records.


Anti-Spam Effort Killed Amid Patent Row

A row over intellectual property claims from Microsoft Corp. has dealt a fatal blow to an ambitious effort by Internet engineers to create a technical standard for curbing junk e-mail.


Dreamworks Files for IPO with SEC

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Computer animation company DreamworksSKG has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissionfor a \$650 million initial public offering, applying to list onthe New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DWA."


RFID confab draws big names in retail, high tech

Powerhouses such as Wal-Mart will be in Baltimore this week to influence the development of radio frequency identification.


USB--short for 'ultimate security breakdown'?

SecureWave exec Dennis Szerszen warns that the convenient port is also a vulnerability that could cost your company dearly.


Now boarding! NY, London, space?

Virgin Atlantic honcho Richard Branson yesterday announced plans to boldly go where no airline company has gone before - outer space.


FlexWiki: Microsoft #39;s Third Open Software Project

Earlier than scheduled, Microsoft Corp. has gone public with its announcement of its third open-source code contribution to SourceForge.


Olympics: Inspectors Announce Program for 2012 Bid Visits

Olympic inspectors will visit Madrid first in their whistle-stop tour next year of bid cities hoping to stage the 2012 Games. The Spanish capital will be followed by London, New York, Paris


Microsoft, Amazon.com file phishing, spamming lawsuits

Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. filed one joint and several separate lawsuits on Monday against companies and individuals accusing them variously of trying to defraud consumers by imitating Amazon and Microsoft, the companies said Tuesday.


IDC Forum: Why IT matters

PARIS -- IT commoditization? Asian threat? Crippling viruses? Speakers at IDC's European IT Forum 2004 in Paris didn't have to look far for contentious issues.


Toshiba has big plans for a small drive

Toshiba Corp. plans to begin commercial production of its 0.85-inch hard disk drive before the end of this year, the company said on Tuesday.


Oil hits high on Nigeria threat

LONDON, England -- Oil prices have surged to historic levels as a threat of civil war in Nigeria adds to concerns over tight global supplies.


Airline industry seen losing up to \$US4b in 2004

MONTREAL: The global airline industry stands to incur losses of between \$US3 billion (\$NZ4.6 billion) and \$US4 billion this year as surging oil prices wipe out any hope of profit created by rising passenger traffic, the International Air Transport


Ex-exec: Fastow knew of sham

Former Enron Corp. executive Michael Kopper said his ex-boss, Andrew Fastow, promised to buy back Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. #39;s interest in Nigerian barges as part of a plan to falsely boost Enron #39;s revenue by \$12 million.


Zidane set to face Roma

Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane will return to the side for the UEFA Champions League Group B clash with Roma on Tuesday night.


Punch Drunk

By now, reality should have set in for Roy Jones Jr. and his brain cleared enough to realize his sometimes brilliant career is over.


Campbell Ready For Sustained Action

Arsenals England defender Sol Campbell is relishing the prospect of facing Rosenborg tonight in the Champions League after playing his first match of an injury-delayed season at Manchester City last Saturday.


Gill wants Champions League change

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has called for the Champions League second group stage to be restored. Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger were among the major


Hectic parleys on for crucial BCCI elections

KOLKATA: With only two days to go for the crucial elections to the coveted post of the president of the cash-rich BCCI here, hectic parleys are on by the lead players including Union Food and Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar to drum up the requisite


Egyptian holding company says it has heard four Egyptian hostages <b>...</b>

Egypt said Tuesday that Iraqi kidnappers had freed one Egyptian hostage and were expected to release three others shortly. The holding company that employed the four hostages confirmed that


Foundation Awards Annual 'Genius Grants' (AP)

AP - When Rueben Martinez became a barber in the Los Angeles area, his love of literature inspired him to lend out books for customers. He noticed that few books made their way back to him.


Russia Delays Launch of Space Station Crew (AP)

AP - Russian space officials said Tuesday technical glitches would further delay the launch of a spacecraft to carry a replacement crew to the international space station.


List of 2004 MacArthur Foundation Fellows (AP)

AP - The list of 23 fellows announced by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Each will receive  #36;500,000 over five years:


Thousands Gather as Afghan Campaigning Picks Up (Reuters)

Reuters - Tens of thousands of\people gathered in a northern Afghan town on Tuesday to hear\General Abdul Rashid Dostum launch his bid for the presidency,\as a slow election campaign began to gather pace.


Palestinian PM Urges Tactical Rethink in Conflict (Reuters)

Reuters - Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie\marked the anniversary of a Palestinian uprising against Israel\on Tuesday by calling on both sides to rethink tactics that\have brought four years of bloodshed.


Blair to Urge Party Unity Under Iraq Cloud (Reuters)

Reuters - Tony Blair will urge his\party on Tuesday to reunite for an election fight, seeking to\heal rifts over Iraq even as two more British soldiers die in\Basra and a hostage remains under threat of death.


No Sign of Nuke Work at Suspect Iran Site-Diplomats (Reuters)

Reuters - The analysis of soil samples taken by\U.N. inspectors at Lavizan, a site in Tehran that U.S.\officials suspect may be linked to an atomic weapons program,\shows no sign of nuclear activity, Western diplomats said.


Nigerian Insurgents Declare Armed Struggle (AP)

AP - Insurgents in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta will begin an armed struggle to wrest control of the region's oil riches from the federal government starting Oct. 1, a rebel spokesman said Tuesday.


Thousands Gather as Afghan Campaigning Picks Up

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of  people gathered in a northern Afghan town on Tuesday to hear  General Abdul Rashid Dostum launch his bid for the presidency,  as a slow election campaign began to gather pace.


U.S. Forces Bomb Iraqi Rebels; Jordan Has Poll Doubts

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes bombed a suspected  insurgent hideout in rebel-held Falluja on Tuesday and U.S.  tanks and aircraft bombarded areas of northeastern Baghdad,  stepping up operations against guerrilla strongholds.


No Sign of Nuke Work at Suspect Iran Site-Diplomats

VIENNA (Reuters) - The analysis of soil samples taken by  U.N. inspectors at Lavizan, a site in Tehran that U.S.  officials suspect may be linked to an atomic weapons program,  shows no sign of nuclear activity, Western diplomats said.


Disabled man dies in Israeli raid

Israeli troops shoot dead a mentally ill Palestinian during a raid in Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank.


Indian author Mulk Raj Anand dies

One of India's best known novelists and short-story writers, Mulk Raj Anand,  dies at the age of 99.


SMART-1 Celebrates its First Year in Space

European Space Agency -- One year after its launch on 27 September 2003, the SMART-1 spacecraft is in excellent health and preparing for the manoeuvres that will bring it into orbit around the Moon mid-November.     The first mission phase, the aim of which was to test several innovative technologies, has been successfully completed...


U.S. Forces Capture Head of Suspected Iraq Militant Cell

U.S. forces have captured the leader of a suspected militant cell during a raid in the northern Iraqi town of Kirkuk, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.


Crude Oil Prices Top \$50 Per Barrel

Crude oil futures contracts topped the psychological milestone of \$50 per barrel for the first time Tuesday, surging to new record levels that could unsettle oil importing nations.


Citigroup, Goldman Market \$5.8 Bln Cemex Loan, Mexico #39;s Biggest

Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. will market a \$5.8 billion loan for Cemex SA to other lenders over coming days, bankers involved in the deal said, in what #39;s the largest-ever credit for a Mexican company.


LA Firm agrees to buy Harrah #39;s, Caesars properties

LOS ANGELES A Los Angeles-based investment firm has agreed to buy four properties from Las Vegas-based Caesars and Harrah #39;s Entertainment for a total of 1-point-24 (b) billion dollars.


Oil price surge  #39;threatens global growth #39;

The German finance minister, Hans Eichel, today warned that global growth would be at risk if oil prices remained at their current levels.


Red Sox Clinch 2nd Straight Playoff Berth (AP)

AP - The Boston Red Sox clinched a playoff berth on Monday by beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7-3.


A's Maintain One-Game Lead Over Angels (AP)

AP - After Barry Zito gave up a tying three-run homer to Willie Bloomquist, the Oakland Athletics bounced back and maintained their one-game lead over Anaheim in the AL West.


Reds eager to avoid another crash in Vans

GLENCOFFE Johnson sent world boxing into shock as he demolished superstar ring master Roy Jones but one fighter who hardly registered surprise was Sheffield #39;s Clinton Woods.


American Football: Anderson #39;s TD toss helps Cowboys shade Redskins

LANDOVER, United States : Running back Richie Anderson tossed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn in the fourth quarter as Dallas beat the Washington Redskins 21-18 in a National Football League matchup.


Hamm Argues to Keep Gymnastics Gold (AP)

AP - The future of Paul Hamm's gold medal has nothing to do with tumbles and flips, and everything to do with the judgment of three arbitrators. The Court of Arbitration for Sport held an 11 1/2-hour hearing Monday to determine whether Hamm should again be declared the winner of the Olympic gymnastics all-around competition, or the victory should go to Yang Tae-young of South Korea.


No clue on CNN producer #39;s fate

Palestinian security men Tuesday sought CNN producer Riad Ali who was kidnapped in Gaza by gunmen Monday evening on a busy street.


Pakistan gets its man ... sort of

Two days after Pakistani officials announced the death of Amjad Farooqi, the circumstances surrounding the killing of the person who is being billed as the country #39;s most wanted


Egyptian company says one Egyptian hostage in Iraq is free

CAIRO, Egypt An Egyptian company says one of its four workers who had been kidnapped in Iraq has been freed. It says it can #39;t give the status of the others being held hostage but says it is  quot;doing its best to secure quot; their release.


Baseball Today (AP)

AP - San Francisco at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EDT). Jason Schmidt goes for his 17th win against Brian Lawrence and the Padres.


Soccer: U.S. Captain Reyna Injured (AP)

AP - United States team captain Claudio Reyna will probably miss the next two World Cup qualifiers because of an injured left quadriceps.


Seville to Host U.S.-Spain Davis Cup Final (AP)

AP - Seville will host the Davis Cup final between Spain and the United States in December, with the matches played on a clay court.


Nabi Says Vaccine Helped Smokers Quit

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Nabi Biopharmaceuticals NABI.O on  Tuesday said its NicVAX nicotine vaccine showed promising  results in helping smokers quit smoking in a small clinical  trial, sending its shares up 23 percent in premarket activity.


Oil Prices Break \$50 Milestone

Crude oil prices surged past the \$50 per barrel milestone in overnight trading in response to the triple threat of turmoil in the oil-rich countries of Nigeria and Iraq and a decline in production in the hurricane-battered Gulf of Mexico.


Branson Announces Start of New Airline

Virgin Group boss Richard Branson said Tuesday he has signed an agreement with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to launch a new airline out of the west African nation that will be majority owned by Nigerian investors.


Space flight  #39;extremely difficult #39;

London - Space tourism, the business of rocketing civilians into orbit as British tycoon Richard Branson vowed on Monday to do, is technically feasible within a few years but fraught with perils, a space expert said.


Microsoft, Amazon.com file phishing, spamming lawsuits

Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. filed one joint and several separate lawsuits on Monday against companies and individuals accusing them variously of trying to defraud


Two Orascom hostages released

A spokesman for the Egyptian Telecommunications company, Orascom, said that the kidnappers of the two Egyptian hostages had released them on Monday evening after it was announced in Cairo that only one hostage was released.


World airlines #39; loss estimate: \$4 billion

MONTREAL - Despite a jump of 19 percent in world air traffic this year, airlines are expected to lose as much as \$4 billion in 2004 because of high fuel costs, the International Air Transport Association said Monday.


Microsoft says media player market more  #39;vibrant #39; than EC believes <b>...</b>

HONG KONG (AFX) - Microsoft Corp said the European Commission #39;s view of the media player market is  quot;incorrect, quot; and will argue in Brussels later this week that competition is more  quot;vibrant quot; than the EC believes, the Financial Times reported on its website


Pepsi Bottling 3rd-Qtr Profit Rises 4.4 on Juices (Update2)

Pepsi Bottling Group Inc., the world #39;s largest distributor of PepsiCo Inc. beverages, said third- quarter earnings rose 4.4 percent on new Tropicana juice drinks and sales in Europe.


P amp;O cuts to hit 1200 staff and ferry fleet

PORTS and shipping company P amp;O is to lay off up to 1200 staff and slash services as part of a 240 million review to reduce costs at its loss-making ferries business.


Court overturns EU decision to block WorldCom-Sprint merger

LONDON, September 28 (newratings.com) - An EU appeals court has overturned the European Commission #39;s four-year old decision to block a proposed merger deal between the US-based telecom companies, WorldCom and Sprint, which was subsequently abandoned.


Virgin to launch Nigerian airline

Richard Branson #39;s Virgin Atlantic Airways has announced an agreement with Nigeria to set up a new airline following the collapse of the African nation #39;s flagship carrier last year.


Boffins boost DVD capacity tenfold

Scientists working at London #39;s Imperial College have come up with a way of radically increasing the storage capacity of optical discs.


Cisco dumbs down switch management

Two new switches from Cisco demonstrate a sweeping change in the company #39;s assumptions about the technical knowledge of network managers.


Amendment 37 puts energy bills at risk

We look forward to the day when renewable energy accounts for a quarter, half or even three-fourths of Colorado #39;s electricity supplies.


Rover Report Card: Prospect of Mars Life More Likely

Rolling, rolling, rolling. Keep those Mars rovers rolling. You can almost hear the crack of a Martian whip. Since January, NASAs Spirit and Opportunity robots have been wheeling and dealing with the red planet.


Britain #39;s first pet professor

Professor Danny Mills of Lincoln University will predominantly study the behaviour of dogs, cats and horses and see how their anxieties can be solved.


New Palm system targets smart phones

The maker of Palm operating systems for handheld computers plans to introduce Tuesday its first version designed specifically for so-called smart phones.


Hotmail fees for Outlook access

Millions of Hotmail users face having to pay to access their messages using the Outlook e-mail program. Microsoft says it decided to start charging for the service as it was being abused by senders of spam.


Haiti in  #39;Total Desperation #39; After Storm

Louisen Louis, 30, walked Monday in the middle of a street that resembled a small river with brown rivulets and waves. He wore sandals and had a cut on one of his big toes.


Stocks Seen Higher; Oil Steady at \$50 Bbl

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks looked to open higher on  Tuesday, with beaten down shares tempting investors and oil  producer stocks bolstered by crude oil prices breaking through  the \$50 a barrel mark.


Yen Weighed Down by Rising Cost of Oil

LONDON (Reuters) - The yen sank to a four-month low against  the euro and a six-week low versus the dollar on Tuesday as  investors fretted that soaring oil prices could jeopardize  Japan's economic recovery.


Treasury Yields Near Lows, Oil Hugs Highs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury yields hovered near six-month  lows on Tuesday as investors bet rising energy costs would  handicap the economy and perhaps sway the Federal Reserve to  slow the pace of rate hikes.


Bayer, Lanxess Spin-Off Ratio Is Set

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Investors in Germany's Bayer will get  one share in chemicals and polymers spin-off Lanxess for every  10 Bayer shares held, a German newspaper said, valuing Lanxess  at nearly 1.6 billion euros (\$1.97 billion).


Before the Bell- Calpine Drops 6 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Calpine Corp. CPN.N fell 6  percent before the bell on Tuesday following reports that one  of its joint ventures received a default notice.


Saudi Arabia to hike oil production capacity

Saudi Arabia will increase oil production capacity to 11 million barrels per day (bpd) in a bid to curb soaring prices, Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi has said.


The ore will be produced by the Area C mine which opened last <b>...</b>

quot;It is extremely pleasing to see that additional benefits have already started flowing to both BHP Billiton and its Chinese partners as a result of the Wheelarra joint venture, quot; BHP Billiton Iron Ore president Graeme Hunt said in a statement.


Fannie Mae May Buy Fewer Mortgages to Meet Capital Requirement

Fannie Mae, the largest US mortgage buyer, may slow purchases of home loans to meet its regulator #39;s demand to boost capital, hurting earnings prospects.


A Million in Florida Still Powerless After Jeanne

About one million customers remained without power in Florida early Tuesday after Hurricane Jeanne tore through the state over the weekend, according to two of Florida #39;s largest utilities.


Toyota hopes to continue  #39;Moving Forward #39;

Toyota Motor Corp., which has been telling consumers to  quot;Get the Feeling quot; in its advertising since 2001, will begin urging them to keep  quot;Moving Forward quot; on Tuesday, part of the


New Palm operating system targets smart phones

SUNNYVALE, Calif. PalmSource -- the maker of Palm operating systems for handheld computers -- plans to introduce new software tomorrow to serve as the brains for so-called smart phones.


Virgin launches into online music

SIR Richard Branson has become the latest big name to move into the online music world. The British entrepreneur has launched a Virgin Digital music service in America, joining a long list of mainly technology companies in the crowded download market.


Genetic map pinpoints elephant poachers

DNA from seized ivory could help conservationists and police identify hotspots where elephants are in particular danger from poachers.


Adobe pushing for DNG photo standard

Adobe is currently trying to push a new image format standard to solve many of the problems associated with the plethora of camera hardware and the differing formats they use for storing images.


Cisco targets SMBs with new switches, software

Cisco has released a new line of switches and services for small and medium sized businesses aimed at helping companies with 100 to 1000 employees deploy converged voice


Davis Cup semifinals men #39;s tennis update - September 26

Fish was leading Karatchenia, 3-0, when play was stopped due to rain...The United States will meet Spain in the Davis Cup final from December 3-5.


Pakistan holds al-Qaeda suspects

Pakistan says 11 alleged militants have been arrested since security forces killed leading al-Qaeda suspect Amjad Farooqi on Sunday.


Spain #39;s Roman Catholic Church slams plans for gay marriage

MADRID, Spain The Catholic Church is slamming the Spanish government #39;s plan to legalize gay marriage. The church is furious with the changes planned by the Socialist government, saying legalizing gay marriage


Blair to shift focus from Iraq

BRITAIN #39;S Prime Minister Tony Blair hoped to switch attention from the unrelenting bloodshed in Iraq to his campaign for a third term in office with his address today to the Labour Party #39;s annual conference.


Lebanese prisoner accused of being al-Qaida member died in prison <b>...</b>

Hundreds of demonstrators attacked the building of the Lebanese general security at the border with Syria doubting the credibility of the report by the Lebanese authorities on the death of Ismail Muhammad al-Khatib suspected to be a member in al-Qaida


Japan Schools Tracking Students by Radio (AP)

AP - Cutting class just got harder but schools are safer thanks to computer chips that help track students, Japanese officials say.


Half of Internet Viagra Could Be Fake - Study (Reuters)

Reuters - As many as half of the Viagra\anti-impotence pills sold on the Internet could be counterfeit,\British scientists said on Tuesday.


First Look: Intuit's QuickBooks for Newbies (PC World)

PC World - New Simple Start Edition accounting software targets small businesses still using pencil and paper.


Germany: A Brighter Sun In The East (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - The jubilation that swept East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 long ago gave way to the sober reality of globalization and market forces. Now a decade of resentment seems to be boiling over. In Eastern cities such as Leipzig or Chemnitz, thousands have taken to the streets since July to protest cuts in unemployment benefits, the main source of livelihood for 1.6 million East Germans. Discontent among reunification's losers fueled big gains by the far left and far right in Brandenburg and Saxony state elections Sept. 19. ...


'Greenhouse' Gas Rising Over Antarctica (AP)

AP - A group of Japanese researchers has found that carbon dioxide levels over the Antarctica rose by over 2.6 percent from six years ago  #151; the first such detection of an increase in a "greenhouse" gas above the southern continent, group members said Tuesday.


Urchin Industry a Skeleton of Former Self (AP)

AP - Maine's urchin season has barely begun  #151; and it's already almost over.


Mars Orbiter Photographs Rover From Space (AP)

AP - A spacecraft orbiting Mars photographed one of NASA's rovers and its tracks on the surface, the space agency said Monday.


Rumbling at Mount St. Helens Triggers Alert (Reuters)

Reuters - Government scientists have warned\hikers and researchers not to go near the crater of the Mount\St. Helens volcano because there is an "increased likelihood"\an explosion could occur, sending rocks and debris down the\side of the mountain.


Jeanne Costs Money, Time at Florida Spaceport (Reuters)

Reuters - Jeanne was the third\hurricane in six weeks to damage Florida's Kennedy Space Center\but NASA would not say on Monday whether the damage will set\back plans to resume space shuttle flights next March.


Kenya Wants Most-Protected Status for Lions (Reuters)

Reuters - Even the King of Beasts needs a hand\staying alive in his own domain.


Branson Launches Virgin  #39;Digital Megastore #39;

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, today announced the launch of Virgin Digital, which will enter an increasingly competitive market for digital downloads.


Hotmail fees for Outlook access

Millions of Hotmail users face having to pay to access their messages using the Outlook e-mail program.


Insurgents Surface in Streets of Samarra (AP)

AP - Gunmen carrying flags of Iraq's most feared terror group surfaced in force in the central Iraqi city of Samarra on Tuesday for the first time since U.S. troops briefly entered it in a deal with tribal leaders that the Americans had portrayed as a success story in battling the insurgency.


WHO probes "probable" human-to-human bird flu amid fears of mutation (AFP)

AFP - The World Health Organisation confirmed that it was examining a  quot;probable quot; first full case of human-to-human transmission of bird flu in Thailand, raising fears of a deadly global flu pandemic.


Pepsi Bottling Group beats by a penny

Pepsi Bottling Group Inc., the world #39;s largest maker and distributor of PepsiCo #39;s beverages, edged past analysts #39; estimates by a penny in its third-quarter results released Tuesday.


On brink of \$10 million year, ho-hum Singh talk, toast of golf

No cheering in the press box. This is the first, second and third commandment of sports journalism, at least until Vijay Singh #39;s approach shot on a Sunday back nine appears to be sailing a tad too long.


Bush sharpens jabs against Kerry ahead of debates (AFP)

AFP - President George W. Bush sharpened his jabs against Democratic challenger John Kerry, who has called for an end to the nasty advertising war that he said was scaring off voters only days before the rivals' first televised debate.


Football: Man U Rooney dilemma

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson is debating whether to start with Wayne Rooney against Fenerbahce.


Drugstores May Start Charging for Consultations

Pharmacists have long been called on by customers to do more than just fill prescriptions. But drugstores, from giants like Rite Aid to smaller regional chains, are looking to expand their counseling programs and boost revenue - a trend that could be bolstered by the prescription-drug benefit that will become available to Medicare enrollees in 2006.


Study Links Suburban Sprawl to Various Ailments

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Warning: Suburban sprawl may be hazardous to your health. A report released Monday found that people who live in sprawling metropolitan areas are more likely to report chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, arthritis, headaches and breathing difficulties than residents of more compact cities...


Group Targets Medical Industry's Influence

By DIEDTRA HENDERSON    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Doctors who receive drug company funding would be limited in what they could teach other physicians under new rules being proposed by accreditors.    The Chicago-based Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, which gives its stamp of approval for such classes, was to announce sweeping changes Tuesday to limit the influence of doctors with financial connections to the pharmaceutical industry...


Saudi boosts oil output to rein in prices

Saudi Arabia, the world #39;s largest oil exporter, is to raise production from 9.5 million barrels a day to 11 million barrels in an attempt to rein in prices that have topped US\$50 a barrel.


Drug: Test results excite Alpharetta maker

Alpharetta-based AtheroGenics announced positive interim results Monday from a clinical trial of its drug to treat atherosclerosis, which leads to coronary heart disease.


Malfunctioning oxygen generator may force space station to be <b>...</b>

HOUSTON - International space station crew members may have to abandon the outpost later this year if astronauts can #39;t fix oxygen supply problems, a NASA official said.


Soccer: US Captain Reyna Injured

MANCHESTER, England - United States team captain Claudio Reyna will probably miss the next two World Cup qualifiers because of an injured left quadriceps.


Sharapova Wins in 1st Round of Korea Open (AP)

AP - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova beat Emmanuelle Gagliardi of Switzerland 6-1, 6-3 Tuesday in the first round of the Korea Open.


Arafat offers support to Bigley

Yasser Arafat has promised to intercede on behalf of British hostage Ken Bigley, a senior Irish politician says. Michael Higgins, foreign affairs spokesman for the Labour Party in Dublin, said the Palestinian leader made his pledge in a letter to him.


Another Chapter in the Extermination Policy

When Israel sends its agents to commit a crime in Syria, would it be implementing an American policy? The course of American pressure, which is now focused on Syria, supposes this; this is what might happen


Cisco notches new Net phone deal

Bank of America signs a deal to deploy 180,000 Cisco IP telephones nationwide over the next three years.


Dell introduces new compact desktop PC

Dell Inc. updated its line of slim consumer Dimension desktop PCs Tuesday with a multiformat expansion card reader, the first time such a feature has appeared in a Dell PC, a company spokesman said.


Bank of America to deploy 180,000 IP phones

Bank of America Corp. this week announced plans for a corporate-wide IP telephony rollout that will eventually put an IP phone on every BoA employees desktop -- about 180,000 phones total.


Microsoft's Anti-Spam Effort Killed Amid Patent Row

A row over intellectual property claims from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has dealt a fatal blow to an ambitious effort by Internet engineers to create a technical standard for curbing junk e-mail.


Japanese Schools Tracking Students by Radio

TOKYO (AP) -- Cutting class just got harder but schools are safer thanks to computer chips that help track students, Japanese officials say.    Some schools here this month began trial runs in which students carry chips that have tiny antennae and can be traced by radio, with some of the kids attaching the tags to their backpacks...


Lowe's Sees Profit Rising in 2005, 2006 (Reuters)

Reuters - Home improvement retailer Lowe's Cos.\ on Tuesday said it expects diluted earnings per share\rising in both 2005 and 2006 as it benefits from increased\remodeling activity and a rise in home ownership.


Lowe's Sees Profit Rising in 2005, 2006

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Home improvement retailer Lowe's Cos.  LOW.N on Tuesday said it expects diluted earnings per share  rising in both 2005 and 2006 as it benefits from increased  remodeling activity and a rise in home ownership.


Snap-On Sees Profit Below Estimates

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Snap-on Inc. SNA.N, which makes  vehicle-repair tools, on Tuesday said third-quarter and  full-year earnings would fall short of Wall Street estimates  due to high steel prices and weak business in Europe.


Starbucks to boost coffee prices in US

You #39;ll soon be forking over an extra 11 cents for a gentrified java. Starbucks (SBUX) says it will raise the average price of its beverages by 11 cents at 4,500 stores in North America Oct.


Atherogenics stock leaps on heart trial data

Shares of Atherogenics Inc. (AGIX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) leaped 82 percent in electronic trading before the market opened on Tuesday following the release of data showing


BHP Billiton wins 3.2 billion dollar iron ore deal with Chinese <b>...</b>

SYDNEY : BHP Billiton said it had struck a 3.2 billion US dollar deal to supply four Chinese steel companies with iron ore over the next decade.


Opponents of proposed coal-fired power plant line up to sound off

DENVER - A plan by Colorado #39;s largest utility to build a \$1.3 billion coal-fired power plant in Pueblo is facing strong opposition from people who say both environmental and financial concerns make the facility a bad idea.


Renewable energy may be offered by Empire

Empire Electric #39;s 15,000 member-owners may be able to get all or part of their electricity from renewable sources starting in January.


Wenger happy to avoid penguins

Trondheim - Arsenal go into their Champions League clash with Norwegian champions Rosenborg on Wednesday looking to melt away the memories of their last visits to chilly climes.


SI.com

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- After playing spoiler in the American League West Division for a week, the Seattle Mariners finally looked like a last-place team.


First probable case of bird flu transmission between humans

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The first case of transmission of the H5N1 virus between humans could have taken place in Thailand, this according to Kumara Rai, acting Thailand representative for the World Health Organisation (WHO).


Blair:  #39;Doing everything #39;

London - Prime Minister Tony Blair is doing  quot;everything he possibly can quot; to save the British engineer kidnapped in Iraq, Blair #39;s deputy said on Tuesday as the hostage #39;s family took encouragement from an offer of help by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.


Oil Charges Over \$50 on Nigeria Threat

Oil prices raced to new record highs above \$50 on Tuesday as rebel threats against Nigerian oil facilities threatened to inflict further strain on global supplies.


Microsoft to comply with EC orders on Windows

The world #39;s software giant Microsoft Corp. said it would comply with the European Commission (EC)  #39;s orders if it fails this week to persuade the European Court of Justice to suspend the EC #39;s decision.


Pepsi Bottling Profit Up, Hikes Outlook

Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. (PBG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest bottler of Pepsi drinks, on Tuesday said quarterly profit rose on volume growth in the United States and Europe


Technical Problems Delay Russian Space Launch Again

Technical problems have prompted a further delay to the blast-off of a Russian spacecraft to the International Space Station, space officials said on Tuesday.


Red Sox clinch playoff berth with win over Devil Rays

The Red Sox clinch their second straight trip to the playoffs with a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Boston was led by Manny Ramirez #39;s American League-leading 43rd home run.


Two Soldiers Attached To 1st Cav Charged With Murder

Staff Sgt. Johnny Horne, Jr., and Staff Sgt. Cardenas Alban have been charged with murder in the death of an Iraqi, the 1st Cavalry Division announced Monday.


FlexWiki: Microsoft's Third Open Software Project (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Could problems with Microsoft's GotDotNet Workspaces be prompting Microsoft to release more code to SourceForge?


Consumer Confidence Falls in September (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence edged lower\in September for a second straight month as persistent worries\about the job market weighed on sentiment, a report on Tuesday\said.


GULP! Higher Coffee Prices Brewing (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. consumers may soon have to\swallow more expensive coffee as soaring futures and rising\costs from milk to fuel induce roasters to charge more for the\steamy brew, industry participants said.


Stocks Open Higher, Shrug Off Oil Spike (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks opened higher on Tuesday,\with beaten down shares offering bargains to investors and oil\producer stocks bolstered by crude oil prices breaking through\the  #36;50 a barrel mark.


Nabi Says Vaccine Helped Smokers Quit (Reuters)

Reuters - Nabi Biopharmaceuticals  on\Tuesday said its NicVAX nicotine vaccine showed promising\results in helping smokers quit smoking in a small clinical\trial, sending its shares up 23 percent in premarket activity.


GULP! Higher Coffee Prices Brewing

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumers may soon have to  swallow more expensive coffee as soaring futures and rising  costs from milk to fuel induce roasters to charge more for the  steamy brew, industry participants said.


Silicon Still Rocks the House

Online music downloading might be the new wave in the music business, but it won't crest for at least another five years, according to a new report. -washingtonpost.com


Chevron denies Kazakh tax claim

ChevronTexaco says its Tengizchevroil venture has not been sent a \$2.5bn back-tax bill from the Kazakh government.


Saudi Arabia to Boost Oil Production as Price Hits \$50

The price of oil finally broke through the \$50-a-barrel mark today, a milestone never seen before.


A major player at Enron testifies

HOUSTON A former executive who participated in the wrongdoing that helped cripple Enron has testified, providing the first glimpse through the eyes of a principal of the deals orchestrated by Andrew Fastow when he was the company #39;s chief financial officer


NFL: Parcells bests Gibbs

LANDOVER, Maryland The coaches are older and grayer, and Lawrence Taylor and Mark Rypien are long retired. But on the football field little else has changed in the rivalry between Bill Parcells and Joe Gibbs.


Soccer: United keeps agents rich

LONDON As Wayne Rooney, the world #39;s most expensive teenage soccer player, prepared for his debut in the Champions League on Tuesday night, his new club Manchester United disclosed the true cost of paying middlemen to smooth the path between clubs who buy


CNN employee abducted as violence waxes in Gaza

JERUSALEM Palestinian gunmen in Gaza City abducted an Israeli Arab working for CNN, according to the network, stopping a taxi carrying a news crew and seizing the man, Riad Ali, a producer.


Diamonds robbed from Louvre

Two diamonds worth over \$14 million were robbed mid-afternoon from an antique dealers #39; show at the Paris Louvre museum yesterday.


Pepsi Bottling Profit Rises

Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. (PBG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest bottler of Pepsi drinks, on Tuesday said quarterly profit rose on volume growth in the United States and Europe.


Nation/world briefs

NEW YORK - Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corp. said they are exploring a potential joint bid for Adelphia Communications Corp., the troubled cable company that put itself on the block as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.


Rogers learns lesson

NSW Rugby CEO Fraser Neill believes Waratah star Mat Rogers has learned his lesson after he was fined and ordered to do community service following his controversial comments about the club rugby competition.


Consumer Confidence Dips in September

NEW YORK Sept. 28, 2004 - Consumer confidence declined in September for the second consecutive month, a New York-based private research group said Tuesday.


Mexican mixer sets sights on RMC concrete

Mexico #39;s Cemex has helped RMC Group #39;s shareholders to salsa their way out of debt that weighed like concrete boots. Photo: Rick Stevens.


Door open for Hardie boss

JAMES Hardie #39;s two most senior executives have agreed to stand aside after damning findings by a special inquiry into its asbestos liabilities, but chief executive Peter Macdonald


Starbucks Confirms Price Increase

Starbucks had indicated in July it would likely raise drink prices for the first time in nearly four years to keep up with costs, although the coffee retailer did not say how much or when.


Colonial to buy Union Bank

Montgomery, Ala.-based Colonial BancGroup (NYSE: CNB) said it has agreed to buy Sunrise-based Union Bank of Florida for a total of about \$233 million.


Motorola to Cut 1,000 Jobs, Take Charge

Motorola Inc. will cut 1,000 jobs worldwide and take a charge of \$50 million for severance benefits, officials said Tuesday. Motorola is completing a spinoff of its chip operations, now operating independently


Hollinger Adds 2 Independent Directors

Hollinger Inc., the scandal-plagued parent of newspaper publisher Hollinger International Inc., Tuesday said it increased the number of independent directors on its board to five from three.


California Pizza Boosts 3Q Outlook

Casual restaurant chain California Pizza Kitchen Inc. said Tuesday that 12-month same-store sales rose 7.5 percent for the third quarter, and the company raised its earnings per share guidance excluding several charges.


Virgin Digital Online Music Store Is Open For Business!

Virgin is all over the map. Yesterday morning, Sir Richard Branson introduced to the world that he was ready to make astronauts of us all by 2007.


Silicon Still Rocks the House

The Internet may have forever changed the music business, but online downloads will keep playing second fiddle to compact discs for at least the next five years.


AT amp;T Wireless sells dedicated messaging device

AT amp;T Wireless Services launched a mobile e-mail and messaging device without voice service on Monday, aiming to use a low price to tempt young consumers.


Cybertrust Launches in Latest Merger in Security Market

On 21 September 2004, Betrusted and TruSecure announced that they will merge, creating a privately held IT security company called Cybertrust.


Anaheim Angels Team Report - September 28

(Sports Network) - The Anaheim Angels and Texas Rangers will continue their battle for the division crown this evening, as they continue a four-game series at Ameriquest Field.


Lee on his last chance for Test

Brett Lee will have one last chance to convince selectors he is worth a place in Australia #39;s first Test side against India as the tourists take on Mumbai in their only warm-up match here, starting tomorrow.


Okocha set to return vs Baggies

Bolton playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha insists he will be fit to face West Brom on Saturday. Okocha was forced to sit out the draw against Birmingham at the weekend after suffering a groin injury in training on Friday.


CORRECTED-Lyle in race for Ryder Cup captaincy

Please read second paragraph as  quot;Lyle, 46, told television programme Scotland Today quot; instead of  quot;daily newspaper Scotland Today quot;.


Spanish Catholics attack plans for same-sex marriage

The Catholic church in Spain yesterday attacked government plans to legalise gay marriage, saying it would be like releasing a  quot;virus quot; into Spanish society.


Riots in Lebanon after al Qaeda suspect dies in custody

After overnight riots, thousands of people in Lebanon staged a protest following the death in custody of a suspected Al-Qaeda activist arrested for alleged bomb plots against Western embassies.


Jobs Picture Weighs on Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence dipped for the second straight month in September, as Americans remained concerned about the employment situation, according to a survey by the Conference Board.


Price hike set

Citing higher prices of coffee and sugar, Starbucks says it will raise the average price of its drinks by eleven cents at all 45-hundred stores in North America.


Centene buys Medicaid plan, stock rises 10 pct

Centene Corp. (CNC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , which sells Medicaid government health insurance plans, said it bought new plans totaling 136,000 new members, pushing its shares


Colonial BancGroup to Buy Union Bank

Colonial BancGroup Inc. on Tuesday said it agreed to acquire Union Bank of Florida in a cash and stock transaction, adding Union #39;s 18 branches to its network of nearly 300 locations.


Study: Compact Disc Rocks On

LONDON -- The compact disc has at least another five years as the most popular music format before online downloads chip away at its dominance, a new study said on Tuesday.


Hamm, Yang Testify Before Sports Court

American Paul Hamm and South Korea #39;s Yang Tae-young have testified before the sports world #39;s highest court in a hearing to determine who should win the Olympic men #39;s all-around gymnastics gold medal.


Bolton skipper Okocha fit for West Brom

Nigeria skipper Austin Jay Jay Okocha has declared he will be fit for Bolton Wanderers #39; Premiership match at West Brom on Saturday after missing last weekend #39;s 1-1 home draw with Birmingham with a groin strain.


Americans forces bomb Fallujah, battle insurgents in Baghdad

American forces unleashed an air strike against a suspected insurgent hideout in Fallujah on Tuesday, the latest in a string of attacks aimed at associates of guerrilla leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.


CDs to dominate for years over net downloads, study shows

LONDON - The compact disc has at least another five years as the most popular music format before online downloads chip away at its dominance, a new study said on Tuesday.


Saudis to Raise Oil Production in Bid to Bring Down Record Prices

Saudi Arabia says it will raise oil production in an effort to bring down prices that have soared to more than \$50 a barrel. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said Tuesday that the kingdom will step up its daily


Consumer Confidence Falls Again

US consumer confidence edged lower again in September after falling in August, as persistent worries about the job market weighed on sentiment, a report on Tuesday said.


Stocks Climb Despite Rising Oil Prices

Stocks turned higher Tuesday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average back above the 10,000 mark, as investors shrugged off rising energy prices and focused instead on good corporate news.


P and O cuts back Channel ferries in switch from shipping to ports

LONDON : Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co (P and O) -- the ports, shipping and logistics group -- announced sweeping cuts to its ferry operations to refocus the business in the face of competition from low-cost airlines.


S amp;P cuts debt ratings for SBC, BellSouth, Cingular

Standard  amp; Poor #39;s on Tuesday lowered the long-term debt ratings on BellSouth Corp. (BLS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , SBC Communications (SBC.


Consumer Confidence Dips in September (AP)

AP - Consumer confidence declined in September for the second consecutive month, a New York-based private research group said Tuesday.


Nabi Says Vaccine Helped Smokers Quit

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Nabi Biopharmaceuticals NABI.O on  Tuesday said its NicVAX nicotine vaccine showed promise in  helping smokers quit smoking in a small clinical trial, sending  its shares up 17 percent.


Any Fannie Mae Restatement Up to SEC--COO

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Whether mortgage finance giant  Fannie Mae FNM.N will have to restate its earnings as a  result of accounting problems cited by regulators will be up to  the Securities and Exchange Commission to consider, a company  executive said on Tuesday.


Oil Knocks Yen, Dents Dollar

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The yen fell to a six-week low against  the dollar on Tuesday as investors worried that soaring oil  prices could jeopardize Japan's economic recovery.


Treasury Yields Dip on Data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury yields retested recent lows  on Tuesday after a soft reading on U.S. consumer sentiment  encouraged those who hope the Federal Reserve will have to slow  the pace of interest rates increases.


Consumer Confidence Slips Again

Consumer confidence declined in September for the second consecutive month, a New York-based private research group said Tuesday.


Stocks Open Higher as Investors Shrug Off Oil Spike

Stocks opened higher today, with beaten down shares offering bargains to investors and oil producer stocks bolstered by higher crude oil prices.


Motorola to cut 1,000 jobs

Telecommunications equipment maker Motorola Inc. said Tuesday that it would cut 1,000 jobs and take charges of about \$50 million for severance benefits as part of a drive to increase productivity.


Cable Titans Team for Adelphia

Comcast and Time Warner yesterday announced they will make a joint bid for Adelphia Communications, jumping to the front of the pack in the widely watched auction for the No.


Boeing 7E7 Faces Trouble from Talk of Airbus Rival

As Boeing Co gears up for its all-new 7E7 airliner, arch rival Airbus may already be putting 7E7 orders and supplier cost-sharing


Amaker gains another recruit

A day after returning from his visit to the University of Michigan, Price gave a verbal commitment to play basketball for the Wolverines on Monday afternoon.


US planes hit Zarqawi insurgents in Falluja

BAGHDAD US forces struck by air Tuesday at what they called a hideout for associates of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Falluja, and troops battled insurgents on a main thoroughfare in Baghdad, the authorities said.


Pakistan Arrests Over a Dozen Suspected Militants

Security forces have detained more than a dozen suspected militants, including some linked to al Qaeda, after killing Pakistan #39;s most wanted man in a weekend shootout, intelligence sources said on Tuesday.


Turner to Provide Content for Net TV Co. (AP)

AP - Akimbo Systems Inc., a startup that plans to deliver video over the Internet to television sets, has signed a deal for mainstream content from Time Warner Inc.'s Turner Broadcasting System.


Hackers Attack Web Site of Qaeda-Linked Iraq Group (Reuters)

Reuters - Hackers on Tuesday attacked a Web site of\an al Qaeda-linked group that beheaded two U.S. hostages in\Iraq, rerouting visitors to a page showing a penguin toting a\machine-gun and warning against hosting such sites.


Alpine ships car stereo iPod interface (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Alpine Electronics of America Inc. on Tuesday announced it is shipping its Interface Adapter for iPod, model KCA-420i. The  #36;100 product enables Alpine's 2004 Ai-NET in-dash head units to interface with Apple's iPod and iPod mini. First announced in January, the Alpine Interface Adapter for iPod enables Alpine users to navigate their iPod's playlists, search for songs and more using the front panel buttons or remote on compatible Alpine head units. The interface kit can be installed anywhere in the car and charges the iPod's battery when it's connected. ...


Motorola to Cut 1,000 Jobs (Reuters)

Reuters - Telecommunications equipment maker\Motorola Inc.  said on Tuesday that it would cut 1,000\jobs and take related charges of about  #36;50 million to focus on\its wireless business.


Hackers Target Microsoft JPEG Hole (PC World)

PC World - Images posted in news groups may install remote control software on vulnerable PCs.


Scientist Vies for Human Cloning License (AP)

AP - One of the creators of Dolly the sheep, the world's first mammal cloned from an adult, said Tuesday he was seeking permission to create cloned human embryos for medical research.


Asteroid Toutatis Makes Closest Pass in 651 Years (Reuters)

Reuters - An asteroid named for a Celtic god\of war will come as close to Earth this week as it has since\1353.


Gambro Halted After Dialysis Sale Report

The Stockholm stock exchange halted trade in kidney-care company Gambro on Monday after a report that the Swedish firm might be on the verge of selling its main dialysis operation in a \$3 billion deal.


Kenya Pushes for Ban on Hunting Lions (AP)

AP - Kenya is pushing for an international ban on trade in lion trophies and skins, arguing that the number of the animals has declined sharply over the years as a result of hunting, loss of habitat and lack of prey.


Nfld woman buys  #36;17M lotto ticket after telling husband he got the wrong one (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - MONCTON, N.B. (CP) - A woman from Newfoundland purchased a lottery ticket worth  #36;17.7 million Saturday, after scolding her husband for buying the wrong ticket.


Bush's lead gets smaller in poll (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - President Bush leads Sen. John Kerry by 8 percentage points among likely voters, the latest USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows. That is a smaller advantage than the president held in mid-September but shows him maintaining a durable edge in a race that was essentially tied for months.


AdWatch: New Bush Ad (AP)

AP - Details of a new television ad from President Bush to begin airing Tuesday:


Court Takes on Question of Seizing Land (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide when governments may seize people's homes and businesses for economic development projects, a key question as cash-strapped cities seek ways to generate tax revenue.


CNN Producer to Be Released in Gaza Soon-Officials

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian police have tracked down the  Gaza kidnappers of a CNN television producer and expect him to  be freed soon, an Israeli Arab legislator close to the  Palestinian leadership said on Tuesday.


Alvarion to Expand Wireless Broadband in China

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli wireless broadband systems  provider Alvarion Ltd. ALVR.O ALVR.TA said on Tuesday that  China Netcom expanded its deployment of Alvarion's systems to  four more Chinese provinces.


Argentine Teen Kills Four in School Shooting

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - A 15-year-old Argentine  killed four fellow students and wounded six on Tuesday in a  school shooting that shocked Argentines unaccustomed to such  violence.


Tata signs Ferrari Formula One deal

Ferrari has signed Tata Consultancy Services, India #39;s largest software company, to provide technology and engineering services for the Italian team #39;s vehicle in next year #39;s Formula One season.


Cricket: England name squad

Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick will miss England's controversial tour of Zimbabwe.


Crude Oil Prices Top \$50 Per Barrel

LONDON - Crude oil topped the psychological milestone of \$50 per barrel Tuesday for the first time, and a Saudi Arabian oil official said the world's largest petroleum exporter would raise its production capacity by nearly 5 percent in a bid to calm prices.    Analysts said instability in the Middle East, political unrest in Nigeria, Africa's top oil exporter, and damage to U.S...


New \$50 Bill Begins Circulating

WASHINGTON - Coming to cash registers near you: Colorful new \$50 bills sporting splashes of red, blue and yellow. Next up for a makeover, the government said Tuesday: \$10 bills...


Consumer Confidence Dips in September

NEW YORK - Consumer confidence declined in September for the second consecutive month, a New York-based private research group said Tuesday.    The Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.9 points to 96.8 from a revised reading of 98.7 in August, according to The Conference Board...


Crude Oil Prices Top \$50 Per Barrel

LONDON - Crude oil topped the psychological milestone of \$50 per barrel Tuesday for the first time, and a Saudi Arabian oil official said the world's largest petroleum exporter would raise its production capacity by 15 percent in a bid to calm prices.    Analysts said instability in the Middle East, political unrest in Nigeria, Africa's top oil exporter, and damage to U.S...


U.S. Says More Iraqi Police Are Needed as Attacks Continue

At a time when Iraqi insurgents are targeting local police officers and recruits for attack, the United States has raised by one-third -- to 135,000 -- the size of the Iraqi police force it says will be needed to help secure the country, according to information the administration has provided to Congress.


Iraqi Judge Dismisses Chalabi Case

The chief investigating judge of Iraq's Central Criminal Court said Monday that he had "temporarily dismissed" a counterfeiting case against Ahmed Chalabi, the exile leader who was supported by the Pentagon before the war but became a leading critic of the U.S. occupation.


Briton Jailed for Arms Dealings

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sept. 10 -- A Zimbabwean court jailed a former British special services officer for seven years Friday in a case prosecutors linked to a foiled coup attempt in the oil-rich country of Equatorial Guinea.


S. Africans Venture to Black Township

Monica Collins briefed her family, made a list of emergency phone numbers and, after consulting her fellow adventurers, selected a vehicle they figured would be safest for the journey, a rugged SUV.


North Korea Resists Talks on Nuclear Arms

North Korea said Monday that it will not resume talks on its nuclear weapons program until the Bush administration ends its "hostile policy" against Pyongyang and South Korea publishes complete details of its secret efforts to produce nuclear-weapons-grade fuel.


Peru Ex-President Rejects Extradition Call

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori on Thursday rejected his successor's call, made at the United Nations, for world leaders to press Japan to extradite him to face corruption charges and allegations of involvement in death squad massacres, according to a statement broadcast by news media here.


Former Drug Lord Gunned Down in Brazil

Jose Carlos dos Reis Encina, once Brazil's most notorious drug lords, was gunned down on a major avenue Thursday, police said.


News Corp Buys Stake in Sky Italia

Australia-based News Corp. has bought Telecom Italia SpA #39;s 19.9 percent stake in satellite television company Sky Italia for euro88 million (US\$108.


Update 5: KarstadtQuell to Sell Nearly Half Stores

Struggling German retailer KarstadtQuelle said Tuesday it plans to sell nearly half of its department stores and issue euro500 million (US\$615 million) in shares as it restructures in response to Germany #39;s persistent retail slump.


Canadian spammer hunted by Amazon and Microsoft

Online retailer Amazon and Microsoft have teamed up to sue a Canadian spamming operation the companies allege is responsible for sending millions of forged e-mails claiming to have come from Amazon.


PalmSource Takes the Wraps Off Palm OS Cobalt 6.1

PalmSource #39;s European developer conference is going on now in Germany, and this company is using this opportunity to show off Palm OS Cobalt 6.1, the latest version of its operating system.


Hackers Target Microsoft JPEG Hole

Malicious hackers are seeding Internet news groups that traffic in pornography with JPEG images that take advantage of a recently disclosed security hole in Microsoft #39;s software, according to warnings from antivirus software companies and Internet


PalmSource unveils  #39;smart phone #39; operating system

In an effort to ring up more sales, PalmSource Inc., of Sunnyvale, known for making the operating system for the Palm handheld computer, on Tuesday introduced a new operating system for so-called  quot;smart phones.


No Wi-Fi for Grantsdale

Intel has dropped plans to include integrated Wi-Fi in its 915G/P and 925X chipsets. The chipsets - formerly codenamed Grantsdale - were due to have Wi-Fi access points built in at launch.


Weiner Tops Philippoussis at Shanghai Open (AP)

AP - Defending champion Mark Philippoussis lost in the first round of the Shanghai Open on Tuesday, beaten by little-known American Glenn Weiner 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.


Madrid #39;s Olympic bid wins Real support for 2012 Summer Games

Madrid has enlisted the support of Real Madrid in an attempt to boost its hopes of staging the 2012 Olympic Games. Madrid #39;s mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon described the famous soccer team as  quot;the


UPDATE 1-Rangnick appointed Schalke coach

Bundesliga club Schalke 04 named former Stuttgart and Hanover coach Ralf Rangnick as their new trainer on Tuesday in succession to Jupp Heynckes.


Kewell, Viduka in Australian squad for Oceania soccer final

Australian coach Frank Farina has named English Premier League players Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka in his final 20-man soccer squad to play the Solomon Islands in the home-and-away Oceania Nations Cup final series.


China on way to top Athens Paralympics gold table

Four gold medals and three world records in the swimming pool featured a weekend of China while three golds from track and field events brought the country to an insurmountable lead at the 12th Paralympic Games Saturday in Athens.


No timetable for Expos move

com. Despite reports to the contrary, Major League Baseball has yet to set up a timetable for a decision on the future of the Montreal Expos and a possible move to Washington, DC, baseball #39;s No.


Former NFL Player Bob Mitinger Dies at 64 (AP)

AP - Bob Mitinger, a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers in the 1960s, died at 64.


Blair comes out fighting

Tony Blair today urged Labour to unite behind a radical third-term agenda as he sought to heal party wounds over Iraq. The Prime Minister said that he realized the war in Iraq had divided


Enemies unite in plea for CNN man #39;s release

IN a rare display of common interest, Palestinian and Israeli officials called yesterday for the freeing of a CNN producer seized by armed men in the Gaza Strip.


Jordan #39;s Abdullah: Iraq not ready for Jan. election

King Abdullah of Jordan, one of the United States key allies in the Middle East, has come out strongly against holding elections in Iraq in January.


Bigley forced to watch beheading

BRITISH hostage Kenneth Bigley was made to watch a video showing the beheading of one of his American friends before he begged Tony Blair to save his life.


Blair pledges to  #39;end digital divide #39; if re-elected

Prime Minister Tony Blair has committed a future Labour government to providing broadband access for all during a next term of office.


Action Against Hunger expands operations in wake of devastation in <b>...</b>

After the political crisis at the beginning of the year and the torrential rains last May, Haiti has been hit by tropical storm, Jeanne.


Software AG charts cautious course in China

Why go slowly? "You can burn a lot of money in China very fast," a top executive says.


Hackers use porn to target Microsoft JPEG hole

Malicious hackers are seeding Internet news groups that traffic in pornography with JPEG images that take advantage of a recently disclosed security hole in Microsoft Corp.'s software, according to warnings from antivirus software companies and Internet security groups.


Toshiba Has Big Plans for Small Drives

Company will begin production on sub-1-inch hard drive later this year.


Hackers Target Microsoft JPEG Hole

Images posted in news groups may install remote control software on vulnerable PCs.


New \$50 Bill Begins Circulating

Coming to cash registers near you: Colorful new \$50 bills sporting splashes of red, blue and yellow. Next up for a makeover, the government said Tuesday: \$10 bills.


New Design for My Yahoo Adds Screen Real Estate\\Yahoo is now allowing My Yahoo users to test out the new My Yahoo layout. Yahoo! lists the new features to be found at the new My Yahoo here. Jeremy Zawodny has some great information on this in his entry named New ...


MoreGoogle : Enhances your Google Experience\\Google seems to be the worlds favorite search engine. It is famous for its bare interface that focuses more on speed and accurate results than eye candy. And apparently some people find it to be too bare. That is why we have had tools like ...


Goldcorp and Wheaton River gold producers strike friendly merger <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. - after failing to complete a friendly merger and then avoiding a hostile takeover so far this year - spent Monday promoting the virtues of an agreed merger with Goldcorp Inc.


Sony Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1L digital music player

Reg review Does colour screen  touch-sensitive control pad = iPod killer?


Hardie board protecting chief exective, say unions

TONY JONES: Unions and asbestos victims have accused the James Hardie Board of protecting the chief architects of its underfunded compensation trust.


Branson #39;s  #39;Enterprise #39; Brings Final Frontier Within Reach

Richard Branson has announced plans for the VSS (Virgin Space Ship) Enterprise, the first of several planned  quot;space liners quot; to be built with a total investment of \$110 million.


Elephant DNA sheds light on ivory origin

By analyzing elephant DNA, a research team led by Seattle scientists has discovered a way to trace the origins of ivory and help stem the poaching that still threatens the giant beasts across much of their habitat.


Microsoft ends free Outlook access for Hotmail

One of the drawing points for Microsoft #39;s free Hotmail service has been its tight integration with its Outlook e-mail and PIM client.


Athens Paralympics ends with China on top

China turned out a great surprise in the 12-day-long 12th Paralympic Games which closed here on Tuesday, topping the gold medal tally with 63.


India #39;s diplomatic gains in UN

Manmohan Singh #39;s recent trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, his first as India #39;s prime minister, has been widely seen as a diplomatic triumph.


Dell Debuts Compact PC (PC World)

PC World - Slim Dimension desktop features an 8-in-1 memory card reader.


Bubble in crude?

A minority of analysts say oil is way too high and prices could tumble -- but will they? by Mark Gongloff, CNN/Money senior writer.


Consumer Confidence Falls Again in Sept.

US consumer confidence edged lower again in September after falling in August, as persistent worries about the job market weighed on sentiment, a report on Tuesday said.


Microsoft #39;s European Catch-22

It #39;s a real pity that the classic American sitcom Diff #39;rent Strokes never got broadcast in Luxembourg. If it had, I could almost see the judges at Microsoft #39;s antitrust hearing


Amazon, Microsoft team for spam suits

IT industry leaders Amazon.com and Microsoft said Tuesday that they have joined forces to file several lawsuits targeting individuals accused of carrying out Internet crimes such as spamming, phishing and e-mail address spoofing.


UPDATE 1-Steelworkers challenge Cooper Tire parts unit sale

The union representing workers at four Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. (CTB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plants said on Tuesday that it has sued to block the company #39;s proposed sale of its auto parts business to two buyout firms.


Comcast, Time Warner eye Adelphia

Philadelphia #39;s Comcast and Time Warner are considering a bid to buy bankrupt Adelphia Communications, the New York Times reported Tuesday.


Rising Sun for Ingram Micro (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Information technology spending is growing significantly -- that is, in other countries such as China and India. According to an IDC study, China's IT growth is expected to be 15 annually and India's about 20.


DNA testing to pinpoint origin of illegal ivory

A new genetic technique to pinpoint where various ivory comes from could help to thwart ivory smugglers. By indicating the origin of a specific ivory shipment with an accuracy of 500 to 1000 kilometres, it


Trojan horse exploits image flaw

Infected graphical images that can implant a backdoor into a Windows computer if they are viewed have been spotted on Usenet. EasyNews, a provider of Usenet newsgroups, said it has identified two JPEG images


Palm Produces Smartphone OS

Palmsource has introduced a new version of Cobalt, its software platform for smartphones. The new smartphone OS includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support and an enhanced Web browser.


Budget Version of Windows Headed for Russia

Priced at about US\$36, the Starter Edition gives users limited options and features, compared to the standard Windows version. Microsoft hopes the low price will help it compete in Russia


Toshiba trumps iPod with 60GB rival

Toshiba is releasing four new portable digital music devices - one boasting a 60GB capacity - to rival Apple #39;s iPod and iPod mini.


Security firms merge to form Cybertrust

A new managed security behemoth has been created by the merger of three security vendors. Betrusted Holdings, TruSecure and Ubizen (a subsidiary of Betrusted) will amalgamate and form a new company, known as Cybertrust.


Blackburn set to sign French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff

Blackburn Rovers are poised to sign French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, who was released by Bolton in the close-season, the English Premiership soccer club said.


Thurig wins world time trial title

BARDOLINO, Italy -- Swiss racer Karin Thurig won the women #39;s world time trial title at the championships in Bardolino, to claim her first major international crown.


Protesters twice disrupt Blair #39;s speech at Labor #39;s conference

Protesters have twice disrupted British Prime Minister Tony Blair #39;s speech at his ruling Labor #39;s annual conference in Brighton, southern England, as thousands of pro-hunt campaigners


Jordan #39;s King Worries About Iraq Elections

PARIS Sept. 28, 2004 - Extremists will have the upper hand in Iraqi elections if voting is held amid the current violence, Jordan #39;s King Abdullah II said in an interview published Tuesday, voicing profound


Palestinian killed on intifada anniversary

JENIN, West Bank : A Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire as the Palestinian uprising entered its fifth year. Saleh Bilalu, a 47-year-old mentally ill man, was killed in Jenin after he violated an Israeli


Shell Output Unchanged After Staff Evacuation

Multinational oil giant, Royal Dutch/Shell has disclosed that its out put remains unchanged despite its evacuation of non-essential staff from two oil production plants in its eastern operations area in the Niger- Delta where Nigerian troops are engaged


Taiwan foreign minister criticises Singapore

TAIPEI : Taiwan Foreign Minister Mark Chen has lashed out at Singapore over remarks by the Republic #39;s own Foreign Minister George Yeo at the United Nations.


Motorola to cut 1,000 jobs

ZDNet #39;s survey of IT professionals in August kept Wired  amp; Wireless on top for the 18th month in a row. Telecommunications equipment maker Motorola said Tuesday that it would cut 1,000 jobs and take related


Baseball Announcement Could Come Thursday

According to several baseball officials, District residents could learn on Thursday that Major League Baseball plans to return to the national capital next season.


Pakistani forces arrest several Al Qaeda suspects

Pakistani security forces arrested several suspects on Monday, including some linked to Al Qaeda network. The arrests came one day after Pakistani security forces killed a senior Al Qaeda operative, Amjad Farooqi, in a raid in southern Pakistan.


Kidd to Make Season Debut Versus Raptors (Reuters)

Reuters - New Jersey guard\Jason Kidd is expected to make his season debut Monday, when\the Nets host the Toronto Raptors at Continental Airlines\Arena.


Northern Afghan warlord gathers thousands for presidential rally (AFP)

AFP - Northern Afghan warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostam held the biggest rally of Afghanistan's presidential campaign with a gathering of thousands in his northern home town.


Striking N.B. hospital workers protest at meeting of Atlantic premiers (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - MONCTON, N.B. (CP) - Hundreds of striking hospital workers demonstrated outside a Moncton hotel where Premier Bernard Lord and his Atlantic counterparts were meeting Tuesday.


Supreme Court Takes Up Okla. Voting Case (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide if political parties can open their primaries to all voters, in a constitutional challenge to Oklahoma's voting system.


MMO2 defends cautious 3G approach

MMO2 defends its decision not to join the current push to roll-out third generation (3G) mobile phone services, as it launches a PC plug-in card  for laptop users.


Defense, IT Companies Form Standards Group

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The five top U.S. defense  contractors, communications companies joined on Tuesday with  some European rivals to develop technology standards that will  allow better communication among future weapons systems.


Motorola to cut 1,000 jobs

SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 (REUTERS) - Telecommunications equipment maker Motorola Inc. said today that it would cut 1,000 jobs and take related charges of about \$50 million to focus on its wireless business.


Snap-On plunges on Q3 warning

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Snap-On Inc. plunged 11 percent early Tuesday after the tool and equipment maker warned of lower third-quarter profits due to higher steel costs, weakness in Europe and disruptions from hurricanes in the US.


Harrah #39;s/Caesars Expects Payoff

As I #39;ve said before, I don #39;t think Harrah #39;s Entertainment (NYSE: HET) could have hoped for much better. Late last month, casino operator Harrah #39;s and merger partner Caesars


British Scientists Invent One Terabyte Optical Disk

The surface of CDs and DVDs are made up of microscopic grooves filled with areas known as pits and land regions, which carry the information.


VoIP tools firm ready to battle  quot;SPIT quot;

With the increasing popularity of VoIP,  quot;SPIT quot; (SPam over Internet Telephony) has the potential to be an even bigger problem than its email counterpart.


America Online Courts Mobile Developers

Hoping to accelerate AOL instant messaging (IM) on mobile devices, America Online has launched the Mobile Developer Program. OZ, LG Electronics, Motorola, Samsung Telecommunications America and Siemens have signed on as charter members.


Knight slams NCAA in Washington

Texas Tech men #39;s coach Bob Knight was the guest speaker Monday at the National Press Club, offering his opinions on basketball topics and downplaying any ambitions to make the jump to politics from the world of sports.


From Spam to SPIT

It doesn #39;t exist yet, but you know it #39;s coming. Spam on your cell phone is only a matter of time. What was once the province of small companies like Vonage and 8x8 (Nasdaq


Blair Makes Partial Iraq Apology to Win Back Party

BRIGHTON, England (Reuters) - Tony Blair offered his Labour  party on Tuesday a partial apology for waging war in Iraq,  striving to pull angry supporters behind him ahead of an  election next year.


Afghan Election Bandwagon Creaks Into Motion

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghanistan's election  bandwagon creaked into motion on Tuesday with a leading  candidate drawing the biggest crowd of the campaign so far.


174 NHL Players in Europe During Lockout (AP)

AP - Dmitri Afanasenkov of the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning became the latest NHL player to head to Europe, agreeing on Tuesday to return home to Russia during the lockout.


Motorola to Cut 1,000 Jobs, Take Charge

Motorola Inc. will cut 1,000 jobs worldwide and take a charge of \$50 million for severance benefits, officials said Tuesday.


Consumer Confidence Falls Again in Sept.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence edged lower  again in September after falling in August, as persistent  worries about the job market weighed on sentiment, a report on  Tuesday said.


All 50 States Post Personal Income Growth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. personal incomes rose 1.5  percent in the second quarter of 2004, the fastest pace of  growth in more than three years as income gains sped up in 33  states, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.


Blair Offers His Party a Qualified Apology for Iraq War

Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain apologized for flawed intelligence but not for removing Saddam Hussein.


Fannie Mae Restatement Up to SEC - COO

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Whether mortgage finance giant  Fannie Mae FNM.N will have to restate its earnings as a  result of accounting problems cited by regulators will be up to  the Securities and Exchange Commission to consider, a company  executive said on Tuesday.


Titan Appoints Ethics-Compliance Officer

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Titan Corp. TTN.N, a defense  contractor that saw its proposed purchase by Lockheed Martin  Corp. LMT.N scuttled as a government bribery probe dragged  on, said on Tuesday it had appointed a compliance and ethics  officer.


Update 1: Zoellick, Mandelson in Airbus-Boeing Talks

New EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson began talks Monday with his US counterpart Robert Zoellick, with the global trade negotiations and a dispute over aircraft subsidies high on their agenda, Mandelson #39;s spokeswoman said.


Telecom Italia Shares Suspended

Shares in Telecom Italia SpA were suspended from trading for two days on Monday, ahead of an expected buyout attempt by the company of its mobile unit Telecom Italia Mobile SpA, or TIM.


Saudi Arabia To Boost Output as Oil Tops \$50

The Saudi announcement came after oil prices moved above the US\$50 per barrel mark. Oil analyst Deborah White at Societe General bank, said:  quot;The Saudi announcement is not a surprise.


Industry veterans bet on open-source model

A team of computer industry veterans including a former Microsoft executive are launching an open-source company that aims to be the Dell of the software industry.


ConocoPhillips Favorites in Lukoil Auction

When a 7.6 percent stake in Lukoil - the world #39;s No. 2 oil company by reserves - goes under the auction hammer Wednesday in Russia #39;s biggest privatization, industry watchers aren #39;t expecting any surprises.


Silicon Still Rocks the House (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The Internet may have forever changed the music business, but online downloads will keep playing second fiddle to compact discs for at least the next five years.


Cisco Extends Catalyst Switching Products for SMBs

Cisco Systems has released a suite of new Cisco Catalyst switching products and services specifically designed and priced for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).


Turner to provide content for Net TV co.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Akimbo Systems Inc., a startup that plans to deliver video over the Internet to television sets, has signed a deal for mainstream content from Time Warner Inc.


Munich Set to Approve Linux Despite Patent Worries (Reuters)

Reuters - More than a year after the German\city of Munich declared its landmark intention to abandon\Microsoft Windows in favor of upstart rival Linux, its\councillors are finally ready to go ahead with the plan.


Real Madrid host AS Roma in a game of survival

The Santiago Bernabeu will be under the spotlights when Real host Roma in a clash the loser of which will be in dire straits. Both sides are enjoying poor league form and injury worries as their new coaches


US will battle host Spaniards in Seville

Madrid, Spain (Sports Network) - The United States and Spain will play their 2004 Davis Cup final on a clay court at Olympic Stadium in Seville, from December 3-5.


Top Seed Federer Struggles Through in Thai Opener

Top seed Roger Federer toiled to beat battling Frenchman Nicolas Thomann and reach the second round of the Thailand Open on Tuesday.


Angels try to keep pace with A #39;s

The Anaheim Angels will again try to grab a share of the division lead and further hinder the Texas Rangers chances of winning the West when the teams continue their four-game series at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.


Dodgers hope to trim magic number to 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers hope to move a step closer to clinching the NL West when they continue their four-game series with the Colorado Rockies.


Abducted CNN Producer Released in Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Sept. 28, 2004 - An Israeli Arab who works as a producer for the TV network CNN was released Tuesday, a day after he was kidnapped at gunpoint, relatives and Palestinian police said.


More Arrested in Pakistan Following Killing of Al-Qaida Leader

Pakistani security forces have arrested more suspected militants in a series of raids following Sunday #39;s killing of a top al-Qaida leader and the arrest of two of his aides.


Who Governs the West Bank?

Who Governs the West Bank? Palestinian Administration under Israeli Occupation,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines that system, which faces its most acute crisis since the Oslo process was launched in 1993.


Munich Set to Approve Linux Despite Patent Worries

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - More than a year after the German  city of Munich declared its landmark intention to abandon  Microsoft Windows in favor of upstart rival Linux, its  councillors are finally ready to go ahead with the plan.


Delta to Cut Execs, Workers Pay by 10 Pct

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines DAL.N on Tuesday said  it would reduce the pay of executives and frontline employees  by 10 percent as of Jan. 1 as part of its drive to slash costs  and avoid bankruptcy.


Mirant subsidiary settles CFTC pricing manipulation claims

ATLANTA A Mirant Corporation subsidiary has agreed to pay 12-and-a-half (M) million dollars to settle government claims. The federal government accused the bankrupt Atlanta-based energy supplier of trying


Court Rules Against Europe's Antitrust Chief in MCI Case

The European Commission was wrong to block the proposed \$120 billion merger four years ago between MCI WorldCom and Sprint, a European court ruled today.


Briefly: Ex-HP exec joins StreamServe board

roundup Plus: Credit union beefs up database security...Computer scientists slam e-voting machines..."The Sims 2" hits 1 million sales.


Ex-HP exec joins StreamServe board

Peter Blackmore, who lost his job at Hewlett-Packard in August, is now a director of the board for the Swedish software company.


A former Microsoft executive and other tech bigwigs fund SourceLabs, an open-source start-up focused on maintenance and support.


Fuel price flying off the handle

The airline industry is expected to lose as much as \$4-b in 2004 due to the high fuel costs, despite an increase of about 19 in international passenger traffic so far this year.


Amazon, Microsoft team for spam suits

com September 28, 2004, 8:37 AM PT. Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.


Lowe #39;s Builds High Expectations

Either there is a reliable crystal ball somewhere in Lowe #39;s (NYSE: LOW) corporate boardroom, or management of the home improvement retailer feels quite confident about its prognostication skills.


S amp;P Lowers Ratings on BellSouth, SBC

On September 28, 2004, Standard  amp; Poor #39;s Ratings Services lowered its ratings on regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) BellSouth (BLS ) and SBC Communications (SBC ) and their jointly-owned affiliate, Cingular Wireless.


ConocoPhillips hands-down favorite in Lukoil auction

MOSCOW Houston-based ConocoPhillips is seen as the front-runner in an auction for a stake in the Russian oil company Lukoil. A seven-point-six percent stake in the world #39;s Number Two oil company by reserves


Dawn of the Terabyte DVD

Using a novel new approach, scientists at the Imperial College in London are on the path to optical storage that dwarfs the capacities of current DVD #39;s and even upcoming, blue laser-based discs.


FCC TO VOTE ON DIGITAL TV PLAN

September 28, 2004 -- Michael Powell, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, plans to hold a vote this year on a proposal to require US television broadcasters such as Viacom Inc.


Arsenal midfielder Gilberto out with back injury

LONDON, Sep 28 (SW) - Arsenal FCs Brazilian midfielder Gilberto has been ruled out of action for no less than a month with a back injury.


Djorkaeff in Blackburn Talks

Youri Djorkaeff is in talks with Blackburn, according to the Frenchman #39;s agent. The 36-year-old has been at Ewood Park discussing a move, but nothing has yet been agreed and it is understood that no medical has taken place yet.


Italian Hostages Released in Iraq

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday that two female Italian aid workers who had been taken hostage in Iraq had been released and turned over to the Italian Red Cross.


Blair gives partial Iraq apology

Tony Blair has offered his Labour party a partial apology for waging war in Iraq, striving to pull angry supporters behind him ahead of an election next year.