#39;I see no hope whatsoever #39;

CHICAGO -- There was no Chicago Hope yesterday. If there was any thought that NHL agents might be able to help solve the NHL lockout, it was quickly crushed when agent Mark Gandler declared there won #39;t be a season.


C #39;s have nothing extra: Comeback wasted in OT loss to Wiz

The Celtics found themselves in an overtime duel here last night. Unfortunately for the Green, they played the extra inning like the Yankees.


Luisita victims #39; remains allowed at dispersal site

Tension at the Hacienda Luisita ebbed Thursday as the remains of three plantation workers who died at the picket line were allowed to be placed at gate one of the plantation, the scene of Tuesdays bloody dispersal.


EU MPs Vote for New Commission Team

Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is to present to the European Parliament his new team of commissioners on Thursday.


Thai Queen Urges End to Violence in Muslim South

Thailand #39;s Queen Sirikit has made a rare public appeal for all Thais to help end 10 months of violence in the south that has killed hundreds of people.


eBay Agrees to Limit Racial Slurs on Auction Site (Reuters)

Reuters - Internet auction house eBay Inc.\said on Wednesday it would limit the use of racial slurs after\U.S. city officials complained the offensive terms were being\used to advertise lawn jockeys and other antiques.


Kurdish Rebels Using European Bases (AP)

AP - The recent Dutch raid against a suspected military training camp used by Turkish Kurdish rebels is the largest crackdown against the group in Europe, which has become a base for autonomy-seeking militants to collect money, recruit and train, authorities say.


U.S. Sees Sadr City As Model for Fallujah (AP)

AP - Goats nibble on rotting vegetables, barefoot children scavenge through garbage and women in black robes scuttle over slivers of pavement to avoid raw sewage floating down the street. As U.S. soldiers pass by, the bustle continues uninterrupted.


Iran Said Trying to Fit Missiles for Nukes (AP)

AP - The United States has intelligence indicating Iran is trying to fit missiles to carry nuclear weapons, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said.


AOL Concentrates On Security Issues With New Software (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - America Online Inc. is releasing a new version of its software today that focuses on increasing online safety and security, which the company hopes will help it hold on to more subscribers.


First woman deputy in Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE #39;S ruling party today elected long-time cabinet minister Joyce Mujuru as the country #39;s first woman vice-president.


Justice, tobacco lawyers debate racketeering law

Lawyers for the tobacco industry and the government debated yesterday whether a law drafted to prosecute mobsters can be used to obtain \$280 billion from cigarette makers.


Sea-Tac keeping federal screeners

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will continue to use federal screeners, the Port of Seattle confirmed this week as airports nationwide ponder whether private contractors could do a better job.


Yahoo Extends Microsoft Ad Deal

Yahoo Inc. has agreed to extend its deal to place advertisements on Microsoft Corp. #39;s MSN sites in the United States and overseas by one year through June 2006, Yahoo said on Thursday.


Solaris 10: Sun Struts Its Stuff, Details New Opportunities

SAN JOSE, Calif.Sun executives took attendees for a trip down memory lane Monday as they unveiled the company #39;s upcoming Solaris 10 operating system.


Apple iTunes signs Oasis exclusive

Apple #39;s iTunes Music Store has signed an exclusive deal to distribute digital versions of Oasis #39; tracks. Apple #39;s success in signing Oasis to its service means that a new selection form the band #39;s


Colts #39; respected coach needs to be heard on issue

By now, most of us can agree that ABC #39;s  quot;Monday Night Football quot; opening was lasciviously over-the-top, a crass effort at cross-promotion and titillation.


A Tiger-like run, a Vijay-like year for Sorenstam

And her four-year run as the No. 1 player on the LPGA Tour is equally impressive, if not more, to the way Tiger Woods dominated the PGA Tour during a five-year stretch.


PLO Chief Vows Effort Against Militants

The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, vowed Wednesday to crack down on armed groups operating in Palestinian areas in preparation for the scheduled Jan. 9 presidential election for a successor to Yasir Arafat.


Employees, consumers mostly upbeat

Many Kmart and Sears employees in metropolitan Indianapolis strolled into their jobs Wednesday morning unaware that their companies #39; planned to tie the knot in an \$11 billion merger.


Calls probe of wife Linda #39;s stock trades  quot;troubling quot;

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Former Enron chairman and CEO Kenneth Lay, facing federal charges in the company #39;s spectacular collapse, lashed out Wednesday against the man leading an investigation of his wife Linda for possible insider trading.


Al-Aqsa opposes Abbas, prefers Barghuti as Palestinian leader

The militant Palestinian group Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades has said it is opposed to Mahmud Abbas being elected president of the Palestinian Authority to replace Yasser Arafat and would instead back jailed West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghuti.


Thai king in southern peace plea

The king of Thailand appeals for the military and police to work together to restore peace in Thailand's south.


Lou Henson Hopes to Return to Coaching (AP)

AP - Lou Henson is in a wheelchair and has no mobility in his right leg, but the New Mexico State men's basketball coach is optimistic he'll be back on the sidelines this season.


Update 5: Euro Reaches New High Against US Dollar

The US dollar fell to another new low against the euro Friday, pushing the European currency higher than \$1.34 after US employment data came in weaker than expected.


N.C. State Wins BCA Invitational Opener (AP)

AP - Jordan Collins was the perfect complement to North Carolina State's outside shooting. With five players making 3-pointers, Collins did all his scoring from the paint, finishing with a career-high 17 points to help the 19th-ranked Wolfpack beat New Orleans 92-58 on Wednesday night in the first round of the BCA Invitational.


Annika Sorenstam Having a Vijay-Like Year (AP)

AP - Annika Sorenstam competed against the men last year at Colonial. Now she is being compared with them.


British Library gets wireless net

Visitors to the British Library can now take advantage of broadband wireless internet access.


BT must open up network to rivals

Telecoms regulator Ofcom says BT must provide rivals with "real equality of access" to its phone lines network, or else face action.


Virgin Mobile adds more customers

Virgin Mobile added 647,000 new users in the last half-year as turnover grew by 18, but profits were down due to rising costs.


Sears, Kmart merge

Kmart Holding Corp., the US retailer which emerged from bankruptcy protection only 18 months ago, announced a 11 billion dollar merger with Sears, Roebuck  amp; Co, on Nov. 17, 2004.


Enron inquiry targets Linda Lay

US prosecutors are investigating whether the wife of Enron #39;s former chairman, Kenneth Lay, engaged in insider trading in selling shares of the company shortly before it collapsed into bankruptcy, people involved in the case said Tuesday.


Vivendi raises forecast as profit soars

PARIS Vivendi Universal said Wednesday that its third-quarter profit surged, helped by tax savings and profit at its mobile phone division.


Gates, in Paris, is received by President Chirac

PARIS Bill Gates was in Paris on Wednesday to meet with President Jacques Chirac of France and to sign an agreement with a UN body to improve access to information technology and training in developing countries.


eBay to remove racial slurs from listings

WASHINGTON: Online auction giant eBay Inc is toughening its offensive material policy by eliminating offensive words used as search criteria or in descriptions of items for sale.


Offensive Linemen May Be Steelers' MVPs (AP)

AP - When the Pittsburgh Steelers vote for the team's most valuable player this year, a lot of ballots might be split five ways.


Federer beats Hewitt at Masters Cup

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Once again, Roger Federer of Switzerland got the better of Aussie Lleyton Hewitt. Federer, the top seed and world No.


Woods takes early lead at Dunlop Phoenix

Tiger Woods overcame soggy conditions to fire a 5-under 65 for a three-stroke lead Thursday after the first round of the Dunlop Phoenix.


Jailed militant makes overture

Marwan Barghouti, the popular militant leader imprisoned by Israel for his role in the Palestinian uprising, is relaying messages to new PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that could


Buyer prices rise in October

Consumer prices, stoked by more expensive gasoline and pricier fruits and vegetables, heated up in October, rising by 0.6 percent, the biggest gain in five months.


Congress moves closer toward reinstating ban on Internet taxes

Lawmakers revived a long-stalled effort Wednesday to block state and local governments from taxing Internet connections, in a last-minute agreement to ban the taxes until 2007.


E-mails highlight Vioxx concerns

In June 1998, Merck was falling behind in a high-stakes race to get Vioxx on the market ahead of its rivals, and Edward Scolnick, the company #39;s chief scientist, was showing the strain.


Gates, UNESCO Sign Computer Access Deal

Microsoft Corp. chairman Bill Gates, left, shakes hands with UNESCO secretary-general Koichiro Matsuura prior to their press conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, after signing


Google Plans New Service for Scientists and Scholars

Google Inc. plans to announce on Thursday that it is adding a new search service aimed at scientists and academic researchers. Google Scholar, which was scheduled to


Village #39;s sporting options have hit rock bottom

Residents of the remote mountain village in northern India recently conducted their 100th annual Sati Pradha Mela competition, in which the residents divide into two teams and conduct a crude version of dodgeball.


British govt to complain to Spain about racist chants

Britain will seek action at top government level after England #39;s black soccer players were racially abused by the crowd during Wednesday #39;s friendly international against Spain in Madrid.


UPDATE 3-Kiwis fight back against Australia

Mathew Sinclair and Jacob Oram completed half-centuries to help New Zealand recover from an early batting collapse and reach 250 for seven at the end of the opening


LPGA Tour set for season-ending ADT Championship at Trump <b>...</b>

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Sports Network) -- The ADT Championship, which tees off Thursday, is the grand finale to the 2004 LPGA season.


Three Egyptian soldiers accidentally killed by IDF near border

Three Egyptian soldiers were mistakenly killed by IDF tank fire on the Egyptian Israeli border near Rafah close to midnight Wednesday when soldiers mistook the three for terrorists.


Chirac meets Blair under shadow of Iraq

As a sign of their continuing co-operation, the leaders of Britain and France are scheduled to hold a meeting in London on 18 November.


Spokesman says Arafat not in a coma, still in ICU

Yasser Arafat was not in a coma but remained in intensive care Saturday after undergoing more medical tests, a senior aide to the ailing Palestinian leader said.


Euro sets new record high at 1.3063 dollars (AFP)

AFP - The euro hit a new record high of 1.3063 dollars, beating its previous record of 1.3047 set a day earlier.


Bill Gates is most "spammed" person in the world: Microsoft CEO (AFP)

AFP - Internet junkies, take heart: Microsoft chairman  Bill Gates receives four million e-mails daily, most of them spam, and is probably the most  quot;spammed quot; person in the world.


Microsoft's Ballmer Warns Asia of Linux Lawsuits (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp. Chief Operating\Officer Steve Ballmer on Thursday warned Asian governments that\they could face intellectual rights-infringement lawsuits for\using rival open-source operating platforms such as Linux.


Barnstable has its way once more

Barnstable had the upperhand once again. The Red Raiders are one win away from defending their MIAA Division 1 state volleyball championship after blanking Chelmsford, 3-0, in the semifinals last night in Mansfield. It was the second time this fall Chelmsford had been frustrated by the powerful Barnstable lineup.


Marshfield rams way to final

The last time the Marshfield girls' soccer team traveled to the Division 1 state final, in 2000, it earned its ticket by defeating Newton North in the EMass final. The last time they won a state title, in 1994, the Rams beat Newton North on penalty kicks.


Woburn back in fine form

Senior Mike McLaughlin returned from a three-week layoff to lead Woburn past Watertown, 35-12, in a Middlesex League football game yesterday.


Wellesley makes good in overtime

In a game filled with numerous opportunities, it was easy to understand the delay in celebrating when the winning goal was finally scored.


Hill finds magic touch

Grant Hill scored 32 points, his most in 4 1/2 years, and Steve Francis had 33 points and 11 assists, both season highs, to lead the Magic over the Utah Jazz, 107-92, last night at Orlando, Fla. Mostly shooting jumpers over Andrei Kirilenko, usually a dependable defensive stopper, Hill shot 13 for 18 in his best offensive performance since scoring ...


Flakes? Here's hoping for plenty more of it

At Boston's Ski Ball at the Ritz-Carlton last Friday night, a marvelous thing happened: Outside the window, snow swirled out of a black sky into streetlights below.


Kmart buying Sears in \$11 billion deal

Some stores could close, but popular merchandise could be more widely available in Arizona after Wednesday #39;s announcement of Kmart Holding Corp.


VORNADO MAKES BUNDLE ON SEARS

The real-estate investment trust recently bought an options position that equaled 4.3 percent of Sears, Roebuck shares - and announced that it had done so even though it wasn #39;t required by law.


Marsh, Aon Trail on Board Independence Amid Spitzer #39;s Probes

Marsh  amp; McLennan Cos., Aon Corp. and Willis Group Holdings Ltd., insurance brokers whose business practices are the focus of a probe by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, have


Senate panel to scrutinize FDA over Vioxx review

The nation #39;s system for ensuring that drugs are safe faces perhaps its biggest crisis in years, with the disclosures that federal regulators and drug giant Merck allowed Vioxx


Radio Chain to Cut Ties to Promoters Paid by Labels

Infinity Broadcasting, one of the nation #39;s largest radio chains, said yesterday that it planned to sever its relationships with independent record promoters, distancing itself from a practice that critics have likened to bribes.


MPAA to pirates: We #39;ll shut you down #39;

WASHINGTON The newly installed president of the Motion Picture Association of America is renewing Hollywood #39;s promise to go after movie pirates, no matter where they are in the world.


World #39;s largest hard drive released

MAKERS OF PC bits and bobs Seagate Technology today announced that it has shipped what it reckons is the world #39;s largest PC hard drive.


Enjoy the Arctic while it #39;s still here

The next time you step outside, take a good long look around. What you will see is how the Arctic has looked for at least 10,000 years and you may be among the last of the many generations who can say they have seen it that way.


BUZZ: Desktops  New publishing system

Adobe Systems Inc. released a new version this week of the popular Acrobat desktop publishing system, with features for both authors and recipients of electronic documents.


Hewitt rallies to beat Moya at ATP Masters

Lleyton Hewitt knows how it feels to be No 1 in the world. Anything less is no big deal to him. Australia #39;s Hewitt rallied to beat Carlos Moya of Spain, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, in a first-round


2012 Olympics bids could hinge on politics, economics

The fat  quot;Bid Books quot; for the 2012 Summer Olympics are in the money-grubbing hands of the International Olympic Committee.


It #39;s a winding road to Nextel Cup glory

HOMESTEAD  So, what exactly do the top five in the Chase for the Nextel Cup have to do to win? NASCAR has done the math and it adds up like this: KURT BUSCH: Leading the Chase, Busch


Lippi delighted with new-look Italy

Italy coach Marcello Lippi was delighted with the performances of his five new caps in Wednesday #39;s 1-0 win over Finland. Fabrizio Miccoli #39;s superbly-struck first half free-kick gave an experimental Azzurri


Wolfpack batters old friend in opener

NC State playing at home, rolling over a hapless opponent powerless to stop the onslaught. But Wednesday night, Towe watched things from the other end.


Pistons #39; defense puts brakes on Timberwolves

Chauncey Billups scored 15 of his 21 points in the third quarter and the Detroit Pistons rallied past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 93-85, last night.


Success quiets lineup anxiety

NEW ORLEANS - Amar Stoudemire did not want to be a starting center. Shawn Marion was not excited about taking on power forwards.


Iran- Eu deal subject to progress in nuke talks

LONDON, Nov 18 (IranMania) - Iran warned Wednesday that its deal to suspend sensitive nuclear activities in order to ease fears it is seeking the nuclear bomb was subject to rapid progress in a new round of negotiations to begin next month.


Hassan Body Found in Fallujah: Australian PM

Australia #39;s prime minister says a body found in Fallujah is likely that of kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan. John Howard told Parliament a videotape of an Iraqi terrorist group executing a Western woman appears to have been genuine.


Israel kills 3 Egyptian police by mistake

An Israeli tank has opened fire and killed three Egyptian police along the Gaza-Egypt border after mistaking them for Palestinian militants planting explosives against Israeli forces, military officials say.


US Consulate Bombing Suspect Arrested in Pakistan

Pakistani authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind of a deadly bombing near the US Consulate in Karachi two years ago, but another key member of his network is still on the run, a senior official said today.


Revamped EU team faces vote

The European Parliament is to vote on whether to approve the new executive commission team on Thursday. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday urged parliament to back his revised choice.


North Korean media drop Kim Jong Il #39;s glorifying title

Pyongyang (AsiaNews/Ap) - North Korea #39;s state-run media dropped the title of  quot;Dear Leader quot; to glorify the communist nation #39;s leader Kim Jong Il in recent stories, a Japanese agency that monitors the regime #39;s media reported on Thursday.


Honeywell Confident About China Outlook

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Honeywell, the U.S.  avionics-to-antifreeze conglomerate, will beat its own target  for \$1 billion of China sales in 2005 as it expands aerospace  manufacturing there, its country chief said on Thursday.


Virgin Mobile adds more customers

Virgin Mobile added 647,000 new users in the last half-year with turnover up by 18, the firm says, but profits fell due to rising costs.


Sears merging with Kmart in US

AILING US stores giant Kmart is hoping that sharing a sick bed with rival Sears Roebuck will cure its ills. The pair, under siege from Goliaths Wal-Mart and Target, yesterday unveiled plans for a 6bn merger.


AOL offers its customers online shield free of charge

America Online blocked popup ads and intensified its fight against junk e-mail last year. Starting today, the largest online service is carrying its campaign against online plagues even further.


Regents Weigh Future of Labs, Race Data

LOS ANGELESNew Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson urged UC to compete for continuing its management of the national Los Alamos weapons laboratorybut to partner up with an industrial company


Microsoft Director of Windows Product Management Talks Firefox

BetaNews has an interview with Microsoft #39;s Gary Schare, which includes some discussion about Mozilla Firefox. The Director of Windows Product Management says that Microsoft is looking towards its browser add


#39;Monday Night #39; flap gets FCC #39;s attention

That steamy locker room opening to ABC #39;s  quot;Monday Night Football quot; continued to draw reaction Wednesday, most of it negative.


History not on UF #39;s side

GAINESVILLE  Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey has facial hair. He weighs 235 pounds and stands 6 feet 6. By society #39;s physical standards, Harvey certainly is considered an adult.


Union meets with agents; no progress

An NHL lockout that #39;s already nine weeks old won #39;t end any time soon unless owners show some willingness to negotiate, agents said after a meeting with the players #39; union.


Nablus academic runs to succeed Arafat

Abdel Sattar Qassem, a Nablus academic and political outsider, on Wednesday announced his decision to run in the upcoming election for the chairmanship of the Palestinian Authority.


HP Earnings Rebound (TechWeb)

TechWeb - CEO Carly Fiorina says Enterprise Servers and Storage unit has returned to profitability.


U.S. Accused of Changing Drilling Rule (AP)

AP - The Sierra Club alleges in a lawsuit that the Bush administration changed a rule so oil and gas producers could more easily drill under national parks from outside their boundaries.


Microsoft's Ballmer Warns Asia of Linux Lawsuits

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. Chief Operating  Officer Steve Ballmer on Thursday warned Asian governments that  they could face intellectual rights-infringement lawsuits for  using rival open-source operating platforms such as Linux.


Detail, not retail, drives Lampert

The man behind the country #39;s biggest retail merger is best known for being secretive - and successful. By JEFF HARRINGTON, Times Staff Writer.


Dollar #39;s fall worries Japanese officials

Masatsugu Asakawa has one of the busiest jobs in Tokyo these days: monitoring the US dollar #39;s fluctuation against the Japanese yen.


Ofcom clampdown on BT

ELECOMS watchdog Ofcom today ordered BT to open up its modern services such as broadband to all its competitors at the same price it charges its own retail business within a matter of months.


Congress closes in on reviving Net tax ban

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers revived a long-stalled effort Wednesday to block state and local governments from taxing Internet connections, in a last-minute agreement to ban the taxes until 2007.


Techs lead fall in Europe

European equities retreated on Thursday, with technology stocks under pressure after disappointing news from Applied Materials, while the euro #39;s rise to new record highs against the dollar also weighed.


To meet goal, Salvation Army needs our help

The Salvation Army has set an ambitious fund-raising goal for the holiday season. The organization hopes to raise \$300,000 in its annual kettle drive.


Motion Picture Association sues movie downloaders

The Motion Picture Association of America filed an undisclosed number of lawsuits Tuesday throughout the country against individuals it believes illegally downloaded


Report follows humans #39; penchant for running

To the Nike nation, the joggers in dogged pursuit of fitness or the finish line, the news will come as no surprise: The human body was built to run.


Sun to set Solaris free, after a fashion

Sun Microsystems plans to announce a free version of its Solaris operating system Monday, taking a page that Red Hat tore from its playbook in 2003.


After towel drop, some big-league hypocrisy

We were led to believe Tuesday that the world was shocked and horrified Monday night when ABC aired an intro for  quot;Monday Night Football quot; using a nude Nicollette Sheridan to entice Eagles star Terrell Owens from playing the game.


With no new talks set, NHL lockout expected to drag on

An NHL lockout nine weeks old won #39;t end any time soon unless owners show some willingness to negotiate, agents said after a meeting with the players #39; union.


Buffs ousted from NIT play

Dion Harris scored a career-high 24 points and had four assists and five steals Wednesday to lead Michigan to a 69-60 victory over Colorado in the second round of the preseason NIT.


SuperSonics 103, 76ers 95

PHILADELPHIA - Ray Allen scored a season-most 37 points, Rashard Lewis had 21 and Vladimir Radmanovic added 20, leading Seattle to its seventh consecutive victory.


UN Security Council to Discuss Sudan

UNICEF spokesperson Paula Claycomb speaks in Khartoum, Sudan, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004. Claycomb expressed hope that the meeting of the United Nations security council in Nairobi, to begin Thursday, would encourage a comprehensive peace deal in Sudan.


US, Iraqi assessments: insurgents will to fight not broken by <b>...</b>

BAGHDAD, Iraq Expert assessments have concluded the recapture of Fallujah has not broken the insurgents #39; will to fight and may not pay the big security dividend US planners had hoped for.


Abrams said US choice to succeed Kurtzer as Israel envoy

Israel Radio reported Thursday that Elliot Abrams, director of the Middle East department of the National Security Council, was the leading candidate to succeed Daniel Kurtzer as US Ambassador to Israel.


UN appeals for release of Afghan hostages

weeks after they were snatched from their car on a busy street in central Kabul. Nayan are with a Taliban splinter faction that has threatened to kill them unless Taliban prisoners are freed.


Hamas  amp; Islamic Jihad  The Attacks Must Continue

(IsraelNN.com) Following a second round of talks in as many days between interim PA leader Abu Mazen and representatives of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror organizations, the terrorists exclaimed they are unwilling to comply with requests to halt


Gulf War syndrome real, says inquiry

THERE is such a thing as  quot;Gulf War syndrome quot; and the Ministry of Defence should face up to the fact, an independent inquiry concluded yesterday.


NBA and union at odds over brawl ban appeals

NEW YORK: The National Basketball Association and the players union were at loggerheads on Friday over who has jurisdiction to hear the appeal of the record suspensions meted out in the wake the ugly brawl at a Pacers-Pistons game last month.


Ofcom shake-up spares BT break-up

Ofcom has warned BT to commit to  quot;substantive changes quot; or risk an inquiry under anti-price fixing laws, but has shied away from ordering a break up of the telecoms giant.


South Africa

SABMiller had a gain of \$96 million from selling its 29.4 percent of Harbin Brewery Group to Anheuser-Busch Cos. and a gain of \$239 million from the disposal of 21 percent of South African retailer Edgars Consolidated Stores Ltd.


Sun to offer utility pricing for desktops

com November 17, 2004, 2:22 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories for several months, but for many IT managers, ERP (enterprise resource planning


New York funeral for rapper ODB

Friends, family and fans gather at a church in Harlem, New York, for the funeral of rapper ODB.


Modernisation plan transforms Britain's Royal Mail (AFP)

AFP - Just two years ago the Royal Mail was losing over one million pounds (1.4 million euros, 1.9 million dollars) every day.


Intel evaluating India for chip making unit (Reuters)

Reuters - Intel Corp., the world's largest maker of computer microchips, is evaluating India as one of the options for setting up a chip manufacturing unit, its chief executive said on Thursday.


Bettman, Union Meet

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had lunch Friday with NHL Players #39; Association executive director Bob Goodenow in New York, and the league will listen to a new proposal from the union Thursday in Toronto.


Conspiracy Theories Persist on Arafat's Death

The rapid decline of the 75-year-old Palestinian leader's health, the refusal of his wife and authorities at the French military hospital where he died last Thursday to release his medical records and Israel's threat a year ago to "remove" him have spawned a cottage industry of speculation among Palestinians.


Kashmiri Separatists to Consider Indian Offer of Peace Talks

Kashmir's leading separatist political group said it would meet Thursday to discuss plans to resume peace talks with the Indian government, a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reaffirmed his desire for peace through dialogue.


APEC Ministers Start Trade, Security Talks

Top government ministers from 21 Pacific Rim nations convened high-level talks on free trade and global security Wednesday as police battled university students protesting the summit and a weekend visit by President Bush.


Sagging Dollar Hits New Low Against Euro

A stock trader reacts at the Frankfurt stock market, Germany, Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004. The German stock index DAX reached this year #39;s highest level on the same day the US dollar dropped to a new all-time low


New Scientist Gives New Microsoft Search Thumbs Up

Popular British scientific magazine New Scientist has given Microsofts new MSN search engine, still in very early beta, good grades.


Nuggets use twin powers to win

For the first seven games, the much-ballyhooed duo of Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin looked more like a misfit. But not Wednesday night, when the two perhaps gave


Notebook: McCaw to sell 50 percent of Canucks, GM Place

British Columbia businessman Francesco Aquilini bought half of the Vancouver Canucks and General Motors Place arena from John McCaw of Seattle.


North Korean Media Drop Dear Leader #39; Title, Press Monitor Says

North Korea #39;s official media have dropped the honorific dear leader #39; #39; from reports on Kim Jong Il, a Japanese news agency reported a day after other reports said his portrait had been removed at some public sites.


Creative declares 'war' on Apple's iPod

MP3 player firm commits \$100m to out-spend rivals' ad campaigns


Eisner, on Ovitz, describes a culture clash at Disney

GEORGETOWN, Delaware It was at his mother #39;s funeral in the summer of 1996 that Michael Eisner, the chief executive of Walt Disney, knew he had to dismiss the president he had hired just 10 months earlier.


Lampert rolls with the risks

It #39;s all about Eddie. Wall Street is betting Kmart chairman Eddie Lampert will be able to add a successful combination with Sears, the biggest retail merger in history, to his impressive resume.


PBHG funds founders pay \$80M each

Gary Pilgrim, once a poster boy for the hot-growth mutual fund mania and the cult surrounding their managers, and his partner Harold Baxter agreed yesterday to pay \$80 million each to settle


Dexia, Sanpaolo IMI confirm talks

LONDON (CBS.MW) -- French-Belgian bank Dexia and Italy #39;s Sanpaolo IMI both confirmed a report on Thursday that they were in talks that could lead to the creation of the eurozone #39;s fourth largest bank.


Microsoft bags \$400 m Internet TV deal

In the 10year deal, SBC Communications will launch video services over high-speed data lines using Microsoft technology. WASHINGTON: SBC Communications will use Microsoft Corp.


NM governor wants UC regents to continue running Los Alamos

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson traveled to California yesterday to urge the University of California regents to compete to continue managing the Los Alamos National Laboratory.


Lawmakers Slicing, Dicing Copyright Bill

After cobbling together a string of copyright bills in the hopes of gaining enough support for final passage, lawmakers are ripping the package asunder in


UC rejects  #39;multiracial #39; category

University of California regents yesterday resoundingly rejected a proposal that sought to add a  quot;multiracial quot; category to UC #39;s admissions application.


Creative declares  #39;war #39; on Apple #39;s iPod

Digital music player maker Creative has pledged to spend \$100m to out-market Apple in a bid to take the market away from the iPod.


Federer beats Lleyton, again

WORLD No.1 Roger Federer won his 20th match in a row over a top-10 opponent, beating Lleyton Hewitt for the fifth consecutive time to book a semi-final spot at the ATP Masters Cup.


China to fire Haan

Arie Haan will be sacked as China national coach following the nation #39;s early exit from the 2006 Asian World Cup qualifiers according to Chinese officials.


First Test, Day one, Aus v NZ

Stephen Fleming #39;s decision to bat first didn #39;t look the correct one at first as Michael Kasprowicz ripped though the tourists #39; top order, taking all of the first three wickets to fall, including Fleming for a duck.


NHLPA won #39;t alter original proposal

NHL Players Association executive director Bob Goodenow said Wednesday the union has no immediate plans to submit a new proposal to the owners in hopes of ending the lockout that is now in its third month.


Bulls the answer to Warriors #39; struggles

OAKLAND, Calif. - This can be said with absolute certainty: The Golden State Warriors were excited to see the Bulls show up at The Arena in Oakland.


Percival Signs 2-year deal with Tigers

Just a few days after the start of the free agency period, the Tigers made their first big splash in free agency, coming to terms on a 2-year deal with former Angels closer Troy Percival.


Israel apologises to Egypt

Jerusalem - Israel has presented its apologies to Egypt after three of its policemen were killed overnight on the border with the Gaza Strip, a source within Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s office said on Thursday.


PM lifts ban on recruitment in J amp;K

JAMMU: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday announced lifting of the ban on recruitment in central government service in Jammu and Kashmir.


Euro sets new record high at 1.3074 dollars (AFP)

AFP - The euro hit a new record high of 1.3074 dollars, even as eurozone officials called for the United States, Europe and Japan to take a common position against the currency's rise.


Oil Steady as Winter Worries Stem Decline

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady on Thursday as  concern over lean heating fuel supplies in the United States  and Europe ahead of winter stemmed falls of nearly \$10 since  late October.


Chirac Visits Blair Amid Rancor Over Iraq (Reuters)

Reuters - French President Jacques Chirac began a\visit to Britain Thursday overshadowed by his withering\accusations against Washington and London of endangering the\world by invading Iraq.


Palestinians to Host Western Diplomats (AP)

AP - The leading sponsors of the "road map" peace plan will send top officials to the West Bank next week in a renewed effort to revive the internationally backed peace plan, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said Thursday.


CORRECTED: Microsoft's Ballmer Warns Asia of Linux Lawsuits (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive\Officer Steve Ballmer on Thursday warned Asian governments that\they could face intellectual rights-infringement lawsuits for\using rival open-source operating platforms such as Linux.


Use Linux and you <cite>will</cite> be sued, Ballmer tells governments

Lawsuit doom over 228 'stolen' patents predicted


CORRECTED: Microsoft's Ballmer Warns Asia of Linux Lawsuits

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive  Officer Steve Ballmer on Thursday warned Asian governments that  they could face intellectual rights-infringement lawsuits for  using rival open-source operating platforms such as Linux.


Davao bombing suspects arrested

\Two men suspected of planting bombs in the southern Philippines city of Davao last year are arrested.


German trial stirs torture debate

An ex-police officer goes on trial in Germany charged with threatening a suspect with torture.


Update 1: Philippine Shares End Higher

Philippine shares ended higher Thursday, with blue chip Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. , or PLDT, providing a boost after the strong overnight performance of its American Depositary Receipts, traders said.


Running turned humans into what they are today, U. of U. biologist <b>...</b>

The thousands of runners who step up to the starting lines of marathons each year may be following in the footsteps of our earliest human ancestors.


eBay to clean up racial slurs

Madison City Councilwoman Cynthia McCollum played a key role in the National League of Cities #39; negotiations with eBay to limit the use of racially derogatory words on listings on eBay #39;s Web site.


Crass interference or no flag?

Whatever you do, don #39;t ask Colts coach Tony Dungy,  #39; #39;Are you ready for some football? #39; #39;. Dungy lambasted ABC, the NFL and the Eagles for the cross-promotion of the network #39;s new hit show  #39; #39;Desperate Housewives


Woods on top at rain-soaked Dunlop Phoenix

Tiger Woods fired a superb five-under-par 65 in torrential rain to take a three-stoke lead after the first round of the Dunlop Phoenix tournament on Thursday.


FOOTBALL: FAB TAKES MICC TO DUMP FINNS

A GOAL from Fiorentina striker Fabrizio Miccoli gave a rookie Italian side victory over Finland. Coach Marcello Lippi fielded only a handful of the players who have helped his side to the top of Scotland #39;s World Cup qualifying group.


Bulls nearing wrong record

OAKLAND, Calif. -- What little optimism there was before the start of the season has all but faded, and it appears the only record-setting performances by the Bulls this season will be of the dubious variety.


Cubs not out of options for closer

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry wasn #39;t down for long Wednesday after learning free-agent closer Troy Percival had signed with the Tigers.


Australia play game of patience

Paceman Michael Kasprowicz justified Australia #39;s decision to retain him in the team ahead of Brett Lee by taking 3-54 against New Zealand in Brisbane.


Minorities remain rare in power

The low number of minorities coaching in college football reflects a lack of diversity among college and conference leaders, according to a University of Central Florida study released Wednesday.


UN Security Council meets in Kenya to discuss Sudan #39;s civil wars

NAIROBI, Kenya Kofi Annan (AN #39;-nan) has called on the UN Security Council to give  quot;the strongest warning quot; to forces fighting in Sudan to end its civil wars.


Russia Says It Will Build Nukes That No One Else Has

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to build new nuclear weapons, which he said other nuclear powers did not yet have and were unlikely to develop.


Mercenaries to testify against Thatcher in coup case

Several South African mercenaries have agreed to testify against the son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Sir Mark Thatcher.


Moratorium on Web Tax Advances (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - Congress yesterday cleared the way to keep access to the Internet largely free from taxes for the next three years, breaking a year-long deadlock.


Greens Paint Grim Picture of Future, Warmer World (Reuters)

Reuters - Environmentalists forecast a grim\future for planet Earth Thursday, predicting that droughts,\heatwaves and hurricanes will become increasingly common and\more severe if global warming is allowed to continue unchecked.


House GOP Alters Its Rules to Shield Combative DeLay (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON  #8212; House Republicans changed a party rule Wednesday to allow Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas to remain as majority leader even if indicted in an investigation of campaign finance violations in his home state.


US dollar hits record low against euro; Snow rules out <b>...</b>

NEW YORK, November 18 (newratings.com) - The US dollar declined to a new record low against the euro and dropped against the yen yesterday, following the news of the US Treasury Secretary, John W Snow, ruling out government intervention to stem the


Euro continues surge against US dollar, hitting new high of <b>...</b>

The dollar plunged to a new low against the euro Thursday, which hit \$1.3074 US in a rise that has been fuelled by nagging concerns about high oil prices and Washington #39;s trade and budget deficits.


UC Regents fail  quot;Multi-racial quot; action

The University of California Board of Regents opted against Regent Ward Connerly #39;s proposal to adopt a multi-racial check box option on admissions applications at its Wednesday meeting at UCLA.


Chirac in London for Entente Cordiale talks

Tony Blair is set to hold Entente Cordiale talks with Jacques Chirac, the French president, in London today. The talks, to mark 100 years of the relationship, are likely to be tense with regards to relations with America and the war in Iraq.


UN appeals for release of workers in Afghanistan

The United Nations again appealed for the safe return of three of its workers held hostage in Afghanistan on Thursday, three weeks after they were snatched from their car on a busy street in central Kabul.


Rebels Attack Governor's Office in Iraqi City (Reuters)

Reuters - Rebels attacked the provincial\governor's office in Iraq's third city of Mosul on Thursday,\killing one of his bodyguards and wounding four more, the U.S.\military said.


Nitties grabs one-stroke lead in Australian PGA

Rookie professional James Nitties fired a two-under-par 70 on Saturday to snatch a one-stroke lead ahead of American Bob Estes after the third round of the Australian PGA Championship.


Specter of inflation, led by gasoline, rising again

WASHINGTON - Consumer prices in October posted their biggest increase in five months, pinching people #39;s pocketbooks at the gasoline pump and at the grocery store.


Microsoft devotes entire department to filtering spam from Gates #39; <b>...</b>

The Microsoft Corp. chairman receives four million e-mails a day, but practically an entire department at the company he founded is dedicated to ensuring that nothing unwanted gets into his inbox, the company #39;s chief executive said Thursday.


Barracuda 7200.8 has 400GB capacity

Seagate has launched the highest capacity PC hard disk to date. Pitched at desktop computers, the new Barracuda 7200.8 hard disk is a 7200rpm model that #39;s available with either a fast SATA or Ultra ATA interface


Lippi Praises New Boys

Italy coach Marcello Lippi was happy with the performances of the newcomers after the 1-0 friendly win over Finland.  quot;This builds morale for the lads who gradually relaxed into their stride and their confidence grew as time went on, quot; he said.


Sudan govt, southern rebels pledge peace accord

Sudan #39;s government and southern rebels promised on Thursday to complete a peace accord as soon as possible to end a 21-year-old civil war and resolve reconciliation efforts dogged by innumerable delays.


Vote due on new Europe Commission

The European Parliament was expected to endorse the 24-member European Union executive Thursday after new European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso moved to solve the legislature #39;s objections to his lineup.


Solanki innings a pure delight

Only a demonstration which is violently dispersed and therefore provokes the abandonment of this tour, or rain, can prevent England wrapping up the one-day series 4-0 today.


Microsoft Warns Asian Governments of Linux Lawsuits

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. warned Asian  governments on Thursday they could face patent lawsuits for  using the Linux operating system instead of its Windows  software.


Reuters Up on Report Instinet Up for Sale

LONDON (Reuters) - Shares in global news and information  provider Reuters Group Plc rose to their highest level since  April after a report Thursday that the firm may sell its U.S.  electronic trading subsidiary, dealers said.


Soccer / English Premier League - No change as top four win

Chelsea maintained its drive for the team #39;s first title in 50 years when it thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday to stay five points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.


Sen. McCain calls on baseball to  #39;restore the integrity #39;

Sen. John McCain demands that Major League Baseball #39;s players and owners tighten the sport #39;s drug-testing policy to  quot;restore the integrity quot; of the game.


Ofcom delivers ultimatum to BT

Ofcom has challenged BT to come up with proposals for opening up its networks to competitors to help speed the growth of telecoms services including broadband - or face a possible Competition Commission investigation.


Update 7: Sagging Dollar Hits New Low Against Euro

The sagging US dollar plunged to a new low Thursday against the euro, which hit US\$1.3074 in a surge that has been fueled by nagging concerns about high oil prices and the US trade and budget deficits.


Royal Mail posts daily 1m profit

The Royal Mail today said it was on course for recovery, revealing it was making 1m a day after having lost 1m a day two years ago.


Crematory operator to get 12 years

Ray Brent Marsh, who is to enter the plea Friday, had faced up to 8,000 years in a case that shocked the nation two years ago when investigators found hundreds of rotting corpses stacked in storage sheds and scattered in woods outside his rural northwest


Dexia Says It #39;s in Talks With Italy #39;s Sanpaolo IMI (Update3)

Dexia SA, Belgium #39;s second-largest financial-services company, is in discussions about a potential partnership with Sanpaolo IMI SpA, Italy #39;s No.


Ads to pop up when TiVo users scan past commercials (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Beginning in March, a static pop-up ad, or "billboard," will spring up as TiVo users skip through an ad - perhaps a logo for an advertiser, plus a message encouraging viewers to check out a new car or enter a contest.


Unlike apes, humans were born to run, study says

There #39;s a new storm in the ranks of anthropologists who try to understand the long and puzzling history of human evolution by studying fossil evidence from millions of years ago.


Google for the scholarly community

The Internet search giant Google Inc. on late Wednesday unveiled Google Scholar, its next service aimed at listing scholarly literature such as theses, books and technical reports that appears to be most relevant to a search request.


Seagate ships 400Gb drive

Hard drive manufacturer Seagate Technology is now shipping what it claims is the world #39;s largest capacity hard drive holding a whopping 400Gb.


New Mexico gov. urges UC to bid on Los Alamos

If University of California regents listen to a former energy secretary and top Democratic politician, they will fight hard to keep running the birthplace of the bomb -- and leave to others


Microsoft issues warning about Linux lawsuits

Microsoft has warned Asian governments they could face patent lawsuits for using the Linux operating system instead of its Windows software.


UC regents vote down plan for  #39;multiracial #39; category

day shot down a proposal to create a  quot;multiracial quot; box on freshman application forms -- a plan suggested by Regent Ward Connerly that quickly became a flashpoint in lingering debates over affirmative action.


Cisco Pays \$16M To Acquire Network Management Firm

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK - Cisco Systems is acquiring a California-based network management appliance developer for approximately \$16 million in cash.


Kasprowicz shines as Aussies dominate first day

At stumps on Day One of the first Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia are poised to bowl their Kiwi counterparts out for a mediocre score with New Zealand at 7/250.


Brown returns to steer Pistons past Timberwolves

There was an elevated chair in front of the Detroit Pistons bench for head coach Larry Brown and his still-on-the-mend left hip. It was there to provide him with added


NHL Lockout May Not Be Ending Any Time Soon

Chicago An NHL lockout that #39;s already nine weeks old won #39;t end anytime soon unless owners show some willingness to negotiate, agents said after a meeting with the players #39; union.


Israel Army Mistakenly Kills Three Egyptian Soldiers

Israeli troops killed three Egyptian soldiers along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Israel has apologized for what it says was an  quot;operational mistake quot; and has begun an investigation into the incident.


EU set to end limbo as lawmakers vote

European Union (EU) lawmakers gathered Thursday for a vote widely expected to appove the bloc #39;s new executive arm, ending three weeks of institutional limbo for the expanding bloc.


Westwood takes lead in South Africa

Lee Westwood led the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa Saturday with a score of 5-under-par 211 for three rounds. The British player shot a 1-under 71 for a one-shot lead over Retief Goosen of South Africa.


Overseas executives flock to UK

The number of overseas executives moving to the UK has more than doubled over the past 10 years, a survey says.


Ministers promise annuity review

The issue of compulsory annuities will be reviewed, the government pledges, after another defeat in the Lords over the rule.


Karachi bomb 'mastermind' quizzed

Pakistani police question the alleged mastermind of a deadly bomb attack on the US consulate in Karachi in 2002.


SBC, Microsoft team up on TV over broadband (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - For SBC Communications, Wednesday's deal with Microsoft for software to deliver television programming to homes over high-speed lines is the latest broadside in the company's battle to compete with cable companies.


Reuters Up on Report Instinet Up for Sale (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares in global news and information\provider Reuters Group Plc rose to their highest level since\April after a report Thursday that the firm may sell its U.S.\electronic trading subsidiary, dealers said.


SAP sets back medium-term profitability targets (AFP)

AFP - SAP, the world's leading maker of business software, may need an extra year to achieve its medium-term profit target of an operating margin of 30 percent, its chief financial officer said.


Israel Releases Senior Hamas Leader (AP)

AP - Israel released the top Hamas leader in the West Bank from prison on Thursday after he finished a 28-month sentence for being a member of an outlawed organization.


European Shares Flat as Euro Keeps Up Run

LONDON (Reuters) - European stock markets held near  28-month highs Thursday as investors stayed confident in the  ability of firms to continue boosting profits in the face of  the euro's extended push past \$1.30 to all-time highs.


UN warns of Afghan 'drug state'

Afghanistan could become a "narco-state" after opium cultivation rose by two-thirds this year, the UN warns.


Microsoft 'warns of Linux claims'

Microsoft tells Asian leaders that they could face intellectual property rights claims if they use free Linux software, a report says.


BT Group PLC Escapes Breakup

Britain #39;s telecommunications regulator backed away from breaking up BT Group PLC on Thursday and instead ordered the industry giant to improve competitor access to its networks.


Attention shoppers: Kmart to buy Sears

Will Martha Stewart appear in Sears? Will Craftsman tools show up at Kmart? And will Sears move out of the malls and into the home of the flashing blue light?


Bolingbrook call center to create hundreds of jobs

US Cellular vows to create hundreds of jobs when it opens a new Bolingbrook call center next year in a facility vacated by a competitor.


Microsoft #39;s Gates Is World #39;s Most  #39;Spammed #39; Person

E-mail users inundated with unsolicited  quot;spam quot; messages have reason to hope Microsoft Corp. will develop better tools for tackling the problem: Bill Gates is suffering more than anyone.


Linux keeper, SpikeSource CEO talk up open source

Accommodating large patch sets in Linux is expected to mean forking off of the 2.7 version of the platform to accommodate these changes, according to Andrew Morton, lead maintainer of the Linux kernel for Open Source Development Labs (OSDL).


Racist taunts at England-Spain

Fans taunted black players on England #39;s team Wednesday night during Spain #39;s 1-0 victory in an exhibition game. Fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium made monkey sounds whenever Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole had the ball.


Russia Working on New Generation Atomic Bomb

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that they are working on a new generation of atomic bomb, which no other country has or can get.


Barroso Commission approved

The European Parliament has approved Jose Manuel Barroso #39;s revamped executive European Commission by a wide margin, ending a three-week political standoff that boosted the assembly #39;s power.


Karachi bomb  #39;mastermind #39; quizzed

The alleged mastermind of a deadly bomb attack outside the US consulate in Karachi two years ago has been arrested near the Pakistani city of Lahore.


Afghan Kidnappers Set Final Deadline

KABUL, 16 November 2004 - Afghan captors holding three UN workers hostage in Afghanistan extended a deadline yesterday for their demands to be met, blaming the US for disrupting negotiations aimed at securing the captives release.


Israel Apologizes After Tank Kills 3 Egyptian Police

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli tank killed three Egyptian  policemen on the Gaza-Egypt border Thursday, prompting an  Israeli apology for what the army said was a tragic error when  it mistook them for Palestinian militants.


Lycos Europe removes anti-spam screensaver from website

Lycos Europe, founders of the  quot;Make Love Not Spam quot; initiative, has pulled their bandwidth-targeting screensaver from the site.


MPAA files first suits against movie file-swappers

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced on Tuesday that it has begun filing lawsuits against people who use peer-to-peer (P2P) software to trade movie files without permission over the internet.


#39;Appalled #39; Caborn to launch protest

The sports minister Richard Caborn joined Sven-Goran Eriksson and the Football Association in condemning the racist chanting that marred the friendly between Spain and England last night.


UN Security Council to Discuss Sudan

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council on Thursday to issue  quot;the strongest warning quot; to the forces fighting in Sudan to bring an end to the civil wars there.


Phishing Feeds Internet Black Markets (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - William Jackson never thought he would be grateful for going bankrupt.


British retailers see subdued start to Christmas period (AFP)

AFP - British retail sales fell in October for the first time for three months, official figures showed, raising worries about a subdued start to the crucial Christmas trading period.


Right-Winger Fini Is New Italy Official (AP)

AP - Gianfranco Fini, a right-wing leader who has turned his party from Neo-Fascist to mainstream conservative, was appointed Thursday as Italy's new foreign minister, a Cabinet minister said.


Iraq Assessments: Insurgents Not Giving Up (AP)

AP - The recapture of Fallujah has not broken the insurgents' will to fight and may not pay the big dividend U.S. planners had hoped  #151; to improve security enough to hold national elections in Sunni Muslim areas of central Iraq, according to U.S. and Iraqi assessments.


Limited Brands Posts Lower Earnings (Reuters)

Reuters - Limited Brands Inc.   on\Thursday posted lower third-quarter earnings, and left its\outlook for the fourth quarter and full year unchanged.


NASA's Eyes in the Sky to Help Global Conservation (Reuters)

Reuters - Space agency NASA, which first put man\on the moon, will now help to map the Earth in the name of\conservation, the agency announced on Thursday.


800 cheque in post for every mail worker

EVERY postal worker in the country is in line for a windfall of at least 800 after the Royal Mail announced today it was making profits of 1 million a day.


IRS looks for Arkansans due checks

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for more than 600 Arkansans whose federal income tax refund checks totaling almost \$424,000 were returned to the IRS as undeliverable by the Postal Service.


One in four Californians consider moving

A fourth of all Californians are thinking about moving - either out of state or just to another town - to bring down their housing costs, a new survey shows.


Greek sprinters charged over missed drugs test

Disgraced Greek sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou have been charged with obstructing a dope test on the eve of August #39;s Athens Olympics and providing authorities


Israel Releases Top Hamas Member from Jail

Israel freed Hamas #39;s top West Bank leader Thursday after two years in jail and he swiftly called on the Jewish state to release all Palestinian inmates as a condition for any truce.


British minister slams  #39;old-fashioned #39; Prince Charles over <b>...</b>

Prince Charles is  quot;old-fashioned quot; and out of touch with Britain #39;s education system, a cabinet minister said Thursday.


Phishing Feeds Internet Black Markets

Phishing is a growing form of online fraud that blends old-fashioned confidence scams with innovations in technological trickery. Today and Friday, washingtonpost.com explores the methods phishers use, how e-businesses are dealing with the problem and what phishing has done to its thousands of victims. -washingtonpost.com


Incentives Attract Jobs to Northern Virginia

More than two-thirds of 11,000 new technology jobs to be created in Virginia will be in the Washington suburbs, mostly in Fairfax County, Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) said yesterday.


Running 'key to human evolution'

US researchers say humans began endurance running about 2 million years ago to help hunt for prey.


Kmart to buy Sears in \$11B deal

The fate of two local retail stores may not be known for months in the wake of the announcement Wednesday of the \$11 billion merger of Kmart and Sears.


Royal Mail meets some targets

Royal Mail says it returned to profit at the underlying level during its first half and that it beat 7 of its 15 performance targets in the latest quarter.


Sears, Kmart Want To Call Layoffs  #39;Head Count Changes #39;

NEW YORK -- Sears and K-mart say they will save \$500 million a year if their merger goes through. Some of that will be in job cuts, though the companies aren #39;t saying how many.


Enron case focuses on Lay stock sale

HOUSTON, Texas - Federal authorities are investigating whether former Enron Chairman Ken Lay #39;s wife acted improperly when she had their family foundation sell large quantities of Enron stock just days before the company #39;s bankruptcy.


On the horizon

About 2 million years ago, humans began to jog - perhaps to hunt animals or scavenge carcasses on the vast savannahs of Africa. And the ability to run long distances shaped our anatomy, allowing us to evolve


Yahoo!, Microsoft extend deal

Web portal signs extension to provide paid searches to Microsoft as it builds its own service. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yahoo! Inc. said Thursday it agreed to provide paid search services to Microsoft Corp.


Remote control rifle range debuts

A Texas company is considering letting web users use a remote-controlled rifle to shoot down deer, antelope and wild pigs. For a small fee users will take control of a camera and rifle that they can use to


Federer waits out rain, beats Hewitt

HOUSTON Top-seeded Roger Federer beat Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets in a rain-soaked second round of the ATP Masters Cup tennis championships in Houston.


Bulls still lost on road

Mike Montgomery didn #39;t know what city he was in or what day it was by the time the Warriors #39; five-game road trip ended in Cleveland.


Tsunami Warning System Could Be Created (AP)

AP - A tsunami warning system could be built in the Indian Ocean in just a year and cost as little as  #36;20 million, a scientist said Tuesday.


Rebels Attack Governor #39;s Office in Iraqi City

Rebels attacked the provincial governor #39;s office in Iraq #39;s third city of Mosul on Thursday, killing one of his bodyguards and wounding four more, the US military said.


Israeli Troops Mistakenly Kill Three Egyptians

Israeli troops killed three Egyptian policemen mistaken for Palestinian militants along the Gaza-Egypt border early Thursday, in what the army called a "professional and operational" mishap.


Golf: Woods off to flying start in bid for first Japan tour win

MIYAZAKI, Japan : American superstar Tiger Woods overcame rainy conditions to hit a five-under-par 65 for a three-stroke lead in the first round of the Dunlop Phoenix golf tournament.


GOP Backs Off on Ethics Changes (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON  #8212; House Republicans on Monday reversed a decision, made less than two months ago, that would have allowed Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas to remain in his leadership post if he was indicted by a grand jury in his home state.


PM visited injured BSF cosntables in base hospital.

Srinagar, Nov 18 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the country was proud of the Border Security Force #39;s (BSF) performance in the Kashmir valley.


Remote control rifle range debuts

Soon you will be able to hunt and shoot wild pigs and sheep via the net.


Techs Seen Heading Lower; Data on Tap

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. technology shares were expected  to open lower on Thursday, weighed down by a sales warning from  Applied Materials Inc. AMAT.O, while S P and Dow stock  futures were flat before weekly jobless claims data.


Before the Bell: Altria Rises 1.5 Percent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Altria Group Inc. MO.N  rose 1.5 percent before the bell on Thursday.


Oil Steady as Winter Worries Stem Decline

Oil prices held steady on Thursday as concern over lean heating fuel supplies in the United States and Europe ahead of winter stemmed falls of nearly \$10 since late October.


Local shoppers see the logic of Kmart-Sears deal

The Dallastown resident said he #39;d wager that the \$11 billion merger of Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co. will create a stronger retailer that is better equipped to compete with discount chains such as Wal-Mart and Target.


Spanish Glass Manufacturer to Buy Plants

Spanish glass manufacturer Vidrala SA said Thursday it will pay euro138.2 million (\$189 million) for two European production plants of Owens-Illinois Inc.


Putin Tells Businesses to Get Used to Paying Taxes

President Vladimir V. Putin warned Russia #39;s business elite on Tuesday to  quot;get used to paying taxes and observing the law, #39; #39; but he also sought to allay investor fears


Sun Raising Curtain on New Solaris

Sun Microsystems on Monday was to unveil the latest version of its flagship computer operating system, Solaris. It also intended to offer a free version of the program to make it more attractive to corporate and academic users.


Tennis: Only the elements slow Federer

HOUSTON Roger Federer was at his best after midnight. Too bad hardly anyone was there to see it. With less than 500 fans remaining in the stands in the early Thursday morning after a deflating day of rain


Schaefer in the dark over dismissal

LEIPZIG - Bewildered German coach Winfried Schaefer has revealed no-one has told him he has lost his job as Cameroon manager following yesterday #39;s 3-0 defeat by Germany.


Road weary-ers

Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony beat a marijuana rap yesterday and then smoked the Raptors. Pot possession charges filed earlier this year against the sophomore were dismissed prior to last night #39;s game


Confidence crisis as McMillan caught in two minds

Craig McMillan was an after-thought for the Australia tour and bolted into the Test team. Today he charged down the pitch and was betrayed by a cluttered mind - unsure whether to run or wait.


Sudanese refugees demonstrate outside UN meeting in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Nov 18 (AFP) -- A few dozen southern Sudanese refugees demonstrated outside the United Nations offices in Nairobi on Thursday as the Security Council held a rare meeting to deliberate on peace in the vast African country.


Arafat #39;s nephew can likely get access to Palestinian leader #39;s <b>...</b>

PARIS French officials may have found a way to both abide by their own privacy laws and still respond to demands by Palestinian leaders to answer questions about Yasser Arafat #39;s death.


Memo lands prince in trouble

London - Prince Charles #39;s penchant for memo-writing caught up with him on Thursday when his uncompromising opinions about the state of education in Britain found their way onto the front pages.


HTC 'Blue Angel' Wi-Fi PocketPC phone

Reg review Aka i-mate PDA 2k, O2 XDA IIs, Orange M2000, Vodafone VPA III, T-Mobile MDA III etc, etc


Sales drop sparks spending fears

Figures showing a drop in retail sales spark fears that the recent consumer spending rebound could be coming to an end.


Seagate ships 'world first' 400GB PC HDDs

A 7200rpm unit that's as fast as a 10,000rpm job, apparently


Oil prices stronger in London trading after supply worries <b>...</b>

LONDON : Oil prices rose slightly a day after renewed concerns over heating oil stocks in the United States brought a halt, even if temporary, to a sharp slide in prices in recent weeks.


Ofcom Unveils UK Sector Proposals

LONDON -- Ofcom today published its proposals to support the growth of greater competition, innovation and investment certainty in the UK telecommunications sector.


Kettle Campaign Kicks Off Tonight

The Salvation Army holds its annual Kettle Kick-Off this evening in downtown St. Paul with the lighting of a giant kettle. The Salvation Army plans to announce a \$7 million Christmas fund-raising goal.


Gates. The grass isn #39;t so green on the other side

With spam amounting to about 80 of total email traffic, you think that Bill Gates would have thought up some fantastic way of filtering it.


Java #39;s  #39;Mustang #39; Out of the Gate

Sun Microsystems (Quote, Chart) got the jump on the next generation of Java with an early release of its next Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE).


PeopleSoft Investors Urged to Tender Shares (Reuters)

Reuters - Oracle Corp. on Thursday said in a\letter to PeopleSoft Inc. stockholders that it would withdraw\its hostile takeover bid if less than half of PeopleSoft shares\were tendered by the offer's deadline.


Before the Bell: Altria Rises 1.5 Percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares of Altria Group Inc. \rose 1.5 percent before the bell on Thursday.


Egypt protest over Israel killing

Egypt condemns the "irresponsible" shooting of three police officers by an Israeli tank on the Gaza border.


Sun plans patent protection for open-source Solaris

Plans to provide umbrella from patent-infringement suits to outsiders using or developing the OS--a move to counter Linux.\


Photo: Family time for former EA worker

Joe Straitiff, recently fired from the game company after struggling with overtime issues, now spends more time with his daughter.


Google Says Growth Is Slowing Down (AP)

AP - Google Inc. Thursday warned that the growth it has showed so far this year may not be sustainable.


Annan urges swift end to Sudan war, Darfur crisis (AFP)

AFP - UN chief Kofi Annan called for talks on ending Sudan's civil war to be concluded swiftly, telling a special session of the Security Council that it would help reverse the worsening crisis in the western region of Darfur.


Kmart - Sears Merger May Bring More Shopping Options to Region

Kmart is acquiring Sears, Roebuck  amp; Company for \$11 billion with the combined estimated earnings of the two making it the third-largest retailer in the United States.


Limited Brands Operating Earnings Rise

Retailer Limited Brands Inc. (LTD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday posted higher quarterly earnings before special items as clearance sales at its Express apparel stores and cost-cutting boosted results.


Google Says Growth is Slowing

The AP article: Google Says Growth Is Slowing Down, that the search leader says that the growth that the company has seen so far this year, might not be sustainable.


Intel eyes India for chip plant

Global chip manufacturing major Intel today said it was evaluating India as one of the possible destinations for manufacturing chips.


Ofcom ultimatum to BT: Open up network access or face competition <b>...</b>

BT must work harder to open up its network to rivals in order to aid uptake of broadband internet access or risk a possible investigation by the UK Competition Commission, the UK communications regulator has warned.


Target disallows holiday bell ringers

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Salvation Army #39;s annual bell-ringing campaign gets under way this week, but the charitable organization is concerned that it might not be able to raise enough money this holiday season.


Home sweet home -- impossible?

More than 50 percent of California residents said in a survey being released today that they are very concerned that fast-rising home prices will lock out younger generations from the housing market.


Virgin Mobile Reports Revenue Growth

Virgin Mobile Holdings PLC reported an 18 percent surge in revenue but lower net profits for the half year Thursday as the costs of its listing on the London Stock Exchange this summer hurt the bottom line.


Two DC airports mull private security

Managers of Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International airports reportedly are considering using private contracted screeners.


Running Revolution Started as Evolution

Millions of years before headphone-wearing joggers clotted the streets of America, the development of the ability to run played a crucial role in the evolution of early humans, according to new research.


eBay #39;s Grilled Cheese Diet

You can #39;t blame eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY). It has to deal with folks trying to sell everything from body parts to fake props of historical notoriety to Milli Vanilli CDs.


Bill Gates Gets 4 Million E-Mails a Day

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates speaks at a meeting part of the  quot;Futurshow 3004 quot; technology fair, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004.


MSN signs up Overture for another year

Overture, the paid-for search broker, has retained MSN, its second biggest client after its parent company, Yahoo!, for another year.


Seagate ships  #39;world first #39; 400GB PC HDDs

Hard drive maker Seagate has begun shipping what it claims is the world #39;s highest capacity PC hard drive: a 400GB beast that #39;s also the first drive of its class to hold up to 133GB on a single platter.


Product lifecycles get the Windows treatment

Windows shops that want to build a product lifecycle management strategy now have the assurance that Microsoft will be more closely aligned with one of the PLM industry #39;s largest manufacturing application vendors.


Tiger puts rising suns in shade

Tiger Woods was three shots clear and five under par today after the first round of the Japan Golf Tour #39;s Dunlop Phoenix Tournament.


Honda set to buy BAR?

Honda look set to become further involved with BAR, with them either buying the team outright, or becoming a co-owner. According to reports on BBC Sport Online a deal is all but agreed.


Shock loss dethrones Brazil

WORLD Cup champion Brazil lost its unbeaten record in South American World Cup qualifying yesterday, while Argentina held off Venezuela 3-2 to take over first place in the 10-team group.


Spain must pay heavy price

Spain #39;s sporting community must pay a heavy price for the sickening racist abuse aimed at England #39;s Ashley Cole and Shaun-Wright Phillips - a punishment so harsh it eradicates this shameful behaviour once and for all.


Thanou missed rendezvous with destiny

But instead of replacing Marion Jones as Olympic 100 metres gold medallist, Thanou did not even take part in the Athens Games after missing two pre-Games drugs tests.


JR shoots down NHL -- again

The Flyers star told Fox Sports #39; Best Damn Sports Show Period last night that there #39;s not going to be a season and demanded union head Bob Goodenow and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to negotiate.


Ireland set the early pace at World Cup

England young guns Paul Casey and Luke Donald made a storming start to the World Cup on Thursday with four birdies in the first five holes.


Power romps over rival

So much for the intense match between long-time rivals that was supposed to go down last night at the 2004 PACE Canadian Squash Classic.


Russia hands ratification documents of Kyoto Protocol to UN chief

Russia has formally ratified the Kyoto Protocol on global warming following its signing into law byRussian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.


Removal of Kim Jong Il Portraits in North Korea Causes Speculation

In North Korea, portraits of Kim Jong Il have been taken down in what may signal significant and possibly far-reaching changes in the Stalinist leader #39;s personality cult.


Israel releases senior Hamas leader

A senior member of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas has been released from an Israeli prison after completing a two-year sentence.


Locusts invade Egypt

SWARMS of pink locusts yesterday swept through Cairo in scenes recalling the biblical plague of Egypt. The swarms flew high above tall towers or swooped on to treelined streets, where scared pedestrians stamped on them or ran for cover.


Death of a filmmaker

IF YOU WANT to know where the outrage is when Islamist thugs butcher a civilian, look to the Netherlands. There may not be much of an outcry over the slaughter of humanitarian worker Margaret Hassan in Iraq, but the Dutch are up in arms about the Nov.


Yahoo, SBC to Create Multimedia Platform (AP)

AP - Internet giant Yahoo Inc. on Thursday said it has extended and expanded its partnership with SBC Communications Inc. to transform their Internet access service into a multimedia platform connecting Web, television and wireless phone services.


Jobless Claims Dip, Match Forecasts (Reuters)

Reuters - The number of Americans filing\first-time claims for unemployment benefits dipped to 334,000\last week, the government said on Thursday, matching\economists' forecasts.


Treasuries Slip, Investors Play the Range (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Treasury debt prices slipped on\Thursday, unwinding some of the gains made the previous\session, as investors played the recent range in largely\technical trading.


Leading Indicators Dip Again in October (AP)

AP - The Index of Leading Economic Indicators, a widely watched gauge of future economic activity, fell in October for the fifth straight month, suggesting that the economy may be slowing, a private research group reported Thursday.


UN Appeals for Release of Workers in Afghanistan (Reuters)

Reuters - The United Nations again appealed for the\safe return of three of its workers held hostage in Afghanistan\on Thursday, three weeks after they were snatched from their\car on a busy street in central Kabul.


Limited Brands Quarterly Earnings Fall (AP)

AP - Fashion retailer Limited Brands Inc.'s third-quarter earnings fell 40 percent because of fewer one-time gains, the company reported Thursday.


Edward C. Baig: Personal Tech - Trade in your dumb phone for a smart one: Treo 650 (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - I've apparently been carrying around pretty dumb cell phones over the years - and I bet many of you have as well. That's what the telecom geniuses would have us believe, anyway. These phones don't organize our lives, don't play music, don't take pictures or videos and don't handle e-mail.


BT Escapes Breakup in Review of Industry (AP)

AP - Britain's telecommunications regulator backed away from breaking up BT Group PLC on Thursday and instead ordered the industry giant to improve competitor access to its networks.


Dollar Rallies from Record Lows Vs Euro

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rose, gaining ground from  its fresh all-time lows against the euro on Thursday on profit  taking in the euro after a government report showed that U.S.  jobless claims fell in the latest week.


SAP CFO Puts Off Margin Target (Reuters)

Reuters - Europe's biggest software\maker SAP could need a year more than anticipated to reach its\profitability target as it spends on research, development and\marketing, its chief financial officer said on Thursday,\sending its shares lower.


PeopleSoft Threatens Oracle with Suit (Reuters)

Reuters - PeopleSoft's chief executive on\Thursday said Oracle was spreading misleading information about\his stock sales and he threatened to sue for defamation on the\eve of the expiration of Oracle's  #36;8.8 billion hostile tender\offer.


Techs Open Down, Applied Materials Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. technology stocks opened lower on  Thursday after a sales warning from Applied Materials Inc.  AMAT.O, while weekly jobless claims data met Wall Street's  expectations, leaving the Dow and S P 500 market measures  little changed.


Jobless Claims Dip, Match Forecasts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing  first-time claims for unemployment benefits dipped to 334,000  last week, the government said on Thursday, matching  economists' forecasts.


Treasuries Slip, Investors Play the Range

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt prices slipped on  Thursday, unwinding some of the gains made the previous  session, as investors played the recent range in largely  technical trading.


SAP CFO Puts Off Margin Target

BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Europe's biggest software  maker SAP could need a year more than anticipated to reach its  profitability target as it spends on research, development and  marketing, its chief financial officer said on Thursday,  sending its shares lower.


Limited Brands Operating Earnings Rise

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retailer Limited Brands Inc. LTD.N  on Thursday posted higher quarterly earnings before special  items as clearance sales at its Express apparel stores and  cost-cutting boosted results.


Williams-Sonoma Lowers 4th-Qtr. Forecast

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Williams-Sonoma Inc. WSM.N on  Thursday posted a rise in third-quarter earnings, but the  housewares retailer lowered its fourth-quarter forecast, citing  volatile sales trends and demand for furniture that is  outstripping supply.


Chafee: Reid Asked Him About Joining Dems. (AP)

AP - Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, a moderate often at odds with GOP conservatives, disclosed Wednesday that the leader of Senate Democrats sounded him out about switching parties in the aftermath of President Bush's re-election.


US state still without a governor two weeks after polls (AFP)

AFP - Two weeks after the US general election, the northwestern state of Washington was still without a governor as the painstaking process of counting votes dragged on.


Soccer: Britain Demands Action After Racist Chants

LONDON (Reuters) - British ministers have condemned the  "disgraceful" racial abuse of England's black players during  Wednesday's friendly international against Spain in Madrid and  demanded that soccer authorities take action.


Drizzle of Shooting Stars Expected Friday Morning (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - This week brings us the \  return of the famous Leonid Meteor Shower, a meteor display that over the past \  several years has brought great anticipation and excitement to sky watchers \  around the world.


Congress Probes FDA in Vioxx Case

Congress is looking into whether the Food and Drug Administration ignored safety concerns about the drug raised by its own reviewers and outside scientists.


A Year of Firsts for the ISS (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - As the tenth \crew of the International Space Station (ISS) tends to its orbital home this \month, the station itself marks its fourth year with humans continuously living \onboard.


Scientists Hunt for Big Freshwater Fish (AP)

AP - Scientists in 17 countries will scout waterways to locate and study the world's largest freshwater fish species, many of which are declining in numbers, hoping to learn how to better protect them, researchers announced Thursday.


Russia's Putin Defends Political Reforms

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on  Thursday he had no plans to grab more power or change the  constitution when reforming Russia's government structure,  dismissing fears in the West he is watering down democracy.


Iran Says It Has No Secret Nuclear Activities

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran denied an exiled opposition group's  allegations it was secretly seeking material to build an atomic  bomb, a senior official said on Thursday.


This week in phishing

As online shopping gets into full swing, phishers are setting up fraudulent e-commerce Web sites and simply waiting for victims using Google and other search engines to find them.


Williams-Sonoma profit up on Pottery Barn

SAN FRANCISCO -- Williams-Sonoma Inc. Thursday said its profit rose 19 percent in the latest quarter, helped by brisk Pottery Barn business and a new link in the supply chain that strengthened furniture sales.


Reuters shares up on Instinet sale rumors

LONDON -- Shares in Reuters Group PLC rose Thursday on speculation that its part-owned stock-trading network Instinet Group Inc. is up for sale.


Sun launches Solaris 10

Sun Microsystems launched the much-anticipated new version of its Solaris operating system this week, and announced an overhauled pricing model designed to compete with Linux.


Ecuador rocks but China ousted from World Cup contention

NEW YORK - Defending World Cup champion Brazil suffered the most shocking result of the day, but China was the biggest loser. The Brazilians lost to Ecuador for the just the second time in their history.


Warriors handle Bulls with ease

OAKLAND - Jason Richardson thought the Golden State Warriors forgot about him on offense two games ago in Cleveland. They couldn #39;t have missed him if they tried this time.


Truex Can Relax, Go All-Out in Final Busch Race of Season

Since he has nothing to lose, Martin Truex Jr. says, he can go all-out to win. Truex, 24, will finish his first season of Busch competition Saturday at Homestead in the final race of the year.


India ; Stalemate Looms in Kashmir as Singh Ends Visit

India News, SRINAGAR, India - The main separatist alliance in Indian Kashmir insisted on Thursday on holding talks with Pakistan before reviving a dialogue with New Delhi, a demand Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said was not acceptable.


UN Security Council in Africa to Push Sudan Peace

Staking its prestige on Sudan #39;s troubled peace process, the UN Security Council met away from its New York home for the first time in 14 years on Thursday to try to end two decades of war in Africa #39;s biggest country.


Arafat family to get medical file on cause of death

PARIS, Nov 18 (AFP) - Family members of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are preparing a request to obtain medical files detailing his illness and cause of death, which France will grant, the French defense ministry announced Thursday.


Israel releases senior Hamas leader

A senior leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the West Bank was released after two years of detention in an Israeli jail, Palestinian witnesses said Thursday.


Locust swarms advance into Egypt

Swarms of locusts blown off the Mediterranean towards the Egyptian capital, Cairo, are not expected to cause major damage to crops.


Portugal to ban smoking in public places (AFP)

AFP - Portugal plans to follow the example of other European nations and introduce legislation by the end of the month to ban smoking in most public places, including bars, restaurants and workplaces.


Leading Indicators Down for 5th Month

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key forecasting gauge of future  U.S. economic activity fell for a fifth straight month in  October, a private research group said on Thursday.


Uribe defends security policies

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe tells the BBC his tough stance on the internal conflict is crucial and effective.


Football: England fury over abuse

England's Jermaine Jenas demands action after racist abuse by Spain fans.


Call to exhume Gaza girl's body

The Israeli military wants to exhume the body of a 13-year-old girl shot dead in Gaza by soldiers last month.


Merger to spur retail change

OK, maybe the merger of Kmart and Sears doesn #39;t exactly put them in the realm of Wally World, but the \$11 billion deal is nonetheless impressive.


US leading indicators fall for 5th straight month

WASHINGTON (AFX) - The US economy is losing steam, the Conference Board said Thursday, reporting that the index of US leading economic indicators fell 0.3 percent in October, the fifth straight decrease.


Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam .....

The Microsoft chairman receives four million e-mails a day, but practically an entire department at the company he founded is dedicated to ensuring that nothing unwanted gets into his inbox, the companys chief executive said today.


Overture Extends MSN Relationship

Pasadena-based Overture Services, the subsidiary of Yahoo Inc. which provides keyword-based search advertising, announced that it has extended its sponsored search distribution relationship with Microsoft.


Metal Gear Solid 4 Confirmed

Konami revealed that plans for Metal Gear Solid 4 are already on the way. Konami Computer Entertainment Japan #39;s President, Motoyuki Yoshioka, said:  quot;We already have ideas in our mind on what the fourth release


Federer, Moya Dodge the Rain and Post Masters Cup Wins

Ending after midnight due to rain delays, Roger Federer finally put his second round robin match in the books early Thursday morning at the ATP Tennis Masters Cup in Houston, defeating Lleyton Hewitt for the fifth consecutive time 6-3, 6-4.


Lippi #39;s experiment draws mixed reactions in Italy

The coach and the players were pleased. The fans seemed indifferent. The media was split. Reaction to Italy #39;s 1-0 win against Finland with an experimental squad devoid of all the top


Pires will be fined for logo gaffe

Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires is in hot water again with the French football federation who have announced that he will be fined for wearing the logo of a different sports company to the team #39;s official sponsor Adidas.


Global Warming Treaty Gets Russia #39;s OK

Russia #39;s permanent representative to the United Nations, Andrey Denisov, left, shakes hands with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan while Kenyan Nobel Peace prize winner Wangari Maathai, right, look on after they signed the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.


Russia Ratifies Kyoto, Starts on Feb. 16 (Reuters)

Reuters - Russia formally ratified the Kyoto\Protocol on global warming on Thursday, clearing the way for\the environment pact to come into force in February 2005.


FDA Defends Its Handling of Vioxx Safety (AP)

AP - Amid questions about whether the arthritis drug Vioxx was taken off the market soon enough, a key senator suggested Friday that an independent board of drug safety might be needed to ensure the safety of medications after they're approved for the market.


Russia Ratifies Kyoto, Starts on Feb. 16

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Russia formally ratified the Kyoto  Protocol on global warming on Thursday, clearing the way for  the environment pact to come into force in February 2005.


CIA staff told to avoid politics

US intelligence chief Porter Goss tells CIA employees not to support opposition to the Bush administration.


Paris set to release Arafat file

The French government says it will release the medical files of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to his next of kin.


Broker Downgrades Sink Medtronic (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares of Medtronic Inc.  on\Thursday sank 7 percent to their lowest level in more than\three months after the medical device maker posted\weaker-than-expected growth in one of its key business units,\sparking at least three broker downgrades.


Intel Rally May Be Premature

NEW YORK - Intel certainly surprised many semiconductor industry watchers today with its improving sales forecasts for the current quarter, but not everyone is convinced that all is as rosy as it seems at the world #39;s biggest chipmaker.


Pioneer of Sham Tax Havens Sits Down for a Pre-Jail Chat

Jerome Schneider, the nation's best-known seller of phony offshore banks, said that he helped hundreds of rich Americans evade taxes.


Exiles Add to Claims on Iran Nuclear Arms

An opposition group said Iran bought blueprints for a nuclear bomb and obtained weapons-grade uranium on the black market.


Military Believes Zarqawi Headquarters Found

U.S. soldiers discovered a house in southern Fallujah on Thursday believed to be a main headquarters for Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab Zarqawi, the leader of an insurgent network responsible for bombings, kidnappings and beheadings across Iraq.


For Democrats, library a place to raise voices (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Weeks don't get much better if you are William Jefferson Clinton. For the third time in 12 eventful years, this proud Southern city is bedecked with bunting and banners to welcome the world, this time for today's opening of Clinton's  #36;165 million presidential library.


US Troops Investigated

In a re-run of a media escapade from the Vietnam War, a US soldier was caught on film shooting an injured, unarmed prisoner.


Google sees slower revenue growth ahead

WASHINGTON - Hugely popular internet search engine Google Inc. cautioned Thursday its current pace of revenue growth is expected to slow.


Gates Gets 4 Million E-Mails a Day

Being one of the richest men in the world probably has its upsides, but it most definitely has its downsides as well. One of those downsides is that Bill Gates receives roughly 4 million email messages a day.


Caborn praise for abused players

SPORTS Minister Richard Caborn this morning praised the discipline of the England players in the face of the racist chanting which marred last nights 1-0 defeat in Spain.


Olympic Bid Chiefs Condemn Racist Abuse

London 2012 leaders today called on their Madrid rivals to condemn the racist abuse suffered by black England players in the Spanish capital.


Annan Calls for End to Civil War in Sudan

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for the civil war in the south of Sudan to be halted as soon as possible.


Chirac, Blair Say Relations Not Strained

French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair maintained Thursday that relations between their countries were not strained by their disagreements over the Iraq war, as evidenced by their cooperation on a number of international


European Parliament approves new, reshuffled executive

The European Parliament approved the reshuffled 24-member European Union executive on Thursday, ending a political showdown with incoming EU chief Jose Manuel Barroso over objections to his team.


Futile death of innocent

THE sheer bastardry displayed by militants who kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan and who are now widely believed to have killed her has stunned the world.


CSA boss falls on sword over IT systems fiasco

EDS: 'badly designed, badly developed, badly tested, badly implemented'


Gold ETF expected to launch Thursday

BOSTON (AFX) -- The first exchange-traded fund investing in gold bullion will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, said sources familiar with the situation.


Postal Workers Set for Bonus after Finances Boost

Postal workers are on course for an 800 bonus after the Royal Mail today reported a huge improvement in its finances and more reliable deliveries.


Owens-Illinois to Sell European Plants

Owens-Illinois Inc., the world #39;s largest manufacturer of glass containers, on Thursday said it will sell two of its plants in Europe to Spanish rival Vidrala SA in a \$179 million deal.


MS, Dassault form alliance

PARIS: Microsoft and Dassault Systemes of France have agreed to form a strategic alliance for Dassault Systemes product lifecycle management (V5 PLM) and 3D design solutions.


Halo 2 XBL Content Download Available

Bungie has released the first additional content for Halo 2, downloadable through Xbox Live. When you first boot up Halo 2 and sign in to XBL, you should be prompted to download the content, which is free as part of your Xbox Live membership.


Blair office condemns racist chanting amid calls for Spain to play <b>...</b>

The British government led the condemnation Thursday of the racist abuse directed by Spanish fans at England #39;s black soccer players.


Honda bought BAR - report

Honda has bought a 40 per cent chunk of Formula One team BAR, numerous media outlets claimed on Wednesday. Brackley-based BAR, presently owned by British American Tobacco, agreed a deal - said to involve the


Sprinters Charged With Dodging Drug Test

Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou, center, arrives in court to appear before a public prosecutor in Athens, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004.


Annan urges security council warning on Sudan

Kofi Annan today called on the UN security council to issue  quot;the strongest warning quot; to forces fighting in Sudan to bring an end to the civil war in the south and the crisis in the western Darfur region.


Australian PM says body found in Fallujah likely missing aid <b>...</b>

(Canberra, Australia-AP) Nov. 18, 2004 - Australia #39;s prime minister says it #39;s likely that a body found in the Iraqi city of Fallujah is that of aid worker Margaret Hassan.


On Google's Horizon ... Microsoft

Execs at the world's favorite search engine are predicting stormy seas ahead. Does it have anything to do with Microsoft's charge into search and online ad delivery? -washingtonpost.com


WTO Rules Against EU Protection of Goods (AP)

AP - The United States and Australia prevailed in an interim ruling by the World Trade Organization in a dispute over protection given by the European Union to its regional goods such as Champagne wine and Feta cheese, trade officials said Thursday.


PeopleSoft Threatens Oracle with Suit

PeopleSoft's chief executive on\Thursday said Oracle was spreading misleading information about\his stock sales and he threatened to sue for defamation on the\eve of the expiration of Oracle's \$8.8 billion hostile tender\offer.


Google Shares Fall on 4Q Revenue Warning

Shares of Google Inc. slipped in pre-market trading Thursday after the world's most popular Internet search engine warned for the second time in a week that its fourth-quarter revenue growth rate is likely to slow from previous quarters.


Castro Raises Doubts About Bin Laden Tape (AP)

AP - Fidel Castro says the emergence of an Osama bin Laden videotape just ahead of the U.S. presidential election seemed to have been "arranged" to help President Bush.


USDA: Mad Cow Test Result 'Inconclusive' (Reuters)

Reuters - First-round screening tests returned\"inconclusive" results for mad cow disease from one animal and\samples were being submitted for final and more sophisticated\analysis, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Thursday.


Russia Ratifies Kyoto, Starts on Feb 16

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Russia formally ratified the Kyoto  Protocol on global warming on Thursday, clearing the way for  the environment pact to come into force in February 2005.


Merger unites retail giants

Two retail giants announced a merger on Wednesday that could mean job loss in Terre Haute and nationally. Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co.


US Economy: Leading Indicators Fall for 5th Straight Month

A barometer of future US economic activity fell for a fifth month in October, the longest decline since 1995, signaling that the world #39;s largest economy may slow in coming months.


Williams-Sonoma Net Rises 19; Shares Fall on Outlook (Update3)

Williams-Sonoma Inc., operator of home furnishing chains including Pottery Barn, said third-quarter earnings rose 19 percent, boosted by store openings and catalog sales.


ETF Investors Going for Gold

Traders awoke Thursday to find a new gold-backed security, StreetTracks Gold (GLD:NYSE - commentary - research), trading on the New York Stock Exchange under symbol GLD.


FDA defends its handling of Vioxx safety

Amid questions about whether the arthritis drug Vioxx was taken off the market soon enough, a key senator suggested Friday that an independent


XM Satellite convertible debt priced

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said a \$300 million offering of senior notes convertible into common stock has been priced at \$50 a share.


Microsoft #39;s Ballmer repeats Linux patent claim

A REPORT said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has warned Asian governments contemplating using Linux that they risk being sued for using the operating system.


IBM to put its personal computer business up for sale, may fetch <b>...</b>

SAN FRANCISCO: IBM is reportedly in talks to sell its personal computer business in a deal that could be worth up to \$2 billion and would cap a gradual withdrawal from the business it helped to pioneer in 1981.


Conectiva, Mandrakesoft, Turbolinux, Progeny Form Core Linux Group

Four Linux vendors have joined together to develop technology that would potentially make it easier for software makers to build products for multiple distributions of the open-source operating system.


Apple to open two new UK retail stores

Apple confirmed Thursday plans to open two new retail stores in the UK. Apple #39;s senior vice president of retail Ron Johnson confirmed the company #39;s plans in a press event for the opening of Apple #39;s first retail


IBM:  #39;Inertia #39; holding back government desktop Linux adoption

Senior IBM executives have signalled that a few key government departments moving to Linux on the desktop will have a domino-like effect on the rest of the public sector.


Spurrier to Coach South Carolina

The Nashville Tennessean reports Spurrier has agreed to take over at South Carolina if Lou Holtz retires. Spurrier won a national championship and six SEC championships in 12 seasons at Florida before leaving to take the Washington Redskins job.


Defenseman boasted 10 world titles, 3 Olympic golds

MOSCOW -- The Soviet Union #39;s most successful ice hockey player, Alexander Ragulin, has died at 63, his former club CSKA Moscow said Thursday.


Chirac, Blair Strive for Unity After Iraq

French President Jacques Chirac agreed to disagree with Prime Minister Tony Blair over Iraq on Thursday but pledged full cooperation, from Africa to the Middle East, when Britain heads the G8 and European Union in 2005.


Paris set to release Arafat file

France says it is ready to release the medical records of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to his nephew. French officials have so far denied the files to Palestinian leaders saying only family are entitled to the see them under French privacy laws.


Panel aims to flush away worlds toilet problems

I am often criticized for writing immature bathroom humor, and not enough about important topics. So today Im going to write about a major international event that takes place Nov. 17-19 in Beijing, China: The World Toilet Summit.