Two American GIs Die in Afghanistan Blast

KABUL, Afghanistan - A bomb killed two American soldiers and wounded three others in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday, and an attack in an eastern province killed three children and two others on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...


AP Poll: Security Top Issue for Americans

WASHINGTON - National security issues such as the war in Iraq and terrorism are dominating voters' attention in the final weeks before Election Day, Associated Press polling found.    Along with security issues like war and terrorism, the economy and health care were near the top of the list of the nation's most important problems in an AP-Ipsos poll...


Thousands Queue for Dwindling Flu Shots

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Seventy-year-old Homer Fink spent eight hours sitting next to a supermarket Halloween display for a flu shot that he wasn't able to get at five other places...


Thousands Queue for Dwindling Flu Shots

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Seventy-year-old Homer Fink spent eight hours sitting next to a supermarket Halloween display to get a flu shot that he wasn't able to get at five other places...


NatFoods steps up defence

Stepping up its takeover defense from predator New Zealand Fonterra Co-operative Group, dairy target National Foods said today its shares were worth between \$6.11 and \$6.65 a share.


Barry Bonds Said to Use Illegal Steroids in 2003

San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds reportedly used undetectable steroids during the 2003 season, the first in which Major League Baseball banned the substance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.


Baghdad blasts rock churches as car bombs kill four US troops

BAGHDAD : Bomb blasts rocked five churches in Baghdad and a medic died when a mortar round exploded at a hospital, while the US military said twin car bombs killed four US troops and a translator elsewhere in Iraq.


Churches Installing Cell Phone Jammers (AP)

AP - It was the reporters who noticed first. Unable to call their editors while covering the weddings of the rich and famous, they asked the priest why their cell phones never worked at Sacred Heart. His reply: Israeli counterintelligence.


Crude Oil May Rise on Supply Concern, Survey Shows (Update2)

Crude oil may rise for a sixth week, after reaching a record \$55 a barrel in New York, on concern supply cuts from Norway, Nigeria or Iraq may deter refiners from building winter fuel inventories, a Bloomberg survey shows.


Cards' Kline Could Return in Postseason (AP)

AP - Ailing St. Louis reliever Steve Kline was unavailable for Game 3 of the NL championship series on Saturday, but Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa hopes the left-hander will pitch later this postseason.


Microsoft, HP pleased with results of .Net partnership

OCTOBER 15, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Hewlett-Packard Co. and Microsoft Corp. said yesterday that their 2-year-old .Net joint initiative has led to more than 1,000 projects with 700 customers in 39 countries, resulting in \$600 million in revenue.


No. 2 Oklahoma Defeats Kansas State 31-21 (AP)

AP - Jason White threw for four touchdowns, two each to Travis Wilson and Mark Clayton, and No. 2 Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State 31-21 Saturday.


Notre Dame 27, Navy 9

Notre Dame #39;s size and speed took all the drama out of its 41st straight victory over Navy. Ryan Grant ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns for the Fighting Irish, who had little trouble extending their NCAA


Michigan State Blows Out No. 19 Minnesota (AP)

AP - Drew Stanton passed for 308 yards and ran for 102 more, setting a school record for total offense, to lead Michigan State to a 51-17 victory over No. 19 Minnesota on Saturday.


Three rockets fired in Afghan capital, at least one injured

KABUL - Three rockets were fired in the Afghan capital Kabul late Saturday injuring at least one person in the latest of a string of attacks following landmark elections.


Single mother remarks incense civil libertarians

A controversial Italian politician has created a furore by making remarks critical of single mothers. Rocco Buttiglione, who has been proposed as the European Union #39;s new Justice Commissioner, has been quoted


Russia Wins Permanent Military Base in Tajikistan

Tajikistan on Saturday formally granted Russian forces in the Central Asian state a permanent military base in a move Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed as a guarantee of regional security.


Redskins' Arrington Out for Sunday (Reuters)

Reuters - Washington Redskins star\linebacker LaVar Arrington will miss his fourth straight game\after having right knee surgery last month.


Trainer Says Bonds Took Undetectable Drug: Report

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Baseball star Barry Bonds took an  undetectable performance-enhancing drug during the 2003 season,  his weight trainer said on a secretly recorded tape, The San  Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.


Dillon Remains Questionable for Sunday

FOXBORO, Mass. (Sports Network) - New England Patriots  running back Corey Dillon is still listed as questionable for  Sunday's game against Seattle with a foot injury.


Westwood Pays Tribute to Battling Jimenez

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Lee Westwood paid  tribute to Miguel Angel Jimenez following his one-hole victory  over the Spaniard in a dramatic World Match Play semi-final at  Wentworth on Saturday.


Germany Awaits Spain Extradition Request (AP)

AP - German authorities on Saturday said they were awaiting a formal request from Spain to extradite a Syrian-German businessman suspected of being a key al-Qaida figure.


Ferguson tells United --  #39;You must beat Arsenal #39;

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson says next week #39;s game against Premier League champions Arsenal is a  #39;must win #39; affair for his struggling side.


No. 2 Oklahoma 31, Kansas St. 21

Jason White threw for four touchdowns, two each to Travis Wilson and Mark Clayton, and No. 2 Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State 31-21 Saturday.


Violence returns to Afghanistan

Six people, including three children and two US soldiers, have been reported killed in Afghanistan, a week after millions voted in a landmark election meant to help bring peace back to their war-ravaged nation.


Spills apart, India hold edge in thriller

The Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday was like a cauldron in which about 40,000 people were sweating profusely but their eyes were still glued to the ground.


No. 14 Michigan 30, Illinois 19

Michael Hart rushed for 234 yards and No. 14 Michigan rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Illinois 30-19 Saturday, sending the Illini to their 12th consecutive conference loss.


Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Betis in Spanish league

Ronaldo scored a second-half equalizer Saturday to earn struggling Real Madrid a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in the seventh round of the Spanish league.


U.S. Bioterror Plan Frustrates Industry (AP)

AP - When President Bush signed Project BioShield into law in July, he said he was immediately making  #36;5.6 billion available to counter such anticipated threats as smallpox genetically engineered to render current vaccines useless.


Two U.S. Helicopters Crash in Iraq, Killing Two (Reuters)

Reuters - Two U.S. military transport helicopters\crashed near Baghdad on Saturday, killing two U.S. soldiers and\wounding two others, the U.S. military said.


Peru tells Japan Fujimori headed criminal group (AFP)

AFP - Former president Alberto Fujimori, who is in exile in Japan, headed a  quot;criminal organization quot; that murdered 25 people in the early 1990s, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry told Japan in support of an extradition request against Fujimori.


US choppers crash near Baghdad

Two American helicopters crash southwest of Baghdad, with two soldiers killed and two injured.


Soyuz Capsule Docks in Tricky Maneuver

KOROLYOV, Russia - The Soyuz spacecraft closed in on the international space station at dangerously high speed Saturday, forcing the U.S.-Russian crew to put on the brakes, abandon autopilot and manually dock the Soviet-era capsule in an unplanned and tricky maneuver.    It was a last-minute wrinkle for a crew that had never piloted a Soyuz before...


Oil prices hit another high on Friday

Crude oil futures continued to climb Friday, reaching a record high as decline in the US inventory of heating oil and tight supplies still overshadowed the energy markets.


UPDATE 1-Ronaldo strikes to give Real 1-1 draw at Betis

Ronaldo scored only his second league goal of the season to scrape a 1-1 draw for Real Madrid away to Real Betis on Saturday. Real, beaten in their two previous league games, fell


Italy #39;s under-fire EU candidate denies single mothers slur

ROME : Italy #39;s disputed nominee for the EU justice and security commissioner #39;s post denied having made new comments denigrating the role of women and said he was being victimized by the media.


Stuttgart stays unbeaten

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Stuttgart stretched its unbeaten record and defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to go to the top of the German league while newcomer Mainz stunned defending champion Werder Bremen 2-1 to jump to third place.


Juventus takes control with win over Messina

Turin, Italy (Sports Network) - Juventus stretched its Serie A lead to five points Saturday with a 2-1 win over second-place Messina in Turin.


No. 2 Oklahoma 31, Kansas St. 21

_ Jason White threw for four touchdowns as Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State 31-to-21 today. Freshman star Adrian Peterson added 130 yards rushing, with all 26 of those coming in the second half.


Heerenveen beats Ajax

PSV Eindhoven was leading host ADO The Hague 2-0 Saturday when the Dutch league match was suspended in the 80th minute because of racist chants from the home fans.


Irish no longer under contruction

The most remarkable characteristic of Notre Dame #39;s 27-9 victory over Navy was the utter unremarkability of it. Dog bites man. Hare beats tortoise.


Iraq Insurgency Seen With British Eyes

They came with their regimental colors, embroidered flags recording battles in 18th-century India, in the Napoleonic wars, against Ottoman legions in Iraq in World War I, on


Man remanded over Danielle murder

A 20-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the murder of Nottingham schoolgirl Danielle Beccan.


Powell on a three nation tour

Powell will  quot;hold discussions with senior officials in the three countries on bilateral matters, regional security and stability, and issues such as the global war on terrorism, Iraq, North Korea and the six-party talks, quot; it said.


Teacher calls prince a cheat

PRINCE Harry has been cleared of cheating to obtain his art A-level pass, despite a secret tape recording in which he allegedly admitted he did only  #39;a tiny, tiny bit #39; of the course work he submitted for the examination.


Jordan cancels Afghanistan soap opera

AP - After a week-long advertising blitz, Jordan has abruptly cancelled plans to broadcast a soap opera about Afghanistan after an internet threat to  quot;strike quot; everyone from actors to TV executives if the show portrayed the Taliban in a negative light.


Clash of the Titans

THE United States looks set on a collision course with the European Union (EU) over their aircraft industries. In recent months, the two giants have been unable to agree on how best to replace a 1992 bilateral


Kerry Churns Up Enthusiasm in Former Bush Bastion in Ohio

This part of Ohio went for George W. Bush four years ago in a 20-point landslide. But the 2,500 screaming, arm-waving supports of Senator John Kerry who jammed


Goldman Sachs Goes Green

When some distressed debt owned by Goldman Sachs finally flat-lined not long ago, the investment bank found itself in possession of some unusual collateral: 800,000 acres of undeveloped land in Tierra del Fuego.


Military Families Express Some Iraq Doubts (AP)

AP - Members of the military and their families say the Bush administration underestimated the number of troops needed in Iraq and put too much pressure on inadequately trained National Guard and reserve forces, according to a poll released Saturday.


U.S. Planes Strike Falluja, Zarqawi Arrest Denied

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes struck suspected rebel  targets in the western city of Falluja late on Saturday,  killing three people, but officials denied a report that  Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been captured  there.


Former OAS Chief Under House Arrest in Bribe Probe

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - A Costa Rican judge on  Saturday put the former head of the Organization of American  States under house arrest for six months while he is  investigated for bribery claims, judicial officials said.


Els and Westwood in Match Play final

Ernie Els and Lee Westwood will meet Sunday in the finals of the HSBC World Match Play Championship. Els, looking for a sixth win in this event, posted a 5  amp; 4 victory over Padraig Harrington on Saturday.


Lehman and Geiberger share lead at Greensboro classic

British Open winner Tom Lehman and Brent Geiberger shared the lead after the third round of the Greensboro Classic on Saturday. Lehman continued


Ferdinand can benefit from winds of change

The gale that engulfed England #39;s footballers against Azerbaijan in Baku on Wednesday night would have had ominous significance in the times of Samuel Pepys, when a superstitious populace believed


Marquis focused on Game 4 start

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Marquis could be miffed at what could be considered a demotion, being  quot;bumped quot; to Sunday #39;s Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.


The Incredible Shrinking Investment Bank

Once Wall Street stalwarts, the future of Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are now being questioned - a sign of the broad changes in the financial landscape in recent years.


Sudan refutes Darfur death figures

Darfur was about 10,000, blaming malnutrition and disease. He said the figure of 70,000 did not take into account deaths from violence.


Exam board clears Harry

London, Oct. 16: Prince Harry was cleared yesterday of cheating in his art A-level by the examination board that set and marked his papers.


Lower Your Window Shades. Today's Film Is 'The Rookie.'

At a time when the airlines are facing their most difficult challenges in recent history, they are running through one chief executive after another.


What If a Sales Tax Were the Only Tax?

Does replacing personal income and payroll taxes with a national sales tax, an idea President Bush has shown interest in, help the U.S. tax system?


The Dollar Is Defying Both Expectations and Gravity

The dollar's strength is surprising, given the record current account deficit, but some forecasters say that strength will continue into next year.


Thousands Line Up for Dwindling Flu Shots

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Seventy-year-old Homer Fink spent eight hours sitting next to a supermarket Halloween display for a flu shot that he wasn't able to get at five other places...


Apple: 150M songs sold via iTunes

Apple celebrated yesterday when it announced that they have sold now more than 150 million songs via their iTunes Music Store. Despite some reports that overall traffic to online music stores has dropped, Apple #39;s


Sooners Survive

Oklahoma wide receiver Mark Clayton scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Sooners #39; 31-21 come-from-behind win over Kansas State Saturday in Manhattan.


Referee halts Dutch league match over crowd insults

Referee Rene Temmink ended the Dutch first division match between ADO Den Haag and PSV Eindhoven 10 minutes early on Saturday after taking exception to insulting chants aimed at him by the home fans.


Celtic leave Hearts broken

CELTIC enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Hearts overnight as the visitors paid a heavy price for trying to frustrate the Scottish Premier League leaders.


Violence in Afghanistan claims seven lives

In Afghanistan, seven people including two US soldiers died in explosions as early results from historic elections gave President Hamid Karzai a strong lead over his rivals.


Arab channels scrap soap on Taliban after Islamist threat

DOHA: State television channels of Qatar and Jordan announced on Saturday that they would not broadcast a series on a love story set in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan for technical reasons, a day after Islamists issued threats against the Jordanian


Row erupts as Cuba refuses entry to Spanish, Dutch lawmakers

MADRID : A political row erupted after Spain and the Netherlands vehemently protested Cuba #39;s refusal to grant entry to three parliamentary deputies who had arrived in Havana to meet Cuban dissidents.


Oklahoma Astronaut Remembered

_ One of NASA #39;s first astronauts, Oklahoma native L. Gordon Cooper Jr., was remembered at the Johnson Space Center as not too bad of a water skier, not too bad of a pilot, but a heck of a good astronaut.


Els moves in on record sixth title

Ernie Els will attempt to win a record sixth World Match Play Championship today after overwhelming Padraig Harrington 5  amp; 4 in the semi-final yesterday.


Ferguson admits United deserve to be written off

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that his expensively restructured squad deserves to be written off as serious Premiership title challengers.


Report: Trainer says on tape he gave Bonds steroids

Giants slugger Barry Bonds is at the center of another steroids controversy after statements made by his trainer. In Saturday #39;s San Francisco Chronicle, Bonds #39; personal trainer Greg Anderson claimed on tape


Instant Analysis: Oklahoma at Kansas State

Kansas State had Oklahoma on the run for a brief portion of the first half in Saturday #39;s game in Manhattan. But the Cats literally and figuratively dropped the ball, and Oklahoma - on offense and defense - proceeded


Memorial honors astronaut Cooper

The surviving astronauts of the Mercury 7 offered tribute Friday to compatriot Gordon  quot;Gordo quot; Cooper, who died Oct. 4. At a memorial gathering at Johnson Space Center in Houston, former US Sen.


From Baidu in China to Yahoo in America, Search Engine Sales Soar

Yesterday, China #39;s #1 search giant, Baidu reported a quadrupling of sales. And on Tuesday, Yahoo! announced that their profits have tripled thanks to online advertising.


UPDATE 2-National City 3rd-quarter profit rises 72 pct

National City Corp. (NCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said third-quarter profit rose a greater-than-expected 72 percent, helped by a recent acquisition and its consumer and corporate banking businesses.


Stifling Blues add to United worries

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson flooded the pitch with strikers in a bid to steal a victory that he hoped would prevent Arsenal and Chelsea disappearing over the Premiership horizon.


Enron accused: Im being used to test anti-terror laws

A Scottish banker who was told last week he will be extradited to America under new anti-terror legislation to face fraud charges and a possible 35 years in jail, has said his human rights were ignored.


Astros Lead Cards 5-2 After Eight Innings

Houston Astros #39; Jeff Kent homers in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series in Houston, Saturday Oct. 16, 2004.


COL FB: Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 21

Jason White passed for 256 yards and four touchdowns Saturday as second-ranked Oklahoma overcame Kansas State, 31-21. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was completed 20-of-31 passes and had one intercepted.


No. 1 USC 45, No. 15 Arizona St. 7

A week after getting past California despite being badly beaten statistically, No. 1 Southern Cal took command early against Arizona State and routed the 15th-ranked Sun Devils 45-7 Saturday.


PSV match abandoned

Eredivisie leader PSV Eindhoven #39;s match at ADO Den Haag was abandoned late in the second half due to crowd trouble while Ajax suffered a shock home defeat on Saturday.


Top military analyst: Putting Black Watch on front line makes <b>...</b>

One of Britains top military analysts has described the plan to send the Black Watch regiment to back up American troops in Iraqs most dangerous areas as a critical, serious and ultimately unnecessary decision that makes no logistical sense


Hadash to petition AG over Gaza girl #39;s death

Chief of General Staff Lt.- Gen. Moshe Ya #39;alon has decided there are no grounds to oust the Givati company commander who allegedly shot schoolgirl Iman al-Hams, 13, at close range and reportedly  quot;verified the kill quot; on October 5 near Rafah.


Astros Defeat Cardinals 5-2 in NLCS Game 3 (AP)

AP - Roger Clemens hopped off the mound, pumped his right fist and muttered to himself all the way to the dugout. His work was done and the Houston Astros were exactly where they wanted to be  #151; right back in the NL championship series. Pitching to save the Astros' season, Clemens came through. He slowed down St. Louis for seven innings, closer Brad Lidge finished off the Cardinals and Houston went on to win 5-2 Saturday, cutting its deficit to 2-1.


Closer Brad Lidge Delivers for Astros (AP)

AP - No bullpen collapse by the Houston Astros this time. Brad Lidge was on the mound. The Astros closer allowed just one hit and struck out five in two innings Saturday, protecting Houston's lead and helping the Astros beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game 3 of the NL championship series.


No. 1 USC Routs No. 15 Arizona St. 45-7 (AP)

AP - Nobody could call Southern California lucky after this game. Dominant would be a better description. A week after getting past California despite being badly beaten statistically, No. 1 Southern Cal took command early against Arizona State and routed the 15th-ranked Sun Devils 45-7 Saturday.


No. 4 Auburn Passes by Arkansas 38-20 (AP)

AP - Jason Campbell passed for a career-high 297 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 4 Auburn to a 38-20 rout of Arkansas on Saturday.


Redskins Sign Kicker for Bears Game (AP)

AP - The Washington Redskins signed Ola Kimrin on Saturday to replace injured kicker John Hall.


No. 9 Texas Holds Off Missouri 28-20 (AP)

AP - Cedric Benson rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns and No. 9 Texas shook off a post-Oklahoma hangover Saturday with a 28-20 win over Missouri.


Clemens Pitches Astros Back Into NLCS Series

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Roger Clemens pitched seven gritty  innings and Houston batters belted three home runs as the  Astros beat the St Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game Three of the  National League Championship Series Saturday.


Lehman and Geiberger Share Lead at Greensboro Classic

GREENSBORO, North Carolina, Oct 16 (Reuters) - British Open  winner Tom Lehman and Brent Geiberger shared the lead after the  third round of the Greensboro Classic Saturday.


Astros Take Game 3

Roger Clemens resuscitates the Astros' NLCS hopes with seven strong innings to lead Houston to a 5-2 win over St. Louis, cutting the Cardinals' series lead to 2-1.


A Blitz of Questions

Fans around FedEx Field are beginning to wonder if Coach Joe Gibbs might yank veteran Mark Brunell, but Gibbs reiterated he has no plans to change quarterbacks.


Trojans Protect Ranking

Top-ranked Southern California makes a statement with a dominating 45-7 victory over fifteenth-ranked Arizona State on Saturday.


Bison Take It in OT

Howard quarterback Marcus Moreno runs for a six-yard touchdown to give the Bison a 42-35 overtime win over Morgan State.


White in Heisman Form

Jason White throws four touchdowns and No. 2 Oklahoma overcomes its own mistakes to beat Kansas State, 31-21, on Saturday.


For Itati, Baltimore Is First-Time's-the-Charm City

BALTIMORE, Oct. 16 -- John Itati had this crazy idea about three months ago. Why not try to run a marathon?


London's 'erotic gherkin' wins top architecture prize (AFP)

AFP - A new skyscraper in London popularly dubbed the  quot;erotic gherkin quot; for its curvaceous shape has won one of Britain's top architecture prizes, organisers announced.


Paper: Expletive Hidden in Campaign E-Mail (AP)

AP - A fund-raising e-mail from a Democratic congressional candidate contained a hidden expletive directed at his opponent, a newspaper reported Saturday.


Former OAS Chief Under House Arrest in Bribe Probe

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - A Costa Rican judge on  Saturday put the former head of the Organization of American  States under house arrest for six months, while he is  investigated for bribery claims, judicial officials said.


Car makers - and unions - must face up to cutting jobs

DIAGNOSING the problems faced by Europes car industry isnt rocket science - but listening to Europes auto bosses youd think the causes of the malaise were unfathomable.


Serie A Wrap: Juve Halt Messina As Roma Get Back On Track

Saturdays two games in Serie A saw Juventus survive a late scare to call a halt to newly-promoted Messina #39;s unbeaten run, winning 2-1, while Vincenzo Montella underlined his excellent current form with a superb goal for Roma in a storm-interrupted 2-0


Why trial result was a Mugabe masterstroke

THE judge who presided at opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirais 20-month treason trial in Zimbabwe is a corrupt placeman who last year grabbed a prize white-owned farm for himself.


Danielle accused in court

Mark Ontonio Kelly, 20, is accused of killing the 14-year-old in the early hours of last Saturday as she returned home with friends from Nottinghams annual Goose Fair.


Record US trade deficit last August.

Oil prices and Chinas monetary competitiveness are blamed for the last August 54 billion US dollars trade deficit, the second highest in recent United States history.


Soyuz crew docks craft manually with international space station

A US-Russian crew had to turn off autopilot yesterday and manually moor its Soyuz spacecraft to the international space station after an unidentified glitch resulted


Jimenez ends Langers run

WENTWORTH: European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer #39;s exploits in the World Match Play Championship finally came to an end here yesterday when he lost 2 and 1 to Miguel Angel Jimenez in their quarter-final clash.


Astros ride Clemens, homers to win

The Houston Astros, down two games to none heading into Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, knew they could absolutely not


Buckeyes Blasted In Iowa City, 33-7

The Buckeye attempt to bounce back from two straight losses ended with a resounding thud today, falling to Iowa 33-7. Both Justin Zwick and Troy Smith played, but the Buckeye offense stalled and the Buckeye defense could not stop a fine effort by Iowa


El Nino Juninho blows hot for Celtic

THE Hearts manager, Craig Levein, decided it would be more useful to catch a flight to Holland than watch the second half of yesterdays match.


Iraq insurgents hit churches, kill four American troops

Explosions damaged churches in Baghdad yesterday and the US military reported the deaths of four more American troops in bomb attacks elsewhere in Iraq.


Now EU justice hopeful slams single parents

Italy #39;s would-be European Commissioner, Rocco Buttiglione - already notorious for his view that homosexuality is a sin - has caused fresh outrage this weekend by telling a conference in northern Italy that single mothers are  #39;not very good #39;.


A Costa Rican judge on Saturday put the former head of the Organization of American States under house arrest for six months, while he is investigated for bribery claims, judicial officials said.


Red Sox Still Hopeful of Schilling Pitching (AP)

AP - Red Sox ace Curt Schilling's right ankle was nothing worse than sore on Saturday, a day after he tested it with hopes of returning to the Boston rotation before the end of the playoffs.


Greenspan upbeat on oil spike

The world will be living with volatile oil prices for years to come, but this year #39;s price spike should not be serious enough to push the country into a recession, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Friday.


UK bankers face Enron fraud trial

Three former bankers with the UK #39;s NatWest bank were told on Friday that they should be extradited to the US to face fraud charges connected to the collapsed energy company Enron.


Sempra to buy Indonesia gas from BP for North America

Sempra Energy LNG said Oct. 12 that it signed a 20-year agreement to purchase 3.7 million tons of liquefied natural gas per year from Indonesia for its proposed terminal just south of the US border from BP PLC and its partner Tangguh LNG.


Revolving Door

Cindy K. Andreotti, as MCI #39;s president of enterprise sales, and Seth D. Blumenfeld, as head of international sales. Robert D. McTeer Jr.


COAST TO COAST

The FBI and New York police detectives have unearthed the mob equivalent of an elephant graveyard. Descending on Ruby Street, in a far-flung corner of Queens, the agents dug for a week in watery soil.


Services Help Social Networks Get Connected

Two new Web services launched last week that aim to help people tap their friends for tips about where to eat, shop and play. On Thursday, the event-planning service Evite (www.


Incorrectly Installed Switches Caused Space Crash Earlier This <b>...</b>

The US space agency NASA says incorrectly installed switches are the likely cause of the crash earlier this year of the Genesis space capsule.


Endangered species conference ends

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, in Bangkok has concluded, with conservationists and many of the 166 member nations supportive of steps taken to regulate the trade in rare species.


Disney uses feng shui in Hong Kong

HONG KONG - The Walt Disney Co. is taking a series of steps to address cultural sensitivities as it prepares to open Hong Kong Disneyland a little more than a year from now, the company #39;s president said.


Ben Bova: Exciting new era dawns in space flight

Oct. 4, 2004, on the 47th anniversary of Russia #39;s launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, history was again made in space.


Yankees rout Red Sox; take 3-0 series lead

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Ouch. There really is no other way to describe the New York Yankees trouncing of the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night.


Els Eases Into the Final in England

Defending champion Ernie Els beat Padraig Harrington 5 and 4 yesterday to move into the final of the World Match Play Championship in Virginia Water, England, and stay on course for a record sixth title.


Park continues to lead at Samsung World Championship

Grace Park, her caddie - and fans - were poking around in the desert brush alongside the 18th fairway desperately looking for her ball.


Glazer bid foundered on control condition

Cubic Expression #39;s main objection to the Glazer family #39;s 300p-per-share bid for its 29 per cent stake in Manchester United was that the bid was not unconditional.


Fergie Still Fuming over Arsenal Antics

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has reopened the wounds of last seasons controversial clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford by branding the Gunners as a mob who got away with murder.


Soccer: Bayern fall to Schalke defeat, Stuttgart pull away

BERLIN : Bayern Munich tasted their first home defeat of the season with Schalke 04 grabbing a late 1-0 victory at the Olympic Stadium.


Johnson completes sweep at Lowe #39;s

CONCORD - When the fastest car in the race went out, it opened the door for everybody else. And that was six of the 10 drivers in the Chase for the Championship and it opened the door for a clean sweep.


Ronaldo saves Real #39;s Betis blushes

MADRID, Oct 16 (AFP) - A trademark poacher #39;s strike from Ronaldo saved Real Madrid #39;s blushes at Real Betis on Saturday as his second-half effort rescued a point in a 1-1 draw.


UPDATE 1-Leaders Juve end Messina #39;s unbeaten start

Serie A leaders Juventus ended Messina #39;s unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 win over the Sicilian club on Saturday. Goals from Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta and European


China Games Notebook

Friendship is one thing, competition quite another. That was apparent when reporters asked Juwan Howard and Liu Wei about playing against friends, Chris Webber and Yao Ming, in the China Games.


Purdue suffers first loss of season to Wisconsin, 20-17

quot;Everybody on the sideline was saying,Dont get complacent, the game is not over, quot; sophomore linebacker George Hall said.


NBA Game Summary - Detroit At Miami

Little Rock, AR -- Dwyane Wade scored 20 points, including eight in the decisive third quarter, to lead the Miami Heat to an 83-74 win over the Detroit Pistons, 83-74, in preseason action.


Yankees 19 Red Sox 8

(Boston-AP, Oct. 17, 2004) _ The New York Yankees put on a record-setting offensive display in routing Boston 19-to-8 to win Game Three of the American League Championship Series.


Australia eyes treaty with Jakarta

Australia may try to negotiate a new defense and security treaty with Indonesia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Sunday. A bilateral security agreeement the two neighbors


Ousted OAS president returning home

The former president of the Organization of American States was returning to Costa Rica on Friday to answer questions about whether he accepted kickbacks, government officials said.


UPDATE 2-Ronaldo strikes to give Real 1-1 draw at Betis

Ronaldo scored only his second league goal of the season to give Real Madrid a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Saturday and salvage a point from another mediocre display.


Karzai widens early lead in Afghan poll

KABUL, Afghanistan: Interim leader Hamid Karzai has moved far ahead of his rivals in early results from Afghanistan #39;s first-ever presidential elections as ballot counting -- delayed over alleged irregularities -- has gathered speed.


Kabila Visits Ex-Rebel Territory

KINSHASA, Congo, Oct. 16 -- President Joseph Kabila of Congo visited territory in the country #39;s northeast formerly held by rebels for the first time since taking power in 2001, his spokesman said Saturday.


AT T, MCI May Be Cheap, But No One Buying (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares of long-distance phone\companies AT T Corp.  and MCI Inc.  have plunged\about 20 percent this year, but potential buyers seem to be\holding out for clearance sales.


Egypt Won't Invite Iraq Opposition Groups (AP)

AP - Egypt's foreign minister said Saturday that his country would not invite Iraqi opposition groups to a high-level conference on Iraqi elections planned next month at an Egyptian resort.


Seven dead in Afghan attacks as vote count resumes (AFP)

AFP - Seven people including two US soldiers died in explosions in Afghanistan, officials said, as early results from historic elections gave President Hamid Karzai a strong lead over his rivals.


2004 Presidential Endorsements (AP)

AP - Newspaper endorsements in the 2004 presidential campaign between President Bush, a Republican, and Sen. John Kerry, a Democrat.


Tokyo Stocks Seek Direction from Overseas

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo stocks are expected to stick to a  narrow range this week as investors focus on a flood of U.S.  earnings, soaring oil prices and the race for the White House.


NFL Wrap: Manning Throws 3 TDs to Lead Colts Past Titans

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


Russia to Join NATO Anti-Terror Patrols (AP)

AP - Russia agreed Thursday to send warships to help NATO naval patrols that monitor suspicious vessels in the Mediterranean, part of a push for closer counterterrorism cooperation between Moscow and the western alliance.


Diplomatic Shuffle Begins to Kickstart NKorea Talks

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will try to nudge North Korea to  resume stalled talks on ending its nuclear programs when  Pyongyang's No. 2 leader visits on Monday, but economic issues  will also be high on the agenda.


Dawn of the New Can

Americans are fixated on nutrition, freshness and convenience -- and in the minds of consumers, industry analysts say, old-fashioned cans do not stack up.


Methods to the Madness

Even with the use of home accounting software, investors should still establish a filing system for paper receipts, warranties, tax records, bank statements and other essential documents.


China's Ex-Party Chief Turns 85 Under House Arrest

BEIJING (Reuters) - Zhao Ziyang, toppled as China's  Communist Party chief for opposing the army crackdown on the  1989 Tiananmen Square protests, turned 85 on Sunday in poor  health and living his 15th year under house arrest.


What if a Sales Tax Were the Only Tax?

Does replacing personal income and payroll taxes with a national sales tax, an idea President Bush has shown interest in, help the U.S. tax system?


'We are proud to be Africans'

More than 90 of Africans are proud of their continent, a new survey conducted for the BBC shows.


Weight ops linked to nerve damage

A significant number of patients who have their stomachs stapled develop nerve damage in their extremities, research has found.


Broad Use of Harsh Tactics Is Described at Cuba Base

Many detainees at Guantnamo Bay were regularly subjected to harsh and coercive treatment, several people who worked in the prison said in recent interviews.


Yankees Stun BoSox 19-8 for 3-0 ALCS Lead

BOSTON - The Yankees kept circling the bases, battering Boston's beleaguered pitching staff. By the time the long, long night ended with a devastating 19-8 rout over the Red Sox, the dreaded New Yorkers were just one game away from a shocking sweep...


Six GIs Killed in Iraq Bombings, Crashes

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Explosions hit five churches in Baghdad, and two U.S. Army helicopters crashed elsewhere in the capital, killing two American soldiers and wounding two others, as violence flared while Iraqi Muslims began marking the holy month of Ramadan...


A Stricken Town Seeks Scapegoats

BESLAN, Russia -- Astan Belikoyev knows what people are saying. They don't say it to his face. If anyone did, he noted bitterly, he would probably punch them in the face.


Violence, Crash in Iraq Kill 6 Troops

BAGHDAD, Oct. 16 -- Two U.S. military transport helicopters crashed Saturday night in southwestern Baghdad, killing two soldiers and bringing to six the number of American servicemen reported killed in violence across Iraq over the past two days.


Lycos Europe appears to have canned its spam war

Lycos Europe has apparently pulled the plug on its effort to orchestrate denial of service attacks against selected spammers. Earlier last week, the online community/portal company


Park continues torrid play at Samsung

Grace Park built a four-shot lead at the Samsung World Championship Friday with a tournament record, 36-hole total of 15-under 129.


Oracle, PeopleSoft wrap up trial

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- PeopleSoft #39;s revision this week to its customer rebate program has brought it much closer to meeting Oracle #39;s concerns that the measure represents an unacceptable obstacle to its bid for its rival, a judge reportedly said Friday.


Second best isn #39;t good enough

Orlando Cabrera may be new to the Red Sox and to this business of Red Sox-Yankees playoffs. He may be as far away as he could get from his previous baseball outpost, Montreal, where the Expos drew closet crowds.


Why They Play The Game

What #39;s the fun in almost a half-century of losing? That #39;s the question Navy asks each and every year that it plays Notre Dame and contained within it is the more abstract question: What #39;s


India #39;s ruling Congress party retains power in richest state

BOMBAY : India #39;s Congress-led alliance held onto power in the nation #39;s richest state, Maharashtra, after winning the most seats in assembly elections and dealing a humiliating defeat to the opposition Hindu nationalists.


Task Force Olympia soldier dies of wounds suffered in car bombing

BAGHDAD, Iraq A US soldier assigned to Task Force Olympia has died of wounds suffered in a car bomb attack in the northern city of Mosul.


All-Girl Gaming Team Takes Aim at Boys (AP)

AP - At first glance, Les Seules might look like an all-girl rock band  #151; complete with sassy attitudes and fawning male groupies  #151; but the Swedish septuplet doesn't play instruments. They play competitive video games.


Soyuz Capsule Docks in Tricky Maneuver (AP)

AP - The Soyuz spacecraft closed in on the international space station at dangerously high speed Saturday, forcing the U.S.-Russian crew to put on the brakes, abandon autopilot and manually dock the Soviet-era capsule in an unplanned and tricky maneuver.


Unlikely Visionary Behind Race to Space (AP)

AP - SpaceShipOne visionary Peter Diamandis wasn't thinking about history as he stood in the Mojave desert and watched a small, shuttlecock-shaped craft glide back to Earth having nudged the edge of space.


Japan 2005 Expo to Display Frozen Mammoth (AP)

AP - Shuttle buses without drivers, trains floating on magnetic fields and other visions of the future will be on display at Japan's world fair next year. But Expo 2005's centerpiece will be rooted deep in the past  #151; the frozen remains of a woolly mammoth.


Automakers Display Eco-Friendly Cars (AP)

AP - The Habo No. 1 looks like any one of the legions of Volkswagen sedans in China. But a peek under the hood reveals an array of chrome canisters in place of the usual engine.


MySQL and ALTER TABLE Guilty as Charged

\\For the last few days I've been using MySQLs ALTER and REPAIR table\functionality and its caused tons of countless problems and a great deal of lost\sleep.\\The first problem I noticed was that for large tables ALTER TABLE was taking\hours!  Lets say you have a 30G table.  Good luck altering it as the default\MySQL configuration will probably take 100 or more hours.\\In MySQLs defense there are a number of variables you can use to increase the\performance of an ALTER but the problem is that the two major ones\(myisam_max_extra_sort_file_size, and myisam_max_sort_file_size) can't be set at\runtime (during an ALTER). If these are set too low MySQL will revert to a\"Repair with keycache" strate ...\\


Ghost in the Shell - SAC

\\For the last few days I've been addicted to Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone\Complex .  I'm not a huge Anime fan as everything I've ran across in the past\seems to target 15 year old girls.  SAC is clearly different and can stand\alongside the Matrix and any other major Science Fiction released in the last 10\years.\\SAC is set in the year 2030 - obviously there's been a great deal of\technological achievement since 2004 including ubiquitous Internet, AI, and\cybernetic enhancements.\\The main characters in the story all have cybernetic modifications ranging from\a few implants all the way up to entire body replacement.  The protagonist,\Major Motoko Kusanagi, is almost entirely cybernetic,  ...\\


Israel Says Gaza Incursion Was a Success (AP)

AP - Israel's military said Saturday that its 17-day incursion into the northern Gaza Strip struck a heavy blow against Palestinian militants routinely firing makeshift rockets into the country's southern region.


Brazil ready to down drug planes

A law allowing Brazil's air force to shoot down suspected drug planes comes into force on Sunday.


Wal-Mart reports drop in shoppers

Customer traffic fell in the past week from a year earlier, Wal-Mart said Saturday in a report on its comparable-store sales. Free!


Closer Brad Lidge Delivers for Astros (AP)

AP - No bullpen collapse by the Houston Astros this time. Brad Lidge was on the mound. The Astros closer allowed just one hit and struck out five in two innings Saturday, protecting a lead and helping Houston beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game 3 of the NL championship series.


Microsoft #39;s  #39;Halo 2 #39; game leaked

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Microsoft said Friday that a version of its hotly anticipated  quot;Halo 2 quot; video game had been leaked onto various venues on the Internet nearly a month before its planned official release.


Clemens Plays Role Of Hometown Hero

HOUSTON - Roger Clemens has pitched as many important games as any pitcher of his generation, including nine All-Star games and seven World Series outings.


Trainer Links Bonds to Drugs

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16 -- Barry Bonds #39;s weight trainer said on a secretly recorded tape that the San Francisco Giants star took an undetectable performance-enhancing drug during the 2003 season, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.


No. 8 California Runs Over UCLA 45-28 (AP)

AP - Geoff McArthur caught two of Aaron Rodgers' career-high four touchdown passes, and eighth-ranked California racked up 550 total yards in a 45-28 victory over UCLA on Saturday.


Ramadan Begins with Attacks in Iraq

A suicide bomber in Qaim drove a vehicle packed with explosives into four American soldiers, killing all of them. The US military also confirms that one of their soldiers was killed in Mosul.


Indonesia #39;s Megawati will not attend swearing in of successor <b>...</b>

JAKARTA, Oct 17 (AFP) - Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri will not attend the swearing in of her successor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the country #39;s first directly-elected leader, a close aide said Sunday.


Earthquakes Tie Burn to Clinch Playoffs (AP)

AP - The San Jose Earthquakes clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference by tying the Dallas Burn 2-2 on Saturday night in the season finale for both teams.


Iraq #39;s Allawi due in Russia for oil, debt talks

MOSCOW, Dec 3 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi arrives Monday in Moscow for the first time since taking office six months ago with hopes of soothing tensions over Russia #39;s opposition to the US-led war in his ravaged nation.


Defense Delivers Badgers an Upset

Scott Starks returned a Purdue fumble 40 yards for a touchdown with 2 minutes 36 seconds remaining to put Wisconsin ahead to stay.


Yankees Rout Red Sox

Yankees' bats pound the Boston Red Sox to the brink of elimination with 22 hits in a 19-8 slaughter on Saturday night, giving New York a commanding 3-0 series advantage.


Familiar Foes

United and the MetroStars provided MLS with its first genuine rivalry during the league's inaugural season, and it resumes when the teams meet in the regular season finale Sunday.


Hayes Impresses Early

Jarvis Hayes is keeping Jared Jeffries out of the conversation when it comes to discussing who will start at samll forward for the Wizards.


Badgers Take Control

Scott Starks returns a fumble by Purdue QB Kyle Orton 40 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes to lift No. 10 Wisconsin to a 20-17 win over No. 5 Purdue.


Cox Shines at  Pimlico

Trainer Kenny Cox triumphantly returns to the Pimlico track with a new stud and a well-monied owner to win the \$50,000 Sonny Hine Stakes on Saturday.


Wizards Down Galaxy

Kansas City secures the top seed in the Western Conference on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles.


Russia #39;s energy sector hinges on Yukos fight

MOSCOW The stakes are high in the much-publicized feud between the Kremlin and the Russian oil giant Yukos - so high that the outcome of that battle will shape how the country #39;s energy industry grows in 2005 and beyond.


Netflix stock drops 41 percent

Investors hit the rewind button on Netflix Inc. shares Friday, sending the DVD rental company #39;s stock down 41 percent amid an intensifying price war.


Playing the Percentages

When I saw a young guy on the escalator, a large television on his shoulder and a gleam of triumph in his eye, I knew I was where I belonged.


Main banks look to US mergers for profits

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Recent missteps by a Canadian bank #39;s incursion into US territory aren #39;t dampening the momentum of an invasion from the North.


Driving through fall foliage almost as fun as destination

ALDERSON, W.Va. -- Sitting in a wooded campsite at Raft West Virginia in Fayetteville this past Monday with fog piled up thick in the New River Gorge got me to thinking: WWMD?


It #39;s yet another typical autumn: Leaves fall, and Yankees rise

Beautifully colored leaves, warm days, chilly nights, high school football and ah, yes, October baseball. Like most things in nature, fall is predictable.


Behind Sexton, FSU shows dominance of old in rout

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A revival of sorts took place here at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday. The Florida State Seminoles, infected the past few years by a bad case of fall from grace, rose up against the


Deluxe Handhelds Try Hard to Justify the Price (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - When  #36;100 buys a pocket-sized gadget that can store decades' worth of appointments and addresses -- and  #36;200 gets you one that also serves as a digital photo album and MP3 player -- why would anybody want to spend  #36;400 or  #36;500 on a new Palm or Pocket PC handheld?


Karzai well ahead in Afghan tally

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Weekend counting shows interim President Hamid Karzai is well ahead of his rivals and on course to become Afghanistan #39;s first popularly elected leader.


UK troop plan for Baghdad stirs fears

A US request for British troops to move up to Baghdad to allow American forces to be pulled out for a possible attack on Fallujah is prompting fears from both troops and politicians


5 Iraqi churches damaged during Ramadan

An Iraqi man prays with his beads as others gather outside a destroyed church following an explosion in Baghdad, 16 October 2004. Bombs exploded near five churches around Baghdad this morning followed by a


MOFA denies dollar diplomacy claim

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (  ) yesterday denied allegations that the ministry was conducting dollar diplomacy under the guise of foreign aid to Costa Rica.


Rojo Tracks 800k Blogs

\\Chris Alden blogged  the other day about Rojo going past 800k feeds in our\index:\\"We indexed our 800,000th feed yesterday, making Rojo one of the largest feed\search services already. If your RSS or Atom feed is NOT indexed by Rojo\already, all you need to do is to enter that feed into the "Add Channel"\window on the right side of the Content tab, and we will add it. All of the\feeds we've indexed are searchable in the "Search Rojo" window, also on the\right side of the Content tab. Please let us know what you think of our\search!"\\We're quickly finding new feeds.  The feed discovery seems to be pretty\steady. The on difference between Rojo and Technorati  is that they track\weblogs *and* ...\\


Deluxe Handhelds Try Hard to Justify Price

When \$100 buys a pocket-sized gadget that can store decades' worth of appointments -- and \$200 gets you one that also serves as a digital photo album and MP3 player -- why would anybody spend up to \$500 on a new Palm or Pocket PC handheld?
-Rob Pegoraro


Sites Help to Connect Social Networks

Two new Web services launched last week aim to help people tap their friends for tips about where to eat, shop and play. -Leslie Walker


Chasing Apple's iPod

Competitors' attempts to beat back Apple's dominant hardware with devices offering more storage, a lower price -- or both virtues -- have gone nowhere.
-The Washington Post


Giant loss for Fed, big A amp;M gain

Robert McTeer, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, is leaving after 13 years to become chancellor of the Texas A amp;M System.


Illinois unable to come away with big upset

The University of Illinois football team was looking for a turnaround Saturday at windswept Memorial Stadium. Instead, a potential upset of No.


Israeli army pulls back

A 17-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, the biggest in four years, came to an end after the army withdrew from the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza.


Violence will lead Haiti #39;s pro-Aristide party nowhere: premier

PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) - Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue warned members of exiled president Jean Bertrand Aristide #39;s Lavalas party that  quot;violence would lead them nowhere, quot; and invited them to  quot;join the electoral process which would be scrupulously


Glitch forces manual docking to space station

A new crew arrived safely at the International Space Station on Saturday morning, despite a glitch that required the cosmonaut pilot to manually fly their Soyuz spaceship the last few hundred feet to its parking spot.


NE researchers say spruce damage echoes effects of acid rain

Red spruce trees in New England and upstate New York suffered severe damage last winter, University of Vermont researchers have found.


Game 3 outburst just one way club has built 3-0 lead

The New York Yankees, having won the taut pitchers #39; duel in Game 2, took Game 3 of the American League Championship Series to the other end of the spectrum.


Rocket saves the day

Putting aside talk this might be his final game, Clemens focused on something more important - pitching to save the Astros #39; season.


Rossi clinches MotoGP title with Australian win

Valentino Rossi clinched his fourth straight MotoGP world championship, winning the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. The 25-year-old Yamaha racer, an eight-time winner this season, passed Spain #39;s Sete Giberneau


Park on pace for sixth win

Palm Desert, CA (Sports Network) - Grace Park posted a one-under 71 Saturday and holds a three-stroke lead after three rounds of the Samsung World Championship.


#39;Greatest slow on earth #39;

The Australian press (headlines above) is eulogising Shane Warnes eminently well deserved record-breaking achievement. Among those applauding the feat is former Australian captain Steve Waugh, who has written


Miller makes most of chances

LOS ANGELES - There will be 100-yard games that Zach Miller will treasure more than Saturday #39;s. Such is the problem with a first coming in a 45-7 loss that everyone from Arizona State would like to soon forget.


Mids unlucky against Irish, again

Navy had one opening, one sliver of a chance to make it a game against Notre Dame yesterday. After the Midshipmen drove 81 yards for a field goal midway through the


Johnson Takes the Race, While Others Pursue the Cup

Kurt Busch set a relatively modest goal for Saturday night #39;s Nascar race at Lowe #39;s Motor Speedway. Forget about winning. On arguably his worst track on the Nextel Cup


India #39;s Congress win in state helps national clout

India #39;s ruling Congress party, flush with an election win in the state that is the heart of finance and film, will now be better armed to deal with demanding communist allies, newspapers and analysts said on Sunday.


Paper: Jeb Bush Ignored Felon List Advice (AP)

AP - Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ignored advice to throw out a flawed felon voter list before it went out to county election offices despite warnings from state officials, according to a published report Saturday.


Moto GP: Rossi retains world title

Valentino Rossi is crowned world champion with victory at the Australian MotoGP.


6 Killed in Arizona As SUV Flees Deputies

PHOENIX - A stolen truck filled with suspected illegal immigrants sped away from deputies and rolled over at a busy intersection near an Army post Saturday, causing an 11-car crash that killed six people and seriously injured 15, sheriff's officials said.    Passengers were thrown from the truck as it struck a center median and began to spiral, hitting vehicles waiting at a turn lane, Deputy Chief Randy Redmond of the Sierra Vista Fire Department said...


Red Sox-Yankees Game 3 was more embarrassment than classic

BOSTON -- On the baseball beauty scale, Saturday #39;s American League Championship Series game between the Yankees and Red Sox ranks right there alongside Roseanne #39;s screechy rendition of the national anthem in San Diego in 1990, Pete Rose #39;s 1970s hairdo


RBC Centura CEO steps down

RALEIGH, NC - The head of RBC Centura Bank has stepped down, and his successor will run the bank out of Raleigh rather than Rocky Mount, where the bank is based.


FCC rule may lead to broadband expansion

WASHINGTON -- New rules approved this week by the Federal Communications Commission are aimed at making high-speed Internet available to more Americans.


About 1,600 staff apply for Aer Lingus redundancy packages

DUBLIN : Aer Lingus said that about 1,600 employees applied before a deadline for redundancy packages offered by the Irish state airline, which aims to reduce its workforce by 1,325 to 2,668 over three years.


Disney revs for India, China may take time: Iger

MUMBAI: Even as Walt Disney is working overtime to have everything in place for what now looks increasingly like a year-end coming out party for its three channels in India, the going is not quite so smooth in neighbouring China.


Clemens clocks Cards

Astros 5, Cardinals 2, St. Louis leads series 2-1 Roger Clemens isn #39;t done yet, and neither are the Astros. Putting aside talk this might be his final game, Clemens focused on


Blair warned against troops help to US in Iraq

LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been warned not to put British troops in Iraq in danger merely as a political gesture to the American administration.


Political correctness gone mad

The decision by the European Parliament #39;s Civil Liberties Committee to reject the nomination of Rocco Buttiglione as European Commissioner for Justice and Security over his comments on homosexuality and marriage is very unfortunate.


A New Crew Arrives at the Space Station

A Soyuz spacecraft with a replacement crew for the International Space Station docked safely with the orbiting complex.


Do Good! Win a Prize!

While Nobel prizes are given for past performance, other types of inducement prizes are intended to spur innovation. Do they do the job?


AN ECONOMY HANGING TOUGH

October 17, 2004 --  quot;The impact of the current surge in oil prices, though noticeable, is likely to prove less consequential to economic growth and inflation than in the 1970s.


Delta struggles with weak revenues, deep discounts, high fuel <b>...</b>

Delta Air Lines Inc. is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy, with the coming weeks critical. This weekend, the airline continues negotiations with its pilots union in Hollywood in order


Options-expense rule put off until June

The US Financial Accounting Standards Board agreed to delay by six months implementation of a rule that will force companies to treat employee stock options as an expense.


NEXT GEN HEALTHCARE

BY JOANN MILLS LAING. HEALTH Savings Accounts (HSAs) are the first step in a profound and dra matic transformation of the Ameri can health-care system.


Chasing Apple #39;s Dominant iPod

Now that the iPod and its little brother, the iPod mini, have gobbled up the overwhelming majority of the MP3-player market, what #39;s a competitor to do?


Big fish and prized trees gain protection

Decisions made at a key conservation meeting are good news for big and quirky fish and commercially prized trees. Several species will enjoy extra protection against trade following rulings made at the Convention


Record sixth title in Els #39; reach

Defending champion Ernie Els beat Padraig Harrington, 5 and 4, Saturday to move into the final of the World Match Play Championship in Wentworth, England, and stay on course for a record sixth title.


Davenport loses to Myskina in Kremlin Cup semifinals

Ailing Davenport loses: A weakened Lindsay Davenport lost to defending champion Anastasia Myskina 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) yesterday in the Kremlin Cup semifinals in Moscow but still will regain the No.


ALCS NOTEBOOK Lowe gets to start for Sox in must-win situation

Boston -- What #39;s in store today for Boston #39;s beleaguered pitching staff? Scheduled starter Tim Wakefield volunteered to work in relief on Saturday and threw 3 1/3 innings.


Kings beat Rockets 91-89 in NBA Beijing game

Bobby Jackson hit a pair of late three-pointers Sunday to lift the Sacramento Kings to a 91-89 preseason victory over the Houston Rockets, as the NBA wrapped up its first games in China.


Local guys sink Navy

Marcus Wilson has been the invisible man on Notre Dame #39;s football roster. The 5-11, 202-pound senior tailback from Staten Island had his moments at Poly Prep, once rushing for 358 yards against Valley Forge Prep in 2000.


SPORTS AND DRUGS Baseball #39;s big concern: integrity

The baseball community expressed concern for the sport after The Chronicle reported that Barry Bonds #39; weight trainer claimed in a secretly recorded conversation that the superstar used an  quot;undetectable quot; performance- enhancing drug during the 2003 season.


Kumble Wickets Give India Advantage Against Australia in Test

Spin bowler Anil Kumble took three wickets as India reduced Australia to 150-4 in its second innings at stumps on the third day of the second cricket Test, a lead of only nine runs.


Rossi reigns supreme

Valentino Rossi secured his fourth consecutive MotoGP world championship in style with a thrilling win in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.


Trojans live up to their top ranking

Those waiting for USC to deliver a dominant performance were rewarded Saturday with Trojans #39; most complete effort thus far. Was it actually suggested that USC might be overrated?


Australia considering new security pact with Indonesia

SYDNEY : Australia said it was considering signing a new security agreement with Indonesia to replace a treaty between the countries that was scrapped when Canberra sent troops into East Timor in 1999.


Germany Set to Hand Hamburg Qaeda Suspect to Spain

Germany has cleared the way for the extradition to Spain of an Arab businessman long accused by the United States of financing al Qaeda and investigated


Two engines recently replaced on cargo jet

HALIFAX -- The cargo jet that crashed in flames off the end of a Halifax International Airport runway last week had two engines replaced in the weeks leading up to the accident, investigators revealed yesterday.


French NGOs push to save African chicken farmers from Europe (AFP)

AFP - African chicken farmers risk ruin from massive imports of European frozen poultry at less than a third of their prices, say organisers of a campaign by French non-government organisations to protect the home-grown African market.


Saudi Forces Arrest 4 Suspected Militants (AP)

AP - Security forces have captured four suspected militants, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Sunday, the latest detentions in a Saudi crackdown on Islamic extremists in the kingdom.


New York Times, three other US dailies endorse Kerry for president (AFP)

AFP - The New York Times endorsed John Kerry for president, becoming the first major US daily to announce its presidential preference, and was joined by small papers in the swing states of Ohio and Minnesota in backing the Democratic senator.


NATO, Russia vow to boost anti-terror cooperation (AFP)

AFP - NATO and Russia vowed to boost cooperation in fighting terrorism, notably firming up plans for Russian ships to join an Alliance counter-terror operation in the Mediterranean.


BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has cleared the way for the  extradition to Spain of an Arab businessman long accused by the  United States of financing al Qaeda and investigated by German  authorities for links to the Sept. 11 "Hamburg cell."


France 'unaffected' by oil surge

Crude oil's record-breaking run is not hitting consumer demand in France, the fastest growing euro zone economy, says budget minister Dominique Bussereau.


Fierce fighting around Iraqi city

US forces and Iraqi militants exchange tank and mortar fire on the eastern edge of the western city of Falluja.


Harvard's\$12 billion man

Harvard University's \$12 billion man doesn't wear a tie, takes the subway to work, and eats his lunch in the cafeteria on the fourth floor of the Federal Reserve Building. Jack Meyer is a person of few pretensions, but strong beliefs.


Reilly won't pursue Kohl's over pricing practices

Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly concluded that Kohl's Department Stores violated a state law that prohibits false advertising of sale prices, but he decided not to prosecute the company because the retailer convinced him the case was not worth pursuing.


For labor markets, definition of 'normal' is changing

It has become a monthly ritual. The government issues its jobs report, the numbers are disappointing, and the excuses begin. Employers are not hiring because of the high price of oil, fear of terrorism, uncertainty about the election, and because the dog ate their homework. (I made that last one up.)


Is it appropriate for my boss to ask me if I'm looking for another job?

Q: Is it appropriate for my boss to ask me point-blank if I'm looking for another job? I find it rather rude. I don't think this is anyone's business, especially my manager's. What's a suitable response?


Jackpot! Now what?

We should all have such luck: Bobby Britton won \$4 million playing the Massachusetts State Lottery and wants to get a second opinion on what to do.


Mired in a mess? Get organized

WASHINGTON -- I'm so disorganized that I missed the chance to celebrate Get Organized Week.


Long-term care insurance poses its own set of risks

What do you get when you buy long-term care insurance? An unproven product sold by an industry in turmoil that will cost you a small fortune in premiums -- with no guarantee those premiums won't go even higher.


Savvy grocers with a recipe for expansion

Albertsons Inc., one of the nation's largest grocery chains, bought the Shaw's and Star Market chains for more than \$2.1 billion in April to gain a foothold in New England and compete more aggressively against the region's top supermarket company, Stop  amp; Shop. Albertsons chief executive Larry Johnston and Shaw's president Nicola DiFelice spoke with Globe reporter Naomi Aoki.


Circus an escape for Brazilian youth

SALVADOR, Brazil -- Eduard Fioza pedals a unicycle up and down a ramp beneath a blue, red, and yellow big top. Jumping off his seat, he darts past a juggler and does a short, impromptu dance.


On a tourist trail in Bolivia's hills, Che's fame lives on

LA HIGUERA, Bolivia -- The people here pray to a man who once limped through their village in tattered clothes, a legendary guerrilla who fought his last battle on their dusty, unpaved streets, and who was executed in their schoolhouse.


Newspaper cites abuse at Guantanamo

Uncooperative Guantanamo Bay detainees were regularly subjected to highly abusive treatment over a long period of time, unidentified guards at the US military base, intelligence agents, and others who worked in the prison told The New York Times.


Chechen rebel is targeted in attack

LONDON -- Exiled Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev has suffered an arson attack at his home in London, British authorities said yesterday. There was minor fire damage but no injuries after Zakayev's home was targeted in the early hours of Friday, they said. Zakayev's lawyer said the attack appeared to be an assassination attempt on the exiled deputy of Chechen ...


Radicalism takes root with Moroccans

CASABLANCA, Morocco -- In the aftermath of Morocco's worst-ever terrorist attacks in May 2003, King Mohammed VI lifted the hopes of his most impoverished subjects last year when he toured Casablanca's sprawling slums, home to a dozen suicide bombers who had blasted targets across the city. The monarch said he was appalled at the conditions and vowed to raze the ...


Bush and Kerry Address Voters' Anxieties on Stump

John F. Kerry accused President Bush of putting American lives at risk by failing to prevent the flu vaccine shortage and as Bush again said that his Democratic opponent cannot be trusted to protect the country from terrorists.


Starters were finished early

In a game of whose starting pitcher was worse, the Red Sox finally won something -arely. Because both Boston #39;s Bronson Arroyo and the Yankees #39; Kevin Brown were awful last night


Gates Says Broadcast TV Model Faces Irrelevancy

Bill Gates predicts a future for the entertainment industry in which traditional broadcast television is rendered irrelevant. It #39;s a positive vision, however, because new and


Laser-sharp gamblers keep winnings

LONDON Three gamblers who used a laser device to win more than a million pounds at a London hotel casino will not face prosecution because they did nothing illegal, police said Sunday.


Israelis in fresh Gaza incursion

Israeli troops have entered the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza in a new incursion to locate Palestinian weapons smuggling tunnels, the army says.


Storm shows Haiti #39;s straits

Muddy waters still occupied the heart of Gonaives last weekend, three weeks after Tropical Storm Jeanne provoked flash floods that killed some 1,900 and left 900 presumed dead.


Celebrating The  quot;Right Stuff quot; -- Mercury Astronaut Gordon  quot;Gordo quot; <b>...</b>

As fellow astronauts, other friends and loved ones gathered in Houston yesterday to honor US  quot;frontiersman quot; Captain Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr.


Digital Entertainment Everywhere

New options for managing your digital media means more than just mp3s in your pocket. October 14, 2004 - Microsoft held its Digital Entertainment Everywhere launch this past Tuesday and unveiled new products


Jackson #39;s buzzer shot beats Yao in China

BEIJING (Ticker) -- Bobby Jackson made sure the Sacramento Kings did not leave China empty-handed. Jackson scored six of his 13 points in the final two minutes as the Kings rallied to their first preseason


Italy: Juventus increases lead

Juventus increased its lead in the Serie A on Saturday by beating newcomer Messina 2-1, ending the hopes of the unheralded Sicilian team to earn a historic first place in Italy #39;s top league.


Chance for upset just a Midshipmen night #39;s dream

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- If you read columns across the country, listened to sports talk radio or even watched ESPN #39;s  #39; #39;SportsCenter, #39; #39; you probably got the impression in the days leading up to Saturday that Notre Dame was in grave danger of losing to Navy


European stock markets face rough water over new accounting <b>...</b>

PARIS, Oct 17 (AFP) - European stock markets could be heading for a patch of rough water with the introduction of new accounting standards, analysts are warning, saying that stock prices could be bounced around and initial public offerings held back.


Tales from the pit: A woman trader #39;s story

If you #39;re a woman, Cari Lynn #39;s salty memoir will hearten you, though it might not sway you to enter the futures trading field.


Cardinals #39; Kline hopes to return

Houston- Although the index finger on his throwing hand was so stiff Saturday he couldn #39;t bend it, St. Louis Cardinals reliever Steve Kline is still hoping to pitch again this postseason.


Switch problem on Genesis craft

Faulty switches are identified as the most likely cause of the Genesis sample-return capsule's crash landing last month.


Pipeline (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Process Perfecter 7,Perfect Product SuiteT 5.0,Ultimus Suite V 7,e-DMS Workflow,HP OpenView Smart Plug-In for Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g


Reuters Poll: Kerry Trims Bush Lead to 2 Points (Reuters)

Reuters - Democratic challenger John Kerry cut\President Bush's lead to 2 points with just over two weeks to\go before the Nov. 2 election, according to a Reuters/Zogby\poll released Sunday.


Group of Abu Ghraib Detainees Freed

More than 200 detainees were released Sunday from Abu Ghraib prison after a security review deemed them no longer a threat, the U.S. military said.


Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids Tie 1-1 (AP)

AP - Duncan Oughton scored in the 41st minute, and the Columbus Crew extended their unbeaten streak to 18 with a 1-1 tie against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.


No. 7 Florida St. Tops No. 6 Virginia 36-3 (AP)

AP - Virginia was ranked higher than Florida State and looking for its first road win against a top-10 team. The No. 6 Cavaliers couldn't even get a touchdown Saturday.


Yankees Crush Red Sox, One Win from Sweep

BOSTON (Reuters) - The New York Yankees scored the most  runs in an American League Championship Series game as they  pounded the Boston Red Sox 19-8 on Saturday to move within one  victory of a return trip to the World Series.


Kings Beat Rockets in Tense Beijing Finish

BEIJING (Reuters) - The Sacramento Kings beat the Houston  Rockets in a nail-biter pre-season game in Beijing on Sunday,  91-89, on a baseline jumpshot by reserve guard Bobby Jackson in  the final seconds.


Home wreckers

Religious leaders prayed for the Red Sox to reach baseball's promised land. The mayor appealed for divine intervention. Even comic Jim Dunn led the congregants at the Comedy Connection last night in a prayer service.


Odds are fandom fell into trap

You did it again, didn't you? You fell into the trap that these fun-loving, baseball-bashing Red Sox set for you. You became so enamored with their irreverence and their pizazz and their long hair and their long-ball capabilities, you actually convinced yourself they were better than the New York Yankees.


Eagles foiled by Pitt stop

PITTSBURGH -- Forget the Curse of the Bambino. How about the Curse of Heinz Field?


Gary Payton, unguarded

Despite an on-time arrival for Celtics training camp, Gary Payton never really left Los Angeles. He keeps his clothes back home, necessitating the establishment of a bicoastal laundry service. When Payton tires of wearing a set of outfits, he sends them to his wife, who mails back a fresh set. His collection of cars also remains on the West Coast, ...


Revolution in with the in crowd

FOXBOROUGH -- The Revolution have turned late-season rallies into a combination of an art form and a habit. Clint Dempsey and Steve Ralston scored in a three-minute period early in the second half as the Revolution edged the Chicago Fire, 2-1, to qualify for the MLS playoffs for the third successive season.


Patriots test their mettle against iron

FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots' schedule gets tougher beginning today, as they start a stretch of four games against the contending Seattle Seahawks, the undefeated New York Jets, the revamped Pittsburgh Steelers, and the offensively mighty St. Louis Rams.


On film, Seymour sees more

Thursday night is film night for Richard Seymour, and every week he takes someone new to the movies with him.


San Jose ties up final berth

The San Jose Earthquakes clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference by tying the Burn, 2-2, last night in Dallas in the season finale for both teams.


Image takes new hit as Beckham bends rules

LONDON -- David Beckham lurches from one crisis to another, and is being ridiculed by British newspapers as an attention-seeking drama queen.


Team's talent clear to see, says confident Pierce

FOXBOROUGH -- Defender Rusty Pierce has performed as a starter in most of the Revolution's crucial matches since joining the team four years ago. So, Pierce reacted calmly to the team's dramatic rally to qualify for the MLS playoffs with a 2-1 win over Chicago last night.


Spartans bury Gophers early

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Drew Stanton passed for 308 yards and ran for 102 more, setting a school record for total offense, to lead Michigan State to a 51-17 victory over No. 19 Minnesota yesterday.


White saves Sooners

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Jason White threw for four touchdowns, two each to Travis Wilson and Mark Clayton, and No. 2 Oklahoma overcame its own mistakes to beat Kansas State, 31-21, yesterday.


Leak, Gators bounce back

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Chris Leak threw three touchdown passes, DeShawn Wynn scored three times, and No. 22 Florida (4-2) rebounded from a home loss to LSU with a 52-16 victory over Middle Tennessee yesterday.


Wolverines wake up late

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Michael Hart rushed for 234 yards and No. 14 Michigan rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Illinois, 30-19, yesterday, sending the Illini to their 12th consecutive Big Ten loss. Hart ran for 127 yards and Max Martin added 60 yards rushing in the second half as the Wolverines (6-1, 4-0) kept the ball on the ground ...


Darby helps turn the Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Kenneth Darby rushed for 197 yards and scored two touchdowns, on a run and on a pass, as Alabama beat No. 24 Southern Mississippi, 27-3, yesterday for its first win against a ranked opponent in nearly two years. Southern Miss (4-1) had been averaging nearly 29 points per game, but the Crimson Tide (5-2) limited it to ...


Lester left with an empty feeling

PITTSBURGH -- Larry Lester seemed inconsolable as he sat on a chair outside the visitors' locker room at Heinz Field. His head bowed, Lester agonized over the fumble he lost in overtime in Boston College's 20-17 setback yesterday to the Pittsburgh Panthers.


Irish extend streak, hand Navy its first loss of year

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Notre Dame's size and speed took all the drama out of its 41st straight victory over Navy.


Rutgers stumbles past Owls

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Jeremy Ito kicked three field goals and Ryan Hart threw a late touchdown pass to help Rutgers hold off Temple, 16-6, in an error-filled game yesterday.


Late TD, FG lift Broncos

TULSA, Okla. -- Antwaun Carter scored on a 2-yard run with less than two minutes remaining, and Tyler Jones kicked a 46-yard field goal with three seconds left, rallying No. 21 Boise State to a 45-42 win over Tulsa last night.


Tomahawk chopped

TALLAHASSEE -- Virginia was ranked higher than Florida State and looking for its first road win against a top-10 team.


Brown taps Burke as assistant captain

Gerry Burke of Milton, a senior at Brown University, has been elected as an assistant captain on the varsity hockey team.


Hennessy rouses Andover from a slow start

ANDOVER -- In one play, Andover's Matt Hennessy surpassed his team's first-half output, rushing for 23 yards to spark a sluggish Golden Warrior offense to a 17-7 victory over Lowell. Andover (6-0), known for its potent offense, was held to one first down and 20 yards of total offense in a scoreless first half.


Trinity streaks to 18th straight win

Junior Josh Pitcher and freshman Chandler Barnard combined to pass for 212 yards and three touchdowns yesterday as Trinity rolled to a 36-14 victory over Tufts in a New England Small College Athletic Conference game in Hartford.


Chelmsford runners go 1-2

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. -- A pair of J's carried Chelmsford to a commanding win in the Varsity 2 race yesterday at the 22d Brown Invitational.


Last-minute TD stops Maine

Justin Rascati completed 19 of 28 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning 23-yarder to D.D. Boxley with 47 seconds remaining, as James Madison stayed undefeated in the Atlantic 10 with a 24-20 victory over Maine at Orono yesterday.


Xaverian clips Falcons

WESTWOOD -- The Xaverian defense spent much of its Saturday afternoon chasing Cambridge quarterback Matt O'Brien. The Hawks caught him just in time.


Win gains Johnson little

Jimmie Johnson thought he needed a victory to jump back into contention for the Nextel Cup championship.


Minutemen slam the brakes on their skid

DURHAM, N.H. -- After suffering losses each of the last four weeks in a  quot;murderer's row quot; schedule -- in the words of coach Don Brown -- it appeared Massachusetts was about to lose No. 5 early in yesterday's game.


Green with envy

HANOVER, N.H. -- The Holy Cross football team left its heart on the field more than a few times in an 0-5 start this fall.


Falmouth blanks Dartmouth

The 10th-ranked Dartmouth boys' soccer team had given up only one goal this season, but yesterday, host Falmouth scored two to hand the Indians their first loss, 2-0.


Walpole retains top spot

NORWOOD -- The knot atop the Bay State League Herget Division has one less loop. Walpole tamed the Norwood Mustangs, 19-0, yesterday, leaving only the Rebels (5-1) and Wellesley (5-1) at the top of the Herget hill.


Quakers sow oats in league

Pat McDermott passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns as Penn defeated Columbia, 14-3, in Philadelphia yesterday. The victory was the 17th straight in Ivy League play for the Quakers (4-1, 2-0), tying their own league record set during the 1993-95 seasons.


Sainsbury's 'creating 3,000 jobs'

Sainsbury's is set to create 3,000 jobs as it looks to improve services at its supermarkets, newspapers report.


ONLINE MUSIC: BUY VS. RENT

October 17, 2004 -- While companies take aim at iPod with a host of new players, they #39;re also targeting iTunes, Apple #39;s online music store.


The Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets in a nail-biter pre-season game in Beijing on Sunday, 91-89, on a baseline jumpshot by reserve guard Bobby Jackson in the final seconds.


Rossi admits surprise at title

Newly-crowned world MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has admitted his surprise at winning the title in his first year with new team Yamaha.


Sainsbury #39;s  #39;creating 3,000 jobs #39;

Sainsbury #39;s is set to create 3,000 jobs as it looks to improve services at its supermarkets, newspapers have reported. The new staff will be used to keep shelves better stocked and give shoppers a better service


Samsung, Sony Ericsson Post Gains

Samsung Electronics posted a 46 percent gain in earnings, despite a dip in its cell phone and telecom-equipment business. Separately, Sony Ericsson posted a 29 percent year-over-year increase in sales during the third quarter.


Bill Gates: A model for the future

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- Bill Gates predicts a future for the entertainment industry in which traditional broadcast television is rendered irrelevant.


Revs Sneak Into Playoffs On Final Day

Needing three points to vault into fourth place ahead of the Fire, the Revs found a way to scrape into the postseason at the last gasp, as goals from Clint Dempsey in the 55th minute and Steve Ralston in the 58th minute downed Chiacgo 2-1 and sent the


Opel managers and workers reps to meet, stoppages set to continue (AFP)

AFP - Managers and workers representatives at German car maker Opel are set to meet Monday after a weekend vigil by employees protesting against the plans of parent company General Motors to cut thousands of jobs.


India need 210 to win Chennai Test

India need another 210 runs to win the Chennai Test after ending the fourth day at 19-0. Virender Sehwag was batting on 12 and Yuvraj Singh on 7. Earlier, Anil Kumble claimed 6-133, his 26th fifth-wicket haul, to help India bowl Australia out for 369.


Fed Debates Policy for Post-Greenspan Era

Battle lines are drawn at the Federal Reserve between those who favor formal inflation goals and those who don #39;t, and the debate is heating up ahead of the coming retirement of Chairman Alan Greenspan.


Update 3: Workers at German Plant Keep Up Protest

Hundreds of workers at an Opel car plant in Germany kept up a protest outside the factory gates Sunday against plans by parent company General Motors for thousands of job cuts, demanding assurances that there will be no compulsory layoffs.


Trial turns into bid dance

It is common for a merger battle to involve a healthy dose of public posturing on issues such as price and logistics. But while such maneuvering typically plays out in the media, or during analyst forums, it #39;s rare to see it happen in a courtroom.


Skyway windfall seen as  #39;blessing and a curse #39;

From desperate times to an embarrassment of riches. From crying poor-mouth to fending off the wolves. Mayor Daley certainly is a man of extremes these days.


Economy on Track as Retail Sales Jump

A surprisingly big climb in US retail sales in September and a larger-than-expected gain in underlying producer prices bolstered hopes for an economic revival and views


Northwest Pilots

The elected union representatives of Northwest Airlines pilots have voted unanimously to endorse concessions sought by the airline.


Oil prices lead fund to Mexico, away from China

Brad Aham, manager of the \$745 million SSgA Emerging Markets Fund, said he #39;s increasing his investments in Mexico on optimism about record oil prices, and avoiding China, where central bankers are poised to raise interest rates.


Chinese satellite part hits house

A section of a Chinese scientific satellite that was returning from orbit crashed into an apartment building, wrecking the top floor but causing no injuries, a newspaper said Sunday.


FDA Approves Human RFID Tags

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip (VeriChip) that will be implanted in humans and used for medical purposes.


Microsoft battens down Windows XP #39;s hatches

With the latest update to Microsoft Corp. #39;s Windows XP operating system, personal computers will soon join parents, bosses, teachers and spouses as a source of nagging in your life.


Flip and shoot

Nextel Communications Inc. is offering its first camera phone, the Motorola i860, which boasts a large color screen, measuring 2.2 inches and 262,000 colors.


Microsoft announces Xbox holiday bundle

Starting October 31, the Xbox will include NCAA Football 2005, Top Spin, two-month Xbox Live trial for \$149.99. Microsoft today announced the details of its Xbox holiday bundle.


Myskina wins Kremlin Cup again

Anastasia Myskina won the Kremlin Cup for the second straight year, running off 10 straight games to defeat Elena Dementieva 7-5, 6-0 Sunday in the tournament #39;s first all-Russian final.


Arsenal kicks five points clear as Chelsea beaten

ARSENAL tightened its grip on the English Premier League title yesterday as closest rival Chelsea slumped to its first defeat of the season at Manchester City.


Derby Win Sends Bara Clear

Barcelona held on from an early Deco goal to edge game local rivals Espanyol 1-0 and carve out a five point tabletop cushion. Earlier, Ronaldo rescued a point for Real Madrid, who continued their middling form with a 1-1 draw at Real Betis.


Shorthanded Juve Top Messina

Despite a striker crisis, Juventus inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on impressive risers Messina by a 2-1 tally. Marcelo Zalayeta and Pavel Nedved grabbed goals on either side of the break to lead Il Bianconeri.


Astros #39; Oswalt will pitch through pain

Before Astros righthander Roy Oswalt starts today #39;s Game 4 of the NLCS, he #39;ll need a painkiller injection for an aggravated left rib cage muscle.


Irish Take Big Step

With a 27-9 win over Navy, the Irish move to 5-2 on the season. Irish fans had plenty to celebrate with this victory, and the Irish have plenty to play for in the future.


Johnson hangs on for win

CONCORD, NC  Jimmie Johnson won the UAW-GM 500 Saturday night, but the overwhelming drama of the race was the uncanny comeback of his mentor and teammate, Jeff Gordon, from two separate wrecks to finish second.


Illinois Notebook

Illinois lost to Michigan by 11 points and committed just two penalties to the 10 charged against the Wolverines on Saturday. So why was Illinois head coach Ron Turner complaining about the officiating?


Patriots not getting ahead of themselves

Its become a familiar mantra: One game at a time. One week at a time. One game at a time . . . Todays 1 pm game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette


US Continues Major Attack on Fallujah

A US Army soldier watches from atop his armoured vehicle as smoke rises in background after his unit destroyed a seized Katyusha rocket in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday Oct. 17, 2004.


Newest Darfur peacekeepers delayed a week-Rwanda

A battalion of Rwandan peacekeeping troops scheduled to arrive in Sudan #39;s Darfur region this weekend will be delayed by a week because of logistical problems, Rwanda said on Sunday.


Colin Powell to hold talks in Japan

US Secretary of State Colin Powell will travel to the Far East next week and hold talks in Japan, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Sunday.


UK appeals for Bigley #39;s remains

Britain #39;s ambassador to Iraq has appealed for information that would lead to the recovery of the remains of former hostage Ken Bigley.


Liverpool slur puts Tory on back foot

BORIS Johnson, editor of British magazine The Spectator, might well pad his trousers with copies of the conservative journal when he travels to Liverpool this week to apologise for insulting the city and its people.


Bashir case  #39;a trap #39;

THE prosecution on terrorism charges of extremist Islamic cleric and accused Jemaah Islamiah leader Abu Bakar Bashir will rely heavily on the potentially tainted testimony of at least two convicted Bali bombers, his lawyers have said.


BoSox, Astros Play for Crucial Game 4 Wins (AP)

AP - The Boston Red Sox entered this AL championship series hoping to finally overcome their bitter rivals from New York following a heartbreaking seven-game defeat last October. Instead, they've been reduced to trying to prevent the Yankees from completing a humiliating sweep in their own ballpark.


No. 10 Wisconsin Tops No. 5 Purdue 20-17 (AP)

AP - Scott Starks returned a fumble by Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton 40 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes to lift 10th-ranked Wisconsin to a 20-17 win over No. 5 Purdue on Saturday.


Texas to face Michigan in 91st Rose Bowl

The Texas Longhorns will make their first BCS bowl appearance at the 91st Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2005, in Pasadena, Calif., at 3:30 pm.


Privacy breach feared from human-implant chip:

Health India: New York, Oct 17 : The US government could literally be getting under the skin of its citizens with the first futuristic microchip implant for humans getting a go ahead this week.


Myskina Beats Dementieva Again to Win in Moscow

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Anastasia Myskina trounced Elena  Dementieva, 7-5, 6-0, in the Kremlin Cup final Sunday to retain  her Moscow title in a rematch of their all-Russian French Open  final earlier this year.


Rangers stung by Thistle

Rangers hopes of returning to the top of the Scottish Premier League were dashed on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Inverness Caledonian Thistle.


Clemens gives the Astros a liftoff

HOUSTON -- The St. Louis Cardinals captured the first two games of the National League Championship Series in dramatic fashion, yet at no time did the Houston Astros appear concerned. They insisted once they returned home their fortunes would change. So far, so good.


If the new shoe fits, Schilling may wear it

The suspense surrounding Curt Schilling's possible return to the mound in the American League Championship Series intensified yesterday as the Red Sox indicated Schilling has found the footwear that would enable him to pitch if his injured right ankle permits it.


Decision to start El Duque final

Win or lose last night, the Yankees were committed to starting Orlando Hernandez in Game 4 tonight.


Wakefield's return engagement came early

He had anticipated being at the starting line of tonight's fourth game of the American League Championship Series. Instead, Tim Wakefield found himself in the middle of a pitching meltdown last night, called upon to try and lend soothing relief in a sorry excuse for playoff baseball.


Hernandez rested, ready

The question on everybody's mind -- Red Sox and Yankee fans -- is which Orlando Hernandez will show up at Fenway Park tonight for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.


Broadband ups European Web users to 100 m

54.5 million Europeans surfed the Web over a broadband connection, a 60 percent increase from 34.1 million 12 months earlier. AMSTERDAM: More than half of Europe #39;s Internet surfers now have a high-speed broadband


Seven Iraqis Die in Falluja Battles, Baghdad Attack

FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. jets bombed Falluja Sunday  and troops fought rebels accused of shielding foreign fighters  led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, America's top foe in Iraq.


African Leaders in Libya to Discuss Darfur

TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) - The Sudanese government and  rebel leaders need to be pushed to find a solution to the  bloody conflict in Darfur, African foreign ministers said  Sunday ahead of a summit on the crisis.


Little worked for Francona

It started early. Again. And all the Red Sox and their fans could do was wonder how bad it would be this time and if the outburst would subside enough to enable the Red Sox to make some noise in the American League Championship Series.


Belarus Votes to Extend Lukashenko's Rule

MINSK, Belarus (Reuters) - The president of Belarus,  confident of victory in a referendum Sunday to extend his rule,  promised to serve his people better if they voted "yes" and  told the West to keep criticism of his rule to itself.


Better than the best

PARIS The verdict is in: The world #39;s greatest race car driver, the champion of champions - all disciplines combined - is Heikki Kovalainen.


Invasion Of The (i)Pod People

And every month, another one million people join their ranks. They #39;re the Pod People. Or make that, the iPod People. Now, if you don #39;t know what an iPod is, then you must be over 25, reports Sunday Morning contributor David Pogue.


Russia urges Iran nuclear action

Russia says Iran must do more to dispel international concerns about its nuclear programme.


Karzai Rival Refuses to Concede Election

KABUL, Afghanistan - Hamid Karzai's closest rival in Afghanistan's landmark election insisted Sunday he has a chance for victory, saying Karzai's commanding lead was based on early results and the election could turn on an investigation of fraud allegations.    Former Education Minister Yunus Qanooni told the Associated Press that he was preparing to be in the political opposition as the country moves toward Western-style democracy - though he added that whether he recognizes the results depends on the honesty of the probe into fraud complaints...


BoSox, Astros Play for Crucial Game 4 Wins

The Boston Red Sox entered this AL championship series hoping to finally overcome their bitter rivals from New York following a heartbreaking seven-game defeat last October. Instead, they've been reduced to trying to prevent the Yankees from completing a humiliating sweep in their own ballpark...


JFK Aide Pierre Salinger Dies at 79

PARIS - Pierre Salinger, a journalist and former press secretary to President John F. Kennedy, was also a prominent backer of the theory that the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 was caused by a Navy missile...


Two Soldiers Die After Crash in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces battled insurgents around the rebel stronghold of Fallujah on Sunday after two American soldiers died when their helicopters crashed south of Baghdad...


Northwest Pilot Leaders Endorse Pay Cut

MINNEAPOLIS - Leaders of the union for Northwest Airlines pilots voted unanimously Saturday to endorse a tentative agreement that will cut pilot compensation by \$265 million annually.    The Master Executive Council of the Northwest branch of the Air Line Pilots Association voted 10-0 to submit the two-year deal to union members for their ratification...


Annan: Iraq War Hasn't Made World Safer

LONDON - The U.S.-led war in Iraq hasn't made the world any safer, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said in a British TV interview aired Sunday...


Jordan Indicts Al-Zarqawi in Conspiracy

AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan's military prosecutor indicted 13 alleged Muslim militants Sunday, including Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi - one of the most wanted insurgents in Iraq - for an al-Qaida linked plot to attack targets in Jordan with chemical and conventional weapons, officials said Sunday.    Al-Zarqawi and three others from the group remain at large and will be tried in absentia, officials said...


UPDATE 1-Myskina beats Dementieva again to win in Moscow

Anastasia Myskina trounced Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-0 in the Kremlin Cup final on Sunday to retain her Moscow title in a rematch of their all-Russian French Open final earlier this year.


Wenger calls for cool on Man U

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger warned an ugly fracas must be avoided when his all-conquering side travels to Old Trafford on Sunday for a mouth-watering match against bitter rivals Manchester United.


NBA China or Chinese NBA?

Yao Ming and his Houston Rockets entertained Chinese basketball fans with two real NBA games this weekend, though they were just two pre-season games against the Sacramento Kings.


Israelis quit Gaza after killing 138

THE Israeli army ended its 17-day-long incursion into the Gaza Strip over the weekend after carrying out its assignment to exact a price for the firing of rockets by Hamas at towns inside Israel.


Statement About UK Troop Deployment in Iraq

Defense Minister Geoff Hoon will make a statement to the House of Commons on Monday about British troop deployments in Iraq, amid reports that Britain is considering sending some 600 soldiers to bolster US operations near Baghdad.


UN: 10,000 People Dying Monthly in Darfur

In the Darfur region of western Sudan, nearly 10,000 people per month have lost their lives from malnutrition and disease adding up to 70,000 deaths since the crisis started in February of 2003.


NO WAY OUT FOR ENGLAND

England #39;s controversial tour to Zimbabwe next month looks certain to go ahead after the official inquiry into racism within their cricket found no evidence when it was presented to the International Cricket Council today.


All Ords get help from gold, Dr Money

THE sharemarket should take heart from US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan #39;s comment that sky-high oil prices won #39;t harm the US economy - as long as they don #39;t go any higher.


Alitalia Sees 2004 Loss of EU515 Million, in Line With 2003

Alitalia SpA, Italy #39;s largest airline, said it expects a loss this year of about 515 million euros (\$642 million), in line with 2003.


Palestinian Zakah to Combat Poverty

A cohort of Palestinian intellectuals proposed setting up a central Zakah fund to channel the alms into productive projects


Your Daily Tech News Service...

Short-Media have thrown up a new article which asks does Windows Service Pack 2 slow you down? Microsoft released Service Pack 2 and millions installed it.


BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP BETTING ODDS: ARSENAL

With Chelsea losing their unbeaten record and Manchester United failing yet again to win, William Hill now make Arsenal red-hot 2/5 favourites to retain the title.


Ronaldo saves Real #39;s Betis blushes

Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon lamented poor finishing after his side were forced to rely on a trademark poacher #39;s strike from Ronaldo in a fortuitous 1-1 draw at Real Betis.


British troops may be sent to Baghdad

British troops are likely to be deployed outside southern Iraq for the first time in support of US troops in some of the worst trouble spots in the country, including Baghdad, it emerged last night.


Slain Captive Engineer: Pakistan repatriates Body to China

BEIJING (China): Body of the slain Chinese engineer, Wang Peng who lost his life during operation against the al-Qaeda linked captors in the tribal belt of Pakistan reached here on Saturday by a special plane, which was arranged by Islamabad as an