Pacers #39; Foster activated from injured list

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster was activated from the injured list Tuesday. He had missed the first 17 games of the season after undergoing hip surgery in October.


Report: Tougher testing on the way for MLB

NEW YORK (Ticker) - With the dark cloud of steroids continuing to hover over baseball, it appears a tougher drug-testing policy may be in effect by spring training.


Preview of SQL Server 2005 Released

December 7, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- According to a report by internetnews.com, Microsoft (microsoft.com) has released the second community technology preview for SQL Server 2005.


BusinessWeek Special Report Examines Apple #39;s iPod Lead

BusinessWeek has published a special report that asks  quot;Could Apple Blow Its iPod Lead? quot; That title is more sensational than the article itself, however, as


Microsoft nears release of 64-bit Windows

Microsoft said Tuesday that it has released a near-final test version of updates to its Windows and Windows Server operating systems.


IBM Nabs \$750M Deal with Lloyds TSB

Lloyds TSB has tapped IBM as the key provider for its massive new VoIP infrastructure project. The new project will make Lloyds TSB the owners of one of the largest converged voice and data networks in Europe


Students Win \$100,000 in National Team Science Competition

Lucie Guo, motivated by the death of her grandfather in China before she was born, spent two summers doing research in a Duke University laboratory.


Experts Push for More Computer Security Efforts

Computer-security experts, including former government officials, urged the Bush administration on Tuesday to devote more effort to strengthening defenses against viruses, hackers and other online threats.


Group Enlists Honey Pots to Track IM, P2P Threats

IMlogic Inc. on Tuesday announced plans to use honey pots to track malicious virus activity on instant messaging and peer-to-peer networks.


Cisco, Juniper Making Noise in High-End Routing Space

Dueling Cisco Systems Inc. and Juniper Networks Inc. are both jockeying for the spotlight on the high end of the routing market with announcements of new developments around their respective CRS-1 and T-series core routers.


SEC Seen to OK Google IPO After 4 P.M.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange  Commission is expected to declare the initial public offering  registration of Google Inc. GOOG.OQ effective after 4 p.m.  (2000 GMT), sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.


BellSouth: Retiree Costs to Cut Q4 Earns

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - BellSouth Corp. BLS.N said on  Wednesday its new labor contract had triggered a \$3.3 billion  increase in its estimates of future retiree medical costs,  reducing fourth-quarter earnings by 3 cents to 4 cents a share.


GAO: Homeland Security #39;s Enterprise Architecture Lacks Key Elements

In a report, it says the agency #39;s first try at building an enterprise architecture offers a partial foundation, but is lacking in several areas.


Compuware Asks Court To Sanction IBM In Software Theft Case

DETROIT - Compuware Corp. said on Wednesday it has asked a US court in its software piracy case against IBM to levy sanctions on IBM for delaying release of critical evidence. Specifically, the filing asks the US District Court to order judgment in favor ...


US Men Take Gold and Bronze in Cycling Time Trial

ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States proved there is more to their cycling team than Lance Armstrong by taking gold and bronze in the men #39;s Olympic individual time trial at the Athens Games Wednesday.


Iraqi Cleric Agrees Deal to End Siege at Shrine

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - The leader of a Shi #39;ite uprising in Iraq agreed Wednesday to leave a holy shrine encircled by US marines, hours after the interim government threatened to storm it and drive out his fighters.


Burundi police fire tear gas at massacre protest

Police in Burundi #39;s capital Bujumbura fired tear gas at crowds today, protesting against the massacre of at least 160 Congolese Tutsis at a UN refugee camp in the west of the country.


Google Slashes IPO, SEC OK Expected Today

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc. slashed the size of its  closely watched initial public offering nearly in half to less  than \$2 billion on Wednesday, splashing cold water on what has  been touted as the hottest Internet IPO in years.


HP decries Itanium, SAP issues and bad English

HP World Execs try to respond


French watchdog fines Messier 1m

Frances AMF market watchdog slapped a one million euro fine on Jean-Marie Messier, the disgraced former chairman of Vivendi Universal , on Tuesday following allegations the media firm had published misleading financial information.


Toyota tunes in satellite radio

Auto maker Toyota on Tuesday entered into separate deals with rival satellite radio service providers Sirius and XM. Under its agreement with Sirius, Toyota will offer Sirius satellite radio service--either


Sprint begins \$3 billion march to 3G

Sprint, the fourth-largest US cell phone operator, has started a \$3 billion network upgrade, with \$1 billion earmarked for a wireless broadband service to launch soon in selected cities, a Sprint executive said Tuesday.


Europe troubled by euro rise

European officials issued their harshest condemnation yet of the euro #39;s recent surge, in a joint statement after a monthly meeting yesterday.


Oil Falls to 3-Month Low as Heating-Oil Supplies Probably Rose

Crude oil fell to a three-month low on speculation that warm weather and increased refinery production have bolstered US heating-oil stockpiles.


AOL Cuts 750 Jobs

America Online Inc., the nation's biggest Internet service, today began cutting 750 jobs, more than half at the firm's Northern Virginia headquarters, company officials said. -The Washington Post


U.S. to Import 4 Million Flu Shot Doses

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health officials, taking  another step to ease the season's flu shot shortage, approved  the importation of up to 4 million flu shot doses from Europe  on Tuesday for patients willing to sign a consent form.


Intel Says It's Recovered from Missteps

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intel Corp. INTC.O will  miss  its 2004 product cost reduction targets because of a widely  publicized string of product delays and problems, but those  missteps are largely behind it now, the world's largest chip  maker said on Tuesday.


Tyson to Begin Training

Mike Tyson is beginning to train for a fight in March, his first since being knocked out by Danny Williams in July.


Putin questions Iraqi poll plan

Russian leader Vladimir Putin voices doubts over plans to hold elections in Iraq next month.


Mortgage Applications Rise as Rates Ease

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New applications for U.S. home loans  rose last week while refinancings surged, as 30-year mortgage  interest rates fell to their lowest level in over four months,  an industry group said on Wednesday.


Staples Goes to China?

The company impresses the Street with strong earnings, an optimistic outlook, and a toehold abroad.


Crazy 'Bout a Sharp Dressed K

If you're going to spend a lot producing a slick annual report, go all in.


Report: Palestinians, Israel Back Peace Plan

CAIRO (Reuters) - Palestinians and Israelis have agreed in  principle to proposals aiming to end their conflict, Egypt's  official news agency MENA said on Tuesday.


Storm-ravaged peasants flee as Philippines runs out of money for relief (AFP)

AFP - Stunned residents picked their way through a wasteland of mud and rubble to leave storm-ravaged areas of the Philippines as the government said it has run out of money to pay for relief services.


Sudanese Hopeful of New Year Peace Deal

Mohamed Yousif, Sudans minister of humanitarian affairs, dismissed widespread assertions of government involvement in a vicious militia campaign against civilians in the western region.


After all, have we become Russias strategic partner?

TDN- Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin was in Ankara on Monday for a state visit unmatched in the history of relations between the Turkish and Russian nations.


Charley #39;s insured losses seen hitting \$7.4 billion

NEW YORK, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Insurance payments to victims of Hurricane Charley are expected to reach \$7.4 billion, making it the second most costly hurricane to hit the United States, an insurance industry group said on Wednesday.


US mortgage applications rise as rates ease

NEW YORK, Aug 18 (Reuters) - New applications for US home loans rose last week while refinancings surged, as 30-year mortgage interest rates fell to their lowest level in over four months, an industry group said on Wednesday.


Aurora Woman Sues Costco Over Discrimination Claims

SAN FRANCISCO -- A Colorado assistant store manager at Costco has filed a federal lawsuit, alleging she was passed over for a promotion because she is a woman.


Researcher Finds Flaws in XP SP2

German research firm Heise Security has issued an advisory for a pair of security flaws in Microsoft #39;s (Quote, Chart) recently shipped Windows XP Service Pack 2 with a warning that attackers could launch malicious files from an untrusted zone.


RealNetworks Halves Music Prices But Move to Confront Apple Will Increase Company #39;s Loss

RealNetworks on Tuesday started a promotion that halves the price of its digital music offerings as part of a strategy to force its way onto Apple Computer #39;s popular iPod digital music player.


Compuware accuses IBM of ambush tactics in piracy suit

DETROIT (AP) -- Compuware Corp. is accusing IBM of attempting to  quot;sandbag quot; it with new evidence just three months before the software company #39;s piracy claim against the technology giant is to go to trial.


Microsoft Funded Study Deciding Factor in 10yr Deal

Genevish writes  quot;According to an article in the Register, Microsoft and the Newham Council in London have signed an agreement making Microsoft the preferred vendor for the council, instead of the original hybrid MS / Open Source plan. The council was very ...


Bilonog Edges Nelson With Last Put as Shot Returns to Olympia

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Yuriy Bilonog won the gold medal in the men #39;s shot put at Olympia, the home of the ancient Games, by virtue of his second-best effort after his last throw matched the leading mark set by US athlete Adam Nelson.


Figo takes break from international football

LISBON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Portugal captain Luis Figo said on Wednesday he was taking a break from international soccer, although he would not confirm if the decision was final.


NLD MP urges people to sign petition

Despite intimidation by the ruling Burmese military authorities, the National League for Democracy (NLD) members have continued the signature campaign with increased momentum calling for the release of all political prisoners including NLD leaders Daw ...


WFP Tackles  #39;Critical Six Weeks #39; in Darfur with Up-Scaling of Air Operations

- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is gearing up for the most critical stage yet of its operation to deliver food assistance to hundreds of thousands of people affected by conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. As the rainy season ...


Italy Lights the Path for the Olympic Torch

Christmas on the island of Sicily, New Year #39;s eve at the bay of Naples. Italy mapped out Tuesday a two-month-long journey for the 2006 Winter Olympics torch, which will cross


Lamy Strong Candidate for WTO Job-USTR (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. trade officials said on Tuesday\that former European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy would\be a "strong candidate" to lead the World Trade Organization,\but stopped short of formally endorsing him.


Janus Finalizes Regulatory Settlement (AP)

AP - Janus Capital Group Inc. said Wednesday it has finalized a  #36;226.2 million settlement with state and federal regulators over improper trading allegations, part of a scandal sweeping the  #36;7 trillion mutual funds industry.


Italy's Parmalat sues ex-auditors

Parmalat issues proceedings against its ex-auditors over their dealings with the insolvent group before its near collapse


Study: Hubble Robotic Repair Mission Too Costly

An exhaustive study of NASA #39;s options for repairing the Hubble Space Telescope suggests the currently planned robotic mission may cost too much money and might not be ready to fly before the vaunted observatory breaks down.


Dell Cuts Prices on Enterprise Hardware

Dell has cut prices on a number of products geared to enterprises. The PowerEdge 4600 dual-processor server price tag has been trimmed by about 22 percent, now starting as low as \$4,194.


Boston Globe:  #39;Forget Microsoft and buy an Apple iPod - it works #39;

quot;As more and more retailers try to cash in on the online music scene, things are becoming increasingly befuddling for consumers -- especially for consumers who stray from the Apple iPod fold.


Thunderbird Mail goes 1.0

Mozilla #39;s Thunderbird mail client has reached the 1.0 release point. I #39;ve been using Thunderbird when ever I #39;ve found myself on a Windows box for quite a while now and finally took the plunge on my Powerbook, finally walking away from Mail.


Nvidia to work on PlayStation 3 chip

Graphics chip leader Nvidia announced Tuesday that it is working with Sony to develop the graphics processor for the next version of Sony #39;s PlayStation video game console.


SEC Bars Mutual Fund Payoffs to Brokers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange  Commission pushed ahead on Wednesday with reforms of the  \$7.5-trillion mutual fund industry amid scandals that have  shaken fund investors' confidence.


Air Canada Stock Plummets on Review

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Shares of Air Canada AC.TO fell by  more than half on Wednesday, after the Toronto Stock Exchange  said it was reviewing the company's stock to determine if it  meets listing requirements.


Parmalat Sues Ex-Auditors in Chicago

MILAN (Reuters) - Parmalat sued its former auditors  Deloitte   Touche and Grant Thornton on Wednesday, broadening a  legal battle to claw back billions of euros from ex-allies the  food group says helped drive it into insolvency.


Apple zealots slam Real #39;s iPod campaign

RealNetworks has stepped up its music  #39;war #39; on Apple Computer--with results it clearly didn #39;t expect.


Macromedia offers Flash video tool

Macromedia hopes to boost use of its Flash format for delivering streaming video with a new development kit. The Flash Video Kit allows users of the company #39;s Dreamweaver Web authoring application to add Flash video to their pages without using the full ...


Apple G5 chips  #39;in short supply #39;

Apple may be facing greater difficulties than previously thought in sourcing chips to power its high-end personal computers.


Cycling: Hamilton wins time trial

VOULIAGMENI Tyler Hamilton of the United States won the men #39;s time trial gold medal Wednesday, beating defending champion Viatcheslav Ekimov of Russia and another American, Bobby Julich.


Jail for Olympic pool jump

ATHENS (Reuters) - A Canadian man advertising an online gaming site, who broke security and jumped into the Olympic diving pool, has been given a five-month prison term for trespassing and disturbing public order, court officials say.


Leaders Threatened by Terrorist Groups Large and Small

The vulnerability of world leaders to terrorist attack was starkly exposed again today by the discovery of a bomb near Tony Blair #39;s holiday villa on Sardinia.


Food crisis worsens in North Korea

BEIJING The collapse of North Korea #39;s economy has caused food prices there to skyrocket and created new groups of people who cannot afford to buy what they need to live, the World Food Program said on Wednesday.


German investor confidence surges

BERLIN - German investor confidence posted a surprise jump in December as relief over falling oil prices helped to offset concerns about the impact of a surging euro on growth in Europe #39;s biggest economy.


EU Weighs Tougher Conditions for Talks With Turkey (Update1)

European Union governments may impose tougher conditions on entry talks with Turkey in response to demands by France, Austria and Cyprus, a draft EU compromise shows.


Airlines to Cut Flights at Chicago O'Hare

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. airlines have agreed to limit  flights into Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to 88  arrivals per hour between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. in an effort to cut  congestion that has slowed the whole U.S. aviation system,  federal officials said on Wednesday.


FAA: Flight-Reduction Deal Set for O #39;Hare

WASHINGTON Aug. 18, 2004  Federal officials have reached a temporary agreement to ease congestion at Chicago #39;s O #39;Hare International Airport that calls for a reduction of 37 daily arrivals by United Airlines and American Airlines, officials said ...


Italy #39;s Parmalat sues ex-auditors

Italian food giant Parmalat is suing its former auditors over their dealings with the insolvent group before its near collapse last December.


Update 2: Swisscom Confirms May Merge With Firm

Telecommunications companies Swisscom AG and Telekom Austria AG are in talks over a possible merger, Swisscom said.


Cox directors look at proposed buyout

Cox Communications Inc. is a step closer to going private, with the cable giant #39;s board of directors forming a special committee of independent directors to consider the Cox Enterprises Inc. proposal to take the company private in a \$7.9 billion buyout.


Cassini Probe Discovers Tiny Saturnian Moons

Two tiny moons orbiting Saturn -- each measuring around two miles in diameter -- are the latest discovery of the Cassini spacecraft. They are located between the orbits of moons Mimas and Enceladus, a surprise to scientists who thought such ...


MS Host Integration Server 2004 Is Weeks Away

Starting September 1, 2004, Microsoft will make available Host Integration Server (HIS) 2004 for companies that have been wanting to open their mainframe assets up to deeper integration with Windows-based servers, software and the promise of ...


Figo takes break from international game

MADRID, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Portugal captain Luis Figo said on Wednesday he was taking an indefinite break from international football, but would not confirm whether his decision was final.


Van Basten entrusts Dutch captaincy to Davids

AMSTERDAM, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Midfielder Edgar Davids #39;s leadership qualities and never-say-die attitude have earned him the captaincy of the Netherlands under new coach Marco van Basten.


Russia #39;s Korzhanenko wins women #39;s shot put; American favorites eliminated

US medal favorites John Godina and Reese Hoffa were eliminated from the shot put competition, ending hopes of an American sweep.


US rowers advances in photo finish

SCHINIAS, Greece (AP)  The early success of the first black Olympic rower on the US men #39;s team and his Navy officer partner was supposed to end Wednesday.


Sadr calls for Najaf ceasefire

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Anti-US cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his followers are ready to leave the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf if American-led forces pull back from the holy Shi #39;ite site, an aide to Sadr says.


Dhiren to father, Abu Musa to al Qaeda

According to British cops he is Dhiren Barot to his father and Abu Musa al-Hindi to Al Qaeda. On Wednesday India-born Barot alias al-Hindi, along with seven men of Pakistani origin, arrested in anti-terror raids and charged with plotting radioactive, ...


Terrified neighbours see dog kill owner

A 39-year-old woman was savaged to death by her pet bull mastiff dog yesterday. Terrified elderly neighbours could only look on as the fatal attack, which started inside Carol Leeanne Taylor #39;s home in the Dunedin suburb of Caversham, spilled on to the ...


Garrison gets new contract; King retires

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Zina Garrison was given a one-year contract to stay on as US Fed Cup captain, while Billie Jean King retired Tuesday as a coach for the team.


VARSITY MATCH

Oxford regained the MMC Trophy with a hard-fought 18-11 win over Cambridge in the Varsity match at Twickenham. Jon Fennell kicked Oxford into an early lead, but a well-worked try from Fergie Gladstone saw Cambridge hit back.


Nintendo Game Machine Gets Good US Start

The new portable video-game machine from Nintendo Co. is selling briskly in both the United States and Japan and the company is well on its way to reaching a target of selling 5 million units by April next year.


Fledgling Thunderbird takes on Outlook

Not content with eating into Microsoft #39;s share of the browser market with Firefox, the Mozilla Foundation has released an open-source email client to rival Outlook.


Cybersecurity post needs a promotion, firms say

The US government is not taking cybersecurity seriously enough and should spend more money and energy on the topic, a group of computer security firms said Tuesday.


Toyota strikes satellite radio deals with rivals XM, Sirius

Rivals XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio both have ventured again to the automotive industry in their latest efforts to land new subscribers, announcing separate distribution agreements Tuesday with Toyota Motor Corp.


AT amp;T Wins \$1B Treasury Contract

VIENNA, Va. -- AT amp;T Government Solutions and its team of subcontractors have been chosen by the Treasury Department to build and deploy the largest civilian agency network, serving more than 1,000 domestic


UPDATE 1-SEC, NASD probing Jefferies trader #39;s gifts -WSJ

US market regulators are looking into whether a Jefferies Group Inc. (JEF.N: Quote, Profile, Research) trader violated rules that prohibit expensive gift-giving in a bid to curry


Report: J amp;J in Talks to Acquire Guidant

Health care giant Johnson  amp; Johnson is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire medical device maker Guidant Corp. for more than \$24 billion.


Google Slashes IPO, SEC OK Expected Today

NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc. slashed the  size of its initial public offering nearly in half to less than  \$2 billion on Wednesday, splashing cold water on what has been  touted as the hottest Internet IPO in years.


Stocks Up; Traders Eye Crude Oil Prices

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks made gains on Wednesday as  investors bought beaten-down shares, while strength in oil  prices pushed up energy companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp.  XOM.N


Houston serious about keeping its superstar center fielder

Winter meetings kick off on Friday in Anaheim. BALCO aside, it #39;s been a quiet baseball offseason, but that #39;s about to change.


Charley May Cost Insurers \$7.4 Billion, Industry Says (Update1)

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Charley will probably cost insurers \$7.4 billion, according to the first loss estimate based on insurance claims.


Parmalat sues ex-auditors Deloitte, Grant Thornton

MILAN, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Parmalat sued its former auditors Deloitte  amp; Touche and Grant Thornton on Wednesday, broadening a legal battle to claw back billions of euros from ex-allies the food group says helped drive it into ...


Barclays Buys CIBC US Credit Card Unit for \$293 Mln (Update5)

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Barclays Plc, the UK #39;s third-biggest lender by assets, agreed to buy the US credit card business of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce for \$293 million to expand into the world #39;s biggest credit card market.


Tap, Eat, N Go

Forget  quot;super-sized, quot; McDonald #39;s is going for  quot;super-fast quot; service. The nation #39;s largest quick serve restaurant chain is getting ready to test a system that enables customers to tap or wave the new  quot;PayPass MasterCard quot; on or near a specially equipped ...


Broadband used by 51 percent of online population

For the first time, broadband connections are reaching more than half (51 percent) of the American online population at home, according to measurement taken in July by Nielsen/NetRatings, a Milpitas-based Internet audience measurement and research ...


Canadian who leaped into Olympic pays the price for 15 minutes of fame

ATHENS (CP) - The Canadian who embarrassed Olympic officials by jumping into a Games swimming pool during a diving competition wearing a skirt and advertising an on-line casino has paid the price for his 15 minutes of fame.


Els targets improved putting after Whistling Straits woes

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Ernie Els has set his sights on an improved putting display at this week #39;s WGC-NEC Invitational in Akron, Ohio after the disappointment of tying for fourth at the US PGA Championship on Sunday.


8 terror suspects, including alleged al-Qaida figure, charged in Britain

LONDON (AP) - Eight suspects, including a man identified in the United States as a senior al-Qaida figure, appeared in court under heavy guard Wednesday as police investigated an alleged plot to commit murder and cause mayhem with chemicals, radioactive ...


UN rights envoys urge probe into Burundi massacre

GENEVA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - United Nations human rights investigators on Wednesday called on Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to identify and hold accountable those behind the massacre of at least 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees.


One Hamas leader survived assassination; five Palestinians killed in an Israeli bombardment in Gaza

Five Palestinians were killed and other seven injured today at dawn in an Israeli air raid carried out by one Israeli helicopter at the house of a leading figure from the Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas) in al-Shuja #39;eya quarters to the east of Gaza.


Swiss to hand back more Abacha funds

Switzerland is to hand back to Nigeria SFr622 million (\$500 million) belonging to the former ruler, Sani Abacha, and his family.


WFP Relying On Airdrops To Bring Food In West Darfur

Mud continues to be one of the biggest obstacles to relief efforts in Sudan #39;s Darfur region. Heavy rains have washed out roads and airstrips and the rainy season is expected to last another month or two.


Late try gives Oxford win

Ross Lavery scored a try two minutes from the end as Oxford University defeated Cambridge 18-11 at Twickenham on Tuesday in another tight finish to the annual University rugby match.


Dell trims PC prices for business clients

Dell cut prices on some servers and PCs by as much as 22 percent because it #39;s paying less for parts. The company will pass the savings on components such as memory and liquid crystal displays


NASA #39;s Return to Flight on Track, Shuttle Officials Say

NASA (news - web sites) is close to meeting all of the return-to-flight safety requirements set by Columbia accident investigators and should be able to launch a shuttle by May 2005, shuttle program officials said today.


What's Google Minus \$10 Billion?

Google drops its price and shares offered. Its magic: turning the hottest IPO in history into a disaster.


Wind River's Smooth Sailing (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Investors have unloaded on many software companies lately, such as Red Hat (Nasdaq: RHAT - News), Siebel (Nasdaq: SEBL - News), Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL - News), and so on. However, with the markets perking up this week, investors are a little more sanguine about the sector -- at least for those stocks that exceed expectations.


Teleportation goes long distance

Physicists teleport particles of light a distance of 600m across the River Danube in Austria, the journal Nature reports.


Europe Is Warned of Changing Climate (AP)

AP - Rising sea levels, disappearing glaciers in the Alps and more deadly heat waves are coming for Europeans because of global warming, Europe's environmental agency warned Wednesday.


Clinton: Ex-President Inaugurates China-Backed Internet Search <b>...</b>

Former President Bill Clinton helped launch a new Internet search firm that claims better results for its engine than Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ). The firm is called Accoona, from the Swahili phrase


High court hears dispute over Michigan interstate wine sales

SUPREME COURT The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could lead to sweeping changes on how alcoholic beverages are regulated and sold.


Stocks Move Higher on Mixed Economic Data

Stocks inched higher Tuesday as investors saw the bright side of mixed economic data and rumors about big merger deals, including a report that consumer products giant Johnson  amp; Johnson is in talks to purchase a leading medical device maker.


IBM: Do We Have a Deal?

China #39;s biggest computer maker said it is in acquisition talks with a major international technology company, a disclosure that comes amid reports it might buy IBM #39;s personal computer business.


Three IPOs Trim Price Ranges Wednesday

Three new stocks scheduled to begin trading this week - including Google Inc. #39;s highly anticipated initial public offering - slashed their expected price ranges Wednesday morning as the IPO market readies for a one-month break from trading debuts after ...


Oil at \$47, Economic Impact Seen as Muted

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices surged to a new high above \$47 a barrel on Wednesday on evidence that energy costs are not substantially slowing the economic growth that fuels oil demand.


McDonald #39;s testing deli sandwiches in Louisville, other markets

McDonald #39;s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) plans to expand a test market of five types of deli-style sandwiches to Louisville and three other cities, according to reports.


Netscape #39;s Official New Browser is Out

AOL (Quote, Chart) developers have rolled out a new version of its venerable Netscape browser, version 7.2.


Kenteris, Thanou Quit Games; Thorpe Record Bid Fails (Update6)

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Olympic medalists Kostas Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou quit the Athens Games, overshadowing the start of track and field events on the fifth day of competition. Venus Williams and Andy Roddick were eliminated from the tennis.


Roddick, Williams eliminated from Olympic tennis

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - American tennis sensation Andy Roddick #39;s Olympic dreams are over after a straight set loss to No. 16 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in third-round action Wednesday.


Giambi calls strain  #39;nothing serious #39;

New York Yankees: First baseman Jason Giambi continued his upper body workout and ran in an indoor pool Wednesday, one day after mildly straining his groin.


Olympics: Venus out of Olympics

ATHENS : Title-holder Venus Williams of the United States crashed out of the Olympic women #39;s singles tennis tournament here losing a third round tie 6-4, 6-4 to France #39;s Mary Pierce.


Sadr calls for Najaf ceasefire

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Radical Shi #39;ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has agreed to disarm his Iraqi militia and leave a holy shrine but only after a truce with encircling US marines.


Something's Brewing at Diedrich Coffee

The Starbucks competitor will sell its international franchise business to battle at home.


Report: Palestinians, Israel Back Peace Plan

CAIRO (Reuters) - Palestinians and Israelis have agreed in  principle to proposals aiming to end their conflict, Egypt's  official news agency MENA said Tuesday.


State Dept. Warns of Violence in Laos (AP)

AP - The State Department is advising Americans traveling or living in Laos to take precautions and avoid areas likely to be hit by continuing violence.


VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Driv3r Plot Is Tedious (AP)

AP - Atari could have redefined guns and gas pedal mayhem with the much anticipated "Driv3r" (pronounced Driver 3), the latest installment in a series of bad-boy-driving-'n'-violence titles. But there's nothing new here to see  #151; nothing new graphically, emotionally, or functionally in the way of game play.


Credit Suisse to Focus on Investment Bank

ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse plans to focus its  investment banking activities on high-margin business and float  off insurer Winterthur in a long-awaited revamp aimed at  boosting the earnings power of Europe's 10th-largest bank.


U.S. Economic Outlook Dims a Bit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economic outlook dimmed  somewhat on Tuesday after reports said business productivity  grew more slowly in the third quarter than first estimated,  labor costs rose and other indicators signaled softening  activity.


Workers fight bad weather to give aid to storm-ravaged Philippines; 740 dead (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - REAL, Philippines (AP) - Relief crews battling walls of mud and lashing rain to reach villages still isolated days after back-to-back storms devastated the northeastern Philippines have found 51 more bodies, taking the death toll to at least 740 people, officials said Tuesday.


Update 3: Bank of America Cuts Some Fleet Workers

Bank of America Corp. laid off an unspecified number of employees Wednesday at hundreds of Fleet Bank branches, a byproduct of the merger of the two banks, a company spokeswoman said.


SEC Bars Mutual Fund Payoffs to Brokers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Securities and Exchange Commission pushed ahead on Wednesday with reforms of the \$7.5-trillion mutual fund industry amid scandals that have shaken fund investors #39; confidence.


Barclays buys Juniper Financial for \$293M

LONDON (AP)  British bank Barclays PLC gained its first toehold in the US consumer banking market Wednesday, saying it would buy credit-card company Juniper Financial Corp. from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce for \$293 million in cash.


UAL agrees to independent agents to oversee pension funds

WASHINGTON : Bankrupt United Airlines has agreed to appoint an independent party to manage its employee pension funds prior to September 15 in an agreement with the US Labor Department.


Compuware asks court to punish IBM

Software maker Compuware has charged IBM with keeping back key evidence in a long-running legal battle over copyright and anticompetitive practices.


Investors Unfazed by Last-Minute Google Moves

BOSTON (Reuters) - When investors heard that Google Inc. had cut the price range for shares in its closely watched initial public offering they said they took it in stride and did not make any massive last-minute adjustments.


Charley a Harbinger of Busy Hurricane Season?

But Hurricane Charley intensified at an astonishing rate just a few hours before making landfall, and its eye wobbled off its forecast track and smashed ashore about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa, killing at least 21. It became the most ...


Report: Apple G5 chips scarce

Apple Computer may be facing greater difficulties than previously thought in getting hold of chips to power its high-end personal computers.


American Cyclist Hamilton Wins Time Trial

yler Hamilton and Bobby Julich showed that there is some depth to American cycling, winning the gold and bronze medals today in the men #39;s individual time trial at the Olympics in Athens.


Kitajima wins breast stroke double

Kosuke Kitajima won the men #39;s 200 metres breast stroke final at the Athens Olympics early this morning, but Australia #39;s Jim Piper was disqualified.


State Dept. Cautious of Najaf Reports

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration reacted cautiously Wednesday to reports that the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had accept a peace plan to end fighting in Najaf.


Pakistan publishes photos of six suspects wanted in terror

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP)  Pakistan published photos Wednesday in newspapers across the country of six terror suspects  including a senior al-Qaeda operative  it says were behind attempts to assassinate the nation #39;s president and offered a large ...


Steroid Talks Progress

Baseball players and owners have made progress toward toughening rules on steroid testing, but there is still plenty of work to be done.


Italy Lights the Path for the Olympic Torch

ROME (Reuters) - Christmas on the island of Sicily, New  Year's eve at the bay of Naples.


Five die in renewed Gaza fighting

against Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate backed by Israel and Washington as a potential peacemaker, a lawmaker said. killing one soldier and wounding four.


Dual-Format Disc That Plays Both HD DVD and DVD

Memory-Tech and Toshiba today announced that they have developed a dual-layer ROM (read-only) disc that can store content in both the HD DVD and DVD formats.


Energy from waves  teenager wins science award

A teenager from the San Diego, California area has won The Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology for his  quot;Gyro-Gen, quot; a machine that produces electricity from ocean waves.


Program Lets People Design 3-D Objects (AP)

AP - It's the Internet Revolution meets the Industrial Revolution: a new program that lets people design 3-D objects like car parts and door knobs in metal or plastic then order them online.


1.2 million flu shots will stay in Canada after all

VANCOUVER - A Vancouver-based firm won #39;t sell 1.2 million doses of influenza vaccine to the United States after all, announcing Tuesday that it will sell the doses within Canada instead.


Windows XP SP2 Help

Certainly you know by now that Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been released. As anticipated, some systems have had problems after installation of the new service pack. But many people report that their installations have been successful and without ...


Slim Majority of Web Users Connect With Broadband

For the first time, a slim majority of US Net users are connecting via broadband. In July, 51 percent of America #39;s home online population was using broadband connections, according to a report from Nielsen/NetRatings. Before July, the ...


Bilonog Wins Olympia Shot Put Gold

Competing under a flawless blue sky in the tree-lined grove devoted to Zeus, the European gold medallist equaled American champion Adam Nelson #39;s opening mark of 2.16 to capture his first major title on a countback.


Kitajima wins breaststroke double

Kosuke Kitajima won the men #39;s 200 metres breaststroke final at the Athens Olympics on Wednesday to collect his second gold medal in four days.


Nigerian senate to rule on Darfur troop deployment

ABUJA, Aug 18 (AFP) -- The Nigerian senate said on Wednesday it would ask its defence committee to consider a request by President Olusegun Obasanjo for permission to deploy some 1,500 peacekeepers to Sudan #39;s war-torn Darfur region.


Google IPO Is Small Hurdle Vs Growing Competition (Reuters)

Reuters - Google Inc., on the last leg of its\race to sell shares to the public, is facing more rivals, large\and small, trying to unseat it as the Web's most popular search\destination.


PAC-10 MEN #39;S Basketball: Timing of Bibby firing irks Olson

Just last month USC basketball coach Henry Bibby said he was enjoying his job more than ever and getting ready for what he hoped would be a good season.


Pacers #39; Foster Activated From Injured List

Indianapolis, IN -- Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster was activated from the injured list Tuesday. He had missed the first 17 games of the season after undergoing hip surgery in October.


Physicists Teleport Photons Across Danube

Austrian researchers have teleported photons, or particles of light, for the first time outside a laboratory using the same technological principles imagined by <I>Star Trek.</I>


British Cave Yields Elaborate Ice-Age Art

A detailed survey of ancient cave carvings at a site first discovered last year in Nottinghamshire, England, reveals the etchings may be some of most elaborate Ice Age art ever found.


Venus: Inhabited World?

by Harry Bortman    In part 1 of this interview with Astrobiology Magazine editor Henry Bortman, planetary scientist David Grinspoon explained how Venus evolved from a wet planet similar to Earth to the scorching hot, dried-out furnace of today. In part 2, Grinspoon discusses the possibility of life on Venus...


Particle Physics in a New Universe

By Davide Castelvecchi     Stanford University -- A string of recent discoveries in astronomy has left scientists with an unsettling realization: The stuff we know and understand makes up less than 5 percent of the universe. The rest has to be yet-unknown forms of "dark matter" and "dark energy."     At a time of momentous changes in our basic understanding of the universe, a new document outlines the essential role of particle physics in deciphering the laws of nature that govern dark matter, dark energy and more...


Compuware asks court to punish IBM

Software maker says Big Blue kept hold of key evidence to delay a resolution to a long-running legal spat over copyrighted code.


A brighter Outlook?

Software startup hopes there's big money in little improvements to Microsoft products.


Briefly: Macromedia offers Flash video tool

roundup Plus: UTStarcom wins Indian IP gear contract...Microsoft tightens Windows-mainframes link...Red Hat names new services executive.


Macromedia offers Flash video tool

Company hopes to boost use of its Flash format for delivering streaming video with new development kit.


Microsoft tightens Windows-mainframes link

Company releases revamped version of server software for linking Windows servers to mainframes, other large computers.


Red Hat names new services executive

Kate Johnson will oversee global training, support and consulting services from the company's headquarters.


Report: Apple G5 chips scarce

Firm may be facing greater difficulties than previously thought in getting hold of chips to power its high-end PCs.


MCI to overhaul network for international calls

Company plans to use IP-based gear in network upgrade starting mid-2005, as it seeks to revive its prospects.


Study: Broadband leaps past dial-up

For the first time ever, more Americans are seeking faster connections to access the Internet.


UTStarcom wins Indian IP gear contract

India's state-owned telecom provider signs \$8.2 million contract with the company.


Juniper engineers depart for start-up

Two of the company's top engineers, who helped develop its flagship product, decide to start up their own operation.


Real gets flamed over iPod campaign

Petition calling on Apple to open its music player to rival tunes becomes target of anti-RealNetworks brickbats.


Hynix to build chip plant in China

South Korean memory-chip maker Hynix Semiconductor Inc. announced Wednesday that it reached an agreement to construct a wafer fabrication plant (fab) to manufacture chips in Wuxi, China.


Researchers find holes in XP SP2

Security researchers inspecting a new update to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP found two software flaws that could allow virus writers and malicious hackers to sidestep new security features in the operating system.


Google faces another trademark suit in Germany

A German court is set to hear oral arguments in a trademark suit against Google Inc. next week, as the search giant faces yet another legal challenge to its AdWords keyword advertising program.
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Powered by IBMs most advanced 64-bit microprocessor (POWER5(tm)), p5 systems can run UNIX and Linux simultaneously. Learn more about eServer p5 systems.


Where to Dump Your Dead Technology

Office Depot teams with HP to recycle your old electronics gear for free.


BlackBerries Take Aim at Terrorism

Wireless devices are being used to perform background checks at Boston's airport.


Google, WebSideStory, Claria Show Negative IPO Trend\\The online advertising, search engine marketing, and web analytics markets may be booming, but for companies looking to go public, there has been a definite negative trend over the past month, with buyers not showing interest, or just waiting, during an otherwise down time ...


U.S. Coach Larry Brown Won't Make Changes (AP)

AP - Same starting lineup, same subs, same tactics. The U.S. basketball team may be an unimpressive 1-1 in the Olympic tournament, but coach Larry Brown won't do any tinkering for Thursday's game against Australia.


Manning to Get First Start Vs. Panthers (AP)

AP - What a way to test a rookie quarterback: Give him his first NFL start against the defending NFC champions and their vaunted defense.


Toronto Raptors Sign Center Loren Woods (AP)

AP - The Toronto Raptors signed free agent center Loren Woods on Wednesday.


Indians Call Up Righty Fernando Cabrera (AP)

AP - The Cleveland Indians called up right-hander Fernando Cabrera from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.


Hamm of U.S. Wins Men's Gymnastics All-Around Gold

ATHENS (Reuters) - Paul Hamm (U.S.) won the men's  gymnastics individual all-around gold medal at the Olympics on  Wednesday.


Americans and Dutch Strike Gold in Cycling

ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States proved there is more  to U.S. cycling than Lance Armstrong on Wednesday and Leontien  Zijlaard-van Moorsel of the Netherlands became the most  successful woman in Olympic cycling history.


U.S. Women Break Oldest Record for Relay Gold

ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States broke swimming's  oldest world record to win the women's 4x200 meter freestyle  relay Olympic gold medal Wednesday.


Henry, Phelps on Record Track to Gold

ATHENS (Reuters) - Australia's Jodie Henry armed herself  with a world record while Michael Phelps targeted his fourth  Olympic gold medal backed by a Games record in qualifying for  Thursday's finals.


Hamm Wins Gold for U.S.

Paul Hamm of the United States won the gold medal Wednesday in all-around gymnastics.


U-Va.'s Brooks Out

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks missed his second practice after getting into an argument with Cavs Coach Al Groh during Monday's session.


Nelson: Shot Put Silver

With one last attempt to win gold, Adam Nelson is called for his fifth consecutive foul, leaving him with a silver medal Wednesday.


Olympian women escape the age barrier (AFP)

AFP - The older the violin, the sweeter the music. And the Athens Olympics is proving the lyrics right as Martina Navratilova, Merlene Ottey and company are demonstrating the endurance of women with middle-aged ladies defying perceptions about age and competition in nearly every sport.


Russia investors skeptical of Yukos mad scramble for cash (AFP)

AFP - Yukos scrambled to scrape together cash for a crushing tax bill by selling off one of its gas companies in the face of deep investor skepticism that Russia's oil giant could survive its standoff with the state.


Israeli Helicopter Fires at Gaza Building (AP)

AP - An Israeli helicopter fired two missiles in Gaza City after nightfall Wednesday, one at a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood, witnesses said, setting a fire.


U.N. Food Agency Steps Up Sudan Aid (AP)

AP - The United Nations' food relief agency is gearing up for a "critical stage" in feeding refugees in western Sudan as more people flee ethnic violence there and the rainy season peaks, U.N. officials said Wednesday.


Group Asks to Protest in Central Park (AP)

AP - An anti-war group planning a massive demonstration the day before the GOP convention asked a judge on Wednesday to overrule city officials and let protesters gather in Central Park.


New York Vs. the Protesters (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - NEW YORK -- Hundreds of thousands of antiwar protesters, abortion rights supporters, labor rights activists and anarchists are preparing to unfurl banners, march through the streets and rally in the parks, loosening a cacophonous roar of protest during the Republican National Convention.


Retiring GOP Rep.: Iraq War Unjustified (AP)

AP - A top Republican congressman has broken from his party in the final days of his House career, saying he believes the U.S. military assault on Iraq was unjustified and the situation there has deteriorated into "a dangerous, costly mess."


Lawyers Defend Wen Ho Lee Reporters (AP)

AP - An Associated Press reporter and four other journalists shouldn't be punished for keeping secret the names of sources for stories about Wen Ho Lee, a former nuclear weapons scientist once suspected of spying, their lawyers told a federal judge Wednesday.


Iraq Cleric Agrees to End Uprising, Demands Truce

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - A radical Iraqi cleric leading a  Shi'ite uprising agreed Wednesday to disarm his militia and  leave one of the country's holiest Islamic shrines, but only  after a truce with encircling U.S. Marines.


Israel's Sharon Confronts Party Rebels Before Vote

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon confronted  Likud party rebels with a pledge to put the good of Israel  first Wednesday as he battled to avoid an embarrassing defeat  over his Gaza pullout plan.


U.N. Tries to Calm Frontier After Burundi Massacre

BUJUMBURA/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. peacekeepers are  scrambling to avoid new bloodshed in the volatile Great Lakes  region of Africa following a massacre of Congolese refugees in  western Burundi, the United Nations said on Wednesday.


Cleric Who Died in Pakistan Custody 'Tortured'

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - An Afghan Islamic cleric who died in  custody in Pakistan on Wednesday had signs of torture on his  body, an intelligence official said.


Cleric dies in Pakistan custody

An Islamic cleric arrested in Pakistan for suspected al-Qaeda links dies in custody, officials say.


Teleportation goes long distance

Physicists have successfully teleported particles of light over a distance of 600m across the River Danube in Austria, the journal Nature reports.


8 Terror Suspects Appear in British Court

LONDON - Eight suspects, including a man identified by the United States as a senior al-Qaida figure, appeared in a London court under heavy guard Wednesday as police investigated their alleged plot to commit murder and to cause mayhem with chemical, biological or radioactive materials.    A prosecutor also said police were searching about 100 computers and thousands of files, suggesting a protracted investigation that could produce more charges against the suspects, who were seized in raids across England two weeks ago...


Demand Soars for Laughing Cow Cheese

LITTLE CHUTE, Wis. - Cheese maker Bob Gilbert is struggling with his good fortune and his misfortune...


Venus, Roddick Upset in Olympic Tennis

ATHENS, Greece - Andy Roddick hit one last errant shot into the net and hung his head, his medal hopes over. A short while later, Venus Williams was gone, too...


Kerry Decries Bush Plan to Recall Troops

CINCINNATI - John Kerry, telling fellow combat veterans he's their "true brother in arms," said Wednesday that President Bush's plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Europe and Asia would weaken U.S...


'Potential Development' in Peterson Case

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The judge in Scott Peterson's murder trial dismissed the jurors for the day Wednesday, saying, "There's been a potential development in this case."   Judge Alfred A...


Stocks Are Up Despite Rising Oil Prices

NEW YORK - Buyers put a positive spin on equities Wednesday, shrugging off rising crude futures as Google Inc. prepared to sell its stock in an initial public offering, albeit it at a far lower price than previously forecast...


CINCINNATI - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Wednesday criticized President Bush's proposal to recall up to 70,000 foreign troops as a hastily announced plan that raises more doubts about U.S. intentions than it answers...


Stocks Climb Despite Rise in Oil Prices

NEW YORK - Buyers put a positive spin on the equity markets Wednesday, shrugging off rising crude futures as Google Inc. prepared to sell its stock in an initial public offering, albeit it at a far lower price than previously forecast...


REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The judge in Scott Peterson's double murder trial dismissed the jurors for the day Wednesday, saying, "There's been a potential development in this case."   Judge Alfred A...


Sadr Signals He Will Accept Peace Plan

Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr signaled that he would accept pleas to dissolve his militia and vacate the sacred Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, but asked for time for further negotiations.


China Detains Prominent Buddhist Leader

Chinese authorities detained a prominent, U.S.-based Buddhist leader in connection with his plans to reopen an ancient temple complex in the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia last week and have forced dozens of his American followers to leave the region, local officials said Wednesday.


Stocks End Higher, Dow Back Above 10,000

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday,  as investors shrugged off record crude oil prices and bought  beaten-down shares, pushing blue chips to close above 10,000  for the first time in 3 weeks.


Unpatched PC  quot;Survival Time quot; Just 16 Minutes

The average unpatched Windows PC lasts less than 20 minutes on the Internet before it #39;s compromised, according to data from the Internet Storm Center.


Add-On Toolkit For Outlook Cuts Clutter

A small Oregon-based company on Wednesday released a set of integrated add-on tools for Microsoft #39;s Outlook e-mail client.


IBM  #39;ambush #39; accusation

p2pnet.net News:- IBM mainframe software vendor Compuware is suing IBM for antitrust violations claiming IBM used its source code without permission.


Epson Announces Advanced Model of the World #39;s Lightest Micro-Flying Robot

TOKYO, Japan -- Seiko Epson Corporation ( quot;Epson quot;) has announced that it has successfully developed a lighter and more advanced successor to the FR, the world #39;s smallest and lightest micro-flying robot. Turning once again to its micromechatronics ...


Ford scraps Oracle-based procurement system

Auto giant Ford Motor confirmed Wednesday that it is abandoning its Oracle-powered online procurement system in favor of technologies it had used previously.


Malaysia sets up sanctuary in Terengganu to protect endangered turtles

TERENGGANU : Malaysia has gazetted 60 hectares of land off the east coast state of Terengganu to help conserve the dwindling number of endangered sea turtles.


With Kenteris and Thanou out of Games, hometown suffers a big blow

Give the International Olympic Committee credit. By virture of simply being in the room when the bullet slipped into the chamber, by holding the disciplinary hearing at which, on Wednesday, Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou completed ...


Venus, Roddick ousted from Olympics

Athens, Greece, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Americans Andy Roddick and Venus Williams were shockingly eliminated in the third round of the Olympic tennis tournament Wednesday.


Losing No. 1 only a matter of time for Tiger

Today, there can be no argument. Attach an asterisk, because in this case the numbers lie. Vijay Singh trails by .1 in the Official World Golf Ranking system, but if you polled the players and the media, Vijay is The Man. Officially he ...


Britain #39;s Law takes equestrian silver

ATHENS (Reuters) Britain #39;s Leslie Law has won silver in the equestrian three-day event individual behind Bettina Hoy of Germany.


Kitajima sweeps both breaststrokes, Hanson third

ATHENS --After winning world titles in both breaststroke events last summer while setting world records in each, Japan #39;s Kosuke Kitajima sat helplessly from across the Pacific last month as American Brendan Hansen broke ...


Ht England 1 Ukraine 0

Beckham turned provided 10 minutes before the break after Gerrard had been felled as he surged forward, curling a free-kick to the far post where Neville rose to power a header straight at Shovkovsky.


Bomb Defused in Sardinia After Berlusoni and Blair Visited

OME, Aug. 18  The police defused a bomb today in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia, the same town where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had entertained British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie ...


Darfur #39;s War of Definitions

Finally, the conflict in Darfur in western Sudan is a focal point in international diplomacy and media attention. This is the least to expect after months of bloody campaigns of murder, rape and dare I say, ethnic cleansing, starting as ...


Cleric Who Died in Pakistan Custody  #39;Tortured #39;

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - An Afghan Islamic cleric who died in custody in Pakistan on Wednesday had signs of torture on his body, an intelligence official said.


Google Slashes IPO Price

UPDATED: Search engine darling Google (Quote, Chart) has slashed the price of its long-awaited public offering by about 30 percent to between \$85 and \$95 per share and plans to sell fewer shares.


Janus Loses \$5 Billion

The bad news just keeps pouring in for mutual fund manager Janus Capital Group (NYSE: JNS). Yesterday, the Denver-based firm reported that European banker ING Group (NYSE: ING) will pull \$5 billion from its mutual funds, or ...


Parmalat sues Grant Thornton, Deloitte for \$10 billion

CHICAGO Italian dairy company Parmalat today filed a ten (B) billion dollar lawsuit against two auditors it accuses of overlooking fraud that nearly led to the company #39;s downfall.


Is Applied Materials Losing Momentum?

Despite a strong third-quarter performance from Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT), a weaker fourth-quarter outlook has the chip equipment maker #39;s shares treading water today.


McDonald #39;s to use cashless payment system

TORONTO, Aug. 18  McDonald #39;s restaurants has announced an agreement to accept MasterCard PayPass, a new  quot;contactless quot; payment option utilizing radio frequency technology at select McDonald #39;s restaurants in the United States. Participating McDonald #39;s ...


Update 1: Vivendi, Messier Are Fined \$1.35 Million

Vivendi Universal and its former chief Jean-Marie Messier have each been fined 1 million euros (\$1.35 million) for misleading financial information issued by the company when Messier was in charge, Messier #39;s lawyer said Tuesday.


Tiffany sells stake in Aber Diamond, discount arrangement ends

TORONTO (CP) - US jewelry retailer Tiffany  amp; Co. has sold its nearly 14 per cent stake in Aber Diamond Corp., part owner of Canada #39;s second diamond mine, Diavik.


SEC Says Google IPO Document Effective

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange  Commission said on Wednesday that it declared effective Google  Inc.'s GOOG.O registration statement for its initial public  offering.


Australian City Agency Switches to Sun's StarOffice (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - In another blow to Microsoft, a government agency in New South Wales, Australia, signs a deal with Sun to migrate 1,500 users to the company's StarOffice productivity suite and Messaging products.


Automaker dumps Everest procurement system to revert to older technologies.


Briefly: Mozilla makes Japanese push

roundup Plus: Macromedia offers Flash video tool...UTStarcom wins Indian IP gear contract...Microsoft tightens Windows-mainframes link.


Pros point to flaws in Windows security update

German security company says it found minor problems in SP2; researchers predict more critical issues will emerge.


Sears launches consumer electronics line

Department store selling projection TVs via Web; will offer them in stores in the fall, with other devices to follow.


Wireless sensor networks looking to Zigbee Alliance

Imagine a golf course that can sense rainfall, and adjust the automatic sprinkler system to delay a scheduled watering session or focus on parts of the course that didn't get as much rain as others. Or a hotel that can detect when a room is vacant, and turn off the heating or cooling systems in that room to save energy.


Web Surfers Hit Higher Speeds

The majority of Internet users in the U.S. have ditched dial-up, survey says.


Microsoft Outlook Tool Launched by You Software

You Looking For Another Microsoft Outlook Tool\\Microsoft gobbled up Lookout the other week, an Outlook search tool, but You Software is introducing another option to finding one's way around Outlook - You Perform.\\With hundreds of millions of users around the world, Microsoft Outlook is the standard for business e-mail. One ...


Hamm Wins All-Around Gymnastics Title (AP)

AP - After falling onto the edge of the judges' table on the landing of his vault, Paul Hamm performed two of the most spectacular routines of his career to win the men's all-around gymnastics title by the closest Olympic margin ever.


Judge in Bryant Case Loosens Gag Order (AP)

AP - The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case has loosened a sweeping gag order after objections from prosecutors, news organizations and attorneys for the accuser.


Bulluck Picks Super Bowl Shot Over Cash (AP)

AP - Keith Bulluck knows his answer to the question of how much is enough. Coming off his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro season, the Tennessee linebacker could have played out the final year of his contract then become a free agent in search of more money. Instead, he signed a six-year,  #36;36 million contract in March and remained a Titan.


American Hamm Claims Men's Gymnastics All-Round Crown

ATHENS (Reuters) - Paul Hamm became the first American man  to claim the Olympic gymnastics men's all-round gold medal on  Wednesday.


UPDATE 1-Citigroup fined over risky fund recommendations

The brokerage watchdog NASD on Tuesday censured Citigroup Inc. (CN: Quote, Profile, Research) and fined the financial services company \$275,000 for violating rules regarding sales of risky investments.


UN food agency steps up Sudan aid as rainy season approaches (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - The United Nations' food relief agency is gearing up for a "critical stage" in feeding refugees in western Sudan as more people flee ethnic violence there and the rainy season peaks, UN officials said Wednesday.


Iraq Cleric Agrees End Uprising, Fighting Continues

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - A radical Iraqi cleric leading a  Shi'ite uprising agreed Wednesday to disarm his militia and  leave one of the country's holiest Islamic shrines after  warnings of an onslaught by government forces.


SA soldiers 'robbed immigrants'

Five soldiers appear in court in South Africa accused of robbing Zimbabwean deportees.


Israel 'hits' Gaza City targets

An Israeli helicopter fires two missiles at targets in Gaza City, Palestinian witnesses say.


Paul Hamm Wins All-Around Event

After falling on the landing of his vault, Paul Hamm put on two of the most spectacular routines of his career to win Olympic gold, the first ever by a U.S. man.


Al-Sadr OKs Plan to End Fighting in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr accepted a peace plan Wednesday for Najaf that would disarm his militiamen and remove them from a holy shrine where they are hiding out, according to a spokesman. However, Al-Sadr wanted to negotiate how the deal would be implemented...


SEC Gives Final Nod to Google's IPO

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Securities and Exchange Commission granted final approval Wednesday to the paperwork required for Google Inc.'s initial public offering, paving the way for the Internet search giant to set a price for its shares and begin selling them after several stumbles and a last-minute downward revision on the size of the offering...


Hamm Wins All-Around Gymnastics Title

ATHENS, Greece - After falling onto the edge of the judges' table on the landing of his vault, Paul Hamm performed two of the most spectacular routines of his career to win the men's all-around gymnastics title by the closest Olympic margin ever.    Needing a 9.825 on high bar, his best event, to tie Kim Dae-eun of South Korea for gold, Hamm was dazzling...


Colgate to Cut About 4,400 Jobs

Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL) will cut about 4,400 jobs and close a third of its factories under a program aimed at fighting rising costs and focusing on higher-profit areas such as oral care, the company said on Tuesday.


Lamy Strong Candidate for WTO Job-USTR

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. trade officials said on Tuesday  that former European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy would  be a "strong candidate" to lead the World Trade Organization,  but stopped short of formally endorsing him.


Stocks Close Higher, Dow Above 10,000

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday,  as investors shrugged off record crude oil prices and bought  beaten-down shares, pushing blue chips to close above 10,000  for the first time in 2 weeks.


CORRECTED: Charley Shows Progress, Pitfalls in Forecasting (Reuters)

Reuters - A few decades ago, the earliest warning\Floridians would have had of a hurricane would have been black\clouds on the horizon. Now people are complaining after\Hurricane Charley hit shore at a point just 60 miles off from\the track projected by meteorologists.


Oracle intros Business Intelligence 10g

Oracle today introduced the latest version of its Business Intelligence product which combines information access, analysis, reporting, data integration and management tools into a standalone application.


Mozilla Sparks New Fire with Thunderbird E-Mail Client

Thunderbird is touting its new features, like RSS news and blog reader integration into its e-mail client. Users can scan and sort through hundreds of headlines.


Sony Announces PS3 GPU

December 07, 2004 - In an announcement made around the midnight hour earlier this morning, Sony Computer Entertainment and NVIDIA Corporation jointly confirmed that they have teamed up to create the graphics chip for Sony #39;s next videogame console.


United, American OK flight caps to ease airport gridlock

CHICAGO : United Airlines and American Airlines have agreed to temporary flight caps at Chicago #39;s O #39;Hare International Airport to ease congestion at one of the world #39;s busiest hubs, federal officials said.


Stocks End Higher, Dow Back Above 10,000

NEW YORK (Reuters) - US stocks ended higher on Wednesday, as investors shrugged off record crude oil prices and bought beaten-down shares, pushing blue chips to close above 10,000 for the first time in 3 weeks.


Cause of shopping center fire in South Everett under investigation

EVERETT  Fire investigators are still trying to determine what caused a two-alarm that destroyed a portion of a South Everett shopping center this morning.


BigFix eases enterprise deployment of SP2

BigFix, an enterprise security vendor, announced yesterday that its BigFix Enterprise Suite  quot;supports and simplifies quot; the deployment of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).


Web Surfers Hit Higher Speeds

A majority of US home Internet users now have broadband, according to a survey by NetRatings. While the total number of home Internet users has reached a plateau in the US, those who do use the Internet are adopting broadband at a rapid pace, according to ...


Compuware Calls for IBM Oust

Lawyers for software vendor Compuware (Quote, Chart) filed a motion with a US District Court in Michigan asking a federal judge to impose sanctions against IBM for producing source code two years too late.


White House Touts High-End Computing In R amp;D Budgets

It #39;s instructing executive-branch heads to give priority to supercomputing and cyberinfrastructure research and development in their fiscal 2006 budgets.


Greek sprinters withdraw from Olympics

ATHENS -- The final curtain fell Wednesday on a week-long drama that has riveted this nation when Greece #39;s two top sprinters, swept up in a suspected doping scandal, withdrew from the Summer Olympics and competitions that might have ...


Olympics : Japan #39;s Kitajima completes breaststroke double

ATHENS : Kosuke Kitajima completed a sweep of Olympic breaststroke gold on Wednesday, capturing the 200m title in a Games record ahead of Hungarian teenager Daniel Gyurta.


Calls for Sadr militia to disarm

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq #39;s Defence Ministry has ordered Shi #39;ite militiamen in Najaf to immediately lay down their weapons and leave a holy shrine in the city.


More Georgian Soldiers Die in South Ossetia Clashes

Georgian officials reported four Georgian soldiers were killed in a heavy fighting, which erupted in the South Ossetian conflict zone late on August 18.


Riot in Salvadoran jail leaves 20 dead, 30 injured

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- A bloody riot Wednesday in the La Esperanza Jail, in Mariona, in the outskirts of San Salvador, left a toll of at least 20 dead and another 30 injured.


Intuit Posts Wider Loss After Charge

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intuit Inc. INTU.O, maker of  the No. 1 U.S. tax presentation software TurboTax, on Wednesday  posted a wider quarterly loss from a year earlier after taking  a goodwill impairment charge during its seasonally weaker  fourth quarter.


Software Vendor Lindows Postpones IPO (AP)

AP - Software vendor Lindows Inc. formally postponed its initial public offering Wednesday, citing adverse market conditions.


Spruced up 64-bit Windows beta ready

Microsoft on Wednesday made available the latest builds of its 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise, that each features a handful of new improvements including the Luna user interface, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player, infrastructure support for Bluetooth, and the .Net Framework 1.1.


Dollar Up a Bit Against Europe Currencies

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar was a little stronger  against the main European currencies but weaker against the yen  on Wednesday, with the Japanese currency rallying across the  board as dealers adjusted positions.


Google Faces Another Keyword Lawsuit

Google Faces Another Keyword Lawsuit\\Another lawsuit has been filed against Google because of the trademarked keyterms that companies bid for in the AdWords keyword advertising program.  Next week Google will head over to a German courtroom where it will continue to defend its technology against Metaspinner Media GmbH.\


Ogunleye Remains Idled in Contract Talks (AP)

AP - Idled by a stalemate in contract negotiations, Pro Bowl defensive end Adewale Ogunleye can only wonder where he'll be come September.


Portugal Suffers Humiliating Athens Exit in Soccer

ATHENS (Reuters) - Portugal were bundled out of the men's  soccer tournament at the Athens Olympics on Wednesday after a  humiliating 4-2 defeat by Costa Rica.


Iraq Cleric Agrees to End Uprising, Fighting Rages On

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - A radical Iraqi cleric leading a  Shi'ite uprising agreed on Wednesday to disarm his militia and  leave one of the country's holiest Islamic shrines after  warnings of an onslaught by government forces.


Argentina to tackle tax 'evaders'

The government of Buenos Aires, the richest province of Argentina, says it wants to seize the safety deposit boxes of 35,000 alleged tax debtors.


SEC Gives Final Nod to Google #39;s IPO

SAN JOSE, Calif. Aug. 18, 2004  The Securities and Exchange Commission granted final approval Wednesday to the paperwork required for Google Inc. #39;s initial public offering, paving the way for the Internet search giant to set a price for its shares and ...


O #39;Hare Set to Lose 37 Daily Arrivals

Federal officials announced an agreement Wednesday to ease congestion at O #39;Hare International Airport by temporarily cutting 37 daily peak-hour arrivals by United Airlines and American Airlines, its two largest carriers.


Moody #39;s raises Dell #39;s senior unsecured debt rating

NEW YORK, Aug 18 - Moody #39;s Investors Service said on Wednesday it raised the senior unsecured debt rating of Dell Inc. (DELL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) with a stable outlook citing the firm #39;s strong balance sheet and solid operating and financial ...


Roddick, Williams lose in third round

Maybe all that talk from Andy Roddick and Venus Williams about taking the Olympics as seriously as a Grand Slam was just that: talk.


Hamm stumbles, then soars to gold

ATHENS, Greece -- Paul Hamm overcame a fall on the vault to become the first American to win an Olympics men #39;s all-round gymnastics gold medal.


Aussie equestrian hopes end in sixth

Australia #39;s dreams of an historic fourth successive three-day eventing gold medal ended in disappointment but there was still joy for the team when Andrew Hoy #39;s wife won dual gold medals.


Arafat #39;s familiar words must lead to unfamiliar actions

If there are any democratic  quot;T #39;s quot; to be crossed and  quot;I #39;s quot; to be dotted, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat did not leave one undone during his keynote speech to MPs at his West Bank headquarters in Ramallah. Arafat looked rejuvenated and emphatic as he ...


Salvadoran Prison Riot Kills at Least 20 Prisoners, EFE Reports

August 18 (Bloomberg) -- A prison riot in the Central American nation of El Salvador killed at least 20 prisoners and wounded another 30, the Spanish news agency EFE reported, citing prosecutors.


PM denies misleading public

PRIME Minister John Howard is insisting he has not deliberately misled the Australian public over the children overboard affair.


Southern Africa: Zim Election Group Welcomes SADC Guidelines

The Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) has welcomed the adoption of guidelines for holding democratic elections at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Mauritius this week.


Vivendi, Messier Each Fined EU1 Million by French Regulator

Jean-Marie Messier, the former chief of Vivendi Universal SA who is under investigation for alleged fraud and stock manipulation, was fined 1 million euros (\$1.3 million) by French regulator Autoritee des Marches Financiers.


Lenovo may be in acquisition talks with IBM

HONG KONG - China #39;s biggest computer maker said Tuesday it is in acquisition talks with a major international technology company, a disclosure which comes amid reports it might buy IBM Corp.


Google Slashes IPO, Gets Pricing Go-Ahead

NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc. GOOG.OQ on  Wednesday got the green light to go ahead with a downsized  version of its much-hyped initial public offering, meaning its  shares could debut on Nasdaq as soon as Thursday.


Product Review: Business PC Roundup - Part 2 (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Over the last several weeks, NewsFactor has looked at ten of the market's best-known and most sought-after business computers. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. The difficult part is finding the one that strikes the best balance between merits and flaws.


Analyst: CRM Mergers and Acquisitions Picking Up (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Most industry observers agree that the CRM-software market is picking up speed this year and will continue to do so next year. And most also agree that venture capitalists have been waiting for several years to make their next moves regarding the startups they have backed through the thin years.


Vitamin E Thwarts Colds in the Elderly

By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter    HealthDayNews -- Nursing home residents who take daily doses of vitamin E appear to be less likely to develop certain respiratory infections, a new study finds.    The protective effect was most pronounced with upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold...


Ford kills 'Everest' procurement software system

Ford Motor Co. has decided to stop work on a major procurement software system built around Oracle's 11i E-Business Suite of apps and plans to move back toward its original custom-written, mainframe-based applications.


NetRatings survey shows broadband users now a majority in U.S.

There were an estimated 63 million broadband users, or 51 of all home Internet users, last month compared with 61.3 million dial-up users, 49 of the total, according to a survey by NetRatings Inc.


Brief: FedEx Kinko's launches Internet-based print options

FedEx Kinko's yesterday launched a Web-based tool geared toward mobile professionals and small businesses that allows Microsoft Windows users to connect to FedEx Kinko's printing centers.


Sun postpones September user show

In a bid to save money, Sun Microsystems is postponing its SunNetwork 2004 San Francisco user conference and may merge the event with its JavaOne 2005 developer conference, set for next June.


Researchers find holes in XP SP2

Security researchers found two software flaws in the Windows XP Service Pack 2 that could allow virus writers and malicious hackers to sidestep new security features in the operating system.


HP pledges to correct order processing problems

At HP World this week, company officials scrambled to reassure customers that it is working hard to fix its order processing problems by the end of this month.


Catching 'gotchas' in tech contracts

IT managers and contract specialists often fail to include important criteria in final tech deals, such as performance promises made by vendors during the request for proposals process, said negotiation experts at an IBM Share conference.


Netscape 7.2 released

Netscape Communications yesterday released Netscape 7.2, which is based on Version 1.7 of Mozilla, the most recent version of the Mozilla Internet application suite.


Brief: SAP users warned of false support calls

SAP AG is warning customers not to provide confidential information on the phone to people claiming to be company support staff.


Review: Robovacs No Match for Normal Vacuum Cleaners

By MARK JEWELL     BOSTON (AP) -- A new generation of robotic vacuums is ready to do battle with dirt, dust and dog hair with more cleaning power and cunning than their ancestors could muster.     Faced with the usual obstacles - furniture, stairs, low-hanging bed skirts and stray socks - they intelligently and acrobatically extricate themselves from most tight spots and largely avoid getting stuck or sucking in what they shouldn't...


Sharon's Likud Rejects Coalition Bid--First Returns (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel\Sharon's right-wing Likud party voted Wednesday to bar a\coalition with center-left Labor that he seeks to advance his\Gaza withdrawal plan, according to early returns.


UN Concerned by Lack of Darfur Progress on Ground (Reuters)

Reuters - The United Nations said on\Wednesday it was concerned by Sudan's lack of progress in\bringing security to Darfur, where more than a million people\have fled their homes for fear of militia attack.


Sharon's Likud Rejects Coalition Bid--First Returns

TEL AVIV, Israel (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel  Sharon's right-wing Likud party voted Wednesday to bar a  coalition with center-left Labor that he seeks to advance his  Gaza withdrawal plan, according to early returns.


Medtronic Quarterly Net Up (Reuters)

Reuters - Medtronic Inc. (MDT.N) on Wednesday\said its quarterly earnings rose on brisk demand for devices\that manage irregular heart beats and products used to treat\the spine.


Google Says IPO Auction Has Closed

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc. said on Wednesday that the  auction has closed for its initial public offering.


Bloom Will Appeal Latest NCAA Rebuff (AP)

AP - Colorado wide receiver Jeremy Bloom decided Wednesday to keep fighting the NCAA for the right to accept commercial ski endorsements while playing college football.


U.S. Forces Kill 50 Sadr Militia in Baghdad Suburb (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. forces killed more than 50 Shi'ite\militiamen Wednesday in a significant advance into a Baghdad\suburb that is a powerbase for radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr,\the military said.


Besieging holy sites: past lessons

The standoff at one of Islam's holiest shrines parallels one at the Church of the Nativity in 2002.


British say US gave terror suspects a heads up

Eight alleged terrorists were charged in Britain this week. One was caught with detailed plans of several US buildings.


IPO Quiet Period Needs  #39;Good, Hard Look #39; -SEC Chief

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The rules on what executives may and may not say during the run-up to launching a company onto the public markets need a  quot;good, hard look, quot; the top US securities regulator said on Wednesday.


Crude oil crosses the \$47 per barrel mark

NEW YORK, August 18 (New Ratings)  Crude oil prices reached new record high levels today, following the US Energy Department report regarding the expanded operations by the US refineries and increased gasoline demand for this year.


Fleet Bank to lay off workers

Hundreds of branch employees at Fleet Bank, one of the largest banks in Philadelphia and now part of Bank of America, are being laid off Wednesday across the Northeast.


Intuit Posts Wider Loss After Charge

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intuit Inc. (INTU.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , maker of the No. 1 US tax presentation software TurboTax, on Wednesday posted a wider quarterly loss from a year earlier after taking a goodwill impairment charge during its ...


Google Gets the Green Light, Markets Perk Up

The SEC hurdle had been closely watched after Google made some missteps after announcing its intention to go public, including possibly violating the quiet period regulations. At the market close, the Dow had climbed 110.32 ...


Parmalat sues former auditors for at least \$10 bn

LONDON, August 18 (New Ratings)  The insolvent Italian dairy food product company, Parmalat Finanziaria SpA (PAF.FSE), filed a lawsuit against its former auditors, Deloitte  amp; Touche and Grant Thornton, today, seeking damages of at least \$10 billion.


Mexican Volkswagen Workers Strike Over Wage Increase

Volkswagen workers in Mexico have gone on strike after rejecting a wage increase offered by company management.


Synovis shares tumble as profit, revenue fall

CHICAGO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Shares of Synovis Life Technologies Inc.(SYNO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) tumbled 13 percent on Wednesday after the company reported a drop in quarterly net income and withdrew its annual and fourth-quarter outlook, citing ...


Windows XP SP2 Firewall

Last week Microsoft finally released the much-anticipated Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP. This update represents a fundamental change in many aspects of Windows XP security and could reasonably be called the next release of Windows XP as much as a ...


Ford kills  #39;Everest #39; procurement software system

AUGUST 18, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Despite four years in production and an investment of millions of dollars, Ford Motor Co. is pulling the plug on a major procurement software system built around Oracle Corp. #39;s 11i E-Business Suite of applications.


Scientists Fear Malaysian Sea Turtles Threatened

Scientists warn that the Malaysian populations of several species of sea turtles are on the brink of collapse and could disappear without urgent action to eliminate poaching and other dangers.


Hamm Becomes First US Gymnast to Win All-Round Olympic Title

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Paul Hamm out-scored South Korean Kim Dae Eun in the final exercise to become the first US gymnast to win the all-round men #39;s title at an Olympic Games.


Return to Olympia worth long wait

OLYMPIA  Amid the olive trees and just past the ancient ruins, on a hillside bathed in an unrelenting Mediterranean sun, 15,000 spectators from around the world converged on this little town to watch 12 men and 12 women compete in the shot put at the ...


Day 5 of Olympics Brings Gold for Some, Major Upsets for Others

A total of 21 gold medals will be awarded on Wednesday at the Athens Olympics. Day five medals already awarded include archery, boating and shooting events, as well as judo, cycling, and weightlifting.


Radical Shiite Cleric  #39;Accepts Peace Plan #39;

If the agreement is fulfilled  and al-Sadr has made contradictory statements in the past  it would resolve a crisis that had angered many of Iraq #39;s majority Shiites and threatened to undermine the fledgling interim government of Prime Minister ...


#39;9-11 helper driven by anti-Israeli beliefs #39;

A Moroccan accused of helping the Sept. 11 suicide hijackers was part of a group that raged against the United States  quot;because it defends Israel quot; and himself approved of Hitler #39;s extermination of the Jews, witnesses testified Wednesday.


IBM: Do We Have a Deal?

Speculation spreads that China's biggest computer maker will buy IBM's PC business. Also:  Clinton attends launch of Chinese search engine powered by AI   hellip;.  A new DVD can play on old and new HD technology   hellip;. and more.


Oil Falls to 3-Month Low on Mild Weather

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell more than a dollar to a  three-month low on Tuesday as mild winter weather sapped demand  in the heavy energy consuming U.S. northeast.


Wal-Mart does the notebook price limbo

The retailer trots out a portable PC for less than \$600. Is it getting ready for a laptop push for the holidays?


American Hamm Claims Men's Gymnastics All-Round Crown

ATHENS (Reuters) - Paul Hamm etched his name into the  record books as he became the first American man to win the  Olympic gymnastics all-round crown Wednesday.


Egypt eyes possible return of ambassador to Israel

CAIRO - Egypt raised the possibility Tuesday of returning an ambassador to Israel soon, according to the official Mena news agency, a move that would signal a revival of full diplomatic ties after a four-year break.


Woods' Top Ranking on Line at NEC Invite (AP)

AP - Tiger Woods already lost out on the majors. Next up could be his No. 1 ranking.


Nvidia To Power Next-Gen Sony Console

Nvidia Corp. and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) said Tuesday that the two companies are working together to deveop a graphics subsystem for Sony #39;s next-generation video-game console.


Mozilla Thunderbird Reaches 1.0

An anonymous reader writes  quot;Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0 is now available for download on Mozilla #39;s FTP server. quot; Here is the press release announcing the release.


NASA Seeks Methods to Repair Shuttles in Flight

NASA is hoping techniques that would enable a crew to repair damages to a space shuttle in flight will be ready for the shuttle #39;s planned May 2005 return to space, officials with the agency said on Monday.


Trend Micro offers cellphone, PDA security

CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 7 - Trend Micro has announced the availability of Trend Micro Mobile Security, providing antivirus and anti-spam protection for SMS messaging customers using data-centric mobile phones and PDAs.


Regulators clear Google flotation

US regulators approve documents relating to Google's flotation, clearing the way for its market debut.


Mexican car workers stage walkout

Workers at a Volkswagen factory in Mexico, which manufactures VW's New Beetle model, have gone on strike over pay.


Heavy rains force another helicopter rescue operation in Britain (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - LONDON (AP) - More than 50 people were rescued by a naval helicopter Wednesday after two landslides caused by heavy rain trapped their vehicles on a highway in Scotland, police said.


Sharon's Party Bars Bid for Coalition on Gaza Plan

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's  Likud party voted on Wednesday to bar him from forming a  coalition with the Labour opposition, an embarrassing blow that  complicates his plan to withdraw from occupied Gaza.


Update 1: Sprint Signs \$3 Billion Wireless Pacts

Sprint Corp. said Tuesday it reached multi-year agreements totaling \$3 billion with Lucent Technologies Inc., Motorola Inc. and Nortel Networks Corp.


Group: Hurricane may cost insurers \$7.4B

NEW YORK -- Hurricane Charley will likely cost insurers at least \$7.4 billion, according to the Insurance Institute, an industry trade group that based its estimate on initial claims data from Florida residents and businesses.


Medtronic Quarterly Net Up

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Medtronic Inc. (MDT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said its quarterly earnings rose on brisk demand for devices that manage irregular heart beats and products used to treat the spine.


Viagra introduces its latest celebrity backer: the devil

Gone are the days when coyness ruled the marketing of the drug that helps the condition that men find hard to talk about. In a Madison Avenue dream situation, Viagra is facing some stiff competition in a three-way battle for ...


LA parking company lands contract renewal with ABIA

Los Angeles-based Ampco System Parking has received a multi-year contract renewal with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.


Our most vulnerable citizens don #39;t belong in hurricane danger zones

HILTON HEAD, SC  Hurricane Charley demonstrated last weekend why some of the nation #39;s most vulnerable folk - the ill, the disabled, and the frail elderly - should think twice before taking up residence in the most dangerous parts of ...


US Cyclists Capture Three Medals

ATHENS, Greece - Tyler Hamilton #39;s greatest ride capped the finest Olympic day for US cycling, which won three of the six medals awarded in Wednesday #39;s road time trials - surpassing its two total road medals won since the 1984 Games in Los ...


American Hamm Claims Men #39;s Gymnastics All-Round Crown

ATHENS (Reuters) - Paul Hamm etched his name into the record books as he became the first American man to win the Olympic gymnastics all-round crown Wednesday.


Cooke Vows to Learn Athens Lesson

Nicole Cooke could ride in four or more Olympics but the pain of her first will always be with her. After finishing just outside the medal placings in Sunday #39;s road race, the Welsh cyclist put herself through another half-hour of sun-baked agony in the ...


US Women Shatter Olympic 800-Meter Freestyle Relay Record

The United States has shattered a 17-year-old world record in the women #39;s Olympic 800-meter freestyle relay.


Reid opens his Ireland account

Wanted man Andy Reid did his market value no harm by grabbing his first Republic of Ireland goal against Bulgaria at Lansdowne Road tonight.


Sadr agrees to lay down arms

Iraq #39;s rebel Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr accepted a peace plan to lay down arms and join a Baghdad conference forming an interim national assembly.


Karzai Sworn in as Afghanistan's President

KABUL (Reuters) - Hamid Karzai was sworn in as  Afghanistan's first popularly elected president Tuesday,  promising to bring peace to the war-torn nation and end the  economy's dependence on narcotics.


Soldier, 4 Militants Die in Renewed Gaza Fighting

GAZA (Reuters) - Four Palestinian militants and an Israeli  soldier were killed Tuesday in the heaviest Gaza fighting since  Yasser Arafat's death, raising the prospect that renewed  violence could complicate a vote for his successor.


Ukraine in Turmoil as Agreement Crumbles

KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine's outgoing leader denied  on Tuesday he had agreed on concessions with his opponents to  end a crisis that has plunged the country into turmoil and  driven a wedge between Russia and the West.


After Bell: Synopsys Falls, CACI Gains

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Synopsys Inc. SNPS.O  tumbled on Wednesday after the semiconductor design software  maker reported lower third-quarter net income and said  fourth-quarter earnings and revenues would be below Wall Street  estimates.


U.S. Treasury Debt Prices Drop

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt prices dropped on  Wednesday as the market succumbed to profit-taking after  racking up sizable gains over the past month.


Intuit Posts Wider Loss on Acquisitions (AP)

AP - Intuit Inc., the maker of TurboTax tax-preparation software and QuickBooks accounting programs, posted a wider loss in its latest quarter on acquisition-related expenses.


US deaths in combat near 1,000, Iraqi PM meets Putin

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The number of US soldiers killed in combat in Iraq neared 1,000 after a spike in violence, as Prime Minister Iyad Allawi prepared for talks in Moscow aimed at reviving business ties despite Russia #39;s opposition to the US-led war.


Samsung network aims to keep Olympics on track

Cell phones and special network let officials, reporters access info on event results, medal counts, event cancellations and the like.


Wal-Mart offers sub-\$600 notebook

The retailer trots out a bargain portable PC that packs Wi-Fi. Is it getting ready for a laptop push for the holidays?


Google gets IPO green light from SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday gave its approval for Google to proceed with its initial public offering (IPO).


FBI Expects Violence at GOP Convention (AP)

AP - The FBI anticipates violent protests at the upcoming Republican National Convention in New York but does not have enough evidence to move against any group or person, the bureau's top terrorism official said Wednesday.


Army Deserter to Move to Japan

Former US army sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins, who deserted to North Korea (news - web sites) four decades ago, said he decided to turn himself in to the US military and risk jail for the sake of his North Korean-born daughters, whom he feared might be


Finnish teenagers come top again in school skills

Finland has kept its place at the top of a survey measuring teenagers #39; educational skills, with schools in some Asian countries also among the best performers.


Temporary Flight Caps Are Just That

quot;We #39;ve worked hard to balance the need to provide vibrant air service and grow the economy with the need to clear the skies over O #39;Hare, quot; said Mineta.  quot;The process worked, yielding substantial reductions that will produce results for the ...


How Redmond Won Newham

Microsoft chalked up a couple of government contract wins in the UK this week. But while Redmond touts total cost of ownership studies (TCO), an open source consultant says the numbers don #39;t add up.


Spruced up 64-bit Windows beta ready

Microsoft on Wednesday made available the latest builds of its 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise, that each features a handful of new improvements including the Luna user interface, Windows Messenger, Windows ...


Kuranyi gives Klinsmann debut win

VIENNA, Austria -- Kevin Kuranyi scored a hat-trick as Germany began life under new coach Juergen Klinsmann with a 3-1 win in a friendly against Austria.


Hungary defeats Scotland

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) - Szabolcs Huszti scored two goals as Hungary defeated Scotland 3-0 on Wednesday in an international friendly.


Sadr agrees to end Najaf crisis

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - A radical Iraqi cleric leading a Shi #39;ite uprising has agreed to disarm his militia and leave one of the country #39;s holiest Islamic shrines after warnings of an onslaught by government forces.


The Olympics - weapon of mass distraction

As Australians watch their country #39;s flag being raised yet again in Athens, it can be imagined that no one is more pleased, nor more relieved, than Prime Minister John Howard, writes The Dominion Post in an editorial.


Japan Greets U.S. Army Deserter Jenkins (AP)

AP - A North Carolina man who deserted the U.S. Army for North Korea nearly 40 years ago was greeted by cheering crowds Tuesday in his wife's hometown on a remote island in northern Japan, where he said he plans to live his "remaining days."


Scottish landslides trap up more than 50 people (AFP)

AFP - More than 50 people were airlifted to safety after landslides caused by violent rain trapped cars on a road in Scotland, just days after flash floods devastated a tourist village in southwest England.


NewsView: Mosque Adds Problems for U.S. (AP)

AP - The Bush administration is supporting the Iraqi government as it uses diplomacy and the threat of force to oust radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia from a holy shrine in Najaf. At the same time, it is trying to steer clear of becoming the target of an angry Muslim world.


After the Bell: Shares of Synopsys Tumble

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Synopsys Inc. SNPS.O  tumbled on Wednesday after the semiconductor design software  maker reported lower third-quarter net income and said  fourth-quarter earnings and revenues would be below Wall Street  estimates.


Earl Snyder Called Up to Help Red Sox (AP)

AP - Earl Snyder grew up rooting for Red Sox outfielder Ellis Burks. Now he's sitting next to him.


U.S.: Al-Sadr Withdrawal Would Be Welcome (AP)

AP - The Bush administration reacted suspiciously Wednesday to reports that the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had accepted a peace plan to end fighting in Najaf.


'Potential Development' in Peterson Case

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - In a surprise move Wednesday, the judge in Scott Peterson's murder trial postponed the cross-examination of Peterson's former mistress and sent the jury home early because of a "potential development."   Judge Alfred A...


Stocks Close Higher Ahead of Google IPO

NEW YORK - Investors shrugged off rising crude futures Wednesday to capture attractively valued shares, sending the Nasdaq composite index up 2 percent ahead of Google Inc.'s much-anticipated initial public offering of stock. The Dow Jones industrial average rose more than 110 points...


Groups Try to Aid Elderly Charley Victims

SARASOTA, Fla. - The devastation brought on by Hurricane Charley has been especially painful for an elderly population that is among the largest in the nation...


Radical Cleric Accepts Najaf Peace Plan

NAJAF, Iraq - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr accepted a peace plan Wednesday that would disarm his militia and remove them from their hideout in a revered shrine, raising hopes of resolving a crisis that has angered many of Iraq's majority Shiites and threatened to undermine the fledgling interim government.    But al-Sadr has made contradictory statements in the past, and aides to the cleric said he still wanted to negotiate details of the deal to end two weeks of fighting between his forces and U.S.-led troops...


Hamm Wins All-Around Gymnastics Title

ATHENS, Greece - With his medal hopes all but gone after he hit the judges' table on his vault landing, Paul Hamm performed two of the most spectacular routines of his career to win the men's all-around gymnastics title by the closest Olympics margin ever.   "I'm happy right now...


Wen Ho Lee Reporters Held in Contempt

WASHINGTON - A federal judge held five reporters in contempt Wednesday for refusing to identify their sources for stories about Wen Ho Lee, a former nuclear weapons scientist once suspected of spying.    U.S...


Egypt announces 'breakthrough' on Mideast peace (AFP)

AFP - Key players in the search for Middle East peace have reached understanding on a plan that could lead to a comprehensive settlement.


MLB, players #39; union engage in steroid talks

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Major League Baseball players and owners are currently meeting to hammer out a deal that would toughen rules on steroid testing in baseball.


NVidia to power Sony #39;s Playstation 3

Sony and nVidia are to co-develop a graphics engine to power graphics cards and entertainment consoles. The chip will be used in nVidia #39;s GeForce cards which will power forthcoming consumer devices from Sony


Oracle Unveils Standalone Business Intelligence Product

Oracle Corp. on Monday introduced a standalone business intelligence product that #39;s designed to address a large portion of an enterprise #39;s analytical requirements, including information access


Reading Feeds With Thunderbird

The Mozilla Foundation today officially launched the Thunderbird email program - a companion to the Firefox Web browser. If you #39;re on a POP3 or IMAP email server, check out Thunderbird.


Weak demand behind Google price cut

news analysis Google #39;s decision to cut back its public offering by as much as 30 percent represents a stinging rebuke for a deal once heralded as a surefire windfall not only for the company but the technology industry at large.