Exporters Lead Nikkei Up, Trade Slow

The Nikkei average was up 0.37 percent in mid-morning trade on Thursday as a recovery in the dollar helped auto makers among other exporters, but trade was slow as investors waited for important Japanese economic data.


French Citizens Flee Ivory Coast Violence (Reuters)

Reuters - Hundreds of French citizens fled their\former colony Ivory Coast on Wednesday after days of\anti-French riots and looting in a country once seen as a model\for Africa of post-independence prosperity.


Bush Administration Divide Re-Emerges Over N. Korea (Reuters)

Reuters - As President Bush prepares for a\second term, hard-liners are pressing once again for a more\coercive approach if six-party talks make no progress on\resolving the North Korea nuclear issue.


Vodafone Unveils High-Speed Net Services (AP)

AP - Vodafone Group PLC launched high-speed Internet services for mobile phones across much of Europe on Wednesday, ending a wait of several years since the world's biggest cell phone company spent billions for new wireless licenses at the height of the technology bubble.


Federer Drawn with Hewitt, Roddick Up Against Safin

World number one and defending champion Roger Federer of Switzerland was grouped with Australia #39;s Lleyton Hewitt in the draw on Wednesday for the season-ending ATP Tennis Masters Cup.


Medvedenko returns for Lakers

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Los Angeles Lakers activated fifth-year veteran Slava Medvedenko from the injured list for Wednesday #39;s game at Memphis.


Motorola to Introduce 20 New Cell Phones (AP)

AP - Motorola Inc., which is introducing 20 new cell phones as it tries to avoid slipping to No. 3 in the market, signaled its confidence Wednesday for strong holiday sales and said there are no further product delays in sight.


Burial preparations in Ramallah underway

Yasser Arafat, who suffered a brain haemorrhage at a Paris hospital, was in a deep coma, when a top Muslim cleric has rushed to his bedside.


UN staff, foreigners to be evacuated from Ivory Coast

France will begin evacuating its nationals and other Europeans from Ivory Coast starting Wednesday, the spokesman of French forces in the troubled west African country said.


Reebok Unveils High-Tech Sneaker Pump 2.0 (AP)

AP - Hoping to build on the success of a shoe that generated big sales but also was ridiculed when it was introduced 15 years ago, Reebok Inc. on Wednesday rolled out a next- generation high-tech sneaker with a name that takes a cue from computer software launches: the Pump 2.0.


Dutch Forces Nab 2 Suspects in Standoff (AP)

AP - Special forces overpowered two suspected Islamic extremists Wednesday after a 15-hour armed standoff, adding to Dutch concerns that global terrorism has spread into their corner of Europe.


Stage set for Miss World showdown

The 2004 Miss World is about to be chosen - and for the first time TV audiences will be taking part. They can vote for their favourite beauties by phone, SMS text messaging, TV remote control and online.


Judge Reduces Jail Time for Calderon (AP)

AP - A judge on Wednesday reduced the time former President Rafael Angel Calderon must spend in jail while being investigated on corruption charges.


Fox to Offer Cell Phone Version of '24' TV Show (Reuters)

Reuters - Fox Entertainment Group Inc. will\bring a spinoff of its hit television series "24" to cell\phones next year in a tie-up with mobile phone carrier Vodafone\Group Plc, Fox said on Wednesday.


Fox to Create Series for Wireless Phones (AP)

AP - The Twentieth Century Fox studio, a veteran of the big screen and the TV screen, is about to break into an entirely new realm: the really little screen, the kind that comes on a cell phone.


Annan: East Timor Mission Should Continue (AP)

AP - Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday recommended against reducing the U.N. mission in East Timor in its final six months, saying the new nation hasn't reached "the critical threshold of self-sufficiency."


Sun talks up Java advances (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - SANTA CLARA, CALIF. -- Simplifying Java programming is on the minds of Java development executives at Sun, but making the language available via an open source format remains off the table, according to executives at a Sun  #8220;Chalk Talk #8221; session here on Wednesday.


PeopleSoft Board KOs Oracle Takeover Bid (AP)

AP - PeopleSoft Inc.'s board of directors rejected Oracle Corp.'s  #36;9.2 billion takeover bid Wednesday and vowed to continue its staunch resistance even if a majority of the business software maker's shareholders decide to accept the offer.


PeopleSoft board gives thumbs down to Oracle's offer (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - PeopleSoft's Board of Directors voted Wednesday to recommend that its stockholders reject Oracle's takeover offer of  #36;24 per share. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison quickly responded, saying the offer is final and that it is now up to PeopleSoft's shareholders to make a determination.


Bush Names Gonzales to Succeed Ashcroft (AP)

AP - President Bush on Wednesday nominated White House counsel Alberto Gonzales, who helped shape the administration's controversial legal strategy in the war on terror, to be attorney general. He would be the first Hispanic to serve as the nation's top law enforcement officer.


Bush Moves to Privatize Social Security (AP)

AP - Fresh from re-election, President Bush is dusting off an ambitious proposal to overhaul Social Security, a controversial idea that had been shelved because of politics and the administration's focus on tax cuts and terrorism.


Woes of Warming Arctic to Echo Worldwide Via Birds (Reuters)

Reuters - The decline of migratory birds due to\an accelerating Arctic thaw may also disrupt the delicate\ecosystems of their far-flung winter homes from Africa to South\America, experts said on Wednesday.


FEC Union Election Spending Probe Sought (AP)

AP - An anti-union group is urging the Federal Election Commission to investigate one of the largest unions in the country, claiming the Service Employees International Union unlawfully spent workers' dues to elect Democrats in last week's election.


Rare Okapi Calf Doing Well at Mo. Zoo (AP)

AP - A rare okapi  #151; something of a cross between a giraffe and a zebra  #151; born at the St. Louis Zoo this summer is doing well despite a shaky relationship with its mother, zoo officials said Wednesday.


La. Reports First Cases of Soybean Rust (AP)

AP - The first U.S. cases of the fungus soybean rust, which hinders plant growth and drastically cuts crop production, were found at two research sites in Louisiana, officials said Wednesday.


Bush Nominates His Top Counsel for Justice Post

President Bush said that Alberto R.Gonzales had been "a calm and steady voice at times of crisis" as his White House counsel.


Assault Slows, but G.I.'s Take Half of Falluja

Also, insurgents kidnapped three relatives of the Iraqi prime minister, Ayad Allawi, from their home in Baghdad.


Foreign-student enrollment declines

Engineering is among graduate fields with decline in new enrollment, a trend raising questions about U.S. tech leadership.


Nikkei Edges Up Before Machinery Data

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average was up 0.34 percent by  midsession on Thursday as buyers went after companies with  solid earnings prospects such as Furukawa Electric Co. and  Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd., while the dollar's recovery helped  auto makers.


Vodafone calling - with fun and games

Vodafone finally took the wraps off its 3G services yesterday, just in time for Christmas. It vowed to attract 10 million customers across 12 European countries and Japan to the new technology with a mixture


NAB turnaround to take time

National Australia Bank, despite reporting a healthy operating profit for its wealth management business, has ended an otherwise tough year on a bad note after today reporting a significant fall in cash earnings for 2004.


Stewart bills her company for \$3.7m of defence costs

Shareholders in Martha Stewart #39;s company have already paid heavily for the businesswoman #39;s personal woes. Now she is coming back for more.


US online gambling ban is unfair

The US government #39;s ban on cross-border gambling is an unfair trade barrier against the island nation of Antigua, the World Trade Organization said.


Delta to cut 7,000 jobs by 2006

Delta Air Lines yesterday announced plans to cut up to 6,900 jobs over the next 18 months as it struggles to avoid bankruptcy. The airline is in the midst of a restructuring designed to cut \$5bn (2.


New Zealand Unemployment Rate Declines

New Zealand #39;s unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in the three months to Sept. 30, the second lowest rate in the industrialized world and the country #39;s lowest level in at least 18 years.


OFT says MasterCard overcharges retailers

Retailers and their customers face unduly high fees when using MasterCards, the Office of Fair Trading said yesterday in its latest provisional findings into the way card charges are set.


New legume disease discovered in the US

United States authorities have confirmed they #39;ve found a new legume disease for the first time. Asian soybean rust has been confirmed in two plots at a research station in Louisiana.


Coca-Cola Amatil Shares Halted Amid Transaction Talks (Update2)

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd., Australia #39;s biggest soft drink maker, had its stock halted from trading, after the Australian Financial Review reported it may bid A\$480 million (\$365 million) for fruit canner SPC Ardmona Ltd.


More Skype add-ons showing up on the Internet

Siemens has announced a USB dongle that connects Skype users to a cordless phone. But it only works with Siemens #39; own handsets.


Google Gives Gmail POP3 Support, Plans Antivirus

Google will gradually roll out POP3 (Post Office Protocol) support over the coming weeks to users of its Gmail service, allowing them to use the feature to download e-mail messages from Gmail servers to e-mail applications on devices such as PCs and


Athletics: Young handed life ban

The US anti-doping agency banned the sprinter Jerome Young for life yesterday after the world 400-metre champion #39;s second positive test for an illegal steroid.


Battle of Old Trafford resumed

Premiership adversaries Manchester United and Arsenal will have another chance to do battle at Old Trafford after last night #39;s League Cup quarter-final draw brought the teams together again.


Magical Evening For the Wizards

and that was before Larry Hughes gave an announced crowd of 15,042 at MCI Center good reason to go crazy.


A land brought low

Cold-blooded murder in broad daylight, exchanges of fire with terrorists, tit-for-tat attacks on mosques and churches - hardly the sort of news associated with the tolerant, civic-minded Dutch, happy people of a wealthy, stable country.


Yusuf Islam awarded peace prize

The singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, branded by the US as a potential terrorist risk, was awarded a peace prize in Rome yesterday for his humanitarian work.


Search underway for resort dingo

Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers have begun searching for the dingo that entered a resort room on Fraser Island in the state #39;s south-east and approached a baby lying on a bed.


20 terrorist gangs busted: Sherpao

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Law-enforcement agencies of the country in their war on terror have busted 20 gangs of terrorists and arrested 200 terrorists who were operating countrywide, said Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao.


Finally, the Knicks Waive Anderson

Shandon Anderson got his freedom yesterday, and the Knicks got some roster flexibility.


Chile Issues Report on Pinochet Torture

Chile took a key step Wednesday toward confronting the grim legacy of abuses under the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, completing a lengthy report on torture and political imprisonment with testimonies from some 35,000 victims.


Colombian Government Removes Army Chief

The head of the Colombian army was dismissed Wednesday with no explanation just short of a year in the post.


Tupa Is a Key Cog

Punter Tom Tupa has emerged as one of Washington's most valuable players, and has played well enough for Pro Bowl consideration.


Bowden Begins Work

Jim Bowden, general manager of the franchise scheduled to move to Washington next spring, said he is exploring trades for players.


Cavs Big Men Move

The manner in which the Cavaliers pull their offensive linemen has been a key to their ground attack's success this season.


No Free Passes

With three teams in the preseason top four and six in the top 25, the ACC is loaded this year. However, it is the preseason, and nothing is certain in college basketball.


Dolphins Dump Edwards

The Dolphins terminated the contract of starting safety Antuan Edwards on Wednesday.


Sixers Outgun Nets in Overtime, 108-100 (AP)

AP - Allen Iverson hit the tying jumper with 7.2 seconds left in regulation and Corliss Williamson scored seven of his 15 points in overtime to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-100 win over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night.


Replay in Play

Baseball will put instant replay on the agenda for Thursday at the GM meetings and there seems to be growing support among teams.


UCLA Guard Bozeman Undergoes Knee Surgery (AP)

AP - UCLA guard Cedric Bozeman underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday and will miss the season.


'Final hours' for Yasser Arafat

Palestinians prepare for the funeral and burial of their veteran leader as officials warn of his imminent death.


Ireland Suffers Case of Mad Cow Disease (AP)

AP - Ireland has suffered its first homegrown case of the human form of mad cow disease, the government said Wednesday.


Chile Issues Report on Pinochet Torture (AP)

AP - Chile took a key step Wednesday toward confronting the grim legacy of abuses under the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, completing a lengthy report on torture and political imprisonment with testimonies from some 35,000 victims.


Nigerian Stoning Death Sentence Quashed (AP)

AP - An Islamic court in northern Nigeria on Wednesday threw out a death by stoning sentence against a pregnant 18-year-old girl who had been condemned for adultery.


Ohio Still Counting Provisional Ballots (AP)

AP - Thanks to John Kerry's concession speech, Ohio's election workers don't exactly have the eyes of the nation on them, but their job of checking and counting the state's provisional ballots is as difficult and time-consuming as ever.


Officials Blame Contractors in Tunnel Leak

The tunnel containing this city #39;s sunken highway - the crown jewel of the Big Dig, Boston #39;s mammoth \$14.6 billion highway project - is leaking because of improper construction


CNET News.com Coverage of Mozilla Firefox 1.0

CNET News.com has a special section about the launch of Mozilla Firefox 1.0. First up is a two-page article about the release, which includes some factual errors (for example, the article says the success


Gmail Users Soon Able to Check E-Mail Via Outlook

SAN FRANCISCO -- Web search leader Google Inc. said on Wednesday it will soon make it possible for users of its Gmail service to check their e-mail via Microsoft Outlook or on certain handheld devices such as mobile phones.


Enter a Category

Regardless of what he may have told Carlos Beltran when their paths crossed last May, Bernie Williams made it clear yesterday that he won #39;t be conceding centerfield until the Yankees tell him to do so.


Pedro should take Boston #39;s best pitch

Pedro Martinez is one of the top free agents this offseason, but his scenario is one where the veteran right-hander #39;s value to the Red Sox is higher than it is to any other team, and in turn


Chile #39;s Lagos receives torture commission report

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos received a chilling report on Wednesday from a government commission that interviewed more than 30,000 victims to chronicle


PeopleSoft Rejects Latest Oracle Bid as Inadequate

PeopleSoft's rejection puts the company's fate in the hands of its shareholders and shows that its new management team intends to continue to fight the merger with Oracle.


Rise and Fall of Oil Prices Result in a Mixed Forecast

Is the recent fall in oil prices a turning point or merely a lull before demand picks up in the winter months?


Microsoft Unveils Its Internet Search Engine, Quietly

Microsoft rolled out its long-planned response to Google and Yahoo in the Internet search industry on Wednesday.


Oil boom over, says think-tank

A LEADING international energy think-tank said the oil boom on world markets is over and predicted that prices are likely to fall over the coming months.


Shell And GM In Hydrogen

With the opening of the first hydrogen dispenser at a conventional filling station in Washington, DC, Shell has increased the number of these joint facilities in North America and the UK from zero to one.


Watchdog threatens credit card industry over charges

THE Office of Fair Trading yesterday threatened to crack down on the credit card industry over its charging policy. It announced it was issuing the MasterCard network with a final warning to justify the fees


NVIDIA launches GeForce Go 6800 GPU

NVIDIA today announced the GeForce Go 6800 graphics processing unit (GPU). The next generation architecture and support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0, allows the GeForce Go 6800 to deliver the


Italian Roundup

AC Milan failed to take full advantage of Juventus #39; slip-up on Saturday, as Roma came away from San Siro with a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Sunday night.


Sainz to sit out his farewell rally

Motorsport.com. One the eve of the start of the World Rally Championship season finale and what would have been the final WRC competition for Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard and co-driver


Carter and Jets Ready to Step Into the Unknown

He was the walking insurance policy the Jets did not want to cash and perhaps the one player his teammates hoped would never see extended time on the field.


Arafat Officially Announced Dead -Al Jazeera

PARIS (Reuters) - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has  been officially announced dead in a Paris military hospital,  Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera said on Thursday.


Bloodlines bites Half-Life 2 #39;s release date

The second game to use the Source engine will be released on the same day as the first one--November 16. Since last fall, the release date of Half-Life 2 was put on hold because its Source engine had been compromised by hackers.


Sainz To Miss Rally Australia

Carlos Sainz and co-driver Marc Marti have pulled out of this weekend #39;s Rally Australia, the final event in the World Rally Championship - and what was intended to be Carlos #39;s last WRC drive before he retires.


Cardinals Keep Rolling

Stefan LeFors throws three touchdown passes and No. 12 Louisville waltzes to a 55-28 victory over TCU on Wednesday night.


Clippers Crush Pacers

With Ron Artest asking for days off, the Pacers play like they took the day off themselves as the visiting Clippers hammer Indiana, 102-68.


Microsoft seeks top search spot

Microsoft claims its new MSN search engine indexes more web pages than any of its rivals.


Oil Below \$49, Fears of U.S. Cold Snap

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices stayed close to \$49 a  barrel on Thursday, supported by a forecast for an early cold  snap in the United States that could put a strain on a thin  supply cushion of winter heating fuel.


Political Debate at Minn. School Gets Ugly (AP)

AP - Three high school students, one allegedly armed with a bat, were charged with attacking a pro-President Bush classmate after he reportedly said only gays would support Sen. John Kerry.


Arafat to Be Flown to Cairo on Friday - Aide

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Dead Palestinian leader  Yasser Arafat's body will be flown to Cairo for a ceremony  Friday and then to the West Bank city of Ramallah for burial  the same day, a former aide said Thursday.


Mets Ready to Deal; All They Need Is a Trade Partner

Mets General Manager Omar Minahas has met with most of the teams that may be willing to trade big-money marquee players in blockbuster deals.


Freeing the Grapes?

It bothers Juanita Swedenburg that many of her customers are criminals in the eyes of the law. Swedenburg sells premium handmade wines from grapes that she grows on her 130-acre farm in northern Virginia, and


Arafat Forced His People's Plight Into the World Spotlight

The Palestinian leader spent his final days in a coma at a French military hospital outside Paris.


Jones Is Said to Be Near a Deal for Barneys

The Jones Apparel Group, a \$4.3 billion clothing company with a middle-brow reputation, is close to making a deal to buying the Barneys chain.


PeopleSoft Directors Reject Oracle #39;s Offer

The board of PeopleSoft Inc. yesterday rejected Oracle Corp. #39;s \$24-a-share hostile takeover bid as too cheap, but said it was open to a deal at a higher price.


Washington Station Offers Gas, Snacks and Hydrogen

At an ordinary filling station about a mile east of the Capitol that has the usual selection of regular, premium and diesel at the pumps and chewing gum and soda next


Australian jobless rate hits 27-year low

CANBERRA, Australia -- Australia #39;s jobless rate fell to 5.3 percent last month, the lowest level for 27 years, the government said Thursday.


Record Exports Help Bring US Trade Deficit Down a Bit

The United States trade deficit shrank to \$51.6 billion in September, as exports posted their best month on record. In another report, new claims for jobless


Merck Chief Is Asked to Testify

A top Republican lawmaker called Wednesday for Merck  amp; Company to answer questions about its withdrawn drug Vioxx on Nov. 18 at the first Congressional hearing to address the drug #39;s safety problems.


Ex-Disney Director Says He Was Briefed on Ovitz #39;s Pay

By Bloomberg News. Michael D. Eisner, the chief executive of Walt Disney, kept board members abreast of the negotiations to hire the talent agent Michael S. Ovitz as the company #39;s president


Profit Rises 27 at Whole Foods

By Bloomberg News. Whole Foods Market Inc., the largest natural-foods grocer in the United States, said yesterday that fourth-quarter profit rose 27 percent as sales increased.


MGM Mirage hotel-condo complex would be Vegas  #39;hub #39;

Gaming giant MGM Mirage (MGM) announced plans Wednesday for a \$4.7 billion luxury complex of hotels, condominiums and shopping centers on the Las Vegas Strip.


After Accord, Sudan Camp Raided

Just hours after the government agreed to a peace deal Tuesday aimed at ending violence in Darfur, Sudanese police arrived at this battered camp in the middle of the night, beating residents with wooden poles, bulldozing and burning shelters and firing tear gas into a health clinic, residents and aid workers reported.


Seeking Salvation in the City of Insurgents

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- He first tried to get to Iraq in April 2003, when U.S. troops established control over the country and jihad became a place on a map.


3 Abu Ghraib Trials Moved to U.S.

The U.S. military announced Thursday that the courts-martial of three Army reservists charged with abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison would be transferred from Baghdad to Fort Hood, Tex.


G.M. Enlists Orman to Pitch Financing Promotion

Suze Orman, a financial planner and CNBC talk show host, wants to tell you about a can't-miss car deal.


Young banned for life after 2nd doping violation

United States sprinter Jerome Young was banned for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency yesterday following his second positive test for an illegal steroid in a case that could affect a US relay team #39;s gold medal from Sydney.


Clippers Thrash Artest-Less Pacers Clippers 102, Pacers 68

INDIANAPOLIS -- All the injuries and Ron Artest #39;s benching finally caught up with Indiana, in historic fashion. Elton Brand had 19 points and 16 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers took control of the lethargic


NC State seeks offensive turnaround

The time for redemption is at hand for the North Carolina State football team, and if the Wolfpack don #39;t follow through, a once-promising season will end with the program #39;s first losing record since 1996.


No. 21 Wisconsin 81, Wis.-Parkside 42

Alando Tucker, who missed all but four games last season with a foot injury, scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead No. 21 Wisconsin to an 81-42 exhibition victory over Wisconsin-Parkside Wednesday night.


Fighters Look to Separate Themselves From Crowd

Since Lennox Lewis #39;s retirement, the heavyweight division has been knocked for having more quantity than quality. Eight heavyweights on Saturday night #39;s card at Madison Square Garden hope to change that perception, at least for one night.


Cat Stevens gets peace prize

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev honored the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens with a peace prize. Yusuf Islam was awarded the  quot;Man for Peace quot; award in Rome at the opening of a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates.


Police fire tear gas on rape claim protesters

SRINAGAR: Police detained a separatist leader and fired tear gas shells to scatter protesters in Kashmir yesterday, the fourth straight day of protests against the alleged rape of a young girl and her mother by an Indian soldier.


For Arafat, His Life Personified His Dream

For virtually his entire adult life, Yasser Arafat had one dream, and he pursued it with such energy and zeal -- some would say fanaticism -- that he came to personify the dream itself.


Falling dollar may raise problems

The world used to be green with envy over the greenback, but now the stuff in your wallet can #39;t seem to shake the blues. It #39;s not that the United States is on the verge of singing  quot;Brother, Can You Spare a


Cavs Rally Past Suns 114-109 in Overtime (AP)

AP - On his souvenir bobblehead night, Zydrunas Ilgauskas shook Gund Arena and the Phoenix Suns. Cleveland's 7-foot-3 center drained three long jumpers, including a tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation, and the Cavaliers rallied for a 114-109 overtime win against Phoenix on Wednesday night, the Suns' first loss this season.


Search Swagger

That #39;s the game Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are playing as the search-engine war heats up. Microsoft is rolling out a new search engine today, touting it as  quot;the largest index of information, quot; with more than 5 billion Web documents.


NASA Tries to Break Speed Record With Last Plane Test (Update1)

NASA will test its latest jet-powered aircraft for the final time next week, aiming to set a world record by flying at 10 times the speed of sound.


LeFors, No. 12 Louisville Crush TCU 55-28 (AP)

AP - Stefan LeFors threw three touchdown passes and No. 12 Louisville rolled to a 55-28 victory over TCU on Wednesday night.


Oil Below  #36;49, Fears of U.S. Cold Snap (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil prices stayed close to  #36;49 a\barrel on Thursday, supported by a forecast for an early cold\snap in the United States that could put a strain on a thin\supply cushion of winter heating fuel.


Oh Ho Ho, Those Holiday Sales!

Gavin Reynolds (Rochester, NY) 12/03/04 - From dawn until dusk retailers are pulling out all the stops to make every weekend like the day after Thanksgiving.


Update: PeopleSoft rejects Oracle's 'final' offer

PeopleSoft's board of directors today rejected Oracle's latest \$24-per-share "best and final offer" for the company, leaving the outcome in the hands of PeopleSoft shareholders.


Google gives Gmail POP3 support, plans antivirus features

With POP3 support, Gmail users will be able to transfer their messages to a client-side e-mail application and store the messages on their local hard drives, making them accessible off-line.


Microsoft Unveils its New Search Engine - At Last

After months of speculation and two 'preview' releases, Microsoft has taken the wraps off of its new MSN search engine, the first major competitor to join the big leagues of web search in nearly a year.


Lawmakers to Question FDA, Merck Over Vioxx

Merck  amp; Co. Inc. Chief Executive Officer Raymond Gilmartin and FDA officials have been called to testify before Congress on Nov. 18 over safety problems with the company #39;s withdrawn


Microsoft: Firefox does not threaten IE #39;s market share

Internet Explorer (IE) is no less secure than any other browser and does not lack any important features, according to Microsoft. But the managing director of Cisco admitted that he wouldnt use IE without additional protection.


Microsoft Expands Software Indemnification Program

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is expanding its indemnification program for Windows and other software products in order to shield users from legal claims and patent


Reebok #39;s revives Pump shoe, marking industry shift to high-tech

Hoping to build on the success of a shoe that generated big sales but also ridiculed when it was introduced 15 years ago, Reebok Inc.


NCAA Game Summary - TCU at Louisville

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Stefan LeFors threw three touchdown passes to lead 12th-ranked Louisville to a 55-28 rout over TCU at Papa John #39;s Cardinal Stadium.


Arsenal youngsters punch above their weight again

ARSENALS first team may not have won for five matches, the slump threatening their progress in the Premiership and Champions League, but their second-stringers, the young and inexperienced


UNDATED: seven assists.

Pau Gasol scored 22 points and Shane Battier added 18, and Memphis won for the first time in five games this season. Kobe Bryant, guarded by a three-man rotation, had 20 points on 4-for-19 shooting for the Lakers.


Raptors look to cool off Jazz

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Toronto Raptors will face yet another Western team that has manhandled them over the years. Fresh off a 108-92 drubbing at the hands of the Sacramento Kings, the Raptors head to Utah


Israeli Troops Kill 3 Palestinian Militants-Sources (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli soldiers shot dead\three Palestinian militants near the West Bank city of Nablus\on Thursday, Palestinian security sources said.


Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat Dies at 75

Yasser Arafat, the leader for decades of a fight for Palestinian independence from Israel, has died at a military hospital in Paris, according to news reports.


Blair heads to US under growing pressure to shed "poodle" image (AFP)

AFP - British Prime Minister Tony Blair was due to fly to Washington for talks with President George W. Bush under more pressure than ever to reap rewards for his support of the unpopular US-led war in Iraq.


Microsoft Launches Its Own Web Search Tool (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp. unveiled a preliminary\version of its Web search engine late on Wednesday, in its\first attack on Google Inc. leading position in the market.


Intel Readies Centrino-Style Push for Desktops (Reuters)

Reuters - Intel Corp.  will unveil\next year a bundle of chips designed for home entertainment\computers, and support the move with a branding campaign\modeled on the successful launch of its Centrino chips for\notebook computers, a person briefed on the matter said.


Palestinians Mourn Death of Yasser Arafat (AP)

AP - Palestinians reacted with tears and tributes to the death of their leader Yasser Arafat on Thursday.


PeopleSoft's board recommends shareholders reject Oracle takeover bid (AFP)

AFP - Senior executives at business software group PeopleSoft unanimously recommended that its shareholders reject a 8.8 billion dollar takeover bid from Oracle Corp, PeopleSoft said in a statement Wednesday.


SunTrust Fires 3 Executives Over Miscalculations

SunTrust Banks said yesterday that it had fired its chief credit officer and two other executives after finding numerous errors in calculating how much to set aside for bad loans.


Alabama A amp;M coach is in game of his life

In another time and place, a spot in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic would have been about an opportunity for Alabama A amp;M of the Southwestern Athletic Conference to gain exposure and build upon last season #39;s 13-17 record.


Jaish gives more time to Afghan govt

PESHAWAR: The Jaishul Muslimeen on Wednesday said it had agreed to an Afghan government request to give it more time to locate the 26 prisoners whose release has been demanded in return for the freedom of the three UN hostages.


Annan Urges Greater Effort on Middle East Peace

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi  Annan was "deeply moved" by the death of Palestinian President  Yasser Arafat and urged renewed efforts by the Palestinians and  the Israelis to reach peace, a spokesman said late on  Wednesday.


Palestinian Leaders to Transfer Arafat Powers

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian leaders  prepared on Thursday to transfer President Yasser Arafat's  powers to three key figures who will take on the most important  roles he held, officials said.


Norway to talk with Tamil Tigers

Norway's foreign minister is due to meet  Tamil rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran  to revive the peace process in Sri Lanka.


Tributes to Arafat led by Blair

Tony Blair pays tribute to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after his death in a French hospital aged 75.


James Rallies Cavs

LeBron James pulls the Cavaliers back with a 17-point fourth-quarter to eventually deal the Suns their first loss of the season, 114-109, on Wednesday.


State for Palestinians and Peace With Israel Left Unrealized

Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, died early Thursday morning in a Paris hospital, a French military spokesman announced.


Dollar Up After Fed, Tokyo Shares Slide

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The dollar rebounded on Thursday,  lifting shares of some Asian exporters, after the Federal  Reserve raised interest rates as expected and indicated it  would press ahead with further increases at a measured pace.


Some Fight Baseball Tax

Various groups are lobbying efforts to shift the brunt of a \$26 million annual baseball stadium tax onto other companies.


Trade Deficit Falls, But Big Gap Persists

September trade data prompted economists to warn anew that the dollar, which briefly hit a record low against the euro Wednesday morning, is likely to continue moving downward in the months ahead.


Fannie Regulator's Budget Loses Key Backer, for Now

A senior House Democrat said yesterday that he will not support a budget increase for the federal regulator of Fannie Mae until questions raised in a confidential report have been addressed.


Waxman Seeks New Halliburton Inquiry

Citing newly disclosed State Department documents, Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) called yesterday for further congressional hearings on Halliburton Co.'s contracts in Kuwait and Iraq.


N.Y. Mayor Has Plans To Import Flu Shots

Scrambling to ease a vaccine crunch, New York City joined other jurisdictions ordering vaccine from Europe, putting pressure on the Bush administration to authorize the shipments.


Australia jobless at 26-year low

Unemployment in Australia sinks to the lowest level since 1978, giving a further boost to the re-elected government of John Howard.


PeopleSoft Directors Reject Oracle's Offer

The board of PeopleSoft Inc. Wednesday rejected Oracle Corp.'s \$24-a-share hostile takeover bid as too cheap, but said it was open to a deal at a higher price.
 -The Washington Post


Holiday Forecast: Online Sales to Grow

When I ordered Christmas presents last week from L.L. Bean's 295-page holiday catalog, I visited the Web site because I thought it might offer bargains and be as quick as a phone call.-washingtonpost.com


E-Mail Authentication Will Not Stop Spammers

For consumers and businesses increasingly shaken by the growing onslaught of unwanted e-mail and computer viruses, any hope for quick relief was dashed Wednesday during a government-hosted gathering of technology experts.
 -The Washington Post


Latest Conspiracy Theory Hits the Ether

Even as Sen. John F. Kerry's campaign is steadfastly refusing to challenge the results of the presidential election, the bloggers and the mortally wounded party loyalists and the spreadsheet-wielding conspiracy theorists are filling the Internet with head-turning allegations.


Fed warns of growing budget gap

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says the growing US budget deficit might destabilize the economy. Fed Governor Susan Bies says Congress spends like it #39;s dipping into a  quot;a cookie jar.


Cisco Systems Q1 net up 29

Net sales for the fiscal Q1 rose 17.1 percent to \$6.0 billion, the sixth straight quarter of sequential growth. directs data over the Internet, said quarterly earnings rose 29 percent on stronger demand for


Fungus hits US soybeans

An aggressive fungal disease known as soybean rust has been found on plants in Louisiana, the first US case, threatening a crop valued at \$17.


Magnitude of problem called unclear

Water is accumulating on the underground roof of the Big Dig tunnels, according to Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, who said yesterday that his office is trying to determine whether the pools of water pose any threat of damage to the \$14.


Pilots Saying Yes to Less Money May Save Delta Air

The labor cost and productivity problems of major airlines have been intractable for a couple of decades, which makes imminent pay concessions by Delta pilots a hopeful event for the airline, lenders, investors and the industry.


MGM has lofty plans for Strip

MGM Mirage on Wednesday unveiled its largest building project ever, a multibillion-dollar plan to create a high-rise neighborhood on the Las Vegas Strip that keeps up with the city #39;s growing population and tourist trade.


Tokyo Stocks Drop After Machinery Data

Tokyo #39;s Nikkei average closed down 1.35 percent on Thursday after an unexpected fall in core machinery orders data worsened investors #39; concern over Japan #39;s economic outlook and triggered selling of a wide range of stocks.


Australia jobless at 26-year low

Australia #39;s jobless rate is at a quarter-century low, giving a further reward to Prime Minister John Howard following his recent election victory.


Condo Pandemonium

Nothing makes New Yorkers pant like a luxury apartment, so when the city announced a few months ago that it would auction off seven high-end condos, a crowd was expected.


Microsoft to double ad revenue: CEO

Will double its advertising revenue in five years as it ramps up its search services to rival Web search leader Google Inc. BELLEVUE: Microsoft Corp.


Firefox boy Gatecrashes Bills party

A software that 17-year-old Blake Ross started building in 2002 has got Microsoft worried. Its called Firefox, its free, and it beats the pants of Microsofts Internet Explorer.


City man charged with selling Microsoft source code

His online profile lists William P. Genovese #39;s profession as  quot;hacking bum quot; and  quot;getting arrested quot; among his likes.


Nelson living magical dream

The expression rarely changes, but for a moment, Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson let his guard down. An all-American point guard and consensus college player of the year last season at St.


HOUSTON DRAW FAVOURS HENMAN

Tim Henman #39;s hopes of success at the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston were given a major boost by last night #39;s draw. In the group stage, the Briton has avoided Swiss world number one Roger Federer and Australian


Familiar ref for Ruiz-Golota

The New York State Athletic Commission will announce today that Randy Neumann will be the referee for Saturday night #39;s John Ruiz-Andrew Golota fight at Madison Square Garden.


Louisville routs TCU 55-28

LOUISVILLE, KY. - Louisville needed less than seven minutes to shake off Conference USA nemesis TCU and roll to another big victory.


Italian kidnap victim freed

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Andrea Cianferoni, an Italian kidnapped 2:30 pm yesterday by four armed men in the hinterland village of Delabayan of Kauswagan town, Lanao del Norte was released 10:30 am today, in barangay Inudaran of the same town, according to


Australia getting wetter: CSIRO

While the south-east of Australia has gone through years of drought, new research shows the rest of the country including the centre, is getting wetter.


No. 20 Notre Dame Defeats Quincy 80-61 (AP)

AP - Chris Quinn scored 25 points to lead No. 20 Notre Dame to an 80-61 exhibition victory over Quincy on Wednesday night.


Microsoft Debuts Own Web Search Technology (AP)

AP - Microsoft Corp. finally debuted its own Web search technology on Thursday, hoping to challenge Google Inc.'s long dominance of the field with results tailored to a user's location and answers from its Encarta encyclopedia.


Palestinian Leaders to Transfer Arafat Powers (Reuters)

Reuters - Palestinian leaders\prepared on Thursday to transfer President Yasser Arafat's\powers to three key figures who will take on the most important\roles he held, officials said.


Norway FM takes peace message to Tamil Tigers (AFP)

AFP - Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga offered to revive stalled peace talks with the Tamil Tigers in a message conveyed to rebels by Norway's Foreign Minister Jan Petersen, her office said.


India lauds Arafat's lifetime devotion to Palestinian cause (AFP)

AFP - President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam led India's condolences on the death of Yasser Arafat, praising the Palestinian leader's lifetime devotion to his people.


Australia to require Aboriginals to make agreements in return for welfare (AFP)

AFP - Australia signalled a new hardline approach on welfare for its Aboriginal people as it vowed to end  quot;sit-down money quot; -- generous handouts for doing little.


Pageantry Planned for Bush Inauguration (AP)

AP - When President Bush takes his second oath of office Jan. 20 it will be his family's fifth inauguration ceremony, a day of pomp and pageantry set amid the icons of democracy only this city can provide: the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Pennsylvania Avenue.


What future for the Palestinians?

The death of their symbol could force the Palestinians to choose between negotiating for the best deal they can get or continue fighting for a dream.


World reaction

US President Bush and French President Chirac are among the first to send condolences for the Palestinian leader's death.


SuperSonics Clobber Kings 108-78 (AP)

AP - Ray Allen scored 20 points and Rashard Lewis added 18, leading the surprising Seattle SuperSonics to their fourth consecutive victory, 108-78 over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.


Dollar Keeps Gains After Trade Data, Fed

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held gains against the euro  and traded near two-week highs versus the yen on Thursday after  data showed the U.S. trade gap shrank and the Fed indicated it  would press on with monetary tightening.


After Vioxx recall, the FDA and Merck both claim that all other <b>...</b>

quot;We were wrong about Vioxx, but you can trust us on all those other meds, quot; the FDA seems to be saying. If you enjoy this article, you may also be interested in an article entitled  #39;The FDA remains in state of denial about drug safety questions.


Soy fungus spotted in US

The first US cases of Asian soybean rust, a fungus that hinders plant growth and drastically cuts crop production, were found at two research sites in Louisiana, officials said Wednesday.


Bextra report questions effects on heart patients

A study suggesting arthritis drug Bextra doubles patients #39; heart attack and stroke risks drew a sharp rebuttal Wednesday from the drug #39;s maker, Pfizer (PFE), as its stock price dipped.


Microsoft gets in on search party

Microsoft (MSFT) unveils its much-talked-about revamped Internet search engine on Thursday to compete with Google and Yahoo - but at a test site rather than the main MSN page.


Rowntree Admits: it #39;s Brilliant to Be Back

Graham Rowntree still vividly recalls the painful Sunday morning when his World Cup dream was shattered, and admits to this day: You cant prepare yourself for a disappointment like that.


BERNIE LEAVING CF HOT OFFSEASON TOPIC

The challenge Kenny Lofton posed to Bernie Williams a year ago turned out to be a bug versus windshield. However, if the Yankees ink free agent Carlos Beltran he will be


Sonics clobber Kings

A game between two of the league #39;s top scoring teams from last season wasn #39;t pretty. Both the Kings and Sonics shot below 42 percent in the first half of last night #39;s NBA game at KeyArena.


LeBron leads Cavs back

LeBron James has helped Cleveland overcome a 19-point deficit to down Phoenix 114-109 in an overtime NBA thriller. The teenage sensation scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, helping the home side


Europeans evacuated from I Coast

European nations led by France were evacuating their nationals from Ivory Coast on Thursday, where an explosion of anti-French violence has made even long-time residents rush to pack their bags.


What is Arafat #39;s legacy?

Amin Saikal, the director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University, talks to ABC News Online #39;s Nadia Farha about Yasser Arafat #39;s


Burma crackdown on luxury cars

Burma investigates illegally imported luxury cars, the latest repercussion of former PM Khin Nyunt's ouster.


Key interest rate at 2

The Federal Reserve didn #39;t surprise anyone yesterday, as its policy-making body increased its key interest rate by one quarter percent, to 2 percent.


Oracle Promoted A STINGY Offer

Oracle Corp. recently learned that PeopleSoft will reject Oracle #39;s \$24.00 a share- its best and final offer. The cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of PeopleSoft, Inc.


Soybean rust invades US

The first US cases of soybean rust, a fungus that hinders plant growth and drastically cuts crop production, were found at two research sites in Louisiana, officials said Wednesday.


Blame game begins over Big Dig leaks

A whistleblower complained about leaks and shoddy construction in a Big Dig tunnel as far back as 2001, but his concerns were ignored by Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials who downplayed


Business briefs, November 11

The number of Americans filing initial claims for jobless benefits rose less than forecast last week and held below the year #39;s average, a government report showed today.


US Shows Its Muscle In International Trade

US trade policy is far from perfect, of course. But election year rhetoric, particularly that on  quot;outsourcing quot; of jobs, may have given some Americans a distorted view of reality.


Ford #39;s out to put a lid on costly incentives

Ford Motor #39;s (F) striking market-share plunge should be over within six months, and the company is banking on new products to regain share while allowing it to cut back incentives, CEO Bill Ford said Wednesday in an interview with USA TODAY.


MOUSE MADE OVITZ CHEESY DEAL

Hollywood dealmaker Michael Ovitz quietly got a very stingy options package before joining Walt Disney - because insiders thought he might flop.


Merck, FDA to face Congress over withdrawn Vioxx

A top Republican lawmaker on Wednesday called on Merck  amp; Co. Inc. to answer questions about its withdrawn drug Vioxx at the first congressional hearing on Nov.


High dose vitamin E death warning

People who take even moderately high doses of vitamin E could be putting their lives at risk, mounting evidence suggests.


Microsoft pushes search technology to market

Microsoft Corp. #39;s Web search technology, debuting in test form Thursday in 11 languages, promises to answer plain-language questions and give results tailored to a user #39;s region, among


Arctic thaw may open ship lanes, but risks high

A faster-than-expected thaw of the Arctic is likely to open legendary short-cut routes between the Pacific and the Atlantic but experts say icebergs and high costs will prevent any trans-polar shipping boom.


Microsoft Expands Indemnification

Microsoft (Quote, Chart) has expanded the scope of its intellectual property protection policy to cover customers using current and earlier versions of its software.


THE NEW PUMP

The original version of Reebok Pump introduced in 1989 was inflated with the press of a pump button on the shoes tongue.  The new Chinese-produced 2.0 silently inflates itself after you slip into it and take about five steps.


Hypersonic research craft set to fly Monday

NASA engineers and researchers are gearing up to end a hypersonic research program with a world-record flight approaching 7,000 mph over the Pacific Ocean.


Singer Love denies bottle attack

Courtney Love pleads not guilty to assault with a deadly weapon after being accused of an attack with a bottle.


Kuznetsova wins WTA Tour Championships opener

Svetlana Kuznetsova didn #39;t show the form that saw her win the US Open, but she was good enough on Wednesday to win her opening round-robin match at the WTA Tour Championships against an erratic Vera Zvonareva.


FOOTBALL: THIS IS FOR YOU EMLYN

ON A night when they came to remember a glorious past, Liverpool #39;s grieving fans were offered a glimpse of their immediate future.


Tooth and nail: Pierce, C #39;s bite Blazers at buzzer

With a little more than 34 seconds to go last night, Portland #39;s Ruben Patterson brought his left forearm down across Paul Pierce news #39;s face in rebound traffic, bringing major pain to Pierce #39;s surgically repaired mouth.


Bernie still maintains claim on centerfield

Regardless of what he may have told Carlos Beltran when their paths crossed last May, Bernie Williams made it clear yesterday that he won #39;t be conceding centerfield until the Yankees tell him to do so.


Singapore: Arafat #39;s death chance for peace

Singapore hopes President Yasser Arafat #39;s death will be  quot;an opportunity for a lasting, just and peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli issue, quot; a spokesman said.


Blair to meet Bush

The Prime Minister flies to Washington today for talks with the newly re-elected Republican president, George Bush. Talks are likely to cover the Iraq war, the  quot;road map quot; for peace in the Middle East, the


Darfur warring parties sign new pacts

Displaced Sudanese women waiting for food to be distributed Nov. 9, in el-Sereif refugee camp, on the outskirts of Nyala town in Sudan #39;s western Darfur region.


Train driver had just two seconds to brake before hitting car

The train driver killed in the Berkshire rail disaster applied his emergency brakes two to three seconds before ploughing into a car parked on the track at a level crossing, an official report revealed yesterday.


Troops find kidnapper sites

American and Iraqi military commanders said yesterday that troops had found at least one house in Fallujah that appeared to be the base of some of the hostage-takers


N.Korea Urged to Hold Talks But No Dates-Source

Countries involved in six-way talks on North Korea #39;s nuclear program have urged Pyongyang to return to the table sooner rather than later but have not proposed specific


Row over Australian army photo

A Sydney newspaper has published a photograph of Australian soldiers posing as members of the Ku Klux Klan. The Daily Telegraph said the soldiers were dressed like that to intimidate young Aboriginal recruits.


Palestinian leader Arafat dies at 75

PARIS -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died early today at a French military hospital where he had lingered in a coma between life and death for the last week. He was 75.


Hostage takers cite pact to free comrades

KABUL -- Taliban-linked militants holding three UN hostages said yesterday the Afghan government has agreed to free some of their jailed comrades to prevent the killing of the foreign captives. Afghan state television reported that President Hamid Karzai had decreed the release of prisoners for Eid, the end of the Muslim fasting month, expected on Sunday. But there was no ...


Bosnian Serbs issue apology for massacre

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- The Bosnian Serb government issued an apology yesterday for the 1995 massacre of 7,800 Muslim civilians in Srebrenica, saying it ''shares the pain quot; of the victims' families.


Bush cites opening for peace, leadership

WASHINGTON -- President Bush offered a powerful incentive to Palestinians yesterday to rally behind a moderate leadership, signaling the promise of US reengagement and a new opening for peace following Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death.


Cisco hurt on worries about sector #39;s recovery

Shares of Cisco Systems fell sharply Wednesday after the company #39;s chief executive, John Chambers, said sales growth would slow this quarter and that it was too early to say whether customers were more optimistic about the economy.


Witness Testifies on Ovitz #39;s Option Terms

GEORGETOWN, Del. - The terms on the options Walt Disney Co. gave its former president Michael Ovitz when he was hired were less generous than the terms for many other industry executives, a former compensation consultant testified Wednesday.


Mich. plant workers reach tentative deal

REDFORD, Mich. -- Representatives for about 1,300 United Auto Workers members at DaimlerChrysler AG #39;s Detroit Diesel engine manufacturing plant reached a tentative agreement Wednesday, one day after going


NBA Wrap: Wins for Celtics, 76ers, Lakers Lose

BOSTON (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce nailed a jumper at  the buzzer to give the Boston Celtics a 90-88 victory over  Portland at the FleetCenter.


Mass evacuations begin in Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- France, the United States, and other nations launched one of the largest evacuations of Africa's postindependence era yesterday, requisitioning commercial jets to fly out thousands of foreigners following attacks on civilians and peacekeeping troops.


Court reverses some Falun Gong convictions

HONG KONG -- A Hong Kong appeals court cleared some convictions yesterday against 16 Falun Gong followers for protesting outside China's liaison office but upheld more serious verdicts in a case seen as a test of this territory's freedoms under Chinese rule.


Concern many will regroup elsewhere

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq -- This week's invasion of Fallujah is a direct test of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's yardstick for measuring American success against terrorism: The question is whether US and Iraqi forces can capture or kill more insurgents in the rebel city than are being recruited and deployed elsewhere in Iraq.


At times, a fight against boredom

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Through the tiny rectangular windows of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle the five infantrymen peered out at a junkyard of twisted metal and burned-out trucks. They were chafing to get out.


Fortson keeps it  #39;simple #39; as Sonics stick it to Spurs

Pink bubble gum popped from Danny Fortson #39;s mouth as he moseyed around the KeyArena court on Sunday night. Moving slower than traffic across the 520 bridge, the Sonics forward definitely travels at a different pace than his teammates do.


Racers tap new sponsors

NASCAR teams struggling to finance cars with lucrative sponsorship deals now can begin negotiating with liquor companies after the stock car sanctioning body gave the go ahead Wednesday.


LeFors keeps Cardinals rolling

LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Stefan LeFors threw three touchdown passes Wednesday night as No. 12 Louisville rolled to a 55-28 victory over TCU.


Artest gets bum rap from Pacers

CLIPPERS 102, PACERS 68---At Indianapolis, Pacers F Ron Artest said yesterday that he asked coach Rick Carlisle for time off because of a busy schedule that included promoting a soon-to


Another road test for  #39;Noles

Near the back of its football media guide, the Atlantic Coast Conference lists 71  quot;procedures quot; for determining its Bowl Championship Series representative in case of a tie atop the final league standings.


YOUNG GUNS BRING BACK THE SMILES

THE SMILE had been missing from Arsene Wenger #39;s face ever since the Battle of the Buffet. But watching it return at Highbury on Tuesday night, you could see exactly why Wenger has pledged his long-term future to Arsenal.


Down 19, Cavs rally past Suns

Cleveland #39;s 7-foot-3 center drained three long jumpers, including a tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation, and the Cavaliers rallied for a 114-109 overtime win against Phoenix on Wednesday night, the Suns #39; first loss this season.


National Basketball Association Game Capsules

Boston, MA -- Paul Pierce nailed a jumper at the buzzer to give the Boston Celtics a 90-88 victory over Portland at the FleetCenter.


Egypt to Host Military Funeral for Arafat

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt, where Yasser Arafat began his  political life and where biographers say he was born, will host  a military funeral for the Palestinian president on Friday  before he is buried in the West Bank, officials said.


Afghan UN Kidnappers Await Release of 26 Taliban

KABUL (Reuters) - Kidnappers of three U.N. workers in  Afghanistan said on Thursday they expect the government to  release 26 Taliban prisoners in exchange for their hostages  before the Muslim Eid festival this weekend.


Detroit Diesel deal saves jobs

The United Auto Workers union reached a tentative labor agreement with DaimlerChrysler AG #39;s Detroit Diesel Corp. Wednesday that is expected to preserve jobs at the company #39;s Redford plant.


Not just bigger, it #39;s the best

When it was revealed developer Rockstar Games #39; Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas would be three times larger than the previously epic GTA: Vice City, I cringed.


Green players, gold future?

Just a week ago, following an astonishingly poor effort in their season-opening loss to the Clippers, the plan seemed clear: Hope for the top pick in the lottery.


WTO rules against US gambling ban

The World Trade Organisation confirms a ruling that says the US cannot ban internet gambling.


Insurgents resist across Iraq

Fallujah is not the only flashpoint. Violence continues to sweep the rest of Iraq. A car bomb exploded near a police checkpoint in Eastern Baghdad, killing at least seven people.


Red Sox owners differ with Boras

Let history repeat itself, Jason Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, urged the Red Sox owners in lobbying for them to sign the 32-year-old catcher for five years with a full no-trade clause at a premium wage.


Showalter, Cox are tops

Bobby Cox and Buck Showalter were given little chance of success after payroll purges pushed out key players. Proving the predictions wrong, their teams won, anyway, and so did the managers.


Surgical precision

With time expiring, Paul Pierce hit a fadeaway 21-footer over the outstretched left arm of Ruben Patterson, giving the Celtics a 90-88 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers last night. Pierce jumped on the scorer's table before teammates quickly lifted him back to the safety of the FleetCenter parquet. Given Pierce's condition, it was a jubilant, yet cautious, celebration.


Votes are in, and so is Remy

He planted the seeds for this most improbable ascension to national prominence nearly 20 years ago, shortly after becoming a member of the PGA of America. Back then, Jim Remy was an assistant pro at Worcester Country Club, and while he was just one of the thousands of PGA of America members, hardly anyone could have envisioned him being their ...


BC's Bulman ready to tackle Mountaineers

Long before the college football season started, followers of Boston College and West Virginia were eyeing Nov. 13 on their schedules. With Miami and Virginia Tech gone to the Atlantic Coast Conference, it seemed likely that the battle for the Big East title, and a trip to a BCS bowl, would be contested between the Mountaineers and Eagles, 1-2, respectively, ...


Pandolfo gives Rockets a lift

When a tournament winds down to the final rounds, the teams with the best players usually hold the advantage. Fortunately for Reading, it had the best field hockey player in the game last night.


Against Clarett, Vrabel lines up alongside OSU

There's little doubt Mike Vrabel is the quintessential Patriot, but there's another team he loves and is loyal to -- his alma mater, Ohio State.


Slowing exports hit German growth

Germany's economy expands just 0.1 in the third quarter as weak exports offset a growth in domestic demand.


Memphis police ask questions

A report on the Memphis Commercial Appeal's website yesterday said Memphis police were investigating every angle of a reported burglary at the apartment of players on John Calipari's basketball team.


Pacers are at a loss

All the injuries and Ron Artest's benching finally caught up with Indiana. Elton Brand had 19 points and 16 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers took control of the lethargic Pacers from the start in a 102-68 win last night, the worst home loss in franchise history.


Boston in running for marathon trials

The 2008 US Olympic team marathon trials could be crossing paths with the Boston Marathon.


Today's schedule

College hockey: Men -- Suffolk at Stonehill, 7:45 p.m.; Wentworth at WNEC, 8 p.m. Pro hockey: AHL -- Portland at Lowell, 2 p.m.


College football on TV tonight

FLORIDA ST. (7-2) vs. N.C. STATE (4-5) When, where: Tonight, 7:30, at Raleigh, N.C. TV, radio: ESPN, WESX (1230). Last season: Florida State won, 50-44. Comments: Last week, the No. 11 Seminoles beat Duke, 29-7, but North Carolina State is reeling after three consecutive losses. Quarterback Wyatt Sexton will get the start for the Seminoles; he replaced Chris Rix last ...


Spielman says he'll be back

Miami Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said yesterday he's been assured by owner Wayne Huizenga he will return in that role next season.


Fed raises key rate to 2, a 3-year high

The Federal Reserve yesterday raised its key interest rate to the highest level in three years, suggesting more increases will follow as the economy gains strength.


Mass. legislators back work on embryonic stem cells

Legislative leaders voiced new backing for embryonic stem-cell research yesterday, speaking out after Californians voted to spend \$3 billion to lure the companies and scientists engaged in the much-debated research.


Bills' patience paying off

The savior? The Buffalo Bills have always thought so. Bills general manager and president Tom Donahoe believed if the organization was patient in waiting for Willis McGahee's rebuilt knee to respond, he would be a huge success.


Trade gap shrinks to \$51.6b

WASHINGTON -- The US trade deficit shrank to \$51.6 billion in September, an improvement brought about as exports posted their best month on record.


Concord company recalls defibrillators

A Concord company is recalling 10,000 automated external defibrillators because they didn't work properly and, at times, turned themselves on. Access CardioSystems Inc. is recalling defibrillators that are used by fire departments and hospitals around the nation. Some of the devices are currently in use, while others remained at distributors awaiting shipment.  quot;They're no longer in business. They can't correct ...


Bank's retirement plans face IRS audit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Internal Revenue Service is auditing the 1998 and 1999 tax returns of Bank of America Corp.'s pension and 401(k) plans, which have been the subject of a class-action employee lawsuit. The nation's third-largest bank disclosed the audit in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.


Retail rivals moving to town

A town that hasn't had a grocery store for at least a decade may soon have two. A Super Stop  amp; Shop is set to open today on Plymouth Street in Halifax, and about a year from now, Wal-Mart expects to open a nearby ''supercenter quot; that would include a full-scale supermarket.


Retirees recycle passion into a new career

It's a fall weekday, and retired Bedford residents Bob and Lee Evans are hard at work in their new career: leading mud-splattered, middle-aged suburbanites on mountain bikes over a root-laced trail through Chelmsford's Cranberry Bog Reservation.


Consumers flock to online shops

E-commerce is looking healthy in the UK although the exact figures are in dispute.


Brazil Defeats Mexico 2-1 (AP)

AP - Romario celebrated his retirement from international soccer by scoring two goals to give Brazil's 1994 World Cup team a 2-1 victory Wednesday night over Mexico's World Cup team from that year.


Is Syracuse Football on Permanent Slide? (AP)

AP - The players hear it and so do the coaches. The perception is out there that Syracuse football is in a downward spiral.


New EU chief seeks rapid deal in budget haggle (AFP)

AFP - The new European Commission hopes to exploit divisions among Europe's richest countries to push through an agreement on the EU's next medium-term spending round as early as next June, officials say.


Egypt to Host Military Funeral for Arafat (Reuters)

Reuters - Egypt, where Yasser Arafat began his\political life and where biographers say he was born, will host\a military funeral for the Palestinian president on Friday\before he is buried in the West Bank, officials said.


Holiday Forecast: Continued Growth Of Online Sales (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - When I ordered Christmas presents last week from L.L. Bean's 295-page holiday catalog, I broke my usual routine and did not call the company's toll-free line. Instead I visited the Web site because I thought it might offer bargains and be as quick as a phone call.


Former Prime Minister Named Leader of PLO (AP)

AP - Former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, a critic of the most recent Palestinian uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, was named leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday within hours of the death of Yasser Arafat.


PeopleSoft Directors Reject Oracle's Offer (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The board of PeopleSoft Inc. yesterday rejected Oracle Corp.'s  #36;24-a-share hostile takeover bid as too cheap, but said it was open to a deal at a higher price.


Trying to Make the Pen as Mighty as the Keyboard

Researchers are devising new (and hopefully better) ways to interact with Tablet PC's and other pen-based computers.


Spinach Power Adds Muscle to Batteries

Using the photosynthesis of spinach to produce electric current.


PeopleSoft Rejects Oracle; Ellison Appeals To Shareholders

He says he will walk away if the majority of shareholders don #39;t themselves sell to Oracle by Nov. 19. By Rick Whiting. PeopleSoft #39;s fate is in the hands of its shareholders.


Vodafone launches 3G services in Europe

LONDON -- Cell phone giant Vodafone Group PLC, which has spent years struggling to recoup billions spent on 3G licences, finally launched the cutting-edge service Wednesday in much of Europe and introduced or beefed up its operation in a dozen other


Harmony  #39;driven by shareholder value #39;

The board and management of world number six gold miner Harmony are driven by value creation for Harmony shareholders, Harmony Chief Executive Bernard Swanepoel said in a letter released on Wednesday.


Testimony: Ovitz Was Denied Signing Bonus

Michael Ovitz wanted a \$50 million signing bonus to become president of the Walt Disney Co., but the directors who eventually hired him were not willing


Delta Outlines New Liquidity Requirements

Delta Air Lines said on Monday it will need an additional USD\$135 million in liquidity in early 2006 to meet the requirements of certain financing agreements.


Merck CEO vows firm will survive Vioxx recall

Merck  amp; Co. CEO Ray Gilmartin said the embattled drugmaker will  quot;absolutely survive quot; the fallout caused by its decision to pull the arthritis drug Vioxx off the


Still awaiting Microsoft #39;s search entry

Microsoft is expected to launch a beta version of its Web search technology on Thursday, with ambitions to catch up to rivals Google and Yahoo.


Fujitsu Siemens Computers launches the LIFEBOOK T4010

Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the leading international IT company, has introduced the LIFEBOOK T4010, its latest convertible notebook with a modular bay that weighs less than 2 kg and integrates the functions of a high-powered notebook with those of a


Sprinter Young banned for life

Sprinter Jerome Young, a central figure in a doping case that could cost the US relay team its gold medal from Sydney, was banned for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency yesterday following his second positive test for a banned drug.


NASCAR lifts its ban on liquor ads

NASCAR lifted its ban on liquor ads Wednesday, opening the door for teams to be sponsored by distilled spirits.  quot;We felt the time was right, quot; NASCAR president Mike Helton said.


76ers: Williamson helps OBrien capture first home win

PHILADELPHIA -- From all indications, this is going to be the year of living dangerously for the 76ers. As they have in their four previous games this season, the Sixers allowed the New Jersey Nets to build a big lead in the first half.


Dutch violence ends with the arrest of two

Dutch police arrested two people after a violent 15-hour standoff at a house in the Hague, in which four officers were wounded by a hand grenade.


Train Crash Driver  #39;Had Two Or Three Seconds to Stop #39;

The driver of the train which smashed into a car on a level crossing, killing seven people and injuring dozens of passengers, had just two or three seconds to brake


Dollar Steady, Off Record Low Vs Euro

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar held more than a cent above  this week's record low on the euro on Thursday and traded near  a two-week high on the yen, with the market wary of protest  comments out of Europe about the euro's recent rise.


Oil Prices Fall on Signs of Rising Supply

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices eased on Thursday as  signs of strong supply on physical crude markets encouraged  dealers to take profits from a bounce in the previous session.


Sri Lanka rates rise unexpectedly

Sri Lanka's central bank raises interest rates by half a percentage point, taking the financial markets by surprise.


Consumers flock to online shops

Online shops look set to have a good Christmas as UK web-users get the online buying habit.


A DVD Burner Too Far?

If you'd like to archive all of yesterday's footage to DVD before your VCR dies, Sony's DVDirect offers an easy, relatively affordable solution.


State won't recoup all lost jobs till '08

WESTBOROUGH -- Massachusetts faces several years of lackluster job growth unless innovations spur the state's listless economy, according to an economic forecast.


Hybrid Phones Keep Getting Smarter

The big deal with the Treo 650 is its beautiful, sharp screen and a color liquid-crystal display that offers four times the resolution as the Treo 600's LCD.


A breed apart

As a child, Adam Levesque would sit with his grandfather, watching televised nature documentaries featuring exotic animals in their natural habitats. These days, Levesque creates his own wild kingdoms in a Waltham office park with a few clicks of a computer mouse.


PeopleSoft rejects Oracle #39;s takeover bid again

NEW YORK, November 11 (newratings.com) - PeopleSoft Inc (PSFT.NAS) has again rejected Oracle Corporation #39;s (ORCL)  quot;best and final quot; takeover bid, while urging its shareholders to reject Oracle #39;s \$24 per share tender offer as well.


Bank of Ireland Posts Rise in Profit

The Bank of Ireland reported a 7.8 percent rise in half-year profits Thursday but also revealed a significant drop in investor confidence at its asset management unit.


Nation #39;s first hydrogen fuel pump opens

The dilemma: Auto manufacturers have been reluctant to build fleets of hydrogen-powered vehicles before the existence of public hydrogen stations in the United States, while fuel


Fee cuts take toll on stock exchange profits

Cuts in listing fees forced by an Office of Fair Trading inquiry have left London Stock Exchange swallowing a 6 per cent fall in interim operating profits.


Vanunu arrested by Israeli police

Israeli former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu is arrested, seven months after release from jail.


Heating oil fears drive up crude

Crude oil futures rose more than \$1 a barrel yesterday after the government reported that the nation's supply of distillate fuel, which includes heating oil, shrank for the eighth consecutive week.


Darfur camp raid 'unacceptable'

US Secretary of State Colin Powell says he will pursue with Sudan an assault by security forces on a refugee camp.


Microsoft To Spoil Google  amp; Yahoo #39;s Search Party

With the announcement of its new search engine, Microsoft is all geared to spoil the search engine party of Google and Yahoo. The software giant today released a beta version of its new MSN search service, claiming


Are MS Idemnification Claims For Real?

Microsoft Corp. announced today the expansion of its end-user intellectual property (IP) protection policy to cover customers using a wide range of current and earlier versions of its software.


Trojan invades Russian mobiles

A TROJAN HORSE with a name that takes over a PC so that it sends SMS spam to mobile phones has been spotted in Russia. The Delf-HA Trojan contacts a Web site for details on which spam campaign to run and then


Game on: Fans are fired up for release of Halo #39; sequel

Three years is an eternity to wait for a sequel. Early Tuesday morn ing,  quot;Halo quot; fans received deliverance with the launch of  quot;Halo 2, quot; one of the most anticipated video games of all time.


NASA to Attempt Mach 10 Flight

NASA will attempt to break the aircraft speed record next week by flying a jet plane at 7,000 mph, or nearly 10 times the speed of sound, say planners for the agency #39;s experimental X-43A project.


Intel nuances Itanium; Microsoft ignores it

It #39;s no longer Sun Microsystems and IBM working to undermine the Itanium processor. Both the chip #39;s maker - Intel - and close software partner Microsoft are doing the dirty work now.


Philip Morris lab discovered passive smoking risk in 1982: Lancet

PARIS (AFP) - A lab owned by US tobacco giant Philip Morris uncovered evidence in the early 1980s about potential risks from passive smoking but its findings were never made public, a study charges.


Gran Turismo 4 finished

Sony Computer Entertainment held a party in Tokyo yesterday to celebrate the completion of Polyphony Digital #39;s long-awaited Gran Turismo 4, which is set for release in Japan - and, apparently, in North America - this December.


IBM drives Euro-supercomputer grid

European researchers can now use a new supercomputing network to help them in their work.  quot;We have just completed testing, quot; said David Henty with the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre, a member


Serena fights back, Davenport off to a flier in LA

Serena Williams came back from a set and two breaks down to beat Anastasia Myskina 4-6 6-3 6-4 on the opening night of group play at the WTA Championships on Wednesday.


ONeill unhappy at Celtic Football Club defeat

Martin ONeill felt Celtic Football Club should not have lost their lead in last nights Old Firm game. John Hartson gave the Bhoys a 1-0 lead midway through the second half but a late goal from Dado Prso


Juventus beats Fiorentina 1-0, increases lead atop Serie A

Uruguayan midfielder Ruben Olivera scored his first Serie A goal in the 72nd minute Wednesday to help Juventus increase its Italian league lead to six points with a 1-0 win over rival Fiorentina.


Alan Henry: British Grand Prix

Ferrari sources have said unofficially that they will support the commercial arrangements agreed on Tuesday by the other nine formula one teams which should remove the last hurdle preventing the 2005 British grand prix from being confirmed on the final


NASCAR OKs liquor sponsorships

NASCAR returned to its roots Wednesday by lifting a ban on liquor ads on cars, opening the door for teams to be sponsored next season by distilled spirits.


Pires feels wrath of the France national coach

IT RARELY pays for players publicly to question their coach or manager, and after criticising Raymond Domenech, the France coach, Robert Pires was yesterday dropped from the national squad to play Poland in a friendly on Wednesday.


Grizzlies find Lakers perfect cure for 0-4 start

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After four opening losses, the Memphis Grizzlies were reeling and irritable. The intensity and fastbreak offense that led them to a franchise-record 50 wins and first playoff appearance last season were missing.


Seminoles may have finally solved leadership puzzle

When Alonzo Jackson had his much-publicized finger-pointing episode after a loss to Notre Dame two years ago, it became the impetus for Bobby Bowden #39;s decisions to close the locker-room doors


SL vindicated over Murali

The head of Sri Lanka Cricket has expressed relief and gratitude that Muttiah Muralitharan will be able to use his full weaponry under new laws.


'Huge' potential for gene therapy

\Scientists have taken an important step towards a new way of treating disease by switching off key genes.


Current Quotations

quot;With him disappears the man of courage and conviction who, for 40 years, has incarnated the Palestinians #39; combat for recognition of their national rights.


Israeli police detain nuke whistleblower Vanunu

Israeli police have detained nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu for questioning, a security source told Reuters without citing reasons.


20 dead in Russian hostel blaze

AT LEAST 20 people had died in a fire which engulfed a hostel in a remote Siberian town, news agencies reported today. Rescuers have found 20 bodies in the charred remains of the hostel in Kyzyl, ITAR-TASS reported.


World Scene

ABUJA, Nigeria - Sudan bowed to international pressure yesterday for a ban on military flights over the Darfur region, where 1.5 million people have been forced from their homes, and signed two landmark peace deals with rebels.


Author Chang found dead aged 36

Best-selling writer Iris Chang is found dead in her car in California with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.


Japan chasing mystery submarine

\Japan's navy keeps pace with an unidentified submarine spotted inside the country's waters on Wednesday.


Q A: What follows Arafat?

The BBC News website looks at the key questions arising from the death of Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian cause for more than 40 years.


A Dreamer Who Forced His Cause Onto World Stage

For virtually his entire adult life, Yasser Arafat had one dream, and he pursued it with such energy and zeal -- some would say fanaticism -- that he came to personify the dream itself.


Cup draw serves up Gunners clash

HOSTILITIES between Manchester United and Arsenal could well resume after the sides were paired in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.


Brit deal  #39;one year only

Even if British and French grands prix are held next year, negotiations will go back to square-one when a 2006 deal is mooted. Minardi #39;s Paul Stoddart said an eleventh hour teams #39; agreement to stage the voluntary


US holds most of Fallujah as fight goes on

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- US forces have seized control of up to 70 percent of this rebel stronghold, US and Iraqi officials said yesterday, as American and Iraqi troops battled insurgents along the city's main street and confronted isolated pockets of gunmen who had slipped back behind US lines.


Despite Tour Championship loss, Woods back to No. 2 in the <b>...</b>

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sports Network) -- Tiger Woods may have squandered a 54-hole lead for only the third time in his PGA Tour career Sunday at the Tour Championship, but his second-place finish was enough to


Palestinians Attack Settlement After Arafat Dies

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian militants angry over Yasser  Arafat's death attacked a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip  on Thursday in what they said signaled the start of a new round  of clashes against Israel.


Milestone for 'land of the lemur'

Madagascar moves to protect its remarkable biodiversity, more than trebling the area of forest and wetland in special reserves.


California Hangs on to Beat Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (Sports Network) - Thomas Decod blocked  a potential game-tying point after touchdown and Wendell Hunter  returned it for a two-point conversion as fourth-ranked  California hung on for a 26-16 win over Southern Mississippi at  M.M. Roberts Stadium.


Norway FM takes peace message to Tamil Tigers

COLOMBO - Sri Lankas president Chandrika Kumaratunga offered to revive stalled peace talks with the Tamil Tigers in a message conveyed to rebels by Norways foreign minister Jan Petersen, her office said on Thursday.


MetLife plans debut sterling bond -leads

MetLife Inc. (MET.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 1 US life insurer, plans to issue a debut sterling-denominated bond, joint bookrunners Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland said on Thursday.


Lawyers hold high noon in Marlboro Lights case

SPRINGFIELD -- Lawyers squared off Wednesday over whether the Illinois Supreme Court should overturn the largest verdict for damages in the state #39;s history: a \$10.


Taiwan Chip Giant Seeks Strong Partnerships

The head of the world #39;s largest contract chip manufacturer said Thursday it will cost an estimated \$1 billion (euro 776 million) for his company to develop the latest chip production technology.


Microsoft pushes search technology to market

SEATTLE Microsoft launches Web search technology today that it hopes will give it a share of the market dominated by Google. The new search engine will initially be available only on a special test site.


Firefox 1.0 Makes Flashy Debut

A decade ago, geeks greeted the release of Netscape #39;s new web browser with great anticipation. A similar sense of expectation surrounded each subsequent version of Netscape Navigator and, to a much lesser


Google delivers POP3 Gmail

Google will introduce POP3 (Post Office Protocol) support in the next few weeks for Gmail users, allowing them to download their email from the service using mail clients.


Passive smoking risk  #39;kept secret #39;

A LAB owned by US tobacco giant Philip Morris uncovered evidence in the early 1980s about potential risks from passive smoking but its findings were never made public, a new study charges.


Euro supercomputer network boots up

A new pan-European supercomputing network has opened to help scientists in the EU with their research.  quot;We have just completed testing, quot; said David Henty of the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre, a member


IBM readies SME tools

IBM will announced the pre-release of several tools for SMEs designed to speed development of solutions built on IBM middleware. The tools support the IBM Solutions Builder Express Portfolio, which provides


American sprinter banned for life

American sprinter Jerome Young was banned from competition for life Wednesday by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. For the second time, Young tested positive for a banned


Booze boost to Nascar

Nascar will allow liquor companies as sponsors for its Nextel Cup and other stock-car racing next season, ending a 30-year ban and creating a new funding source for racing teams.


France coach offers hope to Anelka

France coach Raymond Domenech has insisted Nicolas Anelka remain in his plans, but not in the near future. Along with Arsenal #39;s Robert Pires, Anelka was left out of the national squad to face Poland in a friendly at the Stade de France on November 17.


Wolfpacks slim bowl hopes ride on beating Florida State tonight

RALEIGH - Its about to strike midnight on North Carolina States football team unless it can deliver tonight. The Wolfpack is one loss away from elimination from bowl consideration when it plays its home finale against No.


Blair to push for Mid East peace

BRITISH Prime Minster Tony Blair called for new efforts to revive the Middle East peace process today after the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and just hours before he sets off to visit US President George W. Bush.


Report: Chinese fighter jets interfere with

The Taiwanese president #39;s flight to an outlying island several weeks ago was diverted because 28 Chinese fighter jets were spotted in the area, a major Taiwanese newspaper reported Thursday.


Google #39;s index expands and Gmail goes POP

In a posting on the company #39;s own blog on Wednesday, Bill Coughran, vice-president of engineering, announced that Google #39;s index now exceeds eight billion pages.


No charity at Nets #39; stripe

A night after they managed to score a measly 64 points in a win over Portland, the Nets reached 100 in Philadelphia. But they still could not score when they needed to.


Taiwan offers to cut troops by 100,000

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian Wednesday offered to cut the island #39;s troops by 100,000 to ease military tensions with mainland China.


Israel Arrests Nuke Whistleblower Vanunu for 'Leak' (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli police arrested nuclear\whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu on Thursday on suspicion of\spilling more state secrets seven months after he completed an\18-year prison term for treason.


Afghan UN Kidnappers Await Release of 26 Taliban (Reuters)

Reuters - Kidnappers of three U.N. workers in\Afghanistan said on Thursday they expect the government to\release 26 Taliban prisoners in exchange for their hostages\before the Muslim Eid festival this weekend.


EBay Acquires Web Site From Netherlands (AP)

AP - Online auction giant eBay Inc. has acquired the most popular classifieds Web site in the Netherlands for about  #36;290 million, the company announced.


Deutsche Telekom Boosts 3rd-Quarter Profit (AP)

AP - German phone giant Deutsche Telekom AG said Thursday its third-quarter net profit jumped to 1.39 billion euros ( #36;1.73 billion) amid growth at its wireless and Internet businesses, and raised its full-year forecast.


Nigerian oil unions vow to disrupt crude exports (AFP)

AFP - Nigeria's main oil unions said that their members will join next week's planned nationwide general strike and warned of disruptions in the country's exports of crude to the world market.


PeopleSoft rebuffs Oracle offer (TheDeal.com)

TheDeal.com - CEO David Duffield says offer undervalues the software company; board touts growing license sales.


Blogs Fuel Election Fraud Fears

Political scientists say the surprisingly high number of votes for President Bush in Florida can be explained by demographic trends -- it wasn't because of rigged voting machines. But the election process is so opaque that the conspiracy theories won't go away. By Kim Zetter.


Firefox 1.0 Makes Flashy Debut

Mozilla's new web browser is smart, fast and user-friendly while offering a slew of advanced, customizable functions. By Michelle Delio.


NASA to Attempt Mach 10 Flight

Engineers for the space agency's experimental X-43A project prepare to break the aircraft speed record. But the hypersonic jet flight could be NASA's last. By Amit Asaravala.


These Traffic Numbers Are Real

Tens of thousands of web publishers are too small to show up on industry-standard traffic reports, so they can't attract advertisers. But I/Pro, a small traffic-auditing firm, says it can change all that. Commentary by Adam L. Penenberg.


Fancy Express to Nowhere

Sure, there's the slick technology and stunning visuals, but the animated Polar Express doesn't do the book any favors. By Jason Silverman.


Has TiVo Forsaken Us?

Sometime in the next few months, your machine will quietly download a patch that makes it respond to a new copy-protection scheme from software maker Macrovision. By Lucas Graves from Wired magazine.


Britain #39;s Black Watch Back in Basra, Will Leave Iraq This Month

Britain #39;s Black Watch regiment, deployed to back up US forces outside Baghdad since the end of October, has returned to its base in Basra in southern Iraq, said a UK defense ministry spokesman.


Show Time for Stem-Cell Science

It's time to get down to business for stem-cell scientists and administrators after the tremendous boost they received from the passage of California's Proposition 71. Two advisory board appointments have been made; there are 25 to go. By Kristen Philipkoski.


Diebold to Settle E-Voting Suit

The company will pony up \$2.6 million to settle a lawsuit over allegedly flawed electronic voting systems it sold to California counties. Surprise: E-vote activists still aren't happy.


WTO rules against US gambling ban

The WTO case was brought by the Caribbean state of Antigua and Barbuda, host to many of the online casinos whose use is illegal in the US.


Cisco Stock Falls on Tech Spending Concerns

Shares of technology bellwether Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) fell more than 6 percent on Wednesday, as the company #39;s disappointing revenue outlook


Mixed response to Louisiana #39;s first US soybean rust cases

After decades of spreading the fungus across the globe, the wind was expected to bring soybean rust to the United States to threaten crop production and carry a hefty


EBay buying Dutch Web site

EBay Inc., the world #39;s largest online marketplace, said Thursday it was buying Marktplaats.nl, a Dutch classified advertising Web site, for about \$290 million in cash.


Microsoft readies new search engine

A new battle in the multibillion-dollar online search war begins today as software giant Microsoft unveils a test version of its new search engine, looking remarkably like one of its chief rivals, Google.


Open-source browser set for challenge

A new front has been opened in the long-dormant browser war, with an open-source program called Firefox aiming to challenge Microsoft #39;s dominant Internet Explorer.


Microsoft Passes on Itanium

Microsofts upcoming Windows for clustered computers operating system will not support Intels powerful Intanium 2 chipset according to News.


With  #39;Scramjet, #39; NASA Shoots for Mach 10

They call it a  quot;scramjet, quot; an engine so blindingly fast that it could carry an airplane from San Francisco to Washington, DC, in about 20 minutes -- or even quicker.


Sneaker makers bank on high-tech

Sneaker makers are selling a new wave of technologically advanced athletic shoes, in hopes of bringing back the age of the \$100-plus sneaker.


BYTE OF THE APPLE

Apple (AAPL ) CEO Steve Jobs has always approached his job with the zeal and showmanship of a populist politician. Jobs has another attribute common to the political classes, namely that even


New SMB Tools Hit IBM AlphaWorks Site

IBM Wednesday released new SMB tools on its emerging technology Web site to help customers deal with compliance issues as well as enable Business Partners to build solutions on WebSphere Express software.


Showalter, Cox voted managers of the year

Buck Showalter won his first American League Manager of the Year award 10 years ago after leading the New York Yankees back into contention.


Celtics 90 Trail Blazers 88

Pierce returned after taking a hit in the mouth during the final minute. He played with a mouth guard following seven hours of dental surgery after being hit with an elbow during Saturday #39;s win at New York.


Bout vs. Holyfield puts Donald in the spotlight

The first time Larry Donald told his buddies he was fighting four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield, they thought he was kidding.


Palestinians attack settlement after Arafat dies

Palestinian militants angry over Yasser Arafat #39;s death have attacked a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip in what they said signalled the start of a new round of clashes against Israel.


N.Korea urged to resume talks next month

The United States has conveyed a proposal to North Korea to resume six-nation talks on its nuclear drive next month, South Korean officials said Thursday.


Thousands in Kashmir Protest Alleged Rape

Police in Kashmir fired tear gas and used batons Wednesday to disperse thousands of people protesting the alleged rape of a woman and her daughter by soldiers.


World ; Tamil Tigers forcibly recruit child soldiers: report

World News, New York,Sri Lanka #39;s Tamil Tiger guerrillas have recruited thousands of child soldiers despite signing a peace pact in February 2002, Human Rights watch said in a report released Thursday.


We seize servers, you can't complain - US gov

Indymedia seizures Site owners have 'no standing'


Hamas warns against leadership that excludes it

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) warned on Thursday that any preparations to form a new Palestinian leadership without the participation of Hamas would be illegal.


Israel re-arrests whistleblower Vanunu

Nuclear whistle blower Mordechai Vanunu was arrested today for allegedly revealing classified information, seven months after he completed an 18-year prison sentence for treason, police said.


President and Foreign Minister express condolences on death of <b>...</b>

Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja (SDP), have expressed condolences to the family of President Yasser Arafat and to all Palestinians.


Iran says will give response on nuclear deal soon

TEHERAN - Iran will probably give its formal response on Thursday to Britain, France and Germany on whether it will agree to a suspension of some of its nuclear activities in order to avoid possible UN sanctions, a top official told AFP.


Charles Kartman to Visit Pyongyang, North Korea

Japan #39;s Asahi Shimbun reported from Washington on Thursday that Charles Kartman, executive director of the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO), would make a four-day trip to Pyongyang beginning Saturday.


Taiwan denies President Chen #39;s plane targeted by Chinese fighter <b>...</b>

TAIPEI: Taiwanese authorities have denied reports that President Chen Shui-bian #39;s plane was targeted by Chinese fighter jets when he was flying over the Taiwan Strait.


Tamil Tigers contact Sri Lankan president

The chief of Sri Lanka #39;s Tamil Tiger rebels sent an unexpected message to the country #39;s president via Norwegian peace brokers on Thursday, offering ways to revive stalled peace talks aimed at ending a two-decade civil war.


2nd round of talks on Darfur concludes

The second round of talks between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups on the Darfur crisis concluded on Wednesday in the Nigerian capital Abuja, China Radio International reported Thursday.


Stocks Headed Higher; Fed Outlook Pleases

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday,  pointing to a higher market open, as oil prices fell toward \$48  a barrel and Wall Street seemed encouraged that the Federal  Reserve would not accelerate its pace of interest rate hikes.


Palestinians Pour Out Grief Over Arafat's Death

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinians streamed into  the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Thursday in an  outpouring of grief over the death of Yasser Arafat, the  enduring symbol of their nationalist cause.


Only Injury Can Stop Peerless Federer at Masters Cup

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Last season, Roger Federer left  Houston not even the top-ranked player of the year.


Jones to Buy Barneys in \$400 Mln Deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mid-priced clothing retailer and maker  Jones Apparel Group Inc. JNY.N said on Thursday it was buying  Barneys New York Inc. BNNY.OB in a deal worth \$400 million as  a move to expand into luxury apparel retailing.


Blockbuster Interested in Hollywood Chain

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Blockbuster Inc. BBI.N, the largest  U.S. video rental chain, on Thursday said it has contacted  Hollywood Entertainment Corp. HLYW.O about acquiring its top  rival for \$700 million.


Cisco reports record profit but outlook disappoints

For the second quarter in a row, No. 1 network-gear maker Cisco (CSCO) reported record profit but saw some signs of economic weakness.


Vodafone launches music 3G

and its handsets make a step to answer the need for all-in-one mobile media devices. The company expects 3G to begin gaining mass market


First case of soybean rust in US

11/11/2004 - The US Department of Agriculture #39;s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service yesterday confirmed the presence of the countrys first case of soybean rust, found on soybean leaf samples taken from two plots in Louisiana.


Blockbuster Inc. (BBI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the largest US video rental chain, on Thursday said it has contacted Hollywood Entertainment Corp.


Tiffany 3rd-Qtr Profit Falls to \$20.8 Mln; Sales in Japan Drop

Tiffany  amp; Co., the No. 1 US luxury jewelry retailer, said third-quarter earnings fell to \$20.8 million as sales declined in Japan, the company #39;s second-biggest market.


Coke Cuts Long-Term Earns, Volume Targets

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola Co. (KO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , stung by a prolonged downturn in North America and other markets, announced on Thursday that it was lowering key long-term earnings and sales targets.


Big leaks in Big Dig tunnels irk bigwigs

The Big Dig is riddled with leaks that are dumping millions of gallons of water into the \$14.6 billion tunnel system, according to an engineer hired to investigate the cause of a massive leak in September.


Update 2: Germany #39;s Lufthansa Posts 3Q Profit

German airline Lufthansa posted a euro125 million (US\$155 million) net profit in the third quarter, more than making up losses from a year ago thanks to stronger demand for air travel, the company said Thursday.


Bank of Ireland profit up

Bank of Ireland has reported a 5 percent rise in first-half profits, in line with predictions made in its September trading update, and says it is confident about the outlook for the full year.


Tiffany Earnings Fall

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Luxury jeweler Tiffany   Co. TIF.N on  Thursday said quarterly profit fell 26 percent, hurt by  lackluster sales in Japan and higher costs for precious metals  and diamonds.


Microsoft unveils new internet search engine

Microsofts first search technology went live on Wednesday. The software giant claims that the preliminary or beta version of its MSN Search stands out from other search engines because it offers more


Gmail starts to download messages

Google will gradually roll out Pop3 support over the coming weeks to Gmail users, allowing them to download e-mail messages from Gmail servers to e-mail applications.


Boeing and Northrop Grumman forge space alliance

Boeing and Northrop Grumman have inked a memorandum of agreement which will see the two aerospace giants join forces to compete for the contract to build NASA #39;s Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) - part of the Agency #39;s Constellation project to send robotic


French competition body rejeccts #39; open iPod #39; claim

The French Competition Council has rejected Virgin France #39;s claim that Apple #39;s FairPlay technology should be licensed to other companies #39; online music stores.


New Trojan Virus Sends Spam to Russian Mobile Phones

A new Trojan virus has appeared in Russian that hijacks PCs and sends spam via SMS text messages to mobile phones. After infecting a PC, the Delf-HA Trojan sends spam to the St.


Microsoft offers indemnification for all

Microsoft Corp has upped the ante in its claims to offer better intellectual property indemnification than Linux vendors by extending to all end users its IP protection policy, which was previously only available to volume licensing customers.