Bomb Kills Veneuelan Prosecutor

A car bomb killed a top Venezuelan prosecutor investigating opponents of President Hugo Chavez who were accused of backing a 2002 coup attempt against the leftist leader, officials said Friday.


Bomb Kills Venezuela Prosecutor Leading Coup Probe

 By Patrick Markey

 CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - A car bomb killed a topVenezuelan prosecutor investigating opponents of President HugoChavez who were accused of backing a 2002 coup attempt againstthe leftist leader, officials said on Friday.


No. 9 N.C. Holds Off No. 8 Kentucky 91-78 (AP)

AP - North Carolina finally beat Kentucky again, thanks to Rashad McCants and Sean May. Jawad Williams helped a bunch, too.


Putting Linux on notice

roundup Large-scale Linux users could find themselves in a costly patent pickle, warns Steve Ballmer.


Sober worm causes headaches

After a fairly quiet fall, mass-mailing worm starts to spread on Windows PCs. Plus: Air Force turns to Microsoft for security help.


Nintendo aims for older crowd with DS

Video game giant will be moving past Pokemon pack when it launches the DS on Sunday. \


Dollar Plunges on Greenspan Comments

The dollar sank across the board, dropping to multiyear lows against the yen and the euro on Friday, after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said demand for US


KMG Chemicals Stock Soars on 1Q Earnings

KMG Chemicals Inc. ended the week on a strong note as its stock surged some 130 percent after the pesticide maker handed Wall Street fiscal first-quarter profit that more than doubled from last year.


Novell Shares Slide on Missed Estimates

Novell Inc. shares slid Friday after the Linux software vendor swung to a fourth-quarter profit but still didn #39;t meet analyst expectations during a period one Wall Street bank called disappointing.


Asia-Pac a key software market: Ballmer

MICROSOFT chief executive officer Steve Ballmer on Thursday stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region to the world #39;s top software maker when he was addressing


Nintendo aims for older crowd with DS

Nintendo is after a new kind of customer, and this time the Japanese game giant doesn #39;t have Pokemon to back it up. The company #39;s new DS, an advanced handheld player meant to expand a market Nintendo already


Peruse most any cookbook, I suppose, and eventually you #39;ll stumble <b>...</b>

Make sandwich out of ingredients. Heat in skillet until browned image of Virgin Mary mysteriously appears. Let cool in clear plastic box with cotton balls for a decade, or until desired cheese consistency.


Wolverines should ride Hart and hope to establish early lead

It was tailback Chris Perry #39;s 15-yard touchdown run in the final quarter last year that clinched Michigan #39;s victory over Ohio State and helped send the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl.


Nephew leaves Gaza for France to receive Arafat #39;s death report

Nasser al-Qedwa, Palestinian delegate to the United Nations and a nephew of late leader Yasser Arafat,left here for France on Friday to receive Arafat #39;s death report,the Arabic-language Radio Sawa reported.


Troops storm Baghdad mosque

storm the Hanifa mosque. Witnesses said worshippers threw shoes at the troops -- a grave insult in Islam -- and soldiers. forces despite a bloody rout of insurgents in the Sunni Muslim bastion of Falluja.


Oracle, PeopleSoft prepared for midnight offer deadline

The Friday midnight expiration for Oracle's tender offer to PeopleSoft's shareholders for control of the company will either end the software rivals' bitter, 17-month battle or increase its ferocity.


Suicide Bomber Kills 8 Iraqi Police Officers

A suicide bomber rammed a minibus packed with explosives into a police station near Baghdad's protected Green Zone on Saturday morning.


Takers Line Up To Buy Hollywood Video Stores

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Movie Gallery video rental chain said Friday it #39;s offered to acquire video rental rival Hollywood Entertainment.


Apollo to buy Goodman Global for \$1.43B

HOUSTON -- Investment firm Apollo Management LP said it agreed to acquire Goodman Global Holdings Inc., a maker of air conditioners and heating equipment, for \$1.43 billion.


Stocks Open Higher After CPI, HP Earnings

US stocks opened higher on Wednesday after news that core inflation rose only slightly more than expected last month. Strong earnings from computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co.


Cable television a la carte

S outheast Portland resident Jerry Lindquist enjoys watching automotive programs, educational channels and TV shows on popular science.


Hibbett 3Q Profit Rises to \$6.3 Million

Athletic retailer Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc. said Thursday that profit rose 17 percent in the fiscal third quarter on high sales of footwear and team equipment.


Intel lays deeper Indian foundations

Chipmaker Intel will spend \$40m to expand in the southern Indian city of Bangalore over the next two years. Intel Chief Executive Craig Barrett on Friday laid the foundation of a new Intel building in Bangalore


Humans Ran Into Evolution

Walking upright has long been accepted as one of the fundamental abilities that separated early human ancestors apart from their ape cousins.


Ballmer Warns Asian Officials of Linux Suits

Microsoft has warned Asian governments that they may face lawsuits for using the Linux operating system instead of Windows. Speaking to government officials in Singapore Thursday as part of a five-day visit


Alert: New Sober Variant

A new variant of the Sober worm is rapidly spreading via e-mail. Visit the Virus Threat Center for breaking news and the latest alerts.


DoCoMo standardizes on Symbian OS, and on Linux

The Japanese carrier will be standardizing on Symbian for their 3G mobile phone platform, and they will ship 3G phones based on Linux.


Half-Life 2 users bitten by bugs

Several Half-Life 2 users who finally got the long-delayed game into their hands yesterday got exactly what they didn #39;t want--more delays.


Man indicted in eBay fraud

A San Lorenzo man defrauded eBay users of thousands of dollars in auctions for rare Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan sports cards, according to a federal grand jury indictment handed up Wednesday in San Jose.


Duo boost England hopes

Luke Donald and Paul Casey took a giant stride towards what would be only the second-ever victory for England in golf #39;s World Cup.


Iordanescu resigns as Romania coach

Romania, depleted by injuries and suspensions, lost top spot in Group One after a 1-1 draw in Yerevan which handed Armenia their first point in five matches.


Racism on trial in La Liga

The behaviour of Barcelona fans at Saturday #39;s game against archrivals Real Madrid will be in sharp focus after Spanish football fans covered themselves in shame with their racist chanting against the black England players on Wednesday.


Bush to name choice to lead Education Dept.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush today will nominate Margaret Spellings, his chief domestic policy adviser, as secretary of education -- making her the third senior White House staff member selected to lead a key agency in his second term -- senior


Prince Charles right or wrong?

The Education Secretary Charles Clarke criticised Prince Charles as  quot;old-fashioned quot; after he said the  quot;learning culture quot; gave people hope beyond their capabilities.


Powell States Preference for Diplomacy (AP)

AP - In a candid interview with his time in office running out, Secretary of State Colin Powell is acknowledging differences with others in the Bush administration and suggesting that the disputes centered on his preference for diplomacy over force to resolve problems.


Israel probes body abuse claims

The Israeli army says it is investigating newspaper claims of the abuse of dead Palestinians by its soldiers.


Revelations Only Confirm Suspicions About Drugs

Only the nave or willfully ignorant seem not to understand that drug use has been widespread for many years in elite sport. The


Dow, S P, Nasdaq All Down

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Friday, led by  pharmaceutical shares after a U.S. health official raised  concerns about drug safety and a drop in chip-equipment makers  following a ratings downgrade by Goldman Sachs.


Bush Signs Into Law Debt Ceiling Increase

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Friday signed into  law a measure authorizing an \$800 billion increase in the  credit limit of the United States, the White House said.


Judge Will Mull Voiding UAL Union Deals

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal bankruptcy judge agreed on  Friday to consider a motion by United Airlines UALAQ.OB to  cancel its union contracts to save \$725 million annually.


A Hot Prospect for Hidden Gems

Though I #39;ve spent a good portion of my life living in the Southeast, I didn #39;t stumble upon Hibbett Sporting Goods (Nasdaq: HIBB) in real life.


FDA Clears Genentech #39;s Tarceva For Lung Cancer

On Thursday, biotechnology companies Genentech Inc. and OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. said US regulators have approved their drug Tarceva for treating the most common form of lung cancer.


Rocket Maker, Rule Breaker?

SpaceDev does things that the big boys can't afford to do. Unfortunately, that includes losing money for a long time.


Casual Male's Uphill Climb

Casual Male caters to a big clientele but has to overcome a hefty debt load.


Electronics Boutique Quintuples Earnings

Video game retailer posts strong results leading into holiday quarter.


"Brain" in Dish Flies Simulated Fighter Jet

Scientists have grown a "brain" in a petri dish that can fly a simulated F-22 fighter airplane. It's all part of a quest to build "living" computers.


"National Treasure": Freemasons, Fact, and Fiction

<I>National Treasure,</I> the new Nicolas Cage movie, plays to the public's fascination with conspiracy theories and secret societies like the Freemasons. So how true is it?


Luxury and Conservation at Dubai's Desert Haven

A new nature preserve and resort in Dubai has set aside 4.8 percent of the desert emirate's total landmass for conservation.


Ancient Ape Discovered: Last Ape-Human Ancestor?

In Spain scientists have discovered 13-million-year-old fossils of a new species of ape. The species may have been the last common ancestor of humans and all great apes living today. <b>Includes photo gallery.</b>


FDA expert accuses agency over Vioxx

The US is virtually defenceless against another scandal such as Vioxx, senators investigating Mercks withdrawal of its popular painkiller were told yesterday.


Russia set to auction off oil giant to recoup unpaid taxes

Russian oil giant OAO NK Yukos has finally run out of options after a prolonged attempt to stave off bankruptcy that culminated earlier this week in a government raid on its offices.


Nvidia to put more force behind Intel processors

Graphics chip maker Nvidia on Friday made public plans to create a version of its nForce chipset for Intel processor PCs. That #39;s something Nvidia couldn #39;t legally do in the past, but can now, thanks to a broad patent swap with Intel.


Web shoppers open their wallets wider

Web sites racked up \$17.6 billion in retail sales in the third quarter, according to estimates released Friday by the US Commerce Department.


Judge to Mull UAL Bid to Void Labor Pacts

A federal bankruptcy judge on Friday agreed to consider a motion by United Airlines to cancel its union contracts to save \$725 million annually.


Flights Grounded During Italian Controller Strike

Hundreds of flights were canceled and many others delayed on Friday due to a four-hour air traffic controllers #39; strike in Italy, when unions protested against plans to centralize control of central Europe #39;s upper-airspace.


Congress Reapproves Internet Access Tax Ban

The US Congress on Friday reinstated a ban on Internet access taxes after the House of Representatives agreed to extend it for another three years rather than make it permanent.


No, that #39;s not a typo. After the bell yesterday, Electronics Boutique (Nasdaq: ELBO) reported that earnings had increased fivefold to \$7.3 million, or \$0.30 per share, beating analysts #39; estimates by a penny.


GM hasn #39;t yet ruled out using Stelco steel in  #39;05

General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it may not dump Stelco Inc. (STEa.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) as a supplier even though Canada #39;s


Supermarket chain Loblaw #39;s profit up 18 at \$258M with merchandise <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Cost-cutting and a further shift toward higher-margin general merchandise in new stores helped Loblaw Cos. Ltd. grow its quarterly profit by 18 per cent, executives at Canada #39;s biggest supermarket chain said Friday.


Novell revenue up as SUSE investment shows promise

Networking and Linux vendor Novell reported a profit of \$57.1 million for fiscal 2004 and said its Linux offerings are allowing the company to reach new customers.


Chicago Bears Winning With Defense (AP)

AP - Messages and cards came from all over, congratulating defensive end Michael Haynes on his rare touchdown. When Haynes stuck up his hand and deflected a pass to himself before rumbling 45 yards for a Chicago Bears score last week, he did more than point his team to victory at Tennessee.


al-Qaida Hunt Achieved Limited Success (AP)

AP - The two suspected masterminds of the Istanbul suicide bombings are at large a year after the blasts in a scenario that's being played out around the world: police quickly make arrests, but often struggle for years to catch the organizers of terror attacks.


Ballmer on Linux, part II

Initial coverage of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer #39;s comments during an event in Singapore yesterday left the folks back at headquarters in Redmond trying to clarify things and put them in context.


Hotmail Upgrade Finally Starts

As the mailbox storage space rivalry continues, Hotmail has now begun upgrading the email account of its users. According to reports the upgrade will be in a phased manner, beginning from the United States and Europe, and later moving on to other regions.


Fast-Spreading Sober Worm Up In Europe, Heading To US

A new Sober worm began spreading early Friday morning in Europe and quickly gained enough traction worldwide that security companies scrambled to warn users and produce new signatures to deflect the attack.


Google sees benefits in corporate blogging

Google has seen many benefits from its internal Web log system and may consider providing blogging tools and expertise to corporate clients, a company executive said.


Agassi Wins Appeal Against British Tax Ruling

Former world number one tennis player Andre Agassi has won his appeal against a High Court ruling that athletes and other professional entertainers are liable to tax on sponsors #39; payments while working in Britain.


SI.com #39;s BJ Schecter breaks down a key Mountain West showdown

Utes coach Urban Meyer is one of the hottest offensive minds in the nation and Utah will run wild formations with misdirection and trick plays.


Iordanescu steps down as Romania coach

Bucharest, Romania (Sports Network) - Anghel Iordanescu resigned as coach of Romania Friday following Wednesday #39;s disappointing 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Armenia.


IBM, Fla. university look to autonomic computing research

IBM will supply Florida International University with hardware and software so the university can do research on how technology can be used to better protect patient privacy and reduce waiting room time.


California employee pension fund tenders PeopleSoft shares to Oracle

The California Employees' Retirement System voted Wednesday to tender its 1.5 million PeopleSoft shares to Oracle, giving the hostile suitor a boost in the final days of its takeover bid.


Source of Powell #39;s Iran intelligence under scrutiny

The source of intelligence used this week by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to suggest Iran is working on a nuclear weapons program may not be reliable, knowledgeable sources told CNN Friday.


Santiago march turns violent

Santiago - Chilean anti-riot police fired water-cannon and tear gas on Friday at bands of stone-throwing protesters in a massive rally against a major Asia-Pacific summit.


MS strategy pushes it to cross-platform support

COPENHAGEN - Microsoft Corp. wrapped up its IT Forum in Copenhagen this week by singing the praises of new management tools that are part of a long-term vision for reducing IT complexity. But behind its more vocal announcements there emerged another significant tune, one that suggested that the software maker will have to be more willing to play with platforms from other companies in order to deliver its new strategy.


Yukos Unit To Be Auctioned Off Next Month

The heart of the Yukos oil empire will be auctioned by the government next month for what could be a bargain price to pay back a mounting multibillion-dollar tax bill  --  a dramatic finale to a relentless 18-month official probe that could destroy Russia's largest oil producer. A top Yukos manager slammed the plans as "government-organized theft."


Ukraine's Face Is Mirrored in a Candidate

Many Ukrainians believe that Viktor A. Yushchenko is their best hope for changing Soviet-style governance.


Icahn, Group Offers to Buy Mylan Labs

Veteran financier Carl Icahn said he and a group of investors are willing to buy Mylan Laboratories Inc. for \$20 per share, according to a Friday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


New Orleans Lineman Has Unique Motivation (AP)

AP - New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant has a unique way of preparing for games. He imagines the players that line up across from him are the men who beat his mother over the years, the employers who took advantage of her or the people who ran out on her.


Greenspan: Appetite for Dollar Will Wane (Reuters)

Reuters - Investors' appetite for U.S. assets\will eventually dwindle and the United States must reduce its\budget deficit to prevent major economic damage, Federal\Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Friday, in remarks that\hit the dollar hard.


Experts Fear Medicare Won't Work for Nursing Home Patients

Many cannot easily shop around for the best bargains on their drugs, as other Medicare beneficiaries are supposed to do.


Greenspan: Appetite for Dollar Will Wane

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Investors' appetite for U.S. assets  will eventually dwindle and the United States must reduce its  budget deficit to prevent major economic damage, Federal  Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Friday, in remarks that  hit the dollar hard.


Stocks Tumble; Greenspan Jolts Investors

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell sharply on Friday as  investors were jolted by a \$2 jump in oil prices and a warning  from Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan that the dollar  had further to fall.


Greenspan Warns, Treasuries Recoil

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices slid on Friday  after Fed chief Alan Greenspan spooked investors with an  unusually direct reminder that interest rates were bound to  move higher.


Judge to Mull UAL Bid to Void Labor Pacts

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal bankruptcy judge on Friday  agreed to consider a motion by United Airlines to cancel its  union contracts to save \$725 million annually.


Oracle's PeopleSoft Bid Deadline Nears

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Oracle Corp. ORCL.O on Friday  won the backing of another key public pension fund in its  \$8.8-billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc. PSFT.O as the  17-month takeover battle between the two California-based  business software makers neared a key deadline.


Italian budget airline grounded

Volare, Italy's first budget airline, cancels all flights and ticket sales indefinitely amid reports of a financial crisis.


Holiday travel may bring little cheer

A POTENTIAL flight attendants #39; strike and record crowds at the nation #39;s airports could combine to make travel the most cheerless aspect of this holiday season.


3Q e-commerce sales rise 4.7

Retail sales over the Internet rose 4.7 percent in the third quarter and gained 21.5 percent compared with the same period last year as consumers continued to turn to e-commerce for shopping, a government report showed Friday.


CanWest debt shuffle provides US\$133.6M in cash to Hollinger <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - A debt refinancing by CanWest Global Communications Corp. has cut its future interest costs while paying \$133.6 million US to Hollinger International Inc.


Gators Try to Break Drought at FSU (AP)

AP - Florida coach Ron Zook has one final chance to do something even Steve Spurrier couldn't do as Top Gator  #151; win at Florida State. When the Gators play No. 10 Florida State on Saturday, they will try to break an 18-year winless streak at Doak Campbell Stadium in Zook's final regular-season game.


Oklahoma Could Get Blowout It Needs (AP)

AP - Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops could get the blowout victory his Sooners need Saturday without any regrettable decisions. No. 2 Oklahoma has never lost to Baylor, winning the last five years by an average margin of 38 points. They will need to do that  #151; and maybe more  #151; to make a good impression on the poll voters.


Apple to open first European retail store in London

LONDON (AFP) - Apple is to open its first retail store in Europe on Saturday, a state-of-the-art boutique in central London selling the latest products from the US computer and technology group.


Solaris 10 Supports High-Volume 64-Bit Computing

Santa Clara, CA; November 22, 2004 -- Sun Microsystems and AMD are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their strategic partnership.


Kim portraits still in place, North Korea says

BEIJING - North Korea has denied reports that portraits of leader Kim Jong Il have been disappearing from public places in the capital, Pyongyang.


Chinese leader says economy to grow about 9.0 percent in 2004 (AFP)

AFP - Chinese President Hu Jintao said the booming economy in China would grow by "around 9.0 percent" this year as controls implemented to slow overheated sectors of the economy took effect.


Street protests greet Apec summit

Police and protesters clash in the Chilean capital, Santiago, ahead of a meeting of the Apec regional organisation.


House G.O.P. Leader Hails Ethics Panel's Rebuke of His Accuser

Tom DeLay of Texas claimed vindication today after it was disclosed that one of his accusers had been found to have stretched the facts.


Judge could kill United union contract

US bankruptcy judge agrees to consider airline #39;s motion to cancel pact, save \$725 million a year. CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal bankruptcy judge agreed Friday to consider a motion by United Airlines to cancel


Howard Stern and Sirius Pull Off Major Publicity Stunt

About 1,000 people and a media circus flocked to Manhattan #39;s Union Square Thursday where Howard Stern and Sirius Satellite Radio gave away 500 free satellite radios, one-year subscriptions and vouchers for a free radio with a \$142 subscription to Sirius.


House approves extension of ban on taxing the Internet

The House has given final congressional approval to a bill that bans state and local governments from taxing Internet connections for the next three years.


FDA approves new lung cancer drug

The US Food and Drug Administration Friday said it had approved Tarceva (erlotinib) tablets for patients with metastatic lung cancer.


Fed #39;s Stern sees solid growth, low inflation

The US economy is resilient over time and growth is likely to remain in the 3-4 percent range, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Gary Stern said on Friday.


College Students Feel Sting of RIAA Lawsuits

The RIAA continued its hard-line approach to music sharing with a round of copyright infringement lawsuits targeting 761 alleged illegal file sharers.


US Plans Would Defer Roan Plateau Drilling

The US Bureau of Land Management said on Friday its preferred plan for the rim of the Roan Plateau in western Colorado is to defer oil and natural gas drilling until 80 percent of anticipated wells are drilled below the rim.


MSN, Yahoo Deal Extended

Microsoft #39;s MSN Web portal has extended its contract with Overture, a division of Yahoo that provides sponsored search results.


Microsoft Hotmail Ups Storage Space For New Users

Microsoft finally made good on a five months #39;-old promise Thursday by upping the storage allowance for new members of its Hotmail e-mail service.


Oracle's PeopleSoft Bid Deadline Nears (Reuters)

Reuters - Oracle Corp.  on Friday\won the backing of another key public pension fund in its\ #36;8.8-billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc.  as the\17-month takeover battle between the two California-based\business software makers neared a key deadline.


FDA Official Defends Drug Safety Record

A top official of the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday that he and his colleagues  quot;categorically reject quot; earlier Congressional testimony that the agency has failed to protect the public against dangerous drugs.


Icahn Offers to Buy Mylan Laboratories for \$5.38 Bln (Update2)

Billionaire financier Carl Icahn offered to buy Mylan Laboratories Inc., the largest US maker of generic medicines, for about \$5.38 billion to block Mylan #39;s proposed purchase of King Pharmaceuticals Inc.


Georgia crematory operator pleads guilty to dumping more than 300 <b>...</b>

Former crematory operator Ray Brent Marsh pleaded guilty Friday to dumping 334 bodies and giving the families of the deceased cement dust instead of ashes.


Let the Handheld Games Begin

It #39;s the fight computer gamers have been waiting for. But the latest duel between wise old master Nintendo and challenger Sony is not taking place on a TV screen.


Play : Half-Life 2 will take over your life

THANK God for Valve Softwares Kellie Cosner, who gave me a complimentary edition of one of the most anticipated games of all time, Half-Life 2. Kellie, whom I previously corresponded with


Steelers Surprising Everyone but Cowher (AP)

AP - Days after the Steelers wrapped up a 6-10 season that matched the worst record in his 12 years on the job, coach Bill Cowher said in January his team wasn't that far from contending again.


Stars endorse London #39;s 2012 Olympic Games

LONDON - From David Beckham to Roger Moore to Tony Blair, London is rolling out the big names to promote its campaign for the 2012 Olympics.


Rapids fire GM

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rapids have fired general manager Dan Counce after eight years with the club. The move comes as Colorado remains in search of a new head coach, who will take over


In-form Sochaux brush aside Monaco

Sochaux extended their unbeaten run to eight Ligue 1 matches with a deserved 3-1 success at struggling Monaco on Friday. The result gave Sochaux 25 points and kept them in fourth


Second-ranked Tigers biggest challenge of the year for Tide

Tuscaloosa, AL (U-WIRE) -- There #39;s good and bad news for Tide fans coming into this year #39;s Iron Bowl. The good news is that during the past three years, whenever the Auburn Tigers have defeated the Georgia


Figure Skating: American in Paris outshines France #39;s Joubert

PARIS : US national champion Johnny Weir looks poised for his second win of the season when he lead the ISU Grand Prix figure skating event after the short program, as favourite Brian Joubert, the men #39;s world silver medallist from France, struggled in


British Hunters Seek to End Fox-Hunt Ban (AP)

AP - Defeated in Parliament, supporters of fox hunting went to court Friday to try to overturn a legislative ban on their more than 300-year-old sport and vowed a campaign of civil disobedience in the run-up to next year's general election.


Iraqi Troops Raid Baghdad Mosque, 17 Detained

Hundreds of Iraqi troops backed by US forces stormed a Sunni Muslim mosque in Baghdad after Friday prayers, killing four people and wounding at least nine, witnesses and an influential group of Sunni clerics said.


Sharon eases conditions for resuming peace talks with the <b>...</b>

Israel signalled flexibility and openness toward the emerging new Palestinian leadership Friday, with a top adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon saying peace talks could resume if the Palestinians showed some goodwill.


Protests Target Bush at Summit in Chile (AP)

AP - Riot police used water cannons and tear gas Friday to break up a demonstration by hundreds of rock-throwing protesters before more than 20,000 people marched to vent their anger at Pacific Rim leaders, particularly President Bush.


House GOP Leader DeLay Delights in Rebuke of Accuser (Reuters)

Reuters - A Texas congressman who brought a\successful ethics complaint against House Majority Leader Tom\Delay was himself rebuked by the ethics panel for violating the\rules in the way he brought the complaint.


UN reiterates plea for hostages release in Afghanistan (AFP)

AFP - The United Nations renewed an appeal for the safe release of three UN workers taken hostage in Afghanistan by a shadowy group of Islamic militants.


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Hundreds of Iraqi troops backed by U.S.  forces stormed a Sunni Muslim mosque in Baghdad after Friday  prayers, killing four people and wounding at least nine,  witnesses and an influential group of Sunni clerics said.


Myanmar Frees Prominent Political Prisoners

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta freed at least two dozen  members of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's political party on  Friday during a mass release of 4,000 people detained  "inappropriately" by the intelligence machine purged last  month.


After Iraq, Spain Turns Again Toward Latin America

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - After spending several  years distracted by Iraq and the war on terror, Spain under its  new socialist government is turning again toward Latin America  where its historical and business links give it an unrivaled  edge.


Ukraine Liberal Vows Demonstrations if Cheated

KIEV (Reuters) - The liberal challenger in a closely fought  presidential election in Ukraine raised the stakes on Friday,  threatening to bring his supporters onto the streets if the  authorities tried to deny him victory by cheating.


Protests Target Bush at Summit in Chile

Riot police used water cannons and tear gas Friday to break up a demonstration by hundreds of rock-throwing protesters before more than 20,000 people marched to vent their anger at Pacific Rim leaders, particularly President Bush.


Bomb Kills Venezuela Prosecutor, Gov't Swipes at US

 By Patrick Markey

 CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - A Venezuelan prosecutorprobing a 2002 coup against President Hugo Chavez was killed bya car bomb that the government blamed Friday on radicalopponents it said were training in the United States.


Stocks Tumble, Greenspan Jolts Investors

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell sharply on Friday as  investors were jolted by a more than \$2 increase in oil prices,  while Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan gave a stark  reminder that interest rates were bound to go higher and warned  the appetite for the dollar would dwindle.


Movie Gallery Offers to Buy Hollywood Video Chain

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Movie Gallery Inc. on Friday offered  to buy rival movie rental chain Hollywood Entertainment Corp.  for an undisclosed sum, one week after industry leader  Blockbuster Inc. bid about \$700 million for Hollywood.


Scientist: FDA Incapable of Protecting Safety

Nov. 18, 2004 - An FDA scientist says the FDA, which is charged with protecting America #39;s prescription drug supply, is incapable of doing so.


New Drug for Advanced Lung Cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted fast-trackapproval to Tarceva (erlotinib) to treat advanced non-small cell lungcancer that has failed to respond to other therapy.


Congress Blocks Net Connection Taxation (AP)

AP - Congress acted Friday to block state and local governments from taxing connections that link consumers to the Internet for the next three years.


New Sober Worm on the Loose (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - A new version of the Sober worm is having quite a bit of success infecting users in Europe through the use of social engineering.


Angels Ship Guillen to Expos (Reuters)

Reuters - The Anaheim Angels have\reportedly traded outfielder Jose Guillen to the\Washington-bound Expos in exchange for outfielder Juan Rivera\and a prospect.


Smith steps closer to Scotland manager's job (AFP)

AFP - Scottish Football Association (SFA) officials confirmed they interviewed Walter Smith for the vacant national managerial job.


Red Hat More Competition For Sun Than Microsoft

Sun who resells Red Hat #39;s software, is competing for the same customers as Red Hat with their upcoming release of Solaris 10 in January.


NTT DoCoMo chooses Linux for next-gen phones

MANHASSET, NY - MontaVista Software Inc. has announced that its MontaVista Linux has been chosen as the operating system for three new Foma third-generation (3G) mobile phones from NTT DoCoMo.


Novell Rebounds In Fiscal 2004 On Linux Revenue

Novell reports a \$31 million profit for the year, crediting the turnaround to its expanded Linux strategy. By Larry Greenemeier. Novell #39;s move into the Linux market is paying off as the company Thursday reported


Univ. of D.C. Cancels Basketball (AP)

AP - The University of the District of Columbia canceled its men's and women's basketball seasons Thursday, citing problems with recruitment, academic eligibility and financial aid.


Insurgency a Problem for Iraq Rebuilding (AP)

AP - Security risks to reconstruction workers in Sunni-dominated parts of Iraq have grown worse over the past six weeks, the U.S. coordinator said Friday.


MSN, Yahoo Deal Extended (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Yahoo's Overture (Nasdaq: OVER) Services division announced that it extended its deal to provide Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Web portal, MSN, with sponsored search results.


TO solution: Don #39;t show TD antics

No, I #39;m not referring to the uproar over ABC #39;s  quot;Desperate Housewives quot; promo that included Owens and aired before Monday Night Football this week.


AP NewsBreak: Angels trade Guillen to Expos for Juan Rivera and a <b>...</b>

The Anaheim Angels agreed to trade troubled outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington-bound Expos for outfielder Juan Rivera and a prospect, The Associated Press learned Friday.


After toiling in boxing #39;s minor leagues, Wright ready to make his <b>...</b>

Winky Wright toiled for years in boxing #39;s minor leagues, patiently waiting for his big chance. Even when he won a piece of the 154-pound title, not many in the sport paid much attention.


Ivory Coast crisis brightens coffee traders #39; prospects

BANGALORE: As a fallout of the turmoil in the Ivory Coast, a French coffee roasters team will be visiting India soon. The 13-member delegation, led by French Roasters Association general secretary Florence


Remote Access Gets Safer, Easier (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Opinion: As competition heats up, iPass is the latest remote-access provider to announce favorable Wi-Fi pricing for enterprise customers.


Angels Ship Guillen to Expos

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sports Network) - The Anaheim Angels have  reportedly traded outfielder Jose Guillen to the  Washington-bound Expos in exchange for outfielder Juan Rivera  and a prospect.


Hewitt Crushes Gaudio to Reach Masters Semifinals

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Australia's Lleyton Hewitt dispatched  Argentine Gaston Gaudio 6-2, 6-1 Friday to clinch his place in  the Masters Cup semifinals.


Microsoft's Ownership of Trademark in Doubt (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - First "Windows," now "Excel." New York City-based software company Savvysoft says Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) has demanded that it drop the name Excel from its TurboExcel product, which makes Microsoft's Excel portable to other systems like Linux. Trouble is, Microsoft does not yet own the trademark to the name "Excel."


Software as a Service Feels Price Pinch (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - The worldwide services industry is undergoing a shift similar to what happened in manufacturing a generation ago, according to IDC analyst Marianne Hedin.


Oracle Bid Expected to Get Rival Support (AP)

AP - Investors continued to bet Friday that most PeopleSoft Inc. shareholders will back Oracle Corp.'s  #36;9.2 billion takeover bid for its bitter rival, further extending a bruising battle that already has dragged on for more than 17 months.


BALCO Head Says Feds Wanted Him to Record Athletes

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Victor Conte, head of the BALCO  lab at the center of a global steroid scandal, says in court  papers to be filed Friday that a federal agent last year asked  him if he would secretly record athletes suspected of doping.


Cy Coleman, Broadway Composer, Dies at 75

The debonair jazz pianist and composer of such legendary Broadway tunes as "Witchcraft," "Big Spender," and "The Best is Yet to Come," died on Thursday night.


WTO Negotiators Finish Week of Farm Talks

Negotiators at the World Trade Organization completed weeklong farm talks Friday, part of discussions on ways to reach a wider-ranging liberalization accord by the end of 2005.


Powell States Preference for Diplomacy

With his time in office running out, Secretary of State Colin Powell is acknowledging differences with others in the Bush administration and suggesting the disputes centered on his preference for diplomacy over force to resolve problems.


Introducing the big, bad BOFH polo shirt

Cash'n'Carrion Essential kit for the marauding sysdamin


Harper says Conservatives will settle for nothing less than forming next government (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - FREDERICTON (CP) - Almost a year after the merger of the Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance parties, the reconstituted Tories are still working to portray themselves as a united, credible alternative.


Icahn Offers Nearly  #36;5 Bln for Mylan Labs (Reuters)

Reuters - Financier Carl Icahn on Friday\offered to buy the shares of generic drugmaker Mylan\Laboratories  that he does not already own for  #36;4.9\billion, or  #36;20 a share, according to a government filing.


Germany Arrests 4th Suspect in Allawi Plot (AP)

AP - German authorities Saturday arrested a fourth man on suspicion of involvement in an al-Qaida-linked group's alleged plot to attack Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi during his visit to Berlin this week.


Stocks Fall, Jolted by Oil and Greenspan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks dropped on Friday as  investors were jolted by a jump in oil prices and comments by  U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who gave a blunt  reminder that interest rates were bound to go up and warned the  appetite for U.S. assets would eventually dwindle.


Congress Reinstates Internet Tax Ban

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress on Friday  reinstated a ban on Internet access taxes after the House of  Representatives agreed to extend it for another three years  rather than make it permanent.


Is Disney a Growth Stock?

Plus, Mel's Sirius decision, Phil hangs up his Nikes, and Mattel's "free plus" dividend.


A New Drug for Lung Cancer

Genentech and OSI's launch of Tarceva brings a new choice in the treatment of lung cancer.


Spurrier Not Guaranteed Augusta Membership

Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson said Friday that Steve Spurrier is not guaranteed a membership at the home of the Masters if he becomes the head football coach at South Carolina.


Marino, Young Considered for Hall of Fame

Dan Marino and Steve Young highlighted a list Friday of 25 candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


US FDA official defends agency #39;s handling of drug safety issues

A US Food and Drug Administration official said Friday  quot;we categorically reject quot; accusations the agency has failed to protect the public against dangerous drugs.


Greenspan Warns That US Deficits Pose Risk to Dollar

Alan Greenspan came to the home of the euro today and warned anxious Europeans to expect little relief from the relentless decline of the dollar against their currency.


Congress blocks taxation of Internet connections

Congress acted Friday to block state and local governments from taxing connections that link consumers to the Internet for the next three years.


Icahn Offers Nearly \$5 Billion for Mylan

Financier Carl Icahn on Friday offered to buy the shares of generic drugmaker Mylan Laboratories that he does not already own for \$4.9 billion, or \$20 a share, according to a government filing.


Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign begins

The Salvation Army is still hoping this season will be merry, even though it has fewer places to ring bells and fewer volunteers. The Salvation Army kicked off its red kettle campaign at Fourth Street Live today.


Several area taxpayers due refunds

By the Telegram Staff. An annual IRS review shows 329 federal tax refunds totaling more than \$174,000 belonging to Nebraska taxpayers were returned to the IRS as undeliverable.


Fossil of Great Ape Ancestor Found

A new fossil found in Spain may be the closest yet to the common ancestor of all great apes, perhaps including humans, researchers say.


Nvidia signs chipset license with Intel

Nvidia Corp. and Intel Corp. have signed a multiyear cross-licensing agreement that entitles Nvidia to build chipsets for Intel #39;s processors, the companies announced Friday.


Apple plans Toronto retail store

The Mac maker confirmed to CNET News.com on Friday that it plans to open a store in Toronto in mid-2005. Apple started notifying Canadian retailers of its plans earlier Friday, according to Mac enthusiast site Macosxrumors.


Scientist: Early Humans Ran Wild

Groundbreaking new research by Professor of Anthropology Daniel E. Lieberman 86 validates what Bruce Springsteen has been saying for yearshuman beings are, indeed, born to run.


Skulls program kills cell phone apps

Virus writers are targeting Symbian-based cell phones with a Trojan horse that kills off system applications and replaces their icons with images of skulls.


This week in security news

Phishing is one of the fastest-growing forms of personal fraud in the world. While consumers are the most obvious victims, the damage spreads far wider--hurting companies #39; finances and reputations and potentially


Hewitt routs Gaudio, eases into Masters Cup semis

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt humbled eighth- seeded Gaston Gaudio 6-2, 6-1 on Friday to secure a spot in the semifinals at the 2004 Tennis Masters Cup.


Honda moves in at BAR

As we exclusively predicted earlier this week Honda has bought into British American Racing. David Richards will now stand down and Nick Fry will take over.


Anaheim receives Izturis, Rivera in trade

com. Washington-bound Expos general manager Jim Bowden made another bold move to upgrade the club #39;s offense on Friday, acquiring outfielder Jose Guillen from the Angels in exchange for


CFL commissioner says improving refs  quot;top priority quot;

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Refereeing and the recruitment and development of new officials will be top priorities for the CFL over the next few years, the league commissioner said Friday in his annual Grey Cup state-of-the-union address.


At APEC, Bush to Work on North Korea, Iran

President Bush plans to seek support from China and other key allies at the Asia-Pacific summit to help resurrect talks with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, White House officials said on Friday.


Burma said to be freeing 4,000 political prisoners

RANGOON, BURMA - Burma #39;s military government has reportedly released a number of political prisoners as part of a wide-ranging amnesty for thousands of prisoners it said were improperly detained.


Palestinians Urge US to Keep Deadline

The Palestinian prime minister urged the United States on Friday to stick to its original 2005 deadline for Palestinian statehood, arguing that President Bush #39;s recent proposal


Troops storm Baghdad mosque

BAGHDAD, NOVEMBER 19: A suicide car bomber attacked a police convoy in Baghdad on Friday as guerrillas kept pressure on Iraqs US-backed security forces despite a bloody rout of insurgents in Falluja.


UN Deadlocks on Cloning Ban

After nearly two years of negotiations, the United Nations has chosen to shelve human cloning treaties and instead consider a non-binding declaration introduced by Italy as a compromise to please polarized member states.


US TV special for tsunami relief

A US celebrity TV special will benefit the tsunami relief effort in South Asia, as actors make donations.


Soccer Club to Be Charged With Murder (AP)

AP - Police plan to file murder charges against Sao Caetano club officials for the death of defenseman Serginho, who collapsed on the field and died of heart failure last month.


Johnson Awaiting Word on Possible Trades

Randy Johnson is waiting for the Arizona Diamondbacks to come to him with specific trade possibilities, with his only firm stipulation being that the new team be a contender, one of his agents said on Friday.


Mariners Trade Williams to Padres

The Seattle Mariner traded left-handed pitcher Randy Williams to the San Diego Padres on Friday for infielder Billy Hogan.


Mariucci Passes On Irish

Lions head coach Steve Mariucci says he was contacted by Notre Dame regarding their vacant head coaching position, but he will remain in Detroit.


Norwegians to relive Kon-Tiki Polynesia-Peru trip (AFP)

AFP - A grandson of Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian who 60 years ago sailed from Polynesia to Peru aboard Kon-Tiki, will launch a reenactment of the trip in April 2005 across the Pacific.


Deal on offshore revenue for Nfld. and N.S. could come next week (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) - Newfoundland is on the brink of an offshore revenue deal with Ottawa that could see the country's poorest province end its dependence on equalization payments in as little as three years, says Premier Danny Williams.


Ukraine Liberal Vows Street Demos if Cheated in Poll

KIEV (Reuters) - The liberal challenger in a closely fought  presidential election in Ukraine threatened on Friday to bring  his supporters onto the streets if the authorities tried to  deny him victory by cheating.


UN admits DR Congo abuses

Secretary-General Kofi Annan says there is clear evidence UN staff sexually abused refugees in DR Congo.


Russia Sets Date for Yukos Auction

The protracted legal battle over Russian oil giant Yukos appeared to enter its final phase Friday when the government set a date to auction off a majority stake in the company's richest energy fields and demanded another \$6 billion in back taxes from a business already facing a crippling \$14 billion bill for outstanding taxes and fines.


Soccer Club to Be Charged With Murder

Police plan to file murder charges against Sao Caetano club officials for the death of defenseman Serginho, who collapsed on the field and died of heart failure last month.


Thousands Protest Bush Before Chile Summit

Riot police used water cannons and tear gas Friday to break up a demonstration by hundreds of rock-throwing protesters before more than 20,000 people marched to vent their anger at Pacific Rim leaders, particularly President Bush.


Congress Prohibits Internet Taxation

The Congress on Friday passed legislation reinstituting a ban on state and local taxation of Internet access for another three years following a vote by the House of Representatives.


Outbreak of Soybean Rust Spreads

The US outbreak of soybean rust has spread to Alabama and Georgia, the Agriculture Department said on Friday, leaving Texas the lone state in the Gulf Coast untouched by the devastating crop fungus.


Armed Malawian politicians held

Three senior ruling party members are arrested for carrying guns to a meeting with Malawi's president.


NVIDIA and Intel Agree

November 19, 2004 - NVIDIA Corporation and Intel Corporation today announced that they have entered into a multi-year, cross-license agreement.


Prince of Persia sequel goes gold

Ubisoft #39;s darker iteration on the Prince of Persia franchise comes to light on multiple consoles December 2; was originally dated for mid-November.


SORENSTAM STAYS AHEAD

Annika Sorenstam shot a second-round 68 to open up a three-shot halfway lead at the ADT Tour Championship at Trump International in West Palm Beach, Florida.


Busch wins pole for season-ending race

Kurt Busch, last in the qualifying line and first in the NASCAR Nextel Cup points, waited out 54 other drivers Friday and then won the pole for the season-ending Ford 400, which will determine the 2004 champion.


Vincent, Reed out for Sunday #39;s game

Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - Veteran cornerback Troy Vincent and wide receiver Josh Reed will not play Sunday when the Buffalo Bills host the St.


PM arrives for APEC summit amid noisy protests

Touching down in a city rocked by large, noisy protests, Prime Minister Paul Martin has arrived in Santiago, Chile for this year #39;s summit of APEC leaders.


Angry Egyptians reject Israeli apology for killing border police

Egyptians are raging at an Israeli mistake that left three border policemen dead, even as the Israeli Army chief has promised an investigation.


Miller Out, Gruber Leads Giant Slalom

BEAVER CREEK, Colorado (Reuters) - Overall World Cup leader  Bode Miller blew his bid for a fifth win in six races when he  fell in the first leg of a giant slalom Saturday.


Pressure grows for US budget fix amid dollar drop

A drop in the value of the US dollar cannot by itself bring better balance to global trade without raising both US interest rates and recession risks, economists and a growing chorus of policy-makers say.


EMI reports net loss for first half but says sales on way back up

EMI Group PLC, one of the world #39;s biggest music companies, reported a small loss for the first half of its fiscal year Friday but said it expected an improvement in the second half which will reflect the release of several new albums that


Oracle, PeopleSoft prepared for midnight offer deadline

NOVEMBER 19, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - The midnight expiration of Oracle Corp. #39;s tender offer to PeopleSoft Inc. #39;s shareholders for control of the company will either end the software rivals #39; bitter, 17-month battle tonight -- or increase its ferocity.


Severstal, Steelworkers, others fight Deutsche Bank #39;s Stelco bid <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - A Russian steel company has gone to court to block Deutsche Bank #39;s refinancing proposal for Stelco Inc., one of a flurry of legal objections filed Friday against a sales process critics say is biased in favour of the German bank.


Young Rebuffs NBA, Sticks With Rangers (AP)

AP - Chris Young never expected to have to chose again between baseball and basketball. The Texas Rangers helped make it an easy decision for the 6-foot-10 pitcher.


Dollar declines following Greenspan remarks (AFP)

AFP - The dollar suffered a renewed bout of selling after US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan hinted that another depreciation in the US currency might be necessary to reduce the current account deficit.


Bill Gates: Spambuster

quot;Spam is a major security problem, quot; acknowledges Microsoft founder Bill Gates, but he maintains that progress has been made in the fight against unsolicited e-mail.


nVidia to make Intel chipsets

The AMD processor chipset market can honestly claim to have a flurry of participants these days. Although the first chipsets were strictly AMD jobs, today you can choose from AMD, VIA, nVidia, and even ATI to get your Athlon 64 or Opteron fix.


Sober worm variant shimmies

Security continues to hold steady over software as the third top IT priority, with organizations busy coping with cyber threats, keeping up with software security updates, and contemplating a plethora of security solutions and methods.


Tennis: Hewitt beats Gaudio to reach Masters Cup semis

HOUSTON, United States : Australia #39;s third-ranked Lleyton Hewitt reached the semi-finals of the ATP Masters Cup by defeating Argentina #39;s Gaston Gaudio 6-2, 6-1.


Mariners send journeyman lefty Williams to Padres

The 29-year-old Williams was 7-2 for Triple-A Tacoma and made six relief appearances with Seattle after being called up in September.


Kofi Annan No Confidence Vote?

Angered at Secretary-General Kofi Annan #39;s dismissal of allegations against the UN #39;s top investigator, union leaders representating over 5,000 UN employees met for a second day on Friday to decide what action to take.


Negotiators Work Overtime on 9/11 Bill (AP)

AP - Negotiators planned to work until Congress' final moments to get a breakthrough on legislation implementing the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations to protect the nation from terrorism.


Twins Keep U.S. Hopes Alive in Davis Cup Final

SEVILLE, Spain (Reuters) - Twins Bob and Mike Bryan breezed  past Spain's Tommy Robredo and Juan Carlos Ferrero on Saturday  to give the United States a glimmer of hope of rescuing the  Davis Cup final.


Thousands Need Water in Aceh, Disease Emerges

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (Reuters) - Hungry and filthy,  Indonesians queued for water in their thousands on Tuesday as  aid deliveries to tsunami-ravaged Aceh province hit new snags  and cases of disease and infection among survivors emerged.


IOC Pledges \$1 Million to Tsunami Victims

LONDON (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee will  donate \$1 million to aid victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.


Sharon, now a dear old softy, can only detract from Palestinian <b>...</b>

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is not known for a kindly disposition toward the Palestinians, nor for a gentle approach to the issue of a Palestinian state.


Nebraska Player Charged With Assualt (AP)

AP - A Nebraska football player is charged with aggravated assault and battery for injuring a member of a University of Oklahoma spirit group before a game last week.


PortalPlayer Shares Soar in Market Debut

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of PortalPlayer Inc. PLAY.O  jumped as much as 62.4 percent in their first day of trading on  Friday after the company's initial public offering priced above  the recently increased range.


Stocks Fall, Jolted by Oil and Greenspan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks tumbled on Friday as  investors were jolted by a surge in oil prices and comments by  Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who gave a stark  reminder that interest rates were bound to go higher and warned  that appetite for the dollar would dwindle.


Outbreak of Soybean Rust Spreads

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. outbreak of soybean rust  has spread to Alabama and Georgia, the Agriculture Department  said on Friday, leaving Texas the lone state in the Gulf Coast  untouched by the devastating crop fungus.


Russia poised to split YUKOS

Russia has pressed ahead with the last step in the break-up of oil major YUKOS, saying it will auction its main unit for \$8.65 billion.


Ban On Internet Access Taxes Poised For Approval

Legislation to temporarily ban taxing Internet access is poised for approval this week after the US Senate approved the legislation and worked out wording acceptable to Congress.


Shares of PortalPlayer Inc. (PLAY.O: Quote, Profile, Research) jumped as much as 62.4 percent in their first day of trading on Friday after the company #39;s initial public


Sirius stock soars on Karmazin hire

Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio posted double-digit percentage gains on Friday, one day after the company said former Viacom President Mel Karmazin would become its new chief executive.


Big Dig Leaks Worse Than Thought

Leaks in the Big Dig highway tunnel system under downtown Boston are more widespread than officials have acknowledged, and a new state report suggests tens of millions of dollars


Microsoft, Dell big winners of Air Force deal

The Air Force signed a deal with Microsoft Corp. and Dell Inc. for software services that could be worth \$500 million over six years, Microsoft officials said today.


Salvation Army Facing Uphill Battle This Holiday Season

Louisville rings in the Christmas season with a 120-year tradition. The Salvation Army kicked off its kettle and bell ringing campaign Friday, called  quot;Keep the Tradition Alive.


Cattle Tracking Tested to Protect Food (AP)

AP - Federal policy is meeting Western reality on the rangelands of Idaho, where wide-open spaces, technological glitches and bitter cold all are potential obstacles to plans to track livestock and protect the food supply from disease and bioterrorism.


Microsoft Warns of Potential Linux Suits

quot;Someday, for all countries that are entering the World Trade Organization, somebody will come and look for money owing to the rights for that intellectual property, quot; Steve Ballmer said.


Half-Life 2 (Valve / Sierra)

This is the game that has been hailed as the killer of all first person shooters since it was first announced over a year ago, and most who have said that hadn #39;t even played it yet - that #39;s how confident people are that this game is just that good.


Prince of Persia: Golden Within

November 19, 2004 - Ubisoft announced today that the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within have gone gold.


Technical glitch delays launch of NASA #39;s gamma-ray probing <b>...</b>

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A technical glitch has forced a minimum 24-hour delay in the launch of the Swift satellite that will study gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful and elusive explosions detected in the cosmos.


Spanish offer a token of regret

The Spanish Football Federation led the way, sending a letter of apology to the Football Association. General secretary Jorge P Arias condemned the fans #39; behaviour and reiterated his federation #39;s position against racism in football.


Sorenstam on target with first-round 66

Annika Sorenstam was hitting the ball so well she knew exactly where it was going. Combine that with an unusually calm day in south Florida, and her name atop the leaderboard was no surprise.


Licensing game means betting on a winner

In souvenir trailers spread throughout Homestead-Miami Speedway, thousands of Nextel Cup champion T-shirts and hats are sitting in boxes.


Huskers lineman charged with assault against Oklahoma student

Norman, OK (Sports Network) - Nebraska offensive lineman Darren DeLone Friday was charged with aggravated assault and battery for injuring a member of the University of Oklahoma #39;s spirit group before last Saturday #39;s game.


Injured Hasselbeck might not play Sunday

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who did not practice today, has been downgraded from probable to questionable for Sunday #39;s game.


ChiSox #39;s Garland agrees to one-year deal

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Chicago White Sox pitcher Jon Garland has agreed to a one-year, \$3.4 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration.


Yale in way of Harvard #39;s chance for perfection

He should save the tears: Unlike most senior quarterbacks at Harvard, he might not be saying good bye to football after The Game against Yale on Saturday.


Guns trained on Mosul

US forces and Iraqi units last night were preparing to storm rebel strongholds in the northern city of Mosul as fighting wound down in Fallujah.


Great Lakes Talks in Dar

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region #39;s First Summit of Heads of State and Government started yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with calls for regional leaders to work together towards peace and stability in the region.


Intel's Barrett Sees Room for Chip Growth (AP)

AP - Intel Corp., the world's largest computer chip company, is not suffering from overcapacity and new areas are emerging that will increase global demand for microprocessors, its chief executive said Friday.


US, N.Korea Meet, But No Agreement Reached on Six-Party Talks

North Korean and US officials met this week to discuss the nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula. It appears they came no closer to resuming multilateral


Florida school district talks to Sting on iChat AV (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Music students of the Manatee School District in Bradenton, Florida talked to music legend Sting on Friday using Apple's iChat AV, an iSight camera and a PowerBook G4. Sting spoke to students from the Telewest Arena in Newcastle, England an hour before he was to perform a concert for his latest tour.


Calif. to Sue Over Sierra Nevada Logging Expansion (Reuters)

Reuters - California plans to sue the Bush\administration over its plans to expand significantly the\amount of logging allowed in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the\state's Democratic attorney general said on Friday.


House Passes Bipartisan Special Education Bill (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. House of Representatives on\Friday easily passed a final bill aimed at improving education\for millions of children with learning disabilities, with the\Senate expected to follow as Congress rushed to complete its\work for the year.


Peoplesoft bid hangs in balance

Oracle's attempt to buy rival software producer Peoplesoft hangs in the balance as investors consider its \$9.2bn takeover offer ahead of Saturday's deadline.


Bayer drug deal gets green light

The European Commission clears German drug firm Bayer's 2.3bn euro acquisition of Swiss company Roche's over the counter medicines business.


Tech leaders see the CFO's role growing

Among the new challenges: keeping Sarbanes-Oxley expenses under control and "their CEOs out of jail."


Microsoft gives developers a glimpse of Avalon

Coding community gets early look at new graphics engine set to accompany Longhorn, the next version of Windows.


Researchers say Internet porn is worse than crack

Pennsylvania may block Philly's Wi-Fi plan. News.com Extra


Oracle hopes for fast turnaround on tender results

Firm says preliminary results for tender offer for PeopleSoft shares could be available just after midnight Friday night.


Kidd Practices, Might Play Monday

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Sports Network) - New Jersey guard  Jason Kidd practiced with the team for the first time since  undergoing knee surgery in July and he could be on the court  Monday.


Skulls program kills cell phone apps

For some phones infected by the Trojan, the only real fix is a hard reset, which wipes all user data from the device.


This week in security news

The rise in online scams has companies spending hefty sums to educate customers about fraud prevention and to address 'phishing' damage.


BT to offer cheaper Wi-Fi to its mobile users

A converged Wi-Fi device will follow efforts with Vodafone to make BT big in the mobile space again.


Photo: iPod's Toronto presence

A sky-high iPod ad towers over a hip Toronto shopping district. Toronto will soon be home to its own Apple retail store. \


Apple plans Toronto retail store

Mac maker is taking its retail act north of the border, CNET News.com has learned.\<br /> Photo: iPod's Toronto presence


This week in travel tech

The Segway coast to coast? Sure--it works, as long as you don't mind taking your time.


Kodak catches up with Sony in camera sales

Third-quarter survey of digital camera market from IDC shows 40-percent growth and a real horse race.


Nvidia to put more force behind Intel processors

A broad patent agreement will let the graphic-chip specialist build chipsets for Intel PCs.


iPod chipmaker sings in Wall Street debut

Enthusiasm for PortalPlayer's stock is high despite company's warning that it has no long-term contract with Apple.\


Best Buy hit with lawsuit over layoffs of IT workers

A group of 44 former IT employees at Best Buy has filed a class-action lawsuit charging the retailer with age discrimination in connection with the termination of their jobs during layoffs last spring and in 2003. Best Buy said the claims "are without merit."


CIO hiring, recruiting evolve as job duties change

IT executives must learn business skills, and how to teach those skills to the next generation of managers. Too many look outside for help instead of training their own.


Oracle, PeopleSoft prepared for midnight offer deadline

The midnight expiration of Oracle's tender offer for PeopleSoft shares will either end the software rivals' bitter, 17-month battle tonight -- or increase its ferocity.


Anti-Fraud Alliance formed to fight ID theft, phishing schemes

Five online security software and service providers have formed an alliance to help e-commerce and financial services companies fight online fraud.


Pressure grows on EDS over U.K. government IT system

A troubled welfare-case -anagement and telephony system developed largely by Electronic Data Systems has run into so many problems that U.K. government officials might pull the plug on it.


Mylan Shares Up As Drug Stocks Close Down

Mylan Laboratories Inc. was one of the few drug makers whose stock closed up Friday with the sector down for a second day as fresh squabbles between veteran financier Carl Icahn and the company #39;s board erupted.


Execs  amp; Accounts for November 19, 2004

In a cred boost for satellite radio, former Viacom Chief Mel Karmazin signed on as chief executive of Sirius Satellite Radio. Viacom #39;s former CEO has also served as head of CBS Corporation and Infinity Broadcasting.


Firefox lights up Web browser world

SAN FRANCISCO - Firefox 1.0 appears to have sparked new activity in the Web browser market.


Nvidia signs chipset license with Intel

Nvidiaand Intelhave signed a multiyear cross-licensing agreement that entitles Nvidia to build chipsets for Intel's processors, the companies announced Friday.
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Internet tax moratorium clears Congress

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a compromise version of a moratorium on Internet-only taxes, the last step needed before the bill is sent to President George Bush.


Car bombers kill seven in Iraq

A double suicide car bomb attack has devastated a police station just outside Baghdad #39;s fortified Green Zone, killing seven people and wounding 57 in the latest strike against Iraq #39;s beleaguered security forces.


New Sober variant spreading

A new version of the Sober e-mail worm started spreading in Europe on Friday, according to antivirus vendors, which have given the worm a midlevel threat rating.


Let the Handheld Games Begin

Nintendo, Sony ready rival portable gaming devices. Which one will gamers go for?


Summary: Greenspan Warns of Trade Deficit (AP)

AP - THE WARNING: Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan cautioned that swollen trade deficits eventually could threaten the economy by souring foreign appetites for investment in the United States.


Oracle's PeopleSoft Bid Deadline Nears

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Oracle Corp. ORCL.O on Friday  won the backing of two more key public pension funds in its  \$8.8-billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc. PSFT.O as the  17-month takeover battle between the two California-based  business software makers neared a key deadline.


Wall Street stocks fall on Greenspan #39;s warning on trade deficit

Wall Street stocks traded sharply lower Friday after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan gave a warning over the nation #39;s spiraling trade deficit.


Update 1: Movie Gallery Offers to Acquire Company

Video rental company Movie Gallery Inc. became the third company to vie for Hollywood Entertainment Corp., claiming Friday that its offer was more likely to win antitrust approval than the \$700 million bid made by industry leader Blockbuster Inc.


Gold Banc to Pay \$16M to Resolve Claims

Gold Banc Corp., a banking company with operations in four states, has agreed to pay \$16 million to resolve claims that it charged excessive fees and inflated interest rates on federally guaranteed agricultural loans, the US Attorney #39;s office said Friday.


Google founders to sell 7.2M shares

Page, Brin and Schmidt hold one third of company #39;s stock, will still retain 81 of current holdings. SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc.


Nvidia Signs License Deal with Intel

Under an agreement with Intel, Nvidia will be able to make integrated graphics chips that are placed on the computer #39;s motherboard along with the main processor.


RIAA Files 761 Music Lawsuits

many of them university students -- for sharing unlicensed music files over the Internet. The latest round of filings


Calif. to Sue Over Sierra Nevada Logging Expansion

California plans to sue the Bush administration over its plans to expand significantly the amount of logging allowed in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the state #39;s Democratic attorney general said on Friday.


Garland agrees to deal, avoids arbitration

The Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration with right-hander Jon Garland on Friday, agreeing to a \$3.4 million, one-year contract. Garland, who got a \$1.1 million raise, was 12-11 with a 4.89 ERA last season, the first winning record of his career.


Raptors discuss trading All-Star Carter to Trail Blazers for Abdur <b>...</b>

Raptors guard Vince Carter asked out of Toronto before training camp, and it now appears the disgruntled five-time All-Star might get his wish.


Angels strike a deal with Expos

com. The Angels ended their relationship with left fielder Jose Guillen on Friday when they packed him off to the Washington DC franchise in exchange for outfielder Juan Rivera and shortstop Maicer Izturis.


ABC withdraws from BCS negotiations

ABC has pulled out of the television rights negotiations for the Bowl Championship Series, a source familiar with the talks said Friday.


Death threats force controversial Dutch MP underground

GEERT WILDERS, the Dutch MP and controversial critic of Islam, has two policemen by his side even when in his high-security parliamentary office in case someone tries to decapitate him.


Israeli soldiers accused of tampering with corpses

A military police investigation was ordered yesterday by the Israeli Chief of Staff into allegations that soldiers had tampered with the bodies of dead Palestinians and posed for photographs with the corpses.


Help desperately wanted

Like fruit cake and Santa Claus, they have become an important part of the holiday season. Beginning in early November and running through Christmas, Salvation Army


Sun Opens New Front in OS Wars With Solaris 10

Sun plans to release most of the OS code to an open-source community development process. The company also promises a Red Hat Linux execution environment (the Janus project) by 1Q05.


Firefox lights up Web browser world

Firefox 1.0 appears to have sparked new activity in the Web browser market. The release of the open-source Web browser by the Mozilla Foundation last week prompted Microsoft Corp.


Bland Mountain salvage talks set

The public is invited to an informal open house Monday to discuss salvage options on the Bland Mountain Fire. The August fire burned about 1,700 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, and the agency is considering salvaging up to 400 acres of that.


Seductive virus has Sobering consequence

A blonde, 21-year-old go-go dancer is sending emails with naked photos of herself attached and asking for work as model. Or so you are led to think by the latest mass-mailing Sober worm variant to hit the Web, Sober.


New ID Tag Could Prevent Surgical Errors (AP)

AP - A radio frequency tag that patients can affix like a bandage to ensure doctors perform the right surgery on the right person won government approval Friday.


Australia struggling against New Zealand

BRISBANE: New Zealand kept themselves firmly in the first Test with Australia yesterday after Jacob Oram blasted a career-best 126 not out to help the Kiwis reach a healthy first innings total of 353.


Torres goes first as Chivas USA choses Hispanics in MLS expansion <b>...</b>

CD Chivas USA made Los Angeles Galaxy forward Arturo Torres the first player chosen Friday in the Major League Soccer Expansion draft.


Mets Close in on Deals With Benson, Leiter (AP)

AP - Kris Benson and Al Leiter are likely to be back with the New York Mets next season.


Google Co-Founders to Sell Company Shares (AP)

AP - Google Inc. co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin each plan to sell up to 7.2 million shares of their stock in the online search engine leader during the next 18 months  #151; divestitures that would generate windfalls of more than  #36;1 billion apiece at current market prices.


Myanmar Frees Prominent Political Prisoners

Myanmar #39;s junta freed at least two dozen members of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi #39;s political party on Friday during a mass release of 4,000 people detained  quot;inappropriately


UK in  #39;war of words #39; with Charles

LONDON: British government and Prince Charles are locked in an unprecedented, public war of words over the rights and virtues of meritocracy vs aristocracy in the aspirational 21st century, sparking a right royal class war of republican proportions.


Torres Chosen First in MLS Expansion Draft (AP)

AP - CD Chivas USA made Los Angeles Galaxy forward Arturo Torres the first player chosen Friday in the Major League Soccer Expansion draft.


Enterprises warm up to open source (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - Enterprises are opening up to open source alternatives to commercial software, panelists said at the SDForum conference  #8220;Open Source Entering the Mainstream, #8221; held in Santa Clara, Calif., last week.


Oracle's PeopleSoft Bid Deadline Nears (Reuters)

Reuters - Oracle Corp.  on Friday\won the backing of two more key public pension funds in its\ #36;8.8-billion hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc.  as the\17-month takeover battle between the two California-based\business software makers neared a key deadline.


Alberta Senate election candidates question Klein's resolve on Senate reform (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - Senate reform will not be taken seriously by Ottawa unless Premier Ralph Klein gets more strongly behind the issue, say candidates in Alberta's Senate selection race.


Tools wrap: Sybase, Clear Clear eye data modeling, BPEL (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - Sybase later this year will ship PowerDesigner 11.0, an enterprise data modeling tool for building or re-engineering business processes and aligning business and IT goals, according to the company.


Frozen Wooly Mammoth Arrives in Japan (AP)

AP - World fairs have typically focused on the wonders of the future, highlighting new technologies from glass and steel construction in the 19th century to satellites and computers today. But next year's fair is different.


Cuba and Panama restore ties

Cuba and Panama agree to restore ties after having talks on the sidelines of the Ibero-American summit.


This week in Linux news

Sun plans to provide legal protection from patent-infringement suits to outsiders using or developing the OS--a move to counter Linux.


A City Built Upon Wits

India's Kerala state to build a technology-friendly city for global investors.  Also: Intel continues its expansion in the Indian city Bangalore   hellip;. Sirius Satellite scores a hard-charging CEO   hellip;. and more.


Nanotech golf ball corrects its own flight

Straight-shooting ball is one of a slew of nanotechnology products aimed at the sports market. \


Tools wrap: Sybase, Cape Clear eye data modeling, BPEL

Sybase later this year will ship PowerDesigner 11.0, an enterprise data modeling tool for building or re-engineering business processes and aligning business and IT goals, according to the company.


Enterprises warm up to open source

Enterprises are opening up to open source alternatives to commercial software, panelists said at the SDForum conference Open Source Entering the Mainstream, held in Santa Clara, Calif., last week.


Icahn Offers to Buy Mylan Laboratories for \$5.38 Bln (Update5)

Billionaire financier Carl Icahn offered to buy Mylan Laboratories Inc., the largest US maker of generic medicines, for about \$5.38 billion to block Mylan #39;s proposed purchase of King Pharmaceuticals Inc.


Banking Company Settles

A Kansas banking company will pay \$16 million to settle claims it charged excessive fees and inflated interest rates on federally guaranteed agriculture loans in Oklahoma.


Busch Wins Pole for Nextel Cup Finale

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Sports Network) - His first pole of the  season couldn't have come at a better time for Nextel Cup  Series points leader Kurt Busch. The No.97 Roush Racing Ford  driver captured the pole for Sunday's season finale, Ford 400,  with a time of 30.114 seconds (179.319 m.p.h.).


Dangerous Drugs

The list of drugs include Meridia - a weight loss drug. Crestor- for reducing cholesterol. Accutane- an acne drug. Bextra- a painkiller.


EMI sees music market improving

EMI, the world #39;s third-largest music group, reported a drop in first-half profits on Friday but said the beleaguered industry was rebounding as online music sales start to take off.


Oil little changed, ponders winter weather

SINGAPORE, NOV 19: Oil prices were little changed on Friday as traders waited to see whether the onset of the northern winter will put a squeeze on low heating fuel stocks.


It girl turned sole trader makes millions as Jimmy Choo deal is <b>...</b>

Tamara Mellon, the former It girl and fashion PR, yesterday saw a 150,000 loan from her father turn into a 50m fortune when the Jimmy Choo shoes business was bought by the American


Enron Broadband trial delayed to April Fool #39;s Day

There #39;s another postponement in the second scheduled Enron criminal trial and now the case against members of the company #39;s Internet division is set to begin April Fools #39; Day.


Searching for a Perfect PC? An Answer for Everybody

The home computer has morphed into an all-purpose entertainment hub. When buying a computer this holiday season, here are some important factors to consider.


Mourinho #39;s magic working for Chelsea

London, England (Sports Network) - Everything seems to be working lately for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea. Nothing changed Saturday at Stamford Bridge against Newcastle United.


AstraZeneca and GSK shares rocked by safety concerns

By Stephen Foley in London and Katherine Griffiths in New York. More than 6bn was wiped off the value of the UK #39;s two giant pharmaceuticals companies yesterday as they and the US regulator attempted to quell a furore over drug safety.


New artists, cost cuts and digital growth cheer EMI

EMI overcame an 11.4 per cent fall in sales to deliver increased profits and margins in the six months to the end of September, it announced yesterday.


Oil Jumps More Than \$2 on Winter Worries

Oil prices climbed more than \$2 higher on Friday on renewed concern over supplies of distillate fuels in all main consuming centers before the Northern Hemisphere winter.


Ray Brent Marsh Plea Agreement

Ray Brent Marsh did officially plead guilty in court.. But the judge could still reject the plea bargain. 31-year old Ray Brent Marsh was surrounded by and army of Walker County deputies as he entered the courtroom.


Gold Banc to pay \$16 mln to resolve loan claims

Gold Banc Corp. (GLDB.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , a Kansas banking company, agreed to pay \$16 million to resolve claims it charged excessive interest rates and fees on federally


Dollar fall  #39;will hit economies #39;

BERLIN: German Finance Minister Hans Eichel said in a radio interview yesterday that a sharp fall in the dollar would damage both the American and global economies.


Angels Trade Jose Guillen to Expos (AP)

AP - After a temper tantrum that led to an eight-game suspension and a course in anger management, Jose Guillen needed a change of scenery. He'll find it in the nation's capital. The Anahiem Angels traded Guillen to the Washington-bound Expos  #151; the soon-to-be Nationals  #151; on Friday for outfielder Juan Rivera and prospect Maicer Izturis.


Iraqi Troops Raid Baghdad Mosque, 17 Detained (Reuters)

Reuters - Hundreds of Iraqi troops backed by U.S.\forces stormed a Sunni Muslim mosque in Baghdad after Friday\prayers, killing four people and wounding at least nine,\witnesses and an influential group of Sunni clerics said.


Kidd Hopes to Practice Next Month (AP)

AP - Jason Kidd's recovery from surgery on his left knee is on schedule and the All-Star point guard hopes to practice next month with the struggling New Jersey Nets.


Young Rebuffs NBA, Sticks With Rangers (AP)

AP - Chris Young never expected to have to choose again between baseball and basketball. The Texas Rangers helped make it an easy decision for the 6-foot-10 pitcher.


BAR boss departs as Honda prepare to pass rivals

JENSON BUTTON might have lost the battle, but last night he appeared to have won the war as David Richards, his boss at BAR Honda, was shown the door.


Ruddock sees need to take big scalp as trial by pace awaits Wales

Graham Henry and Steve Hansen - are pitted against a former pupil - Mike Ruddock. Wales coach Ruddock could not have had it much harder.


Lebanese March Protests Syrian Domination (AP)

AP - Thousands of Lebanese students and activists defied government warnings Friday and demonstrated against Syria's domination of their country.


Anti-Bush protest at a trade summit in Chile turns violent

The largest protest march since Chile #39;s police state ended 14 years ago turned violent Friday when demonstrators waged pitched street battles with riot police before President


UN staff plan no-confidence vote against top management

UNITED NATIONS: The UN staff union was meeting late last night to discuss a no-confidence measure against senior management of the United Nations, which has been hit by a series of scandals involving top UN officials.


Protests as troops storm Iraq mosque

BAGHDAD: An influential group of clerics last night protested against a raid on a Baghdad mosque by Iraqi and US troops, which killed four civilians.


Fathers 4 Justice protester handcuffs himself to Hodge

A campaigner with the pressure group Fathers 4 Justice invaded a conference yesterday and handcuffed himself to Margaret Hodge, the minister for Children, for 40 minutes.


Farc kidnap saga marks 1,000 days

Colombian ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt reaches her 1,000th day as a hostage of Marxist guerrillas.


Greenspan rejects talk of throwing dollar a lifeline

ALAN GREENSPAN, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, undercut lingering hopes of staging an operation to support the dollar at a meeting of bankers in Frankfurt yesterday


Russia readies YUKOS auction

Russia is pressing ahead with the last step in the destruction of YUKOS, saying it will auction the oil major #39;s main Siberian unit on December 19 for \$8.65 billion (4.66


Disney chief #39;s reputation on the line in battle with shareholders

GEORGETOWN, United States : Controversial Disney Co. chief executive Michael Eisner has been tough and unflappable defending himself this week against shareholder charges that he wasted 140 million dollars by taking on Michael Ovitz as president in 1995.


Former Crematory Operator Pleads Guilty To Dumping Bodies

Former crematory operator Ray Brent Marsh says he #39;s guilty of dumping hundreds of bodies he was supposed to cremate. Marsh stopped performing cremations not long after he took over the family business in 1997.


Australia resume chase

Australia have just resumed their chase of New Zealand #39;s first-innings total of 353 in the first Test in Brisbane. The Australians ended day two on 197-4 with Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke at the crease.


One-year deal avoids arbitration

Chicago White Sox: The White Sox avoided arbitration with right-hander Jon Garlandon Friday, agreeing to a \$3.4 million, one-year contract.


ABC breaks off negotiations with BCS

ABC has pulled its contract offer to the Bowl Championship Series, a move that could result in three of college football #39;s biggest games moving to another network.


Car bomber raids police convoy

BAGHDAD: A suicide car bomber attacked a police convoy in Baghdad yesterday as guerillas kept pressure on Iraq #39;s security forces despite a bloody rout of insurgents in Fallujah.


Ivory Coast appointment provokes rebels, France

Ivory Coast says 63 people have been killed in a week of clashes with French troops as it hands over military powers to a former head of its northern command, whose appointment is considered a provocation by both the rebels and France.


End chaos call by PLO leader

GAZA CITY: PLO leader Mahmud Abbas stepped up calls yesterday to end  quot;armed chaos quot; engulfing the occupied territories, as the new Palestinian leadership readied the ground for presidential elections in January.


FCC Pooh-Poohs a la Carte Cable

The Federal Communications Commission says in a Congressional report that cable bills would increase under a system that lets customers pick and choose. Consumer groups disagree.


Greenspan Warns of Trade Deficit Risk

Swollen trade deficits eventually could threaten the economy by souring foreign appetites to invest in the United States, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned Friday.


US Dollar Continues Slide vs. Rivals

The dollar continued its seemingly unstoppable slide against other currencies this week, leaving US and European officials increasingly at odds over what - if anything - should be done about it.


OSI stock falters on Tarceva sales concerns

Shares of OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. fell sharply Friday on concerns about the newly approved drug #39;s ability to meet sales targets.


Verizon Adds Shopping Tools to SuperPages.com (Reuters)

Reuters - Verizon SuperPages.com said on\Friday it has teamed up with eBay  and Shopping.com\ for the roll-out of new shopping tools on its online\Yellow Pages site.


To Bill.GatesMicrosoft.com; Subject: Your Spam

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer provided some perspective for anyone who thinks they are getting too much spam.  quot;There are two people who probably are the number one spam recipients in the world.


quot;In Defense of Hunting quot;

On Nov. 18, the same day Britain outlawed fox hunting in England and Wales, John Underwood of San Antonio appeared on the popular  quot;Today Show quot; to talk about his Web site that offers remote-controlled shooting and  quot;hunting quot; at his private ranch in Texas.


DNA Analyst Fired For Allegedly Mishandling Data In 11 <b>...</b>

LOS ANGELES -- The private laboratory that conducted DNA testing in the OJ Simpson murder trial has fired an analyst who mishandled DNA data in 11 recent LAPD investigations, it was reported Friday.


Skulls Trojan attacks Symbian phones

A newly intercepted malicious Trojan has begun infecting mobile phones which run the Symbian operating system. Dubbed  #39;Skulls #39; the Trojan has been detected on Symbian shareware download sites where it bills itself as  #39;Extended Theme Manager #39; by  #39;Tee-222 #39;.


SORRY ROONEY: I #39;M WRONG

ENGLAND #39;S  #39;bad boy #39; Wayne Rooney has apologised to Sven-Goran Eriksson for losing his head in Madrid. But the Manchester United star striker has stopped short of issuing a public apology to Emlyn Hughes #39; family


Pacers #39; Bender Out Six Weeks With Injury

Atlanta Hawks forward Al Harrington, middle, is welcomed to Conseco Fieldhouse by Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender, left, and forward Ron Artest before the start of the game in Indianapolis,Wednesday, Nov.17, 2004.


Navy-Rutgers Game Attracts Bowl Interest (AP)

AP - Navy is a wanted team  #151; for a bowl game, that is. Officials from five bowls will attend Saturday's game against Rutgers, with the Midshipmen in strong position to land their second straight postseason berth.


Chile says Asia Pacific to push  quot;very hard quot; for WTO pact

SANTIAGO (AFP) - Asia-Pacific leaders will push  quot;very hard quot; at a summit this weekend for a successful outcome to World Trade Organization free-trade negotiations, Chilean President Ricardo Lagos said.


15 killed, 45 captured in Mosul raids

Iraqi and US forces have killed 15 rebels and arrested 45 suspected insurgents over a 24-hour period in Mosul, which includes a dusk raid on a mosque and tea house in the northern city #39;s old quarter.


Canada and South Korea open talks for potential free-trade agreement (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - SANTIAGO, Chile (CP) - Canada hopes to nail down a free-trade treaty with South Korea that could offer major inroads into the booming Asian market, Prime Minister Paul Martin said Friday.


Palestinians Reject Sharon's Peace 'Test'

GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority on Friday  rejected Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new and  seemingly softer terms for restarting peace talks, saying he  should drop all conditions for dialogue.


Arafat's Widow Retrieves Medical Records (AP)

AP - Yasser Arafat's widow took possession of the late Palestinian leader's widely sought medical records Friday, and was deciding whether to make the file public to "stop all these false ideas" of what caused his death, her lawyer said.


Dynamic models demand detachment

Where some see stasis, those of us of a certain age tend to see slow-swinging pendulums. Where some perceive exciting ideas as brand new, others perceive in them shades of the past.


Beware of business IT horrors

In this issue, my colleague Chad Dickerson unveils his "Top 20 IT Mistakes" based on some unhappy lessons he and others have learned. This list is so much fun that I couldn't resist adding my own: five common mistakes that business people make when dealing with IT. Each of these derives from bitter experience. And in three of the cases, I was personally responsible for the bad judgment (please don't ask which three!).


The top 20 IT mistakes to avoid

We all like to think we learn from mistakes, whether our own or others. So in theory, the more serious bloopers you know about, the less likely you are to be under the bright light of interrogation, explaining how you managed to screw up big-time. Thats why we put out an all-points bulletin to IT managers and vendors everywhere: For the good of humanity, tell us about the gotchas that have gotten you, so others can avoid them.
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Sirius stock soars on Karmazin addition

Investors are tuning in to news that the subscription-based programmer has tapped Mel Karmazin, the former Viacom president, to be its new CEO.


Lawmakers agree to new ban on Internet taxes

WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (AFP) - The House of Representatives on Friday approved a ban on taxing Internet access and online sales, which US President George W. Bush is expected to sign, a sponsor of the bill said.


Global economic outlook in G20 sights as dlr drops

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the 20 biggest economies prepared to meet in Berlin on Saturday to mull the global economic outlook, denying


Typhoo tea tycoon bags Jimmy Choo for 100m

JIMMY CHOO, the luxury footwear brand worn by Sex in the Citys Carrie Bradshaw, has been bought by Hicks Muse, the owner of Typhoo tea and Weetabix.


Ohio paper strikers post own publication

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Striking reporters, photographers and other employees of The Vindicator went online Friday with their own newspaper.


US Investor Steps into Jimmy Choo

A US private equity group tonight said it had bought a majority stake in luxury shoe label Jimmy Choo in a deal valuing the company at 101 million.


No. 3 Georgia Tech Routs Alabama St. 74-37 (AP)

AP - Jarrett Jack scored 20 points and No. 3 Georgia Tech held Alabama State scoreless for more than nine minutes at the start in a 74-37 rout on Friday.


Ohio Paper Strikers Post Own Publication (AP)

AP - Striking reporters, photographers and other employees of The Vindicator went online Friday with their own newspaper.


Gates: Most Spammed Man Alive

Bill Gates and Microsoft were in the news a lot this week, most notably with CEO Steve Ballmer claiming that Gates is the most spammed person in the world.


Air Force to standardize Microsoft configurations

The US Air Force early next year will require its 525,000 personnel and civilian support staff to use a single and specially configured version of Microsofts operating system and applications, said the military departments CIO.


Internet Hunting Worries State Officials

A controversial website, www.live-shot.com, already allows Internet users to fire a .22 caliber rifle at targets on a Texas ranch from afar.


Steam Update

November 19, 2004 - Valve updated the Steam site with a bit of news regarding Steam and Half-Life 2 support: A small number of Half-Life 2 customers have been experiencing problems while playing the game, and we have traced these issues to corrupt Steam


Roan report released

Editors note. This story was first reported on www.postindependent.com. For more coverage, please read Sundays Post Indpendent.


Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - The Prequel

What happened before CJ arrived in Los Santos? Check these screens, details, and exclusive movie to find out. November 19, 2004 - Did you ever wonder what was happening in Los Santos prior to the events of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?


Some NATO Members Balk at Joining Iraq Mission, U.S. Says (Reuters)

Reuters - In an unprecedented departure from


London begins to believe the impossible

It was Jonathan Edwards who best summed up the overriding mood when he helped London officially unveil its candidature for the 2012 Olympic Games yesterday.


More Pain In Spain

Spains midweek international friendly victory over England was marred by some disgraceful scenes of racism directed at Englands black players, but further sad events which have been so far largely unreported occurred in Madrid on Wednesday evening.


Richards leaves BAR as Honda buy stake

David Richards is to stand down as the team principal of British American Racing as part of a deal announced yesterday which sees Honda take a 45 stake in the Brackley-based formula one team worth in the region of 90m.


No. 3 Georgia Tech Routs Alabama St. 74-37

Georgia Tech guard Will Bynum goes to the basket against Alabama State as teammate Theodis Carter looks on during the second half of their season opening game Friday, Nov. 19, 2004.


Busch gets Ford pole

(HOMESTEAD, Fla.) - Kurt Busch will start in great position on Sunday as he tries to wrap up the Nextel Cup drivers championship. Busch has won the pole for the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway


The match that always bears a grudge

In sport few teams attract universal love, and in rugby the tribal thing runs deep. Gloucester fans will never welcome Harlequins into their Shed, Bath #39;s followers haven #39;ta good word to say about Gloucester


Best Mate does enough to remain the punters #39; friend

Green was the colour as always here yesterday, as a thousand Barbour jackets mixed with a thousand more country tweeds, but for one afternoon at least claret and blue ran it a close second.


Nothing Too Discreet About Diodes' Plans For Continued Success (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - A few years ago, a cell phone could go three days without a battery recharge. Today, it's up to a week -- and climbing, says C.H. Chen, chief executive of chipmaker Diodes.


Protesters Denounce APEC Summit in Chile

A cloud of tear gas surrounds a demonstrator during clashes with Chilean police as protesters stage a rally against the upcoming APEC summit in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Nov. 19, 2004.


Arafat #39;s hospital file taken by widow

YASSIR ARAFATS widow visited yesterday the French hospital where he died and retrieved his widely sought medical records, just as his nephew was about to collect them.


MI6 agents drafted in to improve Gaza security

MI6 agents and British police are setting up a high-tech control centre for Palestinian security services in the Gaza Strip to help them maintain control in the volatile territory after the death of Yasser Arafat.


UN staff blast officials, spare Annan

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 19 (AFP) - The UN staff union on Friday passed a resolution highly critical of the world body #39;s senior management while declining to pin the blame directly on Secretary General Kofi Annan.


Venezuela suspects exiles in prosecutors slaying

Venezuela suggested Friday that exiles living in Florida may have masterminded the assassination of a prosecutor investigating a short-lived coup against leftist President Hugo Chvez


The Long, Long Oracle-PeopleSoft Saga Could Yet Have Many Miles To Journey (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - The oracle of Oracle   seems to have pulled another rabbit out of his hat in his quest to buy rival PeopleSoft  . A majority of PeopleSoft shareholders appeared poised Friday to accept Oracle's offer of  #36;24 per share, though two analysts said it would be close. (Oracle planned to reveal results of its tender offer at about midnight, after press time.)


Democrats Discuss How to Reset Agenda (AP)

AP - In the shadow of Bill Clinton and his gleaming new presidential library, leaders of the struggling Democratic Party held informal discussions this week of how to come back from their devastating Election Day losses.


Congress Finishing Up  #36;338B Spending Bill (AP)

AP - White House and congressional bargainers sorted through a final pile of disputes Friday on an overdue  #36;388 billion spending bill that would slice President Bush's priorities and curb a wide swath of programs.


Congressional Action at a Glance (AP)

AP - Action on Friday as the 108th Congress moved toward adjournment, which is expected on Saturday:


U.N. Chief Urges Warning on Sudan Fighting (AP)

AP - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council to issue "the strongest warning" to all forces fighting in Sudan, saying that ending a 21-year civil war in the country's south would also help halt a humanitarian catastrophe in its Darfur region.


NASA to Donate Data to Aid Plants, Animals (AP)

AP - While NASA is best known for putting a man on the moon, the U.S. space agency will now help keep plant and animal species on Earth.


U.N. Abandons Human Cloning Treaty Ban (AP)

AP - Both sides in the human cloning debate claimed victory Friday after the United Nations shelved competing proposals for a treaty to ban the procedure and agreed to meet again in February to try to find consensus.


Some NATO Members Balk at Joining Iraq Mission, U.S. Says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In an unprecedented departure from  NATO practice, several alliance members will not allow their  own officers assigned to NATO's two command centers to  participate in its first collective postwar mission in Iraq, a  senior U.S. official said on Friday.


Mozilla Thunderbird Final Is Set

Officials at the Mozilla Foundation are getting ready to release the final version of Thunderbird 1.0 next week, officials said Friday.