Sharman Networks use Weedshare to establish in Australian Court <b>...</b>

SYDNEY, Australia (Todd Macalpine/ OZMUSICWEED / www.ozmusicweed.com) - Ozmusicweed, the first Australian Weedshare site (http://www.


Three Minutes With Mark Cuban

The outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks talks about the future of high-definition TV.


Should Your Next PC Be a Workstation?

Despite sub-\$1000 prices, the answer still depends on what apps you run.


Sneaky Sharing

Despite well-publicized wins by piracy foes, illegal digital music and movie trading continues to flourish in underground havens.


Microsoft unveils digital music service

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) - Microsoft launched a preview version of its new service for downloading digital music late Wednesday, placing it squarely in competition with Apple #39;s rival iTunes music service.


US Auto Sales Decline 12; Chrysler Gains Share (Update1)

US auto sales declined 12 percent to 1.43 million vehicles in August, as near-record gasoline prices hurt demand. The six largest automakers all had sales drops for the first time in almost two years.


IHS Energy acquires Yergin #39;s Cambridge Energy Research

IHS Energy, which provides maps and technical databases to oil and natural-gas producers, acquired Cambridge Energy Research Associates, the consulting company


United Airlines plans job cuts

CHICAGO -- United Airlines said yesterday further job cuts will be necessary as it continues slashing costs to get out of bankruptcy.


SP2 plays havoc with online banking

St.George Bank may be forced to make changes to its online banking interface as adoption of Windows XP Service Pack 2 becomes widespread among consumers.


Philadelphia is at forefront of wireless for all

For about \$10 million, city officials believe they can turn all 135 square miles of Philadelphia into the world #39;s largest wireless Internet hot spot.


IBM teams with Honda on voice-driven car navigation

IBM said on Wednesday that it has jointly developed with Honda Motor Company a hands-free, voiced-commanded and real-time car navigation system.


Taylor: Wayne #39;s leading the way

England Under-21 coach Peter Taylor hailed Wayne Rooney as the standard-bearer for a new generation of domestic talent. Taylor believes it is up to the country #39;s other best young players to follow Rooney #39;s lead.


Rockies keep Bonds stuck at 696

Even Barry Bonds can #39;t belt home runs if he doesn #39;t get any pitches to hit. The Giants #39; left-handed slugger remained stuck on 696 for the second consecutive evening


Sox figure out how to get A #39;s

If general manager Ken Williams has his wish, next season will be void of the fifth-starter conundrum the White Sox seem to be undertaking on a daily basis.


Goalkeeper change grabs Fire #39;s attention

The Fire no longer has the worst record in Major League Soccer. In fact, the struggling club #39;s playoff hopes brightened considerably after Wednesday #39;s 3-1 win over the Western Conference-leading Kansas City Wizards before 7,723 at Soldier Field.


Jets ink Pennington to extension

The New York Jets on Wednesday announced they have signed quarterback Chad Pennington to a contract extension. Pennington current contract expires after the 2004 season, and the Jets didn #39;t want to wait until


National League Game Summary - Los Angeles at Arizona

Arizona leftfielder Quinton McCracken left the game with a strained right groin after chasing after a foul ball in the first inning...Bautista extended his hitting streak to eight games...Los Angeles first baseman Hee-Seop Choi is mired in an 0-for-12


UM opener at Orange Bowl might be shifted to Sept. 11

School officials, including UM President Donna Shalala and FSU #39;s TK Wetherell, will talk with ACC and ABC-TV officials today and likely make a decision about postponing the season opener at the Orange Bowl.


Accused US Deserter to Turn Himself In

Accused US Army deserter Charles Jenkins said Wednesday he will surrender to the United States to face charges that have dogged him since he vanished from his unit in South Korea


China to rely more on nuclear power

Beijing - China planned to boost the development of its nuclear power industry to help meet its growing need for electricity as it made a strategic shift in focus away from coal, an official said yesterday.


Paris cedes control of telephone company

PARIS The French government formally ceded control of France Tlcom on Wednesday as it began the sale of up to E5.8 billion of shares in the second-largest European phone company.


Putin postpones trip to Turkey amid hostage crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed his planned visit to Turkey amid the hostage crisis at a school in southern Russia, the Kremlin said Thursday.


North Korean Defectors intrude into Japanese School in Beijing

It has been learned that 29 North Korean defectors intruded into a Japanese school in Beijing on Wednesday. A source in Beijing who is familiar with information on North Korea said about 30 North Korean defectors


Judge rules against apartment giant

A Palm Beach County judge has ruled that approximately 4,500 Florida residents are entitled to \$1.6 million in damages from one of the nation #39;s largest apartment complex owners, which


Hydrogen Fuel Closer to Fruition

Finding a cheap way to produce hydrogen fuel has been something of a Holy Grail to energy researchers for years. Recently, teams across the world announced advances, but observers say some promises are running ahead of results. By Daith  hAnluain.


Is That Jobs in Your Pocket?

Apple's CEO may be on sick leave, but a diminutive Steve Jobs doll is busy traveling the world like a kidnapped garden gnome, spreading the message of Mac unity. By Leander Kahney.


AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Hummer probe likely

General Motors Corp. faces an investigation and potential recall of 69,000 Hummer H2 luxury sport-utility vehicles because of reports about a flawed steering part.


Feds Hunt Source of GOP Data

When contact info for Republican delegates got posted on the web, the Department of Justice subpoenaed an ISP, but now seems to be backing off. Ann Harrison reports from New York.


Finally, a Car That Talks Back

Those too proud to ask another person for directions have a new option. This fall, Honda will release two cars that let drivers ask directions and receive a spoken response from their vehicle. By John Gartner.


Florida Vote Is Calm, for Once

A strange thing happened in Florida this week. A primary election took place, and observers found few reasons to complain or question the results. But some say November's national election may be a different story. By Jacob Ogles.


Let a Thousand Reactors Bloom

Explosive growth has made the People's Republic of China the most power-hungry nation on Earth. Get ready for the mass-produced, meltdown-proof future of nuclear energy. By Spencer Reiss from Wired magazine.


Permanent Lenses in Sight

Positive study results on a new implantable contact lens show that the surgery can help even those with Coke-bottle glasses. By Kristen Philipkoski.


Radiation Is Questioned in Breast Cancer Surgery After Age 70

Radiation treatments routinely given after surgery to remove small breast tumors may not be necessary for women over age 70 if they are taking the cancer drug tamoxifen.


Sorry, E.T., but Parcel Post May Beat Phoning Home

A physicist and an electrical engineer claim it is more efficient to send a long message as a physical package, a cosmic FedEx, than as radio wave or laser pulse.


Red Sox Win 8th Straight, Pressure Yankees (AP)

AP - Johnny Damon and the Boston Red Sox are putting pressure on the New York Yankees and pulling away from everybody else. Kevin Millar homered and drove in four runs, Damon had four of Boston's 16 hits, and the streaking Red Sox beat the Anaheim Angels 12-7 Wednesday night at Fenway Park for their eighth consecutive victory and 14th in 15 games.


Astros, Marlins Keep Pressure on Cubs (AP)

AP - The Chicago Cubs found a good way to make up for their poor hitting  #151; a shutdown pitching performance by Kerry Wood. Wood's eight shutout innings made up for another listless performance by the Cubs' offense and gave Chicago the lead in the National League wild-card race.


Jets QB Pennington Signs  #36;64M Extension (AP)

AP - Chad Pennington agreed to a  #36;64 million, seven-year contract extension with the New York Jets on Wednesday that includes  #36;23 million in guaranteed money.


El Duque Restores Order in the Bronx (AP)

AP - Orlando Hernandez was one of the few people in New York unaware of the final score of the historic rout the Cleveland Indians handed the Yankees.


Fire Beat Wizards 3-1 in MLS (AP)

AP - Andy Williams and Justin Mapp each had a goal and two assists, leading the Chicago Fire to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards in an MLS game Wednesday night.


Pfizer, Alcoa, Verizon, Intel are cut; oil back near \$43

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Big gains in technology stocks helped the Nasdaq close Monday just shy of its high for the year, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished in the red after a spate of brokerage downgrades.


Force ruled out in Russian siege

Russian authorities say they will not use force to rescue hundreds of hostages held in a school in North Ossetia.


Report details ways it says Black, Radler took Hollinger Int #39;l <b>...</b>

A new report alleges a handful of top executives at Hollinger International -- which owns the Chicago Sun-Times -- took \$400 million of the company #39;s money.


IHS ENERGY acquiert Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA)

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 1, 2004-- L #39;operazione crea una centrale globale per l #39;analisi strategica el #39;approfondimento del settore energetico IHS Energy, fonte globale leader di software, analisi e informazioni


Finally, a Car That Talks Back

The geographically challenged need no longer feel shame. Men (and women) who lose their way will be able to safely ask for directions without having to stop (gasp) at a gas station.


Bryant prosecution troubled from Day 1

one of the richest and most recognizable basketball players in the world, an exclusive resort, an admiring young woman, an alleged rape.


Cubs scratch out a win

MONTREAL -- If this were gymnastics, the Cubs would get low scores from the judges for awkward form at times in Wednesday night #39;s 2-1 victory in 11 innings over the Montreal Expos.


Al-Qaida  #39;explosive expert #39; caught in Pakistan came from Iran <b>...</b>

A suspected al-Qaida operative who was captured along with another man during raids in this southwestern city is an  quot;explosives expert quot; who had arrived here from Iran, a security official said Thursday.


German joblessness rises again in August (AFP)

AFP - The number of people looking for work in Germany rose in August, as the modest economic recovery was not enough to create any new jobs in the eurozone's biggest economy, official data showed.


Dollar Near Recent Lows on Data Jitters

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar hovered around recent  one-week lows against the euro and Swiss franc on Thursday as  investors grew cautious Friday's U.S. jobs data might add to  recent weak U.S. data and cloud the interest rate outlook.


Hewitt Shines, Serena Dazzles at US Open

Brimming with confidence, former champion Lleyton Hewitt looked every bit the tour #39;s hottest player on Wednesday as kicked off his US Open campaign with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4


Milosevic condemns his war crimes trial

The Hague - Former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic condemned his war crimes trial as a  quot;pure farce quot; on Wednesday in a defiant finish to his opening defence statement against charges of ethnic cleansing in the Balkans.


Malaysia court overturns Anwar sodomy ruling

years in jail, overturning his conviction for sodomy in a shock ruling expected to win support for the new prime minister. freedom to urge the country #39;s recently installed prime minister to drive harder on reform.


#39;Patience helped in freeing hostages #39;

The three Indian truckers held hostage in Iraq for over 42 days were released yesterday and will be back in India on Friday morning.


Fate of 29 refugees who rushed Japanese school in China undecided

BEIJING : The fate of 29 refugees who rushed a Japanese school in Beijing hung in the balance as Japanese consular officials interviewed them to find out who they were and what they wanted.


Pakistani among 3 Killed in Jeddah Stampede

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia): Three people, including a Pakistani national, were killed and 17 injured in a stampede at the showroom of a Swedish furniture store in Jeddah on Wednesday.


Win-Win Situation

EAGLE, Colo., Sept. 2, 2004 - The dismissal of the sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant and his subsequent apology to the young woman who brought the case gave all parties a slice of victory.


Bailed jockeys back in saddle

Champion jockey Kieren Fallon and colleagues Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams are due back in action after their arrests over allegations of race-fixing.


Malaysia Rebel Politician Anwar Free, Urges Reform (Reuters)

Reuters - Malaysia's highest court\freed rebel politician Anwar Ibrahim from almost six years in\jail on Thursday, overturning his conviction for sodomy in a\shock ruling expected to win support for the new prime\minister.


Watchdog Probes S. Korean Nuke Experiment (AP)

AP - The U.N. nuclear watchdog is investigating a secret nuclear fuel experiment that South Korean scientists conducted four years ago, the country's science agency said Thursday.


Malaysia Rebel Politician Anwar Free, Urges Reform

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysia's highest court  freed rebel politician Anwar Ibrahim from almost six years in  jail on Thursday, overturning his conviction for sodomy in a  shock ruling expected to win support for the new prime  minister.


Microsoft makes mobile media push

Microsoft has unveiled a series of handheld gadgets that can replay audio, movies and TV shows.


Microsoft launches Portable Media Center in the UK

Microsoft has finally announced that it will start shipping its Portable Media Center addition which will allow players like the Creative Zen to go on sale in the coming weeks.


Service pack 2: It #39;s in the mail

Japanese consumers will be spared the agony of downloading Microsoft #39;s internet connection throttling Service Pack 2 -- they #39;ll be able to pick up a free CD containing the software at their local post office.


Fallon due to ride again today

Champion jockey Kieren Fallon is due back in the saddle at Salisbury today, after his arrest yesterday in connection with a race-fixing probe.


Federer has to work for second win

It did not look like No. 1 vs. No. 240 at Arthur Ashe Stadium last night. Roger Federer may have expected to cruise in his first night match of this year #39;s US Open, but he got all


Cole tells Eriksson he is England #39;s solution to troublesome left <b>...</b>

FILLING the problematic left side of the England midfield is again occupying the mind of manager Sven Goran Eriksson this week as he prepares for the opening 2006 World Cup qualifying match in Austria.


Russian school siege: Your reaction

Russian authorities are trying to negotiate with the armed group holding at least 200 hostages, many of them children. The heavily armed militants stormed the school in Beslan on Wednesday and are demanding


US-French resolution on Lebanese sovereignty to go to vote <b>...</b>

UNITED NATIONS : The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution presented by France and the United States calling for respect for Lebanon #39;s sovereignty, the US ambassador here said.


Russian Hostage-Takers Free 26 Children, Women

BESLAN, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin vowed  Thursday to do all he could to save hundreds of children,  parents and teachers held under threat of death by gunmen for a  second day at a Russian school near rebel Chechnya.


French Hostages Said Alive, Headscarf Ban Enforced

BAGHDAD/PARIS (Reuters) - A French Muslim delegation in  Iraq said Thursday they had proof that two French hostages held  by Islamic militants were alive, even though France refused to  lift a ban on Muslim headscarves as the school year began.


US Deserter Leaves Army Base for New Life in Japan

SADO ISLAND, Japan (Reuters) - A former U.S. army sergeant  who deserted to North Korea four decades ago left a U.S.  military base near Tokyo on Tuesday to head for a new life with  his family in his Japanese wife's home town.


Israel Destroys Dozens of Palestinian Homes in Gaza

NURIA, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Israeli forces blew up two  large apartment blocks in the Gaza Strip Thursday, making  scores of Palestinians homeless after suicide bombers killed 16  people in Israel.


Palestinian Prisoners End Hunger Strike

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails  Thursday have effectively ended an 18-day-old hunger strike  after most of their demands for better conditions were met, a  Palestinian cabinet minister said.


South Africa Arrests One in WMDs, Nuclear Probe

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - South African  authorities have arrested one person in an investigation into  contraventions of laws on weapons of mass destruction and  nuclear energy, the government said Thursday.


Group released from siege school

Hostage-takers free 32 women and children but are still holding more than 300  people at a school in Russia.


Apple #39;s New iMac  It #39;s All in the Display

Apple Computer unwrapped an attractive gift for SMB design shops that rely on Mac-quality graphics capability. The sleek new iMac stores the entire computer in its flat-panel display.


IBM, Intel Offer Blade Specs

quot;We are convinced that openness will expand the blade-server marketplace and bring more people on board with these types of servers, quot; says Tim Dougherty, director of BladeCenter marketing at IBM.


Radio Signal: Hello from Alien Life?

Sept. 2, 2004 - An enigmatic radio signal picked up three times from the same area of the sky is a candidate for a call from intelligent alien life, according to New Scientist magazine.


Intel To Show Off Its Own Dual-Core Technology

One week after AMD said it has demonstrated a dual-core processor, Intel will use its Developer #39;s Forum to provide the first demonstration of its dual-core technology.


Oracle Products Exposed To Hackers

Oracle has issued an alert regarding multiple security vulnerabilities discovered across an unsettlingly wide range of its products.


PC makers: Look before taking SP2 leap

Although Microsoft has recommended consumers turn on Windows #39; Automatic Update feature to get Windows XP Service Pack 2, PC makers are reminding Windows XP users to do their homework before installing the security update.


Philadelphia to becomes  #39;WiFi-for-all #39; city

PHILADELPHIA: For about US\$10mil (RM38mil), city officials here believe they can turn all 345 sq km of Philadelphia into the world #39;s largest wireless Internet hotspot (www.


Global Chip Sales Growth Moderates in July

Global sales of semiconductors rose 1 percent in July as consumer uncertainty and swelling inventories restrained the industry #39;s pace of growth, the US Semiconductor Industry Association reported on Thursday.


Nortel to Delay Filing Results Yet Again

Nortel Networks Corp. (NT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it will again delay filing results, predicting it will not release reports for 2003 and the first half of 2004 until the end of October.


Yukos faces oil production halt

Yukos, the Russian oil giant, could be forced to halt production because of a new court order, the company says.


Microsoft #39;s Ballmer Addresses Linux, Security

Joyce Plotkin, Massachusetts Software Council #39;s president, told LinuxInsider that the group regularly brings heavy hitters to its membership meetings, and that past speakers have included Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.


Wi-Fi Alliance to Announce Interim Multimedia Spec

Next week, the Wi-Fi Alliance will release Wi-Fi Multimedia, or WMM, an interim standard that will provide early quality-of-service functionality for multimedia equipment based on the emerging 802.


Intel to Redefine Performance at IDF

Intel co-founder Gordon Moore #39;s famous law will be re-examined again next week, as Intel shifts away from pure speed to the more efficient utilization of silicon.


MessageLabs taps Brightmail in war on spam

Email filtering firm MessageLabs yesterday announced a deal to incorporate Symantec #39;s Brightmail anti-spam technology into its own anti-spam service.


ASML, Nikon agree draft settlement of patent infringement dispute

AMSTERDAM (AFX) - ASML Holding NV and Nikon Corp said they reached a tentative agreement on settlement terms for Nikon #39;s case of alleged patent infringement against ASML.


Irish invite for De Lima

The Brazilian runner jostled by an Irish-born ex-priest in the Olympic marathon has been invited to Ireland by the country #39;s Sports Minister.


Rooney will help my game - Saha

Manchester United striker Louis Saha says the arrival of Wayne Rooney will help him to improve his own game. Rooney arrived at Old Trafford in a 27million deal as a transfer deadline signing on Tuesday to


Bailey breaks wrist, out a month

Jerry Bailey, the seven-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey, will miss the next four weeks because of a fractured wrist, his agent, Ron Anderson, said Wednesday.


Woodgate backing for Robson

Jonathan Woodgate has backed former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson to make a speedy return to football. The veteran tactician was relieved of his duties on Monday by Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd, citing poor results as the reason for his sacking.


San Francisco Giants Team Report - September 2

(Sports Network) - Jason Schmidt once again goes for his 16th victory tonight when the wild card-hopeful San Francisco Giants conclude a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at SBC Park.


Sweden Beats Czeck in Hockey World Cup

Sweden held off a furious third-period comeback by the Czech Republic for a 4-3 win, clinching home-ice advantage in the World Cup of Hockey quarterfinals.


Guti warns Owen of Raul

Spanish midfielder Guti has warned Real Madrid team-mate Michael Owen that he would need to produce an exceptional performance if he has any ambitions of taking Raul #39;s place in the starting line-up.


It #39;s Game Day!

FROGS OPEN 2004 CAMPAIGN: The TCU Horned Frogs begin their 108th year of intercollegiate football when they host the Northwestern Wildcats out of the Big Ten on Thursday, September 2. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.


Miami #39;s Betts gets his shot

An unbeknownst quarterback from Miami (Ohio) used a game at Michigan Stadium three years ago to introduce himself to the college football world.


French Ambassador to Iraq Says Hostages Are Alive, AFP Says

Two French reporters who are being held hostage in Iraq are alive and in good health, Agence France- Presse reported, citing the French ambassador to Iraq.


Malaysian PM Abdullah says he is prepared to meet freed Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysian prosecutors have said they will not appeal Anwar Ibrahim #39;s acquittal by the Federal Court on Thursday.


UN court imposes lawyers on Milosevic

The UN war crimes court at The Hague has assigned former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic two lawyers to assist his defense. Milosevic, 63, has repeatedly insisted


Syria rejects Israeli threats

Syria says Israeli threats to retaliate for Damascus #39; alleged complicity in Palestinian attacks that have killed 16 Israelis this week lack credibility.


Iraqi Militants Free Truck Drivers At Last

The release of Kenyan truckers held hostage by Iraqi militants yesterday was negotiated by an Egyptian troubleshooter, experienced in hostage negotiations, the East African Standard has learnt.


Japan May Help North Korean Refugees Leave China

The fate of 29 North Koreans remains unclear after they penetrated a Japanese school in Beijing Wednesday. Japanese officials on Thursday indicated they might help the asylum seekers go to a third country.


Turkish hostages 'killed' in Iraq

An Iraqi militant group kills three Turkish hostages, reports Arabic TV station al-Jazeera.


Israel raid demolishes Gaza homes

Israeli forces demolish two apartment blocks in raids on Gaza, while warning of a possible attack on Syria.


Boss defends Wal-Mart's record

Lee Scott, chief executive of retail giant Wal-Mart, tells the BBC that his firm's many critics have got it wrong.


Bridget Jones sequel piracy fears

Security is being tightened over the  Bridget Jones film sequel amid reports it is the subject of a \$10m bounty.


Citing terror aid, US eases arms sales ban

WASHINGTON  #151; Praising Yemen as a partner in the war on terror, the Bush administration has approved the sale of military equipment to the Persian Gulf country after more than a decade of a nearly total ban. Delivery of spare parts for C-130 cargo planes was approved last week, which followed a recent decision to permit Yemen to purchase parts ...


Alleged US deserter says he will surrender soon

TOKYO -- Alleged US Army deserter Charles Robert Jenkins said yesterday that he would surrender to US military authorities to face charges that he deserted his post along the demilitarized zone dividing North and South Korea in the 1960s.


G.O.P., Last to Bat, Swings Freely for the Fences

The G.O.P. convention is a batter-by-batter rebuttal of almost everything the Democrats said and did in Boston last month.


Spring Productivity Rate Makes Small Gain

WASHINGTON - Workers' productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the spring, the smallest gain since late 2002, reflecting the economy's slowdown.    The increase in productivity - the amount an employee produces for every hour on the job - was down from an initial estimate of a 2.9 percent growth rate for the April-to-June quarter and marked a deceleration from the 3.7 percent pace posted in the first three months of this year, the Labor Department reported Thursday...


Militants Release 31 Hostages in Russia

BESLAN, Russia - Camouflaged security agents carried babies to safety after militants holding hundreds of hostages at a school released at least 31 women and children Thursday, and officials expressed hope that negotiations would bring more progress in the standoff in southern Russia.    But a crowd of hostages' relatives keeping vigil outside the school was shaken when a pair of explosions went off just ahead of the release...


French Students Face New Head Scarf Ban

PARIS - Millions of French students returned to school Thursday as a new law banning Islamic head scarves from classrooms goes into effect amid demands by Islamic radicals holding two French hostages in Iraq that the law be scrapped.    Muslim leaders in France, who had largely opposed the law, urged calm for the return to class...


Straight Talk

By charlie smith. Since the release of a Hollinger International Inc. special committee #39;s report on August 31, much has been written and broadcast about the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by Conrad Black and his


ECB: Euro Growth Brightens, Holds Rates

Economic recovery is gathering speed in the euro zone and inflation prospects are favorable, the European Central Bank said on Thursday as it


Merrill Lynch Returns to Energy Trading

Merrill Lynch (MER:NYSE - news - research), despite a checkered history in the energy sector, is jumping back in with its acquisition of the energy-trading business of Entergy-Koch.


Cheney Praises Bush As Decisive Leader

NEW YORK - As President Bush prepared to accept the Republican nomination for a second term, Vice President Dick Cheney portrayed his boss as a decisive commander in chief. "He doesn't waffle, he doesn't agonize," Cheney said Thursday...


Nonfarm productivity up 2.5 vs. 2.9 initial estimate

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) - Productivity in the US nonfarm business sector increased at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the second quarter, revised lower from an earlier estimate of 2.9 percent, the Labor Department estimated Thursday.


MGM Stays in the Picture

Shares of film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (NYSE: MGM) rose more than 6 on heavy volume yesterday on the back of reports from Reuters -- and followed up by various


US Oil Prices Rise on Yukos Concerns

The price hit \$44.51 per barrel after a Russian court decision to freeze some bank accounts of the Yukos oil company. Without the \$2.


Polaris Discontinues Marine Products

Polaris Industries Inc. said Thursday it will immediately stop manufacturing boats and other marine product lines after the division drowned in a hefty operating loss in 2003.


Halliburton Uncovers Nigeria Bribe Scheme

The US energy company Halliburton says it has discovered that a consortium linked to it considered paying bribes to Nigerian officials on an energy project at least 10 years ago.


Sanz, Rita Big Winners at Latin Grammys

LOS ANGELES - It seemed like a rerun of the 2002 Latin Grammys. Once again, Spanish heartthrob singer Alejandro Sanz dominated the show - only this time, Sanz didn't show up to collect his trophies...


Nortel Numbers Face New Delay

Nortel (NT:NYSE - news - research) suffered another setback on its march to accountability Thursday, warning that it will need an additional month to complete its audit and file restated financials.


Appeals court faults Oracle in shareholder suit

Oracle suffered a legal setback Wednesday when a federal appeals court reviewing a shareholder lawsuit reversed a lower court #39;s ruling that had found in the company #39;s favor.


JP Morgan in Talks with UK #39;s Cazenove

JP Morgan Chase  amp; Co has emerged as the latest potential suitor for UK investment bank Cazenove, but as a joint-venture partner rather than an outright purchaser.


Stocks Climb on Rising Factory Orders

NEW YORK - Stocks inched higher Thursday as investors shrugged off sluggish retail sales, disappointing worker productivity and a surge in oil prices, focusing instead on rising factory orders.    Trading was muted as investors awaited a mid-quarter update from U.S...


Bush Ready to Accept GOP Nomination

NEW YORK - The four-day Republican National Convention comes to a close Thursday with a speech by President Bush that will touch off a two-month dash to the finish line in a nation that seems as closely divided now as it was four years ago.    Last night, Vice President Dick Cheney and convention keynoter Sen...


Militants Release 26 Hostages in Russia

MOSCOW - Militants released 26 women and children Thursday from the school in southern Russia where they are holding more than 350 hostages, the rescue operation's headquarters said.    Lev Dzugayev, an aide to the North Ossetian president, announced the release of three women and three infants...


U.S. Airstrike Kills 17 in Fallujah

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. airstrike targeting an alleged militant safehouse in Fallujah killed some 17 people including three children, according to doctors and accounts from the scene of the blast, and angry crowds gathered to mourn the victims and denounce the United States...


Barney the Dog Big Hit in GOP Video

NEW YORK - The presidential pup made his convention debut Wednesday night in a spoof on the movie "Rocky," showing the pooch hitting the campaign trail.    Delegates saw a video that opened with White House advisers Karl Rove and Andy Card in a heated debate about how to improve President Bush's poll numbers among an important bloc - dogs...


26 Hostages Released From Russian School

Armed militants who seized hundreds of child hostages at a school in southern Russia released two dozen women and small children Thursday afternoon but the guerrillas still rejected proposals for resolving the standoff.


French Schools Reopen Under New Religious Law

Millions of French pupils have begun the new school year under controversial legislation banning Muslim headscarves and other religious insignia from state schools.


French Muslim Delegation Hopeful About Hostage Situation

A French Muslim delegation in Iraq trying to win the release of two French journalists held hostage by Islamic militants said Thursday they had received proof the men were alive and well. The kidnappers have demanded that Paris rescind a law banning Muslim headscarves.


IBM Opens Up Design of Its Blade Servers (Reuters)

Reuters - International Business Machines Corp.\ said it is making the design of its "blade" computer\servers widely available, in a move designed to gain wider\acceptability in data centers and the telecommunications\industry.


Apple-Rival Creative to Double MP3 Player Lines (Reuters)

Reuters - Computer audio equipment maker\Creative Technology Ltd. said on Thursday it would double its\MP3 player product lines from its current eight by year-end,\stepping up competition for rivals such as Apple Computer Inc.


Jobless Claims Up, Hurricane a Factor (Reuters)

Reuters - New claims for U.S. jobless benefits\rose in the latest week, but the gain was largely blamed on\Hurricane Charley, the government said on Thursday.


S.Korea Enriched Uranium Close to Atom Bomb Fuel (Reuters)

Reuters - South Korea has admitted that\government scientists enriched uranium four years ago to a\level that several Vienna diplomats said was almost pure enough\for an atomic bomb, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Thursday.


Video Game Maker Acclaim Files for Bankruptcy (Reuters)

Reuters - Video game publisher Acclaim\Entertainment Inc. , which has been hampered by a lack\of hit titles, filed for bankruptcy liquidation on Thursday\after failing to line up new financing.


Global Chip Sales Growth Moderates in July (Reuters)

Reuters - Global sales of semiconductors\rose 1 percent in July as consumer uncertainty and swelling\inventories restrained the industry's pace of growth, the U.S.\Semiconductor Industry Association reported on Thursday.


Treasuries Retreat Before Payrolls Data (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Treasuries broke a three-day\rally and retreated on Thursday as investors turned cautious\before the climax of the week -- the August payrolls report.


Global Handset Sales Reached Record in 2nd Quarter - Survey (Reuters)

Reuters - Global handset sales rose to record\levels in the second quarter, putting the industry on track to\ship 650 million cell phones in 2004 as market leader Nokia\halted its decline, a survey said on Thursday.


Russian Oil Giant Warns of Output Cut (Reuters)

Reuters - Russian oil major YUKOS again warned on\Thursday that it may be forced to cut output after saying that\a Moscow court ruled this week that  #36;2.6 billion of company\funds could be seized by the authorities.


Spring Productivity Rate Makes Small Gain (AP)

AP - Workers' productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the spring, the smallest gain since late 2002, reflecting the economy's slowdown.


Israel Hints at Military Action Vs. Syria (AP)

AP - Israel ratcheted up its rhetoric against Syria on Thursday, hinting of possible military action following this week's deadly suicide bombing in southern Israel.


Charter names two interim CFOs

Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday named two executives as interim co-chief financial officers to fill an opening created when its former


Philly Considers Wireless Internet for All (AP)

AP - Forget finding an Internet cafe. For less than what it costs to build a small library, city officials believe they can turn all 135 square miles of Philadelphia into the world's largest wireless Internet hot spot.


Special UN envoy urges Sudan to accept more foreign aid (AFP)

AFP - UN chief Kofi Annan's special envoy to Sudan urged the Sudanese government to accept international aid if it is unable to protect the population in its troubled Darfur region.


Red Hat Hires New CFO From Burlington (AP)

AP - Red Hat Inc. hired a new chief financial officer as it tries to bolster its sagging stock price and expand into new foreign markets.


US embassy in Malaysia shuts indefinitely amid security threat (AFP)

AFP - The US embassy in Malaysia was shut indefinitely after it received a letter containing a suspicious powdery substance, its second security scare in two weeks.


Air China Signs USD\$1.3 Billion Airbus Deal

Chinese flag carrier Air China signed a USD\$1.3 billion deal to buy 23 new Airbus jets on Monday during a visit to Beijing of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.


August Retail Sales Hurt by Job Worries (AP)

AP - The August start of the back-to-school shopping season was a disappointment for major retailers, giving the industry a third straight month of tepid sales. Higher gasoline prices and consumers' ongoing worries about jobs contributed to the poor showing.


WinZip Warns of Security Flaws (PC World)

PC World - Users of the popular compression tool should upgrade their software, company says.


Rescue attempt underway for ill-fated transatlantic rower from Germany (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - Floating in the Atlantic Ocean, his life raft deflated, a man who has failed in his bid to row from the United States to England was counting on a Canadian search-and-rescue helicopter to pluck him from water Thursday.


Microsoft's new music venture takes aim at Apple iTunes (AFP)

AFP - Microsoft unveiled a new online music download service that throws the weight of the world's largest software company into a field currently dominated by Apple Computers.


Lockout Looms as NHL, Players' Union Deadlocked

MONTREAL (Reuters) - The National Hockey League and its  players ended three days of labor talks in an apparent deadlock  on Thursday, with little progress seen in avoiding a lockout by  team owners later this month.


South Dakota Sues to Get T. Rex (AP)

AP - Harding County wants a team of fossil hunters to return a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex named "Tinker" unearthed from northwest South Dakota in 1998.


Jobless Claims Up, Hurricane a Factor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for U.S. jobless benefits  rose in the latest week, but the gain was largely blamed on  Hurricane Charley, the government said on Thursday.


Agassi Headlines Fourth Day of U.S. Open

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Andre Agassi headlines day four of the  U.S. Open Thursday as he seeks a place in the third round at  his home grand slam.


Stocks Up a Bit, Factory Orders Revised

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose a bit on Thursday  after a revision in factory orders in June suggested orders are  improving and some apparel makers raised profit forecasts or  reported better-than-expected sales in August.


NL Wrap: Cubs Edge Expos to Maintain Wild-Card Pace

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Chicago Cubs registered an  important victory in their battle for the National League  wild-card berth, edging out the Expos 2-1 over 11 innings in  Montreal Wednesday.


South American Soya Explosion Threatens Forests - WWF (Reuters)

Reuters - An explosion of soyabean farming in\South America is threatening huge areas of forest and grassland\containing some of the world's richest and most diverse\wildlife, a leading conservation group said on Thursday.


Science Oddities Are Revealed to the British Public (Reuters)

Reuters - One of the world's most bizarre\scientific collections went on show on Thursday.


Singapore Bans Human Cloning, Stem Cell Research OK (Reuters)

Reuters - Singapore banned human cloning\Thursday and said offenders would face 10 years in jail to\prevent "abhorrent experiments."


Russian Oil Giant Warns of Output Cut

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil major YUKOS again warned on  Thursday that it may be forced to cut output after saying that  a Moscow court ruled this week that \$2.6 billion of company  funds could be seized by the authorities.


Bush speech to favor security over domestic policy (AFP)

AFP - US President George W. Bush was to highlight his war on terrorism credentials as he accepted his party's nomination for a new term in a speech expected to be poor in bold new domestic policy ideas.


Iran Plans to Launch Satellite by May 2005 (Reuters)

Reuters - Iran said Thursday it would launch its\first satellite into space by May 2005, state television\reported.


Golf: Jimenez Takes Early Lead in European Masters

CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Miguel Angel  Jimenez continued his rich vein of form by taking the early  lead in the opening round of the European Masters on Thursday.


Oil Up on Russia, Iraq Supply Concerns

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices rose sharply again on  Thursday after Russian oil giant YUKOS said a Moscow court's  decision to effectively freeze its bank accounts threatened its  ability to continue production.


Diageo Dips on Dispiriting Outlook

LONDON (Reuters) - Shares in Diageo Plc DGE.L fell on  Thursday as the world's biggest spirits firm said tough  European markets and a weak dollar will hold back growth after  an expected 1 percent rise in annual earnings.


Continental Air to Cut Jobs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Continental Airlines Inc.  CAL.N  said on Thursday it plans to cut about 425 management and  clerical jobs through staff reductions, attrition and the  elimination of unfilled positions to save about \$200 million in  pretax costs.


Red Hat Names CFO After Restatements

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Red Hat Inc. RHAT.O, a Linux  software distributor that in July said it would restate three  years' of financial results, on Thursday named Charles Peters  as chief financial officer.


Enron Agrees to Sell Pipelines in \$2B Deal

Enron Corp. has agreed to sell its domestic natural gas pipelines for more than \$2 billion after an auction aimed at helping the energy company emerge from one of the most expensive and complicated bankruptcies in history.


Jobs, Economy Focus of 2 Big Protests

Demonstrations and protests bubbled up around New York again Wednesday, as thousands of people formed a symbolic unemployment line extending 3 1/2 miles from Wall Street to within yards of the Republican National Convention.


Oil price rally takes off again

Oil prices resume their upward path, lifted by reports of pipeline sabotage in Iraq and fears that Russian firm Yukos may cease production.


India, Pakistan hold talks on Kashmir bus link

India and Pakistan held the first of two days of talks on Tuesday on starting a bus service between the capitals of divided Kashmir, a proposal which could give their peace process a major shot in the arm, officials said.


Inconsistency is playing a part

Looking at the reporters gathered around him after the Celtics' 119-105 loss to the Kings Sunday night in Sacramento, Gary Payton could not help but laugh.


Eurozone rates unchanged at 2

The European Central Bank leaves eurozone interest rates on hold at 2, and upgrades its economic growth forecasts.


Sudan complains of ill treatment by UN

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP-CP) - Sudan said today that the UN chief didn #39;t give it enough credit for its efforts to restore calm in Darfur and get help to the region #39;s people, and said it hoped the Security Council would take greater notice.


Marconi wipes out debt mountain

Telecoms equipment group Marconi clears its 669.5m (\$1.2bn) debt mountain ahead of schedule.


Games makers Acclaim ceases ops

Games maker and publisher Acclaim, famous for dino game Turok, has filed for bankruptcy in the US.


Security tight as Karzai #39;s inauguration looms

Security is extremely tight around the Afghan capital as Hamid Karzai prepares to be sworn in as the country #39;s first popularly elected president.


August Sales Disappoint Major Retailers

The start of the back-to-school shopping season was a disappointment for major retailers, giving the industry a third straight month of listless sales.


Productivity Growth Falls to 18-Month Low

Workers' productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the spring, the smallest gain since late 2002, reflecting the economy's slowdown.


Building a Fortune

Fortune Brands' CEO talks about the company's history, expansion, and innovation.


Back-to-School Woes

Companies counting on big back-to-school spending are showing their disappointment.


Betting Against Bombay

If the home-furnishings retailer can't get things right by the holidays, look out below.


MGM Stays in the Picture

A very large and valuable pile of assets now stands to change hands, possibly quite soon.


Image Needs Repair

Public relations experts and people in and around the NBA believe Kobe Bryant can repair the damage done to his image and reputation.


Up to the Challenge

The Redskins contend that last week's debacle in the secondary against the Rams isn't a true gauge of life after Champ Bailey.


Homebuying with Good Credit, Little Cash

Will this newfangled kind of mortgage help you buy a house?


Nortel again delays filing financial results

SEPTEMBER 02, 2004 (REUTERS) - Nortel Networks Corp. said today it will again delay filing its financial results, predicting the reports for 2003 and the first half of 2004 won #39;t be out until the end of October.


Red Hat goes mainstream to cap new CFO

Open-source champion Red Hat has taken its new CFO from the traditional business world. Charles Peters, who becomes executive vice president and CFO of the Linux-based firm, has a solid background as a qualified


UPDATE 2-Video game maker Acclaim files for bankruptcy

Video game publisher Acclaim Entertainment Inc. (AKLM.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) , which has been hampered by a lack of hit titles, filed for bankruptcy liquidation on Thursday after failing to line up new financing.


Marathon Saboteur Priest Accused of Indecency

A controversial Irish priest who sabotaged the mens Olympic marathon by leaping on the race leader appeared in court today on indecency charges.


Casagrande and Golbano unfit for Vuelta

Italian cyclist Francesco Casagrande (Lampre) and Spaniard Carlos Romn Golbano (Costa de Almera-Paternina) have been declared unfit to start the Vuelta a Espaa, after blood tests on Wednesday evening revealed that they each had exceeded the


Wright dazzles in halting slide

He was a young phenom then, much like Jeff Francis is now, and it was former Rockies pitcher Marvin Freeman who pinned the moniker on the 6-foot-6, apparently good-looking right-hander from Oklahoma City during the spring of 1996.


Liuzzi to test for Sauber

Sauber Petronas have invited Vitantonio Liuzzi for a test drive. The 22-year old Red Bull Junior Team pilot, who has won this year #39;s Formula 3000 Championship far ahead of the competition, will be driving the Sauber Petronas C23 at Jerez on 16 September.


Russia school siege:  #39;26 freed #39;

More than two dozen women and children have been released from the school in southern Russia where armed militants were holding more than 300 hostages for a second day, a regional government official said.


Court appoints Milosevic lawyers

Two British lawyers, Steven Kay and Gillian Higgins, have been appointed to defend former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic at The Hague #39;s UN tribunal.


S.Korea says it enriched uranium

quot;It was well beyond the level that would be needed for a civilian programme, quot; the Vienna-based diplomat close to the IAEA said.


Voracious growth puts China in a power crunch

It #39;s not even 5 pm on a workday and the corridor outside Li Chengwen #39;s office is dark. The air is moist and warm. By Eugene Hoshiko, AP.


Shopping without tears: a parents' guide

Review Waitrose's QuickCheck scanner a real time-saver


Games giant muscles in on mobiles

Games giant Electronic Arts is  joining forces with a Scottish mobile entertainment firm to make more mobile games.


Games firm Acclaim ceases ops

Games maker and publisher Acclaim, famous for dino game Turok, has filed for bankruptcy in the US.


IBM Opens Up Design of Its Blade Servers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp.  IBM.N said it is making the design of its "blade" computer  servers widely available, in a move designed to gain wider  acceptability in data centers and the telecommunications  industry.


Apple-Rival Creative to Double MP3 Player Lines

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Computer audio equipment maker  Creative Technology Ltd. said on Thursday it would double its  MP3 player product lines from its current eight by year-end,  stepping up competition for rivals such as Apple Computer Inc.  AAPL.O


Video Game Maker Acclaim Files for Bankruptcy

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Video game publisher Acclaim  Entertainment Inc. AKLM.PK, which has been hampered by a lack  of hit titles, filed for bankruptcy liquidation on Thursday  after failing to line up new financing.


Global Chip Sales Growth Moderates in July

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Global sales of semiconductors  rose 1 percent in July as consumer uncertainty and swelling  inventories restrained the industry's pace of growth, the U.S.  Semiconductor Industry Association reported on Thursday.


Global Handset Sales Reached Record in 2nd Quarter - Survey

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Global handset sales rose to record  levels in the second quarter, putting the industry on track to  ship 650 million cell phones in 2004 as market leader Nokia  halted its decline, a survey said on Thursday.


Retail Sales Sluggish, Gas Prices Blamed

US retailers on Thursday reported weaker-than-expected August sales, generating the smallest monthly gain in a year and a half as high gasoline prices cut into back-to-school spending.


US apparel retailers Aug. sales better than feared

US clothing retailers like Gap Inc. (GPS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and American Eagle Outfitters (AEOS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , on Thursday posted


Payless ShoeSource to restructure as August same-store sales fall

Footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc. said Thursday it will restructure its operations and cut jobs in a move to reduce administrative expenses by about \$12 million a year.


Could Space Signal Be Alien Contact? - Magazine

An unexplained radio signal from deep space could -- just might be -- contact from an alien civilization, New Scientist magazine reported on Thursday.


Red Hat Names CFO After Restatements

Red Hat Inc. , a Linux software distributor that in July said it would restate three years #39; of financial results, on Thursday named Charles Peters as chief financial officer.


Games makers Acclaim ceases ops

US video game makers Acclaim has filed for bankruptcy after struggling to keep up sales in an increasingly competitive games market for some time.


Lanci to take over as Acer #39;s president

Acer #39;s current president, JT Wang, will take over as chairman and chief executive officer, replacing Acer co-founder Stan Shih, who will retire at the end of the year.


Soocer-PSG coach unable to digest last-minute Fiorese transfer

Paris St Germain coach Vahid Halilhodzic says he felt so betrayed by the last-minute transfer of striker Fabrice Fiorese to Olympique Marseille that he was physically sick after going home on Tuesday.


Three Turkish Hostages Killed in Iraq

A militant group, affiliated with wanted terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has claimed responsibility for the murder of three Turkish truck drivers in Iraq.


Israel threatens to launch military action against Syria

Jerusalem, Sept. 2 (PTI): Claiming to have  quot;concrete evidence quot; of Syria #39;s involvement in the double suicide attack in the southern city of Beersheva in which 16 people were killed and more than 80 injured, Israel


Bali bomber spotted in Starbucks

Convicted Bali bomber Ali Imron has been allowed on an outing to a Starbucks coffee shop in Jakarta. Reporters spotted him laughing and joking with Brigadier-General Gorries Mere, one of the officers investigating the Bali attacks.


Acclaim Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

\

 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Video game publisher Acclaim\Entertainment Inc. <AKLM.PK> on Thursday said it filed for\bankruptcy after failing to line up new financing for a credit\line that expired last week.


Turkish birdlovers fear for delta

A globally important Turkish wetland for thousands of birds is threatened by development, conservationists say.


Bookmakers slash science odds

The chances of scientists making any one of five discoveries by 2010 have been hugely underestimated, according to bookmakers.


ET: Please Send Mail, Don't Phone

If an extraterrestrial civilization wanted to maximize its chances of being discovered by another civilization, the best bet may not ride on radio waves.    Rutgers -- Were E.T...


Conjunction Junction for the Mars Rovers

In the next few weeks the twin Mars rovers will be out of touch with Earth when the Sun lines up to block communications. Daily operations will be taken over by longer-term instructions without radio links between the two planets.


Appetite Hormone Key to Women's Health

Leptin, the hormone best known to control appetite, also appears to play a major role in fertility and bone development in women. A small, new study finds synthetic injections of the hormone can help young women whose naturally low levels of leptin left them thin and prone to osteoporosis, broken bones, and reproductive problems.


Contact Lens Implants Clear Myopia

Effective way to correct nearsightedness, study finds    HealthDayNews -- Implantable contact lenses are a safe and effective way to correct moderate to high nearsightedness, says a study in the September issue of Ophthalmology.    The research was funded by STAAR Surgical of Monrovia, Calif., which has applied for U.S...


Virtual Colonoscopy Shows Promise

While not perfect, it could become key screening tool for cancer, researchers say    HealthDayNews -- Virtual colonoscopies show significant promise as a screening method for colorectal cancer but there are still some problems that need to be resolved, according to new research.    A report in the Sept...


Back Country Wary of West Nile Virus

Rowdy, a 4-year-old horse, got sick after splashing through the Santa Ana River on a training ride. He ran a high fever, moved feebly in his stall and just wanted to sleep - all symptoms of West Nile virus.


Dyslexia Symptoms Not the Same in Every Culture

By JOSEPH B. VERRENGIA    (AP) -- With 6,000 characters to memorize, Westerners shudder at the idea reading even the most basic street signs and instructions in Chinese...


HP closes hospital printing deal

The contract is part of the computer giant's bid to wring more consulting dollars out of its printer business.


Outsourcing's next big thing--Malaysia?

The country's infrastructure makes it an attractive candidate for offshore work, a research company says.


Briefly: Overture heads toward automation

roundup Plus: Burst wants Gates deposition released...Verizon opens global phone to consumers...IBM, Honda team on voice-driven car navigation.


PC makers: Look before taking SP2 leap

Many PC makers have a list of drivers and other patches that should be in place before installing the OS update.\


HP files lawsuit over discounts

Computer maker sees to recover \$8.6 million in pricing discounts granted to a hardware reseller in Tennessee.


NEC positions carbon nanotubes for prime time

NEC Corp. has developed a method of positioning tiny tubes of carbon in a way that, 10 years from now, will make circuits run faster and consume less power than the fastest and most powerful silicon chips, the company said on Thursday.


IBM, Intel open up blade server specs

Hoping to accelerate the acceptance of blade servers, IBM and Intel on Thursday will lay bare their jointly developed technical specifications for its BladeCenter platform that will allow developers to customize add-on products and solutions.


Oracle releases delayed security patches

Oracle Corp. released security patches this week that plug several vulnerabilities reported last month in its database software and other products.


FAST preps app to improve Internet yellow pages

Fast Search   Transfer ASA has developed an application designed to help providers of online business directories and of online classified advertisements improve the content, presentation and navigation of their listings, the company announced Thursday.


Intel looks to clarify strategy, execution

Intel Corp. will look to a multicore future during the Fall Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco next week as it tries to leave behind a tumultuous year plagued by product delays and road map revisions.


Shaq #39;s career milestone as the heat wins

Shaquille O #39;Neal pulled down his 10,000th NBA rebound to lead the Heat to a 100-80 win over the Jazz. O #39;Neal needed eight rebounds entering the game to become the 31st player with 10,000 career boards.


WinZip Warns of Security Flaws

Users of the popular compression tool should upgrade their software, company says.


Rx Depot Co-Founder Launches New Online Venture

The co-founder of an Oklahoma prescription drug service shut down for violating federal drug importation laws has a new company providing discounted medicines over the Internet.


RNC Protesters Using Text Messages to Plan

For protesters navigating Manhattan during the Republican National Convention, text-message broadcasting services like this, sent to their cell phones, provided an up-to-the-minute guide to the action on the streets.


Olympics man on indecency charges

A former Irish priest who disrupted the men #39;s Olympic marathon in Athens has appeared in court on two counts of indecently assaulting a child.


Straw Speaks Out over Russian School Siege

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today expressed sympathy with parents and children in the Russian school siege saying their suffering is our suffering.


MSN Music Store to Rock the Music Download Boat\\MSN has unveiled MSN Music Store, their pay per download WMP driven system which is predicted to give Apple iTunes, Napster, and RealNetworks a run for their money in the realm of legal music download search. MSN Music Service will initially offer ...


MSN Music Store Launches

MSN Music Store Launches\\MSN has unveiled MSN Music Store, their pay per download WMP driven system which is predicted to give Apple iTunes, Napster, and RealNetworks a run for their money in the realm of legal music download search. MSN Music Service will initially offer music downloads of 500,000 music ...


Clippers escape with victory over Bobcats

Like any team bent on abiding by an unwritten rule of following sports cliches, the Clippers say they, yawn, take their games one at a time.


Firefox Toolbar: A set of search toolbars for Mozilla users\\Yet another search toolbar! But fortunately unlike most Internet Explorer only toolbars it is for the users of the alternate open source browser Firefox and Mozilla. Firefox Toolbar is a set of free toolbars made by a company called Vpop Technologies ...


News: Critical Kerberos bugs surface

Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in version five of the widely-used Kerberos authentication protocol. The most serious could be exploited by crackers to gain root control to authentication servers.


Bears could keep kids from school (Reuters)

Reuters - Some 30 brown bears have been terrorising a Transylvanian mountain village\and could delay the start of the school year, local authorities say.


Instant Messaging Is Growing Up, Going to Work (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - If you're an avid instant messenger, you probably know what I mean: "Instant messaging doesn't work for me, does it work for you?" Yet I appear to be on the way to becoming a minority, a fuddy-dud resisting the text-chat party. Instant messaging, or IM, is catching on with adults in a big way as it moves rapidly into the workplace, according to recent surveys. In fact, analysts predict IM soon will overtake e-mail as the No. 1 form of electronic communication.


Lucent Says It May Get  #36;816M Tax Refund (AP)

AP - Telecommunications gear maker Lucent Technologies Inc. may receive an  #36;816 million federal income tax refund related to its multibillion dollar losses at the height of the telecom industry slump.


Red Hat Names CFO After Restatements (Reuters)

Reuters - Red Hat Inc. , a Linux\software distributor that in July said it would restate three\years' of financial results, on Thursday named Charles Peters\as chief financial officer.


Coach moves on after taking USC nowhere

What happened to Henry Bibby at USC is that, for the first time in his basketball life, he stayed in one place too long. Fired Monday and replaced by assistant Jim Saia for the interim, Bibby


Continental Air to Cut 425 Jobs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Continental Airlines Inc.  CAL.N  plans to eliminate about 425 management and clerical jobs, and  wage cuts may be next if the revenue picture does not improve,  the No. 5 U.S. carrier said on Thursday.


Montgomerie Glad Teammates Approve of Ryder Cup Wildcard

CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie  says his Ryder Cup wildcard was rubber-stamped by colleagues  who had already qualified for this month's event against the  U.S. at Oakland Hills.


S.Africa Arrests One in WMDs, Nuclear Probe

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African authorities arrested  one person Thursday in an investigation into contraventions of  laws on weapons of mass destruction and nuclear energy, the  government said.


NFL Game Summary - Dallas at Seattle

Rice finished with 145 yards on eight catches, and Jackson had 113 yards on nine grabs...Testaverde broke Steve DeBerg #39;s NFL record with his TD pass to Copper, the 63rd receiver he #39;s hooked up with for a score...Alexander has scored 15 or more touchdowns


Update 5: European Central Bank Ups Growth Forecast

The European Central Bank on Thursday raised its economic growth forecast for the 12 nations using the euro and kept its key interest rate steady at record lows as it waits for the recovery to firm up.


US Airways shares rise on hopes for pilots pact

Shares of US Airways (UAIR.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rose more more than 5 percent on Thursday after the airline #39;s pilots union said it may soon agree on a plan to cut wages and benefits to help the carrier avoid a second


UPDATE 2-Coolbrands shares melt as guidance disappoints

Coolbrands International Inc. (COBa.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday its results for fiscal 2004 would be higher than the previous year, but the guidance missed expectations


Study: Workers Find IM a Mixed Blessing

A report released Thursday by the Pew Internet and American Life Project says US workers are increasingly using instant messaging (IM) in the workplace, with approximately 11 million Americans logging into an IM program daily.


Indiana hires Army #39;s Rick Greenspan as new athletic director

Army #39;s Rick Greenspan was named athletic director at Indiana University on Thursday, the school #39;s fourth AD in little more than three years.


Bali bomber  #39;out of jail for a coffee #39;

THE Howard Government has been assured by Indonesia that one of the main Bali bombers will not be released after reports he was seen having a coffee with a senior policeman in a central Jakarta shopping mall.


Japan volcano tremors subsides, residents return home

Volcanic tremors and earthquakes emanating from Mt. Asama, which straddles Gunma and Nagano prefectures in east Japan, subsided Thursday after the volcano erupted Wednesday night, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.


Microsoft launches MSN Music service

Microsoft Corp. is offering a  quot;preview release quot; of MSN Music, its answer to Apple #39;s popular iTunes Music Store. The music download service is available in the United States exclusively for users of the Windows


eBay plans S. Korean expansion with Internet Auction bid

NEW YORK, September 2 (New Ratings) - eBay (EBAY.NAS) intends to continue with its expansion in Asia with an increased stake in Internet Auction Co.


Lebanon slams US-inspired UN draft

Lebanon urged members of the UN Security Council Thursday to vote against a US-French draft resolution demanding Syrian military withdrawal.


Seven Truckers Freed in Iraq, France Awaits Word

Islamic militants freed seven truck drivers from India, Kenya and Egypt on Wednesday after holding them hostage in Iraq for six weeks, offering a ray of hope to a dozen other foreigners still in captivity.


Google AdSense Expands to Multiple Advertising Units\\Google is now letting AdSense publishers place Google contextually targeted AdSense advertising on up to 3 placements on one web page. Google AdSense had always stuck to their guns about one AdSense ad per web page, however, web users may be getting used to ...


Mobile phone sales surge at record pace in second quarter: Gartner (AFP)

AFP - Global sales of mobile telephones surged a record 35 percent to 156 million units in the second quarter from the same period in 2003, a study published by the US research group Gartner showed.


Jimenez Grabs First-Round Lead at European Masters

CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Miguel Angel  Jimenez and Sergio Garcia warmed up for this month's Ryder Cup  with sparkling starts at the European Masters on Thursday.


Arsenal exit  #39;would be disaster #39;

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes an early exit from the Champions League this week would be a disaster for the club.


Oil Prices Surge to \$45 on Russia Concerns

Oil prices spiked today after the Russian oil giant Yukos said it cannot pay wages and that its output could suffer due to a court ruling that froze some of its assets.


Cheney Praises Bush As Decisive Leader

NEW YORK - As President Bush prepared to accept the Republican nomination for a second term, Vice President Dick Cheney portrayed his boss as a decisive commander-in-chief. "He doesn't waffle," Cheney said Thursday...


Blunkett's satellite tagging: the tripe behind the hype

Home Office redefines statistical invalidity


Experts deny ET signal report

Scientists move swiftly to quash reports that a possible contact has been received from  extraterrestrial life.


Apple to Pay Dividend?

Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL) has finally agreed to pay a dividend. No, not the kind of owner dividend that would have Motley Fool Income Investor subscribers donning their


EBay Takes Control of Korean Affiliate

EBay, the world #39;s largest Internet auction house, increased its stake in Internet Auction, the biggest online auction company in South Korea.


UPDATE 3-Continental Air to cut 425 jobs, warns on wages

Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to eliminate about 425 management and clerical jobs, and wage cuts may be next if the revenue picture does not improve, the No.


Oil price rally takes off again

Oil prices have resumed their upward path, lifted by reports of pipeline sabotage in Iraq and fears that Russian firm Yukos may suspend production.


Beat the Analysts to Lucent #39;s Tax News

It #39;s a sleepy Thursday in the biggest summer vacation week in the year. Almost nobody #39;s around. Anyone who is around is focused on politics and the president #39;s speech tonight.


New iMac Could Give Apple a Needed Boost

Apple has been gaining share in the higher-margin laptop business, and its iPod franchise is a hit, but the company #39;s worldwide market share in PCs fell from a peak of 9.6 percent in 1991 to 2 percent last year.


Norwegian researchers find fossil remains of giant reptiles on <b>...</b>

Norwegian researchers on a remote Arctic island have recovered rare fossil remains of two giant marine reptiles, one of them reminiscent of the fabled Loch Ness monster.


Open-Davenport extends streak to reach third round

Lindsay Davenport extended her unbeaten streak to 19 matches with a 6-4 6-2 second round win over Spaniard Arantxa Parra Santonja at the US Open on Thursday.


UN vote due on Syria resolution

The UN Security Council is due to vote on a draft resolution calling on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon and respect Lebanese sovereignty.


Hubble Space Telescope Spies a Bright Supernova

Hubble Space Telescope -- The explosion of a massive star blazes with the light of 200 million Suns in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image. The arrow at top right points to the stellar blast, called a supernova...


Microsoft hones SharePoint update

The first major revamp of the collaboration package includes overhauled support, search and update features.


Nortel delays filing financials again

The beleaguered networking gear maker says it won't be able to file earnings on the date it expected.


Microsoft Launches Music Store Beta

While the debut of the Microsoft music store inevitably conjures up images of Apple and Microsoft going head-to-head for the hearts and wallets of consumers, Microsoft has made it clear that


Yukos may cut after \$2.6B funds seized

Embattled Russian oil company warns that it may scale back oil output after more funds seized. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil major Yukos again warned on Thursday that it may be forced to cut output after


BlueLinx files \$150 million initial public offering

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- BlueLinx Holdings, an Atlanta-based distributor of building products, on Thursday filed to raise up to \$150 nillion in an initial public offering with underwriters Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, CS First Boston and Lehman Brothers.


JP Morgan, Cazenove in talks - report

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) - JP Morgan Chase is in talks with UK investment bank Cazenove to create a joint venture that would effectively combine the banks, according to a published repor Thursday.


Build Your Own Blade Server

fw3 writes  quot;Information week is reporting that IBM and Intel are opening up the standards for the eServer BladeCenter.  #39;The companies will make available the design specifications for IBM #39;s eServer BladeCenter product.


UPDATE 1-Acclaim files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Video game publisher Acclaim Entertainment Inc. (AKLM.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said it filed for bankruptcy after failing to line up new financing for a credit line that expired last week.


New SP2 problems report

p2pnet.net News:- An average company using Windows XP will encounter compatibility issues with the SP2 update on 10.3 of its Windows XP-based PCs, says a white paper from Canada #39;s AssetMetrix on-demand IT asset intelligence service.


Workplaces Slowly Adopt IM

Instant messaging (IM) is gaining slow prominence in the workplace, but the application is used for a variety of reasons. An early 2004 study of more than 2,200 US adults from Pew Internet  amp; American Life


Dyslexia depends on culture: brain study

Most dyslexia research has focused on letter-based languages such as English or Italian. These studies suggest the condition is tied to the left temporoparietal region of the brain.


Gerrard leaves practice

London, England (Sports Network) - England midfielder Steven Gerrard injured his groin late in Thursday #39;s training session, but is hopeful he will be ready for Saturday #39;s World Cup qualifier against Austria.


Barrett called into Ireland squad

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Graham Barrett has been called up for the Republic of Ireland #39;s first two World Cup ties against Cyprus and Switzerland.


Lockout Looms as NHL, Players #39; Union Deadlocked

The National Hockey League and its players ended three days of labor talks in an apparent deadlock on Thursday, with little progress seen in avoiding a lockout by team owners later this month.


Jerry Bailey Fractures Wrist; Sidelined One Month

Jockey Jerry Bailey will be sidelined for approximately four weeks after suffering a non-displaced hairline fracture of his left wrist.


Milosevic to Get Defence Lawyer

The UN war crimes tribunal is to impose a defence lawyer on Slobodan Milosevic, whose doctors say he is too ill to continue representing himself.


Equatorial Guinea Delays Coup Trial

A court in Equatorial Guinea indefinitely suspended the trial on Tuesday in an alleged coup plot, to await information on the possible roles of Mark


PM inaugurates Guru Granth Sahib research center in Capital

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh inaugurated a research centre in the Capital on Thursday to mark 400 years of compilation of Sikh holy book the Guru Granth Sahib.


Oracle's first monthly patch batch fails to placate critics

Behind MS on security, says top bug hunter


MOURINHO TO FACE FAN FURY

Jose Mourinho will relish the hostile reception he will receive from the fans who used to adore him when he takes his place in the dug-out at the Estadio Do Dragao.


GM, Toyota, others record drops

General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. this week reported disappointing US sales for August, prompting the nation #39;s two largest automakers to cut planned vehicle production in the fourth quarter, which could hurt profits.


European Services Slowed in August Amid Job, Oil Concerns

Growth in the European service industries, ranging from banking to telecommunications, slowed in August as households became increasingly concerned about jobs and oil prices reached a record.


NWA drops agent charge

Northwest Airlines Corp. canceled controversial fees on tickets bought through some travel agents after the agents and fare distributors objected and rivals didn #39;t match the higher cost.


Data mixed on economy

A string of government reports yesterday offered a mixed picture of the US economy. Worker productivity grew at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the second quarter, the


US Airways, pilots seek common ground

Pilots and management at US Airways continue talks Friday in hopes of making a deal to help save the struggling carrier. Negotiations might continue into the Labor Day weekend, says pilots union spokesman Jack Stephan.


Soft Intel outlook spells weakness for tech sector

Investors are expected to dump technology shares today in the wake of a financial update last night from bellwether Intel Corp. that one analyst called  quot;a disaster.


Rank to consider all options on Deluxe

Leisure firm Rank Group will look at all options on the future of its Deluxe film and video processing business, including a demerger and sale, its chief executive says.


Continental cuts jobs to save \$200 mln

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Continental Airlines said Thursday it will cut 425 jobs as part of a plan to reduce non-labor costs. Free!


US-CERT Recommends That XP Users Install Service Pack 2

But it also urged users to back up data and check their PC maker #39;s Web site for information or alerts about deploying the Windows upgrade.


Nokia claws back market share by cutting back prices

Stockholm - Nokia, the world #39;s biggest cellphone maker, took market share in the second quarter by cutting prices and introducing new models, rebounding from its lowest level since 1999, market researcher Gartner said yesterday.


IBM Opens Up Design of Its Blade Servers

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said it is making the design of its  quot;blade quot; computer servers widely available, in a move designed to gain wider


IBM recalls melting laptop adaptors

IBM said on Thursday that it will recall about 553,000 AC power adapters worldwide for several models of its laptop computers because of potential fire and electrical shock hazards.


Red Hat Names New CFO as Class-Action Suits Loom

More than two months after Red Hat #39;s chief financial officer resigned and the company announced a change in its accounting methods, the Linux distributor on Thursday named Charles E. Peters Jr.


Napster Tests Music-On-The-Go Subscription Service

Napster on Thursday said it #39;s testing a monthly subscription service that would let customers download an unlimited number of songs and play them on portable music devices


Alien Jadoo comes calling

Koi Mil Gaya  #39;s sci-fi plot may not have stretched reality too far. Jadoo the alien, might not have landed on Earth, but it is possible that his kind is trying to get in touch with Earthlings.


Leaner Longhorn Will Delay Microsoft Business Framework

The vendor confirned that the delay in the release of its next-generation file system will also push back the release of the Windows programming layer.


US government, companies warn of critical Oracle flaws

The US government #39;s Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT) and software security companies have issued warnings about a number of security vulnerabilities in versions of Oracle Corp.


Video Game Maker Acclaim Files for Bankruptcy

Video game publisher Acclaim Entertainment Inc. AKLM.PK , which has been hampered by a lack of hit titles, filed for bankruptcy liquidation on Thursday after failing to line up new financing.


Veritas buys email archiver

Storage software giant Veritas is moving its customers deeper into email archiving through its agreement to acquire KVault Software (KVS).


Found: Nessie #39;s distant cousin

A fossil resembling the Loch Ness monster has been found on a remote Arctic island. The well-preserved bones belonged to a plesiosaur, a giant marine reptile with a long neck and tail, plump body and legs which evolved into flippers.


Gaming Cell Phone: Take Two

Nokia #39;s N-Gage QD addresses many of its predecessor #39;s problems, but it #39;s still a big phone. Nokia #39;s N-Gage gaming cell phone was the Gigli of the tech world when it first came out last year.


Blu-ray Disc To Support MPEG-4, VC-1

The Blu-ray Disc Association has added the MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 video codecs to its specification for prerecorded Blu-ray Disc media, it says this week.


#39;Zippy #39; chipper despite loss

A couple of the somebodies around here are going to walk away from Flushing Meadow with a million bucks apiece in their petty cash stash.


Woodgate: It #39;s not the end for Bobby

Jonathan Woodgate is in no doubt Sir Bobby Robson will return to management once he recovers from the shock of his Newcastle dismissal.


RFU accept Woodward #39;s resignation

Sir Clive Woodward #39;s resignation as England coach has been accepted by the Rugby Football Union with immediate effect. It came after his lawyers spent the day locked in talks with the RFU.


Federer rolls on

To say that Roger Federer has come a long way is something of an under-statement but that fact rang home with a great clarity when he beat the 19-year-old Marcos Baghadatis from Cyprus 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round at the US Open.


Brazils Lima returns home to heros welcome

SAO PAULO (Brazil): Olympic marathon bronze medallist Vanderlei de Lima, who was tackled by a spectator while leading the race, came home Wednesday to a heros welcome and said he was thrilled to earn a medal even though his fellow Brazilians believe he


Schu OK after crash

Formula One champion Michael Schumacher escaped uninjured yesterday after a high-speed crash during a testing session. Schumacher #39;s Ferrari was seriously damaged in the crash, which was


Smith is latest injury blow for Windies

ST JOHN #39;S, Antigua (CMC) - West Indies have suffered another injury setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, starting in Britain next week.


Kicking it around

Observers say: Thomas is a great little defender who never quits and loves to run. He #39;ll even take the odd run up the field with the ball.


NHL labor talks are stalled

The NHL and the players association completed a three-day round of talks Thursday in Montreal and were no closer to a deal that might save the upcoming season.


BASEBALL ROUNDUP Redman Helps Put A #39;s Back on Track

ark Redman pitched seven strong innings for his 10th victory and Billy McMillon homered to lead the Oakland Athletics past the White Sox, 4-2, in Chicago yesterday.


Second team drops finale

SEATTLE With final preseason cuts looming this weekend, Vikings coach Mike Tice certainly gave himself an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate his reserves Thursday night.


Tiger #39;s father has a relapse

Tiger Woods has more than golf on his mind as he prepares for the Deutsche Bank Championship near Boston: His father, Earl, has had a relapse of prostate cancer.


Iran says nuclear plan is no secret

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran acknowledged Thursday that it plans to process tons of raw uranium, but said the UN nuclear watchdog agency was informed about the move long ago and accused the United States of sensationalizing the matter.


UN: Sudan has failed to rein in Janjaweed

New York - Sudan #39;s government has not stopped attacks on  quot;terrorised and traumatised quot; civilians in the Darfur region, United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan has said.


At least one Saudi policeman killed in clashes with gunmen

Gunmen clashed with Saudi police Friday in a town northeast of Riyadh, killing one officer and injuring three, Al-Arabiya television reported.


US wins bid to curb Syria in Lebanon

Stepping into the middle of Syria #39;s bid to extend its influence over neighboring Lebanon, the US yesterday won UN Security Council approval of a resolution


Claiming victory, Palestinian security prisoners end 19-day hunger <b>...</b>

Palestinian security prisoners ended their hunger strike yesterday as they declared their 19-day protest succeeded in achieving most of their demands.


Curfew eased in tense Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Nepalese authorities have briefly lifted a curfew to let people carry out essential tasks after a quiet night following riots that left two dead.


Oil Could Help Japan Resolve Territorial Fight With Russia

Wearing a white windbreaker to protect him from the Siberian wind, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stood on the bridge of a Japanese Coast Guard patrol boat on Thursday


Militia Leaders Charging Betrayal by Iraqi Premier

Leaders of the insurgent Mahdi Army declared Thursday that they had been betrayed by Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who has been trying to lure away the militia #39;s supporters with millions of dollars in aid.


Four killed in Israeli incursion

Three Palestinian men and a boy were killed and 44 others wounded Thursday during an incursion by 12 Israeli armored vehicles into the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, Palestinian sources told CNN.


Sharapova, Venus Struggle to Win at Open (AP)

AP - Maria Sharapova zinged shots so sharply against Jelena Jankovic, many fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium left their seats early in hopes of finding a more competitive match. They missed seeing things get kind of interesting at the U.S. Open.


Intel Cuts Revenue Outlook; Stock Falls (Reuters)

Reuters - Intel Corp.  on Thursday\cut its third-quarter revenue and profit margin forecast after\demand for both its computer microprocessors and communications\chips weakened beyond expectations. Its stock fell nearly 8\percent.


IBM Recalls 553,000 Laptop Power Units Worldwide (Reuters)

Reuters - IBM said on Thursday it will recall\about 553,000 AC power adapters worldwide for several models of\its laptop computers because of potential fire and electrical\shock hazards.


Bush to Avoid Sneak Peek at Jobs Data (Reuters)

Reuters - Financial markets may be all ears on\Thursday night for hints about August job growth from President\Bush, but they will be listening in vain since he plans to\purposely avoid an early peek.


Afghans Face Violent Short Cut to Democracy (Reuters)

Reuters - A Taliban bombing campaign is expected to\herald Afghanistan's historic presidential polls on October 9,\but after a quarter-century of foreign occupation, civil war,\and Taliban rule, Afghans are philosophical.


Intel Drives Tech Sell-Off as Data Looms (Reuters)

Reuters - A sell-off in tech stocks following\Intel Corp.'s disappointing outlook pushed Asian shares lower\on Friday, overpowering pockets of strength in some financial,\consumer and industrial issues.


Red Sox Take Control of AL Wild-Card Race (AP)

AP - The surging Boston Red Sox have seized control of the AL wild-card race  #151; with an eye on winning their division. Derek Lowe (13-10) pitched effectively into the eighth inning and Boston completed a three-game sweep of the Anaheim Angels with a 4-3 victory Thursday night  #151; the Red Sox's season-high ninth straight win.


U.S. Says UN Not Being Tough Enough on Sudan (Reuters)

Reuters - The United States\accused Sudan on Thursday of using attack helicopters against\African villagers and said the United Nations was not being\tough enough on Khartoum.


Dollar Pauses as Market Awaits Jobs Data (Reuters)

Reuters - The dollar held steady across the board\on Friday as the market readied itself for a U.S. jobs report\later in the session which is likely to set the tone for\expectations of U.S. interest rate rises.


No. 20 Utah Beats Texas A M 41-21 (AP)

AP - Alex Smith threw for three touchdowns, rushed for two more and finished with 435 yards of offense, and No. 20 Utah backed up its first preseason ranking with a 41-21 win over Texas A amp;M on Thursday night.


Patriots Routed Before Quest for Repeat (AP)

AP - The Super Bowl champs ended their exhibition season with a three-game losing streak and a 31-0 setback. Hey, at least they should be rested for their regular-season opener.


Japan's flat-screen TV makers under pressure to cut costs: analysts (AFP)

AFP - Falling prices may be making flat-screen televisions more appealing to consumers who covet the latest in technology, but analysts warn companies producing them will have to adjust quickly or risk losing out.


Shinsei Bank to Buy Consumer Credit Co. (AP)

AP - Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank is wrapping up an agreement to buy a consumer credit company from UFJ Holdings, a Japanese banking group that is set to merge with another "Big Four" Japanese financial group.


Does Your Phone Speak QWERTY? (PC World)

PC World - Today's hottest cell phones feature full keyboards.


Best Buy's 2Q Sales Increase 13 Percent (AP)

AP - Best Buy Co. Inc.'s second-quarter results will show a 13 percent increase in revenue and 4.3 percent growth in same-store sales, the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer said Thursday.


Women Says Kids Left in Nigeria Are Angry (AP)

AP - The adoptive mother of seven children found malnourished at a Nigerian orphanage said Thursday the youngsters could be lying about claims of physical and emotional abuse because they were upset about their ordeal.


Fire Midfielder Armas Has Knee Surgery (AP)

AP - Chicago Fire midfielder Chris Armas will be out for four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.


Six Apart Releases Movable Type 3.1 (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Six Apart released a new version of its popular blogging software only three months after Movable Type 3.0.


Enterprise Search Vendors Eye Emerging Markets (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - FAST launches an application to help directory publishers compete in local search, while Copernic dives into the desktop-search arena.


In Nebraska, Football Feeds State's Ego (AP)

AP - Decades ago, a beleaguered Nebraska football coach raised a stink across the plains when he said he didn't think this state could be great at anything.


Intel Cuts Revenue Outlook; Stock Falls

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intel Corp. INTC.O on Thursday  cut its third-quarter revenue and profit margin forecast after  demand for both its computer microprocessors and communications  chips weakened beyond expectations. Its stock fell nearly 8  percent.


Australian high court limits unions' right to strike (AFP)

AFP - Australian Prime Minister John Howard has welcomed a far-reaching High Court ruling that bars trade unions from taking industrial action over political, social or environmental issues.


Massu Gets Penalized Game for Racket Abuse (AP)

AP - Nicolas Massu cracked his racket on a fence. Later, he slammed it off the court and it bounced head-high. After being docked a game in what would be the second-longest match in U.S. Open history, he delayed play 10 minutes while arguing.


Bush Pledges Safer World, Resumes Stumping (AP)

AP - President Bush pledged "a safer world and a more hopeful America" as he accepted his party's nomination for a second term in office and plunged into the final two months of his re-election campaign. He promptly drew fire Friday from challenger John Kerry that he was "unfit to lead this country."


Bush to Avoid Sneak Peek at Jobs Data

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Financial markets may be all ears on  Thursday night for hints about August job growth from President  Bush, but they will be listening in vain since he plans to  purposely avoid an early peek.


2,500-Year-Old Hidden Tomb Found in Egypt (AP)

AP - Egypt's antiquities chief on Thursday revealed a 2,500-year-old hidden tomb under the shadow of one of Giza's three giant pyramids, containing 400 pinkie-finger-sized statues and six coffin-sized niches carved into granite rock.


NL Wrap: Pujols Goes Deep Again as Cardinals Cruise

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Albert Pujols belted his major-league  leading 43rd homer and Jim Edmonds followed with a two-run shot  as the St Louis Cardinals eased to a 7-2 win over the San Diego  Padres in National League action Thursday.


Scientists to Map Known Universe (AP)

AP - The radio telescope at Puerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory will begin mapping the known galaxy on Friday, scientists said.


GOP Convention Closes With Milder Protests (AP)

AP - A week of rallies, marches and nearly 1,800 arrests left anti-Bush protesters drained and the city refuting allegations that demonstrators were held too long in police custody.


Study Finds Scallop Fishing Harms Turtles (AP)

AP - A new federal study has found that more threatened loggerhead sea turtles are injured or killed by the mid-Atlantic scallop fishery than earlier estimates indicated.


AL Wrap: Yankees Rout Indians to Edge Series, Oakland Wins

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees wrapped up their  eventful three-game series against the Cleveland Indians with  an easy 9-1 win in American League action Thursday.


Hair Stem Cells May Offer Baldness, Burn Treatments (Reuters)

Reuters - Master cells found deep inside hair\follicles might offer a new way to treat baldness and burn\victims, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.


Floridians Flee as Monster Storm Looms (Reuters)

Reuters - Some 2.5 million people were urged to\leave their homes and Florida residents jammed the roads on\Thursday as Hurricane Frances roared toward the crowded\southeast U.S. coast with enough sheer size and force to cause\major devastation.


Seas Only Hope for World Water Supply, Says Spain (Reuters)

Reuters - The world's fast-growing thirst for\water can only be met by purifying sea water as rivers and\reservoirs become unable to meet demand, Spain said on Thursday\unveiling a major program to fight its own chronic shortages.


Goss Quote Box (AP)

AP - Quotes from Rep. Porter Goss, R-Fla., picked by President Bush to head the CIA:


Dollar Pauses as Market Awaits Jobs Data

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar held steady across the board  on Friday as the market readied itself for a U.S. jobs report  later in the session which is likely to set the tone for  expectations of U.S. interest rate rises.


Silent Running: 'Black Triangle' Sightings on the Rise (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - They have become legendary in UFO circles. Huge, \silent-running Flying Triangles have been seen by ground observers creeping \through the sky low and slow near cities and quietly cruising over \highways.


Tiny Space Rocks Help Settle Astronomical Debate (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - A pair of miniscule meteorite grains has helped astronomers settle a long-running debate on the origins of space dust belched out by dying stars.


Northwest Air Says Cancels New Ticket Fee

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Northwest Airlines Corp. NWAC.O  said on Thursday it canceled a new fee it charged travel  agencies for a round-trip domestic ticket booked through global  distribution systems, effective immediately.


Rare Finch Nest Found in Wyo. Snowy Range (AP)

AP - A rare nest of brown-capped rosy finches was discovered recently in a crack in a cliff high in the Snowy Range. Little is known about the species and only six or seven such nests have ever been found, according to David McDonald, associate professor in the University of Wyoming Department of Zoology and Physiology.


Report Says That Cats Can Spread Bird Flu (AP)

AP - Cats not only can catch the deadly bird flu but can spread it to other felines, Dutch researchers reported Thursday  #151; raising important questions about the pets' role in outbreaks.


Auto Stocks Surge After Weak Sales

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. GM.N on Thursday  led a late-day rally in auto stocks, one day after the world's  largest automaker posted dismal U.S. sales results for August  and cut vehicle production.


FSU-Miami Showdown and Florida Opener Postponed by Hurricane

MIAMI (Sports Network) - Add the marquee showdown between  fifth-ranked Florida State and No. 6 Miami-Florida to the list  of sporting events postponed by Hurricane Frances.


Payless Sales Drop, President Exits

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Footwear chain Payless ShoeSource Inc.  PSS.N on Thursday posted worse-than-expected sales at stores  open at least a year in August and said its president, Duane  Cantrell, will step down effective immediately, sending its  shares down 8 percent.


Season Over for Cardinals' Shipp

TEMPE, Ariz. (Sports Network) - The Arizona Cardinals  placed running back Marcel Shipp and fullback James Hodgins on  injured reserve Wednesday night, effectively ending their  seasons.


U.N. Warns Syria Against Interfering in Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A U.S.-drafted resolution  telling Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and warning  against foreign interference in Beirut's presidential election  squeaked through the U.N. Security Council on Thursday.


Argentina Clears Suspects in Anti-Jewish Bomb

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - An Argentine court on  Thursday acquitted five suspected accomplices in the 1994  bombing of a Jewish community center in which 85 people were  killed and ordered new probes into the case's botched  investigation.


Herbert  Haft Redefined The Rules of Retail

In the Washington retail landscape, only a few signs of Herbert H. Haft's business empire remain. But his contribution to the way Americans shop is felt every day by just about any consumer who buys a product at a discount.


Lieber Shines, Distancing Yankees From 'a Dark Time'

Aided by a majestic three-run home run by Alex Rodriguez and three hits and three runs batted in by Gary Sheffield, Jon Lieber won for the first time since Aug. 13.


Stunning Herself, a Young Russian Ousts Myskina

Anna Chakvetadze, a qualifier ranked 175th in the world, jolted the U.S. Open on Thursday with an upset victory over Anastasia Myskina, 7-6 (3), 6-3.


Despite Loss, the Giants' Line Shows Progress

Kurt Warner's first preseason as the Giants' starting quarterback ended ominously as he was sacked twice more Thursday night.


Haiti Won't Yield to Rebel Demands, President Says

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - Haitian President  Boniface Alexandre said on Thursday his administration would  not give in to rebels who took over a southern town six days  ago to back demands for the reestablishment of the army.


Riggs Probe Finds Evidence of Crimes

Riggs Bank investigators have found evidence of possible criminal activities by some former employees who managed the accounts of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and have referred their findings to federal prosecutors, according to several sources.


Americans Fail to Match Russians' Level of Desire

For the second time in two games, the veteran United States team was outscored, outshot, outskated and outplayed in the World Cup of Hockey tournament.


Iraq Militants Kill Three Turks, Bomb Oil Pipeline

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Militants bombed Iraq's northern oil  pipeline to Turkey on Thursday, halting exports, and killed  three Turkish hostages in a campaign to wreck reconstruction  efforts and undermine the interim government.


Wall Street Looks to Voters

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 -- The stock market went whisper quiet this week as Republicans convened in Madison Square Garden to renominate George W. Bush for president.


Bribery Considered, Halliburton Notes Suggest

An internal Halliburton Co. investigation has uncovered handwritten notes suggesting that former employees considered offering bribes to Nigerian officials a decade ago to secure work in a \$5 billion project to build a natural gas liquefaction plant.


In Normally Strong August, Retail Sales Rise by 1.1 Percent

From department stores to discounters, the nation's retailers reported sluggish August sales yesterday as consumers cut back spending during the generally lucrative back-to-school shopping month.


Team's play lately has been divine

We need a name for these guys. The Yankee Clippers? The Sons of Tito? How about the No More Nomars?


Discount Retailing Giant Stoked Bitter Family Feud

Herbert H. Haft, 84, the Washington area discount retailer whose drive to sell drugs at cut-rate prices made him a multimillionaire and whose empire dissolved in a nasty and very public family feud in the 1990s, died Thursday at Sibley Memorial Hospital.


Ratings say Red Sox are team to watch

Wednesday night's Red Sox-Angels game was the highest-rated telecast in NESN's 20-year history, returning a 15.1 rating in the Boston market. The audience peaked at an 18.8 rating during the quarter-hour beginning at 9 p.m.


China set for surge in car sales

The number of cars on China's roads is set to rise sevenfold to 140 million by 2020, according to government forecasts.


Intel gloom weighs on chip stocks

Intel, the world's leading computer chip maker, slashes its revenue forecasts, triggering a decline in global chip stocks.


Mobile phone sales grow strongly

Global mobile phone sales grew 35 to over 150 million in the second quarter, say industry analysts Gartner.


NL notables

The Mets' Jeff Keppinger got his first major league steal in the seventh, swiping second.


AL notables

The Yankees have won 10 of their last 11 home games against Cleveland. Baltimore outscored Tampa Bay, 31-8, in the three-game series.


CBI boss blasts 'outdated' unions

The leader of the CBI has launched his strongest attack on the unions to date, claiming they are becoming "irrelevant".


Yankees pummel Indians

That record-setting defeat appears to have stirred up the Yankees. Gary Sheffield had three RBIs to reach 100 for the seventh time, Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer, and Jon Lieber pitched seven shutout innings to lead the Yankees to their second straight win, 9-1 over the Cleveland Indians last night in New York.


File this one as a missing persons report

Not many questions were answered last night at Razor Blade Field but one question, at least, was obvious. Who were those guys?


UK house prices retreat in August

UK house prices fell by 0.6 in August as recent interest rate rises took hold, the Halifax says.


Davey's spot secured

Patriots fans, for better or worse, received a long, hard look at Tom Brady's backup last night.


Browns ready to rebound

On a recent campaign stop, President Bush dropped in to visit the Cleveland Browns before one of their training camp practices.