OPEC likely to keep output high

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is likely to keep production close to a 25-year high to prevent shortages during the US winter, OPEC officials said.


Mello Upsets Fish at Delray Beach (AP)

AP - Ricardo Mello upset second-seeded Mardy Fish 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 Wednesday and advanced to the third round of the Millennium International Tennis Championships.


NL Wrap: Sosa Belts Two Homers as Cubs Pound Pirates

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sammy Sosa belted a pair of home runs,  including his first grand slam in more than two years, as the  Chicago Cubs pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-5 in National  League at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.


Dollar Near 1-Week High Vs Euro

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held near one-week highs  against the euro and the Swiss franc on Thursday after U.S.  manufacturing figures came in much stronger than expected.


Tokyo Stocks Lower

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's Nikkei average fell 0.14 percent  by midday on Thursday with losses in shippers, steel makers and  several technology shares overshadowing gains in select  small-cap stocks and firms with bright earnings outlooks.


Seahawks RB Alexander Listed as Questionable

KIRKLAND, Wash., (Sports Network) - Seattle Seahawks  running back Shaun Alexander was listed as questionable  Wednesday after missing practice due to a bruised right knee.


Adams backs power-sharing plan

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has put the pressure for the success or failure of the Northern Ireland assembly talks firmly on the shoulders of Ian Paisley.


Alitalia agrees to new contracts

Alitalia took a step on Tuesday toward resolving the labor disputes that have threatened to push it into bankruptcy, agreeing to new contracts with its 2,300 pilots.


FCC Chief Pushes TV Via High-Speed Internet Lines

US Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell on Wednesday said technology and telecommunications companies are racing to develop ways to pipe television


Kofi Annan: Globally Popular Mainstay of the UN

Having dedicated more than 40 years to the United Nations, the seventh Secretary General Kofi Annan is a well-liked and admired global figure.


China Communists Meet as Succession Rumors Swirl

China #39;s Communist Party opened a four-day, closed-door meeting on Thursday that will decide whether military chief Jiang Zemin completes a leadership succession by passing on his last post to party chief Hu Jintao.


Under-fire UN chief deserves fair treatment: newspaper

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan has become the target of escalating attacks in the United States over suspected corruption in the body #39;s now-defunct oil-for-food humanitarian programme for Iraq.


Germany's neo-Nazis change look to attract disgruntled voters (AFP)

AFP - Holger Apfel cuts a clean look in his Miami Vice-style white suit and black T-shirt and is the new image of a German far-right that is likely to cause an upset in Sunday's state elections.


Expos' Former Limited Partners Seek Block (AP)

AP - Lawyers for the former limited partners of the Montreal Expos plan to ask a federal judge to block major league baseball from moving the team.


Turncoats Becoming a Problem in Russia (AP)

AP - Russian police investigating the deadly Beslan school siege are looking inside their own squad house: One of the attack organizers was allegedly a former cop who disappeared six years ago.


Australia to test unmanned aircraft for protecting its oilfields (AFP)

AFP - Australia is to test unmanned surveillance aircraft as a means of protecting vital offshore oil and gas installations against terrorist attacks, the government said.


AL Wrap: Silva Stifles White Sox as Twins Win Again

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Carlos Silva tossed a one-hitter  before leaving the game with a bruised ankle as the Minnesota  Twins won their eighth straight game, downing the Chicago White  Sox 6-1 on Wednesday.


Jeter Is Having Fun When the Games Mean the Most

Javier Vazquez reversed his free fall with seven three-hit innings and Derek Jeter went 3 for 4 in the Yankees' second straight shutout victory.


With Bonds Swinging for History, Cheap Seats Become Priceless

By Monday, the right-field bleachers at Miller Park were sold out in anticipation of Barry Bonds's 700th homer while many of the best field-level seats remained.


Markets punish Martha further

Martha Stewart just can #39;t catch a break. Shares in her former company rose another 12 cents yesterday, to \$11.26, continuing a recovery that began soon after her conviction.


Coke #39;s flat earnings pop Wall Street rally, expectations

US stocks fizzed downward yesterday after Coca-Cola Co. and other firms reported disappointing sales and earnings projections - giving Wall Street a case of indigestion amid concern that the days of fat corporate profits may be over.


Tokyo Stocks Lower

Tokyo #39;s Nikkei average fell 0.14 percent by midday on Thursday with losses in shippers, steel makers and several technology shares overshadowing gains in select small-cap


FCC chief considers wireless merger

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell said yesterday he #39;ll probably issue a recommendation this month on whether to approve Cingular Wireless LLC #39;s \$41 billion purchase of AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.


Bill Gates e-mail ID plan rejected

SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp was dealt a setback on Tuesday after the Internet Engineering Task Force decided not to adopt Microsoft #39;s e-mail sender ID standard that would make it easier for Internet providers to block unwanted junk e-mail.


Starry nights clearest in Antarctica

A high, almost windless spot in the central region of the Antarctic plateau is the best place on Earth to view the stars, according to the first results from a small, automated telescope.


Fish falls early again

The second-seeded Fish gave away a lead in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Ricardo Mello of Brazil on Wednesday night in a second-round match at the \$380,000 Millennium International tennis tournament.


Bonds fails to hit No. 700; Giants maintain wild card lead

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Barry Bonds did not homer, but JT Snow and Deivi Cruz did, and Brett Tomko threw a complete game to lead the San Francisco Giants to an 8-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.


Carlos Silva tossed a one-hitter before leaving the game with a bruised ankle as the Minnesota Twins won their eighth straight game, downing the Chicago White Sox 6-1 on Wednesday.


Sammy Sosa belted a pair of home runs, including his first grand slam in more than two years, as the Chicago Cubs pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-5 in National League at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.


Iraq war was illegal, claims Annan

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has revealed that he believes the war on Iraq was  quot;illegal quot;. Mr Annan said the war was  quot;not in conformity quot; with the UN Security Council or with the UN Charter.


Judge Dismisses Charges Vs. Bush Protester (AP)

AP - A judge has dismissed charges against a war protester who was arrested during a visit by President Bush last spring.


Senate Panel Votes to Derail New OT Rules (AP)

AP - A Senate committee voted Wednesday to scuttle new rules that critics say would deny overtime pay to millions of workers, as Democrats won the latest round in their election-year bout with President Bush over the issue.


Carmakers Face Huge Retiree Health Care Costs

For older domestic manufacturers like General Motors, health care represents a severe financial burden.


Alzheimer's in the Living Room: How One Family Rallies to Cope

For the caregivers of patients, life is an act of stoic devotion that most families embrace as the antithesis of a nursing home.


OPEC to boost production target

OPEC will increase its oil production target by 1 million barrels a day later this year in a move widely viewed as more symbolic than significant, given


NHTSA plan calls for monitors in wheels

Federal officials Wednesday proposed requiring automakers to install monitors in each wheel on a car to warn drivers when pressure falls more than 25 in any of the tires.


Russian spaceship glitch may delay next launch to ISS

A technical glitch with a docking system of a Russian spaceship might postpone the next crew #39;s launch to the International Space Station by five to 10 days, media


** For the latest news, please refresh this page regularly **

Finally...the most anticipated fight of the year is upon us. I guess there #39;s really no need to bore you with an analytical breakdown of how the fight #39;s going to play out since everybody and their


MLB: Atlanta 2, New York Mets 0

John Thomson threw shutout ball for seven innings Wednesday night in carrying Atlanta to a 2-0 blanking of the New York Mets. New York lost for the 21st time in 25 games on the


National League Game Summary - Houston at St. Louis

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Jim Edmonds homered and delivered the go- ahead run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly, leading the St.


Sharon government in jeopardy

Last Sunday, tens of thousands of Israeli citizens filled the streets of Jerusalem in protest of the long awaited, long overdue Israeli withdrawal of approximately 8,000 Jewish settlers from Gaza.


Beard Leads Mystics

Alana Beard scores 22 points as the Mystics beat the San Antonio, 84-73, Wednesday for their fourth straight win.


Saints Avoid Ivan

With Hurricane Ivan threatening New Orleans, the Saints will practice in San Antonio. They are scheduled to play the San Francisco 49ers at home Sunday.


DOE seeks reduction of oil prices

Energy Secretary Vince Perez Thursday called on oil companies to reduce oil prices in two weeks #39; time following a decision by the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) to raise its supply quota by 1 million barrels a day.


VW and union square up over wage offers

Volkswagen (VW) and its workers headed into crucial wage negotiations yesterday that will sorely test the tradition of labour-management co-operation at the car maker as it struggles


NHL players should try a reality check

Labor disputes between rich athletes and even wealthier owners are always sickening. In this NHL cold war, both sides will be bruised a little.


Homer-happy Cubs beat Bucs

CHICAGO -- From the moment the Pirates saw the flags flapping in a 16 mph breeze toward left field Wednesday afternoon, it had the makings of a long day at Wrigley Field.


Cingular Makes Phone for Vision-Impaired (AP)

AP - A new cellular application promises to help vision-impaired people who can't read the screen of a mobile phone. It responds to spoken commands with voice recognition technology and reads back menu options, text messages, and other information to the user.


Red Sox Stay Hot

Kevin Millar and Mark Bellhorn hit two-run homers Wednesday to lift the Red Sox to a 8-6 victory over the Devil Rays.


Stewart to Begin Serving Sentence Soon

NEW YORK Sept. 16, 2004 - In a bid to  quot;reclaim my good life quot; and rid her company of a cloud of scandal, Martha Stewart plans to surrender within weeks to begin serving her five-month prison sentence.


Casinos are dealt \$1.3 bil

Gamblers left more than \$1.3 billion in Arizona Indian casinos in fiscal 2004, demonstrating an appetite for slot machines and cards that shows no signs of ebbing.


Bolt explosion could delay next Soyuz launch

The explosion of a bolt could have damaged the Soyuz spacecraft set to carry a new crew to the International Space Station, and the Russian space agency says resulting safety


NHL: No Hockey League

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman has locked the players out, but he isnt speculating on how far he is going to throw the key.


Boxing: Hopkins fighting for place among greats

If Bernard Hopkins beats Oscar De La Hoya in what should be the richest non-heavyweight fight in history early on Sunday, he will cement his place among the great middleweights of all time.


Opposition cries foul on Rashid #39;s remarks: Musharraf #39;s army post

ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: Opposition parties on Wednesday reacted strongly to the statement of Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and termed it an announcement on behalf of the president


Violence Across Iraq Kills 12

Iraqi officials say at least 12 people were killed and 16 wounded in more incidents of violence across the country Wednesday. They say 10 people were killed and six wounded in an exchange of gunfire between


Slugger may not be cuddly, but no denying greatness

MILWAUKEE -- How many home runs does Barry Bonds have to hit to get beyond the lack-of-lovability issue? The correct answer is: It just doesn #39;t matter.


Florida Examines Higher Insurance Deductibles

Reduced coverage means the hurricane's impact on insurance companies will be muted. And that is fostering anger among some politicians in Florida.


I.B.M. Shrugs Off Loss of a Service Contract It Once Flaunted

The cancellation of a \$5 billion outsourcing contract with J.P. Morgan Chase reveals a huge potential exposure for I.B.M.


Stewart to Begin Serving Sentence Soon

NEW YORK - In a bid to "reclaim my good life" and rid her company of a cloud of scandal, Martha Stewart plans to surrender within weeks to begin serving her five-month prison sentence.    Stewart, at a choreographed news conference before a brilliant array of color swatches, said Wednesday she will continue to appeal her conviction - but will head for prison anyway to end what she called a personal nightmare...


Corporate software maker narrowly tops expectations

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Oracle shares jumped Wednesday morning after the corporate software giant #39;s quarterly results narrowly outpaced expectations overnight, with strength at its core database operations offsetting declines in its applications business.


Alitalia Delays Key Vote

The Italian airline Alitalia said on Wednesday that it had delayed by five days, until Monday, the final approval to its bailout plan, which includes 5,000 layoffs.


BA to axe 1,000 Heathrow flights

British Airways is canceling almost 1,000 Heathrow flights over the next three months in a move it says will protect its operational performance.


Also, airline says bankruptcy filing possible in  #39;near term #39;

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- The auditor for Delta Air Lines raised doubts about the future of the nation #39;s third-largest carrier in a regulatory filing late Wednesday as the company also sharpened its warning about filing for bankruptcy protection.


Wall Street Journal to Start Saturday Issue

he Wall Street Journal announced yesterday that it would begin publishing a Saturday issue starting in the fall of 2005. By following its business readers home for the weekend, the newspaper


Industrial Growth Missed Forecast in August

Growth in industrial output nearly stalled last month as production cuts at mines and utilities almost outweighed a strong performance at factories, a report from the Federal Reserve showed on Wednesday.


Sender ID Hiccups Unlikely to Derail E-Mail Identity

Disputes over Microsoft #39;s intellectual-property claims to its Sender ID technology are unlikely to slow the push toward developing a secure e-mail identity, according to e-mail industry representatives.


UPI NewsTrack Sports

With the expiration of the NHL #39;s collective bargaining agreement, the league locked out its players at midnight Wednesday. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced earlier in the


McKenzie back in Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Cornerback Mike McKenzie returned to the Green Bay Packers yesterday after holding out throughout training camp and missing the season opener.


Bonds still on hold for 700 Club

Miller Park fans seemed far more disappointed Wednesday night at missing a chance to witness history than seeing the San Francisco Giants embarrass their Milwaukee Brewers.


Sanctions cannot solve crisis in Sudan

The threatened sanctions championed by the United States and the European Union (EU) on Sudan could not help solve the crisis in the African country, saida leading Chinese newspaper Thursday.


Pervez will stay on as Army chief

ISLAMABAD: Pervez Musharraf will stay on as head of Pakistan #39;s armed forces as well as the President, the information minister said on Wednesday, despite a previous promise that he would give up his military post by the end of the year.


Negotiations Seek End to IRA Threat (AP)

AP - The British and Irish governments summoned rival Northern Ireland parties to a moat-surrounded castle Thursday in hopes of crafting a new peace deal for the British territory.


Indonesia Blast Suspects Eluded Capture (AP)

AP - One's dubbed "the demolition man," a low and high explosives expert. The other's known for his skills in recruiting suicide bombers for the deadliest al-Qaida-linked terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia that have killed westerners and Muslims alike.


Oil Shoots Up as Ivan Hits U.S. Shores

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Thursday as  Hurricane Ivan reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, having shut more  than 1 million barrels of daily output in the Gulf of Mexico  and 13 percent of refining capacity in the United States.


Opec to raise production

VIENNA: The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries on Wednesday decided to increase its official output by 1 million barrels per day from November 1, Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh and his Algerian counterpart Chakib Khelil said.


Judge overturns  #39;Robin Hood #39;

A state district judge declared the school funding system unconstitutional Wednesday, saying Texas faces a bleak future if it fails to spend more on public education.


IMF: no sign of house price fall

There is no strong evidence that house prices will fall, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. Higher interest rates might slow the growth of house prices, but the IMF does not see a fall in house prices, it said in its biannual report.


Space station crew change may be delayed

The launch of a Soyuz spacecraft with new astronauts for the international space station could face a delay of several days so experts can examine a potential docking system problem, the Russian Federal Space Agency said Wednesday.


Pekerman looks like favorite to coach Argentina

Jose Pekerman emerged as favourite to take over as Argentina coach on Wednesday after original first choice Carlos Bianchi turned down the job, Argentina Football Association president Julio Grondona said.


Souness wants passionate Newcastle start

Graeme Souness will demand his players play with passion as he begins his reign as Newcastle United manager. Newcastle face Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin in tonight #39;s UEFA Cup clash and Souness said:  quot;I #39;m aware Bobby had an 8-0 win in his first game in charge.


Injury fears allayed over Celtic #39;s McNamara

Injury fears over Celtic skipper Jackie McNamara have subsided after a scan revealed he has not broken his ankle. It was initially feared that McNamara had broken his ankle after a clash against Barcelona #39;s Ludovic Giuly on Tuesday night.


Musharaf likely to retain post of army chief

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is likely to retain the post of army chief after Dec. 31 although he promised to take off the uniform by the end of this year, Dawn reported Thursday.


13 killed, 3 bodies found in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Sept 15: American troops found three bodies and their severed heads north of Baghdad on Wednesday while 13 people died in clashes in Ramadi, two more in a car bomb attack and two Iraqis employed by the US Army were shot in the north.


Bangladesh bus accident kills 22

At least 22 people in southern Bangladesh have been killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a lorry, police say.


US markets drop

MUMBAI: US stocks fell on Wednesday amid earnings warnings from Coca-Cola amid news that industrial output in August managed only meagre gain.


Israelis Back Gaza Pull-Out, Want Referendum

(CPOD) Sept. 16, 2004 - Many residents of Israel believe their prime ministers proposal to reduce the number of Israelis living among Palestinians should be put to a nationwide vote, according to a poll by TNS/Teleseker.


Oil Shoots Up as Ivan Hits U.S. Shores (Reuters)

Reuters - World oil prices rose on Thursday as\Hurricane Ivan reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, having shut more\than 1 million barrels of daily output in the Gulf of Mexico\and 13 percent of refining capacity in the United States.


Rangers Clobber Athletics 10-3 (AP)

AP - Mark Mulder has lost his edge, and the Oakland Athletics are in ever-greater danger of losing their spot atop the AL West. Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer off Mulder, and the Texas Rangers kept creeping back into the playoff chase with a 10-3 victory over the A's on Wednesday night.


Padres Defeat Dodgers 7-3 (AP)

AP - Brian Lawrence settled down after a shaky start to pitch six solid innings, and Brian Giles had three hits including a tiebreaking homer Wednesday night to lead the San Diego Padres over the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3.


Report: Japan May Sanction Citibank (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan's financial regulators may suspend\or even end some private banking operations at the Japanese\commercial banking unit of U.S. financial services firm\Citigroup Inc., the Nihon Keizai newspaper said on Thursday.


Mariners Edge Angels 1-0 (AP)

AP - Ryan Franklin ended an 11-game losing streak, outpitching John Lackey to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 1-0 win over the Anaheim Angels on Wednesday night.


Bush Campaign Trail Stops at White House (AP)

AP - Enmeshed in his re-election campaign, President Bush rarely spends a full day at the White House. But even when he does, presidential politics and campaign pitches remain close at hand.


Report: Japan May Sanction Citibank

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's financial regulators may suspend  or even end some private banking operations at the Japanese  commercial banking unit of U.S. financial services firm  Citigroup Inc., the Nihon Keizai newspaper said on Thursday.


U.S. Mint to Unveil New Nickel Designs (AP)

AP - There's change in store for Thomas Jefferson  #151; on the nickel that is. He's getting his first makeover since his likeness was put on the coin in 1938.


Fresh doubts over Delta Air Lines

Auditors at  Delta Air Lines raise doubts about the company's ability to stay  in business.


Big Unit Becomes All-Time Lefty Strikeout King

PHOENIX (Sports Network) - Randy Johnson became the  all-time major league strikeout leader among left-handed  pitchers on a night he led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-2  win over the Colorado Rockies in the third of a four- game set  at Bank One Ballpark.


Safin and Nalbandian Reach Second Round in China

BEIJING (Reuters) - Russian Marat Safin reached the second  round of the rain-hit China Open with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over  American Alex Bogomolov on Thursday.


Rangers Clobber Athletics 10-3

OAKLAND, Calif. - Mark Mulder has lost his edge, and the Oakland Athletics are in ever-greater danger of losing their spot atop the AL West...


Bush Campaign Trail Stops at White House

WASHINGTON - Enmeshed in his re-election campaign, President Bush rarely spends a full day at the White House. But even when he does, presidential politics and campaign pitches remain close at hand...


UNLV names Utah #39;s Sanford as head coach

Calling UNLV  quot;a gold mine, quot; Mike Sanford took over as coach of the Runnin #39; Rebels on Monday after two years as offensive coordinator at high-scoring Utah.


Bush, Kerry battle over science

President George W. Bush and his rival for the White House, John Kerry, are put under the microscope this week for their record on science, health and the environment.


Ryder Cup underdogs pack a bite

Ask the question a dozen times and you #39;ll get a dozen answers. Or a dozen shrugs, because nobody really knows. Every two years at the Ryder Cup, the Americans send out a team that looks, on paper, unbeatable.


Bonds whiffs with fans

MILWAUKEE -- San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou hopes Barry Bonds #39; 700th home run -- whenever it comes -- will change the public #39;s perception of the surly slugger.


Russia #39;s new czar?

Russian President Vladimir Putin barely left time for the funerals before cynically exploiting the deaths of more than 300 children and adults.


Negotiations Seek End to IRA Threat

The British and Irish governments summoned rival Northern Ireland parties to a moat-surrounded castle Thursday in hopes of crafting a new peace deal for the British territory.


US, EU Talk Aircraft Subsidies

Two of US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick #39;s top aides are in Brussels today meeting with their European Union counterparts trying to put an end to what the US claims are unfair subsidies to Airbus Industries.


Kofi Annan declares US invasion of Iraq illegal

ELEANOR HALL: The Prime Minister has found himself again defending his policy on Iraq, after the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said today that the US-led invasion was illegal and that the elections planned for Iraq in January would not be


Caymans slowly recovering from Ivan

A representative of the Cayman Islands has said that the island nation is getting back on its feet after the weekend onslaught of Hurricane Ivan.


News: Feds say Lamo inspired other hackers

Prosecutors blame the New York Times hacker for inspiring others of his generation to become cyber outlaws.\


Report: Bribes Got Bomb Suspects on Planes (AP)

AP - Russian authorities believe that two Chechen women suspected of blowing up Russian passenger jets last month got on the planes by paying bribes, media reports said.


TV row threatens Australia Tests, warns India's cricket board (AFP)

AFP - India's cricket chiefs went into an emergency huddle amid fears next month's home series against world champions Australia will be cancelled if a television rights imbroglio is not resolved.


John Madden

First you have to look at the Dallas Cowboys. Last year they won 10 games, made the playoffs, and of course lost to the Carolina Panthers who went onto the Super Bowl.


Kerry Tries to Turn Campaign Against Bush (AP)

AP - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, trying to recover from a brass-knuckles campaign against his character, is attempting to steer the election to a referendum on President Bush's leadership.


Hurricane Ivan pushes oil higher

World oil prices are on the rise, as Hurricane Ivan threatens to disrupt oil flow in the Gulf of Mexico.


Cal coach gets extension

BERKELEY, Calif. (CP) - Former CFL player and coach Jeff Tedford agreed to a five-year extension Monday with the University of California that will see him remain under contract as the school #39;s head football coach through 2009.


WADA Chief: Marion Jones Could be Turning Point in Effort to Rid <b>...</b>

The chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency says drug allegations surrounding US Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones could become a turning point in efforts to rid sports of drugs.


Apple bitten by watchdog

UK watchdog the Office of Fair Trading is investigating claims that Apple is ripping off its UK customers. The investigation follows a complaint that UK customers were having to shell out more for the reassuringly


AOL dumps sender ID

According to internetnews.com, AOL has dumped the idea following concerns expressed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), coupled with the tepid support for Sender ID in the open source community.


Gnome 2.8 Desktop released

A NEW version of the open Sauce desktop Gnome is on the net for Linux users to play with. Gnome 2.8 includes Evolution 2.0, the open-source e-mail and groupware client that looks like Microsoft Outlook if


NHL lockout begins

The NHL is locking out its players starting today, threatening to keep the sport off the ice for the entire 2004-05 season and perhaps beyond in an effort by management to effect massive change in the sport #39;s economic structure.


Bout shapes De La Hoya career

Oscar De La Hoya is an underdog for the first time in his career and he doesn #39;t seem quite sure what to make of it. I know in my mind this is the one, #39; #39; said the Golden Boy.


Gunmen Seize Three British Citizens in Baghdad

Gunmen snatched three British citizens, believed to be civilians, from a house in central Baghdad early on Thursday, Iraq #39;s Interior Ministry said.


SINGH CELEBRATES TOP AWARD

Vijay Singh, who this year became the first player to surpass 10 million US dollars (5.2million) in a single season, was delighted to be named the US PGA Tour #39;s Player of the Year.


A Queens Garden Gives New Meaning to 'Green'

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens has broken ground for a \$12 million renovation featuring geothermal energy and recycled rainwater.


They're Robots? Those Beasts!

Researchers developing robotic lobsters, flies, dogs and cockroaches believe that machines inspired by biology will be able to operate in places where today's robots cannot go.


Pakistan Offers Amnesty to Terror Suspects (AP)

AP - After a series of bloody clashes in its border regions, Pakistan on Thursday again offered amnesty to foreign militants, but vowed to defeat them by force if they didn't lay down their weapons.


The Battle of Algiers Revisited

In September of 2003 the Bush administration telegraphed their intent to use torture on prisoners in Iraq when they screened Gillo Pontecorvo's 1965 film The Battle of Algiers for officials in the Pentagon.


Opec to cool crude boil with additional gallons

: Opec on Wednesday lifted oil supply quotas by one million barrels a day, 4 per cent, in a renewed bid to force down stubbornly high world crude prices.


Coke takes the fizz out of Wall St

A profit warning from Coca-Cola took the fizz out of leading Wall St shares and sent the main indices sharply lower. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones was down 86.


MGM DEAL FALLOUT MAY MEAN TIME WARNER-COMCAST FEUD

Comcast swooped in to save Sony Corp. #39;s bid for MGM Corp., but highly-placed people on Wall Street are now wondering what the real price will be.


Owners put the NHL on ice

A lockout of the NHL #39;s players, the second in the past 10 years, officially commenced Wednesday at 10:01 pm It was a motion declared by commissioner Gary Bettman Wednesday


WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Glenn Hoddle is being lined up for a shock return to Southampton. Also: John Toshack has emerged as the No 1 choice to become Wales manager after Mark Hughes was named Blackburn #39;s new boss last night.


Aussies cant wait to face Black Caps

London: Australian cricketers are hungry for some action and ravenous to get stuck into New Zealands one-day team at The Oval, captain Ricky Ponting said on Wednesday.


McNamara likely to return to action in six weeks

CELTIC received a boost yesterday with the news that Jackie McNamara should be back in action within six weeks. The Celtic captain was stretchered off in the second half of the 3-1 Champions League defeat


Sanctions cannot solve crisis in Sudan: Signed article

Recently in spite of Sudan #39;s opposition and criticism from international community the US is ready to go ahead with submitting a resolution to the UN Security Council for sanctions against Sudan.


Rescued crew talk of  quot;exhausting and frightening quot; ordeal

A crew of five rescued off the coast of Cornwall after spending eight days adrift in a liferaft have spoken of their  quot;exhausting and frightening quot; ordeal.


Respectful Ravens Prepare for Steelers (AP)

AP - The Baltimore Ravens have put a lid on the trash talk this week. With an 0-1 record, a depleted offensive line and a thin receiving corps, the defending AFC North champs have more on their minds than merely trading barbs with their hated rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.


'Little Santana' Makes Big Plays for Miami (AP)

AP - Miami receiver Sinorice Moss looks a lot like his older brother Santana  #151; on and off the field.


Oracle readies major app server upgrade

SAN FRANCISCO -- Oracle on Wednesday will introduce Oracle Application Server 10g Release 2, which is being characterized as a significant upgrade to the product with improvements in Java, Web services, and identity management and the addition of RFID backing.


Men Seized in Baghdad Were Americans, British - Police

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The three foreign men kidnapped from  their house in central Baghdad on Thursday were two Americans  and one Briton, Iraq's Interior Ministry said.


South Korea Aiming for Early October Nuclear Talks

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea plans to intensify diplomatic  efforts to hold six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear programs  in early October now chances look slim for a meeting this  month, the foreign minister told Reuters on Thursday.


Patriots see no patsies

Bill Belichick has been able to motivate the Patriots to rise to the elite level of the NFL, so his ability to  quot;sell quot; his team's next foe, the Arizona Cardinals, shouldn't be a surprise.


NHL locks players out; outlook dim

National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman, painting a bleak picture of the league's economic state, yesterday locked out players from training camps, which were to open this week, and cast doubt on the prospects for a 2004-05 season because of severe differences with the league's Players' Association.


Ten times two equals one NASCAR champ

NASCAR's 2004 season has finally come to this: The Last Ten. And this: The Last Ten Men Standing.


Both sides talking lawsuits in Oakland chair incident

The woman whose nose was broken when Texas Rangers reliever Frank Francisco threw a chair into the stands Monday night said yesterday she plams to seek compensation for her injuries once prosecutors and baseball officials complete their investigation. Jennifer Bueno , 41, with a large white bandage covering her nose, and her husband, Craig , appeared at a news conference ...


Bonds: No HR in SF win

Barry Bonds barely missed his 700th homer, but J.T. Snow connected following yet another walk to the San Francisco slugger and the Giants beat the Brewers, 8-1, behind Brett Tomko's four-hitter last night in Milwaukee.


NL notables

After Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks struck out Vinny Castilla in the seventh for career whiff No. 4,137, play was interrupted momentarily while the scoreboard flashed the statistics.


AL notables

The Yankees posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since Aug. 27-28, 2002, at Boston.


McKenzie back with the Pack

Cornerback Mike McKenzie returned to the Green Bay Packers yesterday after holding out throughout training camp and missing the season opener.


Tufts' field hockey post is a good fit for McDavitt

Autumn has been a busy time of year for Fred and Ellen McDavitt, with all three daughters having played field hockey ever since an aunt provided the family with a sack of field hockey sticks more than 15 years ago.


Rogers in quick start for Bentley offense

Watertown's Mary Rogers, a two-time high school field hockey All-American who led Bentley College in scoring as a freshman last season, has maintained her offensive touch in the early going this season.


McNally serving Stonehill well

Women's volleyball player Lauren McNally of Ashland, a two-year letter-winner and starter at Stonehill College in Easton, has consistently ranked among the team's leaders, both in kills and blocks.


Couple arrested over Jakarta bomb

Indonesian police arrest two people suspected of involvement in last week's Jakarta car bombing.


Losing bidders still have shot at Fan Pier

The owners of Fan Pier reached out to one of the losing bidders for the property over the last week to see whether the firm was still interested in the land, in case the winning team led by Lennar Corp. doesn't close the deal.


An irregular heartbeat

It's up; it's down. It takes off like a rocket, but later sinks like a stone.


Developers file plan for Waterside Place

The Drew Co. and Urban Retail Properties of Chicago yesterday filed plans to build Waterside Place, a million-square-foot shopping center, cinema, and residential project in the heart of the South Boston Waterfront.


Stewart asks to start serving her prison sentence

Hoping to put the ordeal of the last several months behind her, business executive Martha Stewart said yesterday that she wants to begin serving her prison sentence for lying about a stock sale  quot;as soon as possible. quot;


Manufacturing accelerates

Manufacturing in the nation accelerated in August and September, supporting Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan's view that the economy  quot;regained some traction. quot;


OPEC votes to lift output, aims to ease fears

OPEC ministers yesterday agreed to increase their ceiling for oil production to help bring down stubbornly high prices in a decision that traders and analysts dismissed as symbolic because the cartel already is pumping more than its new target.


S. Africa remark sparks political flap

The comment from the head of the mining conglomerate Anglo American last week seemed harmless enough. Tony Trahar said the political risk of investing in South Africa  quot;is starting to diminish -- although I am not saying it has gone. quot;


Doubts expressed over Delta

Delta Air Lines Inc. revised its annual report yesterday to reflect its growing financial difficulties and the possibility of seeking bankruptcy protection  quot;in the near term. quot;


CEO of Coke lowers outlook for quarter

Coca-Cola's chief executive yesterday said the world's largest beverage maker needs to work harder, better execute its strategy, and improve its culture as he warned that third-quarter per-share income will drop at least 24 percent from a year ago. In a speech to employees, CEO Neville Isdell said:


German chip maker pleads guilty in price-fixing case

German computer chip maker Infineon Technologies AG has agreed to plead guilty to price fixing and will pay a \$160 million fine, the Justice Department said yesterday.


J.P. Morgan takes on workers as IBM outsourcing deal ends

Undoing a technology outsourcing deal set in late 2002, J.P. Morgan Chase yesterday said it would take back 4,000 of IBM's employees who have been providing the Wall Street firm with an array of technology support services.


Software enables nurses to bid for extra shifts

AYER -- Registered nurses at Nashoba Valley Medical Center are doing what few of their counterparts anywhere can do: logging on to their computers and bidding on working shifts that have openings.


Johnny Ramone loses cancer fight

Johnny Ramone, guitarist in seminal band The Ramones, dies of cancer at the age of 55.


Bribes cited in downing of Russian jets

MOSCOW -- Two Chechen women suspected of blowing up Russian passenger jets last month were briefly detained by police before the flights but bribed at least one airline employee to get on the planes, media reports said yesterday.


US faults Saudis on religious liberty

WASHINGTON -- The United States for the first time named Saudi Arabia yesterday as a country that severely violates religious freedom, potentially subjecting the close US ally to sanctions.


Iraqis find three beheaded bodies

BAGHDAD -- Villagers found three decapitated bodies north of Baghdad yesterday, and a car bomb killed two people at an Iraqi military checkpoint south of the capital in attacks that seem to be increasingly targeting Iraqis rather than the United States and its multinational force allies.


Two GOP leaders attack Iraq policy

WASHINGTON -- Two leading Republican legislators yesterday attacked the Bush administration's approach to rebuilding Iraq, in one of the strongest indictments of the administration's Iraq policy from members of President Bush's party.


Egypt, Syria see pullout links

CAIRO -- The Egyptian and Syrian presidents linked calls by the United Nations and Arab leaders for Syrian troops to leave Lebanon to past UN resolutions demanding that Israel withdraw from captured territory in the West Bank and Golan Heights.


Funds for population goals urged

LONDON -- Wealthy countries are falling billions of dollars short of their promises to help fund reproductive health care and efforts to improve the status of women around the world, the United Nations said yesterday.


Fox hunt protest turns violent

LONDON -- In the second major security breach in London this week, five fox hunting enthusiasts stormed onto the floor of the House of Commons yesterday to disrupt a debate on banning the centuries-old sport.


Kerry Tries to Turn Campaign Against Bush

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, trying to recover from a brass-knuckles campaign against his character, is attempting to steer the election to a referendum on President Bush's leadership.    Kerry has less than seven weeks to take over the lead in the presidential race...


Oracle puts focus on data integration at OpenWorld

SAN FRANCISCO -- Data integration will be one of the major themes at Oracle's OpenWorld conference this week.


On Microsoft's Virtual Server 2005

Analysis Smaller, cheaper and supported


OPEC ministers yesterday agreed to increase their ceiling for oil production to help bring down stubbornly high prices in a decision that traders and analysts


Hoping to put the ordeal of the last several months behind her, business executive Martha Stewart said yesterday that she wants to begin serving her prison


EARNINGS WATCH

MarketWatch.com. Richemont sees significant H1 lift, unclear on FY (2:53 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Swiss luxury goods maker Richemont(zz:ZZ:001273145: news, chart, profile), which also is a significant


The Journal to add Saturday edition

For the first time in 52 years, The Wall Street Journal will start publishing a Saturday edition next September, the nation #39;s biggest financial newspaper announced yesterday.


US seeks new pact with EU that bans aerospace subsidies

US trade negotiators will deliver a firm message to their European counterparts this morning in Brussels, Belgium: The Bush administration wants to scrap a 12-year-old aerospace trade pact and craft a wholly new accord that bars government loans, two


Chapter 11 trustee appointed for AmeriDebt

A federal bankruptcy judge appointed a Chapter 11 trustee Wednesday for AmeriDebt, the credit-counseling company that now faces a \$15 million claim from the Internal Revenue Service over its disputed status as a nonprofit.


NHL begins lockout that could be lengthy

Three months ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. Now there might not be a season for the Lightning to defend that championship.


Ryder Cup format

Over three days, 12-man teams from the US and Europe will play a total of 28 matches. Each match win is worth one point; tied matches result in a half-point for each team.


Sir Alex sharpens axe

SIR Alex Ferguson is set to take the axe to his under-performing side after a shambolic start to his 10th Champions League campaign as Manchester United manager.


De La Hoya #39;s last stand

Oscar De La Hoya has long been compared to Sugar Ray Leonard. Saturday night he #39;ll have a potentially painful encounter to try and prove all those comparisons were right.


Bianchi turns down Argentine coach post

Jose Pekerman is to be offered the job of Argentinian football coach after Carlos Bianchi turned it down it was announced on Wednesday.


Ten times two equals one NASCAR champ

The Chase for the Nextel Cup will begin in earnest Sunday with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. It will be the first event of NASCAR #39;s


FOOTBALL: UEFA CUP FIRST ROUND, FIRST LEG TIES: SOUEY CALL FOR <b>...</b>

GRAEME Souness has vowed his Newcastle side will be known for an aggressive attacking style as he kicks off reign in the UEFA Cup tonight.


Bonds remains shy of 700, but Giants still win big

Bonds sent the first pitch he saw to the right-field warning track Wednesday night, then didn #39;t come close again in San Francisco #39;s 8-1 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers.


NL notebook: Mets fire Howe, effective at end of the season

The New York Mets fired manager Art Howe yesterday but left him in the dugout for the final 2-1/2 weeks of a season gone bad after the All-Star break.


3 Britons abducted in Baghdad

Three British nationals were nabbed by gunmen in the Iraqi capital on Thursday, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said. The three British men were believed to be civilians living


Japan to confirm what Annan meant by saying Iraq war illegal

TOKYO - Japan will try to confirm what UN Secretary General Kofi Annan meant by reportedly saying the US-led invasion of Iraq was an illegal act, top government spokesman Hiroyuki Hosoda said Thursday.


Assembly to debate Musharraf role

Pakistan #39;s national assembly is due to debate whether President Pervez Musharraf should serve both as president and armed forces chief.


China #39;s communist party leaders kick off key meet as power <b>...</b>

BEIJING: China #39;s ruling party leadership began a much-anticipated meeting in Beijing amid an apparent power struggle at the heart of the organization.


Ivan strands Utahns; help is on the way

A family from Layton and more than a dozen other Americans have been stranded on Grand Cayman Island for five days without much food, clean drinking water or electricity in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.


Critics take on Putin terror plan

President Vladimir Putin #39;s move earlier this week to enhance his own power in response to a wave of terrorism does not take on the real problem: the corrupt and unreformed security


Group visits N. Korea blast site

Diplomats from eight countries are on their way to the site of a mysterious blast in North Korea that sparked speculation a nuclear test had taken place.


Internet Explorer Loses More Market Share (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - New data shows Web site visitors paying more attention to alternative browsers, as Microsoft's share drops to 93.7 percent of the market.


Samsung develops high quality image censor for camera phones (AFP)

AFP - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., said it had developed a new image sensor chip for mobile products, which it said had the highest sensitivity and the smallest size in the industry.


Australian PM rejects Annan claims Iraq war 'illegal', criticises UN (AFP)

AFP - Australian Prime Minister John Howard rejected claims by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that the Iraq war was  quot;illegal quot;, slamming the United Nations as  quot;paralysed quot;.


U.S. Treasuries Touch Softer Before Data

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices were a touch softer  on Thursday, with the market slightly defensive before the  day's batch of economic numbers.


Martha Stewart asks to serve sentence now

Millionaire executive Martha Stewart said on Wednesday she #39;s ready to go to prison as soon as possible, saying she wants to put her  quot;nightmare quot; behind her and  quot;reclaim her good life quot;.


HBOS leaves field clear in battle for Abbey National

BANKING giant HBOS yesterday said it had pulled out of a potential takeover battle for Abbey National. The announcement that it will not be bidding clears the way for Spain #39;s Santander


PacifiCare buys AMS for \$502 million

PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. said Wednesday it may look to expand in Wisconsin after completing its purchase of American Medical Security Group Inc.


Corus Reports First-Ever Profit as Steel Prices Soar (Update3)

Corus Group Plc, the UK #39;s biggest steelmaker, reported its first profit and said earnings will rise in the second half because of higher steel prices and cost cutting by Chief Executive Officer Philippe Varin.


Intel gives up its need for speed to focus on power

At last it looks as if the computer industry #39;s obsession with speed, as measured by megahertz alone, is coming to an end. First AMD stopped using the precise megahertz rating of its CPU chips as a selling point.


In-flight mobile calls approved

Plane maker Airbus has reported progress in plans to enable passengers to use mobile phones in flight, beginning in 2006. Test equipment aboard an Airbus A320 plane demonstrated that mobile phones can be used without interfering with navigation systems.


Teams seeking end to Ryder hostilities

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Hal Sutton has pretty much told the Europeans to  quot;get over it. quot;. The US Ryder Cup captain is tired of hearing about the ugly American celebration that took place five years ago


UPDATE 1-Ferrero downed at China Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero became the second major casualty of the China Open on Thursday, the number two seed losing 6-4 6-4 to American Kevin Kim in the second round.


Hopkins draws on past vs. De La Hoya

It wasn #39;ta name. It belonged on a license plate. But Y4145 identified Bernard Hopkins for nearly five years. In some ways, it still does.


It #39;s been a while since it was fun at the ol #39; ballpark

This fortress that Randy Johnson constructed, the one that keeps fans at arm #39;s length and teammates at a respectful distance, is also the reason the man can make a grown bat cry.


Indonesia acquits two reporters of libel

An Indonesian court on Thursday acquitted two prominent reporters of libeling a wealthy businessman, the conclusion of a closely watched cased that is likely to encourage Indonesia #39;s embattled press.


Iran Dismisses New Nuke Site Charge as 'A New Lie'

VIENNA (Reuters) - A senior Iranian official said on  Thursday that the latest allegation that Tehran is hiding a  nuclear site from U.N. inspectors was a lie and denied that the  U.N. nuclear watchdog had even asked to visit it.


Russia's Putin Rules Out Talking to Chechen Rebels

ASTANA (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on  Thursday ruled out any negotiations with Chechen rebel leaders  following the Beslan school hostage-seizure in which more than  320 people were killed, half of them children.


2 Americans, 1 Briton Kidnapped in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen kidnapped two Americans and a Briton from a house in the heart of the Iraqi capital Thursday, the Interior Ministry and witnesses said.    The three were seized from a two-story house surrounded by a wall in Baghdad's al-Mansour neighborhood at dawn, said Col...


Ivan Makes Landfall on Alabama Coast

GULF SHORES, Ala. - Hurricane Ivan slammed ashore early Thursday with winds of 130 mph, packing deadly tornadoes and a powerful punch of waves and rain that threatened to swamp communities from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle...


Loss has Mercury scrambling to hold final playoff berth

The Mercury wasted a 13-point lead and dipped to .500 at 16-16 with a 73-58 loss to the Seattle Storm at KeyArena Wednesday night.


Games blur news and entertainment

Some game makers are trying to get players to expand their horizons by reflecting on news events in games


Baseball Today (AP)

AP - Houston at St. Louis (8:10 p.m. EDT). Jason Marquis goes for his 15th win of the season against the Astros.


On your mark

A capsule look at the 10 drivers eligible for The Chase for Nextel Cup: 1. Jeff Gordon (5,050 points), No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, 2004 winnings: \$4,992,175 -- Enters NASCAR's inaugural playoff as points leader after vaulting ahead of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson with a third-place finish in last Saturday's Chevy Rock n' Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway . ...


Some fans cooling off, take NHL's hit in stride

For hockey fans, this winter might just be the coldest, longest yet. As expected, no agreement has been reached between National Hockey League owners and players, and at midnight last night a decade-old collective bargaining agreement expired with no new deal in sight and the upcoming season on the brink of nonexistence.


Happy return for Youkilis

If you don't think Kevin Youkilis is happy to be back in the Red Sox lineup, consider this: He was in his uniform and on the field three hours before last night's game against the Devil Rays.


Mueller takes leave for opinion on knee

Though the MRI of Bill Mueller's sore right knee showed no apparent damage, the Red Sox third baseman flew to Phoenix yesterday to be examined by Dr. David Zeman , who performed arthroscopic surgery on the knee May 28.  quot;The initial call was pretty good, but the guy's been inside the knee, quot; said manager Terry Francona , who started Kevin ...


Today's schedule

Pro baseball: Tampa Bay vs. Red Sox at Fenway Park, 7 p.m. College field hockey: Conn. College at Springfield, 4 p.m.; Endicott at Gordon, 4 p.m.; Southern Maine at Bates, 4 p.m.; UMass-Dartmouth at Wheaton, 4:30 p.m.; Husson at Bowdoin, 4:30 p.m.; Babson at Wesleyan, 4:30 p.m.; Providence at Harvard, 7 p.m.; MIT at Simmons, 7 p.m.; Clark at Worcester ...


Frequent flingers

With last night's start, Tim Wakefield moved past Roger Clemens into second place on the club's all-time list for most pitching appearances. The top five on the list:


Pro Tours: The Stops and the Talk

PGA Event: Texas Open. Site: LaCantera Golf Club, The Resort Course (7,001 yards, par 70), San Antonio. Schedule: Today-Sunday. Purse: \$3.5 million. Winner's share: \$630,000. Television: ESPN (today-Saturday, 4-6 p.m.; Sunday, 4-7). Last year: Tommy Armour broke the PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record, finishing at 26-under 254. He shot 64-62-63-66 to win by seven strokes. Last week: Vijay Singh won ...


New tee will try to hold its own

Many times in his career as a passionate golfer, Pat Grant had made a tee time. He had never spent any time thinking about a tee, however.


Sun get back into playoffs

The Connecticut Sun clinched a playoff spot for the second straight year behind Nykesha Sales's 28 points in an 81-67 win over the Sting last night at Charlotte, N.C.


Volkswagen labor negotiators far apart

Volkswagen #39;s labor negotiations in Germany began Wednesday with union demands for raises and job guarantees and company calls for a two-year pay freeze.


CEO of Coke lowers outlook for quarter

Coca-Cola #39;s chief executive yesterday said the world #39;s largest beverage maker needs to work harder, better execute its strategy, and improve its culture


Corus breaks into profit

Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus Group has swung into the black for the first time in its five-year history and says restructuring, a tight market and price hikes keep the outlook positive for 2004.


NHL: Pucks iced

The National Hockey League shut down at midnight Wednesday night, locking out players from training camps and signaling that owners are willing to cancel the


Ferrero crashes in China

Juan Carlos Ferrero was sent out of the China Open in the second round by Kevin Kim of the United States. The Spanish second seed, whose season has been disrupted by injury and illness, was outplayed and Kim wrapped up a 6-4 6-4 victory with an ace.


Couple linked with embassy attack arrested in Indonesia

A man and his wife have been arrested in the Indonesian province of East Java with possible link to the last week #39;s bombing outside the Australian Embassy here, police said Thursday.


Beheaded bodies found near Baghdad

But police said two of the bodies had tattoos written in the Roman alphabet -- one saying  quot;HECER quot;, and the other a letter H. The third body had tattoos written in Arabic script but the words were not Arabic.


Indonesia #39;s presidential candidates pledge to develop country

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia #39;s two presidential candidates pledged to restore the economy, improve infrastructure, reduce the unemployment rate, focus on development of industry, agriculture, technology, education, and equal development between localities


UN General Assembly refuses to consider Taiwan #39;s UN representation

The General Committee of the United Nations General Assembly decided Wednesday at its 59th session not to include into the draft agenda of the current session the so


Big Blue loses multibillion outsourcing contract

Armonk-based IBM Corp. has lost a \$5 billion contract to provide technology outsourcing services to JPMorgan Chase  amp; Co. New York-based JPMorgan plans to rehire 4,000 workers whose jobs


Networks seek okay for drug ads on TV

Officials with Canada #39;s top TV broadcasters said they expect regulators soon will allow them access to the free-spending prescription drug industry.


Flynn makes Wales plea

Ex-Wrexham, Swansea and Wales Under-21 coach Brian Flynn is desperate to succeed Mark Hughes as Wales manager.  quot;I said when I took over the Wrexham job 14 years ago that my long-term ambition was to manage


Ferrero, Scheuttler come up short, Safin cruises in China Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero #39;s hope of a first ATP title was left in tatters at the China Open on Thursday when the second seed was beaten by Kevin Kim from the United States.


Annan: Iraq war was illegal

UN chief says Iraq may not be able to hold credible elections as planned in January 2005 due to lack of security. By Robert MacPherson - LONDON.


Richemont Sparkle Lifts European Stocks (Reuters)

Reuters - Sparkling sales from luxury goods giant\Richemont helped lift European shares on Thursday, quelling\concerns about advertising firm Havas' plans to issue more\shares and the drag effect of a weaker Wall Street..


Surprise rise in UK retail sales

UK High Street sales confound market expectations and rise by 0.6 in August, increasing the likelihood of another interest rate rise this year.


South Korea chip makers face US probe into price fixing

SEOUL: South Korean microchip makers said they face a US investigation into a price-fixing conspiracy in which German maker Infineon technologies has already suffered heavy fines.


Microsoft and Sendo end row

British mobile phone maker Sendo has settled a David and Goliath-style lawsuit against Microsoft in which it accused the software firm of stealing its secrets and trying to force it out of business.


Villeneuve: Our aim was to learn.

Jacques Villeneuve has explained away his bottom of the times performance at yesterday #39;s Silverstone test as merely the process of his re-acclimatisation to Formula One, and of the Renault team learning to work with him.


U.S. Web Shoppers' Holiday Spending Up

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Online consumers in the United  States spent \$8.8 billion, excluding travel purchases, in  November, a 19 percent jump over the \$7.4 billion spent online  a year earlier, a report released on Monday said.


Gunmen Seize Two Americans, Briton in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Gunmen snatched two Americans and a  Briton from a house in central Baghdad on Thursday, the latest  in a wave of abductions of foreigners in Iraq.


Afghan President Aborts Trip After Rocket Attack

GARDEZ, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid  Karzai aborted an election campaign trip to the southeast  province of Gardez on Thursday after a rocket exploded just  before he was due to land by helicopter.


Cameroon leader seeks a new term

Cameroon's President Paul Biya confirms that he will stand for re-election in next month's polls.


Image flaw exposes Windows PCs

Millions of computer users are at risk of attack because flaws in the way Windows handles some images.


U.S., Europe Tentatively OK Censure Iran

VIENNA, Austria - U.S. and European negotiators tentatively agreed Thursday to censure Iran for reneging on a freeze on uranium enrichment and moved closer to setting a deadline on Tehran to dispel suspicions it is trying to make nuclear arms...


IBM adds  #39;trusted #39; chip to PCs

IBM plans to start shipping its PCs with a new chip designed to thwart hackers by safeguarding passwords and other sensitive identity information.


Debugging the Megahertz Myth

Most, if not all, of you have read or been in heated debates over why or why not higher clocked microprocessors are better than their  quot;comparable quot; competition.


Football? No, it #39;s the Ryder Cup

It #39;s got to be the Bobby Bowden, good-ol #39;-boy drawl and the fact that Hal Sutton is now so beefy he looks as if he could have played linebacker at one time for LSU.


De La Hoya, Hopkins worry about Ivan, too

Hurricane Ivan could blow away some of the rewards Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins hope to realize from their middleweight showdown here Saturday.


#39;Satisfied #39; Benitez left wanting more

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night insisted there was more to come from Liverpool after the  quot;fantastic start quot; to their Champions League return.


Baby daughter has Riley hooked

There were only a couple of dozen reporters on hand for San Diego native Chris Riley #39;s early morning press conference at the Ryder Cup at Bloomfield Township, Mich.


Couple arrested over Jakarta embassy blast

Indonesian police have arrested a man and his wife suspected of possible involvement in last week #39;s suicide car bombing at the Australian embassy in Jakarta.


Briton Shot Dead in Saudi  #39;Terror Attack #39;

A Briton shot dead in Saudi Arabia in an apparent terrorist attack was working for communications firm Marconi, the company said today.


Alitalia seals ground staff deal

Italian airline Alitalia has agreed a deal with its ground staff, paving the way for some 2,500 job cuts and a reduction in staff benefits.


Calif. activist buys first hybrid Escape

A California environmental activist on Wednesday became the first customer to take delivery of a Ford Escape Hybrid. Ford Motor Co.


Yahoo! Joins Music Download Race

Not to be outdone in the digital download race by the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Real Networks, Yahoo have firmly stated their intentions by acquiring Musicmatch.


Image flaw exposes Windows PCs

Computer users could be open to attack from malicious hackers because of the way that Windows displays some images. Microsoft has issued a warning about a critical vulnerability in Windows that could let carefully


Saunders Calls for Welsh Appointment for Wales

Former Wales striker Dean Saunders believes the new national team boss should be a Welshman. He has called on the Football Association of Wales to examine the credentials of the


TEAM USA: Quizzical Riley is life of the party

Birmingham #39;s Townsend Hotel expected the United States Ryder Cup players, their wives and maybe a few children this week. But no one thought the players and children could get confused.


Franklin dumps the  #39;monkey #39;

It would have been easy to dedicate this one to  quot;Maw quot; - the 78-year-old grandmother Ryan Franklin lost last week. He could have said it was for his son, splayed across his father #39;s lap after the game.


Indons detain couple in connection with embassy bombing

Police have detained a man and his wife in the port city of Surabaya and are questioning them in connection with last week #39;s deadly bombing at the Australian embassy, a spokesman said Thursday.


Our Man in Pyongyang Sets off on Blast Inspection

Britains ambassador to North Korea travelled today to the site of a massive explosion to verify claims by the secretive Marxist nation that it was not a nuclear test.


Why PCCW is laughing all the way to the bank

Letter TDD mode is not just data delivery


Corus swings to profit

Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus Group has unveiled the first profit in its five-year history for the first half of the year and says restructuring, strong demand and higher steel prices are keeping its outlook positive.


Gap Matures, Targets Women Over 35

The parent company of Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plans to test a new idea for a clothing chain targeting women over 35. In a statement, Gap Incorporated says it will try out its new


UK retail sales rebound in Aug; up 0.6 pct from July to beat <b>...</b>

According to official data from National Statistics, retail sales rose 0.6 pct in August from July for a 6.5 pct annual increase. The figures were well above expectations of a 0.2 pct decline and a 5.8 pct gain respectively.


Research In Motion Introduces New BlackBerry 7100v in Europe and <b>...</b>

Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM) (TSX:RIM) today introduced the innovative new BlackBerry 7100v(TM) for mobile professionals, further expanding choice for Vodafone #39;s BlackBerry(R) customers.


MIKE WENDLAND: Messaging update is mostly good news

After years of being deluged with ever-increasing loads of spam, Internet users are starting to turn to instant-messaging applications instead of e-mail.


IBM protects passwords with PC chip

com September 15, 2004, 9:01 PM PT. Most IT Managers won #39;t question the importance of security, but this priority has been sliding between the third and fourth most important focus for companies.


Owners: The puck stops here

Saying the league was out of gas, commissioner Gary Bettman announced the long predicted lockout Wednesday and insisted the league will not play any more games until there is a new economic system.


SI.com

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Those who wrote off the Texas Rangers in recent weeks soon may be forced to adjust their thinking.


Jacques wants revenge on BAR

Renault couldn #39;t have chosen to better driver to replace Jarno Trulli than Jacques Villeneuve, as there is nothing the Canadian wants more than revenge on his former team, BAR.


Part of the ECT News Network

The Gnome Foundation today released a new version of its popular Linux desktop. The new release, Gnome version 2.8, boosts speed and usability and offers several new features, the foundation said in a statement.


Vodafone gets first bite of latest BlackBerry

Vodafone has become the first UK mobile phone operator to offer Research In Motion #39;s latest mobile device, the BlackBerry 7100.


Bush war on Iraq illegal - United Nations Secretary Annan

United Nations Secretary, General Kofi Annan, said in an interview with the BBC, that the US led invasion of Iraq was illegal. When asked whether he thought the invasion of Iraq was illegal, Annan replied  quot;Yes, if you wish.


Instant Messaging Goes Graphical

For most of the millions of people around the world who regularly use instant messaging, the communications tool has largely been a text-only experience in which typed emoticons offer only minimal clues to someone #39;s state of mind.


US, Europe tentatively OK Iran censure

US and European negotiators tentatively agreed Thursday to censure Iran for reneging on a freeze on uranium enrichment and moved closer to setting a deadline on Tehran


Blair in Northern Ireland bargaining

Tony Blair is preparing to urge unionists and republicans to agree to a deal that would transform Northern Ireland #39;s deadlocked peace process.


Rocket attack stops presidential visit

Afghan President Hamid Karzai aborted a trip to a provincial capital today after a rocket hit near the landing site for his helicopter.


US troops sue over tours in Iraq

A group of US soldiers take legal action to try to prevent the army extending their tours of duty in Iraq.


Stewart decides to go to prison

Expressing a desire to  quot;put this nightmare behind me, quot; Martha Stewart said Wednesday that she would enter a federal prison soon to begin serving her five-month sentence without


Bridging a generational Gap

Charla Moseley shops at Gap stores for every member of her family: her 13-year-old daughter, 18-year-old son and her youngest boy, 6. The 38-year-old art organization manager


Wall Street Start Seen Steady (Reuters)

Reuters - Wall Street was set to open slightly\firmer on Thursday, recovering some lost ground after\Wednesday's sell-off, but lofty crude prices and worry about\profit warnings will cap investor enthusiasm.


Two bombers surrender, says Israel

TWO Palestinian women, who planned to blow themselves up in a double suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, gave themselves up to Israeli troops at a West Bank checkpoint, Israeli military sources said today.


EBay's China Site to Join Worldwide Network (Reuters)

Reuters - Online auctioneer eBay Inc. will plug\a recently purchased China site into its global network on\Friday, creating new opportunities for a nascent but\fast-growing operation, its chief executive said.


U.S. Alarmed Over Suspected Iran Nuke Site (AP)

AP - A U.S. official expressed alarm Thursday about a possible nuclear-weapons related test site in Iran and accused the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency of keeping silent on its own concerns about the issue.


Wall Street Start Seen Steady

LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was set to open slightly  firmer on Thursday, recovering some lost ground after  Wednesday's sell-off, but lofty crude prices and worry about  profit warnings will cap investor enthusiasm.


Arizona's Johnson Becomes All-Time Lefty Strikeout King

PHOENIX (Sports Network) - Randy Johnson became the  all-time major league strikeout leader among left-handed  pitchers on a night he led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-2  win over the Colorado Rockies in the third of a four- game set  at Bank One Ballpark.


Report: Japan May Sanction Citibank

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's financial regulator may suspend  or even end some private banking operations at the Japanese  commercial banking unit of U.S. financial services firm  Citigroup Inc. due to lost customer data and questionable  securities transactions, local media said on Thursday.


Battle for Ryder Cup 'Underdog' Tag at Oakland Hills

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - The 19-inch Ryder  Cup is not the only thing coveted by holders Europe and the  United States at Oakland Hills this week.


Dollar Holds Firm Before CPI, Philly Fed

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar kept close to the previous  session's one-week highs against the euro and Swiss franc on  Thursday, holding steady as investors awaited U.S. data to  confirm fresh signs of strength in U.S. manufacturing.


Caesars Expected to Unveil Casino Deal

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Caesars Entertainment Inc.CZR.N  is expected on Thursday to unveil a deal with a California  Indian tribe to develop and manage a \$250 million casino  complex near Fresno in the central part of the state.


Ukraine Leader Agrees on Measures for Fair Vote

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's outgoing President Leonid Kuchma  said on Tuesday he had agreed to sack the central election  commission and support election law reform -- both key  opposition demands to end mass protests against a rigged vote.


NASA Still Lacks Shuttle Repair Kits (AP)

AP - Nearly two years after Columbia shattered in the sky, NASA still has no way of repairing the kind of holes that could doom another shuttle, space agency officials acknowledged Monday in their latest status report on the return-to-flight effort.


2 Americans, 1 Briton Kidnapped in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen kidnapped two Americans and a Briton Thursday from a house in an upscale Baghdad neighborhood where many foreign companies are based, the Interior Ministry and witnesses said.    The three were employed by Gulf Services Company, a Middle East-based construction firm, and were seized from a two-story house surrounded by a wall in the al-Mansour neighborhood, said Col...


Kinks Seen in Theft of Saturn's Ring Material (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - New images from the Cassini spacecraft reveal undulating kinks in one of the rings and theft of ring dust by a moon. The kinks are seen in greater detail than ever before and the thievery has been photographed for the first time.


U.S. Alarmed Over Suspected Iran Nuke Site

VIENNA, Austria - A U.S. official expressed alarm Thursday about a possible nuclear-weapons related test site in Iran and accused the U.N...


Tapwave Zodiac 2

Reg Review The best handheld games console yet?


The quest for the IT Holy Grail

Opinion What's its secret? Productivity


Harry Potter IP claim pinned down on the beaches

Tour company shows Warner Brothers the Churchill spirit


News Analysis: can 1 million barrels of oil revive world market?

OPEC decided at its ministerial meeting here Wednesday to increase its oil production ceiling by 1 million barrels a day beginning Nov. 1, but the decision will have little real impact on the high oil prices.


BA cuts 1,000 flights to beat delays

British Airways has cancelled nearly 1,000 flights at Heathrow over the next three months in an effort to halt a slide in the reliability of its timetable.


Delta #39;s auditor airs doubts

Delta Air Lines late Wednesday revised its annual report to reflect its growing financial difficulties and the possibility of seeking bankruptcy protection  quot;in the near term.


Infineon admits price fixing, pays fine

The announcement was called a breakthrough in the US Justice Department #39;s long investigation into price-fixing allegations in the semiconductor industry.


The dollar kept close to the previous session #39;s one-week highs against the euro and Swiss franc on Thursday, holding steady as investors awaited US data to confirm fresh signs of strength in US manufacturing.


Escape Hybrid makes its debut

After waiting three long years, Bill Hammons was eager to get the keys to his new hybrid Ford Escape. And it #39;s no exaggeration to say Ford Motor Co.


American Medical Security  quot;outperform, quot; target price raised

NEW YORK, September 16 (New Ratings) - Analysts at Robert W Baird reiterate their  quot;outperform quot; rating on American Medical Security Group (AMZ.


NCR inkjet refills recalled

THE US Consumer Product Safety Commission said that 78,000 NCR  quot;universal quot; inkjet refill kits have been recalled. The kits, said the Commission, were sold in Walgreens and Big Lots betwen April and June for around \$12.


SES Astra Welcomes NTL to Client List

BETZDORF, Luxembourg - (BUSINESS WIRE) -ept. 15, 2004  - UK and Europes foremost direct-to-home (DTH) satellite company, SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext:SESG) (FWB:SESG)is delighted


Hughes leaves a void Ian Walsh

Mark Hughes #39; decision to take the Blackburn job is bad news for Wales, there #39;s no doubt about that. Mark has brought a lot of dignity back to Welsh football, taking us up from around 100 in the world rankings


TOYOTA CONFIRM TRULLI DEAL

Trulli, winner of this season #39;s Monaco Grand Prix, has long been expected to join Toyota but news of his signing a two-year contract was prompted by his sacking from Renault.


BLOODY REF

A CHAMPIONS League match was abandoned last night when one of the world #39;s top referees was hit on the head by a missile from the crowd.


Robbins slapped by rowing team-mate

Rower Catriona Oliver will face a disciplinary hearing next week after she slapped team-mate Sally Robbins at an Australian Olympic Committee function in Sydney last night.


De La Hoya-Hopkins is about more than the championship

The holiday season generally arrives a bit earlier for boxing fans than for most, and this year is no exception as the fall fight season will soon be in full swing.


Vandal daubs DNA code in street

A graffiti artist spray-paints part of a chemical compound found in DNA on the road outside a lab where the double helix was unveiled.


Airbus: In 2006, keep your cell phone on

Plane maker Airbus reported progress Wednesday in plans to enable passengers to use mobile phones in flight, beginning in 2006. Test equipment aboard an Airbus A320 plane demonstrated that mobile phones can


Proteas will have the edge if rain hits Oval

South Africa go into Saturday #39;s deciding match against the West Indies with a slight advantage: they have the better run rate.


2 Americans, 1 Briton Kidnapped in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq Sept. 16, 2004 - Gunmen kidnapped two Americans and a Briton Thursday from a house in an upscale Baghdad neighborhood where many foreign companies are based, the Interior Ministry and witnesses said.


Karzai aborts trip to Afghan city after rocket hits near landing <b>...</b>

KABUL, Afghanistan Afghan president Hamid Karzai aborted his trip to a provincial capital today when a rocket hit near his landing site as his helicopter was approaching.


Finding Truth on the Internet

When it comes to covering politics, journalists often fall into the 'he said, she said' trap without taking the time to delve into the details. The nonpartisan FactCheck.org jumps into the informational breach. By Louise Witt.


Instant Messaging Goes Graphical

Some say people may be more civil when they see who they're communicating with as IMVU and AOL introduce sophisticated avatars to instant-message services. But will the services make any money? By Daniel Terdiman.


An Anime for Deep Thinkers

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is dense, but better than the original in many ways: fewer clichs, more sophisticated animation, deeper insight into human nature and technology. Jason Silverman reviews the film.


High-Tech Hearing Bypasses Ears

New consumer devices use bone-conduction technology to produce sound by vibrating the bones around the hearer's ear, so the sound is all in your head. By Laila Weir.


Weather Makes Lawmakers Antsy

The Senate Commerce Committee hears testimony on the connection between greenhouse gases and climate changes. Many legislators want to take action, but the best course remains unclear. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.


Ivan May Just Be a Messenger

The recent run of hurricanes hitting the Atlantic Ocean has been helped by warmer waters, which some scientists attribute to global warming. That means get ready for more storms. By Stephen Leahy.


Five Fired at Los Alamos Lab

As part of the fallout from an incident at Los Alamos National Lab in July, five workers have been fired. They are among 23 suspended when computer disks containing classified information went missing.


Another Patch Job From Microsoft

The latest vulnerability to plague the world's largest software maker is a doozy, affecting its Windows operating system as well as its Office and developer tools programs. Microsoft says its patch plugs the leak.


British retail sales show surprise rise in August (AFP)

AFP - Retail sales in Britain rebounded by 0.6 percent in August, buoyed by higher sales in food, department and clothing stores, defying expectations of a second monthly decline.


Solar Storms Smack a Comet (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - Astronomers \have pieced together what \appears to be the first direct evidence that solar storms can wreak \havoc with comets, destroying the ion tails of icy wanderers nbsp;in a collision \of highly charged particles. nbsp;


Sudan and Darfur Rebels Wait for AU Talks Decision (Reuters)

Reuters - Sudan's government and Darfur rebels said\on Thursday they were waiting for African Union mediators to\decide if peace talks would continue despite a stalemate on\security in the western Sudanese region.


Oil Higher as Ivan Hits U.S. Shores

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Thursday as  Hurricane Ivan reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, shutting more than  1 million barrels daily of output in the Gulf of Mexico and 13  percent of U.S. refining capacity.


Citigroup, 3 Others Face SEC Bonds Probe

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Four big banks face a U.S. Securities  and Exchange Commission probe of their auction-rate bond  operations, a securities filing shows.


Frustrated Taiwan May Rethink Strategy for U.N.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan is considering applying to join  the United Nations under the island's own name, a move that  China would see as a provocative declaration of independence by  a renegade province.


N Korea stalls nuclear talks

North Korea rules out further nuclear talks unless South Korea's own nuclear tests are "fully probed".


Bush won, but Democrats question Ohio vote (AFP)

AFP - President George W. Bush beat Senator John Kerry in the US state of Ohio in a November 2 vote, according to official results.


Networkers' Crowding Achievement

By 6:45 p.m. Sept. 8, local tech executives were packed so tightly into the lobby of the Tower Club that late arrivals had to step sideways off the elevators to squeeze into the room.
-Ellen McCarthy


DC Tech Council

Penny Pickett, president of the Washington, D.C. Tech Council, discusses the organization, technology regulatory policies, the region's tech industry and upcoming programs on homeland security technologies.


German Chipmaker Admits Price Fixing

German computer chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG has agreed to plead guilty to price fixing and will pay a \$160 million fine, the Justice Department announced yesterday.


Corus posts first interim profits

The steel group Corus today announced pre-tax profits of 163m for the six months to the end of June - its first interim profits since its formation in 1999.


Lakewood wins over Del Webb for top rating from JD Power

The hometown favorite, Hoffman Estates-based Lakewood Homes, can put its fourth consecutive consumer satisfaction trophy on the shelf, besting national home builders with major presence in the Chicago area market.


Yahoo buys MusicMatch

SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo just bought the most expensive jukebox ever. But the price was anything but a few quarters. Yahoo bought online jukebox provider Musicmatch.


Airbus Sees Mobile Phones On Planes By 2006

European planemaker Airbus reported progress on Wednesday in plans to allow passengers to use mobile phones in flight, beginning in 2006.


Law: He deserves honour

DENIS Law has hailed Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutch striker broke his United European goalscoring record last night. Ruud grabbed a second-half double in Lyon to salvage his team a 2-2 Champions League


Attempt on Afghan President #39;s Life Fails

KABUL, Afghanistan Sept. 16, 2004 - An apparent attempt to assassinate Afghan President Hamid Karzai failed Thurdsday when a rocket that was fired at his helicopter missed by 300 yards, the US military said.


Crunch talks for Northern Ireland get under way (AFP)

AFP - All-party talks to revive Northern Ireland's peace process began after two years of stalemate, as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams predicted a deal despite an alleged spying incident.


Workers' Group Says EPA Censors Comments (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\censored warnings that a Bush administration plan to build\roads in national forests could harm drinking water, a group\representing government workers said on Monday.


Foreign diplomats in North Korea en route to site of mysterious blast (AFP)

AFP - Diplomats from eight countries left the North Korean capital for the remote site of a mysterious explosion to check Pyongyang's claim that it was not a nuclear blast.


Lawmakers Back Compromise on Intel Bill (AP)

AP - Two powerful congressional chairmen, one who had opposed legislation to revamp the nation's intelligence agencies, endorsed a compromise Monday and moved a bill endorsed by President Bush closer to approval.


Battle near southern Somali port

Several Somalis are killed in fighting between rival militias near the port city of Kismayo.


Russia 'impeded media' in Beslan

The OSCE condemns Russia's handling of the media during the bloody Beslan school siege.


Wall Street Journal to launch weekend edition in 2005

NEW YORK - The Wall Street Journal is to begin publishing a Weekend Edition in the US, starting Saturday, September 10 2005. The Journal #39;s Weekend Edition will include the latest business and financial news


Airbus Tests GSM

TOULOUSE, France -- Airbus has successfully completed the first in-flight trial of GSM personal mobile- telephones aboard an airliner, paving the way for their future widespread use.


Home-course advantage? Not US has rank, Europeans have track <b>...</b>

Township, Mich. -- For all of Hal Sutton #39;s Bear Bryant-meets-George S. Patton act -- all into-the-breach and damn-the-torpedoes -- and for all of Europe #39;s woe-is-me act -- all faux kneeling at the superpower #39;s


Rookie Gallery  lt; -0 will start Sunday

That seat on the bench that Robert Gallery was keeping warm? It now belongs to Langston Walker. Oakland Raiders coach Norv Turner announced Wednesday  quot;if things go


Doghouse Boxing #39;s Hopkins-v-De La Hoya fight predictions

Well kids, it #39;s only two more sleeps until the much anticipated middleweight showdown between undisputed champion Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.


Could No. 700 give Bonds an image lift?

While baseball immortality awaits Barry Bonds, it remains to be seen whether he will be a more popular figure once he becomes the third player in history to hit 700 homers.


3 Westerners Abducted in Baghdad

Iraqi authorities say unidentified gunmen abducted two Americans and one Briton from a house in Baghdad, Thursday. Earlier, officials identified all three as British nationals.


Mainland mistresses mar elections in Hong Kong

The pro-Beijing camp came out of the elections for the Legislative Council (Legco) in Hong Kong last Sunday much better than did the pro-democracy camp.


Citigroup, 3 Others Face SEC Bonds Probe (Reuters)

Reuters - Four big banks face a U.S. Securities\and Exchange Commission probe of their auction-rate bond\operations, a securities filing shows.


Earliest Signs of Winemaking Found in China (Reuters)

Reuters - Neolithic people in China may have\been the first in the world to make wine, according to\scientists who have found the earliest evidence of winemaking\from pottery shards dating from 7,000 BC in northern China.


Richemont Keeps European Shares Higher

PARIS (Reuters) - Solid sales at Richemont helped European  shares stay in positive territory at midday on Thursday but  higher oil prices capped buying, amid worries that Hurricane  Ivan could damage oil facilities in the crude-rich Gulf of  Mexico.


EDS: U.S. Air Bankruptcy to Cut Its Profits

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Electronic Data Systems Corp.  EDS.N said on Thursday the US Airways bankruptcy could reduce  its third-quarter earnings by up to 3 cents per share because  of a long-term information technology contract between the  companies.


NASA Seeks Methods to Repair Shuttles in Flight (Reuters)

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


Nortel Expects Lower 3rd-Quarter Revenue

TORONTO (Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp. NT.TO said it  expects to report lower third-quarter revenues compared to the  second quarter, North America's largest maker of telecom  equipment said in a regulator required market update on  Thursday.


N Europeans take more sickies

Workers in Germany, the Netherlands and Finland take the most time off for sickness in Europe, a survey suggests.


Stewart asks to begin jail term

LIFESTYLE guru Martha Stewart has asked United States authorities to jail her as soon as possible. Stewart, found guilty earlier this year of giving false information about insider dealing trades, said she


British Airways cancels about 1,000 Heathrow flights

LONDON, September 16 (New Ratings) - British Airways (BAI1.FSE) has cancelled about 1,000 inbound and outbound flights from London #39;s Heathrow Airport over the next three months.


EU, US hold crunch talks on Boeing-Airbus

US and European trade officials began a politically charged meeting Thursday to discuss the future of government support for aviation titans Boeing and Airbus Industrie.


Amex, Nasdaq in talks to move QQQ

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The Nasdaq 100 index trust, the popular fund known as QQQ, is moving to the Nasdaq sooner than expected from its longtime home on the American Stock Exchange, according to a published report.


DIY giant looking to build Russian empire

RETAIL heavyweight Kingfisher, owner of B amp;Q, today said it expected to be up and running in Russia within two years as it posted a sharp rise in first-half profits.


Microsoft #39;s anti-spam proposal rejected

NEW YORK - Engineers in charge of setting technical standards for the Internet have rejected a preliminary spam-fighting proposal from Microsoft Corp.


Egyptians mummified their dead cats as lovingly as their kin!

A recent chemical analysis of preserved mummies has revealed that when it came to mummification, ancient Egyptians treated animals every bit as well as humans.


Latest Norton battles phish-ermen

KUALA LUMPUR: Symantec Malaysia recently announced the availability of the latest version of its system repair, antivirus and security products - Norton SystemWorks 2005, AntiVirus 2005, Personal Firewall 2005 and AntiSpam 2005.


UPDATE 1-Blackburn chance too good to miss, says Hughes

New Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes says the chance to take over at the Premier League club was simply too good to pass up. Appointed late on Wednesday, the Wales


Couple linked to embassy blast

A HUSBAND and wife who may be linked to last week #39;s Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta have been arrested following raids by Indonesian police.


China #39;s Annual Communist Party Policy Meeting Begins Amid Rumors <b>...</b>

Leaders of China #39;s Communist Party have opened a four-day plenum amid reports of internal jockeying between supporters of President Hu Jintao and former President Jiang Zemin.


Amazon seeks share of searches

Online retailer Amazon revamps its A9 search site as its tries to grab a slice of the search business.


Stocks Set to Open Higher

NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are seen chalking up small gains at the open Thursday following Wednesday's pullback but the release of August's CPI data and weekly jobless claims could ultimately decide direction...


U.S. Alarmed Over Suspected Iran Nuke Site

VIENNA, Austria - A U.S. official expressed alarm Thursday about a possible nuclear-weapons-related test site in Iran and accused the U.N...


U.K. Docs Suggest Tax Breaks for Exercise

LONDON - Money spent on sports and exercise should be tax deductible as part of a national strategy to fight flab, say doctors in Britain who are grappling with one of the world's most rapidly growing obesity epidemics.    Ahead of a daylong conference Thursday on tackling obesity in primary care clinics, the Royal College of General Practitioners called on the government to consider tax breaks to make exercise more accessible and affordable to everybody...


Hurricane Ivan Slams Alabama, Killing 8

GULF SHORES, Ala. - Hurricane Ivan slammed ashore early Thursday with winds of 130 mph, packing deadly tornadoes and a powerful punch of waves and rain that threatened to swamp communities from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle...


Corus in black for first time in history

CORUS, the Anglo-Dutch steel-maker, today hit a landmark point in its recovery as it revealed it had achieved its first profitable six months since its creation from the merger of British Steel and Dutch firm Royal Hoogovens in 1999.


Golf calendar

Outlook: Tommy Armour III broke the PGA #39;s 72-hole scoring record last year with a 26-under par 254. Justin Leonard had back-to-back wins here in 2000-01, and Loren Roberts has finished first and second here in 2002-03.


UK confirms Briton killed in Saudi capital

The British Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday that a British man had been shot dead in the Saudi capital Riyadh. His relatives had not yet been informed as further information was being sought, the Foreign Office said.


SEC Probes WorldCom Creditor Actions

\

 By Dane Hamilton and Justin Hyde

 WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal regulators have\launched an investigation into creditor actions in the WorldCom\bankruptcy, demanding thousands of documents from bondholders\related to the largest U.S. bankruptcy, according to court\documents.


XM Satellite Radio to Broadcast on Web

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. will soon begin broadcasting some of its stations to subscribers over the Internet, fresh on the heels of the company's discontinuation of a receiver for PCs that some users used to circumvent the music industry's crackdown on illegal file sharing.


Earth's Best View of the Stars is in Antarctica

University of New South Wales -- A small unmanned observatory high on the Antarctic plateau provides the best star-viewing site on Earth, according to research published today in Nature.     Australian researchers have shown than a ground-based telescope in Antarctica can take images almost as good as those from the Hubble Space Telescope, at a fraction of the cost...


Weather Satellite Serves Scientists and Forecasters

The first Meteosat Second Generation meteorological satellite is today in operational service as Meteosat-8. The data it streams down from 36,000 km over Africa's Gulf of Guinea assist not just European weather forecasters but also numerous scientific teams.


Networkers' Crowding Achievement (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - It was something of a back-to-school night for the crowd of entrepreneurs, marketing officers and venture funders who showed up in droves at the high-end networking club at Tysons Corner.


Oracle deploys Xserve RAID internally (MacCentral)

MacCentral - In a presentation to be given later this week at OracleWorld in San Francisco, Calif., Oracle Corp. will outline its Resilient Low-Cost Storage Initiative. After including Apple Computer Inc.'s Xserve RAID in the product testing, Oracle has chosen to deploy Apple's solution internally to run the Oracle Collaboration Suite application for e-mail, voicemail and calendar, Oracle officials will reveal.


Nepal ministry upholds claim of fastest climb up Everest (AFP)

AFP - Nepal's tourism ministry has upheld a claim by mountaineer Pemba Dorji Sherpa that he had scaled Everest in a record time of eight hours and 10 minutes on May 21.


Nortel Sees Lower 3rd-Quarter Revenue

TORONTO (Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp. NT.TO expects  to report lower 2004 third-quarter revenues compared to the  second quarter, North America's largest maker of telecom  equipment said in a market update required by regulators on  Thursday.


Williams Ends Bid to Sell Power Business

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Williams Cos. Inc. WMB.N has  scrapped efforts to sell its power business as the depressed  wholesale market has damaged prospects for selling the unit,  the natural gas company said on Thursday.


Oracle readies major app server upgrade (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - SAN FRANCISCO -- Oracle on Wednesday will introduce Oracle Application Server 10g Release 2, which is being characterized as a significant upgrade to the product with improvements in Java, Web services, and identity management and the addition of RFID backing.


Man Sentenced to Life for N.Irish Finucane Murder

BELFAST (Reuters) - A Belfast court sentenced a former  Protestant guerrilla to life imprisonment on Thursday for the  murder of Catholic lawyer Pat Finucane, one of the most  controversial killings in 30 years of sectarian conflict in  Northern Ireland.


Circuit City Same-Store Sales Fall in 3Q (AP)

AP - Circuit City Stores Inc., the nation's No. 2 electronics retailer, reported Monday that same-store sales declined 4.3 percent in the third quarter, largely because of weak sales of music and movie software.


German IT agency sets record straight on IE

In response to the growing number of viruses infecting computers, a spokesman for Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has suggested that users consider alternatives to Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser. But the agency did not recommend that users steer clear of Microsoft products, the spokesman said, refuting a press release issued Tuesday by browser developer Opera Software ASA.


Microsoft provides Project Server 2003-SAP link

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday plans to make available a connector kit that allows users to easily link Microsoft's Office Project Server 2003 with SAP AG's ERP (enterprise resource planning) products.


Coca-Cola H2 net to miss estimates

Coca-Cola Co., said its second-half earnings will decline because of sluggish sales in North America and Europe. Its shares are traded at the lowest level since May 2003.


Business Glance

NEW YORK - In an effort to capture more readers and advertising dollars, Dow Jones  amp; Co. is launching a Saturday edition of its flagship newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, beginning in September 2005, the company announced Wednesday.


Vodafone Launch BlackBerry 7100v  With New Form

Vodafone have today announced a new form of BlackBerry, the 7100v. It has been designed with the BlackBerries creator, RIM (Research In Motion) and will be the first release of a new form factor.


Mickelson confident despite change in equipment

Phil Mickelson remains true to his TV ads that ask:  quot;What will Phil do next? quot; At the end of the most successful season of his career, Mickelson arrived


Ruud to the rescue

Man Utd needed a Ruud van Nistelrooy double to secure a 2-2 draw away to Lyon in their Champions League opener. Utd were heading for a stunning defeat until the intervention of the Dutch goal machine, who


Shoulder injury blow for Real #39;s Zidane

Real Madrid says French play-maker Zinedine Zidane will be out for at least three weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in their 3-0 Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.


Paralympic Drug Scandal Prompts Warning

Paralympics boss Phil Craven today warned of a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs cheats after he was confronted with the first doping scandal of the Athens Games before the event has even started.


Unionists must make power-sharing pledge - Adams

Unionist demands for the IRA to be wound up can be met as soon as they give a pledge to share power in Northern Ireland, Gerry Adams stressed today.


Musharraf Poised to Keep Military Post Despite Earlier Promise

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has indicated he is reconsidering a promise to relinquish his second post as military chief later this year.


Infineon pleads guilty of DRAM price fixing; to pay \$160mn fine

LONDON, September 16 (New Ratings) - Infineon Technologies (IFX.ETR) has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a fine of \$160 million to settle the federal charges of participating in an international conspiracy of DRAM price fixing.


Corus Reports First-Ever Profit, Revives Bond Sales (Update6)

Corus Group Plc, the UK #39;s biggest steelmaker, reported its first profit and revived plans to sell 500 million euros (\$608 million) of bonds to refinance debt after it benefited from higher steel prices and cost cuts.


Havas Returns To Profitability Amid Takeover Speculation

Asserting that a second quarter improvement has drawn it  quot;closer to the figures of certain of our competitors, quot; Havas Chairman and CEO Alain de Pouzilhac said the company is on pace with the restructuring plan it unveiled last year that the company hoped


Caesars Expected to Unveil Casino Deal

Caesars Entertainment Inc.(CZR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is expected on Thursday to unveil a deal with a California Indian tribe to develop and manage a \$250 million casino complex near Fresno in the central part of the state.


Briton, two Americans kidnapped as Iraq hostage crisis escalates

BAGHDAD : Two Americans and a Briton were kidnapped from their smart Baghdad home, as the two main powers behind last year #39;s invasion became the latest victims of a five-month-old hostage crisis.


Letters: Palestinian leadership

The decision by Marwan Barghouti, an imprisoned Palestinian leader, to run for president of the Palestinian Authority should be welcomed by all who want to see real democracy emerge in Palestine ( quot;Barghouti faces Fatah opposition, quot; Dec. 3).