Top seed Spadea enters Delray Beach ATP quarter-finals

Top seed Vincent Spadea beat fellow American James Blake 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the 380,000 US dollars Millennium International tennis tournament in Delray Beach, Florida on Thursday.


Finally, Fall Racing Meaningful

If the Chase for the Championship is really supposed to be the elite part of the schedule, why does it include such mundane races as the fall events at New Hampshire, Dover and Martinsville and not the Daytona 500 or Brickyard 400?


Some Weapons at Russia School Were Stolen

MOSCOW Sept. 16, 2004 - Some of the weapons used by militants in the deadly Russian school siege were pilfered from police posts in armed raids allegedly led by one of Chechnya #39;s most notorious warlords, Russia #39;s


Prison call for Japan executive

TOKYO Prosecutors on Thursday called for a three-year prison term for Yasuo Takei, the founder of Takefuji, a Japanese consumer finance company, for ordering illegal wiretaps and for defamation.


Japan OKs Free Trade Agreement With Mexico

Japan #39;s Cabinet formally approved the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico, ahead of a meeting between the two nations #39; leaders.


Mickelson, Woods team up to lead off US at Ryder Cup

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.  Impeccably attired in a dark suit and gold-and-blue patterned necktie, American captain Hal Sutton struck the look of a Wall Street mogul Thursday when he announced


MLB: Houston 8, St. Louis 3

Jeff Kent went two for four with four RBI Thursday night to give Houston an 8-3 victory over St. Louis. Mike Lamb added a home run as Houston remained two games behind San Francisco in the National League wild card race.


Angels Clobber Mariners 6-1 (AP)

AP - The Anaheim Angels took advantage of two errors by Gold Glove second baseman Bret Boone, scoring four times in the eighth inning en route to a 6-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.


Antispam campaign bites the dust

While its neighbors, software infrastructure and hardware upgrades, switched places this month, security held its spot at number three.


Chechen rebel claims school siege

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claims responsibility for the Beslan siege in which more than 320 hostages died.


Storm buffets price of oil

new yorkCrude oil rose yesterday for a third day in four on concern about the loss of production and possible damage from Hurricane Ivan, which passed just east of most Gulf of Mexico production platforms.


EU rejects US plea for Airbus aid ban

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union rejected a US demand to ban government loans to aircraftmaker Airbus SAS, intensifying a dispute between the two trading partners.


Rogers, Microcell discuss takeover

Rogers Wireless Inc. is in talks with Microcell Telecommunications Inc. about a possible takeover and has asked the competition watchdog to give its advance blessing - just in case.


Kodak, IBM to team up

ROCHESTER, NYEastman Kodak Co. and International Business Machines Corp. said yesterday they have agreed to develop and make image sensors for digital still cameras and camera phones.


NASA loses week of relaunch effort to hurricane

Disruptions caused by three powerful hurricanes have cost NASA at least a week in its effort to rebound from the Columbia accident with a March shuttle launching, members of an oversight task force said Thursday.


Astros win to keep pace with Giants, Cubs

Even if the contest had been played in a matter befitting two postseason contenders, Jeff Kent would have stood above everybody Thursday night at Busch Stadium.


DC in first place for Expos

Washington, DC, remains the No. 1 choice to become the new home for the Montreal Expos, but issues remain, according to two people with knowledge of the relocation process.


Purdy sets Texas pace

Ted Purdy hit a nine-under-par 61 to lead after the first round of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. The American, who is looking for his first PGA Tour victory, had birdies at four of his first five holes and finished eagle-birdie.


Powell rebukes Annan on Iraq

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell yesterday expressed strong disapproval of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan #39;s description of the US-led war in Iraq as illegal, saying the comment was  quot;not a very useful statement to make at this point.


Oil prices rise despite little storm damage

WASHINGTON -- Oil prices rose yesterday despite reports that refineries along the Gulf Coast and production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico which had been shut down were being restaffed as Hurricane Ivan proved less disruptive than feared.


Around The Region

Apache Corp., an oil and natural gas producer, increased its shareholder dividend by 33 percent after gains in energy prices and output boosted the company #39;s profits.


Storms dash dreams of Florida home

Florida, which has lured more retirees and vacation homeowners than anywhere else, might be losing some appeal for the same reason it #39;s so beautiful: its place in the tropics.


Schilling gets 20th as Red Sox romp

BOSTON - Curt Schilling got his 20th win on the eve of Boston #39;s big series with the New York Yankees. Now he wants much more.  quot;In a couple of weeks, hopefully, it will get a lot better, quot; he said after becoming


Annan: Iraq invasion violated UN charter

The United States and its military allies on Thursday challenged UN Secretary General Kofi Annan #39;s statement that last year #39;s invasion of Iraq was an illegal act that violated


Indonesian Police Detain Seven People on Terror Links

Indonesian police have detained seven people linked to terrorism since last week #39;s bombing outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta that killed nine people and wounded 182, officers said on Friday.


JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police have detained seven  people linked to terrorism since last week's bombing outside  the Australian embassy in Jakarta that killed nine people and  wounded 182, officers said on Friday.


Afghans Arrest Three for Rocket Attack on Karzai

KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Three men have been arrested  for trying to kill Afghan President Hamid Karzai by firing a  rocket at his helicopter during his first election campaign  trip outside the capital, officials said on Friday.


Saints' Haslett Aims to Stay but Might Not (AP)

AP - For a man whose job is on the line and whose team is on the skids, New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett was relaxed Monday.


Monty Relishing Early Ryder Cup Showdown with Woods

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie,  the dominant Ryder Cup player of the last 10 years, will clash  with the game's foremost talent in a mouth-watering opening to  the 35th match at Oakland Hills on Friday.


Nikkei at 2-Week Closing Low

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei average fell for a third  straight session to hit a two-week closing low on Friday as  renewed earnings concerns prompted selling in Sony Corp. and  its rivals.


Dollar on Hold as Doubts Grow Over Fed

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar dawdled at the lower end of  recent ranges on Friday after soft U.S. manufacturing data  fueled a view that the Federal Reserve may slow or even  temporarily halt its tightening campaign.


Alitalia deal still on the brink

Alitalia's talks with unions look set to continue into the weekend, as management struggle to reach a deal with cabin crew.


Three men have been arrested for trying to kill Afghan President Hamid Karzai by firing a rocket at his helicopter during his first election campaign trip outside the capital, officials said on Friday.


Nortel warns it now expects 2004 revenue growth will trail its <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Nortel Networks shares fell Thursday after the troubled telecom equipment maker warned that its full-year growth in 2004 will likely trail the industry, rather than outperform its peers as the company has been predicting.


Mexico to Sign Trade Deal With Japan, Reduce Dependence on US

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is expected in Mexico City Friday, where he and President Vicente Fox are set to sign a free trade pact.


American League Game Summary - Anaheim at Seattle

Moyer lost to the Angels for the third time this season. His 10-game skid combined with Ryan Franklin #39;s 11-game slide that was just ended Wednesday night represents the first time since 1972 that two pitchers


Expos to move Nov. 30

The Montreal Expos have received legal notice from Major League Baseball that the team will move Nov. 30, TQS television reported yesterday.


N Korea plans more blasts

BEIJING - North Korea is planning to carry out further explosions as part of a hydroelectric power plant project after two major blasts last week that prompted worries of accidents and nuclear tests, the German ambassador to Pyongyang, who visited the


Storms Could Cause Delay in Shuttle Flights

The battering that this month's hurricanes have inflicted on NASA centers could strain an already tight schedule for resuming shuttle flights, but it is too early to tell how badly.


Internet Cafes Shut in Vietnam for Porn, Politics (Reuters)

Reuters - Authorities in southern Vietnam have shut\down 65 Internet cafes and kiosks after finding hundreds of\addresses of pornographic and anti-government Web sites on\their computers, a newspaper reported on Friday.


BP sees no energy supply problem

The global oil industry has the capacity to meet future demand, BP's chief executive tells newspapers.


Jaguar plant awaits closure fate

US car giant Ford is expected to tell Jaguar workers on Friday that it will close the firm's historic Coventry factory


Nortel stock battered by more bad news

Shares in Nortel Networks Corp. dropped 9 per cent yesterday after the telecom equipment giant, the subject of several Canadian and US accounting probes, hinted that rivals are taking a bite out of its market share.


Microsoft to pay Californian briefs \$112 million

A JUDGE IS ordering Microsoft to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California #39;s market.


IBM uses chip-based security from National Semiconductor

IBM is the first computer maker to ship PCs with a new chip developed by National Semiconductor that protects desktops against hackers and viruses, both companies said this week.


Unrelenting rivalry moves into lion #39;s den

The last time they saw each other, John Kerry was sitting in the Red Sox owner #39;s box on the eve of the Democratic National Convention and the front


China #39;s communist party must adapt to changing times--media

BEIJING, China -- Chinese state media Friday said it was crucial the ruling communist party adapt to social changes but gave few clues about an apparent power struggle as a secretive party plenum entered a second day.


Consumer Prices Climb; Jobless Claims Up

WASHINGTON Sept. 16, 2004 - Consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent in August, a sign that inflation poses no immediate risk to the economy.


Nortel shares tumble after growth forecast reduced

TORONTO -- Nortel Networks shares fell yesterday after the troubled telecom equipment maker said its growth this year will likely trail the overall industry -- rather than outperforming its peers as the company had been predicting.


Karzai escapes bid on life

Gardez (Afghanistan), Sept. 16 (Reuters): Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped an assassination bid today when a rocket was fired at his US military helicopter as it was landing in the southeastern town of Gardez.


Sri Lanka concern over violence (AFP)

AFP - Sri Lanka expressed concern over truce violations by Tiger rebels as a top Norwegian envoy prepared to return home empty-handed after failing to end the island's talks deadlock, officials said.


S.Korea Says There Was No Big Blast in N.Korea

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's latest assessment of a  widely reported explosion in North Korea last week is that  there was no blast at all at the suspected site, a vice  minister said on Friday.


Passenger Screenings to Be More Intrusive

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials got a wake-up call last month about the need to screen airline passengers for explosives when two Chechen women apparently carried bombs onto two Russian planes and blew them up...


Ivan raises gas prices far from landfall

Carolyn Roberts was ready for heavy wind and rain as the remnants of Hurricane Ivan approached northwest Georgia, but she didn #39;t anticipate storm-driven sticker shock at the gas pump.


Hackers to exploit latest Windows flaw

HACKERS ARE swapping information online about the latest hole in Windows in the hope of getting a good exploit onto other people #39;s computers before they install SP2.


Big Blue installs Safekeeper TPM

SafeKeeper Trusted I/O devices have a trusted platform module (TPM), which stores passwords, digital certificates, and encryption keys.


Souness Disappointed With Indiscipline

Graeme Souness felt his Newcastle United side failed to cope with Bnei Sakhnin #39;s tactics during a 2-0 first leg Uefa Cup victory at St James Park that saw Nicky Butt and Abbass Swan of Bnei Sakhnin sent off and five visiting players booked.


Angels get all the breaks

The Angels #39; team bus driver isn #39;t allowed to break the speed limit, but a couple of extra pumps on the gas pedal might have been in order as the big dog meandered toward Sea-Tac Airport on Thursday night.


Patriots not keeping tabs on streak

The New England Patriots are so single-minded in pursuing their third Super Bowl triumph in four years that they almost have no room for any other history.


Contenders may be pacing, not chasing

The Chase for the Nextel Cup begins Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. The question is, are drivers truly going to chase it, or are they going to sit back and let it come to them?


US and EU plane talks go nowhere

Increasing the tension over government subsidies to Airbus and Boeing, yesterday #39;s latest round of talks between the United States and the European Union ended in deadlock.


Airbus says bid to join EU case doesn #39;t mean it backs Microsoft

Airbus sought to clarify its stance in Microsoft #39;s European antitrust case yesterday, saying it #39;s not taking the software company #39;s side.


Delta and pilots trying to curb impact of early retirements

Delta Air Lines managers and pilots will meet again today and likely negotiate through the weekend to find a way to keep the airline staffed with pilots as many opt for early retirement.


Sony to Pay Billions for MGM Film Library

Japanese consumer electronic giant Sony is hoping to close a deal that will give it control of the famed MGM studio in the United States.


Sports in brief: Locked-out NHL players look for work

NHL players began scattering across the globe Thursday in search of work on Day 1 of the lockout, with no negotiations scheduled between union and management.


Souness rues ill-discipline

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness admitted his side failed to adapt to Bnei Sakhnin #39;s tactics as they earned a 2-0 first leg victory at St James Park.


HUGHES TO PICK SOUNESS BRAIN

Mark Hughes will pick Graeme Souness brains about his new job as boss of Blackburn - but the Welshman insists he will bring his own brand of management to Ewood Park.


Kevin Roberts: Moss is on everyone #39;s agenda

If Monday #39;s game comes down to Lito Sheppard vs. Randy Moss, the Eagles are in trouble. If Monday #39;s game comes down to Sheldon Brown .


French Open champ Myskina tumbles in Bali

French Open champion Anastasia Myskina of Russia must face an early exit in the Wismilak International Tennis Tournament in Bali after losing to Maria Elena Camerin of


SI.com

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Jeff Kent is doing his best to try and carry the Houston Astros to the postseason. Kent continued his big September by knocking in four runs as the Astros posted an 8-3 victory over the mistake-prone St.


Comets to miss 1st WNBA playoffs

HOUSTON -- For the first time in franchise history, the Houston Comets will not be part of the WNBA postseason. Tangela Smith had 17 points and six rebounds for the Sacramento Monarchs, who used a 12-0 run


UN Secretary-General Annan calls US-led war in Iraq  #39;illegal #39;

During the past 18 months, Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations has expressed many reservations about the war in Iraq.


Afghan leader escapes attack

rocket exploded near a helicopter carrying President Hamid Karzai yesterday, forcing him to abandon his trip and raising questions about how difficult it will be for him


Radical Chechen Rebel Leader Takes Blame for Terror Attacks

Radical Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev has apparently taken responsibility for a recent series of terrorist attacks in Russia.


Profile: Indonesia #39;s pioneering magazine

Indonesia #39;s news magazine Tempo is one of Indonesia #39;s most respected publications, but, over its 30 year history, it has never been a stranger to controversy.


Cherie Blair denies quit rumours

Cherie Blair, the prime minister #39;s wife, has denied claims that her husband considered standing down earlier this year. Mrs Blair said she would have been  quot;one of the first people to know quot; if the allegations were true.


LA hotel lockout could spur more labor action

A major Los Angeles hotel locked out laundry workers yesterday in a move the general manager said could lead to a strike by union employees which, in turn, could spur action in two other major US cities.


Plea Due in MedImmune Stock Case

A former executive at the Gaithersburg biotechnology firm MedImmune Inc. is scheduled to plead guilty today to criminal charges related to his allegedly improper stock trades, according to court papers.


Corning: Glass substrate shipments to increase 70 in 2004

The company estimates shipments will grow 5-10 this quarter, with a 10 growth in shipments to Taiwan-based panel makers. Even though panel shipments from Taiwan companies declined in July and August, Corning


Padres shut out Dodgers

Adam Eaton allowed five hits over seven innings for his career-high 10th victory, Brian Giles homered for the second straight game, and the San Diego Padres beat the Dodgers, 3-0, last night in Los Angeles.


IRA shutdown hinges on talks

As Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern go into the second day of peace talks with the political parties, paramilitary weapons were central to chances of success.


WORLD BRIEFS

INDONESIAN EDITOR SENTENCED. An Indonesian court sentenced a leading magazine editor to 1 year in prison yesterday for defamation and  quot;inciting unrest quot; in a story published last year in Tempo, the nation #39;s top news magazine.


Europe, US agree on draft resolution on Iran nuclear program (AFP)

AFP - The United States and three major European nations have reached agreement in Vienna on a draft resolution on Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program in a breakthrough that could lead to the text being adopted Friday by the UN nuclear watchdog, a US official told AFP.


Singapore may post double-digit economic growth in 2004 (AFP)

AFP - Singapore may post double-digit economic growth this year, above the official forecast of 8.0-9.0 percent, Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said.


Irish Defensive Line Shuts Down Opponents (AP)

AP - Linebacker Mike Goolsby knows better than anyone that Notre Dame's defensive line makes it difficult to run.


Open Source Software Goes to Work (PC World)

PC World - Businesses don't have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line.


Goldman Sachs offers to buy stakes in Japan's Takefuji (AFP)

AFP - US investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has offered to buy stakes in Japan's biggest consumer finance firm Takefuji Corp. for more than 300 billion yen (2.8 billion dollars), a report said.


Indonesia prepares for landmark presidential election (AFP)

AFP - Indonesians cast their ballots Monday in the country's first democratic presidential election in a vote which will cap months of polls and finally consign decades of dictatorship to history.


Symantec To Launch Web Console For Managing Macs (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Symantec announced it is working on a Web-based console for IT administrators to manage Norton AntiVirus for the Macintosh clients -- the software is expected in two months.


Fertility Clinics Vary on Embryo Disposal (AP)

AP - The nation's fertility clinics vary widely when it comes to how they perform one of the most delicate aspects of their jobs: disposing of unused frozen human embryos that were created to help infertile women become pregnant.


STM, Oil Prices Pressure European Shares

PARIS (Reuters) - European shares inched lower on Friday as  a broker downgrade hit STMicroelectronics and volatile oil  prices continued to feed economic worries, offsetting solid  earnings at utility Veolia.


Indonesia Police Make First Embassy Bombing Arrest

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police have made their first  arrest linked to a car bomb attack outside the Australian  embassy last week, detaining a man in West Java province, the  police chief said on Friday.


Iran May Extend Partial Nuke Enrichment Freeze

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran's policymakers may decide to extend  its partial freeze on uranium enrichment, a process that can  make fuel for nuclear power plants or weapons, a senior Iranian  official said on Friday.


Reporter Smuggles Fake Bomb Into British Parliament

LONDON (Reuters) - An undercover reporter smuggled fake  bomb-making equipment into the British parliament, a day after  fox hunting protesters made a mockery of security by bursting  onto the floor of the debating chamber.


More than just a pretty face

His face was as hard as flint, which is not easy for someone who looks like Oscar De La Hoya.


Zooming into prominence

For Tricia Alley, the dilemma was both ecclesiastical and logistical. In short, how to fit in her weekly obligation to the Roman Catholic church so as not to conflict with her weekly avocation -- NASCAR. Living in the Seattle area, that was a tough call, given the races are aired Sunday mornings and last longer than even the most protracted ...


He's no Cup-cake at the event

I'm a Montyphile and damn proud of it. Colin Montgomerie is achingly, valiantly, eternally human . If Monty isn't going to speak, well, he isn't going to speak. I was one of the many brushed off when he shot a frustrating 84 in the rain that horrible Saturday at Muirfield two years ago. But when Monty ...


NL notables

Aramis Ramirez tied the club record with 14 total bases. His three homers gave the Cubs a franchise-record 213 this season, topping the 1998 club.


Brushing off the buzz

So, Bronson Arroyo , will you pitch Alex Rodriguez any differently tonight in Yankee Stadium than you did the last time you faced him at Fenway Park July 24?


Twins win 9th straight

Kyle Lohse pitched seven sharp innings, Michael Cuddyer went 3 for 4 with a homer, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox, 10-1, at Minneapolis for their ninth straight victory.


AL notables

Rangers' Alfonso Soriano left the game in Oakland in the eighth after injuring his left leg on a headfirst slide, putting the rest of his season in doubt. He will have an MRI exam today.


UK Betting gets Euro 2004 boost

Online gaming and sports content firm UK Betting reduces its first-half losses, helped by cost cuts and big events like Euro 2004.


Milloy won't be ready for Patriots

Injured Buffalo Bills safety Lawyer Milloy ruled out any chance of returning to face the Patriots next month. That means Milloy, who broke his right forearm in a preseason game Aug. 28, will miss at least another three weeks, including the Oct. 3 game against the Patriots in Buffalo.  quot;Believe me, I would love to come back for that game, quot; ...


Wilfork has a nose for his new position

Vince Wilfork came to the Patriots this offseason as a defensive lineman, meaning that in college he was accustomed to working his way to the opponent's backfield when the ball was snapped. But New England's first-round draft pick is now playing nose tackle, which means he must stay put and keep a crease from forming in the middle.


But seriously, folks

There are times to go with the strong -- and there are times to go against the weak. In this case, Buffalo, Houston, and Miami. Each looked miserable last week and the hunch is this week will be more of the same.


Revolution hope history repeats itself

Based on their finishes in the last two MLS regular seasons, the Revolution could be in a position of strength. Though the Revolution (5-11-9) are in last place in the overall standings, their recent track record in the final five games of the season provides hope.


Sinden: Owners in lockstep on lockout

Harry Sinden didn't want to say,  quot;I told you so, quot; because he didn't see there was anything to be gained from it.


QB Santos gets Wildcats running wild

When the University of New Hampshire published its 2004 media guide, redshirt freshman Ricky Santos wasn't even one of its featured quarterbacks.


Under Woods, Stonehill making some noise

When Stonehill hired Chris Woods as its football coach after last season, the hope was he could once again revive a disappointing program.


This weekend's key New England games

WILLIAM  amp; MARY (0-1) vs. UNH (2-0) When and where: Tomorrow at noon in Durham, N.H. Last season: William  amp; Mary won, 38-28. Comments: The 10th-ranked Wildcats have jumped out to a 2-0 start behind the surprising play of redshirt freshman quarterback Ricky Santos. Since stepping in for an injured Mike Granieri, Santos has completed 40-of-51 pass attempts for 531 ...


UConn-BC: Lots of hard feelings

You know they have been polishing their knuckles for this one ever since Boston College announced last Oct. 12 it was leaving the Big East to become the Atlantic Coast Conference's 12th member, joining fellow Big East defectors Miami and Virginia Tech.


Inflation inches up in August

Consumer prices rose slightly in August, easing fears that inflation, which surged earlier this year, would rapidly pick up steam.


Langer's pairings apparent

Unlike US captain Hal Sutton, who kept his pairings for the opening matches of the 35th Ryder Cup guarded like a state secret, it was easy to read into Bernhard Langer's mind-set. All you had to do was track the way the final practice groups were organized by the European captain.


When steady is sexy

American Funds sells mutual funds you could bring home to meet your parents: the funds are always described with words like  quot;steady, quot;  quot;solid, quot; and  quot;dependable. quot;


Spectators didn't get their Phil

More than a few fans expressed displeasure that they spent \$40 for practice-round tickets to the 35th Ryder Cup, yet didn't see Phil Mickelson either of the last two days at Oakland Hills Country Club.


Lindquist resigns as Whitehead director

The first woman to lead the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge is stepping down as director of one of the nation's leading biological research centers to return full time to her research.


B-R's opening task is not an easy one

When the Old Colony League was trimmed to just four teams during the offseason, the spotlight was quickly cast on Bridgewater-Raynham's game at Marshfield Oct. 29.


Museum Towers sells for \$145.7m

Museum Towers, a six-year-old luxury high-rise apartment complex overlooking the Charles River in East Cambridge, sold this week for what is believed to be a record per-unit price in Greater Boston, and will be converted to condominiums ranging from \$350,000 to \$750,000.


This week's schedule

TODAY'S GAMES Division 1 NONLEAGUE -- BC High at Bridgewater-Raynham, 4; Malden at Melrose, 6:30; Taunton at Attleboro, 7; Brockton at Barnstable, 7; Lynn Classical at Cambridge, 7; Winchester at Catholic Memorial, 7; Durfee at Falmouth, 7; Peabody at Salem, 7; Medford vs. Woburn at Burlington, 7; Malden Catholic at Revere, 7; Somerville at North Quincy, 7; Xaverian at Waltham, ...


For the record

Correction: A correction in Thursday's paper gave incorrect scores for two high school football games. Brockton defeated BC High, 12-8, and Durfee beat Barnstable, 14-13.


Marshfield holds off Billerica

Billerica's furious comeback attempt fell short as Jerry Freed intercepted three passes to lead Marshfield to a 27-15 win last night.


Fed calls strategy on rates success

WASHINGTON -- The unusual strategy adopted by the Federal Reserve in the summer of 2003 for stoking the US economy without cutting interest rates was a clear success, researchers at the US central bank have concluded in a new study.


Cingular offers handset for blind

In a first for the US cellphone industry, Cingular Wireless LLC yesterday began offering a handset specially designed for blind and vision-impaired people, with software that can convert virtually everything on the phone screen -- including text messages -- to synthesized speech.


Airline passengers face tighter security checks

WASHINGTON -- Starting next week, all airline passengers must take off their jackets before passing through metal detectors and more will be subjected to pat-down searches and checks for explosives, the Transportation Security Administration said yesterday.


Delta seeks deal to keep pilots

NEW YORK -- Delta Air Lines Inc. managers and pilots will meet again today, and likely negotiate through the weekend, to find a way to keep the airline staffed with pilots, as many opt for early retirement.


Stelios enters online music fray

The Easyjet founder teams up with UK download service Wippit to enter the online music market.


Annan backs US bidon Sudan resolution

UNITED NATIONS Annan backs US bid on Sudan resolution Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday threw his weight behind a US-drafted resolution on Sudan's Darfur region, saying the Security Council should adopt it immediately to stop atrocities.  quot;It is urgent to act now. Civilians are still being attacked and fleeing their villages as we speak, quot; Annan told reporters of the resolution ...


Disputing Annan, allies say Iraq war legal

LONDON -- Britain, Australia, and a former US official, stung by criticism from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, insisted yesterday that their countries' military action in Iraq was legal.


US intelligence assessment on Iraq in line with global reports

WASHINGTON -- A highly classified US intelligence assessment that lays out dismal predictions for the future of Iraq -- including the possibility of civil war by 2005 -- mirrors assessments that are being made by analysts around the world, according to diplomats and members of the intelligence community.


Indonesian editor found guilty in libel case

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- A court sentenced Tempo magazine editor Bambang Harymurti yesterday to one year in prison for defamation and inciting unrest in a case watched by press freedom advocates.


Sony warning on Christmas sales

Sony warns that it does not expect profits at its home electronics business to recover  in the normally busy Christmas season.


Burnout offers thrills aplenty

The third outing for the Burnout franchise offers jaw-dropping action that is difficult to fault and perilously addictive.


US inflation rate in check

WASHINGTON: New data yesterday showed US inflation in check, with consumer prices up a modest 0.1 per cent in August, giving the Federal Reserve room go slow on boosting interest rates.


Where In The World Is That Job?

(CBS/AP) Perhaps it has happened to you or someone you know: a job lost to a faceless competitor continents away, as part of the trend that has seen millions of jobs shift from the US to overseas in the past few years.


Open Source Software Goes to Work

Businesses don #39;t have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line. Sometimes the big software vendors act like their customers are locked into the proprietary products they sell.


Florida IT Managers Balance Tech Needs, Workforce Issues in Storms

SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Miami-Dade County #39;s IT operations center serves the largest metropolitan area in the state of Florida and is staffed around the clock.


Millennium International Tennis Championships

Greg Rusedski, has booked himself a place in the quarter finals at Delray Beach in Florida after his straight sets 6-3, 6-4 win over Matias Boeker.


Upcoming auto races

Last race: Jeremy Mayfield won his first race in more than four years and advanced to the championship chase by taking the Chevrolet 400 at Richmond International Raceway.


Open Source Software Goes to Work

Businesses don't have to dump Windows to test drive free or low-price applications whose use may improve the bottom line.


Singapore #39;s Leading Media Firms to Merge

Singapore #39;s largest media publisher and the city-state #39;s biggest free-to-air broadcaster will take stakes in each others #39; operations, the two companies said Friday, four years after the industry was deregulated to boost competition.


Oscar #39;s dad in his corner

Bernard Hopkins is experiencing flashbacks before his undisputed middleweight title showdown with Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand tomorrow night.


Schilling wins No. 20

BOSTON - Curt Schilling got his 20th win on the eve of the Red Sox #39;s big series with the Yankees. Now he wants much more.  quot;In a couple of weeks, hopefully, it will get a lot better, quot; he said after becoming


Koizumi, Silva Discuss Stronger Ties

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi headed to Mexico to seal a free trade agreement after pledging to push for stronger relations between Japan and Brazil, South America #39;s largest country.


5 EU states agree to set up gendarmerie force

Defense ministers from five European states signed here Friday morning a Declaration of intent on set up a European gendarmerie force.


easyMusic picks Wippit for pre-Xmas launch

easyJet founder turns to 'easyJet for iPod generation' service


Ferdinand to repay Ferguson debt of honour (AFP)

AFP - Rio Ferdinand plans to repay a debt of honour to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for standing by him when he returns from his eight month ban for missing a drugs test against Liverpool on Monday.


Indian inflation falls to 7.81 pct (Reuters)

Reuters - India's annual wholesale price inflation rate fell to 7.81 percent in the year to Sept. 4 due to lower prices of oilseeds and poultry and a higher base effect, data showed on Friday.


US Treasuries Up, Cement Overnight Gains

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries were higher on Friday,  after cementing in Asia their New York data-driven gains  Thursday and awaiting the University of Michigan consumer  sentiment index later in the session.


U.S. Says Kills 60 Foreign Fighters in Iraq Strike

FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes launched fresh air  strikes overnight around the rebel-held city of Falluja,  killing about 60 foreign fighters loyal to Jordanian militant  Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the U.S. military said on Friday.


Afghans Hold Taliban Suspects for Karzai Attack

KABUL (Reuters) - Three suspected Taliban members have been  arrested for trying to kill Afghan President Hamid Karzai by  firing a rocket at his helicopter during his first election  campaign trip outside Kabul, officials said on Friday.


This weekend on TV, radio

TODAY AUTO RACING 3 p.m. -- NASCAR Nextel Cup Sylvania 300 qualifying at N.H. International Speedway, Loudon, N.H., TNT PRO BASEBALL 7 p.m. -- Red Sox at New York Yankees, Ch. 38, WEEI (850) (on cable systems where Ch. 38 is not available, the game will air on NESN); Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, ESPN 6 p.m. -- Eastern League finals: ...


Bid to avert new S Africa strikes

South African unions and government officials meet to try and thrash out a pay deal, as more strikes loom next week.


No shortcuts for staying safe

As boating goes, it may be summer's version of snowshoeing -- inexpensive and easy to learn. For those reasons, not to mention the beauty and exercise factors, the number of sea kayakers grows by great leaps every season as these little boats -- some costing under \$500 -- proliferate on every New England shore.


It's time to cut to Chase at NHIS

Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway (TNT, green flag shortly after 1 p.m.) is going to take some serious 'splainin, especially for those who fall into the category of casual NASCAR viewers.


Johnny Cash auction closes at \$4m

Johnny Cash's instruments and possessions raise almost \$4m (2.2) after a three-day auction in New York.


Philippine shares down Friday

Philippine shares finished lower Friday for the fourth straight session, led by losses in blue chip Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.


Simulating life, love and the Universe

As a boy, Will Wright liked to fiddle with models. The man behind The Sims phenomenon liked to make ships, planes, and most things mechanical.


Japan Orders Citigroup to Close 4 Offices

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's financial regulator on Friday  ordered the Japanese commercial banking unit of Citigroup Inc.  to close four offices for violating banking laws.


IBM Settles Part of Giant Pension Lawsuit

NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp.  IBM.N has settled for an undisclosed sum part of a  potentially multi-billion-dollar lawsuit over its pension plan,  a Wednesday court filing shows.


Australian Stocks Rise; Metcash Has Biggest Gain Since 2001

Australian stocks rose as Metcash Trading Ltd. had its biggest gain in almost four years after Citigroup Inc. raised the stock #39;s rating, citing an offer to buy Foodland Associated Ltd.


US blue chips fall as oil prices rise, but Apple lifts Nasdaq

NEW YORK : US blue chips ended lower on Monday on higher oil prices and an analyst downgrade of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer; but techs managed a small gain, helped by an upgrade for Apple Computer.


Leader Says Rebels Were Responsible for Siege in Russia

Radical Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev purportedly took responsibility Friday for a recent series of terrorist attacks in Russia.


Talks with Boeing on Airbus subsidies deadlocked

TALKS between the United States and the European Union over subsidies for rival aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing ended last night without agreement.


Reason to beware

The death and destruction inflicted by Hurricane Ivan confirms that Southwest Floridians #39; fears of the powerful hurricane were well justified.


Boeker #39;s a wreck - even before he #39;s ousted

Delray Beach  Matias Boeker learned a couple of valuable lessons at his first ATP event this week. First, he #39;s done driving himself to tournaments after being involved in a multiple


Chase for the Cup underway

These are some of the questions waiting to be answered heading into this weekend #39;s first race of NASCAR #39;s inaugural Chase for the Championship.


Rio says he owes Sir Alex

RIO FERDINAND plans to repay Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for standing by him when he returns against Liverpool on Monday after an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.


Chechen Warlord Threatens More Attacks After Beslan

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility on Friday for the Russian school siege in which more than 320 hostages were killed, half of them children, and


Bid to avert new S Africa strikes

Unions and government officials are meeting in South Africa on Friday in an attempt to thrash out a pay deal to avert a new wave of strikes next week.


US Says Kills 60 Foreign Fighters in Iraq Strike

US forces launched fresh attacks in and near the restive Iraqi city of Falluja overnight, killing about 60 foreign fighters, the US military said on Friday.


Bonds Heads Home Still Looking for No. 700 (AP)

AP - Barry Bonds left Milwaukee without No. 700. Aramis Ramirez left the Cincinnati Reds in awe.


Car Bomb Blast in Central Baghdad - Police (Reuters)

Reuters - A car bomb exploded near a police\station in central Baghdad on Friday, and a thick column of\smoke was seen rising from the east side of the Tigris river,\Iraqi police and witnesses said.


IBM Settles Part of Giant Pension Lawsuit (Reuters)

Reuters - International Business Machines Corp.\ has settled for an undisclosed sum part of a\potentially multi-billion-dollar lawsuit over its pension plan,\a Wednesday court filing shows.


Miners Help European Stocks Turn Around

PARIS (Reuters) - Basic producers helped European shares  turn positive on Friday, but telecoms firm Cable   Wireless  bucked the firmer trend after unveiling a hefty investment and  volatile oil prices kept investors cautious.


Ford to decide UK Jaguar plant #39;s fate

LONDON (CBS.MW) - Ford Motor Co. on Friday is expected to announce its plans for its main Jaguar factory in the UK, which could include closing the factory.


UK ITunes Prices Questioned

LONDON -- Apple Computer #39;s three-month-old European iTunes service came under attack Wednesday from Britain #39;s Consumers #39; Association, which asked the Office of Fair Trading, a business watchdog, to investigate why the service #39;s prices are higher than


AOL dumps Microsoft #39;s Sender ID

America Online (AOL) has ditched Microsoft #39;s Sender ID technology in favour of Sender Policy Framework (SPF). The move follows concerns over Sender ID voiced by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) earlier this week.


Cops seize weapons from home of teenager

Police thought it was a case of boneheaded teen bragging when the tip came in. But then they found homemade bombs, school blueprints, an assault rifle and shotguns stashed in his basement and attic.


Symantec backpedals over mislabelled Trojan

Symantec has revoked its decision to blacklist a program that allows Web surfers in China to browse government-blocked Web sites. The move follows reports that the firm labelled the Freegate program, which


Greg sails into last eight

Greg Rusedski brushed aside American Matias Boeker in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Millennium International tournament in Florida.


Hopkins has done things his way

For the fight of his life, undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins chose some music that says something about his life. When he enters the ring Saturday to face Oscar De La Hoya, it won #39;t be to pulsating rap.


AUTO RACING: Fighting-mad Mayfield fired up for the Chase

Talk about a roller-coaster ride for the 35-year-old racer from Owensboro, Ky., who made the drive of his life last Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.


Bonds on hold, Giants on roll

MILWAUKEE -- Despite all the spotlight and all the hype -- how often does ESPN put a weekday afternoon baseball game on TV? -- Barry Bonds didn #39;t hit his 700th home run Thursday.


Rossi misses provisional pole

AMERICAN rider John Hopkins upset pre-race favourites, including world champion Valentino Rossi, to take provisional pole today for the weekend Japan Grand Prix with a record lap time on the first practice day.


First arrest over Jakarta bombing

Indonesian police have made their first arrest in connection with last week #39;s bombing at the Australian embassy in Jakarta. Police chief Da #39;i Bachtiar said a man had been arrested for carrying explosives for


Car bomb explodes in Baghdad

A car bomb has exploded near a police station in central Baghdad and a thick column of smoke was seen rising from the east side of the Tigris river, Iraqi police and witnesses say.


U.S. Deserter Leaves Army Base for New Life in Japan

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


Iraq findings: Plans, but no stockpiles

WASHINGTON -- The draft of a report from the top US inspector in Iraq concludes that Saddam Hussein had no weapons stockpiles, but there were signs of dormant programs he hoped to revive at a later time, according to people familiar with the findings.


UN, Iran said in talks on military sites

VIENNA -- UN nuclear inspectors are negotiating with Iran for access to as many as four military sites that have programs or equipment that could be diverted to development of nuclear weapons, diplomats at the International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday.


Dominican Republic battered

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Tropical Storm Jeanne brought heavy rain and winds to the Dominican Republic yesterday after killing two people in Puerto Rico, as the latest in a stream of Atlantic storms crossed the Caribbean toward the United States.


Party Leader Hopeful on Ulster Talks

A deal to dismantle the IRA and revive Northern Irelands power-sharing administration is taking shape, SDLP leader Mark Durkan claimed today.


Indonesian polls point to change

Election-eve opinion polls in Indonesia suggest the country is headed for a change of president. Ahead of Monday #39;s vote, incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri is well behind her former security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, polls suggest.


Miners Help European Stocks Turn Around (Reuters)

Reuters - Basic producers helped European shares\turn positive on Friday, but telecoms firm Cable   Wireless\bucked the firmer trend after unveiling a hefty investment and\volatile oil prices kept investors cautious.


Oil Rises as Storms Threaten Supply

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices rose on Friday on  worries that the ongoing storm season in the U.S. Gulf would  continue to hamper energy production and imports, delaying  vital pre-winter stock building.


U.S. Treasuries on Firm Footing

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices were higher on  Friday, cementing gains made the previous day, in the face of  growing speculation that the pace of U.S. interest rate hikes  could slow.


People on Mars Possible in 20 to 30 Years (Reuters)

Reuters - People could land on Mars in the\next 20 to 30 years provided scientists can find water on the\red planet, the head of NASA's surface exploration mission said\on Wednesday.


CHRONOLOGY-Events Since North Korean Blast First Reported

SEOUL (Reuters) - A cloud of confusion surrounded a widely  reported explosion in North Korea last week with South Korea  saying on Friday its latest assessment was that no blast at all  occurred at the suspected site.


Jacques Villeneuve: The team and I share a common goal

As his position with Renault for the final three races of 2004 was announced today, Jacques Villeneuve spoke positively about the future.


TOM WALSH: Message-free at the tee

Peck, golf marketing manager for General Motors Corp. #39;s Buick division, helped remove Woods #39; clubs from his regular golf bag, which features Buick logos and crests on the strap, front, sides and even on the golf umbrella tucked into the bag.


Unions and Car Chiefs in Talks on Jaguar Plant

Union leaders today arrived at luxury car-maker Jaguar for crucial talks over the future of the Coventry Browns Lane plant. The factory, which opened in 1951 and currently employs


New format becomes a game of survival

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 inaugural 10


MLB: Anaheim 6, Seattle 1

Anaheim got help from Seattle errors and scored four runs in the eighth inning Thursday in a 6-1 win over the Mariners. The Angels stayed two games behind first-place Oakland in the American League West.


U.S. Treasuries on Firm Footing (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Treasury prices were higher on\Friday, cementing gains made the previous day, in the face of\growing speculation that the pace of U.S. interest rate hikes\could slow.


Wall Street Seen Flat; TI Buyback to Buoy (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks were set for a steady start\on Friday with a billion dollar share buyback plan at Texas\Instruments  lending some backbone to the technology\sector.


EIA Says Heating Oil Bills to Rise (Reuters)

Reuters - The United States has plenty of fuel in\storage for winter heating thanks to near full-throttle\refinery production, but household energy bills are still\likely to be up sharply, the head of the U.S. Energy\Information Administration (EIA) said on Friday.


HSBC, Shanxi Trust to form joint venture in China (AFP)

AFP - British-based banking giant HSBC Holdings is to team up with Shanxi Trust and Investment Corp to form a joint venture fund management company in China, HSBC announced.


Alcatel Bolsters U.S. Presence (Reuters)

Reuters - Alcatel  has expanded its\foothold in the key North American market with the acquisition\of a mobile software provider and a conference technology\business for  #36;277 million.


Australia investigating if Iraq body could be rumored hostage (AFP)

AFP - Australia was investigating whether a foreigner found dead in central Iraq could be one of two Australians allegedly kidnapped in the country earlier this week.


Wall Street Seen Flat; TI Buyback to Buoy

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set for a steady start  on Friday with a billion dollar share buyback plan at Texas  Instruments TXN.N lending some backbone to the technology  sector.


EIA Says Heating Oil Bills to Rise

VIENNA (Reuters) - The United States has plenty of fuel in  storage for winter heating thanks to near full-throttle  refinery production, but household energy bills are still  likely to be up sharply, the head of the U.S. Energy  Information Administration (EIA) said on Friday.


Alcatel Bolsters U.S. Presence

PARIS (Reuters) - Alcatel CGEP.PA has expanded its  foothold in the key North American market with the acquisition  of a mobile software provider and a conference technology  business for \$277 million.


UNLV Names Sanford Head Football Coach

LAS VEGAS (Sports Network) - Mike Sanford has been hired as  the ninth head football coach at UNLV. The former Utah  offensive coach takes over for the retired John Robinson.


Baghdad Car Bomb Death Toll Rises to 13 - Ministry

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 13 Iraqis were killed in a  suicide car bomb attack on a major police checkpoint in central  Baghdad on Friday, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.


Indonesia Police Make First Embassy Bombing Arrest

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police have made their first  arrest over a car bombing outside the Australian embassy last  week, detaining a man they said on Friday had helped their top  suspect prepare the attack.


Jaguar's Coventry plant to close

Jaguar's historic Brown's Lane factory in Coventry is to close, Ford has confirmed, with 400 jobs expected to be lost.


Woods, Mickelson to Start in Ryder Cup

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Always rivals, barely friends, finally partners...


Mobiles track down wi-fi hotspots

Fans of wireless internet access can now find their nearest wi-fi hotspot using their mobile phone.


Jaguar workers resigned to closure

Business leaders in the West Midlands are bracing themselves for the potentially disastrous impact of any decision to close the local Jaguar factory.


US stocks were set for a steady start on Friday with a billion dollar share buyback plan at Texas Instruments (TXN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) lending some backbone to the technology sector.


NeoPharm regains control of cancer drugs from Pfizer

NeoPharm Inc., a biotechnology company developing cancer treatments, said it regained ownership of two cancer compounds after Pfizer Inc.


Choose Your Camera

Shopping for a digital camera is stressful. Most stores carry a fraction of the 200-plus cameras on the market, and except at specialty stores, salespeople aren #39;t much help.


Cricket-Cricket Australia keeps fingers crossed over India TV <b>...</b>

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) - Cricket Australia said it is powerless to intervene in the wrangle over television rights for the much-awaited tour of India later this month.


Israeli Arab team enter big league

An Israeli football team which includes both Arab and Jewish players is to kick off its first big international match on Thursday evening in the UEFA cup.


Cubs Keep Pace: Ramirez fuels 5-4 victory

CINCINNATI, Ohio - While there were 32 active players on the Chicago Cubs roster Thursday night at Great American Ball Park, it was the Aramis Ramirez show with which folks were treated to in the Queen City.


5 EU states sign declaration on gendarmerie force

Five European Union (EU) member states signed a declaration of intent here Friday for a European gendarmerie force, marking a new milestone in the bloc #39;s road to independent defense building.


Consumer Prices Inch Up; Inflation Fears Continue to Fade

September 17, 2004 -- Consumer prices rose only 0.1 percent in August, led by a decline in gas and car prices, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday.


Chip tool orders fall in August

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Orders for chip-equipment placed with North American manufacturers declined in August and could decline further in coming months, an industry trade group said late Thursday.


Attack of the Radio Clones

Microsoft's new internet streaming service attempts to replicate terrestrial stations, without all the annoying chatter -- and without permission. By Randy Dotinga.


Farewell to Gravity

What once was the exclusive state of astronauts -- weightlessness -- is now available to anyone with a few grand to spare. Xeni Jardin goes for a ride on a commercial zero-gravity flight.


Bush, Lawmakers Discuss Social Security (AP)

AP - President Bush sought support from congressional leaders of both parties Monday for his proposal to overhaul Social Security, which promises to be a hotly contested political issue during his second term.


Sky Captain Barely Stays Aloft

The first film to be shot entirely against a blue screen boasts a striking visual style and deft references to adventure classics. But ultimately it's a bland tale. Jason Silverman reviews Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.


Twist a Pen, Open a Lock

Kryptonite's near-indestructible bike locks can be opened in seconds with a cheap plastic pen. This is pretty bad for Kryptonite: The same lock is widely used in vending machines, security panels and vehicle security products. By Leander Kahney.


Freak Rock to Buzz Earth

An asteroid with a wild orbit is about to zoom by our planet. Plus: Solving the mystery of the Pioneer anomaly could take decades.... A biologist finds a chunk of space shuttle Columbia. By Amit Asaravala.


U.K. ITunes Prices Questioned

A watchdog group asks a consumer-protection agency to look into the higher price of songs on Apple's British version of its iTunes service. Wendy M. Grossman reports from London.


Spam-Busting Plan Can't Buy a Pal

Microsoft's antispam Sender ID technology continues to get the cold shoulder. Now AOL adds its voice to a growing chorus of businesses and organizations shunning the proprietary e-mail authentication system.


Ford to end Jaguar production at plant in Coventry (AFP)

AFP - Jaguar car production is to end at a plant in Coventry, Warwickshire, with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs because of weak demand for the luxury brand, US parent company Ford announced.


XP price cut may be just the beginning (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - A tiny yet important crack has opened, with little notice, in the great Windows monopoly that surrounds personal computing.


Villeneuve to Race for Renault to End of Season

LONDON (Reuters) - Canadian Jacques Villeneuve will race  the last three grands prix of the season for Renault, the  Formula One team said on Friday.


Chechen Warlord Threatens More Attacks After Beslan

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed  responsibility on Friday for the Russian school siege in which  more than 320 hostages were killed, half of them children, and  threatened more attacks by any means he saw fit.


Pakistan Army Pounds Militants' Mountain Hideouts

WANA, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Pakistani army fired mortar  bombs and artillery shells at suspected mountain hideouts of al  Qaeda-linked militants in a remote tribal region on Friday, but  there were no details of casualties, witnesses said.


Pipeline blast kills 12 in Lagos

At least 12 people die in an explosion at a fuel pipeline on the outskirts of Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos.


India withdraws anti-terror law

The Indian cabinet agrees to repeal a controversial anti-terrorism law which it says has been misused.


'Water factory' aims to filter tensions

The solution to one of the thorniest problems in the Middle East may be taking shape on an anonymous-looking building site in south-west Israel.


EDS hit by US Airways #39; Chapter 11

EDS (Electronic Data Systems) warned yesterday that its third quarter earnings would take a significant hit from US Airways #39; Chapter 11 filing on Sunday.


Canada #39;s Top Central Banker Says Economy Looking Best in Years

Canadian central bank chief David Dodge told Finance Minister Ralph Goodale in July the country #39;s chances of steady economic and job growth are the best in years, a rosier assessment than his public statements on the matter.


Kodak, IBM See Eye to Eye on New Image Sensors

Eastman Kodak Company and IBM will work together to develop and manufacture image sensors used in such consumer products as digital still cameras and camera phones.


Insurers spared direct hit by Ivan

Insurers breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as Hurricane Ivan skirted New Orleans as well as the heart of the Gulf of Mexico #39;s oil region, saving the companies billions of dollars in claims.


AFL-CIO pounds job loss

Washington -- The AFL-CIO cranked up its campaign to stop the export of US jobs on Thursday by starting a database designed to track companies that outsource jobs overseas.


Dyer out for several weeks

Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer will be out for several weeks following a hamstring injury sustained in Thursday #39;s UEFA Cup match.


Home runs, errors and Cubs, oh my

The Cubs third baseman homered, doubled and homered in his first three at-bats against Reds starting pitcher Josh Hancock at Great American Ball Park.


49ERS NOTEBOOK McAllister: the star running back that got away

It could have been the Candlestick crowds crooning  quot;Deuuuce quot; instead of those in New Orleans. The 49ers were enamored with Saints running back Deuce McAllister before the 2001 draft, when McAllister went to the Saints with the 23rd overall pick.


Suspects Arrested in Rocket Attack On Afghan President #39;s <b>...</b>

Afghan officials say they have arrested three suspects in connection with a rocket attack on a helicopter carrying President Hamid Karzai.


Suicide car bomb kills five in Baghdad

A government source told Reuters he expected  quot;huge quot; casualties from Friday #39;s explosion, adding police officers were among the dead.


U.S. Stocks Set for Slightly Firmer Open

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set to move slightly  higher at the open on Friday with a \$1 billion share buyback at  Texas Instruments Inc. TXN.N supporting technology stocks,  although rising oil prices could limit gains.


European Stocks Hit 10-Week Peak

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares hit a fresh 10-week high  on Friday as a positive report on Chinese steel demand boosted  ore producers such as Anglo-American, while French utility  Veolia rose after posting solid first-half earnings.


Jaguar to Pull Out of Formula One

LONDON (Reuters) - Ford said on Friday its Jaguar Formula  One team would pull out of the sport at the end of the 2004  season.


More men charging harassment

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Sexual harassment complaints by men are becoming more common, according to a published report. Follow the news that matters to you.


US Stocks Set for Slightly Firmer Open

US stocks were set to move slightly higher at the open on Friday with a \$1 billion share buyback at Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) supporting


Marketing agreement between Delta, Alaska airlines

SEATTLE - The Alaska Air Group has a marketing agreement with Delta Air Lines that will give passengers a wider choice of destinations.


3Com narrows Q1 loss

3Com (COMS: news, chart, profile) reported a loss of \$35.5 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with a loss of \$106 million, or 29 cents a share, in the same period a year ago.


British Music Fans Decry ITunes Pricing

Instead of  quot;Think Different, quot; perhaps Apple Computer #39;s slogan should be  quot;Price Different, quot; says a group of disgruntled UK music fans.


Symantec acquires At Stake

Symantec Corp., the world #39;s largest maker of antivirus software, agreed to acquire closely held consultant At Stake Inc., which identifies programming faults in software, for an undisclosed sum.


FTC recommends \$100,000 bounty for spammers #39; heads

THE US Federal Trade Commission said that it had released a report which assessed whether offering bounties to turn in spammers would help stem the flood.


EasyJet Founder to Start Music Download Service

EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou said on Friday he would launch a music download service in the coming weeks, a year after he lost a music copyright infringement lawsuit to the British music industry.


SMS and surfing go sky high!

Boarding a flight would no longer mean doing away with your communication on your cell phone, with Airbus having developed technology that enables passengers to use their mobiles without interrupting navigational systems.


IBM expands radio frequency ID range

IBM has extended its range of radio frequency identification (RFID) offerings with a suite of services targeting industrial companies and mid-market businesses.


On deck: Padres (79-68) at Giants (82-65)

Tonight #39;s game: In their only outing against Lowry this season, coming after the rookie relieved Schmidt, the Padres amassed nine hits and four runs in three innings.


ENGLAND CONTRIBUTE TO STRUGGLING START

England #39;s kamikaze approach undermined the start of their ICC Champions Trophy showdown with Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl. Both captain Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss brought about their own downfalls with


Chechens #39; Basayev Takes Responsibility for Russian School Siege

Chechen rebel Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility for this month #39;s hostage-taking at a Russian school, in which at least 339 died, and for four other terrorist attacks in recent weeks, according to a rebel Web site.


Suicide Car Bomber Kills at Least 13 in Baghdad

A suicide car bomber killed at least 13 people in an attack on a police checkpoint in Baghdad on Friday, after a night of US air strikes around rebel-held Falluja that killed scores.


Williams Ends Bid to Sell Power Business

Williams Cos. Inc. 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.


Champions Trophy: Lankans gain ground

Sri Lanka gained ground in the opening stages of the Champions Trophy game against England at the Rose Bowl. England made a steady start before losing Vikram Solanki and captain Michael Vaughan as they reached 54-2 off 15.


Jackson maid 'acted suspiciously'

Michael Jackson's maid acted suspiciously during a raid at his ranch, a sheriff's deputy tells a court.


Jaguar to cut 1,100 jobs at plant in central England

Luxury carmaker Jaguar said Friday it was stopping production at a factory in central England, resulting in a loss of 1,100 jobs, following poor sales in the key US market.


Ottawa dumping petro-can

The federal government #39;s sale of its remaining 19 stake in Petro-Canada is imminent, ending Ottawa #39;s 29-year presence in the oilpatch, say sources in the investment community and the oil producer.


Williams offers to swap securities to cut debt

Williams Cos. Inc. (WMB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is offering to exchange up to 43.9 million of its Feline PACS securities in a bid to reduce its overall debt, the natural gas company said on Friday.


MICROSOFT IE LOSING THE EDGE

The Mozilla Foundation, which develops both the Mozilla and Firefox browsers and their underlying Gecko browsing engine, has noted that downloads of the Firefox browser have doubled from 3 million for version 0.8 to 6 million for version 0.9.


IBM to ship desktops with security chip

IBM has offered a security chip on some of its ThinkPad laptops, and the company will now be offering a similar technology on select desktop models.


Iomega preps WiFi storage solution

Iomega is soon expected to ship its first network-attached storage (NAS) device based on wireless networking technology. Called the NAS 100d, the product will be marketed as an entry-level


These robots are positively bestial

NAHANT, Mass. - Joseph Ayers was crouched over a laptop computer in a cool cinder-block shed barely big enough to house a riding lawn mower, watching a black lobster through a rectangular acrylic window.


HOPKINS SETS THE PACE

John Hopkins caused a surprise by claiming provisional pole position this morning for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. The Suzuki rider, who has endured a mediocre season so far, stole the limelight from


London 'call girl' gives up blog

The writer of an online journal describing her life as a London call girl has signed off.


Ford Boosts Profit Outlook (Reuters)

Reuters - Ford Motor Co.  on Friday raised\its third-quarter and 2004 profit forecasts because of strength\in its financial services business and cost improvements in its\car operations.


Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp is expected to unveil a  smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on  October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing  retailers and industry analysts.


Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan's Sony Corp is expected to unveil a\smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on\October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing\retailers and industry analysts.


French director shows film for free to defy critics (Reuters)

Reuters - French director Claude Lelouch has decided to show his new film "Les Parisiens" free across France to try to prove\wrong the critics who have panned it.


Judge Orders Microsoft to Pay \$112 Million

A judge is ordering Microsoft Corp. to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California's market.


Nortel Warns on 2004 Revenue Growth

Nortel Networks Corp. warned Thursday that its full-year growth is expected to trail the industry, rather than lead it as the company had predicted as recently as a month ago.


Texas Instruments Plans Buyback

\

 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Texas Instruments Inc., the\largest maker of chips for cellular phones, on Thursday said it\plans to buy back \$1 billion in stock and boost its quarterly\dividend by more than 17 percent, becoming the latest\technology company to return extra cash to investors.


Labor Web Site Tracks Jobs Sent Overseas

Organized labor is starting to track companies that ship U.S. jobs overseas and will make the information available to the public in a database.


Genesis Team Hopeful About Samples

Jet Propulsion Lab -- Genesis team scientists and engineers continue their work on the mission's sample return canister in a specially constructed clean room at the U.S. Army Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah...


China Building Next-Generation Space Rocket

BEIJING (AFP) -- China's space program is expecting government approval this year to build a new and more powerful rocket that will serve as the nation's vehicle to explore the moon, state media said reported.       According to Luan Enjie, director-in-chief of China's lunar exploration program, the new-generation carrier rocket will be developed over the next eight years, Xinhua news agency said...


Hurricanes May Have Upset NASA's Return-to-Flight Schedule

Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan have cost NASA a least a week's worth of work and upset its tight schedule for resuming shuttle flights, throwing into doubt the space agency's plans to launch Discovery in early spring.


What ails Oracle?

The fiesty software giant calls its recent slowdown in application sales a one-time fluke. Some say it's symptomatic of bigger problems


Catching the nano wave

CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says getting funding for the nanotechnology Manhattan Project is the right idea. But is anybody listening?


Cisco, Microsoft in security showdown

"End-to-end" systems seen as next evolution in network defense, but incompatible products could hurt customers.


FBI Seizes Counterfeit Software

Eleven charged in 'Digital Marauder' case that could hit \$87 million.


PFY proves self abuse cures male-pattern baldness

Episode 31 Breaking news from the proxy server


Ford lifts profit forecasts

Ford has raised its third-quarter and 2004 profit forecasts because of strength in its financial services business and cost improvements in its car operations.


EasyMusic enters UK music download frame

EasyJet owners the EasyGroup has entered the digital music business in tandem with UK operator, Wippit. The partners aim to launch the easyMusic.


Pulsating red giants hide inside deceptive shells

An optical illusion has caused astronomers to overestimate the size of a class of giant stars by a factor of two, according to new observations.


They #39;re robots? Those beasts!

NAHANT, Mass.--Joseph Ayers was crouched over a laptop in a cool cinder block shed barely big enough to house a ride-on lawn mower, watching a boxy-shelled black lobster through a rectangular acrylic window.


Jaguar leave the paddock

Jaguar have announced that they will pull out of Formula One at the end of the year. Joe Greenwell, company chairman and chief executive, said that revealed financial reasons were behind the company #39;s decision to end interest in the sport.


Sri Lanka peace process remains at standstill

A Norwegian peace envoy is wrapping up a visit to Sri Lanka, with no sign of any breakthrough in re-starting the country #39;s stalled peace process.


Suspected Muslim insurgents kill judge in Pattani?

Gunmen riding a motorcycle fatally shot a judge Friday when his car stopped at a traffic light, the most senior government figure to be killed in a Muslim separatist movement in southern Thailand, officials said.


Britain Could Send More Troops to Iraq-Minister (Reuters)

Reuters - Britain is prepared to\send more troops to Iraq if necessary to safeguard elections\planned for next year, Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said on\Friday.


British Music Fans Decry ITunes Pricing (PC World)

PC World - Consumer group complains of higher prices in U.K. than elsewhere in Europe.


Nazi Suspect Speaks on Role in Capture (AP)

AP - An 86-year-old Nazi war crimes suspect testified Wednesday that he played only a subordinate role in the 1944 capture in Slovakia of U.S. agents and an American war correspondent who were later executed.


Alcatel Ups U.S. Business with Acquisitions

PARIS (Reuters) - Alcatel has expanded its foothold in the  key North American market with the acquisition of a mobile  software provider and a conference technology business for \$277  million.


Maldives regrets EU block on aid

The Maldives expresses regret over a  European parliament resolution to block a \$2m aid package.


Live: Ryder Cup

The 35th Ryder Cup starts at 1310 BST on Friday, when the opening fourball match between the USA and Europe is set to tee off at Oakland Hills, Detroit.


Judge killed in latest southern Thai violence

A Buddhist judge was killed by a gunman on motorcycle in Thailand #39;s largely Muslim south on Friday as security officials and militants put bounties on their enemies, police officials said.


Sunny Fed leaves no doubt about another rate increase

Another Fed meeting looms with another quarter-point interest rate hike virtually assured. It may seem strange that the Fed continues to raise interest rates on the heels of a summer-long economic soft patch.


Jaguar puts brakes on at historic plant

Production is to cease at a Midlands factory where some of the world #39;s most iconic cars were made. Mark Tran looks at its history.


Manager at Edwards AFB harassed male employees, suit says

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A manager for a company that provides security for the space shuttle sexually harassed male employees over a period of two years, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a lawsuit filed Thursday.


Nortel Warns of Weaker Sales

Retreating from an upbeat forecast it made just last month, Nortel Networks Corp. on Thursday warned that third-quarter sales will fall below its second quarter and 2004 revenue growth at


Price tag mounts for storm damage

Even before Ivan #39;s impact on the Panhandle, estimates in Florida top \$30-billion as the result of Charley and Frances. By JEFF HARRINGTON, Times Staff Writer.


Japan shuts Citigroup private bank operations

Japan has ordered the commercial banking unit of Citigroup to close its Japanese private banking offices, shutting it out of the lucrative business and


11 charged over  #39;biggest-ever #39; MS piracy bust

Eleven people from across the US were indicted on Wednesday over alleged software piracy offences following the largest seizure of counterfeit Microsoft software to date.


Union sets up database to track job outsourcing

The AFL-CIO cranked up its campaign to stop the export of US jobs yesterday by launching a new database designed to track companies that outsource jobs overseas.


US takes aim at e-mail spammers

FTC says tracking them down won #39;t be cheap; rewards of up to \$250,000 needed, commission says. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Members of Congress have backed a program encouraging  quot;bounty hunters quot; to track down e-mail spammers.


HUGHES: I SAID NO TO UNITED

MARK HUGHES last night revealed he turned down a cushy number with Manchester United because he wanted to be his own man - and his own manager.


Cricket telecast back-up poser

Sept 16: Cricket authorities will seek a clarification from the court whether they can prepare a contingency plan if the dispute between Zee Telefilms and ESPN-STAR is not resolved soon.


Huge car bomb explodes in central Baghdad, causing casualties

A huge car bomb explosion in Rashid Street in central Baghdad resonated throughout the capital on Friday, causing several casualties, Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite TV reported.


Circuit City Posts Narrower Loss (Reuters)

Reuters - Circuit City Stores Inc. , on\Friday reported a smaller quarterly loss as it kept a tight\rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions,\notebook computers and other popular products.


Blair, Ahern press Northern Ireland rivals in talks grind (AFP)

AFP - Prime Ministers Tony Blair of Britain and Bertie Ahern of Ireland dug in with Northern Ireland's rival Catholic and Protestant parties for a second day of talks aimed at restoring the province's power-sharing government.


Explosions Rock Central Baghdad (AP)

AP - A series of explosions rocked central Baghdad on Friday afternoon during a day of violence in the capital. The cause or exact location of the blasts was not immediately clear. The blasts came only hours after a suicide car bomb detonated near a row of parked police cars, killing at least five people and wounding 20.


Italy to stop applying EU sanctions against Libya: Interior Minister (AFP)

AFP - Italy will stop applying EU sanctions against Libya next week even if the measures are not lifted by the European Union, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu revealed.


Civil Aviation Minister fights foreign stakes in Indian airlines (Reuters)

Reuters - India's aviation ministry is fighting a push to allow foreign airlines to buy into domestic carriers, pressing instead for local companies to expand overseas.


FBI Seizes Counterfeit Software (PC World)

PC World - Eleven charged in 'Digital Marauder' case that could hit  #36;87 million.


Ford Boosts Profit Outlook

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. on Friday raised its  third-quarter and 2004 profit forecasts because of strength in  its financial services business and cost improvements in its  car operations.


Circuit City Posts Narrower Loss

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. CC.N, on  Friday reported a smaller quarterly loss as it kept a tight  rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions,  notebook computers and other popular products.


Mexico's Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Make a Comeback (Reuters)

Reuters - Sea turtles are spawning in record\numbers along Mexico's Pacific coast this year, thanks largely\to stepped up protection against poachers, the nation's\environmental watchdog said on Wednesday.


Jaguar and Ford Pull Out of Formula One

LONDON (Reuters) - Jaguar will pull out of Formula One at  the end of 2004, with parent company Ford's engine maker  Cosworth also up for sale.


#36;1.3M Plan Aims to Save Calif. State Fish (AP)

AP - Federal and state officials plan to announce Friday an agreement to spend  #36;1.3 million over the next five years to save California's state fish.


Study Eyes Salmonella, Typhoid, Monkeypox (AP)

AP - Oregon researchers have started work on a new five-year,  #36;10.3 million biodefense contract to find the proteins associated with bacteria that cause salmonella poisoning and typhoid fever, and the virus that causes monkeypox.


In a Battered Pensacola, 'It Was Bad Everywhere'

People in the Gulf Coast city of Pensacola, Fla., emerged to find backyards flooded and light posts bent at right angles. Still, many said it could have been worse.


Fla. Bears Brunt of Ivan; 24 Dead in U.S.

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Hurricane Ivan was the deadliest hurricane to hit the United States since Floyd in 1999, but it could have been worse...


Putin Threatens Preventive Terror Actions

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia was preparing to take preventive action against terrorists, the Interfax news agency reported.    Putin said that "now in Russia, we are seriously preparing to act preventively against terrorists," Interfax reported...


Mobiles in aircraft edge closer

The European plane maker Airbus says it foresees the use of mobile phones on aircraft by 2006.


Sony to Launch Smaller PS2 Console Oct. 26-Report

Japan #39;s Sony Corp is expected to unveil a smaller version of its popular PlayStation 2 game console on October 26, The Hollywood Reporter said on its Web site, citing retailers and industry analysts.


IBM fits PCs with new hardware-based security chip

SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - IBM Corp. has begun using new security hardware from National Semiconductor Corp. in its desktop PCs in an effort to fend off viruses and hackers.


MyDoom Variant Describes Itself

A new variant of the Internet worm MyDoom - Mydoom.Y - has anti-virus vendors puzzled. Not because they can #39;t do anything about it but because it comes along with a description of itself.


Problema Violencia A Roma Continua (Pardo Duo)

The abandoned Roma v Dynamo Kiev game cannot be awarded to the Ukranians, as the two teams are involved in a group, rather than a knock-out between the two of them.


Huygens Probe Test Successful

European Space Agency -- ESAs Huygens probe, now orbiting Saturn on board the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini spacecraft, is in good health and successfully passed its fifteenth In-Flight Checkout on 14 September 2004.     This in-flight checkout procedure was the last but one planned before separation of the Huygens probe from Cassini in December this year, and it included some specific activities that were intended to prepare for the separation...


Strings of Shadowy Rings Drape Saturn

Jet Propulsion Lab -- Saturn's ring shadows appear wrapped in a harmonious symphony with the planet in this color view from the Cassini spacecraft.     Saturn and its rings would nearly fill the space between Earth and the Moon...


Kids Give Language Its Shape

Children's brains are hard-wired to learn languages and, in some cases, to improve upon them. That's the conclusion of a new study that followed several generations of deaf Nicaraguan children as they created their own sign language and then continuously tinkered it with each new group of signers.


Vegetables Help Fight Breast Cancer

Compound in broccoli and other greens stops malignant cell growth    HealthDayNews -- The anticancer compound sulforaphane, found in vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale, blocks the growth of late-stage breast cancer cells, a new study says.    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers say their finding, which appears in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition, could help improve prevention and treatment of breast cancer...


Fertility Clinics Vary on Embryo Disposal Techniques

By DAVID B. CARUSO    PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The nation's fertility clinics vary widely when it comes to how they perform one of the most delicate aspects of their jobs: disposing of unused frozen human embryos that were created to help infertile women become pregnant...


FDA Approves Defibrillator Without Prescription

By DIEDTRA HENDERSON     WASHINGTON (AP) -- People worried about sudden cardiac arrest no longer need a doctor's prescription to buy devices that jump-start the heart.     The Food and Drug Administration for the first time agreed Thursday to let consumers go online and purchase the \$2,000 devices for home use...


Police nab German lawyer in piracy raid

Continuing its crackdown on software pirates, German police arrested a 46-year-old lawyer, two brothers, and a teenager on Thursday for allegedly selling illegal software, movies, games, and music through a commercial online service, according to the German Federation Against Copyright Theft (GVU).


Alcatel buys conferencing software developer eDial

PARIS - French telecommunications equipment specialist Alcatel SA has acquired a U.S. manufacturer of conferencing and collaboration products, eDial Inc., Alcatel said Friday.


SAP acquires U.S., Swiss units of SAP SI

SAP AG has agreed to acquire the Swiss and U.S. business units of SAP Systems Integration AG (SAP SI), bringing its absorption of the company nearer to completion.


Via's upcoming processor to be called C7

Via Technologies Inc.'s next generation of desktop microprocessors, based on the Esther processor core, will be called C7, the company said Thursday. Mobile versions of the chip will be called C7-M.


Daily Briefing

EUGENE -- Recreational vehicle maker Country Coach has announced plans to hire 150 to 175 workers by the end of the year, the latest sign of the red-hot RV market.


FBI Seizes Counterfeit Software

A two-year investigation by US law enforcement authorities has resulted in one of the largest seizures of fake software ever in the US and charges against 11 individuals, government officials say.


Report Recommends Bounty for Spammers

By JENNIFER C. KERR    WASHINGTON (AP) -- What would it take to get someone to turn in one of those spammers who send millions of unwanted e-mails? At least \$100,000, the Federal Trade Commission figures...


Microsoft to Pay \$113 Million to California Lawyers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A judge is ordering the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) to pay \$112.5 million to attorneys who successfully sued the software maker for monopolizing a segment of California's market...


Infineon to Pay \$160 Million Price Fixing Fine

By CURT ANDERSON    WASHINGTON (AP) -- German computer chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG (IFX) has agreed to plead guilty to price fixing and will pay a \$160 million fine, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.    In a plea agreement filed in U.S...


European Group Seeks Ways to Prosecute Cybercrime

By ROBERT WIELAARD    STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- Governments and private sector officials from around the world sought ways Thursday to jointly combat cybercrime, whose growth mirrors the phenomenal rise of the Internet's popularity.    At a conference organized by the Council of Europe, delegates from Europe, the United States, Australia and China digested new data pointing to an increasing problem of global proportions: How can national law stop those who commit fraud, spread racism, steal credit card numbers or sell child pornography worldwide, nonstop and just about anonymously?    On top of that, while fraud and copyright infringements remain the lion's share of cybercrime, there is rising concern about terrorists going online to spread more than just propaganda...


Microsoft #39;s Chief Linux Strategist Interviewed

sl0wp0is0n writes  quot;Computerworld has published an interview with Microsoft #39;s chief Linux strategist, Martin Taylor. It #39;s interesting to find out that Microsoft thinks and predicts Novell (SuSE) will be the


Will favorites finally win one?

Just why the United States team is considered the favorite in the Ryder Cup is a bit of a mystery, given the simple fact that the European team is 5-3-1 in the last nine matches.


Jaguar and Ford Pull Out of Formula One

Jaguar will pull out of Formula One at the end of 2004, with parent company Ford #39;s engine maker Cosworth also up for sale. Ford #39;s bombshell announcement on Friday has huge


Monty Gives Europe Early Advantage at Oakland Hills

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Colin Montgomerie  drew first blood for holders Europe with a birdie-three at the  first hole as the 35th Ryder Cup began at Oakland Hills under  cloudy skies on Friday.


Circuit City Posts Smaller Quarterly Loss

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. CC.N on  Friday reported a smaller quarterly loss as it kept a tight  rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions,  notebook computers and other popular products.


Bush overcomes bin Laden in battle for Britain's Turner Prize (AFP)

AFP - An exhibit featuring a film about US President George W. Bush's home town in Texas won the Turner Prize, Britain's most prestigious art award, pipping a digital recreation of Osama bin Laden's house.


U.S. Says Iran Nuke Freeze Offer a Ploy

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday it might extend its  partial freeze of uranium enrichment in order to ease Western  fears about its nuclear ambitions but a U.S. official dismissed  this as a ploy to fend off tough U.N. action.


Report: Zook accepts Illinois job

BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - It appears as though Ron Zook did not have to wait too long to find another job. According to an ESPN.


Live: Action from the Ryder Cup

All the action from Friday's fourballs as the USA and Europe lock horns at Oakland Hills.


Kenyan sues over 'HIV sacking'

A woman is allowed to bring Kenya's first lawsuit for alleged discrimination for being HIV positive.


Ivan #39;s wrath keeps oil prices up

Reports of damage to several oil facilities and more storms on the way raise crude prices. LONDON (Reuters) - Crude prices climbed Friday as oil companies surveyed the damage wreaked by Hurricane Ivan after the storm pounded the key oil producing region.


Talks on Airbus subsidies hit snags

Bee Washington Bureau. WASHINGTON - Trying to avert a trans-Atlantic trade war over government subsidies to Airbus, US and European negotiators found little to agree on Thursday during a five-hour meeting in Brussels, Belgium.


Ford Raises Profit Forecast, Makes Cuts at Jaguar (Update3)

Ford Motor Co. raised its forecast for third-quarter earnings by 10 cents a share and said it would end unprofitable Jaguar car production at a Coventry, England, plant and pull out of Formula One racing.


Canadian Bonds Rise, Dollar Drops After Core Inflation Declines

Canadian bonds rose and the dollar dropped after the government said so-called core inflation unexpectedly fell in August. The figures suggested policy makers may lift their key interest rate less than predicted this year.


United Airlines says it needs to cut \$500 million more in costs

CHICAGO United Airlines officials say they need to cut an additional 500 (m) million dollars in costs to help the carrier fly out of bankruptcy.


Circuit City Second-Quarter Loss Narrows to 6 Cents a Share

Circuit City Stores Inc., the No. 2 US electronics chain, said its second-quarter loss narrowed to \$11.9 million as the company sold more plasma-screen televisions and benefited from the acquisition of a Canadian retailer.


Petro-Can sale ends Ottawa #39;s oilpatch era

The federal government closed its window on the oil industry Thursday, saying that it is selling its last 19 per cent stake in Calgary-based Petro-Canada.


New blow for Sender ID as AOL joins disbelievers

AOL is the latest and largest company to back away from Microsoft #39;s Sender ID software, designed to cut spam by identifying the source of the email.


Easy Listening from New Download Service

Greek entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Iouannou said today he was expanding his Easy business empire with a new online music download service.


Mobiles in aircraft edge closer

Soon you could be using your mobile phone on flights as easily as you do on the High Street. A two-year investigation has shown that mobiles can be used on planes without interfering with navigation systems.


Ryder-Monty gives Europe early advantage at Oakland Hills

Colin Montgomerie drew first blood for holders Europe with a birdie-three at the first hole as the 35th Ryder Cup began at Oakland Hills under cloudy skies on Friday.


C Palace v Man City (Sat)

Trevor Sinclair is Manchester City #39;s only doubt after picking up a knock in the game against Everton. Antoine Sibierski stands by to replace him, but Steve McManaman is still out with an Achilles problem.


44 die as violence in Iraq escalates

Baghdad - United States forces pounded suspected hideouts of an al-Qaeda-linked group in and around the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah and battled insurgents in Baghdad on Friday, killing at least 44 people, the military and the health ministry


2 Americans, Briton seized in Iraq Civilian foreigners appear new <b>...</b>

Baghdad -- Masked gunmen kidnapped two Americans and a Briton from their Baghdad residence on Thursday in an attack that appeared to herald a new level of danger for foreign civilians in Iraq.


Russia considers terror strikes

President Vladimir Putin says Russia is  quot;seriously preparing to act preventively against terrorists, quot; the Interfax news agency reported.


Explosions rock central Baghdad

A series of explosions rocked central Baghdad on Friday afternoon during a day of violence in the capital. The cause or exact location of the blasts was not immediately clear.


Dismay and Sadness at Jaguar Decision

News that the assembly of Jaguar cars in Coventry will stop was greeted with dismay locally today. Residents in the village of Allesley, where the Browns Lane factory is based, expressed


USA : IBM announces integration of RFID capabilities in middleware

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is in news these days. And it is the middleware that gives meaning to the collection activity of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, turning the data for usable purposes.


The iPod Year in Review

Neither pundits nor the general population in 2003 would ever have predicted just how strong of a year 2004 would be for Apple Computer.


Oil Up, U.S. Storm Season Fuels Worries

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices surged almost a dollar  on Friday on worries that the ongoing storm season in the U.S.  Gulf would continue to hamper energy production and imports,  delaying vital pre-winter stock building.


Stocks Seen Higher, Ford Ups Forecast

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were set to open higher on  Friday after Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its earnings  forecasts, while a \$1 billion share buyback at Texas  Instruments Inc. TXN.N could support technology stocks.


Treasury Yields Hold at Lows Before Data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Treasury yields held near five-months  lows on Friday as the market digested recent hefty gains while  awaiting a key reading on the U.S. consumer.


Germans flock to see Hitler film

More than 100,000 German filmgoers see a controversial movie about Adolf Hitler on its opening night.


For Some Beslan Families, Hope Itself Dies Agonizingly

By the families' own count, there are 122 victims of the school siege in Beslan, Russia, not yet identified or found.


Woods, Mickelson Off to Shaky Ryder Start

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were paired for the first time in Friday's opening match of the Ryder Cup, a dynamic twosome that hoped to get the United States rolling toward bringing the chalice back to this side of the Atlantic...


Baghdad Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 5

A suicide attacker detonated a car packed with explosives in front of a row of parked police cars in central Baghdad on Friday, killing at least five people and wounding 20, officials said.


Circuit City loss below forecasts

Circuit City Stores Inc. reported a smaller quarterly loss Friday as it kept a tight rein on expenses and demand increased for digital televisions, notebook computers and other popular products.


Rossi: Well go for it

Rossi heads to Japan with a 29-point lead over Sete Gibernau thanks to a stunning victory et Estoril two weeks ago, but for all his six success this season, you can bet your house that The Doctor will be giving it everything he #39;s got to deny Honda victory


Loeb leads the way in Rally of Britain

Citroen #39;s championship leader Sebastien Loeb made a flying start to the Rally of Britain on Friday to seize the lead from Ford #39;s overnight front-runner Francois Duval.


US strike on Falluja  #39;kills 60 #39;

A US air strike on a  quot;terrorist meeting site quot; in Falluja Thursday night killed approximately 60 foreign fighters with ties to known terrorist leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the Coalition Press Information Center said.


Women in science get centre boost

The UK opens a national centre for women scientists, engineers and technologists to combat under-representation in the field.


Challenges are great - in moderation

San Diego State is going to the Big House to convene with a Forbes 500 athletic corporation, the dynamic octopus known as the University of Michigan.


AOL Shuns Microsoft's Anti-Spam Technology

By ANICK JESDANUN     NEW YORK (AP) -- Add America Online Inc. to the growing list of companies and organizations shunning a spam-fighting proposal from Microsoft Corp...


Kimono-Makers Now Employ Computer Graphics

For centuries, Japan's kimono-makers have relied on stencils, paintbrushes and hours of labor to turn out their elaborate and graceful creations. Kimono designer Yuko Iwakuma uses some more up-to-date tools: a computer and an ink-jet printer.


American Red Cross and Ask Jeeves Help Hurricane Victims\\Ask Jeeves today announced that the Company has teamed with the American Red Cross to aid victims of the recent hurricanes and other disasters. Ask Jeeves has launched redcross.ask.com to offer people an easy way to help the Red Cross. Ask Jeeves ...


How many planets are there, Indian president asks South African students (AFP)

AFP - South African students at a high school in a township outside Durban were treated to a special science lesson delivered by Indian President Abdul Kalam.


IBM registers grid computing wins

Claiming grid technology continues to expand outside its traditional scientific and research markets, IBM on Friday is announcing that several grid-based commercial projects built on IBM platforms have been launched, including one at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


Airbus questions EU's decision on Microsoft

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS has taken issue with part of the European Union's (E.U.'s) antitrust decision against Microsoft Corp. and has filed a petition with the court handling the software maker's appeal.


Jaguar to Eliminate 1,150 Jobs

Luxury carmaker Jaguar said Friday it was stopping assembly work at its headquarters and cutting 1,150 jobs as a result of overproduction and poor sales in the key US market.


Economy: Unctad Warns of Threats to Global Recovery

The current recovery of the global economy is dampened by risks that could give rise to financial and exchange-rate instability and to a slowdown in growth, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned Thursday.


Voq Professional Phone Now Available from TigerDirect and Tech <b>...</b>

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR) (TSX:SW) announced today that the Voq Professional Phone(TM) is now available in North America through members of Intel #39;s Product Dealer (IPD) program.


Myskina Upset, Kuznetsova Still Winning at WTA Bali

US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova extended her streak to eight wins in a row on tour at the WTA stop in Bali Thursday, defeating Aussie qualifier Sam Stosur in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.


Japan baseball players go on strike

Tokyo, Japan (Sports Network) - Japan #39;s baseball players have decided to go on strike for the first time in the 70-year history of the sport in that nation.


Carter wants out of Canada

quot;It #39;s time to resurrect my career. quot; Those were Vince Carter #39;s words to the Toronto Star yesterday, making public his demands to be traded.


Nigerian Police Say Dozens Killed in Pipeline Blast

Dozens of people were killed in a petroleum pipeline explosion in the commercial capital Lagos early on Thursday morning, Nigerian police said on Friday .


US Sept Consumer Sentiment Barely Budges (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. consumer sentiment stagnated in\early September, according to a survey released on Friday, as\doubts about the economy and the job market persisted.


NHL on Ice, Maybe for Whole 2004-05 Season (AP)

AP - No shots, no saves, no goals. The National Hockey League locked out its players, threatening to keep the sport off the ice for the entire 2004-05 season and perhaps beyond in an effort by management to gain massive economic change.


US Stocks Higher, Helped by Ford Outlook (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday\after Ford Motor Co.  raised its earnings forecasts, but\Qualcomm Inc.  weighed on the Nasdaq index after the\wireless technology company said it would review how it\accounts for technology royalties.


Diplomat Says N. Korea Blast Not Nukes (AP)

AP - A diplomat who visited the site of a huge explosion in North Korea said Friday he saw no evidence it was caused by a nuclear test, and South Korean officials said mushroom-shaped plume thought to be from the blast may have instead been a natural cloud formation.


Cooper Tire to Sell Unit for \$1.165 Bln

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. CTB.N on  Friday said it agreed to sell an automotive parts  business to  buyout firms Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners  for about \$1.165 billion, the latest private equity purchase in  the sector.