Mexico set to pass Canada in vehicle sales

Mexico is poised overtake Canada in annual passenger vehicle sales by 2010, a situation one economist says could make it more difficult for Canada to lure future investments from automakers, including the construction of new assembly plants and


11 killed by bomb

A roadside bomb killed 10 Indian soldiers and their civilian driver Sunday in Indian-controlled Kashmir in separatist guerrillas #39; most devastating attack since


IBM Rolling Out Biggest WebSphere Update in 2 Years (Reuters)

Reuters - IBM late on Tuesday announced the\biggest update of its popular WebSphere business software in\two years, adding features such as automatically detecting and\fixing problems.


Microsoft Ships Virtual Machine For Mac (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Microsoft ships Virtual PC for Mac, version 7.


Mixed fortunes for fashion chains

Fashion retailers Austin Reed and Ted Baker have reported contrasting fortunes on the High Street. Austin Reed reported interim losses of 2.


Alaska Airlines: September traffic rose

Alaska Airlines flew 1.25 billion revenue passenger miles during the month, up from 1.09 billion miles flown a year earlier. Monthly load factor rose to 68.


Update 1: Singapore Shares End Higher

Singapore shares ended higher Wednesday led by selected blue chips, with investors expecting the market rally to continue, traders said.


Bratz topples Barbie in Battle of the Dolls

At the ripe old age of 45, Barbie has been knocked off her perch in Britain by streetwise upstart Bratz in the Christmas battle of the dolls.


AstraZeneca delays Galida filing to 2007

LONDON, October 6 (newratings.com) - AstraZeneca (AZN.ISE) has delayed the regulatory approval filing target for its diabetes drug, Galida, from 2006 to 2007, while admitting that its anti-blood clotting drug, Exanta, was unlikely to receive the US


Microsoft adds MSN TV 2 Internet  amp; Media Player

Microsoft #39;s MSN TV division has introduced its MSN TV 2 Internet  amp; Media Player, a broadband-enabled device designed to bring MSN content, PC-stored digital media and email to televisions.


Deal to salvage troubled Alitalia

ALITALIA bosses and unions along with the government today announced their agreement on a deal to salvage the troubled Italian flag-carrier.


Fannie Mae #39;s Raines Strongly #39; Disagrees With Regulator Report

Fannie Mae Chief Executive Franklin Raines will tell a US House panel the largest government- sponsored mortgage finance company strongly #39; #39; disagrees with a report by its regulator


Singapore prices close 0.21 percent higher in cautious trading

SINGAPORE : Singapore shares prices closed 0.21 percent higher Wednesday, with investors cautious as record high oil prices prompted a round of quick profit-taking on any gains, dealers said.


AstraZeneca Faces Another Setback as Galida Filing Delayed

AstraZeneca Plc, the UK #39;s second-biggest drugmaker, delayed the regulatory filing of its diabetes medicine Galida by a year to 2007, a setback that comes a month after US scientists questioned


Google Launches Amazon-Style Book Search Business

Google Inc. on Wednesday quietly launched a new search technology to help publishers sell books online, a fast-growing market dominated by Internet retailer Amazon.


AMD dual-core Opterons gain SSE 3 support

AMD #39;s dual-core AMD64 chips will provide instructions compatible with Intel #39;s SSE 3 technology, the chip maker announced at the Microprocessor Forum yesterday.


Microsoft plans tune-up of Media Center PC

With the next generation of Media Center PCs, you #39;ll be able to have your TV and record it too. For the first time, Microsoft #39;s Windows XP Media Center Edition is supporting multiple tuners, meaning that consumers


BERLIN, Germany, October 6 (PRNewswire)

Replace MP3 players and PDAs with AIBO. With the advanced new AIBO MIND 2software, AIBO gains the ability to record moving pictures through wirelessconnectivity, recognise patterns, voices and faces, obey


Wanted: Simple home security

How much data can fit through broadband pipes? The next big broadband battle is going to turn on that very question. With data speeds increasing and monthly charges now within range of most family budgets, you


EarthLink gets into VoIP

EarthLink Inc, one of the US #39;s largest consumer ISPs, said yesterday it has started offering free voice over IP calls to subscribers of its high speed service.


Sun doubles UltraSparc performance

Sun Microsystems has announced an upgrade to its UltraSparc IV processor with further use of chip multithreading. UltraSparc IV is a dual core design fabricated by Texas Instruments on its 90nm process.


Apple testing guru banned from... testing

TO ANYONE working in the technology press, the reluctance of Apple to send out review machines to magazines or websites is notorious.


India #39;s Kumble claims 400th test scalp

India #39;s Anil Kumble became the third spin bowler in test history to take 400 wickets on the opening day of the first test against Australia on Wednesday.


Tiger ties the knot

Former world number one Tiger Woods has married Swedish model Elin Nordegren at the luxury Sandy Lane resort in Barbados. Eight-times major winner Woods, widely regarded as the best player


Glazer set for charm mission

MALCOLM Glazer is to launch a charm offensive to persuade fellow major Manchester United shareholders to back his proposed takeover bid.


Pakistan confident of winning one-day tri-series

MULTAN: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq is confident his revitalised team can win their first home one-day cricket title ahead of their first tri-series match against outsiders Zimbabwe here.


Dale Jr. slips to 2nd after slip of tongue

The exuberant utterance of a four-letter word could end up costing Dale Earnhardt Jr., stock-car racing #39;s most popular driver, his first NASCAR championship and has touched off


Sub crew safe after fire off the coast of Ireland

HALIFAX (CP) - Canada #39;s problem-plagued submarine fleet was hit by another major setback Tuesday when a small electrical fire broke out aboard HMCS Chicoutimi as it was making its maiden trip to Canada from its former base in Scotland.


US-led forces push to retake rebel zone

US and Iraqi forces have pushed on with their second major offensive in a week, hunting insurgents in a triangle southwest of Baghdad that has become one of Iraq #39;s most notorious hot spots.


Bid for UN seat  #39;solid, #39; Powell says

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said yesterday that Brazil is a  quot;serious quot; and  quot;solid quot; candidate for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council, although


Tony Blair arrives in Sudan for talks

Prime Minister Tony Blair has touched down in the Sudan for talks in the crisis-ridden country. Mr Blair arrived in capital city Khartoum ready to urge the Sudanese government to end the slaughter that has


Deal near to end Sadr City battle

Iraq #39;s interim government could be within days of reaching what a US official calls a  quot;breakthrough quot; deal to end fighting for control of Sadr City, a Shiite slum on the eastern outskirts of Baghdad.


US, Iraqi Forces Conducting Anti-Insurgency Operations

6 October 2004 -- US and Iraqi forces today conducted sweeping operations south of Baghdad and continued pounding suspected militant positions in the town of Al-Fallujah.


Iran adds to int #39;l worries with high range missile

LONDON, Oct 6 (IranMania) - Iran declared Tuesday it had ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) and could produce ones with a greater range, an announcement likely to add to international concerns over its weapons capabilities.


French PM hits out at hostage bid fiasco

French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has denied allegations his government secretly endorsed a failed attempt by maverick congressional deputy Didier Julia to free two journalists held in Iraq.


Job-Seekers #39; Odyssey Freighted With Risk

The smuggler tantalized the young men of Zenara with a promise to get them out of the fly-covered poverty of their town 50 miles north of Cairo and transport them to a promised land of jobs and money in Italy.


Fannie Mae execs set their defense

Managers of mortgage finance company Fannie Mae will defend themselves before Congress Wednesday amid government findings that they broke accounting rules to deliver steady earnings growth quarter after quarter.


Austin Reed gets dressing down

Upmarket clothing firm Austin Reed ARD.L has posted a first-half loss as it struggles to appeal to women over 40, who it says are rejecting its Country Casual brand for more youthful fashions.


StarHub share offer to raise \$271m

StarHub Ltd., Singapore #39;s sole cable TV operator, has priced its initial public offering at the bottom of its forecast range, raising S\$457.


Your Own Web at Yahoo  #39;My Web #39;

Internet portal Yahoo has launched a personalization feature in its search engine in an effort to counter Google #39;s ever-rising popularity.


Intel, Nokia team up to develop  quot;smart quot; phone

Chip giant Intel announced that it has joined forces with the world #39;s largest handset maker, Nokia, to develop the next generation mobile phone.


Blogger Boss to Leave Google

The co-founder of Blogger, one of the original Weblogging services and now owned by Google Inc., is leaving the company by the end of the week.


Lanka will depend on Asia Cup momentum

Karachi, October 5: Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu said his side must build on their Asia Cup win as they face hosts Pakistan in the tri-series one-day tournament here at the National Stadium tomorrow.


Lazio face tough encounters

Forty qualifiers were divided into eight groups of five at today #39;s draw for the inaugural UEFA Cup group stage in Switzerland, with the top seeds SS Lazio drawn in a testing pool alongside opposition from Spain, England, Serbia and Montenegro, and Greece.


Pirated copies of Windows XP cannot install Service Pack 2

Paying customers only: Microsoft. Company has blocked registration codes that are known to be from illegal copies. Q: I thought that Microsoft was going to make Service Pack 2 available to all XP users, licensed or unlicensed.


Owen  amp; Becks named on World Player short-list

Justice has been served. Following his dynamic season for Liverpool, breathtaking contribution at Euro 2004, and goals-laden start to his career in Spain, Michael Owen has rightly been named on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.


BAR not ready to beat Ferrari - Sato

BAR has a long way to go before it can dream of regularly beating world champion team Ferrari, 2005 driver Takuma Sato said on Wednesday.


US Warplanes Bomb Suspected Zarqawi Safe House in Fallujah

The US military in Iraq says warplanes struck a building in Fallujah Wednesday that is alleged to be a safe house for wanted terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.


Straw upbeat over Iraq elections

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said he is impressed with the progress made on preparing for elections in Iraq. After meeting with the country #39;s independent electoral commission, Mr Straw said he was  quot;encouraged quot; by the technical progress being made.


Afghan Election Hopeful Survives Assassination Attempt

A convoy carrying Afghan President Hamid Karzais vice presidential running-mate came under attack today in north-eastern Afghanistan, the presidential palace said.


A Simple Plan

Some here might remember a time when Kuro5hin was full of (arguably) interesting commentary, articles, and diaries. Today, by contrast, it is about half crapflooding and other inane drivel and half (arguably) interesting commentary, or at least commentary written with an earnest intent to be interesting. How can that situation be rectified? And why should we care? Within, I discuss these two questions drawing from observation of the Daily Kos (ignoring its political nature if we can).


Comparing Australian Foreign Policy With Respect To Terrorism

Australia is facing a federal election on October 9th with the two main parties having little to separate them in domestic and economic policy. Where the Liberal and Labor parties differ greatly is in foreign policy. The Liberal Party adheres to the "Great and Powerful Friends" doctrine while the Labor Party pursues the doctrine of "Asian Engagement".        Since the September 11th attacks on the United States, terrorism has been thrust to the fore as the dominant security issue facing western nations. Australia has not had a terrorist attack on its shores; but two attacks in Bali and Jakarta have occurred in Indonesia that can be construed as terrorist attacks against Australia. Consequently terrorism for Australia is a foreign policy issue. On this basis the competing foreign policies of the Liberal Party and Labor Party can be compared.


FIFA publish World Player of the year list

FIFA has given out the nominees list for the 2004 World Player award to be presented on December 20th at the Zurich Opera House. 35 contenders are listed.


STANFORD NOTEBOOK Gilbertson gives edge to Stanford

Washington coach Keith Gilbertson, whose team lost to Notre Dame and Stanford the past two weeks, thinks Stanford (3-1) might have some advantages in its game Saturday at Notre Dame (3-2).


Straw Again Rules Out Bigley Kidnap Negotiations

The British government is ready to listen Ken Bigleys kidnappers but will not enter into negotiations with them for the hostages release, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in Baghdad today.


Nuclear ship docks in French port

The first of two ships carrying weapons-grade plutonium from the United States has docked in France. The British-registered Pacific Pintail is said to be carrying enough plutonium to make 40 nuclear bombs.


Karzai #39;s Running Mate Escapes Afghan Mine Blast

Afghan President Hamid Karzai #39;s running mate for Saturday #39;s historic presidential election escaped unhurt Wednesday when a mine exploded under his convoy in the remote northeast of the country.


2.7m loss doesn #39;t suit Reed chiefs

A LOSS of 2.7 million at the half-year stage was today described by management at clothing group Austin Reed as  quot;unacceptable quot;.


Alaska Air sees \$45 mln-\$55 mln in severance costs

Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it expects \$45 million to \$55 million in pre-tax costs for severance pay and other benefits for employees laid off during its planned restructuring.


Michigan struggling to fill nursing ranks, study shows

Michigan needs to grow its supply of nurses because the state #39;s 143,604 licensed nurses are graying, and there #39;s no untapped pool of nurses who can fill the gap as they retire, a survey released today concludes.


Tiger Woods Marries Swedish Ex-Nanny

LONDON (Reuters) - Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods has  married Swedish model Elin Nordegren at the luxury Sandy Lane  resort in Barbados, The Daily Nation newspaper reported on  Wednesday.


California dreamin'? It's a reality

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The blueprint was followed down to almost every nuance, every wrinkle, every desired contour.


Caminiti guilty but has served time

Former NL Most Valuable Player Ken Caminiti admitted in court that he violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine last month, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail in Houston. But State District Judge William Harmon gave Caminiti credit for time served in jail and a treatment facility since he was sentenced to three years probation for cocaine ...


A place is saved for Hernandez

As expected, the Yankees bumped first baseman Jason Giambi off the playoff roster yesterday to save a place for tired-armed righthander Orlando Hernandez , who manager Joe Torre said will get  quot;every opportunity to be in the mix. quot;


Santana was an escape artist

The Great Santana, he was not. But even the Pretty Good Santana was enough to silence the Yankees last night.


<cite>Reg</cite> in free (ish) wine giveaway

Cash'n'Carrion Sign up for newsletter, get  #163;20 Virgin plonk voucher


Boras holds the line on Varitek and Lowe

As much as the Red Sox want to prevent Jason Varitek from playing elsewhere next year, they had their last best chance this season to work out a deal with him in spring training. They have not negotiated with Varitek, a potential free agent, since then and will not have their next opportunity to reach an agreement ...


Wright back on right track

Jaret Wright couldn't get much lower: Waived by the last-place San Diego Padres last summer, he stood outside Houston's Minute Maid Park with his luggage stacked beside him, waiting for a cab that would take him to the airport.


He's in position to succeed

In his ninth year with the Patriots, Tedy Bruschi has continued to defy description. Is he a defensive lineman in a linebacker's body? Or is he a linebacker with a defensive lineman's demeanor?


School net search throws up porn

Sixth formers ask Jeeves for information on the heart and get links to hardcore porn.


Payton finding his place

Gary  quot;The Mentor quot; Payton made his presence felt yesterday at Patrick Gymnasium. He clapped to offer encouragement. He pulled Marcus Banks aside for pointers. He talked about his favorite role, as team leader. By force of physical fitness and personality, Payton dominated the first day of Celtics training camp on the court and in conversation.


New rule isn't very practical

Prior to the preseason, the NBA instituted new rules about the amount of time each team can actively practice each day. Not including teaching, stretching, shooting, weightlifting, and film review, coaches are limited to three hours of practice per day.


China opens up to Electronic Arts

EA, the world's biggest computer games firm, is setting up a studio in China to push online games.


Pippen makes one final smooth move

Scottie Pippen played the sidekick to basketball's greatest star, creating a partnership the Chicago Bulls parlayed into an NBA dynasty with six titles in the 1990s.


'Buoyant' market for Carphone

Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse says recent trading has been better than expected thanks to "robust" demand.


Today's schedule

College field hockey: Providence at URI, 3:30 p.m.; Elms at Becker, 4 p.m.; Union at Middlebury, 4 p.m.; Bates at Husson, 5 p.m.; Northeastern at Harvard, 7 p.m.; UConn at BC, 7 p.m.; Dartmouth at UNH, 7 p.m.; Quinnipiac at Yale, 7 p.m.


Big Red ready to see Crimson

Last year's game against Cornell, was both a win and a loss for the Harvard football team. The Crimson defeated Cornell, 27-0, but lost quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter because of a fracture in his right hand that bumped him out of the lineup for two games.


Melrose uses a 1-2 punch to knock out Winchester

In the 18 years of Melrose girls' soccer, the Red Raiders had never beaten Winchester.


Transactions

BASEBALL Detroit (AL): Exercised option on manager Alan Trammell. Philadelphia (NL): Retained first base coach Milt Thompson, bench coach Gary Varsho, bullpen coach Ramon Henderson, and catching instructor Mick Billmeyer.


Another win for Heikki Kovalainen!

Fin RDD driver Kovalainen scored a new podium and a new victory last weekend in Barcelona. He now increases his lead in the World Series championship. Looking good!


IBM Rolling Out Biggest WebSphere Update in 2 Years

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - IBM late on Tuesday announced the  biggest update of its popular WebSphere business software in  two years, adding features such as automatically detecting and  fixing problems.


Experts Say Control Systems Vulnerable

Businesses and government agencies must re-examine the growing threat of cyberterrorism to automated computer systems running power grids, dams and other industrial facilities, security experts said Tuesday.


S. Korea Claims North Has 600 Computer Hackers

Communist North Korea is believed to have trained up to 600 computer hackers to launch cyberattacks against countries such as the United States and South Korea, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry.


Satellite Mishap Blamed on Human Error

A \$239 million satellite toppled to a factory floor last year because nobody bothered to check that it was secure before moving it, according to a NASA investigation board's report on the mishap.


World's Top Game Players Battle for Cash

For the world's best video game players, getting the high score is no longer enough.


DNA pioneer Wilkins dies aged 88

Professor Maurice Wilkins, who helped unlock the structure of DNA with Crick, Watson and Franklin, has died aged 88.


Extinct humans left louse legacy

Some of the head lice infesting people today were spread to us thousands of years ago by an extinct species of humans like <i>Homo erectus</i>.


Deep-sea trawling's 'great harm'

A coalition of environmental and conservation groups calls for a ban on the damaging fishing practice known as bottom-trawling.


Mussel beds flourish again

BBC Northern Ireland rural affairs correspondent Martin Cassidy looks at the renewed strength of mussel fishing in Belfast Lough.


Karzai's Running Mate Escapes Afghan Mine Blast

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai's running  mate for Saturday's historic presidential election escaped  unhurt Wednesday when a mine exploded under his convoy in the  remote northeast of the country.  Vice presidential candidate Ahmad Zia Masood, the brother of  assassinated resistance hero Ahmad Shah Masood, had gone to  Faizabad, the capital of mountainous Badakhshan province, for a  campaign rally.


No Deal on Ending Baghdad Clashes-Senior Sadr Aide

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The chief spokesman for rebel Iraqi  cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Wednesday no deal had been  agreed with Iraq's government to end fighting in Baghdad's  Shi'ite slum district of Sadr City.


U.S. Stretches Out S. Korea Troop Cut Until 2008

WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States agreed under  pressure from South Korea Wednesday to stretch out over an  additional three years until 2008 the withdrawal of 12,500 U.S.  troops from that country.


Shipment of Bomb-Grade Plutonium Reaches France

CHERBOURG, France (Reuters) - A shipment of 308 pounds of  U.S. weapons-grade plutonium arrived in the French port of  Cherbourg Wednesday, despite protests by anti-nuclear  campaigners who fear it is vulnerable to a terrorist attack.


UN probing Nepal disappearances

A fact-finding mission from the UN begins investigating the large number of political disappearances in Nepal.


Cricket: Kumble hits milestone

Indian spinner Anil Kumble takes his 400th Test wicket but Australia reach 316-5 at the close in Bangalore.


Somalis make case to be president

Twenty-eight candidates seek support from MPs to be Somalia's new leader ahead of elections on 10 October.


Pentagon rebuffs troop criticism

The Pentagon tries to deflect charges that there were not enough troops on the ground at the time of the Iraq invasion.


Strasbourg plot suspects on trial

The trial starts of 10 suspects in a failed attempt to blow up a Christmas market in Strasbourg in 2000.


Pakistan reporters reach Srinagar

A team of Pakistani journalists on a landmark visit to Indian-administered Kashmir arrive in Srinagar.


Negotiations seek peace in Fallujah

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi government officials said yesterday they were quietly negotiating with leaders from the rebel-held city of Fallujah to end a months-long standoff there and avoid a full-scale invasion to take it back from insurgents.


Oil, Astra Lead European Stocks Down

PARIS (Reuters) - European shares retreated on Wednesday as  AstraZeneca's business update disappointed investors and on  nagging concerns that soaring oil prices will hurt the quality  of future earnings.


Range of new missiles said to top 1,200 miles

TEHRAN -- Iran said yesterday its missiles now have a range of more than 1,200 miles, a substantial extension of their previously declared range. The old version of Iran's Shahab-3 missile had a range of 810 miles, capable of reaching Israel and various US military bases in the Middle East. In August, Iran tested a new version of the Shahab-3, ...


Top UN envoy details lack of progress in Darfur crisis

UNITED NATIONS -- The top UN envoy to Sudan said yesterday that the Sudanese government has failed to improve security for the embattled people of Darfur or to bring to justice the perpetrators of atrocities during the 19-month conflict.


Israel diverts airliner to Cyprus in bomb scare

TEL AVIV -- Israeli fighter planes escorted a German airliner bound for the Jewish state to Cyprus yesterday after a bomb threat that was the latest in a string of such scares in Europe that turned out to be hoaxes.


Mortgage Applications Flat Last Week-MBA

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New applications for U.S. home loans  were virtually unchanged last week although 30-year mortgage  rates rose to their highest level in a month, an industry group  said on Wednesday.


Woman dies days after son's death in Iraq

TUCSON -- A 45-year-old woman collapsed and died days after learning her son had been killed in Iraq, and just hours after seeing his body.


Hurricanes Leave Huge Economic Footprint

The four hurricanes that recently struck the southeastern United States left a lingering imprint on the national economy by pushing up oil prices, wiping out jobs and disrupting shipments of fruits and vegetables to grocery stores.


Virgin and SN seal Belgian merger

Low-cost airline Virgin Express agrees a tie-up with SN Brussels, the successor to collapsed Belgian carrier Sabena.


Astros Killer Bs Running Out of Chances

ATLANTA - The Killer B's are back to try again, facing a familiar nemesis. Who knows? This might be the last chance for Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell to show they can come through when it matters most...


Congress Speeds Up 9/11 Legislation Vote

WASHINGTON - Racing the clock, Senate leaders are applying finishing touches to bipartisan legislation addressing the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations just as House GOP leaders prepare to debate their version, which Democrats call partisan and weak...


Sharon Aide Nixes Palestinian State

JERUSALEM - The real objective of Ariel Sharon's offer to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank is to freeze Palestinian statehood indefinitely, with U.S. blessing, the prime minister's point man with the Bush administration acknowledged in an interview published Wednesday...


Voluntary Flu Vaccine Rationing Urged

WASHINGTON - Federal health officials are urging doctors to restrict flu shots to those patients at highest risk from influenza, an appeal for voluntary rationing after the nation's vaccine supply was abruptly cut in half.    British regulators unexpectedly shut down a major flu-shot supplier Tuesday, citing manufacturing problems at the Chiron Corp...


U.S. Delays Troops Withdrawl From S. Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - The United States will withdraw 12,500 troops from South Korea by 2008, delaying its original plan to redeploy the troops by the end of next year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said Wednesday.    In a statement, the ministry said the U.S...


Convoy of Karzai's Running Mate Is Attacked

A convoy carrying Afghan President Hamid Karzai's vice presidential running-mate came under attack Wednesday in northeastern Afghanistan, the presidential palace and other officials said, the third attack on Karzai's supporters ahead of landmark weekend elections.


Who's afraid of portable storage media?

AdvancedForce CEO Vladimir Chernavsky says the latest row about USB ports is part of a bigger debate about how best to manage access to external memory.


House GOP Brings Up Draft  In Order to Knock It Down

Rumors of reinstating the military draft, which have flourished for months in panicky e-mails, online chat rooms, college dorms and student newspapers, suddenly dominated  the House floor yesterday in one of the strangest parliamentary maneuvers in memory. With even its sponsor voting against it, a bill to require young adults to perform military or civil service failed, 402 to 2.


Playoff fever hits some on the job

Executives around Boston ended business meetings with a handshake and a cheer of ''Go Sox quot; yesterday, turned office televisions from CNN to baseball, and left the office early to catch the team's first playoff game against the Anaheim Angels, which the Sox won 9-3. The weekday afternoon matchup, which started around 4 p.m., sparked workplace debates across Massachusetts, as some ...


Cheney and Edwards Go Toe to Toe in Debate

Iraq and terrorism dominated a hard-hitting and sometimes personal exchange between the vice presidential nominees on Tuesday.


Syrian Sees a Calming of Tension

After six months of public tension between Syria and the United States, relations have settled down into a more pragmatic mode. At least this is how Syria's ambassador to Washington,    Imad Moustapha , describes it.


Stewart case ink expert found not guilty of lying

An ink expert who testified for the government at the Martha Stewart trial was found not guilty yesterday of lying on the witness stand.


Genentech gets a subpoena

Genentech Inc. , the world's second-biggest biotechnology company, received a subpoena from the US attorney's office in Philadelphia as part of a criminal and civil probe into marketing of Rituxan, its top-selling drug.


Japan to Press U.S. on Troops

Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said Tuesday he will press his country's case in Washington this week for reducing what he called the "the excessive burden" placed on Okinawa by the presence of U.S. troops.


Wanted: Simple home security

Jon Oltsik says the explosion in broadband use forces a rethinking of Internet security. But a lethargic vendor response is not a promising harbinger.


Diplomats: IAEA, Brazil Reach Agreement

Brazil has agreed in principle to let the U.N. atomic watchdog agency see parts of equipment to enrich uranium, diplomats said Wednesday. Such a deal would resolve months of dispute over access to the technology that can be used to build nuclear weapons.


Powell: Brazil Has No Nuclear Aspirations

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Oct. 5 -- Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said Tuesday he was  confident Brazil had no intention of becoming a nuclear power, but he called on the country to work out differences with the U.N. atomic agency over inspections.


Microsoft plans tune-up of Media Center PC

The next-generation OS will allow consumers to watch one channel while recording another, CNET News.com has learned.


EU Wants Windows Cleaned of DRM

The acquisition by Microsoft and Time Warner of a company with a significant portfolio of patents covering digital rights management technologies generates scrutiny by European antitrust regulators. The main focus of the investigation: Microsoft. By Wendy M. Grossman.


Emirates Airlines signs sponsorship deal with Arsenal

According to the deal, the new 60,000-seater ground at Ashburton Grove will be named the Emirates Stadium. The contract also makes Emirates the Gunners #39; shirt sponsor for eight years - starting in 2006-07.


Earnhardt fined for checkered language

Dale Earnhardt Jr. cursed on a nationally televised NASCAR broadcast on Sunday, and it cost him the lead in a close race for the Nextel Cup drivers championship.


US vetoes UN resolution on Gaza offensive

The United States has vetoed Tuesday an Arab-backed resolution at the UN Security Council that demands an immediate end to Israeli military operations in the Gaza strip that have claimed the lives of at least 80 Palestinians during the past seven days.


US warplanes pound Fallujah

Three Kurdish militiamen, their civilian driver killed near Baquba, another civilian killed in Basra bomb blast. By Deborah Haynes - BAGHDAD.


Spain seizes 5 more ETA suspects

Spanish police have arrested five suspected ETA members just days after 21 people were seized including the Basque separatist group #39;s suspected leader, officials say.


Big Lots Revises Quarterly, Year Views

Big Lots Inc., the largest closeout retailer in the United States, said Wednesday that total sales for the five weeks ended Oct. 2 rose 2.9 percent to \$357.


Carphone Warehouse rings up higher sales

Europe #39;s biggest mobile phone retailer, Carphone Warehouse, said in a trading update on Wednesday that sales were up on the back of a 25 per cent leap in new connections.


Agent: Ricky Williams Wants To Return To Fins

MIAMI -- Just when the Miami Dolphins season couldn #39;t get any weirder, it did -- Ricky Williams is ready to come back to the Fins.


Canadian Sub Loses Power in Atlantic

57 crew members and Canadas newest Submarine is floating in the rough seas of the Atlantic Ocean, after the HMCS Chicoutimi lost power in an electrical fire.


Update: Avaya to buy German IP telephony vendor

U.S. telecommunications equipment maker Avaya Inc. increased its presence in Europe to the tune of about \$635 million on Tuesday, agreeing to acquire German enterprise communications vendor Tenovis GmbH   Co. KG.


Senate Wants Database Dragnet

Lawmakers may soon pass a bill that would set up a huge network of databases that law enforcement officials could tap to find terrorists. But that kind of unfettered access to data about Americans raises eyebrows. By Ryan Singel.


Geek Trip Begins at Headwaters

The true beginnings of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota -- a spot that was a source of much debate in the 19th century -- mark the first stop in a 2,500-mile odyssey along the length of the mighty waterway. By Michelle Delio.


Web Industry Still Flies Blind

The commercial web is 10 years old, yet the online publishing industry still hasn't figured out how to measure accurately the number of people visiting each site. What's at stake? More than \$8 billion a year. Commentary by Adam L. Penenberg.


The Incredible Shrinking Man

K. Eric Drexler was the godfather of nanotechnology. But the MIT prodigy who dreamed up molecular machines was shoved aside by big science -- and now he's an industry outcast. By Ed Regis from Wired magazine.


Save money when you hit the links on the Grand Strand

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ  While Chad Pennington #39;s return from a strained right rotator cuff was far from perfect, Curtis Martin was stellar yet again.


Making XP a Welcome Guest on Mac

Microsoft's new Virtual PC emulator lets an Apple computer run Windows XP amazingly well. It's a great product for those occasions when you must sully your Mac with a Windows-only application. By Leander Kahney.


Spyware Bill Gets House Nod

Anti-spyware legislation sails through the House of Representatives, with the bill's sponsor pressing to have both houses approve a law to reign in invasive computer programs by the end of the year. By Michael Grebb.


3 Yanks Share Nobel for Physics

Thirty years of research into the forces that hold everything together pay off grandly for the three Americans, and science moves a step closer to a grand unified theory of the universe.


Greenspan points bank mergers as stability factor

The US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said at a meeting of the American Bankers Association in New York on Tuesday the increasing number of bank mergers underlines new opportunity for the financial sector to recover.


Microsoft's Xbox Live Usage Takes Off in Asia (Reuters)

Reuters - One-in-seven Asian Xbox video gamers\plays on the Internet just six months after the regional launch\of Microsoft's Xbox Live Internet software, a company executive\said on Wednesday.


Fujitsu-Siemens pre-tax profit, sales up strongly in first half (AFP)

AFP - Fujitsu-Siemens, Europe's leading manufacturer of personal computers, said pre-tax profit and sales rose strongly in the six months to September and the PC maker was confident about the outlook for the rest of the year.


British Prime Minister in Sudan

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Sudan #39;s capital, Khartoum, for talks with the country #39;s leaders expected to focus on the crisis in the western Darfur region.


Software speeds file-sharing service (SiliconValley.com)

SiliconValley.com - Napster founder Shawn Fanning's little dorm-room project at Northeastern University in Boston is the stuff of technological legend.


PeopleSoft open to deal, official says (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - The PeopleSoft director who has been leading the defense of the software company's anti-takeover measures said Tuesday the company's board is willing to talk about a deal with rival Oracle.


NASA Inspector's Shuttle Checks Questioned (AP)

AP - A former NASA inspector has been accused of lying about inspecting crucial parts on the space shuttle Discovery before and after the Columbia disaster that killed seven astronauts and grounded the entire orbiter fleet.


Remains of Genghis Khan Palace Unearthed (AP)

AP - Archaeologists have unearthed the site of Genghis Khan's palace and believe the long-sought grave of the 13th century Mongolian warrior is somewhere nearby, the head of the excavation team said Wednesday.


Japan More Confident on CITES Whale Vote (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan is confident it can secure the\votes needed to resume commercial trade in whale products and\that this would be a step toward lifting a ban on hunting the\marine giants, a Japanese official said Wednesday.


From Citation for Nobel Prize in Chemistry (AP)

AP - Excerpts from the citation awarding the 2004 Nobel Prize in chemistry to Israelis Aaron Ciechanover and Avram Hershko and American Irwin Rose for their work on how cells break down.


Oil, Astra Lead European Stocks Down (Reuters)

Reuters - European shares retreated on Wednesday as\AstraZeneca's business update disappointed investors and on\nagging concerns that soaring oil prices will hurt the quality\of future earnings.


Microsoft's Xbox Live Usage Takes Off in Asia

HONG KONG (Reuters) - One-in-seven Asian Xbox video gamers  plays on the Internet just six months after the regional launch  of Microsoft's Xbox Live Internet software, a company executive  said on Wednesday.


United to Cut U.S. Flights

NEW YORK (Reuters) - UAL Corp.UALAQ.OB, the bankrupt  parent of United Airlines, on Wednesday said it would reduce  U.S. flights and increase capacity on more lucrative  international routes, in keeping with its aggressive  cost-cutting efforts.


Stocks Set to Open Flat; Oil Prices Weigh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were set to open flat on  Wednesday as high crude oil prices and profit warnings weighed  on the market on the eve of a new earnings reporting season.


Dollar Up; Focus on Fed, Jobs, Oil

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar rose against the euro and  Swiss franc on Wednesday as investors awaited more clues on the  U.S. interest rate outlook from speeches by Federal Reserve  officials later in the day and U.S. jobs data due on Friday.


Before the Bell: Knight Falls, Too Rises

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Knight Trading Group Inc. NITE.O  shares fell more than 6 percent before the bell on Wednesday  after the Nasdaq stock trader warned of a quarterly loss  because of weak stock trading volume.


Programs: New Games Feature Mind Over Matter

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Reuters) - The overwhelming scientific  evidence shows that psychic powers are probably a lot of  baloney. After all, psychics always seem to "lose" their powers  if subjected to tests designed to eliminate luck or fraud.


Fannie, Freddie And Free Markets

WASHINGTON, DC - Investors in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are feeling some pain in the wake of Fannie #39;s recent accounting problems.


Yukos  #39;pays most of 2000 taxes #39;

Yukos has paid three-quarters of its total tax debt of \$3.4bn (1.91bn; 99bn roubles) for 2000, the Interfax news agency has reported.


UPDATE 1-Alaska Air sees \$45 mln-\$55 mln in severance costs

Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it expects \$45 million to \$55 million in pre-tax costs for severance pay and other benefits for employees laid off during its planned restructuring.


Asian Shares End Mixed; Tokyo Advances, Hong Kong Falls

Asian stocks finished mixed Wednesday, with Tokyo shares advancing on a positive economic outlook but markets in Hong Kong and elsewhere falling on worries about record-high oil prices.


Pakistan #39;s Shoaib Malik restricts Sri Lanka

Pakistan #39;s Shoaib Malik took three wickets to help restrict Asian Champions Sri Lanka to 232 for nine in the third match of a three-nation one-day tournament on Wednesday.


Australia Reaches 316-5 vs India; Kumble Gets 400th Test Wicket

Anil Kumble became the second Indian cricketer and ninth player in total to get 400 Test dismissals as his three wickets helped restrict Australia to 316-5 on day one of the opening Test at Bangalore.


Tennis: Dent Advances in Japan Open

Seventh-seed Taylor Dent of the United States advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 over Tomas Zib of the Czech Republic in second-round action at the Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo.


No Deal on Ending Baghdad Clashes-Senior Sadr Aide

The chief spokesman for rebel Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Wednesday no deal had been agreed with Iraq #39;s government to end fighting in Baghdad #39;s Shi #39;ite slum district of Sadr City.


Afghan Vice Presidential Candidate Survives a Bomb Blast

Afghan President Hamid Karzai #39;s running mate in Saturday #39;s presidential election escaped unhurt when a bomb exploded near his convoy in the northern city of Faizabad.


Heeling power

During every break in play, every timeout, every chance to catch a breath, one word was on the minds of the Penn State women #39;s basketball players during the second half of Sunday #39;s game against No.


Karzai's Running Mate Escapes Afghan Mine Blast (Reuters)

Reuters - Afghan President Hamid Karzai's running\mate for Saturday's historic presidential election escaped\unhurt Wednesday when a mine exploded under his convoy in the\remote northeast of the country.\Vice presidential candidate Ahmad Zia Masood, the brother of\assassinated resistance hero Ahmad Shah Masood, had gone to\Faizabad, the capital of mountainous Badakhshan province, for a\campaign rally.


No Deal on Ending Baghdad Clashes-Senior Sadr Aide (Reuters)

Reuters - The chief spokesman for rebel Iraqi\cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Wednesday no deal had been\agreed with Iraq's government to end fighting in Baghdad's\Shi'ite slum district of Sadr City.


Britain praises Pakistan campaign against Al-Qaeda (AFP)

AFP - British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon held talks here with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and praised his army's operations against Al-Qaeda fighters along the Afghan frontier.


Maryland upset at BB amp;T Classic

WASHINGTON  TJ Thompson scored 27 points as George Washington defeated No. 12 Maryland 101-92 in the championship game of the BB amp;T Classic, the Colonials #39; fifth consecutive victory.


Republicans Glad to Lose on Bill to Start New Draft (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON  #8212; Seeking to dispel suggestions that the war in Iraq could lead to reinstatement of the draft, House Republicans on Tuesday hastily brought the idea to a vote  #8212; with the express intent of shooting it down.


Spain Arrests Five ETA Suspects Primed for Action

MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish police on Wednesday arrested  five suspected members of the Basque separatist ETA guerrilla  group who appeared primed to stage attacks, Interior Minister  Jose Antonio Alonso said.


US agrees to slow S Korea pull-out

\The US agrees to stagger a troop withdrawal from South Korea, due to fears about the North.


Militants die in settlement raid

Israeli soldiers have killed three Palestinian militants who infiltrated a Jewish settlement in the southern Gaza Strip.


Indian Maoists discuss strategy

Two key Indian Maoist groups meet in Calcutta to discuss working closer together, delegates say.


Tiger Woods Weds Swede Model in Barbados

LANE BEACH, Barbados - Tiger Woods is now a married man, according to People magazine and several other news outlets. People reported on its Web site that the world's most famous golfer married Swedish model Elin Nordegren in a sunset ceremony at a resort in Barbados on Tuesday...


Alitalia rescue plan agreed after all-night talks

ROME : Alitalia bosses and union and government officials forged a deal to save the troubled Italian flag carrier after thrashing out the details of redundancy payments for 3,700 workers who will lose their jobs in a restructuring plan.


United to Trim Fleet Size, Add International Routes (Update2)

UAL Corp. said it will reduce the overall size of United Airlines #39; fleet and shift more aircraft to serve international routes, which are more profitable.


Idealab Rethinks Web Search with Snap

SAN FRANCISCOBill Gross, the man behind Overture Services and the Idealab incubator, wants to reinvent Web search. During the Web 2.0 conference here on Tuesday, Gross unveiled search-engine Snap, which


UPDATE 1-Big Lots sees wider third-quarter loss

Big Lots Inc. (BLI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday forecast a larger-than-expected third-quarter loss and said full-year profit could also fall short of Wall Street #39;s


British manufacturing output falls for third successive month

LONDON : Britain #39;s manufacturing industries experienced an unexpected drop in output in August, the first time since January 2002 that output has fallen for three months in a row.


Hynix Sells Non-Memory Unit

Hynix Semiconductor wrapped up a \$830 million sales deal of its non-memory unit with Citigroup Venture Capital (CVC), the worlds second-largest memory chipmaker said Wednesday.


US Telecoms giant looks at throwing Windows out

Network services giant AT amp;T is evaluating different operating systems, including Linux and Mac OS X, as alternatives to Windows for internal use.


Tiger Woods marries Swedish fiancee in ritzy Barbados resort

And he was apparently on some familiar turf when he tied the knot yesterday with Swedish model Elin Nordegren. Witnesses say the two were wed at a golf course in Barbados.


England vs. Wales = Man Utd vs. Man City

And you know exactly what he means. Our man on Radio Four (ooooh!) Andy Gray says England should win but in all local derbies it #39;s always the lesser team who cares more.


Kumble joins  #39;Club 400 #39;

Bangalore - Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble gave home fans plenty to cheer about on Wednesday when he capped a glorious career by becoming the ninth bowler in Test history to complete 400 wickets.


Some talk isn #39;t cheap

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #39;s swearword in a TV interview after his victory at Talladega costs him the NASCAR points lead and \$10,000. A slip of the tongue on TV cost Dale Earnhardt Jr.


Ricky Williams Seeks Return with Dolphins

_ Oct. 6, 2004 - Ricky Williams is looking to make a comeback with the Miami Dolphins. But there #39;s a catch -- a little something about a positive drug test.


Storm ends Monarchs #39; playoff run

Led by Lauren Jackson #39;s 27 points, the Seattle Storm pummeled Sacramento out of the Western Conference Finals with a decisive 82-62 Game 3 victory Tuesday night at Key Arena to advance to the WNBA Finals.


Blair Urges End of Darfur Slaughter

Prime Minister Tony Blair today urged the government of Sudan to adopt a five-point plan designed to help end the slaughter in Darfur and ease the humanitarian crisis there.


Crushing blow for bank customers

Safe boxes from a bank branch were taken away and crushed as scrap metal, leaving customers shocked and angry at the loss of their most valued possessions, executives acknowledged Wednesday.


British manufacturing output falls for third successive month (AFP)

AFP - Britain's manufacturing industries experienced an unexpected drop in output in August, the first time since January 2002 that output has fallen for three months in a row.


Oil Extends Record Run to \$51.48 Peak

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices extended record-setting highs  above \$51 for U.S. crude on Wednesday, fueled by the impact of  Hurricane Ivan on U.S. winter inventories.


Stocks Seen Flat, Oil Hovers Near \$51

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were likely to open flat  on Wednesday, with high oil prices and profit warnings weighing  on the market before earnings reports start and key jobs data  is released this week.


Monsanto Posts Loss on Herbicide Sales

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Reuters) - Agrochemical company Monsanto  Co. on Wednesday posted a quarterly net loss on a drop in U.S.  sales of the herbicide Roundup.


United Airlines Cutting Domestic Service

United Airlines plans to slash the number of its domestic flights and increase its more profitable international schedule, while at the same reducing the size of its fleet.


UPDATE 1-United to cut US flights, focus on international

UAL Corp. (UALAQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) , the bankrupt parent of United Airlines, on Wednesday said it would reduce US flights and increase capacity on more lucrative international


Fannie Mae Executives Defend Decisions

Fannie Mae executives defended themselves on Wednesday against government allegations they manipulated accounting to hide earnings swings, saying they and their auditors believed they were properly applying complex standards that


UK Scientist Who Played Role in DNA Discovery Dies

Nobel laureate Maurice Wilkins, a British scientist who played a key role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, died on Tuesday, his university said on Wednesday.


AT amp;T Considers Mac OS X, Linux For 7,000 Desktops

hype7 writes  quot;CNet #39;s News.com.com is reporting that AT amp;T is reconsidering its corporate IT investment in Microsoft Windows - with both Mac OS X and Linux being considered.


Sony releases home server that stores 1 terrabyte

Sony #39;s Vaio Type X, which is available only in Japan, is a new home server that contains four 250GB hard drives: two for PC files and the other ones for audiovisual materials such as stored TV programs and music.


Bell gets unexpected call, scores first NFL touchdown

San Diego - There was not a lot of extra practice time, nor a pep talk from his coaches to let Broncos rookie running back Tatum Bell know he #39;d be such a big part of Denver #39;s game plan Sunday.


Experts Say Control Systems Vulnerable (AP)

AP - Businesses and government agencies must re-examine the growing threat of cyberterrorism to automated computer systems running power grids, dams and other industrial facilities, security experts said Tuesday.


'Troy' Makes Homer Britain's Best-Selling Poet (Reuters)

Reuters - Nearly 3,000 years after his death,\Homer is the best-selling poet in Britain thanks largely to\Brad Pitt and "the Troy effect," the country's biggest online\seller of books said on Wednesday.


New DTS surround encoders leverage OS X, Xserve (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Digital Theater Systems Inc. (DTS) on Wednesday announced the availability of two new audio software encoders aimed at audio professionals creating multi-channel soundtracks for DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and 5.1 CDs: the Pro Series 6.1 Surround Encoder, a standalone solution designed to work on Mac OS X and Windows-equipped computers, and the DTS Pro Series Network Encoder, which allows up to 99 users on Macs or Windows computers to encode audio using an Apple Xserve and Xserve RAID system. Both encoders were announced earlier this year, and are anticipated for release this month. ...


Physics Nobel Goes to 'Theory of Everything' Trio (Reuters)

Reuters - Three American scientists won the\2004 Nobel physics prize on Tuesday for showing how tiny quark\particles interact, helping to explain everything from how a\coin spins to how the universe was built.


Latvian Seeks Seismic Monitoring Stations (AP)

AP - Latvia's National Geology Service said Thursday it hopes to get funding from the Environment Ministry to build five seismic monitoring stations throughout the country.


Rocket Launchers Allowed in Presidential Debate

The next presidential debate will be held October 8th at Washington University in St. Louis. The notable difference between this debate and the last is that "projectile launchers" are explicitly allowed on the premises.


Americans Denied a True Presidential Debate

Americans did not see a true presidential debate on September 30, 2004. What they saw was a carefully planned bipartisan press conference in which George W. Bush and John Kerry, acting through their corporate campaigns, agreed to appear and respond to questions. Third party candidates Michael Badnarik (Libertarian), David Cobb (Green), Ralph Nader (Independent), and Michael A. Peroutka (Constitution) were not invited to participate, despite having a mathematical possibility of obtaining enough electoral votes to secure the office of President of the United States.


Infineon execs to get prison terms

Four sales executives of German chipmaker Infineon Technologies have agreed to plead guilty to participating in a conspiracy to fix the prices of computer memory chips, the US Department of Justice said Thursday.


Ballmer calls for horse-based attack on Star Office

'Email me immediately and we #8217;ll send in the cavalry'


A web wise terror network

Gordon Corera looks at how Osama Bin Laden's terror network has made the most of modern communications.


Rough weather hampers rescue efforts for Cdn submarine stranded off Scotland (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - The crew of a disabled Canadian submarine braved a rough night adrift in heavy seas off Scotland as inclement conditions delayed British rescue efforts early Wednesday.


Fujitsu and Cisco Form Strategic Alliance

Fujitsu Limited and Cisco Systems announced a strategic alliance focusing on routers and switches for the Japanese markets. Specifically, the companies agreed to jointly develop high-end routers and will collaborate


Afghan Leader's Running Mate Survives Taliban Attack

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai's running  mate for Saturday's historic presidential poll escaped unhurt  on Wednesday when a bomb set off by Taliban guerrillas narrowly  missed his car as he headed for an election meeting.


IAEA Chief Says World Getting Impatient with N.Korea

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's two-year-old nuclear crisis  has taxed the world's patience, the chief United Nations  nuclear regulator said on Wednesday, urging communist Pyongyang  to return to its disarmament treaty obligations.


OutKast lead MTV Europe shortlist

OutKast receive five MTV Europe Award nominations,  while Usher gets four ahead of next month's show.


Report Expected to Say Iraq Posed Little Immediate Threat

A report due out today from the chief U.S. weapons inspector for Iraq is expected to undercut a key part of the rationale for war.


Scientists Test Steering for Mars Rovers

Jet Propulsion Lab -- Engineers on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover team are investigating possible causes and remedies for a problem affecting the steering on Spirit.     The relay for steering actuators on Spirit's right-front and left-rear wheels did not operate as commanded on Oct...


NOAA Satellite Mishap Blamed on Human Error

By MATTHEW FORDAHL    SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- A \$239 million satellite toppled to a factory floor last year because nobody bothered to check that it was secure before moving it, according to a NASA investigation board's report on the mishap...


NASA Inspector's Space Shuttle Checks Questioned

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A former NASA inspector has been accused of lying about inspecting crucial parts on the space shuttle Discovery before and after the Columbia disaster that killed seven astronauts and grounded the entire orbiter fleet...


Israelis, American Win Nobel for Chemistry

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Israelis Aaron Ciechanover and Avram Hershko and American Irwin Rose won the 2004 Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for discovering a key way cells destroy unwanted proteins - starting with a chemical "kiss of death."   Their work provides the basis for developing new therapies for diseases such as cervical cancer and cystic fibrosis.    The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honored Ciechanover, 57, Hershko, 67, and Rose, 78, for work they did in the late 1970s and early 1980s...


Tiger Woods Weds Swede Model in Barbados

SANDY LANE BEACH, Barbados - Tiger Woods married Swedish model Elin Nordegren as a Caribbean sunset painted a spectacular array of colors across the sky over an exclusive resort in Barbados, according to witnesses.    Celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were among guests seen by a reporter perched on a hill overlooking the club house of the Sandy Lane resort golf course...


VP Candidates Slug It Out Over Iraq, Jobs

CLEVELAND - Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic rival John Edwards slugged it out over Iraq, jobs and each other's judgment in their one and only debate Tuesday night before heading for the battleground state of Florida and its 27 electoral votes. Cheney was appearing Wednesday in Tallahassee, Edwards in West Palm Beach...


Panel says keep sage grouse off endangered list

A panel of senior biologists has told the US Fish and Wildlife Service not to list sage grouse as an endangered species. If Fish and Wildlife Director Steve Williams follows the panel #39;s


Putin Arrives in Turkey on Historic Visit

President Vladimir Putins visit to Turkey on Sunday will highlight a thaw in relations between the one-time Cold War foes and focus on trade, investment and energy deals, the Reuters news agency reports.


United Airlines announces service cuts, fleet reduction

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. United Airlines #39; parent company plans to slash the number of its domestic flights and increase its more profitable international schedule.


Knight Trading Sees 3Q Operating Loss

Knight Trading Group Inc., an equities trading company serving institutional and broker-dealer clients, said Wednesday that it will report a third-quarter operating loss of 1 cent to 4 cents per share due to poor performance in its equity market trading


Howard Stern to Broadcast on Sirius Radio in 2006

Howard Stern, one of the most popular US radio personalities, on Wednesday said he will broadcast his show on Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.


Brave New World? Next Steps Planned for Private Space Travel

MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA -- While SpaceShipOnes wispy contrail from sky to space quickly vanished into the thin desert air here, Mondays flight at Mojave Spaceport left a solid line in the sand -- to create a  quot;new space age quot; of personal space travel.


IBM adds self-healing to WebSphere

IBM has released the latest version of the core middleware product of WebSphere, its application server platform, promising new autonomic, or self-healing, features.


Via to enter 64-bit processor market

VIA Technologies has announced details of its 64-bit architecture based Isaiah processor core with the engineering code name  #39;CN #39;.


Singh critiques Woods #39; swing, says it hasn #39;t changed but his body <b>...</b>

Vijay Singh has a theory about what #39;s wrong with Tiger Woods #39; game: he hasn #39;t adapted his swing to the changes in his body.


Giuly will miss French qualifiers

PARIS, France -- Barcelona striker Ludovic Giuly has pulled out of France #39;s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Ireland and Cyprus, the French soccer federation has announced.


Cal faces No. 1 USC with eyes - and its offense - wide open

Bee Staff Writer. BERKELEY - Jeff Tedford said the lasting image from last year #39;s Cal-USC game wasn #39;t necessarily Tyler Fredrickson #39;s field goal that gave the Golden Bears a triple-overtime triumph.


Astros Killer B's Running Out of Chances (AP)

AP - The Killer B's are back to try again, facing a familiar nemesis. Who knows? This might be the last chance for Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell to show they can come through when it matters most.


Cubs Pay Penalty for Wrigley Repairs (AP)

AP - The Chicago Cubs paid a  #36;6,725 penalty for renovating landmark Wrigley Field without the required city permits for such work.


Woods Struggling to Cope with Body Changes - Singh

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - Vijay Singh thinks the  main reason he has replaced Tiger Woods as world number one is  the American's failure to adapt to changes in his body.


Microsoft to tune up Media Center PC

The next-generation OS will allow consumers to watch one channel while recording another, CNET News.com has learned.


PalmOne Eyes Mobile E-Mail

Deal with Microsoft will allow users to access e-mail without third-party software.


U.S. to File Case Over Airbus Subsidies

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will on Wednesday  file a complaint at the World Trade Organization over what it  called "unfair" European Union subsidies to aircraft  manufacturer Airbus.


Shock jock Howard Stern will head to satellite radio, where listeners will have to pay to hear him.


Google Print Opens Widely To Publishers

Google's nearly year-old Google Print program is set for a huge expansion of content through the launch of a new program today allowing publishers to more easily submit material for inclusion.


More on Qantas

Singapore Airlines has finally ended its great Kiwi Adventure, at a loss of more than \$500 million, but probably a lot more if you take into account opportunity cost, holding costs and


Flu Vaccine Distributor Cuts 2004 Views

Medical products distributor Henry Schein Inc. lowered its financial targets for the rest of the year, citing the impact of British regulators shutting down its major supplier of flu vaccine on Tuesday.


Carphone poised to ring up healthy profits

Carphone Warehouse today announced a 25 increase in the number of connections during its second quarter, with interim pre-tax profits expected to be at least 27m.


Old favourites set to make a Christmas comeback

Cabbage Patch Kids are expected to be among this year #39;s Christmas best selling gifts, industry experts have said. The relaunched 1980s phenomenon has been named in the top 10 list of toys compiled by the Toy Retailers Association.


Manufacturing output shows sharp decline

Manufacturing output has unexpectedly fallen for the third month in a row in August and at the sharpest pace in nearly two years, official data show.


Interest Rate Dilemma for Bank Committee

Rate-setters at the Bank of England were given plenty to ponder today after figures on house prices and manufacturing output confounded expectations.


Hynix Sells Non-Memory Chip Operation

Hynix Semiconductor Inc. said Wednesday it has completed the sale of its non-memory chip operation to Citigroup for 954.3 billion won (\$827.


VW names cost-cutting former Chrysler exec to take over mainstay <b>...</b>

Volkswagen AG named former DaimlerChrysler AG executive Wolfgang Bernhard, a cost cutter who won plaudits for helping return DaimlerChrysler #39;s US division to profitability, to a top management post Wednesday and said he would soon take over


Owen should start

MICHAEL OWEN is under an intense spotlight now after his early difficulties at Real Madrid and there #39;s talk Jermain Defoe may replace him for England on Saturday.


Baros on shortlist for world accolade

MILAN BAROS, who has struggled to maintain a place in Rafael Benitez #39;s starting line-up this season, has been nominated for FIFA #39;s World Player of the Year award.


Everyone has a price  even Arsenal

No matter what sort of spin Arsenal put on their mega-buck sponsorship deal with Emirates Airlines, the bottom line is that they were the last club one would have associated with the arrangement to have the sponsor be the name of their new stadium.


Racing: Schumacher vows to fight back at Japanese GP

TOKYO : World champion Michael Schumacher vowed to end his three-race Formula One losing streak at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend -- come rain or shine.


Kumble breaks 400-wicket barrier

Anil Kumble, the India spinner, has become only the ninth player to claim 400 Test wickets as Australia ended the first day of the opening Test in Bangalore on 316 for five.


Blair outlines Sudan demands

Tony Blair today said the Sudanese government had agreed to a five-point action plan aimed at ending the conflict in Darfur, which has resulted in what the UN describes as the world #39;s worst humanitarian crisis.


Israelis committed to US plan

Jerusalem - The United States-backed roadmap is the only viable blueprint for peace with the Palestinians, the Israeli prime minister #39;s office said on Wednesday.


Value of building permits cooled in August, after hot June and <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - Building intentions cooled in August after a hot June and July, says Statistics Canada. The value of building permits issued by municipalities in August fell by 4.6 per cent to \$4.


Yukos #39;s Biggest Production Unit Gets \$951 Million Tax Bill

Russia #39;s Tax Ministry yesterday charged OAO Yuganskneftegaz, the biggest production unit of OAO Yukos Oil Co., with 27.8 billion rubles (\$951 million) in unpaid taxes for 2002, a Yukos official said.


Tax bill nears approval by House-Senate negotiators

WASHINGTON Supporters of a major rewrite of corporate tax law are optimistic they #39;ll be able to complete congressional action this week on legislation needed to end a bitter trade fight with Europe.


Good Moose not enough

Mike Mussina did all he could to keep the Yankees close, but his teammates wasted one scoring chance after another last night in a 2-0 AL Division Series Game 1 loss to Johan Santana and the Minnesota Twins.


Howard Stern to Move to Satellite Radio (Reuters)

Reuters - Howard Stern, one of the most popular\U.S. radio personalities, on Wednesday said he will broadcast\his show on Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.  beginning in\2006, after being dropped earlier this year from several\stations that objected to his often off-color humor.


Gee, Thanks Dad (Forbes.com)

Forbes.com - L. Lowry Mays is a Texan's Texan, rock-ribbed, 6 foot 2 and larger than life. He started out as an investment banker; in 1972, when a client he was advising backed out of a deal to buy an FM radio station in San Antonio, Tex., Mays partnered with a pal and did the deal himself, paying  #36;125,000. In the three decades since, he has built one of the largest and most powerful media companies in the nation, Clear Channel, a much-maligned giant that, in the view of its enemies, is just too damned big for anyone else's good.


Howard Stern to Move to Satellite Radio

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Howard Stern, one of the most popular  U.S. radio personalities, on Wednesday said he will broadcast  his show on Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. SIRI.O beginning in  2006, after being dropped earlier this year from several  stations that objected to his often off-color humor.


Stocks Open Flat as Oil Prices Weigh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened flat on Wednesday,  with high oil prices and a spate of profit warnings weighing on  the market.


Treasuries Lower Before Five-Year Auction

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices eased on  Wednesday as the market prepared to absorb \$24 billion in new  supply just a few days before a jobs report which could set the  trend for yields for weeks to come.


Winter Outlook Mixed for U.S. - NOAA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Warmer than normal temperatures are  forecast to blanket the western United States and Plains states  this winter, but it is unclear whether the Northeast and  Midwest will face warmer, colder or normal winter weather, U.S.  government forecasters said on Wednesday.


U.S. to File WTO Case Against Airbus Subsidies

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said it will file  on Wednesday a World Trade Organization complaint over what it  called "unfair" European subsidies to aircraft manufacturer  Airbus, the European rival of U.S.-based Boeing.


US takes Airbus dispute to WTO

The US government asks the World Trade Organisation to step in to stop EU member states from "subsidising" planemaker Airbus.


Bank set to keep UK rates on hold

The Bank of England is set to keep interest rates on hold following the latest meeting of the its Monetary Policy Committee.


The spirit of satellite radio

Only one satellite radio stock is worth buying...and it #39;s not the one that snagged Howard Stern. This is an update of a column that originally ran on September 30.


United Airlines to reduce US flights

UAL Corp., parent of United Airlines, announced Wednesday it plans to slash the number of domestic flights and increase its more profitable international schedule, while at the same reducing the size of its fleet.


Trade chief of EU takes US to task

BRUSSELS The incoming European Union trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, on Monday criticized the United States for failing to stick to bilateral talks to resolve a dispute over government aid to Boeing and Airbus.


Jerusalem Post faked circulation: Hollinger

TORONTO, Oct 5 (AFP) - The Jerusalem Post has inflated its circulation figures, the daily #39;s owner, Hollinger International, confirmed Tuesday.


PalmOne, Microsoft in deal on mobile e-mail

Longtime foes palmOne and Microsoft on Tuesday announced a licensing deal that will allow the next generation of palmOne #39;s Treo smart phones to work directly with Microsoft #39;s Exchange e-mail system.


Rupert blinks as the ISS giant awakes

Rupert Murdoch #39;s brazen attempt to relocate to dodgy Delaware is in big trouble and the world #39;s most powerful man has blinked.


High stakes for new chief at Mercedes

FRANKFURT Eckhard Cordes, the man DaimlerChrysler picked to put the luster back into Mercedes-Benz, has slipped out of the office during his first week on the job, joining colleagues in the Alps along the Swiss-Austrian border to test-drive cars made by


Scientist Who Played Role in DNA Discovery Dies

Nobel laureate Maurice Wilkins, a British scientist who played a key role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, died on Tuesday, his university said on Wednesday.


Giggs out to break Old Trafford hearts

Ryan Giggs will try to tie Manchester United team mate Gary Neville in knots and score a goal to send the Old Trafford crowd home in tears when Wales side play England on Saturday.


Emirates and Arsenal in 100-m deal

Arsenal Football Club has signed the biggest club sponsorship agreement in football history with Emirates Airline in an agreement worth 100 million.


UPDATE 1-Centurion Youhana sets up Pakistan victory

Yousuf Youhana top-scored with an unbeaten 107 to guide Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and into the final of a three-nation one-day tournament on Wednesday.


More people dead in Gaza fighting

Three Palestinian fighters have been killed by the Israel army after they entered a Jewish town in southern Gaza. Israeli tanks also shelled the north Gaza town of Beit Lahiya early on Wednesday, killing three Palestinians and injuring ten children.


Afghan president addresses rally on final day of campaigning

Afghanistan #39;s president, Hamid Karzai, says presidential elections on Saturday will decide the fate of the war-shattered country for centuries.


#39;Still Committed to Road Map #39;, says Sharon

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has reaffirmed his commitment to a Middle East peace initiative, despite comments from one of his senior advisers who effectively dismissed the plan.


Gift cards are hot for Christmas

As more and more consumers turn to plastic to solve their gift-giving dilemmas, many states are passing laws to protect those buying gift cards from what may be hidden in the fine print.


IBM launches Websphere 6

IBM today announced that Websphere 6, the long awaited-update to its application server software, will be available by the end of the year.


Indie music label rejects lock-down CDs

'NO copy protection - respect the music' stamped on !K7 discs


School House Shock

It's a noble concept that was designed to bridge the digital divide, but reports of fraud and lackluster oversight at the E-Rate program have caused it to be put on ice and now some educators and librarians are scrambling.\ -washingtonpost.com


EBay Seeks New Trial in \$29M Patent Case

Online auctioneer eBay Inc. asked for a new trial Tuesday on claims the company stole ideas for an electronic marketplace from a Virginia inventor.


Update 1: Computer Associates to Acquire Netegrity

Computer Associates International Inc. will acquire Netegrity Inc. in a \$430 million cash deal that will merge the computer security software makers, the companies said Wednesday.


United Decreases Domestic, Increases International Focus

OCTOBER 06, 2004 -- United Airlines today said it is reallocating resources around its global network to emphasize international routes, while substantially slimming down domestic mainline operations.


News Corp. reconsiders governance issues

SYDNEY Rupert Murdoch #39;s News Corp. said Wednesday that it might strengthen corporate governance provisions after investors and shareholder groups said they would vote against the company #39;s proposed move to


Viacom Says Blockbuster Exchange a Success

Media conglomerate Viacom Inc. on Wednesday said an offer to trade its shares for those of Blockbuster Inc. was a success, moving it closer to splitting off the video-rental chain.


Update 1: Report: Tax Bill Presented to Yukos Unit

The key production unit of beleaguered Russian oil giant Yukos was handed a back taxes bill for nearly \$1 billion, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday, apparently increasing the likelihood that the unit would be sold at auction.


Investors in StarHub sell shares

Shareholders in StarHub, Singapore #39;s second-largest phone company, on Wednesday raised 457.7 million Singapore dollars, or \$271 million, in an initial public offering after selling shares at the lowest targeted price, bankers involved said.


St. Paul sees storms paring EPS by 45c

Insurer St. Paul Travelers said the three major hurricanes that hit the US east coast in recent months will cut 45 cents from its third-quarter earnings per share.


Smucker Sells Brazilian Unit to Closely Held Cargill (Update1)

JM Smucker Co., the largest US maker of jellies and jams, sold its operations in Brazil to closely held Cargill Inc. The sale of Smucker do Brasil Ltda.


YAHOO! Unveils Personal Search Beta

Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - News), a leading global Internet company, announced yesterday the availability of the My Yahoo! Search beta (http://next.


20 years later, female astronaut recalls a spacewalk  #39;first #39;

As Kathy Sullivan nears her 20th anniversary as the first American woman to walk in space, her adventurous spirit is still alive. The former astronaut says she supports a manned


New WebSphere app server has distinct SOA flavor

IBM #39;s affections for service-oriented architectures deepened today when Big Blue offered details on the impending version 6 release of WebSphere Application Server.


Blu-ray Disc Association Launches

In an echo of the VHS/Betamax battles, the Blu-ray Disc Association announced yesterday that it has expanded its list of members and officially launched the organization, which is developing standards for next generation disc formats for video.


Cricket: Kumble reaches 400 test wickets

BANGALORE, India Anil Kumble, the Indian spin bowler, took three wickets Wednesday to reach 400 in test matches as the first day of the first test against Australia finished finely balanced.


For once, Hughes, Giggs are the enemy at Old Trafford

Mark Hughes and Ryan Giggs are two of Old Trafford #39;s all-time greats. On Saturday, more than 60,000 fans at Manchester United #39;s famous ground will be willing them to lose.


Top seeds Hewitt, Sharapova safely through in Japan

Top seeds Lleyton Hewitt and Maria Sharapova were taken to three sets in their second round matches before safely advancing at the \$860,000 Japan Open on Wednesday.


Fernandes fined 10,000 pounds for high-speed police chase

Southampton midfielder Fabrice Fernandes was fined 10,000 pounds (US\$18,000) and handed a two-year driving ban Wednesday for trying to elude police in a high-speed chase five months ago.


Judge says Braves #39; Furcal can play

Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal may play in the playoffs despite a probation violation on a drunken-driving charge. For the rest of the season, Furcal must remain in home confinement.


Red Sox blast off against the Angels

ANAHEIM, California The Boston Red Sox opened the playoffs with a new nickname, a new Game 1 starter and a welcome new association with the number seven.


Cardinals show their power with 5 homers against Dodgers

ST. LOUIS, Missouri Larry Walker savored the moment - make that moments - from the top step of the St. Louis Cardinals #39; dugout.


Baseball Playoffs: Twins double up to beat Yankees in Game 1

NEW YORK It was getting late, and the pregame rock song  quot;Let #39;s Get It Started quot; still applied to the New York Yankees.


Straw in a flap after mid-air incident

Baghdad - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Wednesday that he faced a major security threat on his trip to Iraq when a flock of birds flew into a helicopter accompanying him, forcing it to land.


2 men killed in mine accident in Nevada near Utah line

Two men were killed in an accident Sunday at a copper and gold mine near Ely. Ruth Volunteer Fire Department Chief Martin Sorenson says the victims were repairing a huge shovel at the Robinson Mine when some safety measures failed and they were killed.


CA to buy Netegrity for \$430 million

The smaller firm's technology will help strengthen Computer Associates' ability to provide authentication tools, the company says.


Can Japan rule the consumer electronics realm?

Yes, say technologists there; they'll do it with a little help from Sony and a group of people called the Bro Dra.


CA to buy Netegrity for \$430 million

Computer Associates International Inc. (CA) announced Wednesday that it plans to buy identity and access management software maker Netegrity Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts, for \$430 million in cash.


Final buzzer arrives for Pippen

As six NBA championship trophies covered with his fingerprints gleamed behind him in a trophy case, Scottie Pippen slumped his lean 6-7 frame over a Berto Center podium Tuesday and bade farewell to his playing days.


Oil inventory rise less than forecast

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - US stockpiles of crude oil rose by 1.1 million barrels last week, the government reported Wednesday, coming in at half of what analysts had expected.


News offers investors more rights

Media group News Corp. Ltd. has offered an olive branch to investors opposed to it moving its main share listing to the United States, telling them it is considering moves to enhance shareholder rights.


Viacom: Blockbuster Exchange Successful

Media conglomerate Viacom Inc. (VIAb) said Wednesday its exchange offer to split off its Blockbuster Inc. (BBI) unit, which expired at midnight Tuesday, was successful, based on preliminary results.


Monsanto Posts Narrower 4Q Loss

Monsanto Co., a producer of Roundup herbicide and insect-resistant seeds, posted narrower fourth-quarter losses on Wednesday, but said lower Roundup herbicide sales in the United States hurt total quarterly revenue.


StarHub sets IPO price at 95 cents, at lower end of range

SINGAPORE : StarHub, Singapore #39;s second largest phone company, has priced its shares at 95 cents apiece, at the lower end of its forecast price range.


PalmOne Hooks into Exchange

Users of the Treo smartphone will get out-of-the-box compatibility with Microsoft #39;s Exchange Server, thanks to a licensing deal between Milpitas, Calif.


Maurice Wilkins:

Maurice Wilkins, who shared a Nobel Prize for the discovery of DNA #39;s structure, died yesterday aged 87. Wilkins was still a staff member at King #39;s College London, where he had worked since 1946.


Nokia makes inroads into Land Rover

Nokia has created communication system that integrates mobile phone functions with the on-board system in Land Rover vehicles. The product dubbed, Personal Telephone Integration, was developed specifically


Indie music label rejects lock-down CDs

A European indie music label is taking an unusual approach to the issue of CD copy protection - it is branding all its releases with a sticker proclaiming the absence of any such control measure.


Broadcom, Agere Settle Suit

IRVINE, Calif. -- Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM) today announced that it has settled all outstanding litigation with Agere Systems Inc.


Key battles in England v Wales game

England will be determined to restore their battered reputation when their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign resumes with a mouth-watering clash against Wales at Old Trafford this weekend.


Long day for Sharapova

Tokyo - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova had a long day along with 2002 Wimbledon finalists Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian in their first matches at the Japan Open tennis tournament on Wednesday.


Atapattu seeks improvement

Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu put the blame on his batsmen after their eight-wicket defeat by Pakistan. They only totalled 232-9 and Yousuf Youhana (107) and Man of the Match Shoaib Malik (86) comfortably knocked off the runs for the home side.


School House Shock (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - It's a noble concept that was designed to bridge the digital divide: Offer public schools and libraries steep discounts on Internet access and phone service through a special government-mandated program. But reports of fraud and lackluster oversight have caused the program to be put on ice and now some educators and librarians are scrambling.


Ten killed by Iraq car bomb as Iraqi-US forces forge ahead with <b>...</b>

RAMADI, Iraq, Oct 6 (AFP) - A suicide car bomb ripped through a queue of young national guard recruits in western Iraq Wednesday, killing 10 of them as Iraqi and US forces pursued their crackdown on the country #39;s insurgency.


Dubious plan to free French hostages snags Chirac in fiasco

Paris -- A high-stakes scheme to free two French journalists kidnapped in Iraq threatens to embroil President Jacques Chirac in a political scandal over whether his government assisted private intermediaries in negotiating with terrorists for the hostages


PalmOne Eyes Mobile E-Mail (PC World)

PC World - Deal with Microsoft will allow users to access e-mail without third-party software.


The Old World Becomes A Little Newer (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - Europe has long been an innovation leader. Centuries ago, Johannes Gutenberg  revolutionized practically everything with his technological marvel, the printing press. Europe's modern-day innovators have changed how we work and play with inventions such as compact disks, the World Wide Web, and the Linux operating system. Today, engineers at Airbus are pushing the envelope with the world's biggest commercial aircraft, the 600-seat, double-decker A380 superjumbo. ...


Computer Associates to Acquire Netegrity (AP)

AP - Computer Associates International Inc. will acquire Netegrity Inc. in a  #36;430 million cash deal that will merge the computer security software makers, the companies said Wednesday.


IBM delivers WebSphere 6.0 (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - IBM on Wednesday formally announced the next major release of WebSphere, code-named Vela, which company officials see as an integral building block for both its ongoing SOA (service-oriented architecture) and On Demand strategies.


DNA Pioneer Maurice Wilkins Dies at 88 (AP)

AP - Nobel laureate Maurice Wilkins, one of the scientists involved in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, died Tuesday in London. He was 88.


Scientist Who Played Role in DNA Discovery Dies (Reuters)

Reuters - Nobel laureate Maurice Wilkins, a\British scientist who played a key role in the discovery of the\double helix structure of DNA, died on Tuesday, his university\said on Wednesday.


America's Space Prize: Reaching Higher Than Sub-Orbit (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - A new challenge awaits private rocketeers hoping to breach the space frontier with their own versions of reusable spacecraft, this one demanding faster and hardier vehicles capable of orbital flights.


Oil, Profit Warnings Leave Stocks Flat

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were little changed on  Wednesday as high crude prices drove up shares of energy  companies, but profit warnings dragged on such sectors as auto  parts and semiconductors.


Arty cosmetic surgery alternative

Adiences of an exhibition are being invited to see what they would look like if they had cosmetic surgery.


EU Commission: 'Yes, But' to Turkey Talks

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Turkey won a provisional green light  from the European Commission on Wednesday to open membership  negotiations with the European Union, a watershed decision  after 40 years of on-again, off-again talks.


U.S. Filing Complaint on Airbus Subsidies

U.S. trade authorities said Wednesday they will file a complaint against the European Union to the World Trade Organization, contesting what they regard as billions of dollars in unfair subsidies provided to aircraft company Airbus by European governments.


Renault to produce cars in Iran

French carmaker Renault sets up a joint venture with Iran to build 300,000 of its new 'no-frills' Logan model a year.


United Airlines to Cut 68 Planes and Add to Foreign Flights

United Airlines said today that it would cut 68 airplanes from its fleet, shift more responsibility for domestic routes to its regional carrier, and expand international flying.


Nokia makes inroads into Land Rover

Company's communication system integrates cell phone functions into Land Rover's "central infotainment display."


EU, US aerospace aid spat heats up

EU files counter-case at World Trade Organization over US aid to Boeing; US files over Airbus. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU said Wednesday it will file a counter-case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over


Stocks Hover Close to Unchanged Levels

Oil prices slipped from their record highs Wednesday ahead of the weekly report on US inventories, but stocks hovered close to unchanged levels as investors considered the long-term implications of the flu vaccine shortage.


DNA Pioneer Maurice Wilkins Dies at 88

Maurice Wilkins, the third man in the discovery of the structure of DNA, died Tuesday in London. He was 88. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1962 along


Broadcom, Agere Settle Suit

Irvine-based Broadcom (www.broadcom.com) said yesterday that it has settled all of the company #39;s outstanding litigation with Agere Systems.


India #39;s greatest

Think patience and perseverance. And then turn your attention to Indian cricket. There is one man, Anil Kumble, who instantly comes to mind.


Red Sox open with a bang

And when you do all three as well as the Red Sox did on Tuesday afternoon, the result is a 9-3 win over the Angels in the first game of the American League Division Series.


Big Ten gears defenses to stop run

For a conference rooted in offensive muscle, the Big Ten seems a little frail in the running department this season. Ohio State and Michigan, which built their reputations on power football, rank


Fake Telephone Calls Trouble European Airlines

On October 5, an unidentified call rang in the Lufthansa airlines office while one of its flights was flying from Frankfurt to Tel Aviv in Israel.


SAP presents new capabilities for Netweaver

SAP AG announced two updates to the Master Data Management (MDM) component of its NetWeaver integration and application platform on Tuesday. The updates, which will appear by the end of the year, are designed to make it easier to synchronize data between different systems. Two other new NetWeaver enhancements, faster searching of corporate data and more robust handling of errors in Java applications, will only appear in the next release of NetWeaver, planned for 2005, the company said at the SAP TechEd conference in San Diego.


China to strive for prudent, stable fiscal, monetary policies in <b>...</b>

BEIJING (AFP) - China #39;s leaders have wrapped up a key economic meeting pledging to strive for stable economic growth next year with an emphasis on quality and efficiency rather than simply a high growth rate.


Hitachi, Toshiba unveil fuel cells

CHIBA, JAPAN -- Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. unveiled this week new fuel cell prototypes for a range of applications that could be commercialized as early as next year.


Howard Stern to broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio

Howard Stern, one of the most popular US radio personalities, said Wednesday he will broadcast his show on Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) beginning in 2006, after being dropped earlier this year from several stations that objected to


PeopleSoft nearly positive towards Oracle bid

PeopleSoft said it could accept a takeover bid from Oracle and now needs time to weigh on it. Oracle has been haunting PeopleSoft for 15 months with the possible bid of \$7.


Smucker to Take 2Q Charge on Unit Sale

JM Smucker Co., a maker of jams, peanut butter, shortening and oils, said on Wednesday that it will sell its Brazil operations, Smucker do Brasil Ltda.


UPDATE 1-RESEARCH ALERT-Analysts cut Open Text ratings

Analysts cut their ratings and slashed stock targets for Open Text Corp.(OTC.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday, citing concerns that the software maker #39;s warning of weaker-than-forecast quarterly results signal growth


Google Challenges Amazon with Book Search\\Google has quietly launched a new book search service which is predicted to rival Google publishing partner and Internet book retailer Amazon.com. Accoding to a Rueters report Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin will be holding a press conference on Thursday to demonstrate the ...


Goldcorp, Wheaton to merge

Goldcorp Inc. yesterday became the third North American mining company this year to launch a bid to buy Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.


Mac OS X Tip of the Week: Make Column View a Permanent Thing

In love with column view? Find out how to make it a permanent thing at the Apple Pro/ site in the latest Mac OS X killer tip. Sep 29


All Options Open for OPEC Meeting - Iran

All options, including cutting quotas, are up for discussion when OPEC ministers meet in Cairo this week to plan their response to a sharp fall in prices


Doing the balancing act

The Australians are currently weighing up their choice in the Federal election, and the country #39;s top-order batsmen also looked confused as they decided between two party #39;s policies.


Henry - may now also committ to the Gunners long-term

Arsenal shareholders will head into Thursday #39;s annual general meeting at Highbury secure in the knowledge the future of their club is in safe hands.


BAR look to celebrate century with elusive win

SUZUKA, Japan (AFP) - BAR will celebrate their 100th Grand Prix start in Sunday #39;s Japanese Grand Prix with drivers Jenson Button and Takuma Sato chasing an elusive victory at Suzuka.


Cole found guilty by FA

London, England (Sports Network) - The Football Association suspended Fulham striker Andy Cole for three matches Wednesday. The suspension stems from an incident during Fulham #39;s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich on September 18.


Gamblers hope to hit the Nobel Peace Prize jackpot (AFP)

AFP - Endless money forms the sinews of war, Cicero once said, but it may also be the dividend of peace -- especially for gamblers who can now place bets online on the person or organisation they think is going to be named the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner on Friday.


Iran Readies Uranium for Enrichment, UN Watching

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran said on Wednesday it had processed  several tons of raw "yellowcake" uranium to prepare it for  enrichment -- a process that can be used to make atomic weapons  -- in defiance of the U.N. nuclear watchdog.


Blair: World Will Keep Pressure on Sudan for Peace

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair  warned Sudan on Wednesday the international community would not  rest until violence was ended in Darfur and a comprehensive  peace deal was struck across the whole country.


Strong Quake, 5.8 on Richter, Jolts Tokyo

TOKYO (Reuters) - A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the  Richter scale jolted eastern Japan including Tokyo on Wednesday  evening, but there was no danger of tsunami tidal waves, the  Metereorological Agency said.


Death for Kabila prosecutor

A former military prosecutor in the Democratic of Congo is sentenced to death by a military court for murder.


EU spells out Balkan entry terms

The EU executive sets tough terms for Eastern European countries hoping to join in the coming years.


AP: Iran Moves Toward Nuclear Production

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has produced "a few tons" of the gas needed to enrich uranium, a top nuclear official said Wednesday, confirming the country has defied international demands and taken a necessary step toward producing nuclear fuel - or nuclear weapons.    Uranium hexafluoride gas is the material that, in the next stage, is fed into centrifuges used to enrich uranium...


Stern to Join Sirius Satellite Radio

NEW YORK - Top-ranked shock jock Howard Stern says he is leaving Infinity Broadcasting Corp. to join Sirius satellite radio, beginning in January 2006, where he'll get the national audience he has coveted...


Woods Marries Model in Barbados Ceremony

SANDY LANE BEACH, Barbados - Tiger Woods married Swedish model Elin Nordegren at an exclusive resort in Barbados during a sunset ceremony that reportedly cost \$3 million, according to witnesses.    Oprah Winfrey and former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were among more than 120 guests seen by an Associated Press reporter perched on a hill overlooking the club house of the Sandy Lane resort and golf course, which went to extraordinary lengths to shield the ceremony from journalists...


Stocks Decline on Vaccine Shortage News

NEW YORK - Oil prices slipped from their record highs Wednesday ahead of the weekly report on U.S. inventories, but stocks continued their slide as investors considered the long-term implications of the flu vaccine shortage...


Getting wine online

For many wine aficionados, the most important case in years is about to be opened. On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments from small wineries and state regulators


Oil Climbs Back Over \$50 Per Barrel

SINGAPORE, OCT 5: US oil prices scrambled back over \$50 a barrel on Tuesday, kept on edge by a prolonged production outage in the Gulf of Mexico at a time when major exporters are already pumping nearly full tilt.


Stern quits Viacom for multimillion radio deal with Sirius

NEW YORK - Howard Stern, the controversial talk radio host who is the scourge of conservative Americans, is quitting Viacom to host his show on the satellite radio service Sirius as part of five-year, multimillion-dollar deal.


Dow falls as oil prices rise; Nasdaq gains

NEW YORK - Uneasy investors sold stocks mostly lower Tuesday as oil prices climbed above \$51 per barrel, creating new worries that rising energy costs would curb consumer spending and corporate profits.


Braves' Furcal Allowed to Play in Playoffs (AP)

AP - Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal may play in the playoffs despite a probation violation on a drunken-driving charge.


Hewitt on Roddick #39;s heels

LLEYTON HEWITT overcame a mid-match blip to make a strong start to his Japan Open campaign and take another small step towards replacing Andy Roddick as the world #39;s No.


Woods struggling to cope with body changes - Singh

Vijay Singh thinks the main reason he has replaced Tiger Woods as world number one is the American #39;s failure to adapt to changes in his body.


Giants Place Shaun Williams on IR (Reuters)

Reuters - New York Giants\safety Shaun Williams was placed on injured reserve Wednesday\due to a left knee injury.


Fiery Latham offers sharp contrast

Win or lose on October 9, Labor Party leader Mark Latham has already etched himself into the annals of Australian political history.


Giants Place Shaun Williams on IR

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sports Network) - New York Giants  safety Shaun Williams was placed on injured reserve Wednesday  due to a left knee injury.


Tiger Woods married Swedish model Elin Nordegren at an exclusive resort in Barbados during a sunset ceremony that reportedly cost \$3 million, according to witnesses.


Howard Stern to Move to Sirius Radio

NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Shock jock" Howard Stern will jump to  Sirius Satellite Radio SIRI.O in January 2006, moving his  controversial show from the public airwaves and giving the  nascent satellite radio sector a big boost.


U.S., EU Spar Over Airbus, Boeing Aid

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Europe on  Wednesday filed tit-for-tat World Trade Organization complaints  over billions of dollars in subsidies for top aircraft  manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.


Knight Trading Group Warns of Loss

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Knight Trading Group Inc. NITE.O,  one of the biggest traders of Nasdaq stocks, on Wednesday  forecast a third-quarter loss, missing Wall Street expectations  of a profit, because of low trading volumes.


New Smartphone Triumvirate

Intel, Nokia, and Symbian's alliance should shake competitors' confidence.


EU hits back over Boeing #39;s  quot;massive quot; aid

The EU has hit back after Washington filed a case at the World Trade Organisation over state aid for aircraft maker Airbus EAD.PA , filing its own case over what it called  quot;massive illegal quot; aid for Boeing BA.


United to cut domestic flights

United Airlines #39; parent company, UAL Corp., said Wednesday it #39;s airline will reduce US flights and focus more attention on more profitable international flights.


Protection key to News US move

THE News Corporation Ltd could probably satisfy most of the corporate governance criticisms relating to its proposed move to the US by simply formally adopting its previously stated intentions.


T-Mobile Secures Wi-Fi HotSpots

T-Mobile USA today released a new secure encrypted Connection Manager that will enable users to login to any of the 4700 nationwide HotSpot wireless networks.


Clean green cars move one step closer

A new generation of cheaper and more efficient hydrogen fuel cells may bring the environmentalists dream of affordable, green cars one step closer to reality.


Sharapova, Hewitt advance at Japan Open

TOKYO -- Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova advanced to the Japan Open quarterfinals on Wednesday after overcoming a shaky second set to defeat Australian Samantha Stosur 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.


Angels crash to earth as Red Sox run riot

MANNY RAMIREZ #39;s three-run home run capped a seven-run fourth inning as the Boston Red Sox registered a 9-3 win over the Angels at Anaheim in the opening game of their American League Division Series on Tuesday.


When it comes to the playoffs, the more the merrier is my <b>...</b>

Of all the changes in sports, the one that fundamentalists have the hardest time accepting is the addition of the wild card in baseball.