Expensing Options: A Reprieve? (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - On weekdays, Jeff Solof is director of Sun Microsystems'  Web site. On weekends, he's a deacon at an Eastern Orthodox church in Worcester, Mass. But the 44-year-old father of two has a dream: When he hits his 50s, he'll cash in his 40,000 Sun stock options and become a full-time minister. Stock options "are a long- term incentive" to stick with Sun, he says.


Ford Raises Quarter and Full-Year Outlook

Ford raised its earnings guidance for 2004 today in part on the back of continued strong performance by its financial services business.


The Next Big Cheese

Will the next person to fill Michael Eisner's shoes ask for glass slipper shoehorns or odor eaters?


Qualcomm #39;s Royalty Pain

Qualcomm (QCOM:Nasdaq - news - research) raised its current-quarter earnings estimate but saw its shares tank because of uncertainty about the accounting for its huge royalty franchise.


Calif. judge cuts Microsoft legal fees

This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been improving or obtaining CRM and ERP software for the past year and a half. A San Francisco judge ordered Microsoft to pay lawyers involved in its \$1.


Voq smartphone arrives in US

With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.


The political implications of the Jaguar decision

The Ford Motor Company #39;s decision to quit Formula 1 and sell its F1-related operations is a setback for the whole sport. It paints F1 in a negative light: Formula 1, Richard Parry-Jones said, was too expensive and was too slow to change.


Red Sox Ready For Yankees After Schilling Wins 20th

_ Curt Schilling #39;s 20th victory of the season was just a start for the Boston Red Sox. Schilling and the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay 11-4 Thursday night, moving within 3 1/2 games of the Yankees in


Japan Players to Go on First-Ever Strike

Japanese baseball players decided to go on strike for the first time in the 70 year history of the local game after last minute talks with the representatives


Ford Boosts Profit Outlook, Closes Plant

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its  earnings outlook on Friday, due to strength from its financial  services sector, even as it announced the end of car production  at a Jaguar plant in Britain and its withdrawal from Formula  One racing.


US Sept Consumer Sentiment Stagnates

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


Qualcomm May Change Royalty Recognition

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc. QCOM.O may change the  way it recognizes royalties from its licensees, which would  reduce fourth-quarter pre-tax income by \$298 million, the  company said on Friday.


Alpharma Says Pfizer Drug Generic Cleared

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alpharma Inc. ALO.N on Friday said a  federal appellate court has set aside its earlier order that  had prevented the company from launching a generic form of  Pfizer Inc's PFE.N Neurontin capsules to treat epilepsy,  sending Alpharma shares higher.


Suicide Bomber Targets Baghdad Police

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attacker detonated an explosives-packed vehicle near a row of police cars blocking off a bridge in central Baghdad, killing at least five people and wounding 20, officials said. The attack came hours after U.S...


Ivan Batters Gulf Coast, Leaves 28 Dead

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Hurricane Ivan extended its deadly march across the South on Friday, destroying homes, swamping streets and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas...


Michigan consumer report flat

US consumer sentiment stagnated in early September, according to a survey released Friday, as doubts about the economy and the job market persisted.


Carnival Profit Up Sharply After Merger

Carnival Corp. (CCL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world #39;s biggest cruise group, on Friday said quarterly earnings rose sharply, citing the merger with P amp;O Princess Cruises last year.


Dollar tumbles on inflation report

The Canadian dollar dropped two-thirds of a US cent in early trading Friday after a tame inflation report eased pressure on the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates in coming months.


Murdoch #39;s American dream bad for investors

The proposed transfer of News Corporation #39;s domicile to Delaware will probably occur after this week #39;s lukewarm endorsement from News #39; independent expert, Grant Samuel.


Goldman Group to Buy Cooper Tire Unit for \$1.17 Bln (Update1)

A group led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. agreed to buy the Cooper Tire  amp; Rubber Co. business that makes automotive fluid-handling systems and other components for \$1.


Number Of Men Alleging Harassment On Job Up, Report Says

The number of men claiming they #39;re victims of sexual harassment at work is increasing, according to a published report. Have you witnessed or have you been a victim of sexual harassment of men at work?


FTC Considers Bounties For Catching Spammers

The federal government is proposing money as an incentive to turn in those who send millions of unwanted e-mails. Would you turn in a friend or co-worker who was sending spam?


Leading indicator of economic performance moderated again in <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - The composite leading index, an early measurement of economic performance, moderated again in August, to 0.5 per cent from 0.6 per cent in July, Statistics Canada reported Friday.


More web surfers abandoning the good ship Internet Explorer

Microsoft #39;s web browser, Internet Explorer, is continuing its slow but steady slide in market share. According to fresh numbers from web metrics firm Websidestory, IE #39;s share has slipped 1.8 per cent in the last three months.


easyGroup enters online music market with 25p downloads

Stelios is tapping his feet to the rhythm of a new venture in the form of easyMusic, to be launched in time for Christmas. The easyGroup company has teamed up with London-based music service Wippit to launch


ATI develops PCI Express-based HyperMemory

ATI takes the concept of  quot;shared memory quot; and utilizes next-generation technology to produce HyperMemory. Using PCI Express, this new technology reduces PC system costs by allowing its visual processors to use system memory for graphics processing.


Microsoft clause puts OpenOffice users on notice

Jaded souls might say that Sun Microsystems sold the open source community down the river in its landmark settlement with Microsoft in April.


Kerio MailServer 6

Server: requires Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Red Hat Linux 9.0 or later, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3, SuSE Linux 9.x, or Mac OS X 10.


MyDoom Variant Packs Photo of Netsky Author

A new variant of the MyDoom Internet worm contains some puzzling add-ins: a photo that bears a likeness of Sven Jaschan, whom police in Berlin last week charged with computer sabotage after he admitted to authoring the Sasser worm, and a high-level


Kuznetsova forced to fight to reach Bali semis

US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova overcame a tough first-set challenge from wild card Angelique Widjaja to reach the semi-finals of the Wismilak International with a 7-5 6-1 victory on Friday.


More Blackburn Rovers Stories

Mark Hughes has been warned that Blackburn are no longer the bottomless pit of cash that they were a decade ago - but the new Rovers manager will have some money to spend when the transfer window reopens in January.


Japan #39;s players go on strike, weekend games called off

TOKYO Baseball players in Japan are going on strike for the first time in the sport #39;s history there. Games this weekend are being called off after extended negotiations with team officials failed to bear fruit.


Racing to beat the next bomb

As Indonesia #39;s police investigate the embassy bombing the fear is the attackers will strike again. Mark Coultan and Catharine Munro report from Jakarta.


China admits communist cadres  #39;lose their heads #39;

An internal survey by the Chinese Communist Party has found that more than half its higher-echelon cadres are incompetent and many  quot;lost their heads quot; when faced with difficult situations.


Keeping Tony Blair #39;s secret all in the family

For some sections of the British press, nothing succeeds like excess - but London #39;s editors are steering well clear of one story, writes Peter Fray in London.


Danes find a bridge to love (Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune - The train is sleek and fast that each night carries Christina Reves away from her country and toward her husband. It races through Denmark's scattered marshes and clicks over a bridge and across the water, stopping 35 minutes later in Sweden.


France, Belgium Delay NATO Iraq Agreement (AP)

AP - France and Belgium, two of the most vocal critics of the U.S. war in Iraq, would not agree Friday to a planned expansion of NATO's military training mission in Iraq, but officials were confident that a deal could be reached within coming days.


Qualcomm Raises 4Q, Year Outlook (AP)

AP - Qualcomm Inc. Friday raised its earnings and revenue forecasts for the current quarter, based on higher shipments of its cell-phone chips.


200,000 Consumers May See Bills Forgiven

Consumers who were billed for services used on or before June 15, 2003, but who did not pay or dispute the charges, would have the opportunity to dispute the charges in writing and qualify to have the debt forgiven.


Oil Surges on Storm, Stock Build Concern

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


Newfound Comet Set for Winter Display (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - Donald Machholz of Colfax, \  California, an optician who has been interested in astronomy since age eight, \  discovered nine comet from 1978 through 1994. He has since spent 1,457 hours \  scanning the skies for other comets, without any luck.


Return to Flight on Track Despite Setbacks (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - NASA is making progress in its return to flight efforts, despite suffering setbacks from a recent rash of hurricanes that have pummeled the nation's space coast, according to the task force overseeing the agency's work.


September Consumer Sentiment Flat

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


Will FDA Allow Imports of Canadian and European Flu Vaccines?

FDA officials on Tuesday are expected to announce whether they will allow four million to five million doses of flu vaccine manufactured in Europe and Canada to be imported for use in the United States, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said Friday in his


Rough Start for U.S.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson get off to an inglorious start in their better-ball match against Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington.


The Fool's Look Ahead

The Motley Fool's Rick Munarriz takes a look at the business week that approaches.


Qualcomm May Change Royalty Recognition

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) may change the way it recognizes royalties from its licensees, which would reduce fourth-quarter pre-tax income by \$298 million, the company said on Friday.


Improved Ford guidance boosts markets, C\$ tumbles on weak <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Stock markets rose Friday morning, helped by improved profit guidance from Ford Motor Co., while indications of tame inflation and low interest rates sent the Canadian dollar tumbling.


AMS: US actions foiling hostage deal

Iraq #39;s influential Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS) has accused the US army of hampering efforts to secure the release of two abducted French journalists.


Nose-controlled mouse not to be sniffed at

Letters Reg readers applaud sillytech


Eberharter Retires

_ Four-time Olympic medalist Stephan Eberharter is retiring from competitive skiing after 16 years on the World Cup circuit. The 35-year-old Austrian was the runner-up in last season #39;s overall World Cup standings.


Victory pays for visitors

The mantra in the days leading up to this morning #39;s start of the 35th Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills has been pride, heart, patriotism.


30 killed, 40 wounded in US airstrikes in Fallujah

An injured Iraqi kid was sent to the hospital in Fallujah, Sept. 17, 2004. US aircraft launched airstrikes Friday on targets near the restive city of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, killing at least 30 people and injuring 40 others.


Nets Chief Throws Cold Water on Kidd Trade (AP)

AP - The New Jersey Nets are not going to trade All-Star point guard Jason Kidd unless they get a deal that makes them a better team, chief executive Rod Thorn said Thursday.


Yukos Oil Co. Still Close to Bankruptcy (AP)

AP - Russia's Yukos oil company has paid  #36;2.2 billion of its  #36;3.4 billion tax bill for 2000, Yukos' top finance official said Friday, as he renewed warnings that the embattled company was close to bankruptcy.


Malaysia, Thailand to Discuss Bird Flu (AP)

AP - Malaysia will send a team of senior agriculture officials to Thailand next week for urgent talks on tightening border controls against the spread of bird flu, which has forced a quarantine of Malaysia's northern Kelantan state.


Sony Describes HD Product Plans (PC World)

PC World - Wega TVs, Vaio systems, DVD recorders and camcorder highlight HD product lineup.


U.S. Stocks Higher, Ford Outlook Helps

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips advanced on Friday  after Ford Motor Co. raised its earnings forecasts, while  wireless technology provider Qualcomm Inc. limited gains on the  Nasdaq after saying an accounting review may reduce pretax  income.


Cooper Tire Selling Auto Parts Unit

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. CTB.N on  Friday said it agreed to sell an automotive parts business to  two buyout firms for about \$1.17 billion, the latest private  equity purchase in the sector.


Kerry Criticizes Bush and Cheney on Halliburton's Iraq Contracts

John Kerry today accused the Bush administration of turning a blind eye to waste by Halliburton, and proposed reforming the contracting system.


Funds Move Toward Independent Chairmen (AP)

AP - Mutual funds are moving to comply with a new rule that requires them to have independent chairmen starting in 2006, despite a growing challenge to the rule.


Bush Raises Campaign Funds in D.C., N.C.

WASHINGTON - President Bush is dusting off his fund-raiser-in-chief hat and resuming the task of collecting campaign cash for himself and other Republican candidates. He was raising money Friday in Washington and North Carolina and, while down south, was holding an event designed to boost his standing among women voters...


U.S. Official Witnesses Sudan Attack

MORNIE, Sudan - A U.S. aid chief got a firsthand look at the anger among Darfur's beleaguered population Friday, when residents of a refugee camp beat up a government worker who tried to stop them from complaining to the visiting diplomat...


Four key steps in Murdoch #39;s US march

RUPERT Murdoch has to win four key votes to shift The News Corporation Ltd to New York and into the S amp;P 500 share index. The votes of the Australian institutions - where the greatest opposition to the move resides - are critical in only one of the four.


Family-values organizations call for boycott of 2 P amp;G products

CINCINNATI - Two family-values organizations are calling for a boycott of two Procter  amp; Gamble Co. products because the organizations say P amp;G is tacitly supporting gay marriage.


Microsofts next move in the Windows vs. Linux battle

Are you convinced that Windows environments are less expensive to own and operate than Linux computers? Martin Taylor, the manager behind Microsofts anti-Linux strategy, believes the companys Get The


#39;Sims 2 #39; makes emotional debut

Electronic Arts on Friday began shipping the long-awaited sequel to its hit PC game  quot;The Sims. quot;. The new version,  quot;The Sims 2, quot; builds on the theme of letting people play out simulated life stories of its characters


US defeats the EU

THE biannual Ryder Cup golf competition in Bulgaria finished with a narrow victory for the US team, which took a lead of three points to beat the European Union team.


Detained man links Azahari to blast

JAKARTA: Indonesian police have detained a man who was with notorious JI operative Azahari bin Husin in the minutes before the Jakarta embassy blast, national police chief Dai Bachtiar said yesterday, directly linking Azahari to the bombing for the first


Technology Rules in 'World of Tomorrow'

You'd better hope your computer doesn't break down today, because every self-respecting geek with \$10 and a pulse will be queuing up to see "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow." -washingtonpost.com


SEC Investigating WorldCom Creditors Committee

The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating WorldCom Inc.'s official creditors committee, requesting reams of documents related to members' dealings as well as information they reviewed about WorldCom's health and prospects.


RosettaNet takes standards push to small firms

The group, which is pushing for adoption of a universal e-business language, wants to make its standards easier and cheaper to use.


'Sims 2' makes emotional debut

New version of hit game gives characters a purpose in life and a chance to pass on their DNA.


Portis the showman remains a team player

From the first day of the Washington Redskins #39; first minicamp in March, Clinton Portis was marching to a different beat. While his teammates were practically swooning over their first practice under returning


Brief: Xserve installations proliferate

Co-location and dedicated server provider OSI Hosting.net has acquired 1,000 Xserves from Apple Computer Inc. as part of an expansion into seven new facilities.


Web server tool Lasso adds FileMaker 7 support

The upgrade to the OmniPilot's's Web application server tool adds compatibility with FileMaker Pro 7, allowing developers of data-driven sites to keep pace with the most popular database software available for the Mac.


PeopleSoft's prospects top agenda at show

PeopleSoft's Connect 2004 user conference comes just two weeks after a federal judge denied a request by the Department of Justice to block Oracle's attempted takeover of its business applications rival.


AOL backs away from Microsoft antispam plan

America Online Inc. has decided not to fully support Microsoft's Sender ID spam-fighting plan citing intellectual property concerns from the Internet Engineering Task Force and the open-source community.


Symantec to acquire security consultants Stake

Symantec plans to integrate Stake's services and applications into its global professional services offerings, but offered no details on the acquisition.


Version 2.0 of Linux Standard Base specs now available

The latest Linux Standard Base specifications are now out, allowing open-source vendors and developers to maintain easy portability and compatibility among applications for Linux.


Arrest made in Cisco source code theft

Police in the U.K. have arrested a man in connection with the theft of source code from networking equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. in May, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed Friday.


Sony Describes HD Product Plans

Wega TVs, Vaio systems, DVD recorders and camcorder highlight HD product lineup.


European Antitrust Probe Questioned

Airbus questions EU's ruling against Microsoft, which could affect other industries.


China Blasted Over Piracy

Lax enforcement of intellectual property laws hurts business and investment, group charges.


Update 2: Qualcomm Raises 4Q, Year Outlook

Qualcomm Inc. Friday raised its earnings and revenue forecasts for the current quarter, based on higher shipments of its cell-phone chips.


UPDATE 2-Circuit City loss narrows, stock jumps

Circuit City Stores Inc. (CC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday reported a narrower quarterly loss as it kept a tight rein on expenses and sales of digital


Court Nixes Ex-Vivendi Chief Bail Request

A Paris appeals court on Friday rejected a request by former Vivendi Universal chief Jean-Marie Messier to lower his bail in a case of suspected financial wrongdoing.


Mozilla Firefox 1.0 Preview Release

After a year in development Mozilla Firefox has finally reached version 1.0, and this Preview Release has recently been made available.


Spam wins the second round

THE battle against spam took a turn for the worse yesterday when America Online pulled back support for an industry-wide email authentication system aimed at reducing junk email.


Feds Seize \$87M in Counterfeit Software Sting

FBI officials said they have netted close to \$87 million worth of counterfeit software and components in California, Washington and Texas as a result of a sting operation called Operation Digital Marauder.


Microsoft To Pay \$113M To California Lawyers

The award for fees and costs comes in a case in which Microsoft agreed to allocate \$1.1 billion for California consumers. By Associated Press.


New Online Music: Easy Listening from Stelios

The service is the latest in a portfolio of businesses under the Easy banner, including easyJet, easyInternetcafe, easyCinema, easyBus, easyPizza, easyCar and easy4Men.


Reward system may not help catch spammers

The Federal Trade Commission and other law enforcers face three hurdles in having a reward system for anti-spam investigations, according to a new FTC report.


Dyer facing weeks out with injury

NEWCASTLE, England -- Graeme Souness suffered his first serious setback as Newcastle manager after Kieron Dyer was ruled out of action for several weeks with a recurrence of the hamstring problems that have dogged him throughout his career.


Ajax finally comes to terms with Trabelsi

Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Sports Network) - Ajax defender Hatem Trabelsi finally ended his holdout by signing a new two-year contract on Friday.


Actually, they #39;re all in the chase

The conspiracy theorists are already concocting potential plots. They speculate whether an out-of-contention driver would sabotage someone in the top 10, how teamwork might make an


Amazon A9 Search Engine Offers Shopping Discount\\In an effort to boost Amazon's A9 search engine usage and draw searchers away from Yahoo, Google and MSN, Amazon/A9 is offering a discount plan for A9 searchers on Amazon.com. Amazon is discounting purchases by 1.5 for A9 users as long as they register ...


Apple issues iChat security fix (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Apple Computer Inc. on Thursday released its third security update in recent days. Security Update 2004-09-16 fixes a security issue with Apple's iChat application that allowed Remote iChat participants can send "links" that can start local programs if clicked.


Olympics Great Success After HGH Testing, WADA Says

LONDON (Reuters) - Sport's top anti-doping official hailed  the 2004 Olympics as a "great success" Friday and revealed that  one in 10 drugs samples taken in Athens had been tested for  human growth hormone (HGH).


Bush Reform Call Seen Part of Consumption Tax Move (Reuters)

Reuters - President Bush's call for a simpler\tax code could mark the next step in a gradual move toward a\system that places more of a tax burden on consumption and less\on savings, analysts say, a direction critics think would put a\bigger burden on working Americans.


Suicide Car Bomb in Baghdad; U.S. Pounds Falluja

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber killed at least  eight people in an attack on a police checkpoint in Baghdad on  Friday, after a night of U.S. air strikes around the rebel-held  city of Falluja that killed scores.


Retirement Loans: Is the Interest Deductible?

Make sure that you think things through before you decide to borrow against your plan.


Former MedImmune Exec Pleads Guilty

A former executive of the biotechnology company MedImmune faces from 15 to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty Friday to security fraud and perjury in U.S. District Court in Washington. -AP


Foam, not shuttle repairs on the go, key flight issue

NASA can return shuttles to flight even if the agency is unable to fix in space the type of wing damage that caused the February 2003 Columbia accident, the head of an oversight group said Thursday.


Racing: Formula One in turmoil as Ford pulls out

LONDON : Formula One was thrown into turmoil after US auto giant Ford announced that it was pulling out of the sport from the end of this season.


Austria #39;s Eberharter Retires

Stephan Eberharter announced his retirement on Friday after a decade and a half as a leading light of the Austrian Alpine skiing team.


Sunday, 1 pm EDT

You have to go back to Weeks 8-9 of 2002 to find the last time Tony Dungy #39;s Colts dropped consecutive regular-season games, but Indianapolis will snap that streak if it doesn #39;t rebound from a loss in New England and get in the win column at Tennessee.


Dozens killed in oil pipeline explosion in Nigeria

Dozens of oil scoopers had died in an oil pipeline explosion on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria #39;s largest city, police and witnesses said on Friday.


As African Locust Crisis Worsens, UN Faces Huge Funds Shortfall to <b>...</b>

With the desert locust crisis in West Africa expected to deteriorate over the next few weeks, the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today that it only had in hand less than a tenth of the crucial funding needed to prevent the


US Stocks Up, Ford Forecast Gives a Lift (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. blue chips advanced on Friday\after Ford Motor Co.  raised its earnings forecasts, while\wireless technology provider Qualcomm Inc.  limited\gains on the Nasdaq after saying an accounting review may\reduce pretax income.


Boozy Oktoberfest Drinkers Get Bavarian Slang Aid (Reuters)

Reuters - Drunken revelers at the world's\biggest beer festival this year can purchase a stiff linguistic\pick me-up for when their brains get addled -- a beer and\mustard proof guide to Bavarian slang.


U.S., Allies Protest Annan Claim on Iraq (AP)

AP - Secretary-General Kofi Annan's claim that the war in Iraq was illegal drew strong protest from the United States and its allies but little comment from the war's opponents, who appeared unwilling to revisit the question.


Ryder Cup: Europe Takes Early Control

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Inspired by a  brilliant putting display in overcast conditions at Oakland  Hills, Europe led the United States in three of the four  opening fourball matches at the 35th Ryder Cup on Friday.


US Sept Consumer Sentiment Stagnates

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment stagnated in  early September as doubts about the economy and the job market  persisted, a report indicated on Friday.


ElBaradei: No Sign of Nuke Activity at New Iran Site

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog has found no  sign of nuclear-related activity at a site in Iran called  Parchin that several U.S. officials said may be linked to  secret atom bomb research, Mohamed ElBaradei said on Friday.


Iraq Airways heads past borders

Iraqi Airways is reportedly planning to restart international flights after a 14-year break on Saturday.


Iceland's Baugur bids for UK firm

Shares in discount retailer Big Food Group rise more than 11 as the owner of the Iceland frozen food chain reveals it is in bid talks.


Qualcomm May Change Royalty Recognition

Qualcomm Inc. may change the way it recognizes royalties from its licensees, which would reduce fourth-quarter pre-tax income by \$298 million, the company said on Friday.


US consumer sentiment inches lower

The consumer sentiment index slipped to 95.8 from 95.9 in August. Economists were expecting the index would tick up to 96.5. The index will be updated in two weeks to reflect surveys returned throughout September.


Stocks Rise on Bullish Ford Report

A bullish profit outlook from Ford Motor Co. sent stocks higher Friday as investors looked past a disappointing report on consumer sentiment and new accounting problems at Qualcomm Inc.


Former MedImmune Exec Pleads Guilty

A former executive of the biotechnology company MedImmune faces from 15 to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty Friday to security fraud and perjury in US District Court in Washington.


Baan Founder Launches New Web Services Company

Jan Baan, a name synonymous with one of the great ERP success stories of the 1990s, is back. And he #39;s looking to compete with the likes of SAP AG, his former business nemesis, with a new company.


Bowen Joins Hughes At Blackburn

Former Blues first team coach Mark Bowen has been appointed assistant manager to new Blackburn boss Mark Hughes. Bowen, who was surprisingly sacked from his role as Steve Bruce #39;s right-hand man in the summer


- Car bomb explosion in Baghdad kills five (LEAD)

Witnesses said a thick column of smoke was seen rising from the east side of the Tigris river. Ambulances raced to the scene while US troops and Iraqi police sealed off the area.


ATI announces HyperMemory tech

ATI HAS developed a new technology to allow system memory to be fully utilised by graphics boards, it said today. The extra bandwidth of the PCI Express bus means that shuttling data to and fro between the


Solberg Turns Up Heat

Petter Solberg turned up the heat on world championship rival Sebastien Loeb with a blistering display on stage six to close in on the Wales Rally GB leader.


Viduka makes mark in Europe

MARK VIDUKA continued his stellar run with new club Middlesbrough, scoring a double in the club #39;s 3-0 UEFA Cup first-round win against Banik Ostrava of the Czech Republic on Thursday night.


Mills: City squad behind Keegan

Danny Mills insisted on Friday that under-fire manager Kevin Keegan had the backing of the Manchester City dressing room. The England defender, who in midweek rubbished reports he had clashed with Keegan in


It #39;s showtime for these Sox

quot;It #39;s going to be a circus, anyway you look at it, quot; said Boston #39;s Kevin Millar. There are no three rings, elephants or clowns escaping tiny cars.


Ford outlook lifts markets

Improved profit guidance from Ford energized stock markets this morning despite a consumer confidence reading that unexpectedly slipped.


GE ready to sell India BPO ops

WASHINGTON: General Electric Co (GE), which began business process outsourcing to India long before the term became familiar and the issue a hot button one, is planning to sell its India operation.


Stelios boards music download bandwagon

Flamboyant entrepreneur and easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou joined the highly competitive online music market today, offering tracks from artists such as Franz Ferdinand and Beyonce as well as free downloads from unsigned artists.


Study: Some Parts of Language Innate

Sept. 17, 2004 - Some parts of language arise from the innate way humans process language, according to a new study of deaf children in Nicaragua.


AMD-Spansion shoves Intel into 2nd place

ACCORDING TO MARKET watchers, iSuppli, in Q1-Q2 2004 Spansion (AMD/Fujitsu) remained Number One mobile phone flash memory supplier, a position it first stole from Intel in 2003.


Microsofts new Media Player 10 rivals iTunes

Its amazing to see what an entrenched monopolist will do when it finally meets real competition. For years, Microsoft saw no threat to its Windows Media Player from such


Teen accused of making threats about school, possessing weapons

A 17-year-old was arrested after authorities received a tip that he was making threats in an online chat room about his high school and fellow students, police said Friday.


Trescothick boosts England

England and Sri Lanka were evenly poised when rain brought a premature end to their crucial Champions Trophy encounter at the Rose Bowl.


Auburn LSU Game

_ The LSU-Auburn football game will be played as scheduled tomorrow afternoon in Alabama. Auburn officials made the announcement this morning.


Trammell never lets up

OK, so maybe Alan Trammell did manage this game like it was the seventh game of the World Series. You know what, he #39;s not going to apologize for it.


Rafsanjani: Iran will reject any resolution calling for suspension <b>...</b>

Tehran, Sept 17, IRNA -- Tehran Substitute Friday Prayer Leader and Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said in Tehran on Friday that the US is afraid of the power of Islam.


French hostages fate hangs by a thread one month on

BAGHDAD, Sept 17 (AFP) - A month after their capture in Iraq and in spite of relentless diplomatic networking by Paris, the fate of French reporters Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot appears more uncertain than ever.


Jackson faces abuse boy's mother

Michael Jackson is in court in California to hear testimony from the mother of the boy accusing him of sexual abuse.


Broadband starts to rival dial-up

Broadband has out-stripped unmetered connections in the UK for the first time, official figures show.


Agreement Reached for Resolution on Iran's Nuclear Program

U.S. and European negotiators agreed on a draft resolution meant to deprive Iran of technology used to make nuclear weapons.


Storm Pounds Appalachian Region With Rain

Heavy rain and wind from what was once Hurricane Ivan assaulted the southern Appalachian region Friday, washing away homes and killing at least three people.


Europeans Start Strong in Ryder Cup Play

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Staring down Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the rest of the Americans, Europe got off to a stunning start Friday in the Ryder Cup...


Ivan Rattles Gulf Coast, Leaves 33 Dead

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The storm that was Hurricane Ivan extended its deadly march across the South on Friday, destroying homes, swamping streets and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas...


Jazz Cancel Moscow Trip Over Concerns (AP)

AP - The Utah Jazz's exhibition game in Russia next month was canceled by the NBA on Friday because of security concerns.


Ryder Cup: Europe Clinches the First Point

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Darren Clarke and  Miguel Angel Jimenez sealed Europe's first point in the opening  Ryder Cup fourball matches against the United States Friday,  beating Davis Love III and Chad Campbell 5   4.


Ford Hikes Profit View,  Cuts Jaguar Jobs

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its  earnings outlook on Friday, due to strength from its financial  services sector, even as it announced the end of car production  at a Jaguar plant in Britain and its withdrawal from Formula  One racing.


Natural disasters 'on the rise'

More people are being caught up in a growing number of natural disasters, the UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction says.


Circuit City Cuts Loss, Stock Soars

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. CC.N on  Friday reported a narrower quarterly loss as it kept a tight  rein on expenses and sales of digital televisions and notebook  computers rose, sending its stock up 5 percent.


U.N. Seeks Limits on Pesticide Harming Ozone Layer (Reuters)

Reuters - The world should crack down further on the\use of the pesticide methyl bromide which is damaging the ozone\layer, the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) said on Thursday.


US consumer confidence dips

US consumers are still worried about their jobs and income, the University of Michigan's index of consumer confidence indicates.


Ariba opens development center in India

BANGALORE, INDIA -- Ariba Inc. has set up a software development facility in Bangalore, India, which will work on product development as well as technical support and services, the company announced Friday.


News: Cash Bounties For Spammers Win Limited FTC Backing

The Federal Trade Commission yesterday gave limited endorsement to offering cash rewards to people who help track down e-mail spammers, suggesting that such\bounties might work but in fewer circumstances than had been pushed by some anti-spam activists.\


Carnival sails to higher 3Q profit

Carnival Corp., the world #39;s biggest cruise group, said Friday its quarterly earnings rose sharply, citing the merger with P amp;O Princess Cruises last year.


Emerson Electric Names Farr Chairman

Emerson Electric Co., a maker of electrical energy regulation products, said Friday that chief executive David N. Farr will succeed chairman Charles F. Knight, who is retiring.


MARKET COMMENT: European Stocks Rise With Oil Shares

1015 GMT (Dow Jones) LONDON--European stocks higher driven by gains for oils and mining stocks. Trader says expiration of derivatives contracts or  quot;triple witching quot; not having major impact.


Airbus Hears You Now

One of the most frequent complaints voiced by air travelers over the past decade or so has been having to comply with the instruction to  quot;make sure your mobile phones are turned off quot; before liftoff.


PStwo on October 26th?

We first reported on the speculation about this a couple of weeks ago, now everyone is aflutter of the news that Sony is supposedly (big emphasis on the supposedly, ok?


Soccer: Ferguson looking to Ferdinand to steady shaky United ship

MANCHESTER, England : Alex Ferguson is hoping the return of Rio Ferdinand will usher in a period of defensive stability for Manchester United as the club struggles to get its season back on track.


Tennis: Flying Finn Nieminen knocks off Nalbandian for third semi <b>...</b>

BEIJING : Flying Finn Jarkko Nieminen soared into his third semi-final of the season, stunning third seed David Nalbandian 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 at the 500,000-dollar China Open.


Paul Martin hopeful NHL lockout will be resolved

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Prime Minister Paul Martin said Friday he believes the National Hockey League and its players will eventually overcome their acrimonious labour impasse.


Utah Jazz Cancel Trip to Russia Over Security

The NBA #39;s Utah Jazz have canceled their trip to Moscow to play Russian champions CSKA, citing security concerns, the army club said Friday.


A Russia less safe and less free

The terrorists, whose unspeakably malevolent takeover of a Russian schoolhouse resulted in the deaths of 330 children, teachers and parents, have succeeded in at least one respect.


Kidnapped Briton named

The family of Kenneth Bigley, the British engineer who was kidnapped by gunmen from his house in Baghdad this week, has issued a desperate plea for his safe return.


US looking at uniform issue

WASHINGTON: The United States said it was aware of the announcement that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf would stay on as head of the armed forces and the countrys president at the same time, according to an Online report and said it would look


FAO Warns of Locust Plague, If Funds Not Provided for Eradication <b>...</b>

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says more funds are essential to combat locust swarms that are devastating crops in West Africa, and warns failure to act quickly, could result in a regional plague by the end of the year.


Technology Rules in 'World of Tomorrow' (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - You'd better hope your computer doesn't break down today. There's a good bet nobody will be around to fix it. That's because every self-respecting geek with  #36;10 and a pulse will be queuing up to see "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," the slick new live-action blockbuster that forgoes sets and locations in favor of purely computer-generated backdrops.


Jets' Josh Evans Out With Back Injury (AP)

AP - Jets defensive tackle Josh Evans is out for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers with a back injury.


Putin Threatens Preventive Terror Actions (AP)

AP - President Vladimir Putin said Friday the Kremlin was preparing to take preventive action against terrorists, even as a Chechen rebel leader purportedly claimed responsibility for a series of attacks that killed hundreds of people and threatened more violence.


Japanese financial authorities crack down on Citibank (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - TOKYO (AP) - Japanese financial authorities announced Friday they would shut down Citibank's private banking business in the country after finding "severe legal violations" in its operations.


Mayer Tops Ferrer in Romania Open Upset (AP)

AP - Florian Mayer beat defending champion David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2 Friday in the quarterfinals of the Romania Open.


Ignorance Is Slavery

We are at war with Iraq. We have always been at war with Iraq.  This is the first time I've read 1984 all the way to the end, and I finally understand it, and why it's so important. Winston lost entirely, and it was the most complete loss that is possible. This was important, because it sticks in the mind.  Ironically, Orwell understood how to manipulate people's emotions, but he used this knowledge for the good of us all.


Canada, the Polite Country

Prime Minister Paul Martin swore on live television yesterday, apparently frustrated with the progress of a meeting with the provincial ministers over the future of Canada's straining health care system.    During a break in the proceedings, Martin's aunt telephoned him and threatened to   wash his mouth out with soap for using the Lord's name in vain.    When the meeting resumed, Martin apologized to the nation.


The Positive Side of Possis

Check on the valuation of a badly wounded stock, based on latest earnings.


Broncos Penalized Again for Salary Cap Violations

The penalties imposed Thursday on the Denver Broncos for violations of the league's rules regarding the disclosure of deferred compensation to players and the salary cap were the second sanctions against the team for similar infractions in less than three years.


ViewPoints: Unfriendly skies

Nothing was supposed to happen on the way into talks this week between Boeing and Airbus over subsidies - and not much did. The two sides growled at each other in Brussels, but they left open-ended the future


Circuit City Cuts Loss, Stock Soars

Circuit City Stores Inc. (CC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday reported a narrower quarterly loss as it kept a tight rein on expenses and sales of digital televisions


UAL gets 30-day extension of court exclusivity

A bankruptcy court judge on Friday granted United Airlines (UALAQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) another 30-day extension to file its reorganization plan.


Mozilla Hot on Explorer #39;s Tail

a little -- while would-be rival Mozilla gains. A new report says the number of Web visitors using IE dropped from


Deaf Kids in Nicaragua Give Birth to New Language

Deaf children thrown together in a school in Nicaragua without any type of formal instruction invented their own sign language -- a sophisticated


Teen accused of making threats about school, possessing weapons

A 17-year-old was arrested after authorities received a tip that he was making threats in an online chat room about his high school, fellow students and an


Jaguar gives up on Formula One

London, England (Sports Network) - Jaguar Racing made the announcement on Friday that it would no longer be competing in the series at the end of the 2004 season.


Oscar De La Hoya Has It

Just as Ali overshadowed two greats in Joe Frazier and George Foreman, Mike Tyson did the same to Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.


France backs Annan on  #39;illegal #39; Iraq war

PARIS, Sept 17 (AFP) - France on Friday backed UN Secretary General Kofi Annan #39;s description of the US-led war on Iraq as  quot;illegal quot;, with Foreign Minister Michel Barnier saying that long-held stance was why his country had opposed joining the conflict.


Nigerian Police Say Dozens Killed in Oil Pipeline Explosion

Police in Nigeria say dozens of people were killed in an explosion at an oil pipeline on the outskirts of the commercial capital, Lagos.


Family of Iraq Hostage Urges Release (AP)

AP - The government on Friday identified the British engineer who was kidnapped in Baghdad with two American colleagues, and the victim's family urged his captors to free him.


U.S. Official Witnesses Sudan Attack (AP)

AP - A U.S. aid chief got a firsthand look at the anger among Darfur's beleaguered population Friday, when residents of a refugee camp beat up a government worker who tried to stop them from complaining to the visiting diplomat.


Qualcomm May Change Accounting,Shares Off (Reuters)

Reuters - Qualcomm Inc. , a maker of\chips used in mobile phones, on Friday said it may change the\way it recognizes royalties from licensees, which would reduce\fourth-quarter pretax income by  #36;298 million.


Kuznetsova Moves Into Bali Semifinals (AP)

AP - U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova moved into the semifinals of the Wismilak International with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Angelique Widjaja on Friday.


U.S. Stocks Up, Ford Boosts Gains

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips advanced on Friday  after Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its earnings forecasts, while  wireless technology provider Qualcomm Inc. QCOM.O checked  gains on Nasdaq after saying an accounting review may reduce  pretax income.


Qualcomm May Change Accounting,Shares Off

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc. QCOM.O, a maker of  chips used in mobile phones, on Friday said it may change the  way it recognizes royalties from licensees, which would reduce  fourth-quarter pretax income by \$298 million.


Circuit City Cuts Quarterly Loss,Stock Up

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Circuit City Stores Inc. CC.N on  Friday reported a narrower quarterly loss as it kept a tight  rein on expenses and sales of digital televisions and notebook  computers rose, sending its stock up 5 percent.


Japan closes Citigroup branches

Japanese regulators shut four branches of Citigroup's private banking operations for breaking the law.


Iraq Airways heads past borders

Iraqi Airways is reportedly planning to restart international flights after a 14-year break on Saturday.


Michaels Splits, Doesn't Fray

The arts and crafts retailer doesn't need to bend over backward to impress investors.


Diplomat: Nukes Not Cause of Korea Blast

BEIJING - A diplomat who visited the site of a huge explosion in North Korea said Friday he saw no evidence it was caused by a nuclear test, and South Korean officials said mushroom-shaped plume thought to be from the blast may have instead been a natural cloud formation.    The extremely secretive North allowed diplomats from seven countries to the site to prove its contention that the Sept...


Update 4: Circuit City Narrows Second-Quarter Loss

Circuit City Stores Inc., the nation #39;s No. 2 consumer electronics chain, reported a smaller-than-anticipated loss in the second quarter due to higher sales and fewer charges related to the sale of its bank-card business.


Jaguar Jobs Losses  #39;Sad But Expected #39;

Workers, local people, councillors and MPs today expressed their disappointment that hundreds of jobs are to go at Jaguars Browns Lane in Coventry.


Update 3: Japan Shutting Down Citibank Operations

Japanese financial authorities announced Friday they would shut down Citibank #39;s private banking business in the country after finding  quot;severe legal violations quot; in its operations.


Alpharma Gets Court OK for Gabapentin

Alpharma Inc. said Friday that a federal court dropped an order preventing the generic drug maker from launching its version of Pfizer Inc.


Many Swedes Say OK to Skip Work if Tired

In a country already plagued by skyrocketing sick leave costs, a new survey found that 40 percent of the population thinks it #39;s acceptable to skip work because they feel tired or have trouble getting along with their colleagues.


AOL, Microsoft Spar on Spam

It wasn #39;t long ago that competitive entities seemed to be joining together to combat Internet users #39; common foe, spam. However, despite the fact that big Internet players


Ford Pulling Jaguar Team Out of Auto Racing

US automaker Ford says it is pulling its Jaguar Formula One team out of the auto racing circuit at the end of this season. Jaguar #39;s chairman said the company does not believe it makes business sense to continue operating in Formula One.


Suicide Car Bomb in Baghdad; US Pounds Falluja

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


FAO Warns of Locust Plague in Africa

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says more funds are essential to combat locust swarms that are devastating crops in West Africa, and warns failure to act quickly, could result in a regional plague by the end of the year.


Alcatel to buy wireless, conferencing companies

French networking gear maker offers \$250 million for Spatial Wireless and \$27 million for eDial.\


US Consumer Confidence Falls in University Survey (Update4)

US consumer confidence unexpectedly fell for a second month in September, tempered by slack job growth and near-record gasoline prices.


Update 1: Higher Ticket Prices Spur Carnival Profit

Carnival Corp.  amp; plc, the world #39;s largest cruise company, reported Friday that higher ticket prices and onboard sales propelled third-quarter earnings up 40 percent to its best three-month results ever.


Japan Shuts Citigroup Private Bank Unit

Japan on Friday ordered Citigroup Inc. (CN: Quote, Profile, Research) to close its Japanese private banking offices after uncovering a series of


Fight over Vector goes to court

Late last night, the High Court was hearing an application to sack three members of Vector #39;s owner, the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust, following an earlier breakaway meeting on a deal to partially privatise the company.


Spammer  #39;bounty hunters #39; will need rewards of up to \$2,50,000: FTC

WASHINGTON: The US government should be prepared to spend freely if it decides to encourage  quot;bounty hunters quot; to track down e-mail spammers, the US Federal Trade Commission said.


Flash memory market to continue growth, researcher finds

LONDON - The mobile phone market for flash memory is becoming more competitive with the intense fight among NOR-type flash makers now expanding to include NAND-type flash producers, market researchers iSuppli Corp.


NBA cancels Jazz #39;s exhibition trip to Moscow

The NBA on Friday canceled the Utah Jazz #39;s exhibition game in Russia next month, citing security concerns. The league and the Jazz hope to reschedule the game for possibly next preseason


Six held after Jakarta bombing

Indonesian police hunting those responsible for last week #39;s deadly bombing at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta said yesterday they had detained six people who might be linked to militants behind the attack.


Somalian Parliament to Return Home After 2 Years of Peace Talks

The Somali peace process that began in Kenya two years ago could soon come to a close. Somalia #39;s new parliament, which is sitting in Kenya #39;s capital, Nairobi, is on the verge of selecting a president, and


5 EU Countries Agree to Set Up Paramilitary Police Force

Five European Union countries have signed an agreement creating an EU paramilitary force to assist in international peacekeeping missions.


Napster Receives New Life As Public Firm (AP)

AP - Call it the kitty's third life. Roxio Inc. bought the Napster brand name and feline logo at a bankruptcy auction two years ago and with the acquisition of another music service, pressplay, relaunched the once-renegade file-swapping pioneer as a legal music service last October.


Alabama State, Pine Bluff Game Postponed (AP)

AP - Alabama State postponed Saturday's game with Arkansas-Pine Bluff because of power outages at the stadium due to Hurricane Ivan.


Progress Software Avoids Crash and Burn (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS - News) is making, well, lots of progress in the tough enterprise software market. After all, another enterprise developer, Lawson (Nasdaq: LWSN - News), saw its shares plunge 12 on its warning for its fiscal first-quarter results.


Sutton Keeps Faith with Woods and Mickelson

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - U.S. captain Hal  Sutton kept faith with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and  returned them straight to the Ryder Cup fray despite their  morning fourballs defeat Friday.


Serbian PM snubs Hague tribunal

The Serbian PM insists his country's courts should try war crimes suspects wanted by the tribunal in The Hague.


EDS Grounded Too?

wait for it -- is a landlubber. Thursday, services firm EDS (NYSE: EDS) said the bankruptcy filing by US Airways could cut


Cooper Tire deals unit for \$1.7B

Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. has agreed to sell its Cooper-Standard Automotive unit for just shy of \$1.7 billion to a partnership between Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and The Cypress Group.


Greenback gains broadly ahead of Fed meeting

CHICAGO (CBS.MW) - The US dollar #39;s biggest gain came against its Canadian counterpart on Friday, as Canadian inflation data raised doubts about the scope of interest-rate hikes there.


Charter Loses Another Top Exec

Charter Communications (CHTR:Nasdaq - news - research) lost its second top executive in a month Friday with the resignation of operating chief Maggie Bellville.


Firefox on the hunt

Web metrics suggest that the software giant #39;s Internet Explorer has been losing a significant number of users in the past nine months to open-source browser Mozilla and its offspring, Firefox.


Canadian companies to build sensor for NASA telescope

Two Canadian companies will help build a key component of the nest telescope of US National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), Canadian Space Agency said in a press release Friday.


Already running on our news wire

Racing supremo Bernie Ecclestone today described the withdrawal of Jaguar from Formula One as no surprise. The struggling team #39;s future was in doubt after fears that it had struggled to find the money needed to compete in the cash-driven sport.


Musharraf not decided on quitting army post: US

WASHINGTON: The United States says that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would continue to move his country towards democratic reforms but has yet to take a decision on quitting as army chief.


Panthers Lose Davis to Knee Injury (AP)

AP - Panthers running back Stephen Davis will miss Sunday's game at Kansas City because of swelling in his knee that could sideline him two to five weeks.


Moscow fumes as Utah Jazz pulls out of NBA date (AFP)

AFP - Russian basketball champions CSKA Moscow said they were disappointed that NBA giants Utah Jazz had pulled out off a planned exhibition match here because of security fears.


Australia Fights Biggest Locust Plague in Decades (Reuters)

Reuters - Australia has started\battling its biggest plague of locusts in decades as billions\of the insects hatch along a wide front covering much of the\country's central east region.


Oil Surges on Storm, Supply Concerns

NEW YORK (Reuters) - World oil prices surged nearly \$2 on  Friday on worries the stormy season in the Gulf of Mexico would  continue to hamper energy production and imports, delaying  vital stock building ahead of the coming winter months.


U.S. Accuses U.N. of Dragging Feet Over Locusts (Reuters)

Reuters - The United States accused the U.N.\agriculture body Friday of mismanaging the locust crisis\afflicting vast swathes of West Africa.


US Stocks Up Slightly After Ford Forecast

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips edged higher on   Friday after Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its earnings  forecasts, but wireless technology provider Qualcomm Inc.  QCOM.O held back the Nasdaq after saying an accounting review  may reduce pretax income.


China's Energy Crisis Blankets Hong Kong in Smog (Reuters)

Reuters - To gaze across Hong Kong's harbor at\the city's glittering skyscrapers and soaring peaks is to take\in one of the world's most spectacular urban vistas.


House GOP to Reject 9/11 Recommendation (AP)

AP - House Republicans plan to follow President Bush's lead and reject the Sept. 11 commission's recommendation to strip the Pentagon of control over its spy shops in favor of a new national intelligence director with hiring, firing and spending control.


Alpharma Says Pfizer Drug Generic Cleared

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court has cleared  the way for Alpharma Inc. ALO.N to launch a generic form of  Pfizer Inc's PFE.N Neurontin capsules to treat epilepsy,  sending Alpharma shares sharply higher.


Nigerian Police Say Dozens Killed in Pipeline Blast

LAGOS (Reuters) - Dozens of people were killed in a  petroleum pipeline explosion in Nigeria's commercial capital  Lagos, police said Friday.


Hizbollah, Israel to Conclude Prisoner Swap-Paper

MUSCAT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrilla group has  provided Israel with information on the fate of a missing  Israeli airman, a move that will finalize prisoner exchange  talks within weeks, a Omani newspaper said on Friday.


Ford Raises Earnings and Unveils New Plan for Jaguar

The company raised its third-quarter earnings guidance today and unveiled a restructuring plan for its Jaguar division.


Trump Stumps Chump

Episode two of The Apprentice heats up with a cool treat and a surprise ego boot.


Qualcomm's Crystal Ball Gets Hazy

The ability to predict the future is getting tougher, even for a market leader like Qualcomm.


Progress Software Avoids Crash and Burn

Progress Software produces results in a tough market, but investors really don't care.


Suicide Bomber Targets Baghdad Police

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb by police on a Baghdad bridge, and U.S. troops foiled a second suicide vehicle bombing in attacks Friday that killed at least five people and wounding at least 21...


House GOP to Reject 9/11 Recommendation

WASHINGTON - House Republicans plan to follow President Bush's lead and reject the Sept. 11 commission's recommendation to strip the Pentagon of control over its spy shops in favor of a new national intelligence director with hiring, firing and spending control...


Diplomat: Nukes Not Cause of Korea Blast

BEIJING - Video footage of the area where North Korea said a huge explosion occurred showed dozens of workers swarming around a dusty construction site resembling a large dam project, while a foreign diplomat who visited the site said Friday he found no sign the blast was nuclear.    South Korea, meanwhile, said a mushroom-shaped plume thought to be from the Sept...


Chechen Warlord Claims Responsibility for Siege

In an Internet posting, a Chechen warlord with a \$10 million bounty on his head has apparently claimed responsibility for the Beslan school siege and promised more attacks on Russian civilians if Chechnya is not granted independence.


Qualcomm #39;s Crystal Ball Gets Hazy

Wireless technology kingpin Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM) issued revised guidance today, slightly increasing its expected fourth-quarter revenue and earnings along with full fiscal-year financials.


Alcatel to buy wireless, conferencing companies

Networking gear maker Alcatel on Friday announced acquisition plans for a pair of US companies to help it gain access to wireless and collaboration technologies.


IMF board OKs Argentine repayment delay-IMF source

The International Monetary Fund board on Friday agreed to a request by Argentina to reschedule \$1 billion in loan repayments, IMF sources said on condition of anonymity.


Indictments issued in software scam case

A federal grand jury has indicted 11 people for conspiring to distribute nearly \$31 million worth of bootlegged software programs.


ATI annuncia nuova tecnologia  quot;HyperMemory quot;

Con il comunicato stampa che trovate qui sotto, ATI ha annunciato  quot;HyperMemory quot; una tecnologia che grazie a particolari algoritmi consente un veloce scambio di dati tra la scheda grafica e la memoria ram di sistema.


Tiger and Phil fail first test

His superstar pairing of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods 2-down through six holes Friday morning, US captain Hal Sutton hardly seemed like the picture of concern.


Jaguar to be withdrawn and sold

Motorsport.com. Ford has announced that Jaguar will be withdrawn from Formula One at the end of the 2004 season and the F1 business will be put up for sale.


Panthers RB Davis to undergo knee surgery

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Already without speed receiver Steve Smith for at least two months, the Carolina Panthers now must go without three-time Pro Bowl running back Stephen Davis for at least the next few weeks.


SAFIN AND SRICHAPHAN PROGRESS

With the top seeds tumbling, Marat Safin and Paradorn Srichaphan both advanced into the semi-finals of the inaugural China Open on Friday with solid wins.


Jazz trip to Moscow canceled because of security concerns

The Utah Jazz #39;s exhibition game in Russia next month was canceled by the NBA on Friday because of security concerns. The league and the Jazz hope to reschedule the game for possibly next preseason, but with


NI talks reach  #39;moment of decision #39;: Blair

British Prime Tony Blair arrived today for critical Northern Ireland peace talks and declared:  quot;This really is the moment of decision for us.


Somalis to elect crucial post

The newly inaugurated Somali parliament is due to elect the speaker of the transitional assembly later on Wednesday. Twelve members of parliament have expressed interest in the position.


Boeing may join Microsoft in EU antitrust fight

Aircraft giant may argue against European antitrust regulators' order to make Microsoft give secrets to rivals.


Oracle hopes for big splash with Tsunami

Database giant expected to launch content management competitor to products from IBM and Microsoft this year.


Cisco gives Linksys rebate to the upwardly mobile

People can get a 100 percent cash rebate on certain Linksys gear when they trade up to higher-end Cisco products.


UPDATE 2-Alpharma says court clears generic of Pfizer drug

A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Alpharma Inc. (ALO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) to launch a generic form of Pfizer Inc #39;s (PFE.


Bush May See Cabinet Exodus if Re-Elected (AP)

AP - Nearly all the senior officials who came to office with President Bush still are on the job. But a big exodus and a Cabinet reshuffling seem likely if he wins a second term.


Iran Nuclear Enrichment Freeze Offer a Ploy - U.S.

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


Circuit City #39;s Improving

Two weeks ago, we got to see a glimpse of Circuit City #39;s (NYSE: CC) second-quarter numbers when the electronics retailer pre-announced that sales had ticked up nearly 9 to \$2.


Big Blue Turns Green with Grid Computing Deal

IBM (Quote, Chart) revealed a number of supercomputing projects from its Deep Computing unit, which should whet the appetites of those following the 12th Global Grid Forum (GGF) in Brussels, Belgium, next week.


TXU agrees to fine for ads

DALLAS TXU Energy has agreed to pay a 530-thousand dollar fine over misleading advertisements about its electric rates. The proposed settlement is with the Public Utility Commission in Austin.


AOL Dumps Microsoft #39;s Spam Filter Standard

AOL will continue to include Sender ID data in outgoing mail to enable ISPs and others that use it to identify where messages originate.


ATI takes another look at shared memory

ATI today said that it will develop a new approach to use system memory rather than more dedicated memory on its graphics card. HyperMemory will use PCI Express


Oracle to Splash ECM Market with  #39;Tsunami #39;

It #39;s no secret that Oracle (Quote, Chart) has been considering a dip in the enterprise content management well, especially after companies like Microsoft (Quote, Chart), IBM (Quote, Chart) and EMC (Quote, Chart) made such a splash in the sector over the


Different date, same story

Anyone who hoped the decision to move this year #39;s Wales Rally GB from its usual place on the World Rally Championship calendar would result in easier and safer driving conditions had a rude awakening on the first full day #39;s competing.


Auburn, Alabama games will be played as scheduled

Officials at both schools decided Friday morning to go ahead with their home football games. They had considered postponing the games because of the damage left behind by Hurricane Ivan.


Cats pack heat against Wisconsin

TUCSON, Ariz. (U-WIRE) -- If the Arizona football team (1-1) wants any shot at defeating No. 17 Wisconsin (2-0) Saturday afternoon, it #39;s going to have to turn up the heat.


George just waiting for another chance

At last glance, the rather motley roll call of No. 2 quarterbacks in the NFL included at least one repeat drug offender, a self-confessed recovering alcoholic who once abandoned his team


UN Watchdog: No Sign of Iran Nuclear Activity at New Site

VIENNA, Sept 17 - The UN nuclear watchdog has found no signs of nuclear-related activity at a site in Iran called Parchin that several US officials have said may be linked to secret atom bomb research, Mohamed ElBaradei said on Friday.


Swedish ambassador says diplomats in North Korean saw no sign of <b>...</b>

Video footage of the area where North Korea said a huge explosion occurred showed dozens of workers swarming around a dusty construction site resembling a large dam project, while a foreign diplomat who visited the site said Friday he found no sign the


Italy calls time on Libya embargo

Italian Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu says Italy is ready to lift EU sanctions on Libya unilaterally if the whole EU fails to do so next week.


Turkey Rejects Criticism on Adultery Plan (AP)

AP - The Turkish prime minister harshly rejected European Union criticism Friday over a proposal to outlaw adultery and hinted the government might press forward with the ban despite warnings it could jeopardize Turkey's entry into the bloc.


Looking for the Exit Sign (Forbes.com)

Forbes.com - At 42, Nicholas Gerber is a little too young to retire, but he is already thinking about how to sell the business he started nine years ago. It's the management company for Ameristock Mutual Fund, which has attracted  #36;1.8 billion with a stellar record: up 14 a year since 1995, five points more than the market average. His style is to buy out-of-favor blue chips like Sara Lee, Merck and Bank of America, and hold. Turnover is tiny at 5 a year.


IRA Adventures (Forbes.com)

Forbes.com - Peter Frankling tapped an unusual source to fund his new business, which makes hot-dog-shaped ice cream treats known as Cool Dogs: Two investors, one a friend and the other a professional venture capitalist, put in more than  #36;100,000 each from their Individual Retirement Accounts. Later Franklin added  #36;150,000 from his own IRA.


Ducks to Take Aim at No. 2 Oklahoma (AP)

AP - Oregon lost its season opener and dropped out of the Top 25 thanks mostly to its own mistakes.


Europe Dominates U.S. at Start of Ryder Cup

For Europe, it was a glorious start to the 35th Ryder Cup. For the United States, it was a nightmare.


Progress, But No Breakthrough, at N.Irish Talks

LEEDS CASTLE, England (Reuters) - Northern Ireland's  feuding political leaders reported progress but no breakthrough  on Friday at talks aimed at brokering a deal which would see  the Irish Republican Army (IRA) effectively disband.


Wal-Mart backs targets despite Ivan

Retailer expects September same-store sales to be on track despite devastation of the hurricane. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.


RIM BlackBerry 7100v goes to Vodafone

RIM #39;s new 7100 design is now coming to Vodafone, complete with their new SureType keyboard for more space-efficient typing. Research In Motion #39;s latest BlackBerry


United States #39; Illegal Occupation of Iraq

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan #39;s statement that the Bush administration #39;s decision to go to war in Iraq was illegal because it didn #39;t have the Security Council #39;s approval should have been made before the invasion.


US jet fires at house where insurgents believed to be meeting

An American jet fired a missile at a house where about 10 members of an al-Qaida-linked group were believed to be meeting in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah on Friday, police and the US military said.


ATI Announces HyperMemory (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Canada's ATI Technologies (Nasdaq: ATYT) has announced a memory technology that cuts PC system costs by using system memory for graphics processing.


Fact and Comment (Forbes.com)

Forbes.com - The stock market in 2004 has been, at best, treading water. Yet presidential election years are supposed to see equities rise. This one will be no exception. Stocks often go up in rapid bursts. As people grasp that President Bush will indeed be reelected, the market will experience a sharp rally. Expect the S amp;P 500 to end the year well above 1250, up at least 12 from year-end 2003.


Irish Look to Top Michigan State on Sat. (AP)

AP - It'll take more than last week's victory over a highly ranked opponent to restore Notre Dame's lost luster. That makes Saturday's game at Michigan State a big one for the Fighting Irish.


Software Sting Leads to Arrests, Seizures of Pirated Goods (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - After a two-year investigation, U.S. law enforcement officials have disrupted one of the largest software piracy operations in the United States with the arrest of 11 suspects in California, Washington and Texas. In the raid, FBI agents seized pirated applications valued as high as US #36;87 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.


Martin to push for better African peacekeeping force in first speech to UN (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin will push for an effective African peacekeeping force to deal with problems like the crisis in Sudan when he speaks to the United Nations next week.


National Semiconductor Offers 'Trusted' Chip (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - IBM (NYSE: IBM) is the first personal computer maker to install National Semiconductor's (NYSE: NSM) SafeKeeper Trusted technology, which protects security data using specially designed chips, on selected models of its PCs.


U.S. Stocks Rise, But Oil Surges Again

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Friday after Ford Motor  Co. raised its earnings forecasts, but wireless technology  provider Qualcomm Inc. held back gains on the Nasdaq after  saying an accounting review may reduce pretax income.


Colorado Campus Bans Beer Sales at Stadium

DENVER (Reuters) - Colorado State University, plagued by  drinking binges that led to the death of a student and a  weekend of rioting, has banned all beer sales at the football  stadium starting with the homecoming game this weekend,  officials said on Friday.


Nexen restoring Gulf Mexico production after hurricane-linked <b>...</b>

CALGARY (CP) - Nexen Inc. is restoring its deep-water oil production in the Gulf of Mexico after hurricane Ivan blew through and caused no significant damage to the Calgary-based firm #39;s oil rigs.


August inflation rate drops to 1.9 per cent from 2.3 per cent in <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - More moderate gasoline prices at the pump and less expensive cars and trucks helped to slow the annual rise in inflation to 1.9 per cent in August, Statistics Canada said Friday.


IBM in Discussions on Issues in Pension Suit

IBM, in the latest turn in a pension plan case that could reverberate through the Fortune 500, said on Friday it is in talks to resolve some of the issues in a lawsuit that could cost Big Blue billions of dollars.


Alcatel expands US presence with two acquisitions worth \$277mn

NEW YORK, September 17 (newratings.com) - Alcatel (ALA.NYS) has expanded its operations and presence in the core North American telecommunication market with two separate acquisitions for about \$277 million.


Judge cuts Microsoft fees to \$100 m

SEATTLE: A San Francisco judge ordered Microsoft Corp to pay lawyers involved in its \$1.1 billion class action settlement \$100 million in legal fees, less than half of the original fees they requested, company officials said.


Cingular handset talks to users

Cingular Wireless is offering a software application intended to help the visually impaired make full use of their cell phones. The Talks application, which works only with the Nokia 6620 phone, converts menus


Specialty Foods, General Donlee funds sink on suspended or cut <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Non-energy income trusts are disappointing investors, with two more cutting or suspending their cash distributions to unitholders this week and causing the value of their units to plummet.


FTC Assesses Bounty System for Catching Spammers

The FTC today issued a report assessing whether and how a system that rewards members of the public for tracking down spammers would or could help improve enforcement of the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2002


Amazon Offers Discount to A9 Search Users

Online retailer Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is offering a 1.57 percent shopping discount to registered users of its new A9 Web search service as a way to increase


Europeans dominate morning Ryder Cup matches

Bloomfield Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Colin Montgomerie teamed with Padraig Harrington Friday morning to defeat Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson 2  amp; 1 to the lead European squad to a 3 1/2 - 1/2 lead after the morning fourball matches at the 35th Ryder Cup


Women #39;s Tennis: Kuznetsova Set for Another Title After US Open Win

Women #39;s US Open tennis champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia is one step closer to another title. Her match-winning streak reached eight Friday with a quarterfinal win at the Wismilak International tournament in Bali, Indonesia.


Villeneuve to Drive Final Races for Renault

Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve of Canada will drive for Renault for the final three races of this season. Villeneuve, who has not raced in Formula One this season, will debut for Renault this month at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.


Panthers #39; back Davis out up to 5 weeks with knee injury

The bad news keeps piling up on the Carolina Panthers, who learned yesterday that running back Stephen Davis will be sidelined up to five weeks by a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery.


No Jazz in Russia

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NBA has decided to postpone the pre-season game the Utah Jazz were scheduled to play in Russia because of security concerns.


Auburn, LSU will play Saturday

Following consultation with state government, emergency management officials, and Southeastern Conference representatives, Auburn University announced at 9:30 am Friday that the Sept.


Riley, Cink score for US team

Riley and Stewart Cink halved their Friday morning four-ball match with the Europes Paul McGinley and Luke Donald when Riley saved par with a six-foot putt on the 18th hole.


Bush: Kerry Proposals Will Hurt Economy

WASHINGTON - President Bush renewed his criticism of rival John Kerry's domestic proposals Friday as his campaign prepared a new television ad warning that liberals in Congress would join Kerry in harming job growth and the economy by raising taxes on small businesses.   "To make sure the economy continues to grow, we'll be wise about how we spend the money - the people's money...


Bullish Ford Outlook Nudges Stocks Higher

NEW YORK - A bullish profit outlook from Ford Motor Co. sent stocks moderately higher Friday as investors looked past a disappointing report on consumer sentiment and a big rise in oil prices...


Red Sox, Yankees Renew Rivalry at Stadium (AP)

AP - The last time the Boston Red Sox visited Yankee Stadium, Derek Jeter was hurtling headfirst into the stands, Nomar Garciaparra was sulking in the dugout and New York was pulling away in the AL East. A lot has changed since then.


Groups Holds Northern Ireland Peace Talks (AP)

AP - A deal taking shape Friday in negotiations on Northern Ireland's future would require the outlawed Irish Republican Army to resume disarmament and issue a new statement that, for the first time, would definitively renounce violence.


Official: Athletes Were Tested for Hormone (AP)

AP - Athletes were tested for human growth hormone for the first time during the Athens Olympics, World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound said Friday.


FileMaker Server 7 Advanced ships (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Apple subsidiary FileMaker Inc. announced Monday that it is shipping FileMaker Server 7 Advanced, the version of its server software that incorporates advanced Web publishing and connectivity features. FileMaker Server 7 Advanced can host up to 100 Web-based clients and 250 desktop clients, and features connectivity to XML, ODBC and JDBC-based data sources. FileMaker Server 7 Advanced also features "Custom Web Publishing" which enables users to deploy data-driven Web sites using Web design tools like Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, through a built-in Site Assistant wizard.


Sudanese forces say they have no orders to disarm militias: Amnesty (AFP)

AFP - Sudanese security forces in Darfur are claiming they have no orders to disarm pro-government militias blamed for atrocities in the region, the head of rights group Amnesty International said.


Turkey's prime minister rejects European Union's criticism amid adultery spat (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) - The Turkish prime minister harshly rejected European Union criticism Friday over a proposal to outlaw adultery and hinted the government might press forward with the ban despite warnings it could jeopardize Turkey's entry into the bloc.


Woods, Mickelson Inspire U.S. Ryder Cup Comeback

By Mark Lamport-Stokes  BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Tiger Woods and Phil  Mickelson inspired a United States comeback in the Ryder Cup  foursomes Friday, quickly moving three up on Europeans Darren  Clarke and Lee Westwood.


Ryder Cup Fans Quick to Take Sides

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - After a week of  being charmed by golfers in practice, Ryder Cup fans were quick  to take sides Friday as the United States and Europe resumed  golf's greatest grudge match.


Bush author says White House applying pressure over book (AFP)

AFP - Writer Kitty Kelley has accused the White House of putting pressure on her and the US media over the new biography on the family of President George W. Bush


Do You Deserve More Credit?

Sometimes you should say "no" when your lender gives you more room to spend.


Friend #39;s E-mail: Your E-mail:

LSU football head coach Nick Saban spoke with members of the media after practice Wednesday. BATON ROUGE -- With one eye on Hurricane Ivan, LSU continued to prepare for Saturday #39;s contest against 14th-ranked


Putin accuses West

President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of indulging terrorists, just hours after a Chechen warlord claimed responsibility for a wave of deadly attacks in Russia and threatened more.


Northern Ireland talks grind on through night

LEEDS CASTLE, England : Talks to restore home rule to Northern Ireland ground on as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ireland #39;s Bertie Ahern pushed rival Catholic and Protestant parties toward a lasting peace deal.


Megawati behind in pre-election polls

Indonesian Incumbent President Megawati Sukarnoputri believes she can win next week #39;s run-off vote. Most opinion polls, however, show former army general, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono


New law will be milder than Pota

NEW DELHI: The ordinance to withdraw Pota was approved by the Cabinet on Friday.  quot;I would want to know if the amended Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act would incorporate all these anti-terror provisions, quot; BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley said.


US accuses UN of dragging feet over locusts

The United States accused the UN agriculture body on Friday of mismanaging the locust crisis afflicting vast swathes of West Africa.


Cooper sells auto parts business

Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. said Friday it agreed to sell an automotive parts business to two buyout firms for about \$1.17 billion, the latest private equity purchase in the sector.


Firefox Threatens IE in the Browser Market

Mozilla is starting to pose a threat to Microsofts Internet Explorer after years of being the darling of a strange mix of AOL enthusiasts and techies.


Sign on to a new Microsoft standard? Why certainly, we #39;d love ... <b>...</b>

So much for Microsoft #39;s Can-Spam proposal. Now you can add America Online to the growing list of ventures who #39;ve rejected a Microsoft-patent-encumbered and lawsuit-challenged anti-spam standard, Sender ID.


Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

LSU puts its 10-game winning streak on the line when the defending co-national champs face a difficult road test. Auburn has rolled in its opening two games against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, but the Tigers haven #39;t been tested.


Rain takes England-Lanka tie into second day

UNI Southampton Sept 17: Rain interrupted a gripping contest between England and Sri Lanka in the Group D league match at the ICC Champions Trophy at the Rose Bowl here today.


Indonesians prepare to directly elect president for the first time

Just days after yet another terrorist blast shook their confidence, Indonesians are looking forward to some good news Monday: Citizens in the world #39;s largest Muslim


Bambang: If we lack credibility or integrity, we are worthless

Bambang Harymurti showed no signs of being broken in spirit when a panel of judges at the Central Jakarta District Court found him guilty of libel and sentenced him to a year in prison on Thursday.


Europeans, U.S. agree on resolution to curb nuclear access at key UN meeting (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The majority of countries at a key meeting of the UN atomic watchdog agency agreed Friday on the wording of a resolution meant to curb Iran's access to technology that could be used to make nuclear weapons and setting an indirect deadline on Tehran to meet their conditions.


Mitsubishi Injects Cash Into UFJ (AP)

AP - Japanese banking giant Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group Inc. pumped the equivalent of  #36;6.4 billion into UFJ Holdings Inc., Japan's fourth biggest bank, Friday in a move designed to discourage a rival takeover.


Martin brushes off Romanow's criticism of Quebec side deal in health accord (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - KNOWLTON, Que. (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin brushed aside criticism on Friday from a former premier who said Quebec's side deal in a federal-provincial health accord could weaken the country.


Commentary: PeopleSoft: Ease The Inevitable (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - For more than a year, PeopleSoft Inc.  CEO Craig Conway has battled to prevent Oracle Corp.'s  Larry Ellison from grabbing his company in a hostile takeover. Now, Conway's spirited quest has absorbed a potentially fatal blow: On Sept. 9, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that the Justice Dept. had no grounds to block the acquisition. While the European Community could still stop it, the legal case for halting this shotgun wedding is looking weaker by the day.


U.S. Stocks End Up, Ford Gives a Lift

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on  Friday after Ford  Motor Co. F.N raised its earnings forecasts, but Qualcomm  Inc. QCOM.O limited advances on the Nasdaq after the wireless  technology provider said an accounting review may reduce its  pretax income and revenue.


D.C. Hotels Seek New Talks, File Complaint

As a strike that could cripple the District's hospitality industry looms, employers offered to resume bargaining next week but also alleged to the NLRB that the union has not negotiated in good faith.


Saudi Religious Leaders Reject U.S. Criticism

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Muslim leaders in Saudi  Arabia rejected Friday U.S. criticism of religious constraints  in the kingdom, saying the cradle of Islam had a duty to uphold  its own faith.


Sudan talks to end with no deal

Talks between the Sudan government and Darfur rebels are ending with no deal on halting the fighting.


Is Ford Out of the Ditch?

Plus, Qualcomm's hazy visibility, EDS is grounded, and no telling with Nortel.


Europe Routs U.S. to Start Ryder Cup Play

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - The United States sent out its Dream Team for the first match of the Ryder Cup, and it was all downhill from there...


Baghdad Violence Leaves at Least 52 Dead

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide car bomber slammed into a line of police cars sealing off a Baghdad neighborhood Friday as American troops rounded up dozens of suspected militants, including many foreign fighters, capping a day of violence across Iraq that left at least 52 dead.    The car bombing, which killed three people and wounded 23, was the second this week targeting the capital's beleaguered police forces...


Microsoft #39;s Linux Strategist Speaks Out

Beyond mapping out a strategy to take on Novell, Microsoft is putting an enormous amount of effort into its  quot;get out the facts quot; campaign, which makes direct comparisons of Linux costs and Windows pricing.


Identity Theft Suspect Pleads Guilty

A man charged in one of the largest identity theft scams in US history pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and fraud in connection with identity documents this week.


New Iomega Wireless Servers Bring New Features  amp; Flexibility to <b>...</b>

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Iomega Corporation , a global leader in data storage, today announced the release of the new Iomega(R) NAS 100d entry-level network-attached storage (NAS) server.


Auto Stocks Fall Despite Ford Outlook

Despite a strong profit outlook from Ford Motor Co., shares of automotive stocks moved mostly lower Friday on concerns sales for the industry might not be as strong as previously expected.


Athens throws Paralympic party for largest games ever

More than 3,800 disabled athletes gathered Friday for the opening ceremony of the largest Paralympics in the games #39; 44-year history.


ESPN.com news services

BEIJING -- Marat Safin managed to do something the other top seeds at the China Open didn #39;t: stay alive. The top four seeds will be missing from the semifinals following early exits for Spaniards Carlos Moya


Auburn waits while Ivan rolls through

Auburn athletic director David Housel stuck to his plan of waiting until Friday morning to assess the viability of holding the game between the 15th-ranked Tigers and No.


Europe and US Agree to Curb Iran #39;s Nuclear Ambitions

Europe and the US agreed to moves to curb Irans nuclear ambitions tonight, but divisions emerged with so-called non-aligned nations objecting to parts of the text.


Erdogan warns European Union not to meddle in Turkey #39;s affairs

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the European Union on Friday not to meddle in Turkey #39;s domestic affairs after an EU Commission spokesman expressed concern over a delay in key penal code reforms.


Microsoft: Can we check your software license?

Know whether your copy of Windows is licensed? The software maker might ask you this next time you visit its download site.


British police arrest suspect in Cisco code theft

A man suspected of stealing source code from Cisco Systems has been arrested in the U.K.


Cingular handset talks to users

Software application is intended to help the visually impaired make full use of their cell phones.\


Sun-Microsoft deal raises Open Office questions

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday said that is looking for ways to work more closely with developers of the Open Office open source project, while at the same time, apparently reserving the right to sue them, according to a legal agreement between Microsoft and Open Office's major sponsor, Sun Microsystems Inc., made public this week.


Microsoft trials piracy lock on Download Center

As part of its efforts to combat software piracy, Microsoft Corp. is testing a new feature on its Download Center Web site that can lock out pirated copies of Windows.


Conference focuses on challenges of fighting cybercrime

Preserving the digital crime scene poses one of the biggest challenges in the global fight against cybercrime, said participants this week at a major international conference on fighting Internet-based crime.


Alcatel Snaps Up Two US Companies

French telecommunications equipment vendor Alcatel on Friday snapped up two US technology firms in acquisitions that will add wireless switching and IP conferencing technology to its portfolio.


Hurricanes can have stormy effect on real estate

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Just days after Hurricane Charley devastated Charlotte County, Fla., real estate vultures flew through Punta Gorda and other towns, offering cash for ravaged homes, local real estate experts said.


Firefox Threatens IE in the Browser Market\\Mozilla is starting to pose a threat to Microsoft's Internet Explorer after years of being the darling of a strange mix of AOL enthusiasts and techies. This week Mozilla released the preview of FireFox 1.0, and with more web surfers becoming browser savvy, a ...


Chechen warlord Basayev must be captured alive: Russian deputy prosecutor (AFP)

AFP - Feared Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev, who claimed responsibility for the deadly school hostage taking in southern Russia that killed more than 330 people, must be caught and brought to justice, not killed, Russia's deputy prosecutor said.


US Stocks End Up as Ford Raises Forecasts

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks ended higher on  Friday after  Ford Motor Co. F.N raised its earnings forecasts but gains on  the Nasdaq were checked after wireless technology provider  Qualcomm Inc. QCOM.O said an accounting review may reduce  pretax income.


BMC looks to simplify network operations

BMC Software is expected to announce upgrades to two of its systems management products on Monday.


Freddie Mac Begins Paying Former CEO

Home mortgage firm Freddie Mac on Friday said it began paying previously owed compensation to its former chairman and chief executive Leland C. Brendsel after a federal court lifted a government freeze order on the funds during a pending accounting


IBM settles part of giant pension lawsuit

With the economy slowly turning up, upgrading hardware has been on businesses radar in the past 12 months as their number two priority.


FTC backs spammer bounties (false)

Analysis: A program to encourage members of the public to become  quot;bounty hunters quot; tracking down email spammers received the luke warm backing of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday.


CA bundles storage apps

Officials at Computer Associates International Inc. are trying to upgrade their image in the storage market with a bundled solution that contains many applications that were previously available individually


British Troops, Militants Clash in Iraq (AP)

AP - British troops took control of the offices of Muqtada al-Sadr in the southern city of Basra on Friday after clashing with militants loyal to the rebel cleric, witnesses said.


Oil Lifted 4 Percent by Ivan Supply Crimp

NEW YORK (Reuters) - World oil prices surged nearly 4  percent on Friday on worries the U.S. hurricane season would  continue to hamper energy production and imports in the Gulf of  Mexico, delaying vital stock-building ahead of winter.


Maradona to Return to Cuba on Monday for Drug Rehab

HAVANA (Reuters) - Fallen soccer great Diego Maradona will  return to Cuba Monday to be shut away in a mental clinic for  more drug treatment, Argentine diplomats said Friday.


Japan Shuts Citigroup Private Bank Unit

TOKYO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Japan on Friday ordered  Citigroup Inc. C.N to close its Japanese private banking  offices after uncovering a series of problems, including a  failure to prevent suspected money laundering.


IBM holds settlement talks in pension case

NEW YORK - The judge presiding over a massive pension suit against IBM, which could cost the company more than \$6.5 billion, agreed Friday to a short delay while settlement talks continue.


Ex-Qwest Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty

Former Qwest Communications International Inc. executive Thomas Hall agreed Friday to plead guilty to end a federal fraud case against him, but neither his lawyer nor prosecutors would disclose what charge he will face.


United Aims for Another \$500M in Cuts

CHICAGO Sept. 17, 2004 - Struggling to put together a new bankruptcy exit plan, United Airlines said Friday it is in talks with its unions about the need for an additional \$500 million in cost cuts.


Pen Trick on Bike Locks Could Cost Firms Millions

on Friday sought a recall of many U-shaped locks after word spread that an ordinary pen could pick what had been thought to be some of the toughest locks.


Hurricanes May Affect Florida Presidential Contest

A trio of fierce hurricanes have pushed presidential politics to the back burner in Florida, the epicenter of the 2000 election, and could affect voter attitudes and turnout in the Nov. 2 race, analysts say.


Amazon offers discount to A9 search users

SAN FRANCISCO--Online retailer Amazon.com is offering a 1.57 percent shopping discount to registered users of its new A9 Web search service as a way to increase A9 use and promote sales on Amazon, the company #39;s Web site showed on Friday.


EPA works with IBM on grids

Environmental Protection Agency officials are linking with IBM Corp. on a major new grid computing program aimed at improved air pollution modeling and environmental risk assessments, and whose grid capabilities may be offered as a service in the future.


FTC Floats Spammer Bounty Scheme

The FTC stipulated that, if successful, a bounty system for spammers would have to do several things: tie eligibility to a court order, rather than civil penalties; fund rewards separately from


New Video Cameras Replace Tapes With Tiny Hard Drives

The JVC Everio GZ-MC100 (\$1199.95) and GZ-MC200 (\$1299.95) will use 4GB Microdrive cards, which are removable hard drives measuring 1.5 inches square, but will also support standard CompactFlash and Secure Digital media.


A Call for Music

As cell phones continue to expand their horizons, a new generation, due in 2005, is slated to compete with digital music players such as the Apple iPod.


Westwood and Garcia prove friendship works wonders

The perfect pairing at The Belfry seems not to have broken its bond since the 34th Ryder Cup Matches back in 2002. The placid Lee Westwood and the fiery Sergio Garcia, who compiled a won three, lost one record


Weather holds key to England #39;s chances

England will return to the Rose Bowl this morning hoping to find Hampshire #39;s delightful new ground bathed in sunshine, or in the middle of a deluge.


US, Europe Agree on Iran Resolution

VIENNA, Austria Sept. 17, 2004 - The United States and most other nations at a meeting of the UN atomic watchdog agency agreed Friday on a resolution meant to curb Iran #39;s access to technology that could


Into the abyss

Where freedom was promised, chaos and carnage now reign. A suicide bomber in a car blows himself up in the heart of Baghdad killing 13 people.


Pakistanis want me in uniform: Musharraf

In yet another indication that he may renege on his pledge to step down as army chief by the end of the year, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that  #39;the vast majority #39; of his countrymen want him in uniform as they fear that he would be


Europe on Top as Woods, Mickelson Struggle (Reuters)

Reuters - The heavyweight\United States duo of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were on\track for their second defeat of the day as Europe maintained a\stranglehold at the 35th Ryder Cup on Friday.


A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq (AP)

AP - As of Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, 1,027 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to the Defense Department. Of those, 777 died as a result of hostile action and 250 died of non-hostile causes. The figures include three military civilians.


German teen who made Sasser worm hired by computer security firm (AFP)

AFP - A German teenager accused of creating the Sasser worm that infected millions of computers around the world is being taught to become a security software programmer, the company that hired him said.


Wagner Suspended After Being Ejected (AP)

AP - Philadelphia Phillies closer Billy Wagner was suspended for two games Friday by major league baseball and fined an undisclosed amount after he was ejected against the New York Mets last weekend.


IBM in Settlement Talks in Pension Case (AP)

AP - The judge presiding over a massive pension suit against IBM, which could cost the company more than  #36;6.5 billion, agreed Friday to a short delay while settlement talks continue.


Europe on Top as Woods, Mickelson Struggle

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - The heavyweight  United States duo of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were on  track for their second defeat of the day as Europe maintained a  stranglehold at the 35th Ryder Cup on Friday.


Edwards: Democrats Focus Bush Criticism (AP)

AP - The Democrats are trying to target their criticism of President Bush in a way that shows voters they've been hurt by administration policies on the economy and Iraq, vice presidential candidate John Edwards said in an Associated Press interview Friday.


U.S. Treasury Debt Prices Slip

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury debt prices slipped on  Friday after a key consumer sentiment report was not as weak as  some dealers had suspected, triggering some profit-taking after  Thursday's brisk rally.


Ex-Qwest Exec Tom Hall to Plead Guilty

DENVER (Reuters) - Former Qwest Communications Inc. Q.N  executive Tom Hall, who was scheduled to go on trial next month  on charges stemming from an accounting scandal, will plead  guilty, his attorney said on Friday.


United Air May Need More in Cost Cuts

CHICAGO (Reuters) - United Airlines on Friday said it will  need about \$500 million in annual cost cuts above the \$655  million now in the works and also received court approval for  more time to develop a reorganization plan without interference  from creditors.


US takes stock of Hurricane Ivan

US authorities begin relief operations as south-eastern states continue to assess Hurricane Ivan's impact.


Coming Soon: Your Local Earthquake Forecasts?

Within a decade computer models may be able to forecast some types of earthquakes with accuracy similar to that of current forecasts for hurricanes, scientists say.


"Miracle" Microbes Thrive at Earth's Extremes

For the past 30 years scientists have scoured the most inhospitable environments or life. Just about everywhere they look, they find it thriving in microscopic form.


Travel Column: Armenia's Lesson in Street Life

In this week's TravelWatch column: A small experiment in Armenia shows how easy it is to turn an urban dead zone into an appealing, living place.