AFP - The French economy hit a rough patch in the third quarter, throwing the government's full-year growth target into question amid signs of an economic slowdown in the 12-nation eurozone.

France joins Germany, Japan in economic slide (AFP)


Auto sales declined 2.2 percent in October after a 4.3 percent increase in September. Excluding autos, retail sales rose 0.9 percent, the strongest sales since May.

US Oct. retail sales up 0.2


Satchel Paige said don #39;t look back because something might be gaining on you. Satch was a baseball pitcher, not a football coach.

Tigers #39; challenge: Win out or lose out


Anambra state in Nigeria is tense after gangs set fire to the governor's office and other buildings, local officials say.

'Tensions high' in Nigeria state


Kashmir separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani is prevented from leading a protest against allleged rapes by an Indian army officer.

Kashmir separatist chief arrested


AFP - British satellite broadcaster BSkyB said profit rose by 16 percent in the first quarter as the group enjoyed strong subscriber growth in the run-up to the key Christmas trading period.

BSkyB sees profits rise after strong subscriber growth (AFP)


p2pnet.net News:- Xbox add-ons that let users run items not produced by Microsoft have been out there almost since Day One.  quot;Hackers who equip their Xboxes with mod chips and other upgrades such as bigger

Halo 2 vs Xbox hacks


Since just before the start of the NFL #39;s regular season two months ago, television viewers in the Bay Area have been seeing commercials for a product that for years has sold itself.

49ers tickets are available


Reuters - New York Attorney General Eliot\Spitzer, who is probing bid-rigging in the insurance industry,\expects to file suit against health insurance consultant\Universal Life Resources as early as Friday, a spokesman for\his office said.

New York's Spitzer Expects to Sue Universal Life (Reuters)


Forbes.com - ARRIS GROUP (5, ARRS) saw its market cap unjustifiably halved recently when Comcast, a huge customer (24 of Arris' sales), hinted it might buy next-generation technology from Cisco Systems. Arris supplies the technical guts that cable companies use to provide phone service. (For the reverse phenomenon, see story on p. 162.)

Telephone Tag (Forbes.com)


Donors to the Palestinians are asking  whether the change of leadership can let more light into Palestinian finances.

Donors seek clarity on PA finances


HP (Quote, Chart) deepened its relationship with open source software concern JBoss, agreeing to become a major source of support for its application server and Linux.

HP Hugs JBoss Tighter


NASA #39;s X-43A scramjet will on Monday undergo its third test flight during which scientists will attempt to push the vehicle to Mach 10.

NASA scramjet goes for Mach 10 burn


NOVEMBER 12, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Microsoft Corp. yesterday said it is investigating claims that several new vulnerabilities have been found in Windows XP Service Pack 2 by security firm Finjan Software Inc.

Microsoft probing reported flaws in Windows XP SP2


The T-shirt was the brainchild of Bob Rose, the University of California #39;s aptly named executive associate athletic director for communications, and it speaks to the school #39;s football revival on numerous levels.

One of nation #39;s hottest coaches, Tedford will shock nation and <b>...</b>


US and Iraqi forces are pushing deeper south into the city of Fallujah on the fifth day of a joint offensive to drive out insurgents.

US Forces Move Deeper Into Fallujah; Clashes in Mosul


VIENNA (AFP) - EU officials were evaluating Iran #39;s response to an offer for Tehran to avoid possible UN sanctions over its nuclear program in a wrangle that has led a UN watchdog to hold up a key report.

EU studies Iranian response on nuclear program wrangle


EA #39;s James Bond-baddie shooter has left its secret headquarters and taken over the factory. Like an evil genius announcing his demands, Electronic Arts has let the world know that GoldenEye: Rogue Agent has gone gold.

GoldenEye: Rogue Agent golden


MILAN (Reuters) - An Italian prosecutor asked a court on  Friday to sentence Silvio Berlusconi to eight years in jail for  bribing judges as the prime minister's four-year corruption  trial reached its closing stages.

Prosecutor Seeks 8-Year Jail Term for Italy's PM


Europes first mission to the moon is just days away from its goal after taking the slow boat from Earth more than a year ago. The spacecraft, dubbed SMART-1, will make its first close pass by the moon on the evening of Nov.

Europes First Moon Probe to Enter Lunar Orbit


ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (CP) - France defended itself Friday against accusations by Ivory Coast authorities, and some western evacuees, that it used excessive force to protect foreigners against violent mobs during five days of upheaval in its former West

France defends itself against accusations of excessive force in <b>...</b>


SEC. RUMSFELD: As you know, were going to be stopping in El Salvador and Nicaragua and Panama and Ecuador. The first stops will be visits to the places, particularly El Salvador and Nicaragua - countries

Secretary Rumsfeld Remarks En Route to El Salvador


A

'Miracle baby' a victim - judge


The family of an 82-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer who was abandoned at a hospital have come forward.

Relatives of abandoned man found


NewsFactor - While Firefox wins rave reviews for its browser technology and appears ready to chip away at Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) dominant Internet Explorer market share, the open-source browser is probably a long way off from unseating IE in the enterprise.

Firefox - Ready To Take On Internet Explorer? (NewsFactor)


AP - Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack told Democratic leaders on Friday he may seek the party's top job as the jockeying to replace chairman Terry McAuliffe intensified.

Vilsack, Dean Jockey for Top DNC Post (AP)


New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Friday filed suit against Universal Life Resources (ULR), charging the life and disability insurance broker with taking fraudulent kick-backs for steering business to certain insurers

UPDATE 4-New York #39;s Spitzer charges Universal Life with fraud


A US security company is warning that it has found ten  #39;serious #39; vulnerabilities in Windows XP systems with SP2 installed.

Security company warning of vulnerabilities in Windows XP SP2


Plus: At 80, fractal discoverer Benoit Mandelbrot says he has much math work left to do. News.com Extra

Video phones act as dating tools


NEW YORK (Reuters) - SunTrust Banks Inc. <A HREF=

SunTrust Restates Results, Profits Up


unsupported writes  quot;Just days after news that AOL will be breaking up into 4 business units, AOL is telling existing broadband customers in 9 Southern states to find a new carrier.

AOL Dumping Some Broadband


GenCorp (GY.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is expected to reject a \$17 per share offer from US investment fund Steel Partners II, according to a report by CNBC.

GenCorp to reject Steel Partners offer--CNBC


Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Lokomotiv Moscow won the Russian Premier League championship on the final day of the season with a 2-0 victory over Shinnik Yaroslavl.

Lokomotiv Moscow captures league title


WASHINGTON - A coalition of technology and advocacy groups on Friday asked the U.S. Senate to kill copyright legislation that might result in jail time for people who trade copyrighted files online.

Coalition asks US Congress to kill copyright bill


Looks like Microsoft may have been biding its time to get back at search giant Google. Missing Links

Is Google the new devil?


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Telemarketers will be able to use  prerecorded

U.S. to Allow Some Telemarketing 'Robo Calls'


BOSTON Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is calling for the resignation of the head of the state #39;s Turnpike Authority. Romney #39;s move comes in the wake of reports that a record 14-point-six (b) billion-dollar

Governor calls for resignation of Big Dig chief


Two new studies show Microsoft (Quote, Chart) is now leading both the embedded operating system category as well as in PDAs. According to statistics by research firm Gartner (Quote, Chart), Microsoft #39;s Windows

Microsoft Now Leads in PDA, Embedded OS


Tens of thousands of civilians are confined to their houses in Fallujah and may be in need of humanitarian aid as US and Iraqi forces battle insurgents for control of the city, according to Iraq #39;s Islamic Party.

Fallujah Assault Traps 50,000 Residents, Party Says (Update2)


AP - Southern California and Auburn finished perfect regular seasons in very different ways.

USC, Auburn Complete Seasons Undefeated (AP)


Reuters - Yasser Arafat was buried on\Friday in chaotic scenes of grief and gunfire at the compound\where he spent his final years encircled by the Israeli army\and powerless to realize his dream of a Palestinian state.

Arafat Buried in Chaotic Scenes in West Bank (Reuters)


AP - The Iraqi government rushed reinforcements Friday to the country's third-largest city, Mosul, seeking to quell a deadly militant uprising that U.S. officials suspected may be in support of the resistance in Fallujah  #151; now said to be under 80 percent U.S. control.

Police Lose Control of Mosul Amid Uprising (AP)


THE future of horseracing in Britain was thrown into confusion this week as a result of a judgment by the European Court of Justice.

Court ruling has fat cats purring


Consumers shrugged off record oil prices to increase spending at the start of the fourth quarter, data released Friday by the Commerce Department showed.

Oil Prices Don #39;t Deter Shoppers; Consumer Confidence Index Up


The NFL cautioned Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren not to pick up a personal foul penalty against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during tomorrow #39;s game.

Warren Is Told Not to Get Personal


Chanting  quot;We want the French! quot; a crowd of armed and angry young men swept past La Planta, a club owned by an Ivorian. They started to attack the nearby Byblos

New Ivory Coast Violence Shatters French Connection


Federal Reserve officials agreed at a meeting in September that they probably would keep raising their benchmark interest rate in coming quarters because of the likelihood of continued solid economic growth.

Fed Sticks With Its 'Measured' Pace


Microsoft Corp.'s software platform for personal digital assistants took over the market lead from PalmSource Inc. for the first time in the third quarter, according to market research released Friday.

Microsoft Takes Lead in PDA Software


David Martz, like many other area farmers, just sighed upon hearing the news that Asian soybean rust had been discovered in Louisiana.

Asian rust poses problem to area farmers


Palestinians pay their last respects to Yasser Arafat after chaotic scenes at his burial in Ramallah.

Final respects paid to Arafat


At least six crew members are killed and one is missing after a  South Korean cargo ship hits a breakwater in Japan.

Ship hits Japan breakwater


Brian Cashman, the general manager of the Yankees, on Friday looked as if he had been up deep into the night plotting how to improve the team.

Yankees' Holding Pattern Is Sure to Change


MILAN -- An Italian prosecutor asked a court yesterday to sentence Silvio Berlusconi to eight years in jail for bribing judges as the prime minister's four-year corruption trial reached its closing stages.

Prosecutor seeks 8 years in jail for Berlusconi


PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12 (Ticker) -- It seemed like a highly unlikely game for Allen Iverson to sink his first career game-winning buzzer-beater.

Iverson Answers Bell in OT


A Dutch mosque is set on fire in what appears to be the latest attack on the Muslim community.

Mosque set on fire in Netherlands


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's negotiations with the European  Union over a deal which would spare Tehran from possible U.N.  sanctions over its nuclear program are in their final stages,  Iran said Saturday.

Iran Says EU Nuke Negotiations in Final Stages


#39; #39;The views of the host do not necessarily reflect the views of the station or its sponsors. #39; #39;. The Browns were not thrilled when Warren said he would gladly pay a \$50,000 fine to rub out Roethlisberger, who

Warren tones down his bark


At a news conference with Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Bush said there was a

Bush Says U.S. Will Push Hard on Peace Plan


US Airways asked to throw out contracts covering passenger service agents, flight attendants and other workers and replace them with less-expensive ones.

US Air Asks Court to End Labor Contracts


If as some have suggested religions are viruses of the mind, then it might make sense to separate the components of any given religion into two parts. The first part being those things which are necessary to maintain viral infection and which assist in the infection of new hosts. The second part is the payload: Those instructions which the virus writer wishes those who have been infected to carry out or execute.     My hope is that this method of analysis will assist others in understanding the structure of existing religions as well as those who aim to write one from scratch

Coding Viruses for the Mind


NTT Communications, T-Mobile USA, Telstra, StarHub, and Maxis Communications have joined to establish roaming arrangements that allow customers to use wireless broadband services from Internet access points -- called hotspots quot; -- in their countries

Wireless Operators Team on Wi-Fi Roaming


LOS ANGELES : France #39;s Amelie Mauresmo has booked her berth in the semi-finals of the season-ending WTA Tour Championships with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

Tennis: Mauresmo books semi-final berth at WTA Tour Championships


CLEVELAND - The NFL gave a warning to Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Friday, a day after he said he would try to hit Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the head Sunday.

Warren warned following threat


NANO, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani forces are driving al  Qaeda-linked militants out of mountains near the Afghan border  but attacks such as a bomb that wounded soldiers on Saturday  could not be ruled out, a commander said.

Pakistan Says Militants on the Run, Despite Blast


On Saturday November 13th, ten misfits, nomads and upstarts seek to wage war or settle the score at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Don King Productions Presents:  quot;Battle For Supremacy quot;


A drug safety expert says his invitation to participate in a meeting on the risks of arthritis drugs like Vioxx and Bextra has been rescinded by government officials because he publicly expressed concerns about the medications.

FDA Bans Vioxx And Bextra Critic From Advisory Panel Meeting


(Sports Network) - The surprising Toronto Raptors will try to push their record to 5-2 tonight, when they continue their six-game road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden.

Toronto Raptors Team Report - November 13


They risked hypothermia and fought off the effects of sleep deprivation so they could be among the first to achieve their quest in the wee hours of the morning.

This week in game news


Canadian Press - ST. CATHARINES, Ont. (CP) - About 1,000 mourners filled a church Saturday for a funeral service for a mother and her seven children killed when fire tore through their century-old rural southwestern Ontario home.

Grief, tears as mother, seven children killed in house fire mourned (Canadian Press)


Tonight #39;s game featuring the Miami Heat and their three-time NBA finals MVP Shaquille O #39;Neal versus the San Antonio Spurs and their two-time NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan has obvious potential as an early-season championship preview.

Parker #39;s confidence key; Wade needs seasoning


Hewlett-Packard Co. and open-source middleware vendor JBoss Inc. on Friday said that HP will now provide first-line support for JBoss #39; open-source Java application server.

HP Joins with JBoss on Server Support


It #39;s the NFL midseason, and I #39;ve done a pretty good job the last couple of months pretending I don #39;t cover the sport for SI.

The NFL is at its midway point. Time to hand out some awards


AP - Vince Young scored on an 18-yard touchdown run with 4:11 left and threw a 22-yard TD pass to Tony Jeffrey with 11 seconds remaining to rally No. 6 Texas past Kansas 27-23 Saturday.

No. 6 Texas Rallies Past Kansas, 27-23 (AP)


David Beckham, out for a month with broken ribs, was named by Sven-Goran Eriksson to England #39;s team for its friendly match on Wednesday against Spain at Real Madrid #39;s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Beckham returns to England squad for Spain game


NEW DELHI : Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged to try to shield the poor by keeping down prices of essential goods amid rising inflation.

Indian PM pledges to protect poor from oil-driven inflation


Greek and British police in a joint operation cracked a multi-million illegal software sales ring, arresting two people and seizing thousands of pirate high-tech software programs, Greek police said on Friday.

Greek, British Police Break Illegal Software Ring


NEW ORLEANS (Sports Network) - New Orleans Hornets guard  Baron Davis did not make the trip to Milwaukee for Saturday's  game against the Bucks because of a strained lower back.

Hornets' Davis Sidelined with Back Injury


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sports Network) - Carolina Panthers  running back Stephen Davis will miss the remainder of the  season after being placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Carolina's Davis Done for the Season


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored his  seventh goal of the season to give Dutch league leader PSV  Eindhoven a 1-0 win over Willem II Tilburg on Saturday.

PSV Stays Top After 1-0 Win Over Willem II


Since 1996, the team's first season in Baltimore, the Ravens have projected an image of 11 black helmets swarming to the football, imposing their will with unequaled fervor.

Through Strife, Ravens Are Bonding and Winning Through Intimidation


PANAMA CITY, Panama (Reuters) - Panama's security chief  told Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Saturday the Central  American nation was working to prevent any terror attack that  might close the Panama Canal.

Panama Assures Rumsfeld on Canal Security


Unquestionably the showcase game of the day. Auburn already has sewn up the Southeastern Conference West, and Georgia would need Tennessee to lose to have a chance in the East.

The Rundown


There were two stories last week that will have world-shaping implications. The first was in a Paris hospital and a compound in Ramallah.

Will Hutton


THE directors of Manchester United will this week demand an emergency meeting with Malcolm Glazer, head of the Florida family that is stalking the world-famous football club.

Man Utd calls for emergency Glazer meeting


FORMER Tottenham Hotspur manager Jacques Santini sparked a war of words last night after claiming that he had resigned nine days ago because of a rift with director of football, Frank Arnesen, and not as previously stated for personal reasons.

Spurs accuse liar Santini


During his 14 seasons as an NFL assistant and head coach, Virginia Coach Al Groh was often involved in the evaluation of college prospects.

Chance to Measure Up


Stocks extended their rally on Friday, led by technology shares after computer maker Dell Inc. (DELL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) shot up 8 percent on a higher quarterly profit and an optimistic forecast.

Stocks End Higher as Dell Boosts Techs


EAST LANSING, Mich. (Sports Network) - Jason Teague, who ran for 112 yards and a score on 17 carries, caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter to snap a tie and help Michigan State post a 49-14 win over

Michigan State Shocks Wisconsin


AP - Jake Plummer was among about 50 former Arizona State teammates of Pat Tillman who gathered Saturday night to help the school retire the fallen soldier's No. 42 jersey in an emotional halftime ceremony.

Arizona State Retires Tillman's Jersey (AP)


That should have been said a long time ago. After Microsoft cemented a monopoly of the Web-browser market, it let Internet Explorer go stale, parceling out ho-hum updates that neglected vulnerabilities

Firefox Leaves No Reason to Endure Internet Explorer


After days of speculation and a chase by Japanese destroyers and a surveillance plane, it has finally been determined that the nuclear submarine that intruded into Japanese territorial water between Okinawa and Taiwan was Chinese.

Editorial: Sub incident shows China #39;s stripes


The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear whether cable operators must give access to their lines to third-party ISPs. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.

Final Round in Cable-ISP Fight


Among three digital photography repair programs, Adobe Elements is cited as providing the right amount of features and commands while maintaining user simplicity.

Adobe Gets High Marks for Photo Fixes


Documents show that the nation's most influential rail-safety group is tightly bound to the railroad industry.

Safety Group Closely Echoes Rail Industry


Attacking police officers, racial slurs, bloody beatings of innocent bystanders ... is it really just a game? In four and a half minutes, 14-year-old Ryan Mason ran over a police officer, stole his gun and shot and killed three innocent bystanders.

GAME UNDER FIRE


While walking the pooch in the crisp early morning air Wednesday, you might hear a few snaps, perhaps a buzz, and maybe even some whistles overhead.

At Tuesday #39;s midnight hour, you #39;ll find a meteor shower


SEATTLE Fifth-ranked California ran past Washington 42-to-12. JJ Arrington rushed for 121 yards and Marshawn Lynch matched that. Lynch had TD runs of 32 and 70 yards along with a 29-yard scoring reception.

(5) California 42 Washington 12


His successors wanted an orderly funeral. They brought in bulldozers to clean up Yasir Arafat #39;s broken-down headquarters in Ramallah.

Life After Yasir Arafat


While media and political attention is on the threat of outsourcing, the reality is that outsourcing is a sideshow in a much larger event.

Where have all the people gone?


Microsoft Corp., worlds largest software maker, increased its market shares of Windows CE, operating system for handheld devices, in the third quarter of this year, stated a research study conducted by Gartner, Inc.

Microsoft takes lead in handheld market


BOSTON Boston #39;s Archbishop is telling catholics that the church #39;s financial footing is  quot;much worse than people realize.

Boston archbishop reveals anguish of closings


FOXBOROUGH -- Hello, Mike Mularkey. Welcome to opportunity. Watch that game film of New England-St. Louis last week?

Will Bills be more receptive?


What does Larry Bird think of Ron Artest's recent sabbatical? He's not saying. But given that this was a guy who came out of traction to play a game, we can pretty much assume what he has said behind closed doors.

This silence can't be golden


The Pentagon has released the names of the following US service members killed recently in Iraq:

American deaths


Tottenham manager Jacques Santini said he left the north London club because he was not in control of recruitment, he said on French television on Saturday.

I quit because of recruitment problems: Santini


Voters apparently weren #39;t the only ones willing to stand in long lines. The release of this year #39;s two hottest video games - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Halo 2 - had gamers lined up at stores across the nation to pick up their pre-ordered games.

Newest video games gun to be No. 1


Instead of playing Halo 2 as intended, a filmmaker and a crew of machinima peers exploit the game's software quirks to create their online comedy series, Red vs. Blue, within Halo's virtual world.

Virtual Warriors Have Feelings, Too


England captain David Beckham has revealed that he is considering retiring from international football after the 2006 World Cup. The 29-year-old Real Madrid midfielder is keen to preserve his club career for

Beckham Could Quit England After World Cup


Northern Ireland #39;s main pro-British paramilitary group, The Ulster Defence Association (UDA), has pledged to end all violence and work towards complete disarmament.

Northern Irish Protestant group pledges to end violence


Longtime Gonzales County rancher Jim Selman, who raises calves in the biggest cattle county in the nation #39;s biggest cattle state, sees 2004 as a year to remember.

Except for less export business, most find little to complain <b>...</b>


AS tennis fans go, Houston #39;s Jim  #39;Mattress Mack #39; McIngvale is very rich, extremely forthright, exceedingly patriotic and unflinchingly Republican.

Safin tallest obstacle to host #39;s patriotic games hope


AP - Black activists and religious groups are pressing public pension funds to divest a purported  #36;91 billion in holdings of companies operating in oil-rich Sudan.

Activists Want Divestment From Sudan (AP)


Aoraki Mt Cook Ski Planes and New Zealand Tourism Online are turning their backs on Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer. Both companies are among the early adopters of Firefox, a free  quot;open source quot; Web browser.

Kiwi firms ditch Explorer for Firefox


PERTH - French driver Sebastien Loeb won his first motor rally of Australia yesterday when comfortably negotiating the final six stages near Perth.

Motorsport: Loeb matches record season


AP - Peter Nowak has played in two MLS Cups  #151; he liked the first a lot better  #151; and gets another crack at the championship this year. The rookie coach will guide D.C. United in Sunday's title game against Kansas City.

D.C. to Face K.C. for MLS Championship (AP)


The UCLA football team had all that it asked for: possession of the ball in the fourth quarter with an opportunity to beat No. 1 USC.

Online Football: Bruins unable to squeeze past Trojans


A flurry of companies may miss the deadline to comply with new regulations brought in after the corporate scandals of 2002, but the key for investors will be to judge how serious the underlying problems really are.

COLUMN: Many Struggle to Comply with Sarbanes Rules


Bryan Robson had an unhappy start as West Bromwich Albion manager on Sunday when the Premier League strugglers went down 2-1 to Middlesbrough on the ground he once graced as a budding England great.

Middlesbrough spoil Robson #39;s home-coming


AP - Iran has agreed to fully suspend uranium enrichment and linked activities that Washington asserts are part of a nuclear weapons program, diplomats said Sunday.

Iran Agrees to Suspend Uranium Enrichment (AP)


AP - In the days since he was elected to the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has chatted by phone with President Bush, had his picture in People magazine and appeared several times on national television.

Obama Balances Stardom, Local Interests (AP)


Despite playing well Arizona was unable the hold the top ranked USC Trojans, losing 49-9. The score was a bit deceiving as the Wildcats hung tough with the nations best team for about a quarter and a half.

USC rolls to easy win


Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - David Garrard hooked up with Jimmy Smith for a 36-yard touchdown pass 5:28 into overtime to lift Jacksonville over Detroit, 23-17, in a wild affair at Alltel Stadium.

NFL Game Summary - Detroit at Jacksonville


Duke #39;s Wanisha Smith (23) celebrates a Duke basket along side assistant coach LaVonda Wagner during the second half of the second round of the Pre-Season Women #39;s National Invitational Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004 in Durham, NC No.

No. 6 Duke Tops South Fla. in Women #39;s NIT


The UDA, Northern Ireland #39;s largest loyalist paramilitary group has pledged to end all violence and work towards complete disarmament.

UDA pledge ceasefire


AP - Mahmoud Abbas, the temporary successor to Yasser Arafat, escaped unharmed Sunday when militants firing assault rifles burst into a mourning tent for the deceased Palestinian leader, killing two security guards and wounding six other people.

Abbas Escapes Gaza Shooting Unharmed (AP)


Canadian Press - VERNON, B.C. (CP) - Vernon RCMP have identified the auxiliary officer killed when the cruiser in which he was riding was struck by a stolen truck as Glen Evely, 39.

B.C. Mountie killed in stolen truck crash leaves wife, two small children (Canadian Press)


WASHINGTON: NASA will today conduct the final and fastest test flight of its pilotless X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, aiming to send it zooming across the Pacific Ocean at about 10 times the speed of sound -- almost 3.2 kilometers (two miles) per

NASA to test hypersonic scramjet


The Firefox browser offers superior security features over Internet Explorer -- and as long as IE drives more than 90 percent of the world #39;s computers, hackers will continue to make it a target.

Firefox 1.0 Presents Threat to IE


AP - Serena Williams is in love  #151; with her new attacking game and herself.

Serena Ends Mauresmo's Year-End No. 1 Bid (AP)


Striker Dado Prso netted a second-half penalty as Rangers battled to a 1-0 Scottish Premier League win at Hibernian on Sunday. Prso converted after 65 minutes after

Prso seals victory for 10-man Rangers


Nine French peacekeepers were killed during an air raid by Ivorian bombers more than a week ago. France responded by destroying most of the Ivorian air force.

France, Ivory Coast relations worsen


For so many years, so many big games, and so many white-knuckle moments, the Miami Hurricanes have made the last minute of a football game their close friend.

Instant Analysis: Va Tech at Miami


Greg Norman will be looking to post a low score to give the leaders a target in the final round of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum #39;s Hyatt Resort, north of Brisbane.

Norman looking to post a low score


Taipei, Nov. 12 (CNA) Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh said Friday he will convey President Chen Shui-bian #39;s goodwill to mainland Chinese President Hu Jintao at the upcoming informal leadership meeting

NOBEL LAUREATE TO CONVEY CHEN #39;S GOODWILL TO BEIJING LEADER AT APEC


Premier Yu Shyi-Kun hopes economic ties to the mainland will guarantee peace. If not,  quot;Taiwan has to have to ability to defend itself quot;.

In Taipei, Talk of Arms -- and Amity


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - EarthLink Inc. <A HREF=

Yahoo, EarthLink to Test New Anti-Spam System


Michael Wardian rounded the corner onto Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, smiling broadly and waving to the cheering crowd. Making his way to the finish line, Wardian ran comfortably, looking more like someone finishing a training run rather than a race.

Wardian, Feldman Right at Home in Parks Marathon


Mumbai: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Scottish oil firm Cairn Energy Ltd have decided to team up for oil exploration and production (E amp;P) in the domestic as well as international markets.

ONGC, Cairn Energy decide to team up


Sun Microsystems SUNW is expected to release a new version of its operating system today - a big part of the struggling computer maker #39;s plan to save itself.

Sun to shine spotlight on new operating system, Solaris 10


Hibernian midfielder Craig Rocastle has promised to back Rangers striker Nacho Novo if he decides to appeal against the red card he picked up at Easter Road.

ROCASTLE OFFERS SUPPORT TO NOVO


India launches a \$445m food-for-work programme aimed at tackling hunger in poor rural areas.

India launches rural aid project


The first Halo game sold quite a few Xboxes (we know a few Xbox owners who don't appear to play any other titles on their consoles), and Halo 2 has already clocked \$125 million in sales -- on its first day in stores.

Halo 2; Donkey Konga


Despite confirming the successful sale of both Jaguar Racing and its Cosworth engine company to new owners, Ford Motor Company has stressed that it remains committed to supporting motorsport at all levels.

Ford underlines committed to motorsport.


INDIANAPOLIS Peyton Manning completed 18 of 27 passes for 320 yards and threw five touchdowns as the Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans, 49-to-14.

Colts 49, Texans 14


Yahoo Inc. is more than doubling its limits on free e-mail storage in its latest move to combat two of its biggest rivals, Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

Yahoo Doubles Free E-Mail Storage Limits


Metier Ltd. of the District won a one-year, \$2 million contract for software and services for the FBI's Enterprise IT Portfolio Management Program. The new initiative will improve oversight of the FBI's information-technology systems, applications and assets by the agency's IT management and staff, the company said.

Metier Assists FBI Information Technology Initiative


Virginia's 10-year experiment with red-light cameras at traffic intersections expires next year, and it is uncertain whether they will be renewed.

Fate of Cameras on the Line


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. <A HREF=

Wrigley to Buy Life Savers, Altoids


Dow Jones   Company, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal, has agreed to buy MarketWatch, the parent company of the financial news Web site CBS MarketWatch, for approximately \$519 million, the companies said today.

Dow Jones Agrees to Buy MarketWatch in \$519 Million Deal


Shortages of coal and electricity are expected to fail to keep up with demand this winter, state media reported Monday. The National Power Regulatory Commission reported high demand for virtually every region

Reports: China Will See More Shortages


Microsoft is to form multi-million pound partnerships with two Indian software firms, and is expected to double the 1,500 people it already employs in India.

Microsoft signs two Indian deals


WASHINGTON -- Iran pledged yesterday to temporarily suspend its uranium enrichment program in an attempt to ease suspicions that it is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The move could defuse a longstanding showdown with the United States over Iran's nuclear activities, diplomats said.

Iran says it will stop enriching uranium


ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- African leaders backed an arms embargo and other immediate UN sanctions against Ivory Coast yesterday, isolating President Laurent Gbagbo's hard-line government even further in its deadly confrontation with its former colonial ruler, France.

Ivory Coast arms embargo backed


NEW YORK -- For a time Saturday night, John Ruiz was ready to give up.

Rivera was a corner stone for Ruiz


BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Six people were hurt and two  hospitals evacuated after a strong earthquake shook a large  part of western Colombia on Monday, the government said.

Strong Quake Injures Six in Colombia


Operating system to come at no charge for servers with x86 processors. But the bug fixes will cost you.

Sun to set Solaris free, after a fashion


The announcement came as Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer opened the group #39;s new Indian headquarters in the city of Hyderabad.

Microsoft signs two Indian deals


Arsenal star Robert Pires said Monday he is prepared to pay a fine for not wearing the official French team sponsor #39;s kit in a television interview last month.

Pires prepared to pay fine for wearing wrong kit


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Lowe #39;s reported a strong 15.5 percent increase in earnings in the third quarter early Monday and offered a bullish outlook for the full year.

Lowe #39;s Q3 earnings jump 15.5 percent


Air France-KLM on Monday posted a 61 percent rise in revenue in the group #39;s fiscal second quarter, boosted by the merger between the French and Dutch carriers and a strong rise in passenger and cargo revenue.

Passenger Revenue Boost for Air France-KLM


Adobe Systems Inc. will release version 7.0 of its digital document product Acrobat by the end of the year, including a new free Acrobat Reader with added reviewing capabilities, the company announced Monday.

Adobe Launching New Version of Acrobat by Year #39;s End


Windows CE has become the most popular PDA operating system, passing the Palm OS for the first time. Worldwide shipments of PDAs using Microsoft #39;s system were just under

Microsoft steals PDA topspot


This country has seen a massive upsurge in morality since Election Day, and nowhere is this more evident than in the commercial failure of the  quot;Grand Theft Auto quot; games.

Games just don #39;t get much better than  #39;San Andreas #39;


LONDON (CBS.MW) -- European markets saw a moderate advance in early trade Monday, carrying over some of the late-session rally on Wall Street and helped by steel group Arcelor #39;s view of Chinese demand.

Steel group sees continued strength in China demand


Fed Governor Speaks (12:45 pm ET) Federal Reserve Governor Mark Olson speaks about his economic outlook at a roundtable lunch in Toronto.

Econ Edge: The Economic Week


Organizations are replacing aging servers with newer more-powerful boxes, often Linux--based, and theyre also investing in storage.

Dell touts new blades #39; bang for the buck


Microsoft is making big news in India this week by expanding its Hyderabad campus and signing two lucrative deals in Asias fourth largest economy.

Microsoft Storms India


Two years after launching its first blade server, Dell Inc. on Monday is set to launch a follow-up product: the PowerEdge 855, a server based on Intel Corp.

Dell takes second shot at blades


The deficit at the federal agency that rescues failed US pension funds more than doubled to \$23.3 billion in fiscal 2004, officials said on Monday, as the safety net was hit by losses from pension plans that have failed or are

Deficit at US Pension Agency Soars to \$23.3 Billion


London - The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday confirmed that it had received notice from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it was intending to appeal against captain Sourav Ganguly #39;s two Test match suspension.

Ganguly suspension appealed


AP - Dell Inc. and Microsoft Corp. promised big savings on the billions of dollars companies spend on system maintenance as they unveiled jointly developed software Monday that manages and upgrades servers in one mouse-click.

Dell and Microsoft Launch Joint Software (AP)


Reuters - U.S. regulators filed fraud charges\on Monday against former Hollinger International Inc. \Chairman Conrad Black and his deputy, David Radler, moving to\bar the two from serving as officers of a public company.

SEC Charges Hollinger's Black with Fraud (Reuters)


Reuters - New Orleans Hornets guard\Baron Davis is expected to be sidelined one-to-two weeks\because of a lower back injury.

Hornets' Davis Out with Back Injury (Reuters)


AP - Anastasia Myskina and Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead Russia's Fed Cup team when it plays Austria in this month's semifinals. Defending champion France will feature Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce in the other semifinal against Spain, which has won this event five times.

Myskina, Kuznetsov to Play in Fed Cup (AP)


Boeing Co. on Monday said it is offering a 777 cargo model that will be the largest and farthest-flying twin-engine freighter. The Boeing 777 freighter is scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Boeing Offers 777 Cargo Freighter


LONDON-A new study shows that the market for smart phones will continue to increase during the next several years, with global shipments growing from 14.

Smart phones to make up 16 of market


Company enhances online service for moving business information between corporations.

Grand Central spiffs up integration service


Using a new dynamic test and a dummy designed especially for rear impact testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated 73 seat/head restraint combinations available in 63 car models sold in the US market.

Car Seats Measured for Whiplash Safety


Iran has agreed to suspend its uranium enrichment programme in an attempt to ease concerns that its nuclear programme is aimed at developing weapons, a Western diplomat close to the United Nations said today.

Iran agrees to nuclear enrichment freeze -diplomats


Deutsche Bank AG of Germany plans to sell its New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Chicago offices of Scudder Private Investment Counsel to Legg Mason Inc. for \$55 million, plus payments of up to \$26 million, the company said Monday.

Deutsche Bank to Sell Scudder Business to Legg Mason


Liquid Machines today announced the release of Email Control Version 6.0, an e-mail policy and security messaging software package designed for enterprise networks.

Liquid Machines pours out new DRM software


Microsoft Corp., the world #39;s largest software maker, will hire several hundred #39; #39; people in the next year at its development center in India, expanding its workforce of 800, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said.

Microsoft Opens Software Development Center in India (Update3)


quot;The biggest danger to HP and IBM is a price war, quot; said John Enck of Gartner.  quot;Blades are still premium-priced products from IBM and HP.

Dell Takes Another Cut at Blade Market


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators filed fraud charges  on Monday against former Hollinger International Inc. <A HREF=

SEC Charges Hollinger's Black with Fraud


Home improvement retailer Lowe #39;s Cos. (LOW.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday reported a 15 percent rise in third-quarter profit, aided by its expansion to New York

Lowe #39;s Forecast Hammers Stock


NEW YORK: Boeing Co said today it will manufacture a cargo version of the twin-engine Boeing 777 commercial airliner. Due to enter service late in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Boeing 777 Freighter will

Boeing to build cargo version of 777


Fierce battles between insurgents and US and Iraqi forces killed at least 27 people today in Baqouba and south of Baghdad as US forces move against the last remaining pockets of resistance in Fallujah.

Fighting spreads in Sunni Triangle


Plus: Row brewing over peer-to-peer ads. News.com Extra

Wonkette: Blogs force quick action from major media


AP - A man set himself afire Monday just outside a White House gate and repeatedly yelled

Man Sets Himself on Fire Near White House (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - San Francisco Giants slugger Barry  Bonds captured a record seventh MVP award Monday, providing a  sparkling finish to a season tainted by doping allegations.

Bonds MVP Award Provides Sparkle in Tainted Season


Acer America Corp. on Monday introduced a notebook based on the 64-bit mobile processor from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. The Ferrari 3400, which runs on the Mobile AMD Athlon 64 for thin and

Acer Ships 64-bit Notebook


With its lowest-priced home PC to date, company shows desire to move beyond pricier game machines.

Alienware tames its prices for home PC users


AP - The Southeastern Conference's supervisor of officials said an LSU player should have been called for pass interference on a pivotal interception against Alabama.

SEC's Gaston Admits Official Missed Call (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices touched 2-month lows near  \$45 a barrel on Monday before taking back most of their losses,  but the downward trend knocked energy company stocks lower and  U.S. stock indexes ended little changed. A rise in Microsoft  shares helped boost the technology sector.

Oil Edges Down, Microsoft Boosts Techs


Reuters - The U.N. Security Council on\Monday imposed an immediate arms embargo on Ivory Coast and\voted to punish key government and rebel leaders with\additional sanctions next month.

UN Council Votes Ivory Coast Arms Embargo (Reuters)


Many users are celebrating Mozilla #39;s release of Firefox 1.0, its open-source Web browser. The beta version was downloaded some 8 million times.

Will Firefox Ignite Enterprises?


Yahoo announced enhancements to its e-mail service, implementing search, more storage and its DomainKeys sender authentication technology, which is also being deployed by Internet service provider EarthLink in a test roll-out.

Yahoo, EarthLink Test DomainKeys Spoofing Defense


AP - Jamaica's soccer team left Monday for Columbus, Ohio, where it will play the United States in a crucial World Cup qualifying match.

Reggae Boyz Head to World Cup Qualifier (AP)


Mike Mularkey has a message to those clamoring for rookie quarterback JP Losman to replace Drew Bledsoe as Buffalo #39;s starter. Not yet.

Mularkey sticking with Bledsoe as Bills starter


SAN FRANCISCO: MarketWatch Inc, which owns the CBS.MarketWatch.com website, has agreed to be acquired by Dow Jones  amp; Co for US\$520mil, ending a month-long bidding war for the online financial news and information provider.

Dow Jones to buy MarketWatch


Dragging and dropping files into well-organized desktop folders can be a chore for everyone but the most fastidious. A new technology, however, aims to do most of the work for you.

Take control of your desktop chaos


InfoWorld - Dell Computer re-energized its enterprise-class blade server strategy on Monday, rolling out a new architecture that supports as many as 10 servers in a seven-unit chassis that can fit into a standard-size rack.

Dell blades cut deeper to data centers (InfoWorld)


NASA scrubbed its mission Monday to launch a pilotless plane that is capable of flying at 10 times the speed of sound. The launch of the X-43A was canceled due to technical problems.

NASA Cancels Hypersonic Flight


LANDSTUHL, Germany - Four US servicemen wounded last week in the Iraqi city of Fallujah on Monday described intense fighting with a skilled enemy, adept at markmanship and rigging booby traps.

Wounded troops detail fierce fight


In France, 12 people have gone on trial for running a phone-tapping operation used by the late President Francois Mitterrand to monitor his opponents.

France #39;s  #39;Watergate #39; trial opens


AFP - Microsoft said it will join with India's second-largest software firm, Infosys Technologies, to provide software and consulting to manufacturing, banking and automobile companies.

Microsoft open new software development unit in India (AFP)


A grey, damp opening day at the Masters Cup here was memorable for the latest amazing shot in Roger Federer #39;s armoury. The world No 1 played an overhead with so much spin that the

Federer puts right spin on easy victory over Gaudio


Islamabad, Nov. 16 (NNN): Pakistans leading newspaper, Dawn, finds the timing of the Indian announcement on reduction of troops in Kashmir as significance.

Timing Of Indian Move In Kashmir Vital: Pak Paper


Network Appliance has announced what it terms a key milestone in its Storage Grid vision with the release of its Data ONTAP 7G enterprise storage software, which the company is touting as bringing newer functionality and lower costs to the concept of

NetApp claims breakthrough with new storage software


Terrell Owens turned the first pass thrown to him into a 59-yard touchdown and gave the Philadelphia Eagles a 7-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys after the first quarter Monday night.

Eagles lead Cowboys 7-0 after first quarter


AP - Chris Paul scored 25 points and six assists to lift Wake Forest past George Washington 97-76 in the Preseason NIT in the Demon Deacons' debut as the nation's second-ranked team.

No. 2 Wake Forest Rips George Washington (AP)


Barry Bonds continues to defy the odds, and at 40 years of age he is still easily the most dominant hitter in Major League Baseball.

Bonds getting better with age


The Standard  amp; Poor #39;s 500-stock index slipped from a three-year high, dragged lower by energy shares including Exxon Mobil as crude-oil prices dropped to their lowest in almost two months.

S amp;P 500 Slides; Nasdaq, Dow Rise


A rebel counteroffensive swept through central and northern Iraq on Monday as American troops struggled to flush the remaining insurgents from the rubble-strewn streets of Falluja.

Rebels Attack in Central Iraq and the North


Tony Blair last night put worldwide political and human rights at the centre of his hopes to revitalise the United Nations and bring the United States and Europe closer together again in pursuit of global democracy.

Blair builds Atlantic bridge


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) -- Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. said Monday that it #39;s getting into the candy business via a \$1.48 billion acquisition of the Life Savers and Altoids brands, among others, from Kraft Foods Inc.

Wrigley gets into the candy business


A high-speed passenger train carrying more than 160 people jumped the rails and crashed in eastern Australia, injuring most of those on board, officials said.

Australian train crash injures scores


China is ready to resume negotiations after nearly five years with Taiwan if the island nation accepts the  quot;one China quot; principle, the state media reported Monday.

China sets terms for Taiwan talks


Reuters - More than 5,000 scientists,\conservationists and politicians meet in Thailand over the next\week to hammer out a blueprint for saving some of the world's\most endangered species and fragile ecosystems.

Conservationists Meet to Plan Global Green Agenda (Reuters)


Gary Payton was back at practice yesterday. His third round trip to California since the start of training camp was, as they say in the trade, an elevator ride. Out on Saturday. Check on the family. Back on Sunday in time for the rap concert at the FleetCenter.

Celtics OK with this traveling


\China has expressed regret for the intrusion of one of its subs into Japanese waters last week, Tokyo says.

China 'owns up' over mystery sub


ScanSoft Inc. said it plans three acquisitions. The company will acquire Phonetic Systems Ltd., a provider of automated directory assistance and voice-based programs, for \$35 million in cash, and an additional consideration of up to \$35 million, based on the achievement of performance targets and the potential vesting of a warrant to buy 750,000 common shares. ART Advanced Recognition Technologies ...

ScanSoft to acquire 3 software firms


Four years after filing suit against the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Cos., Shell service station owners in Massachusetts went before a US District Court judge in Boston yesterday, charging that Shell took several measures in the late 1990s to drive them out of business.

Mass. franchisees hit Shell in lawsuit


CAPE TOWN -- A great white shark estimated to be at least 18 feet long attacked and presumably killed an elderly South African woman yesterday off a beach near Cape Town, officials said. Tyna Webb, 77, who lived in the area, was swimming off Sunny Cove in Fish Hoek when the massive shark circled her and then attacked, witnesses and ...

Swimmer, 77, believed killed in shark attack


SEOUL: South Korea #39;s LG Electronics Inc announced that it has developed the world #39;s first mobile handset capable of receiving terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasts (DMB).

South Korea #39;s LG claims development of media broadcasts-receiving <b>...</b>


Al Leiter , 39, became a free agent when the New York Mets declined his \$10.2 million option and decided to pay a \$2.1 million buyout. The lefthander went 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 30 starts last season. He was on the disabled list from May 11 to June 1 because of tendinitis in his left shoulder . . ...

Mets decline Leiter's \$10.2 million option


TOKYO: Japan said it wanted Russia to return all four Kuril islands, snubbing Moscow #39;s renewed talk of returning two of them to end the dispute that has prevented the countries from formally ending World War II.

Japan snubs Russian proposal, says it wants all disputed Kuril <b>...</b>


The Internet is only in its early adolescence with a raft of improvements on the horizon, and the venture capitalists who helped fund the early boom are

Web Still in Early Days, Tech Leaders Say


Roger Federer still appears unbeatable after he showed no signs of a torn thigh muscle to defeat Argentina #39;s Gaston Gaudio 6-1, 7-6 in the opening match of the ATP Masters Cup in Houston.

Federer relieved to return


Just when their defense was playing at a high level and sparking a three-game winning streak, the Chicago Bears lost standout linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Notebook: Bears #39; Urlacher to miss 4-6 weeks


Russia has begun making overtures to Japan to end a 48-year-old territorial dispute over the Southern Kurile Islands, the Novosti news agency said Monday.

Russia seeks island conflict resolution


Proceedings are due to begin on a case that has scandalised France for over two decades. Twelve Mitterand-era government officials and senior police officers will face trial in Paris for running a phone tapping

MITTERAND PHONE-TAP TRIAL OPENS


Secretary of State Colin L. Powell announced his resignation Monday, ending four years of battles with Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld over the course of  U.S. foreign policy.

Powell Announces His Resignation


Acer has announced the newest addition to the Ferrari line of notebooks, the Ferrari 3400. The notebook is based on the latest Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3000 for thin and light notebooks.

Acer Boosts Its Ferrari


Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) plans to build security and virtualisation features into its server processors by 2006, the company said Friday during its annual analyst event.

AMD readies security, virtualisation features for 2006


On the eve of a high-profile UN Security Council visit to Nairobi, members are split over a draft resolution on atrocities in Sudan #39;s western Darfur region.

UN divided over Darfur measures


The New York Times has appointed Michael Oreskes, who directed much of the newspaper #39;s coverage of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, to deputy managing editor.

Oreskes Named Times Deputy Managing Editor


Reuters - Two Emmy-nominated\reality producers are developing a series about infidelity,\featuring stories of unfaithful spouses who have turned to a\popular online matchmaking service that caters to attached\people seeking extramarital affairs.

Reality TV Show Follows the Unfaithful (Reuters)


Microsoft on Tuesday announced its decision to localise Windows and Office software in 14 Indian languages over the next 12 months and that the company would hire  #39;hundreds #39; in India this year.

Microsoft to hire hundreds in India


Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine are trying to determine whether violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto can make players more prone to violent behavior.

IU researchers helping to study video game-violence link


Lovie Smith #39;s Monday morning started off with a phone call from Tony Dungy, his longtime friend and former boss. The Indianapolis Colts #39; coach was too early to offer condolences.

4-to-6 defense: Urlacher out


ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Supporters of Ivory Coast's President  Laurent Gbagbo criticized on Tuesday a United Nations decision  to impose an arms embargo on the world's top cocoa grower but  rebel leaders welcomed the move.

Ivory Coast Leader's Camp Criticizes Arms Ban


WRIGLEY is buying the Life Savers and Altoids sweet and mint businesses from Kraft Foods for 800 million. The deal allows Wrigley to expand in the sweet section, while leaving Kraft to focus on the rest of its food business.

Wrigley bites into Kraft


NOVA Chemicals Corp. said Tuesday it has agreed to form a joint venture with BP PLC to manufacture and market styrenic polymers in Europe.

NOVA, BP to Form Joint Venture


Reuters - Department store operator J.C. Penney\Co. Inc.  on Tuesday said third-quarter profit rose 86.3\percent, helped by stronger sales and fewer markdowns.

Stronger Sales Boost JC Penney Earnings (Reuters)


Wholesale prices shot up 1.7 last month, biggest gain in nearly 15 years and well above expectations, as energy costs skyrocketed and food prices surged, a government report said Tuesday.

Wholesale prices post biggest gain since 1990


AP - Former University of Louisville basketball player Larry Williams has died. He was 48.

Former Louisville Basketball Player Dies (AP)


Employees and some investors in Google will be able to sell shares in the company as the latest

Google shares released for sale


MACAO Publishing  amp; Broadcasting said Tuesday that it had bought a stake in Stanley Ho #39;s latest gambling project in Macao as Asia #39;s two leading casino operators team up to expand in the region.

Casino owners team up in Macao


MAN UNITED #39;S share price has fallen by just over 2.5, less than expected after the resignation of Malcolm Glazer #39;s bankers JP Morgan.

INSIDE INFO: Man Utd shares drop


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Tuesday  after a government report showing a much larger-than-expected  rise in U.S. producer prices in October raised inflation  concerns.

Stocks Open Lower; Inflation Data Weighs


Crude oil fell to the lowest price in almost two months after Iran, OPEC #39;s second-biggest oil producer, said it would stop enriching uranium to ward off US calls for sanctions.

Crude oil prices continue decline


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes he is ready to make his comeback against Middlesbrough at the weekend following a two-month injury lay-off.

Gerrard available for Reds


Reuters - The operator of Madagascar's\privatized oil refinery went on trial on Tuesday, accused of\polluting the environment around the Indian Ocean island's main\international port, officials said.

Oil Company on Trial in Madagascar Over Pollution (Reuters)


In this artist #39;s rendition released by the European Space Agency, the European-made SMART-1 solar-powered satellite is seen nearing the Moon on its way to make the first comprehensive inventory of key chemical elements in the lunar surface.

Europe #39;s Mission to Moon Called Success


Analysis That'll be the circus in town, then

Ofcom's review of telecoms due this week


Reuters - Sony BMG, the world's No. 2 record\label, is in early talks with file-sharing network Grokster in\what could lead to a legalized Internet music service, its\chairman said on Tuesday.

Sony BMG Head Says in Early Talks with Grokster (Reuters)


The SMART-1 probe has entered its lunar orbit, and the history books as the first European mission to have done so. Professor David Southwood, director of science for the European Space Agency (ESA), said:  quot;Europe

SMART-1 makes lunar orbit


American Express is suing Visa and MasterCard plus eight US banks, claiming anti-competitive tactics kept it out of the market. The litigation is the latest setback for Visa and MasterCard, which last month

American Express sues credit card rivals


Electronic Data Systems Corp. finally settled a dispute with outside auditors and reported a third-quarter loss of \$153 million due to the write-down of a huge contract to build a computer network for the Navy.

Update 2: EDS Reports Third-Quarter Loss


LOS ANGELES NASA will try again today to fly an unmanned hypersonic jet designed to reach a record speed of Mach Ten, or seven-thousand-miles-per-hour.

NASA delays flight of X-43A scramjet to attempt Mach 10


the iPod -s a nifty little device, primarily allowing you to listen to downloaded music, but also giving you the opportunity

Apple Sailing on Digital River


Nokia has developed a prototype handset that supports Mobile IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), a version of the protocol that will help to improve the quality of VoIP (voice over IP), streaming video and other applications delivered to wireless devices.

Nokia demos first mobile call using IP standard


Many Dutch decision-makers wondering whether reactions, particularly criticism of Muslims, did not go too far. By Isabelle Wesselingh - THE HAGUE.

Dutch mulling limits on freedom of expression


Nova Chemicals Corp., Canada #39;s largest chemical maker, and BP Plc, Europe #39;s biggest oil company, agreed to merge their European styrenics polymer businesses into a 50-50 venture to reduce costs.

Nova Chemicals, BP to Form European Plastics Venture (Update1)


Sony on Tuesday announced plans to release a new dual-format DVD burner that is compatible with Macintosh computers. The external double-layer DVD drive, dubbed the DRX-710UL-T, is designed to record up to

Sony to offer DVD burner for Mac


LG Electronics has unveiled the worlds first terrestrial digital multimedia broadcast-receiving mobile phone, and demonstrated its functions.

LG Electronics Unveils World #39;s First Terrestrial DMB-Receiving <b>...</b>


Xabi Alonso is prepared for a hard battle when Spain meet England in the Bernabeu on Wednesday having experienced the build-up from the other side.

Xabi Reckons England Are Great


NewsFactor - Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO) has beefed up e-mail storage for users of its free e-mail service from 100 megabytes to 250 MB. The Internet giant also unveiled an anti-spam authentication technology called DomainKeys, which curtails messages sent from spoofed addresses.

Not To Be Outfeatured, Yahoo Adds E-mail Storage (NewsFactor)


IBM announced today that it was driving the initiative to use the worlds vast untapped computer power for useful things (like playing games and shopping online isn #39;t useful!

IBM launches global computing grid


Disgruntled shareholders file suit to force talks with Oracle while PeopleSoft's two largest shareholders agree to disagree.

You Say Sell, I Say Potato


PARIS - Europe #39;s dishwasher-sized spacecraft has entered a lunar orbit. The unmanned mission is the continent #39;s first voyage to the moon.

European probe arrives to orbit moon


LG #39;s DMB-receiving System-on-Chip lets users watch terrestrial broadcasts while talking on the phone. LG plans to use its terrestrial DMB phone technologies in an aggressive campaign to penetrate the global

LG Unveils Terrestrial DMB-Receiving Phone


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two senior insurance underwriters at  Zurich American Insurance Co. pleaded guilty  on Tuesday to  misdemeanors related to bid-rigging in the insurance market.

Zurich Employees Plead Guilty in Probe


A Motorola acquisition and an expected deal from Nortel show the market for mobile ad hoc network equipment is hot.

Motorola buy adds heat to mesh networking


Reuters - Hewlett-Packard Co.  on\Tuesday said quarterly profit topped its own lowered\expectations as the computer and printer maker saw record\revenues in every business and every region.

HP Profit Tops Lowered Forecast (Reuters)


Sun Microsystems on Monday night posted a prerelease,

Sun previews next version of Java


SAN FRANCISCO, - Shares of Google Inc. fell as much as 6.5 percent Tuesday, as selling restrictions were lifted on 39 million shares held by employees and early investors in the newly public Web search company.

Google stock falls as share lockups expire


AP - A committee overseeing a review of the child protection plan adopted by Roman Catholic bishops has recommended preserving a ban on church work for clerics who molest young people, according to a document the panel has sent to all U.S. bishops.

Committee Recommends Abusive Clergy Ban (AP)


CHICAGO - Motorola Inc. is acquiring MeshNetworks Inc., developer of a Wi-Fi based technology that is expected to help land more contracts for its growing government contracting business.

Motorola buys wireless network developer, eyes defense contracts


The five cities looking to host the 2012 Summer Games submitted bids to the International Olympic Committee, entering the final stage of a long process in hopes of landing one of the biggest prizes in sports.

Olympic hopefuls for  #39;12 submit bids


MADRID, Spain There #39;s been a guilty plea in the first trial stemming from the Madrid train bombings earlier this year. A 16-year-old has pleaded guilty to charges he helped transport dynamite used in the attack.

Spanish teenager pleads guilty in first trial stemming from Madrid <b>...</b>


Although discussion of the war has been marginalized, many experts say Russians may not prefer it that way.

Quietly, tide of opinion turns on Chechen war


With Novell concentrating on Linux more and more, many NetWare consumers might be facing dilemmas on where to move on for future needs.

Novell NetWare users get Microsofts Offer


Last year we explored the question of Microsoft #39;s potential liability for software flaws exploited by viruses and other forms of malware.

Viruses: Blame Microsoft?


As many as 60 National Hockey League agents, including those representing the top players in the game, will descend on a Chicago hotel meeting room Wednesday for a tte--tte with executives

Agent:  #39;It #39;s going to be a love-in #39;


ARIEL SHARON, the Israeli Prime Minister, made his first conciliatory gesture towards Palestinians after the death of Yassir Arafat when he said that he would consider co-ordinating the dismantling of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip with a new

Sharon takes step towards peace


AFP - South Korea's President Roh Moo-Hyun started an official visit to Brazil as part of his country's campaign to find new business in the region.

South Korea president in Brazil (AFP)


AP - A tiny unmanned NASA

NASA 'Scramjet' Launched on Mach 10 Try (AP)


AP - Unhappy he hasn't been traded, Glenn Robinson rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

Unhappy Robinson Rejoins 76ers (AP)


AP - New York Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield and his wife were the targets of a blackmailer who claimed to have embarrassing sexual videotapes of her and a musician, Sheffield's business agent said Tuesday.

Agent: Extortion Plot Targeted Sheffield (AP)


Crude oil futures fell Tuesday after moving above \$47 US a barrel in intraday trading. December delivery crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange dropped 76 cents to \$46.11 per barrel.

Crude oil futures fall to US\$46 per barrel after moving above \$47


China is to invest nearly \$20bn (11bn) in Argentina over the next 10 years, Argentine officials say.

Argentina gets China investment


Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta Premier Ralph Klein acknowledged Tuesday that he personally doesn't have a problem with private delivery of health-care services.

Doesn't matter to me if health care is privately delivered:Alta's Klein (Canadian Press)


Producer prices surged 1.7 percent in October, their sharpest monthly increase in nearly 15 years.

Producer Price Surge Fuels Inflation Fears


OGDEN, Utah -- Weber State football coach Jerry Graybeal resigned Tuesday after a 1-10 season, the worst in the program #39;s 43-year history.

Jerry Graybeal quits as Weber State coach


The commander of the biggest US military hospital abroad said Tuesday that American troops body armor and speedy evacuations appear to be helping save lives in the

US doctor says evacuations, body armor has helped save lives in <b>...</b>


The killing of a wounded Iraqi by a U.S. Marine in Fallujah was termed a

U.S. Commander in Iraq Calls Shooting 'Tragic'


Thirteen countries agreed yesterday to join a global plan proposed by the Bush administration to curb methane emissions by capturing the greenhouse gas and using it as an energy source before it is released into the atmosphere.

14 Nations to Participate in Plan to Reduce Methane


Bested by a Republican campaign emphasizing Christian faith, some Democrats are stepping up efforts to organize the

Some Democrats Believe the Party Should Get Religion


AFP - South African skipper Graeme Smith said his team had to learn to be patient on slow pitches if they hoped to do well in an upcoming two-Test series against India.

We have to learn to be patient on Indian pitches: Smith (AFP)


Michael D. Eisner appeared for a second day of testimony in the shareholder lawsuit over the lucrative severance package granted to Michael S. Ovitz.

Eisner Says Ovitz Required Oversight Daily


BANGKOK (Reuters) - Revered Queen Sirikit has urged all  Thais to work with the government in its fight against the  violence in the largely Muslim south, where almost 500 people  have been killed since January.

Queen Urges Thais to Help Govt. Fight Muslim Unrest


A list of 15,000 species threatened with extinction - many of them by human activity - is published.

Science counts species on brink


Google Inc. stock dropped more than 6 percent Tuesday as tens of millions of new shares held by early investors and employees of the search engine giant became available for sale for the first time..
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Google Stock Slips as New Shares Hit Market


Australia #39;s Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, says the apparent murder in Iraq of aid worker, Margaret Hassan, is a heinous and inexcusable crime.

Australia comdemns apparent killing of aid worker in Iraq


For most of the season, the Acton-Boxboro football team has garnered the headlines with its record-setting win streak. Last night, the boys' soccer team proved A-B is not just a football school, claiming MIAA Division 1 North sectional title with a 1-0 win over two-time defending champion Medford.

Colonials upend Medford


update Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Tuesday detailed his company #39;s plan for computer management software and announced a long-awaited Windows update tool.

Gates announces new Windows update tool


China and Argentina signed five agreements in Buenos Aires Tuesday that will allow them to expand cooperation in the areas of trade, space, education, tourism and railways.

China, Argentina sign 5 cooperation documents


Burst.com asked a US judge to penalize Microsoft for destroying e-mails it says the world #39;s largest software company should have preserved as evidence in antitrust suits.

Judge asked to penalize Microsoft over e-mails


0850CET--The seizure of fake Nike sportswear by the Customs Department was one of the main stories on Wednesday #39;s newspapers. L-Orizzont published

Press review


A fight breaks out, and even though people at the far side of the crowd can #39;t see what #39;s going on, they are immediately on edge.

Study: Posture found able to communicate fear


If playing for one of college hockey's most storied programs wasn't enticing enough for potential recruits, Boston University's new \$97 million Harry Agganis Arena should do the trick.

New home ice looks slick


College hockey: MEN -- Stonehill at UMass-Dartmouth, 7:30 p.m.; Franklin Pierce at Assumption, 7:30 p.m.; WOMEN -- Sacred Heart at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.

Today's schedule


Microsoft, the behemoth Redmond, Wash., software company lurking over the computing world, Nov. 11 released a  quot;beta, quot; or test, version of its online search service.

Getting with the program


December delivery crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange dropped 76 cents to \$46.11 per barrel. The benchmark light, sweet crude remained about \$8 a barrel cheaper than its closing record of \$55.17 recorded Oct. 22 and Oct. 26.

Update 8: Crude Oil Futures Sink to \$46 Per Barrel


The historically maligned Clippers appeared headed for a letdown. They started their first seven games above .500 and had their first home game in eight days against the mediocre Toronto Raptors.

Clip and save


17 November 2004 -- Afghanistan #39;s Interior Ministry believes three UN workers abducted nearly three weeks ago in Afghanistan are probably still being held in the area.

Confusion Over Afghan UN Hostages


Western political leaders have united to condemn the kidnappers of charity worker Margaret Hassan after a video surfaced apparently showing a militant firing a pistol into the head of a blindfolded woman wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Hassan:  #39;Abhorrent act #39; says Blair


The Motion Picture Association of America slaps an undisclosed number of individuals with lawsuits, accusing them of sharing copyright flicks on the internet. By Katie Dean.

Movie Studios Sue File Traders


The DRX-710UL-T external DVD burner supports both FireWire 400 and USB 2.0. It ships with Roxio Toast 6 Lite. Double-layer support means users can burn up to 8.5GB of data on a single DVDR DL disc.

Sony plans dual-DVD for Mac


MOSUL, Iraq -- US and Iraqi troops stormed insurgent-held police stations and neighborhoods in this northern city Tuesday, retaking a number of sites seized last week by gunmen who rose up in support of militants in Fallujah.

Battles rage across Mosul


NEW ORLEANS (Sports Network) - Eric Shelton rushed for two  touchdowns, Stefan LeFors passed for 247 yards with two  touchdowns and No. 7 Louisville completed a perfect Conference  USA campaign by routing Tulane, 55-7,

Louisville Slams Tulane


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar crashed through key barriers  to a record low on the euro and a 7-month low on the yen on  Wednesday, as concern mounted a forthcoming G20 finance  ministers' meeting would do little to halt its slide.

Dollar Dives to Record Low Vs. Euro


AFP - US oil major ConocoPhillips has boosted its stake in Russia's second-largest oil producer LUKoil to 10 percent, giving Conoco at least one representative on LUkoil's board.

ConocoPhillips boosts LUKoil stake to 10 percent (AFP)


Hoping to harness a few million of the personal computers not already running the SETIhome screensaver, IBM and United Devices yesterday launched the World Community Grid to act as a clearing house for humanitarian IT projects.

Grid bids to save the world


Sony has introduced a Mac compatible external double-layer dual-format DVD drive. The DRX-710UL-T comes with Roxio #39;s Toast 6 Lite software and will be available next month.

Sony Burner For Mac Users


The US Treasury Secretary pledges commitment to a strong dollar, as the currency hits another record low against euro.

Dollar hits new low against euro


Reuters - Russia is working on new nuclear missile\systems that other powers do not have in order to protect\itself against future security challenges, President Vladimir\Putin said Wednesday.

Putin Says Russia Working on New Nuclear Systems (Reuters)


DISAPPOINTMENT over Wal-Marts third-quarter sales performance and news of a sharp rise in October producer prices sent shares in the United States on a downward path yesterday.

Dow falls on Wal-Mart update and rise in producer costs


The UN's Global Fund meets African leaders in Tanzania for talks on fighting the world's deadliest diseases.

Focus on deadly Africa diseases


The Audit Bureau of Circulations released the long-awaited results of its audit of the Tribune Company #39;s scandal-tarred Newsday on Tuesday, confirming the magnitude of the discrepancies uncovered by the company #39;s recent internal audit.

Long-Awaited Audit Shows Major Discrepancies In Newsday <b>...</b>


Microsoft Corp. last week released a preview version of its new Internet search engine. It will be available in its final form early next year.

Microsoft #39;s quest for Google-like gold falls short, for now


PHILADELPHIA - The Internal Revenue Service is looking for 1,088 Southeastern Pennsylvanians whose income tax refund checks could not be delivered.

\$904,800 in refund checks go undelivered in Southeastern <b>...</b>


LOS ANGELES NASA #39;s unmanned  quot;scramjet quot; proved it #39;s small but it #39;s fast -- in a record-breaking demonstration above the Pacific Ocean.

NASA  #39;scramjet #39; makes historic flight off California


Paris - Doctors who treated Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat believe he died of a blood condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and have ruled out poisoning, Le Monde newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Arafat was not poisoned


ritain #39;s government proposed banning smoking in most public places yesterday, setting off debate over what one smoker decried as the brainchild of a busybody  quot;nanny state.

Smoking ban would target pubs


Reuters - American economist Jeffrey Sachs\has a novel way to tackle African poverty: Shower more aid on\the world's poorest continent.

Is More Aid Needed to Solve Africa's Woes? (Reuters)


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Sparkle starts shipping GeForce 6600 GT AGP


The Motion Picture Association of America has gone on the offensive in its battle against piracy and peer-to-peer sharing of movies, and has launched more than 200 civil suits against users it identifies as being the worst offenders.

MPAA takes filesharers to court


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. housing starts jumped a  larger-than-expected 6.4 percent in October to the busiest pace  since December as buyers took advantage of low mortgage rates,  a government report showed on Wednesday.

Housing Starts Surge 6.4 Pct. in October


Two of the nation's most well-known companies today said they would combine to form the third-largest U.S. retailer.

Sears and Kmart Agree to Merge in \$11 Billion Deal


Surging energy costs drove US consumer prices up by a hefty and larger-than-expected 0.6 percent last month, the biggest jump since May, a government report showed on Wednesday.

Consumer Prices: Biggest Jump Since May


Reuters - Swedish poets have broadcast their work into outer space by radio to give alien life forms -- if they exist -- a taste\of earthling literature.

Swedes beam poetry into outer space (Reuters)


Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein will be online to discuss his latest column, which looks at the Bush administration's plans for Social Security and health care.

Business: Bush Administration


The sixth season of a popular reality television show is ready to rock the world.

TV's Passport Stamp of Approval


AP - Homemade bombs exploded in two Buenos Aires banks Wednesday, killing a security guard, police said.

Bombings at Two Buenos Aires Banks Kill 1 (AP)


A blast rocks a branch of Citibank in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, killing a security guard, reports say.

Explosions rock Argentine banks


SAN DIEGO San Diego-based Jack in the Box says profit for its latest quarter soared 32 percent. The fast-food chain says net income for the fourth quarter rose to 21-point-7 (m) million dollars from 16-point-4 (m) million a year ago.

Jack In The Box profit surges 32 percent, helped by sales jump


New Zealand bowler James Franklin misses the first Test against Australia with  injury.

Cricket: NZ suffer Franklin blow


Shares of local companies Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Vornado Realty Trust were boosted by news that Sears and Kmart will merge in an \$11 billion deal, creating a new company called Sears Holdings with about \$55 billion in yearly revenue and

Martha, Vornado shares rise on Sears-Kmart deal


TORONTO (Reuters) - Enbridge Inc. <A HREF=

Enbridge to Buy Some of Shell's Pipelines


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - SBC Communications <A HREF=

SBC Gives Microsoft \$400 Mln Internet TV Deal


MOSCOW - New nuclear weapons systems being developed in Russia could include a missile designed to defeat the US missile defence shield.

Russia working on new nuclear weapons: Putin


Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world #39;s biggest retailer, informed it was confident to see  quot;another record quarter and a successful holiday season quot; after posting solid third-quarter results.

USA : Wal-Mart predicts bumper Christmas


MIAMI -- You might say that this time, eBay melted in the resolve to ban the online sale of part of a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich.

Cheese sandwich back on eBay


The backlash to anti-American comments by Ryder Cup player Paul Casey has already started - and is likely only to get worse in the coming months.

CASEY COMMENTS NOT  #39;SMART #39; - VERPLANK


VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Sports Network) - The  Vancouver Canucks Wednesday announced the sale of 50 percent of  the team and its arena, General Motors Place.

Canucks Announce Partial Sale


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices rallied on  Wednesday as inflation excluding food and energy, one of the  Federal Reserve's preferred price measures, proved less  dramatic than bond bulls had feared.

Treasuries Mount Rally Despite Inflation


UN Security Council members have arrived in Nairobi for a two-day meeting devoted to the conflicts engulfing Sudan, including the western Darfur region.

UN council arrives in Nairobi


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday  after Kmart's plan to buy Sears in an \$11.5 billion deal was  announced and computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. <A HREF=

Stocks Up After Sears Deal, HP Earnings


US forces in Fallujah offer food and first aid as they face scattered pockets of guerrilla resistance.

Still under fire, US troops shifting to relief effort


AP - Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme did not practice Wednesday and is questionable this week because of a broken bone in his right thumb.

Delhomme Questionable Against Cardinals (AP)


BAE Systems says it has found out that it is being investigated by the UK's Serious Fraud Office.

BAE included in SFO investigation


Pacific Rim trading nations said on Wednesday they should pool their influence to energize talks to free up world trade. As trade and foreign ministers from the 21-member Asia-Pacific

APEC Ministers Urge New Effort on Trade Talks


Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Troy Percival speaks to the media after a news conference in Detroit, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004. Percival and the Tigers agreed on a \$12 million, two-year contract.

Closer Percival OKs \$12M Deal With Tigers


Democratic Party leaders said Wednesday they want to know why Sen. John Kerry ended his presidential campaign with more than \$15 million in the bank, money that could have helped Democratic candidates across the country.

Democrats Question Kerry's Campaign Funds


AP - The proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington is set to be approved when baseball owners meet Thursday in Chicago.

Baseball Owners Set to Approve Expos Sale (AP)


November 17, 2004 - Most of us who #39;ve been gamers for a while are familiar with the history behind Troika, which was formed from key members of the Black Isle group that made the Fallout, among other talented individuals.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Review


THE Palestinian Authority is to set up an official commission of inquiry into Yasser Arafats death amid increasing rumours among the Palestinian public that he was poisoned by Israel.

Palestinians investigate rumours that Israel poisoned Arafat


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. executives are reaping another  year of abundant pay, and the rich rewards are likely to stir  demands for greater disclosure on how and why heads of  companies are compensated.

Column: CEO Pay Stays High


In a case that his lawyer said  quot;has received more prosecutorial scrutiny than any petty offense in Denver history, quot; Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony saw the marijuana charge he faced dropped by the Denver City Attorney #39;s office today.

Pot charge dropped against Anthony


It hasn't even been eight months since Sun Microsystems promoted Jonathan Schwartz to be Chief Executive Scott McNealy's right-hand man, but the two are already acting like an old couple. Missing Links

Odd couple: Schwartz and McNealy


Mexico President Vicente Fox said Wednesday he will meet with US President George W. Bush in Chile during the economic summit of Pacific Rim nations.

Fox to push Bush on migration at APEC


AP - Caity Matter exploited Arizona's defense by hitting four 3-pointers and scored 20 points to lead No. 10 Ohio State to a 78-45 victory in the semifinals of the Women's NIT on Wednesday night.

No. 10 Ohio St. Tops No. 24 Arizona 78-45 (AP)


Harrington scored a season-high 30 points in a superlative performance against his former team, but the Indiana Pacers still escaped Conseco Fieldhouse with a 93-83 victory over Atlanta.

Pacers triumph in Harrington #39;s return


AP - In the growing debate about when people first appeared on this continent, a leading archaeologist said Wednesday he has discovered what could be sooty evidence of human occupation in North America tens of thousands of years earlier than is commonly believed.

Fire Pit Dated to Be Over 50,000 Years Old (AP)


Reuters - The dollar was in striking distance of\record lows against the euro and 7-    month lows versus the\yen on Thursday, as traders concluded that nations at an\upcoming G20 meeting would tolerate a weaker dollar.

Dollar in Sight of All-Time Low Vs Euro (Reuters)


The US mens national team will look to extend their record unbeaten streak to 13 matches when the take on Jamaica at Columbus Crew Stadium in its final match of semifinal-round qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

US MNT Streaking Into Final Round


In the early 1980s, Sears and Kmart were American retail giants, with gobs of money, huge portfolios of real estate and loyal customer bases that should have made them fast-growing fulfillers of Americans #39; insatiable demand for more stuff.

A Pair of Dethroned Kings


India #39;s prime minister, Manmohan Singh, came to Kashmir on Wednesday offering unconditional talks with anyone willing to renounce violence and a \$5.3 billion economic

India #39;s Offer for Peace Talks on Kashmir Is Sweetened With Aid


Reuters - Children's nursery rhymes contain 10 times more violence than television shows broadcast before the\9 p.m.

Nursery rhymes more violent than TV (Reuters)


MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 17: A multi-party alliance fighting Indian rule in Kashmir rejected on Wednesday the economic package offered by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during

Kashmiris reject Indian PM #39;s offer


Leaders of the NYC2012 committee highlighted New York's advantages in multiculturalism, money and media power.

New York Unveils Last, Best Bid to Gain the Olympics in 2012


Madrid, one of five cities bidding to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, unveiled its dossier on Wednesday (17 November), just two days after submitting it to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Olympic 2012 : Madrid unveils bid dossier


Argentina moved atop South America #39;s qualifying group for the 2006 soccer World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Venezuela, grabbing the lead after world champion Brazil suffered its first defeat of the campaign.

Argentina Heads World Cup Qualifying Group After Brazil Loses


Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as investors welcomed the merger of Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears. However, climbing oil prices restricted gains.

US stocks gain on Kmart-Sears merger


US Bankruptcy Court Judge Stephen Mitchell will hear arguments today asking him to reconsider a four-month, 21 percent pay cut he imposed on many unionized workers last month.

US Airways Watch: 11/18/04


Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points and Kenyon Martin added 24 points and 16 rebounds, helping the Denver Nuggets hold off the Toronto Raptors 112-106 Wednesday night.

Nuggets 112, Raptors 106


AFP - Despite India's economic boom in software and outsourcing services, economists have warned the government needs more reforms to create jobs in manufacturing to cut poverty.

India desperate for jobs, infrastructure despite economic boom (AFP)


AFP - Australia and the United States sealed a free trade agreement to start January 1, 2005 after clearing last-minute obstacles.

Australia, US seal free trade agreement (AFP)


SL: Seagate Technology has announced that it will begin shipping the world #39;s highest capacity PC hard drive to retail stores and resellers.

Seagate to Ship 400 GB HDD


An Israeli tank has opened fire and killed three Egyptian troops on the sensitive border between the two countries, mistaking them for Palestinian militants on the way to carry out an attack, Israeli media says.

Israeli tank reportedly kills Egyptian troops


CURFEWS and alcohol bans may be necessary in Aboriginal communities, Prime Minister John Howard said today, adding that civil liberties were less important than staying alive.

PM backs indigenous alcohol ban


WASHINGTON -- The two founders of the Pilgrim Baxter mutual fund family have agreed to pay \$80 million each to settle regulators' charges of improper trading to benefit themselves and friends at the expense of longer-term shareholders, the authorities said yesterday.

Pilgrim Baxter founders to pay \$160m


A month after federal regulators adopted sweeping new rules for mutual fund oversight, fund trustees remain concerned about their ability to serve as watchdogs over fund managers and others who handle investor money, a new survey shows.

Trustees worry on oversight


Next time you drive past a jogger on the street, give her a honk and a wave - she #39;s honing the skill that helped define the human body, according to a study by researchers from the University of Utah and Harvard.

Running may have defined the body


JERUSALEM A preliminary Israeli army investigation has found that Israeli troops apparently killed three Egyptian soldiers by mistake, thinking they were Palestinian militants along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Report: Israeli army mistakenly kills three Egyptian soldiers


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - After starting the season with three straight wins, the Toronto Raptors are heading back home with a losing record.

Raptors fall to Nuggets


An Israeli tank has opened fire and killed three Egyptian troops in a border zone near the Gaza Strip after mistaking them for Palestinian arms smugglers, Israeli security sources say.

Israeli tank kills three Egyptian troops


AFP - Three Egyptian policemen were killed overnight by Israeli tank fire on the tense border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip when they were mistaken for Palestinian arms smugglers, officials said.

Three Egyptian policemen killed by Israeli tank fire near border (AFP)


Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday rejected a key recommendation of a United Nations panel on expanding the UN Security Council, saying any reform would be one-sided if new members did not have veto power.

Putin backs veto for members of expanded Security Council


Stocks bounded higher Wednesday as investors shrugged off a fresh indicator of rising inflation and welcomed postitive economic reports and the merger of Kmart Holding Corp.

Optimism raises markets


Italian bank Sanpaolo and Dexia, the Franco-Belgian group, confirmed they were in preliminary talks after a report that they were considering a merger to create a major cross-border lender.

Sanpaolo and Dexia in merger talks By Reuters - November 18 2004 <b>...</b>


PENNY-PINCHING American Airlines is to remove the pillows from half its planes to save \$300,000 (163,000) a year. While the cost savings are small beer compared with the \$4bn a year American has slashed

AA takes soft option on cost cuts


MIYAZAKI, Japan (Reuters) - Tiger Woods fired a superb  five-under-par 65 in torrential rain to take a three-stoke lead  after the first round of the Dunlop Phoenix tournament  Thursday.

Woods on Top at Rain-Soaked Dunlop Phoenix


Houston, Nov 17 : US authorities are probing if Linda, wife of ex-Enron Chairman Ken Lay, acted improperly when she had their family foundation sell 1.3 million Enron stocks just days before the energy giant #39;s bankruptcy.

Enron probe turns focus to 1.3 mn stock sale by Lay #39;s wife :


Eddie Johnson scored his fifth goal in three games Wednesday and the US national soccer team eliminated Jamaica from 2006 World Cup contention with a 1-1 tie at Columbus, Ohio.

US ends Jamaica #39;s Cup hopes


US commercial crude oil inventories increased 800,000 barrels to 292.3 million in the week ending Nov. 12, the Energy Department reported Wednesday.

US commercial crude oil reserves rise slightly


SBC is teaming up with Microsoft to provide consumers with a new way to view television -- a move that puts it in direct competition with the cable TV industry.

SBC calling on cable


President Thabo Mbeki has urged all countries, including Ivory Coast #39;s neighbours, to immediately enforce a United Nations arms embargo on government and rebel forces in Ivory Coast.

Mbeki calls for arms embargo, rebels vow to fight


America Online (Quote, Chart) is bundling existing security features along with new ones for the Thursday launch of its AOL 9.0 software client, security edition.

Safety First With Latest AOL 9.0


BAR #39;s engine partner Honda is believed to be interested in purchasing the Brackley team and a deal could be done within the next 12 months.

HONDA LINKED WITH BAR TAKEOVER


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oracle Corp. on Thursday said in a  letter to PeopleSoft Inc. stockholders that it would withdraw  its hostile takeover bid if less than half of PeopleSoft shares  were tendered by the offer's deadline.

PeopleSoft Investors Urged to Tender Shares


Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he had no plans to grab more power or change the constitution when reforming Russia #39;s government structure.

Russia #39;s Putin Defends Reforms, Worries About Clans


Motorsport.com. Reports this week suggest that Honda is aiming to either buy BAR or become co-owner of the team by purchasing a shareholding.

Honda aiming for BAR buyout?


JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The online search engine leader Google has unveiled a new tool for scholarly research. The new service is aimed at making better sense of all the scholarly work stored on the web and it

Google Unveils Scholar Search Tool


GERMANTOWN, Md. A Maryland-based private lab that analyzes criminal-case DNA evidence has fired an analyst for allegedly falsifying test data.

DNA lab that handles high-profile cases fires analyst


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices were steady on Thursday as  concern over lean heating fuel supplies in the United States  and Europe ahead of winter stemmed falls of nearly \$10 since  late October.

Oil Steady as Winter Worries Stem Decline


washingtonpost.com - Careful followers of search-engine giant Google surely took note this morning of reports that the company is reiterating an earlier warning that its future growth could fall below expectations.  As the BBC News reported, the company

On Google's Horizon ... Microsoft (washingtonpost.com)


The leader of Italy's right-wing National Alliance, Gianfranco Fini, is appointed foreign minister.

Fini named Italy foreign minister


Shares of Google Inc. slipped in pre-market trading Thursday after the world #39;s most popular Internet search engine warned for the second time in a week that its fourth-quarter revenue growth rate is likely to slow from previous quarters.

Update 2: Google Says Revenue Growth Is Slowing


Seagate claims to have broken the record for the most storage on a single disc platter, managing to store 133GB per disc in its newly released 400GB hard drive.

Seagate claims storage record


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Shares of Medtronic Inc. <A HREF=

Broker Downgrades Sink Medtronic


Last Thursday, MSN announced the official beta launch of their search engine. Although a preview had been available on their sandbox site, the launch marked the official unveiling of the company #39;s proprietary search technology to the general public.

Gauging Reactions To MSN Search


Google Inc. on Thursday formally launched a new search service aimed at scientists and academic researchers. Google Scholar is a free beta service that allows users to search for scholarly literature

New Google Scholar search service aimed at academics


Bill Gates might not use AOL, but he's definitely got mail. The Microsoft Corp. chairman receives millions of Internet messages a day, said Steve Ballmer, the company's chief executive.

Bill Gates Gets 4 Million E-Mails a Day


AP - Steve Spurrier has agreed to take over as football coach at South Carolina if Lou Holtz retires at the end of the season, The Tennessean of Nashville reported in Thursday's editions.

Report: Spurrier Will Take S. Carolina Job (AP)


AOL has added a range of features to ward off computer viruses, intrusive spyware programs and spam to a special edition of its internet access package, AOL 9.0 Security Edition.

AOL beefs up its homeland security


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug  Administration failed the public in its oversight of Merck   Co  Inc.'s painkiller Vioxx, which has been withdrawn, and is

Congress Told FDA Failed Public on Vioxx


SAN ANTONIO SBC Communications and Yahoo are expanding their high-speed Internet service partnership to link video, wireless phone, Internet and other services.

SBC and Yahoo! extend pact to offer Internet service


Shares of Claire #39;s Stores (CLE:NYSE - news - research) were among the NYSE #39;s losers Thursday, falling 15 after the company posted third-quarter results that missed analysts #39; expectations and warning about the fourth quarter.

Stocks in Motion: Claire #39;s


Reuters - A key forecasting gauge of future\U.S. economic activity fell for a fifth straight month in\October, a private research firm said on Thursday.

Leading Indicators Down for 5th Month (Reuters)


The New Zealand dollar has hit its highest level this year, propelled by a dramatic dip in the US dollar. As the greenback slumped against most global currencies, the kiwi rose to 71.02USc, its highest level for eight years.

Kiwi hits eight-year high against struggling greenback


Google has launched Google Scholar, a search service aimed specifically at the academic community. The search tool will help scientists and academic researchers locate papers, theses and

Google Unveils Service for Academics


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue chips rose on Thursday, led  by Altria Group Inc. <A HREF=

Blue Chips Rise, Altria Higher on Upgrade


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Government scientists are chasing a  possible new case of mad cow disease in the United States, with  final results on a suspicious slaughtered animal expected in  coming days, officials said on Thursday.

Suspect Animal Tested for Mad Cow Disease


London #39;s bid team will reveal their final plans for hosting the 2012 Olympic Games when they unveil full details of the bid document on Friday.

London to unveil 2012 bid plans


Shares of Google slipped after the search engine warned, for the second time in a week, that its fourth-quarter revenue growth rate is likely to slow from previous quarters.

Google Shows It #39;s Only Human


Apple Computer confirmed Thursday it plans to open two additional Apple retail stores in the United Kingdom in 2005 - one in Birmingham, northwest

Apple Confirms More UK Retail Stores Coming; Additional Locations <b>...</b>


The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, apologized to Egypt today after an Israeli army tank crew fired on an Egyptian patrol near the border with Gaza, killing three Egyptian police officers.

Israel Apologizes for Killing Egyptian Officers


Zurich, Switzerland (Sports Network) - FIFA will launch an investigation into the racist chants Spanish fans aimed at black English players during Wednesday #39;s friendly at the Bernabeu in Madrid.

FIFA to investigate racism in Madrid


Home theater company to help users digitally convert audio CDs and store songs on a DVD or player.

Cambridge SoundWorks gives digital music a spin


CRM software maker Epiphany Inc. this week is rolling out new analytical software, including two new products and vertical-specific bundles aimed at the communications and retail finance industries.

Epiphany looks to beef up call center


Industry group will offer a free program to help users find and eliminate illegal files.

MPAA Sues First Movie Swappers


#39;Down With the FCC! #39; Howard Stern Says at New York Rally to Promote Switch to Satellite Radio. Radio host Howard Stern, below center, waits as thousands of his fans line up to receive a free Sirius radio from him in Union Square in New York Thursday, Nov.

Stern Blasts FCC at Satellite Promotion