AP - Stability control systems could save up to 7,000 lives each year if they were standard equipment on all vehicles, according to a study by the insurance industry.

Stability Control Systems Can Save Lives (AP)


Companies that provide federal agencies with network integration and payroll accounting technologies are benefiting from a government trying to bolster its defenses against terrorism, experts say.
<FONT face=

Washington Contractors' Sales Increase


If the airline acquires some ATA assets, Wichita Mid-Continent could see expanded AirTran service, especially to Chicago. BY PHYLLIS JACOBS GRIEKSPOOR.

AirTran #39;s plan may aid city


Mateja Kezman finally broke his Chelsea goal duck with the winner against a spirited West Ham in the Carling Cup. The striker was making his 13th outing for Chelsea and he arrowed in a second half shot past keeper James Walker.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham


Tim Henman confirmed he was in good health, despite being diagnosed with a magnesium deficiency, after a straight-sets win over Antony Dupuis in the first round of the Davidoff Swiss Masters.

Healthy Henman looking forward to Moodie match


Results of X-rays on Gary Payton #39;s right hand revealed a non-displaced fracture in the point guard #39;s right thumb. Payton did not play last night against the

Broken thumb sidelines Payton


US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday carefully avoided repeating a suggestion he made earlier this week of an eventual reunification of China and Taiwan.

Powell backpedals on Taiwan remarks


Share prices closed higher across the board in Tokyo this morning, as investors were cheered by last night #39;s gains on Wall Street.

Tokyo shares follow NY trend higher


TIM HENMAN showed he was on top form despite being diagnosed as suffering from magnesium deficiency, with a straight-sets win over Antony Dupuis in the first round of the Davidoff Swiss Masters.

Tennis: Leading Brits go marching on


NEW YORK - Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards was suspended for three games by the NBA yesterday for fighting during a pre-season game against the Chicago Bulls.

Haywood suspended for three games


It #39;s hard to imagine, but the league that gave us college basketball #39;s last two national champions is about to get a lot better.

Big East braces for growth spurt


When we look back on this improbable postseason turnaround by the Red Sox, one of the turning points will be hard to find unless we recall the words of Red Sox manager Terry Francona in the aftermath of the humiliating 19-8 loss to the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

Hidden value for Wakefield


For Derek Lowe, two roads diverged not in a yellow wood, as New England's poet laureate Robert Frost had it, but on the greenswards of Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, and Busch Stadium.

Lowe's road to glory


College field hockey: UMass-Dartmouth at Salve Regina, 3 p.m.; UNH at BC, 7 p.m.; Anna Maria at Westfield St., 7 p.m.

Today's schedule


AFP - Australia batted cautiously in their second innings to build a lead of 300 runs over India with nine wickets in hand in the third cricket Test here.

Australia establish 300-run lead in third India Test (AFP)


JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) -- Gold Fields, the takeover target of smaller rival Harmony, contained its costs on its South African mines during the September quarter.

Gold Fields hit by Q3 rand strength


An elite contingent of 50 Nigerian soldiers left Nigeria on Thursday for Darfur, the first stage in the deployment of 3,000 extra African Union (AU) troops to monitor a shaky cease-fire in the western Sudanese region.

Nigerian Protection Force Leaves for Darfur


MOSCOW, October 28 (Itar-Tass) - People in Russia #39;s European part will have an opportunity to see a full eclipse of the Moon during several hours Thursday morning, said Dr Andrei Finkelshtein, director of the Russian Institute of Applied Astronomy.

Russians to see full lunar eclipse Thursday morning


The re-election website of President Bush is blocking overseas visitors because of

Attack prompts Bush website block


LONDON, October 28 (newratings.com) - Royal Dutch/Shell Group has announced its plans to merge its two holding companies in the Netherlands and the UK, Royal Dutch Petroleum (ROY.

Royal Dutch/Shell merges holding companies with unified board


Novell has given its recently acquired Linux distro, SuSE, a push, by signing an agreement with Dell to offer SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 9 on select PowerEdge servers worldwide.

Dell Comes Up With Novell Idea To Sell Servers


washingtonpost.com - Internet TV is a mirage, seeming so close yet turning out to be far away or downright unreal when you try to watch it. At least that's my take on the many past plans for zapping motion pictures over the Internet.

Web TV Start-Ups Show Programs Outside the Box (washingtonpost.com)


SONY is going head-to-head with Nintendo in the battle for the handheld games console market. The company will price its long-awaited PlayStation Portable (PSP) at about 100 for its launch in Japan, when

Game on as Sony puts 100 tag on PSP system


No stranger to brash statements, jockey Corey Nakatani has a firm goal for Saturday #39;s Breeders #39; Cup program at Lone Star Park.

Nakatani expects a big day at BC


Now that its \$41 billion takeover of AT T Wireless has been completed, Cingular will spend hundreds of millions of dollars in coming weeks on its advertising campaign.

When Wireless Networks Merge


Sebastian Sainsbury warned Leeds United chiefs today they face the stark choice of accepting his 25million bid or selling Elland Road.

Sainsbury Ultimatum to Leeds


Union officials representing 7,500 pilots at Delta Air Lines said Wednesday night they have reached a cost-cutting agreement with management, which presumably could halt, or at least

Delta, pilots OK deal


DANIEL VETTORI spun New Zealand to the brink of a crushing victory over Bangladesh in the second and final Test at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong today.

Kiwis heading for big win


Unknown armed men in military uniform kidnapped three staff of the United Nations in the Afghan capital city at broad daylight Thursday, Afghan officials confirmed.

3 UN staff kidnapped in Afghan capital


Google and Microsft Getting Close\\Microsoft partnering with Google? Well sort of, an article released yesterday details the relationship between the two, and the use of Google Deskbar in Microsoft's Partner Pack for Windows,

Google and Microsft Getting Close


ATA Holdings Corp. (ATAH), parent of struggling low-cost carrier ATA Airlines, on Tuesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as falling fares and soaring fuel prices drained it of cash.

ATA Files for Bankruptcy Protection


DETROIT - Dow Chemical Co. #39;s third-quarter earnings soared 86 percent to beat Wall Street forecasts, thanks largely to improved margins.

Dow Chemical reports 86 percent increase in profit


AP - A bomb exploded Thursday evening outside a bar in southern Thailand, the scene of a campaign of violence blamed on Islamic separatists, injuring at least 15 people, police said.

Blast Outside Thailand Bar Injures 15 (AP)


HONG KONG The Far Eastern Economic Review, an often incisive newsweekly for more than half a century, will become a monthly opinion magazine in December, and virtually all of its employees will lose their jobs, Dow Jones announced on Thursday.

Final edition for a respected Asian newsweekly


US chip maker Advanced Micro Devices AMD.N has unveiled a low-cost Internet access device that could cost just a few hundred dollars, aimed at first-time technology users in the developing world.

AMD Rolls Out Low-Cost Net Access Device in India


Because his name is called infrequently, he is having a solid season as a rookie. By Gregg Bell -- Bee Staff Writer. It #39;s not too late to get into a Fantasy Sports League.

Raiders notes: Gallery appreciates the silence


WELLINGTON New Zealand #39;s central bank raised the benchmark interest rate by a quarter point on Thursday, to 6.5 percent, and said the sixth increase this year may be the last as economic growth slows.

New Zealand bank raises key interest rate


A bomb has exploded in southern Thailand, killing one person and injuring about 20, in what could be the first reaction to the deaths of 85 Muslim protesters earlier this week.

Bomb kills one in southern Thailand


Viacom Inc. (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (VIA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday posted a quarterly loss on charges related to the spinoff of video rental chain Blockbuster

UPDATE 2-Viacom posts loss on charges; cable networks up


After 15 months of negotiations, Delta Air Lines Inc. has secured a tentative contract with its pilots, a move that might help the struggling carrier avoid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Delta gets tentative deal with pilots


LONDON: Unprecedented pictures of the purple atmospheric haze on Titan have been captured by the Cassini spacecraft during its closest approach yet to Saturn #39;s largest moon.

Titan reveals its purple patches


JERUSALEM, Oct 28 (AFP) - Israel will not bar ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from returning to the West Bank if he were to leave for medical treatment, senior government spokesman Raanan Gissin told AFP Thursday.

Israel would not bar Arafat return after overseas treatment


The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has approved two new sponsored Internet domains, .post and .travel, specifically for the post and travel industries.

Web domains approved for Posties, travel


A supernova spotted by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe more than four centuries ago - which changed the course of human knowledge - has just yielded a further discovery: the companion star that triggered the great event.

A fresh look at the stars...


The European Union #39;s normally yawn-inducing institutions raised eyebrows on Wednesday when a spat over comments about homosexuality made by an Italian bureaucrat led to the

Remark on Homosexuality Delays Seating of European Panel


The Japanese electronics makers remained cautious about the months ahead, citing worries about global growth. Japanese corporate profits are almost certain to be hurt by any economic slowdown in Japan and in the United States.

Earnings Improve at Japanese Electronics Firms


vueling writes  quot;Ryanair confirmed it had written to the Walloon authorities and agreed to repay 4M in an escrow account until Ryanairs appeal is heard and the European Courts make a definitive decision on this matter.

Ryanair agrees to repay 4M in an escrow account for the Walloon <b>...</b>


Yahoo will offer its own version of wireless Internet searching, keeping pace with rival Google, which recently introduced a mobile search offering.

Yahoo Takes Search to the Airwaves


The leadership of Delta Air Lines #39; pilot union early this morning approved a tentative concessionary agreement with the company, sending it to a vote of the entire membership.

Pilot leaders OK Delta deal


LONDON (Reuters) - Oil steadied on Thursday after  Wednesday's 5 percent retreat from record highs, as traders  concluded that China's surprise interest rate rise would not do  much to dampen fuel demand growth.

Oil Price Steadies After 5 Percent Slide


CLEVELAND (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Cavaliers  Thursday picked up the team's 2005-06 contract option on  forward Drew Gooden.

Cavs Pick Up Option on Drew Gooden


There #39;s evidence of a possible link between endometriosis and migraine, says an Italian study in the latest issue of Human Reproduction.

Link Between Migraine, Endometriosis Found


Sergio Garcia showed the consistency that has lifted his game this year with a four-under-par 67 in difficult conditions to share the Volvo Masters lead with Spanish compatriot Jose Manuel Lara.

UPDATE 2-Spaniards Garcia and Lara share Volvo Masters lead


America Online Inc. said Thursday it had filed a federal lawsuit accusing numerous unnamed defendants of violating federal and state laws by sending bulk messages known as  quot;spim quot; to instant message accounts and Internet chat rooms.

AOL Files Lawsuit Against IM  #39;Spim #39;


Iran says it is not obliged to allow UN atomic energy agency inspectors to visit military sites alleged to be involved in secret nuclear weapons work but that it is willing to discuss the issue.

Iran  #39;not obliged #39; to allow military site inspections


com Staff. NASA once again postponed the launch of the Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft Thursday due to the discovery of contamination inside the fairing of its Pegasus launch vehicle.

NASA Again Postpones Launch of Autonomous DART Spacecraft


A new fuel cell for notebook PCs, more compact and powerful than competing technologies, could be on the market in early 2006 at a price of around \$90, its Japanese inventors claim.

New Technology Powers Fuel Cells


Boston Red Sox owner John Henry #39;s bet on baseball has paid off big with the team #39;s first World Series championship since 1918, but his calls in financial markets have been less blessed this year.

Boston Red Sox outperform their owner #39;s funds


In one example, a government study of voting-machine security issues was eventually canceled because conclusions by the panel of computer scientists were so negative.

Voting Machines Remain Unsecured--Experts


Advanced Micro Devices is launching a low-cost Internet access device dubbed  quot;PIC, quot; or personal Internet communicator, targeted at first-time computer users in the developing world.

AMD Launches Low-Cost Web Device


The New England Patriots might be like no other powerhouse in NFL history. They almost never dominate, they just always win -- a record 21 victories in a row including the postseason, 18 straight in the regular season.

This could be the week for a Patriots loss


AP - A former Baylor University basketball player charged with murdering a teammate was ruled incompetent to stand trial Thursday.

Judge: Ex-Baylor Player Unfit for Trial (AP)


Forbes.com - Not every driver was dressed formally for the start of this year's Bullrun, a road rally that begins in London, at the Marble Arch, and ends three days later in Ibiza, Spain. Yet as drivers thrummed their engines nervously on the afternoon of Sept. 23, waiting for the checkered flag, a quick inspection of the field revealed one entrant clad in an Oxford shirt and gray pinstripe blazer, another sporting a tuxedo, and a third--me--wearing a red couture Matthew Earnest gown.

Racing in an Evening Gown (Forbes.com)


The nation #39;s largest e-mail providers today filed a new round of lawsuits against Internet spammers allegedly responsible for shoveling millions of junk e-mail messages into computer users #39; in-boxes and their instant messaging screens.

AOL, E-Mail Companies Sue Spammers


Ubisoft and LucasArts are teaming up to bring the adaptation of the third Star Wars prequel to all portables; will be released alongside the game in Spring 2005.

Revenge of the Sith turning DS, PSP, GBA to the dark side


Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Craig Biggio will be around for an 18th season with the Houston Astros. On Thursday, the team exercised its contract option on Biggio for the 2005 season.

Astros exercise Biggio #39;s option, but not Kent #39;s


Scott Elarton, who pitched effectively late in the season after a slow start with Cleveland, agreed Thursday to an \$850,000, one-year contract with the Indians.

Elarton agrees to \$850,000, one-year deal with Indians


With most organizations that planned to move already moved to Microsoft Server 2003, OS migration has dropped to the bottom ranks after making its

UK gives blessing to open source


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Militants piled more pressure on  Washington's military allies in Iraq on Thursday, seizing an  Iraqi-Polish woman and holding a Japanese man under threat of  death.

Hostage-Takers Demand U.S. Allies Quit Iraq


Gateway Inc. reported a narrowed net loss in the first quarter as it continues to restructure its operations and integrate its acquisition of eMachines. Still, the personal computer and electronics company posted a tiny operating profit -- its first in nearly three years.

Gateway Reports Smaller Quarterly Loss


ABC News is in possession of a tape purportedly from Al Qaeda, threatening attacks on the US.

'American' voice on new terror video


Games, graphic ring tones and other services dominate the showroom floor. Also: Yahoo battles Google for the cell phone.

At wireless show, services take center stage


With Microsoft's new Live Communications Server 2005 due out in December, enterprise IM users and vendors are eyeing new opportunities for more secure messaging in the workplace.

Microsoft's Live Communications Server may drive interest in enterprise IM


EMC has unveiled long-awaited storage virtualization technology that the company said will allow users to manage its arrays -- and high-end boxes from major competitors -- through a single interface.

EMC unveils 'Storage Router'


Gateway Inc. reported a narrowed net loss in the first quarter as it continues to restructure its operations and integrate its acquisition of eMachines.

Gateway reports smaller net loss as restructuring continues


Record fuel costs and low air fares contributed to a \$274 million third-quarter loss for United Airlines #39; parent company, which warned again that labor costs must be slashed again soon in order for it to emerge from bankruptcy.

Update 1: UAL Posts \$274M Loss, Capping Bad Quarter


LOS ANGELES - The recording industry on Thursday filed another round of copyright infringement lawsuits against people it said were illegally distributing songs over the Internet.

Recording Industry Sues 750 Computer Users


RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - Yasser Arafat is about to leave his compound in the West Bank for the first time in two and a half years. Two helicopters from Jordan were expected to arrive in Ramallah late Thursday

Arafat to seek treatment in France


Alliance Capital Management Holdings LP (AC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , one of the biggest US money managers, on Thursday said its profit rose in the third quarter

UPDATE 3-Alliance Capital profit rises in third quarter


Nine British tourists, two Jordanians and an Egyptian have been killed in a bus accident in southern Jordan, civil defence sources and diplomats say.

British tourists killed in Jordan bus crash


BANGKOK/JEDDAH, 29 October 2004 - A bomb ripped through two bars in southern Thailand yesterday, killing two people and wounding about 20, in what could be the first reaction to the deaths of 78 Muslims in police custody this week.

Thaksin in the Firing Line After Massacre


Long live the real Bilbo Baggins, the first Little People of the World, Homo floresiensis and Homo sapien archeologists Michael Morwood, Peter Brown and Professor Soejono!

Hobbit-sized Humans Called Homo floresiensis Discovered by <b>...</b>


ISLAMABAD: Seven people including foreigners were injured in a powerful explosion at the entrance to the Marriott Hotel lobby on Thursday.

US diplomat among 7 injured in Islamabad hotel explosion


Open source software proponents received a potential boost from the UK government Thursday with a release of a report citing the well-documented advantages on the server side, but also growing maturity on the desktop front.

UK gov #39;t report cites merits of open source


Japan has made last-ditch efforts to secure the release of a Japanese hostage facing execution in Iraq. A Japanese government official says efforts are still being made to free Shosei Koda, 24, but there have been no reports of any progress.

Japan steps up efforts for Iraq hostage release


The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has appointed a domestic coach to take over Italian Marco Tardelli who was sacked earlier this month after a surprise defeatto Libya, a spokesman said Thursday.

Egypt names former player Shehata as caretaker coach


AP - The Earth's last total lunar eclipse for nearly two and a half years didn't disappoint.

Stargazers Enjoy Total Lunar Eclipse (AP)


The warning came during its earnings report and on a day when Shell said it would merge the two entities that make up the company, unifying the boards and management.

Shell Warns of New Cuts in Reserves of Oil and Gas


AP - It was a pinch-me morning. Did the Boston Red Sox really win the World Series or was it all a sweet dream? Opened the shades, let in the sunlight, blinked at red, gold and orange leaves shimmering against a clear blue sky. It seemed too perfect, too real.

Red Sox Spread Good Feeling Across Nation (AP)


The Boston Red Sox are already thinking about next year, the year after and, above all, how to avoid another eight-and-a-half-decade drought.

The Red Sox Gaze Ahead After Much Looking Back


A new federal law that went into effect yesterday will eventually eliminate the days of check floating.. However, some Sumner County bankers say it depends on where you bank and

New federal law ends check floating


No crowds of well-wishers massed Thursday outside the Mukata, the mostly ruined compound where Yasser Arafat has been confined for the past two years.

As Drama Plays Out, Mixed Feelings for Arafat #39;s Neighbors


AP - The militant Palestinian group Hamas said Friday it was setting aside its differences with ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and called for a united Palestinian leadership to work toward general elections.

Militant Rivals Show Unity Behind Arafat (AP)


PATTANI, Thailand (Reuters) - Bomb blasts rocked southern  Thailand on Friday hours before Thai Prime Minister Thaksin  Shinawatra was to address the nation as he faces his worst  crisis following the deaths of 85 Muslim protesters. A second  bomb exploded at a busy food stall in Yala province on Friday,  wounding nine bomb squad members who had arrived to investigate  an earlier blast that wounded three people, including one  policeman, hospital officials said.

Thai PM to Address Nation as More Bombs Hit South


Presidential candidates combed the Midwest for the last few uncommitted voters Thursday, each carrying severe warnings that his rival's victory would worsen the security of Americans.

Bush, Kerry Stick to Issue Of Security


It was like nothing youd ever exercised your thumbs to before. You could do whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted. The game seemed endless.

Blame player, not game


RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian leader Yasser  Arafat, weakened by what doctors think may be leukemia, flew  for treatment in France on Friday from the besieged West Bank  headquarters where he has been pinned for over 2-1/2 years.

Weakened Arafat Heads for France, Cancer Suspected


Player Paulo de Oliveira,  quot;Serginho, quot; of Brazilian First Division club Sao Caetano, Wednesdaynight died of a heart attack during the second half of a match against Sao Paulo

Brazilian soccer player dies of heat attack during match


A volley of lawsuits was launched against alleged spammers on Thursday by the four major US Internet service providers. This includes a case brought by AOL against twenty individuals accused of spimming, or

AOL attacks the spimmers


STOCKHOLM - Andre Agassi made short work of Kristof Vliegen in his opening Stockholm Open tennis match today, beating the Belgian 6-2 6-4 in just over an hour.

Tennis: Agassi makes short work of Vliegen


Police say the blast occurred less than 90 minutes after a previous explosion at the same site injured seven other people. The police had been conducting forensic research at the site of a bomb blast in the

At least seven police injured in second bomb in Thai south


Mr Powell says that while the US recognises the one-China policy, it will offer to assist Taiwan if it is threatened. A US State Department spokesman says the issue came up during talks with China #39;s visiting military chief, General Liang Guanglie.

US confirms commitment to defend Taiwan


The UK's biggest insurer unveils better than expected sales figures for the first nine months of the year.

Pension sales help to lift Aviva


In a Framingham coffee shop yesterday morning, an elderly man softly asked a customer if he could see her newspaper. When the woman held up the front page, emblazoned with news of the Red Sox victory, the man stared in silence, touched his eyes, and began to cry.

New Englanders greet the day with wings on their heels


G. Michael Caggiano Jr. lies awake at night thinking about bank signs. He ponders them during breakfast, while brushing his teeth, and  quot;constantly quot; during the day, he says.

Sign off, then sign in


Virginia Tech just couldn't seem to get going. There were turnovers. There were botched plays. There were missed opportunities. Then, in the last 5 1/2 minutes, Bryan Randall and the Hokies turned it all around.

Not quite high Tech


America Online on Thursday said it would give away a formerly for-fee virus scanning service when it releases a special security-focused edition of its software next month.

AOL To Add Free Anti-Virus Service For Members


Chelsea have sacked their Romanian striker Adrian Mutu after he tested positive for cocaine last month.  quot;Chelsea has terminated the contract of Adrian Mutu for gross misconduct, quot; the Premier League club said on Friday.

UPDATE 2-Chelsea sack Mutu after positive dope test


The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating allegations that German automaker DaimlerChrysler AG maintained at least 40 secret bank accounts to bribe foreign government officials

Suit says secret accounts at DCX used for bribes


Los Angeles, October 29: A trade group representing the US music industry said on Thursday it has filed lawsuits against 750 people it claims used online file-sharing networks to illegally trade in copyrighted songs.

Music industry group sues 750 for file sharing


Consistency was the key to Jeff Sluman #39;s record-breaking round on Thursday on the difficult Copperhead Course at the Westin Innisbrook Resort.

Sluman shoots course-mark 62


Well, both do, actually. But there are some discernible differences in brain activity which may just explain why a Democrat sees the world one way, and a Republican sees it another.

Dems, GOP: Who's Got the Brains?


Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., still reeling from the personal legal woes of its imprisoned founder, former chairwoman and CEO, posted a wider loss in the third quarter

Martha Stewart Living posts bigger loss


Florida long-snapper Casey Griffith let the secret slip while talking to a Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Sun-Sentinel reporter this week:  quot;Don #39;t tell anyone I told you this, but someone inside the system told me they heard we #39;re going to be playing against

Canning Zook could backfire on the Gators


Around 100,000 Iraqis have been killed in violence since the US-led coalition forces invaded the country in March 2003, said a report published Friday in British medicine journal The Lancet.

War costs 100,000 Iraqi lives


The head of Smart cars denies rumours that the loss-making firm may be sold, or even closed down, by parent group DaimlerChrysler.

Loss-making Smart 'is not doomed'


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Avon Products Inc. <A HREF=

Avon Third-Quarter Profit Rises


29/10/2004 National Foods will hunt for a  quot;white knight quot; to protect it from Fonterras \$A1.62 billion (\$NZ1.76 billion) bid, raising the risk New Zealand dairy farmers will get dragged into an expensive bidding war.

National Foods to look for protector


A French military jet believed to be carrying the Palestinian leader landed today at an airfield outside Paris, witnesses said.

Ailing Arafat Arrives in Paris for Medical Treatment


PARIS (Reuters) - French companies Snecma and Sagem   announced a planned 7 billion euro (\$8.9 billion) merger on  Friday, in a deal that analysts said was driven by political  rather than shareholder interests.

French Firms Sagem, Snecma Plan Merger


The US economy grew at a 3.7 percent annual rate in the third quarter - a pace that was slightly better than in the spring but not as strong as many analysts expected.

Economy Grows at a 3.7 Percent Rate in 3Q


Sudanese rebel leaders #39; demand that Islam be kept out of government in the war-torn region of Darfur, has been rejected by government negotiators.

Sudan Govt rejects call to separate religion, state


Carin Koch of Sweden and South Korea #39;s Grace Park both shot a 6-under-par 66 on Friday, taking the lead after the first round of the LPGA #39;s CJ Nine Bridges Classic.

Koch, Park leads first day in Nine Bridges Classic


A 12-member delegation of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) was deported early yesterday after being driven to Beitbridge overnight in a minibus.

Cosatu Delegation Sent Home in Minibus


Are right-leaning voters spending all their online time on Rushlimbaugh.com? Are left-leaning voters locked into the like-minded Talkingpointsmemo.com?

Voters Checking Out Other Sides' Sites


Padraig Harrington is tied for first at the Volvo Masters in Valderrama, at two under after 14 holes. Joining him at the top of the leaderbaod are Angel Cabrera, Brian Davis, and Alastair Forsyth.

Harrington tied for first at Valderrama


AP - European Union regulators Friday cleared Singapore's Flextronics International Ltd., the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer, to acquire factories from Canada's Nortel Networks Corp.

EU Clears Flextronics Purchase of Units (AP)


GAMES stores opened at midnight to meet demand for the latest version of the controversial Great Theft Auto. There were queues outside shops around Merseyside with people anxious

Game sparks sales frenzy


VIENNA (Reuters) - Top seed Amelie Mauresmo reached the  semifinals of the Linz Open when she continued her run of  success against Ai Sugiyama by beating the defending champion  6-2, 6-4 Friday.

Fitful Mauresmo Through to Linz Semifinals


LONDON (Reuters) - Grant Thornton and Bank of America have  filed motions in a New York court to remove a U.S. injunction  stopping them counter-suing insolvent Italian dairy group  Parmalat, which has sued each for \$10 billion.

Bank of America Fires Back at Parmalat


Reuters - Stock of Google Inc.  powered\to new highs on Friday, buoyed by the web search leader's new\products and growth prospects, which complement its recent\strong financial results, analysts said.

Optimism Drives Google Shares to New Highs (Reuters)


STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Andre Agassi marched into the  Stockholm Open semifinals Friday, beating Spanish eighth seed  Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 6-2 in his toughest match of the  tournament.

Agassi Overcomes Verdasco Power


The Thai prime minister pledges to set up an independent inquiry into the deaths of 78 Muslim protesters in police custody.

Thai inquiry over Muslim deaths


Search Engine Marketing: Outsource or In House?\\The next Search Engine Strategies session I thought would be interesting to report on was Search Engine Marketing: Outsource or In House?. Chris Sherman is moderating this panel, which includes Drew Graham from Kelkoo, Bill Hunt from IBM, Joseph Morin from Autobytel (SEW Forum ...


The Times is to scrap its broadsheet edition and go tabloid from Monday, it was confirmed today. The decision was made after a trial run of the compact edition proved a success, said editor Robert Thomson.

Times to Scrap Broadsheet Edition


p2pnet.net News:- Microsoft is being sued for damages, restitution and other costs and fees,  quot;on behalf of all Xbox owners across the United States, quot; says Reuters.

Xbox owner sues MS


Credit Suisse First Boston, the securities arm of Switzerland #39;s second-biggest bank, plans to cut costs by combining some units and eliminating jobs, people familiar with the matter said.

CSFB May Cut Costs by Merging Units, Shedding Jobs, People Say


NewsFactor - America Online is adding a layer of security to its popular Internet\service with the bundling of virus protection software from McAfee at no\charge to customers. AOL (NYSE: AOL) claims it is the first ISP to offer premium\antivirus coverage in the basic membership package.

AOL Adds McAfee to Bundle (NewsFactor)


Reuters - Liberal challenger Viktor Yushchenko\predicted on Friday that Ukrainian authorities would resort to\mass fraud to ensure victory for the establishment candidate in\an increasingly tense weekend presidential poll.

Ukraine Challenger Predicts Mass Cheating in Vote (Reuters)


President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's leftist Worker's Party appears set to lose control of South America's biggest city, Sao Paulo, with polls showing voters will replace the mayor with the man who lost the presidential election to Silva two years ago.

Silva's Party Could Lose Sao Paulo Control


Reuters - The surface of Saturn's moon Titan\may be covered by thick drifts of combustible organic

NASA Scientists Find Surface of Titan 'Very Alien' (Reuters)


The United States says Friday Ukraine still has an opportunity to conduct a free and fair presidential election Sunday, despite a campaign marred by charges of pro-government bias.

US Says Ukraine Can Still Salvage a Free and Fair Election


America Online will now provide gratis antivirus protection to its subscribers.

AOL's Viral Marketing


AP - The Washington Post's executive editor says his paper should have told readers up front that it had helped arrange a Republican debate-watching party it covered, paid for food and carried a photograph that was not as spontaneous as the story suggested.

Washington Post Comes Clean on Party (AP)


Shares in agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. soared to a 6 1/2-year high Friday, fueled by a 77 percent increase in quarterly earnings.

Update 3: ADM #39;s Earnings Skyrocket; Stocks Soars


The Standard  amp; Poor #39;s 500 Index rose for a fourth day as investors looked past a disappointing third- quarter economic growth report to better-than-expected readings on Chicago-area business and consumer confidence.

S amp;P 500 Rises for 4th Day; Material, Energy Shares Lead Advance


Feds allege 1.7 million stolen credit card numbers were involved in global scam.

Secret Service Busts Internet Organized Crime Ring


Agents at the US Secret Service unmasked 28 people who thought they were safe behind anonymous identities and charged them in connection with alleged ID Theft activities.

Feds Charge 28 in ID Theft Ring


Adam Gilchrist boldly went where no Australian captain since Bill Lawry has gone before at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur yesterday. His team #39;s 342-run win gave them an invincible 2-0

Australia conquer their final frontier


Company outsources e-mail for small to medium businesses.

Hosted E-Mail Service Leaves Windows for Linux


Seabirds called prions, which mate for life, find their nests by sniffing out their partners, scientists say.

'Smelly' mates guide seabirds


MONROVIA, 29 October (IRIN) - Religious riots between Christians and Muslims erupted in the Liberian capital Monrovia on Thursday night and continued on Friday morning until UN peacekeeping troops restored order and the government imposed an indefinite

LIBERIA: Religious riots erupt in Monrovia, curfew imposed


WASHINGTON - The first radar images of Titan, the cloud-shrouded moon of Saturn, revealed a relatively young, active surface, NASA said Friday (Oct. 29).

Cassini radar lifts the veil from Saturn #39;s Titan


AFP - President George W. Bush called on the star power of actor-turned-California-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to boost his campaign appeal as Democratic challenger John Kerry shifted his attack from missing explosives in Iraq to domestic economics.

Bush seeks Schwarzenegger's muscle, as missing explosives cast campaign shadow (AFP)


Description: In Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni who accedes to the throne with an elaborate coronation, following the abdication of his father King Norodom Sihanouk.

Cambodia #39;s New King Ascends the Throne


GRAND PRAIRIE, Tex.<br>The most brilliant American racehorse in years has labored in relative obscurity until now. But when he runs Saturday in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park, Ghostzapper can demonstrate his talent to the world and, quite possibly, win the horse-of-the-year...

Ghostzapper Has Speed to Burn


Jared Zabransky and the No. 18 Boise State Broncos reduced Timmy Chang #39;s bid to break the NCAA Division IA passing record to a footnote Friday night, routing Hawaii 69-3 for their 19th straight victory.

No. 18 Boise St. 69, Hawaii 3


The Times newspaper has announced that it is to move on from its tradition of publishing in a broadsheet format and will appear in a compact size only, starting on Monday.

Times to go completely compact


Jeff Sluman and Jonathan Byrd were tied for the lead at the Chrysler Championship, both knowing the tournament really doesn #39;t start until the weekend.

Sluman, Byrd split lead; many bubbles burst


and then crashed out of it with a sextuple-bogey 11. The nightmare came on the infamous 536-yard 17th at Valderrama where

GOLF: CLARKE #39;S 11-SHOT TORMENT


A Danish group has caused controversy in Colombia by publicly donating money to the country #39;s largest Marxist guerrilla organization.

Danish group #39;s gift criticized


PRIME Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today hundreds of Muslims will be prosecuted over a demonstration that led to the deaths of 87 people in southern Thailand last week, in a move which could further raise tensions in the region.

#39;Hundreds to be charged #39; over Thai protest


ike the bourbon and beer, emotions tend to spill over in this traditional grudge match along the St. Johns River they call  quot;The World #39;s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

Gators may be hungover before Cocktail Party


HOUSTON -- The NASA turbojet notoriously known as the  quot;vomit comet quot; for its use in training astronauts for weightlessness made its final flight Friday.

Up, down and away: NASA #39;s  #39;Weightless Wonder #39; makes final flight


Although Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer took limited work yesterday after missing the previous two days of practice, coach Tom Coughlin won #39;t decide on his availability

Injured Toomer might be able to play tomorrow


Photographs and radar surveys from the Cassini spacecraft #39;s Tuesday-night flyby of Saturn #39;s mysterious moon Titan are raising more questions than they #39;re answering, say NASA scientists.

Titan Photos Pose New Questions


BANGKOK : Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the government would prosecute 300 Muslims detained at a riot this week that led to the deaths of 87 protesters, while another 900 would be released.

Thailand to prosecute 300 Muslims detained in deadly riot


ESTONIA #39;s Markko Martin took the Rally of Catalonia lead today after newly-crowned world champion Sebastien Loeb, the overnight leader, was forced out of the race with a severe oil leak.

Loeb forced out of rally


The Arctic Council, an international group of northern nations, says global warming will be both a blessing and a curse. The group #39;s report, four years in the making and set for a Nov.

Report: Global warming now inevitable


GLASGOW - Scotland #39;s Scott Harrison successfully defended his WBO featherweight title for a fifth time with a farcical first-round stoppage of Swedish-based Ethiopian Samuel Kebede on Saturday.

Harrison keeps title for fifth time


A militant group is threatening to kill three UN hostages kidnapped in Afghanistan, including a British woman, unless all Taliban prisoners are released.

UN Kabul kidnappers reveal demands


Fletcher writes  quot;The Recording Industry Association of America filed another round of lawsuits against alleged file-swappers, including students on 13 university campuses.

New RIAA File-swapping Suits Target Students


Japan #39;s Makoto Tamada grabbed his third pole position of the season before Sunday #39;s Valencia MotoGP after clocking the fastest time in the second qualifying session on Saturday.

UPDATE 1-Tamada claims pole in Valencia


BAGHDAD, Iraq An advance party of British soldiers has arrived at its new base near Baghdad. The small group from the Scottish Black Watch regiment set up base camp south of the capital, according to a pool report made to British media.

First Black Watch troops move north to Sunni Triangle


He may be 120 places lower in the world, but it was advantage Alastair Forsyth in his Volvo Masters duel with Sergio Garcia today before a thunderstorm suspended play.

Forsyth Forges Clear


India have dropped wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel and batsman Yuvraj Singh for the final Test against Australia. Opening batsman Aakash Chopra and seamer Ajit Agarkar were also left out after India conceded the

Four pay price for India defeats


Unseeded Slovak Karol Beck reached the first final of his career at the St Petersburg Open, upsetting seventh-seeded Michael Llodra of France 6-4 2-6 6-1 on Saturday.

UPDATE 1-Beck to face Youzhny in St Petersburg final


KUWAIT CITY - Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar arrived in Kuwait on Saturday for a two-day official visit, an AFP correspondent reported.

Iraqi president on visit to Kuwait


Now that Steve Ballmer and company have given you all the facts you need to compare Windows and Linux, allow me to add just one little tidbit.

Get the Facts on Microsoft Benchmarks


It is just six days since the  #39;mulligatawny madness #39; at Old Trafford, but the shock waves are still reverberating around the Arsenal dressing room.

After the Lord Mayor #39;s show


Pakistan is inherently unstable. Dealing with them is like playing with matches in a forest. - Larry Pressler. That statement from Larry Pressler, made during his recent visit to India, coincided with

THE UNFOLDING UNIFORM


GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Ticker) - After further review, Better Talk Now proved to be the best after all. Overcoming huge favorite Kitten #39;s Joy, Better Talk Now pulled off a surprising upset in Saturday #39;s \$2 million Breeders #39; Cup Turf at Lone Star Park.

Better Talk Now upsets rough Breeders #39; Cup Turf


About 70,000 motorists signed up for FasTrak, the electronic toll collection system, since July 1, when tolls went up from \$2 to \$3.

FasTrak Toll Bridge Discounts End Monday


World number one Vijay Singh shot a four-under-par 67 on Saturday and took the lead of the Chrysler Championship after three rounds.

UPDATE 1-Singh takes lead at Chrysler


China shut 1,600 Internet cafes between February and August and imposed \$12.1 million worth of fines for allowing children to play violent or adult-only games and other violations, state media said.

China Closes 1,600 Internet Cafes in Crackdown


Is it really true? Did it really happen? Or was that just the figment of some Boston Red Sox fanatic #39;s wild imagination? Did the Red Sox really win the World Series for the first time since 1918 by sweeping the St.

New memories warm heart of this Bosox fan


Oil prices bounced higher on Friday following two days of sharp declines that came on the heels of rising inventories of crude in the US and a move by China to cool its economy.

Oil bounces higher amid fears of supply disruption


Reggie Bush and LenDale White each scored two touchdowns, Dwayne Jarrett caught two more from scores from Matt Leinart and No. 1 Southern California routed Washington State 42-12 Saturday.

No. 1 USC 42, Washington State 12


Seattle -- The assembly line at Boeing Co. #39;s cavernous Everett plant near here is designed to keep moving continuously, if almost imperceptibly, as workers scramble over the silvery bodies of skeletal Boeing 777s, applying finishing touches.

Boeing trying to keep up Aircraftmaker seeks buyers for new <b>...</b>


Relatives of the Black Watch soldier killed during the controversial military deployment from Basra have spoken of their devastation at his death.

Black Watch Death Family Speak of  #39;Devastation #39;


Japan has confirmed that the headless body found in Baghdad on Saturday is of the Japanese being held captive in Iraq. An armed group in Iraq had on Tuesday threatened to behead Shosei Koda, 24, within 48-hours unless Japan pulled its troops out of Iraq.

Japan confirms captive in Iraq beheaded


It is the best story of the Breeders #39; Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park. A partnership puts together an ownership group to buy and race thoroughbreds.

Singletary shuffles into winner #39;s circle


By Raphael Lewis and Benjamin Gedan, Globe Staff and Globe Correspondent  October 31, 2004. Republican state Senate candidate Rod Jane of Westborough woke up yesterday with a plan to grab some attention from

Cast-aside candidates grab onto Sox coattails


Ashado had a little trouble finding running room in the stretch of the Breeders #39; Cup Distaff on Saturday. But once she did, she quickly kicked away from the opposition

Ashado pulls away to win Distaff


Finally. the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have a bona fide rivalry. Please don #39;t assume that this belongs on the sports pages.

It #39;s About Time Sox Became The Champs  And Real Rivals


The American space agency Nasa says the first space shuttle mission since the Columbia disaster of 2003 is to be launched next May or early June.

Nasa to resume shuttle missions


Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to go after other oil companies the way he has hammered Yukos, a top Kremlin official has said.

Putin ready to probe other oil companies


There have been essentially four questions sent into the PSP Mailbag -- four questions, and a heck of a lot of hate mail. Those questions are: When is PSP shipping, what will PSP cost, how long will PSP #39;s

PSP: Region Free


Malaysia #39;s former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has come home to a rock star #39;s welcome Sunday. He returned from undergoing back surgery in Germany following his release from prison last month.

Malaysia #39;s Anwar Returns to Hero #39;s Welcome


For the second time this month, UNC football fans had something to celebrate. In a stunning upset, the Tar Heels beat Miami 31 to 28.

Tar Heels beat Miami


Not with players dragging off the field, their bodies drained by yet another anticlimactic loss. Not with their fired leader standing before reporters, struggling to hold back the tears once more.

Dawgs get Gators off their back


Ive written before about my struggle to remain a vegetarian on Tuesday - when I abjure meat for religious reasons -hile travelling.

The Great Vegetarian Scam


has passed a bill obliging the government to continue efforts to develop a nuclear energy programme. Uranium enrichment can be used both for nuclear power and to make atomic bombs.

Iranian bill backs nuclear drive


Militants holding three UN workers hostage in Afghanistan have offered to consider extending a three-day deadline for their beheading.

Kidnappers may extend deadline


Jordan #39;s state security court jailed an Islamist militant for six months on Sunday for financing al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi #39;s bombings in Iraq but found no evidence to charge him with plotting any attacks.

Jordan #39;s Zarqawi Financier Jailed Six Months


Markko Martin won his second consecutive World Rally Championship race on Sunday to clinch the Rally of Catalunya. The Estonian, driving a Ford, followed up his recent victory in

Martin wins second straight race


Malaysia #39;s most charismatic dissident Anwar Ibrahim, released from jail two months ago, kicked off his political comeback Sunday, vowing to restart a campaign for democratic reforms and racial equality.

Anwar Begins Malaysia Political Comeback


BASEL, Switzerland Oct 31, 2004 - Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic won the Swiss Indoors for his first indoor title, defeating David Nalbandian in five sets Sunday in a final in which the Argentine smashed two rackets.

Novak Captures First Indoor Title


Between February and August of this year, China has shut down 1,600 internet cafes, and handed out 100 million yuan fines (US\$12 million) to cafe operators, for allowing children access to violent or adult-only content and games.

China Shuts Down 1600 Internet Cafes


A key deadline to bring Australia #39;s Free Trade Agreement with the United States into force has expired. But the Australian Government is still confident the deal will come into effect next year, as Louise Willis reports.

Key Australia-US FTA deadline passes


Bolton Wanderers continued their impressive start to the season as they battled to beat in-form Newcastle United 2-1 on Sunday to stay in touch with the leading pack at the top of the Premier League.

UPDATE 1-Bolton end Newcastle run with 2-1 win


When in his mid-50s, immigrant Andrew Carnegie sold his steel holdings into a trust headed by JP Morgan in 1901, the Scottish immigrant and former cotton factory bobbin boy left a life of astounding, ground-up capitalism for retirement into philanthropy.

Saturday Essay


By guest contributor Josh Pereira. Kyocera, a leading manufacturer of CDMA phones, has announced a voluntary and precautionary recall of the batteries found in their KE/KX 400 Series, 3200 Series, and Slider Series phones.

Kyocera Battery Recall Kyocera Battery Recall


The Washington Redskins lost their final home football game before the US presidential election on Sunday -- and that #39;s great news for Democratic Sen. John Kerry and bad news for President Bush.

Redskins Loss - Bad News for Bush, Great for Kerry


General Motors (GM) and Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) on Saturday signed a joint development and commercialization agreement on hybrid and fuel cell

Automakers work on fuel cell vehicles


BOLTON manager Sam Allardyce rounded on his Newcastle counterpart Graeme Souness last night for criticising their style of play. Allardyce saw his unsung side reclaim fourth spot in the table after a 2-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium.

Allardyce is infuriated by Souness #39; criticism


Earlier this year Microsoft released a major security update for Windows XP, which was designed to strengthen the operating systems defences against attack from viruses and hackers.

Ninety million Bagle worms kill the Windows XP2 firewall


BAGHDAD: Fifteen people were killed and eight others injured in an explosion that hit a hotel last night in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit, police and hospital officials said.

15 killed in Iraq hotel explosion


Valentino Rossi hailed an  quot;unbelievable quot; season after celebrating his fourth world championship with victory in Valencia.

ROSSI CELEBRATES IN STYLE


On the eve of the US election, China laid into what it called the  quot;Bush doctrine, quot; said the Iraq war has destroyed the global anti-terror coalition and blamed arrogance for the problems dogging the United States worldwide.

China Lays Into  #39;Bush Doctrine #39; Ahead of US Poll


The MSU College of Human Medicine won #39;t be relocated to Grand Rapids until at least 2007, and could cost only half as much as university officials originally estimated.

Med school move delayed to 2007


SINGAPORE : Singapore #39;s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in five years on the back of strong economic growth in the first half of the year, the government said Monday.

Singapore #39;s unemployment rate eases to 3.4 as economy expands


Steve Ballmer #39;s letter to customers said nothing about the widespread reality of tens of thousands of Microsoft customers who are eager to deploy BOTH Windows and Linux.

Business Technology: Microsoft And Its Blind Spot: Linux


So many disasters to avoid, so many uncertainties to resolve, no wonder so many investors have been cautious about buying stocks and bonds.

Some think this metal is golden


WITH no planets on view, and with large areas of the southern sky devoid of bright stars, the evening sky at our star map times may not be the most exciting of the year.

Venus and Jupiter witnessed in dawn rendezvous


Uruguay #39;s leftist candidate Tabare Vazquez won a historic victory in Sunday #39;s presidential elections with more than 50 percent of the ballot.

Profile: Leftist Vazquez wins Uruguay presidential poll


Djibril Cisse #39;s horrific injury will spur Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez into a renewed bid to prise striker Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid when the transfer window opens in January.

Liverpool target Morientes after Cisse break


The Chinese government confirmed this weekend that it has closed 1,600 internet cafes and fined operators a total of 100m yuan since March, when it began its crackdown on violent or pornographic content, and other material it considers harmful to public

China shuts 1,600 cybercafes


Former deputy leader of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has returned home after two months overseas, and ahs pledged to fight on for reform in Malaysia.

ANWAR RETURNS TO MALAYSIA


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Apple Computer Inc. rolled out a new iPod Tuesday that allows users to view and share photos as it opened nine new iTunes music stores in Europe, spurring its rivalry with Microsoft Corp.

Apple adds photos to iPods


Software manufacturer Oracle Corp. said Monday that it raised its hostile bid for rival PeopleSoft Inc. to \$24 per share from \$21, and said the new price represents the company #39;s  quot;best and final offer.

Update 1: Oracle Raises Offer for PeopleSoft


MARKKO MARTIN won his second event in succession as he held off a late charge from Marcus Gronholm to come out on top in the Rally of Catalunya.

Spanish flyer: Markko Martin steers his Ford Focus during the <b>...</b>


SINGAPORE : The government is extending third-party war risk insurance cover to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and SATS Security Services, a unit of the Singapore Airlines group.

Singapore govt extends third-party war risk insurance


TAMPA. Fla. First it was the Boston Red Sox World Series win that had John Kerry grinning, now another sports event has him feeling good.

Redskins lose, Kerry hopes for win


Kaneohe native Dean Wilson missed out yesterday on his final chance to secure his PGA Tour card. Wilson, who entered the final round of the Chrysler Championship tied for 18th and needing a top-20 finish to

Kaneohes Wilson comes up short


WASHINGTON - Consumers, who substantially slowed down their spending in late summer, roared back to life in September, boosting their purchases by 0.6 percent.

Consumer spending jumped in September


Their fall to the bottom of the league is complete with an uninspired loss to another very bad team. By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer.

49ers stake out some dubious turf


Chinese authorities have between February and August of this year closed 1,600 Internet bars. In additional fines amounting to a total of 100 million yuan (9.

China closes more Internet cafs


After more than two centuries as a broadsheet newspaper, The Times of London has gone strictly tabloid. On Monday, The Times moved to a totally compact format after almost a year of dual publication.

London Times goes strictly tabloid


Sysco Corp., the country #39;s largest food service distributor, Monday said profit for its latest quarter rose 8 percent, as it increased sales and trimmed expenses despite the hurricanes in the Southeast.

Sysco profit climbs 8 percent on sales


Mobile-phone makers scored a surprising hit four years ago when they introduced handsets equipped with tiny digital cameras. Today, nearly one-third of the cell phones sold worldwide do double duty as cameras

Dial M for Music


Update 1: Sysco Profit Climbs 8 Percent on Sales


Merck  amp; Co. shares fell as much as 7 percent to their lowest level in more than eight years after the Wall Street Journal said the drugmaker tried for years to stop safety concerns from hurting sales of its Vioxx painkiller.

Merck Shares Drop on Report of Documents About Vioxx Drug


Allergan Inc., the US drug company that makes the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox as well as contract lens solution at its Irish factory, plans to lay off more than a third of its Irish workforce as it ends its lens solution operations and

Allergan to close contact-lens solution plant, lay off third of <b>...</b>


Otto Rehhagel, the German who led Greece to an upset win at Euro 2004, is amazed how many adoring Greeks there are in every corner of the world and how hard it is to pay for anything when he meets the grateful fans.

Rehhagel runs into adoring Greeks in Germany


Today #39;s new word, for all you dictionary freaks, is  quot;spim quot;. Spam  IM (Instant Messaging) = Spim. IM Spam. And for many IM companies it is the bane of their existence requiring increasingly aggressive filtering and block list capabilities.

Spimming for Dollars


The county #39;s largest employer said the jobs losses at its Westport plant occurred following the spin off of Allergan #39;s optical medical device business to Advanced Medical Optics (AMO).

Allergan to axe 325 Westport jobs


A suicide bombing killed at least five people and seriously injured more than 30 others in a crowded Tel Aviv open-air market. Injured shoppers were treated on the ground, as vegetables were strewn on the pavement.

A suicide bombing killed 3 people in a crowded Tel Aviv market <b>...</b>


There #39;s little danger of Robin Van Persie getting carried away with himself. After scoring a dramatic first Premiership goal with the injury-time equaliser against Southampton

Van driven by Arsenal quest for glory


LONDON -- Monday -- Serbia reached a milestone on the road to economic stability Monday, as its first-ever credit rating opened the way for a return to international credit markets.

First credit rating for Serbia  19:50 November 01  Dow Jones


NEW YORK - A drug overdose killed former baseball star Ken Caminiti, who tested positive for cocaine in the weeks before he died at age 41 and had admitted using steroids during his playing days, the city medical examiner ruled Monday.

Report: Drugs Caused Ken Caminiti #39;s Death


ABUJA (AFP) - African Union mediators met separately with Sudanese government envoys and the leaders of the uprising in the strife-torn region of Darfur in a bid to hammer out a deal on demilitarising the conflict.

Darfur peace talks inch forward despite deadlock over security


MOSCOW : Russian authorities hit the bruised Yukos oil giant with a battery of fresh tax claims which could see the firm #39;s total debt soar to an astronomical 17 billion dollars.

Russia slaps Yukos with fresh, potentially fatal, tax claims


Missouri tailback Damien Nash was reinstated by coach Gary Pinkel, ending a one-game suspension for the teams #39; leading rusher.

Pinkel reinstates Damien Nash


ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Robert Porcher finally couldn #39;t take standing on the sidelines any more. Porcher, the Detroit Lions #39; career sack leader, retired Monday, ending a frustrating season and a 13-year career.

Lions career sack leader Porcher retires


Shares of the engineering company closed earlier down 37 cents, or just under 1 percent, at \$40.36 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Jacobs Engineering Names Watson Chairman


The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has finalized a rule that will require the nation #39;s two largest housing finance companies to increase their purchase of mortgages for low- and moderate-income families and underserved communities.

New housing goals finalized for Fannie, Freddie


WALTER SMITH was flexing his muscles last night as he prepared to answer the SOS from the SFA. Scotland #39;s fans were finally put out of their misery when Berti Vogts resigned as manager of the national team.

FOOTBALL: WE WANT WALTER


The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Not SQL-type competition.

Open Source Ingres Swings At Oracle, SQL Server


TOKYO (CBS.MW) -- South Korea #39;s LG Electronics Inc. said Tuesday it would file a counter measure against Japan #39;s Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.

LG Electronics-Matsushita PDP battle


If you think oil is expensive now, just imagine if Hurricane Ivan had swung west and come ashore at this bustling oil and gas port at the southernmost point of Louisiana.

La. Seeks New Bridge, Elevated Highway


WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ - Shares of Merck  amp; Co. plunged nearly 10 percent Monday after a media report said documents show the pharmaceutical giant hid or denied evidence for years that its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx causes heart problems.

Paper says Merck hid data on Vioxx


OTTAWA -- The long push to reform marijuana laws took a big step forward yesterday as the federal government re-introduced legislation decriminalizing possession for personal use.

Relaxed pot possession bill returns


With the Nokia NFC (Near Field Communication) shell on their phone, consumers will be able to access a variety of services and exchange information with a simple touch gesture.

Nokia announces Near Field Communication products


Some of the nation #39;s largest daily newspapers reported steep circulation declines yesterday, with overall circulation down across the industry, a new report revealed.

MANY NEWSPAPERS SEE CIRCULATION DECLINES


When the New England Patriots rolled into town Sunday afternoon to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, the final outcome of the football game might have been secondary to some vital information needed by the black and gold as far as the rest of the season is

Steeler subs doing their jobs


Oracle sweetened its hostile bid for rival business software maker PeopleSoft to \$9.2 billion, a 14 increase aimed at resolving the long-running takeover battle between the bitter foes.

Oracle #39;s sweet on PeopleSoft


Singapore shares ended higher Tuesday boosted by modest overnight gains on Wall Street and easing oil prices, traders said. The United States is a major trading partner and the local stock market traditionally

Singapore Shares End Up on Wall St. Gains


The world #39;s top mobile phone maker Nokia said on Tuesday its phones would be used in a project to test wireless public transport fares in Hanau, near Frankfurt in Germany, beginning early next year.

Germans Use Nokia Phones in Wireless Ticket Trial


Dow Jones futures rose 37 points recently, while Nasdaq futures climbed 6 points and Standard  amp; Poor #39;s futures edged up 3.60 points.

Stocks to Open Up As Election Day Starts


Palestinian sources said on Tuesday that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat #39;s younger brother Fatehy Arafat was transferred to a hospital in Cairo to be treated for intestines cancer.

Arafat #39;s brother moved to Cairo for cancer therapy


John F. Kennedy International Airport saw the most growth in passengers over the last year among the nation #39;s 25 busiest airports.

JFK Airport sees most growth among top US airports


A car bomb exploded outside the Education Ministry in central Baghdad Tuesday, killing at least six people and wounding about eight, the Interior Ministry said.

Car Bomb Kills at Least Six in Baghdad


The Premier League has charged Aston Villa manager David O #39;Leary with making an illegal approach for Southampton striker James Beattie.

Premier League charges Villa manager with illegal approach for <b>...</b>


Britain #39;s biggest airport operator BAA posted a 16 percent jump in first-half earnings on Tuesday, meeting expectations as cheap airfares and stronger economies drove up passenger numbers.

Cheap airfares help BAA profits


Sri Lanka #39;s Kumar Sangakkara has been fined 30 of his match fee for showing dissent during the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan in Karachi.

Sri Lanka batsman fined as Pakistan tie series


wind, water and Makybe Diva -ll came together to create an unforgettable Melbourne Cup yesterday. The Diva raced through driving rain to win for the second year in a row.

Diva gallops into history


Volkswagen and its workers entered a critical week in their wage negotiations on Monday, with signs that a compromise was taking shape even as protests flared at factories across Germany.

Volkswagen May Be Close to Settling Its Wage Talks


Staring at the possibility of watching two of his young standouts stage a walkout on opening night, Chris Mullin made one of the most important decisions in recent Golden State Warriors history Monday.

Warriors lock up young veterans


International Game Technology, the world #39;s biggest maker of slot machines, Tuesday said said profit for its latest quarter fell 50 percent from a year ago due to a charge for early redemption of debt and a tax adjustment.

Profit Plunges at International Game Tech


Toyota Motor Corporation, the world #39;s second-largest carmaker, had an unexpected drop in quarterly profit as investment earnings declined at a truckmaking unit and a stronger yen cut the value of overseas sales.

Toyota #39;s quarterly profit drops


Forest Laboratories Inc. (FRX) on Tuesday said its experimental hypertension drug failed to meet all its goals in an effectiveness study, an outcome that will delay development and may lead to a new trial.

Forest Says Drug Trial Misses Goal


National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman doesn #39;t appear optimistic that the current player lockout will end soon, according to a televised report.

Bettman says  #39;season is likely slipping away #39;


Earlier today, Engadget broke the story that PalmONE might be looking at possibly making a Windows-based Treo. Not dumping the PalmSource Treo #39;s that run PalmOS, merely adding to the line.

Windows-Based Treo On the Way?


LONDON, November 2 (newratings.com) - The German automotive giant, Volkswagen AG (VOW.ETR), continued its negotiations with the labour union today on its planned labour cost reductions.

Volkswagen #39;s talks with union move forward


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would like to sign a new striker in January #39;s transfer window after an injured Djibril Cisse was sidelined for the rest of the season but warned he would not break the bank to sign someone.

Liverpool #39;s Benitez hopes to sign new striker


Rumors of Treo #39;s using a Microsoft operating system have been circulating for more than three years. Now an investment bank reports that PalmOne will use a

PalmOne to play with Windows Mobile?


America Online Inc. (AOL) plans to lay off 700 employees, about 5 percent of its US workforce, by the end of the year, several news organizations reported Tuesday.

AOL to cut 700 jobs


A car bomb exploded outside the education ministry in central Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least six people and wounding about eight, the interior ministry said.

Death toll climbs in Baghdad blast


AUSTRALIA - As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald:  quot;The biggest betting plunge in recent memory ensured bookmakers at Randwick were  #39;stripped out #39; of more than \$3 million by Makybe Diva #39;s Melbourne Cup romp yesterday.

Australian Bookies Gutted After Betting Splurge


KIRKUK, Iraq, Nov 2 (AFP) - Iraqi oil exports to Turkey were halted after a series of attacks Tuesday, including a major strike on a pipeline network connecting wells west of Kirkuk with the main export pipeline and refineries further south, oil officials

Sabotage halts Iraq oil exports from north


Iraq kidnap victim Margaret Hassan #39;s three sisters, from left to right: Catherine Fitzsimons, Deidre Fitzsimons and Geraldine Fitzsimons make a statement to the media in Dublin Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004.

New Video of CARE Hostage Released


An unknown militant group holding Iraqi-British hostage Margaret Hassan in Iraq has threatened to turn her over to a group led by al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi if its demands are not met, Al Jazeera television says.

Captors threaten to hand hostage to Zarqawi


#39;Project Avalon #39; becomes just plain Avalon; developer will show playable prototype of next-generation shooter to American execs.

Climax to show off Avalon to US publishers


BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The kidnappers of aid worker Margaret Hassan threatened to turn her over to an al-Qaida affiliated group within 48 hours if the British government refuses to pull its troops from Iraq, Al-Jazeera television reported Tuesday.

Report: CARE Hostage Faces Transfer To Al-Qaida


Second seed Lleyton Hewitt beat Gael Monfils 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Tuesday, turning back the French teenager #39;s bid for a second upset at the ?

Hewitt advances to Round 3 at Paris Masters


A brilliant late strike from Ronaldinho gave dominant Barcelona a 2-1 win over AC Milan in an epic Champions League contest at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

UPDATE 1-Ronaldinho strikes to give Barca win over Milan


Arsenal wasted a golden opportunity to virtually guarantee themselves a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Panathinaikos at Highbury on Tuesday.

Group E: Arsenal mystery continues


Shares of Media giant Time Warner Inc. were little changed Monday ahead of the company #39;s third-quarter earnings report as investors wonder exactly what chairman Dick Parsons might say about its troubled America Online unit.

Time Warner Shares Idle Ahead of Report


Gnawed by Northwest. Joining an apparent feeding frenzy, Northwest Airlines (nasdaq: NWAC - news - people ) on Tuesday said it plans to expand in Indianapolis, a move that will knock rival ATA Airlines from its No.

Steenland: Northwest Joins Southwest In Raiding Bankrupt ATA Turf


America Online, the country #39;s leading Internet service, is preparing to lay off as many as 700 of its 13,000 employees in the United States, according to an executive knowledgeable about its plans.

AOL Is Said to Plan 700 Layoffs


Chelsea and Inter Milan have advanced to the next round of the Champions League, while AC Milan and Barcelona look certain to join them.

Chelsea advances in Champions League


The way Bret Boone sees it, winning a Gold Glove after a tough offensive season is a validation of the award itself.  quot;There #39;s a lot of debate about the Gold Glove, quot; the Mariners second baseman said.

Despite struggles at plate, Boone wins Gold Glove


Microwave brightness of Titan reveals surface properties such as temperature composition and roughness. Image Credit: NASA/JPL. Looking at radar reflections of Titan, scientists are puzzled by what they see

Dark Echoes from Titan


It has all the gossipy intrigue and social awkwardness of seating the still-respected ex-wife and the sexy new girlfriend at the same table for a family wedding.

FleetCenter to be reunion arena


Oil prices jumped above \$50 a barrel this morning, supported by US election tallies projecting a slim lead for President George W Bush.

Oil firms above \$50 as Bush nears win


As Carey Division rivals in the Bay State Conference, the Needham and Framingham field hockey teams met twice already this fall, with the clubs splitting a pair of 1-0 decisions.

Needham nips Framingh


Bryon Russell doesn #39;t plan to read Phil Jackson #39;s book on the Lakers #39; tumultuous 2003-04 season. Russell doesn #39;t need to; he saw it all himself, as part of the not-quite Team of the Century.

Russell moving on, away from Lakers


In an agreement that could have significant implications for locked- out San Francisco hotel workers, striking casino workers in Atlantic City today are expected to ratify a deal that offers lucrative benefits but abandons the union #39;s strategy to

Atlantic City settlement


Tom Lehman will get the chance to succeed where Hal Sutton failed when he is introduced as the 2006 United States Ryder Cup captain, according to golfdigest.

Report: Lehman to get Ryder Cup job


Former NASCAR Cup Champion Rusty Wallace has been fined \$10,000 dollars for deliberately ramming his Penske Racing teammate Ryan Newman at the conclusion of the Subway 500 at the Martinsville Speedway two weeks ago.

Wallace fined for Newman collision.


Time Warner Inc., the world #39;s largest media company, said Wednesday that its third quarter earnings slid 8 percent as it set aside a \$500 million reserve because of pending government investigations.

Update 2: Time Warner Profit Dips, Sets Aside Reserve


Interpublic Group of Cos., the world #39;s third-largest ad conglomerate, said Wednesday that third-quarter losses widened significantly on increased charges as well as greater salary and severance costs.

Interpublic Posts Wider 3Q Loss


ABU DHABI, November 3 (IslamOnline.net  amp; News Agencies) - Arab and Muslim leaders converged on Abu Dhabi Wednesday, November 3, and joined the people of the United Arab Emirates in burying Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahayan, president and founding father

UAE Founding Father Buried, Elder Son Likely Successor


Wal-Mart Stores, the worlds No.1 retailer, said the number of its China stores would be lifted by at least 15 new stores with the total of around 45 outlets throughout China.

Wal-Mart China business grows


US stocks soared at the open on Wednesday as investors bet that George W. Bush would soon be declared the winner in the tight presidential race despite disputed results in the key state of Ohio.

Stocks Leap, Dow Up 142 Points at Open


Nokia has launched its first product that supports Near Field Communication (NFC), an emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) technology that could have significant implications for mobile commerce.

Nokia to launch RFID phone kit with a magic touch


BOMBAY : India #39;s bid to secure a face-saving win over Australia got off on the wrong foot after they lost two quick wickets in the 11 overs bowled on the rain-hit opening day of the fourth Test here.

Cricket: India embarrassed by Australia on rain-ravaged day


Citing technical challenges due to hurricanes, NASA officials said that the initial space shuttle mission for Return to Flight will slip from March to May 2005.

NASA looking at May launch


Gunmen abducted a Lebanese-American contractor who worked with the US Army from his Baghdad home, Iraqi officials said Wednesday, while four Jordanian truck drivers were seized by assailants in a separate kidnapping.

Kidnappers in Iraq seize Lebanese-American contractor, four <b>...</b>


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) - Treasurys remained solidly lower Wednesday in the wake of election results that had President Bush ahead of Democratic challenger John Kerry.

BOND REPORT


Dutch film director and columnist Theo van Gogh was shot and killed yesterday morning in Amsterdam. The company Gogh owned and worked explained that he was attacked and murdered in the morning at Lineaustraat Street.

Dutch Film Director Theo Van Gogh Killed


An Iraqi security official said gunmen abducted a Lebanese-American contractor who worked with the US Army in Iraq. Officials said gunmen snatched him when he answered the door at his Baghdad home overnight.

Kidnappers In Iraq Seize Lebanese-American Contractor


A  quot;landmark agreement quot; between Microsoft and England #39;s Department of Health to renew the agency #39;s license for desktop products could save it an estimated \$608 million.

Business News for Technology Leaders Microsoft Makes Deal with <b>...</b>


World Trade Organization (WTO) talks on a transatlantic row over plane subsidies will bring no quick fix for what could be the biggest commercial dispute in WTO history, officials and analysts warned on Wednesday.

No quick fix in Boeing-Airbus talks


Those were heady days, they were, back in 1999. The bull market was still roaring. We hadn #39;t yet heard of hanging or dimpled chads.

Gateway Can Party Like It #39;s 1999


South Africa #39;s vice-captain Nicky Boje has pulled out of the team to tour India next week because he has not been given any assurance by the Indian Police that he would not be arrested in connection with the 2000 match-fixing saga.

CRICKET: Boje pulls out of tour to India


Wall Street threw a victory rally for President Bush today, driving up the entire market -- especially the stocks that investors believe will benefit from even more dominant Republican control of the federal government.

Markets Celebrate Bush Victory


Microsoft Corp. has launched a new entry in its ongoing effort to bring more innovative PC form factors to marketin the somewhat quirky form of a high-end system specialized for project managers.

Coming to Project Managers: Multiscreen Microsoft PC


Inverness Caledonian Thistle chairman Ken Mackie insists the club will not be rushed into appointing a successor to John Robertson.

Caley Determined to Make Right Choice


Ameren is offering some union workers at Illinois Power the chance to walk away from new management. The Saint Louis based utility company announced a voluntary separation opportunity for certain Ameren IP employees.

IP Proposal


If you #39;ve ever been in an airplane that has to abort a landing, you know that it is a completely hair-raising, disorienting experience.

Delta #39;s Aborted Crash Landing


The cracks that were appearing in the NHL Players #39; Association #39;s resolve in the last two weeks were apparently smoothed over during a meeting Tuesday in Toronto.

Nhl Players Still Express Solidarity


New handsets from the mobile phones global leader will have hard disk to store more songs and pictures in a move to tap the rapidly growing smartphone market.

Nokia plans to boost memory for phones


Cruising along the ever-stretching road of decline. Auto giant Ford Motor (nyse: F - news - people ) reported vehicle sales in October that fell 5 from a year ago.

Ford: Monthly Sales Drop, Company Looks To New Vehicles


BEIRUT: Consistently second only to Ariel Sharon in terms of unpopularity among Arabs, US President George W. Bush #39;s re-election victory was greeted in the Arab world with a sense of disillusionment and foreboding.

An ominous watershed? 4 more years of trauma?


NOVEMBER 03, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - An anonymous group of malicious hackers reopened an online store that sells the stolen source code of prominent software products and is offering the code for Cisco Systems Inc.

Hackers reopen stolen code store with Cisco wares


LA CORUNA, November 3 (Champions League) - Rafael Benitez heard his name ring around a Spanish stadium in his homeland again but this time it was from Scouse voices rather than those in Valencia, with whom he won La Liga.

Deportivo La Corua 0-1 Liverpool: FT Report


ROME, November 3 (Champions League) - Vincenzo Montella #39;s injury-time equaliser forced Bayer Leverkusen to settle for a share of the points on Wednesday in Group B of the Champions League but the Eternal City club are virtually eliminated if not yet

Roma 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: FT Report


US stocks rallied Wednesday, boosted by shares of health and defence companies that are seen benefiting from the re-election of President George W. Bush, but higher oil prices checked advances.

US stocks: Markets rally on Bush win; oil surge limits gains


Microsoft Corp. #39;s (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) share of the browser market slipped slightly in recent months but still dominated with 92.

Microsoft Browser Market Share Slips Slightly


Inter Milan striker Adriano has asked fans to forgive him after he was sent-off in the 0-0 draw against Valencia on Tuesday night.

Inter Milan #39;s Adriano apologises for dismissal


NEW YORK Time Warner, the largest US media company and owner of America Online, said Wednesday that its third-quarter profit fell 7.8 percent as it set aside money to pay for potential penalties stemming from a government inquiry into its accounting

Time Warner readies for accounting fallout


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) - By upping the ante a bit, Constellation Brands has made an apparently successful bid to gobble up winemaker Robert Mondavi in a \$1.

Constellation gets Mondavi for \$1.36B


Worldwide semiconductor sales will hit an all-time high in 2004 but stay relatively flat in 2005 before climbing again over the next two years, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

SIA: Chip sales to hit record, flatten


The British National Health Service (NHS) has signed a massive software licensing deal with Microsoft. The deal will ultimately save the NHS \$625 million in licensing fees, as well as requiring that Microsoft

NHS Signs Microsoft License Deal


AFTER being named as the 2006 US Ryder Cup team captain by the PGA of America at a press conference in Florida last night, Tom Lehman insisted he saw the chance to halt Americas recent dismal showing in the biennial match with Europe as an opportunity

Lehman relishes chance to halt US slide


US President George W. Bush is on the verge of a re-election victory, but Democratic challenger John Kerry is not conceding defeat, at least not now.

Quick end to US election crucial


Speaking from France, Palestinian officials say leader Yasser Arafat took a turn for the worse late Wednesday. Citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, The Associated Press reports that Arafat #39;s

Arafat #39;s health worsening, aides in Paris say


Top foreign officials across Europe are either accepting or welcoming the second term for President Bush. Meeting in Moscow, Italian prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they welcome the Bush win.

Foreign reactions to the election


CNH Global NV workers in Racine and three other cities went on strike Wednesday, six months after rejecting the company #39;s final contract offer.

CNH Global workers in Racine go on strike after contract stalemate


AMELIA ISLAND - Tom Lehman had yet to officially take the job as the next US Ryder Cup captain, and already his phone was ringing.

Lehman aims for players with passion


AMSTERDAM: Nokia, the world #39;s biggest mobile phone maker, said on Wednesday it will create a single software platform for smart mobile phones that double as TVs, MP3 players, radios and e-mail devices.

Nokia to unify smartphone software


Vijay Singh of Fiji tees off on the sixth hole during the first round of the Chrysler Championship on Oct. 28 on the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Singh looking to finish year in style


News Corp. saw healthy gains in profit and revenue in the fiscal first quarter - helped by growth in advertising at the Fox News Channel and the Fox broadcast network, as

NEWS CORP. NET PROFIT SOARS 27


Focusing on the fast-growing Chinese market, Japan #39;s Toshiba and major Chinese appliance maker TCL have signed a broad agreement to cooperate in making and marketing appliances in China, the companies said Thursday.

Update 1: Toshiba, TCL to Cooperate on Appliances


Consumers shrugged off higher gasoline prices and weaker economic conditions to lift new car and truck sales up 2.2 percent in October.

Auto sales rise; Asians gain share


Yukos warned yesterday it could declare bankruptcy within months following fresh tax claims that could leave Russia #39;s biggest oil company facing an astronomical bill of \$17 billion (R104 billion).

Yukos to vote on bankruptcy


Prime Minister Tony Blair tried to bridge the trans-Atlantic rift over Iraq, urging a  quot;fractured, divided and uncertain quot; world to unite in the wake of President Bush #39;s election victory.

Blair Calls for World to Unite


This is getting monotonous. For the second straight night, a candidate from Boston was looking good after some exit polling, but when the last points/votes were counted, the opponent had the plurality.

C #39;s open with dang: Squander 18-point lead in loss to Sixers


The team behind Beagle 2, the failed mission to land on Mars and search for life, have unveiled plans for a successor. Professor Colin Pillinger, lead

Plans for new Beagle trip to Mars


The National Health Service (NHS) has extended a software licensing deal with Microsoft for nine years - three times longer than its current agreement.

NHS signs nine-year extension with Microsoft


Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has been in a coma for several hours and now in critical condition, Arafat #39;s senior aides said on Thursday.

Arafat in critical condition: aides


Crude futures eased slightly Thursday after a US government report showed another boost in supplies ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Crude Futures Ease on News of Good Supply


CVS Corp. (CVS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 US drugstore chain, on Thursday reported a lower quarterly profit as it grappled with expenses tied to its recent purchase of Eckerd drug stores from JC Penney Co.

CVS Profit Slips as Eckerd Expenses Weigh


PARIS (AFP) - Defending champion Tim Henman crashed out of the 2.45-million-euro Paris Masters tamely surrendering the title he won so impressively last year.

Youzhny sends champion Henman crashing out of Paris


The long, strange journey of Charles Robert Jenkins reached a tearful climax with a 30-day sentence in a military prison and a dishonourable discharge from the United States Army he deserted for North Korea almost 40 years ago.

Cold War deserter jailed after 40 years


MCI Inc. #39;s (MCIP.O: Quote, Profile, Research) quarterly loss ballooned to \$3.4 billion as the No. 2 US long-distance company wrote down the value of its assets due to

MCI Reports \$3.4 Bln Third-Quarter Loss


Microsoft and Intel recently announced a new advertising campaign entitled  quot;Digital Joy quot; aimed at increasing awareness of living digital entertainment products, particularly Microsoft #39;s Media Center software.

Microsoft  amp; Intel Team Up for Ad Campaign


President Bush told a Thursday news conference he would continue to lead the United States in promoting freedom and democracy in the Middle East.

Bush says he will work with allies


Mortgage rates around the country rose this week but are still at levels that should continue to provide support to the vibrant housing market, analysts say.

Mortgage Rates Rise Around the Country


Movie studios and the Motion Picture Association of America said on Thursday they would sue individuals suspected of illegally distributing movies over the Internet.

Movie Studios to Sue Illegal Film-File Traders


Telecom Corp today reported its September first quarter net profit rose 19 per cent to \$193 million. The profit bettered analysts #39; average forecasts of \$185m.

Telecom lifts first quarter net profit 19pc


Nov. 4, 2004 - A rare alignment of Jupiter #39;s three largest moons across the planet #39;s face was captured on film by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Hubble Sees Rare Triple Jupiter Eclipse


LOS ANGELES - Hollywood studios said Thursday they will file hundreds of lawsuits later this month against individuals who swap pirated copies of movies over the Internet.

Movie studios launch legal offensive against online pirates


SHAQUILLE O #39;Neal shot 7-for-9 and finished with 16 points in his Miami debut yesterday as the Heat took a 100-77 victory against the home side New Jersey Nets.

Shaq turns up heat in first outing with Miami


A LETTER left on the body of a Dutch filmmmaker murdered in Amsterdam contained death threats against a Dutch politician, the justice minister said today.

Death threats on film-maker #39;s body


VfB Stuttgart went clear at the top of UEFA Group G with a convincing 3-0 win over Portuguese giants Benfica. Brazilian striker Cacau put Matthias Sammers side ahead and further

Stuttgart Closing on Qualification


For 18 years Tom Brennan has been has been a sidelines fixture at Patrick Gym.His 19th will be his last. Today at his news conference, Brennan admitted he was at the end.

Brennan Confirms Departure


Sheldon Brown signed a six-year extension with Philadelphia on Thursday, keeping the second-year cornerback with the Eagles through the 2012 season.

Eagles sign cornerback Brown to six-year deal


NASA #39;s Hubble Space Telescope (HST) captured an alignment of three of Jupiter #39;s largest moons: Io, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Connect the jovian dots


Nokia has forecast that smartphone shipments worldwide are expected to increase to 238 million units by 2008, up from 23 million this year, according to Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president and general manager of multimedia at Nokia.

Nokia sees strong demand for smartphones and camera phones in 2005


A PAINKILLER for arthritis sufferers should have been banned four years ago, experts said yesterday. Vioxx, used by 400,000 Brits, was taken off the market by its US makers last month due to potentially deadly side-effects.

RAP OVER DANGER DRUG BAN


WASHINGTON - Researchers in California, using genetically modified mice, say they #39;re closing in on understanding exactly what makes nicotine in tobacco so addictive.

Modified mice help explain nicotine addiction


The battle lines are drawn on the third of the fourth and final test in Mumbai. After a miserable batting display, India fought back thanks to their bowlers to restrict Australia #39;s first innings lead to 99 runs.

Mumbai set for battle


Merck and federal officials should have withdrawn the painkiller Vioxx from the market as early as 2000 because studies of the drug had clearly shown that it doubled the risk of heart attacks

Study Says Drug #39;s Dangers Were Apparent Years Ago


Merck  amp; Co Inc. should have pulled the arthritis drug Vioxx off the market in 2000, because there was enough evidence that showed it was associated with an increased heart attack risk, according to researchers.

Vioxx Should Have Been Recalled In 2000


The incoming head of the European Union #39;s executive body has announced changes to his group of commissioners and says he is ready to go to the European Parliament to seek its approval of his team.

New EU Executive Chief Announces Revamped Team


United Airlines, trying to further pare costs so it can emerge from bankruptcy, said Thursday it is seeking about \$725 million in annual savings through proposed pay

Drastic UAL cuts


ACE yesterday became the latest insurance company to announce changes in its business practices in response to the industry investigation launched by New York #39;s attorney general.

Executives dismissed in insurance inquiry


WEST POINT, NY - Army #39;s sprint football team will conclude its 2004 campaign Friday evening when the Black Knights take on Navy with the Collegiate Sprint Football League title hanging in the balance.

Army To Meet Navy In Sprint Football


Washington - A man convicted of violating anti-spam laws by sending out tens of thousands of unsolicited emails using fake addresses faces nine years in prison in Virginia, authorities said on Thursday.

Top US spammer is bound for the slammer


The Kremlin said Putin signed a parliament bill late on Thursday confirming Russia #39;s ratification of the protocol. Both chambers of Russia #39;s parliament approved ratification of the pact last month after Putin pointed the way.

Putin signs up Russia for Kyoto pact


NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Airlines is expected to ask a  bankruptcy judge to let it extract new concessions worth \$725  million a year from employees as it seeks to reorganize, the  Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.

United Airlines Seeks Staff Concessions


Reuters - Crop-devouring locusts have caused major\damage to cereals in Mauritania but other West and Central\African states have suffered much less than feared from the\worst infestation in over a decade, the U.N. said on Thursday.

Locusts Devastate Mauritania Crops, Others Escape (Reuters)


Reuters - A controversial California ballot\measure that would fund a decade of stem cell research with  #36;3\billion in state money was headed for a resounding victory on\Wednesday, initial returns showed.

Calif. Voters Back  #36;3 Billion Stem Cell Measure (Reuters)


MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin gave his seal  of approval for Russia's crucial backing of the Kyoto Protocol,  clearing the way for the U.N. environment pact aimed at curbing  global warming to come into force early next year.

Putin Signs Up Russia for Kyoto Pact


NEW YORK/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. <A HREF=

Pfizer: Celebrex Safe After News Report


Insurgents and American forces clashed briefly Thursday near the Iraqi city. A large US assault is expected.

US troops move toward Fallujah


The Financial Services Authority has cleared Spanish bank Santander Central Hispano's 9bn takeover of Abbey National.

Regulator clears Abbey takeover


NY JETS (6-1) at BUFFALO (2-5) When, where: Sunday, 1 p.m., at Orchard Park, N.Y. TV: Ch. 4. Last meeting: New York won, 16-14, Oct. 10. Comments: The Jets pulled out the first meeting, 16-14, on a late 38-yard Doug Brien field goal. Chad Pennington threw for a season high 310 yards in that game, 90 of which went to ...

NFL games on TV


A letter left on the body of murdered film-maker Theo van Gogh reportedly threatens the life of a liberal politician.

Letter threat to Dutch politician


Personal freedoms in Canada are being eroded by the

Canadian freedoms 'under threat'


AP - NASA is aiming for a mid-May launch of the first shuttle flight since the Columbia tragedy almost two years ago. The launch date was the latest of several set by the space agency, and just as subject to change.

NASA Picks May 2005 Shuttle Launch Date (AP)


President Bush said he would begin work immediately on his proposal to overhaul Social Security.

Confident Bush Outlines Ambitious Plan for 2nd Term


CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel released six Egyptian students  from prison on Sunday as part of a deal which includes freedom  for Israeli businessman and convicted spy Azzam Azzam, Egyptian  security sources said.

Israel, Egypt in Prisoner Swap


Making sneakers in America is so yesterday. How can New Balance do it -- and still thrive?

Sole Survivor


It is a sad day.      In what seems to be another politically inspired homicide in Holland, Dutch filmmaker, and controversial columnist Theo van Gogh was brutally murdered in the streets of Amsterdam this morning.

Another homicide in Holland


Ruben Magnano, who coached Argentina to the Olympic basketball gold medal in Athens, resigned Thursday to accept a coaching job in Italy.

Argentina Basketball Coach Magnano Quits


palmOneUpgrades Treo With Faster Chip, Better Display\With more than 600,000 units shipped, the Treo 600 is one of the big smartphone success stories. Last week, palmOne introduced the follow-on Treo 650 with a higher resolution 320-by-320-pixel TFT screen, which the company claims increases the visible area of the display and makes pictures and documents much clearer. The 650 also carries a removable battery; 32MB of flash memory, and a faster 312MHz, Intel XScale processor. Improved multimedia features include a built-in MP3 player, a digital camera with improved low-light capabilities, as well as video capture and playback functionality. Products are expected to ship by years end from some carriers who will add their own services, and will be priced at about \$499.\ Treo 650, palmOne

Product Previews


A report into the loss of British Mars probe Beagle 2 blames the UK government's failure to commit funds early.

'Money woes' foiled Beagle 2 shot


Dell will supply PCs, managed services and application packaging services to Philips Electronics worldwide, the two companies said Thursday.

Dell, Philips cut \$700 million deal


A zoo in the Gulf has bred a bird which is threatened by the fast pace of development in the region.

Dubai first to breed at-risk bird


The UK #39;s Financial Services Authority approved Santander Central Hispano SA #39;s 9.4 billion-pound (\$17.4 billion) takeover of Abbey National Plc, paving the way for Europe #39;s biggest cross-border bank merger.

Santander Takeover of Abbey Approved by UK #39;s FSA (Update1)


BBC One's 10 O'Clock News is launching the first interactive news television bulletin on Tuesday.

10 O'Clock News goes interactive


IE exploit code could boost risk of browser mishaps. Microsoft says teamwork makes for better defenses.\

Hackers, spoofers and malware--oh my!


Identity thieves may have obtained information on thousands of Wells Fargo mortgage and student loan customers.

Wells Fargo computers stolen


CHICAGO (CBS.MW) -- Could it be that people are just tired of buying things on the cheap at Wal-Mart? Free! Sign up here to receive our Weekly Roundup e-Newsletter!

Retail, auto sales, job numbers suggest tougher times


The US is poised to push Japan off the top of the supercomputing chart with IBM #39;s prototype Blue Gene/L machine. It is being assembled for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, a US Department of Energy lab (DOE).

Supercomputer breaks speed record


A brother and sister have been convicted of three felony charges of sending thousands of junk e-mails; one of them was sentenced to nine years in prison, the other was fined \$7,500.

Convicted spammer gets nine years in slammer


Microsoft said today that it plans to give customers three days' advance notice about its monthly security updates to help them prepare to install related software patches.

Microsoft to help users prep for patching


When most people talk about pay per click (PPC) search engine advertising, Google and Overture (Yahoo!) take center stage.  But in reality, there are hundreds of smaller 'Tier Two' search engines that offer compelling PPC opportunities.

Search Marketing Beyond Google and Overture


AP - Japan Airlines Corp. said Friday that it returned to profitability in first half of the fiscal year as international travel picked up from a decline a year ago caused by the war in Iraq and the SARS outbreak in Asia.

Japan Airlines Sees Profit on Int'l Travel (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar teetered just above nine-year  lows on a trade-weighted basis on Friday as investors waited  for key U.S. jobs data before deciding whether to extend the  greenback's recent decline.

Dollar Mired Near Lows Before Jobs Data


Hollywood studios plan to file hundreds of lawsuits this month against people who illegally share movies online, industry representatives said Thursday.

Studios to sue pirates


AP - A verdict will be announced Monday in the trial of a man charged with intentionally exposing 17 women to HIV, a county judge said.

Serial HIV Assault Verdict Expected Mon. (AP)


LONDON (Reuters) - European shares strongly extended gains  on Friday after data showed job creation in the U.S. economy  was double expectations at 337,000 in October.

Euro Stocks Rally After Strong U.S. Data


Reuters - The world's most advanced\military powers are using the Internet to spy on their enemies\and prepare digital attacks against rogue targets, a leading\cyber security expert said on Friday.

Nations Use Net to Spy, Plot Attacks Ex-Bush Aide (Reuters)


InfoWorld - Hosted CRM service provider Salesforce.com took another step forward last week in its strategy to build an online ecosystem of vendors that offer software as a service.

Salesforce.com pushes integration (InfoWorld)


PRODUCTIVITY gains should keep Commonwealth Bank in a sweet spot for years to come, departing chairman John Ralph claimed yesterday.

All rosy at which bank


ISN SECURITY WATCH (05/11/04) - The EU heads of state agreed on Thursday night to a new line-up of commissioners in a attempt to bring the EU out of its institutional crisis that set in after incoming Commission President, former Portuguese prime minister

EU leaders agree on Commission reshuffle