(InfoWorld) - The largest and most valuable collection of ancient Chinese art and artifacts in the world is being entered into the digital universe in Taiwan by museum curators and IT managers intent on freeing it from its physical boundaries. The goal is to make the massive collection available on the Internet. Researchers will be able to find rare documents in an easy-to-use database, teachers will be able to download information and images they can use in course work, and visitors will enjoy vivid exhibitions, films, music, access to favorite works of art and virtual tours. "The culture effect is more important than the technology. We're trying to give people a warm feeling about these artifacts. We want the human touch," said James Lin, director of the information management center at theÂ National Palace MuseumÂ in Taipei. The initiative is part of Taiwan's government-funded National Digital Archives program and it aims to do for the treasures of China what was first done in 1925 -- open them to the world. This time, however, it will display the museum's treasures on a far grander scale. When the last Emperor of China was deposed in 1925, part of his Forbidden City was turned into a museum so the public could view the treasures collected there. It was meant to signify the turn to a republican government, in which all took part and no single person held special privilege over the artifacts. But the problem then, as now, is that the trove of art, books and documents is so vast that only a portion of the collection can be displayed at one time. The National Palace Museum has the capacity to show about 3,000 to 4,000 pieces at a time. That's less than 1 percent of the collection. Most of the rest is stored in facilities below museum buildings, while the ceramics collection sits inside mountain tunnels behind the museum built to withstand bombing in the event of a skirmish between Taiwan and China. The beauty of the online world is its unlimited space. Once the museum has all of its artifacts digitized and uploaded, it can present them at one time. But that will still take years and may involve some clever political maneuvering. Thousands of items have yet to be added to the database, and while the artifacts, paintings and calligraphy may be finished in the next five years, the rare book collection is another story. "It's much harder because so many documents are in use so much of the time by academic researchers," Lin said. Digitizing the books will take far longer than the rest of the collection. There are also limits to who can view the artifacts on the Internet. The National Palace Museum's main Web site is blocked by China because it contains the .gov.tw address, labeling it a government site of Taiwan. The museum is working on allowing access through its .museum domain, but even that still sends users to the .gov.tw URL. Someday, Lin hopes to find a place for the museum at the online digital world Second Life, but he's too busy now to look into it. His to-do list is long. There are other potential pitfalls of the digitization project. Beijing claims the artifacts and other items at the National Palace Museum were looted from China, and it wants them back. So displaying all of the items in the museum online will give Beijing a precise view of what treasures Taipei holds. It's a thorny issue between the two governments. The National Palace Museum collection was spirited out of China by the Nationalist Army at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. From then, it was used as a political tool to claim the Nationalists were the rightful governors of China, and was a powerful enough propaganda weapon to prompt Beijing to open its own Palace Museum in the Forbidden City with remaining artifacts, donations, and items found at more recent archeological digs. "The collection represents Chinese heritage, Chinese traditional culture, and symbolized that Taipei had legitimacy," said Andrew Yang, an analyst at the Chinese Center for Advanced Policy Studies in Taipei. But now, Beijing has replaced Taipei as the legitimate seat of government for the Chinese people in the United Nations and in much of the world's view. Only a handful of Central American and African nations continue to recognize Taipei, due in part to aid packages to those countries. Taipei refuses to relinquish the collection to Beijing, asserting that much of the art at the museum would not have survived China's Cultural Revolution, which led to the destruction of much of its cultural heritage. Further complicating the political issue today is the fact that some in Taiwan want formal independence from China, and say the items in the National Palace Museum should be given back because they don't represent Taiwan's cultural heritage. China doesn't want Taiwan to break away, and has vowed to take the island by force if it declares independence. Despite these issues, the digitization program continues. Hundreds of workers at museums, academic institutions and government offices in Taiwan are contributing to the National Digital Archives project. The research institute Academia Sinica, for example, is leading the software and database development effort, mainly using Linux and MySQL. Back at the National Palace Museum, the entire IT division is involved, as are researchers and curators who have been photographing and scanning items into computers since 2001. The high resolution images they create are uploaded into the disk array once a week via a fiber optic line. The museum built an array with servers from Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM. So far, nearly a third of the 69,000 antiquities owned by the museum, including jades, ceramics and bronzes, have been digitized, while 10,000 of the 11,000 paintings and calligraphy works are in the database. Less than 10 percent of the 650,000 items in the documents and rare books collection has been catalogued so far due to heavy use by researchers. Content management and ease-of-use search are considered two of the most important elements of the project. Although most of the software developed for the archive is open source, some content management is done using Solaris, Oracle, and Java, Lin said. The hope is that the search capability of the database will allow users to find objects quickly no matter how they search -- by dynasty, artist, author, description or what have you. The head of GoogleÂ in Taiwan worked on the National Digital Archives program before joining the search giant, and still helps with the effort. Although it's hard to gauge the overall success of the project so far, Lin said the National Palace Museum Web site is gaining more attention. Three years ago, the site attracted 1.3 million users. Last year, that figure grew to 1.8 million, and in the first three months of this year, 1.5 million visitors toured the site. Much of the new traffic is coming from the U.S., Lin said, attributing the rise to the Grand View exhibition in December, a three-month display of its rarest works launched to commemorate the completion of extensive renovations, as well as an award his team won at the American Association of Museums last year. Taiwan is on the forefront of such digital programs for museums, and his team has spent a lot of time trying to figure out ways to bring the collection to life and make the artifacts more appealing to people of all ages. Their efforts are apparent on the museum's Web site. In one special section created for a rare, 1,000-year-oldÂ ceramic called Ju Ware, of which the museum holds 21 of the remaining 70 pieces in the world, visitors can "grasp" each piece using their mouse and rotate it to view all sides. Other sections boast short films, voice introductions and traditional music to set the mood. "We want to change people's perceptions of museums," said Lin.


LOS ANGELES - Thrill seekers are plunking down six figures to ride rockets that haven't even been built yet, and a new airline called Virgin Galactic promises to be up and soaring in the next three years. Still, the budding space tourism faces a myriad of safety concerns - in the sky and on the ground - that must be resolved before any paying passenger takes off...


Why? God alone knows Long-term readers may recall the strange case of Microsoft's "rock-in-a-box" anti-piracy campaign, apparently exhorting honest citizens to stone to death those involved in disseminating illicit copies of Redmond apps.â¦


Forty years after the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and decades after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. made strides in racial equality, America remains split along racial lines — divided by the color green.


Polling stations were nearly empty Sunday in elections for Turkmenistan's rubber-stamp parliament, forcing officials to carry ballot boxes door-to-door


Music Review | Sinead OâConnor: Old Songs of Love and Passion, New Songs of Faith

In songs about passion and righteousness, loss and truth, Sinead OâConnor came across as oddly halfhearted.


Petrolieri rispondono a polemiche consumatori


Children experience fewer asthma problems when their homes are scrubbed, filtered, vacuumed, exterminated or otherwise protected from allergy triggers, a new study of inner-city kids in Dallas and six other US cities suggests.


Arafat's death seen breaking Mideast diplomatic logjam

Foreign policy chiefs from around the globe have been lining up to visit Israeli and Palestinian officials, proclaiming a new era of opportunity has arrived.


Hundreds of people gather in Modena's main square in Italy to pay their respects to the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti.


At least 64 people are now known to have died as a result of torrential rain in south-western China.


By Erica Erwin, Erie Times-News, Pa.  Dec. 19--Joshua Kavelish struggles to spell cell phone.   But that doesn't mean he can't ask Santa for one.  "That way if you're gone from home, people can talk to you," the  6-year-old explained.


Complex skull operations were being performed as early as 960AD, remains of a body found at an archaeological dig show.


Roddick, Safin advance to second round of Thailand Open

Andy Roddick needed less than an hour to defeat Britain's Arvind Parmar 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday and advance to the second round of the Thailand Open.


Top ten dumbest things I've seen or done in the workplace

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Report Finds No Evidence Of Astronaut Drinking

NASA's safety chief said yesterday that he could find no evidence of heavy drinking by astronauts before space launches -- undermining but not dismissing reports from an independent panel on astronaut health issues that said last month that at least two such incidents had come to its attention.


Ritenuti non strategici in piano 2008-2010 della compagnia


A Mauritanian court hands life sentences to soldiers accused of plotting to overthrow the president three times.


Groups at Summit Urge Global Warming Fight

Top environmental groups warned Tuesday at an international conference on climate change that governments must work more aggressively to cut greenhouse gases that cause global warming.


The statement read: This is fantastic news. We are both absolutely delighted. We are planning to have the baby in Spain. The England captain and Real Madrid midfielder had revealed earlier this month that


U.S. Calls for Reform Clash with Arab Demands

U.S. calls for reform in the Middle East  clashed with Arab demands to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict on  Saturday as Washington insisted that economic and political  modernisation is needed to fight terrorism.


Uno dei due e' trovato morto, l'altro e' disperso


The NHL and the players' association are taking another shot at saving the hockey season, which has seemingly been on the brink of cancellation for weeks.


Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT.N said on  Saturday it still expects a 1 percent to 3 percent increase in  December sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year.


Tom Brady completed 21-of-32 passes for 264 yards as the New England Patriots clinched a first-round bye in the play-offs with a 23-7 victory over AFC East division rivals the New York Jets.


One in six calls to a 24-hour helpline last year concerning mental health came from girls contemplating suicide.


Cognato della vittima, avrebbe agito per motivi passionali


Dow Jones & Co., publisher of the Wall Street Journal, agrees to buy internet news site Marketwatch for $519m.


WASHINGTON - Senators examining the Abu Ghraib prison scandal criticized the CIA on Thursday for failing to provide Army investigators with documents on unregistered ''ghost detainees.


EILAT: At least 29 people were killed and scores were injured when car bombs exploded at resorts packed with Israeli holidaymakers on the Red Sea coast of Egyptâs Sinai desert in attacks late on Thursday, which Israel blamed on Al Qaeda.


Tragedia in miniera di carbone 56 morti e 90 dispersi

Pechino, 21 ottobre 2004 - L'ennesima tragedia in una miniera cinese, dove le condizioni di lavoro sono pessime e le norme di sicurezza non vengono quasi mai rispettate. Ã di almeno 56 morti accertati il


Joyful Iraqi Exiles Vote in Landmark Election

Jubilant Iraqi exiles cast their ballots in a "vote for freedom" on Friday and urged their compatriots in Iraq to defy insurgents and do the same.


Bells ring with deeper resonance in volunteer

There are lots of noises that fill downtowns and shopping malls on a given day: garbage trucks, honks, sirens, schoolchildren. Each registers at a certain level on a personal annoyance meter.


The fastest knee in the world has jerked, and given a reaction. In a predictable retort to BALCO, steroid distributor Victor Conteâs statement that Marion Jones used dope even before the Sydney Olympics


Two exclusive tournaments, only one that counts

The World Match Play Championship in England, which starts Thursday at Wentworth, has a roll call of champions that rivals any tournament.


Hitachi to release 100GB hard drives for notebooks

Hitachi announced it would be shipping 2.5in hard drives with capacities up to 100GB for notebook computers by the end of 2004. The Travelstar 5K100 and E5K100 hard drives


Hamas chief threatens to avenge Gaza raid inside Israel, snubs ...

GAZA CITY - Hamas chief Mahmud Zahar threatened Monday to avenge a deadly weekend raid in the movementâs Gaza stronghold with attacks inside Israel and poured cold water on calls for a ceasefire.


Bales of a record haul of cocaine spilled from a smuggling boat that capsized off the coast of Ireland are washing up on the shores of County Cork, officials said Tuesday.


Oil that fries your burger can run your car

After a good meal, how about  asking the head waiter if you can take the waste grease from  the kitchen to fuel your car?


By 2010 Project Financing for Petrochemicals is Expected to Reach $325 Billion

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c49916)  has announced the addition of MEED Petrochemicals Report 2006 to their  offering.


Pope John Paul II was alert and spoke in a clear voice Saturday as he read a note signed by dozens of bishops who gathered in the chapel of the Rome hospital treating the pontiff for flu and breathing troubles, the bishop who delivered the letter said Saturday.


Bone-Boosting Drug Helps Very Elderly Women

NEW YORK  - A drug used to restore the strength of brittle bones by reducing the process of bone resorption has been shown to benefit women 80 years of age or older.


Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned Tuesday "terrorist violence" by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), after talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.


US Energy Stocks Including Exxon Mobil Fall as Oil Drops

US energy stocks such as Exxon Mobil Corp. declined as crude oil futures dropped to their lowest in almost two months. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was little changed following its biggest three-week advance since 2002.


Arts & entertainment: In Jamaica, seven-inch singles are extinct. Will the digital revolution mean the end of traditional reggae?


Oil futures stabilize after sharp rise on cold North Hemisphere ...

Oil futures steadied Thursday after a jump that reflected a drop in US crude and heating oil stocks amid rising demand fueled by cold weather spreading across the US Northeast and Midwest.


Kerry blasts Iraq invasion as 'historic' failure

Democratic presidential contender John Kerry accused President George W. Bush of creating a "crisis of historic proportions" as infighting over Iraq dominated the US election campaign.


Soccer: Arsenal midfielder Edu breaks toe

LONDON : Arsenal's Brazilian international midfielder Edu broke the toe on his right foot in Tuesday's 3-1 League Cup win over Everton at Highbury.


Political opponents of Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a renewed attack on his handling of the Iraq conflict Sunday, as British soldiers prepared to move deeper into the country to support U.S. troops.


Iraq panel pushes for more U.S. diplomacy

The United States should begin to withdraw forces from combat and launch a diplomatic push, including with Iran and Syria, to prevent "a slide toward chaos" in Iraq, an elite panel recommended on Wednesday.


Irish eyes not smiling after Meyer's decision

And so it goes for poor, poor Notre Dame in the aftermath of losing its dream coach -- Pope Urban IX -- to those soul-less sinners down in Florida.


U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hinted Monday at an independent probe of last month's twin suicide truck bombings that killed 17 U.N. staffers in Algeria.


EU to Boost Protection of Endangered Bird Species

European countries agreed on Tuesday to expand protected bird territories to help save species threatened by intensive agriculture and climate change.


Intel pushing technology from high-end to low

Intel Corp, the world's largest  chipmaker, is on the verge of making its biggest push yet into  mobile consumer electronics, seeking to replicate its success  in mobile personal devices, as well as personal computers long  before that.


Janjaweed militias massing in West Darfur: AU source

Janjaweed militias have been  concentrating forces to the north of el-Geneina, the capital of  West Darfur state in western Sudan, an African Union military  source said on Tuesday, corroborating a U.N. report.


U.N. rights envoys condemn Bush plan on interrogation

United Nations human rights   investigators said on Thursday that legislation proposed by   President Bush for tough interrogations of foreign terrorism   suspects would breach the Geneva Conventions.


The Difference: Patriots Know How To Win

FOXBORO, MA -- Itâsa clichÃ© that is used far too often, but unfortunately thereâs no real other way to say it. Good teams find ways to win games, bad teams find ways to lose them.


Azeri in shock bid to make Breeders' Classic history

D Wayne Lukas, the most successful trainer of all time at the Breeders' Cup, caused a sensation today when he revealed 2002 Distaff winner and Horse of the Year Azeri will tackle Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic.


Taiwan Says China Setting Out Legal Basis to Attack

Taiwan condemned China's proposed anti-secession law on Saturday, calling it a move to establish a legal basis to attack the island.


Brandon Rush, who led Kansas in scoring last year, has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will play his junior season at the school. A two-time all-conference selection, the 6-foot-6 Rush averaged a team-high 13.8 points for the Big 12 champions.


LOS ANGELES  - When HBO introduced Tony Soprano to audiences in 1999, he was mashing a cigar between his thin lips and gazing intently at a family of ducks that had taken up residence in his swimming pool.


Howard Stern, Powells spar over FCC regs, free speech

After taking on one Powell, foul-mouthed radio personality Howard Stern now has another to reckon with: Secretary of State Colin Powell.


LINCOLN, NEB. - Colorado stayed alive in the Big 12 North race for another day and ended Nebraska's season in November for the first time since 1968.


Florida Supreme Court Puts Nader on Ballot

Florida's highest court on Friday ruled that independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader must be allowed to compete in the 2004 election in the state, delivering a possible boost to President Bush's re-election chances.


I commercianti: nei primi giorni piÃ¹ 10-15%. Stanno andando benissimo il Centro-Sud e il Veneto, meno bene la Lombardia                                          Prezzi scontati fino al 50% una fiammata per i consumi                                                                                L'offerta a prezzi ridotti durerÃ  sei settimane. "Una boccata di ossigeno".  Giro d'affari di oltre 10 miliardi di LUISA GRION


The aftermath of an upcoming World of Warcraft patch could get messy. Plus: NBC


Broad Study Suggests a Lower Tolerance for Exposure to Benzene

The first study of a large group of workers breathing air with very low levels of benzene suggests that the chemical may harm the bone marrow.


Prime minister defends government's preparations.


Considering a career change? Take this simple test to find your true talent and matching colleges. Start your future today.


Toy company will pay bonuses to executives who stay

WAYNE, NJ -- Toys R Us has told its top executives it will pay them bonuses if they remain with the company through an upcoming restructuring, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.


Motley Crue ticket on-sale dates, best-of details emerge

Tickets will soon hit the box office for many of the stops on Motley Crue (bio | tickets | music | rarities)'s 2005 reunion tour, an outing that supports the group's forthcoming, two-disc best-of set, "Red, White & Crue.


UK intelligence service to be overhauled

Britain's intelligence service MI6 is to have its biggest shake-up since the end of cold war in an effort to prevent a repeat of the "45-minute" debacle when MI6 wasforced to


AFRICA/CONGO RD - ÂIl Protocollo di Maputo costituisce una distruzione lenta ma sicura dei valori africani fondamentaliÂ affermano i Vescovi dellÂAssociazione delle Conferenze Episcopali dellÂAfrica Centrale Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- Il  Protocollo di Maputo introduce una cultura contrattuale che costituisce una minaccia al senso stesso dellÂamore come dono gratuitoÂ affermano i Vescovi dellÂAssociazione delle Conferenze Episcopali dellÂAfrica Centrale (...


Pupils should be allowed to study a wider range of subjects for longer, the Conservatives will say.


Three years have passed since the 9/11 attacks. All over the world, people are remembering the attacks that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people.


Questions for Doug Ellin: Fistful of Dollars

The TV producer and writer talks about why ââEntourageââ is realism not satire, why friends are just like family and why everything, including his next show, is all about easy money.


Hollywood Investigator to Be His Own Lawyer

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Anthony Pellicano, the Hollywood private investigator facing trial on wiretapping and conspiracy charges, can represent himself at trial next month. Judge Dale S. Fischer of United States District Court said she was bound by Supreme Court case law to let Mr. Pellicano do so, but urged him to reconsider. The ruling raises the prospect that Mr. Pellicano, who often grabbed the limelight in his career as an investigator to the stars, would again take center stage at his trial, set to begin Feb. 27. By acting as his own lawyer he will cross-examine prosecution witnesses like Anita Busch, the former journalist who the authorities say was wiretapped by Mr. Pellicano and was threatened in a scheme he orchestrated, as well as other cooperating witnesses who prosecutors say hired Mr. Pellicano to wiretap their adversaries.


Yukos Prepares to Operate Without a Crucial Oil Unit

The Russian oil giant Yukos said it was putting together a plan to continue running for a few months, even after the auction of its prize asset in December.


Sand Springs: Landfill Expansion Approved: Dump Site to Be the State's Largest

By Manny Gamallo, Tulsa World, Okla.  Mar. 8--The decision adds 50 years' worth of garbage disposal capacity.


Four of the so-called Bali Nine Australian drug gang have their sentences upped to the death penalty, reports say.


The Nudist Buddhist Borderline-Abusive Love-In

The director David O. Russell wanted the shoot of his new comedy, "I Heart Huckabees," to be unlike any other. He got his wish.


Lakers jump Kings; two in row for Bulls roundup

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When the Lakers were dismantled last summer, the Sacramento Kings thought their biggest rivalry was finished.


Roma, 14:47 - CALCIO, CAGLIARI; GIAMPAOLO: SUAZO IL NOSTRO UOMO IN PIU'

"Ho trovato una grande disponibilità da parte dei ragazzi. Riguardo il mio esonero, hanno dec...


2 Companies Get Contracts to Protect Jets

Teams led by BAE Systems and the Northrop Grumman Corporation were chosen Wednesday to build and test prototypes for antimissile systems to defend commercial planes against shoulder-fired rockets.


Court convicts Colombian rebel on drug charges

A top Colombian rebel leader was convicted on Tuesday in a U.S. court on charges of conspiring to produce and import cocaine into the United States.


Dollar weakens despite better-than-expected US retail figures

The dollar weakened against the euro as dealers were unimpressed by better-than-expected US retail sales and focused instead on the likelihood that Tuesday's trade figures will show a record deficit.


A suspected suicide bombing in southern Afghanistan leaves at least eight people dead, officials say.


Gangsterism as Allegory for Lifeâs Basic Themes

âThe Air I Breatheâ is an ingenious contraption that holds your attention for as long as it whirs and clicks like a mechanized Rubikâs Cube.


'Fragile' system hinders flu vaccine production

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that if people in priority groups find out that their own doctors don't have vaccine, they should look for other sources in their communities.


A campaign by anti-spam groups has persuaded a large US net service provider to ban spammers using its network.


Thousands of Kenyans turned out Saturday to mourn a slain opposition lawmaker whose death last week set off a wave of ethnic clashes and killings.


Customers of several popular online retailers, including Fandango.com, Priceline.com , and Staples.com, were victims of an alleged Internet scheme in which their credit cards were charged a monthly fee for a ``discount club" membership they had never requested, according to a class action lawsuit filed yesterday in US District Court in Massachusetts.


Myanmar Says Constitution Talks to Restart Soon

Myanmar's military junta has confirmed a constitution-forming National Convention will restart at the end of the rainy season in November, despite political turmoil sparked by the purge of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.


Sharapova wins easily in first round of Korea Open

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova beat Emmanuelle Gagliardi 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Hansol Korea Open on Tuesday. In other first-round matches, American Abigail Spears defeated Lenka Nemeckov, 6


Arsenal tries to extend unbeaten streak to 50, put away rivals

More than a record unbeaten streak is at stake when Arsenal plays at Manchester United on Sunday: The result could go a long way to determining who wins the Premier League championship.


U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said   on Friday Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was committed to   implementing a U.N. resolution on Lebanon that includes an   embargo on illegal arms shipments.


Japan ruling party poised to pick Fukuda for PM

Japan's ruling party was poised on Sunday to pick Yasuo Fukuda, who seeks warmer ties with Asian neighbors, to succeed Shinzo Abe as prime minister in an effort to revive party fortunes and fill a political vacuum.


Security firms are warning that new variants of the Santy worm have start spreading through other search engines than Google. The new versions now also use AOL and Yahoo.


The plan for a fast cross-London rail link is to get the go-ahead next week, a newspaper report says.


Merck & Co. Inc. agreed Wednesday to pay $2.3 billion to resolve several tax disputes, the Internal Revenue Service said.


Tv, ascolti: De Filippi ancora regina del sabato sera

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Brain Inflammation Found in Autism - Study

Children with autism have inflammation in their brains, although it is not yet clear whether the inflammation actually causes the condition, researchers said on Monday.


Milano, 13:38 - CALCIO, MILAN; I CONVOCATI PER SIENA: NON C'E' KAKA'

Kakà non è stato convocato per la partita Siena-Milan di domani. Oltre a lui assente a...


Rally Offers Putin Support Over Hostage Bloodbath

Russian state television predicted at least 100,000 people would attend a Moscow rally on Tuesday to denounce terrorism, bolstering President Vladimir Putin against critics over a Chechnya-linked hostage bloodbath.


A Webcast lets you hear directly from major commentators on shipping work abroad.


Burning Man ceases selling tickets at its gate

It also appears that, for the first time, there could be a limit on the number of tickets available.


2004 ELECTION MILITARY SERVICE: Memos: Bush fell short of ...

WASHINGTON -- The White House dismissed as old news Thursday documents indicating that President George W. Bush did not meet military standards while he served in the Texas Air National Guard.


Kaiser study shows health-care premiums rise 11.2% in 2004

Premiums for employer-sponsored health plans rose an average of 11.2 percent in 2004, the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to a study released Thursday by the Washington, DC-based Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and


SBC Communications expects to cut 10,000 or more jobs by the end of next year through layoffs and attrition. That's about six percent of the San Antonio-based company's work force.


FC Barcelona players Samuel Eto'o, center, from Cameroon and Ronaldinho, second left, from Brazil argue with Getafe players Vivar Dorade, left, from Spain and Mariano Pernia, right, from Argentina during their Spanish League soccer match in Getafe, Spain


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Hungary protestors break into state TV building

Anti-government protestors broke into   Hungary's state television building on Tuesday after a   demonstration denouncing Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany as a   liar.


TB Can Be a Threat to Hospitalized Cancer Patients

NEW YORK  - If tuberculosis is not detected  in patients being treated for cancer, it can easily spread to  other hospitalized cancer patients, a new report shows.


Ringrazia quanti seguono la sua malattia e parla


N.Korea calls Syria nuclear ties report "conspiracy"

North Korea said on Tuesday recent media reports that it may be providing help to Syria's nuclear activities were groundless conspiracy fabricated by those who oppose the North's improving ties with Washington.


PeopleSoft board once again spurns Oracle's bid

SAN FRANCISCO - Business-software maker PeopleSoft said Saturday its board had again unanimously rejected Oracle's $9.2 billion tender offer as inadequate, a day after 61 percent of PeopleSoft shares were tendered to Oracle.


President Jacques Chirac has vowed to spare no effort to free two French reporters held hostage in Iraq by militants who are reportedly demanding that France overturn its law banning Islamic head scarves in schools.


Superstition sparks toilet cleaning craze in Japan

Cleanliness has long been next to godliness for the hygiene-conscious Japanese, but fortune-tellers are now advising those who want to succeed in life to start by scrubbing the smallest room.


Deals signed on pipeline that seeks to divert Malacca Strait oil

Malaysian, Indonesian and Saudi Arabian firms on Monday signed agreements for construction of a pipeline that aims to divert 20 percent of oil flowing through the strategic Malacca Strait, the project owner said.


Married ... With Children's David Faustino Divorce is Final

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Tempers begin to fray as thousands of tsunami victims queue for food

A young woman cradling a baby on her hip and clutching a slip of paper in her hand glowers at a girl, also left hungry and homeless by the tsunami, shuffling next to her in the food queue.


Kazakh says Borat creator deserves prize

A leading Kazakh writer has nominated actor Sacha Baron Cohen for a national award for popularizing Kazakhstan. Novelist Sapabek Asip-uly called on the Kazakh Club of Art Patrons to give Baron Cohen its annual award, according to a letter published by the Vremya newspaper Thursday.


Conservative MP Nigel Waterson has been arrested for allegedly assaulting two teenage children.


More and more school children are seeking help and advice on how to cope with bullying, a leading charity says.


Apple to rent movies on Web, shows thin notebook

Apple Inc  will start  renting movies over the Internet, Chief Executive Steve Jobs  said on Tuesday, moving the iPhone and iPod maker into a very  competitive market.


N. Korea Test-Fires Missiles as South Launches U.S.-Equipped Destroyer

SEOUL, May 25 -- North Korea fired a salvo of short-range test missiles into its coastal waters Friday, flexing naval muscles as South Korea launched its most advanced destroyer, armed with a high-tech U.S. air defense system.


Actor Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton are among the stars at Tom Waits' first UK concert for 17 years.


Doctor: Hazing victim had serious injury

The surgeon who operated on an aspiring Florida A&M University fraternity member testified Thursday in a hazing trial that he considered the student's injuries serious although he had no broken bones, muscle damage or lasting effects other than a scar.


Backup quarterback Wyatt Sexton led three long scoring drives in the second half, and Gary Cismesia tied a school record with five field goals in his college debut to lead 13th-ranked Florida State past Duke 29-7 Saturday.


Britain expels Russian diplomats in murder row

Britain ordered the expulsion of four Russian diplomats on Monday over Moscow's refusal to hand over the main suspect in the murder of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, further escalating tension between Russia and the West.


May durable goods orders fell 2.8 percent

New orders for long-lasting  U.S.-made manufactured goods tumbled a larger-than-expected 2.8  percent in May on a plunge in civilian aircraft orders and they  were also lower than forecast when transportation orders were  stripped out, a government report showed on Wednesday.


By Ng Han Guan, AP. Secretary of State Colin Powell is usually all business on his foreign travels, taking no time out to sightsee or meet ordinary folk.


Devils Give Flyers a Taste of Their Own Medicine

John Madden scores two goals and Martin Brodeur makes 29 saves, including a game-turning penalty shot stop, to lead the Devils to a 4-2 win over the Flyers on Sunday.


For the Yankees, the A.L.C.S. was a colossal flop, the kind they had avoided through decades of charmed Octobers.


Taiwan will proceed with a planned referendum on rejoining the United Nations under its own name, an official said Wednesday, despite strong objections to the move from China and the United States.


Manifesto-appello con invito a evitare referendum


Il governo britannico conferma l'uccisio

Baghdad - Kenneth Bigley Ã¨ stato ucciso. la notizia Ã¨ stata data da un canale televisivo di Abu Dhabi, confermata dall'emittente tv Sky News e da autorevoli fonti governative. L'ostaggio inglese era nelle


Shooting Near Palace as Powell Visits Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti  - Gunfire erupted near  Haiti's National Palace as Secretary of State Colin Powell met  with government officials but no one inside the palace grounds  was hurt, witnesses said.


Fading in Ratings, Fox Bets on a Late Surge

For the Fox network, the television season so far has amounted to a limbo contest: how low can they go?


China cub births boost chances for endangered Siberian tiger

Eighty-four Siberian tiger cubs have been born in captivity in northeast China since March this year in a boost to the survival chances of the endangered species, state media reported Sunday.


Bush Staffers Ordered 3 Ejected From Event, Man Says

DENVER, March 2 -- A volunteer said Friday that he was acting on orders from White House staffers when he helped eject three people from a taxpayer-funded event President Bush was attending, according to the man's attorney.


Iran criticises Russia for holding up shipping nuclear fuel, delaying completion of its first nuclear power station.


Microsoft gears up for fifth Imagine Cup

First-round winners in competition, nicknamed the student software-development Olympics, will face off in Seoul.


Formula One's governing body warns Spanish circuits after Lewis Hamilton is racially abused in testing at Barcelona.


Dow Jones a -0,02%, Nasdaq composite +0,21%, SP 500 +0,01%


Baha'is in Egypt fight for recognition as people

If Egyptian dentist Raouf Hindy would  only deny his Baha'i faith, he could get his children the  identity documents they need to enrol in Egyptian schools and  later to marry, drive a car or open a bank account.


Sharp Corp., the world's biggest supplier of LCD TVs, said Wednesday it plans to invest 150 billion yen ($1.45 billion) to build a second plant in Japan to make the glass used in flat-screen TV panels to counter fierce competition from Asian rivals.


The troubled British singer entered a rehabilitation clinic in the wake of a recently surfaced video that appears to depict her smoking crack.


Those were heady days, they were, back in 1999. The bull market was still roaring. We hadn't yet heard of hanging or dimpled chads.


A popular former president has resumed his attacks against hardline Iranian clerics threatening to disqualify reformists from upcoming elections.


4 milioni di Â«noÂ» alla legge sulla fecondazione

ROMA - PiÃ¹ di un milione di firme, per la precisione 4 milioni contando i vari quesiti referendari da abrogare, sono quelle raccolte dai radicali che chiedono di annullare la legge sulla fecondazione assistita e che sono stati consegnati negli uffici


Seve Ballesteros has retired from golf at the age of 50.


Guam's Young, Steeped in History, Line Up to Enlist

BARRIGADA, Guam -- As a recruiter for the Guam Army National Guard, Staff Sgt. Gonzalo Fernandez has oodles of time for golf. In the past two years, he has taken 18 strokes off his handicap.


Probe dropped after two years - no admissions or denials IBM has struck a deal with the SEC under which it promises not violate to security laws - not that it's admitting or denying that itâs ever done such a thing in the past.â¦


The publishing software giant Adobe Systems Inc. today introduced Adobe Acrobat 7.0 software, the company's desktop applications suite for creating and viewing PDF (Portable Document Format) files.


News Corp, DJ board in early editorial pact:: source

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (NWSa.N)  and Dow Jones & Co. Inc.  have "basically agreed" on  safeguards to the editorial independence of Dow Jones' news  operations, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday,  setting the stage for Dow Jones to accept a $5 billion buyout  offer.


This organization fell victim to what can be described as the Achilles' heel of storage infrastructure - the intersection of technology bugs and human error. This is a highly unpredictable type of risk, and unfortunately the opportunities for prevention and avoidance are few.


Triathlon: Carter's victory thrills family watching from home

"He just deserves it. It's been a long time coming," she told the Herald from the couple's home in Auckland soon after the race.


The number of people declared insolvent in England and Wales rose to a new record of 107,000 in 2006.


Saturn's largest moon contains all the ingredients for life, but senior scientists studying data from a European probe ruled out the possibility Titan's abundant methane stems from living organisms.


Charlize Theron Suffers Neck Injury While Filming Movie

Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron has reportedly suffered a neck injury while performing a stunt on the set of "Aeon Flux.


More than 800 Colombian refugees have crossed over the border to Ecuador from the violence-ravaged department of Narino, the United Nations said Friday.


Court Declines to Hear Gay Marriage Case

The Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped a dispute over gay marriages, rejecting a challenge to the nation's only law sanctioning such unions.


Women with fertility and miscarriage problems are being offered unproven and potentially risky tests and treatment, say researchers.


Subprime, istituto sarebbe esposto per 1,1 mld dollari


Egypt arrests 73 Brotherhood Islamists in sweeps

Egyptian security forces detained 73 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday in sweeps at dawn, intensifying a clampdown against the government's most powerful political rival.


Cabrera Is Last Man Standing at U.S. Open

Angel Cabrera gave Argentina its first major championship in 40 years with a 1-under-par 69 at Oakmont.


One of two Chechen women accused of blowing up two Russian planes bribed an airline employee, Russia's top law official says.


Baby found may be one taken from strangled woman's womb

An 8-month-old fetus cut from the womb of its strangled mother in Missouri turned up healthy and very much alive Friday in Kansas, where police arrested a woman for kidnapping and suspicion of murder.


French bank Societe Generale has lost $10bn, the bulk of which was lost through fraud by a trader.


Two Polish Soldiers Dead, Five Injured in Iraq -PAP

Two Polish soldiers were killed and five  injured in a road accident in Hilla after their patrol was  fired on near their Babylon base in southern Iraq, Polish news  agency PAP said on Thursday, citing a military spokesman.


Poulter defeats Garcia in playoff at Valderrama

Cadiz, Spain (Sports Network) - Ian Poulter parred the first hole of a playoff on Sunday to win the Volvo Masters Andalucia over Ryder Cup teammate Sergio Garcia at Valderrama Golf Club.


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


Probe on Iraq Program Sharply Raps UN Staff

A key probe into the U.N.  oil-for-food program in Iraq was sharply critical of U.N.  management and found that the U.N. official running the  operation had steered oil contracts to a particular firm.


Catania, 14:06 - CALCIO, CATANIA: 21 CONVOCATI PER IL MILAN

Sono 21 i giocatori convocati dal tecnico del Catania, Pasquale Marino, per la sfida di domani contr...


The pensions of 40,000 workers at Turner & Newall are in danger amid reports that its parent firm will not continue to fund the company's scheme.


Siena, 16:13 - CALCIO, SIENA: CONVOCATI PER LA SAMPDORIA

Sono 20 i giocatori convocati dal tecnico del Siena, Andrea Mandorlini, per la gara di domani contro...


By Russ Keen, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.  Feb.


Sorolla's La Tres Velas Makes 2,133,600 GBP in London

LONDON, ENGLAND.- Sotheby's fifth annual sale of Spanish Paintings once again demonstrated the continuing strength of international demand for Spanish works.


Ci sarebbero piu' probabilita' di identificazione


The battle for playoff position in Hockey East is heating up, with just four weeks left in the season, and UMass-Lowell and Boston University entered last night's game at Agganis Arena hoping to gain ground. When it was over, the River Hawks had more reasons to feel good about the 4-4 score.


InchiestaAll'ex titolare dell'ufficio di via Nazionale sequestrati documenti coperti da segretoDue i nuovi reati: procacciamento e possesso di documenti sulla sicurezza dello stato                                            Sismi, Pompa di nuovo indagato "Sottratto l'archivio segreto"                                                                                di CARLO BONINI


Ashes alarm bells ringing after McGrath humbles Pakistan

English optimism for next summer's Ashes series has taken a knock after Australia demolished Pakistan by 491 runs in the first Test in Perth, with a resurgent Glenn McGrath capturing eight wickets in the tourists' dismal second-innings total of 72.


An explosion ripped a car in the southern part of Gaza City at nightfall Monday, residents said, in what appeared to be an Israeli airstrike.


"Stuff happens" was Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's cavalier response to questions about rioting and looting after the invasion of Iraq.


Countrywide Financial slides on bankruptcy rumors

Countrywide Financial Corp  shares slid as much as 19.9 percent to their lowest level in nearly eight years on what traders called speculation that the largest U.S. mortgage lender might seek bankruptcy protection.


With an elusive NBA championship ring serving as motivation, Ray Allen has no problem going from a Sonics star to a Celtics co-star.


Dot-Post Address May Be Restricted to Postal Agencies

Unlike dot-com and dot-net internet addresses, which are open to all comers, a proposed dot-post address might be restricted to entities that provide actual postal services. The point would be to instill trust, proponents of the plan say.


The capacity at Llanelli's Stradey Park is cut after a boy was taken to hospital after running on the pitch.


New Era for Mideast After Arafat's Death

Mideast diplomacy has taken off after the death of Yasser Arafat.


World champion Kibet still traumatized by mob attack

Kenya's world marathon champion Luke Kibet said on Saturday he was still "traumatized and horrified" after completing his first race since he narrowly escaped death in a mob attack last month.


China Honors Deng Xiaoping on 100th Birth Anniversary

China marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of its late leader Deng Xiaoping Sunday with a celebration attended by top party officials in Beijing.


Ralph Nader's last-ditch bid to win a spot on Oregon's presidential ballot has taken him to a place frequented by many candidates over the years -- the Supreme Court.


In the highly mobile world of corporate management, William D. Perez is an anomaly: 34 years at one company, having ascended from the base to the pinnacle.


AFRICA/BURUNDI - Erezione della Provincia Ecclesiastica di Bujumbura e nomina del primo Arcivescovo Metropolita CittÃ  del Vaticano (Agenzia Fides) - Il Santo Padre Benedetto XVI, in data 25 novembre 2006, ha creato la nuova Provincia Ecclesiastica di Bujumbura, dividendola dallÂunica Provincia cclesiastica di Gitega (Burundi). La nuova Provincia Ecclesiastica ...


Stuck in traffic each morning, 20-year-old Bill Dowd of Keansburg invariably turns on the Howard Stern radio show to hear the DJ's usual assortment of raunchy humor.


Forse usate per recenti omicidi nella Piana di Gioia Tauro


Instead, Yunus Qanooni says he'll accept an independent commission looking into allegations of fraud in Afghanistan's landmark election.


China Natural Gas Adds Two Additional Natural Gas Filling Stations

China Natural Gas, Inc., (OTCBB: CHNG; website: www.naturalgaschina.com)   the first China-based natural gas public company traded in the U.S.


Childhood obesity is as much a threat to American health as smoking, a national panel of health experts said Thursday, and it will require a full-blown national commitment to mini-size the X-Box generation.


The UN Security Council imposes an immediate arms embargo on Ivory Coast, after an outbreak of violence there.


Author Russell Banks sets new novel near his home

American writer Russell Banks set out to be a painter but abandoned his brushes for a career as a writer that has spanned five decades.


Proposal to let voters decide if slot machines belong at race ...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Tens of thousands of recently found ballots in a Florida county are reversing one outcome in Tuesday's election.


An Appeal That Looks to (and Uses) the Spirit of the 1960s

Barack Obamaâs first spot highlighting Caroline Kennedyâs endorsement features images of her father and the Moon landing.


U.S. Warns Tourists of Malaria in Dominican Republic

Americans traveling to some parts of  the Dominican Republic should take the drug chloroquine to  protect themselves from a malaria outbreak, U.S. health  officials said on Thursday.


U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Monday there will be enough flu vaccine available for most people who need it and told seniors to stop standing in long lines to get a shot.


President Kibaki of Kenya frees 7,000 prisoners and raises constitutional reform on the 41st anniversary of independence.


French Trader Says He Wonât Be Made a Scapegoat

In brief remarks to photographers, JÃ©rÃ´me Kerviel said that while he took responsibility for booking billions of euros in fictitious trades, he was âsingled out by SociÃ©tÃ© GÃ©nÃ©rale.


Fed chief says quick fix for social safety net programs vital to avoid more painful steps later. JACKSON HOLE, Wyo.  - Rising pressure on US finances from an aging population make it vital to quickly


Operazione dei carabinieri in provincia di Salerno


Electronic Passports Raise Privacy Issues

The federal government will soon offer passport cards equipped with electronic data chips to U.S. citizens who travel frequently between the United States and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. The cards can be read wirelessly from 20 feet, offering convenience to travelers but raising security and...


E' l'atleta più giovane nello sport italiano ad aver vinto una medaglia alle Olimpiadi, edè comunque strafelice del suo argento Federica Pellegrini nel dopogara: "Sono contentcissima. Ho lavorato duro tutto l'anno, credo che l'argento sia meritato".


The pilots union at United Airlines on Tuesday said its negotiators have reached a tentative contract deal with the bankrupt No. 2 U.S. airline.


University Chief Fired Over Handling of Crime

The president of Eastern Michigan University was dismissed last night, following a scandal involving the universityâs handling of the rape and murder of a student.


Seven of the world's leading tech companies collaborate on the development of next-gen chips.


Vasto: violenze da anni, decisivo intervento di una parente


ICANN oversight remains tense topic internationally

News last week that the U.S. government would extend its oversight of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers did little to ease international tensions over the governance body.


Three Moroccans suspected of links with international Islamic terrorism are held in Spain for trying to obtain explosives.


A colazione dopo incontro con altre autorita' locali


Jon Stewart will return as host of the Oscars in 2008.


A French national was shot and killed in the Saudi Arabian city of Jiddah early Sunday, the Interior Ministry said. The man was shot at 1 am in the Red Sea port city.


Killer in 'Preppie Murder' Case Rearrested on Drug and Traffic ...

Robert E. Chambers Jr., who served 15 years in prison for killing an 18-year-old woman in a case that became known as the "preppie murder," was released on bail today after his arrest


Atlantic City casinos in deal for NY train service

Two casino companies in Atlantic City and the New Jersey Transit signed a contract on Thursday, finalizing train service between New York and the second-largest U.S. gambling market, a spokesman for one of the companies said.


While many actresses fantasize about wearing Valentino or Zac Posen on the red carpet, Ellen Page has a completely different idea.


Mozilla Looks To Bring Web Apps to Desktop

Mozilla is working on a new application called 'Prism' which will help to blur the line further between applications for the web and the desktop.


Savings to be spent caressing customer companies, apparently


Meno 386 morti rispetto al 2003, vale a dire -9,3%


Breast Cancer Gene Risk May Be Overstated

Gene mutations linked to breast cancer may pose less danger than previously believed, a new study shows.


Invisible-shed spy beam tech detects hidden artworks

T-rays to reveal Da Vinci's lost masterpiece Last week was a big one for those who like their T-rays. The spy-beam technology has been used to view murals hidden beneath inches of plaster, and has also been linked to metamaterials - the stuff from which invisible sheds could be made.â¦


Cities are the future of the world, and slums are the future of the city.


Sony, SanDIsk Team on Faster Memory Stick

SanDisk said Monday it has developed, in conjunction with Sony, a new version of the Memory Stick Pro storage format that is built to transfer data at speeds faster than the standard version.


Google: 'We all have to invent the wheel'

Leading the charge in Web security at Google, vice president of engineering stands at the forefront of a critical period.


Demonstrators claiming plans for firefighters to be on call at night will put lives in danger stage a protest march.


L'Istat quantifica la corsa del prezzo dei carburanti negli ultimi 12 mesiUn po' meglio il gasolio: dall'agosto 2005 costa "solo" il 5,9% in piÃ¹                                           Benzina verde, in un anno +10,4% Ad agosto inflazione stabile al 2,2%


Autobomba allâambasciata, strage in Indonesia

La firma Ã¨ quella del braccio asiatico di Al Qaeda. Lâobiettivo era lâambasciata australiana a Jakarta. Lo strumento di morte utilizzato: unâautobomba. Il bilancio dellâattacco Ã¨ pesantissimo: 11 morti e 168 feriti.


Bryant becomes league's youngest to score 20,000

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points when he had 39 points in the Lakers' 95-90 road win over the New York Knicks on Sunday.


Investor Kirk Kerkorian cancels plans to buy more GM shares after the firm ends tie-up talks with Renault and Nissan.


Do patents, white papers, and other publications authored by search engine employees provide clear guidance to how to optimize Web pages?  A panel of experts debated the issue at a recent Search Engine Strategies conference.


Lorries with loudspeakers drive through Burma's main city, Rangoon, warning people not to join mounting protests.


U.S. stocks rebounded on Monday after  easing oil prices gave investors relief, while generally  positive earnings announcements from retailers fueled the  improved sentiment.


Searchers located the wreckage of a passenger airplane in a Cambodian jungle after it disappeared two days earlier with 22 people aboard, officials said Wednesday.


Societa' punta a rafforzarsi sulla fascia oraria del mattino


Valentino Rossi e Parmalat i piÃ¹ ricercati su Google nel 2004

"Valentino Rossi" e "Parmalat" per l'Italia, "Britney Spears" e "Orlando Bloom", per tutto il mondo. Sono questi i termini piÃ¹ ricercati su Google nel 2004. "Valentino Rossi" e "Parmalat" per l'Italia, "Britney


Eoma, 23:48 - CALCIO, DONADONI: LA STRADA E' QUESTA, GRAZIE RAGAZZI

Roberto Donadoni finalmente sorride. Il successso netto e indiscutibile sull'Ucraina,  ha cambiato l...


Design software maker Adobe  Systems Inc.  on Thursday posted a lower quarterly  profit as expenses rose but results topped average Wall Street  forecasts, sending its shares up 8 percent.


Antidepressants Associated with Increased Risk for Suicide Attempts,...

Suicidal individuals taking antidepressant medications appear to have an increased risk of additional suicide attempts, but a reduced risk of dying from suicide or any other cause, according to a large Finnish ...Comment


Latest as Scotland meet Sweden, while England take on Spain, in Wednesday's friendly internationals.


A British soldier has died after a shooting in the Iraqi town of Al-Qurna, the Ministry of Defence says.


Israel set to complete withdrawal Sunday

The Israeli army is preparing to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon by Sunday morning, defense officials said.


Regina Lynn's Sex Drive: Unexpected Sources Drive Progress of Sex Tech

Sex drives tech, as it drives most things. But tech also drives tech -- sex tech, that is. Some adult products emerge from the most unexpected places. Commentary by Regina Lynn.


Stars twinkle political chaos over Thai election

By Nopporn Wong-Anan BANGKOK  - Thailand's soothsayers, like most of its political analysts, reckon Sunday's general election will do little or nothing in the short term to resolve the country's deep divisions.


North Korea, where floods have seriously damaged nearly one sixth of arable land, will continue to need international food aid in the long term, the United Nations said on Friday.


Charles Arthur: Why Google might benefit from Microsoft's attempt to shoehorn Yahoo into itself


ADV: $175,000 Mortgage for Under $730/Month

Mortgage rates are at record lows. Save $1000s on your mortgage payment. Free quotes.


Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Andrew Mohl, chief executive of AMP Ltd., speaks at a news conference in Sydney about the company's first-half profit, plans to reduce customer fees and reduce debt, and second-half outlook. AMP, Australia's largest life insurer, ...


An American T-shirt company has a solution for fellow citizens who want to vacation in Europe without having to answer questions about US politics: pose as Canadians.


Wall Street banks walloped by mortgage worries

Worries about mortgage foreclosures whacked the giants of Wall Street on Tuesday -- from Bear Stearns to JPMorgan Chase & Co. -- as investors disregarded analysts' views that the concerns are overblown.


C.C. Sabathia joined Boston's Josh Beckett as the majors' only 11-game winners and finally beat his hometown team again, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 5-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.


Russia's Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko has said that the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) could be offered a 20 percent stake in a state-owned Russian company which will run Yuganskneftegaz, the main production unit of


The health care debate in this year's presidential contest has been largely boiled down to an argument over degree: Democrat John F. Kerry proposes an ambitious, costly expansion of health


Update 1: Proposed Bailout of Trump Casinos Shelved

Donald J. Trump may have a new project for his apprentices - helping him try to figure out how to take his troubled casino company private after a proposed bailout fell through.


Sir Ian McKellen is to voice the  character of Zebedee in a film of the TV classic The Magic Roundabout.


How to recover your 'unrecoverable' laptop

Backup solutions you can rely on Q: When does a backup not fulfil its function? A: When you cannot actually recover from it. Is this a rare problem? No, not if you are talking laptops on the move - and if you are mobile worker that probably means you. It is also a major headache for IT departments who have a responsibility for their employees' laptops (as well as their PDAs and mobile phones).â¦


MARKET PLACE Diller's Actions Keep Company in Turnaround

Wall Street is getting a version of Hokey Pokey Elmo, a chief executive who takes his subsidiaries in, then spins them back out. Barry Diller, the chairman and chief executive of IAC/InterActiveCorp


English soccer player fined for burning teammate with cigar at ...

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been fined four weeks' wages - reportedly 60,000 pounds ($142,500 Cdn) - for burning teammate Jamie Tandy's eyelid with a cigar at the club's Christmas party.


Ailing Arafat Examined in French Hospital

Seriously ill and perhaps fighting for his life, Yasser Arafat was rushed Friday to a military hospital near Paris that specializes in blood disorders.


Singer Bobby Brown is sentenced to 30 days in jail over $19,000 in unpaid child support.


AMD turning page, hoping for profit by end of 2008

Execs tell analysts that though AMD has some interesting products in the pipeline, the Barcelona fiasco will ensure the company loses money during the first part of 2008.


Da Bono Vox a Sarkozy il club degli Uomini Doc

Comandano. Inventano il futuro. E non sanno cosa sia la mezza età. Giovani per sempre. E sempre protagonisti. Cinquantenni alla ribalta


Bill Clinton to Have Heart Surgery Next Week

Former President Bill Clinton will  have heart bypass surgery early next week after being rushed to  a top New York hospital on Friday complaining of chest pains  and shortness of breath.


China Rejects Powell Call for Dialogue with Taiwan

China on Wednesday rejected Secretary  of State Colin Powell's call to resume dialogue with Taiwan,  saying Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's overtures were  meaningless and no grounds existed for talks.


Nel settore utilities, verra' costituita nuova societa'


Valkyrie Profile and Dragon Quest VII To Make Another Round

At the beginning of the year, Square Enix will be re-releasing two RPGs originally released at the turn of the century. Valkyrie Profile and Dragon Quest VII will be released in Japan under the PS One Books


Jennifer Sneed was packed and ready for the trip to a hospital to have her baby this week, but she wasn't ready for a snowstorm.


Hometown boy Jim O'Brien has found that returning to Philadelphia as head coach is as tough as a week-old cheesesteak. With three new starters, the 76ers are scuffling at 6-10.


A wealth of users and "exceptionally well-written codebase" drive Bram Cohen's company to purchase the lightweight torrent client. Could BitTorrent-powered movie downloads be headed for a mobile device near you? In Monkey Bites.


Everyone seems to have a different definition of nanotechnology, each one deficient in its own way. [Missing Links]


Technology Challenges Sprint-Nextel Merger

The proposed merger of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. could face a rocky start as the companies work to run and eventually merge two wireless technologies without breaking the bank or losing customers.


Woods eager to take on the challenge of Oakmont

OAKMONT, Pennsylvania  - Tiger Woods is prepared for a grueling challenge at this week's U.S. Open, and he would not want it any other way.


Bomb threat diverts US-bound airliner to UK

A jumbo jet flying from Frankfurt to New York has been diverted to Manchester Airport following a bomb threat, police have said. The Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 landed shortly before 11am without a military escort.


Cable and Wireless confirmed on Wednesday that Richard Lapthorne, chairman, could net a minimum of £10m in three years' time if performance targets at the telecoms group are met under a controversial pay plan.


Thais discover 700 bodies in single resort

The estimated death toll inThailand doubled overnight after 700 bodies were found in the wreckage of hotels on one stretch of beach on the mainland north of Phuket island.


Conn. Mom Breaks Record for Biggest Baby

NORWICH, Conn. - Oh baby! Marie Michel's fifth child was one for the record books. Michel gave birth to a 14-pound, 13-ounce boy Tuesday at William W. Backus Hospital.


An analyst downgrades Baidu at the expense of Google. Irony at 11.


Queen takes the salute in birthday celebrations

Rain poured down on the end of the Queen's official birthday parade Saturday, but failed to dampen the spirits of the 81-year-old monarch nor the thousands of well-wishers looking on.


Fending Off Alien Robots, but Still Time to Flirt

When "Sky Captain" remembers that storytelling and characters matter more than design and special effects, it charms as well as impresses.


Cable & Wireless has agreed to sell its Japanese unit to Softbank for 72.4 million pounds. The deal, under which the Japanese Internet communications company will assume debt worth 9.5 million


Sprint Nextel Hires a Chief From Its Spinoff

The cellphone company, which lost more than a million customers in the last five quarters, named Daniel R. Hesse as chief executive on Tuesday


Jose Antonio Camacho quit as star-studded Real Madrid's coach after just six games and was replaced Monday by assistant Mariano Garcia Remon.


Week in video: Computers old and new, and ones that clean

A look at computing history, the new Roomba 560 cleaning robot, and a tour of one of the most eco-friendly buildings.


Jazz capitalize to beat Yao-less Rockets

Deron Williams had 17 points and 12 assists, Kyle Korver added 17 points, including two late 3-pointers, and the Utah Jazz took advantage of Yao Ming's absence to beat the Houston Rockets 97-89 on Sunday night.


Failed car bomb attack highlights security chaos in Gaza

GAZA CITY, Oct 13  - A failed assassination of a top security official here was a stark reminder of the uphill battle faced by Palestinian authorities in resolving the security chaos in Gaza ahead of a planned Israeli pullout.


Indians see 'bull,' not bubble, for stock market

Sensex, India's emerging market index, has been hovering near record highs lately, and analysts expect strong returns to stick. ~~br/~~


Sean Penn finds a kindred spirit in the hero of âInto the Wild.â


Neighbours should tackle terrorism: Karzai:

(World News) Islamabad, Aug 24 : Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday urged neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, not to allow terrorists to carry out their activities in Afghanistan.


After employing nine different center fielders this season, Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson is getting used to the idea of using Nook Logan. While the starters have struggled mightily -- a 1-11 record and 8.17 ERA in the previous 24 games -- the Nationals' bullpen has performed well...


Bush wishes Cuba's Castro would disappear

NEWPORT, Rhode Island  - U.S. President George W. Bush made plain his feelings about Fidel Castro on Thursday -- wishing the Cuban leader would disappear.


Cagliari, 19:24 - CALCIO: CAGLIARI, A PARTE BIONDINI, FERRI E PISANO

Secondo giorno del mini-ritiro del Cagliari al centro sportivo "Ercole Cellino". Anche oggi doppia s...


Four Islamist militants involved in a siege at a Palestinian refugee camp have been captured, Lebanon's army says.


More than 50,000 people packed the RCA Dome on Monday to cheer the Indianapolis Colts as the Super Bowl winners brought home the city's first major professional sports championship in more than 30 years.


Ron Paul's One-Man Band in the Granite State

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- "Two days was not enough," Jared Chicoine says, standing in the lobby of a Holiday Inn Express on the eve of Tuesday's third Republican presidential debate.


Romanians Go to Polls to Elect New Parliament and President

Romanians vote today in the fifth general election since the ousting of their communist government 15 years ago, selecting a president and parliament likely to take the country into the European Union.


U.S. housing starts slowed by a  larger-than-expected 6 percent in September after two months of  gains, but permits granted to builders outpaced expectations, a  government report showed on Tuesday.


L'uomo, 77 anni, ha sparato tre colpi, poi ha atteso la poliziaLei, 82 anni, soffriva da anni di Alzheimer. Una vita insieme, due figli                                          Irrompe in ospedale e spara uccidendo la moglie ricoverata                                                                                Il marito: "L'ho fatto perchÃ¨ non ce la facevo piÃ¹ a vederla soffrire"


The second Iraq war, between coalition forces and insurgents, is now under way in what has become the "crucible" of the global war on terrorism, Tony Blair declared yesterday


Per ora concentriamoci nel fare un bellissimo festival 2007


Prostitutes and their clients hold the key to finding the killer of three women in Ipswich, say police.


A new player emerges in the battle to buy the LSE after brokerage ICAP says the two sides have had merger talks.


The model and the wealthy real estate developer-turned reality television star were married in a lavish Palm Beach ceremony.


Remember when major conference tournaments were nothing more than dress rehearsals for the NCAA Tournament, when they were more about seedings than survival?


Madrid, 11:56 - CALCIO, REAL MADRID; CAPELLO: HO SBAGLIATO CON BECKHAM

Mentre il presidente del Real Madrid, Ramon Calderon, conta di convicere il giocatore a restare con ...


Sophomore Dana Bergstrom scored her 37th and 38th goals of the season and added her 18th assist as Lexington Christian captured the Class D girls' soccer crown with a 3-1 win over St. Luke's yesterday. Kristen Smith had 12 saves. Class B: Kylie Neschke scored the winning goal as Tabor (17-0-1) edged Thayer, 2-1. Boys' soccer Class A: BB&N's Ed ...


JAKARTA, Indonesia Sept. 16, 2004 - One's dubbed "the demolition man," a low and high explosives expert. The other's known for his skills in recruiting suicide bombers for the deadliest al-Qaida-linked terrorist


'Minor' Software Glitch Is Cited in Missile Failure

The test failure last month of the Bush administration's new missile defense system resulted from a "very minor" computer software glitch that can be easily corrected and will have no effect on the system's ability to defend the United States against attack, the general in charge of the Pentagon program said Wednesday.


Britney Spears.US , Britney Spears Marriage is now legal. Britney Spears broke up with her manager who had been managing her career since she was 13 years old, her spokeswoman said.


Google has already transformed the way the web is used. Now the company behind the internet's leading search engine aims to change the academic world too, with a new search tool putting a treasure trove of


Israel frees 256 prisoners in bid to boost Abbas

Israel released more than 250 Palestinian prisoners on Friday as part of a series of goodwill gestures designed to bolster Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in his standoff against Hamas. The majority of the prisoners in the largest release for many years were aligned with Abbas' Fatah faction.


Judge: Votes in Wrong Precinct Don't Count

The state must reject provisional ballots if they are cast in the wrong precinct, a federal judge said Thursday in the latest in a series of opinions on how such votes should be counted.


Shortage of flu vaccine triggers jitters among S. Floridians

A day after half the nation's flu vaccine was barred from the market, doctors, hospitals and senior citizens scrambled to track down scarce flu shots on Wednesday, but often were shut out.


Democrats Demand Bush Halt Attacks on Reid

Senate Democrats demanded Thursday that President Bush order a halt to personal attacks on the party's leader, Sen. Harry Reid, and expressed regret that they had failed to mount a stronger defense for his defeated predecessor.


A New Morality Makes Old Deceptions Expensive for Wall Street

On Wall Street there has always been a spirit of understanding for those who merely help others to deceive, but that is changing.


Bomber Kills Israeli in Gaza on Day New Palestinian Leader Visits

A Palestinian suicide bomber killed a member of the Israeli security forces and wounded six others next to a busy road in the southern Gaza Strip.


Putin honors Stalin victims 70 years after terror

Russian President Vladimir Putin  paid his respects on Tuesday to millions of people killed under  Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and called for the country to  unite to prevent a repeat of its tragic past.


Arca denies Viduka a winning return to Boro

Middlesbrough's Julio Arca stole the spotlight from Mark Viduka as he denied the Newcastle striker a winning return in Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Riverside Stadium.


TAMARA AUDI: Sox fan oddly troubled by Series

"C'mon Cardinals! Don't let 'em walk over you like this!" It was 10:15 pm Wednesday, 3-0 Red Sox. What's wrong with that?


Celtic's spirit broken as Milan leave it late

Celtic's indomitable spirit hauled them out of a sea of troubles in the San Siro last night but was just short of the measure needed to secure their first point on the road in three Champions League campaigns.


Lethargic from the start - a sure sign of defeat last season - the Bruins yesterday rallied from a 2-0 hole in the first period and went on to force overtime before falling to Toronto, 4-3, in a shootout at the Garden.


I like politics. I follow it the way some people follow sports. The Democrat Party     and Republican Party are major league teams. They battle each other in national, state and     local contests. They have mascots, both created by the same person.     They have fanatical supporters just like any sport. Like minor league teams, there are also minor political parties to watch that sometimes play spoiler and sometimes     gain enough strength to influence the major parties. Some operate only locally, some statewide, and some try to operate     nationally.    I also enjoy following individual personalities. People love and hate them like they love and hate sports teams and athletes.     I'm sometimes startled by the degree of blind adoration or blind rage that politicians can inspire in otherwise calm,     rational people.    Lately, I've noticed that there's a growing tendency to divide the United States into red states and blue states. People seem     to think that it's possible for an entire state to be Democrat or Republican. How can that be if it's difficult to even     categorize individual Americans into definite camps? Now, although once restricted to politics, the idea is spreading to     other arenas. I saw a suggestion that Hollywood start targetting states as red or blue audiences. I've seen statistics that     compare red states versus blue states on categories such as religion, income, and even gifts to charity.    The division of the United States into red and blue states is overly simplistic and misleading.


In Sassonia l'inflazione passa dal 2,3 al 2%


Japan plans bilateral talks with N.Korea

Japan's Foreign Ministry is preparing to hold bilateral talks with North Korea this month, as hopes fade for six-nation talks to take place before November.


Militants seek prisoners' release in return for sparing hostages

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Taliban-linked militants holding three kidnapped UN workers demanded yesterday the release of 26 prisoners, some possibly in US custody at Guantanamo Bay, in return for sparing the hostages' lives.


At first glance, it appears the advantages lie with undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins in his title defense against Oscar De La Hoya tonight.


Adware - Are Downloads Safe?  Developers offering downloads are paying the price for the malformed truths that have been put forth regarding downloads. While not a political campaign the smears are ever present in the adware arena.  Years ago developers saw they could monetize freeware that was becoming expensive to host. Developers ...


SDForum: Open source becoming first option

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. â Enterprises that in the past may have been leery of open source alternatives to commercial software have opened up to the concept, panelists said here Tuesday at an SDForum conference entitled "Open Source â Entering the Mainstream.âADVERTISEMENTSolaris 10(TM) OS: Position your business ten moves ahead.Solaris 10 OS has arrived and provides even more reasons for the world's most demanding businesses to operate on this, the leading UNIX platform. Like the fact you can run Linux and Solaris applications side-by-side and run the same OS on SPARC(R), AMD Opteron(TM), and Intel processor-based systems. Discover more reasons and how Solaris 10 OS can move your business ahead today.


IBM said in a press release that it is working with many national lab and universities to develop Blue Gene supercomputer applications in areas such as life sciences, hydrodynamics, quantum


Myanmar Frees Number Two Political Prisoner-Source

Myanmar's ruling generals have freed their second most prominent political prisoner, Min Ko Naing, leader of student democracy protests in 1988, a source close to his family said on Saturday.


Colo. Girls Aided in Cookie Penalty Costs

Two Durango, Colo., teens ordered to pay $930 in medical bills after a woman said their act of kindness scared her so much she had to go to the hospital were unrepentant Thursday.


The French president throws his weight behind Turkish EU membership ahead of a key summit decision.


Wealthy nations will discuss absolving poor countries of loan payments at Friday's G-7 summit.


U.S.-led air raid kills 11 in Afghanistan: doctor

GHAZNI, Afghanistan  - Nine police and two civilians were killed in an air strike by U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan, a provincial doctor said on Thursday, but the coalition said Taliban fighters had been killed.


US Army Says It May Call Up More Reserves in 2005 for Iraq

The US Army said it is considering calling up about 5,600 honorably discharged reservists in 2005 to perform specialized duties in Iraq, the second such move since June.


The United Nations launches an appeal for 54,000 Somalis it says were affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami.


South Korean golfer Grace Park won the CJ Nine Bridges Classic yesterday in Jeju. Park shot a 7-under 65 in the closing round of the three-round tournament to notch a 16-under 200 for the tournament.


President Bush on Thursday signed legislation designed to make college more affordable for students from poor and middle-class families


Suffering Sudan braces for new locust invasion

The Sudanese government has readied 13 planes for fighting swarms of desert locusts, poised to enter the country from Egypt.


It didn't play in Minneapolis, because renovations at the Target Center proved to be too big of a neutral zone trap. The Winnipeg Arena was willing, but city fathers grew squeamish over the legal ramifications of hockey being packaged solely as a fighting event.


French museum tries to return Maori head

The Normandy museum only wanted to do what was right: It offered to return a preserved, tattooed Maori head to New Zealand, an attempt to restore dignity to human remains that were long put on display as an exotic curiosity.


South Goa district administration on Monday issued show cause notice to Sanjay Dutt's wife Manyata seeking clarification why her residence certificate submitted in connection with her court marriage should not be cancelled.


KERBALA, Iraq  - Fourteen South Asian pilgrims   were ambushed and killed on their way to Shi'ite Muslim sites   in Iraq, hospital, police and army sources said on Saturday.


This is my dream for future so-called American dream teams, no matter if they swing a golf club or cross over on the dribble. Not only that, they sit in coach.


Lawyers for Neil Entwistle, who denies killing his wife and baby, have asked if he can return to England on bail.


Milano, 12:23 - CALCIO, MILAN; BEBETO: OLIVEIRA DIMOSTRERA' IL SUO VALORE

L'ex campione del mondo Bebeto partecipando al torneo benefico di calcio a 7 Fondazione Milan-Adidas...


Swearing-in a crucial test for CalderÃ³n

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's drug cartels are killing record numbers of people with unprecedented brutality. Federal security forces are bogged down in a violent political conflict in the southern city of Oaxaca. Years of sluggish economic growth cannot meet the needs of a country where over half the population lives in poverty.


Schladming, 17:12 - SCI, MONDIALE 2013: SCHLADMING E' LA RIVALE DI CORTINA

In vista dell'assegnazione dei Mondiali di sci alpino del 2013, è Schladming la rivale di Cor...


The iPod digital music player is flying off store shelves faster than ever, prompting the media to conclude that Apple is no longer just a quirky little computer maker from Silicon Valley. -washingtonpost.com


Greens strike deal to govern with Irish PM Ahern

Leaders of Ireland's Green Party said on  Tuesday they were ready to back Prime Minister Bertie Ahern for  a third successive term in office and enter an Irish government  for the first time after securing policy concessions.


Connecticut joins California in Spitzer probe

Connecticut is going to join California amid New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzerâs probe over the US insurance industry scandal.


Intel is making a big push to help personal computer makers in China and India offer the Linux operating system on machines powered by the company's chips.


"We estimate the production cost can be lowered at least by half"  London's iconic cabs will soon be picking up fares on the streets of China, costing half as much as they do back home. via China Daily


Singer and actress Hilary Duff took the stage of Crown Coliseum here Tuesday night in a free concert for military families.


The International Gymnastics Federation ruled on Thursday that American gymnast Paul Hamm may keep his Olympic gold medal for the men's gymnastic all-around title.


The 47-year-old former England coach was unveiled at a press conference, bringing to an end Wolves' month-long search for a successor to Dave Jones.


A new, highly drug-resistant strain of the âflesh-eatingâ MRSA bacteria is being spread among gay men in San Francisco and Boston, researchers reported on Monday.


Masterful Web Entrepreneurs Hit a Snag in Miamiâs Condo Market

Silicon Valley stars Jim Clark and Tom Jermoluk are finding it a lot harder to maneuver through the real estate market than to master the Internet.


Severe weather warnings remain in force for much of the UK, with a second night forecast of gales and heavy rain.


Thai "Condom King" wins Gates health award

A non-profit family-planning group founded by Thailand's "Condom King" has won the $1 million Gates Award for Global Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said on Tuesday.


Perfume Ingredient Could Be Cause Of Airport Shutdown

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Fort Wayne International Airport remains closed early Wednesday afternoon after a substance spilled from a bag being unloaded from a plane, causing at least one airport worker to report feeling ill.


Strong sales of digital cameras and business machines helped lift fourth-quarter profits at Japanese electronics company Canon.


Marine biologist Dr Rosemary Gales inspects a dead dolphin 29 November 2004 on King Island in Bass Strait off Australia's south coast where 80 whales and dolphins died after stranding themselves.


A group of 38 California medical marijuana patients have filed legal motions asking the federal government to give them back their pot worth nearly a million dollars.


Nel quadro di una comune accettazione di valori democratici


Project managers are among those whose skills will be in high demand this year.


Deutsche Boerse to buy 5 percent stake in Mumbai stock exchange

Deutsche Boerse, operator of the Frankfurt stock exchange, has said it had agreed to buy five percent of the Mumbai stock exchange for 42.7 million dollars (32.8 million euros).


Four weeks after killer waves destroyed communities around the Indian Ocean, a lone tsunami survivor was rescued from a remote island, a rare moment of hope among countless tales of grief and loss.


The seventh and final Harry Potter book became the fastest-selling work in British history by shifting over two and a half million copies during its first 24 hours on sale, the publisher said Monday.


British Grand Prix Could Remain on FIA Schedule

The British Grand Prix could be on next year's schedule even though a financial dispute with Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone threatens to derail the race.


But get ready, kayakers: Barry Bonds will get the chance to hit another historic home run at home. The San Francisco left fielder remained one shot shy of joining Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron


An Army officer has finished his investigation into allegations of detainee abuse at Guantanamo Bay and submitted the report to superiors, according to a military spokesman.


An explosion at a southwest Houston chemical plant was felt as far as 15 miles away on Friday night, witnesses told Reuters.


Insurgents staged nearly simultaneous attacks Friday morning at opposite ends of Baghdad, killing 30 people, freeing dozens of prisoners and emptying a police arsenal in


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

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


'Obese Women Face Increased Breast Cancer Risk'

Obese women with breast cancer are more likely to die from the disease than those of a normal weight, researchers said today. US researchers looked at information


Yahoo mobile services to run on Google-based phones

Yahoo Inc will create versions of its  mobile Internet services to run on various phone platforms,  potentially including Google's phone software and the Apple  iPhone, a top executive said on Monday.


A law comes into force in India changing the name of the federal territory of Pondicherry to Puducherry.


Congo displaced recruited to fight: U.N. refugee head

GOMA, Congo  - Armed groups in eastern Congo are recruiting fighters in camps for those displaced by violence, the U.N. refugee chief said on Sunday, as diplomats tried to revive a peace plan that has failed to halt fighting.


Roma, 11:39 - CALCIO, SERIE B: GLI ARBITRI DELLA 25/A GIORNATA

Queste le terne arbitrali (piÃ¹ quarto uomo) designate a dirigere le gare della 4/a giornata di ritor...


The US economy added a better-than-expected 132,000 jobs last month, official figures show.


UPDATE 1-Open-Serena surprised to be crowd favourite

Former champion Serena Williams hammered Patty Schnyder 6-4 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday and then said she was surprised to have the crowd on her side.


Paris Hilton begins jail term a day early

From the camera flashes on the red carpet of a Hollywood awards show to the walls of a jail cell -- what a difference a day makes when you're Paris Hilton.


Injured captain plucked off storm-lashed ship off Ireland

The injured captain of a storm-lashed ship loaded with fresh fruit from Latin America was airlifted ashore to Britain on Saturday after winter gales caused chaos at sea.


Freed Italian Hostage Says Iraq Rebels 'Justified'

An Italian aid worker held hostage last month in Iraq said guerrillas there were right to fight U.S.-led forces and their Iraqi "puppet government." In comments that were bound to annoy Prime Minister Silvio ...


Transsexual pioneer Renee Richards regrets fame

As Renee Richards, the world's most famous transsexual athlete, looks back on her life, she has one regret -- the fame she attained.


Tiny, take-apart handset enters the record books

Not so much a phone, more a USB key? Israeli manufacturer Modu Mobile has officially created the worldâs lightest handset, with recognition from Guinness World Records. Its eponymous handset also comes apart to allow complete customisation.â¦


Qatar Buying Credit Suisse Shares on Open Market

Qatar is buying shares in Credit Suisse and plans to spend as much as $15 billion on European and American bank stocks over the next year.


The Government today announced the membership of the new Irish Film Board. Among those appointed to the body are Kirsten Sheridan, a writer and film-maker and the daughter of the Oscar-winning Irish director ...


Community News: Fired from Friendster for Blogging

In a seeming sad state of affairs, there has been an announcement from Joyce Park (formerly of Friendster) of her termination from said company - The reason given was blogging.


Symfony Project: Online doc interface improved

The symfony team have made it even easier to access all of the goodies inside their online version of their "The Definitive Guide to symfony" book (buy it). They've added keyword navigation to the right-hand side of the page to make searching simple.   Many impatient symfony users complained that the online version of the book missed the keywords sidebar. We didn't have time to rewrite it for the launch of the online book, but now it is repaired. Google is currently rebuilding its index of our website, so the search box in this sidebar will soon give relevant results again.   They've also created a less graphic version to make things even faster. Other "translation initiatives" have also started up to get the book put into Chinese, French, and Spanish.


An MP launches a campaign to allow disabled children under three to qualify for mobility allowance.


FDA to inspect ID Biomedical plant in bid to import surplus flu ...

TORONTO (CP) - Officials of the US Food and Drug Administration will inspect the Ste-Foy, Que., flu vaccine production plant of ID Biomedical next week in a bid to approve the company's surplus vaccine for importation to the United States.


Roma, 19:59 - CALCIO, CAPELLO: ORGOGLIO E VOLONTA', RONALDO DEVE FARCELA

E' un Fabio Capello dispiaciuto quello che ai microfoni di Sky Sport parla dell'infortunio di Ronald...


The head of the largest U.S.  pension fund faces ouster this week after spearheading a  controversial corporate reform campaign that drew the $177  billion pension into pitched political and boardroom battles,  two board members said.


A play dropped after violent protests from members of the Sikh community could be held at another theatre.


Hewlett-Packard said Friday that it would start selling its version of the iPod digital music player next month and would unveil flat-panel televisions, media-enhanced computers and photo printers.


Cuba reports formal ties with all of Europe re-established after deep freeze

HAVANA  - Cuba said Monday it was resuming formal ties with all of Europe, ending a deep freeze in relations following a 2003 crackdown on dissidents and the firing-squad executions of three men who tried to hijack a ferry.


NEW YORK  -This week could mark the end of the  bull market for Wall Street, with U.S. stocks likely to join a  global equity market plunge triggered by fears of a U.S.  recession.


Clinton to Return $850,000 in Donations Tied to Hsu

Bloomberg - Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton plans to return $850,000 in donations collected by Norman Hsu, a fund-raiser arrested last week on charges of fleeing to avoid sentencing in a 1991 fraud case in California.


Need Ice? Cereal? The Bush Brothers Are on the Way!

From a distance, they looked like two well-dressed, middle-aged store clerks in a supermarket parking lot, helping a line of weary motorists load their cars and get on their way.


Smoking ups risk with radiation for breast cancer

NEW YORK  - Cigarette smoking dramatically increases the risk that a woman who has undergone radiation treatment for breast cancer will develop lung cancer later on, a new study shows.


Doctors successfully separated 4-year-old twin sisters born fused at the midsection, with just one kidney and one set of legs, and were continuing with reconstruction surgery early Tuesday.


Editor's note: The following column might be unsuitable for immature readers. It has been written with a five-sentence delay to prevent any embarrassing paragraph malfunctions.


Orion launches desktop cluster workstations

Orion Multisystems, a start-up company based in Santa Clara, California, announced personal computers for researchers, scientists, and engineers yesterday.


After a stroke, the brain tries to reorganize itself.  However, sometimes this process goes awry, leaving one woman to feel sounds on her skin.


Results for 2006 lower than anticipated Irish ICT group Calyx warned its results for 2006 would be lower than anticipated, and announced it was to buy British firm Mentec.â¦


Pope John Paul, reflecting Vatican disappointment that Italy's nominee had to step down from the EU executive because of his religious beliefs, has repeated his call for Europe to remember its Christian roots.


Suicide Car Bomb in Iraq's Kirkuk Kills 17 - Police

A suicide car bomber detonated his vehicle near a police academy in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Saturday, killing at least 17 people and wounding 32, police said.


Federer faces tough challenge in shape of Safin

Champion Roger Federer is back on Centre Court on Friday facing his toughest challenge yet in the shape of Marat Safin in the Wimbledon third round as he attempts to win a fifth successive title.


La 50/ma del 'Due mondi' inaugurata dalla 'Maria Golovin'


Come the playoffs, Packers had better find a defense

MINNEAPOLIS - It was Christmas Eve at the Metrodome, but those weren't visions of sugar plums dancing in the heads of the Green Bay Packers at halftime.


Report: Saddam Not in Pursuit of Weapons

WASHINGTON - Undercutting the Bush's administration's rationale for invading Iraq, the final report of the chief U.S. arms inspector concludes that Saddam Hussein did not vigorously pursue a program to develop weapons of mass destruction when international inspectors left Baghdad in 1998, an administration official said Wednesday...


New Zealand fullback Mils Muliaina today warned his All Blacks team-mates that they must stay tight and structured in Saturday's clash with Wales.


Newest Firefox 3.0 Preview Sets Stage for Beta

The last planned alpha update to Firefox 3.0 is released.


Singapore Airlines to outsource IT work, 130 staff laid off

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it will lay off 130 staff from its information technology (IT) division in the second round of outsourcing reforms announced by the national carrier in less than a week.


The secretive snow leopard is fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) collar to track its movements.


For Unemployed, Wait for New Work Grows Longer

About 3.6 million American workers ran out of unemployment insurance benefits last year, the most in at least three decades.


Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb, a heart surgeon whose work was the focus of a four-part television series and who successfully implanted a life-saving miniature heart pump in a child, was found dead Sunday of a suicide. He was 45.


In an exclusive interview, the Iranian President  -  and Person of the Year candidate  -  discusses his conference questioning the Holocaust, his letter to the American people and the state of his nuclear plans


Trojan row A piece of software which allows a user to track another person's mobile phone use would be almost impossible to use in the UK without breaking the law, according to a surveillance law expert.â¦


Tulsa, OK (Sports Network) - Tulsa head basketball coach John Phillips announced his resignation Saturday. Phillips, however, will remain with the school after accepting an extended offer as assistant athletics director.


When Kerry talks about the US situation in Iraq now, his major difference with Bush is that he maintains he would do better at winning the support and participation of the international community.


Toll Tops 175,000 as Sri Lanka Adds Thousands

GALLE, Sri Lanka  - Sri Lanka's tsunami death toll  shot up on Monday as officials said the more they cleared up,  the more bodies they found.


A documentary and a fiction film about Joy Division return a mythic hero to life size.


Nov. 1, 1859: A Welcome Sight for Those in Peril Upon the Sea

The lighthouse at Cape Lookout, North Carolina, casts its first beam out to sea.


ominant in Corsica, Markko Martin confirmed the Ford Focus' dominance on asphalt. The Estonian wins the 40th edition of the Rally Catalunya, followed by Marcus Gronholm in second place and Carlos Sainz in third position.


Shares in Volkswagen rise by 3% after the German car giant raises its earnings outlook for 2008.


Bank of America to buy struggling Countrywide

Bank of America Corp said on Friday it agreed to acquire Countrywide Financial Corp, the largest U.S. mortgage lender, in a $4 billion transaction that could help avert one of the biggest collapses in the U.S. housing crisis.


Lung cancer appears to run in families, researchers said on Tuesday, though exposure to tobacco smoke is still the dominant cause of the disease even for those who may be genetically predisposed.


Moves are made to end the confusion about Tory Party pledges to reinstate Army regiments scrapped in Scotland.


Straw says 159 Britons missing, many of them likely dead

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that 159 British nationals were missing following the tsunami disaster and many of them were "highly likely" to have died.


Security researchers can now get cash rewards for the loopholes they discover in popular programs.


After a skeptical greeting, Google shares climb

NEW YORK Wall Street, which forced Google, the Internet search engine, to sharply lower the price of its shares in its initial public offering in August, has now decided that the company is worth a lot more today than it was then.


Hong Kong leaders have offered the most comprehensive plan to bring meaningful democracy to Chinese soil in half a century. Critics say it's a needlessly complex jumble.


Siena, 15:14 - CALCIO, SIENA: AUMENTO CAPITALE PER COPRIRE PERDITE

Il Siena calcio comunica in una nota ufficiale che "Stamani l'assemblea straordinaria del club ha de...


CBS Is Reaching for a New Hit, but the Early Numbers Fall Short

In an effort to counter a string of bad news, CBSâs chief executive delivered a strong message to his programming troops last spring: find us another hit, fast.


Former Cleveland Browns head coach Butch Davis, who has been considered the No. 1 candidate to become LSU's new football coach, said Monday he will not be coaching in 2005.


Iran Nuclear Freeze Only Temporary, Cleric says

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told worshippers during prayers Friday, Iran could resume enriching uranium within six months.


The French government and Muslim community in France requested the release of two French journalists being held hostage in Iraq. Al-Jazeera TV broadcast video of the hostages and disclosed the names of the


Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.67 percent at the opening on Monday after crude oil dropped back from record highs above $49 a barrel, encouraging some investors to return to the Tokyo stock market in search of bargains.


Apple said Monday that it had reached an agreement with The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., which settles any trademark issues between the two companies. It is not immediately clear, however, if the settlement includes putting the band's music on iTunes.