(InfoWorld) - When Sandy Scarce began selling apparel on eBay three years ago, she planned to use the company's marketplace as her only sales channel, but today, deeply discouraged, she is moving away from it. Upset at what she perceives as misdirected policies and clunky services from eBay, Scarce opened up her own online storeÂ this week. She's also moving inventory to a rival marketplace from Amazon.com, whose operation and sales climate she finds superior. "I'm transitioning away from eBay," said Scarce, ranked as an eBay Silver PowerSeller, which means her Sandy's Closet eBay store generates between $3,000 and $9,999 in average monthly sales and provides a high level of service. Among her chief complaints is an effort announced by eBay in July of last year to prioritize its core auction listings over its stores' inventory, which she said has hurt her sales. "If you're not an eBay auction seller, eBay doesn't want you on their site. eBay has disadvantaged store owners over the last year to drive them away," Scarce said. To boost traditional listings, eBay began marketing them more aggressively, increased their exposure on the eBay Express specialty site, and raised store listing fees. "As an eBay store owner, this hasn't been a good development for me," Scarce said. "They're hiding store owners and their merchandise, making it harder for buyers to find them." She is also disappointed with the tools and applications eBay provides to sellers, many of which she considers clunky, and with the performance of the site, which she finds has deteriorated in terms of response times and availability. Scarce is not alone. On Thursday, as eBay kicked off its annual eBay Live conference for merchants in Boston, the Professional eBay Sellers Alliance (PESA) posted a scathing paper on its Web site, blasting eBay for what the group considers a significant deterioration of the marketplace. "The eBay marketplace has continued to degrade, and the current state is unhealthy," reads the paper. In the document, PESA, which includes many large eBay merchants, says the buyer experience on eBay leaves a lot to be desired and blames eBay for failing to address this issue and make the necessary investments to fix the problems. PESA is concerned that the eBay marketplace will fall into "a permanent decline." PESA considers as major problems eBay's search functionality, which it rates as subpar, and a lack of incentives for merchants that provide superior service. PESA also faults eBay for failing to fully leverage for the marketplace companies it has acquired, such as Skype and Shopping.com. In eBay's defense, eBay spokesman Hani Durzy said the company is in the midst of a "multiquarter" effort to improve the buyer experience on the marketplace. For example, eBay is actively laboring to improve its search capabilities with an effort it calls Finding 2.0. Some of those enhancements are already being tested with small groups of buyers and will be rolled out to all users progressively this year, he said. With Finding 2.0, eBay wants to improve the relevance of search results without sacrificing what Durzy calls "serendipity," which eBay considers a key ingredient of the eBay experience: Stumbling upon a product that happily surprises you. Another part of the buyer experience improvement effort is the continued reduction of fraud on the marketplace, in order to increase trust and safety. "We've always been good at this," he said. But as online crime becomes more sophisticated, eBay is stepping up its efforts, becoming more proactive in areas like detection of counterfeit products, he said. Regarding the gripes of store owners like Scarce, Durzy said that eBay in no way wants to get rid of those merchants. Instead, it just wants to "reignite" eBay's core auction activity, he said. Back in July, eBay officials explained that store listings take longer to sell and are more costly for eBay to host compared with traditional listings. Thus the reasoning behind the measures it has implemented to better balance auction and store listings. Still, the strategy makes little sense for those high-volume merchants that are distancing themselves from eBay. Designer Athletic generated about 80 percent of its sales from its eBay store a year ago, and today that is heading toward 50 percent, said George Trantas, president of the footwear and apparel vendor. "Our goal is to grow our off-eBay business," Trantas said. "eBay conversions aren't as great as they have been in the past." In addition to selling on eBay, where it is a PowerSeller, the company sells from its own Web site and from the Amazon Marketplace and others like it. Like Scarce, Trantas has found that the traditional eBay buyer requires a lot more customer service attention before a sale is closed when compared with sellers on the Amazon Marketplace and other venues. That adds to the cost of doing business on eBay, he said. Both Trantas and Scarce attribute the difference in buyers to the fact that customers generally feel safer on Amazon than on eBay, so they require less assurances from the seller. Adding to merchant concerns is the decision by eBay this week toÂ turn off all of its paid search ads on Google's U.S. ad network. One of the worried ones is Jonathan Garriss, PESA's executive director and CEO of Gotham City Online, an apparel store on eBay that also has its own site. "This is very concerning for me as a seller that eBay is willing to shut off a lot of traffic to its sellers and listings. This doesn't necessarily hurt eBay, which still collects its fees, but rather the merchants on its site," Garriss said, adding that eBay should reinstate these ads immediately. A source told IDG News Service on Wednesday that the decision was made to punish Google for planning to throw aÂ now-canceled party in BostonÂ for eBay Live attendees that want eBay to allow them to offer the Google Checkout online payment system to their buyers. Durzy said that the ad pullout remains in place as of Thursday afternoon. "I very much hope they work it out. Google and eBay have a lot to offer each other," said David Yaskulka, vice president of product marketing at Kompolt, an online auction agency. eBay says Google Checkout is too new, while Google says eBay is just trying to protect its own PayPal online payments system. Garriss, who is evaluating Checkout for his own site, believes eBay should reconsider its position. "Google has proven there's room for improvement on the online payment side, and if another option makes shoppers more comfortable, as a merchant, I'd like to add that option," Garriss said. Scarce, meanwhile, decided to stay home and not attend eBay Live. Today, her eBay inventory is down to half of what it was a year ago. After only six months, Amazon Marketplace already generates 25 percent of her sales. She'll maintain a minimal presence on eBay to drive traffic to her own store. "I see no reason to go to eBay Live. The events of this past year have made it painfully obvious that eBay isn't interested in what I do."


The popular social networking juggernaut hopes to take Japan by storm, but it must contend with 'Mixi,' its 8-million-strong Japanese counterpart. By the Associated Press.


Second terrorist cell poised for attack: Keelty

Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty says a second group of suicide bombers are believed to be at large in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and may be poised to carry out another terrorist attack.


Phil Mickelson was left to carry the can for the abject failure of the Americans' so-called dream team, but the bigger problem for the US Ryder Cup side is the one who looked as if he had been hard done by, Tiger Woods.


SHIPKA, BulgariaA Bulgarian archaeologist has unearthed a 2,400-year-old golden mask in the tomb of an ancient Thracian king  a find he says is unrivalled in the study of classical antiquity.


Bush ends peace mission with visit to biblical sites

MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, Israel  - Sending a symbolic message to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, U.S. President George W. Bush visited on Friday the site where Jesus is believed to have intoned "blessed are the peacemakers".


Men's Basketball: Top of A.P. Poll Holds Steady

Dayton was impressive with its road win over Louisville. The Flyers went a lot further with their 25-point rout of previously unbeaten Pittsburgh last weekend, a victory that moved them into The Associated Press' Top 25 for the first time in four years.


Nello stesso giorno il ministro Amato riferira' alla Camera


Following last night's game against the Knicks, Doc Rivers asked his players, "At 7:15, would you have taken a 7-point win?" The answer was a resounding, "Yes."


Italy's Prodi gets unions, cabinet behind pension reform

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi's fractious coalition Friday accepted a pension reform package that will gradually raise the retirement age to 60 by 2011.


As the php|architect site mentions, the latest issue of the php|architect magazine has been released - the June 2007 edition.   Highlights from the issue include:   An introduction to r3  Apache Error Documents with PHP  Printing from PHP    And, of course, the two usual columns - Security Corner (Stefan Esser) and Test Pattern (Jeff Moore). You can order this issue as a stand-alone issue or save even more on it and subscribe today to a full year and save 15% off buying each issue alone.


Twins would be better off with best-of-one

If every postseason game were an opener, the Metrodome would be filled with World Series banners. Eight times in a row, Minnesota has won the first game of a playoff.


In mattinata presidente Usa ha incontrato Abu Mazen


Pragmatic yes, but HK identity still in flux 10 years on

For the Ngais, a regular Hong Kong middle-class couple married two years ago, the coming 10th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule on July 1 means precious little.


A badger cull is proposed as part of the fight against bovine TB, but animal groups are opposing the move.


A new wave of violence is sweeping through Somalia. Find out why peace remains an elusive dream for the shattered country.


Cat Stevens Calls U.S. Deportation 'Ridiculous'

Muslim convert and former pop star Cat Stevens returned to Britain on Thursday after his deportation from the United States over "potential" terrorism links sparked an Anglo-American diplomatic row.


Oracle Corp.  will cut 5,000 jobs as it combines with PeopleSoft Inc., the business software rival it acquired for $10.3 billion after a bitterly fought takeover battle, the company said on Friday.


(HealthDayNews) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of CenterWatch:


German business confidence slips again in February

Business confidence in Germany slipped again in February, receding further from a 16-year high point in December, as companies become less optimistic about their situation and the outlook for the next six months, a survey showed on Friday.


CAIRO, Egypt -- Egyptian authorities said Wednesday that a mummy found a century ago has been identified as the remains of pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled over Egypt during the 15th century B.C.Hatshepsut was known for dressing like a man and wearing a false beard.


The "Tonight Show" helm will pass from the man with the chin to the redhead, but not until 2009. NBC announced Monday that Conan O'Brien, onetime "Simpsons" writer and host of "Late


Twenty-nine patients who took AstraZeneca Plc's AZN.L AZN.N anti-cholesterol drug Crestor have developed kidney damage, a US consumer group said on Friday as it called again for a ban on the medicine.


Just a week after the launch of Apple's much hyped gadget, Web developers gather for iPhoneDevCamp and in a weekend come up with 50 new iPhone apps.


Dutch cyclists union ENFB has  launched the first door-to-door route finder for bicycles,  which is the result of a large volunteer project inspired by  the collaborative Internet project Wikipedia.


Brown welcomes end of Pakistan emergency rule

Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed the lifting of Pakistan's state of emergency as a "significant step" Saturday.


Four sons of reggae superstar Bob Marley will hold a concert promoting peace to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the musician's birth, a family spokesman said Tuesday.


Research and development costs drag down the drug developer's bottom line.


November same-store sales growth was sharply below target, Wal-Mart Stores said Saturday. Free! Sign up here to receive our Before the Bell e-Newsletter!


Did Blockbuster, Facebook Break Privacy Law With Beacon?

Was a 1988 law broken when movie choices that Facebook members made on the Blockbuster's Web site were made available to other Facebook members?


President Vladimir Putin has signed Russiaâs ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, formally joining the international environmental pact aiming to limit industrial emissions and thus curb climate change.


Pope Better, Hopes to Make Sunday Address -- Vatican

Pope John Paul's health is improving and he hopes to be strong enough to make his weekly address as usual on Sunday, the Vatican's chief spokesman said on Friday.


Farrington takes honors at Fidelity's Jumper Classic

Before a standing-room-only crowd estimated at over 9,000, Kent Farrington won the crown jewel of the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, the $75,000 Grand Prix, on the equestrian field in south Hamilton on Sunday.


ISLAMABAD: Pakistani soldiers were fanning out across mountains near the Afghan border on Friday in search of Al Qaeda-linked militant chief Abdullah Mehsud, after commandos killed five of his men who had been holding two Chinese engineers hostage, AP


Mobile service provider Cingular  Wireless, which is buying AT&T Wireless Services  Inc. AWE.N,  said on Wednesday its third-quarter operating profit fell as  its costs rose.


Rice meets Abbas to discuss Palestinian unity deal

RAMALLAH, West Bank  - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought explanations on Sunday from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about a unity government that Israel said it had agreed with Washington to shun.


The sign at Busch Stadium pleaded: "Will the real Cardinals report and play?" The answer in Game 4, just as in the first three games, was emphatic: No!


RAZR phones fail to slice into new markets Motorola has announced another round of layoffs - 4,000 to add to the 3,500 jobs it slashed in January.â¦


Holyfield Suspended Over Health Concerns

Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was placed on indefinite medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission Tuesday and could be forced into retirement if he fails a fitness test.


Flamboyant leader's chess gambit puts Kalmykia on map

ELISTA, Russia -- Life is not all smooth sailing for Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the flamboyant leader of the remote Russian republic of Kalmykia.


A study shows 79 percent of federal agencies are violating a Freedom of Information Act amendment requiring they post records online and help citizens request info via the internet. In 27B Stroke 6.


New York and 4 Other Cities Submit Bids for 2012 Games

New York and four European capitals submitted their final bids to be host of the 2012 Summer Olympics by yesterday's deadline, the International Olympic Committee announced.


Garcia helps Eagles past Panthers into playoff race

Backup quarterback Jeff Garcia  orchestrated a late scoring drive to lead the Philadelphia  Eagles to a 27-24 win over the Carolina Panthers that moved  them back into post-season contention on Monday.


A judge in the Paris suburb of Bobigny is charging two police officers in connection with the 2005 electrocutions of two teens whose deaths provoked three weeks of rioting throughout France, judicial officials said Thursday.


Dodgers score five runs in ninth for crucial victory

LOS ANGELES -- Milton Bradley snapped. Then, aided by the horrendous Colorado Rockiesâ bullpen, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off perhaps their most improbable victory of the season.


Venus backs sister tennis act to keep on running

Venus Williams believes her fourth Wimbledon title could herald the start of a new period of dominance for herself and her sister Serena in women's tennis.


Quiet US bid to talk to Iraqi insurgents

One Iraqi official says American representatives have met with some militants.


Electronic Arts Posts Loss, Citing a Revamp

The video game maker largely met Wall Streetâs forecasts, despite posting a quarterly loss because of reorganization charges and deferred revenue.


Taking folic acid may help keep blood pressure low, researchers in the US believe.


Police in seven European countries have broken up a network that carried out more than 200 carefully choreographed armed robberies of jewelry stores, and channeled $53 million in loot into drugs and real estate, Europol said Wednesday.


Constellation Brands Inc., down $3.40 at $20.06. The beer, wine and spirits seller warned its 2008 revenue and profit will decline due to pricing pressure caused by a weak U.K. retail environment and an oversupply of Australian wine.   Citigroup Inc., up 78 cents at $51.15.


HAVANA Despite tighter American restrictions on Cuba, Havana has signed more deals to buy US cattle and wheat. It happened at a major international trade fair in Havana, where American businesses played a major role.


For Sox, decisions rest mostly with pitchers

And now for a preview of Red Sox spring training, Non-Daisuke Division: If your idea of spring training is all-out competition for jobs, then this camp is not for you. Outside of a spot or two in the bullpen, manager Terry Francona's roster is all but set, even before pitchers and catchers report Friday, and position players four days later.


Per ministro Bonino serve razionalizzazione dell'intera rete


Report: Army Doctors Involved in Abu Ghraib Abuse

U.S. military doctors working in  Iraq collaborated with interrogators in the abuse of prisoners  at Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, an article in the British  medical journal The Lancet said on Friday.


The D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission wants a "signature" ballpark and not one that mimics the "retro" trend ushered in by Baltimore's Oriole Park.


Governor signs Florida greenhouse gas targets

The Republican governors of California and Florida gave the Bush administration the cold shoulder on Friday as Florida set new limits on greenhouse gas emissions and signed cooperation pacts on climate change with Germany and Britain.


Security concerns put MSN Messenger beta on hold

Microsoft has suspended the beta testing of the next version of its MSN Messenger client because of a potential security problem, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.


Embattled Hungary PM survives confidence vote in parliament

Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has won a parliamentary vote of confidence, which he had called to gauge his mandate for continuing unpopular austerity measures after his party was drubbed in local elections at the weekend.


SCO Group files for bankruptcy protection

A month after a devastating legal ruling, The SCO Group says it's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while it reorganizes.


Election Day in Chechnya brings fear, empty streets

Elections for a new president of Chechnya unfolded in ghostly emptiness here yesterday as many residents fled the city or stayed indoors to avoid potential


'Caged kids' case parents want kids back

A couple facing a two-year prison sentence for forcing some of their 11 adopted special-needs children to sleep in cages hope to get the children back.


Balance the key for KP, says England coach

England coach Peter Moores believes a balanced lifestyle, on and off the field, will help prolong Kevin Pietersen's international career.


Firenze, 13:31 - CALCIO, ARBITRI; TEDESCHI: A NOI SCUDETTO CREDIBILITA'

Il designatore arbitrale, Stefano Tedeschi, intervenendo alla presentazione dei fischietti di A e B,...


City combats algae outbreak at reservoir

A city in northeastern China has been forced to take emergency measures to deal with an outbreak of blue-green algae in a reservoir that provides water to the city, state media reported Monday.


Health ; Flu pandemic inevitable, plans needed urgently: WHO

Health News, Every country in the world must come up urgently with a plan to deal with an inevitable influenza pandemic likely to be triggered by the bird flu virus that hit Asia this year, a top global health expert said on Friday.


Toronto Dominion Bank (TD.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) , Canada's second-biggest by assets, said on Thursday it would acquire a majority stake of US-based Banknorth Group Inc.


MICRON Technology, the worldâs number two maker of computer memory chips, is planning to build its first plant in China by 2005.


Court upholds NY law for airline passengers

A federal judge dismissed an airline industry lawsuit that sought to block a state law, which would ensure basic services are provided to delayed passengers, the New York State attorney general said on Thursday.


In Northern Italy, the Agony of Aging Not So Gracefully

Genoa, Italy, provides a vision of EuropeÂs aging future, displaying the challenges that face a society with more old than young.


Eritrea dismisses an Ethiopian accusation that it is breaching a peace accord that ended a two-year war.


Police Shoot Carjacking Suspect at Casino

Police shot and critically wounded a carjacking suspect who ran into a crowded casino early Friday and took two patrons hostage.


The name Pulitzer Inc., synomous with the nation's rich newspaper history, is considering selling its successful newspaper chain.


Buy the same stocks the best fund managers buy.


Mariah Carey snubbed at another awards show

Pop diva Mariah Carey, whose commercial success has not translated into awards show acclaim, was snubbed at the American Music Awards on Tuesday, despite scoring three nominations.


Wenger's foreign legion inflict St Valentine's Day massacre on Palace

Arsenal celebrated fielding their first ever all-foreign squad by thrashing relegation-threatened Crystal Palace 5-1.


The 67-year-old retired print technician doesn't make enough in Social Security to cover prescription drugs for his stomach ulcer and his wife, Delores' bone density problems.


Swedish DJ Eric Prydz goes straight to number one in the UK chart with dance track Call on Me.


Inferiore a previsioni analisti che si aspettavano 63,5 mld


Lenton leads Australia fightback at world short course meet

INDIANAPOLIS: Australia, led by Lisbeth Lenton, mounted a fightback against arch rivals the United States by claiming three gold medals and a relay world record at the world short course championships on Saturday.


Serious gamblers demonstrate a similar pattern of brain activity to people addicted to drugs, a study suggests.


Labour sends out ballot papers to the 3.4 million party and union members choosing its next deputy leader.


US warplanes have conducted a "successful precision strike" on a reported terrorist meeting site in Falluja, west of Baghdad, according to the military.


Osaka, 15:13 - ATLETICA, MONDIALI: WARINER ORO NEI 400 METRI

Ai Mondiali di atletica in corso di svolgimento a Osaka, lo statunitense Jeremy Wariner ha vinto la ...


The FDA, which has been under criticism for its lengthy approval process, this week approved two new drugs for multiple sclerosis and cancer treatment.


La procura vuole sentire oltre duecento persone che erano a conoscenza dell'episodioIntimidazioni contro la famiglia della ragazzina che ha denunciato gli abusi ripresi con un cellulare                                            Ancona, tra minacce e reticenze si allarga l'inchiesta sulla minore stuprata


Now wait just a minute: Series still must be won

Let's get one thing straight: the Curse of the Bambino has not been lifted. The job is not yet done.


BNP Paribas sees Q4 profit dip, SG bid talk swirls

BNP Paribas , France's biggest  listed bank, said on Wednesday it expected fourth quarter  profits to be lower than a year earlier as rumors swirled that  it may pounce on weakened rival Societe Generale .


ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- After winning three straight National League Championship Series games at Minute Maid Park, the Houston Astros will attempt to advance to the World Series for the first time in their 43-year history when they battle the St.


The Prince of Wales tonight commemorated the 60th anniversary of the...

The Prince of Wales tonight commemorated the 60th anniversary of the epic Battle of Arnhem by calling on the young of today to never forget the sacrifices made by those who died.


Barrichello captures pole for Italian GP

Rubens Barrichello gave Ferrari fans the pole position they were expecting from Michael Schumacher on Saturday, claiming the No. 1 starting spot for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.


Arnaldo Otegi, leader of the banned Basque separatist party Batasuna, is arrested by Spanish police.


The Nikkei average fell for a third  straight session to hit a two-week closing low on Friday as  renewed earnings concerns prompted selling in Sony Corp. and  its rivals.


SAP plays tease over mid-market Salesforce 'killer'

It's different, but better. Oh yes... SAP has doled out a handful of details on A1S, its eagerly anticipated mid-market on-demand suite, while promising to be better than Salesforce.com.â¦


In an unexpected policy reversal, AT&T said yesterday that it supports a proposal to require some cellular airwaves to be available to all wireless devices.


UN Allows Ivory Coast to Repair Crippled Airforce

Ivory Coast has been authorized to  repair its fleet of crippled military aircraft in a  conciliatory gesture by U.N. and French forces after the army  pledged not to use its warplanes to resume hostilities.


US Sees No Immediate Push for Sanctions on Iran

The Bush administration does not plan to seek immediate sanctions against Tehran even if it succeeds in getting Iran's nuclear program referred


President Bush pledged Wednesday to work with Congress to reduce the government's huge budget deficit as a key step in assuring the world that his administration supports a strong dollar.


Henin survives scare to reach Antwerp final

ANTWERP, Belgium  - World number one Justine Henin recovered from an early scare to beat qualifier Timea Bacsinszky 2-6 6-3 6-3 on Saturday and reach the final of the Antwerp Diamond Games.


SitePoint PHP Blog: Which reference sites do you trust?

The SitePoint PHP blog has a post that asks developers "Which reference sites do you trust?"   While completing the tech edit on the 2nd edition of the PHP Anthology the issue of linking came up; specifically, linking to authoritative reference material on the web. [...] The issue isn't simple one. Regarding PHP, the php.net manual is the authoritative reference site. The various web technology standards are also represented by authority web sites.   So what does he thing makes for a good, trustworthy resource? He includes criteria divided up into three sections - readability, accuracy & trustworthiness and longevity.


Annan prods Israel to lift Lebanon siege

DEAD SEA, Jordan  - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi   Annan on Thursday renewed his calls for Israel to lift its   blockade of Lebanon swiftly and to withdraw fully from the   country as soon as 5,000 U.N. peacekeepers are in the south.


Gunfire but no assault seen yet at Pakistan mosque

Security forces fired tear gas and traded gunfire with Islamist militants in a Pakistani mosque compound on Monday, but there was no sign of an imminent assault a day after the government gave "a final warning" to surrender.


Cancer? Suicide? Politics? That's Hilarious!

As much as ever, George Carlin builds his humor around the taboo Â his current routine includes long riffs on cancer, natural disasters and teenage suicide and yet somehow manages to get laughs.


presidente croato contesta il giudizio di inappropriatezza


Hostage crisis in Iraq: France not to revoke head scarf law

France will not revoke a law banning Islamic head scarves in public schools despite demands by an Iraqi group holding two French journalists hostage, the government spokesman said Monday.


U.S. retailers holiday sales up 3.6 percent

U.S. specialty apparel retailers saw sales rise 3.6 percent in holiday shopping, at the lower-end of expectations, according to data released on Tuesday by SpendingPulse.


Stocks seen flat on Goldman results, Syria news

Stock futures pointed to a flat market   open on Tuesday as investors grew optimistic about the   financial sector following unexpectedly good results from   Goldman Sachs Group Inc. GS.N and despite worries about an   attack on the U.S. embassy in Syria and a record trade gap.


Whites Faced Election Bias In Mississippi, Judge Rules

JACKSON, Miss., June 29 -- The head of a Mississippi Democratic Party organization illegally suppressed white residents' votes, a federal judge ruled Friday in the first case filed by the Justice Department alleging that whites were subjected to voting discrimination based on their race.


Bush Makes Not-So-Good Headlines in Europe

The re-election of President Bush dominated British newspapers Thursday, and many cast impartiality aside in reporting the result.


Taking the hormonal contraceptive causes a loss in sexual desire in one in six women, scientists said. Four weeks after abandoning the Pill, women who had complained of a lack of desire found their appetite for sex returned.


"The Riches" a delightfully roguish family drama

Traveling with the  Riches is fun, but the real party starts when they settle down.


December 17 2004 1730CET An agreement was reached between the EU and Turkey on basic principles necessary for Turkey to start negotiations to become an EU member.


An Algerian man is sentenced to life in jail for helping to fund the deadly 1995 Paris Metro bomb attacks.


While politicians decry negative advertising and personal attacks, the bottom line is that such tactics often work.


HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Jimmie Johnson peels away the hype and explains what today's season-ending NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will mean for one of the five championship contenders.


Nei confronti di Mikahil Kasyanov la Procura generaleha ipotizzato "casi di falsificazione negli elenchi delle firme"                                          Presidenziali russe, indagato il candidato dell'opposizione


British police offer 20,000-pound reward to stop female circumcision

London's Metropolitan Police announced on Wednesday that they were offering a 20,000-pound (29,500-euro, 40,500-dollar) reward for information that brought anyone carrying out female circumcision in London to justice.


Gasoline and milk aren't the only things that cost more these days. The cost of keeping your antivirus software current has been rising, also.


Record oil prices helped Chevron offset losses at its refining unit and a slight fall in energy production last year.


Sharon, now a dear old softy, can only detract from Palestinian ...

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is not known for a kindly disposition toward the Palestinians, nor for a gentle approach to the issue of a Palestinian state.


Strong quake hits  near Indonesia's Aceh

A quake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck off Indonesia's Aceh province on Wednesday, the meteorology and geophysics agency said, but there were no reports of deaths or casualties and no local tsunami warning was issued.


Armstrong Will Decide About Tour De France in April

SILVER SPRING, Md.  - Six-time Tour de Franc  winner Lance Armstrong will decide in late April whether to  take part in the world's leading cycling race this year.


Israeli leader turns to old rivals to save government and enable ...

Fresh from a painful parliamentary defeat, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday he'll turn to his old rivals in the Labour party to save his shattered coalition and get the support he needs to leave the Gaza Strip.


In media 33 euro in piu' al mese per 3,4 milioni pensionati


Harry's done  -  which means the best-selling author in history has some secrets she can finally share


There will be no inquiry into a claim birdwatchers "hounded" a rare starling to death, says the RSPB.


Crude Oil Prices Slip Below $43 a Barrel

Crude oil fell 55 cents to $42.70 per barrel in early trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Inventories grew by 900,000 barrels last week to 293.3 million.


Attackers bombed a convoy carrying Afghan President Hamid Karzai's running mate in northeastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing one person and wounding five on the last day of campaigning before this weekend's landmark election.


KIRKLAND - There were eyebrows raised and questions pondered when the St. Louis Rams took Oregon State running back Steven Jackson with the 24th pick in this year's NFL draft.


And a very happy new year to you too... The economic outlook for the UK is looking as bad as at any time since the dot-com crash of 2001.â¦


Australia studies sending 450 more troops to Afghanistan, as US Vice-President Dick Cheney prepares to visit.


[Sports India, Cricket]: Mumbai, Oct 23 : Sachin Tendulkar is to play in the third cricket Test against Australia in Nagpur commencing Tuesday.


Web social site Facebook hit by privacy protests

Facebook.com, the No. 2 U.S.   social network site that is quickly expanding beyond its   college student base, has been met with a sudden privacy   backlash by users after it made design changes this week.


UK Music Industry to sue 28 persistent file sharers

The BBC has today reported that 28 UK file sharers are to be sued by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The BPI warned in March it would take legal action against users of peer-to-peer music services


Bahraini authorities close a non-governmental human rights watchdog whose director has been detained.


UN heads towards 60th year with big plans, big problems

UNITED NATIONS,  - The United Nations turns 60 in 2005 after a bruising year that has seen the organisation battered and demoralised by a string of scandals that have damaged the UN's image.


A Muslim negotiator involved in trying to free British hostage Ken Bigley is optimistic he will be freed, it is reported.


Chelsea impresses in opening Champions League match, downs PSG 3-0

Chelsea coasted to a 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain thanks to two Didier Drogba goals to open Champions League play in style Tuesday.


Whether you're the classic fantasy football geek who has been memorizing stats since May or the casual player who just tore a rankings list from a brand-new magazine, the first round of the draft has always been the great equalizer.


Microsoft Dismisses Xbox 360 Hardware Complaints

Microsoft refuses to comment on alleged addition of heatsinks to repaired Xbox 360 units in Europe and other hardware flaws.


Londra, 16:38 - CALCIO, PREMIER LEAGUE: NEWCASTLE-PORTSMOUTH 1-0

Una rete di Sibierski al 23' della ripresa regala al Newcastle il successo sul Portsmouth nel primo ...


Israeli hospital tries to protect Palestinian girl

An Israeli rehabilitation centre is defying a government order to transfer a Palestinian girl paralyzed in an Israeli attack on militants to a hospital in the occupied West Bank.


Ernie Els held off some early charges under blustery conditions yesterday and shot a 4-under-par 68 to finish where he started -- with a two-stroke lead at the American Express Championship at Thomastown, Ireland, and in great shape to win the World Golf Championship for the first time. Els bounced back from a bogey at No. 9 -- his only ...


Il colosso informatico Microsoft ha chiesto ai giudici del tribunale dellâUnione Europea, di mettersi una mano sulla coscienza e fare in modo di non costringere la societÃ  di Bill Gate a modificare il proprio sistema operativo Windows.


Ethiopia opens embassy in chaotic Somali capital

Ethiopia opened an embassy in the chaotic Somali capital next to the presidential palace on Sunday, the latest sign of the Horn of Africa military power's close ties with a Somali government it wants to sustain.


The Red Cross chief meets the head of Hamas in Gaza to press for a visit to captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.


Dell to sell notebook PCs at U.S. Sam's Club stores

Dell Inc.  said on Friday  it would sell notebook computers at more than 580 of Wal-Mart  Stores Inc.'s  Sam's Club outlets for $899 each starting  next week, its latest move to sell computers in retail chains.


Retail, auto sales, job numbers suggest tougher times

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


European Union environment ministers rejected an appeal Monday to force Austria to lift a ban on two biotech crop products, which the European Commission says violates international trade rules.


Sports Briefing | Running: Marathon Champions Return

Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, who won the womenâs race at the New York City Marathon the past two years, and Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, the menâs upset winner last year, will compete in this yearâs marathon, which is Nov. 4. Last yearâs wheelchair champions, Kurt Fearnley of Australia and Amanda McGrory of Champaign, Ill., will also return. The 30-year-old Prokopcuka could become the second woman to win the race three consecutive years. Grete Waitz of Norway won from 1978 to 1980 and 1982 to 1986. A victory would probably assure Prokopcuka, who was second in the Boston Marathon in April, of the $500,000 first prize in the World Marathon Majorsâ first two-year series.


ComScore Says 'Researchware' Isn't 'Spyware'

TechWeb - Despite criticism, the company maintains that users appreciate the download accelerators, games, and screen savers that come with the company's tracking software.


Plaxo inches further onto your desktop with new Mac application

The contact management service has updated its downloadable client for the Mac operating system so that data from its Pulse social network appears in the system's offline Address Book software.


CBS launches music label, to supply songs to iTunes

CBS Corp  said on Friday it is  launching a new music label as part of an effort to supply its  television shows with less expensive music. At the same time,  the television programs would promote the new acts signed by  the label, dubbed CBS Records.


Ukraine's parliament misses a deadline to approve early elections to end a two-month political stalemate.


Roma, 10:19 - CALCIO, JUVE; RANIERI: DALLA ROMA IL PIU' BEL GIOCO D'EUROPA

Claudio Ranieri tesse le lodi della Roma, capolista a punteggio pieno con la Juve dopo due giornate ...


Stars Seize Their Chance to Shine at SAG Awards

In a year when a writersâ strike has all but shut down much of Hollywood, the Screen Actors Guild Awards drew an inordinate amount of star wattage.


Fired McAfee Executive Is Charged With Options Fraud

SAN FRANCISCO -- McAfee's former top lawyer was charged Tuesday with stock options tampering that muddied the finances of the computer security software maker.


Venezuela's Chavez says Castro does not have cancer

CARACAS, Venezuela  - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday denied reports that Fidel Castro has cancer, but said the Cuban leader was fighting a "great battle" against a "serious" illness.


AL ASAD AIR FORCE BASE, Iraq  - U.S. President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq on Monday, just a week before his top officials in Baghdad present pivotal testimony to Congress that could influence future policy on the war.


Samsung introduces a trio of 8MP cameras

Blog: Samsung has introduced three new 8MP cameras, due to hit stores this August and September.


Roma, 17:00 - CALCIO, CAMPANA: IN CAMPO ALMENO SEI ITALIANI

Il presidente dell'Assocalciatori Sergio Campana nel corso dell'audizione alla Commissione Cultura d...


Parma, 16:16 - CALCIO, RANIERI: IN INGHILTERRA ALLO STADIO CI SI DIVERTE

L'ex tecnico del Chelsea Claudio Ranieri, da ieri alla guida del Parma, parla ai microfoni di Radio ...


N. Korea Rejected Call for Nuclear Talks, Hosoda Says

North Korea declined a request to resume talks aimed at persuading the communist nation to abandon its nuclear weapons program, Japan's government spokesman Hiroyuki Hosoda said.


UN concerned over dismissal of Myanmar Prime Minister

United Nations, Oct 20 - The United Nations has expressed concern over the dismissal and detention of Myanmar Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, who was seen as favouring talks with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.


Lost in the pre-election noise and the hoopla over the Red Sox march to the World Series title was perhaps the most remarkable event of all -- the visit to the atmosphere of the Saturnian moon Titan last week by the space probe Cassini, which negotiated


Leader Barcelona draws 1-1 with Valencia in Spanish league

Ronaldinho converted a 79th-minute penalty Saturday and FC Barcelona drew 1-1 with Valencia, the first time the Spanish league leader has not won at home this season.


Data shows economy poised for better growth

The labor market is holding steady, businesses are rebuilding inventories and the consumer is still spending, all signs pointing to stronger economic growth in the latter part of this year.


Diana in New Tape Says Suspects Lover 'Bumped Off'

NBC television network will broadcast a never-before-seen video tape of Diana, Princess of Wales, next week in which she says she suspects a member of her staff with whom she fell in love was "bumped off."


A draft US resolution at the UN could send 10,000 peacekeepers to Sudan and impose sanctions.


JC Penney will replace retiring chairman and chief exec Allen Questrom with Myron Ullman as the department-store retailer focuses on its main business after selling the money-losing Eckerd drugstore chain.


Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is named the winner of the Orange Prize for fiction.


Chaos, Wall of Devastation Hinders Tsunami Aid

BANGKOK, Thailand  - The $2 billion Asian tsunami  relief operation was encountering chaos and "a wall of  devastation" in Indonesia as aid workers struggled to help  thousands of survivors huddled in makeshift camps Monday.


You'll have to excuse any misspellings in this column. I'm in a bit of a hurry. I need to go call my insurance agent -- I think A-Rod's home run broke my car's windshield.


TAIPEI, Taiwan -- A strong typhoon lashed northern Taiwan on Tuesday, dumping heavy rain, grounding some flights and closing financial markets, schools and businesses across parts of the island.


Richard Virenque, one of France's most popular and successful cyclists, has retired from the sport aged 34.


New York Fashion Week, that biannual ritual of luxury and excess, came this week at an odd time.


China's Hu Praises Macau Progress at Start of Anniversary Fete

Chinese President Hu Jintao praised Macau's economic success as he arrived to mark the fifth anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China.


Disney's Latest Drama: $200 Mln Courtroom Battle

The trial of a lawsuit by Walt Disney Co. shareholders who accuse the board of directors of rubberstamping a deal to hire Michael Ovitz


Congo Rebels Agree to End Gorilla Slaughter

Rebel troops who killed and ate two critically endangered mountain gorillas in Central Africa earlier this month have agreed to end the slaughter, conservationists say.


No Butts About It, Cheeky Goalie Ejected

NORTH LOGAN, Utah - A University of Southern California hockey goalie put on a show, but it had nothing to do with stopping shots.


Kerry Accuses Bush of Hiding Troops Plan

ALBUQUERQUE, NM Sept. 17, 2004 - Democratic Sen. John Kerry on Friday accused the Bush administration of hiding a plan to mobilize more National Guard and Reserve troops after the election while glossing over a worsening conflict in Iraq.


"Obesity paradox" seen in range of heart ills

NEW YORK  - Among men with symptoms of heart disease, those who are obese tend to live longer than their normal-weight counterparts, a new study suggests.


Bouncing Back From a Cold? Don't Overdo It.

Q I have been battling a chest cold and have not been able to work out for a week. Will this set me back a lot? What is the best way to get back into it?


The dollar weakened across the board  on Monday in generally thin trading after the U.S. unit's  failure to break key technical barriers set off a wave of  short-covering in other currencies.


Chinese film "Hero" snatches top place of N. America box office

Chinese martial-arts thriller "Hero," directed by acclaimed director Zhang Yimou and starring action star Jet Li, snatched the No.


Judge to Rule on Georgia Evolution Disclaimers

A public school board in Georgia violated the U.S. Constitution when it placed stickers that challenge the theory of evolution on biology textbooks two years ago, a lawyer for a group of parents said on Friday.


Heartache or history for Red Sox tonight

The Boston Red Sox will either make history or go home heartbroken tonight, after a series-ending game against the New York Yankees that Sox fans hope will end the "Curse of the Bambino.


Palestinian militant groups again call for the setting up of a unified leadership following Yasser Arafat's death.


In the superheated M&A market, the targets appear to be getting bigger and bigger. Shares of Dow Chemical (DOW) soared on to a new 52-week high Feb.


ÂSharing FairÂ: mercato estivo organizzato dalle Suore del Buon Pastore per conoscere le storie di migliaia di donne nel mondo che lottano per uscire dalla povertÃ  Roma (Agenzia Fides)  - Sabato 23 e domenica 24 giugno, nei giardini della Casa Generalizia delle Suore del Buon Pastore a Roma (Via Raffaello Sardiello 20), si svolgerÃ  un Âmercato estivoÂ (Sharing Fair). La fiera Ã¨ unÂoccasione per raccontare e cel...


O.J. Simpson was released from jail Wednesday after posting bail in connection with the armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors at a Las Vegas hotel.


Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications named Hideki Komiyama as its new top executive on Tuesday as it announced that Miles Flint will step down for personal reasons. Mr. Flint, who became president of the company in 2004 and helped bring the venture to profitability, will remain executive adviser to Mr. Komiyama, currently chairman of Sony Electronics, until the end of the year. Mr. Komiyama will take up his position Nov. 1. Sony Ericsson, based in London, was founded in 2001 as a joint venture of Ericsson of Stockholm and Sony of Tokyo.


Department of Defense asked to lead review of contracts awarded by a former procurement official who has admitted giving Boeing Co. preferential treatment.


IPTV Agreements Still On AT&T's To-Do List

By Hinkel, Nate  TED WAGNON, AT&T ARKANSAS' LONG time spokesman, has spent much of the past year on the road preparing for the telecom giant's coming launch of Internet Protocol Television service.


Chiesa a tutto campo al via la Clericus Cup

Sedici squadre per due gironi: è il campionato pontificio. Fischio d'inizio sabato, finale a giugno allo stadio dei Marmi


"Non vedo squadre piÃ¹ forti della Roma, a parte un paio forse" dice l'attaccante che resta in forte dubbio per il Milan. "Cassano? Sono cose tra lui e Del Neri". ROMA, 5 novembre 2004 - Vincenzo Montella


Bulgarian airport evacuated and flights suspended

Part of Bulgaria's Sofia airport was  evacuated on Sunday after authorities received a bomb threat  from an anonymous female caller, police said.


MI5, the domestic security service, is preparing to establish a...

Story in full MI5 , the domestic security service, is preparing to establish a permanent office in Scotland for the first time, The Scotsman can reveal.


After a month out of the public eye, Tiger Woods addressed the controversy that has swirled in the news media about the inappropriate racial remarks made by a Golf Channel anchor.


Amazon board clears $1 billion share repurchase plan

Amazon.com Inc  on Friday said  its board authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of the  company's common stock over the next two years, and its shares  rose 3.2 percent before the bell.


Indice armonizzato al 2,3% in crescita rispetto a novembre


Waitress set for stardom after Clooney sing-song

An 18-year-old waitress and part-time jazz singer is in line for a multi-million dollar record deal after performing for George Clooney at the Cannes film festival.


Electronic Arts seems to be stuck in another time and place.


NOAA Satellite Mishap Blamed on Human Error

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


Charles Kennedy issues a fresh attack on Tony Blair's policy over Iraq, as the Lib Dem conference begins.


Earnings Up at Tribune, but Circulation Outlook Is Weak

An extra week in the quarter helped increase newspaper ad sales, but the company forecast a continued decline in circulation revenue this year.


New Haven, 20:54 - TENNIS, WTA NEW HAVEN: SUCCESSO DELLA KUZNETSOVA

Svetlana Kuznetsova ha vinto il torneo Wta di New Haven (cemento, montepremi 600.000 dollari). La ru...


From Commons grilling on public sector reform to a missed lunch at the heart of Europe


The Washington Redskins will continue their playoff push behind veteran quarterback Todd Collins, the longtime backup whose strong play in relief of injured starter Jason Campbell has his team on the cusp of a wild-card berth.


The Redstones: A Family Feud for the Ages

Sumner Redstone is feuding with his entire family. He fired Tom Cruise and banished Tom Freston. Now all that's left are his lawyers.


Business & money: Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser to emerge as  winners from brutal Christmas trading period


Lille fails to take advantage of Lyon draw

Paris, France (Sports Network) - Lille had a chance to close in on the Ligue 1 lead on Saturday with a win over Lens. But instead of capitalizing early they had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw.


Singing schoolchildren and red carpets welcomed Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to St. Lucia on Tuesday for his first visit since the small Caribbean island shifted diplomatic ties to Taipei instead of rival China.


A judge brands a teenager a coward as he sentences him for killing a 16-year-old boy on playing fields in Kent.


Kazakhs shower president with cryptic questions

He may be experienced at fielding questions on geopolitics but when the Kazakh president logs on next week for his first Internet news conference he will have to tackle some more bizarre matters.


High-Risk Women Not Lowering Cholesterol Enough

New research indicates that few high-risk women are achieving the optimal cholesterol levels set forth in recent guidelines by the American Heart Association (AHA). Moreover, only about one third of eligible women are receiving cholesterol-lowering drugs.


Negotiators to weigh future of WTO free trade pact

Negotiators on Friday were set to plan their next steps at the World Trade Organization after key talks between four leading powers collapsed, casting doubt on whether a long-sought free trade pact can be clinched.


Q. I have a boss who is a control freak. He thrives on blaming other people and making them look bad, especially in front of his bosses. If someone makes a small mistake, he makes it appear bigger than it is.


In the court of public opinion, many jurors have cast their verdict that Jermain Defoe should replace Michael Owen for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Azerbaijan on Oct 9 and Oct 13 respectively.


Online Networking Goes Small, and Sponsors Follow

When jet-setters began flocking to an exclusive social-networking Web site reserved for the rich, they got the attention of an online community's most valuable ally: advertisers.


Chinese miffed by lewd Japanese computer game

A Japanese-developed adult-themed  computer game has incensed some of China's Internet surfers who  deem it a bawdy slur on the classic novel, "Dream of the Red  Chamber."


M ANSFIELD - Foxborough Police Officer Frank Azevedo slipped on blue and white boxing gloves and climbed into a boxing ring to battle a Louisiana firefighter named J.R. Moore.


Airlines Told to Turn Over Passenger Data

WASHINGTON - Everyone who took a commercial flight within the United States in June will have his travel information turned over to the government so it can test a new system for identifying potential terrorists, federal officials announced Tuesday.    The Transportation Security Administration plans to order airlines to turn over the information in November...


Afghan rebels seek release of Guantanamo prisoners in return for ...

Insurgents threatening to kill three kidnapped UN workers said Sunday they have handed over a list of 26 prisoners, some possibly held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who they would take in exchange for the hostages.


Frustrated with meager salaries that have not kept pace with inflation, teachers, doctors and other state employees rallied Wednesday across Russia to demand higher wages.


Forbes Removes Ad-Sponsored Links on Site

Forbes magazine is removing paid advertising links from stories that appear on its Web site, abandoning an experiment it began in August.


Two NATO troops, 60 Taliban killed in Afghanistan

Afghan and US-led troops killed more than 60 Taliban rebels in two days of fierce fighting, while two NATO soldiers died in separate clashes, officials said Monday.


Fresh attacks in northwest Pakistan kill 32

Amends total number killed in headline, first paragraph


Beacon Capital is buying office park in Waltham, possibly at record price

Beacon Capital Partners LLC has agreed to buy Bay Colony Corporate Center, a prominent office complex on Route 128 in Waltham, for $274 million, according to real estate executives involved in the deal.


An US woman is arrested on suspicion of murdering her newborn baby by burning her in a microwave oven.


Iran Confirms Processing Uranium for Enrichment

Iran has confirmed that it has begun processing uranium to prepare it for enrichment - a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons.


Udine, 18:50 - CALCIO, NAPOLI; REJA: LAVEZZI FARA' INNAMORARE TIFOSI

Grande soddisfazione in casa Napoli per il 5-0 a Udine. ''Le critiche ricevuto mi avevano fatto male...


Colombia confirms death of missing militia boss

BOGOTA, Colombia  - Carlos Castano, who in the   1990s organized right-wing militias into a criminal army that   terrorized Colombia, was murdered in 2004, police said on   Monday after DNA tests proved they had recovered his remains.


Steve Nash scored 24 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 92-83 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night. Boris Diaw and Raja Bell each scored 18 points and Shawn Marion added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Suns, who have won four of five.


Barbra Streisand cancels her Rome gig next month, but denies protests over high ticket prices had any bearing.


The Queen will mark her 50th televised Christmas message by calling for care for vulnerable people.


'Still Committed to Road Map', says Sharon

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


Dopo aver rifiutato di presentare ancora Affari Tuoi, Enzo Ghinazzi torna con Tutto per Tutto. E vince ancora. L'intervista


U.S. Wants Iran to Go Before U.N. Council

Buoyed by growing European support, the United States lobbied the U.N. atomic watchdog agency Monday to send Iran before the U.N. Security Council for refusing to freeze work that can produce nuclear weapons.


Katie Hoff Finishes Third In Short Course Worlds

INDIANAPOLIS -- Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff finished third in a race Sunday night at the Short Course World Championships in Indianapolis.


Has it been three years since we saw Bridget Jones frolic around England, trying to sort out her messy love life in one caper after another?


Ultrasound images from the womb are increasingly being made not for medical purposes but by companies offering expectant parents a sort of prebirth viewing.


Judge Strikes Down Campaign Finance Rules

A judge has struck down more than a dozen of the government's current rules on political fund raising with just weeks before Election Day, concluding federal regulators improperly weakened the nation's campaign finance law.


Anterselva, 19:43 - BIATHLON, CDM: 10 KM SPRINT DI ANTERSELVA A TEDESCO GREIS

Il tedesco Michael Greis, ha vinto la prova sui 10 km sprint di biathlon di Anterselva (Bolzano), pr...


SINGAPORE - Crude oil futures were lower in Asian trade on Thursday after sharp gains overnight on news of a twin car bomb attacks against security targets in oil kingpin Saudi Arabia, dealers said.


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


Microsoft holds firm on Xbox 360 pricing

SANTA MONICA, California  - Microsoft Corp.   said on Tuesday it will hold firm on pricing for its  Xbox 360 game console, defying widespread expectations that it  would respond to a price cut by rival Sony Corp.  for  the PlayStation 3.


Chicago Bears safety Mike Brown will miss the rest of the season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in a victory over Green Bay, coach Lovie Smith said Monday.


Long lines have formed at flu clinics in retail stores, and others are being canceled for lack of vaccine. The unexpected vaccine shortage has raised many questions about how people can best protect themselves.


London Games facing 1 billion shortfall: report

The 2012 London Olympics faced fresh financial concerns on Tuesday after reports that a slump in land prices could leave a one billion pounds "black hole" in the budget.


Mel Gibson meets with Costa Rican leader

Mel Gibson has met with the president of Costa Rica to discuss making a financial donation to help the country's native Indians.


Bulgaria asks for six medics convicted of infecting Libyan children with HIV to be returned.


UOB among 10 prospective Bank Permata bidders named by Indonesian ...

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government has identified Singapore's United Overseas Bank as one of 10 prospective bidders for the sale of a 51% stake in PT Bank Permata.


Wembley Stadium developer multiplex receives a $6.1bn offer from Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management.


Senior officials from rival Fatah and Hamas factions agreed on Saturday to pull their gunmen off the streets of Gaza but there was no immediate end to fighting that has killed 24 Palestinians in the last three days.


U.S. loses prison camp records of bin Laden's driver

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba  - The U.S. military has lost a year's worth of records describing the Guantanamo confinement of Osama bin Laden's driver, a prosecutor said at the Yemeni captive's war court hearing on Thursday.


David Nalbandian beat Roger Federer 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 Sunday to win the Madrid Masters. Nalbandian also defeated No. 2 Rafael Nadal and No. 3 Novak Djokovic on his way to the title.


Clothing maker Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. on Wednesday said its second-quarter profit jumped 49 percent. Quarterly net income was $80.


The text of a speech by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, as prepared for delivery Tuesday at the Republican National Convention:


Bush Surveys Hurricane Damage in Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. - President Bush told shell-shocked survivors of Hurricane Ivan on Sunday that "we're praying for you" as he made his third campaign-season trip to Florida and his first to Alabama to assess storm damage...


The first minister describes violence in County Antrim in which a police officer was shot as "extremely worrying".


Indian PM to convene APC ahead of Kasuriâs visit

NEW DELHI: Despite the standoff with the opposition, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh plans to convene an all-party meeting ahead of Ambassador at Large Khurshid Kasuriâs visit to New Delhi next week.


Democrats accuse Bush of lying over military service

US Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe accused President George W. Bush of lying about his military record during the Vietnam war, saying this raised questions about Bush's integrity to act as US leader.


Been scammed? Claim your Â£100,000 here We're obliged to the reader who alerted us to the agreeable news that Microsoft will compensate deserving 419 victims to the tune of Â£100,000 a head.â¦


Japan PM Says Won't Pull Troops Out of Iraq -Media

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said  Japan will not pull its troops out of Iraq despite threats by a  group led by an al Qaeda ally to behead a Japanese hostage,  Japanese media reported on Wednesday.


Editorial: Trade deals can cloud big picture

The Prime Minister has left the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation meeting in Santiago cock-a-hoop at the trade opportunities opening up for New Zealand.


VIERA, Fla. The sun rose, blazing above a bank of clouds over the Atlantic, at 7 a.m.  as though the earliest rays of morning wanted to report exactly on time for the first full-squad day of spring training. The Nationals were bathed in this abundant sunshine on a balmy 74-degree day in their little...


On a day when the Obama-Clinton feud heated up, the Democratic candidates went after each other at the first all-candidates' forum of the '08 campaign


Senator John F. Kerry, putting his own twist on a favorite attack line of the Bush campaign, yesterday accused the president


Pat Knight is 901 wins from catching his old man. Nine days after succeeding his father as coach at Texas Tech, Knight got his first career win, an 84-75 victory over No. 18 Kansas State on Wednesday night.


Citing Prison Abuse and Iraq 'Failures,' Kerry Demands That ...

Teeing off two reports detailing abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Senator John Kerry on Wednesday renewed his call for Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld


Kashmiri Militants Stage Attack Before Singh's Visit, NDTV Says

Alleged separatist militants in India's Jammu and Kashmir state attacked a shopping complex close to a venue that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to speak at today, the NDTV


Diamondbacks Call Yanks Anew on Big Unit

The Arizona Diamondbacks called the New York Yankees again Monday in an effort to restart trade talks on Randy Johnson.


Possible Merger of Delta, US Airways Worries Utah Legislators

By Brice Wallace Deseret Morning News  Utah's legislative leadership is weighing in on the possible merger of Delta Air Lines with US Airways, calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to review the possible economic impacts.  A Dec. 4 letter from four legislators to U.S.


DAVID Radler, former chief operating officer of Hollinger International and right-hand man to Lord Black, has savaged the special report that claimed they had 'looted' the publishing company of more than $400m (Â£223m.


The U.N. Security Council on   Thursday voted to create a United Nations peacekeeping force in   Sudan's Darfur region, despite the Khartoum government's strong   opposition.


Saudi Questions Need for OPEC Supply Cuts

OPEC's top producer Saudi Arabia on  Wednesday questioned the need for the cartel to bolster oil  prices by cutting supply, saying the kingdom would keep crude  output at current high levels as long as customers wanted it.


The Republican donor who helped bankroll the Swift Boat attacks on Democratic Sen. John Kerry's war record has given $5 million to a new group targeting Democratic candidates.


Hasselhoff and ex-wife settle bitter custody battle

Former "Baywatch" star David  Hasselhoff and his ex-wife have agreed to share custody of  their teenage daughters and reached a financial settlement,  ending months of bitter wrangling played out in the celebrity  media.


About 4.4 million now under recall; firm says units can overheat, possibly causing fire or shock. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Dell Inc.


Accenture opens another facility in India

Accenture has opened its 10th delivery center in India, as part of its strategy to locate its services delivery facilities close to where there is good quality staff in the country.


Ten-man Ghana battle back to reach African Nations Cup semi-finals

Ghana had one man sent-off but still moved a step closer to a record-equalling fifth African Nations Cup title with a thrilling 2-1 quarter-final success over Nigeria here on Sunday.


Russian government denies hazing a widespread problem in armed forces

MOSCOW  - The Defence Ministry said Friday that a Human Rights Watch report on hazing in the Russian military "demands attention" but contended that the problem is not widespread, disputing the idea that the government isn't doing enough to combat it.


Because of problems with Medtronicâs heart defibrillators, the F.D.A. said it plans to examine whether its current tests are sufficient to catch electrical problems in the devices.


Time Machine is a nice concept : Amitabh Bachchan

Oh yes. There was a very wide canvas. There're several smaller characters who have been very nicely   portrayed. I specially love Mohanlal. I love his craft. He's an exceptional artiste. With such simplicity he's able   to display emotions that are so complex. Unfortunately, I didn't have much to do with Sushmita or not too   many scenes with Ajay Devgan either.


American Bob Estes is confident he can win the Australian PGA championship going into today's final round at Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.


Dow Jones Says It Will Consider Options for Sale

The decision represents a remarkable turnaround for both the company and for Rupert Murdochâs bid and could end more than a century of family control over the company.


Supplier of Nasal-Spray Flu Vaccine to Offer More Doses

With serious flu-shot shortages predicted in the United States this coming season, the maker of a costlier nasal-spray vaccine says it will produce another 1 million doses to help ease the shortfall, the Baltimore Sun reported Friday.


Dominion to sell gas assets for $6.5 billion

Dominion Resources  said on Monday it would sell most of its remaining gas and oil exploration and production operations to Loews Corp.  and XTO Energy Inc.  for about $6.5 billion as part of its plan to focus on its power business.


Residents are Banning Together to Get Discounts on Solar Panels

By Sarah Jane TribbleWhen Bruce Karney heard Portola Valley residents had banded together to buy home solar systems at discount prices, his first thought was to wonder why he hadn't thought of the idea. His second was to figure out a way to get in on the deal.


President Bush and his Democratic challenger, Sen. John F. Kerry, go into the final 48 hours of the 2004 presidential campaign within easy reach of an electoral majority, but neither has a clear advantage in the remaining handful of tossup states.


Cisco Partners with Fujitsu on High-End Routers

Cisco has sealed an alliance with Fujitsu in a bid to boosts its Japanese market presence. Fujitsu will act as a reseller for Cisco's high-end routing systems, especially the ultra-high-end


Underwriters Labs CEO retires, citing cancer

NORTHBROOK, Ill. Northbrook-based Underwriters Laboratories today announced the retirement of president and CEO Loring Knoblauch (NAU'-blok), citing his bout with prostate cancer.


South African arms dealer facing death penalty for coup plot

A South African arms dealer held in Equatorial Guinea for his part in an alleged plot to overthrow the President of the oil-rich state will learn today if he is to be executed.


Three years ago, a state-appointed panel said finding ways to quickly get military helicopters and planes airborne to battle raging wildfires should be a "high priority." Yet, last week, delays launching aircraft revealed a system still suffering from communication and planning shortfalls.


Roma, 22:54 - CALCIO, C1/B: PISTOIESE-SORRENTO 0-1 NEL POSTICIPO

Il Sorrento ha battuto in trasferta la Pistoiese 1-0 (0-0) nel posticipo della decima giornata del c...


Radiohead Said to Shun Major Labels in Next Deal

Radiohead, the British rock band, is close to signing a deal to release its next album independently and leave the major record companies behind.


Congress to investigate Google-DoubleClick deal

A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee has opened an investigation into Google'sÂ proposed $3.1 billion acquisitionÂ of online advertising seller DoubleClick.


Agencies work on DNA 'barcodes' database

To help shoppers avoid mislabeled toxic pufferfish, and pilots steer clear of birds, federal agencies are starting to tap into an ambitious project that is gathering DNA "barcodes" for the Earth's 1.8 million known species.


Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms off U.S. coast

Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed on Friday off the U.S. mid-Atlantic Coast with top sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.


US rapper Remy Ma pleads not guilty to attempted murder after a woman was shot in New York on Saturday.


Samsung Electronics has showcased a mobile phone that integrates a 5-Megapixel digital camera. At present the highest resolution camera phones have 3-Megapixel class image sensors.


Jail officials will not need to make maternity accommodations for Foxy Brown — her manager says the rapper isn't pregnant, despite her lawyer's courtroom contention that she was.


Governor-General to visit a number of countries

The Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, departs today on visits to Malaysia, Oman, Hungary and the Czech Republic.


Business grad students most likely to cheat: study

Graduate business students in the United   States and Canada are more likely to cheat on their work than   their counterparts in other academic fields, the author of a   research paper said on Wednesday.


Prosecutors say sham barge deal netted $12 million

Six former executives of Enron Corp. and Merrill Lynch & Co. on Tuesday were accused by a federal prosecutor of disguising a $7 million loan as a sale of energy-producing barges to "help Enron out of a jam.


Microsoft proxy can omit neutrality issue: SEC

U.S. regulators said Microsoft Corp. does not have to include in its proxy a shareholder proposal demanding that the software maker justify its support for Net neutrality, according to a decision made public on Tuesday.


Voting is under way in the German state of Saarland, with polls predicting another  defeat for the Social Democrats.


British pop veteran Sir Elton John has taken a foul-mouthed swipe at Madonna, saying she cheated her fans by miming on stage. However, the American pop superstar was swift to rubbish his accusation, saying


Passwaters: Rather giving black eye to journalist

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to you on behalf of journalists across this country who actually care about their credibility and that of their profession.


Estonia puts four on trial over April riots

Estonia put four ethnic Russians on  trial on Monday over riots last year when the authorities moved  a Soviet-era war memorial, protests which the authorities say  were in part organized and financed from Russia.


Samsung opens world's biggest chip plant in Texas

(InfoWorld) - Samsung ElectronicsÂ opened a $3.5 billion memory chip factory in Austin Thursday, the biggest such plant in Texas. The world's largest memory chip maker will produce NAND flash memory, which is used to store data in a wide range of products, from digital cameras to iPods, at the facility. Production at the factory will start in the second half of this year, and the first product to be made there will be 16Gb NAND flash chips, using a 50-nanometer production process. Such new factories ensure plentiful supply for the memory chip industry, which is important for keeping prices down for users as more and more people buy consumer electronics that let them capture, share and store pictures, songs and other data. The new chip facility covers the area of nine football fields, and will reach an output of 60,000 wafers per month by 2008. Hundreds of memory chips can be made on one silicon wafer. It will be among the most advanced memory chip plants in the U.S. when it starts churning out 50-nanometer chips later this year. There are about three to six atoms in a nanometer, depending on the type of atom, and it describes the smallest size of features on a chip. Currently, 65-nanometers is considered cutting edge, though Intel makes some products using 45-nanometer technology. Samsung has hired 1,600 employees for the factory. Samsung Electronics currently operates 15 semiconductor production lines globally, including two factories in Texas.


France's Sarkozy separates from wife: statement

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his  wife Cecilia are separating by mutual agreement, the  president's office said in a statement on Thursday.


An Israeli court convicted former Justice Minister Haim Ramon of forcibly kissing a young female soldier, which may clear the way for an overhaul of the nation's cabinet


Twins Bob and Mike Bryan led the United States into the final of the Davis Cup for the first time in seven years with a 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 win Saturday over Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus.


New Unemployment Claims Dropped Slightly Last Week

First-time claims for state jobless benefits dropped by 5,000 in the week ended December 25 to a seasonally adjusted 326,000, the Labor Department reported today.


Martin, premiers reach $28-billion equalization deal; Williams storms out

OTTAWA (CP) - Paul Martin and the premiers have agreed to a vast reform of the federal equalization program worth $28 billion in new cash for most provinces over 10 years.


Newark Slayings Stoke Immigration Debate

NEWARK -- Since two illegal immigrants were named among the suspects in the execution-style killings of three college students here, Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Rudolph W. Giuliani and Tom Tancredo have suggested that the deaths show the consequences of failures in immigration...


AP Poll: Bush Solidifies Support Among Men

President Bush solidified his advantage among men during the last month and holds his highest ratings since January on job performance, the economy and Iraq, according to an Associated Press poll.


Car bomb kills 16 in Baghdad book district

A car bomb exploded on Monday in the area of Mutanabi Street, a Baghdad district lined with book shops, killing at least 16 people and wounding many more, a Reuters witness and police said.


Chem Mey has been waiting a quarter century for Khmer Rouge leaders to be brought to trial. "I'm happy about the news, but I cannot yet put my heart to believe it will


In U.S., Al Gore has more company on climate change now

As the climate debate shifts away from the blame game, there's a growing interest in climate-action strategy.


At least 10 killed and 70 wounded in result of powerful explosion ...

First car bomb has detonated at the entrance to the Green Zone, area of the US and British embassies and Iraqi government building.


Parents Claim Children's Motrin Caused Blindness

The parents of a seven year-old California girl as suing Johnson & Johnson, the makers of children's Motrin, claiming that an allergic reaction to the pain medication caused their daughter to go blind.


Men who ate more unsaturated fats lowered gallstone risk in 14 ...

A Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable oil, nuts and fish may help fend off more than heart disease and diabetes: it appears to prevent gallstones, too.


U.S. files charges against 3 Guantanamo inmates

A military prosecutor has filed charges against an Australian, a Yemeni and a Canadian held at the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. Defense Department said on Friday.


The UK loses five times more to VAT cheats in one year than any other EU country, according to a report.


The Mets submitted a three-year guaranteed contract to Boston pitcher Pedro MartÃnez worth approximately $38 million.


Sri Lanka sees silver lining in tsunami tragedy

COLOMBO - Deadly tsunamis have unexpectedly shored up Sri Lankaâs peace process, where the government has been under pressure to open talks with Tiger rebels or risk war.


Blair receives standing ovation at last cabinet meeting

Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday received a standing ovation and ringing praise from his senior ministers as he chaired an emotional last cabinet meeting before leaving office.


Police bring Budapest street violence under control

Hungarian police dispersed demonstrators in the capital after hundreds of mostly young thugs demanding the prime minister's resignation clashed with police in the second night of violence here, a police spokesman told AFP.


Injured Bryant Faces Longer Spell on Sidelines

RALEIGH, North Carolina  - Injured Los Angeles  Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant is expected to miss up to nine more  games because of a severely sprained right ankle, the NBA team  has said.


Chinese petitioners appealing to the government against injustices are ordered to leave their Beijing homes.


A man who carried out an eight-year campaign of abuse in two Glasgow children's homes is jailed for life.


Fifty-eight seconds into the game, Xaverian looked golden. Thirty-nine minutes later, not so much.


A fund-raising drive secures one of Turner's finest watercolours for the UK.


Dell recalls nearly a million defective adapters

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of 990,000 AC adapters distributed by Round Rock-based Dell Inc.


Cossiga, voto fiducia per fare favore a Fi


Art Review: A Golden Age, Gobbled Up by the Gilded Age

Some 20 paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn â the largest number outside Amsterdam â pulse through âThe Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,â a show with an elusive heart.


JUSTIN LANGER is nervous about what Australia may strike in next year's Ashes series given the vast improvement of England, who are now rated the second strongest Test nation.


President Bush is making a renewed push to allow the government to spend food aid money to buy crops in poor countries. Congress is unlikely to go along.


Stars, Singers Stage Tsunami Benefit on TV

With Norah Jones singing "we're all in this thing together," movie and music stars contributed their talents for a hastily arranged benefit for tsunami victims televised live on Saturday.


Soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats marched in formation Saturday — a showcase of Britain's best pomp and pageantry — to celebrate the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.


Bulls Squeeze Past Knicks for Sixth Straight Win

Eddy Curry's lay-up with 2.4 seconds  left earned the Chicago Bulls their sixth straight victory, an  86-84 win over the New York Knicks Saturday.


Livia Turco: il governo ripresenterÃ  un disegno di legge delegacon cui attuare il Documento che riguarda diritti umani e biomedicina                                          Welby: Convenzione di Oviedo e ddl per riempire il vuoto legislativo                                                                                Il testo adottato dalla Ue nel 2000, prevede che il consenso "libero e informato" alla cura sia un vero e proprio diritto


Cancer Drug Still an Option for Allergic Patients

NEW YORK  - Carboplatin, a drug used to  treat ovarian and other cancers, can be given to allergic  patients provided that they are slowly desensitized to the  drug. This is important for doctors to remember since  carboplatin is an effective drug, but up to 30 percent of  patients treated it will develop an allergy.


FDA says vaccine maker's problems 'resurfaced'

Quality-control problems found in 2003 "resurfaced" this year at the Liverpool, England, plant the USA was relying on for about half its flu vaccine, acting FDA Commissioner Lester


San Diego and Chicago lead the NFL in wins and now also Pro Bowlers, sending nine and seven players, respectively. Chris Samuels will be the lone Redskin, as he earns his fourth trip to Hawaii.


Super Bowl Advertisers Still in Game After Scandal

Advertisers may have been bitten once  by an indecency scandal at the 2004 Super Bowl, but they are  not shy about getting back into the game for the next U.S.  football championship.


African Union Rejects U.N.-Led Force in Darfur

UNITED NATIONS, June 2 -- The African Union has objected to a proposed joint A.U.-U.N. peacekeeping force in Sudan's troubled Darfur region because the United Nations would be in command, U.N. diplomats said.


BOSTON - Down to their last three outs of the season, the Boston Red Sox rallied - against Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees and decades of disappointment. Bill Mueller singled home the tying run off Rivera in the ninth inning and David Ortiz homered against Paul Quantrill in the 12th, leading Boston to a 6-4 victory over the Yankees on Sunday night that avoided a four-game sweep in the AL championship series...


No End to Features to  Win Over Sports Fans

ESPN Mobile plans to announce today that it will broadcast full-length college football games on its wireless phones.


CU scientist still 'critical' from illness

Nobel laureate Eric Cornell remained in critical condition Sunday, suffering from a flesh-eating bacterial disease, according to University of Colorado at Boulder spokeswoman Pauline Hale.


and then claimed he was driven out by personal abuse. "The major factor in this decision has been the disgraceful abuse I have suffered," said Vogts.


IDF tank said to have mistakenly killed 3 Egyptian soldiers

Israel Radio reported Thursday that an IDF tank mistakenly fired on and killed three Egyptian soldiers near the Israeli-Egyptian border.


Arcelor Mittal secures new credit line, sells German steel unit

Arcelor Mittal, the world's biggest steel group, has secured a new credit line of 17 billion euros (22.6 billion dollars) with a syndicate of 26 banks.


Maltempo, Veneto sott'acqua prima neve in Alto Adige

Codice rosso a Venezia, fermi gli impianti di Marghera. Pioggia e freddo in arrivo anche a Sud. Caldaie accese il 15 ottobre in alcune regioni. Il calendario e i consigli per risparmiare


Designer Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne cracked through Earth's atmosphere and into outer space Sept. 29. Pilot Mike Mevill guided the aircraft to an altitude of 102,870 meters.


Lebanese Nightclubs Rock to Western Beats

It is Friday night in Beirut's Nova  nightclub. The music is booming, the Lebanese crowd jumping  around and belting out lyrics to favorite tunes. But close your  eyes, and it is hard to remember that this is Lebanon.


Holocaust survivors mark 70th anniversary of Buchenwald camp

Survivors of the Buchenwald concentration camp at the weekend marked the 70th anniversary of its foundation with a call that the 56,000 people who died here during the Holocaust shall never be forgotten.


AC Milan and Barcelona joined the other powerhouses in the second round of the Champions League on Wednesday while Arsenal had two players sent off in a fourth tie in a row and still isn't there yet.


Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers will retire at the end of this season, his sister, Cheryl, reports Thursday.


Social critic and author Susan Sontag, one of America's leading intellectuals, died on Tuesday at age 71 at New York's Sloan Kettering hospital after a battle with leukemia, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site.


Sara' impiccato entro un mese con Hashim e al Tikriti


Brad and Angelina play the perfect couple

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who are supposedly facing problems in their   relationship, treated their kids with a trip to a hot-dog cart and a carousel ride in Central Park.


A Palestinian woman who bore and raised a son while imprisoned in Israel was released with her child on Monday to joyous tears and jubilant chants of "God is Great!"


Feisty woman challenges Kenya's male culture

In a continent where men still dominate, Esther Passaris is an anomaly impossible to ignore -- and anyone who tries is likely to get an earful.


JazzMutant's multi-touch music controller

Blog: Music controller manufacturer Jazz Mutant releases their Dexter controller this week.


ADV: $150,000 Mortgage for Under $690/Month

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


FAA equipment failure delays Reno flights

Reno/Tahoe International Airport's instrument landing system malfunctioned Saturday, stranding thousands of passengers when all flights were canceled.


Parla la pentita Banelli 'Non ho mai usato armi'

BOLOGNA 8 SETTEMBRE 2004 - Il Pm di Bologna Paolo Giovagnoli e' a Firenze per interrogare nel carcere di Sollicciano Cinzia Banelli, la brigatista che ha cominciato a collaborare con la giustizia e che ieri era gia' stata interrogata dai magistrati di


Staff moving across CSC is no longer blocking the takeover of iSoft by Aussie firm IBA Health.â¦


OPEC May Decide Oil Price Target in Sept.

OPEC may set a new target range for oil prices next week and would like to see crude down from current lofty levels closer to $30 a barrel, the head of the producers' cartel said on Wednesday.


Armed Robbers Steal Munch's 'The Scream' in Oslo

Armed robbers stole "The Scream" and  another masterpiece by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch on Sunday  in a bold daytime raid on an Oslo museum packed with terrified  tourists.


Bondra Skates With Caps, Won't Play for Them

Popular former Capital Peter Bondra skates with some members of theÃÂ team in Ashburn on Wednesday but says he wont be playing inÃÂ Washington this season.


Alliance Data takeover by Blackstone in jeopardy

Alliance Data Systems Corp , a  provider of transaction, credit and marketing services, on  Monday said its $6.76 billion buyout by private equity firm  Blackstone Group LP  is in jeopardy.


McLaren apologise for their role in Formula One's spying saga, which is now set to be brought to a close.


Possible New Case of Mad Cow Disease Found

Cattle peer through a fence at a ranch near Mabton, Wash., Jan. 12, 2004, after a Canadian cow living at this ranch became the first cow in the US to have a confirmed case of mad cow disease in Dec. 2003.


BHP Billiton revives Alcoa bid plans: paper

BHP Billiton Ltd./Plc  , the world's biggest mining group, has revived plans for a $40 billion takeover of aluminium producer Alcoa Inc. , the Times newspaper said in an unsourced report on Monday.


After the fake wedding with high-school sweetheart Jason Alexander in January, Britney Spears got married again, for the second time this year, to fiancÃ© Kevin Federline on Saturday.


Bebo Puts Oracle(R) At The Heart of Social Networking

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31  /PRNewswire/ -- Social networking website bebo.com is one of the largest and most successful drivers in the evolution of "Web 2.0" services, the second generation of Internet-based services that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users.


Wife of Chinese Activist Detained at Beijing Airport

BEIJING, Aug. 24 -- The wife of a blind, imprisoned legal activist was detained at the Beijing airport Friday by authorities, apparently on orders to prevent her from flying to the Philippines to receive an award on behalf of her husband, whose case has sparked international outrage and...


Background: Google's Interest in the 700 MHz Wireless Spectrum

Google's apparent promise to place a very high bid for a portion of the current UHF TV spectrum, if the US Federal Communications Commission follows through with a plan catalyzed by former Netscape chairman Jim Barksdale, has completely changed the game for wireless incumbents who weren't expecting stiff competition from a search engine company.


News Analysis: Crisis Looms in Mortgages

For investors who watched the technology bubble burst, the problems in the mortgage securities market have a familiar ring.


Iranian leader calls Chavez a 'trench mate'

The presidents of Iran and Venezuela, leading U.S. critics, pledged Saturday to support one another in disputes with Washington, with the Iranian calling Hugo Chavez "a brother and trench mate."


US Forces on Offensive in Iraq Rebel Strongholds

US-led forces launched operations in three Iraqi rebel strongholds on Thursday, killing nearly two dozen insurgents in a town near the Syrian border and bombing targets in Falluja for the third straight day.


Bergamo, 16:31 - CALCIO, ATALANTA; DEL NERI: COME ARSENAL VALORIZZIAMO GIOVANI

Domani a Livorno sarà un'Atalanta d'emergenza: dopo Carrozzieri, Guarente, Inzaghi e Doni (sq...


Blast in Pakistan's Baluchistan kills three

QUETTA, Pakistan  - Three people were killed and nine wounded by a bomb blast outside a hotel in a town in the gas-rich Pakistani province of Baluchistan, police said on Saturday.


TORONTO/WASHINGTON  - A U.S. appeals court upheld  a patent infringement finding against BlackBerry e-mail device  maker Research In Motion Ltd. RIM.TO on Tuesday, but said  part of the earlier court ruling was flawed and sent the case  back to a lower court.


The PlayStation 3 (PS3) console has reached 1 million unit sales in PAL regions, including the U.K. and the rest of Europe.


Born Without Fingerprints: Scientists Solve Mystery of Rare Disorder

Two rare and related diseases leave their sufferers with no fingerprints—now researchers may have cracked the genetic code behind the inherited ailments.


Call for New 'Manhattan Project' to Fight Bioterror

The world needs an effort similar to that behind the creation of the atomic bomb to tackle the multi-faceted threat of biowarfare, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said on Thursday.


Israeli forces kill Palestinian militant in W.Bank

JENIN, West Bank  - A Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces near the town of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Sunday night was a militant, both sides said.


Manchester United's drive to retain the Premier League title will be bolstered by Owen Hargreaves returning to action this weekend, manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed on Friday.


Russia's Mikhail Youzhny and Slovakia's Karol Beck won three-set semifinals Saturday and will play for the St. Petersburg Open title.


Fifty years on, Mexico town recalls young Castro

TUXPAN, Mexico  - Now frail from illness and out of sight, Cuban President Fidel Castro was remembered on Saturday as a dashing young revolutionary who set sail 50 years ago from this sleepy Mexican port to a place in history.


The Downside of Getting High on Cough Syrup

A teenage boy learns a difficult lesson about synthesizing his own recreational drugs.


Newspaper: U.S. Knew About Abandoned Kids

U.S. State Department officials learned that seven American children had been abandoned at a Nigerian orphanage but waited more than a week to check on the youths, who were suffering from malnutrition, malaria and typhoid, a newspaper reported Saturday.


Wachovia Corp. aims to increase its profile in the Northeast and Southwest by expanding its wealth-management division. The bank, based in Charlotte, said yesterday that it is buying Tanager Financial Services Inc.


With talk shows returning to late night without their writers, is it time to dust off your favorite gags and submit them to the networks?


Woman, 79, May Face Charges in Cane Attack

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Prosecutors were considering Tuesday whether to file charges against a 79-year-old woman who police say injured two officers when she struck them with a wooden cane.


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.


Fifty years later, Kinsey still stirring passions

Variety - THERE'S A SUDDEN abundance of movies out there focusing on edgy individuals -- Kerry, Bush, Clinton et al. -- but the film that may provoke the noisiest reaction is about someone who's been dead 50 years.


European Union Seeks Longer Music Copyrights

The move to extend copyright protection for singers and musicians to 95 years is intended to let performers receive royalty payments later in life.


A prototype surfboard includes a notebook that allows surfers to check the latest wave and weather reports, navigate the Web and check e-mail between rides. [Missing Links]


High Street electrical retailer Dixons is ditching the VCR because of falling sales and the increased popularity of newer technology.


Singletary, Joseph lead Virginia over Elon

Sean Singletary leads Virginia with 20 points and Adrian Joseph scores all 16 of his points in the second half as the Cavaliers run away from Elon, 91-61.


Car bomb blows near Baghdad station; casualties reported

A car bomb exploded near a police station in the Iraqi capital early Tuesday and there were casualties, the US military said. The blast was near Haifa street, a main Baghdad thoroughfare that


Heat rout short-handed Nets in Shaq's debut

The greatest center in Miami history isn't sure that adding Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat lineup this season makes them a sure thing for the NBA Finals.


Something's a little fishy about PETA's priorities

News Item: NASA's Cassini-Huygens spacecraft to broadcast French rock 'n' roll as it approaches Saturn's moon Titan.


WASHINGTON  - The US labor market smashed out of a summer-long quagmire, churning out a seven-month record of 337,000 jobs -- far more than predicted by Wall Street.


Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va., TVChat Column

By Douglas Durden, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.  Dec. 15--WHAT HOLIDAY MOVIES SAY ABOUT YOU: Five things to consider  during TV's seasonal lull, also known as "All I Want for Christmas Is (insert  the name of your favorite regularly scheduled TV show here)." 1.


France Arrests Hospital Slayings Suspect

Police have arrested a former psychiatric patient suspected in the deaths of two caregivers — one decapitated and the other with her throat slit — at a psychiatric hospital in southwest France, authorities said Monday.


Blast at Mittal's Kazakh mine kills at least 18

At least 18 people were killed and 25  were missing on Wednesday when an underground explosion tore  through a coal mine in Kazakhstan belonging to Mittal Steel.


Cap Harnesses Human Thought to Move PC Cursor

Before the new finding, many researchers previously assumed that only invasive brain-computer interfaces, in which electrodes are surgically implanted into the brain, could control complex movements.


Thailand ranks higher in corrupt country list

Thailand ranked higher in an influential annual list of corrupt countries released on Wednesday, showing slightly results in the country's anti-corruption fight over the past year.


HammerTap and Onstream Media Team Up to Provide High Quality Auction Video Hosting Services

OREM, Utah, June 22  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- HammerTap, a leading online market research firm, today announces the company has become an Affiliate Partner of Onstream Media's  Auction Video Program.


One Chinese hostage held by Islamic militants dies and one is freed in a rescue mission by Pakistan's army.


TV Watch: For the New Face of CBS News, a Subdued Beginning

Katie Couric was subdued throughout the broadcast, perhaps a little spooked by all the fuss over her appointment.


Amid protest, both sides claim win in Ukraine

Opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko took a symbolic oath of office in his country's parliament yesterday as supporters whose


US Airways faces a serious risk of going out of business, according to some leading airline analysts, despite claims by the CEO of the nation's No.


Wenger refuses to go on lookout for replacement

ALTHOUGH the world and his wife might be telling him otherwise, ArsÃ¨ne Wenger prefers to back his own judgment, thank you very much.


Majority of PeopleSoft shareholders accept Oracle bid

NOVEMBER 20, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - A majority of PeopleSoft Inc.'s shareholders gave Oracle Corp. the green light to continue its hostile bid for control of the company, tendering more than 60 percent


L.A. Times managing editor resigns amid cutbacks

The Los Angeles Times, reeling from  months of staff cuts and management shake-ups, said on Thursday  that one of its two managing editors, Douglas Frantz, would  leave the newspaper next month.


India, Pak experts-level talks set for Nov 29

NEW DELHI: Moving ahead in the composite dialogue process, India and Pakistan today finalised dates for experts-level talks on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures (CBMs) as well as discussions on the proposed Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus


Business software supplier SAP is offering customers a new service to ensure the security of their SAP systems, the company said on Wednesday.


Nothing says I love you -- and your crippling mood disorder -- better than a bio-geeky necklace made of the molecules of key neurotransmitters and hormones. In Bodyhack.


Few Super Tuesday e-voting problems reported

No widespread problems with electronic voting systems have turned up after Super Tuesday presidential primary voting in 24 states, but e-voting critics say the lack of such reports doesn't mean the voting was ultimately secure.


John Lennon's widow is calling for the anniversary of his death to become a day of worldwide healing.


Ukraine's Yuschenko in Bruising TV Debate Attack on PM

Liberal challenger Viktor Yushchenko on  Monday launched a bruising attack on Ukraine's prime minister  in a live debate, his rival in re-run of a rigged presidential  election, repeatedly putting him on the defensive.


Sri Lanka President's brother escapes bomb blast

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's brother Gothabaya, who is also the island's defense secretary, narrowly escaped a suspected suicide bomb attack in the island's capital on Friday, officials said.


Team Hopeful in Its Effort to Recreate Primal Life

Scientists believe that they have reconstructed the pivotal event that created the one-celled organism from which all animals and plants are descended.


Karzai wins Afghan poll, aides and chief rival say

KABUL : Interim leader Hamid Karzai has won the required number of votes for outright victory in Afghanistan's first presidential election, his supporters and his chief rival said.


Computer Sciences Corp. has signed a 10-year information technology services deal with Ascension Health worth up to $1.35 billion, the companies announced Monday.


Reid Opens Door to Pact With Antiwar Republicans

LAS VEGAS -- Saying the coming weeks will be "one of the last opportunities" to alter the course of the war, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said he is now willing to compromise with Republicans to find ways to limit troop deployments in Iraq.


England coach denies player revolt reports

England manager Steve McClaren has slammed suggestions of a player revolt ahead of his country's European Championship qualifier with Macedonia at Old Trafford on Saturday.


Curt Schilling will file for free agency once the season is over after being told by Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein the team will not offer him a contract extension in spring training.