Rampant Europe surge to emphatic victory

Europe retained the Ryder Cup in   emphatic style on Sunday, beating the United States by a   record-equaling 18-1/2 points to 9-1/2 at the K Club to claim   the trophy for a third successive time.


Boston City Council President Michael F. Flaherty yesterday lambasted the Menino administration's suggestion of a compromise on public amenities on Fan Pier in an effort to speed up development of the languishing land.


Experts Envision the Future of the Internet

New survey says growing Web dependence puts Internet in terrorists' bull's-eye.


The prosecution and defense in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's four-year-long bribery trial have one last chance Thursday to make their case before a panel of three judges begins deliberations.


In Paris, Rice Asks Europe for a 'New Chapter'

The secretary of state urged Europe to put aside past differences and work with the U.S. to expand freedom in the Arab world.


The freshman Maya Moore scored 25 points Tuesday night to lead No. 2 Connecticut to an 80-48 rout of Georgetown in Storrs, Conn.


Vodafone, Optus agree on shared 3G network in Australia

The Australian mobile carrier units of Vodafone Group PLC and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. have agreed to roll out a combined third-generation (3G) cellular network in the country, they said Friday.


The Guitar Center said it had agreed to be acquired by the private equity firm Bain Capital Partners for about $1.9 billion.


Tide turns:100 naked men can stay on beach

One hundred naked men have been allowed to stay on a northwest beach.


Lucidi (Ds), tornano i 'capi-fabbricato' di memoria fascista


Ford Motor Co. could announce a new round of salaried job cuts as soon as Friday, according to a published report.


Two U.S. scientists win Nobel for gene work

Americans Andrew Fire and Craig Mello won the 2006 Nobel prize for medicine on Monday for discovering how to control the flow of genetic information in a cell.


Voters begin casting ballots for US President

Within hours of the opening of advance polls in the American presidential election, problems were being reported in the state of Florida.


Four years after independence, unrest again threatens East Timor

In 2002, East Timor emerged from years of unrest to be hailed by the international community as its youngest member.


IAEA governors approve nuclear aid cut to Iran

U.N. nuclear agency governors on Thursday approved cuts in technical aid to Iran to uphold U.N. sanctions implemented over concern that Tehran may be trying to master the means to build atom bombs.


Julia Roberts has given birth to a boy and a girl more than a month early in a Southern California hospital. Hazel Patricia Moder and Phinnaeus Walter Moder entered the world in the early hours of Sunday morning - and both are said to be healthy.


FedEx Hikes Profit Forecast, Cites Demand

FedEx Corp. (FDX.N) on Monday raised its earnings forecast for the fiscal first quarter and full year, citing strong demand for its international express, ground and less-than-truckload services.


Private forecaster AccuWeather said Friday record-breaking heat was expected to move eastward, resulting in temperatures that could reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in New York City and Washington, D.C. early next week.


MP's 'Lack of Experience' Criticised in Row Over Schools

By DOUGLAS FRASER SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR  A LIBERAL Democrat council head has slapped down his party's Scottish leader at Westminster over a schools row, saying she is showing inexperience and should not interfere in education issues.


Turkish warplanes have attacked Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq, the military in Ankara says.


Dutch steel firm buying International Steel Group for $4.5 billion

PHILADELPHIA _ International Steel Group Inc., which includes the remains of the bankrupt Bethlehem Steel Corp., is being acquired by a Dutch steel company for $4.


Sen. Hillary Clinton, unbowed by a third-place finish in the Iowa Democratic caucuses, hailed a "great night for Democrats" and said the strong turnout pointed for sure to the election of a Democratic president in November. She said she would "keep pushing as hard as we can."


For months, Shira Barlow's cell phone was flooded with wrong-number calls and text messages, mostly between 2 and 4 a.m. on weekends. Told they had reached a college student, callers refused to believe it.


UK Hostage's Brother Says Police Raided Dutch Home

The brother of a British hostage in Iraq said Saturday intelligence officers had raided his Dutch home, copied data from his computer and forced him to make a five-page statement about his activities.


Malaysia eyes polls in push to develop Malay region

KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia  - Malaysia rolled out an ambitious bid on Monday to transform its ethnic Malay heartland into a farming, energy and tourism powerhouse by pouring in $34 billion by 2020.


Sony to sell chip facility to Toshiba for $835 mln

Sony Corp (6758.T) said on Wednesday it  will sell its microchip production facilities in western Japan  to Toshiba Corp (6502.T) for 90 billion yen ($835 million), in  their latest move to focus on their core businesses.


Internet search leader Google Inc. has added a landmark to its rapidly expanding empire — the Silicon Valley home where co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin rented a garage eight years ago as they set out to change the world.


Milano, 15:22 - CALCIO, LEGA: LE GRANDI ABBANDONANO I LAVORI

Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, presidente della Juventus, non è stato eletto nel consiglio di Lega e...


The founders of Zink Imaging LLC believe they have two great ideas in one absolute show-stopper. They've created a portable device that makes it ultra-convenient to print photos from digital cameras and phones. And they designed it to use no ink.


Gordon Brown will set the economic battleground for the next general election in his pre-Budget report.


Carl Mydans, the celebrated World War Two photo-journalist, has died at his US home aged 97.


At least 25 people are killed in two separate attacks north of Baghdad targeting the Iraqi police force.


A man with eight previous convictions for collecting birds' eggs is given six months in prison.


APEC Leaders Want to Revive World Trade Talks

By Jason Webb SANTIAGO, Chile  - Asia-Pacific leaders promisedon Sunday to try to revive world trade talks and fightterrorism after a summit marred at the end by spats over thesecurity of President Bush.


CdA: a meta' 2008 occorre ricapitalizzazione di 750 mln


Israel's Labour Seals Deal to Join Sharon's Coalition

Israel's opposition Labour party is  likely to join Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's coalition  next week, a move that could promote his Gaza pullout plan and  avoid early elections, Sharon's spokesman said on Friday.


RYAN GIGGS insists demands on Wayne Rooney should be kept to a minimum to avoid premature burnout. The 18-year-old's hat-trick debut at Old Trafford sent Manchester United fans into a frenzy.


McGuinty to simplify tax filing for business

OTTAWA - Business owners in Ontario could soon be filling out a single tax form, instead of two. Premier Dalton McGuinty has announced he's working with the federal government to consolidate corporate income-tax collection.


Three More Bodies Found in Iraq's Restive Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq  - The bodies of three men killed by  insurgents were found on a street in the Iraqi city of Mosul on  Sunday, a day after U.S. troops in the city discovered the  bodies of nine Iraqi soldiers who had been shot in the head.


American and Chinese officials ended two days of economic talks Thursday by calling for calmer heads to avoid trade spats after clashing over who was responsible for Beijing's massive trade surplus.


Vladimir Putin criticises central and local government officials over contentious reforms of Russia's benefits system.


Cisco Expands Router Offerings with BCN Buy

Cisco will pay approximately US$34 million in cash for all outstanding equity interests of BCN. In addition, the acquisition price may be increased by as much as $122 million depending on


The vendor adds to its growing list of spam lawsuits one aimed at a service provider that hosts spammers. By Thomas Claburn. Cheapbulletproof.


Michael Saunders and Chin-Lung Hu got things started quickly for the World team in the All-Star Futures game. The two speedsters sparked a pair of early rallied that helped lead the World team to a 7-2 victory over the U.S. team on Sunday.


Massachusetts ranks last in the nation for bioterrorism preparedness, according to a report issued yesterday by a Washington-based health group, but state leaders


An MP allegedly bugged by police while meeting a constituent in prison says he wants to know the truth.


Veronesi commenta il caso Welby: "Liberi di decidere su ciÃ²che ci appartiene. Affermare il principio dell'autodeterminazione"                                          "Un atto di giustizia e caritÃ  negarla Ã¨ una vera tortura"                                                                                dal nostro inviato CARLO BRAMBILLA


United To Seek More Cuts From Labor, Elsewhere

CHICAGO -- Union leaders say they will use every legal means available to protect their members after United Airlines set the stage for a new round of wage and benefit cuts.


Kendry Morales lined a single past a drawn-in infield to drive in the winning run in the 10th inning, after Francisco Rodriguez blew the save for John Lackey in the ninth, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 on Friday night.


Winner declared in Ukraine; opposition calls for national strike

Ukraine's Central Elections Commission declared Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the winner of the country's bitterly disputed presidential vote Wednesday


Michael Schumacher has refused to write off his chances of winning the Chinese Grand Prix after a spin in qualifying left him at the back of the grid.


Sources: NYPD, protest group agree on rally site

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and representatives for United for Peace and Justice have agreed on a site for a protest rally this weekend, as well as the route for the march that will precede it, sources familiar with the


L'Aia, 12:20 - F1, SPYKER: LICENZIATO ALBERTS, AL SUO POSTO VAN DE GARDE

Il pilota olandese della Spyker Christijan Albers è stato licenziato dalla sua scuderia. Lo a...


WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a massive reorganization of the United States intelligence community to address the Sept. 11 commission's complaints that the nation's spy agencies don't work together properly to deter terrorist attacks    The bill, approved on a 96-2 vote, would create a national counterterrorism center and also a position of national intelligence director who would coordinate most of the nation's nonmilitary intelligence agencies...


Costco November same-store sales rise 5 percent

Costco Wholesale Corp.  on Thursday said November sales rose 5 percent at stores open at least a year, shy of Wall Street expectations, held back by falling prices for gasoline sold at its filling stations.


California state officials filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to block a new U.S. rule that limits federal funds to states that provide access to abortions.


The drama of Kobe Bryant and the woman who accused him of rape in a little Colorado mountain town 14 months ago has moved to new terrain.


Scotland Joins Growing Anti-Tobacco Movement

Scotland became the latest country to take a stand against tobacco on Wednesday by announcing a ban on smoking in public buildings.


Russian leader Vladimir Putin says Georgia's arrest of four Russian officers for spying is "state terror".


Ex-Washington Post Reporter to Lead a Rival

The Washington Times taps John F. Solomon, an alumnus from its more liberal cross-town rival, The Washington Post, as its new executive editor.


World's Beer Fans Meet for Annual Munich Binge

International squads of beer drinkers, leather-clad Bavarians and devotees of excess young and old converged in Munich on Saturday for the start of the planet's biggest beer festival, the Oktoberfest.


MORE than 3000 US and Iraqi troops launched an operation in the southern approaches to Baghdad today, seizing a possible insurgent training camp and capturing more than 160 suspected rebels, the US military command said.


Apple Computer Inc. issued a recall of about 28,000 batteries that were being used in its 15" PowerBook notebook computers. The batteries in question were produced between the January and August time frame. The batters were manufacturered by a Korean firm ...


NORTON -- Had the numbers shaken out a bit differently, spectators at today's third round of the Deutsche Bank Championship would have had some color with their morning coffee.


BASRA, Iraq  - British troops quit the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Monday, an Iraqi general said, leaving the oil hub without British forces for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.


In testa contribuenti del Lazio seguiti da quelli lombardi


A Film Rushes to the Screen, Then Stumbles

âFactory Girlâ was seen as a potential award winner. Then came the delays and the squabbles.


FBI Wiretaps Dropped Due to Unpaid Bills

The FBI, which has had trouble keeping track of its guns and laptops, also has a chronic problem paying its phone bills on time, according to audit results released yesterday.


Allstate, the home insurer, said that net income fell more than 15 percent in the third quarter, hurt by higher catastrophic losses.


Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe accuses George W Bush of behaving as though he is God, with Tony Blair his prophet.


Bush, Rumsfeld Try to Soothe Angry U.S. Troops

President Bush said on Thursday U.S.  troop concerns about inadequate equipment for Iraq combat are  being addressed and he did not blame soldiers for raising the  issue with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.


The commission has rejected requests to open a formal antitrust investigation against Intel, officials say.


Siena, 20:15 - CALCIO, SIENA: IN ARRIVO ROSSETTINI, PRESO L'ARGENTINO RE

Doppio arrivo in casa Siena. Il club toscano ha praticamente definito l'ingaggio di Luca Rossettini,...


Ukraine Presidential Rivals Face Off on TV

Ukraine's rivals for the presidency jabbed fingers at one another and traded accusations in a heated televised debate Monday, as opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko charged


Worldwide sales of service robots for personal and domestic use in ...

GENEVA - Because of falling prices, the use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors, pull guard duty and perform other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007, a new survey says.


New Facebook competitor is as foggy as press release

Backed by hip-hip maestro Russel Simmons, Global Grind is the latest community site too late to the party.


Kerry, Bush Votes Could Affect State Races

State Sen. Neil Schuerer is a small-town lawmaker not accustomed to rubbing shoulders with world leaders. But the Republican shared the stage with Dick Cheney during a recent campaign appearance in which he was given a few minutes to talk to the crowd before the start of the vice president's speech.


Device Breaks Up in Pipeline, and Search Is on for Lost Piece

A missing piece of the device used to clean the walls of the 800-mile Alaska pipeline could damage sensitive equipment.


Home Depot Chief Apologizes to Shareholders

Though much of the meeting was devoted to the retailerâs future, executives could not help explaining or defending its recent history.


Yankees Clinch 10th Straight Playoff Spot

NEW YORK - Derek Jeter hit a leadoff home run, Jon Lieber pitched into the eighth inning and the New York Yankees clinched their 10th consecutive trip to the postseason with a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday.    John Flaherty also homered for the Yankees (96-57), who are assured of no worse than a wild-card berth...


Afghan Militants Extend Deadline for UN Hostages

Militants holding three U.N. workers  hostage in Afghanistan have extended a deadline for their  demands to be met because of the time taken for negotiators to  arrive for talks, a spokesman for the kidnappers said on  Saturday.


Reward Sunni fighters, US commander says

A top U.S. commander warned Tuesday that Sunnis who fight al-Qaida in Iraq must be rewarded and recognized as legitimate members of Iraqi society Â or else the hard-fought security gains of the past six months could be lost.


A battle is raging between liberals and radical Islamists. Can ...

WHERE else could this happen? Itâs the funeral of a film-maker, brutally murdered - butchered â-y a Muslim extremist. Thousands line the streets of Amsterdam to mourn.


Ramy Ashour, 20, won the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions by beating James Willstrop, 11-7, 11-10 (3-1), 11-9.


Violence continues in Iraq with four private contractors killed in an explosion in Baghdad and more bodies discovered in Mosul. The dead men were Nepalese working for Global


US couple arrested in Bangok Film Festival graft probe: justice

A Los Angeles-based businessman and his wife have been arrested for paying 1.7 million dollars in bribes to a Thailand government official for the right to manage the Bangkok International Film Festival, the Justice Department said Tuesday.


EU to Issue Last Chance to Iran on Nuclear Plans

Senior officials from France, Britain and Germany will meet Iranian counterparts Thursday to issue Tehran with an incentive-backed last chance to end uranium enrichment plans or face possible U.N. sanctions.


Naproxen May Increase Risk Of Cardiovascular Events

Researchers in the US have halted a government study involving a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug known as Naproxen, brand Aleve, after data indicated possible increased heart risks associated with the painkiller.


An explosion in Kosovo's capital Pristina has killed at least two people and injured eleven more.The blast scattered glass and debris from shops on Bill Clinton Boulevard. Part of a building collapsed. Police reportedly believe there may have been a criminal motive. The blast came amid rising tension over the province's stalled bid for independence from Serbia. Kosovo has been run by the United Nations and patrolled by NATO since 1999. A new round of negotiations on Kosovo's future status is set to take place this Friday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.  Leaders of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority have threatened to declare independence after the talks end, with or without a UN resolution.


Overseas Snack Sales Help PepsiCo Meet Expectations

The company said it was able to raise prices and improve productivity, which helped offset soaring costs for commodities like grains and cooking oils.


Is that a Media Center PC--or an end table?

Wood paneling and chrome made your dad's station wagon look like a million bucks, and they might also be just the ticket for Microsoft's fledgling effort to put a Media Center PC in every living room.


"No Two Snowflakes the Same" Likely True, Research Reveals

Temperature, time, humidity, and gravity all can radically alter the shape of a snowflake, making it virtually impossible for any two to ever be the same, an author says.


Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian has resigned as chairman of his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to take responsibility for an election setback.


Dwyane Wade had his dislocated left shoulder examined Friday by specialist Dr. James Andrews, and Miami Heat coach Pat Riley said there's no rush for a decision on whether season-ending surgery or rehabilitation is the best treatment.


A drink of milk was off the menu for Europeans until only a few thousand years ago, say researchers from London.


Further rate cuts quite possible: Fed's Lacker

RICHMOND, Virginia  - Weaker U.S. growth means that more interest rate cuts are "quite possible" but inflation is also still a risk, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker said on Friday.


Russia's Putin once again heads ex-Soviet bloc

President Vladimir Putin took over once again as head of the CIS ex-Soviet bloc at a summit in the Kazakh capital Astana, the Interfax news agency reported.


Waxman Sees Potential Coverup in Ship Contract

Managers of the U.S. Coast Guard's $24 billion fleet-overhaul program appeared to cover up a Navy engineering report that highlighted design flaws in a new flagship cutter under scrutiny by government investigators, a senior House Democrat said yesterday.


Volatility of the Markets Carries On in 2008

Oilâs $100-a-barrel price flirtation suggests that traders will see more of the escalation in energy markets that marked the final months of 2007.


Israel plans full Lebanon pullout within days

Israel intends to complete a troop   withdrawal from Lebanon by the weekend, Defense Minister Amir   Peretz said on Wednesday, as Germany and Malaysia took steps to   beef up an international peacekeeping force.


What models wear is noted, copied and may be fashionâs next hits.


Crohn's Disease May Respond to Parasite Therapy

Patients with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, who do not respond to conventional treatment, may get symptom relief by swallowing parasite eggs.


More than six million people have downloaded Firefox, the open-source descendant of the Netscape browser killed off by Internet Explorer in a battle that figured large in the US anti-trust case against Microsoft.


The notes in captured godfather Bernardo Provenzano's Bible  could be the key to Cosa Nostra's secrets. Now the FBI is on the case


'Greenhouse' Gas Found Rising Over Antarctica

A group of Japanese researchers has found that carbon dioxide levels over the Antarctica rose by over 2.6 percent from six years ago - the first such detection of an increase in a "greenhouse" gas above the southern continent, group members said Tuesday.    Many scientists fear carbon dioxide, produced by burning fossil fuels and other industrial processes, may be causing global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere...


(HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of Thomson CenterWatch:


Australian Leisure Shares May Gain After Coles Myer Raises Bid

Shares of Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group, the nation's biggest pubs owner, may rise after Coles Myer Ltd. increased its takeover offer to A$1.


E-Mail-Authentication Problems Spawn New Apps

Port25 has released a new version of its PowerMTA, geared to address E-mail-authentication specs and accreditation services. By Thomas Claburn.


Senate panel OKs Fallon, Casey nominations

A Senate panel easily approved Adm. William Fallon's nomination to become top U.S. commander in the Middle East on Tuesday.


U.S. Puts Limits on Lendersâ Ties to Universities

New Education Department rules would ban practices that have resulted in loan company payoffs to university officials.


Following CA's announcement yesterday, IBM gave word that they are bundling Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC) technology into certain Tivoli systems and network management apps.


Former star banker barred by the NASD for refusal to testify in obstruction of justice probe. NEW YORK  - The NASD said Monday it permanently barred former star banker Frank Quattrone from the securities


Explosion at Indonesian Embassy in Paris

An unexplained explosion occurred outside the Indonesian embassy in Paris before dawn Friday, injuring seven people lightly, French radio stations reported.


Open Source Alternatives: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Even as such open source software developers as Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) and OpenOffice.org wax enthusiastic concerning enterprise deployments of their respective Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Office alternatives, industry analysts are urging caution.


As much as the Vikings misfired, the Eagles' starters showed no signs of rust by dumping Minnesota, 27-14, to host a record third straight NFC title game next Sunday.


Roma, 15:19 - CALCIO, LAZIO; CRAGNOTTI: RIPORTEREI CLUB IN BORSA

L'ex presidente della Lazio, Sergio Cragnotti, intervistato da Radio Radio in merito alla crisi dell...


Ellen MacArthur endures torrid seas as she continues her round-the-world record bid.


As many as 40 hurt on Air Canada flight: reports

CALGARY, Alberta  - As many as 40 passengers were injured on an Air Canada Victoria, British Columbia, to Toronto flight that made an emergency landing at Calgary on Thursday morning.


Friends, family and fans gather at a church in Harlem, New York, for the funeral of rapper ODB.


An online petition is launched after Peter Jackson said he was overlooked to direct The Hobbit.


Le prime reazioni del premier sul piano di riassettoBersani: una vicenda che merita grande attenzione                                          Telecom, il disappunto di Prodi "Sono sconcertato e preoccupato"                                                                                di ROBERTO MANIA e MARCO MAROZZI


Phelps Bows Out With Magnanimous Gesture

ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps doesn't mind making history while sitting in the stands. The man who dominated the attention at the Olympic pool gave up a coveted spot on the 400-meter medley relay team to Ian Crocker...


Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo turns aside 26 shots on Friday to claim his 10th consecutive victory over the Capitals, 3-2.


Neal Fredericks, 35, shot 'The Blair Witch Project'

MIAMI -- Neal Fredericks, the cinematographer of the low-budget but successful horror film "The Blair Witch Project," died in a plane crash while filming a movie over the Dry Tortugas, his agent said. He was 35.


And other surprising answers, in TIME.com's first-ever survey of the wives (and husband) of the presidential candidates


For Pet Owners, Too, Toys a Reason for Concern

Following the pet food scare this year, and a spate of childrenâs toy recalls, pet owners have been stepping forward to ask: How safe are pet toys?


England wrap up a series win over the West Indies with a seven-wicket third Test victory.


Iraqi President Jalal Talabani criticises Syria for backing possible Turkish strikes against Kurdish rebels.


A blog entry from Sun's second in command, Jonathan Schwartz, is indicating that a demo of Solaris capable of running on IBM's PowerPC architecture is on its way. When asked for comment a Sun spokesperson told BetaNews, "We don't have anything more to say about it at this point beyond what is in Jonathan's blog." More detailed information on Solaris 10 is available from BetaNews.


Human Rights Watch on the frontlines of the child labor battle.


Colombian rebels stay silent on captives' location as Hollywood director joins Venezuelan leader's team


Lohan Admits to Substance Abuse Addiction

Lindsay Lohan issued a statement taking responsibility for her actions and saying she suffers from drug and alcohol addiction. "It is clear to me that my life has become completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs," she sa...


The St. Louis Rams yesterday released punter Sean Landeta and signed Kevin Stemke to replace him. Landeta, 42, was one of only two former USFL players still in action in the NFL.


By Mike Wilder, Times-News, Burlington, N.C.  Jun. 17--"There's a new church in town," a release promoting Pine Ridge Church reads.


Manchester United said it has rejected a business plan from US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer and ended takeover talks. The club said an outline plan presented by Mr Glazer was not in its best interests because


Brokerage firm's stock rallies as speculation is rife that CEO won't last long.


New IBM supercomputer aiming for petaflop

IBM  will build a  next-generation supercomputer for the U.S. Energy Department  with the potential to achieve a sustained speed of 1,000  trillion calculations per second, or one petaflop, the  department said on Wednesday.


New Australian Mufti sparks controversy on debut

Australia's top Muslim cleric riled critics on Tuesday by questioning Osama bin Laden's role in the September 11 attacks on the United States, a day after being appointed to repair strains with non-Muslim Australians.


NEW Zealand trailed by 314 to be 5-149 in its second innings at stumps on day four of the second Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval today.


Spanish-Language Movie Channel Comes to Comcast

By Christina Hoag, The Miami Herald  Sep. 6--Fans of Spanish-language cinema will now have an ample array of films to view with a new cable channel launching today, VeneMovies.


Websites steamed after their Google PageRanks fall

Search-zilla takes a swat at link farms The net is abuzz with speculation that Google is cracking down on link farms designed to artificially puff up the placement of websites after bloggers disclosed recent PageRank drops for more than a dozen sites.â¦


One third of IT managers struggling with XP SP2

A third of IT managers have admitted that they have "no idea what to expect" when deploying Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2, new research has claimed.


Premier League leaders Arsenal are paired with holders AC Milan in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League.


CIA whistle-blower Philip Agee dies in Cuba

Philip Agee, a former CIA spy who exposed its undercover operations in Latin America in a 1975 book, died in Havana, the Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma said on Wednesday.


Raul Lopez had a career-high 11 assists and matched his best scoring total with 20 points as the Utah Jazz avoided being swept by Seattle for the first time in 22 years by beating the SuperSonics 109-100 Wednesday night.


Popes through the ages on view in Rome exhibition

An exhibition of papal portraits from the Renaissance to Pope John Paul II will open in Rome at the end of this month, the organisers announced.


If you're Steve Ballmer, don't read this

Blog: While the rest of the nation celebrates Independence Day, Microsoft gets more confirmation that its once legendary domination over the desktop is slipping away.


What exactly is the FFO number that many REITs provide?


Electronics retailer Circuit City Stores Inc  posted a quarterly loss on Thursday as sales fell and the company cut jobs in an effort to turn business around.


American League Game Summary - Minnesota at New York

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Bernie Williams hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as the New York Yankees clinched their seventh consecutive American League East title with a 6-4 victory over Minnesota at Yankee Stadium.


Hedge fund SAC Capital has disclosed it has a more than 5 percent stake in mining giant Phelps Dodge Corp.  and wants to block Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.'s  proposal to buy the company, saying the price is too low, a regulatory filing said.


Uninsured Americans Up by 1.4 Million in '03

Aug. 26, 2004 -- An estimated 45 million Americans don't have health insurance, and that number is rising faster than the number of Americans with insurance, according to a new report released today by the US Census Bureau.


Body Resembling Japanese Hostage Found in Iraq

A body resembling a Japanese hostage has  been found in Iraq and is being shipped to Qatar for  identification, Japanese officials said on Saturday.


Negroponte Keynote: Electronics Are 'Obese'

Nicholas Negroponte, co-founder of both the MIT Media Lab and the nonprofit One Laptop Per Child, delivers the last keynote at the American Academy for the Advancement of Sciences annual meeting, focusing on the groundbreaking work of the OLPC, which has delivered thousands of laptops to children in the developing world. Alexis Madrigal reports from Boston.


Mr. Musharraf is still the boss of Pakistan

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf as expected, will continue to hold sway over the country's policies, and will have the decisive vote on all important national issues.


Family and friends remember actor Christopher Reeve at a private ceremony at his New York home.


Court Wades Into Prison Sentence Dispute

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court returned for another term Monday and wasted no time getting down to business, appearing poised to alter the system used for sentencing 64,000 federal criminal defendants a year.    But justices clashed over whether any changes they make would create greater inequity in the federal system...


Romance is in the air but some men have made a Saint Valentine's Day admission that they are no know-it-all Casanovas and are taking secret lessons in spicing up their love lives.


Siena, 17:59 - CALCIO,MILAN;ANCELOTTI:"BENE ATTACCO E REAZIONE DOPO 3-3"

"Rimane di questa partita la vittoria ottenuta al pelo, la grande qualità nel gioco d'attacco...


A due ore dall'avvio, Dow Jones tocca nuovo record intraday


Small Martinsville track can cause big problems for drivers

Martinsville track can be difficult: Midway through their 10-race playoff, the Nextel Cup Series contenders are at the shortest and slowest oval on the NASCAR circuit - a place four-time series champion Jeff Gordon insists can be as damaging to title


Photos: Concepts at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

CNET Car Tech posts photos of concept cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.


ISS crew members Salizhan Sharipov and Leroy Chiao, who had reduced their food consumption by 10 percent to stretch supplies, ate a special prepacked meal to mark the Christmas Day holiday.


The government funds 60,000 more first time student places in England by 2011, but there are critics of its approach.


Jia Zhang-ke, the director of âStill Life,â looks at his country and sees an enormous, rapidly changing movie set.


New iMac packs computer into flat screen

PARIS Apple Computer engineered another design coup on Tuesday, unveiling a new iMac here that incorporates all of the personal computer's innards into a flat-panel screen that balances on an aluminum stand.


Deng Xiaoping backed Tiananmen Square massacre: former premier Li

China's late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping "resolutely backed" the Tiananmen Square massacre 15 years ago, former premier Li Peng has said in a rare commentary on the bloody incident he has long been blamed for.


E' morto Elmer Bernstein, il genio della musica da film

Se ne Ã¨ andato in silenzio. Proprio lui, Elmer Bernstein, che aveva trascorso la vita a comporre musica. A 82 anni, malato da tempo, Ã¨ morto lasciando in ereditÃ  un patrimonio ineguagliabile:14 nomination


A suicide bomber killed 12 people in a   minibus transporting Iraqi army recruits on Monday, as al Qaeda   said in a video on the fifth anniversary of the September 11   attacks that U.S. forces in Iraq were "doomed" to fail.


A four-day national strike has begun in Nigeria in protest at a 25% increase in the cost of oil. Oil executives in Nigeria said they were confident there would be no immediate disruption to exports.


Castelrotto (Bolzano), 00:29 - CALCIO, FIORENTINA: IN ARRIVO CHRISTIAN VIERI

Christian Vieri vestirà la maglia della Fiorentina la prossima stagione. Il giocatore &egrave...


Prima un blackout, poi contestazione dei figuranti


School caretaker 'turned bedroom into a bomb factory'

Man who sent seven letter bombs to science labs and offices had three further devices ready to go, court told.


An ex-Army officer criticises the US and UK for failing to plan properly for the aftermath of the Iraq war.


Variety - HOLLYWOOD -- For the film biz, October is the unofficial start of Oscar season. And in the world of English-language book publishing, October marks the time when the National Book Award finalists are announced and a few lucky novels emerge from obscurity and land on national bestseller lists.


Top American Playwright Arthur Miller Dies at 89

Playwright Arthur Miller, a titan of  American theater who wrote "Death of a Salesman" and was  revered for works that spoke for the common man, has died. He  was 89.


The slide in crude oil prices takes a barrel in London down to little more than $40, as traders realise profits after the recent surge.


Health-Care Worker To Jail For Identity Theft

A health-care worker at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance has been sentenced to serve 16 months in prison for stealing the identity of a cancer patient, and subsequently running up credit card bills in his name.


Sometimes Trey Parker and Matt Stone are trying to make you laugh, and sometimes they're trying to make you squirm. The "South Park" creators do all of the above with their new film, "Team America: World Police," which narrowly avoided an NC-17 rating by trimming a hardcore sex scene — between puppets.


NASA basks in shuttle success amid tumultuous year

The successful shuttle Atlantis mission has finally given NASA something to celebrate this year after being rocked by an astronaut's arrest and a shooting at its Houston campus.


Bush chief of staff faces possible contempt charges

The White House chief of staff faced possible contempt charges after a congressional panel on Thursday rejected President George W. Bush's attempt to limit the probe of the firing of federal prosecutors.


Taiwan eatery pays through the nose for tofu stink

Stinky tofu, a south China delicacy loved by some and detested by others, finally wore out its welcome in one Taiwan neighbourhood.


Live Croc Found in Australia Swimming Pool

DARWIN, Australia - The skills of Crocodile Dundee were not needed. The reptile was placid and sick, but in the wrong place.  A three-foot saltwater crocodile ended up in a public swimming pool in the tropical Australian city of Darwin.


It's Been a Day-to-Day Battle With Intruders

When people try to describe what using technology was like this year, the word that will likely come to mind is "pain." With viruses, worms, spyware, spam and phishing, running a computer -- especially


US troops killed around 25 insurgents in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul after they were attacked by suicide bombs, the US military has said.


Milano, 14:53 - CALCIO, INTER; MANCINI: CON SPORTING PRIMA VERA FINALE

Alla vigilia della gara che vale il passaggio del turno in Champions, Roberto Mancini prova a carica...


ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- The UN Security Council has voted to impose an immediate arms embargo on the Ivory Coast. The 15-member council also vowed to punish key government and rebel leaders with additional


Eight terror suspects charged in Britain

¡¡ LONDON, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- British police on Tuesday charged eight terrorism suspects with conspiracy to murder.


Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is unperturbed by her tormentor Jade Goody's arrival in India


Yahoo, newspapers mulling partnership: report

Yahoo Inc.  and a loose  consortium of newspaper publishers are considering a  partnership that would include Web classifieds, local news, and  content packages based on general themes like travel,  BusinessWeek magazine reported on Thursday.


Millions of Americans have done just that. Thanks to them, a class of pain relievers called COX-2 inhibitors - Pfizer's Celebrex and Bextra, and Merck's Vioxx - have become blockbusters.


Dell Says It's Ahead of Schedule with Recycling Program

Dell says it is ahead of schedule in its efforts to recycle computer equipment.


Pregnant women to get cash for good diet

Â· Â£120 grant to buy fruit and vegetables Â· Brown rejects 'nanny state' criticism


Carlyle lines up $8bln bid for Virgin Media: report

Private equity group Carlyle is poised to launch an $8 billion bid for Britain's Virgin Media , the cable company whose largest shareholder is Richard Branson, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper said, citing City sources.


Head-On Train Collision in India Kills 27

Welders cut through metal, and soldiers pulled bodies from the crushed cars of two trains that collided head-on Tuesday in northern India, killing 31 people.


Outcome of an Ad Contest Starts an Uproar on YouTube

Some YouTube users cried foul when they saw the winning video in a Malibu Caribbean Rum user-generated advertising contest.


Jazeera TV says to air tape by al Qaeda's Zawahri

Al Jazeera television said on Wednesday it would air a tape by al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri.


Warning of terrorists' threat to businesses

BRITISH business is open to the threat of terror attack unless it works more closely with the Government to assess and counter active security risks, a former intelligence chief will tell the CBI today.


Prince to Sue YouTube, eBay Over Music Use

The legal action is the latest bid by the music industry to wrest back control over content.


PARIS: The coach of the disgraced Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou said his athletes had nothing to hide after they were handed provisional bans by the IAAF yesterday for missing doping tests.


The pound continued to slide after the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at 5.50 percent today. The decision was widely expected, although financial markets were pricing in a 20 percent chance of a surprise hike, leaving the pound vulnerable.


Japanese emperor arrives in Britain for dinner with queen

The Emperor of Japan arrives in Britain Sunday for a three-day visit that will see him carry out engagements including dinner with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.


BULL BAY, Jamaica Sept. 12, 2004 - Hurricane Ivan lost some strength as it bore down on the Cayman Islands and Cuba Sunday but was still capable of causing tremendous damage with winds near 155 mph.


Australian Embassy in Jakarta Shattered by Blast

A large explosion was set off early Thursday outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta's financial district, killing at least four people and wounding more than 100, officials said.


Hollinger International offers Black olive branch

Hollinger International has extended an olive branch to its former ousted boss Conrad Black by offering him proceeds from its sale of two leading British newspapers, according to a report.


Two prominent clerics are gunned down in Baghdad, reawakening fears of sectarian strife in Iraq.


EU Commission President designate Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, top left, delivers his address in Giulio Cesare hall at the opening ceremony of the EU Constitution signing in Rome's Capitoline Hill, Friday, Oct. 29, 2004.


On Sunday, 60 Minutes will run a story asking if Merck (nyse: MRK - news - people ) knew about the dangers of Vioxx, the arthritis drug that was pulled from the market because it doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke.


Aid Gives Tsunami Victims Ray of New Year Hope

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia  - The world poured money  into tsunami-battered Asia Saturday, as aid workers, troops and  grieving locals worked frantically to bury thousands of rotting  corpses and help millions threatened by disease.


Fiat cash from GM for option would be modest-S&P

Any cash that Italy's Fiat (FIA.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) may gain from agreeing to scrap an option to sell its loss-making car unit Fiat Auto to General Motors Corp.


Pakistan steps up pressure on mosque militants

Helicopter gunships hover above mosque amid signs that standoff is coming to an end.


OpenOffice.org Calc: Pivot tables by another name

DataPilots are OpenOffice.org Calc's equivalent of what MS Excel and other spreadsheets call pivot tables. Under any name, they are a tool for extracting and summarizing the information contained in spreadsheet cells in a more convenient form. Using a DataPilot, you can immediately see relationships between different pieces of data that would be difficult -- if not impossible -- to find using formulas, and tedious to extract manually. In effect, a DataPilot gives you something of the power of using a database without actually switching out of a spreadsheet. Small wonder, then, that over half of spreadsheet users are said to use datapilots or pivot tables.


GlaxoSmithKline's decision not to partner up is a setback to Advancis' plans to redevelop some commonly prescribed oral antibiotics to perform more efficiently. -The Washington Post


Il gruppo ha deciso di rilanciare investimenti nel settore


McNealy: Microsoft needs Sun to beat IBM and Red Hat

Whatever pleasantries once existed between Sun Microsystems and Red Hat have vanished. This won't come as a shock to many of you.


Oil prices dipped on Thursday after leaping to a lifetime high of $100 the day before amid a new-year rush of investor demand fuelled by expectations of thinning U.S. stockpiles, the falling U.S. dollar and geopolitical risks.


A UK foreign minister insists that Britain does not want its diplomatic dispute with Russia to go "any wider".


Corey Pavin sank seven birdies and matched his career low with an 8-under-par 62 for a three-stroke lead at the inaugural Buick Championship on Thursday.


Tribune takes control of free daily amNewYork

Tribune Co.  said on Thursday  it has acquired full control of amNewYork after buying a  minority interest from the free daily newspaper's management  group led by co-founder Russel Pergament.


A New Jersey congressman introduced a bill Thursday in the House that would offer $600 million to voting districts across the nation that convert to paper ballots or put in audit systems in time for the November presidential election.


Rise in Antidepressants Prescribed for Children: Study

Doctors are prescribing more antidepressants for children and adolescents although there is little evidence about their safety or efficacy in youngsters, researchers said on Thursday.


China gamers have a bone to pick over skeletons

Bones and skeletons have disappeared  from the Chinese version of the popular on-line fantasy game,  World of Warcraft, sparking fierce criticism from the nation's  army of players, Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday.


Wal-Mart launches movie, TV download service

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES  - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.   on Tuesday introduced a test version of its new video  download service, making it the first major retailer to offer  such a service with the backing of all of Hollywood's big  studios.


Supreme Court Rules Against Investors in Securities Fraud Case

The Supreme Court today curbed the ability of investors who lost money through corporate fraud to sue businesses that may have helped facilitate the crime.


The Minnesota Twins once again couldn't score for Johan Santana. In the ninth inning, they more than made up for it. Mike Redmond's RBI single capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning against Atlanta closer Bob Wickman, ruining Tim Hudson's strong start and lifting the Twins to a 3-2 victory over the Braves on Thursday night.


Ailing Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's powers have been temporarily passed to two veteran associates -- both have served under him as prime minister -- until he recovers or dies, officials say.


Senator: Net neutrality push ain't over yet

Democrat Byron Dorgan, a leading advocate for imposing antidiscrimination rules on Internet service providers, says law's passage remains "important for our country's interests."


Europe on Top as Woods, Mickelson Struggle

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


Australia and New Zealand observe a day of national mourning for victims of the Asian tsunami.


President Bush spent a crisp fall Saturday gingerly balancing a tiny screeched owl on a gloved hand at a wildlife refuge and casting for rockfish on the Chesapeake Bay.


US researchers have recently found that the acupuncture technique does actually offers pain relief and improves freedom of movement.


Russia airlifts enriched uranium out of Germany

DRESDEN, Germany  - Russian experts working by night removed a large quantity of highly enriched uranium from a Soviet-era reactor in Germany on Monday and flew it to Russia for processing.


L'Oreal OREP.PA forecast another year   of strong growth as it posted first-half profits that beat   expectations, sending the shares of the world's biggest   cosmetics group to highs not seen in more than four years.


World Business Briefing: The Netherlands: Abn Amro Names Executives

ABN Amro Holding hired Tomasz Stadnik and Chris Kelly from the Credit Suisse Group to run emerging markets fixed income at its asset management unit. The two succeed Raphael Kassin, who joined Credit Suisse in April after building up ABN Amroâs emerging market debt funds. Mr. Stadnik and Mr. Kelly jointly managed $1.5 billion of emerging market debt at Credit Suisse.


EastEnders star Shane Richie plans to take time off from the soap to make his Hollywood debut.


Suicide Bomber Kills 23 Outside Pakistani Courthouse

LAHORE, Pakistan, Jan. 10 -- A suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the Lahore High Court in eastern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 23 people and wounding 47 others, police and hospital officials said. Many of the casualties were police officers, they said.


U.S. Struggles to Tutor Iraqis in Rule of Law

American investigators working with Iraqis acknowledge that many criminal inquiries have yielded mixed results.


Celine Dion is to receive a special honour at the World Music Awards, according to a Canadian paper.


Business Outspends Gov't When It Comes To Info-Tech Services

A Census Bureau survey says 60% of revenue for IT services came from business in 2Q. Agency buys accounted for just 37%. By Eric Chabrow.


Ukraine's parliament approves new election body

President Leonid Kuchma.The Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday adopted a new composition of the Central Election Commission (CEC)of 15 people following its dismissal of the body earlier in the day.


No 'tipping point' yet in PC alternatives, Intel says

Other than terminal services, an Intel survey finds users haven't picked any other alternative, including desktop virtualization, application and operating system streaming or blade PCs, as a clear favorite.


After 'The Incredibles,' Pixar Can Afford to Play Hard-to-Get

With Pixar Animation Studios' joint venture with the Walt Disney Company set to expire next year, executives in Hollywood have been speculating for months about when


Decline in U.S. Jobs Could Prove Costly to GOP Nominee

The economic storm clouds gathering over the 2008 presidential race burst open yesterday with news that the economy shed 17,000 jobs in January, the first job loss in 52 months and the clearest sign yet that the economy may be in a recession.


The former head of pipeline-corrosion monitoring for BP in Alaska refused to testify under oath Thursday as outraged lawmakers grilled company officials over the causes of a massive oil spill earlier this year.


Sex OK during Grey Cup week: Argos coach

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - If the expression "whatever the coach says goes" is true, the Toronto Argonauts will be getting their fair share of nookie during Grey Cup week, if they want it.


Bucs' Chris Simms Released From Hospital

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was released from St. Joseph's Hospital over the weekend, less than a week after undergoing surgery to remove a ruptured spleen.


Uh-Oh! That Mad Scientist May Unlock the Underworld!

This horror film, spun off from an old Atari video game, is so inept on every level you wonder why the distributor didn't toss it directly into the trash.


La Cub preannuncia corteo contro liquidazione e smembramento


Suicide attack kills 37 as Pakistan vote campaign ends

A suicide car bomber struck a rally by slain Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto's party on Saturday, killing 37 people and increasing security fears with just two days to go until elections.


Yankees 11, Mets 8: Yankees Offense Rebounds Against Glavine

After silencing the Yankees in a combined shutout on Friday, the Metsâ pitching looked helpless Saturday as Tom Glavine failed in his fifth attempt at his 296th career victory.


Nokia announces new short-range wireless standard

Mobile technology firm Nokia   NOK1V.HE said on Tuesday it was introducing what it hoped   would be a new industry standard for short-range wireless   connections between small devices.


Avellino, 19:37 - CALCIO, AVELLINO-LECCE: ARBITRO COLPITO DA BOTTIGLIA ACQUA

L'arbitro di Avellino-Lecce, Ayroldi di Molfetta, è stato colpito al petto da una bottigliett...


Olympic swim star Phelps faces drunken driving charges

Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. BALTIMORE, Maryland, United States of America -- Olympic swim star Michael Phelps, whose eight medals at the


U.S. songwriter and actress Betty Comden, who collaborated with Adolph Green to write some of the greatest stage and screen musicals such as "Singin' in the Rain," died of heart failure on Thursday in New York at age 89, media reports said.


Continua la polemica sulle iniziative sulla sicurezzaIl ministro dell'Interno: "Difendiamo i piÃ¹ deboli"                                          Sicurezza, lo stupore di Amato "Stupefatto per i toni delle critiche"


Deals put end in sight for Microsoft's antitrust mess

Clearing more legal challenges, Microsoft  announced settlements Monday with rival Novell  for $536 million and with a trade organization that had aggressively backed landmark antitrust cases against Microsoft by the U.S. government and European Union.


Malnutrition threatens flood-hit Bangladeshis

Bangladeshi children and women face acute malnutrition after the worst floods in 15 years swept the impoverished country, the United Nations has warned.


Few constituencies are as eager for the Republican Party to falter this political season as gay-rights activists. Yet as they observe the Democratic presidential campaign and the rest of the electoral landscape, their high hopes often are mixed with frustration.


It was a national day of grieving for Yasser Arafat, but the row of men sipping black coffee and eating dates under a mourning tent had someone else in mind.


An attempt to merge police forces in the east of England cost more than Â£1m, the BBC learns.


Filmmakers and researchers on Monday unveiled two ancient stone boxes they said may have once contained the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but several scholars derided the claims made in a new documentary as unfounded and contradictory to basic Christian beliefs.


Action, not animation, is 'National Treasure'

This weekend was to be one of Hollywood's fiercest showdowns between animated films. Then Jerry Bruckheimer blew the weekend to bits.


McDonald's Corp. announced Wednesday it would launch later this year a new "contactless" payment option called MasterCard PayPass, which lets customers simply wave or tap the card to complete a quick transaction.


Einstein Gravity Effect Demonstrated by NASA

The phenomenon, known as frame-dragging, is quite small, amounting to 6 feet in the distance that satellites, moving at about 18,000 miles per hour, cover in their orbits in a year, but it is within the ability of NASA's instruments to detect.


(Corrects to show that Konica Minolta was called Zana last year in ...

Nicorette won the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race to give Finnish-born skipper Ludde Ingvall his second victory in four years. Nicorette, a 90-footer, crossed the line


The judge considering Microsoft Corp.'s appeal against European Union sanctions has convened a closed meeting for Thursday after two more major opponents of the U.S. software giant withdrew from the case, a court spokesman said on Wednesday.


Scuola, si torna in aula al via il nuovo anno

Riapertura scaglionata. Riprendono le lezioni in cinque regioni. Gli ultimi a tornare in classe saranno gli studenti siciliani il 18 settembre


Report: Pakistan makes India offer on glacier

Islamabad - Pakistan has assured India Pakistani forces will not seize a disputed glacier high in the Himalayas if Indian troops were to withdraw from it, a Pakistani newspaper said on Sunday.


Lavorava per i militari italiani a Nassiriya


Eliminate stress at the touch of a button... literally

USB to the rescue Stress gets to us all, but until now there have been only three outlets: going for a ciggie, squeezing a stress toy or punching your boss. But now you can press the red button and bring all your stress to an end with the USB stress panic button.â¦


One of the last two surviving French World War I veterans, Louis de Cazenave, dies in his sleep at the age of 110.


A bomb explodes at a railway station in Spain's Basque region, causing damage to doors and windows but no injuries.


GAZA CITY, 3 December 2004 - Islamic Jihad said yesterday it would boycott a Jan. 9 Palestinian presidential election for a successor to Yasser Arafat.


Ask.com to let users scrub search records

(InfoWorld) - Search portal Ask.com plans to make it easier for Web searchers to cover their tracks. The company is introducing a new feature to its Web portal later this year called AskEraser, which will let users perform anonymous searches. When AskEraser is turned on, the Web site will not retain the data it typically stores during a search, said Patrick Crisp, an Ask.com spokesman. "We will allow users to select a privacy setting that says 'I do not want you to retain my data at all,'" he said. If AskEraser is not turned on, the site will store the search query, the IP (Internet Protocol) address and some cookie information from the user, as well as the URL the user visited before coming to Ask.com, Crisp said. Search engines like Ask.com say that they retain this sort of information in order to improve their sites, but this practice has become controversial, with privacy advocates worrying that the data could be leaked or misused. Last year, AOL researchers inadvertently disclosed data on about 650,000 of searches made on the company's Web site. New York Times reporters were able to track down one of the searchers, based on the information contained in the AOL database. Bowing to pressure, Google recently announced that it would make the data it stores about its users anonymous after 18 to 24 months. Ask.com, which is owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp., said it plans to implement a similar policy and will no longer link searches to IP addresses after a period of 18 months. That policy will be implemented by year's end, Crisp said. "We are eliminating the possibility of someone associating those queries with the person who made them." AskEraser will be available on the Ask.com and Ask.co.uk Web sites by the end of 2007. It will roll out to other markets next year.


Boeing sees annual profits fall 14% despite strong sales, as it is hit by the cost of dropping an internet service.


Music and books retailer HMV says internet sales and price cutting have helped the firm's performance.


Ayurvedic medicines contain toxic amounts of heavy metals: Study:

[Health India]: Washington, Dec 15 : A new study has found that herbal medicines may not be completely natural, and may contain potentially toxic amounts of heavy metals.


Si Ã¨ chiusa con una vittoria l'avventura della Nazionale ai Mondiali in GiapponeTransalpini battuti in un'ora di gioco. Fei e Cisolla migliori realizzatori con 15 punti                                            Pallavolo, l'Italia batte la Francia tre set che valgono il quinto posto


Two jail inmates used photos of bikini-clad women to hide holes they used to escape and left behind a thank-you note, signed with a smiley face, for a guard they claimed helped them


WASHINGTON - Flush with political capital, President Bush has begun making out his second-term shopping list. All of his priorities aren't yet clear, but many he talked about in broad terms on the campaign


More than 200 detainees were released Sunday from Abu Ghraib prison after a security review deemed them no longer a threat, the U.S. military said.


Superhero sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer becomes the most popular film in North America.


Frank Lampard grabs his third goal in a week to end Portsmouth's unbeaten start to the season and send Chelsea top of the Premier League.


Nestle SA said Wednesday it is considering whether to sell French mineral water brand Perrier after a top trade union blocked a plan to cut almost 800 jobs.


Having done all it can with the PS2, Sony has today launched the PSP to a waiting Japanese market. Roughly 1,300 impatient people waited their turn at an outlet of Yodobashi in Shinjuku district while the


Eight Marines killed in fighting; car bomb in capital kills seven ...

BAGHDAD, Iraq It's been the bloodiest day in almost six months for US forces in Iraq. The military says eight Marines have been killed and nine wounded by a car bomb outside Fallujah, where American forces have been pounding guerrilla positions.


Manchester, 16:47 - CALCIO, QUEIROZ PENSA DI LASCIARE IL MANCHESTER UNITED

Il portoghese Carlos Queiroz, vice di Ferguson al  Manchester United, starebbe pensando di lasciare ...


New York, NY (Sports Network) - Major League Soccer, Soccer United Marketing and Adidas agreed to a 10-year partnership that makes Adidas the official sponsor and licensed product supplier for the United States' top soccer league.


HEALTH NEWS IN BRIEF: Heart risks are high for young smokers

If you're under 40 and smoke, your risk of having a heart attack is significantly greater than someone your age who doesn't, a recent study finds.


World finance ministers gathered  under heavy guard on Sunday to discuss efforts to fight terror  financing while warning the world must stay focused on the  economic recovery and fight against poverty.


Roma, 11:08 - BASKET, CANTU' FIRMA L'ALA-PIVOT USA FRANCIS

La Pallacanestro CantÃ¹ ha ingaggiato Torin Jamal Francis, ala-centro di 2.10 per 116 kg che lo scors...


Artist Barney Looks to Brazilian Gods in New Film

By Fernanda Ezabella SAO PAULO, Brazil  - Matthew Barney haschoreographed dancing girls, filmed a demolition derby insidethe Chrysler Building and dressed up like Harry Houdini all inthe name of art.


A woman police officer who filmed a TV road safety ad had to be edited out after she was caught drink driving.


UN launches 130 million dollar tsunami disaster appeal

The United Nations on Wednesday appealed for 130 million dollars to jumpstart its relief effort after the tsunami disaster and said more would be required soon.


Glaxo, Sanofi, Chiron Urged by UN to Help Combat Bird Flu Virus

The World Health Organization is urging drugmakers including GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Sanofi-Aventis SA and Chiron Corp. to join in developing a vaccine to stop Asia's deadly bird flu virus from triggering a pandemic.


Opposition parties in the Nepalese capital call a general strike over a petrol price rises.


Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Inc. reported Thursday that it won a $117 million bid for rights to six of ATA Airlines Inc.'s gates at Chicago's Midway Airport.


Devers can’t outrun pain, falls in hurdles

ATHENS -- Gail Devers stared straight ahead, her eyes focused on the first hurdle. "I was trying to block it out," she said later.


Ferrero, Scheuttler come up short, Safin cruises in China Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero's hope of a first ATP title was left in tatters at the China Open on Thursday when the second seed was beaten by Kevin Kim from the United States.


Owen on track for crack at critics and Wales

Michael Owen is confident of recovering from a back injury in time to line up for England against Wales in Saturday's World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford.


Teenage soul singer Adele comes top of the BBC's Sound of 2008 poll to find the most promising new music talent.


This isnÂt the first comedy featuring the amazing Kamal Haasan, nor is it the blast. Come to think of it, this isnÂt even one of his funniest comedies.


Obama Meets With Edwards to Discuss Campaign, Spokesman Says

Bloomberg - Feb. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama met with former candidate John Edwards in North Carolina yesterday to talk about the election campaign, according to an Obama spokesman.


Genetic test aids women with breast cancer

The test could help about 80,000 women a year make better choices about how to treat their breast cancer, federal officials said. Half could safely skip chemotherapy, they said.


Medicare Cost Estimates Spark Disputes in Congress

Rising cost projections for the new  Medicare drug benefit alarmed U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday and  set off renewed calls to restrain spiraling drug prices and  allow pharmaceutical imports from Canada.


For nearly 20 years — ever since Pete Costello was 8 — his mother has collected disability benefits on his behalf. In meetings with Social Security officials and psychologists, he appeared mentally retarded and unable to communicate. His mother insisted he couldn't read or write, shower, take care of himself or drive a car.


American Steve Lowery pips Singh for Pebble Beach title

PEBBLE BEACH, California  - American Steve Lowery clinched his first PGA Tour title in eight years by edging out 2004 champion Vijay Singh in a playoff for the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Sunday.


Airbus to cut plants and 10,000 jobs in overhaul

TOULOUSE, France  - Troubled planemaker Airbus confirmed 10,000 job cuts and announced plans to sell all or part of six factories on Wednesday, as workers protested and European politicians hailed a hard-fought compromise.


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

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


The NHL All-Star game, originally scheduled to be played February 12th and 13th at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, has been canceled by the league.


UK experts say they have proof that stem cells could be used to treat children with a life threatening lung disease.


Imbarcazione con 17 clandestini a bordo, tutti uomini


NEW YORK - It certainly sounds like bad news when a company fires seven executives for financial malfeasance, lays off 3,500 employees and advises investors that it expects sluggish market growth for the year.


Allies agree to set up military training academy in Iraq

BRUSSELS -- NATO allies agreed yesterday to create a military training academy in Iraq, expanding the alliance's small presence in the country after two years of feuding over the US-led war.


'Road map' put on ice as Sharon says troops stay in West Bank

Ten Palestinians, including an 11-year-old girl, were killed by Israeli forces as a day of violence erupted on the West Bank and the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel


An evaluation of Pacific herring stocks in Lynn Canal could land the fish on the endangered or threatened species list, blocking or slowing development in the area.


Afghans Lionize Masood on Anniversary of His Death

Tens of thousands of Afghans paid tribute  Wednesday to Northern Alliance commander Ahmad Shah Masood,  slain by al Qaeda two days before the Sept. 11 attacks but  still a key political icon three years after his death.


OmniWeb browser takes aim at minority Mac market

SUCH an embarrassment of riches. Apple Macintosh users have two new web browsers to choose from. It's a curious market. All Macs come with two free browsers: Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.2, and Apple's own slick and elegant Safari.


The USOC would consider giving a duplicate gold medal to a South Korean gymnast to make up for the scoring error that gave American Paul Hamm the all-around title.


Katrina learns to play cello for Subhash Ghai

Actress Katrina Kaif has been entering the laughter zone once too often in her career. Currently, she   is shooting for Vipul Shah's comedy Singh Is King.


Serial HIV Assault Verdict Expected Mon.

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


Apple Exceeds Expectations, Mac Sales Soar

Little was surprising about Apple's quarterly numbers surrounding the iPhone, as sales met expectations and forecasts. However, Mac sales surged to record levels and the company posted far better revenue numbers than expected.


Bush singles out Iran and North Korea, and says he has won pledges from Asian allies to pressure North Korea to restart talks.


China, Russia recognize status of full market economy

Leaders of China and Russia mutually recognized their status of full market economy on Friday, saying that it will boost the development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.


Australia hits back over pro-Japan whaling video

Australia's government Monday sharply condemned a popular Internet video claiming its citizens oppose Japanese whaling because of racism, while brutally killing animals such as kangaroos and dingoes.


Singer Anita Baker Returns After 10-Year Break

Timeless hits like "Sweet Love" may  have transformed sultry singer Anita Baker into an  international star, but after 10 years as a stay-at-home mom,  her young sons offer a more humble assessment of her career.


Nationwide Hunt in Norway for Munch Paintings

Norwegian police are conducting a nationwide hunt for the armed thieves who Sunday made off with Edward Munch's masterpiece The Scream and another painting, Madonna.


Putin hears echoes of Cuba missile crisis

MAFRA, Portugal - President Vladimir V. Putin yesterday evoked one of the most dangerous confrontations of the Cold War to highlight Russian opposition to a proposed US missile defense system in Europe, comparing it to the Cuban missile crisis of 45 years ago.


Europe must immediately increase aid for reconstruction efforts in civil war-ravaged southern Sudan, officials from the United States, United Nations and Sudan said Sunday.


Indonesian commuters riding on the roofs of trains will be sprayed with coloured liquid so that security officers can identify and arrest them, a report said on Saturday.


Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood's appeal was rejected Monday and he will begin serving his five-game suspension Tuesday.


A child is stabbed to death at a primary school in the Netherlands, Dutch media report.


A Night Out With | Taylor Kitsch: Texas Forever

The confident but not cocky model turned actor from British Columbia plays Tim Riggins on âFriday Night Lights,â a drama about football in small-town Texas.


UPDATE: Australia Labor Leader Chides US On Iraq

BRISBANE (Dow Jones)--Australian Labor Party leader Mark Latham, who polls show could be prime minister after the national election, used a key policy speech Wednesday


Palmsource reboots Cobalt, but no phones 'til 2005

Palm kicks off its European developer conference in Munich this week with details of a new release of its Cobalt OS. Cobalt 6.1 will feature new GSM and 802.


Chechen forces kill 22 separatist rebels

Chechen security forces killed 22 separatist rebels, including the alleged leader of the assassination of the republic's president, Chechen deputy prime minister Ramzan Kadyrov said, according to news reports.


Two decades after the Bhopal gas disaster in India, a new report says the world has failed to help the survivors.


Florida weather delays Atlantis landing again

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida  - Poor weather forced NASA to skip its first chance of the day to bring the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis back home to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday but other landing opportunities remained.


34 Gold Medals Up for Grabs on 15th Day of Olympics

The sailing and canoe-kayak events have closed at the Athens Olympics while athletics, wrestling, and basketball will give fans plenty to cheer at the Athens Olympics.


Clement beats two champions to reach final

France's Arnaud Clement beat fourth seed Jonas Bjorkman 6-2 6-4 indoors at the Nottingham Open on Friday for his second successive victory over a previous tournament winner, having earlier disposed of defending champion Richard Gasquet.


Carbon Storage Comes to Disused Texas Oil Fields

A short distance from Spindletop oil field, the site of the gusher that triggered the Texas oil rush more than a century ago, scientists have found a purpose for the long-disused underground reservoirs -- as storage for the pollution emitted by burning fossil fuels.


Blood Pressure Drugs Can Slow Heart Disease-Study

Some drugs that drop blood pressure can help prevent heart disease from getting worse in patients with lower blood pressure who would not routinely be given such medicine, researchers reported on Tuesday.


Breaking: Elizabeth Smart's accused kidnapper found competent to ...

After months of fighting and anticipation over Brian David Mitchell's competency hearing scheduled to encompass three days of expert testimony it was all over in five minutes Tuesday morning.


Two reports carry different messages: One predicts offshoring boom; the other applauds foreign investment.


Infamous Colombia Kingpin En Route to U.S.

The United States has taken custody of arguably the most important drug kingpin ever to head to a U.S. prison, one of two brothers who founded Colombia's notorious Cali drug cartel.


Security Tight for Afghanistan's Presidential Inauguration

As Afghanistan prepares to swear in its first popularly elected president, Afghan and US forces are launching a winter operation to contain anti-government insurgents threatening the new government.


Construction Spending Hits All-Time High

Construction spending surged in August to the highest level on record, while manufacturing grew at a slower pace in September, offering mixed signals about the economy's strength.


Microsoft logs on to secure corporate IM

Microsoft plans to release in December new software that secures instant messaging and other communications within big companies. The Redmond, Wash.


Spurs crush Jazz to advance to NBA finals

The San Antonio Spurs crushed the Utah Jazz 109-84 to win the Western Conference and advance to the NBA finals for the third time in five seasons on Wednesday.


A building collapses in the Turkish city of Istanbul, killing at least one and injuring 15 others.


The main Sudanese opposition leader says the government is refusing to allow U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur because it knows the U.N. troops would help hunt down war crimes suspects for the International Criminal Court.


American journeyman Mark Wilson claimed his maiden PGA Tour title by birdying the third hole of a four-way playoff at the Honda Classic on Monday.


The Atlanta Thrashers' third-period scoring flurry helped them accomplish a rare feat against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa and Eric Boulton scored in the third to rally the Thrashers to a 3-1 victory Tuesday night, handing the Hurricanes their first loss when leading after two periods.


Union orders writers to turn over scripts

LOS ANGELES  - Striking Hollywood screenwriters must turn in their unfinished projects by Friday so that union officials can ensure they don't secretly work for studios during the walkout, which is expected to be lengthy.


YUKOS Seeks U.S. Bankruptcy to Stop Moscow

Russian oil group YUKOS has filed for  bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court in an attempt to stop the  Russian government from auctioning off its main production unit  on Dec. 19, it said on Wednesday.


Russia's Putin Defends Political Reforms

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on  Thursday he had no plans to grab more power or change the  constitution when reforming Russia's government structure,  dismissing fears in the West he is watering down democracy.


Napster creator Shawn Fanning has spoken publicly about his new project - a licensed file-sharing service with an almost unlimited selection of tracks.


Planning Board Recommends New Housing: People Who Live Nearby Fear More Traffic

By Mike Wilder, Times-News, Burlington, N.C.  Feb. 18--People who live in two Gibsonville neighborhoods shared their concerns about a proposed housing development with the town's planning board Thursday night.


The first of three scheduled head-to-head match-ups between President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry will focus solely on foreign policy issues.


Regimens: Diet Supplement Seen as Risky for Some Users

Probiotics, the potentially beneficial bacteria and yeasts available as diet supplements, may not be as helpful as widely believed.


Scientists study clues to forecasting California quakes

Two researchers say they've discovered a pattern of tremors deep beneath the San Andreas Fault that someday may yield clues into unlocking the mysteries of California earthquakes.


U.S.-led coalition airstrikes in southern Afghanistan left at least 30 people, including women and children, killed or wounded, an official said Saturday.


BESLAN, RussiaâRussia's hostage crisis descended into chaos and carnage yesterday as commandos stormed the school where militants had held hundreds of captives for 53 hours.


Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh delivered the kind of golf everyone expected. Mike Weir and Rich Beem played the golf they badly needed.


Massive Mountain Range Imaged on Saturn's Moon Titan

The tallest mountains ever seen on Titan -- coated with layers of organic material and blanketed by clouds -- have been imaged on Saturn's moon Titan by NASA's Cassini spacecraft.


Canada Signals Crackdown on Internet Pharmacies

The Canadian government signaled on  Thursday it was ready to crack down on Internet pharmacies that  send cheap medicine to the United States, often without  Canadian doctors having seen the patients.


The husband of a slain prostitute found near Atlantic City sat in front of a makeshift cross as he cried and prayed for his late wife, whose suffocated body was found here less then a week ago.


U.S. Spy Satellite, Power Gone, May Hit Earth

A disabled American spy satellite is rapidly descending and is likely to plunge to Earth by late February or early March, posing a potential danger from its debris, officials said Saturday.


BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- A US Air Force officer who went missing for three days says someone stuffed an object in her jeans pocket with a note saying it was a bomb and telling her to go to a site in Bishkek, where kidnappers grabbed her, Kyrgyz authorities said yesterday.


Check out these highly rated stocks that have had a big price cut in the past month.


The former chief executive of software maker Computer Associates International was charged yesterday with securities fraud in a multibillion-dollar accounting


German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder calls for radical reform of the EU's stability pact, designed to keep countries budget deficits in check.


Baby units in England refuse new admissions once a week on average because of staff shortages, a report says.


Republican Fred Thompson assailed Democrats and emphasized conservative stances Saturday, testing out a potential campaign pitch a day after taking a formal step toward a likely presidential candidacy.


Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other U.S. allies aren't doing enough to combat human trafficking, according to a State Department report, and the countries could face sanctions if they don't take steps to improve.


French researcher says Vista's user interface suffers from more 'friction' than Microsoft XP.


Thousands spend a second night in shelters as rescue efforts continue after a series of earthquakes in northern Japan.


South Korea opposes debate on its nuclear tests at six-nation ...

SEOUL : South Korea opposes discussion of its controversial atomic experiments at six-nation talks originally aimed at easing tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons drive, a senior official said.


N.J. to be first in 44 yrs to end executions

New Jersey lawmakers have voted to abolish the death penalty in the state, sending the governor a bill he has already said he will sign. The measure will make New Jersey the first state in more than 40 years to outlaw capital punishment.


Summary - (Nov 25, 2004) Cassini took this amazing photograph of Dione, one of Saturn's larger moons, on October 27 when it was 1.2 million km (746,000 miles) away.


Off-campus eating may undermine school nutrition efforts.


US to continue cooperation with China in anti-AIDS war

Americans are happy to work with the people of China on building a future free of the pain and trouble caused by HIV/AIDS, said spokesperson Sheila Paskman of the American Embassy in Beijing said here Wednesday.


During the NHL lockout, USA TODAY will look at the financial impact it's having on various groups. Today: players and on-ice officials.


By SETH BORENSTEIN HOUSTON - The orbiting Discovery crew, en route Sunday to rewire the international space station, first had to make sure the shuttle's heat shield wasn't damaged during liftoff.


Business in the gambling halls of Biloxi, Miss., has reached all-time highs in recent months, and a similar story has been unfolding in New Orleans.


Arsenal and Chelsea face FA misconduct charges after the mass brawl in the Carling Cup final.


The number of U.S. workers filing initial claims for jobless aid rose 10,000 last week to the highest level in nearly two months, government data showed on Thursday.


The cases of 28 parents convicted of killing their children will be investigated further, the Attorney General says.


Gunmen Abduct, Then Free, Officer in Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Gunmen briefly abducted a senior Palestinian security officer Thursday in the latest sign of growing anarchy in the Gaza Strip, and supporters of Yasser Arafat staged a mass rally calling for action against vigilantes.


KIRKLAND, Wash. (Sports Network) - Seattle Seahawks  defensive end Grant Wistrom will miss the next four-to-six  weeks due a fracture in his left knee.


BOSTON - The Coast Guard was searching Thursday night for a 52-foot fishing vessel with two crew members on board after detecting a distress signal, officials said.  The Lady Luck out of Newburyport was last reported about 12 miles southeast off the coast of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, at 2 a.m.


Motown legend, 3-time Grammy winner Joe Hunter dies

Three-time Grammy winning pianist Joe Hunter of the Funk Brothers studio band behind numerous Motown hits has been found dead in his Detroit apartment, the Detroit Police said.


Envoy Lauds China's Role In Diplomacy With Sudan

Liu Guijin, China's special representative to Darfur, yesterday trumpeted his country's success in persuading the Sudanese government in Khartoum to approve a hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force for the troubled Darfur region.


Paris Hilton exits missionary position to save Universe

Administers Rwandan blow - job with Japanese babes Reader challenge result Well, as you can see here, our big Paris Hilton headline competition provoked a bit of a stampede among Reg commentators keen to contribute their bit to the advancement of Vulture Central's award-winning non-IT-related coverage.â¦


Ukraine court clears way for 2nd runoff vote today

Ukraine's Constitutional Court yesterday overturned a new amendment to the country's election laws that had been intended to minimize the chances for fraud, but it dismissed


Bill targets lawyers who file frivolous suits

Lawyers who file frivolous lawsuits would be hit with financial penalties under legislation moving through Congress. Supporters say the bill would protect businesses from being threatened with lawsuits that have no merit.


Briefly: Macromedia offers Flash video tool

roundup Plus: UTStarcom wins Indian IP gear contract...Microsoft tightens Windows-mainframes link...Red Hat names new services executive.


"Non avete il diritto", obietta l'organo del Vaticano


Bringing Home the Bacon, and Keeping Off the Weight

Whether their workplaces are superhealthy or stocked with candy at every turn, employees who are struggling to lose weight must deal with challenges at the office.


Stevens names and shames 17 transfers in bungs inquiry

Five Premiership clubs named as having breached transfer regulations.


The price of oil falls for the fourth day in a row, aided by an increase in Iraqi exports and data showing better than expected petrol stocks in the US.


MapQuest Brings Maps and Directions to Cell Phones  MapQuest today announced the launch of Send to Phone, a new feature that lets MapQuest Mobile subscribers send color maps and driving directions from the MapQuest.com website directly to their cell phones. Created in partnership with leading mobile publisher, Vindigo, Send to Phone ...


Redknapp hoping to bring Smith to Southampton

New Southampton manager Harry Redknapp hopes to bring his former Portsmouth assistant Jim Smith to St Mary's before this weekend's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.


Talks on setting up an Iraqi assembly continue despite fresh violence in Baghdad and the Shia stronghold of Najaf.


CORRECTED: Venezuelans, fleeing Chavez, seek U.S. safety net

Corrects reference to world's fifth-largest oil producer in 2nd paragraph


Egypt hopes for jobs boost as it signs trade deal with Israel and ...

Egypt and Israel signed an agreement on Tuesday that will boost employment and might act as an impetus for other Arab countries to make peace with Israel.


Group Franz Ferdinand Wins Mercury Prize

Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand, whose debut album has been hailed by critics as a masterpiece of pop, won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.


DNA Crime Bill Headed to Bush for His Signature

DNA testing would be expanded to better catch the guilty and clear the innocent under legislation passed by the U.S. Congress and headed to President Bush to sign into law.


Clinton Center recalls the good and the bad

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- More than 30,000 people are expected to be on hand today for the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark.


Tulane extends Scelfo's contract through 2009

Tulane football coach Chris Scelfo received a contract extension through 2009, his reward for winning more games at the school than any football coach in more than a half-century.


Southampton boss Steve Wigley insists his players benefited from their shortened half-time break during the goalless Barclays Premiership draw with Charlton.


Yemen says oil site attacks linked to al Qaeda

Yemen said on Saturday its security   forces broke up an al Qaeda-linked cell that was behind foiled   attacks on oil and gas installations on Friday.


French retailer Carrefour and chip groups helped European shares hold their ground on Wednesday, and merger moves in the construction sector lent support.


US Diet Plan Stops Short of Urging Less Sugar

A US panel of nutrition experts on Friday proposed new federal dietary guidelines that acknowledged a link between soft drinks and weight gain, but stopped short of recommending


A court ruled Thursday that detaining five executives of Newmont Mining Corp. was illegal, and the head of the Denver-based mining giant said he was optimistic the company and its employees would be exonerated of pollution charges at its Indonesian gold mine.


Obama's `Defining Moment' Rhetoric Evokes JFK, King

Bloomberg - Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama is making his mark on U.S. politics as the most memorable orator since Ronald Reagan, even if he doesn't win the Democratic presidential nomination.


An independent investigator is to rule on whether civil servants should face action over the Holyrood building project.


Some of YUKOSâs assets will be sold through the Russian Federal Property Fund, the Justice Ministryâs Main Department in Moscow said on Tuesday.


Due anni di governo 'periodo bellissimo, andiamo avanti'


Sony colours Vaio C series for Cosmo crowd

Love a (Mandarina) Duck Hardware Widow Sony's Vaio C Series notebooks, launched this week, go right to the heart of cosmopolitan chic - or so the consumer electronics giant would have us think. Laptop as lifestyle accessory - or fashion accessory? It depends, I suppose, on who you are: a "free spirit", an "explorer", a "jet-setting nomad"? Whatever, Sony's got a hue for you.â¦


Electrolyte flows in and out. It's a handy concept.


John McCain sought to mend his tattered relationship with conservatives and unify a splintered GOP as he all but clinched the party's presidential nomination Thursday. Mitt Romney, his former chief rival, dropped out, and a parade of prominent Republicans swung behind the Arizona senator.


Yankees 6, Devil Rays 4: Wang and Abreu Turn Things Around

Bobby Abreu had five runs batted in, two on a home run, to give starter Chien-Ming Wang enough run support for his 10th victory of the season.


The Chicago Cubs acquired veteran catcher Jason Kendall on Monday in a trade with the Oakland Athletics for catcher Rob Bowen and minor league pitcher Jerry Blevins.


Coast Guard to Idle 8 Cutters After $100 Million Renovation

The decision to suspend the use of the Florida-based patrol boats is a setback for the Coast Guard and its $24 billion modernization program.


InfoWorld - Open-source database vendor Greenplum had cause for celebration Tuesday, announcing both $15 million in venture capital financing and the appointment of a new CEO.


Would-Be Jumper Sues Empire State Building

The professional parachute jumper who tried to leap off the city's tallest building in 2006 released a video that shows him struggling with security guards and police officers on the observation deck.


Ford has made a four-year commitment to the World Rally Championship, ending fears that they could pull out of that series as well as Formula One, reports Reuters.


Australia's conservative, anti-Kyoto prime minister has pushed climate change to the top of the agenda for this week's APEC forum. But can the U.S. and China be brought onboard this time?


Coach Inc.  on Tuesday posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and forecast a robust holiday season for sales of its luxury handbags and accessories, sending its shares up as much as 8 percent.


Give Red Sox slugger David Ortiz credit for picking the perfect time to go into his worst slump of the season. While the left-handed masher is suddenly hitting nothing but


A una settimana dal crollo disastroso di martedÃ¬, i mercati mostrano segni di ripresaMa la Fiat tiene ancora sospeso il bond annunciato: "Il mercato non Ã¨ ancora tornato razionale"                                          Borse, l'Europa tenta il rimbalzo L'Asia in rialzo sulla scia dei minerari


Friends, family and members of the university community celebrated the achievements of more than 1,408 undergraduate degrees and 830 graduate degrees at the May 9 ceremony.


Russia, Procuratore Oustinov: ''Prendere in ostaggio i parenti dei ...

Prendere in ostaggio i parenti dei terroristi. E' la proposta choc di modifica alle leggi antiterrorismo in vigore in Russia avanzata dal Procuratore generale Vladimir Oustinov. In un intervento alla Duma, la


In an about-face from four years ago, network evening news programs are concentrating more on substantive presidential campaign issues than the horse race, a think tank reported.


Berlin says France not blocking EADS ownership deal

The German government rejected a  magazine report on Saturday that France was blocking a German  consortium from taking over a stake in aerospace group EADS   from core shareholder DaimlerChrysler (DCXGn.DE).


Urgent: International Space Station's Faulty Computers All Back Online

Urgent: International space station's faulty computers all back online    WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The six faulty computers at the International Space Station's Russian segment has been all restored on Saturday, according to a top NASA official.


Tracking a controversial debate over electronic surveillance; why text messages are the rage in the Philippines; and Saudi Arabia loves YouTube.


AARP picks Genworth for long-term care insurance

The AARP, the largest organization in the United States for people over 50, on Thursday picked insurer Genworth Financial Inc to provide long-term care insurance for its members.


Blair Urges U.S. to 'Reach Out' to Allies

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, seeking to repair strained ties between the United States and Europe, on Monday urged Washington to reach out to its allies and not depend on military force alone in the ...


Israel Kills 10 in W. Bank's Deadliest Day Since 2002

JENIN, West Bank  - Raiding Israeli forces killed  six Palestinian militants and four civilians on Wednesday, the  highest single-day Palestinian death toll in the West Bank for  more than two years, witnesses and medics said.


Buffy and Neighbours thesps join Torchwood

'I'm a huge fan', gushes former vampire Former vampire James Marsters has joined Kylie Minogue among the burgeoning roster of foreign thespos selected to appear in Doctor Who and its spin-offs, the BBC has announced.â¦


Fiji military to move against govt on Monday: chief

Fiji's military is likely to force the embattled government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to step aside on Monday, military chief Commander Frank Bainimarama said and warned Qarase not to oppose him.


Oracle Corp.'s fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 23 percent as the business software maker harvested more sales from the crop of customers picked up in a $25 billion shopping spree that has buried much of its competition.


'Cars','Pirates' seen driving Disney earnings

DVD releases of "Cars" and "Pirates  of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and ad revenue from ESPN's  Monday Night Football are expected to boost Walt Disney Co's   first-quarter earnings by a double-digit percentage.


Government To Require Airline Customer Data

The Transportation Security Administration will compare the information against the names in its terrorist -screening database. By Larry Greenemeier.


Alex Steen snapped a tie late in the second period and Andrew Raycroft made it stand up with strong third-period play in goal, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Tuesday night.


India's Advani confident of a BJP comeback

India's opposition leader and Hindu hardliner Lal Krishna Advani vowed his defeated BJP party would return and launched a blistering attack on the new government.


GlaxoSmithKline to slash jobs in bid to cure falling profits

British pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline said Wednesday it would cut jobs and costs, after third-quarter profits slid on poor sales of diabetes pill Avandia and fierce competition from generic drugs.


Mauresmo shows grace on court, and in defeat

Forget what the billboards say. Madison Avenue has it all wrong. With apologies to cover girl Maria Sharapova, the prettiest thing on the WTA Tour may be Amelie Mauresmo's backhand.


Imprisonment of Nazi Hess a "charade": UK archive

Britain regarded the 40-year imprisonment of one-time leading Nazi Rudolf Hess as a "charade" but knew it would never be able to convince the Soviet Union to set him free, newly declassified documents show.


A national reconciliation conference ended Thursday after more than a month of discussions on how to combat extremism and enact good governance in Somalia, which has been torn apart by a bloody insurgency.


Ukraine to have second round of election anyway â official

KIEV, October 31 (Itar-Tass) -- Ukraine will have the second round of the presidential election, no matter what results of exit polls may be.


THIS weekend sees the "other" showdown between New York and New England as the Jets and Patriots clash in a battle of the unbeaten teams.


Arctic Monkeys get record seven NME nominations

Sheffield band the Arctic Monkeys was  nominated in a record seven categories for the NME music awards  on Tuesday, while Amy Winehouse, critically acclaimed but in  rehab for drug problems, was largely frozen out.


The Boss and The Terminator in US election showdown

In a showbiz showdown for the ages, Bruce Springsteen and Arnold Schwarzenegger will test their celebrity muscle on opposing sides of the partisan divide in the final days of the US presidential campaign.


UN Members Back Annan with Lengthy Standing Ovation

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi  Annan received an unusual standing ovation in the 191-nation  General Assembly on Wednesday following calls for his  resignation from conservative U.S. lawmakers.


Marchionne: iniziata l'ultima fase del risanamento


Private Canadian Spacecraft Launch on Hold

A Canadian team's bid to launch the country's first manned spaceship is on hold, although the aspiring astronauts have not given up their attempt to win a $10 million prize.


Dunnygate The director fingered by HP as its boardroom leaker has agreed to abandon his post.â¦


Internet Finally Recognizes Dissolution of Yugoslavia

ICANN officially retires the .yu domain and assigns .rs to Serbia and .me to Montenegro. In this case the delay was political, not technical.


106 million Windows XP SP2's distributed

Microsoft says it has distributed about 106 million copies of its major security update for the Windows XP operating system. Microsoft completed work on the update, called Service Pack 2, more than two months ago.


US Strengthens Rules Governing Tissue, Organ Transplants

US officials announced Thursday the last of three rules intended to enhance the safety of human cells and tissues that are slated for transplantation.


China limits providers of Internet video

China has moved to restrict videos online, allowing only state-controlled sites to post any Â including those shared by users Â and requiring Internet providers to delete and report a variety of content.


Indie Music Retailers Slow Sales Declines

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The holiday mood at independent  music retailers is one of cautious optimism, despite Nielsen  SoundScan numbers showing that overall sales at U.S. indie  merchants were down 7.1% from last year as of Nov. 28.


Joseph Weisberg has used some of what he learned while training to be a case officer with the Central Intelligence Agency to write his latest novel, âAn Ordinary Spy.â


Ferrero, sull'evasione c'e' ancora molto da recuperare


Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.  8316.T laid out a $29 billion bid for UFJ Holdings 8307.T  on Tuesday, challenging a rival offer by Mitsubishi Tokyo  Financial Group 8306.T to form the world's biggest bank.


Confermata la protesta dei gestori contro le liberalizzazioniRespinto il tentativo di dialogo del ministro Bersani                                          Benzinai, 48 ore di serrata a partire da martedÃ¬ sera                                                                                In Sicilia la chiusura scatterÃ  lunedÃ¬, con 24 ore di anticipo


In the latest of his serial attempts to rehab his guyness for Christmas, the six-cylindered Kobe Bryant spun a few fancy doughnuts in the paint, at times careening into the belly of Shaquille O'Neal.


The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have sent her a Christmas message in a new appeal for information.


Europeâs largest bank plans to put about half of its 800 French consumer branches up for sale as it focuses on expanding in emerging markets.


Sindelar grabs lead at rain-hit Canadian Open

Joey Sindelar grabbed the first-round lead at the 100th Canadian Open on Thursday while new world number one Vijay Singh spent most of a rainy day signing autographs in the clubhouse.


Oscar-Winning Mexican Sound Wizard Gavira Dies

Gonzalo Gavira, a Mexican wizard  with sound effects who worked on films like "The Exorcist,"  "The Towering Inferno" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,"  has died aged 79, a colleague said on Tuesday.