Cyclone downgraded after barrelling through Mozambique

Cyclone Favio, which left a trail of destruction after sweeping through parts of Mozambique, has been downgraded on Friday to a tropical depression as it moved towards neighbouring Zimbabwe.


The mayor of London and a council give the go-ahead for a Â£1.5bn redevelopment of Heathrow Airport.


Putin, Annan emphasize role played by UN in settling international ...

MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan have emphasized the unassailable central coordinating role played by the United Nations in resolving international


At least seven people have been killed and 17 wounded in a suicide car bomb attack in Baghdad, a year to the day since Saddam Hussein was captured by US forces.


Long sections of three major highways are still closed a day after a string of accidents during an ice storm.


FEC Highlights Spending Data on 2006 Senate Races

The Federal Election Commission on Wednesday released a useful chart that details spending activity in the 2006 Senate campaign Ã¢ÂÂ which Democrats concluded with a net gain of the six seats they needed to garner a 51-49 working majority in the current 110th Congress.


Australia's prime minister posts a video on YouTube warning against violent protests at the Apec summit.


Alex Rodriguez Opts Out of Contact With Yankees

Alex Rodriguezâs announcement appears to signal the end of his career with the team.


Sony debuts console to challenge Nintendo

Sony Corp, the world's second-biggest consumer electronics maker, takes on rival Nintendo Co with the introduction of a hand-held game console to revive flagging profit at its games unit.


A suicide bomber blew himself up among soldiers and civilians celebrating Iraq's national Army Day holiday in central Baghdad on Sunday, killing 11 people in the latest in an upsurge of suicide attacks.


Indian PM Manmohan Singh continues his trip to Kashmir by visiting a refugee camp in the winter capital, Jammu.


Roma, 19:18 - CALCIO, CHAMPIONS; A LIONE LA ROMA RITROVA TADDEI E MANCINI

Contro il Lione la Roma recupera Taddei. Il brasiliano oggi si è allenato regolarmente e tutt...


Prime Minister Gordon Brown heads to China and India Thursday for his first visit as prime minister, looking notably to get the world's two most populous countries on board for a new deal on climate change.


BAE denies paying Saudi prince more than one billion pounds

Defence firm BAE Systems has strenuously denied a report that it secretly paid a Saudi Arabian prince more than one billion pounds in connection with Britain's biggest weapons deal.


US offers to lower farm subisidy cap: WTO mediator

The United States has agreed to cut its  maximum agricultural subsidies in a "significant step" towards  advancing negotiations on a new global trade pact, the mediator  of the farm talks said on Thursday.


Soccer / English Premier League - No change as top four win

Chelsea maintained its drive for the team's first title in 50 years when it thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday to stay five points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.


The Philadelphia Flyers signed scoring leader Mike Richards to a 12-year contract extension Thursday


In futuro, dice, dovranno tenere conto delle diversita'


Roger Federer took the first step   toward what he hopes will be a third consecutive U.S. Open   title as he cruised past Wang Yeu-tzuoo of Taiwan 6-4 6-1 6-0   in the first round on Wednesday.


Hot, dry winds blow into Calif. wildfire

Hot, dry Santa Ana winds gusting to more than 50 mph on Saturday grounded water-dropping helicopters and stoked the flames of a three-week-old wildfire in Los Padres National Forest.


Notebook: Mashburn is out for '04-05 season

Barely a year removed from his best pro season, forward Jamal Mashburn's career could be over. Mashburn and the New Orleans Hornets announced yesterday


State voters strongly backing cell research

California voters appeared to be strongly endorsing stem cell research Tuesday night, as exit polls and early returns suggested an easy win for Proposition 71.


Arabic TV station al-Jazeera broadcasts a videotape apparently featuring Osama Bin Laden.


Gotham Geek Guidebook: AOL's new downtown digs

A look at the historic building where the once-mighty media company is attempting to slither into the neighborhood.


Comedy great Sir Norman Wisdom is to retire next year after a career which has spanned decades.


The Consumer Electronics Show ends in Las Vegas with a prediction that the gadget explosion will continue.


New drug shows better results for breast cancer treatment

Women diagnosed with breast cancer should be given a new drug instead of the standard treatment because it is safer, more effective and may increase overall survival rates, doctors have suggested.


Ukraine Parliament to Meet After New Poll Ruling

Ukraine's parliament meets on Saturday to lay the legal grounds for a new election after the country's highest court annulled a rigged poll, handing a stunning victory to the opposition's "orange revolution."


Pakistan has rejected suggestions that it is not doing enough to stop attacks in Afghanistan by Taleban fighters and suspected members of al-Qaeda.


Athens Games a Watershed in War Against Cheats

It started with a missed drugs test and  ended with a stripped gold medal. In between it was dominated  by steroids, stimulants and diuretics.


Johnny & June Cash Auction Brings In Nearly $4 Million

In New York, the auction of Johnny and June Cash's belongings brought more than twice the pre-sale estimate, bringing in nearly $4 million.


Redskins place faith in Suisham after releasing Novak

The Washington Redskins on Tuesday released kicker Nick Novak, ending his second stint with the club.


British army is 'dangerously small', says former top general

The former head of Britain's armed forces has warned against planned cuts in the standing army, saying they would leave it "dangerously small and over-committed."


Jiri Novak rallied from a set down against Taylor Dent to win the Japan Open men's singles final 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 on Sunday. Novak, the No.


TEL AVIV.âA senior leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) died on Thursday night, victim of an Israeli helicopter attack in the Gaza Strip, which also killed one other person and left two wounded, Notimex reports.


A different starting lineup led to a different end result. In his first start of the season, Jared Jeffries had 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals and an assist to help the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 94-82 on Wednesday night. Jeffries replaced Davis Lee in the starting lineup.


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By TOM SHARPE, MAP BY ALEXANDER USATINE  Trees:  Activists post fliers on Web site to oppose project  Junipers and pinon trees would be thinned on 92 acres of city- owned open space along Hyde Park Road under a plan that goes to the Santa Fe City Council this month.


Wolfgang Drews' Blog: Very Last Chance: get two eZ Components Trainings for free!

Wolfgang Drews reminds (German) readers that tims is almost up for their chance to attend two eZ Components training sessions for free.   If you understand german, here is your very last chance to participate at two very, very free training-sessions about eZ Components! Session One will find place on 20th of september and will cover the essentials of eZ Components. Session two comes to you just two days after on 22th of september and will look in detail at eZ Mail and eZ Template. Tobias Schlitt will be your instructor and show all that fine stuff practically with an example-application, just written for the show!   The training is being offered by phpzertifizierung.eu and the eZ crew. You can sign up now for both session one and session two if you'd like to attend.


About 50 tigers are put down in a Thai zoo after showing symptoms of bird flu, taking the death toll past 80.


Bucarest, 15:49 - CALCIO, ROMANIA: PARI ESTERNO PER IL CLUJ DI BERGODI

Pareggio esterno (0-0) per il Cluj di Cristiano Bergodi sul campo del'Unirea Urziceni nella 19/a gio...


Estonia-Finland undersea cable loosens Russia's energy grip on Europe

Estonia has taken a key step towards loosening Russia's energy grip on the Baltic states with the inauguration of an undersea electricity cable linking it with Finland.


Ukraine's Presidential Election Going Smoothly

In Ukraine, opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych are facing off in a repeat presidential runoff election that is being monitored by thousands of observers, as well as ...


Forget about beating Brandon Webb. Nobody has even scored against him in his past two starts. The best pitcher in the National League this year, Webb threw his second consecutive shutout in Arizona's 3-0 victory at Cincinnati on Friday night, becoming the first Diamondbacks pitcher to open a season 8-0.


Two people are badly injured in a road crash involving a stolen car on the Westlink in Belfast.


New York, 09:27 - BASKET, NBA: CLEVELAND VINCE A MIAMI, LAKERS OK

Risultati delle gare del campionato di basket Nba disputate nella notte: New York Knicks-Boston Celt...


French police the target in urban guerrilla war

Stoned, beaten and insulted, their  vehicles torched by crowds of hostile youths, French police say  they face an urban guerrilla war when they enter the run-down  neighborhoods that ring the major cities.


British bookstore to set up Potter helpline for distressed fans: report

British book retailer Waterstone's is hoping to set up a helpline for distressed fans of the popular Harry Potter series because two characters will be killed off in the final instalment, The Daily Telegraph reported.


Europe can do more on climate change: UNEP head

BERLIN - European nations are not doing enough to fight climate change and should show more leadership before they criticize the United States and Asia, the head of the U.N. Environment ...Comment


S.Africa calls for open World Bank appointment

South Africa urged the United States on Saturday to abide by an agreement of the Group of 20 economic powers for an open and transparent appointment of the new head of the World Bank.


Hewlett-Packard Co. HPQ.N on  Friday said it will fold its barely profitable PC business into  its successful printer and imaging business, chilling  speculation the computer company could spin off the printer  unit.


Mostra inaugurata a Cagli al 'Gaber festival'


Family Dollar Stores Inc  said on Tuesday quarterly profit fell as sales at older stores declined and customers cut their discretionary spending.


If Oklahoma and Southern California stage one of those "last team with the ball wins" type of Bowl Championship Series title games in the Orange Bowl Tuesday night, the team with the edge in the kicking game might have an edge in the game. Right?


Kodak to cut more jobs, complete overhaul in 2007

Eastman Kodak Co.  said on  Thursday it expected to cut up to 3,000 additional jobs and  complete a three-year restructuring program by the end of 2007  that it says will help sustain profitability.


British officers lobbied US to send troops to danger zone

THE decision to send Black Watch troops into Iraqâs âtriangle of deathâ followed requests by British military chiefs to take over a US-controlled area.


Direct From Paris, an Out-of-Business Sale Like No Other

After 34 years as one of the most prominent antiques dealers in Paris, Ariane Dandois is going out of business â but with a bang.


Mass. growing slower, steadier than in 2000

The Massachusetts economy was in a very different place yesterday than it was in early 2000, when the Dow Jones industrial average set its previous record close of 11,722.98 , local analysts said.


China and India's leaders pledge to increase economic and military ties during meetings in Beijing.


World powers to work on new U.N. resolution on Iran

World powers agreed on Monday to work on a new U.N. Security Council resolution to put pressure on Iran over its nuclear program but remained committed to seeking a negotiated solution, British officials said.


Women more at risk from climate change: Canadian at UN conference

Severe weather caused by global warming can pose greater physical danger to women than men, a Canadian attending a UN conference on climate change said Friday.


Yahoo will unveil SmartAds, which allows advertisers to compile ads on the spot based on a Web user's Internet profile.


Georgia Tech waited until its third home game to unveil a banner commemorating last season's trip to the Final Four.


Republican Tancredo drops 2008 bid, backs Romney

DES MOINES, Iowa  - Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a strong supporter of tougher immigration laws, dropped his long-shot Republican presidential bid on Thursday and endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.


Some traditional Spanish festivals that include effigies of the Prophet Muhammad are being scaled back to avoid offending Muslims, a leading Spanish newspaper reported Monday.


Madrid, 15:53 - CALCIO, KAKA': PATO IMPRESSIONANTE, ADRIANO DEVE GIOCARE

In un'intervista al settimanale spagnolo Don Balon lunga 'confesione' d Kakà parla di Pato, l...


A former U.S. policy analyst, testifying for the defense at Slobodan Milosevic's war crimes trial Wednesday, said part of the groundwork for what became the al-Qaida terrorist network was laid during the Bosnian war in the 1990s break-up of Yugoslavia.


Iraqi Prisoner Abuse Reported After Abu Ghraib Disclosures

Two Defense Department officials reported observing brutal treatment of insurgents several weeks after the Abu Ghraib scandal.


Bush ally used Ground Zero rescue crew flat as a love nest

The murk surrounding Bernard Kerik, whose nomination to be homeland security chief by President George Bush fell apart a week ago, thickened yesterday amid reports he used an apartment


Democratic challenger Phil Angelides, facing the governor's rebound in the polls, tries to cast himself as a Clinton populist


By George C. Ford, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa  Feb. 24--Mediacom Communications Corp. lost more cable TV subscribers in  the final quarter of 2006 than it did in the fourth quarter of 2005, but it  was able to narrow its net loss for the period.


Elmo and friends to help military families

You know the deal: Your kid asks a question on a touchy subject. You squirm and dodge the issue.


U.S. and Iraqi Forces Complete Takeover of Samarra

U.S. forces said they are beginning the second phase of the operation, turning the city over to Iraqi police and military forces.


Finding a parking spot often requires drivers to summon their inner caveman: Scan the horizon for the target, then bag it before someone else does.


David Ortiz checked into the hospital again, and fellow Boston Red Sox sluggers Manny Ramirez and Wily Mo Pena were sent home to join him.


Clemens Gets 323rd Victory As Astros Win

Roger Clemens won for the first time in almost a month — the 323rd victory of his career — and Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer to lead the Houston Astros over the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 Monday night.


Prince William supported the oft-criticized behavior of his brother, Prince Harry, and stuck up for his father, Prince Charles, in a rare interview with the British media published Saturday.


Hewlett-Packard Chairwoman to Resign After Probing Boardroom Media Leaks

By JORDAN ROBERTSON Associated Press  Patricia Dunn, admitting 'inappropriate techniques,' will remain a company director.   SAN JOSE, Calif.


Shi'ite militia fighters backing the radical Iraqi cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, are handing in weapons at the start of a deal with the Iraqi interim Government to end months of violence.


When 12-year-old Faten Ben Debaieb returned to school after summer vacation, she faced a painful choice: take off her head scarf or be expelled.


Hanno chiesto di non procedere all'allargamento dell'aeroporto Dal Molin destinato ad ospitare la 173esima Brigata aviotrasportata americana                                            Vicenza, migliaia in corteo contro l'ampliamento della base Usa                                                                                Manifestazione pacifica: "Parisi, l'Italia si aspetta un no"


If just a few twists to the story line didn't take place, Bob Mason would still have Manny Fernandez under his watch.


The captain of a third-division soccer team was suspended as part of the investigation into Germany's game-fixing scandal.


First Look: OQO Handheld PC Fails to Excite

Design and performance issues hold back this very cool idea.


Paris club decision to reduce Iraqi debt by 80 percent

US President George W. Bush has welcomed the decision by the Paris Club of creditor nations to forgive 80 percent of Iraqi debt owed to its members.


Nightclub's balcony collapses, killing six and injuring more than ...

An overcrowded balcony collapsed early Sunday inside a popular Sao Paulo nightclub that featured male strippers, killing six people and injuring at least 117, police said.


The World's End trial hears from a witness who was with the teenage girls on the night they disappeared.


EDINA, Minn. - The FBI says it may have reeled in the "Fishing Hat Bandit," a bank robber who has pulled 23 holdups in the Twin Cities area over the past year and a half.


Welsh doctors are being urged to write to their MPs and ask them to support a ban on smoking in public places by the British Medical Assocation (BMA). The Welsh Assembly Government has already voted for a ban ...


BLOOMFIELD, Township, Mich. - Colin Montgomerie has a memory like an elephant, though he has frequently shed (and is currently without) the matching body.


Universal Pictures has  optioned the comedy pitch "Tour de Frank" by former journalists  Andrea King and Andy Marx for a mid-six-figure advance.


The recording industry debuts a new carrot-and-stick approach for dealing with file-ripping students and the colleges and ISPs who know them. By Eliot Van Buskirk.


Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein will be online to discuss the commercial real estate bubble.


Thompson Warns of Global Bioterror Threat

America and its top allies in the developed world must unite to fight "huge threats" of bioterrorism because such an attack is inevitable, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Thursday at an international conference on biological threats.


American swimmer Michael Phelps, who won six gold medals at the Olympics in Athens, has been charged with driving under the influence by police in Maryland.


Civilian casualties drop dramatically in Iraq

Violent civilian deaths in Iraq in December were down 75 percent from a year ago, new figures released on Monday showed as Iraqis partied in the streets of some parts of the capital Baghdad to bring in the New Year.


Conrad Black stubborn but innocent, his lawyer says

Conrad Black is a stubborn but innocent  man, the victim of manipulative, over-reaching government  prosecutors and shareholders who wanted to break up his  publishing company, a lawyer for the former media mogul told  jurors at his criminal fraud trial on Wednesday.


American League Roundup: Sheffield Helps Make Start a Short One for Matsuzaka

Gary Sheffield hit one of Detroitâs three home runs against Daisuke Matsuzaka yesterday, and the Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox, 6-5, to complete a three-game sweep at home.


Insurgents have chosen mobility to counter far superior US artillery and missiles in battle of Fallujah. By Ibrahim Mohamad - FALLUJAH, Iraq.


It's been a long time since the Boston Red Sox had a Hollywood ending — 86 years, to be exact.


BAR's Anthony Davidson set the pace in Friday's free practice ahead of the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix. The British test driver, who will not race on Sunday, lapped the new circuit in one minute 35.


Another Olympics and another massive disappointment for Paula Radcliffe - and the dark clouds that once billed her as a flop when it mattered will be gathering again.


Small explosions rattled two towns in northwestern Spain on Saturday, wounding four people, after a telephone warning from a caller claiming to be from the Basque separatist group ETA, officials said.


Wealthy buyers see trophies in U.S. newspapers

For years, U.S. tycoons have plowed millions of dollars into sports teams to feed their egos, bankbooks and civic pride. But now, those investors are searching elsewhere to fulfill their appetites: newspapers.


All-star line-up at first Singapore Airshow

Fighter jets, commercial planes and unmanned drones will jostle for attention at Asia's biggest airshow this week as titans Boeing, Airbus and other manufacturers take their wares to the booming Asian market, organisers said.


Italy is urging Libya to tackle the swelling flow of illegal migrants as hundreds more land on Italian shores.


The family of a woman who died in hospital while on suicide watch say lessons must be learned.


Iraq is chosen for a vote at Labour conference but Tony Blair says he will not apologise for the war.


Gold Hits 16-Year High as Dollar Plunges Against Euro

With the dollar hitting a third straight day of record lows against the euro, gold rose above $450 an ounce for the first time in more than 16 years.


Three shot in CBD of Australia's second largest city

Three people have been shot and wounded by a sole gunman during a morning peak-hour shooting in Australia's second largest city Melbourne, police said on Monday.


Clinic To Hold Meeting On Whether McDonald's Should Stay

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Clinic has scheduled a meeting for Thursday with McDonald's Corp. and a franchise owner. The subject is whether a McDonald's fast-food restaurant is appropriate on the Cleveland Clinic campus.


TEHERAN - Iran reacted yesterday with defiance to a tough resolution from the United Nations atomic watchdog, rejecting calls to halt sensitive nuclear activities and threatening to block tough inspections if the issue was referred to the Security Council


Marsh Pledges to End Secrecy and Incentive Fees

Michael G. Cherkasky, the new chief executive of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, the world's largest insurance broker, said yesterday that bid-rigging and price-fixing had been "very


Barack Obama bowed to authority Monday Â literally.


Yahoo is next to consider a DRM-free music store

Yahoo is reportedly in talks with major labels about a DRM-free music store. to offer them either for sale or for free in an ad-supported model.


Noi andiamo avanti con serenita' con il nostro programma


HAMILTON -- Paul Thober always looks forward to the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic. "When the Jumper Classic comes in, or any large [equestrian] event, it's certain to bring people in," said Thober, an owner of The Weathervane Tavern in Hamilton. "My family has owned this restaurant for 27 years, and over the years, we've seen a nice influx of people ...


An obsessed husband pleads guilty to murdering his estranged wife and her boyfriend in a hot tub in Fife.


Talking cats have taken over the Web. But are great online fads like this one a dying breed?


Irpinia, ragazzi si dedicavano al lavoro nero o al bullismo


Nato must commit more troops and aid to Afghanistan if it is to establish a viable democracy, MPs say.


A U.N.-backed commission was established Tuesday to investigate rampant organized crime in Guatemala, which authorities say has become a key point of transit for smugglers bringing drugs into the United States.


Sprint Corp. FON.N on Tuesday  reported a wider third-quarter loss due to a writedown in the  value of its long-distance business.


Segnali di distensione in vista settimana cruciale per varo


ASIA/INDIA - Le celebrazioni per il decimo anniversario della morte di Madre Teresa di Calcutta Calcutta (Agenzia Fides) - ÂTutti la ricordano con affetto. Madre Teresa Ã¨ una figura ancora molto incisiva per la Chiesa cattolica indiana, ma Ã¨ anche un esempio molto vivo nella memoria e una persona molto significativa per lÂintera societÃ  indiana...


Drilling Down: Text-Message Ads Get Results in U.S.

Europeans are far more likely than Americans to have text-message ads sent to their cellphones, but Americans are far more receptive to them.


The biggest customer for Airbus' A380 superjumbo says it is reviewing its options after further delays to the plane.


BAGHDAD: US troops killed 32 guerrillas in fierce clashes in Mosul and 32 people were killed, including six police, when Iraqi security forces were lured into searching a home of suspected foreign fighters in Baghdad that was rigged with explosives


John McCain and Barack Obama are struggling to win over their party's most loyal voters, and no presidential candidate has a firm hold on what may be the campaign's chief issue, the economy. With the first presidential contests now history, voters appear to be telling the candidates: You still need some polishing.


Bomb explodes at Baghdad market, kills 5: police

A car bomb exploded at the entrance to a wholesale vegetable market in southern Baghdad on Monday, killing five people and wounding 19, police said.


Giorgio Armani swung toward Shanghai, Pollini reprised the colonial styles of India and Christian Lacroix traveled to Planet Pucci in this week's collections in Milan.


An 8-year-old boy's continuing journey to break free of the grip of autism reflects a struggle that more than 150,000 American children have faced in the past decade.


Top seed Roger Federer remains on course to win his third Grand Slam of the year after advancing to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows thanks to a walkover.


Un terzo del valore del made in Italy agroalimentare dipende dal bacinoIl ministero della Salute ai dipendenti: venite al lavoro senza cravatta                                            Il Po si accorcerÃ  di cento chilometri allarme sugli sprechi d'acqua                                                                                di ANTONIO CIANCIULLO


Dominant US women's squad a true dream team

ATHENS -- Through five games, the US women are outscoring opponents by 29 points a game. They've been dominant to the point of ennui. They crush their opponents on the glass, hand out twice as many assists per game, and, generally, have it their way, every game. They lead the Olympics in nine statistical categories.


The deal, valued at $35 billion, will create a large wireless service provider to compete with wireless rivals Cingular and Verizon.


Update 5: Euro Reaches New High Against US Dollar

The US dollar fell to another new low against the euro Friday, pushing the European currency higher than $1.34 after US employment data came in weaker than expected.


More Than Momentum: Stocks Rising for a Reason

Sorting a story that's all about growth from a tall tale.


Deluxe Handhelds Try Hard to Justify Price

When $100 buys a pocket-sized gadget that can store decades' worth of appointments -- and $200 gets you one that also serves as a digital photo album and MP3 player -- why would anybody spend up to $500 on a new Palm or Pocket PC handheld? -Rob Pegoraro


WASHINGTON Outgoing Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi (prin-SIP'-ee) has been regarded as a relentless advocate for veterans during his tenure.


LOS ANGELES (Sports Network) - Southern California  quarterback Matt Leinart announced Friday that he will return  for his senior year at the school.


France coach Raymond Domenech has insisted Nicolas Anelka remain in his plans, but not in the near future. Along with Arsenal's Robert Pires, Anelka was left out of the national squad to face Poland in a friendly at the Stade de France on November 17.


How to sniff out private information on Facebook

Social network makes it a snap Facebook users who like to control who gets to see your account details, take note: political views, religious back ground and other sensitive details may be wide open to prying eyes even though you've configured your profile so its viewable only to designated friends.â¦


U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, on a surprise Christmas Eve visit to Mosul, told soldiers he remained confident of defeating the insurgency and stabilizing Iraq, while noting that to some "it looks bleak."


Gordon Brown praises Bank of England Governor Mervyn King's handling of the Northern Rock crisis.


Per Pechino e' il livello piu' basso degli ultimi due anni


British Airways canceled some flights Thursday, marking the fourth consecutive day of disrupted services due to staff shortages and technical difficulties.


Job Picture Brightens with August Hiring

The US job market brightened modestly in August as employers added 144,000 workers to payrolls and weak hiring tallies for the two prior months were revised up, the Labor Department said on Friday.


Blog: In spite of its stagnant business strategy, Check Point deserves a lot of credit for its OpSec partnering and development project.


The Health Select Committee is to investigate the role of the body which decides which drugs should be available on the NHS.


Independent music companies are launching a legal challenge to the European Union's decision to allow the merger of Sony and Bertelsmann (BMG).


Lithuania Won't Shut Down Pro-Chechen Site

Lithuania on Tuesday refused a Russian request to shut down a pro-Chechen Web site that published a $20 million reward for assistance in the capture of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it cannot take ...


Amateurs Pleasant weekend The PGA Tour guys weren't the only ones busy playing 72 holes over Labor Day weekend. Frank Vana Jr ., of Marlborough CC, and R.J. Foley of Sterling National battled the Dunn brothers -- Matt and Pat -- down to the final hole of an 18-hole playoff before prevailing at the Pleasant Valley CC Amateur Invitational in ...


Vote observers: access to US polling places difficult

An international human rights group said its observers for the 2004 US election found access to polling stations difficult in Florida and Ohio.


Outsourcing a growing concern for tech sector; survey

Strong job outlook offset by skills shortage The outlook for jobs in the European technology sector is good but the spectre of outsourcing looms ominously, according to a new report.â¦


Ailing Patient at St. Elizabeths Poorly Monitored, Agency Says

A mental patient who complained of stomach pains was not properly examined or monitored in the hours before his dead body was discovered at St. Elizabeths Hospital, according to an investigation by the city's mental health agency.


Chickenpox Vaccinations Lead to $100 Million Savings

Vaccinating children against chickenpox saves the U.S. health care system nearly $100 million a year in reduced hospitalizations for severe cases of the itchy disease, a study found...


My Stocks 2003 selection, British advertising and marketing giant WPP Group (Nasdaq: WPPGY), seems to be in the driver's seat against perhaps two other competitors in pursuit of New York-based ad firm Grey Global (Nasdaq: GREY).


Three British Muslims join Zarqawi terrorist group in Iraq

The revelation by a resistance leader that three British Muslims have joined the terrorist group holding the Liverpool engineer Kenneth Bigley hostage in Iraq has not only shocked most people in Britain but could cause further fracture in the already


Macedonian Lawmakers Accept PM Resignation

Macedonia's parliament Thursday formally accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Hari Kostov, who stepped down earlier this week following tensions with minority Albanian politicians in his government.


In an astonishing discovery that could rewrite the history of human evolution, scientists say they have found the skeleton of a new human species, a dwarf, marooned for eons in a tropical


Former New York top cop Bernard Kerik abruptly pulled his nomination as President Bush's new homeland security boss last night, saying he feared an embarrassing nanny scandal.


Phelps Makes Winning Return at World Championships

Michael Phelps made a winning  return to the pool at the world short course championships  Thursday, capturing the 200 meters freestyle title and the  first of a possible six gold medals.


Prodi, ha fatto di musica strumento per vita e contro guerra


Police drummer rips band's "lame" concert

The singer in the Police jumps like a "petulant pansy," the drummer is making a "complete hash," and who knows what the guitarist is doing?


Kansas Governor: Sebelius (D) 48% Barnett (R) 37%

Rasmussen Reports - Now that Republican State Senator Jim Barnett has won the August 1 primary, Governor Kathleen Sebelius leads her challenger 48% to 37%, a drop from seventeen percentage points in our last survey, to eleven.The Governor's support has yet to rise much above 50% in any case. But the decline reflects the closer competition we often see in a final campaign stretch and have been seeing in races around the country.


The eagerly anticipated Doom 3 has stormed to the top of the UK games charts.


The four British men freed from Guantanamo Bay are released without charge by police.


The significant changes that eBay announced last week have merchants abuzz as they analyze and react to the impact that the restructured fees, modification of the search and feedback functions, and other changes will have on their sales and profits.Of particular interest have been the proposed changes to fees, which involve lowering the cost of listing items and increasing the commission eBay gets when products are sold. There has also been much discussion in blogs and discussion forums of eBay's plan to forbid sellers from leaving negative feedback for buyers.While merchants are split on the potential benefits and disadvantages of the changes, there seems to be a general consensus that, whether one supports them or not, the changes represent a major attempt on eBay's part to alter the way that the marketplace works."It's clear eBay is taking it really seriously that they have to improve the buyer experience, and they're laying the groundwork for getting aggressive about doing it," said Jonathan Garriss, executive director of the Professional eBay Sellers Alliance (PESA), a group of large sellers that has often been highly critical of eBay.Garriss, also CEO of Gotham City Online, an apparel store on eBay that also has its own site, hopes that the proposed changes will be a first step of others that eBay will take to fix what PESA considers key problems with the marketplace, such as making the buyer experience more convenient and streamlined.To that end, Garriss is encouraged by the proposed incentives to reward merchants who provide superior customer service by giving all qualifying merchants preferred placement in search engine results and offering PowerSellers additional fee discounts based on their customer ratings."We don't want to lose sight of the health of the marketplace, and the changes eBay is making are absolutely in the right direction," Garriss said in a phone interview.While he supports the concept of lowering insertion fees and shifting them to the commission, he recognizes that, as proposed, the fee restructuring will greatly hurt some merchants, particularly, in his view, those that sell lower-priced items in high volume via auctions. Garriss hopes that eBay will take this into consideration and possibly adjust the fee changes before rolling them out in a few weeks in the U.S.Lisa Witt, an eBay PowerSeller for eight years, says the fee changes will not have much of an impact on her bottom line. A seller of fine jewelry, Witt says the listing fees will remain too high even under the new fee structure."They need to dramatically change the fee structure if they expect seller growth on the site. eBay should have a flat rate listing fee and it should be the same amount across the board for everyone, and that listing fee should be low," she wrote in an e-mail interview. "A monthly fee for unlimited listings on eBay would work well too."Witt is against the plan to forbid sellers from leaving negative feedback about buyers. This change may lead to buyers using the threat of negative feedback as an extortion tactic to get extras, she said. Buyers may also be disinclined to contact sellers if a disagreement arises, resorting simply to leaving negative feedback, she added. "Feedback is voluntary and should be able to be left by either party as they see fit," Witt said.Meanwhile, John Lawson, another PowerSeller and owner of 3rd Power Outlet, is generally positive about the proposed changes. "There'll be some bumpy roads, but they're on a path to make this marketplace more vibrant," Lawson said in a phone interview.3rd Power Outlet , which sells urban wear and accessories and makes about 80 percent of its sales via eBay, will save about 50 percent in listing fees and, factoring in the increased commission, will have net savings in eBay costs of about 30 percent, Lawson said."It'll have a nice impact on our eBay costs. It's extra money in our pockets," Lawson said. While not a major windfall, the savings will allow him to add more listings and do more auctions, he said.Forbidding sellers from leaving negative feedback about buyers is a good move because, as eBay officials have argued, some sellers have used negative feedback to retaliate against buyers, he said. "A seller doesn't have to leave any comment about buyers at all," Lawson said. "The buyer has to be satisfied and must have the ability to leave a true comment."Still, he's not crazy about new proposed fee discounts to PowerSellers based on them attaining certain levels of DSR (Detailed Seller Rating). For example, he finds that it's off the mark for eBay to have a specific DSR category for shipping and handling, because, as a rule, no one likes to pay for this portion of the transaction. Merchants like himself, who sell to buyers overseas, are in particular disadvantage, because many buyers abroad don't have a clear understanding of shipping costs from the U.S. to international locations, he said.For others like Witt, DSR-based fee discounts are welcome. "It's fine to offer incentives to sellers who strive for excellence. That was a good idea and they should expand on it. Offering rewards has always worked better than punishments," she said.These and other differing viewpoints about the plans reflect the ripple effect that eBay changes inevitably have, since there is such a wide variety of merchants on its platform. It remains to be seen whether eBay will want, and be able to refine further, its planned changes to achieve -- as much as possible -- a happy medium across its vast community of sellers.


Halfway through the Tour de France, no compelling newcomer has broken through, no favorite has emerged and doping allegations have surfaced yet again. Cedric Vasseur became the first French rider to win a stage this year, but his victory and the Tour were overshadowed by the announcement of the doping test on cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz during a training session last month that turned up high levels of testosterone.


Stocks fall sharply as bad loan concern lingers

Stocks dropped on Wednesday, pushing the Dow industrial average below 12,000 for the first time since November on worries over the worsening subprime mortgage market.


Same-store sales fall, but there might be light at the end of the half-pipe.


Korean car designers step onto global stage

GENEVA/SEOUL  - Global automakers are tapping a rich seam of talented vehicle designers in a surprising spot: South Korea.


TEBALDI: URBANI, "A PERFORMER EXTRAORDINAIRE"

(AGI) - Rome, Dec. 20 - "With the demise of Renata Tebaldi, Italy has lost a performer extraordinaire and one of its greatest opera singers", said Cultural Heritage Minister Giuliano Urbani.


British police targeting would-be criminals before they offend

British criminal psychologists are putting together a list of the 100 most dangerous murderers and rapists before they have committed any such crimes, The Times said.


Londra, 23:16 - CALCIO, COPPA D'INGHILTERRA: AVANZANO MANCHESTER CITY E NEWCASTLE

Manchester City e Newcastle si sono qualificate per i sedicesimi di finale di Coppa d'Inghilterra. I...


With Prince Harry rumored to be headed for Iraq, his uncle Andrew talks to TIME about his own wartime exploits


Austrians Win NY Empire Run-Up Again, Eldest Rolls On

The returning champions from Austria  both posted remarkable victories on Tuesday in the Empire State  Building Run-Up, while the Big Apple's favorite social climber  shined again at age 93 in the 28th annual race.


Japan Stocks Firm on Optimism on Oil Fall

Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.37 percent in early trade on Thursday as investors bought exporters such as Canon Inc. after a fall in oil prices boosted confidence over the U.S. economy and lifted Wall Street stocks.


SBC to Build Internet Phone System for Ford

SBC Communications (SBC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it had won a contract from Ford Motor Co. (FN: Quote, Profile, Research) to build an Internet-based telephone service


At 80, Albert FrÃ¨re still prowls corporate Europe in a restless chase for a bargains, keeping the ContinentÂs business leaders on their toes.


Former Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland speaks as he stands with his wife Patty outside Federal Court in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004, after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to steal honest services.


Play starts at Wimbledon after rain delay

Play finally started at Wimbledon on Monday following a delay of almost three hours because of rain.


UN watchdog to consider world atom fuel supply bank

Proposals for a global nuclear fuel bank   meant to boost economic development while stemming the spread   of atom bomb know-how are to be put to a U.N. watchdog's   decision-making board in 2007, officials say.


Think 4% inflation is too high? Our basket of luxury goods costs 7% more than one year ago.


After delivering a pep talk designed to energize troops preparing to head for Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld got a little "talking to" himself from disgruntled soldiers.


Extended properly, the middle finger usually works every time. So it was probably overkill when Michael Vick used both of his to let the fans in Atlanta know just how he felt.


Europeans kidnapped in Ethiopia free: Britain

Five Europeans kidnapped in Ethiopia 12 days ago have been released and are in good health, British foreign minister Margaret Beckett said on Tuesday.


European stock markets face rough water over new accounting ...

PARIS, Oct 17  - European stock markets could be heading for a patch of rough water with the introduction of new accounting standards, analysts are warning, saying that stock prices could be bounced around and initial public offerings held back.


By Piddington Stu  South Canterbury's new dairy factory at Studholme has been saved by a last-minute $24 million deal from an overseas investor. Stu Piddington reports.


Andrea Riley scored 17 points and Rashidat Sadiq added 16 as Oklahoma State upset No. 25 Nebraska 63-60 on Saturday night.


One woman dead in Montreal shooting: police

A woman was killed in a shooting in a   college in downtown Montreal, local police said on Wednesday.


SOUTHFIELD, Mich - Chrysler LLC's contract with the United Auto Workers has been rejected by most large union locals representing auto-assembly plants during the first four days of voting, dimming prospects for the accord's approval, though it has been supported by smaller groups.


Combattimenti in corso vicino a presidenza della Repubblica


Genuine Advantage not proven Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage is being updated today, in what the company claims is response to customer feedback.â¦


Sudanese government and rebels agree to end civil war by year's end

NAIROBI, Kenya  - The Sudanese government and southern rebel leaders pledged again Friday to end a 21-year civil war - this time making the commitment before the UN Security Council holding a special meeting in Africa.


U.S., Iraq Prepare Offensive to Pave Way for Election

The United States and Iraq are crafting a two-pronged plan to prepare for Iraq's first democratic election in January, combining a fall military offensive to evict insurgents from volatile areas with creative approaches to ensure that voters will participate in the historic poll, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials.


Planes trafficking cocaine that enter Guinea-Bissau's airspace will be shot down, the government says.


The leading Linux publisher Red Hat is heading east opening its first business centre in China's Beijing. The centre will offer Red Hat Academy training free to students and will work in partnership with Tsinghua


Lord Black keeps the e-mails flying in adversity

To hear Lord Black tell it, from a business perspective at least, all was proceeding according to the master plan. We exchanged e-mails in late August as I was toiling


Bits : C.E.S. Robot Death Match: iRobot vs. WowWee

iRobot and WowWee introduce new robots at the Consumer Electronics Show. IRobotâs cleans gutters and WowWeeâs is a night watchman.


U.S. to Spend $5.8 Billion on Climate Change in 2005

The United States, which refused to participate in a United Nations-backed global plan to slow global warming, said on Tuesday it will spend nearly $5.8 billion in 2005 on research and programs addressing climate change.


Alltel Is Said to Be Suitor for Carrier in Northwest

Alltel, the nation's sixth-largest wireless carrier, is in advanced negotiations to buy Western Wireless for roughly $4 billion.


L'iniziativa Ã¨ giÃ  ai primi passi ma piena di emozioni. Una analogasolo negli Usa. E c'Ã¨ chi scrive: "Vi rispondo dopo, io ho tempo..."                                            Cartoline da dietro  le sbarre se il blog arriva in carcere                                                                                di TULLIA FABIANI


Five US journalists are fined for refusing to identify sources behind stories alleging nuclear espionage.


EU challenges world with climate change plan

European Union leaders resolved on Friday to slash greenhouse gas emissions and switch to renewable fuels, challenging the world to follow its lead in fighting climate change.


Napoli, 19:16 - CALCIO, NAPOLI; REJA: RISCATTIAMOCI IN COPPA ITALIA

Il tecnico del Napoli Edy Reja cerca di archiviare in tutta fretta la batosta del Meazza e pensa all...


Weather looks good for this week's shuttle launch

NASA managers had their  fingers crossed on Monday in hopes that this week's planned  launch of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis will go ahead after a  week's delay due to a lightning strike and a storm.


Former French PM Dominique de Villepin criticises the style of his one-time rival, President Nicolas Sarkozy.


Report: Blair Recovering Well After Heart Operation

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has  had a successful operation for recurrent heart palpitations and  is "doing well," Sky TV reported Friday.


U.S. doesn't see Iran test missiles as threat

The White House said on Thursday it did not see Iran's test-firing of missiles as an assault against U.S. warships in the Gulf.


George Michael to play first gig at new Wembley

Singer George Michael will be the first pop artist to play a concert at the new Wembley Stadium, the venue's managing director said on Sunday.


Forestali, riprende il blocco dell'aeroporto di Lamezia

Continua la protesta degli operai calabresi per i tagli in Finanziaria. Stamattina cancellati due voli per Roma e uno per Milano. Libera la Salerno-Reggio, non cosÃ¬ gli imbarcaderi per la Sicilia. Lamezia


Iran Denies Any Nuclear Activity At Suspect Site Parchin

VIENNA  - Iran denied that it had carried out any nuclear-related activity at the Parchin military site which is the subject of US and UN concern.


U.S. Program Accepted 1,324 Iraqi Refugees in Past Four Months

Bush administration officials said yesterday that 1,324 Iraqi refugees entered the United States from October through January, as part of a U.S. program aimed at bringing in 12,000 by Sept. 30.


Stilista lancia il profumo Emporio Armani Diamonds


L'azzurro mette in riga Schoenfelder e Vogl e si porta a casa lo slalom speciale corso in Austria. Per lo sciatore di Livigno si tratta del quarto successo in coppa del Mondo. Bene anche la Putzer, quarta nel gigante di St.Moritz.


Genzyme (GENZ :Nasdaq - news - research) shares rose early Wednesday after US regulators approved its leukemia drug for children. The Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved the drug Clolar, an intravenous


Colombia to Recognize Gay Unions With Extension of Health, Other Benefits

BOGOTA, Colombia, June 15 -- Colombia's Congress voted to recognize gay unions, approving a bill to give same-sex couples full rights to health insurance, social security and inheritance benefits. The measure would make Colombia the first country in Latin America to extend such rights to gay...


Jim Balsillie, the co-chief executive of the Canadian-based company behind the wireless BlackBerry messaging device, has signed an agreement to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team announced on Thursday.


Per rinnovo economico e normativo del contratto


The 30th of November unfolded as a typical Friday for Merry King. She spent the day teaching special-needs children at Herbert Hoover Middle School in affluent Potomac, then went home and planned for a weekend trip to New York to visit her daughter and see Manhattan decked out in holiday splendor.


Coalition airstrike kills 9 Afghans in home

JABAR, Afghanistan -- A coalition airstrike destroyed a mud-brick home after a rocket attack on a US base, killing nine people from four generations of an Afghan family including a 6-month-old, officials and relatives said yesterday -- one of the latest in a string of civilian deaths that threaten to undermine the government.


Panel to question wireless firms about pretexting

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce  Committee will ask wireless company executives and the head of  the Federal Communications Commission to testify Friday on the  use of deceptive measures to obtain personal information, known  as pretexting, the panel said on Monday.


Le leggi razziali prepararono Olocausto in Italia


Iraqis aligned with the Medhi Army have started trickling into police stations in Baghdad to exchange their weapons for coupons they can later use to get cash from the Iraqi government.


Your portfolio's growth doesn't have to come from capital gains alone. Check out these solid stocks that pay you to hold them.


Witnesses have reported seeing an object with a tail of fire hurtling toward earth near Indonesia's capital, before a loud explosion was heard in several districts of Jakarta.


A plan to overhaul U.S. spy agencies  died on Saturday in the face of opposition from key Republicans  just hours after congressional negotiators thought they had  clinched a deal backed by the White House on the post-Sept. 11  reforms.


E' accaduto oggi per lo sciopero dalle 12,30 alle 16,30


FCC seeks to fine Fox affiliates $1.18 million for 'Married By ...

and it looks like a 2003 Fox program has become the test case. Reuters reports that the US Federal Communications


Tunisian Ruler Is Re-elected, as Expected

President Zine el-Abidine ben Ali extended his 17 years in power in Tunisia on Sunday by winning almost 95 percent of the votes in presidential and parliamentary elections, the Interior Ministry said Monday.


An estimated 151,000 Iraqis have died in violence since the US-led invasion, a new survey suggests.


A LIFE DECODED My Genome: My Life By J. Craig Venter Viking. 390 pp. $25.95 We already know some things about J. Craig Venter: for example, that the self-styled renegade biologist and genome sequencer has little patience for governmental or academic bureaucracy. There are also the biological deta...


On Soccer: Poor U.S. Finishing Makes Hard Work of Panama

The Americans should have had a comfortable task of seeing off a weak opponent. But poor finishing and farcical defending allowed Panama to make it more difficult for the United States.


The Nikkei average rebounded from a  one-month low and was flat by midday on Tuesday as falls in  trading houses such as Mitsubishi Corp. on weak commodities  prices were offset by gains in a handful of core technology  shares.


Andre Agassi's third-round match with   German Benjamin Becker will have to wait after rain forced the   cancellation of all U.S. Open matches on Saturday.


Eritrea says did not seize tourists, blames Ethiopia

Eritrea dismissed as "baseless fabrication" on Sunday accusations by an Ethiopian official that Eritrean forces kidnapped a group of tourists, including Britons and Ethiopians, in a remote part of Ethiopia.


Appropriazione di 20,7 milioni per Tavaroli e Cipriani


FBI Probes Alabama Boy Scouts Membership

Boy Scout volunteer Tom Willis knew something was wrong when he saw that 20 youngsters on the list for a scouting program all had the same last name: Doe. Willis said it appeared someone was listing fake members to boost enrollment, perhaps to bring in more funding from agencies like the United Way.


David Beckham's pop-star wife Victoria is pregnant with her third child, the pair announced.


Sport: Athletics World Championships: Jo Pavey surpassed expectations by finishing a close fourth in the 10,000 metres.


Siniscalco: ''Non Ã¨ una leggenda che la gente non arriva a fine ...

Roma, 5 nov.(Adnkronos) - ''Non Ã¨ una leggenda che la gente non arriva a fine mese''. Ad ammettere le difficoltÃ  economiche in cui si dibattono i cittadini Ã¨ il ministro dell'Economia, Domenico Siniscalco


Accredo Cuts '05 Forecast, Stock Plummets

Accredo Health Inc. ACDO.O, which  provides pharmacy and treatment services for patients with  chronic illnesses, on Monday slashed its profit forecast due to  lower reimbursements from government insurers, sending its  shares down almost 25 percent.


The death of the video recorder comes a step closer as electrical chain Dixons says it will stop selling them.


EU puts Turkey on a long road to accession

The European commission warned Turkey yesterday that it would break off entry negotiations if EU ministers found evidence of a "serious and persistent" breach of democratic and human rights.


Democrats Win Ballots Case in Washington Governor Race

Democrats in Washington state, fearing  their candidate may lose a governor's race as ballot counting  continued 10 days after the vote, got a court order on Friday  to stop the state's largest county from discarding hundreds of  ballots.


Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Black will premiere today at a suburban multiplex in Mumbai.


Bush Appeals for Unity Ahead of Inauguration

On the eve of his inauguration,  President Bush on Wednesday called for unity and pledged to  represent all Americans during his second term which he begins  with an aggressive domestic agenda amid deep partisan divide  over his Iraq policy.


Horse racing: Colt beats a virus and the champions

PARIS Horse racing can be a tough sport to follow. There's no World Series, no Final Four, no definitive crowning of a single champion.


Threat of Extinction Looms Over Larger Species

Being the biggest dog may pay off at feeding time, but species that grow too large may be more vulnerable to extinction, new research suggests. Over 50 million years a succession of large carnivores evolved in North America, diversified, and then died out.


Ultimo discorso sullo stato dell'Unione del presidente UsaOttimismo sulla lotta al terrorismo: "Stiamo spargendo la speranza della libertÃ "                                          Bush rilancia il piano per l'economia "La crescita rallenta, via alle misure"                                                                                Negli ultimi mesi del suo mandato il Capo dello Stato si scopre ecologista:proposta la creazione di un fondo di due miliardi per le ricerche sull'energia pulita


Sri Lanka increases security for members of parliament a day after a minister is assassinated.


Rescuers Give Up Search for Mexican Boys in Cave

Mexican rescue workers gave up  their two-week search for two small Indian boys who became  trapped in a cave, possibly after their father sent them  searching for gold, officials said on Sunday.


Daimler chops Chrysler staff, keeps options open

DETROIT/FRANKFURT  - DaimlerChrysler raised the prospect on Wednesday of parting ways with its loss-making U.S. Chrysler arm, a move that could unwind a blockbuster 1998 merger creating the world's fifth-biggest car maker.


Northern Rock says it is in talks about 'a variety of potential transactions' but has cancelled its dividend.


Blair, Ahern urge power-sharing after N.Irish vote

Britain and Ireland urged Northern Ireland's politicians on Friday to agree to a power sharing government after the province's main Protestant and Catholic parties dominated assembly elections this week.Comment


Spending by credit and debit cards  overtakes cash spending in the UK for the first time, says the Association of Payment Clearing Services.


Indianapolis, 12:40 - ATLETICA, TRIALS USA: RICHARDS DELUDE NEI 400 METRI

Niente Mondiali di Osaka per Sanya Richards, quarta nella finale dei 400 metri ai Trials statunitens...


Leader of devastated Australian Labor Party to stand again

Opposition leader Mark Latham has declared his intention to recontest the leadership of the centre-left Labor Party even as he was being blamed for its devastating defeat in the weekend election.


U.S. says 30 militants killed in big Iraq offensive

U.S. and Iraqi forces killed at least 30 al Qaeda militants and found numerous weapons during the first full day of a big offensive against the Sunni Islamist group north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.


Stocks to Open Lower on Rising Oil Prices

NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are seen slightly lower at the open as investors stay on guard with oil pushing near the $50-a-barrel level...


W. Richard West Jr., the founding director of the Smithsonian Institutionâs National Museum of the American Indian, spent $48,500 in museum funds to commission a portrait of himself, The Washington Post reported. The painting, by Burton Silverman, a New York artist whose portraits have appeared on the cover of Time and in The New Yorker, hangs in the patronsâ lounge of the museum. Mr. West, 64, whose last day on the Smithsonian payroll was Monday, also spent more than $250,000 over four years on travel and hotels, the Smithsonian has confirmed. Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the senior Republican on the Finance Committee, and Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California and chairwoman of the Rules Committee, have asked for independent investigations of the expenses. The Smithsonian said it did not comment on former employees. Similar questions about personal spending by the Smithsonianâs secretary, Lawrence M. Small, led to his resignation last March.


Canadian Tire Net Rises 17%, Helped by Credit Cards

Canadian Tire Corp., the country's biggest retailer of auto supplies and sporting goods, said third- quarter profit rose 17 percent as customers put more purchases on the company's credit card.


Experts: PSA Test Still Valuable for Prostate Cancer Screening

SATURDAY, Nov. 13 (HealthDayNews) -- Earlier this fall, the researcher who first identified the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test -- used for nearly two decades to screen men for prostate cancer -- announced the test had become "all but useless."


Canadian Police Find Rare Austrian Jewel

TORONTO - Police have found a rare pendant that belonged to a 19th century Austrian queen and was stolen from a castle there in 1998.


Bloody day for Iraq's security forces as Zarqawi aide captured

Twin suicide car bombs killed 11 Iraqi police and guards, as US troops captured a top aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Islamic militant behind a wave of attacks and kidnappings.


Jobs and data to call stocks' year-end tune

Wall Street is still on course to end 2006 in the plus column, but it's too early to pop the champagne corks. Investors will comb through next week's jobs report for November and other data to see if the U.S. economy and corporate profits will be able to withstand the fallout from a slowdown in housing and the dollar's slide.


China offers to help track down the Chinese hackers who broke into German computers.


In this week's issue of ESPN The Magazine, controversial running back Maurice Clarett attempts to perform damage control with NFL owners and general managers concerning his image as the 2005 NFL Draft looms on the horizon.


President Bush congratulated the Iraqi candidates and voters as final results in the country's national elections showed Shiites and Kurds led the ballot.


IRS increases audits, wants more enforcement

Audits and lawsuits by the Internal Revenue Service raked in a record $43.1 billion in taxes last year -- about four times the agency's budget -- as the IRS audited more wealthy individuals


Bank of Japan says prices will rise 0.1% in '05, but it will likely keep ultra-low interest rates. TOKYO  - Japan's five-year bout with deflation is likely to end next year, the Bank of Japan said


Ecclestone's Formula One Hold Menaced by Lawsuits, Tobacco Ban

Bernie Ecclestone, the 73-year-old former used-car dealer who became a billionaire by managing Formula One motor racing, faces a revolt by business partners and team owners that may end his grip on the sport after 23 years.


Oil giant BP Plc saw its third-quarter  profits reduced by energy trading losses after its dealers got  on the wrong side of volatile markets.


News video showing about a dozen rats running around a KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in Greenwich Village was widely disseminated Friday on TV stations and the Internet.


Britain's Royal Mail makes a million pounds a month

LONDON : Just two years ago it was losing over one million pounds (1.4 million euros, 1.9 million dollars) every day. Now, after slashing over 30,000 jobs, raising postage prices and ending twice-a-day deliveries


India serious about composite dialogue: PM

Imphal, Nov. 21 (PTI): A day after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's tough talk, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, today said that India was "very serious" about the composite dialogue and he looked forward


Aubree Johnson has memorable home finale

Aubree Johnson will always remember her final home game at Arizona State. Johnson scored a career-high 27 points, the most by a Sun Devil this season, to lead No. 10 Arizona State to a 78-63 victory over Oregon State on Saturday.


Hey, you're off to a rough start, Roger Goodell. Two weeks into your first season as NFL commissioner and you've turned the show into the MLS.


By Andrew Edwards, San Bernardino County Sun, Calif.  Sep. 12--HIGHLAND -- The debate that City Council members are expected to  hear tonight won't be a matter of church versus state.


Cisl preoccupata per rinvio temi economia-sociali dopo crisi


Actress-singer Brandy is returning to her comedy series roots.


Laura Branigan is being remembered as a leading pop songstress of the 1980s, whose soaring soprano commandeered such hits as "Gloria," "Self Control" and "Solitaire."


Dock-Free! Leave Your Cables at Home!; EDGE Tech Introduces the Secure Digital (SD) Card + USB Flash Drive Combo for Hassle-Free Transfer of Data Between Card and Computer or Your Favorite Consumer Electronics Device

EDGE Tech Corp (www.edgetechcorp.com), a leading supplier of DRAM and flash memory upgrades, portable computing products, storage devices, and other experience-enhancing technology solutions, announces the SD Card + USB Flash Drive Combo.


NY subway union hails new pact one year after strike

Unionized workers of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority's on Friday said an arbitrator has awarded them a new contract that "mimics" the strike-settling pact reached last year that the agency later spurned.


Time Warner Inc.'s Internet unit AOL  on Wednesday said it had purchased GameDaily, a video game news  and review Web site, part of an effort to expand a portfolio of  online information and entertainment.


Boot camp cure for violent youth The German authorities have packed off a violent 16-year-old youth to fend for himself in a remote Siberian village in the hope the "intensive educational experience" will cure him of his anti-social tendencies.â¦


The BBC is fined Â£50,000 after the results of a Blue Peter competition were faked last November.


Defense in Porn Case Hires Computer Expert

By DIANA GRAETTINGER; OF THE NEWS STAFF  MACHIAS - A 4th District Court judge gave a court-appointed defense attorney permission to hire a local computer expert in a case involving a man who faces multiple charges of possession of sexually explicit material.


Joost appointed Cisco veteran Mike Volpi as chief executive officer, the Internet-based TV service said Tuesday.


Apologetic South Korean hostages return home

ANYANG, South Korea  - Nineteen South Korean Christian volunteers held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan for six weeks returned home to an uncomfortable welcome on Sunday, thanking their government for saving them from death.


MIAMI (Sports Network) - The struggling Atlanta Hawks  activated guard Tony Delk from the injured list on Wednesday.


Insa and Agentis Sign Distribution Agreement Covering Spain and...

Agentis Software today announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Insa, the leading Spanish application vendor.


SCO's Finances Reverse As Legal Fees Mount

SCO Group has a plan to keep itself fit enough to continue its legal battles against Linux and to develop its Unix-on-Intel operating systems.


Filippine, 1400 tra morti e dispersi per le inondazioni

Manila, 6 dic. - (Adnkronos) - Sono salite ad oltre 1.400 le vittime, tra morti e dispersi delle inondazioni e smottamenti provocati dai tre tifoni che nei giorni scorsi hanno travolto varie localitÃ  della


Eight men accused of conducting a terrorist plot involving radioactive or chemical materials are expected to stand trial in late 2005.


Sen. Kerry wants to ban Internet images of dog fighting

Blog: Sen. John Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a press release on Friday that he wants to make it "illegal to transmit images of dog fighting, to run websites that cater to dog fighting." Thanks for your strong support of the First Amendment, senator.


China's Li surprised to be picked by Milwaukee

China's Yi Jianlian, the first  overseas player taken in the 2007 NBA Draft, said he was  surprised at being selected with the sixth pick by the  Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.


Will iLike users like Thumbplay's ringtones too?

Thumbplay is now selling ringtones via music discovery company iLike's swelling Facebook application and iLike.com.


Indonesia's vice president predicts the death toll in the country could rise as high as 25,000.


Australia to push for permanent end to Japanese whaling

Australia has vowed to pursue its battle to ban whaling for scientific purposes after Japan cut short this year's whale hunting season in the Antarctic following a fire on its mother ship.


Bank of America to cut 4,000 jobs post-LaSalle buy

Bank of America Corp  said it  will lay off about 2,500 workers in Illinois and 1,500 in  Michigan over the next two years in connection with its $21  billion purchase of LaSalle Bank Corp from Dutch bank ABN AMRO  Holding NV .


P&G and Colgate post double-digit earnings increases

Household and personal care products leaders Procter & Gamble Co  and smaller rival Colgate-Palmolive Co  both posted double-digit quarterly profit increases on Tuesday, helped by cost cuts, the weaker dollar and sales of new items.


At New York Film Festival: Upheaval in Iran, Fiasco in Westchester

Aesthetics versus storytelling: as much as anything, that is the issue that defines the 45th New York Film Festival.


The G20 developing nations call for the resumption of global trade talks at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro.


State officials Tuesday ended all work at a bridge construction yard after sinking $58 million into a project halted by the ongoing discovery of hundreds of Indian remains and ancient artifacts.


The Washington Wizards draft Nick Young, a guard from Southern California, with the 16th overall pick on Thursday night.


Firenze, 19:15 - CALCIO, FIORENTINA: MONTOLIVO IN DUBBIO PER IL MILAN

Ancora un giorno di riposo per la Fiorentina, che riprenderà gli allenamenti domani pomeriggi...


U.S. Gave $1B in Faith-Based Funds in 2003

The government gave more than $1 billion in 2003 to organizations it considers "faith-based," with some going to programs where prayer and spiritual guidance are central and some to organizations that do not consider themselves religious at all.


Vista SP1 Prerequisites Rolled up in Patch Tuesday Update

Microsoft today included a set of nonsecurity updates to prepare customers to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 as part of its monthly "Patch Tuesday" security fixes.


Mantova, 19:01 - CALCIO, MANTOVA: 30 GIORNI DI STOP PER GRAUSO

Allenamento pomeridiano per il Mantova in vista della gara di sabato prossimo contro il Napoli: il t...


Chris Matthews a target for Clinton fans

He's become the target for critics who think a backlash against the media played a part in Hillary Clinton's surprise win in New Hampshire. Chris Matthews laughs off that idea, and insists he has a lot of respect for her.


Nattily dressed Iraqi businessmen mingled Saturday with a few of their American counterparts at the first business exposition to be held in Baghdad since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.


The man infected with a drug-resistant form of potentially fatal tuberculosis left Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, early Thursday and was transferred to a hospital in Denver, Colorado, a hospital representative said.


Federal health officials, concerned that scarce flu vaccine may go unused, Friday announced plans to amend the guidelines on who should receive shots.


Public health officials are investigating why a 38-year-old woman died two weeks after undergoing gastric bypass surgery at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River. The hospital has stopped offering the surgery during the state probe and an internal review.


Briton among three dead in Italy train crash

A passenger train and a goods train collided on the Italian island of Sardinia on Friday killing three people, including a British tourist, police said.


JUST TOO COOL: Handhelds â PDA can store data

Handheld computer maker PalmOne Inc. unveiled a personal digital assistant Monday that doubles as a portable data storage drive. The Tungsten T5 handheld has 256 megabytes of built-in flash memory, of which 215 MB will be available to the user.


Brown stakes claim to be UK's next prime minister

Finance Minister Gordon Brown staked   his claim to be Britain's next prime minister on Monday,   seeking to dispel growing doubts about whether he is the right   man to lead the country.


Piano Bianchi, patente a punti per ciclomotori e quadricicli


Line Up for Linux On Day of Free Software

ADVOCATES of open-source software will celebrate Software Freedom Day on Saturday by holding Linux installation events around the country.


Texas-sized blog brouhaha morphs into lawsuit to reveal anonymous authors

A Texas judge orders an ISP to reveal the identity of the operator of a blog that is criticizing a health care operator.


Holders Porto face an uphill struggle to qualify, plus a round-up of Wednesday's Champions League action.


In theaters: THE EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, directed by Renny Harlin, written by Alexi Hawley, 114 minutes, rated R. So it wasn't meant to be, but here it is and there you have it.


NEW YORK  — The eruption heard across the country Sunday night at 10:03 p.m. EDT: Collective exclamations of "What?" "Are you kidding me?" and " $&!?"


Celtic artists reign on 2007 world-music charts

The Irish ladies of Celtic Woman  dominate the Top World Music Albums chart this year, taking the  top three spots with "A New Journey," "A Christmas Celebration"  and "Celtic Woman."


MUMBAI, DECEMBER 27: The promoters - who hold 46 per cent stake of Reliance Industries â-ill be the biggest beneficiaries of the up to Rs 2,999 crore buyback of shares announced by the company on Monday.


A Pep Talk and Skittles Rally a Troubled Team

WE talk about Olympic moments: the torch, the record-setting performances. But some of the great moments are unrecorded ones, the inspiration shared between the athletes themselves.


Britain's Blair hails G8 climate change pledge

Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday hailed a pledge to tackle climate change by leaders of the Group of Eight, describing it as a "major, major step forward."


Parigi, 18:07 - IPPICA, FRANCIA; DOPING: STOP DI 18 MESI PER FALLON

Diciotto mesi di squalifica per il fantino irlandese Kieren Fallon, positivo ad un test anti-doping....


Washington's decision to fund a baseball stadium highlights a debate over sports funding.


Electronics giant Sony has reversed its position on the formats playable by its range of digital music players. The company has announced its new devices will now be able to play music tracks in the MP3 format


Hack iTunes to remove the movie-rental time limit

If you can't finish watching your rented movie in 24 hours, try this simple trick to extend the "doomsday clock."


Comic cast seals deal in "Employee of the Month"

LOS ANGELES  - An attempt to carve out "Office Space" in a warehouse store setting, Greg Coolidge's "Employee of the Month" falls short of that inspired Mike Judge mark but manages to retain a certain goofy appeal thanks to the stand-up efforts of its comically adept cast members.


Further delay for milestone OiNK investigation Cleveland police have extended the bail granted to the former administrator of an alleged music piracy site for a second time, in a bid to collect more evidence for a case that could mark a watershed for UK internet law.â¦


More than 5,000 people, including the prime minister, are expected to cram the "Crocoseum" at the Australia Zoo on Wednesday to say farewell to "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin at a memorial service.


Four US soldiers in Abu Ghraib prisoner scandal face pretrial ...

Four US soldiers charged with abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison face pretrial hearings before an American military judge in Germany.


Bush Scraps U.S. Trade Embargo on Libya in WMD Reward

President Bush on Monday formally ended the U.S. trade embargo on Libya to reward it for giving up weapons of mass destruction but left in place some U.S. terrorism-related sanctions.


Ci saranno variazioni solo per le chiamate urbane


Roma, 23:01 - CALCIO, ROMA: TOTTI METTE IN MOSTRA SCARPA D'ORO A TESTACCIO

Francesco Totti ha visitato oggi la mostra al Testaccio organizzata dall'Unione Tifosi Romanisti per...


Salgono luce e gas, pedaggi autostradali e biglietti treni


China to seek end of arms embargo at Sino-EU summit

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will urge the European Union to lift a 15-year-old arms embargo and call on the continent to view China as a full market economy during an EU-China summit beginning Wednesday in the Hague.


Sudan's Foreign Minister says Security Council measure on Darfur ...

23 September 2004 - Addressing the United Nations General Assembly this afternoon, the Foreign Minister of Sudan pledged to work for peace and respect for human rights in the country's vast and blighted Darfur region, but denounced a UN Security Council


Potential Kremlin contender takes to cyberspace

Dmitry Medvedev, a Russian first deputy  prime minister and a potential successor to President Vladimir  Putin, took his charm offensive to cyberspace on Monday,  hosting a two-hour Internet conference.


WASHINGTON - A day before the first presidential debate, the government's health policy watchdog raised concerns that early mailings to seniors about the new Medicare prescription discount cards championed by President Bush were confusing or inadequate.   "We found that these beneficiaries received very little mail from drug card sponsors that would enable them to make an informed choice among cards," the Health and Human Services Department inspector general wrote in the Sept...


U.S. urges wary NATO allies to boost Afghan fight

SEVILLE, Spain  - The United States raised pressure on NATO allies on Thursday to rush more troops to Afghanistan to crush an expected Taliban offensive, saying the coming weeks would be key in battling the insurgency.


Kerry says Bush sought to hide loss of Iraq arms

Democratic challenger John F. Kerry accused President Bush yesterday of covering up the disappearance of Iraqi explosives


Ford Motor's New Chief: "I Think It's a Tough Situation"

In an interview with TIME, Bill Ford and Alan Mulally talk about the automaker's bold change at the top


Perhaps more than anywhere else, friendship Â or the pretense of it Â is a crucial tool for making it in Hollywood.


British Gas owner Centrica buys drain maintenance firm Dyno-Rod and its other businesses for Â£57.6m.


Hidden Truths in the Court of a King Who Would Be Emperor

Roll over, Chairman Mao, and tell the comrades the news: in "Hero," the history of the empire now comes wrapped in kaleidoscopic kung fu cool.


CONCORD, N.H. - Wanted: A few good snouts to help the city snuff out smells. As part of a plan to address complaints about odors from a wastewater treatment plant, city officials have hired a Massachusetts firm to identify and quantify exactly what smells are bothering residents.


Tunisian Swimmer Loses World Medals for Doping

Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli is banned for 18 months Tuesday for a doping violation and stripped of the gold and silver medals he won at the world championships.


A recently published compendium of Robert Frost's personal notebooks is coming under attack from two critics who say that the editor of the volume mistranscribed hundreds, if not thousands, of Frostâs words.


Victim's family win right to publish OJ's version of a night of murder

Â· Court rules controversial book can be published  Â· Goldman family, not former actor, to benefit


Somalia militants plan to train students

The Islamic militia that controls much of southern Somalia said Tuesday it will train students for holy war against foreign peacekeepers, an ominous development amid fears that a Taliban-style regime is emerging in the country.


Gurkha warriors grateful for British citizenship

Veterans of and aspirants to the Gurkha brigade voiced gratitude at Britain's decision to grant citizenship to the mountain fighters, saying their way of life was under threat due to the turmoil in Nepal.


Southern Africa's largest shopping mall opens in the township of Soweto, a centre in the struggle against apartheid.


Apple, China Mobile call off iPhone launch talks

Apple Inc  and China Mobile  (0941.HK) have called off talks to launch the U.S. firm's  popular iPhones in China, dashing speculation the device will  hit the country's store shelves soon.


Dips in demand and easing threats to supply have pushed oil futures to below $63 a barrel.


With its CEO ensconced in Dubai, Halliburton saw big growth there.


Attracting investors without putting the charitable focus at risk.


Brazilian authorities said they raided an Amazon plantation where more than 1,000 laborers were found working 13-hour days, in horrendous conditions, cutting sugar cane for ethanol production.


Report: Bribes Got Bomb Suspects on Planes

Russian authorities believe that two Chechen women suspected of blowing up Russian passenger jets last month got on the planes by paying bribes, media reports said.


Inquest hears letters from 'chick' Diana to 'darling Dodi'

Princess Diana addressed her last boyfriend as "darling Dodi" in letters thanking him for a holiday on his yacht and sending him her father's cufflinks as a present, her inquest in London heard Friday.


Robinson confirmed as England rugby captain

The 30-year-old British Lion and former rugby league international replaces Jonny Wilkinson who is nursing an upper-arm injury. The main surprise in the England squad was the decision to leave centre Will


Bhutto assassinated, Pakistan faces crisis

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan  - Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by a suicide bomber on Thursday, plunging the nuclear-armed country into one of the worst crises in its 60-year history.


House, Senate Agree on Corporate Tax Bill

U.S. Senate and House of  Representatives negotiators agreed on Wednesday on a huge  corporate tax bill that will repeal export subsidies that  violate global trade rules and give manufacturers a new tax  break.


Wayne Rooney enters Man U folklore with hat trick in debut

The list of Manchester United superstars, headed by George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, could soon feature a new name: Wayne Rooney.


Up to 1.85 million tickets for the Beijing Olympics will go on sale to people in China next week, officials say.


Thousands of Sri Lankans panicked and  fled miles inland on Thursday after hearing reports a new  tsunami was on its way.


Ernie Els sets himself a three-year timetable to take over from Tiger Woods as world number one.


MOSCOW, June 8 -- A panel at the Moscow Bar Association voted 9 to 2 Friday to reject a disbarment effort launched by federal prosecutors against leading Russian human rights lawyer Karina Moskalenko.


Monaco, 16:10 - CALCIO, GERMANIA: TERZO GOL PER TONI IN BUNDESLIGA

Terzo gol in tre partite per Luca Toni nella Bundesliga. L'ex attaccante della Fiorentina ha sblocca...


Porter Goss says the CIA needs an overhaul. But is he fixing what's broken -- or conducting a purge?


House leaders on Wednesday announced a task force to examine whether an outside panel should investigate ethics problems involving House members.


Ex vice presidente del regime di Saddam verra' impiccato


Pearson reveals possible Les Echos sale, sparking wildcat strike

British publisher Pearson said Tuesday it could sell French business newspaper Les Echos, sparking a wildcat strike by staff at the publication.


Napoli, 18:55 - TENNIS, FED CUP: SCONFITTA SCHIAVONE, SPAGNA IN VANTAGGIO

Contro ogni pronostico, Francesca Schiavone è stata sconfitta da Nuria Llagostera Vives nel s...


NEW YORK - More than 200,000 people expected to protest on the eve of the Republican National Convention will not be able to rally in Central Park.


Blasts during Bhutto procession, several hurt

Two blasts wounded several supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto as she made a triumphant procession through Karachi hours after returning home from eight years in self-imposed exile, police said on Friday.


Milano, 13:41 - CALCIO, GALLIANI: ATTACCO MILAN E' GIA' FATTO SE RONALDO E' OK

"Ronaldo ha problemi difficili da capire: se passano, noi abbiamo già i 6 attaccanti per il 2...


Two of the three presidential debates are now behind us. So what have we learned about the men seeking our support? The good news is that both George Bush and John Kerry have once again


TRADE:  Governments (Still) Pondering How to Make Drugs Accessible

BRUSSELS, Oct 30  (IPS) - The struggle to make medicines affordable to the  worldâs poor, especially in Africa, is raging on at the highest  levels. Last week the European Commission took a landmark  decision on generic drugs and next week a high-level  intergovernmental meeting will look at ways to prevent patents  from blocking access to drugs.


Londra, 18:35 - CALCIO, INGHILTERRA: NO A LUA LUA INIZIALI NOME FIGLIO SU MAGLIA

La lega inglese ha vietato al giocatore del Portsmouth, Lomana Lua Lua, di scrivere dietro la maglia...


Bhutto's party to seek U.N. probe if wins power

The party of slain Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will call on the United Nations for an inquiry into her assassination if it forms a government after elections next month, a party spokesman said on Sunday.


Judge Strikes Down Partial Birth Abortion Ban

A federal judge on Thursday ruled  against the government's ban on so-called partial birth  abortions, saying the measure was unconstitutional because it  failed to provide an exception to protect a mother's health.


A crew led by a Scot who claims to be a relative of Christopher Columbus shatters the Atlantic rowing record.


Ofcom rules Channel 4 made "serious" misjudgements in its handling of the Celebrity Big Brother race row.


Yukos will on Thursday seek an injunction from a US court in a last-gasp bid to block the forced auction of its main operating unit by the Russian government on Sunday.


Iraq's top cleric wins agreement from rebel and government for peace deal in Najaf

Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, made a dramatic return to Najaf on Thursday and swiftly won agreement from a rebel cleric and the government to end three weeks of fighting between his ...


Jordan Steffy is a fast-rising Maryland freshman vying for the backup quarterback position, who learns fast and talks faster.


Bank shares hit indexes as housing woes resurface

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as concern about the extent of the housing market's slowdown unleashed a sell-off in shares of mortgage lenders and hurt shares of big banks like Citigroup Inc. .


The company says it is discussing a settlement with the Justice Department.


Rimini, 18:26 - CALCIO, RIMINI; BOOM DI ABBONATI PUR DI NON PERDERE LA JUVE

Ieri pomeriggio e l'intera giornata di oggi centinaia i tifosi del rimini si sono messi in fila per ...


President Bush's election victory means job security for someone else: CIA Director Porter Goss. A loyal Republican congressman from Florida, Goss was Bush's last major nomination before the election. Goss, 65, took over the Central Intelligence Agency in late September, with the knowledge that he could be out of work if Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry won.


Dell trims AMD consumer PC offerings on Web site

Dell Inc said on Friday it had  cut from its Web site most consumer computers with chips from  Advanced Micro Devices Inc and would sell AMD-based PCs mainly  in stores and by phone.


Maggiori interventi in ammodernamento impianti e innovazione


Disney Channel has ordered a series pilot about a curmudgeonly man who finds himself raising his two grandchildren.


William B. Maag spent weeks meeting Sovereign Bancorp executives at obscure suburban restaurants, taking phone calls on the sly, and hashing out a business proposal at a country club near the New Hampshire border. While his colleagues at FleetBoston Financial Corp. vied for new jobs at Bank of America Corp. after the banks' merger, Maag realized early on that the ...


Patriarch of Alexandria, others die in helicopter crash in Greece

ATHENS, Greece - The Patriarch of Alexandria, the spiritual leader of all Orthodox Christians in Africa, died yesterday when a helicopter taking him and fellow churchmen to a monastic enclave in northern Greece crashed into the sea, government and church


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday she led a congressional delegation to Greenland, where lawmakers saw "firsthand evidence that climate change is a reality," and she hoped the Bush administration would consider a new path on the issue.


Williams Ends Bid to Sell Power Business

Williams Cos. Inc. WMB.N has  scrapped efforts to sell its power business as the depressed  wholesale market has damaged prospects for selling the unit,  the natural gas company said on Thursday.


Medici, condizioni critiche ma relativamente stazionarie


U.S. Court Dismisses Saudi Arabia from 9/11 Suits

Saudi Arabia, its defense minister and  its ambassador to Britain won a ruling in a U.S. court on  Tuesday dismissing them as defendants in massive litigation  growing out of the September 11th attacks on America.


CdA fa punto su situazione, quota sistema scende sotto 25%


Disappointed Delneri Says 'Arrivederci Champions'

At the end of yesterdayâs match against Real Madrid, a sad Luigi Delneri reflected on what has been a terrible Champions League campaign for the Giallorossi.


EU says Boeing aid cost Airbus billions of dollars

The European Union said on Wednesday  U.S. subsidies for Boeing Co. had caused Airbus billions of  dollars of damage in recent years and described the U.S.  response to the charges as weak.


The city of Boston last night abruptly changed the route of this morning's Red Sox victory parade, creating a new leg that will take the team up the Charles River aboard duck boats and expand the viewing area to include the Esplanade and the Cambridge


Rice urges more pressure on Iran, wants suspension

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday it would be a big mistake to drop a demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment and more pressure should be piled on Tehran over its nuclear program.


The U.S. Fed Cup team's quarterfinal against Belgium on April 23-24 will be in Delray Beach, Fla.


ABC film critic Joel Siegel dead at age 63

Joel Siegel, the upbeat and often joyous film critic for ABC television's "Good Morning America" for 26 years, died on Friday at age 63 after a long battle against colon cancer, the network said.


Business & money: Specialist teams to tackle illegal lending.


Inquiry Opens After Reservists Balk in Baghdad

The Army is investigating members of a Reserve unit in Iraq who refused to deliver a fuel shipment north of Baghdad under conditions they considered unsafe, the Pentagon and relatives of the soldiers said Friday.


InfoWorld - Online auction giant eBay has been slow to respond to concerns about pirated software being sold there, prompting the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)Â to file nine lawsuits against eBay-based software sellers, an SIIA official said.


Colombia slams FARC for delay in search for bodies

Leftist Colombian rebels have dragged out efforts at recovering the bodies of 11 hostages killed in June and may be using the safe haven established for the search to regroup and plan attacks, the government said on Friday.


Europe May Be Gaining in Smart Home Tech

From the outside, it looks like just another house on an upscale residential street outside Barcelona. But inside this "smart house," its creators say, is the most advanced domestic technology in Europe.


U.S. Panel to Investigate Samsung-Sharp Dispute

The U.S. International Trade Commission said it agreed to Samsungâs request to investigate Sharp for allegedly infringing liquid crystal display patents.


Report today on De Menezes shooting to recommend 15 changes to police tactics.


New York, 10:38 - BASKET, NBA: TORONTO KO CON DETROIT

Risultati delle gare del campionato Nba disputate nella notte (in maiuscolo le squadre in casa). Da ...


Rio de Janeiro, 12:01 - CALCIO, BRASILE: DOPPIO ROMARIO, VASCO IN TESTA

Con due gol di Romario, il Vasco da Gama ha battuto il Gremio 4-0 portandosi provvisoriamente in tes...


Ranting against Euro-protectionism misses wider picture

IT IS one of the oldest complaints in the book. While Britain plays scrupulously by the rules in Europe, everyone else is nakedly looking after their own national self-interest.


A pathologist on Wednesday raised doubts about whether blood tests proved that Princess Diana's driver was drunk when he crashed into a concrete pillar a decade ago.


Italian President Giorgio Napolitano is to hold talks with political leaders after PM Romano Prodi's resignation.


The U.S. wants more money to beef up Afghan security forces and reconstruction efforts. But it may be too late to thwart the Taliban's expected spring offensive


EUROPA/SVIZZERA - Tre milioni di donne e bambine sono vittime nel mondo di mutilazioni genitali Roma (Agenzia Fides) - Tre milioni di donne e di bambine sono vittime di mutilazioni genitali femminili. A fornire i dati Ã¨ il Fondo delle Nazioni Unite per l'Infanzia (Unicef) in occasione della Giornata mondiale di lotta contro le mutilazioni genit...


Battered by a downturn in the housing market, the company is laying off about 10% of its workforce at its headquarters in Atlanta.


Description: Pennsylvanian Republican Sen. Arlen Specter amassed opposition in his own party when he said that pro-life judicial nominees would have a tough time making it through committee.


Ae Fond Kiss (15) Code 46 (15) Trauma (15) Kontroll (15) In My Skin

Love affairs between a white and an Anglo-Asian are hardly uncharted territory for British film-makers. Last year there was Bollywood Queen and the year before that there was Bend it Like Beckham, so when you ...


Pakistan postpones election by six weeks

Pakistan's Election Commission on Wednesday postponed a general election by six weeks due to the turmoil sparked by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.


Belmont Hill School gains the edge on opening day

American crews had mixed results yesterday on the first day of racing at the Henley Royal Regatta.


Update 2: Italy May Help Laid Off Alitalia Workers

The Italian government is considering introducing unemployment benefits later this week for thousands of workers laid off from national carrier Alitalia, the labor minister said Tuesday.


WE DON'T YET know how Ukraine's political crisis will end. But one welcome result is already clear: The attempt by the Ukrainian government and its backers in Moscow to install an authoritarian regime like


Do you face a tough daily ride to work, spend hours stuck in a traffic jam? If so, your health could be in danger according to a German medical study which lends new meaning to the concept of a "killer commute.


Hundreds of Sikh protesters storm a Birmingham theatre showing a play they claim mocks their religion.


Giuliani in trouble as Florida Republicans vote: poll

Republican Rudy Giuliani's White House quest could be in deep trouble as he lags far behind the leaders in a Florida presidential primary he counted on winning, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Tuesday.


Scrabble Maker Asks Facebook to Yank 'Scrabulous' Game

The online game infringes the copyright of the longstanding board game, game-maker says.


The first in a series of tales from a different time and place. This installment: Partying hard in Texas.


Oil recoils after breaking $100 a barrel

Oil fell on Thursday as traders took profits from a record rally that had pushed oil to $100 a barrel two days in a row -- a level that has raised a red flag over global economic growth.


Romania's president is investigated for an alleged discriminatory remark - the second time this year.


Blake breezes past fellow American Warburg at San Jose ATP

Second seed James Blake breezed past fellow American Sam Warburg 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round of the ATP 436,000 dollar SAP Open on Tuesday.


Thursday night's 200 metres final started with a disgraceful display by some of the Greek fans in the stadium in response to the absence of their local favourite and defending champion, Kostas Kenteris.


American miler Webb back on record-setting path

Alan Webb, 24, who this summer put himself back on the record-setting path he first blazed as a high school middle distance runner, hopes lessons he has learned will lift him to success on a grander scale.


Parigi, 20:19 - CALCIO, FRANCE FOOTBALL: PALLONE D'ORO DIVENTA MONDIALE

Grande novità in occasione del 60Â° compleanno di 'France Football', la nota rivista sportiva ...


Empoli, 17:53 - CALCIO, EMPOLI; CAGNI: NON MERITAVAMO SCONFITTA COSI' PESANTE

Gigi Cagni è soddisfatto dell'Empoli nonostante il ko con l'Inter: ''Dispiaciuto? Per niente,...


Cash crisis 'biggest' of Ahern's 30-year career

The cash donations controversy has been the biggest crisis to rock the nine-year premiership of Bertie Ahern.Comment


N. Irish Peace Talks End Without Breakthrough

Talks aimed at reviving home rule in Northern Ireland and disbanding IRA guerrillas ended on Saturday without a final deal, British and Irish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern said.


Heart X-ray raises cancer risk for young, women

A special type of X-ray used to diagnose heart disease may cause cancer in women and young adults and should be used with caution, U.S. doctors reported on Tuesday.


Hamas calls for talks with Abbas's Fatah

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Palestinian government dismissed by President Mahmoud Abbas, called for power-sharing talks on Saturday with Fatah rivals routed from the Gaza Strip.


More than 1,700 health-care workers at Group Health Cooperative walked out on strike early Monday morning in a contract dispute that centers on how much workers should pay for their health-care benefits.


Investigators searched for clues Tuesday in the execution-style slaying of five people, including a 3-year-old boy, but police said they had no suspects.


Palermo, 16:19 - CALCIO, PALERMO: CAPUANO NON DOVRA' ESSERE OPERATO ALLA SPALLA

Niente intervento alla spalla per Ciro Capuano, il difensore del Palermo infortunatosi domenica scor...


Cloudmark Announces New Offices in Beijing and Hong Kong

Cloudmark, Inc., the global leader in carrier-grade messaging security solutions, today announced the official opening of two new Asia offices in Beijing and Hong Kong to support its growth and development in the Greater China region.


More than 25% of people in the UK do not use contraception when they lose their virginity, a study claims.


Hundreds of aspiring doctors who are denied places in British medical schools are travelling to the West Indies and eastern Europe to study medicine.


Safety Measures Protect Kids on Halloween

Simple precautions such as adding reflective tape to costumes and accompanying young children as they go from door to door will help families avoid problems this Halloween, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics.


Cisco to acquire network monitoring provider NetSolve

Move will allow Cisco channel partners to monitor their enterprise customers' networks to provide better service and support.


Intuit Inc., the maker of TurboTax tax-preparation software and QuickBooks accounting programs, posted a wider loss in its latest quarter on acquisition-related expenses.


Journalist held hostage in Gaza Strip since March says his ordeal was 'like being buried alive'.


World Business Briefing: South Korea: Hanwhaâs Chairman Indicted

South Korean prosecutors indicted Kim Seung Yun, the chairman of an industrial company, the Hanwha Group, on six charges in connection with what the authorities say was a revenge attack on employees of a bar in Seoul. Prosecutors charged Mr. Kim and a bodyguard, both arrested on May 11, with confinement and causing bodily harm with a weapon, the Seoul Central District Prosecutorsâ Office said. A Hanwha Group spokesman, Ju Cheol Beom, declined to comment.


Phelps Dodge Acquisition Creates Largest Public Copper Company

The $25.9 billion buyout by Freeport-McMoRan will also make it the largest metals and mining company based in North America