A .Mac-Google Apps integration makes sense

(InfoWorld) - As this year's WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference) approaches, Apple fans are furiously speculating on what kind of news will be dropped on us in San Francisco. We already know about the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard preview, and no doubt Apple CEO Steve Jobs will have something to say about the iPhone. But from what I know about the players and the IT landscape, I think Jobs has another "just one more thing" up his sleeve. I've been looking at what Apple and its partners need to do to fill gaps in their product line-up. At the moment, I think the Macintosh platform's biggest weakness is its reliance on Microsoft Office for productivity software. Microsoft has always built solid products for Mac -- but they were always just a bit behind or somehow incompatible with their Windows equivalents. Entourage does 90 percent of what Outlook does, but it lacks features right where it hurts: In enterprise settings. Word for Mac doesn't have the same Macro or OOXML support as the PC version. PowerPoint files are still not 100 percent compatible between platforms. Basically, Apple and its customers get the short end of the Microsoft stick. Add to that the industry move toward Web 2.0 applications and Cloud computing -- and a number of other recent shifts in the technology landscape -- and you have a climate for change. I don't think Apple wants to wait on Microsoft to delegate how its business applications will work. In fact, I think Apple would like to move forward with a leading-edge partner like, say, Google and create business rather than follow in it. That's why I think Jobs will take the stage at WWDC next week and announce that Apple and Google are going to team up to bring Google Apps to .Mac customers. Let's connect some dots and see what picture emerges: In a recent stockholder meeting, Jobs admitted that .Mac has hasn't achieved its full potential but said the company is working on it. Eric Schmidt, Google CEO and a member of the Apple Board, has said there are a lot of Apple-Google partnerships to come because both companies have "common competitors." Hmmmm. Microsoft is a common competitor, and its bread and butter -- aside from Windows -- is Office. We've already seen a flurry of Google Applications for Macintosh, plus GMaps and Gmail on the iPhone, so why not Google Docs and Spreadsheets integrated into .Mac? Seems like a perfect fit. Using iChat as a guide, we know that another network -- AOL -- allowed .Mac users to use their own xxx@mac.com address as their AOL Instant Messenger screen name. Google could do the same thing in Apps. Perhaps the whole mac.com domain would be ported to Google Apps. Google has lots of cheap, fast space. It also has the ability and desire to search it and advertise on it (monetize it). Gmail has won the battle against .Mac's mail for most Macintosh users. As for calendar/IM/address book integration, disk space, and spam detection, Google wins most of the battles hands down. Google spends $5 per domain for Apps users through its Adsense subsidiary. It wants more non-paying users, and Apple would be happy to offload its .Mac users. Those users, who pay $100 a year as .Mac members, could get a premium version of Google Apps with desktop backups and larger file space as well as the benefits they currently enjoy. Apple's focus is on hardware and software. It should -- and should want to -- stick with what it does best. We know that iChat in Leopard has a special account preference for GTalk accounts. Of course, you can currently use any Jabber server in iChat -- GTalk is based on Jabber -- but it's interesting that Apple has split off GTalk from the rest of the Jabber servers. It has been 18 months, forever in software development at Apple, since the iWork app was last updated. That is lots of time for Apple to do some pretty interesting things. I would love to see Apple enter the Blog editing game, where MarsEdit, Ecto, and Journaler are sweeping up. Such a move would be a serious game changer for the fight on the Mac platform between Apple's Pages and Microsoft's Word. And for Google, what better way to get into blog editing than with its Writley technology? Google needs a Keynote type of presentation tool; Apple needs a spreadsheet tool to round out their Office competition. Each has what the other needs. Throw Sun's OpenOffice.org into the mix. The first native Alpha release of this software came out this week. Both Apple and Google have been playing very nice with Sun lately. iWork. The most important piece of the puzzle might just be iWork, which could be a caching front end for Google Docs and Spreadsheets. Use it when you are on an airplane, at grandma's house with no Internet, in the subway, or wherever Internet access is spotty. Or how about this curveball: Apple could port its iWork and iLife applications to Windows? Quicktime and iTunes already enjoy a large following in the Windows camp. Woo them with the apps, win them over to the OS. Oh, and one more thing. I realize we're flopping off of the deep end here, but what if Apple were to sell a Leopard virtual machine for Windows that functions like Parallels in Coherence mode (except you'd have the Mac OS running in Windows, not the other way around)? The result: Run Leopard anywhere! You could even boot from a Google hosted OS. This need not be a full version, mind you, but a stripped down, embedded version of the Mac OS like what's being thrown into Apple TV and the iPhone. One of the great things about virtualization is that there's less need for drivers and such, which makes installing small Google or Apple apps on your Windows desktop easier. Okay, that scenario could be years away, or never to be. But I think there is every chance that we'll hear something about .Mac integration with Google Apps next week. It makes sense for all parties and would finally give Microsoft a run for its money. Plus, there's that old saying: the enemy of your enemy is your friend. Seth Weintraub is a global IT management consultant specializing in the technology needs of creative organizations, including The Paris Times, Omnicom and WPP Group. He has set up and managed cross-platform networks on four continents and is an expert in Active Directory/Open Directory PC and Macintosh integration.


Five Pacers Hit with Criminal Charges for Brawl

Five Indiana Pacers, including NBA All-Star Ron Artest, were charged with assault and battery on Wednesday for their role in what authorities described as one of the worst brawls in US sports history.


East Timor agrees budget targeting security, poverty

East Timor's parliament has approved a  state budget of nearly $350 million for 2008 that aims to  improve security and tackle poverty in Asia's youngest nation.


Islamic extremism has made some UK places  into no-go areas for non-Muslims, says the bishop of Rochester.


By James Cusick, Westminster Editor, and Zainab Naji in Baghdad. The British and United States governments are on course for another confrontation with the United Nations over the proposed elections in Iraq.


Interior minister John Reid warned on  Sunday that another attempted terrorist attack on Britain was  "highly likely" after police said they had thwarted a plot to  blow up transatlantic airliners.


Divers are preparing to film and collect artefacts from the wreck of RMS Carpathia, which rescued 705 people from the Titanic.


The main attraction is still renting movies by mail, but now the company is producing its own indie flicks. Look out, Bob and Harvey. By  Erin Biba from Wired magazine.


Roma, 21:51 - VOLLEY, A1 MASCHILE: ROMA PIEGA MODENA AL TIE BREAK

Risultati della sesta giornata di ritorno del campionato di serie A1 maschile di pallavolo:


MySpace tackles entertainment news with new 'Celebrity' site

The News Corp.-owned social-networking site has taken cues from 'Entertainment Weekly' and TMZ.com to create its new celebrity-focused portal.


Debating the design dilemmas of Apple's iPhone

Blog: What if I'm right about some things, and you're right about some things? Will the universe collapse?


The biggest jump in gasoline prices in six months helped push inflation at the wholesale level higher in May although inflation outside of energy remained well-behaved.


Removing life support ruled out for Arafat

Yasser Arafat has suffered brain damage and kidney and liver failure, the Palestinian prime minister said Wednesday, but a top Muslim cleric ruled out any possibility of life support being turned off.


Privacy groups rip terrorist risk-rating plan

Privacy groups assailed a federal data mining program that assigns secret terrorist ratings to millions of U.S. citizens and foreigners traveling to and from the U.S.


Prosecutor's Announcement on Brawl Charges to Come

Wednesday brings the next step for Pacers players and Piston fans facing disciplinary action following the melee in Detroit. Various news reports say a prosecutor in Detroit is expected to make a major announcement this afternoon.


Oil prices retreat after topping $47 a barrel; traders wary

Oil prices briefly raced above $47 a barrel yesterday, then backed off after worries faded about colder weather in the United States and about rough weather that slowed efforts to restore crude production in the North Sea.


Russia's Lavrov to meet Ahmadinejad on Tuesday

Russia's foreign minister is due to hold talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Tuesday, less than a week after Moscow criticized new U.S. sanctions against the Islamic state over its nuclear work.


OLIMPIADI. Calcio: Argentina batte Paraguay e vince lâoro

Comâera prevedibile va allâArgentina la medaglia dâoro del calcio. I sudamericani hanno battuto per- il Paraguay in finale (gol di Tevez al 18â). Numeri da record per i ragazzi di Bielsa: 17 reti segnate


The war in Iraq has now lasted longer than the U.S. involvement in the war that President Bush's father fought in, World War II.


Yaounde', 12:52 - CALCIO, CAMERUN: BARCELLONA CI DIA SUBITO ETO'O

E' scontro tra le federcalcio del Camerun e il Barcellona. L'attaccante Samuel Eto'o è atteso...


Violence erupts following Bangladesh attack

Sporadic violence has erupted in Bangladesh in response to a deadly grenade attack on an opposition rally, which killed at least 19 people and wounded more than 100.


Office Depot Chairman, CEO Nelson Resigns

Office Depot Inc. ODP.N, the No. 2  U.S. office supply chain, on Monday said Chairman and Chief  Executive Officer Bruce Nelson has resigned and a search for  his successor is underway.


Carmakers announce breakaway series by 2008

Four top carmakers plan to split from Formula One and launch a rival open-wheel Grand Prix racing series by 2008. The group -- which includes BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ferrari and Renault, and is known collectively


Italian energy group Enel says first-half profit near 2.0 billion euros

Italian electricity group Enel -- which has seen its ambitions to acquire French group Suez blocked by a plan for Suez to buy Gaz de France (GDF) -- said on that it made a net profit of nearly 2.0 billion euros in the first six months of the year.


US dollar hits record low against euro; Snow rules out ...

NEW YORK, November 18  - The US dollar declined to a new record low against the euro and dropped against the yen yesterday, following the news of the US Treasury Secretary, John W Snow, ruling out government intervention to stem the


YOU have read about the alternative Internet browser that is known as Firefox. Here's an easy guide to it. Nothing. Firefox is the collective product of volunteer programmers in what is known as the open-source community.


Houllier installed as favourite to succeed Robson

Gerard Houllier was installed as the early favourite to succeed Sir Bobby Robson as Newcastle manager.


Suicide Attack Kills 2 in Israel; 16 Hurt

JERUSALEM - A Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up in Jerusalem on Wednesday, killing two Israeli policemen who had stopped her as she approached a crowded bus stop, authorities said. At least 16 people were wounded, authorities said...


DUP Honour Commitments By Standing Up To Terrorism

I am extremely glad to see the DUP standing firm on commitments made to the electorate. The DUP made its case clear to both governments and to the public time and time again.


A minister who warned about birth defects among children of first cousin Asian marriages sparks anger among critics.


Kmart Names Yum Brands' Aylwin Lewis Chief Executive

Kmart Holding Corp. named Yum! Brands Inc. executive Aylwin Lewis as president and chief executive officer, replacing Julian Day, to reverse declining sales growth.


Like the cherry blossoms in the spring and loyalty to the Redskins, the power and influence of Fannie Mae are among those aspects of Washington that never seem to change - until now.


Lightning on Saturn '1m times stronger' than on Earth

FINDING yourself in a thunderstorm on Saturn would be a truly shocking experience, scientists have discovered. New data from the Cassini spacecraft shows that lightning on the ringed planet is a million times stronger than on Earth.


Musharraf Unsure if He'll Stay Army Chief

President Pervez Musharraf is testing public opinion before he makes a final decision about whether he will stay on as army chief, the Pakistani leader said in a newspaper interview published on Friday.


Thailand on high alert after new bird flu outbreak

Thailand has confirmed its first outbreaks this year of the H5N1 strain of bird flu that can be deadly to humans, prompting authorities to declare a high alert throughout the country.


ARLINGTON, Texas -- Perhaps the consistency is paying off. With manager Terry Francona's decision to leave struggling right fielder J.D. Drew in the fifth spot in the order, it was gratifying for Francona (and the team) to see Drew deliver two key hits in yesterday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.


The decision by IT services and hardware vendor Unisys Corp. comes one month after the company announced its first Linux servers.


Radio Station Prepares to Go Live: Van Zandt Group is Still Looking for Volunteers

By Caleb Heeringa, The Bellingham Herald, Wash.  Mar. 3--VAN ZANDT -- Organizers are looking for help launching KAVZ, a community-based radio station that will broadcast local programming throughout the South Fork Valley.


Per prevenire i disastri, solo accordi di principio


Israeli PM Ariel Sharon appears to have eased his preconditions for resuming talks with the Palestinians.


Space shuttle heads home ahead of satellite shot

Space shuttle Atlantis headed for home on Wednesday with NASA pushing to get it back to Earth before the U.S. military tries to shoot a dead spy satellite out of the sky.


Market Week: A Monthly Wild Card: Job Numbers

Predicting which way stocks will move is no easy feat, but it has been a snap compared with forecasting changes in employment.


Two-time major champion Mary Pierce pulled out of France's Fed Cup semifinal against Spain because of a right shoulder injury, the French tennis federation said on its Web site Tuesday.


MISSOULA, Mont. - A man was cited for drunken driving twice in the same day, by the same officer, and jailed after authorities said he showed up drunk for his arraignment.  Court records said Adam T.


Roma, 17:55 - CALCIO, SERIE C2: 39 SQUALIFICATI

Il giudice sportivo Pasquale Marino ha squalificato 39 giocatori in serie C2, relativamente alle gar...


To See (and Hear) the World in Five Hours: Unique Sounds Ripe for Import

The most striking group at Globalfest 2008 â the five-hour, 12-band showcase of world music on Sunday night at Webster Hall â was the one that traveled lightest: Lo CÃ²r de la Plana, from Marseilles, France.


Microsoft will hire more staff at Indian facility

BANGALORE, INDIA -- Microsoft Corp. is hiring hundreds of new staff for its operations in Hyderabad over the next 12 months, the company's chief executive officer, Steve Ballmer told reporters Monday in Bangalore, India.


Take a long walk and enjoy the festive meals!:

[Health India]: London, Dec 23 : Christmas is the time to eat, drink and be merry, and to put on some extra pounds also, thanks to all the mouth watering cakes and cookies.


Super Bowl ads draw more fire for insensitivity

Television advertising standards came under fire again this week after several groups called some Super Bowl commercials offensive and demanded they never be aired again.


Pre-emptive lawsuit challenges Bush plan

Attorneys for 25 men being held in Afghanistan launched a pre-emptive strike Monday against President Bush's plan to prosecute and interrogate terror suspects.


Finnish host of Chechen rebel website: Security Police did not shut it down

Solana: Finland has important role in EU relations with Russia The foreign affairs envoy of the European Union, Javier Solana, says that Finland's experiences as a country bordering on Russia are important for ...


Analysis: IBM Adjusts to Harsh PC Market

IBM's deal with Lenovo may signal a round of industry consolidation, analysts say.


Contingency plans for Monday finish at K Club

Ryder Cup organizers have made   contingency plans for an unprecedented Monday finish at the K   Club because of this week's poor weather.


Pakistani spy agency under fire from all sides

Five years into a war on terrorism, abiding distrust of Pakistan among allies and neighbors was laid bare in the past few days through a series of accusations against its military secret service.


Train set ablaze as more violence sweeps Bangladesh

DHAKA: Angry Opposition protestors set fire to a passenger train and clashed with police in southern Bangladesh on Sunday amid general strikes in several cities, to protest the series of explosions on an Awami league rally that killed 18 people and


Drunken Driver Left Decapitated Pal in Passenger Seat

A drunken driver hit a telephone pole support wire that decapitated his passenger, then drove 12 miles home and slept in his bloody clothes, leaving the headless body in his truck.


Netherlands prepares to commemorate 60th anniversary of battle of Arnhem

Britain's Prince Charles and Dutch Queen Beatrix will be present along with hundreds of veterans for the religious ceremony to commemorate the battle on Sunday September 19, in Oosterbeek near Arnhem.


Japan scandal-tainted minister kills himself: NHK

Japan's farm minister, Toshikatsu Matsuoka -- under fire for a series of political funding scandals -- has killed himself, NHK said on Monday.


Berlino, 14:35 - CALCIO, BAYERN; HOENESS: PODOLSKI DEVE CRESCE ANCORA

Lukas Podolski deve cambiare atteggiamento, altrimenti non riuscirà ad imporsi nel Bayern Mon...


Pillaged MySpace Photos Show Up in Massive BitTorrent Download

A 17-gigabyte file now available via BitTorrent offers 500,000 photos collected from MySpace user profiles. The file's creator assembled the collection shortly before MySpace closed a backdoor allowing voyeurs to peek in on photo galleries of private profiles.


Six Wall St firms plan block trading company: WSJ

Six big Wall Street firms plan to   launch an electronic trading service for big "block" stock   trades, adding competition for the New York Stock Exchange   NYX.N and the Nasdaq Stock Market NDAQ.O, The Wall Street   Journal reported on Wednesday.


Building Organs Even the Prudish Can Handle

Dr. Carla Pugh builds anatomical models to help medical students learn to perform exams that might make them uncomfortable.


Judge says Calif. must change how it executes

A federal judge ruled on Friday that California's present method of execution through lethal injection is unconstitutional but said it could be fixed by changing the procedure.


Livorno, 18:09 - CALCIO, LIVORNO; ARRIGONI: CAPISCO LE CRITICHE DI SPINELLI

Il tecnico del Livorno Daniele Arrigoni analizza con qualche preoccupazione la sconfitta casalinga c...


Turkey's military warned Wednesday that the migration of large numbers of Kurds into the oil rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk could sway the results of the upcoming elections and possibly lead to clashes that could draw Ankara into the dispute.


If the welcome home party was grand, the send-off was equally spectacular as Athens bid a fabulous farewell to the world's 10,500-odd sportspersons from a record 202 countries that assembled in Athens for the Olympic Games which concluded on Sunday night.


The Chinese earned another gold medal -- their fifth of the Athens Games -- when Guo Jingjing easily won the women's 3-meter springboard Thursday night.


US Economy Grew at a 2.8% Rate in Second Quarter

The US economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate from April through June, slower than the government estimated last month as higher oil prices limited consumer spending and the trade deficit widened to a record.


The dollar finished lower versus major  currencies on Tuesday after weaker-than-expected U.S. consumer  confidence and regional manufacturing reports opened the door  to some profit-taking.


Democrat Chris Dodd has earned the backing of the International Association of Fire Fighters, a major coup for the presidential hopeful, while leading contender Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton secured the endorsement Tuesday of the United Transportation Union.


Lecce, 19:43 - CALCIO, LECCE; ZEMAN: TELECAMERE UTILI SOLO PER MALAFEDE

Zdenek Zeman, allenatore del Lecce che domani sera il posticipo affronta col Brescia, s'è int...


Federal officials lowered the alert level at Mount St. Helens Wednesday as the volcano entered a new quiet phase that scientists cannot yet explain.


IBM adds four-way 550 server to new i5 product line

IBM Corp. bolstered the new eServer i5 server lineup with the i5 550, a new system based on the Power 5 chip that can run multiple operating systems.


Toll Brothers Says It Expects a 22% Decline in Revenue

Toll Brothers, the builder of luxury homes, said on Wednesday that it expected to report a 22 percent drop in first-quarter revenue and that it saw no sign of improvement in the depressed housing market.


Mesa Asks Unit Workers to Defer Some Pay

Mesa Air Group Inc. MESA.O, in an  effort to cut costs, said on Friday its senior management will  reduce their salaries by 23 percent and it will ask employees  of its bankrupt US Airways Express unit to agree to defer as  much as 23 percent of their salaries.


Swimmer Michael Phelps , who won eight medals -- six of them gold -- at last summer's Olympics in Athens, was arrested last Thursday in Salisbury, Md., and charged with drunken driving. A trooper saw the 19-year-old go through a stop sign, state police said yesterday. The trooper saw signs of intoxication and arrested Phelps for driving under the influence. ...


England opt for plenty of Wilkinson insurance

England coach Andy Robinson responded to Jonny Wilkinson's latest injury set-back by naming four fly-halves in his 40-man squad for next month's autumn internationals.


Per produrre soluzioni geosintetiche ad alta qualita'


In Italia incremento 4,5% su anno precedente, bene Spagna


Startup Plans to Solve Online Identity Theft, But Does Anyone Care?

A Montreal startup has a plan to make online identity theft a thing of the past. The only problem? No one gives a rat's ass.


European scientists have discovered what they describe as the smallest Earth-like planet orbiting a star outside of our Solar System.


Uzbek Leader Scorns 'Revolutions' as Nation Votes

Uzbekistan voted on Sunday in a election that featured only parties loyal to autocratic President Islam Karimov, who said he would not tolerate "revolutions" such as those in Ukraine and Georgia.


CBS Corp. should not be fined for the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show that ended with Janet Jackson's breast-baring "wardrobe malfunction" because the stunt was both fleeting and unauthorized, a lawyer for the company argued Tuesday.


Prime Minister Ayad Allawi publicly acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that parts of Iraq probably won't be safe enough for people to vote in the Jan. 30 elections, and he announced plans to boost the size of the country's army from 100,000 to 150,000 men by year's end.


Rispetto al quarto trimestre 2006 brusco rallentamento


Vina del Mar, 09:26 - TENNIS, WTA VINA DEL MAR: PENNETTA IN SEMIFINALE

Flavia Pennetta si è qualificata per le semifinali del torneo Wta di Vina del Mar (terra batt...


Ukraine Rivals Square Off in Live TV Debate

Rivals in Ukraine's scandal-ridden  presidential polls traded barbs in a live television debate on  Monday, with each candidate accusing the other of corruption  and manipulation ahead of Sunday's decisive rerun vote.


Police search for the driver of a car containing a bomb that could have killed hundreds of people in London.


Wenger fined for his wicked tongue; will not appeal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gets a penalty. The Frenchman received a record fine and a "severe reprimand" from the English Football Association for his comments about Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.


COTTENHAM, England -- A brutal killing, cigarette smuggling, a tax revolt, and a human rights dispute -- the last things one would expect to find in an English village.


In Article, Castro Reflects on Clinton-Obama Ticket

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 28 -- Days after rumors of his death swept the Internet, Fidel Castro mused about the U.S. presidential election in an editorial published Tuesday in the Communist Party newspaper Granma.


Spain's largest fighting bulls lived up to their fearsome reputation, goring two and crushing at least seven people as thousands of daredevils sprinted down narrow streets Sunday in Pamplona's annual running of the bulls.


(Sports Network) - Curt Schilling will try to become the first pitcher in the major leagues to reach 19 wins, as he heads to the mound for the Boston Red Sox in the second test of a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners.


"It was well beyond the level that would be needed for a civilian programme," the Vienna-based diplomat close to the IAEA said.


New Company Offers Music Downloads While Fighting Poverty

By Terry Rindfleisch, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.  Mar. 4--Fans win. Artists win. Poverty loses.


Persistent fears about the world economy battered global stocks again on Monday and drove investors towards safer assets despite expectations of more interest cuts from the Federal Reserve to bolster growth.


Blockbuster has to take the long way home.


Tiger hot on Baddeley's heels at Oakmont

Aaron Baddeley teetered on the edge of a collapse, staring at bogeys on the golf course and Tiger Woods' name high on the leaderboard. He showed he might be up to the challenge.


Judge: Bryant Accuser Must Be Identified

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a request from the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape to remain anonymous in her civil lawsuit against the NBA star, saying the public's interest in open court proceedings outweighs her desire to shield her identity.


Londra, 14:14 - TENNIS, WIMBLEDON: DJOKOVIC AGLI OTTAVI

Il serbo Novak Djokovic, testa di serie numero 4, si è qualificato per gli ottavi di finale d...


The Bush administration is laying the groundwork for an announcement of Tony Blair's appointment as a special Middle East envoy for Palestinian governance and economic issues after he steps down as Britain's prime minister, following two months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, according to U.S....


Miami's Berlin calm in face of media storm, expectations

The level of expectation has only increased for Brock Berlin throughout a journey that began with the status of USA TODAY high school offensive player of the year in 1999.


Lions Wish Manning Had Taken the Holiday

Peyton Manning carved up the Detroit Lions' defense, throwing for six touchdowns in a victory at Ford Field.


Supporters demanding the return of ousted president Jean-Bertrand Aristide hurled stones and fired shots in the air yesterday, the third straight day of violent protests that have killed 12 people so far.


Movie Review | 'Amazing Grace': The Imperfect Soul Who Helped Bring an End to the Slave Trade

âAmazing Grace,â a prettified take on the life and times of the 18th-century reformer William Wilberforce, carries a strong whiff of piety.


Sprint Nextel, which has struggled to attract customers with marketing criticized as confusing and unfocused, will try again when it rolls out new advertising this weekend.


New York and 4 Others Submit Bids for 2012

New York, Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow submitted their final bids to be host of the 2012 Summer Olympics.


Disparities: Rural Residents Less Likely to Get Organ Transplants

Add patients living in small towns and rural areas to the list of people who stand a lower chance of getting an organ transplant if they need one.


Napoli, 17:24 - CALCIO, AZZURRI; FOGGIA: E' UN SOGNO CHE SI REALIZZA

Pasquale Foggia, fantasista del Cagliari, ha commentato a Radio Kiss Kiss (emittente napoletana)  la...


EMI Music Publishing signs a deal to make its music catalogue available on the online music service Spiralfrog.


An Annuity With a Twist: Pay Just Once, Then Collect

An obscure type of annuity is designed to convert today's lump sum into a stream of payments that provides retirement income right away.


Scientists have shown that a common antibiotic can turn off cancer cells in mice, offering hope of new treatments for cancer patients.


US Army Sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins has given himself up at an American base in Japan to face charges that he deserted to communist North Korea four decades ago while on patrol in South Korea.


Oscar-winning director Roman  Polanski, a fugitive from American justice, will be honored at  the Turin Film Festival in November.


A Campaign to Get a Disease Some Respect

Dr. Orin S. Levine has a relentless focus on pneumonia, the No. 1 killer of the worldÂs children.


YENDA, Australia  - The winding lines of shipping containers outside Casella Wines may mark the high-point of Australia's A$3 billion wine export market as drought and possible climate shift bite.


Microsoft is locked in a war of words with Brussels about the launch of its new Windows Vista operating system.


Florida official heave sigh of relief as primary vote proceeds smoothly

Florida officials heaved a sigh of relief as a primary election was held with no immediate reports of the type of glitches that held up the 2000 presidential election for five weeks and turned the southeastern state into a laughing stock.


NORTON - He was the picture of frustration on No. 18, from tee to green. Where there is normally a ready smile, Australian Aaron Baddeley couldn't stop grimacing.


The mother of one of two sets of sextuplets born within 10 hours of each other suffered acute heart failure shortly after the delivery but is now stable, doctors said Tuesday.


Novell Acquires Open-Source Collaboration Vendor

Novell, seeking a real-time makeover for its collaboration wares, announced that it has acquired SiteScape, the developer of open-source collaboration tools.


Dubai: 8 airport workers killed in accident

A wall collapsed at an airport construction site Monday, killing more than eight workers and injuring many more, a contractor said.


ADV: Distance Learning Directory - Online Degrees

Bachelor, Master and Post-Grad degrees online from accredited colleges and universities. Business, Education, IT, Healthcare, more. Browse by degree or program. Request info and get started today.


World + dog joins in The FBI, a House of Representatives committee, and the US Attorney General for northern California are all now investigating HP. They join the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is looking at how HP told the markets about the resignation of director Tom Perkins.â¦


When Jeffrey W Greenberg took the helm of notoriously secretive Marsh & McLennan Cos., a $12 billion financial-services company, on Nov. 18, 1999, analysts were happily buzzing that Greenberg was a gregarious, outgoing executive.


VATICAN CITY, June 30 -- Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday made his most significant attempt to unite millions of Chinese Catholics, urging the underground faithful and followers of the state-run church to overcome decades of animosity and distrust.


Late Saturday night, Scott Boras picked up the phone and dialed the Yankees. The super-agent said something like this: For $99.6 million, Carlos Beltran would be willing to play center field in the Bronx for the next six summers.


More Troops May Be Needed in Ivory Coast -Mbeki

South African President Thabo Mbeki  said on Wednesday it might be necessary to send more troops to  Ivory Coast to quell tension unless there is a deal soon  between the government and rebels.


Transformers bring out the kid in grown-ups

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EPA staff backed Calif. pollution waiver

EPA officials told the agency's administrator that California had "compelling and extraordinary conditions" to justify a federal waiver allowing the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, according to excerpts of documents released Wednesday.


For the second straight year, Harvard and Princeton universities share the top spot in the US News & World Report rankings of "America's Best Colleges." ...


Sources say Commissioner Roger GoodellÃÂ is prepared toÃÂ strip draft picks from the Patriots for allegedly stealing signalsÃÂ from the Jets using a video camera.


I didn't know what was going on with my son Evan. One day he was a completely healthy 2-year-old and the next he kept having life-threatening seizures.


Esplosione nella notte ha causato danni a vetrata


Mining giant BHP Billiton today unveiled record full-year results after commodity prices soared on the back of surging demand in China.


Raffi Torres scored the go-ahead goal on a deflection in the second period, helping Edmonton eliminate the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 2-1 Saturday night and advance to the Stanley Cup finals.


Emory patients told of possible exposure to brain disease

Emory University officials assured Friday that there was little chance that more than 500 surgical patients at the school's medical center could have been infected by a fatal disease similar to the human version of mad cow disease.


Lucent Reaches Tentative Deal with Unions

Lucent Technologies Inc. said on Tuesday it has reached a tentative agreement with the unions representing 10 percent of the telecommunications equipment maker's work force.


Too much "sugar-free" chewing gum can lead to severe weight loss and diarrhoea, doctors warn.


Gaza Settlement Breaks Ranks, Accepts Israel Move

A Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip  broke ranks with other ultra-nationalists and accepted  government terms to be relocated to Israel rather than staying  put in defiance, officials said Sunday.


stoked by more expensive gasoline as well as pricier fruits and vegetables -- heated up in October, rising by 0.6 percent, the biggest gain in five months.


A Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Savo Todovic gives himself up for trial at the Hague court.


A French judge investigating the disappearance of four French citizens during the 1973-90 dictatorship of Chile's Gen. Augusto Pinochet ordered 17 former regime officials to stand trial in Paris, judicial officials said Wednesday.


Jobless people who cannot speak English will have to learn the language or face benefit cuts under new plans.


Two More U.S. Soldiers Charged with Murder in Iraq

Two U.S. soldiers have been charged  with murder in the death of an Iraqi civilian, raising to four  the number of U.S. soldiers from the same unit charged with  murder of Iraqis in the past week.


Six bodies found in two group suicides in Japan

Six people were found dead in two deserted cars over the weekend in Japan's latest group suicides, police said Monday. A woman and two men in their 20s were found slumped over in a car parked


Lsbona, 23:47 - CALCIO, EURO 2008: PORTOGALLO-SERBIA MONTENEGRO 1-1

Portogallo e Serbia hanno pareggiato 1-1 (1-0) in un incontro di qualificazione del girone A dell'Eu...


Petter Solberg turned up the heat on world championship rival Sebastien Loeb with a blistering display on stage six to close in on the Wales Rally GB leader.


Kevin Durant scored 21 points and Texas turned in its best defensive effort of the season for an 83-54 win over No. 18 Oklahoma State on Monday night.


Explosives traces found in Russian airliner wreckage, report says

Russian officials declared Friday that a terrorist act downed one of the two planes in this week's near simultaneous crashes after the wreckage revealed traces of a high explosive used in past attacks blamed on Chechen separatists.


Jail system could implode in two weeks, says union.


Clinton plays flight attendant in campaign plane spoof

Hillary Clinton, flight attendant?  Not exactly, but the Democratic presidential hopeful did  impersonate one briefly on Wednesday as her new campaign plane  made its first voyage with journalists, staff and the candidate  herself on board.


The European Union's foreign policy chief and Iran's top nuclear negotiator on Wednesday abruptly postponed talks on easing tensions over the refusal of the Tehran regime to suspend uranium enrichment.


Iraq Troops Capture 4 Senior Sadr Aides, Al-Arabiya Says

Iraqi police forces in Najaf today captured four senior aides to Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al- Sadr, al-Arabiya reported, citing Iraqi officials.


State officials call for more relaxed vaccine guidelines

State health authorities are recommending looser guidelines for the flu vaccine, extending the injections to people down to age 50 and to certain children ages 2 to 18.


London Fashion Week strives for rising star status

London Fashion Week sashayed into action on Monday with a clutch of feted young designers promising to boost its star status on the industry's map.


Presidente conferma impegno istituzioni per la sua citta'


Olympic Track Wrap: Holmes Ends Mutola's Dream

Briton Kelly Holmes extinguished  training partner Maria Mutola's dream of consecutive Olympic  titles Monday with an agonizingly close win in the women's 800  meters final.


Colombia seizes island from drug lord "Lollipop"

Colombia said on Monday it had seized $400 million in property, including a Caribbean island, from a cocaine baron arrested in Brazil this month and is awaiting extradition to the United States on drug charges.


Fowler celebration fools no one in City slump

Christmas controversy continued to beset Manchester City yesterday as both Robbie Fowler and Christian Negouai were on the receiving end of unusual punishments during their defeat by high-riding Everton.


Girl who feared arranged marriage 'murdered': coroner

A coroner on Friday recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on a teenage girl, who feared she would be forced into an arranged marriage in her parents' native Pakistan.


Envoy sees no progress yet in N.Korea talks

The top U.S. negotiator in bruising nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea said on Tuesday no progress had been made and urged Pyongyang to come to the table with a realistic offer -- and a festive spirit.


Ben Roethlisberger's numbers looked exceptional for an exhibition game, especially for only a half. He knows how much better he and the Pittsburgh Steelers could have played.


Roma, 19:30 - CALCIO, ROMA: BALLOTTAGGIO AQUILANI-PIZARRO

Per la gara con la Reggina, il tecnico della Roma Luciano Spalletti ha un solo dubbio. Ballottaggio ...


Annan still sees Lebanon blockade ending in 2 days

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said   on Wednesday he hoped Israel would lift its blockade of Lebanon   shortly amid signs the air embargo was crumbling.


Microsoft Plans New IE Browser, Better Security

Microsoft Corp.  will release a new version of Internet Explorer, the world's most widely used Web browsing software, with stronger, built-in security features, Chairman Bill Gates said on Tuesday.


Poisoned ex-Russian spy Litvinenko dies, hospital says

Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko -- poisoned in London three weeks ago -- is critically ill in intensive care after his condition sharply deteriorated, the hospital treating him said on Thursday.


Ransom Concern Clouds Return of Italian Hostages

National joy in Italy at the safe return  of two aid workers held hostage in Iraq for three weeks gave  way in some quarters on Wednesday to concern that Rome had paid  a big ransom for the women's freedom.


GOP Seeks to Oust Florida Frosh Klein in 2008 House Race

As they plot to win back the House in the 2008 election, Republicans have vowed to wage an aggressive challenge next year against freshman Democratic Rep. Ron Klein, who last year unseated veteran Republican Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. in southern FloridaÃ¢ÂÂs highly competitive 22nd District.


Union delegates today added to pressure on Gordon Brown over the EU reform treaty by backing calls for a referendum.


Nel mirino dei giocatori giallorossi una presunta dichiarazione del tecnico"Ci ha detto che siamo presuntuosi". Ma lui smentisce e fa il bagno nel Fontanone                                            Derby, la Roma attacca Rossi "Ci ha preso in giro negli spogliatoi"


Mel Gibson obtained a three-year restraining order Wednesday against a homeless man who allegedly showed up at his estate and the chapel he attends, demanding they pray together.


Radomski Given 5 Years of Probation for Distributing Steroids

Kirk Radomski, the former Mets clubhouse attendant and drug distributor, was sentenced on Friday to five years of probation in connection with his guilty plea to steroid distribution and money laundering.


Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi warned yesterday that efforts to resolve the standoff in Fallujah peacefully have entered their "final phase


Yankees could hire new manager this week

Tony Pena thinks he can manage the New York Yankees to a championship next season. So much for a grace period.


Scores of migrants who spent days at sea were missing and feared dead Sunday after their boat wrecked off Senegal's coast, the Red Cross said.


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jerry Rice became the most prolific offensive player in NFL history on Monday night.


Death rates from cancer are continuing to decline but scientists have uncovered a surprising jump in cases of thyroid cancer.


WASHINGTON - John Kerry lashed out at George W. Bush in their first televised debate tonight, saying he has a better plan to fight terrorists and win peace in Iraq.


The creator of Ren and Stimpy takes his iconoclasm to the web, where he intends to revitalize the staid world of advertising. Wired News interview by Daniel Dumas.


Dow Jones meets investors on alternate bid: source

Dow Jones & Co. , in talks for a  takeover by News Corp. (NWSa.N), met with supermarket magnate  Ron Burkle and Internet entrepreneur Brad Greenspan on Tuesday  in an effort to find an alternative offer, a source familiar  with the situation said.


Lipitor may cut hospitalizations for heart failure

NEW YORK  - For people with coronary artery disease, treatment with high doses of Lipitor (generic name, atorvastatin) may reduce their odds of having to be hospitalized for heart failure, according to a new report. However, this benefit is largely confined to individuals with a history of heart failure.


Ireland take on France in the historic first-ever rugby union match at Croke Park.


Qaeda recruit Padilla sentenced to 17 years

Jose Padilla, a Chicago gang member once accused by the Bush administration of plotting a radioactive bomb attack, was sentenced by a U.S. court on Tuesday to 17 years and four months in prison for supporting terrorism.


AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting says the form of Michael Kasprowicz has left the world champions with a problem to solve ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, which gets underway in England this week.


A month ago getting beaten would have seemed like the end of the world to the fiercely driven Kelly Holmes. But, with two Olympic gold medals to her name, it does not seem so important now.


The first Serie A derby between two Sicilian teams in nearly 40 years ended goalless on Thursday as Messina were held at home to Palermo.


Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President Bush will hold talks at the White House Friday on a range of global issues including Darfur, Kenya, Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.N. and the U.S. said Monday.


Togo's parliament passes measures which would allow the son of the late president to succeed him.


DNA links inmate to 12 killings in LA area

A one-time pizza deliveryman now in prison for rape is suspected of being one of the most prolific serial killers in Los Angeles history


Former Clinton administration aide endorses Obama

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a  former top civil-rights enforcer in the Clinton administration,  gave his support on Wednesday to Barack Obama in the race for  the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.


World Trade Forum and Governor's Conference set for Oct. 6 in Manchester

The 18th Annual World Trade Forum and Governor's Conference on Trade - Growing Globally - is planned for Wednesday, Oct.


FOX Poll: Bush Maintains Advantage Over Kerry

With less than a week to go, a FOX News poll shows George W. Bush (search) continues to hold the lead over Democrat John Kerry (search) in the race for the presidency.


Britain's largest housebuilder Persimmon  reports record profits and says the housing market remains strong.


U.S. May Take Action on EU Electronics Tariffs

The U.S. is talking to other countries who agree that EU tariffs on products like set-top boxes are a violation of the Information Technology Agreement.


Boston Relatively Calm After Patriots' Win

New England Patriots fans celebrated their Super Bowl win amid relative calm throughout the city on Monday. With a few arrests reported as of Monday morning, the fans' jubilation has so far proceeded without any of the rowdiness blamed for for two deaths last year.


Digital radio goes retro for happier days

Tons of companies out there are trying to recapture mid-century chic. From Crave, CNET's gadgets blog.


Fraud and Florida's multimillion-dollar wheelchair

One Miami-area medical equipment supplier managed to bill the U.S. government so often for a wheelchair it ended up costing $5 million.


Demands are made to end delays in opening a Â£30m rail line whose launch was abandoned at short notice.


Nintendo boss slams PSP as DS shipment target is raised

Sony's forthcoming PlayStation Portable handheld will fail to attract newcomers to gaming, according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, whose comments come as shipment targets for the DS are raised once again.


Refugees suffer as aid workers are airlifted to safety

More than 40 aid workers were dramatically rescued by helicopter yesterday as violence, including aerial bombardments of a town, flared across Sudan's crisis-plagued Darfur region.


With Paralysis, Challenge Goes Beyond Walking

The death of Christopher Reeve illustrated something that those who live with paralysis know all too well: for quadriplegics, infection is Public Enemy No. 1.


Workers who refuel aircraft at Heathrow Airport have begun a 48-hour hour strike after rejecting a new pay offer, raising the threat of disruption to flights.


Kerry Returns Bush Volley On Health Care

John F. Kerry must be a tad worried about President Bush's attacks on his health care plan: He's uncorked two counterattack ads in 18 hours.


Tom Lehman has a videotape of the Ryder Cup that he keeps as much for proof as posterity, and not just because 1999 was the only time in the last 12 years the Americans won.


By Matt Christensen, The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho  Feb. 4--JEROME -- The towns are separated by a colossal canyon, but folks in Jerome and Twin Falls have more in common than they may suspect.


Texas Instruments Inc  reported  lower quarterly profit and revenue on Monday as weak demand for  calculators outweighed improving sales of advanced phones that  use its wireless chips.


Young, energetic and friendly to the West, Mikhail Saakashvili became a symbol of democratic reform in the former Soviet Union in 2003 for leading street rallies that ousted a graying veteran of the Communist era and catapulted him into power.


In Britain, Larger Lead For Labour Party

(ARC-CPOD) Dec. 9, 2004 - The governing Labour party is the most popular political organization in Britain, according to a poll by Populus published in The Times.


Harry, finalmente in sala chi ama il nuovo Potter?

Il quinto episodio della saga batte ogni record incassando due milioni di euro nel primo giorno di programmazione. E aspettando il settimo e ultimo libro i fan si confrontano


Digene, Local Maker of HPV Test, to Be Sold to Dutch Firm

Digene Corp., a Gaithersburg firm that sells a screening test for a virus that causes cervical cancer, announced a deal yesterday to sell itself to a Dutch company for approximately $1.6 billion in cash and stock.


Udine, 17:58 - CALCIO, UDINESE: RAGGIUNTO ACCORDO CON COMUNE PER LO STADIO

L'Udinese ed il comune di Udine hanno firmato la convenzione che regola l' utilizzo dello stadio "Fr...


Three people die in a clash between   Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas in Gaza.


Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto says its $38.1bn bid to buy Canada's Alcan has been successful .


'Green' investments key to climate fight

They could be powerful new weapons in the battle against global warming: turbines powered by waves or wind, or technology that scrubs the skies to recapture and recycle carbon.


Senate approves tax relief bill for manufacturers

The Senate today passed a far-reaching, $136 billion corporate tax package that cuts taxes for businesses ranging from film companies to bow-and-arrow makers while closing tax loopholes and bringing US exporters in line with


Designated hitter to have season-ending surgery

Anaheim Angels designated hitter Tim Salmon will have season-ending operations on his left knee and left shoulder. Salmon was examined Wednesday by Dr.


NBA player says sexual encounter was consensual

Sacramento Kings reserve center Justin Williams and his girlfriend had consensual sex with a woman who is now accusing him of rape, the basketball player's lawyer reportedly said.


Churchill's great-grandson heads to prison

The great-grandson of late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison for his part in a multimillion-dollar Ecstasy racket.


Ont. may ban smoking around all public buildings

Ontario smokers could find themselves way out in the cold, if the province goes ahead with a plan for sweeping, no-smoking zones around all public buildings.


Wholesale prices climbed by 0.5 percent in November  --  an improvement compared with the previous month's surge, but still fresh evidence that inflation is picking up as the economy gains momentum.


Nonfarm productivity up 2.5% vs. 2.9% initial estimate

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) - Productivity in the US nonfarm business sector increased at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the second quarter, revised lower from an earlier estimate of 2.9 percent, the Labor Department estimated Thursday.


Arsonists Destroy Jewish Center in Paris

Arsonists destroyed a Jewish community center in eastern Paris before dawn on Sunday, leaving behind red graffiti with menacing anti-Semitic messages such as "Jews get out."


Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister of Italy, ends his long reign as AC Milan president.


President George W. Bush and Australia's  Prime Minister John Howard meet beside Sydney Harbour on  Wednesday to discuss progress in Iraq and a new defense deal  ahead of an Asia-Pacific leaders' summit.


Dalla stessa data Capitalia lascia Piazza Affari


SanDisk sues a score of flash storage vendors

The flash memory maker filed three patent infringement suits against companies that make, sell and import flash storage products.


Hurricane Ivan Slams Into U.S. Gulf Coast

PENSACOLA, Fla.  - Hurricane Ivan slammed the U.S.  Gulf coast on Thursday with furious winds and flooding, ripping  roofs off homes and hotels, washing out bridges, downing power  lines and spawning tornadoes that killed eight people.


Critical peace talks between Sinn Fein leaders and a Northern Ireland Chief Constable will take place later. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness will meet with Chief Constable Hugh Orde in Downing St.


Wiki Citizens Taking on a New Area: Searching

Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia, is launching an Internet search engine based on the same voluntary collaboration that drives the online encyclopedia.


Xstrata Willing To Consider Australian Secondary Listing

SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Swiis mining group Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN) said Tuesday it is willing to consider listing on the Australian Stock Exchange if its bid for WMC Resources Ltd.


Top U.S. consumer electronics retailer Best Buy Co. Inc.  on Tuesday posted a weaker-than-expected quarterly profit, dragged down by sales of lower margin products such as notebook computers and video game consoles.


Chris Hartjes' Blog: Testing Components In CakePHP

Chris Hartjes has posted a quick example of a useful method for CakePHP developers - how to test components.   Using the test suite is actually quite easy: drop SimpleTest into your cake/vendors directly and you're ready to start writing your tests. Having written tests using SimpleTest before it wasn't going to be too hard for me to get them done. But there was one little problem: how do you test a component?   He includes an example of such a test, running it on his Email controller to try to send an email via SMTP.


Security blunder over Pakistan president's visit to Britain

British police were probing why a top secret file detailing security arrangements for the visit of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to Britain this week was found abandoned on a London street.


Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, will only sell Blu-ray high-definition DVDs at its 4,000 US stores.


The Grace Receipting System allows non-profits to track their donors and contributions, and prints receipts and reports. Improvements include: major bug fixes and improvements with the import feature, improvements in the notification email feature, etc.   The first version of the Grace Receipting System has been released and is available at: http://daniel.sourceforge.net/website/download.html


Soccer Players Come Home With Opened Eyes

Clare Greenberg's opportunity to make a difference in South Africa arrived as an unsolicited page of white notebook paper folded up and passed to her on the day before she was to leave Port Elizabeth.


Only a few months after crying poverty, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale says last year's surplus topped $9.1 billion -- almost five times more than originally predicted.


French economy grows 0.8 pct in second quarter, spurred by investments

The French economy grew by 0.8 percent in the second quarter, spurred by rising business and household investments, feeding optimism that recovery is strong and lasting.


Pregnancy Does Not Raise Melanoma Mortality

The survival of pregnant women who have malignant melanoma of the skin is no less than that of comparable women who are not pregnant, European researchers report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.


By Theodore, Louis  Identification of Cleaner Production Improvement Opportunities Kenneth L. Mulholland, AIChE and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 200 pages, $59.95, Feb. 2006, ISBN-10: 0-471-79440-6  Approximately 15 years ago.


Douglas, Lewis Lauded for Blacklist Fight

LOS ANGELES  - Their courageous stand  against the Hollywood blacklist has earned Kirk Douglas and  Edward Lewis the Freedom of Expression Medal from the Institute  of Modern Letters.


An exhibition of Kylie Minogue's stage costumes, awards and accessories opens at London's V&A museum.


TUESDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDayNews) -- A new kind of treatment against metastatic cancer cells, which carry cancer from one location to other parts of the body, has been identified by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute.


Congress Reaches Accord on Spy Agency Reform

Congressional negotiators said they  reached agreement on Saturday on overhauling U.S. spy agencies  and creating a director of national intelligence post with more  limited powers than sought by the Sept. 11 commission.


Coke Vs. Pepsi Test Shows Logos 'Brand' the Brain

NEW YORK  - Whether people prefer Coke or Pepsi is not just a matter of taste. Knowing which one they are drinking apparently influences their preference, new findings suggest.


The assassination of the former prime minister raises questions about the Musharraf government's security measures.


Services and software companies IBM  and SAP , longtime technology partners, will bring out their first joint software product in the fourth quarter of this year, the two companies said on Monday.


A man is stabbed in the neck during a row at an office block in the centre of Belfast, police say.


Nine men are charged with fraud following arrests across England and Wales in a Â£250m VAT probe.


Weber's OT Goal Helps Predators Beat Blues

Shea Weber scores 40 seconds into overtime and the Predators beat the Blues, 2-1, on Saturday night.


Procter & Gamble Co. chairman and chief executive A.G. Lafley addressed Gillette Co. employees for the first time, a week after P&G said it would acquire Gillette for $57 billion. Speaking at the shaving giant's Boston headquarters, Lafley assured employees that no decisions had been made about which jobs would be eliminated after the merger -- though he acknowledged that ...


Iowa gay marriage ruling stirs 2008 race

An Iowa county judge's ruling knocking down the state's same-sex marriage ban stirred up the presidential race Friday as Republicans jostled to stake out a position with the state's conservative voters in mind.


David Turner Plays Musical Comedy Hack in 'Gutenberg! The Musical!'

Playbill - Off-Broadway's Gutenberg! The Musical!, the critically acclaimed showbiz  musical about bumbling, no-talent musical comedy writers, gets a new bumbler starting Feb. 13.


US butler accused of insider trading on poolside faxes

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Graham   Lefford, a former butler at a summer home in South Hampton, New   York, of insider trading for buying shares of a company his   boss was in the process of acquiring.


US hails partial free trade deal with Israel, Egypt

The United States hailed on Tuesday its partial free trade deal with Israel and Egypt as "a very important development.".


Loyalist paramilitaries will respond positively if the IRA goes out of business and decommissions all its weapons, Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine has said.


Reclusive governor wins Nigeria ruling party ticket

Nigeria's ruling party on Sunday chose a reclusive Muslim state governor, Umaru Yar'Adua, to be its candidate to succeed Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Africa's most populous nation in elections next year.


President APJ Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi were among the leaders who visited the residence of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao to pay tributes to him.


Katie Douglas scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 78-74 victory over the Fever last night in Indianapolis.


U.S. pushes Iraq to clear more 'benchmarks'

Signs of political reconciliation are emerging in Iraq, raising US hopes that a logjam has broken.


Study Says U.S. Has Lead in Nanotechnology

The report cautioned that the potential risks of manipulating matter on such a small scale deserved more study.


PARK CITY, Utah  - Death threats, loud catcalls and walkouts didn't stop rock legends Crosby Stills Nash & Young from completing their fiercely anti-Bush reunion tour in 2006.


Bush Econ Team to Undergo Gradual Changes

President Bush, who swiftly  reshuffled his foreign policy team on Tuesday, is planning a  more gradual overhaul of his top economic staff, people close  to the White House said.


British researchers in collaboration with the Diabetes Vaccine Development Center in Melbourne will test a vaccine early next year on the patients that could wipe out type I diabetes, the most serious kind of diabetes.


By Harold McGee  Last week I went to Stanford University to hear a lecture on the molecular biology of smell, and then drove home buzzing with thoughts about what it might mean for people who love to eat.  The speaker, the Nobel laureate Linda Buck, never mentioned food.


Scientists in China say they have discovered the highly virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu in pigs.


The league frowns upon gambling on football, but close friends and founding fathers of the N.F.L., Art Rooney and Tim Mara were gamblers, and proud ones.


Plastic Mesh Improves Gastric Bypass Outcomes

THURSDAY, Sept. 28 (HealthDay News) -- A polypropylene mesh can help shield gastric bypass patients from a common and debilitating complication, researchers say.


From correspondents in West Bengal, India, 05:34 PM IST Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi Monday paid his respects at the tomb of Mother Teresa and urged the world to emulate her path of compassion and peace.Comment


Karlstad, 12:41 - RALLY, SVEZIA: BENE LATVALA, LOEB IN DIFFICOLTA'

C'è Jari Matti Latvala al comando del Rally di Svezia. In chiara difficoltà invece Seb...


If ABC hoped to generate a little bit more buzz for "Monday Night Football" and "Desperate Housewives," its steamy intro to the Dallas-Philadelphia game sure did the trick.


Movie Review | 'Skid Row': The Gritty City

More vÃ©ritÃ© than cinema, the documentary âSkid Rowâ is so raw that itâs virtually unwatchable.


A European Parliament report urges a ban on the making of cars that can go more than 101mph (162km/h).


Josh Duncan scored a career-high 25 points Tuesday night and led a 3-point flurry that swept No. 24 Xavier to an 88-55 victory over Detroit, giving the Musketeers an emphatic return to the Top 25.


Doctors in India's Bihar state call off a strike to protest against the killing of an eminent surgeon.


Bill Clinton, the former American president, should be sufficiently on the mend within a few days to leave hospital. Once a quadruple heart bypass patient has climbed a flight of stairs, he is usually deemed fit for discharge.


2-Year Study of Polar Changes Set to Begin

The effort by scientists from more than 60 countries aims to understand the dynamics of life at the ends of the earth.


Il Fondo e il commissario Almunia invocano correzioniper evitare lo sfondamento del 3% nel rapporto deficit/Pil                                          La Ue e l'Fmi avvertono l'Italia "Intervenite sui conti pubblici"                                                                                Il ministro Siniscalco: "Faremo di tutto per stare nei parametri"


The US Federal Reserve last night raised interest rates for the third time this year in spite of a renewed surge in oil prices. The widely expected move took the Fed funds' rate up a quarter-point to 1.75%, following similar moves in August and June.


Golf Channel Anchor Suspended for Remark

Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks on Wednesday for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should ''lynch him in a back alley.''.


The vast majority of GCSE students do not know even the most basic facts about British politics, according to a new poll.


Swimsuit for the Olympics Is a New Skin for the Big Dip

Six months before the Games begin in Beijing, Speedo staged its version of an âupfrontâ to introduce what the company is describing as âthe worldâs fastest swimsuit.â


India's biggest oil exploration firm, Oil & Natural Gas Corp., says it is in talks to buy the former assets of troubled oil producer Yukos.


U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday  as Internet and semiconductor stocks led advances in technology  shares and crude oil retreated from record high prices.


Weighing justice and fanfare in Jackson trial

As jury selection begins, a frenzy of coverage prompts questions about the media and fair trials.


Beltre Agrees to $64M Deal With Mariners

Prized free agent Adrian Beltre and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a $64 million, five-year deal Thursday, The Associated Press learned.


Bucks Beat Pacers 89-86 for First Road Win

Michael Redd scored 28 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their first road win of the season, 89-86 over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.


Polish opposition lead as election campaign ends

Poland's centre-right opposition cemented its opinion poll lead over the conservative party of the ruling Kaczynski twins on Friday, the last day of campaigning before a snap parliamentary election on Sunday.


Intel Corp.  will  miss its 2004 product cost reduction targets because of a widely publicized string of product delays and problems, but those missteps are largely behind it now, the world's largest chip maker said on Tuesday.


Video shows militants killing 11 Iraqi troops; Polish woman also ...

A grisly video released Thursday showed militants killing 11 Iraqi troops held hostage for days, beheading one, then shooting the others execution-style.


French flight of fancy for the new rugby fan

A WELSH mum who gave up city life to open an idyllic hotel in the South of France is now hoping to foster links between two of the most rugby-mad regions in the world.


Federer Walks Through as Russians Advance

Roger Federer got a free ride at the  Australian Open Friday when his opponent retired hurt while  rival Marat Safin survived an injury scare of his own to lead a  procession of Russians into the fourth round.


Thousands flee false tsunami alarms in Asia

As the number of confirmed deaths tops 112,0000, thousands of tsunami survivors in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand fled coastal regions yet again Thursday after officials warned of a new tsunami.


Padraig Harrington surged into   contention at the BMW International Open with a rousing   eight-under-par 64 in the third round on Saturday.


Conference Urges Iraq To Involve Opposition

Representatives of two dozen nations and international organizations attending a conference on the future of Iraq pressed the country's interim government


Music Publisher Settles Copyright Skirmish Over Guthrie Classic

San Francisco, CA - Music publisher Ludlow Music, Inc., has officially backed down on its threats against web animation studio JibJab Media Inc.


Bush Completes Cabinet as 4 Members Agree to Remain

The secretaries of the Transportation, Labor, Interior and Housing departments have agreed to stay on.


Panasonic's 150-inch plasma TV part of Japan's push at CES

Big TVs from Panasonic and slim ones from other vendors will highlight the products from Japan at CES.


How Pakistan's A.Q. Khan outwitted Western intelligence to build a global nuclear-smuggling ring that made the world a more dangerous place


In the faraway past, I was a psych major in college, and it was then that I discovered the useful word "projection." It was, as I recall, the tendency to assign to others the attributes or faults you had within yourself.


Two executives from American  International Group Inc. AIG.N and one from Marsh & McLennan  Cos. MMC.N pleaded guilty on Tuesday to fraud charges  stemming from New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's  sweeping investigation into fraud in the industry.


Astronomers: Neptune's south pole warmer

Scientists say that Neptune, one of the coldest planets in the solar system, has a surprising warm spot — relatively speaking. An international team of astronomers has found that Neptune's south pole is warmer than other parts of the planet.


China has urged Canada to hand over 44 North Korean asylum seekers who broke into the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, promising to deal with the men, women and children in a humanitarian way.


Alla concorrenza, secondo presidente Confcommercio


Microsoft's 'dirty tricks' archive turns into hot Torrent

Oscar-contender Microsoft lawyers who believed they'd buried the most embarrassing collection of documents about the company's murky past for good, without any one noticing, were in for a surprise this weekend. The archive has become a mainstay of the Bittorrent P2P file sharing networks.â¦


New York Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield will have arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his ailing left shoulder.


KHIRBET JINBA, West BanKâIt is three steps down to the portico - a trim, elegant entranceway of chiselled stone and the narrow, painted-steel double-doors so favoured by Arab design.


This year's Golden Globes awards will not have any actors attending the show.


Aquisgrana, 18:03 - EQUITAZIONE, MONDIALI: LANSINK ORO NEL SALTO A OSTACOLI

Il belga Jos Lansink ha vinto la medaglia d'oro nel salto a ostacoli individuale, ultima gara dei Mo...


Anti-whaling ships say they have been made "pirates"

An anti-whaling group searching Antarctic waters for a Japanese whaling fleet with the aim of disrupting its operations said both its vessels will soon be "pirate ships" following a decision by Britain to deregister one its vessels.


Milano, 17:00 - CALCIO, INTER: 22 CONVOCATI PER LA LAZIO, C'E' ADRIANO

C'è anche Adriano tra i 22 giocatori convocati dall'Inter per la gara di domani contro la Laz...


Description: In the weeks leading up to the Olympic games in Athens, hotels were expecting huge crowds to flood the city. Lagging ticket sales at Olympic venues seem to have trickled into the hotel business as well, as crowds have failed to show up as ...


Top storage vendors adding tools for Web 2.0 audience

Major storage vendors are looking to add hosted offerings, mostly by acquisition so far, to take advantage of Web 2.0 users willing to store data off-site.


Colorado school gunman kills girl, himself

An armed man took two girls hostage at a   Colorado high school on Wednesday, fatally shooting one of the   students and then himself when police stormed the classroom   where he was barricaded, authorities said.


Dublin Approves Plans for 935-Unit Housing Development

By Sophia Kazmi, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.  Feb. 21--DUBLIN -- The City Council approved environmental reports and site plans for a 935-unit development in the city's northeast corner.


Jerez de La Frontera, 19:35 - F1, TEST JEREZ: KOVALAINEN IL PIU' VELOCE

Heikki Kovalainen con la McLaren-Mercedes è stato il piÃ¹ veloce nei test dei team di Formula ...


Out of Uncertainty, A Coach Brings Success

Despite difficulties, the Hoosiers have prospered under Bill Lynch, and landed their first trip to a bowl game in 14 years.


Tokyo's Nikkei average rose near a six-month high by midsession on Tuesday, with retailer Ito-Yokado Co. gaining on solid earnings and optimism about the economy lifting stocks oriented toward domestic business.


Astronaut Lisa Nowak was fired by NASA on Wednesday, little more than a month after she was arrested on charges that she tried to kidnap a woman she regarded as romantic rival for the affections of a space shuttle pilot.


A hero remembers the Battle of the Bulge

After 58 years of marriage, Lyle Bouck and his wife, Lucy, are still helping each other down the front walk.


Soccer league's online shoppers get kicked by security breach

The online store of Major League Soccer was hit by a series of SQL injection attacks, compromising the personal data of an unspecified number of shoppers.


Election Results in Kosovo Show a Setback

International efforts to determine Kosovo's future suffered an apparent setback today as the province's Serb minority largely boycotted parliamentary elections.


Iraqi Leader Appeals to France and Germany for Aid

Iraq's interim prime minster, Ayad Allawi, appealed today to what he called the "spectators" in the war in Iraq - specifically France and Germany - to become more involved in creating


THE parents of Australian terrorist suspect David Hicks are headed for Cuba for an emotional reunion with their son, who has been in US military detention for almost three years.


Avrebbe visto una donna salire spontaneamente in un'auto


Top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia vowed on Sunday to maintain a cushion of spare supplies of up to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) to meet future demand growth.


Yahoo finally gets a good social network: Mash

Just going into beta, Yahoo's new social network, Mash, beats the stuffing out of its predecessor, Yahoo 360.


In contractors' shootings, Iraqis search for justice

The US Embassy in Iraq is now offering to pay relatives of those killed in a shooting involving Blackwater USA.


Eight resolutions your skin will appreciate in the New Year.


Nerves on show in Melbourne as Murray falls

The prizefighters of tennis punched their way out of trouble at the Australian Open on Monday but British hope Andy Murray was felled by a fierce right hand at Melbourne Park.


Cuban President, Fidel Castro, says he's "in one piece" after taking a tumble off a stage. Castro, who's 78 years old, had just finished a graduation speech yesterday in Santa Clara, Cuba when he walked away from the podium and tripped.


Â· Few institutions pass admission benchmarks Â· Russell Group blames low achievement at school


Power Check: Verdict Is Split in Iraqi Election

The razor-thin margin apparently captured by the Shiite alliance seems almost certain to enshrine a weak government that will be unable to push through sweeping changes.


Fischer accepts responsibility in visa row

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has accepted responsibility for a controversial visa policy said to have been exploited by criminals to bring thousands of illegal immigrants into Germany.


Israel novelist Grossman's son is killed

JERUSALEM  — The son of Israeli novelist and peace activist David Grossman has been killed in southern Lebanon, the army said Sunday, just days after the author urged the government to end the war with Hezbollah guerrillas.


Secondo i dati della Cgia di Mestre per ogni nucleo la media Ã¨ di 17.854 euroMa a Bolzano si superano i 31.000 euro. A Napoli in un anno +17,51%                                          Famiglie italiane sempre piÃ¹ indebitate l'esposizione media cresciuta del 10,85%                                                                                "Il perdurare della crisi economica ha indotto molte famigliea ricorrere a prestiti bancari per affrontare questa difficile situazione"


Mexico's far-flung cement giant Cemex is nearing a deal to buy the RMC Group of Britain for $4 billion, two people close to the negotiations said Sunday evening.


Bush brushes aside Republican dissent on Iraq

CLEVELAND, Ohio  - President George W. Bush on Tuesday brushed aside the criticism of fellow Republicans over Iraq and demanded the U.S. Congress allow his troop buildup more time to work.


Reuters Poll: Kerry Trims Bush Lead to 2 Points

Democratic challenger John Kerry cut  President Bush's lead to 2 points with just over two weeks to  go before the Nov. 2 election, according to a Reuters/Zogby  poll released Sunday.


Staffing stocks mostly higher after jobs report

Shares of U.S. staffing companies were  mostly higher on Friday after an essentially in-line monthly  U.S. employment report that reflected slow but steady growth  and sharp upward revisions from prior months.


Medicina, primo trapianto di faccia con pelle coltivata

Ha avuto successo in Giappone il primo trapianto di faccia effettuato con l'utilizzo di un solo lembo di pelle, che i medici sono riusciti a 'coltivare', e far 'allungare'. Un gruppo di ricercatori e clinici


Soldiers fired warning shots Thursday above an estimated crowd of 70,000 anti-government demonstrators defying a crackdown that has drawn international appeals for restraint by Myanmar's ruling junta.


An open pocket knife, two Smith and Wesson revolvers, now rusty, and an airman's gilded badge — all flew with the Canadian and British crew of a World War II bomber on its final mission carrying aid for Poland's desperate revolt against the Nazis.


Internet phone service provider SunRocket, which had as many as 200,000 customers nationwide, has ceased operations without warning.


He had already been charged with murder by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, and the move to a grand jury indictment is seen as an attempt to speed-up the process.


The brother of Kenneth Bigley last night claimed that Tony Blair's inaction could cost the British hostage his life. Paul Bigley, who cited new information


Strand of "Che" Guevara's hair to be auctioned off

A former CIA operative who says he helped hunt down Ernesto "Che" Guevara and bury him in Bolivia 40 years ago now hopes to make a killing from the famed Argentine revolutionary's hair.


Microsoft hit with $1.52 billion patent suit damages

A U.S. federal jury found that  Microsoft Corp.  infringed audio patents held by  Alcatel-Lucent   and should pay $1.52 billion in  damages, Microsoft said on Thursday.


Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist held hostage in the Gaza Strip, was freed on Wednesday after a deal between the ruling Hamas Islamists and the al Qaeda-inspired clan group that kidnapped him in March.


Attrice scelta per la campagna primavera-estate 2007


Jury selection has begun in the trial of Michael Derderian, co-owner of a Rhode Island club where flammable wall coverings spread a 2003 fire, killing 100.


Aznar Denies Madrid Bombs Were Linked to Iraq War

Former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said Islamic militants tried to use the Madrid train bombings to oust the pro-U.S. ruling party from power in Spain, but not because of its support for the Iraq war.


Singer Rick James died of a heart attack that may have been induced by nine drugs in his system, a coroner says.


Jerusalem mayor orders new walkway plans

The Jerusalem municipality will submit new plans for a walkway leading to a disputed holy compound, a City Hall spokesman said Monday, but work was scheduled to continue at the site.


Sony Corp. said on Monday retailers had almost completely sold out of the Play Station Portable on its first day in Japanese stores, marking a strong start for the company's first handheld game machine.


Concerns about safety and the care of dying patients dominate complaints to an NHS watchdog.


Adopting a new model yields gains at old Fleet

Within months of acquiring FleetBoston Financial Corp. , Bank of America Corp. handed out its sales playbook to Fleet employees in the branches to teach them how to sell.


Lockheed gets $1 billion US deal for F-22 fighters

Lockheed Martin Corp.  has won a contract worth $1 billion to build 23 more F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft plus one test aircraft, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.


Oil Prices Set a New Record as Supply Falls

Oil prices climbed above $47 a barrel, setting yet another record, after figures showed that supplies in the United States were down for a third consecutive week.


California voters are taking a second whack at "three-strikes" guidelines a decade after they first passed the nation's toughest sentencing law.


Actor Wilson asks to "heal" after suicide reports

Oscar-nominated film star Owen Wilson, best known for comedies like "Wedding Crashers," sought time on Monday to "heal in private" after media reports claimed he was hospitalized for a suicide attempt.


CHARLEROI -It is possible many Americans will pick a candidate based on last night's debate, but the event did little to sway several Mon Valley voters.


Ontario to open nine new MRI sites, buy back more private testing facilities

OTTAWA (CP) - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty burnished his credentials as a guardian of medicare Friday, announcing nine new or expanded MRI clinics, while pursuing plans to bring for-profit MRIs into the public fold.


A woman is injured when a letter bomb explodes at the DVLA centre in Wales, the third attack of its kind in three days.


The more that Isiah Thomas insisted yesterday he will never coach the Knicks, the more you wanted to ask, "Well, why would you?


Israele, i leader conservatori della comunitÃ  sperano di dissuadere la ragazzaLa polizia arresta due cugini della giovane: avevano intenzione di ucciderla                                            Aspirante miss drusa minacciata di morte "Non puÃ² mostrarsi in costume da bagno"                                                                                La vicenda Ã¨ sintomatica delle divisioni tra progressisti e integralisti


Iniziata al Senato l'informativa del governo sulla televisione pubblicarichiesta dall'opposizione dopo la nomina di Fabiani nel cda                                          Padoa-Schioppa: la politica blocca la Rai "E' rigida, incapace, inefficiente"                                                                                Il ministro fischiato quando dice: "Abbiamo agito senza finalitÃ  politica"Nel pomeriggio il voto con l'incognita di nove risoluzioni della Lega


Howard Stern to Make Leap to Satellite Radio in 2006

Howard Stern, the top-ranked radio disc jockey, is leaving Infinity Broadcasting to join Sirius satellite radio, beginning in January, 2006.


Firenze, 18:59 - CALCIO, SERIE C2/A; STADIO INAGIBILE: 0-3 AL MEZZOCORONA

Come da regolamento, il giudice sportivo della Lega di serie C ha inflitto al Mezzocorona (serie C2,...


Parents Search for Family-Friendly Games

As president of Activision Publishing, Kathy Vrabeck helps promote and develop games like "Doom 3," "Tony Hawk's Underground 2" and "Call of Duty."


Abbas calls for early Palestinian elections

RAMALLAH, West Bank  - President Mahmoud Abbas called on Saturday for fresh Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections, raising the stakes after days of internal violence that has renewed fears of civil war.


Croatian president to face rival in runoff vote

Croatian President Stipe Mesic will face his main conservative rival in a runoff presidential vote later this month to decide who will lead the former Yugoslav republic's final push to join the European Union, election results showed.


Post-disaster mental health worse in smokers

NEW YORK  - Among people who experience a major disaster, smokers are more likely to develop mental health disturbances than those who don't smoke, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.


'Highly stylised', darling, not violent Readers of what you might still loosely term as broadsheets - you know the type, posh newspapers with lots and lots of cricket coverage - are capable of making informed decisions, according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).â¦


Bush hardens tone, urges end to Israeli occupation

U.S. President George W. Bush, hardening his tone towards Israel on Thursday, urged an end to "the occupation" of the West Bank and pushed for a peace treaty to be signed within a year to create a Palestinian state.


Bush Vetoes Bill Removing Stem Cell Limits

The move effectively pushed the debate surrounding the research into the 2008 presidential campaign.


Pakistani politicians hope to meet radical cleric

Members of Pakistani religious parties hoped to hold talks on Saturday with a radical cleric holed up in an Islamabad mosque and persuade him to send out children among his hundreds of besieged militant followers.


Hans Reiser: Once a Linux Visionary, Now Accused of Murder

There was a time when Hans Reiser was known as a cantankerous but visionary open source programmer. His work was funded by the government; he was widely credited (and sometimes reviled) for rethinking the structure of the Linux operating system. Now he is known as prisoner BFP563.


The number of people sickened by smoke from a derailed train's chemical fire reached 152 on Thursday, and Ukraine's transport minister suggested that safety violations caused the accident.


In New York, David Byrne sings of Imelda Marcos

Independent rock icon David Byrne took  the stage at Carnegie Hall on Saturday to unveil for a U.S.  audience a collection of songs about the life of former  Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos -- minus the shoes.


Foreign investment declined in 2003 for the third year in a row, a United Nations report has revealed. Last year, total inward flows of foreign direct investment were worth $560bn (Â£312bn


Outdoors Report Zuni Bass Fisherman Has Clinched '07 Title-Hunt Slot

By LEE TOLLIVER  BY Lee Tolliver  THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  Curt Lytle walked around his Zuni farm, looking for fresh signs of deer.  Lytle hadn't been this relaxed in quite some time.


Russia keeps up a freeze on vital links with Georgia, despite the release of four alleged Russian spies.


Non-Power Conferences Overlooked by Committee

In the wake of the 2006 N.C.A.A. Tournament, which featured George Masonâs run to the Final Four, the Selection Committee appeared to shy away from smaller conference teams this year.


Ivanovic crushes Sharapova to reach Paris final

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic reached the final of a grand slam tournament for the first time with a 6-2 6-1 demolition of world number two Maria Sharapova at the French Open on Thursday.


In a move that has implications for ad targeting and reporting, Yahoo! has hired Usama Fayyad, a co-founder of the company now known as Revenue Science, to the newly-created position of Chief Data Officer.


Just what you always wanted Microsoft has been granted a patent for electronic Wish Lists. The patent, 7,315,834, was filed in April 2005 and granted on New Year's Day.â¦


By Whitson, Jennifer  Backers of a proposed $40 million Indianapolis chemical plant are eyeing a south-side parcel near White River, but neighbors worry fumes from the facility will drag down property values nearby.


Penguins owner Mario Lemieux called a deal to sell the team to a Canadian billionaire "unequivocally" dead and said Monday he is trying to reach a deal with a casino that promises to build an arena for the financially struggling club.


Report: Heat to Cause More Calif. Deaths

Longer and more intense heat waves throughout California in the decades ahead will lead to more heat-related deaths in several major cities, according to a new report.


A tearful Paula Radcliffe has revealed she has no idea what went wrong in her failed bid for Olympic marathon gold. The Briton said fans deserved an explanation but was waiting for test results from a Monday


Sensors will be used to relay data to medical files.


India in hi-tech pact with African countries

The Indian government has offered hi-tech cooperation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Comtel project, a proposed private regional telecommunications company.


Greenspan nixed idea of subprime crackdown: paper

Alan Greenspan, when chairman of the Federal Reserve, brushed off an idea to boost scrutiny of subprime mortgage lenders, a former Fed governor told the Wall Street Journal.


There's nothing for investors to get fired up about in Barnes & Noble's latest quarter.


British watchdog inflates costs The European Commission says British regulator Ofcom is having a negative effect on mobile rates in the UK. The EC and national regulators are meant to be working together to bring down mobile costs.â¦


Russia set to respond to British expulsion move

Russia was set to respond on Tuesday to Britain's decision to expel four of its diplomats in a row over the murder of a Russian emigre amid signs Moscow did not want the affair to rebound on booming economic ties.


Maruyama Clings to Sony Lead with Hole-In-One

Shigeki Maruyama recorded a  hole-in-one to cling on to the lead with 11 holes of the third  round to play at the Sony Open Saturday.


Russians Cite Porous Security in Jet Bombings

First through police bungling, then in part through a petty bribe, the two Chechen women who killed themselves and 88 others in the bombings of two Russian passenger jets last


US prosecutors release e-mails on a Nasa love triangle that led to a charge of attempted kidnapping.


Defiant Lebanese PM Siniora calls for dialogue

Lebanon's Western-backed prime minister urged the Hezbollah-led opposition on Wednesday to end street protests and return to the negotiating table, vowing he would not be forced from power.


THAT MEEKshy and retiring Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, has dared to suggest that Apple's reassuringly expensive and beautiful iPods might be packed full of pirated music.


As Earth Warms Up, Tropical Virus Moves to Italy

Aided by global warming and globalization, Italy suffered the first outbreak of a tropical disease in modern Europe.


Travel: Celebrate the 20th anniversary of 80s hit Dirty Dancing at the hotel where much of it was filmed, suggests Sarah Bourn.


Guillermo Coria and Gisela Dulko beat French Open champion Anastasia Myskina and Marat Safin 6-2, 6-0 in mixed doubles Wednesday to give Argentina a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Russia at the Hopman Cup. Argentina will play Germany for a spot in the final.


Military love affair with videogames intensifies

Sims, FPS, MMOs...and now Xbox 360 controllers for war-bots The convergence between videogaming and real-world warfare (at least, war as seen from a Western perspective) continues to advance.â¦


Avon's US Sales Drop Sends Shares Lower; Net Rises

Avon Products Inc., the world's largest direct seller of cosmetics, reported its first US sales decline in five years, sending the company's shares down the most since 2000.


Enel acquista le frequenze Umts di Ipse per 792 milioni

ROMA, 24 dic - L'Enel ha trovato un accordo per acquistare l'intero capitale di Ipse, operatore telefonico titolare di frequenze Umts, a un prezzo massimo di 792 milioni di euro. Lo ha annunciato l'ad di Enel, Paolo Scaroni, in una conferenza stampa.


Midway Games Inc. said Tuesday that it acquired Paradox Development, the studio now developing Midway's upcoming Mortal Kombat:Shaolin Monks videogame, for 333,334 Midway common shares.


TV Networks, Online Video Services Sign Copyright Pact

The parent companies of the four largest US broadcast networks plus cable content giant Viacom joined with MySpace, Microsoft, and online video providers Veoh and Dailymotion in signing a standards and practices document they hope will become the "Television Code" of online copyright protection.


After delays, Intel points to chip-making advance

Intel Corp is on track to introduce the worldâs most advanced chip production technology in its products next year, the largest semiconductor maker said on Sunday.


NATO regrets deaths but says Taliban "behead, burn"

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop  Scheffer pledged on Tuesday to investigate civilian deaths in  Afghanistan, but contrasted NATO's record there with a Taliban  who "behead people, burn schools, kill women and children."


Pol Pot's right-hand man, Nuon Chea, appeared before Cambodia's "Killing Fields" tribunal on Wednesday to request bail, arguing he was not a flight risk and would not try to influence potential witnesses.


With a federal indictment in place, state charges will be dismissed against two Egyptian-born students who were stopped last month with what authorities said were pipe bombs, a prosecutor said Tuesday.


Top scientist Robert Winston is calling for the UK's fertility watchdog to be scrapped, calling it incompetent.


Microsoft is preparing a wave of enterprise products, including the long-awaited update to Windows Server.


Rumsfeld Debating Whether to Avoid Germany

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Thursday he has not decided whether to attend an international security conference next week in Germany, where he might be subject to arrest on a war-crimes complaint.


Corrected: Wall St set to open higher on M&A

Wall Street was set to start a  shortened session higher on Tuesday, helped by the latest  merger and acquisition news and before data on the  manufacturing and housing sectors.


The militants stormed into the compound's inner courtyard, firing their guns from behind trees, bursting into offices and shouting: "Where are the Americans? Where are the Americans?"


U.S. less confident of N.Korea covert program

The United States is somewhat less confident that North Korea has a production-scale covert nuclear enrichment program than it used to be, a top U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday.


Consider turbo-charging your portfolio with some strong performers.


Britain OKs radio transmitters for iPods

Britain is legalizing the small wireless transmitters commonly used to play music from iPods over car radios.


Ford raises borrowing plan to $22 billion-$23 billion

Ford Motor Co.  plans to raise the amount of a borrowing plan to roughly $22 billion to $23 billion from an original $18 billion, as it increases the size of a revolving credit line and a convertible note sale.


The European Central Bank raises eurozone interest rates by a quarter point to 3.25%, as widely forecast.


Gina Gershon is returning  to her "Showgirls" stomping grounds in "Love Ranch," Taylor  Hackford's drama of passion and betrayal at a Nevada brothel.


Visiting British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon Tuesday welcomed the on-going Indo-Pak dialogue process and said Britain is keenly watching the progress,according to the private News Network of International.


A team of FBI agents will help investigate the death of Georgia's prime minister as well as a car bombing that killed three policemen, U.S. Ambassador Richard Miles told The Associated Press Monday.


Your company made it to Fortune's 100 Fastest Growing Companies list. Is that a good thing?


Shrek 3's premiere is delayed until 2007 as Dreamworks rearranges its movie release schedule.


A new body will be set up to coordinate health research, but doctors fear it could lead to a cut in the budget.


Now it's same sex and the city for Miranda

BAD luck fellas. Cynthia Nixon, the sassy redhead who played lawyer Miranda Hobbes in the hit series Sex and the City, has changed teams.


Barbra Streisand opened her first  U.S. tour in 12 years on Wednesday with a show that ridiculed  her political nemesis, President George W. Bush.


Old Thinking Hastens Age-related Decline

Aging may not be all in the mind, but negative self-image and stereotypes have a significant impact on age-related symptoms of frailty and memory loss.


None of Chiron Flu Vaccine Safe, FDA Says

None of Chiron Corp.'s flu vaccine  made at a British plant is safe for distribution in the United  States, acting U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner  Lester Crawford said on Friday.


U.S. law enforcers have arrested  dozens in a crackdown on "spam" e-mail, identity theft and  other fraudulent online activity, a person involved in the  investigation said Wednesday.


Week's data to show slack buying figures

Data to be released this week was expected to bring more evidence that the consumer side of the economy is faltering amid rising price pressures and a tight job market.


Until Deception Do Us Part: Scenes From 3 Chilly Marriages

The emotional climate of Bjorn Runge's harrowing drama, which eviscerates the rot of three middle-class marriages, is harsh enough to produce frostbite.


French President Jacques Chirac said Friday he was concerned about the weakness of the US dollar and hinted that the European Union should react to the situation.


It all came together against LSU. The defense allowed an early touchdown and little else. Jason Campbell and the offense produced a scintillating final drive. And that is when Auburn knew it had more than its underachieving, punchless 2003 team.


The security and stability of the internet has once again come to the forefront of the domain name space, as companies spar to get the best deals out of the Internet Corp for Assigned Names and Numbers and the US government.


Lego Sued in Calif. Over Idea for Hit Toy

Two California women have sued Lego  Systems Inc. in Los Angeles, accusing it of stealing an idea  that turned into one of the year's hottest selling toys for the  Danish toy company.


Qualcomm maneuvers around court's chip set ban

Qualcomm is shipping four new wireless chip sets that do not infringe on a video encoding patent held by competitor Broadcom. Qualcomm expects the WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) handsets containing the chips to go on sale in the U.S. by April, it said Wednesday.The announcement comes two days after a U.S. federal judge issued an injunction that stops Qualcomm from selling some wireless chipsets found to infringe on the Broadcom patent.Under a special provision of the injunction, Qualcomm can continue to use Broadcom's patented technology in some existing QChat push-to-talk and 1xEV-DO (Evolution-Data Only) products through Jan. 31, 2009, as long as it pays royalties to Broadcom. New products, or existing products sold to new customers, are not covered by the automatic license.Qualcomm is still developing workarounds for infringing technology included in the QChat and 1xEV-DO products, it said.Broadcom won a patent infringement suit against Qualcomm in May and was awarded $19.6 million in damages. However, Broadcom said the injunction -- which only applies to chip sets sold in the U.S. -- was far more important than the money.Monday's injunction, issued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, also prohibits Qualcomm from some marketing and customer support activities related to WCDMA and EV-DO chips.Qualcomm said it still wants further clarification on some aspects of the injunction, saying it could affect the company's product development. The company said it is also considering filing an appeal or for a stay of the injunction.The two companies still have other patent infringement and antitrust claims pending.


Flawed Device Places F.D.A. Under Scrutiny

The F.D.A.'s oversight of a defibrillator may reveal shortcomings in its regulation of medical devices.


Il magnate punta a rilevare quote di minoranza


German territory and air space may have been used to detain prisoners transferred to Guantanamo Bay, a British organization said Friday, citing reports from prisoners.


Battle of the Beach: When Gales Blew Sand into His Garden, This Pensioner Planned to Shovel It Back - Until He Was Threatened With Jail

By LIZ HULL A PENSIONER has been threatened with prison or a Pounds 50,000 fine if he takes windblown sand back to the beach where it came from. Arthur Bulmer's seafront garden became carpeted after a week of storms swept tons of sand from the beach across the road.


U.S. Congress members vowed on Sunday to investigate the CIA's destruction of videotapes depicting harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects, despite Justice Department advice that the agency not cooperate.


Videogame network G4 tries to keep men's attention

Young male viewers have  "fundamentally left" linear television, but videogame cable  network G4 is working to overcome this by keeping that  lucrative demo engaged in the brand with an assortment of  interactive programming, G4 president Neal Tiles said Tuesday.