Site News: Popular Posts for the Week of 02.08.2008

Popular posts from PHPDeveloper.org for the past week:PHPClasses.org: A PHP killer feature - Streams abstractionRob Thompson's Blog: Switch vs. IfPHPEverywhere: Octopussy numbers in PHPJob Posting: MODE Visual Seeks PHP Developer (Charlotte, NC)ProDevTips.com: Why PHP as a templating language sucksMatthew Turland's Blog: The Yin and Yang of TypingStubbles Blog: Stubbles 0.5.0 releasedChristopher Jones' Blog: Updated connection pooling in PHP's OCI8 extensionBen Ramsey's Blog: Congrats Costa Rica PHP!Carsten Lucke's Blog: Configuration issues with Xdebug on Debian Etch


European stocks climb as Hilton takeover lifts hotels sector

Europe's main stock markets rose Wednesday on the back of takeover talk in the hotels sector, sparked by a huge private equity-backed deal for US group Hilton Hotels Corporation.


Kidnappers threaten to kill Pinoy, 2 others

A group calling itself the Army of Muslims - said to be a new military arm of the Taliban â-laimed responsibility Thursday for the abduction of Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan and two other United Nations election workers in Afghanistan, Al-Jazeera


German critics mock wrinkled rockers on tour trail

Rock stars from the 1960s and 1970s have been hitting Germany's lucrative concert circuit but many of the grandpa-generation acts have disappointed fans and provoked withering reviews in Europe's biggest music market.


Israel's human rights group B'Tselem accuses the Israeli army of recently using two Palestinians as human shields.


Con mezzi a disposizione un controllo ogni 23 anni


Poll: Kerry cuts into Bush lead; race even

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Kerry has erased President Bush's modest lead and the two candidates head into Election Day tied at 49 percent to 49 percent, a nationwide USA Today/ CNN/Gallup Poll shows as an extraordinarily


27 Civilians Die in New Attacks by Iraq Rebels

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 3 - Heavily armed insurgents launched attacks here and in the northern city of Mosul on Friday morning, striking at police stations, military bases and a Shiite mosque.


Tycho:  My heart went out to the woman in the recent clip for Dungeons and Dragons: Stormreach.  At one point, a green face is shown.  Maybe it was a jade face.  Anyway, it looked like it was entrance to a dungeon that I had no interest in raiding for ancient wealth.  Your dungeon entrance says something about you as a subterranean civilization, and this one said that I could avoid it altogether, and not miss much.


WGA, SAG, DGA Strike Over New Media Could Cripple Hollywood

As writers negotiate with producers for a bigger slice of online-distribution revenues, the possibility of actors and directors joining with disgruntled scribes for a megastrike rears its ugly head. It could simultaneously shutter the production of movies, TV and videogames.


Washington: The US labor market escaped a quagmire in October, churning out a seven-month record of 337,000 jobs -- far more than predicted by Wall Street.


CSC throws mince pies at diminishing workforce

Fruit and nutty bonus scheme Outsourcing firm CSC has sprinkled a little bit of Christmas cheer on its thinning UK workforce by sending a mince pie to each of its employees.â¦


Cheney under political cloud after Libby trial

The White House offered support on Wednesday for Vice President Dick Cheney, a powerful proponent of the Iraq war, after the conviction of his top aide dealt a fresh blow to Cheney's political reputation and raised new questions about his influence.


Vince Gilligan needed a character who would do something truly despicable. So he turned to the ugliest thing he could think of: methamphetamine.


A reservist who lost his right arm in a roadside bombing in Iraq re-enlisted in the Army on the same day he received a Bronze Star for his service.


Police find bomb in London, launch terrorism probe

British police defused a bomb in an abandoned car in London's theatre district on Friday and launched a counter-terrorism investigation.


Verizon sues pretexting firms linked to HP probe

Verizon Wireless VZ.N sued 20   unnamed data brokers for fraudulently obtaining private   telephone records belonging to Hewlett-Packard Co. HPQ.N   board members and journalists as part of an HP investigation   into boardroom leaks.


Poland will reduce its commitment of forces to the war in Iraq by 40 percent by the end of 2005, the Polish Defense Ministry in Warsaw says.


Joey Dorsey (15) of Memphis and Savannah State's Wesley West (3) fight for a loose ball during the first half on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.


Oilfield services company Halliburton  Co. HAL.N on Monday said its subsidiaries Kellogg Brown &  Root and DII Industries have emerged from the year-long  bankruptcy proceedings it instigated to facilitate a $4.2  billion asbestos settlement.


Serena Williams demonstrated that her shaky knee is holding up fine, sweeping past Patty Schnyder 6-4, 6-2 yesterday to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open.


For Cancer Patients, Empathy Goes a Long Way

At a scary time for patients, too few doctors ask about feelings, a new study finds.


Zito, Thomas lead A's over Twins in ALDS

In the place where Johan Santana usually can't be beaten, Barry Zito and Frank Thomas slowed Minnesota's momentum and gave Oakland a big boost to start this AL division series. Zito threw eight innings, besting Santana behind two big home runs by Thomas and sending the Athletics to a 3-2 victory over the Twins on Tuesday afternoon.


Record crude oil prices rise for 3rd day

Crude oil futures rose to a record for a third day, reaching US$52.53 a barrel in New York, on concern US supplies may be insufficient to meet demand this winter.


Egypt frees cleric at center of CIA kidnap case

Egyptian authorities have released a  Muslim cleric kidnapped in a suspected CIA operation in Italy  and handed to Egypt, the cleric's lawyer said on Sunday.


Community News: XAMPP Usage Survey Results Posted

As per php|architect the XAMPP Group has released ther results of a survey for users of the package.   Included in the spotlights of the results were things like:   Almost half of the XAMPP users would like to also have ASP.NET bundled with XAMPP XAMPP is popular not only in private use (91%) but also in the non-profit and educational sectors XAMPP users are generally pretty neutral when it comes to frameworks and add-on packages like phpBB and Wordpress being bundled with the package Over half would like to see PostgreSQL bundled also, not just MySQL


'One British soldier dead', 16 injured in Canada road crash: BBC

The Ministry of Defence in London said it was probing reports that one British soldier had been killed and 16 others injured in a road crash in Canada.


Abbas hints at dissolving Hamas-led government

RAMALLAH, West Bank  - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday he might opt to dissolve the Hamas-led government and that unity talks with the Islamist group had broken down.


Peter Falk says he supplied Columbo coat

Peter Falk, who played the rumpled, crime-solving police lieutenant in the "Columbo" television series starting in 1971 and in made-for-TV movies until 2003, said he was dissatisfied with the stylish clothes laid out for him to consider for the show's debut.


CNET News.com's Daniel Terdiman and his "Warriors" teammates furiously dial in at the Come Out and Play street games festival.


Third-quarter profit, helped by sales of jet fighters and electronic warfare systems, beat Wall Street expectations, but the companyâs forecast for next year was slightly below analystsâ estimates.


Israeli minister warns of Gaza offensive

Israeli defence minister warns that armed forces are preparing for a broad offensive against Gaza in response to rocket attacks on southern Israeli towns


Test to Predict Breast Cancer Relapse Is Approved

The approval marks a step toward an era in which medical treatments are personalized for each patient.


Firenze, 18:16 - CALCIO, TORINO; DE BIASI: SONO ARRIVATO SOLO LUNEDI'

"Siamo venuti per fare una partita intelligente, ci siamo anche riusciti per un pÃ², poi la Fiorenti...


Supporting Cast Teaches Bryant to Appreciate Los Angeles

That the Lakers are now bumping up against the N.B.A.âs top tier â with Kobe Bryant firmly at the controls â is a surprise to everyone except perhaps Bryant.


A new list of the top machines is  about to be released and SGI, IBM and others are jostling for bragging rights.


Marsh & McLennan Cos. MMC.N, the  world's largest insurance broker, on Tuesday said it will  reform and stop accepting fees that New York's attorney general  said amounted to bid-rigging.


Hospital budget up 20%; ambulance care studied

Martinsville -- For the second year in a row, Morgan Hospital and Medical Center officials will start the new year with a planned spending increase of more than 20 percent.


BAGHDAD A marine who appears to shoot and kill an unarmed and wounded Iraqi prisoner in a videotape was not aware that the incident was being recorded, and moments later approached the reporter with seemingly remorseful words - "I didn't know, sir, I didn


EU insists Serbia arrest war crime suspect

The European Union says it will resume talks with Serbia only after a Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect is handed over to a U.N. tribunal.Comment


419er needs $2k to buy portrait of Queen

Lad from Lagos in a right royal state Calling all true patriots: one of the Lads from Lagos has got himself into a right royal state and needs a quick $2k to fulfil a lifetime's ambition to hang a pic of Her Imperial Majestyness Queen Liz II on the wall. Read on...â¦


JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday rejected calls from Jewish settlers to hold a nationwide referendum on his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, escalating a bitter dispute with former allies who accuse him of leading Israel toward civil war.


Close Ties Between Iran And Pak Are A Source Of Strength And Peace ...

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : Dec 29 (PID) - The Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Syed Kamal Kharrazi called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Tuesday.


Jury deadlocked on 'one or more' of the 16 criminal counts facing the fallen media mogul.


FCC Aims to Lift Airborne Wireless Phone Ban

Airline travelers might be able to  use their mobile phones and other wireless devices in the air  under a proposal put forward by U.S. communications regulators  on Wednesday to ease the current ban.


Yukos is making a last-ditch attempt to use the US courts to preserve some kind of future for itself. But its adventure as Russia's biggest private sector company - an


Merck Makes Deal to Develop Schizophrenia Drug

Merck agreed to pay a Swiss company, Addex Pharmaceuticals, as much as $702 million to help develop a new schizophrenia drug.


Andrew Cole and Papa Bouba Diop will begin their three-match suspensions when Fulham face Boston at York Street on Wednesday night, following their dismissals against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.


August 18, 2004UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called on Burma's military government to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and to speed up political reform. He also called on the region's ...


170 Sign Up to Speak At Baseball Hearing

Like two teams before a big game, supporters and detractors of a plan to bring baseball to the District are preparing their lineups for tomorrow's showdown before the DC Council.


Russell Crowe axes gaming machines from his club

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has  won a lengthy battle to ban gambling machines from the Sydney  rugby league club he co-owns in a bid to make it more  family-friendly.


Baghdad's Airport Road Symbol of U.S. Frustration

As U.S. forces bore down on Baghdad in  April last year, the first objective they took before the  assault on the capital itself was the airport.


Twentieth 'Polarstern' expedition to Arctic is drawing to a close

On October 3rd, the German research vessel 'Polarstern' of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research will return to Bremerhaven from its 20th arctic expedition.


Spanish researchers said Monday they've won permission to open a tomb in the Dominican Republic purported to hold remains of Christopher Columbus, edging closer to solving a century-old mystery over whether those bones or a rival set in Spain are the real thing.


BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- When yesterday's Ryder Cup pairings were announced, Bernhard Langer knew his team had been given an opportunity.


The Patriots Bury a Rookie in Covering Familiar A.F.C. Title Ground

The New England Patriots will attempt to win their third N.F.L. title in four seasons.


Ericsson returns to quarterly profit as world markets show growth

Swedish telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson reported a return to net profit in the third quarter, lifted by healthy growth in its international markets.


European Union signals new effort to change business and worker attitudes

BRUSSELS  - The European Union head office said Monday it will do more to lure its workers out of the cocoon of the welfare state and toward entrepreneurship in an attempt to reach its goal of becoming the world's most competitive economy by 2010.


Sudan sent plans for large U.N.-AU Darfur force

The United Nations handed over to Sudan on Friday detailed plans for a Darfur peacekeeping force of more than 23,000 troops and police to protect civilians and use force to deter violence.


Gambling-related suicides will hit record high, Ontario chief ...

TORONTO -- Ontario's chief coroner says the number of suicides related to casino gambling will reach a record level in the province in 2004, CBC News reported Thursday.


US rock band Linkin Park set up a charity fund for countries hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.


Coast Guard Finds Flaws In Converted Patrol Boats

Months after a whistle-blower took to the popular Web site YouTube to warn of communications problems with converted patrol boats, the Coast Guard says it has stopped using the ships after finding structural problems that made them potentially dangerous.


Hanesbrands Inc. HBI.N said on   Wednesday it would close some plants in Mexico and the United   States, cutting more than 2,000 jobs, as part of its plan to   reduce costs and streamline manufacturing operations.


2nd Official Dissented Over Pequot Inquiry

An investigator had serious misgivings about decisions being made on the case by senior S.E.C. officials.


TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Catholic Diocese of Tucson is placing ads in publications nationwide to notify abuse victims that they must file claims by a deadline or lose the right to seek compensation.


'Phantom' a treat to see but not always to hear

For Michael Crawford fans, the long-awaited film version of the stage musical "The Phantom of the Opera" definitely will ring a false note or two.


Fatah and Hamas gunmen clash despite unity talks

JENIN, West Bank  - Fatah gunmen shot at the convoy of a minister from the rival Hamas movement in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, the first factional violence since Palestinian unity talks began a month ago.


GLASGOW: Rangers warmed up for their midweek showdown with Celtic by knocking four goals past Livingston to cut their arch rivals' lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League back to four points.


WHO warns of potential pandemic over 'bird flu' virus infections ...

Shanghai. (Interfax-China) -The World Health Organization (WHO) warned the of potential dangers of an outbreak of influenza H5N1 infections in pigs in China.


XM and Sirius to disclose merger today: paper

The two main satellite radio  providers, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.  and Sirius   are expected to announce a long-awaited merger on  Monday, according to the New York Post.


EA is to release a free version of the popular Battlefield game supported by adverts and micro payments.


Trusted computing a shield against worst attacks?

The case for identifiable devices Trusted computing proponents may have found their best argument yet for incorporating specialised security hardware into every computer system.â¦


Trainer Dermot Weld ended weeks of speculation this morning when he declared Vinnie Roe will start in todayâs Melbourne Cup. Weld made the decision after walking the track around 8am.


Brian Westbrook scored two touchdowns and the Eagles' defense made life miserable for Eli Manning and frustrating for Barrett Green.


Williams makes belated Hopman Cup entrance

Serena Williams made a belated arrival at the Hopman Cup on Sunday, pronouncing herself ready to go for her first match against the Czech Republic on Monday.


Poland's shaky government survived the  latest political crisis on Monday when two junior coalition  parties abandoned their threat to walk out and bring forward  early elections.


Irish band U2 smash Irish box office records with tickets sales for their two Dublin concerts in June.


Second Round of Ukraine Election Provides Opportunity for Left

For the first time since Ukraine gained independence, leftist parties that date back to the Soviet era will play a key role in determining the nation's next leader.


GOLF: Stolz goes from the cellar to top shelf

FAIRY tales don't come any more fanciful than The Andre Stolz Story, a real-life biography which throbbed to a thunderous climax in the appropriate setting of Las Vegas yesterday.


MEMBERS of a fathers' rights group blocked the main road bridge between England and south Wales hours before the Queen was due to attend a concert in the Welsh capital.


Shares of Merck and Co. plunged nearly 27 percent Thursday on news that the pharmaceutical giant was pulling the popular arthritis pain medication Vioxx off the market in the largest drug withdrawal in US history.


Unity Lacking On Diplomatic Approach to Burma's Junta

BANGKOK, Oct. 24 -- While activists focus on increasing pressure on Burma's military leaders to open a dialogue with the country's pro-democracy activists, diplomatic consensus is eroding on what steps to take next.


Antonio Bryant was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday for Quincy Morgan. The deal will give the two receivers, both former second-round picks who have shown flashes of being NFL stars, fresh starts.


Aristide Backers Riot for 3rd Day in Haiti; Death Toll Rises to 7

Supporters of Haiti's ousted president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, threw stones and fired guns on streets littered with debris and overturned cars on


Reborn Superdome symbolic of New Orleans will to rebuild

Signs of Hurricane Katrina's   devastation remain visible throughout this once-dynamic port   city, yet the resurrection of the iconic Superdome is symbolic   of its will to rebuild.


Is portable video ready for its closeup?

A few years ago, when MP3 players were establishing themselves as the hot cool thing, the next step seemed clear: What if you could take along not only music but movies, television programs


Darren Clarke -- playing competitive   golf for only the second time since the death of his wife   Heather last month -- sobbed in the arms of his caddie on   Sunday after winning his Ryder Cup singles match.


Amy Winehouse will not perform at the Grammy Awards this weekend because she's been refused permission to touch down on American soil, according to her publicist   "The singer has been invited to appear at the event on Sunday after receiving an amazi...


Witness: Associate's past angered Jackson

Michael Jackson tried to fire the man he hired to produce a benefit recording for victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks after learning the associate once directed gay porn movies, according to the entertainer's former lawyer.


Sonic Chair Boom Box has brains to match the beauty of its Austin Powers-era design. From CNET's new gadgets blog, Crave.


Packersâ Robinson Playing for Redemption and a Ring

Because for all of Koren Robinsonâs undisputed talent, the 6-foot-1 frame, the sprinterâs speed, the Pro Bowl on his rÃ©sumÃ©, he has let folks down in the past.


Album music sales drop, singles in renaissance

The Associated Press today reported 2007's substantial decline in the music industry's album sales, illustrating how albums are no longer the vehicle of choice for music consumption.


Itâs a multi-protocol world Mobile Workshop It doesnât seem that long ago that we were debating whether Wi-Fi would make 3G redundant. Well it didnât happen, and with the âson of 3Gâ, HSDPA, now a mainstream option for business connectivity, and driving rapid uptake, it seems less likely than ever that cellular data options are going to go away.â¦


Parma, 22:40 - CALCIO, UEFA: PARMA-HEERENVEEN 2-1, DOPPIETTA PER BUDAN

Il Parma vince 2-1 al "Tardini" la gara valida per il gruppo D di coppa Uefa contro gli olandesi del...


Dueling Approaches to Foreclosure Relief

Most people struggling to hold on to their homes want someone to do something to help them, and often that someone is Uncle Sam.


U.N. Urges Expansion of Tsunami Warning System to Indian Ocean

A tsunami warning system should be in place in South Asia and Southeast Asia within a year, the U.N. said.


MIAMI - Coach Stan Van Gundy had a short wish list Monday â-eep Shaquille O'Neal healthy and get more practice time. "We haven't practiced in five days," Van Gundy said.


PARIS - The City of Light wants to soon become a city of bicycles. Paris City Hall announced it has selected French outdoor advertising firm JCDecaux SA to operate a new free bicycle service in the capital.


No. 4 Syracuse, No. 7 Connecticut, No. 16 Pittsburgh and No. 21 Notre Dame top a league that may be as deep as any in the country.


Public Shaming of Prostitutes Misfires in China

BEIJING, Dec. 8 -- To local officials combating Shenzhen's reputation as a den of vice, it seemed like a good idea, the perfect way to dissuade provincial girls from turning to prostitution in the big city and frighten away the men who patronize their brothels.


Israel's Labor chief: Party eager to join Sharon

The head of Israel's opposition Labor Party signaled Thursday that his party is not only willing but eager to join a unity government with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon because it backs his plan to pull out of Gaza and parts of


Canon to start making its own photo printers

Canon Inc. (7751.T), the world's  third-biggest printer maker, said on Thursday it would start  making its own photo printers, in addition to the models it  buys from an outside supplier, to meet rising demand.


Britain's finance minister Brown heads to Africa to sell new 'Marshall Plan'

Britain's finance minister Gordon Brown was due to embark on a tour of east and southern Africa, expected to be used as a chance to sell his ambitious notion of a so-called "new Marshall Plan" to help the continent.


Britain seeks gold mkt stability in IMF revaluation

Any revaluation of International Monetary Fund (IMF) gold reserves would have to be done in a way which would preserve gold market stability, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said on Monday.


Coffee Break - Tax Freeze Changes Fall to Council

By The Commercial Appeal  The City Council will vote Oct. 3 on proposed changes to a local tax freeze program.


L'antitrust non ferma la procedura formale sulla vicenda


Voting Begins In Bosnian Local Elections

2 October 2004 -- Bosnians began voting today in the country's first locally organized local elections since the 1992-95 war. Around 2.3 million voters are eligible to elect local councils and mayors in 142 municipalities.


Panel Urges Child Antidepressants Warning

WASHINGTON Sept. 15, 2004 - All drugs used to treat depressed children should carry a "black box" warning of the antidepressants' link to increased suicidal thoughts and actions, says a panel of federal advisers.


With a legacy of pugilism growing by the series, the Yankees and the Red Sox continued to add to their long list of run-ins, although Sunday's slights and brushbacks were


Fox Interactive in distribution talks other media

News Corp.'s MySpace is in "very  active" discussions with other media companies to distribute  video not owned by Rupert Murdoch's company, the head of its  Internet division said on Wednesday.


French doctors prepare to carry out the first operation on a human in "weightless" conditions aboard an aircraft.


In a matter of 11 days, they turned the baseball world upside down. The Boston Red Sox, a franchise that had cornered the market on hardball heartache, that had shed too many tears and endured too many disappointments, vowed this time to alter history.


I'm worried about North Carolina's future. We are indeed privileged to live in a state of stunning natural beauty and a state that is also poised for rapid population growth in the near future.


Increasing the activity of a single gene turns a mere rodent into Mighty Mouse, according to a new study. California scientists have genetically engineered an animal that has more muscle, less


Indonesian police arrest Australian embassy bombers

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian National Police Chief General Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that the police had captured the alleged perpetrators of the bomb blast in front of the Australian embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Sept.


Courtroom heats up in pretrial hearings.

A California judge rejected Michael Jackson's lawyer's requests to remove district attorney Tom Sneddon from Jackson's child molestation case.


LONDON, - Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher was distressed to learn her son Mark had been arrested in South Africa and charged with funding a coup plot in Equatorial Guinea, but was confident he would be found innocent, her spokesman


A man is stabbed in a fight at the Vibe hip-hop awards, where rapper Dr Dre was punched in the face.


Fatturato e' cresciuto del 13% a 6,9 miliardi


Dines Mikaelsen steadies a .22 rifle against the bow of his gently bobbing boat, loads the chamber and whispers to his companions to keep quiet.


US government funds tiny steps to fight cancer

WASHINGTON  - The US government will spend a whopping 144.3 million dollars to apply nanotechnology to the fight against cancer, the National Cancer Institute (news - web sites) announced.


Iraqis Face Winter Shivering by Candlelight

As if the daily struggle to dodge bullets and bombings is not enough, many Iraqis now face a freezing winter shivering by candlelight as persistent attacks keep the power out for more than 12 hours a day.


Legislation May Bring New Attention to Trail of Tears

CHATTANOOGA -- Standing in a cabin in the woods, Cherokee descendant Alva Crowe plays a flute made of river cane for kindergarten students on a field trip to the Trail of Tears.


Snow, ice and high winds extended from the Great Lakes to the Texas Panhandle on Thursday, tying up traffic, delaying flights and disrupting holiday travel plans for thousands of people.


Michigan took care of Mike Hart's guarantee with ease. Hart ran for 187 yards on 35 carries and scored two touchdowns, and Ryan Mallett threw for three scores, leading the Wolverines to a 38-0 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.


Nokia posts strong third quarter earnings

Nokia announced Thursday an 85 percent rise in third quarter net profit to 1.56 billion euros (2.22 billion dollars) as it solidified its position as the leading mobile phone maker with 39 percent of the market.


In difficolta' il Numtel penalizzato dal crollo dei Fastweb


Lotto operator Camelot searches for winning tickets, as millions of pounds in prize money remains unclaimed.


A new documentary takes a critical look at the statutory rape case that sent the director into exile for good


Pursuing Synthetic Life, Dazzled by Reality

The most profound insights to emerge from the pursuit of synthetic life just may be about real life.


Fiji military stages coup, fourth in 20 years

Fiji's military chief said on Tuesday the army had taken over the country, plunging the South Pacific island nation into its fourth coup in 20 years.


For Recipients of Medicare, the Hard Sell

Federal officials are trying to cut down on aggressive or deceptive sales pitches for Medicare Advantage plans.


E' responsabilita' di tutti, collabori anche opposizione


Jacqueline Coats' husband drowned after he dove into a fierce Pacific Ocean riptide to rescue two boys. Now the immigrant from Kenya might be forced to leave the United States because he died before filing her residency application.


(InfoWorld) - Microsoft Corp. is recommending that all customers still running Windows XP SP1 immediately upgrade to Windows XP SP2, as the company's support for SP1 will end next week. The Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy for Windows XP SP1 ends on Tuesday according toÂ a company Web page. Microsoft initially planned to end support for Windows XP SP1 on Sept. 17, 2006, two years after Windows XP SP2 was released. However, earlier this year, Microsoft shifted the final support date for XP SP1 to Oct. 10. Microsoft typically provides 12 months of support for service packs, but will extend that support period for products it thinks customers need extra help and time to install. For typical consumer products, Microsoft provides five years of mainstream support. Business customers and developers typically get 10 years of support -- five of mainstream support and five of what is called "extended" support. Microsoft expects to releaseÂ the next major upgrade to the Windows client OS, Windows Vista, to business customers next month, and to consumers in January 2007. Though the release has been delayed several times, the general consensus among analysts is that Microsoft will hit its latest release target for Vista.


Mass. home prices fall 6.1% as downturn gathers speed

The downturn in the Massachusetts housing market gained momentum in August, with the median price of a single-family home falling 6.1 percent, to $352,000, and the number of sales down 21.6 percent from last year, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors said yesterday.


Prince Harry won't say sorry for paparazzi scuffle

Prince Harry will not make a public apology for his scuffle with a photographer outside a London nightclub, his spokesman said.


Teacher Faces Prison for Pop-Up Infested PC

Crazy, but true: Woman convicted of exposing minors to porn, could serve 40 years.


(12/15/04)-- Investors are not necessarily eager for higher interest rates, but at least the Federal Reserve's quarter-percent boost brought no surprises.


Bearded Letterman returns after 2 months

A fully bearded David Letterman opened his first show in two months by walking out amid dancing girls holding picket signs for striking TV writers. "I know what you're thinking," Letterman said of his mostly white beard. "You think Dave looks like a cattle-drive cook."


UPDATE 2-Rugby-Nine-try New Zealand cruise past Italy

An experimental All Blacks side ran in nine tries to cruise to a 59-10 win over Italy at Rome's Stadio Flaminio on Saturday. The home team were never in the contest after a torrid


Berlusconi: "Accordo con Zapatero sul patto di stabilitÃ "

CUENCA - Accordo tra il premier spagnolo JosÃ¨ Luis Rodriguez Zapatero e il presidente del Consiglio italiano Silvio Berlusconi su un'applicazione flessibile del patto di stabilitÃ  Ue. L'intesa, raggiunta


Protesters disrupt Caterpillar shareholder meeting

ST. CHARLES, Illinois  - A handful of protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Take responsibility and do the right thing" on Wednesday disrupted the annual meeting of Caterpillar Inc. , prompting the company to adjourn 30 minutes early.


Flood watches and warnings were in place from Texas to Missouri on Saturday as forecasters predicted more rain in the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley.


Asian Bank Urges China on Currency Reform

The head of the Asian Development Bank on Tuesday urged Beijing to adopt a more flexible currency exchange system, saying removing the yuan's peg to the dollar will be good for both China and its neighbors.


Jury Rules Sarin Test Caused Soldier Death

A jury in a special inquest ruled Monday that a Royal Air Force mechanic was killed in 1953 by the poison gas sarin as part of secret military tests into chemical warfare.


Counterfeit Toothpaste Found In Arlington Shop, Police Say

Tubes of fake Colgate toothpaste were found at a discount store in Arlington late Thursday night, the Arlington County Police Department said.


Wales finish by making right sort of splash

WELSHMEN Phillip Price and Bradley Dredge had to birdie the final three holes to remain in contention at the World Cup in Spain. The Wales duo had slipped way off the hot foursomes pace being set by England's


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


BRUSSELS - A group of extreme-right members of the European Parliament was dissolved yesterday after its outraged Romanian contingent walked out in an argument over racism.


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed to fight his FA misconduct charge as he defended his right to criticise Ruud van Nistelrooy in public.


All the papers focus this morning on the accident at the Deutsche Bank building at 130 Liberty Street on Thursday afternoon that injured two firefighters. It came on the same day as the funeral of Joseph Graffagnino, 33, one of two firefighters who died in the fire at the tower on Saturday. A worker lost control [...].


The new UN Human Rights Council reaches a deal on how it will scrutinise member states' rights records.


GOP hopefuls assailed for debate no-show

The top four Republican presidential candidates have set off a debate over whether the GOP is paying enough attention to blacks and Hispanics by skipping Thursday night's debate on minority issues.


Google wants to help you effectively access the piles of information you store in the documents, e-mail messages, Web pages, and contact lists stuffed on your PC.


A man who reported his wife missing more than 11 years ago has been charged with her murder after authorities following a tip found bones and clothes they believe belonged to the woman.


WASHINGTON - Congress has passed and President Bush will sign a historic piece of legislation that will revamp the nation's intelligence system.


President Bush gives a salute as he walks to his limousine at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 after his annual physical.


Hackers can Hijack PCs With Firefox Add-Ons

Hackers can drop malicious code into systems running Firefox when the browser is armed with Google Toolbar, Yahoo Toolbar, or other add-ons.


Bush sketches term-two agenda: anti-terror war, tax overhaul ...

Promising an aggressive foreign and domestic policy agenda in his second term, President Bush signaled Wednesday at his first post-election news conference that an assault by


MOSCOW - In the aftermath of a wave of terror attacks, President Vladimir Putin yesterday announced fundamental political changes that will further concentrate power in the Kremlin and erode Russia's fragile democracy.


NEW YORK - Bill Clinton underwent a successful quadruple heart bypass operation Monday to relieve severely clogged arteries that doctors said put the former president at grave risk of suffering a heart attack.    Clinton is expected to make a full recovery, but doctors said he was fortunate to have checked himself into the hospital when he did...


Register to win a $2,400 scholarship for you or a family member. Simply fill out the 3-step form for additional information from any of our colleges and you will automatically be entered.


The prevailing theory among the Red Sox media regulars is that you can rhapsodize about David "Senor Octubre" Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, and Pedro Martinez -- the marquee guys -- ad infinitum, but the MVP (Most Valuable Person) on the Boston Red Sox is Jason Varitek.


Raised in the projects in an old steel town, Edward "Willie" Carman saw the Army as a chance to build a new life.


The Reds accomplished one of their top offseason priorities Tuesday by agreeing to an $8.2 million, two-year contract with right-hander Paul Wilson.


Gold fever hits China ahead of lunar new year

Golden hogs are flying off the shelves as China prepares to welcome the Year of the Pig.


Mitt Romney's assertion about lobbyists and his presidential campaign was challenged by an Associated Press reporter Thursday. The blogosphere immediately lit up over the exchange.


Dems positioned to challenge GOP control

Aided by public revulsion over an Internet-age sex scandal, Democrats enter the final month of the campaign well-positioned to challenge for control of Congress, while Republicans increasingly express concern about holding onto power.


Ralph Laurenâs five-year contract extension could be worth much more than $100 million, not counting the reimbursement for the use of private jets and helicopters.


Climbers, Copters Seek Trio Missing on Mount Hood

HOOD RIVER, Ore., Dec. 16 -- Expert mountaineers scoured the upper elevations of Mount Hood on Saturday as helicopters flew overhead  in the search for three climbers missing for a week on the snow-covered, wind-blasted peak.


Safin tallest obstacle to host's patriotic games hope

AS tennis fans go, Houston's Jim 'Mattress Mack' McIngvale is very rich, extremely forthright, exceedingly patriotic and unflinchingly Republican.


GOP House members urge no funds for UN without documents probe

_ Three New York lawmakers on Thursday joined the growing chorus of Republicans criticizing the United Nations over the oil-for-food scandal, urging Congress to withhold dues payments to the world body.


Campaign aides for the leading Democratic presidential candidates have been working together on how to keep their bosses apart — at least for a while.


The hunting of wild animals by hungry refugees in East Africa threatens wildlife populations, say conservationists.


Economic development at the expense of the environment is like grabbing a good seat in the cinema of a sinking luxury liner.  Even worse, the more rapid the development, the more damage it does to the environment.  We are heavily indebted to environment.


Bush aims to double funds to fight global AIDS

President George W. Bush on Wednesday asked the U.S. Congress to double the U.S. financial commitment to combat AIDS globally, particularly in hard-hit Africa, to $30 billion over five years starting next year.


U.S. stocks are set to open lower on  Monday with oil prices pushing higher and Wall Street on edge  as the Republican National Convention gets underway in New York  amid heightened security concerns.


From rice to nukes, Koreas find little unity

North and South Korean officials meet in high-level talks this week.


Afghan rally demands amnesty for war crimes

About 30,000 Afghans rallied at what was once a Taliban execution center in Kabul on Friday to press President Hamid Karzai to approve a blanket amnesty for 25 years of war crimes.


'Nessun complotto o mio interesse economico'


Economy grew at slower pace than first believed

WASHINGTON - Weighed down by rising energy prices, the economy was even more sluggish than initially believed during the second quarter.


CIA Documents: U.S. Knew of Venezuela Coup

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency knew dissident military officers were planning a coup in 2002 against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, according to purported U.S. intelligence documents posted on the Internet.


Security Council agrees on Sudan resolution as foes pledge ...

NAIROBI  - UN ambassadors agreed here unanimously on the text of a resolution aimed at restoring peace to war-ravaged Sudan, as the country's main foes promised to conclude talks on their 21-year-old conflict by the end of the year.


American society is increasingly polarized, our politics ever more fractious, and I believe most of us are figuring out that we spend far too much time and energy dwelling on our differences rather than embracing the similarities and commonalities that unite us as Americans.


Gates charity funds free Internet access in Eastern Europe, Botswana

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced it was giving 17.5 million dollars in grants to improve Internet access in public libraries in Botswana, Latvia and Lithuania.


Almost two thirds of homosexual pupils in Britain's schools have been bullied, a survey suggests.


Like father, like son? The 4-year-old son of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin wasn't at all alarmed when he was recently bitten by a baby boa constrictor, according to his mother.


Rice backs Blair ahead of Mideast Quartet meeting

The United States will keep leading  Middle East peace efforts with Tony Blair playing a  complementary role as envoy to the Quartet of mediators,  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday.


India Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile

NEW DELHI, India  - India successfully test fired  a long-range nuclear-capable Agni II missile off its eastern  coast of Orissa Sunday, a defense ministry spokesman said.


Yahoo's Internet photo site Flickr.com blocked in China

Yahoo Inc's popular Internet photo site Flickr.com was blocked in China, the company said Wednesday, amid reports that authorities restricted access due to photos of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.


The BBC's Steven Eke reflects on this year's contrasting elections in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.


Heavy cell phone use tied to poorer sperm quality

NEW YORK  - Spending hours on a cell phone each day may affect the quality of a man's sperm, preliminary research suggests.


Israeli jets force a flight to Tel Aviv to land in Cyprus after a bomb alert  German officials did not consider serious.


Five killed when plane crashes into Florida homes

ORLANDO, Florida  - A small plane attempting an emergency landing crashed into two houses near Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, killing at least five people and causing an intense fire, investigators said.


Cuba will deport reputed drug kingpin Luis Hernando Gomez Bustamante to Colombia, which plans to extradite him to the United States, a government official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.


Ebay Inc. has agreed to acquire property listings site Rent.com Inc. for US$415 million in its latest move to expand beyond online auctions, the company said late Thursday.


Black enfatizza le gambe, focus sugli accessori


Science & environment: Green campaigners round on government over amendment of climate change bill.


Israeli fails to launder stolen washing machine

An Israeli was charged with burglary after laundry left in a washing machine he was trying to sell showed it had been stolen.


UN atomic agency puts off report again as Iran-EU nuclear deal ...

VIENNA : The UN atomic agency has postponed until Monday releasing a landmark report on Iran's nuclear program as EU officials pursue talks to save a deal for the Islamic Republic to suspend uranium enrichment and avoid possible UN sanctions, diplomats


The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Charles attend a gala performance at the Wales Millennium Centre.


Red Sox payroll pays off in so many ways

Money well spent. On Mike Lowell, whose salary Boston was willing to swallow in a trade for Josh Beckett and became the second World Series Most Valuable Player in franchise history. On Beckett himself, a Florida fire sale find who delivered one of the most dominating postseason pitching performances in baseball history.


Hilton Hotels to boost global expansion: WSJ

Hilton Hotels Corp.  has signed  deals with three real-estate groups to develop more than 55  properties in Russia, Britain and parts of Central America, the  Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.


Senate Protects Telecom Immunity in Spy Bill

The Senate voted today to preserve retroactive immunity from lawsuits for telecommunications companies that cooperated with a government eavesdropping program, decisively rejecting an amendment that would have stripped the provision from a bill to modernize an electronic surveillance law.


Prodi: e' andata come auspicavamo ma nostra linea non cambia


Nobel prize winner Pamuk to tour Germany after all

Nobel-prize winning Turkish novelist  Orhan Pamuk will embark on a book reading tour in Germany in  May after he canceled the visit at short notice five weeks ago  amid concerns for his safety.


Can newscasts retain the college crowd beyond the elections?


Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has launched its long-awaited online movie download store, entering a market that has yet to catch on with consumers but is expected to grow rapidly


New mobile browser enables Flash video through server-side rendering

While the mobile phone industry scrambles to adopt faster graphics platforms for rendering video, a startup may have bypassed everyone with an approach so simple, you wonder why nobody tried it already.


Korea talks limp to an end over feud on food aid

The two Koreas ended four days of talks on Friday unable to agree on anything other than to keep in touch, with the North demanding rice aid and the South refusing until its impoverished neighbor starts nuclear disarmament.


Conscientious saver or complete slacker? Find out right now.


Imagine attending the world's film festivals and hobnobbing with fellow cinephiles without moving from your armchair, and you've got the idea behind a Web site called Jaman.com.


Four killed, several injured in storm lashing western, northern ...

A storm lashed Friday in western andnorthern France and the region of Paris, killing four people and injuring several others as well as cutting power to 385,000 homes.


Startup teams with Sun on enhanced 10G Ethernet

San Jose, Calif. - S2io Inc. said last week it is working with Sun Microsystems Inc. to design the startup's next-generation 10-Gigabit Ethernet adapter.


Pierre Gemayel's murder is yet another blow to the Christian bloc, sidelined by a Sunni-Shiite political divide.


Denver loses as gold-mining merger scuttled

Denver lost out on becoming headquarters of the world's seventh-largest gold company Tuesday after shareholders defeated a proposed $2.9 billion international mining merger between Canada's Iamgold and South Africa-based Gold Fields Ltd.


Overseas Democrats going to polls electronically

On Super Tuesday, voters in Beijing will cast ballots for the U.S. Democratic Party presidential candidate of their choice.


The proportion of degrees awarded a first or 2:1 at Liverpool University jumped this year from 63% to 72%.


Astronauts aboard the shuttle Atlantis today performed a fly-around to get a look at the space station before leaving.


Fernando Alonso named an Ambassador for the UNICEF Spanish Committee

Renault F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso has been named as the latest ambassador for the UNICEF Spanish Committee, working for childrenâs rights.


Limbaugh appeals to Apple's Jobs for help

Rush Limbaugh's radio show probably isn't streamed to that many desks at Apple headquarters, but El Rushbo is thinking about asking El Jobso for a little tech support.


Prc insoddisfatta "posizioni distanti",fiduciosi Rnp e Udeur


Hasin Hayder's Blog: International PHP-Magazine - Is it dead?

Hasin Hayder asks a question in his latest blog post that some in the PHP community have been wondering for a while now - is the International PHP Magazine dead?   I am a subscriber of International PHP Magazine for years. I bought the subscription looking at the back issues. They were sexy, resourceful and yup, very good. But I think these guys don't care about the magazine anymore. It became just a funny stuff for them. All the readers/subscribers and viewers doesnÃ¢ÂÂt bring any value to them. Look what they are doing actually...   He points out six things that the magazine and its staff are doing including RoR articles in an issue, content on the site that's way out of date and the smaller size of recent issues. Comments to the post point out that there has been issues released but that the magazine is published by a non-technical company that just might be pushing this particular publication aside.


Udine, 13:10 - CALCIO, UDINESE; MARINO: CONTRO JUVE SQUADRA AL MASSIMO

Pasquale Marino sa benissimo che per battere la Juventus servirà la miglior Udinese. "Dovremo...


World crude prices have risen amid fears that supplies from the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico could be disrupted by Hurricane Ivan. Energy companies have evacuated thousands of offshore workers and shut down some production in the region.


Anna Kournikova will open the season, Pete Sampras plans to play four matches and John McEnroe will try to keep up "with the big boys" of World Team Tennis.


Chevrolet Kalos tre porte: linea piÃ¹ dinamica e prestazioni ...

Tra non molto, la Kalos, compatta cinque porte a trazione anteriore, sarÃ  offerta anche in versione tre porte: al Salone di Parigi viene mostrata in anteprima mondiale la vettura che sarÃ  commercializzata in Europa nel Febbraio 2005.


Mantova, 19:04 - CALCIO, MANTOVA: LAVORO PARZIALE PER PASSONI

Doppia seduta di allenamento per il Mantova. In mattinata atletica: assente Noselli, differenziato i...


La vittima Ã¨ una studentessa universitaria di 26 anniI presunti aggressori l'avrebbero fatta bere e poi stuprata                                            Bologna, violentata da due amici riesce a fuggire e li fa arrestare


Udine, 18:49 - CALCIO, INTER; MANCINI: CON JUVE ANDREMO IN CAMPO GIA' IN 10

"Per come si era messa la partita c'era anche il rischio di poterla perdere. Invece i ragazzi sono s...


Wheelchair users have to see bank staff in the street after planning permission is refused for a ramp outside.


A Canadian submarine left drifting in the mid-Atlantic after a fire is expected to arrive at a Scottish naval base.


The lower house of the Russian parliament backs legislation to ban smoking in public places.


N.F.L. Playoffs | Live Now: Giants Lead Bucs in 3rd Quarter

Follow the N.F.C. Wild Card matchup and discuss the game on the Fifth Down blog.


$300 to Learn Risk of Cancer of the Prostate

Researchers have reported that a simple DNA test can help predict a manâs risk of getting prostate cancer.


FBI Names 6th Counterterrorism Chief Since 9/11

The FBI announced the appointment Tuesday of its sixth counterterrorism director since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, underscoring the bureau's struggle to retain executives in senior positions.


Milano, 19:34 - NUOTO, MEETING MILANO: MANAUDOU PROTAGONISTA

Se quella di ieri era stata senza dubbio la giornata di Filippo Magnini, oggi a prendersi le luci de...


Jacksonville gets 2005 ACC title football tilt

Jacksonville will be the host city for the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship football game, beginning after the 2005 regular season.


ATHENS -- Brazil reminded everyone why it's ranked first in the world of men's volleyball with a dominant three-set win in the semifinals.


Stung, Sharon moves to renew coalition talks

JERUSALEM Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, described by aides as more angry than embarrassed over the Parliament's symbolic repudiation of his term-opening speech, moved Tuesday to renew discussions with opposition parties over reshaping his minority


Pakistan postpones election until February 18

Pakistan put off its general election by 6 weeks to February 18 on Wednesday following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, over the objections of the main opposition parties which fear a delay will work against them.


Virgin Atlantic honcho Richard Branson yesterday announced plans to boldly go where no airline company has gone before - outer space.


School segregation saga has dragged the state into a confrontation with its segregationist past that illuminates the uneasy race relations of its present.


With Fruits and Vegetables, More Can Be Less

hat determines how much we eat and how much we weigh? Is it the amount of fat in foods, the presence of carbohydrates, the size of our portions, what we drink with our meals, that elusive trait called willpower?


British Olympic medallist Kelly Sotherton has warned against London being awarded the 2012 Games because she fears the city will be left an expensive "white elephant" of disused sites.


Nel 2006 ha perso l'1% grazie alla precedente Finanziaria


Runway route changed a week before crash

Investigators in the Comair jet crash that killed 49 people are looking into whether changes made to a taxiway during a repaving project a week ago confused the pilot and caused him to turn onto the wrong runway.


Compromise deal on saving the planet has been hammered out at climate change conference


The wife of British hostage Kenneth Bigley begs his captors to show mercy and set him free.


UNC gets back on track with rout of Wake

Reyshawn Terry scored 23 points, Tyler Hansbrough added 16 and No. 5 North Carolina routed Wake Forest 104-67 on Saturday.


Warner Bros. Delays Release of 'Alexander'

Warner Bros. film studio has delayed the release of its widely anticipated Oliver Stone film "Alexander" by about three weeks, saying that it wanted to give the movie a better shot at winning Oscars.


Rescue operation under way after trawler fire leaves 23 crew members stranded without power.


Former manager Johnny Oates died Friday at the age of 58.


Massive Hurricane Frances Smothers Florida

COCOA, Fla.  - Hurricane Frances smothered eastern  Florida on Sunday with drenching rains and fierce winds that  ripped away roofs, trees and boat moorings and cut power to 1.3  million homes and businesses.


There are signs that companies, and many employees, are tiring of the informality that casual Friday inspired and getting back to serious dressing.


Rocker Mike Peters, who is fighting cancer, braves the weather to sing for charity on Wales' highest mountain.


Catania, 19:53 - CALCIO, CATANIA; BALDINI: MOLTO MOTIVATO, CI RISCATTEREMO

Il neo tecnico degli Catania Silvio Baldini alla sua conferenza stampa di presentazione s'è d...


O.J. Simpson leaves jail after judge's lecture

O.J. Simpson was freed from a Las Vegas jail on Wednesday evening, after spending five nights behind bars for trying to contact a defendant in an armed-robbery case that could send him to prison for life.


Roger Federer has pulled out of his home event in Basle with a left thigh injury. The top-ranked player in the world pulled out of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors tennis tournament after tearing a muscle in his


Beach Names Winners of Its Lighting Contest

By The, The News Herald, Panama City, Fla.  Dec. 17--The City of Panama City Beach has announced winners of its 2006 Christmas lighting contest.


British finance ministry plans to close arms sales department: report

The British finance ministry wants to shut down the government arms sales department, the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO), The Guardian reported on Monday.


Executive: Google growth driven by users

Television should consider Google a friend, not foe, a senior company executive says.


Jacques Villeneuveâs determination to return to racing has secured him a place in the 2005 paddock. The 33-year old Canadian has signed a two-year contract with Sauber, which will come into effect on the 1st of November 2004.


Murder numbers in NYC lowest on record, say police

New York City is approaching its lowest yearly murder rate in its recorded history with the final tally on track to number below 500, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said on Wednesday.


E' ufficialmente partito il processo di privatizzazione della Rai. Il via all'iter che, tra la meta' di marzo el'inizio di aprile, dovrebbe condurre le azioni Rai in borsa e' stato dato con la firma dell'atto


Facing Competition, iTunes Revs Up Its Film Section

In an effort to win attention for the iTunes movie category, Apple will debut Edward Burnsâs latest film, âPurple Violets,â exclusively on its download service.


A 23-year-old man is due to appear in court charged with the murder of a man in County Antrim.


The Food Network has ordered extra helpings of Rachael Ray.


Undercover agents sampling grouper fish at 24 restaurants in the Madeira Beach, Fla., area found that 17 of the restaurants were serving counterfeit fish.


Zarqawiâs Al-Qaeda Allegiance Intelligence Work: Expert

The alleged allegiance of Al-Tawheed wal Jihad group in Iraq to Al-Qaeda network of Osama Bin Laden pledged in an unverified statement


For US athletes, it was mission accomplished

They came from expected sources - Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin in swimming, Steven Lopez in taekwondo and Carly Patterson in gymnastics â-nd unexpected sources


Economic Scene: Now That a Penny Isnât Worth Much, Itâs Time to Make It Worth 5 Cents

In the latest only-in-Washington episode, we find that the government may have lost as much as $40 million coining pennies and nickels last year.


As Delta Air Lines Inc. struggles for its financial future, the carrier is entrenched in an intense political fight over desirable routes to China that could have an economic impact of $400 million.


A world feeling bullied by Washington braces for four more years of Bush

To the French, he's an uncouth cowboy - a swaggering statesman in a Stetson who shoots from the hip and asks questions later, if he asks them at all.


Arsenal Football Club and Manchester United Football Club hold ...

The top brass at Arsenal Football Club and Manchester United Football Club have met in the wake of Sundayâs game at Old Trafford.


Buenos Aires Club Fire Kills 175, Injures 619

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina  - A fire tore through a  Buenos Aires nightclub packed with young revelers celebrating  the New Year holidays, killing at least 175 people as a  stampeding crowd was trapped by locked exit doors, officials  said Friday.


US astronomers find the smallest worlds detected circling other stars and say it is a breakthrough in the search for life in space.


British Foreign Minister Jack Straw said his country does not plan to deploy forces to Darfur in western Sudan but will provide technical assistance.


Challenges Likely As Ohio Certifies Vote

Two major challenges are expected to unfold Monday when Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell certifies the state's final presidential election results, declaring President Bush the winner by about 119,000 votes.


The first case to originate in the Irish Republic of the human form of mad cow disease is confirmed.


Islamic Charities Ordered to Pay in Death of American Teenager

Description: A federal judge awards the parents of an American teen, shot in Jerusalem by Palestinian gunmen, $156 million in damages.


California Sues Carmakers Over Gas Emissions

California sues carmakers over gas emissions    LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- California has sued the world 's largest automobile manufacturers, seeking billions of dollars for environmental damage caused by gas emissions.


A suspected car bomb explosion in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least two people and wounded several others.


ChiSox trade Lee to Brewers for Poz, Vizcaino

Lee, who batted .305 with 31 homers and 99 RBIs last season, gives the Brewers a right-handed slugger in the middle of the lineup to complement Geoff Jenkins and Lyle Overbay, both left-handed hitters.


By Edward J. Crowder, Connecticut Post, Bridgeport  Feb. 3--BRIDGEPORT -- In the late 1990s, state Department of Transportation employees working on the P.T. Barnum Bridge made a disturbing report to superiors.


A major overhaul at Yahoo Inc   appears unlikely as a result of a strategic review being  undertaken by the company, the Wall Street Journal reported in  its online edition, citing people familiar with the matter.


American Express sues MasterCard, Visa, 8 banks

American Express Co. has filed suit against Visa, MasterCard and eight major banks alleging anti-competitive practices. Banks named in the suit include Bank of America, US Bancorp, JP Morgan Chase, Capital


Ahmadinejad's allies struggle in Iran elections

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's allies failed to dominate elections for a powerful Iranian clerical body and local councils, early results showed on Sunday, in what analysts said was a setback to the president's standing.


Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, who has been missing in Iraq since last week, has been kidnapped by militants, according to a video broadcast Tuesday on the pan-Arab Al-Jazeera television station.


Red Cross visits new U.S. prison in Iraq

The international Red Cross said Tuesday it has visited a new U.S. prison at Camp Cropper outside Baghdad and had its first opportunity in more than 20 months to see hundreds of former Abu Ghraib prisoners now housed there.


BAE Systems to buy US firm DigitalNet for 600 mln dollars

LONDON : Britain's BAE Systems said it had agreed to buy DigitalNet Holdings Inc, a provider of computer networks for the US government, for 600 million dollars (489 million euros) in cash.


The campaign to save 300 jobs at the Burberry factory in Treorchy attracts the support of actor Ioan Gruffudd.


Prince Charles and his fiancee, Camilla Parker Bowles, celebrated Valentine's Day in private at his country estate Monday night after the heir to the throne spent the day at work.


Rep. Ron Lewis facing spirited challenge

This is where it began for the Republicans in 1994, the year the GOP broke the back of 40 years of Democratic rule in Congress.


Dell Inc. unveiled an environmental plan Wednesday that the computer maker said will make its operations carbon-neutral by 2008, a year earlier than it previously promised.


"What happened three weeks ago had nothing to do with what happened tonight," said California head coach Jeff Tedford alluding to whether might still have been suffering the BCS blues.


U.N. May Divert Food Aid for Haiti Due to Unrest

Unrest in Haiti may force the United Nations to divert ships carrying food for flood victims to the Dominican Republic, where the aid can be put on trucks, a U.N. spokesman said on Tuesday.


Carter and Jets Ready to Step Into the Unknown

He was the walking insurance policy the Jets did not want to cash and perhaps the one player his teammates hoped would never see extended time on the field.


Roma, 13:12 - CALCIO, MILAN; GALLIANI: ETO'O? NON CI SONO NOVITA'

Il vicepresidente del Milan Adriano Galliani ha escluso novità sul fronte della trattativa co...


2 American and Briton Are Kidnapped by Rebels in Baghdad

The brazen dawn raid underscores the rapidly growing perils confronting foreign nationals in the war zone.


Flessione dello 0,1% per il metallo prezioso


Luxury car business Aston Martin has been sold to a British-led consortium.


Human stem cells help blinded rats: study

Human embryonic stem cells can   partly restore vision in blinded rats, and may offer a source   of transplants for people with certain eye diseases,   researchers at a U.S. company reported on Thursday.


Modelle sfilano nel fango, presentazione applaudita


Edwards, Cheney to Meet in Only VP Debate

CLEVELAND - Both presidential campaigns are looking for a boost at the other's expense Tuesday when Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic rival John Edwards square off for the only vice presidential debate of the 2004 election.    Most of the pre-debate talk was about Iraq...


Nel 2005 i primi segni di recupero della flessione del 2003


Lord Charles Forte, a London cafe owner who went on to build the Trust House Forte international hotel and restaurant empire, died Wednesday at the age of 98. Forte died in his sleep at his London home, according to his family's company, now called Rocco Forte Hotels.


Snow Expects Arab Help Against Oil Prices

Oil costing roughly $53 a barrel is a major drag on the US economy, and Arab finance ministers have told the Bush administration they are committed to bringing the price down, Treasury Secretary John Snow said Sunday.


Il manager ha confidato ai suoi collaboratori il disappunto per le reazioni al piano su Telecom                                          Lo sfogo di Tronchetti Provera "Neanche in Sudamerica politici cosÃ¬"                                                                                "La proprietÃ  non Ã¨ un furto, io vado avanti" di GIOVANNI PONS


SA President Thabo Mbeki is to resume talks with a former rebel leader who pulled out of the DR Congo government.


Recente legge Usa vieta pagamenti a siti di scommesse


Euro close to record highs as dollar struggles

LONDON  - The euro eased back from close to record highs against the dollar as dealers remained concerned about US economic imbalances, while US Treasury Secretary John Snow said markets should determine the value of the American currency.


Moore hits snag on Wall Street promoting "SiCKO"

Filmmaker Michael Moore said he was  barred from the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday for an  interview on his documentary on the U.S. health-care system, a  day after he was bumped from a national TV interview to make  way for Paris Hilton.


UNC study finds link between migraines and the chest pain angina

Migraine sufferers tend to be more prone to the chest pain called angina than other people are, although they appear to be no more likely to suffer the heart attacks


PUNE: Leander Paes again fell short of the only Grand Slam doubles title that eludes his long list of 30 titles. âPhew! That was hectic,â Paes said, when contacted by The Indian Express after he and Czech


Blog, il ricordo di Troisi in una poesia per Napoli

L'omaggio a uno dei piÃ¹ grandi artisti italiani nell'anniversario della scomparsa. E poi la Cina operosa e il 'no' alla violenza in vista dell'arrivo di Bush. I vostri post


Antitrust tedesca perquisisce uffici di Francoforte


Music Review: Back to a Garden Where More Than Jams Flower

This year two of Bonnarooâs three headliners â Tool and the Police â came from way off the jam-band circuit.


Google and Mozilla Firefox Working Together

Google have hosted a customized Internet Explorer search page for many years now specially designed to act as sidebar search. And with the launch of the first final release of the very popular Mozilla Firefox


Il comandante generale della Gdf D'Arrigo: "Quella letteranon l'avrei scritta, nel Corpo ho trovato opposte fazioni"                                          "L'ex comandante Ã¨ fuori dalla realtÃ  cosÃ¬ cambierÃ² la Guardia di Finanza"                                                                                di CARLO BONINI


McDowell and Price share Heritage lead, as Monty and Poulter miss

WOBURN, England (PA) -- And so there were two. After the second round Friday, Padraig Harrington and David Howell are the only members of the European Ryder Cup team left in the Heritage Tournament at Woburn.


US President George Bush's proclamation last year that the mission in Iraq was accomplished has drawn criticism from Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry.


Sen. Trent Lott said Wednesday he would try to convince Russian lawmakers that a planned missile defense system for Europe poses no threat to their country


Usa e Ue puntano su governo di unita' nazionale


Iraq's Shiite prime minister traveled to the militant stronghold of Ramadi on Tuesday to reach out to Sunni leaders at a time when U.S. officials are increasingly optimistic about their chances of undermining Sunni tribal support for the insurgency.


Polish Hostage Begs Nation to Leave Iraq

Teresa Borcz-Khalifa, left, who holds dual Polish-Iraqi citizenship, is shown with her Iraqi husband in a 1978 wedding picture. Borcz-Khalifa was kidnapped in Iraq by a group calling itself the Abu Bakr al


Best-selling author Sidney Sheldon dead at 89

Sidney Sheldon, an Oscar-winning  Hollywood screenwriter who went on to become one of the world's  most prolific novelists, died in California on Tuesday at the  age of 89, a publicist said.


Oil prices darted above $51 a barrel Tuesday as output in the Gulf of Mexico remains in shambles more than two weeks after Hurricane Ivan tore through the region.


Open source is increasingly meaningless if the data it manages isn't open, too.  Should the Open Source Definition be expanded to include data provisions?


Mega-star has been spotted filming her first commercial in downtown Manhattan under a new deal to represent Samsung. From Crave, CNET's gadgets blog.


It might have been a waste of time for most involved but Nathan Astle appreciated his "long net" against the United States in the ICC Champions Trophy opener.


Patriots Set NFL Record for Scoring First

Adam Vinatieri's 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens put New England up 3-0 and gave them an NFL record with 16 consecutive regular-season games in which they've scored first.


Lucy Davis, receptionist Dawn in the hit comedy The Office,  marries at St Paul's Cathedral, London.


Christopher Jones' Blog: Don't Forget Oracle Develop in San Francisco

Christopher Jones has a note on his blog today about the Orcale Develop Conference happening in San Francisco October 23rd through the 25th and some of the PHP involvement there.    First on my ToDo list is Oracle's user conference. PHP is well represented at Oracle Develop. This is a new part of the huge Oracle OpenWorld event running in San Francisco in a few weeks.   Registrations are still open for Oracle Develop. You can register separately or if you register for the full OpenWorld you get the Develop conference gratis, I was told.  Check the fine print on this.    Talks for the conference include:  Rasmus Lerdorf's "Getting Rich with PHP" "Hands-on Lab: Developing and Deploying Oracle and PHP" from a representative from Oracle and Christopher Jones giving a talk on "The PHP/Oracle Experience: Building for Scalability"    Check out the conference website for more information and to register today.


Health care giant Johnson & Johnson is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire medical device maker Guidant Corp. for more than $24 billion.


Koalas Put on 'The Pill' to Control Population

Wildlife authorities in Australia plan to implant contraceptive hormones into 2,000 koala bears in an effort to keep the numbers down.


DAVID BECKHAM and Michael Owen were on target as Real Madrid went goal crazy in the Bernabeu last night. Beckham marked his return to form in style with his first goal in two months.


Unease at UN Over Russian Terror Blacklist Plan

Several U.N. Security Council  nations expressed misgivings about a draft resolution  introduced by Russia on Monday that would create a new  blacklist of terrorist suspects subject to extradition.


N.Korean Macau fund transfer to begin Thursday: Kyodo

The transfer of North Korean funds that have been frozen in a Macau bank is to begin on Thursday, Japan's Kyodo news agency said, raising chances for a breakthrough in a deadlock that has stalled a nuclear disarmament deal with Pyongyang.


A man has been shot dead by police in an incident in the centre of Sevenoaks in Kent.


China defends its role in Africa ahead of G8

China sought to defend its role in Africa on Monday ahead of this week's G8 summit, saying its long friendship with the continent was a force for good and shrugging off the threat of criticism at the meeting in Germany.


o they are finally here: the Republican delegates with their rep ties and the protesters, bearing angry signs and a grudge. Over the next few days, passions, no doubt, will run hotter than August


California Plans to Transfer Prisoners Out of State

SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Faced with unprecedented prison overcrowding _ and the threat of a federal judge imposing an early release program as soon as this summer _ state officials Friday announced a temporary plan to transfer thousands of inmates against their will to out-of-state prisons.


Pirates Hotwire 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'

Both Rockstar Games and Microsoft are in pursuit of the gaming robbers. While Microsoft has made it clear that it is "aggressively pursuing the source of the illegal act," Rockstar has


Peres: Labor will support peace in new government

Labor will enter a coalition government with the Likud to make sure Prime Minister Ariel Sharon can carry out his disengagement plan, Opposition leader Shimon Peres said Monday.


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A weeping British hostage was shown pleading for help between the bars of a makeshift cage in a video that surfaced Wednesday, a sobering reminder of the grim reality for at least 18 foreign captives still held by Iraqi militants.    There is wide speculation that ransoms were paid for the freedom of a dozen hostages, including two Italian aid workers...


Stock markets heartened by Greenspan assurance on oil-price impact

TORONTO (CP) - Bargain hunting and reassuring words from US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan about high energy costs lifted stock markets Friday even as oil prices hit a new record close.


Texas Video Tour Lands London Artist Turner Prize

A video tour of Texas on Monday won  British artist Jeremy Deller the Turner Prize, one of the art  world's most contentious awards.


An advisor to Montenegrin parliament speaker says it is Montenegro that should ask Serbia to hand over some jets.Comment


Running back Clinton Portis disputes a claim that he owes $40,000 to a former teammate, Ifeanyi Ohalete, in exchange for getting to wear Redskins jersey No. 26.


Turkish army kills 20 Kurds in new clashes

CIZRE, Turkey  - Turkish soldiers killed 20 Kurdish guerrillas on Sunday in a major military operation against separatist rebels in eastern Turkey, army sources said.


Conviction of Researcher for New York Times in China Is Upheld

BEIJING, Dec. 1 -- The three-year fraud sentence of a Beijing-based researcher for the New York Times was upheld by Beijing's High Court on Friday, the only remaining charge against him after a more serious accusation of leaking state secrets was dismissed in August.


Navistar Sees Higher 4th-Quarter Earnings

Commercial truck maker Navistar International Corp.  on Monday said it expects higher fourth-quarter earnings and revenue as the recovering U.S. economy spurs orders for its trucks and engines.


I note that dairy farmers are expecting to get an extra $1.5 billion over the next year from Fonterra because of higher world prices for dairy products. Good for them.   But $1.5 billion spread over about 12,000 dairy farmers is unlikely to be saved.


Powell Wants Mideast Foes to Smooth Way to Election

Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday will invest US prestige in a new Middle East peace drive, pressing Israeli and Palestinian leaders alike for steps to help Palestinians elect a new president.


Eyebrows Are Raised Over Passages in a Best Seller by Ian McEwan

One of BritainÂs most lauded authors has been accused in newspaper articles of copying phrases for his best-selling novel ÂAtonementÂ in 2001 from a memoir published in 1977.


The DVR pioneer now offers direct access to Amazon's Unbox service.


Russia's president says Moscow's interests come first as he starts his China visit to discuss key oil projects.


Couple rallies nicely in predictable yet fun 'Wimbledon'

IF Hugh Grant didn't fidget or stammer, was taller, thinner and had blond hair, he would be Paul Bettany. Bettany, who played the ship's surgeon in "Master and Commander," gets the Hugh Grant-like lead in "Wimbledon.


Sysco Corp. SYY.N, the largest U.S.  food service supplier, on Monday posted a 4.8 percent rise in  quarterly profit, helped by cost control efforts.


A bomb-alert Olympic Airways plane was back in the air and completing its journey to New York after being diverted to Ireland amid a bomb scare.


Retired military officers on Monday are expected to bluntly accuse Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld of bungling the war in Iraq, saying U.S. troops were sent to fight without the best equipment and that critical facts were hidden from the public.


Boeing unveils 787 Dreamliner amid order flurry

EVERETT, Washington  - Boeing Co. unveiled its lightweight, carbon-composite 787 Dreamliner on Sunday in front of 15,000 cheering employees, customers and suppliers, capping a weekend of hype and a flurry of orders for the new fuel-efficient plane.


European Press Review: Paying a High Price in Iraq

The theft of a world famous painting and the price of oil are two of the diverse topics taken up by leaders writers across the continent on Monday.


US Airways, Relying on Cash, May Face Liquidation

US Airways Group Inc. must rely on daily revenue and cash to operate during its bankruptcy reorganization, leaving it vulnerable to liquidation unless the carrier can raise exit financing.


Hollywoodâs writers made it official, ending their bitterly fought strike at the 100-day mark by an overwhelming margin.


A series of bombs have exploded at an opposition rally in Bangladesh's capital, killing at least 14 people and injuring hundreds, witnesses and news reports have said.


Twenty years after the world's deadliest environmental disaster, activists in India say the pesticide plant that killed thousands in 1984 still poses a massive environmental hazard.


The beta version of AIX 6 is now available for download and testing by all comers, in a change of IBM policy.


Thursday marks the American Cancer Society's 28th Annual Great American Smokeout, a day when smokers unite in the goal to quit smoking permanently.


A major fraud involving criminals preying on people from new EU states wanting work in the UK is uncovered by a BBC investigation.


Security alerts cause severe and widespread disruption to commuter travel in the greater Belfast area.


Spinach Back in Some Stores on East Coast

Four grocery chains on the East Coast began restocking their shelves with fresh spinach as federal officials continued to reassure the public that spinach was safe to eat.


Researcher admits leaking diabetes study

A Texas doctor leaked confidential research to the makers of the popular diabetes drug Avandia weeks before a study was published tying the drug to higher heart risks, the scientific journal Nature reported Wednesday.


Yahoo opens Panama ad system upgrade to newcomers

Yahoo Inc. said on Monday it is opening up its new advertising system for testing by newcomers and potential converts from rivals, marking progress in its long-awaited upgrade.


Invest early, invest often to be able to meet the rising cost of college in the future.


ALBANY, New York  - New York Gov. George Pataki on Wednesday said closing and consolidating extra hospitals was "the right thing" for the cash-starved health- care system, adding he hoped the Legislature would agree.


Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati's  hopes of qualifying for next week's lucrative season finale  were crushed by quarter-final defeats at the Advanta  Championships in Philadelphia on Friday.


A doctor charged with killing a patient in the UK was about to take part in surgery when she was arrested in the US.


Iraq, Imam emette fatwa: liberate i giornalisti francesi

Un imam salafista ha emesso oggi una fatwa (editto religioso) in cui chiede ai rapitori dei due giornalisti francesi sequestrati in Iraq di liberarli immediatamente. "Abbiamo emesso una fatwa che chiede allEsercito


US Representative Dennis Kucinich, an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, has entered the already-crowded field of possible contenders for the 2008 presidential election, announcing he will vie for the Democratic party nomination.


Near the lone stoplight on Main Street, a for-sale sign hangs from a dusty window where a souvenir shop used to sell cufflinks, cowboy boots and denim shirts emblazoned "The Western White House."


Francoforte, 15:46 - CALCIO, SCHALKE: LINCOLN SQUALIFICATO 5 GIORNATE

La disciplinare della federcalcio tedesca ha squalificato per cinque giornate il fantasista brasilia...


Parma, 18:24 - CALCIO, PARMA: DIFFERENZIATO PER CARDONE, CONTINI E MORFEO

Seduta pomeridiana per il Parma in vista del match di giovedÃ¬ in Coppa Italia contro il Napoli. Lavo...


Iraqi Delegates Say Sadr Agrees to End Najaf Crisis

Iraqi delegates to a conference  choosing a national assembly said Wednesday that radical  Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had agreed to government demands  to end an uprising in the holy city of Najaf.


'Bersani?Bene piu' liste'.Mastella:partito guardi al centro


For the first time in nine years, Arizona does not finish with a losing record, routing the Rams 48-19 to finish with an even 8-8 mark on the season.


Report: Time Warner, Sprint Look at Deal

Time Warner Cable is reportedly working with Sprint Corp. on a deal that would allow the cable provider to offer cellphone service on a trial basis next year.


O'Neal ban trimmed in time for NBA brawl rematch

NEW YORK  - An arbitrator reduced the brawl suspension of Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal by 10 games, opening the door for O'Neal to play in a Christmas Day rematch against Detroit.


Bush arrives for APEC after surprise Iraq trip

After a lightning visit to Iraq where he hinted at possible U.S. troop cuts, President George W. Bush arrived in Australia on Tuesday for an Asia-Pacific leaders' meeting amid heavy security and anti-war protests.


Veteran catched Javy LÃÂ³pez is back for his second go-around with the Atlanta Braves and looks as thoughe he never left.


LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Marilyn Manson's upcoming best-of collection will be led by a new version of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," which was also covered by Johnny Cash.


Bill Belichick should be able to read this signal clearly: Spy on your opponents, and it will cost you. The New England coach was fined the NFL maximum of $500,000 Thursday and the Patriots were ordered to pay $250,000 for stealing an opponent's defensive signals.


Parma, 18:26 - CALCIO, PARMA; DI CARLO: VIERI ANDAVA ESPULSO

"Il Parma oggi non meritava di perdere". Domenico Di Carlo non nasconde la sua delusione dopo la sco...


Anger at Fish Farms Over 500per Cent Growth Plans

By DAVID ROSS HIGHLAND CORRESPONDENT  SCOTLAND'S fish farming industry has been accused of playing Russian roulette with wild salmon after one company said it wanted to expand production by more than 500per cent.


The Democratic-controlled Congress passed legislation Thursday to loosen restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research, but the bill's supporters lacked the votes needed to override President Bush's threatened veto.


Three Held Over Thefts From Wirral Schools

TWO teenagers and a 23-year-old man were arrested after a break- in at a Wirral school.   Officers were called after the burglary at Bebington high last night.   They later arrested a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and an older man at their homes in Bebington.


Southeast Asian nations are battling a  surge in dengue cases, amid signs that climate change could  make 2007 the worst year on record for a disease that often  gets less attention than some higher-profile health risks.


Wall Street set to open lower, eyes on exchanges

U.S. shares looked set to open lower  on Tuesday, with stock exchange operators Nasdaq  and  NYSE Group Inc.  in focus as a result of developments in  their respective transatlantic merger endeavors.


Nokia integrates Google into its search application

Nokia says it will integrate Google's search engine into some of its phones even though Google's Android is a potential competitor.


Health care in US ailing, claims consumer group

AMERICANS have been pouring greater and greater portions of the their salaries into health care over the past few years. And what makes most employees sick is that they are getting less and less for their money.


Germany delays decision on Lebanon force

Berlin- Germany said Sunday it was delaying a decision on sending troops to Lebanon, pending a formal request to the United Nations by the government in Beirut.


Seven Iraqi Soldiers Killed Near Baquoba

Seven Iraqi National Guard soldiers were killed on Monday morning when armed men opened fire on them at a checkpoint in central Iraq, officials said.


XH-150 demonstrates new hybrid technology, gets 150mpg

AFS Trinity Power Corporation showed off its plug-in hybrid SUV, the XH-150, at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.


President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday his country would move forward with its disputed nuclear program, comparing its nuclear drive to a train that has no brakes.


Omnifone unveils rival to iPhone, iTunes

Omnifone, a British mobile music company, is unveiling a new music service Monday aimed at cell phone users who crave music while on the go, in the first of what is expected to be many challenges against Apple ...Comment


Microsoft to Offer 'MySpace' for Business Apps Users

Software giant introduces first in a series of online communities for its Dynamics apps users.


Israeli Soldier Is Killed as Palestinian Agent Sets Trap

An Israeli soldier was killed and four were wounded today when a Palestinian double agent lured the troops into a booby-trapped chicken coop in Gaza City, the Hamas movement said.


BRUSSELS, Aug 31 (IPS) - Poverty in the Palestinian territories has reached  "unprecedented levels" because they have been held under  an "economic siege" for almost seven years, a United  Nations body has found.


Killer heat wave bakes southern California

A heat wave swept southern California for a sixth day on Sunday, claiming the lives of an elderly couple, setting record temperatures and leaving thousands of customers without power.


California rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers won three Grammy Awards during an early ceremony on Sunday and hoped to add to their collection when the main televised event began later in the day.


Germany says foiled attacks on U.S. sites

German security services foiled a plan by Islamist militants to carry out "massive bomb attacks" against U.S. installations in Germany and arrested three suspects, officials said on Wednesday.


Jamie Foxx has three Golden Globe nominations, with Nicole Kidman and Johnny Depp also up for prizes.


Europe Moves to Make Big Polluters Pay for Emissions

Europe is moving toward forcing large polluters to pay for most, if not all, permits to produce climate-changing gases.


Big Guns Ready for Battle as Open Enters 2nd Week

The U.S. Open reached its halfway  point on Sunday after a week dominated by Andy Roddick's serve,  Andre Agassi's age-defying brilliance, a few Olympics hangovers  and, of course, Serena's wardrobe.


NEW ORLEANS - Stragglers streamed toward higher ground Wednesday on highways turned into one-way evacuation routes and surf started eroding beaches as Hurricane Ivan roared toward the Gulf Coast with 135 mph wind and its outer bands darkened the sky.    Ivan could cause significant damage no matter where it strikes, as hurricane-force wind extended up to 105 miles out from the center...


Health: 'I Didn't Notice Anything Was Wrong'

By Hannah Duguid reports AT 16 weeks pregnant, Isobel Lockwood had an ultrasound and was told she was carrying a baby girl. Soon afterwards, DNA taken from the foetus during an amniocentesis showed it was a boy.


Death toll climbing -- Nearly 77,000 dead in tsunami

As the world scrambled to the rescue, survivors fought over packs of noodles in quake-stricken Indonesian streets Wednesday while relief


Buddy LeRoux, 77, Boston Sports Fixture, Is Dead

Edward LeRoux was a former trainer for the Boston Red Sox who rose to become a controversial part owner of the team while amassing a fortune in real estate.


Treviso, 11:41 - BASKET: BENETTON-UPEA ANTICIPATA AL 16 DICEMBRE

La gara Benetton Treviso-Upea Capo d'Orlando in programma mercoledÃ¬ 27 dicembre alle ore 20.30, sar&...


Lebanon President Names Pro-Syrian Karami as New PM

President Emile Lahoud appointed  pro-Syrian Omar Karami as Lebanon's prime minister on Thursday,  a move likely to strengthen Syria's role in Lebanon despite  international pressure on Damascus to pull out its troops.


NBA NOTES: James, Cavaliers finally pass .500

The second-year swingman dismantled the Warriors, posting 33 points - on 12-for-22 shooting, including 3-for-5 on three-pointers - and 12 rebounds in an 11-point win.


Court Clears Italian Premier of Corruption Charges

A three-judge panel absolved Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of corruption charges today, one for insufficient evidence and one because the statute of limitations in a 1991 case had run out.


The year 2067 seems so far in the future, doesn't it? Like some kind of light year, almost. Many of us will be long gone by then, but for most of today's 17-year-olds, the year 2067 will bring their 80th birthday.


Samsung to add payment function to cell phones

Samsung and Koninklijke Philips Tuesday said they are teaming up to incorporate Near-Field Communication technology in future cell-phone models from Samsung, giving users the ability to use their phones to make payments.


CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Milwaukee Brewers finally welcomed free-agent catcher Damian Miller into the fold on Monday. Miller, 35, reached a preliminary agreement last Tuesday on a three-year, $8.75-million


Novell opens internal stock option review

Novell is conducting an internal investigation into its past procedures for granting stock options and the review's findings may lead to its restating results.


MASSAPEQUA, New York - A teen drove his car through a suburban mall Thursday, going through a door, down a corridor and then out another door, police said.


Israel Continues Strikes in Gaza, Hamas Militant Killed in ...

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has threatened revenge for the killing of a Hamas operative in Damascus. Hamas accuses Israel of the assassination.


Microsoft scrambles to quash 'friendly' worm story

Microsoft is moving to counter some scathing comments regarding a security paper authored by researchers at its Cambridge, England, facility.The paper, "Sampling Strategies for Epidemic-Style Information Dissemination," looks at how worms sometimes inefficiently spread their code.The research explores how a more efficient method could, for example, be used for distributing patches or other software. The advantage would be that patches could be distributed from PC to PC, rather than from a central server.That method would reduce the load on a server, and patches would be distributed faster. But the patches would have the same qualities as a computer worm, a generally malicious file.Since a story about the paper appeared on Thursday in the New Scientist magazine, the paper has been roundly assailed."This is a stupid idea," wrote Bruce Schneier, a security expert, author and CTO of Mountain View, Calif.-based enterprise security vendor BT Counterpane, on Tuesday, before quoting a passage from the New Scientist story on his blog.Schneier wrote that the idea of so-called "benevolent worms" comes up every few years.However, a worm is designed to run without the consent of a user, which doesn't make it a good method of software distribution, Schneier wrote. The worm patching technique could also make the patches hard to uninstall or interrupt during installation, he wrote.Worms designed to distribute software patches could also be hacked to distribute malicious software, wrote Randy Abrams, director of education for security vendor Eset, in his regular e-mail commentary.Forced patching is also troublesome since some patches may not be compatible with critical software, Abrams wrote."Breaking into computers is a bad idea," Abrams said.A Microsoft spokesman said on Monday that the New Scientist story is not inaccurate. However, the writer of the story "sexed" up the research paper a bit, particularly with the headline that used the phrase "friendly worms," the spokesman said.In response to the criticism, Microsoft said it doesn't intend to develop patch worms."This was not the primary scenario targeted for this research," according to a statement.The company also said it will continue to let customers decide how and when they apply security updates.One of the paper's authors, Milan Vojnovic, said in a statement that there were no plans to incorporate the ideas into Microsoft's products. Efforts to reach Vojnovic for comment were unsuccessful.


Update 4: Crude Oil Prices Rise for 3rd Straight Day

Crude oil prices rose for the third straight day Friday, hovering near $55 a barrel as heating oil futures hit another record high over supply concerns ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter.


Congress can halt Iraq war, experts tell lawmakers

The U.S. Congress has the power to end the war in Iraq, a former Bush administration attorney and other high-powered legal experts told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.


After 50 Years, Still No Time for Cheap Sentiment

Most directors do not go on to make one of their best films after receiving their lifetime achievement Oscars. But most directors do not have the stamina of Sidney Lumet.


VIENNA: Iran plans to process tonnes of raw uranium and restart its centrifuges - two linked activities that can be part of the manufacture of nuclear warheads, the UN atomic watchdog agency and diplomats said yesterday.


L'attentato e' avvenuto nel distretto sciita di Karrada


'Shark Tale': Big bite of box office buffet

A rare weekend of studio gambles paid off this weekend as Shark Tale cleaned up in theaters but left plenty of room for other movies in its wake.


Anti-Clotting Drug Trial Shortened by Bleeding Problems

THURSDAY, Jan. 24 (HealthDay News) -- A study of the new anti-clotting drug idraparinux for preventing strokes was stopped early because of excess bleeding, a problem that has plagued the medication.


A new study suggests that pregnant women may want to reduce their caffeine intake or cut it out entirely.


Earth's 'big brothers' floating around stars

Washington - A new class of planets has been found orbiting stars besides our sun, in a possible giant leap forward in the search for Earth-like planets that might harbour life.


Napoli, 19:05 - CALCIO, MATARRESE: LA JUVE IN B MI FA VENIRE I BRIVIDI

Antonio Matarrese non ha dubbi: "Vedere la Vecchia Signora in Serie B mi dà i brividi, ma chi...


Rescuers express mounting fears for 86 people still missing after a gas explosion in a China coal mine killed 62.


U.S. says Iraq air strike kills 11, mostly civilians

The U.S. military said it killed 11 people in a helicopter attack on a group of men seen planting a roadside bomb north of Baghdad on Tuesday, but police and residents said the dead were farmers, women and children.


Will Weston Be Queen City Once Again?: Agencies See Merit in Creating a New Stream to Bring the River Back to Former Riverfront City.

By Bill Graham, The Kansas City Star, Mo.  Feb. 3--A flowing Missouri River helped make Weston the "Queen City of the Platte Purchase" in the 1850s.   Then the river shifted course in the 1800s.


Rafer Alston was back in action for the Toronto Raptors and looking for an apology.


Controlling Board Being Asked for Money to Pay for Fallout

By Mark Niquette, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio  Jun. 18--The Strickland administration plans to ask the state Controlling Board today to release initial funds to pay for the state's response to last week's theft of a data-rich computer backup tape.


New York Presses To Deploy More Bioweapons Sensors

NEW YORK -- City officials last month quietly activated some of the nation's newest generation of early warning sensors to detect a biological attack, turning on a limited number of filing-cabinet-size air filters in sensitive, high-volume areas of Manhattan.


Live from Moscone Center with Apple Wednesday morning

Check in with us Wednesday for live updates from San Francisco as Apple shows off new products.


Salary surveys; asking for a raise; listening to potential customers and more.


Medicare Says Final Rules Ensure Drug Access

The U.S. government hopes to entice  companies into offering the elderly cost-saving prescription  drug benefits next year while making sure they have access to  most medicines, according to Medicare rules issued on Friday.


TABA, EGYPT -- Israel's intelligence chief yesterday blamed al-Qaida for the bombings at resorts in Egypt's Sinai peninsula that officials said killed 29 people, including many Israelis celebrating a Jewish holiday, and wounded more than Israeli and


Icon of Modernism charts 80 years of fickle fashion

Spurned by the Nazis,  rehabilitated by communists and now restored to its former  splendor, the Bauhaus school in the eastern German town of  Dessau has had a turbulent history.


Episcopal delegates asked church leaders Wednesday to "exercise restraint" when considering openly gay candidates for bishop, a vote that ended days of painful debate but fell far short of demands to preserve Anglican unity by banning gay bishops.


More Journalists Join Political News Venture

Mike Allen of Time magazine and Roger Simon of Bloomberg News are joining the new multimedia political news venture being overseen by two former Washington Post journalists.


Pathetic England hit new low against Sri Lanka

England's chances of saving the Sri Lanka Test series looked over when they were shot out for just 81, their lowest total against the hosts, in the third and final match.


Six Palestinians killed in continued Israeli invasion of Gaza

Four Palestinians were killed by the bullets of the Israeli forces during its continued invasion of Khan Younis camp and the Austrian quarters to the south of Gaza, thereby the number of Palestinians killed in this operation since yesterday at dawn


Seven-time All-Star Pippen bids farewell to NBA

In NBA news, seven-time All-Star and six-time World Champion Scottie Pippen has announced his retirement from the Chicago Bulls. Pippen said Tuesday that it was a very difficult


Fallujah Body 'Probably Margaret Hassan' - Australian PM

Australian prime minister John Howard said today a body found in the war-torn city of Fallujah was probably that of kidnapped British aid chief Margaret Hassan.


Gravita' determinante per la formazione delle galassie


Mosca, 13:39 - TENNIS, SEMIFINALE DAVIS: RUSSIA-USA 1-0

Russia in vantaggio 1-0 sugli Stati Uniti nella semifinale di Coppa Davis. Nel primo singolare, Mara...


Dave Matthews Band Sued For Stinking Up Chicago River

What happens on a rock star's tour bus generally stays there, but the Dave Matthews Band's dirt made a public appearance earlier this month in Chicago.


Business & money: The cinema and television studio owner, which hosted the latest James Bond film, said today that filming delays would hit revenues this year. By Katie Allen.


Coach Dennis Erickson moved a step closer to leaving the San Francisco 49ers, perhaps before the end of the season, when he interviewed Tuesday night for the vacant head-coaching job at the University of Mississippi.


Republicans Ask for Changes to Asbestos Plan

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee asked for further changes in a plan for a $140 billion asbestos compensation fund at a meeting to air their concerns, a key lawmaker said on Thursday.


Catania, 17:09 - CALCIO, CATANIA: SILVESTRI OUT, BALLOTTAGGIO LUCENTI-SARDO

Catania senza Silvestri domani a Messina. Anche oggi il difensore ha lavorato a parte. Per la  sua s...