sentence-transformers/agnews · Datasets at Hugging Face

title stringlengths 20 992	description stringlengths 31 22.7k
Business lending bolsters profit at Westpac	SYDNEY Westpac Banking, Australia's fourth-largest lender, said Monday that second-half profit rose 16 percent from a year earlier to a record after it loaned more to businesses.
U.S. Judge Orders Election Agency to Tighten Rules	The decision left both parties arguing over which regulations are now in effect for the final weeks of the presidential campaign.
Governo: oggi giornata cruciale	Conferenza capigruppo, poi Prodi in aula alla Camera
Staying on top of the creative game	With products such as Photoshop, Flash, and its ubiquitous PDF document format, Adobe Systems Inc. dominates the market for multimedia software. During a recent visit to Boston, Adobe chief executive Bruce Chizen spoke with Globe reporter Hiawatha Bray, discussing the company's fierce rivalry with Microsoft and plans to stay on top. Q It seems that Adobe's tools are used to ...
Security alert forces evacuation of North Sea oil rig: police	A telephoned warning of a suspicious device forced the evacuation of a North Sea oil rig off Scotland on Sunday but it turned out to be a false alarm, emergency services said.
Food Allergies Stir a Mother to Action	Robyn OâBrien has looked deep into the perplexing world of childhood food allergies and seen a conspiracy.
Google Introduces Widget Ads	Google is beta testing a new type of ad with a select number of its clients that allows them to take advantage of the rise in popularity of the widget.
Abducted journalist freed in Iraq	One of the two CBS journalists kidnapped in the Iraqi city of Basra on Sunday has been released.
Cittadinanza concessa entro 2 anni	Lo straniero deve conoscere l'italiano e 5 anni residenza
Bush Increases Lead Over Kerry in Latest Pew Poll	President Bush's lead over Democratic nominee John Kerry increased to eight points in a Pew Research Center poll released on Tuesday, compared to a slight three-point lead in a poll conducted last week.
Consumers still worried about E. coli	September's national spinach recall has shaken consumer confidence in the safety of leafy green vegetables, according to a new national survey.
World economy 'in good health'	The head of the International Monetary Fund says the world economy is at its strongest point for five years.
Stick-up becomes unstuck at Aussie restaurant	Sydney - Bemused diners watched as three hapless thieves unsuccessfully tried to kick open a sliding door in a botched attempt to rob an Australian seafood restaurant, police said on Monday.
Giants-Cowboys Game Is on the Lines	When the Giants play in Dallas on Sunday, the outcome may depend on how the Giantsâ aggressive defensive line performs against the Cowboysâ big and gifted offensive line.
Rejuvenated Celtics expect happy new year	The Boston Celtics will hit the new year with the NBA's best record and a belief that more is still to come. "We haven't played our best basketball and I think most of the guys in this locker room will say that," veteran guard Ray Allen said recently after his team's home victory over the Orlando Magic.
World Leaders Highlight Need for Reform	One after another, world leaders and ministers called for expanding the powerful 15-nation Security Council, saying the modern world shouldn't be dominated by a few wealthy countries chosen in the aftermath of World War II.
ISS Problems Could Extend Atlantis Stay	NASA made plans Thursday to possibly extend the space shuttle's stay at the International Space Station because of malfunctioning computers.
Kerry Pulls Ad of McCain Smear Complaint	President Bush and Sen. John Kerry bowed to the wishes of popular maverick John McCain on Thursday, as the president embraced the Republican senator's legal fight against big-money special interest groups airing negative ads and the Democratic nominee scrapped a commercial that featured McCain.
Il cuore dell'Italia non basta L'Irlanda fa fatica ma vince	Nella prima gara del Sei Nazioni azzurri in partita fino alla fineI verdi si impongono (16-11). Pesano gli errori nelle punizioni Il cuore dell'Italia non basta L'Irlanda fa fatica ma vince di PASQUALE NOTARGIACOMO
Wachovia says completes Golden West takeover	Wachovia Corp. , the No. 4 U.S. bank, on Monday said it completed its $24 billion takeover of Golden West Financial Corp., the second-largest U.S. savings and loan.
Losing More Than a Campaign	What John and Elizabeth Edwards bid farewell to yesterday was not only a presidential campaign. They did not let go of the dream of changing the world while living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Palermo, 19:44 - CALCIO, PALERMO: SI COMPLICA AFFARE POSSANZINI	Il Palermo ha chiesto all'Inter il prestito dell'argentino Cruz impegnandosi a pagare lo stipendio c...
Argentina Contemplates Shared Custody of Its Top Job	It seems increasingly likely that President NÃ©stor Kirchner will not seek a second term but rather let his wife become the Peronist candidate.
Devils rally to beat Sabres and close gap at top	The New Jersey Devils moved to within four points of the top of the Eastern Conference by rallying to beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Saturday.
Italian president calls for political dialogue on reforms	Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on Tuesday called on the ruling center right and the center-left opposition to discuss constitutional reforms in a spirit of dialogue.
Microsoft to launch video service to rival YouTube	Microsoft Corp. will start testing on Tuesday an Internet video-sharing service called Soapbox, the software company's answer to Web sensation YouTube.
J.&J. Earnings Rise Almost 10%	Johnson & Johnson, the medical and consumer products company, said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose almost 10 percent, in part because of lower taxes and a weak dollar that propelled overseas sales.
Bengals move for Fitzpatrick	Unhappy with Doug Johnson's preseason play, the Cincinnati Bengals released their veteran backup quarterback yesterday and obtained Ryan Fitzpatrick from the St. Louis Rams for a conditional draft pick.
Notre Dame's True Colors	The powers-that-be at Notre Dame, way too many of them anyway, never wanted Tyrone Willingham in the first place. The alums and the club boosters who donate tens of thousands of dollars and
Kerry Could Become Strong Senate Voice	Like many presidential candidates before him, John Kerry must now decide what to do with the rest of his political life.
NRI scriptwriter takes Fox studio to SC	An NRI film scriptwriter has dragged Hollywood studio giant Twentieth Century Fox to the Supreme Court for allegedly stealing his script to make the mega blockbuster Independence Day.
Warning on Indian herbal remedies	Lead, mercury and arsenic have been found in herbal preparations imported from India, some so laden with contaminants they were potent enough to cause serious poisonings, researchers report today.
Vietnam Bird Flu Death Toll Climbs to 27	Two Vietnamese children who died in early August were infected with the killer strain of bird flu that swept through Asia's poultry this year, bringing the region's human death toll to 27, Vietnam confirmed Monday.
A Turkish Move Into Iraq?	After new Kurdish violence, the prime minister may defy the U.S. and order his troops to cross the border
NHLPA remains united in labour dispute	CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Solidarity was the key word at Tuesday's meeting between NHL Players' Association notables and executive director Bob Goodenow.
Rio de Janeiro, 10:04 - CALCIO, BRASILE; FLAMENGO: DA MILAN OK A TRATTARE RONALDO	Il Flamengo ha ricevuto dal Milan l'ok per trattare con Ronaldo. Lo ha annunciato un dirigente del c...
Army paints colorful new West Bank base	A new army base going up in the northern part of the West Bank will be Israel's most colorful, painted in a dazzling array of pink, brown, purple, light blue and orange, an army weekly reported.
India and Pakistan talk Kashmir	Top diplomats from Pakistan and India are meeting for talks on disputed Kashmir but no breakthrough is expected on the issue, which lies at the heart of a rivalry between the nuclear-armed nations.
Judge dismisses Nevada caucus challenge	A union with ties to Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton failed in court Thursday to block the state party's plans to hold caucuses at special precincts inside casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
`MNF' No. 1 on cable TV Sept. 10-16	Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Sept. 10-16. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses.
Brokerages Become More Compliant	New rules aim to keep brokerages on the straight and narrow.
2 Iraqi policemen killed in ambush	A police patrol was ambushed in southern Iraq early Monday by gunmen who killed two officers and injured three, part of scattered violence around the country.
Ex-FleetCenter chief hits revival of Garden name	Resurrecting Boston Garden as a new name for the FleetCenter would be an empty gesture in sentimentality, the former chairman of the FleetCenter said yesterday.
ABN AMRO to cut 4,000 jobs in restructuring	AMSTERDAM: The Netherlandsâ biggest bank ABN AMRO announced it was cutting more than 4,000 back office and information technology staff on Thursday as it aims to bring its cost base in line with its competitors.
Bayern Munich arrives in Israel without Iranian player	Bayern Munich arrived in Israel on Tuesday for its Group C Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv without a key Iranian player who was warned by his native country not to travel to the Jewish state.
Israel continues Gaza operation	Facing growing international condemnation, Israeli forces have been pressing ahead with their operations in northern Gaza against Palestinian militants, who have been targeting Israeli settlements and villages.
Advocates Hope Science Can Save a Big Tuna	For centuries, humans have mythologized the bluefin tuna, an elite, warmblooded fish that can traverse the Atlantic basin in less than a month and a half and grow to weigh three-quarters of a ton. Romans put bluefin on their coins; Salvador Dali painted them.
UN says southern Sudan peace agreement in trouble	A peace pact that ended a 21-year civil war in southern Sudan appears to be crumbling, with important pledges ignored or circumvented, according to a report by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan late on Tuesday.
Feisty Flyers Get Better and Meaner	Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers finished last in the N.H.L. with the worst record in their 40-year history. But this season, they have been first among the turnaround teams.
British PM will be questioned "within weeks" in "cash for honours" probe	British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be questioned by police within weeks as part of the investigation into alleged "cash for honours", the Daily Mail newspaper reports.
Senators seek retirement, health care reforms	The U.S. Senate's top budget overseers on Tuesday joined forces to tackle escalating costs of retirement and health care programs they say threaten to bankrupt the government, but they would wait until after next year's elections for recommendations to be made public.
Fishing for octopus on Indian Ocean isle	RODRIGUES, Mauritius - Wading through water up to her thighs, Marie-Claire Louis pauses and, one hand clutching a spear, studies the seaweed-covered rocks below her.
Pidgin or poetry? Moroccans tussle over language	Darija, the language Moroccans use in everyday life, is coming to the fore in media and music and prompting calls it be declared a national language as some in the North African country ask for the first time: "Who are we?"
Study finds US bias against women in science	Women are being filtered out of high-level science, math and engineering jobs in the United States, and there is no good reason for it, according to a National Academies report released on Monday.
Google launches new PC search tool:	[Technology India]: London, Oct 15: If you frequently waste a lot of time searching for files on your PC, help is at hand for Google has released a preliminary version of a desktop program that will search computer hard drives, as well as the web.
Aie riduce domanda petrolio 2007-08	Incidono clima mite e crescita debole paesi industrializzati
Critical Care Without Consent	The federal government is undertaking the most ambitious set of studies ever mounted under a controversial arrangement that allows researchers to conduct some kinds of medical experiments without first getting patients' permission.
UTC to buy Kidde in Â£1.4bn deal	Kidde, the UK fire and safety products company, said yesterday it had accepted a cash offer from United Technology Corporation that values the group at Â£1.442bn.
Leopard: Is it worth the upgrade?	Don Reisinger tackles Mac OS X Leopard and helps you decide if an upgrade is in order. And while he can't stand "early and often" OS upgrades, his final recommendation may surprise you.
Steelers run streak to 10	JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ben Roethlisberger had plenty of help in this win. The rookie quarterback extended both his and the Pittsburgh's winning streak to 10 games by engineering a last-minute drive last night to set up a 37-yard field goal by Jeff Reed with 18 seconds left that gave the Steelers a 17-16 win over Jacksonville.
US actor Ossie Davis found dead	Actor Ossie Davis, whose career included credits as a producer, director, actor and writer, dies aged 87.
Zambrano Wants Deal Before Season	If Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano doesn't get a new contract before the season begins, he plans to leave Chicago when the season ends.
UK police say 3 prostitutes dead, 4th missing	British police investigating the deaths of three prostitutes whose bodies were discovered in the last nine days said on Monday a fourth sex worker was missing, as fears grow that a serial killer is on the loose.
Rapper ODB "died of overdose"	Wu Tang founder Ol' Dirty Bastard died of an accidental drugs overdose, it was revealed yesterday. The rapper - real name Russell Jones - died suddenly last month after complaining of chest pains.
Cuba says it curbs narcotics flow without U.S. help	Fewer drug traffickers are using Cuba as a corridor to the United States thanks to tough enforcement and cooperation with other countries, the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma said on Friday.
More powerful American tug takes over towing of stricken Canadian ...	HALIFAX (CP) - A more powerful American navy tug took over the towing of a disabled Canadian submarine Saturday, moving up its expected arrival in Scotland to late Sunday.
Eta bomb attacks hit hopes for a ceasefire	The Basque separatist group Eta detonated seven bombs in cities across Spain yesterday during a public holiday marking the anniversary of the country's post-Franco constitution.
Oil rebounds on Nigeria, gasoline supply concerns	Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday to near $70 a barrel in London on lingering concerns over Nigerian crude production at the start of peak gasoline demand in top consumer, the United States.
Titan flyby overview	The first targeted flyby of Titan occurs on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 15:30 UTC (8:30 am Pacific time). Cassini's closest approach to Saturn's largest satellite is at an altitude of 1200 km (746 miles) above
Cat Stevens sparks US alert	A London-to-Washington flight is diverted after a security alert involving the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens.
Deputy PM in SLeone ahead of slavery anniversary	Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited Sierra Leone and held talks with President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in Freetown ahead of anti-slavery bicentenary anniversary.
Viene dal basso, fa ridere e non irrita piÃ¹ storia del marketing che cambia strada	Stop a televisione e cartelloni pubblicitari. Da ora in poi i creativisaranno meno invasivi e piÃ¹ simpatici. FunzionerÃ ? Viene dal basso, fa ridere e non irrita piÃ¹ storia del marketing che cambia strada di GAIA GIULIANI
France honours director Spielberg	France makes Steven Spielberg a Legion of Honour, in recognition of his film-making talent.
No Charges Imminent After Basketball Brawl	Investigators interviewed nine people injured in the brawl at the end of the Pistons-Pacers game, but no charges were imminent in the case, the county prosecutor said Monday.
Court: File-swapping Software OK	The entertainment industry is pondering its next move in the wake of a legal setback delivered Thursday, August 19. On that day, a Federal appeals court in San Francisco
Crisis Group Challenges Bush's Iraq Policy	The growing insurgency against U.S. forces in Iraq is fed by nationalist feelings and widespread distrust of the United States, the private International Crisis Group said Wednesday.
13 dead, 52 wounded in Philippine bomb explosion	COTABATO, Philippines: Thirteen people were killed and at least 52 others injured in a bomb attack in a public market in the southern Philippines Sunday, the military said.
Nova Gorica, 22:07 - CALCIO, SLOVENIA-DANIMARCA 1-2 IN AMICHEVOLE	La Danimarca ha battuto la Slovenia 2-1 (1-1) in un'amichevole giocata a Nova Gorica (Slovenia).In g...
Firenze, 16:42 - CALCIO, GIUDICE SERIE C: 10 SQUALIFICATI IN C1	Il giudice sportivo Pasquale Marino ha squalificato 10 giocatori in C1. Sono stati squalificati p...
RBS sweetens offer for ABN Amro	An RBS-led group sweetens its bid for Dutch lender ABN Amro, boosting the amount of cash it has offered.
Gibson tuning up new Slash and Page guitars	Gibson Guitar will release eight new Slash-branded guitars on March 15, and is taking the current models affiliated with the Velvet Revolver guitarist off the market.
Costa Rica gets forest fund boost	Conservation groups and the US will trim $26m (Â£12.8) from Costa Rican debt in return for forest protection investment.
Rice due in Asia for talks on NKorea's nuclear program	US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will leave here February 23 for South Korea, China and Japan as part of diplomatic efforts to scrap North Korea's nuclear arms program, her spokesman said Friday.
U.S. Captain to Miss Cup Qualifiers	U.S. captain Claudio Reyna will miss the Americans' World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Panama because of injuries.
Finanziaria: leader Unione da Prodi	Diliberto, discusso sul merito, vale principio collegialita'
Playboy Posts Profit, Shares Rise	Playboy Enterprises Inc. (PLA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the adult entertainment company, on Tuesday reported a quarterly profit, reversing a year-earlier loss, helped by gains at
German economic sentiment lifts	German investor confidence unexpectedly improves despite falling exports and signs of a global slowdown.
Man is critical after gang attack	A man is in a critical condition after being attacked by a gang of teenagers in Greater Manchester.
AP Blog: General Assembly chief moves on	U.N. Chief Correspondent Edith M. Lederer, who has covered the world diplomatic beat since September 1998, writes a periodic blog about life behind-the-scenes at U.N. headquarters in New York.
EUROPA/GEORGIA - A 10 giorni dal suo arrivo in Georgia Ã¨ giÃ attiva la ComunitÃ ÂGiovanni XXIIIÂ: intervista a Fides del responsabile del progetto	EUROPA/GEORGIA - A 10 giorni dal suo arrivo in Georgia Ã¨ giÃ attiva la ComunitÃ ÂGiovanni XXIIIÂ: intervista a Fides del responsabile del progetto Tbilisi (Agenzia Fides)- La ComunitÃ ÂGiovanni XXIIIÂ Ã¨ appena arrivata in Georgia ma ha giÃ avviato la sua opera di assistenza e di promozione umana. ÂAbbiamo iniziato le nostre attivitÃ circa 10 giorni fa a Batumi, il principale porto georgiano sul...
Labour in coalition talks with Sharon	Israel's opposition Labour party says it has set no conditions for joining Sharon's government, paving the way for a broad coalition that could pushthrough his Gaza withdrawal plan.
Roma, 13:14 - CALCIO, ALBERTI: SARAGOZZA SU CARRIZO	Josè Alberti, l'uomo che portÃ² Maradona in Italia, ha parlato di mercato all'agenzia radiofon...
Wojtyla beato, chiusa prima fase	Il 2 aprile, a 2 anni esatti dalla morte del Pontefice
Parigi, 15:06 - TENNIS, ROLAND GARROS: STARACE ELIMINATO DA FEDERER	Finisce al terzo turno il Roland Garros dell'azzurro Potito Starace. Il tennista campano poco ha pot...
Milano, 14:42 - CALCIO, INTER; MANCINI: RONALDO E' ANCORA UN GRAN GIOCATORE	Roberto Mancini commenta cosÃ¬ l'arrivo di Ronaldo al Milan: ''Ritengo che Ronaldo sia ancora un gran...
Tennis: Henman delays comeback	Tim Henman withdraws from next week's World Tournament in Rotterdam because of flu.
N. Korean missile sites eyed warily	The government picked up signals that North Korea is preparing a possible test launch of a Rodong medium-range ballistic missile and has stepped up surveillance of the reclusive state, sources said Thursday.
States undercharge polluters: report	States from Alabama to Wyoming collected such low fees from major polluters that they may have shortchanged efforts to fight air pollution by up to $50 million, an environmental group reported on Wednesday.
President Chirac defends unpopular French PM	French President Jacques Chirac stood by beleaguered Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Monday, saying his government was producing good results despite a string of recent setbacks and controversies.
Bayer Investing $1.8 Billion in China	By Joyce Gannon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sep. 6--Bayer AG yesterday launched production at newly expanded facilities in Shanghai, China, where it will make specialty chemicals and materials used in products ranging from high-tech industrial and automotive paints to CDs and DVDs.

Business lending bolsters profit at Westpac

SYDNEY Westpac Banking, Australia's fourth-largest lender, said Monday that second-half profit rose 16 percent from a year earlier to a record after it loaned more to businesses.

U.S. Judge Orders Election Agency to Tighten Rules

The decision left both parties arguing over which regulations are now in effect for the final weeks of the presidential campaign.

Governo: oggi giornata cruciale

Conferenza capigruppo, poi Prodi in aula alla Camera

Staying on top of the creative game

With products such as Photoshop, Flash, and its ubiquitous PDF document format, Adobe Systems Inc. dominates the market for multimedia software. During a recent visit to Boston, Adobe chief executive Bruce Chizen spoke with Globe reporter Hiawatha Bray, discussing the company's fierce rivalry with Microsoft and plans to stay on top. Q It seems that Adobe's tools are used to ...

Security alert forces evacuation of North Sea oil rig: police

A telephoned warning of a suspicious device forced the evacuation of a North Sea oil rig off Scotland on Sunday but it turned out to be a false alarm, emergency services said.

Food Allergies Stir a Mother to Action

Robyn OâBrien has looked deep into the perplexing world of childhood food allergies and seen a conspiracy.

Google Introduces Widget Ads

Google is beta testing a new type of ad with a select number of its clients that allows them to take advantage of the rise in popularity of the widget.

Abducted journalist freed in Iraq

One of the two CBS journalists kidnapped in the Iraqi city of Basra on Sunday has been released.

Cittadinanza concessa entro 2 anni

Lo straniero deve conoscere l'italiano e 5 anni residenza

Bush Increases Lead Over Kerry in Latest Pew Poll

President Bush's lead over Democratic nominee John Kerry increased to eight points in a Pew Research Center poll released on Tuesday, compared to a slight three-point lead in a poll conducted last week.

Consumers still worried about E. coli

September's national spinach recall has shaken consumer confidence in the safety of leafy green vegetables, according to a new national survey.

World economy 'in good health'

The head of the International Monetary Fund says the world economy is at its strongest point for five years.

Stick-up becomes unstuck at Aussie restaurant

Sydney - Bemused diners watched as three hapless thieves unsuccessfully tried to kick open a sliding door in a botched attempt to rob an Australian seafood restaurant, police said on Monday.

Giants-Cowboys Game Is on the Lines

When the Giants play in Dallas on Sunday, the outcome may depend on how the Giantsâ aggressive defensive line performs against the Cowboysâ big and gifted offensive line.

Rejuvenated Celtics expect happy new year

The Boston Celtics will hit the new year with the NBA's best record and a belief that more is still to come. "We haven't played our best basketball and I think most of the guys in this locker room will say that," veteran guard Ray Allen said recently after his team's home victory over the Orlando Magic.

World Leaders Highlight Need for Reform

One after another, world leaders and ministers called for expanding the powerful 15-nation Security Council, saying the modern world shouldn't be dominated by a few wealthy countries chosen in the aftermath of World War II.

ISS Problems Could Extend Atlantis Stay

NASA made plans Thursday to possibly extend the space shuttle's stay at the International Space Station because of malfunctioning computers.

Kerry Pulls Ad of McCain Smear Complaint

President Bush and Sen. John Kerry bowed to the wishes of popular maverick John McCain on Thursday, as the president embraced the Republican senator's legal fight against big-money special interest groups airing negative ads and the Democratic nominee scrapped a commercial that featured McCain.

Il cuore dell'Italia non basta L'Irlanda fa fatica ma vince

Nella prima gara del Sei Nazioni azzurri in partita fino alla fineI verdi si impongono (16-11). Pesano gli errori nelle punizioni Il cuore dell'Italia non basta L'Irlanda fa fatica ma vince di PASQUALE NOTARGIACOMO

Wachovia says completes Golden West takeover

Wachovia Corp. , the No. 4 U.S. bank, on Monday said it completed its $24 billion takeover of Golden West Financial Corp., the second-largest U.S. savings and loan.

Losing More Than a Campaign

What John and Elizabeth Edwards bid farewell to yesterday was not only a presidential campaign. They did not let go of the dream of changing the world while living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Palermo, 19:44 - CALCIO, PALERMO: SI COMPLICA AFFARE POSSANZINI

Il Palermo ha chiesto all'Inter il prestito dell'argentino Cruz impegnandosi a pagare lo stipendio c...

Argentina Contemplates Shared Custody of Its Top Job

It seems increasingly likely that President NÃ©stor Kirchner will not seek a second term but rather let his wife become the Peronist candidate.

Devils rally to beat Sabres and close gap at top

The New Jersey Devils moved to within four points of the top of the Eastern Conference by rallying to beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Saturday.

Italian president calls for political dialogue on reforms

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on Tuesday called on the ruling center right and the center-left opposition to discuss constitutional reforms in a spirit of dialogue.

Microsoft to launch video service to rival YouTube

Microsoft Corp. will start testing on Tuesday an Internet video-sharing service called Soapbox, the software company's answer to Web sensation YouTube.

J.&J. Earnings Rise Almost 10%

Johnson & Johnson, the medical and consumer products company, said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose almost 10 percent, in part because of lower taxes and a weak dollar that propelled overseas sales.

Bengals move for Fitzpatrick

Unhappy with Doug Johnson's preseason play, the Cincinnati Bengals released their veteran backup quarterback yesterday and obtained Ryan Fitzpatrick from the St. Louis Rams for a conditional draft pick.

Notre Dame's True Colors

The powers-that-be at Notre Dame, way too many of them anyway, never wanted Tyrone Willingham in the first place. The alums and the club boosters who donate tens of thousands of dollars and

Kerry Could Become Strong Senate Voice

Like many presidential candidates before him, John Kerry must now decide what to do with the rest of his political life.

NRI scriptwriter takes Fox studio to SC

An NRI film scriptwriter has dragged Hollywood studio giant Twentieth Century Fox to the Supreme Court for allegedly stealing his script to make the mega blockbuster Independence Day.

Warning on Indian herbal remedies

Lead, mercury and arsenic have been found in herbal preparations imported from India, some so laden with contaminants they were potent enough to cause serious poisonings, researchers report today.

Vietnam Bird Flu Death Toll Climbs to 27

Two Vietnamese children who died in early August were infected with the killer strain of bird flu that swept through Asia's poultry this year, bringing the region's human death toll to 27, Vietnam confirmed Monday.

A Turkish Move Into Iraq?

After new Kurdish violence, the prime minister may defy the U.S. and order his troops to cross the border

NHLPA remains united in labour dispute

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Solidarity was the key word at Tuesday's meeting between NHL Players' Association notables and executive director Bob Goodenow.

Rio de Janeiro, 10:04 - CALCIO, BRASILE; FLAMENGO: DA MILAN OK A TRATTARE RONALDO

Il Flamengo ha ricevuto dal Milan l'ok per trattare con Ronaldo. Lo ha annunciato un dirigente del c...

Army paints colorful new West Bank base

A new army base going up in the northern part of the West Bank will be Israel's most colorful, painted in a dazzling array of pink, brown, purple, light blue and orange, an army weekly reported.

India and Pakistan talk Kashmir

Top diplomats from Pakistan and India are meeting for talks on disputed Kashmir but no breakthrough is expected on the issue, which lies at the heart of a rivalry between the nuclear-armed nations.

Judge dismisses Nevada caucus challenge

A union with ties to Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton failed in court Thursday to block the state party's plans to hold caucuses at special precincts inside casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

`MNF' No. 1 on cable TV Sept. 10-16

Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Sept. 10-16. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses.

Brokerages Become More Compliant

New rules aim to keep brokerages on the straight and narrow.

2 Iraqi policemen killed in ambush

A police patrol was ambushed in southern Iraq early Monday by gunmen who killed two officers and injured three, part of scattered violence around the country.

Ex-FleetCenter chief hits revival of Garden name

Resurrecting Boston Garden as a new name for the FleetCenter would be an empty gesture in sentimentality, the former chairman of the FleetCenter said yesterday.

ABN AMRO to cut 4,000 jobs in restructuring

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlandsâ biggest bank ABN AMRO announced it was cutting more than 4,000 back office and information technology staff on Thursday as it aims to bring its cost base in line with its competitors.

Bayern Munich arrives in Israel without Iranian player

Bayern Munich arrived in Israel on Tuesday for its Group C Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv without a key Iranian player who was warned by his native country not to travel to the Jewish state.

Israel continues Gaza operation

Facing growing international condemnation, Israeli forces have been pressing ahead with their operations in northern Gaza against Palestinian militants, who have been targeting Israeli settlements and villages.

Advocates Hope Science Can Save a Big Tuna

For centuries, humans have mythologized the bluefin tuna, an elite, warmblooded fish that can traverse the Atlantic basin in less than a month and a half and grow to weigh three-quarters of a ton. Romans put bluefin on their coins; Salvador Dali painted them.

UN says southern Sudan peace agreement in trouble

A peace pact that ended a 21-year civil war in southern Sudan appears to be crumbling, with important pledges ignored or circumvented, according to a report by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan late on Tuesday.

Feisty Flyers Get Better and Meaner

Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers finished last in the N.H.L. with the worst record in their 40-year history. But this season, they have been first among the turnaround teams.

British PM will be questioned "within weeks" in "cash for honours" probe

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be questioned by police within weeks as part of the investigation into alleged "cash for honours", the Daily Mail newspaper reports.

Senators seek retirement, health care reforms

The U.S. Senate's top budget overseers on Tuesday joined forces to tackle escalating costs of retirement and health care programs they say threaten to bankrupt the government, but they would wait until after next year's elections for recommendations to be made public.

Fishing for octopus on Indian Ocean isle

RODRIGUES, Mauritius - Wading through water up to her thighs, Marie-Claire Louis pauses and, one hand clutching a spear, studies the seaweed-covered rocks below her.

Pidgin or poetry? Moroccans tussle over language

Darija, the language Moroccans use in everyday life, is coming to the fore in media and music and prompting calls it be declared a national language as some in the North African country ask for the first time: "Who are we?"

Study finds US bias against women in science

Women are being filtered out of high-level science, math and engineering jobs in the United States, and there is no good reason for it, according to a National Academies report released on Monday.

Google launches new PC search tool:

[Technology India]: London, Oct 15: If you frequently waste a lot of time searching for files on your PC, help is at hand for Google has released a preliminary version of a desktop program that will search computer hard drives, as well as the web.

Aie riduce domanda petrolio 2007-08

Incidono clima mite e crescita debole paesi industrializzati

Critical Care Without Consent

The federal government is undertaking the most ambitious set of studies ever mounted under a controversial arrangement that allows researchers to conduct some kinds of medical experiments without first getting patients' permission.

UTC to buy Kidde in Â£1.4bn deal

Kidde, the UK fire and safety products company, said yesterday it had accepted a cash offer from United Technology Corporation that values the group at Â£1.442bn.

Leopard: Is it worth the upgrade?

Don Reisinger tackles Mac OS X Leopard and helps you decide if an upgrade is in order. And while he can't stand "early and often" OS upgrades, his final recommendation may surprise you.

Steelers run streak to 10

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ben Roethlisberger had plenty of help in this win. The rookie quarterback extended both his and the Pittsburgh's winning streak to 10 games by engineering a last-minute drive last night to set up a 37-yard field goal by Jeff Reed with 18 seconds left that gave the Steelers a 17-16 win over Jacksonville.

US actor Ossie Davis found dead

Actor Ossie Davis, whose career included credits as a producer, director, actor and writer, dies aged 87.

Zambrano Wants Deal Before Season

If Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano doesn't get a new contract before the season begins, he plans to leave Chicago when the season ends.

UK police say 3 prostitutes dead, 4th missing

British police investigating the deaths of three prostitutes whose bodies were discovered in the last nine days said on Monday a fourth sex worker was missing, as fears grow that a serial killer is on the loose.

Rapper ODB "died of overdose"

Wu Tang founder Ol' Dirty Bastard died of an accidental drugs overdose, it was revealed yesterday. The rapper - real name Russell Jones - died suddenly last month after complaining of chest pains.

Cuba says it curbs narcotics flow without U.S. help

Fewer drug traffickers are using Cuba as a corridor to the United States thanks to tough enforcement and cooperation with other countries, the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma said on Friday.

More powerful American tug takes over towing of stricken Canadian ...

HALIFAX (CP) - A more powerful American navy tug took over the towing of a disabled Canadian submarine Saturday, moving up its expected arrival in Scotland to late Sunday.

Eta bomb attacks hit hopes for a ceasefire

The Basque separatist group Eta detonated seven bombs in cities across Spain yesterday during a public holiday marking the anniversary of the country's post-Franco constitution.

Oil rebounds on Nigeria, gasoline supply concerns

Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday to near $70 a barrel in London on lingering concerns over Nigerian crude production at the start of peak gasoline demand in top consumer, the United States.

Titan flyby overview

The first targeted flyby of Titan occurs on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 15:30 UTC (8:30 am Pacific time). Cassini's closest approach to Saturn's largest satellite is at an altitude of 1200 km (746 miles) above

Cat Stevens sparks US alert

A London-to-Washington flight is diverted after a security alert involving the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens.

Deputy PM in SLeone ahead of slavery anniversary

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited Sierra Leone and held talks with President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in Freetown ahead of anti-slavery bicentenary anniversary.

Viene dal basso, fa ridere e non irrita piÃ¹ storia del marketing che cambia strada

Stop a televisione e cartelloni pubblicitari. Da ora in poi i creativisaranno meno invasivi e piÃ¹ simpatici. FunzionerÃ ? Viene dal basso, fa ridere e non irrita piÃ¹ storia del marketing che cambia strada di GAIA GIULIANI

France honours director Spielberg

France makes Steven Spielberg a Legion of Honour, in recognition of his film-making talent.

No Charges Imminent After Basketball Brawl

Investigators interviewed nine people injured in the brawl at the end of the Pistons-Pacers game, but no charges were imminent in the case, the county prosecutor said Monday.

Court: File-swapping Software OK

The entertainment industry is pondering its next move in the wake of a legal setback delivered Thursday, August 19. On that day, a Federal appeals court in San Francisco

Crisis Group Challenges Bush's Iraq Policy

The growing insurgency against U.S. forces in Iraq is fed by nationalist feelings and widespread distrust of the United States, the private International Crisis Group said Wednesday.

13 dead, 52 wounded in Philippine bomb explosion

COTABATO, Philippines: Thirteen people were killed and at least 52 others injured in a bomb attack in a public market in the southern Philippines Sunday, the military said.

Nova Gorica, 22:07 - CALCIO, SLOVENIA-DANIMARCA 1-2 IN AMICHEVOLE

La Danimarca ha battuto la Slovenia 2-1 (1-1) in un'amichevole giocata a Nova Gorica (Slovenia).In g...

Firenze, 16:42 - CALCIO, GIUDICE SERIE C: 10 SQUALIFICATI IN C1

Il giudice sportivo Pasquale Marino ha squalificato 10 giocatori in C1. Sono stati squalificati p...

RBS sweetens offer for ABN Amro

An RBS-led group sweetens its bid for Dutch lender ABN Amro, boosting the amount of cash it has offered.

Gibson tuning up new Slash and Page guitars

Gibson Guitar will release eight new Slash-branded guitars on March 15, and is taking the current models affiliated with the Velvet Revolver guitarist off the market.

Costa Rica gets forest fund boost

Conservation groups and the US will trim $26m (Â£12.8) from Costa Rican debt in return for forest protection investment.

Rice due in Asia for talks on NKorea's nuclear program

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will leave here February 23 for South Korea, China and Japan as part of diplomatic efforts to scrap North Korea's nuclear arms program, her spokesman said Friday.

U.S. Captain to Miss Cup Qualifiers

U.S. captain Claudio Reyna will miss the Americans' World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Panama because of injuries.

Finanziaria: leader Unione da Prodi

Diliberto, discusso sul merito, vale principio collegialita'

Playboy Posts Profit, Shares Rise

Playboy Enterprises Inc. (PLA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the adult entertainment company, on Tuesday reported a quarterly profit, reversing a year-earlier loss, helped by gains at

German economic sentiment lifts

German investor confidence unexpectedly improves despite falling exports and signs of a global slowdown.

Man is critical after gang attack

A man is in a critical condition after being attacked by a gang of teenagers in Greater Manchester.

AP Blog: General Assembly chief moves on

U.N. Chief Correspondent Edith M. Lederer, who has covered the world diplomatic beat since September 1998, writes a periodic blog about life behind-the-scenes at U.N. headquarters in New York.

EUROPA/GEORGIA - A 10 giorni dal suo arrivo in Georgia Ã¨ giÃ attiva la ComunitÃ ÂGiovanni XXIIIÂ: intervista a Fides del responsabile del progetto

EUROPA/GEORGIA - A 10 giorni dal suo arrivo in Georgia Ã¨ giÃ attiva la ComunitÃ ÂGiovanni XXIIIÂ: intervista a Fides del responsabile del progetto Tbilisi (Agenzia Fides)- La ComunitÃ ÂGiovanni XXIIIÂ Ã¨ appena arrivata in Georgia ma ha giÃ avviato la sua opera di assistenza e di promozione umana. ÂAbbiamo iniziato le nostre attivitÃ circa 10 giorni fa a Batumi, il principale porto georgiano sul...

Labour in coalition talks with Sharon

Israel's opposition Labour party says it has set no conditions for joining Sharon's government, paving the way for a broad coalition that could pushthrough his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Roma, 13:14 - CALCIO, ALBERTI: SARAGOZZA SU CARRIZO

Josè Alberti, l'uomo che portÃ² Maradona in Italia, ha parlato di mercato all'agenzia radiofon...

Wojtyla beato, chiusa prima fase

Il 2 aprile, a 2 anni esatti dalla morte del Pontefice

Parigi, 15:06 - TENNIS, ROLAND GARROS: STARACE ELIMINATO DA FEDERER

Finisce al terzo turno il Roland Garros dell'azzurro Potito Starace. Il tennista campano poco ha pot...

Milano, 14:42 - CALCIO, INTER; MANCINI: RONALDO E' ANCORA UN GRAN GIOCATORE

Roberto Mancini commenta cosÃ¬ l'arrivo di Ronaldo al Milan: ''Ritengo che Ronaldo sia ancora un gran...

Tennis: Henman delays comeback

Tim Henman withdraws from next week's World Tournament in Rotterdam because of flu.

N. Korean missile sites eyed warily

The government picked up signals that North Korea is preparing a possible test launch of a Rodong medium-range ballistic missile and has stepped up surveillance of the reclusive state, sources said Thursday.

States undercharge polluters: report

States from Alabama to Wyoming collected such low fees from major polluters that they may have shortchanged efforts to fight air pollution by up to $50 million, an environmental group reported on Wednesday.

President Chirac defends unpopular French PM

French President Jacques Chirac stood by beleaguered Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Monday, saying his government was producing good results despite a string of recent setbacks and controversies.

Bayer Investing $1.8 Billion in China

By Joyce Gannon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sep. 6--Bayer AG yesterday launched production at newly expanded facilities in Shanghai, China, where it will make specialty chemicals and materials used in products ranging from high-tech industrial and automotive paints to CDs and DVDs.