Does Armstrong still have shot at Tour stage win?

Lance Armstrong came oh-so-close to the Tour de France stage win he's been yearning for in his final appearance, and one could still come with four racing days left.

The seven-time Tour champion ruled himself out of contention 10 days ago after struggling in the first Alpine challenge, and he's looking forward to retirement when the race ends in Paris on Sunday.

But Armstrong's coach says the American could win a stage.

"It's not yet finished," said Johan Bruyneel, manager of Armstrong's RadioShack team and the man who coached him during all his victories from 1999 to 2005.

"There's a single (mountain) stage left on Thursday …

Global isn't global yet

THE INSIDE LINE

The World Trade Organization would like us all to believe that we now live in a global economy. Even the automotive industry is preaching globalization as a key ingredient for the future. Global OEMs, suppliers and consumers are here, and here to stay. Just don't tell anyone that it isn't so. At least not yet.

For the 2002 calendar year, the global vehicle market will produced approximately 54 million vehicles. About 85 percent of those will be produced in the three main auto-producing regions: North America, Europe and Japan/Korea. While global platforms might lead you to …

Dollar Falls, Gold Rises in Europe

The U.S. dollar was mostly lower against other major currencies in European trading Tuesday. Gold rose.

The euro traded at $1.4710, up from $1.4696 late Monday in New York. Later, in midday trading in New York, the euro fetched $1.4721.

Other dollar rates in Europe, compared with late Monday, included 109.67 Japanese yen, up from 109.03; 1.1150 Swiss francs, down from 1.1162; and 0.9986 Canadian dollars, …

Fixtures guide

Saturday

Superleague: Dyce Juniors v Culter, East End v Formartine Utd,Hermes v Turriff Utd (2.30pm), Hillhead v Banks o' Dee (2.30pm),Maud v Ellon Utd, Parkvale v Stonehaven, Sunnybank v Longside.

First Division: Buchanhaven Hearts v Hall Russell Utd, FCStoneywood v Banchory St Ternan, Fraserburgh Utd v Lewis Utd,Glentanar v Cruden Bay, Islavale v Lads Club, Nairn St Ninian vForres Thistle, Strathspey Thistle v Dufftown (2.30pm).

ELGINSHIRE LEAGUE CUP - Section A: Buckie Rovers v LossiemouthUtd, RAF Lossiemouth v Whitehills.

Section B: Bishopmill Utd v Burghead Thistle, New Elgin vDeveronside.

Kick offs 1.30pm unless stated.

SATURDAY, …

Rieter Reports 18% Jump in Textile Machinery Sales

Rieter reported that its sales of textile machinery increased by 18% in 2007 from the previous year to a record level of CHF 1,566.8 million. Turkey, India and China headed the sales ranking. Asia including Turkey accounted for 71% of sales, as compared with 67% in 2006.

According to Rieter, the sales revenues lost by divestiture of the manmade fiber machinery business at the end of 2006 were more than offset.

The order intake for textile machinery was also at an all-time high of CHF 1,703.1 million, up 6%. Although …

Lidle Remembered by Former Teammates

NEW YORK - When Cory Lidle walked into the New York Yankees' clubhouse for the first time this summer, Jason Giambi was elated to see his old friend.

The pair were teammates at South Hills High School in West Covina, Calif., and Giambi was among the first to express sadness and condolences Wednesday after the pitcher apparently died when his plane crashed into a Manhattan high-rise condominium.

"Right now, I am really in a state of shock," Giambi said in a statement. "I have known Cory and his wife Melanie for over 18 years and watched his son grow up. We played high school ball together and have remained close throughout our careers. We were excited to be reunited in New …

European, US stocks steady after week of gains

European and U.S. stock markets were little changed Friday as investors took a breather at the end of a week when stocks shot higher amid mounting optimism about the global economic recovery. Chinese shares rallied as traders returned to their desks following a weeklong holiday.

The U.S. dollar garnered support after U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke spoke about the need _ eventually _ to raise interest rates to counter potential inflationary problems and figures showed the U.S. trade deficit narrowed by more than anticipated during August as exports rose and imports fell.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down a minuscule …