World Briefing | Asia: China: Magnate Gunned Down
Date: 24 January 2003
By Chris Buckley (NYT)
Chris NYT
Wealthy Chinese businessman Li Haicang is found dead in his Yuncheng office, apparently shot in head by old friend Feng Yinliang, who then shot himself; according to New China News Agency, motive appears to be tied to Feng's failed business and Li's refusal to help (S)
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For Jets, Preseason Will Begin In Japan
Date: 25 January 2003
By Judy Battista
Judy Battista
Football Notebook discusses New York Jets, which will open exhibition season in Japan against Tampa Bay Buccaneers; NFL fines Oakland Raiders $50,000 for absence of several players from media sessions before Super Bowl (M)
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Bush's Backing, Still Strong, Shows Steady Decline
Date: 24 January 2003
By Adam Nagourney and Janet Elder
Adam Nagourney
New York Times/CBS News poll shows Pres Bush's public support has eroded steadily over last 12 months, with rising number of Americans expressing discontent both with his economic policies and his handling of foreign affairs; Bush's 59-percent approval rating is, by historical standards, strong, but figure is lowest it has been for him since Sept 11 terrorist attacks; two-thirds of poll respondents are optimistic about next two years under Bush, and 40 percent expect nation to be in better condition five years from now; Americans say they are twice as concerned about economy as they are about either pending war in Iraq or war on terrorism; nearly 50 percent of public disapprove of how Bush is handling economy, and 41 percent disapprove of his management of foreign policy; disapproval figures are highest they have been since he took office; half of all respondents say Bush does not share their priorities for country, increase of 14 points from when question was asked year ago; more than half respondents oppose centerpiece of Bush's tax cut plan, elimination of tax on dividends; majority of poll's respondents, including 49 percent of Republicans, say reducing deficit would be more likely to revive economy than would cutting taxes; 63 percent say things are going worse in country than they were five years ago; although Bush's overall job approval rating remains at enviable level, poll results offer reasons for hope for six Democrats now seeking nomination to challenge him in 2004; charts (L)
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Russian Court Frees Reporter In Case About Nuclear Waste
Date: 24 January 2003
By Sabrina Tavernise
Sabrina Tavernise
Grigory Pasko, crusading Russian journalist who documented Russian Navy's mishandling of nuclear waste, is released on parole after serving two-thirds of his four-year prison sentence; his case has drawn protests from international human rights groups, who liken his arrest and conviction to Soviet-era repression; it was widely criticized within Russia as blunder by Russia's military and embarrassment for Kremlin; Pres Vladimir V Putin offered to grant Pasko amnesty, but Pasko refused, saying it would be admission of guilt (M)
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LONGTIME EXECUTIVE AT MERRILL LYNCH RETIRES
Date: 25 January 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Merrill Lynch & Co vice chairman Jerome Kenney retires (S)
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WATSON PHARMACEUTICALS RAISES 2003 PROFIT FORECAST
Date: 24 January 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Watson Pharmaceuticals says 2003 profit will increase as much as 13 percent (S)
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MONEY-LOSING AMERICAN ELECTRIC CUTS DIVIDEND
Date: 25 January 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
American Electric Power Co reduces stock dividend 42 percent to save $340 million annually; reports it eliminated 1,300 jobs in fourth quarter (S)
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CHRISTIE'S RAISES COMMISSION ON SALES ABOVE $100,000
Date: 25 January 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Christie's International will raise commissions on auction sales to 12 percent of amounts above $100,000 from 10 percent; buyers' premium on first $100,000 remains at 19.5 percent (S)
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MEDSOURCE STOCK PLUNGES AFTER IT LOWERS FORECAST
Date: 25 January 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Shares of medical instruments maker MedSource Technologies Inc lose nearly half their value after company cuts its 2003 profit forecast (S)
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QUEST DIAGNOSTICS REDUCES ITS PROFIT OUTLOOK
Date: 25 January 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Medical laboratory service Quest Diagnostics Inc cuts first-quarter profit forecast; stock price falls (S)
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