Business News

A computer manufacturer says Microsoft keeps a stranglehold on computer makers through a stick and carrot contract system and won't let consumers buy computers without also paying for Microsoft's Windows operating system.

Even as the tourism industry worldwide took a huge hit in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Vietnam actually recorded a jump in its tourism figures.

Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket goods rose 1.5 percent in February, the third straight monthly increase, lifted by stronger demand for airplanes, communications equipment and household appliances.

Delta Air Lines chief executive Leo Mullin's voluntary post-September 11th pay cut resulted in an income drop of 72 percent in 2001.

The formal announcement came Monday at Elan Pharmaceutical in Gainesville - the company is planning a major addition in Hall County.

Officials from the ailing Kirch media empire met Monday with creditors to consider a rescue plan sources said could turn over control of Kirch's five commercial television channels to media tycoons Rupert Murdoch and Silvio Berlusconi.

TRW Inc. directors on Monday recommended that shareholders vote down two proposals that Northrop Grumman Corp. plans to make at TRW's annual meeting next month to advance an unsolicited $5.9 billion takeover bid.

The latest battle in the tobacco wars is over claims that cigarette companies have used words such as ``light'' and ``low tar'' to deceive smokers into believing they are safer than regular brands.

Worldwide production rose at Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. last month compared to a year ago, but fell at Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Japanese automakers said Tuesday.

Pennzoil-Quaker State Co., the nation's biggest producer of motor oil and owner of the Jiffy Lube chain, is being acquired by Royal Dutch/Shell Group in a deal worth $1.8 billion.