Enquirer wire reports

BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Union antitrust officials won backing Monday for a reportedly record-setting fine against Microsoft Corp., the last hurdle before adopting a decision that could also force far-reaching changes in how the U.S. software company sells Windows.

Representatives from the 15 EU governments met for less than an hour behind closed doors to review the fine proposed by EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti. A source familiar with the case said they agreed to it but declined to elaborate.

Tyco jurors rehear testimony on bonus

Jurors deliberating in the fraud and larceny trial of two former Tyco International Ltd. executives asked to hear testimony by ex-finance chief Mark Swartz about a $12.5 million bonus he got in 1999.

The money was part of $38.5 million paid to Swartz; his co-defendant, former Tyco Chief Executive L. Dennis Kozlowski; and Barbara Jacques, an events planner. Kozlowski got $25 million and Jacques got $1 million.

The jury, in a note to state Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus, asked to hear Swartz's direct testimony, his attorney Michael Grudberg said. Swartz, who testified for nine days, said he told accountants about the bonus and didn't know it wasn't reported on his U.S. tax return.

Japanese real estate prices fell in 2003

TOKYO - Japanese real estate prices fell for a 13th straight year in 2003, but a modest economic recovery and redevelopment helped land values rebound in selected areas, the government said Monday.

Commercial land prices sank an average of 7.4 percent across Japan, while residential values dropped 5.7 percent, the latest annual survey by the Land Ministry showed. The rates of decline were little changed from last year.

HUD pulls proposal on mortgage closing costs

WASHINGTON - Federal housing officials are withdrawing a proposal they said could have saved consumers hundreds of dollars on mortgage closing costs, the Bush administration's top housing official said Monday

A "significant number of questions" have been raised about the proposed changes to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, acting Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson said in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget.

Jackson said he has heard from numerous industry groups and members of Congress who complained they have not had enough time to comment on the proposal.

Canada provides aid for beef producers

TORONTO - Canadian beef producers hammered by the mad cow crisis will receive hundreds of millions of dollars in new assistance, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Monday.

The $746 million aid package will provide $510 million to cattle producers hurt by the prolonged closure of the Canada-United States border to beef exports.

Funding will be delivered as a direct payment of up to $60 per head of cattle in a farm inventory as of Dec. 31, 2003. Eligible animals include all cattle except bulls and mature cows.

Rates mixed in Treasury bill auction

WASHINGTON - Interest rates on short-term Treasury securities were mixed in Monday's auction.

The Treasury Department sold $18 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 0.930 percent, down from 0.945 percent last week. An additional $16 billion was sold in six-month bills at a rate of 0.990 percent, unchanged from the previous week. The three-month rate was the lowest since Feb.17, when the bills sold for 0.915 percent.

Huffy Corp. sells Gen-X equipment business

MIAMISBURG, Ohio - Bicycle-maker Huffy Corp. said Monday it sold its Gen-X sporting goods business for an undisclosed amount.

Canada's Gen-X Inc. - which makes equipment for golf, snowboarding, inline skating, skiing and hockey - has been sold to a group headed by its original founders, James Salter and Kenneth Finkelstein, and industry veteran Rick White.

Huffy purchased Gen-X in September 2002. The acquisition was supposed to help the company get into product lines growing faster than its main product of bicycles, but its performance has been lagging.