Survey finds CEOs favor Bush over Kerry

U.S. chief executive officers support President George W. Bush over Democratic rival John Kerry on issues including the economy, taxes and job creation, according to a survey by Chief Executive magazine.

When asked which candidate would most effectively handle nine different issues, the 358 CEOs surveyed favored Bush, 58, over Kerry, 60, in every area. Eighty-three percent of the executives supported Bush on terrorism and homeland security; 81 percent gave Bush the edge on "tort reform"; 75 percent favored Bush on the economy, and 70 percent were more confident Bush would create jobs.

Los Angeles passes anti-superstore law

Discount retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may find it harder to open stores that sell groceries in Los Angeles after the second-largest U.S. city's council today approved a law to limit "superstores."

The ordinance, approved by a 12-to-1 vote, will require retailers to submit an economic impact study before they can open the large stores in the city's economic revitalization areas. The stores sell groceries as well as merchandise such as clothes, toys and household goods.

Chicken torture claim still under review

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Federal compliance officers have finished investigating the West Virginia processing plant where workers were accused of torturing chickens before slaughter, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture is still reviewing the results.

Spokesman Matt Baun said Wednesday it may be a few weeks before the agency decides whether any action is needed at the Pilgrim's Pride plant in Moorefield, where 11 workers were fired for mistreating birds.

Judge declines to set trial date for Ken Lay

HOUSTON - Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay won't get the September trial he wanted on charges stemming from the scandal-choked company's collapse.

But he could learn by early October whether he'll get a separate trial or face a judge or jury next alongside his one-time protege, former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, and the company's former top accountant, Richard Causey.

Lay and Skilling appeared in court together Wednesday for the first time since Lay was added as a defendant last month to the case against Skilling and Causey.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake Wednesday declined to set a trial date.

SUVs may be recalled for brake lights

WASHINGTON - The government has moved closer to recalling more than 1.2 million General Motors Corp. sport utility vehicles because their brake lights could fail.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday it is upgrading an investigation into brake light failures on 2002-04 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada SUVs as well as the 2004 Buick Rainier. Such upgrades often precede vehicle recalls.

WTO upholds ruling on Canada tariffs

GENEVA - The World Trade Organization on Wednesday largely upheld a ruling that supported steep anti-dumping tariffs imposed by the United States on imports of Canadian softwood lumber, but maintained that U.S. authorities miscalculated the amounts.

Canada and the United States had both appealed the earlier decision by a WTO panel, but a 63-page final ruling rejected both countries' challenges.

Lipper exec admits to deceiving investors

NEW YORK - A former Lipper Holdings LLC executive accused of overstating the value of hedge funds by hundred of millions of dollars pleaded guilty Wednesday to securities fraud.

Edward Strafaci, a former senior trader at hedge-fund firm Lipper Holdings, admitted in Manhattan federal court that he deceived investors by overvaluing two funds, including one that prosecutors say was valued at $722 million but liquidated at $365 million. He faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 2.

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