National average pump price down nearly 4 cents a gallon

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) -- The average price of gasoline in the U.S. dropped nearly 4 cents a gallon at the pumps in the past two weeks.Lower crude oil prices and increased production were behind the decline, analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday.

"The retail price cut speeded up the past two weeks. Lower crude oil prices are the main cause. However, gasoline is also in greater supply," Lundberg said after examining results of Friday's Lundberg Survey of 10,000 gas stations.

Gas prices nationwide, including all grades and taxes, averaged $1.532 per gallon, which was down 3.89 cents from the $1.5709 average on April 7. That was down 2.5 cents from the year's high of $1.5958 on March 24.

Continental threatens to sue United over baggage limits

HOUSTON (AP) -- Citing interference caused by new baggage-size restrictions at Washington Dulles International Airport, Continental Airlines announced Monday it would sue United Airlines and the airport's committee of airline managers.

The Houston-based airline alleges that the plastic restrictors on X-ray conveyor belts are anti-competitive and cause illegal interference. The carrier accuses the Airline Management Council at Dulles and United of conspiring to limit competition by requiring all fliers to conform to Chicago-based United's smaller standard.

Continental complains that it has an advantage over United and other rivals by offering bigger overhead bins and more closet space for carry-on luggage.

Graduate assistants at NYU will vote on forming union

NEW YORK (AP) -- This week, 1,400 graduate teaching and research assistants at New York University will vote whether to form a union represented by the United Auto Workers.

A "yes" vote could make NYU the first private American university subject to collective bargaining with graduate assistants. About two dozen public universities already are.

Microsoft's insurer contends antitrust suits aren't covered

SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp.'s general insurer has asked a federal court that it not be required to pay for legal bills stemming from the tide of third-party antitrust lawsuits filed in the wake of the U.S. Justice Department case.

Both Microsoft and Zurich American Insurance Inc. confirmed Friday that they have each filed suit against the other over the issue. Zurich American, which filed first, contends Microsoft's liability insurance simply does not cover antitrust issues.

There are nearly 140 private antitrust suits that have been filed in 38 states against Microsoft, all stemming from a ruling that Microsoft acted anti-competitively and broke antitrust law.

Water-heater repair claims must be filed by end of year

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Consumers have until the end of the year to file claims for repairs on more than 14 million water heaters under a nationwide settlement.

The settlement, involving 99 percent of the manufacturers of water heaters, was given final approval Friday by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs.

The affected water heaters were made from 1993 to 1996. Manufacturers that sold the heaters under several brand names were Rheem Manufacturing Co., A.O. Smith Corp., Bradford White Corp., American Water Heater Co. and Lochinvar Corp.

Consumers who have already paid for repairs have until June 30 to file a claim. Those who have not had repairs done have until Dec. 31 to file claims.

Claim forms and information are available by calling 800-329-0561 or on the Internet at www.diptubesettlement.com.

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First Security Corp. rescinds its stock buyback program

First Security Corp. announced Monday it has rescinded a stock buyback program that was announced April 3, one day after its board of directors terminated the already-dying merger plans with Zions Bankcorp.

The original plan would have included the repurchase of up to 15 million shares of outstanding common stock. None of the shares had been repurchased.

First Security was trading up 38 cents at $14.50 at midmorning Monday.

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