September 7, 2001

Speculation about whether Michael Jordan will return to active play discussed; photo (M)

Hynix Semiconductor plans to sell 80.1 percent of its liquid crystal display unit to group led by Taiwan's Cando Corp; says deal is joint venture in which it will earn $650 million from Cando group while keeping 19.9 percent of equity (S)

China's effort to join World Trade Organization has stalled because of dispute between US and Europe over treatment of American International Group after country joins global trading system; US says its trade organization agreement with China should permit AIG to continue expanding as wholly foreign-owned company; European Union says AIG should be held to same restrictions as Europe's insurers are under agreement Europe signed with China; that agreement requires insurers to have Chinese partner; three sides will meet in Geneva to try to reach agreement (S)

New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee cancels hearing on issue of sports arena in Newark and plan to redevelop Meadowlands, effectively derailing legislation; backers of plan hope that it can be revived following election; seen as major setback for YankeeNets and reflects increased scrutiny of publicly finances sports complexes (M)

U.S. No Longer Seeking A Breakup of Microsoft Reversing the government's strategy in the landmark antitrust case against Microsoft, the Bush administration announced that it would no longer seek a breakup of the software company. The government also abandoned a central claim of the lawsuit that Microsoft had violated federal antitrust law by integrating its Internet Explorer browser software into its Windows operating system. The action marked a sharp departure by the Bush administration from the Clinton administration's belief that breaking Microsoft apart was the only effective way to curb its business practices. [Page A1.]