November 20, 2001

Nissan Motor Co posts record profits of 203.3 billion yen ($1.87 billion) for six months ended Sept 30 (S)

Nassau County split off its public health care system in 1999 in a fiscal maneuver to aid both the county and the health system, but now they are both suffering. The health care system is threatening to lay off 400 workers -- almost a tenth of its work force -- and its problems are haunting the county. At a stormy meeting this morning before an overflow crowd of more than 300 spectators, the health system's board voted 7 to 4 for a budget that could force the layoffs starting Jan. 1. But with two members absent and two seats vacant, the board fell short of the eight-vote majority needed to adopt a $469 million budget prepared by the administration. Further action was postponed till the next meeting.

Normandy Mining continues to favor takeover bid from Newmont Mining over competing bid from AngloGold (S)

Market Speculation Arises On Rival Suitor for Conoco A day after Conoco and Phillips Petroleum announced plans to merge, the markets were abuzz with speculation that another suitor might emerge to woo Conoco. Under the terms of the deal, Conoco shareholders will not receive a premium. Such news would typically drive down share prices. But Conoco shares rose nearly 7 percent on speculation that several larger oil companies might be interested in a takeover. [Page C2.]

Mexico's energy minister, Ernesto Martens, meets with Russian counterpart, Igor Yusufov, in Moscow to discuss whether to cut oil production to help prop up prices, but talks make no apparent progress; photo (M)