January 21, 2004

Philippines' trade deficit staged eightfold increase in November compared with same month year ago, to $322 million (S)

Wedding providers in Provincetown, Mass, gear up for deluge of businesses after May 17, court-set deadline for State Legislature to make provisions for same-sex marriages; town is gay-friendly and already provides domestic partnership licenses that give gay couples certain rights within town limits; town clerk worries about crush of paperwork; photo (M)

Linda Lee reports on bacon-tasting party she held, in which 15 friends sampled 11 kinds of bacon; favorites noted; list of sources; photos (L)

Gov George E Pataki proposes $99.8 billion budget for New York State, up $1.5 billion over last year's final tally, citing new strength in state's economy to defend increase; calls for $600 million in spending cuts by state agencies, $283 million in borrowing, use of one-time revenues and $972 million in new fees and targeted taxes, including tax on clothes and shoes under $110, to close projected budget shortfall of $5.1 billion; proposes state takeover of local governments' share of Medicaid costs for long-term care, which will save localities $1.8 billion over 10 years; proposes to increase education aid by $147 million, to $14.6 billion, including $56 million for New York City schools; proposes scrapping current system of school financing formulas and puts forward Flex Aid program, essentially consolidating seven separate categories of aid totaling $10 billion into single fund; proposes expanded video gambling to create new fund that will be used to educate neediest children around state; budget would provided much of aid Mayor Michael R Bloomberg requested in his budget proposal; photo; graph (L)

World Business Briefing: Italy: Inquiry At Software Compa

Booming soy exports may be boon to Argentina's convalescent economy, but Monsanto has stopped selling its Roundup Ready soybean seeds because of sharp rise in blackmarket sales of genetically modified seeds has badly cut into company's revenue; Argentina exported nearly 25 million tons of soy meal and oil last year; nearly $5.5 billion earned from soy exports in first three quarters of 2003 gave economy much-needed lift as it gradually recovers from four-year recession that led to default and currency devaluation in 2002; photo (M)

Bruce C Ratner and Charles Kushner increase their bids to buy New Jersey Nets, which could bring rapid end to negotiations process; Ratner wants to bring Nets to Brooklyn (NYC) and Kushner wants to keep team in New Jersey (M)

Chris Broussard NBA Analysis discusses New York Knicks president Isiah Thomas, who has made big roster and front office changes since his appointment; photos (M)

Todd S Purdum analysis of Pres Bush's State of the Union address says it blended potent reminders of his role as commander in chief of nation at war with pledges to confront domestic issues that his Democratic rivals hope may defeat him (M)

Sen John Kerry arrives in Manchester, NH, revitalized by his victory in Iowa's Democratic presidential caucuses and confident of success in New Hampshire primary, even while proclaiming himself the underdog; campaign contributions suddenly pick up; aides still speak of Howard Dean as greatest threat, but make clear Kerry is also braced for battle with Gen Wesley Clark; crucial element in Kerry's Iowa victory was his underestimated field operation, led by Michael Whouley; photos (M)

Fourth-Quarter Earnings Nearly Double at Citigroup Fourth-quarter profits at Citigroup nearly doubled on the strength of its credit card business and lower litigation costs. The results included a $242 million after-tax charge for loan and trading losses tied to Parmalat. Revenue rose 13 percent, to $20.15 billion. Citigroup also announced a 14 percent increase in its quarterly dividend, to 40 cents a share. [Page C4.]

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