May 15, 2004

Democrats say the ticket would give them an edge in the debate over who can best lead the nation in the war on terror.

Airlines are increasingly tailoring service to specific market niches; efforts include American Airlines experiment with all-coach-class in service from Boston to Manchester, Eng; are in addition to new, low-fare units of traditional airlines; lines are increasingly blurring between full-service and no-frills carriers, with both varying their offerings more from route to route and flight to flight; photo (M)

Some prominent Democrats want Republican Sen John McCain to run for vice president alongside Sen John Kerry; say it would create bipartisan ticket that would instantly transform presidential race; Kerry says McCain would not have to leave his party; says he would only have to promise not to appoint judges who would overturn Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion; McCain, whom Kerry aides describe as candidate's best friend in Senate, has rejected idea; Kerry and McCain photo (M)

European Union seems ready to approve genetically engineered sweet corn developed by Syngenta, ending six-year moratorium on approvals for biotechnology crops; United States government and industry officials welcome move, but say single approval would not be enough to make US drop its complaint to World Trade Organization about Europe's refusal to approve biotech foods; corn will be approve only for consumption, meaning European farmers will still be unable to grow it; is resistant to some insects and herbicide glufosinate; corn must still be labeled as genetically modified, which would discourage consumers from buying it and food companies from selling it; photo (M)

Garnett & Helfrich Capital founders Terry Garnett and David Helfrich comment on their new, $250 million venture capital fund that will focus on small former Silicon Valley start-ups trapped inside larger technology firms no longer happy with ventures, interview; photo (M)