December 1, 2004

Notre Dame announced yesterday that it had dismissed Coach Tyrone Willingham, creating an opening for what is regarded as the most prestigious job in college football and one that may be quickly offered to Urban Meyer, the coach of unbeaten Utah. Willingham, who was the first African-American head coach at Notre Dame in any sport, compiled a record of 21-15 in three seasons. This season, the Irish are an erratic 6-5, including a 41-10 loss to top-ranked Southern California on Saturday. It was the fifth time the Irish lost by 31 or more points under Willingham and only added to the frustrations at a program that for so long fielded a dominant team but has now gone 16 years without a national title and more than a decade without a final top-10 ranking.

Reliance Energy, in latest move in power struggle between brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani, asks six directors to reconsider their resignations (S)

Gains by Vioxx Competitors Appear to Be Short-Lived The Pfizer painkillers Celebrex and Bextra experienced a jump in sales immediately after Merck pulled Vioxx from the market, but the gains appear to have been short-lived, according to data from market research firms. Indeed, doctors appear to be avoiding putting patients on Bextra, which some studies suggest might have some of the same heart risks as Vioxx, according to ImpactRx, which tracks physician practices. [Page C2.] Pfizer Plans Filings on New Drugs Pfizer is on schedule to complete the filing of 20 new drug applications by the end of 2006 as it confronts patent expirations affecting 31 percent of its sales, said its chief executive, Henry A. McKinnell Jr., left. A new combination cholesterol medicine, a pill to help smokers quit and a portfolio of cancer drugs will do the most to replace $14 billion in annual revenue from drugs that will face generic competition. [C2.] Growth of Global Economy Slowing Prospects for the global economy next year are growing dimmer as high oil prices hurt consumption and the unchecked rise in the United States trade deficit depresses the dollar, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said. [C3.] A Delay for Audit Certification Many companies will have 45 more days to certify their financial controls. [C10.] Cingular to Upgrade Its Network Cingular Wireless announced plans to increase the speed of its data network. [C9.] A.I.G. in Deal With Regulators American International Group and regulators have finalized a settlement that calls for the company to pay $126 million in penalties and restitution and to allow an independent monitor to review the company's books. The Justice Department said that it had agreed not to pursue criminal charges against a unit of A.I.G. for 13 months. [C2.] 29 Firms Are Fined by NASD NASD has censured 29 securities firms and fined them $9.2 million for failing to properly disclose disciplinary and other information about their brokers. [C2.] Gazprom to Bid for Yukos Assets Russia's natural gas monopoly Gazprom said that it would bid for some assets of Yukos at an auction Dec. 19. [World Business, Section W.] Universal May Start Music Channel Universal Music Group is discussing the creation of its own satellite TV music channel on the Dish Network. [C8.]

Dance Theater of Harlem, a financially troubled company, said it would reopen its landmark school on Saturday, thanks to $1.6 million in newly raised donations -- nearly a third of that attributed to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The company, dogged by debt and accusations of inept management in the past, also said it would appoint an executive director to run its operations, including the dance company.

Waiters and waitresses perform in Aching Dogs Theater Co production of Bar Scenes, annual show produced by New York Hotel Trades Council, whose 26,000 members include 2,000 show-business hopefuls, many are veteran performers, but some are new to business and hope to be spotted by agents attending performances; Aching Dogs has mounted 16 shows in nearly eight years of its existence, including theatrical performances and showcases; diverse working hours make it hard to schedule rehearsals and performances; photos (M)

The Knicks have unfailing confidence in Jamal Crawford, who has no perceptible shortage of confidence in Jamal Crawford, either. Even when his shots bounce long or wide or short. So the ball kept coming Crawford's way Tuesday night, and Crawford -- predictably -- kept shooting until the stroke smoothed out and the arc straightened.

Court-appointed panel says additional $5.6 billion must be spent on New York City schoolchildren every year to provide sound basic education guaranteed by state Constitution; says $9.2 billion worth of new classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other facilities are also needed to ease overcrowding among 1.1 million pupils; Justice Leland DeGrasse named panel last summer after Legislature missed deadline for addressing 'systemic failure' of city's public schools; call for 43 percent increase in city's $12.9-billion budget is close to plaintiffs' demand and nearly triple what Gov George Pataki proposed, but panel does not address daunting issue of whether money should come from city or state; city in 1999-2000 spent average $10,469 per pupil, compared with $13,760 in wealthy suburbs; Michael Rebell of Campaign for Fiscal Equity comments; photo (M)

Royal Bank of Canada reports 31 percent decline in fourth-quarter earnings, to 507 million Canadian dollars ($427 million); reports rise in revenue, to 4.6 billion Canadian dollars from 4.4 billion (S)

Marian Burros Eating Well article examines data on Americans' use of mandatory nutrition labeling for packaged foods; says many people look only to see amount of fat, or focus on specific nutrients; nutrition Prof Jeanne P Goldberg warns that people are getting nuggets of information, but not using data to establish more healthful eating habits; FDA says it wants to initiate consumer education campaign focusing on 'calories count' message; photo (M)

Peter Applebome column on latest college craze, logging into Thefacebook.com; students can sign up using their campus e-mail address and can visit listing of everyone who has signed on from over 300 colleges and universities; list includes profiles and photos with links to students at other colleges; students can list their favorite, and unfavorite, things, people and groups; site allows students to meet other students and to nework with them (M)

Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom, ending weeks of speculation, says it will bid on prize oil assets of crumbling oil giant Yukos at auction on December 19; if Gazprom, as expected, wins auction, it would join ranks of world's top five energy companies in oil and natural gas reserves; photos (M)

China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp reportedly will ask Singapore High Court for protection from creditors after losing about $550 million in oil market; suspends its chief executive and is negotiating rescue by Chinese parent, China Aviation Oil Holding Co, and Temasek Holdings (S)