World stocks mixed amid earnings woes; India soars

World stock markets were mixed Monday as weak company earnings led investors to ratchet down hopes for a global recovery, but India's index vaulted 17 percent after election results paved the way for economic reforms.

In Asia, Tokyo shares were hardest hit after two of Japan's leading companies _ Panasonic and Mizuho Financial _ reported colossal losses for the last fiscal year. The strengthening yen hurt the country's major exporters. Oil firms, meanwhile, sank along with crude prices.

But India provided a bright spot, its shares surging in early trade as results of national elections boosted confidence about the government's stability and ability to enact …

Gorbachev, 9 republics join to fight Soviet crisis

MOSCOW Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev shifted Wednesdaytoward compromise with the fractious Soviet republics and woncritical support from his rival, Russian Chairman Boris N. Yeltsin,for a broad declaration of joint action against the country'seconomic and social crisis.

Gorbachev then used this new pact to rebuff an angry challengefrom Communist Party hard-liners, blocking their moves in a CentralCommittee meeting to debate whether he should resign as the party'stop leader.

Gorbachev and leaders of nine of the 15 republics, includingYeltsin, published a joint statement in the Communist Party newspaperPravda declaring their intention to work together to …

Man exonerated in Giants fan beating speaks out

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The man initially identified by police as the primary suspect in the beating of a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger Stadium, then exonerated after two other men were arrested and charged, spoke out Friday.

"More than anything, I'm upset. Not for myself, but for the grief and embarrassment that my friends, family, and loved ones have been put through," Giovanni Ramirez, 31, said in a statement released by his attorney Jose Romero.

Ramirez has been in custody since being arrested on a parole violation in May and ordered to serve 10 months in prison. At the time, Police Chief Charlie Beck identified Ramirez as the primary suspect for the beating of Bryan Stow, …

Mexico's Televisa to buy 30 pct of Nextel Mexico

Mexican media giant Televisa said Monday it has agreed to buy 30 percent of cell phone carrier Nextel de Mexico for $1.44 billion as part of its plan to offer "quadruple play" _ voice, video, Internet and wireless products.

The companies plan to bid together on wireless airwaves in a government auction planned for May, and the investment is subject to winning the auction and Nextel getting the spectrum to broaden its services.

"If the proposal we present in the auction is not successful, then we don't do the deal," Alfonso de Angoitia, Televisa's executive vice president, told reporters on a conference call.

Grupo Televisa …

How to answer the eternal query: Should I rent or buy?

One of the most-pondered questions that consumers have whendeciding about their housing needs are about the financialimplications of renting vs. buying.

A common phrase often heard is: "Paying rent is like throwingmoney out of the window." This may not always be the case. Itreally depends on the consumer's short- and long-term housing needsand their current and perceived financial situation.

One of the best ways to evaluate the most appropriate approachis simply to list the expenses associated with both renting andowning.

If you have a relatively small amount of money available for adown payment, and are debating whether to buy a "starter home" orrent …

Bulletin: Deck lid not flush with left-hand quarter panel (install struts, replace right deck lid hinge)

2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE & Z06

According to TSB #03-08-66-001, some customers may comment that the deck lid is not flush with the left-hand quarter panel when it is closed. The single strut used on the left-hand side of some 2003 models may cause the deck lid to not be flush with the quarter panel.

Correction:

* Open the deck lid and inspect the right< hinge for the ball stud …

Power-sharing talks resume in Zimbabwe

Power-sharing talks resumed Thursday between President Robert Mugabe's government and the opposition, despite a report by state media that said a deal to resolve Zimbabwe's political crisis was unlikely this week.

The Herald's bleak assessment came despite public expressions of optimism by Mugabe and his main rival a day earlier. Mugabe said "hopefully a deal will be signed" Thursday, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said there was "very little work left" to do.

The Herald, however, cited people it called insiders as saying that little progress was made during a round of talks mediated Wednesday by South African President Thabo …