Business News

U.S. markets make strong headway Monday ... GM gives go ahead to Cadillac Converj ... Northrop Grumman to sell TASC for $1.6B ... Michigan winning some job tug-o-wars ... News from United Press International.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. corn crop's progress has nearly matched the crop's five-year average after an entire season of lagging, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

CHICAGO, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Grain futures closed higher on the Chicago Board of Trade Monday, as the dollar split, fell against the euro and equities soared in New York.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- NASA says it has selected C&C International Computers and Consultants Inc. to provide institutional support services at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NEW YORK, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. markets rose sharply Monday with Ford Motor Co. and General Electric getting a jump start on the week with quick gains.

DETROIT, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. auto giant General Motors Co. has given the green light to production of an electric Cadillac called the Converj, sources close to the company said.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman said it would sell its adviser services division TASC Inc. to an investor group for $1.65 billion.

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is finding some success tempting Massachusetts companies to relocate in the Great Lakes State, officials said.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. stroller producer Maclaren recalled 1 million umbrella strollers Monday, citing a risk of severe injury, including amputation of children's fingers.

LONDON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch said he would stop Google from sending random Internet users to his online news businesses.

LAS VEGAS, Neb., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. casino developer Pinnacle Entertainment said its chief executive officer resigned two days after an official investigation of his behavior began.

U.S. markets make headway ... Kraft turns hostile in pursuit of Cadbury ... Philadelphia transit strike ends ... JAL rescue plan in works ... News from United Press International.

LONDON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. food giant Kraft said it would turn to shareholders to decide the fate of Cadbury, which rejected a $16.3 billion purchase offer from Kraft in September.

ESPOO, Finland, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Finnish phone maker Nokia said Monday it was recalling poorly made cell phone chargers due to an electric shock hazard, which could involve 14 million chargers.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Transport Workers Union leaders in Philadelphia said the six-day transit strike was over, although officials said normal commuting Monday would be unlikely.