NATION

NATION
Homestead Works billfollowed years of lobbying
HOMESTEAD, Pa. -- The Steel Industry Heritage Corp. said a congressional bill that would declare U.S. Steel's former Homestead Works a national historic site is the successful result of 10 years of lobbying.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill last week, and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., is sponsoring a companion bill on which the Senate has yet to vote. Creating a national park will bring about $25 million a year in funding, said August Carlino, president of the nonprofit heritage group.
Airlines plan to increaseseating capacity next year
FORT WORTH, Texas -- After two dismal years, the nation's six largest airline carriers are expected to increase seating capacity by between 2 percent and 4 percent next year, analysts said.
Low-fare airlines, such as Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, could expand more than 10 percent next year, and small regional airlines will probably grow more than 30 percent, they said.
It's a major change from the days after Sept. 11, 2001, when major airlines slashed their networks by as much as 20 percent and ordered unprecedented staff layoffs.
WORLD
OPEC output outlook
LONDON -- With OPEC members cashing in on current high oil prices, the producer group is unlikely this week to cut its production target, in spite of concerns about a crude surplus looming in the spring.
Oil analysts expect the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to leave its output ceiling unchanged for now and to postpone any official cuts until early next year. OPEC representatives are to meet Thursday.
Associated Press