NATION

NATION
U.S. government reportsdeficit in first half of year
WASHINGTON -- The government produced a deficit of $299.5 billion in the first half of the 2004 budget year, the Treasury Department reported, and spent $1.1 trillion for the budget year that began Oct. 1, and revenues came to $850.4 billion.
Reports show spending was up 6.6 percent in the first six months of the 2004 budget year and revenues were up 3.1 percent compared with the same period a year ago.
Companies to makemovies available online
LOS ANGELES -- Subscribers to the SBC Yahoo! broadband Internet service will be able to watch movies online for 98 cents during a limited promotion with online movie service CinemaNow.
The two companies said they'll evaluate the success of the online video-on-demand partnership after 30 days.
Associated Press