REGION

REGION
Gasoline prices riseafter 2-week decline
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gasoline prices in Northeast Ohio edged up four cents this week after a two-week decline, according to AAA Ohio Motorists Association's weekly fuel gauge survey of 45 gas stations in a nine-county area. This week's self-serve regular averaged $1.81 per gallon, 38 cents higher than a year ago at this time.
The state average was a penny higher at $1.82, and the nationwide gasoline average was 11 cents higher at $1.92.
NATION
MCI cuts 2,000 jobsat four call centers
ASHBURN, Va. -- Telecommunications firm MCI announced its third major round of job cuts this year, eliminating 2,000 jobs at four U.S. call centers. The company announced plans in March to close its Niles center, idling 700 here.
MCI said it will close call centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Wichita, Kan. Operations in Greenville, S.C., and Iowa City, Iowa will be reduced.
So far this year, MCI has eliminated 14,000 jobs, reducing its work force to about 40,000 employees.
MCI, which emerged from bankruptcy protection this year, lost $388 million in the first three months of 2004.
Oneida reaches dealto restructure debt
ONEIDA, N.Y. -- Oneida Ltd. announced Friday it reached an agreement in principle with its lenders on a restructuring plan and $30 million in new revolving credit.
Officials said the revolving credit should enable Oneida to enhance its flow of products, improve overall performance, and complete its operational restructuring, which is due to be finalized by mid-August.
Oneida lost $99.2 million last year and is trying to restructure its finances to avoid bankruptcy.
Once restructuring is complete, the company's board of directors also will be reorganized.
The troubled company has closed or sold five factories and now buys most of its china, glassware and flatware from other companies to resell under the Oneida brand name.
From staff and wire reports