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The article discusses the rise of professional basketball leagues outside of the NBA and Japan's ambition to become the second-largest basketball league in the world. The B League, Japan's professional basketball league, has set a goal to surpass established European leagues and other competitive countries like China. The league has seen significant growth in attendance, revenue, and the quality of players. While challenges remain, such as competition from other leagues and financial constraints, Japan's basketball industry is making strides and attracting both foreign and local talent. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how the Internet makes any illegal activity, such as gambling, child pornography, and terrorism, more accessible than ever in the U.S. Law-enforcement officials say terrorists are using the Internet for communication, research, recruitment, and fund-raising. The Underground Web, if unchecked, has the potential to undermine the values of society. It enables even encourages-ordinary citizens to break the law. So far, the government's efforts to police the Underground Web have done little to stop its growth. INSET: CLICK ON CONTRABAND.

Reports on financial problems for the United States wireless industry. Pressure to lower prices and retain high quality as a result of competition; Possible consolidation in the industry; Concern that consolidation will give the Baby Bells telephone companies too much control over the wireless industry; Plans to offer Internet access on cellular telephones in order to increase sales; Outlook.

The article focuses on the rise and fall of Excite@Home Corp., provider of speedy Internet connections. The chief executive of the company set up a videoconference call with top executives from AT&T, which had a controlling stake in Excite@Home. She told AT&T Corp. CEO and Excite@Home board member C. Michael Armstrong and other officials that Excite@Home had $100 million less in cash than her executives had told her to expect just weeks earlier. She needed financial help from AT&T to avoid bankruptcy. After filing for bankruptcy protection on September 28, 2001, the company is auctioning off its few remaining assets and plans to shut down on February 28, 2002. INSETS: DID AT&T PUSH EXCITE@HOME INTO BANKRUPTCY?;THE RISE AND FALL OF EXCITE@HOME.

Looks at the response of the management at Qwest Communications International Inc. to allegations of corporate accounting improprieties. Statement of chief executive officer Joseph Nacchio that questions of the firm's integrity would not be tolerated; Belief of analysts Simon Flannery and Jeffrey Camp of Morgan Stanley that the firm's practices are questionable; Credibility of Nacchio which is under attack.

Presents a plan for reinvigorating the telecommunications industry in the United States. How to increase competition since most local residential telephones lines are controlled by the Bell companies; Opinion that the government should be involved in providing broadband Internet service across the country; Advice to give more radio spectrum to wireless companies.

The article focuses on the financial losses faced by the communication-equipment making company Nortel Networks Corp. in 2001. The company announced that there would be a fall of 38% in the sales for the second quarter. The company expected to lose$19.2 billion in the quarter, which is one of the biggest losses in corporate history. Various other companies which have made acquisitions in pervious years are facing same problem.

The article presents information related to the broadband industry. The article quotes an example of Evan Petrie, computer programmer at Tribune Interactive, who ordered taster Internet service for his apartment on the northwest side of Chicago and suffered a lot because of unnecessary bills. It is assumed that the broadband industry will live up to its billing as one of the great technological breakthroughs of the present time.

Focuses on business enterprises in the wireless Internet services industry. Examples of ventures which failed, including Joe London, an information service launched by British entrepreneur Tony Coyle; Investment of telecommunication companies in the wirelesss Internet sector, particularly in Europe; Concern of investors that the high hopes raised by marketing of these ventures may not be realized in revenues; Consumer demand for wireless applications; Outlook for the future of so-called third-generation technology. INSET: The Wireless Web: Who Wants it??.

Discusses the telecommunications industry in the United States and Europe. How profits, revenues, and stocks have been falling in this sector; Potential to affect the severity and length of the economic downturn experienced in 2001; How this could affect the health of financial institutions and the spread of the Internet; Trend of industry consolidation; Stability of local telephone companies; Role of deregulation. INSET: FELLING THE TELECOMS' PAIN: INSURERS AND BANKS.

The article presents information related to the top financial firms in the United States which reaped billions from the Net boom. According to Todd Dagres, a partner at Battery Ventures, with the coming of the Net boom, venture capitalists took companies public that never should have been taken public. Also, specialized mutual funds, including Munder NetNet Fund and Internet Index Fund, were also set up so that investors can put their money in Net stocks.

Reports on the slumping performance of the technology industry and stocks in the United States as of December 2000. Suggestion that technology spending may be decreased; Role of United States Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan in decreasing interest rates; Decline of consumer demands which have strained the technology industry; Outlook.

Discusses the outlook for the technology sector as of September 2000. The powerful force that the technology sector has become; Why many believe a general technology-industry meltdown is unlikely; Signs of a slowdown; Evidence that the technology sector's overall well-being is substantial.

Evaluates the telecommunications industry for its investment potential. The troublesome signs that predominate the industry, including a decline in the stock prices of the three biggest long-distance companies in the United States; Theory that telephone companies are mismanaging their finances; Decrease in revenue compared to an increase in capital expenditures; Outlook for the future of telecommunications and its viability as an investment. INSETS: WHY TELECOM COMPANIES MAY DISAPPOINT INVESTORS;HOW TELECOM COMPANIES WILL FARE.

Focuses on financial analyst Jack Grubman of Salomon Smith Barney and his influence in reshaping the telecommunications industry. Grubman's participation in initial public offerings deals since 1997; Criticism of Grubman by academics and some industry insiders; How Grubman is redefining the traditional role of a stock analyst. INSETS: How One Man Has Played Multiple Roles in a Single Industry;Jack Benjamin Grubman;TOUGH TALK FROM 'A BLUE-COLLAR GUY'.

Profiles George Bell, Chief Executive Officer of the Web site Excite@Home. Biographical information; His competitive nature; His understanding of media in light of involvement in filmmaking, magazine publishing, writing, and television production; Decrease in price of Excite@Home stock; Questions as to the success of Excite@Home; Excite@Home's relationship with its cable partners. INSETS: GEORGE DEBENNEVILLE BELL JR.;BELL'S BROADBAND BATTLE PLAN;EXCITE@HOME VS. THE COMPETITION.

Crain's Chicago Business magazine has investigated the allocation of contracts to manage Chicago and Illinois public pension funds. Some contracts were continually given to money managers who did not provide good performance records. Other contracts were given to money managers who did not have much experience. Additional contracts were given to money managers without a thorough evaluation of their performance. Most money managers got contracts after contributions to public officials who oversee public pension funds.