Business & Finance

American Airlines and British Airways said they would attempt to revive a failed alliance that includes sharing scheduling, pricing, and profits on nine transatlantic routes. The proposal is similar to a 1996 plan that was killed by US and European antitrust regulators. The two airlines said they plan to file for US antitrust immunity. Officials at Fort Worth-based American, the world's No. 1 carrier, and British Airways said an alliance would help them compete against other big US and European airlines that have recently struck deals to sell tickets on each other's flights.

Shareholders of Wachovia Corp. approved a $14.3 billion merger with First Union Corp., causing rival SunTrust Banks Inc. to concede defeat in its bid for ownership of Wachovia. The new bank, which will be the nation's fourth largest, will retain the Wachovia name and be based in Charlotte, N.C.

The International Monetary Fund said it plans to accelerate a $1.2 billion loan to Argentina and establish a $15 billion line of emergency credit for Brazil in an effort to keep economic troubles in the two South American nations from spreading. Both recommendations were expected to be approved by the agency's executive board.

Negotiators for BellSouth and the Communications Workers of America reached a tentative contract agreement, narrowly averting a threatened strike by 54,000 employees. The deal, which must still be ratified by CWA members, includes improved benefits and wage increases totaling 13 percent over the next three years, according to a BellSouth statement.