BRIEFCASE LOTS OF CURVES, AND ONE IN NOHO.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Curves International Inc. is poised to open a fitness center in North Hollywood next month, continuing the company's push to open a Curves franchise for every two McDonald's restaurants in the nation.

The facility will begin offering its 30-minute workout sessions and ``common sense weight-loss program'' Jan. 12. Curves International is a privately held company based in Waco, Texas.

Cochran takes on blustery lawsuit

Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. made his first appearance Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom on behalf of a family that alleges The Walt Disney Co. shortchanged it millions of dollars in Winnie the Pooh royalties.

The attorney's law firm is the third this year to represent Patricia Slesinger in her suit against the Burbank-based entertainment giant, and the seventh since her claim was filed 12 years ago in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Cochran and six other lawyers from his firm were in the Central Civil West branch of Los Angeles Superior Court for a status conference on the often-stalled case.

Disney is represented by Daniel Petrocelli. A Disney official did not immediately return a call for comment on Cochran's entry into the case.

The 12-year-old lawsuit has been fraught with delays, including the recent juggling of lawyers.

High import tariffs on steel targeted

WASHINGTON - White House advisers are urging President Bush to head off a global trade war by rolling back steep tariffs on imported steel, administration and industry officials said Monday.

If he concurs - he is still reviewing the matter, the White House spokesman said - Bush risks alienating steel companies and workers in states that are important for his re-election. If he doesn't, a broad range of U.S. products could face retaliatory sanctions from Europe and elsewhere, angering other voters.

A senior Bush adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said several key aides and agencies, including the office of the U.S. trade representative, have urged the president to drop the tariffs, imposed in March 2002 to ease foreign competition while the beleaguered U.S. steel industry consolidates and restructures.

DuPont trims jobs to save millions

WILMINGTON, Del. - DuPont announced Monday that it would use job cuts and other ``aggressive actions'' to trim $900 million in costs over the next two years.

Reports say DuPont also hopes to increase annual revenue by 6 percent. The steps being taken by the company include rebalancing resources toward emerging markets, where it expects much of its growth in the coming years. Initial focus will be on China, with other areas of interest being Central and Eastern Europe and Brazil.