Microsoft Corp. said Friday it had received reports of technical problems with its popular new Xbox 360 videogame system. Some owners complained that their systems were crashing during game play, sometimes with error messages popping up. Gaming fanatics lined up for hours on Monday to be among the first to purchase the next-generation system, which was in short supply. Anyone with problems is urged to call 800-4myXbox or go to www.xbox.com.

Vehicle discounts losing their allure

Despite a new round of discount offers, November will likely be another disappointing month for sales and profitability at General Motors Corp., intensifying pressure on the world’s largest carmaker to speed up or expand the job cuts and plant closings it announced this week. GM, Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group launched new price breaks this month to lure customers. The strategy worked to some extent, but not well enough.

Civil case against CEO may expand

Additional civil charges against former American International Group Inc. chairman and CEO Maurice Greenberg are possible, but no state criminal charges are expected, a spokesman for New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said Friday. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that a person familiar with the matter said Spitzer was expected to add to his civil complaint against Greenberg as early as next week.

Nasdaq may de-list Taser manufacturer

Stun gun maker Taser International Inc. said Friday the Nasdaq Stock Market told the company its stock could be de-listed because it failed to file its third-quarter financial report on time. The company’s shares shed 90 cents, or 12 percent, to close at $6.50 Friday on Nasdaq. Taser said it will appeal the decision by requesting a hearing before the exchange’s listing qualifications panel.

China launches its first currency swap

Pushing China’s foreign exchange reform ahead by another step, the central bank on Friday carried out its first currency swap deals with local banks in a move that could help bring more flexibility to the market. The People’s Bank of China confirmed that it was carrying out its first foreign exchange swap deal on Friday, but would not give more details. A Beijing-based trader for a major state-owned bank said the central bank offered one-year currency swaps worth $6 billion at 7.85 Chinese yuan per dollar.

From Herald staff and news services