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Today's technology headlines: Clinton orders FCC to clear airwaves for next generation of wireless services; British retailer fine-tunes supply chain; and independent chemical exchange has high hopes for e-commerce.

The transportation appropriations bill that puts off hours of service reform also contains $269 million in funding for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, allowing the agency to boost roadside inspections and crack down on truckers with poor driving records.

Esco Transportation is trying to struggle back from bankruptcy by cutting its over-the-road trucking operations in half and concentrating instead on its intermodal business.

William J. Canary Jr., vice president of intergovernmental affairs for American Trucking Associations, has added the duties of senior vice president for state and federation affairs.

In the news this morning: Nine companies get SPR oil; Intrenet will audit recent financial statements; oil prices hold steady near $33 a barrel; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: DaimlerChrysler acquires Detroit Diesel; LA transit workers turn down MTA offer; Europe may see more trucker protests; and more.

The price of crude oil continued to drop in Friday afternoon trading, falling 51 cents to $35.55 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as Arab nations reiterated their promises that recent violence in the region will not affect production.

Today's technology headlines: Senate approves phone-tax repeal; FCC backs phone-service competition in business complexes; and foodservice distributor AlliantLink.com serves roadmap to e-business.

Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.), facing the end of his tenure as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, appears poised to retain a powerful position in transportation policy on Capitol Hill.

New gate-clearance technology implemented earlier this week at the Port of Savannah was blamed for excessive delays for truckers and a severe reduction in the amount of freight moved.