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President Clinton authorized a release of crude oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve on Friday, a move meant to help push down soaring prices for motor fuel and home heating oil.

This afternoon's headlines: Helene causes temporary interruption in Gulf oil production; CSX completes CTI Logistics sale; Germany agrees to provide fuel-tax relief, but not for trucking; and more.

Today's technology headlines: Syncra, Rightworks enter logistics software venture; IBM unit fine-tunes supply chain management; Nextlink targets smaller firms with flat-rate package; and more.

The National Truckers Association, a group of 1,700 independent owner-operators in Ontario, said it would make good on its threats to blockade fuel depots starting Friday at 5 p.m. to protest high fuel prices, but a widespread rumor said it could begin at midnight.

The way has been cleared for Sue Bailey to assume the position of administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The House of Representatives has passed its version of the Treasury Appropriations Bill, which includes funding for the Customs Service’s new Automated Commercial Environment.

The Department of Transportation is inviting non-governmental organizations to attend a North American Free Trade Agreement meeting to be held in San Juan del Rio, Mexico, Oct. 23-27.

In the news this morning: Oil dips on SPR release speculation; Canadian National to expand RoadRailer intermodal service; Rollins Leasing expects lower 4Q earnings; and more.

U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said Thursday a decision by President Clinton on whether to tap into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve was “imminent,” Reuters reports.

Today's technology headlines: Metricom expands its high-speed wireless services; new e-commerce Tool levels Internet playing field for smaller carriers; Aether buys Motient's transport communications unit; and more.