In Mr. Rogers' neighbourhood, there is ''us'' and there is ''them.'' Mr. Rogers, of course, would be the 71-year-old founder of Rogers Communications Inc., the cable television, cellphone and media conglomerate. That's ''Us.'' ''Them'' are the traditional telephone companies, primarily Bell Canada and Telus Corp. -- fierce and unrelenting rivals to Rogers in the market battle for cellphones, television signals and Internet services.

Founder of Rogers Communications is making a bet with debt that he can take on the big guys

In uncertain investing times like these, it's nice to have someone smart looking after your money. How about Warren Buffett?One of this generation's greatest investment minds, Mr. Buffett probably could do wonders for you. He's fully occupied in his current position as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., but that's no problem.

Analysts aren't exactly wildly enthusiastic about Rogers Wireless Communications Inc.'s proposed $1.4-billion deal to buy Microcell Telecommunications Inc., for one good reason: The acquisition will cause a big leap in debt at the Rogers group of companies.

Recognizing its legal back was against the wall in a complex patent dispute with tiny Mosaid Technologies Inc. of Ottawa, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. pleaded in July with a judge not to impose what its lawyers called a ''death penalty sanction'' on the South Korean technology giant.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. has made a bid to exchange lower-interest debentures for high-yield notes it issued to finance the 2000 purchase of Canadian newspapers from the Hollinger group. The company has offered to pay a premium of as much as 23 per cent on the $872-million face value of the notes, which pay an interest rate of 121/8 per cent, if holders exchange the notes for new ones paying 8 per cent. Hollinger International Inc. and a related company hold about $87-million of the notes, while the balance are owned by third parties. Hollinger has agreed to help facilitate the transaction, which will close only if two-thirds of the note holders agree to the deal. The exchange will cut CanWest's interest payments substantially. CGS.S (TSX) rose 90 cents, or 8.8 per cent, to close at $11.15.

Canadian businessman Alexander Shnaider has been a fan of auto racing ever since he was a child growing up in Russia.Now, at the age of 36, he's about to start his own Formula One racing team and he's prepared to spend more than $100-million (U.S.) a year on the venture.

Axia NetMedia Corp. said it has settled a legal dispute with BCE Inc.'s Bell West Inc. and entered into a new partnership with the telecommunications company. Terms were not revealed. As part of their new relationship, Axia will advise Bell West on the use of wireless technology in Bell West's western network, and Bell West will sponsor Axia's interactive media services for educational institutions. The dispute centred on the construction of Alberta's SuperNet, a $300-million project to link all of the province's schools, hospitals, libraries and government buildings to a high-speed Internet. AXX (TSX) rose 2 cents to 82 cents; BCE (TSX) rose 3 cents to $27.64.

Like a lot of homeowners, Bill Harang cringes when he opens his natural gas bill.''It just shocks me when I look at the bottom line,'' says the Bowmanville, Ont., resident, who has watched his heating costs soar since he bought his three-bedroom townhouse in the late eighties.

Oracle Corp. chief executive officer Lawrence Ellison says the company is leaning toward lowering its $21-a-share bid for rival PeopleSoft Inc. The statement came in testimony at the trial of Oracle's lawsuit against PeopleSoft's corporate anti-takeover measures. On Thursday, Oracle once again extended its tender offer for PeopleSoft shares, which now stands at $21 (U.S.) a share, or $7.7-billion, and has been extended several times in the takeover battle. Oracle is trying to persuade a Delaware Chancery Court to remove two anti-takeover defences that PeopleSoft has employed to stop Oracle's hostile bid. PeopleSoft is fighting to preserve them. Redwood Shores, Calif.-based Oracle launched its bid for Pleasanton, Calif.-based PeopleSoft 16 months ago. PSFT (Nasdaq) fell 58 cents (U.S.) to $21.95; ORCL (Nasdaq) fell 12 cents to $12.17. AP