Business in brief: Deal is distant on farm bill

The White House said Wednesday it seems unlikely that Congress will pass a farm bill the president can sign.

A bipartisan group of farm-state negotiators – including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican who grew up on a Kettle Falls orchard – has been working on the five-year, nearly $300 billion bill for several weeks, hoping to craft legislation that appeases the White House. But they remain far apart on some issues, including how much in government subsidies would be directed to wealthy farmers.

President Bush has called the bill “bloated” as crop prices are at record highs and has threatened to veto it. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush remains concerned that negotiators have not come close enough to his positions on the bill.

Negotiators are considering eliminating some government payments to those who make more than $750,000 in farm income annually.

The Bush administration proposed a cap for those who make more than $200,000 in average annual farm income but has signaled that it could accept a limit of $500,000.

Current law expires May 16.

– Staff and wire reports

BRISTOL, Conn.

ESPN to use Coldplay songs

Coldplay and ESPN are teaming up on a soccer marketing campaign.

The rock band’s music will be featured in promotions for ESPN’s coverage next month of the European Championship soccer tournament, the sports network announced Wednesday.

ESPN agreed to incorporate music from Coldplay’s new release, “Viva La Vida,” into game and studio production. The quadrennial tournament is scheduled for June 7-29 in Austria and Switzerland. The CD is due out June 12.

– Associated Press

NEW YORK

Game tops $500 million

“Grand Theft Auto IV” raked in more than $500 million in its first week in stores, selling more than 6 million units worldwide – including 3.6 million its opening day, the video game’s publisher said Wednesday.

The highly anticipated title from Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. has received stellar ratings along with criticism for its violent content. The game follows Eastern European immigrant-turned-gangster Niko Bellic on crime missions around a fictional Liberty City.

The game has lifted sales of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3, the two consoles for which it is available.

Already, the game seems to be living up to its juicy past, which includes controversy over hidden sex scenes, sharp criticism from Hillary Rodham Clinton and a 2006 lawsuit that blames the game for three New Mexico murders committed by a 14-year-old.

– Associated Press