Ask Jeeves to Cut Staff

Ask Jeeves Inc., whose Web site enables users to search the Internet by asking written questions, said it will fire about 180 employees, or 25% of its work force, to reduce operating costs. The firings are part of a cost-cutting and reorganization plan that’s expected to save $45 million a year and help the Emeryville, Calif., company achieve profitability in the fourth quarter of next year, Ask Jeeves said. The company will be reorganized into two business units, one that operates its Web sites and one that sells its Internet search software to other companies. Shares of Ask Jeeves rose 66 cents to close at $3.97 on Nasdaq, before news of the cuts.