(UPDATED FOR THURS M.E.) Reports flew Wednesday that Northwest and its pilots are close to settling a two-year old contract dispute and possibly averting a strike tomorrow (Friday). The strike would cripple air service in Minnesota and strand thousands of travellers. But Northwest announced it's cancelled 400 weekend flights and has already stopped accepting cargo. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Despite a flurry of reports ranging from a settlement was close at hand to both sides had reached a tentative agreement...Northwest management and pilots were quick to deny any settlement was near: Northwest's Jon Austin: (talks are continuing we continue to put reasona