News
Actavis Buying Warner Chilcott In $8.5B Deal
May 20, 2013 7:39 am | CommentsActavis is buying Warner Chilcott in an all-stock transaction valued at about $8.5 billion which would create the third-biggest specialty pharmaceutical company in the U.S. The new company is expected to be called Actavis PLC and will be incorporated in Ireland, where Warner Chilcott is currently incorporated.
NC Colleges Look To Expand Advanced Manufacturing
May 17, 2013 1:52 pm | CommentsNorth Carolina's community colleges are working to train factory workers comfortable in a new manufacturing world of computers and robots. State community college leaders are meeting Friday with manufacturers to assemble training courses in line with a skills certification plan that's recognized by factories across the country.
Canada Trying To Lure Silicon Valley Tech Workers
May 17, 2013 1:40 pm | CommentsThe Canadian government is trying to lure Silicon Valley tech workers who are frustrated by U.S. visa policies, just as Congress wrestles with a long-sought overhaul of America's immigration system. Canada's minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism arrived in the San Francisco Bay area Friday for a four-day visit aimed at snapping up talent for his country's high-tech economy by offering startup entrepreneurs a new visa.
J&J's DePuy To End 2 Hip Replacement Systems
May 17, 2013 1:38 pm | CommentsJohnson & Johnson's DePuy orthopedics business plans to stop selling a couple of hip replacement systems not widely used by doctors. DePuy will discontinue both its Ultamet Metal-on-Metal Articulation and Complete Ceramic-on-Metal Acetabular systems worldwide at the end of August.
Organic Industry Clout Grows With Consumer Demand
May 17, 2013 1:37 pm | by Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press | CommentsGrowing consumer interest in organics has proved tough for some Republicans on the committee to ignore. Eight Republicans, most of them newer members of the committee, joined with all of the panel's Democrats in supporting the amendment, which was adopted 29-17.
UAW Study: Nissan Subsidies Top $1.3B
May 17, 2013 1:33 pm | by Jeff Amy, Associated Press | CommentsNissan Motor Co.'s Mississippi plant is on track to receive more state aid and tax breaks than what state and company officials have previously revealed, according to a study paid for by the United Auto Workers, which is questioning whether the state is getting enough for its money.
GM Stock Rises Above $33 For First Time In 2 Years
May 17, 2013 1:30 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | CommentsShares of General Motors reached an important milestone on Friday, topping their initial public offering price of $33 for the first time in more than two years. The automaker's stock, which has been on a tear since January, reached $33.58 Friday morning before slipping back to $33.52, up 3.5 percent, around midday.
4-month Strike At Peugeot Citroen Plant Ends
May 17, 2013 11:27 am | CommentsA four-month strike at a car factory north of Paris has come to an end, although the workers say they will still fight a plan to close the plant. PSA Peugeot Citroen said Friday that it had signed an agreement with the CGT union to end the strike, which started in January. The CGT called the strike "suspended."
Unemployment Falls In 40 U.S. States
May 17, 2013 11:22 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | CommentsSolid hiring helped push down unemployment rates in 40 U.S. states last month, the most since November. The declines show job markets are improving in most areas of the country. The Labor Department says unemployment rates only rose in Louisiana, Tennessee and North Dakota. Rates were unchanged in seven states.
Gauge Of U.S. Economy's Future Health Up In April
May 17, 2013 11:14 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | CommentsA measure of the U.S. economy's future health rose solidly in April, buoyed by a sharp rise in applications to build homes and a better job market. The Conference Board said Friday that its index of leading indicators increased 0.6 percent last month to a reading of 95. That followed a 0.2 percent decline in March.
Best Buy Aims To Spark Interest In '4K' TVs
May 17, 2013 8:19 am | by Mae Anderson, Associated Press | CommentsSony Corp. and other manufacturers, debuted pricey 4K TVs at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas in January, but those had 84-inch screens and cost $25,000, out of range for most people. The latest round of 4K Ultra High definition TVs are somewhat more affordable, though still pricey. They retail for $4,999 for a 55-inch screen.
Flying Car Prototypes Grounded After Crash Near School
May 17, 2013 7:53 am | CommentsThe Transportation Safety Board says the U.S. manufacturer of flying cars has grounded all five of its prototypes until it can determine a cause for a recent crash in B.C. One of the Maverick flying cars crashed near a Vernon elementary school last week, leaving a pilot and a passenger with minor injuries.
Authorities: Crime Not Ruled Out In Texas Blast
May 17, 2013 7:49 am | by Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press | CommentsInvestigators working in the remnants of an exploded Texas fertilizer plant sifted by hand through untold kernels of corn, moved tons of debris and conducted more than 400 interviews, while searching for the missing piece to solve what many officials compared to an extraordinary puzzle.
Labor Group: Apple Making Progress At Foxconn
May 17, 2013 7:44 am | CommentsThe Fair Labor Association said Thursday that Apple's largest supplier, Foxconn, has made all recommended improvements to working conditions that were due by the end of December. The group says there have been "notable increases" in workers' participation in union committees.
Dell's Dismal 1Q Illuminates PC Maker's Challenges
May 17, 2013 7:40 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | CommentsThe dismal performance announced Thursday provided the latest evidence of a technological shift that is making it difficult to sell laptop and desktop machines. Until recently, consumers had regularly replaced machines with faster ones every few years.
China: Cadillac Recalling SUVs To Fix Wheel Nuts
May 17, 2013 7:38 am | CommentsChina's product safety agency says General Motors Co.'s main Chinese joint venture is recalling Cadillac SUVs to correct a problem with nuts that hold their wheels in place. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said Friday that Shanghai GM will recall 2,653 imported Cadillac SRXs.
European Car Sales Up For First Time Since 2011
May 17, 2013 7:36 am | by Colleen Barry, AP Business Writer | CommentsNew car registrations in April were up 1.7 percent on the same time last year, the ACEA's latest figures show. Although the April rise has more to do with the two extra work days last month due to an early Easter, sales figures for the year so far gave some cause for hope.
Dow To Appeal $1.2B In Damages
May 17, 2013 7:32 am | CommentsA federal judge has ordered Dow Chemical Co. to pay $1.21 billion in damages after it lost a class-action lawsuit that accused it of conspiring to fix prices. Dow says it will appeal. The Feb. 20 jury verdict in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., was for Dow to pay $400 million in damages.
Second Court Invalidates Obama Recess Appointment
May 17, 2013 7:29 am | by Sam Hananel, Associated Press | CommentsThe 2-1 decision mirrors that of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. The Obama administration has appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court, arguing that such an interpretation would invalidate hundreds of recess appointments made by presidents over more than 100 years.
Obama Focusing On Job Creation In Baltimore Visit
May 17, 2013 4:08 am | by Nedra Pickler, Associated Press | CommentsObama is to fly by helicopter Friday about 40 miles north to Baltimore, which has had its share of tough times in the move from an industrial to service economy. But Maryland has experienced steady job growth so far this year as part of a nationwide economic recovery.
