The Lead
Authorities: Crime Not Ruled Out In Texas Blast
May 17, 2013 | by Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press | Comments
Investigators 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.
China: Cadillac Recalling SUVs To Fix Wheel Nuts
May 17, 2013 7:38 am | Comments
China's product safety agency says General Motors Co.'s main Chinese joint venture is recalling...
Dell's Dismal 1Q Illuminates PC Maker's Challenges
May 17, 2013 7:40 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | Comments
The dismal performance announced Thursday provided the latest evidence of a technological shift...
Obama Focusing On Job Creation In Baltimore Visit
May 17, 2013 4:08 am | by Nedra Pickler, Associated Press | Comments
Obama is to fly by helicopter Friday about 40 miles north to Baltimore, which has had its share...
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.
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.
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.
Sage Automotive Interiors Acquires Apo-Tessile Seating Assets
May 16, 2013 3:51 pm | CommentsThe Greenville, S.C.-based Sage Automotive Interiors has announced its acquisition of the automotive fabric manufacturing assets of Poland-based Apo-Tessile. Sage says it hopes to better provide new automotive interior products to the European market, and the current facility in Zary, Poland, is positioned to supply cut and sew facilities in central and eastern Europe. The operations will be called Sage Automotive Interiors Poland.
Alcoa Cuts 500 Jobs In Canada
May 16, 2013 2:33 pm | CommentsAluminum smelter and parts-maker says it will close down two production lines at a plant in Canada and cut about 500 jobs there because of lower aluminum prices. A planned upgrade for the facility in Quebec is being pushed back by three years, to 2019, the company said.
Bill Would Limit Lawsuits Over Lead Contamination
May 16, 2013 2:17 pm | by Jordan Shapiro, Associated Press | CommentsThe measure passed late Wednesday night would exempt the Doe Run Resources Corp. from punitive damages if the court determines the company is making a "good faith" effort to clean up the contaminated sites. Otherwise, punitive damages would be capped at $2.5 million per lawsuit.
hybris Named Leader In Magic Quadrant Report By Leading Industry Analyst
May 16, 2013 2:09 pm | Commentshybris, the world's fastest-growing commerce platform provider, today announced that for the second year running it has been included as a Leader in Gartner's latest 'Magic Quadrant for E-Commerce'. Following substantial growth in 2011, hybris has further consolidated its position as the market's dominant independent e-commerce and omni-channel vendor which it believes has helped to achieve its leadership placement in the Gartner report.
U.S. Consumer Prices Fall On Cheaper Gas
May 16, 2013 1:43 pm | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | CommentsA plunge in the cost of gas drove down a measure of U.S. consumer prices last month by the most since December 2008. Excluding the drop in fuel costs, prices were largely unchanged. The consumer price index fell 0.4 percent in April from March, the Labor Department said Thursday.