Government
FAA Safety Oversight Of Aircraft Repairs Faulted
May 6, 2013 1:41 pm | by Joan Lowy, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Department of Transportation's inspector general said in a report released Monday that a supposedly risk-based safety inspection system adopted by the FAA "falls short of being truly risk-based." The report said this is especially true for foreign repair stations.
GOP Seeks Alternative To Overtime Pay
May 6, 2013 8:21 am | by Sam Hananel, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe choice already exists in the public sector. Federal and state workers can save earned time off and use it weeks or even months later to attend a parent-teacher conference, care for an elderly parent or deal with home repairs. Republicans in Congress are pushing legislation that would extend that option to the private sector.
China City Quashes Protest Against Petro Plant
May 6, 2013 7:49 am | by Didi Tang, Associated Press | News | CommentsWhile China punishes political dissent aggressively, it has been somewhat more tolerant of environmental complaints. The public, especially members of China's rising middle class, have become more outspoken against environmentally risky plants, and several mass protests against such projects turned violent last year.
Obama: U.S., Latin America Must Strengthen Economies
May 6, 2013 7:41 am | by Julie Pace, Associated Press | News | CommentsPresident Barack Obama came to Latin America eager to move the region's relationship with the U.S. beyond fighting drugs and organized crime, yet the pervasive problems still trailed him throughout his three-day trip to Mexico and Costa Rica.
China Emerging As New Force In Drone Warfare
May 3, 2013 2:05 pm | by Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press | News | CommentsChinese aerospace firms have developed dozens of drones, known also as unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. Many have appeared at air shows and military parades, including some that bear an uncanny resemblance to the Predator, Global Hawk and Reaper models used with deadly effect by the U.S. Air Force and CIA.
Unemployment Rate Falls To 7.5 Percent
May 3, 2013 8:47 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. employers added 165,000 jobs in April, and hiring was much stronger in the previous two months than first thought. The gains trimmed the unemployment rate to a four-year low of 7.5 percent. The Labor Department report showed the job market is improving despite higher taxes and government spending cuts.
Bangladesh Official: Disaster Not 'Really Serious'
May 3, 2013 8:09 am | by Farid Hossain and Julhas Alam, Associated Press | News | CommentsBangladesh's finance minister downplayed the impact of last week's factory-building collapse, saying he didn't think it was "really serious" Friday, hours after the 500th body was pulled from the debris. The government appears to be attempting to fend off accusations that it is in part to blame for the tragedy because of weak oversight of the building's construction.
Australia Plans To Buy 12 EA-18G Growler Aircraft
May 3, 2013 8:00 am | by Rod McGuirk, Associated Press | News | CommentsBut the reviewed defense strategy released Friday said the government now plans to buy 12 new Growlers and to keep Australia's existing 24 Super Hornets as they are. Australia will be the only country other than the United States to operate Growlers, which are to be replaced eventually by JFSs.
Trade Deficit Falls To $38.8B In March
May 2, 2013 2:02 pm | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe U.S. trade deficit narrowed in March for a second month as the daily flow of imported crude oil dropped to the lowest level in 17 years. The deficit with China hit a three-year low.The overall trade deficit decreased to $38.8 billion, an 11 percent drop from February's $43.6 billion.
Is Anti-Bacterial Soap Safe?
May 2, 2013 1:37 pm | by Matthew Perrone, AP Health Writer | News | CommentsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration is planning to deliver a review this year of whether triclosan is safe. The ruling, which will determine whether triclosan continues to be used in household cleaners, could have implications for a $1 billion industry that includes hundreds of anti-bacterial products from toothpaste to toys.
Report: Government Policies Seen As Key To Manufacturing Competitiveness
May 2, 2013 12:32 pm | by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited | News | CommentsThe three-volume report, “Manufacturing for Growth,” finds that executives around the world crave government policies that simplify taxes and protect free and fair trade — along with stronger energy and infrastructure policies and more focused education and workforce frameworks. They also want science, technology and innovation policies that promote advanced manufacturing.
Jobless Claims Fall To 5-Year Low Of 324K
May 2, 2013 8:40 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to seasonally adjusted 324,000, the lowest since January 2008. The drop points to fewer layoffs and possibly more hiring. The Labor Department says weekly applications fell 18,000, the second straight sharp drop.
European Commission Investigates Peugeot State Aid
May 2, 2013 8:11 am | News | CommentsThe European Commission says it has opened an in-depth investigation into the government-backed restructuring of France's PSA Peugeot Citroen group to see whether it violates European Union state aid rules. Under the plan, the French state has guaranteed 7 billion euros ($9.1 billion) in loans to Peugeot and given or advanced another 85.9 million euros directly.
Fed Keeps Stimulus, Says Taxes And Cuts Have Hurt
May 2, 2013 7:59 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe Federal Reserve cautioned America's political leaders Wednesday that their policies are hurting the economy. The Fed stood by its aggressive efforts to stimulate the economy and reduce unemployment. But it sent its clearest signal to date that tax increases and spending cuts that kicked in this year are slowing the economy.
Judge Gives Major Break In GM Theft Case
May 2, 2013 7:42 am | by Ed White, Associated Press | News | CommentsA former General Motors engineer convicted of stealing thousands of pages of hybrid technology was sentenced Wednesday to just a year and a day in prison, far below the punishment sought by the government in a case that involved her husband and an alleged scheme to take the trade secrets to China.
Obama Asserts He Still Has Influence In Washington
May 1, 2013 7:44 am | News | CommentsPresident Barack Obama is asserting that he still retains influence in the capital despite recent setbacks. Obama says "things are pretty dysfunctional on Capitol Hill." But he invoked Mark Twain to declare that rumors of his political demise are exaggerated.
Monster Suing San Francisco Over Energy Drinks
May 1, 2013 7:41 am | by Candice Choi, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsThe company, based in Corona, Calif., says it's being unfairly singled out by City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who late last year had asked Monster to produce documentation showing that its drinks are safe. Since then, Monster says Herrera has asked it to reformulate its drinks and change what it says on labels and marketing materials.
Mayor Says Blast-Damaged Texas Town Will Rebuild
May 1, 2013 7:39 am | News | CommentsThe mayor of a Texas town devastated by a deadly fertilizer plant explosion says he expects the community to rebuild and he'll do the same. West Mayor Tommy Muska said Tuesday that his hometown of about 2,700 has received donations from across the country since the April 17 accident.
China Manufacturing Growth Slows In April
April 30, 2013 10:27 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAn industry group says manufacturing growth in China slipped in April as exports continued to decline, raising questions about the strength of recovery in the world's second-biggest economy. The China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said Wednesday that its purchasing managers' index for April declined to 50.6 points from 50.9 points in March.
Russia Charging NASA $70M Per Rocket Seat
April 30, 2013 1:49 pm | by Marcia Dunn, AP Aerospace Writer | News | CommentsNASA is blaming Congress for the need to pay $424 million more to Russia to get U.S. astronauts into space. NASA announced its latest contract with the Russian Space Agency on Tuesday. The $424 million represents flights to and from the International Space Station aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft, as well as training, for six astronauts in 2016 and 2017.
U.S. Employment Compensation Up In 1Q
April 30, 2013 1:38 pm | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsAmericans' wages increased at a faster rate from January through March than the previous quarter, a trend that helped boost economic growth. But their benefits barely grew. The Labor Department says an index that measures wages and benefits rose 0.3 percent during the first quarter.
U.S. Probes Dodge Viper For Suspension Problem
April 30, 2013 10:30 am | News | CommentsU.S. auto safety regulators are investigating complaints that a rear suspension part can fail on the iconic Dodge Viper muscle car. The investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers about 2,500 Vipers from the 2005 and 2006 model years.
Japan Manufacturing, Hiring Rise In March
April 30, 2013 7:48 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsJapan manufacturing and employment showed slight improvements in March, buttressing hopes that the economy may be headed for a moderate recovery. Factory output rose 0.2 percent, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Tuesday, in the fourth straight monthly increase.
FDA To Investigate Added Caffeine In Foods
April 30, 2013 7:37 am | by Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press | News | CommentsWith a growing number of foods boasting added caffeine for an energy boost, the Food and Drug Administration says it's time to investigate their safety. The FDA's new look at added caffeine and its effects on children and adolescents is in response to a caffeinated gum introduced this week by Wrigley.
EPA Methane Report Further Divides Fracking Camps
April 29, 2013 2:04 pm | by Kevin Begos, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Environmental Protection Agency has dramatically lowered its estimate of how much of a potent heat-trapping gas leaks during natural gas production, in a shift with major implications for a debate that has divided environmentalists: Does the recent boom in fracking help or hurt the fight against climate change?
