Government
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?
Obama: U.S. Could Lose Years Of Research
April 29, 2013 1:46 pm | News | CommentsPresident Barack Obama says the U.S. could lose years of scientific research as a result of automatic spending cuts that have hit federal agencies. He says instead of racing ahead to the next cutting edge, American scientists are wondering whether they'll be able to develop any new products at all.
Consumers Keep Spending Despite Reduced Pay
April 29, 2013 12:09 pm | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThis year got off to a sour start for U.S. workers: Their pay, already gasping to keep pace with inflation, was suddenly shrunk by a Social Security tax increase. Which raised a worrisome question: Would consumers stop spending and further slow the economy? Nope. Not yet, anyway.
Army Says No To More Tanks, But Congress Insists
April 29, 2013 8:07 am | by Richard Lardner, Associated Press | News | CommentsBuilt to dominate the enemy in combat, the Army's hulking Abrams tank is proving equally hard to beat in a budget battle. Lawmakers from both parties have devoted nearly half a billion dollars in taxpayer money over the past two years to build improved versions of the 70-ton Abrams. But senior Army officials have said repeatedly, "No thanks."
U.S. Sues Novartis, Cites Doc Kickbacks
April 29, 2013 7:51 am | by Larry Neumeister, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe U.S. government sued Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. again on Friday, saying it paid kickbacks for a decade to doctors to steer patients toward its drugs, sometimes disguising fishing trips off the Florida coast and trips to Hooters restaurants as speaking engagements for the doctors.
NYC Sues BP Over Pension Fund Losses
April 26, 2013 2:02 pm | News | CommentsNew York City is suing BP over the drop in its stock price after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, saying its pension funds lost $39 million. The lawsuit in federal court in New York claims BP failed to tell shareholders about the risks of its offshore drilling, and that after the spill it tried to minimize the cost to shareholders.
Japan Allows Airlines To Resume 787 Flights
April 26, 2013 1:35 pm | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsJapan's transport minister said Friday the government will allow Japanese airlines to resume flying grounded Boeing 787s once they complete installation of systems to reduce fire risk in problematic lithium ion batteries. The ministry gave the official approval Friday evening following a formal safety order from U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Orders For U.S. Durable Goods Fall 5.7 Pct. In March
April 26, 2013 12:01 pm | News | CommentsOrders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods fell in March by the most in seven months. The drop reflected a steep decline in commercial aircraft demand and little growth in orders that signal future business investment. That followed a 4.3 percent gain in February, which was revised lower.
CareFusion To Pay $41M To Settle Investigation
April 26, 2013 11:33 am | News | CommentsCareFusion Corp. said Thursday it will pay about $41 million to resolve a government investigation into marketing practices for its antiseptic ChloraPrep. The investigation also covered CareFusion's relationships with health care professionals. The company said it agreed to the settlement in principle and is also entering into a non-prosecution agreement.
Senate Bill Targets Large Compounding Pharmacies
April 26, 2013 11:25 am | by Matthew Perrone, AP Health Writer | News | CommentsThe wave of deadly fungal infections was identified in September and linked to a large Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, which regulators said was operating more like a manufacturer. The new proposal would subject such large compounding operations to direct federal oversight by the Food and Drug Administration.
Economy Accelerates In 1Q
April 26, 2013 8:39 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. economic growth accelerated from January through March, buoyed by the strongest consumer spending in more than two years. The strength offset further declines in government spending that are expected to drag on growth throughout the year.
S. Korea To Withdraw Workers At Factory In N. Korea
April 26, 2013 8:35 am | by Sam Kim, Associated Press | News | CommentsSeoul said it issued a Friday deadline for North Korea to respond to its call for talks because it was worried about its workers not having access to food and medicine. North Korea hasn't allowed supplies or workers to cross the border since early this month.
OSHA: OH Plant 'Could Have Prevented' Worker Death
April 25, 2013 2:17 pm | News | CommentsA federal agency has cited an Ohio aluminum plant with eight safety violations following the death of a worker who was crushed by a hot metal rack stacked with heavy aluminum. OSHA said Extrudex Aluminum acted with knowing disregard or plain indifference to hazards at the company's plant in North Jackson in northeastern Ohio.
Anheuser-Busch Tries To Block Ohio Brewery Measure
April 25, 2013 2:06 pm | News | CommentsThe world's largest brewer is trying to stop Ohio from enacting a measure that would prohibit brewers from buying wholesale beer distributors. That provision was part of a bill that moved quickly through the Legislature last week and is now before Gov. John Kasich.
China, France Vow To Promote 'Multipolar' World
April 25, 2013 2:00 pm | News | CommentsChina's President Xi Jinping and France's President Francois Hollande pledged to push for a world free of domination by any superpower Thursday as the French leader visited the Chinese capital on a mission to boost trade amid his country's worsening economic woes.
Nets, Harpoons Could Be Used To Haul In Space Junk
April 25, 2013 10:50 am | by Frank Jordans, Associated Press | News | CommentsNets, harpoons and suicide robots could become weapons of choice to hunt down the space junk threatening crucial communications satellites currently in orbit round Earth, scientists said. Even lasers that act like "Star Trek" tractor beams were among the proposals put forward to protect some $100 billion worth of satellites.
Unemployment Aid Applications Drop To 339K
April 25, 2013 8:46 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to a seasonally adjusted 339,000, the second-lowest level in more than five years. The decline suggests hiring is improving from last month's sluggish pace. The Labor Department says applications for unemployment aid dropped by 16,000.
Inquiry Into Texas Blast Plagued By Regulatory Gap
April 25, 2013 7:59 am | by Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal and state officials investigating last week's deadly blast at a Central Texas fertilizer company are trying to determine whether a fire at the plant could have ignited a supply of ammonium nitrate. But how much of the highly explosive fertilizer was stored at the site is unclear because of a gap in federal regulations.
S. Korea Demands Talks With N. Korea On Closed Factory
April 25, 2013 3:19 am | by Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press | News | CommentsSouth Korea on Thursday warned of unspecified "grave measures" if North Korea rejects talks on a jointly run factory park shuttered for nearly a month — setting up the possible end of the last remaining major symbol of inter-Korean cooperation.
