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Author Archives: Hispanic Business
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest, Floats into San Diego Padres Clubhouse
Muhammad Ali wowed the San Diego Padres clubhouse today after he made a visit to the team to promote his Athletes for Hope charity effort.
Ali, widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all-time, who revolutionized the sport in the 1960s, suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, but still makes appearances around the country….
Don’t Recycle Your Investments to Save Taxes
Recycling may be a great idea when it comes to environment. However, in the world of finance, it is often met with disapproval.
Recycling money to save taxes is a common method employed by many investors every year….
EBay Scandal: Mass. Official Indicted For Selling City Property to Buy Engagement Ring
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. — Fired town purchasing director Joseph Lydick has been indicted on three counts of embezzlement from the town.
His case now moves from Lawrence District Court to Salem Superior Court, where he is expected to be arraigned in the next several weeks, according to Steve O’Connell, spokesman for District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett….
For Nicole Richie, Marriage Remains Elusive
Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, like a lot of contemporary couples, are taking it slow.
Nicole Richie told Ellen DeGeneres on her show “Ellen” today that the celebrity couple is in no hurry” to formalize their marriage….
David Letterman Alleged Extortionist Pleads Guilty
David Letterman’s alleged extortionist pleaded guilty after being accused of attempting to blackmail the talk show host.
Robert Halderman agreed to a deal in a Manhattan Court that means he will spend six months in jail, perform 1,000 hours of community service and be on probation for four years….
Europe Sounds Warning Bell Over U.S. Tanker Deal Involving Boeing
Brussels (dpa) – The European Union’s executive sounded a warning over US military procurement policies on Tuesday after a part-European consortium pulled out of the running to supply the US with a new refuelling aircraft, amidst claims of American prejudice….
Solar company lands stimulus funds
Roseville’s Solar Power Inc. said Monday it has received $24.7 million in federal stimulus money and is considering opening a solar-panel plant somewhere in Sacramento County.
The stimulus grant was made by Sacramento County officials, who are trying to create manufacturing jobs to jump-start the economy….
At Law Firms, What Hard Times?
It is one of life’s enduring mysteries: Why are lawyers so well compensated, especially now, when the legal profession is in its worst downturn since the Great Depression?
One persuasive explanation is that law firms, so often behind the curve when it comes to standard business practices, have been very savvy in finding new markets….
Tech Stocks Lift Markets
Equity markets rose modestly in New York Tuesday with the strongest gains coming from tech stocks helped by Cisco Systems Inc.’s mega-router announcement.
Cisco said its new mega-router is 12 times faster than its nearest competitor, which could provide a boost for a variety of companies from telecommunication to entertainment….
Pringles Recalls Two Varieties
The Procter & Gamble Co. of Cincinnati says it is recalling two varieties of Pringles potato chips because of possible bacterial contamination.
P&G officials said they took the Pringles recall action under a recommendation from the Food & Drug Administration that manufacturers recall products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein made by Basic Food Flavors Inc….
Fair Trade Labeling Isn’t Cut-and-Dried
For some shoppers, when they buy their coffee, a bottle of honey and or that Mexican woodcarving, a “fair trade” label on it is just as important as the taste or the look or the cost….
Behavior Changes Linked to NCAA Basketball Tournament, Duke Professor Says
DURHAM, N.C., March 9 (AScribe Newswire) — Millions of Americans, including President Obama, fill out their “brackets” when the NCAA Tournament field is announced each March, but does that really affect their work? It certainly appears to, at least among a segment of the population who use research libraries, a Duke University professor has found….
UFW, Growers Push for Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Farmworkers
Supporters of immigration reform are making another push to pass a congressional bill that would give undocumented farm workers a path to permanent residency and ultimately citizenship.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is the sponsor of the AgJobs bill in the Senate, and representatives Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys, Calif., and Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, Fla., are backing it in [...]
Burger King, Franchisees Settle Soda Dispute
Score one victory for Burger King franchisees in their ongoing battle with the Miami-based company.
Burger King’s National Franchisee Association reached an agreement with Burger King that puts an end to the company’s plan to take a portion of the millions of dollars in annual rebates franchisees get from soda companies….
$10 Tickets for JetBlue’s Birthday
Discount airline JetBlue said Monday it would reward customers with $10 fares from New York to 10 destinations to celebrate its own birthday.
JetBlue said the deal is available for flights from John F….
‘You Lie!’ Rep. Wilson in Campaign Filled with Intrigue, Shenanigans
WASHINGTON – Six months after Rep. Joe Wilson accused President Barack Obama of lying on national prime-time TV, his re-election bid against challenger Rob Miller has broken fund-raising records and brought unprecedented national scrutiny to their race….
Obesity Risk Lower in Women Who Had 2+ Drinks per Day: Study
Ladies — it might be time to stop worrying that the Wednesday night glass of wine is just empty calories. A new study tracking 20,000 American women through middle age found those who had two or more drinks a day gained less weight than their non-drinking counterparts….
U.S. to Ease Software Sanctions, Counteract Censorship
The Obama administration said Monday it will ease some sanctions on Iran, Sudan and Cuba to allow U.S. exports of social-media software to help those countries’ citizens “circumvent” government censorship….
Obama Tries to Win Popular Support for Healthcare Reform
WASHINGTON, March 8 (Xinhua) — In a break from his usual composure, U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a fiery speech in front of a Pennsylvanian audience Monday, accusing health insurance company of arbitrarily raising premiums, as he tries to win popular support for the health insurance reform….
Obama to Tap Harding for Long-Vacant TSA Chief Post
WASHINGTON, March 8 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Barack Obama intends to nominate ex-Army general Robert Harding as chief of the Transportation Security Administration, the White House said Monday. …
Out of Control Prius Helped to Stop by Officer
A California Highway Patrol officer coached the driver of a 2008 Toyota Prius for about 30 miles after the vehicle suddenly accelerated, officials said.
James Sikes stepped on the accelerator as he attempted to get around a slower-moving vehicle then his Prius kept speeding up, The San Diego New-Tribune reported Tuesday….
Supreme Court to Rule on Background Checks
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday it will review a court injunction that temporarily barred federal background checks on Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees.
The decision by the court, expected in June 2011, could affect how the federal government investigates the background of current and future JPL employees….
Election in Iraq Bodes Well for Troop Withdrawal
Iraq’s election success was such that the U.S. military still plans to pull nearly half of its combat troops this year, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said.
U.S. Army Gen. Ray Odierno said Sunday’s election was another milestone that allows him to meet President Barack Obama’s goal of withdrawing all but 50,000 non-combat forces [...]
Comerica Plans $800 Million Stock Sale to Repay Bailout Money
Comerica Inc. (NYSE:CMA) is selling $800 million in common stock to help repay money it received in connection with the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Dallas-based financial services company said Monday….
Out-of-Control Prius Raises New Questions for Toyota
Californian police had to come to the rescue of a Toyota Prius driver on Monday when his gas pedal became stuck on the freeway, local media reported.
The incident is the latest report of acceleration problems with Toyota (NYSE:TM) vehicles, which has resulted in massive recalls….
Specter Says Healthcare Bill Will Pass
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., said Monday he thinks Congress has the determination to pass healthcare reform this year.
“I think there’s a lot more determination in the Congress now to get it passed,” Specter said during a visit with President Barack Obama in the Philadelphia area….
U.S. Postal Service Wrestles with Cutting Services Or Increasing Prices
Americans’ love-hate relationship with the U.S. Postal Service is about to be tested again. We love to gripe about the shortcomings of one of our most essential institutions. While we wish it would change, we hate for it to….
Jennifer Aniston the Perfume Headed to Stores
Hey guys, ever wanted to be close enough to Jennifer Aniston to know what she smells like? Well, you no longer have to be Brad Pitt to smell her scent….
Razzie Awards Just the Warm-Up for Sandra Bullock
The Razzie Award and the Academy Award go to Sandra Bullock.
By accepting the Razzie Award in person, just like the stunning dress she wore at the Academy Awards, Bullock showed she is all class. She is the first actor to win both awards in the same year….
Markets Mixed Monday
U.S. markets, which got a boost last week when the latest unemployment figures were announced, struggled to post gains Monday.
The Labor Department said Friday the unemployment rate in February held at 9.7 percent, after which the Dow Jones industrial average gained 122 points….
Joe Biden Begins U.S. Efforts to Restart Israeli-Palestinian Talks
Ramallah (dpa) – U.S. officials made last-minute preparations Monday to achieve a revival of long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, ahead of Joe Biden’s first visit to the area as vice president….
Sparklehorse Singer Mark Linkous Dead at 47
Sparklehorse lead singer Mark Linkous has committed suicide, a statement on the U.S. rock band’s Web site said….
In Survey, Workers Say Recession Raised Job Loyalty
CHICAGO – There may be nothing like a recession to make workers more loyal to their jobs, according to a new survey.
Temporary-help company Kelly Services claims that 34 percent of employees said they were now more loyal to their companies, while 14 percent were less loyal….
More Employers Expect to Hire This March
Human resources managers say they anticipate March hiring will rise compared with the same time last year.
The Society for Human Resources Management surveyed more than 1,000 companies nationwide in its monthly Leading Indicators of National Employment report released Friday….
Ben Roethlisberger Hires Ray Lewis’ Former Defense Lawyer
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has hired prominent Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Edward T.M. Garland, the attorney who defended Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens against murder charges in 2000….
Bring the NFL to Los Angeles? Porque no?
For years, America’s most popular sport, the NFL, has wanted to spread into more U.S. Latino and Mexican households.
At the same time, a local billionaire, Ed Roski Jr., has been hoping to end Los Angeles’ NFL curse by buying and moving a team here….
Study: Minorities Watch More TV
For Carmen Mazariegos, limiting her daughters’ television time has been as important in the United States as in her native Guatemala, although she admits it’s easier here because of the number of educational activities available for children….
Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Postpones Afghanistan Visit
Tehran (dpa) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has postponed a visit to Afghanistan which was scheduled for Monday, the Fars news agency reported.
Fars quoted the spokesman of Afghan President Hamid Karzai as saying the visit would definitely take place in the next few days….
SeaWorld’s Strategy in the Face of Tragedy
Consider the predicament SeaWorld managers find themselves in nearly two weeks after the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau — the third human fatality linked to a killer whale synonymous with the theme park’s brand….
How to Get a Premium Price When You Sell Your Business
Thinking of selling your business?
Kenneth Marks, a certified merger and acquisition adviser and author of the “The Handbook of Financing Growth,” gave me some tips for fetching a premium price.
It used to be that OK-run businesses had a pretty good chance of getting sold, he said. But, in this financial climate, the market for those [...]
Push is on to Ease Census Fears Among ‘Hard-to-Count’ Groups
If you drive down through Seattle’s South End, the changing face of the city is evident.
Thai, Vietnamese, Hispanic, East African and other ethnic businesses dot the streets.
On Saturday, advocates for “hard-to-count” groups met to make sure they’re represented when U.S. census-survey forms are mailed this month to all households….
Real Estate’s Link to the Small Business Credit Crunch
It’s no secret that small businesses in the U.S. face difficulties accessing credit. According to a survey of a random sample of 751 small businesses conducted by Gallup at the end of 2009 for the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, 44% of small businesses seeking credit in 2009 received only some or none [...]
2010 Oscar Winners: Bigelow, Bullock, Bridges
2010 Oscar winners in the major categories:
BEST PICTURE
The Hurt Locker
LEAD ACTOR:
Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds
LEAD ACTRESS
…
Economic Outlook: A Half-Full Glass
A stable U.S. unemployment rate reverberated through global markets, giving both U.S. and Asian markets a boost.
Economists expected a slight bump in the unemployment rate for February, but the Labor Department said Friday the rate held steady at 9.7 percent on a loss of 36,000 jobs….
Obama Advisers to Propose Military Trials for 9/11 Suspects
White House advisers are prepared to recommend the president to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a military tribunal instead of a civilian court, Washington Post reported on Friday….
‘Hurt Locker’ Wins Best Picture, Bigelow Best Director: Bullock, Bridges Top Actors
It was a night of nice firsts at the 82nd annual Academy Awards, even though there weren’t that many surprises.
“The Hurt Locker” was the big winner for best picture. The low-budget Iraq war drama defeated nine other nominees in the expanded category, including the box-office blockbuster “Avatar.”
…
AIG Sells Alico Subsidiary to MetLife for $15.5 Billion
The government-backed US insurance giant AIG on Monday sold its foreign subsidiary, Alico, for 15.5 billion dollars to Metlife.
The sale should return some of the billions of dollars in taxpayers dollars from the Washington bail-out of the firm….
January Sees 32,500 Jobs Created in California
The January nonfarm labor market in California saw a slight improvement over the previous month, with 32,500 job vacancies were occupied in many sectors, the Employment Development Department said Friday….
Sebelius Says Healthcare Reform Will Pass
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius predicted Sunday congressional Democrats would round up enough votes to pass healthcare reform.
“I think we’ll have the votes to pass comprehensive health reform,” Sebelius said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
She played down the importance of when a vote would come, however….
TNA Moves to Mondays and Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan Return
TNA Wrestling will go head-to-head with WWE on Monday nights regularly, starting March 8. That’s four hours of wrestling/sports entertainment programming each Monday night.
WWE Raw is live 9 p.m. EST on the USA Network. TNA iMPACT will rotate weekly between live and taped at 9 p.m. EST on Spike TV….
Lady Gaga Extends Tour
Lady Gaga announced plans Monday to add dates to her Monster Ball concert tour.
Following her upcoming, sold-out shows in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan, Lady Gaga is to begin performing another run of concerts May 7 in Sweden….
Mia Wasikowska Breaks Out in Alice in Wonderland
Johnny Depp is a fine Mad Hatter, gap-toothed, orangey-eyed, charming and quite addled. No one could outdo him when it comes to such fine lines as this, delivered to the big-headed Red Queen: “What a regrettably large head you have….
Hispanic Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 12.4 Percent
February was a “hold steady” month for the unemployment rate of the general population, and the pattern among U.S. Hispanics conformed to this trend….
Jaycee Dugard Releases Home Video on 20/20
Jaycee Dugard has released a home video showing her life in a secret location in California, ABC News reports.
The footage, to be broadcast Friday night on ABC’s “20/20,” is Dugard’s first public statement about her life since she was found last year, 18 years after she was allegedly abducted….
Oscar Winners Revealed
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did an unusually good job of selecting nominees for this Sunday’s Oscar awards, although it made it easy on itself by doubling the number of Best Picture choices. Grievous oversights were few, dumb choices even fewer, and the telecast itself has the potential to be one of [...]
Google to Insert Captions on YouTube
San Francisco (dpa) – Google is to add automatic captions to the tens of millions of English-language videos it hosts on YouTube, the web search giant said Friday. The move will make the videos more accessible to deaf viewers but will also help Google index the content and supply relevant ads alongside it, analysts said….
Obama Touts Green Jobs as Key to Economic Recovery
President Barack Obama pushed his clean-energy agenda Friday, stressing in Arlington, Va., the prospect of green jobs fueling an economic recovery.
“The jobs of tomorrow will be jobs in the clean energy sector,” Obama said at Opower, a 75-person smart grid and energy efficiency software company that works with utilities to help people use energy more [...]
Pentagon Suspect Dead; No Terror Plot Seen
A man suspected of shooting two police officers at the Pentagon appears to have acted alone and wasn’t involved in a terrorist plot, police said Friday.
The suspect in the Thursday attack was hit by return fire and later died, and the two officers were superficially wounded, The Washington Post reported….
Microsoft Chief: Bing could replace Google someday
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer said at a California convention it’s unrealistic to think Microsoft can dethrone Google quickly, despite its Yahoo! deal.
In a question-and answer session with Search Engine Land at this week’s Search Marketing Expo West in Santa Clara, Ballmer said Microsoft is taking a go-slow approach in the search-engine wars….
Microsoft to Launch Social Networking Phone
SAN FRANCISCO – Software giant Microsoft is to launch its own mobile phones in the U.S. later this year as it aims to challenge the growing smartphone dominance of its main rivals Apple and Google, the technology blog Gizmodo reported Friday….
Apple’s iPad on sale April 3
SAN FRANCISCO – Apple eagerly awaited iPad tablet computer will go on sale in the US on April 3, the technology company said Friday. Apple will start taking pre-orders for the device next week.
Initially at least, sales of the iPad will be limited to the versions that access the internet over wi-fi networks, with [...]
Paterson Faces Mounting Pressure to Resign
NEW YORK — Embattled Gov. David Paterson, who already has had to drop his campaign for election in November, faced more pressure to resign Thursday as his spokesman quit.
A state ethics panel said Wednesday that Paterson, a Democrat, “falsely testified” under oath about World Series tickets….
Brett Favre Doesn’t Tip Hand on Retirement, But Fesses Up to Being Hannah Montana Fan (VIDEO)
Making his first appearance since his excruciatingly close loss to the
New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship, NFL elder Brett Favre
appeared on the Tonight Show, but he didn’t tip his hand on the big
…
Wall Street Rises After Jobless Rate Stays Flat
U.S. markets headed higher Friday morning after the Labor Department said fewer-than-expected job losses in the month left the unemployment rate unchanged.
Labor said 36,000 jobs were lost in February, which left the unemployment rate at 9.7 percent. Economist had predicted the rate would move to 9.8 percent….
Hiring by Smallest Employers May Signal Job Recovery
Data from payroll companies suggest that losses at the smallest businesses have stopped and those businesses are beginning to hire.
Companies with less than 20 employees have been tentatively adding new jobs since June 2009, according to a new index by Intuit (INTU) released Mar. 1, based on data from 50,000 customers of the software maker’s [...]
Mark Sanchez: Behind this Successful NY Jets Quarterback is a Hard-Working Family
When 23-year-old Mark Sanchez was drafted to play quarterback for the New York Jets last year, he went from being a middle class son of a Southern California firefighter to an instant millionaire….
Obama Demands that Health Insurers Provide Rate Hike Details Online
Amid consumer furor over rising health insurance premiums, the Obama administration asked insurers on Thursday to post rate hikes — and the justification for them — on the Internet.
Also this week, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced legislation that would give the federal government authority to reject rate increases that insurance companies cannot justify….
Health Care Rifts Vex House Democrats
WASHINGTON — Some oppose abortion, some are worried about premiums, and some have zeroed in on taxes. But House Democrats do have this in common: They’re all being heavily courted to support President Obama’s health care legislation….
Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 9.7 Percent in February
The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 9.7 per cent in February as employers shed 36,000 jobs during the month, the U.S. Labour Department reported Friday.
The department said severe snow storms in parts of the country may have prevented some new hiring….
Factory Orders See Big Boost
New orders for manufactured U.S. goods rose in January, the ninth increase in 10 months, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.
New orders were up by 1.7 percent, a $6.2 billion increase to $378.4 billion, the bureau said Thursday. The rise was in line with a 1.6 percent rise that had been forecast by economists….
10 Facts About the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
No model embodies the Hyundai brand better than the Sonata. This South Korean manufacturer’s midsize sedan has gained a strong following in the United States as an automotive bargain, a car that offers most of the room, comfort and capability of the class leaders for a more reasonable price….
10 Facts About the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
With all due respect to the Audi A8, Lexus LS 460, and even the hard-charging BMW 750i, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is arguably the top dog of the full-size luxury sedan world. Enter the 2010 S400 Hybrid, a new S-Class with an innovative gas-electric V6 power train….
Stocks Rise Ahead of Monthly Unemployment Report
New York (dpa) – U.S. stocks gained Thursday ahead of much-anticipated monthly unemployment figures due out Friday morning.
Investors were encouraged Thursday as a weekly report of jobless claims came in better than expected, while U.S….
House Passes Bill Awarding Tax Breaks for Hiring Unemployed
WASHINGTON — Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it’ll create many jobs, the House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax break.
The measure passed 217-201 on a mostly party-line vote….
Crystal Bowersox, from Sickbed to Rave Reviews on American Idol (VIDEO)
Crystal Bowersox, the American Idol contestant whose illness had fans
wondering if she’d be disqualified due to turning in a “no-show,”
instead came roaring back into the spotlight with a show-stealing
performance on Wednesday night….
White House Pushes Healthcare Final Steps
U.S. President Barack Obama and administration officials started their final push to pass healthcare reform by tackling the insurance industry Thursday.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was to meet at the White House with insurance industry executives to discuss premium increases Thursday, the department’s Web site said….
Air Traffic Controllers Suspended Due to Children on Radio
Two air traffic controllers at John F. Kennedy Airport were suspended by the Federal Aviation Administration for allowing children into the control tower and allowing them to communicate with pilots….
No Help for Greece from IMF
Frankfurt (dpa) – European Central Bank (ECB) chief Jean-Claude Trichet firmly ruled out on Thursday the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stepping in to help Greece in dealing with the financial crisis that has engulfed the nation….
Despite Hugo Chavez’s Protests, Spain Demands ‘Truth’
Madrid (dpa) – A Spanish minister said Thursday that Madrid wanted to get to the bottom of allegations that Venezuela was cooperating with an alliance of the militant Basque separatist group ETA and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)….
Obama in Final Stage of Considerations for Nuclear Posture
WASHINGTON, Mar. 2 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Barack Obama is in final stages of consideration for a long-delayed Nuclear Posture Review this week, and radical changes could be added to the review,
according to media reports on Tuesday….
Employers Get Ready to Tussle Over Ergonomics
Remember ergonomics?
Expect the political hot potato of 2000-2001 to be juggled again this year.
Among a raft of regulatory crackdowns promised by the Obama administration are tougher rules governing repetitive-motion activity at work….
Bad Movies Have a Beauty All Their Own
CHICAGO — How would we know a fine wine if we had never tasted a bad one? How could success be measured without failure? And how could films like “Avatar” or “The Hurt Locker” be appreciated if the world had never been exposed to, say, “A Night to Dismember” or “Samurai Cop”?
…
Fixer-upper Financing
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – The word “as-is” can indeed be one scary phrase. Especially when buying a home in today’s market where foreclosures and short sales that need fix-up work are plentiful.
But a little-known Federal Housing Administration loan program that’s been around since 1978 can help take the sting out of “as-is.” Only 219 [...]
In Some Places, Census Jobs Unfilled
The Census Bureau is having trouble finding qualified temporary workers in some neighborhoods for the national head count despite the record number of jobless who have swelled the pool of applicants.
Census already has recruited 3 million potential workers for the 1.2 million jobs needed to conduct the 2010 Census….
Hillary Clinton Arrives in Chile for Visit
U.S. State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Chile on Tuesday to offer relief assistance. She brought with her some satellite phones.
Clinton arrived from Argentina where she paid a visit after including the country to her itinerary in the ongoing Latin America tour….
Hillary Clinton Arrives in Brazil to Discuss Controversial Issues
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Brazil on a whirlwind visit to meet President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Foreign Minister Celso Amorim to discuss controversial issues.
Among the issues to be discussed are Brazil’s position on the Iranian nuclear program, the U.S….
Lower Unemployment Benefit Claims Push Stocks Higher
U.S. markets plowed ahead Thursday after the Department of Labor said the number of first-time filings for unemployment benefits fell substantially last week.
The departments said 29,000 first-time claims were filed in the week ending Feb….
Obama to Sign Travel and Tourism Bill
Travel and tourism in the United States would get a boost from a bill President Barack Obama is to sign Thursday, the White House said.
The bipartisan Travel Promotion Act will create jobs, encourage travel in the United States and help the tourism industry, stung by the economic slump, the White House said….
Early Voting Begins in Iraq
Early voting began in Iraq Thursday to select the country’s 325-member parliament and decide who will head the new government, officials say.
Those who can cast early ballots for Sunday’s national elections are members of the military, the police, people with special needs and the infirm, CNN reports….
Obama Makes Last-Ditch Effort for Healthcare Reform
U.S. President Barack Obama put forward his renewed proposal for healthcare reform Wednesday as a last-ditch effort to reach a bipartisan bill, saying the proposal “incorporates the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans.”
The latest proposal reflected “an approach that has been debated and changed and I believe improved over the last year,” said Obama….
Signs of Economic Growth Sprouting
A batch of economic reports Wednesday depicted a broadening recovery, with services industries last month growing at the fastest pace in more than two years and job losses slowing despite snowstorms that hampered key sectors such as retail….
Wind-farm Stimulus Funds Raise Storm in Senate
WASHINGTON — The Energy Department warned today that Sen. Sherrod Brown’s demand to temporarily suspend the use of federal stimulus dollars for clean-energy projects would “cause immediate layoffs” of workers across the country….
Will American Idol Crystal Bowersox’s Hospitalization Lead to Disqualification?
“American Idol” producers are still waiting for a medical verdict on semifinalist Crystal Bowersox’s ability to perform tonight, executive producer Ken Warwick told Ryan Seacrest this morning.
If Crystal can’t perform tonight, just one female contestant will likely be eliminated Thursday, Warwick said. That implies Crystal would be disqualified….
Concepcion, Chile Subjected to False Tsunami Alert
Concepcion, Chile (dpa) – An aftershock measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale led to chaos Wednesday in the southern Chilean city of Concepcion, with a false tsunami alert sounded.
Soldiers deployed on the streets of Concepcion spread the word of a tsunami alert, even though the city is not on the coast….
LAPD Yanks RFK Shirt from Exhibit; Apologizes
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials say they have removed the bloody shirt worn by Robert Kennedy the night he was killed from an exhibit of department artifacts.
The LAPD also extended its apologies to the family of the late senator who was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel during a 1968 presidential campaign appearance….
Markets Mixed at Wednesday Close
U.S. markets were mixed at the close Wednesday despite slower job losses reported by Automatic Data Processing Inc.
ADP said 20,000 non-farm jobs were lost January to February, the lowest monthly loss in two years….
Fed: Most of U.S. Saw Modest Economic Gains in January-February
Washington (dpa) – The central bank on Wednesday said that most of the country saw “modest” gains in economic activity since the start of 2010, though the recovery was slowed by severe snowstorms that slowed retailing for much of February….
U.S. Official Frustrated with Lack of Trade Deal Progress
Washington (dpa) — The top U.S. trade official told lawmakers Wednesday that the United States was only harming itself by stalling on free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama that have been pending for some three years….
Nissan Recall: More Than 500k Vehicles Recalled Due to Brake Pedal Pins, Gauges
Tokyo (dpa) — Nissan Recall update:
Nissan Motor Co. is to recall more than half a million vehicles worldwide for problems with loose brake pedal pins and faulty fuel gauges, Japan’s third-largest automaker said Tuesday….
Jessica Simpson ‘A Little Angry’ at John Mayer
U.S. singer and actress Jessica Simpson says she has not forgiven her ex-boyfriend John Mayer for saying she was addictive and likening her to sexual napalm.
Mayer, who dated Simpson from 2006-2007, made the remarks in an interview with Playboy that attracted tremendous media attention last month….
Blockbuster Reinstates Late Fees
Late fees are back at Blockbuster.
But these aren’t the egregious, uncapped, mother of all late fees that Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. did away with five years ago. It says it’s simply keeping up with the competition….
Multiracial No Longer Boxed in by the Census
Jennifer Harvey was raised by her white mother and white stepfather in what she calls “a Caucasian world.” Harvey never met her father but she knew he was black and Cuban. That made her Hispanic, white and black….
CFO Survey Sees Increase in Spending/Earnings; Flat Employment
DURHAM, N.C. (AScribe Newswire) — Chief financial officers in the United States expect strong growth in business spending and earnings this year, but plan only modest hiring and the continued outsourcing of jobs….
Obama Promotes Jobs, Energy Plans
SAVANNAH — Barack Obama made his first visit to Georgia as president on Tuesday to pitch a new jobs initiative and rub elbows with fellow Democrats as several congressional seats and the governor’s mansion are up for grabs in the Peach State….
Space Still a Vital Frontier
LOS ANGELES — Despite major shifts in NASA’s priorities and a still shaky economy, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s 22nd annual small business conference drew hundreds of tech-related small firms to the Westin Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday….
Markets Rise on Slower Job Losses
U.S. markets headed higher Wednesday morning after Automatic Data Processing Inc. said 20,000 non-farm jobs were lost January to February.
The figures are consistent with a recent trend of slower job losses….
One Year After Stimulus, Blacks And Latinos Still Struggling
The Obama administration needs to do more to address high unemployment among blacks and Latinos.
In January, the overall unemployment rate fell to 9.7 percent, but the rate for blacks inched up to 16.5 percent and the Latino rate stood at 12.6 percent….
Rangel to Quit Ways and Means, Reported
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., under fire for an ethics violation, has agreed to resign as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, sources told NBC News.
The report said Democratic congressional leaders urged Rangel to step aside, saying he did not have enough support to survive a Republican move to unseat him….
Small Businesses Creating Jobs
Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees have created nearly
150,000 new jobs nationally since June 2009 and 40,000 new jobs in
February, according to an index released for the first time this month….
Ford’s Sale Surge no Fluke, Automaker is on a Roll
Don’t mistake Ford’s stunning 43.4% sales increase in February for a short-term windfall fueled by Toyota’s multiple recalls. While Ford almost certainly gained a few sales from buyers at Toyota’s expense, February’s triumph was building for months before Toyota stalled….
Obama to Offer Map in Healthcare Debate
U.S. President Barack Obama will offer a road map for the next steps in healthcare reform and a plea for swift congressional action, the White House said.
Obama will speak about moving forward in the final stage of the debate Wednesday, reiterating why the reform is critical and how it benefits U.S….
Mets’ Carlos Beltran Queried in Doping Probe
New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran</strong< said Tuesday he has talked to authorities investigating a doctor linked to doping allegations.
Beltran, speaking to reporters at Mets' spring training facility in Port St….
A Bit of Inflation
The debate continues on the timing and sequence to begin tightening monetary policy in the United States. Although several economic indicators provide margin for the central bank to keep interest rates low, in its own terms, “for an extended period.”
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USPS Proposing No Mail on Saturdays; Postal Service Cutting Costs
The U.S. Postal Service, facing a crushing budget deficit, unveiled a sweeping cost-cutting plan Tuesday that apparently includes elimination of USPS Saturday deliveries.
USPS Postmaster General John Potter was scheduled to deliver a speech detailing the budget cuts and was widely expected to deliver the news about scaling back to five-day-a-week deliveries….
New Overdraft-fee Rules Aren’t a Perfect Solution
When it comes to grumbling about banks, the anger consumers feel about bailouts and bonuses often pales in comparison to their rage after buying a $4 cup of coffee with a debit card and getting whacked with $35 or $70 in overdraft fees….
Supreme Court Ponders Second Amendment Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today on whether to strike down Chicago’s long-standing ban on handguns.
On one side, gun-control groups argue that lifting the decades-old ban will increase the prevalence of guns and the level of violence….
Apple Sues HTC for Patent Infringement
San Francisco (dpa) – Apple sued Taiwanese mobile phone maker HTC Tuesday for 20 alleged patent violations related to the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware, the company announced….
Massa Denies Charge of Groping Male Workers, But Admits to ‘Tickle Fights’