GOP Wary of Pitfalls in Obama’s Health Care Summit Republican leaders expressed renewed skepticism Tuesday about President Barack Obama’s call for a bipartisan forum on health care, raising questions about how much can be achieved at the televised event later this month. Charles Babington, AP NEWS - 11 minutes ago
Stocks Climb on Hopes for Greece Debt Assistance The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden. Stephen Bernard and Tim Paradis, AP NEWS - 11 minutes ago
FDA Aims to Rein in Radiation-Based Medical Scans Federal regulators will require manufacturers of high-grade medical imaging machines to include safety controls that prevent patients from receiving excessive radiation doses. Matthew Perrone, AP NEWS - 12 minutes ago
Job Openings Plunged by One-Quarter Last Year Finding a job got much tougher last year, as the number of available openings fell by nearly one quarter. Christopher S. Rugaber, AP NEWS - 14 minutes ago
Newark Airport Breach Suspect Pleads Not Guilty A Rutgers University graduate student accused of triggering worldwide flight delays has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a security breach at Newark Liberty International Airport. Staff, AP NEWS - 14 minutes ago
Southwest Launches 3-Day Fare Sale Southwest Airlines Co. is offering a sale geared toward leisure travelers who want to make short trips this spring. David Koenig, AP NEWS - 15 minutes ago
Hartford Spent $520,000 Lobbying Gov’t in 4Q Insurer Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. spent $520,000 in the fourth quarter to lobby the federal government on insurance regulation reform, consumer protection rights and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report. Staff, AP NEWS - 15 minutes ago
Jackson Doctor Out on Bail, Back for April Hearing Michael Jackson’s doctor returns to court in April to find out the date for the next major step in the case — a proceeding that will reveal for the first time the evidence the prosecution believes will show his “gross negligence” was the direct cause of the pop star’s death. Linda Deutsch, AP NEWS - 19 minutes ago
Earnings Preview: Activision Blizzard to Report 4Q Activision Blizzard Inc., the video game publisher behind “World of Warcraft” and “Call of Duty,” reports fourth-quarter results after the market closes Wednesday. Staff, AP NEWS - 20 minutes ago
Analyst Opens Hanesbrands Coverage With ‘Buy’ Shares of Hanesbrands Inc. rose Tuesday as an analyst starting to cover the maker of pantyhose, underwear, casual clothes and active wear gave it and initial “Buy” rating, saying the company will likely see earnings growth as consumer spending picks up. Staff, AP NEWS - 20 minutes ago
Perez Hilton, Black Eyed Peas Manager Settle Suit A judge is dismissing a civil lawsuit filed against a Black Eyed Peas manager who punched blogger Perez Hilton in a nightclub last year. Staff, AP NEWS - 22 minutes ago
State Farm Says It Warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007 The nation’s largest auto insurer said Tuesday it alerted federal safety regulators in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall. Ken Thomas, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
Kraft to Close 1 Cadbury Plant in UK Kraft Foods says it will close Cadbury’s Somerdale manufacturing facility in Keynsham in the United Kingdom as the British candy maker planned. Staff, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
Ligand Posts 4Q Profit as Charge Comes off Books Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday it turned a profit in the fourth quarter, compared with a year ago when it booked a hefty acquisition-related charge. Staff, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
SAS to Raise Cash, Cut 700 Jobs After Q4 Loss SAS stocks nosedived Tuesday after the Scandinavian airline group posted a fourth-quarter loss and asked shareholders for 5 billion kronor ($670 million) to help repair its ailing finances. Karl Ritter, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
ATF Blames Texas Church Fires on Serial Arsonist Recent fires that destroyed or damaged several churches in eastern Texas were likely set by one person or group of people, federal authorities said Tuesday. Schuyler Dixon, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
McDonald’s Sales Figure Rises 2.6 Percent in Jan. McDonald’s Inc., the world’s largest fast-food chain, said Tuesday a key sales comparison rose 2.6 percent in January, as strong overseas sales more than offset a decline in the U.S. Mae Anderson, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
LAPD: Anti-Gang Worker Killed by Graffiti Suspect Police say a well-known former gangster who has counseled against violence was killed when he confronted a graffiti-writer in Los Angeles. Staff, AP NEWS - 28 minutes ago
NYSE Euronext Returns to Profit in 4th Quarter Trans-Atlantic stock exchange operator NYSE Euronext said Tuesday that it returned to profit in the fourth quarter as cost-cutting efforts helped offset a drop in revenue amid falling global share trading volumes. Staff, AP NEWS - 31 minutes ago
Vishay Returns to 4Q Profit; Chip Demand Rebounds Vishay Intertechnology said Tuesday it reversed a fourth-quarter loss, booking smaller one-time expenses and climbing revenue on computer chip sales. Staff, AP NEWS - 34 minutes ago
Gates Wants Iran Sanctions in ‘Weeks, Not Months’ U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to see the United Nations slap sanctions on Iran in “weeks, not months.” Anne Flaherty, AP NEWS - 34 minutes ago
Solar Capital Shares Drop in Trading Debut Shares of Solar Capital, the week’s first initial public offering, are down 3 percent as the investment company’s shares made their trading debut. Staff, AP NEWS - 35 minutes ago
Evacuations Under Way for LA-Area Foothills Homeowners in mud-ravaged foothill towns packed their cars and fled Tuesday as evacuation orders took hold and a new winter storm approached. Staff, AP NEWS - 35 minutes ago
White House Hastens Concert to Beat Snow The coming snow storm forced the White House to hold its concert of civil rights-era music one day earlier to beat another round of wintry weather. Staff, AP NEWS - 39 minutes ago
Autopsy: Fight a Factor in Kerrigan Father’s Death A Massachusetts medical examiner has found that figure skater Nancy Kerrigan’s father died of a heart rhythm problem after suffering a neck injury so severe it damaged his voice box. Denise Lavoie, AP NEWS - 39 minutes ago
Jan. Freeze Damaged 4 Percent of Fla. Oranges Florida citrus growers lost more than 4 percent of their orange crop and more than 3 percent of their grapefruit crop during last month’s freezing weather, according to estimates released Tuesday. Mike Schneider, AP NEWS - 39 minutes ago
Sri Lankan Parliament Dissolved Ahead of New Vote Sri Lanka’s president dissolved parliament Tuesday to make way for spring elections a day after authorities arrested a key opposition leader, crippling the only serious threat to the ruling party’s stifling grip on power. Fisnik Abrashi, AP NEWS - 40 minutes ago
DreamWorks Airs Movie Promo Spots During Olympics DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. will begin the release Tuesday of a series of animated vignettes tied to an upcoming 3D movie. Staff, AP NEWS - 43 minutes ago
Travelers Spent $1.66 Million Lobbying Gov’t in 4Q Insurer Travelers Cos. spent $1.66 million in the fourth quarter to lobby the federal government on global warming issues, workers compensation, consumer protection rights and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report. Staff, AP NEWS - 43 minutes ago
FAA Investigating Southwest Airlines Again Federal officials are investigating Southwest Airlines over the way it handled structural repairs on dozens of jets, according to a person familiar with the situation. David Koenig, AP NEWS - 46 minutes ago
It’s a Wrap! Hospitals Test New, More Modest Gown The British government is getting behind a plan to replace drafty open-backed hospital gowns with versions that preserve patients' modesty. Staff, AP FEATURES - 47 minutes ago
On the Call: Molson Coors CEO Peter Swinburn Molson Coors Brewing Co. on Tuesday reported its fourth-quarter profit more than doubled because of favorable tax benefits even as it sold fewer beers to cash-starved shoppers. Staff, AP NEWS - 47 minutes ago
Investigators: Acceleration Problem Not Resolved House investigators say there’s growing evidence that not all the causes of Toyota’s acceleration problems have been identified. Staff, AP NEWS - 48 minutes ago
A Meal Fit for a King? No, But the Plate Is! A British woman says she’s shocked that a dusty dish on her shelf has been identified as a very valuable 260-year-old antique made for the King of Prussia. Staff, AP NEWS - 50 minutes ago
Earnings Preview: Allstate to Report 4Q Results Property and casualty insurer Allstate Corp. reports its fourth-quarter results after the stock market closes Wednesday. Ieva M. Augstums, AP NEWS - 51 minutes ago
Stocks Climb on Hopes for Greece Debt Assistance The Dow Jones industrial average climbed back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden. Stephen Bernard and Tim Paradis, AP NEWS - 53 minutes ago
Suspect in Death of Md. Girl Indicted for Murder A registered sex offender has been indicted on murder charges in the death of an 11-year-old Maryland girl whose body was found on Christmas day. Brian Witte, AP NEWS - 53 minutes ago
UN Slams Haitian Hospitals for Charging Patients The United Nations has warned that it will cut off shipments of free medicine beginning immediately to any Haitian hospitals that it finds are charging patients. Frank Bajak and Paisley Dodds, AP NEWS - 54 minutes ago
GOP Wary of Pitfalls in Obama’s Health Care Summit Republican legislative leaders are raising fresh doubts about any bipartisan agreement with President Barack Obama on health care unless he agrees to shelve bills already passed by Democrats in the House and Senate — a move the White House has rejected. Charles Babington, AP NEWS - 57 minutes ago
Fellow NY Democrats Offer Paterson Little Support Gov. David Paterson is getting little support from Albany’s other top Democrats as he fights what he calls attacks on his character. Mike Gormley, AP NEWS - 59 minutes ago
Ivory Coast Opposition Protests Voter List Probe Protesters torched a police station in western Ivory Coast while claiming their names had been removed from voter rolls in advance of this year’s presidential election. Staff, AP NEWS - 61 minutes ago
Coal Producer Alpha Outlines Gas Expansion Plans Coal mine operator Alpha Natural Resources expanded its tiny natural gas business, drilling its first well in the Marcellus shale. Tim Huber, AP NEWS - 62 minutes ago
Orange Crop Down After Freeze The U.S. orange crop is expected to fall 14 percent from last year because of an unusual freeze in Florida this winter. Staff, AP NEWS - 63 minutes ago
Obama: GOP and Dems Together Can Spur Job Growth President Barack Obama acknowledged the deep partisan divisions gripping Congress, but he urged Republican and Democratic leaders Tuesday to cooperate on legislation that creates jobs. Charles Babington, AP NEWS - 64 minutes ago
Brother Now Says Ohio Doc Admitted Poisoning Wife A family member who testified earlier that an Ohio doctor denied poisoning his wife now says the defendant admitted to the killing. Staff, AP NEWS - 64 minutes ago
UK Group Urges Elton John to Cancel Israel Show A British academic group that supports Palestinian rights is urging singer Elton John to cancel a summer concert in Israel. Staff, AP NEWS - 66 minutes ago
Sinatra, Martin to Receive Stars in Las Vegas Sin City is paying homage to iconic singers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin by giving them each a place on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. Oskar Garcia, AP NEWS - 69 minutes ago
Japan Airlines Rejects Delta, Stays With American Japan Airlines, wooed for months by Delta Air Lines with promises of cash and global reach, spurned the world’s biggest carrier and opted to keep its alliance with American Airlines. Tomoko A. Hosaka and Harry R. Weber, AP NEWS - 73 minutes ago
Kate Gosselin to Release Personal New Book Kate Gosselin (GAHS'-lihn) has a new book, “I Just Want You to Know,” scheduled for release in April. Staff, AP NEWS - 74 minutes ago
Publisher Penton Media to File for Chap. 11 Trade magazine publisher Penton Media said Tuesday that it’s planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy within the next few days. Staff, AP NEWS - 74 minutes ago
2nd German Traveler Camps Out in Brazil Airport A German man who went to Brazil for a woman he met on the Internet has been camping out in an airport for more than a month after thieves took all his money and possessions, authorities said Tuesday. Marco Sibaja, AP NEWS - 78 minutes ago
Investigators Interview Survivors of Conn. Blast Crews were slowly and carefully removing gas cylinders from the site of a deadly explosion at an under-construction power plant, and investigators interviewed survivors to try determine the cause. Staff, AP NEWS - 78 minutes ago
Nigeria: Vice President Empowered by Lawmakers Nigeria’s parliament empowered Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to run Africa’s most populous nation Tuesday in place of an ill and absent president, striving for a political end to a crisis that ground the government to a virtual halt and triggered the resumption of an insurgency in the vital oil sector. Bashir Adigun and Jon Gambrell, AP NEWS - 79 minutes ago
Vatican Intrigue Hits New Level With Leak Denial The Vatican denied Tuesday that it leaked documents that led to the resignation of a prominent Catholic editor, intervening in a tale of ecclesiastical intrigue that has dominated Italian headlines for weeks. Nicole Winfield, AP NEWS - 81 minutes ago
Kroger, Union Reach Pact for Some Stores in South The Kroger Co. said Tuesday that it has reached a tentative agreement in contract talks with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Staff, AP NEWS - 81 minutes ago
Zebra Posts 4Q Profit of $17.6 Million Zebra Technologies Corp. made a profit in the fourth quarter, free of the one-time expenses that left it with a loss a year ago. Staff, AP NEWS - 82 minutes ago
Somali Pirates Release Cargo Ship With 26 Crew The European Union Naval Force says Somali pirates have freed a Panama-flagged cargo ship and its crew of 26 after a ransom was paid. Staff, AP NEWS - 82 minutes ago
Germany Loses Top Exporter Crown to China Germany’s multi-year reign as the world’s No. 1 exporter is officially over, with the crown formally passing to rising Asian power China after new figures showed that German exports slid by nearly a fifth in 2009, the biggest decline in 60 years. Matt Moore and Geir Moulson, AP NEWS - 82 minutes ago
Murtha’s Death Sets Stage for Competitive Race Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha’s district, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat. Andrew Miga, AP NEWS - 82 minutes ago
Analyst Raises Harman Price Target on 2Q Results Shares of electronics maker Harman International Industries Inc. soared to a fresh 52-week high Tuesday after an analyst said its better-than-expected second-quarter results led him to raise his price target for its shares. Staff, AP NEWS - 85 minutes ago
Fire Consumes 2 Texas Churches Amid Spate of Arson State and federal law enforcement agencies were vigorously working Tuesday to try to find out who has been setting fire to churches in eastern Texas. Schuyler Dixon, AP NEWS - 87 minutes ago
Nigeria Footage: Uniformed Men Shoot Unarmed Men An international news channel is showing chilling footage of men in uniforms shooting unarmed men after they purportedly were arrested during clashes last year with Muslim militants in northern Nigeria. Staff, AP NEWS - 89 minutes ago
Correction: Fuel Tech Personnel Story In a story Feb. 8 about Fuel Tech Inc.’s chief financial officer, The Associated Press misstated the title of Ralph Bailey. He is a former chairman, not a former CEO. Staff, AP NEWS - 90 minutes ago
Another Winter Blast Helps Boost Heating Oil Price Heating oil prices got a boost Tuesday as the second powerful storm in four days threatened to dump more than a foot of snow on the East Coast. Mark Williams, AP NEWS - 95 minutes ago
SunTrust Spent Minimal Amount Lobbying Gov’t in 4Q Regional bank SunTrust Banks Inc. spent less than $5,000 in the fourth quarter to lobby on banking and financial issues, according to a recent disclosure report. Staff, AP NEWS - 95 minutes ago
Google Reduces Fee to Break Nexus One Contract Google Inc. is shaving $200 off the fee that it charges customers of its new Nexus One phone to break a service contract with T-Mobile, as federal regulators continue to probe such fees and the rationale for them. Joelle Tessler, AP NEWS - 97 minutes ago
Zipcar Pulls Recalled Prius Hybrids From Fleet Car sharing service Zipcar Inc. says it has pulled from its fleet the 2010 Toyota Prius hybrids affected by Tuesday’s recall. Staff, AP NEWS - 97 minutes ago
Pulte Homes Posts Loss for Q4 Pulte Homes Inc. said Tuesday its loss narrowed in its fourth quarter, and the nation’s largest homebuilder expressed cautious optimism for housing demand this year. Adrian Sainz, AP NEWS - 98 minutes ago
Another Major Storm Headed to Snowy Mid-Atlantic Snow blew across the Midwest Tuesday on track for the hard-hit Mid-Atlantic region, where federal government offices were closed for a second straight day and utility workers struggled to restore power knocked out by a weekend blizzard. Brett Zongker, AP NEWS - 98 minutes ago