News

AK Steel Sues Ex-Workers For Stealing Trade Secrets

March 16, 2010 9:30 am | Comments

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) — AK Steel Holding Corp. has filed a lawsuit alleging three ex-employees of its Rockport, Ind., plant stole company trade secrets. The lawsuit filed March 11 says Donald Earley resigned as a senior process engineer last year and accepted a job with ThyssenKrupp Steel USA.

We Applies For $255 Million Wis. Biomass Plant

March 16, 2010 9:30 am | Comments

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — We Energies has filed for regulatory permission to build a $255 million biomass power plant near Wausau. In its application to the state Public Service Commission, the utility says the plant would supply steam to Domtar's paper mill in Rothschild and create up to 150 jobs.

Judge Overturns Suit Against Ford For Sudden Acceleration

March 16, 2010 9:29 am | by Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Writer | Comments

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's highest court on Monday overturned an $18 million verdict againstFord Motor Co. in a fatal crash, ruling that one expert shouldn't have been allowed to testify about cruise control problems. Sonya Watson, 17, was paralyzed after losing control of her Ford Explorer in December 1999.

Toyota, UAW Reach Tentative NUMMI Closure Agreement

March 15, 2010 11:25 am | Comments

FREMONT, Calif. (AP) — The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement to shut down California's sole remaining auto plant which employs 4,600 people. The terms weren't disclosed Monday but will include payouts for workers at the Fremont-based Nummi plantwhich is slated to close on April 1.

Industrial Prodcution Edges Up, Manufacturing Slips

March 15, 2010 5:02 am | by Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in February, beating expectations and marking the eighth straight monthly increase. But the key manufacturing sector produced less —for months a rare bright spot — produced less, muting hopes for a speedy recovery.

Lawmakers Bash China Ahead Of Election Day

March 15, 2010 4:58 am | by Foster Klug, Associated Press Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — China is once again the country Congress loves to hate. After a lull last year, U.S. politicians jockeying ahead of crucial November elections have stepped up attacks on China as a way to win support from voters worried that the Asian power is taking American jobs. China-bashing eased during President Barack Obama's first year in office, partly as a nod to the administration's attempts to get Chinese help settling nuclear standoffs with North Korea and Iran, and on important environmental and economic initiatives.

Foreign Investment In China Slows In February

March 15, 2010 4:45 am | Comments

BEIJING (AP) — Foreign direct investment in China rose at its slowest rate in seven months in February, the Commerce Ministry reported Monday. Investment for February was $6 billion, up 1.1 percent from a year earlier, a period in the depths of the global crisis. Many companies closed in February for the weeklong Lunar New Year holiday, which distorts economic data.

Toyota, Nissan Create Electric Car Association

March 15, 2010 4:40 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | Comments

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota and three other Japanese automakers together with a power company have set up a group to promote electric vehicles by standardizing recharging machines and marketing the technology abroad. Representatives of Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co., Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Feds: Runaway Prius Story Not 'Feasibly Possible'

March 15, 2010 4:27 am | by Elliot Spagat and Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writers | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government said Monday it cannot explain a reported incident of sudden, high-speed acceleration in a Toyota Prius on a San Diego, Calif., freeway last week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that it continues to investigate but "we may never know exactly what happened with this car.

Conn. Considers Waiving Student Loans For 'Green' Jobs

March 15, 2010 4:23 am | by Stephen Singer, AP Business Writer | Comments

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Paul Goulet hopes Connecticut will help him get from under nearly $8,000 he's borrowed for college after losing his job in a paper manufacturing plant. Goulet, 55, is a student in environmental studies at Goodwin College in East Hartford, aiming to find work in wastewater treatment.

Chinese Lead Factory Posions 88 Children

March 15, 2010 4:22 am | Comments

BEIJING (AP) — At least 94 people living near a lead factory, most of them children, have tested positive for lead poisoning, state media said Monday, prompting authorities to order the closure of the plant. Hundreds more people are still waiting for test results. Reports of lead poisoning have emerged around the country since last year, highlighting the heavy environmental cost of China's rapid economic development.

Sole N.D. Refinery Plans Monthlong Maintenance Shutdown

March 12, 2010 10:09 am | Comments

James MacPherson, Associated Press Writer BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's only oil refinery is planning a monthlong shutdown for maintenance and upgrades beginning next month though officials say customers should not see any fuel shortages or price increases. The planned $125 million project at Tesoro Petroleum Corp.

Britain Disappointed With Shady Tanker Contract

March 12, 2010 4:08 am | by Jennifer Quinn, Associated Press Writer | Comments

LONDON (AP) — The French and British leaders accused the United States of protectionism on Friday over a contract to build a new Air Force refueling tanker. A European-led consortium pulled out of bidding this week for the $35 billion contract, saying the Pentagon was favoring rival American bidder Boeing.

LG Chem To Build Chevy Volt Batteries In Michigan

March 12, 2010 3:54 am | Comments

HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) — Korean battery-maker LG Chem Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary Troy-based Compact Inc. will make battery cells for electric vehicles at a plant in western Michigan. The companies announced in a statement Friday that at its peak the $303 million factory in Holland will produce enough battery cells for 50,000 to 200,000 vehicle battery packs, including the Chevrolet Volt.

CPSC Recalls Coil Nailer For Eye Injuries

March 12, 2010 3:46 am | Comments

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Kyodo) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday Hitachi Koki Co. of Japan is voluntarily recalling its coil nailers for free repairs due to the risk of serious injury. The CPSC, a governmental body, said about 50,000 coil nailers imported from Japan by Hitachi Koki U.