News

FDA To Big Tobacco: What's In Your Cigarettes?

January 19, 2010 3:30 am | by Michael Felberbaum, AP Tobacco Writer | Comments

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is working to lift the smokescreen clouding the ingredients used in cigarettes and other tobacco products. In June, tobacco companies must tell the FDA their formulas for the first time, just as drugmakers have for decades. Manufacturers also will have to turn over any studies they've done on the effects of the ingredients.

Cadbury Agrees To $19.5b Kraft Takeover

January 19, 2010 3:18 am | by Robert Barr, Associated Press Writer | Comments

LONDON (AP) — British candy company Cadbury agreed to a fattened $19.5 billion takeover offer from U.S. food group Kraft in a deal that would create the world's biggest chocolate maker. The board of Cadbury PLC, maker of Creme Eggs and Dentyne gum, gave up a four-month fight to remain independent and on Tuesday recommended shareholders take Kraft's offer of 840 pence ($13.

Rival Pirates Have Shootout Aboard Combustible Oil Tanker

January 18, 2010 4:03 am | by Malkhadir M. Muhumed, Associated Press Writer | Comments

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Two rival groups of Somali pirates had a shootout just before a ransom was delivered to free a supertanker loaded with combustible crude oil, prompting the pirates onboard to call the anti-piracy force for help, a European Union naval spokesman said Monday. Helicopters dispatched from a warship ended the standoff that could have caused a catastrophic explosion aboard the Maran Centaurus, which is carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil that was destined for the United States.

N.H. Leaders Rally Against New Pollution Regulations

January 18, 2010 3:50 am | Comments

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Some New Hampshire business leaders say proposed new federal air pollution regulations could put more than half the state in violation of clean air laws. Michael Licata of the Business and Industry Association tells the New Hampshire Union Leader members should be concerned by the proposal, which was announced Jan.

Updated Chevy Aveo, Ford Focus Steal Spotlight In Detroit

January 18, 2010 3:46 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — More than any auto show in recent memory, the new cars rolled out this week out at the Detroit auto show will redefine what we drive in the future. As the show opened to the public on Saturday, small cars that push the previous limits on gas mileage, performance, quality and looks took the spotlight.

Montana Seeks Emergency Grant For Smurfit-Stone Workers

January 18, 2010 3:41 am | Comments

FRENCHTOWN, Mont. (AP) — Montana labor officials are applying for a federal emergency grant to help businesses and workers affected by the closure of the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. linerboard plant in Frenchtown. Montana Department of Labor program manager Kathy Yankoff says the grant would protect the state's dislocated worker funds from being depleted.

Fisker Raises $115 Million For High-Tech Hybrids

January 18, 2010 3:38 am | by Dan Strumpf, AP Auto Writer | Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — Fisker Automotive, a high-tech startup company, said Friday it has raised $115.3 million to develop high-end hybrid cars, bringing it closer to accessing a government loan it won last year. Fisker spokesman Russell Datz said the money brings the company close to being able to tap a $528.

Tyson Sued, Loses For "Raised Without Antibiotics" Farce

January 18, 2010 3:37 am | Comments

BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) — A judge has given preliminary approval to a settlement in a lawsuit that involves the nation's largest poultry producer, Tyson Foods Inc. The company would pay consumers $5 million in refunds to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of falsely claiming that its chickens were "raised without antibiotics.

Miss. Lawmakers Impatient Over Toyota Back Rent

January 15, 2010 3:54 am | by Shelia Byrd, Associated Press Writer | Comments

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Some Mississippi legislators are becoming impatient about the interest payments Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to make on money the state borrowed to bring a $1 billion car plant in Blue Springs. State Treasurer Tate Reeves told lawmakers during a fiscal briefing at the Capitol on Thursday that discussions are ongoing about when the automaker would begin making payments.

Food Manufacturer Expands Nationwise Listeria Recall

January 15, 2010 3:40 am | Comments

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota food company its expanding its voluntary nationwide recall. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says Parkers Farm took that action after the department determined that all products made at the company's Coon Rapids plant may have been contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

World's Cheapest 'Nano' Car Readied For U.S. Sale

January 15, 2010 3:36 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — The world's cheapest car is being readied for sale in the U.S., but by the time India's Tata Nano is retrofitted to meet emissions and safety standards, it won't be that cheap. Tata Technologies Ltd., the global engineering arm of the Tata group conglomerate, brought the tiny car to Detroit as a publicity stunt for the engineering group.

Judge Ends FDA Blockade On E-Cigarette Imports

January 15, 2010 3:31 am | by Pete Yost, Associated Press Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge said Thursday the Food and Drug Administration cannot stop shipments of electronic cigarettes into the United States. The preliminary ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon came as California Attorney General Jerry Brown sought in a state court to halt one company's sale of electronic cigarettes.

Montana Town Stranded After Smurfit Paper Mill Closure

January 15, 2010 3:30 am | Comments

FRENCHTOWN, Mont. (AP) — Residents of the Frenchtown Valley in western Montana are wondering what the future holds for the region now that the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. paper mill has closed. About 70 people gathered for a meeting at a Frenchtown high school auditorium Thursday night to talk with community leaders about the impact the loss of 417 jobs will have on the region.

Johnson & Johnson Recalls More Moldy Tylenol

January 15, 2010 3:29 am | Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — Johnson & Johnson is again expanding a recall of Tylenol caplets due to a moldy smell that made some users sick. The company says the problem also affects some lots of its fever and pain drug Motrin. The company's McNeil Consumer Healthcare Products business said the voluntarily recall applies to some batches of Tylenol caplets, geltabs, arthritis treatments, rapid release, and extended relief Tylenol, as well as Motrin IB, chewable extra strength Rolaids, Benadryl allergy tablets, and St.

Top Pratt & Whitney Exec To Testify On Layoffs

January 13, 2010 3:51 am | Comments

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Pratt & Whitney's top executive is likely to testify in federal court near the end of a series of hearings over the jet engine manufacturer's plans to move 1,000 jobs out of Connecticut. David Hess, president of the East Hartford subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.