News

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.

Toxco Moves To Prevent Battery Explosion Repeat

January 13, 2010 3:46 am | Comments

TRAIL, B.C. (CP) — A Trail, B.C. battery recycling plant is calling in some outside help to avoid a repeat of a spectacular explosion and fire in November. U.S.-based Toxco, Inc. has retained consultants to provide advice on better building design, evaluate the process of battery receiving, storage and treatment, and prepare a risk management plan.

Asian Automakers Fight To Keep U.S. Market Share

January 13, 2010 3:45 am | by David Runk, Associated Press Writer | Comments

DETROIT (AP) — Asian automakers grabbed their biggest chunk ever of the U.S. car and truck market in 2009, but they'll struggle to build on that momentum this year as rivals in Detroit offer a fleet of efficient, small cars. All automakers that sell cars and trucks in the U.S. will try to woo cautious consumers still nervous about heavy debt, high unemployment and rising gas prices.

White House: Stimulus Has Created 2 Million Jobs

January 13, 2010 3:38 am | by Mark S. Smith, Associated Press Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is trumpeting a new White House estimate that his top economist calls "stunning": His stimulus plan has already created or saved up to 2 million jobs. The analysis is part of the administration's quarterly report to Congress on the controversial $787 billion package of spending and tax cuts he signed weeks after taking office.

Chinese Manufacturers Unconcerned About Cadmium Dangers

January 13, 2010 3:13 am | by Alexa Olesen and Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press Writers | Comments

YIWU, China (AP) — For China's low-cost jewelry makers, it was an open trade secret: The metal cadmium is shiny, strong and malleable at low temperatures, regardless of its health hazards. And it's cheap. Despite the risks, manufacturers in factories ringing this city on China's east coast say their top priority is profit.

Detroit Auto Show, Day 2: Tiny Cars, Touchscreens

January 13, 2010 3:12 am | by The Associated Press | Comments

A roundup of news and notes out of the Detroit auto show on Monday: __ Korean car maker to make electric vehicles in U.S. DETROIT (AP) — South Korean electric car maker CT&T said Tuesday it will begin producing electric cars in the U.S. this year. The company makes low-speed two-seaters and golf cart-style vehicles as well as the City EV, which can reach 65 miles per hour and travel up to 70 miles on an electric charge.

China To Investigate Cadmium-Laced Jewelry Exports

January 12, 2010 3:52 am | by Jeremiah Marquez, AP Business Writer | Comments

HONG KONG (AP) — China's product safety agency will look into findings that dangerous levels of cadmium are being used in exports of children's jewelry, a Chinese official said Tuesday following growing concern in the United States about the products. Attending a toy safety conference in Hong Kong, the official said that his agency only just learned of findings in an Associated Press investigation published Sunday and would examine the findings on cadmium contamination.