Hispanic Business Magazine

Selena Gomez Replaces Miley Cyrus In Adam Sandler's 'Hotel Transylvania'

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:55:45 PST

Selena Gomez has been chosen to voice the part of Dracula's daughter in Adam Sandler's upcoming movie "Hotel Transylvania." ...

Eurozone To Wait Until Wednesday To Decide on Greek Bailout

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:47:40 PST

Eurozone finance ministers have decided to suspend a decision on approving a second bailout package for Greece until next week, Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker said late Thursday. "Despite all the important progress achieved over the last days, we did ...

Purple Squirrel Released Into Wild

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:38:52 PST

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Zuckerberg Could Get $28 Billion From Facebook IPO

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:08:04 PST

Mark Zuckerberg stands to gain $28 billion or more from Facebook's upcoming IPO, according to the Wall Street Journal....

Sonia Sotomayor Visits Sesame Street (video)

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:06:56 PST

Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic justice, is the latest Sesame Street visitor. Sotomayor has served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since August 2009 when President Obama appointed her....

LinkedIn Hits 50 Million Users, Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:39:15 PST

LinkedIn Corporation, a professional networking website, has hit more than 150 million members. The Mountain View, Calif., company also reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending Dec....

Contraception Mandate Puts Senator at Odds With Catholic Church

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

The Missouri Republican Party is looking to gain some traction on an issue that is causing fresh headaches for the Obama administration and its allies. The party began airing a radio ad Thursday criticizing Democratic U.S....

Analysis: Santorum's Surprise Wins Shore Up Campaign, But Romney Has Delegate, Cash Advantage

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

If Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney couldn't win the three primaries and caucuses conducted Tuesday, the next best thing for him was the clean sweep by Rick Santorum. By claiming victory in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri, Santorum continues to split the anti-Romney vote in the GOP with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich....

GM Gears Up New Training Center, Parts-Assembly Operation

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

Tonawanda's engine plant appears to be running at a slightly higher rpm these days. Plant managers and labor officials on Wednesday toured a portion of the plant that has been vacant since 2004, but is now home to a new training center and parts-assembly operation....

Route for 2012 Amgen Tour of California Announced

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

The first stage of the Amgen Tour of California will start and end in downtown Santa Rosa, but take cyclists through much of Sonoma County's most beautiful and rugged countryside. The 116-mile route was announced Wednesday morning by race-owner AEG Sports of Los Angeles, along with the routes of the other seven stages for the eight-day May event....

Congress Passes Bill Banning Lawmaker Insider Trading

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday that would prohibit members of Congress from using exclusive information they learned as lawmakers for their financial benefit....

US Economy Begins to Flex Its Muscle

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

The U.S. economy is beginning to flex its muscle; with the addition of jobs, and the aid of zero interest rates, unprecedented monetary creation and a $1.2 trillion annual budget, according to the Outlook for Financial Markets March 2012 edition....

Student Says Glitter Bomb Try Was Worth It

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:35:55 PST

A Colorado University student, faced with possible expulsion, says his attempt to "glitter bomb" Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was worth it. Denver police cited Peter Lucas Smith, 20, with "throwing a missile" and "unlawful acts on school grounds" after Smith tried to throw glitter on Romney at a campus event, KUSA-TV, Denver, reported Thursday....

Bradying Becomes Next Tebowing, And Don't Forget About Victor Cruz's Salsa Dance

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:31:55 PST

Bradying is picking up steam. It's not about Tebowing any more. Bradying: essentially sitting down legs straight out, head hung low and hands clasped on lap. There is already a website--http://bradying.com capturing photos of people Bradying....

Anna Nicole Smith Remembered 5 Years Later

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:28:09 PST

Anna Nicole Smith would have been 44 yesterday. The Playboy model and tabloid staple died of a drug overdose in a Hollywood, Fla., hotel room on Feb. 8, 2007....

$25 Billion Foreclosure Deal First Step to Righting Wrongs, Says Labor Union

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:08:42 PST

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Kodak To Stop Making Digital Cameras

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:19:12 PST

Bankrupt photography giant Kodak is to stop making digital cameras in order to save $100 million a year and focus on the profitable areas of its business, the company announced Thursday. Kodak invented digital cameras in 1975, only to see the new devices eventually spread and destroy the company's core business of selling film....

Kids Get Their Own Social Network, Social Media with Kidsocial

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:19:12 PST

Kidsocial is the new social entertainment network just for kids that's jam-packed with stuff to do in an environment parents can feel good about. Kids can connect with their real world friends to play games, chat, listen to the latest music, share photos, and much more....

Two New Nuclear Reactors Approved, First for US in Over 30 Years

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:19:12 PST

Construction is set to begin on the nation's first two new nuclear units in 30 years at Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle, near Waynesboro, Ga. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) voted today to approve the issuance of the Combined Construction and Operating License (COL) for Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4, the first such license ever approved for a U.S....

Ranchera Music Giant Vicente Fernandez Announces His Retirement After Tours

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:19:12 PST

Ranchera music giant Vicente Fernandez says he will retire after tours of Latin America, Spain and the U.S., ending a four-decade career. Fernandez told the Mexican station Televisa Wednesday night that he had decided to leave the stage when a reporter asked him at a press conference if he had ever considered retiring....

Argentine Mastiff Dog Bites News Anchor; Feel-good Story Turned Upside-Down (Video)

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:03:15 PST

An Argentine mastiff dog who had been dramatically rescued from an icy pond on Tuesday was featured in a live, in-studio news segment on KUSA-TV in Denver, Colorado....

US Reaches $25 Billion Mortgage Deal With States

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:54:24 PST

The United States government and five major banks on Thursday reached a $25 billion settlement over mismanagement of foreclosure and mortgage practices. The Justice Department and 49 states made the agreement with the country's five largest mortgage service providers, Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co....

iPad 3 Details Could Be Revealed at March Apple Event

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:42:29 PST

According to All Things D, the tech-centric news and analysis site, Apple will be holding an event in March to reveal the future of the iPad 3....

Jay Z and Kanye West Release New Video: 'Paris'

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:35:28 PST

Taking footage from their Watch the Throne tour, Jay Z and Kanye West today released an official video for their hit single, "Ni**as In Paris" (Explicit). Music websites and fans are frantically commenting on the new video and sharing it on Twitter, as now, "Jay-Z& Kanye West" has become a trending topic....

Michael Vick, Tiger Woods Among America's Most Disliked Athletes

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:58:03 PST

Forbes magazine has revealed "America's Most Disliked Athletes"; golfer Tiger Woods and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick are at the top of this dubious all-star team....

Ford Execs Booth, Kuzak To Retire

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:56:00 PST

Ford has announced the April 1 retirement of two senior officers: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth and Derrick Kuzak who is group vice president of Global Product Development, two men key to the automaker's turnaround and current success as well as potential candidates to eventually succeed CEO Alan Mulally....

So. Calif. Motor Company Ready To Tap Natural Gas Future

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:56:00 PST

Omnitek, in San Marcos, Calif., signed a deal last month to supply natural gas filters to Indian automaker Tata Motors, a sure sign for the local firm that its own, personal recession was over. ...

Toyota To Add Highlander Hybrid, 400 Jobs at Indiana Plant

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:55:59 PST

Toyota Motor Corp. will shift production of its Highlander hybrid sport-utility vehicle from Japan to Indiana, where the Japanese automaker will invest $400 million to expand its factory and add 400 new jobs, Reuters news service has reported....

Eurozone Ministers Meet as Greek Debt Talks Resolved

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:55:59 PST

Eurozone finance ministers were due to discuss a second bailout package for Greece over dinner on Thursday, hours after the government in Athens agreed to adopt harsh new austerity measures and struck a debt write-off deal with private creditors....

Naomi Watts To Play Princess Diana

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:55:59 PST

Hollywood actress Naomi Watts has been chosen to play the late Princess Diana in a new film project by German director Oliver Hirschbiegel, a British-based production company said Thursday. Watts, who was born in Britain but emigrated to Australia as a teenager, ...

Hyundai Introduces Hatchback for Elantra

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:55:59 PST

Add a Hyundai to the hatchback wars. The South Korean automaker on Wednesday introduced the Hyundai Elantra GT at the Chicago Auto Show, a five-door compact based on the successful Elantra sedan. Hatchbacks had all but died out in this market the last couple of years, when they started catching on again in smaller models....

GM Looks at Opel and Gasps

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:55:59 PST

U.S. automaker General Motors Co. warned its European divisions Opel and Vauxhall that factories could close after fourth-quarter losses. GM called the losses in its European brands "horrendous." The European firms, Opel in Germany and Vauxhall in Britain, have lost $14 billion since 1999, The Local reported Wednesday....

Decision 2012: Hispanics Missing in Action on Sunday Morning Network News Shows

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:55:59 PST

Last March, the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) launched the Art of Politics Impact Project to address the lack of Hispanic commentators and guests on the four network Sunday news shows: ABC's This Week, CBS's Face the Nation, FOX News Sunday, and NBC's Meet The Press....

Adele Responds To Karl Lagerfeld's Fat Comment

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:38:04 PST

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Will Ferrell Announces Hornet's, Bull's Lineup In New Orleans

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:25:45 PST

Will Ferrell suprised New Orleans Hornet fans last night and introduced the starting lineups for both NBA teams. The Hornets were playing against the Chicago Bulls. It was 80s theme in the stadium as Will Ferrell announced the lineups, in of course only the comedian could do....

This Year's Killer APP -- Pen and Paper

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

The surging smartphone has succeeded in rendering many other gadgets obsolete. The alarm clock? Who needs one? The GPS navigation system? Why pay for one when you can get turn-by-turn for free? But there's something big that the smartphone, try as it might, has not been able to stare down into oblivion: pen and paper....

5 Democratic 'Super' PACs May Seek Joint Operation

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

Five Democratic "super" political action committees are reaching out to party mega-donors seeking $1 million to $10 million contributions, now that President Obama has blessed the outside spending group working to get him re-elected....

Gary Busey Files for Bankruptcy on Tulsa Incident

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

Actor and Oklahoma native Gary Busey filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy in California this week and indicated on the legal forms he has less than $50,000 in assets and between $500,000 and $1 million in debts, according to TMZ.com....

$1 Million Grant To Help Foster Entrepreneurship

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

A $1 million challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will help bring a new model to try to encourage entrepreneur business opportunities in 20 cities. The Knight Foundation announced Wednesday it is supporting what is called the JumpStart Inc....

Tug Coker, Actor, Finds Larry Bird to be Quite a Character

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

In his quest to learn everything possible about Larry Bird, Tug Coker has driven to French Lick and Terre Haute, and he has spoken face-to-face with people on the Celtics Hall of Famer's home ground in Indiana....

Congress' Approval Hits All-time Low

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

While Congress dithers over whether or not to extend a payroll tax cut -- due to expire at the end of the month and affecting 160 million working Americans -- their job approval rating has sunk to a record low....

Roland Martin Suspended Over Super Bowl Tweets

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

Roland Martin, the CNN commentator, tweets a lot. On Super Bowl Sunday, he tweeted even more -- about the game, about the commercials, about Kelly Clarkson's well-regarded version of the National Anthem not being as good as Whitney Houston's or Marvin Gaye's....

Salsa Labs Expands Platform for Nonprofits with Social Media Capabilities

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:21 PST

Salsa Labs, Inc., creator of the online, integrated CRM platform for non-profit fundraising, communications and organizing, today announced the addition of advanced social media features to its already robust product and services offerings....

The Foreclosure $26 Billion Deal

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:20 PST

Government officials are on the verge of an agreement worth as much as $26 billion with five major U.S. banks. The deal would cap a yearlong push to settle federal and state investigations of alleged foreclosure abuses by lenders and would represent the largest government-industry settlement since a multi-state deal with the tobacco industry in 1998....

Groupon Loss Takes Some by Surprise

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:20 PST

Groupon, the largest daily-deal site, surprised investors with a fourth-quarter loss after an expansion into lower-margin businesses sapped profitability during its first period as a publicly traded company....

Katy Perry and Russell Brand Reach Divorce Settlement

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:20 PST

Katy Perry and comedian Russell Brand informed Los Angeles Superior Court they have reached a settlement in their divorce, documents show. Perry and Brand married in October 2010 and filed for divorce in December 2011....

Janice Voss, Five-Time Astronaut Vet, Dies

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:20 PST

Janice Voss, former NASA astronaut and one of only six women to go into space five times, has died in Arizona, her alma mater Purdue University reported. Voss, 55, died Monday in Scottsdale where she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Discover News reported....

Porsche 911 7th Generation Goes On-Sale

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:35:20 PST

Porsche Cars North America today announced that the new Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S models have arrived in Porsche showrooms around the country. The latest generation of the iconic Porsche 911 is on-sale now....

Cisco Posts 11 Percent Rise in Q2 Sales

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:31:30 PST

Networking giant Cisco reported an 11 percent rise in second-quarter earnings Wednesday as the Silicon Valley bellwether continued efforts to turn around its struggling business. The company reported sales of $11.5 billion in the quarter, up from $11 billion, while net income rose 27 percent to $2.2 billion....

$900 Trillion Lawsuit Against NYC in Child Custody Case

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:24:25 PST

$900 trillion might seem a tad high for a lawsuit, even when you're being unjustly deprived of your kids. But when no one's paying attention, what's a mother to do? But "who would possibly think that a number several hundred times higher than the whole of the U.S....

Amazon, Viacom Strike Video Deal, Will Compete with Netflix

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:36:26 PST

Amazon and Viacom have penned a deal that will compete with Netflix video streaming. Select TV shows will now be available on Amazon's Prime Instant Video ....

Website To Aid California Businesses With Health Care Issues

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:20:35 PST

A group of California business organizations today announced the launch of a website to help the state's business operators understand the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Health Law Guide for Business site -- www.healthlawguideforbusiness.org -- is designed to help business owners navigate the 2,409 pages of the health care law....

USHLI National Conference Slated

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:16:40 PST

The 30th National Conference of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) is coming to Chicago. It convenes at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Feb. 16-19, according to a news release....

Facebook Sees Slowing Growth

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:06:54 PST

Few experts were surprised when Facebook disclosed in its recent IPO filing that its user growth had slowed in the U.S. and Canada. But a deeper look at Facebook's user numbers shows its growth is also slowing in Europe and Asia, untapped markets seen as vital to its fast-growing business, putting more pressure on the company to assure investors it can keep its revenue and profit expanding....

Adele: The Savior of Pop Music?

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:06:54 PST

Adele saved pop music. Her voice; her direct, simple lyrics; her elegant synthesis of 50 years' worth of soul, R&B, pop and country influences -- all of these elements have combined to create one of the music industry's precious few juggernauts....

Facebook Blasted for Male Board Bias

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:06:54 PST

The majority of Facebook users may be women, and they use the site, on average, more than men. But the leadership of the world's top social networking site is overwhelmingly male - and investors are taking notice ahead of the company's imminent initial public stock offering....

6 Tips to Keep Corporate Blog Interesting and Relevant

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:06:54 PST

Corporate blogs can play a vital role in an organizations' communications, delivering content that underpins social media and content marketing strategies. But keeping blog content fresh, current and on track can be difficult....

Jay-Z Brings Rap to Carnegie Hall

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:06:54 PST

Hip-hop star Jay-Z headlined a 2-hour show at New York's historic classical music venue Carnegie Hall this week. Billboard.com said Monday night's show marked only the second time a rap act has perform there....

Huge Whale Shark Caught in Arabian Sea

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:44:21 PST

A whale shark the size of a school bus was hauled up by fishermen out of the Pakistani port of Karachi on Tuesday, the International Herald Tribune is reporting. The animal is reported as between 40 and 50 feet long....

Bacon Milkshake at Jack in the Box: Limited Time, Limited Imagination

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:08:59 PST

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'You're Mexican' Trending Topic on Twitter

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:57:17 PST

There hardly is ever a rhyme or reason for trending topics on Twitter. It could be someone famous' birthday, or perhaps, political discussion, or a current event--like yesterday's ruling that Prop 8 in California was unconstitutional....

M&T Rated Best US Bank for Small Businesses

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

M&T Bank Corp. was rated by businesses as the nation's best bank for small companies in a recent annual banking study by an industry research firm. The Buffalo-based company won the most "Excellence Awards for Small Business Banking" -- 12 national and two regional -- among the 750 U.S....

Ohio Earthquake Drill on Bicentennial of Devastating New Madrid Temblors

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency was among 11 businesses and state agencies participating in the second annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill. Coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, the event this ...

Girl Scout Cookies Do Calif. Firm's Marketing

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

Carmaker Henry Ford supposedly said that half the money he spent on advertising was wasted; he just didn't know which half. Mark Perez and Sebastian Igreti, co-founders of TechMD, a Costa Mesa information technology service, can relate to that sentiment....

Nissan Quarterly Net Profit Up 3.2 Percent, Sales Rise 20 Percent

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

Nissan Motor Co. said Wednesday its net profit for the October-December quarter edged up 3.2 percent from a year earlier with its global sales rising 20 percent. Japan's second-largest carmaker posted a net profit of 82.7 billion yen ($1.07 billion) for the quarter, compared with 80.1 billion yen in the same quarter last year....

GM Putting New Team in Charge of Europe; UAW President Bob King To Join Opel Board

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

General Motors is putting a new team in place to fix its troubled European operations, setting up the likelihood of more job cuts and even plant closings. When GM reports fourth-quarter earnings next week, it is expected to show a loss in Europe for the 12th-straight year....

Chrysler Workers To Get Bonuses and Profit-sharing Checks Friday

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

Chrysler's U.S. workers will receive their profit-sharing and bonus checks Friday, the company said Tuesday. On average, the company's 23,000 hourly workers will receive about $1,500, as first reported by the Free Press last week....

Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl Ad Too Political? What About the Skechers Bulldog or Audi Vampires?

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

The Chrysler Super Bowl ad with Clint Eastwood has been obsessively parsed for political meaning by pundits, despite the star's and the company's denials of a hidden intent -- or any "Dark Knight Rises" spoilers....

Time Warner Posts 5 Percent Profit Boost for Q4 of 2011

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

Media conglomerate Time Warner posted a slight increase in quarterly profits Wednesday and a 5 percent boost in revenues, thanks to strong television advertising and the final DVD of the highly-profitable Harry Potter franchise....

Airbus Ordered To Check All A380s for Wing Cracks

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered Wednesday that all Airbus A380 aircraft be checked for cracks on their wings, extending an earlier directive that required Airbus to check just a fraction of the fleet....

China's BAIC Mulls Buying Saab With Matsushita

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:35:33 PST

Chinese automaker BAIC is mulling over buying the remaining assets of Swedish automaker Saab Auto, together with Japan's Matsushita Group, according to a report published on auto.gasgoo.com. Representatives of BAIC had arrived in Sweden for negotiations, said the report....

A Request for Hispanic Account Planning Excelencia Awards Entries

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:26:37 PST

HispanicAd.com and the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) announced the call for entries for the 2011 Hispanic Account Planning Excelencia Awards (HAPE). Entries are due by Wednesday, March 31....

Spider-Man Trailer Premieres; First Look at Franchise Reboot

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:19:31 PST

'The Amazing Spider-Man' is due to swing back into theaters July 3, 2012, and a new preview trailer of that newest Spider-Man movie can now be seen....

Ricky Williams Retires From NFL

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:53:41 PST

Ricky Williams is once again retiring from the NFL. Williams informed his current team, the Baltimore Ravens, that he would not fulfill the second year of the contract he signed last August....

McDonald's Ad Pulled After Pit Bull Owners, Animal Lovers Address Insult: Listen to Ad

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:37:20 PST

As if the pit bull breed didn't have enough of a bad reputation, one of the largest fast food chains in the world--McDonald's--has given the animal another insult. In a recent McDonald's ad played on the radio, the golden arches asked ...

Star Wars, E.T., Harry Potter Composer, John Williams, Turns 80: Relisten To Some Classics

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:25:49 PST

John Williams, the man behind some of the most famous American film scores, today turns 80. Williams, also a conductor and a pianist, has composed music to many Steven Spielberg films, most notably the "Star Wars" saga....

Tom Hanks To Star in Somali Pirates Rescue Film

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

Tom Hanks will star in a movie about the dramatic rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduate held captive for five days by Somali pirates in 2009, according to the MMA's website....

Passive Solar for Beginners

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

One of the benefits of living in the Wild West is our abundant sunshine. An advantage for home builders in Denver is that Colorado averages over 300 sunny days per year; Arizona and New Mexico have even more....

The Most Energy-efficient Oven Possible

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

Sunny weather makes Sam Erwin's culinary creativity flow. The 88-year-old Tracyton man and his wife, Shirley, use the solar-powered oven he invented nearly 40 years ago to cook and bake "anything a regular oven will." It's a diverse list, he said, that includes anything from turkey to cake to stew....

Solar Carnage Hits Suppliers as Sanyo, Sumco, Schott Cut Manufacturing

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

Carnage in the solar industry is spreading upstream as companies that make ingots and wafers used in cells and panels announce layoffs and plant closures. So far, Oregon's manufacturers appear intact, with relatively new factories that are automated and efficient enough to withstand plunging world prices for the solar ingredients....

Ozzy's Boneyard Channel Launches on SiriusXM

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

Ozzy's Boneyard, the new classic hard rock and metal music channel, will launch with a full slate of content featuring Ozzy Osbourne, his family members, bandmates and other musicians on Sirius XM Radio on Wednesday, Feb....

New Social Media Analytics Technology Measures ROI for Retailers

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

AddShoppers launches new social commerce platform that tracks the return on investment (ROI) of social media traffic and significantly increases product sharing, free. Now retailers can put a dollar amount to all types of social sharing....

Google Launches Chrome Browser for Android Smartphones

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

With more and more people connecting to the Internet through a phone or a tablet instead of a PC, Google Inc. is bringing its fast-growing browser, Chrome, to the newest Android-powered mobile devices....

Hollywood's Golden Collars Awards Nothing To Sniff At

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:18:19 PST

With Uggie stealing hearts in "The Artist," snagging the spotlight at celebrity events and reportedly preparing for a sketch with Oscar host Billy Crystal, Hollywood really has gone to the dogs this year....

Social Security Q&A

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:28 PST

Q: I prefer reading by audio book. Does Social Security have audio publications? A: Yes, we do. You can find them at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. Some of the publications available include What You Can Do Online, How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies, Apply Online For Social Security Benefits, and Your Social Security Card And Number....

Rick Santorum Sweeps to Victory in Minnesota, Colorado, Missouri

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:28 PST

Presidential candidate Rick Santorum won decisively in Minnesota's GOP caucuses on Tuesday, clobbering rival Mitt Romney in a state Romney had won easily just four years ago. With most of the Minnesota vote in, Santorum won 45 percent of the GOP straw poll, followed by Ron Paul at 27 percent....

Rick Santorum Emerges in GOP Primaries

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:28 PST

The GOP's conservative darling Rick Santorum scored huge Midwest victories last night in Missouri and Minnesota, emerging as the new alternative to the more moderate Mitt Romney as the roller coaster Republican presidential primary took another hairpin turn....

Proposition 8 Ruled Unconstitutional

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:28 PST

A California court ruled Proposition 8, which defines marriage between a man and a woman, is unconstitutional. The 2-1 decision by a panel of judges found that Proposition 8 violated the U.S. Constitution....

Gov. Brian Sandoval Vows New Economic Development Plan for 50,000 New Jobs

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

Gov. Brian Sandoval, unveiling the state's new economic development plan, challenged the state's businesses on Tuesday to create 50,000 new jobs by the end of 2014. The plan is a blueprint for remaking the state's economic development ...

Google Launches Chrome Browser for Android Smartphones

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

With more and more people connecting to the Internet through a phone or a tablet instead of a PC, Google (GOOG) is bringing its fast-growing browser, Chrome, to the newest Android-powered mobile devices....

Randy Travis Arrested for Public Intoxication

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

Randy Travis was arrested early Monday on suspicion of public intoxication outside a Sanger church, Denton County authorities said. Just after midnight, a Sanger police officer investigating a suspicious ...

Amber Portwood Pleads Guilty

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

Anderson's "Teen Mom" Amber Portwood, 21, told a judge Monday she wants her family back and to remain drug free. Madison Circuit Court Judge David Happe accepted Portwood's plea agreement in court Monday morning, where Portwood pleaded guilty to Class D felony possession of a controlled substance and admitted to violating probation....

Pinterest, Social Media Site Catch On

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

Picture Martha Stewart in her heyday as domestic goddess. Add in the self-expression of personal blogs and the viral connectivity of Facebook, and you have the Internet's hottest new social media darling....

McDonald's Delivers January Sales Increase of 6.7 Percent

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

McDonald's Corporation today announced global comparable sales growth of 6.7% in January. Performance by segment was as follows: -- U.S. up 7.8% -- Europe up 4.0% -- Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa up 7.3% ...

Job Openings Jump in December to 3.4 Million

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

Progress in the job market is real but has yet to grow strong enough to encourage workers whose skills don't fit jobs now being created, a new government report suggests. Employers had 3.4 million job openings at the end of December, up 258,000 since November for the biggest gain since February 2011, the Labor Department reported Tuesday....

Foreclosure Deal Nears

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

California and New York appear ready to join in an agreement with national banks to settle widespread foreclosure processing abuses, officials said. New York Attorney General Eric Scheiderman has said progress is being made on an agreement he was previously reluctant to support, The New York Times reported Monday....

Hugh Hefner To Be Honored as Humanitarian of the Year

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

On the night of Feb. 12 there will be many honors and awards given out. But there is one honor above all that matters to Angelwish Founder Shimmy Mehta. That is the "Humanitarian of the Year" award that will be presented to Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion during the evening on February 12th....

Linkedin Launches Localised Hiring Solutions for Indian Market

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:26:27 PST

Professional networking site LinkedIn Tuesday unveiled localised hiring solutions for the Indian market, a move aimed at helping recruiters tap the vast talent pool in the country. LinkedIn, which has more than 135 million members worldwide, has over 13 million users in India....

Gold Gains 1.3 Percent

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:32:28 PST

The price of gold gained $23.10 an ounce Tuesday, turning around a two-day slide to settle at $1,748 per troy ounce in New York. On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, silver added 43.7 cents to end the session at $34.18 an ounce....

Illinois Gains Manufacturing Jobs for 1st Time in 10 Years

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:17:14 PST

Manufacturing employment in Illinois rose last year for the first time in more than a decade, according to a report released Tuesday. Illinois companies added 3,496 industrial jobs in the 12 months ended November 2011, rising a half percent, to 817,063, said the report from Manufacturers' News Inc....

Toyota Adds 2nd Production Shift in Mississippi

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:17:14 PST

Toyota's Mississippi plant added a second production shift Monday, marking a milestone for the automaker's newest plant. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi has about 2,000 working at the plant site, according to a Toyota news release, the targeted number for the plant's initial phase....

Toyota Posts Drop in Quarterly Profits, Raises Year Forecast

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:17:14 PST

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday that its net profit declined 13.5 percent for the October-December quarter from a year earlier, amid a rising yen and falling sales in Asia in 2011. But the carmaker increased its forecast for the financial year to the end of March, as its production chain recovered from last year's natural disasters, and sales in the United States showed some growth....

Disney Earnings Rise 12 Percent

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:17:14 PST

Disney has started off the year strongly. The biggest U.S. entertainment conglomerate on Tuesday reported a 12 percent rise in first-quarter earnings thanks to strong demand at its theme parks and cruise lines, together with an upturn in advertising on its ESPN sports cable network....

Spanish Speaker Struck From Arizona Ballot

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:03:40 PST

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Government Gridlock Killing Jobs? Not So, Survey Shows

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:11:09 PST

The political debate has raged for months: What is stifling employment in America? Now, a Workforce Planning Survey of executives at 100 Global 1000 companies shows that political gridlock and indecision have relatively little effect on employment decisions compared to economic uncertainty....

Paula Deen Talks Diabetes, Recent Controversy

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:05:13 PST

When celebrity chef Paula Deen recently announced she suffered from type 2 diabetes, no one seemed shocked. But many were frustrated, including local diabetes educators. After all, the down-home, Savannah-based gourmet has been hawking -- and ...

Hispanics, Immigrants Struggle To Access Domestic Violence Services

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:05:13 PST

It was Dec. 4, 2010, and Belem Ortega was lying face down on the bedroom floor, blood seeping from the gash on the crown of her head, recalculating the equation she had run in her mind a thousand times before....

Ever Wanted Your Own AstroTurf? 91,000-Plus Square Feet Are Up for Bid on Ebay

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:00:56 PST

Have you been sitting on the fifty-year line in that stadium located in your backyard thinking, "The playing field needs an upgrade before the next pickup football or soccer game"? This could be your lucky moment -- that is if you have a spare $500,000 on hand....

Maria Menounos Wears Bikini in Times Square After Patriots Loss

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:46:15 PST

Maria Menounos, the "Extra" correspondent, stripped down to an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny red, white and blue bikini in Times Square to pay off her Super Bowl bet with colleague A.J. Calloway, Yahoo! Sports reported....

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Will Co-Star With Scarlett Johansson In Movie He Wrote

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:35:43 PST

Joseph Gordon-Levitt announced today that he will be co-starring with Scarlett Johansson a movie he penned. "May I humbly present to you the biggest news of my life so far......

Univision Names Cristina Schwarz VP of Programming and Production

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:30:03 PST

Univision Communications Inc. has announced that Cristina Schwarz will be the new vice president of programming and production for Univision Cable Networks....

Kid Rock T-shirts 'Made in Detroit'? Maybe Not

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:23:55 PST

Kid Rock, despite what he says in "Times Like These," might not be so concerned about propping up the manufacturing base in Detroit, his hometown. Turns out his "Made in Detroit" line of clothing isn't necessarily made in the U.S., much less the Motor City....

House Speaker Boehner Says Regulations Stalling Economic Growth

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

A "regulatory onslaught" from the nation's capital is holding back the U.S. economic recovery, said U.S. House Speaker John Boehner. Boehner called on the Obama administration to work with Republicans to remove the "barriers" during a visit Monday at ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America in Hamilton, Ohio....

McClatchy Reports Higher Quarterly Profits as Signs Show Revenue Slump Easing

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

The McClatchy Co. reported higher quarterly profits today amid signs that its lengthy revenue slump is easing. Sacramento-based McClatchy, which owns The Sacramento Bee, said income from continuing operations rose to $43.2 million in the fourth quarter from $33.5 million a year earlier....

Antoni Tapies, the Spanish Artist of Matter, Dies at 88

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

"Perfection cannot come simply from noble ideas, but should go together with a relationship to the earth," Antoni Tapies said in 2009. The internationally renowned Spanish painter and sculptor, who died in his Barcelona home at the age of 88 years late Monday, was Tuesday being remembered as a man who sought to find a meeting point between spirit and matter....

Where Do the Republican Presidential Candidates Go From Here?

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

The lesson of this volatile Republican presidential campaign, until Saturday, had been this: Don't drop out because who knows? You just might win the next state. Nevada may have turned that wisdom on its head by giving Mitt Romney a decisive victory, solidifying his momentum and then some....

Media Reacts to Chrysler's Eastwood Ad: Political or Not?

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

What are media outlets reporting about the Clint Eastwood Chrysler 'Halftime in America' ad, especially in response to the political finger-pointing it inspired Monday? Plenty. They're asking: Was it politically motivated? Or just a great two-minute pep talk to motivate consumers to buy some cars? Here's a quick round-up of the chatter around the web today: On ABCnews.com writer Z....

Obama's Budget To Have $3 Trillion Deficit Reduction Plan

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

President Obama's budget plan calls for a 10-year, $3 trillion deficit reduction plan that includes $1.5 trillion in tax increases for the wealthy, aides said. Obama's budget, which will be presented next week, will seek spending in targeted areas, tax cuts to spur manufacturing and new investments in education, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday....

Spain Sees Further Rise in Unemployment

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:26:31 PST

A further 177,470 jobs were lost in Spain in January, according to figures released by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) on Thursday. The total number of people out of work in the country now stands at 4,599,829, which is a 4-percent rise from December last year....

Appeals Court Strikes Down Calif. Ban on Gay Marriage

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:08:17 PST

A federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down Proposition 8, finding that California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional because it deprives gay and lesbian couples of the equal right to wed....

Aetna Teams up With USHCC To Offer Individual Products

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:08:17 PST

As part of its efforts to meet the unique needs of the Hispanic business community, Aetna (NYSE: AET) has announced an agreement with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) to offer individual products to chamber members....

Cynthia Izzo Promoted to Managing Director at KPMG's Advisory Services

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:45:02 PST

Cynthia Izzo has been promoted to managing director in KPMG's Advisory Services practice in Boston, according to a news release....

Hispanics Outpace Whites, Blacks in Employment Levels

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:25:59 PST

Hispanics "are scoring bigger job gains than most other demographic groups and proving to be a bright spot in the fledgling recovery," the Los Angeles Times reported....

Labor Board Issues Social Media Guidelines

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

Companies need to be careful about drafting overly broad social media policies, making sure they don't inadvertently trample on the rights of employees. This is from a recent report by the National Labor Relations Board....

Facebook's New Facelift With Timeline Concerns Some of Its Users

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

Unveiling another change to its already wildly popular formula, Facebook made its Timeline display available worldwide in a Jan. 24 announcement. Timeline changes the look of Facebook, making it easier to document and read all postings from everything the user has ever posted to the social media website....

Perry Remains Determined to Help Defeat Obama

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

Gov. Rick Perry declared Monday night that he still has "plenty of fight left" after his unsuccessful presidential bid, serving notice he will work vigorously to continue his less-taxes, limited government policies as the state's chief executive while battling to defeat President Barack Obama in November....

Gisele Bundchen Defends Tom Brady, Rips Patriots Receivers

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

Tom Brady is taking plenty of heat in the aftermath of Super Bowl XLVI, but the supermodel wife of the New England quarterback says the blame for the Patriots' 21-17 loss to the New York Giants belongs elsewhere....

Charles Dickens's Birth Celebrated by Britain, Author Turns 200

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

Commemorations took place in Britain Tuesday to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, the English novelist whose acute social analysis is seen by many as ringing true even today....

Mercedes-Benz Cars Star in Fashion Social Network

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

Mercedes-Benz is empowering fashion enthusiasts all over the country to explore their personal style through a social platform that allows for the creation of virtual "sets" powered by Polyvore. The Star Style Challenge initiative www.mbstarstyle.com kicks-off February 7, 2012 to usher in the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center and continues through February 16, 2012....

Jobs Numbers Undermine Romney's Raison d'etre

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

In a turn of events that threatens to lay waste to the central theme of the GOP challenge to Barack Obama's presidency, the nation's economy appears to be solidly on a path to recovery. The unemployment rate in January dropped to 8.3 percent, the fifth consecutive month that it has declined and the lowest it has been in three years....

Super Bowl Auto Ad Crashes Into Politics

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

The White House and Obama re-election campaign had no role in Chrysler's "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad, but that doesn't mean they weren't applauding on Monday. The ad, versions of which appeared in USA TODAY and other print and online media, featured Clint Eastwood lauding the auto industry's comeback in patriotic terms....

Adele Is Poised for Grammy Coronation

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:06:53 PST

No artist owned 2011 quite like Adele, and she's poised to sweep the major awards at the Grammys next weekend (8 p.m. EST Feb. 12 on CBS). If she does, she would become the first performer since the Dixie Chicks in 2007 to win awards for album, song and record of the year....

Shamrock Shakes Are Back at McDonald's

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:01:08 PST

While McDonald's has given up on its "pink slime," the fast-food giant's "bright green slush" is back with a vengeance....

Planned Parenthood Flap Sees Resignation of Susan G. Komen Policy SVP

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:28:11 PST

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Big Day for Prop. 8

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:14:31 PST

Today, three judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals are expected to release a ruling on whether Proposition 8 is constitutional....

'All of the Lights' Nominated For 3 Grammys--Writers: Kanye West, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Rihanna

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:13:01 PST

The song "All of the Lights" has been nominated for three Grammy Awards--Best Rap Song, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and most notably for Song Of The Year. The song is off of West's fifth studio album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" released in 2010....

Latin Rocker Juanes Ventures Into New Territory With His First Acoustic Recording

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

For years, Colombian rock star Juanes has played for adoring crowds of thousands, even hundreds of thousands. But in front of just 700 people at the New World Symphony's New World Center, the critically and popularly lauded singer was visibly nervous....

Great Dane Ad for Doritos Nabs $1 Million (VIDEO)

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

A diabolical dog, a weak-willed husband, a dead cat and a spicy snack. Now there's a winning combination -- when it comes to Super Bowl ads. Winning as in $1 million. That's the bonus Doritos will pay Kevin T....

Famed Movie Zombie Hinzman Dies

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

In places like Pittsburgh where zombies are treasured, Bill Hinzman is a star. Hinzman portrayed the baddest and best of the zombies in 1968's genre-defining "Night of the Living Dead." The South Beaver Township, Penn., man went on to direct and produce horror films, and remained a popular draw at horror conventions through last year, when he was diagnosed with rectal cancer....

Apple Reclaims Top Smartphone Spot as Sales Soar

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

Massive fourth-quarter sales of the iPhone 4S helped Apple reclaim its crown as the world's top smartphone maker, as global smartphone sales jumped 55 percent on the same period last year, according to a report published Tuesday by research firm IDC....

Tough Franco-German Terms for Greek Bailout Get EU Backing

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

Franco-German demands that Greece prioritize debt repayments over other types of government expenditure won the support Tuesday of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who heads the Eurogroup panel of eurozone finance ministers....

'I Love Jenni' Returns for Season 2 on mun2

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

Jenni Rivera, the iconic Latin music superstar, returns for season two of her mun2 original reality series, "I Love Jenni" on March 4 at 9pm/8c. I Love Jenni is mun2 's most watched original program to date....

Greek Strike Amid Debt Clash With 'Troika'

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:05:59 PST

Greek politicians refused to yield to severe austerity demands, even as German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the refusal threatened "the entire eurozone." "I will not contribute to the explosion of a revolution from destitution ...

Paul McCartney's 'Kisses on the Bottom' Hits Stores Today

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:53:01 PST

Paul McCartney has finally released a collection of standards, a first for the long-time rocker and balladeer. McCartney calls the collection "the songs that inspired the songs" that he and collaborator John Lennon wrote for the Beatles....

Chris Brown Added To Grammy Lineup

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:29:03 PST

Singer Chris Brown has been added to the performances on Sunday at the 54th annual Grammy Awards. Also performing will be nominees Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood, who will perform together; and 14-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys. As a special treat, nine-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt, who will pay tribute to Etta James....

Disagreement Continues Over Texas Redistricting Maps

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:35 PST

North Texas would get a new congressional district dominated by minority voters under a new set of political maps proposed by the Texas attorney general Monday, but many Democrats and minority community leaders oppose the plan because they say it still shortchanges black and Hispanic voters....

Which Ads Won Twitter Bowl?

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Here's the Twitter world's take on Super Bowl XLVI: Doritos is the most popular brand that advertised on Sunday, pizza is the favorite food of tweeters, beer was the beverage of choice, and broadcaster Cris Collinsworth was the top on-air personality during the game....

Google Bows to Censors in India

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

In the latest case of a government tightening the reins on the online flow of ideas and information, Google (GOOG) India has agreed to take down Web pages considered offensive by Indian political and religious leaders, stoking censorship fears in the world's largest democracy....

Among Super Bowl Ads, the Stars Were the Cars

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Lots of dogs and babies appeared in commercial advertisements for Super Bowl XLVI, but game-day ads also increasingly are pointing to social media handles, such as Twitter and Facebook. It's also the first year that many of the anticipated commercials were released early on YouTube....

Eastwood, Chrysler: No Political Message in Super Bowl Ad

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Both Chrysler and Clint Eastwood defended their two-minute Super Bowl commercial against pundits who said it was more of a pro-President Barack Obama political statement than a car ad. "The ad is not intended to have a political message, but rather one of ...

Toyota Execs Tell Dealers 19 New Models on Way, Including Next Avalon

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Toyota executives told dealers at a convention Monday there are 19 new models coming in 2012, including a new more fuel-efficient Toyota Avalon due in November, according to a dealer in attendance. Dealers attending the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention were shown a picture of the new Avalon that will be shown in April at the New York auto show....

iPhone App Used to Locate Thieves

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Two men are in custody after robbing a man of his iPhone outside a dry cleaners in Wicker Park. 18-year old Andre Fulton and 19-year old Toheeb Long have been charged with armed robbery and misdemeanor criminal trespass to a vehicle....

Boeing Finds Another 787 Manufacturing Problem

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Boeing has discovered a manufacturing error causing delamination in the plastic-composite aft fuselage section of some 787 Dreamliners, according to a person with knowledge of the problem. Boeing is inspecting all the airplanes already built to find the extent of the issue....

Coca-Cola Records $8.6 Billion Profits for 2011

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

A worldwide sales increase of 5 per cent saw US giant Coca-Cola record profits of 8.6 billion dollars for 2011, the company reported Tuesday. However, that meant profits were 27 per cent lower than in the previous year, despite revenue rising by 33 per cent....

BP on 'Right Path' With 2011 Profits and Dividend Hike

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Two years after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, BP Tuesday said it was on the "right path" toward recovery after posting profits of $23.9 billion for 2011 and increasing its shareholder dividend by 14 percent....

Smartphone Maker HTC Shares Tumble on Disappointing Sales Outlook

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Shares of HTC Corp. tumbled 6.9 percent Tuesday on the Taiwan Stock Exchange after the smartphone maker gave a pessimistic forecast for first-quarter revenues as it plans no new model releases until the end of this month....

Obama To Return Donations Tied to Fugitive

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

The Obama campaign said it was returning money raised by the family of a Mexican casino owner who fled the United States to avoid drug and fraud charges. Two American brothers of casino entrepreneur Juan Jose "Pepe" Rojas ...

Little Progress on Payroll Tax Cut Extension

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

Congress is again facing a partisan showdown over how to pay for a $160 billion package to extend the payroll tax cut through the end of the year. In a clear signal that little progress has been made to reach a deal ...

'Halftime in America' Back on YouTube (VIDEO)

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:34:34 PST

A spokesman from the National Football League denied the organization had asked Google to remove from YouTube an "Imported from Detroit" ad from Chrysler. During the 2011 Super Bowl, Chrysler made a stir by unveiling an advertisement that ended with the phrase, "Imported from Detroit." The ad focused on the company's determination to make a comeback....

Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz Selected as Honorary Regional Chairman of NewDEAL

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:45:58 PST

Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz has been selected as one of four honorary regional chairmen for NewDEAL, a national network that seeks to highlight innovative ideas from stat and local elected leaders who are pro-growth progressives, according to a news release....

Univision and Disney In Talks To Create 24-Hour Channel--Will You Watch?

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:39:34 PST

Even Mickey Mouse is going after the U.S. Hispanic audience. According to various news sources, Walt Disney Co. and Univision Communications Inc. are in talks to create a new 24-hour cable-news channel, which will broadcast in English....

Egypt Names 19 Americans To Face Trial

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:22:00 PST

Nineteen U.S. citizens and two Germans are among 43 people Egypt wants to try over alleged illegal activities by their nongovernment organizations (NGOs), judicial officials said on Monday. Only five of the U.S. workers, including Sam LaHood, the son of U.S....

Reserve Now for Miami Herald Small Business Forum

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:22:00 PST

Do you run a small business or is being your own boss in your plans? Reserve your place now to attend the The Miami Herald's annual Small Business Forum on Feb. 23. Sponsored by Florida International ...

Brazil Collects $14.2 Billion in Airport Deals Ahead of 2014 World Cup

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:21:59 PST

Brazil raised more than $14.2 billion Monday as it auctioned off the management of its three most attractive airports -- Sao Paulo, Campinas and Brasilia -- ahead of the 2014 football World Cup. ...

Department of Labor Releases Guide To Help Women Succeed in Green Jobs

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:21:59 PST

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of "Why Green Is Your Color: A Woman's Guide to a Sustainable Career," which is designed to help women find and keep higher paying jobs in the clean energy economy....

News Corp. Tipped To Post Substantial Rise in Q2 NET Profit

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:21:59 PST

News Corp. is expected to post a hefty lift in second quarter net profit, driven by the global media giant's U.S. cable television business. Fat Prophets senior analyst Greg Fraser said News Corp's cable network programming would be "all important" in the company's profit result on Thursday....

Roseanne Barr Serious About Presidential Bid -- Swear

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:29:20 PST

Roseanne Barr is serious about her bid for the presidency in 2012. Seriously. No, really. She means it. She's filled out the paperwork for the Green Party and everything....

Teen JFK Intern Claims Affair With President

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:11:28 PST

A teenage JFK intern had an affair with President Kennedy that ended only with his death, a new memoir claims. Mimi Alford, now a 69-year-old grandmother, says in her tell-all bio, "Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F....

$16 House Squatter Leaves $300,000 Home Without a Fight

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 14:44:28 PST

A $16 house in Dallas, occupied by squatter Kenneth Robinson, belongs to the bank once more. Robinson left quietly Monday morning after a judge gave him till Feb. 13 to hit the road. Bank of America had foreclosed on the upscale home last month....

Steven van Zandt Says Madonna Swiped Super Bowl Act

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 14:24:23 PST

Steven van Zandt, late of "The Sopranos" and now starring in "Lilyhammer," says Madonna "swiped our act" for her Super Bowl performance....

In Anti-fee Climate, Banks Quietly Raise Revenue Elsewhere

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:40:56 PST

Three months after banks scrapped plans for debit card fees, it's becoming clearer how they intend to recoup money lost in the Dodd-Frank financial reform law. Instead of one new fee, prepare to be sold more products, offered new service packages, lose debit rewards and face more fees in general....

610,000 Ditched Banks in 'Fee-asco'

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:40:56 PST

Exactly three months ago, many bank customers were fuming. They didn't like big bank bailouts, and they didn't like the $5 debit card fees that Bank of America and other institutions were rolling out....

Pawlenty Takes Swipe at Santorum, Predicts Caucuses Will Be Close

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:40:56 PST

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty today predicted Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich will run a close race in the presidential straw poll at Minnesota's Republican precinct caucuses Tuesday night. ...

Dayton Slowly Moving Toward Integration

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:40:56 PST

Dayton ranks among the nation's most segregated cities, even as a pair of studies last week found segregation has declined significantly since 1970, and Hispanics are faring better here than in virtually any other market in the country....

Pennies Count for Ron Paul

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:40:56 PST

There's no doubt about it. Ron Paul is cheap. When Republican rival Rick Perry stayed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, his campaign paid a $1,204 tab at the Hilton Gardens Inn....

Gingrich's Old Ethlics Case Gets New Life

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:40:56 PST

The 1990s House ethics case against former U.S. Speaker Newt Gingrich has returned and Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney pounced on it. In 1994, Gingrich became the subject of a lengthy ethics investigation, ...

Iranian Company Signs $200 Million Deal To Develop Joint Oil Field With Iraq

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:35:44 PST

Iran's Petroleum Engineering and Development Co. signed a deal in Tehran on Monday, worth around $200 million, with a domestic company to develop the Changooleh oilfield, which is associated with Iraq....

Feuding Politicians Put Greece's Rescue Package in Jeopardy

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:35:44 PST

Greek politicians were riven by last-minute feuding today as the nation's second euro 130 billion (pounds sterling 108 billion) bailout hung in the balance. Leaders from across the political spectrum have so far refused to sign ...

UK Shares May Dive 30 Percent in Euro Crisis

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:35:44 PST

The London stock market could slump by as much as 30 percent -- with financial shares collapsing by 60 percent -- if the eurozone debt crisis leads to a break-up of the single currency. The warning comes as Greece battles to reach a deal with creditors to ...

EU Increases Pressure on Greece To Accept Bailout Terms

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:35:44 PST

Greece's coalition government on Monday yielded to pressure from the European Union to proceed with the lay-off of 15,000 public sector workers in 2012 as part of extra austerity measures demanded by the country's international creditors....

Greece Begins Construction of Fence To Curb Illegal Immigration

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:35:44 PST

Greece said on Monday it had begun to construct a 12.5 kilometer fence along its land border with Turkey, intended to curb illegal immigration. The structure in the northeastern province of Evros -- to be completed by late August or early September -- is to consist of two parallel fences, topped with barbed wire and 25 thermal cameras....

Obama Imposes New Sanctions Against Iran

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:35:44 PST

President Obama issued new sanctions against Iran's banks, including its central bank, for their "deceptive practices" in hiding its dealings of sanctioned parties. "I have determined that additional sanctions are warranted, particularly ...

Catholics Protest Ruling that Health Plans Must Cover Birth Control

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:35:00 PST

Catholic leaders are outraged over a recent decision by the Obama administration that would require Catholic-affiliated institutions to cover contraceptives and sterilization in their employee health care plans -- a rule they say would violate one of their core beliefs....

Automakers Try To Build Super Bowl Ad Buzz

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:35:00 PST

With the exception of Chrysler, almost every automotive brand in the U.S. has flooded social-media sites with Super Bowl ads in the hope of building buzz before the game. "We've seen a big shift in how marketers approach the Super Bowl," said Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management....

Spanish Socialists Bid Farewell to Zapatero

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:35:00 PST

Spain's Socialist Party on Friday bid farewell to Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, 51, who led the party for over a decade and governed Spain for nearly eight years. The opposition party is to elect a new leader on Saturday as it licks its wounds after a massive defeat to conservatives in regional elections in May and in parliamentary elections in November....

Spanish PM To Visit South Korea for Nuclear Summit: Media

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:35:00 PST

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to visit South Korea to attend the Nuclear Security Summit in March, media reported on Saturday. Spanish television network RTVE quoted 'executive sources' as confirming that Rajoy is studying the possibility of using his trip to South Korea, his first Asia trip as the prime minister, as a springboard to visit other countries in Asia....

Florida Still Losing Ground In Wages Despite Uptick In Jobs

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:30:25 PST

The drop in Florida unemployment masks a troubling trend: The new jobs continue to pay far less than the ones that have been lost. The state added 114,000 jobs last year. But the bulk of them paid on average about 25 percent less than the jobs that disappeared, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of jobs and industry wage data....

U.S. Adds 243,000 Jobs In January

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:30:25 PST

An "unambiguously good" jobs report from the U.S. Department of Labor sent stocks soaring Friday and likely will boost President Obama's political prospects. The economy created 243,000 jobs in January....

Obama Unveils a Jobs Plan To Train Post-9/11 Servicemembers

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:30:25 PST

President Obama on Friday unveiled new initiatives aimed at turning veterans into firefighters, police officers and entrepreneurs. The initiatives, which must be approved by Congress, are aimed specifically at post-9/11 service members....

Happy Birthday Bob Marley, Legendary Reggae Singer Would be 67

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:46:13 PST

No other musician is synonymous with reggae or the Rastafari movement as is Bob Marley. Today, the legendary singer would have turned 67. Born Robert Nesta Marley, he was born in Jamaica, and became the first major rock star to come out of a Third World country, according to Rolling Stone magazine....

Ford Not Laughing at GM's Super Bowl 'Joke' (VIDEO)

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:30:47 PST

General Motors said Sunday it stands by its Super Bowl ad that plays on the Mayan calendar's predicted 2012 end of the world in which survival depends on driving a Chevrolet Silverado. The ad, which can be seen at www.youtube.com/Chevrolet or by scrolling to the bottom of this article, ran during the first quarter of the Super Bowl, one of five Chevy spots....

US Closes Embassy in Syria

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:30:47 PST

The U.S. has closed its embassy in Damascus and pulled out its remaining staff, including U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford, the State Department said Monday. "The recent surge in violence, including bombings in Damascus on ...

Hispanic Jobs Agency Loses Tax-exempt Status, Child-care License

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:28:43 PST

Esperanza Unida, a job training agency that's been struggling to stay in business on Milwaukee's south side, has had its tax exempt status revoked. And the organization, which also runs a child care center, has been ...

Mitsubishi Motors To End Production in Europe

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:28:43 PST

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Monday it would end vehicle production in Europe by the end of 2012, shifting its focus to emerging markets. Mitsubishi will become the first major Japanese carmaker to withdraw auto production in Europe....

Lexus Revs Up Campaign to Launch the All-New GS

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:28:43 PST

On the heels of Lexus' first Super Bowl spot, the luxury automaker is launching a multifaceted marketing campaign for its 2013 Lexus GS sport sedan. The bold new GS -- which arrives in showrooms this week -- marks a defining moment in Lexus' history, according to a news release, with major enhancements in performance, design, technology and luxury....

Small Firms Get Help Exporting to China

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:28:43 PST

New Orleans entrepreneur Kyle Berner is taking his all-natural rubber flip-flops to one of the world's fastest-growing markets: China. This year, Berner plans to list his eco-friendly flip-flops on Chinese e-commerce site Tmall.com, joining the ranks of large American companies such as Levi Strauss that already do so....

Facebook's Cash Flow Must Match Hype To Avoid 'Dotcom' Bubble Situation

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

There is a basic rule in the stock market: when valuations run far ahead of current revenues, hope is packaged as hype. That is the situation Facebook is in after it filed for an initial public offering (IPO) of shares last week....

Basic Smartphone Terms

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

The world of smartphones is filled with obscure acronyms and technical jargon. Below are just a few of the terms you may encounter. - Android: A smartphone operating system and software platform created by Google....

Calamities Driving Population Changes as Hispanics Become Key Minority

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

By the time a baby born today graduates from high school, whites will no longer be the majority demographic group in Forsyth County, N.C., and Hispanics will replace blacks as the largest minority, according to a demographic report from Winston-Salem State University....

Le Sueur Biofuel Plan Keeps Inching, Irking

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

Plans for a Le Sueur, Minn., biofuel plant that would convert food-processing and animal wastes continue to plod along amid controversy and confusion. "There are a lot of emotions and uncertainty....

Tiny Shred of Bankrupt WaMu Emerging to Uncertain Future

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

Nearly three and a half years ago Washington Mutual went bankrupt, dragged down by its shoddy lending practices and fleeing depositors. After regulators seized its banking operations, few thought WaMu had much future -- except as an employment project for bankruptcy lawyers....

Parties Angle for Position on Immigration

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

Democratic Party members, inserting their voice into an immigration discussion that recently has focused on the policies of the Republican presidential candidates, reiterated their belief that President Obama has the most sensible immigration plan and is still the best choice for Hispanic voters....

Discovery Familia Dresses in Red for February

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

This February, American Heart Month, Discovery Familia joins this important cause by launching the "Escucha tu Corazon" (Listen To Your Heart) initiative to raise awareness and educate Hispanic women about heart disease, including their risk factors....

10 Facts About Hispanics in Colorado

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

The following is being released by the Hispanic Leadership Network, an advocacy action group focused on engaging the Hispanic community on center-right policies: -- Colorado's Hispanic population is 1,038,687 or 20.65 percent of the state's total population (2010 U.S....

Sauteing With the Stars: Celebrities Cook Up a New Way To Stay In Limelight

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

It's as natural a pairing as steak and baked potato. Americans love their celebrities, and Americans love to eat. So why not celebrity cookbooks? Except ... Eva Longoria desperately hawking Tex-Mex recipes? Coolio ...

Philippines Quake, 7 Dead, 29 Missing

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

A powerful earthquake struck the central Philippines' Visayas island chain Monday, killing at least seven people and leaving 29 missing, officials said. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the magnitude of the offshore temblor at 6.7 but the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) measured it at magnitude-6.9....

Manufacturing a Star of an Upbeat Jobs Report

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:16:41 PST

Last week's surprisingly strong jobs report spotlighted healthy employment gains in manufacturing -- an industry that was expected to be hampered by Europe's economic downturn this year. So far, the nation's factories are defying the gloomy forecasts, adding 50,000 jobs in January -- their strongest showing in a year -- on top of 32,000 in December, the Labor Department said Friday....

Nasdaq Hits Highest Level Since Dot-com Bubble Burst as Fresh IPOs Soar

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:04:11 PST

Spurred by a fifth straight month of solid job growth and the prospects of an initial public offering for Facebook, investors sent tech stocks soaring on Friday, leading the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index to its highest closing mark since the dot-com crash of 2000. The Nasdaq rose 46 points, or 1.6 percent, Friday to close at 2905.7....

Pinterest.com Is the Next Big Thing

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

Watch out, Facebook; you've got new competition. According to money.cnn.com, social-media site Pinterest.com is now driving more referral traffic on the Web than Google+, YouTube, Reddit and LinkedIn combined....

Greece on 'Knife Edge' as Debt Talks Stall

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

Crisis talks on a debt deal for Greece among the three leaders of parties supporting the coalition government have been suspended. After five hours of discussions, Lucas Papademos, the Greek prime minister, said the talks would continue on Monday, saying that they had however reached an agreement on many issues....

General Motors Still Thinking Big

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

General Motors is spending more than $500 million on its Arlington assembly plant over the next 18 months, indicating that GM officials believe there's still a bright future for the large sport utility vehicles built at the plant....

Data Show Flat Economic Activity in California

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

The California economy was flat in November, despite a job market in recent months that has shown signs of steady improvement, according to an index released Thursday by Dallas-based Comerica Bank. ...

Legal Fund Asks Judge to Reinstate Ethnic Studies

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

The federal judge overseeing TUSD's desegregation case has been asked to reinstate Mexican American Studies courses. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed the request on behalf of the Latino plaintiffs in the Tucson Unified School District's decades-old desegregation case to bring its schools into racial balance....

Non-Profit's Funds Fueling Super PAC

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

A group aligned with the Tea Party has funneled more than $1.3 million in anonymous contributions to a super PAC working aggressively to unseat Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and other congressional veterans, raising alarms among some watchdogs that these outside groups are emerging as a new avenue for secret political money....

Dinner To Mark End of Iraq War

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

With U.S. forces still fighting in Afghanistan, the Obama administration has chosen to mark the end of the Iraq War with something more modest than a ticker-tape parade -- a state-dinner-like event at the White House later this month feting a select group of combat veterans and their spouses or guests....

Poll: Obama Would Beat Romney in Election

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

President Obama would defeat Mitt Romney in a hypothetical general election match-up, a Washington Post-ABC News poll indicated. Obama leads the Republican former Massachusetts governor 52 percent to 43 percent among all Americans and 51 percent to 45 percent among registered voters, the poll released Sunday night indicated....

Politics 2012: Rocky Mountain High

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:38:12 PST

After swings through New England, the South and points West, the four main candidates vying to be the Republican challenger to President Obama gear up for caucuses in three states Tuesday, Colorado being the largest....