Business
Washington slaps fee on plastic shopping bags
WASHINGTON — Residents of the US capital may have to dig a little deeper into their pockets when they go grocery shopping once the city slaps a five-cent levy on each plastic bag issued at the checkout line.
Official price of vodka goes up in Russia
The price of vodka went up Friday in Russia, part of a move by President Dmitry Medvedev to combat alcoholism.
Judge rules some California furloughs illegal
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acted illegally by placing tens of thousands of state employees on unpaid furloughs three days a month, an Alameda County judge said Thursday in a ruling that could require the financially reeling state to cough up month...
Eli Lilly heiress Ruth Lilly dies at 94
Ruth Lilly, a noted philanthropist and last surviving great-grandchild of pharmaceutical magnate Eli Lilly, died Wednesday night at 94, a family spokesman said Thursday morning.
Detroit flight plot may prove boon for security firms
NEW YORK — The failed attempt to blow up an Amsterdam-Detroit flight last week could prove a bonanza for airport security firms, especially the makers of full-body scanners.
Iceland Parliament Approves Icesave Repayment Bill
REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Iceland's parliament approved an amended bill late on Wednesday to repay more than $5 billion lost by savers in Britain and the Netherlands when the island's banks collapsed during the financial crisis.
France rejects carbon tax in blow to Sarkozy
An historic attempt to introduce a carbon tax strongly backed by President Nicolas Sarkozy was rejected by the French constitutional court on Wednesday.
2010 'key year' for China to overcome crisis
BEIJING — China's central bank governor said Thursday that 2010 would be a key year in the nation's battle to overcome the financial crisis and pledged a relaxed credit policy to boost economic recovery.
AIG executive resigns over pay limits
A top executive at American International Group Inc (AIG.N) has resigned because of pay curbs imposed by the Obama Administration's pay czar, the insurer said on Wednesday.
Fox, Time Warner Cable Go to Wire in Vitriolic Talks Over Carriage Fees
Time Warner Cable Inc. and News Corp. traded barbs on Wednesday as they face a New Year's deadline in their landmark fight over TV-programming fees. If the fight remains unresolved it will threaten millions of cable-TV subscribers with the loss of...
Republican attorneys general threaten suit over Nebraska health deal
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican attorneys general in 13 states say congressional leaders must remove Nebraska's political deal from the federal health care overhaul bill or face legal action, according to a letter provided to The Associated Press...
Japan unveils ambitious economic growth strategy
TOKYO — Japan's prime minister unveiled an ambitious goal Wednesday to create millions of jobs and return Asia's biggest economy to steady growth as he battles a drop in his popularity and a funding scandal.
Taiwan seeks to limit fallout from US beef ban
TAIPEI — Taiwan will send a government delegation to the United States as it seeks to limit the fallout from controversial parliamentary plans to resume a ban on some US beef imports, a top official said Wednesday.
Japan's Finance Minister At Work Despite Health Concerns
Japan's finance minister attended a news conference Wednesday despite apparent health concerns, but said returning to work full-time depended on consultation with doctors.
US consumer confidence picks up, but home prices flatten out
Consumers are feeling a little better about the economy but home prices are flattening out after an unexpected rebound in the spring and summer, according to two closely watched reports released on Tuesday.
New York's Tavern on the Green, once highest-grossing US restaurant, bites the dust amid recession
NEW YORK — Tavern on the Green, once America's highest-grossing restaurant, is singing its culinary swan song. The former sheepfold at the edge of Central Park, now ringed by twinkling lights and fake topiary animals, is preparing for New Year's E...
Nokia Accuses Apple in Patent Suit, Trade Body Case
Nokia Oyj said it filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging Apple Inc. infringes seven of its patents. Nokia filed a similar lawsuit in federal court in Delaware today over the same patents.
Virginia's McDonnell wants offshore drilling in 2011
Virginia is poised to become the first state on the Eastern Seaboard to receive permission to tap potential offshore energy reserves and its incoming governor wants to take advantage of that pole position.
Kentucky Budget Shortfall Could Exceed $1.5 Billion
Kentucky could be facing a budget shortfall of more than $1.5 billion over the next two years because of the economic recession, Gov. Steve Beshear said Tuesday.
Los Angeles firm offers green Christmas with tree rental service
A Los Angeles firm has come up with a way of making Christmas more green - by renting out Christmas trees.