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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Puerto Ricans honor Paul Walker, cause chaos

Puerto Ricans honor Paul Walker, cause chaos

Puerto Ricans honor Paul Walker, cause chaos

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:15 PM PST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico police have issued more than 100 tickets to drivers who organized a caravan to honor "Fast & Furious" actor Paul Walker and created massive traffic jams across the island's capital.

US stocks end mostly lower after deluge of data

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:11 PM PST

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the end of the trading day on December 3, 2013US stocks Wednesday ended mostly lower after markets weighed a stream of generally solid economic data ahead of Friday's big jobs report. The broad-based S&P 500 fell 2.29 (0.13 percent) to 1,792.86 while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index inched up 0.80 (0.02 percent) to 4,038.01. Markets were in negative territory most of the day after payrolls firm ADP reported strong jobs growth, the US trade deficit declined and October new-home sales notched a 25.4 percent rise compared with the prior month. But markets pared losses after the Federal Reserve released its Beige Book report, which painted a generally good picture of the economy in the wake of October's partial government shutdown.

How will it end? Portugal seeks bailout closure

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:11 PM PST

In this picture taken Nov. 29 2013, a cargo ship sails up the Tagus river as the sun rises at Lisbon's Santa Apolonia docks. The European Commission predicts Portugal will return to growth next year, but only at a rate of 0.8 percent, and exports grew almost 10 percent over the 12 months to last September. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal wants to look like Ireland, but it can't disguise its resemblance to Greece.

Services send mystery boxes of socks, sex toys

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:10 PM PST

This handout product image provided by trytheworld.com shows the company's subscription offering. Trytheworld.com sends subscribers a box of hard-to-find items like jams, fine teas and films from a different city (Paris, Tokyo and Rio) every two months for a $45 fee for each box. (AP Photo/Trytheworld.com)NEW YORK (AP) — Sex toys. French films. Star Wars action figures. Erotic photos.

EU fines global banks $2.3 bln for market rigging

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:09 PM PST

FILE - In this July 30, 2013 file photo the headquarters of Deutsche Bank are pictured in Frankfurt, GermanyThe European Commission has fined a group of major global banks a total of 1.7 billion euros (US dollar 2.3 billion) for colluding to profit from the interest rates market as it was announced Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. The banks, which includes the Deutsche Bank are accused of manipulating for years European and Japanese benchmark interest rates that affect hundreds of billions of dollars in contracts globally, from mortgages to credit card bills. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)AMSTERDAM (AP) — The European Commission has fined a group of major global banks a total of 1.7 billion euros ($2.3 billion) for colluding to profit from the manipulation of key interest rates.

LA airport shooting suspect appears in court

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:08 PM PST

This courtroom drawing shows Paul Ciancia during an appearance at the West Valley Detention Center wearing a bandage on his neck and with bruises on his face on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Ciancia has been charged with killing a Transportation Security Administration officer and wounding three others during a rampage at Los Angeles International Airport. (AP Photo/Bill Robles)RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (AP) — A man charged with killing a Transportation Security Administration officer and wounding three others during a shooting rampage at Los Angeles International Airport made his first court appearance Wednesday with bruises on his face and a bandage on his neck.

Tigers finalize deal with Joe Nathan

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:08 PM PST

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms with free agent reliever Joe Nathan on a two-year contract with a club option for 2016 on Wednesday, accomplishing one of their main objectives this offseason by adding one of baseball's most accomplished closers to the bullpen.

10 whales dead, dozens stranded in Everglades

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:07 PM PST

In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, photo provided by the National Park Service, pilot whales are stranded on a beach in a remote area of the western portion of Everglades National Park, Fla. Federal officials said some whales have died. The marine mammals are known to normally inhabit deep water. (AP Photo/National Park Service)EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. (AP) — Wildlife workers in boats struggled Wednesday to coax nearly four dozen pilot whales out of dangerous shallow waters in Florida's Everglades National Park, hoping to spare them the fate of 10 others that already have died.

Stocks decline as investors weigh economic news

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:05 PM PST

In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, photo, specialist James Sciulli works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. World stock markets put in a patchy performance Wednesday Dec. 4, 2013, with Japan suffering a sharp fall, as investors continued to worry the U.S. Federal Reserve will soon start reducing its monetary stimulus. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are ending mostly lower as investors weigh conflicting economic reports and assess the outlook for Federal Reserve stimulus.

Newsweek to start printing again next year

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:04 PM PST

FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, file photo, a copy of Newsweek is seen at Joe's Smoke, in Portland, Maine. Paper copies of Newsweek will again roll off the presses starting in 2014. Editor-in-Chief Jim Impoco says the news magazine's owners IBT Media want to shift to a business model where a weekly print magazine would be mainly supported by subscription fees instead of advertising. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)NEW YORK (AP) — Paper copies of Newsweek will again roll off the presses starting next year.

Thaksin's homecoming hopes dashed as Thai crisis reignites

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:03 PM PST

An anti-government protester touches hand of police officer through main gate of Thai Police Headquarters in BangkokBy Martin Petty BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's political future is cloudier than ever, but one thing is for certain - self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra won't be coming home soon. The chances of another round of political conflict seemed slim a few months ago as the government of Thaksin's sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, entered its third year in office after a fairly smooth ride, much to do with outwardly cordial ties with her brother's enemies, among them generals, royal advisers and opposition politicians. Having fled into exile to avoid a jail sentence for graft in 2008, Thaksin had hoped the climate was ripe for him to try to return. Protesters have marched for weeks in Bangkok streets, clashing with riot police and vowing to overthrow the "Thaksin regime" and replace it with "good people", effectively suspending Thailand's democratic system.

Air zone dispute: US-China talks but no consensus

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:00 PM PST

Vice President Joe Biden, center, listens during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping inside the Great Hall of the People, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, in Beijing, China. Biden and Xi discussed efforts to forge a new model for relations between the major powers, but they've made no public comments about a new Chinese air defense zone that's become a major friction point in Asia. (AP Photo/Lintao Zhang, Pool)BEIJING (AP) — In candid, face-to-face talks, Vice President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping traded arguments Wednesday over China's contentious new air defense zone, with no consensus about how to defuse an issue that's raising anxieties across Asia and beyond.

Vegas tourism: Embrace generational marketing

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:59 PM PST

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Baby boomers are suckers for appeals to their narcissism. Generation Xers can't stand their parents. And millennials want to feel like they're doing good in the world.

Former Ukrainian presidents warn of chaos

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:58 PM PST

Protesters try to stay warm while gathered in Independent Square in Kiev, Ukraine, early Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. Ukraine's opposition failed to force out the government with a parliamentary no-confidence vote Tuesday, leaving political tensions unresolved and a potential standoff between protesters and the country's leaders looming. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — As protests roiled the Ukrainian capital and other cities, three of the country's former presidents on Wednesday gave support to the demonstrators and warned the tensions could be spinning into an uncontainable crisis.

Police: Keri Russell's Brooklyn home burglarized

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:57 PM PST

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police say thieves broke into Keri Russell's Brooklyn home while she was sleeping and stole a laptop, jewelry and a purse.

Vonn: Knee 'stable' after World Cup training run

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:55 PM PST

USA's Lindsey Vonn races during the first training run for the Women's World Cup downhill skiing competition in Lake Louise, Alberta, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)LAKE LOUISE, Alberta (AP) — Ten months since she last competed, Lindsey Vonn returned to a World Cup course for downhill training Wednesday and said afterward her surgically repaired right knee felt "stable."

Tech gurus help boost speedy Internet in schools

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:54 PM PST

This photo taken Nov. 25, 2013 shows second grade teacher Heather Black working with Ingrid Soracco, 7, right, on her e-book assignment using an iPad at Jamestown Elementary School in Arlington, Va. Needed to keep a school building running these days: Water, electricity _ and broadband. Interactive digital learning on laptops and tablets is, in many cases, replacing traditional textbooks. Students are taking computer-based tests instead of fill-in-the bubble exams. Teachers are accessing far-off resources for lessons. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Needed to keep a school building running these days: Water, electricity — and broadband.

Mass. boy pleads not guilty to killing teacher

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:53 PM PST

Phillip Chism, 14, from Danvers, Mass., sits between his attorneys during his arraignment in Salem Superior Court, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, in Salem, Mass. Chism is charged in the Oct. 22 killing of a popular Danvers High School Math teacher Colleen Ritzer. He pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery charges Wednesday. He will remain held without bail. (AP Photo/The Eagle-Tribune, Paul Bilodeau, Pool)SALEM, Mass. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery charges Wednesday in the killing of his high school math teacher.

NATO chief: Not just Karzai can sign Afghan pact

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:48 PM PST

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, center, gives opening remarks at the start of the Internal Security Assistance Force (ISAF) meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Pool)BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO's chief said Wednesday that President Hamid Karzai isn't the only Afghan government official who can sign a security pact so that thousands of coalition troops can stay in Afghanistan after 2014. But an Afghan diplomat insisted Karzai will have final say anyway.

Arizona agency seeks fine in firefighters' deaths

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:46 PM PST

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's workplace safety agency recommended Wednesday that the state Forestry Division pay a nearly $560,000 fine in the deaths of 19 firefighters, saying officials placed the protection of non-defensible structures and pastureland ahead of firefighter safety.

Knicks, Nets set for matchup of teams that 'stink'

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:44 PM PST

Brooklyn Nets forward Brook Lopez, left, guard Joe Johnson, center, and forward Kevin Garnett sit on the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in New York. The Nuggets won 111-87. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Start spreading the news. One of New York's bumbling basketball teams is about to win!

Hagel says staff cutbacks will save $1 billion

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:43 PM PST

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. Hagel said cutting his Pentagon staff by 20 percent will save at least $1 billion over five years. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday that cutting his Pentagon staff by 20 percent will save at least $1 billion over five years.

UN, Mexico: Truck with radioactive load stolen

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:42 PM PST

This image released by the National Commission on Nuclear Safety and Safeguards of Mexico's Energy Secretary (CNSNS) Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, shows a large box that is part of the cargo of a stolen truck hauling medical equipment with extremely dangerous radioactive material, in Tepojaco, Hidalgo state, north of Mexico City. The cargo truck was stolen from a gas station in central Mexico, and authorities have put out an alert in six central states and the capital to find it, Mexican and U.N. nuclear officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/CNSNS)VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) — A cargo truck hauling extremely dangerous radioactive material from used medical equipment was stolen from a gas station in central Mexico, and authorities sent out an alert in six central states and the capital to find it, Mexican officials said Wednesday.

Producer testifies he believed O'Neal stole Warhol

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:40 PM PST

In this Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 file photo, actor Ryan O'Neal, right, leaves court after he testified in a Los Angeles courtroom about his relationship with Farrah Fawcett and his claimed ownership of an Andy Warhol portrait of the actress. A reality TV producer told a jury on Wednesday Dec. 4, 2013, that he believes O'Neal stole a Warhol portrait of Fawcett taken from the late actress' condominium. Craig Nevius provided photos and video that is being used by the University of Texas at Austin in its case against O'Neal to gain possession of the portrait, which the actor says was a gift from Warhol. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)LOS ANGELES (AP) — A reality television producer has told a jury that he believes Ryan O'Neal stole an Andy Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett from the late actress' home.

Jamaica scientist launches medical marijuana firm

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:40 PM PST

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A prominent Jamaican scientist and entrepreneur is launching a company that aims to capitalize on the growing international market for medical marijuana.

France adopts bill to penalise prostitutes' clients

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:39 PM PST

French police speak to a prostitute (centre) and to a client (left) during an anti-prostitution operation in the Bois de Boulogne district of Paris, on March 2, 2012The draft anti-prostitution law was approved by the lower-house National Assembly with 268 deputies voting in favour, 138 voting against and 79 abstaining. It was sponsored by women's rights minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, who hailed Wednesday's vote as "the end of a long road strewn with pitfalls". "France has placed itself at the side of those who prostitute themselves, against those who take advantage of their vulnerability," campaign group the Mouvement du Nid said in a statement. Critics, who include some of France's most prominent celebrities, say the legislation will simply push prostitution further underground and make the women who earn their living from it more vulnerable to abuse.

Bashir leaves MSNBC over inflammatory remarks

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:38 PM PST

NEW YORK (AP) — MSNBC host Martin Bashir resigned from the network Wednesday, nearly three weeks after making graphic remarks on the air about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Possible culprits in Hezbollah commander's killing

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:34 PM PST

This undated photo released by the Hezbollah Media Relation Office on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2013, shows Hassan al-Laqis, described by Hezbollah as one of the founding members of the group suggesting he was a high-level commander close to the party's leadership. Al-Laqis was gunned down Wednesday outside his home in southern Beirut, security officials said. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the killing, something an official there quickly denied. (AP Photo)Senior Hezbollah commander Hassan al-Laqis was assassinated early Wednesday in southern Beirut — a sharp blow to the Iranian-backed Shiite group. Hezbollah has no shortage of rivals eager to strike at its strongholds and leadership:

Lundqvist agrees to long extension with Rangers

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:33 PM PST

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Jarome Iginla looks for the rebound during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Friday, Nov. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Just two days after surprisingly watching from the bench for a second straight game, No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist agreed to a long-term contract extension with the New York Rangers on Wednesday.

Obama bemoans inequality in political comeback bid

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:32 PM PST

US President Barack Obama speaks during the White House Youth Summit at the White House on December 4, 2013 in Washington, DCBarack Obama on Wednesday returned to the core economic philosophy of middle class opportunity on which he has centered his presidency, as he strives to exit a second term slump. The US leader struck economic themes familiar from his two presidential campaigns as he sought to steady his administration after self-inflicted wounds over his health care law which have seen his popularity slide. Speaking in Washington at the Center for American Progress think tank, Obama bemoaned "a dangerous and growing inequality and lack of upward mobility" in US life that has harmed what he has often described as the nation's basic bargain -- anyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead.

Universal shuts down 'Fast & Furious 7' production

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:30 PM PST

FILE - Sheriff's deputies work near the wreckage of a Porsche that crashed into a light pole on Hercules Street near Kelly Johnson Parkway in Valencia, Calif., in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 file photo. A publicist for actor Paul Walker says the star of the "Fast & Furious" movie series died in the crash north of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County coroner's office said it completed autopsies Tuesday Dec. 3, 2013, but would not release results of the autopsies and identifications until later Wednesday.(AP Photo/The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Dan Watson, File)NEW YORK (AP) — Universal Pictures has shut down production on "Fast & Furious 7" indefinitely following the death of its star, Paul Walker.

Scientist reprimanded over emails settles case

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:11 PM PST

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska scientist whose observations of drowned polar bears helped galvanize the global warming movement has retired as part of a settlement with a federal agency.

Family of Navy Yard shooting victim files lawsuit

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:29 PM PST

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Florida family of a woman slain during the mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard is the first to file a lawsuit against the government and defense contractors, alleging that officials ignored red flags about the killer's deteriorating mental health.

Hezbollah says top leader killed, blames Israel

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:28 PM PST

Mourners carry the coffin of Hassan Hawlo al-Lakiss, one of the Hezbollah's top commanders, during his funeral in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, on December 4, 2013Hezbollah said Wednesday one of its top leaders was killed near Beirut, and blamed Israel, at a time of soaring tensions in Lebanon linked to the war in neighbouring Syria. The dead man, identified as Hassan Hawlo al-Lakiss, was the group's most senior figure to be assassinated since Imad Mughniyeh in a Damascus bombing in 2008, when Hezbollah again blamed Israel.

Senior Hezbollah commander killed in Beirut

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:27 PM PST

Hezbollah fighters carry the coffin of Hassan al-Laqis, a senior commander for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, who was gunned down outside his home, during his funeral procession at his hometown in Baalbek city, east Lebanon, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. The assassination was a major breach of the Shiite militant group's security as it struggles to maintain multiple fronts while it fights alongside President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)BAALBEK, Lebanon (AP) — The attackers waited in an olive grove around midnight. As the Hezbollah commander pulled into the garage of his nearby apartment building, they went in after him. Five bullets were pumped into his head and neck from a silencer-equipped pistol — an assassination that reverberated across the Middle East.

Egypt satirist says show's suspension wasn't nice

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:25 PM PST

CAIRO (AP) — Popular Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef said Wednesday that he'll take the military and the government it backs at their word that they were not behind the decision to take his weekly TV program off the air, but he said it still doesn't make them look "very nice."

'Fast and Furious' death ruled accident, as film in limbo

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:23 PM PST

A photo of actor Paul Walker is seen on December 1, 2013 among flowers and candles left by fans at the site of the car accident in which the "Fast and Furious" actor and another man died in Santa Clarita, California"Fast and Furious" star Paul Walker died of "traumatic and thermal injuries" in a fiery car accident, coroners said Wednesday, as the film franchise's makers said they were shutting down production for now. A preliminary autopsy report confirmed that Walker, 40, was the passenger in a $400,000 red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas when it crashed at speed Saturday in Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles. Rodas died of "multiple traumatic injuries," according to the preliminary autopsy results, while Walker's cause of death was listed as the "combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries." The results of toxicology tests are still pending, and could take six to eight weeks, the Los Angeles County Coroner's office said, ruling both deaths as accidental.

US economy growing steadily: Fed survey

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:23 PM PST

People carry shopping bags along Broadway on December 2, 2013 in New York CityA Federal Reserve survey showed Wednesday that the US economy continues to grow steadily, with gains in all regions and most industries. The Fed's regular Beige Book report, which will feed into its policy meeting on December 17-18, painted a generally good picture of the economy in the wake of October's government shutdown. And the pace of job creation, a key focus of Fed policy, remained dull: a "modest" increase in five of the Fed's 12 regions and flat in the rest.

Looting ends as Argentine police strike resolved

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:21 PM PST

A man grimaces near spent shell casings as he is detained by police outside a supermarket that was being looted in Cordoba, Argentina, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. A police strike for higher pay has prompted waves of looting and robberies in Argentina's second largest city. The violence in Cordoba began Tuesday night and continued Wednesday morning, with storefronts being shattered, mobs stealing merchandise, robbers attacking people in the streets and vigilantes arming themselves to protect their homes. (AP Photo/Mario Sar)BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A sit-in by police seeking pay raises in Argentina's second-largest city prompted hours of looting, robberies, injuries and vigilante mobs trying to protect their neighborhoods before the provincial government agreed to the officers' demands and peace returned to the streets Wednesday. Three deaths were reported amid the violence in Cordoba and a copycat effort to loot a store outside the nation's capital.

US seeks limited military ties with Myanmar

Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:21 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is urging Congress to support limited U.S. engagement with Myanmar's powerful military, even though Myanmar has ties with North Korea.
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