Insight: China pays high price to spare state firm from bankruptcyJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business WEIFANG, China (Reuters) - The Chinese official was adamant the city of Weifang would keep its rayon factory open, noting that local authorities had just stepped in to help the plant's owner repay $60 million in commercial paper. The bailout averted what would have been China's first ever bond default and was good news for domestic bond investors, who were reassured that in China even mid-sized state-owned firms can count on "too-big-to-fail" treatment. ... Euro zone row gets fat pay rise for German workersJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business BERLIN (Reuters) - A record-breaking pay deal will give millions of German workers their biggest rise in wages in two decades, boost consumption in Europe's biggest economy and help towards adjusting the regional imbalances that have caused severe tensions within the euro zone, analysts said on Sunday. Germany's largest industrial union IG Metall agreed to a 4.3-percent pay rise from employers just before dawn on Saturday -- giving the 3.6 million car and engineering industry workers their biggest wage increase since a 5.4 percent deal in 1992. The eye-catching 4. ... Breathing Smog While Pregnant May Worsen Asthma in OffspringJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health SUNDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to air pollution while in the womb might harm the lung-function development of children with asthma, a new study finds. Sleep Apnea Linked to Higher Cancer Death RiskJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health SUNDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep apnea has already been linked to a host of adverse health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Now, new research suggests that in people who already have cancer, the sleep disorder may raise their risk of dying from cancer. Study Ties Secondhand Smoke to Bladder Irritation in KidsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health SUNDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Parents who smoke may put their children at greater risk for bladder irritation, according to a small new study. Screening for Lung Cancer Might Benefit Those at Highest RiskJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health SUNDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Using low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer might save the lives of patients at the greatest risk for the disease, a new analysis suggests. Lung cancer CT scans: Just for older heavy smokersJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health New lung cancer screening guidelines recommend annual CT scans but only for current or former heavy smokers aged 55 to 74. 5 Smart Companies Using Tech For GoodJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, technology In our social entrepreneurship series, The World at Work, Mashable interviews the faces behind the startups and projects that are working to make a global impact. Why Tariffs on Chinese Photovoltaics Are Bad for the PlanetJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, technology The U.S. has placed tariffs on Chinese solar panels in a bid to protect American solar companies. David Biello reports Apple, Samsung CEOs head to courtJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, technology SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The chiefs of Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd are used to running the show at their global tech empires, but they will be in for a different experience when they arrive at a San Francisco federal courthouse on Monday. Apple's Tim Cook and Samsung's Choi Gee-sung, whose companies are embroiled in bitter patent litigation, have been instructed by a federal judge to appear for court-supervised mediation. A joint court filing in April said that "as directed by the Court, Apple and Samsung are both willing to participate" in the discussions. ... Ca$h Cats: Tumblr's 20 Funniest Filthy Rich FelinesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, technology "My best guess: The owner and cat have robbed a bank, and are hiding out in a cheap motel. The cat is requesting premium, tuna-based snacks." SpaceX Replaces Faulty Rocket Valve for Space Station FlightJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, science CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX engineers have replaced a faulty engine valve on a private rocket carrying the first commercial space capsule bound for the International Space Station following the last-second abort during an attempted liftoff Saturday (May 19). Tropical Storm Alberto Arrives Before Hurricane SeasonJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, science The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season got an early start with the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday (May 19). Bahraini activist granted bail but not releasedJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics DUBAI (Reuters) - A Bahraini court granted bail on Sunday to leading activist Nabeel Rajab, who is charged with insulting authorities in the Gulf Arab state, but he is still being held pending trial for a different case, his lawyer said. Bahrain has been in turmoil since a democracy protest movement led by majority Shi'ites erupted last year following successful revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. The government has rejected opposition calls for an elected government and protests and clashes with police continue weekly. ... Wall Street Week Ahead: Market is oversold, but major signs say "sell"JAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics NEW YORK (Reuters) - Normally a big decline would set up Wall Street for a technical rebound. But that may not be the case this week, even after the market posted its worst weekly loss for the year and the S&P fell for six straight sessions. With the corporate earnings season drawing to an end and recent U.S. economic data raising doubts about the pace of growth, the S&P 500, which is down 7.3 percent so far in May, could decline further this week as concerns about the financial health of Europe persist. ... Egypt's Brotherhood goes all out for presidencyJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics TANTA, Egypt (Reuters) - Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood planned a mass climax to its presidential campaign on Sunday, hoping to sway undecided voters and clinch victory in this week's election when Egyptians will choose their leader freely for the first time. On the last day of official campaigning, the Brotherhood told Egyptians to "book your place anywhere in Egypt" for evening rallies in support of its candidate Mohamed Mursi. ... Fourth person arrested for plotting NATO attacks: policeJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics CHICAGO (Reuters) - A fourth man was arrested on a terrorism-related charge ahead of the NATO summit that gets underway here on Sunday, adding to event security concerns after the arrests of three others who police said considered targeting U.S. President Barack Obama's re-election headquarters. Chicago-resident Sebastian Senakiewicz, 24, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of terrorism/false threat, Chicago Police Department spokesman Mike Sullivan said on Sunday. He remains in custody and has a bond hearing later on Sunday. ... U.S. army instructor shot in Yemen attack: security sourceJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics SANAA (Reuters) - A U.S. military instructor helping train Yemeni coastguards was shot and seriously wounded in an attack by unidentified assailants in the Red Sea city of Hudaida on Sunday, a Yemeni security source said. The source said two other U.S. instructors, who were travelling in the same car, were not hurt in the attack, which happened before noon on the group's journey to work. A caller told Reuters by telephone - not the group's usual method of communication - that the al Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Sharia group was behind the attack. ... Low turnout, fraud row mar Serb presidential voteJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics BELGRADE (Reuters) - Voter apathy and accusations of fraud marred a presidential run-off in Serbia on Sunday, where pro-Western incumbent Boris Tadic is vying with rightist Tomislav Nikolic for the right to lead the nation into talks on joining the EU. Seven hours after polls opened, just 23.2 percent of the 6.7 million Serbs eligible to vote had done so. Tadic began the day as the frontrunner, but analysts have said a low turnout might favor Nikolic, whose supporters are considered more disciplined voters. ... UK's Cameron: Megrahi should have never been freedJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics CHICAGO (Reuters) - Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the former Libyan intelligence officer convicted of the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight, should have never been released from prison, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday. "I've always been clear he should never have been released from prison," Cameron said on Sunday in Chicago where NATO leaders gathered for a summit. "Today is a day to remember the 270 people who lost their lives in what was an appalling terrorist act. Our thoughts should be with them and their families for the suffering they've had. ... U.S. banking laws unable to stop JPMorgan loss: Republican BoehnerJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. banking reforms could not have prevented JPMorgan Chase & Co's trading losses, and those involved in the activities that went awry should be held accountable, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said in an interview aired on Sunday. "I don't believe there's anything in Dodd-Frank (financial reform law) that would've prevented this activity at JPMorgan," said Boehner, the top Republican U.S. officeholder. He made the comments Friday in an interview for ABC's "This Week. ... NATO chief sees financial aid for Afghan forcesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics NATO's secretary-general says he's optimistic that the international community will continue to finance the Afghan security forces. Senator decries convicted Lockerbie bomber's death in freedomJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Charles Schumer on Sunday criticized the Scottish government for allowing convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Bassett al-Megrahi to die a free man in what he said "smelled of a deal for oil." Schumer, a New York Democrat, said on CNN that the death of Megrahi, reported on Sunday by the former Libyan intelligence officer's brother, meant the full truth about the bombing of a Pan Am airliner in 1988 over Scotland may never be known. He has questioned whether Megrahi was released from prison as part of a deal for Libyan oil. ... What to look for at the NATO summitJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics A look at the main issues for the NATO alliance at the summit meeting for heads of government in Chicago on Sunday and Monday. Libya's NTC says Megrahi death will not shut Lockerbie fileJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's National Transitional Council said on Sunday the death of Abdul Basset al-Megrahi, convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, will not end the government's investigation into the attack. "We would have liked to uncover more truths but his death will not shut the Lockerbie file," NTC spokesman Mohamed al-Harizy told Reuters. "The Libyan government will continue to investigate the crimes committed by the Gaddafi regime using other witnesses." (Reporting by Taha Zargoun; Writing By Hadeel Al-Shalchi) Italy PM Monti shortens U.S. trip after bomb and quakeJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said on Sunday he would return home early from the United States following a bomb that killed a teenager in the south on Saturday and an earthquake that struck northern Italy on Sunday. Monti said in Chicago, where he is attending a NATO summit, that he would stay for only the first session, leave on Sunday night and be in Rome by Monday. His comments were broadcast on Italian television. (Reporting By Philip Pullella) Party leaders refuse to budge on debt positionsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, politics Republicans and Democrats aren't budging when it comes to their already hardened positions on spending cuts versus tax increases to deal with the nation's debt. In the shadows of art, Cannes' market flourishesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, entertainment The movie market at Cannes is such a dramatic sideshow that this year it's getting its own film. Rocker Pete Doherty plays decadent dandy in CannesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, entertainment British rocker Pete Doherty, whose cocaine-snorting and carousing have landed him in jail, on Sunday appeared in his first film role in Cannes as a debauched young man in 19th-century France. Denmark's Vinterberg brings 'The Hunt' to CannesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, entertainment Thomas Vinterberg is aware his new movie, "The Hunt," may touch a raw nerve. Several, in fact. 3 charged in carjacking of pastor Marvin WinansJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, entertainment A Michigan prosecutor has charged three young men in the assault and carjacking of popular Detroit pastor and gospel singing icon Marvin Winans. 'Avengers' sinks 'Battleship" to remain No. 1JAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, entertainment "The Avengers" continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival "Battleship" and other new releases. Dominicans weigh comeback for brash exJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world Dominicans formed orderly lines at voting stations across the country Sunday as they chose a new president from a field that includes a brash former president whose last term ended with an economic crisis and a favored technocrat from a ruling party that has spent the past eight years on a public works spending spree. Former Israeli PM: Jerusalem must be partitionedJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday urged Israeli leaders to relinquish the idea of a unified Jerusalem if they truly want peace, contending in a pair of interviews that years of government neglect have kept the Jewish and Arab sectors irreparably divided. Jailed Israeli president freed brieflyJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world A prison spokeswoman says Israel's jailed former president has been freed for a few hours to attend his son's wedding. Egypt presidential candidate joins hunger strikeJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world An Egypt presidential candidate has joined dozens of activists on hunger strike to protest the continued detention of more than 300 people who face possible military prosecution. Yemen troops clash with alJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world Fresh clashes between al-Qaida fighters and government forces in Yemen left 17 dead on Sunday, military officials said, as the army pushed on with an offensive to regain a key town in the county's south that fell to the militants more than a year ago. Strong quake kills at least 4 in northern ItalyJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world A strong earthquake shook northeast Italy early Sunday, killing four people, tearing off chunks of church facades and sending panicked residents into the streets. Aftershocks wreaked more havoc in the region, including knocking down a clock tower and injuring a firefighter. Sudan releases four foreigners arrested in border areaJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan has released four foreigners who were detained three weeks ago near the border with South Sudan following weeks of heavy clashes between the two African neighbors, officials said on Sunday. Sudan accused the four - a Briton, a Norwegian, a South African and a South Sudanese - of entering an oil-producing border area illegally to spy for South Sudan. South Sudanese officials had denied Sudan's allegations, saying the men were working with the United Nations and aid groups clearing mines, and had got lost in the remote territory. ... North Korea releases detained Chinese fishermenJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea released a number of Chinese fishermen and boats on Sunday two weeks after seizing them, ending a rare public dispute between the two allies, Chinese state media reported. The boats were taken in the Yellow Sea between China and North Korea on May 8 - although it remains unclear whether the action was authorized by the North Korean government. The North Koreans who took the boats had demanded 1.2 million yuan ($189,800) for releasing the fishermen, then cut their price to 900,000 yuan, the owner of one of the captured vessels said last week. ... Lone bomber, not mafia, sought for Italy school attackJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world BRINDISI (Reuters) - A bomb attack which killed a teenage girl and wounded 10 other people in the southern Italian town of Brindisi was probably done by an individual operating alone, a senior official said on Sunday, playing down initial suspicions of mafia involvement. Saturday's attack on the Francesca Morvillo Falcone school, a vocational training institute named after the wife of a famed anti-mafia judge, horrified Italy and sparked speculation it was the work of southern Italy's organized crime gangs. ... Syrian army shelling kills 16 in Hama: rights groupsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian army shelling killed 16 people, including children, on Sunday in the town of Souran in the central province of Hama, the British-based rights group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "The army shelled the town and then stormed it," the head of the rights group Rami Abdelrahman told Reuters, citing residents. Hama has been a focal point of Syria's 14-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. (Reporting by Oliver Holmes; Editing by Louise Ireland) NATO chief: No "rush for the exits" in Afghan warJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world CHICAGO (Reuters) - NATO's chief sought on Sunday to dispel fears of a "rush for the exits" in Afghanistan as Western allies gathered to chart a path out of an unpopular war that has dragged on for more than a decade. President Barack Obama hosts the summit in his home town, Chicago, a day after major industrialized nations tackled a European debt crisis that threatens the global economy. ... Italy quake kills five, damages historic buildingsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, world SANT' AGOSTINO, Italy (Reuters) - A strong earthquake in northern Italy killed five people, injured dozens and damaged historic buildings including a famed mediaeval castle early on Sunday, waking terrified citizens and sending thousands running into the streets. The quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey recorded at magnitude 6.0, struck at 4:04 a.m. (0204 GMT) and was followed by a series of jolting aftershocks. At least two of them reached magnitude 5.1, sowing fresh panic, further damaging already weakened buildings and causing more structures to collapse. ... China's Wen urges more support for growthJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business BEIJING (Reuters) - China's premier called for additional efforts to support growth on Sunday, signaling Beijing's willingness to take action after a recent series of economic indicators suggested that the world's second-biggest economy will slow further in the second quarter. "We should continue to implement a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy while giving more priority to maintaining growth," Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments reported by state news agency Xinhua. Chinese exports rose by 4. ... (Non) Adaptive Function of SleepJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health (Non) Adaptive Function of Sleep The Dirtiest 'Clean' PlacesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health You expect some sports to be filthy—your kitchen floor, your garbage can, your toilet. But how germy are the things designed to keep you and your home clean? Tens of thousands attend 20th Vienna Life BallJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, health Nearly 40,000 people dressed in colourful costumes attended this year's Life Ball, Vienna's glitzy annual AIDS charity, Saturday, with actress Milla Jovovich and former US president Bill Clinton among those adding to the star factor. |
