PORTLAND – The Roman Catholic Church (search) was completing its official nine-day mourning period for Pope John Paul II (search) on Saturday while its cardinals made final preparations to select his successor. The 115 cardinals charged with electing a new pope — and some other cardinals too old to vote …
Read More »P&G Raises Quarterly Dividend for 49th Straight Year
NEW YORK – Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) Monday raised its quarterly dividend (search) 12 percent, marking the 49th consecutive year the maker of Tide laundry detergent and Old Spice deodorant has increased its payout. The dividend of 28 cents per share, up from 25 cents, is payable May 16 …
Read More »Fed Minutes Show Debate on Interest Rates
WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve (search) policy-makers, concerned about inflation, debated last month whether to signal the possibility that they might move more aggressively to raise interest rates, according to minutes of their March meeting released Tuesday. Specifically, the policy-makers discussed whether they should at some point abandon their stance of …
Read More »Fierce Fighting Kills Eight Taliban Rebels
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan soldiers conducting a sweep in a mountain area south of the capital exchanged fierce fire with suspected Taliban (search) rebels, killing eight and capturing 16 in some of the heaviest fighting in months, officials said Tuesday. Mohammed Zahir Azimi (search), a spokesman for the Afghan defense …
Read More »Worst Cities for Spring Allergies: Southeast Hardest Hit
As spring blossoms, so do allergies, especially in Southeastern cities. This year, spring allergies have been worst in Lexington, Ky., according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual ranking. Here is the AAFA’s list of the 10 worst U.S. cities for spring allergies: 1. Lexington, Ky. (last year: …
Read More »Adam Sandler a 'Big Daddy' in Real Life
LOS ANGELES – Adam Sandler is now a real-life “Big Daddy.” Sandler’s wife, Jackie, gave birth to the couple’s first child, according to a posting on the comedian’s Web site. Under the headline “Sandler had a kid!!,” he writes “Kid is healthy!! Wife is healthy!!” No other details were provided. …
Read More »Kinder Morgan to Go Private
HOUSTON – The chairman and CEO of pipeline operator Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) has teamed up with senior managers and outside investors to purchase the company for about $13.4 billion and take it private, officials announced Monday. Richard D. Kinder sent a letter to the Houston-based company’s board of directors …
Read More »Fast Facts: Barbaro's Surgery
The following are some facts about Barbaro’s surgery and road to recovery. Surgery — A five-hour operation on Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s broken leg — Surgery repaired three bones shattered in his right rear leg Where — University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for Large Animals Surgeon — Dr. Dean …
Read More »Complete List of 48th Annual Grammy Award Winners
LOS ANGELES – Winners at Wednesday’s 48th Annual Grammy Awards: Album of the Year: “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” U2. Record of the Year: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Green Day. New Artist: John Legend Male R&B Vocal Performance: “Ordinary People,” John Legend. Pop Vocal Album: “Breakaway,” Kelly Clarkson. Rap/Sung …
Read More »New Hampshire to Accept Free Oil from Chavez
CONCORD, N.H – Two years ago, New Hampshire refused to accept heating oil from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the pro-Castro U.S. critic who once called President Bush “the devil.” But with fuel prices rising, well, free oil is free oil. With the state’s blessing, New Hampshire residents will be receiving …
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