'A new feeling about America'

Obama to graduates: 'A new feeling about America'

By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press
May 23, 2012
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — President Barack Obama declared Wednesday the world has a "new feeling about America" and more respect for its leadership, weaving re-election themes into a commencement speech to jubilant graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
"We can say with confidence and pride: The United States is stronger, safer and more respected in the world," Obama told more than 1,000 graduates, dressed in their blue dress coats and yellow sashes for a ceremony in the Air Force football stadium.
In characterizing the changes under his watch, Obama used a speech before a military audience to make

Hewlett-Packard to cut 27,000 jobs

HP to cut 27,000 jobs

HP said the job reductions would occur by the end of fiscal 2014. The cuts are expected to save Hewlett-Packard $3 billion to $3.5 billion annually.

By W.J. Hennigan and Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times
May 24, 2012
Hewlett-Packard Co., battered by declining profits and tech rivals with flashier hand-held devices, is slashing 27,000 jobs, or 8% of its workforce.

The Silicon Valley tech firm, one of the world's largest computer makers with nearly 325,000 employees, said the job reductions — through layoffs and a voluntary early retirement program — would occur by the end of fiscal 2014. The cuts are expected to save the company $3 billion to $3.5 billion annually.

"Workforce reductions are never easy," Chief Executive Meg Whitman said in a call with analysts.

EU leaders' summit

HIGHLIGHTS-Comments after EU leaders' summit

BRUSSELS | Wed May 23, 2012
May 24 (Reuters) - European leaders discussed ways to revive their economies on Wednesday night, with growth and jobs on the agenda along with the situation in Greece.

Following are comments by EU leaders and officials after the talks ended early on Thursday:

EU LEADERS' STATEMENT ON GREECE:

"We discussed the political and economic situation in Greece. We want Greece to remain in the euro

Europe’s Crisis

Leaders Bicker as Europe’s Crisis Gains New Urgency

By NICHOLAS KULISH and PAUL GEITNER
Published: May 23, 2012

BERLIN — With Greece’s membership in the euro zone teetering, fears of bank insolvency rising and Europe’s leaders bickering about what to do, the euro crisis is once again intensifying and threatening to undermine fragile growth globally.

At a summit meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, regional leaders failed to signal any concrete new steps to stimulate the sputtering regional economy or resolve the competing agendas of President François Hollande of France, who favors stronger steps to spur growth, and his German counterpart, Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has opposed aggressive moves to ease the pressure on Europe’s

Ford credit rating boost:

Ford credit rating boost: 'The Blue Oval is back'

By Nathan Bomey, Detroit Free Press 5/23/2012

The Blue Oval belongs to Ford again.

Moody's Investors Service raised Ford's senior unsecured creditrating from Ba2 to Baa3, making it the second ratings agency to restore the automaker's investment-grade debt rating, ending a nearly seven-year period during which Ford paid higher junk bond interest rates.

The move means the automaker can reclaim its iconic Blue Oval logo and billions of dollars' worth of other assets pledged as collateral on $23.4 billion in loans taken out in late 2006. Equally important, Ford (F) will be able to borrow money at lower interest rates because it has a financially solid balance sheet.

• STORY: Autoworkers pushed to limit as many plants max out

"This is a truly great day for everyone at Ford and our extended family because the Blue Oval is

Russian FM accuses Syrian

Russian FM accuses Syrian opposition of undermining peace plan

MOSCOW, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The aim of the Syrian armed opposition is to undermine the peace plan implemented by the U.N. and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

"The aim is obvious -- to disrupt the peace plan of Kofi Annan," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters.

Historic Vote

Egyptians Head to Polls in Historic Vote

By CHARLES LEVINSON and MATT BRADLEY 5/23/2012

CAIRO—Millions of Egyptians voted Wednesday in a historic presidential election that is expected to usher in the country's first freely elected civilian leader after six decades of military-backed dictatorship.

Voters waited in long lines outside polling stations, which opened at 8 a.m. across the country, to cast ballots for Egypt's fifth president since a military coup ousted the king

Hormel profit ...

Hormel profit rises on lower pork, beef costs

Wed May 23, 2012

• Q2 EPS 48 cts vs. Wall Street view 42 cts

* Q2 sales $2.01 billion vs. Wall St view $2.05 billion

* Hormel affirms FY EPS view

May 23 (Reuters) - Hormel Foods Corp posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday, boosted by Jennie-O turkey sales and lower pork and beef costs.

The lower pork and beef costs helped boost profits in the company's grocery business, which sells Spam

Wins 'Dancing With The Stars'

Donald Driver Wins 'Dancing With The Stars' Mirror-Ball Trophy

'He's the best celebrity dance partner anyone could ask for,' his pro dance partner Peta Murgatroyd said.

By Kelley L. Carter May 23 2012

Upon hearing his name called as the season 14 winner of ABC's hit show "Dancing With the Stars," Donald Driver stopped, dropped and rolled.

"Amazing! This is awesome!" he said, his fist punching the sky in excitement.

It was a sweet moment, considering that Driver, an NFL star, revealed that he's been a longtime fan of the show

Greece, China anxiety

World markets tumble on Greece, China anxiety

By Aaron Smith @CNNMoneyInvest May 23, 2012

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- World markets plunged Wednesday on renewed anxiety over Greece ahead of a meeting of European leaders, and signs that the Chinese economy is losing steam.

European leaders are gathering in Brussels for an informal dinner Wednesday amid new threats to the troubled euro currency union.

The leaders are expected to discuss ways to boost economic growth and create jobs. This is the first summit for newly elected French PresidentFrancois Hollande, who campaigned on a shift away from austerity cuts in favor of more growth-orientated policies.

BNP Paribas analyst Luigi Speranza said the so-called "growth pact" will focus on infrastructure projects and improved targeting of eurozone funds, but he was pessimistic about the meeting's outcome.

"None of these initiatives, even if swiftly implemented, will be sufficient to significantly change the gloomy growth outlook in the

homes rose 3.4 percent

News Summary: US sales of previously occupied homes rose 3.4 percent in April

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, 2012-05-22

HOME SALES UP: Sales of previously occupied homes rose 3.4 percent in April, providing the latest evidence that the housing market is improving, if slowly.


WIDESPREAD GAINS: Sales rose in every part of the county, pushing activity to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.62 million units, nearly matching January’s pace, which had been the best in two years.
OUTLOOK: Economists believe an improving job market and cheaper mortgages will provide support for modest gains in home sales this year. But they say sales will remain far below the 6 million rate that indicates a healthy market.

killing of mountain lion in Santa Monica...

Some outraged over killing of mountain lion in Santa Monica

May 22, 2012 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

Some expressed outrage Tuesday that officers killed a 75-pound mountain lion that had wandered into downtown Santa Monica instead of capturing it and releasing it into the wild.

On POM Wonderful's...

Judge Sours On POM Wonderful's Erectile Dysfunction & Heart Disease Claims

by ALLISON AUBREY 5/22/2012

Pom Wonderful Pomegranate products may be loaded with antioxidants, but there's not sufficient evidence that it can treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of specific conditions such as heart disease or erectile dysfunction according to a ruling handed down by Chief Administrative Law Judge Michael Chappell.

The ruling upholds a Federal Trade Commission complaint we reported on before that charged POM Wonderful with violating federal law by making deceptive disease prevention and treatment claims.


According to Judge Chappell's decision, excerpted here, POM Wonderful's violations of federal advertising law were misleading because their claims "pertained to serious diseases and dysfunction of

A Greek Exit Could Make...

A Greek Exit Could Make the Euro Area Stronger

By Jacob Kirkegaard May 22, 2012

A Greek exit from the euro area would inflict heavy damage in Greece and throughout Europe. It could also be one of the best things that ever happened to the currency union.
Greece’s repeat parliamentary election next month will serve as a

Obama dominates global summits, but do U.S. voters care?

Obama dominates global summits, but do U.S. voters care?  

BY LESLEY CLARK
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama dominated the world stage over the weekend, persuading European leaders to embrace growth-stimulating economic policies along with austerity and securing NATO commitments for his exit strategy from Afghanistan.


The administration declared both global confabs a success and analysts said the president got credit for managing the intricacies of

North Korea ...U.S. pressure

North Korea to boost nuclear deterrent after U.S. pressure

By Ju-min Park
SEOUL | Tue May 22, 2012
(Reuters) - North Korea intensified its war of words against the United States on Tuesday, vowing to strengthen its nuclear deterrent after Washington warned Pyongyang of further sanctions if it did not abandon its atomic program.

Last week, world leaders meeting in the United States said North Korea needed to adhere to international norms on nuclear issues and that it would face deeper isolation if it "continues down the path of provocation".

The North's foreign ministry spokesman served notice via the official KCNA news agency on Tuesday that it would "bolster its nuclear deterrent as long as the United States was continuing with its hostile policies" and that it planned "countermeasures" following pressure from Washington.

Under new leader Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang tried but failed to launch a long range rocket called Unha in

Passenger's suspicious...

Passenger's suspicious claim diverts jet to Maine

By GLENN ADAMS, Associated Press 5/22/2012

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A US Airways jet traveling from Paris to North Carolina was diverted to Maine on Tuesday after a French passenger handed a note to a flight attendant mentioning that she had a surgically implanted device, raising fears of a terror scenario that security officials had warned about.
There is no evidence the plane was ever in danger, officials said. An examination by two doctors aboard the plane found that the passenger, a French citizen born in Cameroon, had no scars or incisions, said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who was briefed by Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole.
The FBI and Homeland Security Department warned airlines last summer that terrorists are considering surgically hiding bombs inside humans to evade airport security.

Mariners chase Darvish early...

Mariners chase Darvish early, beat Rangers

By Geoff Baker / The Seattle Times
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 

SEATTLE — Six walks is usually something the Mariners spend two or three games trying to compile.

And yet, there they were just three-plus innings into Monday night’s clash with Yu Darvish having already piled up a half-dozen freebies. The Mariners took full advantage of the goodwill by one of baseball’s better pitchers and turned an expected mound duel into a 6-1 laugher over the Texas Rangers.

Darvish was forced from the mound just four innings into the game, leaving Felix Hernandez as the last ace standing in front of 18,672 fans at Safeco Field. Hernandez had been blown out of a prior start in Cleveland last week, but had far better command this time in notching seven strikeouts over eight innings of one-run ball for the victory.

Hernandez didn’t allow a run until Mitch Moreland led off the eighth inning with a home run to center. Ian Kinsler then singled to left on Hernandez’s 103rd pitch and his night seemed down to a final batter

Japan debt...negative

Japan debt rating cut by Fitch, outlook negative

TOKYO | Tue May 22, 2012 5:47am EDT

May 22 (Reuters) - Japan's sovereign rating was cut by one notch by Fitch on Tuesday as a political stalemate dims the chance that the country can curb its snowballing debt.

Fitch lowered Japan's long-term foreign currency rating to A plus from AA. It cut the local currency ratings to A plus from AA minus. Both were cut with a negative outlook.

Fitch warned that further downgrades are possible unless the government takes new fiscal policy

Spain Will...

Spain Will Remain In Recession Next Year, OECD Forecasts

By Angeline Benoit - May 22, 2012

Spain’s economy, the euro area’s fourth largest, won’t recover next year as government and private-sector funding conditions remain tight, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said.

Gross domestic product will contract 0.8 percent in 2013 after shrinking 1.6 percent this year, the Paris-based OECD said in a report today. That compares with the International Monetary Fund’s forecast for 0.1 percent growth after contracting 1.8 percent this year.

Putin Announces New Russian Cabinet

Familiar Confidants Chosen for Kremlin Posts

By ELLEN BARRY

Published: May 22, 2012

Observers have closely watched this week’s back-to-back staffing announcements for clues to whether the government will push through major political or economic changes in the coming years.

On Monday, Mr. Putin unveiled a new cabinet of ministers, replacing all but a handful of long-serving officials. State-controlled television emphasized the appearance of new faces as a signal that Russian politics is being imbued with fresh energy.

Lakers flexibility limited ...

Options, flexibility limited if Lakers look to retool

By Mike Bresnahan / Los Angeles Times
Tuesday, May 22, 2012

After another crash in the Western Conference semifinals, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have many future alternatives after their season-ending 106-90 loss Monday in Game 5 against Oklahoma City.

Missing California Teen...

Sierra LaMar: Arrest Made in Case of Missing California Teen

By KEVIN DOLAK (@kdolak) and DEAN SCHABNER

May 22, 2012

A man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Northern California teenager Sierra LaMar, who vanished over two months ago.

Antolin Garcia-Torres was arrested Monday and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of murder and kidnapping, according to

Private supply ship rockets space station

Private supply ship rockets space station

By MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace 5/22/2012

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A first-of-its-kind commercial supply ship rocketed toward the International Space Station following a successful liftoff early Tuesday, opening a new era of dollar-driven spaceflight.

The SpaceX company made history as its Falcon 9 rocket rose from its seaside launch pad and pierced the pre-dawn sky, aiming for a rendezvous in a few days with the space station. The rocket carried

sleep apnea....

People with severe sleep apnea five times more likely to die from cancer, study shows

5/21/2012By

Ryan Jaslow

 

(CBS News) Sleep apnea is a problem that goes well beyond annoying your partner with loud snoring. Research is showing it can raise risk for heart attacks, stroke and diabetes. Now, a new study finds it can make a person five times more likely to die from cancer.

Snoring, mouth-breathing tots more likely to develop behavioral problems
Sleep apnea CPAP treatment may lower heart disease, diabetes risk
Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

For the study, which will be published in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,  researchers collaborated with Spanish scientists to examine 22-year mortality data on 1,522 people enrolled in a long-running "Wisconsin Sleep Cohort" study. The data looked at  Washington state employees since 1989.

Every four years, the subjects underwent overnight sleep studies, including a polysomnography - an all-

'Mad Men'...

'Mad Men' Spoiled Bastard: Ep. 10: 'Christmas Waltz'

A thoroughly entertaining episode gives way to lots of worry. Just like "Mad Men," there's a cost to happiness

5/21/2012 by Tim Goodman

Let’s try a little something different this week because that’s precisely what Mad Mendelivered to us. I loved "Christmas Waltz" because it made exceptional use of both Harry and Paul and Don and Joan. And had an awesome car in it.

PHOTOS: 'Mad Men' Season 5 Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals

What more could you want? It was like a Christmas present itself. People have been dying to get Don and

Maxim hot list...

Bar Refaeli tops Maxim hot list; her secrets to sexiness helped

By Amy Hubbard

May 21, 2012

Bar Refaeli, Israeli model and former beloved of Leonardo DiCaprio, may have just topped Maxim's Hot 100 list of 2012, but she's thought about what makes her sexy long before this new honor.

In 2010, she pondered her secrets to sexy success in an interview with V magazine and came up with anot-profound realization:

"Why do people think I’m sexy? Maybe it’s the fact that I have boobs." 

The Maxim list this year is a unique one -- perhaps because readers were allowed to chime in for the first time.  It includes, at No. 92, Amanda Knox.  Knox is the young woman who was convicted of murdering the woman who shared an apartment with her in Italy.  The conviction was overturned in October of last year.

At No. 87 is Paulina Gretzky, but the daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky is beaten by Lois Griffin at No. 85.  Yes, Lois Griffin, the animated character on "Family Guy."  Perhaps more surprising: Stephen Colbert made it in, at No. 69, no less.  Colbert should be honored. It's reportedly the first time a man has made the list.

Catholic groups take fight against Obama...

atholic groups take fight against Obama birth-control rules to court

May 21, 2012

Some 43 Catholic groups including Notre Dame are attempting to block rules in the new health-care law that require health insurance to provide access to birth-control services.


By Warren Richey, Staff writer
In a coordinated pushback against the Obama administration, 43 Catholic institutions filed a dozen lawsuits in federal courts across the country on Monday, charging that new federal rules requiring most religious employers to provide health insurance that includes birth-control services violates their fundamental right to religious freedom.

The lawsuits are asking federal judges to declare that new rules enacted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January violate First Amendment protections of the free exercise of religion and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

sees EU consensus

Obama sketches four-pronged strategy for Europe, sees EU consensus

CHICAGO | Mon May 21, 2012 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama urged Europe on Monday to strengthen its defenses against financial market turmoil and recapitalize its banks as part of a four-pronged strategy for tackling the euro zone crisis.

European leaders have shown an increased resolve to address these issues, and there is a "consensus

Introducing the Leap

How Can Leap's New Motion Controller Top Kinect PCs?

• By Mark Hachman
• May 21, 2012

On Monday, motion recognition company Leap Motion emerged from stealth mode, prepared to offer a cheap motion-sensing peripheral into a market that should, by rights, be dominated by Microsoft's Kinect peripheral.

Coincidentally, Microsoft on Monday also released the Kinect for Windows 1.5, designed to woo developers with improved skeletal tracking as well as Kinect Studio, a tool that will let

GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks

GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks, oil rise as G8 leaders pledge growth

May 21, 2012 

* Stocks rebound after biggest weekly drop in 2012

* China's growth comments lift oil, risk assets

* Euro flat as investors still fear Greek euro exit

* Facebook shares fall 10 pct after Friday's debut

By Richard Leong

NEW YORK, May 21 (Reuters) - Global stocks on Monday rebounded from lows for the year and oil prices rose for the first time in four sessions as world leaders emphasized support for growth in the euro zone, and Chinasaid priority should be given to maintaining its economic expansion.

Still, most investors and analysts see the pause in selling of stocks, oil and other commodities as temporary, given the uncertainties ahead for Greece, which holds national elections on June 17.

Risk that Greece might leave the euro zone curbed a recovery for the euro, which stabilized above its lowest level in about four months.

On Saturday, leaders of the Group of Eight nations stressed that their "imperative is to promote growth