Berlusconi trial delay bill backed by Italy MPs

February 5th, 2010

Italian politicians have backed a bill that would allow PM Silvio Berlusconi to delay prosecutions against him. The law would allow senior government figures claiming "legitimate impediment" to have trials against them postponed for up to 18 months….

Haiti aid chopper crashes, two Americans killed (Reuters)

February 5th, 2010

Reuters - Two Americans were killed when their helicopter, which was participating in aid and recovery operations in earthquake-hit Haiti, crashed in the Dominican Republic, aviation authorities said on Friday.

Stocks in narrow range on mixed jobs report (AP)

February 5th, 2010

Michael Omara, a trader with Barclays, reacts as he looks at a trading monitor on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday Feb. 5, 2010. Stocks fell modestly Friday following mixed news from the Labor Department's monthly employment report. (AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews)AP - Stock indexes were trading in a narrow range Friday following mixed news from the Labor Department’s monthly employment report. The Dow Jones industrial average edged just below the 10,000 line.


Toyota chief breaks silence as Prius recall eyed (Reuters)

February 5th, 2010

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, left, speaks during a news conference at a Toyota office in Nagoya, central Japan, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Toyoda apologized for the automaker's global recalls and promised to beef up quality control by setting up a special committee he would head himself. Toyoda said the automaker was still deciding what to do to fix braking problems with the popular Prius gas-electric hybrid. At right is Shinichi Sasaki who is in charge of quality control. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)Reuters - Toyota President Akio Toyoda apologized for safety problems that have left the Japanese carmaker “in crisis” as the group considered another recall — this time over the brakes on the newest Prius hybrids.


N.Ireland agrees deal to open ‘new chapter’ (AFP)

February 5th, 2010

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen (left) and his British counterpart Gordon Brown (2nd left) arrive for talks at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's leaders have announced a hard-fought accord to transfer key remaining powers from London to Belfast, hailed as opening a AFP - Northern Ireland’s leaders announced a hard-fought accord to transfer key remaining powers from London to Belfast on Friday, hailed as opening a “new chapter” in the long-troubled province.


Lawyer: Jackson doctor to surrender Friday (AP)

February 5th, 2010

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2009 file picture, Dr. Conrad Murray arrives at his clinic in Houston. Michael Jackson's physician has arrived in Los Angeles in anticipation of a decision from the district attorney's office on whether to charge him for the singer's death, a spokeswoman said Tuesday Feb. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)AP - Michael Jackson’s doctor planned to seek his day in court Friday — whether or not he’s been charged in the singer’s death.


Toyota woes mount as Prius recall considered

February 5th, 2010

Toyota woes mount as Prius recall considered Damage to Toyota’s image is growing by the day with the automaker now considering a U.S. and Japanese recall of Prius hybrids — the vehicle that’s a symbol of its technological prowess and green car ambitions. The beleaguered automaker faces probes of brake problems with the latest model Prius in the U.S. and Japan but remains tightlipped about adding the gas-electric hybrid to the millions of cars it has recalled. Toyota is also investigating possible brake problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid. Nihon Keizai, Japan’s top business newspaper, said Friday that Toyota Motor Corp. would soon notify Japan’s transport ministry and the U.S. Department of…