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….
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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…