Report: States force jobless to pay needless fees
Written by DANIEL WAGNER,AP Business Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jobless Americans are paying millions in unnecessary fees to collect unemployment benefits because of state policies encouraging them to get the money through bank-issued payment cards, according to a new report from a consumer group.
Congress passes $50.5B Superstorm Sandy aid bill
Written by ANDREW MIGA,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three months after Superstorm Sandy ravaged coastal areas in much of the Northeast, Congress on Monday sent a $50.5 billion emergency relief measure for storm victims to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Under pressure, Boy Scouts may ease no-gays policy
Written by DAVID CRARY,AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Facing diverse and ceaseless protests, the Boy Scouts of America is signaling its readiness to end the nationwide exclusion of gays as scouts or leaders and give the sponsors of local troops the freedom to decide the matter for themselves.
Senate panel to vote on Kerry nomination Tuesday
Written by DONNA CASSATA,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on President Barack Obama's nomination of Sen. John Kerry to be the next secretary of state.
Neglect, errors to blame in Brazil nightclub fire
Written by JULIANA BARBASSA,Associated Press
SANTA MARIA, Brazil (AP) — There was no fire alarm. There were no sprinklers or fire escapes. And when a band member tried to put out a fire that had been started by pyrotechnics, the extinguisher didn't work.
16 sick in 5 states; linked to ground beef recall
Written by MIKE STOBBE,AP Medical Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal health officials say at least 16 people in five states have been sickened by salmonella food poisoning linked to ground beef.
US stocks mixed after uneven economic signals
Written by DANIEL WAGNER,AP Business Writer
U.S. stocks meandered between small gains and losses Monday, cooling off after a rally that had pushed the Standard & Poor's 500 index above 1,500 for the first time since December 2007. Encouraging news about manufacturing provided an early boost, but stocks fell later after a report on the pace of home sales fell short of expectations.
Barbara Walters hospitalized with chickenpox
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK (AP) — Barbara Walters would probably like to hit the reset button on 2013.