Rising unemployment taxes could hinder hiring
WASHINGTON (AP) — As if small businesses needed another reason not to hire, consider their latest financial burden: The cost of rising unemployment itself. Employers already are squeezed by tight credit, rising health care costs, wary consumers and a higher minimum wage. Now, the surging jobless rate is imposing another cost. It's forcing higher state taxes on companies to pay for unemployment insurance claims.
Newspaper circulation may be worse than it looks
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — While U.S. newspapers are losing subscribers at a staggering rate, a few dailies stand out because their circulation is rising. But they aren't necessarily selling more copies. Here's why: Since April 1, new auditing rules have made it easier for newspapers to count a reader as a paying customer.
Denmark: 65 world leaders for UN climate summit
COPENHAGEN (AP) — Sixty-five world leaders have said they will attend the Copenhagen climate summit in December, and several more have responded positively to invitations, Danish officials said Sunday. But the world's top three carbon polluters — the United States, China and India — have not indicated whether their leaders will attend the meeting, and that could have a big impact on its chances of reaching a deal.
Senate moderates frustrate other Democrats on bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate moderates on Sunday threatened to scuttle the health care bill if their demands weren't met, frustrating rank-and-file Democrats who say their colleagues' views were out of step with American voters. The inter-party dispute foretells of a rowdy floor debate next month as Democratic leaders try to push through legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million people who lack it. This weekend, the Senate voted 60-39 to open debate on the bill.
NRC investigating radiation at Three Mile Island
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (AP) — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is sending investigators to the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant after a small amount of radiation was detected there. About 150 employees were sent home Saturday afternoon after the radiation was detected at the central Pennsylvania plant.
Report: UK's Cadbury won't bite on Hershey offer
LONDON (AP) — British candy company Cadbury PLC will reject an expected 10.3 billion pound ($17 billion) takeover bid from U.S. confectionary giant Hershey Co., a newspaper reported Sunday. Britain's Sunday Times cited an unnamed industry source as saying Cadbury is reluctant to do a deal unless Hershey raises its valuation of the company, which makes the Dairy Milk chocolate bar.
South Koreans to get Apple's iPhone this week
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Apple Inc's iPhone is coming to South Korea this week, a local carrier announced Sunday, bringing the iconic communications device to one of the world's most sophisticated mobile phone markets. KT Corp. began accepting orders for the iPhone both online and in stores Sunday and service will start Nov. 28 as part of an official launch, said Alice Park, a spokeswoman for the country's second-largest mobile carrier.
Iraq's Oct. oil exports drop due to attacks
BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi official says insurgent attacks caused a 4 percent drop in the country's oil exports in October compared to the previous month, but that revenues were up due to higher prices. Oil Ministry spokesman Assem Jihad says exports averaged 1.877 million barrels a day in October, grossing $4.187 billion with an average price of $71.94 a barrel.
Deutsche Bahn signs $26B Qatar railroad deal
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — An investment company owned by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund has signed a $26 billion (euro17 billion) joint venture with Germany's national railway operator to build a railroad network in the natural gas-rich Gulf sheikdom. Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Deutsche Bahn AG will develop a metro system in Qatar's capital, a national railroad network for passenger and freight traffic, and a long-distance connection to neighboring Bahrain.
More Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club. The group, which surveyed 1,350 households, said there will be about 33.2 million people traveling by car this year — a 2.1 percent increase from last year.
