Methane warnings ignored before NZ mine disaster

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand coal mining company ignored 21 warnings that methane gas had accumulated to explosive levels before an underground explosion killed 29 workers two years ago, an investigation concluded.The official report released Monday after 11 weeks of hearings on the disaster found broad safety problems in New Zealand workplaces...

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Family defends Malaysian held over Facebook insult

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The family of a Malaysian man detained for allegedly insulting a state sultan on Facebook called for his release Monday, saying the government is violating his free-speech rights.Police arrested 27-year-old Ahmad Abdul Jalil in Kuala Lumpur and took him to southern Johor state late Friday. He was freed briefly Monday after...

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Brad Pitt turns designer for high-end furniture collection

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor Brad Pitt has turned his talents to creating furniture for a luxury design house with a high-end collection inspired by both Art Nouveau and Art Deco, according to Architectural Digest.Pitt, who collaborated on the collection with U.S. furniture designer Frank Pollaro, discussed his inspirations for the capsule collection...

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Factbox: Mitt Romney, Republican U.S. presidential candidate

(Reuters) – U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and private equity executive, is pursuing the White House for the second time in Tuesday’s election.Here are key facts about him. * Romney, 65, espouses traditional Republican positions to cut taxes, reduce federal regulations,...

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The Greeks Are on the Brink Once More

Not too long ago, the only people who would watch votes in the Greek Parliament were those paid to do so as part of their jobs. Over the last couple of years, though, ballots in the historic and often raucous Parliament House have become required viewing for audiences around the world. It seems that every few months Greece’s future hangs on the voting...

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U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for captain of replica HMS Bounty

Charleston, South Carolina (Reuters) – The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday suspended a four-day, round-the-clock search for Robin Walbridge, 63, the missing captain of the replica tall ship HMS Bounty, which sank in heavy seas stirred up by Hurricane Sandy.Fourteen crew members were rescued from life rafts by Coast Guard helicopters on Monday, but Walbridge...

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Doctors debate value of ‘fringe’ heart treatment

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A heart disease treatment that many doctors consider fringe medicine unexpectedly showed promise in a federal study marred by controversy, causing debate about the results.The study tested chelation (“kee-LAY’shun”), periodic intravenous infusions said to remove calcium from hardened arteries. Chelation is used to treat lead poisoning...

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HSBC profits to gain from cuts to bad debts, costs

LONDON (Reuters) – HSBC Holdings is expected to report a jump in quarterly profits on Monday as lower losses from bad debts and a cost-cutting plan outweigh mis-selling charges and the impact of tough economic conditions across the world.Europe’s biggest bank will be the last of Britain’s major lenders to report and all are facing intense scrutiny on how...

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As foreigners go, Afghan city is feeling abandoned

affiliate marketing KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — By switching from studying business management to training as a nurse, 19-year-old Anita Taraky has placed a bet on the future of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar — that once foreign troops are gone, private-sector jobs will be fewer but nursing will always be in demand.Besides, if...

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Softbank changes eAccess share swap ratio after stock decline

affiliate marketing TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Softbank Corp said on Friday it will change its share swap ratio with eAccess Ltd, which it acquired in a $ 1.84 billion deal at the start of last month.Softbank said it will change the swap ratio to 20.09 from 16.74. The decision follows a decline in Softbank’s share price that took place...

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