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Gas prices jump nearly 3 cents to record; oil pauses
NEW YORK (AP) -- Gas prices have jumped nearly three cents since yesterday, reaching a new national record of nearly $3.65 a gallon.
That's according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, which also found a nine-tenths-of-a-cent hike in diesel prices.
Meanwhile, oil prices have paused after their own record climb. Crude reached a new record near $124 a barrel yesterday. Analysts say there's little in the way of news to drive oil moves today.
Many analysts feel investment driven by the dollar's protracted decline is the real reason behind higher prices. The dollar fell against the euro today, attracting investors who see commodities such as oil as a hedge against inflation.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Posted: 1:12pm EST May 8, 2008
Group asks government to end use of birth-control patch
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is being asked to pull the birth-control patch off the market.
The Public Citizen consumer advocacy group says the Ortho-Evra patch is much riskier than the pill.
A 2005 investigation by The Associated Press found patch users suffer higher rates of life-threatening blood clots than women who take birth-control pills.
Nearly 10 million prescriptions were filled in 2004. That number plunged to 2.7 million last year.
The manufacturer insists the patch is safe and effective when used as directed.
Public Citizen is petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to phase out patch sales over six months. Existing users could only get refills, allowing them time to switch to another contraceptive.
The FDA says it has yet to review the petition.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Posted: 2:09pm EST May 8, 2008
North Carolina TV market to make early switch to digital TV
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Any glitches in the nationwide switch to digital TV will be felt first in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The FCC says the five local stations in the market will be the first to switch from analog signals to an all-digital format.
That's set for noon on September 8th. The nation is to go all-digital on February 17th.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Posted: 12:05am EST May 9, 2008
Air safety, passenger rights bill hits dead end in Senate
CAPITOL HILL (AP) -- Legislation to make air travel safer and more passenger-friendly has been grounded in the Senate.
The Senate today stopped debate on legislation to fund and overhaul the nation's aviation system after most Republicans joined to block an effort to move the bill forward.
The vote was 49-42 to proceed with the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act, well short of the 60 needed. That vote could doom action on the legislation this year.
There had been wide bipartisan support for the main goals of the bill, which included making the Federal Aviation Administration more accountable for the safety of planes and airports, and protecting passengers from the miseries associated with lengthy delays.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Posted: 5:06pm EST May 6, 2008
Wal-Mart expands low-price drug program
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Wal-Mart is expanding its discount prescription drug program to offer a 90-day supply for $10. It's also adding several women's medications and cutting the price on more than 1,000 over-the-counter drugs.
This means the world's largest retailer is now filling prescriptions for up to 350 generic drugs for $10 for a three-month supply. Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies are included along with Wal-Mart stores.
The additional women's medications available for $9 include drugs to treat breast cancer and hormone deficiency.
Wal-Mart also says it's lowering prices on more than 1,000 over-the-counter medications to $4 or less. It says the discount drug program has saved Americans more than a billion dollars since it was introduced in 2006.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Posted: 12:57pm EST May 5, 2008
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