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EU probes state aid to Peugeot

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 21:15

The European Commission on Thursday opened an inquiry on whether restructuring by PSA Peugeot Citroen, France's biggest carmaker and Europe's second after Volkswagen, complies with European Union rules on state aid. A restructuring plan notified by France includes a seven-billion-euro state guarantee as well as grants and repayable advances of 85.9 million euros. "The opening of an investigation in no way prejudges its final outcome," a commission statement said.

First Japan tsunami debris confirmed in California

Agence France-PresseApril 26, 2013 23:31

A Japanese fishing boat washed across the Pacific following the 2011 tsunami has been confirmed as the first piece of debris to reach the coast of California, officials said Friday. The 20-foot (six-meter) skiff, found this month near the northern Californian coastal town of Crescent City, belonged to the Takata High School in the Japanese city of Rikuzentakata, in Iwate Prefecture. Japan's consulate in San Francisco helped the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirm where the boat came from, after it was spotted washed up on a local beach.

First Japan tsunami debris confirmed in California

Agence France-PresseApril 26, 2013 17:52

US probe into dud Afghanistan army base incinerators

Agence France-PresseApril 25, 2013 12:46

US army authorities at a base in Afghanistan spent $5.4 million on trash incinerators that ended up being useless, a military investigator reported. The two hulking devices were accepted by US Army officials at the base in eastern Khost province even though they were not completely finished, and ultimately could not be used as many hours as needed each day because of concerns over attacks by the Taliban, the official said. The American authorities at the base had signed a contract in June 2010 with a Turkish company to supply the incinerators.

US probe into dud Afghanistan army base incinerators

Agence France-PresseApril 25, 2013 12:30

US army authorities at a base in Afghanistan spent $5.4 million on trash incinerators that ended up being useless, a military investigator reported. The two hulking devices were accepted by US Army officials at the base in eastern Khost province even though they were not completely finished, and ultimately could not be used as many hours as needed each day because of concerns over attacks by the Taliban, the official said. The American authorities at the base had signed a contract in June 10 with a Turkish company to supply the incinerators.

GE shareholders reject proposal to split chair, CEO roles

Thomson ReutersApril 24, 2013 15:15

By Ernest Scheyder (Reuters) - General Electric Co <GE.N> shareholders rejected a proposal on Wednesday to split the roles of chairman and chief executive, jobs currently held by Jeff Immelt. The proposal from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) pension plan failed at the company's annual shareholder meeting in New Orleans, receiving roughly 25 percent of shares voted. Roughly 77 percent of GE's 10.4 billion shares were voted at the meeting.

Strong quake shakes Papua New Guinea

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 20:31

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and no damage was immediately reported The strong quake hit at 09:14 am (2314 GMT Tuesday), 31 kilometres (19 miles) north of Rabaul in the the Pacific nation's east, the USGS said. It was 18 kilometres (11 miles) deep. Rabaul was the scene of destruction in 1994 when an erupting volcano caused a large number of buildings in the town to collapse, but seismologists said it was unlikely to have suffered any major damage this time.

6.1 earthquake hits off Japan's coast

Agence France-PresseApril 21, 2013 01:30

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the south coast of Japan's main Honshu island on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake hit at 12:22 pm (0322 GMT), 644 kilometres (400 miles) south of Tokyo, at a depth of 424 kilometres, the USGS said. Japan's Meteorological Agency said there was no risk of a tsunami. Tokyo and its suburban Kanto region were rocked by minor tremors but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, the agency said.

6.1 earthquake hits off Japan's coast

Agence France-PresseApril 21, 2013 01:00

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the south coast of Japan's main Honshu island on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake hit at 12:22 pm (0322 GMT), 644 kilometres (400 miles) south of Tokyo, at a depth of 424 kilometres, the USGS said. Japan's Meteorological Agency said there is no risk of a tsunami. Tokyo and its suburban Kanto region felt minor tremors but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, the agency said. The area is prone to earthquakes. kh/jw

Churchill tops CEO survey as 'most admired leader'

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 14:15

Britain's wartime prime minister Winston Churchill on Saturday topped a poll of leaders most admired by chief executives, edging out Apple founder Steve Jobs and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. The survey of some 1,300 business leaders, carried out by financial services giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), saw "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher as the only woman in the top ten, at seventh. Jobs was second on the list and fellow business tycoon Jack Welch, who led General Electric for 20 years, came in fifth. Political leaders took up the remaining places in the top ten.