Spaniards sue German firm over thalidomide

MADRID — Some 200 Spaniards born with severe defects after their mothers used the drug thalidomide during their pregnancies decades ago took the drug's German producer to court Monday to seek 204 million euros ($277 million) in compensation. Thalidomide...

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Maine blueberry crop expected to be above average

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine wild blueberry growers for the most part escaped widespread damage from a harmful new fruit fly during the summer harvest, resulting in what is expected to be an above-average crop. Growers were bracing for the tiny spotted drosophila,...

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SF-area transit strike averted _ at least for day

SAN FRANCISCO — A major San Francisco Bay-area transit strike was averted for at least a day after two labor unions extended contract negotiations beyond a midnight deadline and agreed not to walk off the job Monday to allow more talks. The deal announced...

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Greece eyes bond rollovers to cover financing gap

ATHENS, Greece — Greece's finance minister says the debt-hobbled country can cover a shortfall in its short-term financing needs by rolling over bonds held by European central banks and domestic lenders. Yannis Stournaras says the 11 billion-euro ($15...

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Microsoft's phone update to feature driving mode

NEW YORK — Microsoft is updating its Windows software for cellphones to accommodate larger devices and make it easier for motorists to reduce distractions while driving. It's the third update to Windows Phone 8 software since the system's release a...

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Amtrak carries record number of passengers

WASHINGTON — Railroad officials say Amtrak carried a record number of passengers in the year ending Sept. 30 despite Northeast service that was temporarily knocked out by Superstorm Sandy. The nation's passenger railroad network carried 31.6 million...

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Markets drift as debt ceiling deadline looms

LONDON — Three days from a deadline to increase the U.S. debt ceiling, investors were fidgety Monday and stocks drifted lower. The U.S. has to increase the amount of debt it can carry by Oct. 17 or face a possible default on its debt, a scenario that...

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High court weighs Mich. ban on affirmative action

WASHINGTON — After the Supreme Court ruled a decade ago that race could be a factor in college admissions in a Michigan case, affirmative action opponents persuaded the state's voters to outlaw any consideration of race. Now, the high court is weighing...

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3 US economists win Nobel for work on asset prices

STOCKHOLM — Three American professors won the Nobel prize for economics Monday for shedding light on how stock, bond and house prices move over time— work that's changed how people around the world invest. Two of the winners — Eugene Fama, 74, and Lars...

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Portugal's government wants to trim corporate tax

LISBON, Portugal — Bailed-out Portugal's government wants approval from Parliament to trim the corporate tax rate to 23 percent from 25 percent next year as a way of generating economic growth. Portugal is expected to weather a third straight year of...

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