Special Report: The deeper agenda behind "Abenomics"
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:51:19 -0400
By Linda Sieg, Yuko Yoshikawa and Tetsushi Kajimoto TOKYO (Reuters) - When ill health and political gridlock forced Shinzo Abe to quit after one dismal year as Japan's prime minister, his pride was dented and his self-confidence battered. One thing, however, was intact: his commitment to a controversial conservative agenda centered on rewriting Japan's constitution. Conservatives see the 1947 pacifist charter, never once altered, as embodying a liberal social order imposed by the U.S. Occupation after Japan's defeat in World War Two. ...

GOP's Walker touts state ties during trip to Iowa
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:48:19 -0400
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Scott Walker tried to introduce himself to Iowa Republicans Thursday as so many would-be presidential candidates often do — one of their own.

I-5 bridge collapses in NW Wash.; people in water
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:41:57 -0400
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — An Interstate 5 bridge over a river north of Seattle collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said.

Bridge collapses in Washington state, sending cars into river
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:26:35 -0400
(Reuters) - Part of a four-lane freeway bridge over the Skagit River in Washington state collapsed on Thursday, sending vehicles and people into the water below, authorities said. The collapse on Interstate 5 took out the northbound and southbound sides of the span and occurred at about 7 p.m. local time in Mount Vernon, 55 miles north of Seattle, Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Mark Francis said. "I've got reports of vehicles and people in the water," Francis said. He added that he did not know if anyone was injured. The cause of the collapse was not immediately known. ...

Brown hounded for calling Manila 'gates of hell'
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:15:51 -0400
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Dan Brown's description of Manila as "the gates of hell" in the American novelist's latest book has not gone down well with officials in the Philippine capital.

Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty; retrial set
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:14:53 -0400
PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors who spent five months determining Jodi Arias' fate couldn't decide whether she should get life in prison or die for murdering her boyfriend, sending prosecutors back to the drawing board to rehash the shocking case of sex, lies and violence to another 12 people.

Study: No higher cancer rate at Conn. Pratt plants
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:14:52 -0400
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An 11-year study of the incidence of brain cancer at jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney in the state ended Thursday with university researchers saying they found no statistically significant elevations in the rate of cancer among workers.

Kreider keeps Rangers alive with OT goal
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:11:35 -0400
NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Kreider proudly wore the Broadway Hat in the victorious New York Rangers dressing room as he tried to describe the feeling of saving his team's season.

NJ: Caramel-colored rubbing alcohol sold as scotch
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:00:33 -0400
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — At one bar, a mixture that included rubbing alcohol and caramel coloring was sold as scotch. In another, premium liquor bottles were refilled with water — and apparently not even clean water at that.

Red Wings top Blackhawks 2-0, take 3-1 series lead
Thu, 23 May 2013 23:00:29 -0400
DETROIT (AP) — Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, putting the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.