CONSUMER NEWS

Obama to tout $3B pledge for food security 
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is set to announce a new $3 billion food security initiative to help alleviate hunger and poverty in Africa. The money is being put up by 45 private sector companies and seeks to build on food security commitments made by the U.S. and other countries. The White House says the initiative will be aimed at agriculture growth and could raise 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years. Obama will announce the food security alliance during a speech in Washington on Friday morning. Later Friday, Obama will head to the presidential retreat at Camp David for a meeting of the world's leading industrial nations. The so-called G-8 leaders also will hold a meeting on food security with the heads of four African nations.
   AP-WF-05-18-12 1003GMT

Posted 1:22 AM EDT on May 18, 2012

Healthy eating can cost less, study finds
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Is it really more expensive to eat healthy? A new Agriculture Department study counters a common perception that junk food is cheaper than a nutritionally balanced meal. It all depends on how prices are measured. Pastries and processed snacks high in fat, sugar or salt may seem a bargain if the price is measured by calories. By weight or portion size, grains, vegetables and fruits are less expensive. The cost of eating healthy foods has been the subject of growing debate. Experts warn that a third of U.S. adults are obese, and expect that number to grow to 42 percent by 2030.  A report two years ago by University of Washington researchers concluded that calorie-for-calorie, eating junk food is more cost-effective for low-income people than eating healthy.
   AP-WF-05-16-12 1815GMT

Posted 4:28 AM EDT on May 17, 2012

Honda recalls nearly 53,000 Acura TL sedans in US
DETROIT (AP) -- Honda says it's recalling nearly 53,000 Acura TL sedans in the U.S. to fix a problem with power steering hoses. The hoses can deteriorate over time and leak fluid. That can cause the cars to lose power steering or even cause a fire. The sedans are from the 2007 and 2008 model years. Honda says there have been no reported crashes, injuries or fires related to the problem. Honda Motor Co. recalled 273,000 TLs in in 2008 for a similar problem. They were from the 2004 through 2008 model years. Owners will get letters in mid-June telling them to take their cars to an Acura dealer.
   AP-WF-05-17-12 1140GMT

Posted 1:47 AM EDT on May 17, 2012

Comcast to start charging heavy downloaders extra
NEW YORK (AP) -- Comcast, the country's largest Internet service provider, is going to start charging extra when customers go over a certain monthly data limit. That limit, however, is very high, starting at 300 gigabytes for basic Internet plans. Only a tiny fraction of Internet users use that much data in a month. Comcast Corp., based in Philadelphia, said Thursday that it might charge $10 for every 50 gigabytes over that limit. Comcast has previously limited use to 250 gigabytes per month, but hasn't charged those who exceed that limit. Instead, it's warned them, and threatened repeat offenders with cancellation of their service. Other home Internet service providers like Time Warner Cable and AT&T have experimented with lower data caps and higher overages, but have met fierce resistance from consumers and politicians.
   AP-WF-05-17-12 1737GMT

Posted 1:42 AM EDT on May 17, 2012

Honda shows robotics for easy and hands-free ride
TOKYO (AP) -- Look, no hands. Scooting about on what looks like a floating car seat is no sweat for anyone with Honda's new hands-free robotics technology. Swaying your body from side to side is all you need to do to turn, rotate full circle and zip around on the Uni-Cub. The Uni-Cub has one main wheel, while a tiny wheel at the back helps for circular moves. Reporters got a test ride on the machine Tuesday. It takes some getting used to but responds smoothly and quietly. Lean forward to go straight, to the left to go left. If all fails to stop, just put your foot down. Uni-Cub will be on display at a Tokyo science museum. There are no plans yet for a commercial product.
   AP-WF-05-15-12 0424GMT

Posted 4:11 AM EDT on May 15, 2012

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Market breaks losing streak, with China's help

NEW YORK (AP) -- Forget Facebook. This is still Apple's stock market.

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Obama to tout $3B pledge for food security 
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is set to announce a new $3 billion food security initiative to help alleviate hunger and poverty in Africa. ...

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IN THE NEWS: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS PIRACY JUDGMENT

BOSTON (AP) -- A former Boston University student says he will continue to fight against having to dig into his pocket to the tune of $675,000 for illegally downloading and sharing music.

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CEMETERY WEDDING

AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) -- The parents of a Minnesota bride and groom couldn't attend their wedding in person, so the couple did the next best thing -- they got married in the cemetery where their new in-laws are buried.